#watch me do all this analysis and then not get good matchmaking and only get top 50% like the last time lmaaaaaaaaoo

[zaptap]

havent found as much info about eggstra work as before (and i havent tried it yet) but here's the datamined info about it

looks like if you reach 210% or 240% (the highest possible) in wave 4 (the fog wave) it spawns 2 goldies that carry 10 eggs

at 180% the goldies, in spawn order, have 5/1/5/5/10 (so you get one with 10--lower hazard levels don't get any)

at 210% and 240%: 5/1/5/5/10/10

the sequence of goldies is the same across all hazard levels (you just don't get as many at lower ones), so if you're paying attention and you know you're dealing with the one that spawned second, feel free to kill that thing wherever because it only has one egg (you can also look at the site i linked to see where it spawns, the 1-egg one is usually in the same spot in most hazard levels but in one a 5-egg one spawns there too later so be sure you've got the right one)

probably going to be critical to make sure you get both 10-egg goldies, which means you can only miss getting 2x quota once. if you miss it twice (or get below 1.5x once and 2x on the others) you still get one 10-egg goldie, which might be salvageable to some extent, but if you start wave 4 below 180% you definitely won't be setting any good records

with previous eggstra work events, the non-event waves seemed to be the most challenging, so perhaps wave 3 would be the best to just get 1.5x quota, but also glowflies tends to be kind of hard so maybe there? depends on the group a bit i guess. and maybe getting 1.5x on glowflies would make 3 easier enough to get 2x

actually i watched a bit of a stream where they were trying to stop at 35 on the glowflies wave, just below 2x--i remember there being a strategy of avoiding the highest hazard level at the end to make wave 5 easier to gather eggs on, so that's probably what they were doing, but idk the extent of the plan since i didn't see enough of the stream

my guess is the ideal would be:

wave 1: 2x (all: 21)

wave 2: 1.5x (27+, DO NOT exceed 35)

wave 3: 2x (46+, max is 57)

wave 4: 2x (58+, max is 90)

wave 5: whatever you can get i guess (31 quota, max is 87)

total: 183-290

even without fully maxing out the hazard level, that's still a wide range above the highest previous top 5% (which was 217)

though the low end of that range assumes you barely meet the quota. let's put it differently: if you want to aim for at least 220, you'd need to get 63 eggs in wave 5 (after getting max in 1, 35 in 2, and barely 2x quota in 3-4) (which means you can miss 24 of them in 5, or more if you get further over 2x in 3-4, so that's still fairly lenient i guess)

and if you barely meet 1.5x quota in wave 2, you would need 68 from wave 5

but if you get the absolute max from waves before 5 (aside from getting 35 on 2) you would only need 17, which is way under quota. like you could lose at that point and still potentially have a shot at top 5% lol

as for what you'd get if you keep up with the highest hazard level--hard to say where wave 2 would be since goldies don't spawn at a fixed rate in a rush wave (i could research the specifics but i think, like grillers, it depends on how fast you take them out), but wave 3 goes up to 66, 4 is 99, and 5 is 96. so if you barely meet 2x quota on wave 2 and get every single other egg that spawns, you're looking at 318, which can go up by whatever amount above 36 you can get in wave 2. sounds about as absurdly high as i remember hearing previous ones records being at

[musicfeedsmysoul12]

AIDeku - Fem!Izuku - MASH Soulmate,

MicDeku, TodoDeku, ShigaDeku

"Is this a publicity stunt or..." Izumi trailed off as she eyed the cameras around them.

"Just normal for UA?" Ochako said in amusement. "Both probably," the girl shifted on her prosthetic legs. "Man, I can't wait to see who I get."

"You'll be a hero no doubt," Tenya announced as he adjusted his bag. Only having one arm made things a bit difficult, but he managed. He wasn't ready for a prosthetic yet. "Unlike me." he gave a moody sigh. He hadn't been expelled for his antics during the internship and was lucky to have managed to live. But his future as a hero was uncertain. The public was on his side, the legal system wasn't. It confused everyone.

"You will to!" Ochako said instantly.

"Don't worry Tenya, the bullshit coming from the system is going to fade away quick," Izumi promised as she leaned back in her wheelchair to pat his arm.

She met Ochako due to them being the only two people with large physical disabilities in UA. Izumi's came from... well, a bad situation. Ochako's came from a botched robot during the hero entrance exam. They became great friends very quickly. Tenya had already been their friend before he lost his arm, but it just made them stronger.

"Chatter," grunted Shinsou-sensei, the heroics teacher looking exhausted as he sipped his coffee. "You all talk so much."

"Awwww," mocked Izumi, grinning at the look he gave her. He was dating her cousin, she wasn't scared of him. Said cousin showed up then, throwing an arm over the man's shoulders.

"Babe," Earphone Jack, or Jirou Kyoka, said, smirking. "You need to calm down a little." The English teacher ruffled Shinsou's purple hair. "You doing alright kiddos?"

"More or less," Izumi said. "I'm going first cause of PR stuff, so that's fun." She made a face. "The Quirkless and crippled support kid. What fun."

"Don't sell yourself short Izumi," Kyoka told her cousin. "You're top student after all." Izumi just shrugged. The group waited a bit longer until her name was called to go and do the MASH. She rolled up to the table, ignoring the nattering of the man announcing her.

"And this is Midoriya Izumi, top student in the support course! She is in the analysis branch, as well she is one of our first Quirkless students!"

Yay.

Izumi went through the whole 'blood in the ink' routine and watched as it was spilled across the paper.

Todoroki Shouto, Shigaraki Tomura, Aizawa Shouta and Yamada Hizashi appeared. Izumi's stomach dropped.

Shigaraki? As in the nut case who attacked the school? What?! She already could hear the mutters from others, but a sharp cough stopped it.

"It's one out of four, and probably connected to the bullshit the board is pulling with Bakugou," she heard her cousin say a bit loudly. "I mean, having him come to UA after what he did? Of course she'd go villain. I'd join her."

Well, that was nice to hear. She recognized the other three names to, all Class 1A students like Ochako and Tenya. Aizawa had been a general studies student before winning the sports festival, beating out Todoroki with a lot of glee. Given what Izumi miiiiight have overheard from the red and white haired boy... he had issues and a good ass kicking helped. Yamada was a loud guy who liked music and whom Kyoka had eagerly snatched up as a mentee.

She didn't know any of them well but...

"Wait," Izumi's mouth dropped open. Her thoughts had been distracting her from noticing the next few things, such as number of kids (0 being the lowest and 5 being the highest with 3 and 1 rounding it out) and where she'd live (Mustapha or Tokyo seemed locked in). But what drew her attention now was jobs.

Analyst was one, which she expected. But seeing rescue-based hero, number three hero and number one hero after made her heart beat hard. Her hands went to her mouth as even the Matchmaker stared.

"I... huh." he shrugged. "Let us start the spiral..." Izumi eagerly obeyed, creating the spiral to decide on how many passes. When they were done it began.

Izumi was interested in the spouses, but her eyes were drawn to the jobs. What would happen? Which would be her future?

Around and around, things were ticked off. People murmured in the back about her future jobs, even as first number three and then number one were ticked off.

She would live in a house, she would have one child and live in Mustapha. Those were the first decisions.

Then it happened. Analyst became ticked off. She burst into tears, covering her face.

"I'm going to be a hero!" she gasped out. "I'm going to be one!" she felt the tears trickle down her face as she beamed. She hadn't expected her dream to happen. Had never thought it would.

But here was proof it could.

A hand came down on her shoulder and she looked up to see the tired face of Aizawa Shouta. She blinked and looked at the paper. His name was chosen. She looked back and he gave a half smile.

She smiled back.

[actualbird]

Oh god!

I really love the poly headcanons they are so sweet.... (or don't but that's part of it and i think the tot boys+MC deserve all the love the world has to give).

But, liking it or not, our 4 beloved boys are kinda complicated (that's what makes them perfect). Plus I never thought about how people get in poly relationships. So i was thinking, how do you think they all get into a polyrelationship together?

(I really have no idea of how that would happen)

hi, two anons!! im glad you guys liked my nxx team polycule stuff!! i'll answer these in one go, my "headcanon" (in quotes because i think this kinda turned into a character analysis/minific of sorts HAHA) being what first anon asked, How They Get Together.

heads up, wc of this is 1.9k words long so buckle up for a bit of a read jfsjdfkjbf

because first anon, youre right!!! the boys are stupendously complicated which i love so so much but canon has also shown us clearly that each of the boys' quirks and habits and tendencies causes a lot of (mostly played for laughs) friction. the bickering, the backhanded insults, the "im the best one here" preening contests. theyre all SOOOO RIDICULOUS and it is hilarious but yep! the boys r complex!! and that means this beautiful ship, imo, has a lot of phases to get to the actual romantic relationship bit.

how they get together, in my opinion, starts because of mc.

not in the sense that she matchmakes them all, but like.

phase 1 of the nxx team polycule is this:

through being in love with her (which we all know the boys 100% are), each of the boys come to terms with their own flaws and weaknesses. it's very apparent to me in all the story thus far that these boys are flawed as hell, it's very compelling but even more compelling to me is how all of them also do intense mental gymnastics to Not Confront Those Flaws. like, marius is a dickbag always teasing and toeing the line of insincerity, vyn is a controlling mf who always tries to sway situations to his benefit, artem is so repressed to the point that he has genuine trouble with emotions, luke is a self sacrificial bastard and also a huge hypocrite about how no, actually, hes the only one that should be hiding his pain and being dishonest, no dishonesty from other people!! in the beginning of the story, all the boys have their flaws and seem to have just kinda...not addressed how those flaws are harming them and the people around them.

and then mc rolls around and they all fall in love with her. and she sees those flaws and she doesnt let them slide. she challenges the boys in her own ways to see another side of the situation, to acknowledge what theyre doing. she doesnt want to get rid of flaws, thats impossible and also not cool. she just has this beautiful hope for like, all of humanity, that goodness can prevail with the right work. so when she sees her beloved nxx boys, she believes that for them as well.

which leads to phase 2 of the nxx team polycule:

the boys, more aware of themselves, become more aware of each other.

they werent Unaware of the others of course. it's just that they didnt like...truly connect on a personal level just yet. they saw the other teammembers with their emotional armor and flaws and saw a wall that wasnt worth looking past.

but after mc makes them realize that hey, flaws arent the end of the world actually, it's alright and the person behind them may just be worth it, the boys like. end up understanding the others. A LOT OF THIS BIT IS UNINTENTIONAL, ON THEIR PARTS KJDSBFS. like they stumble into understanding each other by accident, they didnt plan it, but over the course of nxx investigations, it's inevitable that they end up seeing the depths of the others. i delve into this a little bit in my fanfic "filler eps of the lost gold" where the boys are just going thru their actions and then trip over another boy's fears or desires and through that, gain a deeper understanding mutually.

and with understanding, sometimes, comes trust.

phase 3 of the nxx team polycule goes like this:

everybody in this team, whether they like it or not, whether they know it or not, has a heart that wants to give love so desperately.

marius lives in a world full of snakes so he cant have his heart on his sleeve for his own protection. vyn wants to be seen as perfect and the heart is inherently messy so he holds it back. artem for a very very long time was focused on work and success and achievement that he neglected his heart. and luke has been giving love all his life in a sense but in a way thats hidden.

all these tendencies that are brought upon their life circumstances results in this: they want to love honestly but they havent been able to do this

until mc. and all of them want to push back whatever fears or patterns their life has instilled in them because they see her and see somebody so unwaveringly good that all their hearts begin giving love to her to make her happy and to make themselves happy as well.

but heres the thing. the boys dont just see mc. by this point, they have connected and understood and come to trust each other as well, and the consequence of that is that They Can See Each Other Now Too, Truly.

and heres the thing. all of the boys are unwaveringly good as well.

one by one, each of the boys realize that what they feel for the other boys in the team starts to...change. yeah theyre all friends, they pick on each other a lot of the time, but the bedrock of the relationship is solid and strong now. but when marius is with luke, marius sees a light inside of luke so bright that he seems unaware that he gives off. when artem is with vyn, artem sees a goodness inside of vyn that hesitates to make itself obvious and known because vyn is scared of getting hurt thanks to it. all of them see the other and their goodness and, unbidden, their hearts want to give love to each other as well.

and because theyre all a bit stupid in their own way theyre like, huh, weird! wonder why this feeling is so familiar! and yet i cant seem to name it...and then they all independently compare these feeling with the feelings they have for mc, a feeling they do know the name of, and theyre like.

WAIT.

THESE FEELINGS ARE...VERY BASICALLY EXACTLY WHAT I FEEL FOR MC.

which only means one thing: theyve fallen in love with everybody else

marius: //goes to his studio to Think and sees that a bunch of his recent art actually had little crumbs of these feelings already, etched into the brushstrokes and scenes. has an emotional crisis about it

vyn: //records a 1 hour long entry in his audio diary to examine and gain control of his feelings but by the end of the hour all he knows is that he wants to hold these people and be held by them

artem: //quite literally just bluescreens, artem.exe has stopped working, sits at his study and slowly, slowly, thunks his head down onto his desk, valiantly trying to ignore the fast pulse of his heart

luke: //manically vents about it to peanut who, by virtue of being a bird, doesnt get it. just keeps talking at peanut to get a grasp of it all and then lies down on the floor, overwhelmed

mc, sitting in her apartment watching some netflix: ...why do i inexplicably feel as if something very, very important has just happened?

phase 4 of the nxx team polycule is basically:

pining: extreme difficulty level

because pining is already hard when ur pining for one person. what more for an additional 3 more people. and those additional 3 more people are pining back.

and all these boys are SOOOO OBVIOUS with their romantic feelings, in their own special way. the way they show their affection to mc starts to bleed into their interactions with the others and everybody can CLEARLY SEE WHAT IS GOING ON, LOL, but also all the boys are too chickenshit to confront it, because if they confront it, what will even happen??? being in love with each other, all of them, thats going to be such a complicated fucking relationship, holy shit. it's 2030, yeah, being a polyamorous group relationship isnt completely unheard of, but sue them, theyre scared.

but mc (who i forgot to mention already knows of the boys' romantic feelings for her, shes just hasnt made a move yet on any of them because SHES IN LOVE WITH ALL OF THEM AS WELL and shes been trying to figure out how the hell to make that work, she cant bear to choose just one of them, she'd be heartbroken over leaving the rest of them behind) sees that the nxx investigation team is now all pining for each other FULLY and she kinda wants to laugh when she realizes whats going on because like, what are the chances? that this would happen? that they all found each other and their feelings fell into just the right place for nobody to be left behind?

theyre all scared, she can tell. and she is as well, she wont lie.

but shes always had a belief that goodness can prevail with the right work.

and love is one of the greatest goods out there.

phase 5 of the nxx team polycule:

It's Time For Communication, Baby!!!!!

the exact scenes of how this happens is a bit vague to me. it could go two ways: mc going to each of the boys independently to talk about feelings, hers about everybodys and his about everybodys as well. OR they have a fucking meeting about it all together and artem literally schedules it in his google calendar, or something.

either way, they like, actually talk about this. starts casual, maybe over a chill date, maybe over dinner at a nice restaurant, maybe over a walk in the park as the sun is starting to set. but where ever it happens, the end result is the same: a heart is laid out bare and it is taken in gentle, grateful hands.

marius: OKAY, NOW THAT THE FEELINGS ARE OUT OF THE WAY, CAN I PLEASE KISS ONE OR ALL OF YOU, PLEASE, IVE BEEN WANTING TO KISS U GUYS FOR FOREVER

vyn, laughing fondly: has anybody ever told you patience is a virtue? we quite literally just talked it all out.

marius: //needy whining noises

artem, embarrassed: ive...never kissed anybody before

luke, embarrassed but trying to play it Cool: ....same here

mc: kissing is great, you two will love it!

marius: awesome, awesome, so is ANYBODY going to give me a go ahead or WHAT????

phase 6 of the nxx team polycule:

i dont want to say it's happily ever after, once they all get together. thats not really realistic.

they all have their quirks and tendencies and habits. and those will inevitable clash against each other. theyll have their arguments, theyll get upset, theyll sulk and be angry, sometimes. but also...

theyll see each other smile and feel like their love shining so brightly. theyll reach out for another's hand and be held in such a way that makes them think that their heart is in a safe place. theyll love each other and theyll put in the work to continue loving each other. because goodness will prevail.

and they all see each other as the most good people in the world.

so whatever happens, theyll get through it together.

[aspiringauthorintraining]

Dandelion Wine: Supervision Required

You took another gulp of the dandelion wine, emptying the last of the glass’ contents into your mouth before asking Charles for a refill. He looked at you with a worried look, but you waved it off saying not to worry.

Any other day, you would have gone for grape juice. But after the long week you had, you had decided that you deserved a little bit of the nice stuff to relieve some of the piled up stress on your shoulders. And somehow, one glass of wine had quickly turned into four.

As you waited for Charles to finish filling your glass up again for the fifth time that night, your half-lidded eyes landed on a familiar pair across the room. You were so immersed in watching them, you hadn’t noticed someone taking the empty seat next to you.

“What’s got you drinking wine all of a sudden?” Kaeya sidled up next to you, eyeing the drink in your hand with an interested look.

You gave him a glance before gulping down a good portion from your refilled glass. Your face turned sour at the bitter liquid escaping down your throat. “Do you think Jean and Diluc are dating?”

The cryo user followed your line of sight, to see Jean and Diluc conversing about something inaudible.

“You’re joking, right?” He asked, confused.

“No?” You responded, squinting your eyes at him. Had the lights in the tavern turned brighter all of a sudden? “Anyways, I think they make a great match, don’t you?”

“Huh?” Kaeya was further confused by your words. “Are you drunk?”

“No,” you lied, taking another sip of wine.

Kaeya gave you a skeptical look. “I’ll go get Diluc for you.”

“No, stop! You’re ruining their precious quality time together!” You grasped his arm tightly, preventing him from getting up.

“What are you talking about?”

You responded to his question with an exasperated look. “I’m talking about Jean and Diluc! Can’t you see how perfect they are together?”

His eyes flitted to the pair, before giving you a strange look.

You breathed a heavy sigh, mustering up the energy to explain the concept of love to this blind person.

“The two are the classic example of what people call, “the ideal couple.” Jean’s basically the perfect “girl-next-door”; being gorgeous, having everyone in love with her, and excelling in everything she does.”

“And Diluc?” the captain asked, amused at your analysis.

“He’s the ultimate “bad boy”. He’s got the looks, the money, the power. He’s always busy running his wine empire and acts like he doesn’t care about the city after quitting the Knights of Favonius- yet, he protects the city in the shadows and takes time out of his busy life to check up on the ones he cares about.”  

You paused in your lecture to take another sip from your cup.

“I bet they like each other, but are afraid of the prying eyes to have a public relationship-“ You gasped. “-or maybe they’re in a secret relationship!” You concluded, surprised by the sudden thought.

Kaeya snorted at your conclusion. “How much have you had to drink tonight?”

You glared at him. “I’m not drunk, I’m telling you!”

“Of course you aren’t.” he smirked.

You ignored his sarcasm. “Anyways, they both really deserve to be happy after all they do for Mondstadt. You know with Jean as Acting Grand Master, and Diluc as the Darknight Hero.”

Seeing the said man walking over to you two, Kaeya leaned in closer to you with a grin. “Should you be saying the Darknight Hero’s true identity in a public place like this?” Kaeya whispered in your ear.

You quickly shushed him, putting a finger to his lips. “Shh, don’t give away Diluc’s secret!” Your widened eyes glanced around the room to see if anyone had heard him, like you hadn’t just gave out the secret seconds ago. Thankfully, the other patrons in the tavern were already drunk to care about what you had to say.

“I thought I told you not to drink too much.” Diluc interrupted the conversation, watching your drunken state with a frown.

“I’m not drunk! I’ve only had what was in this cup. I promise!”

“The lady speaks the truth.” Kaeya piped up, ignoring the glare he received from Diluc. “Although, I did see her asking for a refill earlier.”

You pouted at Kaeya’s statement. “But I used the same cup! So I am telling the truth.”

“Say Diluc,” Kaeya grabbed the red-haired man’s attention. “Are you and Jean together?”

“Excuse me?” The Acting Grand Master comes up from behind Diluc.

Kaeya shrugged his shoulders at the accusing glares, pointing to you. “She seems to think that you are.”

Jean’s eyes grew wide, looking at you quickly. “I’m not in love with Master Diluc, nor will I ever be.” Jean adamantly stated.

“I think it’s time for you to go home-“ Diluc got cut off by your finger shushing him.

“Shh. You don’t have to deny it in front of us. We fully support your relationship.” You shoot the couple an empathizing look.

Kaeya burst out laughing behind you, at Diluc’s and Jean’s face.

“Nothing is going on betwee-“

“Aren’t you tired of hiding? We’re your friends, you can tell us the truth.” You said, patting her shoulder gently.

“Like I said there is-“

“Okay, there’s nothing going on between you two.” You nodded, before ending off with a wink.

“No, no winking!” Jean pleaded.

Diluc just shook his head at you, before hitting a laughing Kaeya in the back of his head.

“We’re leaving now.” He lifted you, who kept winking at Jean, up into his arms and walked out the tavern before things could get worse.

“Stop winking!” He heard Jean yell from behind, to you.

Kaeya’s cackling could still be heard even as the door shut.

Leaving the tavern, the walk, or ride home in your case, was quiet. You had quickly fallen asleep in Diluc’s arms, holding on tightly with your arms around his neck. And when you opened your eyes again, you found yourself on a bed, with Diluc taking your shoes off.You had a urge to touch his scarlet hair, and found your hand doing so.

Noticing you were awake, Diluc looked at you before heaving a deep sigh.

“Please stop trying to pair me up with other people whenever you’re drunk.”

“But why not?” You whined.

“Because I’m already married?” He quipped, grabbing your hand touching his hair and landing a kiss on it.

“You are?” Your eyes widen. “To who?”

In your mind, Diluc was one of the best people you knew. So obviously, the woman he married would have to be as well, right?

“To a very drunk woman.”

“?” You tilted your head, confused at his answer.

He rolled his eyes. “It’s you.”

“Me?! Really?!” You gasped at his revelation. “We’re married? You and me? Me and you?” You asked repeatedly.

“Yes, dear.”

“Are you sure? Because I feel like I would remember something like that happening.” You gave him a skeptical look.

“If the ring on your finger is anything to go by, then yes.”

Bringing your hand right up to your face, you gasped as your drunken vision took in the glistening ring nestled on your fourth finger. And while you went through a range of emotions, Diluc finished tucking you into bed.

“Is that convincing enough for you?” He asked, taking the spot beside you on the bed.

“I guess so.” You agreed sleepily, the wine’s effects making you more drowsy by the second.

“Go to sleep. We’ll discuss this in the morning.” Diluc caressed your cheek, lulling you to sleep.

You softly hummed in agreement, before your sleep overtook you.

________

The next day, you woke up with a raging headache.

“I hope you learned not to drink five glasses of dandelion wine.” A deep voice sounded from behind, as you chugged down the glass of water sitting on the bedside table.

You just put your finger up to your lips, shushing him. “Everything’s too bright and loud.” You squinted at him and then shielded your eyes. “Even your hair’s too bright for me right now.

Diluc just continued. “You know, I thought after we got married your drunken matchmaking for me would stop.”

“Hey, I said I would try not to. I never made any promises.”

“And that is why I won’t let you drink dandelion wine without supervision.”

“If I remember correctly, I kept to my promise. It’s not my fault you weren’t specific on the details.” Diluc gave you an exasperated look, making you relent. “Fine, fine. I’ll have proper supervision next time. Adventurer’s honor.”

Bonus:

The next time you were in the tavern, you had made sure to order a glass of grape juice.

Jean was sitting next to you, talking about Klee’s most recent accident, blowing up something somewhere again, when the door to the tavern opened. In walked Kaeya and Diluc heatedly discussing something you couldn’t hear.

You took a gulp from your grape juice, noting it’s unusual sour taste.

Must be a new flavor they’re trying out, you guessed, before a sudden thought occurred to you.

“Hey, Jean?”

Jean looked at you, with a questioning glance.

“Don’t you think Kaeya and Diluc are a good match?”

Jean spit out the drink in her mouth at your question. “What?”

“I mean, they’re total opposites, but you know the saying how opposites attract.” You noted the grape juice’s sourness again as you took another sip.

You paid no attention to Jean, who was stammering for a response, and watched as Charles called Diluc over with a worried expression. You overheard the words “labels mixed up” and “dandelion wine” as you took another sip.

___

*(A/N): I’ve been obsessed with this game recently, and wrote this on a whim. All the husbandos are so good looking. Leave a like, comment, or do whatever. Thanks for reading! And please stay safe out there! (Why go out anyways when you can just play Genshin all day lol) ^^

[goldentournesol]

Proper Date

(Spencer Reid x Reader)

The one where Spencer and Y/N go on a proper date after being kidnapped together.

Part 2 of Unwanted Matchmaker: Read Part 1 here :)

A/N: makes minor references to Part 1, but can be read without reading it. ENJOY SOME SPENCER FLUFF! i got a little carried away...but it’s worth it! thank you to @theamuz , @andiebeaword , @yourwonderbelle​ for requesting a part 2! 

Length: 2.5k

masterlist

Luckily enough, Friday came sooner than Spencer had thought it would. He was finally able to take a break from the team. Y/N had texted him Friday morning to confirm the date. She hadn’t stopped thinking about him for a single moment ever since they went their separate ways the day of the fateful kidnapping. She never thought she’d ever be thankful for such a situation.

She was nervous, she knew very little about the Dr., but had gathered bits and pieces of him on the days she saw him at that coffee shop. She thought he was gorgeous. She also thought she may have imagined it when she caught his eyes lingering on her once or twice, but the imagination became set in stone when his face broke into what seemed like the most adorable shy smile that could possibly appear on someone’s face. She should have talked to him then, but she would have been late to her class. She couldn’t have been more glad to go on a date with him.

Spencer had gotten off work two hours early to ensure he had enough time to be nervous while getting ready.

“Woah, where you goin’, pretty boy?” Morgan asked as he watched Spencer begin to pack his things.

Spencer rolled his eyes, he should have timed his exit better, “Uh...I have an appointment?” He made an attempt to lie. 

“You always this nervous going to appointments?” Emily chimed in.

“Wait, wait, what day is it?” Morgan asked.

“Friday.” Emily replied.

A knowing smile made a home on Morgan’s face, “Aha! Pretty boy’s got a date!” Spencer quickly shot him a look that screamed, ‘how did you know?!’, “I may have overheard you talking to the girl the day the unsub took you.”

Once again, Spencer rolled his eyes, “My God, can’t I have just one thing to myself? Just once?” He tried to hide his smile though.

“Nu-uh, not when it’s making you this nervous!” Emily pointed out, noticing how Spencer’s hand was turning white at the intensity it held onto his bag.

“Well, Emily, it’s not every day that I have a date with someone who is practically the embodiment of beauty.” Spencer uttered with a slew of exasperated hand motions.

Morgan let out a chuckle, “Calm down, kid. She seemed really into you. I’m sure she’s just as dorky as you are.” Emily smiled endearingly at the youngest member of their team and nodded.

“Yeah, haven’t you guys been in contact like..all week? She wouldn’t have done that if she wasn’t interested.” She added and noticed the slight drop of Spencer’s shoulders. Maybe they were right, he probably had nothing to worry about. He nodded and began to smile.

“Go get her, kid. Just try to keep the statistics at a minimum.” He joked around before Emily interjected quickly, “No! Be yourself!” Spencer laughed and gave them a double thumbs up before quickly saying goodbye and heading home.

He called the restaurant to double check his reservation and tried to pick out an outfit that wouldn’t scream, ‘I got off work two hours early’. He showered, shaved, and attempted to style his hair, but it was too much of a task to tackle, so he left it to do whatever it pleased. He decided he’d stick to his normal attire with a white and blue checkered button down, a navy v-neck sweater and a matching blazer to elevate the look. He contemplated whether or not a tie would make the outfit over the top, but then remembered that the restaurant would be quite fancy and added it anyway. He left his house a half hour early to make sure he had enough time to pick up a bouquet. That was romantic, right? People do this all the time, right? He took a deep breath and reminded himself to stop stressing. He decided to get her red flowers to match the dress she wore when he first saw her. She was wearing a white dress with a motif of small red flowers with black centers, it was safe to say she blew him away that day. 

He checked the time and saw that it was still early, so he texted her. They had agreed on meeting at the restaurant, but he just couldn’t wait to see her.

“Hey, would it be okay if I picked you up instead of meeting there?” She lived closer to the restaurant anyway and he wanted to ensure her safety any time he possibly could.

“Yeah, sure! I’ll send you the location.” She did just that and Spencer made it there on time, of course.

He took a deep breath as he stood at her doorstep with the bouquet of flowers. He gave himself a miniature pep talk and knocked on the door three times. Spencer hoped the knocks were louder than his heartbeats beating relentlessly in his ears.

Y/N’s heart leapt as she heard the knocks, “Coming! Just one second!” She made her way over to the door, struggling to put in one of her earrings. 

She opened the door for him, “I’m sorry, I’m almost rea-” She breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of him. She admired his every angle, he looked immaculate to say the least. She’d only noticed that she dropped her earring on the floor because she followed his eyes to where it lay.

“You..um, dropped your..” He stuttered, turning red. Was it him who made her nervous? She laughed nervously and retrieved it quickly, putting it on. He cleared his throat to try to regain his composure from seeing her, “You look...stunning.” He let out a breath and shook his head as if to clear the fog in his brain that she unintentionally created, “Oh! Um, and these are for you!” He extended the arm holding the bouquet. 

She smiled and accepted them graciously, “Oh, these are beautiful, you didn’t have to trouble yourself, Dr. Reid.” He loved the way his name sounded coming from her.

“It was nothing, really, it’s the least I could do, and please, call me Spencer.” He smiled and she mirrored it instantly.

“Come in, Spencer. I’ll put these in a vase, put on my shoes, and we’ll head right out!” He watched her as she disappeared into her apartment. 

A sparkly, form-fitting black dress adorned her figure contrasting to the flowy nature of the dresses Spencer had usually seen her in. He tried not to profile her apartment as much as he could, but he was too curious not to. He saw unfinished canvases and the apartment smelled vaguely of paint thinner. He admired her paintings but also tried not to snoop. She came out of her room, completely ready, and saw him staring at her paintings.

“Uhm, those aren’t quite done yet.” She stated shyly, “I have a habit of getting sidetracked.” She giggled and gestured to her unfinished paintings. 

He smiled as he turned to her, “I’m sorry, I didn't mean to poke around.” He stated quickly but she just smiled at him, “These are incredible, I don’t believe I have a single artistic bone in my body.” He laughed.

“Yeah, right! That can’t be true.” She teased. 

Spencer grinned and checked the time, “Are you all done? We should get going. I hope you don’t mind walking there.” She nodded and they made their way out. The restaurant was a short walk away and the whole time Spencer fiddled with his hands in his pockets nervously except for when he was describing something, a habit he had. They arrived at the restaurant.

“Good evening, reservation for Dr. Reid.” Spencer said and Y/N hated the way her stomach went into a fit of somersaults at that. That was a lie, she kind of loved it.

They were seated and they could finally make uninterrupted eye-contact. She smiled at him and Spencer hoped his swooning wasn’t too obvious. They ordered their food and made conversation as they waited.

“So, Spencer, how did you get into the FBI?” She asked as she propped her chin on her hand. Her gaze was enough to send Spencer into the next dimension.

“Believe it or not, I’m unbelievably athletic.” He joked and she bubbled with laughter. Spencer couldn’t take his eyes off her as she laughed, determined to never stop her from doing it, “seriously,” he continued, “they took one look at me at the academy and were like, yeah we need this dude chasing down bad guys immediately!” She laughed again and shook her head.

“Aw, come on, don’t bring yourself down!” She smiled wide and took one of his hands that were resting on the table. Spencer’s heart soared at the action and was glad it was different from the way it felt as she clutched his hand when they were kidnapped together.

“I guess the FBI needed me because well...serial killers and criminals often have a tendency to create puzzles that are seemingly impossible to crack, and I just so happen to be very good at cracking those puzzles. I usually do that by analyzing their behavior. I work for the Behavioral Analysis Unit.” She could tell he was being humble, but she couldn’t help but be impressed.

“Aren’t you a Doctor? I’m assuming PhD?” She saw him blush.

“Uh, three actually.” He looked off to the side bashfully. Her jaw dropped at his humility, but he just smiled, “In Mathematics, Chemistry, and Engineering…” he paused, “as well as degrees in Psychology and Sociology.” She laughed in somewhat of a shock. Spencer knew his credentials were impressive but for some reason her validation seemed so important to him.

“What….how? How old are you?” She gawked. 

He laughed, “I’m 30. I graduated high school at the age of 12. I have an IQ of 187 and can read 20,000 words per minute. I have an eidetic memory which basically means I can remember lots of information accompanied by the ability to recall things with accuracy which of course came in handy while I was getting those PhD’s…”

“Wow...” was all she could say, she suddenly felt insignificant, but her smile never faltered. He had no intention of making her feel that way and she knew that, but she had no idea how she possibly landed a date with a...genius.

“Yeah...it kind of overwhelms people, I hope you’re not too intimidated.” He laughed shyly. She giggled, how could she be when his awkwardness made him oh so endearing.

“I’m not gonna lie, it’s a little intimidating, but they are amazing accomplishments and you have every right to be proud of them.” She assured him by squeezing his hand, just like he did hers when she was nervous. He appreciated the gesture and they grinned at each other.

“So when did you start painting?” He asked her as he took a sip of wine.

“All my life, it seems. I couldn’t think of anything else that I wanted to do. There’s something about the way the paintbrush feels in my hand. I don’t know, I guess I wanted to add more color into people’s worlds…and I love kids! I just knew I had to teach them.” She gushed and he admired the way her eyes sparkled.

“You know there are countless studies that support the idea of painting as a stress reliever. Actually, there was this one study where…” he continued to ramble and Y/N seemed to hang onto every word. He was so adorable in the way that he described things and bounced from one topic to another. She didn’t interrupt him once, not even when the food was set down on their table. He only stopped when he felt the warmth of her hand disappear from his so she could start eating. She peered at him curiously, wondering why he stopped.

“Sorry,” he grinned, “didn’t realize I’d been rambling.” 

She shook her head, smiling wide, “If I knew half the things you know, I would want to share them with everyone too. I love it.”

He hadn’t expected her response but he was grateful because she hadn’t belittled him like most people do. They ate as they shared stories from their lives. Spencer noticed how the wine added a flush to her cheeks and he wondered how much more beautiful she could possibly get. She insisted on feeding him a piece of her meal but she couldn’t reach that far across the table and Spencer thought that was adorable. He’d had to lean forward just to have some, the interaction made his cheeks ache from smiling. Soon, they finished their food and Spencer took care of the bill, Y/N insisted she’d take care of dessert. 

They got up and headed out of the restaurant. They were greeted by the soft chill of the nighttime. Spencer had noticed immediately how Y/N’s arms instinctively shot up to hug herself and shield her body away from the cold. He took his blazer off and placed it on her shoulders. She blushed at the warm gesture and gladly slid her arms through. 

She smiled up at him gratefully, “Thanks, Spencer. Are you sure you won’t get cold?” The way she slipped her arm through his and hugged his arm almost made him forget to reply. 

“I’m good, this um, sweater vest is warmer than it looks.”

He usually shied away from touch, but if there was one thing Spencer was sure of, it was that he never wanted her to let go of him. They walked in the moonlight. Conversation with her came easily. They found themselves in front of the coffee shop where they first learned of each other. It seemed it only fit to celebrate their first date there. They walked in and the woman behind the counter beamed as she saw the two of them walking in together. It was like she knew. She greeted Y/N and the Dr. gleefully and happily took their order. Spencer physically had to bite his lip to keep from smiling too much. They sat down where Spencer usually sat with his books.

“The first time I saw you sitting here, you were literally zooming through a book. I thought you’d had to have been looking for a specific quote or something, not actually reading it!” She giggled as she took a piece of the carrot cake they’d ordered. She didn’t want to let go of his warmth, so they decided to sit next to each other. Spencer didn’t mind that one bit, he’d taken his hand out of his pocket and laced his fingers through hers, their arms still looped in one another’s.

He nodded at her words, taking another piece, “The first time I saw you, you were just walking in, with your earbuds in. I was quite literally blown away.” He sheepishly admitted. She was taken aback by his sweetness and she shook her head. This man had to be too good to be true. She looked up at him and placed a gentle kiss to his cheek.

“I never thought I’d say this but...I’m so glad I was kidnapped.” She said and that sent the both of them into a roar of laughter that made the entire coffee shop jealous of what they had.

Part 1

[johannstutt413]

(requested by calligomiles; continuing from this)

“...And that’s what happened.” Istina and Rosa were sitting at a cafe, half a plate of teacakes and an empty pot of decaffeinated tea at their table. “I would invite her to a Group meeting at some point, but I’m worried she might along with Rada a little too well.”

Natalya smiled. “You finally found something you don’t want to share, Annechka?”

“Yes, I have.” The comment had been made in jest, but there was no discounting the serious expression on Anna’s face.

“Oh, my. This is a different side of you from what I’ve seen.” The heiress sipped from her final cup for their date. “But you still wanted to tell me about her?”

The advisor blushed. “You know how I feel about you already, and seeing as I believe I’ve found another person I may feel something similar towards...I think you’ll like her, too.”

“Oh, I certainly do.”

“Y-you do?” Istina had also lifted her cup for a sip, but she had to set it down to register that response properly. “Have you met her before?”

Rosa nodded. “Yes, we work together in Logistics. She’s certainly charming, but I’d never thought of pursuing anything with her before.”

“I see. Would you, now that I’ve asked to do so?” Her hand was trembling just enough to be noticeable.

“Is that a question or a request?” The heiress reached across the table to take her hand, which was so rattled it’d left the teacup entirely. “We can ask her together, if you’d like.”

Anna nodded. “I w-would appreciate the assistance. It was much easier to reach out to you...I’m not sure I’m strong enough to do it again.”

“And you assume I am? Dear, you really do think too much of me.” Not that Natalya minded having someone believe in her - it made one of them who did, at least.

“Thank you.” The advisor took a few deep breaths to collect herself. “Alright. Perhaps we can take her out to lunch tomorrow?”

She nodded. “That sounds like a solid plan to me. I’ll mention it to her this afternoon and see what she thinks.”

“Thank you.” Istina was practically venting steam by this point, but she had both permission and encouragement from her closest companion, and that was enough...Even if that permission was about fundamentally changing the power dynamic of their relationship by introducing a third party, and she’d received it with gusto. That wasn’t a bad sign, was it? What would Rosterstein have said about something like this?

What would Vika have said about this?

----------

“Good afternoon, Kit-Kat,” Natalya greeted the Feline as she returned from lunch. “Enjoy your meal?”

“It was alright,” Swire replied noncommittally, returning to her desk.

The Ursus turned to face her. “Just alright? Usually it’s good, even if it’s just a break from the office.”

“I guess...Something happened the other day while I was heading to the coffee shop, and when I went there today I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

“Oh, I see.” She certainly did - after all, Istina had just talked about that event with her. “Would you care to talk about it?”

The money-cat started running a quick cost-benefit analysis before remembering Rosa was a member of the same club as Anna was, anyway, so there couldn’t be any harm. “Well, I went by the Doctor’s office to talk to him, like I do every now and again, and he wasn’t there, but your friend Anna was.”

“She’s usually not?” Rosa wondered aloud.

“No, normally I think she’s at lunch, too, but since the Doctor wasn’t in, I guess she stayed to take a message?” Swire shrugged. “Well, I struck up a conversation with her instead.”

The heiress chuckled. “An impressive feat, I’d say.”

“She’s a nice girl, just not very open...Although, after our talk, I understand why. Did she tell you about Victoria?” The Feline was watching her closely.

“...Victoria?” Now this was new. “No, she hadn’t. Who’s Victoria?”

Swire realized her mistake. “Sorry, I thought that was her name. Anna called her Vika.”

“Oh. OH. Yes, she was one of her friends from school. While we were at Chernobog, Anna said her name sometimes in her sleep.”

“She told me about her because I wanted to take her to get some food with me while I waited for the Doctor.” The Feline wiped a stray tear from her eye. “Rosa, I’ve never seen someone break down like that and been the only person there to help.”

Earlier, when the advisor had told the story, Natalya had felt some of her pain; hearing Kit-Kat’s side of things prompted a more nuanced response. “You were thinking about what happened to Vika at the coffee shop today?”

“I was thinking Anna needs someone to be there for her...and I think I want to be that someone.” The money-cat was blushing just thinking about holding her again.

“I certainly agree.” She stood up from her desk. “Although I should tell you that you’d be sharing her with me in such a circumstance.”

The Feline blinked, and not to shake the tears from her eyes. “Share?”

“Annechka and I are dating, and today at lunch she told me about what happened. You’re not the only one with feelings between the two of you, Beatrix.” The Ursus smiled at her.

“Oh. You don’t mind?” Swire smiled back. “I heard stories about the Student Group, but I didn’t want to make any assumptions.”

Rosa chortled - a skill she’d learned from the nobility but hadn’t fully lost yet. “Oh, trust me, Kit-Kat, it’s not a Group thing. Anna and I simply have similar tastes, and she asked for me to help arrange something if I was willing. Hearing you talk about her so sweetly, I’m more than happy to play matchmaker-with-benefits.”

“Gotcha…’Matchmaker-with-benefits?’”

“It was the first term that came to mind,” she replied with a blush. “Come to lunch with me tomorrow; we’ll meet Anna in the cafeteria, and we can let the two of you confess to each other. Does that sound good?”

Beatrix imagined sitting in a rocking chair - more precisely, sitting in Natalya’s lap while Anna sat in hers - listening to the advisor read in her soft voice, and there was no doubt in her mind. “That sounds perfect.”

----------

The next day, Anna was in the cafeteria, alone at a table, twiddling her thumbs and pecking at her goulash (not that it wasn’t delicious) when her girlfriend and girlfriend-to-be arrived. “Hey, Anna! We didn’t keep you waiting too long, did we?” Swire asked as she sat down on the advisor’s right.

“N-no, not long at all.” As Natalya sat down on the other side of her, she took a deep breath. “Um, did Rosa tell you why I wanted to have lunch together, all three of us?”

“She certainly did. I, um...I’m really happy you feel this way, too.” This was a lot more straightforward than the Feline had seen this going in her head.

Istina reached the same tomato-red shade the money-cat found herself turning just a bit faster. “Th-that’s great! Um, you d-don’t mind, um, having to share, then?”

“No, I don’t.” She nervously chuckled. “It, um, is kind of a first for me, but I think it’ll be kinda fun, too. Heh.”

“Great. Now that that’s settled, you should seal the deal,” Rosa noted, completely calm as she tore into a turkey drumstick while they talked.

Both turned to look at her. “Seal the deal?” Beatrix asked her.

“Have your first kiss,” the heiress replied. “I’d like my turn as well, but it was your idea. I’m simply a beneficiary.”

“Here? Now? I-I don’t know...” Thinking about it was getting her hot under the collar.

Which made the fact that their dear Annechka was the one to take a deep breath and lean in close first all the more sweet. “Bea?”

“Yes, Anna?” That was all the encouragement she needed, in the end. Just one more thing. “You’re really cute when you’re making the first move.”

“Eek.” With a sound too small to punctuate with an exclamation point, Istina almost fell into Swire’s face more than anything; despite it being a bit more disoriented than either of them had pictured the night before, it was what they’d both hoped for-

-even up to the point Rosa clapped when they were finished. “Brava! Brava! Sappho would be proud, most certainly.”

“Alright, then, princess.” Filled with bravado from that tender moment, the Feline stood up and walked over to Natalya. “Your turn.”

“Gladly.” *smoooooch*

Something triggered in a part of Anna’s brain she didn’t realize she had at that moment. “...Um. Are you both going back to the Logistics office after this?”

“We do have to get back to work at some point,” the heiress shrugged, turning back to her food- and finding the advisor there. “An- mmm.”

“I’m going back with you.” It wasn’t a request.

Swire giggled. “Ohhh, this is gonna be fun.”

[bonvoyagenoona]

Matchmaker (M) | 01: Sign Up

Matchmaker | Masterpost

Word Count: 7,667

Rating: 18+ / Explicit / Mature

Summary

Based on your analysis, Namjoon and Jungkook seem to be quintessential day traders and nightlifers. You can smell the booze on them when they reach your office. How are you supposed to help find Namjoon the perfect match when Jungkook keeps sneering at your state-of-the-art, well-researched system? Then again, there’s nothing that your science can’t fix. Even if Jungkook keeps trying to ruin you.

Chapter Excerpt

“I guess I just want to make sure that I find the right partner,” Namjoon replies.

You notice him wiping his sweaty palms on his knees, already so nervous. “Don’t worry,” you reply reassuringly. “My entire career has been spent on the study of human behavior. Trust in this system. It works.”

A scoff comes out of the other one, the one that Namjoon has dragged into your office.

“Would you like to say something?” you ask him.

“Just that this is a bunch of bullshit,” he replies smugly.

“Jungkook,” Namjoon says wearily. “I brought you here for support.”

It has a name, you think.

“You don’t find people through apps and formulas,” Jungkook continues, “you find them in real life.”

“And how’s that working out for you?” you ask. Namjoon stifles a laugh.

Jungkook leans forward and looks at your sad desk salad. He smirks at you. “Maybe I should ask you the same question.”

01: Sign Up

Jungkook slams his shot glass upside down on the bar and lets out a raw, open-mouthed sigh.

“Burns so good!”

Namjoon stares lazily at him from the stool to his right. “I thought you said Jimin, Taehyung, and Hobi would be here.”

“They were, but they found some fun at the last bar.”

Jungkook is still in his getup from the work day, his tie loosened, sleeves rolled up, and jacket folded on his lap. Namjoon is in sweats, having gone straight home after work. In fact, Jungkook had woken him up from the first good sleep he’d had in weeks. The least Jungkook could do was buy him a good drink, but it turned out that even that wasn’t enough of an incentive to stay.

“I think I’m going to go,” Namjoon says, rising from his stool.

“What? You just got here!”

“I wanted a drink, but not if it means I have to watch you do your thing,” Namjoon says dismissively.

“What else do you have to do tonight?” Jungkook asks.

Namjoon sighs. He sits back down.

Jungkook’s eyes roam over the sea of people behind them, all yuppie kids borne of yuppie parents, family wealth and degrees from prestigious universities in tow, searching for the right make and model that will get them through the night. And, if they’re lucky, onto the next leg of the journey.

He is only concerned about the former. “How about her?” he asks, pointing his chin at a voluptuous blonde.

Namjoon, however, is concerned with the latter. “Aren’t you tired of one-night stands?” he asks.

“You want something longer? Have you heard of tantric sex?”

“No,” Namjoon replies, annoyed, “I mean, don’t you ever wish you had something more?”

“Are you getting soft?” Jungkook asks playfully. “Because I am. Listening to you.”

“Maybe I am getting soft,” Namjoon says wistfully, looking at the blonde. She’s a gorgeous woman, and she’s surrounded by other, smiling gorgeous women, and he’s questioning why this is even a question for him.

“I like things to be exactly enough,” Jungkook says.

“Yeah, I remember the words ‘bare minimum’ being in your performance report.”

“What I mean is,” Jungkook says, dodging Namjoon’s comment, “I don’t set high expectations. If I like someone, then great. When I stop liking them, onto the next. I don’t go into anything wanting any kind of commitment or meaning.”

“So you’re committed to nothing, and life is meaningless,” Namjoon observes.

Jungkook mulls his words over. “Yeah!”

“It’s too late at night for me to be this nihilistic,” Namjoon says, standing again. “I know myself. I’m going to go down the void.”

“So go down someone else’s void instead then. Like the blonde’s void.”

Namjoon looks at Jungkook, unsure if what he’s about to say is really going to land. “I’m serious, Jungkook. I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“OK, well, let’s maybe go to that one club where you met that guy who did that thing with his elbow---”

“I don’t want to pick up people in bars, or clubs, or lounges, or raves, and especially sanitation plants anymore.”

Jungkook gets a fond, faraway look in his eyes. “Oh shit, I forgot about that. That night was awesome.”

“Listen,” Namjoon says, pulling Jungkook back to the present, “I signed up for one of those online dating service things.” He pulls out his phone, pulls up the app, and shows it to Jungkook, who reads the screen.

“Matchmaker: Meet Your Match Today.”

The left corner of Jungkook’s lips turns up.

“Kook.”

A smile begins to form. Jungkook’s lips spread wider and wider until he’s showing all his teeth, and the right corner of his lips reaches the same height as the left. His eyebrows rise to his hairline. His eyes are shining.

“Don’t.”

Jungkook laughs softly, opening his mouth.

Namjoon scrunches up his face and braces for the teasing and the snark.

The laugh builds and builds until Jungkook is doubled over, dropping his suit jacket on the sticky barroom floor, and slamming his palm next to his shot glass over and over again. The shot glass jumps and rattles with each hit.

Namjoon is so fond of Jungkook that he can’t help but relax and grow a small smile of his own.

“I’m serious,” he says, laughing a little now. “I even got the premium account.”

“Oh my god, that makes it even better!” Jungkook yells, high-pitched. “You always were a bougie boy!” He wipes the tears from his eyes with the back of his left hand and reaches out for Namjoon’s phone with his right.

Namjoon watches as Jungkook scrolls through the different parts of the app.

“So you’re really out here. You’re really doing it.”

“I’m trying. I think I’m actually ready.”

“What do you see on the other end of this?”

“Marriage. House. Kids. All of it.”

“I guess I didn’t take you as being, y’know.”

Jungkook looks back out at the crowd.

“One of them.”

“I’m not,” Namjoon says. “I’m just me. And I want this. I want to share my life. I want to meet someone really great, who takes the time to get to know me, who can teach me things. And I want to do the same for them. I think we could be really happy.”

He looks at Jungkook, who looks absolutely disgusted.

“...Will you help me?”

“What??”

“Tomorrow. I want to check this out after work. Really dig in.”

“You know that I love you so much that I’d help you hide multiple dead bodies, but this? Am I really the right person for this job? I mean, do you see this face?”

Jungkook’s cheeks, lips, and eyes are still scrunched and contorted. He looks like he’s in pain.

Namjoon raises his eyebrows. “I’m a bit nervous about it. I kind of don’t know where to start.”

Jungkook just blinks. Then, he reaches over for Namjoon’s drink and downs it one go.

“Sure, bro,” Jungkook says, patting Namjoon on the shoulder and looking at the crowd. “Now, if you’re not into the blonde, mind if I take her?”

In the seven years that Jungkook and Namjoon have known each other, they’ve seen each other graduate from college, and business school, and work their way up to a corner, albeit shared, office. But they prefer it that way. The constant calls and analysis of leading and lagging indicators is interspersed inside jokes and stupid pranks.

Pranks like the one Jungkook is setting up for Monday.

“He’s gonna be so mad,” Jungkook says, typing furiously at his keyboard.

Namjoon checks his watch. “Just close down already and let’s go. I’m going to be late for my appointment.”

“You have an appointment?”

“Yeah, at Matchmaker. You said you’d come with me.”

“I thought we were just going to hang out here and swipe-swipe-swipe! They have an office? With, like, a person?”

“A research team, yes.”

“That is fucking hilarious.”

“OK, nevermind, you’re disinvited, I’m going alone.”

Jungkook finishes typing, and his screen goes black. He grabs his jacket from the back of his chair and catches up with Namjoon just outside the main door. He bounces next to him as they approach the elevator bank.

“I thought you were using an app? Why are you making an appointment?”

“It’s an online dating service,” Namjoon says for the millionth time that day, getting on the elevator with Jungkook right behind him. “Someone walks you through the process.”

“Kook! Hey! Wait for us!” a familiar voice calls.

Namjoon and Jungkook exchange looks. Jungkook’s eyes alight. Namjoon furrows his brow.

They both reach for the button panel. Namjoon smashes the DOOR CLOSE button, and Jungkook mashes the DOOR OPEN button.

The elevator doors slide in both directions until Jungkook swings his arm in the way and around the wall. The elevator starts to beep a warning that something is blocking its way. Jungkook turns around and grins at Namjoon while Jimin, Taehyung, and Hobi run inside.

The doors close.

“Thanks,” Jimin says. “There was a huge group behind us. Didn’t want to get stuck waiting.”

“Good thing we left when we did,” Hobi agrees.

“Yeah, otherwise Namjoon here would be late for his appointment,” Jungkook says.

Namjoon smacks Jungkook’s upper arm, loud.

“Client appointment?” Hobi asks.

Jungkook winds up and punches Namjoon in his shoulder, hard, to where Namjoon hits the other side of the elevator.

“Kook!” Namjoon groans, holding his arm while Jungkook laughs.

“...Doctor’s appointment?” Taehyung asks.

“Tell ‘em, Joon,” Jungkook says.

By the time the elevator gets from the 23rd floor to the ground floor, Jimin, Taehyung, and Hobi are all cracking up. They spill out into the lobby, barely able to hold themselves up.

“Why is this so funny?” Namjoon demands, people starting to weave in and out of their group as the mad dash home begins.

“It’s not,” Hobi sighs, holding his stomach and patting Namjoon on the back.

“Hell yeah it is,” Jungkook protests.

“We just weren’t expecting it,” Jimin replies, as Taehyung wipes his eyes. “Do you know how many dates you could have gotten in college if you had just opened yourself up a little?”

“What do you mean?” Namjoon asks.

“You were so serious with your studies,” Jimin explains. “Even now. When you party with us, you always end up talking about books.”

“So what, I like books. People like books!”

“Of course they do, but are you really going to discuss Gravity’s Rainbow while people are doing lines off strippers’ ass cracks in the middle of an underground boxing match?” Jimin asks.

“God, who knew that sanitation plant held such gems,” Jungkook reflected.

“It’s the last place anyone would look,” Taehyung says wisely, and Jungkook nods.

“I don’t want a date, or a fling. I’m really trying to find someone,” Namjoon insists, pushing past his friends and the rest of the crowd.

Jungkook turns to the group. “Stand down, boys. I’ll keep an eye on our Joonie,” he says before jogging to follow him.

“Jin, what do you wanna order?”

“The tuna roll, I guess.”

Yoongi looks up from his phone and at you. “Are you sure you don’t want in on this?” he asks, watching you type.

“I have a late appointment,” you say, clicking through the client’s files. “It’s a premium account.”

“What are you going to do for dinner?”

“I still have my salad.” You hold up the plastic container.

Jin frowns. “The salad I picked up for you at lunch?”

“You haven’t eaten at all today?” Yoongi asks.

You shrug, absorbed in your work.

Jin sighs. “You’re going to give yourself an ulcer.”

“It’s worth it if we get into this journal. We’re short a few more participants. Not everyone in the database signed consent forms.”

“And if we don’t get into the journal?” Yoongi asks.

“Then I’ll print out the paper and use it to plug my ulcer.”

Yoongi makes a face.

“Talk some sense into her,” Jin commands him, as he and Yoongi gather their things to leave for the day.

“I’ve tried,” he admits.

There’s a knock on the door, even though it’s open. The three of you turn to see two figures in suits. They’ve got that clean-cut, former frat boy, new car smell. You exchange glances with Yoongi, who then rolls his eyes.

“Hi, sorry to interrupt. I’m Kim Namjoon. I’m a bit late for my appointment?”

“Hi, Namjoon. You’re right on time. We spoke on the phone,” you say, standing and smiling politely. “

“Oh, great. Nice to meet you in person.”

“Likewise.”

Jin leaps into action. He smiles, and you’re immediately reminded of why he’s your COO of Client Services. He’s so good with people, incredibly perceptive of market and social trends, and he’s damn good at closing.

“Kim Seokjin,” he says, walking over and shaking Namjoon’s hand. “If you have any questions at all about your premium account, let me know. We strive for perfection here.”

Namjoon grins. “Good to hear.”

“And this is Min Yoongi,” Jin adds, “COO of Data Services.”

“Hi,” Yoongi mumbles, shouldering his backpack.

“He’s a man of few words, but he’s the smartest man I know,” Jin brags, and Namjoon nods.

You stifle a laugh. You’ll never get used to all of Jin’s client voices. Your favorite is the sickeningly sweet one he uses with older women. He’s such a social butterfly.

You’ll also never get used to seeing him and Yoongi in their pristine dress shirts and slacks. You think back to your days in the innovation lab in grad school, where the three of you met and spent your days in an office not unlike this one, in your hoodies and sweats, coding and analyzing data for hours upon hours, bitching about your labmates and professors and talking about how you’ll leave academia and build an empire together.

“Great to meet you, Mr. Jin, Mr. Yoongi,” the other one says, imitating Jin’s voice and laughing.

Yoongi looks annoyed. “Actually, it’s Doctor. For all of three of us.”

The other one clears his throat uncomfortably. His eyes land on you. “So, what does that make you? Dr. Secretary?”

“She’s our CEO,” Jin replies, dropping the act and looking at Namjoon to get him to rein in whatever this is before a line is crossed.

“Of course,” Namjoon replies, embarrassed and nudging the other one to get him to stop.

Yoongi turns back to you. “You sure you’re OK here?” he asks.

“It’s fine,” you reply.

It’s not fine. It’s not anything you haven’t dealt with before, especially being a woman in the field, but it’s still incredibly disrespectful. And yet, you’re desperate for more business. More clients means more potential participants in what you’re really after: that journal publication.

Yoongi waits. He needs more proof that you’ll be OK.

“This intro meeting won’t take too long,” you say, looking back at Namjoon. “Just some introductory questions and an overview of the process. Wanna come join me?”

You gesture to the seat in front of your desk.

“Sure, thanks,” Namjoon says. He turns to Yoongi and Jin. “It was nice to meet you both. I’m excited to start the process.”

“Looking forward to working with you,” Jin says, shaking Namjoon’s hand again, albeit a little less friendly.

The other one sarcastically bows as Jin and Yoongi leave.

Namjoon glares at him and hits him in the chest before walking over to your desk and taking a seat in your guest chair.

The other one, who still hasn’t introduced himself, looks around your office. He looks smug and skeptical, mentally making fun of all of your pictures and magazine covers, until he sees your team’s collective diplomas hanging on the wall. He glances back at you, and you sneer.

You sit down and smile genuinely at Namjoon, choosing to focus on him. He’s your client, after all.

You slide the pre-prepared packet across the desk and toward him. He follows along in the pamphlets as you go over the steps of your program. Namjoon completed the first step by signing up, and with his premium account, he gets unlimited consultations with you and the rest of your team. The next step will be to create a profile, a process that will involve a personality inventory, a very specific set of questions, and a “starter date” with an actor. You’ll attend that “starter date” to observe his interpersonal interactions and provide coaching as needed.

From there, you’ll curate the potential matches that Namjoon would be most successful with, and you’ll push their profiles to him through the app. They’ll start talking and can make plans for dates. Like with everyone else, Namjoon will need to debrief you within 24 hours of each date, and you’ll talk about making adjustments in how he wants to move forward. Once Namjoon has found his match, you’ll be done.

Namjoon looks more and more optimistic as you go on.

Then, the real pitch comes, and you start to get a little nervous.

“The research that backs all of this comes from social psychology,” you begin. “Part of what inspired us to start Matchmaker is my work in that field. We’re recruiting people who might be interested in sharing their data anonymously for that project. Do you think you’d be comfortable with that?”

“It’s completely anonymous?” Namjoon asks.

“Yes. We use code names for files, and the only people who will have access to the data are Jin, Yoongi, and me.”

“What kind of code name are you giving him? Something like, Big Thunder?” the other one asks crassly.

“Please ignore him,” Namjoon replies.

“Trying to,” you say with a smile, which doesn’t make the other one happy.

Namjoon smirks. “What are you planning on doing with the data?”

“We just want to learn as much as we can from it. And we’ve got some interesting findings that we’d like to publish in an upcoming issue of a particularly prestigious journal, especially if data trends continue as they are.”

Namjoon grins.

“OK, that sounds fine. It sounds pretty interesting, actually.”

“Great,” you say, trying not to scream out of joy. “In the back of the packet is a consent form that you need to sign. It goes over the specifics of what and how we’ll share your data. And even if you sign this form, you can opt out at any time.”

Namjoon shuffles to the last page of the packet as soon as you mention it and signs it right there and then. “It’s actually pretty cool to know that I’m contributing in some way. And I’m so grateful that you took me on as a client. I’ve never really dated seriously before.”

You look him over. “May I ask why that is?” He certainly doesn’t look like your typical client.

“I focused on school. Then I focused on work. Then I realized I didn’t have anything else to focus on. So I thought I’d turn outwards.”

You smile. You don’t think you’ve heard that pure of an answer before. Then again, you and Namjoon catch a glance of Jungkook, who’s checking his own reflection out in your diplomas, and you wonder how much of this is real.

“I didn’t really run in the most, uh, optimal social circles, for really getting to know people,” Namjoon says sheepishly, looking back to you.

That’s abundantly clear. You grimace at the sight of Jungkook. “Understood.”

“But, well, I think I have a lot to offer. At least, I hope so.”

Based on your client files, you agree that he seems like an amazing catch. He’s devastatingly handsome, and you already know a few clients who would greatly enjoy pressing their lips against those dimples. He’s also got an interesting job, a fantastic salary, and a clean background check. And now that you’ve met him, you know that he’s polite, kind, easygoing, and nice to talk to. Even a little funny.

As you share those observations with Namjoon, Jungkook tires of exploring your office. He punctuates your conversation with the sound of metal on concrete as he drags Yoongi’s guest chair to the space in front of your desk. He sits on it backwards, resting his arms on the seatback and using them to prop up his head.

“To be honest,” you say, “I have no idea why you need our services.”

“I guess I just want to make sure that I find the right partner,” Namjoon replies.

You notice him wiping his sweaty palms on his knees, already so nervous. “Don’t worry,” you reply reassuringly. “My entire career has been spent on the study of human behavior. Trust in this system. It works.”

A scoff comes out of the other one, the one that Namjoon has dragged into your office.

“Would you like to say something?” you ask him.

“Just that this is a bunch of bullshit,” he replies smugly.

“Jungkook,” Namjoon says wearily. “I brought you here for support.”

It has a name, you think.

“You don’t find people through apps and formulas,” Jungkook continues, “you find them in real life.”

“And how’s that working out for you?” you ask. Namjoon stifles a laugh.

Jungkook leans forward and looks at your sad desk salad. He smirks at you. “Maybe I should ask you the same question.”

Namjoon facepalms.

Jungkook yoinks the sad, plastic container before you can grab it.

“Dinner for one?” he taunts.

You frown.

He opens your salad, takes the plastic fork, and eats one leaf of lettuce. He frowns. “Ugh. That’s terrible.”

And then he throws the entire thing in the trash.

“Oh, god, I’m so sorry,” Namjoon says, jumping to his feet.

You don’t know who Jungkook is, but you want to murder him.

“I think we’re done here,” you say, staring at Jungkook and smiling sickeningly sweetly at him.

Jungkook matches your sarcastic smile and slowly rises from his chair, buttoning his suit jacket closed to really hammer home the point that he is, in fact, a complete douchebag.

“Wait,” Namjoon begs, “Done? I still want---”

“You and I will have one more meeting, and then we’ll set up your first starter date,” you say to Namjoon, leaning forward to shake his hand. “Thanks so much for making this appointment. I really look forward to helping you meet your match.”

Jungkook laughs. You ignore him.

“Thank you,” Namjoon whispers earnestly, shaking your hand quickly before hurriedly ushering Jungkook out the door.

You look down at your trash can at the remains of your salad.

You storm through your front door and slam it behind you.

Jin and Yoongi are hanging out in the living room. The TV is on, but it’s background noise. Yoongi’s lying on the couch, and Jin’s sitting at Yoongi’s piano bench, playing some notes. They were just chatting. They go silent at the sound of the door crashing into its frame.

“Uh, how was it?” Jin asks tentatively.

You throw your purse, coat, and keys at the wall, making no attempt to actually get them onto the hooks that were designed to hang them. Your things hit the wall and fall to the ground.

Yoongi and Jin exchange a worried look.

You march into the kitchen and reach for the moscato on top of the fridge. You pace back and forth between the kitchen and the living room. You drink straight from the bottle.

“Was it as bad as it seemed like it was going to be?” Jin asks.

You take a gulp of air after downing your swig of wine. “Worse.”

“We should have stayed,” Jin tells Yoongi, who nods. Jin turns back to you. “What happened?”

“Namjoon was really nice. But that Jungkook! What a fucking asshole!”

“Did he do something inappropriate?”

“No, nothing like that,” you say, still pacing back and forth. “He was just incredibly rude and condescending.”

“Yeah, like, what was that Dr. Secretary nonsense?” Jin looks from you to Yoongi, who just shrugs.

“And he literally said that we were complete bullshit,” you add, “all while his friend is sitting there, talking about how he wants to take this big step forward. I mean, I guess it was supportive of him to come with Namjoon, but the entire time, he just kept talking about how we’re a sham.”

Jin scoffs. “He doesn’t even know what we do.”

“Exactly! But he said---”

You remember a particularly annoying detail, and you stop pacing momentarily. You look at them. “Well, actually, the first thing he did was check out his own reflection in our diplomas.”

“Wow,” Jin says, rolling his eyes.

You start pacing again. “And then he said, well, he belittled everything we’ve built to ‘apps and formulas’, and---”

You’re a bit embarrassed about this part, so you dance around it.

“Basically, he just dismissed the whole thing. All of it.”

“Honestly, who is this guy?” Jin mutters.

“I know, right?” You take another swig and pause pacing again, joining them in the living room.

Jin shakes his head and leans over to the coffee table, gathering his and Yoongi’s empty food wrappers and boxes.

Your stomach rumbles loudly.

Yoongi hears it and follows your gaze. “You didn’t eat dinner either, did you?” he asks.

Jin brings their trash to the kitchen while you take another swig of wine.

“I couldn’t,” you say.

Yoongi shakes his head. He sits up and reaches for something else on the coffee table. He picks up a plastic bag with a styrofoam container inside. He unwraps it for you and sets a pair of chopsticks next to it.

“Eel roll,” Yoongi says, as Jin rejoins you in the living room.

Jin sets down a pint of oatmeal chocolate chip ice cream and a spoon on the part of the table that’s closest to you.

You smile at them fondly. “Aww. Guys.”

“I’m gonna head out,” Jin says, nodding to Yoongi before walking over to you, pulling you into a hug, and kissing the top of your head. “Try to relax tonight, OK?”

You nod obediently, and he walks to the door.

“Yoongi, make her eat,” Jin says, pointing at you.

“Yeah, yeah,” Yoongi replies, waving Jin off.

“Text us when you get home,” you say.

“Yup.”

Jin grabs his coat and leaves, but not before he picks up your things and hangs them up for you.

You start pacing again. You’re replaying the entire scene in your head. You didn’t work extremely hard all your life, earn the terminal degree in your field, and start your own company to be diminished by bastards like that. The entire journey had already been a struggle in and of itself, with people doubting you or dismissing you along the way. Now that you’ve essentially proven yourself, you’re disappointed that people can still be so cruel, and you chastise yourself for letting what completely strangers think about you affect you so much.

Yoongi studies you. Your knitted brow. Your mumbling. Your sudden hand gestures out of nowhere.

“There’s something else, isn’t there?”

His voice breaks your train of thought.

“What? No.”

“Yes, there is.”

You walk back into the kitchen, and Yoongi follows you. You set the wine bottle down and grab a glass for some water. The faucet feels uncharacteristically cold against your fingers, and you’re surprised at the physiological toll your anger is taking on you.

Yoongi stands just behind you, leaning back against the island and pressing his palms on the marble countertop.

“Just tell me.”

You sigh, drink some water, and set the glass down. You whirl around to face him.

“After Jungkook went on his diatribe, I noticed that Namjoon was getting bogged down. So I made a small joke about Jungkook’s dating life.”

“He probably deserved it.”

“Obviously. So, he got offended, because he’s a fucking child. And then he completely lashed out!”

“What did he do?”

“He essentially said that we can’t be successful because I’m still single!”

Yoongi sees the flash of hurt move through your eyes when you say it.

“What a fucking moron.”

“I know! And then---! He fucking---! On my desk---! He saw---!”

You shut your eyes and try your best to pick up your thoughts, scattered on the floor of your rage.

“He saw my salad! And he held it up and was like, dinner for one? And then he had the audacity to actually open it and eat some of it! And then he said it tasted horrible and then he THREW THE WHOLE THING IN THE TRASH CAN!”

“Bastard,” Yoongi grumbles.

“I know! Such an asshole!”

“Look at you, you’re shaking.”

You scoff. “I know, it’s so stupid!”

“It’s not stupid. It was disrespectful. You’re right to be furious.”

“I really am so livid! That was my fucking dinner, and I literally just met him! ”

You sigh.

“I just wanna---”

You run your hands through your hair, and you realize you’re sweating. “I don’t even know, I can’t even see straight, I just--- I wanna---”

“Fuck him,” Yoongi says in a low growl.

The corner of your mouth turns up. “Yeah. Yeah! Fuck him!”

“Fuck everyone,” Yoongi growls again, stepping forward and pressing into you, forcing your back against the sink counter.

You shake your head, having had enough of this day.

“Fuck. Everyone.”

Yoongi narrows his eyes and smirks at you.

This situation that you have with Yoongi, the one you’ve shared for almost a decade, is truly ideal. Best friends. Roommates. With benefits. He knows your body better than you do at this point. He studied it during every finals week in college. He spent late nights with it in the media lab in grad school, during breaks from coding dyad videos. He made it gush for the first time with only his tongue when you finished unpacking your things in this apartment, which you’ve shared for a few years now. You can think of at least a million more flags that he’s planted across your supple skin and in the deepening parts of you.

And you’ve explored the wondrous worlds of his body, too. His delicate but strong arms. His elegant neck. His nimble body. His cute ass. His perfect cock. You’ve made him squirm in every direction. You’ve made him come with each of your orifices. You’ve heard him say your name in every note on his piano.

In fact, you’ve fucked on his piano.

And each time you fuck, you both wonder why you aren’t just fucking all the time.

He’s offering up another chance to now. Yoongi runs his bottom lip through his teeth and kisses you. You love making out with Yoongi. He’s so playful and present, and he makes you hyper-aware of what’s going on. He knows what you need in those moments, too. Within milliseconds of a kiss, he can tell if you want to go slow or fast, sweet or sloppy.

Tonight, it’s definitely going to be sloppy.

He kisses you fiercely, his hands groping you everywhere. You grunt and groan as he moves against you. You feel a pulse of heat shoot up from your pussy to your chest, and Yoongi catches it with his hands, massaging your breasts and bending you back over the sink. Your arms flail, and you hear your water glass fall in and break. He wraps his arms around your waist and kisses your neck. It’s one of your favorite ways to be held, and Yoongi does it better than anyone.

But you’re still in a terrible mood. It claws at you, keeps pulling you out of the moment, converting everything you’re feeling back into anger.

Yoongi notices, so he picks you up, turns around, and slams you down on the kitchen island. Your eyes alight, and you moan at the impact. The cold, hard marble completely snaps you out of it.  You can’t wait until it’s Yoongi slamming against you instead.

You open your legs for him, and he pushes up against you, his torso against your wet warmth. He reaches into your hair and brushes it behind your ears, holding your face as he kisses you. His lips don’t leave you as he runs his hands down your neck and to the collar of your dress. His fingers trace the fabric back to the zipper behind your neck. He pulls the tab down the track, so, so slowly. The tab meets the bottom, and he pulls you forward by your dress, helping you shake out of your sleeves.

Yoongi smiles up at you before kissing your breasts and running his hands along the bottom of your pink, lacy bra, and to your back, undoing the clasps with ease.

“I like this one,” he whispers, stripping the bra off of you.

“It’s ancient.”

“It’s cute.”

You laugh softly as you pull Yoongi’s hoodie and shirt off of him, revealing more of the body that is like a second home to you. As you feel him, his lean muscles rising and falling along your palms, you think about all the times you’ve seen him. Yes, in lustful moments like these. But also the first time, the summer after your first year of undergrad, when the two of you visited Jin at his family’s cabin and swam in the lake. And all the mundane times after that. Yoongi on his back, fixing the bathroom sink and taking off his shirt to keep it from getting wet. Yoongi painting varnish on the wood for the coat hook panel that he made for you. Yoongi that morning, or any other morning, making coffee in nothing but his boxers.

He presses up against you again, sucking on one of your breasts while his hand fondles the other. You kiss and nip at his neck as he goes, moaning when he switches and pinches your raw nipple with his thumb and finger.

Yoongi runs his hands down your sides and to your thighs, where your dress is crumpled against the island. He runs his hands down further to your calves, and then your feet. He wraps his fingers around your ankles and sets your feet flat on the island as he pushes you back and down with his kiss. You use your newfound leverage to lift your hips, and Yoongi pulls the dress completely off of you.

“Holy shit, have you been going commando all day?” Yoongi gasps, seeing your naked pussy.

You laugh. “No, I think it just got caught in my dress.”

Yoongi digs in your dress and finds your matching pink panties against its navy fabric.

“Damn. I kinda wanted to see them on you.”

“Do you want me to put them back on?” you ask.

“No, now I’m just hungry,” Yoongi says with a smile, pushing you onto your back, your head hanging off the other end of the island.

He leans down, and forward, and starts to lick you, making you move your hips in response. You slap your hands onto your breasts, and your tender nipples buzz with pleasure. You massage them, squeezing them tighter and tighter as his tongue covers every inch of your sapid, hidden skin. You start to buck against him. You’re only whimpering and whining, but Yoongi understands the language you’re speaking. He knows you’re close.

His hand slides up your stomach, between your breasts, and up to your throat, grasping it with slight pressure. You clutch his wrist and start to pant.

He pats your pussy lips with his fingers. Just a little slap. And you feel lightning run through your veins.

He sticks a finger inside of you, and your eyes slam shut. You hug his forearm, and he laughs softly at how direct and unabashed you are with your wants.

You start to moan louder and louder as he jams another finger into you, forming them into scissors to cut you open, to stretch you out so that he can be where you are.

He kisses your pussy again and gently sticks his tongue right against your clit, making waves. This is it. This is The Move. Everything else falls away. This is the only thing that exists.

Even though the rest of the world stops for you, Yoongi keeps going, planted firmly between your legs, resolved to keep doing everything that he’s doing to milk every last shiver out of you.

He doesn’t stop until you release his grip from your throat and softly kick him in the shoulder, pushing him away from you and back into the sink.

“Whoa, what are you---”

You slide down from the island and onto your knees. He grunts when you grab onto his jeans and start to undo his fly. You pull his jeans and boxers down in one swift motion, and his hard cock springs out with force.

He leans back and presses the top of his head against the kitchen cabinets behind him.

“Are you sure?” Yoongi asks, even though your lips are already around his cock. Given your difficult day and hurt feelings, he really wanted to make this about you and only you. He’s trying not to show how you’re making him feel in case you want to back out.

You release him momentarily.

“Jin did say you had to make me eat,” you say playfully.

“Fuck,” Yoongi laughs, “the shit you say sometimes.”

But you’re not talking now. You’re swallowing him. All of him. And there’s so much of him to swallow. Your mouth overflows with saliva as he starts to thrust into you, your throat warmly welcoming him, pleased to see him, desperate for him.

The kitchen cabinet doors softly bump against the interior wood panels whenever your nose and lips press against his pelvis.

You steady yourself on him with one hand and use the other to run your hands over his body, along his legs and calves, and then up to his waist. As you lick and suck, you take the rest of him with your hand, massaging every part of his package. He groans, his deep voice scooping lower and lower as you bury him in ecstasy.

He pulls you off of him and spins you around, bending you over and folding into you. You’re both so wet and ready that he’s able to slide into you with just one thrust, but it still stings as he stretches you out a little further than you were at. You bite down on your lip and feel your teeth breaking your skin so hard that it draws blood.

Yoongi starts to fuck you, slowly at first to open you up, and then faster, when your arms reach back for him for more. He grabs your forearms and pulls you onto him, your ass landing hard on his hips. He uses your momentum to slide fully out of you, and then does it all over again. The speed at which he does it is unimaginable, and each of his thrusts is better than the last.

You start to come again, and you groan as each wave gets more and more intense. When you reach the peak, you let out a sultry moan that travels through a whine and ends with a whisper.

After hearing that sound, Yoongi lets out a cry in utter and total disbelief, like he can’t believe you could tortuously pleasure him any more than you are.

The kitchen cabinet door slams against the interior panel.

His knees buckle underneath him, and he crashes into you, both of you colliding with the floor, cum spilling out of both of you as you break apart, each of you sighing as it sprays all over you and the new rug that you had just gotten for the area just by the sink. You see it and laugh softly to yourself. You know that you’ll squabble later about whether to wash it or throw it away, but for now, you’re enjoying lying on the cold floor and listening to Yoongi moan about how good that felt and how well you know him.

“Hey, look at me,” Yoongi says, rubbing his bruised skull, completely unaware of the fond thoughts in yours.

You open your eyes and look at him.

He smiles and reaches for you. You roll on top of him, and he hugs you close to him. “How do you feel?” he asks, stroking your back gently.

“Better,” you sigh. “Much, much, much better.”

His eyes pop open in surprise at the sight of your lip.

“Fuck, was that me?”

“No,” you reassure him. “That was me. What you were doing to me… god, that was fucking unbelievable.”

“Top fifty, no doubt.”

“I don’t know. We should probably consult the notebook. We’ve had some pretty good ones.”

He laughs softly and touches where your teeth broke your skin.

“Yoongi?”

“Yes?”

You take his hand in yours and nuzzle your cheek against it.  “Thanks.”

He smirks.

“Are you kidding me? Thank you. I’ve been in a mood, and seeing you get home all angry like that. Fuck. It was hot.”

You laugh. “Is that why you were so quiet?”

Yoongi shrugs like he isn’t sure, but what he isn’t telling you is that his cock had been rock hard since the moment you slammed the door.

Jungkook poured the group another round of shots, and they all downed them in one go. “So then we get there, and it’s three nerds in some rented office space,” he continues.

“It was very professional, and they’re all researchers, with PhDs and everything,” Namjoon corrects, shaking his head. “Or did you miss what was actually in the frame when you were checking your reflection out?”

“Diplomas can be faked,” Jungkook says.

“He’s right,” Hobi says, a look of concern on his face. “Are you sure they’re legit?”

Namjoon looks irritated. As if he wouldn’t do his due diligence. “They’re affiliated with a major research university. Now, I know that can be faked too, but they do have a ton of publications in academic journals, so there’s at least some semblance of clout. Anyway, their reputation wasn’t really the problem, was it?”

He looks at Jungkook.

“Oh shit, what did you do?” Taehyung asks him, eyes widening.

“I just put a little pressure on,” Jungkook says, shrugging.

Their waiter returns with their orders and places them on the small table. The group huddle their plastic chairs together once the waiter leaves. They dig in wordlessly, serving each other and giving everyone a minute just to exist together. To breathe. Conversations here at this night market stall feel like family dinner, a tradition that their group had done weekly since high school. This was where they processed the week. Their lives. Together.

“I just don’t trust it,” Jungkook continues, after finishing about half of his bowl of food.

Jimin’s mouth is full, but he talks anyway. “What’s not trustworthy about it?”

“It’s like you have this weird chaperone throughout the whole thing,” Jungkook explains. “I just feel like that gets in the way. Makes you feel like you can’t be yourself, or something.”

“Are you really still like this after all these years?” Hobi asks. “Always wanting to show how independent you are? How you don’t need anyone?”

“No one needs anyone,” Jungkook says simply. “I honestly don’t understand what our usually sensible Joonie here thinks is going to happen as a result of all this.”

Just when Namjoon thinks he’s going to gouge his eyes out, Jungkook slaps his hand on his shoulder and rubs it.

“But if this is what he wants to do, I want to make sure that it’s real.”

Jimin, Hobi, and Taehyung exchange fond smiles and fawn over the youngest brother in their troupe. Namjoon softens and looks back at Jungkook.

“I know. Thanks for having my back.”

“You’re welcome. You’d do the same if I was about to walk into a scam built on top of a sham.”

Namjoon sighs, but he looks at Jimin, Hobi, and Taehyung, and they chuckle before redressing their attention to their food.

They knew that most people thought Jungkook was just a straight up douchebag, the product of privilege and dynasty. But most people didn’t know about the time that Jungkook bailed Jimin’s cousin out of prison, no questions asked and with no hesitation, while Jimin was out of the country. Most people didn’t know that he had arranged a traditional burial service for Taehyung’s grandmother when she passed. They didn’t know that he drove Namjoon to the hospital when his appendix burst, and had stayed the entire night to be there after the surgery. And absolutely no one other than Jungkook and Hobi knew that Hobi’s mother was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.

It wasn’t that Jungkook was a douchebag. He was just a bit of a wild card, a chaotic neutral. A kook.

“How are you feeling about the program so far?” Taehyung asks, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and prodding Jungkook to pour him another shot.

“I think it will be good for me to get out of my comfort zone,” Namjoon answers. "I think I'll finally find someone I can build a life with."

“So, this isn't just about dating. You want it all,” Hobi clarifies, amazed that he hadn't picked up on it before. “The rest of it, I mean. The stuff that lies ahead. The engagement, the wedding, the starter home, the babies. Everything our mothers were already chattering about before we were even in the womb.”

Taehyung and Jimin have the same look on their faces. Jungkook turns dramatically to Namjoon and arches an eyebrow, happy to confirm that he wasn't the only one who was surprised at Namjoon's confession.

“Do you want all those things?" Namjoon asks, feeling self-conscious.

Hobi and Taehyung nod, but Jungkook and Jimin shake their heads violently.

“I don’t want it out the gate,” Namjoon reflects. “But I guess I’ve just come to the realization that I want it sooner, rather than later."

"Later’s fine with me," Hobi says, reaching for more food. "I had way too much fun with what's-their-face last night, and I can't wait to meet another what's-their-face tomorrow night."

Taehyung laughs knowingly. Agreeingly.

"Yeah, but there's too many what's-their-faces out there," Jimin pointed out excitedly, and he and Jungkook shake hands.

"There are," Namjoon says, warily. "And I just hope one of them likes me enough to give me a chance to make them happy."

“Whoever meets you is lucky to get to meet you,” Jimin says, offering a comforting mix of wisdom and confidence.

Namjoon smiles. “That’s actually really reassuring.”

He looks at Jungkook, who rolls his eyes.

Namjoon turns back to Jimin. “No offense, Jungkook, but Jimin -- would you mind coming with me to the last appointment? I could use some of that kind of reassurance.”

“I’m not doing that,” Jimin says, laughing. “Afraid you’re stuck with Jungkook on that one.”

He, Hobi, and Taehyung laugh and finish their food. Namjoon looks at Jungkook, who wiggles his eyebrows at him.

“Hear that? You’re stuck with me. Maybe I’m your soulmate.”

Read 02: Create Profile →

Matchmaker | Masterpost

[baroquebucky]

chemistry

part 1

A/N: okay so this is the first real part of my new series :D let me know what you guys think <3 it’s kinda slow but i promise it’ll get better !!!! also i know there’s like not much about the schools programs in the movie but just imagine that they have a vet program lmao thank u :-)

You shuffled around your backpack looking for your dialectical journal, quickly scribbling your name on it and handing it to your AP lang teacher with a smile as she collected them.

“i hope you enjoy midtown tech ms. Parks” she smiled at you and you gave her a soft thank you as the bell rang. You gathered your things and swung your backpack over your shoulder, heading to the area sami had pointed for you to wait for her earlier that morning.

As you looked over the sea of people you saw the unfamiliar yet familiar curly brown hair you had set your eyes on earlier, you glanced at his face and quickly checked him out as he walked through the halls, weaving through the many teens talking and crowding the halls. Before you could fall head over heels for the stranger you saw sami walking quickly your way, eager to see what you had thought so far.

“i mean yeah it’s pretty good so far, nothing much has happened” you smiled biting into your pizza, half paying attention to what your friend was saying and half glancing to see if the curly stranger had A lunch too.

“okay either you’re thinking about something much more important or suddenly you think my analysis of parks and rec is boring” sami spoke, looking at you with such seriousness you let out a small laugh.

“you know i love your episode by episode review sam” you smiled, sipping your water and hoping to avoid the subject of a crush with sami, because once she envisioned a pair of people together, not even the national guard could stop her.

“I know you do, so why weren’t you paying attention to it” she spoke, quirking her eyebrow out as you leaned your head back and groaned at her persistence. “I just saw this cute boy and i just can’t get him off my mind it’s nothing” you shrugged, shoving a spoonful of your fruit cup in your mouth.

“oh my god y/n finally i can get some work done!” She shouted causing you to choke at her sudden outburst. You swapped the fruit quickly and began coughing, immediately downing water and starting to laugh.

“jesus christ sami i almost choked calm down” you laughed as she pulled her phone out and went to Instagram. “What’s his name?” She asked not even looking up at you and you rolled your eyes.

“I don’t know i just saw him for like three seconds before you blocked my view of him” you smirked at her, knowing he dreams of playing matchmaker were gone. “I’ll find him, what kind of hair did he have? What was he wearing?” She asked quickly.

“uh curly hair, brown curly hair and brown eyes, a grey jacket i think” you shrugged finishing your lunch before throwing it away and sitting back down. Sami groaned as you gave her your vague answers. “I’ll find him” she mumbled as you both walked out of the cafeteria.

You looked at your wrinkled paper, searching the halls for your 4th period, art. You found the art room after taking two wrong turns and having to walk the entirety of the second floor because you were too scared to turn around.

“For your first art project of the year i want you guys to draw or paint a place you like, it can be your home, a safe space or just somewhere in the world” the teacher spoke, explaining the project that would ease you into the year.

As the bell rang once more you headed to an outside building for your small animal management class, then you headed back inside for your pre calculus class. You sighed walking through the halls, pulling out your wrinkled schedule once more and walking downstrairs again to look for your AP chemistry class.

You scanned the walls for the matching room number and you were met with your new chemistry teacher as you approached the door.

“hi what’s your name?” She smiled at you holding out a clipboard. “Y/N parks” you smiled at her, fiddling with your lanyard. “Ah yes, go ahead and sit wherever you’d like, i don’t have a seating chart yet” you thanked her and took a seat near the middle of the class.

You watched as more kids pounded into the room, your eyes searching for Sami, you were giddy just thinking about having a class with her. You smiled widely as she walked into the room, taking a seat beside you.

You were so engrossed in your conversation you didn’t see the boy with the brown curls walk in. The teacher closed the door and smiled at the class, welcoming you all and giving you a syllabus. That’s when you saw him.

Four columns over and two seats ahead of you, sat the cute boy with the curly hair you had been thinking of all day. “That’s him!” You whispered to sami as you unsubtly pointed in the boys direction as you took out an empty spiral notebook. “Oh my god that’s peter parker! You have a crush on him?” Sami laughed a little and you blushed.

“I mean look at him he’s so cute! And he must be smart, i mean AP chem isn’t for everyone” you smiled, wanting to get sami off your case. She only shrugged and put the syllabus you handed her into her binder. As the class ended you and sami both walked out, heading to your final class which you had together as well, orchestra.

It didn’t take you long to realize that peter and his friend, Ned, were walking behind you two, talking about something in Star Wars. “sami hes behind us holy shit” you whispered, smiling widely at your friend, following her to the orchestra room.

“Oh yeah i forgot to mention he’s in band!” She scoffed, mumbling under her breath a little. “hey bands not so bad! they’re pretty good and guard is amazing” You huffed, furrowing your eyebrows and pushing your friend slightly.

“look just because you almost did color guard your freshman year doesn’t mean you have to defend marching band” she laughed as you rolled your eyes.

“it’s fun okay!” You defended yourself laughing at her mock annoyance of you.

As you walked down the strairs you noticed how peter and Ned took the elevator down, you shrugged it off and continued your way into the orchestra room. You told the teacher you played bass, she quickly assigned an instrument for school and one to take home and got you the music you were missing.

The final bell of the day rang and you packed your stuff up. Getting ready to call your best friend back home and tell her all that had happened today.

You and sami walked out of school, waving bye to her as she entered her moms car. “You sure you don’t want a ride?” She asked for the fifth time and you laughed.

“Yes I’m sure, I’ll take the train I’ll be fine” you smiled and said goodbye one last time, hopping on the train and quickly finding a seat, texting your best friends back home of today’s events.

-

“Ned she was so pretty! Like oh my god, her hair! and during class she said ‘that’s him!’ Oh my god she’s so cute” peter spoke to his best friend, an extra bounce in his step as they made their way to the train station.

“you know it’s unfair you use your senses to find out who likes you but you call it cheating when i want you to see if the girl from 5th period likes me, or that girl in the tuba section!” Ned scoffed throwing his hands up as peter ugly laughed softly.

“listen dude, i just think i might have a real shot with her, i just have to find a way to talk to her you know?” Peter spoke, hopping on the train with his friend, ending the conversation about girls and starting the one about building the new LEGO set he got over the weekend.

As he got down from the train with Ned it didn’t take him long to spot you, his heart racing a little faster as he saw you talking on the phone, a smile on your face.

“wait Ned shut up!” Peter spoke quickly, rushing to move closer to you. He focused his senses to hear your voice amongst the crowded train station.

“i mean yeah it’s pretty nice here, i have to take the train so that’s pretty fun, also there’s this really cute guy i saw, i have chemistry with him- no dumbass the class” you laughed.

Peters heart rate sped up as he heard you talking, were you talking about him? I mean that one football player was sitting next to him, maybe you were pointing at him. He focused once more to see if maybe, just maybe you would drop another hint.

“- yeah no way bro, i think he does sports” you spoke, going up the stairs. Peters small smile fell from his face and Ned watched intently.

“what did she say?” He quickly asked, peter sighed. “I think she was talking about charles, she said she thought he did sports, we both know I’m not the sport type” peter spoke, clutching the strap of his backpack tightly as the two headed to his apartment.

Ned put his hand reassuringly on peter shoulder, “dont man, I’m sure if it’s meant to be, fate will pull you two together” he smiled and peter looked at him.

“dude that was so wise” he smiled, Ned only winked at him in return, causing both of them to burst out laughing.

-

The next day came quickly for you, and before you knew it you were walking into AP chemistry again, heart racing as you anticipated the new seating chart.

“please for the love of any higher force put me next to the cute peter kid” you whispered, taking the seat you sat in the day before. Sami soon walked in with a smirk on her face, that immediately set off alarms in your mind.

“oh god what did you do” you spoke worried.

“oh no not me, fate” she winked before turning to face the front, peter rushing in as the bell rang and taking a seat.

“okay as you know we will have a seating chart so if you will all please line up,” Ms. Patrick spoke, naming off kids, it wasn’t until 9 kids in that you realized he was going alphabetically.

“Mr. Parker you’ll be behind Jamie” she spoke, peter stumbled as he made his way to the seat and you smiled softly at his awkwardness.

“Ms. Parks you’ll be next to peter” the teacher spoke, continuing to name out the list. You however, cough as you choke on your spit, walking to your seat with a flushed face, not wanting to look at the boy next to you.

You quickly gulped down your water, not wanting attention drawn to yourself, even though yesterday you would’ve pounced on the boy sitting next to you.

“are- are you okay?” He whispered, causing your face to turn a deeper red.

“me? Yeah I’m fine I’m really good why?” You spoke quickly, fiddling with your pencil as the teacher gave instructions on how to set the notebook up.

“you just look really nervous, don’t worry, i don’t bite” he smiled at you and you felt your heart skip a beat, Jesus his smile is so cute.

You returned his smile and quickly looked down at your notebook, cutting the small slips of paper and gluing then into the first page.

“okay write your names on the front of the notebook and then I’ll hand out your homework” the teacher spoke, handing out sharpies.

You looked at peter, seeing how his brow furrowed just a bit when he was taking notes. He glanced up and you quickly looked forward, heart racing at the thought of him knowing you snuck glances at him.

“y/n?” He asked and you looked at him quickly, face slightly red, scared he had caught you staring. “the sharpie” he spoke and you laughed, facepalming yourself mentally.

“oh yeah- uh thanks” you spoke clearing your throat, then you realized, your front cover is black.

“where the hell do i write my name” you whispered, looking to see if there was another colored sharpie.

“you can- you could write it on the inside” peter spoke, leaning over to flip your notebook cover. He smiled brightly at you and you returned it.

“oh yeah, duh, you’re smart” you smiled, chuckling softly as you write your name before handing the sharpie to the girl infront of you.

Peter watched as you wrote your name down, falling in love with the way you wrote your name, how would it look if you wrote his name down? He smiled at the way you looked taking notes, thinking the way you bit your bottom lip slightly made you look cute.

Peter blushed when he felt your eyes on him, he knew exactly how fast your heart rate became when he looked up and you thought he had caught you. Technically, he knew so you were caught, but you didn’t know that, and the way you smiled at him when he wasn’t looking made him swear he wouldn’t let you know he knew.

Suddenly, AP chemistry became your favorite class, and not because of the subject.

Peter realized that AP chemistry was all he looked forward to, because the pretty girl somehow ended up next to him. And then he smiled at himself as he swung through the streets of Queens, maybe it was fate.

part 2

[walkerismychoice]

When I Taste Tequila

Book: The Elementalists

Pairing: Beckett X MC (Zoe Flynn)

Rating: PG-13 with some mature language and themes

A/N: This is an alternate universe fic request by @indubitablywrong. I’m purposely not revealing what the a/u is until the end to not give too much away

Tag List:  @tabithacarlisle @thatspicegirlssong @darley1101 @flyawayboo @drakewalkerfantasy @flowerpowell @itsstillnotwhatyouthink @jimmypagesandbrianmayshair @tmarie82 @choiceswreckedme @regina-and-happiness @blackcatkita @debramcg1106 @lizeboredom @boneandfur @llamasgrl

Word Count: 3139

“Okay, enough unpacking. We need to go out for drinks, right now.” Atlas insisted.

“But I start my internship early in the morning.” Zoe protested. “I’m not sure going out is such a good idea. Since when do you like being around people anyway? I think there are still a few beers in the fridge if you want.”

“No.” Atlas turned Zoe around and pushed her towards her bedroom. “We haven’t seen anything outside of these four walls the past two days, and I’m going back to Boston in the morning. Go get dressed, and let’s go!”

New Brunswick, NJ was not the most glamorous city for a new college graduate, but it was home to a prestigious chemical engineering internship program at one of the top pharmaceutical companies in the country. If it ended up working out, and she got a job there making real money, she could always move to the city and commute, but for now a modest apartment near work would have to do. Thankfully Zoe’s interviewers had mentioned a trendier establishment they often frequented so she an Atlas wouldn’t have to chance ending up in some crappy dive bar. Still, she figured the typical attire would be somewhat casual, so she went for her standard favorite skinny jeans and black crop top that always made her feel good about her appearance. She took down her messy bun and her brunette hair miraculously fell in uniform waves past her shoulders like she had purposefully spent time doing it. She dabbed on some lip gloss, fixed up her eye makeup, and was good to go. Atlas, unsurprisingly, remained in her usual uniform of worn out jeans, t-shirt, and leather jacket. Her silvery bob was the only feature that distinguished her from her from her identical twin, Zoe. Well, that and the almost constant resting bitch face Atlas wore. 

Heads turned as they walked into the moderately crowded bar as the patrons surveyed the newcomers, but everyone seemed to quickly lose interest and get back to their conversations. Zoe and Atlas found a small table in the corner where they sat and perused the drink menu. The decor was as expected - clean lines, dark wood, and pendant lights, and thankfully it didn’t reek like old cigarette smoke. Vintage beer signs were hung neatly across all the walls. The music was upbeat and good for dancing, but not so loud you had to yell to hear one another. 

Zoe and Atlas both ordered mojitos and nursed their drinks as the analyzed the other customers in the bar. People watching was one of their favorite past times.

"Those two," Atlas nodded towards a couple probably in their late twenties a few tables away, "....definitely on their first date."

“Judging from the overdone makeup on her and the amount of product in his hair, I’d say the same.” Zoe agreed.

“Plus her awkward fidgeting every time there’s a pause in the conversation...” Atlas added. “Ooh, and that group all seems pretty tight, except that overly stuffy one. He seems like he doesn’t want to be here.”

Zoe scanned the group of ten or so people in the adjacent corner and immediately picked out who Atlas was talking about. It was a guy about her age, maybe a couple years older. He was wearing dark gray dress pants, a medium blue dress shirt and a matching patterned tie, while the rest of the group was a mix of business casual and blue jeans. His chestnut hair was perfectly coiffed like it wouldn’t have moved if a hurricane rolled through, and he almost certainly smelled heavily of cologne. She could just tell. “He’s kind of hot but takes himself way too seriously. I’m guessing a group of coworkers out for happy hour and he got dragged along. He’s the dress for the job you want, not the one you have type. I bet he annoys the fuck out of everyone else.” Zoe took another sip of her drink and looked to Atlas waiting for her final analysis.

“I bet he’s also type who likes attractive brunettes with wavy hair and brown eyes.” Atlas replied with a smirk.

“What?” Zoe scrunched her face in confusion and glanced over catching his gaze briefly before he averted his eyes. 

“He was totally checking you out.” Atlas chuckled.

Zoe shook her head. “He’s probably just staring off wishing he was anywhere else but here.”

“Fine. Let’s test this out. Go up to the bar and order a drink and see if he walks up next to you,” Atlas encouraged. 

“What is this?” Zoe scoffed. “You trying to play matchmaker or something? I’ll go just to prove you wrong.” Zoe marched up to the bar and sat down, ordering another mojito, but only for herself. Atlas could order her own for putting Zoe up to this. The bartender finished making the cocktail and set it down, but the stool next to Zoe was still empty. She picked up glass and was about to go back to Atlas and declare victory, when she saw a figure out of the corner of her left eye. She inconspicuously turned her head, and sure enough it was him. Zoe looked back to her sister who was smiling smugly. Well at this point Zoe should stay a minute longer. Maybe it was just a coincidence and he needed a drink. Atlas could still be wrong.

The guy caught the bartender’s attention. “I’ll just have a water please.”

A water? Okay there’s no way he came up to the bar while I’m sitting her just because he needed a water. She hated being wrong when Atlas was right enough not to worry about what she was going to do now that this pretentious looking guy was potentially trying to make a move on her. She had to admit that he was even better looking up close, and although she was totally right about the cologne, she actually liked the smell. She grasped the cup in her hands and stared into it, waiting to see what would happen next, but nothing happened. They both sat in silence as what felt like an eternity passed but was probably only a couple minutes. Zoe finally gave in and swiveled her barstool in his direction. “So are we going to sit in silence, or are you going to introduce yourself to me?”

“Wha-” It was difficult to tell in the dim light, but she thought she may have seen the tips of his ears turn red. “Oh, um, hello. I’m Beckett.” he extended a hand to her.

She was taken aback by his formality, but she went with it, shaking his hand and echoing his tone. “Hello Beckett, I’m Zoe.”

“Pleased to meet you, Zoe. So...uh,do you frequent this establishment?”

Zoe groaned internally. It was like he was reading out of a book of bad pick-up lines, but in his own geeky language. For as self-assured as he appeared from afar, he was nothing like that in front of her now. She couldn’t decide if his awkwardness was cute or just weird. “Is that supposed to be you hitting on me? You are going to have to do better than that.”

“I wasn’t-” Beckett sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t normally do this as you can probably tell.”

“And what exactly are you doing?” Zoe bit back a smile. She never typically felt like she had the upper hand with hot guys like him, so she was enjoying watching him squirm.

“Well, your smile captivated me from across the room and I thought you might be someone I’d like to get to know a bit better,” Beckett admitted.

“Huh,” Zoe tilted her head to the side trying to figure him out, but she also felt a bit of warmth rush to her cheeks. “You are a different one Beckett. Most guys would just say they thought I was cute or they liked my ass.”

This time there was a definite blush across his entire face before he cleared his throat. “Not to sound cliche, but I’m not like most guys.” 

Coming from anyone else, Zoe might think this was another line, but she could sense Beckett was clearly unique, and she couldn't help but be intrigued by him. Still, that didn't mean she was going to go easy on him, "That's what they all say," she teased, but then she when she saw his expression of self-doubt she took pity on him. "I was just messing around, Beckett. For the record, I think your smile is captivating as well. You should show it more often." He seemed genuinely pleased by the compliment, but still a bit stiff and uncomfortable. "That's it, no more water for you." She flagged down the bartender again. "Two - no make that four shots of tequila with some extra salt and limes on the side."

"Zoe, that's quite alright. I'm good with water," Beckett insisted.

Zoe eyed him discerningly. "You aren't in AA or anything are you?"

"No, I drink occasionally, but it's work night and I have to get up at five am for my daily yoga meditation-" he paused and exhaled loudly. "Okay, I see that look on your face. At least let me pay."

She wanted to protest, but who was she kidding? She was broke and was going to be working for peanuts at her internship. From the looks of his apparel, Beckett could most certainly afford it. "Don't think this means I'm going to put out for you though."

Beckett's eyes went wide. "That's not why I off-" He chuckled. "You are teasing me again aren't you?" He picked up a shot glass and handed it to her. Her fingers brushed his in the exchange, maybe intentionally, but he also held on a moment longer than necessary. He raised his own glass and locked his steely gray eyes on hers.

Zoe felt a spark of electricity between them and her heart started to flutter. "Cheers!" She swiftly picked up her shot to break the tension, licked the salt off, and clinked it against his, the liquid burning her throat as she poured it down. She bit down on her lime wedge to cut the taste, and Beckett did the same. He looked a little bit adorable as he scrunched his nose and puckered his lips at the mix of sour and bitter flavors. "Not much of a tequila drinker are you?" 

Beckett shook his head. “No, I usually stick with wine, maybe an occasional scotch.”

“Yeah, I’m typically a wine or beer girl myself,” Zoe admitted. “I don’t really go for hard liquor unless it’s in a fruity drink.”

“Then why are we doing shots of tequila?” Beckett inquired with a hint of judgement in his tone. “Did you assume that’s what I would like?”

“Nope. You just seemed like you could stand to let loosen up a bit,” she replied. 

“That probably could have also been achieved with drinks we actually like to drink.”

Zoe was starting to lose her courage for the next part now that she realized she might actually be into this guy. It was more than just a game now, but she decided to go for it anyway. She didn’t care if it was a cheesy party trick that should have been left behind in college. “Maybe, but drinking tequila shots can be a whole lot more fun than drinking other drinks. Have you ever done body shots?”

“What? No!” Beckett looked at her like she had two heads. “I thought people only did that in movies.”

Zoe chuckled. “See, this is exactly why I’m suggesting it. I can tell there are likely many youthful indiscretions you missed out on, but it's not too late. You’re what, twenty three?”

“Twenty Four. I think the window has passed.” He tried and failed to keep a straight face.

“I knew you wouldn’t pass up the chance to lick salt off of me. I’ll go first. Where do you want my mouth?”  

“I...uh...” Zoe took slight satisfaction in the fact that the blushing, bumbling Beckett was back. “Why don’t you pick?”

“Alright then.” Zoe loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons on his dress shirt, and his breath quickened. “Can’t go wrong here.” She poured a small amount of salt in the dip of his collarbone and stuck a lime wedge in his mouth. Beckett stilled as if bracing himself for what was to come. Her mouth descended on him and she suctioned her lips to his skin almost hard enough to leave a mark as she licked him clean, only letting go after a soft whimper escaped his throat. Objective number one completed. She threw back the tequila without tasting it and then carefully bit into the flesh of the lime, avoiding any contact between their lips. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to kiss him. She wanted to very much, but she was leaving that up to him. She pulled back and let the lime drop into her shot glass. “You survived. Congratulations!”

“That actually wasn’t terrible.” Zoe assumed in Beckett terms that meant somewhere near spectacular.  “I suppose I should take my turn now. Not that I want to be unoriginal, but the collarbone really is the optimal location to place the salt. May I?”

She found his nerdy formality oddly sexy. “Please do.” She tilted her head to the side and pulled her hair away to grant him better access. She picked the lime out herself, choosing the smallest one to give better odds their lips would meet. Beckett lowered his head slowly and then gently traced his tongue over her salted skin sending a shiver down her spine. Although she enjoyed it, his timidness didn’t bode well for her second objective, but time would tell. Beckett drank his tequila, hesitated, and then slipped his hand behind her head, drawing her in closer to him. He didn’t even bother biting down on the lime, bypassing it completely to get to her lips. His were soft and warm, tasting of citrus and salt. They passed the lime back and forth with their tongues, Beckett breaking the kiss when he gained possession one last time, finally completing his task. 

He smiled confidently. “How did I do?”

Fucking amazing, Zoe thought but wouldn’t say that out loud. “Not bad, but a little more practice wouldn’t hurt. Should we order more?”

Beckett looked at his watch. “As fun as that was, it is getting late and I’ll barely get five hours of sleep as it is.”

“Shit!” Remembering she was there with her sister for the first time, Zoe looked back to their table but Atlas wasn’t there. She pulled her phone out of her purse and was relieved to see a text:

Got bored and went back to your place. You looked to be in capable hands😉 

“Everything okay?” Beckett asked with genuine concern.

“Yes, but you are right. It is late, I have to get up early too.”

“Let me walk you out.” Beckett stood and offered her a hand up. All the alcohol consumed seemed to hit her at once as she got to her feet and she stumbled. Beckett braced her arm and led her outside. 

Zoe was a little more drunk than she thought. Those mojitos must have been strong. Despite her better judgement, which was long out the window at this point, she wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Beckett just yet. She pulled him around the corner into an alleyway and pushed him up against the wall. She kissed him hard and he gave in without putting up much of a fight. She pressed her hips into him and could feel he was already hard. One night stands and public sex were not her style, but she wanted him so bad in that moment. She trailed her hands all the way down his chest and started to unbuckle his belt.

Beckett pushed her away suddenly. “What are you doing Zoe? I mean - it’s not that I don’t want that, but not like this. Not here when you’re probably not thinking clearly. I’ll order an Uber for you.”

Zoe was immediately much more sober and thoroughly embarrassed. “No really, don’t worry about it, I can walk. It’s not that far.”

“Please, I insist. What’s you address?” Beckett plugged the information into his phone and a car was there within minutes, but not a moment too soon to break their awkward silence. “Why don’t I come with and make sure you get inside okay?”

“That’s not necessary. I can take care of myself.” She huffed. She wasn’t upset with him, just mad at herself, but it probably didn’t come off that way. 

“At least give me your number so I can make sure you made it home.” Beckett pleaded.

“Beckett, let’s just forget about all of this. You don’t have to worry about me anymore.” Before he could protest, she got into the car and locked the door. She wasn’t sure, but she may have seen Beckett slip the driver some extra cash. New Brunswick wasn’t a big city, but big enough that she hoped she wouldn’t have to run into him again.

~~~~~

Zoe walked into the building her first day hungover as fuck with a raging headache. She hoped she at least looked a little better than she felt. She was dressed the part, and her hair was clean at least. She prayed the smell of alcohol wasn’t still oozing out of her pores, but she was most definitely sober. 

“Zoe, Welcome!” She was greeted by the hiring manager Annette. “Here’s your name badge. You are going to be working under one of our Senior Chemical Engineers. Why don’t you have a seat. I’ll go get him,and you two can go from there.”

As the minutes ticked by she had nothing to do but think - think about how she had ruined a great evening by trying to have sex in an alley with a guy she just met. Who even was she was last night? Then to top it off she freaked out on him even though he was still being nothing but kind and concerned about her. “Deep breaths.” She muttered to herself. Time to erase all that from her memory and focus on her new beginning.  She stood up and smoothed out her clothing as she hear footsteps approaching around the corner. They were still a good distance away when she spotted him, but he looked very familiar, and she felt the color drain from her face. 

Annette smiled warmly. Zoe, I’d like to introduce you to one of our senior chemical engineers and your mentor for the duration of your internship, Beckett Harrington.”

So much for never seeing him again. 

End

Note: The theme of this alternate universe request was boss/intern. I didn’t want to do a traditional boss/intern story where the girl falls for the guy in a position of power over her, so this was the result.

[mikotyzini]

Let’s (try to) Make a Match

Pairing: Freezerbros (Bumblebee & White Rose implied) Words: 2331

Another Patreon reward!  Slight continuation from the previous oneshot, which you can find here.  

This person was smart and asked for a continuation.  If they keep it up, before you know it we’ll have a multichapter story.

“Ah…love the weekends,” Yang said - stating the obvious, but someone had to do it.  Turning to Blake, she grinned.  “What do you wanna do today?  Maybe a hike?  Check out a new restaurant?”

“Actually...I was thinking we could mix it up today.”

The response caught her complete attention in a heartbeat.

“Oh?” she asked, raising her brow while thinking of what Blake could mean.  “What’s that?”

“I thought we could switch partners today,” Blake answered, knocking the grin right off of Yang’s face while gesturing towards Ruby.  “There are a few new exhibits we wanted to check out at the student center, and we thought you and Weiss could hang out while we do that.”

The answer was not at all what Yang expected.  And when she glanced at Weiss, she could tell it was equally unexpected by their most surly teammate.  Either that, or Weiss was eating slices of lemon again.

“Uh...if that’s what you want?” Yang replied, her disappointment growing when Blake smiled and nodded.

“It’ll be fun!” Ruby piped in, practically glowing at the prospect of whatever new weapon Beacon brought in for analysis.  “Partner-switching day!”

Somehow, Yang managed a chuckle while Ruby pulled Blake out of the room - heading off on their great adventure.  But, as Ruby’s chipper voice floated down the hall, Yang turned to Weiss in confusion.

“So...I guess we’re hanging out today?”

Weiss’ response to roll her eyes and sit at the desk.

“Guess I’ll get ahead on next week’s assignment then,” she muttered while pulling out a notebook and flipping open a textbook.  Meanwhile, Yang sat on Blake’s bed and stared towards the door - flabbergasted by what just happened.

It was kind of a thing - like a routine or a habit - that she and Blake hung out on the weekends.  That’s just...what they did.  Hiking, trying new places to eat, shopping, finding some scary-high place to sit and talk...that’s what weekends were for!  And Yang loved every moment of it.  Well, she loved every minute with Blake.

But Blake wanted to hang out with Ruby today?  What was that about? Did that mean she was tired of spending time together?  Or maybe...did she prefer spending time with Ruby?  Did she like Ruby...more than Yang?

“Weiss,” Yang said when she had a sudden, awful thought.

“Hmm?” Weiss replied, her eyes never leaving the page.

“What if…what if they like each other?”

The question finally broke Weiss away from her studying, as she huffed and gave Yang an amused look.

“I don’t think that’s the case.”

“Think about it!” Yang said, hurrying across the room and pulling over a chair to sit beside Weiss.  “They both like reading -” she said in a quieter voice.

“I like reading,” Weiss cut in, but Yang just shook her head and continued.

“They both like reading fantasy-type stories,” she clarified, to which Weiss had no rebuttal.  “They love geeking out over weapons, and watching that weird show about making weapons, and clearly they’d rather spend time with each other than with either of us!”

Weiss huffed again - still skeptical - but her eyes were losing some of that firm resolve they’d just had.  

“They’re friends -”

“Just like you’re friends with Ruby?”

This time, Weiss’ response was the purse her lips and crease her brow.

But Yang had her there.  They both knew about each other’s slightly-massive-and-growing-by-the-minute crushes on their partners.  So sure, Weiss could claim to be Ruby’s friend, but Yang knew that was the least of her desires.

“Well,” Weiss finally replied.  “If that’s what she wants -”

When Weiss tried to turn away, Yang caught the edge of the chair and turned her back.

“That’s it??  You’re giving up without a fight?”

“What else am I supposed to do?  If Ruby likes Blake...like that...then I’ll have to accept her choice.”

“No, no, no,” Yang said, shaking her head at the foolishness of that response.  “If they get together, we’ll have to get together - and sorry, but I don’t wanna do that.”

“What??  Why would we have to get together?”

“Because!  If we don’t, it’ll be obvious that we liked them instead.  But if we started dating, we’d convince them that we didn’t actually have feelings and can be happy for them!”

“That makes no sense.”

“Well, whatever!” Yang said with a shake of her head.  “Just - we’re not giving up!  We’re doing the opposite of giving up!”

When Yang stood up, Weiss looked at her curiously.

“Which is…?”

Realizing that this was her time to come up with an awesome plan, Yang searched her brain before saying the first thing that came to mind.

“Come on!  We’re going to the student center.”

Grabbing Weiss’ hand and pulling her into the hall, Yang ignored the sputters from behind her while hurrying towards their destination.

“Yang, this is a horrible idea,” Weiss protested as they rushed outside and across the lawn to the big building housing the student center.

“You don’t even know what it is yet!”

“I don’t have to hear it to know it’s a horrible idea.”

“We’re not going down without a fight!” Yang replied as the doorway loomed ahead of them.  Instead of more complaints, she only heard a heavy sigh from behind her - which meant that Weiss was secretly on board with whatever Yang planned to do.  Weiss just couldn’t say she was on board without agreeing with one of Yang’s ideas, which would never happen.

After taking a quick peek through the front door to make sure the coast was clear, Yang pulled it open and snuck inside.  If Blake and Ruby were checking out the new weapons, they’d be in the auditorium just to the left.  If they turned towards the lobby, they’d spot Yang and Weiss - which meant they needed a good place to hide.

“Come on,” Yang whispered, making a beeline across the doorway of the auditorium and ducking behind a potted tree.  From there, she pushed a few branches to the side and searched for their partners.  

Several stations were set up at various spots around the auditorium, each holding a crazy weapon that students were free to look at and even try out, in some instances.  Many were donated, but some were discovered and brought to Beacon for analysis - professors and students alike.

“There they are.”

“Where?” Yang asked, doubling her effort and focusing on the left half of the room when Weiss pointed that way.  Seconds later, she spotted the dual objects of their affection - Blake and Ruby poring over a green and black longsword that had a sinister sheen to it.

Ruby was talking about something while her nose practically touched the blade.  She must’ve made a joke, because Blake laughed - the happy sound making Yang’s heart do a backflip all the way across the room.

“What’s your plan?” Weiss whispered while both of them watched the interaction take place.

“Step one - study your enemy -”

Weiss let out a short huff at the response and nudged Yang’s shoulder.

“Are you saying Ruby’s your enemy?”

“If she’s going after Blake, she is!” Yang replied, unwittingly breaking into a smile when Ruby’s cheerful giggle reached her ears.  “Dammit,” she muttered while Weiss smirked at her.  “It’s not my fault Ruby’s so cute!”

“Can’t argue with you there…” Weiss replied, turning back to the auditorium and watching her partner skip to the next weapon.  “So what’re we supposed to do?  Walk over and interrupt?”

Yang scoffed at the amateur suggestion.  

“Please.  We’re not doing anything like that.  We’re here to observe their interactions.”

“So...we’re spying on them.”

“Observing their interactions.”

“This is dumb.”

“Come on, Weiss,” Yang said, turning towards the ornery girl.  “Can you really tell me that you’re ok with this?  Do you think Blake is better for Ruby than you are?”

Knowing she made a good point there, Yang watched the wheels turn in Weiss’ head before an answer appeared.

“Of course not.”

From the haughty tone, Yang knew she had Weiss firmly on her side now.  Which was good!  If this was going to work, it needed to be a team effort.  With Weiss’ book smarts and Yang’s never-ending charm, the two of them could figure out a way to keep their partners from falling in love with each other.

Of course, the first step was determining how much work needed to be done.

“Do they look like they’re flirting?” Yang asked, moving her head to the side in an effort to see Blake more clearly.  

“Hard to say…they’re smiling a lot though.”

“Smiling doesn’t mean flirting,” Yang replied.  “At least not when Ruby’s involved - sorry.”

Weiss’ sigh said that she was already aware of that fact, which only made it more difficult to determine who Ruby might actually like.  She literally liked everyone and threw smiles around like they were going out of style.

“Weren’t you supposed to get her thinking about romance?” Weiss replied, sounding just a little bitter about the work she’d cut out for herself when deciding she wanted to date Ruby, of all people.

“I have been!  But she’s like...dead set on staying innocent.”

“Why don’t you go talk to her about sex again,” Weiss said dryly.  “That worked so well last time.”

“Ha ha.  You tease, but she could hardly look at you for the next week - how’s that for progress, huh?  Meanwhile, what’ve you done for me? A big fat nothing.”

“Excuse me?” Weiss said, turning to Yang with an expression of disbelief.  “I set you up as Blake’s lab partner for the rest of the year.”

“You mean you set yourself up as Ruby’s lab partner first,” Yang pointed out.  “I happened to get Blake in return.”

“Regardless, you get to work with Blake.  You’re welcome.”

“Right, because working on lab reports is sooo romantic.  Come on, Weiss - step up your matchmaker game!  I got Ruby to think about sleeping with you!”

“You act like that’s all I want to do with her,” Weiss retorted while her cheeks reddened.

“It’s one of the things you want to do,” Yang teased, poking Weiss in the shoulder as her blush deepened.  

Weiss scoffed and opened her mouth to respond, but she wasn’t the one to speak next.

“Uh, guys?”

Both of them froze at Ruby’s voice, and when Yang turned to the side, she found her sister and Blake looking down at them.

“What’re you doing?” Blake asked, motioning to their slightly-baffling spot hidden behind a little tree.

“Oh!  Hey guys!” Yang said, popping to her feet and trying to laugh off her growing embarrassment.  “Didn’t realize you were right here! Weiss and I tried to figure out what we wanted to do - since we were supposed to hang out and all - and we decided to check out Beacon’s trees!  Right, Weiss?”

When Yang elbowed Weiss in the side, Weiss gave her a glare that probably would’ve turned less-hot people into ice.

“Yes,” Weiss replied anyway.  “Beacon prides itself on its expansive horticulture.  There’s at least a hundred different species of trees spread across campus.”

The crazy-specific answer made Yang chuckle and shake her head, attempting to diffuse the suspicion growing in Blake’s gaze.

“See?  Totally didn’t know that.”

“That sounds awesome!” Ruby replied, eating up the lie while hopping over to Weiss’ side.  “Do you know where the others are?  Can we go find them?”

Surprise flashed through Weiss’ eyes as she glanced at Blake then back to Ruby.

“We can, but I thought you and Blake were going to hang out?”

“We’re done!” Ruby announced.  “Not much new stuff today - already looked at everything!”

“Oh, then, of course we can.  Want to start at the gardens by the pond?”

When Ruby nodded, Weiss found another one of those goofy, lovestruck smiles and gestured them out of the building.  With a hop, skip, and blinding grin, Ruby held the door for Weiss before both left the student center behind - neither bothering to say goodbye or ask Yang and Blake if they wanted to come along.

“So…” Blake said, turning to Yang with a smirk.  “I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder.”

Way too happy to be back in Blake’s presence once more, Yang had already smiled and nodded before the words fully sank in.

“Wait - what?” Shaking her head to clear the Blake-induced haze, Yang felt her confusion rise at Blake’s smug smile.  “Wait a second - was this entire thing a trap?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.  But let me ask you something…” After looking both directions in the lobby to make sure they were alone, Blake leaned towards Yang’s ear - making her blush in the process.

“How sneaky do you think you and Weiss are?”

Moving away, Blake watched in growing amusement while Yang stuttered and tried to keep her blush from spiraling to deep red territory.

“U-uh, I mean -” she stammered, frantically searching for an answer that wouldn’t give everything away.  “I guess - I don’t know what you mean?”

“Come on, Yang.”  Smiling at the stutters, Blake shook her head.  “I know Weiss likes Ruby - and I know you agreed to help her get a date.”

Shocked, relieved, and disappointed all at once, Yang heard a rush of air leave her lungs before she managed to laugh.

“O-oh, yeah!” she said with a chuckle.  “Yeah, uh, yup.  Weiss likes Ruby.  That’s...exactly it.”

“I’ll help you,” Blake replied with a smile.  “I think they’d be really cute together.”

Turning towards the doors leading outside, Blake gestured for Yang to follow - which she did with a sigh of longing while watching her partner walk ahead of her.

“Yup.  So cute...” she whispered, silently cursing Weiss for being the worst matchmaker ever.  Seriously, they made a deal!  But now Weiss was walking around the gardens with Ruby looking at trees and flowers, while Yang and Blake spent all day together collaborating on secret plans for their teammates.

Actually...that didn’t sound bad at all.

[johannstutt413]

(requested by anonymous)

The light was on in the living room when Kal’tsit woke up. She groaned - it was happening again. “Oh, darling!” She called through the open door in a somewhat sharp sing-songy voice. “I thought we talked about getting up at 3 am to write on your board!”

“But I had a dream and I had to get it down before I forgot it!” The response came as Kal’tsit stepped out into their living room to find the Doctor with her nightgown on, notepad and pencil in hand.

“So this isn’t a shipping thing, then?” Her wife asked, genuinely interested in what could be a new development. “Or is this a matchmaking plan you had?”

The Doctor looked up from her work to give her a quizzical stare. “What are you talking about? I’d never actually try to get these couples together...I mean, seriously, Provence and Scavenger? Come oooon.”

“Right, yeah, totally unreasonable.” Kal’tsit smiled to herself, remembering the lovely invitation she’d received for their upcoming wedding not two days prior.

“It’s not about if they would actually work together, anyway.” She beamed a smile in Kal’s direction. “It’s about imagining the arc they would have to take to get them there.”

Her logic was met with a blank stare. “Uh-huh.”

“Come on, babe, play with me in this space for a little bit. I know, I know, it’s early, but-”

“Doctor dearest, you know what I’m like.” After watching the change in the Doctor’s face, however, she sighed. “But I can make an exception this once.”

She cheered, which involved a wild flailing of limbs one might call a dance if it weren’t horizontal and much less coordinated. “Yes! Alright, alright, calm down, let’s not blow this...Okay. Okay. So, where do we start...”

“I’d imagine we start with a couple?” Kal’tsit offered, taking a seat on the couch on the opposite end.

“True...Alright, you pick a person, and I pick a person, and that’ll be our match.” The Doctor turned to a fresh page in her notepad. “Ready?”

Her wife chuckled - Kal had to admit, she was damn cute when she got like this. “Alright, I’m ready.”

“One, two, three!” “Ethan.” “Astesia.” “...Huh.”

“Alright, we have our happy couple,” Kal’tsit observed. “Now what?”

The Doctor steepled her fingers, notepad at her side. “Well, we should start with what we know. What do we know they have in common?”

“They’re both Infected, they both have ties to outside factions, they both...um...that’s what I’ve got.”

“Both of them keep secrets while trying to be as open as they can.” That earned her a look. “Astesia doesn’t talk about her society, but she’s an open book when it comes to astrology and divinations, and Ethan won’t tell us everything about his past but loves dishing dirt about Reunion and some of the things he’s done.”

She sighed. “You’re right, I just never would have seen that.”

“It’s okay, darling; that’s why I’m here!” The Doctor hopped on the couch to get within ear-scratching range and proceeded to do just that.

“Prrrr...” Kal leaned into it, entirely forgetting the early hour. “H-hey, don’t rile me up too much, or we’re never going to finish this.”

She smirked. “Alright, if you insist. They both have rather refined tastes - Astesia because of her background, and Ethan for the exact opposite reason. Actually, that’s pretty important; Astesia lived the life of a rich man’s daughter, pursuing her fancies and becoming involved in a hyper-sophisticated elite occult society of some sort, while Ethan has lived on the ground his entire life, fighting for the Infected’s right to be acknowledged with nothing more than cans of spray paint. Despite that, they’ve both had crises of faith, sort of; Ethan has been a pacifist resistance fighter for so long, he’d lost hope that there’d ever be a future for the Infected, and when Astesia became Infected, she was suddenly confronted with the limitations of her chosen field. I think Ethan’s morale is higher, since his fears are pretty firmly assuaged now that he’s with us while Astesia’s battle is really one only she can fight, but...hmm.”

“I took for granted that you’re in charge of HR. That was a really deep analysis for something like a shipping diagram, darling.”

“How do you think I got this good?” The Doctor kissed Kal’tsit’s forehead. “You have to be good at this sort of thing if you want to argue about pairings on the forums.”

Kal’s ear twitched. “The...forums?”

“There’s a group of us here in RI who talk to each other anonymously on this one site. They’re actually the ones who told me about our history together, so my little hobby is what got us together~”

“I will never disparage your fake matchmaking hobby again,” Kal’tsit swore. “When does any of this turn into something meaningful, though?”

Her wife nodded sagely. “That would be the meet-cute.”

“The meet who?”

“The meet-cute.” The Doctor giggled at Kal’s blank stare. “You really are new to this, I love it. It’s when a couple have their first encounter; like, they aren’t romantically involved, but this first meeting foreshadows it, and usually it’s kind of out-there. For us, that’d be when you gave me my first briefing.”

Kal’tsit, head now resting in the Doctor’s lap, shook her head. “There wasn’t anything weird about that, was there?”

“I kept having to grab my pockets with my hands to stop myself from rubbing behind your ears.”

“Oh, that’s what you were doing.” She chuckled. “I thought you were cold, and I was this close to grabbing your hands myself just so you’d focus on what I was saying.”

The Doctor gave her another ear-scratch. “That’s exactly what made it a meet-cute; we were both so awkward, it made a normal meeting basically impossible. So, what’s their moment like that?”

“It couldn’t be one of Astesia’s readings,” Kal’tsit noted, twirling some of the Doctor’s hair around her finger.

“It wouldn’t be a bad one, but it’s better as an ah-ha moment, I agree.” She thought for a moment. “You know, I can’t think of a time I sent them on a mission together.”

Kal nodded. “They go on a mission, and they’re sitting next to each other on the transport back. Ethan tries to make small talk, which Astesia responds to, and then they’re ambushed.”

“Oh, I like that - Reunion grunts, definitely a couple of Wraiths in there, they fight them off and resume heading home...but now they’ve not just gone on a mission, they’ve fought together, like back-to-back almost. Talk about bringing people together.”

“Speaking of which,” she rubbed her hands together, “the next thing is Ethan asking for a reading and finding out something moving in his love sector, right?”

The Doctor shrugged. “That’s a little too straightforward.”

“Too straightforward? For who?”

“Well...how do I explain this,” she mused for a moment. “Life isn’t that simple, so for a ship to sail right, going for the obvious connections is kind of like taking the easy way out.”

Kal’tsit sighed. “Alright, then, what happens next?”

“Well, let’s see...”

-

A few days later, Ethan walked into Dr. Kal’tsit’s office with his usual, almost accidental stealth. “Yo, Dr. Kal’tsit, you got a minute? I need to ask you about something.”

“One second.” She growled something into her phone before hanging up. “Alright, go ahead. What is it?”

“Normally I’d talk to the Doctor, but...anyway, I was wondering if you could talk to her about her most recent shipfic.”

Kal’tsit’s eyes flew to the door. “Come in and close the door behind you.”

“Sure.” He complied. “Anyway, I wanted to ask - is she psychic or something?”

“I’m starting to wonder that - she did call Provence and Scavenger, after all...You and Astesia, right?”

He scratched behind his head. “I don’t wanna say she gave me the idea, but I write myself, and after reading her post, I got to thinking, and...our convoy got ambushed earlier today.”

“My God.”

“Now, I don’t think I should try to force anything, but, well, we did kind of hit it off, so...” Ethan sighed. “Any advice?”

She smiled. “Life is never as straightforward as we want it to be, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make it simpler. Ask her to give you a reading; if she says good things about your love sector, maybe see if she can clarify things a little more.”

“That’s what I was thinking. Well, that’s all I needed to ask, so I’ll let you get back to it.”

“One thing before you go, Ethan?” Kal’tsit gestured to her cell phone. “Give me a call after you’ve gotten an answer.”

He gave her a curious look. “Why’s that?”

“So I can rub it in the Doctor’s face if I’m right, and prepare a good response if I’m not.”

[thedivinefish]

TGIWednesday and appreciation and humility in all things

TGIWednesday News

This time of year I am reminded of my NDE (near death experience) which was just before Thanksgiving.  Breathing is now something that I will never take for granted.  What are you thankful for right now?  Make a short list. Do your best to remain humble and kind regardless of what may be going on in your world or our world.  A single act of kindness goes a long way.  I have dealt with royalty and people that “live outside” and every kind of person in between.  I make every effort to treat them with appreciation and I remain steadfast and humble in all of my dealings and I hope this time of year you will remain appreciative and humble and allow all the goodness of the season to find it’s way to you. IMPT! There will NOT be a Zoom call tonight for November. It's been a busy month and we have the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow so we wish everyone a happy and safe day!  Our next LIVE Zoom MySwitchWorks event is scheduled for Wednesday December 30th at 7:30pm Eastern - the registration link will be available in the coming weeks. 

FINAL DAY OF DISCOUNT!

MyBeliefWorks™ for Experiencing a Bountiful Harvest  has over 130 clearings on 31 minutes of audio AND I do all the fishing for you! Click this link to learn more and read sample clearings. Now only $44, tomorrow... it will be $57.

You'll ALSO receive the special BONUS Mystical Magical Prayer for Prosperity PDF/MP3 recording w/purchase! This new, exclusive and NOT SOLD SEPARATELY 4:44 Prosperity Prayer is a supercharged, turbo-charged MLF healing prayer that will serve as a deep and expansive prayer for all listeners. You can play it low in the background, read it, speak it or just listen to me several times and then have it playing on low volume in the background.  

Download the PDF today and the Audio MP3 link is IN the PDF!  The Bonus Prayer files will be emailed to you separately.

Get it all NOW for $44

"I am delighted with the Bountiful Harvest mp3. Thank you for sharing all that you do. Each recording brings a positive change in my world when I listen. Gratitude is a constant friend due to all that you have shared. Thank you for your time and effort responding to this email." - A.B.   

"So cool, Jimmy Mack. I appreciate all of you at Team JM, too! Also in the news, I FINALLY received my unemployment monies last week after some big-time glitches in their system that took a couple hours over a couple weeks to sort out, but I received the debit card last week and it was over double what I expected it to be, which really helps me out this time of year.  Yay! Happy Thanksgiving and thanks so much again for this bonus prayer.  Love that it's 4:44 in length.  Go, Angels!" - T. Diaz

TGIWednesday Download

~ APPRECIATION & HUMILITY ~ I believe, think, know and feel that I am appreciative and humble. I am ready, willing and able to perform random acts of kindness today and every day.  I know, when, where, how and why the time is right to be humble and appreciate every breath I take. I am asking in all languages and throughout all time lines and so it is.

LIVE Appearances

SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS RADIO with host Charlotte Spicer WEDNESDAY, December 2nd at 2:00 pm Eastern Call in LIVE at (347) 934-0751  OR  Listen Here Online

THE MYSTICAL MATCHMAKER PODCAST with host Marla Martenson THURS. December 3rd at 12pm ET/9am PT Call in LIVE at (347)-215-6966 OR  Listen Here Online

From the Fish Box

Q&A with Jimmy Q) "Do you have to muscle test for the I am clear, unclear, etc. before listening to the healing download for it to be effective? Thanks" - Rebecca B.

A) "Everyone should make sure they are clear yes, unclear no, and running forward yes before starting anything new, meaning new car shopping, and or working on yourself.  However in this case as with all of the Audio MP3’s I do the basic clearings for you prior to starting the list in each Audio MP3.  After 2 or 3 listens relaxing or laying down, you can put the audios on low and or loop and have them playing somewhere in your home and they will still run through the word tracks and make a difference for you and your life!" - Jimmy

 Tampa Office Sessions

SWANN HOLISTIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS FRIDAY DECEMBER 11th from 10-4pm  

Jimmy Mack will be offering sessions at Dr. Charla Tempone’s NEW office at Swann Holistic Health Solutions from 10am - 4pm on Friday December 11th 403 S. Habana Ave. Tampa, FL 33609 Just south of Azeele next to Skin Savvy http://www.ctholisticsolutions.com

Please call their office directly at  ☎️ (813) 873-7773 in order to get on the schedule for 15-minutes $38 or 30-minutes $68. If you’re new to working with me, I suggest you schedule 30 minutes.

FRIDAY KODAWARI YOGA STUDIOS 

Friday sessions are back to being phone-only for folks that I usually see at Kodawari until further notice. You can book time with me in the shop and schedule online.   3965 Henderson Blvd Suite C Tampa ☎️ (813) 999-1874 http://www.kodawariyoga.com/

Fish Food 

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack NOVEMBER 25th "Today I concentrate more on inflection and tone of how people are saying things rather than their words. I will realize that deeds and actions are so much more powerful than words. I will create movement by doing instead of just talking it to death."

The Jimmy Mack Healing Show

WATCH IT LIVE  TUESDAY'S at 4pm EDT / 1pm PDT Watch and Participate (via Comments) during the Live TV Show streamed on Goldylocks Productions YouTube Channel, Facebook Page and Periscope.   NOTE: You will need to log into your YouTube (Google) or Facebook accounts to comment. If you watch the Live show from any other location other than the 3 listed below, your comments will not be seen by the Show Host or Producer. https://www.facebook.com/GoldylocksProductions https://www.pscp.tv/Goldylocks168/follow Or watch all live and replays in the archives here: https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

Instructions for the VIEWERS: 1.    One reading/message per person. The first question posted will be answered, so please think about your question carefully before posting it.  2.    If you want a longer and more detailed message, please book an appointment with the Show Host.  3.    Spirit does come through and gives messages that can apply to many, not just the person asking the question. 4.    It is not required nor should be expected that every question or comment will be addressed by the Show Host. 5.    If you have any issues with the show host or show format, please contact the Show Producer... not the Show Host. 6.    Contact the Show Producer, Rev. Tiffany White Sage Woman via email: goldylocksproductions@hotmail.com  

Yesterday's Replay with Special Guest Rev Debbie | Our resident trans medium communications with your loved ones in spirit. Visit her Facebook page December 1st - Joanne Psychic Leo | Numerology, Astrology, Intuitive Card Readings www.psychicjoanneleo.com December 8th -  Marla Martenson | Author, Intuitive Reader, Tarot https://marlamartenson.com December 15th - Kimberly Marooney | Angel Expert, Author, intuitive http://kimberlymarooney.com/angel-expert-kimberly-marooney December 22nd -  NO SHOW THIS WEEK  December 29th  Rev Debbie Dienstbier | Trans medium communication with your loved ones in spirit Visit her Facebook page

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

Nightly prayers include COVID-19. Each night we work on scrambling the frequency for everyone on the prayer list. Your name will be added to a special VIP Prayer list where Jimmy will use his intelligent computer software, src4you which runs 24/7, to delete the negative and increase the strength of the positive creating a higher probability of favorable outcomes for you.  

In addition, throughout the full 30-days, Jimmy will be dialing into your energetic signature each day upon rising and make certain that you are a clear yes, unclear to no and running forward before you start your day. He is doing the heavy lifting for you around 3am NY time while most of you are asleep in order to smooth out your way and increase your most favorable life outcomes.

The 30-day service is now being offered exclusively  and you also have the option of selecting an ongoing subscription ($95/month) which is managed through PayPal only.

Upon written email request, for each new order we offer a one-time email analysis via the intelligent healing software that Jimmy uses on your behalf.  Most clients have had amazing results and outcomes!

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers. *NOTE if the MDP Service was purchased via a special telesummit or radio show offer, prayers will be limited to BUYER ONLY - and will not include family members or pets.

You can run this monthly and stop at any time after the 30 days is up, you will have the opportunity to renew and update your list each month but are under no obligation. I believe you will experience magical transformations and make progress every day! 

Sign Up for 30-Days - $99

Go deep sea "fishing" with Jimmy!

Level 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime! Click here to watch the Mastery video playlist

The Certificate of Mastery Program includes 2 best-selling ebooks and 2 clearing audios plus written & video instructions, AND one-on-one time with Jimmy ALL for about the cost of a single 1-hr session! This online course is for anyone who is familiar with OR new to "fishing" and is ready to dive into the deep end & get results that are beyond the ordinary! It includes The Tackle Box & The Dowser's Handbook ebooks PLUS 2 MP3s "Clearing Dark Energies" & "Increasing Your Intuition" to help clear, strengthen and prepare your energy field for optimal “fishing” results. This is a work-at-your-own-pace curriculum that will TEACH & CLEAR you at the same time! In under 2wks you will be finished with the program and ready to fish on your own with greater results! Level II offers Practitioner Certification for those who qualify.

LEARN ABOUT CERTIFICATION HERE

For those who aren't familiar, here's the list of the MyBeliefWorks™ audio library. 

Find a topic that addresses your issue(s), click on the link to read more. We had a lot of help downloading & channeling these over the years & they keep getting better. Don't forget... you can share these with your immediate friends and family.  

Abundance Abuse Addiction Body Scan: Head to Toe Bountiful Harvest COVID-19 Clearings Creative Spark Daily GPS Reset Dark Energies/Fears Decision Making Diet & Exercise Education & Learning Family & Relatives The Gold Coin Healing Physical Body Healing Mental Stress Holiday Stress

Increasing Intuition IRS & Tax Time Love & Romance Money Mindset Moving Forward Pain Relief Pet Healing Sales & Success Improving Sex Improving Sleep Traveling w/Ease Work & Career Weight Loss Windfall Youth & Vitality *MySwitchWorks Videos

TGIFunny

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Jimmy Mack | Appointments Skype: Jimmy.Mack55 Clearwater Florida USA Book a 15 minute session Book a 30 minute session Book a 60 minute session ​ ​​Transformational Healing of Body, Mind​ & Spirit, People, Places, Pets & Situations!​ ​ Download the My Liquid Fish® Starter Kit (*Updated May 2019) Audio MP3 Downloads​ and books​ to improve your life! Get Certified in ​My Liquid Fish® Change Made Simple® Watch Free Videos on YouTube Weekly Radio Show Archives Shop for ​Supplements ​ http://www.jimmymackhealingshop.com www.jimmymackhealing.com Copyright ©1998-2020 All Rights Reserved  

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.smbeconnected.com  

Stay connected!

  Our mailing address is: Clearwater Florida 33756 USA

[divinefishingtips]

TGIWednesday and appreciation and humility in all things

TGIWednesday News

This time of year I am reminded of my NDE (near death experience) which was just before Thanksgiving.  Breathing is now something that I will never take for granted.  What are you thankful for right now?  Make a short list. Do your best to remain humble and kind regardless of what may be going on in your world or our world.  A single act of kindness goes a long way.  I have dealt with royalty and people that “live outside” and every kind of person in between.  I make every effort to treat them with appreciation and I remain steadfast and humble in all of my dealings and I hope this time of year you will remain appreciative and humble and allow all the goodness of the season to find it’s way to you. IMPT! There will NOT be a Zoom call tonight for November. It's been a busy month and we have the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow so we wish everyone a happy and safe day!  Our next LIVE Zoom MySwitchWorks event is scheduled for Wednesday December 30th at 7:30pm Eastern - the registration link will be available in the coming weeks. 

FINAL DAY OF DISCOUNT!

MyBeliefWorks™ for Experiencing a Bountiful Harvest  has over 130 clearings on 31 minutes of audio AND I do all the fishing for you! Click this link to learn more and read sample clearings. Now only $44, tomorrow... it will be $57.

You'll ALSO receive the special BONUS Mystical Magical Prayer for Prosperity PDF/MP3 recording w/purchase! This new, exclusive and NOT SOLD SEPARATELY 4:44 Prosperity Prayer is a supercharged, turbo-charged MLF healing prayer that will serve as a deep and expansive prayer for all listeners. You can play it low in the background, read it, speak it or just listen to me several times and then have it playing on low volume in the background.  

Download the PDF today and the Audio MP3 link is IN the PDF!  The Bonus Prayer files will be emailed to you separately.

Get it all NOW for $44

"I am delighted with the Bountiful Harvest mp3. Thank you for sharing all that you do. Each recording brings a positive change in my world when I listen. Gratitude is a constant friend due to all that you have shared. Thank you for your time and effort responding to this email." - A.B.   

"So cool, Jimmy Mack. I appreciate all of you at Team JM, too! Also in the news, I FINALLY received my unemployment monies last week after some big-time glitches in their system that took a couple hours over a couple weeks to sort out, but I received the debit card last week and it was over double what I expected it to be, which really helps me out this time of year.  Yay! Happy Thanksgiving and thanks so much again for this bonus prayer.  Love that it's 4:44 in length.  Go, Angels!" - T. Diaz

TGIWednesday Download

~ APPRECIATION & HUMILITY ~ I believe, think, know and feel that I am appreciative and humble. I am ready, willing and able to perform random acts of kindness today and every day.  I know, when, where, how and why the time is right to be humble and appreciate every breath I take. I am asking in all languages and throughout all time lines and so it is.

LIVE Appearances

SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS RADIO with host Charlotte Spicer WEDNESDAY, December 2nd at 2:00 pm Eastern Call in LIVE at (347) 934-0751  OR  Listen Here Online

THE MYSTICAL MATCHMAKER PODCAST with host Marla Martenson THURS. December 3rd at 12pm ET/9am PT Call in LIVE at (347)-215-6966 OR  Listen Here Online

From the Fish Box

Q&A with Jimmy Q) "Do you have to muscle test for the I am clear, unclear, etc. before listening to the healing download for it to be effective? Thanks" - Rebecca B.

A) "Everyone should make sure they are clear yes, unclear no, and running forward yes before starting anything new, meaning new car shopping, and or working on yourself.  However in this case as with all of the Audio MP3’s I do the basic clearings for you prior to starting the list in each Audio MP3.  After 2 or 3 listens relaxing or laying down, you can put the audios on low and or loop and have them playing somewhere in your home and they will still run through the word tracks and make a difference for you and your life!" - Jimmy

 Tampa Office Sessions

SWANN HOLISTIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS FRIDAY DECEMBER 11th from 10-4pm  

Jimmy Mack will be offering sessions at Dr. Charla Tempone’s NEW office at Swann Holistic Health Solutions from 10am - 4pm on Friday December 11th 403 S. Habana Ave. Tampa, FL 33609 Just south of Azeele next to Skin Savvy http://www.ctholisticsolutions.com

Please call their office directly at  ☎️ (813) 873-7773 in order to get on the schedule for 15-minutes $38 or 30-minutes $68. If you’re new to working with me, I suggest you schedule 30 minutes.

FRIDAY KODAWARI YOGA STUDIOS 

Friday sessions are back to being phone-only for folks that I usually see at Kodawari until further notice. You can book time with me in the shop and schedule online.   3965 Henderson Blvd Suite C Tampa ☎️ (813) 999-1874 http://www.kodawariyoga.com/

Fish Food 

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack NOVEMBER 25th "Today I concentrate more on inflection and tone of how people are saying things rather than their words. I will realize that deeds and actions are so much more powerful than words. I will create movement by doing instead of just talking it to death."

The Jimmy Mack Healing Show

WATCH IT LIVE  TUESDAY'S at 4pm EDT / 1pm PDT Watch and Participate (via Comments) during the Live TV Show streamed on Goldylocks Productions YouTube Channel, Facebook Page and Periscope.   NOTE: You will need to log into your YouTube (Google) or Facebook accounts to comment. If you watch the Live show from any other location other than the 3 listed below, your comments will not be seen by the Show Host or Producer. https://www.facebook.com/GoldylocksProductions https://www.pscp.tv/Goldylocks168/follow Or watch all live and replays in the archives here: https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

Instructions for the VIEWERS: 1.    One reading/message per person. The first question posted will be answered, so please think about your question carefully before posting it.  2.    If you want a longer and more detailed message, please book an appointment with the Show Host.  3.    Spirit does come through and gives messages that can apply to many, not just the person asking the question. 4.    It is not required nor should be expected that every question or comment will be addressed by the Show Host. 5.    If you have any issues with the show host or show format, please contact the Show Producer... not the Show Host. 6.    Contact the Show Producer, Rev. Tiffany White Sage Woman via email: goldylocksproductions@hotmail.com  

Yesterday's Replay with Special Guest Rev Debbie | Our resident trans medium communications with your loved ones in spirit. Visit her Facebook page December 1st - Joanne Psychic Leo | Numerology, Astrology, Intuitive Card Readings www.psychicjoanneleo.com December 8th -  Marla Martenson | Author, Intuitive Reader, Tarot https://marlamartenson.com December 15th - Kimberly Marooney | Angel Expert, Author, intuitive http://kimberlymarooney.com/angel-expert-kimberly-marooney December 22nd -  NO SHOW THIS WEEK  December 29th  Rev Debbie Dienstbier | Trans medium communication with your loved ones in spirit Visit her Facebook page

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

Nightly prayers include COVID-19. Each night we work on scrambling the frequency for everyone on the prayer list. Your name will be added to a special VIP Prayer list where Jimmy will use his intelligent computer software, src4you which runs 24/7, to delete the negative and increase the strength of the positive creating a higher probability of favorable outcomes for you.  

In addition, throughout the full 30-days, Jimmy will be dialing into your energetic signature each day upon rising and make certain that you are a clear yes, unclear to no and running forward before you start your day. He is doing the heavy lifting for you around 3am NY time while most of you are asleep in order to smooth out your way and increase your most favorable life outcomes.

The 30-day service is now being offered exclusively  and you also have the option of selecting an ongoing subscription ($95/month) which is managed through PayPal only.

Upon written email request, for each new order we offer a one-time email analysis via the intelligent healing software that Jimmy uses on your behalf.  Most clients have had amazing results and outcomes!

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers. *NOTE if the MDP Service was purchased via a special telesummit or radio show offer, prayers will be limited to BUYER ONLY - and will not include family members or pets.

You can run this monthly and stop at any time after the 30 days is up, you will have the opportunity to renew and update your list each month but are under no obligation. I believe you will experience magical transformations and make progress every day! 

Sign Up for 30-Days - $99

Go deep sea "fishing" with Jimmy!

Level 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime! Click here to watch the Mastery video playlist

The Certificate of Mastery Program includes 2 best-selling ebooks and 2 clearing audios plus written & video instructions, AND one-on-one time with Jimmy ALL for about the cost of a single 1-hr session! This online course is for anyone who is familiar with OR new to "fishing" and is ready to dive into the deep end & get results that are beyond the ordinary! It includes The Tackle Box & The Dowser's Handbook ebooks PLUS 2 MP3s "Clearing Dark Energies" & "Increasing Your Intuition" to help clear, strengthen and prepare your energy field for optimal “fishing” results. This is a work-at-your-own-pace curriculum that will TEACH & CLEAR you at the same time! In under 2wks you will be finished with the program and ready to fish on your own with greater results! Level II offers Practitioner Certification for those who qualify.

LEARN ABOUT CERTIFICATION HERE

For those who aren't familiar, here's the list of the MyBeliefWorks™ audio library. 

Find a topic that addresses your issue(s), click on the link to read more. We had a lot of help downloading & channeling these over the years & they keep getting better. Don't forget... you can share these with your immediate friends and family.  

Abundance Abuse Addiction Body Scan: Head to Toe Bountiful Harvest COVID-19 Clearings Creative Spark Daily GPS Reset Dark Energies/Fears Decision Making Diet & Exercise Education & Learning Family & Relatives The Gold Coin Healing Physical Body Healing Mental Stress Holiday Stress

Increasing Intuition IRS & Tax Time Love & Romance Money Mindset Moving Forward Pain Relief Pet Healing Sales & Success Improving Sex Improving Sleep Traveling w/Ease Work & Career Weight Loss Windfall Youth & Vitality *MySwitchWorks Videos

TGIFunny

Share

Tweet

Forward

Pinterest

Jimmy Mack | Appointments Skype: Jimmy.Mack55 Clearwater Florida USA Book a 15 minute session Book a 30 minute session Book a 60 minute session ​ ​​Transformational Healing of Body, Mind​ & Spirit, People, Places, Pets & Situations!​ ​ Download the My Liquid Fish® Starter Kit (*Updated May 2019) Audio MP3 Downloads​ and books​ to improve your life! Get Certified in ​My Liquid Fish® Change Made Simple® Watch Free Videos on YouTube Weekly Radio Show Archives Shop for ​Supplements ​ http://www.jimmymackhealingshop.com www.jimmymackhealing.com Copyright ©1998-2020 All Rights Reserved  

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.smbeconnected.com  

Stay connected!

  Our mailing address is: Clearwater Florida 33756 USA

[advancedthetapractitioner]

TGIWednesday and appreciation and humility in all things

TGIWednesday News

This time of year I am reminded of my NDE (near death experience) which was just before Thanksgiving.  Breathing is now something that I will never take for granted.  What are you thankful for right now?  Make a short list. Do your best to remain humble and kind regardless of what may be going on in your world or our world.  A single act of kindness goes a long way.  I have dealt with royalty and people that “live outside” and every kind of person in between.  I make every effort to treat them with appreciation and I remain steadfast and humble in all of my dealings and I hope this time of year you will remain appreciative and humble and allow all the goodness of the season to find it’s way to you. IMPT! There will NOT be a Zoom call tonight for November. It's been a busy month and we have the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow so we wish everyone a happy and safe day!  Our next LIVE Zoom MySwitchWorks event is scheduled for Wednesday December 30th at 7:30pm Eastern - the registration link will be available in the coming weeks. 

FINAL DAY OF DISCOUNT!

MyBeliefWorks™ for Experiencing a Bountiful Harvest  has over 130 clearings on 31 minutes of audio AND I do all the fishing for you! Click this link to learn more and read sample clearings. Now only $44, tomorrow... it will be $57.

You'll ALSO receive the special BONUS Mystical Magical Prayer for Prosperity PDF/MP3 recording w/purchase! This new, exclusive and NOT SOLD SEPARATELY 4:44 Prosperity Prayer is a supercharged, turbo-charged MLF healing prayer that will serve as a deep and expansive prayer for all listeners. You can play it low in the background, read it, speak it or just listen to me several times and then have it playing on low volume in the background.  

Download the PDF today and the Audio MP3 link is IN the PDF!  The Bonus Prayer files will be emailed to you separately.

Get it all NOW for $44

"I am delighted with the Bountiful Harvest mp3. Thank you for sharing all that you do. Each recording brings a positive change in my world when I listen. Gratitude is a constant friend due to all that you have shared. Thank you for your time and effort responding to this email." - A.B.   

"So cool, Jimmy Mack. I appreciate all of you at Team JM, too! Also in the news, I FINALLY received my unemployment monies last week after some big-time glitches in their system that took a couple hours over a couple weeks to sort out, but I received the debit card last week and it was over double what I expected it to be, which really helps me out this time of year.  Yay! Happy Thanksgiving and thanks so much again for this bonus prayer.  Love that it's 4:44 in length.  Go, Angels!" - T. Diaz

TGIWednesday Download

~ APPRECIATION & HUMILITY ~ I believe, think, know and feel that I am appreciative and humble. I am ready, willing and able to perform random acts of kindness today and every day.  I know, when, where, how and why the time is right to be humble and appreciate every breath I take. I am asking in all languages and throughout all time lines and so it is.

LIVE Appearances

SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS RADIO with host Charlotte Spicer WEDNESDAY, December 2nd at 2:00 pm Eastern Call in LIVE at (347) 934-0751  OR  Listen Here Online

THE MYSTICAL MATCHMAKER PODCAST with host Marla Martenson THURS. December 3rd at 12pm ET/9am PT Call in LIVE at (347)-215-6966 OR  Listen Here Online

From the Fish Box

Q&A with Jimmy Q) "Do you have to muscle test for the I am clear, unclear, etc. before listening to the healing download for it to be effective? Thanks" - Rebecca B.

A) "Everyone should make sure they are clear yes, unclear no, and running forward yes before starting anything new, meaning new car shopping, and or working on yourself.  However in this case as with all of the Audio MP3’s I do the basic clearings for you prior to starting the list in each Audio MP3.  After 2 or 3 listens relaxing or laying down, you can put the audios on low and or loop and have them playing somewhere in your home and they will still run through the word tracks and make a difference for you and your life!" - Jimmy

 Tampa Office Sessions

SWANN HOLISTIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS FRIDAY DECEMBER 11th from 10-4pm  

Jimmy Mack will be offering sessions at Dr. Charla Tempone’s NEW office at Swann Holistic Health Solutions from 10am - 4pm on Friday December 11th 403 S. Habana Ave. Tampa, FL 33609 Just south of Azeele next to Skin Savvy http://www.ctholisticsolutions.com

Please call their office directly at  ☎️ (813) 873-7773 in order to get on the schedule for 15-minutes $38 or 30-minutes $68. If you’re new to working with me, I suggest you schedule 30 minutes.

FRIDAY KODAWARI YOGA STUDIOS 

Friday sessions are back to being phone-only for folks that I usually see at Kodawari until further notice. You can book time with me in the shop and schedule online.   3965 Henderson Blvd Suite C Tampa ☎️ (813) 999-1874 http://www.kodawariyoga.com/

Fish Food 

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack NOVEMBER 25th "Today I concentrate more on inflection and tone of how people are saying things rather than their words. I will realize that deeds and actions are so much more powerful than words. I will create movement by doing instead of just talking it to death."

The Jimmy Mack Healing Show

WATCH IT LIVE  TUESDAY'S at 4pm EDT / 1pm PDT Watch and Participate (via Comments) during the Live TV Show streamed on Goldylocks Productions YouTube Channel, Facebook Page and Periscope.   NOTE: You will need to log into your YouTube (Google) or Facebook accounts to comment. If you watch the Live show from any other location other than the 3 listed below, your comments will not be seen by the Show Host or Producer. https://www.facebook.com/GoldylocksProductions https://www.pscp.tv/Goldylocks168/follow Or watch all live and replays in the archives here: https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

Instructions for the VIEWERS: 1.    One reading/message per person. The first question posted will be answered, so please think about your question carefully before posting it.  2.    If you want a longer and more detailed message, please book an appointment with the Show Host.  3.    Spirit does come through and gives messages that can apply to many, not just the person asking the question. 4.    It is not required nor should be expected that every question or comment will be addressed by the Show Host. 5.    If you have any issues with the show host or show format, please contact the Show Producer... not the Show Host. 6.    Contact the Show Producer, Rev. Tiffany White Sage Woman via email: goldylocksproductions@hotmail.com  

Yesterday's Replay with Special Guest Rev Debbie | Our resident trans medium communications with your loved ones in spirit. Visit her Facebook page December 1st - Joanne Psychic Leo | Numerology, Astrology, Intuitive Card Readings www.psychicjoanneleo.com December 8th -  Marla Martenson | Author, Intuitive Reader, Tarot https://marlamartenson.com December 15th - Kimberly Marooney | Angel Expert, Author, intuitive http://kimberlymarooney.com/angel-expert-kimberly-marooney December 22nd -  NO SHOW THIS WEEK  December 29th  Rev Debbie Dienstbier | Trans medium communication with your loved ones in spirit Visit her Facebook page

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

Nightly prayers include COVID-19. Each night we work on scrambling the frequency for everyone on the prayer list. Your name will be added to a special VIP Prayer list where Jimmy will use his intelligent computer software, src4you which runs 24/7, to delete the negative and increase the strength of the positive creating a higher probability of favorable outcomes for you.  

In addition, throughout the full 30-days, Jimmy will be dialing into your energetic signature each day upon rising and make certain that you are a clear yes, unclear to no and running forward before you start your day. He is doing the heavy lifting for you around 3am NY time while most of you are asleep in order to smooth out your way and increase your most favorable life outcomes.

The 30-day service is now being offered exclusively  and you also have the option of selecting an ongoing subscription ($95/month) which is managed through PayPal only.

Upon written email request, for each new order we offer a one-time email analysis via the intelligent healing software that Jimmy uses on your behalf.  Most clients have had amazing results and outcomes!

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers. *NOTE if the MDP Service was purchased via a special telesummit or radio show offer, prayers will be limited to BUYER ONLY - and will not include family members or pets.

You can run this monthly and stop at any time after the 30 days is up, you will have the opportunity to renew and update your list each month but are under no obligation. I believe you will experience magical transformations and make progress every day! 

Sign Up for 30-Days - $99

Go deep sea "fishing" with Jimmy!

Level 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime! Click here to watch the Mastery video playlist

The Certificate of Mastery Program includes 2 best-selling ebooks and 2 clearing audios plus written & video instructions, AND one-on-one time with Jimmy ALL for about the cost of a single 1-hr session! This online course is for anyone who is familiar with OR new to "fishing" and is ready to dive into the deep end & get results that are beyond the ordinary! It includes The Tackle Box & The Dowser's Handbook ebooks PLUS 2 MP3s "Clearing Dark Energies" & "Increasing Your Intuition" to help clear, strengthen and prepare your energy field for optimal “fishing” results. This is a work-at-your-own-pace curriculum that will TEACH & CLEAR you at the same time! In under 2wks you will be finished with the program and ready to fish on your own with greater results! Level II offers Practitioner Certification for those who qualify.

LEARN ABOUT CERTIFICATION HERE

For those who aren't familiar, here's the list of the MyBeliefWorks™ audio library. 

Find a topic that addresses your issue(s), click on the link to read more. We had a lot of help downloading & channeling these over the years & they keep getting better. Don't forget... you can share these with your immediate friends and family.  

Abundance Abuse Addiction Body Scan: Head to Toe Bountiful Harvest COVID-19 Clearings Creative Spark Daily GPS Reset Dark Energies/Fears Decision Making Diet & Exercise Education & Learning Family & Relatives The Gold Coin Healing Physical Body Healing Mental Stress Holiday Stress

Increasing Intuition IRS & Tax Time Love & Romance Money Mindset Moving Forward Pain Relief Pet Healing Sales & Success Improving Sex Improving Sleep Traveling w/Ease Work & Career Weight Loss Windfall Youth & Vitality *MySwitchWorks Videos

TGIFunny

Share

Tweet

Forward

Pinterest

Jimmy Mack | Appointments Skype: Jimmy.Mack55 Clearwater Florida USA Book a 15 minute session Book a 30 minute session Book a 60 minute session ​ ​​Transformational Healing of Body, Mind​ & Spirit, People, Places, Pets & Situations!​ ​ Download the My Liquid Fish® Starter Kit (*Updated May 2019) Audio MP3 Downloads​ and books​ to improve your life! Get Certified in ​My Liquid Fish® Change Made Simple® Watch Free Videos on YouTube Weekly Radio Show Archives Shop for ​Supplements ​ http://www.jimmymackhealingshop.com www.jimmymackhealing.com Copyright ©1998-2020 All Rights Reserved  

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.smbeconnected.com  

Stay connected!

  Our mailing address is: Clearwater Florida 33756 USA

[musikat18]

Green-Blooded Matchmaker (Bones x Reader TrekFest 2017)

Pairing: AOS Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy/Reader, featuring nosy!matchmaking!Spocko

Rating: PG for language because McCoy is a potty mouth doctor and drug mention

A/N: Guess who did some heavy tweaking to their unfinished Spock Week fic to create THIS beautiful mess. :) Also, dammit guys I am a writer not a doctor (nor a biochemist) so please excuse any technobabble/misattributed terms. (See also: Sara slips in a Hidden Figures reference because she deserves it.)

You really, really did not know how you weren’t in trouble yet.

Yes, you had five reports to turn in to Commander Spock-- being on his elite research team made work a little more high pressure-- and only two of them were done. Yes, you had a live skin cell to examine and a very short time to get it done before it became useless. No, you could not continue any of your studies and theses until you examined said skin cell.

Unfortunately for you, though, you had your fifth high-priority examination with Dr. McCoy in less than a week, and everyone knew how much the good doctor hated to be kept waiting. (See: any of the grumpy rants you heard McCoy let loose on the captain from the vents leading a floor up from your biochem lab to the medbay.)

This is why you were sitting in said medbay, perched on a biobed and absently twisting the hem of your uniform as you waited on the Southern doctor. 

“Oh,” he had the audacity to look surprised when he came in, “Lieutenant. You’re not scheduled for another twenty minutes.”

“Well, you do get rather busy with Captain Kirk,” you noted. “I figured we might as well get done with this as soon as possible.”

“Bless you and your punctuality, Y/L/N,” he sighed, hazel eyes poring over his PADD.

“Well, when you work under Mr. Spock,” you began.

“Say no more.”

You knew very well the relationship between your superior and Dr. McCoy. More specifically, you knew how abrasively each tended to behave toward the other. Mr. Spock was a paragon of logic and order; nothing in his labs was ever out of place, nor was a notation ever misfiled. No one on Spock’s staff was ever late or disorganized-- ever. Like goes with like, after all. You knew little about the doctor outside of the fact that he was grumpy (usually) and very, very sarcastic. You admired his crass wit from afar; your paths had little reason to cross outside of working in similar fields, and anyone Spock enjoyed being around, McCoy tended to avoid (outside of Jim).

“Now,” the doctor looked over what you presumed was your file, “you’re here for a standard exam?”

“That was last month, Doctor.”

“...damn, damnit, right, shit. Vision test?”

“A week ago.”

“Fuck. I swear, I had you marked in here for something...shit, sorry, I’m looking.”

“You asked to check for potential contamination due to my close work with the tissues from our last stop.”

Dr. McCoy squinted down through your file again before finding the exam you had just mentioned.

“Well, shit. You’re right. Sorry.”

You shrugged, “Well, I’ve had so many tests in the last few weeks, I don’t really blame you, Doctor.”

You thought you saw the faintest, tiniest, most miniscule excuse for a flush in the doctor’s face at his disorganization, but you absolutely had to be seeing things. 

“Just lie back and hold still, it’ll only be a moment.”

You did as told, feeling the biobed buzz and whir underneath you, before you heard the medbay doors swish open.

“Dr. McCoy,” the familiarly monotone voice announced his arrival.

“Dammit, Spock, what is it?”

“It is imperative that I speak to Lieutenant Y/L/N.”

“Well, can it fucking wait until I’m done with this?”

“Very well.”

You didn’t hear the doors move again, so you internally groaned and realized you were absolutely in trouble for spending so much time in the medbay and getting behind on your reports. There was no way you weren’t headed for another night of overtime.

“All clear, Lieutenant,” McCoy said. 

Spock didn’t even give you time to thank the doctor before striding out of the medbay with a quick, “Come along, Lieutenant.”

You gave Dr. McCoy a quick look mixing exasperation and apology as you followed your boss out and down the corridor to the turbo lift.

“Have you completed the analyses on the new species we encountered?” he asked, keeping his back straight and arms neatly folded behind him.

“I’ve got the reports 40% done,” you shifted nervously. “My research keeps getting interrupted.”

“By whom?” Spock quirked his eyebrow.

“Doctor McCoy keeps finding medical tests that I haven’t gotten completed yet,” you explained. “I knew my transfer from the USS Johnson would encompass a lot of paperwork, but I have to ask, is this normal procedure for the Enterprise?”

“No, protocol does not mandate this level of medical assessment. ...I will speak with Dr. McCoy shortly.”

“Thank you,” you sighed. You were more than ready to finish your work in peace.

You looked at your near-dead skin cell and sighed. You really could have used those twenty minutes.

Damn those attractive doctors.

You were certain you could get the machine to work if you kept mashing the button. You were already in a groggy, grumpy morning mood; you did not need another reason to punch whoever crossed your path.

“Is something the matter, Lieutenant?”

It took all the strength in your bones to not lash out and castrate your boss with your favorite coffee mug.

“The replicator on this floor isn’t working,” you grumbled.

The Vulcan was somehow still completely calm about this-- you were contemplating asking for whatever he was smoking. 

“Yes, engineers will be available to repair it shortly. You must use the replicator on the medical level instead.”

You let out a hard sigh. Your skin cell from the previous day had been impossible to save and use; it would be an understatement to say that you were not particularly happy with Doctor McCoy.

Still, you needed coffee to prevent yourself from murdering everyone you encountered that day, so you trudged to the turbo lift and marched your way past all the nurses and techs to the replicator near Dr. McCoy’s office.

Clearly, the doctor didn’t see you mooching his replicator, because he poked his head outside upon seeing you.

“Lieutenant? What brings you by?”

“Coffee,” you pointed to the replicator as it filled your cup. “Chem lab’s got a busted one. Spock sent me up here.”

“And here I was thinking that green-blooded hobgoblin was never gonna let your out of that lab again,” he mused.

“What did he say to you?”

“Oh, the usual. I can’t be interfering in research, exams are to be scheduled more professionally, I’m being overdramatic for insisting that you get your tests done so quickly on such short notice to you and him.”

“...Has he met Captain Kirk?” you frowned to the side as you picked your mug back up.

“Yeah,” McCoy chuckled, “that’s what I told him.” For as tired and frustrated as you were, you had to laugh and agree. For a man with such a curmudgeonly reputation, he certainly had a nice smile.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble,” you took a sip of your coffee. “Thanks for not making me want to stab everyone with a scalpel this morning.”

“Anything to avoid more work for me,” he waved you off. You wiped the tiny smile off your face when you walked out of the medbay only to find Spock waiting outside.

“Was Doctor McCoy bothered by your presence?”

“Oddly enough, no,” you said. “Don’t worry, Mr. Spock, I’m headed straight to work.”

“Very well, Lieutenant. Dr. McCoy also harvested this from one of the creatures still left on the ship; he believed it would be relevant to your research.”

You almost wanted to cry when you saw a new skin sample from the exact species you had lost your cell for.

Grinning something fierce, you thanked Mr. Spock and headed back down to your lab, trying to hide the little spring in your step from your Vulcan boss.

“Doctor McCoy!” 

The doctor looked over as you waved at him, walking over as he ate lunch with a suddenly very amused Captain Kirk.

“Much more cheery now, I see.”

“All thanks to you,” you stopped and leaned casually on their table. “I’m so glad you found that other sample. I was literally going to have to start all over without it.”

It took the doctor a few moments and a playful nudge from Kirk to respond.

“Uh...my pleasure, Lieutenant,” he said, sounding a little confused. “It was the least I could do for pulling you away from your work so much.”

You weren’t phased by McCoy’s odd behavior-- you knew all too well what sleep deprivation did to people. What you noticed more was how amused Kirk seemed to be, pressing his lips together in a Cheshire grin as the two of you spoke.

“With all due respect, Captain, I don’t understand what you find so funny.”

“Oh, nothing, Lieutenant,” he kept his eyes trained across the room; you’d later learn he was flitting his baby blues between Spock in the distance and McCoy across from him. “I’m sure Dr. McCoy is happy to help whenever you need it.”

Now, Dr. McCoy is more observant than people give him credit for. Sure, every girl on the ship loved to talk about the good doctor’s “legendary hands,” but his work wasn’t all tactile. It was acute vision, as well. He noticed everything: the sparkle in your eyes at the favor he didn’t remember doing, the mischievous quirk of Jim’s lips as the captain watched the exchange.

And, oh, did he ever see the sneaky glances of Spock over to the table as he watched you fawn over the doctor.

That damn green-blooded hobgoblin was absolutely going to get it.

“Are you out of your Vulcan mind?!”

This is what you can hear through the vents above you as you work on your nucleotide analysis and Dr. McCoy apparently gives your boss a thorough talking-to.

You roll your eyes for a moment. You had no idea what the two had developed a disagreement over now. It can’t be any helpful to your research, so you decide to tune them out. A soft, logical, indiscriminate response would always follow a frustrated Southern boom. Whatever. Nucleotides were way more important than whatever hammer had dropped upstairs.

“I don’t need your help getting a date! I can flirt with Y/N myself, assuming she’ll actually say yes to a guy like me!”

He could flirt with who now?

You snapped your neck up at the very blunt statement. Suddenly, a lot of things started making sense. The frequent medbay visits. The skin sample. 

You had little time to think about any of it, because sooner than you wanted, Dr. McCoy himself walked into your lab, looking a little humbled.

“Um...can I help you?”

“Spock said you needed a note-taker,” he said. “Figured I’d come lend a hand.”

“Oh, that’s date- GREAT.”

“Where did you get date from?”

“Just...listening around. Sciences blue gossip, you know.”

That was a lame excuse, and both of you knew it. You sighed and leaned back against your counter.

“I heard what you said to Spock upstairs.”

There had rarely been a time you could remember Dr. McCoy being floored when you had seen him. This was one of those times.

“You...what?” he asked, “I wasn’t that loud, was I?”

“My vent goes right up to the medbay,” you pointed at the fixture in question. “And...it’s not like your known for your docile nature.”

“Oh...” McCoy realized with a chastened look. “Oh.”

“Yeah...so...all those examinations?”

“It’s not like you could get to the medbay, otherwise,” he said. “I needed an excuse to talk to you. Guess Spock wasn’t happy with the way I was going about it.”

“And the replicator? The cell sample?”

“I think that green-blooded hobgoblin was trying to play matchmaker,” McCoy rubbed the back of his neck. “Listen, Y/N, I’d understand if you’re upset...I’m a little more prickly than most folks...and I already got the idea that you were all in a twist because of how much I was asking for you.”

“I was upset because of my work, not because of you,” you quickly corrected.

“Still...you don’t have to do anything just because I’m a dumbass with a crush on a damn pretty little scientist.”

“And what if I’m a dumbass with a crush on a grumpy, handsome doctor?”

“You don’t have to,” he insisted. You approached him, softly taking his hand and offering a small smile, like one would give a baby deer.

“But I want to.”

The more readily you responded to his testing kiss, the more outgoing he became. His hands moved from yours to your waist to your spine, pulling you closer to his broad frame. You had to perch up on your toes to reach around his neck and pull him closer. Coffee and whiskey flavor passed to your lips; nothing so bitter had ever seemed as sweet.

“I congratulate you both for your union as a new couple pursuing a relationship,” the voice of Spock suddenly interrupted your from the doorway, “however, I would advise you not to partake in any intimate acts of pleasure in an active laboratory.”

“Damn hobgoblin,” Leonard muttered under his breath. “Can’t get pissy over what happens in the turbo lift.”

For what it was worth, at least the Vulcan made a decent matchmaker.

[xxsparksxx]

Hello! In the show, Caroline and Demelza's friendship seems to happen almost without our really realizing it (it seems more gradual than ex. Demelza and Verity's) but one thing I wonder was what drew them together in the books? Caroline seems the one more actively pursing that friendship earlier on in the TV version, and that was intriguing. She's not the snob she pretends to be, but she's not like Dwight where class is almost a non-issue. Thank you for your analysis :)

Their friendship in the books is definitely slower to grow, and at first it’s entirely about Caroline being Dwight’s fiance - that’s the only real connection between them. They’ve met socially on a handful of occasions, of course - and Caroline has, of course, saved Ross and Demelza from bankruptcy - but the first time Demelza meets Caroline on a more intimate footing, it’s when Ross brings Caroline and Dwight back together, and brings them both to Nampara for Christmas, at the end of ‘Warleggan’. To my mind, it’s a much nicer beginning for them as a quartet than the wedding in 3.01, but ah well:

‘Have you three extra bedrooms you could get ready for tonight?’‘Three? . . . Why, who is coming? What have you arranged?’‘I have brought Caroline back with me. Caroline and her maid.’Demelza opened her eyes. ‘Where is she? Do you mean at her uncle’s?’‘She is with him now. But I invited her here to supper, and I want you to put her and her maid up over Christmas.’‘Over Christmas? Gladly. I’d lay special carpets for her if I had them. But it’s awful short notice, Ross! And I don’t quite understand . . .’‘We stayed a night in Plymouth and then came on. The story of her engagement was overhasty. There was no truth in it. When I heard that, I felt most of our old misgivings should be set aside and I tried my hand as matchmaker. Of course I hadn’t your skill, and at first she would have none of it. But on my second visit she decided to nibble at the bait. We saw Dwight in Plymouth.’‘Yes?’‘I believe they have made it up. He travelled back with us and, if we can fix him in, will stay here too.’

Demelza, being Demelza, is rather anxious about the arrangements, but it all comes off nicely. And it’s on this evening that Ross makes it clear that, with Dwight away, he and Demelza will be there for Caroline:

‘When Dwight has gone, so long as you stay with your uncle, I hope you’ll come and sup with us once or twice a week. It will help the time to pass.’‘After Dwight has gone, I shall wake up sometimes and wonder if all this week has been a dream. I think I shall have to come here for reassurance. I hope my uncle improves so that I can tell him the truth.’‘If you are in any difficulty, come straight here,’ Ross said. ‘We will put you up for as long as necessary.’ Caroline looked at Demelza before replying. ‘Your husband’s committing you very deep.’Demelza said: ‘Well, no deeper than I’d want to go or be willing to go tomorrow.’

So they don’t really strike up a friendship at this point as such, but they do begin to know each other much better and to become friendlier. But yes, at this point, it’s about Dwight. Dwight is the connection between them, the reason they have for knowing each other and for growing to know each other better.

It’s once Dwight is away at sea, and then captured in France, that the friendship really blossoms between Caroline and Demelza. Because really, there are very few people who don’t grow to love Demelza once they know her, and Caroline proves to Demelza, quietly but quickly enough, that she’s not such a snob as to turn her nose up at Demelza’s background, or her working life, or any of it. Her snobbery is, as you say, a lot of pretence - and I maintain that when she acts the snob to/with Dwight, it’s to provoke him into a reaction! - but she’s very aware of class distinctions in a sort of casual, every-day manner. I think, with Demelza, Caroline sees Demelza’s insecurities and never teases her about them, never chides her for still feeling like that. She must know that she’s an example, to Demelza, of how gentlewomen behave, but she never demonstrates that she’s aware of being an example. Does that make sense?

Anyway, the scene I’m talking about where Caroline proves to Demelza that she’s not a real snob, is a beaautiful scene. Normally it would be far, far too long for me to post, but it’s one of my favourite bits of interaction between them, so I’m going to put it under a read more. It really shows how they begin to relate to each other not just as ‘Dwight’s fiance’ and ‘Ross’s wife’, but as two women, two human beings. There is a subtle understanding that begins to grow between them, stemming from this scene, which is why I feel it’s so important and why I love it so much! I wish, I dearly wish that they’d kept it in the show in some form. Afterwards, they simply are friends: Caroline becomes Demelza’s greatest female friend, the person to whom Demelza turns when she cannot turn to Ross (about Hugh Armitage, for example). But this scene is a turning point for them. This scene begins to make their friendship about something other than Dwight.I will edit a few odd bits, just for brevity.

   Caroline was standing by the window looking taller than ever in a grey waisted riding habit and small fur hat. The bright light silhouetted her figure but concealed her expression as she turned.    ‘Demelza, I am renowned for arriving at inopportune moments. I hope you are well.’   ‘Yes, well, but just at this minute, as Jane will have said . . . But stay. Stay to dinner. If you can excuse me for the next quarter of an hour . . .’   They had kissed, but a little uncertain of each other.   Caroline held Demelza at arm’s length before releasing her. ‘I could hardly have told even now. How long is it?’   ‘About six weeks, I suppose.’ Suddenly her mind jumped on. ‘You have news of Ross?’   ‘Oh, no. You will have the first news, my dear. I came only to see you.’   ‘Well, make yourself comfortable. Sit down and rest. Is your horse seen to? . . . Oh, what a fine horse! Is he your own?’   ‘I have had him two years – since my twenty-first birthday. But look, must I be punished for coming at this wrong time by being made to sit here like a naughty girl? May I not keep you company?’   ‘Well . . . baking bread is tedious, and the kitchen will be overwarm for you after your ride and—’   ‘Would you believe it, I have not seen bread made since I used to steal into the kitchen in my mother’s house. But perhaps it would embarrass you if I came?’    This was precisely what it would do, but Demelza had to protest it would not, so presently they went together into the kitchen, to Jane Gimlett’s manifest confusion, for she clearly thought that whatever Mrs Poldark chose to do in her own home was her own business but that this was certainly no place for a lady of Miss Penvenen’s birth and breeding. In the end she dropped a basin and knocked over a stool when bending to pick it up, so Demelza sent her off to do something in the still room, promising to recall her when the fire wanted taking out of the oven.   ‘Where is Jeremy?’ Caroline asked, perching on the stool that had now been set upright again. ‘He is well?’   ‘Yes, thank you. Though he is always ailing little things. He is not at all like Julia, my first child, who never ailed one day all her life until she caught the morbid sore throat that killed her. You’ll stay to dinner?’   ‘I would like to, but thank you, Uncle Ray has taken the fancy for me to dine in his room. Although he eats little himself he seems to like the sight of another doing what he cannot.’  (.......omitted for brevity......)   It was the first time these two women had talked alone, and they were still not at ease. Demelza was conscious of her homely clothes, her homely occupation, her ungainly appearance, while this elegant red-haired girl sat on a stool and tapped her riding boot and watched her. Nowadays she seldom felt conscious of her humble origin when dealing with people, she had been Mrs Ross Poldark for seven years and that was enough. But Caroline was a rather special case: someone for whom she could only feel friendship and gratitude but someone almost of her own age whose upbringing had been a world away from hers, who did not soil her hands with work one day in the year and who always talked so casually even when serious. Someone, moreover, for whom Ross at this moment was risking his life and liberty.    ‘Why do you knead each lump so long?’ Caroline asked.   ‘Because if I don’t the bread will have holes in it. We eat a lot of bread. There are five loaves here and a little over. Perhaps if I made you a small one with this smaller piece you would like to take it back with you?’   ‘Thank you. It’s my birthday, so I shall look on it as a present.’   ‘Oh, it is not good enough for that! Happy returns! I wish . . .’   ‘What do you wish?’   ‘I was thinking out loud. I’m sorry . . . I wish that Ross could come back today with the news we both seek.’   ‘Do not be sorry for saying that.’   ‘I’m not sorry for wishing it, but I am superstitious. It appears to me it is something we should not talk about.’   ‘Well, that may be so . . . But sometimes I think while I am cooped up in that old house that I must talk to someone about it or I shall go out of my mind. Demelza, I am sorry to have brought this anxiety on you.’   Demelza began to lift the round masses of kneaded dough on to a metal tray. ‘Ross tells me there is little risk.’   ‘But it must give you anxiety, his being in France at this time. I think I should tell you that it is not at my request that he has gone.’   ‘I don’t suppose it is. Even though you have good right to request it.’   ‘No . . . No one could ever have that right.’   This part done, Demelza stood back and rubbed her hands down her apron and then with the back of her wrist pushed the dank hair away from her eyes. ‘He has been gone a week and four days. If all goes as planned he should be home soon.’   ‘I dread his coming.’   ‘Let us go back into a more comfortable place. There is nothing more I can do here for ten minutes or so.’   They went back and chatted for a time. The thing Caroline most needed was to talk, and to talk specially of Dwight, which she now did in her helplessly flippant way, apologizing every now and then for boring her listener with such a tedious recital. Presently they went back into the kitchen together and Demelza went under the arch of the stove, opened the iron door of the oven and raked out the white hot remnants of the gorse. Then Caroline lifted the other end of the heavy tray and they slid it into the oven. On this came Jeremy crying out for food, and in the end Caroline was persuaded to stay to dinner with them after all. (.......omitted for length.....)   ‘No, no, thank you, my dear, for your consideration, but Uncle Ray will already be in a relapse after missing me for so long. It will take me until I don’t know what time to get home, and I must fly at once.’   ‘I’ll tell Gimlett to bring your horse.’   ’I’m sure I have wearied you with all this talk. But, you know, at Killewarren, I cannot behave openly at all. I cannot fret except in my own room. If Dwight is dead I am not even his widow. I am nothing. Which is perhaps what I rightly deserve to be.’   Demelza kissed her. ‘Let us wait and hope.’   A few minutes later Caroline was riding her white horse over the stream and up the valley. Just before she disappeared among the straggling trees she turned and raised her hand. Demelza waved back and then went in.

(The Black Moon, pp195-200)