| scriber's study|

INTERESTS: I like character studies, introspection, and angst angst angst! Down for rarepairs! I might prioritize non-smut asks over smut asks at this moment in time. I would LOVE to explore rarepairs. It gives me an excuse to research their characters! I am good with mostly any ship. My exceptions are listed below.

I am an old crone and this blog will most likely contain adult content and other mature themes, so mdni.

NON-NEGOTIABLIES: No underage ships No inc*st No non-con

HARASSMENT: Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. There's enough bullshit in the real world.

NOTE: *If there is a ship or theme I am uncomfortable with, I may not write about it. But I am willing to write about sensitive content as long as it is written respectfully and not romanticized.

-> Vi x Reader | Dentist pt. 2 | Second Meeting - from @wowzz-g (Already have a lil idea cooking for part 2! Ty :D)

“I hate when you call me that.” She could see a frown on his lips, and she laughed that smooth, velvety laugh that never failed to give Viktor a shiver.

When it came time to close the shop, Viktor took off his apron and stretched his legs. He winced when he felt a crick in his back from the stretch, before reaching for his cane. He hitched a brow when she picked it up for him preemptively. He smiled and took it from her hand, grazing over the soft skin on her knuckles,

“Thanks.”

“Are you sure standing like this for so long is ok?” She asked.

“Please. I’ve done more strenuous work with you, compared to standing in front of a stove.”

The corner of his lip curled when she gave him a dirty look. He couldn’t help but notice her cheeks get red. As they walked she spoke again,

“Hey, so we’re bringing in a batch of new interviewees.” She followed him to the lockers where they kept their things, and she watched as he pulled off his shirt to change. Her eyes traced over his back brace. The knobs on his spine, and the strap that cut into his shoulder. He was thin, but the labor he did in the kitchen made his muscles toned. Viktor mulled over the last round of interviews Mel did before. It was a disaster. Half were incompetent with overblown egos, the other half could barely stutter out their answers.

“Would you like to sit in?” She asked.

“Sitting down for hours to hear strangers sell themselves, for a job they probably don't even want? Sounds fun.” He said sarcastically, pulling a crisp shirt from the locker. “Plus, what good would I be there anyway? I’m just the line cook.”

She walked over with her arms crossed, leaning her shoulder against a nearby locker to stare at him,

“You’ve been here seven years, Viktor. You know the ins and outs of nearly every part of this place.” She said chidingly. She never understood why Viktor always refused a promotion. Her and her mother had been pushing it on him since he nearly began working there.

“Do I have to? What about Ms. Medarda.” He said plainly, buttoning his new shirt on.

Mel rolled her eyes. She always hated it when he called her that.

“Just call her Ambessa, Viktor. And no, she’s overseas…on business apparently. She’s trying to sign some contract with an investor to bring the restaurant internationally. That power hungry woman, working me to the bone.” She huffed.

“You’re not sure she’s just with her boy toy in Bora Bora?” He asked with a grin, the glint of a tooth poking from the corner of his mouth.

Mel shrugged,

“Who, Miguel? That man always irritated me. I always had the feeling she had a thing for you. And since she couldn’t have you, she settled for some off brand doppelganger.”

Viktor winced playfully from the crude comment while she turned around and shook her head. From behind her, she could hear Viktor hum.

“She did. Have a thing for me, that is.” Mel’s eyes widened and she veered towards Viktor again.

He looked back at her and shrugged,

“She told me. Came onto me once, too.” He  smirked, knowing that the subject always seemed to rile Mel up. “And I didn’t hate it.”

“Ugh, this is too much information, Viktor.” She blushed with a scowl and massaged the space between her brow.

“What? You brought it up.”

“I certainly didn’t need to know that my mother was trying to sleep with my boyfriend.” She walked back up to him to finish buttoning his shirt.

“Is that what we are?” He grabbed her wrist and pushed her against the locker, eliciting a small gasp from Mel. He leaned in, enough for her to feel the warmth of his body, and he whispered, “Last I heard, we weren’t together anymore.” He stared at her lips, slightly parted and trembling ever so slightly. “You were off with that man from Zaun. Who, might I add, is twice your age. Do you see the double standard?” He said, with a clipped voice. His accent was more pronounced, and Mel knew it only happened when he was jealous. Her hands lay on his bare chest, damp with sweat, and his hand landed on her neck. From this close he could smell notes of jasmine on her skin. Her lips parted with a restrained sigh,

“His mind was intriguing. Charming, handsome.” He grimaced from the compliment she gave him. “He knows how to run a good business, and rivalled my intellect in a way that was too hot to look over. And you know, he knew how to use his body,” She said, fingertips climbing from his stomach up to his chest. She scanned Viktor’s frame slowly,

“You weren’t too bad either.”

Viktor eyed her and pulled back, “Is that so.” He was pissed. She grabbed the collar on his shirt and pulled him close. And just as he bent down for a kiss, she pushed him away and smiled quietly.

“And to answer your question, yes you have to go. Because I am your boss. The interviews are set for tomorrow, so come prepared.” When she walked out the door, he straightened his shirt and clicked his tongue,

“Tease.”

Interviews were just as Mel and Viktor expected. And every time he tried to stand up to leave, she’d pull him back down on the chair.

“We have one more, Viktor.”

“I know how this will go, so just let me leave. My back is sore and I need to lie down at home.” She shook her head and sighed heavily, before letting him go. As he walked to the door, he nearly ran into a man coming through. Tall, broad, tawny skinned with gelled dark hair. And with a shirt so tight his rippling pecs could probably tear it open if he flexed hard enough. Viktor tried to gulp in a not-so-obvious way. He looked Viktor up and down.

“Hi, I’m here for the interview. For the server position…is this the right place?”

Viktor had to tear his eyes aware from his biceps, trying not to imagine them pinning him down on the interview table. He had hazel eyes, and a jawline that could cut glass. And most notable was the puppy-eyed look of innocence on his face. Before Viktor could say anything, Mel interrupted,

“Why yes, it is. Please take a seat, Mr…” She thumbed through her folder, “...Jayce Talis?”

“That’s me,” He said with an easy smile. He walked in, but back tracked to leave the door open for Viktor. Instead of walking out, though, Viktor waved him off and made his way back to his seat,

“Mr. Talis, do you have your references with you?” Viktor asked, pulling a more authoritative tone. Mel hitched an eye brow. While Jayce looked through his bag, Mel stifled an obvious chuckle. She spoke off to the side,

“Hm. I thought you had to go home.”

“Shut up. I’m just being courteous.”

Mel stared Jayce up and down. He noticed her eyes on him and gulped, probably assuming she was sizing him up to see if he was a good fit for the job. But it was glaringly obvious to Viktor that she was just checking him out. Before she moved on, she smiled, like a wolf who had just caught sight of her prey.

“So Mr. Talis. It says here you’ve done customer service work before.”

“Y-yes. I worked for my dad’s tool shop. I manned the front.”

“Good. And as you know, this is a restaurant. Have you handled food before?”

When Jayce looked down, he almost looked guilty, and Mel ate the sight up. Then she heard Viktor,

“I could train you. I’ve worked here for a long time, I know the ins and outs of this place.”

She squinted her eyes at Viktor with the obvious 180. Now you want to help.

Once the interview was over, Jayce stood up to shake Mel’s hand,

“Thank you for this opportunity, I hope I did well–”

“You’re hired.” Both Viktor and Jayce’s eyes widened. Viktor threw a stare at Mel, who had a not-so-subtle coy smile on her lips. Jayce thanked them both profusely before walking out, and both sat back down to say in unison,

“That man.”

Mel looked over to Viktor with a grin,

“I’ve never seen you so flustered before.”

Viktor scoffed, “Please. You should look in the mirror. And you should have seen the way he looked at me, Mel.”

She hitched a brow, “Your ego is overblown, Viktor."

The next day, Mel watched Jayce come in with a nervous brow, before she walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. When he looked at her, she smiled, leaning heavy on the usual charm she had gotten used to wielding.

“You alright with the tab?” She asked, a curve to her voice. He said quietly,

“I think I’ll be fine.” She hummed to herself in satisfaction and stood to leave, but her brows stitched together when she saw Viktor in the distance. Viktor walked up to Jayce with a slow, unbothered gait. Jayce had been hunched over, staring at the menu trying to memorize the meals, as well as the seating organization for the restaurant.

“Let me,” he said, stepping in between Mel and Jayce, to her quiet disapproval. He showed Jayce around, “this is the layout, the table numbers are in order starting here.” He pointed to the chart in his hand, leaning over to Jayce carefully. When he saw the tips of Jayce’s ears red, he smiled. And he could smell the slight musk of pine on his skin. He briefly imagined what it would be like under him. Is that what his sheets smelled like, too? When Viktor made his way to drop off the menus, Jayce caught sight of him.

“You can sit down to rest, I’ll do it.” Jayce said confidently, pulling the menus tucked from under Viktor’s arm. But Viktor held onto them tight, giving Jayce a slight surprise. His hand found Jayce’s toned bicep. The feeling of his cool fingertips gave Jayce a shiver, before he heard Viktor’s velvet voice, laced with a slightly playful tone. A tone that no one but Mel could only recognize. 

“Are you saying I'm not capable to drop these off because of my cane?” Mel brought her hand to her face and shook her head. What a crass thing to say, just to toy with a new worker, she thought silently. She stepped away, back to her office in a small huff. But it seemed to work, because soon enough, Jayce began to speak in a bumbling mess,

“No, no, that’s not what I meant--I’m so sorry.” His face turned beet red, and while he brought a hand to rub down his face in embarrassment, Viktor’s lips curled. Poking at the new worker shouldn't have been this fun.

“Don’t worry about it. If you’re really sorry, you can make it up to me. Grab me a drink after work.” When Jayce looked up, he met Viktor’s golden eyes. Hazel orbs looked back, with a certain clarity to them. The new server parted his lips and said quietly,

“Sure,” to which Viktor was slightly surprised.

Later that day, Viktor heard Mel chirp from behind him,

“Hm. So how’s it going with the new guy?”

“Good. He’s taking me out for drinks,” he said quietly, pulling his coat on for a smoke break. Mel whipped her head around to stare at him in shock.

“No fucking way.”

He smiled before stepping out to the back porch with his cigarettes. Mel followed him out.

“Hey, manager. It’s not your break yet. You have a full staff to look over,” He chuckled deviously, while he lit his cigarette. Soon enough, it was swiped from his hand, and he glared at Mel as she took a drag.

“You can’t be serious. How did you manage to do that?” She said, chewing her lip with one arm crossed, bringing the cigarette to her lips again. She took in another long, deep drag, as her olive eyes watched Viktor move close to her. He leaned forward and took the cigarette, parting his lips, before she returned the gesture to blow the steady, thin stream of smoke into his mouth. He took it in, letting his eyes close, before speaking to her again. His words were soft, but with a bite, as the smoke left his nostrils languidly,

“We’ll see just how eager he is to do a good job here.” She scoffed before he stepped away to finish his smoke.

Mel walked back into the restaurant, eyes searching for Jayce. He was wiping down a table before he noticed her in the distance and smiled.

“Ms. Medarda, I think I’m doing good with the tables–-”

“Jayce, stay here longer after your shift is over. I need help with some things.”

Jayce’s eyes darted around with a slightly open mouth, “But…I have something else to do after–-”

“Is there something more important than your job?” She chided gracefully, looking at him under half lidded eyes. She hitched her brow before he gulped,

“N-no. Of course, I’ll stay.” Viktor had watched from behind them, seething. Mel looked back at him with a smirk before Jayce saw him and mouthed the words, ‘I’m sorry.’ When Jayce went back to his tables, Viktor walked alongside Mel,

“So what is this extra work you need his help with?” he said apprehensively. She grinned, pulling out a schedule book. She responded,

“Nothing.” Viktor’s eyes widened with a small sigh. She stood, looking over the work desk in her office reviewing papers, when Viktor walked up to her from behind. She felt him place a hand on her hip and kiss her neck. She stood up.

“What’s this?” she hummed, smiling as she leaned into it.

“If you need a man in your bed that much…” He said softly into her skin. She turned around and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

“Hm, perhaps. But this time…” She moved close to his ear, words spoken like honey,

“You’ll be the one in the ropes.” Viktor pushed her against the desk, setting his cane alongside it to sneak a hand under her shirt. She kissed his neck, shivering from his touch. And just as he leaned in to kiss her, they heard a knock on the door. Viktor’s brows pushed together, sighing quietly in frustration.

“Ms. Medarda? I just finished up with the tables. I’m ready to help now.”

Viktor clicked his tongue as Mel tried to hold in a laugh. He swiped his cane and opened the door while Mel continued on with her paperwork. When he opened it, Jayce was surprised to see him inside. His eyes were wide,

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.” When Viktor noticed Jayce staring at his shirt, he looked down to see that his collar had a smudge of wine-colored rouge on it. Viktor sighed and said under a breath,

“This was my favorite shirt,” throwing a glance at Mel from behind, who only hummed to herself as she thumbed through her documents. When he looked back up to see Jayce, his eyes averted with the smallest bit of perspiration on his temple and with slightly flushed cheeks. Viktor chuckled out loud,  before squeezing Jayce’s forearm. 

“Mr. Viktor?” He asked, when he noticed that Viktor didn’t let go.

“I’m not your father, Jayce. Just call me Viktor.”

“Yes sir.” Viktor paused to correct him again, but sat on the term. He didn’t hate being called sir if it came from Jayce’s lips. 

“Viktor, leave us. I have much to do with Jayce,” She said in a dark tone. Viktor rolled his eyes. Liar.

He let his hand on Jayce’s arm linger there for a moment, before slowly dragging his fingertips off him, tracing casually over the rippling muscle on his forearm. He left the office without a rush.

When the door shut, Mel asked smoothly,

“So, how did you feel with your first day on the job?”

“I liked it. I got to meet the other staff, they were all accommodating. And I always enjoyed talking to people, so the customer service was fun,” He smiled.

“That’s good,” She hummed, smiling sweetly as she walked to him. When he noticed her studying him, he gulped. “You do have a way with you, Mr. Talis. So I’m not surprised that you’re getting along with everyone.”

“Ah, just Jayce.” He laughed quietly, rubbing the back of his neck. When he said the words, she noticed that he had avoided her gaze.

“Right, Jayce.” She began to pull off her sweater, only a thin pale blouse just underneath. Jayce fumbled,

“Ms. Medarda,”

“Let’s stop with the honorifics, hm Jayce? Mel is fine.”

“M-mel.”

She smiled wryly as she looked at him, standing at the door with his eyes averted, face as red as a tomato.

“Oh, don’t be so flustered. I’m just warm.” She walked up to him and placed his hand on the apron’s strap,

“Also, your shift is over, take it off. You don’t need that apron anymore.”

He nodded before untying the apron and sliding it off his shoulders. When he looked up, he saw her stepping towards a towering bookshelf that lined the wall of her office.

“You’ll help me organize some of these books, Jayce. I want to make sure you have your work cut out for you.” When Jayce watched her step on the small stool, he said hastily,

“Here, let me do it for you.”

“No need. But if you’d like, you can spot me.” As she stood and reached for a book on a higher shelf, she gasped quietly when she felt his hand on her. She knew Jayce was a big man, but one hand nearly wrapped around her entire waist. She tried not to shiver from the warmth that seeped from his palm through the sheer fabric of her blouse. Oh, what it would be like to feel those hands elsewhere. How easy would it be for him to grip onto her thighs, and…

“Mel?” She snapped out of her daze,

“R-right,” She said quickly, “I can step back down, the rest of the books are still on the desks to be sorted.”

As she stepped off the stool he helped her down, one hand fully planted on her hip, the other pressed into her back. She tried not to blush when he looked in her dark olive eyes, eager to help. It wasn't the books she wanted help with. No, what she really wanted was to push him down and climb on top of him; feel the hard muscle of his chest and stomach under her palms.

When she eventually dismissed him, he stepped outside to see Viktor at the front, already on his third cigarette. Nose cold from the night air, a scarf tightly wrapped around his neck and shoulders. When Viktor looked over, his eyes widened. He didn’t expect Jayce to be done so quick; didn’t anticipate to run into him outside. He hoped it wasn’t too obvious that he might have been waiting.

“Viktor, you’re still here? I’m so sorry about that. Would…it be too late to get you a drink?”

Viktor’s eyes widened before he grinned under his scarf,

“Of course not. Please, lead the way.” When he turned, he could just make out Mel through the restaurant’s glass pane, with a frown. He chuckled deviously and flipped her off, before leaving. Jayce turned to look at him from the laugh,

“What was that?” Jayce asked confused,

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”

When they arrived at the nearest bar, Viktor strode in like he had already been there many times before. And he did. Despite his small frame, Viktor liked his alcohol. He held his liquor better than most people his size, but it wouldn't seem to help him that night.

He greeted the bartender with an easy smile, and by name, which surprised Jayce.

“Two whiskeys, neat.” Jayce only watched in silence after the bartender came back with their drinks. Viktor took the glass to his lips before saying,

“You’re staring, Jayce.” He smiled in his cup before finishing off the rest of his drink.

“Uh-I’m sorry,” He said, clearing his throat before picking up his own glass. After a couple of rounds, the bar started to feel warm. Viktor tried to fan himself with his hand, when he looked over to see Jayce removing his coat. He had changed out of his work uniform long before they got to the bar, and he had worn a plain T, tight enough to hug the curve of every muscle. Viktor nearly keeled over from the sight. Jayce’s arms were as large as one of Viktor’s thighs, and his hands were so big that it dwarfed the liquor glass in an almost comical way. He could probably lift Viktor like it was nothing. And those hands could wrap around his waist to meet in the middle with no effort. Viktor let his eyes close, imagining them pulling him in.

“So, Viktor,” His eyes snapped open, cheeks and nose red. Jayce noticed the blush on his face, but just assumed it was from the alcohol. “How long have you worked at the restaurant for?”

“Seven years.”

“Oh wow. That’s a long time…I’m thankful you were willing to help me out. I’m sure you have a busy schedule,” He said quietly. When he looked over, he noticed Viktor trying to stand,

“I’ll be right back," Viktor said, with a sway. Maybe the drinks were on him a little bit. When he reached for his cane he nearly tumbled over, before Jayce caught him.

“Careful,” Jayce said in a low tone, getting the cane for him. Viktor squeezed his shoulder,

“Quite a gentleman. Are you going to assist me in the bathroom as well?” He asked, chuckling as he looked at Jayce from the corner of his eye. Jayce flustered before Viktor continued, “Sorry, poor taste in joke. I think it’s the liquor. Watch my drink for me, will you?”

Later that night.

Mel stirred in her bed when she heard her phone go off. She squinted at the screen. A notification from 'Viki'

Viki: hey

Mel: vik. Its 2 in the morning. what do you want

Viki: just left the bar with a certain server boy ;)

Mel shot up from her bed, tight curls falling over her face. She brushed them back, excited, but also exceedingly pissed.

Mel: wth…I swore that man was straight

Viki: …hm. idk about that.

After a few moments, another notification popped up on her phone, with an image attached. When she opened it, her eyes widened. It was a blurry photo of what she could only assume was Jayce’s hulking body hovering over the camera.

What he had failed to mention was that Jayce had assisted a VERY drunk Viktor to the back of a cab. When Viktor ‘accidentally’ tugged harshly on his sleeve, Jayce nearly fell on top of him, and even in his state of complete inebriation, he still had the wherewithal to snap a quick picture of the new server boy pushing him into the back of the cab.

Mel shut off her phone and went back to bed.

The next morning, Viktor looked like shit. Mel couldn’t help but feel a sick satisfaction about it.

“You sure you can work today’s shift?” She asked coyly, nudging him with her shoulder.

“Of course I can,” He huffed, before popping a couple of advils in his mouth. He took a drink from a water glass.

“Good. Because we’re catering today. Graduation party of 20.” Viktor nearly choked on the water, his face becoming pale. But when she couldn’t stop staring at him, he smiled.

“Oh, Mel.”

She furrowed her brow. “What.”

“My sweet Mel. You know, you’re not very subtle. Your jealousy is easily written all over your face.”

She scoffed before closing the locker door on him, just before his fingers could be snapped in half.

“I call bullshit. He was probably just helping your drunk ass home or something,” Mel provoked, hopeful. When Viktor didn’t respond, she said,

“I fucking knew it.”

They were interrupted when they heard Jayce’s unmistakable, deep voice reverberate near the front desk. They watched as a young girl spoke to him,

“She’s one of the new servers,” Mel whispered to Viktor, “Jayce looks oblivious.”

“Of course he does. He’s a sweet little pup. And he’ll be in my bed by the end of the week.”

Mel pulled her head from around the corner to look at Viktor, and spoke with a challenging tone,

“Oh, you want to bet?”

He hummed, “You didn’t see the way he was looking at me last night, Mel.” She rolled her eyes as he started to laugh. But it was muffled when she slapped a hand over his mouth. Viktor looked at her while she stared around the corner again. Then, he closed his eyes and licked her palm. She wacked him lightly on the shoulder, which only elicited another laugh from him.

“Shush. If you keep playing around, our hard work on eavesdropping will go to waste. We might find what he fancies if you can just be quiet.” They watched as the young girl tried to speak with Jayce. The girl fidgeted with her hands,

“H-hi, Jayce right?”

“Hey, did you need something?” How kind.

“Well, I was actually. I have a friend. He was too shy to come up to you, because–”

The word he made Viktor grin. He could already feel the sweet taste of victory on his tongue, before Mel threatened to wipe the smirk off his face. Jayce’s eyes widened before the server girl continued,

“Because…I guess, so it wouldn’t be awkward. But um, but do you happen to be into men? Sorry if it’s a weird question.”

With how quiet it was in the kitchen, Viktor and Mel could hear a pin drop, and their ears burned to make out what his response would be. They watched Jayce blush as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Ah well, actually. I like both men…and women?” He responded, as if it was a question. And when the words came out of Jayce’s mouth, both Mel and Viktor's jaws dropped. They looked at each other.

“Hey.” Viktor said not so inconspicuously, “I have this bangin’ idea.”

“Sure you do” She said flatly. “And don't use the word bangin’. It doesn’t roll off your tongue well.”

“Shut up. How about we call a truce…and join forces?”

Mel stared at Viktor silently before breaking out into a smirk. “Oh? Last I remember, you hated sharing.” When they both stood up, Viktor didn’t move away. He only stepped closer, towering over her with his sharp, amber gaze. She she gasped quietly before she heard him say,

“I’ll make an exception.” Viktor saw the heat on her cheeks, and she watched as his golden eyes studied her lips. They both look at each other, and without another word, Mel moved close and kissed him. He pulled her in, one hand steady on his cane, the other wrapped tightly around her waist. His lips grazed down to her neck, and she moaned when he pushed her to the wall. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hand tangled in his auburn wisps, when they suddenly began to hear footsteps nearby. Jayce walked in, as Mel and Viktor parted with the warm air still swirling between their breaths. The two pushed off each other unison before Jayce could notice. His face was still red with the interaction he had with the girl, and he was so flustered he hadn’t even noticed Mel and Viktor. How cute.

“Jayce, come to my office. There’s something we need to speak with you about.” He looked up in slight surprise from their presence, but only nodded quietly. He followed Mel and Viktor in the office before shutting it closed, then said,

“Ah…I’m sorry, did you happen to hear that out there?” He laughed nervously, “I know it’s probably not work appropriate to talk about that, um.”

Viktor whispered to Mel, “Oh, we’re going to ruin him,” before he stepped over to Jayce.

“No need to be nervous, Jayce. It’s a natural conversation.” Jayce looked up when he felt Viktor’s lithe hand run up his toned arm. “Everyone has their needs.” His face turned a brighter shade of pink, and he soon saw Mel come close to stroke his cheek. His eyes widened as he looked at her, his gaze eventually lingering on her soft lips.

“Jayce, we have a proposition for you.” She spoke the words with a soft, sultry tone that managed to run a shiver up his spine. He swallowed over a dry throat. Her hand ran down his jaw, to his neck, and down to the tight muscles of his chest. He startled when Viktor’s hand pulled him down. He brought his lips to Jayce’s ear, whispering quietly,

When your name gets called, you stand up to follow the assistant, get your teeth X-rayed, and eventually wait in another room while your dentist is ready to see you. But when you hear footsteps walk through the door and turn around, it’s not the familiar face that you see every three months, with the same trite questions about your family, or the holidays. It’s her. You don’t remember seeing her at all while you were in the lounge.

You gulp. She’s gorgeous. Lightning red hair, baby blue eyes, and a scar running through her lip that you might have stared at a beat too long. Even through her white coat you can see the definition of her toned muscles.

“Hey, nice to meet you. I’m Vi. Our usual dentist is out sick today, so I hope you don’t mind that I check in with you instead?”

Her demeanor is casual, different from most doctors you’ve seen before. You’d like to tell yourself that her cool air makes you feel more at ease, but you can’t when she looks like that. You didn’t expect to see her at all today, and you certainly didn't anticipate that she'd be the one doing your check up. You see the gleam of silver on her nose ring, and the dark makeup that perfectly contrasts with her powder blue irises. You have to rip your eyes away before you burn a hole through her.

“Ah yeah, of course. Not a problem.”

“Just take a seat, I’ll be right with you.”

You nod and sit back on the chair. Dentist chairs are always so awkward. You never know if you’re supposed to sit up or lay back on them. You choose to lay back. Fingers laced together, patient. And nervous. After a little while, you steal a peek at her. 

She’s behind you, leaning over the computer’s desk. You know, those desks that are high up, so you’re forced to stand. After a minute, she shifts before pushing her sleeves up and, oh god, she has tattoos. Dark streaks of detail in inky black that roll over rippling muscle. They creep up her forearm and disappear somewhere beneath her coat, and you wonder how far it goes. Something on Vi’s computer seems to bother her, because you hear her sigh before she runs a hand through her hair. She turns to look at you and you hold your breath. You hope to god she didn’t notice you were staring.

“Sorry. The computers have been slow today.”

“Oh, no. It’s totally fine.”

It is totally not fine.

“Your tattoos.” You bark out. You clamp your mouth shut, but it’s too late. You didn’t mean to say it outloud. 

Vi pauses and you think you can make out a smile, but it’s hard to tell from your angle.

“You like them?” She asks.

“Yeah, they look nice.”

She laughs. “I mean, do you like tattoos?”

You want to crawl into a hole. Vi shuffles some papers and turns away from the computer, before taking a seat at the chair and rolling over to you. She’s close enough that you catch a whiff of cedarwood and pine.

You stutter, “I-I mean, yeah. I’ve always wanted one.”

She thumbs through her paperwork then turns your way. You steady your breath, because she’s looking right at you. Her lips part and she says,

“When was the last time you’ve seen us?”

“Maybe a few months,” you say with an even tone. The anticipation withers from her abrupt transition from the topic.

“Lay back, I’m going to lower you and take a look. Sound good?”

You nod quietly. The chair reclines as far as it can go, and you keep your eyes on the ceiling. Suddenly, your vision is obstructed by Vi’s arm. She pulls the dental drape around your shoulders, and when she secures it around the back of your neck, her knuckles graze your ear. A shiver runs down your spine. She pulls on her mask, which you wish she didn’t have to wear, before saying,

“Any pain lately?”

“No.”

“Just tell me if you’re uncomfortable and I’ll stop, ok?”

You watch as she pulls on her latex gloves with a snap. She hovers over you, and you can still see the gleam of her blue eyes through the goggles she wears. Vi places her hand on your jaw, and just as she’s about to say something her assistant comes in. The woman’s talking to Vi about some dentist jargon you’re too distracted to care about, because her hand is still on you. And when her thumb unconsciously caresses your chin, your eyes shut and you can feel your face warm. Is this woman trying to give you a heart attack? She turns back around,

“I’m sorry about that” she shakes her head, “we’re low on staff today. Doing doubletime right now.”

You notice she apologizes a lot.

“No worries” you say, looking anywhere else but up at her. She leans in forward,

“Open your mouth.”

You don’t realize how wound up you are, until you notice how tight your jaw is. You try to relax, but just as you open your mouth she brings her hand forward. And you swear she takes a lingering glance at your lips. That, or she’s just doing her job. She pushes her thumb in your mouth, and her forefinger runs along the inside of your lip. You unconsciously gulp. You swear she’s trying to kill you.

“Your gums are healthy. You floss?”

“Twice a day,” You say in a muffled tone. The skin above Vi’s nose crinkles and you’re pretty sure she’s smiling. You curse OSHA regulations for robbing that smile from you. You hear her say,

“That’s good. Our clients usually have a hard time flossing regularly.” Her thumb rests on the pad of your tongue, and she pushes down with a slight pressure,

“A little wider.”

You comply, letting your jaw run slack with a small breath. You try not to imagine her saying those words in a different context. She keeps probing, and when you feel her finger swipe around your tongue you nearly squeak out a noise. You let your eyes close and try to calm your nerves. But you can’t help but imagine what it would be like. Grabbing her hand, licking a trail up her index finger, before closing your mouth over it and…

This was not the time or the place. Fantasizing about your dentist? How freaked out would she be if she knew what was going on in your head right now?

Before you know it, she’s cleaning your teeth. Dental tools replace her warm fingers, and her assistant shuffles close next to her, to help with the procedure. Heat of the moment gone, just like that. And you don’t know if you’re relieved or disappointed. Just as they’re done scrubbing your teeth till they’re pearly white, Vi’s assistant sticks the unit waterline in your mouth to wash it out, then replaces it with the air syringe.

“Close.” Vi says.

You look up at her and close your lips slowly around the plastic tube. Vi’s movement pauses, and something in her eyes shift. You saw it. You’re not that delusional to imagine something like that. After they finish, Vi and her assistant clean up their station and she leans in over you once again to take off the dental drape. How bad would it be if you just turned your head a little and took in her scent? You don’t, of course.

“Here’s a cup, go ahead and rinse as much as you need in the sink over there. You’re welcome to head out when you’re done.”

“Thanks.” You say quietly.

You get up, legs a little wobbly. It’s probably just because you’ve been laying back for so long, and not for any other reason. After you rinse as much of the cleaning paste as you can from your mouth, you throw the cup away and turn to leave. But just as you turn, you bump into something. You lose your balance, but before you can fall, Vi grabs your waist with a strong arm to steady you. You stiffen in shock, eyes wide and face plastered with a painful shade of pink.

“Are you ok?” Her hand is warm and broad, and you know your face must be beet red. You look at her. Vi’s eyes are wide.

“Sorry about that,” She says with an almost awkward smile, “Just didn’t want you to leave without your purse.” She pulls it up with her free hand and you take it from her quietly, avoiding her gaze.

“Th-thanks.” You stammer. Before you leave, you turn to her and take a breath before saying with as much confidence as possible, “Have a good day.”

She looks back at you, an almost imperceptible smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

“Let me know when you get your first tattoo. I’d love to see it next time.”

You walk out the clinic doors and let the fresh air cool off your burning cheeks. Because what was that? Were you imagining things, or did she actually seem a little flustered earlier? As you make your way to your car, you wonder.