#ANYWAYS excuse the ramblings of a tired man I’m writing these tags at 2 am dhdhshdh

[april-doodles]

I hope you don’t mind UniSword Sports AU sketches and yes I gave each of them their own sport, number, and position hehdhsg

[catzula]

Nothing's gonna hurt you, baby

A/N: the title inspired by Cigarettes after sex’s song because I was listening to that as I wrote lol, but um, I hope you like this! I’m really bad at comforting people irl so I don’t know how I did in writing

ps: I literally have an exam week coming up, most of them being subjects I have no idea wtf we’re doing but look at me writing a comfort fic for failing exams instead of studying for them

pairing: Iwaizumi x reader

genre: fluff and comfort

warnings: one swear word?? I think?? also it’s 2.2k, first time I was able to write something this short hehe

synopsis: A failed exam had you stressed out of your mind, thank god your boyfriend is always there to pick you back up.

repost cuz tumblr went no ❤ and it didn’t show in the tags

You knew you had failed your exam when your teacher gave you that look. You knew it when they smiled softly as they placed your paper in front of you, giving you a sympathetic pat as they told you to just study for the next time.

Study for the next time. What an insult, you thought. As if you hadn’t studied for it, as if you didn’t give it your best and still failed. Your teacher didn’t seem to agree, though, when they smiled and walked past you, not giving it a second thought as they walked away.

Some of your friends came to you to check and compare your grades or to see if you did any of the questions right that they had wrong. Well, you hadn’t. Feeling the urge to cry surfacing on your mask of ‘I didn’t study enough, I guess, I’ll do better the next time’ smile, you bit your lips anxiously, trying to pull yourself together.

It wasn’t the time or the place to cry. You gave your paper back to your teacher, excusing yourself for the bathroom to get some fresh air and free yourself from the suffocating questions of ’what did you get? Ah, I did that wrong, too! Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll do better next time.’

The tears you had been suppressing started to overpower you, the stinging in your eyes felt unbearable, and you finally let go, letting yourself cry, letting the demons in your mind whisper you the things you didn’t want to hear.

A sob shook your shoulders, just as you saw Oikawa walking down the corridor, and you quickly hid behind a door. You liked Oikawa, you were close, but he was closer to your boyfriend, Iwaizumi, and you knew he would tell him, and it would get complicated after that.

He stopped when you hid, looking around suspiciously to see what that was. His brows furrowed, eyes narrowing, and you were sure he was going to find you.

You didn’t expect him to, however, suddenly pull his phone out with a scared look in his eyes and cry for help in a whiny voice. “Iwa-chan, help me, I just saw a ghost!”

***

2.07 a.m.

You were going to wake up at 6 a.m, and you had to go to sleep quickly, but you couldn’t. Not with all these thoughts consuming your mind, making it impossible for you to do anything but panic.

Sometimes, things just didn’t go the way you wanted them to go. How much you studied, whatever you did, it all just kept going downhill, and it felt like you would never be able to catch up again.

You had to study. More, apparently. Even more and more and more, and it was never enough. Were you not smart enough? Why weren’t you enough? Why could everyone else do it, and you couldn’t? You had to do good with these! You couldn’t afford to fail if you wanted a future, right?

You felt tears of frustration form in the corner of your eyes, but you had to get it together. Crying won’t change anything, you told yourself, you should be studying instead.

You had avoided Iwaizumi that day, knowing you would either break down crying the second you saw him or do something as embarrassing. Even if you didn’t, he could always tell when you felt down, no matter how you tried to hide it, and you didn’t want him to know how pathetic you were feeling.

But most of all, you were afraid, afraid he will think the same things as you and everyone else did. You knew he wouldn’t, it was an irrational thought, but you still couldn’t help but be afraid.

Still, you had missed him, oh, how much you had missed him. A part of you wanted Iwaizumi there, right beside you, to hug you, tell you it was okay, that you were good enough, that there was nothing wrong with you, and he loved you.

A ’ding’ came from your phone, making you jump in your place and waking you from your thoughts. You lazily reached for your phone, but before you even got to see the text, a knock on your door made you stop instead.

Your brows furrowed. It was 2 a.m for god’s sake, who the hell was knocking on your door at this hour? You waited a few seconds, thinking the person was gone but jumped in surprise when you heard the knocks again, this time slightly harder.

“Okay, okay- I’m coming!” You muttered angrily as you stomped towards the door, not expecting to see your boyfriend standing there when you opened the wooden door.

“Hey, baby.” He smiled, the charming smile he learned to do from Oikawa, instantly causing your heartbeat to pick up. You didn’t know what happened, you had meant to smile and greet him back, but before you knew it, you were already between his bulky arms, crying with sobs that shook your body.

He, however, seemed to have expected this reaction, his arms wrapping you and pulling you to his chest immediately. He was cold, his hands chilly and face slightly red because of the cold, but he somehow still felt warm, lost between his arms, you felt warm, warmer than you had ever felt in a long time.

It felt odd how relieved you were to have him there, you felt like he was all you needed, like it was all going to be all right if he was there next to you, supporting you.

“Shh, baby,” He whispered to your hair as if he had read your mind. “It’s okay.”

You weren’t sure just how long you stood there, between his arms, crying everything you felt out, him whispering soft words at you, and it felt both like an eternity and a second, and by the time you had stopped crying, he was already warmed up.

He could tell when you started to calm down a bit, now left with soft sighs and occasional sobs. “Are you feeling better?” He asked, pulling back slightly to look at your face.

You shook your head, only then noticing the paper cup and the paper bag he had in his hand, a sweet and bitter coffee smell coming from them. He noticed you looking, smiling softly. “I bought your favorite coffee and that shitty cookie you like.” He explained, his cheeks tinting a slight pink when you looked at him with wide eyes, shock written in them.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that, I’m capable of doing things like this, too. I am a good boyfriend!” He protested with a frown, making you laugh. “I didn’t say anything.” You told him with a mischievous smile, and ever the honest man he is, it didn’t take long for him to sigh.

“Oikawa told me you felt down today at school and gave me… tips.” He admitted, the pink of his cheeks slowly turning to red. “Tips?” You repeated, trying to hold your laughter in, but he noticed, his frown growing.

“Yeah, he told me to buy ice-cream, that idiot, is he not aware of the fucking weather? So I bought your favorite coffee and cookie, instead.” He kept talking. Iwaizumi was never the one to talk much, but he always rambled so when he was embarrassed. The way his jade green eyes wandered over your face, you knew he tried to tell if you would’ve preferred the ice-cream.

"I like this much better. I was cold, anyway.” You muttered, aware of the smile he tried to suppress. He sent you a glance before he sat on your couch, his eyes looking at you as if he expected you to sit next to him, which you did. Biting your lip anxiously, you settled on the place next to him, not expecting him to throw his arm around your shoulder and pull you back into him, not that you complained, of course.

You inhaled his smell, the familiar scent of pine and a whiff of mint calmed you in a way you didn’t expect. “Will you tell me what happened?” The question caused your anxiety to rise almost immediately, and he was aware of that, too.

“You don’t have to, you know."

"I do.” You answered, once again burying yourself in silence, trying to gather the courage, and he knew it, not pushing you and giving you time, his hand caressing your hair softly.

“I failed another exam today.” You whispered, your voice strained and a lump forming in your throat. You kept talking when he didn’t, his silence comforting you. “Sensei told me to just study for it next time,” you spat the words, chuckling darkly. He knew how much you had studied for it, how hard you had worked.

He was the one who reminded you to eat, to sleep, to drink something and brought coffee and food, after all. He was there when you cried because of frustration, because of how tired you were, he was there, holding you between his arms as his heartbeats lulled you into a much-needed sleep.

And he was here once again, and that comforted you more than anything else could.

“I worked so hard, Iwa!” You suddenly exclaimed, feeling the tears forming once again. Maybe you hadn’t worked hard enough, or even you hadn’t worked at all and- “I know, baby.” He told you, silencing the whispers in your mind.

“You worked well, worked so hard.” He kept talking, his deep voice not letting you think anything else but his words. “You gave it your all.” It was such a nice feeling to have your hard work accepted, even though it hadn’t given a result, it felt comforting to know he knew just how much you studied instead of saying you’ll do better, work harder as if you hadn’t given it your all.

“Then- then why didn’t happen? Why did I fail when I gave it my all?” You sobbed, nuzzling your face to his chest, focusing on his breaths. “I don’t know.” He simply stated the words you needed to hear.

I don’t know. Somehow, that felt better than the cheesy excuses everyone kept telling you.

“But you can’t beat yourself up like this.” He went on, pulling back slightly to look in your eyes. “I know it feels like everything’s falling apart, or that you studied all that for nothing, but it’s not. Exams aren’t the things that define you or your intelligence. They aren’t as important as people tell us, hell, I can’t even remember what I did wrong on the last math exam, and I had failed at that one. I’m pretty sure I would’ve remembered at least one thing if it was important.”

You shook your head, not able to accept his words. “They are important, Iwa. They are what defines our future, and I- I failed-”

“No,” he told you patiently, “they aren’t what defines our future, you do. It’s just a shitty piece of paper, nothing more. I know you’re disappointed, okay? I know what you’re feeling, and I know you want to do nothing but study, don’t eat or sleep, and just fix this, but I can’t let you.”

“I can’t let you do that, I can’t let you hurt yourself like this.” The way his green eyes looked at yours with worry, it was all you needed to pull yourself back together. He was there, wasn’t he? Nothing could go bad or hurt you when he stood next to you.

Just a shitty piece of paper, you thought of his words, chuckling slightly, and he felt his heartbeat pick up, the weight on his chest of seeing you like that lifting slowly. “Okay,” you whispered, you smile growing bigger and bigger.

“Did you eat today?” He asked, sighing when you shook your head side to side. “Eat your cookie.”

You nodded, taking a bite and forcing him to take one, too, laughing at how he crinkled his nose when he tasted it. “How do you eat this?”

You shrugged and took another bite, the hunger you suppressed the whole day once again making itself noticeable. “Can you stay the night?” You asked as you took a sip from your coffee, almost spitting it back out when his eyes widened with shock, cheeks reddening. “I- I didn’t mean it that way!”

“I know,” he laughed, although his cheeks were still bright red. “I can stay."

"Thank you.” You told him with a smile, and he could swear he knew he would do anything to see that smile on your lips for the rest of your life, from coming at your door at ice-cold weather at 2 a.m. to jumping off a bridge.

So he smiled back, eyes closing and drifting in a deep sleep as you lay on the top of his chest, feeling safer than you had ever felt.

[pkg4mumtown]

Welcome to Hawkins PD (Ch. 2)

Chapter Title: Welcome to Hawkins PD

Chapter 2 of 9?

Read Chapter 1 HERE

AN: Don’t ask me why I’m torturing myself by doing 1st person cover art, now. I have roughly 9 chapters outlined so far and it probably won’t go more than that. Hope you enjoy.

Warnings: Smoking, cursing, Hopper trying to be funny

Summary: You get to know your Chief a bit more as you make your way into Hawkins.

Taglist: @kingphillipblake​

If you'd like to be in my taglist (for this fic or everything) or removed, lmk. I'm not tagging anyone I had on my "all writing" list last year because I don't know if they still feel the same!

The start of the drive was uncomfortably tense. My nervousness was more obvious as I took my sunglasses off, allowing the Chief to see my eyes darting around the cab. I eventually let my gaze focus on the passing trees and forestry, getting lost in the green blur.

“Not too chatty, huh? We’ll get along just fine,” Hopper smirked as he basically asked and answered himself. He glanced at me for any kind of reaction, instead seeing me zoned out, “You okay, kid?”

I hadn’t been intentionally ignoring him but was snapped out of my stupor by the word “kid” hanging in the air.

“Kid?” he asked again.

“I’m not a kid,” I snapped and crossed my arms. I mumbled under my breath, hoping he wouldn’t yell at me as the words left my mouth, “I’m twenty-seven years old for Christ’s sake.”

Hopper simply raised his eyebrows and scoffed, “Sure got the hearing of one.” He tapped his steering wheel rhythmically and pursed his lips, “Twenty-seven, huh?”

“Mhmm, why?”

“Just older than what usually passes through the academy is all,” he shrugged.

“Yea, well, I tried to be a good little secretary and then a telephone operator just like mom and dad said but…” I trailed off.

“But what?”

“I fucking hated it, sir,” I sighed, suddenly remembering my manners. “When I told them I wanted to join a police department, they figured I meant as a secretary or a dispatcher. Imagine their horror when I packed up and told them their little girl was off to be a cop.”

“Old fashioned folks,” Hopper nodded.

“Still not an excuse, sir,” I grumbled.

“You can drop the ‘sir’ act, Y/L/N. You’re not a recruit anymore. ‘Chief’ or ‘Hopper’ work just fine at our station.”

“Sorry, s—Chief,” I murmured.

“It’s fine,” he brushed it off with a wave of his hand. “So, they didn’t come to your graduation?”

“Nope,” I punctuated by popping the “p”.

“Christ, I’m sorry…”

“My best friend came, at least. She got me these,” I smiled, pointing to the glasses that hung from my uniform.

Hopper chuckled at the sight of the glasses mimicking his own, “Yea, that’s a necessary part of the uniform. Next is the hat,” he tilted the brim down and winked.

I let out a not-so-feminine snort as both of our laughter filled the truck. I was worried I’d been too rude before, so I was grateful for the break in tension. I covered my mouth as I laughed, feeling Hopper’s stare as his chest vibrated.

“What?” I asked as I caught him staring instead of paying attention to the empty road.

“Nothin', just the first time I’ve seen you laugh. You’ve been so serious up until now,” he looked away quickly. “It looks good on you, y’know?” he added, his voice barely a murmur.

I felt my face heat up at his words and if his ears were any indication, he was embarrassed as well. I didn’t have to be a detective to see that. I cleared my throat and murmured my thanks before growing silent again.

“So, um, they help you get set up with a place in town already?” Hopper changed the subject.

“Uh, no, I’m gonna stay at a motel for a couple days while I get that and transportation sorted.”

“What!? No, no, no, no,” he replied quickly. “Trust me, you don’t want any part of those motels,” Hopper gave me a terrified glance, like he’d definitely seen some shit there. “I’ve got a trailer I moved out of that you can rent from me.”

“Chief, really, it’s okay. I can—”

“Y/L/N,” he cut me off with a pointed glare. “You can stay there as long as you want or until you find somewhere better. I’m not gonna charge you an arm and a leg for rent,” he reassured me.

“Thanks, I really appreciate that,” I gave him a small smile.

“Hey, I’m not as big a jerk as everyone says I am, alright?” Hopper grumbled.

“Who says that?”

“You’ll see,” he shook his head and sighed. “We can swing by the utilities office when we get there and get everything turned on for ya.”

The rest of the drive managed to fly by as we chatted, nothing too personal and mostly more about me than him. He drove me to the trailer after getting everything sorted out with the utilities and setting me up to make payments. The long driveway to the trailer crunched under his tires but the bumpy ride was worth the view in the secluded area.

“This is it,” he grunted as he put the Blazer in park.

“This view is great, why’d you move?” I asked as I took in the surroundings and spotted the lake behind the trailer.

“Eh, it’s just too small,” he motioned towards his torso with his hand.

I rose an eyebrow at him, letting my gaze land on his torso, flick over to the trailer, and back over to his face, “You’re not that big.”

“You know,” he started with a mischievous grin as he opened the driver’s side door, “a less secure man would have taken offense to that.”

“Chief!” was all I could manage to berate him with as he turned away from me and broke out in to laughter.

We jumped out of the truck at the same time and this time I didn’t protest when he offered to help me with my bags. His keys jingled softly as he stomped up the stairs and unlocked the door to the trailer. Hopper and his obscenely thick fingers fought with the keyring for a moment before finally freeing the key and handing it over to me.

“Here,” he murmured and held the metal between two fingers, effectively dwarfing the key, “and there’s a spare key under the first step,” he nodded outside.

Hopper took a couple spins around the living room and sniffled loudly, “Little musty, sorry. Um, I left quite a few things here, so it might just need some picking up and dusting. I kinda moved in a hurry.”

“It’s not a problem, it’ll give me something to do, Chief,” I reassured him.

We fell into an awkward silence, causing Hopper to step semi-discreetly to the door. He fished his pockets for his business card as he spoke, “Well, uh, if you need anything…”

I graciously accepted the card from him, “Actually, Chief, d'ya happen to have a map on you? So, I can figure my way around this place by Monday?”

“Shit, what am I thinking?” Hopper murmured to himself, realizing he’d just dropped me off seemingly in the middle of nowhere without a sense of direction. His brows knitted together in thought, making his thinking face look angry, “I can show you around right now if you want? Maybe grab lunch while we’re at it as a…congrats?” His lips pushed up and his eyes squinted as he waited for my answer.

“You don’t have to do that, really. I’m sure you have better things to do on a Saturday,” I tried to refuse. “I can manage with just a map.”

“My daughter is at her friend’s house, so I would either sit at the station bored off my ass or drink myself to sleep at home,” Hopper pursed his lips and feigned thinking with his hands on his hips, “Or I can give you a welcome tour.”

I laughed at this ridiculous man and his antics and finally relented, “Fine, but let me change at least.”

Hopper agreed and showed me the rest of the trailer. It was hard not to imagine this hulking man living in this tight trailer as he effortlessly stalked through the rooms. I could almost see his body engulfing the small couch or his broad shoulders bumping walls when he’d get drunk. The tour ended in the bedroom with a bare mattress and the floor littered with the odd empty pack of cigarettes. I tossed my duffel on the bed and started sifting through the civilian clothes I had packed. I heard Hopper open the closet and make a low noise of surprise.

“Hey, I left clothes here,” he held up a red flannel shirt from the closet, which contained a couple pairs of pants and a few random shirts. “A change wouldn’t hurt, nothing happens on the weekends,” Hopper brought the shirt to his nose and grimaced, but shrugged and piled it in one arm anyway. “If this shit gets in your way, feel free to throw it in a bag and chuck it in my office.”

I had pulled out jeans, a shirt, and a sweater and laid them on the bed. By the time Hopper turned back around with his findings, I had halfway unbuttoned my uniform shirt without thinking twice.

“Woah, woah, woah!” Hopper held up his free hand to his eyes right away. “At least let me leave first, Y/L/N! For Pete's sake…” Hopper felt his way out of the room, nearly tripping when his foot caught on the threshold.

As we got back in the Blazer, Hopper chucked his uniform in the back seat. He fetched a pack of Camels from his pocket and held them up in question.

“Mind?”

“Not if I can bum one off you, Chief,” I smirked, grabbing my bun and releasing my hair from its confines. I slipped my hair tie around my wrist and shook my hair out, not really caring how it looked, only that my scalp could breathe.

The corner of Hopper’s mouth turned up before he was shaking the box and pulling out a cigarette. He let it rest between his lips, then turned the box toward me so I could grab one for myself.

“First things first,” he mumbled around the cigarette while lighting it. I leaned my head forward as he brought the lighter towards me. After, I leaned back in my seat, hearing the snap of the lighter closing before I saw his hand extending towards me. “Jim,” his lips closed loosely to avoid dropping the cigarette as he waited with an open palm.

I shook his offered hand, fighting the urge explore the ridges of his palm, “Y/N.”

We took off in the direction of town, silently filling the Blazer with smoke. I tried my best to memorize my surroundings as Hopper pointed out different stores and buildings. He rambled about the owners of certain places, far more than just a Chief might know.

“You grow up here?” I wondered aloud.

“Yea,” he let out a silent laugh, releasing smoke from his lungs as he did. “Moved back about six years ago or so. Good catch.”

We pulled into the diner parking lot, just as my cigarette reached its end, “Damn, I’m sad that’s gone,” I spoke mainly to myself.

“Yea, Bridge got mad at me for trying to bring one when I visited ILEA a month back. How long were you deprived?” Hopper joked while getting out of the car.

“Mm, four months and change,” I answered slowly as if I was unsure.

“Ouch,” he grimaced and stepped ahead of me to open the diner door like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I pushed down my tendency to blush but failed, instead using my hair to block my cheeks from Hopper's eyes. What can I say? I had a thing for old fashioned manners.

He nodded a silent greeting to a waitress and made a beeline for an empty booth, because I guess when you’re the Chief you can just do that. After receiving an odd look from the waitress as we ordered drinks and more stares from women in the diner, I shifted in my seat uncomfortably. The waitress came back around to take our food orders and drop off our drinks, my drink earning me a mocking eyebrow from Hopper.

“Milkshake? Really?” he choked out a laugh around his cup of coffee.

“Excuse me, I’m still allowed the rest of the day to celebrate, Chief,” I replied with an air of pride and a smidgen of sass as I wrapped my lips around the straw.

“You’re right, you’re right,” he chuckled and shook his head, staring down at his coffee and then glancing out the window in a quick canvas.

“Thank you, though,” I started, causing him to meet my eyes. “Thank you for celebrating with me when my own family wouldn’t.”

Hopper swirled his coffee before speaking, “Guess you could say…we’re your family, now.” He raised the mug up and toward me, so I did the same with my glass. He tapped our glasses together in a toast and let a satisfied smile spread over his lips, “Welcome to Hawkins PD.”

I nodded enthusiastically and brought the straw back to my mouth, “Yea, I'll drink to that.”

I sipped on the shake, casually glancing around the dining area and seeing quickly averted eyes. I chewed my straw and furrowed my brows in thought. I’d been silently pondering for so long that I hadn’t realized Hopper was watching the wheels turn in my head.

“What’s up?”

“Mm,” I made a noise indicating I’d heard him as I swallowed. “Why am I being stared at by every woman here?”

“Well,” he cleared his throat, “Small town, new face…women gossip, is the first reason.”

“And the second?”

Hopper took a deep breath through his nose, “Remember when I said that everyone thinks I’m a jerk?”

I simply nodded in understanding.

“Well, ‘everyone’ meant…women.”

We sat in silence for a few seconds while his words washed over me. My eyebrows flew up as I realized what he meant while my hand moved to hide my laughter.

“No!” I gasped in amused shock behind my hand as I deciphered his words.

“Yeah,” he rubbed his brow and grimaced at my shocked face.

I leaned forward on my elbows, smiling widely. His playfully forlorn face told me he knew I’d figured it out and was waiting for the impending grief I was going to lay on him. “Chief…you’re a slut?” I couldn’t hold back the giggle that escaped my lips.

“Correction, I used to be a slut, alright?” he rolled his eyes. “I stopped when I adopted my daughter.”

“Mhmm,” I raised an eyebrow at him as if I didn’t believe him.

“I’m serious!”

After eating, fighting over paying for lunch (a fight he won), and taking me to the grocery store (yet another fight he won), we pulled up to the trailer. Hopper helped me take the bags inside and lingered in the living room.

“If I have any questions,” I showed him the map I stole from his Blazer, “I’ll call you.”

“I’ll keep an ear out,” he smirked and opened the trailer door.

I held the door open as he walked out, stopping when I spoke up, “Wish me luck buying my own car tomorrow.”

Hopper stopped in his tracks and turned around, “What were you gonna do? Walk to the dealership?”

“Uh, bus?”

“No,” he shook his head, turned, and kept walking, “I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow.”

“Chief!” I protested, but he kept walking to his Blazer.

“They’re less likely to haggle you if the Chief of Police is there, alright!?” he shouted back, not giving me another chance to speak as he got in the truck.

Chapter 3

Hopper stuck his arm out of the window, offering a passive wave of his hand and a smile as he turned the truck around. I leaned against the doorframe and waved back, wondering how in the hell I was supposed to survive a career next to Jim Hopper.

[drvrslcense]

2 am || peter parker

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Word Count: 1.3k

Pairings: Peter Parker x Dancer!Reader

Warnings: A lil angst (if you squint, I guess), FLUFF, and major endgame spoilers (but there’s this one thing that we’ll not get to in here). 

This is for @lovestrucktom & @peeterparkr‘s rom-com writing challenge as well as, @leiasfanaccount648’sfanaccount648′s valentine’s day writing challenge

Peter just finished his nightly round of the city, with time left to do his assignment and without any injuries that could prevent it. While swinging back to his room, he passed by your apartment building. The building was built for the riches, owned by your family.

You met Peter back in Midtown when the two of you became partners for your English Project. From then on, the two of you became close friends.

2 a.m.

It was already 2 am and if Peter learned something from seeing a show that Aunt May was watching is that the decisions you make after 2 am are wrong decisions. But there you are, in your rooftop looking as beautiful as ever, in Peter’s eyes that is, practicing your dance routine for the contemporary dance competition that you joined.

“1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,” You counted as you perform the steps while the music plays in the background. You spin, you jump, and you spin. It was all a routine you never wanted to end. It’s as relaxing as the ocean wind and as calming as the beach waves.

Dancing has always been part of your life. Back when you were young, your mom would enroll you to ballet class then gymnastics and it turned into hip-hop and tap-dancing. But just because you dance, doesn’t mean that it is all that you do. You also enjoyed reading and knitting but dancing has always been your forte.

You breathe in, then you breathe out trying to catch your breath when the routine is finished and the music stopped.

“Nice moves you got there,” Someone casually says behind you, catching you off guard making you jump and almost making you fall off the rooftop if it wasn’t for the railings. “Easy there, tiger.” And then there it is, Peter Benjamin Parker also known as spider-man with his mask on, standing so casually like he was there the whole time.

“Peter Benjamin Parker! What did I tell you defines an emergency?” You said as you recovered from the shock. You only told Peter that he can come into your house if there’s an emergency, not when he just wants to see you. He always wanted to go, but you don’t let him because he’ll meet your parents who wouldn’t only despise him, but kick you out as you promised them strictly to no boys until after college.

And yes, you know Peter’s spider-man, that boy couldn’t even keep it a secret. From the moment he became one, he was itching to tell someone and as someone who isn’t fazed by superheroes, he knows he can trust you to keep it a secret.

“Uh—I’m sorry,” Peter rambled trying to come up with an excuse as to why he’s there when you don’t even permit him to come while he quickly removes his mask. “Just wanted to tell you, you’re a good dancer? And that you’ll ace the competition?” He added as he scratched the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly.

“Okay,” You said, dragging the ‘y’ in the word 'okay’. “Thank you, though. I need it.”

“Heh- no problem,” Peter dismissed, as he started to put on his mask and walk towards the railing to swing to his room.

“Wait,” You stopped him as he is close to using his web shooters to swing to his room. “Stay with me.”

“Sure,” Peter agreed as he dropped his hands and removed his mask. He followed you as you pulled him inside a room that is in the side of the rooftop where it overlooks the city.

“Woah,” Peter said in wonder as he looked around the room. Even though the room isn’t that big as he imagined, it was a room like no other. With its glass transparent walls and its dome-shaped roof with a marvelous chandelier hanging above, Peter was so sure he could just sleep there.

You took a seat in the couch that’s in the middle of the room and Peter sat on the other end of it.

“So, tell me, how was patrol?” You asked him as you grabbed your water on the table to drink. Sure, you enjoyed dancing but it makes you tired, plus, it’s already 2 am.

“It was great. Stopped a couple of muggers and helped an old man cross the street, still thinking it was Steve, though,” He said, as he chuckled, remembering how that old man refused his help and, if it wasn’t for Peter’s fast reflexes, almost hit Peter with his cane. In the end, the old man gave up as the cars were fast approaching and let Peter help him.

“Ohmygosh, Peter! Just because the man you helped is old, doesn’t mean he’s Steve,” You laughed as you tried to drink your water but failed miserably as you almost choked while laughing.

“Sure, does carry the stubbornness and the will,” Peter mused as he laughs, remembering how Tony would help Steve which would turn into a fight with Tony backing down 'cause 'you can’t fight an old man, let alone a war veteran’.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” You said, looking over to him and grinning. He grins back, erupting the fireworks in your stomach. You smiled a little, then yawned.

“Oof,” You giggled. Peter giggled, too, surprised by your yawn.

“You tired? I can leave,” Peter offered to let you rest.

“No, just let me be. There’s no school tomorrow, anyways,” You said laying down and resting your head on Peter’s lap. After a while of hesitation, Peter started to softly brush your hair, making your eyes heavier than ever.

“Look, a shooting star,” Peter said, removing his hands from your hair to point it above.

“Hmm, what?” You sleepily said, yawning again.

“A shooting star. Make a wish, you dummy,” Peter encouraged you as he closed his eyes and made one.

“Oh!” You closed your eyes too and made one.

“Now, what did you wish?” You asked Peter as the two of you finished wishing.

“If I tell you then it wouldn’t come true,” Peter told you, teasingly.

“Mmkay,” You said, putting your hand under your head to support it.

“I like you, yunno?” You said softly, casually whispering as if you didn’t care if he heard it or your parents did.

“I like you, too, Y/N,” Peter said, softly answering back and not shying away as if it’s some kind of an answer he’d normally give to his teachers.

“What does this makes us?” You stressed out, sitting up. You are always one to be stressed out over the most little things even if it’s one of your hair ties being lost.

“Shh, shh, Y/N, calm down,” Peter soothed you as you realize you’re panicking. You went on to lean on his shoulder instead of his lap, as you try to calm yourself down. He put his arms around you as he relaxed too. “We have all the time in the world to figure it out.”

“Yeah, we do,” You agreed with him. “I bet all the villains can’t come after you, now that you’ve beaten the mighty Thanos with the Avengers.”

“Oh, shush,” Peter chuckled, remembering how everyone in Midtown praised him as if he’s some kind of God because of being part of the heroes who defeated Thanos even though he’s just some kid from Queens who’s just trying his best to save the world.

“Oh, come on, like you aren’t an Avenger,” It was true. Tony considered him like one, even giving him missions and such. “Plus, you have all those lovely moms there.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Peter chuckled remembering how the A-force helped him against Thanos. You situated yourself on one of his shoulders, Peter’s arms wrapping around you, enjoying the lively night of Queens and its busy streets until dawn comes sweeping in and Peter has to leave before his Aunt May finds out that her beloved nephew wasn’t home for the whole night.

—-

tagging some of my faves and mutuals who might like this as a change of perspective before chapter 4 comes out: @spidey-waffles11 @hollandsosterfield @upsidedownparker @afterglowparker @parkerpeterholland @starksparker @naturallytom @lovestrucktom @h-osterfield @petersshirts @leiasfanaccount648 @plushparker 

[r-v-g-d]

10 Questions Tag Game!

I was tagged by @taz-writes!!! Bless you, fairy wife.

1. What does your workspace look like? Do you have a designated ‘writing area’?

My workspace is my computer desk, my bed, or wherever I happen to be when I decide to write! I think I'm a writer who gets more inspiration when not at home though, like to be honest I will most definitely be that guy in the back corner of the IHOP writing bullshit poems at weird hours of the night. When I get a new laptop, anyway.

2. Do you prefer to write solo heroes or ensemble casts?

ENSEMBLE CASTS!! Look. LISTEN. Almost no one in the world is actually alone in any adventure. Even in high fantasy stories, the "chosen heroes" often have their little group of "less important" people... Or equally important people! And to those characters, self esteem issues aside, they probably consider themselves the protagonist as much as their hero friend? I can't imagine writing my story with just Katt's point of view, or writing less than a group of 2 or 3 period. It just feels silly to me to pretend like only one person's story is being told, when there are three other people right there with her.

3. Which of your characters reminds you the most of yourself?

Probably Argo. She's just so fucking tired of this shit man. So much shit has happened to her, torture and suffering and all that, and all it's done is make her infinitely more exhausted with everything ever. She's not a bad person, she's pretty nice, and she does what she can, but she is so. Tired. Of the LEVEL of BULLSHITTERY. It's incredible.

4. What’s one trait your main OC has that you wish you had, too?

I wish I knew how to let myself be angry, and how to let people be angry at me. It sounds dumb, but I can't handle either well. I know it's a natural feeling and all, but you know. Tortured writer stuff. Katt's way better at being angry than I am.

5. Have you changed or removed any major elements of your current WIP since its original draft/concept? What was the biggest change, and why did you make it?

Oh god uh... Yes, I have. A lot of them. I think the biggest change was a villain shift from a man named Kylee to a couple shitty dudes, Victor and Vincent, though he's comin' back at some point because I miss him. The original Kylee had a lot less direction and was mean for... Some... Reason? He had a VERY interesting design concept and all, but not much more. I was writing my story for a couple years at least before I said "This isn't working, I need something new." I think my story is a lot stronger for it!

6. If you had to give your main WIP a theme song, what would it be?

Through the Valley, by Shawn James.

7. What’s your favorite non-writing-related hobby?

I like to draw, watch video essays, and play video games. Preferably at the same time because I'm a menace to society.

8. What are some of your favorite books?

OH BOY! I could talk for hours about the Chaos Walking books, or about Warrior Cats. I really loved the Wolves Of The Beyond books as a kid too. And... Listen. I know it shouldn't be allowed. But TKAMB is a masterpiece classic for a reason, I loved the writing in it?? It was a joy to read in school tbh. Nowadays, if I'm honest, I don't read as much as I wish I could. I'm hoping this Writeblr thing helps with that.

9. What’s your favorite trope to read and/or write? What’s your least favorite?

I love found families from the bottom of my fucking heart. I love my dumb broken kids and the way they bonded, first out of necessity and then just because they loved each other? It's the sweetest, raddest thing. The trope I hate, that I see often in video games but also in books, is the fuckin "waaah my wife is dead so now im aloof and cold and can never love again and maybe im ~morally grey~ but it's just because my life sucks!! and my wife is dead!!" trope. You know the ones. The decently-muscled, scarred up 45 year old white dude that's got some flecks of white hairs, who lost "their Clara" in the war and are now weirdos who act like they're tragic. You're not special, John.

10. What do you love most about your own work and why?

I love so much about it? But honestly I have to say that my characters are my strongest point. I love my angry catamount, I love my creepy raccoon, I love my pointy fox. I like how distinct they are, and how they interact with each other! I have room to improve on my character building (everyone does!), but honestly? I think what I have with Katt and her squad (and with Ravaged as a whole) is really shaping up to be something good!!

I don't have anyone to tag yet, so I won't be writing out another question set right now immediately. Also, I'm really exhausted and don't know what I'd ask? But thank you for giving me the excuse to ramble, Taz! <3

[darkcozyforest]

The Intern--Chapter 4

Here is the next chapter. We get a little more background information of life in Kansas. I’m excited for where this series is going. I hope you guys enjoy it too. Let me know what y’all think! Thank you so much for reading my work! And let me know if you would like to be tagged in future chapters.

Chapter 1 2 3

Tag Requests: @locke-writes @mrschiltoncat @xemopeachx @redvolpe @kjs-s

The next couple weeks after the flowers incident, things began to run smoothly. You got along with everyone in the office and were fitting in well. Your professors had been right when they told you Barba was ruthless. But you preferred it that way. Once he got started on something, he was passionate about fighting through to the end. Not many people showed that kind of passion anymore so it was refreshing. Especially since you felt just as passionate.

The other plus about seeing Barba so invested in the cases was that you also became invested. So all of the initial bumbling school girl crush feelings had died down. You still went on your occasional rambling sessions, but Barba seemed genuinely interested when you did. He was very easy to talk to but sometimes you got a little off topic because of that.

“I feel like you have story about everything.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Barba. If I’m talking too much just tell me to hush up. Sometimes I forget. My mama always told me it was just because I liked to hear the sound of my own voice. But that’s just not true. I ju—I’m doing it again.” You laughed at yourself.

“No it’s alright Y/N. I meant that in a good way. People that are from here don’t share more than they are asked. They say as little as possible. It’s refreshing to actually be around people who enjoy having a conversation.”

“That’s me. Some of the stories I could tell about back home. Oh goodness. The people from around here would never believe them.” Your phone buzzed and you looked down to see your mom calling. “Speaking of back home, this is my mama now.”

“Go ahead and take it. I think we’re done for the night anyway. I’ll just pack my things and then wait for you so we can take a cab back to the apartments.”

“Thanks.” You turned and answered the FaceTime. “Hi mama!”

“Y/N, are ya there? Can you see me?” The camera was trying to focus and you could see your niece in the background running around.

“Yes mama, I can see you.” You chuckled. “What’s goin’ on?”

“Oh not a whole lot. I just hadn’t heard from you in a while. Just wanted to check in. Are you still at work? Oh I’m sorry sweetheart. I didn’t mean to interrupt. You can just call me later!”

“Oh it’s okay mama. We’re getting ready to head home anyway. Is that Lacy I see back there?”

“We? Oh yes Lacy is here. Your sister started working at O’Malley’s over in Weston.”

“What on Earth is she doing workin’ all the way in Weston?” You completely ignored her ‘we’ question. You still hadn’t told them that you lived across from your boss. “If she’s gonna do that, why’d she even bother movin’ back to Troy? She was fine in Atchison. She has a teachin’ degree but she’d rather work as a bartender in Missouri an hour away from where she’s livin’. Mama, you gotta stop lettin’ her do this. She is a grown woman, with a husband and three-year-old daughter. She’s gotta grow up at some point. You and daddy don’t have the extra money to be payin’ her rent that I know you probably are.”

“Lori is Lori. But her and Derek have been strapped for cash lately. And with Derek gone all the time with the railroad it was easier for her to move back to Troy. She says that O’Malley’s pays better than Willies did.”

“Mama, it is still an hour away. At least in Atchison it was only 20 minutes. She’s gonna spend all a that money on gas. They always need subs. Why doesn’t she just…” You ran your hand over your face and looked at her. “I’m sorry mama, I’m just tired of her taking advantage of y’all. And there’s nothing I can do, because all of my money is going into my apartment and other bills.”

“Are you doin’ okay sweetheart? How are you doin’ on money?”

“I’m fine. I will not ask you for money. That is one thing that Lori and I differ on. She may not have a problem asking for it, but I do.” You saw Barba move out of the corner of your eye. “I’ll be okay mama. I knew what I signed up for when I came out here. But I gotta go. We’re about to head home.” The ‘we’ slipped out again before you could stop it. You mentally smacked yourself.

“Oh yea, who is ‘we’?”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you.” You turned your head towards Barba and rolled your eyes. “I found out that I live right across the hall from my boss.”

“How funny! Is he single?”

“MAMA!” You stared at her with wide eyes and motioned off screen and then turned towards him and mouth “I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry Y/N, but you’re not gettin’ any younger. And I would like more grandbabies than just Lacy. Let’s face it, your brothers are never gonna settle down. And your other sister, well she’s a bit of a gypsy. And who knows how long your fath--”

“Mama I’m hanging up now. Bye I love you.”

“Oh at least let me meet the man! Hey Jack! Come here and meet Y/N’s boss!” You got up and walked towards Barba.

“Mama don’t bother daddy if he’s resting.” You turned to him. “I’m sorry. Do you mind? If I don’t do it now, she’ll just keep pestering me.”

“Not at all Y/N. I completely understand.” He chuckled as he thought about his own mother, taking the phone from you. “Hello Mrs. Y/L/N. I’m Rafael Barba. Pleasure to meet you ma��am. Y/N has been doing wonderfully. One of the quickest to catch on around here.”

You watched your mother’s jaw drop as she caught a sight of him. Same mama same. “Um.. Uh… Call me Maggie um... yes… yes we’re uh her uh her… FATHER her father and I are very p-proud of her. We always knew she’d get out of here. Jack! Jackson get over here.”

Good God woman get ahold of yourself. “You have great reason to be proud of her. She is one of the hardest working interns I have ever had.” He turned and winked at you and your mother started giggling.

“So are you single?”

“MOTHER! HONEST TO GOD!”

“What Y/N? He is gorgeous! Look at him!”

“And we’re hanging up now! Bye mama! I love you!” You clicked the red button before she could get out another word. “I am so sorry about that Barba. My mother doesn’t always have a filter.”

“It is quite alright Y/N. My mother is very similar. Hell, we have brunch every Sunday and she asks me when I’m going to settle down myself.”

“It’s awful. My whole family is crazy.”

“I caught some of that.” You started to walk towards the elevator together. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. I was waiting for you to finish after I packed up.” It was his turn to get all flustered. You had to stifle a laugh.

“It’s okay Barba. I’m a little loud anyway. I’d be surprised if you hadn’t heard part of the conversation.”

“Did you know your accent gets thicker when you talk to your mother?”

“Oh my goodness, yes. I’m good at hiding it up here. But I get around my family and it comes right back. Kansas may not be in the South but we all still have a little bit of the accent in small towns it seems.” The elevator opened on the bottom floor and you went out to hail a cab.

“So your sister, if you don’t mind me asking, she moved back home?”

“Yes.” You rolled your eyes thinking about it. 

“All of my siblings still live in our hometown. Troy, Kansas. It’s close to the Missouri border. But my sister moved to Atchison, which is about 20-25 minutes away, after she got married.” The two of you got into the cab and Barba gave them the address. 

“Anyway, she has always bummed money off my parents. Most of my siblings have. And I understand asking for help, but she is 28 years old and has a husband who makes good money with the railroad. They have the money. My sister just decides to blow it all on things she doesn’t need. And now she moved back to Troy so she could bum more money off my parents and get free babysitting. I hate asking for money. Especially since I know how strapped they are with my daddy not being able to work. I can barely pay my rent but you don’t see me callin’ mama and asking her to pay it. I chose this life. And what irritates me is that she has a degree. She could go be a teacher. But she chooses to be a bartender.” 

The cab pulled up to your building and you started to fish for your wallet. “I don’t know. I just want so much for all of my siblings and I just don’t think they want it for themselves.” Barba stopped you and paid for it before you could protest and you frowned.

You walked into the building and towards the elevator in silence. When the doors close, you spoke up, “You didn’t have to pay for the cab. I am very capable of doing that. I didn’t tell you all of this to try and get you to pay for things. I don’t need money. I mean I do, but I am capable of paying for things. I am not my sister.”

“Y/N I know you can. But I also make a little bit more money than you do.” He teased. “And I’m not paying off student loans. How about you catch the next one?”

“Okay. I just don’t want you to think I’m asking you for money.”

“I didn’t at all. I’m sorry if it came off that way. Sounded like you have a pretty big family. How many siblings do you have?”

“Four, I am the middle of five. I have two older sisters and two younger brothers. Lori is the oldest. Her husband’s name is Derek. Then there’s Julie. Then me. Then the twins Jake and Junior. Well it’s Jackson Junior but we just call him Junior.”

You stepped out of the elevator and sighed thinking about your family. “Well, you can’t control your siblings’ actions Y/N. It sounds like your sister just needs to be an adult. But it also sounds like you care about them a lot. They’re lucky to have you.”

“It doesn’t feel like it sometimes. In the seven years, I have been out here, not one has come out to visit. My mama and daddy did. But just for graduation. Of course, they have an excuse…” You turned your head towards your door as you thought about your parents.

“Well if it is any consolation, I meant what I said about you being one of my best interns.” He flashed you a cheesy smile, trying to get you to do the same.

“Thank you Rafael. That means a lot.” You smirked and went to head into your apartment.

“Would you like to get a drink Y/N? You look like you could use it.”

“No, thank you though. I’ve gotta call my mama back so I can talk to my dad. I’ll probably get a lecture for hanging up on her.” You laughed. “Sorry about that again.”

“It’s fine. Tell them I said hello. See you tomorrow Y/N.”

“Goodnight Rafael.”