#workplace dress code
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stylewisewebsite Ā· 3 months ago
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10 Office Outfit Mistakes That Make You Look Unprofessional
What you wear can affect how professional you look at work, especially if youā€™re in a senior position. Here are the top 10 Office outfit mistakes to avoid if you want to be taken seriously in the office! 1. Revealing Clothing Rule number one: keep it classy, not flashy. Anything too short, too tight, or shows too much skin is a no-go for the office. That means no mini skirts, plungingā€¦
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ignitelimelight Ā· 1 year ago
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All right tumblr, coming to you hopes that employment law-blr can help me come up with a solution to my pickle
I want to dye my hair, but it goes against my work's dress code policy. Perhaps it's the autism, but I just don't see why colored hair is considered unprofessional. I've asked my boss and her reason is that if she tells me yes then she has to tell everyone yes, but I don't see a business reason to not allow everyone to have fun colored hair. I work in an assisted living and Memory Care facility, and if the reason is that the residents wouldn't like it, many of them have expressed to me that they want colored hair themselves, I even have a buzz cut that everyone seems to like.
Should I start a petition? Should I email the owner? Should I write a persuasive letter to my manager or the owner to convince them that the policy is silly? I can see myself being at this job for a very long time, and I'd like to have fun hair while I'm still young and goofy
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gothcsz Ā· 2 months ago
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oh god I just had a really horny thought, imagine coming to work without any underwear and teasing javi ugh like he just gets small glimpses of your pussy and it drives him up the WALL and then you end up spread open on his desk with his large hands on your inner thighs whilst he devours you šŸ˜©šŸ« 
oh my god šŸ˜µā€šŸ’« a horny thought INDEED holy shit... but what if you guys had some kind of argument the night before and that's why you've thought up of this little plan to fuck with him. i wanna say that maybe you two have been hooking up in secret for a while now and maybe you're ready to make it a real thing. he's very hesitant to do so because of his reputation and because he knows how women usually get treated once their office affairs are exposed.
so that talk just led to a petty fight that ended with him being an asshole to you and storming out of your place... you weren't going to let it go like you usually doā€” so you decide to get back at him in the only way you know is really going to get to him.
javier peƱa loves pussyā€”yours, to be exactā€” and he's a very possessive man when it comes to the things that are his. but if you're his, then why is he keeping you a secret? you really couldn't give less of a fuck about his reputation or about what others are going to say about you. it's not like you were breaking any rules (okay maybe you have hooked up around the office but what they don't know won't hurt them!)
and since he's not staking his claim on you, then you're free to do whatever. right? this particular skirt you've picked today shows your panty lines and you just can't have that (so unprofessional šŸ˜‰) so you forego the undergarment all together.
if you just so happen to bend over a little to much and accidentally give his work rival a glimpse of heaven (as javi has so kindly put it) then.... oh well.
if the skirt rides up high enough to show the tops of your thighs while you're taking a call, thighs spreading to get comfortable... then so be it.
you find it so exhilarating and you haven't even revealed this little secret to him yet. coming in like you always do, making mindless small talk with your co-workers. it's not until lunch time that you stop by his private office, where he just gives you a once over and seemingly dismisses you that you drop the bomb on him.
handing over a file before strutting out, you feel his gaze on your swaying hipsā€” on your ass, and you bite back a smirk.
he's too easy.
you close the door behind you and it's not until you're rounding the corner that he opens the folder and sees the flimsy, lacy fabric of your panties stuffed in there and he shoots up from his chair like someone's lit a fire under his ass; following behind you with his jaw clenched so tight, he might dislocate it.
then he sees you perched up on the other guy's desk, legs crossed while you lean closer to him and zendaya laugh at one of his unfunny jokes. it has him seeing red (or green, i guess) but he can't go over there and yank you off the surface without causing a scene. that'd draw attention and:
"We just can't have that, cariƱo." as he had so nicely told you the night before.
when you lean over enough, your ass rises off the desk and he gets just the quickest peek of your cunt.
he grits your name out through clenched teeth and you look over your shoulder at him, narrowing your gaze ever so slightly.
"i'm busy right now. we're going out for lunch." but your arch your back ever so slightly and he swears he's half tempted to draw the gun from his lower back and shoot that motherfucker between the eyes, then drag you over to his office and put you in your place.
but againā€” he can't do a damn thing. it'd just expose your relationship and, well....
"We just can't have that, cariƱo."
the entire time you're out for lunch, he's pacing his office, losing his mind knowing you're out with another man while your pussy is just out. what if he got handsy and rested his hand on your thigh? slid it up under the hem of your skirt? to where your leg and pelvis meet? what if you spread your legs a little further and let him run his fingers up your wet slit? and you'd be wet, javier knows this. knows how easy it is for him to get you dripping.
would this man have the same effect on you?
he's watching the clock like a fucking hawk, assaulting the poor plastic hands with his gaze until they hit the hour and he hears your bubbly laugh floating down the hallway.
it's kind of pathetic the way he rushes out of his office, biting down on his tongue. his usual golden eyes darken once you're in his line of sight. your breath catches in your throat at his stance, you're able to read him like a fucking book.
you smirk at him. he's played right into your little game and that is what sets him off.
he calls your name, demanding you to meet him in his office and you have to keep yourself from squealing at his tone, blowing off the insufferable guy you just wasted your lunch break on just to piss javier off.
you saunter into his office, skin on fire, and he's waiting for you, leaning against the edge of the desk.
"shut the door."
your tongue pokes against the inside of your cheek as you turn slowly, doing as you're told before facing him again.
"what the fuck do you think you're doing?"
you feign innocence, "what do you mean?"
"don'tā€” don't fucking do that."
you shrug, leaning back against the door, letting his angry stare undress you.
"i just went out to lunch with a co-worker, javier. is that a crime or am i not allowed to let anyone know about that either?"
his jaw twitches and your thighs tense together.
"come here."
you could drag this out, be more of a brat about it, but you won'tā€” because this entire time; you've been hot and fucking ready for one man and one man only.
you slowly walk to him and his impatience at your pace takes over, his large hands reach out to grab you by your waist to drag you to him. you almost trip over your work heels.
"you're a piece of work, you know that?" it all happens so fast, how he moves your body like you weigh nothing and perches you up on his desk, standing between your spread thighs.
"doin' all this and for what? 'cause i don't want to parade you around here like some fuckin' trophy?" he leans in, kissing and nipping at your jaw, your mind clouded with lust as his thick fingers dig into the sensitive skin of your inner thighs.
you whimper, not being able to find the words from the practiced argument you had in your head all night and morning, head canting back as his lips move down your body.
"all this for attention?" he huffs, sinking to his knees, "like i don't fucking give it to you all the damn time. is that not enough?"
javier groans loudly at the sight of your bare pussy, glistening, beckoning him in. he knows the second those pretty folds are spread and he sees your throbbing clit and fluttering hole; he's going to have no choice but to succumb to you completely.
"no, it's not." you stand your ground, struggling to keep your hips from bucking forward to get his mouth on you. you feel his warm breath fan over your core, sweat gathering at the base of your spine.
he bites and licks all around the area you need him most, and you hear him muttering to himself but you don't understand a goddamn word he's saying, blood rushing in your ears, heart beating so loud.
and then he's devouring your cunt like a man starved, lips, tongue, nose touching you in all the right places. you have to bite down on your lower lip to keep the lewd moans from escaping you, knuckles flushed against the edge of his desk to keep you stable while his possessive mouth reminds you that you're his and his only.
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midnightbrightside Ā· 7 months ago
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It is my firm belief that the Kristoph wears shirts that are too big him to hide his snatched waist.
I totally believe like John Melaney, heā€™s got them feminine hips, so wears clothes that donā€™t fit so he can be ā€œtaken seriouslyā€
He makes himself look ugly cause heā€™s too afraid and insecure to be the pretty little bitch he is
kristoph gavin is the first man to experience misogyny in the workplace so true
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whentherewerebicycles Ā· 1 year ago
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question: when you're starting a new job, what do you most want out of your first week of onboarding? what's most helpful for you to know/understand upfront? also... what's not helpful? tell me your onboarding nightmare stories too lol
#i honestly do not ever think i've had a positive onboarding experience#in my entire professional life#i guess for me a lot of my early-job anxieties are around expectations and 'rules'#like i want to know what time i'm supposed to be there and what time i'm allowed to leave and what the dress code is#and how the hybrid schedule works#so i don't make dumb mistakes right away#i also think i want to be involved in the real work as early as possible#like i don't have to be DOING anything yet but i want to be watching people do things and shadowing in meetings#so i can start to develop a sense of who's who and what the actual work of the office/workplace looks like#and also because i really value getting a feel for personalities as early as possible lol i want to know what the vibes are#hmm and also maybe most importantly#i feel like in any new situation i need a very loose conceptual framework to hold the new information being given to me#otherwise it's just random pieces of info you know? like it's helpful when someone is actively helping me fit information into a frame#like they're saying 'here's the HUGE picture - now let's zoom in and start looking at this one corner of it - and as we add new corners#i'll actively help you fill in the connective tissue that holds these different parts of the big picture together'#hmmm#my worst onboarding experiences have been when the person training me comes in and throws lots of#long complex extremely context-dependent documents or readings at me#and is like ok spend the week reading those and get back to me#and i'm like ??????????#i have NO understanding of what my role is or how this organization functions#at this point it is not helpful for me to pass my eyes over tons of dense info without a guide to tell me what's important#i have no way of gauging of something is important or trivial and then i feel stressed like i have to learn ALL of it#even though i know that a huge portion of it will end up being not that relevant to my day-to-day job
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runawaymarbles Ā· 1 year ago
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new least favorite part of the job: dress code enforcement
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rhobi Ā· 1 year ago
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my workplace, a biotech lab, goes hey oh hey hereā€™s a 100$ voucher for new shoes for this one specific store! it says only predominantly leather shoes but you can ignore that :)
goes to buy some regular shoes and get denied using the voucher cuz the shoes arenā€™t predominantly leather. these bitches telling me i have to wear FULL ON HIKING BOOTS for work?? in a LAB?? cuz thatā€™s the only leather shoe this place has
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grimark Ā· 2 years ago
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forgive me for the sin of coveting fun patterned scrubs
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7listyleme Ā· 1 year ago
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At a Job Interview, Does Dress Code or Handshake Have a Greater Impact?
The Importance of First Impressions: Dress Code and Handshake in Job Interviews
Both the dress code and the handshake are important in an interview because they can convey your professionalism, confidence, and personality to the interviewer. However, depending on the type of interview, one may be more important than the other. Here are a few factors to consider:
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Dress code: Dressing appropriately for an interview can show that you have researched the company's culture, respect the interviewer's time, and take care of your appearance. Dress codes may vary depending on the industry, the position, and the location of the interview. Some general tips for choosing your outfit include:
Research the company's dress code and dress one level up from what employees typically wear.
Choose clothing that is clean, wrinkle-free, well-fitted, and comfortable.
Avoid clothing that is too casual, revealing, flashy, or trendy.
Choose neutral colors or subtle patterns over bright colors or loud prints.
Accessorize minimally and appropriately.
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Handshake: Shaking hands during an interview can show that you are friendly, confident, and respectful. The handshake can vary depending on the culture, the situation, and the interviewer's personal preference. Some general tips for giving a good handshake are:
Make eye contact and smile as you approach the interviewer.
Extend your right hand and grasp the interviewer's hand firmly and palm to palm.
Shake hands with one or two pumps that last two to three seconds.
Avoid shaking hands too hard, too soft, too long, or too short.
Greet the interviewer with a polite and enthusiastic statement such as, "It's a pleasure to meet you.ā€
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eclipsecrowned Ā· 1 year ago
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i. actually enjoyed it? retail is a completely different experience when i'm not chained to a till for 8 hours unable to do anything but question why i'm here.
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jeddara-of-jasoom Ā· 2 years ago
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You really don't have to try to present as anything. Unless you want to. I find it exhausting to have to try to fit in a box. I'm a woman. But I don't try to be "feminine" in fact I don't believe in it. Who makes these rules anyway? It's just culture. Someone somewhere decided pink meant for females and women haven't been left alone since. Dresses... in a lot of history, men wore what could be similar to dresses. Not pants. Why is a dress "feminine"? Or long hair or anything else... I think we have to deconstruct why things are the way they are. If we want to be truly free to be ourselves. Do what makes you happy, but don't feel like you have to try to fit in any boxes. No matter what gender you are. Experiment, try new things. Or don't concentrate on appearance much at all. It takes a lot of money to keep up with latest fashions, buy makeup etc... I just don't want to do that. I never did. Doesn't mean I'm not a woman. Why should i have to fit in anyone's boxes? I care more about Internal things anyway. Not superficial. People judging you on appearance, whether it's elaborate or super comfy, should just shut up. It's none of their business.
"I'm fem-presenting!" "My presentation is masculine!" "I present androginously!" well I forgot there was a presentation today and it's too late to put anything together
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lyricsolution-com Ā· 2 months ago
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Past, Present, And Future Of Office Fashion: A Journey Through Style | Beauty/Fashion News
Office fashion has evolved tremendously over the years, reflecting broader cultural shifts, changes in workplace environments, and the influence of technology. From the strict formality of earlier decades to todayā€™s blend of casual and professional attire, and the futureā€™s focus on comfort and sustainability, office wear has always adapted to the times. Letā€™s explore the fascinating journey ofā€¦
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draighean Ā· 8 months ago
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āš ļø insisting that Caylm be nude... publically
send me aĀ āš ļøĀ with a reason my muse should be shamed (e.g.Ā ā€œhangs toilet paper backwardā€) and I can only confirm or deny
Confirmed
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nftpirates Ā· 1 year ago
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makeupreviewandbeautyblog Ā· 1 year ago
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How To Utilize Body Piercings With Workplace Dress Codes
Body piercings have gained popularity as a means of self-expression. Yet, in the workplace, many organizations implement dress codes which may include certain rules about body piercings. This article offers advice on how to appropriately incorporate body piercings while maintaining a professional appearance within common workplace dress codes. By following these suggestions, people can find aā€¦
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irndad Ā· 7 months ago
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kiss me (under the milky twilight)- s.r.
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a/n: this took so long and i'm so sorry! based on this post- reader has an ex that she keeps running back to, and spencer just wants her to see him. fake dating and hijinks ensue. VERY long. 4.6k words!! thanks to @fadingplaidtrashpatrol for ur thoughts and ideas!! masterlist // ask
The unraveling begins on a Friday.Ā 
This is one of the rare Fridays where a full weekend is staring back at them, and Spencer is immeasurably pleased at his plans. Heā€™s rented a Russian old movie, and his best friend had agreed to sit next to him on his shitty old couch while he whispers translations in real-time.
He loves spending time with her, a little hedonistically. Sheā€™s so kind, warm in both spirit and disposition, and Spencer treasures the time he gets to spend with her. Her desk adjoins his, and so one might assume that he could tire of her presence, but thereā€™s something a little addicting about her, something he tries to have as often as he can.Ā 
On this fine evening, sheā€™s wearing an oversized sweater tucked into jeans- her position is mainly out of the field, and so she takes full advantage of the dress-code flexibility. Lovely earrings hang around her face, adorning her lovely features like a frame.Ā 
Spencerā€™s more than a little in love with her.Ā 
This has never really been a convenient fact, but Spencerā€™s used to wanting things he canā€™t have. And it was never really feasible not to want her- anyone whoā€™s ever been in her presence would know this. Itā€™s a foreign feeling, looking over at someone heā€™s lucky enough to know, and wanting them enough for that desire to turn into fantasy.Ā 
ā€œSpencer!ā€ She greets him warmly, standing up to do so- if this wasnā€™t a workplace, if she was meeting him at the cafe like they do on Wednesdays, or his home, like she often finds herself in whenever he invites her, Spencer is certain she would wrap her arms around him in an incredibly warm hug.Ā 
Because they are in the BAU, she believes it is inappropriate to embrace this way (which Spencer would argue isnā€™t true, given the way Morgan and Penelope are with each other, but if he told her that, it might be a little too obvious how desperate he is for her to touch him.)
The way she beams at him almost makes up for the fact that he doesnā€™t get to hug her.Ā 
ā€œI got you something,ā€ he says in lieu of a response, clutching the bag of muffins in one hand. Heā€™d woken up early to get her to stop by her favorite bakery, and it was worth it to see that look on her face. No oneā€™s in the office now, the day long finished, and theyā€™re getting ready to walk to his place. He lives so close by, and heā€™s grateful for this fact when they walk together back to his place.Ā 
She grabs the bag, and heā€™s just so endeared by her, the giddy expression written over her lovely face.
ā€œHave I mentioned that I love you? Because I do. You need to marry me, immediately.ā€ She says to him, eyes closed in bliss, and even though sheā€™s clearly joking, Spencer finds himself preening at her praise- wouldnā€™t it be incredible if she meant that? It sounds so pretty in her voice. I love you.Ā 
He beams back at her, in a way he hopes doesnā€™t betray how much he wants.Ā 
ā€œIā€™m glad you like them,ā€ he says back, his heart in his throat.Ā 
ā€œI have some news that you are going to be incredibly mad at me about.ā€ She says, and a crumb is on her painted lip, and fantasy of kisses that he cannot have enters Spencerā€™s mind before he can shake it away.
ā€œI could never be mad at you.ā€
ā€œI think I have to raincheck tonight,ā€ she says almost sadly, her voice apologetic, as though she has no choice in the matter.
ā€œIs everything okay?ā€
He had picked up her favorite snacks yesterday night, tidied up his apartment top to bottom.Ā 
ā€œJosh texted me- heā€™s going through something and he needs me to come over-ā€œ
ā€œHe doesnā€™t need you to come over.ā€Ā 
He rarely interrupts her, and he usually isnā€™t capable of being upset with her. Heā€™s not really even upset with her now, but this is so exhausting, watching her deal with this asshole.Ā 
It is a continuous surprise to Spencer that someone like her can be in a position like this.
Through Spencerā€™s eyes, the idea that anyone can not be in love with her is almost an impossibility. Itā€™s not even his bias alone that makes him think this- itā€™s the truth of her.Ā 
Josh is an asshole finance bro who works in the city center, and Spencer hates him more than most serial killers.Ā 
Heā€™s fucking careless with the thing Spencer wants the most in the world. Josh knows what itā€™s like to be with her, to be the person to falls asleep with her in his arms. Ā 
Sometimes when Spencer canā€™t sleep, which is quite often, he pictures her soft cheek on her chest, pictures what she would feel like entwined with his own body, legs tangled with his and her fingers in his hair. Itā€™s a sacred thing, this image- even though it isnā€™t real, Spencer knows he values the imagination of her presence more than Josh gives his attention to the real thing.Ā 
Theyā€™ve ā€œgotten togetherā€ and ā€œbroken upā€ and ā€œstarted talking againā€ about 12 times respectively.
Spencer could kill him.
ā€œSpence,ā€ she sighs, shaking him out of his angry stupor, ā€œplease donā€™t be mad at me. Heā€™s really going through something right now- he needs someone to be around. Besides,ā€ she breathes out, ā€œI canā€™t dump him.Ā 
ā€œWhy is that?ā€ He tries to temper his tone, but the memory of her mascara running down her cheeks as she sobs in his arms shoots through his mind, and manifests as a physical sharp pain in his chest.Ā 
ā€œThat wedding is coming up,ā€ she murmurs, looking down at her shoes. Theyā€™re scuffed, and Spencer thinks she might be embarrassed. Why should she be? Heā€™s the asshole. ā€œI told people I was going to have a date. Do you know how many people are going to be there, Spence? How many people are expecting me to bring my boyfriend?ā€
Her best friend is getting married. Spencer knows this because sheā€™s told him, and told him gleefully when Josh had agreed to go with her. Spencer remembers thinking that heā€™d like to punch a wall.
Anyway.Ā 
Sheā€™s the last of her friend group thatā€™s not in a long term relationship, and in some twisted way, he kind of gets how Josh would be better than nothing, if you didnā€™t want to be seen as alone.Ā 
ā€œYou donā€™t want to go alone.ā€
ā€œYeah, Spence.ā€
ā€œI could go with you.ā€
It escapes his mouth without his permission, and he regrets it almost instantly. Because thereā€™s no fucking way sheā€™d go with him. Heā€™s lanky and awkward and his blazers never fit and his ties are always tied wrong, and sheā€™s beautiful and wonderful in ways he finds new ways to see everyday. Heā€™s not a solution to her being worried about how sheā€™s seen, heā€™d only make it worse-
ā€œYou would do that for me?ā€ Her voice is small as she asks, and it shakes him out of his thoughts. He looks down at her, eyes softening at her lovely face. She looks touched, and he has to wonder, doesnā€™t she know?
Heā€™d do anything for her.Ā 
ā€œOf course,ā€ he breathes out, a nervous hand playing with the strap of his bag, ā€œIf it gets you to stop giving that asshole the time of day, Iā€™d do it a million times.ā€
Her face shifts in a way he canā€™t read, and she swallows.Ā 
ā€œI canā€™t let you do that.ā€
ā€œI want to,ā€ he says, ā€œPlease. It would be fun, Cā€™mon. Youā€™re always saying I need to get out there and do things.ā€
ā€œBeing my fake boyfriend at my friendā€™s wedding is not getting out there and doing things,ā€ she pouts, and his heart nearly jumps. Itā€™s pathetic, but hearing her refer to him as her any kind of boyfriend is intoxicating. He wants to hear it, over and over.Ā 
ā€œItā€™ll be fun,ā€ he says, touching her hand as it rests on the table, making intentional eye contact. She has been prettiest eyes. ā€œCā€™mon, let me do this for you. Iā€™m sick of this guy.ā€
She gulps again, an endearingly confusing gesture, and he finds the feeling a little desperate. Pick me, choose to be with me, even if itā€™s just pretend.Ā 
ā€œHeā€™s going to be there anyway,ā€ she breathes out biting her lip in a nervous gesture, ā€œI- Iā€™d owe you so much, Spence. It would make him jealous, I think.ā€
Itā€™s a little hedonistic, how much he would enjoy that, he thinks. Someone would see her as his girl. He knows she might be doing this to get Joshā€™s attention, but still- the evening together seems like too lovely of a thing to turn down- too wonderful of a chance to not offer. Heā€™d take a night of pretend over never getting to be with her at all.Ā 
Itā€™s enough to make him ignore that making Josh jealous is probably the reason sheā€™s saying yes.Ā 
ā€œOkay, okay! Spencer, will you do me the honor of taking me to Julieā€™s wedding?ā€
ā€œI would be honored.Ā 
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The weeks approaching the wedding are a bit of sweet torture. Sheā€™d had the idea that they could practice, whatever that meant, and the memory of it lives in his mind rent free. Theyā€™d been watching the movie, already touchier than most would allow of best friends. (Sheā€™s his best, Spencerā€™s just the tiniest bit resentful of Julie).Ā 
Sheā€™d been sitting next to him on his worn out couch, her legs thrown across his, and true to his word, he was whispering the translation along to the movie. She smiled at him, watching his mouth move instead of the movie, and he felt tingly under her stare. How wonderful and bright it is, to be under her gaze. He kept speaking even though she wasnā€™t watching, because he imagines that if he stops, she might look away.Ā 
Then, she had held his hand.Ā 
Grabbed it really, fingers lacing with his own, and Spencerā€™s brain had short circuited. She has soft hands, he had thought to himself, and it was about the only thing he could manage to think.Ā 
ā€œWe should practice,ā€ she had whispered, even though it was just the two of them in the lowlight of his home, ā€œYā€™know, so people believe us.ā€
He didnā€™t say that heā€™s pretty sure no one needed to be convinced heā€™s in love with her.Ā 
ā€œSure,ā€ he had nodded, and squeezed her hand, ā€œI think thatā€™s a great idea.ā€
So theyā€™ve been practicing.Ā 
This has been in equal measures wonderful and torturous. She walks with him to work on half the days, with her fingers twined with his own, and Spencer finds it intoxicating that any passerby would assume he belongs to her.Ā 
More than he already does, anyway.Ā 
Her affection is her own, just turned up to 11. Sheā€™s gorgeous- this is a fact that was not instrumental in his love of her, but ornamental- still, this is hard to ignore when she touches him as much as she does now. When sheā€™s out with the team at the bar, she rests her hand on the small of his back- he preens every time at this. This is simple, her domesticity, her claiming his presence as her own- itā€™s more than nice, Spencer realizes. Itā€™s wonderful, to be wanted by her. Even if itā€™s not real.
On this night, theyā€™re celebrating. They caught the unsub before heā€™d been able to kill his first victim. This is a rarity in their field, and sheā€™d given the interview that had gotten the confession. Itā€™s the closest to field work sheā€™d gotten, and theyā€™re all celebrating their win. Her win.Ā 
She looks like a figment of imagination, lovely in a way he literally cannot believe he didnā€™t conjure up in fantasy. Her favorite song is playing out of pure serendipity, and Spencer likes that word for her. She is serendipitous as a whole.Ā 
ā€œDo you want something to drink, honey?ā€ The endearment feels warm and natural as it comes out of his mouth. His hand is resting on the small of her waist, and he knows heā€™s being egregious with the practice thing. But this is so nice, her leaning into him, one drink deep and touchier than she is tipsy, and he loves this. He loves that under this pretense, he gets to know what she feels like in his arms.Ā 
He hands her the water before she gets to answer, and she happily sips it.Ā 
ā€œAre you proud of me, Spence?ā€ Her voice is immeasurably fond and he drinks it in like a man starved.Ā 
ā€œOf course,ā€ he smiles at her. Iā€™m always proud of you, he thinks. ā€œYou did so well, love.ā€
Heā€™s not used to endearments, but she showers him in them. Before their little pretending, too. Called him dove, honey, darling. Packed an emergency lunch in his go bag in case he forgot his. Sheā€™s such a good friend, and he wants to be her lover more with each breath.Ā 
He tries to return them, now.Ā 
ā€œGood,ā€ she says serenely, looking at him in a way that kills him, because he will never, ever kiss her. She can hold him, and look at him like that, and he will never get to be with her, ā€œI think my cider is too sour,ā€ she scrunches her nose, and his heart swoops.Ā 
ā€œIā€™ll get you something sweeter, baby.ā€
ā€œYeah you will!ā€ He hears Morgan laugh, and he flushes bright red. No one seems surprised, by how touchy theyā€™d been. Even Hotch- heā€™d expected a talk, but then got a stern nod of understanding in its stead.Ā 
She sips the sweet drink he got her, a little cherry on the step, and he thinks heā€™d do anything to keep looking at her.Ā 
Five weeks to the wedding.Ā 
He can do this.Ā 
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ā€œCould you do me a favor, Garcia? I come bearing gifts.ā€Ā 
Spencerā€™s snuck into her office- thereā€™s not much to do today, but she hadnā€™t wanted to take PTO for no reason, so here she is, in her feathered and pink glory.Ā 
ā€œIs that a hot chocolate? From Dominicks? Ooh, you play dirty, Dr. Reid.ā€ Penelope almost squeals, and despite his nefarious purposes, he finds himself joyful- itā€™s alwaysgood to talk to her.Ā 
After a joyful, eyes closed and serene sip, she asks, ā€œAlright, my sweet furry friend, what can I do for you?ā€
ā€œCould you check on a Josh Collins for me?ā€
ā€œIsnā€™t that your girlā€™s ex?ā€
ā€œNo,ā€ Heat rises to his cheeks, before he can help it. ā€œSheā€™s not my girlfriend.ā€
ā€œOh, and my favorite color is black.ā€ Penelope scoffs back, but begins typing furiously anyway.Ā 
He needs to know what is so fascinating about this guy. Because lately he canā€™t figure it out. Heā€™s always fucking hated the guy, even though heā€™s never met him. He never had to- sheā€™d shown up enough times at Spencerā€™s door crying, been broken up with and brought back enough to know that this guy is awful. Doesnā€™t even come close to deserving the woman that she is.Ā 
ā€œHeā€™s a financial analyst at a Marketing firm, went to state school for his Bachelorā€™s, says here that he played football in college, but I donā€™t think they met until after,ā€ she says, ā€œOh, he has a scuba license. And skydiving! Looks like heā€™s a bit of an adrenaline junkie.ā€
Itā€™s an evil thought. Is that what she likes? He finds it hard to imagine, picturing the moments where sheā€™s wrapped up in his arms on a movie night- that always seemed to be her preference. In, not out.Ā 
ā€œIs that him?ā€
Thereā€™s a picture of him on Penelopeā€™s screen. Josh is chiseled and strong, smiling brightly in a polo on a jet ski- this is a photo posted on his social media, and Spencer has met a million of this guy. They bullied him in school. Spencer as genius and heā€™s a lot of things, but that will never be one of them. Itā€™ll never, ever be him.Ā 
Good to know, anyway. Better not to fantasize about what he knows he canā€™t have.Ā 
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On the day of the wedding, itā€™s actually a 6 hour drive. Sheā€™d offered to get them plane tickets, but he enjoyed his time with her. He was also desperate to extend the time until the wedding was over, and sheā€™s probably the only person he wants to be trapped in a car with.Ā 
Theyā€™re sharing a hotel room. Sheā€™s booked two beds, which heā€™s honestly grateful for- if theyā€™d shared a bed, he mightā€™ve combusted.Ā 
Still, there is so much intimacy. She sings in the shower. He imagines a world where heā€™d know that in domesticity, where after a night spent in laughter and something like love, she showered in his home. But thatā€™s not how he knows it. He knows it because heā€™s at her best friendā€™s wedding, pretending to be her boyfriend.Ā 
When she comes out of her bedroom, sheā€™s gorgeous.Ā 
Sheā€™s got a green and purple dress on, a cinched waist and a sweetheart neck, a dash of plum lipstick on her lovely pout, and heā€™d like to kiss that smile very, very much. Sheā€™s a delicate kind of lovely, saturated in sweetness, and itā€™s sweet torture to have her this close.
ā€œYou look...ā€ He struggles to find words, an uncommon occurrence in his life, ā€œLike a vision.ā€
Itā€™s sentimental and warmer than he wished he sounded, but god- sheā€™s stunning. She looks like sheā€™s made of old film, beautiful in that way thatā€™s just a bit too good to be true. He adores her more with each breath.
ā€œYou think itā€™s okay?ā€ She speaks to him with her doe eyes adorned with a concerned expression. He wants to kiss it away.
ā€œYou look lovely,ā€ he says, a vast underselling.
The ceremony is a lovely affair, and Spencer learns that she cries at weddings. The bride and groom have lovely, saccharine vows, and Spencer tries not to picture a wedding that he will never get to have.Ā 
Itā€™s a little bit impossible with her at his side.Ā 
Sheā€™s touchier now, even mores then when they were ā€˜practicingā€™. Her hands are warm laced with his own, her head leaning on his shoulder, and he feels lucky to have even a piece of getting to be with her.Ā 
At the reception, she is tackled by her friends, and he performs dutifully as the caring boyfriend. Itā€™s not hard.
Itā€™s a lovely night. His arms glued to the small of her waist, and heā€™s been introduced as her ā€œgenius FBI agent boyfriendā€ many times tonight. He turns bright red every time.Ā 
ā€œThis is my boyfriend, heā€™s the smartest ever,ā€ she brags when sheā€™s half a drink deep, and he cherishes the ability to draw circles on the small of her back in this moment- his words fail him in moments of praise, and touch is an avenue that he is rarely allowed to use.
ā€œI donā€™t believe that intelligence can be accurately quantified-ā€œ
ā€œWhich is a thing that humble geniuses say.ā€Ā 
So heā€™s having a great tine.Ā 
Her lipstick is transfer-free, and his cheek is proof. Sheā€™s so affectionate his heart keeps doing somersaults. Thereā€™s a signature cocktail with some pun in the couples name.
ā€œIā€™m fucking obsessed with these, Spence,ā€ she says, a light airiness to her voice that he recognizes as her tipsy voice, ā€œCan you get me another, my love?ā€
ā€œYes, honey.ā€ He smiles at her, and kisses the crown of her hair before leaving her in the company of her friends. Heā€™s indulging a bit too much, heā€™s aware. Heā€™s going to have to give up this up when the sun rises, like some fucked up fairytale where Cinderella never gets the guy because sheā€™s not worthy of it without the pretense.
ā€œCould I get the house cocktail?ā€ Spencer asks the bartender, flashing a smile at her with the giddiness of knowing he will return to her.
Spencer had nearly forgotten that part of the reason he was here was because of Josh.Ā 
Who is at the bar.
ā€œHey man- youā€™re the dude she brought, right?ā€Ā 
Josh is actually about 2 inches shorter than Spencer, and Spencer makes the most of this difference. Heā€™s a broad chested muscle man, but he looks woefully underwhelming.Ā 
ā€œYeah, Iā€™m the lucky guy.ā€ Spencer replies in a deadpan tone, turning to face him with a stony expression.Ā 
ā€œCareful, man,ā€ Josh says, and itā€™s a little pathetic how heā€™s trying to pretend he doesnā€™t care, ā€œSheā€™ll chew you up and spit you out.ā€
ā€œReally? Because it seems like youā€™d leave a bad taste in anyoneā€™s mouth.ā€
ā€œWhatever, dude. Itā€™s clear that she just brought someone to make me jealous.ā€
ā€œActually, while I canā€™t read her mind, I imagine youā€™ve slipped hers entirely. Clearly your entire energy is based in whatever ego-driven shell your youth has shaped you into- and maybe one day someone will care enough about whatever tragedy made you the way you are, but I am deeply uninterested, and Iā€™d wager she is too.ā€
Heā€™s not sure if this is true, but Spencerā€™s noticed that in the time since their ruse has begun she hasnā€™t mentioned Josh. Not once. She might not love Spencer,Ā  but she might not see Josh anymore.Ā 
ā€œAlso, if you ever speak disrespectfully of my girlfriend again I promise you it will not end well for you.ā€
His voice is even and has an underlaying of quiet rage. Itā€™s wonderful to call her that, even more so as she enters into his eye line.
ā€œYou looked mad,ā€ she says in lieu of a greeting, her nimble arms wrapping around his waist with fluid ease, ā€œIs everything okay?ā€Ā 
Itā€™s only then she sees Josh, and thereā€™s something wonderful about knowing that she came here to check on him. Josh is about to say something, he can tell even though heā€™s only visible in the corner of his vision.Ā 
Itā€™s a calculated risk but he chooses to do it anyway.Ā 
When he kisses her, he doesnā€™t know what to expect. It falls into line like puzzles into place, one of her hands falling to his waist and the other cradling his jaw with a delicate softness. She leans into him totally and this is an intoxicating feeling- her lips are so, so soft and itā€™s what heā€™s been fantasizing about since she first smiled at him and asked him to keep going when he was rambling about Russian literature.Ā 
Itā€™s actually better.Ā 
When she pulls back, she scans the space. Josh is gone.
ā€œWell that had the intended effect,ā€ he says- it seems better than anything else, like confessing that the only reason he did it was that he could. He kissed her.Ā 
She nods, clearly a bit frazzled, and fuck-
ā€œI should have asked, fuck, Iā€™m sorry-ā€œ
ā€œNo, no, youā€™re okay, um-thanks for getting rid of him.ā€
Her voice is hollow.Ā 
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Despite the awkwardness of the kiss, which Spencer cannot stop thinking about.
Did he imagine it, or did she lean in? Did she sigh into it? How is he going to ever get over the fact that heā€™s never going to do that again?
Her lipstick is grape flavored. Now they both know that.Ā 
They get back to the hotel at half past midnight, and sheā€™d been a little distanced- not so much they still didnā€™t look like a couple, but enough that Spencer knows. Theyā€™re winding down the artificial love affair, and all of the things heā€™s become kind of addicted to are going to go away. Her fingers running through the tendrils of his hair, her delicate fingers rubbing tiger balm on his temples when heā€™s got his migraines. Her cheek kisses, the honeys, my loves, sweethearts.Ā 
Kissing her.Ā 
When she drops her bag on the hotel bed and sits on the edge of it, he sits next to her. Sheā€™s been quieter, since the kiss.Ā 
ā€œHey.ā€
ā€œHey back,ā€ she replies, bumping her knee with his in fondness.Ā 
ā€œIā€™m sorry I surprised you with, you know.ā€
ā€œKissing me?ā€
ā€œI should have asked- Iā€™m sorry.ā€
ā€œIā€™m not upset that you kissed me,ā€ she says, looking down at her shoes, ā€œIā€™m upset that you only did it because you wanted to spite Josh.ā€
ā€œWhat?ā€
ā€œI know that this is my problem, Spence,ā€ she says, ā€œYou neverā€¦ led me on, you know? I know that this was always my thing to deal with. Being in love with you was never something that I thought would be a problem. But when you offered to go with me- to pretend to be my boyfriend, how could I pass that up?ā€
This makes no sense.
ā€œI know,ā€ she runs her fingers through her hair in a frustrated motion, ā€œI know that it was never a good idea. But the idea of getting to be with you was just too much to turn down, even it it wasnā€™t the real thing. And now weā€™re going back to normal and I promise that I will go back to being your friend. It might take me a second, though-I might need some space.ā€
She needs space from him? Because she canā€™t transition away from being his fake girlfriend?
ā€œYou donā€™t need space from me.ā€
Heā€™s so fucking bad at talking.Ā 
ā€œSpencer-ā€œ
ā€œNo, no,ā€ because now he has a shot- nowĀ  thereā€™s a reality where the pit in his chest doesnā€™t have to live there forever. He can be with her. Because for some crazy, insane reason, she wants him. ā€œYou donā€™t need space from because I donā€™t want space from you, okay?ā€
He sits next to her on the bed, eyes a little crazed with want with nowhere to go.Ā 
ā€œIā€™m not sure what you mean.ā€ Her voice is tempered, and he thinks he hears hope.Ā 
ā€œI love you. I am in love with you. Iā€™ve been in love with you as long as Iā€™ve known you,ā€ he grabs her hand-it feels desperate to say and he sure he sounds it, ā€œI didnā€™t kiss you because I wanted to spite him. I did it because I couldnā€™t live with the idea that I would spend the rest of my life never have kissed you.ā€
He probably would say more- so many things are coming to mind, most of which are pleading. Sheā€™s the only thing heā€™s ever wanted this much. Before he gets to, though, she kisses him.Ā 
Itā€™s sudden, as all things of this nature are, but he pulls her close on instinct. She ends up on his lap, her hands around his neck, and it is so rare that fantasy lives up to reality. But this is better, the feeling of the weight of her pressed against him and the taste of her grape lipstick.Ā 
Itā€™s a minute when she pulls back, and it takes everything to not chase the contact.
ā€œI love you too,ā€ she says, the sweetness of it dripping from the sound of it. He wants to hear it again, and again, and again.
ā€œFor real?ā€
ā€œFor real.ā€Ā 
When the run rises in the morning that follows, heā€™s wrapped around the length of her like a vice, right and close to him, Her head rests on his chest, and while there is another bed there, itā€™s clearly not seeing any use.
Heā€™s never slept better in his life.Ā 
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