Chapter Text
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Today, it had to be perfect.
You sprung out of bed with a bountiful amount of energy, something you haven't had in a long while. There was a pep in your step while brushing your teeth and hair you hummed a familiar tune. A dry cough left your lips; for you had been fighting the tail end of a sickness, probably caused from exhaustion. Your nose started to run slightly. You went for the familiar nasal spray.
Two sprays in each nostril did the trick for now.
After completing your bathroom routine you headed back to your bedroom. The outfit of the day laid across your bed. Freshly pressed, cleaned, and ready to be worn.
There was a sudden hesitation.
It was definitely something you didn’t wear to the office, ever.
Comfort was your number one priority ever since being hired as Mr. Tenna’s stage director. It was a tiring job. Constantly running around solving every little problem before a show. Making sure every light and microphone worked accordingly. Any tight garments would surely rip or become drenched in sweat by the end of the night.
But just for today, you could take that chance.
The outfit that laid before you was a relaxed white button top and the bottom a moderately tight pencil skirt with a slit going up the side. Underneath would be a pair of slightly translucent black tights newly open without a tear. Nothing out of the ordinary for an office setting but out of the ordinary for you. Letting out a long sigh you decide to put it on.
A perfect fit!
What will your coworkers say? You thought.
Probably something snarky about how this is the cleanest you’ve ever dressed in the last two years.
“Well, when you have to run around solving everyone's problems-changing batteries, setting up props, even straighten Mr. Tenna’s tie-a tight outfit is something you don't want to wear.” You say out loud to yourself.
What your coworkers thought, or how busy today was going to be, it didn’t matter.
Maybe...though... you might worry about what your boss thinks.
He will definitely say something, You were sure of it. He always had something to say. He had the loudest mouth in the building.
Whatever he did decide to press your buttons with, today was going to be perfect no matter what. You grab all your supplies: paperwork, pens, nasal spray, and threw them into your bag.
You head off to work.
Excited and a bit nervous.
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You arrived at the front door of the familiar building.
You fixed your outfit and groomed back some loose strands of hair before going through the enormous front door.
Already, the building was bursting with life. The floor was filled with hurried footsteps echoing down the vast halls. Trying not to bump into anyone and cause more commotion you go through the Green Room and up the elevator to the second floor to your desk. With a relaxed sigh you sit down in the familiar plush seat as your bag falls onto the cold floor.
It was a humble sized cubicle. Cluttered with memorabilia that you’ve collected from the last few years of employment. It even had a large window that overlooked the parking lot!
“Hey, nice fit!” you jump at the familiar voice. After a moment of recognition, you reform your composure relaxing once more.
“Hey Mike.” Mike’s desk was placed right next to yours so you always had the pleasure of talking to Mr. Tenna’s right hand man. Mike lounged over the divider between the desks resting his head on his hands.
“I haven't seen you this dressed up since–” You cut him off immediately.
“Yeah, thanks. It’s uhh… my birthday–so I wanted to dress a little nicer, that's all!” After all these years Mike was one of your closest friends here. Which in turn, gave him a reason to give you a snarky attitude whenever an opportunity struck.
“Well, happy birthday! I forgot to bake you a cake this time. Not that you’d like it anyways.” He paused looking at the outfit, “You know, I heard around today is already going down hill. The boss is pretty stressed.”
Oh boy, of course it had to be today.
Hearing the news didn't upset you as much as you thought it would. But hearing that Mr. Tenna was already stressed, that made you worry.
You don't like it when he's in any other mood than overly joyous and loud. If he's already this worked up that means you'd have to figure out what was wrong and fix it before he fired someone.
Or fired you.
When he is upset like this it feels like trying to yell up a mountain and the only thing coming back down is static.
“How upset is he?” You dared asking Mike the taunting question hoping it would help better prepare you for what today's forecast was going to be.
“Oh, I think he’s already fired two people, and demoted someone's rank to janitor status.”
Oh, it was bad.
Okay.
You held your hand to your chin in compilation before muttering, ”all I have to do is fix all the problems, god knows what those might all be. Send out rehire applications to those who were fired, and fix Mr. Tenna’s–”
“GOODMORNING MY FAVORITE EMPLOYEES!” Speak of the devil, “OH, there you ARE! JUST the person I was LOOKING for!”
He seemed already out of breath a he leaned into the small office. His size was always so daunting, especially when he was around objects that were not meant for his size.
“Good morning Mr. Tenna, sir! What is it you need?” You said, eagerly sitting straight in your chair.
The sudden appearance of your boss face to face in your office made you jump. There aren't too many times he comes to you so this must be dire.
Tenna did not respond quickly and you already knew he was looking you up and down. Even though he didn’t have visible eyes you knew where they were pointed.
It made a burning sensation on your legs and thighs as you sat.
They were more exposed than usual, that was for sure. Before you could open your mouth to ask again what he needed so desperately, he responded.
“VERY nice outfit! I like the THREADS!” you could feel his nerves as he yanked at his tie, “BOTH of you, that is!”
A dead giveaway something is always wrong, the tie grab.
There was a light beam of sweat dripping from his monitor and bit of steam came from the vents on his sides.
“Thanks boss! So what's all going wrong today, I heard it's a mess down there!” Mike stole the conversation like he usually does. His ease in talking to the boss is something you wish you could pick up on someday.
“It’s a DISASTER! Parts of the stages’ LIGHTING SYSTEM keep falling and not functioning from the control panel. IT WON’T EVEN TURN ON– the curtain is stuck and wont move along the track. The audio system is a garbled MESS. NO ONE knows where they're going or EVEN DOING–” He kept rambling.
You needed to think of something to ease his mind before he explodes and fires another worker.
Before he fires the worker he is looking at right now.
“Mr. Tenna, sir!” It came out a bit louder and forceful than you intended.
He stopped rambling and gave you his undivided attention. That was unusual.
“Sir, I’ll be down there in just a minute to sort everything out! The lighting system is actually pretty.. pretty easy… and the uhm… audio…”, He nodded slowly at every word. The air around him seemed to soften just by hearing your voice.
The voice of someone he can rely on! you thought.
“Yeah! And I’ll put everyone in their place. It’s all going to be fine sir!” The words felt reassuring to yourself too. Because how the hell are you going to get all that done before the show in just a few hours, as well as fixing every minor issue that comes up between those daunting tasks.
“Alright!... That sounds …perfect, PERFECT! Just what we need! I’ll see ya down there super, super soon…my super, super STAR!” He winked, and shot two finger guns before hurrying out in large quick steps. Just like that, as quickly as he came, he was gone.
“Super SUPER star, eh? He never calls me that!” Mike relentlessly teased you, “You seemed to have gotten him all flustered again!”
“I don't think so! He just needs someone he can depend on, unlike you!” Mike clutched his imaginary pearls, hurt.
“Well! I hope everything goes well for you!” He was snarky and hopped off the median between the desks and hid behind the wall.
He was always sarcastic but hidden beneath the tone you believed he was telling the truth. His words of encouragement gave you the confidence you needed to head down to the stage. You give one more reassuring spritz of nasal spray in each nostril to keep the running sensation away.
You were ready to go.
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It would've been easier to put out a fire with a bucket of fire than have to fix every little thing going wrong today.
Everyone was being directed to fixing an issue. The lighting system was found unplugged, someone had to have done that intentionally. While plugging the system back in you could hear a familiar snickering behind you.
Pippins.
By the time you got back up, they had disappeared.
The curtain seemed to have some type of prop wedged between the rollers, preventing it from moving. An issue made often by Mr. Tenna and his wacky shows. The audio system turned into a gargling mess, funny enough, from Mr. Tenna’s electricity when he got too excited or too angry. His frustration from today had made the speakers blow out, preventing them from passing the mic check. Good thing you already had backups for this occasion.
Everyone had a role, and was sent off to complete it. With only a limited amount of time before the show everything had to be perfect.
Today had to be perfect.
You had started to work up a sweat, and could feel it soaking into your top.
“OK, you, your role is to move this curtain WHEN Mr. Tenna walks on stage, and WHEN he walks off…” Although typically you weren't an extrovert by nature, this job makes the loud, frustrated part of you come out more than you'd like to admit, “You, there, you control the lights from the box up there, making sure the second row on the right, this light, is always focused on Mr…”
Pointing up at the light that you swore was just on, is now off.
The track is functional, the other lights are all on, but this bucket is off. You looked in awe, a moment before your brow furrowed and jaw clenched.
The show was about to start soon, and the MOST important spotlight was OUT?
Looking around, everyone was informed about their jobs. Some going to the greenroom to relax before the show started, and before you knew it you had been left alone. Everything seemed to be fixed but his one light. You stood in the darkness the hollow bucket admitted.
The lightbulb must be burnt out.
A relatively easy fix. Just get a new can with a fresh blub, screw it into place on the lighting track, and boom! It'll be on and ready.
Getting up there was the hard part. The only ladder that could reach up there was usually behind the stage had mysteriously vanished. You feel the heat coming to your cheeks and your jaw clenched tighter.
“Where is the LADDER?” You shout, louder than intended, to no one specifically. “WHERE IS IT!”
“WHOO-WHEEE! Is everything ALRIGHT in here?” You were not surprised hearing your boss’ voice as he came through the oversized door at the back of the stage designed just for him.
“The light, it's out.” You were the short one today. Everything seemed to be unraveling at the seam. Tenna looked up at the blank light can, the light from his screen reflected on the glass bulb, it looked smokey.
“If you give me the lightbulb I can put in for ya, HAHA! How many Tenna’s does it take to change a bulb!” He sounded nervous. Maybe from your shortness or the lack of energy in your tone. Whichever way, he was tense.
“Well no, the bulbs are hard to get out, so it's just… it's just easier to put a new one on!” You notice him tugging on his yellow tie again. You feel bad for a moment. The tone shouldn't be directed at your boss, it was unprofessional. He even tried making a bad joke to lighten the mood and you shot him down effortlessly.
It was shadowy without that one light. The shine from his screen, now looking at you, felt light a spotlight.
For a moment you were a star of a show just for him.
“Sorry.. Sorry Mr. Tenna, it's just… that's how we do it…” He was looking down at you. The light felt warm on your skin. He was quiet, like waiting for your instruction.
“Ok, sir, I could use your help!” his antenna shot up straight in excitement. There, you got him.
“Ok, there is this screw piece at the side. You loosen it, take the can off, and slide this one onto the track and screw it back on!” You held onto an extra knob that fastened the bucket to the track to show him, demonstrating on the functional light can.
He made an odd groaning sound as he held the light in one hand and the knob piece his thumb and index finger, it all looked so little. The can had to be held with two hands, and the knob piece looked like a bottle cap in his hands.
He wouldn’t be able to tighten it into place with hands so big.
Does he even know how to replace a light? Your thoughts were loud, but not escaping your lips.
Yet, he tried. “SO- tighten it up there? S-sounds easy enough!” He placed the functional light down by his feet as he twisted the dud light around.
He most definitely did not know how to replace it.
His hands twisted the light around, before looking back at you. The longer you went without saying anything the longer he fidgeted with the light.
It looked like he was getting sweaty.
“Let me do it!” You said forcefully. He quickly stopped, like a dog waiting for their next command. “We can try something else…” You ran out of ideas already, how would you get up there?
“You can sit on ME!” He exclaimed, he quickly turned the other way, embarrassed from what could be inferred from his statement. His screen flashed pink.
He quickly stammered, fidgeting with his tie before starting again, “WELL– I’ll lift you up, and you can reach the light! Fix it super SUPER FAST!” He still wouldn’t look at you. You could see him yanking on his tie like it might come off.
This plan actually sounds like it would work. There was only a short amount of time before the show was about to start, this had to work.
“Alright, uhm… get me up there, boss!” This was when you realized how close you'd have to be to your boss. He turned towards you, straightening his suit out and with a huff reached out both hands.
You were never really physical with your boss, for that would be wildly unprofessional. An encouraging slap on the back, or a firm handshake, even an awkward side hug for a work photo, were the only forms of acceptable interaction.
Tenna was reaching his hands out, first as if to grab your waist, but quickly and nervously retracted. Once again fixing his already perfect suit and yanking on his tie. He swallowed, audibly hard.
Hesitation.
This is just to fix the light, nothing more.
With your eyes closed, you lift your arms giving him the okay. It was his idea anyway, why would he be doubling back now?
He let out a long chain of air from his vents before reaching out again. You could feel the heat from his hands, first hovering over your hips, before quickly going up higher to your ribs. He pressed hard and tried to pick you up. It felt like your back was being stretched in a medieval torture machine; like the way you'd pick up a cat to see how long they are.
You could feel your back popping.
“A-ah! Maybe a bit lower!” He quickly set you back down and didn’t move his hands from your ribs. He was breathing hard, a lot of warm air surrounded you both. You moved his hands down, maybe if you were more in control, he will be able to do it. The sweaty hands hit your waist, then he stopped. Not allowing you to move his hands lower.
You finally look up at him.
His face was a mix of pink and red, flickering hard with a bit of static. His hands were noticeably shaking. He seemed to make a sound like “Mmm-mn”, or a soft “no”.
“A bit lower, ok? It’ll only be for one second. If you… pick me up… here…” you moved His hands down along with your words, passing your waist and hips, “It's more evenly balanced. Logically!”
His hands rested between the end of your pelvis, where the top of your femur connected in the dip. Your skirt rolled up a bit as he clenched and unclenched his hands around the new area. You could feel yourself squish, he squeezed a bit too hard.
“YES… L-logically!” He said a bit too loudly with you right Infront of him, his mouth hanging open trailing off.
“ah, good…” you started, Tenna seemed to wait tentatively like there should be another word following that statement that he wanted to hear,”...good job!”
The task wasn't even complete but you felt the words of encouragement were needed. It seemed like he didn't want to hear your usual response. He picked you up from the ground, it felt a lot better on your body. His large hands squeezing you made the size difference even more apparent. You pulled your knees under yourself to rest on his shoulder. His hands shuffled, trying to balance you without touching anything else without permission.
It still wasn't high enough.
Without saying anything you push yourself up and climb onto his head. You manage to spin around, awkwardly placing your rump right between his antenna, legs hanging off the side just past his nose.
“HEY! What are you—” He stammered, almost like something was preventing him from getting the full thing out.
“Just a little higher, I’ll be off in a second!” You started twisting the knob found on the side of the light bucket. It was completely turned the wrong direction.
It was stubborn but with a bit of elbow grease it became loose. You could feel Tenna standing as still as possible. His arms crossed on his chest, head tilted the slightest bit forward to evenly balance you on top.
The bucket slit off the track, and you handed it down behind yourself. He quickly reached up and grabbed it, before kneeling to set it down and grab the functional one from below. It was hard to stay balanced on top of someone so tall and lengthy.
You let out a yelp! trying to stay still while Tenna moves to grab the light quickly, then straightens back up handing you the light.
“Thank you!” You say out of breath. You slid the bucket onto the track with ease, this one was new so it was less of a fight than with the older models. Tenna’s hands were shaking but he tried to hold his head as still as possible for you.
“I've almost.. ah.. I'm almost finished.. I promise.” You were out of breath already, the heat from Tenna’s head was making you sweat bullets. It oddly smelled of smoke, not the kind you'd expect, but of burning cigarettes. The new light was hard to get a grip on from this angle but you managed to make it work.
“Please… take you time.” He said it so softly.
Why did he suddenly want me to slow down?
This was meant to be a quick thing, one and done, and all this steam and softly spoken words, things are getting a bit too toasty.
You notice a slight tingling sensation on your thighs running up and down. You look to see antennas running up and down your thighs, bouncing off your skin making a little electric tingle sensation with every hit. You try to ignore it while twisting the cap onto the side of the light, the key ingredient to holding it in place.
The longer you struggle, you feel the sweat drip down your neck. Your shirt becomes even more soaked.
The heat from Tenna and the electric shocks grow stronger. The antenna moved independently, like they're exploring your shape. Moving up your sides it starts to tickle a bit too much, down to your thighs it starts to burn in the same repeated spots. The sensation was making you warm in a way you hadn't felt before.
“H-hey, can you stop that!” You shout, surprising even yourself, “Your antenna, they're shocking me, you know!”
“AHA! They seem to have a MIND of their OWN!! I-I of course CANNOT control them!” It sounded like he was lying.
That's all you could think, but why would he be lying?
The electricity was passing through your body with every bounce on your skin, the burning sensation, it stung only a bit, but it was also turning you on much more than it should. You could feel your nipples getting hard through your shirt. Your legs rubbed against each other, tightening the muscles in your legs to stop the sensation from digging further into your body. The antenna inched up your legs, under the hem of your skirt touching your underwear.
The shock.
It hit something sensitive, you bit your lip holding back a moan.
“It hurts!” You exclaim, although not truthful. As if it were the magic words, the antenna seems to let you free. Floating ambiently above.
So, he can control them...
So, he was lying just a second ago...
So, he wanted to touch you like that.
“AH! Seemed like you found the MAGIC WORD! To tame the beastlings!” His humor seemed to still be intact, even if his brain wasn’t.
A long moment passed.
“I’m, I’m really sorry I-” Tenna sounded defeated and quiet. You almost didn't hear it, but before you could respond, the light snapped into place on the track, and the light sprung on. Pointed directly into your face.
A sound of agony left your lips, blocking the suddenly bright spotlight.
You swayed, falling backwards in a quick motion. Tenna’s head fell forward to guide your direction, as if he had been planning that move the whole time. You land a bit awkwardly in his arms, not quite a picturesque bridal carry but one of someone not wanting another to bash their brains against the cold floor.
He quickly set you down on the ground, your feet finally making contact with the earth once again. Catching your breath, your skirt was pressed up pretty high on your legs now and your shirt was damp with sweat. With one last breath, you open your eyes, looking down at the mess you've become, only so put together hours prior.
Your thighs.
Your tights were covered in decent sized holes, the threads were ripping. Little spots in the center marked red were lightly bruised. The red mark wasn't going away anytime soon. Your head shoots up to Tenna, mouth ajar, but no words come out. He was also looking at the damage, before immediately meeting your eyes.
You both said nothing for a long moment. You fix your clothes, the best you can.
“Tenna…” You start soft, “Mr. Tenna, sir. Hah, this is why I never wear nice things–” Your voice started to crack, you put an arm up to cover your eyes. The now functional light above shone like a spotlight on both of you.
There was no hiding in the dark now.
“I’m very sorry! I didn't mean to ZAP you– I can PAY for the damages to y-your-” He stammered, not knowing what to do with his hands so he gestured at every word.
“Today, today is my birthd–” you stop, “Today was supposed to be perfect.” You couldn't say more. Your outfit was destroyed.
Why was he acting so strangely now? It should've been so easy to fix, but the grabbing, his sweaty hands, the tingling electric sensation, the sensation of pleasure, the feeling of you wanting more, it all became unbearable.
Tenna rested a hand on your shoulder, it felt heavy. You started for the back door, maybe you could change before the show started. His hand followed you not leaving your shoulder until you were out of reach. Then it slowly fell. Pushing the heavy door open you could see people flooding into the hallway, they'll be backstage soon.
Hesitation.
Your breath clinched, needing to look back. He was already looking at you, his screen dim, and hands wrapped around his tie, it looked loose at the top and wrinkled. Seeing you look back made him stop tugging, but only for a moment.
You turned and walked out the door.
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