#*insert passing car while looking at each other meme*

[cassianandfenrysaremyboyos]

Was really hoping, during the portal scene with Nesta and Bryce, that Cassian would show up and be like "What's going on?" while coming to stand next to Nesta. And then him and Hunt would just stare at each other through the portal like "Is that my other world equivalent??!!"

[syrena-del-mar]

July 27....

July 27 has always been a day I struggled with. It's my birthday. Some years, I hate this day and other years, I forget about it, usually busy for some reason or other.

Today, I just feel sad.

If some of you follow me on Twitter or talk to me on Discord, you probably know my profile picture is of my sweet old dachshund, Samantha Jane.

Samantha Jane turned 17 years, 5 months and 10 days old today. As of 5:20 this morning, that will be the oldest that she will ever be. And of the 6,731 days she had on this earth, I was lucky enough to have spent the last 1,375 days with her. I know it's funny to say that I expected so many more years with her, especially at her age (insert the Derry Girls meme), but I have 3 other geriatric dogs and she was by far my strongest. I wanted more time with her.

But I'll never get that time with her again and I can never return to 20 hours ago when she was physically with me. So, instead, I'll tell her story to whoever wishes to read this because it's one hell of a life that she lived. I also find comfort that thoughts never disappear, even when they are harder to access, so even if just one other person reads this, maybe there she will live forever.

Samantha Jane arrived at the local pound back in 2007 with the rest of her litter, apparently with a tag that read the date of when they were born. The pound took one look at this litter that arrived and decided that, no, they must be Doberman puppies because of how big their paws and ears. Funnily enough, her first owner, an elderly lady who had just lost her husband, adopted Samantha Jane at 8 weeks thinking that she would grow up to be a Doberman. Spoiler alert... she never did.

But even so, she was so very loved. And from what I heard, Samantha Jane loved her first owner just as fiercely. But at four, Sammie lost her first owner. While I don't know, and probably never will, what Sammie's life was like in her first home, I was told that when her first owner passed away, she accompanied her the whole night, refusing food and water or even to go to the restroom, until her owner passed away peacefully.

From there, she immediately got adopted out to Mr. and Mrs. V, another elderly couple, who were friends of her first owner. If Sammie had been spoiled before, she was spoiled rotten by Mr. and Mrs. V, particularly by Mrs. V. They traveled everywhere together. From California to West Virginia and every state between, the three would go on spontaneous road trips across America. This is probably where Sammie got her love for car rides. And when they were unable to take her? She had a favorite college student who would babysit her and stay over at their home so that Sammie could watch her daily cartoons in the evening on her favorite reclining chair. Mrs. V would type up detailed notes detailing how many green beans Sammie would eat (frozen not steamed), what channels had her favorite shows, her favorite spot to sunbathe, and every other minute detail you can imagine.

Sammie loved Mrs. V immensely—she loved Mr. V as well—but Sammie has always been a girl's girl, and she loved Mrs. V. But time is gentle to nobody, and at the age of 10, Sammie lost one of her owners again. Like clockwork, she sensed something was wrong as Mrs. V was dying and stayed with her, but this time laying herself on Mrs. V's chest—as if wanting to feel her last heartbeat.

From then on, it was just Mr. V and Sammie at home and on those road trips for the next two years. They cared for each other and comforted one another until they couldn't. Sammie was never great at walking in a straight line without roaming, and in one of those times that she stopped to sniff the roses, she accidentally tripped and sent Mr. V flying. In the blink of an eye, Mr. V was taken by ambulance, and this time, there was no favorite college student to take care of her. So, she was placed in boarding for three weeks.

Sammie was not built for boarding and with two broken hips, Mr. V knew it wasn't feasible or good for Sammie to be under his care anymore. So, in the morning, he started asking all the nurses who worked in the assisted living community where he lived if anyone wanted a 12-year-old puppy. News spread, and like a game of telephone, I was told that there was a beagle up for adoption.

By this point, so many people knew that I was looking for a puppy to adopt. I had spent the whole year prior applying and getting rejected by shelters because I was always a step too late to submit my applications. What everyone didn't know was that 7 weeks prior, I had finally gotten the first place on the waiting list for a Maltese-Cocker Spaniel mix puppy, and on Oct. 28th, I had been told that I could pick her up on the 31st. But I grew up with a Samoyed and two big husky-german shepherds, so in my brain, the math of one small puppy + one medium elderly dog really just equals one whole dog. That makes sense, right?

So I did all my shopping, preparing for a tiny puppy and what I thought was supposed to be a beagle. Imagine my surprise, on October 31st, when I arrived to pick up Sammie at Mr. V's home and found myself with a miniature dachshund instead of a beagle. I was shocked, to say the least. But even in that surprise, Sammie came running to me, barking so I would place her in my car. And I mean barking. She barely even gave Mr. V time to provide me with everything he and his wife had bought her: numerous blankets with her name embroidered, her favorite cross-body carrier, all her comfiest beds, all the ties that Mrs. V had made her, and her 70-page medical history book. By the time Mr. V and I were done, Sammie had fallen asleep on the passenger seat without a care.

I like to say that I was tricked and treated that Halloween. She was not the beagle I expected to own, but she was the best friend I could ever have. After picking her up, we drove 4 hours to San Diego and picked up Luna Ivy, who would soon become Samantha Jane's little kid. But even then, during the first couple of weeks, Sammie struggled. She would be happy all day, but the night fell, and she mourned and cried that she wasn't with Mr. V. I would hug her, place her bed on my rocking chair, and do everything that I could to calm her down. But for two weeks straight, she cried every night because nothing worked.

But we all adjusted. It was the pandemic, but we were gifted that time together despite all the bad things. Still, in our little odd way, we became a family. Samantha became my little shadow. Back then, I was in my first semester of law school, and since we were having classes on Zoom, my two girls were always right there on my lap. Honestly, they probably understood civil procedure as much as I did (which is to say, wasn't a lot).

Sammie got to know me and my moods. Whenever I was stressed, she whined until I picked her up and watched TV with her. If Luna was being too much, she regulated. I would even argue that she did most of the training when it came to Luna. She taught Luna how to pee on a pad, let her feet get washed, bark at the doorbell, know when to chill, enjoy a good snooze, and her love for car rides. For never being with another dog in her life, she took to being a surrogate mom incredibly well.

Five years have passed since then. We've gone on several trips together to the beach, the snow, the desert, and across state lines in cars and RVs. Within that time, she got two more dachshund siblings she loved to yell at, a human nephew who would gently pet her back from the moment he could walk, and countless cuddles. She took as many sun rays as she could sneak in and loved to steal some of Luna's food when I wasn't paying attention. She would humor me and let me dress her up as much as I wanted though she would draw the line at shoes.

Now I have a closet filled with her clothes, her embroidered blankets, and her favorite beds, but no owner. Her collar and harness are still hanging up next to Luna's, Samuel Jackson's, and Serena June's, waiting for a walk that is never going to come. I have a cabinet full of her medications that I'll never have to give again. My hallway will never hear the clacks of her feet as she padded through again. And I will never be able to hold her close again.

To some, they might not understand the love of a dog, and they might just think of me as a crazy millennial who is too absorbed with their dogs instead of others. And maybe I am. But that's okay. Sammie was my family. She was there when I almost quit law school. She was there when I got sick. She was there for every single one of my birthdays. She understood. Sometimes a little too well.

And after seeing two of her owners die, she decided that today it was going to be her turn. At 5:20 A.M., Luna entered the room and snuggled beside her on their shared bed. Sammie, who had previously been looking out the door, shifted her head and placed it on Luna's back, getting comfortable for the last time. Seconds later, she would take her last breaths as she looked at her family. We were the last thing she saw in this world.

And just like that fateful October 31st five years ago, I know she will find her way back home this Dia de los Muertos, where her ofrenda will await her arrival so can be with us once more.

[forsworned]

[♥] collegeau! to date or not to date {rengoku kyoujurou x reader}

Genre: Comedy, Slight Fluff, Slight Sensual Themes

Categories: F/M

Relationships: Renguko Kyoujorou/Reader

Word count: 2,791

a/n: continuation of unintentionally roomates which you can find here ,,requests are open

➽────────────── ────────────── ──────────── ❥ 

It had been some weeks since she had gotten used to Kyoujurou being her roommate. So far neither of them had walked in on each other naked--yet. He was pretty tidy and would call her out in a teasingly kind of way that she'd sleep with her mouth wide open which made her pretty insecure, but he insisted it was "very cute." Which didn't make it any better. He could concur that it probably wasn't a good idea to show her the picture he had taken of her (he actually would look at it when he was having a bad day or he just wanted a good laugh; he also nearly made it his homescreen but decided that was maybe a little too far).

Mid-terms would be coming up soon and Kyoujurou wanted to do something fun before all the stress would settle in from piles of homework assignments and study guides. He suggested that the both of them should go to the amusement park and [name] was more than delighted to go, but there was a small issue with this. She didn't know if it was a date or just them simply hanging out. He just brought it up so casually when they had just finished a round of Super Smash Bros. and [name] was trying her hardest not to be a flustered mess about it.

"Just ask him." Shinobu's usual singsong voice was now monotonous. She had had enough of [name]'s shit to say the least. Always inquiring about Kyoujurou since Shinobu and him had been in the same graduating high school class and friend group. Not to mention mid terms were coming up and pre-med was no joke.

[Name] visibly sulked at her friend's tone. She didn't like being a nuisance to Shinobu, even though it wasn't hard to irate her nerves, but this time she seriously needed help and Shinobu was being nothing less than unpleasant.

"Shinobuuuu," [Name] whined. "This is a big deal for me. Please give me advice and I won't bring it up ever again."

The ravenette's eyes darted to the [h/c] pleading gaze, and it was enough to make to [name] squeak. Shinobu let out a sigh before speaking.

"Fine," [name]'s expression brightened, but Shinobu's finger pressing into her forehead made it falter a little. "but you don't need to stop talking about him. Just do it a lot less. I need to focus on exams."

[Name] cheered in triumph and fist pumped into the air, which in turn made Shinobu laugh. She wanted to be there for [name] in anyway she could, just within some restrictions and limitations. Shinobu's face suddenly went gravely serious.

"So here's the game plan."

.❀。• *₊°。 ❀°

[Name] took a deep breath before looking at her reflection. Her outfit was subtle yet cute. A simple blue top and beige skort to prevent panty reveals yet still have the illusion of wearing a skirt. Hair was pinned and pulled back abover her neckline since the sun would be beating down and she wanted to take every precaution to avoid any excessive sweating. Make up was light to circumvent it from melting off her face. Yes, [name] was over meticulous because she was resolute in this hang out/date to be absolutely perfect. And if Kyoujurou had decided to reject her than at least she'd look hot getting her heartbroken.

He had already left over an hour ago since he had to tutor a student in history at the tutoring center. A work study job that he picked up to help cover his tuition and endlessly spoke about when he got back to his dorm when you two were winding down from your day.

[Name] spritzed her best perfume to all her pulse points to extend the life of her scent as it hit her body. She threw it in her bag along with her make up just in case she needed to freshen up. One last look in the mirror and she was finally off to her date, er, hang-out thingy.

The autumn air was irregularly warm and humid. Well, not irregular for Okinawa at least. It was a sub tropical climate which meant mild winters and the moist summers were what [name] favored most about it here.

As she walked out of the dormitory and into the student parking lot, she was nearly blinded by the blond tresses sitting on the bench. Like quite, literally blinded. The sun was bouncing off his fiery hair more than usual and it was causing [name] to squint at him when she approached him. For some reason (she had an exact reason being that she looked super hot), [name] felt bold, and advanced toward Kyoujurou with hands concealing his vision. He visibly tensed and she couldn't help but feel a smile tug at her lips.

"Guess who."

His body now relaxing at the sound of her voice and she felt the apples of cheeks rise into a grin against the palm of her hands. "[name], you're finally here!"

She released her hands as he got up to face her and his jaw went a little aslack as he oggled at her profile. [Name] was stunning, indeed. His adam's apple bobbed up and down as he dryily swallowed. His hair that was now pulled back in a high ponytail let his bangs frame his face beautifully, swayed in the small gust momentarily. She could've sworn that he was blushing at her, but then again it was quite hot...

"You look--um, quite sharp!" He stammered. Kyoujurou mentally socked himself in the face. Sharp? That was the best he could come up with?

[Name]'s expression was now in a state of bemusement before she laughed melodically. To him it was a beautiful melody that he always tried to sway out of her with corny jokes and memes. "Well, thank you Kyoujurou. You look quite sharp, too!"

[Name] wanted to die. She looked sharp? Sharp?! No, she looked Hot! With a capital freaking "H".

Nonetheless, [name] shook it off. She was determined to make this flawless even if it was off to a rocky start. Thankfully the ride to the amusement car was starting to make up for it. The both of them jammed to the playlist they had put together earlier and discussed which rides they were excited about most.

"$50?!"

"You really don't read things thoroughly do you, [name]."

[Name] ignored his attempt at poking fun at her. It was always like this whenever she freakishly exclaimed about information that was news to her, but had been there for well however long the inital post had been there for and Kyoujurou had always made it a point to call her out for it.

"Well, I can't make you pay for it." She deadpanned. And she absolutely meant it. Kind of. Not really. It would mean that it would technically be a date, right? Right? A guy paying always meant that it was a date. [Name] mentally nodded at herself reassuring herself.

"Well, that's too bad." He inserted his card into the chip reader and thanked the attendant while grabbing his receipt.

[Name] bit back a smile as they walked side by side into the park. "Well, I'm going to pay you back."

He looked at her with an uncharacterstically sultry gaze. "No, you are not."

His voice demanding, dropped an octave and it sent a shiver up her spine. [Name] would be lying to herself if she said that it didn't make the her stomach knot up. Kyoujurou pulled out his phone pointed it towards her, trying to get a good angle and lighting.

"Now, give me a smile!" He beamed in his usual cheery tone. [Name] smiled posing her usual peace sign as he clicked away at his phone. Had she just imagined that?

The day seemed to slip past them as they took pictures with their phones and disposal camera they bought at the one of the stands for a whooping $25. Which was a total rip off, but then again bottled water was $5. The pair were laughing as they looked through the pictures they had taken throughout their trip.

"Oh, no. You are not keeping this one." She reached over to tap the trash can on his phone screen to get rid of the terrible photo that was her inhaling funnel cake. But before she could, Kyoujurou moved his screen away from her as he chuckled at [name] getting flustered. There was no way he'd let her get away with such a cute picture.

"I am definitely going to be framing this as soon as we get back." And that made [name]'s face inflame in embarrassment and shock. She was definitely, not going to let him do that.

"You delete that, right. Now!" She tried her best to extend her arms in every which way Kyoujurou was flexing his arms out but to avail. [Name] knew she wasn't going to get her hands on his phone, but she kept leaning over in an attempt to get an advantage on his long arms. That was until she clambered into his lap, face first into his crotch.

Kyoujurou froze and his breath hitched as he lowered his arm down and let unholy thoughts pass through his head but he quickly shook them off. "A-are you alright, [name]?"

Nope, now [name] was definitely going to die. She slowly rose out of his lap and plopped back into her seat, trying her best not to make the situation even more awkward. She shot him a smile in a strive to shake off the graceless action of diving face first into the crotch of her crush.

"I'm all good." She took a deep breath before looking up at the darkening sky. Kyoujurou couldn't tell what she was thinking, but it looked almost as if she was unfazed which he was very thankful for.

"Let's go on the ferris wheel before we leave!" That snapped him out of his thoughts. A grin now making its way back onto his face and a sound of approval emitted from his lips. "Let's do it!"

.❀。• *₊°。 ❀°

[Name] snickered to herself as they entered the ferris wheel seating after letting several people ahead of them. It was all going according to plan, well, not the face planting into Kyoujurou’s lap. That was definitely not in the plan she and Shinobu had concocted.

“So, here the game plan.” Shinobu stated matter-o-factly. Her name were in a crouched position as if in a very important football team meeting. “You’re gonna look hot. Like I’m talking Jennifer’s Body hot. And then—“

”But i don’t have clothes like that.”

“Shut up. We’ll go shopping. And your make up has got to be perfect like I’m talking no melting off your face looking like the Corpse Bride. Oh, and you’re drowning yourself in sexy perfume every thirty minutes.”

”But I—“

”Speak out of line one more time and I’ll kick your ass.”

“Fine.”

“Back to what I was saying. You’re gonna take loads of pics start it off friendly and lighthearted and then bam! You get him on that ferris wheel and get your flirt on. End the night off with a kiss at the top of the ferris wheel.”

Shinobu was extremely gifted in giving pep talks and revving them up. Which was probably why she was captain of the cheer team at their university.

[Name] felt like she was a crazy high. She could practically run four miles nonstop with the attitude she had in that moment.

Shinobu and her high fived, one leg kicked up in to the air with the most triumphant looks on their faces. “We got this!”

She shook her head as if to shake away the thought.

”You, ok?”

She smiled at the slightly dampened Kyoujorou who’s cheek were tinted pink from the heat. Beads of sweat has slid down his temples, but that only seemed to add to his sex appeal.

”More than ok. I love ferris wheels. They’re so romantic.”

Those words left her lips and turned in a smile that was as sweet as candy. Kyoujurou’s heart leapt in his chest as he eyed her intently.

”You could say that.”

He done fucked up again. Kyoujurou wanted to kick his own ass at this point. Why was he so terrible at flirting? It made him look like he didn’t pick up any social cues at all. Which wasn’t entirely untrue. There were many times where Tengen would point out that a girl was being extremely flirtatious with him but it would simply go over his head. He would usually reject the notion claiming they were just being nice which in turn would lead to Tengen face palming. And he thought he was doing such a good job at the start.

The silence was deafening as they reached the top of the ride and it suddenly came to a jerking stop. The view was wondrous. The sun kissed at their faces and grazed the tops of trees and the peaks of roller coaster rides. Brightly colored lights flashed simultaneously down below, but [Name]’s  stomach felt like it was caving in the longer she stared. Very romantic, indeed.

Her face must’ve looked a little green because Kyoujurou’s expression turned into a worried one. “You sure you’re okay, [name]? Have some water.”

She grabbed the bottle he handed to her and instead of water falling like she usually did, she pressed her lips against the same place his had been. Kyoujurou’s eyes widened in surprise as she absentmindedly guzzled his drink down and gave it back to him. His hands turning into fists as he flexed as hard he could to keep the warmth that was rising away from that region.

“Thanks.” She gasped. [Name] wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as she leaned back against the seat. So much for her game plan. She sighed to herself as she collected her thoughts. What difference would it make if she just told him right now.

”Kyoujurou.” The name left her lips so effortlessly. He loved the way she said his name. He would think about it mostly in the shower, but more innocently before he went to sleep.

He raised his eyebrows fully attentive now. She turned to face him as she leaned forward. A different look on her face. Soft and flustered. “I like you, a lot.”

His body stiffened for a moment and a cool breeze swooped past their longing gazes. The sudden realization had dawned upon him that those words weren’t just make believe. She had really uttered them into existence. He hadn’t noticed how close her lips were to his until he felt her minty breath fan against his nose. He didn’t pull away.

[Name] closed the distance between their lips and Kyoujurou instinctively leaned in more as soon as they made contact. His hand cupped her cheek to deepen the kiss and she sighed in delight. A smile now etched on her face had now infected him and he pulled away to look at her. He caressed her cheek as she giggled and he gazed her puzzled.

”Did I do something wrong?” If he kissed her wrong he definitely wanted to know. One thing about Kyoujurou was that he was always open to constructive criticism. She shook her head. The content look on her face still evident.

”Not at all.” She leaned in once more. “I just didn’t expect you to be so frigid.”

She giggled again at his surprised, yet embarrassed mien. However, [name] stopped giggling when she saw the determined look on his face.

”Well, I can do better.” He suddenly captured her lips and she instantly melted at his hot touch. His hand loosely on her waist and she moaned a bit as their kisses turn into feverish open mouthed ones. His lips detached from hers as he felt the the ride coming back down. [Name] felt like her whole body was in flames and there Kyoujurou was sitting there as cool as a cucumber.

The ride shifted the shuttle as the two got up and his hands slipped in hers as he lead them out. She couldn’t believe  the stunt he just pulled. Her fingers on her lips still feeling the ghost of his. He laughed heartily at her reddened face and that captured her attention.

”Don’t worry. We can continue that when we get back.”

[Name] was speechless, but somehow was even more flushed than before. Kyoujurou chuckled at her again as he pulled her in for a side hug as they headed back to his car. The smug look never left his face.

[neetmatsuimagines]

Could I get some headcanons for the boys winning their SO a giant plush toy at a carnival....only to realize that they inadvertently caused their life to become the "ah yes, me, my So and their gigantic plush *insert animal here* that I won for them at the fair that one time" meme? Like, They love it so much it has to sleep with them EVERY night, robbing them of precious snuggles. And they can't get rid of it because SO would be so upset. (Bonus points. What animal did they win for them?)

Osomatsu:

When he saw the way you was reacting to the stuffed red panda, he smiled. He couldn’t help but find it cute with the way you was reacting to the stuff animals cuteness. “Osomatsu, can you please try to win it for me?” You would ask as you ran up to your boyfriend, clinging onto his arm lightly, resting your cheek in his arm and looking up at him with a soft pleading look.

He would sigh and nod softly. Leading to you cheering and jumping around gleefully.

After a few attempts and enough encouragement from you, he won you the plush, and when he handed it to you and smiled happily.

“Thank you Osomatsu!” You said as you soon kissed is cheek. He would instantly blush and look away, scratching at said cheek softly.

“N-no problem babe.”

~~~

He soon slightly regretted winning you the stuffed animal as he noticed it was in bed with the two of you from there on out. He rolled over in bed and looked up at the ceiling, watching the lights from passing cars light up the room.

“Osomatsu?” You asked as you rolled to face him, leaning up on your elbow.

“Ah (y/n), sorry if I woke you, you can go back to bed if you want.” He whispered out and you shook your head. Moving over to him and curling up on his side. “I know what this is about.” You said and he held his breath.

“Just so you know I don’t always plan to cuddle with it all the time you know. I just really love it...it’s something you got for me so I really want to keep it close to me.” You said and he breathed in, forgetting he was holding his breath.

“Man you really do know me huh honey?” He said and he laughed quietly.

“Well your my husband after all Osomatsu.” You said and he sighed out, letting his arm wrap around your waist, pulling you closer to him.

“Hey since we are both up do you want to-“

“No...”

“Ah man...”

“...maybe tomorrow”

“Really! Haha lucky!”

Karamatsu:

“Ah so I see my Angel has gained an interest in a specific prize? Ah and it’s a wolf nonetheless!”

He would look at the plush wolf and soon chuckle softly. “If my sweet dear wishes this to be her prize than so be it!”

He would try for the next 10 minutes until it was yours, your smile being the true prize for him.

“I’m so happy that my Karamatsu honey is enjoying the prize I won, is there any other thing you wish for me to-” he was soon cut off by you kissing him softly on the lips.

His face grew redder by each second as he puttered out unbearable words.

But he would chuckle to try to regain composure. “Let’s go home my sweet, I think we had enough fun here for today.”

~~~

For the next few days he begun to give the wolf the stink eye when you wasn’t around, for he grew unbelievably jealous of the prize he won you. He didn’t like being jealous, but seeing you cling onto it in your sleep instead of him was unbearable. So reluctantly he hid it one night, but for one night only, just so he can be able to hold onto you again.

Only to be soon found out when you found the hiding spot of it the morning after. “Karamatsu if you wanted to cuddle with me all you had to do was ask.”

“Hmmm my sweet darling knows me so well, but if you insist, we shall cuddle more in are deep loving embrace of slumber.”

Choromatsu:

Your hand held in his as you pointed out the frog on a lillypad hanging as a prize at one of the stands. He frowned at it lightly wondering what was so enticing about a frog. But seeing your eyes light up made his heart beat race. He sighed out softly and walked up to the stand to win you the prize.

He soon bashfully looked away as he listened to you jump around with glee as you pressed your face affectionately into the plush. “Thank you Choromatsu!” You said as you grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes.

He stuttered out a you’re welcome as you two soon went to ride a ride. His hold on your hand slightly tightening onto yours as the two of you walked.

~~~

He growled at the frog as it sat in the middle of your shared bed. It’s innocent eyes boring into his. He soon scoffed and walked away, attempting to ignore the stuffed animals looks.

Why was you cuddling with it and not him? Sure he liked having some space to sleep, but he enjoyed knowing you was close to him while he slept. He soon saw you cooking breakfast in the kitchen, your hips swaying softly to the Nyaa-Chan music playing. He sighed and walked up to you.

“I want to make some rules with the stuffed animal!” He demanded and you looked up and him, softly humming that you got his attention. “I-I want there to be nights where you don’t cuddle with that frog but you cuddle with me instead!” He said loudly and huffed. You smiled softly and leaned in to kiss his cheek. “What ever you say dear.” And you soon went back to the breakfast not seeing the red hue spreading into your husbands cheeks.

Ichimatsu:

He looked up at the stuffed cat as it hanged from the rack, it’s large brown eyes becoming enticing. He looked over at you and saw you was looking at the same thing as him. He turned back to the stand and walked up to the stand. He won the game pretty quickly and was somehow able to manage to get the prize you both was looking at.

He came over to you and held it out, looking away bashfully. You quickly grab onto it and cuddle with it.

“How did you know I wanted this? I didn’t even say anything?”

He hummed softly, kicking a pebble on the ground. “I just know.” He said and soon walked up closer to you. “I want you to know that uh...I may want to cuddle it too...if that’s...ok with you.” He said and you smiled and ruffled his hair softly. “I had a feeling you would say something like that Ichi.”

He hummed softly and looked into your eyes. Smiling softly. Only for him to grab your hand and pull you along with him.

~~~

The two of you was rather attached to the stuffed cat you two soon named Coffee, but after a few nights of you having the stuffed cat to yourself he reacted harshly. He ended up sighing loudly and turning away from you.

“If you want to cuddle that cat so bad you can! You seem so keen on cuddling it instead of me anyways!” He would soon storm off and leave you feeling confused and slightly hurt.

You soon heard him come back home in the dead of night as he got dressed for bed and crawled into it. You turned to face him and saw his eyes was on you.

“Ichi...I’m sorry if I made you feel that way. If you want to cuddle more you can just ask, I’m ok with it. I just don’t do it a lot because I don’t want to seem to pushy on you and your personal space...” you said and his eyes slightly widened. A small blush soon appearing on his cheeks at your statement.

“Tch... I wish you told me that sooner.” He said as he would soon move closer and pull you into him, his chin resting on your head.

“I’d ranther much prefer to cuddle with you over Coffee any day.” You said as you softly fell asleep to the sounds of his breathing.

Jyushimatsu:

He would be giggling frantically as you encouraged him on to win the prized stuffed golden retriever. The game was a strength tester which you was sure Jyushimatsu was going to win. And sure enough he did, he managed to ring the bell so hard it broke it! The man running the stall shakily handed over the prize to Jyushimatsu as he never saw anyone do that in his entire life. “I did it (y/n) I did it! Hahaha!” He soon pushed the plush into your arms and giggled happily.

“Thank you Jyushi I love it.” You said and he bashfully rubbed the back of his head. “Anything for you (y/n)-Chan!” He than proceeded to grab your hand in his, suprisingly rolling his sleeves up in he process, and running around the festivel with you. Laughing out loudly and happily. Yours soon following soon after his.

~~~

He looked at the stuffed dog with a suspicious look as it lay on the bed. His eyes cat like and his sleeve covered hand over his mouth as he was lost in thought.

‘Is it controlling (y/n)?’

‘Is it making (y/n) cuddle it now and not me!?’

‘Why does she give it more attention!’

These was a few thoughts that went through his head as he soon was skipping his foot of the ground, deeper into his thoughts than he knew. He soon jumped and he felt your hand on his shoulder.

“Ah! (Y/n)-Chan!” He shouted and looked at you nervously, hoping you didn’t read his thoughts.” But little did he know you figured he was upset about the stuffed dog.

“Are you upset that I’m cuddling Ramen?” You asked and he looked to the side. “Ramen?” He asked and you hummed going over to pick the stuffed dog up. “I named him Ramen!” You said and laughed.

His eyes soon widened, “ah you can read minds?!” He asked and you shook your head. “No I just figured that’s what was upsetting you sweetie.” You said as you walked over to him, cupping his cheeks. “Haha, you could always read me so well (y/n)-Chan.” He said and you nodded. “If you want I can have on an off days when I cuddle him and cuddle you instead...deal?” You asked and he thought for a minute. “Can you hug it once a month and me for the rest?” He asked and you laughed. “No...but maybe, just depends on who I want to cudddle.” You said and he laughed too. “Well I guess we can both agree with what we said than?” He asked and you nodded. “Yes Jyushi I guess we can.”

Todomatsu:

He saw the way you was looking at the light pink rabbit and he giggled. “Neh neh (y/n)-Chan do you want me to win the stuffed bunny for you?” He asked as he pointed at the plush. You nodded eagerly. “Please Totty, it’s so cute!” You said and he giggled. “If you want it that bad I guess I have no other choice.” He said as he walked up to the stand and started the game.

You hugged onto the plush as soon as he handed it to you. “Thank you Todomatsu!” You said happily and he giggled. “Anything for my sweet (y/n)-Chan.” He said with a small wink.

~~~

He looked at the plush with a pout and picked it up, turning it over to get a better look at it. “What’s so enticing about this thing anyway.” He pouted and soon layed it back down onto the bed.

“It’s cute for starters” came your voice and he quickly turned to see you standing in the door way. “Ah (y/n)-Chan when did you get there?” He asked and laughed bashfully, his hand rubbing the back of his head.

“I had to get some clothes to wash and I saw you in here...are you alright?” You asked and he nodded quickly.

“Of course I’m ok, I always am!” He said winking at you.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes”

“And your not jealous of the rabbit are you?”

“No way!”

“Are you sure?”

“...”

“Todomatsu if you want to cuddle me more, you don’t have to ask.” You said as your wrapped your arms around his shoulders. He tensed.

“Ah...I don’t?” He asked slowly, his cutesy voice gone.

You hummed. “You never have to ask sweetie.” You said and kissed him softly on the lips. You smiled and picked up the cloths you needed and left him dazed and a blushing mess.

(This is all written on my phone so please forgive me for any grammar and spelling errors, my phone hates me)

[starrysunghoon]

➤  Little Jealousy - Jay

꒰ 💌 ꒱ ♡ Requested

➵ | Angst with a fluff ending

「⸙」 Oneshot

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You never thought that you and your best friend Jay would ever fight.

Things have been good for you lately, you earned a secret admirer but as time passed by Jay would always get annoyed by the letter or gift you received.

You'd always ask him what's bothering him but he'd just leave without saying a thing.

This caused a fire to spark in your friendship. It's been weeks but you haven't even tried to talk to him. Jay wouldn't even look at you, which made your heart shatter into pieces every time.

Today you just couldn't hold yourself anymore, you saw him on the school's rooftop. "JAY PARK!" you shouted making him roll his eyes. You'd be lying if you said you didn't feel like crying again, your eyes were already swollen red because you cried for 6 hours straight last night.

You missed his smile. You missed the way you'd tease him about R.A.S, you missed the way he'd fool around. You missed him.

He turned around to face you but he didn't even look at you. "What do you want?" Jay asked coldly. "Can we talk all of this out? Lik-" "No! I don't have time for people like you who don't fail to disappoint me!" he sternly said.

"Can't you just fucking tell me why are you angry in the first place?!? Why can't you answer the damn question?!" you asked loudly, tears threatening to fall as you stomped your feet closer to him. He looked at you with a frown. "Because I- just urgh I- whatever" he left faster than lightning.

"Did he did this to you?" your brother, Sunghoon asked as you sat down beside him. You just nodded and wiped your tears. "Why can't you leave him alone? Like I get it he was your best friend but he's a jerk now so let him be-" "But-" Sunghoon cut you off. "No! People change. Some of them become total jerks like Jay. Now here, eat something"

It's been a week since you've seen Jay and since you've received a gift. "Don't think about him y/n" Jake reassured as he patted your back, you sighed. I hope he's okay you thought as you entered into your class.

School ended, you were heading towards your house until something clicked in your mind. It was the bridge that you and Jay would always go to at night and talk to each other.

As you both entered in your house, Sunghoon read your mind and said "If he doesn't say anything this time then you will never even talk about him understood? If he does then tell him that Nicholas misses him hehe"

"So I can go?!?" you happily asked, your brother nodded. The day passed quickly than you expected, you didn't even realize it was time to go to the bridge until you looked at the clock.

You ran as fast as you could to the bridge where you and Jay would always go on Fridays. Sunghoon's words kept repeating in your mind.

If he doesn't say anything this time then you will never even talk about him understood? If he does then tell him that Nicholas misses him hehe

He wasn't there, you were about to give up but you saw a boy walk to the bridge. It was Jay!

You ran to him, the boy was startled until he understood it was you. Your words were stopped by your own mouth at the sight of your best friend sad, tears slowly falling down his eyes.

"Jay what's wr-" "Everything!" he cried. "I can't even confess to someone I love with all of my heart and soul!" he continued. "I'm sorry Jay, I should've been there for you" you said, feeling guilty.

"I know why you're here, I'll answer your question. It'll either hurt me or make my life better. Promise me to stay silent until I end my words" he said, you nodded in response.

The boy took a deep breath before starting. "I hate those letters only, nor those gifts" Jay paused. Wait whaaat?

Shoot I can't say anything, focus y/n you scolded yourself in your mind.

"You're confused I know, those gifts that you thought were from your secret admirer, they weren't. They were from me" Jay said, slightly smiling. WHAT THE FUCK?!? YOU? MY SECRET ADMIRER?!? I HATE MY BRAIN! you internally screamed.

"I thought you'd understand but I didn't knew someone else was already your secret admirer, I never put a note on any of my gifts because I was scared to ruin our friendship. I knew you were happy that someone is your secret admirer but I just got jealous, I never really realized you thought those gifts weren't from me. Once I did, my heart broke. I know it's not your fault, I'm just a jerk for being this way. Forgive me my best friend"

Jay's eyes soften at the sight of seeing you cry. "I just want to let you know, I love you. Yes, a jerk like me loves a princess like you" he confessed, you felt your heart ache in pain. I can't believe I never saw this coming you thought as he wiped your tears.

You hugged him, he gladly hugged you back. "I'm sorry" you said as you both broke the hug. "It's not your fault, I'm sorry for being a jer-" "YOU'RE NOT A JERK! I FUCKING LOVE YOU TOO IDIOT!" you playfully hit him, tears still falling.

Jay was SHOOKETH (A/n : *insert Sunoo shocked meme*) he smiled, before you could even say something his soft lips met yours.

It felt like heaven, even better. Both of you pulled away after a little while. "Will you be mine then?" Jay asked, holding both of your hands.

"Say yes already you dumbass!" a familiar voice shouted, you both looked to see who the owner of the voice was, it was Jake. Sunghoon was just embarrassed for his friend and laughed awkwardly. Nicholas was filming the whole thing.

"How long have y'all been here?" Jay asked, you could feel the annoyance in his voice. "Since y/n came here, now don't ruin my video and continue" Nicholas quickly answered.

Jay rolled his eyes playfully at Nicholas's answer, waiting for you to answer. "Of course, I'll be your girlfriend" you answered, trying to look calm even though you were blushing like crazy.

Jay jumped happily, and took your hand. Stop being so cute Jay! you couldn't handle his cuteness. "I feel like proud father" K said, coming from behind the tree.

"Guys quickly!" Sunoo shouted, coming out from a car that you both thought no one was inside. Jungwon was holding a cake and Daniel helped him.

"Group selfie, QUICK BEFORE JAY HYUNG EMBARRASSES HIMSELF IN FRONT OF Y/N!" Niki shouted, making everyone laugh except Jay, who pouted.

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It's my first time writing angst sooooooooo 👉👈 I hope it's not too bad, Requests are open by the way

[himbowelsh]

Psst...if you’re still doing the Valentine meme, can I have one for Eugene Sledge? I am So Soft for him. (Also, I wanna thank you for doing so many of these! You always put such thought and care into each boy, and you’re doing it for free!! We don’t deserve you).

valentines day alphabet  ( no longer accepting )

A   :   AFFECTION.   how does your muse show affection?

Softly. Eugene’s affection is a tender thing, never performative, very private. When he cares for someone, he shows it in little smiles and private jokes; letting his guard down in their presence, able to lean back and read a book or doze off without an ounce of self-consciousness; sharing things with them, like interesting book passages or science facts, and trusting that they’ll care. His affection is understated, but it’s very comfortable, very peaceful.

B   :   BOUQUET.   does your muse like flowers? which ones are their favourite?

Gardening was one of his mother’s pet hobbies, and Eugene took a special interest when he was little. He always loved flowers, all those bright colors and blooming life that rang in the springtime...  while he’s no expert in gardening himself, he learned enough from his mother that he could raise a potted plant easily, and has a special fondness for them. He’ll show up with a carefully curated bouquet to any event, or surprise his mother with them just because he was passing by the flower shop  ---  and you bet he helped the florist pick them out.

C   :   CHOCOLATE.   does your muse like chocolate? which one is their favourite?

He’s not a big fan... but he’ll never say no to Hersheys kisses.

D   :   DATE.   what is your muse’s ideal date? where / who with / etc?

Not for a first date, because he wouldn’t want his love interest to think he’s a nerd...  but somewhere further along in the relationship, he’d love to go to a science museum. Maybe the best one in Alabama, which would require a bit of a trip  ---  another thing he’d like, Eugene really enjoys car rides, especially when he’s the one driving  ---  but he’d have an amazing time. His partner might have to work to keep his attention on them instead of the exhibits, but seeing Eugene enthusiastic and in his element is a treat. He’s more interested in biology, but he’d also like to go to a planetarium; how often does a date take you across the universe?

E   :   EMBRACE.   does your muse like hugs? what are their hugs like?

He’s so weird. Even when prepared for a hug, he’s never quite ready, so he tenses up for the first few seconds before kind of melting into it. He doesn’t give out hugs that often, but they’re very soft, almost like he isn’t sure of himself and doesn’t want to impose; he’s self-conscious about his own hugs, but lowkey likes them from others if he’s in the right mood. (If he’s in the wrong mood...  he will fall out of his chair to dodge a hug.)

F   :   FLIRT.   is your muse good at flirting? how do they flirt?

Oh, don’t worry, he doesn’t! Ever. Like, he might physically hurt himself if he really tried to get a date. Eugene...  isn’t smooth, and he’s aware of it. He’d choke on a pick-up line before it could leave his mouth. Instead, he’s just...  himself around people, maybe a bit nervous and flushed around someone he finds attractive. Please don’t assume this man has game.

G   :   GIFT.   is your muse good at gift - giving or do they struggle to get it right?

He’s a perfectionist about giving gifts. Lots of thought goes into them, and he’s very determined to get the right thing. He’s been this way ever since he was little (it was torment for his parents, trying to find gifts for Sid’s birthday every year when Eugene just didn’t approve of anything); gifts matter, and the right one goes a long way. He’ll spend an hour just brainstorming the perfect gift, and then a whole afternoon hunting it down, if the person means enough to him. Usually he gets it right.

H   :   HEART.   is your muse quick or slow to give their heart away?

Slow. Regardless of any past traumas, Eugene has always been cautious giving his heart away. What else could be more personal, more meaningful, than loving someone? It’s never quick for Eugene; he needs to see a lot of them, to truly get to know them, before he can trust his heart to love.

I    :   I LOVE YOU.   does your muse find ‘i love you’ easy or hard to say?

It doesn’t come easily to him. He prefers to whisper it, tender and genuine, in intimate moments; he utters it like a prayer against his partner’s lips, or while gazing into their eyes. Eugene will never shout it for the world to hear, but he’s always so effortlessly comfortable and affectionate with his partner in public that, to anyone paying attention, his body language practically screams it.

J   :   JEALOUSY.   does your muse get jealous in a relationship?

He...  would deny it. He’s not the jealous type, he’d claim, and he isn’t  ---  except for the occasional pangs if he sees someone lavishing a bit too much affection on his partner. He won’t make a big deal out of it, but he might invent a reason to insert himself into the situation or wrap an arm around his partner’s waist and steal them away, while casting a not-as-subtle-as-he-thinks glower at the offending person. Jealous!Sledge is a cryptid, and very amusing.

K   :   KISS.   is your muse a good kisser? why / why not?

Eugene kisses like he’s drowning. It’s very intimate, almost ravenous in his earnestness; he needs from his partner immediately, needs the reassurance and affection only their lips can provide, and he’s willing to sacrifice his self-control in search of it. His hands don’t tend to stray from their back, but he’s not above cupping their face, simply holding them close to him. He gasps against their lips in between kisses, allowing only a breath before going back for more. While he can be a soft kisser in the right mood, the majority of his kisses tend to be intense and earnest.

L   :   LOVE.   who does your muse love?

Eugene cares deeply for his family, even if their relationship isn’t always easy; he recognizes how fortunate he was to grow up in a home knowing he was deeply, unconditionally loved. He’ll also always have a special place in his heart for Sid, his oldest and truest friend; he loves his dog; he loves some long-dead authors, just because he admires their work so much. Eugene doesn’t naturally open himself up to loving many people, because it’s a very personal thing for him. Love grows within him slowly.

M   :   MOONLIGHT.   is morning or night a more romantic setting?

He’s got a special fondness for moonlight; it always leaves him in a more thoughtful, more sensual frame of mind. That said, he’s painfully not a night owl, and anytime around midnight he starts getting very sleepy, so he’s got a short window to get that romancing done.

N   :   NAUGHTY.   what is your muse like in bed?

...  not very naughty. He isn’t adventurous, is the thing, and would probably need some convincing before trying out anything wild with his partner. Eugene isn’t a prude, but he also isn’t experienced, and has no confidence in what he’s doing. He’s going completely off instinct, and would need some encouragement (possibly some guidance) from his partner before finding in rhythm. Once he does, that same heated fervor from his kisses takes over. He’s driven by instinct, touching and exploring wherever he dares, almost enjoying the liberty of bushing respectable boundaries. He’s most sensitive at his thighs and hips; when his partner touches there, he shivers, and should their mouth stray there, he’d moan like a harlot.

O   :   ODE.   does your muse have a way with words?

He’s a reader. A writer. A thinker. Words have always been something he dealt in easily  ---  never to the point of being pretentious, but the ability to express himself through speech and pen has always been something he valued.

P   :   PARTNER.   what does your muse look for in a partner? looks / personality?

Eugene would prefer someone intellectual, or at least someone smart; he’d like it if they had a passion for classics, for old places and things. Sharing interests is something he thinks is necessary in a relationship, but honestly, it really isn’t. Eugene needs (even if he won’t admit it): a partner capable of being strong when he isn’t, someone who’ll look after him without leaving him feeling condescended to, someone interested in him and willing to share parts of themselves with him. Someone dependable, who’s willing to take things slow. Someone with light in their eyes, and a smile that lights up the room. Someone intuitive, who understands what he means even if he doesn’t say it outright. Ideally, someone who likes music, but also doesn’t mind the quiet.

Q   :   QUESTION.   would your muse ask the big question or expect their partner to?

He’d ask under the right circumstances, when the moment felt absolutely right  ---  for both of them, his partner especially. Eugene would probably feel around his partner for a few months, dropping hints and testing the waters to discern if they’re in a place to get married as well. Only when he feels truly sure does he pull out a ring over dinner, a sweet  (thought out for hours, twelve previous drafts thrown away) speech on his lips and hope in his eyes.

R   :   ROMANCE.   is your muse a romantic or a cynic?

He’s a cynic who’d enjoy the change to be romantic if it ever came his way. Sledge has a very strong capacity for romance  ---  he could be an absolute dream date  ---  but it needs to be tapped into. He’s not wide-eyed and idealistic naturally.

S   :   SWEETHEART.   did your muse have a childhood sweetheart?

...  we’re not going to say Sid, because he swears to this day that he never had a crush on Sid, they were just friends, he never had a hero-worshipping thing for Sid, really  ---  let’s say Mary. Everyone in their school was a little in love with Mary Houston, but she never had eyes for Eugene.

T   :   TRUE LOVE.   does your muse believe in true love?

...  no. He doesn’t. Maybe at one point, before he truly understood what love is, and how easily it can be snuffed out...  but now, he just believes you’re lucky if you’re able to love one person in your lifetime. It’s not “true”; nothing is that permanent, nothing can be trusted that much.  (lol rip sledge’s innocence)

U   :   UNREQUITED.   has your muse had their heart broken?

By life? Yeah. It’s being held together with superglue and duct tape at this point.

V   :   VALENTINE.   how does your muse feel about valentine’s day?

His parents always plan a big date every year, so Eugene’s had a good example. Given the opportunity, he’d like to romance a partner on the Day of Love, instead of sitting home alone eating cookies in the parlor. 

W  :   WEDDING.   would your muse get married? why / why not?

...  well, he figures, at some point, if only to set his parents’ minds at ease. It’s not something Eugene particularly looks forward to until it happens; he doesn’t feel the urge to get married, nor that he’d be an exceptional husband. When he finds the right person, though, his mind starts to change. It would take a while before he’s ready to commit thoroughly, ready to trust in the possibility of a happy ending...  but he’d like to.

X   :   XOXO.   does your muse use / like pet names?

He sometimes does, just to be cheeky. They’re mostly ones he grew up hearing from his parents, like “darling” or “dearest”; he steals “my angel” from his father and adopts it for himself, just because he always loved how romantic it sounded as a child.

Y   :   YOURS.   does your muse get protective easily?

If someone is threatening someone he cares about, Eugene takes a turn very quickly; he goes from friendly and unassuming to steely-eyed killer without missing a beat. You would not look at him and think “this man could kick someone’s ass”; you’d be wrong. If the situation calls for it, and he’s got the incentive  ---  i.e. people he loves in danger  ---  Eugene does not come to play around. He will diffuse the situation with a few very calm, very scary words...  and hopefully it won’t need to escalate further.

Z   :   ZZZ.   how many people has your muse slept with?

Hah! Oh my god, don’t ask him that, he doesn’t like it. (This V-Card is in no hurry to get punched. God help him.)

[drawlfoy]

The Wonders of Ohio P.1

masterlist request guidelines okay i keep saying i’m on a hiatus and i literally start like 7 series kill me now

pairing: draco x muggle!reader

request: requested from my 14 year old brain...and her wattpad account...

summary: american high school senior y/n is roped into hosting a british exchange student, and something doesn’t seem quite right.

a/n: i wanted to do some country other than mine but it wouldn’t make sense for him to be sent to a UK family (wayy too close) and also i don’t want to assume things about a culture i am not a part of. so. yeah. sorry for this being such an ameri-centric blog, i’d like to change that but for now this is my guilty pleasure self-insert fic, along with all my fellow muggle high school seniors out here.

warnings: language. intense americanness. god i hate america

tags!!! i love you all so dearly wtf @accio-rogers @eltanin-malfoy @geeksareunique

music recs: orinoco flow from enya ( i know it’s a meme shhh it fits the scene i have of draco entering the us so well)

word count: 2,174

also: i’ll be writing the entirety of this from y/n’s point of view...i’m giving draco a rest

“So...his parents are worried about his safety in England?” Y/N shifted in her car seat, wincing as the hot leather scorched her bare arms.

“They weren’t entirely clear on it,” her mother said. She had just pushed the key into the ignition, and hot air was blasting out of the AC at an uncomfortable rate. “I’m sure you read the news about the poor people who were going missing over there...and he seems to be from a well-off family who can afford this kind of venture...”

“Did you ever tell me his name?”

“Draco Malfoy.”

Y/N nearly spat out the sip of water she had just taken, spinning around to stare at his mom. “Draco? What kind of name is that?”

“Sweetheart, be nice now,” she reprimanded, giving her a stern look. “It seems as though this family has been through a lot. I remember them mentioning something about being political targets.”

“That’s funny. I don’t remember reading anything about the Malfoy family in BBC or anything.” Y/N frowned and set her water bottle in the cup holder, turning away to watch the scenery of her state pass by.

“Perhaps it’s confidential,” her mother said. “It’s best that we don’t pressure him too much. It’s just our job to make him comfortable for a year, that’s all.”

“That’s all? You want me to give up my senior year to make some random rich boy comfortable?”

“Y/N,” her mother warned. “You’ll be civil. I know it’s strange, but I can assure you that he’ll find his own group of friends after the first week or so of school. He’ll be like a brother.”

“I can only try.” Y/N glanced up at the clock in the car, noticing that it was already 10 past 4. “Aren’t we a bit late? I thought that the program said that they wanted us at the pick-up point at 4.”

“Did they?” Mrs. Y/L/N seemed hardly concerned. “I don’t think that it’ll matter. This is an exchange program after all, you remember how they were last year in the summer. The bus didn’t even show up with all the kids until half past the hour. Speaking of which, did you happen to bring the sign?”

“How could I have made a sign with his name on it if I didn’t know what it was, Mom?”

Her mother swore under her breath, her eyes darting around the car. “You’re right. I completely forgot to tell you, you know, with the PTA meeting and everything last night...”

“Yeah, yeah,” Y/N mumbled. “It was a real rager.”

“Do we have any paper in here?” Mrs. Y/L/N began opening the glove department and sorting through it.

“Mom! I’ll do it! Keep your eyes on the road, please!” Pushing her mother’s hands away, she began going through it. There was nothing but a crumpled napkin, a “Wonders of Ohio” pamphlet, and a slightly dried EXPO dry-erase marker.

“Yeah, we have some,” Y/N muttered, uncapping the EXPO marker and writing the words “Welcome Draco!” on the unfolded tour pamphlet.

“Oh, Y/N, that’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Maybe if the PTA bake sale meeting wasn’t so crazy, we’d be in a different situation right now.” Y/N broke into a fit of laughter, leading her mother to do the same. “I swear. He’s not gonna want to come home with us. I think he’d probably take being a political target over going home with rednecks like us.”

“You’re bad, Y/N.”

Their conversation was cut short as they arrived in a school parking lot that Y/N had been in many times to pick up exchange students for the summer. Today, it was a bit different. The crispier fall air had turned the leaves orange and red, each color illuminated brightly by the sun, which was now hitting the earth at a sharper angle.

And, most curious of all, there was only one car in the parking lot.

“See, I told you that they wouldn’t be here yet,” her mother said, motioning to the empty lot.

“But...aren’t there usually coordinators? And other parents?”

Something was beginning to feel...off.

“Well...I suppose so,” she said, pushing her glasses up on the bridge of her nose. “Yes, I guess this is a bit unusual.”

Their confusion only grew as they pulled into the closest parking space to the front. No one was there to greet them, which was very odd. Normally there were some adults who organized the exchange program set up a refreshments table and supplied sign building equipment in the case that you had forgotten...but today, things were different.

“Maybe year-long exchanges are just different?” Y/N suggested as they both stepped out of the car and made their way to the waiting area.

“I don’t see why they would be,” Mrs. Y/L/N said, frowning. “However, I think that this is being done by a third party program. Shannon told me that while our usual program was helping, a different one was doing most of the diplomatic and visa work.”

The two waited for about two minutes in silence. Y/N had folded and unfolded her “Welcome Draco” sign probably around 6 times before a pop rang out, loud enough to startle her.

“What was that?” she yelped, turning to see her mother just as concerned. 

“I don’t know, doll. Maybe someone is having...car troubles?” 

Y/N knew that that wasn’t true, but she didn’t push it. Instead, she was more focused on the two two tall figures walking towards them on the street. One had a certified dad body, tall with a broad chest that was only accentuated by a strange button-up with flamingos on it (and a sports jacket?). The man’s hair was what stood out most of all: a shock of carrot orange hair, nearly identical to the turning leaves around him. A very strange tri-cornered Revolutionary style hat was perched on top of his head.

His companion was taller but wiry, clad in long dark green cloak that flowed in the wind. As they got closer, Y/N realized how ridiculous the guy looked. His hair was a startling white blonde, but he had the face of someone around her age.

“Hello!” 

The older man stopped halfway through the parking lot, waving and grinning at Y/N and her mother. They both waved back, trading glances of amusement.

“Hi?” Y/N raised her voice. “Do you need help?”

The man’s face split even further into a grin. “Are you the Y/L/N family?” His voice had turned into a yell to battle the sound of a car alarm that had sounded just a few streets over. 

“What was that? You need to come closer,” Mrs. Y/L/N yelled back, motioning for them to approach. The man sent the blonde boy a pleased look, almost as if to say “see? That wasn’t too hard”. They began walking, but the carrot haired man seemed especially fascinated with the other car that was parked by them. He froze in the lot, staring at the white Subaru, mesmerized as the brake lights turned on and the car began to ease back--right in their direction.

“Oh my god...he’s gonna get hit, Mom!” They shared a concerned look before they both cupped their hands to their mouths.

“Sir, you need to move! That car’s going to hit you!” 

They watched in horror as the Subaru slowly eased out of the parking lot, getting within a foot of the man before the blonde boy yanked him out of the way. Y/N could’ve sworn she heard the man say “Marvelous! Just fascinating!”.

“Jesus Christ, Mom, do you think they’re methheads or something?” Y/N made sure to drop her voice to a hushed whisper, worriedly turning towards her. “Should we get in the car and go? What if they’re going to kill us?”

“You’re too overdramatic,” Mrs. Y/L/N reprimanded...but Y/N could see how she was turning her car keys over and over in her hands. “If they come close and making strange advances, then we run, okay?” 

“Sounds good,” Y/N said, her voice weak as the two men stepped up onto the curb and began to get within earshot.

“Are you the Y/L/N family?” the man asked. His British accent shocked Y/N, and suddenly it all made sense.

“Yes, that’s us,” her mother said. 

Now that they were closer, Y/N got a good look at the boy in the green cloak. His features were sharply aristocratic, with a nose that looked like it belonged on a statue out of the Renaissance. She felt him looking her over with the same amount of intensity and immediately crumpled up her Wonders of Ohio pamphlet, shoving it into her pocket. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” the man said. “I’m Arthur Weasley. This is Draco Malfoy.” 

The boy’s scowl only deepened once Mr. Weasley nudged him forward with his elbow. “Say hello, Draco,” he muttered under his breath, his eyes carrying a degree of desperation. 

“Hello.” His voice was cold and uninterested, just like the weight of his gaze. 

“I’m Y/N,” she offered, throwing on a forced smile. “And this is my mother, Y/N Y/L/N.”

“You can call me whatever you’d like, Y/N, even Mom if that’s what you prefer,” Mrs. L/N said. Draco visibly winced at that. 

“Mrs. L/N is fine with me.” 

Y/N cringed at the painful amount of awkwardness. “Where’s your stuff, Draco?” 

Before he could answer, Mr. Weasley jumped in, unfolding a piece of paper and reading it verbatim. “Mr. Malfoy’s luggage is having some trouble getting through cus...customs? Customs. His items will arrive at your place of residence shortly.”

“Did you try to sneak a musket in here to win back the US for the British crown or something?” Y/N couldn’t help but let a snicker slip through. Mr. Weasley seemed to pick up that she’d attempted to make a joke and bellowed a laugh while Draco simply stared her down.

“No.” 

“This is going to be so much fun,” her mother exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “If there’s nothing more to do, we can go ahead and head home. I’m sure you want to rest, Draco.”

Y/N noticed that he flinched every time his name was uttered, and this time was no exception. 

Silence ensued until Mr. Weasley decided to break it. “Sounds like a splendid plan. Feel free to owl--contact me if you need anything, or if Mr. Malfoy here misbehaves in...” He paused to send a glare to Draco, “...any way. The Ministry can’t thank you enough for your help.”

With that, he turned and walked around the corner of the building in the opposite way he came, leaving Draco to stand awkwardly in front of them. Despite his expensive appearance and haughty attitude, it was clear that he didn’t know what to do with his right hand as he kept tucking and untucking it from his pocket. 

“Didn’t you guys come from a different direction?” Mrs. Y/L/N puzzled, staring back in the direction they came. A loud pop rang out once more.

“That’s very odd,” Y/N commented. She could tell that Draco was frozen up, his left hand curled up into a fist. “No matter. Let’s get you home. I call shotgun.”

“Y/N, no, he gets shotgun,” her mother corrected, walking towards their car. Draco trailed behind them with a very confused expression on his face. 

‘Fine, fine,” she moaned, flinging open the backseat. Once they had settled in--she had noticed that Draco took a fair bit of time to buckle his seat-belt--Y/N leaned forward over the console to look at him. “Do they not have cars in England or something?”

“Y/N!” 

Y/N ignored her mother’s shocked comment and looked at him expectantly. 

“You could say that,” he muttered, refusing to make eye contact with her and choosing to look out the window at the passing trees instead. 

“You have a very cool accent,” Y/N pushed, moving over to sit in the middle. “What part of the UK are you from? I’ve never been able to match an accent to a region.”

Draco shrugged. “You wouldn’t know the place.”

“Try me.”

“Y/N, leave the boy alone,” her mother interrupted, moving her hand to push her back from the console. “He’s had a long day of traveling and he’s tired.”

“What time was your flight this morning?”

“Y/N!” 

“I’m sorry,” she said, only partly meaning it. “I’ll stop. I’m really doing wonders for the loud American stereotype, huh?”

He made a sound that seemed like he agreed and rested his head on the window. From her vantage point, she could see that there were no dark roots in his hair, meaning that his color had to either be completely natural or just dyed. She mentally made a note to ask him about that later. While she couldn’t believe it, it seemed like his hair had to be natural: the strands looked so silky from where she was, with no frizz and a light gleam to it. 

She flopped back into her seat, casting her eyes up to the sky. 

This was going to be a long year.

final a/n: i’m so bad at managing my time...oh my god....please help...also i promise there’ll be more of this. i promise i literally love this story and also i’m not from ohio so if i get something very wrong about ohio then i’m very sorry to all my ohioan readers <333333

[i-can-get-extra-with-my-fics]

Day 16 - Road Trip - SQUIP Squad

Platonic ness bitches. But also implied/mentioned richjake and boyf riends

tw: none

---

7 of the 8 members of the SQUIP Squad woke up to their phones vibrating off of their nightstands/desks anywhere from 5-5:30 in the morning. Why? Michael was blowing up their phones with variations of "good morning bitch" and "look out your window". To which whoever would respond with "bro what the fuck its like 5 in the morning" or something similar. Michael then laughs in his moms' van and just responds with "surprise motherfucker, pack a bag, get dressed and get your ass in the car" followed by "we're going on an adventure charlie". *insert member heere* would then just but their phone down and try to sleep. But Michael was a persistent person and would then spam whoever with the charlie the unicorn script line by line, every line was a separate message until they got in the care.

This is how we got a rather pissed off SQUIP Squad and a happy Michael all in the same vehicle. I mean, Christine was happy. She liked rebelling against her parents. Leaving a note saying that she was going to be out with her friends and then disappearing when her parents were sleeping was rebelling.

But she was defiantly uncomfortable with the tension and silence of the car. Michael was too but he wasn't letting it show. So she did what any other teen in her situation would do.

"Michael pass me the aux cord would you?"

He handed it back to her over a pissed and tired Jeremy's shoulder. If there was ever a moment where Christine was happier she sold her soul to the Spotify premium gods it was now. She sat up and got prepared.

"Are we gonna have a problem?" The tension in the care was quickly replaced with amusement and excitement. Jeremy stared at the sun for a solid 5 seconds before excepting his fate as Heather McNamara.

*insert time skip brought to you by ya bitch doesn't wanna write out the whole damned song*

Christine as Heather Chandler was kinda shocking when you thought about it. But she fit the role perfectly.

"You can join the team." Christine and Jeremy were doing any choreography possible while being in a car. Michael couldn't because he was driving.

"Or you can bitch and moan!"

"You can live the dream."

"Or you can die alone!"

"You can fly with the Eagles,"

"Or if you prefer,"

"Keep on testing me,"

"And end up like her!"

Rich was Veronica (except for the Beautiful Riff, and the Dead Girl Walking and Dead Girl Walking reprise hight notes. Christine sang those.) because Jake's initials were literally JD. Like. It was a given. And they were dating soooo... Jenna was Martha because they shared the same actress at one point.

"Oh my god Rich," they used each other's actual names because why not, "Chloe invited me to her homecoming party!! This proves she's been thinking about me."

"Umm... color me stoked?"

"I'm so happy!"

The soul reason Michael was Heather Duke was because of this moment. "Oooh woah~!! Honey whatcha waiting for-!"

"ShUt Up MiChAeL!!!!!" Jeremy and Michael were literally the only people who didn't flinch. She fucking screeched the line. "Step into my can-dy stoooooooOOOOOOREEEEEEEEEEE WHOOOAAAAAA~~~~!!!!!" The boys in the front seats were practically whispering their parts because Christine killed that riff every time. "Time for you to prove you're not a lame-ass anymore~!"

"AND STEP INTO MY CANDY STORE!!! It's my candy store, its my candy! Its my candy store, itS MY CANDY!! ITS MY CANDY STORE!! iTs My cAndY sToRe~~~!!!!"

Applause ensued. As well as the theater playlist continuing.

A few hours later complaints came in. "Bro where the fuck are we going? Food, please. Caffeine. Just caffeine."

Jeremy, being the dad friend he is, responded with "Kids, kids, KIDS", to get them all to shut up, "We will get there when we get there."

Then the complaints changed to "Are we there yet?" Jeremy replied with "not yet." This went on until "let's play a game" Jeremy did his best impression of a bass boosted "look at where we are"

Now this happened a few dozen times until Michael lost it and said: " I SWEAR TO FUCKING GOD IF YALL DONT STOP IMMA YEET THIS CAR OFF A CLIFF LIKE IN THAT DAMNED MEME!!!"

This is why they don't go on road trips anymore.

---

General: @thetomorrowshow @winterswrandomness @just-some-gt-trash @elatedgiff @specklefreckle15

BMC: @thetomorrowshow

[brightpinkpeppercorn]

Halloween Night Headcanon

Pair: Logan x MC (Eleanor), Ride or Die

Summary: Logan and Eleanor dress up as a famous celebrity duo and spend Halloween together. 

Rating: G 

A/N: This is my submission for the Wacky Drabble #14 “Me? Scared? Never.” hosted by @emceesynonymroll . Presented in headcanon format. This was meant for Halloween after I was inspired by the Golden Oldies Music TV station. It’s a few days past Halloween but it’s not Christmas time yet! 

Eleanor doesn’t even want to do anything for Halloween. With her Landmarks of Pre-Modern Culture midterm taken that morning, she wants to stay in her apartment. 

Not pass out candy. Just eat a pint of cookie dough ice cream and watch the top five scary movies on her Scary Movie Spreadsheet.

Halloween, Night of the Living Dead, Psycho, The Ring, and that one with Chris Winters and Chadley Fortnum (Riya insists they watch that every year).

But Logan is visiting this week. 

The last time they saw each other was two days before the fall semester started.

Halloween is his favorite holiday. Spooks. Pretending to be something else for a night. Candy and costumes.

He couldn’t get away from work early enough to get to the Langston campus before noon on October 31st. Perfect timing, though. She can take a power nap. 

So they don’t have costumes. They don’t have a plan. Logan will watch those movies with her if she wants (but Eleanor can watch them any time). 

With the exam in her past and Logan in her present, Eleanor has finally caught the Halloween spirit! 

After a long, late lunch downtown, they walk past a thrift store. Maybe they can figure out some last minute costumes. 

There are many racks of clothes. Plain colored shirts. House dresses that look like Eleanor’s grandmother’s couch. Bright pink and deep purple prom dresses hang on the wall.

Something catches Logan’s eyes. It horrifies him. It might just be perfect. He grabs a few hangers and ducks into the dressing room. 

“What do you think?” Eleanor can barely contain herself. He’s dressed just like Riya’s great uncle in that one picture (they burst into laughter whenever they looked at it). 

Powder blue bell bottomed trousers, flared at the ankle. The blazer matches. Underneath he wears a button down shirt with large collars and a floral print.

“You look …” Eleanor covers her mouth to stifle her giggle. “Groovy, baby.” He slowly spins. She taps her chin and narrows her eyes, getting lost in thought.

An idea!

“Logan. How much do you know about Sonny and Cher?”

Surprisingly, he is familiar with the famous duo. His third foster Mom, his favorite foster Mom, only listened to the Sonny and Cher Greatest Hits cassette whenever she was in her car.  

Five racks of pants later, they find a pair of low rise, wide legged shimmering pants. Eleanor squeals. Finding a top is even harder but a men’s button down shirt tied at her waist will work just fine.

Logan just has to part and comb his hair differently. He thinks he doesn’t need a mustache (he does need a mustache). 

Eleanor’s hair definitely needs to be darker and straighter. There is no time to dye her hair black. He won’t let her iron her hair even if it sacrifices authenticity.

They are not buying a wig from the thrift store!

After one stop at the party store, they’re back home. Black wig and large mustache being among the items acquired.

His hands are more steady, necessary while applying the false lashes onto her eyelids. 

Large gold hoop earrings are the final touch to her costume. 

Before heading out, they stop to admire themselves in the mirror. They look great. Fantastic. Totally pulling the look off! 

One last thing, they have to take a selfie. 

In the shopping, bar, and restaurant district which cater to the Langston students a few blocks away, the sidewalks are bustling.

Kids trick-or-treating, walk in and out of shops before dusk. Other college students (dressed as superheroes or memes or witches or sexy insert-profession-here) saunter in and out of the bars.

Everyone is laughing, everyone is admiring costumes (they’ve gotten many compliments already), everyone is happy.  

Yes, Halloween is definitely Logan’s favorite holiday. 

“This is my favorite bar, Lolo!” Eleanor stops in front of a building with wide, open windows. The music isn’t as loud, it’s not as crowded. “They have fun drinks and carnival food!” 

She picks his shot - a Bazooka Joe shot that he likes better than the blue chewing gum. He picks her shot - a Zombie Brain shot and she loves the coconut flavor.

Before they could leave, a karaoke contest is announced. First prize is a gift certificate towards food and a trophy. The trophy is actually three troll dolls glued together.  

“I don’t think so, El.” Logan rarely sings. Only in the shower and when his girlfriend is snuggled against him in bed.  

Eleanor is a classically trained violin player. She has an ear for music. But singing? Not as strong a skill but she loves belting out classics while driving long distances.

“Are you scared?” Eleanor wiggles her fingers at an amused Logan.

He waves his hand dismissively. “Me? Scared? Never.” He pauses. This is what Eleanor wants so Logan will sing. And he will sing well. 

After signing up, they go through the karaoke song list, stopping at Cher comma Sonny. 

“What about this one?” Eleanor shakes her head. That song is too personal and it means too much to her. Not one for this particular contest. Even if it is the most popular song by Sonny and Cher. 

“This one.” She points to ‘The Beat Goes On’. He gives her a smile and nods, sealing his approval with a high five.

They’re the fourth contestant. Usually Eleanor is nervous in front of a crowd. But not after that Zombie Brain shot and not while she’s singing and moving her body to coordinate with Logan’s moves. 

Do crowds give standing ovations at Halloween karaoke contests? They do that night. At least that’s what they’ll tell themselves.

Eleanor flings herself onto Logan when they’re announced the winners and he catches her with a hug. Followed by a kiss. The host clears her throat. That’s a long kiss.  

With the gift certificate, they get hot dogs and funnel cake. They drink hard lemonade and spiked hot chocolate.

The troll trophy is hideous and Eleanor knows exactly where she’ll display it in her apartment.

It’s time to go home. 

Eleanor trips over the rug by the front door on the way out. 

Logan catches her and, with a grin, promises “I got you, babe.”

Tagging a few people who might/I hope might be interested:  @choicesarehard  @domesticatedantelope @client-327  @lovehugsandcandy @desiree-0816 @shakespeareanwannabe @saivilo @ohsnapitzlovehacker @choiceslife  @queerchoicesblog  @choicesgremlin @darley1101 @flowerpowell @lovemychoices @omgjasminesimone @thirtydiamonds @zaffrenotes @akrenich

[prince-ampora]

One Happy Christmas

INFO -dave focused -semi sadstuck -dave is ftm and june and jade are mtf -dave is mute so he signs  -dave is going to school for a paleontology degree. you dont need to know that for this oneshot but its my headcanon so i wanted to share.

TRIGGER WARNINGS -abuse -bro and mom

***

"Dave! What are you doing for Christmas?" Dave shrugs at June's inquiry and flips another page in his textbook. "The Strilonde family was not very interested in holidays, not only because Mother was Jewish." Jade turns to Rose, "So are you and Dave Jewish?" Rose reads while talking, "By blood yes but we don't follow the religion or holidays." June smiles, "Then you two should come with me and Jade to Dad's house over Christmas break! He'd be happy to have more people to cook for." "I wouldn't mind that. Strider?" Dave shrugs and signs, "Sure I guess, as long as he's okay with having a guy like me over." June rolls her eyes, "You know he loves you, Dave." "Yeah, Dave! He even wanted to pay for your testosterone!" "I'm more than happy to use Bro's money for that." June laughs, I know.

Christmas break finally starts and June piles everyone into her car. The drive to Washington took a couple of hours, mostly spent listening to music and joking around. When they pull into the driveway, Dad Egbert is waiting for them. He waves to them as they pile out of the car and helps them unload their bags. "It's great to see you all again. Dave, Rose! How has everything been away from your parents?" "Amazing," They both say at the same time. Dad Egbert shows them to the kitchen and talks about what he'll make for Christmas dinner. "Would any of you like to help me with this tomorrow?" June and Jade offer to help but Rose says she'll be working. Dave decides to help too. "For now, let's put up the tree. I wanted my daughters here to help and having you two here as well is even better." Rose smiles and thanks him, and the group makes their way to the living room.

They get the tree up by an empty wall in between the door and stairs and have fun going through the ornaments, a lot of which were made by June and Jade in grade school. Dave teases June about her baby picture ornament and she laughs, "As if I haven't seen any of your embarrassing baby pictures Dave." They wrap lights around the tree in a speed competition and try their best to make the ornaments look evenly placed. Rose loses her mind. Jade eats popcorn off the strings. Typical Christmas things. Dave is smiling the entire time, which is so nice for a change. He even takes off his shades. He's safe here, he doesn't need to hide his emotions behind them. Dad Egbert put on Christmas music and June wraps some tinsel around her neck as a scarf and takes turns dancing with everyone. Rose plays her violin along to Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy and Carol of the Bells. June joins in on piano and Jade even gets out her bass. Dave doesn't have an instrument so he just beatboxes a little and does meme dances.

After they get back on track and actually put the star on the top of the tree, as well as some photos of each other ("You're an angel Dave, you need to be on the top of the tree." "Only if you're there too June."), they sit down to watch Christmas movies. Rose and Dave recommend Nightmare Before Christmas, June insists on seeing Home Alone, and Jade brought one of her copies of The Grinch, appalled that Dave and Rose had never seen it. Dad Egbert, June, and Dave fit on the couch. Rose happily shifts from the back of the couch, to the arm, to the floor, and Jade is content to curl up on the floor. Jade is the first to fall asleep, and Rose retires to Jade and June's room to work after Home Alone 3. Dad Egbert eventually gets tired and retires to his room, telling them that there are cookies in the fridge and to go to bed at a good time. They do because 3 am is totally a good time. Rose is already asleep on the top bunk with Jade, who had gone to her room at 2 am. June and Dave squeeze into the bottom bunk and fall asleep quickly.

In the morning, Rose works on her novel as June, Jade, and Dave try their best to be useful in the kitchen. Jade gets plants to chop up from the garden she started that summer, June helps her dad prep the meat and Dave tries to be useful where he can by getting out and putting away ingredients, handing out utensils, and washing dishes. After the main courses are started, Dad Egbert ushers everyone out of the kitchen so he can bake pies, cakes, and cookies for after. June "Bluh"'s at the Betty Crocker products on the counter and happily leaves to eat gushers on the couch. Neither Jade or Dave could bring themselves to tell her that those are Crocker products also. "Are you having fun, Dave?" Dave smiles and nods, "Yeah. I am." Dave and Jade compete in Mario Kart, with Jade coming out victorious. Rose eventually joins them and watches their match with occasional quips.

Today is Christmas. Dad Egbert had somehow found the time to wrap a bunch of presents in secret and place them all neatly under the tree, as well as fill stockings and hang them on the fireplace. He wakes the four of them up with cookies and hot chocolate and they groggily make their way downstairs. "It's a good thing I didn't wait to buy your presents. I was going to have June and Jade take them to you after the break." They sit in a half-circle and Rose is baited into putting on a Christmas hat and passing the presents out. Dad Egbert films the kids' reactions as they open their presents. He got June a nice blue dress and some other new outfits, a bra with good quality inserts, and some movie sets. Jade unwraps custom made dog ears and tail, some exotic plant seeds, a bra with good quality inserts, and some outfits as well. Dave, after hesitating, unwraps his presents to reveal some stuff for his turntables, a new binder, a book on weird preserved dead things, and a trans pride flag. Rose happily unwraps her presents of a violin care kit, some wizard cat-themed pajamas, and a hard drive and printer ink.

They each present Dad Egbert with their own present as well, cheap because College Students, which they bought before leaving for break. June got him some icing in a shaving cream themed bottle. Jade got him a book of Betty Crocker's secret recipes. Dave got his hand on a new pipe, and Rose came through with some really cool Dad™ hats. He cries while holding his presents and thanking them, pulling them into a hug. Dave doesn't start crying at all, what are you talking about, Shut Up Lalonde. After the hug ends he signs to everyone, "This was the best Christmas ever. Best day ever. I love you all." June smiles, "Y'know how we can make it even better?" Dave raises an eyebrow, "Let's mail your parents coal." Dave and Rose smile, "Hell. Yes."

A couple of days later, Dave gets an angry call from Bro, and Rose gets one from Mom. After they were done getting yelled at they hung up without a word. "What was yours about?" "'Elizabeth Strider you little bitch I will maim you. Your lucky I'm busy here or I'd go there and stab you.' Yours?" "Rose Lalonde, what the hell is this? I was gonna send you alcohol from my personal stash or maybe even some candy but not now. I'm gonna go drink this headache away and if I still remember this later, you'll see what happens when you cross me." They laugh at their terrible parent's predictable reactions and go down to join the others for breakfast. This is their family. Not an alcoholic and a weird puppet sword guy. Their family is the two girls and their father sitting at the table offering them food and smiling. They chose their family.

[autumnhobbit]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17559116/chapters/41380742

"Hood here, come in, Agent A," the communications line buzzed, and Alfred quickly answered it. "Present, Master Hood. What is Batman's condition?"

"We think it's stable but who the hell knows," Jason said, exasperation leaking into the tone. "He's letting Wing and Red help him, somewhat reluctantly. But he's being a total ass. Sorry not sorry," he tacked on.

Alfred sighed. "Considering the circumstances, I will not hold it against you, Master Hood." He pursed his lips as he walked towards the medical bay to prepare it for their arrival. He’d heard the undercurrent of stress in Jason’s words. “And I may even be persuaded to privately admit that I am inclined to agree with the sentiment."

Jason huffed a half-laugh, the sound echoing fuzzily in the comms. "You know him better than anyone, A."

"That I do, Master Hood," Alfred sighed, shaking his head even as he wheeled a few machines closer to the gurney, reclined the bed so it would be ready when they returned. "That I do."

"...I've gotta go," Jason said all of a sudden, more of the strain he was undoubtedly feeling leaking into his voice. "We'll be back as soon as we can. Eta thirteen minutes."

"Copy," Alfred responded, heart heavy. "I'll be waiting."

Jason disconnected the communication without another word, which left Alfred to his work. He prepared the necessary tools, retrieved a bag of Master Bruce's blood type from the fridge and attached it to an IV pole, dug out the saline and hydrogen peroxide. He washed his hands and made sure the box of sterile gloves was within reach, as well as the phone in case they wound up needing more professional help than he could provide. With that done, there was nothing to do but wait for the boys to arrive with their patient.

It was only a few more minutes before the distant rumbling of engines signaled their return, and Alfred brought the gurney out to right outside the parking spaces.

The door was thrown open, and Master Damian was the first one out, staggering a bit as he landed on his feet as he spun and held the door open. Next was Timothy, who exited a bit more slowly than his younger brother. He stood next to the door, arms raised and ready to help guide the injured party out of the vehicle. And finally, Jason slipped out of the car. Bruce's arm was draped across his shoulder, his head hanging against Jason's chest. Dick clambered out of the driver’s seat, and quickly ran to Bruce and Jason, and pulled Bruce's other arm around his own shoulders.

"Will you survive, Master Bruce, or must I retrieve the will from the safe-deposit box," Alfred asked, leaving just enough point to his question to make certain he knew what trouble he was in.

Bruce didn't respond beyond a grunt mixed with a groan. Jason snorted. "I get the Corvette."

"Uh, excuse you," Dick said, mock sassily. "He expressly promised me that car for my eighteenth birthday."

"Yeah, and you're twenty-five," Jason shot back.

"I'm pretty sure the Lamborghini is mine," Tim said brightly.

"Why did Father tell me I could have it, then?" Damian asked imperiously. Tim stuck his tongue out at him.

"Meant...for you to share it," Bruce rasped, raising his head just slightly from Jason's shoulder. "Have t'....get along if you want the car."

Silence. "Father." Damian said, sounding a mix of impressed and disgusted. "You are despicable."

"--Savage," Tim said simultaneously, and the two of them looked at each other, sputtering in surprise.

"Did you? Did you just say 'despicable?' Are you Daffy Duck?"

"The most fitting word you can conjure up is 'savage!?'"

"It's a meme! I don't expect you to know it when you've just now gotten into Looney Tunes jokes! What kind of compound is Ra's running over there?"

"Hush," Bruce grunted, as Jason and Dick helped him ease down onto the gurney. "Hurts my head."

Tim and Damian both instantly closed their mouths.

"Besides," Bruce mumbled. "It makes me sad when you fight."

Jason laughed. "If you think that was a fight, you haven't been paying attention."

"That was playful banter," Dick agreed, easing Bruce's head and torso down onto the mattress.

"I...didn't mean to disturb you, Father," Damian said quietly, dipping his head a bit in shame.

"Me neither," Tim said a bit awkwardly.

Bruce huffed. "S'alright," he sighed dismissively. "m getting old, is all."

Alfred gently stepped up beside Richard, and pressed two fingers to Bruce's pulse, glancing at his wristwatch to measure the beats. Bruce lay still and blinked up at him as he did so, while Richard carefully removed the cowl, and Jason yanked his own helmet off and promptly dropped it on the floor.

"A bit irregular and thready, but mostly stable," Alfred declared after a moment, removing his hand from Bruce's neck. "Boys, if you would move him into the med bay..."

Jason and Richard didn't hesitate, Richard taking the head of the gurney to push it while Jason walked alongside and guided it in. Alfred followed, leaving Damian and Timothy behind to shower and change.

When the boys brought the gurney to a stop, Alfred bustled up alongside them and began working. With a sterile gauze and antiseptic, he began cleaning the surface abrasions and similar minor injuries. He gently wiped the blood from Bruce's forehead and cheek, while Jason cut away at the suit with a utility knife. Richard attached monitors and carefully inserted an IV into his father's arm.

The entire time, Bruce lay still and uncomplaining, blinking sluggishly up at them. Alfred suspected a concussion, and whipped a small penlight from his pocket to confirm it. Bruce cringed, a pained hiss escaping him as he clenched his blown eyes shut. Tsking, Alfred placed the light back in his pocket and donned a pair of gloves. "You are actively attempting to drive me to an early grave, aren't you," he asked, mostly to himself, carefully pressing against Bruce's neck and chest to check for injuries.

"No, Al.” Bruce mumbled. "You know that." He smiled, though it was a bit strained, his eyes still closed and face still tight with pain. "What would I do without you, anyway?"

"Heaven knows," Alfred said. Richard clicked the last connection together to set up the heart monitor, and rapid beeps immediately came from the machine. Alfred lifted his head in concern, glancing at the monitors. "Master Bruce...?"

"'M alright, Al," Bruce assured weakly. He grinned faintly, almost a grimace, and shifted one shoulder just slightly in a shrug. "...Hurts," he admitted quietly, voice thick.

Alfred sighed. "Richard, if you would please prepare the morphine pump...?"

"Already on it," Dick said, emerging from the storage closet, pushing the pole in front of him.

Alfred fixed his gaze back on Bruce, as he continued to probe him for injuries. When his hand applied deft but light pressure to one section of Bruce's ribs, Bruce's breath stuttered and the heart monitor picked up a bit.

"That one at least is definitely broken," Alfred muttered under his breath, feeling around for how extensive the damage was. Bruce's eyes were shut, and though he was trying to breathe steadily, sweat was still breaking out on his forehead. Richard finally managed to get the IV in, and he pressed the button on the pump a few times to start a dosage. Bruce finally relaxed, the tension in his shoulders loosening slightly.

"What was it, Master Richard?" Alfred asked, not looking up.

"Lead pipe," Dick said, and Jason snorted.

"Still not as bad as...you with that tire iron," Bruce said, breathless but fond, tilting his chin in the direction of Jason's snort. Jason rolled his eyes, leaning his elbow on the rail of the gurney and brushing back Bruce's sweaty bangs with deft, gentle fingers.

“Sure it wasn’t. ‘Tis but a scratch,’” Jason’s voice rose in a mock British accent.

“Right. I’ll do you for that,” Dick parroted back.

“You’ll wHAT.” Jason had been pressed into service by Alfred to hold an icepack to Bruce’s side, and gave an impersonation so indignant while bent halfway over and not looking up that Bruce snorted with laughter and immediately winced. Jason immediately looked flatly at him, long-sufferingly. “What’re you gonna do, bleed on me?” he went on, dropping his gaze back to the bruised ribs he was holding the ice pack on.

“I’m invincible.” Bruce replied, in a chipper tone that drew a high, surprised noise out of Jason.

“You’re a looney.” Alfred replied calmly, reemerging from the supply drawer with gauze and medical tape. He passed his dumbfounded grandsons, who promptly dissolved into helpless laughter, and set the supplies down primly on the adjustable table, moving to start removing the top of the suit.

Beneath the loud, obnoxious yet endearing cackling of the boys, Bruce glanced up warily, with the same hesitant expression he’d had as a misbehaving child. “You okay, Al?” He asked, in the same way he used to ask, are you mad at me.

“Of course, sir,” Alfred replied solemnly, prying the top panel off the uniform and setting it down next to the gurney. “Simply....weary of your city returning you to me like this.”

Bruce watched him studiously for a moment, doubtless trying to gauge his honesty, before slowly transitioning to sheepishness upon finding it. “It...has its issues,” he hedged.

“Understatement of the century.” Alfred sighed.

Jason, unsurprisingly, was the first to clamber up from the floor and his overblown hysterics, using Dick’s head as a crutch. “Al,” he wheezed, slightly breathless, “never change.”

Alfred arched an eyebrow. “I should hope not, Master Jason.”

Dick scrambled to prop an elbow against the floor and promptly flipped from there onto his feet, and enthusiastically wrapped a limp Bruce in an unhesitating hug. “And you never change, either.”

Bruce smiled a small but warm smile and tipped his head against his oldest’s arm in reply.

[probablymango]

Dungeons and Arcana

Chapter 1: New Game

Lucio rubbed his face, trying hard not to glare at the others at the table with him. “Explain to me again, what is it you want to do?”

Asra smiles, setting down his glass. “We want to bring two more people into the game with us.”

“I got that. Who are they, do I know them, what are their experience, and do I need to start a new campaign?” He hated getting new players. Not that he wants to keep others from playing, but it meant having to learn them, figure out how they play characters, see what they could and couldn’t deal with, merging them into pre-existing campaigns was a bitch.

Julian raises his hand a bit. “My sister, she’s got a bit of experience from playing with me.”

Lucio nods, then looks at the other two.

“Our roommate, Muriel. You’ve probably met him before, or well, at least seen him.” Mordenkainen answered, making vaguely descriptive hand gestures. “Tall guy, beefy, wears a hoodie all the time, and has the big service dog. Ring any bells?”

It did, mostly because the guy was like a huge brick wall, but he wasn’t very social, so Lucio didn’t know him very well. “Does he have any experience?”

Asra and Mordenkainen look between each other with small looks of worry. “... We’ve tried…” “But neither of us are good dms so….” “Not really….”

“Jesus christ.” He groans, rubbing his face and pushing his glasses further up his face. “...... I’m going to have to meet them both, then we’ll see about a new campaign. Nadia!” He looked over his shoulder towards the kitchen.

“What?” Nadia yells back.

“You’re going to need to make a new character!”

“Okay! What kind of campaign?”

“Not sure yet! Probably just a self inserts and fantasy!”

“Hella!”

Lucio rolls his eyes then turns back to the three in front of him. “Same time or do we need to reschedule for the others?”

“Muriel is good with us.” Asra smiles brightly, lightly jumping in his seat.

Julian thinks for a bit, then pulls his cell out of his scrubs pocket. “... I’ll have to check in with her for that, but let’s stick with the same time for now.”

Lucio nods, ideas of what to make the campaign starting to form. “Good, good, please get them in contact with me before then please. I need to meet them first, even if it’s over webcam.”

Nadia came out of the kitchen, holding a bowl of grapes and milk shake. “So we’ve got more people coming?”

“Maybe.”

“Yes.” Rang in everyone else.

She nods, thoughtfully sipping at her shake. “We’ll have to order more food then. Do any of them have allergies?”

“Portia does, but I doubt that’ll stop her from eating what’s presented.”

“Still, best to make preparations anyways. What’s she allergic to?”

“Dairy, but she doesn’t acknowledge that fact.”

“Oh.” She makes a face. “Is…. is there a non-dairy pizza? Hmm, I’ll keep an eye out for non-dairy snacks that taste good.”

Julian sighs with relief. “Thank you. I can try to get her to send a list of snacks she likes, if that’d help?”

Nadia and Julian start to discuss food, while Lucio turns to the other two. “So, I know of Muriel, but what’s he like? Asides from being a big boy.”

“Shy, not outgoing, and suffers from anxiety.” Asra says, ruffling his brown hair. “We figured that doing it with friends would be the best chance at having him play and plus you’re pretty good, so we figured you’d be best at being one of his first dms.”

Lucio sighs in defeat. “We’ll talk more about this later.” He glances at the clock, then groans. “After work, it’s time to go.” He and Asra stand up, grabbing their bags and coats. “Bye Noddy!”

“Bye Mayor!” Asra grins, sliding on his obnoxiously colored green, pink, and orange jacket.

“Not mayor yet.” She laughs, waving them farewell. “Don’t forget your arm charger!”

“Thank you!” Lucio quickly grabs it from the counter, then goes out to the car. “What do you plan on playing tonight?”

Asra buckles himself, as he makes his signature cat face. “What do you mean?”

Lucio narrowed his eyes at him as he buckled himself in and pulled out. “Do you plan on being a memey little shit with the music tonight or do you plan on doing normal bar music?”

“Oh, you know.” He grins, giving Lucio the answer he knew. The bar was going to be filled with meme songs, most of them were going to give him a headache.

“You little shit.” He groaned, already feeling the headache forming from just thinking of what he was going to hear for the hours they were working together. “Can you at least put on good meme music?”

“Excuse you, but Smash Mouth is great music.” He laughs, watching the buildings pass by.

“No, no it’s not. And please, for the love of god, don’t play What’s New Pussycat, because I swear, I will jump over the bar and strangle you for it.”

“Kinky.” He snickers, poking at his shoulder.

“It’s not a kink thing you perverted little shit!” He groans, keeping his eyes on the road as he blindly slaps at Asra.

Asra snorts, weakly batting his hand away. “What if I play, It’s Not Unusual?”

“That’s worse!” He groans, putting his hand back on the wheel. “Just… Please, take some of the patrons’ requests.”

“I’ll consider it.”

It was quiet for the next few minutes, but as Lucio finished parking, his speakers came to life with-

“DO YOU LIKE WAFFLES?”

“ASRAAAAAA!”

The culprit ran into the bar, laughing with bastardly delight. Lucio groaned, rubbing his face as he turned off the car, and grabbed his bag. He hoped today will be slow, so he could write, but since Asra took over the music selection, more people started coming in. It was good for business, but not good for his creativity. He went inside, clocked himself in, and went to his usual part of the bar, the one with the plug-in built into the counter. He plugged in his phone and arm, hoping people chose the other bartenders, but knowing he’s never that lucky.

His fear was confirmed about 10 minutes into his shift. Asra had some weird remix playing as a sickly looking older man came to the bar in front of him. Worm man, or Vlastomil, as his name tag reads, comes in regularly. The only reason Lucio even remembers this fucker is solely because he stands out; super pale, an almost leprechaun face, dark clothes, and is usually saying something about worms. He assumes the man works at the bait shop, but honestly didn't care enough to find out. “What will it be, sir?”

“Drunken worm cocktail.”

He gets out the ingredients, passion fruit vodka, peach schnapps, cointreu, coconut rum, sweet and sour, cranberry juice, and gummy worms. It looked tasty, white bottom, with red top, ice, and gummy worms resting on the top. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” He sets down $15 and walks away to a darker part of the room. A weird, but alright person.

He stares at him for a bit, then picks up his phone and starts typing.  Vlastomil…. Sounds like a perfect fantasy name….  He quickly made some notes, then put away his phone as another person came over. “Hi, how can I help you?”

The man in front of him was beautiful, like almost a model. Long hair in a braid, brown that somehow beautifully turns to blond, and clothes that looked a bit more expensive than this area normally gets. Dammit, he didn’t need an instant crush on a stranger. “What kinds of wine do you have?”

“... Uh, I’ll have to check the list.” Not many people wanted straight wine, so he forgot the actual names of them. “We have…. Pinot Grigio.. Some Chardonnay… uhhh.. Pinot Noir… Rose and Cabernet Sauvignon?”

He raises an eyebrow and has a small smile. “Not used to serving?”

“Not used to serving straight wine. Which would you like?”

He stares at the bottles for a bit. “Pinot Noir.”

“You got it.” He pours him a glass and hands it to him, then watches as he awkwardly holds the glass, probably expecting a wine glass instead of the regular ass glasses they have.

“Thank you.” He continues to stay at the bar, drinking as he looked around, sipping thoughtfully at his wine. “Hmp, this is just like him too.”

He shouldn’t butt in or even mention that he heard it, but his nosiness is getting the better of him. “Who?”

He sighs, leaning back into the bar. “My ex, he used to bring this home constantly. Should have expected the bad after taste of him with it.”

“That’s rough buddy.” Did he really just say that? He’s been dming too long, now he sounds like an actual NPC!

He snorts softly, turning to smile at him. “I didn’t think bartenders actually said that.”

They don’t, I’m just too used to fantasy. “I like going beyond people’s expectations.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He turns back around, continuing to sip at his wine.

Lucio looked over at Asra, only to see him gesturing to…. Do something? He looked at his phone and, oh, he sent a text.

Snek meme bastard: is that valerius? Me: Who is that and why should I care? Snek meme bastard: cuz hes muriels cuz Me: ….. Me: Can u try that again with proper spelling? Snek meme bastard: valerius is muriels cousin Snek meme bastard: is that valerius? Me: not sure Snek meme bastard: ASK Me: NO Snek meme bastard: please Me: no Snek meme bastard: please Me: no Snek meme bastard: please Me: no Snek meme bastard: please Me: no Snek meme bastard: please Me: no Snek meme bastard: please Me: no Snek meme bastard: ………. Snek meme bastard: ill give you $20 bucks if you do Me: …… if he calls the cops im bringing you to jail with me

He groans, rubbing the bridge of his nose, then looks back up at the handsome man in front of him. “What’s your name?”

He looks up at him. “.... any reason you want to know?”

Shit, shit, what does he say? “Why wouldn’t I like to know the name of an attractive person at my bar?” He grins, dying on the inside. He really needs to stop hanging out with MC, they were giving him bad habits of unnecessary flirting with everyone who sticks around for more than 5 minutes.

He looks at him for a bit, then laughs. “You…” He snorts, setting down his drink. “Where.. How did you learn to talk like that?”

“I have no idea of what you mean.” Well, at least he got the stranger to laugh, hopefully that means good things and not being considered a creep. “I speak like a regular people.”

He laughs more, then tries to take a sip of his wine. “I’ll…” He snickers. “I’ll tell you mine, if you tell me your’s.”

“I’m Lucio of Vesuvia!” He adds a bit of lordly flair to the way he says it, deciding to commit to the weird way of talking for this man. “And you are?”

He giggles, barely able to talk at this point. “I’m- hehehe- I’m Consul Valerius, at your service!” He goes back to laughing.

His phone lights up, warning him that Asra wanted to call. Fuck that, it’s too loud for that to work out. He declines the call to see that Asra had texted him. A lot.

Snek meme bastard: is it him? Snek meme bastard: hey Snek meme bastard: lucio Snek meme bastard: lucio Snek meme bastard: is it him? Snek meme bastard: LUCIO Snek meme bastard: lucy Snek meme bastard: i said get a name not flirt Snek meme bastard: …… Snek meme bastard: bitch Snek meme bastard: dude Snek meme bastard: respond or i will rick roll the entire club Snek meme bastard: im serious Snek meme bastard: just say if he is or isnt Snek meme bastard: 3 Snek meme bastard: 2 Snek meme bastard: 1 Me: WAIT

But it was too late, the room was filling with the beginning of Never Going to Give You Up, sending almost every person in the bar into a collective flight or fight response. Some were booing Asra, others just loudly complaining, some were laughing, and even fewer actually left. Asra stared directly at Lucio, demanding a response.

Me: YES HIS NAME IS VALERIUS Me: TURN IT OFF Snek meme bastard: :3

The music was changed to.. Something else, the song wasn’t familiar, so that was good. He sighs, rubbing his face. “Sorry about that. Our DJ is a…. He’s a bastard and let’s leave it at that…”

He shrugs, finishing his glass of wine. “It’s alright, odd choices in music, but he seems alright.”

After the song, one of the other DJs took over for a bit, then Asra made, as straight as he could, for them. “Valerius?”

“Who wants to know.” His mood immediately dropped back to being serious.

“Muriel’s roommate, Asra.”

He glances at Lucio, as if to get confirmation.

“This is my bastard coworker, Asra, the memelord.” Lucio sighs, gesturing at him.

Asra grins, then starts talking to Valerius, but Lucio stopped listening so that he could make some more notes. Vesuvia and Valerius… wonderful names..

“Excuse me!” A loud person, yelled at Lucio. He looked up to see Vulgora, one of the few people you actually remembered the name of. They were constantly getting into fights and just overall loud. “Get me a beer!”

“Any specific kind?”

“A beer!”

Lucio nodded, getting the cheapest beer he could find and putting it in a glass, then handing it to them. “Here you go.” Vulgora and the bar had a deal, they could drink as much as they wanted and the bill would be put directly on their bank account. The bill on most days was too many drinks, on worst days, over hundreds of dollars for repairs. He didn’t understand why they were let back in after the first time, but at least they were paying for it.

With their drink in hand, Vulgora started chugging as they went to find someone to arm wrestle, and Lucio went back to his phone. Vulgora… that’s a rather unique name…

There was tapping on the counter, he looked up to see one of his greatest fears: Dr. Valdemar. The doctor might not have done anything specifically harmful to him, but waking up in the middle of surgery was still lucid led to….. Visual nightmares that have haunted him for over 6 years. “..... How can I help you?”

“Have you seen Dearil?”

“Uhh.. no?” Name sounded familiar, but he couldn’t place who it was.

They look around, contemplating their next words. “Dark orange hair, reddish brown eyes, and is probably carrying a skull?”

No, no he has not. Well, maybe, there’s a lot of people here. He shrugs. “Can’t help you, sorry.”

They nod, setting down a bill. “Thanks anyways.” They wandered into the crowd, hopefully to never be seen again.

…. They would make a great villain. He typed some more at his phone. He was getting a lot of V names tonight.

“Um, sir?” There was a lady in front of him. “Do you serve food here?”

“The bar with food is over there.” He points to the other side.

“Thank you.” She smiles, walking away and someone said “Volta!” as she approached.

This place has a surprising amount of people with Vs in their first name… He went back to his phone, waiting on Asra to stop talking to the cute guy.

[allboutcontent]

5 Effective Content Marketing Strategy In 2021

As the new year firework subsides on 1st January, things don't seem very different from the way they were in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. But if you look at the world from your mobile screen, you can see things are changing rapidly. A meme template that was trending a few days back is nowhere being used by its content creators. The same goes for the challenges. In 2020 when people were stuck in their homes due to the pandemic, we found out that several creators were coming up with challenges to keep their audience busy and happy in the lockdown. 

But as we move into 2021, lockdown rules have relaxed, and we are finally coming out from our homes. But where does it leave the website content writer, the digital content writers? People who are writing and creating content for the online audience? Well, that’s where we are going to shed some light. 

Let’s Go For A Ride Of Marketing Trends Which Will Shape Content Marketing In 2021

1. Competition Is Rising  As we know, most of the sales are now moved online. Even Sony’s and Microsoft’s new-gen gaming consoles are now being sold online compared to massive shopping malls with hundreds of buyers at a time in the pre-COVID era. As a result, both the small companies and big MNCs are putting most of their marketing budget into online advertisements, making the competition inevitable. Thus, as a marketing strategist, one needs to put a lot more effort into getting their content seen on the world wide web. 

But on the other hand, a good website content writer can easily outdo a big-budget marketing campaign with his creativity and flexibility. 

2. Content And Buyer’s Journey Have Now Become One  People are staying in touch with their loved ones using technology. Thus, it’s pretty obvious that content is becoming more and more critical as each day passes in 2021. Consumers are more web-savvy, and they are using mobile phones more often than they used them. For some, online shopping has become a bit of an addiction. Several people are just scrolling down the online shopping sites to find something they can purchase, and that’s where you can apply your marketing genius and get the most out from your viewers. 

A study by Google showed that people tend to turn towards technology to fulfill the immediate need when they are stuck in the middle of something and can’t find the solution. 

With people on the internet looking to find an answer to their problem, your digital content writer has got the excellent opportunity to get those sweet, sweet clicks, which helps you earn money by inserting the affiliate marketing tricks. 

3. Build Your Content For The Audience  If you thought content marketing would be easier in 2021, then we would love to break that thought balloon of yours. We have already seen a rise in slack communities  and companies are putting a lot of effort into making their marketing campaigns personal for their community. As a result, we saw companies trying their best to build a strong community around their products, representing their brand value. 

In 2021 if you are looking to ace the game of content planning, you need to build a closely packed community around your content, which makes your audience share your creation from their accounts, resulting in expanding your reach in a particular community.

4. Enhance The Content Experience  A user comes to your social handle, or to your website, or even if they are reading your guest post. They need to feel welcomed, and you do not want your content to be hidden deep below all the different pop-ups and call to action windows. The bottom line is when your viewer is interacting with your website’s content, and you need to make sure that they are interacting with the right information they need. If someone has searched for a remote control racing car, your website needs to show only the query results. Anything extra, even a non-remote racing car, will hinder the user experience. 

When you aim to optimise the ROI with your content, you need to give your content experience a top priority. Meaning you have to mold your web page content writing skills so that your audience loves your website. They must be driven to write about it and  tell their friends about it. There’s no denying the fact that content, even in 2021, is still the unprecedented king of the internet. 

5. Double Check Your SEO Strategies  Until now, we have talked about how content is going to change in 2021, but let’s be honest, no article for content marketing is complete without pointing out the influence of SEO. SEO is one of the online marketing trends that will stay for a long time, and never gets out of style or out of focus. High-quality SEO content will play a vital role in keeping your website rank high on the search engine result page (SERP). 

For this, you need to spend a significant amount of time creating a solid SEO strategy and finding out the keywords you want to target the most and get traffic from them. A great marketing agency will have website content writing services that already provide SEO optimized content to allow the client’s website to rank higher than the competition. 

Conclusion 

While 2021 is still in its early days and we haven’t turned the calendar yet, there’s no doubt that we should be preparing our content marketing strategy. If you keep these above-written trends at the back of your head while creating content for your website, you are surely going to see an increase in your ROI and traffic. 

[wannawrite]

The B In Baejin Is For Boyfriend Material

• who?: Wanna One's Bae Jinyoung • genre: 🌸 • type: bullet point blog navigator. • pure fluff of what Jinyoung would be like as a boyfriend on campus kdlsjskdjsj I'm honestly really terrible at the boyfriend type of content because I'm not good at speculating or assuming how people actually are in real life. But this was fun to do and I hope it isn't a total flop. Thank you for requesting this anon!! - Admin L 

• first of all, regardless of what college you apply to or enrol in, Jinyoung would be super supportive • even if your dream college and his dream college were 200 miles away • luckily, you guys somehow got into the same college • hell yeah • you wouldn't see your boyfriend for awhile because you're too busy packing and getting ready for college • but this is Bae Jinyoung we're talking about   • *ring ding dong* • you peel open the door to reveal a smiling Baejin, hands filled with packing materials such as masking tape • "yah ~ aren't you supposed to be getting ready as well? Why are you here?" • "i'm here to help!" • you sigh and raise your eyebrows at him • then again, you aren't actually complaining about it • who wouldn't want to have your boyfriend around • and helping you • Jinyoung's house is closer than yours to the institute so he doesn't have much to bring to his dorm • he can travel that half an hour every weekend • your situation is different • much different • a dozen of your things are packed and ready to be shipped to college with you • which is practical because you can't be travelling 5 hours up and down every day • you need everything in your dorm • literally • including that cute plushie Jinyoung gifted you on your birthday to sleep with • otherwise, you know you won't be able to fall asleep • your roommate is cool with you pretty much occupying the entire dorm since they too live extremely close to the college • you love your roommate already • let's not lie Jinyoung is probably decent at packing and being neat • sure, he's no Minhyin but he makes an effort to try and help • folds your clothing • realises it's his sweater he thought he lost last Winter • Baejin sighs but smiles and tucks it in your luggage anyway • his baby WILL wear his clothes • stops to observe the things you packed and realises you have like 500 boxes of household equipment • "....love, how much stuff do you actually need?" • "LovE hOW muCH STufF dO YOu acTUALLy NeED" you reply • *insert Spongebob meme* • "you will help me carry it to my room, won't you?" • your voice drips with honey, sickeningly sweet and begging • Jinyoung pinches your cheek gently, "ahh, I can't. I'm moving in two days after you, remember?" • "yah! is that your reason for moving in after?" • a cheeky smile spreads on his face but before you can retort something snarky, he presses his soft lips to yours • packing is forgotten • you are sad you're moving in before your boyfriend does • he doesn't forget your move in date • at first, your parents were going to drive you and your things over • surprise • on that day, it was Bae Jinyoung and  your parents who showed up in the car to pick you • you nearly melted into tears • he lives far away from you so any unscheduled meet up is rare and always makes you cry • bc he doesn't have to make that 5?? 6?? hour journey to and fro • but he chose to • well duh, it's for you • he's that type of person let him live • your parents were in on it too • the car ride to college is one of the more enjoyable ones you have had in your life • Jinyoung is so charming your parents fell for him immediately • he's talking about baking, politics and gardening all at once to both your parents • it's amusing • and you really wouldn't have it any other way • look at your boyfriend and family getting along so well • he bouta be part of the family soon • wink wonk • your parents love him as much as you do • maybe even more • as soon as the car is parked, your parents venture out to sip tea in one of the on-campus cafes, promising to see you before they leave for the long drive back • your legs are so wobbly you can't even stand up straight anymore • pins and needles are a PAIN • thankfully, you have an amazing boyfriend by the name of Bae Jinyoung to assist you in balancing • both of you make multiple trips back and forth, each time the load of boxes seemingly heavier • djosapdkdl you realise it's going to take the entire day even if you started at 7am • Baejin pulls out his phone. "Hi Jay, clear my schedule for today. I'm really busy right now" • eventually, you do finish up unloading and unpacking every box and bid your family goodbye • you let your lips linger on Jinyoung's for a few more seconds than usual • "it's never a goodbye kiss, Y/N." • of course, you are reunited on his move in day • the favour is returned by you helping to carry like two boxes of things   • he only needed three boxes and one bag • wow • don't you love staying nearby • college starts and your life is flung into a flurry • you barely catch a glimpse of Jinyoung throughout the first couple of weeks but you two decide on a schedule • he walks you to your first lecture every odd week • and you buy him coffee after his classes every even week • sometimes, he just calls you out of your dorm to grab a pizza at the restaurant on campus • college isn't like this irl but • picnic dates at the picnic tables outside the cafeteria • cloud watching, enjoying the sun, just conversing and finally! relaxing after all the stress from your studies • Jinyoung takes a ton of pictures to save as his wallpaper • you talk about your troubles and spill everything during those sessions • it becomes somewhat therapeutic • when either of you has a bad day, you call each other as soon as classes end • "babe..." • "hang on babe. grab your coat, we're headed out" • it happens all the time • you grab dinner together and then go for a nice night stroll • such romantic • 110% mood improved • study dates in the library when it's finals season • it's meant to be a date but you guys concentrate so much on your studies and nearly forget each other's presence • the library closes late for night study etc • you're wrapped up in his sweater and poring over your notes, frantically trying to memorise information • whenever you look like you want to tear your hair out, Jinyoung takes your pen from you and scribbles on a post-it before stamping it in your notes • "take care of yourself! i love you. :)" • your binder is covered in those neon stickers and they make your heart melt every time you see them • always reminds you to eat and stay hydrated • buys you 'cheer up!' stationery such as ramen shaped erasers or a pen with a cute design • you never actually use them and you keep them in a special pen holder on your desk • your roommate teases you about it, especially when more stationery is added • when Jin gets frustrated, you always remind him that he is worth it and that he isn't going to screw up • hyping him so his confidence doesn't fall to where it used to be • to Baejin, your smile itself is enough to make his day • it only gets better when you leave handwritten notes and sometimes a small snack in his bag while he wasn't looking • walks in and out of the exam hall exuding confidence • one night, you fell asleep at the library, surrounded by all your books • Baejin can't exactly leave you there yet he doesn't want to wake you up • so he took over the graveyard shift from the student librarian just to keep the library open and operating • so that you could have a good sleep • and so that half the cohort could cram a night before finals • in the morning, you are forced to literally drag him out lest he miss his final • you blush when your friends tell you about his gesture • how extra™ • you shake your head out of embarrassment but your friends find his care adorable • he gets really shy when you confront him about it • "really? was there no better way to solve it? you could have woken me up you know?" • "ahh but if I did, you wouldn't have gotten an A* on your paper? would you?" he teases • hahaahahaha true • since it's after finals, Jinyoung decides to take you off campus on a date • he goes out of his way to obtain a special parking pass for campus parking • idk we have that here so ^ • "jin, wasn't that cafe over there? why are we headed to the carpark?" • you feel a bit overdressed for your usual spot but he told you to dress your best • Jinyoung tightens his grip around your hand and beams with a wink • "we're going off campus tonight, sweetheart" • S W E E T H E A R T • by the way, I should mention that he looks absolutely dashing in his suit and maroon tie • you're practically drooling and thanking God for your amazing boyfriend • he's glad he heeded Guanlin's fashion advice • anyway • you can hardly contain your excitement as it's been awhile since you got a break from the college scenery • when he sees your mouth stretching into a giant smile, Jinyoung can't help but grin too. • he's happy you're elated to the point that it can't be hidden • since he lives in the nearest city which is 30 minutes away, you take time to admire the foreign scenery • wow....I can't believe Jinyoung lives here.... it's so pretty • ....maybe one day that will be your hometown too • MOVING ON • Jinyoung takes you to the finest restaurant he knows • his mum ONLY brought her clients there to eat so he knows it's serious • parks his fancy car right next to the entrance • you're wondering how he can afford it • he's still in college • maybe he's in the mafia? or a stripper? • okay i'm sidetracking again I'm sorry • with your arms linked, Jinyoung walks up to the host and confidently says, "I have a reservation under Mr. Bae Jinyoung, table for two" • A S D F G H J K L • dinner isn't as tense as you figured it would be • there's still laughter, jokes, and small talk about your school life • it feels the same - if you minus the fanciness of the place - as one of your regular dates on campus • no matter what, Bae Jinyoung is your boyfriend. the type of date doesn't change who he is • the walks to class • the on-campus dates • staying up late to cram for finals • helping him with his presentation slides • going to watch a movie at the media centre • visiting his dorms with food in the middle of the day when you found out he had been cooped up in there and refused to eat lunch • thank you Daehwi • you propped your head in your hands, sighing but beaming • one hand reached out to grab Jinyoung's, he didn't complain • your hands intertwined lovingly • "my college days are so much better with you"

[sarahsrp]

☯ for celebs!!!

send me a ☯ for a brotp meme

Billie/Jason/Jonathan (yea, I’m doing the ot3) 

who’s older?: Jason and Jonathan are the same age. Probably a couple months apart. Billie is the baby. 

who’s more protective?: Hm, maybe Jonathan. He’s always ready to fight for them. Billie is protective of Jason though. He was her first friend after she moved to LA. But she’s also protective of Jon. Not as much though since Jon fights his won battles often. Jason is protective of the both of them too though. 

what’s their origin?: Jon and Jason met at some gala years back. Jon hated it, of course. He hates going to those kind of things. He hung around the bar for most of the night, which is where he met Jason. Despite the major personality differences, they hit it off. Years later, Billie got cast as a very, very small recurring role on a show where Jason is a huge star. I imagine he hits on all the female extras, hit on her and she just LAUGHED in his face. Jason then introduced Billie to Jon and they’ve all been friends since then. 

what are four words to describe their relationship?: Sarcastic, boozy, funny, breezy 

how does each one feel when the other gets into a romantic relationship?: do they get jealous? are they super protective? proud of their friend getting out there?? Billie and Jon definitely tease Jason whenever he gets in a relationship since he’s all about the PR relationship. They don’t really take them seriously. Jon and Jason also tease Billie when she dates someone but are generally protective. They get all older brother like and have to check the guy out and make sure he’s worthy of her. When Jon dates and is actually open about it, they’re happy and surprised. He isn’t really the lovey dovey type so again, there is a lot of teasing. But I think in general, happiness and being proud that he put himself out there and opened up to someone. 

list three problems that they’ve encountered in their time together: Finding time to actually hang out. They’re all busy with their film schedules so sometimes they can go a long time without seeing each other. Also, finding a nice place where there won’t be a bunch of fans or cameras in their faces. And…that’s only two but that’s really all I can think of. 

how often do they fight?: Every time they see each other. But it’s never anything serious. They’re all kind of sarcastic assholes with each other. So it’s all for laughs. 

what would their biggest fight be about?: Australia vs. England/Who’s Homeland is better? Jon and Jason say England. Billie says Australia. It’s never ending. 

nicknames/terms of endearment?: Billie calls Jason - Jayso and Jon - Jono from time to time. Jon calls them by their names because he doesn’t do fluffy/cutesy nicknames. Jason usually sticks with the normal names too, maybe calls Billie hon or sweetie but not too often and probably usually before saying something sarcastic. 

how long will they last?: do they fall out a few months after friendship blooms? do they laugh at their respective grandchildren together while looking over photos from decades ago? I’m gonna say FOREVERRRRRRRRR! They all love each other and like hanging out. I can’t imagine them not staying close to each other. 

how well do they know each other?: They know a lot ore about each other than Wikipedia does. No, really. They’re close. Between all the teasing they do have somewhat serious conversations. They know each other’s likes and dislikes, goals in life and details about their past. 

which of the two is more: violent, expressive, affectionate, irritable, intelligent, attractive, kind: Jon - Violent, Irritable. Jason - Attractive, Kind. Billie - Expressive, Affectionate. They’re all fairly intelligent. Even if they joke and say Jason is just a pretty face. 

are there any chances of them n o t staying platonic?: Well, Jason and Jon definitely aren’t going to hook up. Billie and Jon look at each other like siblings. I wouldn’t put it pass Billie and Jason to drunkenly make out at least once but that would be them super, super drunk. They’re all very platonic. 

how would they react if the other were to die?: Devastated. 

what extent would one half of the brotp go for the other?: Billie would defend her boys like crazy, Jon would fight people like crazy and Jason would also defend them like crazy. They’re like a little family, really. They would do a lot for each other. 

list headcanons for them based around: a slide, a laptop, winter, coca-cola, braiding hair, shoes, two of your choice: Winter is actually kind of an argument with them. Jason and Jon say that winter is during the obvious December to March months. But Billie is a backwards Australian and insists that nope, those are summer months. And whenever it’s in the middle of ACTUAL winter and it gets a little chilly, she gets all dramatic and wears a coat and says “it’s so cold for summer” and then an intense debate will break out for three days. Billie is in love with french braids. Especially the cutesy french braided pigtails. She absolutely loves them. However, she can’t do it herself. Whenever she tries it looks all loose and uneven. So, she has somehow convinced both Jason and Jon to learn. They watched numerous videos online and now whenever Billie wants her hair braided, she finds one of them and has them do it. As payment, she always buys the first two rounds at the bar.  

Tyler/Nikki

who’s older?: You know, I have no clue. Nikki might be though. 

who’s more protective?: Tyler is more protective over Nikki. He’s known her for years and has a huge crush on her and everyone knows it. And he’s very protective. He gets really defensive any time there is something bad said about her in the press. 

what’s their origin?: Probably at the Kids Choice Awards. Tyler was very young when he was discovered and so was Nikki. They probably presented at the award show and then hung out afterwards. They saw each other a lot at these kind of events and eventually just became friends. As they got older they would hang out at bigger, more mature events then silly award shows. 

what are four words to describe their relationship?: Playful, lively, flirty, flawed

how does each one feel when the other gets into a romantic relationship?: do they get jealous? are they super protective? proud of their friend getting out there?? They get jealous. Tyler already makes it known he’s interested in Nikki so obviously he gets jealous. But in the end, he’s also happy if she’s happy. He’s not really a sore loser about it. And Nikki gets jealous too. She likes the attention Tyler gives her and when he’s dating someone he isn’t being all flirty with her and so she gets a bit jealous. 

list three problems that they’ve encountered in their time together: Tyler’s feelings for her, Fans/paparazzi inserting themselves in their business (Tyler’s fault), Nikki leading him on here and there  

how often do they fight?: I don’t think they’ve ever fought. Sure she gets annoyed when he’s openly says he likes Nikki but she denies him and he gets jealous when she’s with someone else. But they don’t ever let that get in the way of their actual friendship 

what would their biggest fight be about?: If they actually got into a fight, like a real one, it would be Tyler’s feelings for her. 

nicknames/terms of endearment?: Babe, hon, sweetie, baby, sexy, stuff like that. Also Ty and Nik. 

how long will they last?: do they fall out a few months after friendship blooms? do they laugh at their respective grandchildren together while looking over photos from decades ago? They’ve been friends since they were middle school aged and nothing has come between them yet. I don’t really thing anything could. They’ll be friends a really long ways down the road. 

how well do they know each other?: I imagine they know pretty much everything there is to know about each other. Again, they’ve known each other since they were like 10/11 and they’re in their 20′s now. There isn’t much they keep secret or really can keep secret. 

which of the two is more: violent, expressive, affectionate, irritable, intelligent, attractive, kind: I’d say - Nikki is more violent, irritable, intelligent and Tyler is more expressive, affectionate and kind. They’re both very attractive people though so tie on that. 

are there any chances of them n o t staying platonic?: Yes and no. They’ll definitely dabble in something more but never actually date or be exclusive. They’ll always be first and foremost platonic friends. 

how would they react if the other were to die?: It would be a huge blow to either of them. They’re like each other’s longest lasting friends. 

what extent would one half of the brotp go for the other?: Tyler would do anything Nikki asked him to do. Honestly, he is a sucker for her. She would do a lot for him too but not quite as much. 

list headcanons for them based around: a slide, a laptop, winter, coca-cola, braiding hair, shoes, two of your choice: Nikki and Tyler have had a pretty nice tradition over the years that right after a party or an after party, they get some fast food and go back to one of their homes to crash. Because of this, Tyler has acquired so many pairs of Nikki’s shoes over the years that she has her own shoe rack in the guest bedroom’s closet. She comes over, kicks off the uncomfortable heels and forgets to grab them as she heads out the next day to her car. Sometimes she’ll have him bring them over to her but there’s enough left behind that he had to do something with them. Tyler will never admit it to anyone other than Nikki but he’s actually afraid of heights. But he loves water parks and going up on the big slides they have. But again, afraid of heights. When he was younger, he told Nikki this in confidence and she promised to go on every water slide with him. That way he’d have someone with him and wouldn’t be so scared. Now, as an adult, he’s still not a fan of heights but isn’t too afraid to go up on a water slide alone but he’s so used to Nikki being by his side that he generally won’t go on one without her. 

[on-the-brink-of-discovery]

What you should do vs. What you want to do

“If we were meant to be, we would have been by now” Billie Ellish sang over the car radio. She starts to cry. He doesn’t even consider how much he means to people- to her-, he still sends suicide memes to her even though she told him how much she hates them. 

They were were 18 when they met, just freshman in college. She, in a new state and him just 4 hours north of home. It really was some sort of fate. Abby became close with her first roommates pretty quickly, as well as their friends. Cassandra had a friend, Michael and that’s where they met. Soon after an introduction they began staying up talking overnight until 4 am at least. They would leave the dorm just to watch the sunrise, come back and crash. She never thought it would be possible to be late to a 2 pm class, until him. They stayed up all night and slept all day, Abby and him slowly grew together. It was October when they first slept together- just slept. When they first crawled in together into that twin sized college dorm bed she remembered a few weeks ago she told him “I don’t like to cuddle or touch that much” a lie. She always lied at the beginning when she met people, she’s still not really sure why. Maybe she likes throwing people curve balls and seeing if they’ll stick. She hoped he didn’t remember that. He put an arm around her and pulled her closer, she backed up to be as close as possible.  That first night she could barely sleep. He was so close and it had been so long since someone had held her like that. She focused on keeping her breath even and enjoying the moment. Somewhere along the way she must have fallen asleep because she woke up to being turned. She was a little startled at first, not remembering someone was with her, but she quickly recalled and let him turn her around to her back and get closer to her face. Her heart was beating out of her chest, attempting to keep her breath happen she waited. He was patient, he could always out wait her. Soon she felt a hand on her cheek, turning her face towards him. Both eyes were still closed, peeking when the other wasn’t looking. He slowly moved his face closer and closer until their lips were nearly touching. She would later find this is a game he liked to play involving him teasing her until she would make the first move. And he was good at this game because she is notoriously impatient and would make the first move. She let a few minutes pass and then moved her face forward and pressed her lips on his. And that was it.

The next few nights involved more sleeping together and more kisses each night. Then one night they went to a friends apartment on campus and got drunk. It was inevitable. They were walking home with their friends, unsure of how much they knew about what was going on. When they reached their dorm there were boys playing video games in the common area, naturally Michael stayed behind to play. Abby went upstairs with her roommates and got ready for bed but found herself making her way down the stairs with her blanket back to the common area. She wasn’t very tired and wanted to see him again. They were wrapping up the last few games so she sat on the couch and watched. One boy was playing with a rubix cube, she stated she had never been able to complete one entirely, just a single side. He let her have the rub cube and she solved a side then handed it back. He then proceeded to solve it, when there was only turn left to lock it into place he handed it to Abby allowing her to solve it. Soon after, Michael and her took off to his room. They were making out all the way there, through the stairs and the hall. She could have ripped his clothes off there. Once they were in bed she tried to start something (keep in mind both of us had roommates). She asked if he had a condom, he did. She wasn’t actually concerned, she had been on birth control for awhile and already knew his sexual history curtesy of all those late nights, but she realized it was something she should get in the habit of. It was drunk sex, embarrassing for both parties and really not great. She pulled the condom off trying to give him a hand job (WHY would she try and give someone a hand job with a condom on? IDK ask the drunk girl). They ended up falling asleep and when they woke up the roommate was gone and so they did a redo right then. The sex was good, not great but way better than her previous experiences. Soon hooking up and sleeping together became a regular thing. 

They went through a lot together. He and her both came for someone for the first time. They had had sex with other people, just nothing like this. They could go for 3 or 4 hours sometimes. There was so much sexual tension/passion between them, it really was something else. 

Neither of them wanted anything serious and she was leaving in winter anyway, taking a semester to get back surgery. He had just gotten out of a serious relationship. This was college! It was fun and good so why not just fuck while we could?

She flew down and stayed with him for spring break. They fucked and hung out the entire time. The months in between involved a lot of texting. Nothing super consistent but enough to keep her knowing she was wanted.

She moved back in Fall and was ready for the year. Except this time he wasn’t returning. Financials had gotten the best of him and he had to take a semester off. She was lonely but still had other friends, she worked on herself. He would come and visit and stayed with her and its the same story. One day he dropped “I love you” when they were on the couch. She had to ask him for clarification, she thought they didn’t want anything. He explained “I love you, but Im not in love with you”. This made her feel better and she realized she felt the same. She could trust him and be honest and communicate. They were comfortable with each other and she really enjoyed his company. It nice to be that way with someone.

Finally Spring came and they were both back at university. They were inseparable. They spent everyday and every night together. They cohabited her apartment and took on so many problems together, every once in awhile striking up a serious conversation to make sure both were on the same page. Neither of them wanted to date but they practically already were. They spent valentines day together, went grocery shopping together, ate together. He later admitted to creating an emotional dependency on her the semester. She grew weary of him always being there. There was another guy in her physics lab, Amir, that she was attracted to and they both advertised being single so she thought “why not?”. She began eating with Amir instead some days and kicked Michael out from sleeping there every now and then. She wanted her space back. It was hard to have someones stuff in your apartment and feel like you couldn’t breathe. At the time she had a lot of roommate drama and really couldn’t deal with so many things going on at the same time. Amir and her went nowhere, their personalities didn’t mesh and she found conversation often forced... there are some people you just don’t fit with. She found herself missing Michael’s familiar company.

At the end of the spring semester of their sophomore year, Abby stayed at Michael’s place back home for a week. It was so cool to get to see where he was from and explore his city. They were adventurous together.

Over the summer their contact was not great, it was like that a lot of the time. He was bad at communicating over technology and she understood that. Soon August came and he was flying up to visit family in New York. She took a train and met him in the city for a day. They acted like a real couple. Holding hands, kissing, dancing in public. They took pictures and went to museums, walked Central park. What a day. She felt brand new, like the past few months of minimal talking were nothing, it was worth it for a day of being a couple with him. They day in the city with him was adventurous and fun and crazy. She felt safe with him, like she could go anywhere and do anything. 

The day was soon over but he was coming to her hometown for a few days soon so it wasn’t too hard of a goodbye. He arrived a week later with his dad, step-mom and sister. This was a lot. His family meeting my family. My car was getting the final touches put on it and our dads even worked together on it while they were there. It was such an odd sight but I was happy he was there. He was coming to my uncles wedding with me on Sunday and on Monday they were leaving to road trip down to school. Saturday night there was a bonfire and they got drunk and high and fucked in a tent in her yard. On Sunday everyone was hungover so they did the one thing they could... kept drinking. Michael and Abby enjoyed the wedding, dancing and singing, he even danced with her mom *insert shocked face*. They snuck away from the wedding and got some alone time. She had missed him and the adventure he brought so much, but he was here now and that’s all that mattered.

The road trip was long but so perfect. They stopped in Maryland and got real crab cakes, took a break at the National Mall in D.C. and made it to South Carolina the first day. The car ride was filled with singing and laughter and feeding each other, and head of course because why not? They got a hotel room and had sex because what else were they going to do with a hotel room? They slept through breakfast and had to stop somewhere else but it oddly didn’t bother her. Usually those kinds of misguidances for plans would irritate her but nothing could kill her buzz. They drove for 4hours and 57 minutes, never stopped for gas and just barely made it there for check in at their new apartments. 

Junior year brought new struggles. She stayed at his apartment most days but he finally built his own computer so he was on that most of the time. She began feeling unappreciated, unwanted. She started to get the sense she was annoying him. It was a hard change but she figured this must have been what it felt like for him in spring. They had more conversations to make sure they were on the same page, she didn’t realize it yet but she was unsure of what she wanted. It became a problem. She was giving herself away and all he was doing was taking. Taking her time, energy, happiness. They made it through fall but winter break brought many difficulties. She was living with her original roommates from freshman year again and Michael was hanging out with Cass a lot again. Over winter break she spent most of her time with him, they lived close and could. Abby was stuck to drive alone to and from CT. It was lonely and tiring, especially without Michael. 

When they returned from break something was different. She had resolved not to build walls up because she was exhausted. Building walls just to break them can really take an emotional toll on someone. He had opted to spend New Years with Cassandra and did not let her drive down to hang out too. They finally returned and things were strange. She had to talk to him. She was starting to expect things and get her feelings hurt. She vocalized what she wanted and felt, essentially asking if there was a future, or if he could reciprocate her love, affection and care that she was giving. He told her he could but that he still didn’t want a relationship. He wasn’t ready to put himself out there to get hurt. They talked until 7 am and then resolved to pick it up another day. 

After a week of being neglected and really pushed aside. she had it. They hadn’t slept together, he asked her not to come over. He hung out every day in her apartment with Cassandra and rarely came to see me of talk to me. On Saturday they finally talked. It was painful and sad but she went into the room knowing that it was probably going to end. She didn’t want it if someone could so easily push her aside and hurt her. He was knowingly hurting her and she knew that meant he didn’t care, he just wanted her around. He didn’t know how to treat someone that loved him, or didn’t want to. She told him all the things bothering her about the week and he rationalized some. She told him all the things bothering her about them and he couldn’t do anything. It was clear that after 2.5 years they were no longer on the same page. They never had been on a date, were never in a real relationship, but they had done so much. They came together, they were each others longest relationship, they slept together, partied together, went out to eat, bought each other food, said “I love you”, cared for each other. They were real together. They resolved to be friends. Abby could feel her heart crack. “If he doesn’t want me that’s fine there are plenty of people that do” she thought. And she's right... she hopes. It’s only been 3 days since. She was tired from crying and from work. She went to counseling and talked about her feelings and was starting to reconnect with her roommates. She knew this was for the better. She needed someone to grow with her and help her grow. An independent male that could take care of himself. She needed more than Michael cold have been. It didn’t make it hurt less.