Episode 81: Off the Clock (After Hours)

First Person — Beckett

She doesn’t speak when she walks in.

That’s how I know it was a bad day.

The door closes softly behind her.

Too softly.

Measured. Controlled.

Dangerous.

“…Diana,” I say quietly.

No response.

She removes her blazer first and undoes a bit of her buttons from her dress shirt.

Then her earrings.

Slow. Deliberate.

Her makeup is still intact—
dark eyes, sharper than usual.

Focused.

On me.

“…Work?” I ask.

“…Intolerable,” she replies flatly.

Pause.

She steps closer.

“…Did you follow the contract?”

“…Yes.”

“…Good.”

Her hand reaches for my scarf.

That’s new.

She doesn’t pull immediately.

Just wraps her fingers around the fabric.

“…You behave well,” she murmurs.

Then—

She pulls.

Not harsh.

But firm enough to bring me closer.

I don’t resist.

I never do.

“…Stay,” she says quietly.

“…Okay.”

Her fingers move to my mask.

Pause.

“…May I?”

I nod.

She nudges it down slowly.

Careful.

Controlled.

Like everything she does.

Her gaze softens—just slightly.

“…There you are,” she murmurs.

Then she closes the distance.

The kiss is immediate.

Not rushed.

Not chaotic.

Intentional.

Her hand stays on my scarf, keeping me exactly where she wants me.

Grounded.

Her other hand brushes against my wrist—

gloves still on.

“…Remove them,” she murmurs against me.

I do.

Obedience isn’t forced.

It’s… easier.

She exhales softly—almost satisfied—

then pulls me closer again.

Time… blurs.

There’s no noise.

No thoughts.

Just her.

Her control.

Her presence.

And the absence of everything else.

When she finally pulls back—

“…Better,” she says quietly.

“…Yes.”

Her thumb brushes lightly along my neck.

“…You ground easily,” she notes.

“…Only with you.”

Pause.

She smiles faintly.

“…As expected.”

Later

“…Mom’s in a good mood,” Peresphone says.

“…Noted,” Hades replies.

I sit on the couch.

Processing.

Diana walks in behind me—

completely composed again.

She leans down—

kisses both of them on the forehead.

“…Behave,” she says lightly.

“…We always do,” Hades replies.

They both glance at me.

Pause.

“…Neck,” Peresphone says.

I freeze.

“…What about it?” I ask.

“…Marked,” Hades replies simply.

Silence.

They both look at Diana.

Then back at me.

“…Mom’s being a dom again,” Peresphone says flatly.

“…As expected,” Hades adds.

Diana says nothing.

Just smirks slightly.

Then—

She taps both of them lightly on the head with the book in her hand.

“…Observant,” she says.

They don’t react.

Of course they don’t.

“…Go read,” she adds.

They leave.

Calm. Unbothered.

I look at her.

“…They noticed.”

“…They always do.”

Pause.

She steps closer again.

Adjusts my scarf.

“…You’re fine,” she murmurs.

“…I know.”

And I do.

Because she made sure of it.

And just like everything else—

It ends quietly.

Controlled.

Exactly how we prefer it.