#I lost my mind the first time I watched this in theatres so

[widevibratobitch]

im so fucking mad at myself at my mother at her dead husband at god fucking knows what. "concentrate on yourself" well i cant can i. now more than anything i should and i cant. losing my fucking mind istg

[reidmania]

cinema seven | s.reid

summary; spencer goes to see a movie in cinema with derek, when cinema seven breaks down, he offers to help the pretty — all too stressed manger (who he has been too nervous to ask out) fix the projectors.

warnings; guys this fic is actually just for me. cinema manger reader, fem reader, they lowkey break rules but we don’t talk about that, probably boy band haired reid and ooc spencer bc they flirt or banter idk, fluff!! So much fluff!!spencer has been pinning for a while

an; i am a cinema manger 😐 cinema seven is making me want to die because of the bloody projectors breaking constantly. this is probably soo ooc, and also like uncorrectly timed bc it based off how cinema’s are now, not how they were. Whoops. this has been in my drafts for weeks and i hate it.

Dimly low lights lit the theatre room, couples, families and other guests filling the space of the soft red velvet chairs set aligned, finding their seats as the advertisement’s played over the big screen in front of them, the stairs lit with small red lights to ensure everyone knew where they were going, and to ensure nobody missed a step under the dim lit lights.

The room smelt strongly of sweet buttered popcorn, and whatever antiseptic spray had been used to wipe down the cupholders of the seats when being cleaned in between movie sessions, the smell sent a small wave of reassurance over Spencer.

Spencer had never been a massive fan of cinemas, he preferred watching his documentaries or show’s from his couch at home, curled up in blankets, in an area he knew was completely sanity, away from the public and in his own space. However, lately Derek had been inviting him to the cinema more and more after he agreed the first time.

He didn’t necessarily mind, and he knew why Derek had continued to invite him — which was the reason he didn’t mind so much. The first time they had come to the cinema apparently they had picked a bad time, since it was absolutely packed the minute they arrived.

Thats when Spencer had seen you, working on one of the till’s. He had been to the cinema before, but he had never seen you before. As they got closer and the queue shortened, he was able to read the small ‘manger’ badge that hug off the lanyard around your neck.

Explained why he hadn’t seen you at the front before.

His palms had grown clammy as the line grew shorter, whatever Derek had been talking about was completely lost on Spencer, his gaze was locked on your pretty face smiling at a young kid who — spencer assumed — was blabbering about something, hardly coherent over the noise of the people around, but you smiled and nodded none the less as you handed the parents boxes of popcorn.

That was the first time he went to the cinema’s with Derek. Derek had watched the boy stumble over his words as he spoke to you when you served them, cheeks flushing and his gaze never meeting yours for two long. You had laughed and told him to take his time as you wiped down the benches, listening intently. He had taken note of the way you juggled tasks all at once, making popcorn, serving, cleaning.

He had been three times since, the second time wasn’t with Derek, and he honestly didn’t really want to see a movie, he just wanted to see you, unfortunately you weren’t working and he was left seeing a movie he didn’t actually want to watch.

Derek teased the boy endlessly, about his cinema crush. Which was why him and Derek were here now. Again, a movie Spencer had no interest in, but it was busy enough that you would have to be working tills. That was enough to justify seeing a boring film to Spencer.

He had seen you, you had served them and when you smiled widely with recognition of their faces Spencer felt like he was about to pass out with how hard his head was beating. Now he was sitting in the cinema, next to Derek who was shovelling handfuls of popcorn into his mouth before the movie had actually even started.

It was only about five minutes into the actual film when the sound had dropped out.

It was another five minutes before people started talking, before someone had stood up to leave the cinema. Then another two minutes before a worker — not you, a different one, came in and looked over the screen before talking into a hand held radio.

People were growing frustrated, annoyed and restless in waiting. Fair enough, no one really wanted to see a film with no sound. However what made Spencer pinch his eyebrows together with a frown is when you did walk in, and there was someone else standing, obviously taking their frustration out on you.

Spencer looked at Derek, who looked at him at the same time, obviously noticing the interaction before the guy had returned to his seat in a frustrated huff. Then your voice rang out throughout the cinema as you stood to the side, Spencer watched from his seat as your hands toyed with the lanyard around your neck.

“Im really sorry about this guys— We’ve been having issues all day. Just give me a couple of minutes to try to fix the projector then I’ll put it back to before the sound went off, so you don’t miss anything.” You sounded stressed, clearly apologetic as you spoke. There were mumbling that went around the cinema. Spencer’s eyebrows furrowed as you ran your hand through your hair before turning to walk out.

Spencer— didn’t know what was going through his mind when he stood up and made his way down the stairs, ignoring the confused splutter from Derek. Spencer made his way out of the cinema, looking around at the foyer area, it didn’t take long to see you.

Standing there, you were talking to another customer, clearly stressed and in a rush but still respectful. He waited patiently before the customer thanked you and walked away. His feet worked quicker than his mind could when he walked up to you.

“Hi” he said gently. Your eyes lifted to his before you looked towards a doorway, you smiled softly. He stood in front of you, your hands continued to fidget, he noticed that, he noticed the way your cheeks were slightly flushed and a few baby hairs stuck to your forehead from sweat.

You wiped your cheek, “Hi- Cinema seven right? I promise I’m getting there — Im so sorry.” You apologised, his heart both warmed and ached for different reasons, one because you remembered what movie he had gone to see, and because you sounded so insanely overwhelmed. There was a slight shake in your tone, he noticed.

He nodded, “yeah- But uh- I just- What’s the issue?” He asked, he wanted to slap himself in the face for the way he stuttered over his words. He was embarrassing himself, and wasting your time and he knew he should probably just turn around and walk back to his seat but he couldn’t.

A sigh left your lips, “I honestly have no idea — all day the sound has just been going out, it works for a bit but it’s just — so annoying. I’ve tried restarting it like ten times — i can’t seen any obvious issue, I really am so sorry.” You continue to apologise, he hated that you were apologising for an issue that was out of your control, its not like you went and broke the projector.

“No- Its okay. I just — I could look at it — if you want? If thats okay? I just, uh.. know quite a bit about them..” He offered, because you looked so stressed and so overwhelmed and he just wanted to help in any way he possibly could. This was something he knew he could do, he was smart enough to figure it out.

You sighed and smiled gently at him, “Thats really nice and I would totally say yes — like i genuinely would but we can’t uh— have customers going up there.” You mumbled out, almost as if you were genuinely disappointed by the fact.

He nodded in understanding because it made sense, of course you couldn’t. Projectors weren’t cheap by any means and if you just let customers go up there then chances are they would all be broken within minutes.

“Im not- I work for the FBI, I-I can show you my badge.” He mumbled, hand already reaching out for his pocket to pull out his badge and flick it open. Now, Spencer didn’t use his job as a personal weapon often; however this was different. This was you, and you were oh so pretty.

He watched as your eyes trailed down his hands to his badge, reading over the information before your eyes flickered back up to his — you were considering it, he could basically see the mental debate you were having with yourself. He hoped you said yes, because if not then he had wasted an incredible amount of your time and was actually just stopping your from doing your job.

Then you huffed out a small breath of air, “You know what you’re doing?” You asked.

He nodded instantly, “If it helps I have an IQ of 187 and have three pHD’s?” He offered the information, not to impress but to provide some sort of comfort to the clear worry over your features.

Yours eyes met his and you just looked at him for a minute — trying to find any hint of dishonesty in his features, but when you didn’t you huffed out a small ‘okay.’ Before turning around, Spencer followed you.

His mind was spinning. If he thought he was flustered before now was something else. His skin felt so hot he wanted to dive into a pool of pure ice, despite knowing that it wouldn’t actually be nearly as enjoyable as it sounded right now.

“Please don’t make me regret this. And please— for the love of everything above, don’t break anything, i do not need to loose my job right now” you had mumbled as he followed you up the stairs after you unlocked the door. He smiled gently at your words and the trust you were putting in him, maybe it was naive and stupid if it was someone else who had bad intentions, but you took your chances with him.

Spencer steps up to the controls, eyeing the mess with a focused look, his fingers tracing over the switches and buttons like he’s reading a puzzle. “Wow,” he says after a beat. “This is… pretty old-school.”

You let out a short laugh, leaning against the doorway. “Yeah, tell me about it. I’m honestly surprised we haven’t had more breakdowns.”

He glances over at you, his expression softening. “You’ve been keeping this place running pretty well, considering.”

The compliment catches you off guard, and for a moment, you feel your face flush. You quickly shake it off and nod toward the panel. “So, you think you can fix it?”

Spencer nods confidently, already getting to work. He’s methodical as he checks the wires and makes adjustments, explaining the technicalities as he goes. You pretend to understand most of it, but really, you’re just watching him, impressed by how he seems to know exactly what to do.

After a few minutes of working in silence, he glances at you again. “You know,” he says with a small grin, “this isn’t the first time I’ve saved a situation with some quick rewiring.” He grows more comfortable under your gaze as time goes on, the nerves still fluttering through his body, he tries to keep his hands as steady as possible — because you were trusting him.

“Oh?” You raise an eyebrow, intrigued despite yourself.

“Yeah. One time, I had to disarm a bomb using only a circuit board and a pair of wire cutters.” He pauses, eyes sparkling with that same quiet confidence. “This is a little less stressful.”

You laugh, shaking your head. “I should hope so.”

The conversation continues like that—light, easy, playful. and the tension you’ve been feeling all evening starts to melt away. There’s something about his calm demeanor that puts you at ease, like you can trust him to handle things, not just here, but in general. It’s a strange feeling, but a good one.

Finally, he steps back from the panel, brushing his hands together. “That should do it.”

You blink, glancing at the screen where the sound has suddenly returned, loud and clear. “You fixed it?”

“Looks like it,” he says, his voice soft but full of satisfaction.

A wave of relief washes over you. You hadn’t realized just how tightly wound you’d been until now. You smile, unable to hold back your gratitude. “Thank you. Seriously, you have no idea how much this helps.”

Spencer shrugs, looking a little bashful. “It’s nothing, really.”

But it’s not nothing. You can feel that. He’s helped you out, more than just with the projector, and the gratitude in your chest grows warmer.

You glance at him, hesitating. He can see it in your gaze, your eyes are on his, a warm smile on your face. He has to stop his mind from drifting away.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” you say, your voice softer now, more personal. “Is there anything I can do— Free tickets, do you need more popcorn?— That doesn’t do it justice. If there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, please let me know” You rambled and his heart fluttered.

There’s a pause, just long enough for you to wonder what he’s thinking. Then, he meets your eyes, his expression a mix of uncertainty and hope. “How about a date?”

The question hangs in the air, and your heart skips a beat.

It takes a moment to process what he’s asking, but when you do, you feel a smile tugging at your lips. “You’re asking me out?”

He nods, looking more nervous than you’ve ever seen him. “If you’re free. I’d really like to take you out sometime.”

You furrow your eyebrows slightly, hands coming back up to fumble with the lanyard on your neck — for maybe the hundredth time. You look over his face as id you don’t believe him for a moment before you let out a breathy laugh, and for a moment his heart dropped with the idea of rejection.

“Yeah- Yeah. I’d like that.” You said. And he felt like the wind had been knocked out of him.

Spencer liked the cinema’s a lot more now.

[ineffably-human]

The day Guillermo slaughtered a theatre of vampires, Nandor looked up and actually saw him. 'My name is Guillermo de la Cruz' burned like a silver knife in his brain. And that's the day Nandor started rooting for him.

Making him a bodyguard, insistent that's what he was. Watching him so carefully. 'Push back. Break the rules. Talk about yourself. I can't do it for you. If I do it for you then you've already lost.' Guillermo slapped him and his eyes lit up. Guillermo fought him, and he only wanted more. Guillermo said 'I can kill you whenever I want, I choose not to,' and it's what he was waiting for.

Nandor stands at the train station, feeling awake for the first time in months as he considers all the variables. The normal bite won't be enough, not for a Van Helsing. He'll have to drink someone right away, just to be sure. Will it feel the same for him, to hunt a human the way Nandor's watched him hunt a vampire? Maybe if they do it together. Maybe there's a lot that Guillermo can do very easily, if they do it together. Maybe there's a lot Nandor can do, very easily, if-

(...he's not coming. Well, familiars have balked at less.)

--

It's such a genuine surprise when he reappears. Why everything happened doesn't matter, exactly; Guillermo doesn't fight to get any of it back. He's so angry, so ready to leave, and by all rights Nandor should let him. But all he can feel is the instinct to stop him. Perhaps if he has actual love in this house, something to fill the void... Maybe there's one more thing Guillermo can do for him before his exit.

It's a strange year. Guillermo is not in his service, so much as he's a friend charged with service. His mind is so pulled in different directions - raising the Colin-creature, helping at the club, buying his gaudy new clothes that aren't vampire-like at all. Talking on the phone, sometimes in the other language he speaks, sometimes in secret whispers Nandor doesn't try to figure out.

If Guillermo doesn't want him to know, then he doesn't. He can't begrudge him a life outside this house anymore. It's like Guillermo has remembered how to be human.

Maybe he has. Nandor takes him to fight, wants to see that fire in his eyes again, but Guillermo only wants peace. They never talk about him becoming a vampire. Guillermo doesn't ask once. At the wedding, Guillermo promises to always be there when Nandor is afraid. Nandor wonders what 'always' means to him.

When he meets Freddie, things click into place a bit. Nandor is happy for him, truly. Suspicious, of course - this is a stranger in their home, one who clearly doesn't know their secrets. But such a kind and engaging stranger. And intriguing, like a little secret corner of Guillermo Nandor has never been able to reach. Nandor has been so lonely lately, he keeps getting everything he wants and yet he's lonelier than ever -

Nandor fucks up. Nandor fixes. Or does his best, anyway.

Guillermo goes to London one day, comes home with a look in his eyes like something broken. They don't talk about it.

Guillermo is back to dusting. He sits beside Nandor and smiles, placid and friendly. 'So, what's next?' But he doesn't ask. And Nandor can't ask it for him. That's not how this works.

--

And suddenly, Guillermo is a million miles away. Suddenly, Guillermo would rather be anywhere than with Nandor.

He talks about being a vampire for the first time in a year, but there's a strangeness to it. A wariness. When they laugh at the idea, he doesn't push back. There's no fire.

Something is wrong, honestly wrong, but Nandor can't bring himself to think about it seriously. Guillermo still runs from even the thought of their orgies. (So it can't be what he's thinking of, can it?) Their first big crisis as a household in a while, their bodyguard is nowhere to be found. (Is he a bodyguard anymore? A familiar? A lot more like Laszlo's familiar, these days...)

'I'm not going to be around forever.' Well, fine. He can survive that. He's survived far worse, and so has Guillermo.

And Guillermo is not just here right now, but is alive right now - wonderfully, blessedly alive - and Nandor won't be forced to think about his death for a while yet.

The one thing he knows for sure is that Guillermo would never do anything to hurt him, to hurt any of them. And maybe that's why it never worked out. You have to do so much more than survive, to be a vampire.

-- When everything that happened becomes clear, when his rage fades to anger fades to acceptance, there's still responsibility. Responsibility to his familiar, responsibility to his friend.

And when Guillermo's heart is too full, and spills over whatever bloodlust he had, Nandor wishes he were surprised. Guillermo has iron in him but it's been forged into a shield, after all this time. There are no little leftover bits Nandor might have helped him shape into a pair of fangs.

Guillermo can feed a family, or defend one, or defend himself. But he won't kill unless he has to, and his own survival - or his own happiness - is not a 'has to'. Fine. Guillermo has fought for him. Nandor can fight, too.

His own anger still needs a more constructive place to go. So he looks at Guillermo's wretched sire - who never even wanted to be a vampire, and then made a vampire so thoughtlessly. Who hasn't come to see Guillermo, who couldn't figure out how to help him, who doesn't even know that he's in pain.

Nandor drives a stake into the heart of a vampire. And it feels good.

Maybe now, he can also be angry at himself a little less.

[nev3rfound]

anyone but you : b.b

you were Bucky's pocket of sunshine, his sweet girl outside of the avengers. a slice of normality in his less-than lifestyle, but what happens when you're pulled into it in the worst way? (2.6k)

we've got ourselves a good'un today angels, and you have @imagine-all-the-fandoms for the brill idea :)

warnings - graphic descriptions of torture and wounds. (but fluffy ending)

masterlist / permanent taglist / etsy shop

“Mmh, okay. So, our options- wait stop laughing at me!” Throwing the menus in his direction, Bucky stifles the rest of his laugh by trying to play it off as a cough.

Shaking his head, Bucky picks up the menus that had been promptly thrown at him. "I'm not laughing at you doll." Bucky reasons, moving across the sofa to now kneel in front of the coffee table where you're perching opposite him looking through your phone for alternatives.

"Sure sounds like it to me." You chide, glancing up with a mischievous glint in your eyes, one Bucky can't help but get lost in, completely missing the words sounding from your lips. Clicking your fingers in front of him, Bucky snaps from the depths of his mind.

"What did you say?" Bucky asks, only elated as your grin widens into a playful smile. "Right, dinner!" Bucky slaps his hand down on his thigh before rising to his feet and dramatically clasps one hand over his eyes. "How 'bout we do the random selector, huh?"

Chuckling to yourself, you nod along before rising to your feet. "Let's do it, Barnes."

Covering your eyes as well, the pair of you reach down and clutch a menu in your grasp and open your eyes. "I got Chinese!" You announce, and Bucky grunts in disappointment as he holds up the leaflet loosely.

"I got the shitty pizza place a few blocks away." He groans, watching you cheer victoriously. "You won this time, Y/n." He rushes over to your side of the table, wrapping his arms around your waist before lifting you up, hearing you squeal before dropping the menu. "But I'll win next time, mark my words."

With your arms around his neck, Bucky dips you lowly with a smirk. "That so, Barnes?" You tease, leaning closer to his face. "We'll see." You add, closing the distance between you both with a sweet quick kiss. "Now come on, I'm starving!"

*

"Thirty minutes til we land, guys." Natasha announces from the front of the jet.

Unable to keep his knee from bouncing once the announcement was made, Bucky cannot stop his thoughts from returning to you. It had been a longer mission than anticipated with little to no contact with the outside world. He's so used to sending a text, a quick call to just hear your voice and know you're okay whether it be doing a mundane task or listening to you moan about a colleague.

That's one of the things Bucky loves about you; the normalcy of it all. You couldn't be more of a polar opposite to the former soldier, with a 9-5, a pension scheme, and health benefits included. Whereas he just gets thrown into the unknown more than he cares to admit and comes out slightly more traumatized with each mission.

Noting the nervous actions of his friend, Steve nudges Bucky's arm. "You got plans with Y/n once we get back?" Steve asks, knowing it'll help pass the remaining time until they land.

Within seconds the tension melts from Bucky's body and even Sam catches the barely there smile on the soldier's face.

"Going to this movie theatre she loves, it's kinda run down but she likes to call it 'old school.'" He quotes, picturing the first time you dragged him along to the theatre. "And well, I've got something planned for her, but I don't know." Bucky trails off, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck rise.

"Well, sounds great to me, Buck." Steve comments, moving slightly closer, and lowers his head in an attempt to keep the overs from interrupting. "So, you ever gonna bring her to the compound?"

Bucky sighs deeply and Steve backs up, knowing it's useless to even pry further into it.

"It's just so good, Steve." Bucky starts, glancing around at those around him, some looking through reports and others dozing off. "I don't want her to get enveloped in this side of our life." He explains and Steve simply nods. "I love what we have, and, and I don't wanna risk ruining that."

"Understood." Steve pats Bucky's arm. "She really brings out the best in you, you know?"

"Yeah, he's been notably less grumpy since they got together." Sam comments from the other side of the jet, receiving a brief glare from Bucky. "Less grumpy, Barnes. You're no ray of sunshine yet."

The rest of the flight sped by whilst Bucky remained deep in his thoughts which mostly circled around you. He was jolted from his memories once the jet landed and they all began to disembark.

As the team began to walk through the compound, Bucky quickly got his phone out to send you a message. But before he could even start to type one, a series of urgent texts flash up on his screen.

"Bucky?" Steve calls out to his friend who is almost frozen in place, staring down at his phone with panic written across his expression. "Buck?" Walking toward his friend, he looks down at Bucky's phone and feels his heart drop at what he's reading.

With a shaky hand, Bucky forces his head up to meet Steve's eyes. "Steve, I," He can barely form the right words, unsure what to even say. "This, this can't happen." His mind shifts to denial, but upon hearing his name being called urgently up ahead by Tony and Bruce he can feel his whole world crashing down on him.

*

The first sensation that came back was your smell. In hindsight, you wish it wasn't and that you could've remained senseless, but you weren't so lucky.

It smelt like metal, smoke, and sweat. Little did you know, that was all coming from you.

Your eyesight followed suit and quickly alerted your captures with delight that you were conscious at last. "Help!" You cry out, now noticing your arms shackled to a wall in a dank-looking cell. "Please, help me!" Within seconds the screams tear at your throat, scratching it raw as laughter enters your ears.

Through the shadows, a large figure emerges holding up an old school camcorder whilst he grimaces at you, eyes roaming over the wounds inflicted. "Bout time you woke up darling." The man snarls, moving closer into your enclosed space. "Wanna say hi to your friends?" Forcing the camera to your face, you're quick to turn your head away, only to feel a sweaty hand clench your jaw and force you to look directly into the lens as tears glisten in your eyes. "You know what to do if you want her back." The man comments, further confusing you about the situation before he reveals a small knife in his grasp.

"No, please," You plead, shaking your head at the sight of the knife rising before plowing it down into your thigh.

The last thing Bucky sees is your face contorted in pain, the movement of your lips as you scream in anguish. But all of the sounds have become white noise.

"Do we know who sent this?" Steve is the first to ask, noting Bucky standing too still for his own liking.

Raising his hand, Bruce swipes across and reveals three headshots of so-called reformed criminals. "Jason Donahough, Mark Whitehall, and Edward Polaski." Bruce points to each, pausing at the sound of Bucky's metal arm whirring, the plates sliding as he clenches both fists at the images.

"I know them." Bucky states through gritted teeth.

"A message was delivered with the video, we're trying to locate the source with the help of FRIDAY." Tony explains, revealing the two simple sentences.

Come get your girl, Winter Soldier. It's time to resume the game.

A shudder spreads through Bucky at the second sentence. They still remember what he did, and clearly aren't messing around this time.

"I have to go." Bucky tells himself, too in his own head to notice several pairs of eyes fall on him in alarm.

"Bucky, that's," Steve starts, but Bucky is already walking out the door before he can finish his sentence. "We gotta go, who's in?"

Almost every hand shoots up and Steve nods, everyone starts to file out, knowing what needs to be done.

*

They came in abruptly, knocking the chains on your ankles to alert you of their presence. Mostly they just wanted to taunt you, sometimes they'd spare you the pain of reminding you that you were alone and no one would come for you. But more often than not, they'd add to your growing list of injuries, conflicting another wound to your skin as more blood stains the tiles.

No one answers the questions you ask when conscious enough to form words. 'Where am I?' 'How long have I been here?' and the one that scares you most of all, 'Why me?'

"You think he'll come?" Your ears perk up at the question, and you force your heavy head up an inch to see two of your attackers conversing outside of your cell.

One of them is holding a phone tightly in his grasp, chewing on his lip at the question. "For her? Hopefully." He scoffs before looking back at you, noticing the corners of your lips rising weakly. "What're you smiling at, bitch?" His voice rises before he marches over to you, grabs a hold of your face with one hand, and stares you dead in the eyes. "Somethin' you wanna say?" He demands, eyes widening awaiting a response.

Instead, you spit in his face, watching him recoil in disgust.

"You'll pay for that," He states, reaching into his pocket for something whilst your eyes grow heavy once again, unaware of a red light flickering through the base and alarms blaring.

The two men exchange a look, one you're oblivious to when your head slumps back down to rest against your chest.

"Showtime." One of the men laughs, clapping his hands before they both exit the cell, leaving your weak body alone-something you can be silently thankful for.

"Bucky," His name passes from your lips before your eyes drop once more.

Leading the mission, Bucky refuses to trail from the plan. Sometimes, he'll swerve from the set motions, but when it comes to you, nothing is to be changed or come as a surprise.

Continuing through the dank corridors, Bucky keeps his gun aimed in front of him whilst Steve and Natasha follow behind. So far Bucky has not left a single guard standing, and some without breath.

"You think this is it?" Natasha questions, looking at a series of locked doors, each with a number printed above and the red light flashing.

Bucky remains silent, trying to zone out from the murmurs behind him. His eyes continuously scan over the doors, he homes in on the furthest down the corridor, noting the light flashing white instead of red.

"There." Bucky speaks up, picking up pace toward the door only to be surprised by three guards who start shooting.

Wasting no time, Bucky tears the three down with ease. He ignores their screams whilst he shoots and punches his way through them.

Breathing deeply, Bucky leans forward to see a series of buttons to unlock the door. "Got any idea-" Steve starts, only to be met with Bucky smashing his metal fist into the panel, causing the door to open.

Adjusting their eyes to the dimly lit room, the trio enter apprehensively.

Scanning the room, Bucky's breath catches in his throat at the frail figure in the corner of the room. "Y/n?" His voice croaks, wasting no time to rush to your side, delicately lifting your head up to his lap. Eyeing over your various injuries, Bucky shakes his head and nestles your cheek with his hand. "What've they done to you?"

"Buck, we've got to get her out, now." Steve places his hand on his friend's shoulder, watching his oldest friend help you up and break the chains keeping you cemented in place. "Nat's clearing our exit, we don't have long."

Upon picking you up, Bucky freezes at your loud cry. "I'm sorry, doll, I'm so sorry." He repeatedly mumbles into your neck as he cradles your body in his arms all too aware of you dipping in and out of consciousness.

Much to their surprise, their exit is easier than anticipated. With you lying limp in Bucky's arms breathing heartlessly, Nat starts the jet up.

"It was all just to prove a point." Bucky states quietly, an oxygen mask now covering your nose and mouth. "just to show they could still get back at me, after all this time." His fists begin to clench on the edge of the seat, something Steve quickly picks up on as he moves to sit beside the pair of you.

Looking down at you in daylight, Steve could feel his heart clench in his chest. From what he saw of you briefly in photographs, you were shell of the woman you were physically, let alone mentally when you eventually come to.

"She's safe now, Buck." Steve reminds Bucky, feeling a sense of hope wash over the jet at your eyes open.

"Buck?" You croak, trying to lift your hand up, only for it to be held tightly by Buckys. "You, you found me." Tears start to build in your eyes upon seeing his, only for them to quickly refill with black spots.

"Of course, I'll always find you." Bucky whispers, leaning down to kiss your forehead as a tear glides across your skin.

two months later

"Okay, okay!" Bucky chuckles heartfully, clutching the menu in his grasp above his head whilst you pout up at him. "Just say sorry and it's yours, doll."

Crossing your arms over your chest, you lightly sigh. "Come on, that's not fair. Steve will agree with me on this, right, Steve?" Glancing over your shoulder, Steve doesn't move a muscle from the armchair situated in the compound living area. "Steve?" Waving your hand, you reach for a cushion to throw at him, only for it to be deflected at the last second.

"I think you've got a slight advantage here, Buck." Steve chimes in, much to Bucky's playful dismay.

Lowering his arms back down, Bucky kneels in front of you with the menu in hand. "Here you go, doll." He winks, watching you snatch it from his grasp before wheeling backward toward the coffee table.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Barnes." You salute, reaching across for your crutch to ease you out of the wheelchair.

Upon hearing a quiet wince, Bucky's gaze falls upon you, and starts to walk in your direction to assist. "She's got this." Natasha pipes up, now entering the room to see what all the commotion was.

"Thanks, Nat." You smile, now using the crutch you reach for your phone, revealing the scarring on your forearm which sometimes hurts to see.

With a quick tug, you pull on the sleeve of Bucky's henley you've stolen before dialing for the takeaway and leaving the room.

Now left alone with two old friends, Bucky can practically hear their questions protruding. "She's just taking things a day at a time." Bucky explains, burying his head in his hands at the memories of the past few months.

"I mean, I haven't heard her laugh like this since before," He trails off, not wishing to finish the sentence as images of blood, your screams, and pleads replay.

"It's alright," Natasha comments with a soft smile. "She's tougher than she looks, for a civilian that is." She adds.

"Who're you callin' a civilian?" You speak up, feigning shock at Natasha's remark. "I happen to be a very special person." You add, slowly making your way toward Bucky.

Smiling at the interaction, Steve dares to ask. "And what makes you special, huh, Y/n?" He plays along, thankful to see Bucky's smile growing as you reach him, wrapping your free arm around his middle.

"'Cause this guy gets to date me." You state with a smug grin, feeling Bucky kiss your temple with a smile on his lips. "Nothing more special than that, right?" Looking up at Bucky, his smile only widens as the sparkle in your eye flashes for a moment, slowly making its return.

"Yeah, doll." Bucky tells you. "Luckiest guy around."

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[its-avalon-08]

Hi hiii!! Can I request lando watching y/n perform think of me from the phantom of the opera??

my angel, my haven

(this is super different from what i usually write so im sorry if its shit)

lando's pov :

the crimson velvet curtains billowed outwards, revealing a stage bathed in the soft glow of a gaslight replica. y/n stood center stage, the spotlight catching the way her sequined gown shimmered like a thousand scattered diamonds. her back was straight, her posture radiating an ethereal confidence that sent a jolt through me. i couldn't tear my eyes away.

think of me, think of me fondly

this wasn't the first time i'd seen y/n perform. we'd been together since our karting days, but tonight, something felt different. maybe it was the grandeur of the opera house, the hushed reverence of the audience, or maybe it was just the way the stage lights painted her face in a thousand dramatic strokes. whatever it was, it took my breath away.

we never said our love was evergreen

as the opening notes of "think of me" swelled from the orchestra pit, a familiar warmth bloomed in my chest. it wasn't just the beauty of the music, though that was undeniable. it was the way y/n inhabited the song, her voice soaring through the theatre with a power and control that never ceased to amaze me. it was a voice that could shatter glass and soothe a broken heart, all in the same breath.

think of me, think of me waking, silent and resigned

as she sang, a thousand memories flickered through my mind. goofy backstage moments, stolen kisses in the pit lane, late-night talks where her dreams intertwined with mine. here she was, living out one of those dreams, and i was lucky enough to witness it. a thrill of possessiveness, quickly doused by a wave of pure pride, washed over me. how could this incredibly talented, captivating woman be mine?

recall those days, look back on all those times

her voice climbed higher, weaving a tapestry of emotions with each note. christine's longing, the phantom's obsession, it all poured out of her, raw and unfiltered. her voice sounded like a dream. the audience was enthralled, hanging onto her every word. and me? i was lost in a world of my own creation, a world where the opulent stage was replaced by a dimly lit garage, the smell of grease oil replaced by the sweet scent of her hair. in that world, it wasn't christine pining for a masked figure, it was y/n, my y/n, captivating me with her talent and her love.

but please promise me that sometimes, you will think of me

the final note faded, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. then, as if a dam had broken, the applause erupted. it was a thunderous roar that shook the very foundation of the building. a wide smile bloomed on y/n's face, as radiant as the spotlight itself. as she caught my eye and smiled i felt all the stars align. in that moment, i knew. no matter what challenges life threw our way, no matter how bright her star might shine, she would always find her way back to me. and i, the luckiest man alive, would be waiting.

🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️

thanks for reading and sending in your request! do send in more! 🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️

[pseudophan]

Hi! I am very very new to the Dan and Phil world. A friend of a friend had a spare ticket to their Oslo show and I went along. This was my very first Dan and Phil experience. I had heard their names, but went in completely blind after all who doesn't love a theatre trip to a foreign country. I had a wonderful time, even if I didn't really understand a lot of the backstory it was so much fun, and i thought i sort of had it worked out. I have come home and binged their content now, but the more I watch, the more confused I am. I watched the Anthony Padilla Dan interview tonight and that was the point where I thought I need help. I was advised head here, pick someone nice and avoid twitter so here I am. When I was watching the show in Oslo, it seemed to me that it was the most married unmarried couple ever, having fun together on stage, poking fun at all the crazy that they had faced together over the years, however the more I indulge in their content the more I am confused as to what is real or not. Is the whole stage couple thing just an act? Were they together but now not? Have I misunderstood the whole show? That Anthony interview Dan seemed to be saying he was very single and ready to find a man, so I am very very lost. Google was no help. I don't want to over step but after watching them perform on stage, they seemed completely infatuated and in love with each other and in recent videos i watched. It is all very confusing. Whatever they are, they know how to put on a show. They have a new fan in me, albeit a slightly confused one. Hope you don't think I am overstepping.

first of all, that's an insane introduction to dan and phil and i love it. i was also at the oslo show! it was a good one

as for your question, well you see the thing is dan howell is chronically full of shit. that time period was a bit weird and he was a bit annoying and he had this "single and ready to mingle" bit going, god knows why cause it wasn't very believable, but.. idk, i think perhaps it was a mix of just that fitting his brand of "comedian" better and him desperately wanting to get away from the Dan And Phil label, but because he couldn't ever fully commit to it it just fell flat imo. like you can't be on youtube and on stage claiming you're single and wanna fuck around while also appearing in your boyfriend's videos acting married as fuck, it just doesn't work. and please no one start up that godforsaken open relationship debate again cause it's just not relevant, he wasn't selling open relationship he was selling single lol, at least in that anthony interview

but like all that said i don't really think he was trying to sell it to the phannies or any of his most hardcore fans, and i think that's exactly why he was willing to appear in phil's videos still showing a completely different, much more real, side of himself. the whole Single Dan On The Prowl thing was for himself and for random people who happened to be watching, more casual members of the audience

there's a looot more to be said about dan and the way he wants to be viewed, he talks about it himself a bit in the new show but you probably don't remember it that well if you saw it as an outsider like it's hardly the most memorable part of.. all of that haha, but basically to answer your question: dan's just kinda like that sometimes. you get used to it. or maybe you won't have to since he seems ready to finally maybe potentially possibly drop some of the pretence and just.... be. or he'll change his mind again and be back to bullshitting in a few months you honestly never know with that guy

but yeah dan in that era... grain of salt is all. it's just a persona and a desperate plea to be viewed as something, anything other than Dan From Dan And Phil. it's just kind of hard to get away from that when the other half of your double act is also your life partner, you know?

[rakurairagnarok]

Hey hi! I'm having some trouble with my friend. We've been friend since middle school but lost contact for a few months. I don't recognize him anymore. We were both fairly average looking guy, maybe on the skinny side. But now he is towering and large. he doesn't like theater anymore, i don't know what happened. Would there be anything in your products to help me reconnect with my friend?

Reconnecting with an old friend? That's adorable.

You heard rumors about a life changing company making its rounds in town. Your childhood friend seemingly got their hands on some stuff so you've been looking around town for the past few days.

So you were quite surprised to find a package stuck to your door, with the logo you've been hoping to find across it ; Rakurai Inc.

You hurry inside to find a damp cutoff tank top . You take it out and the stangy musk drills its way into your nostrils.

Reluctantly, you put it on your skinny frame and take a look in the mirror.

It looks ridiculous on you, hanging off of you like a dress, your stick like arms in stark contrast to your big pectorals.

Your pectorals??

You frown as you see your torso broaden, muscles forming where there were none before. You watch in awe as abs push into being, your arms tripling in size as your hands explore your growing body.

You look down to see your legs stretch upward giving you an imposing 6'4 in length.

Your quads thicken, and looking down you notice your glutes filling the back of your pants.

A wave of pleasure notifies you of your dick springing to action and slithering down your legs.

Looking back up to the mirror, your mind glazes over. Memories of theatre and studying get replaced by Memories of working out , skipping school and making out with your best friend.

Your dick stirs in your pants as you remember the first time you made out.

As you rub your dick through your pants , your boyfriend walks in, smiling at your stature and quickly pulling you towards the bedroom.

A classic childhood friends trope.

Countless possibilities. Fantasies come true. Anything within your grasp with Rakurai Inc.

[bobbin-buckley]

Tara Carpenter Headcanons

Tara Carpenter x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Fluff and smut

~~~~~~~~~~~

SFW

-Tara being protective of you

-She loves you so much she wants to protect you with all her heart

-You guys met in college in film class (so you never experienced Woodsboro but have heard about the ghostface murders)

-You were pretty quiet so Tara was the first to start a conversation (and asked you out)

-You both love to brag about horror movies and watch them (if you don’t like horror movies…well suffer)

-Long breathless kisses when alone together

-Kisses on her scars and telling her how much you love them whenever she gets insecure (holding her left hand and rubbing your thumb over the scar)

-Not wanting to introduce you to Sam because she’s worried Sam will scare you away

-You said it’ll be fine but when you met her Sam almost tazed you

-Being best friends with Anika (since forever)

-Hanging out with the twins a lot (they both love having you around)

-Sam watching you like a hawk

-Tara loves being big spoon, she feels that you are safe in her arms

-When ghostface came back and you got hurt she felt so guilty and wanted you to move away so you wouldn’t deal with it anymore (you said no and kissed her)

-Being final girl with Sam and Tara 🥳

-You absolutely HATE Ethan, always giving him glares and wanting to beat the living shit out of him at times (he used to bully you)

-You definitely beat the shit out of him when he hurt Tara and when you found out he was Ghostface

-Being apart of the core four (so five)

-Grieving after Anika’s death. You both were such close friends and you lost her, but you couldn’t imagine how Mindy was feeling so you were there for her. Tara always being there for you after everything (you did the same)

-Movie dates (at home or at a theatre)

-Sneaking into each others apartments

-Studying together

-Sam eventually liking you and happy for Tara

NSFW

-Switch (but prefers top)

-She loves riding your face

-Super gentle touches unless you want it rough

-Absolutely no pain play or knife play an immediate turn off

-She wouldn’t mind some ass smacking though 😏

-Oddly became a boob person once she saw your pairs for the first time. She loves your boobs clothed or not she loves to lay her head on your chest

-I could see her favorite position being missionary wether it’s her drilling her fingers into your wet cunt or thrusting her strap inside you

-Probably owns a few toys (only for you ofc 😉) sometimes she uses her vibrator on herself when she misses your touch, it’s rare tho

-When things get heated you aren’t walking for a while

-She loves giving praise (does enjoy receiving it though) she likes to tell you how good your doing for her and how you taste

“You’re doing so well for me baby, just a little more”

“God your so fucking wet, let me taste you”

“Look at you, your like dough in my hands before I even get a chance to finger you”

“Hmmm..you taste so sweet my love”

-Back to her loving your boobs, she enjoys missionary so much to watch your boobs bounce back and fourth at each thrust of her fingers or strap

“Look at these beautiful things..all mine. You look so fucking hot right now Y/n I might fuck you all night, if your so good for me”

-A huge tease. She likes to edge you with her teasing but doesn’t do it for too long. She’ll pull out her fingers or strap when you’re close to cumming or gently touches your body to get a rise out of you

-You’ll have to be quiet (she will to) if being intimate together at her apartment (if Sam catches you oh am I gonna tell you, you’re fuckin dead)

-Will treat you like a slut if you’re being bad ( in the most loving way possible)

-ALWAYS asking for consent and if you’re doing okay

“Is that okay baby? Does this feel good?”

“Want more huh? Go ahead and beg a little”

-Did I forget to mention she loves to hear you beg?

-Aftercare is Tara’s favorite part of of sex, not that she doesn’t love the intimate part but she loves taking care of you after. She’ll give soothing massages, nice luke warm bath, asking you how she did and telling you how well you did

Tara is just head over heels for you

~~~~~~~~

I swear I didn’t mean to make the vote 6 days 😭so I’ll probably delete is and make another one after this post gets some views

[s-rosie]

TIG HCSSSSS

hiii, this is my first hc post and im still a bit new to the all so pls ignore it if it is bad. some amazing tig hc creators are @x-liv25-jamieswife and @ilyiwdtpyiwmyhmtkys and i took some inspiration from them so pls check them out.

Jameson is a huge theatre nerd and he converted Avery so now they listen/watch/go to musicals together

they sing and quote them so often, everyone gets SOOOO annoyed

for Halloween, they went as pre say no to this Hamilton and Elliza one year and as jd and veronica another year and everyone LOST IT

Jameson even surprised her with Hamilton tickets but she had to solve a riddle to see where they were going

the riddle was a single letter that just said “My Dearest, Avery” and nothing else (iykyk)

Grayson has secretly watched every episode of Dance Moms and even memorized some of the dances

Avery one time did a spicy dance on TikTok and Jameson absolutely LOST HIS MIND

Alisa made her take the video down, because she said it was too “inappropriate” (even though it wasn’t even as bad as half of the other dances out there)

Jameson managed to save it beforehand and still has it to this day

Xander has read Avery’s diary and saw some THINGS things she wrote (especially about jamie (iykyk)) and he almost died but she just laughed it off

Libby often says stuff that sounds really dirty but she doesn’t mean it that way and gets very confused why everyone started laughing at what she was saying

Jameson played/plays hockey

Nash and Avery go on little outings every once and a while just for some bonding time (and a bit of lovingly trash talking Jamie)

Thea has MAD rbf like its not even ok

Rebecca can play guitar and sing and it sounds so soothing

Oren ugly cried at Avery and Jameson’s wedding

Jamie absolutely adores matching couples shirts but Avery hates them with a passion but she wears them sometimes to make him happy

Grayson loves picking flowers

Max and Avery one time pretended they were receiving awards (grammy’s, oscar’s, etc.) with the many awards the Hawthorne boys won (before javery was official) and Jameson was in a secret passage the whole time watching and they heard him giggling so she opened the passage to see him standing there and she just went beet red

he thought it was adorable and it just made him like her even more (can someone pls write a fic about this pls)

Nash is/was a barrel racer

Xander has the absolute dirtiest mind ever and can make anything he/you say sound dirty (a close second is Jameson)

but Xander is so clueless he sometimes says something that sounds so dirty and he doesn’t even realize

Max had to run a mile for school and almost died

Avery one time broke her arm while playing badminton (don’t ask me how but i can’t talk because i would too)

Jameson loves roller coasters but gets motion sick so he will ride the most intense roller coaster and immediately throw up after

Max and Avery threaten each other with telling embarrassing things they have done in the past to the others

Nash and Libby tease Avery and Jameson SO MUCH

they are always saying things like “leave some room for Jesus” and “get a room” when they show the slightest affection (out of love)

sometimes Nash will even come out of nowhere when they are watching a movie and say something like “what are we watching?” and just sit in the middle of them

Avery loved up cycling old and vintage thinga and Jameson will help

Rebecca loves to craft because it helps her relax

she even taught Libby how to crochet

after seeing the effects, no one lets Gigi have coffee

even though Savanna is cold at first, she really opens up to the group and they all love her though she thought they wouldn’t (ofcc)

Grayson and Avery once made a power point about skincare for Jamie after learning he just washes his face with body soap and cold water (*shutters*)

Avery calls Xander Xanny Poo or just Pookie but never his real name

when they were still in school, Xander made Avery a fake prom-posal after her, Xander, and Jamie had a conversation about how cringy they were

She almost murders him on the spot

Avery once threatened to slap Jameson because he was being annoyed and he said “is that a threat, or a promise? and she almost passed out

after that, Xander called Ave a sadist and Jamie a masochist for a month and a half

Grayson and Avery watch Bridgeton together

when he was younger, Jameson was absolutely OBSESSED with Gravity Falls, he would theorize about it and try to solve the mysteries (which he got most of them right)

he has the journal #3 with the invisible ink on his book shelf to this day

Jameson and Avery are always playing game pigeon

Avery and Libby bought dress-up dresses and have tea parties (sometimes Max joins)

Jameson loves to rub it in his brothers (especially Gray’s) faces that he is technically royalty

I hope you like this!!! please let me know how i can improve. all constructive criticism is highly appreciated and welcome. please give me suggestions on what i can do next. thank you so much!

[jamdoughnutmagician]

After All This Time

Eddie Munson x Reader

Silly little drabble based on this text post by @mantorokk-writes becasue I couldn't stop thinking about what a cute idea it was!! Maybe I strayed a little from the original prompt but 🤷‍♀️

Warnings:Nothing that I can think of, unless badly-written fluff counts?

Word Count:1,120

Masterlist Eddie Munson Masterlist

"Still can't believe you've kept it after all this time"

A shaggy mess of dark bouncy curls stomps up to the counter in the arcade before slamming down a handful of tickets and proudly pointing to the ring underneath the glass counter.

Eddie looks at you with his big brown eyes and an even bigger gap-toothed smile. You return his smile and nod your head, holding his hand in yours, your fingers inter-twining together.

“That one please!” he says to the older kid working behind the counter.

The ring he’s pointing to is a chunky pink ring with a big silver heart shaped gem in the centre of it.

The boy behind the counter hand the ring over Eddie 

“Here you go, kid.” the boy behind the counter smiles.

Eddie immediately grabs your left hand and slides the plastic ring over your ring finger.

“There!” he smiles brightly, his rosy freckled cheeks flush under the rainbow glow of the fluorescent arcade lights. “You have to wear this ring because you’re my girlfriend and I love you!”

You hold your hand out in front of you, admiring the ring in all its fake, plastic glory.

“Eddie!!” you giggle as you lean in to kiss him on the cheek. “I love it!”

“And when I’m old enough I’m gonna get you a real ring, and I’m gonna marry you, that way we can be best friends together forever.” he tells you with a confident nod of his head, his shaggy hair bouncing as he does.

You had moved away when you were nine years old and it had been tough on both you and Eddie. He was the closest thing that you had to a best friend and now you had to move away to Chicago because your dad had got a job there and moving there just made things easier. Despite Chicago being only a three hour drive away from Hawkins, in your young mind it might as well have been on the other side of the world. 

You promised to call each other every night, and so you did. Never wanting to miss out on hearing the sound of your best friend's voice as you swap stories about your days. The phone calls sometimes going on into the late hours of the evening up until the rasping voice of Uncle Wayne could be heard in the background, reminding Eddie that he was racking up a phone bill longer than his arm.

Of course you would visit each other each summer, one year Eddie and Wayne would make their way up to you, and the next; you and your family would spend some time back in Hawkins during the school's summer break.

As you got older you got closer. Closer than most best friends do. You had been each other’s first loves since you were children playing together in the schoolyard, and then as two giggling pre-teens holding hands in a dark movie theatre. You had been each other’s first kiss. It wasn’t anything special. It had been clumsy, and ungraceful as you bumped noses with each other, but it was sweet, and charming and most importantly it was you and your Eddie.

No matter how old you got, you always made time for each other. Last year Eddie had surprised you by coming down to visit you all by himself. Driving up in his van just to see you.

That summer you spent your time together watching the sun fall in the back of his van, counting the stars and getting lost in each other's touch. Holding each other close like you had always dreamed of.

You’d moved back to Hawkins after 10 years of living in Chicago, coming back to the town you grew up in all those years ago. 

The moment you got back you immediately made your way down to the very familiar site of Forest Hills trailer park. Stepping towards the old tattered door of the Munson trailer you knock your fist against the door excitedly.

You giggle to yourself at the grumbling voice you hear walking towards the door on the inside, grouching about "who the hell would be knocking our door at this time of day?"

The door swings open, and there he is. The boy that you fell in love with all those summers ago. 

"W-what are you doing here?" He asks, immediately bringing you into an almost bone-crushing hug.

"I'm back!" You smiled broadly "..and I'm back for good this time! Didn't think you could get rid of me that easily, did you, Eddie?" You teased.

“I can’t believe you’ve kept it after all this time.” Eddie said, nodding his head towards the small plastic ring that you’ve got hanging on a chain around your neck. "I mean, we were kids when I won that for you." He smiles, playfully nudging your arm 

“You won it for me, so it’s special to me” you smiled as you toyed the ring hanging around your neck. "I remember you telling me that as long as I had this ring, we were going to be together forever." You say, catching his eyes in a quick glance. 

"I also remember saying something about giving you a real ring, sweetheart.." 

Oh he remembered that moment just as well as you had done. He'd been thinking about it, about you ever since. 

Sliding the clunky metal skull ring off his finger, he takes your hand in his and slides the ring over your finger.

"It doesn't have to mean anything now, but I love you, I've always loved you and I just want you to have this."

It doesn't have to mean anything now. 

But it does. It means everything to you. You knew you loved him, you always had done. Just as he'd loved you, you loved him just the same.

You smile down at the large chunky ring on your finger, and a small tear escapes the corner of your eye, suddenly feeling overwhelmed with emotions. 

"It's perfect." You tell him, before leaning into him, placing the most gentle of kisses against his plush pink lips. 

You feel him smile against your lips, his arms wrapping around you, to pull you deeper into the kiss like he's always longed to do.

"You know, this one was always my favourite one of your rings" you grin.

Oh yeah, you were the girl for him. No doubt about it. He was going to marry you one day for sure. Eddie knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with you, he could never imagine his future without you in it, he didn’t want to imagine it. He wanted to be with you forever and always, and he could only hope that you felt the same.

@sunflowerdaydreamer @munsonology @xxhellfiregirlxx @i-me-mine @penguinsandpotterheads @galaxy-siren

[helpfandom]

Analysis on YANDERE PLATONIC TAS Batman Villains. Pt 1.

THIS IS NOT THE NEW ANIMATED SERIES. Strictly ONLY The Animated Series.

Villains:

MR. FREEZE

RIDDLER

CLAYFACE

POISON IVY

MAD HATTER

CATWOMAN

What I am using as the archtypes: https://www.tumblr.com/helpfandom/724022554446135296/types-of-yandere?source=share YANDERE_AUXILLARY made it!!!!

I find it so curious that people neglect Platonic as a yandere version, {not to say that I am a pioneer, no no no, but rather that people don't write about it as much as romantic.} And so, here is my analysis on various TAS Batman Villains. Of course, this is part one, as there are many TAS villains. I just need to get to them.

Also, side note. Thank you TAS writers for already making Mad Hatter a yandere so now I have less work to do.

Mr Freeze: Now, he is the yandere type of Obsessive, Overprotective, Clingy. He found something else to focus on, and it happened to be you. Reader would be more of the friendly type, more outgoing for Mr. Freeze to have such an obsession with them. He wouldn't stalk you as much, more so just an immediate kidnap the next time he sees you. Most likely catalyst for his yandere swap would be dealing with the loss of his wife. He lost his wife. He won't lose his kid too. Maybe Reader was there to help, or maybe he saw his wife in you. No matter what it was, as soon as there is an obsession, he wants to keep you. You're screwed as soon as it began. He's overprotective, constantly hovering over you. "I've lost too much. I won't lose the last thing of my wife, too!"

Riddler: Hmm... His yandere archetypes for platonic is... Possessive, Delusional, Sadistic, and Self-Indulgent. His egotistical personality, tied with an obsession with a kid who is unafraid to throw hostility back? Not a good pair for Gotham. In his mind, to not be afraid of him, or to throw hostility back at him, must mean that you like him. And with his intelligence, how could you not? His catalyst, well, there isn't really a catalyst per say, more so he was already obsessed with beating Batman and being intelligent, so why wouldn't he be obsessed with someone who can challenge him? He's more of a stalker type, only kidnapping when Batman and Robin get a little too close to you for his comfort. You're just like a little him, well you have to be taught by the best, most intelligent, and that's him. "Well well, my dear child. You seem to have escaped, but I'm sure you know that you won't be out for long..."

Clayface: He is... Clingy, Manipulative, Impulsive, and slightly Sadistic. He would be obsessed likely with a theatre kid, or someone who enjoys the fine arts {So an Art Kid, Band Kid, Choir Kid, etc.} He would see that and miss the days when he could do that, when he could act or enjoy the arts. Because he can transform his shape into anybody, he transforms himself into people close to you, of course he stalks them ahead of time so that he can properly assume their character, but he quickly kills them off so he can assume that role in your life. If it was a friend who had a crush on you, he enjoys watching the life leave their eyes. How dare they try to ruin your potential with their desires? He uses someone in a position of power, too. Likely a teacher, or if you have a director? Boom, suddenly you have the main role, or a solo, or you won the first place in an art competition. Who knows what kind of a catalyst would be there, all I can tell you is that BOOM! You're being kidnapped by someone you trusted deeply. You watch your former mentor's skin droop off of this, this person, who's kidnapping you, revealing a rocky, clay texture. Clayface. "Heya kid, you already slipped up and called your teacher Dad, so I know you can for me too. Here, would looking like them help?"

Poison Ivy: Her yandere archetypes are Overprotective, Clingy, and attempts to be Manipulative. Delusional, but yet Lucid; She has delusions about Reader, but not in the 'ah, yes. Reader loves me too.' She would be a little apprehensive at an uncaring Reader, after all, if you're not for plants, you must be against plants. For an uncaring Reader to work, Reader must be a plant lover. Poison Ivy would see this, and suddenly everything makes sense. She assumes that Reader puts up a fake persona so that Reader can care for plants in their free time, so that no one knows that Reader loves plants. She loves that about Reader, and that's why she gets obsessed. She wants to keep the only other plant lover in Gotham and protect them against the cold, cruel world. She would originally try a sporeling, but she misses the real you so that plan fails and that's why she would kidnap you. "Come here my Rosebud, the world is cruel. Let me be your mother, like Mother Earth."

Mad Hatter: His characteristics are Delusional, Self-Indulgent, Overprotective, and Clingy. Who truly knows why he started to care for you? Perhaps you reminded him of someone a little too much... Nevertheless, not what we are here to focus on. He would not be a stalkerish type, but he would delude himself into believing you love him like a father. He would not be afraid to use his mind control on you. As soon as he manages to get you under his control, you're screwed. You're gone from Gotham forever. He has been shown to be willing to do it before, with Alice. I think he would be willing to do it until he gets you to the safe house which looks a lot like one of the sets for Alice in Wonderland... He would be overprotective, scared that Batman would take away his kid, take away the few things in life he loves. "NO NO NO! Batman simply cannot take away my child too!"

Catwoman: She is Clingy, Manipulative, Impulsive. She has been shown to be someone with a ton of money, {Paying $10,000 dollars for a charity that she loves, a lot of money, period, but also for 1992} So I feel that she would be willing to use that against her kiddo, saying that it's okay for Reader to use her money, and then guilt tripping Reader {who, realistically, wouldn't give a shit, but I digress.} Into staying with her to pay off the debt. Her clingy and Impulsiveness is because of when she was involuntarily transformed into an animal, some things stayed the same, and now that she found her cub? Even Batman can't fight a wild animal for her kid. "Lioncub, why are you worried? Mommy's got enough money for the both of us."

[matthewswifeyx]

Photo booth <3

Warnings- kissing, fluff

Me and Matt were still in the early stages of dating, we were currently on our 3rd date. Matt had planned that we go to the mall, to watch a movie and then go to the arcade. I had been so excited to go with him. I was really starting to like Matt, he was the sweetest guy I had ever met and he was such a romantic. He gives me butterflies from literally doing anything.

At the moment, me and Matt had just left the movie theatre and heading to the arcade near by. The movie was really good, me and Matt snuck a few glances at each other, and even held hands!! Even though Matt's hands had felt a bit clammy, it showed that he did care about his impression on me, and that meant the world.

We were talking about our views and opinions on the movie until we arrived at the arcade. There were blinding lights scattered in every corner of the building, with kids cheering, screaming and running around, it had really reminded me of my childhood.

We both headed towards the cash machines to draw out quarters and loose change. I went to but a bill in the machine, but Matt stopped me.

"Y/N i'll pay." He stepped in front of me and put his bill in the machine.

"But Maatt." I whined. "You always pay, I'm starting to feel bad." I admit.

"Well that's I'm supposed to do, if i'm taking a girl out." He smirked.

"You're really sweet." I mumbled just loud enough for only him to hear. The smile didn't leave Matt's face after I said that.

Matt had taken the loose change from the machine and then we looked around for a game to play. We found 'The walking dead' game to play, where you just have to shoot zombies. Matt inserted the amount for two players and we began playing.

We laughed, and I screamed at one point from a sneaky zombie appearing on my screen suddenly. I had lost late into the first round. But Matt was going strong. He managed to last 5 rounds, he got his money's worth.

I cheered whenever he progressed in the game. His eyes were to fixated on the screen to react to me. I thought it was cute.

When Matt finally died, he huffed sarcastically and then laughed with me.

"C'mon, lets go find another game." He smiled.

Most of the games were occupied, so we were just lingering in the centre of the room, waiting.

"Do you want a slushie?" Matt proposed.

"Sure!" I looked up and smiled.

We both walked to the food stand, I ordered my drink and I waited for Matt to order. But he didn't, Matt paid for me again.

"Why didn't you order?" I asked sadly.

"I don't really like the flavours. But I don't mind. As long as you're happy." he smiled down at me. I blushed at his comment. Matt was a true gentleman.

My order was finished preparing and I took it off the counter and started drinking. It was blueberry, my favourite. We walked back into the arcade and I spotted a basket ball game free.

"There's a free game over there." I pointed.

"Great, let's go!" Matt said cheerfully.

We reached the game. It was one of those, where you had to shoot as many baskets in one minute.

"I'll watch this time." I say.

"You sure?" Matt asked.

"Mhm."

Matt slotted in his cash and the game started, the balls rolled towards Matt and he started shooting. Matt's aim was on point but the odd ball would roll off the rim of the basket. It was a shame, but i was still impressed. the counter counted down with urgency. It was nearing 5 seconds. Matt shot two more balls and missed. he grabbed one more, jumped in the air and threw. I chewed on my straw the whole duration of the game, admiring his resilience. The ball went in the net right on zero, and the point counted.

Matt cheered.

"That was amazing Matt!!" I said to him.

"Thanks." He smiled at me once more. "Do you wanna go to that photo booth." I looked over to the corner where the lonely booth sat.

"Sure!" I said.

We walked over and matt pulled the curtain for me to walk in first. I sat down and waited for Matt. The seat was really made for one person, but we made it work. I touched the screen and selected how many photo's to take. 5.

I went to reach my back pocket for my wallet, but Matt beat me again. I laughed. Matt slid a final note into the machine and it started.

On the first photo we simply just smiled at the camera. It counted down and took the photo with a flash. The second photo I pulled a silly face with a peace sign, so did Matt. It counted down and took the photo with a flash.

"Y/N." Matt grabbed my attention and I looked at him. "I just wanted to say that I really, really like you. And, I was kind of hoping we could move out of the dating stage?" It felt like time had stopped. This couldn't be happening? I couldn't believe it.

"Oh Matt, I like you too! Of course." His eyes were piercing through my own, they flickered down to my lips momentarily.

"How would you feel if I kissed you right now?" He asked, with no hesitation behind his eyes.

"I would feel relived." I laughed. So did he, but Matt also moved closer to my face. Click. And kissed me softly. Click. The last two photos were taken.

Matt's lips were so soft, my hand went up to grab his shoulder, and Matt placed his hands on my waist. We moved with each other slowly, never wanting the moment to end. I could feel Matt smiling against my lips and I did the same. But then he pulled away for a quick breath.

"I would be relieved too." He smiled again and gave me one more peck. We both only realised that the whole moment was captured from the photo booth when we exited. Treasuring that memory forever.

Banner credits to @issysh3ll <33

Hey guys!! I hope you really enjoyed this fanfic! if you have any suggestions/requests please do not hesitate to send me a quick message, and i will try and get back to you asap! <3

[volterran-wine]

got any thoughts on the newest Nosferatu?

𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

I love that you simply assumed I had watched this movie dear Anonymous, I take it as a compliment. Sorry for taking a little while to get to this, for the movie was not out until last night for Norway.

I was of course at the first screening in my town with 10 other people filling the theatre. Without going into details; I loved it. Eggers is now four for four when it comes to his work in my eyes, this one might become a favourite for many Eggers fans to say the least.

But you asked for thoughts;

So, below is a mini Review/Rambling about Nosferatu by Robert Eggers, with SPOILERS.

TW for mentions of SA and CA.

Where to even begin.

First I would like to say I am so glad this is not a 'sexy vampire' movie, at all. I was hoping for that gut-wrenching, folkloric horror that these creatures are supposed to be.

Usually I would make a list of pro's and con's for just about any media I consume, but for this one I just cannot do that. The only complaint I have is the fact that my theatre was so empty yesterday it was terribly cold and the Dolby Atmos System was a little too loud with too few bodies to ricochet of off.

I think I will have to do this in sections.

𝐀 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 & 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞

At one point I attempted to keep track of how many classic horror moments that were being introduced in the movie―I soon lost count because Eggers somehow managed to make every single one of them work so well. You can tell the man simply loves his job. From the attention to folklore, to historical accuracies and homages to classic horror cinema, you will find all of it in this movie.

𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲

Another part of the movie that is so dedicated to blending beautifully done modern shots with ones that clearly is lifted out of the dreamlike sets from older Hollywood movies. It is a visual delight for the eyes. Combined with the wonderful styling and costuming of the characters, it easily becomes a highlight alone.

If the movie had been terrible I would have said the look of the movie was beautiful enough to overlook it.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬

I have had my doubts about Miss. Depp a couple of times, but I have not seen possession scenes like that in a good while. Hereditary comes to mind, and that is a compliment. Hoult plays being a husband being politely terrified so well I want to cast him in all my Gothic fantasies from now on.

Also, Willem Dafoe laughs maniacally while setting fire to an old house, raving about alchemy and the course of life and death while a thousand rats are his co-starts.

How can it get better than that?

Kudos to Emma Corrin and Aaron Taylor-Johnson for being outstanding side characters I felt so terribly bad for.

𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞

The fact that they worked with scholars and linguists to help reconstruct and invoke the long dead Dacian language for this movie makes me want to cry.

I have also seen people of Romania being quite pleased about the attention to detail when it comes to their culture and history. Seeing as though I am no expert on that topic, I will leave that to them to gush about. I am simply glad Eggers is giving 150% effort on this movie.

When 'Strigoi' was mentioned I quietly cheered though.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 & 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞

We all know that Vampires and the act of drawing blood is a sexual metaphor―it has been that way for centuries. Vampire media is inherently about the desire for the forbidden and dark we are supposed to reject.

Nosferatu draws on those topics, but it frames it through a lens of what abuse does to person when it is experienced at a young age. The story of this movie is just as much about rape and what it does to a person. It follows you as a shadow, and you never quite know when the next bout of abuse can happen. The movie portrays the terror and guilt someone can harbour, and how it in turn can effect you for a long time after the fact...

There are sadly many real life Count Orlok's.

The movie shows how this is an ugly thing, the fact that pleasure and abuse can exist in tandem and there is not such thing as the perfect victim. Nosferatu tells the story of how frightening and freeing it can be to drag the darkest pits of abuse into the light.

It is the only way to kill it.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬

Please go see Nosferatu.

(I will recommend looking up a tigger warning list due to the nature of the movie. There is a fair amount of gore and body horror + themes that may be triggering,)

[phoenixwritessmut]

intimacy headcanons about bottoms (2023)

okay, so i have a lot of feelings about this movie right here. i watched it in theatres with one of my bestfriends, and we couldn't stop talking about it afterwards - more specifically, headcanons we had about the fight club OG members and their reactions to sexual intimacy.

hear me out, okay.

PJ (we start with the queen who started it all): - talks a big game but actually wildly unknowledgeable about everything to do with the female orgasm. - is a bottom. it's in the title, it's in her genes, it's in her jeans. - has a controversy kink (cute cheerleaders, chicks that can make shit explode) and will vehemently deny that she likes the thrill of crushing out on someone she ABSOLUTELY has no business crushing on. - learned halfway through the movie that she's into pain!

Josie (the brains of the operation... sometimes): - pimpy as fuck. she thought she'd be shy and nervous, but when she gets going she's three steps from being the hugh hefner of lesbians. - she's a top, but a service top who will let her girl do the 'topping' if she wants to (and by girl, i mean Isabel). - secret collection of toys "just in case" she needs the help with her stamina (girl just recovered from a broken arm)... spoiler alert, they use absolutely none of them and still run for like four to six rounds. - too embarrassed to admit she used to watch videos to "take notes".

Hazel (my baby, she is everything to me): - is baby girl, but is also daddy depending on her mood (and what PJ is into at the time) but is precious none the less. - refuses to turn the lights off because she likes to watch you both during and after the throes of passion. - lowkey but also kind of highkey enjoys public displays of affection after the kiss that started the straight up murder of an entire football team of teenage boys (also enjoys shoving it in Tim's face that she's got a girlfriend, and he's got... Jeff!). - ridiculously good at what she does but doesn't brag... instead PJ brags to everyone for her, and she ends up with a reputation.

Isabel (shiny, shiny, shiny, shiny): - first time she slept with Josie, she lost all hope that a man would ever know how to satisfy her - or another woman for that matter. - seems like she would be a pillow princess but is actually extremely into giving, and fights with Josie all the time over "topping". - gets turned on watching Josie break people's noses (it's happened a few times, all to the same effect) and isn't ashamed to admit it. - went to Hazel for tips on how to do things, before word even got out that Hazel was a pro... Isabel just had the feeling that Hazel knew.

Brittany (token straight girl... literally the token straight girl): - since turning down PJ, has kissed more girls than the entire club combined (it doesn't help that half of them are all into each other). - wavers on the border of being bi-curious, but just didn't know how to turn down PJ gently, also just not ready to fully come out yet. - definitely fantasizes about women while she's with her boyfriend though. he knows and doesn't really mind about that. - stands by Hazel deserves better than PJ, and if she were just five percent more into women, she'd steal poor Hazel away in a heartbeat.

and to a lesser degree, we had some headcanons about everyone else...

Stella-Rebecca (the regina george, only nicer): - looks like a pillow princess, absolutely is a pillow princess. - into some crazy ass shit; things that the rest of the girls won't even search online for until they're at least twenty-five, married, and bored in their current intimacy lives.

Sylvie (let's crowdfund to get this girl some help): - looks like she'd be in charge, is also a pillow princess, but is completely unashamed to admit that she prefers receiving. - has been hooking up with Annie since the second meeting of fight club. only Hazel knows, but she isn't a snitch.

Annie (you fool nobody, you a freak my dear): - has been hooking up with Sylvia since the second meeting of fight club, when she very concerned about the girl's homelife asked her out for dinner to "talk" and then they ended up spending the entire night together, before they kissed and fooled around a little bit, and Annie told herself for the longest time she was only doing this to make Sylvie happy because the girl is wildly unhappy, only to realize that she's the unhappy one and Sylvie makes her happy. - doesn't know that Hazel knows about them. she aint a snitch.

and for extra bonus points... we had lots of feelings about this.

Jeff (i'm saying he counts, so there): - has never found THE spot, ever. - had to practice with Tim on how to take a bra off because he kept getting confused by all of the buckles and "why is there so many straps? why do they even need these things? can't i rip it? what if i just buy them a new bra after? okay fine." - genuinely does not realize that Mrs. Callahan's daughter Hazel goes to his school and knows his girlfriend, until he is confronted by them. - falls asleep thirty-six seconds after he finishes like a lazy ass.

[desire-mona]

ramble post

im actually not the most gigantic fan of the wizard of oz MOVIE, not because its bad or because of the bts abuse or whatever else. to me i just dont really like it.. being a musical i guess? NOW HOLD ON WAIT because the songs are great and i adore the choreography but. like i was watching it and i was like Man the dialogue and movement of the characters (outside of song) seems really unnatural and dramatic I Wonder Why. at first i was like well its 1939 what do u expect and then i remembered that its a musical and thats just What Musicals Are Like. gotta play it all up for the stage cuz ppl cant see in depth facial expressions yadda yadda yadda, i just dont really like it as much when translated to screen a lot of the time. which is weird because theatrical stage acting translated to screen is the exact reason WHY i like robert sean leonard's acting, though theres a big difference between wilson theatrical and dorothy theatrical. like the stage acting experience made rsl's facial expressions and mannerisms MUCH easier to read, but its played up tenfold in oz where Yes i can tell exactly what each character is thinking, but there arent as many nice lil subtleties. anyway i wish i liked that theatrical style of film more bc i feel like im missing out and now im just land locked to like.... rocketman? i guess? im just not a big musical person in general, especially not musical theatre, again not that i dislike it i just feel like the theatrics ruin my immersion unfortunately

the dialogue specifically in the book is very touch and go for me tbh. its very simple, which is expected from a children's book written in 1900, but i feel like its repetitive almost? not as in the characters say the same thing all the time, but the way they say it is the same thru the whole book. in moderation its fine and again this is very trivial, but i can only take so much

"i must blah blah blah blah blah, for i blah blah blah blah blah"

there's a lot of for's which i find endearing on its own but not when its said 50 monillion times. however the illustrations are the cutest sweetest little things in the universe let me show my favs

do you understand. do you understand why i love book dorothy so much. SHES JUST A BABYYYYY!

also also tin man lore goes crazy! he used to be a real guy and he fell in love with this munchkin woman, but didnt have the money to marry her, so he worked real hard chopping trees (woodsman) to get the money. for whatever reason that i dont actually remember, he pissed off a bad witch (i dont remember if it was east or west but i believe east) and got cursed to keep CHOPPING OFF HIS DAMN LIMBS bc her ass really did not want him to marry his lady. anyway he kept chopping off his limbs and this tinsman was like I Will Replace Them With Tin so he DID. after all his limbs got replaced he chopped off his HEAD, got that replaced with tin, THEN CUT HIMSELF IN HALF and got his torso replaced as well. after he no longer had his old body, and therefore his heart, he lost all his love for the munchkin woman. THATS WHY HE WANTS HIS HEART BACK HE WANTS TO LOVE HIS LADY AGAIN!!!!! but she doesnt get mentioned again so that kinda sucks tbh....

i have redesigns of all the characters as well as plotline edits and stuff in my mind but im more than likely not gonna do anything with em so ill post what i said to monty here

idk i rly like the wizard of oz and im excited to read the other 4 oz novels i have in this book AND THEN I ALSO HAVE WICKED im gonna read wicked after too. i know the wicked book is supposedly kinda freaky (idk in what way everyone been really vague when i asked) but im a full grown adult so i can handle it. but im mostly just excited to see all the cute illustrations in the rest of the book

[clumsydragon28]

Blinding

Shikajin Weekend 2024

Day 1 - "It's okay if it's you"

“'Cause all the walls of dreaming, they were torn wide open And finally it seemed that the spell was broken”

Florence + the Machine

For those of you who have read Plié-sed to Have Met You or Sway this little teaser takes place within that same universe. It's a scene that I plan to include in my soon(ish) to come Shikajin part 2 of this dance AU. It is not necessary however to read either of the others to understand this addition.

This scene was inspired by beautiful artwork the wonderful @twnj blessed me with ❤️ You can find that beautiful artwork here 🥰

Full story below the cut ✨

One of Inojin’s favourite things about dance is that there is nothing set in stone. People can dance to the same song over and over again and it will never once repeat. A person who had choreographed a routine however many years ago can even now create a completely new story to that same exact song. 

Dance leaves room for you to experiment. It allows for endless permutations and limitless combinations. It is fueled by opportunity and opens you up to possibility. Therefore, it never gets boring because it’s always different. Always shifting. Always changing.

Inojin’s final exam for his contemporary class was the perfect representation of that fact. He and his classmates were each given the same song and told to choreograph a minute and a half solo to it. Inojin had been slotted into the last spot of the lineup, and he eagerly continued to wait his turn as he watched dance after dance to the same piece of music.

The song their teacher had chosen was both haunting and relentless. The groove of drums along with the symphony of wind instruments clashed to create a thrilling tension perfect for storytelling. Inojin had been very pleased the first time he heard it, knowing immediately these dances would be something special.

After a full semester together, Inojin had gotten to know his classmates pretty well. He’d even been able to correctly guess which moves they would include in their solos, like Metal and his switch leap at the top of the routine or Tsubaki with her snake to the floor during the final eight counts. Yet despite Inojin’s penchant for prediction, the beauty of this assignment was that he was able to see his fellow dancers in a different light.

It is one thing to execute someone else’s steps for them, but it is another entirely to execute your own. Something unique happens when one is tasked with choreographing for themself. Those moves are the most raw. The most natural. The most direct. There comes no need for translation between teacher and student when the dancer is their own creator. 

That was what Inojin found most thrilling about this assignment. What better way to see the true feeling of a dancer than watching them express it themself? Who better than Inojin to choreograph for himself when he knows his story better than anyone else?

After waiting and waiting and waiting, it finally came time for Inojin to perform his solo. He could not have been more ready and excited. He took up his starting position in the center of the floor, readjusted the silk of the slap-dash costume tied about his waist, and allowed the music to wash over him as his body began to move. 

Though this was just a casual performance in a half-filled classroom, Inojin danced with the same enthusiasm and vigor as if he was on stage in a sold-out theatre. He looked out into his audience, just one teacher and a handful of students, and though he didn’t make eye contact with any single person, he knew everyone seated there could feel his piercing stare. Inojin saw every thought and feeling that went through their bodies as he performed. Not only what he danced, but how he danced seemed to move them so deeply where they became lost in captivation.

Inojin had their utmost attention. He had their very souls locked into his mind and eyes. And he thrived off of it.

The swells of the brass along with the singer’s ethereal voice carried Inojin to heights he hadn’t reached since before his surgery. He swore he leapt higher off the ground and bent deeper into his pliés than he had in months. Whether it was the welcome pressure of an enraptured audience or the buildup in anticipation of waiting to heal, Inojin didn’t know. Either way, he danced his solo to his fullest potential. 

Inojin became blinded by his own movements. He danced without thinking. He danced without fear. Inojin lost himself to the performance in the same way his classmates and teacher had, hypnotized by the power of a story told straight from its source. 

It wasn’t until Inojin fell to his knees on the final chord that the spell broke. The dance escaped his body as the music faded, manifesting itself in the air all around him. All of the pent-up frustration and anger tore through his chest and stormed every wall of the room. His emotions spilled out onto the floor with each laboured puff of air as he tried to catch his breath. He could feel the pull on his scar tissue from the overexertion and strain, but the threat of any reinjury was nowhere to be seen. 

Inojin swore the applause he received for his solo was louder than any of his other classmates’. The reception filled him to the brim with confidence and determination, fanning his hunger to burn brighter and stronger.

He hadn’t thought he needed it. Inojin knew that he could dance incredibly well, and he didn’t need to be told that to believe it. But the simple reassurance of hands clapping together, of people being compelled to react because of something he had created, made Inojin feel secure in his choice of destiny. 

He truly was meant to follow this path. His dream had never died. He’d just had to delay it slightly. 

With his solo done class was over, signifying the end of fall term and the beginning of winter break. His classmates scurried out of the room yelling rushed goodbyes, urgently racing to catch their trains and planes back home for the holidays. But Inojin was in no such hurry. His grandmother’s house would still be just as warm and welcoming as it always was no matter if he took the first bus or the last.

After shoving his sweat-drenched costume into his bag and throwing on his beloved flannel, Inojin exited the classroom to find a surprising but no less warm and welcoming sight waiting for him in the corridor.

“Shikadai?”

The other man sat cross-legged on the tile floor of the hallway. He appeared to have been reading, but was already shoving the book back into his bag before Inojin could catch a glimpse of the title. Shikadai then stood up, adjusting his glasses higher onto the bridge of his nose and pulling on his clothes that had become mussed with the movements. A sliver of tan, defined skin peaked out over the top of Shikadai’s blue jeans before his shirt fell back down to sadly hide it from view.

The display distracted Inojin for a few – or rather, many long moments until his brain finally jumped back to the present and he remembered how odd it was to find this display happening here of all places.

“What are you doing here? I thought you avoided the dance corridor like the plague.”

Shikadai made a noise halfway between a chuckle and a snort, and Inojin tried to ignore what that sound did to him.

“I finished my last exam a few hours ago, and my flight back to Mexico isn’t until tomorrow morning. On the phone you mentioned your final was also today so—”

“You remembered that?”

Shikadai looked just as caught off guard as Inojin felt. He had rambled about so many things during that conversation, a majority of which Inojin couldn’t recall if he tried. When he was in the zone like that, he just yapped away about whatever popped into his head in the moment without giving it a second thought.

“Well, yeah. You sounded really excited about it, so it had to be important, no?”

The fact that Shikadai had paid more attention to the words coming out of his mouth than he himself had made a pleasant yet dangerous heat tingle in the depths of Inojin’s core.

“Anyway, since I had the time free, I figured I’d wait for you here to finish.”

Inojin scoffed.

“Really? You chose to spend your free time in the wing of the school you complained was too loud and too noisy and too distracting and—”

“It actually wasn’t that bad.”

Shikadai shrugged, trying to seem unphased by the accusations tossed his way. But the faint flush of pink hiding behind the rim of his glasses said otherwise.

“Well…Today, at least, I didn’t hate it. It was okay.”

Inojin was so confused. Why did he willingly come and wait in the corridor that he couldn’t stand? And why today? What made this day different from any other?

The blush on Shikadai’s cheeks grew even darker as he cleared his throat before continuing to explain.

“Usually, I don’t know why the noise is happening. That’s what makes it so troublesome. But today, I knew you were on the other side of that door. That made it more…bearable? No, that’s not the right word.”

Shikadai brought his hand up to his chin and scratched at his stubble, looking off to the side as he fell deep into thought.

“¿Como se dice en inglés?”

Inojin was entranced by the way Shikadai’s Adam’s apple danced in his throat as he continued talking to himself in Spanish. He had no idea how long he stood there staring until Shikadai removed his hand away from his mouth. He mumbled once again, but Inojin couldn’t make out what he said. Whatever it was, Shikadai seemed a bit disappointed. He gave a defeated shrug in Inojin’s direction. 

“Tranquilo. That’s what we would call it back home.”

Inojin had heard that word used before. It meant tranquil. Relaxed. Peaceful. 

He had brought peace to Shikadai’s day?

Inojin suddenly felt like he needed to collapse onto his knees once more. 

“It was comforting, in a way. Knowing the source of the ‘noise’. Made it no longer feel like noise. Made it feel…tranquilo.”

Shikadai gave one more shrug of his shoulders, but this time accompanied by a smirk on his lips.

“So, yeah. The ‘noise’? Está bien. Está bien si eres tú.”

That dangerous heat in Inojin’s stomach grew from a manageable simmer to a raging boil.

“It’s okay if it’s you.”