#100 followers winter event | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

planetkiimchi · 4 months ago

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sixth time's the charm | w.jh

no. 1 of my 100 followers event (requested)

featuring: coworker!jun x gn!reader

word count: 8832 words

summary — your coworker jun is naturally friendly and a little chaotic, but he also mistakenly thinks you like his crush. this love rivalry persists despite the two of you being friends, at least until he realises that the one he likes is you.

author’s note: thank you to @fairyhaos for beta-ing this, your comments are so appreciated. especially knowing now that you have such high standards for fics, i’m so honoured to receive any sort of compliment from you <3 thank you ara for the request and i hope you enjoy!

Your first day of work was in January, at the tail end of winter. People were trading their thick winter coats for thinner wool sweaters and cotton hoodies, slowly switching back to sneakers instead of the chunky boots they donned in the winter.

The temperature was still cold in the mornings, especially when people were heading to work. The streets were filled with people walking briskly, as staying idle for too long would let the chill seep into one’s bones.

You were no different, a long coat wrapped tightly around your work attire, the most formal you could get. You cracked your knuckles nervously as you came to a hesitant stop in front of an office building, indistinguishable from the surrounding buildings save for the large “JH Corporations” displayed across the front.

Inhaling deeply, you stepped inside.

You were greeted by the warm air of the heated building, and you took in your surroundings as subtly as you could, taking small steps towards the reception desk while your gaze wandered about.

Everyone there seemed to be in a hurry, impatiently bustling past with briefcases, holding onto their laptop cases and thick folders. The constant clicking sound of high heels against the floor seemed to match your heart rate, going tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.

You made your way over to the reception desk.

“Good morning!” A cheery voice broke your train of thought, interrupting your anxiously racing thoughts and preventing you from spiralling.

Turning around to face the owner of the voice, you came face to face with a familiar face.

“Wen Junhui?”

The man in question grinned back at you. “Hi!”

So it was him. Junhui—”Call me Jun,” he’d said��had been there at your job interview, which had been done in a group, so both of you were probably starting at a similar level. Logically speaking, that day should also be his first day at work. However, unlike you, he looked a lot more at ease in this large building.

“Excuse me?” The receptionist tried to get your attention, and you blinked quickly before nodding.

“Yes, hi.”

You gave her your name and waited as she searched for your employee pass, before handing it to you, along with directions on how to get to your level.

You thanked her and turned to leave.

“I’m going to level three too, would you like me to show you there?”

Your heart, which had been beating painfully fast ever since you stepped foot into the building, slowed to a reasonable pace as you forced yourself to take a deep breath. Then, turning to face Jun, you smiled slightly.

“That would be great.”

Jun didn’t shut up the entire way to your desk. He looked tidy and well-kept, brown hair parted slightly off-centre, a tie around his neck. His smart black shoes clicked against the floor as he walked, and you noticed his fingernails were trimmed when he reached out to press the lift button.

“Y/n, right?” You nodded absently as Jun talked about this job, how his boss was rather friendly and how excited he was to be able to work in this team setting. Everyone was welcoming so far, and no one had belittled him as of yet.

During the elevator ride, you didn’t manage to get a single word in. Jun just kept on talking, somehow finding ways to fill the silence without you having to say a single thing. When he finally took a breath, you seized the opportunity to ask, “When did you start?”

“Last week! They asked me to come at the beginning of the new year, but I requested to start a week earlier instead, just after the winter solstice, so I could get acquainted a little earlier.”

Oh. That made sense. You briefly wondered why you hadn’t thought to do that yourself, stepping out of the elevator as the door opened onto the third floor.

You followed Jun through what felt like a winding maze of desks, all grey with some attempts at personalisation in the form of white mugs with “I ❤️ DAD” and “This is my fifth cup of coffee” printed across them, and cushions propped up on chairs for comfort.

“... And here’s your desk! Mine’s right across, so you can come over and ask me for help at any time. Just wave, and I’ll come over!” Jun smiled at you expectantly.

“Thanks?” you replied hesitantly.

“No problem!”

Smiling cheerily at you, Jun walked over and took a seat at his desk.

Breathe. You inhaled deeply, taking in your surroundings once more. This time, it felt a lot less scary. Each team had a semi-secluded area, with partitions sectioning off different teams, and your section was a little quiet but very conducive for working in.

The other people in the office had looked up briefly when you walked in, disrupted by Jun’s voice, waving politely at you before looking back down at their computers.

It didn’t seem like much, but you weren’t quite sure what you had been expecting in the first place. Setting your things down, you went over to find your team manager so you could officially start working.

—

Time passed too quickly. Soon enough, the project that the team had just undertaken was already almost half completed, and your working hours grew longer as the daylight stretched longer as well.

The sun set just after six, and you often got off work before then, so you would be home in time for dinner. Upon graduating from university, one of the first things you’d done was rent a house on the outskirts of the central business district.

It wasn’t the cheapest option, but luck was on your side, and the marketing job you had secured was enough to pay your rent.

Life wasn’t particularly luxurious; your flat was small and your meals were simple, but it was comfortable enough. On top of that, your transport fees were lower, since the office was located very close to where you lived.

That day, you were staying in the office a bit longer, staring blankly at the design drawn up on your computer and trying to figure out exactly what was off about it.

There was something about the design that didn’t work, and you intuitively knew that it had to do with the layout and the contrast in the colours of the background and the elements, but you couldn’t put your finger on what it was.

As the graphic designer on the marketing team, your workload was manageable, so this was your first time staying in the office past your stipulated working hours.

You rolled your neck around, hearing it crack, and fought the urge to rub your eyes. You turned the computer off and got up from your seat to take a bathroom break.

When you returned, there was a box of fried rice next to your keyboard.

Picking the box up, you looked around the section to see who had gotten the food. There were three people in the team still present; besides you and Jun, Yueyue was also working overtime that evening.

Yueyue had a reusable lunchbox by her side, and she took a mouthful of noodles into her mouth every once in a while, in between typing furiously on her keyboard.

Her clicks and the sound of her slurping the noodles were the only things disrupting the silence.

Jun was sitting directly opposite you, and he too had an open lunchbox beside him, along with a spoon, and he shovelled rice into his mouth every ten seconds or so. It was a bit strange that both of them had brought food from home, and yet there was takeout on your desk. It was especially strange because you knew you hadn’t ordered it.

As if sensing your confusion—or perhaps due to the fact that you had been standing in front of him for a good few minutes—Jun looked up.

He raised an eyebrow at you. “Are you planning to sit down soon? You’re kind of putting me off by just standing there.”

Oh. Embarrassed, you hurriedly sat down, but not before leaning over and asking, “Do you know who bought this?”, pointing at your own food.

“I did.” He looked back at his screen for a few moments, typed something out quickly, then moved his chair over so his view of you was no longer blocked by the screen.

“Minghao usually buys us food when we work overtime, but his mother’s health isn’t the best, so he took leave today to visit her in the hospital. Yueyue brings her own food, and I’ve started that habit too, but I noticed you hadn’t eaten so I got you something. I hope you don’t mind?”

You shook your head quickly. “No, I don’t. Thanks. I’ll pay you back, how much was it?”

Jun reached over to push your phone away. “It’s on me. Minghao even sent me money earlier on to make sure everyone in the team was fed, look.”

He showed you his screen, as if he felt the need to prove it to you, and you scanned Minghao’s texts.

Minghao (Team Manager): Make sure everyone eats well. Minghao (Team Manager): Tell them to go home before 7, it’s dark and cold outside, don’t want anyone falling sick. Minghao (Team Manager): Oh, also, tell Y/n to send me the draft of the advertisement by tonight. Minghao (Team Manager): Thanks.

“Say thank you to Minghao for me.”

Jun shrugged and put his phone away, “Already did.”

As you ate the fried rice, wrist cramping up from drawing the animations for the advertisement on your tablet, your heart felt extremely warm.

—

Becoming more comfortable with the members in your team also translated to becoming careless, it seemed.

One fine spring day, you awoke at eight-thirty to the sound of your ringtone blaring obnoxiously loudly in your ear.

"Please pick up, please pick up–"

"Hello?" you mumbled, voice a little raspy.

"Y/n! We have a meeting in an hour, where are you?"

Shit. You'd completely forgotten to set your alarm for that morning, having turned it off the day before for the Qingming Festival. You hadn't wanted it to ring while you were visiting the cemetery, which coincided with the time you normally woke up at.

To top it all off, after the long day, you'd had to take a long ride back to your flat from your hometown, which was a long way from Beijing.

You must have been so tired that night that you had forgotten to set your alarm.

"I'm still at home, is Minghao there?"

"Yes, and he's getting ready for the meeting already. He looks a bit pissed, you might want to hurry."

"Shit, yeah, okay. If he starts the meeting early, help me stall or come up with an excuse," you said.

Jun muttered something in acknowledgement.

"I'll hang up first, I've got to get ready and hopefully I'll reach on time."

"Hurry!" was the last word you heard Jun say before you hung up the call.

By some miracle, you ended up reaching the office 5 minutes before the meeting, wisps of hair falling into your eyes. You irritatedly pushed them away, taking the time to catch your breath as you turned your laptop on and tried to pull up your documents.

"Come into the meeting room now," Minghao ordered, and the team filed into the meeting room and took their respective seats.

You glared at the loading screen on your laptop, willing it to work more quickly. As Minghao said something about following the timeline and how the team was lagging behind and the client was beginning to get impatient, you did your best to listen and pull up the designs you'd done over the past couple of weeks.

However, luck was not on your side, because Minghao called upon you to present what you had done the moment he finished speaking.

You stood up hesitantly, eyes scanning your screen in a hurry, breathing still a little uneven. “Well…”

Jun let out a soft snort. You stole a glance at him, just in time to see him rolling his eyes before angling his laptop screen towards you.

“This is our advertisement video.”

Minghao took your cue to start playing the video, and you watched as your hard work came to life before your eyes. You’d watched it so many times, rewinding the animations over and over again until it was perfect, that it was no longer shocking to you how smooth the transitions were.

But seeing the video play in its entirety, not stopping every two seconds for you to fix something, you realised that you’d actually done well.

As the video came to an end, you launched into your spiel behind the technical aspect of the design elements, and Jun nodded attentively from his seat. Satisfied with your presentation, Minghao went on to the next person.

“Junhui, since you’re already prepared, tell us about the rest of the campaign and how you plan to manage the small budget we’re working with for this project.”

When Jun finished, Minghao raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Not bad, the two of you are a real match. Always good at thinking on your feet,” he said softly, just loud enough for the two of you to hear.

“A good match?” Jun fought to keep his volume down.

“I’m just saying, you’ve never called me when I was late.”

“Hao, when have you ever arrived any later than 8.30am?”

“It’s just a comparison.”

“I-” Jun threw his hands up in the air, exasperated. “We’ll talk about this later.”

Minghao shrugged and pointed at Jing Xuan, motioning for her to go next. You squinted at your team manager, then back at Jun, trying to figure out what their exchange could possibly have meant.

Yueyue went last, looking for you for help when she couldn’t recall the right word in Mandarin, and a couple of times you had to correct her pronunciation softly. She took it all in her stride, successfully completing her presentation of the segment she was in charge of.

Minghao ended the meeting with a short briefing on the development of the project and the client’s requirements, and gave updated instructions to each individual on the team.

Once he had finished speaking, the meeting was adjourned. Without hesitation, Jun grabbed Minghao’s hand and all but dragged him out of the meeting room, muttering something that sounded like “We seriously need to talk” as he strode away.

Curious, you did your best to subtly close your laptop and place it on your desk, before walking to the coffee lounge in what you hoped was an innocuous manner and casually inching closer towards the duo.

They were speaking in hushed tones, Jun’s brows furrowed and his tone of voice anxious, while Minghao was as relaxed as ever. In times like that, it was difficult to believe that Jun was a year older than Minghao.

You were a couple of years younger than Minghao, but you had changed jobs a few times, just like Jun, so Minghao was more senior than both of you.

However, Jun never really treated Minghao like a senior, although you could tell Minghao definitely treated Jun like a junior.

“What do you mean we’re a good match?” Jun hissed.

“I mean what I said,” Minghao replied, sipping his coffee.

“They like the girl I like, how could we be a good match?”

Too stunned to process Minghao’s reply, your mind blanked out as you heard Jun’s whispered words. In fact, you were lucky the cup in your hand didn’t shatter to the ground with how shocked you were feeling.

He liked Yueyue?

Yueyue’s English name was Luna, and she had joined the team at the same time that spring began. With her limited Mandarin, she struggled to communicate with the others, mostly electing to keep to herself and using Google Translate to send emails.

Having come from Singapore, your English was as good as Yueyue’s, and you were able to communicate effectively in Mandarin after your four years at university.

As such, for the time being, you basically acted as Yueyue’s translator, often helping her with her conversational Mandarin. Yueyue was a fast learner, and though sometimes she struggled with active recall, she was able to understand most conversations now without having to look the words up.

You hadn’t realised Jun liked her, but thinking back on it, you did remember Jun often looking at her while working, casting her glances when he thought no one else was looking. You recalled the way Jun hesitated before speaking to her, as if he had to gather his courage before speaking to her.

At the time, you’d simply thought it was because Jun’s English was extremely subpar, and the same could be said of Yueyue’s Mandarin, but now you knew it was more than that.

Even that time that Jun bought you dinner, you were fairly certain that he had gotten it for Yueyue, because it had come with a post-it note that was coming off the side, saying, “Enjoy your meal :)”. Jun must have been unsuccessful in removing it after he realised that Yueyue had brought her own food.

The puzzle pieces were all clicking in place, and your mouth invariably formed an ‘O’ shape as it all started to make sense.

Minghao elbowed Jun, jerking his head slightly in your direction. “Y/n’s staring.”

“Can you stop it, please, I—” Jun’s voice cut off as he turned to look at you. You were still deep in thought, and your unfocused gaze just happened to be facing Jun’s direction. “Oh.”

Minghao nodded. “Go on.” Then, as an afterthought, he added, “And remember what I said.”

Jun glared at him before standing up straight, leaving Minghao leaning against the counter with his mug of forgotten coffee, walking towards you.

He called your name, and you jerked your hand in surprise, spilling coffee on a stunned Jun.

He looked down at his white shirt in shock, frozen to the spot, and you covered your hand with your mouth. You hurriedly set the mug down, grabbing a bunch of tissue paper and pressing it against his shirt to dry it.

“I’m so sorry, you shocked me, I didn’t mean to stain your shirt. You can pass it to me, I’ll wash it, I’m really sorry—”

Jun called your name again, effectively stopping the flow of words that would have otherwise continued to stream from your mouth.

“Stop, it’s fine. It’s just a shirt, I can wash it myself.”

You opened your mouth in protest, and Jun’s eyebrow lifted ever so slightly. “Didn’t know this shirt mattered so much to you. If you want to wash it so badly, I’ll pass it to you after I’ve changed out of it.”

You could only stare in shock at his retreating back as he turned and left, mouth agape. What had Minghao said to him? It felt like the tectonic plates of your dynamics had shifted, but you wouldn’t quite be able to understand it until much, much later.

The first time.

There was a work party coming up, and you originally intended to ask Yueyue to go with you, if not as your date then as your friend.

Lo and behold, just as you opened your mouth to say “Yue”, Jun beat you to it.

“Y/n, would you do me a favour and be my work spouse for a night?” You furrowed your brows at his strange wording, glancing at Yueyue. The latter looked up, caught your eye, and shrugged helplessly.

“No,” you replied flatly. “Yueyue—”

“Pretty please?” Jun latched onto your wrist, tugging onto it like a little child would.

“No!” You pulled your hand away, shaking it in irritation. “Yueyue, will you please—” Before you could finish your sentence, Jun slapped his hand over your mouth, his other hand clutching your wrist again, preventing you from moving away or speaking.

When you finally struggled out of his grasp, you glared at him, beckoning him closer. As he leaned in, you stood on your tiptoes and hissed into his ear, “What are you doing?”

“I don’t want you to go to the party with Yueyue,” he said simply.

“Who I go with is none of your business.”

“Well, both you and Yueyue are my coworkers, so it kind of is.” Then, before you could reply, he said loudly, “Anyway, we’re going together and that’s the end of it. If any of you try to steal my plus-one, you’ll never hear the end of it from me.”

You whipped your head around to see Yueyue’s reaction, and saw her sinking into her chair, the smile on her face dissipating faster than you could blink. Jing Xuan hid her smile behind her hand, calming herself before removing her hand and continuing to work. Minghao had no visible reaction, but his deliberate ignorance was enough.

You were well and truly alone in this struggle with Jun. You took one glance at your gleeful colleague, sighing in defeat.

—

By the time the work party rolled around, it was already summer. You decided to pack your outfit, leaving it hanging by your desk throughout the workday. Sometime early in the afternoon, Jun got up from his seat, collected the suit he’d hung next to the coffee machine, and glanced at Yueyue.

She was too absorbed in her work to notice. Jun scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, and you subtly cleared your throat. “Yueyue,” you called softly.

She finally looked up, raising both her eyebrows at you. “Yes?”

You looked pointedly at Jun and jerked your head slightly in his direction. “He’s trying to talk to you.”

“Oh,” she replied, sounding surprised.

Jun smiled hesitantly at Yueyue, “Do you want to go get changed? Then we can take a taxi to the hotel together.” As he spoke, he moved his hands, pointing first at himself, then at Yueyue. His limbs felt longer than they usually seemed, and he looked like he wasn’t quite sure what to do with them.

Before Yueyue could reply, you cleared your throat again, causing both of them to turn towards you.

“Are you not inviting me to hitch a ride?”

Jun’s eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. Then, he and Yueyue spoke at the same time:

“No.”

“Yes.”

The two glanced at each other, and turned back to you.

“Yes.”

“No.”

Jun caved first, hissing in irritation, saying, “Whatever. As long as Yueyue’s fine with it.”

The person in question smiled warmly at you, and nodded in reassurance. “Sure, you can come with us.”

As Yueyue stood up, you locked gazes with Jun, smiling triumphantly at him.

—

The ride there was tense. Not entirely because you’d figuratively shoved your way into the car, although you suspected that might be a big part of the reason. No, for some reason unbeknownst to you, the typically outspoken Jun had turned silent, nervously glancing at Yueyue from time to time.

Seated in the passenger seat, you couldn’t help but steal a glance at the two behind you from time to time, and yet nothing changed throughout the entire ride.

Jun kept looking down at his hands, playing with his fingers, and Yueyue stared out the window mindlessly.

You debated trying to strike up a conversation, but just as you opened your mouth to speak, the taxi came to a halt. Looking out the window, you noticed that the hotel that had been booked for this party was much, much fancier than you had imagined.

The imposing building stood apart from the plain buildings around it, the stairs leading up to the entrance all lit up. The evening had just begun, and the sun was beginning to set, and the lights drew attention to the hotel.

Inwardly, you sighed in relief that you had chosen one of the more elegant items of clothing in your wardrobe to wear that night, because you were sure that being underdressed would have ruined your whole night.

Too caught up in admiring the grandness of the hotel, you didn’t make a move to step out of the car until Jun opened the door for you, and you stepped out. It seemed only natural to take his hand, although the moment your hand was in Jun’s, you realised that it might be overstepping slightly.

Jun’s hand was warm, enveloping your smaller hand in it completely. Yueyue came to stand behind you, amazed by the scale of the event.

“Let’s go in,” Jun suggested, and you nodded dumbly, following him inside.

Seeing Minghao eased everyone’s nerves a little, and soon there was a small congregation of five near the entrance, all keeping a close watch on the rest of your colleagues.

Since you often came to work in a sectioned-off area, and only worked closely with your teammates, you didn’t recognise any of your other colleagues. However, you couldn’t say the same for Jun.

As an elaborately-dressed young man walked past you, Jun seemed to recognise him, waving hello. Minghao could see that Jun was itching to socialise, and urged the rest of you to find people to talk to as well, leaving with a reassuring smile and a pat on your back.

You stuck to Yueyue like glue, the two of you acting like outsiders in this unfamiliar environment that was far out of your comfort zone, until someone Yueyue knew walked by and struck up a conversation with her. Not wishing to be the third wheel, you watched them walk off, standing awkwardly by the side and wishing the time would pass faster.

Fortunately for you, a kind soul noticed you standing on your own and came over, casually asking for your name and which team you were in. The man, Kun, had a warm face and a comforting voice, easily calming you down.

Halfway through a rather engaging conversation about stocks, you felt the need to visit the restroom, and looked around for someone to help you hold your things.

You would have gone to one of your teammates, but Yueyue and Minghao were having a heated discussion with a group of unfamiliar people, and Jing Xuan was nowhere to be found. Of course, there was Jun, but he flitted from group to group without giving you a chance to catch up to him.

You excused yourself to go to the bathroom, clutching your purse. Before you could leave, Kun reached out and offered to help you hold your things, and you thanked him with an embarrassed smile.

When you came out of the bathroom, you were greeted by an unhappy Jun.

He was standing in the corridor in front of the bathroom, not even on his phone, simply holding your purse and staring at the doorway, waiting for you to emerge.

You had been expecting to see Kun waiting there, prepared to thank him once more. Instead, the person awaiting you was Jun, and the lack of a smile on his face was disconcerting to say the least.

You couldn’t remember a time you hadn’t seen Jun smile. He had a pleasant disposition and a happy-go-lucky attitude, so seeing him with a poker face was a rare sight.

You reached to take your purse from him without a word, but his grasp on it only tightened as your fingers brushed against his.

“Why didn’t you come find me to help you hold your things?” he asked, volume soft but tone threatening.

You shrugged. “Kun offered to help me before I could go to find you.”

“We’re here together,” Jun insisted. “You’re acting like you hate me.”

You raised your eyebrows, slowly appraising him. “Oh, really? Funny, that’s exactly the same sentiment I received earlier, when you outright refused to let me take the same fucking taxi as you. Is being in my presence such a horrifying thought that you would refuse to take the same car as me after asking me to be your plus-one, deliberately preventing me from getting the date I wanted?”

Stunned, Jun’s grip on your purse loosened, and you shouldered your purse and turned to leave. He grabbed your wrist, and you whipped your head around to glare at him, causing him to immediately let go.

“I’m sorry.”

You stood there, not speaking, but the fact that you weren’t leaving was enough for Jun to continue, “I didn’t mean to upset you. Yes, I wanted to go with Yueyue alone, and yes, I ruined your chance to ask her, and yes, it’s hypocritical of me to expect you to act nicely towards me when I’ve been nothing but an asshole this evening.”

“You left the team first, so anxious to talk to that friend of yours that you didn’t even spare the rest of us a second glance,” you accused.

Jun shrugged his shoulders helplessly. “I’m sorry.”

You nodded curtly in acknowledgement, ready to leave, but Jun called out your name before you could take a single step.

“You can join me for the rest of the evening if you want. Since we’re supposed to be together for the night.”

You looked at him slowly, taking in his pose, rocking on his feet, thumbs stashed into his pockets. He looked distinctly uncomfortable, and some sadistic part of you felt glad you were making him feel that way.

After a long moment of deliberation, you nodded. “Sure.”

The second time.

Jun introduced you as his work spouse for the rest of the night. The first few times, you raised your eyebrows in shock, meeting his mischievous gaze, and his disarming grin told you to leave it be.

So you did, not even batting an eyelash when he proudly showed you off for the rest of the night, your heated conversation from earlier almost forgotten.

You supposed that was one of his charm points, that he didn’t hold grudges. Jun had a forgiving personality, and it made interacting with him comfortable and easy.

As the night passed, your eyelids started drooping, and it became increasingly difficult to pay attention to the conversation topic at hand. Bidding goodbye to a few of your colleagues, you took some time to stand by the side, hiding your yawn behind your hand.

“Tired?” Jun asked, accompanied by a soft laugh.

You nodded. “I think I’ll head home soon.”

“I’ll send you home.”

You cocked your head at him, then shook your head. “There’s no need, you should stay if you want to.”

At that, Jun scoffed, then shook his head and rolled his eyes. “I’d rather not. Besides, it’s not like I would understand what they’re saying without you to translate; their use of technical jargon is way out of my vocabulary range. This entire night, I’ve been piecing together the meaning of their words from your replies.”

You laughed to yourself. “Really?”

Jun nodded. “I’m serious. Anyway, it’s dark outside; you shouldn’t go home alone.”

The corners of your lips lifted, “Didn’t know Wen Junhui was such a gentleman.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

You elected to ignore that sentence, turning on your heel to leave, and Jun chased after you, matching your long strides. Outside, you hailed a car, and Jun rushed to open the door for you.

You hesitated just a second before stepping into the car. Earlier that evening, you’d assumed that Jun had opened the door for you out of formality, because Yueyue was present and he was getting into character for having to spend a night with you.

However, with a night so bleak and the dim glow of the streetlights barely lighting up the roads, there was no one to see his actions then, and everything he was doing was just between the two of you.

Perhaps he really was a gentleman, and it was out of habit that he opened the door for you. You wouldn’t know.

Because Jun was right. There was a lot you didn’t know about him.

The third time.

That incident remained at the back of your mind as concerns about the project wrapping up took priority, especially when finishing the tail-end of the promotions. You were often busy working, and had little time to spare to think about other things.

By then it was summer, and it often rained in the afternoons. Sometimes it only drizzled lightly, and sometimes the thunderstorms were so loud that you could feel your eardrums vibrating.

That day it started out drizzling lightly in the morning. At first, you thought nothing of it, expecting it to stop raining by evening. However, an hour or so before you got off work, it was still pouring outside. The rain didn’t seem like it will stop soon, and you sighed in resignation. You'd foolishly hoped that the rain would have stopped after pouring the whole afternoon, so you'd be able to get home without getting soaked.

However, you were almost about to leave, and yet the rain was still pouring ceaselessly down. You rummaged through your bag for an umbrella.

Even though your hands were occupied, something at the back of your mind told you that you'd forgotten to put the umbrella in your bag this morning. Your search proved futile, and you recalled seeing the umbrella resting on the shoe rack that morning, but you had no memory of putting it into your bag.

You ran through the options in your mind. You could make a dash for it—the building wasn’t too far away from the bus stop—but you didn’t particularly feel like taking the bus home while soaking wet. The other option was waiting it out, but you hadn’t had dinner yet and you were absolutely famished.

You inhaled through gritted teeth, mentally preparing yourself to run through the rain, when a voice cut through your thoughts.

"Are you walking to the bus stop?"

You locked eyes with Jun, who'd just asked the question, and nodded.

"I'm walking there too, shall we go together? We could share an umbrella," he said.

Oh. You felt a ripple of warmth spreading through your body. He'd noticed. You swallowed and nodded. "That would be great. Thanks."

To be honest, you weren’t sure what to think of the gesture. Jun was nicer to you lately, and whatever odd tension between the two of you that had laced your interactions had died down too. You still talked to Yueyue, but more for work than any other reason. Jun, too, seemed to be taking it easy, reducing his attempts at chasing her.

Jun stood up, closing his laptop, and you kept your things as well. He came over to you, umbrella in hand, which caused Minghao to look up from his seat.

“Leaving so early?” This sentence was directed at Jun.

“Yeah. Gotta send my work spouse home, they forgot to bring an umbrella.”

You rolled your eyes at the term, but Minghao didn’t even flinch. “Okay, don’t get too wet.”

Tilting his head, Jun gestured for you to follow him out.

It was a silent walk to the bus stop, both of you all too aware of your proximity to each other, trying not to step too far out of the umbrella for fear of getting soaked. The sky was dark, covered by clouds, and the floor was slippery, so you had to take great care not to slip.

Jun maintained a small gap between the two of you, tilting the umbrella slightly to your side, but when you finally reached the bus stop, both of you were dry.

“Thanks.”

Jun looked up from the umbrella, smirking when he saw the grudging expression on your face. “No problem.”

The fourth time.

When Minghao said you would be going on a trip together as a team, you weren’t expecting that to entail camping in the middle of the woods—”Nature reserve, Y/n, I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve said that already”—and definitely not when you realised you’d have to put up your tents by yourselves.

Not that you were incapable of putting up a tent, but you weren’t keen on the idea of sleeping without a mattress. With your terrible posture and the way you kicked in the night, you could already foresee the backache that would result from this wonderful idea.

At least it was summertime, so you wouldn’t have to worry so much about freezing to death. Minghao and Jun were sharing a tent, of course, because there had never been much to debate about that. Yueyue and Jingxuan were sharing the other 2-person tent, which meant you were left with the smallest tent to yourself. Fortunately, you didn’t mind.

Putting up the tents was a two-person job, and you were embarrassed to admit that you needed help doing it. Obviously, stubborn as you were, you’d tried to set it up by yourself, but trying to place the groundsheet on the ground with only two hands was difficult. You could only hold two corners at a time, and the material of the groundsheet made it such that it kept creasing in ways you didn’t expect, so after a few minutes of trying, you eventually gave up.

You helped Yueyue and Jingxuan fit the tent poles through the loops of the tent, the three of you cheering when the tent started to take shape. Once the tent and flysheet were secured, you asked them to help you set up your tent, only to realise Minghao was the only one setting up his and Jun’s tent. Jun was standing behind you, watching the three of you awkwardly, grinning crookedly at Yueyue when she turned to face him.

Rolling your eyes, you went over to help Minghao.

Minghao raised his eyebrows when you came over, starting to speak before your hands even touched the pegs.

“I’m extremely particular about these sorts of things, by the way. That’s why Jun’s not helping me. So if you do something that I don’t like, there’s a high chance I’ll just undo it and redo it myself.”

You shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

“Also, please put the pegs in well, because I’d prefer to not have to wake up in the middle of the night to find my entire tent blown away.”

You nodded. “Sure.”

After a moment of silence, you tugged at the loops at the bottom of the tent, wiggling the tent pegs deeper into the ground. You packed the soil into the holes you’d made, shaking the pegs to check that they were secure, and stood up with a triumphant smile.

Minghao made his rounds, adjusting the flysheet. Hands on his hips, he walked one round around the tent, inspecting every small bit, using his shoes to check that the pegs were secure. Satisfied, he looked to you with grudging approval.

“Not bad.”

You smiled to yourself, knowing that in Minghao’s dictionary, that was a high-level compliment. Turning back to your own tent, you noticed that Jun and Yueyue were almost done setting it up.

You would have gone over to help, but you didn’t want to interrupt. You turned back to Minghao, who was already climbing into his tent and unpacking his luggage.

“Need help?” you asked Yueyue, deliberately choosing to use English because you knew Jun wouldn’t understand.

She shook her head. “We’re good, I think.”

You glanced at Jun, who was biting his lip in concentration as he slotted the bendy tent pole ends into each other until the tent began to take shape.

“Jun? I can take over from here, you should go ahead and unpack.”

Jun’s head whipped up, and he glared at you for a moment before realising Yueyue was watching him. “I don’t have much to unpack,” he replied simply.

“You sure? I saw how big your luggage is.”

“It’s fine, I can help Yueyue for a little longer.”

“Actually…” The two of you turned your attention to Yueyue, who continued, “I think I need to unpack. I’ll leave the two of you to it?”

You smiled warmly at her. “Go ahead.”

“Yue…” Jun’s voice trailed off as she walked away, glaring at you fiercely.

You pretended not to notice as you focused only on getting your tent up, and once it was set up, you finally paid attention to the way Jun was staring at you. He stood on his tiptoes to tie the knot that secured the tent poles to the flysheet, then stalked over to you.

“Y/n, what the fuck—” The moment the curse word left his lips, Jun looked almost apologetic. He pressed his lips together, silent for a moment, before deciding to continue. “Why would you purposely ask her to leave? We were doing fine, we’re literally helping you set up your tent, I don’t get it.”

“Don’t get what? I just reminded her that she still had to unpack.”

“It won’t take that long, don’t play dumb. It’s still bright, and we both know Minghao always gives enough time for everything. It wouldn’t kill her to start unpacking later.”

You shrugged, your gaze slanting towards the other tent. “Tell her that yourself, it’s not like I told her to leave.”

“Cut the crap, Y/n. Why are you acting like this? I thought we were friends.”

“Why am I sabotaging your attempts to hit on her, you mean? I'm not trying to. I’d just prefer it if you didn’t do it while setting up my tent.”

“I-” Just then, Minghao tapped both of your shoulders, jerking his head towards the centre of all the tents. He looked pointedly at Jun for a few moments, then left without saying anything.

“I’m going to set up a fire,” Jun said. “We’ll talk about this later.”

“Maybe,” you muttered unhappily under your breath.

—

After dinner, which was cooked over the fire—definitely an experience—the five of you sat by the fire, admiring the orange-red sunset. As the sun disappeared on the horizon, the temperature grew colder, and everyone subconsciously shifted their chairs closer to the crackling fire, jackets wrapped tightly around themselves as they extended their fingers towards the glowing flame.

When all the conversation topics had been exhausted, so was Jingxuan, as evidenced by her sudden yawn. Claiming that it was time for her to turn in, she got up. Not wanting to leave her alone, Yueyue took her leave as well. That left you, Minghao and Jun by the fire, moving your chairs so each had a warm spot.

“Y/n?” You glanced at Jun, bracing yourself for the argument you felt was sure to follow. You were naturally argumentative, there was no denying it, and though Jun wasn’t one to start an argument, he always wanted to win them.

You jerked your head in acknowledgement, waiting for him to continue.

“Are we friends?”

You frowned. That wasn’t what you’d been expecting at all. “Yes?” you replied tentatively, unsure where this was heading.

“Do you like Yueyue?”

You almost laughed. “No.” You didn’t and would never like her that way, probably. She was nice enough, but not exactly your type. You weren’t sure where Jun had got that notion from, but he seemed to be clinging on to that thought since you first joined the company all of 8 months before.

“Then what’s your deal? It feels like you’re doing this on purpose, trying to keep me away from her. If you like her, and she likes you back, fine. I’ll stop pursuing her. But you don’t even like her, so I don’t understand why you’re acting like this.”

You pursed your lips together, trying to identify the feelings messing up your head, like water after a dirty paintbrush was dipped into it.

Jun looked at you earnestly, eyes wide as he awaited your reply. After a moment of silence, you shrugged helplessly. “I can’t say what it is. But you’re right, I’m being unreasonable. So, how about this: I’ll leave the two of you be if you don’t flirt right in front of my face, deal?”

Jun stuck out his hand, adding, “You’re still my work spouse, right?”

Taking his hand, you nodded. “Sure.”

Just then, an ear-piercing shriek sounded in the otherwise quiet camping place, and the three of you gathered around the fire stood up simultaneously. Minghao was the fastest to get to Jingxuan and Yueyue’s tent, and the two of them ran out of the tent, Jingxuan’s face white with fear.

“There was a rat!” she cried out. “I swear it bit my fucking toe.”

Upon hearing this, Jun looked rather faint. You moved to help Jingxuan get her shoes, bringing her to the campfire to take a seat first. Yueyue helped Jun to sit down, and you left the three of them to get jackets for Yueyue and Jingxuan.

Meanwhile, Minghao took his phone and turned the flashlight on, inspecting the tent and the area around it.

He came back a couple of minutes later, having ascertained that the rat was gone, but by then everyone had grown comfortable and too tired to move. Jingxuan and Jun were fast asleep, heads propped up on their fists, and you watched Yueyue carefully.

Her hands were shoved into the depths of her pockets, her lips forming a pout absentmindedly, hair tucked behind her ears.

Yueyue tapped Jun’s shoulder to rouse him, and the two of you guided your half-asleep colleagues into their tents before everyone finally fell asleep.

The fifth time.

By then it was autumn, and September was drawing to a close. It was an ordinary work day, a couple of hours before lunch, and Jun suddenly stood up, rummaged through his bag, before procuring a card from his wallet and stalking over to Minghao’s desk.

“You busy?” Minghao nodded without looking up. Jun placed the card on his desk, saying, “I’m using this.” Minghao barely spared the card a second glance before saving his progress and getting up from his seat, gesturing for Jun to follow.

The two of them entered the meeting room, your gaze following them curiously. You met Jingxuan’s eyes, both of you just as confused as each other.

You stood up, walking over to Minghao’s desk, examining the card left behind on the desk. It said, in Minghao’s neat handwriting, “15 minutes of my time. Use whenever.”

You furrowed your brows, placing the card carefully back to where it had been before, heading back to your seat.

Jun and Minghao exited the room not long after, Jun looking conflicted. You followed him with your eyes as subtly as you could, watching as Minghao sat in his seat, looking at the card on the table and furrowing his brows. Looking up, he met your gaze, tilting his head.

Shit. Had you not put the card back properly? How did Minghao know? But to your surprise, your team manager didn’t speak, smirking before returning the card to Jun.

“Team drinks later after work,” he announced, not as a question. The other members of the team looked up briefly, nodded, then returned to their work. You continued to watch Jun sit at his desk, bury his head in his hands, then mess up his hair in frustration.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he opened his laptop and began to work.

—

That evening, the five of you sat at the front of the bar, talking between drinks. After Jingxuan’s story about her landlord drastically inflating the rent when he found out that Jingxuan and her roommate were splitting the costs, you recalled an incident you had just had.

A couple of weeks ago, you’d seen a stray cat on the streets, and decided to take it in. You’d since taken it to the vet for a proper check-up, and had made an appointment for it to get spayed. The only issue was that your landlord didn’t allow tenants to keep pets, and you weren’t sure you could keep it a secret when she came over to check.

“Come stay with me,” Jun said. His tone was teasing, but when you looked at him, his gaze seemed earnest, burning into you with his sincerity. The way he said it, it wasn’t really a question.

“I mean it. If you need a place to stay, come stay with me.”

Normally you would tease him for how serious he was being, but something about the fraught silence and the surrounding atmosphere stopped you from making fun of him. Instead, you watched him carefully, never breaking eye contact, and nodded slowly.

“Okay.”

“Lighten up, my work spouse. You’re acting like we haven’t known each other for a year already,” he said, already back to his old self. You only nodded in reply.

Bonus: the time where he leaves out the “work”.

When you first joined the company, little did you expect that three years down the road, you’d end up waking up next to the man you’d met at your interview, the one with brown hair and dark eyes and a sharp smile.

It had started out with him liking your friend, with tensions here and there due to both of your stubborn tendencies. Your personalities clashed often, resulting in disagreements that turned everyone’s moods sour.

However, you were still mature adults, and after a period of working together, you learned to be more accommodating of his differing opinions and habits and vice versa. Through the shared bonding over working overtime and walking home in the rain, you grew from mere colleagues into friends, growing close enough to talk about more than just the latest project you were working on.

Of course, growing from friends into lovers was slightly more complicated, and you had Minghao to thank for helping you along.

You never realised, but Minghao was the first to notice that you were starting to like Jun. If it weren’t for Minghao subtly helping Jun to grow closer to you, the rivalry may have extended for a far longer period of time than just a few months. Especially with the misguided notion that you liked his crush, Jun would not have been as willing to be your friend without Minghao’s constant nudging.

Almost a year after you had met, before getting drinks together and Jun’s fateful statement that led to the two of you moving in together, Jun had realised that he liked you.

He liked you, not Yueyue. The realisation had been startling, and in a daze, he’d used the card Minghao had given him for his birthday to ask for Minghao’s attention. In those 15 minutes in the meeting room, Jun had voiced out his concerns and desperately asked Minghao for some form of advice.

Jun later told you that Minghao’s answer then had been a simple, “I think you like Y/n.”

Having been in denial for so long, it took Jun a while to realise that his feelings for Yueyue had slowly dissipated over time, and that the lingering sentiments were only platonic, whereas his feelings for you had only grown.

Minghao had offered a simple solution to ease Jun’s heavy heart—drinks with the team. Unbeknownst to him, this action had led to Jun’s implied confession and indirectly caused the two of you to finally get together.

Jun snuggled into your embrace, interrupting your thoughts, nuzzling the underside of your chin and burying his face in the crook of your neck.

”Good morning,” you whispered softly, fingers running through his soft hair. He looked up at you briefly, as if checking over every feature of your face, before nodding in satisfaction and shutting his eyes again.

A peaceful smile came over his face, the blissful expression on his face causing you to smile as well.

”You should marry me,” he mumbled, hands tightening around your waist.

”That’s sudden. Where’s the ring?” You teased.

”Haven’t bought it yet,” he frowned. “But if you don’t say yes, then I wouldn’t have to return it.”

You let out a little laugh. Practical as always. “And if I say yes?”

Eyes still closed, he reached over you to the bedside table, fingertips trailing to the first drawer. He pulled it open, and you turned your head to look. There, sitting on top of your favourite books was a nondescript black velvet box. “Pass it to me,” he said, blinking his eyes slowly open.

You passed it to him without a word and he scrambled to sit up in the bed, both knees tucked under him in a kneeling fashion, opening the box to reveal a ring with a silver band, with a small jewel atop it.

”You said you don’t like fancy things, right?”

Struck speechless, you didn’t protest as he gently took your left hand, slipping the ring onto your fourth finger. He pulled your head in towards his chest, kissing the top of your head.

Just like that, Jun’s proposal to you was as simple and direct as the time when he asked you to move in, less of a question than a request, one that you would gladly agree to.

#k-labels #🪁 — my works #📸 — the media #jun #jun x gn!reader #jun x reader #jun x yn #jun x y/n #jun x you #seventeen x reader #seventeen x yn #seventeen x y/n #seventeen x gn!reader #kpop fanfic #seventeen fanfic #svt x you #svt x yn #svt x gn!reader #svt x y/n

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anqlicrosie · 6 months ago

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₊ ⊹ happy one month anniversary! ✧ ˚. ᵎᵎ

an entire month has passed since may 10th when i first opened this blog to make moodboards. and now it's already june 10th! i can't believe an whole month flew by so quickly while i was having so much fun! 🥹💗

making moodboards everyday was something i looked forward to, especially finding out how to make them more prettier and more aesthetic than the last hehe. and not to mention trying to figure out how to make gifs at the start from scratch (which i'm still in the process of learning) and being surprised at all the different ways in which you can make moodboards more unique.

taking part in so many events, getting to meet and interact with so many talented people, even getting the confidence to start a writing blog, honestly i feel so blessed haha. all in all it was such a good experience this past month ♡︎ and i am so thankful to everyone whom i had the chance to interact with this last month ‹3

꒰ 🦔 ₊˚ . . . a few memorable moments !

› the first mb i posted on this blog 一 karina spicy era vs. my latest mb 一 yeji orange tangle

› the first post that took off for me 一 wonyoung orange era vs. my top post right now 一 karina armageddon teaser

› my personal fav that i had to spend so much effort & time finding pics for 一 winter sports attire

› first event i took part in 一 mean girls event

› trying out a style i definitely wasn't used to 一 iroha posing w/ an egg

› already crossed a 1000 likes & reblogs!

› reached 50 followers a few days ago & now making progress towards 100!

꒰ 🦔 ₊˚ . . . fav blogs & some amazing ppl !

@purinkiss @v3gue @yuqi-luv @cg1rl @lil-liaa @lilaquette @soulari @hyelita @aericita @hyetart @suzy143 @sul1ann @koosuvi @pommecita @p-oisn @gigittamic @jicito @v6que @fairytopea @baesol @heavenurl @kthice @c-heriis @eyuulas @minguukie @i-kyujin @dollcuriies @storyofcats @y-unjins @y2jiz @artoruu @yunjidoll @chaey2k @hyefilms @alloraamore @tripleseu @qqmariztwsse @kiriyori @jnssite

[do let me know if you prefer to not be tagged, i'll keep that in mind for the future!]

#ׁ ׅ ⊹ ☆ິ aria's milestones #kpop moodboard #karina #messy moodboard #kpop #kpop layouts #karina moodboard #aespa karina #one month anniversary #kpop icons #tumblr milestone

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raven-at-the-writing-desk · 1 year ago

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news spreading and expulsion

One pro to the light novel adaptation of TWST is more in-depth explanations for the consequences that play out. The game kind of sweeps over this, as there’s reasonable suspension of disbelief for the medium. However, in a book or mainly text-heavy form, there has to be a more pragmatic sequence of events to fill in the gaps in logic. (For example, Yuuya takes on a more explicit and active tole as a tactician in battles, there is more description about how the OB boy behaves, and just more general detail about fighting with magic overall so as to not make the OB fight scenes boring to read.) As a pragmatic person myself, this has made me really appreciate the light novel and what it does for the TWST lore!!

Another example of this is the dorm leader meeting in book 2 following Riddle’s OB. There’s a whole conversation (that’s 100% unique to the light novel only) in which the other dorm leaders have dialogue that implies they’re aware Riddle OB’d and that he should be recovering right now. People constantly whisper and stare at him, hurting Riddle’s pride. In other words, there are more obvious social consequences on display for OBing. We also get unique text which describes the pain associated with the aftermath of Overbolt.

OH YEAH AND??????? Riddle actually faced expulsion from NRC, which is NEVER brought up in the game. The only reason he could stay was because his mom put up a fight with the school administration… which is very Mrs. Rosehearts of her, but that also kind of implies that the staff told her or provided a reason as to why Riddle was being removed… MEANING SHE MIGHT KNOW ABOUT HIS OB????? 😭 But maybe not the reasons for the OB… If Mrs. Rosehearts did have all this knowledge beforehand, then it changes the context for Riddle resolving to speak with her in book 4 (during winter break). Like, Riddle would now be confronting his mom knowing that she’s aware of what he did, and knowing that he’s still indebted to her since she’s the reason they let him stay. That must place so much more guilt and shame on his shoulders, making it all the more difficult to discuss with her.

It’s crazy how these extra scenes in the light novel can recontexualize so much with so little new content… I love it 🥰

#twisted wonderland #twst #twisted wonderland light novel #twst light novel #Riddle Rosehearts #Kuroki Yuuya #Yuuya Kuroki #disney twisted wonderland #notes from the writing raven

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miley1442111 · 7 months ago

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Hii I hope you’re having a good day/night,

I was thinking could you do some hcs/fic/whatever you see best fit with Spencer Reid and a male (or ng) model reader? I think that would be pretty funny ahahha

Btw love how you write! <3

thank you so much! i hope you enjoy :)

spencer reid x gn model!reader hcs :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok so I’m personally thinking like early seasons Spencer…

So backstory:

so you two meet at something really random, like you’re picking up your friend from their lecture and he’s just there giving the lecture with Gideon or something.

You actually laugh at his jokes (bc ur not just a pretty face, duh) and you kinda catch his eye

You lowkey corner him… but it’s for a good cause and he reciprocates immediately!!!

You two go out on a few dates and then ur dating!!! :)))))))))))

The team has no clue you two are going out together until you post a picture and Penelope (who obviously follows you already) notices a certain person in the reflection…

The teasing NEVER ENDS. Morgan will not let it go.

Ultimately they’re all happy Spencer has someone.

So real hcs

Spencer and you obvi don’t get to spend so much time together since you’re always away on shoots and he’s on cases.

But when you do spend time together he’s like the most cuddly, cute thing ever :(

He’s always just reading things from his memory as you two just cook or like, sit together.

He’s smiling whenever you hug or kiss him because he just can’t believe you're his!

He ALWAYS has his hands on you when you’re together.

He has a certain paparazzo that he’s named his personal enemy no.1 because he’s a douche who’s constantly trying to take pictures of you at bad angles.

He obviously despises the paparazzi with a passion, especially one particular photo of the two of you kissing after a night out (aka Morgan printed it out 100 times and posted it all around the Quantico building)

As your relationship progresses (aka you get engaged!) He goes to more and more events with you and he looks so handsome in his suits !

He asked you to marry him in the sweetest way possible. It was like dusk during the winter and you were hiding from the world in your small cottage holiday home in Lake Tahoe. He just got down on one knee and asked, you both cried.

He is your personal hype man, like he loves anything you wear.

You’re just so perfect in his eyes! He loves you so much 🥰

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

also i love this idea so much, i might turn it into a series... ?

criminal minds masterlist :)

navigation for my blog :)

#spencer reid x fem!reader #criminal minds fic #criminal minds x reader #spencer reid #spencer reid x reader #dr spencer reid #criminal minds fandom #doctor spencer reid #spencer reid criminal minds #bau team #criminal minds #criminal minds imagine

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metalbvcky · 2 months ago

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Stucky Reclist | Summer Reading Bingo

This summer I made it a goal of mine to read several fics, like library reading challenges as a kid, and four months later I made a blackout! I’ve compiled all the works together with links, ratings, tags, and word counts. Each fic contains different genres/tropes/AUs and authors with various abilities of weaving their words.

Thanks to @ficreadingchallenge for hosting this event!

Meow | Teen+ | 4,372 (1/1) | leveragehunters

Square #1: pets Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern: No Powers, Magical Realism, Cats, Ghosts, Happy Ending

23 Reasons I Want to Marry Steve Rogers | Gen | 764 (1/1) | FanFicAddict7

Square #2: remix fic pair Tags: No Plot/Plotless, Remix, Marriage Proposal, buzzfeed article, Journalist Bucky, Fluff

in the morning i'll be sober and you'll still be mine | Teen+ | 2,240 (1/1) | mcwho

Square #3: author's oldest fic Tags: Drunken Confessions, Kissing, Shameless Steve Rogers, Light Angst

What We Overheard | Mature | 2,015 (1/1) | Defiler_Wyrm

Square #4: secret relationship Tags: World War II, Period-Typical Homophobia, Secret Relationship, Bottom Bucky Barnes, Top Steve Rogers, Mentions of Historical Racism

Who we are | Explicit | 6,186 (4/4) | Late_to_party_81

Square #5: multichapter fic Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Pre-Serum Steve Rogers, Beefy Bucky Barnes, Daddy Kink, Daddy Dom Steve Rogers, Sub Bucky Barnes

Painterly | Explicit | 8,463 (1/1) | avintagekiss24

Square #6: high school/college AU Tags: Gratuitous Smut, Bottom Bucky Barnes, Top Steve Rogers, Artist Steve Rogers, Alternate Universe - College/University, Jock Bucky Barnes, Alternate Universe - Roommates/Housemates

finding our way back | Mature | 40k+ (series of oneshots) | brambleberet

Square #7: part of a challenge or event Tags: Domestic Discipline, Spanking, Dom Steve, Sub Bucky

when and where our eyes meet | Explicit | 2,518 (1/1) | luninosity

Square #8: happy ending Tags: Post-Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes Recovering, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Implied Sexual Contact

now we’re cookin’ with gas | Explicit | 7,103 (1/1) | angeleyeavenue

Square #9: slow burn Tags: Alternate Universe - Restaurant, Post-Serum Steve Rogers, Chef Bucky Barnes, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers

Dream Daddy | Explicit | 108,071 (29/29) | JBankai89

Square #10: longfic (>25000 words) Tags: Alternate Universe - Sugar Daddy, Sugar Daddy Steve, Sugar Baby Bucky, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Age Difference, Fluff and Smut, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining

A Boatload of Problems | Not Rated | 3,358 (1/1) | CherriOnTop

Square #11: BIPOC main character Tags: Veteran Steve, Veteran Bucky, Not Canon Compliant, Survivors Guilt, First Meeting, Sam POV, the wilson boat

Frost Caught Fire On Our Lips | Explicit | 7,393 (1/1) | the1918, kocuria-arts (kocuria)

Square #12: fanart Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Small Towns, One Night Stands, Age Difference, Top Steve, Bottom Bucky

Incredible! 100 Year Old Man Finds Love | Teen+ | 2,457 (1/1) | bangyababy

Square: free space Tags: Captain America Steve Rogers/Modern Bucky Barnes (Shrunkyclunks), Buzzfeed, Memes, Trolling, Getting Together, Marriage Proposal, Humor

so easy to love you | Gen | 2,351 (1/1) | lavenderbucky

Square #13: take your fandom to work AU Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Established Relationship, Domestic Fluff, Steve Rogers Cooks, Cooking, Baking, Bucky Goes Back to College

the bleeding heart show | Explicit | 7,756 (1/1) | Tenillypo

Square #14: canon compliant Tags: Captain America: Civil War (Movie) Compliant, Missing Scene, Escape from Siberia, Hurt/Comfort, Hurt Bucky Barnes, Protective Steve Rogers, Protective Bucky Barnes, Laying Low in Wakanda, Unresolved Emotional Tension

last train home | Gen/Teen+ | 42,070 (series of oneshots) | sparkagrace

Square #15: fic written by someone who follows you Tags: Alternate Universe - No Powers, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Established Relationship, Fluff and Angst, Getting Together, Slice of Life

Quarantine 101 with Dr. Rogers (and the Husband) | Teen+ | 5,575 (1/1) | lordeofstucky

Square #16: superpowers/no powers AU Tags: Alternate Universe - No Powers, Quarantine, Online Classes, Bucky the Husband, Steve the Professor

Haunted | Mature | 1,826 (1/1) | ThePirateStorm

Square #17: unhappy/bittersweet ending Tags: Unrequited Love, Angst, Not A Fix-It, Canon Compliant, Hallucinations

Three Men in a VW | Teen+ | 3,563 (1/1) | Brokenpitchpipe

Square #18: fix-it fic Tags: Captain America: Civil War, Missing Scenes, Road Trip from Hell, Banter, Pining

My Peach and Your Plums | Teen+ | 1,005 (1/1) | buckybarnesdeservestobehappy

Square #19: short fic (<1000 words) Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Domestic Fluff, Steve Rogers Cooks, Food as a Metaphor for Love

My Heart Skips A Beat When I’m With You | Explicit | 5,460 (1/1) | innerslumber

Square #20: Holiday Fic Tags: Valentine's Day, Topping from the Bottom, Post-Serum Steve Rogers, Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes

Ancient Dreams, Modern Land | Gen | 13,796 (1/1) | Greyspaces13

Square #21: angst Tags: Cabin Fic, Isolation, Steve Rogers Needs a Hug, Steve Rogers Has PTSD, The Retreat Safe House (Marvel), Hurt/Comfort, Evil Alexander Pierce, Angst with a Happy Ending, Protective Bucky Barnes, Canon-Typical Violence

As Sharp as Satin | Explicit | 130k+ (WIP) | blackthorn_possum

Square #22: whump Tags: Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes, Bucky Barnes Recovering, Platonic BDSM, Handler!Steve, Dom Steve Rogers/Sub Bucky Barnes

Stucky Bingo March 2023 Round Robin | Teen+ | 2,049 (1/1) | Dogsled, Girl_Back_There, Politzania, ralsbecket, Sivan325, TrinityDay

Square #23: multiple authors Tags: World War II, Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve Rogers Feels, Blood and Injury, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Hopeful Ending, Bad Flirting

Medically Necessitated | Explicit | 91,416 (WIP) | sarahyellow

Square #24: unfinished/work in progress Tags: Omegaverse, Doctor/Patient, Hurt/Comfort, Age Difference, Medical Kink

#summer fic reading challenge #stucky #stucky fanfic #stucky reclist #stucky recs #stevebucky #stevebucky fanfic #stevebucky reclist #fic reclist #mcu reclist #masterpost #my reclist

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ooffmlsorry · 11 months ago

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First of all Congratulations on 100 followers!!It's been an absolute pleasure reading your stuff! I love the way you write law, so I'd like to request for the prompt "Step away from the tree and put the present down" It sounds so hilarious, I can't wait to see what you come up with!! xx

OMG that’s so sweet! Thank you!! I’ve been having a great time doing this actually. I’m so glad I do a decent enough job of writing Law ‘cause I’m obsessed with him. This is gonna be fun!! I kind of ran away with this one soo....I hope you enjoy <3 :)!!

“You’re a mean one, Trafalgar Law.” You struggle to keep a straight face while singing and twirl just out of your captain’s reach. “You reeeaaally aaare a heeeeel,” you sing, all the while watching Law’s face grow increasingly stern. “You’re as cuddly as a cactus, you’re as charming as an eel, Trafalgar La-aw.”

You twirl around the kitchen until you’re back to the counter where you left your bowl of cookie batter. The kitchen smells sickly sweet already, a tray of sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies cool on a rack. You suspect your captain has come to inquire why the Polar Tang’s kitchen has become a bakery.

“Sing that again and I’ll consider it mutiny, y/n-ya,” Law says cooly.

By no means do you think he’s joking, all the annoyance in his eyes and tension in his shoulders are real, but his threat rings hollow. Maybe because the only thing you’ve done is poke fun at him, you both know you’d never truly betray him. The fact that you were allowed to tease him at all was the real sign of how strong your bond was.

“Stop being such a grinch and I won’t,” you say. You begin pressing a person shaped mold into a sheet of gingerbread cookie dough.

You hear Law grumble something under his breath, but you don’t ask. The captain is welcome to grumble to himself as much as he likes, but it won’t stop you from bringing a little holiday cheer to the Heart Pirates. After all they’ve been through they need it, especially Law.

There’s a beat of silence before Law speaks. “Why are you doing this?” He asks. “There are much more important things to b–”

“Cookie?” You say. “I made one shaped like a polar bear just for you.” You turn around with a sugar cookie shaped like a bear’s face covered lightly with white icing for the fur and black for eyes, nose and mouth.

Law pauses to look at it, looks at you, and then to your surprise, begrudgingly takes it in his hand but doesn’t bite into it. “There are more important things to do than bake cookies,” he says.

You don’t dare comment on the fact that he just took one. You know well enough he’d hand it back to you if you did.“You're trying to come up with something else for me to do, aren't you?”

“There's always cleaning to do,” Law says. His eyes sweep around the kitchen littered with pans, bowls of icing, food coloring, wax paper, and cookie dough, “and you've made a mess. The cook will need it soon for dinner.”

“I know,” you say lightly. “We’re having a holiday dinner, remember? Decorate cookies, drink a little, dance? Bepo told you we’re opening presents before breakfast tomorrow.”

Law steadfastly ignored any invitation to join the fun. As the captain he was aware of all of your plans. He couldn’t help noticing the way the air in the Polar Tang was humming with excitement. The crew seems happier too, he wouldn’t yet say it, but Law knew you were good for their morale.

“I’ll be in my office,” Law says.

You knew it was coming but your shoulder’s still slumped a small fraction. Of course Law would stay in his office while everyone else was having fun. At first you thought your captain’s definition of fun was different from the crew’s but the longer you’ve stayed aboard the more you’re unsure. Every attempt you made to bring him out of his shell was met with resistance at best and outright rejection at worst.

“You won’t stay for a little?” You ask, no longer trying to hide your disappointment. “I was kind of hoping you would.”

Something passes across Law’s face, and then it’s gone and replaced with the cool, well-placed wall. Whatever it was, Law had decided to keep it from you. “No, I don’t have time for games, y/n-ya.”

“Will you be there tomorrow? We all put presents under the tree,” you say. “It’ll be short, we’re just going to open them in the morning after breakfast and then get back to work.” Not to mention you knew your present from him was sitting under the tree, earnestly wrapped with a bow.

“I doubt it,” he says.

Just once you wanted him to stick around the ones who love him, yourself included. You’ve always tried to keep your feelings hidden, buried deep under a warm concern for Law’s well-being and an admiration of his skills.

“I knew you’d say that, Grinch.” You have trouble keeping the bitterness out of your voice.

You watch Law’s eye twitch. “Am I supposed to know what a Grinch is or are you making up words now?” Law sighs.

Law’s not known to joke with you like this. The humor you two share consists of knowing looks, whispered barbs, and playful teasing, but you still stare at him for a moment expecting some kind of punchline.

“The Grinch?” You repeat.“You know the children’s story about a green monster guy that hated the holidays because he thought they were too loud and annoying so he tried to rob the neighboring town of all its trees, presents, and decorations? They didn’t have that story in the North Blue?”

“No, I guess not,” Law says. “I’ve never heard that story before.”

“Well,” you pull a sheet of cookies from the oven and replace them with another batch. “Does it not sound like a certain someone?” You ask playfully.

He scoffs, “he’s not wrong. The holidays are loud and annoying. They’re a distraction.” Law finally bites into his cookie and pauses to stare at it for a moment, a flash of enjoyment shines in his eyes. He quickly covers it, lowering his head to hide his eyes below the brim of his hat. “Remind the others to keep it down tonight,” he says, then turns and leaves.

You set aside some of the cookies cooling on the rack to decorate for him later. You chuckle to yourself a little; there were crumbs on your captain’s face.

You couldn’t lie to yourself anymore. The party is fun, the crew has split themselves into three factions: the ones stuffing their face with cookies, honeyed meats, and thick spiced drinks, the ones dancing to holiday music, and the ones still sitting around the table raucous with laughter as they play games. The only thing missing…the only person missing is Law.

At some point he made an appearance to grab a plate of food (much later than he should have, you noted) and then disappeared back to his office. Thoughts of your captain kept lingering, until you couldn’t ignore them anymore.

Which is how you ended up standing outside of his office, with your hand hovering before his door—too hesitant to knock. Why shouldn’t he stop for just one night? Part of you knows it’s your own selfish desire to see him that brings you here, but you know you’re right. After all he’s been through, you want to see him happy.

There’s a pause after you knock before he lets you in. Law’s seated at his desk, his gray eyes focused on a book in front of him. They slide up to look at you as you enter.

“Hi,” you say. To give yourself an excuse you take the empty plate sitting on his desk. “Things aren’t too loud are they?”

“No, thank you,” he says.

His eyes don’t leave you as you had expected them to. He’s not so absorbed by his work that he looks away immediately. You don’t go into Law’s office often, but you’re one of the few crew members that can without an emergency. The small room is an eclectic collection of all the things Law keeps in his head. Shelves of books, maps, and scrolls line the walls along with a desk, safe, and a couch which you’ve occasionally found him sleeping on. You also pretend you don’t know about the collection of Sora comics hidden behind said couch.

Law observes you, his hands folded in front of his face keep you from truly reading his expression. The air feels charged as neither of you can look away from each other. Are the tips of his ears red? You wonder.

“What?” You finally ask.

“Nothing,” Law says. He coughs slightly and looks away from you, “actually, I…” You watch Law think the better of whatever he was going to say. It’s not just his ears that are slightly red, his cheeks dust pink as well. Suddenly your heart is hammering in your chest, butterflies make themselves known fluttering around in your abdomen and below. You’re on the edge of something, you just don’t know what yet. “Thank you for checking on me,” he says. “I’m fine. That’s all.”

“Oh…okay.” For the second time, disappointment folds over your enthusiasm. “Don’t forget to give your eyes a break, Law,” you say. “Maybe come out and join us for a little bit? The holidays are all about being with the ones you love.”

Law’s grimace doesn’t quite reach his eyes, “good night, y/n.”

You’re pleased to know Law isn’t working himself to death in his office, perhaps he was taking a night off in his own way. Regardless, enough of your worry vanished to allow you to enjoy more of the party. You dance and drink late into the night, and even find that a holiday story is being broadcasted on a transponder snail. The crew, equally as exhausted and drowsy, pile together almost like kids sitting around a fire to hear a story. You flop down onto the couch beside them and drift off to sleep. The last thing you remember is the warm glow of the tree lights and the scent of pine.

You wake up to the sound of rustling pine and ornaments knocking against each other. Immediately you’re on high alert, heart bounding. All the sleep that would normally fog your brain and muscles evaporated. Someone was here, in the low light you could see a tall, thin figure crouched under the tree. At first you start to alert the crew, but as your eyes adjust you realize you know that frame, the shape and bend of that body.

“Step away from the tree and put the present down,” you say, using the most authoritative voice you have.

Having been caught red handed, Law stops what he’s doing and allows you to flick the common room’s light on. The clock on the wall reads some time just before four in the morning. Of course it could only be your captain.

Law straightens from underneath the tree. He scowls down at you, holding a present in his tattooed hand. He quickly hid it behind his back.

Tension slowly leaves your body and is replaced with annoyance and confusion. So many questions swirl in your head, but only one makes it out of your mouth: “I thought you said you’d never heard of the Grinch?”

Law nearly chokes. “What?”

“Sneaking in at night,” you say. “Stealing presents. That’s kind of what the Grinch does.”

“I’m not stealing it,” Law says between clenched teeth. His eyes are hidden under the brim of his hat. Is he…is he embarrassed? “I’m placing it for tomorrow,” he mumbles.

You look between Law’s blushing face and the tree.“Oh…” you mutter quietly. “I—well, that makes more sense, but…I thought you said you weren’t going to join us tomorrow?” You rub the back of your neck and look away from him.

“I wasn’t,” he says. “But I—” You’re surprised when he brings forward his hand holding the gift. Law’s blush deepens and his determination to avoid looking at you grows. To spare you both, you stare at the gift neatly wrapped in his hand. It’s no bigger than his palm, a matte gray box tied with a golden bow. “It’s yours. I wanted to say thank you for…for your kindness.”

You take the gift gingerly in your hands. “You were concerned about finding your place. I doubted you at first,” Law says as you unravel the bow around the box and lift the lid. “But I think your place is here.”

Inside, a gleaming gold locket sits delicately on a white cushion. A gasp escapes you.

When did he do this? Why did he do this? Your heart beats wildly in your chest as your thoughts race. “I can't believe you….” The metal is cold and smooth against your fingers. It shines just enough to look thoughtful, but discrete enough that few would think of thieving it. That would be Law, you think to yourself, always practical. Still, the gesture touches you beyond words.

“Open it,” he says quietly.

The pendant opens with a small click and inside is a folded piece of white paper.

A vivere card.

You don't think you quite understand until the paper flutters away from you slightly. It moves in Law’s direction centimeter by centimeter.

You move the vivere card back into place and shut the locket. For Law to trust you with something so special and dangerous as his location stuns you. No matter what you’ll be able to find your way back to him. “I trust you, y’n... I trust you with the people most important to me and I want you to always be able to find me.”

“Thank you Law,” you say once you find your voice. “I…I can’t believe you did this for me.”

Law’s hand is warm and firm against yours, the feeling of him finally touching you melts every bone in your body. Your heart hammers in your chest. Your eyes slip from the softness reflected in Law’s gray eyes to his lips. “I’m attached to you in a way I’m not with most.”

That’s all he needs to say for you to pull him close enough to kiss. A surprised sound escapes his mouth before he begins to react. His hand leaves yours to slide around your waist and pull you closer to deepen the kiss.

You pull away when you're both breathless. A giddy smile pulls so wide your cheeks begin to hurt. Law pulls the necklace from the box and places it around your neck, still blushing as if this was more intimate than locking lips moments ago.

“Do you know how the Grinch ends?”

Law rolls his eyes but, clearly, decides to humor you. “How does it end?”

“He learns to love and his heart grows three sizes,” you say.

#law x reader #one piece x reader #trafalgar law #100 followers winter event

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creators-club · 5 days ago

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Welcome to the first '24 Days of Christmas' event for the Creators’ Club. Every holiday, we plan to have a custom event planned. For Christmas, we are hosting a prompt event.

Prompts:

Day 1:

Holiday Words: snow, reindeer, fireplace Holiday Phrase: "All is calm, all is bright."

Day 2:

Holiday Words: mistletoe, stockings, cocoa Holiday Phrase: "Home for the holidays."

Day 3:

Holiday Words: garland, sleigh, twinkle Holiday Phrase: "A winter wonderland."

Day 4:

Holiday Words: chimney, bells, frosty Holiday Phrase: "Silent night, holy night."

Day 5:

Holiday Words: candy cane, ribbon, wreath Holiday Phrase: "Deck the halls with boughs of holly."

Day 6:

Holiday Words: eggnog, Santa, frost Holiday Phrase: "Naughty or nice?"

Day 7:

Holiday Words: nutcracker, sugarplum, scarf Holiday Phrase: "‘Tis the season to be jolly."

Day 8:

Holiday Words: sleigh bells, gift, evergreen Holiday Phrase: "Over the river and through the woods."

Day 9:

Holiday Words: carolers, snowflake, gingerbread Holiday Phrase: "Do you hear what I hear?"

Day 10:

Holiday Words: poinsettia, icicle, peppermint Holiday Phrase: "Walking in a winter wonderland."

Day 11:

Holiday Words: elf, chimney, mittens Holiday Phrase: "Underneath the mistletoe."

Day 12:

Holiday Words: ornament, pinecone, sleigh ride Holiday Phrase: "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

Day 13:

Holiday Words: candy, cocoa, snowfall Holiday Phrase: "Rockin’ around the Christmas tree."

Day 14:

Holiday Words: holly, lights, cheer Holiday Phrase: "It’s the most wonderful time of the year."

Day 15:

Holiday Words: ribbon, present, sparkles Holiday Phrase: "Have yourself a merry little Christmas."

Day 16:

Holiday Words: star, tree, joy Holiday Phrase: "Peace on Earth, goodwill to all."

Day 17:

Holiday Words: tinsel, cookies, glitter Holiday Phrase: "Oh, what fun it is to ride."

Day 18:

Holiday Words: wrapping paper, icicle, marshmallows Holiday Phrase: "On a cold winter’s night."

Day 19:

Holiday Words: snowman, jingle, candy cane Holiday Phrase: "Making spirits bright."

Day 20:

Holiday Words: lantern, cider, log Holiday Phrase: "Bringing tidings of comfort and joy."

Day 21:

Holiday Words: snow globe, sled, chocolate Holiday Phrase: "Under the sparkling lights."

Day 22:

Holiday Words: angel, melody, starry Holiday Phrase: "A child is born."

Day 23:

Holiday Words: gingerbread, carol, magic Holiday Phrase: "Let your heart be light."

Day 24:

Holiday Words: holly, miracle, velvet Holiday Phrase: "As the world awaits Christmas morn."

Guidelines Under the Read More

The 24 Days of Christmas Writing Challenge will officially run from December 1st to December 24th, giving participants the chance to immerse themselves in a festive creative journey. To provide a head start, participants can begin brainstorming and drafting as early as November 18th, though official entries will be accepted only during the event dates.

All submissions must include the hashtag #cc24DaysofChristmas to ensure they are recognized as part of the event. During this time, there will be no regular Creators Club events, allowing members to fully focus on this unique challenge.

All submissions written by followers who are not on the tag list will be featured under user: guest.

Submissions must be entirely original, as AI-generated content is strictly prohibited.

All submissions must be, at least, 100 words.

Each day, a new prompt will be shared, offering participants inspiration to create something festive and engaging. While writers are encouraged to follow the prompts in order, they may use them as flexible starting points for their work.

You do not need to use all the prompts for the day. Just use as much as you need to get the juices flowing.

While there is no strict word limit, all entries should demonstrate thought and effort.

Collaborative entries are welcome, provided all collaborators adhere to the same guidelines.

If you have any questions, please feel free to send @creators-club a question.

@bardic-tales @megandaisy9 @watermeezer @littleshopofchaos

@kricketbee

@themaradwrites @pinkevilwriter

@serenofroses @asirensrage @aalinaaaaaa @goldenlilium-ocs @glbettwrites

@wyked-ao3 @badscientist @thebadphilosopher @andromedalestrange

@fantastictrashpolice @seastarblue @happypup-kitcat24 @chickensarentcheap @allaboutmagic

@ryns-ramblings @kathaliabloodyrose @riemmetric @andromedaexists @kckramer

@tales-from-nocturnaliss @pastelpinkhobbies @idonthaveapenname @the-bar-sinister @rosesonkittens

@bloodred2023 @kanobarlowe @aquixoticwrites @new-royston-cursebreakers

@rosemirmir @salmonandfox @fablesandfragments @paganmindidnothingwrong @elshells

@viscerawrites @ellowynthenotking @dawsonskyelar @greenapplespider

@edupunkn00b @the-duke-of-nuts @exclawshou @karkkidoeswriting @meerawrites

@theglitchywriterboi @mayarab @memento-morianon @mrsmungus

@pebblesfromtheshore

#cc24DaysofChristmas #creators club #writeblr #writing community #writers on tumblr #writing challenge #writing prompts #holiday writing prompts #Christmas writing prompts #December writing challenge #writing event 2024 #Christmas creativity #holiday vibes

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moongirlwidow · 5 months ago

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File: Volkov, Anetka Vespera —> Notable Events

Aliases: Winter Widow

Status: Classified

File Last updated: July 6, 2023 AD

Status: Student

Age: 15

Class: 16ABX

Total Missions: 681

Missions completed: 671

Missions successful: 670

Mission failures: 1

Kill count: ~10k

The First Winter Soldier Incident

Date of occurrence: April 6, 2012

Age: 6 years

Summary: the Winter Soldier was brought to the academy for a pruning of classes and training session. After watching the elder classes fight and largely fail against the Soldat, Volkov faked unconsciousness. The objective of her class was to survive, however she laid limp for an hour before performing takedown 6AN19Y, a skill she had not been taught not previously seen. She proceeded to render the Soldat unconscious, the only Widow under the age of 11 to do so

Aftermath: following this, in consideration with Volkov’s other skills, statistics and mannerisms, she was selected to train as the replacement for the Iron Maiden, Melina Vostokov, alongside A. Dreykov, Taskmaster

Melbourne Playground 618

Date of occurrence: July 16, 2010

Age: 4 years

Summary: flammable gas canisters were placed in the playground at [redacted](Melbourne, Australia) by Volkov, Galkin and Zubov, lit with a dropped cigarette

Casualties: 29

Targets killed: 6/6

Myers Mountain Poisioning

Date of occurrence: October 16-31, 2022

Age: 13

Summary: Volkov infiltrated the Myers-Henderson Charity Gala in Salt Lake City Utah, seduced Messers. George Cawford and Issac Wells into her suite where she followed orders to lead them on in belief of a possible three-way encounter. She then put a heavy poison on her neck and lips which when oral contact is made knocks the victim unconscious, with the safety precaution of a powder which could be applied via [redacted]

Casualties: 2

Targets killed: 2/2

Retrieval of Archival Soviet Files from [redacted] Castle, Scotland

Date of occurence: August 12, 2022

Age: 15

Summary: Volkov alongside Taskmaster attended a fantasy-theme event in Scotland, using this as a cover to retrieve various Soviet files and archival items. Volkov created a contact with Nina Brown to gain na alibi for being out late, once again showing her skill in seducing women of a lesbian persuasion

Casualties: 0

Items Retrieved: 45/44

Graduation Test

Date of occurrence: July 28, 2023

Age: 15

Summary: following suit with N. Romanova, Volkov’s test included the retiring of her class. She was left blindfolded in a room with four of her peers, all of whom were shot at point-blank range, one shot to the heart and one to the throat. She then found herself in a laboratory chamber, and after moving through light gunfire she mixed chemicals to create toxic fumes, claiming the single gas mask for herself and climbing her to aid in avoiding the chemical.

The final room contained Katarina Yubkin and Olga Oborin, second and third ranked in the group. She eliminated Oborin without issue. Yubkin gave a fight, showing weakness as she begged for mercy before her death. Volkov then checked all bodies to confirm deaths and emerged for her assessment.

Score: 112/100

Time: 7 minutes, 26.751 seconds (record, beats Natalia Romanova)

Casualties: 28

#files from the past #the winter widow #vera volkov #marvel rp #mcu #marvel #mcu rp #marvel mcu #marvel ask blog #marvel cinimatic universe #lore drop

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theabstruseone · 2 years ago

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'TIL a papyrus scroll indicates that, during the building of the tomb of Pharaoh Ramses III, the workers were upset about their treatment and, rather than discussing it with them, management served them a large meal.

'The workers didn't think that was enough so occupied the Valley of the Kings refusing entry to anyone until they were given a raise and "cosmetics" (research shows it was a form of sunscreen).

'So not only does workers organizing a strike and forming a picket line for better wages and workplace safety conditions date back TO THE FRIGGIN' BRONZE AGE, but also management has been trying to placate discontented workers with a pizza party.'

And then that went viral on Twitter and I got hammered with people trying to "Well ackshually" about my three-tweet-long thread on a thing I'd learned just that morning I turned into a joke about corporate pizza parties. So I decided to research and here's the entire story.

TL;DR: I was pretty much right except it'd be closer to say "donuts/cupcakes in the breakroom" rather than "pizza party".

The events took place sometime around 1157 BCE (specifically the 29th year of Ramses III’s reign) in the village of Deir el-Medina, a worker village for the people who worked on the built the tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

BTW, the site itself is fascinating as it was first excavated in 1922 and ended up being one of the most thoroughly documented accounts of community life in the ancient world and proved the builders of the Pyramids were middle-class skilled artisans and craftspeople, not slaves.

You also have to know that this era of history is around the start of what’s known as the Bronze Age Collapse. Some sort of environmental catastrophe happened that caused widespread crop failures across the ancient world.

Now what precisely happened is strongly debated, but generally several groups from elsewhere in Europe and Africa known as the “Sea People” attacked the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean, which caused most of those cultures to collapse.

Also, commerce was a bit different as they were (oversimplified explanation) on the bread standard. Salaries were measured in values of beer and bread as the recipes for those were standardized and made up the basics of the diet.

So while common laborers would be paid in literal beer and bread, more highly-valued workers would be paid in an equivalent of a larger allotment of beer and bread. So they’d get paid “100 loaves a day” worth of oil or metal or coin representing the value.

Now, for our tale. This comes from the contemporary account of the scribe Amennakhte. If anyone wants to read along, a photo of the scroll along with a translation is available to read for free at https://libcom.org/article/records-strike-egypt-under-ramses-iii-c1157bce

On Year 29, Second Month of Winter, Day 10, a group of workers walked past the guards and sat at the Temple of Menkheperre stating it had been 18 days since they’d last been paid, staying the night in the tomb saying “We have matters of Pharaoh”.

The following day, a scribe brought the workers 55 “s'b-cakes”. So yes, a “pizza party”. I can’t find any reference to what this is precisely other than “fine bread” that was worth more than a large loaf of standard bread.

Seriously, I wasted an hour of my life trying to figure out what “s'b-cakes” are exactly so if anyone knows please tell me.

Anyway, it didn’t work and there was “quarrelling” at the temple of Ramses II. The translations says “chief of police” which doesn’t seem quite right but I’ll go with it, but anyway he said he’d fetch the mayor of Thebes.

The mayor claimed they didn’t have enough to pay. The workers responded by saying “The prospect of hunger and thirst has driven us to this. There is no clothing, there is no ointment*, there is no fish, there are no vegetables.”

They then said to go tell it to the Pharoah directly. On Day 12 (the day following the “quarrelling”), they were given their ration they were due during the previous month (basically, they got their back pay). It was 21 days late.

Side note: I got some pushback by an “Egyptologist” for calling the “ointment” a type of sunscreen and…yes, it was. Some translations mark this as “cosmetics” but it was a medicinal balm used to prevent and treat sunburn. What the hell else would you call it?

So Day 13 (the fourth day of the strikes) and Mentmose, the “chief of police”, apparently took a side. He told the workers to lock down the work site and continue their protests, and that he’d lead them to the temple to continue the sit in.

His words (recorded by Amennakhte): “I’ll tell you my opinion. Go up, gather your tools, close your doors, fetch your families, and I’ll lead you to the temple of Seti I and let you settle down there.”

At this point, the tax master Ptahemheb came out to talk to them making a list of all the things they demanded. On Day 15 (sixth day of the strike), they tried another “pizza party” with half a sack of barley and a jar of beer for each worker.

Amennakhte doesn’t say what their response was exactly, but does say that the workers brought torches so they could continue the protest in the dark. So I take it the response wasn’t good.

Day 17 (eighth day of the strike), the head of the temple came out and asked what demands to bring to the Pharoah for them. And they gave a detailed list of what precise wages they wanted for each of the workers.

On that day, they were given what they asked for in rations for the second month of winter. They may have also been paid early as they should have been paid on the 21st or 28th day depending on the source.

So we’re now in the third month of winter (no exact date written) and they’re still striking. Worker Mose said basically “As Amun as my witness if you drag me away I will come back and start robbing the tombs.” I couldn’t fit the whole thing in one tweet.

Reshpetref, the proctor, said “We will not come back, you can tell your superiors that. For sure, it is not because of hunger that we strike, but we have a serious charge to make. Something bad has been done in this place of the Pharoah”.

We’re on the fourth month of winter now, Day 28 (so over three months of striking now) before the Vizier shows up. This is the government official that handles day-to-day business and is second only to the Pharoah.

He says he just got promoted so isn’t authorized to give them their wages (at least partially true, he’d just been promoted five days prior) and even if he could, there was nothing in the granaries to pay them with.

The granaries may have been empty because of the other issues going on with the Bronze Age Collapse or it may have just been the rampant corruption speculated of the government of the era, or he may have been lying.

On the first month of summer Day 2, the crew got two sacks of grain as their ration (they’d demanded 5 ½ sacks each). The foreman Khonsu told them accept it, then go down to the market and tell the Vizier’s children about it.

Amennakhte (who again, is writing this scroll) stopped them and said NOT to go to the market since they’d been paid and if they did, he’d have to have them arrested. He doesn’t mention they were only paid a third of what they were owed.

First month of summer, Day 13, passes the guard post saying “We are hungry” and continued their sit in. They shouted at the mayor of Thebes as he passed, who then got them 50 sacks of grain to tide them over until Pharoah paid them.

That’s the end of this particular scroll, but there’s evidence that strikes continued throughout the reign of Ramses III as there are records of more workers being hired to transport food and supplies to the workers.

The scroll also leaves out some of what happened in between dates. For example, it wasn’t one single long strike, but a series of them. After they were paid their wages the first time, the workers went back to work.

However, they were told that was their pay for the third month of winter and not the second so they wouldn’t be getting paid again, sparking the second strike that lasted into summer.

There’s also a big deal in Egyptian culture at the time called “Ma’at” or basically “The Order of Things”. Nobody had any idea what to do with the striking workers because workers weren’t supposed to strike. They were supposed to work.

Sure, they were treated well and the village of Deir el-Medina lived at what could be called middle-class standards for the time period, but they weren’t supposed to rebel against their betters in this way. It was unthinkable.

There was also a big festival coming up to celebrate the 30th year of the reign of Ramses III and a lot of the government officials were focused on that, more concerned with maintaining order than actually managing the country.

I should also note I paint Amennakhte as on the side of the government rather than the workers when the opposite was likely the case. The strike wasn’t recorded in the official government records as Egypt tended to cover up their losses.

That said, we do have some records like those of Amennakhte showing that, once the workers realized they had the power to organize, they used it all the way through the New Kingdom.

The last entry on the scroll doesn’t directly involve the strike, but is related. On the first month of summer, Day 16, one of the workmen provided evidence that government officials were stealing from the tombs.

One of them, Weserhat, was one of the ministers who shorted the workers payment previously. The other, Pentaweret, may be the son of Ramses III at the center of the “Harem Conspiracy”, an assassination plot that took place between 1 to 3 years later.

In summary, the workers were unpaid due to corruption and management enriching themselves, they went on strike, management threw them a pizza party, that didn’t work, and they eventually got their demands.

Though I guess if you want to be completely accurate, it was more “donuts/cupcakes in the breakroom”…

#egypt #ramses iii #ramesses iii #labor rights #strike #pizza party #donuts in the breakroom #union #union strong #Also before anyone says this is Ramses III not the Pharaoh of Exodus #That was Ramses II almost a century earlier and a completely different dynasty #Not going to open the can of worms that is archeological evidence (or lack thereof) supporting biblical accounts of history #But either way the events are unrelated as they were 70-100 years after Exodus would have been #ancient egypt #ancient history

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