#Even though sometimes I don't act like it

[sage-nebula]

This has been spinning around in my head since I watched season 2 arc 1, and I can't refrain from putting it down to post anymore.

In season 1, Jayce and Viktor get into a fight when Viktor evades the blockade to go speak to Singed in Zaun. During their fight, Jayce snaps at Viktor that he didn't know that Viktor's friend was from the undercity, and when Viktor asks why that matters, Jayce says the above: [people from the undercity] are dangerous (earlier he had also said, "there are people down there who seem hell-bent on destroying us!"). That's when Viktor grows cold, reminding Jayce that he is from the undercity, and even after Jayce apologizes, Viktor knocks his hand away, choosing to stand up on his own.

In season 2, chembarons hired by Ambessa (though no one knows that at the time) attack the memorial for the dead council members. In the aftermath, Caitlyn calls them animals. Notably, Vi shows no reaction at all to this; she doesn't so much as flinch at Caitlyn's word choice. Instead, while she does downplay what happened to an extent ("they wanted the spectacle, they're trying to scare you"), what's notable is that she separates herself from the people of Zaun. This is especially notable when she tells Caitlyn to call off the invasion, because of the risk it poses for those not from Zaun:

"Down there, you'll be on their terms."

Viktor seems to have pride in the fact that he is from Zaun. He has love for his home. As difficult as life was there, as much as the pollution led to his illness and disability, he has no shame that he's from Zaun and he still sees value and has love for the people there. This is why, when Jayce writes the Zaunites off as "dangerous", Viktor grows cold. He is no different from them, in his mind; if they're dangerous, then so is he.

Vi is . . . different.

In season 1 arc 1, Vi expresses to Vander that she has bought into and believes that those in Piltover are more than those in Zaun:

Now, here, Vi is still grouping herself in with the rest of Zaun. But there is a level of self-hatred (and hatred for one's home) that we don't see in Viktor. Viktor doesn't see himself as lesser than those in Piltover. He doesn't see the Zaunites as lesser than those in Piltover. Vi, however, does. She states this as if it is a fact. And while she loved her family, and has parts of Zaun that she likes (e.g. Jericho's food), it's worth noting that at the end of season 1 episode 1, she isn't telling Powder that they'll liberate Zaun, or fight for Zaun, or anything like that. Instead?

"This city's gonna respect us." This city. Not our city. Here is the first moment we see in which Vi puts some separation between herself and the rest of Zaun. She wants to make them respect her (and Powder). Even if she's less than those in Piltover, she still sees an opportunity for herself to be above those in Zaun.

All of this is to say that, when she has no reaction to Caitlyn calling Zaunites "animals", when she refers to them as "they," when she refers to Zaun as "their terms" . . . ultimately, it isn't too surprising. Vi represents a type of person who does exist in marginalized groups: the self-hating type, who hate others in their group for "drawing aggression" or "negative attention."

Think about queer people, for instance, who hate those who are flamboyant or open about who they are and who they love. The ones who think, "If we just assimilate more, be less of a bother, be less obnoxious, then the queerphobes will accept us." Obviously, other queer people find this type of person extremely frustrating, sometimes even infuriating, because we know that it doesn't matter what we do or how we act; bigots will never accept us.

But what we should understand, and extend compassion for, is that self-hating marginalized people are that way because it's a defense mechanism -- a survival mechanism, really. They can't square why bigots hate them, so they reach for any kind of explanation they can find, even if that explanation ultimately blames others in their own group and does more harm than good. Not to mention that hating yourself for who you are is often a result of long-term, systemic abuse -- the exact same kind of abuse that comes from living under an oppressive regime that murdered your parents and will assault you at any given opportunity, even for something as petty as your little sister miming shooting them with finger guns.

Vi says that she, "grew up knowing [she] was less than them." This is extraordinarily damaging to the psyche, and Vi's self-hatred -- and the extension of that hatred toward Zaun, not wanting to save them but wanting to make them respect her -- is a trauma response to that. One that Viktor, obviously, doesn't share (and neither does Ekko, or Jinx) -- but everyone reacts to trauma differently.

The point is, we saw shades of this already in Vi's childhood; her statement that she's less than topsiders, but that she wants those in the undercity to respect her. So when Caitlyn calls the Zaunites animals, Vi doesn't flinch. She agrees. And she speaks of them as separate from her, because Caitlyn has already designated her as one of the good ones (reinforced to her by what Maddie told her Caitlyn said right before the memorial), and because, well, those who attacked the memorial did do something horrible. And maybe if they wouldn't do that, and maybe if Jinx hadn't blown up the council building -- maybe if they were better behaved -- then the enforcers wouldn't have to invade and do what they were about to do, now would they? Those in Zaun -- or at least those in Zaun who decided to strike against Piltover -- brought it on themselves, so Vi isn't with them. She's with Caitlyn, and is okay with referring to them as animals.

It's interesting to think about.

[majinbangus]

will johnny ever punish simon(and how) for playing too rough with you and accidentally hurt you (yk some dog just like that) or doesnt listen to reader or makes reader upset????

follow up question if simon and reader do something and it upset him how will he handle it???

im in LOVE LOVE LOVEEEEEE with ur guard dog simon and owner johnny reader

i hope you have a good day and win the lottery ❤️

》 18+ i'm glad you're liking my guard dog!ghost series! sorry my answer got a little long but a short way of explaining Ghost's dynamic with reader when it comes to punishments is that he's technically submitting, but he's also not really submissive ygm? he'll go through his punishments, but energy is very much this post. that's what im tryna go for at least -> more here

Accidentally hurting you, Soap can forgive. Ghost is always extremely careful not to seriously hurt you. Yes, he'll be rough and leave you sore or with bruises sometimes, but he still behaves much like the scrupulous guard dog he is, listening to your every command and taking care to protect you from real harm.

As Soap likes too remind you, Ghost is very well trained already, and it's up to you to show him that you can take care of him just as Ghost takes care of you. In fact, Soap is a little harder on you if he catches you slacking, reminding you that a dog like Ghost deserves a responsible owner willing to take care of such a diligent dog.

However, in the rare event that Ghost doesn't do his duty as your guard dog and leaves your side, Soap will get upset, but he would actually leave the punishment up to you (since you're technically Ghost's primary owner. Soap is there to teach you how to be a good owner) and act as the enforcer for whatever punishment you see fit.

So if you wanna make Ghost sleep in a dog crate for a week, Soap will buy the crate and Ghost isn't allowed on the bed. If you want to keep Ghost on a leash until you regain trust in him, Soap is gonna do some leash training with Ghost.

For more sexual punishments, Ghost will be kept in a cock cage for a while so the most he can do is mindlessly rut against you, and Soap will be the one to hold the key to his cage. He'll only unlock Ghost if you say so, but he'll also encourage you to keep Ghost locked because he's a shit he wants you to be a firm dog owner and not give in to Ghost's dog brown eyes that you've developed a soft spot for. When that happens, Ghost might bare his teeth at Soap because he knows what he's doing, but won't do much more because he knows Soap would suggest a cock gag next, that fucker-

(also if you wanna spank Ghost, Soap is will enforce that too)

But these punishments are rare and far in between. Ghost is very disciplined, so they don't happen often, but when they do, Ghost will go through them like a good boy, knowing that he messed up. He'll regain your trust and be an even better dog for you.

Now if you and Simon do something that upset Soap, (like for example, exploring a dangerous alley willingly, even though Ghost told you not to go in, but went with you anyway because you told him the 'quiet' and 'heel' command) you'll get the brunt of the punishment since 'dog behavior is a reflection of your guidance, sweets.'

Ghost won't get a harsh punishment, but he'll have to stay leashed to his crate, watching Soap give you your punishment which could range from all sorts of things, but mostly, it'll be Soap treating you like a dog- a puppy- to show you how to be a good owner.

He'll make you wear a tail plug and have you crawl on all fours. Tell you commands like 'sit pretty' or 'bow' or 'come'. You're not allowed to talk, only bark, and If you can't follow his commands, the longer the punishment will go and the more intense it'll become. Hell, if he's feeling generous, he'll unleash Ghost and make him show you how to be a good dog, letting Ghost correct your behavior. They may even tag team you, and you'll be aching for days, but the lesson will definitely stick.

[barcaatthemoon]

goody two shoes || paige bueckers x reader ||

You and Paige take the next step in your relationship.

18+

Paige couldn't wait to see you. A couple of days every week, Paige had been coming over to hang out with you. She had gotten used to seeing you, so whenever she found herself unable to come over all week, Paige had been missing you a lot. Most of her teammates had no idea that Paige was going to hang out with you, and Paige kind of wanted to keep it that way.

Azzi and KK knew, but that was pretty much it. You weren't like most of the girls that tried to weasel their way into Paige's life. They wanted to fuck, and while Paige had been absolutely fine with that before, you being different intrigued her. You didn't really seem all that interested in sex with Paige or anybody at all.

"Damn P, what did sweet little (Y/n) do to get you rushing around like this?" KK asked teasingly. Paige didn't pay any mind to it and just rolled her eyes as she continued to gather up her things. "I don't think I've ever seen you like this over a girl before."

"Nothing is going on, K. (Y/n) isn't like that," Azzi said. Paige noticed a slight edge to Azzi's voice. She had noticed it before whenever KK made jokes about you and Paige fucking. Sometimes it was even directed at Paige, but Paige had been trying to pretend that she hadn't noticed it.

"Nah, there's no way that Paige is acting like this over a girl who doesn't put out," KK said. Azzi just tried to ignore KK and left, Paige hot on her trail.

"You really shouldn't let KK talk about (Y/n) like that. She's got a loud mouth, and it'll spread around the locker room. I don't think (Y/n) would appreciate everybody around campus and the internet talking about her like that." Azzi shoved past Paige after that, leaving the blonde a bit dumbfounded. She sent a quick text to KK about leaving your name out of her mouth before she set out towards your apartment.

Azzi's words echoed around in Paige's head. She had heard a couple of frat guys complain about you at parties before, but she hadn't really given it much mind. Now though, she wondered if you had actually ever been with someone sexually before. Paige hadn't taken someone's virginity in a couple of years, and the idea of taking yours kind of made her nervous. She didn't really think that she was special enough to deserve that, but then again, she didn't want to bring it up until you had put sex on the table.

The two of you were taking things slow. Paige understood your apprehension about her, especially with the way that girls had thrown themselves at her when the two of you went out for lunch together. Sometimes they'd have tact to back off once they noticed you hanging around, but most of them pretended that you weren't even there. Despite your insistence that it didn't bother you, Paige knew differently. She had noticed the way you'd be a bit less affectionate with her after these instances.

"Yeah, she's walking over now. Bye Az, I love you," you said as you hung up your phone. Paige looked absolutely trapped in her own head, and all you wanted to do was comfort her. "Hi Paigey."

"Hey baby," Paige greeted you with a quick kiss. She placed her hand on your back as she led you inside. Your apartment was on the bottom floor, which you were pretty grateful for in moments like this. Azzi's phone call hadn't been a very long one, but she had urged you to have the talk with Paige that you had been holding off on.

"So, Azzi called me. She's kind of mad at you," you told her. Paige groaned as she covered her face. You pulled her hands down and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. "I didn't say that I was mad at you. It's not really your job to constantly defend me."

"Yeah, but it kind of should be. I mean, I'm your girlfriend, and KK just says stupid shit sometimes. Azzi reacts kind of harshly sometimes, but she has a point." Paige looked really down on herself, so you decided that this was as good of a time as any to rip the bandage off.

"Paige, she's only getting mad because she knows that it's not true. Obviously you know that we're not having sex, but I haven't had sex with anybody. I didn't tell you that before because I didn't want you to think that I was a prude or a loser," you admitted. You felt your nerves grow with each moment of silence between the two of you.

"I wouldn't think that about you at all. I like being around you. I like hanging out with you and doing all sorts of things I wouldn't with other people. We don't need to be having sex, and I don't mind waiting until you feel like you're ready for me. I'd be a pretty shitty girlfriend if I pressured you before you were ready, and I don't think I'd be able to honestly say I loved you if I did any of that."

"Y-you love me?" Paige went ghost white for a moment, afraid that she had overstepped. The look of relief that washed over her as you launched yourself into her arms seemed to bring her back to life. "I love you too!"

…

Something had definitely shifted between the two of you after that day. You weren't quite sure what it was, but you found yourself opening up a little more physically. Now, it was Paige who found herself pulling back between the two of you. At first, she had been very open with her willingness and want to sleep with you, and a small part of you wondered if maybe you shouldn't have told her that you were still a virgin.

"Shit!" Paige swore as she quickly turned around. Paige had asked to come over and take you out to lunch after her morning classes, so you told her to just come right in. You had woken up later than normal, and for the past 30 minutes or so, had been lounging around in your pajamas. You realized a little bit too late that Paige had never really seen you in any state of undress, so to see you in just a t-shirt and boxers was probably a bit of a shock for Paige.

"Paige, it's fine. This is what I sleep in. Don't tell me that you expected me to wear some Victorian nightgown like Scrooge," you teased. Paige cleared her throat as she slowly lowered her hands from her eyes. "Give me a couple minutes and I'll be ready to go."

"I can order in if you don't want to change. I'm sure that with food around, I'll be distracted enough to keep my hands to myself," Paige offered. You agreed to Paige's suggestion and secretly hoped that Paige wouldn't be able to keep her hands off of you.

"What if I wouldn't mind if you didn't?" you asked her. Paige's face went red at that.

"You don't mean that. You don't want me touching you," Paige said as she flopped back onto your couch. You crawled into her lap and started running your fingers through her hair.

"Yes I do. What's up with you, hmm? I've been trying to move things along without pushing, but you keep shoving me back. Is this because of what I told you?"

"You deserve better than some fuckboy like me. You're kind and sweet, and so fucking good that I don't know what to do with myself when I'm around you. I'd love nothing more than to bend you over the back of your couch sometimes and make you scream my name, but you deserve better than that. You deserve someone soft and sweet, and I don't know if I can do that," Paige confessed. You sighed as you twirled some of her baby hairs in the back around your fingers.

"But you are all of those things, you just don't realize it. You've been coming over for almost nine months every single week to spend time with me. You stopped going to parties because I didn't want to go. You buckled down and put more effort into your schoolwork because you noticed that my grades were slipping a little. You love me, and more than that, you put so much effort into caring for me in ways that you don't even notice. Paige, you're the best person that I've ever dated by a long shot, and I've never been so sure that I trust someone with my body more than you."

"I don't know what to say to all that," Paige mumbled. You could tell that she was getting sort of shy, so you leaned down and kissed her. "You really want to have sex with me?"

"Of course I do. I love you, and it definitely helps that you're the hottest girl I've ever met." Paige was smiling hard at your words, and it was like a switch was flipped for her. She pulled you in for a kiss, not pushing you back once even after you deepened it.

Paige moaned into the kiss as your tongue slipped past her lips. She was absolutely loving the taste of you and couldn't wait for more. Paige broke the kiss to begin trailing kisses along your jaw and down your neck. You were panting a little as you tried to catch your breath. The second that you had it back, Paige was right back at your lips kissing you again. This kiss was a little rougher than the one before, and it left your lips buzzing pleasantly.

"Do you want to do this right now?" Paige asked as her hands ran along the outside of your thighs.

"Yes, I'm sure. I've wanted this for a while now. I don't know what changed, but I know that I want you Paige in a way that I've never wanted anybody else before," you told her. Paige didn't need any more convincing after that. She picked you up in her arms and carried you back to your bedroom.

Paige gently laid you down on your bed, and both of you had the realization that she had never been in this room before. You watched as Paige took in as much of her surroundings as she could without disturbing the momentum the two of you were building. She pulled her shirt off, leaving her in a pair of basketball shorts and a sports bra.

You had seen pictures of Paige like that before, but never been around her like that. Paige seemed to sense your interest in her body, and flexed as she joined you on the bed. She grabbed your hand and placed it on her waist, allowing the tip of your thumb to brush against her abs a little.

"Do you have anything on under your shirt?" Paige asked as her fingers toyed with the hem of your shirt. In the two years that you had been at UConn, you had never been to a football game. You were sure that Paige had given you that shirt, as she somehow always ended up with so much free UConn merch as a prominent student athlete.

"No, but you can take it off anyway," you told her. Paige bit her lip as she pushed the fabric up your torso. Paige faltered a bit when she reached the top of your ribcage. You took the last little step for her, and Paige's attention zeroed in your breasts. "You can touch if you want."

Paige acted on instinct and took your breasts into her hands. She pressed kiss after kiss to your chest as her fingers began to tweak and tease your nipples. It as much further than anybody had gotten with you before, and you felt yourself grow embarrassingly wet at the simple gestures.

Slightly uncomfortable by the arousal pooling between your legs, you started to squeeze your thighs together for a little bit of relief. You had only recently began to try getting yourself off, and it was nothing compared to the way it felt as Paige's thigh slotted in between yours. Your head fell back with a gasp as you began to grind against her leg, no longer caring about feeling shameful about any of it.

"Relax baby, I'll take care of you. You deserve better than humping my leg," Paige told you. She placed her hands on your hips and pushed back a bit. You immediately whined at the loss of contact and stimulation, only to gasp when you felt Paige's hand between your legs. She cupped you over your boxers, just barely able to feel a little wet spot through the fabric. "I want you to know before I do this that it's not going to change anything between us. I'm still gonna be right here for you because I love you."

"Paige, I love you too, but please don't stall. I need you," you whined. Paige pulled the boxers down your legs and threw them behind her. She spread your lips open to reveal how wet you were. Paige knew that it had been a while since she had been with anybody, but she couldn't remember the last time a girl had gotten this wet for her.

"Fuck, you are so hot baby," Paige told you. You let out a little whine and pushed your hips forward, hopeful that she'd take the hint and keep going. Paige seemed to take mercy on you, and she let her fingers run through your folds. Her fingers moved with no resistance, stroking you gently before being replaced by her tongue.

"Paige!" you cried out loudly. There was no way that your neighbors weren't going to hear that. You didn't care though, not when you were being brought so close to what you swore had to be heaven. Paige seemed blissfully unaware of how close you were to cumming already as she just continued happily lapping at your cunt. Your fist balled up in the sheets as you let out a string of incoherent mumbles, hips rising and bucking against Paige's face. "Stop. Please stop, I can't…"

"Shit, my bad," Paige said as she let your legs snap shut in front of her. Paige sat up on her knees, looking at you with the proudest grin on her face that you thought you had ever seen. "So, um, I know this is a stupid question, but how was it?"

"I don't know what I expected, but it was better than that," you told her. Paige let out a sigh of relief as she moved to sit next to you. "Do you think that you could order that food now please?"

"Oh yeah, of course. And, um, I'm gonna go run and grab you something to drink. If you want when I get back, we can take a shower together. Not because I want to stare at you or anything, just that I don't know how strong your legs are gonna be. I'm gonna shut up now because I don't think I'm making this sound any better."

"You're so sweet, Paige. Such a good girl-," you cradled Paige's face and pulled her in for a kiss, "-friend. Absolutely the best."

[zarathelonewolf]

Some people need to write in this absence of courage though, and purely because of it, and purely FOR it.

Not to say that I don't get your point: it is a good point and I would like to see more hopeful dark stories, stories similar to what you prefer. I would prefer them too, ideally.

However sometimes people really do not have the courage to "want something better, to know that it was wrong"... Because to THEM (and I say this as someone who is similar to them to an extent, though I fight everyday to be hopeful) it does not seem like an act of courage, it seems like an act of insolence.

Why insolence? Because of a lot of things.

"How dare you (general you, not you, OP) want something better? The result of what was done for you is a negative thing that pushes you to do negative things, how dare you think that you should want something better?"

This is the insolence I speak of. The insolence they think they are culpable of. Sometimes people really do need to show the trauma "bare". They need to write out the negative voice. It's what they know and they feel isolated because people keep telling them it'll get better but they are not there yet, so they want to show their frustration. They may want to reject the idea of not taking up space, alternatively, when they show their trauma: so they show it in a gritty manner and without solution to spite the people that tell them they should just keep it all in unless they have healed, or unless they have the intention of doing so.

It may not be hopeful dark art, that's true. But that's not what dark stories HAVE TO be in order to be "good art", either. They don't want to fix something. They just want to show it. They are "vent art".

And it is needed. By people that don't have the "courage" yet, that maybe won't ever have that courage. They need to see something other than their mind crumble... something other than their body, something other than their voice, something other than their memory while it's crumbling. They need to see a story that crumbles without getting back up. That way they feel less alone, perhaps. They feel that the suffering is real and that it does not need healing to be considered suffering. Especially when others interact with the story and cry alongside them while in a similar situation.

A weird broken sort of solace so to speak.

Is it nice? No, not really. But in certain moments of people's lives it's what they need. In a twisted sense, for some people, all they will ever want to experience. It's not just insolence after all. For certain people, darkness itself is the refuge, because the world outside is too bright and a lot people want to be rid of their dark thoughts and want the victims themselves to be rid of the dark thoughts and find a solution for them, whereas these victims just CAN'T, they can't manage yet and they feel inadequate so they produce something that makes them feel like they matter for something.

Something dark and gritty and hopeless.

Art isn't good due to the fact that it expresses correct values. Art is good because it makes you feel, or merely because you feel drawn to interacting with it. Same goes for dark art. It is good dark art when it makes you feel dark stuff, whether or not it heads towards a good or bad ending.

I say this as someone who is hopeless about herself and himself and hopeful for others. Weird right? But it's how I exist. People's comfort sometimes makes me feel even lonelier. I would prefer silence and reading dark content AND hurt/comfort most of the time.

I come from a place of being pressured into healing. I want to heal on my own now, I don't trust therapists for shit. I will find my hope but not now. And dark content with hopelessness, vent art done purely for the vent and not for the healing helps me immensely because I feel my resistance to healing seen without someone telling me that I can heal because I know I CAN, I just don't want to because people have all sorts of expectations about how my healing should be, but while people can object to my healing not really being healing, they can hardly disagree that the dark stuff I write isn't dark. At least in my experience.

People have differing types of sensitivity, and not all people who are lovers love themselves. Love doesn't have to be total, not all people experience it like that. Sensitivity does not have to make you like dark hopeless stories, but it does not mean you are sensitive only if you prefer hopeful stories OR when you reject completely dark stories. People can be "lovers" and sensitive in all three of cases. So I agree about being frustrated for people saying "you're not sensitive enough" because that's not true, your sensitivity simply differs from theirs.

Vent art can be self care just as much as hopeful art. And dark content does not have to be vent art, it can also just want to make people witness gross stuff because they enjoy gross stuff being depicted for the sake of it (to make an example: people with certain laraphilias that cannot be explored safely in real life).

I am merely playing devil's advocate, with the devil being something I love: my only chance at venting without feeling pressured into a reaction. So I will concede this exposition may seem personal, almost too personal, and angry, but I tend to be passionate about the things I love.

I hope I didn't anger people with my response to this. But then again, I should take up space more often...

too much to say in a post but i re-read (partly skimmed) my manuscript of my book from a year and a half ago and it's so fucking good and also feels like a hemisphere of my brain has been returned to me. like oh yeah. my creative self. the fullness of my being. i missed you

i need to fucking talk about it but it's intimidating

[evilslushy]

would you be open to doing bf headcanons for hamzah? they could be sfw and nsfw or just sfw. love ur writing :). <3

BF Headcanons _♡

SFW

i’m a very opinionated person, so asking me about my hamzah headcanons is a FIELD DAY for me

I’ve always said this but I feel like hamzah (in the beginning of the relationship) is very shy? Not in the way of ��ignore any possible interaction between you and him” but more of a “ignores eye contact after a kiss” or “blushes when you call him a nickname for the first time”

He acts like he hates when you baby him but behind closed doors… BIGGEST BABY EVERRRR

It took him a while to hold your hand in public, not because he's embarrassed but again because he gets too flustered when you run your thumb up and down against the back of his hand,,, or when you play with his hands in general.

I MENTIONED THIS BEFORE IN FIC BUT HAMZAH IS AN EAR BLUSHER AND HE'S SO CUTE WAA

If you get on his lap and play with his hair while talking about random stuff, and you kiss him out of nowhere HE’LL SMILE THIS BIG SMILE AND COVER HIS EARS IM CRYINGGGGG HES SO CUTE

Speaking of kissing lololol

Hamzah’s kisses are SENSUAL, he takes his time and really makes sure you feel his love

Contrary to popular belief i feel like if you’re with hamzah for long enough his love language becomes physical touch

And i dont say that and mean ONLY kisses but hes such a cuddly person. HE NEEDS THAT TLC HES A BIG BOY

BUT. Big but! He is not the type of person to show affection publicly IM SORRYYY

Holding hands and hugging is fine but i think more intimate things he’d rather do in private…

Not because hes embarrassed as i said, he gets shy at other people perceiving that version of him especially since he isn’t ‘acting’ or ‘joking’

Also he feels like only you deserve to see him like this hehehe

His love language is quality time. Like actually.

His head on your chest, playing stardew valley on his ipad. You watching TV or reading while playing with his curls.

Another form of this is that he’ll ask you to be him and martins cameraman just to have you there with him

Or he’ll ask if you want to try a new coffee shop that opened down the street

He’s a man that likes to be around you 24/7

ALSO ALSO ALSO OMG OMG

HE WOULD SO FORCE YOU TO DO BACKGROUND VOCALS FOR SOME OF HIS MUSIC LIKE THE RAPPERS HE LIKES LMFAO

I dont wanna go on too long with this but one thing is for sure

You’re his princess for REAL treats you like ROYALTY lol

If you guys get into an argument. Even if you’re wrong, he ends up apologizing

“I shouldn’t have let it boil over to this anyway.”

10/10 boyfriend. Totally recommend.

NSFW

SISTA. I HAVE NEVER EVER THOUGHT I’D HAVE THE PLATFORM TO SHARE THESE THOUGHTS BUT I HAVE TO MAKE SURE YALL UNDERSTAND ONE THING!!!!

Hamzah is NAWT a boob or ass guy. HE LIKES BOTH EQUALLY. (He is secretly is ass-leaning tho LMFAO)

This is so funny but he totally is the type to smack your ass randomly when he walks by.

Do you get mad? Yes. Do you tell him to stop it? Yes. Does he stop? No. Do you secretly think it's kinda…? WELL YESSS

TWO WORDS. Boob squeezer.

I think from what we can understand so far. is that Hamzah is the handsy man. HIS HANDS ALWAYS SOMEWHERE LOL

sex drive is for sure high. and when i say high… ITS HIGHHH

Contrary to popular belief AGAIN.

Hamzah doesn’t partake in dirty talk much… not that he doesn't like it—he just wouldn’t in my opinion? It's not that he wouldn’t talk at all, but he is more of a heavy breathing, whimpering, moaning guy—pretty much more noises than actual words

Though as i said, he would talk sometimes, especially if he’s feeling really good, or his stamina is lasting him longer than he thought… he starts getting a little cocky

On the topic of dirty talk, if he does talk, 99.9% of it would be praising, i don't see him enjoying degrading unless you ask him to.. but he’ll be a little awkward about it LMFAOOO

Something like: “fuck, baby you’re taking me so good.”

(Unironically starts actually using good girl after a while of making it a joke btw)

Someone sent a request a few days ago and said “i feel like hamzah has a breeding kink” and why was i gagged?! NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT BUT YES, i feel like hes more into the thought filling u with *** then the thought of impregnating you if that makes any sense

Im talking too much… digital footprint go hard.

(A/N): this isnt proofread, i kinda braindumped but i had fun doing this!! Thank u anon for the request I HOPE U LOVE THIS CUTIE MWAAAAHH

[rottiens]

✮ tags. established relationship, thighs fucking, fem!reader, praising (good girl, attagirl).

✮ notes. I mean had to,,, Isagi with a thighs kink is asking me to write this (please expect more on this ksjd), thanks for reading! divider creds: adornedwithlight.

✮ wc. 3.0k

This is Isagi's first official relationship, and sometimes that makes him feel unsure about how he should act or whether he should choose his words more carefully now that you've gone from being best friends to being a couple. You're his girlfriend, and while he used to fantasize about the idea many times, experiencing it in reality —holding your hand, receiving your sweet kisses— till brings a knot in his stomach. Every time he calls you “his girl” or “his girlfriend,” the weight of the word reminds him that this time it's real and not a dream like the ones he had so many times.

However, despite the trust that clearly exists between you, there are certain aspects of himself that cause him discomfort that he can't ignore... a tension in his stomach that comes with a mixture of nerves and guilt. That feeling squeezes him inside every time he thinks of confessing to you, for example, how much he is fascinated by your thighs and the things he has come to imagine when he sees them.

And you, without realizing it, don't make things easy either with your clothing choices: those short skirts that leave little to the imagination, tight dresses, or when you decide to cover your legs with black stockings or knee-high socks. Sometimes, it seems like you do it on purpose, given how often Isagi has gotten a glimpse of your panties peeking out from between the folds of your skirt every time you bend over.

As Isagi relives this feeling of embarrassment again, you are kneeling on the floor, curiously exploring the contents of an antique box, filled with Isagi's memories. Dusty framed photos, trophies and medals won throughout his career, little relics that speak of his accomplishments and passion that fill you with pride and curiosity as you continue your exploration. Isagi is lying on the bed, leaning on several pillows and holding his phone in his hand, but unable to resist glancing at you from time to time. He watches every time you pull out an object, admire it and take a picture of it, and although he finds you adorable, he keeps his comments to himself, quietly enjoying the scene.

Then, you pull out an old shirt from one of his previous teams, and hold it in front of him with a mischievous smile. His gaze softens, the memories stirring some nostalgia in him.

“Can I try it on?” you ask, cocking your face to one side with an innocent air.

Without much thought, Isagi nods and sets his phone down on the side of the mattress, this time focused entirely on you. At times like this, he's thankful he's wearing baggy shorts, otherwise you'd instantly notice the effect you're having on him. The cotton hirt, a somewhat faded navy blue, reaches just above your thighs, threatening to reveal more than it should if you decide to raise your arms or move nonchalantly around his room. The possibility of that happening, that the tiny skirt rises a little higher than it should, makes his breathing quicken a little, knowing that this time, the glimpse of your panties could last much longer than a fleeting moment.

Isagi clears his throat, trying to hide the blush that colors his face, but the attempt only makes his shyness even more apparent. With hurried movements, he grabs a pillow and places it over his crotch, hoping you won't notice his erection.

“I love the way it looks on you... much better than it does on me,” he lets out a soft laugh, trying to lighten the mood, though the slight tremor in his voice gives it away. “You can keep it, if you want.” He smiles at you, trying to keep his composure, while his eyes can't help but roam over the way the fabric molds to your body.

You get up from the floor and, after smoothing the shirt down a little, you walk over to the bed. You slide down on all fours until you're settled between his legs, with the pillow still sandwiched between you like a fragile barrier. Your arms entwine around his neck, and at that moment he inhales deeply: now you smell of him, of the memories impregnated in that old shirt that hadn't seen the light for years, and you also smell of you, of that sweet, floral perfume that every time you wear it awakens in him a mixture of intense feelings.

“Thank you. Of course I wanna keep it,” you murmur before peppering his face with a shower of fleeting kisses, each one making it even harder for him to ignore the closeness. The softness of your lips, the touch of your fingers sliding to the nape of his neck, cause him to let out a soft moan. You pause for a moment, pulling away to look at him intently, watching the expression on his face. 

“You look... so tense all of a sudden. Is everything okay?” you ask, your eyes searching for some sign of what's going through his mind. You watch his cheeks, now as flushed as you had noticed from before, when you were not yet so close. 

For a moment, Isagi finds himself at a loss as to what to do with his own hands. Finally he decides to place them on your lower back, leaving them there, still. Then, he spreads his thighs a little further apart to give you space and allow you to settle better between them. Sitting back on your heels, your gaze, laden with sweet, lingering concern, seems to pierce him, and that unsettles him. His blue eyes soften as he swallows saliva, wetting his dry throat before trying to say something. It was now or never.

You have been friends forever. You had known him in childhood, and what started as sporadic conversations soon turned into long, deep talks in which he felt increasingly exposed and understood. When he was away from home, just a phone call from you was enough to comfort him, to remind him that all the effort and sacrifice in his career would one day pay off.

He trusted you absolutely, in every word of support and in the certainty that, come what may, there was nothing that could scare you away. You knew his most hidden and secret fears, even some of his desires and aspirations that he had never shared with anyone else. If, deep down, you rejected that confession about his obsession with your thighs, that was okay; at least it wasn't as embarrassing as admitting how much he loved it when you praised him, right?

Isagi lets out a sigh, as if he had finally dropped a weight he was carrying. “It's nothing, it's just... you look so good in my shirt,” he murmurs, his voice laden with that mixture of nervousness and yearning he tries so hard to hide. At his confession, your shoulders drop visibly relaxed, though you hold your posture, waiting for him to continue. “I'm gonna say it, as weird as it sounds, but your thighs...” His words snap, and your eyes widen barely, as a hesitant smile threatens to form on your lips.

“I know,” you reply softly, and hearing you, Isagi feels his heart beat even harder. You have lightened the burden of his words by acknowledging something he had always been afraid to say aloud. “I've noticed, you're not exactly... discreet,” you add, and a soft, sparkling chuckle escapes from you, causing his muscles to tense with a current of excitement and nerves. Then, leaning in just barely close, you tell him in a low, expectant voice, “I don't think it's strange. But I want to hear, exactly, what you think.”

Those last words hang in the air between you, and he feels a current of honesty and vulnerability begin to work its way up his throat.

Isagi stands still for a long second, as if searching for the right words or perhaps thinking about what he's about to do. You wish you could read what's hidden behind those big blue eyes that always look at you so tenderly.

Slowly, his gaze descends to your thighs, and his fingers begin to gently caress them up and down. The skin under his fingers feels incredibly soft, the gentle rubbing of your after-shower lotion sliding under his palms. With his thumbs, he begins to trace small circles that seem to accompany the rhythm of his next words.

“I want to kiss them,” he confesses, a pause in his voice as his eyes lift to meet yours. Then he hesitates a moment longer. “I want to leave marks with my teeth on them. I wanna-” His voice grows more confident, his touch becomes a little firmer, and his hands move to the edge of his shirt, which barely covers your core.

“You can say it,” you encourage him, moistening your lips in anticipation.

“I want to fuck them,” he says, holding your gaze. For a moment, your gazes intertwine in silence, and without a word, you seek his fingers with yours, gently guiding them to slide deeper, higher, closer to the edge of your panties.

“You can do whatever you want with them,” you whisper sweetly, an invitation full of trust.

Then, without further hesitation, he leans into you, kissing you with a passion that hides neither fear nor shame. You let him melt in your mouth, his lips molding yours with a voracious calm, taking the lead in the kiss as he always does, guiding each movement with overwhelming confidence as two of his fingers massage your clit through your soaked panties.

The kiss is sloppy and a little messy, unhurried, but with the precise intensity that anticipates what is to come. His tongue brushes yours in an intimate dance, and the murmur of the fan, along with the everyday noises of his apartment, fade away, drowned out by your moans and his. Gently, he lays you down on the mattress, where the only sound is the rustling of the sheets as they become disheveled.

Isagi pauses for a moment observing the way the edge of your shirt along with your skirt rises above your thighs, exposing the pink lingerie you are wearing. The fabric is barely tangled at your navel, and with a slight smile, he leans down to kiss one of your calves.

“Cute,” he murmurs, his lips still pressed to your skin. You, biting your lip, try to hide a teasing smile. “Are you sure?” he asks you, his eyes searching for some shadow of doubt on your face.

You nod confirming to him that you don't feel like backing out, letting out an eager sigh that fills your lungs. He leans over to the bedside table, looking for something in one of the drawers. Finally, he pulls out a small bottle of oil and drops a generous amount into his hands, rubbing them together to warm it before he begins massaging your thighs. His thumbs press and glide close to your core, brushing against the line of your panties without actually touching you creating that aching anticipation.

“Feels good...” you murmur, letting your hips rise instinctively, seeking more of that delicious pressure.

“Yeah? I can tell. You're soaking your panties, baby.”

Before you can say anything, Isagi moves with an agility that takes you by surprise. In a single, fluid motion, his shirt drops to the floor, quickly followed by his shorts. The sight of his worked torso and him covered only by tight boxers takes your breath away, making any coherent thoughts instantly disappear. It's not the first time you've seen him like this, but it's the first time he's done it while on top of you. 

With a fresh portion of oil that he drops into his hand, he slides the liquid down his cock, droplets that he will later take care of wiping slip down to the sheets, and then he takes your thighs and squeezes them together, creating a perfect space to slide between them. 

A deep, pleasure-laden growl escapes his lips as he leans forward, resting his forehead on your knees, his warm breath coursing across your skin. You feel the firm, steady pressure of his movements, the rush of his thrusts sliding you subtly over the surface of the mattress. Your feet rest flat against his chest, and the position only intensifies every sensation that passes through your body. The sound of the oil mixed with the rhythm of his strokes fills the room with a rhythmic, intoxicating gush.

It is exquisite to see Isagi lost in this ecstasy, his thrusts are slow and deep giving you a glimpse of the pink tip of his cock peeking between your thighs. He is completely absorbed in you. Deep, halting moans escape his lips with increasing frequency, and he keeps his intense, clouded gaze fixed intently on you. His eyes seem to search for every detail that tells him you're enjoying this too as he lifts his face, and the dark locks of his messy hair over his forehead give him an almost primal look. Every sign on him, from the tremor in his shoulders to the firmness with which he holds you, is a clear warning of how close he is to his limit.

Isagi adjusts you carefully, bending your knees so that every push of his cock rubs not only against the pressure of your thighs, but also against the soggy softness of your panties. The reddened, sensitive tip of his dick brushes the bud of your clit with every movement, further igniting the gasps that escape you, where his name slips on every exhale and his chest swells with raw pride.

“You're so pretty. Such a pretty girl, letting me fuck your thighs like this, ugh? Attagirl. My good girl.” The words, spoken in a low, almost reverent tone, sweep over you like a caress and light up your face, at the same time your thighs instinctively clench around him, earning a groan of approval from Isagi.

Eager to intensify the bond between the two of you, you lift up your shirt until your breasts, barely covered by a light pink bra that stands out against your skin, are in full view. The semi-transparent fabric reveals your hardened nipples that make Isagi's mouth water, and as you begin to caress them, tugging at them, Isagi's eyes glisten with desire as he curses between clenched teeth.

"You think you can cum like this? With my cock rubbing against your covered pussy, hm?”

“I-,” you gasp, tugging a little harder on your nipples as you imagine it's his fingers doing it. “I can try,” you whisper, feeling the arousal slide between your pussy lips with each rub.

The tension grows in your abdomen with every second, every caress and every word from him, like a spiral that pulls you mercilessly. “I think... I'm gonna cum,” you confess between ragged breaths.

“Do it, please. I can't cum without you cumming first.” Isagi pauses for just a moment, releasing your numb thighs to push your panties aside and reveal the trail of desire he left in you. Without wasting time, his fingers find your clit and caress it with precision, moving from side to side, causing you to arch your back, lifting you into his caresses. ”C'mon, baby. Give it to me, pretty please.”

His words, soft and possessive, are the last spark you need, and in a burst of pleasure you cover your face with your hands, trying to silence the scream escaping your throat as your thighs tremble uncontrollably under the intensity of your orgasm. He responds with tender kisses, covering every corner of your skin within his reach as he stops assaulting your sensitive clit to then massage your skin.

He pulls you to him, kissing you with a mixture of tenderness and passion. As his lips play with yours, your hand finds his cock, still throbbing, ready and warm against your belly. Without hesitation, you begin to jerk him off with steady rhythm, catching his moans and whispers on your tongue, until finally his release comes. With a deep shudder, his orgasm explodes, leaving a string of heavy white ropes painting your tummy. 

Between deep breaths, you both share one last complicit giggle before Isagi drops down beside you. Small beads of sweat cover his temples and chest.

“That was amazing,” he murmurs, caressing your cheek gently. His blue eyes fixed on yours, trapping you in that ocean.

Biting your lip, you nod. “Let's do it again,” you whisper with a playful giggle. “Next time, I want you inside.”

Isagi holds his breath for a moment, taken aback by the audacity of your words. But excitement quickly replaces any hint of nerves, and in one swift movement, he positions himself on top of you again, making you chuckle with his enthusiasm.

“Are you ready again already?” he joins in as an accomplice to your laughter, with a playful glint in his eyes.

“And you're not?” he murmurs, hiding in the line of your jaw, leaving a trail of kisses leading down to your neck.

“First, water and a movie,” you propose, stroking his hair and the action instantly makes him purr. “I wanna cuddle with you.”

“Anything else you're craving?” he asks, pulling away a little with a silly grin, completely uninhibited.

“A massage would be nice, you left me a little sore.”

Isagi nods, with obvious kindness. “I'm gonna order something sweet for the both of us too; I'm very hungry all of a sudden.”

Just as he gets ready to get up in search of his phone, you stop him, intertwining your fingers with his and gently catching his attention. Isagi looks at you intently, expectantly.

“I love you,” you whisper, and the raw sincerity in your words makes the moment go on forever, making it another memory Isagi will cling to when he's away from home.

He smiles at you, the sparkle in his eyes intensifying. “I love you more,” he replies, gently squeezing your hand. 

[buck-star]

Marshmallow lover | B.B & S.R

>> Bucky comes home from a mission, flashbacks are brought back. But luckily you know what Bucky needs to clam down. Not only you and Steve but also hot chocolate. <<

Pairing: Boyfriend!Bucky Barnes x Boyfriend!Steve Rogers x Girlfriend!Reader

Wordcount: 2.852 Words

Warnings: poly-relationship, m/m/f, established relationship, anxiety/panic, mention of punching), nicknames (babydoll, princess, majesty), fluff

Authors Note: Dedicated to @mercurial-chuckles. Cause you asked for Stucky, hehe. I had another idea but I just haven’t had enough motivation or ideas to write it. So I hope you like that one anyway.

Events: Stucky Bingo [SB6010 | B3 | Writing Format: second person + November Prompt: Home | @stuckybingo] Steve Rogers Bingo [SB4054 | C3 | Free Space | @steverogersbingo]

Masterlist | Stucky x Reader Masterlist

It was one of these early winter days, where the weather wasn't too cold but you could already feel the breeze the winter was bringing with itself. The air was cool; your hands would have been ice blocks already, but luckily your boyfriend was holding one of them, and the other has been stuck in your pocket since the two of you left the house.

Actually, the two of you thought about staying home until Bucky came home — from the mission — in the evening. But when Bucky told you that he wouldn't be home before the late evening, Steve decided to force you in a loving way to go shopping with him. He knew you loved decoration, so it was the best opportunity to make you leave the house and have some fun with him. Otherwise, you would have sat in the hallway, watching the front door until Bucky walked inside.

It happened once, and both of your men made sure that they would distract you if the other one was on a mission and came home late. Of course, they understood why you acted like that; it was weird to have one of you not in bed at night or missing at the table during meals. Even watching television was different if one of them was on a mission — which didn't happen often anymore.

But after the last time you refused to leave the spot in the hallway unless you had to use the bathroom, Steve took you shopping this time. And luckily, he managed to get your mind off of the fact that Bucky could be injured when he came home. Even though you seemed distracted, Steve felt a little restless; he knew you felt the same, but he just hoped the decoration was distracting enough for you. Little did he know that you hoped the same for him, because deep down, you wanted to return home to make sure that Bucky was fine once he came home. But you tried to calm yourself; Bucky could call you once he was home, and he could take care of himself for a bit too. Plus, he sometimes even enjoyed having a moment just for himself after some missions.

When you had some items you wanted and were happy with, you and Steve made your way back home. It was just a short walk, but the later it got, the colder it was. You were shivering, and Steve's strong arm around your waist and his muscular body pressed against your side didn't help much to warm you up. “You know, my tooth...” you chuckled softly, moving them inside your shoes even though you didn't really feel them because of the cold anymore. “They are pretty cold. Guess they would fall off if I bumped them.”

“Then we get you home pretty fast. Don't want your toes to fall off. Bucky wouldn't like that either," Steve joked, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your hair. The two of you didn't talk much; there was no need. It was just the closeness to one another, the happiness and love that you felt whenever you were close to your boyfriends. So you just walked quietly along the streets with him, the sky slowly darkening, and you were glad you were almost home already.

After a few more minutes of walking, you finally walked into the warm house. It was almost a burning feeling on your skin, and you hissed softly. Steve had to shove you into the house, or else you would probably have walked backwards and out of the warmth back into the cold. He chuckled behind you, his calloused hands holding you by your waist before pushing you further into the hallway so he was able to close the door behind you.

“It's warm, isn't it? Maybe it’s because you're surrounded by such hot men.” Steve laughed softly, taking your jacket, before he took off his own jacket and shoes. You narrowed your eyes when you walked further into your house, looking around to find Bucky. You were sure he was home; his shoes were in the hallway where they belonged. But instead of your boyfriend coming immediately to greet the two of you, he was nowhere to be seen. Steve's voice interrupted your thoughts before you could even start to worry. “Maybe he's in the bedroom; he loves showers after a mission. While you look for him, I'm gonna make some hot chocolate for us.”

You nodded, pecking Steve's lips softly, before you turned away to walk to your shared bedroom. You didn't hear any noises, neither the shower nor Bucky looking through the wardrobe to find something comfortable to wear. You tried as best as you could to not worry about him. Bucky was sometimes pretty quiet, especially after missions. It was almost like he had to get used to home again to know he wasn't on a mission any longer.

The door of your bedroom was almost closed, but you saw a little part of the bed, the small bedside table, and a hint of something else — feet. Or it was more the toes that were curled, like they were the only part that was holding him grounded. You pushed the door open, looking to the side where Bucky was sitting. Your eyes widened as you saw him curled up into himself. His knees were pressed against his chest, his hands properly bruising his skin already, while his eyes were unfocused. Bucky was just staring into the air with a fearful expression on his handsome face.

You slowly walked closer to him, unsure what to do. Sweat was running down his forehead; even his hair was sweaty, and his clothes were stuck to him like a second skin — soaked in sweat. You're not sure how long he was sitting there like that; his teeth gritted, his jaw clenched, and you noticed his other muscles being more visible than usual through his clothes. Bucky was tense like he was still in a fight, and in a certain way he was — but instead of fighting against some people like Hydra, he was fighting his own battle with himself, with his fear in his mind.

“Bucky?” You asked softly, your voice just above a whisper when you kneeled down in front of him. There was still some distance, so he wasn't able to reach you if he would punch or kick. You have seen Steve in such situations with Bucky before; he had to take the one or another punch already — which caused Bucky to feel even more guilty after. But Steve always assured him that it's not as bad as it looks and that it would never change anything about the way he feels for Bucky or sees his boyfriend. And even though he never hurt you, Bucky was always sorry that you had to see him struggling so much with his nightmares and flashbacks from the past — you never judged him; you only loved him more when he couldn't love himself.

Bucky didn't react when you called him by his name. His fingers only tightened around his legs. You wanted to reach out, but you know you shouldn't. Bucky once had his hand around Steve's throat the moment his fingertips brushed along his lover's leg. And you knew Steve was stronger than you; he had struggled to get the other super soldier off of him, so you were pretty sure Bucky would crash you before you could even call for Steve. And both told you to never call Steve for help; they trust and love you, but they were too worried about you — and Bucky would never be okay with himself again if he would hurt you. And you understood it.

After another time calling him by his name but getting no answer, you sigh softly. Tears slowly formed in his eyes, rolling down his cheeks, and everything inside of you screamed to wipe them away, to pull him into you, but you were too afraid to scare him even more. So, you decided to make the only thing that came as an alternative solution to your mind — Steve.

From the time you walked into the bedroom to the moment you got up to walk to the door and shout for Steve, only a few minutes passed. But for you, it felt like at least twenty minutes, not being able to help Bucky and not wanting to leave his side while you tried to come up with something that could help without Steve's help.

You opened the door of your shared bedroom a bit more, looking out into the hallway. “Steve!” You shouted, earning immediately a soft ‘Yes.’ from him. He was still making the hot chocolate, but he was worried the moment you shouted his name instead of coming into the kitchen with Bucky. “I—I need you here. Or Bucky needs you... WE NEED YOU.”

Steve would have chuckled about your wording, but he knew that this wasn’t a situation to laugh about. He immediately turned off everything that could burn. His footsteps were loud and heavy when he walked to your shared bedroom. He noticed you looking out of the door, narrowing his eyes when he didn't see Bucky close to you. The big grump was actually holding you close, hugging, carrying, or kissing you the whole time. But right now, it was only you who waited for him to come to the bedroom.

"Where's Buck? Are you okay? Did he… What's wrong?” Steve asked, not even letting you a moment to answer. You brought your hand to his cheek, stroking it softly before giving him a slight, soft smile. He knew you didn't feel like you tried to show, but he knew you did it to calm the two of you down. It wouldn't help any of you to freak out or be more worried. After a moment, you take your hand away, taking a step to the side, and letting Steve walk into the room.

“He doesn't react when I talk to him. I-I don't know what I can do, but you... You trailed off, watching Steve's eyes widen as he saw your boyfriend looking like a lost puppy. You watched him walk over to Bucky, pulling you with him before Steve pushed you to sit down on the bed, and he kneeled down in front of Bucky. Steve was way closer than you were earlier, and you pulled your knees up, hugging them while you watched your boyfriends intensely. “You know what to do, right?”

Steve nodded, smiling softly. He turned his head back to Bucky, placing his hand on the brown-haired man's knees. Bucky hissed; his metal hand shot up to place a punch into Steve's pretty face, but he caught Bucky's hand. Steve held Bucky's hand tightly, trying to force his hand back down, and after a moment it even worked. You watched them with slightly parted lips; when did Steve find out how to catch Bucky's hand — especially his metal hand?

“Buck, it's me. It's Steve. You're home; do you hear me?” Steve asked, his voice soft. He ran his thick fingers slowly up and down the side of Bucky's thigh. He leaned a bit closer; his other hand was still holding Bucky's metal hand, and you wonder if Bucky was trying to punch him with his other hand but he didn't. “You're home, with me and our princess. You know, your babydoll.”

Bucky gasped softly, his eyes wider than before. His hands made grabbing motions, and Steve smiled softly, feeling Bucky being less tense than he was just a moment ago. Steve let go of his boyfriend's metal hand, using his hand to wipe away some sweat from Bucky's forehead.

“Hi, Buck,” he chuckled. Bucky slowly calmed down, noticing his surroundings. Bucky was slowly letting go of his legs, stretching them slowly between Steve's legs while his head fell forward against Steve's shoulder. “You're home; we are home. We got ya. Scared our princess a bit.”

“My babydoll?” Bucky's voice was hoarse and quiet, but Steve understood him anyway. He slowly nodded, caressing Bucky wet strands. Steve then turned his head to you, nodding at Bucky and mouthing that he just asked for you before he even asked anything else. “My babydoll, my Stevie.”

“We’re here, Buck. Do you want her to come closer as well, or do you need a moment?” Steve asked softly. He knew — you both knew — that Bucky was still pretty shaken up and that he could use some time to calm down or that he needed to feel the two of you, to smell the two of you, and to see the two of you to calm down completely.

Since the brown-haired man didn't really trust his voice, he only lifted his hand, making a grabby hand into the direction of the bed where you were still sitting. His other hand was interlaced with Steves, holding him close to Bucky. You slowly moved down from the bed; your knees were cracking softly when you stretched them out, and Steve laughed softly.

“Thought we were old, but you're cracking just like we do,” he told you, smirking before he moved a bit to the side to make space for you in front of Bucky. You rolled your eyes, moving closer to Bucky, but before you could have even said anything or moved another inch, he pulled you into his lap. You were straddling his thick thighs, your chest pressed against his.

Bucky hid his face in the crock of your neck, pulling Steve against his side so the two of you — the two people he loved the most, who meant everything to him — were as close as possible to him. After a moment of comfortable silence, he lifted his head. He was still sweaty, but his ocean blue eyes were brightened, and the sparkle you and Steve loved so much were visible again. A soft smile was tugging at Bucky's lips, causing you to smile as well. He leaned closer, pecking your lips before he did the same with Steve, sighing softly.

“Hi,” he chuckled, resting his head on your shoulder once again. “Missed you two. Do I smell hot chocolate?”

Both you and Steve laughed softly. When it came to hot chocolate, especially with marshmallows, you had to be faster than Bucky, or else he — accidentally — drank everything before you even reached the kitchen.

“Mhm, it’s probably cold again, but I can warm it up while you get a shower, sweaty,” Steve teased, using the nickname on purpose instead of ‘sweety’. Bucky rolled his eyes, growling softly, but he then nodded. Steve wasn't wrong; he felt like he had already taken a shower, but this time with his own sweat. “We got some marshmallows, and our princess got a lot of decorations.”

You nodded; your eyes lit up as you opened your mouth to start and explain what you got and why you got it. Bucky chuckled, loving your excitement. But he wanted you to show him and explain it while the three of you would be sitting wrapped up in a blanket on the couch with hot chocolate and marshmallows. So he pressed his lips onto yours before you could even start to tell him more about it.

“But I'm taking my babydoll to take a shower with me,” Bucky grumbled, and there he was again. Your Bucky, the love of your and Steve’s lives who never let go of you, who needed to be close to you, needed to kiss you and just show you all the love and affection. Of course, he did the same with Steve too, but he had another task, so it was you who was going to join him in the shower. “Plus, need her to wash my hair. Feels so much better when she massages the shampoo into my hair with her soft hands.”

“Of course you do,” Steve chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to Bucky and then your forehead before he got up to get the chocolate ready. Bucky opened his mouth, but Steve turned around, smirking at him. “Yeah, with as many marshmallows as you wish, my majesty.”

“Good boy.” Bucky grinned at Steve, who suddenly blushed and turned away. “Mission completed, making Stevie blush. Now, my next mission is to get you into the shower with me. Mhm, missed you. I love you so much, babydoll. And you too, Steve, I know you're standing in the hallway.”

“I love you too,” you say in unison with Steve, who then made his way down the hallway back to the kitchen. Bucky got up, keeping you in his arms before he walked with you to the bathroom, getting the two of you into the shower. It wasn't just cleaning him; it was a lot more Bucky being possessive and touch-starved, and you were his solution — you were gladly his way to get touches and be happy when it meant kisses, hugs, soft touches, and all the compliments you loved so much to hear from your boyfriends.

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[imageingrunge]

A needlessly thorough review of DATV so I can move on with my life:

WHAT I LIKED:

The story pacing flows better without all that open world slog from DAI I am not bombarded by 50 side quests that have no baring on anything other than rp flavor

The game is pretty, CC is nice

They gave you far more opportunities to flesh out your Rook's background than in DAI and da2 but it's not as fun has having a mini origin story from DAO

no fall damage and if u run out of a combat zone ur companions follow u too

Hossberg wetlands really remind me of dragon age awakenings and I like the way the blight looks there, it gave me a nice nostalgic feeling for the older games

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE (IN DETAIL)

Voice Acting & Dialogue

It is really hard to be invested in a game that feels the need to recap everything you just experienced from 5 minutes ago, (verging on insulting my intelligence) and the silliest part is while i do hate this I got so checked out after act 2 I needed the recap 

A lot of the dialogue and banter is just empty small talk and meaningless pleasantries that sucked the life out of me, had me longing for the days of hearing Ohgren's beer belches reverberate off the walls in the deep roads:

 Voice acting is really consistent, I hated it when you never knew how your inquisitor would sound in DAI sometimes too serious for a funny comment or like yelling at Cassandra and cullen over nothing - Rook is more consistent but it comes at a loss of personality every line is uttered in the same annoying tone that had me being like damn can he stfu already (da2 was ideal voice acting for me if they cant deliver that again just go back to a voiceless protagonist)

Me whenever my rook opened his mouth: i was getting violent on that skip button

The dialogue between rook and their companions holds it back from being enjoyable at all really- here's some examples:

Emmerich's personal quest in act 2: "I want to do this immortality rite it's a very high honor in my order but rook I might die in the process permanently, I am an orphan and afraid of dying" Rook: "You could die?!?! That's awful". In Origins you can have a conversation with Wynn about her inevitable death and respond in a manner similar to rook and Wynn teases you by saying "well i'm not going to live for ever dear" it made me smile and sad about not being able to really help her. Did not feel that way Emmerich though, Im so uninterested in him as a character my response and feelings are "old people die all the time" and then 'wait why the fuck haven't you done this immortality ritual yet instead dragging me over here to collect some flowers"

Companions & Romance

the flirt options aren't all that flirty, its just rook being nice, all the romance content seems behind a 'romance locked in' moment (that comes in so late in the game u already forgot who u were even flirting with at times) so you can't hop ur way from one bed to another before deciding on 'the forever one' (remember when I could ride the iron bull then break up and be with Cullen- I don't think that’s an option here)

The companions are all pretty forgettable, I did everyone's personal quest (with the exception of Taash tried to kill a dragon for them n failed so bad i just moved on) and forgot there was even an approval system with them or that I was supposed to pick choices for them. It felt like i was on a train going in one direction where it did not matter what I said or did to them they would be fine. It’s like I've lost and gained nothing by doing these quests. The deepest thing I learned about Emmerich is that he is a 50 yr old orphan scared of dying. And it makes me not care all that much about them beyond “I just need you to function enough to get me to the end of the game sure Taash embrace being Rivaini, yes Harding live peacefully w that Titan shit inside you idc… Lucanis..ahh what was ur issue again I forget”

I made Lucanis live peacefully with Spite (stuck as an abomination that's supposed to be as volatile as Anders & Justice) Let Emmerich become a lich and no one batted an eye. Everyone just heehee haw hawing over Emmerich's new skeleton form and I forget about spite a lot unless he comments on something i've killed. Was there supposed to be some moral quandary? to make Emmerich a lich I had to "kill off" Manfred... the walking skeleton who might as well have been a rock with a pair of googly eyes attached to him for all i care

I don’t want to help Bellara light funeral pyres in a puzzle game play style that isnt a deep message about death. I want Aveline's speech about reading her favorite book to her dying father after hawke lost thier mother.

For Neve's romance, it took the whole world falling part and everyone dying for her to kiss me for a 2 time and then pity fuck me and afterword she’s like I’m leaving don’t want to be too distracting. All these lines carry no weight like bad actors w no chemistry

jaw on the floor comparing this (first time I said "i love you" to neve)

to the first time I said it to cullen and how he treats u before the big battle

I get that she isn't lovey dovey but at 70 hrs in and 2 kisses it feels like she just dont love me </3

Combat - as a spellblade mage*

combat was this weird mix of sometimes fun sometimes a new and unique form of human torture (wydm press shift 4 times n hold down e then press V C and 2 IM ON A KEYBOARD!) Once u make it past level 20 u are immortal but ur enemies are sponges I dreaded every single dragon fight despite that being my favorite thing to do in DAI. Don't ever want to see another Ogre in my life they body me into corners that hitting space can't save me from.

At some point u just gotta run around the place a lot hoping ur companions can do the damage for you bc the mobs aren’t interested in them at all. i was spamming 2 n slamming on that E key hopping it would be over n done with already, If i wanted to play a flashy monster hunter game, well then id play tw3 at least that combat is fun.

Lore & Story building

At the end of Trespasser, I was under the impression that the conflict in DATV would revolve around solas amassing an army of elves all over Thedas to rebel against the Evanuris. He had a whole network of Spies working against the Inquisition and the Antaam, and planned to restore the elven people, upend their religious views, and try to tear down the veil as a way of atonement. So I was understanding of there only being 3 import choices ( 1- who you romanced, 2- Save or redeem Solas 3- Disband or Keep inquisition). But that's not the story we get; instead its this??

The veil jumpers are like engineering mages with no ties to Solas beyond being an elves. There is no religious struggle they just seem to accept that these Gods have always been evil and need to be stopped. Solas is just a one man army trapped in the fade off screen for like 70% of the game. Should I have just kept the inquisition around after all? The only mention I got was my disbanded inquisition choice was inky going "my name still carries weight in southern thedas" and it seemed like disbanding or keeping it would have an affect on how easy or hard it would be to stop Solas but no it really doesn't at all

“It doesn’t feel like a Dragon Age game”

A criticism I rarely take seriously because that can mean so many different things? Like what is it the atmosphere? The aesthetics? The “dArK fAnTasy” none of these things have ever stayed consistent in any dragon age game. And I’d say DA franchise lost its teeth/edge when dai rolled around it was pretty light in the world of dark fantasy

However…theyre kinda right this time around....

It doesn’t feel like a dragon age game because they removed a lot of the lore your were exposed to in the previous games to the point where this might as well be another game all together. (i am not even a lore nerd but i do need something there to feel like i am in a dragon age game)

Yes the city is named Minrathos you were are told of its cultural significance and history as the seat of the empire but looks like a shittier version of kirkwall (and I kept getting lost going around the map so I hated it even more for wasting my time) Honestly the city felt super high tech and out of place in a fantasy setting imo, I missed it when everyone lived in a wooden hovel in the middle of the woods.

There is no reason for the venatori to follow Elgarnan and ghilian'nan or for the Qunari either but it all gets hand waved away with "they offered us power"

Reading the Inquisitors letters made me feel like im in a spinoff game and the real story is happening somewhere else. And sad to like baby take me with you!! i want to save u from this nightmare

A lot of the factions are sanitized to the point of being boring Darvin's little 'we're warden we don't do blood magic that's just not right" baby I let the wardens sacrifice elves to Corphyeus 3 weeks ago :/

Qunari Culture

So the whole reason you were fighting the Antaam in DAI was because they believed you were in cahoots with Solas, who's whole plan to them is to sow chaos and disorder- that is a HUGE no no in the Qun so they see it as their sacred duty to stop you. The Qunari we meet in DATV mindless npc mooks who attack you not because your with Solas but because the Evil elven gos promised them uhh power n shit for stopping you. Like I know I did not just waste my time in DAI reading about how egalitarian the Qun is everyone is like a Hive, they depend on each other so selfishness is rooted out so wtf was going on in Treviso with these guys. A whole culture decimated down to being darkspawn mobs part 2

What made me never want to play another DA game ever again:

Everything you ever did in Orlais, Ferelden, Kirkwall is pointless. No matter what the last letter from the Inquistor is "yeah the blight reached the south Denerim is gone, ferelden is blighted beyond repair, we took back Skyhold but barely. The Venatori disposed of whoever you put in charge of Orlais and there's giant leviathans rising out the sea in Ostwick"  There is no conclusion to this it's just the state of the world now

I cant even pretend my non solas romanced Inky is happy and safe after all this? My hof and Alistar might as well be dead for all that it ever mattered. I get that the devs wanted a clean slate but did they have to burn my house down and salt the fields? It feels so spiteful and mean, like they wanted to make a whole separate game and tack on the "dragon age" title to it for money. If they're not interested in the lore or world building why should I? it made me fully checked out of the rest of the story. Like damn idgaf about elgar'nan and the other one give me back Redcliff

TLDR I dont know if i should be sad that I still care about this or glad its over either way im blocking all datv tags n moving on

[estellan0vella]

She's Not Afraid: S. Cb Seo Changbin x fem!reader (College AU)

WC: 14.6K

CW: Epilepsy, mentions of seizures, pre-established flirtationship, threats

General Masterlist SKZ Masterlist

The Alpha Phi frat house buzzes with energy, a chaotic blend of booze, pizza, and loud banter filling the air. Pizza boxes are stacked haphazardly across the coffee table, each one a testament to a night of indulgence, and empty beer cans are forming small aluminium mountains along the edges of the room. The sectional couch sprawls in the centre, faded and worn from years of use, now populated by an assortment of sprawled-out figures. Each guy claims his own messy corner, stretched out, slouched, or slumped, depending on how many drinks they're in.

Changbin's the centrepiece, arms flung out with a half-eaten slice of pepperoni pizza in one hand and a half-crushed beer can in the other. His legs are stretched across the coffee table, blocking anyone who dares reach across for a slice. He takes a massive bite, barely noticing Jisung leaning over, his hand sneaking toward the box of wings.

"Dude, pass the wings," Jisung mutters, barely waiting for a response before reaching over. Felix's eyes narrow, and he pulls the wings closer, almost hugging the box.

"Back off, these are mine," Felix snaps, hugging the box to his chest with a mock possessiveness.

Jisung rolls his eyes, slumping back onto the couch, though he snags a random slice off the table in retaliation. "Mate, you act like I'm about to devour all your food or something."

Seungmin snorts, popping open a fresh beer. "As if you don't already eat half of everything in the house. We'd have more food if you didn't inhale it."

Hyunjin chuckles, one arm lazily draped over the back of the couch. He's reclined in a way that screams effortless cool, as if he was born lounging like this. "Let's be real, if we let him, Jisung would clear this table and ask what's for dessert."

"Shut it, Hwang," Jisung mutters, smirking as he crumples a napkin and tosses it in Hyunjin's direction. It misses, but the attempt is enough to get a round of laughs from the guys.

Across the room, Chan leans back, his head resting against the back of the couch as he glances at Changbin, a smirk tugging at his lips. "So, Changbin," he begins, eyes gleaming with mischief. "How's it going with that pretty girl from the gym?"

Changbin nearly chokes on his pizza, the slice wobbling in his hand as his face turns a shade darker. He swallows quickly, clearing his throat and trying to play it cool. "She's, y'know, shy. I mean, we talk music sometimes and trade song recommendations. She's got a Cocker Spaniel named Lady, and she talks about her dog like it's her child."

"Cute," Jeongin says, smirking. "But are you just planning to talk about dogs forever, or what?"

Changbin rolls his eyes, though he can't hide a small smile. "Shut up. She spots me sometimes when I'm lifting, but she's always doing cardio. It's not like we're, I dunno, running marathons together or something."

Felix wipes his fingers on his jeans, finally looking up from the box of wings. "You could make her a playlist. Like, a joint one. Gives you an excuse to ask for her number."

Changbin tilts his head, considering it. "That's not actually a bad idea. Could be a move."

Jeongin leans in, grinning wider. "Or, even better, ask her to go on a run around the college track. She's into cardio, right? Just tell her you need help with your 'endurance.' You know, real subtle."

The group bursts into laughter, and Chan raises his beer can, smirking. "Hey, it's all about showing vulnerability, right? Maybe she'll appreciate seeing Changbin 'work on his endurance.'"

Changbin laughs, lifting his can to meet Chan's. "Yeah, because it's totally believable if I start asking for cardio tips." He takes a long drink, imagining just how awkward he'd make that conversation. Just as he's about to reply, a loud thud echoes down from the stairs.

They all turn, eyes landing on Minho, who's barreling down the stairs, phone pressed to his ear and panic etched across his face. He's got one arm in a jacket, the other sleeve dangling as he frantically tries to shove his feet into his shoes mid-step, nearly tripping over the bottom stair.

"Minho, where the hell are you going?" Chan asks, brows furrowing as Minho hops on one foot, jamming his other shoe on.

Minho barely hears him, snapping into the phone. "Which hospital? Of course, I'm coming, you idiot. I'm your emergency contact, aren't I?" He's wrestling with his shoe, balancing the phone on his shoulder while trying to keep his jacket from slipping off.

The guys exchange confused looks, their laughter fading. Jisung leans forward, concern in his eyes. "Dude, what's happening?"

Minho huffs, his tone exasperated as he continues speaking into the phone. "No, you're not a hassle. You know you can't be alone for twenty-four hours after a seizure." He glances up, his gaze landing on the others as he mouths an apology. "Guys, mind if I bring a friend back here for the night? She can't be alone, and she needs a place to crash."

Chan nods immediately. "No problem, Minho. Bring her over, whatever you need."

Relief softens Minho's expression, though he's still wired with worry. He mutters a quick "thanks" before returning to the phone. "I've got your bag of clean clothes. Just stay there, alright? You're not going anywhere without me." He disappears into a small closet by the stairs, pulling out a duffel bag with one hand.

Jisung's eyes widen, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Oh, so that's why you've got a bag of women's clothes stashed away. Here I was thinking you'd eventually admit you look hot in a dress."

Minho throws Jisung a glare, clearly not in the mood. "Shut up, Jisung. It's not like that."

Jisung shrugs, unbothered. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say, man."

Minho gives the guys a final nod of thanks, then bolts out the door, the duffel bag swinging at his side. As the door clicks shut behind him, there's a brief silence, a palpable shift in the atmosphere.

Felix breaks it with a soft laugh, shaking his head. "He's wound up as hell. You can tell he's worried."

"Yeah," Chan murmurs, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Not often you see him like that."

Seungmin smirks, watching the door where Minho just disappeared. "Guess Minho's got a soft spot after all."

Changbin stretches, letting out a long sigh as he finishes his beer. "Don't act like you're all cold-hearted, Seungmin. You're softer than you let on."

Seungmin rolls his eyes, grabbing another slice of pizza, though there's a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Fuck off, Changbin." 

The conversation drifts back to the usual topics. Football, weekend plans, and tales of their latest misadventures. But each of them, in the back of their minds, is wondering about Minho and this friend of his who apparently means enough to him to turn him into a bundle of nerves.

An hour and a half has passed since Minho bolted out the door, and though the pizza boxes are mostly empty and the beer supply has dwindled, no one really seems in the mood to keep partying. They're all sprawled out in their usual spots, but the rowdy energy from earlier has fizzled out, replaced by a quiet, anxious sort of anticipation. 

Felix, who's been mindlessly tapping his fingers against the side of his empty beer can, finally breaks the silence. "Did any of you guys know Minho had a friend with epilepsy?"

There's a general murmur of head shakes and shrugs, and Changbin raises an eyebrow, scratching the back of his head. "Honestly, no clue. Minho's always been kinda private, though. He's not exactly the type to overshare."

"Yeah, but still," Felix mutters, his voice softer now, almost concerned. "You'd think he'd at least mention it if he had a friend dealing with something serious like that."

Seungmin leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he thinks it over. "Maybe he kept her away intentionally. Some people with epilepsy have seizures triggered by stress or overstimulation. Let's be real, this house isn't exactly a chill place. Between Jisung's chaotic energy and, well, all of us, we'd probably set her off within five minutes."

Jisung snorts, nudging Seungmin with his elbow. "Hey, I resent that. My 'chaotic energy' is a national treasure."

"Right, and pizza grease is a vitamin," Seungmin deadpans, shooting him a look. "Point is, it makes sense why he wouldn't bring her around."

Chan sighs, running a hand through his hair as he takes in the group. "Alright, listen up. When Minho gets back, we're keeping things calm, got it? No wild shit, no random loud noises. She's gonna need a quiet space, and if Minho trusts us enough to bring her here, we owe it to him to not screw it up."

Jeongin raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms with a slight smirk. "Us? Calm? You're asking for a miracle here, Captain."

Chan's eyes narrow, though there's a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Yes, Jeongin. Calm. And if you can't manage that, you can go hide upstairs."

Jeongin scoffs but doesn't argue. "Hey, I can do calm. Don't underestimate me just 'cause I look like trouble."

The tension eases a bit with the exchange, and Chan lets out a small chuckle, nodding around the room. "Good. So let's make it work, yeah?"

Across the room, Jisung is sitting next to Changbin on the couch, his phone out as he scrolls through a series of articles. His face is serious, brows knit as he reads through a particularly lengthy section. "We should probably look up what to do for someone who's just had a seizure, right? Last thing we need is to be clueless and make things worse."

Changbin leans over to glance at the screen, squinting at the tiny font. "Good call. I mean, we've all seen medical dramas, but I don't think TV advice is gonna cut it here."

Seungmin, overhearing them, nods thoughtfully. "If she's here for the night, Minho'll probably want her close by. He might even stay up to keep an eye on her, just in case. Seizures can be unpredictable like that."

Jisung reads aloud, clearing his throat as he goes over a bulleted list. "Alright, here's what it says. 'After a seizure, people can feel disoriented, exhausted, or generally out of it. It's best to give them a calm, quiet environment, avoiding overwhelming them with noise or bright lights.'" He pauses, looking around at the group with a pointed expression. "In other words, we act like normal human beings and not frat house degenerates."

Changbin smirks. "I don't know if we've ever pulled that off, but I guess now's as good a time as any to try."

Jisung continues, tapping a highlighted section on his screen. "It says, 'Offer water or a light snack if they're feeling up to it. And don't make them feel self-conscious about what happened.'" He looks around, giving each of them a look. "No pity stares, no 'are you okay?' every five seconds. Just... be normal."

Hyunjin nods from his spot on the couch, his legs crossed as he leans back. "Makes sense. Last thing anyone wants after going through something intense is to feel like a sideshow. We just treat her like anyone else."

"Yeah," Jeongin chimes in, nodding. "Even if she's, like, passed out in Minho's bed or something, we just act normal."

Jisung scrolls down a bit more, his face softening as he reads on. "And here's another part: 'Some people experience memory loss or confusion afterward, so be patient if they're struggling with details or need a moment to get their bearings.' Basically, if she's out of it, we just go along with it."

Felix nods thoughtfully, fiddling with the tab on his beer can. "So, we go with the flow, no pressure, and we don't make her feel weird about any of it. Easy enough."

There's a pause, a moment of silence where everyone seems to take in the weight of the situation, and then Chan speaks up, his voice a touch quieter. "I never really thought about Minho having to deal with something like this. He always acts like nothing gets to him, but... this has gotta be hard."

Seungmin nods, looking toward the door. "Yeah. Minho can be an ass sometimes, but the fact that he's her emergency contact? That says a lot about how much he cares. He's got a real soft spot under all that attitude."

Felix's gaze shifts to the door, as though expecting Minho to walk back in at any second. "We're here for him. Even if he doesn't say it, he knows that."

Jisung looks up from his phone, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "Honestly, I'm surprised he asked for our help. Normally, he's pretty tight-lipped about his personal life."

Changbin leans back, folding his arms behind his head as he looks around. "Exactly. The fact that he's bringing her here means he trusts us. We can't mess this up."

The group exchanges nods, the usual teasing and laughter gone, replaced by a quiet resolve. They might be a chaotic bunch, but tonight, they're a family—and that means stepping up, even if it means breaking character.

Chan raises his empty can, gesturing around the room. "To keeping it calm. For Minho, and for his friend."

Everyone raises their cans, some of them empty, some nearly there, all of them mirroring Chan's gesture. A soft chuckle ripples through the room as they clink their imaginary toast, each of them understanding the weight of the words. For all the loudness, mess, and chaos, they're all on the same page tonight.

As they settle back, the living room falls into a comfortable quiet. Felix, leaning forward, glances around the dimly lit room. "So, what do we do now? Just sit and wait?"

"Pretty much," Chan replies, stretching his arms over his head. "We just keep things chill until they get here."

Changbin glances at the half-empty pizza box, nudging it toward Jisung. "Might as well polish this off. It's probably cold by now, but no sense letting it go to waste."

Jisung grins, snatching a slice. "I got no problem with that." He takes a big bite, chewing thoughtfully before glancing over at Seungmin. "Think Minho's gonna bring her right to his room?"

Seungmin nods. "If she's exhausted or out of it, yeah, he'll probably want her to rest right away. Best we can do is keep things low-key so she doesn't feel like she's walking into a zoo."

Jeongin kicks back, crossing his ankles on the coffee table. "It'll be a nice change of pace, honestly. Haven't had a chill night in... well, ever."

Felix laughs softly, leaning back with a small smile. "Guess we're all due for a breather anyway. Even if it's just for one night."

The front door opens, and you're barely aware of your surroundings as Minho helps guide you inside. Everything feels fuzzy like you're seeing the world through a foggy window. The lights in the frat house seem dim, yet they still make you squint. Your body feels heavy, your legs wobbly as Minho keeps a steadying arm around you.

"Someone help me get her on the couch," Minho says, his voice low but urgent.

In an instant, a few people spring into action. You recognize Jeongin vaguely as he comes up to help you, his hands gentle as they guide you to the couch. Changbin and another guy you don't recognize stand up quickly, making room for you. Someone with soft blond hair and warm eyes, drops a pillow down, fluffing it as you're slowly eased onto the couch. The softness is welcome against your back, and you sink into it, feeling a wave of exhaustion overtake you.

You feel someone tuck the pillow under your head, and though you're too disoriented to say thanks, the small, comforting gesture settles something in your chest. Your vision swims, and you blink slowly, vaguely taking in the faces around you.

Changbin leans over to the guy with the dark, undercut hair. His voice is barely a whisper, but you catch it, somehow. "That's the gym girl."

The guy next to him, who looks like he has "leader" written all over him, raises an eyebrow. "No shit?"

Changbin nods, glancing at you with a mix of surprise and intrigue. "Yeah."

"Huh," the guy replies, his smirk evident. "Small world, huh? Your gym crush just happens to be Minho's secret friend who you talk to about music and her dog."

You blink, realizing only vaguely that Changbin's familiar, but in this dazed state, you can't quite make sense of where you know him from. You don't have the energy to figure it out, either. Everything feels too heavy, like your head is stuffed with cotton, and you barely register what's going on around you. The voices of the guys blend together in a comforting hum, like a lullaby, as you try to focus on Minho's face.

One of the guys who had helped you onto the couch, observes you carefully. "She looks kind of out of it," he comments, his voice soft.

Minho nods as he settles next to you on the couch, his shoulder a familiar presence beside you. "They gave her sedatives to stop the seizure," he explains, glancing down at you with a softness you don't often see from him. You don't have to say anything; Minho's eyes seem to tell you that he's got everything under control, that you're safe here.

"Hey, honey bee," he murmurs, his voice gentle. "How're you feeling?"

You offer him a small smile, too exhausted to do much else. His familiar nickname for you brings a slight warmth to your chest, and it makes you feel safe, like maybe this isn't as scary as it feels.

Minho smiles back, his hand resting lightly on your shoulder. "Want some tea?"

You nod, the thought of something warm and soothing appealing even in your foggy state.

"I'll do it," The blonde says from somewhere behind Minho. 

"Is there anything we need to do?" asks the guy with the undercut who Changbin had whispered to, his voice filled with a mixture of concern and readiness.

Minho shakes his head, looking around at all of them. "No, just keep an eye out. If she seizes again, she has emergency medication in her bag, which I can administer. But if it goes on for more than five minutes, we call an ambulance, got it?"

Everyone nods, their expressions serious, the easygoing vibe from before replaced by genuine concern. Minho continues, "When it's about to happen, her eyes roll back, and her lips twitch—those are the warning signs."

Another guy, tall with long black hair, raises his hand slightly, like he's thinking out loud. "Do we need to be careful of flashing lights or anything?"

Minho shakes his head again. "No, it's not photosensitive epilepsy. That's not one of her triggers."

The tall guy nods, looking slightly relieved as he glances away, thoughtful.

With a sigh, Minho sits back, giving you a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "And... just so you all know, she's really shy. When she's more with it, speak softly, keep it chill. She's usually pretty foggy right after a seizure."

The guy with the undercut clears his throat and leans forward slightly. "Got it, Minho. We'll keep things quiet."

Minho glances back down at you, his voice soothing. "Y/N, this is everyone. Chan," he says, nodding toward the guy with the undercut, "Changbin, Hyunjin, Jisung, Seungmin, and Jeongin. Felix is the one making you tea."

You nod faintly, your brain struggling to process all the new names. You manage a slight smile at each of them, your eyelids heavy as you try to remember who's who. But the room's warmth and the sedatives are dragging you under, making it difficult to concentrate.

"Lady..." you mumble, the image of your dog, your sweet Cocker Spaniel, flashing in your mind. The worry is barely there, hazy at the edges, but you feel a pang of longing to have her here, her comforting presence by your side.

Minho squeezes your hand lightly, a comforting weight that steadies you. "I called my dad, okay? He's taken Lady to my parents' house. They'll look after her while you're here."

You nod slowly, comforted by the knowledge that Lady's safe. The tension in your shoulders eases, and you let your head drop, resting against Minho's shoulder. The warmth of his hoodie is familiar, grounding. The hum of the guys' quiet chatter fades into the background, soothing and soft.

Chan's voice is the last thing you hear as your eyes drift closed, his tone low and respectful. "We've got you, Minho," he says. "We'll take care of her."

You wake up in an unfamiliar bed, the hazy morning light filtering in through curtains you don't recognize. Blinking a few times, you realize you're in Minho's room. At the Alpha Phi frat house. The room smells faintly of his cologne and something uniquely Minho, comforting in its own way. You feel his warmth next to you, his body sprawled out under the covers as he snores softly, still completely dead to the world. It's familiar and comforting to have him beside you, even if this isn't your own space.

Careful not to disturb him, you slide out of bed. Your black sweatpants and oversized cardigan feel cosy against the slight chill in the room, and you're grateful for the fluffy socks on your feet as they muffle your steps. You locate your bag and dig through until you find the two pill bottles nestled at the bottom. Your body's sluggish from sleep and the lingering effects of last night, but you know you need to take your meds soon.

Tucking the pill bottles in your hand, you tiptoe out of Minho's room and quietly close the door behind you. Navigating through the unfamiliar layout of the house, you make your way downstairs. The sound of light clattering in the kitchen draws you forward, and you step inside to see a familiar figure perched at the kitchen island.

Jisung glances up from where he's scrolling through his phone, and his face lights up with a friendly smile. "Hey," he greets, setting his phone down. "I'm Jisung, by the way, in case you don't remember from last night. Minho mentioned you might be a bit foggy."

You return his smile shyly, nodding. "Yeah, it was a bit of a blur."

"Totally fair." He watches as you place your pill bottles on the counter. "Want some juice or something?"

"That'd be great, actually," you say softly. "Just nothing with grapefruit. It messes with my meds, it affects the levels in my blood or something."

Jisung nods thoughtfully, already moving to the fridge. "Got it, so tropical juice is out. How about orange or apple?"

"Either's fine, thanks."

He grabs the orange juice and pours you a glass, sliding it over with a casual ease that makes you feel at home despite the unfamiliar surroundings. You open your pill bottles, take out the morning dose, and swallow them down with a couple of gulps of the juice.

Jisung watches you for a moment, his gaze curious but not intrusive. After a beat, he says, "So... epilepsy, huh?" His voice is awkwardly casual, and it makes you laugh, breaking the tension.

"Yeah," you say, setting the glass down. "I've had it since I was born, actually. They think it's genetic. My grandmother had it, and so do my aunt and uncle on my dad's side. Guess I got lucky on the paternal genetics side of things."

Jisung nods, looking genuinely interested. "Damn. Must be a lot to handle."

You shrug, smiling softly. "You get used to it. Minho's been a big help, though."

He grins, leaning forward on his elbows. "Are you the friend Minho spends most nights with?"

"Yeah," you confirm, chuckling. "My seizures are more frequent at night, and even though Minho sleeps like the dead, if I so much as twitch in my sleep, he's up. Don't know how he does it, honestly."

"Minho's got this weird sixth sense or something," Jisung says, shaking his head. "He's a big softie, though he'd never admit it. Helps me out with my panic attacks too, like no one else gets me like he does."

"Sounds like Minho," you say, smiling at the thought. It's comforting to know that Minho's kindness extends to his other friends too, even if he tries to play it cool most of the time.

Jisung glances at you, looking thoughtful. "You want something to eat, by the way? I mean, if you're hungry, that is."

You shake your head, grateful but declining. "Maybe later. My meds usually make me feel a little nauseous right after, so I'll wait a bit."

"Cool, cool. Or... not cool. Uh—" He laughs at himself, looking slightly embarrassed. "Wanna watch some TV or something? We've got every streaming service you can think of. Perks of living with eight guys who all mooch off each other's subscriptions."

You laugh, finding his easygoing demeanour comforting. "Sure, that sounds good."

You follow Jisung to the living room, your steps slow and your head still feeling clouded. The couch is familiar from last night, and as you sink into it, the ache in your muscles dulls slightly, soothed by the soft cushions beneath you. Jisung plops down beside you, scrolling through the streaming options as he gets comfortable. His casual presence, a stark contrast to the strange, foggy feeling still in your head, makes you feel a little more grounded.

As you lean against him, you pause, feeling a little self-conscious. With a quiet voice, you ask, "Is this okay?"

Jisung glances down at you, giving you an easy, reassuring smile. "Yeah, whatever you need to be comfortable. Just relax." He lets you rest your head on his shoulder, and you feel him settle in, adjusting so you're more comfortable leaning against him.

You close your eyes for a moment, taking slow breaths as your hands find their way to his, noticing the silver rings on his fingers. They're cool and smooth, little bits of silver glinting in the morning light. Almost instinctively, you start fiddling with them, rolling one of the rings around his finger absentmindedly. He doesn't say anything, just nods and begins to run a gentle hand up and down your back, the rhythmic motion adding to the comforting weight of the moment.

There's a soft laugh from across the room, and you look up to see Felix standing in the doorway, grinning as he watches the two of you. "Ooh, I want in on this cuddle fest," he says, his voice full of playful warmth. "Is that okay?"

You nod, a small smile tugging at the corners of your mouth. "Yeah, that'd be nice. Physical touch, it helps ground me when I'm in this fog."

"Say no more," Felix replies, practically bounding over to the couch and settling on your other side. He drapes an arm around you, squeezing your shoulder lightly. "We're all about grounding here," he jokes, making himself comfortable.

You feel a sense of relief settle over you as you sit between the two of them. Felix's arm is warm around you, and Jisung's hand continues its comforting path along your back. The haze in your mind doesn't disappear, but their presence eases it, like two steady anchors keeping you from drifting off.

As you sit in comfortable silence, you hear footsteps coming from upstairs, the faint thud of someone moving down quickly. A moment later, Minho appears at the top of the stairs, his gaze scanning the room until it lands on you sandwiched between Jisung and Felix. He lets out a small sigh of relief, his expression softening as he takes in the scene.

He walks over, crossing his arms as he stands by the couch. "How're you feeling, honey bee?" His voice is gentle, but you can tell he's assessing you carefully.

You give him a small smile, leaning further into Jisung's shoulder. "Still a little foggy. My muscles are sore," you admit softly, glancing up at him.

He nods, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from your face. "That's normal after a seizure, especially a long one. Just relax, okay? Let the guys spoil you a little."

Jisung looks up at Minho and checks his watch. "She took her meds about... twenty minutes ago, give or take."

Minho nods, his expression thoughtful. "Alright. Another forty minutes or so before you can eat, then, or else you'll end up feeling sick," he explains, glancing down at you with a comforting smile. "We'll get you something when the time's right."

You nod, relieved to have someone else keeping track of things for you. It's hard to focus on anything, the haze making it difficult to think straight. You turn your attention back to Jisung's hand, absently twisting the rings on his fingers again. He lets you fiddle with them, giving you a quiet, supportive smile.

Felix, meanwhile, squeezes your shoulder again, giving you a reassuring nudge. "Don't worry, we've got you. Just take it easy."

As you sit nestled between Jisung and Felix, a slight wave of disorientation begins to sweep over you. You blink, trying to focus, but your vision blurs. Your eyes roll back involuntarily, and although you're distantly aware of it, you can't seem to stop it. You're fighting to stay grounded, but it's like a part of you is slipping away.

Minho notices immediately, his eyes sharpening with concern. He's by your side in an instant, his hand on your shoulder. "Y/N," he murmurs, his voice low and steady, "stay with me."

But your eyes keep rolling back, and Minho's expression hardens with resolve. He quickly manoeuvers you so you're lying down with your head resting in Jisung's lap, making sure to position you on your side to prevent any complications.

Felix catches on fast, leaning forward anxiously. "Minho, what's happening?"

Minho's gaze is intense, focused entirely on you. "Lix, get the time," he orders, his voice firm. "She's about to seize."

Felix pulls out his phone, checking the time down to the second. "Got it," he says, his voice steadying, though his eyes reveal his worry.

Then Minho shouts, "CHANGBIN! GO TO MY ROOM AND GRAB THE BLACK TOTE BAG! THERE'S A YELLOW NASAL SPRAY IN IT! BRING IT DOWN NOW!"

Without a word, Changbin sprints up the stairs, taking them two at a time, his footsteps echoing through the house. Meanwhile, Minho's attention is back on you, his hand resting on your shoulder as he begins to speak in a low, comforting tone.

"You're okay, Y/N," he murmurs. "I'm right here, honey bee. Just breathe, alright? You're safe. We're all here for you."

Your teeth clench, and your eyes roll back fully as the seizure takes hold. You can vaguely hear Minho's voice as he speaks to you, his words a distant anchor in the chaos. Somewhere in the background, Felix keeps a watchful eye on the time, counting each second.

Changbin returns with the tote bag, practically leaping down the stairs. He rushes over to Minho, hands him the yellow nasal spray, his expression tense. "Here," he says, his voice a little shaky.

Minho takes the spray without missing a beat. He carefully positions it at your nose, giving you a gentle, reassuring touch before pressing the spray. "This'll help you, Y/N," he says softly, his tone unwavering. He administers the medication with precision, his movements quick and practised.

By this point, Chan, Jeongin, Hyunjin, and Seungmin have gathered in the doorway, watching with quiet concern. They're not used to seeing Minho like this—so intense, so protective. They can see how deeply he cares about you, every action of his filled with a gentle determination to ensure you're safe and as comfortable as possible.

Felix, who's been monitoring the time, calls out, "One minute, thirty seconds."

Minho nods, leaning over to check on you, his hand gently stroking your arm. He watches intently as the tension in your body begins to ease, the rigid movements slowing until, finally, you start to come out of it.

"She's coming out of it," Minho says softly, relief slipping into his voice. He glances up briefly at Changbin, who's still hovering nearby, his face etched with worry. "We're good. She's okay."

Changbin lets out a shaky breath. "You're sure?"

Minho nods, his gaze locked on you as he watches you closely, never looking away for long. "Yeah. It's over. She'll be alright."

Chan steps closer to Changbin, placing a hand on his shoulder. His voice is low, meant only for him. "You alright, man?"

Changbin exhales, rubbing the back of his neck as he watches you recover, the colour slowly returning to your face. "Yeah... it's just... I've seen her at the gym, full of life and everything, even though she's shy." His gaze drops slightly, a flicker of something unreadable in his expression. "Seeing her like this... it's hard. Makes it feel worse, you know?"

Chan nods, giving his friend's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You like her. Of course, it's hard," he murmurs, a quiet understanding in his tone. 

After a few moments, Minho glances up at the others, his expression softening slightly as he shifts back to his usual self. "When she's coming out of it, she's gonna struggle to speak," he explains. "She'll stammer and get stuck on her 's' and 't' sounds. But talk to her normally. She understands everything. It's just hard for her to say what she wants because of where her epilepsy's localized in her brain."

The guys nod, absorbing his instructions, their faces a mix of concern and determination to help however they can.

As the fog begins to lift, you slowly become more aware of your surroundings. Minho's voice is the first thing you register, steady and calm, grounding you like a lifeline. Your muscles ache, a dull, pulsing soreness that reminds you of every second of the seizure. You blink a few times, trying to focus, and the familiar faces of the guys start to come into view, each one watching you with quiet encouragement.

Minho stays by your side, his voice gentle. "Hey, Y/N," he says, his tone soft and warm. "Take your time, alright? Just breathe."

Felix gives you a reassuring smile. "No rush. We're all here. Just relax, we've got you"

Changbin walks into the gym, the familiar scent of metal, rubber, and a hint of sweat greeting him like an old friend. He's barely halfway through the doors when he spots you across the room, running on the treadmill like nothing out of the ordinary had happened last week. You're moving at a steady pace, earbuds in, eyes focused straight ahead, and there's a lightness to your stride that makes it look almost effortless.

A small smile tugs at his lips as he watches you, secretly relieved to see you back to your usual self. You seem so at ease, like the chaos of last week's episode hasn't left any mark on you. He remembers how vulnerable you looked on Minho's couch, and seeing you this steady is a bit of a relief.

As if sensing his gaze, you glance over and notice him. Your eyes light up in recognition, and a shy smile spreads across your face. You press the "stop" button on the treadmill, unclipping the red emergency stop cord from your waistband, and step off. Walking over to him, you give him a small wave.

"Hey," you say, a little shy, though your smile is genuine. "Need a spotter?"

Changbin grins, the familiar feeling of easy banter slipping back into place. "Yeah, that'd be great," he replies, grabbing a pair of dumbbells as he leads you over to one of the empty benches. He lies back, adjusting himself for a bench press, and you stand ready beside him, hands poised just above the bar to help if he needs it.

He grips the bar and begins his reps, and after a few sets, he glances up at you, his expression shifting from his usual playful demeanor to one of genuine concern. "So... how are you feeling?"

You shrug, giving him a reassuring smile. "I'm fine. It's pretty normal for me. Been dealing with it since I was a kid."

"Yeah, but..." he hesitates, clearly choosing his words carefully. "Does the gym know about your condition? Like, do they have precautions set up for you?"

You nod, and with a quick motion, point over at a guy stationed near the free weights, busy re-racking plates. "Yeah, it's all sorted. That's Hongjoong," you say, gesturing subtly. "He's one of the managers here, and he keeps an eye out for me. I put it on my membership form when I signed up, so they know. And I always clip the emergency stop cord to my waistband when I'm on the treadmill. If anything happens, it'll pull out, and the treadmill stops instantly."

Changbin lets out a low whistle, impressed by the precautions. "Damn, you've got this all planned out, huh?"

"Kind of have to," you reply with a soft chuckle. "I also have one of those keys for the disabled toilets, so if I need some privacy or a place to sit down, I can just head there. It's not perfect, but it works."

He nods, continuing his reps, clearly absorbing everything you've said. After a beat, he asks, "So... how did you meet Minho?"

The question brings a smile to your face as you remember. "First lecture of freshman year," you say, your voice tinged with nostalgia. "I was so anxious about having a seizure in a room full of strangers that I actually started getting the warning signs right there in the lecture hall. Minho noticed and led me outside. He told me he had a first aid certificate, kept talking to me to keep me calm, and helped me through it. We've been friends ever since."

Changbin pauses mid-rep, looking up at you with a smirk. "So, Minho the badass was a lifesaver from day one, huh?"

You laugh, nodding. "Pretty much. He's always had my back. We're both in the same major too, so we ended up in most of the same classes. He's been a huge support."

Changbin racks the bar, sitting up and wiping a bit of sweat from his brow. "That sounds like Minho," he says with a fond smile. "He acts like he's all tough, but when it comes to the people he cares about, he's softer than anyone."

"Yeah," you agree, chuckling. "I've seen it with you guys too, actually. He might pretend he doesn't care, but I know he's always watching out for you."

Changbin laughs, shaking his head. "He's a menace, honestly. But yeah, he's good people." He pauses, glancing over at you, a soft curiosity in his gaze. "So... how are you doing now? I mean, really."

You give him a reassuring smile. "Really, I'm fine. The seizures can be intense, but it's just something I've had to learn to live with. I don't let it stop me."

He nods, impressed. "You're tougher than most people I know," he says, sincerity coloring his words. "It's good seeing you back here, looking like yourself."

Your cheeks warm a bit at the compliment, and you smile shyly, glancing away. "Thanks, Changbin. And... thanks for looking out for me last week."

He gives a small shrug, flashing you that familiar grin. "Hey, anytime. That's what friends or gym crushes are for, right?" His grin widens as he tosses you a wink, leaving you flustered but smiling nonetheless.

Changbin grins as he settles back into position, adjusting his grip on the bar. "You know, you should start coming around to the frat house more now that the guys know you exist in Minho's life," he says, lifting the bar and beginning another set of reps. "I mean, you know me and Minho, so you can swing by anytime. Whether it's to visit your handsome gym buddy"—he gives you a quick wink—"or Minho. Hell, we've all read up on seizures, and Minho gave us a full-on crash course. We're prepared."

You chuckle softly, a bit shy under his gaze. "I mean... I showed up at your house after a hospital trip and then had a seizure in Jisung's lap the next morning. And you still want me around?"

He sets the bar back with a clink, sitting up and giving you a playful nudge. "Of course we do! I always want a pretty girl around. Especially ones who spot me, give me solid music recommendations, and have a cute dog. You've got an all-access pass to the house."

You bite your lip, feeling warmth rise in your cheeks at his compliment. Changbin just keeps grinning, though, leaning back with an easygoing confidence that's hard to resist.

"Besides," he adds, grabbing his water bottle and taking a long sip, "none of us care that you have a medical condition. Like, at all. We're a weird bunch ourselves. I mean, have you met Chan?"

You tilt your head, laughing softly. "I don't think I've had the pleasure of truly meeting him yet."

Changbin groans dramatically, rolling his eyes. "Lucky you. Look, between you and me, the man has the foulest fucking farts known to mankind. I swear, it's practically a biological weapon. The guy needs a doctor, maybe even an exorcist. Seriously, it's worse than any seizure situation by a long shot."

You burst into laughter, covering your mouth, but Changbin isn't done. "I'm warning you, if you start coming around more, you're unfortunately gonna experience one of Chan's episodes firsthand. And for that, I apologize in advance. It's an assault on the senses."

You shake your head, grinning at his dramatic antics. "Noted. I'll bring an extra air freshener or something next time."

"Good call," he says, nodding sagely. "Maybe two. We'll need the reinforcement."

As he lies back to start another set, he gives you a quick glance, a little softer now. "But seriously, none of us give a shit that you have a medical condition. We're just glad to have you around, you know?"

His tone is genuine, and it makes you feel a bit more at ease. You smile, reaching over to squeeze his shoulder. "Thanks, Changbin. I might just take you up on that invite. Just make sure to keep the air fresheners stocked, okay?"

"You got it," he says with a smirk, resuming his reps with newfound energy.

Changbin walks into the Alpha Phi house with an unmistakable grin, still feeling the buzz from his time at the gym. He drops his gym bag by the door, the thud of it hitting the floor echoing faintly as he makes his way to the kitchen. The house is quiet for once, probably because half the guys are out or asleep, and he decides to take advantage of the peace, headphones still snug over his ears. The familiar beat of "APT" by Bruno Mars and Rose pumps through his ears, and he can't help but hum along, even adding in a little shoulder shimmy as he reaches for the protein powder.

Just as he's tossing a scoop of powder into his shaker, he catches sight of Minho leaning against the kitchen doorway, arms crossed with a bemused look on his face.

"'APT,' huh?" Minho asks with a smirk, nodding toward Changbin's headphones. "You know that's Y/N's current favourite song?"

Changbin freezes for a split second, then shrugs, keeping his expression casual. "Yeah, funny coincidence, right? It's pretty popular right now."

Minho narrows his eyes, clearly not buying the nonchalance but letting it slide. "I guess so." He watches as Changbin continues making his shake, his gaze curious. "You know... you've seemed a lot happier lately. Got a spring in your step. Something going on? A girl, maybe?"

Changbin pauses, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks, though he quickly tries to brush it off. "Uh, yeah," he says, trying to keep it casual. He shakes up his drink and takes a sip, avoiding Minho's gaze.

Minho lets out a laugh, slapping him on the shoulder. "Good for you, man. Honestly, about time. You've been on a bit of a dry spell recently, haven't you?"

Changbin rolls his eyes, a smirk playing at his lips. "Thanks for the reminder, asshole."

Minho grins, pushing himself off the doorframe. "Hey, no judgment. I'm just saying it's good to see you like this." He pauses, giving Changbin a pointed look. "So, what's the deal then? This isn't just some random hookup?"

Changbin hesitates, taking another sip of his shake to buy himself a second to think. "It's... different," he admits finally, glancing away as he shrugs. "I actually like her."

Minho raises an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the confession. "Oh, really?" He lets out a low whistle, shaking his head. "Damn, I didn't think I'd see the day. Who is she, then? Anyone I'd know?"

Changbin gives a quick, almost panicked shake of his head, hoping to steer the conversation in a different direction. "Nah, just someone I met... you know, around. She's just... different, that's all." He hopes the vague response will keep Minho from digging any further.

Minho nods, thankfully letting it go. "Well, I'm happy for you, man. Seriously. If anyone deserves something real, it's you." He claps Changbin on the shoulder, and there's a genuine warmth in his tone. "Just don't keep her waiting, alright? Take a chance."

Changbin chuckles, feeling both relieved and a little guilty. "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind."

As Minho heads out of the kitchen, Changbin watches him go, feeling the weight of keeping this from his friend. He takes another sip of his shake, thoughts swirling with the excitement of seeing you, balanced by the nagging guilt of hiding it from Minho. But as he hums the rest of "APT" to himself, he can't help but smile, thinking of the next time he'll see you.

You're sprawled out on Minho's bed, leaning against the wall as you flip through his well-worn collection of books and random knick-knacks scattered on the shelf nearby. The air in his room is comfortable, and the cozy light filtering through the window makes everything feel calm, settled. Minho is lying beside you, his legs stretched out as he scrolls through something on his phone, occasionally glancing over with an amused smirk every time you get lost in one of his odd collectibles.

You take a deep breath, feeling a sudden impulse to bring up something that's been on your mind lately. "Hey," you start, voice quiet. "I was thinking... maybe about dating again?"

Minho stops scrolling, raising an eyebrow as he looks over at you. "After what happened last time?" His tone is cautious, his gaze scanning your face for any sign of hesitation.

You shrug, looking down at his hand, where you start fiddling with the silver rings on his fingers, twisting them absentmindedly. "I mean... yeah, I know last time was a disaster, but... what if it's different this time?"

Minho snorts, clearly unconvinced. "Y/N, the last guy literally asked if you'd seize during sex to see if it would make you 'tighter.' Are you seriously ready to risk that kind of bullshit again?"

You cringe, the memory still making your stomach turn. "Yeah, okay, that was... that was awful. But it doesn't mean every guy's going to be like that. What if... I met someone who already knows about my condition? Someone who's never treated me any differently?"

Minho's eyes narrow, his curiosity obviously piqued. "Wait—have you?"

You feel your cheeks heat up, suddenly all too aware of how revealing that question is. You hesitate, and that's all the confirmation Minho needs. He stares at you, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "You sneaky little shit. You've been hiding a whole man from me?"

You duck your head, still playing with his rings as you avoid his gaze. "I- I wouldn't say 'hiding.' Just.+++ not bringing it up yet. It's new."

Minho's grin only widens as he shakes his head in disbelief. "Unbelievable. And here I thought you told me everything. You know, I'm your best friend. It's practically illegal to keep this kind of shit from me."

You shrug again, a shy smile tugging at the corners of your mouth. "It's not like I'm intentionally keeping secrets. It jus hasn't come up."

"Right." He's studying you now, eyes narrowed in mock suspicion. "Thank God it's not one of my frat brothers. I'd have to get out the shovel and bury them in the backyard."

You bite your lip, feeling a pang of guilt, but you don't say anything. Instead, you just keep fiddling with his rings, twisting them around his fingers as you keep your gaze down.

The silence makes Minho's eyes widen in realization. "Wait, is it?"

You shake your head quickly, but he can tell by the way you're avoiding eye contact that there's something there. "Look, I... I'm not ready to say who yet. But it's- It's good. I promise."

He lets out a frustrated sigh, rolling his eyes. "Fine. I'll drop it. For now," he mutters, a smirk tugging at his lips. "But only because I know you'll crack eventually."

You can't help but smile, relieved that he's letting it go. For now, at least. He leans back, but you can tell he's still curious.

Later that night, after you've left the house, Minho stands in front of the TV in the living room, his arms crossed and his expression stormy. The rest of the guys sit scattered around the room, exchanging wary glances, sensing that something is coming but unsure of exactly what.

Chan raises an eyebrow, glancing up from his phone. "Minho, what the hell is going on?"

Minho narrows his eyes, gaze sweeping over each of them. "One of you pricks has been getting cosy with my best friend," he declares, his voice low and accusatory. "Now, who is it?"

The room goes quiet. No one meets Minho's gaze, their expressions guilty yet carefully blank. It's a practised silence. Each of them knows, and each of them is determined not to be the first to break. Changbin keeps his eyes fixed on the coffee table, where he's trying very hard to look like he's deep in thought about absolutely anything other than you.

Minho's jaw tightens as he surveys them, frustration mounting. "Alright. Fine," he says, voice ominous. "If you're not gonna fess up, I'll start with the weak link."

He fixes his gaze on Jisung, who immediately starts squirming in his seat, looking anywhere but at Minho. "I swear to god, I will waterboard Jisung until he cracks under interrogation," Minho threatens, taking a menacing step toward him.

Jisung shifts uncomfortably, staring pointedly at the ceiling as if the very paint on it has suddenly become the most interesting thing in the world.

Minho raises his hands, planting them on his hips. "I'm serious," he growls, sweeping his gaze around the room. "One of you better start talking before I get creative."

The guys glance at each other, trying hard to stifle grins and desperately avoid eye contact. They all shift around on the couch, suddenly looking away from Minho, each whistling some off-tune melody to break the awkward silence, as though that'll somehow convince him they have nothing to do with it.

"I swear to god," Minho says, his voice rising. "If one of you doesn't open your mouth right now, you're all gonna regret it."

The tension builds until, finally, Jeongin shouts, "Scatter!"

In an instant, the room explodes into chaos. Every single one of them jumps up, bolting in different directions with shouts and frantic laughter.

Chan, Changbin, Jisung, Jeongin, and Hyunjin make a mad dash for the front door, their footsteps pounding as they push and shove each other to get there first. They stumble out of the house, Chan practically throwing himself into the driver's seat of his car while the others pile in after him, each scrambling over one another to squeeze inside.

"Lock it, lock it, lock it!" Jisung shouts breathlessly as he tumbles into the backseat.

Chan quickly locks the doors with a satisfying click just as Minho storms out onto the front porch, glaring at them from the steps, his expression somewhere between pissed off and mildly amused.

Meanwhile, back in the house, Felix and Seungmin take off toward the stairs. "Attic!" Felix hisses, motioning for Seungmin to follow him. They sprint up the steps, throwing themselves into the cramped attic and slamming the door behind them.

"Lock it, lock it!" Seungmin whispers frantically, turning the latch on the attic door as they collapse against it, panting and stifling laughter.

Down below, Minho stands at the foot of the stairs, hands on his hips, fuming as he realizes they've split up. He glares up at the attic and then back at the car in the driveway, his frustration mounting as he mutters to himself, "One of you will crack eventually. Mark my words."

Back in the car, Chan lets out a breath and leans his head back against the seat, a smirk tugging at his lips. "That was close."

Changbin huffs, still a bit rattled. "We're not out of the woods yet," he mutters, running a hand through his hair. "Minho's not the type to let this go."

Jisung, catching his breath in the back, snickers. "Yeah, but it was worth it. Did you see his face?"

The whole car erupts in laughter, each of them knowing that, for now at least, they've successfully dodged Minho's interrogation. At least until he catches one of them alone.

You're sitting cross-legged on Minho's bed, your head buried in a thick textbook, scanning pages on animal behaviour with a highlighter in hand. It's quiet, the kind of comfortable silence you're used to with Minho. He's sitting beside you, flipping through his own notes, occasionally muttering about an upcoming exam. Just as you start to get fully absorbed in the material, Minho's voice breaks the silence.

"You know, you always seem happier when you come back from the gym," he says, his tone light, but you don't miss the undertone of curiosity.

You hum noncommittally, not looking up from your book. It's a casual enough statement, and you're not about to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. But Minho isn't one to let things slide, and you can feel him watching you, assessing.

"Is that where you meet the guy from my frat?" he presses, trying to sound casual, though his words are loaded.

Your fingers tighten around the highlighter, but you stay quiet, hoping he'll just drop it. But Minho just smirks, clearly amused by your non-reaction.

"Okay, so that leaves me with a list," he continues, clearly enjoying himself. "Chan, Changbin, Jisung, Jeongin, and Felix. Hyunjin and Seungmin wouldn't touch a gym if you paid them, so they're out of the running." He ticks off names on his fingers like he's solving a mystery.

You try to ignore him, turning another page in your textbook and focusing on a diagram of canine body language. But you can feel his gaze boring into you, his smirk widening.

"Oh, I can narrow it down even further," he says, leaning in closer. "You only go to the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so that rules out Jisung and Jeongin. That means it's Felix, Chan, or Changbin. And between you and me, Felix isn't really your type, so that leaves me with Chan or Changbin."

You try to keep a straight face, but his logic is annoyingly on point. Not that you'd ever tell him that. You stay focused on the page, pretending to be completely absorbed by a passage on social bonding in pack animals.

Minho chuckles, obviously delighted by your silence. "Hmm, now, here's where it gets interesting. Changbin always comes back from the gym in a strangely good mood on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Weird coincidence, don't you think? And then there's the fact that he's been obsessively listening to 'APT,' which, coincidentally, is your favourite song at the moment. But it could be Chan, of course. So, Y/N, which one are you crushing on? Chan or Changbin?"

You keep your face buried in your book, trying desperately to hold back the smile threatening to betray you. Minho leans even closer, his voice a mischievous whisper now. "I'll find out eventually, you know. I always do."

His confidence is enough to make you roll your eyes, but you still don't look up. "You know, you really shouldn't date either of them, if I'm being honest," he says, dropping the teasing tone for something more sincere. "They're both sluts. Complete man-whores."

You finally look up, raising an eyebrow at him. "Really? That's your advice?" 

Minho shrugs. "Just being honest. They're both great, don't get me wrong, but they're not exactly the dating type. Especially Chan. If you go for him, you'll have to deal with, well, a rotating cast of exes. And as for Changbin? I mean, he's a good guy, but he's a flirt. A gym rat with a string of admirers. Not exactly a safe bet."

You hesitate, looking down at the highlighter in your hand, twirling it between your fingers. "I'm not dating the gym guy."

Minho raises an eyebrow, catching the careful phrasing. "No, but you like him," he says, almost smugly, as if he's finally gotten the answer he was looking for.

You sigh, knowing that the longer you stay silent, the more Minho is going to milk this for all it's worth. But admitting to anything is the last thing you want to do. Especially with the way Minho's grin is widening by the second.

"Fine," he says, letting it go for now. "But just know, Y/N, I'm keeping an eye on whoever it is. Chan or Changbin. And if he so much as looks at you wrong, I'll make him regret it." He smirks, clearly amused by the situation, but you can see the protective glint in his eye.

"Got it," you mumble, a smile tugging at your lips despite yourself. You lean back into your book, your mind wandering for a second. And as Minho goes back to his notes, you can't help but wonder how long you'll actually be able to keep this little secret under wraps.

Changbin steps into the gym on Thursday evening, scanning the rows of machines and weights until his gaze lands on you, running at a steady pace on the treadmill in the cardio section. A small grin pulls at his lips as he watches you, earbuds in, completely focused. You look determined, moving with an easy rhythm that makes it look effortless. He lingers for a second, then heads over to set up at the bench press, feeling a slight flutter of anticipation—almost like he knows you'll come over when you're done.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, you hop off the treadmill, unclipping the emergency stop cord from your waistband before making your way over to him with that familiar shy smile.

"Need a spotter?" you ask, glancing at the weights he's loading onto the bar.

"Absolutely," he says, grinning up at you as he lies back on the bench, gripping the barbell above him. He's barely positioned himself when he smirks up at you. "By the way, Minho's on a mission to crack this case. He's convinced one of his frat brothers is getting close to his best friend. It's becoming a full-blown investigation."

You roll your eyes, giving a soft laugh as you lean over the bar, keeping your hands ready just in case. "Trust me, I know. He already tried to warn me off you and Chan. He's narrowed it down to just the two of you."

"Damn," Changbin mutters, chuckling as he lifts the bar. "So Minho hasn't scared you off your hot gym man yet?"

You shake your head, your smile turning shy again. "Nope. Not yet."

"Good," he says, lowering the bar with control before pushing it back up. "Because I've been wanting to take you on a date."

You feel a flutter of nerves but manage a small smile. "Uh, no restaurants or anything. I don't... really like busy, public places."

"That's cool," Changbin says without hesitation, a grin spreading across his face. "How about this: we order food and go for a drive?"

Your smile widens at the suggestion, the idea warming you immediately. "That sounds... really nice."

He pushes the bar back up, settling it on the rack with a clink, then sits up, grabbing his towel to wipe the sweat from his brow. "Good. We'll make it happen." He takes a sip from his water bottle, glancing at you playfully. "Maybe I could even finally meet Lady?"

Your cheeks heat up, and you look away, fiddling with your fingers. "Oh, meeting my dog? That sounds... serious," you tease, trying to play it cool even though your heart's pounding a little.

He laughs, a low, genuine sound, and you can't help but smile wider. "Alright, alright. Baby steps. Lady can wait for date two."

"Maybe date three," you joke, enjoying the ease of the banter with him.

Changbin chuckles, lying back down for another set. He glances up at you with a softer, more vulnerable expression. "You know, I've actually been trying to figure out how to ask you out for months."

You blink, surprised, feeling your cheeks grow warmer. "Yeah? Since when?"

"Since... probably the first time I saw you here," he admits, his gaze flicking up to meet yours with a bit of shyness you don't usually see from him. "You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen. Knocked my confidence a bit."

Your heart skips a beat, and you feel a mix of embarrassment and thrill at his words. "I'm not... I didn't think you'd ever think that."

"Well, now you know," he says, flashing you that familiar, disarming smile before focusing back on his reps. "So what do you say? Drive, food, and good music?"

You nod, unable to hide your smile. "I'd love that."

He gives you a wink before getting back to his set, the two of you basking in the excitement of a plan finally set in motion.

Your apartment is a flurry of activity as Felix, Jeongin, Hyunjin, and Jisung practically take over, each of them intent on making sure you look perfect for tonight. Jeongin is rifling through your closet, half your clothes already thrown onto the bed as he mutters to himself about finding "the perfect fucking outfit." Lady, your Cocker Spaniel, is lying contentedly between Jisung and Felix on your bed, soaking up all the attention and treats they're sneaking her.

Jisung raises an eyebrow, watching Jeongin toss yet another sweater onto the growing pile. "Still haven't told Minho, huh?"

You shake your head, sighing a little as you run a hand through your hair. "Seeing how he's reacted so far, I just... want to do this without him interfering. At least for now. I don't need the lecture or the intense 'best friend investigation.'"

Felix grins, nodding approvingly. "Good call. Besides, Chan and Seungmin took him out to get absolutely fucked up, so he'll be out of your hair for tonight. They said something about tequila and karaoke."

You laugh, imagining Minho stumbling back home later, too trashed to grill anyone. "Poor Chan and Seungmin."

Felix shrugs, chuckling. "They signed up for it. Consider it their contribution to the cause."

As the guys continue fussing, Felix leans over to scratch Lady behind the ears, his voice dropping into a softer, sweeter tone. "I see why you named her Lady," he says, glancing up at you with a smile. "She's the same breed as Lady in Lady and the Tramp, right?"

You nod, feeling a fond smile tug at your lips as you reach over to pet her. "Yeah, exactly. Plus, she's got that gentle, regal vibe. Like, she's clearly above all the chaos in this room right now," you joke, gesturing to the mess of clothes and accessories scattered around.

Lady huffs softly as if she's affirming your statement, and Felix laughs, leaning back with a satisfied smile. "She's a queen."

Meanwhile, Jeongin pulls a few more pieces from your closet, his expression lighting up as he finally settles on an outfit. "Here!" he says triumphantly, holding up a pair of black flared pants, black platform Converse, and a cropped turtleneck with dramatic flared sleeves. "Perfect for a drive and some low-key food. Stylish but chill."

Hyunjin claps his hands excitedly. "Dibs on hair," he declares, grinning like he's just won the lottery.

Felix nudges him, smirking. "Fine, but I get dibs on makeup. Minimal, natural. We're talking date vibes, not Instagram glam."

You chuckle, watching them with a mix of amusement and affection. "You guys... I really appreciate all this. But it's just a casual date. Nothing crazy."

Jisung snorts, rolling his eyes. "Please, this is Changbin. He's wanted to take you out for ages, and he's gonna be blown away when he sees you tonight. So let us work our magic, alright?"

You laugh softly, feeling warmth bloom in your chest. "Okay, fine. Do your worst."

Jeongin hands you the outfit, looking proud of his selection. "Get changed, then. We've got work to do."

When you emerge from your bathroom wearing the outfit Jeongin picked out, feeling a little more confident than you expected. The black flared pants hug you in all the right places and the cropped turtleneck balances elegance with a hint of edge. Your platform Converse add a bit of height, and there's something about the whole look that feels right. Casual but with a touch of excitement that matches the anticipation building in your chest.

Felix claps his hands, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Perfect. Alright, sit down. We're going to make sure you look flawless." He gestures to the chair they've set up near your vanity, and you sit down, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.

Hyunjin swoops in behind you, running his hands through your hair with a thoughtful hum. "Hmm, I think we'll go for a half-up, half-down look. Classic, but a little more interesting," he says, his fingers moving with the skill of someone who's done this a thousand times. He carefully sections off the top half of your hair, pinning it up with a few twists, leaving the rest of it to fall softly around your shoulders. As he works, he's focused, his lips pursed in concentration.

Felix leans close to your face, examining your skin with the scrutiny of an artist approaching a blank canvas. "Okay, we're going for a natural look. Just enhancing what you've already got," he says, giving you a reassuring smile. He picks up a light concealer, dabbing it under your eyes and blending it seamlessly. The brush strokes are soft, calming, and he gives you a small wink when he notices you relaxing.

As Felix continues with a bit of mascara and a soft blush, Jisung and Jeongin sit cross-legged on the floor, fussing over Lady. Jisung's holding her favourite chew toy, trying to keep her entertained as she watches you with her big, soulful eyes, clearly curious about all the attention you're getting.

"Look at Lady," Jeongin says, scratching behind her ears. "She's probably thinking, 'Why are all the humans acting so crazy today?'"

Jisung laughs, holding up the toy for Lady to bite on, which she does with a gentle tug. "Maybe she's just hoping she gets some of whatever's going on here," he teases, giving her a playful look. "Or maybe she's planning to come along on the date."

Lady wags her tail, looking between you and the boys with an almost amused expression, and you can't help but laugh, the warmth in the room making you feel more relaxed. She's a calming presence as if she understands the whole ritual is in good fun.

Felix is putting the finishing touches on your makeup, brushing a hint of soft pink on your lips. "Alright, let's see," he says, stepping back to admire his work. "Natural, effortless, exactly what we wanted. You look amazing."

Hyunjin steps back too, hands on his hips as he surveys his work with a nod. "I'll give myself a pat on the back. You look beautiful."

You look in the mirror, feeling the smallest hint of disbelief. They've enhanced everything subtly, yet it makes a world of difference. Your hair falls perfectly, and the natural makeup makes your features pop without looking overdone. You barely recognize yourself.

"Thank you, guys," you say softly, smiling as you look at each of them. "I- I feel really good."

Felix grins, ruffling your shoulder playfully. "You should feel good. Changbin's gonna lose his shit."

Jisung raises a brow, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Oh, he's definitely gonna be speechless. Mark my words."

Jeongin leans over, giving Lady a final pat before looking up at you with an approving nod. "If he doesn't fall head over heels tonight, he's got worse judgment than we thought."

You laugh, rolling your eyes. "You guys are impossible. But, seriously, thanks. I don't think I'd have gotten ready like this on my own."

Felix gives you a wink, crossing his arms with a satisfied look. "That's what we're here for. Now, go knock him dead."

With their words of encouragement echoing in your mind, you take a deep breath, ready for whatever tonight holds.

As you step out of your apartment building, a flutter of excitement rushes through you, mingling with a touch of nerves. You know the guys are still inside, making themselves at home. You can already picture Jisung sprawled on the couch, remote in hand as he flips through your streaming services, Felix cosying up with Lady, Jeongin raiding your fridge, and Hyunjin probably giving commentary on whatever they decide to watch. They insisted on being both your support squad and your alibi for the night, reassuring you with winks and grins as they promised to cover for you if Minho came snooping.

Out on the curb, you spot Changbin leaning casually against his car, arms crossed and a soft, genuine smile lighting up his face when he sees you. He's dressed in a simple black hoodie and jeans, but something about the way he's looking at you makes you feel like you're the only person in the world.

"Wow," he says as you approach, his voice low and a little awestruck. "You look... incredible."

Your cheeks warm, and you duck your head, brushing a loose strand of hair behind your ear. "Thanks. The guys insisted on a full makeover. I think they enjoyed it a little too much."

Changbin laughs, stepping forward to open the car door for you. "Lucky me. They did a damn good job."

You slide into the passenger seat, still feeling a little giddy. Once Changbin's settled in the driver's seat, he glances over, nodding toward the centre console. "Go ahead, Bluetooth your phone. This is your night, so you're in charge of the playlist." He grins, putting the car in drive. "We'll hit a drive-through and then just... drive. Sound good?"

You smile, nodding as you pull up your phone's settings and connect it to the car's Bluetooth. "Perfect."

With a soft hum of excitement, he eases the car onto the road, the city lights starting to blur by as you both relax into the quiet, electric atmosphere. You navigate through the playlist you'd been curating in secret, choosing songs that feel like a mix of your personalities—a little upbeat, a little nostalgic.

After a few minutes, you pull up to the drive-through. Changbin raises his eyebrow as he glances at you, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Order whatever you want. Tonight, calories don't count."

You laugh, throwing a playful look his way. "I'm holding you to that."

After placing your orders, you wait, the sound of gentle music filling the silence. You can feel Changbin stealing glances at you, and every time you meet his gaze, he flashes that easy, confident smile that makes your heart skip a beat.

Once you have your food, Changbin pulls into a quiet side street, far from the city's hustle. He reaches up and presses a button, and to your surprise, the roof of his car begins to retract. The night sky opens up above you, dotted with stars and framed by the gentle glow of city lights in the distance.

Changbin glances over, his eyes bright with excitement. "Now we're really set," he says, taking a sip of his drink. "You ready for this?"

You nod, grinning as you unclip your seatbelt. Just as "She's Not Afraid" by One Direction begins to play, you feel a surge of courage and stand up, leaning out of the open roof with your arms spread wide, feeling the cool night air brush against your face and through your hair. The wind whips around you, and you can't help but laugh, feeling freer than you have in a long time.

Changbin chuckles, reaching over with one hand to hold the waistband of your flares, steadying you as you stand. "Just making sure my favourite gym girl doesn't go flying out of the car," he says, his voice teasing but protective.

You throw your head back, letting the music and the wind fill every inch of your senses. The stars above seem closer, the city lights glowing faintly in the distance as Changbin drives at a slow, steady pace. It feels surreal like something out of a dream.

When the song ends, you finally sit back down, a wide smile on your face, feeling exhilarated. You glance at Changbin, who's watching you with that soft, admiring expression.

"Having fun?" he asks, his voice warm, with just a hint of amusement.

"More than I've had in a long time," you admit, feeling a thrill in saying it aloud.

He nods, reaching over to give your hand a gentle squeeze. "Good. That's all I wanted for tonight."

Later that night, Changbin pulls up to your apartment building, the car idling quietly as the music fades into the background. The street is nearly silent, the glow from a nearby streetlamp casting a soft light over the car's interior. You turn to him, feeling a lingering thrill from the night. The open sky, the music, the easy laughter. He's watching you with that soft, warm smile that has become all too familiar, his eyes glinting with a mix of mischief and something tender.

There's a moment of silence, both of you lingering in the atmosphere, unwilling to break it. Slowly, Changbin leans across the console, his gaze flickering between your eyes and your lips. You close the distance, meeting him halfway as your lips brush softly against his, a gentle, lingering kiss that feels warm and right. It's a light kiss, sweet and filled with unspoken promises. You can feel the faint smile on his lips, and it makes your heart pound even faster.

Pulling back, you meet his gaze, still smiling. "Good night, Changbin," you whisper, your voice barely above a murmur.

He grins, his eyes shining as he leans back in his seat. "Good night. Sweet dreams."

With a shy smile, you slip out of the car and head into your building, feeling his gaze follow you until you're inside. Your heart is still racing as you climb the stairs, the memory of his kiss lingering, the warmth of the moment wrapping around you.

When you open the door to your apartment, you're greeted by the chaotic scene of Jisung, Jeongin, Hyunjin, and Felix sprawled out on the floor, half-buried in blankets, tugging on one of Lady's toys while she barks playfully, her tail wagging wildly.

Felix is the first to notice you, his eyes lighting up as he scrambles up. "Well?!" he demands, a grin spreading across his face as the other three turn to look at you with eager anticipation.

You feel your cheeks flush, but you can't help the smile that breaks out on your face. "We were driving down this quiet road," you begin, sinking onto the couch as they all gather around, listening intently. "He lowered the roof, and I stood up, just felt the wind and the stars. I felt so free."

Felix sighs, his eyes softening. "That sounds magical. But, most importantly," he says with a mischievous smirk, "how hot did Changbin look?"

You laugh, covering your face for a second before letting out a quiet, "Too hot. And those muscles? Way too muscly for his own good."

Hyunjin sighs dramatically, nodding in agreement. "Amen. If he was gay or bi, I'd be licking those biceps without a second thought."

Jisung snorts, rolling his eyes. "Don't be a bitch, Hyunjin—bite them like a damn apple."

Hyunjin bursts into laughter, smacking Jisung on the shoulder. "God, you're right. Can't waste a moment being subtle about it."

Jeongin, looking both amused and sceptical, crosses his arms. "So, it was good then? Like, he was the real deal?"

You nod, a little smile playing on your lips. "Yeah. It was perfect. I mean, he's got that tough guy look, but he's surprisingly gentle. Like, he's a real gentleman. It's kind of weird, in the best way."

Jeongin's eyes widen, and he exchanges a look with Felix. "Changbin? A gentleman?" he says, the disbelief clear in his voice.

"Right?" Felix laughs, but his expression softens as he looks at you. "I guess there's a lot we don't see. Sounds like he's got a soft spot for you."

You nod slowly, your heart still fluttering from the memory of the night. "Maybe."

Hyunjin grins, settling back into his spot on the floor with a sigh. "Well, that settles it. Changbin's a romantic, confirmed."

Jisung flops beside him, giving you a wink. "Better hold onto that one. Sounds like you got a good thing going."

A few days after your date with Changbin, you find yourself once again in the Alpha Phi frat house, tucked away in Minho's room with a pile of textbooks and notes scattered across the bed. The familiar routine of studying together has a comforting rhythm, and for the first hour or so, it's just you and Minho working quietly, the occasional soft murmur as he explains something or you ask a quick question.

But Minho, as you've learned, has a way of bringing up things when you least expect it.

"So," he says casually, flipping through his notes, "this really funny thing happened when I was out drinking with Chan and Seungmin a few days ago."

You hum noncommittally, half-focused on a chapter about behavioral triggers in dogs. But his tone has that teasing edge that makes you brace yourself.

Minho continues, barely glancing up from his notes, though you catch the smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I was a little tipsy, feeling sentimental, so I walked over to your apartment afterward to check in. And lo and behold—Changbin's car was parked outside. And there you were, in the car with him. Then, you two kissed."

You freeze, eyes glued to your textbook even though you're no longer reading the words. A nervous flutter rises in your chest, but you keep your focus on the page, determined not to give anything away.

"Oh, so we're going with the silent treatment?" Minho says, leaning closer with a raised eyebrow. "Look, I don't want to be the one to burst your bubble, but he's not going to be good to you, Y/N. You know that, right?"

You finally glance up, meeting his gaze. "He's... he's really nice, Min," you say softly, still feeling a bit shy admitting it aloud.

Minho sighs, shaking his head with a touch of frustration. "Nice? Sure, he might act nice. But I know this guy, okay? Changbin doesn't do relationships, and he sure as hell doesn't do loyalty. All he'll do is cause you stress, and that's the last thing you need."

He watches you carefully, his tone softening slightly. "I'm just looking out for you. This nice guy act? I've seen it a thousand times before, and it always goes the same way."

"Really?" you ask, hesitating but unable to keep a hint of doubt out of your voice. Changbin's kindness had felt genuine, his easy laughter and warmth something you hadn't expected to find with him.

Minho nods, his gaze steady. "Yes, really. You trust me, right?"

You nod slowly, even as a part of you aches at the thought of doubting Changbin. "I do," you murmur.

Minho's expression softens as he reaches out, placing a hand on your shoulder. "Then trust me when I say Changbin is not good for you. He might be fun and charming, but he's a distraction at best. And the last thing you need is more stress in your life."

You sit in silence for a moment, turning his words over in your head before glancing back at him. "Can you trust me, though? That I know what I'm doing?"

Minho pauses, his jaw working as he considers this, a mixture of exasperation and resignation in his expression. Finally, he sighs, though there's a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "Fine. But if he hurts you, I swear to god, I'm taking his kneecaps, toes, fingers, hell, I'll take his dick and balls too. All of it. Gone. He won't know what hit him."

A giggle slips out, and you try to stifle it, pressing your hand over your mouth as you look at him. "You're ridiculous."

"I'm serious," Minho insists, his expression deadpan. "I'll do it. Now come on"

Minho practically drags you down the stairs, his grip firm but playful as he leads you into the living room where the rest of the guys are lounging. You can feel a mix of anticipation and dread bubbling up; it's rare to see Minho this fired up, and knowing him, he's going to make this as dramatic as possible.

The moment you step into the room, everyone looks up, curiosity sparking in their eyes. Changbin straightens a little from his spot on the couch, already sensing that Minho's about to make some kind of proclamation.

Minho clears his throat, crossing his arms as he addresses the room, but mostly Changbin. "Changbin, I'm here to say that you have my temporary blessing to date my little introvert here." He gives you a quick, affectionate look, then narrows his eyes back at Changbin. "However, I now have a very long list of threats specifically tailored for you."

The room erupts in laughter, and Jisung pats the space between himself and Felix, waving you over. You slip between them, both of them immediately wrapping their arms around you, pulling you into a cozy hug. Jisung's head rests against yours as he whispers, "This is gonna be good," a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Minho doesn't waste any time. He turns back to Changbin, holding up a finger. "Threat number one: if you so much as make her feel a single moment of unnecessary stress, I'll personally re-rack every single one of your weights out of order. Every. Single. Time. You'll never have another peaceful lift again."

Changbin chuckles, nodding along, but you can see the slight alarm in his eyes. Minho's already warmed up.

"Threat number two," Minho continues, stepping closer with an exaggeratedly serious expression. "If you ever, ever forget one of her favourite songs or mess up a music recommendation, well, let's just say I'll swap out your protein powder with powdered laxatives. Enjoy leg day with that little surprise."

The guys burst into laughter, and Jisung squeezes you tighter, practically cackling as he leans into you. "Minho is a fucking menace," he mutters between laughs, wiping a tear from his eye.

Minho ignores the laughter, his gaze locked on Changbin as he continues, "Threat number three: if you make her cry, I'll dig up all your gym playlists and replace them with the entire soundtrack of High School Musical. And it'll be on repeat."

Changbin's face goes pale, and he shakes his head in mock horror. "Minho, you're a monster."

Minho grins. "You haven't seen anything yet. Threat number four: if you ever forget to bring her snacks, or God forbid, you bring her snacks she doesn't like, I'll switch every one of your pre-workouts with decaf. All gains? Gone."

Felix snickers beside you, covering his mouth with his hand. "That's brutal," he whispers, barely holding back his laughter.

"And that's not all," Minho says, holding up his hand to silence the murmurs of laughter around the room. "Threat number five: if you don't treat her with respect every single damn day, I'm not just taking kneecaps. I'll personally put laxatives in your protein powder until you shit out your intestines"

At this, even Changbin laughs, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, Minho. I get it. Message received."

But Minho's on a roll, and there's no stopping him now. "If you ever make her feel uncomfortable, I'll write 'I love cardio' on every single one of your lifting shirts in permanent marker."

Jeongin gasps in mock horror, clutching his chest. "The ultimate betrayal"

Minho keeps his gaze on Changbin, crossing his arms. "And let me make myself perfectly clear, if you hurt her, I'm not just talking about kneecaps. I'll take your fingers, and your dick and balls. All of it. Gone. One wrong move, and you'll be hobbling around like an anatomy lesson gone wrong. I swear to god."

The room bursts into laughter, Jisung squeezing you tighter as he snickers into your shoulder, and Felix shakes his head, grinning ear to ear.

Changbin raises his hands, looking mildly exasperated but also amused. "Sooo... can I kiss her now?" he asks, looking at Minho with a raised brow.

Minho's face twists in outrage. "That's all you're thinking about?! I just threatened to take your balls!"

Changbin waves a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Kneecaps, fingers, balls, trust me, it's all noted. Can I kiss her now? Because, to be honest, Minho, I need you to shut the fuck up for two seconds so I can actually kiss my girl."

Everyone's laughter dies down, and they watch with rapt attention as Changbin takes a step closer to you, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. He glances at Minho, who's grumbling under his breath, rolling his eyes before turning to sit dramatically on the armrest of the couch, as if he's exhausted from the whole ordeal.

Changbin leans down, hands resting on the back of the couch as he looks at you with that familiar, warm gaze. "Come here, you," he murmurs, his voice soft but with a hint of playfulness.

You feel your cheeks heat up, but you can't help smiling as you lean up to meet him. His lips brush against yours, a gentle, sweet kiss that deepens just enough to make your heart race. It's soft but electrifying, and for a moment, the whole room seems to disappear, leaving just the two of you. The kiss feels right, like a promise, and you barely notice the excited murmurs and chuckles from your friends, until, of course, Minho breaks the moment.

"Oh, fuck me," Minho groans dramatically, gagging loudly and turning his head away, making exaggerated retching sounds. "I'm actually gonna throw up."

Jisung and Felix collapse into fits of laughter, Felix clapping his hands together as he shakes with silent laughter. Hyunjin and Jeongin are practically rolling on the floor, clutching their stomachs as Minho continues to dry heave.

You pull back from the kiss, laughter bubbling up in your chest. And maybe it's the confidence Changbin gives you or just the vibe of the moment, but without even thinking, you grin mischievously and say, "Just wait until we have sex in the house."

The room falls silent for a moment as everyone stares at you, eyes wide in shock that you, of all people, would say something like that. Then, in unison, Chan, Changbin, Hyunjin, Jisung, Felix, Jeongin, and Seungmin erupt into cheers and applause, hooting and hollering as if you've just announced the winning goal in a championship game.

"Y/N!" Felix practically shrieks, laughing so hard he's wiping tears from his eyes. "I did not know you had that in you!"

Hyunjin slaps the arm of the couch, gasping through laughter. " Changbin, she's keeping you on your toes!"

Meanwhile, Minho has his head buried in his hands, shaking his head with a pained expression. "I don't need to hear this! My poor innocent friend. Corrupted by this muscle-headed bastard!" He mock-dry heaves again, to everyone's endless amusement.

Jisung can barely keep himself upright as he laughs, leaning heavily on you. "Oh my god, Minho, are you going to survive this?"

Minho peeks over at you with a look of pure exasperation, though there's an unmistakable glint of pride mixed with his irritation. "I swear, if I hear one noise, one single suspicious sound, I'm taking every pillow, every blanket, and every goddamn piece of furniture out of this house."

Changbin just smirks, wrapping an arm around you as he pulls you closer. "Duly noted, Minho," he says, winking at him. "Guess we'll just have to keep things quiet."

Minho groans, covering his ears as everyone bursts into laughter again, the living room filled with a mix of teasing, cheers, and the undeniable sense that, despite Minho's threats, this might just be the start of something truly amazing.

[impactrueno]

do you have any thoughts on how betelgeuse clearly thinks delores is out to kill him a second time even though she seems to be trying to get back together?

she says "your soul belongs to me, my love" so i think she was very much intending to suck his soul and kill him (again)

the thing is, like we established, she's a complete freak. if you thought beetlejuice's brain was hard to figure out, try figuring this chick out.

delores is to beetlejuice what beetlejuice is to lydia. and since beetlejuice already is a creepy freak, he's gonna need his own personal "beetlejuice" to be even worse than him for this analogy to work.

she wants to kill him. but she also loves him. creepily.

very creepily.

this ends up making beetlejuice's feelings for lydia seem downright wholesome in comparison.

i feel like this isn't gonna make much sense to people who haven't seen other characters with this flavor of murderous love so i'm gonna try to explain the best i can: you guys ever listen to my chemical romance? LMAO

stories about characters who end up murdering their lovers aren't that uncommon. it's a very gothic horror thing...in these stories the concept of love is always a little twisted and macabre. sometimes there's characters killing their lovers and then themselves so they can be together forever in the afterlife. and sometimes they're so passionate and obsessed over their lover that they kill them so no one else can have them.

i think delores fits the latter. if delores sucks beetlejuice's soul, his soul would be intertwined with hers, forever. maybe she sees this as the ultimate act of love.

and then there's the aspect of revenge. they did, after all, murder each other. of course she's gotta be pissed that he murdered her, even if she did poison him first. it's a very "you think you can escape me, my love? now i'm really going to make you mine, this time forever" type thing. it's both a punishment and an act of love. she's fucked up like that.

i think one could argue that she doesn't actually love beetlejuice and that she's just hunting him down for revenge. but the argument that she loves him and doesn't want to suck his soul? nah i don't buy that one. he's got every right to be frightened by her.

[icarusredwings]

Gonna have to reject your offer of He/ It cheif. Managment (Logan) would kill you for even inferring the idea.

Other people would come along and be like "What is that thing!??"

And you would just see Logan shift instantly from "Yeah ill give you a can of beans and a place to rest" to "Get the fuck off my property before you become his dinner" all while Wade is just... sitting there... behaving??

"He's not a THING! Thats my husband you asshole! And if you don't like it then fuck off!" Followed by Gabby going "Thats my papa you jerk!"

"It's just a zombie? You're married to a sombie!?"

"Again- HES my husband. I said till death do us part except death really isnt his thing so im stuck with him. You got a problem with that!?"

It makes Wade always very happy to be defended even though he surely could do it himself. For the most part things are pretty tame.

But he DOES clap a bit when logan mentions feeding him. 'Ooh yay, I get fed multiple times today' kind of way since Logan is very strict about resources, Wades is not allowed to just eat whatever because he'd probably just eat everything.

Sometimes if Logan forgets to feed him, He'll come to Logan and give him this specific whine, like a dog begging for bacon scraps only for Logan to feel terrible. "Oh my god Im sorry we were so busy today and- ... You're starving and you're not trying to bite me... you're trying so hard.. aw fuck wade.. im so sorry.. what am I going to do with you?"

"Mmm.... rawhrah?"

"Right. Feed you before you go insane. Got it."

Some days are like this. When he's clearly much more human. Being permitted cuddles and nuzzles, to play with gabby and to sleep in the bed. It's very rare that Logan lets him sleep in the bed. But it's the happiest day for wade when he is. And its not like they can even do anything (bro lost his dick miles ago and has no clue where the fuck it went but it just fell off somewhere and now hes a ken doll. This is great for those of you who like transfem wade COUGH COUGH)

But even if it didn't fall off its not like they could do anything anyway, They can't even kiss on the lips anymore. Logan has a theory that it's similar to rabies, where the infection has to be spread through saliva into an open cut or your mouth, etc.

So the nights he's allowed, they honestly just cuddle and stare at each other for a bit before sleeping. Usually, Wade is the little spoon because having Wade behind him is dangerous.

Wade heavily sees affection as a reward now, so getting to hug the girls is a massive thing for him, getting to sit there and watch gabby draw him is a big thing, hell Logan will sometimes even let Gabby play with wade out front because Wade has whole ass attacked other zombies whos tried to hurt gabby before.

One time Laura shot him in the head because gabby thought it would be a good idea to play "pretend zombie" and Wade didnt put two and two togerher that acting 'feral' as Logan calls it, outside with gabby would be a bad idea.

"What the fuck did you do that for!?"

"He was feral and going after gabs!!"

"Nu uh!! We were playing and you killed him for no reason! Youre so mean!"

Logan just sighs as gabby runs to her bed because it upsets her greatly when they have to 'keep wade in check' she fully understands that hes dangerous but deep down thats still her papa and watching your big sissy kill your papa is not something most 13 year olds would enjoy.

".. L.. you gotta stop wasting ammo. You know if it was really a code red that wouldn't do anything anyway. You have to decapitate him if you even want a flying chance. See?? Hes already up again... hi sweetie..."

Wade, whos sat up and now giving them a confused look of 'what did I do? 🥺'

"...arr Arawh"

"Im sorry, wade.." Laura squeaks out, still holding the shot gun. Shes just terrified of loosing gabby is all. To her, gabs is her responsibility.

"Rah awr rahrrr..."

"I know. She's sorry. She's just.. scared. No more playing that okay?"

"Mmh..😔"

There is infact some drift between laura and wade but neither of them mean it. Really they dont. If gabs is put of the picture Laura still smiles and talks to him but its like the moment gabby is near him Laura goes full protection mode and over reacts.

And FOR THE RECORD i have never seen the walking dead but its terrifying how accurate that picture is.

The longest Wade has been unconscious is probably 18 hours but this was before getting to the girls.

They have witnessed the exact thing you're saying, though. With Wade tied down in the shed, on his leash, and handcuffed, trying to talk to him, yelling at him to snap out of it because he's scaring the girls. Something different about feral wade from the other zombies though is it seems he's smarter, knawing on his handcuffs while most will just flail their arms helplessly. While his teeth dont do shit to the cuffs, its scary for Logan because it makes him think that one day he might actually have to find a way to kill him permanently.

He can undo locks, open cans, do many things that the others cant and he wants to believe its just Wades human part being stronger because in some weird way hes half mutant human and half zombie. A weird combo that makes him much different.

Laura, unlike gabby, too is terrified of one day wade going feral while their father is out collecting more supplies or hunting and she wont know what to do.

Wade isnt fast though. Thats the ONLY good thing. Hes smart, cant die, and is starving to death all the time. But hes slow. Infact he dosn't heal properly. His leg is half broken still from the last time it fell off and seems to barely be receptive to his brains nerves telling it to move so he lowkey drags it, only being able to use it to stand up right and take very small steps.

When he DOES finally come back hours later, He cries. Apologizes, begs for forgiveness, and most times is actually SCARED of Logan. While he hates it emotionally, he knows that logically it was a good thing for Wade to flinch away from him after being locked up.

A scared and fed zombie is a well-behaved zombie...

And before anyone comes here to say this is dehumanization of what ever else- HES LITERALLY NOT HUMAN ANYMORE.

Case closed. Besides I think wade would worry more about the fact of him trying to kill his kids then the fact hes leashed to a wall.

I dont CARE that it's November 9th and "Halloweens over" ITS MY BIRTHDAY MONTH ILL POST IF I WANT TOO

Anyway.

Thinking about apocolpse au.

Wade getting bitten by a zombie, Logan freaking out, Wade dying, and him coming back (Again)

"Didn't you just die?? I literally fucking burried you!!"

And wades like:

"Of course. Man, God REALLY hates you dosn't he?"

And he's bassically the same person except just saying, "Rahhah har ran re" (translation: I think the devil doesn't want me either)

"What?? Oh for fucks sake... tell me you're kidding.."

"Rah?" 🤔

"Great so now you stink more and you can't talk. Fucking lovely."

"Mmmmh..." 🥺 (would you still love me if I was a zombie?)

"*sighs, blushes and grumbles how insane this is and how much of a bad idea this is* Fine! Come on...."

"Raah!!" 😄

And sometimes his limbs fall off because I think it would be funny if you just saw him stop, turn around, pick up his arm and shove it back into place like a dislocated shoulder. (Marvel Magic)

But its very obvious that Wade is still consious and so logan leads him around, puts a leash on him, ties him up when he goes to sleep the first few nights so wade dosn't eat him, sometimes luring him with a piece of his thigh or telling him he'll feed him soon to make him behave.

The only thing about this resource wise is that it seems Wade is a bottomless pit, not ever able to get enough. It's like all the nutrients just pass right through him, so he can't get fed meals daily, but Logan will share at least one bite of his food. It makes Wade so happy and way more "wade like" than zombie.

Logan has learned that the hungrier Wade gets the worse it would be, snapping at logan a few times.

"Grr-"

"Aye! That's enough outta ya"

"GggRah!"

"Hey!! I said no! Bad! Bad wade!"

"Mmmh??"

"Bad!!"

"Mmh....rahah.."

"I forgive you. But stop trying to bite me. I feed you, don't I? I hold your hand and tell you that I love you?"

Wade is actually extremely friendly for a zombie (duh) and still yaps at logan except its nonsense. Logan tries hard to understand him and talk back.

He holds his hand sometimes, even lays next to him only to scold him if he gets too bitey. This is hard because wade already had a biting issue and seeing as he practically ate anything or anybody now it was more difficult.

"...aahh-"

"Wade- No."

"Ggr.. raahh"

"Wade! No! Bad."

"Mmmh..."

"Ill feed you tomarrow. Don't bite me mkay? You wanna hurt me?"

He shakes his head like a dog shaking off from a bath, or that ate a bee.

"Then don't bite me."

"Mmh? Mrah?"

"No. No kisses right now. Im still not even sure if thats safe.."

"Mmmh...🥺 ahrrah?"

"No, not even a tiny one."

"Mm...😔"

Until Logan grunts and pecks his hand. "There. Happy?"

"🙂‍↕️mh"

"Good."

Honestly Logan felt bad, pitited him. No matter what food he ate it wasnt enough substance to sustain him and sometimes Logan would wake up to find him eating a different zombie that made the mistake of trying to eat Logan.

You ever wake up in the morning, lose your zombie boyfriend, call for him only to walk outside and see him knawing on some poor chaps arm like a happy puppy who found a chicken leg? Logan has. Many times. And he wishes his phone would charge so he could take a picture of it but unfortunately theres no electricity in the post apocalypse world.

This being said Logan is like- THE perfect guy for apocalypse au because he can smell everything and hear anyone before they even get to you, he has better wilderness survival skills then anyone I know and he'll never NOT have a weapon on him because of his claws. The only downside is that he's tired easily, needs a lot of food, and would lowkey be withdrawing from his tabccao and alchool, therefore very moody.

"Stupid fucking apocalypse having to happen when im fucking alive!! Why can't I just NOT live through ONE major historical event! Is that too fucking much to ask? One damn decade where everything is fine and dandy and- WADE! Get your ass away from that!! It's radioactive!! For fucks sake!"

"Rahahrah?"

"NO!! You can not become Spiderman! That's not how that works!"

"Aawr..😔"

The whole thing is they're on a quest to find Laura and Gabby, because when everything went to shit, they were on a cabin trip and now Logans brain is itching because he dosn't know where his babies are and its driving him insane. Once he finds them, they're gonna shack up somewhere with food and animals to hunt, and hes gonna make a little shed outside for Wade to sleep because he'll kill him if he bites one of the girls.

He dosnt care that much about himself really and he hates himself deep down for not being able to trust wade anymore but even wade dosnt trust wade, sometimes wandering off on purpose, staying about 30 feet away from him at all times, growling and giving Logan that glazed over look of unconsiousness. The only good thing about this, though, is after he removes himself from the idea of hurting Logan (because if logaj were to become infected - HA! Your all fucked. Utterly fucked. The whole humanoid species would go extinct because he'd kill anything that moved) he feels more trusting of him and it's not uncommon for them to hug after either. Afterall Wade- Some how???- is still wade and is very affectionate and sensitive when its not returned.

This whole thing also makes him think worse about himself, kicking reflective objects or staring at himself in a shop window in utter shock and disgust with a face of 'thats me..?' While logans raiding the place for supplies.

Did you know zombies can cry? Well, Wade could. Not a lot, only able to get a bit of liquid from dehydration, but sometimes Logan will catch him just... sitting there.. crying. Upset with himself for being bit. Upset with himself for trying to bite logan all the time. Upset at how ugly he is. Upset that he's starving all the time. Upset that he can't even talk to anyone, and Logan just has to guess what he's saying 90% of the time. Bro is literally

When they DO find Laura and Gabby, the girls are doing great. Laura was going to blow wades head off until Gabby ran in the shot, hugging him instantly, only to be ripped away.

"Of course my dad is the weirdo married to a zombie." Laura grunts, but is secrelty happy that wade is still 'alive'

Gabby, being as young as she is, thinks it's so SICK that her dad is a zombie now, giggling when he talks to her and holding his hand. She's not allowed near him for long, and not at all by herself, but Gabby bassically becomes Wades number one supporter, defending him when he messes up and snaps at laura.

"He's just hungry!! He's not bad! It's not bad to be hungry!" She'll say. "You wouldn't kill me if I was hungry.." she tells her bigger, more survival oriented sister whos suggested putting wade out of his misery, for his own sake. "I tried that... he found me again 3 days later." Logan tells her with a pang in his chest. It had taken everything in him to kill him the first time, and sobbed himself to sleep the next 2 days. By the third when he noticed Wade following him from a distance he couldn't believe it.

Not even the apocalypse could keep them away from each other..

[infiniteorangethethird]

hellou hi i have a question if you don't mind :]

so, i have been considering using the loveless label for a while because i relate to y'all heavily but there's one issue. while i don't think i experience love for other people in a way loving folk seem to describe love..? i very much want to BE loved

this is probably tied to my NPD, both the loveless and the needing love parts

basically my question is - can you still be considered a loveless aro(ace, apl etc.) if you desire to be loved (w/o being able to reciprocate)?

sorry if it's a stupid question because maybe it defeats the purpose? idk. i've searched all of the internet and couldn't find anything even close to an answer tho so yeah :')

hi anon, my apologies for taking so long to reply 😭 I don't have an excuse besides a somewhat busy schedule and "I suck at replying at reasonable times sometimes" lmao

Short answer: yes.

Long answer: the good thing about the loveless label is that it's deliberately meant as a very fluid and dynamic label, defined by its user first and foremost. Some people call themselves loveless because they don't feel love at all, while others may use it because the love they feel does not seem to fit societal expectations, or even because they do feel love, but it's not as intense/special/important to them as society deems it to be.

All of these are just examples, but it illustrates the many ways one can interpret this label for themself. If you feel it is a good descriptor of your experiences and you feel comfortable using it for yourself? Go for it! (And welcome to the community <2)

As someone who works to deconstruct the romanticized idea of love, though, I can't help but make a note on the "wanting to be loved" part. (To be clear: this is NOT a jab at you, anon, nor at anyone who might be feeling similar; moreso thoughts and advice you can chew on if you'd like, or ignore if you don't.) In a lot of people's minds, there's a very strong connotation between "love" and "any kind of positive treatment", and as such I think it's worth asking ourselves: what do I mean when I say I want to be loved? Do I want them to feel a certain way about me, to act a certain way around me? What kind of treatment am I expecting of people who say they love me?

Love is a very individual thing, and knowing what you mean by love can help both in figuring out those expectations and in communicating them towards others. It also helps deconstruct the idea that "action made from love = good & action made not of love = bad". People who love you can still hurt you (hence why it's good to know what treatment you want, besides being loved), and people can still act good to you without love being a motivating factor behind it.

I hope this helps!

[n0tamused]

Albedo Headcanons

A/n: Since I don't have much to post rn, I decided to go back to some of my old headcanons that I didn't publish and expand on them. These ones are all the way back from 2022 even, but I'm still happy with my portrayal of Albedo lol. Hope you all enjoy them too! I did work on these a little more, but I didn't take in consideration all the new events with Albedo after 2022. Keep that in mind.

Contents: General platonic and romantic headcanons, Albedo x GN!Reader, fluff, dash of angst if you squint really hard, self indulgent, possible grammar mistakes

General headcanons:

- Albedo is not a person who really indulges much, or at all, in friendships and relationships. He can understand the appeal, but he simply does not care as much as an average individual. He has his work to get to and his research to keep going, and the continuously taxing process of keeping relationships in general are tiring for him

- He prefers his solitude much more than any other company. He may not be in love with people much, but he is in love with the trees, the branches, the snow falling and the frozen lakes of Dragonspine - every new day means a new love for him, and he cannot wait to do his homework on anything and everything, even things he understands fully now. One thing you can equate this love of his to is the snow of Dragonspine itself, countless snowflakes hugging the lands, buried deep in crevices and cracks, trying to get to the center of the world.

- Since he has researched so much, even the smallest of new discoveries are very exciting for him, it’s those small joys that show his inner being through the smile that lights his eyes and makes the corners of them crinkle.

- Due to his drawn back nature, and his origins, he isn't so well met with emotions, so those are one of his many interests and curiosities.  He is well mannered, he knows how to maneuver a situation, but when he looks back at it, he can't help but feel distant and confused - why did they get so excited over such a small thing? Why did she blush so easily? Why did that boy get so scared by some wind? Why did he find himself observing the contours of someone’s face when he didn’t know them? Why did he wish to sketch them?..etc 

- He doesn't think he feels sorrow/regret like the others, he isn't like the others that much is certain. Sometimes when he is alone in some comfortable space he will just stare somewhere and wonder.... how would have he turned out if he just...felt more.. What does true happiness without limitations feel like? What is freedom? Does it come without regrets? In those moments he understands what sadness is. All these thoughts make him feel so heavy, his chest is heavy and tight and his heart feels lonely. At times he thinks what would happen if one of his close co workers were to suffer an injury or quit their work for greener pastures, the field of alchemy certainly wasn’t any easy one for everyone. He knows he’d miss their presence.

- There are many more complex questions that plague him late at nights, only to shrug them off like a coat in the morning in favor of his Alchemist coat 

- This all being said, getting close to him is more on the difficult side. Unless you are willing to pull a little more work than him and frequently check in, he simply wouldn't know how to act. He does his best where he sees he can, though. He isn’t emotionless, just a bit clueless.

 - He would gladly help you, and guide you in the field of Alchemy in case you are curious about it, although he would much rather point you in the direction of a "starter mentor" first, before he offers himself as a mentor. It's not that he's underestimating you, but he feels as if giving you a good, solid start with a teacher of an "average" Alchemist would be a much easier way into the field of alchemy. In a way, you could say he’s underestimating himself in handing you the knowledge he has in a way you’ll understand. 

- Klee is one person he feels most close to. Sucrose is a capable lady, smart and close to Albedo, but Klee is someone who simply touches Albedo's heart in more ways than one. He wishes to keep her close and protect her, she feels familiar to him and gives him more sense of grounding to this world even if the responsibility of taking care of her wasn’t something he initially took on by choice

- That being mentioned he definitely has great patience with her, and slowly, even if she is not really able to understand, she is teaching him to feel

Romantic:

- Everyone knows the great Alchemist is also a great artist - everyone who has gazed upon his works would say so with 100 percent certainty paired with a couple more flattering words. Yet Albedo would shrug those compliments off and politely counter their words; a simple thank you does it

- He does not really see much of sentiment in those pieces of artwork as much as he does in the art he did of you

- Those are his favorite pieces. He loves to capture every detail of you whenever he can - the way your nose scrunches, the way your brow quirks, the way you lay down after a long day, the way the wind blows through your hair, the way your hands are after having them soaked in water for too long or when they’re cold..

- He is still quite reluctant about initiating contact, especially the physical one due to his lack of proper experience on the topic. Most information he has was read from books or heard from his fellow Knights, but none worth mentioning or trying in practice in interactions with you

- So it takes much, much for him to warm up to the ideas, you will have to initiate things slowly, so he can warm up to those touches initiated by you as well but he does his own part in reciprocating and returning those small affections

- The best ways of bonding together is babysitting Klee honestly; drawing, searching nature for anything of interest..etc. So that being said his love languages are quality time, after that it would be acts of service and after that words of affirmation. 

Ⓒ n0tamused. Do not repost, translate, edit, and/or copy any of my works. Likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated.

[princess-glassred]

Idk how this would happen but Imagine if somehow when the losers were kids, Richie gets into some kind of Big esque reverse 13 going on 30 scenario and just wakes up one day in his adult 40 year old body while it's still 1989. You expect him to freak out and have a crisis but no, richie lowkey likes being old cause he has an excuse not to go to school.

He smacks his head on the clubhouse ceiling and can barely fit in the stupid hammock anymore because of his long ass legs. All his friends try to razz on him for having body hair now but richie is like "i know! Its awesome! Im like a sasquatch!". Even though the body is only 40 Richie is still just a kid so hes acting like hes elderly, he even asks Bev if she thinks he can get senior discounts in this body. All of the losers have to beg him to please stop wearing shorts and put on some fuckin jeans. Richie tries getting beer now that he's but its so awkward "i'd like to get some beer." "Uh ok, what brand?" "...beer." "is this your first day being alive or something?".

Because he's a whole ass adult he can scare Henry with how tall and strong he is, so one day when they're in public bathroom he just comes out of the stall and scares the absolute crap outta him. In order to stop people from asking why a 40 year old is hanging out with a bunch of preteens so he says "They're my kids. All of them. I fucked all their moms.". For a while richie was just walking around in his kid clothes even though they didn't fit him at all and looked ridiculous on him, until Bill stole some of his dads clothes and gave them to him. Sometimes adult men will hit on Richie and he literally doesn't know how to respond, especially cause no women hit on him at all. Belch huggins dad gives him his phone number and he doesn't know how to feel about that. Eddie comes out of this entire richie situation with his taste in men totally changed forever.

Don't worry though, the whole thing wears off eventually 😉

[universalzones]

"Really? And here I thought they came all this for a fucking tea party with scones. Obviously I know GUN isn't here to just fucking talk, and I'm sure they have their own plans to be a pain in the ass. Though in case you forgot YOU'RE the hero, even to their bitch ass's. How do you think they'll react if you go off the fucking rails. At least if I do it then it'd be way easier for The Restoration to cut me off real quick." It was a blunt and harsh truth, though being such a loose cannon came in handy in a situation like this.

"What do you take me for, a fucking idiot? I'm well aware that I'll have to convince Kit NOT to fight GUN and let them arrest me, and doing that will be like pulling fucking teeth. That doesn't change the fact I trust only you to get him home and to keep your mouth shut just where it is. I'm not telling saying you can't be angry, though take it from me, you don't want it controlling you." Until today most of Surge's choices were driven by her anger.

"Look, I know you ain't happy about my choice, though believe it or not it's for me too. I got shit I need to pay for, and not everything is as easy as changing and running around helping people. Sometimes jail time is need, though I'm sure we both know some crazy threat will come up to force GUNs hand to let me loose to help which could help me get out faster." Surge main reason for doing this was clearly for Kit, though another reason was doing it for herself.

"So if you're done arguing with me then lets get to this fucking checkpoint and make sure GUN knows trying anything stupid will piss both of us off." Surge was ready to start telling GUN to pack it up and go the fuck home, if only for the fact it would get Drippy home faster. "Besides, in case you forgot we got giant Momma Wisp up there." The tenrec doubts GUN wants to fuck with a Wisp that side.

===========================================================

"Belle Bot wasn't designed programming of hacking, and it was something we put on the back burner as it was made mainly for defense purpose's. Simply put, it can't do something on this scale, though I suppose it'll work for at least jamming their communication and airships if need be. Belle Bot, run program delta nine B on all GUN communication devices and airship within range."

Belle Bot's eyes would glow green for a moment. "Executing command and calculating time until completion. Calculation complete. Command will be fully done in six minutes. Recommending to avoid conflict until process is complete." The bot would then put it's focus on completing the command.

"Why? It's not like you did this to me, and honestly I couldn't care less about your existence by this point. At this point my dislike for you is only because of how continue to let Sonic act so foolish and not convince him to end Eggman. Heroism is fine, though there's a clear line between heroism and stupidity. You and I both know if Sonic really wanted to he could end Eggman at anytime. I'm sure even you can, though you don't." For the most part Kitsunami had gotten past Starline's programming expect for a voice every now and then.

"So there's nothing to talk about as I just don't like you, though I can also admit I don't trust you either. Mainly because our points of view are so far apart and so different. If it helps I can say it's no longer personal as I apply this logic to Sonic and plenty of your friends." Kitsunami could now say he was mostly thinking for himself, even if most of his motivation was to help Surge.

All Sonic could see in that moment was red, and that anger was bubbling up like geyser ready to blow. He didn't have much in this world that he cared for, and he knew Amy was a tough girl. But seeing her like that just flipped a switch for him. Maybe it was that curse that linked him to her, or maybe was just his own protective nature as a guardian of his world. He didn't know but he'd never felt such a desire to put someone in the ground. Even despite the fact that he was hyper aware Surge was trying to prevent him from making a huge mistake. It didn't really register completely.

He grit his teeth and leaned in close to Surge and was seconds from speaking, telling her where she could shove her worries. If she knew Abe like he did, if she had any idea of all the awful things he was party to. She'd have wanted to put him in the ground to. GUN drove Gerald mad, tossed shadow in a damn stasis pod, killed maria in cold blood and so much more! there was alot they would never atone for in Sonic's eyes---all of this was just another drop in the bucket.

" Talkin' ain't ever gonna be GUN's language! I am so sick of tryin' to talk with those people! they only language they get is force, so i'm just gonna speak there language!?! "

He had no qualms busting Surge's face wide open to get to them either! Luckily Tails voice was perhaps the one he needed to hear most, mostly because of how close they were. But despite that it didn't make him less angry, it just made him bury it again and hide away like he always did. When he thought about it, he was kind of a coward wasnt he? always hiding, always tucking his tail and running from all that pent up aggression.

Surge could see his hostility ebb away, it was likely the first time she'd seen him so worked up. Yes he did care for Amy, like he cared for Tails, and anyone who threatened them was on his shit list!

" ... Mark my words, they ain't here to talk Surge... those bastards are a bunch of child killin' life ruinin' sacks of absolute shit. I'll play nice... but the moment i find out Abe was behind Amy's attack... the gloves are off... i ain't puttin' that to the side. You'd do the same if it was Kit... "

He looked away from her to the airship that was just within sight of them now.

" They ain't here to help... you an i both know it... this is gonna be us vs them... i'll wait... and i keep my promises. So you can relax... "

He was still very obviously pissed off, and only holding back for the time being. One wrong move by GUN was likely to set his ass off. But he knew if GUN had his way they'd lock them both up for sure. His eyes went to Surge though and narrowed as he realized something important and, as he needed some way to direct his anger he snapped at her instead.

" and YOU need to tell him the damn truth! because i sure as fuck ain't gonna explain it to him. Do you think for a moment he'd listen to me or tails anyway? You need to tell him, and soon..."

===============================================

Tails wasn't sure if it was Belle in control or an auto pilot in truth it was hard to tell. But he was pretty impressed by the over all craftsmanship of the bot. It was impressive and showed how far she'd come! He was always impressed by her work, and it was proof in his mind that Eggman's bots could do good given the right program and incentive.

" And who do you think designed the artificial Chaos? Doctor Gerald Robotnik... Eggman's grandfather. Lots of Eggman's technology was inspired by Gerald, even if Gerald's intentions were pure... alot of his tech was turned into weapons for GUN or worse... locked up for being to dangerous. But i guess you know more about it then i do... just hard not to see the similarities "

Tails had been working the entire time he was talking. He connected the satellite to the Belle Bot which gave her access to the eye in the sky. This also allowed her to interface with the restoration com network fully, and reconnect the broken bits from the EMP with the satellites network.

" I got it, i do hope Belle doesn't mind me using the belle Bot as a relay... but, that should reconnect Restoration communications. Also you should be able to use the belle bot's signal to connect to the satellite using it as a proxy. That should limit any risk to your own equipment... "

Not that there was any risk to begin with, but he hoped it quelled Kit's paranoia.

" I... know i probably shouldn't even say anything. But... I'm Sorry you know, for everything that's happened... Deep down i guess i just want to find some middle ground for you and I... I just want us to be able to talk ... work this all out somehow. "

He sighed and gave Kit a side glance with one of his ears falling over

" When this is over... do you think... we can talk? Not asking for anything else... just a chance for us to talk, "

[queenie-the-court-jester]

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