#''we barely got anything about their relationship''

[maskedbyghost]

after the divorce, you thought you’d finally drawn a line in the sand, clear and bold, separating yourself from simon riley and everything that came with him. but simon? he wasn’t ready to step back. not fully. at first, it was silence—an absence so heavy, but then, slowly, the messages started.

they weren’t the cryptic, blunt texts you were used to during your relationship. no more “you around?” or “we need to talk.” instead, they carried a rawness that made you hesitate before opening them. one night, your phone lit up: “i’ve been sitting here, going over everything. i keep thinking about how i pushed you away, how i let my own demons ruin what we had. you didn’t deserve that. none of it.”

you read it three times before setting the phone down, heart heavy and conflicted. simon never said things like this when you were together. and yet, here he was, baring himself in a way that felt almost foreign.

then came the gifts. small, thoughtful things that carried weight. one afternoon, a neatly wrapped package appeared at your door. chamomile tea—the good kind, the kind you’d mentioned in passing during one of those rare soft moments between you. you’d joked that his taste in tea was pretentious, and he’d grumbled something about chamomile being “too bloody mild.” now, seeing it in front of you, carefully packed with a handwritten note that simply said “thought you might like this”, you didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

the late-night call was unexpected. his voice was rough, the way it always got when he’d had a drink, but there was a tremor in it you didn’t recognize. “i’ve started therapy,” he admitted, the words slurred but clear enough. “trying to figure out... what’s wrong in my head. i don’t want to hurt anyone else. especially not you. not ever again.”

your chest tightened at the honesty. simon had always been guarded, his emotions buried so deep even you had trouble finding them. hearing him like this—open, vulnerable—was disarming.

when you finally told him he needed to stop calling you love, his answer was immediate. “can’t do that,” he said, his voice low but steady. “it’s what you are to me. maybe i didn’t show it right before, but it doesn’t change the fact. you’ll always be my love, even if it’s just in my head.”

he wasn’t asking for anything outright, and maybe that’s what made it harder. he wasn’t begging or demanding. he was just there—offering pieces of himself you’d spent years wishing he’d share, now arriving when you weren’t sure you wanted them anymore.

simon had always been a storm, intense and unrelenting. but this? this felt different. he wasn’t trying to sweep you off your feet. he was trying to meet you where you stood, hoping you’d see the man he was trying to become. and maybe—just maybe—give him another chance.

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@daydreamerwoah @spicyspicyliving @blackhawkfanatic

[magical-reid]

The Rings We Keep Part 3 (Final Part)

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Fem!FBI!Reader

Genre: fluff

Content warnings: none

Word count: 6.7K

Part 1 / Part 2

The days following your kiss with Spencer had been a whirlwind of barely contained feelings. It was unspoken but there—something unshakable between you and him. You had agreed to take things slow, to let your connection build naturally without forcing it into a label or rushing anything.

But the more time you spent together—both on and off cases—the more impossible it seemed to keep your growing bond a secret.

Growing Together

The weeks passed with surprising ease. You and Spencer began doing things together outside of work—real, honest-to-God dates. You went to that quiet café again, and Spencer insisted on getting the most obscure drink on the menu to make you laugh. You went to see a movie, and instead of just watching it, you spent the entire time discussing the plot afterward, each of you analyzing the other’s take on the characters and the themes. You cooked together more often, laughing when things went wrong, and celebrating when things went right. It wasn’t perfect, but it was yours.

You realized, as your connection deepened, that it wasn’t the moments of perfection that mattered. It was the moments where you were both present. Where, even in the chaos of your careers, there was a softness between you that felt like home.

Spencer began leaving little notes for you—little reminders of things, like “don’t forget to hydrate” or “call me when you’re done with your shift so I can hear your voice.” They were small things, but they meant more than he could know. The affection was there, and it was becoming more tangible with each passing day.

One evening, as you walked out of the precinct after another long shift, Spencer stopped at the door and turned to face you. His expression was quiet, earnest.

“You know, we’re kind of doing this,” he said softly, his hand finding yours in a gesture that felt so natural. “A real relationship. No more pretending.”

You smiled back at him, feeling the familiar flutter in your chest. “Yeah, we are.”

The Leak That Led to Living Together

Things between you and Spencer had only grown closer, and you were starting to feel more at ease with your relationship. But one evening, after another grueling case, you got a call from your landlord about the persistent leak in your bathroom. The water had been dripping for weeks, and no matter how many times you had contacted maintenance, nothing had been fixed.

When you’d first reported it, the landlord’s maintenance team had insisted it was just a small issue with the seal around the tub—an easy fix, or so they’d claimed. But the leak hadn’t gone away. Instead, it had grown worse, and the water had started to spread beyond the bathroom floor, staining the ceiling beneath it.

This time, the landlord called with an update, telling you that the plumber had discovered a more serious problem. After taking a closer look at the pipes, they’d realized there was extensive water damage to the plumbing, likely caused by a burst pipe that had been slowly leaking for a while. The entire system needed to be replaced, and unfortunately, the damage was so severe that the apartment was now uninhabitable.

“I’m sorry, Y/N,” the landlord said over the phone. “But it’s going to take weeks to fix this, and it’s not safe for you to stay there.”

You stared at the phone, feeling an odd sense of dread creep into your chest. Your apartment, the one place you’d tried to make home, was no longer a safe place to live. And now, you had no idea where to go.

That evening, you called Spencer, you could hear the usual soft smile that sat on his face in his voice, and when you explained the situation with the apartment, you could hear it drop and the sound of concern taking its place.

“You could… move in with me,” Spencer suggested after a long pause, his voice almost hesitant. “I know it’s sudden, and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but I have the space. You could even have the guest bedroom if you want.”

The offer hung in the air between you, filled with the weight of a thousand unsaid words. On one hand, it felt like a natural step forward; on the other, it made everything feel even more real. You’d only just started to find your rhythm with Spencer, and now you were being asked to share more than just occasional meals or nights spent watching movies. You were being asked to share your life.

“I don’t want to impose,” you said slowly, but deep down, you knew you needed something—someone—and Spencer had always been there for you.

“It’s not an imposition. I promise. And besides,” he added with a playful tone, “you’ve already spent enough time in my apartment, you might as well move in anyway.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, the tension between you easing. It didn’t feel like a big leap anymore. It felt like a logical step. So, with a sigh of relief, you agreed.

Living Together

The transition to living together was smoother than you expected. You slowly brought in a few of your things, mostly clothes, some books, and a few personal mementos. Spencer had insisted on helping you rearrange the guest bedroom to make it more comfortable, though you mostly ended up sharing his room. His apartment, for all its quiet, neatness, had always felt a little impersonal—a place to sleep, a place to work. But now, with your things scattered around, it felt… like home.

The first week was awkward in some ways, but those little things that had once been awkward became comforting. Like how you both gravitated toward the kitchen to cook together or how Spencer would leave a cup of coffee on the counter for you, even though he knew you’d be up hours before him. There was the gentle hum of everyday life—the kind of life you hadn’t expected to build with anyone.

As the weeks went by, there were still moments when you caught each other’s eyes, the depth of your connection reflected in the soft gaze you exchanged. Spencer was still Spencer—quirky, brilliant, and occasionally awkward—but now, there was something more. Something comforting. Something real.

The BAU's Subtle Observations

It started with a few casual glances. A look exchanged when you thought no one was watching. Spencer offering you a small, private smile after a long day. Nothing overt, nothing that would raise suspicion… or so you thought. But of course, you weren’t fooling anyone.

It was a Tuesday morning when Emily Prentiss, ever perceptive, first noticed the change.

You were at the FBI field office, surrounded by your team, sorting through case files and preparing for a briefing. Spencer was deep in conversation with Hotch, his voice low and focused, but every time you passed him to grab a file, he would offer you a look—an expression of something deeper than just professional respect.

Emily raised an eyebrow, watching the exchange. You didn’t think she caught it, but you were wrong.

After the briefing, as the team dispersed to prep for the next part of the case, Emily approached you casually, her voice light but her eyes sharp.

“Everything okay between you and Spencer?” she asked, a small, knowing smirk on her face.

You stiffened, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, why?"

Emily shrugged nonchalantly, though there was a glint of amusement in her gaze. "I don’t know, just seems like you two have... chemistry." She paused, leaning in as if to whisper. "I mean, more than usual. Like… special chemistry."

Your heart skipped a beat. You couldn’t hide the flush creeping up your neck. “We’re just… working together, Em. You know how it is.”

Emily didn’t press any further, but she wasn’t buying it. She gave you one last look—a blend of curiosity and something close to satisfaction—before moving away.

Derek’s Unsubtle Observations

The next person to pick up on it was Derek Morgan. Of course, Derek. He had a way of reading people, of catching little things that others missed. And Spencer, despite his usual oblivion, wasn’t immune to Derek’s sharp eyes.

It was during a case briefing that Derek shot you an exaggerated grin from across the table. You felt a little off balance as he did, glancing over at Spencer who, of course, seemed blissfully unaware—head down, focused on the whiteboard.

When Derek caught your eye again, he leaned toward you, his voice lowered just enough that no one else could hear.

“Don’t think I haven’t noticed, Reid. He’s definitely been… extra concerned about you lately.”

You froze, trying to remain casual, but Derek wasn’t having it.

“Extra careful, extra protective,” Derek continued, a grin tugging at his lips. "I mean, I can’t blame him. But it’s cute, the way you two dance around it."

Your cheeks burned with embarrassment, but you kept your tone steady. “You’re reading too much into it, Derek. We’re just… working the case together.” You realized too late that saying the words out loud didn’t make it sound any more convincing.

Derek’s grin only widened. "Oh yeah? 'Cause it sure looks like you’re both trying really hard not to actually admit what’s going on here."

You shook your head, trying to laugh it off. “Drop it, Derek.”

He shrugged. “Whatever you say. Just don’t be surprised if the whole office catches on sooner or later.”

Hotch and JJ’s Quiet Knowing

By the end of the week, the rumors were practically brewing behind closed doors. Even Hotch had noticed. You had no idea how, but there was something in his eyes when he looked between you and Spencer—a hint of quiet awareness.

You were in the middle of a strategy session, with the entire team gathered in the conference room. Spencer and you were standing next to each other, closer than usual, both scanning a map for clues. When you turned to point something out to Spencer, his hand brushed yours, and it was the lightest of touches, but it didn’t go unnoticed by Hotch.

Later, as the team filed out, Hotch approached you with a quiet, almost fatherly tone.

“Y/N,” he said softly, his voice low enough that only you could hear, “if you and Spencer are figuring things out, just be careful. This kind of thing... it can get complicated.”

Your heart sank. You hadn’t expected Hotch—of all people—to bring it up. But of course, he’d been around long enough to know how these things worked. He knew how the lines between work and personal life could blur, especially in an environment like this.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you said quickly, your voice a little too high-pitched to sound casual.

Hotch gave you a small, understanding nod. “Just remember what’s at stake. I trust both of you. But you need to be sure about what this is.”

You swallowed hard. “We’re just... getting to know each other, sir.”

Hotch didn’t press further, but his look lingered, as though he was waiting for you to come to him with the truth when you were ready.

When you walked out of the room, you saw JJ talking quietly with Emily and Derek, her eyes flicking between the two of you. You knew they were all trying to be respectful, giving you the space to sort things out. But there was no doubt in your mind now that the cat was out of the bag. They all knew.

The Unit's Observations

It wasn’t just the BAU team that was starting to piece together what was happening between you and Spencer. Your own unit had begun to notice, too—particularly when it came to your seemingly frequent visits to the BAU.

It was a Friday morning when the comments started. You had just wrapped up a case with your team and had come over to the BAU to debrief, a habit that had become almost routine since you and Spencer started spending more time together. It wasn’t unusual for you to drop by, but your colleagues had begun to raise eyebrows at how often you were around—and this time, they weren't going to let it slide.

A Casual Observation

You were sitting at your desk, chatting with a few agents from your unit about the latest case developments when one of your colleagues, Michelle, leaned against the back of your chair. She had a mischievous grin on her face, and you could tell something was coming.

"Y/N," Michelle said casually, her tone teasing, "I think I need to have a little chat with you."

You turned to look at her, pretending to look confused. "About what?"

Michelle raised an eyebrow. "About how you're always over at the BAU. And not just when you're assigned to a case with them." She paused, making it sound as casual as possible. "I mean, you’re like a permanent fixture over there now. Kind of makes a person wonder if you're spending more time with them than you are with us.”

The rest of your team, who had been quietly watching the exchange, shifted in their seats, clearly waiting for your response. You laughed nervously, trying to play it off.

“What can I say? I’m just a really good team player," you replied, your tone light. "We’ve got a great working relationship. You know how it is."

Michelle leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Uh-huh. A ‘working relationship.’ Sure. So, are you really just popping over there to discuss case files and not, you know, just hanging out with your ‘husband’ Reid?”

You froze, eyes widening slightly. You had thought you were being subtle, but apparently, you hadn’t been as stealthy as you’d hoped. You shot Michelle a mock glare.

“Really?” you said, trying to hide the warmth rising in your cheeks. “You’re going to start with that?”

Michelle just grinned. “You know, the team’s been talking. We’re not blind. Besides he is your “husband”, we’re just waiting for you to admit it.”

Before you could come up with a clever response, another colleague, Greg, chimed in, his tone light but unmistakably teasing.

“Yeah, Y/N, you’re always over there, like, even when you don’t have a case to work on. And when you do show up, you’re practically glued to Spencer’s side. We get it—he’s a great guy, but you don’t have to keep pretending you’re just there to consult. We can tell what's going on.”

You felt your face flush with embarrassment, though you tried to keep it under control. "You guys are crazy. There’s nothing going on."

But your colleagues weren’t buying it. They exchanged knowing looks, their grins widening.

“I don’t know,” Greg said, nudging Michelle playfully. “I think we’ve been more than patient. It’s time for Y/N to spill the beans. Don’t you think?”

Michelle gave you a sideways glance. “Seriously, Y/N, you can’t fool us anymore. We’ve all seen the way Spencer looks at you. And, well... you’re always there.”

You laughed awkwardly, realizing there was no point in denying it.

"Okay, okay," you relented with a sigh, finally conceding. "You got me. It’s not just casework. Spencer and I... we’ve been spending time together."

The team’s reaction was immediate. Greg, with his usual playful grin, said, "Well, it’s about time!" while Michelle gave you a satisfied smirk. “Told you, Y/N. We can spot a love story from a mile away.”

But it was when your unit chief, Captain Harris, finally spoke up that you knew it was all over. He had been quiet during the exchange, simply observing with his arms crossed.

“I’m not one for gossip," he said, his voice low but carrying a sense of humor that you hadn’t expected. "But I gotta say, you’ve been spending a lot of time with the BAU lately. If you’re gonna keep coming around here, at least bring us some donuts next time. You know, for your ‘official work-related visits.’”

The group erupted into laughter, and for the first time in days, you found yourself relaxing. They weren’t angry, just amused. Your unit might’ve been a little surprised by the news, but they had no problem with it.

The BAU’s Silent Understanding

Back at the BAU headquarters later that day, the air was thick with unsaid words. Spencer was caught up in a phone call with Penelope, and you found yourself sitting with Emily at the desk, both of you pretending to focus on paperwork while silently trying to decipher the elephant in the room.

“So,” Emily said, finally breaking the silence. “You and Spencer…?”

You tried not to flinch, trying to maintain a cool facade. “We’re fine, Em. Really.”

Emily’s eyes softened, her tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I’m not going to push you. But... if you two are figuring it out, I just want you to know that we’re here for you. You don’t have to hide it.”

You glanced over at Spencer, still engrossed in his conversation, and your heart squeezed in your chest. Could you really keep this hidden? Could you keep him hidden? The bond you shared felt undeniable, and yet, the idea of anyone else knowing—of being out in the open—was terrifying.

“I know,” you said softly. “It’s just... we’re not sure yet. I don’t want to make things complicated for the team. For us.”

Emily nodded, her smile understanding. “Yeah, I get that. But trust me, no one’s going to judge you. If you and Spencer want to take this further, you just have to trust yourselves.”

You gave her a small, grateful smile, though inside, you weren’t as sure as you wanted to be. Everyone—your coworkers, the BAU—had started to catch on, and it was only a matter of time before the truth came spilling out.

The Unspoken Decision

That night, after the case had wrapped up, you found yourself alone with Spencer in the quiet of the bullpen. The weight of everything—the team’s observations, the unspoken tension, the growing closeness between you—was pressing down on you, making it hard to think clearly.

Spencer was typing something on his laptop, oblivious to your thoughts. You stood in the doorway of his office, watching him, feeling a strange mix of longing and uncertainty.

Finally, Spencer looked up, sensing your presence. His expression was open, his eyes searching yours for any sign of what you were feeling.

“We need to talk, don’t we?” he said quietly.

You nodded, taking a step toward him, your heart racing.

“I think we do.”

The Slow Unraveling

Over the next few weeks, the quiet buzz around you and Spencer only grew. The teams was trying to be subtle—too subtle—but it didn’t take much to realize that they knew. The way their eyes would flicker between you and Spencer, the little smirks, the awkward attempts to cover up knowing smiles. You and Spencer tried your best to act normal, but it felt like the world was watching.

You were in the bullpen, sorting through case files, when Spencer walked up behind you, his voice soft but steady. “You find what you need?”

His presence was always comforting, but you could feel it today—there was an unspoken electricity between the two of you. You’d been careful not to make it obvious, but everything had changed since that first kiss. The way you found yourself seeking his gaze. The way your heart skipped a beat whenever his hand brushed against yours.

You nodded absently, trying to focus on the task at hand. But when Spencer leaned over to grab a file, his shoulder brushed against yours, and you could feel your pulse quicken.

“I’ll check in with Penelope about the latest report,” Spencer said, his voice steady, but you could hear the underlying warmth in it.

You didn’t reply immediately. Instead, you let yourself feel the quiet, unspoken weight of the moment. Spencer was always careful with you, and for some reason, that mattered more than it ever had before.

“I’ll be right here,” you finally managed, turning back to your work, trying to act like you weren’t both navigating a minefield of what comes next. 

Spencer paused for just a second longer than necessary, and then he was gone, his steps light but purposeful.

And you were left behind, quietly trembling in the wake of his presence.

Emily's Subtle Prodding

It wasn’t just Spencer who was making things harder for you to ignore. Emily had, by now, practically perfected the art of nonchalantly mentioning things you could never fully ignore.

“Y/N, I was thinking we could grab lunch after this,” Emily said, her voice casual, but there was something in her tone that made you pause. You raised an eyebrow, instinctively looking toward Spencer, who was still at the other end of the bullpen, typing something on his laptop.

Emily leaned in, her voice lowering to a more conspiratorial tone. “Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to give me a play-by-play of the Reid Chronicles,” she teased, though there was a glimmer of something else in her eyes. “But, you know, if you and Spencer want to talk about whatever this is—whatever you are—feel free to do it over lunch. I’m just here for the ride.”

Your heart skipped a beat. You hadn’t realized how much the team was piecing together—especially Emily, who was always so astute.

“I don’t know what you mean,” you said with a forced laugh, though even you could hear the falter in your voice.

Emily gave you a soft smile, her expression almost too knowing. “Right,” she said, the grin still lingering. “Just thought you might want someone to talk to.”

You met her gaze for a moment, something unspoken passing between the two of you. She knows, you thought. And maybe, everyone else did too.

You couldn't deny it anymore—things were no longer subtle. Emily’s knowing smile was only the beginning. The team had been dropping hints, making observations that were becoming harder to ignore. You could feel the weight of their knowing looks whenever you and Spencer exchanged a quiet glance or lingered a second too long in conversation. It was like living in a house with the walls closing in. No matter how much you tried to downplay it, the quiet buzz was building, and soon enough, it was going to explode.

The Teasing Begins

Of course, it was Derek who noticed first. He was never one to miss anything, and the way he watched the two of you in the bullpen, you could tell he had put two and two together. It was the way Spencer had kept glancing at you—his gaze filled with something new, something unspoken. The way you two had been spending more time together lately, working late into the evening, sharing quiet moments that didn’t go unnoticed.

It all came to a head one morning during a case briefing. Spencer was scribbling equations and notes on the whiteboard, and you were at the table, trying to stay focused. But Derek was looking at the two of you with that mischievous grin on his face, clearly enjoying whatever he had figured out.

"Don’t think I haven’t noticed, Reid," Derek said, his voice laced with teasing, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "You’ve been... extra attentive to Y/N lately. Extra careful, extra protective."

"Yeah," Derek continued, turning to you. "I can see the way you two look at each other. It’s like you’re trying real hard to pretend you’re not a thing."

You shifted uncomfortably in your seat. "Derek, it’s not like that," you said, trying to deflect.

"Oh, come on," Derek said, his grin widening. "You’ve been hanging out a lot more, spending all this time together... and don’t get me started on how you two finish each other’s sentences."

 "What are you talking about, Derek?" Spencer asked, clearly oblivious to what Derek was implying.

Derek raised an eyebrow. "You two are too cute for your own good. And I’ve got to say, it’s about time."

You groaned inwardly, glancing at Spencer again. The last thing you needed was for the whole team to catch on.

Before you could respond, Derek added with a wink, "Just make sure you two don’t get too distracted on the next case, alright? We all need you sharp, not distracted by how adorable you are together."

Hotch’s Proposition

It didn’t take long for Hotch to catch wind of the situation. He was always observant, always reading between the lines, and you had a feeling he knew something was going on with you and Spencer.

One afternoon, when the case was on hold for a moment, Hotch asked you to step into his office.

"Y/N," Hotch began, closing the door behind you. He seemed unusually serious. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

You gave a quick nod, trying not to let the nervous energy in your chest show. "Sure, Hotch. What’s up?"

"I’ve noticed you’ve been around more often," he said. "Not just on cases, but in general. Whether it's to consult or to visit Spencer, you’re practically a regular. This way, it’ll just be… more convenient. You’ll have access to all the resources here, and we can stop pretending that you’re not already basically a member of the team." Hotch shrugged, his smirk widening. 

You couldn’t help but laugh at his bluntness. You appreciated his directness, and in a way, his offer felt like the culmination of everything that had already been happening. You had spent more time with the BAU than any outsider in recent memory, and not just for casework.

"I’m guessing this means you don’t mind having me around permanently?" you teased, half-expecting Hotch to shut down the joke.

But Hotch surprised you again, his smile turning more genuine. "You’re one of the best agents I’ve seen, Y/N. That’s why I’m offering you a permanent spot. We could use someone like you."

You felt a rush of pride at his words, but you also felt the weight of the decision. Joining the BAU wasn’t just a job—it was a life choice. Spencer and you had already crossed the threshold from colleagues to spouses. If you took this step, there was no going back.

"Let me think about it, Hotch," you said, your voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts racing through your mind.

"Take your time, you’ve got a lot to think about." he said with a small nod, his expression softening. "I just wanted to make sure you knew the offer was on the table, we’re all in this together. And I think Spencer would be happy to have you stay—officially, but don’t take too long. I think Spencer might be getting jealous of how much time you spend here."

You nodded slowly, feeling a weight settle in your chest. "I’ll think about it,” then chucked, “and I’ll be sure to tell him to keep his distance," you said, only half-joking.

Hotch’s smile was almost affectionate as he waved you off. "Good. Because if he keeps showing up to work with a take-out coffee for you, we’re going to have to have another conversation."

The Decision: Joining the BAU

A week later, you found yourself walking into Hotch’s office once again, this time with an answer. Spencer had teased you endlessly about your long deliberations, but you had already made up your mind. You couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the right step for both your career and your relationship.

"I’ve thought about it," you said, standing in the doorway of Hotch’s office. "I’m in. I’ll transfer into the BAU. Just… don’t regret it."

Hotch looked pleased, but he gave you a knowing look. "Regret? Not a chance. Welcome to the team."

And with that, your new chapter truly began.

The Turning Point

Another week had gone by and you and Spencer were working late again. The case had been closed for hours, the team long gone by now, but you both had stayed behind to tie up loose ends. The quiet felt different now—calm, but charged with the weight of unspoken things. Spencer had just finished his report and was gathering his things when you caught his eye.

"You want to talk about it?" you asked softly, your voice barely above a whisper.

Spencer hesitated for just a moment, his fingers frozen over the edge of his laptop. His gaze softened as he met your eyes, and for the first time in days, you saw the hint of vulnerability in his expression.

"I don’t think we can keep pretending that nothing’s happening," he said quietly, voice low but certain.

You felt your heart race. You had been trying to be so careful, so mindful of not making things too real too soon. But now, standing there with Spencer, the weight of everything between you finally felt like something worth acknowledging.

"I don’t want to lie anymore," you admitted. "Not to them. Not to ourselves."

Spencer’s lips curled into a small smile—tender, like a promise. "Me neither."

And just like that, in the quiet of the bullpen, the truth hung between you. You weren’t just figuring it out. You knew.

Telling the Team

The next day, after a brief but tense conversation with Spencer, you decided it was time to tell the team. It had to happen. There was no denying it anymore—they had figured it out long ago, and trying to keep it under wraps felt like an act of avoidance. It was time to own it.

You and Spencer had agreed that this would be a joint decision. It wasn’t just about you anymore—it was about both of you, navigating a new chapter in front of people you respected and trusted.

At the end of the day, as the team gathered in the break room to grab a quick bite before the next round of interviews, you stood by the door with Spencer, exchanging a glance.

"Do you think we’re ready for this?" you asked him softly.

He nodded, a small but sure gesture. "We’ve been ready since that first case."

You smiled and then walked into the room, feeling the team’s eyes immediately flicker to you both. The silence was almost oppressive as you and Spencer shared one last, unspoken look before you took a breath and spoke.

"Listen, guys…" you began, your voice steady but filled with the truth. "Spencer and I… we’ve been, well, figuring some things out. And I guess it’s time you knew—we’re together. Officially."

The room was still for a moment, and then Derek broke into a wide grin, clapping Spencer on the back. "Finally!" he exclaimed, clearly delighted. "Took you two long enough."

JJ and Emily exchanged knowing looks, while Hotch’s expression remained neutral, though there was a small flicker of approval in his eyes. Penelope practically bounced in her seat.

"I knew it!" Penelope exclaimed, grinning. "The lovebirds finally came clean!"

You and Spencer exchanged a quiet laugh at the chaos, feeling a weight lift off your shoulders as the team erupted into laughter and teasing. It wasn’t just about the case anymore. It was about the two of you, and you had no idea what the future held—but you were both ready to face it, together.

A Real Beginning

The days following your confession to the team were a whirlwind of adjustments. There was no more hiding between the lines or pretending that nothing had changed. Now that everyone knew, you and Spencer could finally breathe—and, more importantly, finally be.

The Subtle Shift: Something More

The team was thrilled, though their reactions were a mix of teasing and support. Derek had joked about needing to buy wedding gifts, and Emily kept giving you knowing winks whenever Spencer was around. But beneath it all, there was a sense of ease that settled over the group—a sense of understanding that allowed you and Spencer to stop hiding, to stop pretending.

The strangest thing was how quickly your relationship settled into something more. What had started as an arrangement born of circumstance and convenience slowly, almost imperceptibly, turned into something deeper. The quiet moments shared in the hallways, the soft touches that were no longer brushed off as incidental, the steady, almost intimate communication that felt like second nature now.

There was the evening when Spencer came to your apartment after a long day of casework. You were both exhausted, but he’d insisted on making you dinner. He had done this before—he’d made you pasta, insisting that it was the "quickest recipe I know," only to end up with a kitchen disaster that both of you found hilarious. This time, though, it was different. The food was actually good, and there was no need for any laughing off awkwardness.

As you sat down to eat, Spencer caught your gaze, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"You know," he said softly, "I think we’re… actually pretty good at this. The not-pretending part."

You raised an eyebrow, amused but not surprised by his bluntness. "You mean being married?"

Spencer’s expression softened. "Yeah. That."

You chewed on your lip for a second, looking at him from across the table. The way he’d said it, with such quiet sincerity, made your heart ache in a way that was becoming more and more familiar. Spencer wasn’t just your husband by law anymore. He was someone you needed, someone you wanted, in ways that went beyond the comfort of knowing him as a colleague.

"I don’t know what this is, Spencer," you admitted, feeling a bit vulnerable in the quiet of the evening, "but I think it’s something real. Something I didn’t expect."

He smiled—a slow, warm smile that made your chest tighten. "I think I’d like to see where it goes. Together."

And that was when you both realized that the line between work and personal had faded. You were no longer just co-workers trying to make the best of an unexpected situation. You were… something more.

The Proposal As the weeks passed, life with the BAU began to feel like the new normal. Your official transfer had gone through without fanfare, and suddenly, everything clicked into place. The dynamics of the team hadn’t changed—they were still as close-knit and unpredictable as ever—but now, there was a certain comfort in the way you and Spencer moved through the day. There was no need to keep your distance, no need to hide in the shadows or keep your relationship a secret. You were married. And, as the days turned into weeks, it became clear that your bond wasn’t just about paperwork—it was about something deeper, something more permanent.

Work was busy, as always, but there was a rhythm to your days now. Spencer, ever the brilliant mind, worked alongside you seamlessly, your roles in cases complementing each other. The team continued to tease you both, of course, but it was all lighthearted, filled with the camaraderie you had long come to expect. They had known the truth for some time, but now it was something everyone could openly acknowledge—without the lingering tension that had once colored those moments. Every stolen glance, every brush of hands, was no longer something you had to hide. It was something you could share with them, as well as with each other.

Yet, despite the ease of these days, there was an unspoken weight between you and Spencer—an unresolved feeling that neither of you had fully addressed. You’d already tied the knot in a way that felt true, but there was still something more, something unspoken that lingered in the quiet moments you shared. It wasn’t about a grand gesture or a fancy ceremony—it was about the commitment, the promise you had made to one another, in the simplest and most profound way. But Spencer was never one to leave things unsaid for long.

It all started with a case. Well, several cases, but one, in particular, brought you closer to Spencer Reid than you'd ever imagined. You had worked together on many investigations before, but this one was different. The case was grueling, and you had been called in to help, as usual. Your skillset and unique perspective had proven valuable to the team, and you had spent many late nights alongside Spencer, working through the complexities of the investigation.

One of those nights, after the rest of the team had gone home, you found yourself in the bullpen with Spencer, still poring over case files. The atmosphere in the office was quiet, almost intimate in the way you two moved around each other without saying much, both absorbed in the work.

Then, unexpectedly, Spencer stopped what he was doing and looked up at you.

"Y/N," he began, his voice tentative, "can I ask you something?"

You turned toward him, still absorbed in your own thoughts but curious at the change in his demeanor. Spencer’s gaze was intense, but it held something new, something vulnerable.

"Sure," you replied, wondering what was going on in that head of his.

Spencer hesitated for a long moment before speaking again, his words coming out in a rush. "Would you... would you marry me?"

For a brief, heart-stopping moment, you just stared at him, blinking in disbelief. "What?"

He immediately regretted it. You could see it in his face as he stammered, "I mean, not like marry me, marry me, but... it just seemed like the simplest way to... well, to say it."

"Say what?" you asked, trying to make sense of his jumble of words.

Spencer flushed, running a hand through his hair. "I don’t know. I just—I thought... we’ve been working together so much, and I feel like we get each other, and—"

It clicked. You knew exactly what he meant. You’d felt it too—the late-night talks, the comfortable silences, the connection that had been there all along, unspoken, lingering in the air between the two of you.

You smiled softly, your voice quiet but warm. "Okay. I’ll marry you."

A Simple Wedding

The wedding that followed was everything you both wanted: small, intimate, and full of love. No big ceremony, just the team gathered around you in a quiet chapel, smiling and congratulating you. Spencer, dressed in a suit, looked more handsome than you had ever seen him. You, in a simple but elegant dress, felt like the luckiest person alive.

The vows were short but meaningful, exchanged between only the two of you, as your team stood by your side. No formal speeches, no extravagant rituals. Just love, spoken in simple words.

“I vow to always listen, always be there, and to love you, in all the ways that I can, for as long as I can,” Spencer said, his voice quiet but steady.

You smiled, your own vows coming out as you held his hand tightly, your heart pounding in your chest. “I vow to stand by you, through everything, and to love you in all the small moments as much as the big ones. I promise to always choose you, every single day.”

And as you walked out of the chapel hand-in-hand, you knew this was only the beginning.

No more secrets. No more pretending. Just the future you had always hoped for, finally in your grasp.

The day of the wedding arrived—quiet, intimate, and beautiful. No huge fanfare, just the people who mattered most: your closest friends, the team. Derek was there, teasing you both just as he always did, while Emily and JJ shared warm, knowing smiles. Penelope dabbed at her eyes, trying to hide her tears, and Hotch gave the kind of approving nod that you knew came from a place of true warmth.

The ceremony itself was simple—held in a small chapel, surrounded by the team, who had supported you both through the hardest and best of times. Spencer stood beside you, his hands slightly trembling as you exchanged vows.

When the officiant pronounced you both married, you kissed Spencer again—this time, without hesitation. The kiss was filled with everything you had been through together, and everything that was still to come.

The Future

Later, as you walked out of the chapel, hand-in-hand, Spencer leaned toward you, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m glad we did this,” he said, his hand tightening around yours.

“Me too,” you replied softly, resting your head on his shoulder. Together, you stepped out into the future, finally knowing that it wasn’t just about the wedding—it was about the life you would build together.

[capncurly]

ok guys i don't like how someone threw it out there that curly was an enabler and now we've made that his entire personality, just like how we made rapist the only thing jimmy was about.

yes, curly's reaction to anya's words was not great, but let's dig a little deeper there. it's very much implied/obvious that him and curly's relationship wasn't good at all, given how curly reacts to jimmy's outburst. the implication that there was emotional abuse shouldn't be taken as absolute but you should also take it into consideration

and also, the psych evals. normally, a responsible fucking captain would've honestly done it, but the way that he lets jimmy slide and passes him in spite of work ethics and the possible violation he might be making by doing that gives some vague feeling of him feeling a need to cover up whatever jimmy's answers were or something adjacent to it implies SOMETHING. you dont just risk a work violation to make your 'friend' pass for nothing.

(this also kinda ties in to jimmy going "i can do it, i can fix things, i can fix this.")

also, the scenes in which you play from curly's point of view, where you walk through a sea of blood with disturbing warnings and alarms just to reach the sun -- the sun, leading to the blank white peace before reaching the cockpit IN WHICH jimmy resides, can be a metaphor for attachment. he was willing to push past unspeakable and disturbing horrors merely to reach jimmy. just so he could talk to jimmy. there has to be a deep relationship between the two of you to be willing to go through things. obviously the scene isn't literal, moreso a sort of analogy for the type of things curly would go to just for jimmy.

imagine that amount of devotion towards a person, who you soon found out to be a rapist. you'd need a whole lot of time before processing that actually, because personally, when i found out that someone whomst i trusted the most would betray me in such a manner, i couldn't move on for fucking years. imagine the person who you've done everything to save, just for them to willingly plunge themselves into the depths of hell.

whether for indulgence, or for control, jimmy did what he did. and curly had barely any time to pross that before jimmy (who was, presumably looking for the gun though had it hidden from him) was walking to the cockpit and crash the ship as an attempt to flee the responsibility of anya's pregnancy.

curly was overloaded with emotional feelings before he could even reach jimmy. he isn't completely blameless, but he isn't an utterly morally reprehensible being. yes, he should have done something--anything than to merely stand by and let things happen, but you can't blame him for not doing so.

he couldn't lock him in the cockpit, because jimmy wouldve done what he did. he couldnt lock him in utility, jimmy would've fucked up the crypopods. he couldn't lock him in medical, jimmy would've messed with their supply. sure, he could try locking him in his own quarters, but what if curly got into an accident even without the crash, and tulpar was left with neither pilots?

curly is a morally ambiguous character. he is neither a wholly good person nor is he a wholly awful person. he is a victim, but he is also an enabler. being a victim shouldnt cancel out being an enabler, but being an enabler shouldnt cancel out being a victim.

stop being fucking media illiterate you idiot and view him through a lens other than black and white IM BEGGING YOU!!!!!!!! sobs

[piracytheorist]

There's something interesting about how Twilight's secret could be more dangerous to Yor, than Yor's secret could be to him, and how on an immediate level, Twilight knowing about her could be more beneficial to Yor than Yor knowing about him could be for Twilight.

Like, the person Yor feels she has the most ties to is Yuri. But she can't tell him about her real job, even if she finds out about his, because doing so will immediately make him an accomplice. So her keeping that secret is her protecting him, but it causes a rift between them as she can't be truly honest with him.

In contrast, Twilight is already not only going against the country's law, the fact itself that he lives in that country is against that law. There is nothing (so he thinks) tying him to Ostania aside from his missions, and he changes identities all the time.

Which is to say, if Yuri finds out about Yor's real job, he'll become an active criminal by keeping it a secret from the police (his own work) and he doesn't really have the option to leave. But Twilight is already an active criminal, an accusation of accessory to murder would be the least of his worries, and going away and living as someone else is literally his job.

And I think Yor will be relieved, after she's grown to trust Twilight again, that he knows about her and isn't judging her nor posing a threat. It'll be a new kind of relationship she never got to have, of someone who knows the truth about her and is at the same time trusting of her (closest she got to that was Olka, and we saw how close she got with her before Olka had to leave).

But the vice versa will be harder. Yor finding out about Twilight's secret would add to her list of crimes in the same manner, but again she doesn't really have the option to leave. And she lives in a society that will be more suspicious of her.

Like, think about a possible scenario where the police finds out about Yor. They will interrogate Loid, as her husband, and if he lies (which he's much more experienced in) and says he didn't know anything, they're more inclined to believe him because he's a man and he has a biological daughter (according to the papers they have). But the opposite, if they find out about Twilight, they will interrogate Yor as his wife but they'll be less inclined to believe her, because the society is sexist, and Yor's status as Anya's mother will hold no weight because the whole "illegal adoption" thing will be revealed. Plus her marriage to Loid will be annulled, since there is no Loid Forger, so again nothing for Yor to stand on as a credible citizen (aside from Yuri vouching for her to his work).

And I really feel that Twilight won't let himself really feel loved until after all the secrets are out, including Anya's, and probably even longer than that. It won't be easy for him to accept Yor as a friend who knows his secret. Besides, Franky already knows all about his secrets, but you can barely call Twilight's stance with him friendly. (The narrative wants us to see them as friends, but what Twilight believes for himself is a different thing!) He first needs to come to terms with his own emotions, before he can allow himself to feel them.

But Yor doesn't have that problem. She's already accepting her place in the family, already fully sees herself as Anya's mother. It will be much easier for her to accept Twilight as a friend who happens to know her secret.

So, yeah. Yor's secret is less dangerous to him, and it will be easier for her to feel accepted after it's out to him. Twilight's secret has more potential to shake things up, and it'll take him longer to feel accepted after it's out.

(anime only fan here, don't spoil me for the manga)

[goodyordle]

An Analysis on Season 2 Vi

SPOILER under the cut

I have SO many thoughts about how they wrote Vi this season. So I get that they wanted to go with a more vulnerable Vi this season compared to the tough character we had in season 1. I was excited for this direction for her character, that’s why I’m kind of disappointed that she felt flat and more one-dimensional this time around.

Firstly, I felt like in season 1, Vi was such a centerpiece to the show. From her relationship with Jinx and following Vander’s legacy. She actively moves the plot with these two elements.

But in season 2, I barely see her do anything that contributes to the plot actively and takes a much more passive role. This time, Caitlyn and Jinx are taking the lead on shaping her goals (whether this is her becoming an enforcer or her saving Vander). As a viewer, I do empathize with Vi. We see time and time again that she is a character that values loyalty and keeping her loved ones close to her, and she keeps getting betrayed.

But we never see these arcs get resolved, at least in a satisfying manner. We never see her find strength in her vulnerability or regain courage to find herself again. And this is an arc that most, if not all, characters in Arcane had. All of them had some sort of redemption and willingness to make things right.

We never see Vi try to grow beyond her comfort zone (which is using her fists / brawling). We don’t see her use her vulnerability as a new way to show toughness to her character.

For instance, the argument with Caitlyn. Now I enjoy this ship as much as the next person but I felt like the conflict got resolved a bit too quickly? It’s clear that Vi’s trauma of betrayal and abandonment runs deep (man, I feel so bad for her tbh).

My interpretation of this last shot of Cait and Vi (after Caitlyn asks “are you still in this fight, Violet?), in my opinion, also reflects this lack of resolution, where Vi generally looks more closed off. There is no raw vulnerability that Vi displays. She never expressed how hurt she was with Caitlyn’s actions. Even when Vi says she is the “dirt under Cait’s fingernails”, her expression looks quite pained and tired.

Then we have the argument with Jinx. Their sibling dynamic is the key plot of Arcane and is a heavily emphasized theme but their resolutions feel underwhelming both times.

The first time was when Jinx locked her up in the cell. I mean the fact that Vi didn’t immediately go look for Jinx given that she was depressed felt a bit out of character for me. Like she gave no emotional reassurance to Jinx who was obviously guilt-ridden from Isha’s death. Again, no vulnerability. And the placement of the Caitvi *cough cough* scene was questionable, considering it was right after Jinx expressed her anguish. Yes, she wants Vi to be happy, but wasn’t Vi’s character this whole time shown as one who is happy when she can take care of the people she loves?

Like if I were to draw a parallel to Jayce and Viktor, where Jayce says that he just wants his partner back, they could’ve had done something similar between Vi and Jinx. Vi could have expressed that she just wanted her family back. She needed her sister, which is something she never expressed because the dynamic was always of Jinx needing Vi.

Anyways back to that scene, I felt like it would have been more impactful honestly if Caitlyn even encouraged Vi to find her sister since I think that is quite fitting to Caitlyn’s arc as well and adds more depth to her feelings towards Jinx. If they had a bit more emotional resolution, I feel like her final scene with Jinx would have been more impactful. (And probably would add more emotional weight and spiciness to the Caitvi scene too iykwim)

That brings me to the second scene when Jinx sacrifices herself. The aftermath felt too rushed for me. When we have Vi acting like “normal” right after Jinx’ sacrifice, it diminishes their relationship in my eyes. Granted, I doubt she’s normal. In fact, I think Vi looks really resigned in her final scene but again, this is a bit difficult to pick up if there are no context clues.

Like in terms of the concept, I get it. I believe the writers were trying to make a full circle moment where Vi, who was the protector of her little sister, is now the one being protected by Jinx, who is now all grown up. It’s just the execution that doesn’t sit too well with me. Maybe it’s the pacing because I feel like as a viewer, you have to digest so many emotional scenes at once.

I just wish we had more opportunities to see Vi be vulnerable and show that as a source of new strength and as a way to reinforce her relationships with Jinx and Caitlyn. But unfortunately, her character development ended up static. And honestly she’s such a tragic character that had that potential. They showed her trauma even in the final scene with Vander/Warwick and how she couldn’t even bring herself to move despite Jinx’ warning. Like show more of that!! Let her be the one that needs to be protected by those she used to protect, instead of just following them around and beating up their enemies. As a result, I felt like she didn’t really add much weight to the finale (low key Maddie had more of a plot). Like this show is still a 10/10 with solid writing but this, after processing the show, I believe is its weakest point.

They can never make me hate you, Vi, you deserved a better character arc :(

[melmedardasworld]

So I edited this post a few times since what I wanted to convey just couldn't come out, and then I stumbled across this explanation.

And all of this!

To continue with my own thoughts.

I'm not sure where the takes of Mel is more than Jayce's girlfriend or being reduced to just being at a man's side is coming from that is being spouted.... Meljay shippers know this?

People are annoyed and confused to see what was set up from S1 until S2 Act 1 and the sudden a disconnect of how we got to know the relationship was handled and their final conversation. Most of us would've been fine (I know I would) with the breakup if it wasn't so off and lackluster.

It didn't feel like Mel and Jayce, granted they went through the trenches both physically and mentally, but that understanding is only being applied to Jayce in how he behaves. Mel is just a bystander and has to take it, and she was never like that. Or did her time trapped by the BR just make her numb to everything because she feels so much and hasawakenied as a Mage and empath? If so, the writers did shit to make it clear, and we have to fill in gaps and explanations with headcanons.

Most importantly, Mel only gave and gave to others (professionally, non proffesional, platonical, familial, etc) but got nothing of the sort in return.... not even a hug, a hand squeeze, a how are you nada. That apology she got was, again, so offstandish. I didn't expect Jayce to cry out or be a lovey dovey anything, but he was more heated to scold her a beat. Mel barely got a word out there, too, to explain her side. She doesn't even fully understand her powers...

Also, in regards to interactions, why didn't we see a moment between her and Caitlin? When her mother died, Mel told Jayce to go to her, and had she seen how Ambessa did what she did, Mel would've shut things down, too. But we couldn't see the two of them bond over having lost their mothers?

No one in Piltover was concerned with their influential councilor who went missing for weeks/months? It would've been nice had we seen her and Shoola as the last ones standing or talk about the future of Piltover and the convo moving to Mel returning to Noxus and leaving it in the people's/their hands, but not a lick.

We just see her board a ship because she now has the weight of the Medarda line (who she needs to build from the ground up while the Black Rose is still out there and likely has to deal with more politics in Noxus that is more on the violent side) on her shoulders to a country she's been exiled for who knows how long.

Mel is getting to terms with her powers, her legacy, but even with her mother, Kino, Elora and now going back to a country she was exiled from, AND having to lead a faceless army. WHERE IS HER COMFORT!?!?! Who does she have to share all of this with above one minute.

It also doesn't help that people (yes, shippers mostly cause one scroll on your page they barely talk about Mel outside of ship. Not even about the popular 'she has a larger storyline' takes. Just invalidate why Meljay doesn't and never would work or was always doomed takes in response to OG shippers sharing their grievances.

There is weird and fake trolling in the meljay/mel tag when the same people never had something to say about her/ any of her relationship up until the finale and the last few Meljay scenes.

But now everyone can supposedly yap as some fake intellectual and shade others' people being annoyed, sad, and disappointed in the WAY it was written to THEM for their ship.

Meljay shippers literally had to create a niche tag because the main ones are being spammed with bad take after take and where Mel/Meljay is undermined while claiming it is all in balance in the end. Is that not insane?

Please, miss me with that. It is irritating and condescending.

Shippers in fandom love love and just a relationship in general. This is nothing new so why all these bad fate takes? They are allowed to vent their frustration on how the story for their ship is handled. Most of the same shippers also have an analysis of the characters' they ship and larger storyline that was set. Act 3 plot lines were squeezed in such a way with so many minutes left. I am still of the opinion that we should've gotten either 3 or 6 more episodes to tie all the stuff together properly since the writers themselves decided to introduce all these storylines. There was just a disconnect and OOC behavior in Meljay that wasn't expanded upon in a better way imo.

[beef-brisket]

Lucifer gulped and pulled at his collar: Uh... y-you don't think you'd want to come over-?

Charlie: Dad. Now.

Lucifer: Yes. Yes, right... Adam... well, you see. A few months ago, we met for our annual meeting, and it was going great! Wonderful! Amazing-!

Charlie: Dad.

Lucifer: Oops. Sorry, hun. I-I didn't mean to keep Adam. I just... didn't want him taking Avery away- I lost him once, I failed you, I couldn't fail her... I couldn't let her go.

Lucifer felt himself tear up, knowing that his daughter was gone, he didn't even get to say goodbye. To her or Adam.

Charlie: D-Daughter? She's... how?

Lucifer: A few months ago, I saw Adam at a bar we went to. H-He was fucking around! Blending in! I... I wanted to fuck with him- so I spent some time with him, got him drunk- but I had such a good time, Charlie... even though he knew it was me, he was... kind and funny. I really enjoyed my time with him... it almost felt like there was no bad blood between us. Then he said he wanted to go home with me. So, that's where we went. And I'm sure you can guess the rest...

Charlie was silent for a moment: I thought Adam was a man- how? How did you-?

Lucifer: I may be the Devil, but I used to be an angel. And angels cause the human male body to... do some weird things. I knew there could have been a chance- but I thought it could be funny! He was such as asshole to your mother! And who knows what he was like eith Eve-! She had over nine hundred kids, Charlie! I-I thought it would be funny...

Charlie sighed: It's not funny, dad. He's a man. He's not meant to have children. That's not what he was made for.

Lucifer: I know... I know. I didn't think anything came of it! I never saw him, not until our last meeting. I could barely tell anything had changed- his robe is so... robey. B-But he... he just- looked so uncomfortable and looked in pain at times. When he went to leave- he curled over! He nearly collapsed, Charlie! Then he told me... we went to Sloth- and... she's beautiful, Charlie. She looks like him. Like his twin. She's just... gorgeous. Like you. I could see you in her. In her eyes.

Lucifer covered his mouth, feeling tears come to his eyes. He knew he wasn't the best father. He didn't know what to do if she kept crying or wouldn't eat or sleep, but he loved her so much.

Charlie: Oh, dad... I'm so sorry.

Lucifer: I-It's okay, Charlie. She's holy... I don't know how, but she is. She can go to Heaven. And... and that's where she belongs. To be safe. To be loved. She deserves blue skies and clean are... not... this. You deserve it too, Char. So much. I hate that you had to live through exterminations. I hate that you had to deal with my horrible relationship with your mother. I-I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I didn't do right by you! I failed you- and now I'm failing her!

Charlie: Dad- breathe. You didn't fail me. You've been so wonderful to me. And I know you love me, I can feel it.

Charlie looked at Vaggie, who was looking concerned. She definitely wasn't happy about learning that Adam was in Hell.

She wiped her eye as she heard Lucifer cry.

Charlie: Dad- dad, I'm coming over. Just me, okay?

Lucifer: ...p-please Charlie. Please come over, I-I need you.

Charlie quickly started packing some things into a bag.

Charlie: I'm coming, dad. I'll even pick up those little pastries you like, okay?

Lucifer: Okay Charlie- thank you.

Charlie: You're welcome. Okay, I'll see you soon. I love you, dad. So much.

Lucifer: I-I love you, Charlie. And I'm so sorry for everything.

Charlie: Don't be sorry, dad. We've moved on from those years- you've more than made it up to me.

Lucifer broke down after Charlie hung up. He missed his Avery so much. He missed both of his daughters. He even missed Adam.

He hates being alone again. Somehow, he always ended up alone. He tries so hard, with everyone, but they always leave.

Is this how Adam felt in Eden?

That made Lucifer feel even worse. He ruined his best friend. The loneliness changed him for the worse, and Lucifer could feel it changing him, too.

What about an au where Adam goes to Hell for night trips, wher ehe just parties and fucks. He has a disguise (it's just a slightly different looking helmet).

Lucifer joins his daughter and her friends at a bar, where he sees "Adam". He instantly knows it's him, but he's curious as to what he's doing.

So Lucifer spends hours flitting with him and buying him drinks to get him drunk. But Lucifer actually finds himself having a great time.

Long story short- they fuck, Adam doesn't let Lucifer know he's Adam. He goes back to Heaven and after a few months, he finds out he's pregnant.

Which is fucking weird cause he's definitely a dude, and he's very dead. But Lucifer's the Devil 🤷.

He basically has to play it off as him getting fat. It's working until the next meeting with Lucifer happens during his ninth month, and he's goes into labor right in front of Lucifer.

Lucifer: Why didn't you tell me your were fucking pregnant!?

Adam: Because you didn't know it was me!!

Lucifer: Yes I did! You have the same face!

Adam: ..... Oh..

[nightmare--void]

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind AU where Suguru erases Satoru from his memory and then Satoru does the same out of spite

But unlike in the movie they’re not meeting each other for the next ten years after that. Till one day someone leaks the files that were kept in the archive by the company that provides the service.

It’s been ten years already. Satoru touches an old ink on paper that forms a date like it's supposed to make everything feel more real. These memories are older than some of his students. He barely even remembers what kind of a person he was back then. All that’s left from his early twenties is a faint feeling of absence — as if he was missing a place that never existed.

Turns out it was a person.

«Do I just tell you everything I think about?» his own voice on the tape asks. «Anything? That’ll help to perform the procedure, right?»

He doesn’t remember this conversation.

He doesn't remember going to that clinic at all.

He goes through the tapes listening to himself — funnily familiar, — his words are almost petty sometimes.

«Suguru never wants to watch the movies I want,» the voice on the tape says. «He complains that I’m being repetitive. I’ve been watching a lot of new stuff lately, you know. I’ve watched ten new movies for the pas…»

His finger skips to another timestamp marked on the list.

«A Chinese restaurant».

«I asked him out that day. I wanted to go to that new Chinese place because I wanted us to feel like a couple again,» the voice says. «It's been a while since we went out together. Yeah, I've been busy, but he’s always in the wrong mood when it comes to anything I suggest. How is that my fault now?»

Does it still matter? That Chinese place he was talking about was closed eight years ago — redesigned to be a convenience store or something like that — now it probably belongs to some retail chain with all doors indistinguishable from one another. He’s moved two times since then.

And another one.

«He’s always sulky, you see. Even after sex lately. I can picture that… Ugh, I can picture that face he does. Right now, I can do it. And he always says he’s fine like I'm supposed to guess what might make him happy. And I never can. Can you get it erased first so that I don’t have to think about it anytime I close my eyes? Can you do it first?»

«This procedure is done in one go,» the doctor answers. «No particular order. Please, continue».

He does.

«He said I can’t change and he doesn’t want to force me. Well, I’m sorry I don’t like to let go of the things that I love. Is that worse than not being able to commit to anything even when it’s hard?»

«I hope he’d be happy if he knew I'm doing this. That's certainly a change, right?»

And another one.

«He never tells me anything», the voice on the tape says. «Not even when I ask. It’s like I know something’s not right but I can’t get an answer out of him. Or I can't formulate the right question, he'd like to answer. It fries my brain.»

«The other day he said we don’t see eye to eye anymore. Why can’t he just talk to me? Why couldn’t he talk to me till it was too late?»

And another.

«Is he punishing me for something I can’t understand?»

The room falls silent. Dead — haunted by the memories. Do they still belong to him or have they turned into ghosts by now? Separate beings with their own mind and will.

He caresses a postcard from Okinawa — unfamiliar handwriting and a ripped edge, he almost feels a salty wind on his tongue, — an old monster figurine, a plain white t-shirt that belonged to Suguru. And the pictures.

They’re so happy in all of them. But the voice on the tape keeps repeating.

«He got me eased. He got me fucking erased. He got me erased.»

Why the fuck did he do that?

Mad at the person he doesn’t even know. Like it’s the only thing that matters in the world right now. Like nothing's happened after that in his life. No new apartments, no new jobs, no new vacations, no new boyfriends.

He’s been through a few relationships in the past ten years but none hurt enough to even consider anything like that.

Because he never loved them.

Because he still loved someone else.

At least now he knows why his life felt empty when he woke up alone in that crammed apartment that somehow felt too big. And why it felt so lonely ever since.

He goes through the files — none of the records contain an address or a phone number. Or an answer to the question on his mind.

What if Suguru is happy with the procedure? What if the words — falling out of his own mouth out of spite — were true.

A call wakes him up on a Saturday morning.

«Hello, Satoru-u,» there’s a smile in that man’s voice he can hear. «I mean… Sorry if it’s too… Sorry. I don’t know if you’re a morning person or a night person.»

He gulps.

That’s him that’s him that is

thatisSuguruthatisSuguruthatisSuguruSuguru from the postcards who bought him figurines as a gift

Suguru who didn’t want to go to a place that doesn’t exist anymore

Suguru who didn’t want to tell him anything

who thought he can’t change or adjust to the changes — yet they’re both still caught

shit

SuguruSuguruSuguruSuguruSuguruSuguruSuguruSuguruSuguruSuguruSuguruSuguruSuguruSuguru

it's him

«Uh, I got…» he coughs. «I went to bed late last night.»

«Did you get the files?»

«Yes, I…» he laughs. «We were a shitty couple, weren’t we?»

And then Suguru laughs too.

A laughs that feels like a first sound of thunder after the drought — like those memories are dried flowers everyone thought were dead till the rain came.

«You’re with anyone right now?» Suguru asks.

«No,» answer’s too fast but he takes a pause before he says: «What about you?»

«No, not really. It’s not serious I guess.»

Satoru smirks.

«Not enough to get them erased from your memory, right?»

A joke doesn’t land as well as he expected. For a moment he almost believes Suguru’s going to hang up on him.

But still he continues.

«I don’t know…» he says. «I don’t know if I should apologise for something I can’t remember but I feel really sorry.»

«I don’t know if I can forgive something I can’t remember.»

Another pause.

Should he — if there’s nothing that holds these memories anymore. It’s like someone dug out a time capsule you hid under an oak tree when you were a child. All those names and events in your notes that were so important. Yet you don’t even remember half of the names.

It still hurts though.

«Yeah, I guess,» Suguru sighs. «I think there’s a bright side to it. We’re older now so we won’t repeat the same mistakes.»

«You think?»

«That's how it's supposed to be when you're getting mature.»

«Hm-m,» Satoru smiles. «I don't know about that actually. We're more experienced now. So we can always use that knowledge to make things worse.»

Sharing another laugh that’s warmer and more familiar like his brain is riddled with the scars that started itching all at once.

They used to laugh a lot, it strikes him.

They used to tease each other, they used to kiss and make love. He used to remember that person’s voice and face better than his own.

Why did he let go of that?

Why didn’t he let it heal and warm him? Because somehow he still knows that guy — he knows what'll make him laugh and he's sure they even talk similarly sometimes, using the same words and phrases.

Why did he let it go?

«Wanna meet?» Suguru asks.

«Do you?»

«Yeah. At least we’ll find out if we're the biggest idiots in the whole world or not.»

«I know I am,» Satoru nods as if they're in the same room and all of a sudden he realises that he doesn't want this conversation to end. «Besides, I think the company’s going to get sued after the incident. There're plenty of other idiots who would want some compensation from them. Which means we’re not getting another chance to chop our brains again. Do you think we can get some money though? I could use a new car. Or a fridge. Probably a vacuum cleaner would do. That's the mature stuff, right?»

A laugh that could belong to a couple of teens — head over heels in love — something he thought he never experienced.

Turns out he did.

And there’s still time.

[kathlare]

under the neon lights

Lando Norris x Amelie Dayman

Summary: As the Las Vegas Grand Prix looms, Amelie supports Lando through the mounting pressure of his season’s defining race. Amid the electric atmosphere of the night race, she becomes his anchor, helping him find calm and confidence despite his self-doubt. Their connection deepens in these intimate moments, showcasing the unshakable bond that fuels their journey together.

Wordcount: 2.1 k

Warnings: fluff, smau

November 23rd, 2024 - Las Vegas, NV

liked by f1lover_24, fanforlandonorris, and others

amelieupdates: Amelie is BACK in the paddock! 👏 After wrapping up the North American leg of her Short n Sweet tour, she’s here to support Lando at the Las Vegas GP 🏎️💨 Spotted at the McLaren garage since yesterday, looking absolutely stunning as always!

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f1lover_24: Amelie really said “it’s Vegas, let’s pretend it’s not freezing” 🥶👗 → racingfanatic_99: @f1lover_24 I’m honestly just trying to figure out how she’s standing in heels in this weather 😅

vibesinvegas: Amelie’s outfit got me more worried about her freezing than him racing 🥶👚

racingtrash: Max about to be world champ for the fourth time, but can we talk about how Lando's been looking at Amelie like she’s the trophy? 🏆 → whynotboth: @racingtrash Ugh, if that’s not the most romantic thing ever 😩🔥

landoismyking_: Lando’s gotta finish P1 today, or I’m gonna lose my mind!! 💀

f1fashionpolice: Girl, are we sure it’s cold? Because Amelie is out here like it’s a summer day in Vegas 😭

fanforlandonorris: Lando better keep Max behind today or we riot 🥴 But also, the way Amelie always shows up for him… too cute 🥺

emilia_and_lando: The moment they walk in together, you know Lando’s ready to show off for her. Let’s pray he gets P1 so they can celebrate together 🍾🥂

--------------

The neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip blazed against the ink-black sky, casting a surreal glow over the entire paddock. The buzz of the night race was inescapable—the air thick with excitement, the hum of electric engines and music reverberating through the open space. It felt almost like a dream, the city alive with anticipation, each pulse of light on the horizon syncing with the heartbeat of Formula 1.

Amelie stepped out of the car, the cool desert air biting at her skin. She shivered slightly in her outfit—a cropped top, a jean jacket thrown over it, and a skirt that barely reached her knees. High heels clicked sharply against the pavement as she and Stella made their way toward the paddock entrance. The cold night air didn't seem to faze her too much; she'd lived through enough chilly nights in Monaco with Lando, but it was definitely sharper in the desert, and she regretted not bringing something warmer.

—Are you sure you don’t want to borrow my jacket?— Stella teased, eyeing Amelie’s outfit with a raised eyebrow.

—I’m fine,— Amelie replied, flashing her sister-in-law a quick smile. —I just didn’t expect this cold in Vegas.—

Stella rolled her eyes but let the comment slide. —You and your outfits... you’re lucky you’re pretty enough to pull them off.—

Amelie chuckled, her thoughts already on Lando. She had been so excited to be here with him, especially after everything they’d been through together over the last year. The time they’d spent traveling, racing, laughing, and of course, dealing with the media circus surrounding their relationship now that they were officially public. Ever since the Miami Grand Prix, where Lando had secured his first win, things had been different between them. They had gone from being the kind of friends who couldn’t stop teasing each other to full-blown partners. Even though it had been almost a year since they’d started dating, their chemistry hadn’t changed. If anything, it was stronger than ever.

They arrived at the paddock, the rows of trailers and team hubs lined up against the backdrop of the circuit. The atmosphere was buzzing with activity—drivers and team members rushing around, making final adjustments, and last-minute prep for the night ahead. Amelie could feel the weight of the tension in the air, a nervous energy she knew all too well.

Stella had disappeared into the Red Bull garage to catch up with Checo, who was already in the thick of his pre-race routine. Amelie, however, was heading straight for the McLaren Team Hub. She had been to the paddock before, but tonight felt different. She had grown so used to being at the races with Lando, cheering him on, helping him unwind, being his rock—but today was going to be tough. He had finished 6th in qualifying, far from where he needed to be, and Max had secured 5th. The thought of Max becoming World Champion tonight was looming over them both, and Amelie could feel the weight of it.

As she approached the McLaren team’s area, she noticed a slight shift in the atmosphere—something off. Lando wasn’t at the usual pre-race debrief, and the energy in the hub was tense. She saw Adam, Lando’s dad, standing near the door to Lando’s driver room, his expression serious.

—Amelie!— Adam greeted her, walking toward her with a hint of worry in his eyes. —I’m glad you’re here. Can you... can you talk to Lando? He’s not answering the door, and I’m getting really worried.—

Her stomach flipped. Adam never looked like this unless something was seriously wrong. —What’s going on?— she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Adam ran a hand through his hair. —He’s locked himself in, doesn’t want to talk to anyone. I know he’s anxious, but he’s not responding to anyone. I think he just needs you to calm him down. He listens to you.—

Amelie’s heart tightened as she nodded, trying to keep her cool. She had seen Lando anxious before, but this felt different. She could tell from the tone in Adam's voice that something more serious was at play, and her mind raced with worry as she made her way to Lando’s driver room.

—Okay, I’ll try to get through to him, Adam,— she said, her voice firm, though her stomach churned with nerves. She wasn’t just walking into a room to console her boyfriend; she was walking into the room of someone who was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, who might be on the verge of losing everything he had worked for.

The closer she got to the door, the more she felt the tension in the air. Lando had always been a person who wore his heart on his sleeve, but his insecurities were often masked by his quick wit and playful demeanor. Today, however, all of that seemed to be gone. All that remained was the man who had put his heart and soul into this season, knowing that everything was riding on tonight’s race.

She knocked gently on the door. —Lan? It’s me.— Her voice was soft but carried a quiet strength, the kind that had always been able to cut through his defenses.

The door clicked open after a brief moment, and Lando’s tired face appeared in the crack, his eyes red-rimmed and exhausted. The sight of him like this made Amelie’s heart ache. His hair was messy, and he looked like he hadn’t slept at all.

—Hey, love,— she said, her voice low, her hands instinctively reaching out to smooth the worry lines from his forehead. —You okay?—

Lando gave her a weak smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. —Hey, Ames. Just... tired. Nothing new, right?—

Amelie didn’t buy it. She stepped closer, her arms wrapping around him in a tight embrace. The cold from the night air still clung to her skin, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was being there for him, the way she always had.

—You’ve been working so hard, Lan. You’re gonna be fine, you know that, right?— she whispered, pressing a soft kiss to the top of his head.

Lando sighed deeply, his body tense in her arms. —I know, but... yesterday was shit, Ames. I should’ve done better in qualifying. Max is right there, and if I can’t finish ahead of him... I don’t know, I just...— His voice faltered, his frustration clear.

Amelie pulled back slightly to look him in the eyes. Her heart hurt seeing him like this, so vulnerable and uncertain. But she knew the only thing that could really help him now was to just listen, to let him say what he needed to say.

—You know what you need to do, Lan. Don’t focus on Max, just focus on yourself, on your race. You’ve been incredible all season, and one bad qualifying isn’t going to change that. You’re ready for this, okay? You’re not alone in this. I’m here, I’ll always be here.— She gave him a soft smile, one that she hoped conveyed everything she felt without needing words.

He closed his eyes, letting out another deep breath, his arms tightening around her. —I just... it’s scary, Ames. I’ve worked so hard for this. And if I fail... what if I fail? What if I can’t do it?—

Amelie’s heart broke a little more at the rawness in his voice. She cupped his face gently, tilting it upward so that their eyes met. —You’re not going to fail, Lan. You’re going to give it everything you’ve got, and that’s all anyone can ask for. You’ve already proven how amazing you are, and you’ve come so far. One race isn’t going to define you. You’ve already won, just by getting here.—

Lando’s eyes softened, and for a moment, Amelie saw a flicker of the confident, cheeky guy she knew and loved. But the weight of the situation was still heavy, pressing down on him.

—Thanks, Ames,— he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He leaned in, his forehead resting against hers. —I don’t know what I’d do without you.—

Amelie smiled softly, brushing her thumb over his cheek. —Well, you don’t have to worry about that, Lan. I’m not going anywhere. Now, let’s get you out of this room and into the race. You’ve got this, okay?—

Lando nodded slowly, taking a deep breath and pulling away from her embrace. But Amelie could see the unease still lingering in his eyes, the battle between his nerves and his determination.

—But… before we go— Amelie’s voice dropped a little lower, a playful glint in her eyes as she stepped closer to him, her fingers trailing along the collar of his McLaren jacket. —Let me distract you for a second.—

Lando raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief returning to his face. —Distract me? How exactly?—

Before he could respond, Amelie kissed him, her lips capturing his with a gentle, teasing pressure. Lando’s body seemed to relax under her touch, the tension slowly melting away as he kissed her back, his arms instinctively wrapping around her waist.

Amelie deepened the kiss slightly, feeling the heat between them build as her hands wandered up to thread through his messy hair. She could feel the moment shift, the rush of adrenaline and passion flooding in to replace the fear and anxiety that had been holding him back. The kiss was a promise—one of support, of love, and of an unspoken understanding between them.

Lando’s hands slid down to her hips, pulling her closer as he kissed her more urgently, a need for comfort and connection overwhelming him. Amelie responded in kind, her body pressed against his as they lost themselves in the kiss, the noise of the paddock and the world outside fading away.

Finally, they pulled apart, both of them breathless, their foreheads resting against each other. Lando’s hands remained on her hips, grounding him.

—You’re good at that, Ames,— he murmured with a grin, his anxiety momentarily forgotten.

—You’re welcome,— Amelie teased back, her lips curling into a smile. —Now let’s go show everyone just how amazing you are, Lan. You’ve got this.—

Lando gave her a small, but genuine smile, the spark in his eyes reigniting. —Yeah... I do, don’t I?—

Amelie smiled softly, her fingers brushing against Lando's as she stood beside him. The quiet moment they shared in the driver room felt like a temporary escape from the chaos of the race, but she knew they both had to face the intense pressure that awaited them in the paddock and the track. It was a reminder of just how much was riding on tonight’s race—not just for Lando, but for their entire team.

Amelie gave him a wink, watching as a renewed sense of determination sparked in his eyes. She gently cupped his face, brushing his hair back out of his eyes as she felt the soft, lingering buzz from their kiss.

—Go kick some ass out there, Lan,— she said, her voice filled with affection. —I’ll be cheering for you, as always. And don’t even think about letting Max get the better of you. You’ve got this in the bag.—

Lando’s smile widened, but his gaze softened, the weight of the race still hovering over them. He gave a small nod, his fingers finding the hem of her jacket, tugging her just a little closer.

—You’re right. I’ve got this,— he murmured, leaning down for one last kiss. It was quick, soft, but the promise of it lingered in the air as he pulled away.

Amelie chuckled lightly, her heart racing with both pride and love for him.

—Good luck, baby,— she whispered, her lips brushing his cheek.

As Lando turned to head toward his car, Amelie watched him with a feeling of deep pride and admiration. He was ready. He always was, even when his nerves tried to get the best of him.

She stayed by the door of his driver room for a moment longer, her arms crossed against the chill. Just as she started to turn to leave, someone from the McLaren team approached with a jacket in hand.

—Lando said to bring this to you,— they said, handing over a warm McLaren team jacket. —He noticed you were cold, and asked me to get it for you.—

Amelie smiled softly, slipping her arms into the jacket. It was warm, and she instantly felt the chill of the desert air ease away. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before heading back toward the garage. Tonight was big, and as much as she wanted to stay close to Lando, she knew he needed space to focus.

She spotted Adam again as she walked back, her heart still racing. He gave her a nod of appreciation, and she gave him a reassuring smile.

—He’s going to be okay,— she said softly, her voice confident now. —He’s got his head in the game. Just needed a little reminder of why he’s here. He’s ready.—

Adam sighed in relief, a grateful smile tugging at his lips. —I hope so. Thanks, Amelie. He’s lucky to have you.—

Amelie just smiled, her gaze flicking back toward the track, where the lights glimmered in the distance. She hoped he knew how proud she was of him, no matter what.

--------------

liked by pietrapilao, hayesgrier, and others

ameliedayman: Vegas was freezing, but my outfit said desert chic 🥶✨

View all 8,430 comments

landonorris: Desert chic or desert tease? 👀 Frostbite never looked this good, though. 🔥 → f1fanatic_: @landonorris LANDO 😭 not in the public comments. → ameliesnumber1_: @landonorris He’s fighting for the championship, but this man is SIMPING here instead. Iconic behavior.

minniemills: Vegas called; they want their main character back ✨ → ameliedayman: @minniemills You know I had to steal the show!

hayesgrier: This post is giving “I bet it all on black and won” energy

stelladayman: You had me worried in that outfit, but you survived. Power to you, sis 💅 → ameliedayman: @stelladayman Survival of the hottest 😏

fanaccountforever: When the drip is so good, you forget hypothermia exists 😭 → ameliesnumber1_: @fanaccountforever She said “freeze or slay,” and clearly chose slay.

ameliesbiggestfan: The jean jacket is literally doing nothing, but go off, queen 😌✨

jorgepatino_: Amelie, eso no es clima de crop tops, pero respeto el compromiso 🧊 → ameliedayman: @jorgepatino_ El frío no entra si lo ignoras.

hannahmeloche: Next-level I’m-too-hot-to-feel-the-cold vibes 😍

madisonbeer: Crop tops in Vegas winter? She’s fearless, I’ll give her that 👏

f1hater_: Girl thinks she’s the main event, but it’s the race that matters. Sit down 🙄 → ameliefansunite: @f1hater_ And yet, you’re here commenting? 😌

emiliamernes: ¿Frío? ¿Dónde? Solo veo puro fuego. 🔥🔥🔥 → michaelronda: @emiliamernes Confirmo. ✋

fanofamelie_: Girl, how are you not turning into an icicle? I wore a hoodie there, and I still froze. 😭

elysiadayman: You better not get sick after this. I warned you about Vegas weather. 🙄 → ameliedayman: @elysiadayman I’m fine, don’t start, Mom 🙃

[memorabxlia]

Fighting for Love ━ 이한

genre: fluff, angst summary: req by @minkilicious warnings: language, toxicity, switches pov, very angsty, mentions food pairing: idol!leehan x fem!reader wc: 1.6k a/n: reposted from my old blog and personally a favorite of mine nets: @blossomnet

You never expected to meet someone like Leehan, he was your perfect match in every way. You met through a mutual friend's get-together, you were instantly drawn to his kind and caring nature, while he was drawn to your drive and ambition. You quickly became inseparable, often alternating hanging out at each other's places. 

However, as your relationship progressed, you noticed that Leehan could be quite possessive and controlling at times. You brushed it off as his way of showing love and didn't want to cause any conflict between you. You also noticed that he would often become distant and moody, but you attributed it to his stressful job as an idol.

The sunlight peeked through the curtains and landed on your face, gently waking you up from your slumber. As you slowly opened your eyes, you couldn't help but smile at the familiar surroundings of Leehan's room.

You stretched your arms above your head, feeling the warmth of the soft sheets against your skin. Leehan was still sound asleep next to you, his unruly hair sticking out in all directions. You couldn't resist running your fingers through it, making him shift and mumble in his sleep.

You took a moment to wake up and you couldn't shake the feeling like something was off. You tried to brush off the feeling and just enjoy your day together. After all, you had planned a romantic picnic in the park. However, as you got ready and headed out, You couldn't shake the strange sensation that had been lingering since you woke up.

As you drove to the park, You noticed Leehan's hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than usual. He seemed more tense and lost in thought, not his usual cheerful self. But when you asked him if anything was bothering him, he just smiled and said he was fine.

You decided to let it go and enjoy your picnic. Yet, throughout the day, You couldn't help but notice more and more changes in Leehan's behavior. He was quieter than usual, and his smile seemed forced. He didn't seem interested in the things you used to love doing together, like taking walks or having deep conversations.

As the sun began to set, you made your way back home. Leehan insisted on cooking dinner, something he rarely did. But even as you sat down to eat, he barely touched his food and kept glancing at his phone. You could feel that something was bothering him, and you couldn't stay silent any longer.

'Hey, Leehan. Can we talk for a minute?' you said, making him look up from his phone.

'What now?' he sighs.

'I just wanted to check in and see if everything is okay. You've been easily irritated all day.' you said trying to figure out your boyfriend.

'Oh my god, you're so nosy. He snaps at you. 

You snap back at him, eyebrows furrowing. 'I'm just trying to understand what's bothering you.'

'It's none of your damn business, that's what's bothering me! Can't you just leave me alone?' he sighs again, getting irritated at your prying.

'But I care about you and I want to help if something is bothering you. you say voice cracking slightly.

'You wouldn't understand,' he says.

'How can I know if you don't tell me?' you try to reason with him. 

'Just drop it, okay? I don't need you constantly breathing down my neck.' he said. you take a deep breath trying to keep the tears at bay.

'I'm not trying to be nosy, I just want to make sure everything is okay between us.'

'Everything is fine, okay? Can we just drop it and move on?'

'Leehan, please tell me what's wrong. I won't judge you.' you say wholeheartedly.

'You want to know the truth? I'm fucking sick of you always trying to fix everything. Can't you just let me be in a bad mood without fucking interrogating me every damn time? he says suddenly raising his voice. you jump back in surprise, not used to him raising his voice at you.

"How am I to know you were in a "bad mood" if you don't fucking tell me, I thought we were on the same page when it came to communicating how we feel but apparently not.'

Rolling his eyes he says. 'I can't deal with this right now.'

'You can't deal with this? You? We wouldn't be having this conversation if you knew how to fucking communicate better! you snapped, thoroughly getting tired of his bullshit. 

He yells back. 'We wouldn't be having this conversation if you would just let me be!' 

He huffs. 'I'm leaving-' you cut him off.

'No, I'm leaving, I need some space. I don't know what crawled up your ass this morning but before you call or text me your attitude might want to change and if not you can kiss this relationship goodbye. You grab your bag and keys leaving to your place, tears streaming down your face trying to process everything that just went on. You didn't want to cause an argument, but maybe you had pushed him too far. You just hoped that he would come back and talk to you, so you could figure things out. 

*Leehan's POV*

As I sat alone in my room, staring at the blank walls, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of regret wash over me. It had been a week since Y/n and I had that huge fight, and she had stormed out of my apartment in tears. I had been so caught up in my own problems and stress that I didn't even notice how much I had been neglecting her.

Y/n had been my girlfriend for 5 months now, and I had always taken her for granted. I never truly appreciated her or showed her how much she meant to me. But now, as I sat here alone, I realized how much I had hurt her with my careless words and actions.

I remembered all the times she had been there for me, through my highs and lows, and how I had never truly reciprocated that love and support. I had been too selfish to see what mattered, and now I was paying the price.

I picked up my keys and drove to her house, hoping she would be there. After a few knocks, almost giving up, she finally opened the door, her voice sounding distant and cold. 'What are you doing here?'

'Y/n, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I know I've been a terrible boyfriend, and I regret every hurtful thing I said to you. I promise to make it up to you and show you how much you mean to me.'

She folds her arms and says 'It's not just about what you said, Leehan. It's about how you've been acting towards me. I thought you were my boyfriend not one of your friends.'

'I am your boyfriend, y/n. I've just been going through some personal stuff and I took it out on you. I know that's not an excuse, but I hope you can forgive me.

Her face softens. I do forgive you, but I need to know that you'll communicate with me whenever you have a bad day or just need to rant about something.

'I promise I will. You mean a lot to me, Y/N, and I don't want to lose you over something stupid like that.' I said, holding her close.

As we stood there, in each other's arms. I knew that I had been given a second chance, a chance to make things right and to show Y/N how much she meant to me. 

Over the next few weeks, I put in effort to show Y/n how much she meant to me. I planned romantic dates, surprised her with small gifts, and most importantly, I listened to her. I listened to her fears, her dreams, and her thoughts, and I realized how much I had been missing out on.

Slowly but surely, Y/n began to open up to me again. We talked about our fight, and I apologized once more, promising to never take her for granted again.

As I sit here now, with Y/n by my side, I can't help but feel grateful for the fight that brought us closer. It made me realize how much she truly meant to me and how lucky I am to have her in my life.

From that day on, I made a promise to always cherish and appreciate Y/n, and I knew that I would never let her go again.

[thewistlingbadger]

To me it's like, why even introduce new characters? There's so much shit going on in S2 we LITERALLY don't have the time for any of this. It's no surprise why we couldn't get invested in new characters there was already so much happening, I can only focus on so much at a time. And the cast from season 1 is large. They should have spent more time fleshing them all out instead of giving side characters WHO ALL DIED in the season. Sevika deserved the exploration, as did Sky and Ekko. They're all a part of S2 but they don't really feel like it. Season two was the opportunity to bring side characters into the spotlight and they said "naw. Stay backstage." It's silly that Jayce, Mel, Heimerdinger, and ekko are basically MIA for almost the entirety of the series. Like these were central characters last time around why are they barely here??

No. I just can't with the characters because I don't think I can genuinely say I enjoyed and understood the development of any of the characters fully. Like yeah characters developed but do I know why? No not really.

Mel gets introduced as a Mage but the black rose is never explained and it was just very confusing to me.

Jayce has the best development in the season imo most of what he did and went through made sense. My only thing is that I still don't understand why he shot at Viktor.

Viktor completely changes in S2 and we're never told why. He's completely cold and unfeeling and suddenly has an ideology that wasn't really hinted at in s1. We assume it's bc of the hexcore but we shouldn't have to assume we just know from what the show shows us

Vi literally doesn't change at all. She never has to reflect on her sister or Caitlyn or herself or the current circumstances. Nothing. She's the exact same imo. Isn't it weird how anti jinx she was in act 1? She was Literally about to kill Jinx had Isha not stepped in, even though that confrontation was like. In the same week Vi said they would always be sisters. And the only reason Vi starts liking Jinx again is because she's acting more like "powder". She never actually has to accept the fact her sister is changed bc her sister low-key reverts into who she used to be

Ekko didn't get shit this season let's be serious. No exploration of his character or his views.

Jinx's change comes from left field and this is because of how the show treats her relationship with silco and Isha. Isha basically pacifies Jinx and the show can't decide what it wants to do with Jinx's relationship with silco. Why does she decide to come back and save the day? Idk they didn't show us the scene where ekko and her reconciled.

Caitlyn. What a shit show. What thoughts are there to even express that haven't already been expressed? She becomes a fascist and that's not explored. She decides fascism bad but we don't see how or why she comes to that conclusion. She's treated like a hero when she acts like a villain. She never has to take accountability for her actions.

Poor Sevika she got nothing.

Singed has the best development out of everyone here ngl and I don't know how to feel about that lol sksks

Despite being the season's main antagonist, we sure don't learn anything additional to Ambessa. Probably bc they put her backstory in a music video and not the show.

I don't feel any sympathy for anyone that cried for Isha. Be so serious, the moment I saw Isha's music video before act one came out, it was obvious she was gonna die. Isha wasn't a character, she was a plot device used to further Jinx's narrative and I personally didn't like the way she changed her. Not to mention her sacrifice makes no sense bc she's shooting at Vander and jinx wasn't in any trouble. AND her death isn't mentioned in act 3. It's like she never existed.

Maddie is just confusing bc I heard the creators say she was manipulated by Ambessa but the show didn't show that. They didn't show anything of Maddie, she was just a side character. Was her betrayal surprising? Absolutely not.

the way Arcane wasted character in season 2 is actually insane. They gave us good character design but no good character. Especially the new ones. Is there honestly ONE, one you genuinely cried over?

I cried over Mylo and Claggor. I cried over Vander in season 1. I cried over Powder screaming and sobbing after Vi in act 1 of season 1. I felt deep emotional pain over all of this because they gave me character and an understanding of the world we are in. And they did all of that in 3, THREE, episodes.

What did they do with Isha? Well I sure didn't cry when she died. Her character, while interesting just wasn't fleshed out at all. What I felt when they killed her was how idiotic the writers were for that because okay? like huh. They had 5 episodes with Isha and somehow managed to not make me care enough to cry. Not because Isha's potential wasn't there but because killing her was stupid and pointless, just to further another characters pain which could happen way more naturally without introducing a character to die.

What did they do with Loris? They tried to make him Vander (which okay weird why do that? especially if you want to bring Vander back anyway like uhm? what was the sense of introducing Loris as a Vander stand in and then bringing Vander back??). But he WASN'T Vander because they never showed him to be. They just told me he was. Which doesn't work. okay, he died. Did not care. The only thing I felt was rage again because it was so unnecessary and dumb, they could have made a lot with this character.

Maddie. Well Maddie is a whole other thing, isn't she? She was introduced in a way that already raised a lot of eyebrows. But in a "she is a cop" way and not she is on Ambessas side way. There is so much questions coming up with that. Had she been on Ambessa's side from the very start? Even when we first saw her on screen? Did she come with Ambessa? But how was she an enforcer then? Did she always live in Piltover but how did she then turn towards Ambessa? When she made that fist sign, was the plot between Ambessa and her already going, or did it happen after that? Why were we not shown any of this? this is NECESSARY to understand her character and why the end happened. We should have been able to feel betrayed as well but like? I did not feel betrayed I was just like "okay well, that happened off screen I guess."

Steb had not one talking line, like why was he here, was I meant to feel bad when he ran into The Grey, I can't even tell, help.

And then the side characters of Zaun, especially the Jinxers. The one woman who then died with Vi's hand in hers while wearing the uniforms of Piltover. Did not feel sad. Felt absolute huge amount of unfiltered rage. Her character should have MEANT something. I feel they tried to make her mean something but they failed there too.

Lest?? LIKE LEST COULD HAVE ALSO BEEN USED IN SUCH AN INTERESTING WAY. She just never came back. Okay. Great, at least she didn't die but like? Was I meant to get invested? Was I meant to care? Usually I should be able to tell if I should care about a character in a show or not but in Arcane s2 they tried to make me care and failed or if I cared well then they failed, too

anyways just the side characters especially were a huge disappointment this time around.

[anabdaniels]

Cowboytober Day 21: Virginity

Paring: Agent Whiskey x Female reader

Word counting: 2.1k

Rating: 18+

Warnings: Established relationship, oral (f receiving), unprotected sex, creampie, fingering, Jack and his corny flirt.

A/N: Yes, I'm horribly late, but things happened, including my computer screen deciding to unalive itself, so writing has been an adventure since my phone's life isn't the best either, but we'll pretend everything is fine.

Main Masterlist | Cowboytober Masterlist

All of that felt like a daydream.

Your perfect wedding dress was used in your perfect wedding with your perfect cowboy. You couldn't want anything else.

Well, there was one thing.

You'd do anything to magically skip that night and wake up the next morning with everything "solved".

Not that you didn't want to finally find out if your dirty thoughts and dreams would be good in real life either, not to mention how many times you thought about how it would feel to be that close to Jack. The thing is that you were terrified about it, especially when you knew that Jack had vast experience on the matter.

"What's the matter, sweetheart?" He asked while caressing your back, noticing you seemed lost in your thoughts.

"I think I'm just nervous." You admitted while feeling your face heating.

"Darlin'..." Jack chuckled and pulled you closer into his lap, kissing your forehead. "Lemme remind you that we have no rush, and if you don't feel like it, we don't have to do anything tonight." He assured you calmly, and you knew he meant it. After all, he had waited with no problem from the day you met a few months before until the wedding.

It wasn't exactly the plan. As things got steady between the two of you, you imagined it would happen at some moment, but then Jack proposed. The two of you got engaged, and having the wedding so near, you thought it could wait until you two got married, and Jack agreed. When finally, you two were officially and legally a couple, you realized you had nowhere to run and would have to face your hesitations and insecurities.

"I want to." You said after a moment "I just need a bit of time to process everything."

"Comprehensible." Jack nodded and pressed a kiss on your shoulder "Well, we have all night." He reminded warmly and it was true. You two had just come from the wedding party and were unworriedly drinking another bottle of sparkling wine after a relaxing fresh shower. There was no rush at all.

"Did I become your squishing toy?" Jack asked with a chuckle while observing you mounted on him while randomly groping his arms and stomach.

"Yes." You confirmed with a smile, a little relaxed by the alcohol, but far from being drunk.

"I'll not be the one spoiling your fun." He smiled and let his hands fall on the mattress, observing you.

Lead by your curiosity and taking courage from the alcohol you leaned forward, nuzzling your face on the curve of his neck, sinking in the warm feel of his bare torso and softening when he wrapped his arms around you, catching you off guard when he rolled on the bed with you, laying sideways with his face close of yours with a playful smirk as his hand softly rubbed your back, giving you a soft shiver.

“Think I’m at ease enough.” You said quietly, feeling a slight heat over your body. Jack caught what you meant and pressed a soft kiss on your temple, pulling you gently closer to him.

“Do you want to get in charge to set the pace?” he asked, softly caressing your back.

“Definitely not.” You answered without thinking twice "I feel that I'll enjoy being the bottom part." You admitted with a chuckle and flushed cheeks.

"We're already finding out our tastes, hum?" Jack smiled, proud of you feeling at ease to tell what you wanted.

With no rush, he pressed a kiss on your lips, one hand cupping the back of your neck and lightly tangling in your hair, as his other hand trailed fingertips over your collarbone, sliding the strap of your nightgown down then cupping the swell of your breasts.

Your nipples pebbled under his soft touch, taking a sight out of you. Leaning in, Jack captured one bud between his lips, sucking and flicking his tongue causing you to gasp and arch into him.

While lavishing attention on your breasts, his hand wandered lower, slipping under your nightgown to cup your mound, a finger circling your clit teasingly, confirming his suspicions that you already were wet.

"We're gonna make this more interesting." Jack said quietly against your skin, pressing a kiss on your nipple, his fingers continued to stroke and tease you after he got rid of your nightgown, and then he started to trail kisses down your body.

Jack softly turned you to lay on your back on the bed, kissing a path on your inner thigh until he reached your core. With no reservations, he buried his head between your legs, savoring your taste slowly to give you a moment to get used to it before he started to feast upon your pussy like a starving man. His tongue was more than enough to have you contorting and whining, trying to process how good it could feel while your hips started to shamelessly move against his face. Jack gripped your thighs, holding you in place as he kept his disturbing pace, loving your responsiveness to his every move.

Just when you thought you couldn't take anymore, he sucked hard on your clit as two of his fingers boldly slid inside you, lowkey surprising you at how smoothly they fit into you.

Despite your attempts to enjoy all that a bit longer, it was too much at once, Jack's fingers softly kneading the skin of your thigh, his fingers being way too precise on where to press and rub inside you, and his mouth making you feel things that were almost too good to be true.

Having no much more options, you came apart, lightly squeezing Jack's head between your thighs as you gripped the bed sheets. Jack continued to lap at you through your orgasm, prolonging the intense sensations until you collapsed bonelessly against the mattress.

Calmly, Jack crawled up your body, pressing tender kisses to your flushed skin as he moved. When he reached your lips, he kissed you softly, letting you taste yourself on his tongue, which you found unexplainably arousing.

 "Are we alright?" he asked in a whisper against your lips, smiling as you nodded eagerly "Then I'm going to make love to my beautiful bride." He said with a goofy smile and a silly tone, smiling wider as you laughed and shook your head.

"Daniels…" You playfully slapped his bicep, despite starting to feel eager for him to actually do it.

"Okay, okay, I'll collect myself." He chuckled and pressed another kiss on your lips before pulling back to get rid of his sweatpants, not surprising you with the absence of underwear.

Jack positioned himself between your thighs, the thick head of his cock nudging at your entrance. He looked into your eyes, his expression soft with love and desire.

"Remember, if anything hurts, tell me to stop immediately."  he said reassuringly, caressing your side. After your nod, he began to slowly push forward, allowing you to adjust to the new sensation.

Inch by inch, Jack entered you, not moving at first so you could get comfortable with it. Though there was a minor sensation that felt like a sting at the first moment, the feeling of fullness turned into something interesting as you relaxed, being far from the disaster people always told you it would be.

"You're okay, honeybee?" He asked caressing your waist, bracing himself in one elbow.

"More than I expected actually." You confirmed with a nervous laugh "I just have no idea of how to proceed from here." You admitted.

"Don't worry, my love." Jack assured you, softly pressing his forehead against yours "Your husband will take care of everything." Once again, he spoke in that corny tone, wanting to relax you, and it worked damn well. His corny and goofy flirting was always efficient in making you laugh and get at ease, and it was all that you needed at that moment, feel calm and at ease as if it wasn't the first time you were in such a situation.

"Alright, Sir Expert on the matter, I'll let you." You answered with a chuckle, hanging your arms around his neck.

“You’ll not regret it.” He winked with that smug smirk before pressing his lips against yours.

With no rush at all, Jack moved at a calm consistent pace while peppered your face and neck with soft kisses as he made love to you, whispering sweet nothings and declarations of his adoration and love for you, assuring you even more that waiting until the wedding night was the best choice you could've made. Not that you expected things to go wrong if it happened before, but something about it taking place after the two of you had shared your vows and made your relationship official and consolidated made your heart warm and your body needier than ever.

“Jack?” you called quietly, only then realizing that your nails were deeply sunk on his shoulder.

“Tell me, honey?” Jack looked up at you with that charming smirk.

“Well, I…” you flinched a bit, feeling your face burning, trying to wonder how to ask what you were thinking “I was just wondering how it would feel with a bit more… Energy, if it can be said like this.”

“Oh, I got very well what you want, sugar.” With a smooth move, Jack flipped you to lay into your stomach, placing a pillow under your hips, and settling between your legs. “Tell me if it gets too much, dear.”

After an emphatical nod, you had to squeeze the nearest pillow as your body contorted, the new angle and pace already taking a place as your favorite ones, giving you no room to do better than whimper and arch your back as your body clenched around him, intensifying the sensations.

“Jack…” you called in a whine, turning your head slightly, searching for him.

“Shhh, gotcha, honeybee.” Jack soothed you, letting his chest press against your back and kissing your temple, as he sneakily moved a hand under your body until he reached between your legs, rhythmically rubbing your clit, adding a lot to the whole experience; yes, you had touched yourself every here and there during your life, but that feeling joined with all the rest was too much to bear.

“Shit… I think I’m gonna…” you mumbled in a slurred way, moaning louder and contorting abruptly, feeling your body sinking in the overwhelming pleasure.

“That’s the goal, my love.” Jack whispered teasingly against your ear, nibbling at your neck “Your responsiveness ain’t doin’ my self-control any favor.”

“Don’t make my dirty thoughts worse, cowboy.” You said with a bated breath, actually wanting him to feed your thoughts.

“Fine, I’ll stop. Just a last question, if I can.” With that devious smirk, he turned your head slightly to the side to look deep into your eyes “Where do you want it?” you frowned slightly, taking a moment to process what he meant and chewing on your lip as you got the message.

“Inside.” You answered with no second thoughts, involuntarily squeezing tightly around him just with the thought of it.

“Wonderful choice.” Jack leaned to kiss you, keeping his steady intense pace and his fingers working on your clit, taking the last crumb of your sanity as you fell apart, whining, contorting, and smashing pillows, being taken by probably the best orgasm you ever felt. Not fighting his body’s urges, Jack allowed his release to take over, taking a cried moan of you at the very moment your cervix was warmly flooded by every drop of him, causing you sensations you could never imagine even on your best obscene dreams.

Avoiding letting his weight fall on you, Jack rolled to the side, pulling you into his arms and pressing a kiss into your forehead. You didn’t flinch to get tucked into his chest, a silly smile on your face as you tried to put yourself together, still processing that all of that was truth.

“I would’ve liked a warning.” You said quietly, looking up at him in a lazy manner.

“What you mean, honey?” Jack questioned confused, caressing your hair.

“You could’ve told me I’d be unable to think or move my legs.” You raised your eyebrows, chuckling.

“My bad.” He laughed and brushed your cheek, leaning to nuzzle his nose against yours “If serves as a further warning, this probably not gonna be the best one.”

“You’re telling me it gets better?” you questioned slightly disbelieving.

“Much better if you ask me.” Jack winked at you cynically, pressing a soft kiss against your lips.

“We’ll have to work on that.” You answered with a quiet laugh, settling your head on his arm, already thinking about how far that could go.

Tagging: @missladym1981 @alex-does-art-things @beefrobeefcal

[shaunashipman]

what gets me is that date scene was a literally under a minute long which isn’t a whole loft of time exactly of dissect the inner workings of their daddy issues. the minute they had, they used it to its full potential because we had:

- buck and tommy being casually domestic together on their date night in, which while nice, wasn’t like a super fancy thing and shows that this is probably a common occurrence for them. (especially when you see episode 9 and Bobby’s mention of buck going to visit tommy after the shift)

- buck telling tommy about his day, tommy making a joke about the dedicated hospital wing but recognizes that buck is not okay so he ASKS him pointedly how HE is

- buck shares the close relationship he has with bobby and this seems to be the first time they’re delving into that and so of course tommy wants to understand better, hence why he says “your dads alive”, buck replies exactly and tommy gets an understanding buck doesn’t have a great relationship with his father (also I have to add buck sharing how he sees bobby as a father with tommy is a big deal esp considering the buck bobby scene last episode where bobby tells buck tommys good for him soooo)

- tommy then shares his OWN experience after that, bounces off of what buck says to add to the conversation and open up to his boyfriend about his own past so he can get to know him better too. it was a moment where they were both vulnerable (the Gerard mention in particular i 100% believe is to set up an arc with tommy in season 8)

Now at this point there isn’t a whole lot of time left in the scene like maybe 20-25 seconds? they can exactly like I said sit there and examine and analyze their childhoods and their fathers so the tone switches to a more light hearted vibe because it would be weird to end it on a heavy note AND simultaneously it gives us more insight into their relationship

- buck suggestively says the daddy issues line which again, how anyone interpreted that as him wanting to continue a serious discussion is beyond me when again, the scene has hardly any time remaining

- tommy picks up the vibe he’s putting down and tells him he doesn’t have them (he clearly does have daddy issues so again, we know this isn’t about the actual trauma but about sex and what they both like/dislike )

- buck once again responds suggestively with the “you think I do”

- and then tommy with his infamous “God I hope so” - leaving buck giddy and smiling because he got exactly what he wanted

tdlr; We got domestic bucktommy, tommy backstory, both of them being vulnerable with each other, Tommy recognising he was not a good person in the past under Gerard, a set up for a tommy storyline with Gerard in some way for seaosn 8, bucktommy flirting, bucktommy matching each others freak and both very much enjoying it, bucktommy showing they can read each others moods like??? all for his in a scene that was under a minute

that scene was such a masterclass of Show Don't Tell. they had 55 seconds to get across how they're doing and where they are in the relationship and they did it. we can see that they're comfortable with each other; that they're okay with opening up about vulnerable topics but haven't had in-depth conversations on some, like buck and his parents; we can even see some of how they communicate, with tommy relating to buck's admission with similar thoughts of his own father and father-figure (something we've seen tommy do before, and is a lovely subtle showing of his personality); and then we get confirmation that yes, these two have fucked already, and are clearly compatible in that department too.

plus another sprinkle of foreshadowing with gerrard.

in 55 seconds.

that is called economy of time/space/whatever the rule is i can't remember rn. the show doesn't always get it, but when they do it is golden

[aroaessidhe]

2024 reads / storygraph

Outdrawn

f/f contemporary romance

two cartoonist who’ve been rivals since uni, and now have competing webcomics online, have to work together on the relaunch of a cult classic at the comic press they both work at

they both struggle with art-related physical and mental health issues, and complicated families

[bronx-aro]

Everything about that team was messed up and ir really shows how no one in canon even THOUGHT about anything but shinobi skills/class placement when making that team. Plus keeping the two sharingan users and the jinchuriki together, MAYBE. Because i think there is a world where Naruto might not have been placed on team 7 if he wasnt dead last, it just conveniently happened that way.

Kakashi as a teacher was a prodigy who didnt know how to teach because he never had to struggle learning. Facing a mimicry of his old team, his deas sensei's son, the traumatised avenger kid brother to his kouhai in anbu who massacred everyone. And Sakura who showed no interest in training or even the ninja arts in general.

Between the kids themselves, Naruto and Sasuke are the definition of the Cain Instinct*. Naruto has a crush on Sakura and only listens to her. Sakura has a crush on Sasuke and only listen to him, she doesnt like Naruto. Sasuke doesnt like Sakura and listens to no one.

The only one who shows initiative towards training is Naruto who only asks for one thing and shows disdain for any other skills he deems "uncool".

None of them even train while waiting for Kakashi. They are wasting valuable time doing nothing.

And even if NONE of the communication problems were here, all 3 of them have different learning styles and needs.

Sasuke learns better with minimal instructions and then doing trial and error on his own.

Sakura needs clear instructions and to understand precisly how something works before doing it. Both she and Sasuke also don't show initiative and need someone to point them somewhere or else they wont find new skills on their own.

Naruto is... A mix of the two. I think he's supposed to be the second one, but his education was so failed he eventually got used to doing the first one since there was no one to give him instructions for most of his life, and when he eventually got people willing to do so, he was so being intelligence-wise due to no one teaching him anything that he could barely understand explenations. Wich means teaching him ANYTHING is a hassle.

Plus Sasuke and Naruto being problem children who required constant vigilance, capable of using big jutsus but no critical thinking, and Sakura being behind in terms of shinobi skills? Is there really anuthing he could teach them at the same time that would benefit all three of them at their current level? I dont think so. Maybe some Taijutsu refining but that's pretty much it.

Frankly, how the HELL was Kakashi supposed to do anything with this team?? It's a goddamn miracle they got so far. Teamwork was the only thing he could really teach them, and none of them had a good relationship with the others in the first place.

Kakashi is probably a bad teacher but considering his team, the chances of him being able to teach them anything considering the circompstances is so low we cant really blame him. He would probably have been better with pretty much any other teams, and even better with a single person to teach, maybe even really good if they were also a prodigy with the same learning style as him. Yamato and Itachi come to mind.

Does anyone else ever get sad about the 'Kakashi was a bad teacher!' argument because sandaime put an unwilling, unexperienced, depressed & traumatized 26 year old in charge of equally traumatized kids + sakura with zero support or training and expected that to just... be okay? Somehow?

Two of the kids were probably direct reminders of his traumas

All of the kids needed specialized care and instruction to flourish

so of course Kakashi wasn't great at it. He never got the setup to be a good teacher. Teaching is a skill that requires training and support and he never got either. He was just given three 12-year olds in a world that frequently kills 12-year olds and was told not to fuck it up

But he still managed to foster an atmosphere of trust, safety and affection, which was exactly what they needed

Which given the circumstances was probably the best anyone could do

Or is that just me?

[bunnyboy-juice]

spent the first hour and change at work deleting some old files and am having a grand ol time laughing at myself for not realizing i was a lesbian sooner