hey, do you guys want to help with a really good cause just by clicking something? Then click this and select the option to donate free kibble to these cats with just a click! You can do it every four hours. The full goal needs to be met for any kibble to be delivered, and right now…it’s looking like it might not happen!
A kibble campaign is being organised to try and save them.
There's only 4 hours left to help out, so make that click and spread the word as much as possible! And if you are able to donate any money, please consider doing it!
If the campaign gets enough clicks, Miniatura will be fed, please come and click it's free.
There's plenty of animals that you can donate for free to. This kitty named Miniatura needs wet food, for example! We all like clicking buttons on here, so now we can do something good with it! Once a campaign reaches its goal we can always pick another one.
A kibble campaign is being organised to try and save them.
Reblogging again because clicking and sharing is free and it goes to a good cause. This helps not only cats and dogs, but I've seen fundraisers for horses and donkeys too.
There are free options for everything except kennels. Copy the link even if you don't actually plan to share it. It's easy and it helps contribute to a good cause!
hey, do you guys want to help with a really good cause just by clicking something? Then click this and select the option to donate free kibble to these cats with just a click! You can do it every four hours. The full goal needs to be met for any kibble to be delivered, and right now…it’s looking like it might not happen!
A kibble campaign is being organised to try and save them.
There's only 4 hours left to help out, so make that click and spread the word as much as possible! And if you are able to donate any money, please consider doing it!
If the campaign gets enough clicks, Miniatura will be fed, please come and click it's free.
There's plenty of animals that you can donate for free to. This kitty named Miniatura needs wet food, for example! We all like clicking buttons on here, so now we can do something good with it! Once a campaign reaches its goal we can always pick another one.
A kibble campaign is being organised to try and save them.
Reblogging again because clicking and sharing is free and it goes to a good cause. This helps not only cats and dogs, but I've seen fundraisers for horses and donkeys too.
hey, do you guys want to help with a really good cause just by clicking something? Then click this and select the option to donate free kibble to these cats with just a click! You can do it every four hours. The full goal needs to be met for any kibble to be delivered, and right now…it’s looking like it might not happen!
A kibble campaign is being organised to try and save them.
There's only 4 hours left to help out, so make that click and spread the word as much as possible! And if you are able to donate any money, please consider doing it!
If the campaign gets enough clicks, Miniatura will be fed, please come and click it's free.
There's plenty of animals that you can donate for free to. This kitty named Miniatura needs wet food, for example! We all like clicking buttons on here, so now we can do something good with it! Once a campaign reaches its goal we can always pick another one.
A kibble campaign is being organised to try and save them.
Reblogging again because clicking and sharing is free and it goes to a good cause. This helps not only cats and dogs, but I've seen fundraisers for horses and donkeys too.
Due to the MASSIVE amount of traction I've been receiving lately, and the opening of my Etsy, I'm doing a giveaway!
Details on how to enter are below :)
How to enter the giveaway:
Like/Reblog this post
Comment your idea for what I should draw Elli as next
(optional) Take a look at my Etsy shop! The link is in the pinned post on my profile.
That's it! Everyone will only get one entry unless you're a member of the Caves, then you get three entries. You have ONE WEEK (deadline is 4/27) to get in your entries.
THIS GIVEAWAY WILL INCLUDE:
Prints/Stickers of the following pieces:
The total cost of all of this would equate to around $50, and you'll get it all for free!
Thank you all SO MUCH for all of the love. I truly wouldn't be anywhere without you <3
hey, do you guys want to help with a really good cause just by clicking something? Then click this and select the option to donate free kibble to these cats with just a click! You can do it every four hours. The full goal needs to be met for any kibble to be delivered, and right now…it’s looking like it might not happen!
A kibble campaign is being organised to try and save them.
There's only 4 hours left to help out, so make that click and spread the word as much as possible! And if you are able to donate any money, please consider doing it!
If the campaign gets enough clicks, Miniatura will be fed, please come and click it's free.
There's plenty of animals that you can donate for free to. This kitty named Miniatura needs wet food, for example! We all like clicking buttons on here, so now we can do something good with it! Once a campaign reaches its goal we can always pick another one.
your sonar fic was absolutely amazing, would you ever write another one ??
Yeah, I don't mind writing another one. I don't know when exactly it would happen, but I'm sure it will. Probably when I have a little extra time. Sonar is my favorite, so that makes it a lot easier for me to write.
Requested: Technically no? But I have seen some people complain about there being no x reader fics of him while I was in the middle of writing it so that was a thing.
~5k words
Size kink, bat form sex, doing it at work, begging, using his tie kind of like a leash, possessive talk
.
Barely alive and low in fucks to give, you pulled out the office chair and set your cup of ambition down on the desk in front of you. Early mornings blew, which was why you never tried to work them if you could avoid it, but Robert had called you to ask if you'd take his shift today so he could get Beef to the vet for his checkup, and you'd rather be here than have anything bad happen to that dog.
So here you were, sitting down at your desk and wishing you could've come in for later in the morning like usual. ‘But it was for Beef’ you thought to yourself as you sat down, trying to keep the words in your mind like a mantra. ‘It’s for Beef’.
It was as you had put on your headset that you noticed something on your desk that wasn't usually there. It was a paper bag with a business label on it, though not one you recognized. The risk versus reward receptors in your brain weren't fully awake –nor was the rest of you– so as you opened up the bag you didn't even consider that it could've been something dangerous.
But there was no reason to fear, as you reached in and pulled out a large scone from the bag. Blueberry by the look of it. It caused you to furrow your brows, as nobody other than Blue Blazer and Robert knew you were going to be in this early and you doubted that either of them would've gotten you a scone for the trouble. Maybe something for lunch, but not breakfast. Picking up your coffee you took a full gulp before setting it back down and settling in to enjoy your newfound treat. The flavor of blueberry burst in your mouth as you had taken a bite, and the soft moan you released was warranted. The scone was pillowy soft and fresh, yet not too soft to crumble when you took your bite. You looked at the bag it came in and took a mental note to visit the place yourself whenever you wanted to treat yourself to some phenomenal baked goods.
“Is it everything you hoped for?” you heard behind you and to the left. Turning the chair around –one of the many benefits of a wheely office chair– you saw him, your favorite member of the Z Team.
“You'd mentioned it once in passing when you were talking to Flambae. I was getting myself some coffee and breakfast and figured you'd enjoy it. Glad I went when I did because I didn't know you were coming in early today. What's up with that, anyway?”
“Yeah, this is excellent, thank you.” you replied once your mouth wasn't full. “How did you know blueberry was my favorite?” you asked the ever composed bat man.
That had been months ago. How the hell did he even remember that? Rather than comment and run the risk of him saying that it was because of him being a Harvard graduate, you decided to answer his question. “Beef’s annual checkup was today, so I'm filling in for Robert. Means you get to talk to me for more than just pleasant side conversations.” Seeing as you were a part of the dispatch team, you had your own heroes that you sent out to help with whatever was needed. They weren't part of the Phoenix Program, but they were still on the lower tier of heroes. It was the V Team, which had earned a few snickers and chuckles when you told people. “Keep it a secret, would you? I want them to be surprised.”
“Just this once I know nothing.” he replied with a small amused smirk. “Everyone's here by the way, so whenever you're ready.”
“Oh!” you exclaimed, quickly turning around and pulling yourself close to the desk. How could you have forgotten that you had a job to do?! You heard him chuckle as he left you to start working and it left a flittering in your stomach. Ugh, you were so down bad. You quickly finished up your scone and gulped down your coffee, tossing the paper cup into the tiny garbage can –and celebrating a little when you made it in– before logging into the computer to start dispatching.
Before long the first call came in –a bank robbery of all things, you couldn't imagine having the energy for that this early in the morning– and it was showtime.
“Good morning gang, my name's _____ and I'll be your dispatcher today.” you said over comms.
“Where the fuck is Robert? Don't tell me he ditched our asses!” Prism replied.
“Nah, he had to take Beef to the vet.”
“Is he okay? I swear to God if he's sick-” Invisigal started before you promptly cut her off.
“He's not sick, it's just his annual checkup. Making sure everything's in good shape.” you reassured. “Besides, you guys would have to get in line. If anything happened to that dog Chase would break his old man bones trying to beat Robert’s ass.”
“What's the first job?” Sonar asked, bringing you all back on track.
“Bank robbery. Malevola and Punch Up, you're it. We need to catch and subdue them to bring them in. Think you can handle that?”
“Nothin’ easier, lass.” Punch Up replied.
“Then get going. Don't let me down.”
Another dispatch call came in asking for a representative of the SDN to go to a grand opening of a new science museum.
“Sonar, your turn. They want someone to be a representative of SDN to be there for the science museum opening. Make us look good.”
“Have to say, you picked the best person for the job. I like the way you think.” Sonar complimented.
The heat to your cheeks made you glad that the team couldn't see you. You knew you'd never live it down if your feelings were found out by anyone on Z Team, and maybe even Sonar himself. Most people would've seen his comment as a self compliment, but you also saw the thinly veiled compliment he'd tossed your way. He seemed to always try to do something nice for you, or at the very least treated you better than the average person. The only exception was Malevola, but they seemed more like besties than romantic partners.
Pretty soon everyone on the team was out on the field, and things were going well. Performance reviews of Z Team were coming in after each dispatch and they determined how well suited they were to the jobs and so far nobody had gotten lower than a passing rate.
“You’re doing great guys, keep it up!” you complimented, knowing that some of them would enjoy the appreciation.
On the map you watched as Sonar started heading back from the grand opening of the science museum, now changed into his more monstrous form until he had another successful dispatch call. It was an ability you’d never had to work with before, as the heroes you worked with on the V Team didn’t transform like Sonar did. You decided to check his stats and saw that his stats had changed; his charisma and intelligence swapped with his vigor and strength. You figured that this would definitely be a learning experience, especially when two other members of the Z Team were geared to those things.
You continued to send people as needed to calls, and things had continued to go well. Your concentration was disrupted with a timer beeping, letting you and everyone else know that it was time for lunch. ‘Wow, where did the time go?’ you thought to yourself as everyone signed off for their lunch break, a good majority of them heading back to HQ whereas a couple of the other ones went to different restaurants to eat. Logging off for now, you got up and took off your headset, setting it down and heading to the break room for lunch.
Unfortunately, even with the job you had you found yourself strapped for cash, so your lunch of choice was some cup noodles and a bag of chips. Not a lunch of champions, you were sure, but it was enough for now. Besides, there was a decent amount of leftovers in your fridge that needed to get eaten tonight, so you could just ‘girl dinner’ your way through it when you got home. After going through the process of filling a mug with water, heating it in the microwave, and pouring the hot water into the styrofoam cup, you now had to wait a few minutes for the noodles to cook. Ugh.
“Why don’t they just use paper ones? It’d be so much easier.” you complained to yourself.
“Some do, unfortunately the brand you got is still using styrofoam.”
You quickly went to look to see who had answered you, and lo and behold it was Sonar. He was currently raiding the fridge for his mice. He was in his usual form, which was good since he probably wouldn’t have been able to fit in the break room in his Mega Bat form.
“I know, but those ones are more expensive.”
“It’s like twenty cents more or something.” he countered.
“Every cent counts when you don’t have many of them.” you replied.
“What, they not pay you enough here to order people around?”
“No, actually. Everything’s gotten more expensive, and no business has been able to keep up or wanted to. Not even here. Fuck, I’ve been putting off my annual oil change because I can’t afford it. My car yells at me every time I turn it on to let me know it needs to get done.”
Sonar stayed quiet for a second, which was odd for him. And for you.
“Sorry, I know that this conversation got a bit heavy a bit quickly for break room talk. Just forget I said anything.” you said, taking your cup of noodles and moving to sit down at the table. Meanwhile Sonar had grabbed his container of mice and moved to eat it at the counter.
You blew on the noodles as you took your first bite, enjoying the flavor that imbedded itself into them from the broth. The atmosphere felt tense, but that wasn’t a problem for you to fix. You hadn’t done anything wrong –neither of you really had– and there was nothing to say about it. It was your situation, and there was no changing it. Not easily, anyway.
Glancing over at Sonar he was absentmindedly chewing on a mouse with his attention glued to his phone. You figured he was probably following any new news about Vanderstenk or possibly cryptocurrency. Before long the noodles were gone and you moved to the chips, munching through the bag as you focused your own attention to your phone. You decided to text Robert to see how the checkup went. It had to have been done by now.
‘Hey, how’s the checkup?’
The three dots popped up and there was an answer shortly after you’d asked. ‘It went well. Beef’s in great condition, and was commended for being so good for the staff. Even got a chew toy out of the deal.’
You chuckled a little, a smile on your face as you replied. ‘That’s good. I’m glad he’s doing well. Made out like a little bandit, getting attention and treats. I’ll leave you two be, I just wanted to check in.’
‘Thanks ____. How’s Z Team been treating you?’
‘Fine actually. They seem to miss you though. Prism thought you’d ‘ditched their asses’, but I told them about the vet visit. Invisigal seemed concerned about how Beef was doing, but I let them all know it was just a check up.’
‘I’m glad they aren’t giving you shit like they had with me my first day.’
‘They’re good people, Robert, they just need more of an adjustment period. There’s no guarantee that all of them have been burned by the world, but that doesn’t mean we can’t try to be gentle yet firm with them. I’m sure at least one of them would appreciate it.’
‘Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind. Talk to you later.’
‘Talk to you later.’ you replied before finally setting your phone down. You reached into the bag of chips only to find that it was empty. A sigh left your lips before you put your phone in your pocket and got up, tossing the bag into the garbage on your way out. You didn’t even notice that Sonar’s attention had gone back onto you, and that it hadn’t left until you did.
Later in the day you had gotten a couple of bad scores, and you readily admitted your fault to them. It wasn’t their fault that the task at hand ended up needing more vigor and less strength, and it wasn’t their fault that the other task had been just out of reach for their current skill sets. It was yours.
“It’s okay guys, we’ll just keep working on making it better the next time around.” you reassured as you continued dispatching them.
A new task popped up requiring strength, Punch Up was resting and Golem was busy. Fortunately Sonar was in his Mega Bat form. “Sonar, you’re in. Make us proud.”
“He doesn’t need anymore pride, he radiates enough to light up the city.” Invisigal jokingly complained. You could hear the smirk in her voice.
“Jealous?” Sonar arrogantly asked in return, but left it at that as he went to do the job.
As you monitored the jobs that the team did, you found yourself fond of the team that you had been working with today. They’d been improving, and you were glad to see it. You’d be sure to give a positive report to Blonde Blazer at the end of the day.
Sonar had gotten back to the agency soon after, but for some reason he hadn’t switched back to his regular form yet as he’d gone to see you. It was hard to miss him since he took up as much room as he did in this form, but you tried to ignore him to continue your dispatching job. Technically he was able to rest wherever he wanted so long as it was in the building, so this wasn’t an issue, but it still felt weird. You muted your mic and turned to him.
“Did you need something?”
“I was hoping we could chat.”
“About what? I’m working.” you said, gesturing to your computer, and taking note of the other dispatchers who were also working, but sometimes would take glances at the giant bat standing by you.
“Us.”
“‘Us’?’
“Yeah. You seem notably dense. Not your fault though, not everyone can go to Harvard.” he started, causing you to roll your eyes.
“Get to the point, or I’m going back to ignoring you to do my job.”
“...”
He quickly grabbed you, tossing your headset onto the keyboard before moving to bring you into the janitor’s closet of all places. You grabbed the string and pulled, illuminating the both of you in relatively dull lighting.
“Dude what the fuck, I can’t leave them high and dry out there!”
He gave a groan and pulled you close to him. “Shut up.” he said before leaning in and pressing his lips to yours.
Your eyes widened as your brain connected what was going on, but they slowly closed as you returned the kiss and the priority at hand melted into obscurity.
After a few seconds he pulled away and you craned your neck to look up at him. He barely fit in the closet, the tops of his ears brushing the ceiling of it. You couldn’t help but notice the size difference; you were so small compared to him right now, and it left you feeling both intimidated and exhilarated.
“Sonar?”
“I want you, ____. I want you so bad.” he said, shifting his weight and betraying his discomfort, though whether it was at being cramped in the closet or at the subject of conversation, you didn’t know.
“You want me? What, Sonar we can’t do this right now. We’re in the middle of work for fucks sake.”
“Please. I can’t focus, and I need your help. They already got rid of Coop, I don’t need to be dropped because I get so fucking hard thinking about you that I can’t think.”
With that thought you couldn’t help yourself and looked down, and yep. He wasn’t lying. You felt your cheeks heat up as you looked back up at him, seeing that he hadn’t taken his eyes off of you. He totally saw you look at his junk.
“And if I follow through with this you’ll get back on track?” you asked him.
“Yes!”
“Okay, fine. What do you want me to do?”
“Start by getting undressed.”
“What, all the way? We’re in the janitor’s closet at work.”
“I’ll make sure they don’t see you, just…please?”
Oh. Oh you liked that. The arrogant bat man who thought so highly of himself was now pleading with you to fuck you. He needed you so badly that even work wouldn’t stop him. Heh, you could live with that. With that you slowly stripped your clothes, dropping them onto the admittedly gross floor. For being a cleaning closet it was the dirtiest spot in the building.
Once your breasts were free from the shirt and the bra covering them, he groaned. “Fuck, they’re so pretty.” he said before reaching his hands out and grabbing them, massaging them and flicking his thumbs over your nipples, being careful not to accidentally cut them with his claws. You found yourself taking a sharp inhale as he messed with your tits, enjoying the pleasure it gave you.
“You like that?” he asked. You nodded and bit your lip. “Good.” he replied before moving his attention down to the lower half of you, which was still clothed. You hadn’t realized you’d stopped undressing once his attention had been on you. He grabbed at your pants and –surprising you– he took the time to loosen them and remove them off you along with your underwear. You looked up at him, the surprise etched onto your features.
He shrugged. “Can’t let anyone else see you like this. It’s for my eyes only. Now take off your socks and shoes, I can’t bend over in here.”
You nodded and quickly removed your socks and shoes, moving to stand on your clothes so you wouldn’t have to stand on the dirty floor. But you needn’t have worried, as he quickly scooped you up to bring you closer to his height. Quickly wrapping your legs around his waist, you looked up at him and noticed the intense and desire filled way he was looking down at you. He really did want you, and it hard core turned you on. You felt him prod against your entrance and shook your head. “Hold on there, big guy, I’m not ready yet.” you said before adjusting yourself a little to be able to have him grind against you and get you ready.
“Okay, you can move. Just be careful, I’m not prepared enough yet.” you said to him, and with that permission he nodded and started to rub himself against you, coating himself in your lube.
“Fuck, you feel so good already. Can’t wait to be inside you.” he complimented as he continued to grind on you. He felt the necktie around his neck tighten a little and he tugged experimentally. The necktie got a little tighter, and he noticed that you were holding onto it. Maybe you needed to ground yourself, or maybe you just wanted to see him squirm. Either way, he could work with it.
You had gripped onto his necktie as he pleasured you both, feeling the need in your abdomen grow as he got you going. You knew it would’ve been dangerous had he decided to finger you with his claws, so this was an okay alternative. Sure there’d be a stretch –fuck would there be a stretch– but you could deal with that too. And if you tore you’d never let him leave without taking care of you.
“Sonar, Sonar shit!” you moaned, his cock gliding over your clit and your now weeping hole. You wanted him now, you needed him inside of you. You needed him to envelope you and take you, and make you his.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes!” you replied enthusiastically, voice tinged heavily with need.
With that he repositioned to have you cling onto the fur on his back and your ass to be supported by his thighs before he leaned in to kiss you, thrusting into you as he did.
“Mmph!” you cried into his mouth, the stretch around him uncomfortable but not painful. If anything it felt really fucking good to have him inside you, making himself at home in your cunt.
He pulled away from the kiss, taking a shuddered breath. “Shit.” he said, shutting his eyes and resting his head against the wall.
“You okay?” you asked him, rubbing one of your hands down the fur of his back.
“Yeah, just trying not to bust so soon.” he replied.
“What, don’t want it getting out that you’re a two pump chump?” you teased, clenching around him as your body was getting used to his intrusion.
“Fuck, don’t do that.” he said, bucking his hips forward a little, causing you to moan.
“I can’t help that you’re big!” you exclaim before gripping onto his back tighter.
“God, you make me want to lose control.”
“Then do it, we’re here to bone, remember?”
“Fine. Don’t get mad at me if you can’t walk right, then.” he said before pulling back about halfway.
“I think I’ll be- fuck!” you cried as he thrusted back into you, starting to find a rhythm. You tried wrapping your arms around him more, but his ribs and muscles got in the way. You wanted him closer, needed him to surround you as he took you.
He tried to accommodate by hunching over more, but he could only get so close with such a small space. Maybe he should’ve tried to take you in the bathrooms instead.
You tightened your legs around his waist, trying to pull him even closer.
“Damn, you feel so good.” he praised as he continued to buck into you, feeling your wet walls part just for him with each thrust. Chasing his pleasure he started to move faster, causing you to moan louder, uncaring that anyone beyond that door could hear you both. It technically wouldn’t be an HR violation because until today you two didn’t actually work together.
“Ungh, fuck! Baby, please, more!” you begged as you could feel your pleasure intensifying.
“Baby huh? Yeah –fuck!-- yeah I'll be your baby.” he replied, bucking harder into you.
You whined and felt yourself clench around him, which caused him to growl in your ear. His snout buried itself in the space between your shoulder and your neck, huffing raggedly as he continued to ram into you. It wasn't due to exertion, he just thought that you felt that good. Clenching around him, taking him just as he was taking you, and holding onto him as if for dear life? He didn't think he'd be able to live without it again. Being your baby, and having this whenever you wanted? He could do that. He wanted that. Needed it more than he needed to stretch his wings and fly.
“Mine. You're all mine.” he groaned, his arm wrapping around you to hold you tighter to him and his hand gripping your hip tightly. You knew it would leave a bruise, but you found that you didn't mind the thought. He had marked you, and you would be his, and you found yourself wanting nothing less.
“Yes! Yes, all yours! Wanna be yours, Sonar, please!” you begged, moving your grip on the tie around his neck just for something to hold onto other than his fur.
In this moment and in this form you could tell that he was more brawn than brains, as all of the brain power he had left was focused on you and how it made him feel. You could feel him swell as he was getting close, and you wanted to go over the edge together.
Was there a chance that this was all pillow talk and that this was just a one time thing? Yes. Would that break you? Absolutely. But fuck if it didn't feel good. You'd wanted him for a little while now, and you finally had him. You only hoped that he felt as addicted to this as you did.
Letting go of his fur you reached down and finished what he'd started, playing with your clit and feeling the edge coming closer and closer. You were gripping him as if you never wanted him to leave, and it left him a fucking mess.
“Fuck! So tight. I can't- I can't- ugnh!” he roared, his claws raking down the wall behind you as he came, you following right behind him with a sharp pleasured shriek of his name.
As you both started coming down from your collective high he carefully moved you to sit down on the floor, knowing your legs wouldn't be able to support you yet. He groaned as he had removed himself from you, and he crouched with both of his claws touching the wall for support as he started shifting back to his normal form. His height shortened, his beautiful wings retracted, and his strong muscles reverted back to their typical size. He dropped to his knees in front of you, his arms caging you between him and the wall, looking utterly disheveled and blissed out as he fought to catch his breath.
“You’re so hot.” you said, blissed out enough to not have your typical filter. Not cock-drunk you would've been mortified, but proud of you.
He chuckled and rested his head against the spot between your shoulder and neck again. It seemed to be a favorite spot of his. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I like seeing you ruined.”
He let out what you could only assume was a whine, gently nipping at your neck with his fangs in a playful warning. “Says the one who’s leaking on the floor.”
“At least I didn’t beg to be fucked in a janitor’s closet.”
“No, you just begged me for more.”
You huffed and gave his back a playful smack, which earned you a genuine laugh, joy tinged with exertion. He nuzzled your neck and muttered something against it.
“What was that?”
“I said I meant it.”
“Meant what?” you asked.
“When I said I could be your baby.” he replied.
Your heart fluttered. He wanted to make this a real thing? With you? This almost didn’t feel real.
Mistaking your silence for rejection, he started to back off. “Hey uh, don’t worry about it, actually. I can just-” he said, getting up. But before he could even think about getting his clothes on –he seemed to really have planned this out– you had grabbed his wrist, causing him to pause.
“I meant it too.” you confessed. “I want us to be together.”
He puffed his chest and smiled. A genuine one, not one of his usual arrogant smirks. “I want that too.” Sonar used the grip you had on his wrist to help you stand, and you grabbed your clothes to start getting dressed.
Once you were both not at risk of being inappropriately nude in the workplace, you reached up and rubbed carefully at one of his ears, causing him to melt under your touch. “Come on, we shouldn’t stay in here. The team is probably wondering where you’re at.”
“I doubt it. They knew about my feelings for you for longer than you did, and with both of us turning up missing…”
“They absolutely knew we were boning.” you finished, feeling the embarrassment sink deeply into your bones.
“Yeah. Don’t worry though, I don’t mind taking the brunt of the teasing. They just wish they had the chance to be with my girl.” he said with a chuckle, pulling you close to him.
You giggled at the term of endearment before leaning up and pressing a kiss to his lips. “I could get used to hearing that.”
“I could get used to saying it.” he said, opening the door and walking out with you to head back to work. When you got back to your desk, Chase had given you a knowing look, but didn’t say anything as you sat back down in your seat and got back to work. There was no way he didn’t know what you’d been up to, and seeing as nobody on the management team had been worrying about where you went, you knew you owed him. Maybe when you got some extra money you’d be able to treat him to a nice dinner after work.
Your phone buzzed and you checked it really quick. It was Sonar. ‘Hey, check the garbage in your cubicle.’
You furrowed your brows, but did as he said. The only thing in there was your abandoned coffee cup from earlier. ‘Why?’ you texted back.
‘Check the cup.’ he responded.
You took the cup out of the garbage can, and you noticed that it felt heavier than when you threw it away this morning. Curiosity got the best of you so you opened it to see a wad of cash stuffed into it. Taking it out you counted out the money to see that there was $400 stuffed inside, all in twenties.
‘Sonar, what is this?’ you texted.
‘It’s to help with the oil change. And maybe for you to have something healthier for lunch sometime soon.’
Waterboy walked up to the janitor’s closet with his cart, seeing that the door was open and that the light was on. Finding it odd, he left the cart behind and walked into the janitor’s closet, seeing the deep scratches in the wall and some splatters of white fluid on the floors.
“Ugh, not again!” he said exasperatedly before vomiting up some water to clean it.
Duolingo was already on a downward spiral for years. I discovered it in 2015 and it was an incredible tool and I used it for a few years but then I started to notice a decline. It got worse and worse in a lot of ways.
I actually ended up having a surreal and jarring one-on-one conversation with Luis von Ahn, the founder and CEO, who reached out to me after a scathing critique I posted on Reddit started to get significant traction.
Talking to him was like talking to someone who had been brainwashed by a cult. I told him how I and others in my life had found Duolingo so useful and efficient for language learning, and that its usefulness was evidenced by me noticing a real-world improvement in ability to listen to, understand, and speak the languages I had been practicing, but that recent changes had made it dramatically less useful to where I needed to put much more time in to get the same amount out.
His response was like "But all our metrics are up, our data shows that our changes are working." It was so frustrating. The metrics were all about engagement. He was showing people were spending more time practicing languages, not that they were getting more real-world ability to converse in those languages. Practice time was going up but actual language ability was going down. I tried explaining that to him but he seemed completely unable and/or unwilling to understand my point.
It was like talking to a wall.
I left the conversation with any remaining faith in the Duolingo leadership completely shattered, and I completely withdrew from using the site.
I now use Clozemaster to learn languages in place of Duolingo, and I think it is far superior it terms of efficiency, especially when combined with listening to material produced by native speakers.
People were campaigning to get books banned and of course because danmei and baihe are queer Chinese lit, they came under fire.
And then there was this special discussion/announcement that aired all over.
And it was LeVar Burton from Reading Rainbow and Steve Burns from Blues Clues, sitting together and talking about how it's great that there's all kinds of books in all kinds of languages for all kinds of readers, and how it's even more amazing that there are these people called translators, who help us to be able to read books that were originally written in a different language by translating them into ours, and how important that is because it keeps us open-minded.
And nobody knew where the broadcast was airing from and they couldn't shut it down as a result because someone was pirating the airwaves and streaming highways to makes sure they had their chance to speak, and more and more people kept reuploading it online whenever it got taken down.
It was beautiful, I've now woken up with tears in my eyes.
In my limited opinion, this is like a queer minority literature version of "I Had A Dream" featuring LeVar Burton and Steve Burns. Thank you for sharing this, your mind is brilliant.
