#... i look for him in anyone i hope to be with and hes raised my standards absurdly

[tpwk-formula1]

TIME TO ORDER MY PIZZA

RAHHHH

aight. lets have an ob87 with the sicillian crust, red sauce, pepperoni, jalapenos, mushrooms, chicken, cilantro, buffalo chicken, gorgonzola and parmesan cheese, roasted artichokes, anchovies, goat cheese

and beer, sprite, and dessert <3 

TYSM

AN: Hi! Day two of following my schedule! I hope everyone has an amazing day! I'm working on the 2K Special and I am so excited for you guys to meet all our new AUs <3

TW: Unprotected sex, rough, dirty talk, oral, edging, begging

WC: 2.1K

Ollie Bearman x bratty! reader

sicilian crust dating red sauce rough sex pepperoni "Be a good girl, and you'll get what you want" jalapenos "Always such a fucking brat" mushrooms "Wrong, wanna try again" chicken "Awe, you thought I'd let you cum that easy?" cilantro "Stop crying and fucking take it" buffalo chicken "Such a fucking crybaby, just fucking take it all" gorgonzola "Are you always this fucking loud?" parmesan cheese "Awe... did that hurt? Tuff luck I'm gonna do it again" roasted artichokes “im gonna put a baby in you” anchovies "How are you already drenched" goat cheese "Get on your knees and beg" beer edging sprite size kink dessert yes served by Ollie Bearman

Y/N POV

"Always such a fucking brat," I hear Ollie seethe a whisper into my ear. Making me smirk softly.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Ollie," I say softly with a bright smile playing on my lips trying to fray innocence. Ollie doesn't even buy it for a split second just sending me a warning look before walking back towards his engineers to talk about the upcoming race.

I quickly turn my attention back to Kimi and resume my "flirty" which really just consisided of Kimi and I laughing over the fact that we are very clearly baiting Ollie to finally make a move.

"You're pissing him off," Kimi giggles making me look over my shoulder to find Ollie giving me a raised brow making me turn back giggling knowing our plan was going perfectly.

"The fact that it's only been you to get a rise out of him," I say making Kimi laugh and shake his head softly.

"This better work out for you guys. I still can't believe how obvious both of your guys feelings are to everyone around. Hell you even know Ollie likes you but he's so oblivious he doesn't realize how much you already like him," Kimi says laughing and shaking his head before walking to his engineers leaving me to find Ollie.

"Go back to Kimi," Ollie says not even looking up from his phone making me laugh softly.

"Ollie you cannot be serious," I say softly.

"I thought we agreed to figure out what was going on between us before talking to anyone else," Ollie says making me roll my eyes. My reaction only get Ollie to scoff and stand up letting his size tower over mine.

"Either stop being such a fucking brat or go back and giggle with Kimi," Ollie tells me in a stern voice that should problem instill a bit of fear but instead it has me clenching my thighs together.

"Are you getting off on pissing me off or is Kimi that much better then me," Ollie scoffs rolling his eyes. I can tell how mad he already is but what can I say... I like to poke the bear. (pun very intended)

"Just thinking about what Kimi was saying earlier," I say in a teasing tone before sending a smirk.

Before I can even start laughing to let Ollie know it was all a joke and he had taken the bait so easily it was like taking candy from a baby, he had me pushed against the wall with his hand around my neck.

"Wrong, wanna try that again," Ollie growls looking down at me. I can't help the moan that slips between my lips making Ollie smirk slightly.

"It was a set up," I whisper looking Ollie in the eye making his grip on my throat loosen slightly. He's looking down at me with a raised brow trying to figure out if I was lying or not.

"Kimi was tired of us being stupid. We decided to bait you into finally making a move. I've tried with Dino, Paul, HELL I even tried to bait you with fucking Charles and nada but heaven forbid I giggle with Kimi, which mind you we were laughing about how it was working," I tell him and by the time I had finished Ollie's hand around my throat had moved to my cheek.

"God, I'm more embarrassed it took me this long to realize," Ollie admits making me let out a small laugh before reaching my hands around Ollie's neck and pulling him down for a quick kiss.

The second Ollie's lips touched mine I let out a small moan before pulling him closer deepening the kiss.

"No," I whine when he pulls away.

"We're still in the paddock. When we get back to the hotel you better come to mine," Ollie tells me making me smile and nod slightly before pulling him down to steal one more kiss.

When we get back to Ollie's hotel room he's instantly dragging me towards the bed and before he pushes me down he quickly pulls off my shorts and shirt leaving me in the matching black bra and panties set I had put on this morning.

"Did you know this was gonna happen?" Ollie asks with a smirk while rubbing his fingers lightly over the lace of my bra.

"I hoped so," I admit letting my blush creep onto my cheeks. I glance down noticing that Ollie was still fully dressed I quickly tug at the bottom of his Ferrari team kit before pulling it off his body with Ollie's help.

Once he's shirtless Ollie quickly pushes me onto the bed hoovering over my body before leaning down and pulling me in for a heated kiss.

When I feel Ollie's lips trailing down my cheeks and neck I let out a soft moan when he bites down before sucking softly I'm sure will leave a mark behind. He leaves a few more scattered around my neck and chest before trailing his mouth down my pussy.

When he reaches his destination he spreads my legs further just staring at my soaked pussy for a split second.

"How are you already drenched?" Ollie asks with a smirk but before I can even answer him back he's licking a long strip from my leaking hole up to my throbbing clit where he pulls it into his mouth making me moan loudly.

"Fuck Ollie!" I cry out when he starts flicking his tongue over my sensitive clit.

"Taste so good," Ollie mumbles into my pussy making me whimper at the vibrations. Ollie only attaches his mouth back to my clit completely ignoring my cries of pleasure.

"Shit!" I cry out when I feel two of Ollie's fingers slip into my pussy finding my G-spot almost instantly making me arch my back off the bed from the stimulation.

"So good," I moan when Ollie starts fucking his fingers into my pussy while still teasing my clit. I can already feel my orgasm starting to build which has Ollie pulling away and smirking at me.

"No!" I cry out in a whine making Ollie laugh at me in a mocking manner.

"Awe, you thought I'd let you cum that easy?" Ollie asks with a smirk making me whimper. I always kind of figured Ollie was gonna be the dominant type but I'm still shocked by how dominant he truly is.

"Ollie, please I've been waiting for this moment," I beg making Ollie shake and head before flipping my body over so I'm now on my stomach but before I can even catch my breath he's pulling my hips up leaving me on all fours.

"Ow! Oliver," I cry out when I feel his slap ring out against my ass.

"Awe... did that hurt? Tuff luck I'm gonna do it again," Ollie says while he sends down another harsh slap to my ass.

"Fuck," I moan only resulting in Ollie spanking me again. He repeated this process until my ass was glowing a bright shade of red.

"So pretty," Ollie's voice rings out before he's burying two of his fingers into my pussy again making me whimper. From the new angle Ollie is hitting my G-spot with perfect precision every time.

"I'm close," I cry when I feel my orgasm start to build again but just like last time Ollie is pulling his fingers out just before I can tumble over the edge.

"Oliver! Please I need to cum," I cry out as I'm turning back onto my back to look Ollie in the eyes.

"Get on your knees and beg then," Ollie tells me with a smirk instantly making me sit up straighter and push him away from hoovering over me resulting in him standing up and taking a few steps back. When I climb off of bed I instantly sink onto my knees in front of Ollie.

I make quick work of unbottoming his pants and pulling them down a long with his briefs. Once his hard cock is freed I can't help the small whimper I let out in shock of his size.

Ollie quickly steps out of his pants and steps a bit closer so his cock was almost touching my lips.

I lean forward and take his throbbing cock into my hand and take a small lick on the tip of his cock. The hiss he lets out at the small stimulation gives me the courage I need to take the tip of his cock into my mouth.

"When I said that, it was a joke," Ollie says breathlessly but still wastes no time wrapping his fingers into my hair and pushing me farther down his cock.

"Fuck," Ollie groans out when my nose hits the trimmed patch of hair at the base of his cock.

I start bobbing my head on Ollie's cock making his grip in my hair tighten. As I have Ollie deep in my mouth I bring one of my hands up and start playing with his balls making him groan out and throw his head back in pleasure.

"No," I whine as Ollie pulls me off his cock.

"You cock hungry whore, I want to cum while fucking you," Ollie says while leaving down do we're face to face with each other. He places a few quick kisses down on my wet lips before standing back up straight and helping me stand.

Once we are both back on the bed Ollie has me in missionary teasing my clit with the tip of his cock while he peppers kisses all along my neck and collarbones leaving small bite marks and hickeys in his wake.

"Ollie! Please!" I cry out no longer being able to handle his relentless teasing.

"Be a good girl and you'll get what you want," Ollie says with a smirk and sliding deeply into my pussy with one thrust.

"Oh fuck," I cry out arching my back off the bed feeling my self be filled in ways I've never experienced before.

Ollie wastes no time thrusting into my pussy at a quick speed making me continue to cry out loudly in pleasure.

"Fuck! Ollie! So fucking good," I moan loudly through thrusts making Ollie smirk down at me before leaning down slightly to place a kiss on my lips.

"Are you always this fucking loud?" Ollie asks while picking up his thrusts into a rougher pace.

"Too good," I cry out again making Ollie smirk.

"Too good? You better get used to it," Ollie teases while using his fingers to start teasing my clit.

"Fuck, I'm gonna cum if you keep doing that," I cry out only making Ollie speed all his actions up.

"Cum for me," Ollie grunts out.

"Shit!" I cry out while I feel my orgasm wash over me.

"Fuck, I'm cumming," Ollie grunts out while I still feel my orgasm washing over me.

"I'm gonna put a baby in you," Ollie grunts out while I feel his cum filling me up.

"Fuck Ollie," I moan feeling the final wave of my orgasm end while Ollie is slowly pulling out of my pussy.

"I think our families would kill us if we got pregnant coming into your rookie season," I tease making Ollie laugh while pulling me into his hold and taking me into the bathroom with him.

"Do your business and we can shower after," Ollie tells me softly while a small laugh is falling from his lips. He sets me down on the toilet and moves to turn the shower on.

Once I was done I climb into the shower after Ollie and instantly wrapping my arms around his bare torso.

"Sorry it took me forever," Ollie says while looking down at me.

"I mean if I get fucked like that for waiting we can go back whatever we were before," I tease making Ollie's cheeks heat up.

"I can just fuck you like that, because now that you're mine we aren't doing any of that waiting bullshit," Ollie says with a small laugh falling from his lips.

Once we finished the shower Ollie gave me one of his shirts to wear and we both climbed back into bed. When Ollie grabs his phone he notices a few texts from Kimi.

Before he can even answer them his phone starts ringing with an incoming FaceTime.

"What's up," Ollie asks while laying on his back and looking up to the phone. He intentionally kepted me out of the camera view.

"Did you finally get the girl?" Kimi asks clearly frustrated that Ollie had been ignoring him.

"Cause that's the only acceptable answer for not answering my messages," Kimi adds making Ollie laugh.

"I saw you with her, assumed she would be with you," Ollie tells him making me shake my head and pinch his side.

"Bro, I know Y/N is there with you!" Kimi exclaims with laughing. I end up laughing revealing that he was correct.

We ended up talking with Kimi for a little bit before we got off the phone and fell asleep in each others arms.

[leonastarry]

Hiiiii!! Glad requests are open. I love you work so muchh 💕💕.

I would like to request a fix about sung Jin-woo with a jealous wife/girlfriend reader.like she is feeling a bit jelly of cha hae-in cause she likes him(he wouldn’t like her in that way though). Reassurance, fluff please!!!

[ Req 9 ] Don't worry. ✧. ┊    husband!jinwoo x wife!reader

Your worries started after Cha Hae-in applied to join your husband's guild.

You saw her strength, she was also very beautiful and an S-rank hunter. Her status was very suitable for Jinwoo, compared to her, you were just a commoner.

Even though you and your husband were tied together by a wedding ring on your hand, you still felt anxious and jealous.

So recently, you became more irritable and kept thinking about this. You also felt a loss of appetite and your face was often full of sadness, which made Jinwoo very worried.

One evening, after dinner and lying on the bed preparing to go to sleep, you turned your back on your husband and thought about Cha Hae-in again.

You didn't want to feel like that. Cha was sweet, beautiful and a great hunter. You admired her in many ways - but you couldn't ignore the way she looked at Jinwoo every time they passed, and especially the way she confessed to Jinwoo the day she applied to join Ahjin.

Your thoughts were interrupted by an arm around your waist, your husband pulling you into his embrace and whispering.

"Wife, what's wrong? Is someone bothering you?"

You hesitated, fiddling with the hem of your sweater. "Nothing."

He hugged you tighter. "You know you're not good at lying, right?"

You bit your lip, glancing away. "It's silly."

"If it makes you uncomfortable, it's not silly," he said softly, reaching out to take your hand. His thumb brushed over your knuckles, his touch warm and comforting.

You sighed and turned to face him. "It's just… Cha Hae-in."

His brow furrowed. "What about her?"

"She likes you," you blurted, your cheeks burning. "And… I don’t blame her. I mean, look at you." You gestured vaguely at him, your voice wavering between disappointment and embarrassment. "You’re strong, handsome, kind… Anyone would fall for you."

Jinwoo blinked, then chuckled. Your heart sank. "See? That’s silly." You tried to pull your hand away, but he held on, tight but gentle.

"It’s not silly," he said, his voice sincere. "But you’ve got it all wrong."

"How?"

He moved closer, one hand cupping your face. His touch was so gentle it made your chest ache. "Cha Hae-In may admire me, but that doesn’t mean I feel the same way. I’m not interested in her. I never was."

You looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of doubt, but all you saw was honesty.

"She's not the one who's there for me when I'm weak," he continued, his thumb brushing against your cheek. "She's not the one who knows how I like my coffee or can make me laugh when I'm having a bad day. She's not the one I come home to, the one I can't imagine my life without."

Your throat tightened as his words sank in.

"You are," he said, his voice steady. "And I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like you weren't good enough, because that's who you are. You always will be."

A tear slid down your cheek, and Jinwoo wiped it away with his thumb, his expression softening.

"I love you," he said, leaning in to kiss your forehead. "Only you." He raised your hand to kiss the wedding ring "I made a vow to you, until death do us part, I will always be by your side."

He cupped your cheeks and kissed you deeply. "Now go to sleep, don't think too much."

Don't worry. I will always love you, I will love you in thousands of worlds.

Thanks for loving my work.

Hope you like this ❤❤

[ikkyfics]

Hii sorry to bother 🥲🫶🏻

But If I can, I'd like to request Dave maybe with an insecure reader that used to be bullied back in school days and stuff.

Please decline or ignore this if you don't feel like writing or simply don't want to! I love your writings they're so comfy and sweet (If that makes sense?)!

Ty and stay safe and healthy !😽😽

I’m here. I’ll always be here

Dave Lizewski x f!reader

Summary: "Hey," he called once he was close enough, his voice soft, but full of concern. You stopped, raising your eyes to him, and what Dave saw was enough to make his chest tighten. Your eyes were shining in a way he knew meant tears were close, and there was something fragile about your expression, like a single word could make everything crumble.

Warnings: mention of bullying, anxiety, sensitive content - a bit of well-deserved revenge

A/N: ooh you are so sweet, thank you so much for the nice words. and you certainly don't bother, my dear. I hope you can enjoy it, and please stay safe and healthy too <333

Masterlist

The day was calm on campus, with students scattered across the lawn and the muffled sound of laughter and conversations in the background. You had just left the library a few minutes ago, balancing the books against your chest as you tried not to think about how busy the campus seemed at that time. You were planning to take a shortcut to the place you knew Dave would be. Just a few more minutes, and the comfort of his presence would dissipate any discomfort you felt.

But then it happened.

It was a quick bump, the kind of thing that could go unnoticed on a normal day. The impact was light, but it made one of your books slip and fall to the ground. You automatically bent down to pick it up, mumbling a hasty apology without even looking at the person.

"Ah, sorry," you started to say, but the voice that responded made the blood freeze in your veins.

"Well, look who’s here."

The voice was sweet, almost musical, but tinged with a note of malice you instantly recognized. That unmistakable tone that made your stomach churn. You slowly lifted your head, as if you could delay the inevitable.

It was her.

The nickname came to your mind before you could process the face in front of you. Sugar. That’s what she was known as, but the nickname never reflected her true nature. She wasn’t sweet. Not really. She was cruel in an almost elegant way, capable of turning insults into something that sounded like a compliment to anyone not paying attention.

Her smile widened when she saw your expression.

"Well, this is unexpected. You, here? Never imagined that... well, you know, that you’d be the type to actually make it somewhere."

Your heart began pounding in your chest. You tried to smile, to act as if it were any other encounter, as if her face wasn’t dragging up memories of every moment you wished you could disappear. You tried to walk past her, to keep going, but her hand lightly touched your arm, just enough to stop your steps.

"What’s the matter? Not even going to say 'hi' to an old friend?"

"I have to go," you murmured, your voice weak, barely audible. But she didn’t step back.

"Oh, don’t be like that! I mean, look at you!" She gestured dramatically, her eyes sliding over you as if she were evaluating a defective piece of art. "You’re so... different. Not that it’s bad, you know? But I can still tell, I guess. The same vibe, that... how can I put it? That insecure little thing. You can feel it from a distance, you know?"

You tried again, took a step back, but she followed the movement, leaning in slightly, like a predator sensing vulnerable prey.

"It’s funny, because I remember you always seemed so... out of place. I mean, I never thought you’d survive high school, let alone get here. It’s like a miracle, don’t you think?"

Her voice seemed to echo louder than it should have, drowning out the sounds of the campus around you. Each word seemed to pierce your mind directly, bringing images, voices, and laughter from the past you tried to bury.

You wanted to say something, anything, but the words just wouldn’t come. The air felt heavy, like the simple act of breathing required effort.

She laughed, a low, almost conspiratorial sound, as if sharing a secret with you. "Oh, don’t get so tense. I’m just joking, you know? That’s what I always liked about you, that... sensitivity. Makes you so easy to hit. Isn’t it fun? You get all nervous, like you’re about to explode any second."

You wanted to run. To escape. But your legs felt glued to the ground, and all you could do was press the books harder against your chest, as if that could create some kind of barrier between you.

"Well, I won’t bother you anymore with your... busy day or whatever you call your routine," she said, finally stepping away, but not without giving one last evaluative glance. "Just thought it was funny seeing you. Almost didn’t recognize you. But, you know, some things never change, huh?"

She walked away then, leaving a trail of expensive perfume and poisonous words in the air. And you stood there, paralyzed, trying to process what had just happened.

The weight of Sugar’s words still seemed to press against your chest as you finally forced your feet to move. The world around you was just a blurred smear of colors and muffled sounds, everything secondary to the echo of the memories crashing in like a violent wave.

The hallways of high school. The judgmental stares. The laughs that always seemed to follow you, even when you didn’t quite know what they were laughing at. The feeling of being small, invisible, and at the same time, far too exposed. It was a whirlwind you thought you’d overcome, but now it was back with full force, as if time had stood still.

You took a deep breath, trying to keep it together. Trying to remind yourself that that was the past, that you weren’t that person anymore. But the memories didn’t let up, and before you knew it, your eyes were misting over.

When you finally spotted Dave, he was standing near one of the campus benches, with Todd and Marty. They were laughing about something, and just seeing him there, in his relaxed and cheerful posture, made the weight on your shoulders lighten a little. Dave was the anchor that kept you steady, but even now, he seemed as distant as the rest of the world.

Dave noticed you before you could get too close, and his smile faded the moment he saw you. Something was wrong. He knew every detail about you — the way you walked, the slight curve of your shoulders when you were distracted, the way your lips curled into a nearly imperceptible smile when something pleased you. But now, each of those traits seemed erased.

Your steps were hesitant, almost staggered, as if you were carrying something far heavier than the books pressed against your chest. Your shoulders were stiff, and the way you avoided looking around said more than words ever could.

"I’ll be right back," Dave murmured to Todd and Marty, but didn’t wait for their response before heading straight toward you. He didn’t need to think, didn’t need to plan. He just knew he had to get to you.

"Hey," he called once he was close enough, his voice soft, but full of concern. You stopped, raising your eyes to him, and what Dave saw was enough to make his chest tighten. Your eyes were shining in a way he knew meant tears were close, and there was something fragile about your expression, like a single word could make everything crumble.

"Hey, what happened?" He took another step forward, reaching for your hand, but you shook your head, gripping the books tighter.

"It’s nothing," you said, your voice low, almost faded. It wasn’t how you normally spoke. It wasn’t you.

"It doesn’t sound like 'nothing,'" Dave replied, his voice firmer now. He put a hand on your shoulder, a light touch, but full of intention. "Please, talk to me. What happened?"

For a moment, you stayed silent, as if deciding what to do. And then, finally, you murmured, "I ran into someone... from high school."

The words hit him hard. Dave knew enough about your past to understand the weight that came with that. He didn’t know all the details — you still couldn’t talk about some things — but he knew enough to feel a quiet anger rise inside him.

"Who?" The question came quickly, almost automatically, before he could stop it. He needed to know.

"It doesn’t matter." Your answer came fast, and you looked away. "I just want to forget."

Dave took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. He knew pushing you would only make things worse. But seeing you like this, so vulnerable, so distant from yourself, was unbearable.

"Okay," he said, softening his tone. "Okay. But let me help, at least. Let’s sit, alright? Just for a minute."

You hesitated, but eventually nodded, and Dave wasted no time. He found a bench a little farther away and guided you there. As soon as you sat down, he took one of your hands, interlacing his fingers with yours. It was a simple gesture, but it held so much meaning.

"If you want to talk, I’m here," he said, looking directly at you. "And if you don’t, that’s okay too. But just... let me stay with you now, okay?"

Dave kept his eyes fixed on you, feeling the weight of your silence like a wave about to crash. You were always so good at hiding what you felt, at masking the pain with small smiles or words that deflected attention. But now, there was no shield. It was just you, vulnerable and desperately trying to hold it together, even as everything around you seemed to crumble.

He squeezed your hand lightly, a silent reminder that he was there, that you didn’t have to carry that weight alone. "You don’t have to pretend with me," he said softly, his tone gentle, with no trace of judgment. "I’m here. Just let it happen."

You swallowed hard, your lips trembling as you tried to form a response that wouldn’t come. You didn’t want to break down, not there, not now. But his eyes were so warm, so full of love and understanding, that the knot in your throat became impossible to ignore.

"Dave..." Your voice finally came out, but it was almost a whisper, as fragile as you felt.

He didn’t say anything, just shook his head slightly, as if he wanted to tell you that you didn’t need to speak unless you wanted to. And that was what broke down your defenses. All the effort to keep the tears at bay disappeared, and before you knew it, they were slipping freely down your face.

Dave moved in the same instant, leaning in to wrap you in a tight embrace. It was firm, protective, but in a way that spoke more than words ever could. He wanted you to feel safe, as if nothing and no one could hurt you while he was there.

"Shh... it’s okay," he murmured against the top of your head, his fingers gently brushing your back. "I’m here. I’ll always be here."

You clung to him as if he were the only solid thing in a crumbling world. Sobs came in waves, each one bringing to the surface pieces of the pain you had been repressing for so long. And Dave... he just held you, as if he could carry the weight of it all.

As he held you, Dave felt a silent anger growing in his chest. He rarely thought about the times he wore the Kick-Ass suit— it had been years since he hung up the mask, choosing to leave that chapter behind. But in that moment, he considered going back. Just for one night. Just long enough to find whoever had done this to you and make sure they understood what it felt like to experience fear, shame, and helplessness.

But at the same time, he knew that wouldn’t fix everything. What you needed now wasn’t vengeance. It was comfort. It was knowing that someone was there to hold you in the tough moments.

"You don’t have to carry this alone," he said, his voice still low but filled with conviction. He pulled back just enough to look at you, holding your face with both hands. "I know I can’t erase what happened, but I can help you move forward. We can do this together, okay?"

You looked at him, your eyes still glistening with tears, but there was something different now. A spark of relief, of hope. Dave saw it and felt his chest tighten in a different way—not with anger or sadness, but with love. Because that’s what he felt for you, so intense it sometimes felt impossible to put into words.

He gently wiped away a tear that slid down your cheek with his thumb, offering a small smile full of tenderness. "No matter what happened before, what matters is that now you have someone who isn’t going anywhere. Someone who believes in you."

Dave kept his thumb resting lightly against your cheek as his eyes remained locked on yours. It was as if he was trying to convey everything he felt—every bit of love, security, and certainty that you would never be alone again.

He leaned in a little more, their breaths nearly mingling. Then, with the utmost gentleness, he pressed his lips to your cheek where a tear still glimmered. It was a kiss as soft as a silent promise.

"This is to chase away what’s left of the bad," he said, a small smile, but full of sincerity, appearing at the corner of his lips.

You blinked a few times, surprised by the gesture, and although tears still threatened to fall, a faint smile began to form on your lips.

"You’re impossible, you know?" you murmured, your voice choked but with a hint of affection.

"I prefer ‘irresistible,’" Dave replied, tilting his head slightly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "But I’ll take ‘impossible’ if that makes you smile."

He repeated the gesture, this time kissing another tear that slid slowly down the other side of your cheek. "One more, just to be sure," he added, feigning seriousness, but with a hidden smile in his voice.

A soft laugh escaped your lips, almost timid, as if you weren’t sure it was allowed to feel anything beyond pain in that moment. But to Dave, that sound was everything.

"Ah, there it is," he said, his smile now more evident. "The laugh I was waiting for. That’s what I was talking about."

You shook your head, a little incredulous, but the tension in your body began to ease. There was still a weight there, he could see, but the way your shoulders relaxed just a bit, how your eyes weren’t as watery anymore, made the world feel a little lighter for him too.

"Why do you do this?" you asked, your voice firmer now, but still filled with emotion. "Why do you... look at me like I’m the most important thing in the world?"

Dave shrugged, but his smile was so genuine it almost stole the breath from him. He held your face again with both hands, leaning in until your foreheads almost touched.

"Because you are," he replied simply, without hesitation for even a second.

The weight of those words felt like a comforting hug in your heart. You felt tears welling up again, but this time not from pain, but from relief, from the certainty that you were safe, that you were with someone who saw you exactly as you were—and loved you for it.

Dave chuckled softly at the return of your tears, but he didn’t mind. Instead, he continued his small ritual, kissing yet another tear that threatened to escape. "And this one’s just to remind you of that," he said, his voice as soft as a whisper.

"Dave..." you began, but he shook his head, cutting you off.

"Without ‘but,’ no doubts," he said, looking directly into your eyes. "You’re amazing. And I’ll spend the rest of my life reminding you of that, even if you don’t believe it now. Especially if you don’t believe it now."

The smile that formed on your face was different this time. It was more genuine, more complete, and Dave felt his chest fill with warmth he couldn’t describe. To him, seeing you smile that way was like finally breathing after holding his breath for a long time.

He grasped your hands in his, holding them firmly but gently. "So, how about we head home? I’ll make popcorn, you pick the movie, and we’ll turn this day into a good memory. Sound good?"

You nodded slowly, the smile still on your face, and Dave felt that, even if the day had started in a storm, now the sun began to shine again.

A few days had passed since that moment when Dave had hugged you, and although the signs of sadness hadn’t completely disappeared, he could see how things were improving. Time, patience, and care were finally bringing back that version of you he had always admired—a lighter, freer, more you version.

But, like anyone with a good sense of justice running through their veins, Dave felt that something needed to be done. That silent anger still burned in his chest, and the desire to protect you from anything that could hurt you consumed him. So, he came up with an idea—a plan that made him reminisce about the old days.

And, of course, who better to help him with this than Mindy?

"I know I’m retired, but... I need your help with something," Dave said to her, trying to hide the anxiety in his voice. He was more nervous than he’d like to admit.

Mindy looked at him with suspicion, raising an eyebrow. "What do you want?"

"I just need your help finding the people who, well, did some... unpleasant things to my girlfriend. I want to teach them a lesson."

Mindy raised her eyebrows, a look on her face that clearly said ‘seriously?’ and let out an ironic laugh. "You want revenge? Because I’ve got a few things you’ll find pretty interesting."

"No deaths or dismemberment," Dave argued quickly. "Just something that sends a clear message to them. That they should stay away from her. Forever."

Mindy scoffed but couldn’t help smiling. "Fine. But you’re missing out on the chance to create something epic."

With her help, the mission was executed—nothing too flashy, but a clear and direct message, with a very Mindy touch. She was good at making things feel... uncomfortable, but no real harm was done. Dave had no doubt the message had been delivered.

When he finally got to the apartment he shared with you, he was exhausted but satisfied. The mission was complete. He leaned back on the couch with a satisfied smile, a look that mixed exhaustion with an almost childlike happiness.

You entered the room, immediately noticing the gleam in his eyes, the strange smile on his lips, as if he had just conquered something.

"Why are you smiling like that?" you asked, walking towards him. There was something mysterious in his gaze, something you couldn’t quite place. "You look... happier than usual."

Dave stretched out his hand, an even wider smile on his face, and gently pulled you onto his lap, sitting you between his legs. He was visibly excited, almost like a kid who had just discovered something fun, and his arms wrapped around you, holding you warmly. His lips met yours in a soft kiss, but the intensity of the gesture was clear—he was happy, more than usual, and it showed in every movement.

You, still smiling, but now a little more curious, placed your hands on his face, stopping the kiss for a moment. Your eyes met, and the tone of your question was gentle, but with a hint of concern that didn’t go unnoticed.

"Dave..." you began. "What happened? What were you doing?"

"I was just taking care of some things," he replied softly, a smile on his lips.

[ttjisung]

back 2 u 𝜗𝜚

p. jisung x fem!reader smau - exes to lovers

in which jisung does his best to avoid you, his ex, until he realizes his mistake far too late cw: suggestive themes, bad angst, cheating, swearing

i'm not going back, back, back, back, back

masterlist

previous next

chapter vxii. (wc: 1.6k)

It had been a couple of days since Jisung had to cancel his dinner reservation for you both, and he wouldn’t admit it to anyone but as he called to let the host know, he had to hold in his tears.  

Everyday he struggled holding back from messaging you again – you made it clear that you’d prefer not to talk, but the clock was ticking and soon enough the confrontation that your friend group planned would take place. Jisung felt as though he needed to act quickly, and maybe you’d reward his regret with your attention. After the reunion in Yangyang and Dejun’s apartment, he drove straight to his apartment and began to watch rom-coms, holding a comically large notebook and pen to take notes. What he hadn’t expected, ranging from 10 Things I Hate About You to She’s All That, was the realization that if he was you, he wouldn’t forgive himself either. All of the male love interests were assholes, and had he not cried previously, he’s sure he would’ve once more knowing he was the asshole in your story. 

“You really need to stop checking those messages, Ji.” Renjun’s concerned voice rang out as he glanced over his friend’s shoulder, realizing he was once again reading the previous messages he sent to you, and moping around. Dodging the side eye Donghyuck sent Jisung’s way, he slipped his phone away, changing the topic. “Do you think he’s plotting on her right now?” The shrug his friends gave him only worsened the pit in his stomach that dropped as he imagined Jaemin and you together.

Jisung had to admit – he wasn’t blind. He had always known about Jaemin’s attraction to you, but it never raised any red flags. I mean, the younger of the two had fallen for you at first sight, it was no wonder that others wanted you too. What he didn’t know was how far the male was willing to go to steal you away from him.  

Sleeping that night was hard for Jisung, not knowing that you were in his exact same predicament. 

If you were being truthwell as well, you’d confess your darkest secret – a part of you had already forgiven Jisung. You noticed this part of you earlier, when Yangyang had to embarrassingly steal your own phone from you after you tried to call him, two bottles of Soju deep. Feeling motivated, you decided you’d walk to his apartment instead to talk. Dejun quickly locked the door and led you back to the living room. 

“Okay so… Okay… Think about it, okay?” Your words were slurred as you leaned on Yangyang’s shoulder for support. He nodded his head, prompting you to continue your drunk ramble. “Okay… He like… If I was him and I got told he cheated on me by one of you, like… Like I’d be sad too a bit I think. Cause you’re my bffs, and I trust you as much as him… So, I have decided to forgive-""Shut up, will you?” His voice quickly cut you off, and your eyes nearly missed the way he rolled his. 

It was as if an emotional alter ego possessed you every time you’d drink, mourning and crying about your relationship. Your friends simply hoped you wouldn’t remember when you were sober, because you’d either text him back with no one holding you back, or bash your head in from embarrassment. They didn’t know which one was worse. Unbeknownst to both, you remembered regardless, and it only added to the anxiety in your chest.

Before any of you knew it, it was Tuesday. The carefully crafted plan would take place tomorrow, and although you acted nonchalant when it was mentioned previously, you were more nervous than you cared to let off. You weren’t exactly sure why, considering you had barely interacted with the male before, and there was no true consequence for you. If you looked into it, though, you’d probably see the true cause of your anxiety – after this was finished, what would that mean for you and Jisung? 

You were upset with him, of course, but having barely experienced the pain of your break up weeks before, there was still a part of you that missed him. That being said, you couldn’t find it in yourself to contact him, or make the first move. He was the one that messed up, and it felt embarrassing to be the first to cave. 

As your bad luck had predicted, you were unknowingly forced into a difficult confrontation as the bell dinged in your favorite cafe, meaning someone else had stepped into the small building. Although the place essentially empty, you continued to read the book you had brought, not exactly being shocked by another person’s presence. What did shock you was when the voice spoke out, calling your name. “Y/n?” 

Your eyes widened at the familiar deep tone, shrinking into yourself as you edged away from Jisung, who was staring at you with wide eyes and weirdly red cheeks. All you managed to let out in response was a small “Umm… Hi.” “Hi… Can I… Can I sit with you?” “You haven’t even ordered yet.” His blush grew deeper as he realized you were right, he hadn’t. Quickly rushing to the counter and buying an already packaged coffee from the refrigerator next to him, he awkwardly shuffled back to your table - the only one being used. “I got something,” You nodded at him, still tense from the shock of seeing him, and he lifted a hand to cover the bottom half of his face in shame, “So, umm. Can I sit here now? Please.” You weren’t used to seeing him so flustered. Although he hadn’t ever been an introvert particularly, he never acted this way with you. 

You were panicking mentally, not knowing whether you should say yes or no. You feared if you said yes, he’d try to bargain with you about your relationship - a conversation you weren’t ready to have - yet if you were to decline, it would add ten pounds to the preexisting weight on your shoulders, making it more difficult to see him tomorrow. 

Painfully long seconds passed as you debated your two options, and as the time went by, Jisung’s face grew more and more pleading. Shifting so that he’d be closer to the chair facing yours, he took his shaky hand off his face and placed it on the back of the piece of furniture, in deluded hopes that it’d convince you to accept his request sooner. Not thanks to his weird tactic, but instead your sympathy, you nodded.  

Not wasting any time, and partially out of fear that you'd change your mind if he took too long, he rushed to sit down, leaving his drink on the table and staring at you intensely. “Ummm… I forgot that you knew about this place too. I’m– I’m sorry if I’m like, intruding.” He wasn’t sorry at all. If he was sorry, he wouldn’t have approached you like this, but you decided to simply blink twice and nod your head in acknowledgement. “It’s fine. I don’t mind seeing you in public, Jisung. We’re not enemies.” Although you had positive intentions with your words, wanting to ease the tension from his apology, he frowned deeply at what you said – the implication that you were closer to enemies than lovers left him feeling unsettled. 

You chose not to read into his facial expression, taking a sip of your drink and looking out the window instead. “How… How have you been?” The words sounded like they were painful coming from Jisung’s mouth, yet you appreciated how he changed the topic, because you did not wish for another uncomfortable conversation with him. 

“I’ve been… Fine. How about you?” “Well, I– me too. I’ve just been thinking about things, you know?” You hummed in agreement, not wanting to dive further into the things he’d been thinking of. “Are you ready for tomorrow?” Somehow, this new topic made you wish for the old one to return, but you refused to let your act slip so you just shrugged. “I guess so. Regardless of what happens, I don’t really know Jaemin so it’ll be fine.” Jisung nodded at your reply, eternally grateful that you were clearly disinterested in the male. “If you want, I could give you a ride?” The small laugh that you unwillingly let out had his heart swelling, and he swore his body warmed up at the sound. “Did you forget it’s at my place?” Jisung moved to cover his face once more, knowing he just made a fool out of himself. “I might’ve…” The way your eyes slightly crinkled had his mirroring you. You were somewhat enjoying the conversation if your laugh was proof, which meant you might reciprocate other actions. He took his hand off his face, placing it on the table boldly near yours – not enough to touch, but enough to send a message. 

For a second, you let it happen. It felt so natural that it’d be wrong to pull away, yet your brain replaced your heart, choosing to move your hands. The fact that you let yourself slip and laugh along with him was bad enough to create another problem in your head, and it had your mind reeling. “I… I have to go now, take care.” Almost like a gust of wind, you were gone before Jisung could even look up and beg you to stay and talk. 

Although the evening hadn't necessarily ended well, Jisung walked back to his apartment with several mixed thoughts in his head, hope renewing at the memory of your laugh. He kept reminding himself that he was closer than he had been before, and the idea of his progress with you lulled him to sleep.

a/n: hai guys... i know... i lied and took way longer than expected... my little excuse is that i got a new phone and it's so hard to replicate all of the smau profiles on every fake app to my new one <3 and i fear i've been so unmotivated to write lately tbh. but a hit off the penjamin has inspired me like nothing before so i'll figure it out :3 new deep ocean update coming soon as well. and my new jungwoo fic ^_^

taglist: @dinonuguaegi @cookydream @haechansbbg @lisaswifey @fae-renjun @dudekiss3r @doughyk @sunflowerhae @sunghoonsgfreal @jsbluu @lizzieray

[sailing-ever-west]

Can I just ask you to post your headcanons for Sanji and Zoro? I wanna hear your thoughts on my favorites

Oh crap too many to count honestly 💀 but I can at least give some general opinions and random thoughts I believe about them as a duo

first of all anyone who doesn't think they are literally best friends is just objectively wrong. their trust is insane. they put their lives and the crew's lives in each other's hands time and time again and they're so in sync during fights it's like they're one body. I think they know things about each other they've told no one else. sometimes not even each other.

they respect each other's crafts very highly. this is also pretty canon tbh. Zoro might pretend Sanji's cooking is mediocre and Sanji might say Zoro's swords are stupid and not as strong as his kicks, but it's show that when they talk about each other to strangers they brag. they know they're the best at what they do and both integral to the crew.

I think they both can get very emotionally unstable when the other is out of commission due to injury or trauma. They rely on each other's strength and the balance of being equals. It's rattling to see Zoro weak and unable to defend himself or Sanji lacking his enthusiasm and fire. They're very essential to each other's realities and sense of safety, and they're quick to try and lift each other back into their best selves.

They're both touch-starved and that's definitely part of why they fight and spar all the time. Nothing like a heated wrestling match to make you look super manly while fulfilling your deep-seated need for a hug.

Zoro thinks they're equals in strength but says he's better. Sanji pretends to think they're equals in strength but actually lowkey thinks Zoro is stronger but still says the opposite. Zoro doesn't realize Sanji deep down thinks of himself as weaker and would think that was really stupid if he knew. They're both willing to die for their crew and/or goals but Sanji has his terrible habit of considering himself expendable and Zoro does not care for that at all.

Sanji knows how to clean Zoro's swords and has done so when Zoro was incapacitated after battles. Zoro trusts Sanji with his swords bc he's seen how well he cares for his kitchen knives, and their aforementioned deep but unspoken respect for each other's skills.

They're actually pretty equally protective over Nami, Sanji is just more dramatic about it. She's a very important figure in both of their lives and they'll do anything to protect her safety and freedom, especially knowing that besides Luffy they're the most capable of doing so.

They actually hang out a lot just the two of them, not really talking but just sitting or laying near each other quietly. Often they take their respective breaks to drink and smoke at the same time and just chill. Neither of them are great with words or expressing emotions, so it's their way of having quality time when they don't feel like fighting, to reassure each other of their presence and partnership.

They do a lot of subtle caring for each other.

Sanji bullies Zoro into bathing. Zoro bullies Sanji into eating. They bully each other into being careful with their wounds.

They intentionally distract each other from their most self-destructive tendencies. If Zoro is training himself ragged, Sanji makes him come eat a snack with the crew. If Sanji is constantly pulling on his hair from stress, Zoro starts saying random dumb things so he'll argue instead and forget.

Nami, Luffy, and Chopper are used as frequent emotional threats against each other. Nami will raise their debt for being stupid and dangerous, Luffy will make a whole Thing about it if they're being mean to themselves, and Chopper will cry if they aren't letting their injuries heal.

That's all I've got for now, hope this brings you joy!

[buck-star]

I got your tag for drabble prompts...

What about Nick Fowler and something that has gone wrong?

could be a big thing or a little thing, wrong on purpose or wrong with some meddling, soft/soft dark/dark, smutty or not smutty... I just want mischief and Nick, if you're at all inspired.

Mobsters Princess

You’re giving the best hugs, but you also know the right words to assure Bucky the way he needs when he doesn’t see himself as the precious man he is.

Pairing: SoftDark (Ex-)Boss!Mob!Nick Fowler x Fem!Reader

Wordcount: 937 Words

Warnings/Tags: soft dark, manipulation, mention of threatening (not toward Reader), kind of love confession, bit fluff

Authors Note: Thank you for the request. Hope you enjoy it. It wasn't planned as fluffy, but somehow Nick wanted to confess his love, hehe. Dividers made by me.

Masterlist | Nick Fowler Masterlist

With an annoyed huff and angry expression, you slam the door of the office shut. You stomp through the hallway, glaring at everyone who dares to look your way before you finally leave the building of that dick.

You take a deep breath, the cool air feeling good in your lungs, especially after half an hour in that smoky office for literally nothing but a “sorry, we don’t look for a new employee.”

Of course, they don’t — they just publish their offer for a job everywhere to tell you they don’t really offer one.

And maybe it’s not what makes you angry, but the man who’s behind all that shit. Your former boss, Nick Fowler. Since you quit the job and tried to find a new one, every company offered you one until you were there for the interview, where they suddenly changed their mind.

��Mhm, was it not a job you liked, dragă?” The familiar voice of your ex-boss comes from next to you. You roll your eyes, turning to face him. “Smoky office, that’s what you considered. A smoky office over the fancy one you had?”

“What I had… what I had was a fucking lie, Fowler,” you growl. It wasn’t all a lie; that he works for the CSI underground systems wasn’t a lie at all. It’s just the fact that underground doesn’t mean anything legal when it comes to Nick.

“You’re still mad at me, dragă?” He asks, raising an eyebrow, and leans back against his car. Nick smirks at you, tilting his head slightly. “Tu îmi aparții. TU. ÎMI. APARȚII! Înțelegi asta, iubirea mea?”

“I don’t belong to you, so get that out of your head,” you growl low in your throat. Nick chuckles, taking a step closer to you. He reaches out, his big hands settling down on your hips and pulling you flush against his muscular chest.

“You still remember what it means.” He says with an amused expression on his face. Nick lowers his head to your ear, his breath warm and tickling against your soft skin. “You know, because you love it. You love being mine, dragă mea.”

You push away, your knees buckling, and you take a shaky breath to calm your nerves down. He knows damn well what he’s doing, and he loves it — the goosebumps as well as the butterflies in your stomach he’s causing.

“It’s not. I know it to remember that I punch every guy who says that,” you growl, glaring at him. You shake your head slightly before you look back into his ocean blue eyes. “What do you offer them that they don’t want me as an employee? Are you telling them I’m bad at my job?”

Nick laughs, leaning back against his car. “I don’t offer anything,” he explains, causing you to huff. Of course, Nick Fowler doesn’t offer anything to anyone; he’s a rich idiot and selfish too. “I dare them to do it if they want their companies to be burned to the ground… I mean not literally, but anyway.”

“You’re such a dick. Threatening people doesn't help you. You think you scare them? You might do that,” you growl, taking a deep breath before taking a step closer to him. You lift your hand to poke one of your fingers into his muscular chest. “I will find a job anyway, Nick.”

“Such a feisty one. That’s what I always liked about you; glad it didn’t change,” he chuckles, grabbing your wrist and pulling you closer. Within a moment he turns the two of you around and forces you with your back against his car.

Nick's free hand settles down on your waist. He pushes you against the car with his body, grinning at you.

“Now you’re all quiet, dragă mea?” He whispers, leaning down. His lips are only inches away from you. “Get in the car; you have a job. And you even got a promotion. Your office will be the one you know as mine. And your seat will be in my lap, or between my legs.”

“You wish—” Nick interrupts you when he presses his plump lips on yours. The kiss is soft, but he still shows who’s the dominant one, his tongue sliding into your mouth and devouring your sweet taste.

“No more discussing. Tu îmi aparții, dragă mea,” he grumbles. Your legs feel wobbly, and you grip his shirt tightly, making the smirk on his lips go wider. Nick's blue eyes glisten, and he chuckles low in his throat. “Now, get in the car, and we are going home.”

Home — your home. The house that belongs to Nick. The house he would renovate and put everything you want into so you will feel as at home in it as he feels around you.

“I love you. I’m sorry. But I can’t let you go, dragă. I might be ruthless and cold, but not with you. You're the only one that keeps me warm and loved, and you know that, don’t you?” He asks softly, waiting for you to nod, and for whatever reason, you nod.

You know that deep down he’s right, and deep down there are feelings for him too. He’s just so handsome and sweet — around you. And he has amazing tits and a biteable ass.

“Prepare your— my pussy to be destroyed. And don’t act all surprised; you think I didn’t read the books you read. Oh, I do.” Even if it's just so he knows what you like, what makes your pussy throb, and how he can get you all for himself, to have you as his mob princess.

Taglist: @rogersbarber @loki-laufeyson68 @etherealdisneyvillainness @winterschildren8 @kimmie113080 @sergeantbarnessdoll @sebastianstanisahotmf @mercurial-chuckles @holylulusworld @randomawesomeperson102 @looking1016 @multiversefanfics @kpopgirlbtssvt @disneyprincessbuffyannesummers@casa-boiardi @blackhawkfanatic @mrsalexstan @thesarcasmqueen-22 @kandis-mom @armystay89 @hisredheadedgoddess28 @queen-honeybee-stories @rnurse-kole [tag yourself]

[ladybracknellssherry]

Neil Gaiman is an abuser and disgusting and no one should still be trying to defend this man. I hope his victims heal and can move forward and I hope they get to see some form of justice. I hope he never gets to abuse anyone again. I hope no one wants to work with him ever again. I hope his son is safe and someone gets him out of that environment.

I already said a lot about this last summer when the tortoise podcast first came out. But since everyone on tumblr has to have an opinion, I have a few to add.

"He wrote Calliope! Why are you surprised?" "He's a Zionist! Why are you surprised?" "He was raised in the Scientology cult! Why are you surprised?" "He-"

No.

The majority of fiction about sensitive / problematic / harmful topics is neither an endorsement nor a confession.

Being terrible in one way doesn't always/necessarily mean you're going be terrible in other ways. This mindset gives "you should have seen the signs" which is kind of a lot reductive and is within spitting distance of the victim blaming county line.

After an SA, someone in my social circle said to my face as ... a joke?... "what did you expect? dude listened to dave matthews band."

???

The signs are always there. Clear as day in the rearview mirror. And those signs can vary greatly. Anything can be a sign if you want it to be, I guess.

Remember when that guy Ted Bundy worked at a Suicide Hotline? The scariest thing to me is that a common sign of violent abusers seems to be an involvement in the causes to HELP victims.

I think we go looking for flashing neon signs like this because, simply, a wolf in sheep's clothing is far more terrifying than a regular ole straightforward wolf.

And this JKR vs. NG discourse? Who is making this a "which terrible person is the more terrible person?" contest? And what the fuck is wrong with you? Hate the artist, love the media. You do you. If you want to denounce great things created by terrible people, put down the phone, tablet, or computer you're reading this on because the guy who invented the transistor was a eugenicist and a racist.

NG acted this progressive, feminist ally type persona in all kinds of ways. And meanwhile was doing terrible shit, abusing and grooming and controlling and manipulating, and ultimately causing a lot of first direct harm, and now that the truth has come out, a huge blast radius of (indirect?) harm.

JKR continues to espouse and encourage vile discourse that fans the flames of transmisia/transphobia, putting trans lives in danger. Joanne spends so much time trying to police and influence the definition of "woman" that she attacks cis women - thus further endangering BOTH trans people and cis women in her crusade to...protect...women.

They've both done horrible things. DIFFERENT HORRIBLE THINGS.

There's nuance, of course. It would be great if we stopped giving these people money. My Good Omens fandom family - I know we're hurting. I really hope you plan on pirating any of the related media you would otherwise stream, going forward. Don't worry about David and Michael, the rest of the cast and crew. They'll be fine.

Fuck all of this "it's not about you." How in the hell? This man is a public figure. The reason we make a big deal about it when public figures abuse their power is BECAUSE THIS IS ABOUT ALL OF US. The world shifts when something like this comes out - AS IT SHOULD. Feeling discomfort or rage or sadness right now is normal. Channel those intense emotions. Figure out how to make constructive use of those emotions to try to help create a safer more nurturing world. And remember why you were forced to face these feelings this time - because Neil Gaiman abused women and those women went through absolute hell but were brave enough and strong enough to come out against such a beloved famous man because they wanted to make him be held accountable. Because they don't want him to get away with this. Because no one else should ever have to go through what they went through. Honor that. Honor what they went through. In NG's case, being such a public figure, the absolute scale of coverage with these allegations and accounts, we can only hope he never gets to victimize anyone else again.

That should be the focus. Not this noise of tangential discourse, not the autistic kid who has a special interest who wants to keep posting fan art on tumblr. That kid hates him too and has already said so.

I get it that when the news first broke in July a lot of folks didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to believe it. There was a lot of rationalizing about the media outlet. Look, denial is one of the stages of grief. Fans were shocked and grieving the death of a figure they respected and looked up to. You don't have to have an unhealthy parasocial relationship with someone to feel betrayed when they do terrible things. And, my god, the time we live in. Misinformation and disinformation is rampant. Wanting more information, wanting to take some time to investigate something you've heard is actually responsible, generally speaking. But a week after that news? Two weeks? A month? 3 months? If you're still defending him, denying these allegations, and wanting more "proof" at this point? Fuck right off, you need psychological help. That's not an insult, that is concern, from a fellow human being. You are unwell. I hope you get better.

Good Omens gave me my joy back after years in abusive relationships, multiple SA's, death after death of people I loved, fucking cancer, medical hell. I can't just turn off the love of this media or the love of this fandom I've connected with. I don't want to turn that off.

I'm not going to say "Neil is an abuser - BUT he helped create my special interest." Because that ain't it. "Neil is an abuser - AND he helped create my special interest." No justifying, no waffling, no moral superiority, no flagellation. These are just two facts.

Believe the victims. Tell everyone you'll ever meet that this guy is scum. Throwing away that book you bought 10 years ago won't fix anything. Believe victims. Donate to or volunteer with DV orgs and shelters. Set and respect boundaries in your lives and fucking check in about consent. Believe victims! Don't be silent when someone you know is being "kinda creepy." Believe victims. And take care of yourselves!

x

[bethebesttoyou]

Love Me Not - Choi Soobin

Sypnosis: A friends with benefits relationship might not be as easy as it looks...(has it ever been?)

pairing: College student! Soobin x College Student! reader

song: Love me not - Ravyn Lenae ( on repeat and all think about is soobin >.<)

warnings: suggestive writing (sorry no smut, i don't know how to write dirty TEEHEE), I hope I do the relationship justice anyways? swearing, self sabotaging reader (yikes), jealousy, whipped reader (YIKES), UMMMMM ANGST, fluff ending cause fluff endings are superior. Not much dialogue like the others?

Wc: 2.8k

A/N: this is my peace offering cause I have been stuck on writing vampire in the corner.... I want it to go somewhere BUT WHERE?? Anyways this is my sorry for taking so long (unless y'all aren't even waiting on it then ignore this little rant) Just a little one shot >.<

You let out a small scoff and chuckle as you look back down to the ice in your drink. Raising it to your lips and taking another big gulp. The drink you had mixed together was terrible, at the time not really caring what was in the drink as you continued to pour and pour into the red cup.The  taste of bitterness that stuck to your tongue, the overall warmth on your face caused by the big careless gulps you were taking, all of that made whatever you were witnessing much more bearable. 

Soobin had been laughing at something the girl with light orange hair had said. He had been talking to her for a while now, leaning his back against the wall, looking down at her with glazed eyes. You didn't blame him either, she was hot. You would have been looking at her too, if your thoughts didn't surround him and him only. Thinking of everything that happened, missing him, needing him. But you were way too prideful to admit any of that to anyone else. 

In your head, you knew you had made a mistake. Really. It had been all your fault that the one fun thing going on in your life was over. Friends with benefits had only been a minor solution to both of your lives at the time. Hell, when you guys met, you were hardly friends, but the instant connection you had that night made talking about the dry spell you were both dealing with easy to talk about. It wasn't like you couldn't get anyone in bed, it was the trouble of finding someone worth getting in bed with. It was only after a few more run ins, a few more of infectious laughter and casual flirting, that Soobin had, very shyly, suggested the idea of maybe you both benefiting each other in some way (Read: Sexually). You were surprised just how easy he got you to say yes. He really didn't have to do anything, just the awkward clearing of his throat and the blush that painted him across the face, would do it. You had explained your expectations, and he had too, you were both just looking for fun and while you had gone into great detail about how relationships were not your thing and it was really the last thing you were looking for, he watched you with acceptance in his eyes, making you assume he was feeling the same way. It was gonna be great. 

And what a great idea it was.

It started off slow, the exchanging of numbers and the call that never came. You felt bummed, maybe he was backing out, maybe the course of drinks he had made him say silly things. But you felt your heart still, when on a random tuesday night, while your head was buried in books, did you get a text:

“You up?”

Long story short, you were up, you did meet and it was the start of midnight greetings and morning goodbye kisses. You weren't surprised with how good he was, if his demeanor and the way he carried himself (confident and comfortable) told you anything, was that he wasn't lacking in anything, and you were right. With him, you felt like you could go for hours and it wasn't enough, there was so much of him and you wanted it all. He seemed to feel the same way, from how he wouldn't let you go home until early mornings when he felt forced to, a class he would try to get you to skip would come in the way of the both of you. You  would say goodbye and wait for the text and start it all over again. 

And for a while, that's all it was, until you got used to his hands on you even when the fun was over. With winter rolling in, it was hard for you both to get out of bed, his warmth became an essential, a need. Morning goodbyes became afternoons “see you tonight”s and eventually sometimes you would just stay. The day was cleared, you had nowhere to be, and conversations would just flow and fill his tiny apartment. Meeting for just sex, became sex and maybe a new cafe you thought he'd like, or sex and a new movie he thought you'd like, and sometimes…sex wouldnt even happen. It would just be a night filled with rants or maybe no talk was necessary, he would just have you lay on his bed scrolling through your phone while he played on his computer, looking back at you every now and then, the small smile he'd send you before turning back, would have you thanking the room was dark, making the heating of your face go unnoticed. 

“Sounds like a relationship.” Taehyun, who had been snooping on soobin’s instagram account, looked through his tags before looking up at you with an eyebrow raised. 

“Huh?! Where did you get that?” You had been catching Taehyun and Ningning up on your weekend, that of course involved Soobin. 

“Wait, you guys aren't dating?” Ningning asked in shock.

“What the hell? No… I told you, we're just having fun on the side…” Taehyun and Ningning look at each other before looking back at you. Ningning puts her spoon and yogurt down slowly, reaching for your hand.

“Oh…Y/N, babe… you're in a relationship.” 

“Im not! Were literally just fucking.” You whisper the last part. 

“No… youre fucking… and going to cafes, staying the night, learning how to play his video games, cooking each other dinner…I mean… you met his friends…” 

“Fuck buddies dont do that…” taehyun agrees. Ningning shakes her head. 

“Are you guys exclusive?” Ningning questions, “Have YOU been with another person?” 

“I-I…no but… that's what got me here in the first place, I couldn't find anybody that I wanted to sleep with…” 

“But Soobin changed that?” 

“Stop. Don't ruin this for me. We're friends who happen to sleep together.” 

“We're not trying to … But it's clear that there’s feelings involved…and if you are sure they're not from you-” 

“They're not.” You say way too quickly. They look at each other again. 

“Then they are coming from someone else…” 

You were at Soobin’s again that night, just like almost every other night, and he had you enclosed in his arms, with your back against his chest, hand under your sweater, rubbing your stomach softly, his head on your shoulder as the movie played. But you weren't paying attention. Your heart had been thumping chaotically all night long, even he questioned if you were okay to which you blamed it on the large coffee you had a couple of hours ago. But truthfully, the conversations with your friends, especially Ningning’s words, have not only caught you off guard, but have planted a seed of fear in your stomach, one you needed to prove wrong, for whatever reason. 

You turn around quickly and straddle him, catching him by surprise. 

“Woah,” he chuckles, “Are you feeling better?” He asks looking up at you, his hands immediately finding their place on your waist. His eyes glazed and soft, he was falling asleep yet, he still smiled at you, and you felt heat rising from your chest to your neck. 

“Im fine.” You say, before leaning down kissing the corner of his lips as you make your way down his neck hastily. 

“Hey… are you sure? I mean we can watch the movie, dont feel forced to do anything…” 

“I'm fine, Soobin. Do you feel forced?” You snapped. 

“No… I-Im always down but you're never this quick to jump into it, what's the rush? We were just gonna watch the movie today…” 

“Ugh.. Soobin…” You get off of him, standing up and running a hand over your face. You start grabbing your stuff that had been laying around, your heart rapidly picking up speed, you were freaking out. 

“Y/N… hey… what's wrong?” He tries to grab your hand, but you pull away, and the look on his face sends you a painful shock to your chest. But you can't stop the word vomit. You're anxiety is ramping up minute by minute. 

“Fuck buddies dont watch movies, Soobin. They fuck. Its in the name. If we're not going to do that, then why call me over?” 

“What? We're not fuckbuddies,” He scrunches his eyes in disgust of the crude label, “…We're friends with benefits.” 

“Same shit. This was merely just to have sex and now, I have you caressing my stomach like you want to put a baby in it or something.”

“I'm sorry? What is going on? Where is this coming from?” He’s standing now, towering over you. 

“I told you… I didn't want a relationship… And now here we are, acting like we're years down the line, like you're going to propose to me tomorrow!” 

“Im so confused. Y/N. We're friends.” 

“With benefits…meaning there were boundaries a-and we crossed them.” 

“Like how?” 

“Like everything! Meeting your friends, staying the night… god we crossed them from the very beginning… kissing goodbye?! That's relationship stuff!” 

Soobin, who had been staring at you incredulously, now softens his stare, his eyes looking more sad with each passing second.

“I didn't think that stuff bothered you. You always kissed back. I didn't think any lines were being crossed. I-im sorry, really.” His eyes were looking anywhere but you at this point, and that was a good thing. You felt your heart breaking with each word he spoke, and you weren't sure you could hide it. You didn't want him to say sorry, it felt wrong as soon as he said it. 

Silence enveloped you both, and you felt the lump in your throat. He sits down and runs his hands through his soft black hair, removing the hood of his sweater in the process. He pushes his glasses up, before looking back up at you. You hated how, even in the more intense moments, he looked so good, you had to push the thoughts of him back to the further corner of your mind. You were standing still, believing if maybe you didn't move you'd go invisible, or be swallowed whole. 

“What if I do like you?” Soobin stands up again, getting closer to you, “What if I do want this to be more than a casual thing?” Your heart felt a sense of relief, like his words released the pressure you had been holding in, but your head rang alarms. And like a true self sabotager, you had to ruin even an ounce of hope for yourself. 

“I think we should end this…” You whisper before grabbing your keys and walking out the door, ignoring his gaze and the aching feeling of your heart tearing. 

And now here you are. Weeks since the last time you saw Soobin, and the time had been doing a number on you. You had never been the type to miss a fling, much less the feeling, but with Soobin, it was like an entire piece of you had been missing. Like an addict, you tried to find another source, tried to hangout with different friends, different guys, but it was never enough. Your body ached for his hands, his hold, his lips, your heart ached for his laughter, his rants, his sweet nothings, the intimacy that felt like it couldn't be replicated. At night, you couldn't sleep without his soft snores in your ear, without his legs entangled with yours. You wanted him, needed him. 

And now, as you think about it, you realize you loved him. And you never even hid it. Taehyun and Ningning knew, from the look that they gave to each other, Ryujin knew now, as she watched you watch him. It was there plain for everyone to see. You only made a fool out of yourself, rejecting it more. Regret pooled in your stomach.

 But you did this, and as you leaned your shoulder against the wall with Ryujin telling, more like yelling, in your ear about what she just saw in the kitchen, your punishment was to watch one of the hottest girls you've ever seen throw herself onto him. You couldn't imagine her getting the same treatment right? He wouldn't stoop so low right? 

It didn't seem possible to you, until you see the girl grab his hand, and lean to whisper something in his ear, a blush spreading across his cheeks, just like that night. 

“I'm sorry, I really can't do this, I have to go.” You say, if you watched anymore, you were sure your stomach would twist into oblivion, creating some blackhole and swallow you whole. 

Actually, that doesn't sound too bad right now. 

You hand your drink to her, her eyes looking at you shocked, before you quickly make your way to the door.  

The cold breeze eliminated any looming buzz you felt, and remembered you had catched a ride with Taehyun, who was nowhere to be found. You’ll just walk. 

“Hey!” You hear from behind you, and as much as your heart wanted to make its way to the very familiar voice, you kept walking, dreading to have any conversation with him. 

“Hey! Y/N! Stop!” He finally catches up to you, grabbing your hand and pulling you to turn to face him. 

You wanted to laugh at the way his face changes from a determined look to a shocked one, as he notices tears are spilling from your eyes. Your nose and eyes, red and puffy. You settle for a chuckle, before wiping your eyes with your coat. 

“Come to tell me, ‘I told you so’ right?” 

“I told you so?” 

You shake your head. 

“I'm an idiot. I'm so dumb.” 

“Stop.” 

“No, Everyone knew, you had to have known, right?” 

“You're not making any sense again-” 

“I love you! I love you so much I cant fucking stand it. And I'm scared! I'm not made for love or for… whatever this is! And you come and make it fucking easy!” 

He's staring at you, wide eyes and red nose. 

“Don't you think you made it easy too? Don't you see how easy you made it for me to love you!? To need you!? I don't even have to try, it just comes naturally to me to want to be around you all the time! Even just having you in the room puts me at ease, Y/N. What are you so scared of? We had a taste of what it could be like together, and you loved it, I know you did. Just please…” 

“I'm not making it easy now…What if it's like this all the time? What if you get tired of having to push me? What if I become some type of burden, and you get tired of me?” You're full on sobbing now, choking on some of the cries while you talk. He smiles softly, before running his fingers under your eyes, catching the stray tears. 

“Love is work, and as long as you're willing, I will work hard for you, I will never get tired of you, I want to be with you. I want to be near you forever, I want to feel your love, forever. Please, just please give me a chance to show you that we can do this? That you can do this? Loving each other comes to us so easily, I know you felt that… Please…” He's resting his forehead on yours, and for the first time in your life, you ignore the trainwreck of thoughts that try to flood your head, thoughts of insufficiency or doubt, and you nod your head. 

“I want you to say it…” he says, “Tell me you want to be with me… please…” Soobin pleads, his own insecurity needing some type of reassurance. 

“I love you, I want to be with you.” You whisper, and in a split second, his lips are already on yours. His kisses you hungrily, your teeth clashing together. His hands are on both sides of your head, holding you in place, you pulling him forward in, by the pull of his jacket, getting rid of any space between the both of you. 

“Hey!” you hear Taehyun’s voice from a distance, “Is it safe to assume you have another ride?!” Ningning cackles, not that you really cared, not when Soobin is holding your gaze, before he smiles and yells back,

“Yeah, I’ll get her home!” He raises his hand up, to signal taehyun and ningning to leave. You both laugh still staring at each other, at this point, the temperature dropped lower, your breaths now crystalizing in the space between you. 

“I'm going home?” You pout. He smiles, before pulling you in for another kiss. 

“Not a chance.” 

A/N: HUH HUH??? ;> what we think? I realized we focus on the reader alot but what the hell... we are the main events too !!!! I hope you guys liked it!! I enjoyed writing this one too!! It flowed out pretty well!! Ive always been bad I keeping things short so Im glad I was able to cut down my word count LMAO. Anyways!! lemme know what y'all think!! >.<

[crowsofdarkness]

Arranged: Chapter Thirteen

*gif not mine. credit to owner*

Pairings: Mob!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Warnings: language, 18+ smut(ch 12 & ch 17), angst, fluff, mentions of death and violence. I will update the warnings with each chapter.

Summary: Reader would do anything to make her parents happy and that included agreeing to an arranged marriage. She never expected it to be to one of New York's most feared Mob Boss: Bucky Barnes. He is anything but loving towards Reader however when her parents are mysteriously killed, Bucky makes it his mission to find out who were at fault. And in the process, ends up coming close to losing Reader.

Authors Note: If anyone who is interested wants to be tagged, let me know!

Tags: @sakuracyberhex

The music continued to play throughout our room and the rain had settled as Bucky and I laid in bed together, sheets covering our naked forms. My head was buried deep into the pillow, wishing sleep would overtake, and Bucky was propped up on his elbow, vibranium fingers grazing over my bare back. He looked down at me, adoration in his blue iris’ and I gave him a sleepy smile. 

“Tired?” He questioned. 

I nodded. “I wish we could stay here the rest of the night.” 

Bucky placed a kiss on my spine. “Me too, doll. But we have to show up tonight.” 

“This is stupid,” I groaned while snuggling deeper into his chest. 

The hairs that peppered across it tickled my cheek and I felt Bucky’s lips ghost along my hairline. His scent engulfed my senses and I smiled at the familiarity that it started to bring. 

Even after our afternoon in bed together, Bucky still smelled like he had just emerged from the shower; a strong smell of fire embers and a very small hint of vanilla. 

“I can’t remember the last time I spent the day relaxing. I haven’t even taken one phone call,” Bucky chuckled. 

I leaned up and placed a kiss onto his chin. “You needed it. You’ve been working every day since I first got here.” 

“Maybe we could take a vacation once everything settles down with work and your parents' case?” Bucky suggested. 

“I would like that. I’ve always wanted to visit the pacific northwest,” I admitted. 

Bucky shook his head with a laugh. “I have my own private jet and can take you anywhere in the world and you want to go there?” 

I nodded, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve had plans to move there after high school but life got busy and before I knew it, ten years later I still haven’t left the state.” 

Bucky pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Wherever you want to go, doll. I’ll take you.” 

I wrapped my arms around him, the heat from his skin warming mine immediately. 

“I think I’ve learned more about you today than in the three weeks since you’ve been here,” Bucky observed. 

“Usually you do get to know each other before you get married,” I joked with a wink. 

“Oh, is that right?” Bucky raised a brow at me. 

He had rolled on top of me and began leaving quick pecks all over my face, causing a school girl giggle to fall from my lips. 

This whole day was perfect. It didn’t feel like Bucky and I were married only for a few weeks. It felt as if we had known each other for years with how comfortable I found myself becoming around him. There was a moment earlier today where I looked at him and for a brief second, I forgot that he was a mob boss, feared by many. Then the reality set in when someone from his laboratory called, which Bucky quickly ignored. 

A knock at the door halted Bucky’s kisses and my giggles, him remaining on top of me still. 

“Is this important?!” He yelled to whoever was on the other side of the door. 

“Are ya decent in there?” 

Steve. 

Bucky quickly tossed me one of his shirts and a pair of underwear. I quickly got dressed while he slipped into a pair of sweatpants. 

“Come in!” He yelled. 

I was back under the covers, hoping that Steve was here to tell us that the party was canceled so we could stay home. 

A quick glance between the two of us, Steve merely smirked for a moment, with a raised brow. “Easy afternoon, huh?” 

“Shut up, punk,” Bucky responded. 

“Make me, jerk,” Steve said with a snort. 

I smiled at the banter between the two childhood friends and lounged deeper into the bed. 

“Did you need something, Steve or were you trying to sneak a peek?” I jeered. 

There was a faint blush to his cheeks but it was gone in a flash before looking at Bucky with a serious gaze. 

“There was a problem at the lab. Jason.” 

Bucky cursed while shaking his head. “This kid is going to fucking kill me.” 

He stood and went to walk into our closet but I grasped his hand. “What happened to no work today?” 

Bucky sighed with a disappointed look in his eye. “I’m sorry, doll. This can’t wait.” 

“Promise to be back before we have to go?” I asked. 

He shrugged. “I’ll try. I’ll call you if anything changes.” 

With a quick kiss to my cheek, I watched Bucky disappear into the closet to get dressed. I looked at Steve and raised a brow. 

“No chance you’ll let me tag along, huh?” I suggested. 

Steve gave a small smile. “Not this time, Y/N.” 

His smile, however, did nothing to ease my worries as I saw Bucky open up the safe in the closet and placed a gun that he grabbed into the waistline of his dress pants. 

I gave my driver a quick smile of thanks before shutting the door behind me, eyes glancing up towards the mansion in front of me. Bucky’s mansion was big but Starks was a tad bit bigger. 

With another quick look at my phone, I sighed with disappointment from no new message from Bucky. He had been gone for hours, meaning I had to come to this party by myself where I wouldn’t know anyone. Not the ideal way I wanted to spend the night. 

My mind kept thinking of what Bucky was doing and why he felt like he needed to bring a gun with him. For all I knew, he could have been carrying one on him everytime he went out and didn’t notice. 

Where are you?

My fingers hastily typed into the phone and walked into the house, silently hoping he was already here. The place was filled with people dancing, drinking, or socializing and I could feel my anxiety weigh me down. 

“You look absolutely breathtaking.” 

I spun on my heels and felt all of my worries vanish the second Bucky’s eyes met  mine. A large breath fell from my lips. 

“Hi, you clean up pretty well yourself.” I winked and placed a kiss on his cheek. 

“Have you been waiting long?” Bucky questioned while allowing me to wrap my arm with his. 

“No, I just got here. How’d everything go at the lab?” 

He simply gave my hand a squeeze. “Everything’s fine.” 

As much as I would have liked to bring up the fact that he brought a gun along with him earlier, I kept my lips shut knowing that now wasn’t the best place to have that conversation. Bucky led me towards the bar where we ordered a few drinks and I used that time to gaze around the room. I saw Sam standing in one corner and Steve on another, their own gazes taking in every inch of the room. 

“I’m assuming they’re not here for pleasure?” I asked Bucky. 

He nodded after taking a drink. “Something’s not right about this gala. Why would Stark throw this for us when we barely know one another?” 

“I thought he’s interested in whatever your lab is creating?” 

Bucky snickered. “The only thing Stark is interested in is money.” 

The two of us stayed at our post at the bar, his vibranium hand glued to my lower back in a safety sort of way. Whatever worried him about tonight made Bucky on edge, even more so than he usually was. But that didn’t stop him from whispering promises of what he had planned for us once we were home. My cheeks flushed with red while my stomach flipped, the butterflies fluttering to life. 

“Mr. Barnes?” 

Bucky reluctantly pulled his mouth away from the small mark he was leaving on the crook of my neck and nodded towards a petite redhead who snuck up behind us. 

“Natasha,” he gave her a small smile. 

“You two know each other?” I pointed between the two of them. 

“She works for Tony,” Bucky informed, hand still attached to my lower back. 

Natasha tsked. “Are you sure that’s the only reason why we know each other?” 

Jealousy stabbed at my heart the way that Natasha had said that, hinting that they knew each other more than Bucky had led on. My eyes fell and I began stirring the ice in my cup, suddenly feeling out of place next to the two of them. 

“Everything alright?” Bucky asked, lips grazing my ear. 

I shivered at the feeling. 

“Yeah.” I nodded. 

Natasha sighed while clicking her heels on the marble floor below. “Mr. Stark is waiting for you.”

Bucky sighed but evidently nodded. He quickly waved Steve and Sam over. 

“Steve, stay with Y/N. Sam, you’re with me,” he gave the two men their orders. 

Steve was fast to my side as Bucky left a kiss upon my lips. It wasn’t a quick one, either. It was the kind of kiss where your tongues found each other right away and made your head spin with how much passion was put behind it. 

“I won’t be long, doll.” 

My eyes fluttered open and I nodded, watching him walk through a door that was behind the bar, his eyes never leaving me even if Natasha had been leading him through. 

“I take it as things are going well between the two of you?” 

I gave Steve a smile. “Yeah. I didn’t want to admit it at first but maybe this arranged marriage wasn’t as bad as I thought.” 

Steve matched my smile as he leaned against the bar. 

“Can I ask you something?” I questioned him. 

When he nodded, I continued with a deep breath. “Anything going on between Bucky and Natasha? He claims that he only knows her from working with Stark but the feeling in my gut tells me otherwise.” 

Steve hesitated, scratching at the beard on his chin. “She had feelings for him a long time ago but Bucky never felt the same.” 

I could tell in the way that Steve’s breath hitched in his throat that he wasn’t telling the complete truth but I let it go, simply taking a large gulp of my drink. 

“Whatever you say, Rogers.” I grumbled. 

He sighed and was ready to say something else but we were interrupted by another man slinking up towards the bar and stood a bit too close to my liking. 

“Y/N, I must say you look so good tonight.” 

My eyes rolled into the back of my head and I let myself step closer towards Steve, who had no issues with placing an arm in front of me. 

“What are you doing here, John?” I asked. 

He shrugged. “I’m here to celebrate the newlyweds. Where is your husband anyway? Can’t even show up to his own party?” 

“I’d suggest you leave now, Walker.” Steve threatened. 

I placed a gentle hand on Steve’s arm to hold him at bay. The last thing I needed was to make a scene in front of everyone here. 

“John, there is no reason for you to be here. Please leave.” 

He ignored me, still keeping his hard gaze on Steve and smirked. “It must be so easy for the two of you. Having all that serum running through your veins?” 

I blinked, confused, and felt Steve tense under my touch. 

“Serum? What are you talking about?” 

John chuckled and finally tore his gaze away from Steve. “They didn’t tell you what they’re into? What they’ve been concocting in that lab?” 

“Steve, what is he talking about?” My voice faltered. 

Steve cursed and began leading me away from John. However, he was a tad faster than Steve and managed to side step us, blocking our path out. 

“They’re creating this super soldier serum so they can have their own army. They even injected themselves with it,” John informed while reaching for me. “It’s not safe for you to be with them, Y/N.” 

My head began to spin at this new information. Serum? Super soldiers? Bucky and Steve were these things? 

I would have thought John had been lying but suddenly it clicked of what I saw that morning in Bucky’s office. A briefcase full of blue liquid. I thought it had been drugs and now, I wasn’t too sure what was worse. 

My feet stumbled and when John reached for me once more, I smacked his hands away. 

“Leave me alone,” I snapped. 

“I can keep you safe, sweetheart.” John pleaded. 

His hands grasped my wrist and yanked me towards him causing me to yell out in pain from how hard he pulled. 

“Don’t you fucking touch me!” 

My voice seethed while I pushed him hard against his chest, his grip faltering. I looked for a way out, needing to get far away from here. My chest began to constrict, a pain shot through my body and I did my best to even my breathing. 

John tried to reach for me once more.

“Step back,” Steve threatened him and stood between the two of us. 

The words kept replaying in my mind, like a broken tape player stuck on a forever loop. 

Super soldier. Super soldier. Super soldier.

“Fuck, I need to get out of here.” I groaned while squeezing my eyes shut. 

Steve was quick to grab my hips from behind and led me through the crowd of people. There was a white noise in my ears, ringing so loud, that I hadn't heard Tony up on stage introducing the guest of honor. I also hadn’t heard Bucky calling my name, wondering why I was being rushed out of the house. 

[himluv]

A Second Miracle (too much to hope)

Chapter 24 of my Rookanis fic Say My Name (Say it Twice) is here! Find it below, or read from the beginning on AO3!

a/n: This chapter is an emotional doozy, and also structurally a little strange, but I love it. I hope you will too.

Cold. Lucanis is so cold. Frozen in place, frozen by fear. With indecision. 

–Illario. What have you done? We were brothers. We were like brothers! What am I to do with you? If I go after you, you might kill Caterina – are you that afraid of me? Do you hate me that much, after everything? The three of us are all that’s left. How could you do this?

What am I to do?–

Around Lucanis echoes Calivan’s voice, taunting him. “Useless. All of this, utterly useless!”

Useless. He’d never been useless before this place. He was a master assassin, the best Crow in the guild’s best House. The prodigy child destined to take his place in his family’s seat and rule Antiva from the shadows. Never mind that he’d never wanted it. 

Another voice, one of the many that had whispered to him in the Ossuary, said, “And you are raised to the heavens to join the gods. Perfect and exalted. A murder of crows at your feet. “

Just like his cousin, Zara had been desperate to control the Crows. Had she truly loved Illario? Or were they playing each other, doomed to betrayal from the start? Lucanis didn’t think she’d been capable of love, but he also would have never thought Illario would debase himself so thoroughly by sharing that Venatori witch’s bed. 

–what were you thinking, cousin? That the Venatori would help you take the seat from Caterina? Did you think she would give up without a fight? We almost lost everything to House Velardo (I lost everything). Did you think she would not be willing to lose you, too? That there was any line she wouldn’t cross to keep our House? What will she do now? One grandson a traitor and the other an abomination. What will come of House Dellamorte now?–

A new voice, strong and warm. The words come to him like a summer breeze. “Lucanis may have changed, but he’s still the little boy you loved, and raised.”

He knows that voice, but it doesn’t belong here. Rook can’t be here. She saved him once, pulled him from these depths, but it’s too much to hope for a second miracle. 

“You would never think of rejecting him, whatever happened. Would you?”

So much patience. So much love, given freely. He’s never known such endless warmth, such affection promised without demanding something in return. She cannot be real. And even if she is, he does not deserve her. 

Zara’s voice echoes again, driving all warmth from Lucanis. “What trouble you’ve been. What are you hiding, little demon?”

– Hiding. The demon. The soft boy I once was. Even the master assassin. Who is Lucanis Dellamorte, really? Does anyone know? What if there is no man left? Did I truly escape the Ossuary? Or has everything since then been an illusion? Another pleasant fantasy created by my demon so that we might survive? What if there is nothing left of the man at all, and all that remains is Spite?–

“After a year in the Ossuary, you might believe that. But you’re no demon.” Rook again, her words like sunrise in Treviso. Bright and warm. “You’re the man you were, Lucanis, even buried in this pain. No demon would punish itself like this.” 

That… makes sense. How does she always know what to say? Why does she keep trying when he’s only going to let her down?

“I trust you, Lucanis, and I trust myself to get you home. Let me.”

As if it were that easy. She makes trust and affection look so easy. None of this – people, attachment, love – has ever been easy for him. Why can’t it ever just be easy for him? 

Illario’s voice, low and purring, echoes around Lucanis. “How long are you going to keep doing this?” His cousin’s voice is warm, but it raises the hairs on the back of Lucanis’s neck. There’s a threat in those words – how did he not hear it the first time?

“Envy is the rarest of all demons.” Zara again, her voice twining through the space left by Illario’s sensual tones. “And the most challenging to cultivate. The conditions must be perfect. “

Envy. Had Zara even been speaking about Lucanis when she said this? Or was Illario part of some grander scheme? Did his cousin even know what his amatus intended for him? Could anyone truly know the heart of another?

–I knew Illario once, and he knew me. What changed? What happened? Could I have done anything different to keep this from happening? Could anything short of my death have made Illario happy? And what would make me happy? Because I wasn’t happy before. Content, maybe, but not happy. But does that even matter when so much of our lives has been decided for us?–

“Lucanis always has a choice. If he can’t see that, I’m here to show him.” Rook, always helping. Always offering her hand. How many times would she reach for him? How many times could he deny her and still count her as his friend? How many times could he fail her completely before she finally gave up on him? A part of him thinks that might be for the best, that she should take her heart and give it to someone else. Someone better able to care for it.

Someone who doesn’t need so much help. 

“I think it’s time you stood aside and let me try.”

Could he do that? Stop balking and take her hand? And if he fell off the ledge he is always walking on, would she catch him? Or would he be her downfall after all? 

“Cousin, stop. You can’t dwell on this. It’ll drive you mad.”

In this, Illario is right. All of Lucanis’s thoughts spiral when he thinks about Rook. About being with Rook. She upends everything he thought he knew about himself. About the world. Being around her makes him feel at odds with the person he is and the person he wants to be. Like he might actually be able to choose. But doesn’t she have enough on her plate without adding his troubles?

Maybe she should forget about him. Maybe then, they would both be better off. He could go back to the way he’d always been – stoic, controlled, alone – and she could find someone who deserves her. Who could love her the way she deserves to be loved. Confidently, boldly. Free of doubt.

“Lucanis, you don’t owe Illario a second thought, much less a supporting role,” Rook says. Still pushing. Still so determined. Why doesn’t she just give up already? Doesn’t she see what will happen if he lets her in?

It will only hurt them both. There will be only grief.

“I think Illario will be feeling that grief. Right, Lucanis?”

-we both will. There is nothing I can do to my cousin that won’t hurt me just the same. We’re brothers. The last of the Dellamortes, born only months apart. We were always closest –in age and hearts – and now he has done this? He has sacrificed his heart to become First Talon, and so my heart shreds at what I must do.–

“There’s no alternative.” Rook’s voice is sad, but sure. “There’s going to be a confrontation, and it’s not going to end well.”

How could it end well? Perhaps the Dellamortes were doomed ever since the night House Velardo moved against them. Cursed to destroy what little remains. Illario, whether intentionally or not, sent him to this prison. His cousin, the person he loved more than anyone else, is the reason he spent a year in darkness. The reason he is more demon than man. And now that he’s free he has to kill the only family he has left?

How could he be anything but cursed? How could anything good come from his blood-soaked hands? No. With him, there can only be pain, bloodshed, and heartache. Rook would be wise to leave him far, far behind. 

“You’re an Antivan Crow, Lucanis. A professional. Trained to avoid collateral damage and go after the real enemy.”

True. But can he trust that training when the enemy bears his cousin’s face? What happens after, when he looks in the mirror and all he sees in the crook of his nose and the sweep of his cheekbones is Illario? When the blood never comes off his hands, no matter how hard he scrubs? Illario must face the consequences of his betrayal, but what consequences will Lucanis face?

“Whatever they are, Lucanis, I’ll be there to help you.”

Illario’s voice, soft and sad, brushes away Rook’s warm assurance. “Even if it kills you.”

–No. NO! I’ve come this far. Survived a year in this awful place out of sheer spite. I don’t want this. I don’t want to kill my only family. I don’t want to drag Rook into all my messes. If I just stay here, maybe nothing has to change. Maybe, if I pretend long enough, things can go back to the way they were.–

The air around him shimmers, like a mirage on the canals in the height of Trevisan summer. Warmth, banishing the damp, frigid air of the Ossuary, and getting closer to him. And, when he finally sees the person standing in the center of that shimmering warmth, he’s still surprised. Even though he knows he shouldn’t be. 

When has Rook ever failed to help him?

He stares at her, the only source of color in the muted Ossuary of his mind. Her hair that bright auburn, her Dalish leathers dyed in rich, autumnal colors. She exudes warmth, and in this cold place he is helplessly drawn to her. But he holds fast and keeps some distance between them. Her touch unravels him at the best of times – he doesn’t want to know what will happen if she touches him here.

“What are you doing here, Rook?” He wants to ask how she managed to reach him, but does it matter? It seems Rook can open any door. Can punch a fist through any wall, only to open it into an offered hand after. 

“I had to find you,” she says. There’s that familiar shade of concern in her crystal grace eyes. “If anything happened to you…” she shakes her head. “I can’t even think about it.” 

Mierda, she cares so much. About the world. Her friends. Him. It’s too much. “You should go. It’s better I stay here than risk losing you.”

Spite is with her, steaming dark purple and agitated. “You see? He breaks. Our agreement. His mind. Is still here. He wants. To stay here. So he keeps. Me here!”

“Mierda! Why would I want to stay? Even in my head, this place is a nightmare!”

Rook looks down at her feet, her brow furrowed. “Right, but… it’s a nightmare you already defeated.” She looks up at him, her eyes so sad. “I get it now. As bad as the Ossuary was for you, it was better than the alternative.”

“What alternative?” He growls. What is she talking about? And why does he feel so threatened by what she’s saying?

“The Ossuary, Zara – you could solve those problems with a blade.” She shakes her head. “But healing again? Living as an abomination? There’s no simple answer there.” Rook gives him a tender, knowing smile. “And if you fail, you could hurt the ones you love.”

“No! I… this is not…” Is she saying he would rather stay in the Ossuary than face life after it? Immediately his defenses are up, he’s angry. Furious that she would imply such a thing. Make him pick at the festering wounds to be sure it’s not true and– he growls, “damn it, Rook!”

Spite looks to her, a mirror of Lucanis’s own impotent rage. “Make. Him. Leave.” 

As ever, when faced with anger, Rook meets it with patience and understanding. “He’s trying to leave, Spite. It’s…” she glances at Lucanis, then back to the demon. “Complicated. Mortals can’t just change ourselves. It takes a lot of time.” 

The demon gives a little growl of disappointed frustration, but says nothing more. 

Lucanis sighs. “Rook. You are right. There has to be a way through this.” She always finds a way through. “It’s just… so much. I cannot see how to begin.” He hears the pleading note in his voice, knows it’s written there on his face, but for once he doesn’t feel ashamed. If anyone can help him break free of this place, of this feeling, it’s Rook.

She looks to her feet, considering his words. “Start small, you and Spite,” she says. “Figure out a goal you can both agree on, then make it happen.“

The demon grins at him. “A contract?”

“Contracts are for clients.” Lucanis smiles. “Call this… an alliance. But on what terms?”

Rook shakes her head and gives him a rueful smile. “Didn’t you just learn your grandmother was alive? What are you waiting for? Go rescue her!”

“That’s true…” Could it be this easy?

“Fighting Crows?” The demon asks.

Lucanis nods. “And anyone else that gets in our way. Do we have a deal?” For the first time in months, excitement bubbles up in his chest. “We free Caterina together?”

“Together. We will fight!” 

–I can do this. WE can do this. Me and Spite and Rook. Together.–

Only now can he close the space between himself and Rook. He steps toward her, their eyes locked as he stands beside her, where Spite stands. The last thing he sees before the prison fades out around him is the gleam of hope in pale, violet-tinged eyes. 

[multific]

Serenade by the Water

Isaac x Reader

Summary: You always liked to go to your secret place and bathe late at night. It became a routine. That is until one night, you are not alone anymore.

The forest covered Isaac like a cloak as he made his way to the small pond he had discovered weeks ago. 

The moonlight filtered through the trees, illuminating the hidden path only he knew. 

He’d told no one about this place, it was his sanctuary, a quiet refuge from the noise of the world. 

Tonight, he aimed for that calmness once again.

But as he neared the pond, a melody stopped him in his tracks. 

Isaac crept closer, curiosity pulling him forward. 

He parted the bushes and saw you, a woman he didn’t recognize, standing waist-deep in the water, your back to him. 

The moonlight painted you in a glow, and your voice, low but steady, sang a song he couldn’t recognise.

He froze, torn between the urge to stay and the need to leave. 

As you turned slightly, he took a step back, his foot snapping a twig beneath it. 

The sharp crack shattered the peace.

Your head whipped around, eyes wide as you searched the shadows. “Who’s there?” You asked as you quickly covered yourself.

Isaac cursed under his breath and stepped into the moonlight. 

“It’s just me,” he said quickly, raising his hands. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I-” He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t think anyone else knew about this place. I’ve been coming here for weeks.”

“This is my place. I’ve been coming here for years.” Your brow furrowed. 

"Years? But I’ve never seen you here before.” 

“I come late,” you said, your voice softening slightly. “When the world is quiet.”

“I’ll leave. I didn’t mean to intrude.” He took a step back. 

“Wait. You’ve been coming here too? For weeks, you said?”

“Yes,” he admitted, his voice uncertain. “It’s peaceful here. It feels...like the world can’t touch you.”

“Maybe it doesn’t belong to either of us. Maybe we’re just borrowing it.” you said.

“I suppose we are.” Isaac chuckled nervously. He hesitated before adding, “I’ll come back another time, don't want to intrude on your peace.”

You studied him for a moment before shaking your head. 

“You don’t have to go. Just...don’t stare.”

“Of course. I’m sorry. My name is Issac.” His face flushed as he quickly turned away. You told him your name later that night.

That first meeting ended awkwardly, with Isaac retreating to the shore and you slipping back into the shadows of the trees. 

But something unspoken passed between you, a thread that pulled you back to the pond night after night.

The next evening, when he arrived, you were already there, seated on a rock with your feet skimming the water. You glanced at him but didn’t move away. 

“You came back.”

“I wasn’t sure if I should,” he confessed, sitting a few feet from you. “But I couldn’t stop thinking about this place. About you.”

You tilted your head, a faint smile playing on your lips. 

“And what about me have you so curious?”

Isaac hesitated, then smiled. 

“Well, you were singing the first time I saw you. It was beautiful.”

“I didn’t think anyone heard me. It’s just something I do to pass the time.”

“It suits you. It’s like you’re part of this place.”

“And you, Isaac? What brings you here every night?”

“The quiet. The peace. It feels like the world is smaller here, like nothing bad can reach me. And God knows I need some peace.”

“I feel the same.” you admitted as you smiled at him.

It wasn't the last night you met by the pond.

Each night, you came and met him. 

And you shared more, your fears, your hopes, and the secrets you hadn’t told anyone else. 

Isaac found himself looking forward to the sound of your voice, the way you smiled when you spoke, the light in your eyes when you teased him or laughed.

One night, as the stars twinkled above, he reached for your hand. 

“I’ve never felt this way before,” he murmured. “Like...I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

Your fingers laced with his, and you smiled. 

“Neither have I.” you admitted.

That night, as the fireflies danced around you and the pond shimmered beneath the stars, he leaned closer, his lips brushing yours in a kiss. 

The pond, your secret sanctuary, had become a place of love, binding you together in a way no one else could understand.

~Masterlist~

ˇAO3ˇ

/DO NOT TRANSLATE, STEAL OR REPOST ANY OF MY WORKS TO THIS OR OTHER PLATFORMS/

[thesimmermo]

SEASON 2, EPISODE 1

I Messed Up, Ma.

The Dreamers are back in Brindleton Bay and things are back to normal.. or so we hoped. Late one night, DJ wakes his parents up and asks if they could sit and talk. When they walk into the dining room, his girlfriend, Kaila, is there.

Morgan: What's going on DJ? Why is she here? DJ: We messed up, ma. *holding back tears* Dirk: What do you mean, you messed up? Kaila: I'm pregnant.

Morgan: Oh my god. Dirk: *angry* Morgan: *turns to DJ* Oh... My... God. DJ: I know, ma. I know. I been trying to be a man about it but we're both scared. Dirk: How far along is she? Kaila: I'm due any day now... Morgan: Oh my god.

Dirk: Son what the fuck is wrong with you? Have you never heard of a condom? DJ: We used one pops. It broke and I didn't notice until after the fact. I didn't want this to happen. Dirk: What the fuck? You have your entire future ahead of you. In 1 month, you're going to be a senior and you just got into Foxbury. What the fuck?

Morgan: Dirk, let's calm down a bit. They both know of their mistake. Don't do that. That's not what they need to hear right now. They know they messed up. Have you been to the doctor Kaila? Kaila: Yes. I was going to get a... but I was scared and knew we'd both feel bad. DJ: We've been going to the clinic to do check ups and stuff. To make sure she's safe and the baby is safe. I been doing the right thing ma.

Dirk: That's not enough, DJ. You got so much going for yourself. What about that? What about your future? DJ: It's going to be the same.. It'll just have a baby in it, pops. Morgan: So what's y'all's plan? I know that Kaila was in the Teacher Prep Program and you wanted to be an engineer. How is that going to look in May when you graduate? Dirk: *mumbles* A damn mess. Morgan: *pinches Dirk* Stop.

Kaila: We haven't really thought about that. We've just been trying to keep each other sane and avoid the people judging us. We know that we've made a mistake but we have to get ready to be... parents. Dirk: So financially, how are you guys going to pay for the kid? DJ: About that... I've been working part-time and Kaila is a cashier at the grocery store. Morgan: DJ, you have a job? DJ: I couldn't use my debit card then you or pops would have seen the clinic charges. I had to get one.

Morgan: That's a good start. Are you guys doing 50/50 custody? DJ: That's the plan, ma. Morgan: *Sighs* Of course, we're disappointed but I must applaud you both for stepping up. DJ: That means a lot, ma.

Morgan: You both have to be more careful. Kaila, you have to definitely take care of yourself for sure. A baby is going to be a lot of stress. How did your parents react, Kaila? Kaila: The same as you, Mrs. Dreamer. They understood where we came from and were open to us making our own choices. Dirk: *pouting* Morgan: Well.. That's all you can do.

DJ: I still plan on going to college and pursuing engineering. Kaila still wants to be a teacher. But we both want to raise our child together. Morgan: That's great. So... What do you all need from us? Kaila: Nothing. We've paid for a crib, stroller, changing table, and some of our friends got us diapers and clothes. We wanted to make sure that we prepped because we made this mess not anyone else. DJ: Yeah.

Kaila: We're sorry. Morgan: Shhhh... You don't owe us an apology. You guys are so mature and are handling this well. Let us know what you need and we got you. DJ: Thank you, ma. Dirk: Just make better choices. Do right by the kid.

DJ: We will pops. Morgan: I love you guys. DJ: I... We love you too.

DJ gets up and takes Kaila home. Morgan and Dirk confide to their bedroom where Morgan can tell that Dirk is still pissed.

Dirk: I can't believe this Morgan. What the hell is wrong with him? Morgan: Dirk, he made a mistake. But you see, he's handling it. He's been working and balancing school. Still Valedictorian with all that going on. Dirk: But Morgan, the paparazzi and press are going to have a field day with this. Morgan: So what? Her parents accept it. We accept it. Fuck the press. I know a great lawyer in San Sequoia, so they better not piss me off.

Morgan: It will be okay. This is one of those things that we cannot control. We just have to let them learn from their mistakes. Dirk: Yeah... You're right. Morgan: *smirks* I know.

The week before school starts back, Kaila goes into labor. DJ asks his mom and dad to accompany him to the hospital for this moment. After hours of labor, DJ and Kaila welcome a son and name him Damir.

As weeks pass, DJ gets into full daddy mode and is takin time of getting into a routine. With school starting back shortly, he wants to ensure that Damir and Kaila are well taken care of. He gives Kaila a promise ring to ensure that no matter what, they'll stay on good terms for their son.

[goodluckclove]

This ended up far longer than I meant it to be, so I put it on the Patreon. Thanks for everyone who suggested things (I hope to god I got them all), and double thanks for giving me something to do while I waited at the DMV for three hours.

I will post the beginning of this here to hook ya. Watch out ya'll I'm gonna hook ya.

-

I never thought there was anything particularly special about me. For as long as I can remember I've just been coasting by, doing what needs to be done and little else - capable enough to move forward but never exceptional to the point anyone would really ever give me a second chance.

As far as anyone knew I was just Natalie Woods. Midwest born and raised. Middle child of a loving family. Intern to The Arborist - the nation's most notorious ecoterrorist.

It sounded kind of thrilling when I first got the job. I read ecoterrorist and thought of tree spiking and monkeywrenching, and the whole thing sounded so radical. Turns out those Big City Business Majors love to mask their actual intentions behind coded language. The Arborist called himself an ecoterrorist in the sense of economical terrorism - which, as far as I know, is what he's taken to calling this crypto MMORPG he's been trying to develop. While I have to admire his honesty in how much he hopes to financially exploit the vulnerable (Very much, he says, and hopefully immediately), I have to admit I was disappointed. He didn't even have a playable game. My whole job consisted of throwing together assets from other games and calling it a "proof of concept".

Beats nannying, I guess.

As we edged towards the Summer, the Arborist sent me out on the boardwalk as a way to "relax". He posed this as an act of kindness, but I think it was really because he saw me pay for our coffees with cash, and being reminded of paper currency always threw him into melancholy. Either way, I jumped at the chance to get a break.

I was sitting on the steps of the boardwalk, staring out at the ocean and idly eating though a bridal bouquet of potato tornadoes. There was some kind of karaoke contest going on further out on the beach. A crowd of people - most either sunburnt, drunk, or sunburnt and drunk - were competing to win what the fast-talking emcee assured was "a prize worth the effort". I wasn't paying much attention to them. If I wanted to hear someone succumb to the hubris of trying to rap "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies, I would've stayed with my boyfriend from college.

Midway into my fourth starch spiral I noticed a sullen figure sitting on the shoreline near me. They stood out immediately. While most others around us wore shorts and tank tops, or maybe some kind of bathing suit, this fair-haired individual was dressed in an ornate velvet robe of deep purple and gold. They were sitting right on the sand, visibly forlorn.

I don't know what came over me. Maybe it was an act of goodwill, loneliness, or even just curiosity. Maybe I had been drinking exclusively RC Cola and eating overly-seasoned fried potatoes and was disorientated from dehydration. Either way I got onto the sand and approached the figure in the robe.

"Hey," I said. "Are you okay?"

I saw the figure's face. They looked a little younger than I was. Chubby cheeks and sad brown eyes. They were clasping onto a long velvet hat, tracing trembling fingers along the gold stars engraved into the material.

"I'm a piece of shit," the figure said. "I'm a little freak boy. I suck." I nodded vaguely. Not knowing what else to do, I sat down beside them and offered a potato tornado.

We ate silently for a while. Sad as the kid was, they were far hungrier by comparison.

After a while they spoke again. "My name's Pudding," they said.

"Sure," I affirmed quietly. "What's wrong, pudding?"

"I'm flunking out of Wizard School," a sob hitched in Pudding's throat, but they swallowed it back bravely. "And if I don't become a Grandmaster Warlock, I'll have to move back home and my parents will entomb me in the Volcanic Realm of Forever Nightmares."

"Mm. Parents."

Hi it's me Clove. I really got a laugh out of writing a terribly cliche litfic novel under the premise of having it be written by my cat Bob. I would like to do something like that again.

From now until Monday (1/13/25) I invite anyone to comment with any story tropes that can think of, and on Monday I will combine all of them to create another baffling literary epic. It will make me laugh. And maybe it'll get like five Netflix adaptations or something??

[deus-and-the-machina]

ffxiv garlemald discourse is so funny because people will go "ugh people just cant stand it when things aren't black and white" and then you look at how the empire are portrayed in stormblood and shadowbringers and its like hm. that seems like a pretty intense and accurate display of violent imperialism to me! Wow I wonder why people in this day and age may find it hard to feel sympathy for them or even hate them on principal. god its such a mystery.

the games like 50/50 to me on how it tackles these themes because I actually like the garlemald arc in EW, I think it has a lot of horrific and powerful scenes depicting how self destructive fascist propaganda and beliefs are, but I also think it doesn't go far enough on some fronts. the garleans' xenophobia is most notably and obstacle to getting them to accept the contingent's help, which is what they're there to do,

but there's never an admission of harm from any garleans on the uuuuuuuuh massive amount of war crimes the nations around them are still suffering from they're just kind of like "we misjudged you...but you actually wanted to help us all along" like yeah thats great now can we get you all some deprogramming because you keep talking about returning to your prime and glory days and I think we need to unpack some stuff you really SHOULDNT return to. im not even really talking about EW proper but the patches where things are a bit more chilled out and people are recovering.

It feels like they wanted to have their critique of imperialism and also have things end with the beauty of human connection and reaching out and these things just don't mesh well because hey a lot of your modern day audience is not gonna like having to treat people yelling xenophobic things at the cast and your character with kid gloves after you showed them hours and hours of the awful things these people's beliefs have done. especially in the present day hoo boy.

[theinfernalcalypso]

📌

[the-acid-pear]

Killing my dad with a rock arc