lamb to the wolves

I don't think you got all the eggshell out of the batter…

A dozen cupcakes? No, no, I'm sure there were only ever eleven.

We absolutely do not need more sprinkles.

We may need more sprinkles.

Oh come on, it's not like eating raw cookie dough is going to kill me.

You want to lick the spoon?

It doesn’t have to look pretty, it just has to taste good.

Is this bread or a rock?

Is it supposed to be this sticky?

If you keep distracting me, these are never getting finished.

Wait, was that the salt or sugar?

If someone steals kitchen utensils, would you say it was a 'whisk' they were willing to take?

Careful, that tray is hot!

Well? Are you going to do like my apron says and kiss the cook?

Look, we'll just cover that side with icing and nobody will know.

My secret ingredient? Love obviously.

….please tell me that's not the cookies I smell burning.

I said a pinch of salt, not half the container!

Hey no touching, it needs to cool first!

Are you going to help me, or just keep stealing the chocolate chips?

How did dough get on the ceiling?

What shape are these cookie cutters supposed to be?

You're not supposed to ice them before you bake!

Taste this and tell me if it needs more cinnamon.

You have flour on your nose.

I don't understand, I followed the recipe exactly.

Did you remember to preheat the oven?

Vanilla is measured with the heart.

I mean the recipes really more of a suggestion.

(with mouth full) What chocolate chips?

Hold still, you’ve got frosting on your cheek.

Jack drops down into the chair beside Emma in the staff lounge with a tired exhale, one hand dragging back through his hair while the vending machine hums quietly in the background.

“If one more person comes into this ED after Googling their symptoms,” he mutters, setting his coffee on the table between them, “I’m revoking public access to the internet personally.”

The corner of his mouth twitches faintly despite himself as he glances over at her. His scrub top’s wrinkled from hours on shift, stethoscope hanging loose around his neck while exhaustion settles heavy beneath his eyes.

two of her patients had died today, on her watch, and both flukes. dana, and robby had told her as much. but that didn't erase the sting of loss, of knowing their families were down a mother, and one a grandfather. she knew the pain as well as anyone, and it felt as though she were a child watching it happen to her all over again.

SETTINGS.

[01.] finding privacy in a cramped dressing room.

[02.] cramming into the backseat of a car together.

[03.] slipping into the lonesome alleyway behind the bar for "time alone".

[04.] pulling them away from a party after hours of relentless teasing.

[05.] getting handsy under the table at a fancy dining establishment.

[06.] taking the long way home and pulling over on a dark stretch of road.

[07.] staying behind at the venue after everyone else has left.

[08.] the hotel room door barely clicks shut before hands are on them.

[09.] a tent in the middle of nowhere where no one can hear anything.

NEW TERRITORY.

[10.] finding yourself staring at their mouth and getting caught.

[11.] pulling back from a kiss to look at them, then immediately going back in.

[12.] memorizing the shape of them for the first time with your palms.

[13.] that exploratory first kiss, reserved and shy.

[14.] a gentle first kiss that morphs into intense want.

[15.] feeling the shape of their body through their clothes.

[16.] asking for permission to remove one of their garments.

[17.] finally succumbing to the thick tension & colliding feverishly.

[18.] fumbling with buttons or zippers because your hands won't stop shaking.

[19.] admitting out loud that you've been thinking about this for a while.

HEATING UP.

[20.] pulling them into your lap in the midst of a heated kiss.

[21.] discovering that they're wearing [ GEAR / LINGERIE ] under their clothes.

[22.] kissing away from their lips, down the length of their neck.

[23.] desperately grinding on them through layers of clothing.

[24.] dirty talking directly into their ear to turn them on even further.

[25.] pushing them onto a piece of furniture before straddling them.

[26.] lifting them onto the countertop while making out.

[27.] tugging their hair to expose more of their throat to your mouth.

[28.] the wrecked way they say your name for the first time.

[29.] fabric tearing because neither of you has the patience for buttons.

[30.] removing an obstacle of clothing with your teeth.

UNRAVELING.

[31.] biting down on their shoulder to muffle how good it feels.

[32.] the sound they make when you find the spot that undoes them.

[33.] begging without any trace of pride left and meaning every word.

[34.] their composure cracking for the first time, they finally stop holding back.

[35.] repeating "don't stop" like it's the only language left in their mouth.

[36.] leaving possessive marks in places only they'll see.

[37.] whispering "look at me" right before you take them apart.

[38.] trying to be quiet and failing, so they clamp a hand over your mouth.

[39.] flipping positions so fast neither of you remembers who initiated it.

[40.] their nails dragging down your back hard enough to sting later.

[41.] being told to open your mouth and doing it before the sentence is finished.

[42.] having your hands pinned above your head.

[43.] the desperate scramble to get closer when there is no closer to get.

COMING DOWN.

[44.] fingers lazily tracing the marks they just left on your skin.

[45.] pulling the blanket over both of you without being asked.

[46.] that silent, dazed smile when they catch your eye across the pillow.

[47.] the shaky laugh when neither of you can remember where your shirt is.

[48.] going to get water and bringing a glass back for them without asking.

[49.] lying chest to chest, feeling their heartbeat slow back down against yours.

[50.] the quiet "hey" that means something completely different now.

[51.] "come here" said softly — not urgently. just wanting them close again.

emma had been making it a point to stay clear of the group since she had walked into the bar, they had been passing comments and eyeing her up as if she were prey all night and it unsettled her to no end. she hadn't given them much thought when her nursing school friends had been around, but slowly they had all disappeared until it was only emma and the group of men circling like sharks, asking where her friends had gone, offering to keep her company and without a thought, emma told them her boyfriend was coming. the nonexistent boyfriend. and that he wouldn't be happy.

Though he has no problem playing white knight, protective boyfriend, or whatever way one wished to look at it, Robby knows it will likely look rather ridiculous for a man his age to show up and collect her when he could just as easily be her father or uncle, or really any older family member.

A boyfriend, however, made him look a bit skeezy, at least by societal standards. After all, a man dating a woman with so large of an age gap between them usually meant the man was experience some kind of midlife crisis or had enough money to play the part of a sugar daddy. Hell, or both. Even if the group of guys hassling her believed their bluff, they were likely to think Emma could do a hell of a lot better than Robby — and they’d be right.

Outside, his motorcycle announces his arrival, the engine revving harshly, then reducing to a slow, steady purr until he cuts it entirely. Maybe it’ll help startle the snot nosed bunch of dirtbags, make ‘em piss their pants upon realizing it was his bike that just pulled in.

Not bothering to remove his jacket (he doesn’t intend to stay long), Robby stalks inside, carefully scanning the crowd for the self proclaimed damsel in distress, relieved to find her huddled int the corner looking at her phone. Of course, the pack of wolfish guys who’re no doubt responsible for hounding her are hovering in the vicinity, prompting Robby to frown.

Fine. He’ll put on a show for them, scare ‘em enough to send them slinking off into the crowd with their fucking tails between their legs.

Weaving through the masses, he’s quick to put an arm around Emma, pulling her in for a lingering side hug to ensure their fake relationship is believable.

“There you are, sweetheart. Sorry I’m late. Work dragged a bit longer than expected.” Here, he pecks the corner of her mouth, just enough to imply romantic involvement, but not so much that he oversteps boundaries. He doesn’t want to make her uncomfortable.

“it’s alright,” a hand splayed on his chest with a bright smile up at him. it was easier to ignore her embarrassment thanks to the drinks she’s had, though it didn’t stop her slight flush at his actions. in hindsight maybe she should’ve called dennis and not her 50 something year old boss. oh well.