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hairmetal666 · 7 months

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Eddie Munson gets famous at fifteen, after a YouTube video goes viral.

He's the kind of famous where he can't leave his house without being mobbed; where his name is plastered across grocery store tabloids and every fifth Pop Crave post; who has to make special arrangements with stores, whose body guards have body guards, who's forgotten what it's like to be normal. He's the kind of famous with well-chronicled stints in and out of rehab

And he thinks, at thirty, why not do a reality show? Why not let everyone in the world into his life because they're there anyway?

There's this guy on the crew, beautiful as a fucking sunrise. He's all golden-tanned and chestnut-haired, with these big hazel eyes that makes Eddie stomach swoop deliciously whenever they happen to meet his.

His name is Steve.

And Eddie, well. He's learned his lesson about jumping into relationships. So, Steve is nice to look at, and that's all there is to it.

---

They're at the studio, and Eddie, he only smokes when he's recording but he's "not allowed" to do that inside. So, he steps out into the alley behind the building, eyes falling shut as he hands search his pockets for his pack of Camels and his Zippo.

"I didn't realize you smoked," a deep voice says from the darkness.

Eddie startles, eyes flying open. Steve is leaning against the brick of the building, cigarette perched between his pursed lips.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. I'm Steve. With the crew."

"Eddie," he answers by instinct.

"I know," Steve chuckles. His hazel eyes are golden in the yellow streetlight.

"Oh, right." He lights his cigarette and inhales deep.

"I really like what you're doing in there." Steve nods his head towards the studio.

"You a fan?"

"Never listened to you much before. Not really a metal kinda guy, but I like it."

People aren't usually honest with Eddie. It's refreshing.

"Glad you're getting into it! How's your--uh, job going?"

Steve laughs. "First assistant camera, that's my job." Eddie's expression must read a total blank, but Steve only smiles. "I make sure everything's in focus while we film"

"Is that--hard?"

"Sometimes," Steve agrees. "How do you like being the star of a reality show?"

Eddie huffs out a breath. "It's more fun than I expected. Like, sure it's weird to have you guys follow me around, but at least I invited you, you know?"

Steve's dark eyes are fathomless in his perfect face. "You'll let me know? If anything happens that you don't like?"

Eddie nods, taken aback by the serious line of Steve's pretty mouth. Before he can respond more, the back door creaks open, Gareth's backlit shape leaning into the alley. "Eddie? They're ready for you."

"Duty calls." He smiles at Steve as he stomps out his cigarette. "See you around."

---

Eddie goes to a house party in the hills. It's just a handful of people, all of them he's known for years, no cameras in sight.

Someone asks how things are going with the band. Eddie doesn't think anything of it. Why should he, among friends? Why should he when they already know the resentment that Gareth, Jeff, and Freak have for him? Eddie got signed and not his band. The guys--they never really forgave him, think he could have tried harder.

So, he says--he says--"I wish they didn't resent me so goddamn much still. To this day! They're millionaires and they're pissed at me? Fuck that. I got them here. I got us all here."

They're filming the next day at Eddie's house. He's working on a new song, engrossed in his acoustic and his notebook.

He's so in the zone, it takes him a second to register when Gareth bursts into the house.

"Fuck you, Munson," Gareth screams. "What the fuck is this shit?" Eddie's own voice pours from Gareth's phone, and Eddie's stunned speechless for dozens of seconds as he tries to comprehend what's happening.

"I didn't--" he tires. He raises his hands placatingly, but his minds a whirlwind, thoughts a tangle, heart a mess of betrayal and hurt and fear.

"We should be fucking grateful?" Gareth yells. "You spoiled piece of shit, fuck you!" He lunges towards Eddie, but Steve darts from behind the camera, moving to block Gareth's path.

"Stop filming," Eddie shouts. He lifts his arms to block the shit. "Get out," he snaps at the crew. " Now!"

He and Gareth scuffle towards a set of double-doors, heated words low and unintelligible.

"Don't come in." He tells the crew. "Steve, I mean it. Tell them to stop."

Eddie shoves Gareth into the other room, slamming the door behind him. Still, the mics pick up the screaming fight between the two men.

Hours later, Eddie finally makes his way back to the main part of the house, finds Steve standing at the kitchen island.

"Why are you still here?" He's too exhausted from the fight to put any inflection into it.

"I was wo--I wanted to make sure everything was okay," Steve says. He relaxes against the island. "Are yo--is everything okay?"

Eddie's laugh is humorless. "Something like that."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

The tears he kept at bay with Gareth prick at his eyelids until they burn. "Not really, no."

Steve nods. "We could--you wanna watch a movie?"

This startles a laugh out of Eddie, one that has tears flooding his eyes and he has to blink fast, look down, anything so Steve doesn't notice.

"You know what I want?" he says. It's soft enough that maybe Steve, across the kitchen, wouldn't hear.

"What?"

"To have friends who won't sell me out for a couple thousand bucks." The tears start falling, his throat choked with emotion.

He wants to stop, embarrassed to be crying in front of Steve, but now that he's started, sobs shake his shoulders and he can't keep quiet.

Steve reaches for him. "Is this okay?" he whispers, hands rubbing circles against his back.

Eddie nods, cries for a while as Steve makes soothing motions against his back.

"I just wish I was normal," he mumbles when he has words again.

Steve's hold on him tightens. "I'm sorry, Eddie."

Shame hits him then, too hard to ignore, and he steps away. "I'm gonna--I'm gonna go. I--Thanks again."

He ignores the sound of Steve calling him back.

---

Eddie's playing a show. He's playing a show in a small club, something he hasn't been able to do for years, but he's doing it right now. It's electric, vibrating through his body, the crowd screaming along with every word.

So much of this is because of Steve, and Eddie can't think about it, because men like Steve aren't for guys like Eddie.

As he plays, his eyes scan the small crowd, find Steve easily. He's gazing at Eddie, lips slicked pink and parted, eyes shining. Eddie knows this look; the naked desire obvious. A heat he never lets himself feel for Steve blooms low in his abdomen, but--

He wails into his mic, forcing his thoughts away from that path. He has a show to play, one that's pumping his veins full of satisfied adrenaline. Nothing can ruin it.

When the show ends, Eddie is high, endorphins and adrenaline pounding through his bloodstream.

Eddie, the band, and the film crew make their way out the club's backdoor. There's a car idling close by, but they only get a few steps in before there's shouting; the ear-shattering click of dozens of camera shutters; overwhelming burst of flashes.

Eddie is disoriented, dizzy; the rapid shift from the best night he's had in years, to this, mobbed by paparazzi, people screaming his name, crowding their small group. He stumbles, black spots still obstructing his vision.

Arms catch around him, holding him steady. "You okay?" Steve asks.

Before he can answer, one of the paps yells, "Munson's wasted! Can't even walk!"

"C'mon, Ed, I've got you," Steve says.

"Just get into the booze, Munson, or someone had Molly too? Maybe a little coke? That used to be your thing, right? Snort a little blow and do a show?"

Eddie tenses, almost stops, but Steve keeps him going.

The crowd surges around them, more voices yelling, more flashbulbs popping, the guy saying, "He can't even stand without help! You got a real problem you know?"and he just--can't anymore. He whirls out of Steve's grasp, lunges for the guy.

"What's your fucking problem, man?" Eddie hisses. "What did I do to you, huh?"

"Real tough, Munson, huh?" The man sneers. He shoves Eddie hard, knocking him back a few steps.

Eddie's vision fuzzes out, brain buzzing. He snarls, knows he does, knows he's losing it, can't make it stop.

Strong arms wrap around his waist, pull him off his feet. He fights it until he's pressed into a wall, until cold hands cup his face.

"Baby, baby, you have to calm down," Steve murmurs. "You have to breathe, can you do that for me?"

"I want--he can't--I--"

Steve presses harder against him, bodies joined. "You're having a panic attack, yeah? Can you breathe with me, baby? Match me?"

Eddie nods, tries, wants to be good for Steve.

He calms, as much from the breathing exercise as being held by the most beautiful man he's ever seen. Pressing his face against Steve's neck he says, "why are you always around for my worst moments? I'm such a fucking mess."

"I don't think you're a mess," he says. "I think you've gotten hurt, you've gotten cornered. And your reactions are normal."

"Why do you even care?" Eddie asks.

Steve doesn't even pause. "Cause I like you, Eddie." His hold tightens for a second. "I like you a lot."

Eddie scoffs. "Yeah, you like Eddie Munson, the hot rockstar. Not the loser who cries in your arms"

Cold air hits Eddie as Steve steps away to meet Eddie's eyes. You want to know something? I didn't expect to like you at all. I admit, I bought into all the stories on the internet. But you were never anything like that, Ed. Not even once."

Steve takes a deep breath, turning away as his cheeks grow pink. "And you--you're always going out of your way for people. The day I knew I was gone for you? Three weeks into filming. There was this kid interning. You didn't know a thing about him, just some twenty-year-old, and you sat down and talked to him. Were genuinely interested in everything he said."

"Steve," Eddie's voice breaks. He has to cover his mouth, lips a wobbling mess.

"I want to give you normal, Eddie, as much as I can. If you'll let me."

The moisture tumbles free from his eyes, streaking down his cheeks. Eddie laughs. "God, Steve, you're--I like you, too."

Steve brushes the tears away. "So, you'd go on a date with me?"

"I think I would really like to go on a date with you, yeah."

Steve leans in, slow and gentle, placing a soft kiss at the corner of Eddie's mouth. It lights him up like a fresh struck match, nerve endings on fire. He thinks it's so much more than like already.

"Take me home, sweetheart," he says.

"Getting fresh with me, Munson," Steve smirks. "I won't have you using your rockstar wiles to seduce me."

Eddie's laugh echoes off the brick of the surrounding buildings. "Oh, sweetheart, my rockstar ways will destroy you."

"That a promise?"

---

Six months later, the first and only season of Welcome to Hell premieres. Instead, of chronicling a rockstar's debauched and wild lifestyle, it's a soft and charming love story. It shows Steve and Eddie growing closer, Steve working late into the night, to give Eddie the hint of normalcy he's so desperate for, to make him happy. It shows Eddie's eyes track Steve across a room, something like sadness crossing his face. It shows a concert that Steve arranged, the fight with the pap outside the venue, brief glimpses of Steve and Eddie in the aftermath, the gentle kiss.

In the last interview of the season, the producer asks Eddie if there will be a season two of Welcome to Hell.

Eddie smiles, glances off camera, which pans to find Steve in worn jeans and a Metallica hoodie, hair messy and wearing glasses. He gazes at Eddie, smiles this soft, aching thing.

"Nah, I don't think I need it anymore," Eddie answers. Throwing the camera a smile that matches Steve's.

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hoobgooblinn · 5 months

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#barisi #incorrect svu #workplace romance #svu #sonny carisi #rafael barba #peter scanavino #raúl esparza

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jessread-s · 7 months

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✩ 💜🐸Book Fanart:

📖: Trystan and Evie from “Assistant to the Villain” by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

This post is in collaboration with my sister @binjobo.0, who drew this lovely masterpiece as a birthday gift to me 🤩

Please click this link to show their art account some love.

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

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save-the-data · 2 months

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Cherry Magic | S01E12

Thai Drama - 2023

#Drama: Cherry Magic #LGBTQ+#TayNew #Workplace Romance #Adapted from a Manga #30 ยังซิง #Tay Tawan #New Thitipoom #Junior Panachai #Mark Jiruntanin #Sing Harit #Thai BL #BL GIFS #TDrama #Thai Drama - 2023 #Drama: 2023 #Kiss Episode #Final Episode

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shoujo-dump · 23 days

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Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomade mo

#Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomade mo #Enjouji Maki #An Incurable Case of Love #manga #josei #josei manga #josei romance #romance manga #josei cap #manga cap #manga caps #josei recommendations #manga recommendations #josei recs #workplace romance #manga lol #josei lol #drop

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buddieswhvre · 22 days

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Okay but hear me out what if Buddie are secretly dating and Chimney accidentally sees them. Now of course Chimney would want to rush and tell everyone, but somehow Buck and Eddie convince him to keep it a secret. But what he doesn't know is that Maddie, Hen, Karen, Bobby, and Athena also know and they are supposed to keep it a secret as well. Meanwhile Buck and Eddie are having the time of their life because they have "accidentally" told everyone about their relationship and promised them to keep it a secret. Maybe they have a betting pool as to who will break first? Idk this is just a scene in my head and I can't stop laughing about it.

#buck and eddie #buck x eddie #911 abc #buddie #eddie diaz #9 1 1 fanfiction #911 fandom #911 fanfic #buddie fanfic #secret dating #except it's not #workplace romance #911 crack #crack fic

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aasterum · 1 year

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Baby come on over, come on over, you’ll be fine

(Clothing patterns creds to google)

#my art #60s rock #60s nostalgia #1960s aesthetic #werewolf #werewolf x vampire #werewolf oc #werewolf romance #vampire oc #vampire #vampire romance #monster boyfriend #monster romance #indie comic #webcomic #romance comic #workplace romance

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tomshivendgame · 9 months

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tomshiv - romcom edit (uptown girl by billy joel)

pov: Succession AU where Tom works at Waystar Royco as Shiv’s assistant

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vikingmagic33 · 1 month

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@gwynrielweeksofficial Modern Workplace AU with Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics for Gwynriel Weeks

Chapter 1 of Get Off is now up on AO3.

Link to Fic

Despite teasing from his brothers, Alpha Azriel swears he doesn’t need an omega to be happy. Until Gwyn storms into his office pissed off and glorious.

*rated for later chapters and safe for those triggered by pregnancy

#gwynriel #modern au #workplace romance #alpha beta omega #gwyneth berdara #gwynriel fanfiction #acotar #acosf #azriel shadowsinger #gwynriel weeks 2024

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security-chief-odo · 6 months

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To Love and Be Loved in Return - Chapter Two

Roy Kent x Reader

Read chapter 1 here

Description: The awkwardness from yesterday still lingers between you and Roy. Jamie, Rebecca and Keeley all try to make you feel better in their own ways.

Word Count: ~1.4k

• • •

Chapter 2 - Pep Talk

Coming into work Friday morning is a monumental task in and of itself. You spent most of the night before overthinking every moment with Roy that day.

You had spiraled through every possible analysis of your conversation, but as of this morning you’ve stopped worrying as much about that interaction and more about how any interaction you have today will go. He was still acting awkward about it at the end of the day, so he probably won’t be much better today.

Either way, you have work to get done before your lunch “meeting” with Rebecca and Keeley at noon. This “meeting” had become somewhat of a weekly routine for the three of you. It didn’t take long after you were hired for you to become fast friends with Rebecca, and Keeley was pretty much fast friends with everyone she’s ever met.

You watch the time tick by as you finish up your reports and interview prep for Roy. You consider just emailing them to him to avoid any awkwardness, but you know that he always works better with hard copies to review and mark up as needed. As much as seeing him today has made you nervous, you couldn’t let your feelings for Roy get in the way of doing your job well.

With this new found resolve and the best poker face you are capable of, you head downstairs and through the mostly empty locker room. You find yourself stopped at the door to the office, skimming over the report in your hands, anxiously looking for any errors or really any excuse to run back upstairs and redo it all. Maybe you could push off seeing him again until Monday.

“He’s not that scary,” Jamie chimes in behind you.

You tilt your head to look at him and raise a brow in question. He continues “Roy, ya know, he’s all grumpy with the scary eyebrows” he tries to mimic Roy’s face “and well just his general vibe, I suppose.” He trails off at the end of the last sentence.

You look at him, dumbfounded. “Was that supposed to reassure me?”

“Oh, uh, no. What I was tryin’ to say was that he’s just grumpy but he’s not really that mean. He likes ya well enough, so just go in there. Stop worryin’ so much.”

If only mean was what worried you about Roy, but of course you couldn’t say that to Jamie. The moment that man figured out how you felt about a certain coach, the entire team would know within minutes.

“Thank you Jamie. I appreciate the pep talk,” and it was true. You did appreciate the pep talk even if it was terribly misguided. Though it may be for the best that your coworkers don't all know how you really feel about your boss, and if Jamie knew, he'd give it away before long.

With a deep breath you open the door to the office with a smile plastered across your face.

Coach Beard was the first to acknowledge you. He offered a friendly smile and polite nod which you returned with a small wave. Walking past him, you stood by Roy’s desk and held the papers out to him. “Overview is on top, followed by the analytical reports, then the raw data and the last page is talking points for any press interviews.”

“Oh, I didn’t need this until Monday. You didn’t have to get it done so fast.”

“I like to stay on top of things, coach.”

“Have I ever told you that you’re my favorite assistant?”

“I’m your only assistant.” Conversation is flowing naturally between you and much of the tension from yesterday seems to have dissipated.

“Makes it easy to rank then, but I really do appreciate you getting this done y/n”

“That’s what I’m here for.” There’s a moment of comfortable silence that you relish in before turning to leave.

“Wait,” you stop in your tracks, “Do you want to go grab lunch?” He stands up and gathers his things. “It’s about that time anyway.”

“Can’t today, I’m sorry. I’ve got lunch plans with Rebecca and Keeley today.”

“Fuck, right, I forgot all about that.” he waves you off “No worries, go have fun, do “girl talk” or whatever. Let me know how it goes.”

“Of course.” You pause before adding, “Maybe we can figure out lunch together on Monday?” He nods in response and your phone buzzes in your hand. “And that would be Rebecca, see you later!”

You rush out the door before he has a moment to respond.

You arrive at the restaurant with Rebecca first. Keeley texted that she’s running a few minutes late.

You had told Rebecca about your feelings for Roy a couple weeks back and you needed to get the past couple days off your chest as he had consumed most of your waking thoughts for the past 24 hours.

“So, Roy asked me to be his plus one for the gala next weekend.”

“Oh?” Rebecca looked hopeful albeit rather confused, “And why are you saying that like it’s a bad thing?”

“Well, when he slipped up and referred to me as his date, he panicked at the idea and made it beyond clear he isn’t into me. Of course I knew he didn’t like me, I mean he’s Roy fucking Kent, he dates gorgeous models, not regular office workers, but it still hurt that i didn’t get the chance to ask him out before getting brutally rejected.”

“That’s stupid.”

“What?”

“Roy would be fucking lucky to have you. Just because he’s too stupid to see it, doesn’t make you worth less just because you aren't some model.”

“It just sucks. I can’t stand being alone with him. I think I’m falling in love and he will never see me as more than just an assistant.”

“Who are we talking about?” Keeley walks up in time to hear your last remark. You were waiting to tell her until you were finally ready to deal with her teasing. She had moved on and you knew she would have no problem with you liking Roy, but she would be almost relentlessly supportive, which might just be worse.

At the same time you say “No one.” and Rebecca says “Roy”

“Ooh, falling for the boss?” Keeley adds as she sits next to you.

The waiter comes by and takes your food order. After he leaves your table Rebecca fills Keeley in on the situation. When she finishes you add, “So I’m falling for a guy who finds the idea of even a single date with me so repulsive he panicked at the suggestion.”

“I don’t think that’s it, babes. Roy is always a little panicked, he just usually gets mad about it instead. If he’s willing to show that he’s worried, then he’s dropping that facade a bit. I say you should ask him out.”

“And get turned down again?”

“I don’t know about that y/n. He seemed pretty nervous when he texted me about taking you out dress shopping.”

At that moment, the waiter brings your food, putting an end to that conversation before you got the chance to ask Keeley what she meant by that.

She asks the waiter to bring you a round of drinks. After the waiter leaves you lightly elbow Keeley. “I’ve got to go back to work after this. I can’t be drinking.”

Rebecca scoffs “Well, I’m your boss and I say you need a drink. I’m giving you the rest of the day off.”

Keeley adds, “It’s not like you’d get much done anyways. You’ll be too busy daydreaming about a certain coach.

“Fuck off” you laugh. You don’t really mean it and you all know it. You pull out your phone to text Roy.

Y/N: Hey, I won’t be back after lunch. Everything is caught up. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll see you on Monday!

You see the bubbles appear and disappear for a couple of minutes as you try to subtly keep an eye on your phone. Finally your torture ends as your phone vibrates in your hand.

ROY: Ok.

Those three characters should not be enough to stress you out. There’s hardly anything there to overanalyze, but that won't stop you. You take a long swig of your drink hoping that maybe the burning feeling as it slides down your throat will provide enough of a distraction.

• • •

Read Chapter 3

Series Taglist: @infinetlyforgotten @taytaylala12 @siriuslyreads

Let me know what you thought of this chapter and if you want to be added to the taglist for this series. 🖤

#reader insert #roy kent x reader #roy kent/reader #roy kent #ted lasso fic #ted lasso fanfic #idiots in love #x reader #workplace romance #jamie tartt #keeley jones #rebecca welton #tw drinking #to love and be loved in return

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lighthousepigeons · 7 months

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Iris: I thought happiness started with an H, why does mine start with U?

Declan: You have dyslexia, Iris.

Iris:

Cal: *slaps forehead*

#lauren asher #terms and conditions #declan kane #iris kane #cal kane #books #bookaddict #bookmemes #tumblrpost #incorrect quotes #tumblr funny #workplace romance #grumpy sunshine trope #bookworm #book quotes

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glitter-mouse · 5 months

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Nandermo = mlm, but in light of recent developments, mlm stands for multi-level marketing.

#nandermo #wwdits #nandor the relentless #guillermo de la cruz #what we do in the shadows #i’m sorry #it’s getting old #that’s his boss #workplace romance

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corvase · 2 years

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workplace romance prompts

feel free to use :)

character a starts at a new firm and lo and behold the person in the office (character b) over is a childhood friend/high school ex

them racing each other to the office every morning

them walking in together and splitting up reluctantly to start their work day (esp if they work in diff departments or are keeping the relationship a secret)

them eating lunch together in the cafeteria

“have you eaten?” “no.” “be there in two.”

one leaving roses and lilies at the others desk every morning

office enemies to lovers !!! must i even say anything i have like a million enemies to lovers posts

rather than competing to make the other fail, challenging each other to work harder and become better at their job

“do you think we should tell anyone?” “i’m okay with whatever you want. i’m just glad you’re mine.”

them sending little sticky notes to each other during work

both of them sick of the job, huddled together in a corner, faces inches apart like “no, don’t quit. if you quit, then i’ll quit.” “if we both quit then our full time job can be loving each other.” “God you’re corny. i love it.”

“what do you need from me? i don’t need this job. i don’t need any of them, okay? i just want you.”

both of them just being passionate about their work together

working in the same office for years but never really running into each other until one meeting

“i am so tired i could sleep in lava.” “come, my love. i’ll carry you to the car.”

unfortunately, character a works with their ex. when they’re unwillingly arguing with them off to the side, character b happens to overhear and defends character a while pretending to be their current partner to shoo the ex off… but now the whole office thinks they’re dating

“maybe if you could do your job i wouldn’t have to correct you.” “maybe if you stopped correcting me you wouldn’t be getting fired.”

rather than working in the same office, one works in the actual office and the other works in the cafeteria, or the janitorial, or the front desk, or the print office

both of them snuck away and are hiding together, trying to keep their laughing fits as quiet as possible

^^ “stop laughing, i really have to get back to the conference in like five minutes!” “we can make it quick.” “STOP.”

“wait… you like ME??? i thought you liked (other colleague)???!!?!(“ “HELLO???? I LITERALLY SWITCHED TO YOUR DEPARTMENT FOR YOU!!!”

“i can’t believe we worked together for five years and i’ve literally never even seen you.”

both of them being able to rant about colleagues or bosses they can’t stand

“i admire you so much.” “stop.” “no, i’m serious. you do your job so damn well, i’m in awe of you.” “we have the same job.” “and you do it better!”

“race you to the cafeteria?” “always.”

disagreement on whether or not they should tell their other colleagues

i also caution everyone who wants to write a boss/colleague story! not that i’m saying it never works, those often get tricky with power dynamics and can ruin the romance aspect. otherwise happy writing :)

#workplace romance prompts !!!!#workplace romance #workplace prompts #office romance #office prompts #office romance prompts #writeblr #writing #writing tips #writing advice #writing romance #writing prompts #romance prompts #dialogue prompts #romance writing prompts #imagine your otp #otp romance prompts #otp prompts

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dawnthequeen · 10 months

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you would bet on it? // min ho x reader

character: min ho

show: xo kitty

tags: frenemies to lovers, gender neutral reader, work place romance

warnings: maybe ooc?? i don't think so but yk, cursing, might have done some heavy self inserting oops

Kitty peaked around a corner, her head darting right and left before she proceeded down an alleyway.

It was just her luck that three boys were standing at a nearby building when they saw her sneaking around. Min ho raised a brow. “What on Earth is she doing?” His words caught Q and Dae’s attention, and they both turned around to watch.

“Maybe she’s just.. Meeting someone?” Dae chuckled nervously, trying to think of a perfectly logical and ethical reason Kitty was sneaking through an alleyway.

Min ho raised a brow. “Or buying drugs. We should follow her.”

Q shook his head, snickering lightly. “You just wanna follow her because you’re nosy.”

Min ho raised his hands in defense. “Sue me– Now let’s go.” He pivoted, going down the same alleway Kitty went down. Dae and Q shared a look before following him.

Kitty walked along for a while, much to two of the boys’ relief, exiting the alley after a short time and heading a way that was much more normal. She was acting oddly suspicious, though.

After some time, she arrived in front of…

A restaurant?

The three boys looked at each other with confused faces before continuing to the entrance.

Kitty walked inside, waiting up at the host stand for a second before you approached her with a grin. “Kitty! Good to see you, you can–” You paused immediately when spotting a very, very amused Min ho.

“You work at a restaurant, seriously?” He chuckled, raising a brow down at you.

Kitty whipped her head around, “Wh– Did you– You followed me?!”

Q and Dae quickly went in upon the realization that Min ho had blown their cover, Dae walking to the other side of Kitty. “We were just worried– You were acting really suspiciously–”

“We thought you could’ve been buying drugs.” Min ho grinned.

Kitty gawked at him. “What– That’s so stupid–”

You cleared your throat, crossing your arms. “What the hell are you guys doing here–” Before you could properly question the boys, you spotted your manager walking over. You blew out an irritated breath before putting on a fake smile. “How many in your party tonight?”

Min ho was loving this way too much. “Oh, just the four of us.” You so desperately wanted to wipe the smug look off of his face, but alas… You did value your job.

“Great!” You spoke through clenched teeth, grabbing four menus from behind you. “You can follow me right this way.” You took them to a section belonging to a server who had just arrived, so it was completely empty. After they sat down and you advertised your company’s rewards system with very red cheeks, your manager finally stopped watching you. Immediately upon their eyes being taken off of you, you exploded. “What the hell are you guys doing here?!”

“Kitty was acting weird. We swear we didn’t know she was coming here.” Q explained, chuckling nervously. He didn’t particularly like the idea of two of his best friends being upset with him over one of Min ho’s dumb ideas.

Min ho leaned back in his seat. “And I’m glad we did. Otherwise, we never would’ve learned of this little secret.” He motioned to your uniform, which caused your cheeks to go redder.

“Well, I’m sorry but not all of us can go through life completely supported by our ‘Mummy’s’.” You mimicked his accent toward the end, huffing. “Some of us actually have to support ourselves.”

Min ho rolled his eyes. “Right, like it’s so hard.”

You gawked at him. “Min ho, you would not survive a customer service job. Honestly, I would bet on it.”

This intrigued him, and he quickly leaned forward in his seat, turning to face you. “Oh, you would bet on it? Really?”

“Mhm. You would not survive in the restaurant industry.”

Min ho hummed. “Well, if you’re so confident, then let’s bet.”

“Fine. If I win?”

“I’ll do anything you ask of me. No objections.”

“Hm.. Okay. And if you win?”

“Same thing. Whatever I ask of you. Zero objections.”

Though you didn’t like the idea of Min ho being able to hold something over your head, you were confident enough that you felt comfortable despite the stakes. After a moment, you spoke. “Fine. Deal.”

Min ho grinned. “Deal. I’m looking forward to winning this bet.”

“In your dreams.” You rolled your eyes at him, backing away to finally allow the server to do their job. On your way out of the section, you caught Kitty who mouthed a “Sorry”. You shook your head, waving your hand at her in dismissal. Really, Kitty had done you a favor. Now you had the chance to one up Min ho.

After further discussion over text, you spoke to your manager about a friend who wanted to come in for an interview. Lucky for you, your shop was severely understaffed due to a mass of server’s quitting, so the manager didn’t hesitate to hire Min ho.

His first day was an absolute wreck.

He spilled a salsa bowl on him, which to anyone else would be a mere inconvenience, but to Min ho, it was the end of the world.

“I just bought these pants!! They're designer!!"

You shrugged. “It’s your own fault. Maybe you shouldn’t be so clumsy.” You were admittedly being hypocritical as you had broken and spilled your fair share of things on especially busy nights where you had to help.

“I hate you.”

You grew very familiar with those 3 words the more you worked with Min ho. His first few weeks, he let everything get to him. The customers, the messes, the way he smelled after work. Restaurant smell. You’d grown accustomed to it, so you hadn’t even considered that to be something that would’ve bothered him.

Much to your surprise though, he was very good at the customer service aspect. In some ways, it made sense. He had a way with acting charming, and he was fluent in Korean, which helped with the locals. He also only kept his complaints to when the two of you would be walking to the dorms together once you got off.

The thing that surprised you most, though, was how much you enjoyed spending time with him. You were used to server’s coming up and talking to you on slower days, the host stand often being a hangout place. You assumed Min ho picked up on it as he had suddenly begun hanging around there, too, when his section was deserted.

He waited for you after work. Even when he had been cut and could’ve gone home earlier. He excused it that you shouldn’t be walking alone at night. You didn’t really care about his motives, but you appreciated it. It was a nice gesture.

After 2 months, he still didn’t quit. You were beginning to worry he’d want to cash in his prize for the bet since it seemed like he had no intentions of losing. What would he make you do? The options were endless. You still had a slight hope that you could win but…

At the same time, you didn’t. You liked working with him more than you thought you would, it would be a little disappointing if he quit.

One night, though, his unwillingness to quit was really proven.

He had scheduled a date a few weeks in advance with some famous girl or something, you weren’t sure. But, he had also forgotten that he had a shift that same night.

He was up by the host stand, talking with you when he felt his phone buzz. He looked around to ensure your manager wasn’t near before he picked up.

“Hello?” After a few seconds his eyes widened. “That was tonight? Oh– I’m so sorry I must’ve forgotten, I–” He was cut off and a few more seconds passed where you heard muffled speaking through the phone. “I’m at work. Wait– Oh.” He said your restaurant’s address before he was hung up on. He blinked for a moment before putting his phone away.

You raised a brow. “What was that?”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I forgot I had a date tonight.”

“Oh. Well, if you need I’m sure one of the other servers could cover for you, I mean, even I can–”

“No!” You paused, blinking up at him. He shook his head. “No. What if we get busy? The dinner rush hasn’t even come in yet! I can’t desert you like that.”

You felt a blush creeping up your neck. He couldn’t desert you like that?

Before you could question his wording, a very pretty girl walked up to the two of you, clearing her throat. “Min ho, are you ready to go?”

The girl rolled her eyes, pulling out a small mirror and lip gloss. “Yeah, and? You don’t need a job, Min ho. We can just leave. It doesn’t matter.”

Min ho looked over. “What? I told you I was at work–”

He shook his head. “But it does. It’s a responsibility.”

The girl glanced at him before putting away her things, grinning. “Responsibility? When did you get so mature? It’s hot.. But seriously. Let’s go.”

Min ho groaned, a hand going over his face. “I already said–”

Before you could stop yourself, the words were already leaving your mouth. “I think he already said he wasn’t going.”

The girl looked at you, scoffing. “And you are?”

Min ho stepped in front of you, crossing his arms. “They’re my coworker and friend. Plus, they’re right. I told you I couldn’t go already.”

The girl clenched her fists before putting her hands on her hips. She stared at the two of you for a second before huffing. “Fine. Fine! I’ll leave. But I’m texting you later to reschedule.” She glared at you, then turned around, heading back out.

You looked between him and her figure, which disappeared into a car.

There’s one thing she said that you agreed with.

This new maturity was hot.

A few hours later, the two of you were walking back to the dorms together. You sighed dramatically. “Y’know what– Fine. Fine!”

He raised a brow. “What are you on about?”

“Fine, you win.” You stopped walking. “You win the bet.”

He stared at you for a second before his brows raised. “Oh. Right. That.”

“Don’t tell me you forgot.”

He shrugged, his hands going to his pockets. “I guess I did. But, hey. I told you I could do it.” His nonchalant expression turned into a grin.

You rolled your eyes. “Well..”

“Well?”

“What do you want? I agreed to do anything you wanted. No objections.”

He thought to himself for a second. “Hm… I’ll need to think on it.” He kept walking.

You gawked at him, whining and following him. “Min ho– That’s not fair! Now I’m gonna have to walk on eggshells!”

“Ooh well.”

The two of you continued your walk, and you continued to pester him to no avail. By the time you got home, Kitty had retreated to her room, so you went to yours. You got ready for bed, flopping down with a hum. You grabbed your phone off your bedside table when you saw a text from Min ho.

min ho: okay, i’ve made up my mind.

min ho: i want..

Min ho: a date.

Min ho: this friday. i’ll pick you up at 6.

Wait.

WHAT?!

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