#but my manager from my retail job called me earlier and told me she just found out that someone who worked with us up until they transferred

[harlowcomehome]

“We came all this way to lose.”

Part two: here

You had met Jack a few years ago and in such an organic way that you didn’t see him the way so many other girls did. Truthfully, that’s what made you so interesting to him. You didn’t look at him like he walked on water, you talked to him and treated him like a “normal” person and that’s what intrigued him and drew him to you.

You were working a regular full-time retail job, not knowing that the person you had been helping was a famous rapper the entire time. You noticed immediately that he was attractive, you would never deny that but you talked to him like you would anyone else.

“Let me know if I can help you find anything else” you smiled as he and Urban (who you didn’t know at the time either) sorted through racks. Both men flashing you a smile as you walked back to the front of the store.

You immediately noticed everyone else you worked with being incredibly odd and noticed the other lead manager locking the doors so nobody else could come in.

“What’s going on?” You whispered to her and she laughed.

“You don’t recognize him?” You peeked down the isle that he and Urban were in and you looked back at her.

“No?” She shook her head before pulling up pictures of him on google.

You smiled “he looks so different in person.”

She read your expression “you seriously don’t know who he is do you?”

You giggled and shrugged, looking up to see that Jack was approaching you.

“Do you mind if we try some stuff on?” He kept eye contact with you, you felt your entire body heat up. You nodded and he followed you to the back, where you dropped the keys nervously before eventually unlocking a room for both Jack and Urban to try things on.

They had been back there a while so your manager nudged for you to go make sure that everything was okay, and the conversation you walked in on wasn’t what you expected at all.

You truthfully listened longer than you should’ve.

“You can tell she has no idea, just ask her” Urban laughed and Jack told him to keep his voice down but it was too late. Urban had noticed you were standing there and his face turned bright red, clearing his throat to alert Jack.

Jack who was normally good at keeping it all together especially in front of women was now the color of a cherry tomato and you couldn’t help but think it made him cuter than before.

You smiled trying to pretend not to notice the exchange “I just- well I wanted to know if you needed my help with anything?”

Jack couldn’t speak and just shook his head, you smiled at him and Urban, walking out of the fitting room to Urban laughing out loud.

You walked back up to the register, a smile plastered all over your face.

“You think he’s cute? Don’t you?” Your coworker teased.

You shrugged.

“He is your type” she smiled and you gasped.

“I have a type?” She nodded and you smiled, noticing that both Jack and Urban were walking back up to the register with all of the clothes in their hands.

“Everything huh?” You teased, trying to ease the awkward tension from what happened earlier.

Jack who hadn’t even realized he was holding his breath, let out a sigh of relief “ yeah, I’ll always take the advice of a pretty girl” he smiled, and you did too.

You made small talk the rest of the transaction, and handed him and Urban their bags when you were done.

You had noticed Jack kept his eyes on you the entire time, but you tried to convince yourself it wasn’t anything serious.

Urban took Jacks bag from him and nodded to him before walking toward the door alone.

“Do you have plans tomorrow night?” Jack smiled and you could feel your heart beating faster and faster.

“I- I mean-“ you stuttered and he smiled “good.” He pressed down on your receipt printer and ripped off a piece of paper, writing a number down.

“Call this number tomorrow” he smiled and looked at your name tag “I’ll make sure to tell them Y/N is calling.”

He smiled and started to walk away before you had the chance to respond.

“Wait, what’s your name?” You giggled and he shouted it at you “Jack!” all before he ran to catch up with his friend that had left moments earlier.

You remember thinking that was the smoothest thing in the world, being told later by Jack that he practically had an anxiety attack in the parking lot just moments later, worried you thought it was corny and not attractive.

The next day, you waited until the evening to call, not wanting to seem eager.

The voice of another woman picked up, which caused you to want to hang up immediately.

“Wait, is this Y/N?” The woman replied and you just responded with “Mhmm.”

She held back a laugh “I’m Jacks manager, we have a ticket for you if you want to come to the show tonight.”

You felt a wave of relief come over you, and she felt it too, the both of you sharing a laugh over the phone.

You arrived at the venue, worried you were overdressed, but you weren’t really sure what to expect and you just wanted to look your best.

Neelam, Jacks manager met you at the box office and walked with you inside. Jack wasn’t that big at the time, meaning he was an opener tonight and he was about to go on.

You had made perfect timing, and you were honestly excited to see him in what you assumed would be his element. You noticed his friend from yesterday immediately and stood beside him “Urban” he said with a smile as he shook your hand, “Y/N.”

The two of you stood in a somewhat comfortable silence before Jack started to perform.

You realized quickly that Urban also took photos of Jacks performances, “ do you do that for every show?”

Urban shrugged “usually.”

When Jack was done performing he walked over to you, beads of sweat dripping off his forehead.

“What did you think?” He smiled, hoping you’d have something positive to say but instead you shrugged “I think? I think you’re really sweaty.”

He laughed to himself, walking over to a small vanity in the back with his things sprawled across it.

You followed him over to it, “I mean, honestly?” He looked at you, like he was about to pass out, still waiting on you to say something positive about his performance.

“I think you’re really good” you giggled, playfully hitting his arm.

“My mom always told me not to fill a mans head up with too many compliments or he’ll be full of hot air” you giggled and he laughed too.

“Is that a thing? Like a real saying?” You both continued to laugh together and you shrugged. “ I honestly, have no idea.”

You heard the roar of the main performer go on stage, you peeked around the corner and Jack watched you with a smile, “do you want to stay and watch?”

You bit your lip, out of nervous habit and looked over at him “I want to do whatever you want to do.”

He smiled “do you want to go get something to eat?”

You nodded “that sounds good.” Jack grabbed your hand and made sure Neelam and Urban were distracted before you bolted out of the back exit.

You didn’t let go of Jacks hand, letting him lead the way into the back parking lot.

“Won’t your manager and friend wonder where we went?” You giggled as you got into the passenger side of the car. He shook his head “they’ll be fine.”

He started the car and the two of you giggled, something about this just felt euphoric and fun, and so out of your comfort zone.

Jack pulled up to a small local pizza place you had been to several times before, you smiled as the two of you got out of the car.

“Normally this place is way busier” you said surprised and Jack smiled “most people are at the show.” You nodded and followed him inside, eventually sitting down at a booth across from one another and just talking for hours. It wasn’t until you heard his phone go off that you realized how long you two had been away from the venue.

“Shit” he whispered to himself and you smiled “did I get you in trouble?”

He smirked at you “something tells me this wont be the only time, pretty lady.”

He was right, he usually was and you always hated that.

After that night, Jack continued his tour, the two of you talking every day either over text or FaceTime. He constantly begged you to come to another show, knowing that you couldn’t but still hoping you’d try to.

When tour was over, just three months later, he promised to come see you and he kept that promise.

He spent more time in your hometown than he anticipated but something about you made him feel comfortable, normal and safe. There was no denying that he was becoming more and more popular but that didn’t matter much to you, he was still just Jack. Jack who got embarrassed easily, who laughed too loud in public, and Jack who easily became your best friend within a matter of months.

“Are you sure you have to go home tomorrow?” You sighed, as you laid on his chest.

He smiled “Why? You going to miss me or something?”

You smiled softly, not able to form words. He looked down at you, noticing your eyes were closed tightly “are you tired?” It was then he noticed a single tear rolling down your cheek.

“Did I say something wrong?”

You sniffled, sitting up beside him “I’m just going to miss you, like a lot.”

You laughed, feeling foolish for becoming attached so quickly.

“Don’t cry” Jack scooted closer to you, wrapping his arms around you. “You can always come with me?”

His suggestion made you freeze, it wasn’t that you didn’t want to, you were just surprised to hear him say it.

“And stay where?” You sniffled, the reality hitting you immediately “and what would I do for work?”

Jack smiled “I have my own place, it’s a lot bigger than you parents place. And, when I say I have a place I mean Urban and I have a place and you can stay there with us.”

You nodded “but what would I do for work Jack, I don’t want you to feel like you have to take care of me, thats not fair to you.” Jack paused, truthfully he hadn’t thought that far ahead, he would’ve taken care of you if he could but financially that wasn’t an option even if your stubborn self would let him actually do it.

His silence made you second guess yourself, assuming he regretted even saying it. You stood up and wiped your eyes “it’s fine Jack, maybe we should call it a night and I’ll just see you next time you’re in-“ he kissed you to stop you from finishing that thought.

“Give me a month, just one month and I’ll figure it out” he made sure to keep eye contact with you. You nodded, falling asleep on him for the last time until you moved to Atlanta.

You remember thinking to yourself how insane this was, it was never in your character to be so impulsive but something about Jack was different, and you felt safe doing anything with him. You had no idea how hard it was going to be for you to live with two messy guys, but although you would get annoyed you loved them both.

You ended up working closely with Neelam, essentially being an assistant manager and helping with other clients so her main focus could be Jack. You didn’t mind the distraction, it gave you and Jack enough space but kept you close at the same time.

There was no denying that Jack was continuously getting the recognition he deserved, and you were there every step of the way, even if it was in the shadows. You didn’t mind it, you understood quickly that was the best thing for Jack to do. You didn’t mind having to share him either, you knew who he came home to and he never gave you a reason to feel insecure about that.

It wasn’t until TWTAS was being recorded, that you felt the shift in your relationship. Jack was more forgetful, less present. He had forgotten your birthday, and all the traditions you usually did when it came around. To say you were sad would be an understatement, you had moved away from your family and friends to start a life with him, making him and everyone around you a “second” family of sorts. So that hurt, but he always made up for it in someway so you tried not to complain too much.

You chopped it up to Jack being busier, he was needed more, he was important now. He was constantly being pulled in several different directions, so you just assumed he was tired, and having a debut album deadline didn’t help.

You had been in denial for a while now, assuming that one day things would just be okay again. You thought maybe after the album dropped things would be okay, and when they weren’t you knew it was serious. You had several conversations with Jack about the future of your relationship, you wanted to get married, and maybe have some kids but most of the conversations ended the same way.

“So much is unknown right now, let’s just go with the flow” was said to you so many times now that you felt like that phrase was practically tattooed across your forehead.

Jack had eventually become cold, and distracted. It wasn’t intentional and you knew that but you couldn’t continue to put your own feelings on the back burner while he lived out his dreams, it had been eating you alive.

Jack was walking around the house you shared together in a panic, and you couldn’t figure out why.

“What’s going on?” You asked, leaning against the doorframe.

“I have that award show tonight, and I can’t find my shoes” he sighed. “Do you know where they are?” You shrugged, earning a sigh from your now very annoyed boyfriend.

“Why are you so touchy? I thought the awards were on the 21st anyway?” You said feeling defeated. Jack looked over at you confused “is today not the 21st?”

You shook your head “nope, it’s the 19th.”

He sighed as he sat down on the couch “I haven’t had a second to breathe lately, I’m sorry.”

His apologies came more frequently these days, and you normally accepted them and tried to move on but today you couldn’t do that.

“Can we talk?” You sighed, sitting beside him on the couch.

He groaned “That sounds like what people say when they want to break up.” You stayed silent, not knowing how to react.

He noticed the change in your demeanor when he said that, and he sat up straight “wait, do you want to break up?”

“I don’t want to break up but-“ before you could continue he talked over you.

“I need you though, you’re going to do this to me now, at my most delicate moment? You’re not thinking about how I feel, you’re only thinking about yourself.”

You had never been so angry, was he essentially calling you selfish? You couldn’t wrap your head around why he’d even escalate to that so quickly.

“Can you let me talk?” You sighed, holding back tears.

Jack was silent, trying his best not to cry. His hands were shaky, so he put them inside his hoodie to hide them from you from noticing.

“Why would you want to break up? What am I not giving you? Tell me how I could possibly do better?”

You sensed a tone of anger coming from him, which wasn’t expected. He usually handled things calm, you were usually the firecracker and to see the roles reversed was disheartening.

“I just feel like things between us have been different, for a long time now.” Your voice was trembling. “I don’t want to be the one to hold you back Jack. You know I’d never do that to you.” You sniffled, as you watched the man you loved and adored heart break in front of you.

“You don’t hold me back Y/N, why would you say that?” His lips were trembling, and his voice shook.

“I can see the change in you” you sighed “and in us, can’t you?”

“Just tell me you don’t love me anymore” his voice was more stern, less shaky now and you could tell he was getting angry by the flush in his face.

“Jack, it’s not that I don’t love you anymore, I do it’s just that-“

“I don’t love you anymore” That once sweet southern drawl metaphorically stabbing you like a knife.

You hadn’t mentally prepared to hear those words, you felt like time stood still in that very moment. The entire room was silent, you felt every emotion at once. Your vision was blurry, your chest tightened, you couldn’t breathe and your heart was physically breaking.

The door slammed shut, leaving you alone yet again. This great big house feeling even bigger and lonelier than ever before.

#Jack Harlow #jack harlow concepts #jack harlow blurb #Jack Harlow fan fiction #Jack Harlow x reader #Jack Harlow Angst

[ilikefandoms]

Justice - Gang!Dominic Harrison pt.1

Pt.2

Summary - After Dom dies in a drug drop off gone wrong: it’s your turn to track down his killer.

Pronouns used - She/Her

A/N - I sorta based it off of how I imagine the song Teresa. This will be a multiple part story x

Warnings - Gangs, mentions of drugs, death, 

Word Count - 1,251

“Do you have to go?”

“You know I do baby, it’s my job,” Dom looked at you, a sympathetic smile adorned on his face, as he slipped on his leather jacket.

It wasn’t like Dom hadn’t been given this job to do a hundred times before - hell, he’d done much more dangerous things in his time in the gang, but every time you still got worried. 

“I know, but... I just don’t want you to get hurt,” you shrugged, standing up.

Dom turned and embraced you in his arms, resting his chin on the top of your head, “I won’t, okay? It’s nothing I haven’t done before, it’s just a simple drug drop off,” he pressed a kiss to the top of your head, before looking into your eyes, “I’ll be ok,”

“You promise?” 

“Promise,” He kissed you, “And if we do get into any trouble, that's what I’ve got this for,” He gestured to the gun tucked into the back of his jeans.

You both stood, swaying on the spot in each other’s arms, Dom kissing you every now and then. It was like you were trying to memorise what it felt like to be with each other. Memorising Dom’s scent: the way his arms wrapped around you.

The doorbell snapped you both out of your trance. “Well, I guess that’s my ride,” Dom said, pulling away, “I’ll be ok, love” he smiled noticing your worried expression, before kissing you.

“I know,” you smiled, stepping back.

“I love you,” 

“I love you too,” you replied, watching Dom as he gave you one last small smile, and then walking out the door.

You collapsed on the sofa, curling up into a ball, and taking a deep breath. He’s going to be okay, you thought, switching on the TV to distract yourself, and then eventually falling asleep.

********** You awoke to the sound of knocking on your front door. Dom must’ve left his keys again. “Coming!” you yelled, stretching and standing up.

You opened the front door, “Adam?” you looked around, “Where’s Dom?” you asked. Adam looked at you, a sorry look on his face: it told you everything you needed to know. You shook your head, “No,”

“I’m sorry,”

Tears fell freely from your eyes, “No, no, no. He said he was going to be okay!”

“I’m so sorry Y/N, we got ambushed, the was loads of fighting, we tried to get him out of there, but...” Adam trailed off, tears also welling up in his eyes, “He um - He asked me to give you this, before he...” Adam pulled out an envelope from his back pocket, handing it to you.

You took it from him, looking down, and seeing what was written on the front: Open in case I don’t come back

You looked back at Adam, tears still streaming, embracing him in a hug. 

“Do you want me to stay?” he asked.

“No. I - I just think I should be alone right now,”

“Okay. Just make sure to call me if you need anything whatsoever,” he said solemnly, giving you a small smile.

“I will,” you nodded, wiping tears from your face, and giving him one last smile. As soon as you closed the front door, you broke down. Dom wasn’t coming back. He was the love of your life, and now he was just...gone. 

It was like your entire world was crashing down right in front of your eyes, and all you could do was watch it burn. Before tonight, the mere thought of losing Dom hurt, but now, you were in absolute agony. 

Somehow, you managed to make your way to the sofa, the envelope staring at your from the coffee table, begging you to read it, but you couldn’t. It would be like you were admitting to yourself that he was really gone - that thought scared you: you didn’t want to live your life without him.

Dom needed justice, he needed to be avenged. Maybe then you would finally admit it to yourself, and be able to move on.

You cried until you could not cry anymore tears, and eventually exhaustion took over your body.

You and Dom were walking down the street, hand in hand. You threw your head back, laughing at one of Dom’s lame jokes. You hadn’t been having the best day, so of course, your boyfriend took you out to ease your thoughts.

“Baby?” he said, with a cheeky smile, “Where do animals go when their tail falls off?”

“I don’t know,” you replied.

“To the Retail Store,” he laughed.

You laughed along with him at terrible his joke, “That was so bad it was funny,” 

“That’s the beauty of these jokes,” he told you, “They’re just so stupid that they have to make you laugh,” 

“Well, they certainly did that,” you smiled, closing your eyes as you kissed him on the cheek.

When your eyes opened, Dom was no-where to be seen, and the once sunny sky was now a pitch black. You began to panic, “Dom!” you shouted “Dom, where are you?” 

“Y/N!” you turned to see Dom clutching his stomach, blood staining his t-shirt. He fell to his knees in pain.

“Dom!” you yelled, running over to him, adding pressure to his wound with your hands. Dom’s body leant against yours, breathing heavily, “Baby, it’s okay, you’re going to be fine,” you reassured him, before shouting, “Help! Somebody!”

“I - I love you,” Dom choked out, looking into your eyes. Then, his eyes lost any sign of life in them.

“NO!” you gently shook his limp body, “No, Dom come on, don’t leave me... please, I need you,” You cried, cradling his face. “Who did this to you..?”

Your eyes snapped open, you were covered in cold sweat, you began to hyperventilate. It was just a dream. It wasn’t real... except it was. Dom wasn’t here.

You began to remember the thoughts that you had earlier. You were right. Dom needed some form of avenging, and you needed to be the person to do it. You couldn’t just sit in your otherwise empty house and cry your pain away - you had to bring Dom’s killer to justice. An eye for an eye.

You picked up your phone, before dialling, “Hey Adam,”

“Hey, how are you doing,”

“Pretty shit to be honest,” you told him.

“I can understand that,” he replied.

“Y’know when you said I could call you if I needed anything?”

“Yeah...”

“I need you to come over,”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” he hung up.

**********

You let Adam in, sitting down next to him, and started talking, “I need you to help me with something,”

“What?”

“It might be dangerous,” you said.

“What is it Y/N?”

“I want to find Dom’s killer,” you said, full seriousness in your voice.

“And do what?” Adam asked, slightly worried for your answer.

“I want to bring him to justice, y’know... an eye for an eye,”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. I need this, not just for me, but for Dom as well,” you stated.

Adam thought for a moment before answering, “Dom wouldn’t have wanted you in this business,”

“I’m not going into the gang to do this. This is my own call, but I will need some help,” 

“From me?” you nodded, and Adam sighed, “There’s no changing your mind on this is there?”

You shook your head, “No,”

He sighed again, and looked at you, “What do you need me to do?”

**********

#dominic harrison imagine #dominic harrison x reader #dominic harrison #dominic harrison angst #yungblud imagine #yungblud x reader #yungblud #yungblud fanfic

[seostudios]

零 don’t cha

synopsis: who would’ve thought that dating you; the perfect it girl. would be this much trouble? definitely not nakamoto yuta as he decided to become someone more significant to you. was this your average fairy tale or was this a tragedy?

genre: fluff, angst pairings: yuta x fem!reader info: ceo!au, non-idol!au, ceo!yuta, ceo!model!music-producer!nct, rich!au, mentions of proclaimed death, cheating, brother!johnny, assistant!haechan!jungwoo wc: 6.8k

a/n: lol this is NOTHING LIKE WHAT U REQUESTED I’M SO SORRY..... i mean in the beginning it is but it just took a turn and i was writing whatever came to mind... like 2/3 of the story isn’t even a yuta x reader fic it’s jsut about everything else! i hate myself for doing u dirty but i hope u read this! it’s actually good (imo) since i worked awhile on it and it’s one of my longer fics. 

She was fierce, elegant, beautiful. An unmatched package for any walking figure. Her person, running a multi-millionaire business by herself. Doing it for who? Her and Suki; the fiery red betta fish, placed on her nightstand. Yuta was just like you. Although Yuta is fierce, charming and quick on his feet, he still manages to be just the opposite around you. Yuta is on the right path, growing his empire little by little. You started as an insufficient secretary for an Electric Power Corporation but, those late nights and overtime paid off as you are now the CEO of your own retail company. Yuta waltzed into your business while he was an errand boy for Moon Taeil, a good friend and business partner of yours. Taeil had been worried about his future and decided he would've let Yuta go under your wing for a couple of weeks.

That brings you here, September 2019. The vibrant hues of autumn settling into the busy streets of Seoul. "Good morning Ms. Seo." The receptionist, Chaewon, greeted with a bubbly smile like any other day. "Yuta is waiting for you in your office," She informed, watching your small strides turn into a jog towards the elevator. When you reached the top floor where your office and meeting rooms were located, "Did you receive John's fax? He told me your father wanted an opinion!" Haechan, your assistant, asked swiftly, sticking to your hip as you stepped out of the conveyor, pushing his glasses up. "Oh, can you tell him to print whatever he sent and meet me for lunch? I heard he's back in the city." He nodded before running back towards his cubicle to make the requested phone call. That's when you were finally able to enter the office. "So... The rumours are true, you did decide to visit." You grin like a Cheshire cat plastered onto your face, you made long strides beside Yuta, who was staring into the traffic abyss below you two. He hummed before turning over to you; "How is my favourite person doing today?" He asked cheerfully before inviting himself to sit on your chair. Dragging yourself yet again, towards Yuta. You stood in front of him before seating yourself on top of the desk. He watched as your posture slumped and brows knit with a childish frown displayed. "Not well," He decided to sit up in his seat, hands combing through his dirty blond locks. "John's back in town, I'm pretty sure he brought Gyunghui." You roll your eyes unknowingly at the mention of your elder brother's proclaimed girlfriend. "I mean, who gets married after dating for 6 months?!" You groan, disappointed in your brother's decisions. Yuta's eyes crinkled at the corners before he threw his head back in laughter. Was this the reason you were so upset? "Y/N they've been friends for 10 years, I think it's safe to say they'll be okay." He responded with a smile. Straightening up, you huff and look the other way, crossing your legs. "Ugh, Whatever..." You look back down at him, "How is Jin Nyun?" Yuta's face fell, 'Can't we go one conversation without mentioning her?' He pondered momentarily before looking up at you with a soft smile, "She's amazing. She went out of town for work," He sighed, "Again." Your brows furrowed for an instant. He seemed upset. Why wouldn't he be? You'd be furious if your lover set off on multiple business trips every week. That's when it hit you, "What is she again? Job?" You question. "She's a photographer." Now that's bullshit. You knew for a fact, she wasn't big enough in the industry to leave on trips on multiple occasions for a photoshoot. "Why?" He asked, and you couldn’t explain the sense of innocence you felt from him, so oblivious to the situation he's in. "N-Nothing just wondered." You stutter out. He observed you quietly but decided to leave it like that. Raising your wrist, you glance towards your watch, "It's nearing noon." You whisper, Yuta looks up, "Plans?" he questioned with a brow raised. You nod "Lunch with Johnny," Smiling you reminisce back to when you and Johnny ruled overtop Seoul, with two successful companies in powerful industries. "I'll walk you out then," Yuta chimed, jumping from his seat, bringing his hand out for you to hold. "Oh! What a gentleman." You giggle, watching his cheeks tint in a shade of red.

⋆

"You sure there isn't going on between you and Yuta?" Your brother asked playfully, watching as Yuta walked you towards the small cafe at the end of the street. "He has a girlfriend, John," Can't a man and woman simply be friends? What's with him? "So?" He shrugs laughing before whining from the sharp pain in his calf where you managed to land a hand kick at. "What? From what I've heard from Taeil and Mark," Mark is Yuta's closest friend. "She's not all she says to be," He brushed it off his shoulder, "Maybe she's just a workaholic?" You suggest, "We both know an amateur photographer like her isn't that busy." The two of you erupt in a fit of knowing laughter. "You're too dangerous, Johnny," You kiss your teeth before being served the lunch you had Johnny order earlier. "But on a serious note, you should find a boyfriend." He makes a disgusted face, looking you up and down. "Before you age, aren't you almost 24?" He questioned, "Yea, but-" "Mom was pregnant with you at 24." He finishes, before receiving a well-deserved step on his big-toe. "What?! I just want what's best for you!" He barked, "You think that's Yuta! He's my friend and not to mention a business partner!" He lifted his hands, trying not to engage in an argument that might have you ignoring him (again) for months. "Alright, I know!" He sucks in his breath, "Lunch is almost over, kiddo. Try getting in that office and doing something extravagant as always." Johnny grabbed your empty plate and stacked them on top of one another, cleaning up as much possible. "You should have dinner with Gyunghui and me tonight? I'm sure you don't have plans." His eyes lit up at the mention of Gyunghui. It almost warmed your heart. "I wish! I gotta help Yuta clean his apartment tonight," Way to go Y/N! You just made the worst excuse possible. Yuta was probably going to be spending his evening kicking back and relaxing without Jin Nyun. Now that you've told Johnny this, you'd have to go through with it. "Oh?" Johnny's face turns into something more sinister. But you laugh it off knowing he's probably thinking of something perverted. "Okay! Gotta go!" "Not so fast," He grabbed the back of your arm, seating you back down, "You pay today." He smiled before grabbing his briefcase and jacket, exiting happily.

You slump into the cushion before grabbing your purse from the inside of your jacket pocket. After you pay, you pull out your phone, dialling Yuta's number. The call didn't even reach the first ring before he picked up, "Hello?" He was first to speak too. Weird. "Hi, It's Y/N-" "I know, we've had each other's numbers for three years now." You chuckle, "Okay... We have plans tonight, my friend." You can hear the evident groan on the other end. "When and where?" He asked. "After I get off around four and your place!" You cheer before silencing, waiting for a response. "Okay, good." He paused for a moment before continuing, "I need to clean this place up anyways, you can help out." He stated. "Perfect." You replied.

⋆

Who would've guessed that your evening is being spent by scrubbing a sink with floral gloves? "You know," You started. "We could've gone out for dinner and hired someone for this," Yuta, who was behind you wiping the kitchen counter. "Yes, but it's unnecessary." He says. You groan, "Can't we watch something on Netflix? This place was already clean when I came in!" You whine, stomping your feet like a child. "No," He simply replied.

"Okay! Let's see what's on Netflix..." You mumble, before looking over to Yuta beside you on the couch. He seemed tense, uninterested. It was odd to see him like this, "Are you okay?" You tediously asked. He murmured something under his breath before sucking it in. "This is weird," He said, "Why are you trying to hang out with me while my girlfriend is out of town? Are you into me or something? I just find it weird!" He finally let out. So this is what has been bothering Yuta. Did he feel uncomfortable with you? He's acting like a completely different person from who he was earlier today at the office. "I'm sorry? I don't know what to say..." You exhale, "We're friends, and friends hang out. Plus, I needed an excuse to get out of dinner with Johnny and Gyunghui." His face fell, a pang of guilt waving over him. Did he seriously think you were trying to get into his pants (He's not wrong)? God, who did he think he was, making such assumptions. "Oh- Fuck. Sorry Y/N. I don't know what got over me." He throws the blanket to the side before leaving the living room towards the bathroom. It wasn't supposed to hurt. I mean, you've always had these hidden feelings for Yuta, but you still treated him like you would to a friend. "Hey, I think I'm just really stressed with Jin Nyun. She's never home." He bellowed, pumping his fists into the air before letting out a stressed groan. "She's really getting under your skin, huh?" You say, "Deeper than I thought." He made his way back beside you. "Let's- Let's just play this movie." He massaged the back of his neck, now focused on the movie displayed on the flat-screen TV.

⋆

"Y/N!" You pull the phone from your ear for a moment. Johnny was exceptionally loud at ten in the morning. He sounded like he had something urgent to tell you. But, you out of everyone had no time to listen to his girl talk, especially when you're in a meeting room with ELLE magazine staff, discussing your new line of clothing and having your collection featured in this month's issue. "You won't believe-" "Johnny! I have a job to do!!" You screech, hearing his apologies moments after. Ending the phone call, you enter the meeting room, "Sorry, where were we?" Assistant editor, Myeong-Ko set this meeting up with you to discuss your fall collection. "Since you've gained an audience over the past five years, we'd like to include you're best fashion pieces on our models and October issue."

Finally, you thought you'd be stuck in that meeting for ages! It's a little past noon, you are positive that Johnny's at home relaxing on his day off, you decide to call him back on your way to your late lunch with Yuta and Taeil. "Hello?" You are greeted by Johnny's panting voice with Gyunghui's giggles heard; not wanting to know what was going on the other end of the phone, you cut to the chase. "Johnny, what'd you want to tell me earlier?" You hear the 'Ou' loud and clear as he remembers and laughs aloud, "Guess who asked Doyoung out at a club in Ilsan?" You wrinkle your forehead, looking up at the sky, thinking. "No clue," "Jin Nyun!" Johnny said. Now, this was a disaster. You thought Jin Nyun had been smart enough to not cheat on her boyfriend with his old drinking mate. Did the news reach Yuta? "Did he tell him?" You asked hesitantly, "No, he told me to tell you to tell him." And with that, big brother Seo ended the call to return to doing god knows what with his wife. That's when you reached the front door of this eatery. Yuta gave you directions to this new Tteokbokki place, a ten-minute walk from the main street. You walked in, recognizing the blond from a mile away, eyes glued to his phone in the corner booth. "Y/N..." He said, standing up and brushing off the crumbs of what seemed like a cookie off his lap. He looked awful, the ache in your heart wondering who caused him such discomfort flamed the anger bubbling in the pit of your stomach. "Hey, hey. What's wrong?" You watch him slumped back into the seat, not bothering to sit in front of him, you went into the seat beside him. No matter how weird it looked, to be seated in a booth beside each other, it looked like he needed someone right now. He wore a Nike sweater with basketball shorts and sneakers. You bring your hand to his cheek to lift it and get a good look at him. A sharp pain filled your body, seeing his tear-stained cheeks. He wasn't okay. Looking all worn out and out of place wasn't Yuta. He was always looking ethereal to everyone else. Why did he look so helpless? "Let's go to my apartment, I live a few minutes away." You whisper, watching him nod softly.

⋆

It's nearing seven in the early hours of the evening. Yuta hasn't left your living room couch since he just had his heartbroken. It seemed to be that Jin Nyun broke up over text with Yuta telling him he wasn't enough to satisfy her needs. He also mentioned her telling him she met someone a couple of months ago and has been seeing him, but didn't she try sleeping with Doyoung? "Yuta, stop sulking over a girl who doesn't even have her priorities straight." You said, closing the freezer door with another tub of green-tea ice cream. "One year." He mumbled, almost incoherent, "I gave up a year of my life to be cheated on for god knows how long!" He barks. You hand Yuta the ice cream, before standing there, thinking. What could cheer him up? "Oh! I know!" You run into your bedroom, walking out with a bowl. "Suki, say hi to Yuta. He's feeling down... Make him happy, please?" You ask the Betta fish in the bowl before placing her on the coffee table in front of Yuta. "Wha-What?" He expressed his amusement from your odd liking towards this redfish. "Say hi to Suki, Yuta!" You cheer before pointing at Suki. "You're kidding me?" You turn to look up at you, with your hands placed on either side of your hips, 'She wasn't kidding' he turns back and hunched over to look into the bowl "Hi Suki." 

"Are you still thinking about her?" You ask, nudging Yuta. "Surprisingly, no," He said, staring into the black screen. You raise a brow, curious. "I've been thinking about you." He sighs before looking at Suki, who was moved to the table beside the couch so she could 'get a better look at the movie.' "Oh?" This was interesting. Why would he think of you? Were you that significant to him now? "It's just that, you just took the day off... To take care of me." He mumbles. "It's not that big of a deal, I- you was hurt. Of course, I have to be there for you!" You fiddle with the blanket, "You're really important to me." The now tongue-tied boy's head shot up, turning to look at you. His bewildered face softened in moments before he gathered the courage to reply. "You're really important to me too." You rip the blanket off you, throwing it in Yuta's direction. "It's almost midnight. I think we need to eat dinner before bed." You tell him, making your way into the kitchen. "Before bed?" He asked. "You are spending the night, right?" You asked, stopping in your tracks. "Oh, Are you okay with that?" He asked, getting up and trailing behind you. You throw a quick 'Duh?' towards the boy earning a couple chuckles your way. He sat on the island stool, watching you pull together something some-what edible for you two tonight. "I want to apologize for the other night again, I shouldn't have assumed or acted like that," 'He said that out of the blue.' You though before scrunching up your face before cracking an egg, "I hope you like French toast." You say, dodging the unneeded apology.

⋆

Nakamoto Enterprises. Never thought you'd walk into Yuta's building with a pair of jeans and a sweater. Most of your trips here were business-related, and you often showed up in a suit. "H-Hi Ms.S-Seo!" Yuta's assistant, Jungwoo, said, greeting you. "Hey Jungwoo, is Yuta out of his meeting yet? He promised me tacos," You said, rubbing your belly enthusiastically, earning a couple of giggles from the tall-boy. "Ah! I heard him mumble something about tacos earlier while fixing his dress-shirt." He said, remembering. Just then, you see Yuta walkout, Jungwoo covers his mouth, tilting towards you. "I heard he dyed his hair and got all dolled up for you Y/N, don't mess up." He said before waving goodbye and wandering off towards his associates. "New do?" You said, combing your fingers through Yuta's rosewood locks. "Just for you." He smiles before walking out with you. After his breakup with Jin Nyun, oddly, he's been on top of his game. You'd think you would have to take a week off to help the pain go away. You knew how much he loved her. Now? Now it was like the two of you had this new sort of bond.

What you weren't aware of was that Yuta has a new spot for you in his heart. Somewhere he held dear. Yuta never expected to move on that fast, but he knew you were always there, just waiting to break out and roam freely in his mind. You made his insides twist in a way Jin Nyun couldn't, but something in him knew it was too soon. "Something wrong?" You asked the boy zoning out at the red light, "No, I'm good." He replied, hand gripping the wheel. Although his mind was flooded with innocent, pure thoughts of you. Tonight, something in him wanted to tear you apart in his penthouse. Always chasing after something that didn't want to be chased after, or so he thought. "Can we get ice-cream... I finished the one at home." He contemplates what to do for a minute before answering proudly, "Nope!" He said. He looks so confident but, he almost melted when you called his place home. "Why not?!" "I'm cooking dinner." He replied, now focusing on the road. You huff and sit back in the seat, staring out the window. The beating in your heart, drumming loud in your ears. Is it possible he feels the same? Or is this way of coping without Jin Nyun... If you thought this evening couldn't get any better- you were wrong! Mark and Taeil decided to drop by while you hung around Yuta's suite. The four of you were feasting on the take-out the two boys brought over. Guess Yuta doesn't have to cook. "So, Mark, you're a producer?" You asked before taking a bite, "Yea, Johnny helps out sometimes." Oh? Johnny helping make music? I guess you could see that in a way, he does have a few specialties in the Arts. "Y/N! Congrats on ELLE, by the way!" Taeil interrupted loud and cheerfully. Your eyes crinkle at the sides while you show him a toothy grin. "I'm proud," Yuta said, bringing his hand up to ruffle your hair. 

⋆

The winter chill settles in, as the streets were now covered in a thick blanket of white, footsteps and paw prints being crisscross along the sidewalks. You sported a simple city chic black coat pairing it with a white turtleneck long-sleeve sweater dress. You admit, though the layered clothing appeared to keep you all warm to the naked eye, your exposed legs seemed to be coated in goosebumps as you speeded towards the tall building. "No pants?" Haechan asked, handing you a coffee. "My mom's coming in today," You confess, Haechan's facial expression remained still as if he was already aware of your guest. "She's in your office, let me take your coat." You thank the younger boy before skipping into the elevator beside the main lobby. Before you reached the top floor, the lift stopped on the tenth floor. "Taeyong?" You ask, the man wearing a black mask with his suit. "Y/N? Oh my god, hey." Taeyong was a good friend of yours. He even works under you. Though you'd think having a comrade by your side while you are at your job, it had driven you two apart, both of you only meeting during promotional seasons. He was hired as one of your models and editors. Being successful, he often modelled for Taeil and Kun, another business associate of yours. Though losing a friend hurt horribly, you were still happy for Taeyong and his newfound profession. "Oh my god, I forget you're my boss sometimes," He said, removing his mask. "Haven't seen you in weeks." You chuckle softly before speaking, "We need to catch up, I heard you were the model for our ELLE issue, and you are going to star in an advertisement for Kun?" He nodded. "Kun wanted me and someone, named, Ten to star in the advertisement for his new diamond sets." Your mouth goes slightly agape at the mention of the name, immediately squealing to yourself. "Ten?! Ten Lee?!!! I've been begging his agency to have him model for us! How come Kun gets him that quick?!" Taeyong threw his head back slightly before erupting into a fit of laughter. You seriously were jealous, and it entertained the boy. The elevator stops on the 20th floor. "My stop. Good luck getting Ten. I'll tell him your hot. Maybe then he'll consider..." Taeyong joked before waving goodbye. The rest of the ride up was quiet. You made sure to fix the end of your dress before meeting with your mother. Exiting the chute, you made your way to make your mother a quick cup of coffee from the instant coffee machine. It was no macchiato but it'll make do. 

"Why are you late?" Your mother questioned once you walked into the room. "I was just getting you coffee," You voiced before walking and taking a seat in front of your desk. Taking files and shoving it out of the way. Handing her the coffee, you finally take a sip on your drink, which was now as cold as the snowfall this season. "So, Mom. What brings you here?" You asked. "Can't I visit my daughter?" She replies, offended. "No, you can't." You scoff, "What do you want?" You interrogate, and that's when you see her shoulders drop as she grips the coffee cup. You knew it. "Listen, sweetheart..." You hum, she continues. "It's ... It's just that you're almost 25! An unmarried chairwoman is humiliating. I don't want Johnny or your father to be ashamed of you, so get your shit together is I give your hand in marriage to another man." Your mother scoffs, the innocent facade fading. Though she had no right to talk to you like that, it felt like a slap in the face. You thought that was the end of it, but no. She had more to get off her chest. "You're friends with Mr.Nakamoto, Mr. Kim, Moon, and that model kid Taeyong. All single. Yet you're still single. Get your shit together, Y/N. I can't always run after you-" "Leave." You were now standing up from the little office chair, pointing towards the door. This was wrong. You shouldn't be disrespectful to someone attempting to fix your own mistakes right? "Farewell then, Goodluck." Unfazed, she exits while you stood in the empty room, the silent room. The only detectable noises were the sound of hurried footsteps, the squeak of doors and the printers from co-workers. 

⋆ 

Saturday nights were known for the shenanigans Yuta, and you pulled. Though tonight, the two of you decided on dressing like sophisticated businesswomen and men, like you weren't already! Come on, you two are multimillionaires. Now, heading to Ryunique, a Fusion restaurant along Gangnam-gu. Today, you squeezed into the most elegant dress in your wardrobe. A black short tulle-skirt lace dress, the double-layered stand-up collar. Especially with your partner in crime who decided on wearing a black satin button-up dress shirt with black pants and his long hair slicked back. You two were the main attraction of the night for sure. "What if we pretended to have American accents?" You joked, exiting the car. "We don't even know English Y/N." The two of you broke into small fits of laughter. "All right, enough jokes. Let's head in." Patting the ends of your dress, you fix the watch on your wrist and tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. "Good evening," The tall man at the front desk immediately greeted, standing up and walking towards you two. "Hello, we've got reservations." He clicks his tongue before grabbing the laptop on the desk and placing it on the counter. "Name?" "Mr. and Mrs.Nakamoto." Okay, maybe you two took it too far, to look like a dirty rich couple coming to shower money on these restaurant folks, but it was all in good fun! 

Did wealthy people seriously come here to spend hundreds on Pork Belly, Jowl and Shrimps? Damn right! It was delicious, "Yuta. Give me a bite, please...!!" You beg him. He ordered Beef and Salmon. In other words, tonight's special. "Finish what's on your plate first, Mrs.Nakamoto." He tells you, smiling, before cutting a piece of his Beef and placing it onto your plate. Since when were you so spoilt. By Yuta out of everyone. "I can't believe you made it seem like we were married," You said snickering. "I wasn't going to do that at first, but something about 'Mr. and Mrs. Nakamoto' sounded nice." He plays with the leftover salad on the plate, "It has a nice tone to it, right?" If you weren't in a five-star restaurant, you would've choked, but in attempts to keep your cool at Yuta's shameless behaviour in public, you look up and give a smile. "Mhm! Perfect, we should use it more often!" There you were, fighting fire with fire. "Y/N- You can't just-!?" He stops in the middle of his sentence to fill his mouth with the salad. "Check!" He calls out, as you sit there playing with an olive. You sure do have him wrapped around your finger. Sadly, even Saturdays come to an end. "Shouldn't the guy be walking the girl home?" Yuta asked. "Right? I was thinking that. I guess I'm the man here." Playfully Yuta nudged you. Before pulling you close, his arm envelopes around you. "I'm a man." He assures more to himself than you, "Sure..." Dragging your feet towards Yuta's doorstep, you let out a yawn. "Oh god, I gotta play the man role now." He mumbles before unlocking his front door. "You're sleeping over. Can't have my damsel walk out alone in the dark." He whispers to your half-asleep figure leaning on the doorframe, dozing away. 

⋆

Your nose scrunches as your eyes take in every ray of light, and without a doubt, you know you've slept in today. What day was it? Was it still morning or past noon? Where is your phone? Wait, where were you? It took a little adjusting for your tired eyes to realize you were in Yuta's bedroom. Oh, you must have slept over. Looking to your right, you see shirtless Yuta, sprawled across the bed. Hold on. Catching a double-take on what you are looking at... shirtless Yuta... God is on your side today. He turns his head over, an evident smirk displayed. “Like what you see?” He asked, “As if!” You reply, taking the pillow from underneath your head and throwing it at him. “I’m gonna shower, make breakfast will ya?” You request, before marching into his bathroom. ‘What's that smell’ you wonder, skipping into the open kitchen. You’ve always admired the interior of Yuta’s place. Modern yet cozy. “I hope you’re craving egg fried rice.” Yuta said which you happily replied with a hungry growl. “Hungry as a hippo today!” You make your way behind him. You have this urge to back hug him, to wrap your slender arms around his waist, indulging in his scent. “Wh-What are you doing?” Yuta asked. He felt a shock when you wrapped around him, nuzzling yourself into his neck. “I don’t know..” You confess, before it hit you. “Oh my god..! I didn’t even know if you were okay with that! I am such a perv, why’d you go hug him Y/N! Stupid, Stupid, Stupid...” You didn’t realize it there but Yuta turned off the stove when he turned around to grab your wrist from leaving, pulling you back into his embrace. This time he wraps his arms around you, pushing your head into his warm chest. His hand made it’s way to pet your head for a moment before he broke the embrace, the two of you got a glimpse at one another, safe to say he feels the same right? Yuta turns to reach up at the cabinet to serve the two of you. Walking over to his dining table he places the plates while you get some water. “Eat up Mrs.Nakamoto” He chirps, before sitting. 

“Yuta I’m gonna wear your sweater!” You shout from his closet, “Mkay!” He replies. Yuta and you decided on skipping work, and spending your Sunday relaxing in his suite. Grabbing his basketball shorts and sweater you tie an extra tight knot on the waist so you didn’t have to hold it whenever you needed to move settings. “Wow, so cute.” He flirts watching you being swallowed by his clothing. “C’mere,” He pats a spot beside him, which you gladly accepted sitting cuddled up beside him. The two of you have still not confronted one another with the fact your feelings were now out in the open. He knew how deeply in-love you were with him, it was getting so hard to hide.. It kind of just, spilt. Yuta only confirmed his by hugging you back. It was more so a silent confession between the two of you. The promise to be with one another till the end of time being hidden somewhere in that heartwarming moment in the kitchen. “So, are we like?” You start, looking up at him to see him nodding with an eye crinkling smile. “Good.” You state, punching the air in victory. He places a kiss on the top of your head. A thank you. 

⋆

A year ago, today. You and Nakamoto Yuta came clean about your growing feelings for one another. Now you were happily in love. Work was the same as always. Only a few changes this year had occurred. Johnny, finally becoming a father. Taeyong had been promoted and was now working more flexibly, letting the two of you hang out. Lastly, but not least, you and Yuta. Not a peep from your mother since that day at the office and no word from Jin Nyun either. You've noticed her attempting to rekindle a spark on multiple occurrences, but as foretold, Yuta steered clear. Now you were living happily, right? Wrong.

It’s not everyday that your best friend comes back from the dead. On April 23rd, 2011, 15-year-old, Jaehyun, had been announced dead in a fatal car accident. The car drove off the Banpo Bridge in the middle of the night, which led the authorities to believe he was drunk driving. There was hope he was still out there, but as the years progressed, you lost hope. Jaehyun’s dream was to become a designer. Though you’ve always wanted to become an interior designer, in a way to pay your respects, you’ve followed his desired path. But, to say the least, you learnt to love this path. It’s where you met Yuta and the people you can call your closest. Now, almost ten years later. You receive a call. "Hello?" On the other end of the line, you could hear soft breaths. Feeling a little uneasy, you call Yuta. Who was idling on the couch, silently over to listen to whatever was going on? "Hello? Who is this?" You ask once more. The breathing halts and, you hear a flimsy cough, "Is this Y/N?" You look over to Yuta, who seemed concerned. "Y-Yes." You answer. The man laughs wholeheartedly for a minute too long before a pause. "Who is this?" You asked, "Jung Jae-" "Don't even finish. Is this some sort of cruel joke?! Who are you!?" You were furious. Yuta backs away to watch from a distance, but ready to comfort you if anything. "Who said I was joking? 66-2 Gongpyeong-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu. Thursday night." He finished with a smooching noise at the end of the line. He ends the call, and you adjust your seat on the island stool. "Jaehyun's dead, right?" You mumble to yourself, still audible to an oblivious Yuta. "Baby? Tell me what's on your mind. You know I'm here," He doesn't know Jaehyun. In fact, he has no clue about how you were in the past. The heartbreaks you've had. "Jaehyun." Yuta furrows his brows. Who is Jaehyun? A past lover, perhaps? Hopping off the stool, you make your way towards the master bedroom. Pulling out a duffle bag from underneath the bed. Although this phone call seemed like some sort of sick set-up, you couldn't help it. A small portion of you knew there could be a chance Jaehyun was still alive. 'Johnny and Jaehyun were friends too,' You thought. He must've been informed about his whereabouts if he was alive. Ding. Perfect timing, such an emotional time, being interrupted. Yuta calls you from the door.

"It's Johnny!" 

The timing couldn’t be any better. Just in, that your elder brother had gotten a text, similar to the call you received. He ran into the bedroom, seeing you packing. Turning around, you noticed his suitcase in hand. “Did he?” Johnny questioned. How could he believe a mere text from an unknown number? You scoff, “Yea, I got a call, I don’t buy it though. He’s dead.” You fumed. “Then why are you packing?” He interrogated. He’s right, why were you? “I-I-I don’t know! Just- Just get in the car.” You throw the keys of your minivan off the bed towards Johnny, who catches it, happily. “Apparently I don’t exist. What the hell is going on!?” Yuta roared. Stopping your actions, you walk over to the boy standing behind Johnny. “Jung Jaehyun died in a fatal car accident in 2011. Someone is claiming that he’s alive.” You answered, watching his expression change from dumbfounded to intrigued. “Why does his death concern you guys?” He asked. “He is-was, my best friend.” Yuta brings his hand down towards your hand, grabbing to caress it with his finger. He could only imagine how dreadful this might be, “When he died... Did they find his body?” He asked. Cautiously. You suck in your breath in realization. No, they didn’t. Looking up to Johnny with a glint of hope glistening in your eyes. Was he really alive? “Go, I’ll take care of work.” He says after wrapping his arms around you. “Thank you." You whisper before grabbing Johnny and walking out. Yuta sighs, "She forgot her bag." He said to himself.

"We have to catch the next train Daegu." You say to Johnny, driving. "I booked our tickets as soon as I got the text. We board in two hours." Prepared as always. Johnny drives over the highway, lights on full beam. You watched how the bright lights played in the pouring rain. This was going to be the only time. You'd be close to relaxing before the next chain of events. But all your mind wandered to was Yuta. How Yuta was doing was your main concern as of now. You're nowhere near understanding how he must feel right now. "He's fine," Johnny interjected, knowing that face you made. "I hope so. We went from watching Netflix to this." You whisper. "It's Yuta, Y/N. He understands." He assured.

Now, here you were in a small but nicely decorated cafe on the outskirts of Daegu. It was Thursday morning, you weren't meeting potential Jaehyun until later this evening. But to take extra measures, you came by earlier to rent the cafe for the evening. Paying was generous. Johnny mentioned he'd be visiting his friend, and for you to fill him in on what went on tonight. He wasn't being selfish, leaving the work to you. It was more selfless than selfish. Johnny knows how much of a role Jaehyun paid to your life before and after.  So leaving your first meeting after ten years to just the two of you was all you could've asked for. "Excuse me! Ms.Seo?" The cafe owner calls for you. "Since your guest won't arrive until later tonight, why don't I make you some brunch?" She offers, "Please? Haven't eaten since last night," You two share a small laugh before she heads off into the kitchen.'You're early.' A shiver ran down your spine as you read the notification.  Jheez, couldn't Jaehyun just enter like a human and not some creepy pedophile. Came all the way from Seoul to see you, can't you be normal? 'Come in?' You hit send. Good thing you were meeting on a full stomach, or else you’d be a little over emotional. What’d he look like? Did he still had the shy boy persona? Or has he grown out of it? The questions that flooded your mind were interrupted by the chime of a bell, indicating someone has entered. “Y/N I missed you” 

Meanwhile, at Nakamoto Enterprises. "Jaehyun. Jaehyun. Jaehyun. Jaehyun." The name lingered Yuta's mind. Did he know him from somewhere? "Jungwoo!" He shouts for his assistant, who dashes in. "Yes?!" Yuta looks out the bay windows, contemplating his own move. "Jung Jaehyun. Who is he?" He asked, still gazing at the rainy window. "He is one of the three founders of JYX Co. He requested a meeting with you last month, something about investing." Jungwoo said, reading off the tablet in hand. Impossible. If he died, then why? He must've been trying to score a meeting with Yuta after hearing about his relationship with you. But that’s not where he knows Jaehyun from, is it? 

Sitting in an empty coffee shop with your proclaimed dead best friend was horrifying but still patched up a hole in that broken heart of yours. “Can’t believe it's you...” You said happily, towards Jaehyun. He grew. Going from the lanky fifteen-year-old to a well built and sophisticated man. After rekindling the friendship, he mentioned what happened that night. "Everything you heard is correct, I drove off the Banpo bridge." He started. "But I was pulled out by this older man by the shore. He took me in and brought me to his place in Daegu." He stops to look up at you. "So, you just decided to start new?" You ask. He nods. "I'm sorry I couldn't bring myself to come home. I'm sorry for what I put you through." He apologized. Though a regular person would've been fuming at the fact he just up and left. You were just relieved. "It's okay, Jae. You're here now." You smile, continuing. "I became a designer for you, and frankly, I'm loving it." He laughs, grasping your hand resting on the table. "I know, I've been keeping tabs on you." He confesses. "So, Nakamoto Yuta." He says, watching your cheeks redden. "What about him?" You huff, in a childish manner. "One year? When is he gonna put a damn ring on it?!" He joked, watching you cover your face. "I don't know..." You mumble, "Anyways, Johnny's at Minhyuk's place. Wanna go?" 

⋆

"I knew you sounded familiar," Yuta spoke, seeing Jaehyun walk-in with you this afternoon. "Huh?" What was he going on about? "That's the first thing you say when you see me? No 'I miss you'?" Jaehyun mused but laughed aloud when Yuta hands him a strawberry shake. "No, but is that enough?" He threw a wink, "Still remembering my favourite drink too, huh?" Jaehyun said. You stood behind, dumbfounded. "Hold on... You two know each other?" You question amazed. "Oh yea, Yuta was my roommate in uni." Yuta made his was beside you, making sure to give you a tight hug before a kiss, which made Jaehyun and Johnny gag. You sit on the large living room couch, Yuta's arm wrapped around you. Jaehyun on your other side, sharing a bag of chips with you. A film you were definitely not paying attention to playing on the screen, too distracted in your thoughts. Jaehyun was home. You were home in Yuta's arms. The two most important men back in your life. If you heard this was how you'd end up, you wouldn't believe it. The chances of getting together with Nakamoto Yuta. A name with millions of dollars tied to it, and finding your best friend again, Jaehyun, whom you thought was gone forever. Whatever you did in your past life, seriously paid off. 

This is my happily ever after.

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[azaraspirit]

at what point in your retail job where you say i have had enough and it is ok to quit? when its effecting your mental health?

cuz im really on the fence about this. my current job(fuck you lowes) had me stress crying today while at the register(just one of those days where its one thing after another) bc my managers just really dont fucking care about us cashiers suffering being cold. idk if you know about lowes but we have whats called the lumber area where we sell wood and shit and we have these big bay doors so people can carry out large pieces of wood and shit. anyways ofc it being missouri it was really cold and windy. even worse with the bay door open bc it creates a wind tunnel effect. anyways lowes cooperate was visiting today and no matter what my managers wanted that door open bc it will make the store look bad??? idk. anyways i was freezing my ass off at the register despite my layers and scarf. i even tried to wear my hood to keep my ears warm but i was scolded twice by management to not have my hood up at the register. i was like ok fine i just wont feel my ears then. so i move on. as the day goes its still windy and cold af and i shit you not just about every customer i had commented about the cold wind saying i should have the door closed. i told them id like that too but management wants it open. after about over a dozen customers or so complaining about that i finally said fuck it and closed the door. it felt so much better i was no longer freezing my ass off. but ofc not ten minutes later here comes corprate leaving for the day and once they were gone my manager scolded me for closing the door and even tho i told him about freezing and customers complaining he still wanted it open. like....i jist dont get why they are like this???? i am fed up with our companh preaching sbout lowes safe when they dont even care about we cashiers freezing? and then finally another coworker relieves me from the register and i thought ok sweet its lunch time so i clock out for my hour break. about 15 mins later one of our head cashiers have the nerve to come into the break room and fucking chew me out for taking my lunch. note they never told me what to do i assumed it was lunch tome since it was four hours after i clocked in which is when youre due for lunch. my head cashier was being a total bitch. and note that she was already like this earlier today on the phone when i called a second time to ask them to bring me more money for my drawer. im generally a nice person but after what happened that day i about went off on her. but later that day after miss bitchy leaves i explained to the other hc who i like a lot better what happened telling her abt how i didnt appreciate miss bitchy chewing me out in front of everyone in the break room. and she even agreed that yes miss bitchy was out of line. my friends agreed too who were in the break room and saw her chew my out. i was just fucking done. like thats not professional at all.

so im like do i just quit? note that its been over 2 yrs here now for me with not much change since i started and i see no future here for me. i just dont really know where else to apply for? just uugghhhhhhh.

#azaraspirit

[cellard0ors]

Let me tell you a story...

Buckle in if you like TMI about Cellar and her current many, MANY life dysfunctions...

So, last time I posted an update, it was because I was sort of mentally low.

This has not improved - mainly because all the building blocks of my life fell over like a bad jenga tower.

My Mom had called a few days ago to say, 'I've got a tumor!' 😄 All happy voice, because that's how she rolls. She tells me she's going in for a CT scan Monday and not to worry, it's no big.

Monday rolls around - I've been having issues with my back, so I set up a Doctor's appt and talk to one of my bosses about leaving early. She's cool about it. Great.

THEN my Dad calls. He's hysterical - tells me Mom has been taken to the emergency room. Doesn't make much sense. Hangs up on me (Because he's mature like that) I call back - ask if I should come - he tells me 'Do what you want' - 🙄 again, super mature. I tell him I'm coming.

Run and tell the boss I spoke with earlier I have to go NOW - again, super supportive. I call my SO and tell him - again, supportive. Cancel my appt, run to emergency room. Sis and Dad there - they don't know much and I talk VERY little because when you put those two together, it's best to say as little as possible.

Eventually get in to see Mom - she was at critically low blood loss levels. Apparently before the CT she started expelling a lot of blood from both ends (if you catch my drift) and they rushed her in. She's critically low on blood - they have to give her 4 pints. She's awake and super: 😀😃😄

Because that's just how she is. Nurses say she has a sweet soul. Don't disagree, but dang - for someone facing all of this she's beyond perky. Since she's only allowed 2 visitors at a time, we keep swapping - Me, Dad, Sis.

Eventually I DO manage a moment alone with her and - VERY SERIOUSLY - tell her she can't go anywhere - because I CANNOT be left alone with Dad and Sis. Nurses laugh and assure me they'll take care of the heart of our family.

The plan is to take her into surgery, because the tumor she has is in her stomach and it's quite large - how large? Hard to say, because my father is hysterical and exaggerates - don't get me wrong, he's had a rough go of it - his mother has been given different rates of time about how long she's going to be around (some say 2 to 3 months, others say less/more) and now here's his wife, very ill - but his kids, while adults, are here and he's very much not helping.

Anyway - they take her and surgery is a few hours. I call work and tell them I won't be in Tuesday, because I don't know what the outcome of the surgery will be and I want to see her asap.

Get word surgery went well and she's resting. Reschedule my own doctor's appt for Tuesday, because I'm going to be around the hospital anyway to see her, so may as well.

I go see my doctor - they take blood/x-rays - say I probably just need to stretch more and build up my core strength since I'm on my feet all day at work. I have bad posture and that's why my back is so sore I sleep like shit and sometimes the pain is enough to wake me up. Gave me muscle relaxers too. Whatever.

Plan on going to see Mom only to be told Hospital will only allow 1 visitor per day - so, that's just Dad. He's pretty much living at the Hospital with her and going home at night to sleep. Sis clearly bummed he won't come stay at her fancy place, which - granted - is closer, but her text is all about how her downstairs is so perfect for Dad, etc.

...she also tells me she's training to become a yoga instructor and, since she's working for the government and immune deficient, she'll probably be working from home until 2023 - too bad for me, working in retail and all.

That's another story all together - but just want to lay that one out there.

I DID get Dad to come out so I could give him some things for Mom - talk with him. He only takes the flowers - says I should hold on to the things I brought to entertain her (books, magazines) because she can't use them right now since she's hepped up on morphine and basically sleeping 24/7.

She also reportedly said she doesn't want to see me or Jena...or Dad, which is pretty funny, because when I did see her in the emergency room, she did seem a bit annoyed by his fussing.

Regardless - apparently her tumor was double the size they thought, but not cancerous (thank goodness) and they took about a 3rd of her stomach. She swore up and down she didn't feel any pain unless you pressed on that part of her and Dad just thinks she was lying/withholding info because she didn't want to bother him - possible, but I don't know - in my experience, when Mom felt bad, she made sure everyone knew.

Either way - it's. A. Lot.

Here's a quick summation of everything going on in collusion with this Mom thing:

* Vacation from work starting this Saturday

* Continued Grandma-Gate situation (what I call everything that's going on with my 93 year old Grandma and her impending passing/issues)

* One of my bosses at working asking me to think about putting in for a promotion to be a supervisor - i.e. a low form of retail management. Me. In retail management. AGAIN. I'd open and close the store and that sorta mess - not a big fan of the idea myself, but everyone I know seems to think it's a great idea and that I should really think about it.

* SO talking about leaving his job for various issues - considering he's main breadwinner, very dicey - worried about what kind of job he can move to.

* My back being a bitch and making sleep a chore.

* Life in general being a chore.

If you've read all of this - my condolences. But better out than in, I guess.

#cellar updates #my life is currently a shitstorm of epic proportions #long post

[joezworld]

Money (2/2)

Guess whose fault this one is.

Two Diesels, Ltd

January 28, 2021

Tidmouth Station

Richard Hatt was not a morning person, so he felt about as tired as he looked as he waited for Thomas to arrive.

The worst part about this pandemic is that I can’t drink my coffee through my mask. He thought to himself. Well, aside from everything else.

As he waited, Edward steamed in on the next track over.

“Good morning sir.” He said tiredly.

“Good morning Edward!” Richard said with forced enthusiasm. He really wasn’t a morning person, but Edward was, so seeing him so tired was unusual. “Have you been sleeping all right?”

“No.” Edward said bluntly.

“Oh? Is something wrong?”

That was all Edward needed to hear. “If I have to hear about Gamestop, Wall Street Bets, or whatever the fuck ‘doggy-coin’ is ever again, it will be too soon.”

The assistant Fat Controller recoiled at the actual malice in Edward’s tone. “I wasn’t aware that you followed financial news.”

“I don’t.”

“Then why-”

“If this conversation is about a certain video game retailer I will lose my temper.” Thomas interrupted as he puffed into the station.

Richard was surprised. Thomas was usually up before the dawn, so to see him with bags under his eyes at seven thirty was shocking.

“You too?” Edward yawned.

Thomas rolled his eyes. “All bloody night! It was wsb this and gme that and capital gains whatever!” He said with a mocking tone. “They’re incessant!”

“Who?” Richard was deeply confused.

“Them!” Thomas cried.

“Who?” Richard was not in any mood to play the pronoun game.

“Mavis! And Daisy! Who did you think I was talking about?” Thomas groaned. “It’s been nothing but stocks stocks stocks with them since last February, but yesterday took the cake! It’s like 2008 all over again!”

“What?” Richard had that sinking feeling again.

Thomas glared at him incredulously. “You’re inspecting the stations on the branch? You’ll see when you get to Ffarquhar.”

-

It took Richard all of the morning and some of the afternoon to make his way to the top station, stopping at each intermediate station to inspect their adherence to local social distancing guidelines as he went. By the time he reached the workmen’s station at the Anopha Quarry, it was a quarter past two in the afternoon.

Fortunately, the workmen’s station was the smallest on the line - a piece of raised asphalt next to the tracks - and his inspection was quick. The quarry company had spray-painted lines at two metre intervals onto the ‘platform’, and that was all that was necessary.  

They’ve done a better job than Dryaw, He thought to himself - the quiet little branch line station hadn’t bothered with anything beyond closing the waiting rooms, and it had taken longer than it should have to get them in order.

Toby’s train back to Ffarquhar wouldn’t leave for another fifteen minutes, so Richard decided to investigate Thomas’ comments from earlier, and tracked down Mavis in the yard.

“Good morning sir!” She called to him as she shunted together a line of trucks. “What brings you up to my neck of the woods?”

“Oh, just some inspection duties.” He said, unsure of how to proceed. “Although, while I’m here, I did have a question for you.”

“Go ahead!”

“What do you know about Gamestop?”

Mavis rolled her eyes. “You’re a bit late if you want to get in now - it’s almost three hundred in the pre-market!”

“What?” Richard noticed that he seemed to be saying that word more and more as the years went on.

“Oh yes!” Mavis said, her eyes threatening to roll out of her face. “Somehow, those children on the internet are actually short squeezing this! I can’t believe it!”

“They are?” Richard had only mildly paid attention to the news - he had a financial manager take care of his portfolio, but he knew that he was not invested in retailers at all.

“Oh yes!” Mavis said as she slowly rolled into her shed, Richard following in confusion. Doesn’t she have a driver?

He opened his mouth to ask her, but stopped when he spied a fierce-looking wasp painted on the side of her bonnet. No good came from asking his engines about anything even remotely related to that, so he wasn’t even going to try with the Quarry Company’s diesel. 

“Look at this! It’s - oh my god!” It had just gone half past, the markets in America had opened, and the price for Gamestop was skyrocketing.

“Is that a Bloomberg Terminal?!” Richard was in shock.

Mavis said something, but the ringing in his ears meant he only heard sounds.

Finally, a different ringing sound pulled him back to reality. Patting his pockets, he pulled out his phone, which wasn’t ringing?

“Excuse me,” Mavis said over the ringing. She blinked and the noise stopped. “Yeah, I’m seeing it now. I wish that we hadn’t- YOU WHAT?!”

Richard jumped as the diesel’s phone call suddenly grew heated. “I told you to sell that yesterday! We made our money! I-yes I can see-You aren’t supposed to go behind my back like this! We’ve talked about this Dais- yes I know you were right about Enron and Bitcoin, but this is different!”

Mavis paused. “Fine. Sell it at four hundred, see how that works for you!”

“I suppose I’ll leave you to that...” Richard said as he backed away. He needed some air.

Mavis paused long enough to quickly say goodbye before going back to her call.

Richard stumbled back to the platform and sat down in Toby’s brakevan until it was time to leave.

-

Arriving back in Ffarquhar, he made a quick excursion to the sheds to check on something that he suspected.

Daisy was gone - probably on the midday commuter service, but there, at the back of her berth, glinting in the lights of the shed, was a second Bloomberg terminal, the words “REMOTE ACCESS ENABLED” flashing on the screen every few seconds. 

Stephen made his way back to the platform and boarded Clarabel without another word. He wanted to go back to his nice quiet office in Tidmouth and think about more relaxing things, like COVID-19!

#ttte #ttte thomas #sodor #sodor shenangians #ttte mavis #ttte daisy #Richard Hatt is forced to know things #money #finances #wsb #gamestop #I wrote this three days after gamestop went to 400 and it was weird #multi-part #fic

[cubeswhump]

Something Feels Familiar

Levi before he was Levi. If anyone wants to be tagged in Levi fics, let me know.

Warning for institutionalized slavery, abuse, burns, drug abuse, working in retail.

This isn't what I wanted.

What? Where did such a thought come from? What wasn't what 262847 wanted? Maybe he wanted something else when he signed up. Was that it?

No. This was perfect. He wanted this.

He had a comfortable bed. The other boxies never told on him. They got to eat the food that didn't sell and would otherwise be thrown out. But once, a customer was watching videos on her laptop, and 262 snuck glances when possible. There was an ad showing a boxie and its owner, and the owner was so tender and loving. 262 wanted someone to hold his hand, stroke his hair… 

He slapped his own face hard. One of the two box babes stared at him.

None of them had actually met their owner, who worked way up in corporate. A huge package deal of several hundred boxies trained to be the perfect employees, several placed at every location in the UK. The managers,  -- hired employees rather than pets -- were the ones who kept them in line, and though 262 would snatch up whatever positive attention he could get, it wasn't enough.

Yes it was. He was a pet and he would be happy with whatever he got. He was grateful.

A little voice in his head said it was weird to have a coffee shop boxie. But it made sense, right? His owner was so smart. His owner knew they would save money by having pets rather than employees, as pets could work longer shifts and didn't get paid. Smart.

262 nudged the other boxie at the counter. "861."

"Piss off," the girl mumbled.

"861, what's coffee shop AU? It just popped into my head, and…"

"I don't care. Stop talking to me."

He talked too much. The handlers couldn't beat it out of him, but it suited him well in such a role. The boxies arranged amongst themselves that 262 would always be at the front to deal with customers directly as the others tended to freeze up if a customer went off script and said something they weren't prepared for. 262 even did well dealing with those who hated corporate boxies.

"It's so unfair. They buy a bundle of you freaks and put us all out of jobs!"

And 262's eyebrows would furrow, head tilting to the side. "Gosh, really? Oh no, I'm so sorry."

He'd listen while the customer ranted their heart out, nodding along and sometimes giving shocked apologies. And he'd often sell them a cup of coffee or muffin. 

It was one of these interactions. The customer ranted, called him all sorts of names, but eventually wanted a caramel macchiato with no foam. No foam, always no foam. Do they even know what a macchiato is?

He forgot to strain the milk. He took a small spoon and started flinging foam into the sink until 476 told him to "stop being an idiot" and that he was "gonna get us all in trouble."

Good enough. Just thinking those words nearly made him double over at the pain in his head.

There is no such thing as good enough. There is only perfection and failure.

Yet he found himself handing the woman her drink. She pulled the lid off as he turned to the next customer, smiling. 

"I said NO FUCKING FOAM!"

The coffee shop blurred. He screamed. 

The customer continued to shout. 476 didn't pause from tending to another customer. And fire licked at 262's face. At least, that's how it felt.

Mister Evan, the assistant mansger seemed to appear from nowhere, going "I'm so sorry, Ma'am. 262, stop that blubbering and apologize now. We'll fix that for you."

Within the hour, 262's skin was scarlet, cheek and jaw swelling, right eye unable to open. The tears kept trickling. Evan had him sit out in the employee break room, out of sight. 262 was terrified to step foot in such a place. Boxies don't get breaks. The light overhead flickered. There were no windows. Looking at the posters on the wall made 262's head pound as the letters danced. 

A millenia seemed to pass. Then the door opened. Miss Donna, the manager, stood in the doorway and gasped. 

"Evan, you didn't tell me tmit was this bad!" she cried. 

And that made 262 start crying too. 

A heart-sinking to a pet-friendly hospital in Miss Donna's own car. 262 was such a nuisance. She had better things to do. 

She sat with him through hours of tests, picked him up the next day when he was discharged, picked up his medicine. Bad pet. Burden. 

Second degree burns on more than half his face. Burned cornea and the start of a corneal ulcer. Lid edema, whatever that meant. He had to wear a patch over his eye for two weeks and then they'd know how his vision was affected. 

Ointment. Eye drops. Pills. No one told him what they were, just apply ointment three times a day. Apply eye drops five times a day. Take one pill once in the morning and once at night -- Miss Donna changed that to only take it before bed so it doesn't impede on his performance at work. May take over the counter painkillers every 2-4 hours.

He couldn't make out most of the labels. He was pretty sure the ointment was silver something, but the second word was a doozy. But at night, when it was meant to be lights out, he holled up in the bathroom and squinted at the label. The words grew clear: OXYCODONE 20MG.

861 was brushing his teeth. 581 was waiting to use the loo. 262 just wanted them all to go to bed, leave the bathroom to him. 

You're meant to take the tablets whole. Don't lick or get wet in any way. don't crush, don't break them or it releases the compound too quickly. He wasn't sure how he knew that.

Everyone was asleep, or pretending to be. 861 definitely was asleep, his snores echoing off the walls. It surprised 262 that they didn't get rid of that in training. But the girls said 262 snores even worse.

He carefully shut the door behind him and got the bottle out of the drawer. He took out one pill, two pills, and set them on the counter. There was a tub of face moisturizer in one of the drawers, as management wants the box babes to stay pretty. He tapped it on the counter, ensuring it was hard plastic and not glass. Then he crushed the pills under it and scraped the dust off. 

He smuggled a plastic straw from the shop and cut a small piece from it earlier. At the time, he hadn't known what he was doing, but his body worked on his own accord. The pieces clicked into place. One end went in his good nostril and the powder was sucked through the other end. He closed his eyes in bliss.

Something pushed at the fog in his brain, but he didn't dwell on it. He needed to savor this feeling. 

#bbu #whump #box boy whump #coffee shop boxie #pet whump #my writing #male whump #male whumpee #box boy multiverse #box boy universe

[prorevenge]

My boss was abusive and didn't care about staff so I cost him his store and his contracts

This story will include no real names and a location will not be given. I am obligated to inform you I wrote this on mobile and have no idea how long this will be.

Backstory: I was an idiot growing up and ended up in a rehabilitation program for people under 18 to avoid jail time and eventually got given a place at a large charity agency that sources workers for anything from retail to gardening. The person directly in control of my position at said charity was one of those "I'm too nice for anyone to notice me doing wrong" people and he put me, someone who literally couldn't (and still can't years later) talk to a stranger without panicking, into a job in retail speaking to upwards of 35+ customers a day. May not sound like a lot but I struggled to make it through a day without going into the back room and crying.

Story: So, I get assigned to work in a (unsure of the right word here but, privately owned?) retail place that sells "upcycled" furniture. I had previously worked at the site actually doing the upcycling and knew this stuff was a scam, barely had a thing changed and the people doing the work spent most of the day drinking coffee and smoking while playing games on their phone.

The boss of this site (Kevin) showed just what kind of person he was from day 1 by threatening to fire me for telling him I can't handle strangers and shouting in my face. God I wish he had fired me. This never got better and over the months of working there and I eventually started started recording it all without his knowledge. Among the things he did is this list:

Shouting at staff for not putting toilet paper on the holder (there was a pile of it on the back of the toilet)

Calling the person in charge of my placement and reporting me for "lack of workplace enthusiasm" in front of me while I was having a panic attack

Telling a 70+ year old woman who I worked with that she needs to "grow up and handle confrontation like a man" after having 2 large men shout and swear at her for refusing to sell an already sold item to them

Throwing his phone (told by another employee) after I called in sick for a day due to crippling stomach pains brought on by Crohns

After being told at 11am that I won't make it to my shift (due to being in hospital), proceeded to call me at 3am the next morning and yell at me (he seemed VERY drunk) demanding I have a doctor prove I was in the hospital because I didnt give 2 weeks notice

And back to the story. All of this was recorded in the space of only 3 weeks and I gave it all to my placement manager who proceeded to organise a meeting between himself, Kevin and me to try and put things right. During this meeting however, instead of calmly talking about the issue and what can be done to solve it, all the evidence was shown to Kevin who then yelled at me for recording him then throwing a full on tantrum that I would dare question his style of management while I sat there scared as hell and my placement manager just did nothing.

Back we go to work with a final warning strike issued to me for gross misconduct and told that I should do as stated in my contract and anything else that is asked of me or I would be fired. I do everything I can to follow my contract and anything else asked of me including cleaning a f**king toilet and see a broken window above it. Thats when I finally get a plan together.

The revenge: The plan I came up with meant I had to stay in everyones good books, deal with a-hole customers, go to work even in crippling pain and dose up on meds to control my panicking but in exchange my belief was I could get Kevin replaced or atleast get myself removed from the situation.

I should have clarified earlier, being fired from any site ALSO gets you taken off the charities payroll.

I started informing Kevin of every little safety violation the site managed to break from broken windows in the female toilets, loose light fixtures and broken locks on doors all the way up to a giant glass panel going across the front of the shop that was barely hanging in by a few bits of rubber and could easily kill a small child or less than strong adult if it were to fall out. I emailed him and texted him about each one individually and brought it up to other staff in hopes they would do the same, while also making sure to take photos of each of these issues so I could use them again later.

Another month and a half of working there and at this point I felt I may have a little too many minor details saved up but decided its best to go overkill than underkill and sent a huge email to the UK HSE (health and safety executive) detailing every risk and danger with photos attached to show what the place was doing wrong and requesting an inspection. Of course they obligued.

1 week later I get a phone call from Kevin. He tells me how the shop is closing down, how a safety inspection was carried out and how it had been failed so badly that he lost his contract with the charity and that nobody would be able to use the building for weeks while everything gets brought back up to code, but he couldn't run the place anymore due to money issues while it was closed because he had no savings for this. I never heard from him again.

A year later: After this happened I moved on and began working from home doing image editing for quick cash and around a year later I get a call from the placement manager who hadnt heard from me the whole time and I got asked in the coldest, most passive aggressive tone "why didnt you tell me the store closed?" turns out they had been apparently paying me £300 a DAY for a job I didnt have, hours I didnt work and this was all apparently being reported on the charities income as someone elses account. They got me confused with another person and reporting their hard work on my files and it took them a year to notice because of how badly they handled everything.

Another obligatory note: Rslash, if you are reading this; On behalf of every single subscriber, MORE PUPPY BLOOPERS PLEASE!

*: clearing the confusion- they had my name on another persons paperwork and though they paid the right person, they were using my name

(source) story by (/u/The-UK-Is-Mine)

#prorevenge #by /u/The-UK-Is-Mine #pro revenge #revenge stories #pro revenge stories #pro #revenge #last10

[sephirothisaslut]

Misunderstandings

(A oneshot featuring Immortal!Cloud and Seph, confused neighbors, kids, and horny parents...Oh and they think Seph and Cloud are vampires. Hi-jinks ensue)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Timmy isn’t a smart boy. Neither are his friends. Well maybe except Louis, but that’s besides the point.

The big kids told Samantha about this creepy mansion up in the mountains. And she somehow convinced the rest of them to accompany her to check it out. Of course, Timmy told them it was a bad idea. It was creepy. And besides, mom told them to be home by 5.

But then John just had to call him a wuss. Then when Samantha and Andy joined in, he slightly got mad but still protested their plans. And when Louis asked him if he’s scared, he just had to prove he’s not scared and he wasn’t a wuss.

So armed with nothing but flashlights, some sandwiches, water, and their backpacks to carry those things (Louis brought a camera, he’s so smart), Timmy, Samantha, John, Andy, and Louis went on an adventure to check the haunted mansion up in the mountains.

To call it a mountain is an exaggeration. It was more like a small hill. But it was covered in a dense forest. It was kinda steep, but there’s a stone staircase, so it was OK. The mansion itself was not that far from the street, but it can’t easily be seen with all the trees covering it and it was pretty high up.

Timmy gulped as he saw the Mansion come into view. It looked much scarier up close. “G-Guys, we should go. We already saw it”

“Why? You chicken?” John snickered at his friend.

“N-No I’m not! It’s just that it’s dark and mom said-”

“Oh come one Tim! It’ll be fun!” Samantha, ever the adventurous one, exclaimed. 

“Yeah and we can show the big kids we actually did it!” Andy pumped.

“I wanna make a cool video!” Louis brought out his camera, and started recording, “Don’t you wanna be in it?”

Timmy only stammered, and very reluctantly said “Fine! But only for a bit”

Samantha happily led the charge. Stepping unto the front porch and trying to open the door. But it seemed to be locked. So John suggested they try the windows. They circled the house then found a small window from what looks like a library.

“It’s called a study” Louis whispered. “It’s where you do stuff”

“Like study?” TImmy asked.

“No duh” John said, trying to fit into the window. But finding he can’t fit.

“Timmy, you try” Andy suggested.

“W-why me?”

“Cuz you’re the smallest, duh” Samantha deadpanned.

And so, Timmy found himself squeezing into a window. Landing on his face and groaning.

“Open the door for us” John hissed.

Timmy scrambled to find the front entrance in the darkness, thankful that he brought a flashlight. When he opened the door for his friends, they immediately looked around the obviously lavish house. Timmy, closing the door behind them.

“Woah, whoever lived here must be rich!” John quietly exclaimed.

“How much do you think this is?” Andy said, lifting a heavy vase.

“Can I see?” Samantha asked. But the vase slipped out of her grip, and fell.

CRASH!

The sound of braking filled the whole Mansion. The group stopped, surprised by the sound. Then froze when they heard footsteps from the second floor.

“Hide” Louis hissed.

Everyone scrambled to find a hiding place, except before they can, something grabbed Timmy’s arm. Timmy squeaked and flailed.

“Well well well” A tall figure with green glowing eyes looked down on Timmy. His eyes had slits for pupils, and pulsed like a snake.

Timmy nearly screamed.

Then light flooded the room.

“Sephiroth, you’re scaring the kid.” A blond man said, leaning near the light switch.

“Good” The man grasping Timmy was tall. He had silver hair, and he looked handsome. He looked like a vampire.

“Why are you here child? Where are your parents?” The taller man interrogated Timmy.

Timmy couldn’t make any response, still caught in the shock.

“We’re sorry sir!” Louis hurriedly explained. “We thought this place was haunted and we just came to check it out!”

The blond man snorted. “Nothing new there”

The man came closer, and placed his palm on top of the hand grasping Timmy.

“I’ll handle this” He tenderly said.

He then crouched to the ground, and kindly said “My name is Cloud. Now we don’t appreciate you guys breaking and entering, but we won’t do anything bad. I promise”

Timmy nodded shyly. “S-Sorry...” he timidly said.

“Lets get you to your parents yeah?” Cloud warmly smiled at the five kids.

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Laura wasn’t a good mother. But that doesn’t mean she didn’t try. After her husband left her with their child, she grew bitter. But how could she abandon her sweet Timmy. So she steeled herself, got herself a new house, a new job, and a new life.

She thought she saw everything by now. After all working in retail, even as a manager, was bound to expose you to some unbelievable stuff. But when two absolutely gorgeous strangers knocked on her door, she nearly had a nosebleed.

“Excuse me, are these your children?” A tall man with flowing silver hair coolly asked her. His white blouse shirt, unbuttoned till his pecks, fit him perfectly. And oh God those sinful pants.

“Excuse me ma’am?” Another man beside the door frame called. He was shorter, and blond. Wearing a black sleeveless shirt highlighting his abs pretty well, exposing his finely toned arms. And where do these guys buy their pants, holy shit.

“M-Mom?” Timmy interrupted his mother’s thoughts.

“TImmy! Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick!” Laura hid her blush in her concern.

“We caught them breaking into our home” The silver-haired man snapped.

“I am so sorry! Did they break anything? I can pay for-”

“No, that’s ok ma’am. They’re just kids.” The blond one reassured her. And Gods, Laura felt his smile pierce her heart.

“A-are you sure? I mean-”

“Please, ma’am. It’s fine. I’m Cloud by the way” The man, Cloud, extended his arm for a handshake that Laura accepted with vigor. “This grump here is Sephiroth”

Sephiroth extended his own hand, only nodding as Laura accepted.

“Oh! Would you like to come in for tea? I’m sure you’re tired”

“No thank you. It’s dark, and we must return home” Sephiroth rejected.

As Cloud and Sephiroth bid their goodbyes, Laura took a good hard look at the five children.

She looked at them sternly and just sighed. This was a mess. Well at least she got to meet the two hottest men she’s ever seen.

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The rumor mill was spinning as fast as a helicopter blade. One of the older women saw the mysterious pair of men herding five children to Laura’s house. The woman, Gertrude, was very prone to gossip. Thankfully, what she told the others was mostly truth, in part thanks to the children’s own accounts.

Soon, the community was buzzing about these two new mysterious men. They were spotted by Joe, the butcher, in the wet market earlier this week. Then Allan the 7 Eleven cashier the next day. Then Gertrude herself in the park.

Everyone described them as absolutely, almost devilishly hot.

Laura is now sitting at a community barbecue, listening to the rest of the adults share their gossip.

“Have you seen the blond? Cloud? I hear he’s single” 

“I thought they were married?”

“Ha! They had no rings I checked”

“Wow Bob, don’t you have a wife”

“Hey, I can’t order but I can still look at the menu”

“Robert told me that the taller one-”

“Sephiroth”

“Yes Sephiroth, works for the WRO!”

“Wow he must be one of those monster hunters then!”

“I think both of them do”

“I heard they built the old Mansion”

“That’s bullcrap, that thing’s at least 70 years old”

“Yeah but I heard it from Cloud himself!”

Laura just continued to sip her coke. She had to admit, she wanted a piece of them too. But she had only one love, and he left her. So she really isn’t too keen on taking some action.

“Laura, you know them right?”

“Yeah! Weren’t they at your house?”

“Tell us, are they single?”

All eyes landed on her.

“Er, well I don’t know” Laura nervously replied.

“Aww” The group’s shoulders sagged.

“Guess we’ll never know-”

“But I-I invited them to the barbecue!” Laura quickly amended.

At this, the entire adult community screeched. Voices with sounds like “WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL US” and “I DIDN’T EVEN DRESS UP” and “HOW’S MY MAKEUP” were heard all over. Even Bob, who was already married to Jane, was fretting over the state of his sauce stained sweater.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Timmy and the others were watching their parents freak out.

“Hey what do you think they’re talking ‘bout?” TImmy asked Louis.

“I don’t know. Adults are weird” Louis responded.

“I bet it’s those vampires” Samantha whispered.

“Vampires?” Andy tilted her head.

“You know. The two dudes we saw in the haunted mansion”

“Yeah, totally vampires” John agreed. “Did you guys see their eyes? They glow!”

“But don’t vampires have red-eyes?” Timmy pointed out.

“Yeah, but how else are you gonna explain that” John huffed. “And besides, I heard from mom who heard from Old Man Jim, that they said they’ve been staying in the Mansion since it was made.”

“Yeah? And?” Louis raised his brow, “They’re older than us, big deal”

“Yeah but Old Man Jim said the Mansion was built before he was born!”

The group sucked a breath. Old Man Jim was probably the oldest guy in the block, maybe even in the town.

“But Old Man Jim might just be joking” Timmy shyly said, “He’s kinda old”

“..Maybe” John only grumbled as he ate his barbecue.

“I heard from Papa that Timmy’s mom invited them to the barbecue” Andy offered, “Vampires can’t walk under the sun, right? So if they come, then they’re not vampires. But if they don’t then they are!” She happily exclaimed.

The group only nodded at this plan. If they were vampires, then they will have to take thing into their own hands.

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Laura continued to watch the others freak out. Several of them tidying the place, the others tidying themselves. And the few childless adults and couples left shortly to freshen themselves in the bathroom.

After a few minutes, most of them managed to calm down. Now sitting once more in a broken circle.

“But what if they don’t come?” 

“Shit, then I fixed up for nothing.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. As long as we have fun.”

“Jane, we all know you want ‘em too” Jane just blushed.

“Gods, Laura. Warn us next time, please”

“Joseph calm down.”

“Oh Shit they’re here!”

And true enough, a pair of people can be seen in the distance. One silver, one gold.

“Fuck” Bob cursed.

Everyone waited in anticipation. 

And as the pair walked closer to the barbecue, their features slowly came into detail.

Cloud was wearing a thin white shirt, lifting up and exposing his abs as he waved to the group. Sephiroth, on the other hand, was wearing a black blouse, unbuttoned till below his pecks. Both carrying plastic bags full of sodas, and chips. And both wearing black pants that just hug their legs the right way.

“Hey! Sorry we were late. Seph forgot to buy snacks the day before” Cloud apologized.

“Apologies” Sephiroth merely bowed his head slightly.

“That’s uh. That’s alright. As long as you made it” Jane gulped.

“You can set them down here” Joseph said, taking a few bags from both, lightly touching their hands. This action didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the adults. Some just glaring at Joseph’s smug smile.

That day, Cloud and Sephiroth were properly welcomed into the neighborhood. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the day progressed, Cloud and Sephiroth were finally left alone by the adults.

Timmy and his friends finally found their chance.

“Come on! Go ask them” John whispered.

“Why don’t you go? I don’t wanna” Timmy huffed.

“You chicken?” John elbowed Timmy.

“I-I’m not!”

“Then go ask them” John deadpanned.

“I’ll go with you” Louis offered.

“Th-Thanks” Timmy stuttered.

They sauntered up to the pair, and cleared their throat slightly.

“Excuse me? Mr.?” Louis asked first.

When the pair turned to them, they had a clear view of their eyes. They were glowing slightly, but they weren’t red. Neither do any of them have slit pupils like they saw that night. Must be a trick of the light, yeah.

“A-are you vampires?” Timmy timidly asked.

The pair could only look at them in bafflement. Then surprisingly, Sephiroth let out a burst of laughter. Cloud following with his own chuckle.

“What made you say that?” Cloud snorted.

“We- We thought- Your eyes-” TImmy tried to form coherent sentences.

“Oh, our eyes glow because of Mako” Sephiroth explained.

“M-Mako? But isn’t that acid?” Louis asked with wide eyes.

“Not really, no. You learned Mako can mutate things right?” Cloud continued, “And basically it gave us glowing eyes.”

“Oh!” Louis’ eyes widened in recognition “ Uncle Robert told me you work for the WRO!”

Cloud and Sephritoh could only raise their brows. Timmy looked at his friend for clarification.

“They’re the monster hunting group! They basically fight monsters!”

“Including Mako mutated ones. Though they’re scarce now a days” Sephiroth nodded.

“Really? That’s so cool!” TImmy looked up to them. Wow, they fought monsters!

“We gotta tell the others!” Louis bounced.

“Yeah!”

The pair of children soon bounded to share with their findings with their friends.

Cloud looked at Sephiroth. “If they think we’re vampires, wait till they see Vincent”

Sephiroth rolled his eyes, then leaned in for a kiss.

Several hearts were broken that day. 

#sefikura #Sephiroth #sephiroth x cloud #sephcloud #cloud #cloud strife #ff7 #ff7 remake #Final Fantasy #fanfic #oneshot #immortal cloud #immortal sephiroth #kids are weird #small drabble

[chasseurdeloup-retired]

A Pie for Help || Chloe and Kaden

TIMING: Current LOCATION: Kaden’s Apartment PARTIES: @chloeinbetween and @chasseurdeloup SUMMARY: Chloe visits Kaden for a baking lesson.  CONTENT WARNINGS: emotional abuse references, domestic abuse, terminal illness mention

More and more it felt like Kaden’s kitchen was the most used space in his apartment. And at this point, mabe the most visited, too. And if Abel’s barking was any indication, the kitchen was about to get another new visitor. One he didn’t know quite so well as some of the others. Kaden shushed the dog as he made it to the handle, attempting to quiet him down before letting anyone in. “Hey,” he said, swinging the door open and holding back Abel behind his legs. Looking at Chloe, something struck him. Putain. “Uh, hope you’re not afraid of dogs. I can crate him if you are. I’m sorry I didn’t check.” He really should have mentioned. Fuck. He wasn’t a stranger to causing awkward situations, but he’d really hoped he could avoid one right off the bat.

Chloe checked Kaden’s message three times before building up the courage to walk up to his door. Holding her iron necklace pendant tightly in one hand, Chloe raised her other to knock. She jumped high as a cat when out of nowhere, a dog barked. It was that slightly wide-eyed, hair-on-end look that Kaden was greeted with when he opened the door. “Hi,” Chloe squeaked. The tension trickled out of her like a faulty faucet as she looked at the big fluffy black dog behind Kaden’s legs. “Um, no?” She replied uncertainly. “As long as he doesn’t have wings.” She smiled wryly. “Who, um, what’s his name?”

One look at her wide eyes and Kaden was prepared to bring Abel straight to his crate. He’d seen that look of fear many times before in his job. As much as he loved dogs and animals and had a hard time being afraid of them, he understood for the most part. The teeth and claws, the unpredictability if you were unfamiliar with animals, there was reason for fear. Chloe had a lot of reasons for fear. He was hoping he could avoid those today. Keep today normal and easy. “Oh, okay good. You looked-- I never want to just assume since he can look a little, uh, you know, he’s bigger which some people--” Kaden really needed to stop talking. Thank god she cracked a joke. “No wings, as you can see,” he said with a half smile. “This is Abel. He’s very friendly. Big fan of treats.” He led her in and shut the door before quickly grabbing a small treat from a bag on the counter. “Here, make a new friend,” he said, handing the treat to her to give the dog.

“Oh! Um, yeah, sure,” Chloe said. The bones of Chloe’s knees clicked as she knelt down. It occurred to her a little too late that maybe this was a bad idea: getting up again might be a bit of a pain. Extending her hand with the treat on her palm, she let Abel snuffle her. Abel was surprisingly gently in plucking the treat off her hand before gulping down the biscuit. He licked the crumbs from Chloe’s hand. Smiling, she gently scratched under his chin, bringing her hand round to his ear. Abel enthusiastically leant into the scritches, his tailing thwipping across the floor. Chloe had no idea how big the grin on her face was until she suddenly remembered that Kaden was there, and that she couldn’t just spend all her time stroking Abel’s back. Even if Abel himself seemed to disagree with that theory. She slowly struggled back to her feet, clutching the counter as standing up made her a little dizzy. “He’s really cute. Bigger than most dogs. Um. So much fluff.”

Kaden leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, watching as Chloe crouched on the floor to be with the dog. He couldn’t keep the stupid smile off his face. He knew Abel was a good boy who loved meeting new people, but it was always nice to watch when others lit up around an animal. There was nothing like it. Hell, it was the part of his job that always brought him joy. A lot of it was difficult and turbulent, but helping pets reunite with owners or find a new forever home was worth all of it. “He likes you,” he said, still beaming. She wobbled and he reached out to help steady her, arm out in case she needed to lean on him. “You good?” he asked. “But yeah, I got him to be a hunting dog. He’s rotten at it, really. Runs away at the first sign of trouble but he’s still a great dog.” That wasn’t entirely true, though. Abel didn’t run when Kaden was truly in trouble. He saved him. A few times now. A pit dropped in his stomach at the memory. Deep breath. Pushed it away. “Kitchen’s this way,” he said and waved her over. “Uh, so I got all the ingredients out. And I have a few filling options we can do. I wasn’t sure what you liked. And I figured you should call the shots here.”

“It's a good thing I don't have to be good at conversation with dogs,” Chloe said with a nervous chuckle. His smile made hers all the wider, although her cheeks blushed red, embarrassed that this had been the ice breaker and that her communication had been so weak until now. She paused, waiting for the dizziness to fade to a manageable level before answering his question. “Yeah, I'm good,” her smile wavered. Chloe wasn't going to focus on the ache in her head or the wool behind her eyes now. Now was about chasing a simple kind of happiness. Making for the sake of making, rather than the sake of being good. “I think that makes him a smart dog,” Chloe said, ruffling Abel’s furs once more before following Kaden through to the kitchen. “Honestly, I'm open to experimenting. Apart from the pie you made me, it's been so long since I've had pie I kind of don't want to hold myself to any ... pie standards? Is that a thing? Apple, cherry, pumpkin, pecan, anything like that would be great. My taste buds have changed in the last few years, so ... happy to try more things.”

“Part of what makes animals great, if you ask me,” Kaden replied. They were much easier than people most days. Certainly easier than the supernatural anything. His brow pulled together for a second as he saw her blush. He couldn’t figure out what she was embarrassed about. Fuck, was he doing something to make her uncomfortable already? He tried to continue to offer her a hopeful smile, even as she seemed to pass on taking his hand for help. “Yeah, yeah. Smarter than his owner, surely.” Kaden swung the fridge door open and started pulling out the butter. “So I figure I’d show you how to start a puff pastry but it takes forever so I have some dough ready to go, too. You know, for the actual pie. Unless you know, you want to take the two hours minimum to prepare it. Which, uh, you can. There’s no rush but it’s a long time, you know and…” Kaden placed the butter on the reached back and rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, anyway, I was thinking maybe we could make a tarte tatin. It’s apple. If you want. Less chance for decorating the top of the pie with the crust since it’s made upside down, but you can cut the fruit pretty. Up to you.”

“I don’t know, his owner strikes me as a pretty decent human- person,” Chloe replied quietly, dropping into one of the kitchen chairs to take the weight off her legs. Building up strength muscle by muscle where it was possible, but also making sure she was getting enough rest. Her physio would be proud, Chloe supposed drily as she watched Kaden pull the butter out of the fridge. “Oh, wow, this is really like daytime tv, huh? Here’s one we prepared earlier,” Chloe imitated the voice of some bubbly daytime presenter, holding up her hands as if she was offering Kaden a tray. Her smile did become more genuine as he told her the plan, looking over the counter. “Sounds good,” she replied, not realising how automatic and robotic her voice sounded. She was too used to telling people yes. “Cutting the fruit pretty sounds like a plan. Anything you think would work, as long as I can take the occasional rest break.”

“His owner tries, I guess,” Kaden said with a shrug. He wasn’t going to let his heart sink or his head dive straight into doubt as it was prone to lately. Today was certainly not about him or his bullshit. And if he could be a decent person for Chloe, maybe that was worth being. Let her keep the illusion, at least. Still he had to flash a smile at her jokes. “Right, yeah. Just call me…” Kaden couldn’t name a single daytime television chef. “Uhh, is Paula Deen one of those? Ari told me about her. I, uh, realized I have no idea.” The physical toll the whole ordeal took on her simply hadn’t occurred to him. He wasn’t sure why. Actually no, he could figure. There was just so much to unpack that sometimes things got left in the box up until they were right in front of you. “You know I can grab you a barstool if you want and you can work that way. No shame. This isn’t retail or something where you have to stand for eight hours.” Or anything worse. He flashed her a smile as he prepped the counter with flour. “Apple tarte tatin it is, then,” he said as he pulled out the apples and started lining them up to wash and peel them. It was then it  struck him that he was calling every shot. Fucking hell, that didn’t sit well. He turned and leaned against the counter, arms crossed in front of him as he faced her. “Wait. No. I’m making you make a decision. This is your pie. What do you want? Pie crust on top or no top? Let’s start there.”

“Ha, yes, Paula Deen, but even you don’t have quite the hair to match her,” Chloe chuckled. She looked up at his offer, hesitating for a second, shrinking into her chest before nodding quietly. “Yeah, a barstool is probably easier, actually,” she admitted quietly. “I won’t need it the whole time or anything.” Chloe smiled gratefully. Then promptly froze like a deer in headlight at his question, casually posed as he turned to her.

“Um….” Chloe stared at him, trying to remember what he’d just said about tarte tatin. Was it that there wasn’t a pie crust at all? Was it that because it was made upside down there wasn’t as much to do with a top pie crust? The question, like it or not, felt like a test, and all of Kaden’s goodwill might vanish in a second. On the other hand, if she didn’t answer at all, she might end up delaying the whole process. Maybe Kaden wanted her in and out as soon as possible, which was why he’d premade the pie crust anyway. Maybe he was hoping she would choose the least work. Maybe it would insult Kaden if she didn’t make a decision. She didn’t know anything about French culture, maybe he would be offended if she didn’t already know what the right answer was, or if she didn’t have an answer at all. Chloe looked down at Abel, who was casually sprawled on the floor, watching the both of them curiously and hoping one of them might drop a treat by accident. Abel, it seemed, did not have the answer either. Several seconds had passed since Kaden had asked the question. “Um. Pie crust on top? Yeah. Let’s… let’s go with that.”

“Right, note-- Wait. Did you just insult my hair?” Kaden said, turning to her. “That’s not very nice,” he started, holding back some laughter as he feigned hurt. “You might give me a complex or something.” He really hoped she caught on to the joke. Things didn't need to be more awkward, that was for sure. Still he went around to the other side of the kitchen and pulled in a barstool for her, placing it next to the counter.

For a second, Kaden wondered if he made a mistake. Was this too much pressure? Maybe he shouldn’t have pushed it. He breathed a sigh of relief as soon as she made one whole choice. It didn’t even matter what she picked, he was just happy she chose something and a smile broke out on his face. “Crust on top it is. We can attempt to make it pretty if we want but I make no guarantees on it turning out that way.” He gave her a small shrug and added, “still, might be fun to try.” He started placing butter and flour next to what he had set up as her station. “Fruit is all up to you, too. Or nuts if you want. I have just about everything.” Partially because he practically had a pie making assembly line at this point but mostly because he wanted to make this as nice as possible. Not that he wanted to let onto that. No need to overwhelm her with how ridiculously prepared he was. “Unless you don’t want to decide. We can stick with apple, of course. This is your lesson so whatever you want.”

“No, I would never,” Chloe laughed, pulling up a picture of Paula Deen to show him her silver fox luscious locks, sure he would agree that while he had great hair, he did not have Paula Deen hair. She smiled gratefully, the words of gratitude catching in her throat once more as she shifted into the barstool, leaning her elbows onto the counter.

As soon as she answered, she was watching for his reaction. Reading into the smile, the soft sigh of relief, like it might be revealed as a grimace of frustration if she just noticed the right twitch of a muscle, some clue to reveal his real opinion. But the smile looked genuine enough, so she relaxed a little as he started handing her ingredients. “Let’s… let’s not push this too far,” she said quietly as he started to ask her another question, the feeling of having to make yet another decision terrifying. “Apple sounds like a safe bet, and it would be… it would be cool to do a little bit of a cool pattern with the apples. Do you… do you make a lot of pies? You have so much… stuff available.”

Kaden glanced down at her phone with some skepticism. “Alright fine, point made. I don’t spend that much time on my hair, you’re right,” he said with a small scoff. Not that he’d admit to just about anyone how much time he actually did spend on it. Or how much money. “Fair enough. Let’s stick with the apple in that case. I agree, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with them,” he said, offering her another smile as he set up to get the apples ready to go. “Fruit’s already sweet, you know. So you don’t have to worry too much about really screwing it up. Sort of can let good fruit do the work for you. I mean not that there’s no work, uh, but you know what I mean.” Putain. He realized he was probably talking too much about nothing for no reason. She’d agreed with him and here he was rambling about fruit. He let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck again. “Oh, uh, yeah I end up making a lot more than I ever thought I would, that’s for sure. But baking is good for stress relief, passing the time, all that. So I make a lot of pies in this town.” His smile wasn’t as full this time, try though he might to make it otherwise. “Anyway, we won’t have any pie if we don’t cut fruit or make some dough. So what do you say?”

“Right. The fruit’s sweet. Don’t need to put too much extra special effort in, got it.” Chloe matched his awkward smile with another, even more awkward one of hers. It didn’t seem possible, really. This didn’t feel like reality, more like a feverish dream that was maybe what her dying body was clinging to in its deathbed. Making pies with the man who Lydia had hated more than anything else, it was just the kind of thing that a dying brain might invent. Although Chloe hoped that if this was the imaginations of a brain trying to escape the horrors of its demise, it might make her less awkward. “Maybe let’s… start with the dough. Is that sensible? Or the apples will brown before we get everything assembled… although I guess you have lemon juice, which would solve the problem of browning entirely, which you probably thought about before I did, so….” Chloe swallowed down her nervous flurry, rubbing the back of her head. “I’m trying really, really hard not to be like this, you know,” she admitted quietly.

Kaden wanted his smile to reach his eyes, really did. But he knew Chloe hadn’t been in control of damn near anything for years now. The last thing he wanted to do was to shout out orders or take away any more of her choice. At the same time, there was no denying that she was struggling to make any decisions. He supposed that made sense but it was still hard to reconcile. “It’s a pie, not a rocket. There is some room for error here. Breathe.” He handed her a bowl and slid the flour and butter towards her. “You made a good point, though. Let’s start with the dough. Plus, it’s pretty fun to use the pastry blender.” He leaned into the counter with his side and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “You can be however you need to be though. Really. I’m, uh, the whole…” He sighed and dropped his hands back to his side before pushing his hair back out of his face. “Look I clearly don’t know how the hell to act normal either. Don’t worry about it.”

Chloe nodded, taking a deep breath. A pie, not rocket science. A hunter, not a fae, and this was for fun, not out of the expectation of perfection. That last thought hit her the hardest. Chloe looked up at Kaden and made herself meet his eyes. “I appreciate that. I really do.”

“I remember how charismatic I used to be and how easy I used to find social interactions and… it’s really hard to not make those comparisons. Everyone says these things take time,” which was the one thing Chloe didn’t have, “but I guess I’m a bit too perfectionistic now. Anyway.” She started to combine the flour and butter carefully with her finger tips, following Kaden’s instructions. It was laughable that Kaden could be considered as awkward, not when he was so many good things. Chloe just straight up didn’t believe him.

Kaden listened and gave her a small nod before working on his own dough. He barely had to think about what he was doing at this point, it was second nature by now. Still he should slow down, he was trying to teach her, right? Putain. “I know it’s not the same, but I used to be pretty different, too. Before moving here and--- Just before,” he said, keeping his eyes pinned to the counter, focus on the ingredients combining to make the dough. Something out of nothing. It wasn’t magic like what a spellcaster could do, it was far from supernatural, thankfully, but it had its own magic. “I try not to compare. It’s pointless. And just, I don’t know. It feels bad. So I don’t.” Kaden gave a small shrug before leaning a little more into the dough, maybe more aggressively than he needed to. Pausing, he looked over at what she had started on. “So far so good. Make sure the butter isn’t clumped,” he said, small smile and pointing out the one spot. “No one was ever perfect on a first try. If ever. And you’re still pretty charismatic. Definitely endearing. At the very least.” This time the smile he flashed was wider, warmer. The fact she was still able to hold up and joke after everything she went through? Definitely endearing.

“That’s hard to imagine. I figured you would have been doing the hunting thing for a while with the whole being an expert thing,” Chloe replied quietly, slowly working the dough over in her hands, trying not to overheat the butter between her fingers. She watched Kaden, trying to copy how he did it, as much as anyone could. “I’ve spent the last four years having to be the most perfect at something I’m capable of being,” Chloe admitted below her breath, “I know it was all her, but it’s just… part of me now. Still trying to be better at things. A better version of me.” Previously, more acceptable to let live. Now just more likeable. Definitely different stakes, but the mindset was still the same. She nodded, fixing the issue he’d pointed out and looking around the rest of the dough for more clumped butter. “Oh, trust me I know. And… glad you think I’m endearing, I guess? I think that’s not the word most people would use.”

“Yeah,” Kaden answered, voice small, “I have.” That was the problem. That’s all he’d done. And he wasn’t sure-- He paused. Inhaled deeply. He was baking. The kitchen was off limits for bullshit thoughts about his bullshit life. He’d decided that at some point in this stretch while Regan had been in her cabin. Morgan very rarely let that rule stand while they were baking, but he had control right now. No bullshit thoughts right now. Just baking. “Just trust me. I never would have done shit like this a year ago. I can’t remember the last time I lived in one place this long, to be honest with you.” He listened carefully as he folded the dough over, setting it aside once it was ready and watching her progress. “Guess that makes sense.” It’s not like he was great at being bad at things, either. “Yeah, well. I said what I said. Looks good, by the way. Now you just have to fold it. Roll it. Then turn it. And then there’s apples.”

“Oh.” Chloe replied softly, unsure if she could, or should reply. Was moving a hunter thing? Chloe distantly remembered Lydia’s sister, the one who had been killed so unjustly by those monstrous beings known as hunters. It had been reported as a murder. She supposed you would have to run, in a situation like that. What a thankless life indeed. And he’d joked before about her being braver, when Chloe was content to curl into the remnants of her life, doing nothing brave than posting about fae on main every once in a while. “Roll it. Fold it. Turn it. Wait,” Chloe smacked her wrist against her forehead, repeating the instructions in the right order this time. “Like this?” Chloe asked eventually, her hands beginning to throb from the work. “Does... this town scare you?”

It took Kaden a second to realize she’d even said it in the wrong order. “Wait, first-- yeah, you got it,” he said with a nod of approval as she manipulated the dough. He gathered both sets of dough and put them on a tray and into the fridge to chill. His fingers had wrapped around the handle when her question stopped dead in his tracks. It was something he’d never really considered. A looming question he never actually asked or answered to himself. Blinking, his mouth opened and closed a few times over, no words spilled out. He placed the tray in the fridge and closed the door before turning back to her. “I don’t know,” he managed to say. “It-- Maybe. It’s, uh… It’s definitely the most complicated place I’ve ever lived.” He rubbed the back of his neck, hoping he could find the answer. “You?” he hazarded to ask. Stupid question most likely.

“So… apples.” There couldn’t be any difficult decisions there, could there? It was just slicing and arranging and nothing else. Not that it mattered either way. As Kaden made clear, it wasn’t a big deal. “The most complicated place? What does that mean?” At his question, Chloe nodded, with a weak, wry smile. Of course he knew. “So afraid. All of her friends still live here. But…. I think I’m scared of out there even more.” Chloe gestured out towards the front door, frankly with no awareness of which was to point to other towns. She might have just pointed in the direction of the ocean for all she knew.

“Apples,” he repeated, grabbing the bag and setting up in the kitchen by the sink to wash them. “Uh, I mean, just that I’ve had more questions about my fucking life choices here than I have anywhere else. Maybe that’s not fair to blame on the town, though. Maybe I’m just old,” Kaden said and tossed the washed apple to her. He kept washing as she talked. She wasn’t fucking wrong. He wrung his hands in between placing one apple to the side and grabbing the next. “Makes sense.” He didn’t even know what to say to that. Morgan frequented that very kitchen. And she hadn’t been able to let Lydia go completely, even after. And as much as Regan detested Lydia, she was still fae. Hell, there was a pixie hidden in his apartment. He was surrounded by fucking fae and fae apologists and he was wondering if he was one at this point. When he had no goddamn reason to be looking at her and the effects a fae had on her. “Well, you have friends here now, too,” he said plainly, going back to washing the apples. “And she’s fucking dead.” No thanks to him. “So it’s a little safer now.” Small comforts, surely.

“You’re not that old, right?” Chloe had thought he was around her age, maybe even younger. Were hunters like fae in terms of looking young forever or… was he just being sardonic “No, I guess that makes sense.  Sort of. This place is so weird maybe it does make everyone question stuff.” She caught the apple, looking it over before carefully beginning to slice it. The knife slipped as he answered her, Chloe jerking away so she didn’t cut her hand. Friends. Something tightly wound inside her began to unravel a little there, like she’d tied down some part of her all those years ago so that it was too small to be seen by the monster she’d live with. The part of her that sought companionship, friendship. For years, she’d been hard and abrasive to everyone in the house because Lydia would have used anything else against her. But Kaden considered them friends. Or something similar. Chloe almost sobbed, blinking away the heat in her eyes rapidly. “She’s fucking dead,” Chloe echoed, taking a new apples from Kaden’s hand, still dripping with water as she put in on the board. “So I’m a little safer now.” Chloe cleaved the apple in two right through its heart. Some day, that might even sound true.

#writing #wickedswriting #chatzy #chloe #chloeinbetween #emotional abuse tw #domestic abuse tw #terminal illness mention #lydiaplot cw #a pie for help

[bananxjin]

Trophy Wife || 1

↦ Coworker!Seokjin x Reader

↦ WC: 4,940

↦ Drama || Angst || Fluff || Slow Burn

↦ Trigger Warnings: Verbal abuse, hints at death of a family member

↦ Summary: You thought you knew what you wanted -- You were sure you knew what you wanted. You thought the be-all and end-all was a loving, domestic marriage with your fiance, Touru Kim; the love of your life, the future father of your children, and the man of your dreams, but things happen. Events begin to unfold, and the relationship falls apart. You see the true colors of your husband-to-be, and you realize that maybe he’s not what you built him up to be. With everything laid out in front of you, you knew the be-all and end-all was a loving, domestic marriage.

Just not with Touru.

✨ Masterlist ✨

You felt a mix of emotions when you woke up this morning, but couldn’t quite pinpoint which one to focus on. On one hand, you couldn’t be more excited after landing a job at some chain retail department store. On the other hand, your fiance, Touru had been annoyed with you ever since you got the phone call confirming your position.

The job wasn’t much; you’d be cleaning fitting rooms, arranging and rearranging floor displays, and eventually cashiering when your manager called for it, and today was your first day working on the floor. Again, it wasn’t anything major, but it was your first real job. Pride and happiness bloomed in your chest at the thought of finally having your own fixed income.

 Touru had been… sulking, for lack of a better word. You loved Touru, you’d only been with the man for the last five years, but he was a man set in his ways, believing that as the man of the house, he should be the only breadwinner. To put it simply: Once the two of you are wed, you’ll have three children, and you’ll be a stay-at-home mother so that they’ll “live their childhood to the fullest,” as he liked to say. Your children will be enrolled in private school in their youth, and once they graduate, they’ll go to Yale to study medicine or pharmaceutical studies.

Yes, he’d even planned out your children's lives, but that’s okay. It just meant he was thinking ahead. You knew that in his heart, he wanted what's best for them, and you did too. Unfortunately, many people didn’t see it the same way.

You recalled the countless conversations, debates, and even arguments you had with your friends and family having the wrong idea about Touru, and you having to defend him. Your mother, bless her heart, knew she was fighting a losing battle with you the last time the two of you got into it over your soon-to-be husband.

**

“I just can’t understand why.” She said with a hefty sigh as she’d turned away from you to finish unloading the dishwasher. You’d refused to look at her after she’d made you so upset. You could feel the heat in your face, the tears of sheer anger threatening to spill down your cheeks. You opted for looking out the window instead. It’d been a beautiful day outside, you just wish you could’ve enjoyed it instead of having to discuss how much your mom disliked your fiance. Again.

“You always had aspirations for yourself growing up,” She muttered under her breath. “You had hobbies, and you told me all about how you were going to go to college for your nursing degree, do you remember that?” She asked, turning her head slightly, wondering if she’d get a response out of you, but to no avail. “You wanted to become a nurse because…”

“Don’t remind me.” You deadpanned, hoping she couldn’t hear how you spoke around the lump in your throat. She sighed again, “I just don’t understand how you’re going to let some boy decide you’d be better off being some kind of trophy wife, rather than letting yourself chase after something that was so obviously important to you-”

“It’s not important to me anymore.” You’d reminded her. “I love Touru, and he loves me. Having a long, prosperous marriage is what’s important to me.” You sighed, “He’s had to make changes for me too, you know.”

“Yeah? Well they must’ve been awfully insignificant. He’s clearly still the same person making the same choices he did when the two of you were in high school.”

**

You didn’t have anything else to say to her after that. Even now, after a month of little contact, you still couldn’t find the right words to say. Apparently she couldn’t either.

Seeing yourself all done up in the mirror, you blinked a couple times and swallowed the lump trying to form in your throat. You knew you had a lot on your plate, but you couldn’t focus on that now.

You had to go to work.

You pass by Touru, who’s slumped over his morning coffee and reading something on his phone. Most likely the news or one of the many forms he receives from his assistants. “I’m about to head out.” You muttered, wrapping your arms around his neck from behind and resting your chin on his shoulder. You placed a smooch on his cheek, your lips resting there for a moment when you caught a glimpse of the article he was reading. “Seven Things to Expect When You Date a Hard-Working Woman”.

You rolled your eyes, “Really, Touru? What could you possibly be worried about with me getting this job?” You sighed, stepping into the breezeway to grab your bag. “I just can’t wrap my head around why you’d want that job in the first place! I’m able to provide you with everything you could ever want and need.” He reminded you for the umpteenth time this week.

He stood up into a stretch as you walked back over. You couldn’t help the little smile on your face when you saw his sleep shirt ride up, revealing his little happy trail. You wrapped your arms around his neck and his instinctively wrapped around your waist. “I’ve never doubted your ability to satisfy me, honey.” You reassured him with a loving smile. “I’m not doing this because I’m unsatisfied. I’m doing it so I’ll have spending money of my own, and so I can be included on the work drama when I’m with the girls.” You joked lightly. You stood on your tip-toes so you could place a small kiss on the tip of his nose. For the first time in three days, you finally got to see his smile again.

“You’d tell me if you were unhappy, wouldn’t you?” He asked, sounding like a puppy that’s been kicked. You nodded slowly, allowing your gaze to move from his eyes to his lips. “I tell you everything, don’t I?”

He chuckled under his breath, pressing his lips to your own and softly muttering, “I surely hope so.”

__

“Okay team! Morning huddle!” Your manager, Irene’s voice of excitement carried across the floor, her heels clicking on the tile as she ran up to you and your co-workers who’d been waiting on her. “Before we get into it, I’d like to introduce you to our newest member, (Y/n) (Y/Ln)!”

A sudden wave of shyness rolled over you as you smiled, trying to briefly meet each of their gazes. “Hello! I just want to say I’m really excited to be here, and I can’t wait to get to know all of you!”

After Irene went over the sales goal and customer survey briefings, she finally allowed the group to disperse, but not before stopping you. “(Y/n), since it’s your first day on the floor, I’m going to have you train with Kyla.”

As if on cue, a girl with long black hair walked up behind Irene, a soft smile on her face, “Hi there!” She giggled. “She’s just going to show you the ropes, and if you feel comfortable enough today, we’ll split the three of you off into recovery teams, and you’ll work in one section on your own.” Irene explained.

“The three of us?” You asked, puzzled. “Yep! Seokjin’s working with us today!” Kyla giggled, pointing out the broad-shouldered man leaning on the customer service desk who seemed to be listening to your other manager you knew as Namjoon. You tilted your head a bit. “Was he in the morning huddle?”

Irene sighed and pressed her finger tips to her forehead, “He usually never is. He used to make jokes in the huddle until Seulgi scolded him for it once,” she explained, “The second time she had to scold him, she gave him a warning, and in front of all of us no less, and even though he didn’t seem fazed by it at the time, I think it really humiliated him deep down.” Her eyes trailed over to Seokjin’s back, “Now anytime we have a huddle or a meeting that Seulgi’s attending, he simply doesn’t show up. It’s not good, and I’ve mentioned it to him a few times, but he’s insisted it’s been pure coincidence each time he’s been absent.”

Kyla frowned, “Please don’t let that influence your opinion of him, though! He’s actually a really good coworker, and an even better friend!”

“Kyla’s right! Jin’s a great worker! Seulgi can just be a bit of a hard ass about these things.” Irene chimed in, “Trust me: You’ll really like Jin once you get to know him.”

“I heard my name! What’re you ladies talking about over here?” Instinctively, you turned toward the new voice, finding the broad shouldered man named Seokjin standing beside you.

’Oh gosh, he’s so tall.’ You thought to yourself, craning your neck to look up at him. “Speak of the devil! Jin, this is (Y/n), our new softline worker!” Irene introduced you. Jin peered down at you, giving you a  smile so big, the apples of his cheeks nearly devoured his eyes. “You would’ve known that earlier if you would’ve been at the huddle!”

Jin gave her a half-hearted look like her words had offended him, “Hey! I’ve been very busy all morning searching for those trouble units from last night! If anything, you should be thanking me!” Your coworkers laughed at his sudden outburst, but Jin seemed unphased, instead turning back to you, “Anyway! It’s very nice to meet you, (Y/n)!” He chirped with an outstretched hand.

You continued to stare at his face in awe for a moment, introductions completely lost on you. ‘He has a very pretty face.’

“Uhm,” You did your best not to choke on your words, “It’s nice to meet you too! I look forward to working with you!” You replied, quickly slipping your hand out of his. Jin tilted his head at you in confusion, his smile turning devilish. “What? Intimidated by my dashing good looks already?”

Intimidated? Your brows shot up upon breaking out of whatever spell he’d put you under. Bummer. And here you thought he was just a humble, good looking man. “Oh, please! I have a dashing good looking fiance at home.” You replied, “Sorry to break it to ya, Seokjin, but I don’t think your looks quite match his.”

“Ooh, she’s feisty!” Seokjin’s laugh was cute, in a strange, squeaky way. Try as you might, you were unable to hold back the smile it brought you. “I like this one! You did good, Irene!”

“Actually it was Seulgi that hired her.” Irene winked at him. “Seulgi?!” He replied exasperated, shoulders dramatically slumping forward. “Well now I can’t like her at all! Terrible taste! Take her back!” He rambled, quickly walking away from the three of you. The girls around you continued to giggle at his antics. You blinked, confusion clear in your features as you stared at Seokjin’s retreating back.

What just happened?

__

The store had been surprisingly slow all morning. Some customers approached you to ask questions that Kyla had to answer. Most of them just wanted to be left alone. You started to feel the same way after the third visit from Seokjin in less than an hour.

The first time you didn’t care; he was just returning a couple of items that belonged in the Women’s section. Sure he hung around to chat for a bit -- Fifteen minutes, but who’s counting? The second time he intruded on your training, he walked with the two of you between sections, casually making jokes and carrying most of the conversation. You couldn’t tell if his squeaky laugh was growing on you or just getting on your last nerve. The third time, he rolled his cart over to your dressing room, piled high with clothes that clearly needed his attention, but instead he kept you and Kyla there going on for twenty minutes about a date he had last weekend that he didn’t enjoy because “She thought videogames were childish. I just can’t have that kind of negative energy in my life.” 

Twenty. Minutes.

And yes, you were counting this time.

Despite his friendly disposition, you really just wanted to get through your day in peace.

“Hey, how would you feel if I let you handle a project with Jin?” Kyla asked suddenly. You gave her a look as if to ask, ‘What kind of project?’.

“It’s not that difficult!” She giggled, “We’re getting ready to move a bunch of our summer stuff to clearance, so all of it’s gotta be marked down. Jin could teach you how to do it easily!”

You shrugged nonchalantly, turning back to the table of shirts you’d been folding, “It’s not the task I’m worried about.” You mumbled. It’s not that you didn’t like Seokjin; he was clearly a sweet guy, but something about him threw you off. How in the world were you supposed to explain that to your coworker, though?

“Oh. Are you still thinking about what Irene said earlier?”

“Not really. It’s just…” You sigh, “He kind of seems like a jackass.”

Kyla’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head hearing you refer to him so bluntly like that. “Or maybe not a jackass! I mean…” You struggled to get the right words out. God, you barely knew this girl more than a couple hours, and she probably thought you’re the jackass.

“His whole ‘I want to be friends with everyone!’ spiel just seems fake.”

Kyla turned her back to you as she began organizing, although by the looks of it, the shelf you were working on didn’t exactly need that much TLC. You kept glancing over at her, wondering if she was going to prove you wrong; at least reassure you that your coworker wasn’t as bad as you thought, but you were met with silence. A silence so long and drawn out, it made you anxious that you'd crossed a line. You debated whether you should apologize or just leave the store and never return.

“I know you’re not the first person to get suspicious of Jin’s overly-friendly attitude.” She mumbled, “A jackass though, huh?” She laughed awkwardly, giving you a small glance over her shoulder.

“Sorry about that,” You cleared your throat, “That might’ve been a bit too harsh.”

“It’s okay! You’re right in a way, you know? We have to act a certain way to customers and even each other because, well it’s our job,” She giggled, “But rest assured, Jin isn’t nearly as bad as you might think. Even off the clock, he’s energetic and outgoing; he goes out of his way to be kind even to strangers.”

She spends time with Seokjin even when they’re not at work?,You wondered. Now that you thought about it, she seemed to laugh at everything that came out of Seokjin’s mouth -- That’s no surprise though, Irene and Namjoon were laughing at his jokes, too. But what if Kyla and Seokjin are closer than you thought?

“I’m gonna let Jin know you’ll be over to help him in clearance! It’ll give you a chance to get to know him better, and who knows! Maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two!”

__

“Hey, welcome home babe!” You were met with a chaste kiss on the cheek as Touru took your bag from you. “So how was your first day? Is it everything you expected it to be and more?” sarcasm dripped from his voice no matter how hard he tried to make up for it with his sickly sweet smile. One that you couldn’t quite return.

“It was… Good.” You took a seat at the island counter, toeing your shoes off and propped one leg over the other so you could rub your feet. Clearly you’d forgotten what it was like to be on your feet all day. You made a mental note to buy more comfortable shoes over the weekend.

“You ready to quit and go back to our original plan?” Your fiance sighed, tossing your shoes near the sliding glass door before taking a seat beside you. You’d given him a dirty look in response to his question. “No? It’s only my first day, why would I quit already?”

“Because working isn’t fun! People work to make a living; not to gossip about their coworkers at the water cooler!” He raised his voice as if that was going to further prove his point. The only thing it did was further increase the pounding in your head. “Yeah, I get that.” You sighed, “In case you can’t tell, I am taking this seriously. I don’t know what you think I was doing all day, but I worked. Really hard. Irene had my coworkers teaching me new things left and right, and I even helped a couple of customers after Seokjin and I--”

“Who’s Seokjin?”

And there it was. That little seedling of jealousy that sprouted anytime you mentioned a man’s name that Touru’s never met before. “He’s one of my coworkers that I met today. He taught me how to do price markups and we spent most of the afternoon moving all of our summer line over to clearance.”

“You and Seokjin did?”

“Well my other coworker, Kyla came over to help a couple times, but she mostly attended the dressing rooms.” You sighed a little too dramatically as you worked at a really tight knot near your toes, “But Irene wanted me doing this project for experience, and she just happened to pair me with Seokjin for it.”

Touru, although he’d been facing you, was clearly staring past you out the sliding glass door, nodding a slow nod with his jaw clenched tight. You knew better than to confront him about it. No matter how passive you were, how carefully you approached the topic, it's always ended in a fight. You’d just worked a full day, so you weren’t especially looking forward to brawling it out with your fiance, but between the lack of support for your ambition and being jealous that going forward, you will be working with a man on a day to day basis, you could feel yourself reaching your breaking point.

He clicked his tongue, and got up out of his seat to walk over to the fridge. “That’s nice.” He mumbled under his breath, “What else did he teach you? Or did you do most of the work?” His questions almost sounded rehearsed as he opened the fridge and looked around inside. It didn’t look like he was searching for anything, more like he just wanted to take a peek.

“Seokjin’s such an older generation name, ya know? I hope he wasn’t trying to, you know… Make you do all the work while he sat back.” He rambled.

You swallowed the thickness welling up in your throat. You knew what he was trying to do, what he wanted to hear you say, but you couldn’t find it in yourself to talk bad about your new coworker. “No, no we actually split the work up pretty evenly. He helped me when I needed it, but I was okay on my own.” You replied, trying to steer the conversation back to yourself. If you concentrated hard enough, you could probably hear the ticking time bomb that was your patience. Maybe crawl inside your own mind to defuse it.

“If you worked well on your own, then why did he need to help you?”

Tick. Tick.

“Because the software we have to use for price markups can be a little funny sometimes. Besides, that’s not the only thing I had to do. He also showed me how to find items linked on the floor, and what row our backstock would be in when I need to go looking for it in the stockroom.”

“Did he show you the stockroom?”

Tick. Tick. Tick.

“Yes.”

“Were you alone in there with him?”

Boom.

Your feet smacked the wooden floor hard when you finally stood off your stool. Enough was enough. “Look, you clearly don’t care about hearing how my day went, and I’m not in the mood to argue so can we just drop it?”

He frowned at your response, “I care! What, because I have a couple of questions about your beloved Seokjin-”

“My beloved Seokjin?!” Your voice cracked, “I just met the guy today! No, he didn’t do anything that rubbed me the wrong way! Why do you have to act like this?”

“Why are you always so defensive?!” He demanded, finally turning around to face you. His cheeks were tinged pink with anger, pupils blown out, shoulders all hunched over like he’s been carrying this burden for ages.

You screwed your eyes shut. This was a slippery slope, and you weren’t about to let him use the victim card to get out of it this time. Of course tonight was going to be like this after your first day ended up being better than you'd expected it to be. Of course he couldn’t be happy for you. "It's just you always act suspicious as soon as I meet someone new; someone you don't know. I have to work with him whether I like it or not."

“I should be allowed to ask questions about your coworkers.”

“You’re not even asking about my coworkers! You’re just asking about Seokjin! Seriously, who asks someone -- Scratch that, who asks their lover of Five Years,” You pleaded, enunciating each word, “if they’re alone with another man in a place like a dingy stockroom?”

“Someone who cares, (Y/n)!” He yelled, slamming an empty glass down on the marble countertop. The bottom of the glass shattered on impact, but your fiance didn’t seem to care. Everything in the kitchen stilled, and all you could hear was the sound of the two of you trying to catch your breath, as well as a distant ringing in your ears. Minutes passed. He tossed what was left of the glass into the porcelain sink, shattering the last of it. “I’m going to bed. I don’t deserve to be spoken to like this.” He pouted before stomping off to your shared bedroom.

You’d be the one to clean the glass out of the kitchen. You didn’t even end up sleeping in your own bed that night. Instead, you’d opted for sitting in the living room with a mug of tea, watching one of your favorite shows while you cried and felt sorry for yourself. Eventually, you’d just cried yourself to sleep because what else could you do? You couldn’t bear to listen to anyone lecture you about needing to break up with Touru because at the end of the day, you knew they didn’t fully understand that you still cared about him, and you were very happy in the relationship. The two of you were just going through a rough patch right now.

You thought things might’ve gotten better in the morning, especially when you woke up with a blanket covering your curled up form, but Touru remained a man set in his ways, keeping his heart guarded until you apologized. Unfortunately, you couldn’t find it in yourself to do it. Not immediately at least.

You really hoped for once, he’d be the one to say sorry first -- He was kind of the one to instigate the fight after all, but to assume would be a mistake, and so you managed to stretch this argument out for two very long weeks.

__

“Good morning, (Y/n)!” Seokjin’s sing-song voice rang out as he sat down beside you. You threw him a half hearted smile before turning back to your phone. You’d sent a sweet little ‘good morning’ text to Touru; told him to have a good day, and you love him. You continued to read your words over time and time again, hoping you said the right thing, hoping to get any kind of response. A text that was sent nearly forty minutes ago, and he read it almost immediately, but it’s easy to read a text when you’re in a rush. Responding, however...

“Hey, is everything okay? You seem bummed out.” Seokjin asked softly, leaning in a little closer than you’d like him to be. You wagered a glance at him. He was nosy, you knew that much, but you didn’t know what his motives were hence why you thought twice before giving him a peek into your personal life. 

It was no secret that everybody shared everything around here, be it good or bad things worth sharing, but it didn’t seem like any of your coworkers had bad intentions. Far be it from you to make that kind of observation so soon, though. After all, you’d only been there a few weeks.

Despite your hesitance, you could see that his soft dark eyes showed genuine concern for your wellbeing. But would you sound foolish bitching about your relationship troubles to a coworker? You worked alongside Seokjin now, maybe you should pick and choose your battles carefully.

“It’s nothing, really.” You mumbled, looking back down at your phone screen which had gone dark from being inactive. You’d decided this was a worthy battle to pick. You could hear your coworker shifting beside you, “If you don’t want to share with me, that’s okay.” He said gently, “But if you ever need somebody to lean on, feel free to lean on me. We’re friends now after all.”

You chuckled humorlessly. “You’ve barely known me that long, and we’re already friends?”

Seokjin hummed beside you, “I think we are.” You snuck another glance at him, your eyes immediately drawn in by his plump lips stretched into a soft smile.

“He has a dimple. He has one dimple in his left cheek.”

You sighed. Why not? The store didn’t even open for another twenty minutes. What else did you have to do aside from hoping you’ll get a response from your stubborn fiance? You turned a bit awkwardly in your seat so you were facing him a little better, and propping your elbow on the table so you could rest your head in your hand. “I’ve just been having some… Relationship troubles recently.”

Seokjin nodded in understanding. “My fiance was never big on the whole idea of me working. He wanted to be the only one bringing money in, ya know?”

“What does your fiance do?”

“He’s senior vice president of his father’s loan company.”

“Ooh, you caught yourself a rich little daddy’s boy, huh?” He giggled, maybe to try lightening the mood a little bit, you guessed? Regardless, it didn’t even draw a chuckle out of you.

“If you’re not going to take me seriously, I won’t talk about it.”

Seokjin quickly cleared his throat, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry, I just wanted to make you smile.” He replied, taking a moment to calm down. “Okay. I’m taking you seriously. You may continue.”

You gave him a hard look before nodding. “He’s pretty dead set on us getting married, having three children, and providing a good life for us, but in his picture, I’m a stay-at-home mom, which is fine when the time comes for me to fill that roll! Until then… I don’t know?” You sighed, “I just want to feel like I have a purpose while we still plan our future together. Maybe do things I haven’t done before.”

“You’ve never worked retail before?”

You shook your head no. “I mean, I’ve worked under the table jobs, I guess. I babysat here and there, helped my mom out where I could when she was working at home when my dad…”

Right. Your dad. He doesn’t know about all that. “Uhm,” You cleared your throat, trying to reel the conversation back in a bit, “Anyway, no. There’s still a few things I haven’t done, but I know a lot of the things that I want just… Aren’t feasible. At least right now, they’re not.”

Seokjin’s brows knitted together in confusion. “What do you mean? Like you want to travel?” He asked, “Not to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong, but your fiance sounds like he’s pretty financially sound? Surely having this job just means play money for you, there’s no doubt in my mind the two of you could go wherever you want.”

You rolled your eyes before turning away from him again. “It’s not that simple.” You sighed, “He’s expecting the wedding and our honeymoon to be expensive. On top of that, we have bills to pay, so no, we can’t go wherever we want.” You responded in a curt tone. You couldn’t help but feel a little burned by his play money comment. Did everyone around you really think you didn’t take your position seriously?

You couldn’t shake the feeling of humiliation, like somehow in a roundabout way, Seokjin was able to make a mockery of your feelings. Friends, huh? With friends like that, who needs enemies?

Your chair made an obnoxious screeching sound as you stood abruptly. Seokjin looked over at you in surprise, “I’m going to head out.” You muttered, double checking you had all of your necessary equipment.

“(Y/n), I… I’m really sorry if I said anything to offend you, I really didn’t mean-”

“Don’t worry about it, Seokjin.” You sighed. You slipped by him and rushed out onto the floor before he could get another word in. You checked your phone one last time while you still had the chance.

No notifications.

Of course not. You were foolish to assume you’d hear back from him.

#bts #kim seokjin #seokjin x reader #jin x reader #non-idol au #retail au #bts x reader #slow burn #hey there! sorry if this chapter is kind of slow! #I promise it gets better in chapter 2 #<3 #aaaaa i might change the summary too #i haven't decided yet but if yall like the summary as it is; lmk #magicshopnet

[kayliemusing]

30

1: Name - Kaylie

2: Age - 23

3: 3 Fears - Spiders, failure, loss

4: 3 things I love - Reading, writing, Taylor Swift

5: 4 turns on - Kindness, nice hands, humor, someone who has a really warm heart.

6: 4 turns off - Arrogance, moustaches lmao, narcissism, basket ball shorts *shudders*

7: My best friend - Her name is Megan (but also my mom lmao)

8: Sexual orientation - Heterosexual

9: My best first date - I have never been on a date.

10: How tall am I - 5'2

11: What do I miss - My childhood mostly

12: What time were I born - 2:45 pm

13: Favorite color - Red, but sometimes a nice summery, pastel yellow

14: Do I have a crush - no

15: Favorite quote - I have so many that I can't say my utmost favourite, but one that I always think about is from Richard Siken "He was pointing at the moon but I was looking at his hand." I'm not even sure how this is supposed to be interpreted, but I just love the detail of this. Of someone looking at the moon and pointing at it, but you're looking at their hand because you're that consumed by them and also they're like your moon. anyway-

16: Favorite place - My house lol

17: Favorite food - Cheesecake

18: Do I use sarcasm - Yes, but very dryly

19: What am I listening to right now - Nothing actually. I'm just sitting in the quiet.

20: First thing I notice in new person - I used to think it was physical, like eyes or their smile, but I think it's actually their demeanor. i.e., confidence, if they're laid back, talkative or quiet, etc. Or even just how they handle things. Like when I'm at work and I meet a new co-worker I'm always noticing how they are with people.

21: Shoe size - 6.5 US but I can manage a 7 US too.

22: Eye color - Grey

23: Hair color - Ashy blonde, but I usually get it highlighted to be a brighter blonde

24: Favorite style of clothing - I'm super into the French girl vibe right now (elegany, classy, ribbed sweaters tucked into high waisted jeans or dress pants, a blazer thrown over and a nice gold necklace) but I'm also really into a summery boho look (flowy maxi dresses and skirts)

25: Ever done a prank call? No

27: Meaning behind my URL - On this account, it's just my name and then 'muses' because this account is just me talking to myself tbh. My main account is called autumnsletters which is just a combo of my fav things: autumn and handwritten love letters, and finally, my embarrassing taylor swift account is called sixteenavenue which is a lyric from her song I Think He Knows where she mentions her heart skipping down sixteenth avenue.

28: Favorite movie - I feel like i don't have one answer bc I always have a different answer to this question lmao. I think it's called A Christmas Carol (the 2009 version w/ Jim Carrey). It just makes me feel cozy and warm inside. Also: Clueless.

29: Favorite song - All Too Well by Taylor Swift I think.

30: Favorite band - Of Monsters and Men

31: How I feel right now - I actually feel really happy today, which is a change lol. I had an awful week last week, but over the last couple of days I've just felt more creative and happier.

32: Someone I love - My mom

33: My current relationship status - Single

34: My relationship with my parents - Excellent.

35: Favorite holiday - Christmas

36: Tattoos and piercing i have -0 :'(

37: Tattoos and piercing i want - I want to get my ears pierced again bc the holes grew over. Low key want a nose piericing and low key want a tattoo on my collarbone (or somewhere around there)

38: The reason I joined Tumblr - Because everyone else had it and I felt left out LOL

39: Do I and my last ex hate each other? - I don't have an ex

40: Do I ever get “good morning” or “good night ” texts? - No

41: Have I ever kissed the last person you texted? - No i've never been kissed rip

42: When did I last hold hands? - never but it's ok bc i can hold my own hand

43: How long does it take me to get ready in the morning? - Depending on what I'm doing. If I showered the night before and I'm just doing a very low-maintenance look, roughly 15-20 mins. On a normal day in which I shower in the morning and am trying to actually be presentable, roughly an hour.

44: Have I shaved your legs in the past three days? - Have YOU shaved MY legs? No. Have I shaved my own? Yes

45: Where am I right now? - My room

46: If I were drunk & can’t stand, who’s taking care of me? - Most likely I'm not drunk, but IF I WAS, it would be my friend, my mom, or my sister (my sister would probs make fun of me and film me tho tbh)

47: Do I like my music loud or at a reasonable level? - Loud if I'm jamming with nothing else to do but sing along. If I'm trying to do something, I'll turn it down bc I can't focus with loud music (especially if I'm trying to write something/talk to someone/text someone)

48: Do I live with my Mom and Dad? - My mom bc my dads dead

49: Am I excited for anything? - My sister and I are going to Banff in about three weeks so I'm excited for a getaway.

50: Do I have someone of the opposite sex I can tell everything to? - No

51: How often do I wear a fake smile? - I work in retail so

52: When was the last time I hugged someone? - I don't know. I think I hugged my mom at some point this week lol

53: What if the last person I kissed was kissing someone else right in front of me? - Bye bye babyyyy

54: Is there anyone I trust even though I should not? - my cat

55: What is something I disliked about today? - I had to go to work

56: If I could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be? - Taylor Alison Swift baby

57: What do I think about most? - Probably Taylor Swift.

58: What’s my strangest talent? - I can make stomach gurgling noises with my mouth closed.

59: Do I have any strange phobias? - Nah, pretty generic ones

60: Do I prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it? - Behind the camera

61: What was the last lie I told? - Some lady asked if a product was good and I said yes so I wouldn't have to help her find another one

62: Do I prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online? - Neither what the hell

63: Do I believe in ghosts? How about aliens? - Neither

64: Do I believe in magic? - No

65: Do I believe in luck? - No

66: What's the weather like right now? - It's calm, but a little cloudy. It was really warm and sunny earlier, but it's gotten a little grey.

67: What was the last book I've read? - I just finished this series called The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski and it was so good but so stressful omg. Still 5/5 stars.

68: Do I like the smell of gasoline? - Yes

69: Do I have any nicknames? - Not really, but sometimes my coworkers call my Kayls

70: What was the worst injury I've ever had? - Oh my god when I was like 10 I fell during grounders and the bar hit me right on the cooch. Most painful event of my entire life.

71: Do I spend money or save it? - Spend it bitch

72: Can I touch my nose with a tongue? - No

73: Is there anything pink in 10 feet from me? - yes!! my blanket!!

74: Favorite animal? - I love hippos and I don't know why.

75: What was I doing last night at 12 AM? - Reading on my phone to avoid sleeping so I could prolong not going to work

76: What do I think is Satan’s last name is? - Devil. Kind of like Satan The Devil is his full name

77: What’s a song that always makes me happy when I hear it? - Shake It Off

78: How can you win my heart? - Learning Taylor Swift's entire discography for my sake

79: What would I want to be written on my tombstone? - tbh I really don't know

80: What is my favorite word? - Wonderstruck

81: My top 5 blogs on tumblr - n/a

82: If the whole world were listening to me right now, what would I say? - stream fearless taylor's version

83: Do I have any relatives in jail? - no

84: I accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow me with the super-power of my choice! What is that power? - Healing

85: What would be a question I’d be afraid to tell the truth on? - N/A

86: What is my current desktop picture? - it's a misty forest

87: Had sex? - no

88: Bought condoms? - no

89: Gotten pregnant? - no

90: Failed a class? - yes

91: Kissed a boy? - no

92: Kissed a girl? - no

93: Have I ever kissed somebody in the rain? - no but it's a dream

94: Had a job? - I've had two so far

95: Left the house without my wallet? - Yes, sometimes I do it on purpose so I can make my mom pay for something lmao (chill i'm talking something small like candy)

96: Bullied someone on the internet? - no

97: Had sex in public? - no

98: Played on a sports team? - no

99: Smoked weed? - no

100: Did drugs? - no

101: Smoked cigarettes? - no

102: Drank alcohol? - yes

103: Am I a vegetarian/vegan? - no

104: Been overweight? - I feel overweight, but technically no

105: Been underweight? - No

106: Been to a wedding? - Yes

107: Been on the computer for 5 hours straight? - Yes, but not since I was younger. I'm mostly on my phone now.

108: Watched TV for 5 hours straight? - Oh yeah lmao

109: Been outside my home country? - No

110: Gotten my heart broken? - Yes

111: Been to a professional sports game? - No

112: Broken a bone? - No

113: Cut myself? - Yes

114: Been to prom? - Sort of. I'm Canadian so I had grad.

115: Been in airplane? - No

116: Fly by helicopter? - No

117: What concerts have I been to? - Jonas Brothers when I was about 10 lmao and Marianas Trench when I was 15

118: Had a crush on someone of the same sex? - No

119: Learned another language? - Tried to

120: Wore make up? - Yes. I do work at a makeup store.

121: Lost my virginity before I was 18? - no

122: Had oral sex? - no

123: Dyed my hair? - not a funky color, no

124: Voted in a presidential election? - Sort of; I voted for a prime minister

125: Rode in an ambulance? - Yes

126: Had a surgery? - No

127: Met someone famous? - No

128: Stalked someone on a social network? - No

129: Peed outside? - No

130: Been fishing? - No

131: Helped with charity? - Yes

132: Been rejected by a crush? - No bc I never fessed up to any crush lol

133: Broken a mirror? - No

134: What do I want for birthday? - A jewelry box

#survey

[tinyanimelover]

Red Flags

Part Ten (Some of you may have seen this already. Idk. But tumblr on mobile says I've posted some of my drafts when I haven't but then I get on my laptop and its not posted?)

(read Part One here ; check out my master-list for the rest of the parts ^.^)

"Thank you for coming in to see me on such short notice, Suzo" the doctor said as he sat behind the desk "I have good news". "Really?" Suzo's eyes widened "Did she move up on the donor list?!". "Even better" the doctor grinned "Someone has offered to give her their lung! Its a perfect match and we've accepted the donation. They've asked for it to be anonymous so I can’t tell you who it is but once we get the preparations ready, we can do the surgery right away. I’d say..in two days time!". "Someone..offered..." his eyes widened even more and they grew teary "T-that's good news doc...really good fucking news.." he wiped his eyes as he tried to stop from crying "D-does Y/n know yet?". "I figured you'd want to be the one to tell her" he explained "Unless you're busy, then I can tell her when I go in to see her later on". "I'll tell her" he chuckled, "I'll tell her. She's going to be so happy! Man...".

"You look like you're thinking about something serious" Y/n asked as she laid in the bed, eyes half lidded due to the medication she was under. "..n-nah. It's nothing" Grimmjow leaned back on his chair "...does anything hurt? I can get a nurse in here". "I'm fine" she managed to muster up a smile "Nothings gonna help me now anyways...". "..can I ask you something?" He asked after a few minutes had passed. She hummed in response, too weak to speak for too long. "What would you do if you had a second chance at life?" Grimmjow asked "Or third? Since this is your third time being in here for your lungs...". "....a third chance....I'd live more..I was too scared that my body would reject my father's lung that...I lived carefully...and I regret that now..". She explained "If I had a third chance. I'd do more with my life". "Like what? Hike or some shit?" He asked, wondering what it was that she wanted to do with her life if she wasn't ill. A soft laugh slipped past her lips, "No...I'd make more friends..go see movies more often, eat out...window shop...". He noted how she trailed off, eyes finding that a red tinge had graced her face "..what?". Why was she blushing? "I'd...date...ya know..find the right guy.." she let out, a bit embarrassed. His eyes widened as he found himself blushing as well, clearing his throat as he looked away "D-...dating's good...gotta experience that a few times in your life". "..no use wishing about all of that now..." she brought up "..I'm tired Grimmjow..I think I'll sleep for a bit..". His gaze softened, "Go ahead..I'll be here when you wake up". "..thank you". About twenty minutes later, Suzo came into the room a huge grin on his face "Ah, Grimmjow! Good to see you". "Yeah--you look happier than usual" Grimmjow said with a raised eyebrow "Did ya get laid or something?". Suzo deadpanned lightly, "No..I did not...". "You should go out and get laid, you look like you need it" the male said calmly. "I’m doing just fine in my love life, Grimmjow...anyways! I came to tell Y/n some good news!" He grinned, before he noticed she was asleep "Oh...how long has she been asleep?". "Almost like twenty minutes before you came in" Grimmjow explained "She seemed really tired when I showed up". "Yeah..probably the meds and stuff..." Suzo said softly. "What’s the big news? If you don’t mind telling me" He pressed. "Someone has offered to donate a lung for Y/n!" The male let out with a huge grin, eyes growing watery "So as soon as they get everything in order they'll do the operation!". Grimmjow chuckled, eyes wide "Wow, that’s fucking good news man! Even better than getting laid!". "I know!" Suzo laughed softly "But I'll come by later then to tell her about it. I've got to get to work. Are you going to be here later on?". "Yup" he let out with a sigh "Kinda got suspended from my job earlier this week so I don't have anything else to do". "..that explains why you've been here every day this week..what'd you do?". "A bunch of complaints from asshole customers" he laughed "Whatever, I hated that job anyways". “Ah, yeah there are some tough customers in retail sometimes..actually, before I go...I wanna ask ya something". "Go for it" Grimmjow raised an eyebrow “What’s up?”. "...when she gets better and things start to look up for her..are you still going to be there?" Suzo asked as he knit his eyebrows. Grimmjow smirked, "Of course. I said I'd be here for the long run. Even if she gets better, I still want to be at her side. Sorry, Suzo. You're never getting rid of me". Suzo laughed, "That sounds like a good and bad thing...but I'm glad. Thanks Grimmjow, I'll stop by after work. I'd like to be the one to tell her so keep it between us, okay?". "Sure" Grimmjow yawned "Ill probably be asleep by the time she wakes up anyways". "Alright. Thanks again" Suzo let out before he left. The blue haired male sighed as he laid back in the chair, eyes glued to the ceiling thinking about how the girl would react at being given a third chance at life. He smirked faintly, "...tch..as if I'd fucking leave..not willingly at least..".

Later on that night right before visiting hours were done, Suzo managed to get there on time. Even if he’d arrived late, some of the nurse shad a crush on him so they would've snuck him him to see her either way. By then Grimmjow was passed out on the chair, mouth slightly parted as soft snores left his lips. ”He’s been asleep for the past hour” Y/n spoke up softly as Suzo stepped further into the room. A grin plasterd onto his face, “I stopped by earlier but you were asleep. How are you feeling?”. “Fine, I guess..I have this headache that won’t go away” she smiled weakly “But I’ll be fine. Did you just get out of work?”. He nodded, walking over to the side of the bed and sitting “Yeah. I stopped by to tell you some good news”. “Good news?” she raised an eyebrow “What about?”. “The doctor called me in this morning” he started “Know what he said?”. She pursed her lips, “...my days are numbered?”. He chuckled, “No! No Y/n...he told me that someone has offered to donate for you”. Her eyes widened “What? really?! Who?”. “Dunno. It was anonymous so he couldn’t tell me” Suzo explained “They’re going to run the tests to see if its compatible. If it is then they’ll start the surgery as soon as possible!”. Her eyes grew watery as she looked down at her hands “Wow...that’s....that’s really fucking great!--Oh! Sorry for cursing” she laughed softly. He deadpanned “You’ve been hanging around Grimmjow too long...but I’ll allow it just this once! It’s really good news isn't it?”. She wiped her eyes, “Suzo..can we go eat burgers when I’m let go from the hospital? I've been craving some”. “We can go eat whatever you want and do whatever you want when we leave, Y/n” he smiled sheepishly “We’ll do all the things you want until you’re tired and exhausted!”. She was excited and extremely grateful for this miracle! But she couldn't help but wonder: who donated for her? And why?

#Bleach #bleach short stories #Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez #Bleach Grimmjow #grimmjow x reader #female reader insert #series #red flags

[janeyseymour]

Chance Encounter

Prompt: okay hi! i don't know if you still need jane prompts (though it's not really mom!jane) but what if abby!jane and jessie!jenna bumped into each other in new york or something? like jane is in a busy coffee shop and jenna takes the only open seat across from jane while waiting for lulu and jim to meet her and she starts talking to jane. and when jim comes he makes a joke about them looking like sisters :D idk feel free to talk a LOT of creative liberty! hope you're well and had a good day <3 -ay

Here it is! I hope it’s alright! It truly was so fun to write this! Thank you for trusting me with your idea!

They say there are seven people in the whole world who look like you, but it is highly unlikely you’ll never meet them. Highly unlikely means there’s a chance though. You never know if, when, or where you’re going to find your lookalike. For Jane Seymour and Jenna Hunterson, it was about to happen in the smallest of coffee shops. 

“Janey, can you please come and sit in the shop? It’s my first day of work.” Jane stopped herself from rolling her eyes. 

“Why can’t-” 

“Kat’s starting her first day too. Please?” Anne pouted slightly. “I’m just really nervous, having your familiar face around will help.” 

“I suppose I can stick around the shop tomorrow.”

“Thank you so much!” Anne threw herself into Jane’s arms.

“Of course love.”

“And tomorrow after work, I can help you find a job too!” Since SiX closed, the queens were scrambling to find work to support themselves. Staying in New York was expensive, and the six of them were not ready to part with the place they loved to call home. Catherine and Cathy had both ended up working at a journalism office. Anna had found a place looking for athletic models. Katherine was more than happy to work retail while she waited for her first semester of college to begin. That left Jane who, if she was going to be completely honest with herself, wasn’t sure what to do now that the show was over.

-

The tall blonde had settled herself into the corner of the coffee shop at the very beginning of Anne’s shift and was quietly sipping her tea and reading. Every once in a while, Anne would come out from behind the counter with a new cup of warm tea for her friend. 

“Thank you love,” she would say happily before returning to her book. 

“Excuse me?” A voice interrupted her reading. “Is it alright if I sit here?”

Jane looked up, only now realizing that every other seat was taken but the three around her. 

“I suppose,” Jane said curtly before returning to her book. 

“Oh, that’s a really good book,” the woman who she didn’t know whispered. “I should read that again.”

“Carole King really is amazing, isn’t she?” Jane tucked the book away.

“Amazing. My husband and I saw the musical at the end of 2018. The woman who played Carole was stunning.”

“There was a musical about her life?” Jane didn’t know about this. Her and the queens were too busy with their own show at the time in Chicago to really take in all of the other shows around them.

“Yeah, but it closed. 6 years of running, especially now, is great.” Jane hummed in agreement. She knew this firsthand. 

“Yeah. I was actually in a broadway show for a while. It was nice. But it closed, and now we’re all looking for new jobs,” Jane sighed. She really did miss performing, but at least now she was able to take control of her life again. 

“Oh, what show? Maybe I’ve seen it?”

“Uhm,” Jane paused. “SiX?”

“Wait, I knew you looked familiar! You’re Jane Seymour!” the woman whispered.

“That is me.”

“You were amazing. Your song really got me.”

“Thank you,” Jane trailed off when she realized she hadn’t yet learned the woman’s name.

“Jenna. Jenna Hunterson.” Jenna stuck her hand out.

“Nice to meet you Jenna.”

“I mean it, your performance was amazing.”

“Thank you,” the blonde laughed awkwardly. “Sorry, sorry, I’m just not very good at accepting compliments.”

“Oh, that’s not a problem. Neither am I.”

“Enough about me. What brings you to this quiet little coffee shop?”

“I just got off from work, and my husband brings my daughter here after school sometimes. You know, she gets a treat, we get some of the best coffee around. I just wish they would tell me how they make their coffee so I could bring it to my shop,” Jenna muttered the last part mostly to herself. 

“Oh? You work at a restaurant around here?” Jane was always looking for a new place to try.

“Uhm, have you heard of Lulu’s Pies?” The brunette seemed a bit hesitant to reveal the name of her place of work. 

“I’ve never had the chance to go there, but I’ve heard amazing things. People around here say it’s the best pie you’ll ever find and that little Lulu herself is often at the diner with her Mama on the weekends.”

“Well, I can’t promise that it’s the best pie you’ll find, but it’s true that little Lulu is at the diner often. She loves seeing all the friendly faces in New York.”

“Maybe I’ll have to stop in soon. Do you work there often?”

“I’m there everyday baking the pies, waitressing, chatting with the regulars that come in. It’s-”

“Sounds like you’ve been there for quite some time.”

“Well, actually,” the brunette laughed awkwardly. “I’m kind of the owner.”

“That’s wonderful. I’ll for sure have to stop in now.”

“I’ll make sure to have the best slice of pie ready for you,” Jenna offered with a warm smile. 

“So how’d you manage to open up your own business in New York?” 

“Well, before it was Lulu’s Pie, I worked at a small diner out in Kentucky: Old Joe’s. When Joe passed away, he left me the place. That crazy old man, gosh I miss him everyday. He had the faith in me to keep the business running, and with a bit of work, the restaurant started growing. Jim, my husband, convinced me to take the leap and open up a place in New York. Two years later, and here we are, although I do sometimes miss the small town life.” The brunette kept her story short. No point in boring the poor woman. 

“That’s wonderful. I guess sometimes you just have to take that leap.”

“I’m sure glad he told me to do it. New York is full of so many people, and everything is always changing. You never know who you just might meet.” 

“Hi Jenna,” a man’s voice came from behind Jane. 

“Mama!” a little girl squealed as her eyes set on her mother. 

“Hi sweet child of mine,” Jenna opened her arms up for the child to run into.

“Did Daddy let you pick out your treat for today?” Lulu nodded enthusiastically.

“She picked possibly the most sugar-filled thing in the restaurant. The barista behind the counter snuck in two when she heard Lulu’s manners.” Jim chuckled, still not moving from behind Jane.

“Oh Anne,” Jane laughed softly to herself. Anne always had a soft spot for children, especially when they were well behaved.

“Who are you?” Lulu looked at the woman across from her mother. Her tone wasn’t rude, but rather genuinely curious. “I’m Lulu, and I’m 6 and a half!”

“Very nice to meet you Lulu. I’m Jane.” A pang of guilt surged through the blonde. She had to admit, she was a bit jealous Jenna was able to spend all of the time in the world with her daughter. If only Jane had been able to spend time with Edward.

“Take a seat Jim,” Jenna gestured to the chair next to her. “Do you remember that musical we saw a little while ago? SiX?” 

“Oh yeah. It was pretty good. Why?” Jim hadn’t really looked at Jane yet. 

“This-” Jenna gestured to the queen across from her. “is Jane Seymour. The third queen?”

“Jim Pomatter.” The tall and lanky man stuck out his hand as he sat. Only then did he really get a good look at the blonde. “Wow,” was all he could say.

“Pardon?” Jane tilted her head.

“You look just like my wife.” Jim looked at the two women. “You could be sisters.”

“Jim,” Jenna laughed awkwardly. “We look nothing alike. She’s so much prettier.”

“I-” the blonde didn’t know how to respond. “You’re very pretty too.”

“No seriously, you two look so similar. If one of you dyed your hair, you would look exactly the same! This is crazy! I don’t know how I didn’t see it before!” Jim couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“Jane? Do you like pie? My mama owns a diner around here, and it’s named after me!” Lulu interrupted.

“Daddy, Jane, and I were having a conversation Lu,” Jenna chided gently.

“Oh, it’s alright,” Jane waved it off as she brought her attention to the small girl in her mother’s lap. “I do like pie! Your mama and I were actually talking about the diner earlier, and I would love to come in one day and try a piece! Do you think you could pick out the best pie for me to try?” 

“If you come in on Satur- tomorrow! Saturday is tomorrow! If you come in tomorrow, I’ll be there! I can even make sure to save you a slice of Mama’s Mermaid Marshmallow Pie! It sells out really fast, but I’ll make sure Mama doesn’t give away the last slice.”

“Sweetie, Jane will come in when she can come in,” Jenna whispered.

“I can come tomorrow.”

“Really?” Lulu’s eyes lit up with excitement. 

“I promise,” Jane giggled. It’s as if her presence was just making this girl’s day, and she didn’t even know she was famous. The little girl liked Jane just for being Jane.

“Yes! I’ll save you a booth, and maybe we can color and it’s going to be so much fun!” Lulu put her hand in the air, to which Jane high fived her.

“That sounds like a lot of fun Lulu. Should I bring my colored pencils?”

“You really don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Jenna tried to ease the pressure off of Jane. She knew her little girl could come on strong- something she no doubt learned from Becky.

“Oh it’s not a problem.” Jane smiled.

“Well Miss Lulu, I think it’s about time we head home. Mama’s gotta make some dinner, and then if you want to be up bright and early to be at the diner tomorrow, we’ve gotta go to bed,” Jim said as he finished off the last of his coffee.

“Can Jane come for dinner?” The little girl looked at her mother for permission. 

“You’ll see Jane tomorrow at the diner.” 

“But mama,” the child began to whine.

“Actually Lulu, I should probably get going too. I’ve got dinner to make for my family too.” Perhaps if Jane told the six year old she also had to go home and make dinner, it would be easier for Jim and Jenna to get her out of the shop. “But I promise you I’ll come in tomorrow with loads of paper and colored pencils for us to color. Does that sound like a plan?”

“You promise?” Lulu gave her a pointed look.

“I promise.” Jane smiled warmly. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Lulu.” Jane waved goodbye at the family who had begun to pack up their things. What the blonde wasn’t expecting was for the sweet girl to embrace her. 

“Thank you for being so nice to me.”

“Thank you for being so nice to me Lulu. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” Lulu gave her a thumbs up.

“You know, Lulu isn’t usually that open with adults she’s just met,” Jenna offered casually as she helped Lulu back into her jacket.

“It’s because she looks just like you Jenna!” Jim still couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that a broadway star (and a former queen) looked just like his wife.

“Well, she’s a very sweet girl,” Jane complimented. The brunette nodded in acknowledgement.

“Have you found a job since SiX closed?”

“I- I’m afraid not yet.”

“Do you want a job?”

“I don’t think I could. I wouldn’t stand a chance against you in the kitchen, and I’ve never been a waitress, and-”

“Lulu needs a Nanny. The last woman we had watching her moved away.” 

“I-”

“Oh please Jane!” Lulu looked at her with pleading eyes. 

“Lu, why don’t we go outside and wait for Mama while she talks to Jane?” Jim suggested. 

“Oh okay Daddy,” the small girl over-exaggerated her sigh. Bye Jane! See you tomorrow!”

“Looking forward to it sweetheart,” Jane’s voice was honest. The blonde really was looking forward to it.

“It was so nice to meet you Jane.”

“You too Jim.” Jane watched as the father led his daughter out the door.

“She really is a good kid,” Jane thought out loud. 

“Would you be interested in Nannying for us? There’s no pressure. But since you mentioned needing work, and I have work to offer, I figured I would ask. If you don’t want to, then that’s more than fine. It’s just been a while since I’ve seen my little girl speak to another adult other than my husband and me with such excitement.”

“You’re willing to trust me, a stranger you met maybe an hour ago, to watch over your precious angel?”

“I’m pretty sure if you were to do anything immoral, we would’ve heard about it by now. You are kind of in the public eye.”

Jane thought this over. “I suppose you’re right.” 

“So? What do you say?”

“I- I think I’d like that.”

“We can talk about the logistics of it all tomorrow? Over a slice of Mermaid Marshmallow?”

“That sounds wonderful.”

“Well, I better get going. I wasn’t lying when I said I had to cook dinner. But it really was a pleasure meeting you Jane. I think this may just be the start to a beautiful friendship.” Jenna winked playfully and made her way out of the coffee shop. 

-

“How was your first day of work?” Jane grinned at the girl in green.

“It was alright. I saw you talking to that one family for quite some time.”

“Yeah. A sweet family.” Jane smiled as she remembered the chance encounter.

“See? Coming to my first shift wasn’t so bad afterall, was it?”

“I guess you’re right.” 

“Are you ready to head home and start job hunting?”

“Actually Annie, I think I found a job. Nannying for that sweet family.”

Who would’ve known that something Jane didn’t want to do in the first place would lead her to a chance encounter with her lookalike, land her a job, and the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

#six the musical #six musical #waitress the musical #waitress musical #six fanfiction #six the musical fanfiction #six fanfic #six the musical fanfic #six musical fanfic #jane seymour #jenna hunterson #six broadway

[dc41896]

Night Drive

https://melinda-january.tumblr.com/post/189875986010/lewis-and-kolten-fumbling-fanfics-dc41896

Ok so this story from his insta inspired me to write a quick something so hopefully you guys like it😊! Also thank you @melinda-january for getting it because it’s since expired so I definitely wouldn’t have been able to include it lol.

Pairing: Lewis Tan x Black Reader

Warnings: None

“No no, that doesn’t look right!,” you thought erasing your draft yet again. As part of your project from your boss, you, and other members from the team, were tasked with creating a new logo and a commercial for a product moving from a small “mom and pop” store to nationwide retailers.

Oh, and you had to have everything done by tomorrow.

You didn’t purposely leave it for last minute, it’s just your creativity hadn’t really been there lately. So what you thought would only be a week of waiting for an idea to spark in you mind, turned into a month and you now close to tears trying to figure out something fast.

With the music blaring in your ears paired with your intense focus on the paper in front of you, you didn’t hear Lewis let himself in your apartment or sneak up behind you.

“How’s it going?,” he shouts removing one of your earbuds and making your heart feel as if it jumped to your throat.

“Jesus Christ Lewis! Remind me to take that key back from you.”

“I’m sowwy I didn’t mean to scare you, I yelled and said I was here but you didn’t hear me because of the music,” he responds, kissing your cheek. “Plus I texted you earlier and said I was coming over.”

“Yea I know, I’ve just been trying to work on this project.” Focusing back on your work, you hear Lewis rummaging through your kitchen before getting a glass of water.

“Hey have you eaten today?,” he asks sitting on the plush seat near your desk.

“No I’ll just eat after I’m done.”

“Y/N that’s what you said when I asked you this afternoon. I know you want to finish your work, but you need to take a break and eat. Food might even help spark something!”

“Babe I’ve been eating every day since I got this assignment and nothing’s come to mind yet so I doubt food will really help,” you retort, writing words on the paper only to erase them again with a sigh.

Before you knew it, your chair was being pulled away from your desk and you were lifted in the air over his shoulder as he moved about the room getting his keys and turning off lights.

“Lewis put me down now, I don’t have time for games!,” you argue trying to wiggle out of his grip. “Lewis I’m serious!”

“And I am too! You gotta eat something and you can yell at me all you want, but you walking away for a few minutes isn’t gonna hurt anything,” he counters locking the door behind him and carrying you to his car.

———

“Where to love?,” he asks driving down the road with one hand on the wheel, the other holding your hand.

“Back home so I can finish my work and try to avoid being unemployed,” you answer looking out the passenger side window.

“Listen when we get the food, we can get it to go and then you can go back to work. Like I said though, you need to eat something babe and I know you’re hungry.”

You knew he was right and you were starving, but you felt as if taking a break to do that would lead to another distraction, which would just make you fall more behind. To avoid that from happening, you decided to make yourself stay put and finish your work.

“...can I have Five Guys then?,” you ask, breaking the silence in the car and causing Lewis to let out a small chuckle.

“Of course, you can have anything you want,” he answers with a smile, pulling you close to kiss your forehead.

Pulling up to the restaurant, you both get out to order your food; Lewis in his “casual” outfit that he still made look as if it belonged in a magazine, while you felt like a bum in your hoodie, lounge shorts, fuzzy socks, and Nike slides.

Of course there had to be fans there who wanted to get pictures with both of you guys, which only made you feel worse about your current state. After getting your food and returning back to the car, he started to make his way back to your place, but you had to admit that now that you were out you didn’t want to go back home. Going back meant you would have to go back to the stress of your work and be confined to your desk, and you weren’t in the mood to deal with that right away.

You enjoyed the night air and looking at the stars in the sky. It was only so long that you could be stuck looking out the window of your place, until you craved to be part of the outside world.

When you told him that you guys didn’t have to go back so soon, you felt that he knew what you were thinking when he parked by the beach. Knowing it always helped you relax, he figured you needed to be there now more than ever.

“Thank you for feeding me,” you smile looking up at him, both of you slightly reclined in your seats from looking at the sky through his retractable sun roof.

“You know you don’t have to thank me, but you’re welcome,” he replies playing with your fingers. “And I’m sorry for pulling you away from your work like that, but I just want you to take care of yourself. I know you want to do well on this project, which is great, but also don’t let that take precedent over doing what you need to for yourself.”

“I know I know, it’s just hearing my boss in the back of my head saying how he already knows I’m gonna do well because I always do great just added this extra pressure. Plus what if me having this blank period causes me to do terrible on the next project then I lose my job and now I’m homeless trying to figure out what to do next? Then what if-,”

“Babe relax!,” he interrupts, sitting up to gently hold your face in his hands to calm you down. “If you constantly think on the ‘what if’s’ of things then you’re gonna give yourself a heart attack. Do the best that you can with what’s happening now and what comes next worry about it then, when or if it actually happens.”

And just like that, you were now a crying, bubbling mess trying to hide your face with your hoodie, but of course failing.

You hated that when you were stressed your body’s reaction was to cry, but also you were a little grateful for it and began viewing it as your body giving you a sign that maybe you needed to take a moment to yourself.

“No don’t cry! It’s ok love,” Lewis said as he pulled you closer to him hugging you tight. “I’m trying not to I’m just really tired and ready for this to be done,” you manage to get out between cries.

“I know and it’ll get done! Then after you’ll look back on it like wow I really did that and be so proud of yourself,” he cheerily responds trying to make you feel better.

Not long after that, you guys decided to head back so you could continue your work and hopefully not break down again for the rest of the night. The drive home, you stayed slightly reclined facing Lewis as you listened to him talk about his day and the upcoming jobs he had going on, upon your request to get your mind off of things. Soon his voice paired with the drive in general managed to lull you to sleep as you finally felt some sense of relaxation.

———

Feeling the bed dip a bit beside you, your eyes flutter open to see your room filled with sunlight along with Lewis reading a book. With you now being in your bed, you figured he carried you from the car where you more than likely knocked out.

“Wait what time is it?!,” you ask hurriedly searching for your phone around the comforter before he gently grabbed you hand for you to sit back.

“It’s 10 am and before you freak out about your project there’s good news! Your boss called and said that the due date got moved back a week so you got more time,” he smiles.

“Really?! And you’re not just saying that so I don’t worry?”

“No I’m serious, you can even call him back to be sure,” he chuckles.

“No no I trust you, I was just shocked and now I’m super relieved and want to go back to sleep,” you reply laying back down with your phone. “Also why do I have an Instagram notification saying you tagged me in something?”

“Did I mention how much I love you?,” Lewis innocently smiles leaning down to kiss your lips.

“Mhmm classic avoidance meaning that it’s something big,” you smirk opening your phone to see what happened. Clicking on the notification, you were taken to his story where it showed him talking and waiting for your response to then say “how much he loved your conversations” as an obvious joke about how you fell asleep on him. Next was a story of him lightly grazing your cheek with his thumb as the text under read, “all jokes aside, bae’s had a rough day so if she wants sleep she sleeps❤️,” followed by a close up picture of how his arm was positioned and the text now readings, “definitely might get a cramp from this, but she’s worth it 🥰😘.”

Looking back up at him, you’re met with only his bright eyes as he holds the book in front of him hiding his face. Lowering it, you kiss his cheek before snuggling up closer to him as you bury your face in his neck. “Thank you again for everything.”

“Anytime,” he replies kissing your temple as he lightly grazed up and down your back, making you fall back to sleep.

Taglist: @honeychicana @fumbling-fanfics @lady-olive-oil @themyscxiras @crushed-pink-petals @melinda-january @lovelymari4 @felicity-x0 @ellixthea @jojolu @jnk-812 @brwn-sgr @captainsamwlsn @nina-sj @itshinothey @wildfirecracker

If anybody wants to be tagged, has asked to be tagged but don’t see your name, or only wants to be tagged for certain people I write for, just let me know 😊!

#lewis tan #lewisxwoc #lewisxblackreader #lewisxreader

[drummergirl231-2]

So the plan is to disclose my Autism to my employer today.

I. Am. Terrified.  And I don’t speak well when I’m terrified. 

(Note: This post has basically become my journal for all this work craziness, and for the few of you following the ordeal, please skip to the bottom for the most recent update.)

Disclosing my Misophonia when I was first hired didn’t go well. I’d specifically applied to work on the stock team. I’d worked on a stock team before. I loved it. I was good at it. I could handle the work environment. 

Fast forward to orientation at this new job. I find out during my orientation, after they’d interviewed and hired me, that I would be working at the registers for the first three months of my employment and then be moved to work on the sales floor, even though I specifically applied for the stock team.

I knew this would be awful with my Misophonia (never mind my Autism) so I went to talk to my boss at the end of the shift and disclosed my Misophonia and asked if I could work on the stock team. 

She said, “Honey, if you have a disability, you need to disclose that in your job application or in the interview!” Well, no I don’t. Not by law. I’d been denied housing over Misophonia and Autism before. I wasn’t about to disclose it to a potential employer when it never really hindered me at my last stock team job. 

She said, “There’s a spot on job applications where it asks you if you have a disability and you say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ You can’t lie on an application.” But that’s also wrong. The question is always, “Can you do the job for which you are applying with or without reasonable accommodation?” And of course, my answer was “Yes,” because I was applying for the stock team. And then sometimes there are some questions for statistics’ sake on a job application where it says “Do you have a disability?” and the answers are “Yes,” “No,” or “Choose not to answer.” I choose not to answer. 

So I was not at all dishonest in my job application, but she was dishonest with me by hiring me for a job that is the exact opposite of what I applied for without even telling me in the interview what job I was really being interviewed for.

Then she said, “You have to tell people you have this, because I wouldn’t have hired you if I didn’t think you could do the job.” And this wasn’t a, “I believe you can do it and the proof is that I hired you!” This was a, “If you’d told me, I wouldn’t have made the mistake of offering you employment.” This was discrimination. And she said, “Do you think you can do this job?”

I tried to ask about the stock team again, and she said, “Well there are noises in the stock room, too... fans and other machines and people moving boxes...” She hadn’t heard of Misophonia five minutes before and now she was telling me what I could and couldn’t handle. But she gave me two options: try to work at the registers, or tell her, “Sorry, I guess I can’t work here after all.”

I did better than I expected at the registers, but the weird thing about Misophonia is that it sometimes eases up in new places temporarily. It still really messes with me, though. And working the registers is still terrifying because of my Autism, as is working the sales floor. I am not suited for this. If I belong anywhere in a retail store, it’s the stock room, working early in the morning when the store is closed. 

I’m hypervigilant at work, terrified of customers (I had more verbally abusive customers over back-to-school season this year than I had over the whole year I worked there), I’m exhausted, I can barely maintain my weight (we’re talking 89 lbs on a 5′3″ frame on a good day... that’s 40 kg and 160 cm), and it’s only going to get worse with the holidays coming up. 

I’d worked three Christmases in retail before working for this company, and I still loved Christmas, but after last year working for this company I started to hate Christmas, and I vowed to get out before this holiday season. It’s too late. I tried to get my old job back but that store has a new manager and she didn’t pick me, even though my previous boss there would offer me my job back whenever I was home from school without me even having to ask for it again. They liked me that much.

So my only options are 1. to suffer through this Christmas like last year, 2. quit without any other job lined up and no guarantee of employment when the holidays are over, or 3. try to disclose my Autism which has a huge flipping stigma attached to it and ask to be moved to the position in the store I applied for in the first place.

If she says “No,” I may have to quit anyway because I just can’t do this again. The other store never treated me like this (and they allowed me to practice my religious beliefs, too, which this store does not, violating Title VII). I feel so trapped and so lied to, tricked into doing a job that I just can’t handle, and I just know she’s going to turn it around on me and paint me as the dishonest one for not telling her about my Autism earlier.

Anyway, if you read all this... I am impressed. If you didn’t, I totally understand. If you’re the praying sort, please pray for me.

Update: Boss wasn’t there. She won’t be back ‘til Wednesday, so I’ll talk to her then. I did disclose my Autism to my favorite supervisor though, and she was cool. And she promised she wouldn’t tell anyone.

Another Update (10/22/19): Today a supervisor called me in to the office and had me shut the door. She had another person who does HR stuff there as a witness. She said the supervisor I’d talked to yesterday told them I wanted to be moved off the sales floor to accommodate a medical issue, and asked me if that was correct. I said. “Close to correct... but she said she wouldn’t tell anyone, so that’s cool...”

She told me that supervisor was required to tell management about this sort of thing, because if I have a disability that needs accommodating, I need to disclose that to management. I said, “I was going to disclose it to her” (my boss) “tomorrow when she’s back.” She said my boss is going on vacation though, so she’s acting as management. 

So, with all my nervous ticks kicking in (excessive swallowing and inability to inhale so I constantly feel like I’m talking with the last bit of breath in my lungs) I told them everything. I told them I have Autism and applied to work on the stock team because I know I can do that well, how it would benefit the store to have me doing what I’m best at, how I was hired for a position I didn’t apply for and not told until orientation, how my boss said when I told her I have Misophonia “You have to disclose these things in your job application because I wouldn’t have hired you if I thought you couldn’t do this job,” how that made me afraid to talk about my Autism, and how by law I don’t have to say anything. I said I was only saying anything now because I’ve been dealing with burnout, and for the longest time I didn’t want to admit it because it’s retail and duh, we’re all stressed, but I never felt this kind of burnout working on the stock team of my other job. They only had me do sales floor stuff once a week, and that alone was exhausting for me. So I have grown in that area, but it’s still to much.

She said they definitely do want all their associates to be doing their best, so she was going to send in some accommodation work to people above her and they’d probably ask me for paperwork from my medical provider. I said, “I don’t have a medical provider. I don’t have insurance or a doctor... but I do have a letter from a counselor that says I’ve been diagnosed with Autism.” 

She said, “I don’t know exactly what they’ll ask of you, but you’ll need to provide them with whatever paperwork they ask for and I’m gonna be honest, we’re heading into the fourth quarter here so I’m not sure what we’ll be able to do or how soon so for the time being you’ll have to keep working the sales floor.”

I don’t see why they can’t make the lateral move sooner. We’re hiring for the holidays. I’m sure they have a position open. Why not have me finish this week and next week, which I’m already scheduled for, and then put me in the stock room ‘just because’ while all this paperwork is being done to say I need to work back there because of my Autism? If this is going to take until January because they’re so busy with the holidays coming, I’ll have to leave my job.

Another Update (11/15/19): The good news is, they told me shortly after the above conversation that they heard back from the people above them and they said “We’re going to try to accommodate you the best we can.” The bad news is everything else. In this meeting, the same supervisor I’d talked to in the previous one, told me “We don’t have an actual stock team position. And [our manager] made that perfectly clear to you when she hired you and you disclosed your Misophonia, remember?” Why yes, she did, HOWEVER: that didn’t explain why they advertised an available stock team position which is what prompted me to apply in the first place, and it also doesn’t explain why there are certain people I never see working on the floor, but only ever in the stock room backstocking in the afternoons or evenings or receiving truck early in the morning (I only saw certain people the few times they had me do early morning sign changes last year).

But anyway, the supervisor kept insisting there is no stock team position and “since you’ve been here more than a year you should already know that,” but she was going to try to accommodate me as well as she could (funny they never asked for documentation of my Autism). She asked if I was willing to come in early in the morning a few times a week (3am) to receive truck, and I said yes, and she said they could train me to start doing omni, which is preparing customers’ orders and packing them and running around the store looking for things people have ordered. I’d be behind the scenes more, but still might get stopped by customers. At least I’d have a scanner on me, whereas a lot of our floor associates don’t get scanners because they’re all in use when they show up. Now I should note that after my first conversation with the supervisor I keep talking about, she paged me to call her, and I did, and she said, “Hey so would working at the registers be a better fit for you?” and I was like, “No... that’d... kinda be the opposite of what I need.” She said, “Okay. Just wanna make sure I ask for the right thing when I talk to the people above us about what accommodations you’re asking for.” Like was I not clear in our meetings that I need to be BEHIND the scenes? After that, I had to finish out my two weeks I was already scheduled for working the floor. They started having me do a little omni training in the middle of my floor shifts over the next couple weeks, but things were crazy because they kept asking me to back up registers while I was doing omni. Oh, and I still had my departments to worry about. 

Then, on Monday 11/11/19, another supervisor, a guy, told me I’d be doing omni for my five hour shift that day. Yay! But then after one successful hour of omni, he put me on the registers for the rest of the day, and denied me a break multiple times when I asked because there was a line and apparently no one else to back up (and that’s weird, because normally floor associates back up the registers, not omni associates). I was 3.5 hours into my shift before I was allowed a break, and by then my stomach hurt pretty badly.  And then I tried truck early in the morning, and while I felt like an absolute zombie afterwards, I really enjoyed it, because there were no bloodthirsty customers, you know? And the person in charge that day told me what a great job I did. The next truck went pretty well, too. But then today I had a 7.5 hour shift from 11:30am to 7pm, and yet another supervisor told me, “Hey so today you’re my go-to back up person for registers. When you’re not backing up, run 500s from customer service.” (500s are go-backs). I probably spent half of my shift if not more at those registers, including covering someone’s lunch which should have been 30 minutes long but wound up being an hour long with no explanation. Then, after my first break, when the supervisor I’d had the meetings with took over as the main supervisor for the day, she had me switch gears to running more 500s. I had a new scanner which I’m not familiar with so when I scanned the items, which didn’t seem to belong anywhere, I couldn’t see if they were clearance or not. They didn’t have clearance tickets, either. Many of them were still coming up in the scanner as costing quite a bit of money, and some were sweaters, so I tried to find places for them with signs that matched their price point or even with things that looked exactly like them. After making me back up at registers again, the supervisor called me over and she was standing with another associate and she said to me, “Hey, are you scanning 500s when you put them back?” I said, “Uh-huh. Why?” She looked me right in the eye and said, “Are you sure?” I said, “Yeah. Why?” She said, “Really?” I said, “Yeah.” She said, “How do you find where things go?” And I said, “I look for the same item, and if I don’t find any, I scan the item, look at the price, and try to find the right sign. And if I don’t find the right sign, I try to see if it’s clearance but I don’t know how to tell on the new scanners, so worst comes to worst, I put the item in the back of a fixture with something similar under a sign that has the same price point so customers don’t get ticked off at us.” She said, “Well everything you were putting back is clearance.” I could tell some of it was because of how cheap it was so I put some things in clearance, but for the other things I couldn’t tell. She told me to scan the item so I did, then she showed me where it says it’s clearance. On the old scanner, you swipe right twice and it’ll have a big colorful bubble where it tells you its status: blue for sale, purple for clearance, hot pink for a sale not advertised, you get the idea. But on this scanner, where it says if it’s clearance, it’s buried in a long list of teeny tiny unremarkable black letters with a white background, completely indistinguishable from anything else around it if you look too quickly, and it’s not two swipes to the right. It’s on the first page if you scroll down a bunch. Of course I didn’t see it when I’m used to things being big and colorful and two swipes to the right! But then my supervisor said, “Don’t lie to me.” I was shocked. “What?” She said, “I’m not having this conversation out here on the floor,” and she started to walk away from me and I was like, “I didn’t lie to you! I couldn’t see where it said if it was clearance or not because I’m not used to this scanner.” And she said, “I’m not gonna have this conversation with you out here. Just make sure when you scan something you put it back where it goes. I know some stuff looks similar, but this was all in the wrong spot. So go work on the fitting rooms.”

I cannot believe after a year of working there and showing nothing but honest character she would accuse me of lying to her face. I only made a mistake. It was rude and unprofessional of her to accuse me of something so base and then to try and shut me up by saying, “I’m not going to talk about this on the floor.” Well if she didn’t wanna talk about it on the floor, she shouldn’t have called me a liar on the floor. And in front of another associate, too! Also, I hate the new scanners.

Interesting that after our first meeting, she asked me if I would be better off at registers, and when I told her that was the worst place for me, they literally started putting me on registers almost non-stop. It’s like they’re trying to force me out. I wonder if that’s the reason they didn’t ask for my paperwork on my diagnosis... so if I get to the point where I quit (and I am close), and if I take them to court (which I’d love to do if I can), they can say, “Whaaaat? We didn’t force her out... Autism? She doesn’t even have any disability on record with us...”

Update (11/17/19): Hoooooo boy. 

Okay. So since there are so many different supervisors and stuff I’m gonna start assigning fake names to everyone so it’s easier to tell them apart: manager: Staci supervisor I talk about most who’s giving me a hard time: Loretta supervisor who didn’t let me take a break: Kyle supervisor who wanted me to be the go-to backup cashier on Friday: Hugo supervisor who I initially disclosed to that told the other managers: Becky supervisor who runs truck unloading: Shawna This morning I had a truck unloading shift from 3-7am after only two hours of sleep (thank you cat), and there were tons of new people who don’t know the store or the brands or layout or who even know to sort petite and plus sizes from misses sizes, so Shawna was like constantly screaming at everyone like “HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU PEOPLE?! AM I YOUR BABYSITTER? WHAT ARE YOU DOING STANDING AROUND TALKING?!” Other associate: “I’m teaching the new people, Shawna!” It was annoying. Oh, and I had cramps and was dizzy. Extra fun.

Then at the end of my shift, I clocked out and went to find Loretta to talk to her 1. about how much they were making me do register backup, and 2. to ask for an apology for calling me a liar. So I found her out on the floor (we were still closed at this point) and asked her “Can I talk to you about some things?” And she was like, “Sure, what’s going on?” and I’d hoped to talk in the office but I was like, “Okay... well, you know how after our first conversation about accommodations you asked me over the phone if I’d do better on registers I said ‘No?’” She said, “Mm-hm.” I said, “Well... after working out the two weeks I was already scheduled for, of the shifts I’ve had while the store was open, I’ve been doing mostly register backup. And Monday I had a 12-5 shift which was supposed to be omni but after an hour I got put on registers and wasn’t allowed to take a break for...” and she was like, “Wasn’t allowed to, or you forgot to ask for it?” and I said, “Oh I asked, like two or three times.” And she said, “Who was the supervisor that day?” But like Kyle was nearby and so I just mouthed his name (his real name) and she was like, “What? D’you wanna talk in the office?” and I said, “Yeah, sure.” So she snags Hugo, who’s like, 2nd in command, to come with us and at my mother’s suggestion I pulled out my phone and said, “Can I record this conversation?” And Loretta said, “No, you cannot.” And I said, “Why not?” and she said, “Because you’re in the workplace.” I said, “...Yeah...?” She said, “It’s illegal.” I said, “Really?” she said, “Yes,” so I said “Okay...” and didn’t record. I looked it up when I got home. It’s totally legal. It’s just that in California both parties have to consent to the recording, which I figured, hence why I asked. 

So I told her and Hugo what happened on Monday with working the registers for 4 hours and not being allowed a break and how much my stomach hurt by the time I was finally allowed to go on break, and I mentioned how normally it’s floor associates who get asked to back up and not omni and Loretta was like, “No Kristen, everyone backs up. You’ve been here a year. You should know that.” Okay but when things are busy though, normally floor associates are the first ones they call up. I was the first one. Hugo explained that that day there were fewer online orders coming in than they anticipated, so they had to reshuffle us a bit. Well and good. I wish they’d made someone else do registers, though. 

Then I talked to them about how Hugo and then Loretta had me back up at registers a lot on Friday. So Hugo was like, “So you did tell Loretta though you’d be willing to back up occasionally, right?” and I said, “Yeah I mean if things are totally nuts I don’t wanna leave you guys high and dry but being the go-to backup person is like... too much.”

So Hugo tried to get me to get it “set in stone,” how much I should back up, and I explained how that’s a little tricky with the anxiety I have because of my Autism, but we agreed 20 minutes for every hour and a half, or basically just having me cover people’s 15 minute breaks plus the time it takes them to walk to and from the break room. He was trying to work with me, which was great, but I felt like he was trying to see how much he could get me to work at the registers instead of how little. At the same time, we did basically set a cap on how much I could handle, so that’s something.

Then he asked, “Do you have any other concerns?” and I said, “Yeah, I wanted to talk to Loretta about a conversation we had on Friday...” and Loretta was like, “I don’t remember talking to you on Friday.” Convenient. But she would. I kinda hinted I wanted to talk to her privately and Hugo offered to leave but Loretta was like, “It’s okay. He’s management, too. Anything you can say to me you can say in front of him.” Well alright then, if she insisted...

So I reminded her that she started having me run 500s, and how after making me back up at registers she called me over and asked me if I was scanning things before putting them back like three times in a row and then she went, “Yeah and I remember asking you to be honest with me, because...” and I said, with Hugo as my witness, “No. Your exact words were, ‘Don’t lie to me.’ I have worked here for over a year and I have never once lied to you or anyone else here. I don’t know if maybe you’ve been lied to a lot by other associates, but I don’t do that. I’m unfamiliar with the new scanners and that’s why I didn’t see where it said it was clearance, because on the old ones it’s two swipes to the right and then it shows up in a big color-coded bubble what the item’s status is, and it’s not buried in a long list of tiny black letters on a white background on the bottom of the first page like on the new ones. It wasn’t right to accuse me of something so base as to lie to you in front of another associate, and then to walk away and say, ‘I’m not having this conversation with you out here on the floor.’ If you didn’t want to have this conversation out on the floor, you should not have accused me of lying to you out on the floor. I went into the fitting room after that and couldn’t stop crying.” 

As I expected, she blame shifted back to me saying from her perspective, since it said on the scanner it was clearance, of course she thought I wasn’t being honest with her. And she said if I’m going to make mistakes, then as a supervisor, she is going to coach me. Ummm yeah, coaching doesn’t involve attacks on someone’s character. And defending herself by saying well if I hadn’t blah blah blah, that’s a tactic I used to use with my parents when I was twelve! I wanted to tell her what my parents used to tell me: This isn’t about me, this is about you.

But I said, “And after you showed me on the new scanner where it said it was clearance, I corrected my behavior. I made sure to be careful and check every item. So that’s done. That’s taken care of. But you still shouldn’t have accused me of lying to you.”

And then she was like, “I’m sorry you feel like I was accusing you of lying, but you have to understand that if you’re doing your job incorrectly, it’s my job to...” and more rot about her “coaching.” Okay so first she says to me that from her perspective of course she thought I was lying, and then she says, “I’m sorry you feel like I was calling you a liar, but...?” Like, no. She can’t have it both ways like that. And that was no apology. “I’m sorry you feel,” is how narcissists try to manipulate and pacify their victims, and it does not work on me.

Nevertheless she refused to apologize to me AND was then like, “But why couldn’t you see it says it’s clearance?” I said, “Because I’m used to the old scanners,” and she said, “Didn’t you look at all? What’s the difference?” So I had to explain to her, AGAIN, how I’m used to the color-coded bubbles and how it was in a different spot and I couldn’t see the “Status: Clearance,” when it was buried in a list. “Everything was the same font. Nothing was bolded, italicized, underlined, or distinguishable from anything around it in any way, and it was on a different page than I expected, so of course I didn’t see it.” I need colors. I need different things to look different. That’s how my brain works. 

By the end of the conversation, Loretta was still refusing to apologize to me (and she’s developed a twitch by her mouth) and Hugo was saying how he’s sorry that happened to me and he certainly doesn’t want me to be crying in the fitting rooms. “We want everyone to be happy when they’re here.” He’s sweet but he wants the impossible. This company consistently gives stores a limited budget for scheduling so we are always understaffed. We’re the biggest store of our chain of stores in the area and we still only have two cashiers working at a time (one at the men’s side registers and one at misses’) and 1 associate for every 2-4 departments. Even at Christmastime, they increase the number of cashiers, but not floor associates. It’s insane. 

So anyway I’ve decided to quit, but now the question is when. Because since Hugo has put in the effort to work with me and set a cap on my register time, it seems like it’d be in bad taste for me to leave now. And while working out a two weeks notice is common courtesy, I looked it up and it’s advised if I’m being abused or if I feel unsafe or if the job is detrimental to my physical or mental health (and by golly it’s taking its toll), then I can quit without notice, so long as I’m aware it may leave a bad taste in their mouths. 

But I feel like I should at least see if they stick to their 20 minute backup deal, because if they don’t, and if I can take them to court later for failure to accommodate my “disability,” as well as my religious practices, I’d need a solid case, and a judge will want to see I did everything I could from my side. But man, I hope I can leave before Black Friday. Apparently working omni on Black Friday is a nightmare because orders get cancelled and then angry customers call to yell at omni on the phone and with my Autism I have phone anxiety just talking to nice people, much less customers who want me dead.

Update 12-15-19

So Black Friday wasn’t the nightmare I thought it’d be. And working omni and truck hasn’t been so bad, except for the weird sleep schedule. 

But this month, they started cutting my hours instead of giving me more. Last year at this time, I was working 35 hours per week. This year? 12 hours the week of Dec 8th-14th 8 hours for Dec 15th-21st and next week, the week of Christmas: 4 hours.

FOUR FLIPPING HOURS THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS and it’s RETAIL!

And they don’t even have me doing omni anymore. Just truck. I couldn’t have been that bad at omni! What the actual living heck?!

#personal post #trigger warning #autism #asperger's syndrome #discrimination in the workplace #misophonia