#24 hour roses(valentine's day)

[historias-multorum]

@kaito-akimoto Hana would receive a Valentine’s Day card, named and signed by Kaito, Kiba’s classmate who had an obvious crush on her. Kaito would later visit, apparently on another errand for Kiba.

“Sorry for the intrusion, I’m just here to drop off Kiba’s shirt, he left it after training…” he explained, soon realising that it sounded like an excuse so he could visit. "Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day."

@kaito-akimoto

She chuckles. "Thank you for the card, and thank you for returning Kiba's shirt. I swear he'd lose his own head if it weren't attached." She chuckled.

[sapphicromanoffxo]

Heart's Day | n.r x w.m

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Wanda Maximoff

Word Count: 2.2k+

Warnings: fluff(??), dirty talking, implied smut, light angst, pet names, mentions of bruises and wounds

Summary: Natasha and Wanda are about to celebrate their first Valentine's day together. What happens when Natasha has to leave and Wanda has to be on her own on such special occasion?

A/N: I wrote this one in between answering emails at work and this is pretty much a self-indulgent fic in celebration of Valentine's Day. 💜 Happy reading!

╰┈➤ Masterlist

Wanda eagerly anticipated spending Valentine's Day with Natasha this Wednesday, marking their first celebration together. She took thoughtful steps to make it special by pre ordering a bouquet of red roses and she also thought of scattering petals around her bedroom for a surprise touch. Additionally, she meticulously planned a romantic candlelit dinner, showcasing her culinary skills to impress Natasha.

This upcoming Valentine's Day holds great significance for Wanda, as she wants to express her deep affection and appreciation for Natasha. It's an opportunity for Wanda to convey gratitude for Natasha's unwavering efforts, despite her demanding job and hectic schedule. Wanda only has a vague idea of what Natasha's job entails, all she knows is that she holds a high position in a successful company, often finds herself immersed in work 24/7, and making most of her free time with Wanda.

However, Wanda's excitement took a hit when Natasha informed her of an unexpected business meeting that required her to fly to Europe just three days before Valentine's Day. Disappointment washed over Wanda, but she tried to be understanding of Natasha's professional commitments.

Natasha, expressing regret over the situation through a phone call, explained, "I'm truly sorry, detka. I wish I could reschedule, but this meeting is crucial for our business dealings." Despite her disappointment, Natasha was already packing for her flight, set to depart in less than four hours.

Wanda, fighting back tears, sighed heavily and asked, "When will you be back, Nat?"

"I can't predict the duration of this meeting, these deals sometimes extend to a week, including post-agreement celebrations," Natasha replied, the uncertainty of her return evident in her voice.

"Will you at least give me a call once you touch down? And where are you planning to stay?" Wanda kept her voice steady, not wanting to burden Natasha with her own emotions.

"I'm not exactly sure about my accommodation yet, but I'll make sure to call you as soon as I can, alright? I promise, baby."

Wanda, accepting the reality of the situation, simply replied, "Take care, okay? I'll be waiting for your call."

"I love you, my love. Until we talk again, goodbye for now."

****

A day passed without a word from Natasha, which was unusual. While it wasn't the first time Natasha missed a call due to her busy schedule, she typically sent a brief text to update Wanda. However, this time, there were no responses to Wanda's messages, fueling her anxiety. The worry escalated to thoughts of Natasha potentially being involved with someone else, an unfair assumption, yet Wanda couldn't help but overthink the situation. Recalling moments when Natasha was tied up in business meetings, Wanda questioned whether Natasha couldn't spare a minute for a call.

Fast forward to the third day since Natasha left, Valentine's Day arrived. Wanda still sent Natasha a heartfelt greeting, desperately hoping for a response. Sadly, the message only showed as delivered, without any acknowledgment. Tears welled up in Wanda's eyes as she gazed at the bunch of roses that were delivered in the morning. Unable to proceed with her planned surprise, Wanda still decided to decorate her room with a heart-shaped design of roses on top of the bed, a bucket of wine on the bedside table, and heart-shaped balloons attached to the ceiling. Faux-candles added an intimate ambiance, disappointed that Natasha wouldn't witness the effort. Completing the decorations, Wanda snapped a photo, sending it to Natasha with the caption, "I wish you were here, Natty. ❤️🥀"

Wanda sighed for what felt like the hundredth time that day as her message remained unanswered.

Approaching midnight, the jingle of keys and footsteps in her apartment startled Wanda.

"Wanda?"

Natasha's voice echoed, prompting her to turn on the lights to search for Wanda.

"Natasha? You're here!" Wanda, leaping off the couch where she had been sleeping, embraced Natasha tightly.

"Yes, baby. I'm here now."

Wanda felt an overwhelming sense of relief knowing that Natasha had returned before the day ended. However, her joy was overshadowed by lingering concerns about Natasha's silence during her trip.

"Why didn't you call me back when I asked you to?" Wanda questioned with a hint of irritation, though her voice carried genuine concern.

Stepping back from the embrace, Natasha replied, "Things got incredibly busy when I landed. I'm sorry about that, my love."

It was then that Wanda had a chance to inspect Natasha's face and body. Noticing a cut on her eyebrow with a poorly cleaned wound and small tears on her neck, Wanda's concern deepened.

"What happened to you? Why do you have these wounds?" Wanda's voice revealed alarm as she anxiously fretted over Natasha's state.

"Shh now. I'm okay. I promise. Don't worry about me," Natasha reassured, purposefully diverting Wanda's attention by kissing her senseless.

Wanda melted under Natasha's kisses, moaning as Natasha's grip tightened around her waist.

"I've seen what you've done with your room," Natasha purred in her ears. "Can I see it?"

Wanda nodded, suddenly feeling a surge of arousal from Natasha's affection. She shrieked as Natasha effortlessly lifted her, arms wrapped around her thighs.

"Put me down, you scoundrel!"

Natasha chuckled at Wanda's reaction, carrying her towards the bedroom. Impressed with Wanda's efforts, Natasha was even more delighted when she saw the setup in person. Though the candles were extinguished, the moonlight cast an ethereal glow on the white sheet forming a heart-shaped design with roses. Playfully slapping Wanda on the backside, Natasha set her down.

"Wow, this is really good, detka."

Wanda beamed at Natasha's reaction and responded, "Thank you, it's my surprise for you! Do you like it?"

Natasha sat at the edge of the bed and turned on the candles that were placed on the footrest, beckoning Wanda to sit on her lap, "Come here, sweetheart. I will let you feel how much I like this grand effort of yours."

Wanda's cheeks instantly heated up knowing what's about to happen next.

"You know, you're all I think about whenever I'm away and my mind can't help but to remember how soft your skin is against mine." Natasha's hands travelled down to the hem of the satin night gown that Wanda was wearing and skimmed through the exposed thighs, leaving a trail of goosebumps on her skin.

"How I love leaving hickeys on your chest and neck, so everyone will know that I own you." This was emphasised by an aggressive bite on the junction of Wanda's neck, which made her squirm in pain, but was soon soothed by Natasha's tongue.

"I thought of your delightful moans, sometimes I would need to shake my head just so I could get the sound out of my mind. But baby, I can't. I love how you sound, it shows how needy and desperate you are for me."

Wanda's nightgown was taken off of her at an instant, making her shiver from the sudden exposure. But Natasha's monologue wasn't done yet, and she continued, "And these fucking delicious tits that I could never get enough of. I want to be buried in them, all day long, the same thing with your thighs. One day I know I will suffocate on how hard you squeeze my head when you cum."

Natasha's nails raked over Wanda's thighs and at the same time, sucking on her nipples like a starved animal. "You're really mine, yeah?" Natasha's eyes sparked dangerously.

"You know I'm yours, completely," Wanda responded but her patience for Natasha's foreplay was wearing thin. "But I need you to fuck me right now."

"Hmm. You're impatient today. You miss me that much, huh?"

If Wanda could roll her eyes, she would. But she's not ready for the punishment that it would entail. "Please, Natasha. I need you so much," She rolled her hips desperately seeking friction.

"But honey, I am not done with enumerating the filthy thoughts I have about you." Natasha smirked at her.

"Don't tell me, show me instead," And with that, Wanda brought her hands on the side of Natasha's neck and started kissing her passionately. "Show me, please."

Natasha stood up while Wanda was still wrapped around her midsection and laid her down on the bed, right in the middle of the roses.

"You're the most beautiful thing I've seen." Natasha sincerely complimented her right before assaulting Wanda's lips.

"Take off your clothes, please." Wanda moaned in between the kisses and was forcing Natasha to remove her jacket. Natasha growled at how desperate Wanda was.

"I'll make love to you, all night long." It was a promise that Natasha will surely commit in order to make up for the days she was away from her lover.

****

Hours had passed, and a number of orgasms had been exchanged between the two women. Natasha was feeling utterly satisfied and she glanced at the woman by her side, now peacefully asleep. If someone had told her a year ago that she would be head over heels about a certain girl, she knew she'd shoot that person without hesitation.

Natasha felt like she hit the jackpot when she got to know Wanda and fell in love with her. She never expected to have a chance like this, especially with her line of work. Love was a new and unfamiliar emotion for Natasha, but Wanda made it special, and Natasha wanted her in her life forever. However, the harsh reality interrupted her blissful thoughts as her phone buzzed insistently, revealing an unwelcome caller ID. Answering the call, she knew trouble awaited.

"Where the fuck are you, Nat? You disappeared before the mission debrief, and Fury's losing his mind trying to find you."

Natasha disentangled herself from Wanda's embrace and headed to the living room while putting her pants on and t-shirt. "Don't make a big deal out of it. I had somewhere to be urgently."

Clint chuckled at Natasha's response. "Nah, you bolted because you needed to fuck someone. You were gone for nearly three hours! Get back here before Fury hunts you down, caught with your pants down."

Just as Natasha was about to reply, a voice interrupted her.

"Natasha? Who are you talking to?"

Clint seized the opportunity, exclaiming, "I knew it!" Natasha hastily ended the call, scrambling to come up with an explanation.

"It's just my co-worker. Sorry if I disturbed you."

"Are you coming back to bed?" Wanda asked with a sleepy voice.

"Actually, I have to go. There are things that need to be finalised that I didn't get the chance to do since I immediately left so I can see you." Natasha explained.

Wanda's doubts crept back in her mind and blurted out, "Are you cheating on me?" Her voice trembled as she tried to stay calm.

Taken aback by Wanda's question, Natasha immediately answered, "What? No! Why would you ask that?"

"You're always on business meetings and whenever you're on trips, you never call and you don't reply to my messages." Wanda pointed out.

"I am not cheating on you. I swear!" The redhead walked towards Wanda and placed her hands on her hips to pull her closer. "I don't even look at other people. I only have my eyes on you."

Wanda stared at Natasha's face intently, scrutinising whether she's being truthful but found nothing but sincerity. "You promise?"

"Yes, I promise. I love you, okay?" Natasha touched Wanda's lips before leaning down to kiss her.

"I love you, too. When are you leaving?"

Natasha's phone buzzed again indicating another call. Wanda saw the caller's name, Yelena, and raised her brow at Natasha as if asking who the caller was.

"It's my sister. Wait a second."

Natasha answered the phone and went to look at the window, she shook her head at the profanities that were coming out of Yelena's mouth and dropped the call.

"My sister also works at the company that I'm in and she's currently outside to get me. I will call you in the morning."

Wanda only nodded and kissed her girlfriend goodbye, her doubts still lingering in her head.

"Oh and I will pick you up for a lunch date tomorrow. Please dress up nicely." Natasha winked at Wanda before closing the door.

****

Meanwhile during the car ride heading to SHIELD, Yelena was berating Natasha for her behaviour.

"Are you really not going to tell Wanda that you're an assassin?" Yelena questioned, as if Natasha had sprouted a second head.

"How am I supposed to bring that up? Should I just casually mention, 'Oh, by the way, I kill people—'"

"—criminals," Yelena corrected Natasha.

"Yelena!"

"What? Don't be dumb, sestra. You need to tell her!"

"I will tell her when the time is right." Natasha answered.

"Good luck with that. You even had the guts to go to her while you still have small cuts in your face."

"Yeah, she actually asked about them and the bruises."

"Well, she's going to ask more questions if you continue leaving her like that and then coming back without a limb."

Natasha rolled her eyes at her sister's drama, but she knows Yelena is right to be concerned. Eventually, Wanda will ask more questions, and Natasha might struggle to keep secrets that could harm their relationship. She just hopes Wanda will stay with her once she learns about Natasha and the nature of her real job.

[idyllcy]

valentine's event: baby, i'm so stupid in love

Happy Valentine's Day!! You now have (stares at watch) 24 hours to send a love letter to your fav to my inbox! (be as delusional as you'd like) Your beloved and your messenger are waiting! x's n o's !!!

Character List:

apothecary diaries (Jinshi, Maomao)

danganronpa (Komaeda, Hinata, Kamukura)

dc (Bruce, Dick, Jason, Tim, Damian, Steph, Cass, Jaime Reyes)

a date with death (Grimmy)

lovebrush chronicles (Alkaid, Ayn, Cael, Clarence, Lars)

love and deepspace (Zayne, Xavier, Rafayel)

saiki k (Saiki)

solo leveling (Jinwoo, Zhigang)

tears of themis (Vyn, Marius, Luke, Artem)

What to send to me:

A love letter! An example will be provided below the cut using pretty bird!!

Example ask:

Dearest birdie,

How are you this Valentine's? It's unfortunate it's a Wednesday this year and all of my professors (still) hate me. Though, it does remind me of our first date. I can't believe you won me over with a Costco card of all things LOL. I'm sure you'll be reading this letter while having breakfast, so be sure to order some pizza when I get home. Or, show up to my class? Who knows. Lots of love Timmy <3

Eternally yours, Pretty Bird

Example response:

Pretty Bird,

You should know better than to leave early in the morning with nothing but a letter stuck in your place... though, it wouldn't be such a bad idea to show up to your class with roses to escort you out. What would you call it? Shoujo-coded? Let's go Costco shopping again... this time for our house. I'll see you after work.

Your birdie, Tim

EVENT ENDS: 24 HOURS FROM POSTING || HAVE FUN!!

[cheolism]

where do broken hearts go

✧ kim mingyu x reader

✧ summary: another man's trash, another man's soulmate

✧ genre: friends to lovers, song-inspired, the pain of watching your soulmate cry over heartbreak

✧ notes: where do broken hearts go is one of my favorite songs ever and i couldn't help but write this while i was still in the groove of writing. the heartbreak is between reader and an unnamed man, none between mingyu and reader

✧ wc is approx 1.3k

mingyu remembered how you had looked when that man had rejected you. 

he remembered how at first you were confused; he was too. he was so sure the man would accept your flowers and offer. mingyu would have, after all. he had imagined it, before. he imagined it was him that you had picked out flowers for, but the difference between him and the man you were confessing to was that you knew mingyu loved chrysanthemums the best, whereas with the man thought having favorite flowers was silly.

your hands had fallen, the roses hanging loosely from your grip. you had watched the man walk away, eyes focused on him; mingyu had watched you. watched as your entire figure seemed to drain, all energy and life seeping from your body and leaving with the man. 

he remembered how you cried. god. mingyu hated it when you cried, even when it was 4 a.m. and you were crying at the 24-hour diner because you were drunk and had ran out of maple syrup for your pancakes and were convinced the waitress would hate you because you had to refill it. he hated it when you cried whenever you saw the end of toy story 3. 

he remembered how you cried. god. mingyu hated it when you cried, even when it was 4 a.m. and you were crying at the 24-hour diner because you were drunk and had ran out of maple syrup for your pancakes and were convinced the waitress would hate you because you had to refill it. he hated it when you cried whenever you saw the end of toy story 3. 

but fuck, he hated it with every fiber of his being when you cried from pain. hated it when you were seriously ill and had called him, sobbing into the phone; hated it as you cried over the toilet seat, fever raging through your body. hated it when you couldn’t help the little tears whenever the nurse had to draw blood. 

hated it when you pressed yourself into his chest, burrowing as closely as you could, sobbing as pain from heartbreak stabbed at you. 

mingyu remembered how he had wanted to punch that man square in the face; how he wanted to rewind time and stop you from ever meeting that son of a bitch. he remembered how he had wrapped his arms around you and hummed, letting you cry into his chest until your body sagged against him from exhaustion. 

“i thought -- i thought he liked me --”

he remembered how absolutely crumpled you were in the following weeks. it was as if the man had used you like a tissue, crumpling you up and throwing you aside. 

he remembered the way black constantly lingered beneath your eyes from lack of sleep. he remembered how you couldn’t look at flowers; how you turned down his attempts at getting you outside on your “friend dates”. mingyu remembered how you had whimpered that you shouldn’t be this distraught, that you should really move on. 

“it’s okay,” he had whispered. “he doesn’t deserve you. he wouldn’t have treated you right.”

“i don’t care about being treated right,” you had sobbed. “i just want to be loved.”

you deserved to be treated like a goddess, mingyu had thought. he still thought that. 

months later, long after the crisp air that had accompanied valentine’s day had vanished and was replaced by the humid summer winds, the man appeared again. 

the two of you were in a cafe. it was one you visited often, where the baristas all knew your names and orders. it was another date, and mingyu had you giggling at him as he frantically wiped up his spilled hot chocolate. 

“some things really never change,” you laughed. “and i guess one of them is your clumsiness.”

and then he had appeared, like a bad omen. he darkened up the cafe. you had glanced over at him, as if he was a magnet and you couldn’t help it, and mingyu wished he would’ve agreed to going to the movies like you had suggested. 

“oh,” you had gasped. 

“hi,” the man said, approaching the table. his hands were shoved into his pockets. mingyu didn’t want to admit that he looked good, but. he was clean shaven and strong and broad, and mingyu knew if he were to stand up the two of them would be the same height. “can we talk?”

mingyu straightened. he cleared his throat, and you finally looked back at him. “uh. actually --”

“i regret saying no,” the man rushed out, hovering over you. you leaned back. “i should’ve said yes. i thought i was too good for you, but fuck, i regret it. i’ve regretted it ever since.”

there was a moment of silence. “uh. listen --”

“give me a chance,” the man interrupted again. “please. i’ll treat you like a princess. like a queen.”

but they’re a goddess, mingyu wanted to snap. but this was your conversation to have, and he was going to stay out of it until you asked to help. 

“please. you don’t understand how heartbroken i’ve been over this.”

for a moment you were silent and still. mingyu wondered if you even heard what the man had said. and then you laughed. 

mingyu loved your laughter. he loved it when you were surprised by whatever comment someone made and a little snort escaped you. he loved it when you were breathless with it, trying to gulp in air. he loved it even when you let out a little bark of fake laughter whenever he made a bad joke, knowing it was because you didn’t have the heart to ignore him. 

this laugh was cold and mingyu knew that if it was directed at him he would’ve folded immediately. he would’ve gotten on his knees and apologized. he would’ve begged. 

instead he lifted up his drink and took a sip. 

“you were heart broken?” you asked, tone incredulous. “you? did you feel like you were led on for months? like the person you were talking to was lying about his feelings the entire time? did you feel like you were betrayed? humiliated?”

“listen --”

“no.” you stood, and mingyu hurriedly followed suit. you narrowed your eyes at the man. “you broke my heart and fucking stomped on it. you don’t get to come back and act as if i’m going to just open my arms wide and let you back into my life. you’re an ass. you deserve whatever lonely ass life karma is about to dish out at you.

“now,” you carried on, pushing your chair in. you tipped your head towards the door and mingyu, who was nothing but obedient, rounded the table and joined your side. “me and my boyfriend are going to go somewhere else to carry on our date.”

the man gaped, looking between you and mingyu. mingyu couldn’t help the satisfaction that bubbled up within him, and he looped his arm around your waist and pulled you close. “kim mingyu?”

“i guess it really was a good thing you rejected me.” you leaned against mingyu, and he bent to press a kiss to the top of your head. “it helped me see what was right in front of me.”

mingyu tucked his hand into your back pocket as the two of you left the cafe, thumb hooking on the belt loop. you sighed, tipping your head up towards him. he swooped down and pressed a kiss to your lips. 

“i really was an idiot,” you murmured, and you pressed another kiss to the corner of his mouth. “can’t believe it took me getting my heart fucking torn out to realize how much i loved you. i’m sorry it took me so long, mingyu.”

he shrugged. “we got here in the end, didn’t we? i would’ve stood by your side until the end of time. you know that.”

“still,” you said. 

it didn’t matter how the two of you got together, he thought. all that mattered was that the two of you found home in another another, loved one another as dearly as flowers loved the sun.

when you came to him crying, he opened his arms; when you were rendered immobile from the pain of heartbreak, when you were unable to move despite the thunder and pouring rain, he built a home around you with his two hands and vowed to protect you. and he would. 

and he will.

[bettyfrommars]

Squirrel (a Gutterballs story)

Eddie Munson x betty!Reader

A jump from modern day to the early 1990's when we meet a young, aspiring rockstar Eddie Munson at the heart of the Seattle grunge scene. I had the huge honor of being included in the Tattoo Cover-up Valentine's Day Special episode of Gutterballs by @dr-aculaaa and I'm still emotional about it, to be honest. This wee contribution is dedicated to Drac, as well as all of the Gutterballs friends I'm proud to know because of this fandom (coming for you, Daria.)

word count: 1.4k

18+, smoking weed, the term 'bitches' used affectionally, mention of heartbreak, allusions to mental illness, a supposed one-night stand that became more, mention of addiction, that one friend who can find anyone online, hurt/comfort. Reader (Betty) has a good friend named Shelby, which is actually my cat in real life.

------

You picked at the label of your beer, waiting impatiently for your friend to pull up something on her laptop.

It was the recent episode of Gutterballs that had spurred your Sherlock Holmes friend into action. You said something in passing about how it’d be impossible to find the rest of Eddie Munson’s lost loves that were mentioned on the infamous podcast, and then she’d lost sleep wanting to prove you wrong.  

“So. Here’s Abi and Chelsea,” Shelby motioned for you to come and look over her shoulder. She clicked on search tabs one at a time, including one for Ashley, causing a melancholy smile to quiver at the side of your mouth.  “Pretty,” you nodded. “Eddie always knew how to pick ‘em.”

“This one looks dangerous,” she pointed to Jo, adjusting her glasses. “They all seem totally cool, actually.” 

You scanned the various results from her internet sleuthing.  “Which one is that?”

“Oh, that’s Meg,” Shelby clicked on a social media profile, and then pulled up a video of a chef with purple hair preparing something on the morning show.

“Fuckin, Meg,” you said under your breath in your best Eddie voice.  

“Doesn’t she own that restaurant in Chicago we couldn’t afford to go to?” Shelby pinched her joint from the ashtray and took a drag, enlarging photos from their menu, concentrating.  “I wonder if they accept Groupon.”

You stealthily followed Abby on social media from your private account and planned to buy some of her watercolor paintings.  Funny enough, you already knew Emily. The two of you had been part of a mutual friend group for years, and so when Eddie mentioned them being a bitch you had to snort a laugh because…yeah.    

“Nice work, Columbo,” you patted Shelby’s shoulder.  “You found all of them in under 24 hours. I shall make you a commemorative plaque out of dry macaroni.”

Checking her phone, your sleuth friend mumbled to herself as she went down a rabbit hole of social media comments.

“Not all,” she slipped her bottom lip through her teeth a few times.  “Took me a while to find Rose, they go by a different name on social media.  The drawings they do are badass, and they like that same actor you do, the one with the Minecraft head.”

“So, I’m the only one out of all of them who didn’t do anything with my life? Nice.”

“Hey,” she said in mock scorn.  “I bet none of these bitches can say they’ve had absolutely every career that’s ever existed. It takes a special kind of ingenuity to change jobs every 6 months. Plus, you wrote and published a whole-ass novel.”

“It only sold 37 copies,” you muttered. “Ten of which were to you and mom.”

You held your breath after that, watching the screen, waiting for the one name you hadn’t been able to connect a face to yet, but instead, Shelby slumped on the barstool with a defeated sigh.  “Daria might be the one that got away.  Haven’t found even a crumb for who or where they might be.”

“Damn,” you said softly.   …where are you, Strigoi? 

“How does Eddie even pull partners this hot?” Shelby asked, turning to dig for her Visine.  “Wasn’t he the one who bragged about being able to burp the alphabet?”

Laughter bubbled in your throat at the memory; the type of laugh that immediately made tears burst from your eyes. You wiped your face in a way that was more of a slap and turned to stare at the gloom settling into the pines outside the window. 

“He has a way about him I suppose.”

“I think you should call him,” she blurted, offering you a hit off the purple kush, but you waved her off. “If only to figure out the Daria mystery.”

“Oh yeah? Just call him? Just like that? Oh, hey Eddie I know it’s been almost three decades, but what’s new?”

“I mean, sounds legit to me.”

Remember those rainy days, Squirrel? Remember…

You tossed and turned early the next morning, reaching for your phone to scroll and help push away intrusive thoughts.  How many things you’d fucked up, how many friends you’d lost to time and death and sloppy choices.

Maybe not all was lost…

Seattle, early 1990’s

“My lady is here with us tonight,” Eddie rumbled into the mic, gesturing to you from where he stood on that rickety old stage in front of a rowdy crowd at The Crocodile Cafe. Alice in Chains had played there, as well as Mother Love Bone and Mudhoney, back before they were household names. “This next one's for her.”

From your seat at the bar, you locked eyes with him, beaming with pride, but also shaking your head. “I hate you,” mouthing the words made his dimpled grin grow wider.

“Betty Spaghetti…. My beautiful Aquarius twin.”

The ink on your matching Aquarius glyph tattoos were still covered in Aquaphor that night.  You’d spent the past two weeks trying to figure out how this chatty Indiana boy had managed to become a permanent fixture in your life. 

“I don’t want anything serious,” you’d said into his mouth while your hands were all over each other in the dive bar bathroom the first time you met. Bonding over booze, blow, and the shared trauma of losing a parent, you recognized that emptiness mirrored in each other and wanted to fill it.  

“Cool, neither do I,” he mumbled, shoving his jeans down his hips.  

But he’d been lying through his teeth, and he confessed that to you a month later down on the wharf, handing over a little squirrel made of shells from the pocket of his leather jacket. He’d been sneaky and bought it at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, a place the two of you liked to go to visit the mummified remains of a dude named Sylvester. 

There was no major foundation for giving him the nickname Squirrel, one day it just happened.  He was on the couch in his boxers, stoned out of his gourd, shoveling pretzels into his mouth at such a manic rate that his cheeks looked like they were about to burst.  

“So, you knew I was the one back then? In a dark bar after 8 shots?” 

He looped his arm with yours as you walked. “Uh-huh, still do,” he leaned in closer. “Still do.”

At that moment, during those days, you worried that you wouldn’t be able to breathe without him. You were both so young, too young to fully comprehend the impact of that time in your life in later years, or what a trauma bond even was.

But then the day came that you’d come to realize would always arrive for you eventually, and that was the time to move on: to other experiences, other people. 

You didn’t know at the time that it could be done any other way, and so you made a real mess of things. 

He made several attempts to get in touch with you, including the time years later when he found out from your mom that you were in rehab.  He wrote to you, but you never wrote back, never returned his calls.  

He wasn’t trying to stir up the old flames or get back together; by then, that ship had sailed, and the Eddie Munson you knew never stayed single for long.  But he did want you to know that you weren’t alone, that you would always have a friend in him. That he’d meant it when he said he’d always care about you.

Returning to the current reality, you chewed at your thumbnail, staring at the phone number Shelby had written down for you on a yellow legal pad.  How she’d managed to get a hold of Eddie Munson’s private cell number, you’d never know.  

You were about to end the call after the second ring, flustered, thinking it would be better to send a text, when just then—- he answered. 

Eddie recognized the area code, but never thought in a million years that it would be…

“H-hey Squirrel, it’s me.”

Dead silence made your heart flop.  Maybe you should say it’s a wrong number, maybe this was a mistake.  What if he considered you a lost love, but he no longer wanted anything to do with you? He did cover up the tattoo, after all.  

“Well, well, if it isn’t my Betty Fuckin’ Spaghetti,” you could hear the joy in his voice, could hear his wide smile cracking into seasoned laugh lines.  “I’ve missed the shit outta you.” 

[chaosology]

somebody else

— spencer reid x reader

pairing: spencer reid (criminal minds) /fem!reader

genre: angst part ii here | masterlist

content warnings: none? just bad writing, this is my first post :)

summary: heartbroken over maeve’s death, spencer snaps at the reader who happens to be in love with him, causing her to rethink her relationship with the resident genius

At only 24, Y/N had managed to become the youngest surgical intern at her hospital. She skipped grades and spent years of intense study in university completing her degree, all while juggling a psych class on the side. She had only taken it for fun of course, it was an interesting subject but it wasn't as hands on as the the thrills of surgery. Naturally, she had graduated top of her class with "record breaking" high marks, setting a scary new standard for the generations to come.

Half way through her intern year she was approached by FBI representatives, who were combing through the top 1% of potential candites. They assured her that the unit's headquarters were local and that she could come to the hospital three to four days a week, but would assist a team in tracking down and analysing potential criminals (or 'UnSubs" as the man so vehemently stressed). She was cautious at first, but they promised that it would look great on resumes and she could back out at any time. Eventually, she caved and agreed. Her friends and collegues at the hospital all supported her - after all, this was a once in a lifetime oppurtunity.

Before she was introduced to her new team, she was sent letters instructing her of what was expected. She was to complete a certain amount of hours at the gym, complete a fire arms assessment, a physical and a mental competency test. Probably to make sure I'm not a serial killer, she thought, but wouldn't that be ironic? She passed them all with flying colours (as to be expected) and was sent an email inviting her to an introductory dinner with the group. Whether they did this for everyone she didn't know, but she hoped they would welcome her with open arms and notthink less of her because of her age.

Immediatly when she met them she knew they were good people. They were walm and close and all around comforting . The biggest shock of all, however, was the young doctor Spencer Reid. She had never expected someone so close to her age to be working alongside her. She had heard about him from one of her professors in med school, who raved about one of his dissertations from Caltech. She never bothered to read it of course (who really cares about engineering, anyway?) but had always thought about the boy who had managed to capture the attention of her famously cold hearted teacher. She had assumed he would be cold, arrogent and stuck up, but instead her was awkward and clumsy. He told nerdy jokes that made only him laugh and treated her as an equal from the moment they met. From then on, she was consumed.

She eventually fell into a groove while working two jobs, balancing both her lives while simultaneously falling harder and harder for the boy who worked across from her. At first she thought it wasn't mutual, but as time passed she picked up on how he would often stay late to escort her to the bus stop and make sure to text to see if she was home safe. Or when he bought Doctor Who movies and sugary foods when she lost a beloved patient at the hospital. Or when he let her cry in his arms on the jet after a particurly tough case. She had overheard from Penelope that this was particurly unusual for the boy genius, who tended to avoid contact when possible (and if he did hug, there had to be a lot of years of trust and friendship built up mutually). When she pieced it all together, a thrill was sent through her body. Did he really like her back?

She never really had much luck with love. In eighth grade she recieved a rose on valentine's day in her locker from the boy she liked. As it turns out, he got the locker number wrong and intended it for her best friend. There was also her first year of college, where the boy she met on the orientation day insisted on walking her to and from all her classes. She brought him back for family Christmas and then noticed how he gravitated towards her older sister, wanting to hear all about her, leaving Y/N to sit at the table next to cousins she hadn't spoken to in months. It was always like this. A few months ago she thought she could pursue something with an attending at her hospital. He was a neurosurgeon that she clicked instantly with, but then she walked past the on-call room and heard him in an arguement with his girlfriend. Of course he was in a relationship, she had thought. Just her luck.

But of course, they didn't matter now. Spencer could be her everything. She knew it was important for the significant others of agents to understand the demand of their job, whic she did! They understood each other and would look at each other when they though the other wasn't watching. She didn't want to get ahead of herself, but the more time they spent together the more she thought about their future. Maybe he would shyly ask her on a date while they sat through a movie marathon. Myabe he would pick her up from the hospital at the end of her shift and tell her all about his day, his hand resting on her thigh while they sat at the traffic lights. Maybe he would grab her hand while they sat at the table where they first met and get down on one knee, asking her that one important question. Maybe he would tell her about the toxic properties in the paint she flicked it at him as they painted the bedroom the same light purple as his favourite shirt. Maybe, she thought. It had to be coming soon, his not-so-subtle glances were becoming even more obvious.

But then it slipped. It always slipped.

She first noticed his distraction while she told him all about the surgery she performed that day. Usually he would nod animatedly and interrupt to tell her a fact that even she didn't know. But as they stood outside the hospital entry (he offered to carpool every thursday), she couldn't help but wonder why he kept looking over at the payphone across the road. Maybe it was a one off? A tough day in the FBI isn't unheard of afterall, she thought. However, he continued his strange behaviour all the drive home. Uncomfortable silences followed by some unprompted facts about genetecists and their work. When he dropped her off outside her door, he told her he could no longer go through with their Thursday rituals. Something about scheduled phone calls, he said. He didn't make eye contact, either.

After a while, it was just her stealing the glances. She could no longer feel his gaze burning into the back of her head. When she would look at him, he was always smiling down fondly at his copy of 'The Narrative of John Smith'. In fact, he was always smiling. It was that same lovestruck smile she would recognise on herself when she looked in the mirror. A smile that definitley wasn't for her.

It was a windy day when Derek had finally called him out on it. The "Hey pretty boy, who's painted that smile on your face?" ringing out in the almost empty bullpen. She stiffened, looking up from her coffee and notes on the desk while discretely eavesdropping. "It's... It's nobody. Well, not nobody. Her name is Maeve. But don't say anything about it." He had whispered back. She had cracked. Her vision blurring the paper below her as she slowly stood and excused herself to the bathroom. Nobody had noticed her leaving.

She was the other girl. The somebody else.

She had always been a sacraficial person, which explained why she tearily offered herself as hostage instead of the beautiful Maeve Donovan. Like in eighth grade, when she sadly handed the rose back to her best friend. After all, she just wanted her to be happy. Or when she told her boyfriend to “go for it!” with her sister, even when they were still in a relationships. More than anything, she wanted the people around her to be happy. And as a doctor, she had a responsibility to keep those around her alive. So she threw herself in front of Spencer and towards the two women, landing unsteadily as she pleaded and cried. She couldn’t even here what she was saying, all the words a blur among the tears and rush of adrenaline. But what she dreaded most came next. The shrill cry of a bullet, the thud as Spencer fell to his feet in tears. Y/N stood still as time stopped. She looked around the room, feeling her breaths shorten by the second as the room started spinning. And then it all went black.

She had heard from JJ that he was ignoring everyone’s calls, only taking in gift baskets once he was sure the owner had left. In typical Spencer fashion, he was bottling himself and his feelings up. Surely for a man of his intelligence he knew it had to be a bad idea. She cared too much about him to let him suffer alone, and while she knew that facing him would cause her grief, she just had to see him. She knocked slowly on his door, calling out a soft “Spencer... It’s me. Y/N.” There was no answer, so she hesitantly took his spare key from his pocket and clicked open the door.

The apartment was dark, but she could still make out his figure wallowing on the couch. He was sitting upright surrounded by pillows and tissue boxes. There was the faint sound of the tv in the background, though she couldn’t make out what was on. “Spence... hey”, Y/N muttered. Her hand running up along the couch and onto the back of his neck. “Look, I know things are awful. And I can’t offer much, but if you need someone to cry on, to sit in silence with, I’m here. I know how it feels to live someone you love”. Her voice broke over the last few words but he didn’t notice. Or if he did, he didn’t care. “She was amazing, Spence. Just let us help you. We can do whatever you want, just let us in... Please?”

He stayed silent. And as her hand started to move up his back, he snapped.

“Let you in? Let you in so you can do what? Get Maeve killed. You’ve done enough already, Y/N. Leave.” He yelled, standing up with enough force to send her scampering back. He was never the kind of guy to have a temper, and the slightest raise of his voice sent Y/N into a spiral. “It wasn’t the team that got her killed, Y/N. It was you”. The way he spit her name brought tear to her eyes, as if she was disgusting and worthless. “You walked in without backup. You, with no experience in negotiation. It’s like you wanted her dead.”

“Spencer, you know I would nev-”

“I don’t want to hear it, Y/N! Her blood is on your hands, her parents lost a daughter because of you. It should’ve been you.”

“Please, Spence, you don’t mean that. You’ll work yourself up over it later, just please-”

“I do mean it. I wish it was you. Now leave”

“Spence-”

“Enough. Just leave. You’re no longer welcome here. You’re nothing to me.”

She had tried so hard to keep it together, but the venom behind his words was too much for her to take. She sobbed, grabbing her keys and walking towards the door. He had made himself clear.

“And on your way out, leave the keys. I don’t want you coming by again, Y/N.”

She paused, not daring to look back as she dropped them next to his wallet on the chest of drawers. She left without a word, holding it together until she got to the elevator. As soon as the doors closed she let out a loud sob, her hand coming to her mouth in an attempt to stay quiet. She knew he didn’t mean it, that he was overcome by grief and anger that was bottled up for too long and she just happened to be the victim. In a way, maybe it was better it was her so the others didn’t get their feelings hurt. It cut like glass, the way he referred to her as if she was so worthless. It cut deep.

Spencer had lost his love. And she had just lost hers.

She sniffled her way home and collapsed on the couch. She was too sad to cry, too tired to be angry. She almost felt nothing. She slept a dreamless sleep, feeling time pass her by as she later motionless in the dark room. It was peaceful in some ways.

When she awoke the next morning, she made sure to get there early. She marched straight into Hotch’s office and turned in her resignation. He could sense something was wrong but didn’t want to crack her already fragile state. When she was done clearing out her desk, the others had started to arrive. She embraced them all and promised to keep in touch. It had been an eventful few months she had told them, but it was time for her to go back to the hospital where she belonged. After all, it sounded better than “the man I love just shattered my heart into a million pieces by telling me I should have died, and now being around you all makes me physically sick.”

She looked back to her empty desk as the elevator doors shut. Maybe one day she would see Spencer again, when they were both healed, but for now she just had to grieve.

​

Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another. — Thomas Merton

[swtnrcmnt]

any type of derek morgan headcanon or fic, no one writes for him

୨୧ — d.m relationship headcanons

i got u !! derek is my bae and i agree literally nobody writes for him 😭 here are some headcanons 💘

- totally came up to you because he saw you somewhere, thought you were cute, and decided to flirt

- like there’s no other way you could’ve met

- he’s absolutely the sweetest boyfriend though, despite seeming like a fuckboy

- which he honestly is but once he finds you he can’t even imagine himself with another person

- the team also can’t believe that it’s possible for derek to be so soft ??? like they’ve never seen him so lovestruck

- absolutely goes all out on any sort of special occasion, specifically your birthday, anniversary, and valentine’s day

- like he will deck out the whole house in red rose petals and heart balloons for valentine’s

- and there’s no way to argue around it with him. once he has even the slightest idea of what he’s gonna do for that spexial event he’s already got penelope putting in an order for 100 roses

- hates to admit it, but he absolutely loves whatever music you listen to if it’s not rap or hip hop music

- like he will throw a fit because you want the aux, but will start singing along ??

- he’s the biggest softie to you though

- and he absolutely hates when the team catches his soft side (especially spencer) because he will not hear the end of it because he’s the designated fuck boy of the team

- is the most protective boyfriend in the universe, especially if you work in the bau alongside him

- not in the overbearing, obsessive kind of way though !! he loves independent women 🤞

- like the unsub so much as looks in your direction he’s all up in his face

- and if you ever get hurt, even if it’s in the slightest way, he will not let you in the field until you’re completely 100% healed and ready to get back to work

- babies you 24/7 and would tease you for the smallest things

- you throw a fit because you’re sick and he refuses to let you have ice cream? he will be mocking you for hours while he enjoys ice cream in front of you

- a pain in the ass for that tbh ^^

ok that’s all anon ! i hope u like this 💘

[sugareey-makes-stuff]

Well, heyyy! First Sterek art of the year, this time for @sterekvalentineweek! I haven’t made art in a while, and I’ve been heads down in a lot of writing (for both work and fic, so yeah, a lot of words). Then, I looked at an WIP art piece I had in my queue yesterday, and the idea struck me to make some Movie Fix-It art with a drabble to change things up and get into another headspace. I also wanted something nice to treat myself and others, so yeah, this is 100% self-indulgent. 24 hours later, I present some romantic Sterek fluff to you. Just imagine Derek filling pages of a journal trying to document his process to make the Jeep good as new again. And Stiles seeing this for the first time? So many feels! Inspired by the prompts “confession” and “rose” (the latter influencing the color palette and vibes). Cheers, and hope you enjoy! Happy Valentine’s Day, and spread all the Sterek love! <3 Title: Memories Bring Back You  (<- on AO3) Rating: G WC: 200 (w/ art) Tags: Reading, Reunions, Bonding, Developing Relationship, Getting Back Together, Derek Hale Deserves Nice Things, Stiles Stilinski is a Nice Thing, Valentine's Day, Fix-It, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Romantic Fluff, Diary/Journal, Love Confessions, Mixed Media, Digital Art, Double Drabble Summary: It’s surreal to see Stiles flipping through the pages of his precious journal, soaking in every single word and drawing he’s documented over the years. “You’re a dumbass, Derek,” Stiles declares plainly. [Or: Derek tells Stiles how he really feels about him after all these years apart from each other. Because it's written down on paper now, and it's about damn time.]

[honest-moth-of-silver-grove]

BG3 Companions: How They Spend Valentine's Day ❤️️

A/N: For the sake of this hc, imagine there’s a Valentine’s Day in Faerun, okay? And sorry it’s so short. This has been a week from hell lol.

TW: Mentions of Sex; MDNI

Astarion:

Wine.

Sex.

Did I mention wine?

NOT because it’s Valentine’s Day, but just because he was in the mood. 

Really hates the idea of having to ‘perform’ for a certain day. It reminds him of… less-than-pleasant things. 

Appreciates it if you make your own holiday, an Anti-Valentine’s Day. 

Spends it downtown in Baldur’s Gate where the two of you sit and couple watch, whispering mocking commentary back and forth. Celebrates tf out of that with you. 

Gale: 

Makes plans months in advance then forgets about them the week of.

Surprises you with matching house robes and chocolate after Tara reminds him.

Has to take a bouquet of flowers to his Mother but promises you the perfect evening once he returns. 

Candlelit dinner, wine, a homecooked meal… the works. 

And yes, you can bet your bottom dollar the works involve a Gale astral plane threesome come nightfall. 

Wyll: 

Romantic af about it

Greets you with roses and chocolate before kissing the back of your hand.

Extra affectionate, as if you’re still in the infatuation phase, no matter how long you’ve been together/married. 

Has important work to do around Baldur’s Gate but takes you out for a romantic dinner at a fancy local restaurant. 

Karlach: 

Gets Withers to send you two to the surface for the entire 24 hours.

Plans on taking you everywhere and experiencing everything

Shows you off around town, complimenting you loud enough for everyone to hear.

Sets aside a large chunk of the nighttime for sex. Enough to ride your brains out. 

Seriously, all the sex. 

Shadowheart:

Very coy about it. 

Spends most of the day as if it’s just another borning on.

Surprises you with a night in, your favorite food, and some soft music playing in the background. 

Plans a romantic bath for you two, with bubbles and floating candles, and of course, tall glasses of wine. 

Wants it to be special, but also relaxed.

La’zel: 

Acts like she doesn’t care for such a indulgent day

She does, like totally does.

Lowkey expects YOU to surprise her. 

But she will relent eventually, telling you all the things she appreciates about your relationship as the two of you share a meal. 

It’s as vulnerable as she gets.

And of course sex. The kind that leaves you walking funny for a week after. 

Halsin:

Whittles you a figurine of two bears kissing in front of a heart-shaped moon. 

Spends much of the day with the children, helping them write Valentine's letters of their own. 

Plans an evening where the two of you can go off camping alone, and spend time just with each other in nature, under the stars. 

Bear sex? Bear sex.

Okay well, maybe just old-fashioned non druid wild shape sex but he makes sure to emphasize YOUR enjoyment.

Minthara:

Plans a coup for the very same day.

Only celebrates your holiday if the two of you win.

Drinks to both the fall of your enemies and her affection for you. 

Makes sure she gets her rocks off first in any intimacy you share. 

Then you can get your turn.

But her first. Always her first.

[ashtheketchum]

Asking you out Bowers Gang

A/N: Actually I had made NSFW headcanons but somehow it didn't upload. Only I could see it, so I deleted it :( So I made this, as Valentine's Day chapter! (A little late, I know-)

Warnings: Fluff, Patrick being Patrick

__________________________________

Henry Bowers:

You had to go to school a little early because you had a conversation with your class teacher. Henry didn't mind getting up early so he could take you to school, so you walked alone and waited at his locker afterwards. You've been together for two months now and a lot of people are still surprised that Henry Bowers was even able to get into a relationship. When it was 7:50 a.m. you saw Henry and his friends walking towards you. Henry looked at his friends sternly for a moment before walking towards you alone. His friends stayed further back and watched you. "Good morning, morning person…" You greeted Henry before giving him a kiss. Henry returned your kiss just briefly before staring at you. His staring made you nervous, but before you could say anything, he interrupted you. "Tonight, in the park! Woe to you, you won’t come.” And with these words he went to his class. Startled, you looked after him, but you could still see a strong blush on his cheeks.

Patrick Hockstetter:

Patrick and you spent 24/7 together. And today was no exception. You got up together and went to school together. Meanwhile, Patrick had been acting strangely. So… stranger than usual… He held your hand constantly and looked at you the whole time. This was actually normal, but he looked at you so lovingly and he only squeezed your hand a few times. It was almost as if he was showing you that he valued you. "Patrick, is everything ok…?" You asked and you stopped. The tall figure next to you also stopped and he now looked at you with a grin. He licked his bottom lip briefly before getting close to you. "I'm fine… I'm just a little… hungry…" He then purred quietly. His words made you blush and you looked deep into his eyes. "Should we skip the first two hours and go to the Kissing Bridge?" you suggested. "You speak my language."

Victor Criss:

Victor's class ended a little earlier than yours, so he politely waited for you at your locker. His friends were already gone. However, he was a little nervous because he wanted to ask you out on a date, he was holding a rose in his hands. On the outside he seemed cool and calm, as always, but on the inside he was exploding. He was afraid that you would cancel him even though you had been in a relationship for a long time. Finally the bell rang and you walked towards your locker where Victor was patiently waiting. You had given him a soft smile and hugged him tightly, which of course he returned. ,, Why are you here? Didn’t you get out of school early?” "Yes… I actually wanted to ask you if you wanted to eat with me today…?" And at this point you also saw the rose that he had in his hand. With red cheeks, you nodded slightly and gave him a kiss.

Belch Huggins:

Belch doesn't like asking you if you're going out with him, he'd much rather surprise you. One evening, when you were home and had nothing to do, you stared out the window and saw Belch's car pulling up. Confused, you looked at this car as he got out with a bouquet of roses and a suit. Belch walked towards your front door and the next moment you heard the doorbell ring. Your mother opened the door and then called you down. Belch greeted you downstairs with a kiss and he gave you the flowers. "What are you doing here, Belch?" "I wanted to surprise you…" He simply said while shrugging his shoulders. Smiling, you hugged him tightly before changing into something more formal and you drove away together. He promised your parents that he would bring you home on time and you had a great time.

[lovebugs-and-snakecharmers]

LBSC Sprint Challenge February 2024

The LBSC Sprint Challenge is now open for writers and artists!

We did things a little differently this month and asked our discord members for Valentine's related prompts, so you get a few extra prompts this month! If you're not feeling the Valentine's vibe, the Wildcard option is always available.

The prompts are:

1. Flower Delivery boy Luka getting an address wrong. Which means the girl who answered the door might just be available. 2. Tom decides to drop some hints to Luka that Marinette is single and Valentine’s Day is coming up. And everyone knows that the best way to a man’s brain is through pastries decorated with not so subtle hints. 3. Florist!Mari- the heat in her shop has gone out, and it's Soo cold. Luka makes a delivery of something that has to be refrigerated. 4. Sabine, seeing Luka and Mari dancing around each other (and maybe seeing Tom fail to get the two together) decides to take matters into her own hands and what better excuse to have Luka around than needing an extra pair of hands at the bakery with the valentines rush coming up? 5. The people of Paris are shocked to discover Ladybug doesn’t like Valentine’s Day. People have plenty of theories, but Luka’s pretty sure he knows the reason why. 6. There's ALWAYS an akuma on Valentine's Day. 7. Conversation Hearts 8. Marinette makes an apron with a conversation heart pattern. Luka takes the 'kiss me' heart very seriously. 9. After all the roses from Chat Noir, Marinette's a little...indifferent to the traditional Valentine's flower. Luka has to get inventive. 10. Kwamis give dating advice with… mixed results 11. Marinette loves soulmate stories and believes in true love. Lately, she's feeling down and starts to give up on the whole idea. Luka tries to put together or act out a Soulmate story/AU in real life to help her feel better/special. 12. Luka trying to work up the nerve to smooch Marinette. Attempts to ask by giving her the "KISS ME" conversation heart. Marinette, distracted by something else: "Ewwwwwww." 13. Luka and Marinette are both doing valentines deliveries and get trapped/stuck in an elevator together 14. Wildcard - pick any previous challenge prompt, or play LBSC Smooch Roulette to generate a prompt!

You have until Wednesday, February 28 to complete your 3 15-minute sprints/45 minute art sprint and post the results. Once you’ve completed the sprints, you have 24 hours to edit (which can include some new writing to smooth transitions and make it feel complete, and whatever work you feel appropriate to get your art to a state you consider ‘finished’).

Please note you may sprint in the language of your choice, and you can either translate the final fic before posting, post it in the original language, or both as you choose. You can join us on the LBSC discord or sprint on your own! Just be sure to tag @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers in your final post so we will see it and reblog it. The rest of the rules can be found here under the cut.

Rules!

We’ll post a beginning and end date to the challenge, and a prompt.

Writers, If you choose to participate in the event, write for that prompt in up to three 15 minute sprints. No writing outside the sprints until you have completed all three! After the 3 sprints are complete, you have 24 hours to edit (which can include some new writing to smooth transitions, etc). You can also choose to break that 45 minutes up differently if you find a different split works better for you.  After those 24 hours, post what you’ve got. Tag your posts with @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers so we can reblog it to the LBSC blog. If you post your work on AO3 or somewhere other than Tumblr, you can leave a link in our ask box or in the appropriate discord channel so we can be sure to promote it. After the designated challenge end date, we’ll compile a listing of the submissions and post it to the LBSC blog.

Feel free to sprint in whatever language is most comfortable to you! You can post it in your own language or translate it before posting, or both!

Artists, you have 45 minutes to sketch and 24 hours to do any cleanup or coloring you’d like to complete. You can split your 45 minutes up however you like, or not at all. There’s no requirements on your finished piece, just aim for whatever goal seems challenging but achievable to you.  Tag your posts with @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers so we can reblog it to the LBSC blog. If you post your work on Instagram or somewhere other than Tumblr, you can leave a link in our ask box or in the appropriate discord channel so we can be sure to promote it. After the designated challenge end date, we’ll compile a listing of the submissions and post it to the LBSC blog.

If you’re wavering as to whether or not you think you can accomplish anything in 45 minutes, we really encourage you to give the challenge a try. You may be surprised what you can do! Feel free to join us in the discord linked above so we can encourage and cheer you on.

Obviously, this has to run a bit on the honor system and we won’t be tracking your times, but please do your best to honor the spirit of the challenge! If your sprint fic becomes an Entire Thing (these things happen sometimes) and you want to continue it, feel free! However, please still post whatever you’ve got after your 3 sprints with the tag. No fair busting out a fully polished fic or art without showing us what it looked like at the challenge stage!

We want to keep this a positive space and event! This does NOT mean that you can’t write or draw anything critical of a character or episode, but it isn’t the space for character bashing or hate either. Please keep the characters in character and save the more speculative work for another time. NSFW sprint works are permitted but must be tagged appropriately (please use “NSFW LBSC sprint challenge” for easy filtering on the blog) and with appropriate warnings.  (More FAQ about the process here)

This is a Lukanette blog and a Lukanette event, so while Lukanette does not need to be the main ship, it needs to at least be included or referenced and considered endgame (in other words, they don’t have to be together by the end of your work, but the intent is that they’re headed in that direction). The decision about what qualifies for reblog rests solely with the LBSC moderators. If a piece hasn’t been reblogged within a couple of days, either the mods felt the piece didn’t meet the criteria or it was simply missed; you are welcome to reach out in the asks to inquire which. There are plenty of other spaces out there for other ships and OT3s, and people are welcome to use the challenge rules and prompts to write for their own ships! They just won’t be reblogged to the LBSC blog, and we ask that you please not use the event tag (a modified form is fine - “InsertAlternateShipName sprint challenge” instead of “LBSC sprint challenge,” for example).

Happy sprinting!

[historias-multorum]

This year, Aina hopes to, as some say, mix things up. Truly surprise her fiancé with her gift for Valentine's Day. All the books she's read through about relationships say variety "keeps the spark alive."

In the end, she comes up to him with the most expensive gift she's ever given yet: a 235-piece survival kit. With an invitation:

"So Madara, I been thinkin'...we oughta take a break from civilization. Wha'cha say we camp out in th' rugged wilderness for, ah, a week or so? Jus' the two of us~?"

(PS: Still got that Sunday thread in my drafts. Expect a reply tomorrow!)

@super-kame-love

"Aina you are a woman after my own heart." Madara chuckled lightly. "I say absolutely! Let's go camping, I happen to know of some good places we could visit in the Dreams Country, or if there's anywhere you'd like to go instead, do let me know."

[firstelevens]

WIP Writing Poll

once again, I find myself with too many ideas and if I don't settle on one to write I'm just gonna keep coming up with new ones, so I'm doing this again in the interest of making progress on SOMETHING

rules: make a 24-hour poll with the names of your wips, let it run, then write one sentence for every vote the winner received.

(I know people usually tag others to do this but given that I was not tagged I can only say...if you see this and you also need some writerly motivation, consider yourself tagged.)

Descriptions under the cut for anyone who wants to operate on more than vibes alone!

roses are pink, your feet really stink is a modern!Bucky/Cap!Sam AU where Bucky is AJ Wilson's third grade teacher and ends up in a little bit of a feud with his student's uncle

pumpkin, pumpkin, you're gonna kill me is a future fic from my and @sesamestreep's Bake Off AU, where Bucky ends up having to host one of Sam's baking videos and the internet loses it

what d'you want to be married to me for anyhow? is the Sweet Home Alabama AU that I posted here, which I am now desperately tempted to write a follow-up for

high on a hill lived a lonely assassin is the Sound of Music AU, with Sam as Maria and Bucky as Captain Von Trapp, featuring four Barnes sisters, Alpine, and Gideon Wilson in the role of Mother Superior.

I know a little chapel on the boulevard is a canon divergence fic set after Endgame, where Sam and Bucky end up in a marriage of convenience when something threatens Bucky's pardon, a little excerpt of which was posted here.

google: do any of these places actually celebrate valentine's day is five Valentine's Days over the time that Sam and Bucky have known each other, spanning from just after TWS to the Thunderbolts/Cap 4 era and covering the different things they've come to mean to each other since.

[softboynick]

wip wednesday (2/14/24)

happy valentine's day, my dears! didn't even realize it was already wednesday LOL.

tagged by @junebugclaremontdiaz and @eusuntgratie (thank you <3)

for my lovers out there, here is a snippet of a mob boss!alex x prostitute!henry fic i've been cooking up. working title: the king of new york and his princess

Eyes follow his every movement as Alex strides over to the bar and orders a whiskey neat and two dirty martinis. He scopes the crowd with his coffee-whiskey eyes, a king taking in his empire. Drinks now in hand, the trio part ways, making their way through the throngs of New York City’s finest like a shiver of great white sharks, sniffing out blood and hoping to go straight for a kill.  Henry doesn’t think for a moment that he would be the one lost in those shark-infested waters, but he should have realized sooner. He has been groomed by the hands of Jeffrey Richards to become prey to an apex predator after all.  “What are you doing here all alone, sweetheart?” A voice rumbles softly into his ear, and Henry turns, nearly jumping out of his skin, and sees Alexander Claremont-Diaz beside him, casually sipping whiskey out of his tumbler of crystal. Henry takes him in and the cool, easy-going line of his body as he leans against the wall Henry has pressed himself against for the past half-hour. His outfit is similar to his own, but there are touches of flair that allude to the power and wealth hidden behind the boring tux: a Rolex on his wrist, cufflinks that shine under the lowlight, and a golden rose pinned to his lapel.  He looks exquisite, and it is evident that Alex knows it, too.

tagging: @henrysfox @captainjunglegym @tinyarmedtrex @priincebutt @taste-thewaste @england-would-fall (no pressure, ofc!) + anyone else who'd love to share! (make sure to tag me so i don't miss it hehe)

[random-mailbox]

Random-Mailbox's Favorite Sailor Moon Fics - Week 52 - Crystal Tokyo

Welcome to the final regularly planned post in this series, I felt would be fitting to end with Crystal Tokyo. I have a few more lists I'd like to make in the future, but I'm holding off on a couple of them until a few unfinished stories are completed. The lists wouldn't be the same without them. I really want to give credit to @floraone for suggesting this project in the first place. It has been so much fun for me to highlight a lot of amazing works in this fandom and I'm hoping it's helped bring new readers to these stories. Thank you to all of you for coming on this adventure with me! 

As always, my apologies in advance for spoiling some of these for you (Fic Titles are linked to either FFN or AO3 entries).

Royal Affairs - @master-ray5

When I first added this series to the list, it was a single one-shot. It has since grown to 7 connected chapters with plans for a full 20. Super fun and lemony read!

Come Back to Me - @idesofnovember

In this one-shot King Endymion is making impossible possible in his darkest hour, serving as a ray of hope for Usagi. 

Desperate Measures - @idesofnovember

Endymion comes up with a plan to get Neo Queen Serenity to forgive "him", as memories of things he "said and did" during break-up arc flood in.

Sleepless Nights - ElvisVF101

Kunzite helps King Endymion through an existential crisis, when he finds him alone on the balcony late at night.

“My Sister, the Queen” - @sailor-scribbles

This was one of the first stories I have ever read in this fandom and one of the few that deals with Shingo in Crystal Tokyo and his adjustment to the new family status. And it has adorable art!

These Games We Play: Chapter 10: Prank Gone Wrong - @allyunabridged

I saved this furniture-related ficlet for this post because I thought it was hilarious. While searching the attic for old toys, Minako discovers a rose chair that she feels HAS to be in Endymion's office instead.

Miscellaneous Works: Short Stories That Tumbled From Tumblr: Chapter 5: The King's New Clothes - @floraone and art by @nari20

There had to be a reason for King Endymion to start dressing in a lavender tuxedo with a cape, Mamoru always knew that. But what was the motive behind this decision?

Usamamo One-Word Prompts: Chapter 4: sweet - @smokingbomber

Ficlet about choices that had to be made and consequences of these decisions. And love. Mostly about love.

Cupcakes - @midnightdrops

Even the royal couple needs a day off on occasion. Especially when there is a promise of cupcakes involved.

UsaMamo 2022 | Book - @lilliebellfanfics

Neo Queen Serenity is very much out of patience waiting for King Endymion to finish his research at the library. And with them being now alone, what is there to do? 🤔🍋

A Royal Audience - @daikon1

Latest addition to the series, fresh from @usamamoweek2023. Neo Queen Serenity uses personal history to help usher in sweeping education reforms.

---

Here are the links to the previous Tumblr posts in these series to explore more amazing works based on different themes - make sure to check them out if you haven't had a chance! (Click on the title name to go to the post):

Week 1 - Groundhog Day

Week 2 - Established Relationships

Week 3 - Sex Positivity

Week 4 - Unfinished Stories

Week 5 - Darker Stories

Week 6 - Potions 🧪

Week 7 - Reveals

Week 8 - 👻Halloween🎃

Week 9 - Wrong Perceptions

Week 10 - Non-Senshi AU

Week 11 - In-Progress Fics

Week 12 - Mutual Pining

Week 13 - Enemies to Lovers

Week 14 - Slow Burn

Week 15 - Christmas Part 1 - Ugly Christmas Sweaters and Santa!

Week 16 - Christmas Part 2

Week 17 - New Years

Week 18 - High School AU

Week 19 - Slice of Life

Week 20 - Coffee shop AU

Week 21 - Huddle for Warmth

Week 22 - Friends to Lovers

Week 23 - ❤️Valentines Day❤️

Week 24 - Do a Grouch a Favour Day (or Cheer Up Fics)

Week 25 - Soulmate AU

Week 26 - Amnesia Fics (and resources)

Week 27 - 🍀St Patrick's Day🍀

Week 28 - Fix it Fics

Week 29 - Prompt: Mug

Week 30 - Flowers

Week 31 - Traditions

Week 32 - Dreams

Week 33 - Friends

Week 34 - Body-Swap

Week 35 - Medical Assistance

Week 36 - Sex Pollen

Week 37 - Psychometry

Week 38 - What If

Week 39 - Missing Scenes Part I

Week 40 - Green Jacket

Week 41 - Dr Chiba

Week 42 - Birthdays

Week 43 - Fluff

Week 44 - First Kiss

Week 45 - Reviving Shitennou

Week 46 - Tutoring

Week 47 - Thunderstorms

Week 48 - Food

Week 49 - Proposals

Week 50 - Locked In

Week 51 - Furniture

[kiwicopia]

Hello! Is it okay if I asked for a What in Hell is Bad or a Honkai Star Rail match up? If you could do both that would be awesome but I don’t wanna overwork you or anything :)! Do what makes you comfortable ♡

As for some information about myself…. I use they/she pronouns! I’m currently in college working to get a masters degree in Special Education (I got my BA in psychology ✨). I have a tendency to overwork myself (especially since I have two very demanding jobs) but society doesn’t make living easy and i need to pay bills/tuition/rent (；ω；) sos sos

Personality wise… I’d say I’m relatively relaxed. I’m just someone who goes with the flow and doesn’t want any trouble. Although, life has made me really exhausted and I have the bad habit of sleeping for hours (I once slept 24 hours straight…). I also have a hard time expressing myself and my needs. But, on the bright side I’m very caring and attentive towards others.

Some interests I have: astrology, psychology, health sciences, mortuary science, reading, researching, horror movies, bones, tattoos/piercings (I have five tattoos and five piercings!), tarot decks, and anything paranormal.

For Valentine���s Day… I think having a pampering day with a loved one is really nice. Like, having a nice home cooked meal and spending quality time by having a bath or doing skin care would be ideal. Something bonding at home, y’know? I’m not the type that needs (or even wants) to go out and do things for Valentine’s Day.

Thank you for your time if you get to this ♡ I hope you stay healthy and take care of yourself! -🦇

A full day of pampering? Say no more. Mammon will have his staff draw the most exquisite bath, full of bubbles and rose petals for you to take a sip in and rest. Of course, if he can join, too. There's no day like this one to let go of your worries and let him lavish you with gifts and his love. Tell him about your day while he kisses your neck, hands roaming over your shoulders as he gently palms the muscles. You work so hard every single day, so let him take care of you this Valentine's Day.

Gepard will absolutely take a day off to enjoy such a special day with you. It's not everyday he gets to spend an entire day full of pampering between you both. He'll make the most of it with little massages and attempt to cook your favorite meal. Will make a warm drink to help you further relax, and then spend a cozy evening on the couch with you in his arms. He'll pepper gentle kisses along your neck while whispering sweet nothings into your ear before letting his hands wander lower and lower. The night is young, and he can be a little late the next day.