#when companies make a high quality expensive thing

[sampilled]

I can defend Taylor for a lot but I cannot!!! Defend her merch

[senpazzi]

Maintenance

Pairing: ceo!Jeong Jaehyun x afab!Fem Reader

Synopsis: You worked at an extremely successful Marketing company in the big city of Chicago. Fresh out of college, you were able to land such a high paying job, just for it to not be enough for you. You valued the more expensive things in life, and there was only one man who could provide that for you, Jeong Jaehyun.

Warnings: smut, (18+ continent mdni), smoking, corruption kink(?), reader is a bit bratty.

Word Count: 8.7k (;-;)

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You wanted a promotion. Scratch that. You needed this promotion. Anyone else would’ve been satisfied with the amount of money that you make. You’re only 25, working as a marketing consultant almost fresh out of college.

Simply put, you were very skilled in university and had amazing internship experience. It’s only been about two years of you at this South Korean-based company, its branches have finally reached the States, landing you a great opportunity to work in the big city of Chicago and be grateful enough to live alone.

But, even with the amazing pay and benefits the job comes with, you want more. You’re one to spoil yourself and live a luxurious life as a 25-year-old woman making more than the nation's average. You never came to work with your nails undone, a hair out of place. Instead, you came in the sleekest heels with the highest quality blouses and skirts. You catch eyes from all around when you step into the office. The men and women in every quarter acknowledge you daily.

“Y/N, I love your suit today.”

“Y/N, your purse is so beautiful, I wish my husband could afford that.”

“Your hair is always so beautiful, send me your stylist”.

Just several things you hear daily. However, your maintenance is becoming a bit too high. Your budgeting is shifting, and you’re beginning to realize that your maintenance can only be upheld with a higher salary. And what better way to do that? A raise simply wouldn’t cut it.

But, why not head for a position that offers 6 figures after the first year? Yes. You decided you were going to run for Vice President of Marketing Consulting at your company, that way with a little bit of the extra money, you can sit back and monitor everyone else in your company. You’ve always been one to express your opinion on anything going on, so why not get paid more for your input?

Applications were to have been submitted earlier this month, and of course, you were one of the first to get that done. Your boss, Jeong Jaehyun, has always praised that aspect of you. You never slacked or procrastinated, you’ve always shown that you were serious about your job and put in your best effort.

Earlier this month, you knocked on the door to his office, all the way on the 17th floor of the sky-rise building he owned. “Come in please.” you heard the assuring tone through the thick wooden doors. You pushed the golden handle and walked into the office, lit with beautiful warm lights, the room was filled with huge windows, cleaned twice a week per his request. Filing cabinets galore, the smell of coffee, and soft jazz music playing off his Alexa speaker. He acknowledged your presence once he heard the clacking of your heels approach further.

“Ah, Ms. Y/N, I almost forgot you were coming today. Is this your application?” He asked, motioning towards the portfolio in your hands. “Yes sir, I know we had about a week left to submit it, so I just needed to get this out the way.” You smiled softly, placing the portfolio in his hands. He nodded agreeing with your state, and gazed over the portfolio.

“You know, Y/N, you’re very brave for going after a position like this at such a young age, the competition won’t be light. What’s influencing you to go this route?” He asked like it was a simple question, setting your portfolio into a cabinet next to him, leaning back into his chair, cocking his head to the side.

He folded his hands over his lap, after motioning you to sit in the soft office chair across his desk. You cleared your throat, smoothing your skirt, sitting on the chair, and sitting up as straight as you could.

“Well, you see, I want to explore my expertise and bring everything I have to offer this job, Sir. I admire everything that goes on here and I would love to play a bigger role.” You said, in your soft but assuring voice. Even though what you said was truthful, you wanted it to sound more convincing than the tone that was coming out.

Jaehyun giggled slightly and put his head down facing his hands. Almost in disbelief. You cocked your head and furrowed your brows, genuinely trying to follow the actions of your supervisor. “Ms. Y/N, your answer sounds so rehearsed, it’s almost like you’re playing this out to be the interview,” he says calmly after regaining his breath from the laughter. “You’re young, you’re single, what business would somebody like you want going out to be the boss of a bunch of egotistical men? You’ll drain yourself by the time you’re 30.”

You furrow your lips into a tight line and try to suppress a sigh. He was right. These men don’t want to be bossed around by a woman like you. At least not in this setting. Will you even be taken seriously? Will people acknowledge you as a higher-up? You’re as old as some of these men’s daughters. Would it be selfish to take this opportunity from another person who might need this money?

“I need the money Mr. Jeong.” you finally caved in. It sounded almost disappointing that you were admitting to such a thing. Jaehyun’s eyes dropped as well as his smile. He looked down a bit awkwardly, almost like he said something offensive, and realized the severity of the situation.

A few moments pass, and he inhales a breath before leaning in closer over the table. “Excuse my ignorance Ms. Y/N, but every day you come into the office looking like a model. It sounds a little cliche and inappropriate coming from your boss, but your documents tell me you’re single and live comfortably, your salary pay is above average, your hair is never out of place, and you drive a 2024 Hyundai outside, if I didn’t know any better, I would say you’re doing perfectly fine.” It sounded like a lecture in all honesty.

He was right, you were doing amazing on your own, and you could afford almost anything comfortably. You’re being greedy, at least that’s what you felt Jaehyun was portraying. You shook your head in acknowledgment of his words. “Yes sir, my mistake. I’ll withdraw my application.” you caved in, too afraid to look him in the eyes. You slowly began to rise from the chair, noticing your vision began to get a little blurry from the tears threatening to fall.

“Ms. Y/N.” his voice came out sharp, but not harsh, as he also arose from his chair. He looked at you with the same soft gaze as before, you blinked a few tears back and met his eyes. “Yes sir?”

“Do you have any plans tonight?” You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion. Why could he possibly need to know that? Your eyes told it all, but he still wanted to hear you.

“Uh. Well, no sir I’m not. May I ask why? Do you need me to stay after today?” you asked with a confused pitch in your voice. It almost came off as a bit rude some may argue, but with Jaehyun being your higher-up, the idea of him seeing his past work hours is as rare as a blue moon.

It’s understandable why your mind is racing accordingly. “I want to see your apartment,” he said ever so bluntly. “I want to see how you live, I want to make sure the assumptions I’m dropping on you are correct.” he continues, crossing his arms. Is he trying to intimidate you? Because if he is, it’s working.

You cleared your throat once again and shook your head in approval. You stood straight up, raising your head higher and forcing a small smile, to distract him from your nervousness. “Oh. Well, I guess that’s okay. I’ll have to clean a bit, but I could see you for company tonight around maybe 8?” your voice was as convincing as a 5-year-old who broke something and pretended to be oblivious.

“Great. It’s a date. See you tonight Ms. Y/N.” he smiled again finally since his laughing fit, of course, his dimples on display for your eyes. “Yeah, a date.” you blushed like an idiot, before collecting yourself, clacking your heels as you almost sped walk to his door. The sigh of relief that left you after closing his door was almost as loud for anyone passing to hear.

“Fuck.” you cursed to yourself.

8:33 PM

A sudden knock approached the door of your apartment. You arose from your on the couch, wearing a matching lounge set with your Ugg slippers, going to the door. You gazed out the peephole to be met with the familiar face of your boss. You took a deep breath, wiping your hands on your top, alleviating the sweat that was building, opening the door. On the other side, Jaehyun stood in all his glory. Black slacks, a loose white button-up, and his hair a bit more ruffled than how he usually maintains it.

“Good evening Ms. Y/n.” he smiled.

“Good evening Mr. Jeong”. You responded breathlessly. He looked handsome, no denying that. Even though it's obvious he's just gotten through with the workday, he seems more relaxed and approachable.

“May I come in?” he asked, hand motioning towards the door frame. “It’s getting kind of cold out here, I left my blazer in the car,” he explained with a shy smile, dimples coming to display.

“Oh, of course. I’m sorry.” you nodded stepping to the side and allowing the man to enter. He slipped off his work loafers and laid them neatly down by the front door. His eyes browsed around the living space with a grin creeping.

Your apartment was warm, with beige walls, paintings gracing the walls, vases filled with plants, a nice big rug, and even some figurines of your favorite niches laid around the hard surfaces.

“Your apartment smells nice.” Jaehyun acknowledged before having a seat on your cremé colored couch. “It’s almost exactly how I could've imagined it to be Ms. Y/N.”

You bit back on your lip nervously, before walking to finally sit on the opposite end of your couch. Your eyes were too shy to meet your boss’s gaze. Of course, you've had men over, even though it wasn't a lot of men, you're not a stranger to having the presence near you.

But, your handsome, respectful, polite boss, who seemed to never have a social life outside of his job? In your humble abode? Wow. It’s like having a first date all over again. Your train of thought was gone before he ever stepped in, barely being able to focus on anything that was not his looks. Reality snapped back at you when you felt a piercing gaze hit the right side of your body. It’s only then you remember that he bestowed a compliment upon you.

“Oh, right yes thank you. Sorry, I just blanked out for a minute.” you rambled out quickly before turning your body to face his direction. “Uhm, I’m sorry I’m so rude. Would you like anything to drink or eat? I have fruit and uhm alcohol, maybe a glass of wine I…”

“Just a bottle of water if you have it Ms. Y/N”. he interrupted with a soft giggle. He glanced over again to your kitchen area filled with a neat array of decor and fine china peering through the glass cabinets. “You know, even I don’t have any dishes that fancy in my house. Do you ever have guests over?” he questioned.

You stood up from your seat keeping your head down as you walked into your kitchen, opening the fridge and retrieving a bottle of water. “Oh, I don’t have many guests over at all, I just like to keep pretty things you know,” you admitted in an assuring tone before walking back to hand the bottle to him. “Also, outside of work, you don’t have to call me ‘Ms.’” you told him a bit quietly, you made sure your tone wasn’t coming off in a rude manner of course. “Just Y/N will suffice now.”

Jaehyun’s smile grew right before your eyes, his hand lightly grasping the bottles as his fingers hovered over yours for a brief moment. “Okay Y/N, well then maybe with this new comfortability we’re coming to, it'll be easier to talk to you about this situation I had in mind.” Jaehyun opened the bottle and took a quick swig of the water before placing it down on the coffee table in front of him.

You blushed like a fucking fool at the slight touch the man laid on you, staring at him a bit too hard watching him drink the water. How did he make such a simple action look so erotic?

You gulped slightly before going back to your original position on the couch to face him. “Uhm, okay well what did you want to talk to me about sir?” you cocked your head to the side laying your curious expression on him.

Jaehyun took one last slip of the water again, before letting out a sigh of satisfaction. He shifted his body towards you while he cleared his throat. “To put it simply, I think it would be extremely ignorant and difficult for me to give you that promotion.”

“Some people have been with the company longer and have more experience in that field than you do Y/N. It wouldn’t be fair for them, and I don’t want to damage my credibility”. He simply spewed out the statements as if it wasn’t one of the worst things you could’ve heard.

Your head naturally fell at his words. He was right. No need to argue, plead, or beg. Nothing. It was the undoubtable truth. Facts that have been proven time and time again. Still, the tears in your eyes welled and your expression fell. God, can a girl just get a little fucking help? You don’t ask for much, all you want to do is just spend the money you make as lavishly as you can.

You work like a dog and spend like a queen, it’s not like you expect all this to just be handed to you. You deserve more and you always tell yourself that. The frustration was becoming too much for you. Tears fell slowly but silently.

“Y/N, I understand how difficult this is for you. As your higher-up, I want to offer you another solution to your problem.” Jaehyun said barely above a whisper leaning closer to you, laying a soft hand on your thigh.

The sudden motion caught you off guard looking at his hand. You wiped your face with the back of your hand before looking up to meet his eyes. You stared at him with a small sense of hope wondering before you what his solution could be. “Maybe, I could sponsor you Y/N,” he suggested softly.

The stare on your face was as blank as a damn white sheet of paper. What? What does he mean by sponsoring you? “Like, a sugar baby?” you asked dumbfounded. He sighed softly before closing the gap between you two even more.

“I don’t like that term, I don’t expect the sex or forcing you into doing anything like that. I just, you’re very pretty Y/N. Simply, I’m drawn to how you present yourself. I can’t express to you how good it would feel to be the man who bought all the things you wore.”

He whispered gently interlacing his hands into yours. His thumb graced the back of your hand as he looked into your expression. “You would look so pretty in the clothes that I buy you and the jewelry I pick out for you. You’d look so pretty just for me.” he continued out trying to get a read on your face.

You blinked back the rest of the tears and held his hand a little tighter. Your lips curved slightly to give him a weak smile and meet his eyes finally. “Well, what would you like in return Mr. Jeong?” you asked softly. To be honest, as handsome as your boss is, you’ve never been the type to see him in such a romantic aspect, at least not yet.

You don’t know exactly how far you’re willing to go in your agreement. Jaehyun’s head turned to the side to stare at you with his attentive eyes. “That’s up to you really Y/N. Just show me that you’re appreciative of what I’m doing for you. Give me your attention. It’ll be enough for me.” he told you in all his honesty.

Jaehyun was like most men in his field. Lonely. Whether they were married in loveless relationships, or divorced and used for others' advantages, Jeong Jaehyun had nobody outside of work. Other than his other extremely rich male friends, they’re always boasting about having sugar babies or models that they spoil.

Some say it’s pathetic, but for Jaehyun, it’s perfect for him. He’s not asking for devotion or a relationship. Just some time. Just some affection. And in return, he’d do what he could to keep you as happy as you made him. Is that so bad?

You nodded understandably. Giving off a small smile you tugged gently on Jaehyun’s hand, squeezing it before meeting his gaze. “I think this is something I’d be interested in Mr. Jeong,” you assured him. Your tone was soft and gentle, but warm and assuring. This is what you want. Money. Spoiling. Gifts. And best of all, the price was your choice. Be respectful and kind, and he’ll do whatever you wish for. This is a dream coming true for you.

Jaehyun’s smile was bright and tender. He acknowledged your words, taking your cheek and cupping it in his hand gently. “I appreciate you so much Ms. Y/N. We can discuss any rules or suggestions you have at any time. You have my number, I’ll be in touch with you.” he stated.

He stood up gently, dusting himself off and grabbing the water bottle you issued to him earlier. “I better get going, I do have a pretty lady to work with early tomorrow morning and I wouldn’t miss that for anything in the world.” he teased jokingly, obviously the pretty lady in question being you.

You stood up as well, shaking your head. “Your flirting is crazy Mr. Jeong.” you softly chuckled, leading him towards the door to your apartment and opening it. “I’ll see you tomorrow sir, please be safe.” you issued your farewell respectfully. Jaehyun made his way towards the door, stopping in the frame to lay a soft kiss on your forehead.

“Like I said Ms. Y/N, I’ll be in touch. Goodnight,” he whispered before heading out the door of your apartment.

You closed the door softly. You sighed to yourself and began to think about everything happening. Your heart was fluttering and your head spun with all the possibilities that could take place with you and your boss. Letting your imagination run free, the rest of the night went by swiftly as you went to bed for your nightly rest.

9:14 AM

The following morning, you enter your cubicle in the office building like usual. Your hair in its signature style, wearing your favorite perfume, and a soft gloss complimenting your complexion. You began the day with a hot caramel-flavored coffee at your side as you typed away at your computer, answering emails and looking at logs and dates for the future. A ring on your cellphone shortly came after some time into your work. The contact was labeled no other than “Mr. Jeong.”

You smiled and took a soft breath before answering it, voice quiet as you didn’t want to distract any of your colleagues. “Hello?”

“Ms. Y/N, could you drop by my office today? I wanted to discuss something regarding our agreement,” he responded softly into the phone. His voice was warm, as per usual. However, hearing it over the phone now with your new arrangement exudes a new feeling in you. Something sudden and seductive.

You slid out of your chair and walked quickly to the office of Jaehyun’s, knocking a few times before you heard his voice telling you to come in. You walked into the office with a bright smile on your face before sitting in front of him in the guest chair. “Good morning Mr. Jeong.” you beamed.

Jaehyun’s dimples were on display, smiling at your presence. He looked at your outfit, your blouse a soft pink shade today with a black pencil skirt. “Good morning Ms. Y/N, you look beautiful today. As you always do.” he complimented casually. “I called you in because I wanted you to read over this, Tell me what you think.” his hands went to his printer, and a few sheets of paper came out.

He grabbed the warm stack of papers and stapled them together before placing them in front of you. The title of the documents is labeled as “contract.” You cocked your head to the side before skimming through the items.

Contract

This document reads the legal terms allowed between the pair of Y/N L/N and Jeong Jaehyun. In regards to the limits, expectations, and direct references of their relationship….

As you read on, a few things caught your attention. “Details of our relationship will not be discussed with colleagues or anyone in our team.” Understandable. “If either factor in the pair decides to leave the agreement, the contract will still uphold any rules regarding discussion of the relationship.” Okay, so basically an NDA right? But the major rule highlighted caught your attention.

“This pair will not conduct any exclusive activities of a relationship, including but not limited to being officially boyfriend and girlfriend, marriage, or sex.”

Your eyes opened widely. Jaehyun took notice of the action, leaning into your gaze. “Anything wrong?” he asked, furrowing his brows. You blinked a few times before clearing your throat and meeting his gaze. “No! Nothing's wrong at all sir. It’s perfect how well thought out this is.” you perked giving an awkward smile. Everything in the agreement was understandable.

You memorized everything that stood out and narrowed your options. “So, everything here is just for legal purposes I assume?” you ask tilting back up to acknowledge Jaehyun.

He nodded accordingly. “Just in case we have any issues since we’re in a work setting, I don’t want to risk being sued or ridiculed in case something happens. Not that it will, but I’m just being smart,” he assured. He rummaged in a cup, hanging you a black pen. “I’ve already signed here, sign down here on the line. You can keep that copy, I’ll just have to copy it in the machine before you go.” he motioned towards the red line. Above, was his signature acknowledging he agreed to all terms of the contract.

You took the pen from his grasp, wrote your signature on the line, and handed him the sheet to copy. He smiled softly, slipping the paper into the copier machine, and faxing out more sheets. He handed you the original copy with your signature. “Thank you. Here’s your pen.” you handed the item back to him with a soft grin, awaiting his response.

He smiled, softly removing the pen from your grasp and setting it back. “Now, Y/N I wanted to show you a bit of my appreciation for signing up to do this.” he began gently, he dipped down under his desk revealing a sleek black shoebox. Your eyes widened and your mouth dropped, covering your lips before a gasp could escape. The box read “YSL.” You shook your head and extended your hand out. “Mr. Jeong, I can’t accept this, I don’t even buy this for myself.” you began protesting politely.

His eyebrows furrowed as he shrugged his shoulders. “That’s the point Ms. Y/N. Allow me to buy these things for you.” He extended his arms over the desk, hinting for you to open the box. You reluctantly slipped your hands over the item, lifting the black lid. Inside the box held the sleekest kitten heel with gold YSL embellishment on the center.

You looked up to him with the brightest smile you’ve ever worn in that office. “Mr. Jeong, I appreciate this so much. I can’t believe you did this, I’m so thankful,” you repeated. Your voice was laced with excitement and gratitude and it exuded something Jaehyun, something that he knew he needed to see more of.

“Try them on love.” he insisted, his tone sultry as his voice barely became above a whisper. He lifted from his seat walking over to you. He spun you lightly in the chair to face him. He took the box and got down on one knee in front of you. You weren’t wearing your stockings today, as you had on a long pencil skirt. His hand gently caressed your bare leg lifting to his chest. He gently slipped the black flat off your foot, replacing it with the heel, repeating the same step for the other leg.

His touch was gentle, warm, and seductive. It was enough to spark that rare feeling of excitement and lust in you. This contract would be dreadful if he continued these actions with you. How could he ever expect that you wouldn’t want to have sex with him? Jaehyun looked as if he was constructed to be God’s favorite. His skin was clear and bright. His hair is thick and full of body. The dimples balanced his masculine appearance so well, that his body was toned perfectly. Everything was perfect about him. Sexually endearing.

Jaehyun gazed upon you carefully eyeing every ounce of you. How your hair was always neatly styled. How your makeup was soft and warm, your lips always a perfect shade of nude or glossed. Your eyes are soft and endearing. He knew exactly what he was doing when he was writing that contract. He knew exactly why he had to emphasize a no-sex clause. He wouldn’t be able to get enough of you.

You stood up from the chair taking a few steps in the heel. They were surprisingly very comfortable, even though you were good at walking in heels, you weren’t a stranger to the occasional pain they caused. Jaehyun lifted off the floor, tossing your black flats into the box before he bestowed it under his desk. He took you by the waist encouraging you to face him.

“I saw these in the store months ago and they did remind me of you.” he began as he inched closer to your face. His gaze trailed from your beautiful bright eyes down to your slightly exposed collarbone. “I couldn’t help myself from getting these for you once I found out you wanted to partake in this sponsorship,” he whispered.

You met his gaze shyly before giggling a bit to yourself subconsciously. “Thank you, Mr. Jeong. I’ll wear them as often as I can.” you continued. His gaze on you was dangerous. He was locked in, to say the least. The space between you two was slim to none, not that either of you mind. Your chest was to his as his lower body pressed closer against you.

“I want to see you in everything I get you more often,” he explained with a soft smile. His breath hitched gently as he felt the erotic feeling growing in his pants. Once he noticed it he politely turned away, pulling his touch away from you. He walked back over to the seat on his desk.

“You should get going Ms. Y/N, I’m sure your colleagues are wondering about your whereabouts.” he insisted with his regular tone of voice once again. You were caught off guard, but you decided not to overstep. You nodded your head shyly before walking to the door to exit. “Thank you, Mr. Jeong. I’ll see you soon.” you kindly bid your farewell before you are caught off guard once again by him saying your name.

“Yes sir?” you asked while your body stood in the door frame. “Please lock the door on your way out,” he answered as steadily as his voice allowed him to. Your eyes widened slightly but you didn’t refrain from doing what he said. Exiting the door, you made sure to twit the lock to the left heading back to your seat.

After the door locked, Jaehyun unbuckled his pants grabbing out his hard length. He wrapped his large rough hand around his dick and began pumping slowly and tightly. Only one thing on his mind. You.

“Mm… fuck Y/N.” escaped his lips countless amounts of times. For the record, no one saw him for the rest of that morning.

A few weeks pass of Jaehyun texting you and calling you every few days of the week. Usually, these conversations consisted of asking about each other's day, asking you about your favorite colors and sizes in clothes, and occasionally venting from both parties. When you came to your cubicle in the office, breakfast, and coffee would be waiting there for you. When you came home from work, a package from designer brands or flowers wrapped outside would be awaiting at your door frame. Messages would be attached to each gift from none other than Jaehyun of course.

“Saw this and it reminded me of you love.”

“Show me how this fits today Y/N.”

“You look so pretty in this love.”

All signed by J.JH. When it was time for a fill-in for your nails, Jaehyun would pick which color and design he would want you to wear, which you didn’t mind because coincidentally you both had similar tastes. When you wanted to go to the salon for a treatment or new style, he always sent double the amount that was needed. He loved spoiling you. He loved seeing you dolled up for him. And all you did in return was send him photos of you in everything he put you in.

When he bought you that new blazer for work, you wore it the next day. Every salon appointment, you flooded his messages with pictures of results. Even when you got your toes done, you sent him pictures of everything. The flowers he sent were watered daily in your apartment. You were truthfully grateful and appreciative of the life he was providing for you.

What did Jaehyun think of all this? It turned him on. Every picture flooded and his phone was immediately saved to his camera roll. He scrolled through your chats every night before bed, and every morning when he woke up. The smile on your face, the glow on your skin, and the perfume you wore were all caused by him. You were his. His muse, his doll, everything he needed. You were so kind and willing to show how much he was appreciated. The fact that he easily made you feel so loved and cared for was heaven to him.

9:59 PM

It was a Saturday night, you had the whole weekend off. You were sat in a red satin robe and some fuzzy slippers Jaehyun bought you a few weeks ago, in the living room of your apartment eating dinner while watching your favorite Netflix series. You were awaiting a package that Jaehyun alerted you about earlier in the week. It was supposed to have arrived last night but got delayed due to the weather. A message pinged your phone, checking the notification it was from Jaehyun.

Mr. Jeong❤️: hey beautiful girl, check outside your door now.

Mr. Jeong❤️: your package said it arrived about 5 minutes ago, send me pictures whenever you try it on <3.

You texted back an “okay❤️,” before jumping out of your seat to your front door. You opened the door and grabbed the package that was set directly outside. Bringing it into the house, you cut open the box to see that a pink and white striped box was inside. Victoria Secret. Your eyes widened. Jaehyun never bought you lingerie. Nothing even close. Your hands trailed over the box lifting the lid to see exactly what was graced inside.

White and lacy bra and panties set with laced socks to match. The bra was embroidered with gold clips adjustment straps and a bow directly between your cleavage. It was undoubtedly the sexiest thing you’ve ever seen. You checked the back of the panties, it was a cheeky style. You took the item with you into your bedroom slipping it onto your body.

You went to the mirror and stared at yourself. You decided to keep your hair down and not put on any makeup since you were just going to send him a picture of your body. The lingerie hugged your curves perfectly and the white and gold contrast brought out your skin tone beautifully. You laid back in the bed and began posing seductively taking a plethora of photos to send to Jaehyun.

You: [sent 6 attachments]

You: wow, I can’t believe how pretty this is, thank you❤️.

10:23 PM

Jaehyun’s phone dinged. He was sitting on his balcony in a relaxed white tee and sweatpants smoking a cigarette while listening to his playlist off his speaker. He checked the phone and saw the pictures you blessed his phone with. His breath hitched as his heartbeat grew faster. He examined each picture slowly analyzing every inch of your body. He examined how your breasts sat perked in the bra. How glowy the white lace made your skin pop. How the thin lace barely covered your nipples.

Mr. Jeong❤️: I’m otw.

It sounded like a threat in all honesty. Jaehyun hadn’t been to your apartment since the day he proposed the sponsorship idea. Your mind was foggy. What do you do? What was he going to do to you? Would he finally break what’s in the contract? After pondering for a few moments, you hopped out of the bed and went into your bathroom. You graced a soft amount of makeup enhancing your features just in case he planned to fuck you. Finally.

Your mind raced vigorously taking in all the possibilities of what he could do to you. Would he be big? Would he tease you? The possibilities were endless. After popping a few dabs of blush and lipstick on, you grabbed your robe and pulled it around your skin. You headed towards your mirror taking more seductive pictures to send to him. If he was already feeling the pressure of wanting to fuck you, you wanted to grow that desire as much as you could before he got there.

You: [sent 4 attachments]

You: I hope u like these too :)

As Jaehyun was rushing out of his home, he checked the mirror pictures you sent him. His pants were tightening every second as he stared at you. You were enticing to him. There wasn’t a part of you that he didn’t feel enamored by, physically and emotionally. Your personality was sweet and polite. But your body was the sexiest thing he could ever lay his eyes on.

Mr. Jeong❤️: fuck the contract.

He jumped into his car and sped to your apartment. He knew your addresses by heart now making the 20-minute drive into 10 minute one. He arrived shortly knocking at your door.

You jumped up from your space in the bed strolling over to the door. As you opened it, Jaehyun’s presence filled the door frame eyeing you. His eyes were dark and hooded, his chest heaved up and down like he was out of breath. “Hello Mr. Jeong!” you greeted innocently with a smile. He smiled softly sizing you up and down. The way your body was out almost completely on display for him caught him in a trance. “Hello Y/N. May I come in?” he asked calmly. You moved to the side allowing him to step into your space, closing and locking the door behind you.

“What brings you here so late?” you asked curiously walking over closer to engulf his frame. He held you closely by your naked waist staring at your frame. “I had to see how beautiful my baby looked tonight,” he whispered inching dangerously close to your lips. Your eyes fluttered allowing him to grow closer, lips barely touching his. Your breath hitched at the contact.

“I look this beautiful just for you sir,” you whispered seductively against his lips. Jaehyun closed his eyes and crashed his lips against yours passionately. His grip on your waist tightened, causing him to pull you against his lower half. The friction between his body and yours created a hot sensation between you too. The tension in the room thickens. The sound of each other's lips smacking against each other filled the room.

You melted into the kiss yearning more for his touch. You wrapped your arms around his neck moaning gently at the friction he was creating by grinding your hips onto his erection. “M-Mr. Jeong,” you gasped between kisses trying to catch your breath. He ignored you. He completely took over your body, engulfing you in a deeper and longer kiss.

“Your bedroom, now,” he commanded. His voice was hoarse and breathing heavy. He only released you enough to have you lead him towards your room. He kept his hands close to your waist as you led the way. “Mr. Jeong, the contract what’ll happen if we break it?” you questioned stopping in your tracks as you stood in your doorframe. His eyes were still filled with lust, but his touch was reassuring and warm.

“We can worry about that later, we both want this. Don’t you Y/N?” he asked gently. His hands interlocked his fingers into yours, rubbing warm circles with his thumbs. “I do, but I just wanted to make sure everything was okay.” you continued quietly. He nodded pulling you into your bedroom and having you both stand adjacent to your bed. He finally let go of your waist staring down at your frame.

“Get down,” he commanded with a low and stern voice. You looked up with eyes widened in shock. You slowly got down onto your knees keeping direct eye contact with him. You kept your head tilted up as Jaehyun brought his hand to cup your cheek. He softly stroked your face with his thumb examining your soft features.

“You’re so pretty baby,” he whispered daringly. He pressed his thumb to your lips pulling them slightly ajar. “Open your mouth,” Jaehyun smirked watching as you obeyed him instantly. You maintained eye contact surprisingly not breaking at the dominance he reigned over you. He leaned down slowly spitting into your mouth catching you off guard. He watched as you reluctantly swallowed the drop he laid into your mouth, smirking at your reaction. “Such a good girl for me,” he cooed strumming your face.

You blushed at his actions feeling slightly embarrassed by how you could easily succumb to his wants. But, you couldn’t deny how much his dominance turned you on. The wetness pooling from your core was more than enough evidence. You slowly raised your hand up to his bulge poking through his sweats, palming everything Jaehyun had to offer.

He hissed loudly at the abrupt touch, grabbing your wrist. “Not yet baby,” he warned sternly jerking your hand away from his length. You whined annoyed at his actions. “Why not?” you questioned cocking your head up to him. He smirked at your whining, amused by how much audacity you had. “Because baby, we’ve established already who’s in control here haven’t we?” he asked rhetorically. He simultaneously pulled his sweatpants and black boxers down to his ankles, letting his erect length spring into the air.

It took everything in you not to gasp his size. You didn’t expect him to be so thick, his tip red and leaking with pre-cum. He stilled his hand under your chin, using his other hand to pump his length in front of you. Jaehyun moaned softly as he noticed you staring at him masturbating. It was hot. How infatuated you were with his body. How enticing it was for him to see you so needy and weak for him. He barely touched you, yet he knew how much of a hold he had on you. “Do you see what you do to me baby?” he hissed stroking himself faster.

“Seeing you get so pretty for me, how you always smell so good. How do I get to spoil you and nobody else? How you listen to me and be so good to me, it turns me on so much having a good pretty girl like you,” he praised breathing heavily in between each stroke. Jaehyun was covered already in a thin coat of sweat and his deep baritone voice laced your ears with pleasure. You wanted nothing more but to show him your appreciation thoroughly, how wonderful he made you feel.

You slowly grabbed his wrist, pulling his arm that cuffed his length directly into your mouth. He moaned hazily at the contact of your wet and warm mouth around his cock. He threw his head back instantly. Jaehyun watched as you took him all the way engulfing his length. He struggled to keep a steady breath or a calm face. Only shaky moans escaped his lips and the furrowing of his brows took over.

He scrunched his face in pleasure, taking the back of our head and bucking his hips roughly into your mouth. Gagging and humming filled the air as saliva drooled over your chin. He rutted against your mouth at a faster pace as you struggled trying to keep up with his desires. “Fuck baby,” he hissed lowly. “I’m gonna cum, I’m gonna cum in this pretty mouth of yours,” he warned cupping the back of your head with both strong hands now.

Your eyes were welling with tears as the back of your throat became tense and sore. He was being so rough with you. Like you were just a toy he could fool with and use for his sole pleasure. But essentially that’s what you were to him. A beautiful, loving, fuck toy. Just his. Only his. You hummed gently around his dick causing vibrations to hit around his entire length.

His eyes shut tightly before you felt a trickle of warm salty liquid fill your mouth. You struggled to swallow it, as his length was still fully engulfed into your mouth. He gently pulled away from your lips, wiping your soaking mouth dry with the back of his hand. “I’m sorry I was so rough Y/N,” he whispered timidly strumming your warm cheeks. “Are you okay?”

You nodded assuringly giving a small smile. “I’m okay Mr. Jeong, I promise.” You slowly rose from your knees making your way to sit on your bed. Your robe was slipping, your knees aching from sitting on the floor. Jaehyun eyed you, looking at how gorgeously the sweat from your head caused your hair to stick to your skin. Your shoulder and torso are exposed from the poorly secured robe you adorned.

“Baby,” he whispered walking to sit on the bed adjacent to you. You cocked your head up, noticing how closely he was inching towards your face. He slipped your robe off your shoulders, gently wrapping his arms around you again. You giggled noticing he still had on his shirt. Tugging at it gently you looked into his eyes. “Take this off for me Mr. Jeong,” you politely asked with a kind smile and pleading eyes.

He immediately obeyed doing just as you asked, removing his shirt in one swift motion. He pushed you gently having your back laid against the bed, as she hovered over you. He placed his knee gently before your wet clothed core. “You drive me so crazy Y/N,” he confessed as he placed open wet kisses across your neck.

You moaned softly at the sensation. His lips were soft yet filled with so much passion and force. His fingers laced around your throat squeezing lightly at the sides of your neck. His knee slowly dragged between your legs feeling how soaked your pussy is. “Wow baby, you’re this wet for me already? Were you thinking about how well I was going to fuck you, my love?” he rhetorically asked grinding his knee deeper between your clit.

You nodded your head obeying his words. You gasped as his grip tightened. “Yes, yes sir! I’ve been thinking about you fucking me for weeks. I want you so bad Mr. Jeong sir,” you screamed out each word as he deliberately kissed your rougher down between your cleavage. Jaehyun chuckled in amusement at your confession, placing your legs over his hips. He slipped your white panties to them staring at your seeping core.

“Yeah, baby? You thought about me taking care of you like this?” he questioned before slipping one of his long slender fingers inside of you, curling it feeling the inside of your walls. You arched your back in pleasure as your thighs shook at the feeling. He was already setting you off the edge, hardly even touching you.

Jaehyun watched as you squirmed beneath his touch, the feeling of wanting to completely ruin you was taking over him. Corrupting your perfect body, fucking you like the spoiled slut you were for him. His eyes were fluttering from the intense feeling building inside him. He sat on his knees pulling his finger out of you harshly, causing a whine of ache to escape from you.

“You’re such a good girl. Always showin' off for me,” he whispered looking dead into your eyes as he pumped his cock once again. “You’re so beautiful in this lingerie I bought you,” he continued. “Take your panties off for me darling,” he commanded quietly. You nodded profusely as you slipped the material off your thighs. He took the panties from your hand and swiftly threw them into the pile of clothes that he left on your floor.

You laid there half-naked just for him to explicitly see you. “Spread your legs and lift them for me.”

The command was so vulgar and dirty. He knew he had so much control over you. You’d do anything he said, anything he could ever ask for. You were obligated to. You were his.

You did as he commanded, legs up having your heat out for display. Jaehyun stared down at your wet cunt, dripping in arousal just for him. His gaze made his way back to your doe eyes. He hovered gently over you to lay a soft kiss on your beautiful lipstick-smudged lips before he rammed into you.

Your back arched instantaneously at the abrupt contact, you screamed out a long pleasure-filled moan as your arms flew to cling onto Jaehyun’s broad back. “Mr. Jeong please!” you begged. Jaehyun began to ram into you at a steady and deep pace, kissing down your neck in an attempt to calm you down.

You were anything but calm. The pleasure was immense. The speed was perfect. He stretched you out so well and filled you perfectly. The pleasure overthrew the pain by miles, it was incomparable to anything you’ve ever felt before.

Jaehyun himself was struggling to keep his composure as well. He was extremely vocal about how good you felt, groaning at every clench your body made. He thrusted deeply into your core causing waves of pleasure to take over him. “Mr. Jeong,” you breathed out weakly, “I-i can’t take it sir,” you complained out. He gripped his strong hand around your neck once more forcing your lips to meet his.

He kissed you deeply muffling your moans and your comments. “You can take whatever I give you baby,” he replied between your sunken wet kisses. He trusted faster into you, causing your face to scrunch up. “See baby? You’re taking it so well, you’re doing so good. Such a good girl for me. My pretty baby…” Jaehyun praised you every single moment he could. This was no exception.

You clenched around him so tightly, that he felt every inch of you. You didn’t run away from the love he was making for you, you were perfect for him. A warm and tight knot formed in your stomach. The sensation caused you to dig deeper, scratching red lines deep into your boss’s back. “Mr. Jeong, I think I’m going to cum, it feels too good!” you exclaimed again, your voice cracking and toes curled in the sensation he was causing you.

Jaehyun grabbed your hips holding you down as he somehow was able to ram into you faster, causing screams from the both of you. His body was covered in sweat. His abs glisten before your eyes, his head thrown back as every inch of his manhood disappears deep into your core. “Take it, baby, take it so well, I’m gonna cum with you,” he praised his voice deep and laced with passion.

After a few more deep thrusts, you felt your cum drip down your thighs. Your cheeks were red and flush, sweat covered your entire body. Curses fled from your mouth as you chased your high. Jaehyun was far from composed. He was a sweaty mess. He managed to pull out just in time before exploding over your abdomen.

He collapsed next to your body, breathing heavily. Jaehyun ran his fingers through his drenched and sweat-filled hair, turning to face you. You managed to cool off enough to meet his gaze and chuckle softly at him. “What was all that for Mr. Jeong?” you teased eyeing the tired man. He chuckled softly blinking a few times at you. “You deserved it silly,” he replied simply.

You shook your head not following what he meant. “I don’t know what you mean sir?”You propped your body up enough to rest your head on the palm of your hand. Jaehyun stared at you in silence for a few moments, taking in everything about you thinking to himself. “My job is to take care of you every way I can. You’re a bit high maintenance you know that Y/N?” he retorted softly engaging his attention on you.

“Ouch.” you fake winced at his words. Jaehyun smiled cheekily kissing your forehead and wrapping his arm around your torso. “You know what I mean baby. Allow me to treat you to the life you deserve.”

It wasn’t an option, he was going to. And he did.

For the next few months, Jaehyun continued doing exactly that. But recently, he treated you to rooftop dinners, movie nights, to wine tastings. Your sponsorship became more exclusive, he invited you over to his house. Sleepovers and dinners became a regular thing on the weekends for you too, and the no sex clause? Consider that good as done.

8:53 AM

It was another Monday morning in the office, in your decorated cubicle, you received an email notification from none other than Jeong Jaehyun, issuing to alert to his office immediately.

You stood up and made your way to his room, knocking politely on the door. “Come in!” he rang from the other side of the door.

You made your way into the office, shutting the door behind you as you sat in your usual spot with a smile plastered on your face. “Good morning Mr. Jeong! You needed to see me?” you cocked your head to the side noticing the blank expression on his face.

Jaehyun faced you and held out a familiar stack of papers, your contract from when you first started being his sugar baby. He cleared his throat before looking into your eyes emotionless. “Ms. Y/N, I think it’s safe to say that I would like to end our contract,” he blankly stated.

Your heart dropped. Why? He was tired of you already? You were so willing and devoted to him. You loved how everything played out for you too, you were even willing to take things further and be more than just a girl he chose to spend his money on. “M-may I ask why?” you stuttered meekly.

Jaehyun’s face somehow did a complete 180, he lowered his body underneath his desk revealing a bouquet of roses. His dimples were on display and his eyes were sparkling.

“Because I want to be with you.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Authors Note:

I’m so sorry this took so long! I was very shy about uploading my first Longshot, so any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated if you guys liked this! Please tell me what you want in the future and send requests!🩷

Love, Mei!

[thatlittlered]

rings of power men | love languages

warning(s): i am going to cry, i need to marry (at least!) one of them

author's note: these are once again based on this post

-.-.-

Elrond

words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time, acts of service, gifts - everything

This Barbie man can and will do it all. If you ever asked him, he could not possibly pick what his favorite way of showing you affection is. He wants to write poems about your beauty, to touch your soft skin, to spend eons in your delightful company under the shining stars, to gather every lovely flower to adorn your hair and shower you in gold and gems that match your brilliance, all at the same time. He will probably manage to do it too.

Gil-galad

quality time, physical touch

Quality time spent in complete privacy is a rare gift given his position, so the High King treasures it above all, especially whilst in your company. Even in silence, he finds solace in your love and what greater proof is there of his, than his willingness to split himself in half if that is what it takes to serve both you and his kingdom? He is not a particularly touchy person, so you certainly will not find him glued to your side at all times, but once in private, he is a very passionate lover.

Celebrimbor

gifts, quality of time, gifts! so many gifts!

You will be showered with gifts of all kinds, especially in the beginning of your relationship. He does not know any other way to express himself so anything that comes to mind, he will send your way; rare fruits and teas, expensive fabrics, books, and, once he feels a bit more comfortable in showing off his skills, dozens of jewelry, weapons, trinkets. Anything that comes to mind when he thinks of you, he will happily craft with astounding care to detail and deliver it to you himself so he can see the glee on your face when you receive it. When you are properly together, you might convince him to lessen the frequency and spend the time with you instead; sipping warm tea and sitting together on the balcony. He is very agreeable to that.

Arondir

acts of service

You could ask Arondir to climb up in the skies of Arda and bring you back the moon and he will not hesitate. There is very little he would not do to ensure your happiness and those are things you would not ask of him either way. He is also very keen on anticipating your needs before you can express them. Always bringing you food and water, or packing you warm clothes. He must be thinking about you all the time, because every beautiful flower he happens upon is to be picked, every trinket that catches his eye purchased with you in mind, until your hands, and home, and heart are full.

Elendil

acts of service, physical touch, gifts

His first and foremost love language is serving you in any way imaginable. Whether it be with his sword, his ship, or his love. There is none more loyal and he proves it every day. Your wish is his command and your happiness his only concern. Once affection is established between you, he will not hesitate to be more physical with you as well; always touching you some place with his sea-worn hands in the few moments of privacy you have together. When you are kept apart, he will bring you gifts from the faraway lands he travels to and write you letters you cannot receive, but which you may read when he returns and know there was not a moment he was not thinking of you.

Valandil

words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time

He may be no poet, but it is easy enough to find the words when he is looking at you. He might share a few of his thoughts in person, but quickly becomes too embarrassed and chooses to write them down for you instead, so they might hold you company while he is sailing in the cruel seas. He writes of the sensual way the moon reflects off your skin when you make love on your favorite beach, the feeling of your hair in his fingers when it's drenched in saltwater and the way it tastes on his tongue. He simply cannot wait to do it again.

Isildur

physical touch

Please touch this boy, for that is what he becomes in your presence. A sweet boy with large brown eyes, begging to be touched at every opportunity and showered with the love you so willingly provide. When you are together, he always has to be touching you in some way, whether it be holding your hand, or laying his head in your lap, or even letting your knees graze each other when in the tavern with the others. Show him affection and he will return it thousandfold.

-.-.-

bonus:

Adar

acts of service, gifts

The Uruk-father considers you his most glorious conquest, his most precious possession. He is not eager to lose you and will therefore do anything to ensure your safety and happiness by his side. You will want for nothing, for it will all be delivered to you before you might even come to need it. What is most enticing of all he has to offer, however, is the absolute devotion and adoration that only he can show you.

[urarakasdiary]

-LILY OF THE VALLEY

Jjk men as your lover!

GOJO

He's head over heels for you and isn't ashamed of showing it.

Protective but not so much so that you feel controlled. He knows the limits.

Always picking/dropping you off. When you're out somewhere: spending time with friends, clubbing, etc. it doesn't matter, he's always beside you, looking over your shoulder. Staying alert.

Definitely spoils you with wayy too many expensive gifts and if not gifts, date nights, picnics and movies are his thing.

Might be a bit too cocky and touchy but will stop when you ask him to.

GETO

Public show of affection is not his first preference but if you like it, he'll do it.

I can see him being overprotective. He knows it's wrong so he tries not to show it.

Is always on the lookout for bad company you have, and will warn you about them.

Doesn't necessarily spoil you but he'll buy you anything you ask him to.

He can be a bit manipulative sometimes, but he knows his flaws and tries fixing them for your sake.

NANAMI

He's an old money guy. Flowers and chocolates every week. Showers you with affection.

Covers you with his jacket when it's cold, and never lets you open any doors, that's his responsibility. And trips to your dream places every month.

Also a big spoiler, more on the high-end stuff. Designer bags, jewelry, coats, clothes whatever you have an interest in. If you're not interested in stuff like that he'll buy/make anything you like.

Acts cold, more so if his work is stressing him out. Random bursts of anger that surprise you, but he would never, ever hurt you.

MEGUMI

Also a guy who does not like public display of affection. Will try his best to avoid it. But at the end of the day, if you do show affection in public, he'll gladly accept it.

I don't see him spoiling you. Quality time with you is more important than giving gifts.

He would never admit it but he loves it when you play with his hair.

It takes a bit for him to open up to you and express himself freely, but you'll get there sometime.

SUKUNA

I have no words.

This dude will not let you breathe. Hyperfixated on you and you alone.

Going out? where? when? with whom? what are you gonna eat? why? you already have me, why do you need anything else?

Possessive, over-protective, ANGER ISSUES.

Loves you more than you could imagine tho.

CHOSO

He's definitely very shy. Even with you.

Wants you all for himself. If someone even looks at you a bit too much, he's picking up a fight.

Doesn't really know how to express his love so he does everything. Acts of service, Gift giving, Quality time, and maybe even physical touch (sometimes).

Gets upset very quickly but he knows how to handle his temper.

I wrote this in a single day because I want to revive my blog 🥲 Very very sorry if it did not meet your expectations Im trying to get back to writing and English being my second language doesn't help either 😭 Requests are now open :) <3

If you want a part 2 just let me know. I'll try to respond as soon as possible 💗

[justinspoliticalcorner]

David Smith at The Guardian:

Losing an election for the highest office is a crushing blow that no candidate forgets. But when the American electorate delivers its verdict next week, the personal stakes for Donald Trump will be uniquely high. His fate will hover between the presidency and the threat of prison.

If he claims victory, Trump will be the first convicted criminal to win the White House and gain access to the nuclear codes. If he falls short, the 78-year-old faces more humiliating courtroom trials and potentially even time behind bars. It would be the end of a charmed life in which he has somehow always managed to outrun the law and duck accountability. For Trump, Tuesday is judgment day. “He branded himself as the guy who gets away with it,” said Gwenda Blair, a Trump biographer, adding that, should he lose, “he is facing a lot of moments of reckoning. He could go to jail. He could end up considerably less wealthy than he is. No matter what happens, and no matter whether he wins or loses, there will be a reckoning over his health. Death, ill health, dementia – those are things even he can’t escape.” The property developer and reality TV star has spent his career pushing ethical and legal boundaries to the limit, facing countless investigations, court battles and hefty fines. Worthy of a novel, his has been a life of scandal on a gargantuan scale.

In the 1970s Trump and his father were sued by the justice department for racial discrimination after refusing to rent apartments to Black people in predominantly white buildings. His property and casino businesses, including the Taj Mahal and Trump Plaza, filed for bankruptcy several times in the 1990s and early 2000s. Trump University, a business offering property training courses, faced multiple lawsuits for fraud, misleading marketing and false claims about the quality of its programmes. In 2016 Trump settled for $25m without admitting wrongdoing.

The Donald J Trump Foundation, a charitable organisation, was investigated and sued for allegedly using charitable funds for personal and business expenses. Trump eventually agreed to dissolve the foundation with remaining funds going to charity. Trump and his company were ordered to pay more than $350m in a New York civil fraud trial for artificially inflating his net worth to secure favourable loan terms. He is also known to have paid little to no federal income taxes in specific years which, although technically legal, was seen by some as bordering on unethical.

[...] He became the first president to be impeached twice, first for withholding military aid to pressure Ukraine’s government to investigate his political opponents, then for instigating a coup on 6 January 2021 following his defeat. He also became the subject of not one but four criminal cases, any one of which would have been enough to scuttle the chances of any other White House hopeful. In May Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records relating to a hush-money payment to the adult film performer Stormy Daniels, making him the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for 26 November (the judge delayed it from 18 September after the Republican nominee asked that it wait until after the election). What was billed as the trial of the century has already begun to fade from public consciousness and played a relatively modest role in the election campaign. Jonathan Alter, a presidential biographer who was in court for every day of the trial, recalled: “I’ve covered some big stories over the years but there was nothing like the drama of watching the jury foreperson say, ‘Guilty, guilty, guilty’ 34 times and Donald Trump looking like he was punched in the gut.” Alter, who describes the experience in his new book, American Reckoning, reflects on how Trump has been able to act with impunity for so long. “It’s a combination of luck, galvanised defiance and the credulousness of a large chunk of the American people,” he said. “Demagoguery works. Playing on people’s fears works. It doesn’t work all the time but we can look throughout human history to political figures and how demagoguery and scapegoating ‘the other’ works.”

Alter, who covered the trial for Washington Monthly magazine, added: “We’ve had plenty of demagogues, scoundrels and conmen in politics below the level of president. Trump has been lucky to escape accountability but the United States has been lucky that we haven’t had something like this before. The founders were very worried about it. They felt we would face something like this for sure.” The US’s system of checks and balances has been racing to keep up. Trump was charged by the special counsel Jack Smith with conspiring to overturn the results of his election loss to Joe Biden in the run-up to the January 6 riot at the US Capitol. The former president and 18 others were also charged by the Fulton county district attorney, Fani Willis, with taking part in a scheme to overturn his narrow loss in Georgia. Trump was charged again by Smith with illegally retaining classified documents that included nuclear secrets, taken with him from the White House to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida after he left office in January 2021, and then obstructing government demands to give them back.

With a such a caseload, it was widely assumed that Trump would spend this election shuttling between rallies one day and trials the next. But the courtroom campaign never really happened since, true to past form, he found ways to throw sand in the gears of the legal system and put off his moment of reckoning.

Or he simply got lucky. In Georgia, it emerged that Willis had a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor Nathan Wade, prompting demands that she be removed. Smith’s federal election case was thrown off track for months by a supreme court ruling that presidents have immunity for official actions taken in office. The classified documents case was thrown out by Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, although Smith is appealing and the charges could be reinstated. Such delays have made it easier to forget just how much of an outlier Trump is. Past presidential brushes with the law consisted of Ulysses S Grant being fined for speeding his horse-drawn carriage in Washington and Harry Truman receiving a ticket for driving his car too slowly on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in 1953. Richard Nixon resigned before he could be impeached over the Watergate scandal and was subsequently pardoned by his successor, Gerald Ford. Meanwhile the standard for presidential aspirants has been high. Joe Biden’s first run for the White House fell apart amid allegations that he had plagiarised a speech by Britain’s Labour leader Neil Kinnock. During the 2000 campaign, a last-minute revelation that Republican candidate George W Bush had a drunk driving conviction that he concealed for 24 years generated huge headlines and was seen as a possible gamechanger. Hillary Clinton still blames her 2016 defeat on an FBI investigation into her email server that produced no charges.

For Donald Trump, his run for the “Presidency” is all about avoiding any possible jail time for his indictments and felonies. If he loses, then Trump could be facing more trials and potentially jail time and/or massive fines.

Send Trump to prison, not the White House!

#TrumpForPrison #HarrisWalz2024

[probablyasocialecologist]

When you look at Instagram or Facebook, I want you to try and think of them less as social networks, and more as a form of anthropological experiment. Every single thing you see on either platform is built or selected to make you spend more time on the app and see more things that Meta wants you to see, be they ads, sponsored content, or suggested groups that you can interact with, thus increasing the amount of your “time spent” on the app, and increasing the amount of “meaningful interactions” you have with content. I also want you to realize that anything bad that you see on the platform is a symptom of Mark Zuckerberg’s unwillingness to rate-limit or sufficiently moderate the platform. Logically-speaking, one would think that Meta would want you to have a high-quality Facebook experience, pruning content that might be incendiary, spammy, scammy or unhelpful, or at the very least, comes primarily from those within your own network, but when your only concern is growth, content moderation is more of an emergency measure.  And to be clear, this is part of Meta’s cultural DNA. In an interview with journalist Jeff Horwitz in his book Broken Code, Facebook’s former VP of Ads and Partnerships Brian Bolland said that “building things is way more fun than making things secure and safe…[and] until there’s a regulatory or press fire, you don’t deal with it.”  Horwitz also cites that Meta engineers’ greatest frustration was that the company “perpetually [needed] something to fail — often fucking spectacularly — to drive interest in fixing it.” Horwitz’s book describes Meta’s approach to moderation as “having a light touch,” considering it “a moral virtue” and that the company “wasn’t failing to supervise what users did — it was neutral.” As I’ve briefly explained, the logic here is that the more stuff there is on Facebook or Instagram, the more likely you are to run into something you’ll interact with, even if said interaction is genuinely bad. Horwitz notes that in April 2016, Meta analyzed Facebook’s most successful political groups, finding that a third of them “routinely featured content that was racist and conspiracy-minded,” with their growth heavily-driven by Facebook’s “Groups You Should Join” and “Discover” features, algorithmic tools that Facebook used to recommend content. The researcher in question added that “sixty-four percent of all extremist group joins are due to our recommendation tools.” When the researcher took their concerns to Facebook’s “Protect and Care” team, they were told that there was nothing the team could do as “the accounts creating the content were real people, and Facebook intentionally had no rules mandating truth, balance or good faith.” Meta, at its core, is a rot economy empire, entirely engineered to grow metrics and revenue at the expense of anything else. In practice, this means allowing almost any activity that might “grow” the platform, even if it means groups that balloon by tens or hundreds of thousands of people a day, or allowing people to friend 50 or more people in a single day. It means allowing almost any content other than that which it’s legally required to police like mutilation and child pornography, even if the content it allows in makes the platform significantly worse.  As a result, Meta is kind of like an absentee parent, occasionally looking up from their phone and muttering “don’t do that” when something obviously awful happens, and even then they’re extremely hesitant to intervene. 

[mulders-too-large-shirt]

s6 episode 1 thoughts

season 6!!!! my goodness, how the time sure has flown!! i started this whole project in may of last year, and now we are in january! so much has changed! but other things have stayed the same. 

i have heard mixed things on s6, so i am a bit nervous. but i am excited to be reunited. 

i am also curious to see where exactly the movie was set after the finale of s5. has it been a while, or only a few days? has our little friend gibson been missing this whole time? what about diana- did she pull through? will we get to know more about her?

we need to microchip gibson so we never lose him again. 

(i felt vindicated when people told me diana isn’t a fandom favorite, LMAO. i’m usually the girl that goes to BAT for overhated female characters, but she just seemed too intentionally antagonistic towards scully)

so… this episode shall deal with our agents going on a hunt. well, they had best be careful! there are a bunch of different aliens and beasts on the loose!

(post-episode thoughts: my fury at mulder is 75% normal juni rage and 25% enhanced by me being sick and emotional, a fact i only put together the morning AFTER i took all of these notes. you have been warned....)

anyway. let us begin!

(previously, on the x files)

(and i STAND by my opinion that CSM has a very soothing voice, okay?!? googling this man so i can see if he narrates any audiobooks)

man, i forgot about mulder pushing spender up against the wall and their feud. ah, spender. i feel bad for him, but that doesn’t mean i LIKE him. 

OH, WE GET TO SEE CLIPS FROM THE MOVIE IN THIS RECAP!! and they are in such high quality in comparison to the DVD i borrowed!! wow. when i watch it again sometime in the future- hopefully not on a DVD from 1998- i cannot wait to see everything so CRISP.

NOT THE KISS BAIT BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECAP LMAOOO

but now let us begin the adventures of s6!

NOOOOO! roush!!! the evil biological company! their truck is out in the desert. and their guys are pissing. 

well. this happens.

sandy is sweating. bro does NOT look good. i know his ass is not making it through the night.

when sandy gets home, he cranks the heat up to 80 in arizona, which is WILD. then he goes to lay on the couch and shiver. 

AUGH!!! his hand is JELLY???? it’s see-through!!! i did not want to look at all of sandy’s veins!!!

is he having an alien baby, too?!?!

his work buddies come to fetch him later. we see a bunch of photos of him in his house wearing a lab coat and doing doctor-y things.

AWW, his coworker called him sandman. don’t make me feel bad for the dude who works at the evil alien biotech company…

BLEURGH. he DID have an alien chest baby virus infection thing. OH, this other guy is SHOCKED!! AND HE HEARS THE ALIEN HISSING AT HIM!!!!!

HE’S GETTING EATEN!!!!! NOOOO!!!! 

RIP this guy :(

YAAAY, the intro!!! felt weird not having it with the movie!!!

and it was shortened, but okay. i’m getting used to that.

ahhh, look at this computer on which mulder is examining something. is he looking at micro film?

OH, the sweet boy, he’s restoring the fragments from the x files!! this makes me sad!! does that mean there isn’t a huge box of floppy disks somewhere containing all of them? because it is the responsible thing to do, making sure you have all your files saved in multiple sources! well, we’re only a few minutes into the episode. there’s still time for one of those to be found

and now he is presenting before a panel. he says the x files were destroyed “several months ago”, which places us on a vague timeline. scully is here!!!!

“i see your renowned arrogance has been left quite intact”, says this dude on the panel, and HEY! mulder literally isn’t even being arrogant at THIS MOMENT, OKAY? plenty of other times he is. but not now, as he is submitting his report on this alien spaceship!!

“i didn’t see men in black” “well it’s a damn good movie” <- LMAO they are BULLYING HIM!!!

scully looks pained. 

NOT THEM GETTING ON HIS ASS FOR THE TRAVEL EXPENSES STOOOOOP BEING MEAN!!!

OHHH NOOOOO!!! he says that scully can prove the whole thing, but she can’t. cut to them fighting in the hallway.

mulder… you’re pissing me off. SHE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT THE VIRUS IS OR HOW IT WOULD MAKE ALIENS!!!!!! maybe you should have brought a camera to the arctic. don’t you BRUSH INTO HER SHOULDER AS YOU WALK AWAY!!! you were going to KISS HER like a few weeks ago!!! i won’t tolerate this disrespect. 

CSM is debriefing the syndicate on the arizona alien deaths, saying he made up a cover story and it’s called “blaming it on Native Americans”. classic CSM, world-renowned great guy /s

so, he thinks the arizona guy who gave birth to an alien chest baby accidentally injected himself with the virus, and now the alien is on the loose!!! 

man, the presence of well-groomed man is missed. RIP. this other guy is here, though. so that’s good. i guess.

CSM says he is managing the situation. will he be sent out to test his sniping skills?? can you snipe an alien?

skinner is coming down to see mulder on the computer… NOOO, he breaks the news that his reassignment on the x files has been denied!!!!! 

mulder's all angry, and skinner tries to clarify he’s not arguing with him, but raises the question: “when will you accept that no amount of pressure or reason will bring to heel a conspiracy whose members walk these halls with absolute impunity?” <- ohhh, a very good point…

so they reopened the x files, then denied his reassignment? are they going to assign them to someone else? or just close them again?? will they keep scully on them?

skinner said that the vote was unanimous… he must have been trying not to blow his cover as mulder’s biggest supporter… but i'm sure this still made mulder very sad

so he gets all his stuff up and starts to leave. BUT SKINNER WANTS TO HELP HIM FIND PROOF??? SO HE CAN PROVE THE OTHERS WRONG??

i told you!!!! that man is my uncle.

he says there’s a file on his desk in the old office……. and sure enough, there is.

is this season much darker in terms of screen brightness?

OH SHIT…. why is spender down here in mulder's old office? WITH DIANA??? “diana, back on your feet. i guess that’s the only way you can stab me in the back” <- damn. he's pissed.

woah, what? okay, i was imagining scully staying on the project and spender taking his place, which would obviously be awful, but diana taking his place is like, worse. so now is it going to be spender and diana? instead of mulder and scully? ew.

jump to CSM lighting up in front of a no smoking sign… he’s just fundamentally a bad boy. he’s walking in where some sort of surgery is taking place!!!

he says he needs the patient bandaged and dressed, even though this might kill them. OH SHIT! IT’S GIBSON!!! and he must be in the middle of surgery!!!!!

EAIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THEY HAVE HIS BRAIN OPEN………….

good lord, i nearly passed out. again, i repeat my grounding mantra: shoutout to the props team.

and he was awake, too………..

poor baby. 

AWWWW, THE AGENTS ARE DOWN IN PHOENIX to investigate the case that skinner left them the files on, and scully WILL remind him that they are violating state laws regarding contamination of a crime scene (she lets out a deep scully sigh, asking “why do i bother?”) yeah. idk either queen.

he sees claw marks on the walls!!! that does not look like it came from some bare hands. scully is not fooled by this claim in the evidence report. 

ooooooo, he finds a claw!!!!!!!!

“is that an animal?” “ain’t rupaul” <- LMAO I’M CRYING????????? 

mulder, i knew you were an ally ✊

(listen, both of those agents are bisexual to me. and maybe ace, too. depends on the day. THAT'S MY OPINION!)

(he hands the claw to scully very carefully <3)

feels wrong to see him in what i think is a polo, but it is hard to tell because the screen is so DARK.

oh yeah, let scully calculate the gestation rate of this hypothetical alien baby. under 12 hours!!! damn!! that is… quick. and also? how could a baby do all this, she wants to know? well. some babies are more equipped for violence than others. i guess. 

oh no! CSM IS HERE!! AND POOR BABY GIBSON, BLEEDING THROUGH HIS BANDAGES!!

please someone lay him down and let him watch spongebob. NOW.

gibson announces that "it" (alien baby) isn’t here. and that he knows CSM wants to kill him if he can’t find the creature. poor sweet little dude. they drive off.

mulder emerges into the daylight, and he does, in fact, have a polo on. but he is asking scully why she won’t believe him. MAYBE IT *WILL* TAKE AN ALIEN BITING HER FOR HER TO BELIEVE, BUDDY!!! DON'T RAISE YOUR GODDAMN VOICE AT HER!!

OHHH, SHE GRABS HIS HAND?? “listen, mulder, you told me that my science kept you honest. that it made you question your assumptions; that by it, i’d made you a whole person”

(okay girl, stay with me here now, but i think he meant YOU made him a whole person, not your science…….. but maybe she had to compartmentalize after nearly kissing him)

“if i change now… it wouldn’t be right, or honest” oh, scully <3 he has never deserved you or your kindness...

he’s being a whiny baby. like, i get it, and i understand. they're taking the x files away! and he needs to prove they are correct about aliens! but “i’m sorry scully, but this time your science is wrong” and walking away… 😒 which problem did that solve?

idk!! i see both of their points!!! this fundamental and ancient conflict is once again playing out, but can we focus less on the hows and whys of the situation and more on the “we need to get our jobs back and be bestest friends forever and ever, and also save that missing little boy and find some answers along the way”? please. consider this viewpoint. for me!

oh, let's go off to a nuclear power plant. again, very dark. noticing a theme here. it’s outside arizona. is that where the alien wants to go?

did they call the guy homer as a simpsons reference…? i see what was done here. well, something in the power plant is off. 

don’t send homer loose into the dark!!! the alien will eat him!!! especially while vague splattering noises are heard!!

CREATURE EATS HOMER……….

agents mulder and scully are on the scene. but so is spender!!!

UGH, he’s so ANNOYING: he basically says “i’m gonna get skinner censured for telling you some guy was murdered, now LEAVE” SPENDER!!! you are PISSING ME OFF!! 

(it made me think of that line from sharkboy and lavagirl: "mr. electric, send him to the principal's office and HAVE HIM EXPELLED!" <- that's what your whiny ass sounds like, spender)

and diana won’t let them in either, saying that it was "just a work accident". oh, so much for caring about the x files, huh? like you claimed in the last episode. you sound REAL invested now /s

scully gets him to come back to the car after he spits some venom at diana (“i hope you know whose errands you’re running”).

however, he says to give him the keys and tells scully to get in the car, and she gives him the most DIABOLICAL side eye LMAO. she is so suspicious of his shenanigans!!!

OH MY GOD, THERE WAS A REASON FOR THAT: SHE FINDS GIBSON IN THE CAR????? he’s out cold and she’s holding his head, calling him “sweetheart” oh my GOD????? 

wait. hold on. i’m emotional. hold on.

they take him to their motel, and she’s trying to smile at him while she trims off his bandages. he IMMEDIATELY READS HER THOUGHTS AND SAYS “frankenstein? really?” and DESPITE KNOWING HE CAN READ HER THOUGHTS, SHE TRIES TO LIE AND MAKE HIM FEEL BETTER.... OHHH, SCULLY

(this is still making me emotional. lying to the kid that can read minds because she doesn't want to hurt his feelings or scare him... knowing that she is the doctor that has to try and make him better, so he cannot know she thinks he looks to be in serious danger...)

he has some infection because they didn’t change his bandages and a fever, ohhhh this poor CHILD

so he ran away when they weren’t thinking about him!!!

scully, do you have antibiotics on you? is that a doctor-ly thing to have in your purse? please fix him. 

OHHH SNAP, HE CALLED HER OUT: “they were using me. because i can communicate with it” “communicate with what?” “you already know. you just don’t want to believe it”

actually such a fascinating narrative choice to have a child psychic call out her own internal lies… he’s too young to blunt his words, so we know they are the truth… getting to see inside what scully truly believes, even if she cannot admit it to herself, through the lens of this sweet angel with his poor infected skull...

(mulder nods his head to the side, indicating to her they must go talk privately)

he wants to take gibson out to find the Creature, but scully says he needs to be in bed under constant medical supervision; he is the evidence for the x files that can prove to the panel that everything they research is real!!

lowkey pissed me off that this boy is suffering in front of them so horribly and mulder wanted to go on an alien hunt.

so, they’re going to sneak him off somewhere. maybe to an alien hunt and then the hospital. but alas, who approaches them in the parking lot?

IT’S DIANA???? she claims to be alone. CAN WE HAVE A BREAKUP LATER???

she tells mulder that she took the assignment to represent his interests, reminds him that THEY found the x files together, and says that they should go find the beast right now. sure. whatever. you go find the beast, let scully doctor the poor boy. whatever. like i care.

he agrees to do just that, which i actually do think is morally wrong, because now scully has to play single mother to this sick boy. what if she gets sleepy and he is stolen from under her, like what happened with diana?

but diana and mulder are off to the nuclear reactor. mulder thinks that maybe the alien baby needs to be warm… maybe to grow?

so scully is with gibson, and he accuses her of only thinking about herself and what she can learn from him. ���i’m a very special lab rat”, he says (deep and sad scully sigh)

OHHHH… these two are giving me feelings……….

gibson just wanting to be a normal kid, and scully wanting to take care of this normal kid who is sadly being used for ulterior motives, but also knowing that if she wants to keep her job and prove the x files, that she must test upon him, too... she must have felt so conflicted... and he must have been able to sense that...

meanwhile, mulder and diana are sneaking into a nuclear reactor. i hope they don’t kiss. i don’t wanna see that shit. 

do they have guns? like, good guns? what are they going to hunt the alien with?

he finds a sticky trail… while spooky music plays…. and the wrench from homer (RIP)

bro needs to stop touching mystery fluids.

EUGH he pulls out… guts??? 

but scully calls!!! they found evidence of the virus that she was infected with in gibson’s system!!!

is diana here to just snitch on their progress… with his gut haul…..?

NOOOOO!!! THE DOCTOR APPROACHING GIBSON IS GOING TO HURT HIM??? HE IS KIDNAPPED! AGAIN!!!!!!

SCULLY IS GOING TO YELL AT SOME DOCTORS ABOUT IT!!!!! THREE CHEERS FOR MAMA BEAR SCULLY!!! DON’T TELL HER TO CALM DOWN!!! GO FUCK YOURSELF!!!

the evil guy is taking him away in an ambulance while mulder and diana track the beast. and again, i’d like to know what their game plan is once they find the thing.

gibson is brought to the nuclear power plant as well, being forced around by his kidnapper, who wants to use him to find the alien. and i can barely see what is happening because it is so DARK. 

gibson is being brought into what i think is the nuclear core, where he declares that "it" is here. 

i’m gonna need this gibson fellow to make it through, okay?

mulder is POUNDING ON THE DOOR, telling the evil guy to open it NOW, you SON OF A BITCH!

diana wants to find another way in, maybe, idk, i don’t trust her!!!

AUGH, the alien EATS the evil guy!!! well. deserved, tbh. will the alien please NOT eat gibson, though?

and it seems that diana DID snitch on him??? she pulls her gun on mulder as the cops suddenly arrive??

IT’S TOO DAMN DARK, I CAN’T SEE IF GIBSON WAS EATEN OR NOT!!!

skinner is absent from the hearing in which the agents are being told they must not go near the x files at all, or else they will be immediately dismissed!!! and they are moved to assistant director kersh!!! 

who is this man.....?

i expect mulder to just hand in his resignation papers now.

EW, CSM IS HERE TO SEE SPENDER??? he says he doesn’t want to see him. but CSM congratulates him on handling mulder. and he calls him “son”. 

“simple but extreme solutions” bro is offering to kill him??? no... he says this will not do in such a situation

spender asks if he’s killed men... IJBOL! that is his whole thing, buddy. welcome to this show.

CSM says you cannot kill what a man stands for, unless you kill his spirit. can mulder's spirit be killed?!?!

mulder is back to investigating the scraps of paper from the x files. “it would help if you’d shut the door; it’d make it harder for them to see that i’m totally disregarding everything i was told” <- LMAOOOO

oh scully, always pushed to the side in his mad ahab quest: “everything we were told, mulder” <- YEAH, YOU TELL HIM!!!!!!!!

she thinks that diana is throwing him under the bus (her report makes no mention of gibson!! and lies about the body they found!! also, i think she literally pulled a gun on him when the cops rolled up??), but he INSISTS that she is doing this out of the goodness of her heart 

“and though it may not say it in her report, diana saw it too. and no matter what you think, she’s certainly not going to go around saying that just because science can’t prove it, it isn’t true” 

wait hold on… i’m emotional… that was so mean… why am i genuinely tearing up…?

scully just wants him to trust her…. and he won’t take her files, because he's being stubborn, but they are literally TEST RESULTS that prove his theories to be true……..

the claw matches the DNA from the virus and the DNA from gibson…. 

if it’s true, that means everyone is a little bit of an alien?? oh scully…. look at her…….. sciene geek...

back at the nuclear power plant, it’s GIBSON!!!!! he sees the alien going for a swim in the nuclear water!!!!! yucky. 

it’s hatching………… oh.

the end.

man.

i don’t know if i’m emotional on this fine evening, but i nearly cried at mulder disrespecting scully. how can you say that about someone, that they make you whole, and keep you honest, and then treat them like that? how can you just toss her to the side the minute someone else says what you want to hear?

like. what the fuck! i can’t tell if this is purposeful character development leading up to something or if he is truly being an awful guy. how can he go from trusting her with everything he is- his life and even his death, over and over again- to having a hissy fit because she can't prove the virus was alien? it's not like SHE is the one taking them off of the assignment! she is not the corrupt government! in fact, she knows better than anyone the reality of the corrupt government, considering they 1) KILLED HER SISTER and 2) TRIED TO KILL HER WITH TERMINAL CANCER THAT DAMN NEAR SUCCEEDED?

shakes my fist angrily… i think scully should get to bite him.

she NEVER blows up at him!! even when he deserves it!!! and he has!! a million times over!! but she doesn’t!! it’s his stupid alien nonsense that got her sister killed and nearly killed her!! why does he act like he is the only one who can see some bigger picture?? oh wisest of all men, mulder, enlighten us with your alien theories??? bitch!!! if i was scully, i would have had enough!!! i would need a break from him!!! i would take that reassignment!!!

okay, maybe i’m just really angry tonight. BUT I HAVE A RIGHT TO BE! we were making such good progress in the “telling your best friend you love them” department, that i truly cannot stand this!! you tell him anything he wants to hear and he’ll eat it up!!! sure, sure, this lady that you used to date CONVENIENTLY wants to save the project you just got kicked off of after dedicating your whole life to it. (heavy on the /s) BRO??? LET’S USE A LITTLE BIT OF COMMON SENSE.

grrrr, i’m actually gonna GROWL. i don’t CARE about your inner man angst, you HAVE TO BE NICE TO YOUR FRIENDS!!! she LOVES you and you LOVE HER, so you ought to ACT LIKE IT.

and they took my uncle skinner away from me…

oh, i just know that if i had seen this when it was airing, i would be SPITTING MAD!! i’d be on those discussion forums saying NASTY things!!!

man. i still feel angry.

scully and gibson…. she wants to keep him safe, but also wants to prove her theories, and he suffers because of it… poor baby… how she held his unconscious head, calling him sweetheart; how she screamed at the doctors who ignored her…. god…

see, normally i’d say “give them both a baby”, but right now i’m mad as hell at mulder, and he does not deserve baby privileges.

poor gibson… i hope he makes it out of that nuclear reactor.

also. spender. the most pathetic nepo baby of all time. is he not at all suspicious about why his absent father is suddenly making a reappearance? hello? and the way he just pushes people around with his newfound power? do you think CSM will just use him and then discard him like he does everyone else????

wow. much to contemplate. for now, i must sleep off my rage. stupid mulder in his stupid polo…

spender and diana are literally scully and mulder from shein.

[tetrakys]

A few thoughts on the Halloween event

The first event of New Gen was released today, and as usual there are some positives and negatives. I'll start with the negative and put everything under spoiler.

Negatives

The system in my opinion isn't well calibrated. I personally hate gatcha, years ago I swore to myself I would never play another gatcha game in my life. But alas most games have some form of gatcha embedded mechanic, and I know generally people are not as negative toward them as I am. However, even if I want to set my personal feelings aside and try to be completely objective, there are some issues.

I think it all boils down to: games should either have a luck component or a timing/difficulty component. At the moment the event relies both on luck (the gatcha and the minigame) and timing (it's too short). This means that while it's impossible for f2p players to complete the event in full, it's also extremely expensive for them (and everyone else) to catch up.

Side note: I don't think it's outrageous that f2p can't complete the event in full. If we look at other games it's basically the case everywhere (I'm thinking of Ikemen games especially, but also MLQC and other similar mobile games). Companies have to make money somehow so it makes sense that they incentivise people to invest in the game with additional rewards. The issue here is that by adding too many obstacles what is achieved isn't a desire to invest some money to keep playing, but only a feeling of frustration that puts people off completely.

I did the math, f2p players by entering the event every day will only be able to obtain around 10-12 items when the total is 25 (including clothes, room elements and moments with the crushes), which makes for only 40% of the event. The gap is too large. If it had been 70-80% instead, maybe some players would've felt encouraged to spend something on the event to complete it, but when you're missing more than half and would need around 650-750 gems the feeling is instead anger mixed to a resigned 'what's the point?'.

Of course there is the possibility of someone being extremely lucky and obtaining perfect scores at the minigame and also unlocking all the dates and items they really care about in those free rolls they are able to obtain. It is true that not everyone wants to maximise the event and unlock all clothes and scenes. In which case yes, the event would be very convenient to them. But 40% odds of obtaining exactly what you want are still too low in my opinion.

Hence why I think this would be solved by either making the minigame easier, or extending the event for a few extra days.

Positives

There are indeed some very positive aspects. The outfits and items are all really pretty in my opinion, plus I already mentioned being a fan of how the crushes look like in their Halloween attire.

But what I think is the main improvement of this event is the scenes spent with the crushes, they seem to be much longer than what we used to have in the old game. Plus personally I really liked these scenes, they were both funny, cute and a bit romantic/hot. I can tell it's an early days event because there's nothing overtly romantic going on, but it feels right for the pace of the game. Also, I think all illustrations are 10/10 chef's kiss (I wiiiish Jason's illu had been a bit darker, with a dangerous/spicy undertone, but alas that's just my personal taste).

Also, what really sold me on these scenes is that they are all saved in our library, and we can replay them in full whenever we want and even pick different choices. This gives my completionist soul so much relief, I've always hated that I couldn't test different choices in past events without spending most of the event currency.

So, in conclusion, there are both things that work and don't work in this event, I hope for Christmas and Valentine the high quality of art and scenes will be kept and the system will be reworked to make it less frustrating for everyone.

[tanobatcher]

skyline

commander fox x senator fem reader

summary: the coruscant guard regularly accompanies your diplomatic missions off-world to ensure your safety. secretly believing the chancellor is spying on you through the troopers he assigns as your escorts, you find yourself looking for answers after a long trip with commander fox. despite not trusting him, you can't help the pull of attraction that he might also struggle to control within himself.

warnings: technically none erm sorry if this feels i'm edging

a/n: lord i have been in the worst writing slump since getting sick during my winter break ugh and then uni starts up again and piles all this damn work on me but this lowkey got me back into things (i say as if i haven't been actively avoiding my fics on ao3 for over a month now oopsie...)

@auxxrat <3

˚☽˚.⋆

It's well past sunset by the time you return to Coruscant after a restlessly uncomfortable trip. Only, there was nothing wrong with the quality of the experience itself, especially considering your expensive starship of choice. You didn't feel any bumps and jolts throughout hyperspace, safe as ever under the protection of the very person who is responsible for your current dissatisfaction. Commander Fox might be the most boring man you've ever spoken to, but he also happens to pique your interest like no other. Perhaps it's the challenge in breaking through his stern obsession for his job that raises your attention toward anything he says, or the fact that he doesn't seem to care about yours. Politics is never a soldier's strength.

Obedience, on the other hand, has to be. You can tell he doesn't particularly enjoy being assigned to escort your off-world commitments, but he remains indifferent all the same. You're not bothered by this, though. Not strongly, at least. Because you'd also rather be left alone than have your work constantly observed through a keen pair of eyes that sees the Republic's affairs in every one of his soldiers. This group is formally known as the Coruscant Guard, or shock troopers, but they're more like pests to you. They'll hover like hawks or buzz around like flies if it means reporting your behavior and lifestyle to the Chancellor. A humble man, he once was.

Dangerous now, maybe. You can never say this aloud, but you believe it without realizing that some people are better at reading your mind than you anticipate. But it doesn't matter. Fox isn't just boring—he's also terrible at spying.

"Where are you going?" The commander asks as soon as he notices you've taken an abnormal route—not the one that usually leads back to your apartment.

This might be the first question he's asked you throughout your entire week-long trip. His lack of interest in your life isn't a shock at this point, but your chin instinctively lifts before you cast a sideways glance at him. He's clearly looking back at you, even though his face remains concealed under his helmet. The bright red is tacky.

"Home," you answer in an obvious tone.

"You're not going the right way."

"I'm surprised you noticed."

He's silent as you return to the right course, which takes a little longer than expected. Traffic is high at this time of the night, only prolonging the journey with your beloved company, but you feel that this day is almost over anyway.

"So...what?" He eventually brings up, not masking his irritation in the volume and intensity of his words, "You're testing me? Making sure I'm paying attention?"

A flare of warmth coalesces in your chest when you realize this is probably the most engaged he's been in a conversation with you this week. You're not embarrassed nor flushed, but the heat crawls lower as you reply, "I didn't realize that would offend you."

"Just get going. I'm late as it is," he snaps.

"Late to what?" You question, purposefully driving a taunting edge to your tone, "I thought you were all mine today."

His posture stiffens in his seat, which further proves your theory that riling him up is as easy as breathing. "I have a meeting."

"With...?" You press on.

"Not that's any of your business, but the Chancellor's expecting me."

Your blood runs cold at this mention, immediately chilling away all that you felt just mere seconds ago. You don't even realize that you've gone quiet for the rest of the drive back home, too busy thinking back to anything he could possibly report on. Of course, you already saw this coming, but hearing him admit this aloud only confirms every instance you had to look over your shoulder when he was in the room. Even though he hasn't disclosed what the meeting is for, your gut instincts are piling higher into a tangible truth that makes you wonder if he's truly your medium of safety. If any of them are.

But you don't want to appear intimidated, so you turn toward him when your ship docks comfortably in front of your tall apartment. He's already standing, sort of looming over you like the skyline outside. Your eyes flick down to his gloved hand, which is slightly outstretched as if offering its use in helping you out of your seat. A formality, of course. Nothing more. Slipping your fingers around his large palm, you raise your figure to his level and lean in close despite the distrust running down your spine. Neither of you has let go of the other, silent in sound but speaking with a questionable understanding. The pressure of your hand is light against his weight, squeezing just softly enough to provoke a sharp intake of breath underneath his helmet.

"Are you ready to go?" He suddenly asks in a tone devoid of its usual bite.

You drop your hand from his, only to reach for the base of his helmet. The surface is cold—a bit dusty from his time outside his usual post here on Coruscant. A fleeting touch, and then your arm falls back to your side because you know there's no chance he'd bare his face for you. There's also no rule that says he can't.

"Are you?" You retort, "Or are you worried that you didn't have enough time to spy on me?"

Everything about his demeanor screams exhaustion when he crosses his arms over his chest and leans forward just as you did before, almost meeting you halfway with little distance between your faces. You should feel exposed, especially from how your gown reveals your arms and shoulders before fitting around your form at the middle. You're hardly naked—you know what it truly means to be—but he's seen much more of you than the other way around. You know a lot less about him than you'd like. For someone who believes in bringing a level playing field to the galaxy, you're currently tipped on a scale where you feel powerless. It doesn't feel good.

"That's a bold accusation," is all he says.

Your eyes narrow as your lips smile. "And I have reason to believe it."

"Because you don't like me."

A bit caught off guard, you remember to keep your expression unreadable as you reply, "I don't trust you. There's a difference, Commander."

"I've only been doing my job," he reminds you, "Senator."

"A job assigned by who?"

"Is that a rhetorical question?"

You roll your eyes, shifting your expression into a glare that no doubt reaches past his helmet with the way his shoulders recoil a little. Maybe you intimidate him more than you know. Good.

"I'm hardly the threat you need to worry about," you tell him, "If you care about this Republic as much as I do."

He sounds wary when he says, "Worry isn't exactly the word I'd use to describe how I feel about you."

As simple as this is delivered, it reads like a vulnerability to your ears. You swallow hard, suddenly warm all over again. "How you feel? Or how the Chancellor feels?"

Not a rhetorical question this time, but it might as well be since he doesn't answer it. Instead, he takes your chin between his fingers as his thumb gingerly presses down on your skin. He's never touched you like this before. Never not waited for your permission first—for your hand to reach out in return. This moment is different, and it's almost apologetic. You don't know what words rest on the tip of his tongue—words that you won't hear because they're not for you. They're for the one person who holds your downfall in a tight fist he can release whenever he pleases or chooses. You've been walking a lonely path because of this, but you've never been alone. If it's not Fox watching you, it's always someone else.

"If you didn't get into so much trouble all the time, I wouldn't need to be here. If you stopped drawing so much attention to yourself."

The hot flush in your face becomes more scalding at his words, reminding you of the fine line between desire and rage. Both are so pure at heart. So easy to mistake for the other. Just like you nearly confuse the uncharacteristic softness in his tone for actual concern. From one moment to the next, you're already familiar with the lethal switch in his brain that distinguishes him from regular soldiers who will never possess the same level of competency as him. But is it truly competency? Or is it hunger? Satiated with the prestige of his proximity to the Chancellor, it's only obvious that Fox takes his job so seriously. Too seriously, sometimes.

"I don't need a lecture on how to do my job," you whisper harshly, "Especially not from someone like you."

His thumb presses harder as soon as the words leave your mouth, lingering in the air around you. It only grows more suffocating when he moves closer, but you let him. You feel his frontside just barely graze yours as his boot slides between your parted legs, disappearing under the wide plume of your gown. Such a big space in a big starship, and yet, you're inches apart with nowhere to go.

"Someone like me," he repeats, letting his hand around your chin trail lower so that it's slowly running down your neck.

Goosebumps raise across your arms at this ticklish but also fleeting sensation because his touch is barely there. Even though you feel it so closely, you also feel it at a distance. You wonder what it would really feel like, though. If he wasn't wearing his gloves. If he wasn't fully clothed. If his fingers are rough and scarred like him, or if they're smooth and unblemished like you. They pause at the base of your throat, dormant as if waiting for something more. Your breathing, though quiet, has shallowed out a bit from this contact. There's no doubt he can hear it. But he might not have to, for your eyes are heavy as they stare at him while trying to pry apart all that hides his truths from you.

I'd just like to see you. Just once.

His pointer finger draws a straight line down to the dip of your bodice, dangerously near your chest. "But you'd let me touch you. Like this."

"You wouldn't be the first."

He seems to laugh under his breath, clearly unfazed. "Neither would you."

Of course, you wouldn't. After all, he's in a position to pursue whatever kind of relationship he wants—especially in the heart of Coruscant, where one can choose between a brothel or a bar every night. The outcome is the same, nonetheless. You imagine this as he hooks his finger to tug you closer, sharp and abrupt in his movements. It's the same way he leads. Quick on his feet, never hesitating to call out an order when a situation emerges. Sometimes, you think about whether or not he'd display the same sense of urgency if your life was on the line. But his loyalty is to the Chancellor before the Republic. You remind yourself of this as you reach for his helmet, this time using both hands to pull it off. Patiently.

He's now holding your waist in a firm circle, squeezing roughly once his face comes into full view under the light. You're not sure why he feels the need to keep you in his hands like this. It's not like you'll run away if you see something that falls short of your standards. But you might if you see something you do like. Your breath catches, even though you're no stranger to this face. It's shared among millions of bodies that cross this galaxy in waves, ebbing and flowing like a mystery not yet uncovered. But all that's in front of you is Fox tonight. Just the one mystery you really care for.

"You look nervous," you tease softly, brushing a hand across his clean-shaven jaw, "Just relax."

It's his turn to fall silent as his eyes roam over yours, hazy with an easily recognizable fog of lust that tells you he's right where you want him. You can't help but feel surprised when some of his hair—wavier and wilder than you expected—falls over his forehead just slightly. His expression is almost pained when he looks at your lips, like he's holding onto the last of his lost pride. Knowing what he wants but can't bring himself to admit, you smile and lean forward so that you're now sharing the same breath. One more inch and you might not be breathing at all. Your eyes flutter while his completely close. Waiting.

"You won't tell the Chancellor about this, will you?" You murmur, amusing yourself with how easily you've toyed with him tonight.

His voice sounds strained when he answers, "Believe it or not, I haven't told him anything about you."

"Hm," you chuckle quietly, "You're right. I don't believe you."

You kiss the patch of skin just barely to the right of his mouth, not letting him take a breath and react. The dark red lipstick stain you leave behind stares you right in the face as you pull back, swiping some hair out of his eyes in a slow push that reveals more of his bewildered expression. He's breathing heavily, but his hands feel lighter around your waist now that you're slipping away from his grasp. Still not done with him, your thumb reaches forward and smudges the mark on his face ever so slightly. It's hard to deny that he looks handsome in this light—even more so with your kiss visibly written all over him. Unfortunately for him, it's also easy to keep this confession to yourself for as long as he whispers your affairs to the one ear you wish to cut off from this Republic.

"I appreciate your time," you tell him honestly, "I'll be sure to personally request your audience the next time I'm in need of an escort."

With that, you step away from him and turn around to exit your ship. Before you disappear from sight completely, though, you flash him one last smile over your shoulder.

"Be sure to give the Chancellor my best regards."

[alicerosejensen]

Would you by any chance do another Leon head canon with his college girlfriend? The other ones you made were super cute. Enjoy the rest of your day!

I'm happy to share headcanons so here's another serving.

Jealous leon like a little warning.

- You don't have a problem with alcohol, but when your friends invited you to a noisy party, you couldn't (and didn't want to) refuse them.

- "Don't you think your dress is too short?" Leon will be throwing glances at you while you preen in front of the mirror. It doesn't look like he's worried or jealous.

- Leon probably wanted to spend the evening in peace and your company, but you already had other plans.

- The dress may indeed have been a little shorter than what you usually wear but, "honey, it's a PARTY!"

- With a bunch of horny guys who want to lift that very dress on your hips.

- Leon won't say it out loud.

- Get ready for frequent calls and messages?

"Are you all right?"

"No one comes over?"

"Mind your drinks, please"

"Do I need to come get you?"

- Perhaps his guardianship would tire you and you would prefer not to respond to messages. For God's sake don't turn off your phone!

- You did it anyway... congratulations, you're going done...

- You have very beautiful and expensive clothes, your friends think you have a sugar daddy or something.

- Even if you say it's not. It's just that Leon prefers to give quality things.

- You have a friend who likes you for a long time. You may not know this, but the alcohol he drinks will help him confess his feelings to you.

- You're too drunk already, plus the music is loud. Perhaps you will hear something else or you do not want to understand what he said, so you will agree with him.

- The evil dog Leon is already here and he is ready to kick someone's ass if he sees that you have been harmed.

- But you are having a nice conversation with your friend, whose hand is brazenly on your waist.

- What the hell are you wearing in those revealing sexy stockings that peek out from under your boiler dress"?

- Now Leon is really jealous.

- Intoxicated with alcohol, you agree to dance with your friend some obscene dances, laughing merrily.

- You're really having fun, but not Leon. You never gave him a reason to doubt your loyalty, so when your friend's hands go down to your ass, you push him hard.

- "Take it easy! I already have a boyfriend."

- The moment when someone grabs the poor guy by the collar and pushes him away from you goes too fast. Leon grabs your hand and you run after him almost on wadded legs.

- "Why the hell didn't you return my calls?"

- The brain does not fully understand where Leon came from. But the people around you make way for you that you are gone.

- Leon's hand painfully holds your wrist. He doesn't want to hurt you in any way, he was just too scared.

- Who knows what that bastard had in mind?

- You are drunk and the heels on your feet are too high, which is why you constantly stumble.

- Leon is angry. Very. He's pissed off by those lustful looks at your breasts, so he'll put his leather jacket on you. And zip it up.

- You spend the whole way home in silence.

- You know it's best not to touch Leon right now. He recently returned from a long mission that didn't go too well, and the last thing he wanted to worry about was you at this fucking party.

- You put your hand on his thigh, but he didn't react.

- The fresh air helped sober up a bit.

- "Do you have any idea what dirty intentions that bastard might have had for you?!"

- Your carelessness sometimes frightens him.

- At home, Leon himself will knock over several glasses of whiskey into himself.

- He will probably be offended for two days. Stingy phrases, detachment, Leon just infuriates that you allowed yourself to behave like that! He understands that you're too young to stay at home all the time, but damn god, you almost got groped...and...Leon is afraid to say the word.

- What if you were raped?

- It was hard for Leon to say those words. The very thought that you have been harmed causes him unimaginable pain. He will hate himself if anything happens to you.

- Just be careful. Leon has lost too many good people and all he wants to do is take care of you.

- Leon loves you with all his heart and is ready to fight for you day and night with any B.O.W, but he really doesn't understand why you turned off your fucking phone.

- Perhaps it really has become too much for you...

- But you love him too. Just that evening you allowed yourself too much. "Seriously Leon, I wouldn't cheat on you with my college guy."

- Leon believes you.

- You're going to have a pretty rough night. Leon will remind you that you are HIS woman, leaving hickeys that are hard to hide. He will tease a lot and whisper various obscenities, reminding you of who you belong to. It's actually damn hot!

- Don't even think about getting out of bed after having sex with him. Leon will tire you out so you can't get up, but he will still carry you to the bathroom and bring you a sandwich if you get hungry. (* whispers* he is not only the god of sex, but also the god of care)

- He likes to kiss your thighs.

- You'll probably be less likely to go to these parties, but Leon never forbids you anything.

- Just keep your phone close!

- He will take you on his vacation.

- And your sexy dresses are just for him

[senpazzi]

Maintenance (Teaser)

Ceo!Jeong Jaehyun x Afab!Reader

Synopsis: You worked at an extremely successful Marketing company in the big city of Chicago. Fresh out of college, you were able to land such a high paying job, just for it to not be enough for you. You valued the more expensive things in life, and there was only one man who could provide that for you, Jeong Jaehyun.

Warnings: smut, language, pet names, explicit jokes, age gaps, degrading, reader can be a brat and selfish, jaehyun is a smoker, etc.

You wanted a promotion. Scratch that. You needed this promotion. Anyone else would’ve been satisfied with the amount of money that you make. You’re only 25, working as a marketing consultant almost fresh out of college. To simply put it, you were very skilled in university and had amazing internship experience. It’s only been about two years of you at this South Korean based company, it’s branches have finally reached the States, landing you a great opportunity to work in the big city of Chicago and be grateful enough to live alone.

But, even with the amazing pay and benefits the job comes with, you want more. You’re one to spoil yourself and live a luxurious life as a 25 year old woman making more than the nations average. You never came to work with your nails undone, a hair out of place. Instead, you came in the sleekest heels with the highest quality blouses and skirts. You catch eyes from all around when you step into the office. The men and women in every quarter acknowledge you daily.

“Y/N, I love you your suit today.”

“Y/N, your purse is so beautiful, I wish my husband could afford that.”

“Your hair is always so beautiful, send me your stylist”.

Just a number of things you heard daily. However, your maintenance is becoming a bit too high. Your budgeting is shifting, and you’re beginning to realize that your maintenance can only be upheld with a higher salary. And what better way to do that? A raise simply wouldn’t cut it.

But, why not head for a position that is offering 6 figures after the first year? Yes. You decided you were going to run for Vice President of Marketing Consulting at your company, that way with a little bit of the extra money, you can sit back and monitor everyone else in your company. You’ve always been one to express your opinion on anything going on, so why not get paid more for your input?

Applications were to have been submitted earlier this month, and of course, you were one of the first to get that done. Your boss, Jeong Jaehyun, has always praised that aspect of you. You never slacked or procrastinated, you’ve always shown that you were serious about your job and put in your best effort.

Earlier this month, you knocked on the door to his office, all the way on the 17th floor of the sky rise building he owned.

“Come in please.” you heard the assuring tone through the thick wooden doors. You pushed the golden handle and walked into the office, lit with beautiful warm lights, the room was filled with huge windows, cleaned twice a week per his request. Filing cabinets galore, the smell of coffee, and soft jazz music playing off his Alexa speaker. He acknowledged your presence once he heard the clacking of your heels approach further.

“Ah, Ms. Y/N, I almost forgot you were coming today. Is this your application?” He asked, motioning towards the portfolio in your hands.

“Yes sir, I know we had about a week left to submit it, so I just needed to get this out the way.” You smiled softly, placing the portfolio in his hands. He nodded agreeing with your state, and gazed over the portfolio. “You know, Y/N, you’re very brave for going after a position like this at such a young age, the competition won’t be light. What’s influencing you to go this route?” He asked like it was simple question, setting your portfolio into a cabinet next to him, leaning back into his chair, cocking his head to the side. He folded his hands over his lap, after motioning you to sit in the soft office chair across his desk.

You cleared your throat, smoothing your skirt, sitting on the chair and sitting up as straight as you could. “Well, you see, I want to explore my expertise and bring everything I have to offer this job Sir. I really admire everything that goes on here and I would love to play a bigger role.” You said, in your soft but assuring voice. Even though what you said was truthful, you wanted it to sound more convincing than the tone that was coming out.

Jaehyun giggled slightly and put his head down facing his hands. Almost in disbelief. You cocked your head and furrowed your brows, genuinely trying to follow the actions of your supervisor. “Ms. Y/N, your answer sounds so rehearsed, it’s almost like you’re playing this out to be the interview.” he says calmly after regaining his breath from the laughter. “You’re young, you’re single, what business would somebody like you want going out to the be the boss of a bunch of egotistical men? You’ll drain yourself by the time you’re 30.”

You furrow your lips into a tight line and try to suppress a sigh. He was right. These men don’t want to be bossed around by a woman like you. At least not in this setting.

Will you even be taken seriously? Will people really acknowledge you as a higher up? You’re as old as some of these men’s daughters. Would it be selfish to take this opportunity from another person who might actually need this money?

“I need the money Mr. Jeong.” you finally caved in. It sounded almost disappointing that you were admitting to such a thing.

Jaehyun’s eyes dropped as well as his smile. He looked down a bit awkwardly, almost like he said something offensive and realized the severity of the situation. A few moments pass, as we he inhales a breath before leaning in closer over the table.

“Excuse my ignorance Ms. Y/N, but everyday you come into the office looking like a model. It sounds a little cliche and inappropriate coming from your boss, but your documents tell me you’re single and live comfortably, your salary pay is above average, your hair is never out of place, you drive a 2024 Hyundai outside, if I didn’t know any better, I would say you’re doing perfectly fine.” It sounded like a lecture in all honesty.

He was right, you were doing amazing on your own, you can afford almost anything comfortably. You’re being greedy, at least that’s what you felt Jaehyun was portraying. You shook your head in acknowledgment of his words. “Yes sir, my mistake. I’ll withdrawal my application.” you caved in, too afraid to look him in the eyes. You slowly began to rise from the chair, noticing your vision began to get a little blurry from the tears threatening to fall.

“Ms. Y/N.” his voice came out sharp, but not harsh, as he also arisen from his chair. He looked at you with the same soft gaze as before, you blinked a few tears back and met his eyes. “Yes sir?”

“Do you have any plans tonight?”

You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion. Why could he possibly need to know that? Your eyes told it all, but he still wanted to hear you.

“Uh. Well, no sir I’m not. May I ask why? Do you need me to stay after today?” you asked with the confused pitch in your voice. It almost came off as a bit rude some may argue, but with Jaehyun being your higher up, the idea of him seeing him past work hours is a rare as a blue moon. It’s understandable why your mind is racing accordingly.

“I want to see your apartment.” he said ever so bluntly. “I want to see how you live, I want to make sure the assumptions i’m dropping on you are correct.” he continues on, crossing his arms. Is he trying to intimidate you? Because if he is, it’s definitely working.

You cleared your throat once again and shook your head in approval. You stood straight up, raising your head higher and forcing a small smile, to distract him from your nervousness. “Oh. Well, I guess that’s okay. I’ll have to clean a bit, but I could see you for company tonight around maybe 8?” your voice was as convincing as a 5 year old who broke something and pretending to be oblivious.

“Great. It’s a date. See you tonight Ms. Y/N.” he smiled again finally since his laughing fit, of course his dimples on display for your eyes.

“Yeah, a date.” you blushed like an idiot, before collecting yourself, clacking your heels as you almost sped walk to his door. The sigh of relief that left you after closing his door was almost as loud for anyone passing to hear.

“Fuck.” you cursed to yourself.

Author’s Note:

Hi everyone!

I hope you enjoyed the preview for you this work that i’m creating! Please let me know if this is something you’re interested in, it’ll motivate me to produce it quicker and let me know what other fics you want to see! Thank you!

- Love, Mei!

[vyl3tpwny]

do you have a preferred method to get vsts and other such instruments for a DAW?? im poor as heck and dont know ANYTHING about piracy, im so scared of getting goobered by people on the internet

i wish i knew more about the best go-to sites for pirating rn unfortunately i have no clue. ppl on the internet can have such shit intentions too so i dont even know where to look or who to ask. but also here's some free + VERY cheap things u may consider (below the break):

vital synth (i will always shill for vital bc i use it constantly and its free lol)

ob-xd synth (it says buy for $49, but the free download is on the left. the buy link is just a donate)

klanghelm plugins (all these are made by one dude. mjuc is a great vintage style compressor, the dc8c is a pretty featured compressor for the price, sdrr has a particularly nice tube saturation/distortion, and vumt is a great metering plugin, i have vumt on every single project since 2019)

analog obsession (if you donate $5 to their patreon you can get every single plugin they make. also all made and maintained by one person. lots of different things, so i recommend just downloading everything and exploring the functions of the plugins)

tokyo dawn labs (all very high quality mixing stuff. they have free versions of most of their premium stuff and they're quite featured despite being free. ez.)

kilohearts (they recently made all their main effects free. and if you want their flagship stuff, its all rent-to-own as well.)

sforzando (soundfont player. if you dont know what soundfonts are, theyre essentially really condensed, lightweight sampled instruments. they can often sound rlly cheap or tacky [which might be good, i definitely love that sound] but just install this and google [instrument] soundfont and just find lots of free instruments that way)

togu audio line (some free effects and instruments if you scroll down. but i also recommend TAL Sampler if you want a cool sampler and can afford it)

meldaproduction (has a free plugin suite. theres an annoying watermark at the bottom for free versions, but everyone understands. shit is expensive)

native instruments (they have the komplete start bundle which is just a bunch of free decent stuff)

musicradar FREE SAMPLES (ive sworn by a few of the sample resources that i've gotten from musicradar as far back as 2011 lol)

looperman FREE SAMPLES (looperman is a user-sourced sample website where ppl upload samples they've made* and you can just download and use them for free. sometimes people request specific credit, so check for that if you can. *NOTE: its very possible for people to upload unlicensed samples or stuff they didn't make so use your best judgement when sorting through stuff)

freesound FREE SAMPLES (freesound rules always reliable)

synth1 (AHHHH IM SO HAPPY I CAN RECOMMEND THIS RIGHT NOW!!!! synth1 used to be abandonware but was finally picked up again and is supported by modern systems once more. i used this religiously from 2013-2017. and i'm going to start using it again honestly)

valhalladsp (this is the only exclusively premium thing i'm going to leave in this thread [aside from bitwig, below], but it's just that god damn good. every plugin of theirs is $50, so if you can manage to go for ValhallaVintageVerb and/or ValhallaDelay you will basically never need another reverb/delay ever again; would recommend NOT pirating from them if you can help it bc theyre definitely a very small company but u know.. ur call)

bitwig (if you need a DAW, i can now heartily recommend Bitwig. it's on the rent to own program through splice if you're ok getting it legally...)

—

i know this isnt what u asked but i hope its still helpful. i've also rescinded my recommendations for spitfire audio bc the company was revealed to be run by a bunch of queerphobic knuckleheads. everything in this list i have personally used for my own music and can vouch for them from actual experience (YES even bitwig, i made the song "Futura" on Carousel exclusively with Bitwig, making it the first time i've made an entire song outside of Ableton since 2014).

again i hope this helps, forgive me for not knowing enough about pirating at the moment 😭 please make so much music and please look at this animal:

[waywardmillennial]

I'm really curious to see the reaction of the 'we want lower production content just like this' to puppet history season 7 which is the most high quality thing watcher produces and that show would really suffer if they put less into it. anyway not to start dishose again but thank you for pointing that out, reading the yt comments of 'we want production just like this' when Ryan is like 'yeah hauing all that equipment was insanely tiring and it made me stressed out and more scared' is like. oh so you really just want an imagined version of what you saw. anyway sorry to rant in your inbox i just am glad to see someone else point it out lol. (no need to answer if you don't want to btw)

NONNIE! <3 thank you for reading my tags and leaving this message!

honestly I'd already considered making a post about this a couple times because when I read through the comments for GFA on yt nothing makes me wish more that the platform had a 'block user' feature -_- I wish some people a very poor internet connection

it feels like so many people don't UNDERSTAND what Ryan was trying to do with GFA. he wasn't trying to return to his bfu roots (though he said making it more vlog style was something he had in mind, but he was also constrained by what he could film alone)

GFA was a personal challenge to himself after he's been trying to get a handle on his mental health for the past few years. Ryan wanted to go completely on his own to see if removing the crew would change anything and if he was mentally capable of doing all of it on his own, and that meant running camera and sound and everything else alone too

I won't spoil the debrief in case you didn't see it nonnie, but Ryan was really insistent that he do this show 100% on his own. I can't imagine knowing the physical and mental toll this took on him and then telling him "make all your shows like this"

and yeah, it makes me wonder on the general public's media comprehension because I know overall PH is their most popular series, and one of their most expensive and high quality too. maybe there's not much overlap of the two audiences?? idk I think it's also possible that people see PH as just Shane making some sock puppets and waving his hands around a cardboard theater - but it hasn't ever been that and the closest we had was s1 if anything (I'll stop myself going off on a PH crew tangent here, but there is SO MUCH that goes into making this show as good as it is)

I keep thinking back to the December Pod Watcher episode where they talked about how they're not going to focus on making "tv-caliber content" going forward (timestamp included but I'm paraphrasing Steven here, so watch that ep if you haven't) and that makes me sad because I've always liked and appreciated Watcher for making high quality content - for having well thought out series with nice sets, great camera work, phenomenal editing, and always making sure to give credit to the people who worked on their shows

Ryan worked as a grip for a while in Hollywood and probably had dreams of going further in the film industry but wound up going a different route working on bfu. I have to assume that starting Watcher must have felt like the opportunity to make a whole production company, to be able to emulate styles and storytelling of some of his favorite filmmakers. as someone who enjoys supporting independent creative endeavors like this (and had similar aspirations of my own) I guess I can see what Watcher wanted to be from the outset, and I wouldn't feel comfortable commenting publicly on any of their work what I think they "should" be making or trying to control their artistic vision

[rvbrebooted]

I think it's time I posted our business plan on here. But first I want to say that my LLC is Rancher Toads

Warner Brothers owns the Red vs Blue IP which is a big hurdle, but someone bigger than them owns HALO. Microsoft and Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries). I bet Halo Studios is looking for a HALO show that works. Red vs Blue can be that show. It has over a decade of success, started a new form of animation, is an established IP, and has a massive fan base wanting more. But first we need to open a path with Microsoft and Halo Studios. However, we will not rely on Microsoft to be more than a sponsor and partner. Having a bigger parent company owning our smaller studio is too risky. My plan is:

Depending on how much Warner Media will be selling the rights for, we may need Microsoft to help get the rights back from Warner Media, which will cost them a pretty penny. But it will be a wise investment as they will get product placement, a percentage of profit, free advertisement for HALO, a successful HALO based show, and a good PR campaign about supporting creatives. Another financial bonus for them may be that when big companies take on some debt, it helps them pay even less in taxes. Which will save them money.

Meanwhile, to pay for operation costs and possibly even getting the rights back, we will do a Kickstarter. Death Battle got funded within a day of their campaign. They set their goal as $75,000 (USD), and by the end of it they made $740,000 (USD)! I have no doubt that Red vs Blue can reach its goal and continue operations. Reward items and future merchandise is a strong suit for my company, Rancher Toads.

Rancher Toads was originally founded when things regarding Rooster Teeth and making animated shows started to change. We want to make the animations that we originally would have pitched to Rooster Teeth. But- Animation is a labor intensive art form, and expensive. This is why we call our business model a reverse hasbro- We sell toys to make animation. (They infamously are known for “Make animation to sell toys”.) Our in house merch includes:

Mod Mods

Short for “Modification Models”, these figurines are posable, interchangeable, and extremely customizable. We want to do Red vs Blue and Halo batches, while providing custom Halo armor options so fans can make their own personal armor. Then with the interchangeable aspect, fans can also make their face claims of who is under the helmet.

Sewed’s Boutique

Sewed’s Boutique is more for fabric based fashion, such as bags, cosplay parts, and the like. A few concepts we have worked on that combine Red vs Blue and Sewed’s Boutique include: An Agent Washington helmet purse that is a 2D front facing image of Wash’s helmet. A Kaikaina “Sister” Grif Cheerleader bag. A Felix helmet purse that is a 2D front facing image of his helmet.

Corrode’s Armory

Corrode’s Armory is an offshoot of Sewed’s Boutique, where we sell more armor and weapon based merchandise. We would love to produce an official HALO armor line. Reasonably, it will start with HALO helmets. The plan is to have them made from two (2) sturdy, yet thin, resin molds. One for the helmet, and one for the visor.

I bring up using resin as I plan to use high quality alternatives to plastic when it comes to armor and figurines. Ridding plastic in all fabrics will be an uphill battle later to come.

Merchandise is not the only thing we want to be involved in when it comes to hopefully continuing Red vs Blue. We want to be involved in the writing. We see Red vs Blue having a canon map that looks like a subway map, or the Hyrule timeline. Our contribution to this messy, but organized, canon map is what we like to call- Red vs Blue ReBooted.

This will take place after Wash was shot, and instead of going on an adventure, the Reds, Blues, and Carolina stay beside Wash as he recovers on Chorus. In a way, it echoes the ending of Season 17, while leaving the canon of Seasons 16 and 17 in the air. We have much more planned out but legally, this proposal will not cover the majority of storyline ideas. But we will say we do have plans for both Meta Tucker and Zero to have proper stories.

We also want Miles Luna to have his chance to make a Mercs spin off series. While Luna has adopted an idea for Felix and Siris from one of our members, we want/plan Miles Luna to have majority creative control on his series.

Shisno Tales, a Red vs Blue anthology. This would be a perfect spot for officially making the Red vs Blue plays Among Us episode. We and our Amphibian Allies have a lot of episode ideas written down and even completed scripts. Shisno Tales will include different animators and forms of animation.

Project Freelancer Remembered. A spin off of seeing Project Freelancer’s early days and how close the Freelancers were before the mind games started.

Blue vs Pink is my own little talking in a box canyon idea. I plan to keep it in Shisno Tales. As there are a lot of show ideas being pitched here. It deals more with gender and sexuality. As Pink Team represents femininity, and Blue Team represents masculinity.

Locus Redemption. A space western. Not in the way that Firefly was, but Locus traveling around the universe trying to make things right after Chorus. A show the reds and blues will make cameos in. I see this as a true M rated show. One thing I want to put in this show is to highlight even more corruption of the UNSC. Specifically, where Locus is out in little known Outposts, that the UNSC is dead serious about occupying, even with great harm to the people originally there.

Circling back to the Mod Mods, the dream is to have these customizable figurines be building blocks for Mod Mod Media. Which would include a life simulator game, a more contained scenario game, and animated crossovers. We imagine most of the crossovers would be like Cartoon Network City bumpers from the 2000’s. But we dream even bigger to make Mod Mod Movies. Especially a Red vs Blue & RWBY crossover, as there should be one. But also to show while owned by different companies, they will always be sister shows. Then of course ones with our own original IPs, I see these as a love letter.

Nothing Rancher Toads plans to do is a cash grab. Bringing back IPs and expanding them is an act of creative love. We are not ready for goodbye, and neither should the creatives who put so much love into it. So please, take us seriously and let us work together. Thank you.

[hannahbarberra162]

Who the Deuce?

Hi! It's my first canon x canon attempt! It was harder than expected. I have many more Deuce Thoughts (tm) that didn't make it here.

Beta'd by the amazing @maskeddeucelover thank you for all your work!

Ace X Deuce, angst and fluff, no smut.

Word count: ~5k

AU where Deuce begins his writing career while with the Spade Pirates and continues when they join the WBP. He is a published travel / adventure columnist with a regular column in the WENP.

Overview: Ace won’t put a label on his relationship with Deuce. He wants to keep their relationship non-exclusive, to Deuce’s chagrin. Deuce begins getting recognized as a rising star in the writing world, and taken on dates by attractive fans. Can Ace tame his jealousy and reclaim his lover? Or has Deuce finally moved on? 

~~~

DEUCE POV

Deuce sighed as he felt overly warm arms embrace him from behind, wrapping around his waist as he finished rolling up clean bandages. He knew it was Ace, seeking comfort and connection at the end of a long day. Deuce quickly calculated how much work he had left in the infirmary, since it was obvious Ace was done for the day.

“Hi, Ace,” Deuce greeted tiredly. 

“Mmmmphhh,” Ace didn’t reply with words, just buried his face into Deuce’s neck. The nuzzling felt pleasant, but Deuce had to remind himself that it didn’t come with anything deeper. He and Ace had been fighting recently over their relationship. Or rather, the lack thereof. Deuce wanted to make things official and be exclusive with one another. On the other hand, Ace wanted to keep things as they were, nothing defined and a more open relationship. It made Deuce feel that Ace was just stringing him along until Ace found someone better. Ace felt that they should keep their options open during their high seas adventures, while also casually enjoying each other’s company. Neither opinion was wrong, but they were at an impasse. 

Deuce had been thinking of breaking things off completely. He didn’t like seeing his partner with other people, it just hurt him. He didn’t feel inclined towards dating others either, so maybe it would be best to part ways before he got hurt even further. A few years prior, he would have taken anything Ace had offered at the expense of his own heart. But he’d grown a little and was prepared to suffer heartbreak now if it would hurt less in the long run. 

“Ace, don’t.”

“But I’m worn out. I wanna cuddle.” Ace started peppering wet kisses on Deuce’s neck. Deuce had to decide, and quickly, what he wanted to do. He could tell Ace to stop right now and reignite the argument they’d been having, or he could enjoy the moment. He looked behind and saw Ace’s sweet freckled face. His choice was made. He could never deny Ace for long, his love for his former Captain was too strong. So even though it hurt him, he’d allow it. For one more night.

“C’mon, let’s go to my room,” Deuce offered. Ace smiled and threw Deuce over his shoulder, carrying him off to Deuce’s (much cleaner) room.

~~~

A few days later, the Moby anchored near a large island to restock supplies. Marco had granted Deuce shore leave after their work was complete, which was an exciting prospect. Deu wanted to get a copy of the latest newspaper and see his travel column in print. Ace, being a Commander, didn’t have to ask permission from anyone, so they made plans to explore the island together. After meeting up on the island, they set off to get the feel for the island. At first, it felt like old times, just the two of them investigating somewhere new. They walked around the island a bit, and found a restaurant that seemed like it would have an adequate supply of meat to keep Ace full.

Deuce was enjoying some quality time talking with Ace - while he ate plate after plate. Ace was telling Deuce about some rare variety of beetle he wanted to look for on the island. Deuce had heard a lot about Ace’s brother Luffy, including his love of insects and beetles in particular. It was endearing to Deuce that Ace continued to look for the ugly bugs as a way to maintain connection with his sibling. He enjoyed hearing about the local flora and fauna of islands and sometimes included Ace’s tidbits in his writing.

But like always, someone recognized Ace from his posters and wanted to talk to the handsome outlaw. And Ace, like always, responded and began a conversation with the stranger. Deuce sat at the table, feeling shunted off to the side as Ace began telling stories of being a Whitebeard Commander. He listened in silence for some time before he decided to leave and find a newspaper. At least he would meet one of his goals for shore leave. By that time, Ace had gathered a small crowd of adoring women - and a few men - who were hanging on his every word. Deuce cast one last glance at his love, who already had his arm over the shoulders of some woman, and left.

Deuce decided his best bet to find a recent paper would be in a bookstore. He could also pick up a few novels to entertain himself, since he had a feeling Ace wasn’t going to be available for the rest of the afternoon. Stewing in his own thoughts, he walked back towards the bookstore they had passed in their quest for a restaurant. Deuce entered the shop and went to look for the periodicals. 

Quickly finding what he needed, he looked for the most recent issue of the World Economy News Paper. Scanning through the pages, he found his article and skimmed through it. He was disappointed but not surprised it had been edited. He was thinking of comments to send to Morgan about the next one when he felt a tap on his shoulder. 

“Excuse me, I hope I’m not bothering you. May I ask you a question?” An attractive young man stood next to Deuce, awaiting his response.

“If you’re looking for Ace, he’s at the restaurant down the street.” Deuce answered, looking back down at the paper. He had answered this question many times before, on many different islands.

The man tilted his head to the side, looking slightly confused. “I’m sorry, I’m not looking for an Ace.” Deuce looked up once more and gave the man his attention as he continued. “I couldn’t help but overhear in the restaurant that your name is Deuce. I know this is a long-shot, but are you the author of the travel column in the WENP?”

Deuce’s eyes opened wide. He’d never heard his column referenced…well, ever. No one talked about his writing with him, not even on the Moby. It might endanger his column if his readership found out he was a pirate on a Yonko crew, but he wanted to know why the man was asking.

“Ah, yes, actually. That’s me. May I ask why?” The man positively beamed at Deuce.

“Why? Why? You’re the most popular columnist in the newspaper! Everyone reads your articles before the rest of the paper! I can’t believe you are here on our terrible island! Are you going to write about it? Oh, I can’t wait to read what you have to say. I hope you rip this shithole to shreds!” The man was gushing at Deuce, who took a step back at the emphatic statements being declared by the stranger. The man realized his error and looked sheepish.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t bother you when you’re such a busy person. I’m just a huge fan. I’ll leave you alone now.” The man bowed his head slightly, turning his body to leave.

Deuce waved off the man’s comment, and replied with a kind smile “no, no, it’s OK. I’m simply surprised. No one has ever recognized me before.”

“I’m Raoul,” the man said, sticking out his hand. “My friends and I are all obsessed with your writing. Well, everyone is, but us in particular. We read everything you publish. And oh my god, I’m fangirling again. I’m sorry, Deuce.” Raoul was blushing, a cute look for him. 

Deuce laughed lightly, and replied “I don’t mind at all, it’s nice to hear that someone out there is reading it. You’ve made my day. And you can call me Deu.”

Raoul took a deep breath, and said “I hope this isn’t too forward, but I’d really like to make your night too. Would you like to come out on a date with me tonight? I’m sure you’re busy, but I know I’d regret it for the rest of my life if I didn’t ask.”

Deuce looked at Raoul, who was watching him with hope in his eyes. Deuce hadn’t felt so wanted in a long time. He thought about Ace, flirting and whatever else, right down the street. Well, Deuce didn’t have to wait around for Ace. He could live his life and enjoy it on his own terms, just like Ace wanted them to.

“I’d love nothing more, Raoul. Pick a place and time and I can meet you there.”

Deuce and Raoul coordinated plans for a date later that night and parted ways. Deuce covertly saw him skipping down the street in excitement. Heart lighter, Deuce paid for his newspaper and left the store with a grin. 

A few hours later, as he was sitting and reading at a cafe, Ace slumped into the seat across from Deuce. He leaned back, stretching his arms behind his head, and put his hat over his eyes. It looked like he’d tried to wipe lipstick off his face, somewhat successfully. Deuce ignored him.

“Whew, I thought I’d never get away from there! People, man. They just wanted to hear more and more. Had to run away to find you.”

Deuce hummed but didn’t reply, continuing to read. Ace was undeterred. 

“Anyway, some of the guys are going to the local pub in a bit. Do you want to join? I’m gonna. I think it could be a fun time.” 

“Oh, I can’t. I have a date,” replied Deuce casually.

Ace immediately sat up and leaned forward in his chair, putting his hat back on his head. “A date?! With who?”

“With Raoul.”

“Who’s Raoul?!”

“A fan. We’re meeting up soon actually, I should get going.”

“Your fan? Fan of what? And you don’t know him - what if he’s from another crew? What if it’s a trap and he’s a bounty hunter? This is a bad idea.” Ace had his arms crossed across his tan chest, drumming his fingers against his arm.

“He’s a fan of my writing. I can protect myself. I’m going. See you later, Ace.” With that, Deuce finished the last sip of the coffee in his mug, folded the newspaper, tucked it under his arm and left. It took everything in him not to turn around and see the look of jealousy he knew was on Ace’s face. He could feel the waves of heat coming off of Ace, but that wasn’t his problem. After all, Ace was emphatically not his boyfriend. 

~~~

Deuce spent a perfectly wonderful evening with Raoul. They dined, had a few drinks, and engaged in thought provoking conversation. Deuce enjoyed his time on the Moby, but he would be lying if he said he was always intellectually stimulated. Sure, he could talk to Marco, but the first Commander was usually busy and preferred medical literature over everything else. Deuce had dropped out of medical school for a reason - he didn’t want to spend his free time talking about viruses of the Grand Line. There were many other intelligent crewmates to talk to, but he seemed to be the only one interested in writing. 

Talking to Raoul was like entering another world. A world in which he wasn’t a pirate, wasn’t a former first mate, wasn’t a healthcare provider, but a journalist. The way Raoul described his columns made Deuce feel fulfilled in a way that he had been searching for his whole life. He wanted to know that people read his work, that they enjoyed it, that they found entertainment or solace in his words. That was what made his heart sing, not fighting or drinking. Deuce didn’t care how many readers he had, just that someone out there was reading what he wrote. 

It felt strange to be on a date with someone new - the overwhelming majority of Deuce’s romantic experience had been with Ace. He would be lying if he said he didn’t think about Ace during the date. With Ace, he was always the secondary to Ace’s primary. Ace led them on adventures, and Deuce followed. Ace found places to go, and Deuce joined along. He had even taken his nom de plume as a nod to Ace’s name, erasing his own identity to match his lover’s. Their dynamic usually worked well, with both men filling roles they enjoyed. Ace never treated Deuce like he was lesser, but being out with Raoul made Deuce realize he did carry some resentment towards his former Captain.

With Raoul, Deuce was his own complete person, not defined in relation to someone else. It was boosting his self esteem to be taken seriously as a man of words, something he found himself enjoying. He didn’t know if it was Raoul personally that was causing the feeling, or just the fact that someone was as full of admiration for him - maybe as much as he had for Ace. With that thought, Deuce realized he’d been ruminating on Ace for too long, and focused his mind on enjoying the present. The night went by quickly, and they talked until the restaurant informed them they were closing.

Deuce and Raoul finished their meal and started walking in the moonlight, hand in hand. Deuce walked Raoul back to his house, and was invited in. He thought about it, but gracefully declined. He did, however, take the opportunity to kiss Raoul. Raoul asked if Deuce would be around the following day, and they made plans for another date. After a final goodnight kiss, Deuce left his eager fan.

It was nice, thought Deuce. Kissing someone new was nice. It wasn’t electrifying, or exhilarating, or intoxicating like kissing Ace was. It didn’t consume him whole, leaving him lost in a haze of desire. It didn’t overwhelm his senses until there was nothing in the world except Ace’s lips on his own. It was just nice. He supposed that was good enough for now.

~~~

Heading back towards town, he wanted to see if everyone was still at the bar, drinking. He found the pub and heard familiar voices coming from the inside. He entered and saw his friends carousing together. Joining the fray, he ordered a beer and sat with the others. Apparently, news of his romantic outing had made the rounds, and several crew members asked him about it. Noticeably absent was Ace, who was giving him the stink eye from across the bar. Ignoring the Commander, Deuce shared information about his enjoyable night, including the invitation for another the following day. He drank a few more beers with his comrades, and decided to head back to the boat for the night. 

On his walk back, he heard running footsteps catching up with him. He sighed - he knew where this was headed.

“How was your date?” Ace spat at him.

“Lovely. Have another tomorrow.” 

“With Raoul?” Ace spat. Ace was being childish and Deu had no patience for it. Deuce gave him a cold look.

“Not really your business.” Deuce wasn’t going to engage in Ace’s jealousy and insecurity. He had set the rules for their non-relationship, not Deuce. Ace couldn’t eat his cake and have it too. Ace was fuming but didn’t say anything else. They parted ways once they were on the ship, still not talking. It was hard - something in Deuce wanted to apologize, even though he had nothing to apologize for. One day at a time.

~~~

The next day, Deuce went back to the island to meet up with Raoul. This time, Raoul had brought his friends, all of whom were excited to meet him. They raved about his writing, his wit, his creativity, and his ability to make or break the reputations of islands with a slash of his pen. They had copies of his columns, which they wanted him to autograph. It was overwhelming, but also quite fun. Some of them were aspiring authors themselves, and begged Deuce to edit and make suggestions on their pieces. Deuce felt a little dazed by all the attention, he wasn’t normally one to favor the spotlight. Raoul’s friends left after a few hours, leaving the two men for their second date. Deuce enjoyed his evening, and this time did accept the offer to continue his conversation with Raoul in his home. He did not return to the ship that night - for the first time since he became a Whitebeard Pirate.

Early the next morning, Deuce left a sleeping Raoul and made his way back. The Moby was leaving soon, and he needed to be on it. The two had parted on good terms, with Raoul promising to save every one of his columns in case Deuce ever wanted them. As the dinghy he was on made its way back to the Moby, he heard Ace yelling. Not a great sign, he thought to himself. He was guessing Ace was also on fire, though he couldn’t see it.

“....CAPTURED BY MARINES!? HOW DO YOU KNOW?” 

Deuce heard Marco reply calmly to Ace’s outburst. “I don’t think he was captured by the Marines, yoi. There aren’t any on the island.”

“THEN WHAT IF HE’S HURT?! FLY AROUND AND FIND HIM!”

“He’s not hurt. Look, he’s right there. Safe and sound yoi.” 

Ace, who was indeed on fire, quickly looked over the railing of the ship. Deuce waved. Ace glared and stomped off, still aflame. 

After coming aboard, Deuce headed to the infirmary for work. Deuce started his day by checking the updated patient charts, browsing through everyone’s progress. Deuce was flipping through a chart, reading about a patient’s improvements when Marco sidled up to him. Marco, ever the busybody, was quick to find him and ask about the previous night. For such a mature man, he thought, Marco sure wanted to have his beak in everyone’s business. 

“So, interesting night yoi?” Marco asked with a quirked eyebrow.

“You could say that,” Deuce replied, not putting down the chart. He knew the Commanders were the biggest gossip mongers on board, so he didn’t want to say too much in case it got back to Ace. 

“I’ve never seen you spend the night off the ship before.” It looked like Marco wasn’t letting Deuce go without some information.

“A date invited me to stay over, it was nice sleeping on land for a change.”

“Hmm. I thought you and Ace were…staying over together.”

Deuce just shrugged one shoulder with a small frown. He didn’t want to describe to Marco the mechanics of his non-relationship with Ace. Deuce put down one chart and picked up another. Marco looked at him with something akin to pity, ruffled his hair, and walked away. 

MARCO POV

Marco watched Ace spontaneously catch fire throughout the day, usually after glancing at Deuce. Deuce, for his part, was ignoring Ace altogether with much more success. Marco was sitting on the deck next to Izou, drinking their afternoon tea together.

“Should we help him? It’s hard to watch,” asked Izou.

“No, this is a good lesson for him to learn,” replied Marco. It was painful to watch Ace make such obvious mistakes, but there was nothing to be done. Some things had to be learned through experience alone.

“And what lesson is that?” Izou said with a sly smile.

“Never take love for granted yoi,” Marco replied, taking Izou’s hand from his tea cup and gently kissing it. 

ACE POV

It became a repeating pattern, much to Ace’s dismay and anger. They would go to new islands, someone would recognize Deuce, and talk to him endlessly about his writing. He was asked out for many dates, dinners, drinks, and more. Ace didn’t know how people recognized him, since Deuce’s picture wasn’t printed in the papers, but he was rising rapidly in popularity. Deuce suddenly didn’t have time for Ace, for explorations or adventures, or for their relationship. Truthfully, Ace was jealous of all these fans who were taking up Deuce’s time. 

The first time Deuce left the ship for an island without telling Ace, he almost burned the ship down with his untamed feelings. He didn’t know where Deuce was, and it didn’t feel right going to a new location without him. He asked around, but no one knew where Deuce had gone either. Getting increasingly annoyed and worried, he burned hotter and hotter, unable to stop his spiraling emotions. Finally, Marco told him that Deu had left for a date and to calm down because he was scorching the deck with his pacing. 

He wouldn’t admit it, but he had tracked Deuce down on the island. Spying on Deuce from afar, he saw Deu laughing with an adoring fan - who had an autographed copy of Deuce’s column in his hand. He realized he hadn’t seen Deuce that joyful since they’d joined the Whitebeard Pirates. It made him feel guilty that he hadn’t noticed Deuce was so unhappy before. He knew medicine wasn’t Deuce’s true passion, but he hadn’t seen that bright look in his eyes for months. Ace knew he wasn’t an intellectual match for Deuce - he never had been. He felt envious of the people who could talk to Deuce about his writing and engage him in that way. 

Ace started avoiding Deuce, not out of maliciousness, but because he couldn’t bear seeing him. Seeing Deuce just reminded him of his own failures. Every time he saw Deuce, he thought about how he had messed up their relationship, how Deuce was moving on, and how he had squandered his opportunity with the most significant person in his life. Seeing Deuce reminded him both of the good times they had shared, and that they were no longer having those kinds of adventures together. Ace had even asked Marco for advice, but it only made Ace feel worse.

“Do you think I can get him back?” Ace asked, feeling insecure. He’d found Marco in the Commander’s lounge, reading some book about Grand Line viruses. Marco was in the loop about everything on the ship, so Ace didn’t need to explain who or what he was talking about.

“It depends yoi,” answered Marco cryptically, closing the book to look at Ace.

“Depends on what?” Ace gritted out. Ace never liked word games or mysteries, especially when he was asking for help. 

“It depends on whether you’re someone he would want to come back to. Deuce’s most enduring trait is his loyalty. You’ve taken advantage of that and now he might be done. You’ve always acted like he’s a sure bet, someone you can treat as you want but always rely on. But he hasn’t been able to rely on you yoi. So, like I said, it depends.”

Marco’s words hit Ace hard. Ace thanked Marco automatically and left to go think over his words privately in his own room. Laying on his bed, Ace ran his fingers through his hair, trying to relieve his stress. Marco was right, Ace relied on Deuce so much, in so many ways. Deuce was his voice of reason, his cool head, his external source of confidence. Deuce was logical and analytical, able to see alternatives Ace would never think of on his own. When he was uncertain or unsure about any decision, he bounced his ideas off of Deuce. Deu was non-judgemental and thoughtful, kind and reflective. Ace always thought they balanced each other well.

Ace always felt lucky that someone like Deuce would want to talk to someone like him, much less be his lover. Someone as smart as Deuce could do anything, he didn’t have to be a pirate. Deuce had chosen life as an outlaw over a normal civilian life, and Ace felt he owed a lot of his success to Deuce. Ace showed Deuce parts of himself that few people saw - his insecurity, his depression, his issues with self worth. But the reverse was true as well. Deuce was witty, funny, and perceptive. He was reserved, you had to know him well for his true nature to be revealed. Though, Ace supposed, it was now being revealed to the world via his writing. No wonder so many fans wanted Deuce’s attention - they got to see that amazing side of him that had attracted Ace to him in the first place.

He thought back to his arguments with Deuce about their relationship and realized Deuce was right - Ace wanted the emotional and physical connection with Deu, but didn’t want to have to give up anything in return. It was selfish, and it was no wonder Deuce didn’t want to accept it.

Ace didn’t know what to do. He was the one who had rejected an exclusive relationship and was regretting it. He didn’t want to try to close the relationship now, that wasn’t fair to Deuce. Deuce had waited for Ace patiently in the shadows for years, never complaining when Ace got attention. Now that Deuce was the one getting noticed, he didn’t want to seem bitter and spiteful. If Deuce needed other people for his fulfillment, Ace wouldn’t get in his way.

Deuce POV

Deuce knew Ace was avoiding him. Before, even on a ship as large as the Moby, Deuce could always find Ace. They ate meals together or caught each other for a few moments on the deck to chat. Now, it was like Ace had vanished into thin air. Deuce didn’t have the time during the day to go find him, and was too upset to try at night. It seemed like they were going to go their separate ways, without so much as a goodbye.

A few days later, Deuce was taking a break, finishing a draft of a column in Marco’s office. Marco would let Deuce use the cozy room if it was unoccupied, which Deuce greatly appreciated. He felt someone watching him, and looked up to see Ace leaning against the door frame. He waited for Ace to speak first. Ace took off his cowboy hat and fiddled with it in his hands.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” There was awkward tension between them, something Deuce had never felt before. 

“I just wanted to say that I’m…I’m sorry. I’ve been acting like an asshole. I, uh, I’ve been jealous.” Ace was uncomfortable expressing himself, and Deuce was surprised to hear the honest confession.

“You’ve been jealous of the attention I’ve been getting?” Deuce asked.

“No, it’s not the attention exactly. I’m happy you’re finally getting noticed. You’re a great writer.” 

“How do you know I’m a great writer?” Deuce knew it was an antagonistic thing to say, but he couldn’t stop the acerbic remark from coming out. 

“I always read your column. It’s wonderful.” Ace was still fidgeting, but was starting to open up a little more. Deuce hoped that they could have a productive conversation and stop the bad energy between them.

“I didn’t know you read them.” Deuce had never seen Ace look at a newspaper, much less his writing.

“Of course I do. You make our adventures sound so fantastic. It’s like reliving it all over again. You just skip the parts with me in ‘em.” 

“Well, yeah. I can’t say that the reason I travel to these places is because I’m a Whitebeard pirate. I wouldn’t get published. But I include what you tell me sometimes, usually about the local bugs.”

“Guess so.” Ace entered Marco’s office and sat on the couch, closing the door behind him. He sat on the couch across from the desk, looking everywhere except Deuce’s face.

“So why are you jealous then? If it’s not the writing, is it the dates? You get tons of attention everywhere we go, and I never say anything.”

“Yeah, I don’t like all the dates and hookups and stuff people invite you to.” Ace was kicking at the rug on the floor of the room, still avoiding Deu’s eyes.

“But, isn’t that what you wanted? To be free to have adventures on the high seas?” 

“No. Well, yeah. I thought I wanted that. But I don’t.”

“What do you want then? I can’t read your mind, and I don’t like the way you’ve been acting.”

Ace stood up and crossed over to where Deuce was. He sat slouched over on Marco’s desk, facing Deuce, finally looking him in the eyes.  “I just want you. I want you all to myself. I know it’s selfish. I know it’s too late for me, for us. I know I’ve been bad for you. I thought I wanted to have lots of different experiences, with lots of different people. But I don’t. I only want you. Watching you go out with other people has been killing me.”

“...Ace…”

Ace deflated and put his forehead against Deuce’s. Speaking softly now, he continued “No, I know. I don’t deserve to have you back. I wasn’t treating you right. I always thought you’d be there for me, waiting for when I needed you. And when you weren’t…I couldn’t handle it. I know we’re over. You deserve better. And I know you need someone who can talk to you about your work. I know the kind of stuff you want to talk about and I know I can’t give that to you. I just…wish I had realized what we had before. You can go out and do whatever you want. I’ll stop bothering you so much.” Ace started to move away, but was caught by Deuce pulling him back.

“You’re an idiot,” Deuce said flatly.

“Yeah,” Ace said dejectedly, looking down. 

“You hurt me a lot.”

“I’m sorry,” Ace whispered.

“I missed you.”

Ace looked at Deuce, searching his face to determine if Deu was lying. “You did? You always looked like you were having so much fun on your dates.”

Deuce tilted his head in curiosity. “And how would you know? Were you following me?”

Ace turned bright red, and said “uh, no, I just…happened to be in the same area a couple times.”

Deuce lightly laughed and said, “You’ve always been such a bad liar. I saw you skulking about, on two different islands. You could have just talked to me about all this. Even the jealousy stuff. You know, communicate.”

“I didn’t know what to say. I want you for myself, but I…I want you to be happy even more than that. I don’t want to hold you back. You’re going to do great things, I can feel it. Even if they’re not with me.”

“They could be.” 

“What do you mean?” Ace looked at Deuce skeptically.

“Adventures aren’t as much fun alone or with strangers. I missed you a lot. Not one of those dates was as fun as a single afternoon with you.”

Ace looked up at a softly smiling Deuce. “Would you…take me back?”

“I could be convinced.”

Ace gripped Deuce’s chin with his fingers and angled his face down towards his own. “You won’t regret it. I’m gonna be with you only you… I’ll be… boyfriend…the best boyfriend…I can’t believe you’d let me…I’m so lucky….thank you, I’m gonna -” Ace was babbling, thinking of all the promises he wanted to make to Deuce. Deuce looked fondly at Ace.

“I know,” said Deuce. With that, he closed the distance between them and kissed his lover. His Captain. His partner. His.

[seat-safety-switch]

Tires cost a fortune. You can buy a car for $200, or at least you used to be able to, and easily spend double that on a set of rock-hard ditch-finders from the local tire shop. When I asked a tire company executive about it, they weasel-worded some mouth grease about tires being “expensive to ship.” Obviously, the only way I was going to get through this was to open a tire factory of my own.

This isn’t unusual. Tire factories used to dot this proud nation in a time before AliExpress and Amazon Secondus. Folks just like you and I would go to work and eke out a reasonable, middle-class existence – with a pension – putting high-quality tires under our neighbours’ cars, for cheap. Eventually, some spreadsheet said this was no longer cost-effective, and now we have to order our tires from another country.

I’m sure they have lots of good reasons for this. Tires are a lot better since the sixties and seventies: for instance, when it starts to snow, not everyone within a 50 mile radius of your car is instantly killed. You can brake harder into corners and also take them at greater speed, without them getting all greasy and knobbly as they heat up. You would expect this improved technology to cost more money, which means that the big tire executives needed to outsource it in order to make the final price more affordable.

Of course, this is patented bullshit. If you’re not interested in profit, you can make inexpensive, good tires all day long. Switch Tire Company, being technically a subsidiary of Switch Investment Corporation, is run entirely at a loss. We simply bet against ourselves every day, shorting our stock on the open market. People take the other side of it, maybe because we keep renaming our company to things like “Switch Blockchain Expressions” or “Switch Artificially Intelligent Hookerbots,” the sort of names that make the casual Wall Street Tier 1 investment bank think that we’re up-and-comers. Then we pour the money we made off their backs into running off a new set of race tires.

Sure, I could have used this kind of business acumen to do something other than lose money making tires for shit-box cars. How else was I going to be able to find 13-inch tires that are 10 inches wide?