Chapter Text
Tenna’s office was located on the very top floor of TV Time Studios. It was a somewhat eerie venture for you to make twice a week, as your meetings with him were scheduled when most employees had clocked out for the night. The elevator, although very sleek and smooth, was painfully quiet, allowing you to hear all of its moving parts. Gears turning and whirring, random little thumps and bumps. By the time you stepped out onto the ruby carpeted hallway, cold sweat was trickling down the nape of your neck. You tried to suppress any thoughts about the trek back to the first floor, rapping your fist against Tenna’s door.
In a singular boisterous gesture, the door swung open, practically smacking you in the face.
“My DARLING screenwriter!!” Tenna bellowed, “Come in, come in! You're as punctual as ever!” The showman stepped aside, granting you access to his workspace.
You gave a shallow bow, “Just doing my job, sir.”
“Of COURSE! I wouldn’t want it any other way,” he grinned, shutting the door behind you. “Make yourself at home! Get all comfy-cozy! Put your feet up! Take a chill pill!”
You were able to deduce from Tenna’s office alone that he was hiding a rather domestic personality. Most of his decor reminded you of a grandparent’s living room, as it was littered with antique paraphernalia. A coffee table was nestled between a ridiculously large armchair and a vintage velvet sofa. Plopping down on the sofa, you let out a contented sigh. Tenna hummed along to big band music that was wafting from a phonograph somewhere. The room was so nostalgic and homely; you could easily imagine yourself unwinding after a bustling day of filming in here.
“I might just take you up on that,” you replied.
“Please do!!” he waltzed over, sitting directly across from you on his Tenna-sized armchair. You emptied the contents of your briefcase on the table in front of you, catching his curious stare in your peripheral.
Being TV Time’s screenwriter was an exceedingly busy job, as your boss was always coming up with outlandish and absurd ideas for scripts. You admired his ambition, but tried your best to keep things realistic, considering there was a budget to adhere to. Still, typing out dialogue and jokes was always fun, especially with Tenna’s enthusiastic input. Because of your lighthearted position, the two of you were always playfully throwing jests at each other, cracking up and splitting sides during your meetings.
“So,” you prepared a pen and paper for jotting down notes. “What bright ideas have you got for me today?”
“I’ve got OODLES of material– right up in HERE!” Tenna jabbed a finger to the side of his head, “Folks are gonna have a blast watching this one! They won’t be able to tear their eyes away!!”
You hummed thoughtfully. “Consider me intrigued,”
The time marched onward, the dark sky growing darker. From outside the office windows, adjacent buildings were ablaze with twinkling little lights. Tenna had been rambling at a passionate pace, your hand feverishly scribbling additional thoughts and commentary. Your hands were moving on their own accord, brain rushing to keep up.
“Ouch!" you hissed, a surprise papercut adorning the tip of your finger.
“Hey, are you alright? Or was that merely your reaction to how FANTASTIC this script is coming along?!” Tenna grinned, “Ye-OUCH! OWIE!! Mr. Tenna is on FIRE!”
“No, I just cut my finger a little.”
Tenna tilted his head, confused.
You huffed a laugh, “It’s a Lightner thing, I guess. Sometimes when the edge of a piece of paper meets skin, it creates a little wound.”
“REALLY!” Tenna exclaimed, clearly bemused. “Lightners are just so sensitive, aren't they? Can I see it?”
“Sure. You don’t happen to have any bandages, do you?” You extended your arm. A small bead of blood had begun to form, red and threatening to spill.
“Mama mia,” he rasped. Such a meek reaction caught you off guard. He leaned in, examining the cut more closely. His tie skimmed against the wooden coffee table below, “Y-you’re bleeding.”
“Um, yes,” The room’s thermostat must have mysteriously been tampered with; the temperature had risen uncomfortably high. “But don’t worry, once I treat it, I’ll be okay. Small cuts stop bleeding pretty quickly.”
Your explanation had gone unnoticed, though, as Tenna was lost in thought. A soft white noise infiltrated his screen, giving the illusion of a dazed expression.
“So red,” he said dreamily. “Red is my FAVORITE color…”
A nervous chuckle escaped you. “I, um, probably could have guessed that.”
The warm liquid that had pooled at your finger was now dribbling down to your elbow, causing you to gasp in mild alarm. You held a hand beneath the drip, desperate to prevent a mess. Tenna didn’t seem to mind, his wobbly smile growing extraordinarily wide.
“G-gosh, would you look at that?” His voice was hushed. So much awe was evident in his tone, admiration etched on his features. “May I…?”
You had no idea what he was implying with such a vague question, but it must have been an action bold enough to make him so shy. Tenna’s usual bravado had been replaced by something timid and mild; an adorable display of bashfulness. You nodded, giving him a gentle smile. A white gloved hand tentatively reached out, carefully following the trail of red.
Tenna was bewitched, freakishly quiet. You were watching him as closely as he was watching you, your eyes wide with astonishment. Heat continued to rise to your face. Your blood was now decorating his gloves in little dots and swirls, the crimson color matching his tailcoat. It was frightening to see him like this, almost as if he were lobotomized or stuck under your spell.
“I’m so, so sorry… I,” he gulped. “I’ve only ever seen blood in the movies. Does it always shine in the light like this?” His large palms lifted your elbow, cautiously bending it this way and that.
“Um. I guess so,”
“It’s so… dazzling. Showstopping. Your body,” the display on his face flickered. “It’s literally OOZING with life.”
You laughed sheepishly, “I just don’t want to ruin your couch cushions.”
“It’s alright, let it stain, I don’t mind.”
“Mr. Tenna?” You stiffened, heart pulsing as he was drawn to you like a magnet. The tip of his nose was practically touching the nerves on your wrist; your body trembled from sheer proximity.
“It’s so warm. You’re so warm, so… soft…” He parted his lips, panting. “I just want to… to…”
Tenna licked a stripe of your blood, his synthetic tongue pressed to your tender flesh. Something akin to an electric shock rippled through you, poignant with static energy. Any hairs on your body bolted upright, your insides bubbling from voltage. It felt strangely… Pleasant? Your mind was racing with thoughts, internally conflicted.
Tenna’s ministrations continued at a slow and deliberate pace, a groan having escaped your throat. Your knees buckled as you melted into his touch. This caused him to pull back sharply, finally awakened from his trance. The pink light from his screen dipped your features in strawberry. He stammered and babbled, posture perfectly straight.
He twiddled his bloodied fingers, bashful as ever. “Wh-WHOA!! Sorry about THAT!! I’m not sure what came over me!” His laughter was canned and uncomfortable.
“Tenna,” You called out.
“Hm? Y-yes?” The heat radiating off his screen was tangible to you, even from a distance.
“There’s more.” Your hand outstretched yet again, “Would you be a dear and clean it for me?”
Tenna shuddered. “Oh, of, of COURSE!” He nodded dutifully, “We wouldn’t want to make any messes, now, w-would we…?” His voice quivered, facial expression sputtering.
You bit back a giddy grin at his obedience. His glass lips wrapped around the tip of your finger, shyly sucking the skin. With an obnoxious pop, he released your digit, shocked to see even more blood forming from the cut.
“G-good GRAVY!!” He chuckled, “How much of that is inside you!?”
The question was clearly rhetorical, but tempting nonetheless. You smirked, “I’m just oozing with it.”
Tenna whimpered, this time enveloping your forearm with his lengthy fingers as he planted kisses up and down your knuckles and palm. A small spot of blood was smudged across the corner of his mouth, your DNA violating his screen.
You laughed airily at his affection, “Does that even taste good?”
“Y-YES! Have you never tasted it yourself?” He looked appalled, as if the question had been so profoundly absurd. “Your skin, it tastes good, too. Is that strange of me to say?”
“No, I don’t mind,” You consoled him. “Though I can’t stop wondering… What do you taste like?”
Tenna whined, causing you to giggle. It had been too difficult for you to disguise your excitement. You could hardly believe how docile your big, powerful boss had become… His usual boasting had completely melted away under such simple acts of intimacy.
You pushed him further, “All artificial and delicious. The plastic in your casing, the copper in your wires… manufactured just for being adored.”
He keened, squirming, unraveling so quickly and easily. It was as if he had waited ages for this discussion to occur, constantly daydreaming about it, and finally being rewarded with his fantasies coming true. His heavy grip on your arm tightened, needy and deprived.
“Please,” Tenna cried.
“Please what?”
“Please, please…” he resumed. “Kiss me.”
How could you say no to that? You launched yourself off the cushions of the couch, scrambling towards him. He gasped, reaching out for you, eager and desperate. As the two of you shared a brief embrace, you perched atop his lap, your lips inches apart…
A jarring knock resounded from the doorway. Tenna stomped his foot, flustered, your body jostling alongside it. A frustrated groan left his mouth, followed by a string of curses.
His teeth were gritted as he spoke, “ONE. MOMENT. PLEASE.” He turned to you briskly.
You smiled, “It’s okay. Duty calls.”
“N-no, I know, but…! I’m so sorry, I…!” He huffed, “I want this!! I REALLY want this!”
“Then,” your fingers danced across his chest, straightening his tie. “Let’s do this properly. Meet again, and continue this somewhere else?”
Tenna looked conflicted, mixed emotions flashing across his screen. His face was flushed, lips pursed into a thoughtful pout. He opened his mouth to respond, interrupted for a second time by a distant voice.
“Mr. Tenna, sir…? The running crew wishes to have a word with you.”
“ALRIGHT, I GET IT!” He roared, “Can’t you tell I’m BUSY???”
“Next time,” You whispered, pecking the corner of his screen. A gooey smile graced his lips, his body curling towards you, practically suffocating you with his presence.
“NEXT TIME-!!” He hissed, “Let’s do a re-run!!”
“Sure, that works for me.” You laughed, “You might need to, uh, get a new pair of gloves, though.”