‣ med counsellor

@☘︎┊nie sooyoung ᵃ Taeyong had no troubles in the hearing department, but he always appreciated when people signed with him. It helped in scenarios when he couldn’t understand what the speaker was saying, whether that was because they spoke too fast or had an accent that made it difficult to decipher. He could also receive extra details that further enhance the topic they were discussing, such as currently.

Excitement lit his eyes when he noticed Sooyoung signing. Taeyong had to remind himself what the question was to regain focus, forcing himself to settle down so he didn’t stutter in his own signs. He replied, ‘It’s hard to choose. But if I must, it’s probably the authentic carbonara. The ones in restaurants use milk that makes the dish come out white and watery. The classic kind uses egg yolk to achieve the creaminess, and it tastes better too. That one is my favourite.’

Hearing the familiar name of the professor for Culinary Basics, Taeyong smiled. ‘She does supervise the Cooking Club sometimes. She’s very particular with how the kitchen is kept.’ He exhaled, amusement imbuing the single breath. Seeing the excitement in Sooyoung’s reaction and hearing her supportive words made his chest feel warm, the softness in his smile displaying his appreciation for the older woman’s encouragement. ‘You seem more thrilled than I am. I’ve already submitted my application, so I’m just waiting for their announcement on whether I can join.’

Taeyong suppressed the grin that threatened to break out when Sooyoung played along with his dramatics, huffing quietly as he put on an unhappy front. He gawped when the older alpha suggested that he could meet her if drinks were included in the appointment, shaking his head in mock disbelief.

All theatrics vanished when Sooyoung patted his head, practically going limp as he peered curiously at the latter. Nodding his head in acknowledgement to her answer, he responded, ‘I’ve been to Moonstone Valley a few times, though it’s usually to get things I need. Stuff like going out for drinks aren’t my thing, unless someone invites me.’

Taeyong quickly finished his own meal, a silent sigh leaving him as he started packing. He took the lunchbox in front of Sooyoung once she was done and stowed that away too, signing once both containers were safely tucked in his bag. ‘I’ll wash them when I get back to my dormitory. Shall we start on my revision?’

He grabbed his bag and pulled out his history book and notebook, wagging his brows playfully at Sooyoung as if to show the exciting activity they were about to get into. (He was joking, of course. Nothing about studying was exciting—at least, not for a subject he had little interest in).

@☘︎┊nie sooyoung ᵃ In retrospect, "tell me more" were definitely the wrong words to use. The spew of information went over his head as he sat waiting for her to finish. He could have interrupted at any point — it was his tendency to do so — yet he held back, perhaps due to his act of requesting a favour. He felt at ease in the office. Whether it had something to do with the misty aroma tantalizing in the air or by the mere fact that she was a counselor — one who garnered another's trust to resolve, or at least lighten, their personal issues — he wasn't partial either way. Baekhyun leaned back, the knots in his shoulder loosening ever so slightly. One of the recurring words she had mentioned caught his ear. "I wouldn't mind a cup of that tea."

Slowly, languidly, the janitor rolled his eye over the office space. The sound of the pouring tea was musical in its own right; the counselor knew which type of teapot to use. Its spout resulted in a noiseless stream of liquid collecting in the cup. Still, it didn't prevent him from noticing the disorganised space. Herbs and potions layed haphazardly, strewn onto almost every surface. The cup of tea was set in front of him, redrawing his attention to the female. He was there for a reason. "I'm looking for healing potions. For minor stuff like scratches and fleshwounds." He took a whiff of the tea fragrance before tasting it on his tongue. "Clumsy kids." He listed as the sole reason, which he had no further thought of explaining.

@☘︎┊nie baekhyun ᵒ sooyoung was just about ready to dip the counselor's office and head on over for dinner with her little brother figure, nie taeyong. his friends might be joining them as well - but as she's packing up her essentials, a little knock catches her off guard yet draws her attention to the male hovering by the door. nie baekhyun. she's well- acquainted with the man from fenrir academy. and she knows that he's part of her pack and clan, but they weren't necessarily close per-se but it was always nice having a random visitor no less. causing the woman to sit back down and gesture for the male to come on right in.

"come in and make yourself comfortable baekhyun-ssi. lovely to meet you. have a seat and tell me what's this about first and foremost. but yes, you've heard correctly. and you've come to the right place. i do have a sonnentor magic potion, herbal tea that does wonders. it's not literally magic of course, but herbs are quite magical and work wonders. you would be surprised by the healing properties they have. so basically the power of herbs is simply magic. this blend is prepared according to an old waldviertel house recipe is perfect for use as a delicious morning tea. the tea shimmers in a rich golden yellow and smells sweet and spicy like a forest honey. the taste has spicy-floral herbal nuances with a fresh, subtle tangy note. it contains: raspberry leaves lemon balm, blackberry leaves, cornflower, lime blossoms, marigold, rosemary, thyme, and rose petals. would you be interested in trying it? or is there something in particular for an essential use you're looking for?"

@☘︎┊nie taeyong ᵃ [] FINEEEEE HM P H >< WHATEBA HFFDJDFJ

sooyoung paid close attention to everything that the younger was busy signing, easily following up and giving appropriate nods and soft exclamations as to not interrupt the male as he expresses himself. a small, warm smile playing on her lips as a soft chuckle finds its way spilling past her lips. "sounds like a dream for our aspiring chef, don't you say? what has been one of your most favorite experiments thus far when trialing different recipes from tiktok or youtube?" sooyoung asks curiously, pointing at the foods she's eating and signing the question about, 'if this was one too.' she wanted to always engage taeyong with his means of communication to show that she is being engaging and understanding. however, she sometimes forget and yap off without much thought.

"it sounds really fun, you have miss lan yongsun as your teacher for culinary, yeah?" sooyoung asks curiously, quirking a brow as she continues her food before humming as her eyes widen a little at this bout of news. a bright grin etched onto her features. a proud smile playing on her pair as she breathes out a soft sigh of relief. "honestly, taeyong-ah that's amazing news, I think you would indeed succeed and reach for the stars tyonggie, are you set on doing it? because if you aren't I would have to try all how in convincing you, because I think this would be the path you needed in your life. something positive and something you would enjoy you know?"

the counselor nods her head firmly, her hand with the utensil scoops up the remainder of her food as she breathes out and sighs in content at the fulfilling meal, a small smile on her brims as she eyes the alpha opposite of her. "I want to say that you should just go all in tyong, don't let anything hold you back okay? and also - you wouldn't ever be intruding whatsoever silly boy." sooyoung snorts out an amused laugh at his antics, quirking a brow before chuckling under her breath. "oho, we're practicing theater right now are we tyonggie? gonna get all dramatic on me?" she muses with a cheeky smile before laughing under her breath, wiggling her brows and pursing her lips out before pondering over that. "I meannnnnn, I could add you into my busy schedules sometimes," she states dramatically, even glancing at her file as if pretending to act as if she has so many appointments listed. "I think I can manage to squeeze you in if drinks are involved."

the alpha woman taunts again, as if she wasn't sitting right here with the male, having lunch and yapping all too giddily, a soft chuckle emitting as her eyes twinkle in amusement and she pursed her lips out, brims tremoring from the grin itching to split across her pair. a hand reaching out to give a couple of taps against his and she flashes him a warm smile. "invite mina and let me know if she'd be down and us four can go and hangout, sounds good? also, we usually go to moonstone valley. they have pretty good drinks there, I usually go there with nini too when I am exhausted and need a pick me up. ever been?"

@☼┊wen taehyung ᵒ and there he is, alas, the young, bright eyed male walked in, more like waltzed into her office causing sooyoung's brows to quirk up a little because of how cheery, go lucky he's being. shaking her head once, a hint of a knowing smile plays on her lips, since she could indeed see the way he's hiding himself in via the oversized hoodie alone. another sign that she keeps to the back of her mind as a soft hum is given, a pleasant smile still remaining on her features, polite as ever.

"hello to you too taehyung-ah, it's lovely to see you arriving just on time and not having me hunting you down unlike some other students," she chuckled a little. besides taeyong - and the fact that taehyung loves to hide certain aspects that's quite the obvious from the young counselor, she must admit that he was one of her favorite students to coach and listen to - or just chat with. since taehyung likes keeping it light, it has always been more of a friendly interaction between the two, day in and day out. never a bore with him nonetheless. but always a worry.

there's that knowing glimmer lingering in her gaze as a low hum emits as she writes the date atop her new page on the kid's file and flashes a warm smile. "I'm doing pretty good today dear, and how are you hm? not too heated in that sweater, I hope? it's a bit heated these days depending, so be careful with that, wouldn't want your wolf suffering from a heat now would we?" she deadpans with a small grin before chuckling and her eyes flicker back down to the page before her, writing up something before tapping the edge of her pen and leaning back comfortably onto the chair, her hands placed neatly on her lap as a soft smile is given yet again.

"so... how have you been this past week? anything you wish to talk about? classes being good for you? preparation for exams? are those coming along well?"

@☘︎┊nie sooyoung ᵃ "Counselor." Baekhyun knocked once on the door, loud enough to gain the attention of the one in her office. He had been hesitant visiting her, but knowing how his clumsy close acquaintance lived, the janitor had decided to head in with no regrets. It wasn't because Baekhyun cared for the close acquaintance. He merely pitied them; while Baekhyun had the ability to heal, he was unable to use it on anyone else. Thus, the overgrown puppy had to rely on more "basic" methods.

Baekhyun stepped into the office. It was no secret that Sooyoung was into potions and the like, even growing her own little garden in the academy. It wouldn't surprise him if she were to source the potions' ingredients from there. "I heard you make all kinds of potions, even a magical herbal drink. Tell me more."

@☘︎┊nie sooyoung ᵃ () LOOK this was BEFORE anything was 100% confirmed okay LASKDJH

taeyong offered an assuring grin, signing, 'it's okay, noona! your mind needs to store information about how to treat students. stuff like my curricular isn't as important, so it's understandable that it slipped your memory.' at the following question, taeyong nodded enthusiastically. 'not to mention, the kitchen is open for students of the club, so i can use it whenever i want! every time i find a new recipe on youtube or tiktok, i'll go to there to try making the dishes.'

sooyoung's supportive words made taeyong relax with relief, nodding his head in agreement to her advice. upon being questioned though, a bashful flush coloured his cheeks. he glanced downwards, a sheepish smile on his lips as he signed slowly. 'i was thinking about taking theatre. i know i can't talk, but you and the others have told me many times how i'm expressive with my face and body movements. i thought i can give theatre a try since you need to be good at body language to convey the story to the audience.'

taeyong's head ducked with the weight of sooyoung's hand on his crown, smiling happily as his hair was ruffled. when he looked at the female alpha, there was fondness and trust in his soft gaze. he nodded his head with confident understanding, keeping to heart her promise of being a pillar he could turn to at anytime in his life. he listened to sooyoung's thoughts of each friend, eating his food as he kept his attention on his sister-figure.

the male alpha was in the middle of chewing his food when sooyoung made her offer. he swallowed the remnants, wide eyes looking at the other with surprise and curiosity. 'would that be okay? i don't want to intrude.' his hands paused in front of him, thinking of his next words. 'i can ask heejin, see if she's up for it. if it's not too much trouble having us?' his smile was shy, rubbing the side of his neck. 'where are you and aeri drinking usually? no wonder you said you're busy whenever i ask for a hangout.' he puffed his cheeks, brows furrowed as he placed his hands on his sides. he wasn't mad, but he could pretend to be. just to be playful.

@☘︎┊nie taeyong ᵃ ()Bruh forgot chaewon icb jdksksks

Sooyoung took up sign language as part of her extra classes along with three different languages to add to her resume and skills when doing her masters. So seeing the male speaking to her using sign language doesn't once deter her. Sooyoung even got so in tune with the younger as well, that she can simply tell just what he's thinking about or trying to convey via his expressions.

Her eyes softened a little as she looked at him with a warm, sheepish smile, having forgotten the fact that the male is indeed doing what she suggested. A soft chuckle is given, "oops, gotta blame the fish memory up in there yet again, apologies love. But that's really good news?! Is this how come you're experimenting more and trying new things? You're learning a great deal in the class hm?"

Sooyoung's eyes glimmered with intrigue and excitement for the younger male as she takes another bite and ponder over the thought. "I always habitually say that, it's never too late to start something tyonggie. So if you think you could handle it, I'd say go for it seeing as you cannot go wrong with an added extra skill to your credentials. So I suggest doing that yes. What did you have in mind to the addition?"

Querying carefully, she takes another bite before eyeing him and her heart swelled with immense adoration for the younger as she smiles sweetly. A slender hand reaching over to ruffle his strands gently as her grin widens. "You're too sweet to me, you know you'd always and forever have me mm? That won't ever change. I don't know miss heejin well, but I've had some sessions with her prior. Mmm and aeri is a lovely soul. I adore her to bits. Knowing her from our pack and all, and we do go out sometimes and have some drinks hah. Would you and heejin like to come along with us next time?"

@☘︎┊nie sooyoung ᵃ They'd been doing this session for what felt like forever at this point, but Sooyoung still hadn't given up on him yet. For what reason he could not figure out. He certainly hadn't asked for this. This whole thing was the opposite of what he'd wanted to have happen. But he was stuck, week in and week out coming to these counselling sesssions that Sooyoung was so sure he needed, she was so sure that he would open up to her. But she had no idea of anything that was going on in his life.

Unfortunately, it'd been a particularly testy week and he once again was covered in fresh bruises. The ones around his wrists were particularly bad and so he'd opted to wear a very oversized hoodie that hung beyond his fingertips in an attempt to hide them. He had a feeling it wouldn't fool her but at least he could say he tried.

As usual he was perfectly on time - a habit he'd learned from being with Jungkook. If he was to be somewhere it was to be there sharply on time. He knocked the door quietly before pushing it open and coming inside, "Good afternoon, Sooyoung~" He chirped in a bright tone, acting bubbly as usual while he pushed the door back closed again before taking his seat, "How are you today?"

@☘︎┊nie sooyoung ᵃ Taeyong ducked his head at Sooyoung’s tease, a small smile on his lips as heat pooled in his cheeks. He glanced at the medical counsellor again when he noticed her taking a bite, and immediately straightened after hearing her verdict. His eyes were wide and shining, his smile turning into a grin soon after as he swayed side-to-side in a happy stim.

A silent laugh parted Taeyong’s mouth as he signed, ‘But I *am* taking cooking as an extra curricular.’ He shook his head in amusement. He didn’t blame Sooyoung for not remembering—aside from studies, he rarely mentioned his endeavour in the cooking club. ‘I’m thinking whether to take up another curricular. But I’m already in my last year.’ He sighed, not quite making a noise, merely deflating as he parted his lips. ‘What do you think, noona?’

At the question, Taeyong averted his eyes. There was a nervous smile on his lips, but he managed to sign, ‘I have Heejin and Aeri.’ He scratched the side of his neck, then continued, ‘And I have you too.’ He beamed at Sooyoung. ‘Just having you three is enough for me!’ He patted his chest, as if asking for Sooyoung’s confidence in him.

@☘︎┊nie taeyong ᵃ Laughing under her breath at the cute boy's antics, a warm grin plays on the counselor's pair as her eyes glimmer and crinkle at the corners with a soft hum. "You're too cute tyonggie haha, it's really smelling amazing so I'm pretty sure it's good." Without further ado, the woman takes up a bit of food before slowly taking a bite. Eyes widening immediately as she let's out a pleased sound as a bright grin plays on her pair.

"Amazing... as always! You're such an amazing cook tyong-ah! You should've picked up this as an extra curricular activity, don't you think?" Sooyoung muses thoughtfully, knowing the male would at least gain extra pointers and enhance his already gifted skills as it is. Her eyes scan his pretty features and a warmth in her heart swells and grows immensely as she studies you and she sighs softly. "You came so far. Worked so hard tyonggie, but.... are you trying to make new friends too mm?"

@☼┊wen taehyung ᵒ Naive. Is that what this kid assumed of her? And yet, here sooyoung sits across from her desk as she skimmed through taehyung's file slowly and carefully. Eyes roaming over the file and taking note of everything that she wrote, her eyes following the words carefully as she pursed her lips out a little. Every little session with the young omega surely didn't get anywhere, he was adamant that no one laid a hand on him, all the bruises tainting his pretty skin was courtesy of him being clumsy.

A hollow laugh leaves sooyoung's plump brims as she taps the end of her pen against the file with a low growl sounding from the back of the alpha's throat. Sighing deeply, she glances at the clock, the minutes going by slowly as she counts down the time in expectancy for the male's arrival. Another session with the omega, sooyoung made sure to pay close attention to the handsome male, wanting to get something, anything out of the guy to help him out. A little bit of patience would be needed, understanding on her behalf and of course a large amount of trust from taehyung that sooyoung isn't going to create chaos furthermore for his safety.

Once the clock hand hit the hour for the male to walk in, sooyoung brushed her hands down her clothes, making sure to look as presentable as she should, a small, pleasant smile playing on her features as her eyes glow with a softness and calmness as she waits for the omega to walk into her office for his usual weekly session.

@☼┊wen jungkook ᵃ Over the time working at fenrir academy, sooyoung isn't clueless about all the things happening around and about — after all, she is indeed a counselor and she wasn't the type to not be observant. By nature it came to her and with the job she did now, the matters at hand made it more clear than before.

Her eyes were sharp and she didn't use her alpha's instincts so intrude on their conversation and listen in on them, but taehyung had just left her office and not a moment too soon, jungkook was there. Pouncing on the poor omega as he cornered him. Whatever relationship these two had, sooyoung knew it was insanely toxic at best and she wanted taehyung to get out of that as soon as possible. Yet —

Of course, she can't openly admit to the younger that whenever he came to her office, looking all cheery and happy, there's something dull and sad hidden beneath those eyes. The little glimmer that's supposed to be there seems duller and duller each time.

"Oh ma'am, I just fell, clumsy me—" maybe taehyung assumed that sooyoung would believe his little white lies and be naive to think those are bruises from being a little too clumsy, but the counselor knew better than anyone that's just not it. She isn't going to press the male on it but upon a little glance right outside her office as sooyoung takes a sip from her steaming mug of coffee, her eyes did fall and notice the fact that jungkook has the boy cornered.

It's rather threatening and a little too bossy and pushy for the alpha woman's liking, causing her to clench her jaw a little and she calls out loudly, her voice low and commanding, firm as her orbs glimmer a bright green momentarily but she tries to play a smile onto her features.

"Wen Jungkook, my office now. You've been skipping your mandatory sessions." Is all the woman says before nudging her head over to her office and waits for the young male to turn his attention over. If she needed to do damage control, so be it. But she doesn't like the way taehyung looked uneasy and the fact that jungkook seems to be enjoying their antics far too much. Plus, it's a good time to talk about why Jungkook have been specifically avoiding their sessions.

@☘︎┊nie sooyoung ᵃ a bashful smile crossed taeyong's features at sooyoung's words, eyes turning into crescents with glee. he nodded his head in agreement to the proposal, taking out the utensils and giving a pair to sooyoung before seating himself.

before taking a bite of his own food, taeyong opted to watch sooyoung's reaction. he tried to pretend he wasn't observing, but the way he quickly looked away when sooyoung turned her attention to him was too obvious of a giveaway.

@☘︎┊nie taeyong ᵃ Sooyoung was without a doubt, expecting her younger sibling figure. The male was always a bright light in her sometimes dull as life and just like today when things were going a little more awry than usual, here she is sitting and waiting, door wide opened for the younger to waltz in and provide her a meal in return for her help in his history assignment.

A win win if you ask sooyoung. Her dark eyes glimmer brightly as they shot up to look at the male as he bounces in and she grinned from ear to ear when her melodious voice calls him in.

"You do know, you got permission to come in with my door wide open, darling." She chuckles and flashes a warm smile as she nods and grinned softly. "I,would love it. Love everything you make for me tyonggie. Want to eat with me first then get down to business?"

@☘︎┊nie jongin ᵒ "Mmh what a good boy you are, truly... always make me wonder how much of a good omega you are when underneath all of this you're just a teasing, lil brat." Husking out the words lowly, her eyes glimmer a darker shade of green as her hips jerk down against his and she stifles the moan while clamping down onto the skin of the man's tanned neck. ".... your feels good, omega..." sooyoung praised lowly as her nose nudges the shell of his ear before biting into his lobe and she's dragging her lips down his neck, tongue flicking out to right across the pulse beating there beneath the skin before moving lower as she starts undoing the man's shirt slowly. Eyes finding his for any resistance as she gives the male she has known all her life — a chance out.

@☘︎┊nie sooyoung ᵃ adjusting the strap of his sling bag, taeyong made his way to the medical counsellor's office. in his right hand, he carried a paper bag containing two lunch boxes. one for himself, and one for sooyoung.

upon arrival, he was happy to find the door already open. still, he knocked on the wooden frame to announce his presence before entering. he signed a quick greeting to sooyoung before taking out a lunch box to put on the staff's table.

'i hope you'll like it.' he signed, looking nervous and excited to share his new craft.

@☘︎┊nie sooyoung ᵃ An unbelievable overwhelming sensation washed over the omega. It's was the straw that broke the camal's back as the alpha began to grind down onto his , causing him to breath deeply and the back of his head rests against the head rest of the chair. Fingertips pressed into her hips and he could feel her s against his chest. A soft hiss escapes him. He couldn't contain himself. His hips rolled up into her, the friction had Jongin shakely breathe out. "I wish for it alpha." He dared speak back. Voice a little quivering in her presence. "Mm.. Go ahead. But in a place I can hide it from the students."

@☘︎┊nie jongin ᵒ The feeling of jongin's growing thick and hard beneath her made her body arched into him further, her body sensitive to his touches and the way his fingers felt against her slim waist. Myriad of swear words are tumbling from the woman's lips as she whimpered needily and tried to bite back the growl threatening to break free as she hisses out lowly. "Becareful what you wish for pup." Her words are low and threatened with a quip in her warning as her eyes slip shut and she grazes her pearly whites along his succulent skin. Ripe for the marking and unblemished, just as the alpha loved it. Possessive, demanding and aroused as she grinded her hips down and her s press incessantly against the man's firm chest. "Marks...?" She needed consent, not just the omega's but him— jongin.

@☘︎┊nie sooyoung ᵃ His omega sliently was begging to claw his way out. Practically screaming for release to indulge for the alpha's needs. His own forest orbs studied the hungry emeralds that burned brighter with every passing second to them. Everything seemed muffled expected her velvet words. His trousers on his three piece dark suit seemed tigher than normal. The apparent arousal was pressed against his zipper and compressed under Sooyoung. "Don't her hold back, alpha. He needs her too." Upon her face being buried into his neck, he tilts his head away to give room. The scent of honey only grew stronger to urge the alpha to come out.

@☘︎┊nie jongin ᵒ Hearing the question and being referred to *alpha* caused her inner wolf to howl as she felt that tell tale urge. That utmost need to just — take and take. However, the counselor was mildly in control of her actions for now. Her emerald orbs flash brighter as her irises dilated and a low chuckle emits. "Mmh hearing you say alpha sounds very pretty coming from those lips, omega." Her voice is purred out as her finger ghosts over the male's rosy, plump brims, tapping once before pinching his lower tier and leaning in before pausing and pulling back as she catches herself. " nini— I can't control my alpha... she wants your omega.... she needs it." Growling out the words, her eyes darken as she press her face into his neck and takes in the scent of honey as she moans softly. "So sweet..."

@☘︎┊nie sooyoung ᵃ Only when Sooyoung came closer to him and sat onto his lap, did the strong scent of dark chocolate muster in his nose. His omega- Yuri, was creeping out with the alpha now on his lap and touching him. Hands placed onto the woman's hips resting them there. "Should I call you joy or alpha?" His voice was hushed and quiet. Just loud enough between the two. The sweet scent of honey mixed and lingered with Sooyoung's richness.

@☘︎┊nie jongin ᵒ Her brows rose in surprise, a bit stunned yet a pleasant buzz shimmers through her being at the way he obeyed her so well, offering himself up to her has the woman preening slightly as her yes gloss over in a gentle green. Rich as the forest as sooyoung strides over confidently, firm steps before straddling the man's thick thighs as dainty hands find way to his shoulders. Giving a little squeeze as she melts into the other with a soft groan of approval, her alpha preening at the closeness to an omega during the time of need.

@☘︎┊nie sooyoung ᵃ He shook his head silently to her questioning. Usually he would something to say back however he kept his pillow brims shut and watched Joy lock her office then take off her coat. "Of course Killjoy." He sat up stright, fixing his posture to openly invite the alpha to his lap.

@☘︎┊nie jongin ᵒ Her sneer immediately succumbed into that of a slight pout as she pursed her lips out and she breathed out shakily. "Mmh, okay... if you're sure. Are you still gonna sass me about scenting you?" The woman asked curiously, eyeing the omega intently as she reached out for the door, locking it before turning her attention back to him. Since she's off duty, she shrugged out of her coat before exhaling and rubbing at the throbbing in her temple as she nudged her chin at the man's available lap. "May I?"