#Girl help I can't talk about my favorite media like a normal person. I will just keep talking

[cringecompanionapologist]

Some Observations About Tegan

I have the classic fandom problem of paying more attention to the boys than the girls. I know. But here's some stuff about a woman. Well, not really, since it's above a dynamic between that woman and a man, but it's not in a romantic sense, so maybe that helps? I don't know.

But I do wanna say some stuff about Tegan.

Looking at both the show and fandom response to the character, I can't help but think that Tegan is one of the most screwed-over companions in the history of Doctor Who. The same could be said to some extent of every Saward Era companion (Adric, Nyssa, Tegan, Turlough, Peri, and Mel), but it's frustrating with Tegan in a way slightly different from the others, especially among Five's group.

Every companion from this era was screwed over by the writers, the fandom, or both in their own unique way. Some of it was fixed in hindsight, especially with Nyssa, favorite companion of Peter Davison and beloved of Big Finish that she is. By the time we get to Peri and Mel, it feels like the companions were being set up to fail and doomed from the start. Adric and Turlough, as male companions, have to fight an uphill battle to justify their existence, especially since they both break away from the traditionally male companion role of "handsome man of action who does the fight scenes and convinces women to watch the show".

Tegan was the most "normal" of Five's companions, which is why she stuck around for as long as she did. She could fill a sort of generic companion role that you couldn't convincingly do with the alien companions. She had more in common with the audience. But, having her just exist to ask "What's that?" over and over didn't do much for her characterization.

Looking into the show's history and what the team behind the scenes seemed to want to do with it at the time, it all sort of makes sense. Most of the writers seemed more interested in sci-fi concepts than in characters. The characters were kept generic to avoid distracting from the worldbuilding and complex plot exposition. This is probably how Five got his reputation for blandness. A lot of televised Five stories have the Doctor as a generic Doctor and the companions as generic companions. They didn't have to be written this way. They had personalities. But most of the writers had little interest in actually using them.

The isn't as big of a problem in EU media. You got a new generation of writers with more interest in the characters, so the characters got developed in a way the show never really let them. However, that doesn't mean that the EU just came in and made everything perfect. This applies to pretty much every character but the way it applies to Tegan is interesting. It's my belief that Tegan, though written well at times, was never utilized in the way that would've worked best.

To explain what I mean by that, we'll have to step away from Tegan for a moment and look at the Fifth Doctor. Since the Doctor is the main character for most eras of the show, the companions are usually written to compliment them in some way. The male companions of the 60s were made into action heroes because that was something the Doctor couldn't do. The companions often have different moral positions from the Doctor, creating situations for them to learn from each other. The plot of the early seasons was basically all about the balance of the worldviews of the Doctor vs. Ian and Barbara. And from them, the basic ideas behind how companions are supposed to work were established.

But, as the Doctor regenerated, you ended up with different personalities and different skill sets. The Second Doctor had better social skills than the first and was often easier to get along with. He occasionally needed his companions to call him out, but the tone of it had changed. Compare The Edge of Destruction, where the Doctor is definitely in the wrong and needs to learn to listen to Barbara, who talks some sense into him, to The Evil of the Daleks, where Jamie calls the Doctor out for lying to him and risking his life, but the audience is given enough context to know that the Doctor is doing the best he can and tried to avoid risking Jamie to the point of offering himself up in his place, making the situation more of a misunderstanding. The Doctor was being dishonest, but he put more thought into Jamie's safety than Jamie was aware of. The conflict is now far more two-sided.

We could go into the whole history of this process, but I think I've made my point. Now we've got to ask how this applies to the Fifth Doctor. Every Doctor sort of serves as a response and contrast to the previous one. Two is more socially aware than One, but this awareness allows him to manipulate people and be more dishonest. Now we look at how Five contrasts with Four.

The important thing here is actually a trait of both Three and Four that Five seems to lack, but that he doesn't really know how to solve problems without, something I could describe as a Vibe of Authority. Three and Four could show up in a room full of strangers and make them all shut up and listen to them. It was in their force of personality. Five doesn't have this trait. He tries to make people shut up and listen, but they don't and then people start dying.

The thing is, the Doctor is perfectly capable of saving the day without the Vibe of Authority. We already know this by Five's time because Two pulled it off easily. He was a funny little man in shaggy clothes. When he showed up in a situation, he didn't feel like an authority who needed to be listened to. He was just a traveler who happened to be in the neighborhood, noticed that there seemed to be some trouble, and now he's curious. Two would often stay on the sidelines, ask questions, learn about what was going on and the motives of everyone involved, and only take action once he already knew everything and had been around for long enough for the locals to realize that he knew what he was talking about. They'd notice that the people who dismissed him tended to be killed by monsters more than those who listened to him, and they started listening.

Some Doctors have the Vibe of Authority and some don't. Some are a bit more vague about it. 3, 4, and 6 definitely have it. 2 and 7 don't and know how to get by without it. The new series tends to give the Doctor the Vibe of Authority or the ability to gain that authority with one good speech. Midnight is about what would happen in 10's usual Vibe of Authority failed him. 13 has the same problem as 5 with the added implication of sexism being involved. 15 has the Vibe of Authority unless racism is involved.

So you end up with three (2 and a half, really) lose categories of Doctors with Authority, Doctors that lack Authority and can make it work, and Doctors that lack Authority but can't make it work and thus suffer. 5 invented this category.

The thing is, the audience wants to see the Doctor save the day. A few tragic failures here and there are memorable. You have the occasional Midnight where things don't work like they're supposed to, the occasional Dot and Bubble where it's all outside the Doctor's control, and it works. But, if it happens all the time, it's just depressing. You don't wanna have too many be losses in a row. You'll notice that Midnight and Dot and Bubble are both stories where a Doctor with Authority gets into a situation where their authority is compromised. This isn't the norm for them. But, with Doctors like 5, people not listening and dying tragically is the norm. It's very cynical and no fun.

So, how do we get around this? Companions. If the Doctor can't take control of the situation himself, you get a companion who can do it for him. Get everyone to shut up and listen to their friend the expert.

Tegan is perfect for this. We see it from the very beginning. In Logopolis, when she ends up in a situation, she tries to take charge. This clashes with Four's authority, but that's not a problem with Five. He thinks it is, because he expects to be treated like Three and Four, but instead of trying to be like them and failing, he could learn that Tegan could help him out. The flight attendant keeps the passengers calm and instructs them on what to do in an emergency while the pilot sorts out what's wrong with the plane.

In this format, Tegan is a sort of update of Barbara designed for a Doctor like Five. The Doctor has to learn that, despite her being an ordinary human, she's someone worth listening to. They develop a sense of mutual respect and start working as a team. They get into situations. The Doctor is the one who knows how to fix it, but Tegan is the one makes sure it gets done.

If you look at Castrovalva, you can see that Bidmead, season 18's script editor who wrote season 19's first story on the way out, seemed to be aware of this. It's kind of funny that Bidmead basically wrote the instructions for how to manage the new TARDIS team into the script and either no one noticed or no one followed them.

Tegan takes charge and keeps the group together. Nyssa is the STEM genius who handles the technobable. Adric is the show's connection to the past, connecting the Doctor to Tegan and Nyssa kind of like how Susan connected the Doctor to Ian and Barbara. Also he can sort of fly the TARDIS with his math powers.

But, instead, we got Tegan being portrayed as an obnoxious complainer, Nyssa as a borderline non-entity, and Adric refusing to get along with anyone and none of his skills amounting to anything.

Between this and Frontios, which gave Turlough an arc without being his introduction or exit, Bidmead was obviously one of the most competent writers of this era.

Anyway, this is the part where I blame sexism.

This TARDIS team set-up would be based on its own version of The Edge of Destruction, a crisis that gets everyone working together for the first time. Specifically, it would involve the Doctor learning to listen to Tegan, like the First Doctor learned to listen to Barbara.

Yes, the third story of the Hartnell era was basically about the Doctor learning to listen to and respect a woman. Yes, the Hartnell era is dated, and that includes its treatment of women, but by Classic who standards, it was one of the most progressive eras in that regard. You started off with Verity Lambert as producer, a woman with a major role behind the scenes and it pays off. Yes, the women screamed a lot and needed to be rescued sometimes. Susan was particularly bad about this, despite having the potential to not be. But, Susan is recognized for her intelligence. Ian and Barbara are treated as equals and treat each other as equals. The Doctor learning to respect humanity is somewhat based in respecting Barbara in particular. By The Edge of Destruction, Ian had called the Doctor out on his bullshit multiple times. The Doctor would behave better for a little while, but he kept being a bastard. It's Barbara calling him out that causes him to change. Basically, when the Doctor thinks about his love and respect for humanity and how great humans are, he's thinking of Barbara.

Tegan was basically Barbara for a new generation. An ordinary human woman who was still intelligent and capable as a leader. But, Tegan's more assertive side was consistently portrayed as something annoying, with the implication that she needed to shut up and listen to the Doctor. It's the opposite of what you got with Barbara twenty years prior.

And, though Tegan has been given more depth and written sympathetically, this aspect of the character still hasn't really been recognized. To my knowledge, there still isn't a story where the Doctor has to put aside his pride and listen to Tegan. And I think that's kind of sad.

A lot of new series companions (especially Donna) have worked to make up for this. It's not the 1980s anymore. But we can't fully dismiss this as "people from the past sucked" when the show was more progressive in 1964 than it was in 1984.

Anyway, tldr: Tegan deserved better

That's all I got.

[super-ion]

Ion & Emily

Cannonball's Story - Part I

Ion & Emily Masterpost

Emily and I are laying in bed. She's reading something on her phone… something about deconstructivism I think, I'm not one hundred percent sure. Don't get me wrong, her art is amazing and I absolutely love when she talks shop, but I sometimes get lost when she gets really deep into it.

Sorry. I'm getting distracted… Emily. Girlfriend. My very favorite person in the world. I love her. She's amazing.

Okay, so we're laying in bed. Her back's to me and I'm tracing the dragon tattoo on her back with my fingertips. All of a sudden, something clicks in my mind.

"Wait a minute," I say. "You're indestructible. How do you have tattoos?"

Because she's former child superhero Cannonball, notable for being completely impervious to any injury. I still can't get over the fact that I'm dating a celebrity I had a huge crush on as a teenager… sorry, distracted again.

Anyway, she puts her phone down and rolls over to face me and she's got this really thoughtful look on her face, like there's a story here with a ton of emotion behind it. She looks at her wrist and the really rough star tattoo there. Like, super rough, like a diy at home stick and poke looking thing.

"Do you want the short version or the long version?" she asks.

Oh god, I want the long version.

"I want the version you want to share," I reply.

She smirks. She knows I want the long version.

"Alright, so like… two months after I turned eighteen…"

Emily wiped the condensation off the mirror. A black eye stared back at her. It took a lot for her to bruise, indestructible as she was, but hit her hard enough in just the right way and it could leave a mark. For example, a thrown I-beam to the face could do the trick.

She and John had been fighting Topaz Titan and things had gotten slightly out of hand. John, Shadowkid, made the mistake of stepping in wet concrete. Topaz saw his shot and launched the projectiles at him. Emily barely managed to shove him out of the way when it hit. She must have blacked out for a minute or two; when she came too John had beaten the absolutely crap out of Topaz. Both of them knew how to end a fight just as well as drag one out. The I-beam had been meant to kill, so it was an invitation for the gloves to come off.

The fact was Topaz Titan had meant to hurt them. And that scared the crap out of her.

John was content to linger and preen with the media, but all she had wanted to do was go home and stand in the shower until she could forget and just not feel any more.

Normal teenagers weren't supposed to worry about shit like this. Normal kids her age were filling out college applications and worrying about asking their classmates to dances or whatever. Emily wasn't normal. She never had been normal. 

How could she be? The daughter of Cobalt Blade and Moon Fox had a legacy to uphold. Thank god she had a twin brother to help shoulder that burden… Shadow Kid and Cannonball, 2011's Junior Superhero Team of the Year…

In some ways, that was worse, but at least she wasn't alone.

As the room filled with steam, she saw her whole miserable life stretch out in front of her. Fight the bad guys, pose for the cameras, rinse, wash, repeat ad infinitum. Sure, some of the bad guys were in on the bit, vital cogs in the superhero industrial complex. They were there to help her sell toothpaste or athletic gear or whatever the hell product the sponsor of the week was trying to sell.

But then there were always the real bad guys, the real threats. When they showed up, it would be on her to defend and protect. It would be on her to take every punch, every bullet, every lightning bolt. She was Cannonball. Her powers put her right in the line of fire. Every. Single. Time.

And it would never end.

She glared at the girl in the mirror, daring her to derail the carrousel of her life. She wanted to scream, she wanted… something… anything.

Not that that would accomplish anything substantive. The last time she had done something impulsive, the last time she had tried to take control of her life, it got spun into something marketable. She chopped off her hair and stuck a pride pin on her costume and now she was another symbol for rainbow capitalism.

And yeah, she had submitted applications to art schools, just a tiny little act of secret rebellion. The problem was her schedule was so packed, her portfolio was notably barren. There was no time for art. There was barely time for regular school work.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. A moment later, Janice entered. Despite her dark mood, Emily felt a tiny thrill at the presence of her girlfriend-

"Wait, wait, wait. Pause. Time out." I interject. "Janice? As in Janice from media relations?"

Emily pinches the bridge of her nose and lets out a heavy sigh.

"Yeah… that Janice. She interned with our media team. She was two years older than me, she was hot. We ended up dating for a minute."

"...What??"

"Listen, it's not like I had many dating prospects at the time. Can you blame horny dumbass baby lesbian me for falling head over heels for the first girl to bat her eyelashes at me?"

"But… Janice?"

She smacks me with a pillow.

"I'm bearing my soul here, and you're making fun of me," she chides with a wry tone. "Do you want to hear the story or not?"

"Okay, sorry. Please, do continue."

-Janice. Punctual, dependable, occasionally cold Janice.

Emily turned to face her, desperate for some indication that everything was alright, that she was overreacting.

"Ah," Janice said, wincing slightly at the sight of the bruise. "Let's take a look at that."

Her hands were firm and gentle as she took Emily's face in them. She examined the black eye with a clinical expression and pursed lips.

"Well…" she said finally. "It's not too bad. We'll have to cancel tomorrow's photoshoot, but you should be okay for Thursday's interview with some make up. We can do the run through for that during the photoshoot time slot."

Emily felt the bottom drop out of her stomach. She should have anticipated that. She didn't know exactly where the breaking point was until that exact moment.

She pulled away from Janice and faced the mirror once more.

"I can't do this," she whispered, desperately trying to keep her voice from breaking.

Janice cocked her head.

"What? The interview? We can probably-"

"No!" Emily shouted. She gestured to the room with its bland, generic superhero posters. She gestured to where her costume still lay crumpled on the floor. She gestured to the tablet in Janice's hand where every single minute of her life was scheduled.

"This!" Emily snapped. "All of this. I can't do this any more. I can't keep being a superhero. I can't keep going on like this. I can't go on having every damn minute of my life scheduled. I can't go on having the shit beat out of me because I can take a punch. I hate it. I never… goddamnit, I never wanted to do it in the first place. I'm done. I quit."

Janice's mouth dropped open and her eyes practically bugged out. In their entire time together, Janice had always been perfectly composed. Emily had never seen her shaken before this moment. Emily couldn't blame her, she was basically watching her nascent career go up in flames.

"What are you… no, you can't," Janice replied with a slight tremor. "There's… contracts and sponsors and-"

"I don't care," Emily interrupted. "We have an army of lawyers, let them figure it out. I'm. Done."

"Emmy, where is this coming from? Talk to me."

Emily closed her eyes and sighed. This was the hardest part, she knew it was coming, but that didn't make it any easier.

"Janice… I think… I think we're done too."

There was a beat, then a soft gasp.

"Are… are you breaking up with me?"

Emily squeezed her eyes tighter.

"Yeah, I guess I am."

"Oh… I… excuse me…"

Emily didn't open her eyes as Janice fled the room. Instead, she clutched the edge of the sink until her knuckles hurt and gave up trying to fight back her tears.

It was for the best, she told herself. They weren't right for each other, it had always just been some stupid teenager's romantic fantasy. She almost believed it, almost convinced herself that it would be alright. Maybe she'd believe it one day, but right now it felt too raw.

She finally opened her eyes and looked at the girl in the mirror. Despite her heartache, despite the fact that she just upended her entire life, she felt indescribable relief. The whole gamut of emotion warred on inside her as she tried to make sense of her reflection.

The girl staring back at her was Emily. Not Cannonball. Just Emily. Normal, nothing special Emily. It was a version of her that didn't have to worry about posing for photos to sell shampoo or appearing in science education videos aimed at middle schoolers. It was a version of her that could go to college, get an art degree, maybe work at a coffee shop or something to pay the bills. It was a version of her that could be free.

She glanced back at her discarded costume.

She was never wearing it again.

She needed to get out of there. It didn't matter where, just anywhere that wasn't the Tower.

She sprinted to her closet and threw on some street clothes. Ratty jeans, leather jacket, her favorite boots… god, she could wear whatever she wanted and not have to listen to Janice complain about her fashion choices.

That thought brought a twinge of guilt. 

No, Janice would be fine. She was too relentless, too driven not to land on her feet. This was for the best.

Emily threw open the door, only to find herself face to face with her brother. They were the same age, minutes apart, but somehow he had managed to gain six inches on her when they were fifteen and she had never caught up, so she had to tilt her head slightly to meet his eyes. Those eyes, the same brown as hers, looked down at her with confusion and concern.

"John," she said dazedly.

His was the one opinion in the world she actually cared about and she wasn't sure she was quite ready for this inevitable confrontation.

"Em… uh… I was just coming to check on you and…" he glanced over his shoulder down the hall. "Is Janice alright? I've never seen her that upset… like, ever."

"I just broke up with her," Emily said dully. "I think I might have broken her heart."

"Okay…" he replied. "Uh… you wanna talk about it?"

She took a breath. Here goes nothing.

"John," she said. "You remember how we promised we'd have each other's backs no matter what?"

"Yeah…" he replied cautiously.

"I don't… I don't know if I can…"

She took another breath.

"I'm quitting the League," she admitted. "I'm retiring. No more Cannonball."

He huffed a laugh and ran a hand through his hair. She blinked in confusion.

"Em," he said with a smile. "I've got your back. I'll always have your back. But, like, that promise wasn't just about super shit. I mean, admit it, you've been totally miserable the past few months."

It was Emily's turn to let out a laugh. Of course he knew. He knew her better than anyone. Maybe he was the only person who knew her.

"Yeah, I guess so," she admitted. "I don't know, it was fun at first, I guess. I just… this isn't the life I want. I don't want to be the punching bag for the rest of my life."

He took her shoulders in his hands and peered down at her.

"Em. It's fine. You can quit. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks. Not Janice or mom or dad or even me. You gotta do what's best for you. I love you and I want you to be happy."

More tears filled her eyes.

"Who are you and what have you done with my brother?" she asked as she wiped at her cheeks.

He laughed and she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"Still got my back?" he asked, returning the hug.

"Mhmm," she replied as more tears fell.

"I need to go out for a bit," she told him when she finally let go. "Gotta clear my head. Can you cover for me?"

"Uhh… how late do you think you'll be back?" he asked warily.

She shrugged.

"As long as you can give me."

~~~

Shoutout to @the-sword-lesbian for inspiring me ask the important questions like "how the hell does Emily have tattoos?" which I promise will be answered in part 2

[polarbearqueen3527]

I posted 1,189 times in 2022

117 posts created (10%)

1,072 posts reblogged (90%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@pencil-case-watches

@dragonwolf3416

@amongus-pussy

@neohood

@annikathewitch

I tagged 72 of my posts in 2022

#jumblr - 4 posts

#tumblr milestone - 2 posts

#yeah - 2 posts

#politics - 2 posts

#tw abortion - 2 posts

#3000 posts - 1 post

#this is my gender - 1 post

#i think - 1 post

#tw bugs - 1 post

#moth - 1 post

Longest Tag: 140 characters

#i'm mutuals with someone else who also regularly says noted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

To start this post, a disclaimer: I'm not qualified to talk about this. This doesn't mean I can't, or that I'm automatically wrong, but it does mean you should not put me up on a pedestal. This also isn't to say I have no experience. This post is a combination of ideas from my observations of sped / other programs for kids with disabilities, as someone who sits right on the border of needing that help. It's also based on ideas from temple grandins book "Animals in translation", from the anthology "what every autistic girl wishes her parents knew" written by autistic women, and a few other books by autistic authors. With all that out of the way, let's get started.

One thing I've noticed is that people working with people with disabilities who don't communicate verbally in a fluent manner, either by talking or by using sign language or a talker, is that they tend to forget they're working with people. They don't nesscesarily forget that the person they're working with is human and should be treated with appropriate respect, but they tend to forget that, even if they can't express their thoughts and feelings, they may still have them. I've never seen someone ask what's bothering someone in shutdown or meltdown, and, as someone who does get those, that's absolutely a question that should be asked. When someone goes into shutdown, what I tend to see is people pushing them to start acting "normal" again. They don't process that a shutdown or meltdown IS normal for them. A shutdown or meltdown is someone taking the time to self regulate. Stopping people from doing that is like stopping someone who is too hot from taking off a jacket. It's harmful. If added up again and again through repetition, it can be abusive and traumatic. Imagine that instead of someone going into shutdown, you have a baby that's crying. (Please note that I'm not saying disabled people are like babies) you could shout at it, or physically hold it's mouth closed. But everyone knows that's abusive. What you do is try to figure out what's wrong, and fix it. The same goes for so many other situations, and that should include people with disabilities. Don't force them to act like neurotypical people, and don't assume that the way they emote is the same. For instance, when I'm in pain, I don't cry. It's not that I'm holding back, pain just doesn't make me feel like crying. A disabled person may well know what's wrong, even if they're not sure how to communicate it. Reach out to them, and help them do it. If you have to physically restrain them, you're probably doing it wrong.

7 notes - Posted February 16, 2022

#4

Special really weird love languages:

Yelling at someone for binding unsafely

Leading someone so that they can close their eyes at a party with flashing lights that don't work well for them

Sharing your favorite stims

Taking care of someone's emotional state

Cooking people their favorite cookies

Simping about your partners to people

Talking about your own somewhat different special intrests/ hyperfixations and they talk about theirs

Telling them when you discover a piece of media you think they'll really like

8 notes - Posted May 19, 2022

#3

So I got a long sponsored post (missed the sponsored part and the blog url) and I was like huh what is this post looks like a story that's cool

Looks like letters to a character called yisarael maybe it's from jumblr

Saw the url looks kinda christian hmm

And then this line and I knew oh so christian

(screenshot reads grant me a place in the marrow of your bones)

Like how do I know this is Christian? Idk, but my friends agree

9 notes - Posted May 7, 2022

#2

This post is about accommodating people with food allergies, and written by somebody with allergies of a variety of severities.

First, know that:

Not all allergies are life-threateningly severe.

Every single allergic reaction is different: not just depending on the person and/or the allergen, either.

Not all food sensitivities are allergies.

Allergies are different from gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, and celiac disease.

Allergies do not just affect children - some people grow out of their allergies, some don't.

Allergies are not just to the "major" allergens (peanuts, treenuts, sesame, dairy, eggs, wheat, milk, soy, shellfish and latex)

Some people are fine as long as they don't eat large quantities of whatever they're allergic to, and some people shouldn't even be in the same room as their allergens.

Contamination (allergens accidentally getting on things) can be in foods and drinks, on objects or hands, or airborne.

Not everyone with allergies needs or carries an epi-pen or benadryl.

An allergic reaction can be mild enough that only the person having it notices. Just because you can't tell someone is having an allergic reaction doesn't mean it's not unpleasant for them.

Some people have to worry about cross contamination. Some don't.

Never try to test if someone is faking an allergy. Best case scenario they no longer trust you, worst case scenario you're now a murderer.

Listen to people about what they say they need.

If you decide not to alter a recipe so someone can eat it because you don't want to, you're being an asshole.

If you cook for anyone you don't know well, make sure you at the very least know what major allergens are in the food.

When someone says they'd rather not risk contamination and won't eat the thing you made, it isn't because they don't trust you not to do your best. It's because they'd much rather have a 100% chance of nothing happening than try your food and have a small chance of having a very unpleasant day.

Some people are ok if there are trace amounts of allergens. Some aren't.

Not all allergies are anaphylactic.

Please reblog, but don't feel obligated.

13 notes - Posted April 10, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Hey, everyone, what's a literary device you enjoy writing with?

I'll go first, I'm a big fan of repitition.

43 notes - Posted October 13, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[bionicbore]

So if Douglas named his kids alphabetically, with Chase being the youngest biological child (or Daniel, depends on if you wanna keep him), the most recent “child” being Marcus... did Douglas make other androids?

We technically don’t know Marcus’s real age- Douglas references his 16th birthday, but that’s in the context of Marcus perceiving himself and being perceived as a 15 year old boy. He also says that androids have a short lifespan

Marcus was smart, but wasn’t aware of his robotic status. So unless Douglas coded in some very specific mental blocks, there’s no way Marcus could be much more than a year old, tops, before he’d notice something like him not aging

So were there androids before him? One for each letter, and unless Douglas  designed a new look from scratch every time one burnt out, they all may have been the same model. It’d explain having to move a lot

It’d also explain why Douglas was so... nonchalant about Marcus’s death, despite seemingly treating him like a son whenever they were both on screen. Losing what was essentially the same kid for like the 9th-10th time over the course of a decade would probably be hard on the psyche if you dwell on it too much, as messed up as that is

[stonyoongi]

➙ Your first date with them (yandere au)

PARING: Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung & Jeon Jungkook x female reader

WARNINGS: obsession behavior, stalking, religious themes, corruption kink, suggestive(?)

English isn't my native language so please excuse me if I make any grammatical errors and feel free to let me know.

A/N: guess i can say this is the start of a new series? i also have something planned for hyung line

MASTERLIST

After months of watching you from a distance, smelling your sweet scent just from the scent of your clothes that he stole on some of his visits to your house (the fact that your mother are always working and the maid who takes care of the house is a half-deaf old woman helped a lot facilitated things for him), and knowing your personal tastes based on what you posted on social media and what he heard about you, he finally mustered up the courage to talk to you and ask you to go on a date with him.

Such was his surprise when you smiled and replied that you would love to accompany him to the movies on Saturday night.

Although she was very nervous, Jungkook struggled to make the encounter nice for you. He fought not to ask too much questions because he did not want to make you uncomfortable to be very invasive, however, also struggled to not seem disinterested. He loved the fact that you seemed so comforting to share more about you with him.

Of course he already knew that your favorite ice cream flavor was vanilla, your favorite color is blue, you're a big fan of fantasy books and that you have a beautiful kitten called Suga. However, it was still so good to hear this from you.

He insisted that you would choose what they would watch and also a point of paying for tickets. During the film, you surprised him the second time as you lumped your head under his shoulder, probably having noticed that he was hesitant to pass his arm around your shoulders.

When you left the movie theater, it was Jungkook's turn to take action: he held your hand. You talked more during the course home, shared your opinions about what you watched and you laughed at the silly imitation that Jungkook made the protagonist.

You put a gentle kiss on his cheek when he parked in front of your dormitory and wished good night before you got off the vehicle, leaving Jungkook smiling foolishly.

[22:47] Jungkook: thank you for today! i hope we can repeat :)

[23:14] YOU: i can't wait;)

After almost being fired because of an idiot who does not know how to listen to a "no", your main rule with waitress became that you never never would go to a date with customers again.

However, Kim Taehyung became an exception.

You did not think anyone with the financial conditions he looked to have frequent places like which you worked. You mean, if he can afford to dress up in expensive brands, wear jewelry, and drive a badass car, he sure as hell can eat at a fancy place with expensive fare, but he's still a regular customer at the diner where you waitress. He was like more than the other guys. More daring, more beautiful, more insistent.

From Taehyung's point of view, you weren't really different from the other girls he was with, however, as cliché as it may sound, there was something different about you. He never believed that love-at-first-sight bullshit, but he could have sworn that's what happened when he saw you. He became obsessed, got personal information from you like where you were born, where you live, who your family is. Things like your favorite ice cream flavor and favorite book he left for you to tell him when you finally agreed to have dinner with him.

You were a big challenge for Kim Taehyung, but it wasn't like he was going to give up.

He picked you up at the agreed time and took you to a fancy restaurant, just as you imagined. Taehyung opted for a table in a more private area, where you could have the privacy you needed to get to know each other. Unlike what you thought, the conversation flowed normally, as if you had known each other for many years. He made you feel comfortable talking about yourself and showed interest in the most frivolous things. You had the same effect on him, for although he doesn't like to talk about himself, he has shared some things with you.

From Jimin's point of view, you met in the best-case scenario: church, because that's where the good girls are, ready to receive the first touches on their untouched bodies, eager to have their souls corrupted and hearts broken by a bad boy.

He liked you instantly, decided he wanted you as soon as he laid eyes on you for the first time. You looked so beautiful in that below-the-knee dress and he was curious what the excess cloth was hiding, your eyes conveyed purity. He knew it wouldn't be hard to have you, after all, who could resist the pastor's son?

Weaning a pretty sundress and carrying a backpack on your back, you walked gracefully towards him. Jimin couldn't help but smile at the sight, delighted at how beautiful you looked.

— You're so fucking beautiful.— were the first words he said when you were close enough to listen to him.

— Oh... hello, Jimin.— you smiled shyly, before sitting next to him on the colorful towel stretched out on the floor.

It was still strange for you to deal with this version of him, the version that speaks profanity and flirts with you ... but you liked it very much.

The idea of the picnic in the park was yours and his dirty mind could no longer like it. Tease you in a public place with subtle touches on your legs, long looks on your neckline, suggestive comments ... You seemed so attractive with the confusing face and then red by understanding what he really wanted to say.

Contrary to what he expected, he really had fun at his side. You proved to be a very interesting and funny girl. The afternoon was pleasant and he found himself wanting more and more of you, feeling almost unable to stay away after you got so close.

On the way home he fought the thoughts of anyone else doing to you what he intended to do, the rage nearly consuming him at the very fact that the possibility existed.

You are his now.

[mentalspaco]

Okay but

Mikey definitely knits and sews. That's his thing. And he makes his brothers those knitted animals you see on Pinterest

These ones.

And oh me gosh the shenanigans that he could pull,,, but mainly i am convinced his brothers love and support him so much <3 bc he is the youngest <3 and idk i always love supporting my little sister when she's a big fan of something and i think it's really sweet. Like

Ralph gets mostly the stuffed animals, and he has a. Lot. Of them. But yk, you can never really have enough <3 because of his big rough shell and body he can't always squish and hug his family, specifically his siblings, as much as he'd like to, so the animals help him get some of his energy out <3

Leo gets the cool accessories. I'm talking: really awesome gloves, that goose bag from the pic, oh yes he unironically loves it. Knitted jellyfish ?? That he loves and adores so much that he shows to every person coming into his room?? A mini money purse that is shaped like a frog and can be opened by opening the frogs mouth????? Yes bitch. That's his stuff.

And ofc Donnie gets most of the knitted and sewn hoodies and jackets. (Head Canon that he also wears lots of robes just like their dad in the future, just really joggy and lose outfits)

Mikey even tried to replicate the purple jacket(!!!!!) As best as he could and after LOTS of hard work. And lots of investment of time and other bodily fluids. He gave it to Donnie on his birthday. You could say that Donnie rubbedd it very much in everyone's faces <3

(Mikey also made knee for Leo bc he and donut are twins, but the Leo agreed with Mikey that he'd get his a day after their birthday just to let Donnie have his fame and happiness for the day)

After Mikey's success with the purple jackets, he went and started in the designs of official mad dogs (!) Jackets!!! (It'd be a surprise for new years or something)

Donnie also gets.....!!!

Those knitted cat ears that you can wear on your headphones but also normally <3 Donnie, after that, only owns headphones with those car ear covers that Mikey made for him <3

Also cannot forget our main girl April ♡♡♡♡

She's a big big big autumn fan (no I'm not projecting) and Mikey made her some small mushrooms in various sizes and colors. And a tote bag with a strawberry pattern!!! Which is her favorite in the world!!!! (Also every Halloween he comes around with an outfit for Mayhem, i mean yeah mayhem can't hold still and doesn't wanna wear em but THEY LOOK SO. FREAKING CUTE ON THEM <333333)

Splinter gets socks. Because he's old and he complained about cold feet (he did also get a blanket for his tv chair. With which he falls even faster asleep)

Draxum also got some socks and a robe. So now he and splints are the tired dads who deserve retirement <3

And Mikey? He loves loves loves seeing how happy he can make his family <3 he loves to get inspired by the humans fashion sense and goes to social media to see what else he can put into his works. He always tries to find something new that he can somehow connect with his passion of creating!

[thera-daydreams]

PLUS ONE

》 A TRESE TWOSHOT 《

[Maliksi x Reader]

📝 Summary: In which your beloved best friend snatches you from your apartment at dawn asking you to be his plus one for his cousin's wedding. Unbeknownst to the clueless you, everything is just going according to Maliksi's ultimate masterplan. With the help of friends and family, the Prince of the Tikbalang finally gets the girl he's been longing for. And oh, Señor Armanaz gets his dream daughter-in-law and the promise of grandchildren within the year.

📌 Warning: May contain some slight NSFW for spicy suggestiveness and cussing. No smut or anything super SPG—this girl can't write that for her life—but just be prepared. It's Maliksi we're talking about. We've got friends-to-lovers, obliviousness, pining, fluff, and a tikbalang simp. Figure it out. 😃

(word count: 7,454) ���︎ Part Two: ?

》 AUTHOR'S NOTE 《

Not an Inday spinoff, but a lengthy oneshot in celebration of this blog getting 90 followers. Just ten more to 100, yay! Thank you so much for the love and support, everyone. I also promised that I'll be making this brainrot that @binibiningbabaylan and I have fangirled over a few days ago (find the original post here) when I finished the latest chapter of Inday. Here it is! 🥰

Before I forget, I was also inspired by the cute fic made by @crispybasil titled "Sunshowers" and the "Trese Boys As Things My Guy Friends Do" made by the amazing @smolla-than-a-bug (I bow down to your wonderful works in the Trese fandom). I definitely see Maliksi to be the type to go on spontaneous roadtrips and be the boyfriend to drive you around eveeeerywhere (while also driving you crazy). 🚘

There are also some songs mentioned throughout this work. You should probably listen to them while reading for the full experience. Ending was somewhat rushed but eh, I'm too exhausted and I've rewritten it too many times. Also, if someone makes some actual tikbalang smut, tag me please. Anyways, enjoy! 💕

The way it all started was hilarious. Absolutely fucking hilarious. It happened like a blur. Literally. One second, you were snoozing in your bed. The next? You had a seatbelt on in the shotgun seat of a sophisticated-looking car. Your brain didn't even get to process it yet.

"... So let me get this straight," you grumbled, still half-asleep from your sleep marathon. You just finished a hugely successful project at work yesterday, got promoted, and wanted to make up for the restless nights you spent overtime in the office. Of course you were irritated from being disturbed. You were on vacation leave for two entire weeks, originally planning to go into temporary isolation by deactivating your social media accounts and reserving a beach cabana for yourself in Batangas.

Well, turns out, you weren't going to Batangas anytime soon. All because your unreasonably spontaneous bestfriend of ten hectic years stole you from your apartment at 2AM. Was this considered kidnapping? Was this him just being more in touch with his tikbalang side, taking unsuspecting women in their sleep and leading them to their inevitable death? (He was going over the speed limit, so it was a valid thought.) Will wearing your shirt inside-out save you today? Lord, masyado ka pang pagod para mag-isip ngayon.

"Go on."

"You abducted picked me up in the middle of the night because you want me to be your plus one at your cousin's wedding in Tagaytay?"

"Yup. And technically, the venue is right on the outskirts of Cavite going to Tagaytay," he corrected you as a matter-of-factly.

"Same thing, whatever," you huffed tiredly. "Your cousin's wedding is at 6AM today. In a few hours. In four hours."

"Uh-huh."

You groaned exasperatedly, "Mal naman, eh! You didn't even let me bring anything. Could've at least given me a heads-up a few hours ago. I'm practically emptyhanded right now save for my phone! Sinungaling ka, you said this was just a normal midnight drive—not a freaking wedding!"

The Prinsipe ng Mga Tikbalang, son of the Great Stallion, heir to the Armanaz herd, and the Top Drag Racer of C-5 Expressway—if that was even one of his Game of Thrones-like titles—grinned as he continued driving beside you. He let you continue ranting in the passenger seat while he mulled over his ultimate masterplan that would change his entire life later on. He was a spur-of-the-moment kind of guy, so all this wasn't his thing. But for you? He'll make plans, alright.

"Wala man lang akong dinalang masusuot o kahit konting makeup para maging presentable sa harapan ng buong pamilya mo," you exclaimed, in absolute despair. "Do you know how out of my league you are? Your rich-ass family might judge me—hell, your dad might see me as a hampaslupa if I show up there in my pambahay and tsinelas!"

"Psh, I'm not out of your league," Maliksi waved it off, smoothly turning a corner. "And calm down. We've known each other for a decade! My dad practically loves you as his own daughter. Heck, the entire family knows you and keeps telling me they want you adopted in already. Lolo Andres and Lola Perlita said they'd have the paperwork settled. You just need to sign them."

It would be even better (and easier) if you married into the family. To him, specifically (as if he'd let anyone else have you). God, he was already being so obvious in his advances, but you were just so damn oblivious whenever it came to romance. None of this needed to happen if you just got it through your thick skull that he was madly in love with you.

"That's not the point, idiot!" you slumped back into your seat, hopeless. "Do you think the bride and the groom will get offended? Shit, baka masumpaan ako kung magagalit sila, Mal. Mukha akong patay galing sa South Cemetery."

The long-haired tikbalang rolled his eyes, "Huwag kang mag-alala. Nothing's going to go wrong. Chill ka lang diyan. I've got everything under control, babe."

Babe. Yes, he even called you babe but you thought it was him being a himbo and a massive flirt. Now, it was his common term of endearment for you, but you still assumed it was him just being irksome to you and that you couldn't stop the man from saying it anymore. Thus, you let it be (the most obvious hint of his attraction to you, bestie).

"... Ugh, why didn't you ask Hannah or Amie to go with you?"

He just smiled knowingly, shrugging and making up an excuse, "Nagmamadali ako, eh. Hannah and Amie are also coming, but they already have the other tikbalang as dates."

"'Luh, ako pala ang backup choice mo?"

"Heh. Whatever you want to think."

Little did you know that you were always his first choice. Always. Even when he pursued Alexandra Trese many years ago, trying to convince himself you were just his best friend, it was always you. How did he come to that realization? Well, an international band he was a fan of released a song a couple years ago and he heard it being played in a club in BGC. The song title?

It Was Always You by Maroon 5.

Needless to say, after hearing the song and being unable to get it—get you—out of his mind at night, he stopped courting Alexandra. Unfortunately for him, that time, you'd started dating other men. Therefore, he was left on the sidelines... until your latest and most painful breakup, at least. That was five years ago. You still hadn't dated anyone since then, kind of traumatized from getting into another failed relationship like that.

In the present day, as if the fates were playing on you two, one of your favorite artists played on the radio. A very ironic song given the situation you two were in.

Best Friend by Rex Orange County.

Maliksi knew it was a favorite of yours. He knew it by the way your eyes lit up like a star brightening the twinkling night sky. Like the sun first rising in the morning at Apolaki's command. Like the moon extending its gentle rays from the magic of Mayari herself. If there was anything he wanted to ask of the old gods, it was you—everything else be damned.

"I wanna be the one that makes your day, the one you think about as you lie awake," you half-sang and half-screamed happily, somewhat out-of-tune. "I can't wait to be your number oooooone! I'll be your biggest fan and you'll be mine—"

Maliksi glanced at you, not minding that his eardrums were probably getting microscopic ruptures from your aggressive singing. As much as he wanted to stare at you all day, he had to keep his eyes on the road. But the lyrics you were singing were wrong; the Prince of the Tikbalang was already yours from day one.

"Babe, McDo drive-through tayo for breakfast. Let me make it up to you. Gusto mo ng caramel sundae for your promotion gift? Sige. Ako bahala. Chicken nuggets din? Mabubusog ka ba niyan? I don't think they serve those this early..."

》》》

"Sandali lang!" you shouted out from inside an empty room. You'd just arrived at the venue—the Alta Veranda de Tibig in Silang, Cavite (practically the gateway to Tagaytay)—an hour or so ago. The hired makeup artist just left so that you could privately change into the outfit that had been bought specifically for you. Curse Mal and his ability to buy anything (perhaps anyone) he wanted. "Bwiset, Mal, you didn't tell me we'd be part of the damn entourage. We have to be walking the aisle in thirty minutes, simbako! You just love rushing me, don't you!?"

If only you were the one walking down the aisle today towards him.

When you exited the room, Maliksi couldn't help but let his jaw drop as he skimmed your figure, clad in the luxurious, silky satin blush midi dress he bought in one of those fancy stores in Makati yesterday. He imagined that it would look great on you, but now, seeing it on you in person... you looked divine (and frankly, he wanted to see it off your body to see what was underneath—but don't get too ahead of yourself, Mal). It was a whole 'nother level from his imagination. The deep cowl neckline and thin spaghetti straps showed your lovely collarbones... as well as a peek of your cleavage. His favorite and the best part of it all? It was backless, allowing him to gaze at the tempting curve of your spine.

He hadn't realized he had grown silent until you smiled and closed his mouth, tapping his chin.

"Lalangawin ang bibig mo, Mal," you laughed softly. Never had you seen him so speechless. You then flicked your hair back, ridiculously posing for him like you were on the cover of Vogue magazine (haba ng hair mo, gurl!). "Do I look that good? Char lang."

"... You look absolutely ravishing—I mean, uh, stunning. Hot. Yeah." That was all he could say. He mentally punched himself for not showering you with more suave compliments.

Still, your face brightened up, not knowing that the man in front of you just fell for you a thousand times harder, "Wow! Really? Damn. Ang galing talaga ng MUA na kinuha mo, ginawa akong artista. Give me their contact number later! May work event pa naman ako in two months. I'm shocked, it's like they made me rise from the dead! Even my eyebags are gone, Mal! How'd they do that?" Heck yeah, your confidence was boosted. He offered his arm to you like a gentleman, making you half-heartedly roll your eyes (you took it anyway). From holding it alone, you could tell that your best friend was a sinewy man (well, you knew that already after seeing his tikbalang form before—the little shit didn't even wear a loincloth like all his clanmates; your poor eyes were eternally scarred).

You looked him up and down. You wouldn't lie—Maliksi is and always has been an attractive man. Now? With his hair in a ponytail (pun not intended), definitely one of the hunkiest men you've ever known. "You're not looking too bad yourself, horsey."

"Ako pa!" He puffed his chest out in pride. You chuckled at his reaction.

"By the way, how do you even know my dress size and my shoe size?"

"Babe, I've known you too long. You know almost everything about me, I know everything about you."

You snorted at his confident tone, "'Di nga? You don't know every single thing about me, Mal. Assuming ka masyado."

"Alam ko nga anong cup size mo. Wala lang 'yang shoe and dress size."

You slapped his shoulder, cheeks quickly flushing red, "Huy, umayos ka! Walang hiyang tikbalang na 'to." With this guy as your best friend? You heard dirty jokes at least once a day. "Don't be inappropriate here!"

"What? It's only fair I know!" He looked down on you suggestively, wiggling his eyebrows. "You already know I always go commando, so of course I know that your bra is a size—"

"Shhh! Baka marinig ka, 'nyeta."

"So? Let them hear. My best friend has a nice set of melons!" he shouted. You were grateful there was no one around. Hopefully.

"Oh my God..."

Your best friend chortled at how flustered you'd become. He led you to where some of his family was waiting, with a couple of his relatives already greeting you. You instantly and quite easily mingled with them, your worries of them not accepting you far from even true (they all knew how much their prince loved the innocent you).

"Kayo na talaga, pare?" one of his older tikbalang clanmates asked while you went away to be fawned over by his aunts.

Maliksi chuckled, crossing his arms as he watched you from afar, "Heh. Hindi pa."

Another one of his clanmates—a younger one—laughed, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, "Talaga? That's cap, bro. You two are like a married couple already and you guys still aren't a thing?"

"Ilang taon na ba kayong magkakaibigan?" the older one asked him.

"Almost ten years," Maliksi responded, a smile unconsciously pulling his lips up as he remembered your moments together. He watched you converse with his female relatives (who adored you the moment Maliksi brought you to a family event many moons ago).

The two tikbalang snickered as they saw the look on the Great Stallion's heir.

"You're down bad," the younger one said, snapping a photo of his lovestruck kuya. "You've got it so bad for her, dudeparechong!"

"Balak mong ligawan anytime soon?" the older tikbalang inquired.

"Heh. Balak ko na ngang pakasalan. Kung pwede, ngayon."

They looked at Maliksi as if he was crazy. He was very much serious, though, even if there was a huge, lopsided smile on his face. The Prince of the Tikbalang raised a brow at them.

"What? Don't give me that look. Our ten years of being best friends is practically the courting and the dating stage already."

"Eh... you're right. Don't waste anymore time. Go and marry her today, dude. Suporta kami sa'yo, basta groomsmen kami sa kasal niyo, ha!"

"Ge. Without question."

Meanwhile, on your end with the ladies of the family, they started pestering you on your love life (like all typical Filipino aunties). Chismis everywhere.

"O, iha, single ka pa ba?"

"Kailan ka magpapakasal? Malapit ka nang pumasok sa thirties mo."

"Do you want kids? How many?"

"Are you and Maliksi a couple? You look good together! Kayo na, 'di ba?"

"Will you be getting married next? Are you engaged? When's the wedding? Invite niyo kami!"

Before you could get overwhelmed by their questions, Maliksi swept you off your feet to lead you to the entourage that was lining up outside the chapel area. Again, it happened like a blur. He laughed at the partially nauseated look on your face.

"You okay there?" he asked, grinning.

"Your family thinks we're together," you muttered quietly, not meeting his eyes. You weren't sure why you felt... tingly about their statements.

He tilted his head at you curiously, gently setting you down on your feet and helping you stand.

"Do you hate the idea?" It hurt him to ask you the question, but he wanted your thoughts on it. Perhaps doing this was a bad idea. Maliksi was competitive in many things, including wanting you to be his, but if you were so opposed to it, he would never force you into something you didn't want. He let go of your hand; you didn't even notice he'd been holding it until he let go. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

Your wide-eyed gaze snapped back to look up at him, "No! No, it's not that! And... it's not bad." Your hand felt strangely empty now that his was gone. Biting your lip, you disclosed, "You're not making me uncomfortable, Mal. Don't ever think that."

With that, you shyly interlocked your arm with his, tearing your eyes from his to mask the growing warmth you felt spreading in your veins. You two didn't say anything else when the ushers let you walk down the beautiful, petal-covered aisle together.

The man beside you was starstruck. Hopeful. Maybe both of you did have a chance. Maybe somewhere in the depths of your soul, his feelings for you were being reciprocated. For the rest of the sacred ceremony in the gorgeous main pavilion, both of you relished in short, comfortable, and low conversations. He even cracked jokes every once in a while—really funny ones that made it challenging for you to you stifle your laughter.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride."

Maliksi fervently prayed to Bathala that he'd experience the same opportunity he was seeing with you someday. One day.

Even while the sun was brightly out, the sky began showering down light rain onto the land. You were in awe as you looked out the window.

"Hala, totoo nga pala! Tignan mo!" you laughed, tugging Maliksi's suit sleeve, pointing at the window.

"Na ano?" he curiously inquired, not understanding what you were referring to.

"Na kapag may tikbalang na kinakasal, umuulan habang may araw pa," you replied, eyes filled with childlike mirth and wonder. A rainbow had even begun to form by the clouds. "Look, it's magical! Ang ganda pala ng view dito kasama ang old Spanish architecture. Timeless na timeless. It's so pretty, 'no? Picture tayo 'maya, Mal."

Unlike you, it wasn't the sky outside that the prince was looking at. Amidst the loud cheers for the newlywed couple and the bubbles the guests were blowing, his vision could only focus on how magnificent you looked while being amazed. You were his best view. (Ed from 90-Day Fiancé, kabahan ka na, may katapat ka sa pickup line mo.)

》》》

"Smile for the picture!"

You giggled as Maliksi was dragged into a photo-op with the bridesmaids and the important older wedding sponsors a few feet away (funnily, he looked a little constipated around them). All of a sudden, when he was heading back to your direction, you were roughly pushed into the said man's arms. When you turned around, there was nothing (except maybe a gust of wind that came out of nowhere).

"Ooh, gotcha. Careful," the tikbalang steadied you, strong hands holding your biceps. "Natapilok ka?"

"... Huh, hindi naman," you wondered suspiciously, looking around. "I think someone pushed me? Parang tinulak ako... but wala namang tao."

"Weird. Maybe it was just the wind."

It actually was. Really. Maliksi knew for a fact that it was those two taong hangin who were spying on you from the corner, trying to pair you up. He gave them a thumbs-up while your back was turned in the opposite direction. Hannah and Amie returned the thumbs-up before vanishing. Suddenly, the two wedding photographers had moved on from the bridesmaids and were right beside you.

"What a lovely couple you two are!" she praised. Before you could correct her, she held up the black contraption she held towards you two. "Pose for the camera, lovelies!"

And so you did, the photographer guiding you two on what to do. Maliksi wrapped his arm around your waist and you leaned on his side, looking sidewards to the camera with one leg cocked in front of the other. Her assistant, who was holding a polaroid camera, printed out two photos for you.

"Thank you," you told him, taking the photos from his hands then flicking them rapidly to make the images develop. You and Mal were about to walk to the reception area when the photographer stopped you, handing the male beside you a business card.

"If you two need a photographer or a videographer for your wedding, call me," she signaled to both of you before running to another guest, bringing her assistant with her.

You gawked, "Mal, did you just hear what she said?"

"Loud and clear." A grin was on his face. He seemed very pleased at what he heard.

"... How can she even tell if someone is married or not?"

Maliksi's free hand took your left hand, tapping the ring finger, "Nothing here."

"Ooooooh. I get it now." Your brows creased. "Huh. This is like the fifth time today the people here have mistaken us for a couple."

Maliksi shrugged, teasing you, "Who knows? Baka may potential tayo, babe."

Before you could ask him what he meant, he was hurriedly towing you to the reception venue. While he was doing that, you stared at the now-developed polaroid photos you were holding. Huh. Maybe you two did look like a couple.

"Come on, they're serving some snacks at the welcome reception area. Peach pie and mango float-flavored. Paborito mo, babe."

》》》

The rest of the night went by without a hitch. You were actually enjoying the event—the host was great, the food was great, the music was great. Everything was great... that was, until the games.

"Alright! Now that the bride's garter has been removed, let's have the bouquet and garter toss... starting with the females!" the host announced. "Dear bride, please stay here in front. And all single ladies—and by single I mean ready to mingle and are not married—please rise and stand here on the dance floor. Let's play matchmaker tonight, everyone!"

"Uy, single ladies daw," Maliksi nudged your side. "Sign mo na 'yan." You snorted like a pig.

"Nope, ayokong madamay sa bouquet toss," you whisper-yelled at your best friend. "Do you know how embarrassing that is?! Besides, they won't notice if I don't join! Special tactic ko 'yan sa weddings: pretending I'm not single. Katabi naman kita."

More women came to the front, making you feel assured that you didn't need to participate. The host was about to say something, when the bride interrupted to whisper something into his ear.

"Hala, halaaa! Sabi ko all single ladies, pero may isang single lady na nagtatago pa!" he announced, making you freeze. Please don't let it be you. "What's her name, beloved bride?"

"Y/N L/N." You nearly spat out your champagne. You? Did they just call out your name? How did they know?

"Oh fuck," you cursed quietly.

"'Di ka makakatakas dito, babe," Maliksi jabbed, making you stand up. "Tinatawag ka na."

"Baka may ibang Y/N L/N dito," you resisted, attempting to sit back down. "I can't do this, Mal."

"'Sus, ikaw pa. And it's just a symbolic ceremony!" he encouraged, as if he didn't have any underlying intentions. "I doubt the bouquet will go to you anyway."

Sheesh, what a big fat liar you are, tikbalang prince.

You expressed your dissatisfaction with the situation, "Bwiset, fine. I'll just... dodge it. Or evade it. God, I swear..." You calmed down, confident. "I'm not going to worry. I've never caught the bouquet at my own friends' weddings anyway."

When you were at the dance floor, Maliksi snickered, seeing the bride—his cousin—wink at him. After all, he had thoroughly bribed her earlier.

《《《

"It's about time you settled down with someone, Mal," the bride commented while he slipped her the newest Hermés designer bag filled with a bunch of jewelry (plus some bills) two hours ago, right before the reception began and while you were in the restroom freshening up. "Hehehe, this is why you're my favorite cousin."

"Do we have a deal?"

"Of course. I'll make sure she participates. I'll also try to throw it in her direction."

"Good. Thanks."

"You better invite me to your beach wedding. I can tell how much you love her."

"Not a problem. I'll even make you a sponsor."

The bride stared at her bouquet, already practicing how she was going to throw it, "Tito's going to thank me so much for ensuring that he's going to get grandkids soon, hihi."

》》》

Back to the present, on the other end of the room, Maliksi saw a familiar duo give him a sign that they were ready. Bingo. Time to execute the most important part of his plan.

《《《

"I don't care how you do it," he told the two wind elementals after he bribed the bride. "I've already instructed the bride on what she should do, pero siguraduhin niyo lang talagang lumipad sa kanya ang bouquet."

"Mmhmm," Amie flipped her hair, a hand on her cocked hip. "And what do we get in return, oh great Señorito Armanaz?"

"Sagot ko bar-hopping niyo for one month."

The two girls pretended to think about it, making Maliksi roll his eyes. He had to pull out the big guns, huh?

"Fine. Magbibigay ako ng cash deposit plus pwede niyong gamitin ang black card ko for a one-week shopping spree in Ortigas." There. Bullseye. That's what they liked.

"Deal!" they exclaimed excitedly.

Hannah let a cool gust of wind enter one of the nearby windows, testing out how they're going to do this. "Ano pa bang pinaplano mo for Y/N mamaya?"

Maliksi hummed, "Basta."

》》》

You tried your best to hide within the densest part of the group of women. The bride seemed to have her eyes on you, weirdly enough, and she looked almost feral wanting to throw her flowers into someone's face.

That someone being you. Most likely.

"Target locked on," you saw her mouth move. She positioned herself like she was about to throw a football at someone (ahem, you). Holy shit, was she talking to you? Miss ma'am, it was a bouquet toss not a bouquet throw. The bride seemed to notice this, and once more regained her elegant composure.

"3, 2, 1," the host counted down. "Go!"

Surprisingly, the bouquet flew very high into the air (it was a wonder it didn't get tangled in the ceiling decor), but quite a distance away from you. You grinned, knowing it was too far to even touch you. Squeezing through the crowd of women eagerly awaiting the bouquet, you went to return to your assigned table.

Ah, what a wonderful evening.

Sike!

Something painfully landed right into your face, leaves and flowers getting into your hair and mouth.

... Wait, leaves and flowers?

Before you could comprehend it, the bouquet dropped right into your arms. What kind of ungodly, inhuman force allowed this to even happen?

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have our lucky girl for the night!" Everyone clapped, with some—those guests you knew—even cheering your name unbelievably loud. The host approached you, a glint in his eye which you couldn't understand. "Miss Y/N, kindly sit here while we await the lucky guy who catches the garter from the groom."

What just happened?

"All single gentlemen, please proceed to the dance floor. Remember, the man who gets the garter gets to slip it onto the lucky lady's leg later!"

Oh, God. You pinched the bridge of your nose. What you'd give to be back at home or to be in that resort in Batangas you'd planned on going to for a solo vacation.

"To make this even more exciting," the host stated, handing you a black blindfold. "Our lucky lady has to keep her eyes closed until her lucky man for the night captures the bride's garter! When the music plays, only then can she uncover her eyes."

See? Humiliating, just as you expected. Still, you wrapped the blindfold around your head (albeit hesitantly). You attempted to guess who it might be, thinking of all the tikbalang friends Maliksi had introduced to you back then whenever he invited you to his clan reunions.

"Groom, are you ready?" the host asked, microphone loud and clear.

"Ready na ready!"

"Single gentlemen, are you ready?!"

"Ready na ready! Awoo, awoo!" they loudly chorused, exactly mimicking Spartans about to engage in battle. You sweatdropped in the seat you were in. This was actually kind of scary. Maybe you felt a bit objectified.

"3, 2, 1, go!"

There was a brief moment of silence, which made you concerned. Ba't ang tahimik? Then, everyone erupted into roars and bravoes much louder than when you caught the bouquet—perhaps even louder by tenfold. What the heck was happening?!

The music played. Very raunchy, spicy, babymaking music. You expected it to be the typical Careless Whisper by George Michael or Pony by Ginuwine (corny songs which you could probably laugh at, at least), but no. Nuh-uh, this was probably worse. The DJ must be pretty young, the song of their choosing being a slowed, bass-boosted, sexier remix of Earned It by the Weeknd.

Ano 'to, bold? Fifty Shades of Grey? The hell was this?

Alright. This was embarrassing. Thank the heavens there were no children at this party. From the music alone and its implications, this was strictly for adults.

You removed your blindfold (that was okay now, right?) as the guests whistled playfully. You peeked one eye open reluctantly, then inwardly groaned. Oh, no. You should've expected it to be him of all people from how loud the reactions were. And all those yells from the crowd were from his family.

Son of a—

"Well, this has proven to be a very interesting arrangement!" the host proclaimed. "Our lucky man for tonight is none other than our great clan leader's heir, Maliksi Armanaz! Congratulations, sir! You get to slip the lacey little garter on Miss Y/N!"

The said very smug tikbalang stood a few feet away from the chair you were sitting on, smirking at you. His hair was no longer in that mesmerizing ponytail—instead, he'd tied it into a more sinfully attractive man-bun, loose strands framing his face and accentuating that sharp, angled jaw of his (say yes and thank you to Manny Jacinto's jawline, besties).

"Let's cheer him on in his new mission, everybody!" the host pushed. Was this that glint in his eye earlier? And was that a one thousand peso bill sticking out of his pocket?

The groomsmen, Mal's cousins and uncles whom you've met before, hollered words of encouragement to the tall man (who was, oddly enough, not one bit fazed). In fact, Maliksi seemed like he was famished as he stared you down.

You swallowed, feeling like you were going to get eaten (heh, say that again). Maliksi had shrugged off his dark suit blazer to the beat of the song (holy fuck, he also unclasped the suspenders attached to his pants right before your eyes—asdfghjkl). Were you prepared for this? No. Will you ever be prepared? No!

"Mr. Armanaz, before you begin," the host interrupted. "We have an additional challenge for you in this mission. Kaya mo ba? It was a request of the newlywed couple."

"What is it?"

"Use your teeth!" the bride and the groom cheerfully shouted, clapping with the other guests. Whatdidtheysaaaaay???

The cocky bastard didn't even hesitate, his smirk at you growing wider; those pearly whites of his on full display. Was it just you or were his canines a little sharper than usual?

"Anything for the newlyweds. Challenge accepted," he dashingly replied, winking at you. You sputtered indignantly. Pisteng yawa. Putangina. Putek. Pakshet. You swore you thought of every swear word in the book at that moment. What did that YouTube parody song about Filipino mythological creatures say again? About the tikbalang? Ah, yes. Half-macho dancer and half-stallion. Maybe the joke was true, especially when you saw what Maliksi did next.

He bit the shred of lace, loosening his necktie (bestie, you good there?), unbuttoning some top buttons, and rolling up the sleeves of his collared white undershirt up to his elbows (consequently showing off his toned, veiny forearms—those lucky bridesmaids behind him nearly fainted). Honestly, you felt like you were about to lose your mind from embarrassment. With how tantalizing your guy best friend was being? Let our response be: San Pedro, kunin mo na ako. Was he doing all this to tease you? To rile you up?

Because damn it all, it was working. In your ten years of knowing Maliksi Armanaz, withstanding all his daily dirty jokes and flirtatious attempts, never had you seen him like this. So... wolfish. Ravenous. Like he was a man that hadn't been fed in years.

He stalked closer towards you, falling to his knees in front of your legs. Your gown had a long slit that extended up to an inch or two below where your left leg began—your best friend was eyeing his target already, knowing where to place the garter. Normally, you would never even wear something as revealing as this gown. It just wasn't your type, but Maliksi was the one who bought this for you for this specific occasion, so you had no choice. It was this or your pantulog he stole you in just hours ago. At first, you were confident in the gown. Now? You felt too... naked.

Somehow, in the heat of it all, you'd muted out the noise of the venue. Maliksi teasingly lifted your foot up, fingertips slyly grazing the thin shoe straps around your left foot—his calculated touch leaving fire in its trail. Once the garter had been successfuly inserted past your high-heeled stilettos, the man kneeling in front of you kept his hands to himself. Despite the fact that now there was absolutely zero skin-to-skin contact between you and this man, your body felt hotter than it ever was before as he expertly slid the lacy bit of cloth up your ankle at an agonizingly slow pace.

Maliksi's warm eyes had turned dark, his pupils blown, a tinge of red in them—of his true beast—while he maintained striking eye contact with you, pulling the garter up your calf with his teeth. Smoothly tugging... tugging... tugging. Tangina, it was like he was undressing you with his eyes alone; like he was telepathically telling you to keep your eyes open.

To keep your eyes on him, where he was knelt inbetween your legs, his hands intentionally locked on his back. Did you ever imagine this? Him between your legs? Maybe. Once or twice. But you never thought about it seriously; Maliksi dated girls left and right in the past.

His lips... his lips were so close... so close to your leg that you could feel the heat of his breath along with the lace. Were you about to die? Perhaps you already did. Maybe you were in heaven. Up... up... up... snap!

Suddenly, he stopped, grinning up at you mischievously and letting the elastic bounce back to the skin of your left knee.

"I'm not going any further, don't worry, babe," he whispered, noting that your eyes had become misty and glazed over. Internally, he grew worried. "That's enough." Did he think it was from discomfort? From you being uncomfortable? Bitch, no. It was the exact opposite. You had never been this turned on in your entire life.

You felt like your soul had left your body at that moment. Did you just have a heart attack? Was your blood pressure okay? Before you or Maliksi could stand, however, someone bellowed from the wedding sponsor tables.

"Higher! That's an order!"

Fucking hell, it was Maliksi's father who shouted. He wasn't in the huge tikbalang form you'd normally meet him in, but he was still very intimidating in his humanoid form, commanding attention and subservience wherever he went. You could tell where Maliksi got it from.

Instantly, the other guests—already half-drunk and wanting the spirit of partying to continue on—joined in.

"Higher! Higher!"

The host cheered, "You heard Señor Armanaz! Higher!"

Maliksi gave you a questioning look. Even if it was his father who spoke up, he still wouldn't do anything you didn't want. Well, you two made it this far; there was no point in getting embarrassed now. You bit the inside of your cheek, nodding. You probably couldn't erase the redness on your skin with how much you'd blushed from this night. It was as if the heat was tattooed onto your skin.

"Go on, Mal," you whispered to him, bending your torso down closer to his face, eyes half-lidded from want. "Finish what you started, babe."

With those sultry bedroom eyes he'd never once seen you show him before—plus you turning the tables with that familiar term of endearment, how could he refuse? Like a switch had been flipped inside him, he immediately complied, taking the frilly scrap of stretchy lace between his teeth once more, moving it further up to your thighs until where your high slit ended—centimeters below the warming juncture between your legs.

Your legs felt wobbly... boneless, as you stood up from the chair, the fabric of your gown cascading over where the lace sat securely on your upper left thigh. The party was still going strong even after you two finished the garter wearing tradition.

"'Atta boy! That's my son!" Señor Armanaz blazoned, standing up and raising his glass for a toast. "Cheers to the newlywed couple! May they last forever!"

You guys weren't the newlyweds, but it did sure feel like it. If the clan leader was hyped up, everyone was hyped up. Heck, the groom and the bride didn't mind one bit what had just transpired on their dance floor. In all the chaos, Maliksi took you out of the reception area and somewhere quieter. More private.

You would need to have a serious, urgent talk with your boy best friend.

》》》

You two silently sat on a stone bench in a gazebo somewhere in the reserved venue for the wedding, trying to cool down and get yourselves back together (at this point, you needed ice from that steamy, half-scandalous event you just went through). Here, there was no one else except for the chirping of crickets, the lush trees surrounding the area, and the golden fairy lights strewn all over the roof. Awkwardness was something you'd expected after what just happened, but somehow, you still felt comfort in this man's presence. For the past thirty minutes, both of you just stayed still, lost in your thoughts and reflecting.

"Mal?" you finally spoke up.

"... Hmm?"

"Ano tayo?"

"Whatever you want us to be."

Your fingers instinctively reached out for his, just like they always did when you were anxious. Sensing this, he grasped your hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Soothingly. He massaged the skin of your fingers, distracting you from your nervousness. It seemed like both nothing and everything changed between both of you. The gesture was the same, but so different at the same time.

"Mahal mo ako." It was not a question. It was a statement. A truth—one that you'd been too blind to see before. One that you only discovered while you stared into each other's eyes in that party not as best friends. You realized with a jolt in your heart what he really felt for you, and now, what you really felt for him. In those thirty minutes of silence, you knew. You just knew.

"Yes. I do."

"... Just as a best friend?" you probed.

"..."

Finally, you gazed into his eyes, previously so dark and full of hunger. Now? Just reluctant. Vulnerable. Open. Unsure of what to do next.

Seems like you had to be the one to take initiative tonight. Taking out your phone, you opened your music app and pressed play on a certain song. Ikaw at Ako by Johnoy Danao. You removed your heels (which were starting to blister your ankles and toes), then pulled him up to stand.

"Dance with me," you murmured, grabbing his arms to wrap them around your waist. He was stiff. Tense. What was he to do when the woman he's been pining after for so long let him hold her? All his gallantry and ability to romance disappeared out the window the moment you let him touch you so intimately.

You two weren't even waltzing. Just swaying. Slowly, you leaned your head on his broad chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart.

"... I love you," Maliksi admitted in the middle of it all, feeling like he was dreaming. Your head on his chest kept him grounded to reality, however. "More than anything in the universe. I fell for you ever since you patched me up when you were nineteen and I was a reckless drag racer who didn't have a purpose in life. 'Nung dinala mo ako pabalik sa Armanaz Tower on the verge of death. Simula noon, ikaw lang."

"I realized that," you smiled, reminiscing the old memory. You were just a broke college student that time, coming back to your dorm from making your group thesis at a classmate's house. Imagine your panic when you found a half-man, half-horse bleeding out by some bushes on the way home at night. Despite your fear and your little money (only enough to feed you for the week), you went out of your way to buy a first-aid kit at the nearest 7/11. It was scary, but you managed to mend the creature's wounds by the side of the road. When he was finally able to speak, turning fully human (which you admit, freaked you out initially), you arduously carried him back to his address—to his father and his clan, even if you had classes the very next morning. Because of your heroic deed of saving their precious heir, the tikbalang clan had become indebted to you: a teenage girl on the verge of a mental academic breakdown, just making her way through the cruel adult world. How old of a memory that was, you thought, yet you still recalled it in perfect detail. "Just a while ago."

"Ah." He swayed you gently.

"Lahat ng ito, plano mo?"

"... Yes," Maliksi fessed up. "Except for this part where we're here dancing in this belvedere. Wala sa plano ko. Gusto ko sanang magconfess doon sa may fountain para sweet, pero..."

You lifted your head off his chest, smiling at him with one brow raised, "You know, between both of us, you're supposed to be the spontaneous one. Planning isn't usually your thing."

"I know. It's a failure, huh?" Maliksi sighed.

"Nah." You shook your head, then suddenly locked lips with him. It was so fast and surprising he didn't even get the chance to return your first kiss. For once, you caught him off guard. You pecked him on the lips again. "It's not a failure."

"Wha—"

"I'm sorry for making you wait, Maliksi. Ten years. We're twenty-nine now, and only tonight do I realize how blind I've been. We've been going around in circles, wasting so much time. Ayoko nang mag-aksaya ng oras," you whispered guiltily against his lips. How could you have been so blind? Andaming nasayang na taon. Making up your mind, you told him, "Yes. Sige, I accept. I'll be your plus one."

The tikbalang was flustered and baffled from the kiss, as well as your revelation, "... But, you already are?"

"No, silly. I meant that I'll be your plus one for life. For as long as you'll have me," you laughed, now processing that you were currently dancing barefoot with your boy best friend and had just kissed him in a wedding you didn't even plan on going to. The universe had a mysterious way of doing things. "Guess I'm the spontaneous one now, huh?"

Maliksi was tongue-tied. "Seryoso ka ba? Is... Is this a marriage proposal?"

"Whatever you want it to be," you echoed his words back to him. "Best friend, plus one, girlfriend, wife—mmpf!"

He kissed you so hard your lips bruised. After an impromptu makeout session which was definitely more in character for Maliksi, you both pulled away, panting heavily in search for air, still desperate for passion. He cupped your cheeks, giving you a sweet, featherlight Eskimo kiss.

"You're missing one more title."

"Hm? What do you mean, Mal?"

"Love of my life." He kissed you again, this time lifting you off your feet and spinning you around (his sneaky right hand was resting on your bum, too, giving it a tight squeeze). You know in the Princess Diaries where the main character's foot just... pops whenever the prince charming kissed her? Yeah, that happened to you on that humid summer night. This was right. You two were meant to be together. Everything was falling into place.

The bungalow you reserved for your Batangas vacation leave ended up being the site of your very eventful honeymoon with the Prince of the Tikbalang (with his libido, it wasn't that difficult to continue where you'd left off in the garter toss; that scrap of lace came off your leg the same way it went on). Actually, nauna pa ang honeymoon sa actual wedding (it was definitely spontaneous). Right after your confession in that alcove, you two went to Maliksi's father to ask for his blessing (which he gladly gave, cackling and saying that it took you long enough) before you guys went driving off to Batangas that night. You and Mal indeed had lots and lots of fun in that resort (I'll let you imagine the rest). More beautiful memories were made from that point on—this time, not just as best friends.

All that and your small, intimate wedding occurred in early April. Just when you thought that it'd be impossible to fulfill Maliksi's life goal of having a baby within the year (nine months of pregnancy meant that the earliest you'd give birth would be January next year), the impossible happened.

Exactly thirty-two weeks later, on New Year's Eve, the Armanaz herd welcomed one prince and two new princesses into the world. Triplets who were instantly adored by everyone in the clan.

Señor Armanaz had never been happier, and so were you and your husband. Your best friend. The love of your life. Your forever plus one.

Maybe being spontaneous wasn't so bad after all.

Taglist: @belladaises @binibiningbabaylan @4kodzuk3n @sparklingmallow @severuslovebot @holyshxtangel @marinac15 @space-flamingo @pippethealien @kashasenpai @disappointmentpastry @hornehlittleweeblet2 @seijohoe @monimiin @ibelievein2dmensupremacy @tinybonksharkcop @methehipster @banisuoh @genshin-idiot @lemonnie-kimmie

[mysecretlittlelibrary]

Marvel Section

Welcome To The Marvel Section Of The Library

This should pretty much always be updated unless I indicate otherwise in a post

let me know if any links don't work :)

KEY: Angst-☔️, Smut-🔥, Fluff-☀️, Comedy-🎭, Dark-⛓, In Progress-✏️, Complete-✅, Social Media AU-📱, Request-🎁

One Shots/Drabbles

~Though It Ain't 1955: or the one where you meet in two different times ☀️

~Maybe Next Time Lock The Door: or the one where you're crushing on your roommate and he catches you masturbating 🔥☀️

~Lemme Love You Old School: or the one where Bucky wants to woo you ☀️

~Wash Day W/ Bucky: or the drabbleshot about Black hair care ☀️

~Give All My Secrets Away: or the one where you learn about the Winter Soldier 🔥☔️☀️

~I'll Slip Right Into Little Space: or the one where Bucky learns about age regression ☀️

~I’m Almost Me Again, She’s Almost You: or Bucky’s new girl reminds him of someone ☀️☔️

~To Noise Making: or the one where you're Bucky's doctor at the Avengers compound ☀️☔️

~Assassin To Avenger: or the one where you and your assassin boyfriends become Avengers ft. Loki ☀️☔️

~My Heart Is Thrilled By The Still Of Your Hand: or the one where you learn your boyfriend is touch starved ☀️🔥

~It All Comes To Light: or the one where Bucky finds out what Hydra did to you ☔️☀️

~Jackie and Wilson: or the one where you meet in a bar ☀️☔️

~Nervous: or the one where Bucky pretends to be your boyfriend ☀️

First Date: or the one where Bucky really wants tonight to be perfect ☀️

~I Love You When You Don't Love Yourself: or the one where Bucky needs reassurance ☀️☔️

AUs

~There Is No Right Way: or dilf Bucky x Teacher Reader Anthology ☀️☔️🔥✏️

~To Love Who Wears The Crown Masterlist ☀️☔️✅

Fake Texts/Reactions

~Nothing Yet

One Shots/Drabbles

~Teaching An Old Dog New Tricks: or the one where Steve learns you want to 'sit on his face' whatever that means. 🔥

~Pastels and Pacifiers: or the one where Steve learns about age regression ☀️

~Normal's Overrated Anyway: or the one where Steve almost loses you ☔️ ☀️

~Interrupted Nap Drabble: or Steve can't help himself when he sees you asleep 🔥

~��going to hell: or Steve’s first dive into submission 🔥☀️

~Wash Day W/ Steve Rogers: or teaching your super soldier boyfriend about your haircare ☀️

~Call Me Mrs. Rogers: or the one where you go undercover with your least favorite teammate ☀️

~A Little Goes A Long Way: or the one where you learn Steve has a praise kink ☀️

~After The End: or Steve returns after Thanos ft. Bucky ☔️☀️

~Caught: or the one where Steve catches you amidst some- 'self care' 🔥

AUs

~The Kink Chronicles: or an anthology about teaching Steve sex things 🔥

Fake Texts/Reactions

~Nothing Yet

One Shots/Drabbles

~Distracted: or the one where you end up in a super soldier sandwich 🔥☀️

~Toybox: or the one where Steve discovers your box of toys 🔥☀️

~Surprise Guest: or your boyfriend brings someone else into your bedroom 🔥

~Take Me Out To The Ball Game: or Bucky's public playing gets Steve's attention 🔥

~I Know Your Secret: or Bucky indulges a fantasy you didn't know he knew about 🔥

~Double Dating: or you meet both super soldiers and can't pick a favorite 🔥☀️

~Broken Rules: or you catch one of your boyfriends in a- compromising situation 🔥☀️

~Prettiest Sight: or Steve’s taken an interest in art ☀️🔥

AUs

~Just Let Me Adore You Masterlist ☀️☔️🔥✅

Fake Texts/Reactions

~Nothing Yet

One Shots/Drabbles

~A Game Of Cat And Mouse: or the one where Loki has to admit he's got a crush ☀️

~Worthy of Your Love: or the one where you defend Loki on Asgard ☀️

~Talk Me Down: or the one where you experience intense sub drop 🔥☔️☀️

~Love Me Gently: or the one where Loki learns about your past ☔️☀️

~At His Mercy: or the one where Loki tests out some magic on you 🔥

~The New Guy In Town: or the one where you're the only person in the tower Loki likes ☀️

~Maybe Not So One Night Stand: or the one where you have a one night stand with Loki and see him again 5 years later 🔥☀️

Life Can't Get Much Better: or co-parenting with Loki ☀️

~Assassin To Avenger: or the one where you and your assassin boyfriends become Avengers ft. Bucky ☀️☔️

~To Avenge Or Not To Avenge: or the one where Loki accompanies you to get revenge ☔️☀️

~Enemies By Accident?: or the one where you think Loki hates you but he doesn't ☀️

~Wash Day W/ Loki: or wash day ft. boyfriend Loki ☀️

~What Is Love? Love Is...: or the one where Loki is reminiscing ☔️

~If He Wanted To He Would: or Loki making up for your shitty boyfriend ☀️☔️

~To Play Hide And Seek With Jealousy: or the one where Loki's your stalker ☔️⛓

~A Moment’s Silence: or the one where you find out Loki is touch starved ☀️🔥☔️

~The Words Hung Above, But Never Would Form: or the one where you find out Loki wants more 🔥☀️

~Touch Tank: Or the one where you want to be a friend to Loki and end up with more ☀️🔥

~Maybe I Just Wanna Be Yours: Or the one where Loki tries submission 🔥☀️

AUs

~The Promise Of A King Masterlist ☔️☀️✅

Fake Texts/Reactions

~Nothing Yet

One Shots/Drabbles

~And They Were Roommates Drabble: or that time you caught your roommate masturbating 🎭

~A Queen's Throne: or the one where Thor really wants you to sit on his face 🔥☀️

~You've Just Decided You Prefer Blondes: or Thor realizes he likes you ☀️

~Attention: or Thor wants your attention when you're trying to work 🔥☀️

~Let's Put On A Show: or the one where your boyfriend does cam shows 🔥☀️

~Wash Day w/ Thor: or what it's like when boyfriend Thor basically crashes wash day ☀️

~Shades of Green: or the one where Thor gets a little jealous ☀️☔️

AUs

~Nothing Yet

Fake Texts/Reactions

~Nothing Yet

One Shots/Drabbles

~Date Night Surprises: or Venom wants to surprise you and Eddie on date night 🔥☀️

~Honey Don't Feed It, It Will Come Back: or Venom takes a liking to you after saving your life 🔥

~Wash Day W/ Venom & Eddie: or wash day with your boyfriend and his alien symbiote ☀️🎭

~NFWMB (Nothing Fucks With My Baby): or Carnage wants revenge and he's gonna use you to get it ☀️☔️ 🎁

~Pleasure Beyond Pleasure: or a night with your boyfriend and his alien symbiote 🔥☀️🎁

AUs

~Nothing Yet

Fake Texts/Reactions

~Nothing Yet

One Shots/Drabbles

~More Than Friends: or the one where your vigilante roommate crashes your date 🔥☀️

~Lies; Don't Wanna Know: or midnight meetings with a masked vigilante are only enough for so long 🔥☔️

Don't Really Know A Lot About Love: or it's not that easy to get rid of your former booty call ☔️🔥☀️

~Wash Day w/ Matt Murdock: or what wash day looks like when your boyfriend Matt surprise visits ☀️

~It’s The God That Heroin Prays To: or the one where Matt makes sure you know just how much he loves you 🔥☀️☔️

~Friends Don't Treat Me Like You Do: or making a move on your friend goes so wrong but it all works out ☀️☔️ 🎁

~You Learn Something New Everyday... I guess: or you have some theories about Daredevil ☀️

~New Man: or the one where breaking up doesn’t mean it’s over 🔥

AUs

~Nothing Yet

Fake Texts/Reactions

~Nothing Yet

One Shots/Drabbles

~Teach Me How To Love: or the one where your shy museum gift shop working boyfriend is nervous for your first time ☀️🔥

~Wash Day With The Moonknight Boys: or the one where Steven, Jake, & Marc surprise you on wash day ☀️

~Make It Worth It: or the one where he convinces you to miss a date ☀️🔥

~What's One Night With A Different Knight: or Marc takes Jake's place on a date without his, or your, approval ☀️☔️

~All Things End: or finding out your boyfriend's secrets does not bode well for your relationship ☔️

~Second Chances Don't Wait: or the moonknight trio tells you about Marc's ex-wife ☀️🎁

~Dessert First: Or a drabble about your insatiable boyfriend ☀️🔥🎁

~Everything Changes: Or the one where you wanna tell them some news & your nerves get misinterpreted ☀️☔️🎁

AUs

~Battle Of The Knights Miniseries Masterlist ☀️☔️✅

~All In My Head: or the moonknight trio meets a telepath ☀️☔️🔥✏️

Fake Texts/Reactions

~Nothing Yet

One Shots/Drabbles

~Take What You Give: Or Kurt Wagner as your fuck buddy 🔥☀️

~Heroes And Their Reputations: or you become the Avengers manager 🎭

~It Was Only A Kiss: Or touch starved Wolverine ☀️🔥

~Let’s Not Make This Complicated: Or you and Wolverine and Nightcrawler in an accidental throuple ☀️🔥

~For Fear That You Find Out How I'm Imagining You: Or the one where Logan and Kurt are trying really hard to be gentlemen ☀️🔥🎁

~Who Says You Can't Mix Business With Pleasure?: Or Kurt's first mission ☀️🔥🎁

~Like Real People Do: Or the one where you accidentally bring Logan back from the dead ☀️

~You Gotta Have Faith: or the one where the new guy makes you confront some things you'd usually not ☀️🎁

AUs

~Find Your Home: Or you take in Peter Parker post No Way Home Choas (a Platonic anthology series) ☀️☔️

Fake Texts/Reactions

~Nothing Yet

[iaintyourbro]

I remember one time an anon talked about Aerith ENG VA and her reaction video about A resolution I saw it today not trying to be disrespectful but can she stop overreacting about everything regarding A like she was over the in her video I saw how she was trying to be emotional but failed (sorry it was fake) and then she started talking about how it was her favorite line"you can't fell in love with me" and C and A ,how deep C felt for her in here excuse me!!! these 2 knew each other for like(1/?)

For like 1 day and a half what could he possibly feel for her that could be this deep WTF !! And oh God the moment she said if you look at C and A backstory you would understand her resolution umm what backstory C story isn't even linked to A likewise to A Tifa is the key to C real self the fact she didn't explain "it not real" and stuck with the L word just shows how she doesn't understand a thing about FF7 and she thinks everything about C&A in this game (2/3)

How can anyone take her seriously at this stage just because she the voice of A well they have to think again cause she's not Nojima , she erases everyone on the game and focus on C and A like there's no T or B , omg I just can't the moment she started to fake crying I was done with her tbh how can anyone believe that heh look at C and A backstory she said like she can't be serious I wonder why she didn't explain "not real" line, I'm sorry I went on rage mode but the way she explained (3/4)

I got really curious about the anon ask you got and I just had to see it and i regret it now I'm so glad Britt isn't like her "bias&blind" , I loved how BRITT talked about Tifa and Aerith as equals and girls doesn't need to fight each other over a man they have a beautiful deep friendship , I like how she's trying to stop the shipwars with her words while White was firing up the shipwars because of her bias toward A , again sorry for this long ask I just couldn't stand how wrong she was(4/4)

Hey anon!

No worries on the rant, I feel you. I can get fired up about this topic myself. 

Bri White is an entertainer. Since she seems to have a heavy following of CA fans, she’s going to cater to them. I had heard in the past that she was extremely biased during her play throughs, but have only watched a few parts of her videos. She only seems to post the Aerith scenes on YouTube - the rest of the play through is on Twitch. 

Of course she’s biased - she voices the character. My first experience with her was her crying over Cloud and Aerith meeting and I couldn’t deal with that. I’m not good with that type of overly emotional stuff, so it’s a personal preference, I’m not saying anything bad about her in that regard. 

A few times she’s upset fans and actually added quite a bit of fuel to the shitshow that’s the LTD is when she called Tifa “stinky” and when she said Tifa was “second best girl.”

The stinky comment was clearly supposed to be a joke in reference to her shower comment. I think in normal circumstances nobody would have gotten upset. I don’t think initially anybody got upset. It’s because the extremists took it and started using it as if this is some type of weird fact. 

The second best girl shit was a poor judgement call on her part on how to name the video. I know both Bri and Britt weren’t too familiar with the LTD, Britt even saying she wasn’t really aware of it until people definitely harassed her on social media she heard about it on social media 

Bri I think was not malicious in what she did. She was catering to her audience. I do think that VAs and other people who could be seen as an authoritative source on things SHOULD be a lot more conscious of what they’re saying. People may take it seriously and it just creates more issues. Britt’s interview was great how she handled it. 

I would love to know how she’d react to Tifa’s resolution scene on her stream. It’s the most intimate interaction that he has in the game. It’s non-action oriented. 

The thing is, it’s heavily implied during Chapter 11 who the guy prefers. This isn’t a jab at Aerith, though. She’s not interested in him aside from the fact she’s digging for Zack info. I think what people miss is how she’s looking at Tifa in this shot. She’s not challenging her, she’s not angry... Tifa is softening her look - she’s also scared out of her mind here. 

But Cloud doesn’t hide this during Chapter 10 and 11. He’s pretty obvious that he has a preference towards Tifa. So much so, that Tifa has to start stepping in to help out Aerith if she’s in trouble. Aerith returns the favor on multiple occassions - neither of these ladies are damsels in distress. 

If we need a damsel, nobody falls more in this game than Cloud does. One thing is for sure, though. He didn’t fall for Aerith in two days. 

[iphoenixrising]

I can't stop thinking about your Dr!Tim verse (This isnt a prompt btw, I just wanted you to know that Ive been thinking about your writing and how much its inspired me. Sorry for how long this is). I keep imagining the man on the bridge being the hot topic on every news station and paper, even more than Batman and Robin. Everyone wants to know who he is. Is he ok? Did he give his life saving his fellow Gotham citizens? There are a lot of questions

(2)and few answers. Those in the loop are more than content to leave it that way,but somehow it gets leaked that Gothams new hero is a young prodigy doctor atGotham General. Tim is not made aware of this until he gets mobbed by reportersas he’s leaving his 36 hour shift and getting asked a lot of innapropriatepersonal questions. And it’s not nearly as funny as you seem to think it is,Jason.

(3)Of course his boyfriends quickly stop finding the situation funny once the joboffers from all over the world start rolling in. Dozens of them, all offeringthings like millions of dollars in salary, positions like chief of surgery, allin state of the art hospitals that are properly funded and don’t reside incities with crazy clown attacks. And it hurts because, how could they ask himto stay? How could they ask their genius sugar to tie himself down to a city

(4)that chews everyone in it up and spits them out, to be a doctor in a hospitalbarely scraping by, how could they ask their genius boy to refuse a once in alifetime opportunity to escape this shithole of a city and make something bigof himself, all to stay with two vigilantes who cant guarantee they’ll make ithome each night. They couldn’t do it, they want whats best for their boy, evenif it means he leaves them. They can’t ask him to stay.

(5)Damian of course has no such qualms about blackmailing, er requesting Drakestay in the city, and subsequently with his older brothers (Because if he hurtsthem, Damian will hurt Tim twice as bad). Which leads to a very awkwardconversation in which Damian threatens Tim not to leave, Tim is confusedbecause “who said anything about leaving?” And then they have a heartto heart about how Tim isn’t stuck at Gotham general, he chose that hospital.And that he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

**

So, hi babe :D  Iknow this has been sitting in my inbox for a minute, sorry >.

Brilliant, babe. Justbrilliant.

I also get to play withanother back-and-forth I haven’t really gotten to yet in these little things,so I’m super excited for B and Tony Stark to just have a little snark-fest,yeah?  

**

Tony showed up a fewweeks early for his quarterly “visit” to Gotham.

It’s disconcertingbecause Tony Stark goes between creating new innovations to privatelyconsulting around the US on the most dire of cases in need of a precise handand large enough ego to make miracles happen. He might have to do somebookkeeping even though Pepper is his CEO and runs his company with iron heels. When he’s not working, he has a nice relationship waiting for himat home.

All of it didn’t leaveTony much time to be running to Gotham before schedule to do someridiculous amount of pouting.

And yet?

Here they are.

When Tim actually getsto turn away from the stack of charts he’s updating, he has an oh shitmoment because Tony…isn’t immediately talking. No white coat, just asnazzy three-piece, arms crossed over his chest, and utterly

Silent.

Tim automaticallystands, taking in his old mentor from head to foot, looking for clues toadd to the inevitable diagnosis hovering in his brain pan.

(Because, you know, thattime when he was still a lowly bachelor and could take a month off of Mercy topretty much live in Tony’s facility while things like brain tumors threatenedhis Tony Stark’s life. His hands didn’t shake the whole time he was rootingaround that famous mound of grey matter–that’s when he knew he’d hit the bigleagues.)

“If you even think,”Tony starts, low and angry, “of taking the offer from UCLA over mine, Iwill be an even bigger asshole about your terrible life choices.”

Oh.

Oh shit.

Word has apparently gottenaround.

It started out with aquick blurb on the news, blurry camera phone picture of emergency workers andplain clothes civilians jumping to action in the middle of a crisis, a humaninterest story and all that. A glimmer of goodness among the chaos.

More picture with betterquality once the shock and aftermath died down, started to flood Social Media,even various videos of cables snapping and people running, trying not to gettrampled. One the media latched onto just happened to be of him carrying thelittle girl from the car and helping her mother up in the back of a truck tosend them to safety.

The one with himbreaking through the fallen debris made Dick gasp from the table where he waspatching his suit and Jay wrap a big hand around his ankle to squeeze.

The one where he almostlost his grip climbing the wall of broken shit and flaming car remains isprobably where someone saw the connection because the class of kids went on thenews, holding up colorful signs with Thank-You, Dr. Drake!

He was happy they allseemed fine and after an uncomfortable call from Channel 11 Gotham (howthey found out his name is still a mystery even though he suspects B is an evenbigger troll than he’d already surmised), in which he stipulated nocameras this time, went by the elementary school for a visit. They gripped hisnerd shirt with excited hands, and his arms are long enough for a lot ofhugs.

But while Channel 11agreed to his term of no cameras, no interviews, that didn’t really panout when it came to the story later on that night.

His picture flashed allover the damn place, the resident angel on the bridge as one Dr. Drakefrom Mercy General trying to save as many lives as he could. More video clipsand interviews after the fact (he’s so glad to see that Karmen and her mom areokay), and dammit, he’s being literally attacked outside thedouble doors to his ER after a very long shift without Steph. He mighthave been a little mean when he told them in no specific terms that he was onlytrying to make sure people didn’t, you know, die horribly, as is hisnormal, every-day job, and please let him go home where he can pass outfor a day or he’s going to lie down on someone’s shoes and take a nap.

Jay was predictablyentertained at the whole of it. Dick merely told him his kick-ass doctorinstincts deserved appropriate accolades.

Both of them areassholes, but still, they’re his assholes.

But eventually, likeeverything in Gotham, those videos became old news and the next wave ofinevitable oh shit became front and center. Which, should have meant hisfifteen seconds of fame was pretty much over (thankfully)–if he hadn’tstarted getting other interest.

Several offers startedcoming first by mail to the Penthouse, more by phone and email. Unassumingproper stationary with silver and gold lettering, bright voicemails about his“heroism” and obvious skill in emergency situations, emails from high-rankingdoctors or board members extending an invitation to visit their campus and seeif his career might be going in a new direction.

(Gag)

It was pretty easy atfirst, chucking those finely detailed introduction letters in the trashdiscreetly, sending back appreciative declines without Dick or Jason gettingwise as to how many there actually were.

(John Hopkinsthough…that one he had to think about)

A month later and thingsslacked off (or might be routed through Drake Industries so they stop coming tothe Penthouse). Apparently, though, the attention had been somewhat noticeable.

“I don’t know what youmay have heard, Tony, but–” he starts out calmly, putting the penpointedly down.

“Let me start with the shortlist,” it’s the usual sarcasm laying the mood, mimicking an imaginarychecklist, “John Hopkins, Department Head of Emergency Medicine. Mayo, General Surgery Residency Program Director. MassachusettsGeneral, Chief of Surgery. UCSF, Chief of Residents. UCLA, Chief of Staff.Cedars-Sinai, Neuroscience research grants out the ass. Sound morefamiliar?”

Well, there’s only oneway to get this conversation started.

Bonding over coffee.

Gathering up hischarts with a sigh, Tim shakes his head a little and grabs the cane he’s beenusing since his leg is finally starting to get with it (and no Steph,the House MD jokes were funny a week ago, now you need new material). Heshoos Tony out of the room and down the corridor to the chaos that is his ER.

“Notice I didn’tmention the very generous and consistent offer from StarkMedical, Tim,” because Tony really has nothing to be mad about per sayand falls in step beside him anyway, slowing down his unusually fast strides toaccount for the limp. “Because I’m not here to smooze.”

He pauses at the maindesk to arrange the charts in order, gets the approving nod from his favoriteHead Nurse.

“There’s story behindthis,” he fills in casually, “it’s more complicated than just–”

“You almost died,”Tony interrupts smoothly, “on a bridge. You ran around on a crumbling bridgeinstead of getting people the hell off while you got the hell off. Halfthe nation saw that guy with the crazy bat fetish catch someone out in openwater wearing purple scrubs, Tim.”

Well, none of that isa lie really.

Hands free, Tim gripsTony’s elbow and steers them pointedly into the break room, closes the door.With Dr. Stark roaming around Mercy, most everyone would stay clear unless somecatastrophe hits anyway.

He lets Tony stew fora few minutes while he makes a fresh pot of coffee and thinks very, very hardabout how this is going to go.

“You were worriedabout me,” Tim finally gives a half-grin in the face of Tony’s nope, andputs a fresh paper cup in his hand, “you can bluster all you want, but you wereworried, and I appreciate it.”

“That is absolute crapand you know it. I’m here to make sure no other hospitals or researchfacilities snatch you up, Drake. Not after all the effort I put into you overthe last few years.”

Sure, Tony. “The bridge. I survived. A lot of otherpeople survived, so you can ignore whatever crap the news stations aresaying–”

“All of it is true.You stupidly risked your life when the structural integrity was compromised,and since it just happened to involve that wing-nut in the cape, thenation is going to pay the fuck attention.”

Which is probably whyhe’s suddenly Mr. Popular in his field. Well, that does answer some questions.

“You’re taking thisout of proportion,” even if it’s fruitless, he’s still going to try,“there really haven’t been that many–”

“Twenty of the topfacilities in the world have made offers that would put this place to shame.Three of your last publications have shown up in recent journals. The nextsymposium you’re supposed to be at is already sold out.”

And well, shit.He…he didn’t know all of that.

“Besides, if I wasblowing it out of proportion, we wouldn’t be talking about it in thedeserted break room, Drake.”

Tim groans out loud,rubbing a tired hand down his face. How is he going to explain without soundinglike a complete moron?

“Tony, the offersare…nice, okay? I’m not going to say it isn’t cool to be wanted by someof these places. I mean Cedars… they have equipment and research facilitiesmost places couldn’t even dream of. Just the possibilities–”

A very pointedclearing of the throat makes him take a pause to breathe, count to ten becausehe has to get in the mindset to deal with Tony like this again (it’s been aminute) when he’s being incredibly stubborn.

Neither of them noticethe dark blue against black right at the side of the building, but the presenceunder the open window narrows white eyes and stays hidden in the Gotham shadow. Who even knew how long he’d been there.

“Excuse me,Cedars has equipment most facilities–aside from Stark Medical of course–couldn’teven dream of.”

The look he gets backis unimpressed at most, but Tim can see past the usual Tony Stark mask. Theexuding confidence is there like the nice, expensive suits he wears, but underneaththe brilliance and the snark, Tony’s eyes are bloodshot and the dark circlesunderneath look like bruises. He keeps his dominant hand in the pocket of hispants, probably to hide the slight tremble (which is why he isn’t wearing acoat, right? If Tony’s riding the sleep dep train, he won’t operate if hishands are starting to shake).

Tim eases back alittle, sips on his terrible sludge while idly thumbing his phone open.

“I’m very well awareof the opportunities right in front of you, Tim,” Tony starts moving, a shortwhirlwind of movement, activity, and energy. “I’m just saying–”

“What I told you ayear ago is still true,” Tim comes back, finishing up the quick text to one ofTony’s significant others, (just a little knowledge drop on how exhausted hismentor really is). He puts his phone away and crosses his arms over his chestin a firm sign of ‘this is how the discussion is going to go.’

“You can’t be serious.”And yes, that’s Tony Stark without all the touchy-feely, I care if you diekind of thing. “I’m outraged. I’m outraged on your behalf, Tim.”

“You can’t be,” hedeadpans.

“The hell I can’t.You’re going to stay here, in this death trap of a city and practicemedicine in this ill-equipped, dilapidated chop-shop hold-over from the secondWorld War–”

“Tony, c’mon.”

“While half thegoddamned world is out for you?! Do you have any idea what kindof direction your career could go if you accepted even one of thoseoffers?”

“I–”

“Anything else isliterally going to be professional suicide.”

“When you put it like that–”he snarks back, getting a little closer to his patience. It had taken longerthan usual because Tony, like Layla, needed to adults to lay it out for themonce and awhile.

“It’s time to listento reason, Tim. You’ve had plenty of time to try, I don’t know, winningthe Nobel for putting up with terrible conditions and homicidal maniacs withbomb fetishes. Isn’t it time you started challenging yourself again, and notby trying to die in this trash-dump city?”

And the shadowsoundlessly slides away in the night, leaving the conversation to finish up anecessary patrol. The rushing wind doesn’t take away anything he’s alreadylearned.

Dr. Drake, blissfullyunaware of the company, narrows his eyes dangerously, straightens up because dammit,he thought he handled this.

“I. Am. Not.Interested.” He tries, wondering if the emphasis counts. “As appealing as theresearch capabilities are, I’m not taking any of the offers. At all, atall. I’m staying right the fuck here where I choose to be.”

And he sees Tony startto open his mouth to start-up with another fast and furious argument on whyGotham is a cesspool of death and more death, but Tim walks right overanything he might have started in on by just getting right up in Tony’s faceand laying it all out.

“I appreciate the fuckout of the interest, Dr. Stark. Thanks but no thanks.”

“I need someone tocheck you out obviously.”

“I like ithere.”

“Oh? And what’s hername Mister I-Like-It-Here?”

“His name,Tony, and their names for your information.”

That has the intendedeffect and makes his old mentor pretty much pause on the next syllable.   

“But just so you know,they aren’t the only reasons why I’m staying in Gotham City. It’s more thanbeing close to my parents’ graves or close to my best friend and my niece. It’smore than just finally coming home, Tony. I belong here. I’m neededhere. It’s dirty and dangerous and so fucking what if there’s a guy in aBat suit running around kicking the shit out of criminals? It’s my city,so no. I’m not going anywhere.”

And Tony just blinksdown at him for long moments, this scene so painfully familiar from their daysof arguing back and forth during his “internship” with Stark Medical. It hadn’ttaken him long to understand what needed to be done to make someone like TonyStark change his mind.

Get all up in his faceand drop some truth bombs.

“I really, really hatethis,” Tony finally replies flatly, but his eyes are scrunched in amusement.

“I know. If I ever dowant to leave it behind, then you know the first place I’m going to go,” Timcomes back more gently, giving Tony a smirk.

Even though he’sobvious not happy about it, some of the pissed off fades out of Tony’sstiff posture. “Promise me, Drake. No one gets to kill you before I pick yourbrain about the neuro-stimulation device we’re working on.”

And with the obviouspun, he leans over laughing until his damn leg starts to ache and Tony has tohold him up by the arm so he doesn’t fall over.

**

The very impressiveRolls Royce greets Dr. Stark when he finally makes his way out the front doorsto attempt finding some palatable coffee.

The older man waitingby the passenger-side door is familiar enough that a smile cuts across Tony’sface.

“Alfred! Long time, nosee.” He smirks at the irony since his “visits” to Gotham didn’t alwayscoordinate with Pepper’s insistence he at least be in the city for SMbusiness.

“Master Stark, apleasure to see you again, Sir.”

“Always. Let me guess.You have some incredible coffee in there waiting for me?”

“Of course, Sir. Flavoredjust how you prefer.”

“You are a master ofall things, Alfred. Don’t even let Bruce tell you any differently.”

“I shall remind him atevery opportunity. However, you may do me a service and tell him yourself,”Alfred opened the back door with a slight flourish to show the billionairehimself sitting in the back, drinking from a thick, glass tumbler.

“Aw, Bruce, is that autility belt under your shirt or are you just happy to see me?”

The surgeon foldshimself down to get in, eyes sparkling for the slight scowl on his old friend’sface. He pays little attention to Alfred getting back in the driver’s seat andstarting the car. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you didn’t trust me inyour city.”

Tony stick up hispointer fingers at the side of his head, wiggling them to mimic the ears on theside of the cowl.

He’s smiling likecrazy when B just rolls his eyes and takes a deep pull from the tumbler.“You’re early, even after you’ve been running the gambit at your facility andStark Industries for the past few weeks. Forgive me for being curious.”

“I had to see anotherdoctor about a job prospect.”

“The doctor we have amutual interest in?”

“That would be theone. Next time he needs to be saved, leave the tights at home. Don’t you have aWE helicopter for a reason?”

“And exactly how wouldI explain that one away?”

“You have PR people,Bruce, let them have a field day with ‘rich socialite accidentally savespeople on a crumbling bridge.’”

“That would make morework for me as Bruce Wayne. Batman is a better figurehead for that kind ofthing.”

“Figurehead? Oh,you mean the persona you’ve gone to great lengths to hide as some kindof myth or urban legend all these years? That guy just suddenly shows up in thedaytime?”

“He’s beenphotographed before, Tony. Sometimes even with other superheroes, likeSuperman and Wonder Woman. All drawback of being on a team.”

“Teams are wonderfulthings, Bruce.

“Says you.”

And from a pocket inthe door, Bruce finally has a little bit of mercy on the overworked genius bypulling out a warm travel mug with the Batman logo on the front.

Tony laughs maniacallyfor long, painful moments, earning another eye-roll. The contents, however, arejust as Alfred promised: full of caffeine and just as tasty.

After a long moment ofsatisfaction, Tony lays his head back on the cushy seat and just sighs.

“You’re pushingyourself too hard,” Bruce admonishes gently. “I’m going to send the WE chopperto pick up Jim and Steve instead.”

That wakes him up.

“Don’t you even dare,B. I’ll never forgive you.”

“I’ve made worseenemies.”

Tony doesn’t snortcoffee up his nose, but really, it’s a close thing.

“You obviously can’ttake care of yourself,” Bruce is his usual brusk, no-nonsense about it, butTony can see there’s already some kind of plan in the making. “I can seewhy the two of them have such a hard time with you.”

“Says the guy thatneeded an emergency arthroscopy for meniscus tears.”

“Then I guess I’m verylucky you were in town.”

Tony hums, but hiseyes are sparkling. “How is the knee doing by the way?”

“It hurts when I breaksomeone’s jaw. Other than that, it’s fine.” And because it’s Bruce, he wavesit away without a second thought.

Tony hums again, buthis eyes go down to the knee in question.

Bruce sips his drinkagain while Alfred continues driving and Tony makes him wait for it.

Finally, once they’repassing the old Mylar building, B looks at him head-on, “all right. What did hehave to say?”

Trying not to grin,Tony shrugs a shoulder, “you’ve got nothing to worry about. Drake is staying inGotham, even with the more-than-generous offer I’ve made him. Believe me, B,I’m not happy about it, but he doesn’t seem too keen on leaving Mercy General.”

And as Tony is well-awarein their long and industrious friendship, the real Bruce Wayne is like a closedbook, doesn’t let even the smallest twitch break his facade (well, except infront of his boys, which is when BatDad makes an appearance), but thesigns of relief are really hard to miss for someone that literally kept B’sright arm moving after that rotator cuff injury.

“Dick and Jay will behappy to hear that, I suppose.” Tony observes with false cheer becausehonestly, who wouldn’t put two and two together at this juncture.

(Bruce isn’t the onlydetective. As a surgeon, Tony has to deduce with little evidence, so it’s notreally a shocker to find out the vigilantes have a doctor for a sweetie. Smartmove all around.)

“…yes, they will.Tim…?”

“He didn’t have to.You just told me yourself, Mr. Wayne.”

At the frown, Tonygives himself a mental point. The day he can get one up on the Batman is reallya day he needs to remember.

“All right, fine. Jayand Dick might have mentioned he’s been getting attention outside Gotham. I’vealready taken some steps to try making it seem like staying in the city mightbe a better deal.”

And Tony’s jaw drops,“you’ve been trying to get Mercy to partner with WE! That’s why they aren’tplaying nice with Pepper! Bruce, you devil.”

“Demon, actually, ifyou believe the stories,” and now it’s Bruce smirking into his tumbler. “We’lltalk more about it over dinner. Besides, the Batcomputer is on the fritz again.You can dazzle me over filet mignon.”

“Flatterer. How can Ipossibly say no?”

Bruce taps theintercom to tell Alfred they’re ready to go back to the Manor and Dr. Starkwill be joining them for the evening. Alfred gives him an affirmative and the planis set into motion. If there just happens to be a comfortable surfacefor Tony to pass out on during the visit, well, the pictures for Jim and Stevewould be well-worth the effort.

**

The conversation withTony didn’t end well, leaving him with a mental hangover by the time his shiftis finally over.

Night hadn’t startedbreaking away into dawn yet, so he’s still walking by dark alleys where thestreet lights are flickering.

He gets out a, “whatthe fuck–!?” before he’s just suddenly swept up off his feet by a strongarm holding him up hundreds of feet in the air.

Really, he should beused to things like this by now.

Robin undoubtedly givesno shits about how tight he’s holding onto the doctor or, the obviousdifferences in their height as punctuated by the botched landing, putting himliterally on his ass.

“Wow, thanks for the warning,Rob. I really didn’t need legs anyway.”

In some way that mightactually show he’s sorry, Robin bends down to pick up the cane and handsit over so Tim can get back on his feet.

“Alright, what’s goingon? Where are you hurt?” He doesn’t bother with niceties, just grips Robin bythe bicep and turns him, uses the cane to hold the cape out of the way. “Pleasetell me no one stabbed you because wouldn’t that just be ironic?”

He sees no blood ortorn suit. Takes a second look just to make sure.

Robin, in a creepyparody of his conversation with Tony earlier in the evening, is silent.

“Rob? Robin, what isit?”

A litany of oh shitruns through his brain pain in the form of toxins, mind control, and bloodborne pathogens (oh my).

“I have beeninformed,” the youngest vigilante starts slowly, “you are considering other opportunitiesoutside of Gotham, Drake.”

He blinks once. Doesit again while staring down at the whiteouts.

“Opportunities? Rob–Dami,what are you talking about?”

“Facilities are vyingfor you, offering you more advantages than any in Gotham possibly could.I understand the temptation of such offers–”

“Whoa, what? Wait aminute. Just. Wait.”

“However,” Robin goeson, his tone low in the night, “I am here to offer you a bargain.”

And that in no waywhatsoever sound anything less than ominous. Like, ‘I’ll promise not to takeout your spleen’ kind ominous.

He leans down a littleso the crime fighter doesn’t have to look up at him, “First: yes, I’ve gottensome job offers. It’s nice they’re thinking of me, really, but those offers arebased off a one-time emergency incident, not because they’ve seen me inaction or know anything about my…hobbies. They’re not offering a jobto me, Dami. Do you get that?”

The ensuing silenceand Bat-stillness are signs of the younger processing.

“Besides, I choseto come back to Gotham when I could have gone pretty much anywhere after myinternship with Stark Medical. You have no idea how many places wantedme on staff after I survived Tony Stark. If I wanted a job outside of the city,I could have had it in spades. The point is I chose to be here. I wantedto stay, and that? Isn’t going to change, okay? No bargains, no threats,nothing. I’m not leaving–”

He stops himselfbefore saying I’m not leaving Dick and Jay because really, he isnot, repeat Not talking to Dami about his relationship. Poor kid mightbe traumatized for life, so nope, not happening.

(Their last littleconvo to the vibe of ‘harm my brother and I shall eviscerate you per one ofyour textbooks. I shall do it slowly and methodically. Your screams would nottrouble me’ turned into a pretty good discussion on the best possiblescenario in effectively ripping someone’s spine out. His argument against thelogistics of it had spurned Robin out of the killing mood).

The obvious relief inthe small crime fighter is right there in how his shoulders sag just slightly.

“So, you’re going tohave to put up with me saving your ass when you do stupid shit like take on anarmy of zombified Jokers without backup.”

“Then…I shall haveno other option but to deal with your meddling when necessary,” the youngerwaves off his concern, but a corner of his mouth is tilted up just enough tonotice.

**

It’s really nice ofDami to drop him off on his fire escape. Walking would have been fine, but whenyou can travel Air-Robin, well, why not?

He pushes his windowup and gingerly eases in, maneuvering the cane to steady his leg. Hands are onhim before his head is inside and he wacks himself a good one in surprise.

Dick is smiling gentlydown at him, still gripping his elbow to steady him.

“That sounded like ithurt,” is a failed attempt at a joke because the mirth doesn’t reach the darkblue of Dick’s eyes.

Oh. OH. Welp, that’swhere Dami got this nonsense from, is it?

His stern lecture isgoing to have to wait for at least one cup of half-way decent coffee because hereally need to wind it up so the message hits home.

Jay is already there,his chair pulled out from the kitchen table and the pot filled with somethingdarker than the night.

“Hi honey,” he tiredlycalls, “did my boys have a good time kicking the shit out of bad guys tonight?”

Making grabby hand athim, Dick is one of his hugging moods, and pretty much lifts him off hisfeet to nuzzle/carry him to the table where blessed coffee awaited. Fine.Lecture pending.

He gets a last goodnuzzle to the face before the smell of pizza hits and a plate appears in frontof him. Jason leans down to blow a breath across his jugular before his mouthpresses just enough to be a kiss, the usual effect takes his nerve endings up anotch or two before the tease pulls away.

The three of them eatin sluggish silence, the strain of their night jobs hitting a little close tohome. The call of a communal shower and their large, comfortable bed a siren’ssong to the over-worked, sleep-deprived do-gooders.

But Tim knows them bynow, knows what’s already running them further down.

Through the last yearof their relationship, they’d already been through the whole we’re puttingyou in danger just by being with you argument.

Yes, yes it possiblywas.

Yes, he is fullyaware.

Yes, he can make hisown choices fuck you very much.  Apparently, his no, not changing mymind is going to come out for a second time tonight.

“Robin picked me up onthe way home,” he starts out while the two of them are finishing up and lookingless likely to start up arguing before he’s made his point.

“Dami was still out?”

“What? Baby Bat ain’tget enough in that warehouse down on 23rd?”

Tim finishes off hiscoffee and finally sets his eyes on first Jason and then Dick. “Going to ask mewhat he wanted?”

Both crime fighters gostill, doing that eye slide thing they can still pull off with a domino andhelmet.

“Lay it on us,Timmers.”

“He pretty much askedwhat offer I was accepting for some mystery job half a continent away,”and now he’s glaring, eyes narrowing when Dick looks quickly away and Jasonsits back with a tense jaw jutting out.

“Which is absolutelyfucking ridiculous considering I like right where the hell I am.Where could he have heard such a thing, I wonder?”

Oh yeah, that’s Dick’sguilty expression.

“It’s fine if theywant to offer me a position, but the nice thing about it is that I can politelydecline, you know.”

“Top twenty facilitiesin the world, Timmy?” Dick’s voice is softer than he’d like, shakingly unsurefor a vigilante that literally risks his life every night to keep peoplehe doesn’t even know safe. “That’s not something to take…lightly.”

His mouth drops openwith an are you even kidding me?

“‘Sides,” Jayintejects without really looking at him, “ain’t like this is the fucking centero’ the world fer a fella like you, Sweets. Smart, sassy, moves like yerass is on fucking fire when someone’s on the line. Ya got moreguts than anyone outta the cape I ever met.”

“Gotham doesn’t haveto be the hill you die on,” Dick picks up, looking down into the sludge left atthe bottom of his coffee mug, “we would absolutely understand andsupport you if you even wanted to look into any of these places–”

“Even go ta seewhatcha might be lookin’ at,” Jay shrugs indifferently, “make sure ya’d findsomewhere safe ta build a nest.”

“The kind oftechnology they could offer you would be, like, ground-breaking stuff and…andGotham just can’t give you that, Tim.”

“No motherfuckersgonna break inta yer shit, I guaran-fucking-tee ya on that.”

“It’s not just beingin the ER or in surgery, it’s moving up to management or teaching or being afull-time researcher with grants and–and everything.”

“Make a safe routethere n’ back, you feel me? Me n’ Dickie’ll scope it out a few days, check the scene.”

“We would never wantto hold you back, baby. Not when the only thing Gotham has to offer you isexploding bridges and insane mad men that kidnap you and ninjas that are readyto attack at any second, and…and Timmy, you could never be safe, notreally, not here. Not even with us and B and Dami and everyone else,it’ll never be completely safe for you.”

“But fucking believeit, Timmers, we’ll make any place ya wanna lay yer head down as safe as wecan, yeah?”

“We…we love you, andwe want the best for you.”

“If leavin’ is what’sbest, Sweets, then we’ll make it fucking happen.”

It’s DIck’s voicecracking and Jay’s shiny, averted eyes that end it for him right then andthere.

He shoves himself upfrom the table abruptly, a jarring motion. The sound of the chair fallingbackwards a loud clatter against the softness of their voices. He keeps a handon the table top to walk around the damn thing and almost strangle Jason bylooping an arm around the base of his throat and pull the Red Hood into hischest. He holds out his other hand to Dick, glaring with the best of hisabilities.

It’s a tremulous thingwhen Dick rises tiredly out of his seat and takes that hand, lets Tim pull himover and secure the both of them to him.

“I’m going to say thisbecause it’s obvious the two of you are too tired to use your detective skillsfor anything more than superficial clues.”

Slowly, Jay’s face isin his stomach, arms wrapping around his waist while Dick secures his chest,the two of them almost holding him up.

“After all thefighting I’ve had to do to get here, to get this far, I’m not giving up jackshit. I run the gauntlet because that exactly where I want to be. I staywith my people because that’s my fucking team and no, I don’t wantor need another. I can watch Layla grow up into this kick ass little person andmake sure Steph has someone to Netflix and chill with while we kill a pint ofBen & Jerry’s. But what matters the most, what I can’t fucking give upis being here with the two of you in whatever capacity I can. Asyour boyfriend, as your surgeon, as the guy that is totally, you know, inlove with you. As someone that can share your lives like this. All of it isexactly what I want and what I get to choose. You two? Don’t get to tellme what’s best for me. I decide that. Got it?”

The quiet, still menattached to him give half-shuffling nods where they’re buried in him.

“I don’t want to hearanything else about leaving Gotham, like at all, okay? The answer is no.I’m not going anywhere to tour the facilities or listen to stupid speechesabout what they have to offer or how good the benefits package is. None of thatshit. They can’t offer me my ER, they can’t offer me time doing research in theBatCave, they can’t let me play around with alien DNA for a minute, and theycan’t give me you two. So? No. Case closed.”

Dick lets up justenough for him to tilt Jay’s head back and lean down to slide their lipstogether, giving the Red Hood a little something to seal the deal. Those eyesare bluer when he pulls back, making him smirk before he straightens up to giveDick the same treatment.

(Because they’re bothtall, he has to pull them down to effectively fuck his tongue in their mouths.Such a pain in the ass.)

When he pulls back,Dick gasps in a little, tightens his hold around Tim’s chest.

But the reliefpervades the air between them, giving him a reason to go a little more lax,just to feel them pretty much ready to hold him up completely.

“So the plan is,”he continues easily, one hand on the back of Jay’s neck to rub the tensionaway, and the other gripping Dick’s wrist tight enough to bruise tomorrow, “weget a nice, hot shower with plenty of scrubbing and maybe a little play time.Then, we climb in bed and pass the fuck out. You can fix your suits tomorrow,and we’ll all feel up to having dangerous acrobatic vigilante sex after about eight hours. If you’re both good,I’ll…I’ll wear that thing you got me for my birthday. Deal?”

He knows he’s alreadygot their acquiescence when both his boyfriends noticeably perk.

“That sounds like adeal to me,” Dick tries to be mock-grave, but he’s laughing in the back ofTim’s neck, running his nose over the knob of bone.

“Fucking righteous,Sweetheart. I been waiting ta see that.” Jay is grinning up at him with thatlook– all kinds of anticipation without any of the previous hesitation.

“Good. Peel yourselvesoff of me and lets get naked. For mostly clean purposes. Or not. Really, I’mpretty beyond compromised, so I’d probably like to make you both come at leastonce before I’m unconscious.”

“Sweet-talker,” Dickteases and steps to the side so he can be the first to lift their civilianboyfriend up in a princess hold that has become way too reminiscent in the pasttwo months.

“He’s just talkin’ my language, ‘at’s all, Baby Boy,” Jaystands to give him a fast n’ dirty before he gets their mugs to the sink andfills them with water to wash tomorrow. He hits the lights and follows his boysdown the hallway where slippery skin and things like I’m not giving upare waiting.

[idkyeol]

Chubby Girls can't Date Idols 1 (Minseok)

New Series.

Minseok x Reader. Appearances by OT9 & Other SM Artists.

TW: Fat Shaming.

Word Count: 2K

“You’re moving where?!” your mother yelled. You rolled your eyes repeating yourself again. “I’m moving to South Korea. I got a job at a really good company. Did you think this wouldn’t happen? I minored in the Korean language, Mom.” Before your mom could say anything else, your dad jumped in. “I am so proud of you for following your dreams, sweetheart.” He hugged you and whispered to you that he would take care of your mom.

So here were. Bags packed and on your way to Seoul. A 13 hour flight and you would be living your dream. You had finished school with a degree in social media with a minor in the Korean language. You were scared shitless, but swallowed down the nerves as you boarded your flight. You had spent so many years studying the culture for this career and you were confident it would all work out. But nothing prepared you for stares and comments, most people assuming you didn’t know Korean. After your exhausting flight, you made it to your hotel. You would be staying here until your apartment was ready. The next day would be your first day at SM.

The next morning you got and ready. Making your way to work, you knew people were staring. You knew why. You were almost the complete opposite of the tiny, cute Korean girls and floated around you. You weren’t super tall, but you were curvy, all over. You owned. But this was normal in the states. So at first the comments threw you off. Walking into the SM office you’re sized up by the receptionist, before she says “I wonder what this whale is doing here.” Before she stood up, smiled, and attempted to address you in broken English. You raised your hand for her to stop and spoke in Korean. “This whale is here for her first day as the new social media manager.” You smiled as her faced dropped. She made a phone and you sat down. You had interviewed and spoke to everyone over Skype, so as soon as you saw a face you recognized you jumped up, greeting her. “Hi Amber!” she smiled and hugged you. Your test for the job was to work with Amber on her web series, so you guys had become pretty close over the last couple of months. “How was your flight?” she asks. You tell her everything, right up to now. Including the receptionist, knowing she can't speak english. Amber grows visibly tense. “I am so sorry. People in Korea are pretty blunt.” You laughed, “Oh I know now. Especially because I made her aware that I speak Korean.” This caused her to laugh out loud. “Follow me, I'll take you to the boss man so you can get settled,”

The first few hours of your day was spent filling out paperwork. When it was time for you to have lunch, Amber offered to go with you. The both of you made it down to the cafe. You saw a couple of boys you recognized from the music videos you had to watch. As you’re sitting down, you hear a group of girls behind you commenting on your weight and appearance. Amber grits her teeth but you assure her that you don’t mind. Which was true. They were small-minded and you weren’t going to let that ruin your day. As the last girl spoke, you heard someone start yelling at her. Everyone turns and looks. You don’t recognize him but you listen to what he’s saying. “How dare you talk about her like that. Especially you Soohee, You weren’t exactly the skinniest person when you first became a trainee. You need to show more respect for your noona.” The girl looks around at everyone watching her. Before she can flee the situation you hear the man yell again. “You need to apologize to her now.” The girl rolls her eyes and gets up to leave. “I don’t have to say anything to anyone.” She attempts to get to the door and is grabbed by the arm by another man, who pulls her back over to you. He says as calmly as he can. “Apologize now, our you’re done being a trainee at SM. You know better than to talk bad about your superiors.” She rolls her eyes again, which doesn't go unnoticed by either man. The one holding her arm pulls her away. “Okay you’re done. We’re going to Sooman now.” You and Amber are speechless as the other girls apologize. Before you can thank him, the mystery man is gone.

As your walking back to your office, you talk with Amber. “That was crazy intense.” She laughed, “Well yeah, I was going to report her. If you break rules in front your superior or senior band members without a good reason, your trainee contract is terminated.” You hug Amber goodbye and go back to your office. Right around 2pm you’re a manager’s office. He proceeds to explain that your first assignment is going to be for EXO. You’re tasks are to help them write out thank yous in English as well as starting working with them on what they want social media wise for their comeback. You make your way to their practice room where they’re waiting for you. You knock and are told to come in. They all gather around and you begin. You’re a little starstruck and forget to speak in Korean. “Hi guys! I’m the new social media manager.” You wait for a response before you hear one of the guys in the back translate. Then the boys erupt into chatter. You hear one sentence that throws you off. “Minseok-Hyung! You’re right. She is cute.” You feel your cheeks heat up. The boy who translated came over and said “You speak Korean don’t you.” You nod your head and you’re rewarded with a gorgeous heart-shaped smile. Then you start talking in Korean and all the boys shut up and look at you. That’s when you notice him. Your mystery man from the cafe. He looks like a deer in headlights. You smile and thank him for standing up for you.

After the meeting is over, you leave so the boys can have dance practice. You start making your way down the hall when you hear it. “Wow, I didn’t realize that EXO had to work with someone so fat.” You heard a door behind you shut but didn’t see who was watching. You spoke up. “Well they had to do something. EXO was complaining about all of their other managers were bitches.” The girl’s jaw drops and you hear someone laugh. You look over and see Xiumin. The girl runs off. Then he speaks up. “That was good, considering she was our old social media manager.” Your hand flies up to cover your mouth. He senses your fear. “Don’t worry. I saw the whole thing. I got your back.” Then he smiled. The cheesiest, gummiest grin you ever saw and your heart jumped. “Well thank you for that Xiumin.” Before you can leave he yells. “Call me Minseok, please noona.” You whip your head around. “How do you know if I’m older than you or not?” He tenses up and start stuttering. You chuckle. “Minseok, I am your noona, relax.” He smiles and you walk away. Your first day over, but couldn’t have been better.

The next morning you had to immediately report to EXO. It was time to start getting down to business. You walk in and all of the boys smile. You were still have trouble with their names. One of the boys ran up and handed you coffee. “This is for you noona. We didn't know what you likes so Minseok hyung got you his favorite, iced Americano.” You smiled. “Well good job, because this is my favorite too....” You trailed off hoping the boy would tell you his name. He laughed and pointed to himself, “I’m Baekhyun. But you can call me baek if it’s easier to remember” You smiled and jokingly said. “I should just have you guys wear name tags.” The door burst open and the leader of the group came in. “Here ya go guys, Name tags so our noona can learn our names.” This causes everyone ins the room to burst into laughter. When lunch time rolled around you were getting ready to leave when Chanyeol spoke up. “Don’t leave! We ordered lunch for all of us. So we could bond.” This caused a roar of laughter to rip through the room. “God Chanyeol, you’re making us sound lame!” Chen exclaimed. As you sat and ate with the boys you told them about everything that’s been going on since you got here. All of them looked really upset until Minseok spoke up. “Yeah but she totally put that bitch, Yoona in her place yesterday.” They laughed. You explained to them that you have pretty tough skin and have no problem calling people out. The rest of the day was spent helping all the boys with their personal social media accounts. Even the members who had them, but hide them. You made sure their accounts were locked down so no one could find them. Which was a task because none of them knew how internet security worked. Some of them had already been found and had to delete their accounts.

And that’s how EXO became your brothers. They made sure no one talked bad and if they heard anyone they were quick to defend you and smash the person. After you hit your 3 month mark, you were considered permanent. When that day came, the boys decided to surprise you. After work was done, they invited you back to the dorm to have dinner. This was your first time visiting them. Most of the time a few of the boys ended up at your apartment. It was almost like having 8 roommates. At this point, you stilled hadn’t met Yixing. He was super busy working on his movie and shows in China. Only coming out for concerts, which hasn’t happened until now. As everyone piles into the dorm you hear someone yell. “You guys are finally home!” Yixing runs in and hugs all the boys. When he gets to you he smiles with a puzzled look on his face. Baekhyun starts to explain who you are. “This is our new social manager! I told you about her Xing.” He smiles and hugs you. “Yes! of course. I’m so glad to finally meet you.” The rest of the night goes by with no issues. After dinner, Junmyeon hands you a present. You look at the boys confused as you open it. It was a contract. As you read through you gasped and felt the tears come up. Jongin jumps up and hugs you. “You’re ours forever now!” The contract was your new permanent SM contract stating that starting the next day you exclusively worked with EXO. Which meant, spending every waking minute with them.

As you’re hugging all the boys you see yixing talking to Minseok but cant hear what he says. “So Minseok, how is your little crush on our managers going?” Minseok slaps his arm causing Yixing to laugh out loud. When you got to Minseok you hugged him and thanked him. He lingered in the hug a little, which didn't go unnoticed by you. After the commotion died down, you helped clean up. Once you realized how late it was you said your goodbyes. Before you could leave Sehun spoke up. “Noona, did I leave my black Nike hoody at your house?” You think for a minute. “I think so! Walk me home?” you respond. What you didn’t notice was that Minseok was about to ask you if he could walk you home. Sehun walked towards the door and you followed. Looking back to see a sad Minseok with Yixing comforting him. You became confused, but quickly shook it away when Sehun yelled for you.