#I LOVE THEM AND IF I EVER FORGET THIS FEELING I WILL CHOP MY NON EXISTENT BALLS OFF
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
allieebobo · 1 year ago
Note
Do you have any if recommendation?
Ooh! I have really, really bad memory(!!) but these are current faves that I have played/replayed recently that I can think of. A lot of the authors are also THE BEST HUMAN BEINGS EVER. So, double recommendation.
I probably missed a bunch out, so take this as a non-exhaustive list! In no particular order:
(Edit: Added some descriptions but yeah I got a little unhinged so I'm sorry nothing makes sense or if the quality of the write-up went down over time/did not actually give you any useful info)
WIPs with demos
Citadel, @bouncyballcitadel (I think of all the IFs on this list, this one makes me sweat the most. And I've said it once and I'll say it again: the dialogue is so snappy and well-written, and characters are SO DAMNED LOVEABLE.)
Infamous, @infamous-if (I've been manifesting Band/Musician IFs for the longest time, and then this popped up! I've even played Choice of a Rockstar, that's how desperate I was... Anyway, this is legions better than that. Angsty ex routes are my kryptonite, and Seven is just. Inevitable.)
Defiled Hearts: The Barbarian, @defiledheartsblog (I went into this wanting something juicy and fun/historical—and it's all of those things, but I didn't expect it to be so damned funny, too. The ROs are all impeccable.)
Raiders of the Caravan and Apartment 3-3, @leftski-if (A'ight listen, fantasy slice-of-life is my fave genre, and these are IT. Like, everything I never knew I needed in my life, and SO cozy/wholesome, with a cast of characters that I want to befriend in real life.)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: An Affair of the Heart @doriana-gray-games (First off, the customization in this game is INSANE, and the branching too. I've replayed a couple of times and the little variations I discover each time just blows my mind. Secondly, it's so funny and written so well. Ngl I'm not a Sherlock fan but that's just testament to how amazing this IF is.)
When Life Gives You Lemons, @when-life-gives-you-lemonssss (Modern slice-of-life with an adorable kid, a bunch of hot ROs, CC. Hill's humor, what can I say?)
Golden @milaswriting (Really interesting world-building, one of the coolest fictional cities I've read in an IF, AND I'm obsessed with the ROs, in particular K de la Renta. Also Mila is such an awesome writer, I'm beyond excited for @beyondthegame.)
A Tale of Crowns @ataleofcrowns (This game is beautiful, polished, and SO exciting. Honestly, it looks like the kind of game created by a whole-ass game studio and would cost $50 to buy, it's that good. I really got swept up by this IF—probably played it all in one go.)
Rougi @rougi-if (Again, another game with scrumptious visuals/UI and also is just so well-crafted. I love the premise too, it's so original and fresh.)
Scout: An Apocalypse Story @anya-dev (Unfortunately this one might be on hiatus but I am/was really, really obsessed.)
Wayfarer @idrellegames (Love the game mechanics of this one, and the visuals. Probably controversial, but I like the D&D / random dice effect. And I also like the fact that it feels like an old-school RPG.)
Chop shop @losergames (The premise is all I needed to be sold, really—I'd always wanted to buy GTA as a kid but my parents were like NO WAY. Anyway, this IF did not disappoint, and let me live all my childhood dreams.)
Edit: AHH! How could I forget, one of my recent faves, Folksaga @folksaga-if (Lush atmospheric writing, super unique premise—norse mythology, plus I'm head over heels for Katla).
Completed IFs
Butterfly Soup 1 and 2 @brianna-lei (these are completed and I will never not promote them. Honestly the most adorable, wholesome, funny sports/coming-of-age IF I've read)
Elsinore: After Hamlet @lapinlunairegames (Insanely cool premise, insanely cool execution)
The Thick Table Tavern @manonamora-if (I love bar/tavern games, and this one actually lets you mix drinks! Instant fave.)
Other HGs/COGs I love: Slammed, Tin Star, Fallen Hero, If it pleases the court, A Player's Heart (these last two are so underrated, though I guess cause it's mainly wlw)
787 notes · View notes
wannab-urs · 1 year ago
Text
Tumblr media
In The Next One
Summary/Warnings: Dieter thinks you’ve been together in every past life and he’s lost you every time. Vague-ish smut. There’s a thing with a knife, but no actual slicing lol. Graphic and explicit descriptions of mental illness, drug abuse, etc. Dieter does mild self-harmy things. Implied biting hard enough to break skin during one scene? And as always with my poor dieter baby, suicidal ideation… and more? Idk just be fucking careful with this one. Love y’all. (WC: 1550)
A/N: I went to a Boygenius concert and became immediately obsessed with We're In Love, Lucy's song about Julien. The whole past lives... to be known is to be loved... just the whole general vibe. It immediately made me think of my baby Dieter so here we go.
Series Masterlist | Dieter Bravo Masterlist | Main Masterlist | AO3 | Kofi
Isn't it enough that we stripped down to our skin? Cold and porcelain like bathers in a painting
Dieter wraps his arms around you from behind. You’re chopping an onion to make dinner. He slips his hands on top of yours, holds the knife in your hands and chops with you. You tilt your head into his where it rests on your shoulder affectionately. You let him guide your hands for a moment. He keeps his grip on the knife, but drops your left hand, guides the knife to his left palm. You freeze, forcing his hands to stop.  
“Woah, Dieter. Babe. Stop. What are you doing?” 
“Blood Oath.” 
“Like that weird movie we watched? Son of Rambow?” 
You pull the knife from his fingers, set it on the cutting board, wrap his arms back around you. 
“Yeah,” he mumbles into your shoulder. “Like Son of Rambow. Just want you to know how much you mean to me. Want us to always be connected.” 
You turn to face him, press a thumb into both cheekbones. Your eyes burn and so do his, crying onion tears. You press a kiss to his torn lips.
“We don’t need that.”
 “You could ruin me, you know that? I don’t know if I can ever be without you.”
He pulls away from you. Fidgets with the rings on his fingers. Digs a hand into his hair and tugs hard. You step right back into his space, pull his hand out of his hair and right back around you.
 “Hey? Made for you. Remember?” You press your lips into his scruff covered jaw. Gently smooth his hair back out. Slip your hands over his shoulders and down his back. Pull him so hard into you it feels like you’re trying to mold him to your body. “I’m not going anywhere Dieter.” 
You pull his ugly sweater over his head. Set it gently on the counter. Toss your own t-shirt on the floor. Press your bare chests back together. Let him feel how real, how solid, how corporeal you are. All the way here even when he is not. You keep your bodies pressed together and pull him to the bathroom. Undress him fully and pull him into the shower with you. Forget about dinner and let him fill you instead. 
And I told you of your past lives, every man you've ever been It wasn't flattering, but you listened like it mattered
Dieter taps the ring on his middle finger against the glass mug of green tea in front of him. Chews his lips as he works up the nerve to tell you a theory he has. Something important. You have to know. 
You sit across from him, looking out the window. The park you spend so much time in just visible from your booth. You’re watching a pair of hummingbirds dance around each other. 
“Do you remember the night we met?” Dieter traces the triangle on his forearm instead of looking at you. You drag your eyes from the birds.
“Most of it. We were kind of fucked up, so the details are hazy. Why?” Your finger joins the path he traces on his arm, following just behind. He changes direction so your fingers bump each other at the highest point.
“I think we’ve always been together.” Dieter doesn’t elaborate. You’re used to his non sequiturs. He doesn’t have a train of thought so much as a shipping yard of them. A little maze like. Disconnected. You remember something you said that night. 
“I asked you why it felt like I’ve known you my whole life. And you said ‘Maybe you have.’” Drugs may have made you say it out loud, but you knew then just as much as you know now that you were made for each other. You had always known him, somehow. 
“I think, in all my past lives, I’ve had you and I’ve lost you.” Dieter pulls a piece of dead skin off his lip. Sucks the iron tang onto his tongue. “I think I’ve never known a life without knowing what it’s like to be without you. And I think it’s going to happen again.” 
He knows he’s been getting bad again. He broke your phone. He almost hurt you. He can’t figure out which thoughts are rational and which ones aren’t so he just drowns out all of them with all the drugs he can get his hands on. He isn’t so numb that he can’t see the way he’s hurting you though. He has to make sure you love him. He can’t fucking bear it if you don’t love him anymore. 
You dig a fingernail into wrist, make a crescent shape in the skin. He focuses on the tiny pain, lets his mind still. You press your lips into his palm and settle his hand on your cheek.
“I’m not going anywhere, Dieter. If I left you in my past lives it was all so I could find you in this one.”
Will you still love me if it turns out I'm insane? I know what you'll say, but it helps to hear you say it anyway
Dieter paints a portrait of you. He smears the canvas in cerulean, plum, vermillion. Vibrant colors that match your aura. You find him at the window, forming the shape of your lips with a thumb, brush between his teeth.
“Beautiful.” You whisper it into his neck. Drag your lips down the column of his throat. He pulls you into his arms, spits the brush to the floor. 
“Do you think I’m crazy?”
You look into his eyes, shining with tears but dulled by so much pain.
“No,” you lie. He looks away from you. A sob catches in his throat. He chokes on it. He knows he’s insane, knows he should try the hospitals again, knows that wouldn’t work. It never does. 
You pull him to the bedroom. You kiss the tears off his cheeks. You strip each other bare. You press your love into his skin with your lips, tongue, teeth. With your fingers and hands. You kiss him so hard it hurts. He slowly responds to your touches, the dull ache in his eyes fading to something deeper, open, vulnerable. He pushes inside you and stays there for a moment, relishing the fact that this is the closest he can be to you. You don’t try to make him move. Just pull him even closer to you. Wrap yourself around him and pull him close. He moves his hips shallowly, barely separating from you at all. Grinding into you. He devours your lips, your neck, your shoulder. You settle your teeth into the space where his neck meets his shoulder. Bite until you taste salt and iron. He wraps a hand in your hair and pulls your mouth to his. Buries himself in you with fervor now. Decides he’ll leave bruises inside you to keep himself there even when he’s gone.
In the next one, will you find me? I'll be the boy with the pink carnation pinned to my lapel
You’re snuggled up on your too small green couch. You’d had a huge argument. You had thrown buddha statues and crystals and incense holders at him and screamed that none of this shit was going to help him. He had to take his Fucking Medicine. 
He’d hurled his empty bottles of hydrocodone and oxycontin and xanax at you, like any of those were what he was supposed to take. Like any of that could help him. He’d dropped to the couch and curled into a little ball, his whole body shaking with sobs as he tore at his curls with trembling hands.
You had knelt on the floor next to him, pulled his hands away, cradled his head in your arms. 
“I’m so fucking sorry,” he whispers into your chest. “I’m so sorry I’m fucked up again.” 
He buries his head deeper into your shoulder. You think he means he’s sorry his mental illness is acting up again. Or that he’s sorry he did too many drugs again. 
He means he’s sorry he came out wrong in this life just like all the other ones. You were made for him, but maybe he wasn’t made for you. Not this time and not all the times before and he won’t be next time and he can’t fucking take it. 
You climb up behind him. Press his deteriorating frame against you and try to pour all your love into him. Try to put him back together. You whisper to him about how much he means to you. That you won’t leave him. That you love him and just want him to feel better. 
He can’t be better though.
“I’ll try harder in the next life. I’ll try to be okay next time. I’ll be so good for you.”
“I’ll find you.” A promise you seal with a kiss to the crown of his head. If he finds you in the next life, you’ll take him as he is. You love him now and you always will. 
You drift off to sleep with your lips pressed into his hair. His breathing slows and slows and slows. 
I could go on and on and on and I will Go on and on and on until It all comes back
----
Series Masterlist
98 notes · View notes
playitagainmyjohnny · 2 years ago
Text
Tumblr media
rambling about my dying light 2 adventures and a few pictures below  * waves hand *
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
i’m barking aaaa .  i’ve been playing almost non-stop since the legend levels were released to get this and now !!  now i have the renegade outfit !!  aaa i’m so happy i’m so happy i’m so happy hahah  * touches screen gently * i love the renegades so much they’re so goofy and i love love love their aesthetic and just .  * lies down *  my babies .... aaa ... i’ll see about maybe taking some better pictures of this outfit at some point later, i just snapped a few shots to commemorate getting it in-game after working so hard for it ( i also got a better bow in my level 50 chest which is so fortuitous because i’ve been wanting one for a while now ) .  i love this look so much aaa i’m so glad it was the level 50 reward and not 250 because god only knows if i’ll ever actually reach that level haha  * sweats nervously *  but i’m so so glad they added legend levels with the anniversary update i had been hoping hoping hoping they would and they did and ah !  i’m so happy .  all my time playing earns me experience once more .  ( and honestly even getting to level 50 didn’t take me nearly as long as i was sort of fearing .  gosh .  i can’t believe i have this outfit already aaa goodness  * swoons * ) the one other thing in the update i’m in love with is the ability to break a grab with a knife like .  thank you so much for adding that .  i feel Some Kind Of Way about some of the rest of the stuff from the anniversary celebration  / event / update / whatever you want to call it, but the legend levels and knife thing ?  those two things are Good and i’m glad for them .  ( okay also i really loved chopping off limbs that was a lot of fun too i have Gamer Brain and i like to watch Small Number become Bigger Number and i ended up with a really large amount of limbs chopped off lol ( and yes this is also happening now with the dropkicks lol ) ) anywho !  i hope you’re all doing wonderfully !  and that you’re having fun in whatever games you’re playing .  don’t forget to be good to each other !  and if you read all of this, thank you, and remember : i love you !!!  🖤🖤🖤
1 note · View note
ladyfingerstyping · 2 years ago
Text
THE GIFTS I GOT TODAY BECAUSE TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY
THE WHOLE CLASS SURPRISED ME AND WISHED ME,WHICH I FOUND OUT WAS ACTUALLY PREPLANNED AND WAS AN IDEA OF @mysunisblue
THEY GAVE ME FLOWERS!!!ANIA SUHA ZARIN BABIES<3
FABIA GAVE ME A PENDANT Y'ALL,THE WAY MY STOMACH ERUPTS INTO BUTTERFLIES BECAUSE FABIA GAVE ME A GIFT?????WHAT????
ZAIMA MADE ME A CARD AND GAVE ME A KITKAT BRUH
KANIZ GAVE ME A WHOLE ASS DRESS???WHICH IS PERFECTLY MY SIZE AND IS SO PRETTY MAAAN
TANISHA,A PUSSY CAT,GAVE ME FLOWERS TOOO.SHE ASKED ME AT 3 AM,WHICH FLOWERS I LIKED AND TRIED TO BRING THEM AND ROAMED 6 STORES,ALSO GAVE ME A LETTER????
MY HOME TUTOR,ORTRI APU IWJDHDHD GAVE ME A PENCIL BAG AND A CHOCOLATE WHICH I'M EATING RN HAHA
EDIT
8.TAPNUN GAVE ME OIL PAINT,A EARRING,TWO CANVAS,TWO BROWNIE TYPE THINGY????MY GIRL IS SPOILING ME WTF????WE ALSO WENT OUT,ME HER AND MIM ON MY BIRTHDAAYYY
9.ALPONA APU GAVE ME A NUPUR BISH WHAT
EDIT 2
10.MISS BOUGHT ME A DRESS??????
Man,do I love these people and never want to leave them.The thoughts they might've had while buying or making these,like,they thought about me :) makes my heart so fucking warm,I want to cry
3 notes · View notes
bastillewolf · 4 years ago
Text
Shinigami Eyes (I)
Pairing: Corpse Husband / Reader
Summary: When you’re paired up with Corpse as imposters in a game of Among Us, you seem to somehow apprehend each others strategies even though it’s the first time you’ve ever played together. He appreciates a good impostor.
Notes: I know I still have many fics I need to finish, but I just wanted to throw out a quick Corpse one because sad to say I’ve been simping for him too. By the way, this is my interpretation of him and this is just for fun. Also, I haven’t written for second person in a while, so I’m sorry if this sucks.
TAG LIST CLOSED!
Tumblr media
Shinigami Eyes - Oneshot
“Hey, I wanted to invite Corpse,” Sean said right as the Among Us theme started playing on your computer.
“Great vooooice,” Grease called out.
“Oh, I haven’t played with him before,” you said. It was true, but you’d heard of his legendary voice before and your viewers had been asking for him. You’d only allow it because No Simp September was over. Chat was already going mad.
“You’ll love him. Unless he murders you, because he’s a great imposter,” Sean replies. “He’s too good,” Felix adds.
After a moment, you heard the familiar noise of someone joining the Discord. “Hello everyone,” a deep rumble greeted. The group all said their welcomes, while you introduced yourself. “Very nice to meet you, Corpse,” you added. You didn’t want to comment on the obvious. He must hear it all the time. But you couldn’t deny it was like silk to your ears.
“Nice to meet you to. You make great vids.” A blush spread across your cheeks, “You shouldn’t say things like that, chat is already jealous.” He chuckled.
5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
Impostor
Great, you’re instantly sweating. Thankfully, though, it seems you were lucky enough to have been teamed up with the king of lying himself. Corpse’s name is as bloodred as yours.
You decide to follow him after Toast and Sean, and think about how it was Sean who ironically invited the person who was going to murder him in just a few moments. All four of you were being decontaminated below lab, when Corpse made stepped a tad closer to him. You almost synchronically chopped their heads off, and you squealed in excitement. 2 down, 4 to go. As long as no one would find their bodies for a while, you still had time.
Next thing, you’re out of the South entrance and you’ve split up. You join Sykkuno in electric and just wait on him to do his task. Felix joins you afterwards in the next room. That’s when Toast’s body, and ultimately Sean’s, is reported.
Corpse had run back and self-reported.
“Corpse and I just ran into decontamination and found Sean and Toast,” Rae announced.
You were still muted. “Oh god, he’s playing a dangerous game.”
Sykkuno decided it would be the perfect time to call you out. “You and Felix only joined me a while later and decided to stay. Kinda sus of you.”
“No, she was with me at the beginning. I watched her do a task in office,” your fellow impostor vouched. They’d been right, he’s a damn good liar. He manages to hide any sliver of emotion in that deep baritone.
“I don’t trust Corpse anymore, he does stuff like this all the time when he’s impostor,” Lily noted.
“Stuff like what?” He huffed in amusement.
The group agreed the accusation made was a bit vague, and it had affectively directed the attention away from you and onto Felix. After another round of some serious investigating and threatening you all decided to skip.
“Corpse makes me feel less nervous about being an impostor,” you tell chat, “He seems so chill about it.” You ran down to Weapons, but decided against killing anyone when you found three people doing tasks there. You shoved yourself into the clump of bodies and waited until everyone had finished. Running back up to centre with both Lily and Rae, you felt restless that you would eventually have to kill one of them. You just hoped they wouldn’t take it personally.
Corpse ran past, alone. Your characters didn’t have eyes, but somehow they showed a mutual understanding. He killed Lily, you killed Rae. You sputtered and chortled and followed right on after him down into the venthole. He met you in the bathroom stall. “Cosy,” you joked. Until Grease walked in. “Oh, that’s awkward.” You realized you were still standing suspiciously over the venthole. “Shit.”
You didn’t know where Grease had gone, but your first instinct was to hit the red emergency meeting button in the Office. “Grease was in the bathroom stall hovering over a vent.” You may not have your fellow impostors emotionless tone, but you knew laughing through your accusation usually worked.
“Are you kidding me?! I just saw you and Corpse standing in there doing I don’t know what!” Grease yelled.
“That’s a bold statement. You know I’d never cheat on Sykkuno,” Corpse said. “Wait, what?” the man in question replied. Corpse ignored him.
“Corpse was with me when I found you there. On another note I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people vent at the same time before.” Two truths, technically.
“Alright, I’m voting Grease,” Felix said, “I’m sensing liar voice.”
Sykkuno suspected Grease and you, but promised he’d vote you out after if he was wrong. “We have to vote now,” you reminded them.
Grease was ejected.
You met Corpse again in laboratory, where only Felix was doing a task. No one moved. “Oh no, you may have the honours,” you gracefully called out to an unsuspecting impostor. He seemed to get the message through however, and swiftly killed Felix when the Kill button was set to press again.
Defeat.
 “Oh my god, that was so stressful,” you cried out. Corpse chuckled, “Don’t worry, you did great.”
“Hey, don’t you dare steal him,” Sean threatened, “He’s my impostor mate!” You laughed.
“You murdered me and Lily almost synchronically,” Rae sputtered, to which Sean added, “Oh my god, same here. It was some nasty psychic shit.” “Corpse and I just have the Shinigami eyes,” you explained. You saw Corpse’s name flash in the top left corner, but only heard him exhale in amusement. It was cute.
5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
Impostor
“Oh… my… god.” Has this ever happened before in this game? Either way, no one will suspect both of you to be it again. You imagine he was feeling similarly, as he hadn’t moved from the spawn point yet. “How in the fuck…?” Chat was confused, but seemed to enjoy the spectacle.
You and corpse split up this time. Don’t use the same tactics twice.
You followed Felix and Sykkuno into Office and faked a task. They decided to wait for you, and you kept your eyes on the green bar until it moved. You travelled trough Admin and Decontamination until you met up with Lily in Labs. “Shit,” you murmured, “There’s too many people. I’m gonna look suspicious.”
Corpse showed up. Lily and Sykkuno left. You killed Felix. Toast walked in, and unfortunately at the hands of your teammate, he did become toast.
You ran in a circle around him and hoped it was enough of a hint for him to follow you. He picked up on it and followed you into the bathroom stall. But neither of you vented. You let a smile slip, almost forgetting you had a face cam. Awkwardly clearing your throat, you explained to your viewers in a very non-convincing way this was just a good impostor strategy. They’d do well to learn from it.
The bodies were reported instantly, and you cursed under your breath. Lily was the one who reported it. “So, I found Felix in Labs and there were only two other people in there before me and Sykkuno left.”
“I went down through Decontamination,” you explained, “I lost Corpse back at Labs.”
“I went back North, I passed you on the way there, Lily.”
Lily was sus of you. “What? Why?!” You asked. “Because I didn’t see anyone in Decontamination and there’s no way you could’ve gone through there that quickly. I wasn’t gone that long,” she said.
Well, shit. “Weren’t the lights off? You couldn’t possibly see me in Decontamination. I’m wondering why you walked back into Labs anyway, Lily.”
A series of ‘ooh’s were heard through the Discord call.
“But I was running up that hallway, I didn’t see you come out,” Grease suddenly spoke up.
“Why were you in there, Grease?” Corpse asked, but you knew it was already too late.
“I was running up to do my task in Labs. I didn’t see her come through the doors before the body was reported.”
“I wasn’t out of Decontamination yet,” you ground out. It was of no use, however. More than half of the people left voted you out, including Lily, Grease, Sean and Corpse, since he had an image to maintain as fake crewmember.
HeartEyes was ejected.
You decided, both out of your own interest and for content’s sake, to follow Corpse as a ghost. He seemed to be having the same trouble as you, suddenly being surrounded by a group of people. “That’s rough. He’s gonna have to kill five more people.”
That was when he bravely decided to take action. Sabotage the reactor, follow everyone there, jump into the lump of people trying to fix the problem and kill so no one would know who did it. He self-reported it in the blink of an eye.
The group was indeed confused, to say the least. Grease had died. “Wait, who was the last to come in?” Sean asked. “It was me,” Corpse admitted, “But I did the handprint scan because no one else was doing it. Weren’t you standing there doing that with Lily?” “Yeah, I had to wait because it wasn’t working.”
“What?!” Lily exclaimed, in only a way she could, “I was doing the scan! It was Sean, then!” The two suspects were starting a heavy discussion, whilst your eyes were trained on the red of Corpse’s name.
The group decided to vote out Lily, as she was the one to report the last murder.
“Is he just… Killing the people who voted for me?” you muttered. Shaking your head, you continued, “Nah, it has to be coincidence.”
But then a body was found, and Corpse said he suspected Sean again. Was he actually working down the list? “Is he avenging me? That’s so sweet, no one has ever done that for me before…” Just a video game, you had to remind yourself. It was just a video game you were playing with friends. And a man with a very nice voice who’d just murdered everyone who did you wrong. Just a game, yes.
Turns out, Corpse really knew how to put his voice to use, as Sean was ejected. He managed to kill Sykkuno and Dave after that, and the game was won by the imposters.
“AGAIN?!” Felix yelled, “How did you two get teamed up again?!” “That’s bullshit,” Sean laughed.
You smiled, as Corpse said, “Us Shinigami’s have to stick together.” It made you blush. “Thanks for avenging me, Corpse. That was very sweet of you.” He chuckled, “Any time. I don’t mind killing people when I have a good teammate.”
“Hey! I’m still here too, you know!” Sean yelled upset.
“It was really fun playing with you guys,” you said, stretching your arms. You’d already been streaming for three hours, it was time to go. Everyone said goodbye, but you didn’t hear Corpse. And you wished it hadn’t twisted your stomach in the way it did.
You wished your viewers a nice day, and promised to update them on Twitter when you’d be streaming next. You were done for the day.
Yet, as you’d closed all tabs and were about to close Discord, you got a call. It was private, and it was from Corpse.
“Hey, miss me already?” you jokingly said.
He chuckled quietly. He suddenly seemed a lot shyer now, being extracted from the group. “Nice game.”
“Yeah, you really know how to keep your emotions hidden. I was impressed, to say the least.”
“You were really good, too. I can appreciate a good imposter.”
You bit your lip. “Hm, I hope to see some more of that appreciation in the future. It was rather nice having someone avenge me.”
“I’d do it again any time. Hiding in the toilet was a good strategy, by the way.”
You snorted at that, “Not good enough, it seems. They voted me out.”
“Big mistake. Nobody kills my teammate.”
“Aww, did the Shinigami catch feelings for the human?”
He rumbled, “I thought you weren’t human?”
You didn’t comment on the fact that he’d failed to answer the original suggestion you’d made. “Touché.”
It was quiet for a moment, and you wondered if you’d crossed a line there and made the wrong assumptions about where the conversation was going. You quickly added, “Are you playing again this week?”
“Yeah, Sean said they’d stream again this Thursday.”
“I suppose I’ll see you there, then.”
He hummed. You sensed there was more to it, though. He hadn’t made any indication he wanted to end the call yet. But then he finally said, “I hope we get teamed up again. So you can get your own revenge.”
“I hope so too.”
***
Might do a follow up to this oneshot, if anyone asks for it. Will definitely create more for Corpse, he’s a lot of fun to write.
7K notes · View notes
julzrulz · 4 years ago
Text
MHA boys with crushes pt.2
˙˚ʚ(´◡`)ɞ˚˙
How I think these MHA boys would act if they had a crush on you but make it part 2. Boys being sweeties make me go brr. bruh I'm on a roll, next stop todo and shoji (my baby)!!!
Rating: G (General Audiences, All Ages Admitted)
Pairings: Kirishima x Reader, Kaminari x Reader, Iida x Reader
TW: N/A
Notes: Headcanons, Gender Neutral Reader
Tumblr media
───── ❝ 𝐞𝐢𝐣𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐚 ❞ ─────
blushy blushy boi
really doesn’t want you to know how he feels about you until he knows you feel the same
the bakusquad makes it so painfully obvious, making kissy faces, bothering you about how you feel about kiri, asking if you’re free anytime soon, calling you you guys’ shipname-- and worst part, he can only sit back and watch 
poor baby
he becomes very hyper aware over stupid stuff about himself-- like getting super self-conscious if his breath smells, does his hair look funny, everything and anything
overanalyzes everything and anything, what he said, how he looked, any voice cracks
he swears you are so out of his league-- he takes advantage of every second he gets to be with you 
likes to spend time with you and makes an effort to touch you when ever he can (of course in a manly™ manner)
like sitting way to close to you, touching elbows while eating lunch, tickles you by surprise, puts his arm around your shoulder, playing with you hair alittle
doesn’t stutter around you often but when you catch him off guard he will quickly become a mess
he rubs the back of his neck and fidgets when he’s around you
likes eye contact with you but sometimes its too much for him.. he’ll get lost in them loose focus and forget what y’all were talking about
really likes to train with you, you complemented his quirk once and now he always wants to use it around you
loves to help you where he can 
even if its just holding the door open for you... and you’re at the other side of the hallway
oh god
mimics your body language subconsciously-- smiles when you smile, tilts his head when you do, moves his hands like you do  please he’s so cute
cleans up a little nicer when he knows he’s going to be around you
likes when you spend one on one time with him, there’s less pressure without his friends around because they make his crush so obvious to you
he would call you bro by accident and then beat himself up about it-- seriously it keeps him up at night
Tumblr media
───── ❝ 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐤𝐢 𝐤𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢 ❞ ─────
the slickster™
he works to make his crush on you so painfully obvious and make it everybody's problem
lets be real he started making moves on you as soon as he laid eyes on you
he claims there was “an instant connection”
you’re different from all his other crushes, this one was not shallow
usually he would rush in and just flat out ask a chick out, get rejected and repeat
but no he wasn’t going to be rejected from you
he always showers you in praises and compliments because damn shawty kinda fine ahaha 
anything from how beautiful, to how smart, talented you are, how cool your quirk is
he really does live to serve your ego
he gets so excited around you he might just short circuit
blushy around you but loves eye contact, god why are your eyes so stunning
always flirting with you non stop, it’s so embarrassing how he does it too, but if it makes you laugh its good enough for him
he definitely preens around you, playing with/styling his hair, “accidently” flexing his arms when he stretches wants to look his best and show it off 
he lights up when you walk into class
talks and whines about how he can’t find the “right person” (spoiler: its you) he does this to try and get a reaction out of you and give you an opportunity to flirt back
as much as he's very forward with his advances, he’s always a pinch away from throwing up 
always finds a way to relate himself with you, you (for whatever reason) hate apples? well now so does he
is really insecure about going stupid on you-- he only wants you to see him at his best, after all that's what you deserve
becareful with this one he gets his advice from mineta
Tumblr media
───── ❝ 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐢𝐢𝐝𝐚 ❞ ─────
Another boy I think would be clueless, not because he doesn't understand his feelings or know what a crush is, but because his brain probably goes a mile a minute 
he looks after everyone in 1-A so it takes a while to notice you’re the break in the blur
he’s WAY more mature with his crush, iida is a man not a boy
it doesn’t happen too often but when he gets nervous he starts to ramble and its always something big brain that you can’t understand
he likes to spend time with his crush anytime he can-- without being overbearing
you tell him he can call you by your first name and he makes sure to say it so softly, as if it were made of glass. compared to the yelling he always does
you’re a BIG deal to him 
he would offer to walk you anywhere you needed to be, craving some alone time with you--to get to know you better and try and gage on how you feel about him
would also offer to carry things for you
is always the first one to stick up for you, even if your in the wrong
he would also slip in a couple gifts here and there but in a discreet way
he wants you to think of him just as much as he does you
oh you need a pencil? welp iida’s got one for you and it just happens to be in your favorite color.. and he “forgets” to ask for it back, now you use it all the time
yes he gets alittle smug when he sees you use it
he would constantly be reminding you of rules and not to break them, it may come off as a nag but rules are there for a reason, to keep you safe, and that's all he wants for you
if you do break any though he always lets it slide
in his eyes you can do no wrong
any mistake you make will be praised by this man. you trip during combat? he’s got you, fail a test? he’ll study with you and say that you’re so much smarter than your grade.
has an over whelming need to care for you, always checking if you ate, drank enough water, got a good sleep
if you laugh at his weird-cute habits like the arm chopping or when he pushes his glasses up he would do it a lot more often-- ugh he loves your smile
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐰! 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐲! ( ˘ ³˘)♥
674 notes · View notes
keerishima · 4 years ago
Note
The class 1a boys with a reader that quirk leaves them nude and the reader don’t really care about it
cw: suggestive content, horny boys
Tumblr media
midoriya...the way this boy screamed, people thought he’d been attacked. he literally hit the floor and scooted away in a panic, just stuttering over his words ‘I’m sorry I’m sorry I didn’t mean to see anything! I mean I DIDN’T see anything!’. When you shrug, not caring he would still refuse to look, but most definitely would not forget how soft your skin looked, and how much he wanted to touch it. what can I say he’s a closet perv.
Tumblr media
todoroki would freeze slightly, like he did in that one scene with bakugo in the training camp arc, but immediately turn around. literally almost cracked his neck with how fast he turned, he would also probably be blushing because wow you’re hot. ‘Please warn me next time Y/N.’ he says simply, not catching your confused face. You’d reply that it’s okay, you don’t mind, but todoroki would shake his head, bunching his shoulders up to his ears.
‘I’m glad to hear that but I don’t feel comfortable disrespecting you and looking at your naked body...no matter how nice it is.’ He mumbled that last but you definitely still caught it ;)
Tumblr media
bakugo would scream. literally just ‘OI WHERE ARE YOUR CLOTHES GOI-WHY ARE YOU NAKED?!’ His voice would literally crack as he said naked because of how shocked he is, the panic evident on his face. he’d push past you so you’re behind him, making sure he wouldn’t accidentally see you. but god this boy is BLUSHING, he doesn’t really join in on denki’s flirting or...online searching so he’s not used to seeing naked bodies. please don’t call out the fact that he’s blushing otherwise he’ll blow you into the next universe, doesn’t even matter if he has a crush on you. he’s probably pictured you naked before anyway- he’s a teenage boy- but he really wasn’t expecting to see it in real life any time soon
Tumblr media
kirishima: the manliest man 🥴. now he would panic and rip off the thing around his waist and throw it over your body, all while casting his eyes upwards. he had good intentions of course, but his actions were so rough as he tied it around your neck and brought the sides together over your chest, that you ended up knocking into his chest. you’re naked, he’s shirtless, therefore there was skin to skin contact. it took kirishima a second to register the feeling whilst you stared on amused, but when he DID, my god. he literally jumped back like he’d been burnt, chest heaving and face redder than his hair. he would be another one to apologise profusely and stutter over his words, but unlike midoriya he can’t get a full sentence out because his brain is just ‘don’t look down don’t look down don’t look downDONTLOOKDOWN don’t think dirty don’t think dirty don’t think dirty’. he did the thing where he wanted to say ‘are you okay’ or ‘I’m sorry’ but it came out as ‘ARE YOU SORRY?’ 🥲you had to tell him double, triple, quadruple times you were okay with it, and that he’s okay because judging by the colour his cheeks were he was NOT
Tumblr media
Iida was so shocked he karate chopped your shoulder, making you crumple under the wait of his dummy thicc biceps and Ingenium suit and now he had to catch you because he’d just pushed you down but YOURE NAKED OH GOSH OH NO YOURE NAKED?? AND NOW HES TOUCHING YOU HOW DARE HE. it was an absolute mess, you probably should of warned him before hand but it was too late for that so you just grabbed his face in your hands- making sure his gaze wouldn’t land on your body because he was obviously shell shocked- and told him point blank ‘It’s okay that I’m naked. If you look it’s fine too, I’m not worried Iida. My quirk makes me need to be naked so there’s no point worrying, okay?’
Tumblr media
denki- with denki you most definitely told him before you actually got naked. he’s a PERV, not Mineta level but still a pervy guy. in the midst of the battle you spun on your heel, jabbing a finger into his chest. denki was understandably confused until you calmly said: ‘I’m about to get naked Denki.’
WOOH boy, his cheeks flared up so fast, but he recovered quickly, tucking his chin into the gap between his thumb and forefinger, ‘By all means go ahead ;)’ he smirked. despite being a horny boy, he’d still look away from your body and keep his eyes trained on your face with much difficulty but deep down he was really happy to know you felt comfortable enough around him, not realising you didn’t give a damn about getting naked anyway. but damn did his thoughts run WILD about lots and lots of...not so safe for work things. some he’d love to show you, if you’d only let him ;)
Tumblr media
tokoyami is a great guy, respectful, calm and sweet. you respected him a great deal and went out of your way to tell him before hand as you didn’t want to surprise him on the battlefield (in this case you’re partnered up). despite this forewarning, the boy was so so not ready, spoiler alert: he has a crush on you. the moment your clothes dropped tokoyami let out an uncharacteristic squawk and just. closed his eyes. literally just went 👁.👁 -> ➖.➖ and you had to stand there and wait for him to finally open his eyes 😭.
on the other hand, dark shadow when your clothes dropped:
Tumblr media
shoji would be the most...okay? as in he wouldn’t scream or jump, his shock would be more hidden and he’d simply turn around as you did your thing. I headcanon that he’s quite close with Momo, because he’s so gentlemanly and indifferent that she feels comfortable around him, so he’s used to the sudden body flashing due to a quirk. out of everyone he’s the least reactive.
Tumblr media
sero the flirty shit. literally I can’t not see him as a flirty, all smiles, smooth talking mister. your clothes would drop and he’d immediately be all ‘Well okay then mamas, we getting down and dirty?’ yes I know he’s embarrassing.
you’d probably look at him dead straight and use your quirk- and he’d realise that wait lmao you’re actually fully naked?? for reasons other than sexy times?? this is your quirk?? like your clothes aren’t coming back?? y/n 😟?? I mean he loves it since he literally stole a glance downwards right in front of your face- shameless mf- but he still wasn’t expecting it in general. safe to say he loved it.
Tumblr media
shinsou is sly, he’s slick and smart. yes he’d blush but it wouldn’t be a face-turned-beet-red blush it would be a gentle blush- and he’d be SMIRKING non-stop. Hed also drop the most comments out of everyone, and even if you didn’t care about being naked, his sharp gaze, deep voice and annoying lines that made you think dirty definitely made you regret choosing shinsou as a partner. you were comfortable yes but god shinsou was so hot, how were you going to focus now?? so you marched up to him, the droopy-eyed mf as he leant against a wall and played with his capture tool, and jabbed his forehead. ‘Stop being all hot and sexy and shit shinsou you’re distracting me-,’ ‘You think I’m hot? And sexy?’ Cue the Aizawa grin, I mean damn friend I don’t know why you’d actually tell him :,). you’re gonna be there for a long time because now that he knows you think he’s hot, he’s not letting you go...ever.
also I’m aware cannon shinsou isn’t in 1-A,,,but let me be, okay, 😩 he deserves to be in 1-A
593 notes · View notes
xhanisai · 4 years ago
Text
Truth Or Dare?
AO3 / FFN
Summary:
Adrien gulped, completely frozen in his seat under the gaze of his demonic classmates, the almighty, notorious peer-pressure throwing a concert whilst his Lady continued to act like that the string on the floor was far more interesting than the fact that her newly discovered partner was currently in the hot seat. 'Now how do I answer this!?' He panicked internally, twiddling with his thumbs and praying to the Gods more reliable than Plagg that Marinette would suddenly come up with some brilliant, top-notch plan that would surely get them both out of this. Especially if she doesn't want him to whimper out: "Ya got me! It was Marinette when she kissed the evil out of me after I got shot by Dislocoeur, hahaha! Oh, do I need to mention that I have no recollection of it whatsoever and that I was decked up in my usual catsuit whilst she was in her polka-dotted onesie? A brilliant first kiss, amirite!? Not to mention that our second kiss was also wiped from my memory, cheers for that Alya and Nino!"
Pairing - Adrinette Prompt - 'Truth or Dare?' ~(x)~ . . . Adrien was fucked. He was entirely, thoroughly, immensely fucked. And not in the literal way much to the teen's utter dismay and painful frustration. And certainly not anytime soon, judging by his princesse's stiff, flustered posture who was on the floor across him, along with the rest of their class sitting in a circle (sans Lila and Chloé, Dieu merci). Gremlin-like smirks were etched on their friends' mischievous faces and sinister cackles escaped their mouths like the Madhatter from Alice Au Pays Des Merveilles. Even timid ol' Sabrina wore a grin that would rival the Cheshire cat. But never mind that. What was the cherry on top was how both he and Marinette just found out each other's identities no more than ten minutes prior. The two idiots were desperately sprinting back to collège Françoise Dupont after their latest akuma battle without noticing the other, only to literally collide into one other and their transformation to wear off immediately, leaving them both with matching gaping expressions. If luck was on his side, the scenario would have carried on with Adrien whipping out 'suave move #9236' and channelling his inner 'Tamaki Suoh', helping his Lady to her feet with a smile so sexy and seductive (guaranteed to win her over of course) and then him proceeding to ask her out for a cup of coffee where they can talk! Then, he would have totally charmed her with another brilliant smile that would have surely fly kicked away whatever feelings she had for that 'other' boy (he named him M. Imbécile), caressing that soft, soft cheek of hers with his hand and surely they would have leaned in for a hot, passionate, true love's kiss (and he'd finally know what it's like to be properly smooched)! MAIS NON. NON. His five seconds of absolute happiness, of pure bliss after finding out that the two girls he bloody loved so damn much and practically worshipped, were one and the same- WAS INTERRUPTED. . The inconveniently timed Ladyblogger and her DJ boyfriend arrived at the scene, practically snatching both him and Marinette away and back to class, babbling about how Mme. Bustier was going to arrive late hence they were going to take advantage of it. By taking advantage, they meant avoiding all responsibilities by playing a specific game. A game that Adrien has learnt to now, unconditionally despise. . "We're not getting any younger here, Buttercup. Tell us, who was your first kiss? And don't even think about lying your way out, we can tell by your face that you definitely got some sort of action~" Alya's glasses flashed in such a devilish way, even Le Papillon would have found himself shitting his pants. "Of course, if you don't want to answer the truth...you can always pick dare," 'LIKE HELL I WILL!' The last person to have picked 'dare' was Rose and she was instructed to deliver a hearty smack to Kim's bum! The teen model pretty much vowed that the only booty his hands were allowed to touch was Marinette's, with consent obviously. And vice versa. And the person before Rose who chose 'dare' was Nino! He was dared to sneak outside, climb to the top of the building's rooftop and sing Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' from the top of his lungs, recording himself live on Instagram as proof. It was a miracle that he never got caught by the staff! Again, the feline hero very much preferred that any attempts of his serenading would only be heard by the ears of the love of his life. . Adrien gulped, completely frozen in his seat under the gaze of his demonic classmates, the almighty, notorious peer-pressure throwing a concert whilst his Lady continued to act like that the string on the floor was far more interesting than the fact that her newly discovered partner was currently in the hot seat. 'Now how do I answer this!?' He panicked internally, twiddling with his thumbs and praying to the Gods more reliable than Plagg that Marinette would suddenly come up with some brilliant, top-notch plan that would surely get them both out of this. Especially if she doesn't want him to whimper out: "Ya got me! It was Marinette when she kissed the evil out of me after I got shot by Dislocoeur, hahaha! Oh, do I need to mention that I have no recollection of it whatsoever and that I was decked up in my usual catsuit whilst she was in her polka-dotted onesie? A brilliant first kiss, amirite!? Not to mention that our second kiss was also wiped from my memory, cheers for that Alya and Nino!" Unfortunately, (once again) for him, not even his pleading kitty eyes were able to penetrate the wall of aloofness that Marinette held between them, leaving him completely on his own, ready to be torn apart by their friends' malevolent hands. He was the equivalent of a teeny tiny, illegally cute kitten, surrounded by a circle of hungry, deadly, carnivorous wolves, licking their chops! Yet, Marinette remained unphased, pretending to stare out into space and think about what her Maman and Papa would prepare for dinner as if Adrien's scrutinising gaze weren't like arrows all over her side. However, much to her disadvantage, Agreste is her partner and he knew her very, very well. The desperate cat was able to pinpoint the cold sweat that was growing on her forehead, knowing that his presence was starting to get to her and conscious of the fact that she cannot ignore him for long either. 'Come on Marinette, you can't resist me forever. Please help!' His lack of any sort of psychic powers didn't stop him from wishing that she could read his mind but dammit did he try. 'Don't you love your pauvre Chaton!? Aidez-moi s'il vous plaît, My Lady!!!' Just before he could resort to begging out loud, Alix Kubdel... ...snickered. Simply from that evil, ominous sound, both Adrien and Marinette paled on the spot at a speed faster than M. Césaire's panther could ever dream of running at. "Ever since we asked you that question, not once have you looked away from Marinette...now why is that~?" The short girl's insight caused the rest of the class to gasp cheekily and "Oooh~?" simultaneously, their ferocious appetite for juicy gossip now at full throttle much to both heroes' apprehension. "And you, Mari! You look like a kid who got caught stealing from the cookie jar. I think the two of you have something big to admit to the rest of us, hmm?" "...No-oooo...?" Dupain-Cheng refused to make eye contact with anyone, her lips stuck between what looked like a grimace and a fake smile, continuing her sentence which was just as truthful as Jagged Stone's claims of being in his mid-twenties. "I am still a lowly virgin maiden in the kissing department...heheh...heh..." Adrien on the other hand blinked owlishly as he finally came to a conclusion, his singular working brain cell grinding its gear through his thought process. Oh? Ohoh??? OHOHOOHOH??????? . "So that means I was your first kiss too?" . If there was a compilation labelled "Top Ten Ways That Adrien Mothafuckin' Stupid Agreste Fucked Up"... This would be number one. "...You didn't hear me say that out loud...right?" He gulped meekly, shrinking under the astonished looks that everyone gave him, his Lady's jaw dropping further than what he assumed was humanely possible. He. Was. Fucked. . The entire classroom erupted with utter chaos. Ranging from high pitched squeals from Alya, Rose, Mylène and Kim to "HOLY SHIT!" and "HOW DID THIS HAPPEN!?" from Alix, Nino, Juleka and so on. Even Marinette was left burning brighter than a tomato, covering her face in embarrassment along with her iconic mantra: "THIS IS A DISASTER!!!" and shaking her head. Money was exchanged from secretive bets that were placed on the model and designer, naughty comments were thrown around left and right and even more! If one were to enter the room right now, they'd think that they've just stumbled across a hectic zoo. Never in his life did Adrien want the ground to swallow him up so badly or even run away at the speed of sound to an unknown island where he would live off of fruit and grow old all alone without ever getting married. Marinette probably- no, she definitely hates him now. Her refusal to come out of her 'Don't talk to me, I'm catastrophising' human ball and face him was more than enough evidence to prove that. Who was he kidding, thinking that he would be able to get such a wonderful, spectacular girl like her to fall for a hopeless, ridiculous nincompoop like him? His attempts in the past never worked out before and it certainly wouldn't have worked out now. Forget about pursuing a romantic relationship with her, he's one-hundred percent sure that he's absolutely tarnished what was left of their friendship! He can visualise his terrifying, depressing excuse of a future already. No more shy, cute greetings with a gorgeous smile in the mornings before class from Marinette. No more fun banter and warm hugs on their favourite patrol environments from Marinette. No more cheeky jokes and flirty teasing from Marinette. No more timid conversations and saying his name in the most softest way he's ever heard from Marinette. And, no more perfect "Bien joué!" fist bumps after an akuma battle from Marinette... How...how was he supposed to live without her? 'Shit, I can feel my eyes starting to water...' He took a deep breath, staring at the ceiling to force the traitorous tears away from daring to come out. The last thing Marinette needed was to deal with a dumb crybaby like him after he's just embarrassed her like that with his stupid, big mouth- "-But when did this happen, Marinette??? Girl, why didn't you tell me!?" Snapping out of his self-pity, Adrien tuned back into the pandemonium, wincing at how mortified Marinette still looked (albeit she was no longer in her cocoon of doom). She pursed her lips at Alya with that adorable pout of hers, unsure of how to answer with something that didn't sound like a terrible excuse. . Finally, a solid answer blared in Adrien's brain, the blonde teen adamant that he turned the situation around and salvaged what was left of the bond between him and his Princesse. For now, he can focus on the dreadful future after he got the current situation sorted. He would do anything to make Marinette feel good around him again. "It was during that time we were at le Musée Grévin when I invited Alya, Nino, Marinette and Manon to join me," He ignored the way that their classmates leaned closer with wide grins, focusing on sending a quiet apology to Marinette's direction with his pleading eyes alone. "I was being dumb and tried to play a prank on Marinette when the other three were away. I ended up tripping and Marinette tried to help me but I accidentally pulled her down with me and...we accidentally kissed..." Although the scenario wasn't fully true, Marinette did manage to land a light peck upon his lips during that incident and that's all it took for it to be branded in his memory. The sear of foreign warmth that left his lips in tingles, the subtle taste of strawberry gloss that left him hungry for more and the unadulterated softness that rivalled even the most expensive of silk. He hoped that his little white lie towards the end was enough to alleviate what was left of Marinette's embarrassment, deaf to their classmates' coos and brows furrowed to emphasise how sorry he was to the girl he loves. Although there was still a hint of pink on her cheeks, her expression was something that he wasn't able to decipher and that only made his heart race even faster than before. 'Please don't hate me, please don't hate me, please don't hate me-' "So how was the kiss, then?" Ivan waggled his eyebrows, both him and his girlfriend playfully winking at Marinette at her protesting stammers. "Oh? E-Erm...it was very quick and brief so I didn't get a chance to enjoy it-" His treacherous eyes decided to land on Marinette's lips midway, his mind screaming to stop digging a deeper hole for himself. He wasn't quick enough to flit his gaze away, the indication that he wanted to kiss her again so painfully obvious that even a blind person would have noticed. "-It was very soft and nice, however! I don't regret it-" Suddenly... . ...Marinette stood up. Adrien felt like his heart was going to bust out of his chest with the way it ricocheted against his ribcage, his emerald eyes wide with apprehension and his breath lodged in his throat as if a vice was clasped around his neck. Was she going to kill him? He certainly thought he deserved it. "Alya," The heroine in disguise began, the teen model unable to hide his flinch. "Dare me to kiss Adrien." 
She lifted her head to face her partner, her sapphire blues no longer hidden in the shadows of her fringe and sparkling with both amusement and...love? Her kissable lips were upturned into a confident smile with a gloss that was begging for him to taste and he was absolutely losing his mind. Was he dreaming? He must be dreaming. Yes. No way in the seven heavens would Marinette, THE Marinette, would want to kiss HIM, the embodiment of bad luck! Yet, the twinkling of her eyes and the warmth that radiated from her as she walked closer and closer towards him said otherwise. He didn't even hear Alya's excited declaration for Marinette's dare, solely focused on the way his Lady kneeled in front of him, smoothed her hands towards his cheeks and cupped them so gingerly. . "Pucker up, Buttercup," Marinette murmured against his lips with an endearing smirk, grazing her nose with his and rubbing his cheeks with her thumbs before sealing the kiss. . With all the romantic daydreams and boyish yearning he went through when it came to Marinette's lips, Adrien thought that he was well prepared for the real deal if the day were to ever come, disregarding his bad luck of course. However, he has been wrong before. He's absolutely, definitely, positively wrong now. The brief, shocked, brush of lips back in the wax museum was barely a taster. Barely a glimpse of the real thing. Not even close to a sample of the luxury. From the moment she pressed her lips against his, Adrien was hit with an outstanding overwhelm of fervour, tenderness and sweetness. His body instinctively shuddered as a pleasant fire seeped from her mouth to his and then coursed through the veins of the rest of his body, his hand that was clutching his precious good luck charm gift from Marinette then loosening its grip and automatically reaching for her cheek. His piano fingers dug into the locks of one of her ponytails, entangling them. 'If this really is a dream, then please, don't wake me up,' The sensation was slightly odd and just, indescribable at the same time. Yet, the more he tasted that strawberry gloss, the more her lips moved against his, the further he fell in love, addicted to the sugar that he's craved for so long. His red-tipped ears were oblivious to the class' whoops and cheers, his heart crashing against his chest louder than ever and the feel of hers doing just the same against him had him soaring. 'She never hated me all along, right? This isn't a kiss of hate at all,' But most importantly, the feeling of Marinette's pulse quickening from when his fingertips slid down to meet the side of her sensitive neck, cradling the back of it and the almost inaudible whimper she let out, was branded to his touch and memory like an imprint. 'So this is a real first kiss? Is this what Marinette felt when she kissed me to get rid of Kim's spell? How did she manage to keep her composure around me since then?' Just as Marinette pulled away, her eyes shimmering with wonderful emotions and her lips as beautifully rosy as her cheeks, Adrien couldn't resist and pulled her back in without a beat. As if to make up for all those missed opportunities, all the moments where he could have stolen her breath away and all those unsaid words that surely would have made them happy. They could talk about the reveal and their feelings afterwards in the safety of Marinette's humble balcony without any prying eyes. They could sort out their overwhelming emotions and bask through their memories over that cup of coffee that Adrien now has the confidence to ask her out on. But just for now, the two of them wanted to enjoy their present and make the most of it. 'Sweet, sweet, sweet, she's so sweet...' . . . ~(x)~ A/N: Ah shit it's six am. I'll edit this tomorrow.
279 notes · View notes
taetaespeaches · 4 years ago
Text
“What’s wrong? Do you want attention?”
seokjin x reader (oc) genre: fluff word count: 1.7K
a/n: Ok, I couldn’t sleep past 5 am this morning so I wrote this very randomly. It wasn’t planned at all and I am on a narcotic for pain after my wisdom teeth extraction so if this is shit, pretend it’s not. This is just a glimpse at Jin remembering all over again how in love with Poopsie/reader he is. Also, this includes a tidbit of Jinnie’s mom (just barely). Ok that’s all, I hope you all enjoy and thanks for reading! :))
Tumblr media
Love is everywhere. Mysterious and random, appearing suddenly, a person overtaking your thoughts before simply never leaving your mind.
One day, nothing really changed, but you started entering Jin’s every thought with a certain affection attached to every aspect of your being. Hearing his friends speak your name put him on the edge of anticipation, the resonance of your voice had him clinging to your every word, the unintentional brush of your fingertips on his forearm made him crave for them to linger just a moment longer; nothing really changed, but rather you just found your way under his skin.
As if a search he didn’t know he was on reached its end, there you were. And you welcomed him with open heart, and open arms. It was easy. Loving you was easy.
Love is everywhere. Reappearing arbitrarily, reminding you of how much you love someone, despite never forgetting in the first place.
The buzz of his phone in the middle of a Tuesday served as his random reminder that day, your text revealing a recipe you were dying to try with him. You would pick up the ingredients, he just needed to be there with his “expertise and that World Wide Handsome face”.
Leaving work that day, there was an extra pep in his step as he eagerly made his way home to you. He just wanted to see you, tell you for the millionth time that he loved you; that he was in love with you.
And when you arrived home nearly at the same time, Jin entering the hallway to see you struggling with the apartment door, your hands and forearms full of grocery bags, he hustled down the corridor as you shot him a pout. Ignoring the door completely, however, as the groceries were on the verge of turning your arms to jelly as you tried to hold them up, the man wrapped his arms around the back of your head and kissed you deeply.  
The gesture took you by surprise and you took a moment to respond, but soon you were dropping your arms, the dinner ingredients falling to the floor as you kissed him back just as passionately.
“I love you,” Jin mumbled into the action, the words barely intelligible as they melted into your own mouth.
“I can tell,” you teased, gigging as Jin smirked into the kiss. “I love you too.”
Tumblr media
Watching Jin work his way through the steps of the recipe with ease, you huffed, having to read over the instructions for the umpteenth time as you struggled to actualize what the words directed you to do.
“Cooking comes so easy to you,” you whined teasingly, feigning annoyance at your boyfriend’s kitchen skills.
“No, I’ve just practiced lots,” he countered with a chuckle. “Things that come easy to me are… well, having this handsome face,” he smirked as he angled his chin upward, dragging his finger along his jaw to show off his features. Rolling your eyes, you reluctantly nodded in agreement, a smile curving on your lips. “You know what else comes easy?”
“Your incredible humor?” You mused, the man’s eyes widening.
“No-wait, what, well that too,” he agreed, a grin spreading on his mouth as you giggled. “But not what I was going for.”
“What, then?”
“Loving you comes easy to me,” he smirked cockily at his oh so smooth line. “I’m a natural,” he gloated, holding his head a little higher as he basked in the non-existent praise.
“Aww,” you pouted, leaning forward to press a kiss to his jaw. At the touch of your lips on his skin, the man quickly grabbed your face between his hands and held you in place, bringing his mouth to yours, kissing you sweetly as you easily responded to the action.
“Did you like that one?” He whispered against your lips, his plush ones feeling much nicer than he could ever know as they grazed your own while he spoke.
“I did,” you agreed, pecking him twice quickly before pulling away a bit. “Also, add cheesiness to the things that come easy to you.”  
“Wah,” he threw his head back, dropping his hands from your face as he feigned outrage at your playful dig, you giggling as you turned your attention back to the food preparation. As you read through the next steps of the recipe, Jin watched you fondly, his heart thumping against his chest as he realized he loved you all over again.
Just as he leaned toward you to check the recipe for himself, his phone began buzzing on the counter, you both looking to the screen to see his mom’s contact display. Wiping his hands on his pants, he quickly answered the call with a simple “Hi mom.”
It was common for Jin’s mom to call him in the evenings, or for him to call her. You always loved the relationship he had with the woman, appreciating the way he always found time for her. The man leaned his hip against the counter as he relayed the events of his day, being sure to include even the most trivial moments. And as he allowed her the time to talk about her own day, he started picking up pieces of chopped vegetables, taking turns between popping them into his mouth and throwing them at you.
“Jin,” you whispered in complaint when the third piece of chopped carrot bounced off your shoulder, though the smile on your face betrayed your warning. “Behave,” you shot him a glare, a pout forming on his pillowy lips. Bringing the chopped carrot he held between his fingertips toward your mouth, he gave you an adorable close-mouthed smile as he pushed it against your lips, leaving you no choice but to relent and allow him to feed it to you.
Shaking your head at him, you admired the way his smile widened beautifully, making his adorable cheeks pop.
“Well, what are you doing tonight?” He suddenly asked his mom, you watching him as he awaited her answer. “Good, you deserve to relax,” he replied to her, you smiling softly at the comment. “Me?” He questioned, his eyes raising. “I’m cooking with Poopsie, she found a new recipe.”
Poopsie; you giggled at the name. Never did you expect the joke nickname to stick the way it did, but there he was referring to you by it when speaking to his mom. Looking down at the food on the counter, you were broken from your amusement at the sound of Jin calling your name. Your real one this time.
Eyes wide, you met his own orbs as he lowered the phone from his face and held it out to you. “She wants to talk to you, something about a recipe she wants to send your way.”
Taking the phone with wide excited eyes, you dove into a conversation with his mom, Jin watching you with utter affection, his gaze dripping in fondness. Of course, he loved the way you and his mom talked, treating each other as family.
“It’s a dish I found this morning, I thought we’d try it, but Jin is of course a natural while I’m struggling,” you shot him a glare, the man smiling tenderly.
“Not a natural, I just practiced,” he shouted so his mom could hear, your lips curving into a smile at his antics.
“Oh perfect, yeah, go ahead and text it to me,” you continued talking to his mom about a recipe she suggested you try next. “Have you made it yet?” You asked her, listening intently as she told you about her experience with the dish.
As the conversation ventured from cooking topics and you both continued talking about random thoughts that popped into your head, you began pacing across the kitchen, lost in the exchange and forgetting all about the meal. Jin took over the cooking responsibilities, working his way through the recipe, a fondness etched across his features for the entirety of your conversation.
Finally, what must had been twenty minutes later, you began closing the conversation, Jin wiping his hands on the dish towel that was thrown on the counter as he prepared to take the phone back from you.
“It was nice talking to you too, I’ll let you know how that recipe goes,” you smiled as you bid your boyfriend’s mom goodbye. “Have a good night, love you too, bye.” With that you lowered the phone and clicked end on the call, Jin’s eyes widening.
Meeting his gaze as you placed the phone in his hand, you drew your eyebrows together in question. “What?”
“I wasn’t done talking to her,” he complained with a frown, a pout appearing on your face.
“Oh, my love, I’m sorry, she said she had to go,” you told him, moving toward the counter to see how far Jin had gotten in the recipe.
“What the hell?” He questioned aloud, his gaze following you.
“Jinnie, I’m sorry,” you told him, though a giggle laced your words. “You’ll just talk to her tomorrow though.”
“That’s besides the point,” he glared playfully as you tried to hide your growing smile.
“What’s wrong? Do you want attention?” You asked him in a teasing tone, the man quickly replying with a nod.
“Yes, I do,” he said childishly, like the overgrown man child he was, and that you loved.
“Come here,” you grinned, opening your arms for Jin to walk into, the man easily wrapping his own arms around your frame. He nuzzled his face against your neck, leaving light kisses as he began backing you out of the kitchen, your laughter resonating in his ears beautifully as he directed you to the living room couch.
“I want lots and lots of attention,” he mumbled against your skin, your fingers threading through the hair at his nap as you kissed the side of his head.
“Happy to supply, my love,” you smiled against his temple just as he lowered you both onto the sofa with an oomph. “My big baby,” you cooed, massaging your fingertips against his scalp as he groaned against you.
“I’m not a baby, I’m just needy,” he corrected, sending you both into fits of giggles, the meal forgotten for the time being as you simply enjoyed each other’s company.
One day, things changed with you and Jin, friendship turning into something else; but the more things change, the more they stay the same. Loving Jin was easy. Two friends in love, it was as simple as that. And love really was everywhere. Everywhere he was. Everywhere you were. Everywhere you existed together.
346 notes · View notes
hispipsqueak · 4 years ago
Text
Happy New Year
Bakugo x F! Pregnant Reader Fluff
Summary:
You and Bakugo have been keeping a secret, and plan to reveal it at your New Year’s Party.
A/N: Here’s some sweet fluff to end the year. I have a soft spot for Dad!Bakugo and had to write something adorable for him. I hope you enjoy it and your new year is full of happiness and love! Also, I had to look up so much stuff about pregnancy. I hope no one finds my search history :P
TW: Pregnancy. mild cursing. Otherwise, super mega fluffy!
Tumblr media
“Why do they have to come over?!” Bakugo grumbled for the thirtieth time. 
You looked up from the pan you were currently scrubbing. 
“Katsuki...they’re our friends! Plus, we are going to announce the big news.” You looked down at your small baby bump.
You and Bakugo had found out you were going to be parents nearly 5 months ago and you both were extremely excited. You had waited to tell everyone until it was deemed safe by your doctor and with the new year approaching, you figured it would be easy to gather everyone you loved to spill the news.
Of course, Bakugo was going to make it difficult though. 
You knew he was just as excited as you about the addition to your little family, but whereas you were open about discussing all your fears, thoughts, and anxieties, Bakugo was a little more closed off and channeled the extra stress into other things.
You went back to washing the dishes and felt your husband’s biceps wrap around your body, his hands softly resting on your belly. He nuzzled into your neck.
“We could just send a text and stay in together. Watch the fireworks from the balcony, relax. Plus, are you sure you want those loud idiots stressing you and the baby out?” He murmured into your ear.
You giggled and swatted him with the dish rag. 
“I literally live with a walking explosion and you’re worried our friends are too loud? I mean sure, maybe Present Mic, but I doubt he doesn’t already have plans.” You trailed off, before he spun you around and lifted you up, bridal style.
“That’s enough, off to bed with you mama. You’re too snappy tonight and clearly not thinking straight.” He chuckled as you squealed into his chest.
“‘Tsuki, you’re so annoying!” You laughed as he gently tossed you into bed.
He crawled on top of you, pressing your body into the soft mattress and mountains of pillows you insisted on sleeping with.
“I may be annoying, but I’m also the father of this little brat inside you.” He muttered, vermillion eyes shining. You smiled up at him.
He had grown up a lot since your UA days. While he still had his hot-headed moments, he was playful and more considerate of your feelings and you knew he was going to be an amazing father. He even changed his screensaver on his phone to your sonogram, though he would never admit it. 
“We’re gonna have fun, babe. It’s gonna be a good night with all our friends and we can finally be open about the baby. Plus, it’d be nice for our kid to meet all their aunts and uncles.” You grinned, thinking of how your friends would react to this.
Katsuki groaned, rolling over. “Kiri is gonna fucking cry, I know it.” 
You laughed and curled up next Bakugo. 
“Yeah...probably.”
-------
New Year’s Eve was finally here. You had been busy preparing everything for the party tonight and your heart fluttered at the idea of sharing your big news with everyone. Bakugo had to finish up some last minute stuff at the agency so he was going to be home right before the party began. You were pulling another tray of baked sweets out of the oven when your phone chirped.
You glanced over to see another message from your group chat with the girls.
Mina: Can’t wait to see you Y/N, I MISS YOU
Momo: Are you sure you don’t need us to bring anything? We don’t want to be bad guests.
Ochaco: We can also help set up if you need us to! 
Y/N: I’m totally fine. Katsuki arranged for food to be delivered and Sero and Kirishima are picking up all the drinks for tonight. Just bring yourselves!
Y/N: Also yes, before you ask, I am making cookies.
Mina: HECK YES! :)
They started arranging transportation plans and you clicked your phone off, to focus on transferring the cookies onto a cooling tray. Once that was settled, you jogged upstairs to get dressed. Luckily, you weren’t really showing yet so your friends wouldn’t immediately know when you greeted them, but you still wanted to wear something loose and flowy.
You settled on a deep red dress that cinched right under your chest and opened in an A-line skirt. You rifled through your jewelry box until you found the necklace Katsuki had given you for your birthday. It was a large black teardrop shaped diamond on a simple thin silver chain. You reached behind your back to clasp the necklace and felt a warm hand enclose yours.
“I didn’t even hear you come in.” You smiled looking at your husband in the mirror. He finished attaching your necklace and met your eyes. 
“I just got here. The food’s here too, so everything’s done. I just need to get dressed.” He said, twirling you around so you were facing him. He rubbed your tiny bump. “How’s the brat been today?”
“Surprisingly chill. Though the baby did require a couple pints of ice cream for breakfast.” You laughed.
“Uh-huh...blame it on the baby.” He chuckled and gave you a kiss on your forehead. You could smell the scent of his body wash, a spicy cinnamon musk combined with his natural caramel scent. He must have showered at the agency and you buried your face in his chest, enveloping yourself in him.
“Stop sniffing me like a dog, crazy woman.” He flicked you on the head and you pouted. He crouched down so he could kiss your belly.
“I’m sorry your mama is nuts.” He laughed before pressing his lips to your stomach. 
You smiled. Though you were excited to tell your friends about the news, you kind of loved having this little secret just between you two. These moments, with just you, Bakugo, and the baby, were magical and felt so...pure. Untainted from anything.
-----
“We’re HERE!” Mina’s voice echoed through your entryway. She was dressed in a gold sparkly jumpsuit and her aura just screamed “Happy New Year”. She was followed by Momo, dressed in a sparkly green dress and Tsu, who wore yellow sundress. Soon the door opened again and Ochaco was ushered in by Deku. You grinned at her blushing face. Her and Deku had finally admitted their feelings for each other after years of pining and they were adorable together. She had on a cute pink knee-length dress that matched Deku’s tie, which contrasted nicely against the dark teal suit he wore.
The rest of your friends piled in slowly afterwards, with Sero and Kirishima carrying cases of booze. You had made sure to stock your house with plenty of non-alcoholic drinks as well but you knew the rest of your friends planned to party hard, since it was rare to all get together.
Once everyone made it in, and Iida stopped arm chopping at Denki for some unknown broken social rule, Kirishima raised his beer.
“Can we just toast to Y/N and Bakubro, for hosting this party? It feels like a million years since I’ve seen you guys.”
You giggled and looked at your husband. He rolled his eyes and looked at you nodding. You turned back to the group.
“Actually, we invited you here because of something else…” You looked down at your belly, and heard gasps.
“ARE YOU…?”
“You’re…?”
“Wait what…?”
Bakugo looked exasperated with the suspense.
“We’re having a baby, idiots.”
A loud cheer erupted from your friends and immediately you were swarmed by the girls, asking a million questions. The guys were clapping Bakugo on the back and as expected Kirishima was already tearing up.
“So manly bro. You’re gonna be the manliest dad!” He sobbed while squeezing Bakugo in a tight hug. Sero and Denki snickered watching this. 
“Get off of me idiot. I’m not the pregnant one.” Bakugo growled trying to pry the redhead off him. Kirishima turned to you and started hugging you tightly. 
“I’m so proud of you guys!”
“You’re proud of them for —”
A ribbon of tape wrapped itself around Kaminari’s mouth before he could finish his sentence. You threw a grateful look toward Sero, who grinned over his beer.
The rest of the night turned into an impromptu baby shower, with everyone fawning over you two. You were asked a zillion questions, everyone offered to babysit, and even Todoroki offered his quirk if you ever needed pain relief (which Bakugo immediately shot down).
“I can take care of my own wife, IcyHot Bastard.” He grunted through his teeth. You smacked Bakugo upside the head before apologizing to Todoroki. You placed your hand back to rest on your belly and felt a small flutter. 
“Holy shit...babe!” You’re mouth dropped. Immediately, the room went quiet and Bakugo rushed to your side. 
“What, what’s wrong??!” He placed his hand on your stomach and his eyes widened.
“The baby...the baby’s kicking.” You smiled, eyes pricking with tears. The two of you looked at each other and you could see tears threatening to spill from your husband’s eyes. He grabbed your face in his hands and kissed you deeply, seeming to forget where he was.
“I love you, I love you both so goddamn much” He whispered to you, before kissing you again. 
“Bro, you’re gonna make her have twins!” Kaminari yelled out, before being smacked in the head by both Mina and Kirishima. You giggled and pulled your husband close to you, before he blasted his friend out of the house. 
“Guys, it’s almost midnight!” Momo said looking at her watch. “Ten…”
“Nine…”
“Eight…”
You looked around at all your cheering friends.
“Seven…”
“Six…”
You looked at your husband, who gave you a soft smile back.
“Five…”
“Four…”
You looked down at your baby bump.
“Three...two...one.”
“Happy New Year!”
553 notes · View notes
kiingocreative · 3 years ago
Text
Tumblr media
Ready to edit, format, or publish your book? We offer editing and coaching services! Send a DM or go to https://kiingo.co/services
.
.
.
I am heavily motivated by the idea of helping people. I have a tiny bit of a hero complex. In fact, I don’t understand people who don’t. I feel if we all helped each other, we could make the world better. It’s why I became a teacher. What better way to help the future generations than to educate them? Except for one problem—a tiny problem…ok a BIG problem—I don’t like kids who aren’t my own and the idea of lesson planning makes me want to chop off my own foot. (Of course, I didn’t know that about myself until my first year in my own classroom.)
I love writing. More than anything else I have ever done, I LOVE it. But there is always that small voice telling me I’m not helping anyone. I always had this idea that I had a larger purpose in life and I would help make other people’s lives better. How does writing do that? I’m just putting down words and people might not even read them.
Does that sound familiar? Are you ever hit with the feeling of “I like this but what is my PURPOSE?” It can be kind of debilitating, can’t it? It’s caused me to second guess everything about my future goals. Well, if you are like me and feel un-useful in pursuit of what seems like a selfish career choice, let me convince you otherwise.
Do you know what held the world together at the beginning of the pandemic? I mean… in my opinion at least. Netflix. Especially Tiger King. And books. And games. And entertainment. But especially Tiger King (Carol Baskins definitely killed her husband, guys).
During a traumatic time of fear, having stories that made us feel less alone and helped us forget the problems for a little while was exactly what the doctor ordered. Stories help take us out of our fear and let us escape for a little while.
Stories also help us deal with our problems. It is so much easier to admit your flaws when you find them in a fictional character. It is easier to process feelings that don’t seem to be happening to you. Stories help you process negative emotions you might otherwise avoid.
Stories show us we are not alone. I had a difficult childhood. No one in my community seemed to understand me because of it. I was ostracized. But then I found books like The Boxcar Children or A Series of Unfortunate Events and I realized I wasn’t the one person alive going through terrible events. Even if the characters are fictional, it still showed me that my experiences were not unique. Others like me do exist. That realization helped me walk through hell with my head held high because at least I wasn’t the only person in there.
Stories can invoke deep thought. If you think about any famous dystopian they serve to warn us about possible futures. They point out the flaws in society and help us to uncover the truths between the lines.
Stories are so powerful.
All writing is powerful. If you write non-fiction, you have the power to completely change someone’s life and help them learn things they never could have without you. So powerful!
Writing is done alone. And it can feel kind of selfish.
But it is so necessary.
Darling writer, YOU are necessary. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.
30 notes · View notes
jadelotusflower · 3 years ago
Text
Robin Hood Rewatch: 2x05 Ducking and Diving
Tumblr media
A really excellent episode, the best of season 2 by far. This is when the series arc really starts to kick into gear, bringing to a close the Allan-as-spy plot and setting up the Allan as team!Castle plot. We also get further in Robin's reversion to solider mode, and meet one of (if not the) best guest character Matilda, who should have returned, but sadly doesn't.
We start with some rare continuity between episodes! Allan upset about the death of Roger of Stoke, but not so upset that he doesn't tell Guy about the plan to ambush Henry of Lewes on the North Road. Still rationalising that it's not information that directly hurts anyone in the gang, forgetting that Marian was the one who gave them the information about Henry and therefore could be putting her at risk.
The security around Marian has been relaxed enough for her to leave the castle and wander the town without an escort. Based on her saving Guy a few episodes earlier, or Vaisey just not that bothered about her anymore?
Tumblr media
The ongoing conflict between Robin and Marian - his first priority to try and keep her safe, hers to take action, and this will feed directly into their discord later on in the season. They're mirroring each other in the costuming and framing here, once again on opposite sides of the same argument.
Robin ultimately backs down, but remains on edge in the next scene with Much, who knows him so well as can read everything into Robin's refusal to answer anything. While he knows Much is the last one who would ever betray him, he's gone into lone wolf territory with this. He's back to thinking as Robin of Locksley, Captain of the King's personal guard, not Robin Hood, protector of the people of Nottinghamshire. The King is in danger, and so he's got blinders on to anything and anyone that would make him deviate from the goal ensuring Richard's safety.
"I'll chop off my own arms! Well, one arm, because once I chop that off I won't be able to chop the other..." I love Much so much. With this he's able to break through Robin's severe mood, but is still sent away.
Tumblr media
Matilda! Another fantastic one-and-done guest star, in a great turn by Josie Lawrence (who would go on to play actual witch Agnes Nutter in Good Omens).
"You hairy, pigwitted fox turd! I'll pluck your eyeballs from your bumpy skull and and squelch them into cesspits!"
I also really enjoy David Bamber (another been-in-everything character actor) as Blight, really embodying that weasel energy of those in the Sheriff's employ.
"If you were on fire, I would not damp you with my wet underwrappings."
Ah, so Guy questions where Marian's guard is, so maybe she's just getting better at giving them the slip. She also expertly manipulates Guy into giving her a day off from surveillance.
Tumblr media
It's really funny just how often Robin's disguises consists of a hood or hat that covers half his face and an accent. Matilda recognises him immediately but the guards don't think (or don't care) to look at the face of every person who comes into the castle? Although it's worth pointing out that in this case he also affects a non-functioning arm and limp, and there's something to be said for Robin choosing the shunned of society to disguise himself as - beggars, etc - those who people may feel uncomfortable around and therefore who they may actively avoid looking at closely.
I love the affection Matilda has for Robin (as the Locksley theme plays), there's a real sense of history between the two of them in the way she kisses his head and then sasses him.
Matilda also refers to her daughter Rosa's child as having "twice turned" and that Robin "was worse" - Matilda was the midwife who delivered Robin, so this feeds directly into my personal headcanon that Robin's mother died in childbirth (I can't remember if this is contradicted by season 3 or not).
Tumblr media
Robin has zero hesitation whipping out that knife and attempting to kill Henry of Lewes - the no-kill policy has been completely abandoned.
"So we just...cut out his tongue?" is on one level a nice bit of humour, but on a darker level a grim reflection of Vaisey's tongue-cutting spree of 1x02. Robin is descending that slippery slope back into the solider he was and tried so hard in season 1 not to be anymore.
From a certain point of view, it makes sense - Robin tried to leave the war behind in the Holy Land, and his fight against the Sheriff was something different, a way to atone for his sins, and protect his people the only way he could. As Robin Hood he could be a leader, symbol, a rallying point, and could therefore occupy the moral high ground, to defend his own personal Holy Land (Locksley) but this time without bloodshed. Operation Shah Mat changes all that - it brings the war right back to him, and in war there is no morality, no mercy, and casualties are to be expected.
Tumblr media
Marian the Spy. Having overheard Guy's guard telling him a sign was left at the 'Trip, she follows him there and is able to confirm there is indeed a spy and tell Robin, which she wouldn't have been able to do if she'd done what he asked and left the castle.
Also the first time we see this gown, which I really quite like.
Okay, to the key piece of information that Robin is so intent on killing Henry to stop is where the king will land on his return from the Holy Land. But at this point, there's no indication of when the king will return or if there's even plans for him to do so, and as we learn later in the season, Richard has no intention to leave the Holy Land even when told of the Sheriff's treason, so the crux of this whole episode is somewhat tenuous.
"I will not be treated with equal suspicion" and storming off is peak Much energy. This is a really well-written episode, kudos Debbie Oates (who also wrote Turk Flu).
Allan chooses not to step forward when Robin offers amnesty, his fear holding him back given that a brawl almost started at the mere suggestion of a traitor in the camp.
Tumblr media
Blight's slimy little mustache is just chef's kiss. Well done hair and makeup department.
Matilda is a badass, still sassing Vaisey in the face of a witch trial.
Tumblr media
Really excellent scene between Allan and Djaq, who absolutely knows that he's the spy. "Maybe he's stuck. People get stuck you know?" My heart just breaks for Allan here, because he's made some terrible choices, but got drawn in under duress (and torture), made a bad decision to try and skirt the line and then just couldn't extricate himself. While Robin's reverting to solider mode, Allan is reverting to survival mode, thinking on his feet and hoping he can talk his way out of it - he can't hear Djaq's good advice.
Djaq also brings up his brother, and the example of Tom is twofold - on the one hand it shows that Robin is willing to forgive even in the face of betrayal, and on the other demonstrates that Robin cannot offer absolute protection from the Sheriff. Tom died because of his association with Robin, and that is a very real danger to Allan, as became apparent when he was captured in 2x01. Of course, this does not absolve Allan for his actions which had direct and deadly consequences, but gives them nuance.
Tumblr media
Everyone is getting a character moment (and an extreme closeup) this episode! John having to face his own regrets as a father and not being there for Alice, but now able to be there for Rosa and help her through labour, is a nice little beat.
Interestingly, Will is all for killing Henry as a traitor to the king (possibly why Robin chooses him as the decoy to flush out the spy). Also pretty pat that Robin is absolved of his moral dilemma by shooting Henry to save Much.
Of course Robin didn't have to go through the pantomime with Will, but was giving Allan one last chance to come forward (and I think at this point Robin is pretty sure that it is Allan) - if he had spoken up in that moment, knowing Will was innocent and shouldn't be banished, and instead confessed, I think thing might have been very different. Instead, he takes the cowardly way out and tries to get out of his role as spy and remain with the gang without revealing himself - would he have let Will stay banished?
Tumblr media
Nice framing here - Allan is boxed in with no escape.
Robin has all but adopted Marian's "everything is a choice" as his own. For all his faults, he took Marian’s criticism in 1x02 to heart and now lives by that creed. Allan had many choices up to this point - perhaps few good choices, but choices nonetheless. On the other hand, it’s hard to break free from the habit of a lifetime.
Because Allan has points too - Robin still has a great deal of privilege that isn't washed away even though he's an outlaw like the others. He is in part so focused on Richard returning because he wants things to go back to the way they were - but the way things were for Allan weren’t great, and perhaps he doesn’t quite trust that Robin won’t be different once he’s a lord again.
Tumblr media
Robin is all cold fury in this scene, but is also rather visibly upset at Allan’s betrayal and almost on the verge of tears. It cuts very deep.
Allan begins and ends this episode in the ‘Trip, and it’s interesting that in some ways his scene with Guy mirrors his scene with Robin. At first, Allan says he’s got nothing for Guy, but very quickly falls in line and tells him about the ambush. With Robin, his resentful “you’re always in the sun, and I’m always in the shade” very quickly turns into “please give me another chance.” But the chances have all been extinguished, the choices made, and both of them must live with the consequences.
23 notes · View notes
whentheynameyoujoy · 4 years ago
Text
So the ATLA Movie Is... Good, Actually?
Just kidding, of course it’s not, it’s so bad it sucked the paint off my walls. But after ten years of people pointing out its glaring flaws, why would anyone bother talking about this garbage heap if not to go the other direction? So here’s a very brief and very superficial list of things the movie does get kinda... not atrociously wrong.
And they won’t be fake hipster pokes, like “It’s fun to laugh at”, “The Rifftrax for this is OK”, or “Kudos to the actress for managing to say we believe in our beliefs as much as they believe in theirs with a straight face”.
(though now that I mentioned it, it is fun to laugh at, the Rifftrax for this is OK, and massive props indeed.)
Rasta Iroh
Yes, I know it’s not exactly the aesthetic of the real Iroh or that it makes no cultural sense for him to sport this do when no one else in the racebended Indian “OMFG what were you thinking Shyamalan” Nation does but goddamn, long-haired dudes are my one mortal weakness and I will ogle the hell out of him.
Tumblr media
Jesus is that a man bun I see that’s it mum I’ve been deaded
Yue’s hair
Tumblr media
No.
Tumblr media
Now we’re talking. Yue’s hair turned white when the Moon spirit gave her life, so it makes sense for it to go black again when she sacrifices herself to revive the koi fish. It’s a neat detail I find myself expecting whenever I rewatch the scene in the show. Yes, I realize it’d be a pointless hassle to animate since she, unlike in the movie, immediately goes on to become the Moon herself but still. I like.
The Blue Spirit’s mop
Tumblr media
Zuko, hun, what’s with the dance-off?
First of all, I want to imagine that Zuko the Theatre Nerd was about to leave his ship with just the mask like in the show but then stuck his head into the cleaning cupboard and went, “Yeah, more coverage might be good, even though it do seem mighty fried to shit”.
Which makes me giggle. I like to giggle.
And secondly, the hair’s movement is what makes the static mess of the Blue Spirit’s solo fight scene appear at least bit more dynamic because God knows the cinematography isn’t doing it.
Tumblr media
Any particular reason why it’s at the edge of the action, shot all boring-like?
Now, I get why circular shots would be reserved for Aang while he’s in the practice area and then used once the two join forces. What I don’t get is why Aang’s part of the action scene has a defined visual style while Zuko’s delegated to a few stationary wide shots from afar as though he’s a tertiary goon, meaning that when the time comes to combine the respective pieces of cinema language and visually convey collaboration, there’s not really much to combine.
But as long as Zuko is stuck in this static mess, it’s that awesome disaster on his head flopping about that draws the eye, helping me understand that something even is going on over there.
It also prevents me from paying much attention to how the extras are mostly just staying put and a lot of the hits don’t land, so that’s good.
The music slaps
James Newton Howard is too good for this.
youtube
Pls ignore that the word “gods” is used in the ATLA universe
I can’t be the only one who constantly uses this piece to daydream about writing specific fanfic scenes instead of, you know, actually sitting down and writing them. It’s just so good at communicating a sense of sorrow while speaking of rebirth that I find myself getting misty-eyed whenever I listen to it. Unfailingly, the soundtrack as a whole manages to break through the mile-thick crust of horrible acting, confusing writing, and uninspired cinematography and make me feel things. And considering how everything on screen is working against it, that’s no small feat.
Imagine what a powerful experience it would be if the score was used in service of an actual movie.
Dev Patel
No wonder since he’s the only one in the film occupying that crucial intersection between “is a good actor” and “was given something to work with”. It also doesn’t hurt that he breaks with the trend of actors starring in martial arts flicks despite never having done any martial art.
And all EIP-jokes about “stiff and humorless” aside, he’s a pretty decent Zuko considering how abridged this version of the character is. A while ago, I remember hearing a reviewer say that with his comedic chops, Patel should have been cast as Sokka. And on one hand, yes, god, absolutely, I need to see that asap. But on the other? He captures all layers of Book 1!Zuko, the desperate obsession, rage, and self-loathing, and at the same time gives you a peek at the soft momma’s boy dork that’s buried underneath. For Christ sakes, he exudes intensity and ambivalence even when acting against an emotionless hunk of wood that’s giving him nothing in return.
Oh, and I guess there’s a tree in the frame.
Tumblr media
Ba dum tss
What can I say, the guy’s good.
Showing vs telling
OK, so this movie is all tell and no show, except for one single moment. And it’s the exact moment where the original goes in the other direction in terms of how information is conveyed.
Tumblr media
See, I never liked this. The revelation is preceded by Iroh giving advice to Zuko who scolds him for nagging. Iroh then apologizes, moves in to say the line above, and is interrupted by Zuko who seems rather uncomfortable with Iroh laying his feelings out like this. And once they’re out, Zuko verbally confirms that he knew already and Iroh didn’t need to bother.
All this extraneous information and pussyfooting ends up weakening what should be a profound scene that reveals to us, the viewers, how deep the relationship between these two in fact runs.
Compare to the movie where Dadroh acts like a parent by fussing and worrying, with Sonion needing a single look to tell him and us that he understands what it’s all really about.
Tumblr media
It’s genuinely efficient and just good.
No Cataang
Fine, a bit mean-girl bitchy from me since I only start minding the ship in Book 3. And probably unintentional on the part of the creators since there are moments where I think they’re trying to set the romance up? There’s a, well, an attempt to recreate the famous introductory shot of fateful meaningful destiny of meaningness, there’s some slight note of saving each other’s bacon going on, I’m pretty sure they’re the only ones in the film who smile, and oh, right, Katara’s shoved into her post-canon useless role where she doesn’t ever do anything, and is all about Aang right from the get go.
Tumblr media
Yes, I will blame the “executive producers” because a) I’m incredibly petty, and b) it’s perfectly in line with their vision of the character so why the hell not.
Hilariously, none of it reads on screen because the actors are just... yeah. These poor kids are struggling so much with delivering their own lines and portraying their own characters they don’t seem to have any strength left to create something between them. To be fair, the bare-bones shot-reverse shot style of their scenes doesn’t exactly lend itself to the idea they occupy the same universe, let alone are friends or each other’s crushes.
And I enjoy this immensely because it allows me to forget the depressing horror show Katara’s life turns into post ATLA.
Yes Zutara
Tumblr media
I need to delve into this because it’s fucking hilarious. So in a movie which fails to establish the original’s central romance so spectacularly that if Aang got lost in a crowd I don’t believe Katara would notice, SomEOnE thought it’d be a good idea to add an utterly unnecessary non-canon moment where Zuko for some reason feels the need to pause his character-defining hunt for the Avatar which otherwise has him ignore everything and snap at everyone, and explain his central conflict to an unconscious peasant he doesn’t know, complete with gently pushing the hair from the pretty girl’s the soulmate’s the Water Tribe Ambassador’s the Fire Lady’s the love of his life’s her face away, AFTER his uncle nagged him twice to find a girl and settle down.
I just wanted to make sure we’re all on the same page and this is what we really saw.
Celibate Avatars
I have no idea why the decision was made, if TPTB thought expecting viewers to understand the story through the lens of Buddhism would be too much, or if the “executive producers” already worked their retconny magic. What I do know, however, is that there’s a big shift in worldbuilding and Aang’s struggle with his role as the Avatar stops being a personal conflict defined by a) his grief for Air Nomads, b) his notion of being robbed of the loved ones in his life, and c) the selfish attachment to Katara he confuses with true love. Instead, what he has a difficulty to accept is apparently a general notion of who Avatars are supposed to be, i.e. a fantasy version of Catholic monks, no family and worldly relations, period.
I guess either someone understood the original’s portrayal of de/attachment as “hermit no freaky”, or thought the audience would so why not go there outright.
Now, do I like this on its own? No, God no, it makes the world infinitely poorer and changes the story from an exploration of ideas which aren’t all that ingrained in the West, to a cliché tropester about a Catholic priest going Protestant so that he could be with a girl.
At least I assume that’s where they were going to take this eventually.
Tumblr media
I mean, I think the direction was “look conflicted, this isn’t the final stage of your journey”?
But consider this—the show went there, it built on the concepts of Eastern philosophy and touched upon the ideas of spiritual awakening, only to swerve in the end and strongly imply they’re bullshit and Aang should have never wasted his time with them.
So honestly, I much prefer scanty worldbuilding to an insulting retcon by a damn rock.
Multiracial Air Nomads
Probably the most substantial “no hint of irony” point on this list and a genuinely good addition to the universe’s worldbuilding.
Tumblr media
See, the notion of the elemental nations being perfectly separate and never mingling before Sozin has always been sketchy but it’s especially ridiculous in the case of airbenders. It never made sense to me for all airbenders to be Air Nomads and for all Air Nomads to be monks and for all monks to be chilling at the temples all the time to facilitate a quick everyone-dies genocide should an imperialistic warlord ever decide to commit one.
Because committing everyone to a single way of life at a handful of places kinda goes against the central philosophy behind airbending. Like the freedom and nomadism part.
Instead, there should be more variety to the airbending culture, with some staying at the temples as monks, hermits, and teachers while others live as nomads, travelling the world and creating more airbenders, with the resulting children in turn being influenced by the non-airbending cultures they grew up in.
And thus, not only should airbenders not be modeled after a single culture to create a one-size-fits-all lifestyle, but they should have the most diverse and dynamic culture out of the four nations.
And it’d be precisely this diversity which would pave way for an eventual reveal that some of them survived, that their complete extermination is impossible.
Because they’re everywhere.
You know.
Like air.
179 notes · View notes
neerons · 4 years ago
Text
Some of Takaomi Tsugaru’s best quotes
Tumblr media
“Wipe the drool. I’m not THAT handsome, am I?”
“That’s all you have to say about mon visage?”
“True, going on a date with a pretty girl isn’t so bad. But it’s definitely more fun hanging out with you.”
“Your butt cheeks are two different sizes, too.”
“A little pet of Hideki’s and Hyogo’s? This I gotta see. Graduated with honors, eh? Singled out already, huh? Sounds like a gorilla girl. I picture a hearty, muscled lass with arms like hams. But what eventually materializes before me is a cute little hoppy white hare.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“Throwing her hard-written report into the trash basket has me in a great mood. Lalala...” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“Drag her? She may be fierce, but she’s only bunny-sized. If she gets grabbed by three guys at once...” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“She seemed so feminine. Having fun, and drinking more than she intended. (...) She flops back over, karate-chopping me in the face. How’d she manage to land a critical hit while sleeping?! Why did she decide to go into Public Safety? An innocent, carefree girl like this?” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“This might be the first time I’ve really gotten a good look at her face. It isn’t too bad. She has a cute little nose, and her mouth moves like a little animal when it’s flapping. She’s even kind of charming. I scrutinize her face, drinking in the details.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“Probably because she’s a country bumpkin... No, no. She’s a daisy fresh girl raised on farm-fresh air.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“You four-eyed jerk...” (—Tsugaru to Ishigami)
“Don’t take my Little Hare... I want her all to myself.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“She and Goto could be doing it like bunnies for all I should care.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“I should drop Momo’s toenail clippings in that coffee of yours...” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts about MC)
“Don’t look so innocent while you’re sitting on a man’s thighs. I can feel her body heat... This proximity...” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“I figured out from that little incident that dressing up isn’t your forte. Besides, it’s hard to compete with my beauty.”
“It’s a curse being this handsome.” (—Tsugaru talking about himself to Kurosawa)
“I hope you’re looking forward to it too, Little Hare... Our D.A.T.E!” (—Tsugaru speaking loudly to make the other guys jealous)
“I really wanted you to see it. How the old Namba gang would react. As the day of our date approached, Little Hare, they couldn’t stand it. Hideki’s frown line just kept getting deeper and deeper. And Hyogo was drinking so much coffee, he was practically vibrating.”
“Yes, we’re like Beauty and the Beast, aren’t we? Come along, Beast.”
“Are you jealous of our bro-date, Little Hare? (—Tsugaru talking about when he was hanging out with Kaga in the past to MC)
“Don’t compare your face and mine. It’s an insult.”
“You unfaithful hussy.”
“Little Hare takes priority.”
“You’re quite big, Little Hare. (...) Maybe I was talking about your chest.”
“No shoulder rides for you, little man.” (—Tsugaru to Noa after he was called “weird” by him)
“You’re right. You’re more of a snot-dribbler than a tear-spiller.”
“How can you say a handsome face like mine is ever “in the way”...?”
“Trying to make me hate you? ...Silly. Thank you for not changing. Please... always stay the way you are.”
“Hmm? You want a non-antidote kiss this time? Ahaha. You’re bright red. Like a tomato. Let’s see if I can make you... a squashed tomato.”
“We should at least go on a date before we get married. Let’s go on a date.”
“When I was a kid, I was always imagining things, never knowing that part of me would be killed off. But right now, I indulge in a little fantasy of Little Hare’s twitchy bunny face.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“Excuse me?! I fight a sudden urge to take a flying kick at Seiji’s back.” (—Tsugaru being jealous of Goto in his thoughts)
“I’d decided not to use my past to make excuses. But the complex I’ve been hiding... It’s in every part of me.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“Was she asking because she wants to be my girlfriend? I’d like to tell you... that you deserve that position, too. (...) Girlfriend, huh. When she asked me why I can’t get one... my heart skipped a beat. The only girl I can think of that could fit the bill is her.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“She’s taken tons of snaps of Squad Katsuragi, all glistening with sweat. You dirty paparazzo, Little Hare. What are you thinking, letting strange men into your apartment? Strange men who aren’t ME! I delete all the photos before taking a few selfies, then handing her phone back. (...) I set the lock and background screens as me too.” (—Tsugaru talking and thinking about MC)
“Can I say goodnight to the baby in your belly? Goodnight. I can’t wait to meet you.” (—Tsugaru talking to his mom and unborn sibling, as a child)
“I started having dumb, hopeful thoughts of being her someone special.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“A murderer’s blood runs in my veins. This was the one thing I didn’t want her to know about me. I didn’t want you to know... Not you. Not my normal, innocent Little Hare.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“I want to be a man you can feel confident sticking by. I don’t want you to stay around because you’re worried. You’re my first real personal relationship, I guess.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“I’ll save her, over and over. I’d do anything to rescue the woman I love.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“She purses her lips. Gah, so cute. (...) Then she smirks at me, seeming very satisfied. She looks so, so happy. Cute as heck! I want to grab her and take her someplace private...” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“I’ll draw Momo frying Little Hare alive with his Momo Beam.” (Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“(...) Once there was a boy called Momotaro... He was friends with a little hare, and a mean dog called Hyogo and a cyborg called Hideki. They traveled to the land of demons to fell the demon lord Seiji...” (—Tsugaru making up a story for Noa)
“She’s so good at being honest and earnest with people. Knowing she might hurt them, but not backing down, for the sake of what’s right. And she knows how to soothe those hurts, too.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“I knew it was only ever going to be a dream. Such a pure, uncomplicated girl could never fall for someone... like me.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“I’ll have to start calling you Little Piggy instead of Little Hare.”
“So she and Seiji had a little kitty friend at the academy? I’ll have to crush their relationship.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts)
“Be happier about being chained to a hot guy.”
“My dream’s to go to Momo’s wedding. Be happy, my friend.” (—His VIP room)
“Imagine Hyogo of all people having a soft spot for someone. What a shock.” (—His VIP room)
“Dreamed I was being attacked by Kaga Kong and Ishizilla. I must be tired.” (—His VIP room)
“I happen to love my talented little subordinate, after all.” (—Tsugaru talking about MC, in Shinonome’s route)
“She’s surrounded by men. Is that businessman staring at her? If he gropes her, I’ll bring social justice down upon him.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts about a random man & MC)
“Stay away, ace! (...) She’s done with you all. She has a new man now.” (—Tsugaru talking about MC to Goto and the others)
“I bet you spent two hours getting ready for this. You look cute though.”
“Well I noticed you like eating.”
“What about Tsugaru variety? (...) I’d like to be bitten by you. Will you eat me up?” (—Tsugaru talking about an apple version of him to MC)
“Just for today, I wanted you to only think about me.”
“Doctor Doolittle?! Oh no, that’s a vet. ...Whatever! A doctor, eh... A detective is cooler than a doctor any day. Anyway, doctors don’t play fair. They act like group dates are their killing grounds.” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts about Hajime)
“Give you a call? Sure she will, buddy. (...) There’s silence when the guy departs. Say something. Tell me you like me way better!” (—Tsugaru’s thought about Hajime and MC)
“I wonder what she was like as a university student? He dated her back then... They would have held hands, kissed, and also... Whispered sweet nothings in bed. Aaargh! Why... Why can’t you be mine alone...” (—Tsugaru’s thoughts about Hajime and MC)
“I love you.”
“You could never forget the face of a good-looker like me after seeing it once, right?” (—His VIP room)
“I’m the type that makes sure he leaves his mark on the girl that means most to him.” (—His VIP room)
“I can see how chic you are - or trying to be at least. You dolled yourself up for me, right?” (—His VIP room)
“You could be honest and compliment me. Tell me how I’ve got a handsome face, but everything else about me is perfect.” (—His VIP room)
“Little Hare, you’re the only one for me.” (—His VIP room)
“Did you get a good shot? Send me the best one. That’s right, I was thinking Momo would like it.” (—His VIP room)
“Hyogo plus water is a crazy combo, isn’t it? Kinda like a demon lord that’s just emerged from out of the sea.” (—His VIP room)
“Hmph. Wait… Don’t you want to take a picture? You can make me your wallpaper, you know.” (—His VIP room)
“My clothes are supposed to be see-through and are supposed to cling to me. Sorry I’m too sexy.” (—His VIP room)
“Even when I’m wet my high quality remains… Wow.” (—His VIP room)
80 notes · View notes
missinghan · 4 years ago
Text
give it a chance ⤖ lee minho
❖ genre : college au; roommates au; friends to lovers au
❖ word count : 9,6k.
❖ warning : explicit language, slightly suggestive & mentions of alcohol
❖ summary : you convinced yourself to attend a party in order to prevent Lee Minho from doing stupid things; however it’s not so stupid anymore when your roommate said he needed to tell you something important.
❖ a/n : the continuation of what if we is dedicated to @chaninfused, so *clears throat* this is where I hereby declare that she deserves more than what the entire universe can possibly give her; oh hi furat, this is why I’ve been so cryptic all this time. I know this isn’t much but I want to thank you for tolerating me and letting me be mean to you even though we only started talking for a few months; you’re an incredibly great friend and an amazing writer, don’t ever forget that 🖤
Tumblr media Tumblr media
one.
It’s been almost a week since Jisung last talked to Minho (albeit texts and FaceTime) and he wakes up to his best friend roaming around his crusty kitchen, struggling to find a bottle of honey. Seungmin’s mom has been constantly sending them thirty packets of rib soup per week. And Minho thinks the sight of Han Jisung slurping on nothing but distorted rice with pork ribs while stressing over his paper for seven days straight is more tragic than his non-existent love life.
“It’s like you’re trying to turn us into gym rats,” Hyunjin snickers lazily, flinging his bangs away from his face. “You even brought us Tupperwares, are you really expecting us not to order tacos impulsively on study nights?” He’s a little dubious about stuff like this because he can feel the actual horror of only eating chicken breast and string beans just by seeing Chan cooking them up. 
Seungmin chucks a piece of lettuce towards his direction, “Don’t you have anything else to do other than complaining?” He knows that when Jisung and Hyunjin decide to order food on study nights, they’re gonna do anything but study.
“Uhm, I actually do,” he replies nonchalantly. “I’m going through Minho’s phone.”
Jisung takes a seat next to him by the counter, propping his head onto his hands, “What’s the point? There’s nothing but cat photos and cat memes...and also Y/N as his background.”
“That angle is hideous, by the way,” Hyunjin comments like the true photography geek he is, which is completely ignored by Minho because he’s too cranky to start a fight at ten in the morning. “But it’s kinda cute for you to do that, so I’m gonna turn a blind eye.”
Jisung asks out of the blue, “Who’s going to BamBam’s party this Sunday? Well, besides the other two-thirds of 3RACHA.” 
“I have a midterm on Monday, dumbass,” Seungmin mumbles while washing his vegetables at the sink. 
“And I’m sleeping over at Lix’s for a project,” Hyunjin informs him lamely, having no intention to attend another single frat party. At least not BamBam’s frat parties—that guy has the weirdest friends; a chick was so drunk that she thought Hyunjin was her boyfriend and almost tried to make out with him on the dance floor. 
Jisung secretly hates going to parties without his friends- no, actually, he never goes to parties without people from his social circle because he dreads the whole introduction part that requires formalities and inevitable awkwardness. But it’s not like that with Minho, ten minutes into their very first conversation and he feels like he’s known him for years. 
In short, he will die if Minho doesn’t come to the party. Chan can only chat with him for so long until his DJ duty occurs and Changbin’s probably gonna be too busy doing keg stands to care about his antisocial friend. 
“Fine, I’ll go,” Minho gives in while chopping up the chicken breasts and this prompts Jisung to clap happily like a seal for the next twenty seconds as he skips over to the fridge to fetch a water bottle. “But we’re gonna need a ride, I’m not taking my motorbike for some crackhead to puke on it. Ask Chan later when you crash at his place.”
Jisung tosses his head back to take a peek at the clock hanging by the bookshelf, and it reads 10:07 AM. He really should be getting for his class at eleven because traffic sucks but he’s not feeling like sitting through two hours of Park ranting about marketing strategies. “Can’t Y/N just drive us? I don’t think she’d let anyone else take you home when you’re not sober,” he ponders, earning a nod of agreement from both of his roommates. 
Just when Minho opens his mouth to brush it off, he stops himself to process the information again and holds back a ‘you’re right’ because he hates letting people know that they’re not wrong. He wouldn’t let anyone drive you home when you’re drunk either. “Her car’s with her dad right now,” he tries to sound casual when three pairs of curious eyes are glued onto his back. “I, uh, sorta had it run into a tree last week.”
“You what? How are you still alive?” Hyunjin’s jaw is on the floor and Seungmin accidentally dumps too much vinegar into his salad while Jisung’s choking on the iced cold water, coughing furiously after into the sleeve of his hoodie. Guess Chan’s gonna have to drive them both. After all, he can never say ‘no’ to J.One. 
Minho murmurs, “A dude rear-ended me, fucking idiot.” He finishes marinating the chicken breasts and arranges them nicely onto a tray with aluminum foil on top, pushing it into the preheated oven. “And basically she’s never letting me touch her car again,” he sighs while staring into midair dreamily, flashbacking to last Friday when you immediately Ubered yourself all the way from campus to downtown after picking up his call. All he got was thirty seconds of affection; you made sure that he’s not hurt and the rest was just a monstrous tantrum. He ended up sleeping on the couch that night. 
“My my, you two are just like an old married couple,” Hyunjin chuckles lightheartedly and shakes his head, scrolling through the series of texts in amusement, “What even is this? I swear your conversation consists of 60% ‘when are you going home?’, 40% ‘your lunch is here’ and 20% terrible cat memes.”
“We’re roommates,” Minho drags the word through gritted teeth, holding back all the murderous thoughts inside his head because he feels like Hyunjin’s just asking for a death wish. It’s too early for this. 
Unexpectedly, Seungmin decides he’s in a pretty good mood today since he aced his OChem pop quiz yesterday; meaning, he’s gonna stick his nose into his friend’s business whenever there’s a chance. “Don’t you guys share a bed too?” he pretends to play dumb only to receive a kick in the shin from the older boy. 
“We’re also broke,” Minho cranes his neck tiredly, washing the dirty knife under the tap. “Besides, the heater in the living room sucks.”
“You both even smell the same, it’s getting kinda creepy. Please don’t tell me you guys also share showers to have a light water bill,” Jisung makes a gagging noise and Minho thinks he’s already said too much. His grip on the knife tightens for a split second before letting it drop into the sink. He doesn’t trust himself with anything sharp the moment Hyunjin started this unwanted conversation. He also regrets stealing Changbin’s meal prep recipes to feed his trash friends. 
Minho questions callously, “We just use the same shampoo and shower gel, what’s the big deal?” His hands go for the box of oatmeal that Felix left here last time in the cabinet full of random food. He doesn’t get why Seungmin would buy so much groceries like he’s in a pandemic knowing damn well that his idiotic roommates can’t cook for shit. 
Hyunjin purses his lips, trying to prove his point, “Don’t you think that it’s weird? You don’t do those things with us.”
“Because none of you would fucking house me when I was on the verge of being homeless!”
“And why is she yelling at you through texts anyway? Bro, there’s like ten missed calls here with at least a hundred ‘where are you?’. Why is she terrorizing you this early in the morning?” Minho immediately snaps out of his semi-angry trance, chest heaving up and down. 
“Oh shit,” he facepalms himself. “I promised to pick her up at ten from class, what time is it again?”
“You’re fifteen minutes late, my friend,” Jisung supplies unhelpfully. “It’ll take another ten to arrive at campus, without traffic that is. You’re so dead. D-E-A-D.” It feels weird to hear something correct coming out of Jisung’s mouth (twice in a row) and now Minho wishes he could just whack his friend unconscious on the floor with the new set of microphones that Chan gave him last year for Secret Santa. 
“Oh, I left your rice sitting at ‘warm’, by the way,” Minho makes a grab for his biker jacket and helmet on the counter before fleeing out of the apartment with his sneakers half-way tucked in. It’s not even been thirty minutes since they’ve seen each other for the past week and Jisung’s already choked on water, not once, but twice because of Lee Minho. Sometimes he wonders if the universe is telling him that he needs new friends. 
Tumblr media
two. 
“Your boyfriend is late.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” you hiss at Yeji while staring at Minho’s contact on your phone anxiously. There’s no reason for you to be; worst-case scenario, you can just take the 0325 home and lock him outside for the night so that he’ll have no choice but to endure Chan’s embarrassing sleeping habits. He wouldn’t even notice either way because he’d be too busy swearing in his sleep to be annoyed. 
Yeji puts her hair up into a ponytail after stretching her limbs tiredly. She only has one class today and no choice but to stay on campus for her shift at the café before lunch break. Too bad Woojin can’t cover her today because of midterms. “I’m only speaking facts,” she tells you with a yawn and notices the slight pout on your face. “Hey, don’t be sad just because your stupid boyfriend can’t pick you up. I can call Chaeryeong if you need a ride here and there, she wouldn’t mind.”
“I’m not fucking sad!”
“Y/N, you look more depressed than Ryujin when she got a B+ in calc.” That’s irrelevant, Shin Ryujin already has a GPA booster after signing up for Kim’s stats class, one B+ won’t make it any less sparkly.
You only let out a prolonged sigh after checking your phone for the tenth time in the past half an hour. He isn’t picking up any of your calls, your messages probably can’t even reach him and now you’re sitting at M.I.A Cafe with a cup of plain water after standing outside at the front gate for so long like an idiot. An idiot, who’s hopelessly in love with her roommate- wait what? 
Listen, you already know that this is going to happen. It’s awfully inevitable and it’s getting harder and harder as the days pass by because summer is almost here. Meaning, Minho’s gonna move out soon, according to the contract. 
Are you sad about that? 
Yeah, kinda.
The more you think about it the more you regret your decision that day to let him stay with you. Because now you don’t think you’d be able to sleep without him next to you, hogging the blanket all to himself; you get angsty when he’s not home even if he’s just at dance practice; you’re definitely getting way too used to sharing an earphone with him while you both are dreading your assignments silently at the kitchen counter. And now you’re getting nervous just because he’s thirty minutes late. He’s never late, not even to your Monday Movie Night where you both can pig out and binge-watch the Avatar: The Last Airbender series until you’re sick of it. 
Maybe you’re relying on him too much. Hypothetically speaking, it’s not his fault for the damage of your car but you’re just making excuses to be with him. You even set him as your emergency contact. It’s kinda tedious to be your roommate, you realize. All of those things aren’t mandatory and he can simply mind his own business without having to feel obligated because of the ‘roommates’ label yet he’d still choose you, over everything else. Perhaps he’s dealing with his own first world problems and forgot to leave you a message this time. 
Yeji inquires breezily, wiping a cup dry with a towel, “Also, are you going to BamBam’s party this weekend?”
“For me to carry your ass home after getting shitfaced and sit through another two-hour lecture from Lia? I’ll pass thank you very much.”
She indicates with a quirk of her perfectly dark brow, “What if I tell you that Minho’s gonna be there?” Now she sounds like she’s the one who’s crushing on Lee Minho and not you. Never knew that your friends can be this creepy but the more you learn… “Jisung just told me he found a plus one aka Mister Celebrity to attend that frat party with, you wouldn’t have the heart to let me be the loner right?” she pouts with her nose scrunched and it reminds you too much of Light Fury so you look away, knowing that you wouldn’t stand a goddamn chance if she kept this up.
“How is that my problem?” you merely roll your eyes, slightly annoyed. “And also, isn’t Jisung supposed to have his marketing class now?”
Yeji doesn’t give a damn about what on Earth Han Jisung is doing with his life so she just brushes your question off. “Would you let Minho drink irresponsibly?”
You nod without hesitation, though it feels wrong coming out of your mouth, “He can do whatever he wants...as long as my carpet remains clean after his hangover.”
“Would you let me drink irresponsibly?”
“The same goes for you,” you tell her monotonously. “And I only picked you up because Lia sounded like she was hyperventilating when you attended that one law brat’s birthday party. Na Jaemin, wasn’t it? Hate that guy, by the way.”
Yeji thinks it’s time for you to open up even more and not despise people that much. Having Lee Minho as your roommate is already a huge step-up but it’s not like there have been any modifications to your routine except the fact that another human being is simply enduring your bitchy ass of a loner. She wants you to be really out there, just not messing with shit like doing keg stands because Seo Changbin is a terrible influence. Woojin once had to drop his shift at the sushi place to drive Jeongin home because Changbin left him hanging on the beanbag chair for a game of beer pong. Jeongin has never gone to another single party since. 
“You hate literally everyone!” Yeji’s getting impatient, you can feel it.
“Are you telling me it’s my fault that people are shitty?” you bark, massaging the sides of your temple tiredly. You wish you could just drop the entirety of your current presentation to Yeji because your brain cells are already evaporating one by one into thin air.
She barks back, merely sneering, “C’mon! Y/N, it’s not like you ever have plans for the weekend.”
“But I’m having midterms on Monday, I didn’t spend my time on those notes for nothing.”
She shakes her head at you almost in disapproval. Sure, you’re a coward for backing out on this because BamBam’s no stranger to you. That Thai kid has been hanging out with Chan since middle school and he always offers to buy you coffee whenever you happen to drop by as they’re working on a project together. He’s a nice guy, but you don’t know him that well. Something in your gut is telling you that he has weird friends (he totally does). And you’re not about to overdrink only to blurt out an awful confession to Minho while being surrounded by a bunch of crackheads that aren’t in your social sphere.
“I heard kids are vapi-” Yeji stops herself, thinking she should just give up, and get ready for the next batch of sleep-deprived customers coming in at lunch break before Jeongin chucks an avocado at her direction for chit-chatting too much about your gigantic crush on Minho. “Nevermind, it’s not like you’d care anyway, have fun with reviewing I guess.” And with that, she leaves you alone with the cup of plain water to dump the used coffee grounds in the trash.
It takes you at least ten seconds to comprehend what she just said. And you’ve come up with a new yet very last-minute decision: screw midterm because you’re making sure that Lee Minho’s going home in one piece. 
Very timely, your phone buzzes on the wooden counter.
[10:38 AM]
lino | hey you still on campus?
Tumblr media
three.
The blush scattered across your cheekbones just grows ten shades darker when you see Minho at the front gate leaning against his black Kawasaki; disheveled hair, hands stuffed inside his pockets, occasional puffs of smoke escaping his lips, and unbothered gaze. You’ve never told him this, you’re not telling him this now, and you’re never gonna tell him; but he looks stupidly good in that biker jacket. Again, you don’t get how someone can look this good early in the morning. 
“What are you doing here?” you murmur grimly, approaching him from behind. It feels like he’s doing this to your heart on purpose, without even trying. And those girls over there are making you very uncomfortable by eyeing your roommate up and down like he’s an expensive piece of steak with a gold leaf sticking to it.
Minho turns sideways and flashes you a smile; your little heart just did a perfect cartwheel because of that, it can only take so much. “Sorry, I kinda lost track of time, but I still promised to pick you up, didn’t I?” he says casually as your face morphs into a deep frown because you’re basically confused. The only problem is: you don’t even know why you’re confused. There’s this fluttering feeling at the pit of your stomach and now you feel as though someone just gives you a blow to the head when Minho looks straight into your eyes, brows slightly knitted together.
This is not healthy. 
“You didn’t answer my calls or my texts.”
Minho thinks you look cuter than usual when you’re silently fuming because you’re not the type to lash out on people. But it’s not so cute anymore when you threatened to flush his AirPods down the toilet that one time when he spilled ketchup on your carpet. He just hopes he doesn’t end up sleeping on the couch tonight like last time. 
“I put my phone on silent, as always,” he reminds you of how much of a pain in the ass it is to receive a call-back or a simple reply from him. 
You make a face, “Whatever, didn’t I tell you not to make a scene? Have you seen those chicks back there? They’re watching me as if I’m sabotaging their dreams of eating you alive.” Well, you can’t exactly blame your roommate for having girls gushing over him wherever he goes because...it’s his fault for looking like a snack all the time. 
Minho quickly detects how you’re not overly fond of his admirers and needless to say, he’s fairly amused. “Then let them,” he puts an arm over your shoulders and pulls you flushed against him, ruffling your hair. Moments later, you’re already hearing scandalous gasps along with hushed whispers going through your eardrums like a never-ending train. It’s really setting your nerves on fire. 
“Don’t you think that this is weird?”
“What?” Now it’s Minho who’s confused here. 
You slightly push him away and avert your gaze elsewhere to avoid eye contact. “We’re roommates, right?” you mumble, slightly unsure about...all of this. 
“Hmm, what about it?”
“Well, I don’t know…” you fiddle with the hem of your jacket and sigh. “What if people keep getting the wrong idea about us?” You sound somewhat regretful as if your decision of taking him in as your roommate was a mistake, as if you feel like it’s better off if he wasn’t in your life at all, as if the past month was completely meaningless. Since when did things become this complicated? It started with a harmless one-month contract and now Minho’s not sure of what he should do next. But that’s not it, is it? Maybe he’s just overthinking too much. 
He looks hesitant for a moment there, very not-Lee-Minho of him. “We’re still cool right?” Minho tilts his head to the side, the afternoon sunlight slips through fluffs of white clouds and brings the constellations in his warm brown eyes to life. Though he looks like a scolded child, you can’t help but want to put this moment into a frame and simply cherish it for the rest of your life. 
“Beats me,” you breathe out, silently hating yourself for not being able to get angry at him. It’s harder than you thought, really, and it doesn’t help when his eyes keep doing that thing to your poor little heart. “Make me pasta and we’re good,” you end up chuckling when Minho’s expression turns a solid three hundred and sixty at the offer.
“That’s not a very smart move for a business major, your loss,” he replies with a goofy smile, tossing the helmet that he got you yesterday in your direction. And if you pay attention enough, you can almost see Minho exhaling out of relief. But you’re too busy staring at the ground to douse yourself in your own giddiness to notice. “Oh crap, I think I left my wallet at Hyunjin’s,” he tells you after swinging a leg over on his shiny vehicle. 
You narrow your eyes at him, “You don’t need your wallet to make me pasta now do you?”
“By the way, are you going to BamBam’s party?”
“Only if you’re going,” you scratch the bridge of your nose with your ring finger, a little embarrassed to admit that he’s the only reason why you’re ditching midterms. 
Minho’s hearty laugh fills your eardrums, shit-eating grin and all. “If it makes you feel better, Chan’s driving us,” he voices without looking at you, but your chest still swells either way. 
You fucking hate how you have the softest spot for him. 
Tumblr media
four.
You’re already regretting this although you’ve only been sitting in Chan’s back seats for less than twenty minutes. Crankiness takes over your body as a result of reviewing for the whole afternoon, your eyelids are getting droopy, and your head seems to be all too big for your neck at this rate. More reasons for you to not drink tonight. 
“Ugh, why am I even here?” you groan, and Jisung scrunches his nose, slightly alarmed because you’re not usually this loud unless you’re high on caffeine. 
Minho tells you in the most lighthearted way possible, “Because you love me.” 
You wish you could just put his head through a wall because everything and anything coming out of his mouth are never healthy for your mind, or heart. “Uhm, no I don’t.”
“But you did confess your love to me,” he singsongs as if he just hit a jackpot with his lottery ticket, angling his head to toss you a wink. “I have receipts, ma’am. They’re right here, in my heart.” Minho’s never seen you so giddy before so he recorded everything, but he’s not planning on putting himself on a chopping block by telling you that. 
You shove his arm and purse your lips, flaming cheeks but the car’s too dark for him to see it. “I was sick, asshole, I talk shit more when I have a fever than when I’m drunk,” you defend yourself helplessly, not enjoying the fact that he had to bring it up when you’re in a confined space with Seo Changbin and Han Jisung. 
“Minho doesn’t like it when Y/N raises her voice.” Great, now he’s talking in third person. 
“What are you even? Four?”
He winks at you, “Baby me, baby.”
“Oh my god shut the fuck up and get away from me!”
“You’ll never get rid of me, baby.” Eventually, you give up because you’re too mentally exhausted and there’s still a long night ahead of you. You’re not wasting your energy in pointless arguments with him because you both yell at each other on a daily basis anyway. 
“Maybe he’ll zip it if you tell him that you love him,” Jisung suggests innocently with a not-so-innocent look on his face. He’s already acting dumb when he’s this fucking sober so you’re not looking forward to two hours later when vodka’s practically replaced his own blood. 
“I’d rather chew off my own foot.” Changbin snorts involuntarily at your stiff remark, Chan mutters a small ‘ouch’ while Jisung’s too busy laughing his ass off. And a demeaning silence descends after that. 
Minho’s right next to you, oddly unresponsive to the situation, his head leaning against your shoulder as he gazes dejectedly out the window. You don’t see how stormy his eyes are. He also misses his motorcycle tremendously because Chan’s the safest (slowest) driver to ever exist. No joke, if he keeps going at the pace of thirty miles per hour then you should just skip the party and watch a movie while getting drunk at his place altogether. 
“Can you go any fucking slower?”
“Excuse me?” Chan laughs in disbelief, he’s a little offended because he personally thinks he’s a good driver, maybe a little bit too obedient when it comes to the law. Hey, at least you know you’re in good hands. “I’m not trying to get us all killed before BamBam could poison one of you guys.” 
Jisung purses his lips as he’s reminded of the last party where he ran into that Thai dude. He gave him a plastic cup, telling him that it’s merely a harmless fruity vodka only for Jisung to get kicked out by an Uber driver after throwing up in the back seats. Turns out, the lemons and oranges in the cocktail were relatively spoilt. 
“I’m gonna die from boredom before we could even get into a car accident,” Minho informs him unconstructively, staring at some random notifications from Instagram of people commenting on his cats’ photos, text messages from his mom and swipes them all away. Mostly to chuckle to himself like a moron because of his lock screen. Yes, your stupid face is still on there after three weeks and you don’t know if you should be crying or laughing.
Chan narrows his eyes at the rear-view mirror, “It seems like you’re entertaining yourself just fine by looking at Y/N’s face.” 
“This photo does make me laugh because it’s priceless,” the younger boy states without turning his head to look at you. “But still, bored.” 
The car grows silent again soon after because Chan’s already been stressed out enough from traffic since clearly, people can’t drive to save their own lives. But it’s not like your friends can keep their mouths shut for the rest of the trip anyway. 
“Boreddd,” Minho voices randomly while a J.One’s song is blasting through the speaker. It’s a terribly soft song and it doesn’t help when Minho feels like he can downright sleep through an earthquake, potentially falling into an enormous crack on the Earth’s surface and still being able to nap like there’s no tomorrow. He’s just glad that Jisung grew out of ‘Wow’ and embraces his awkward self through his own music. It’s..sentimental but what’s a J.One song without that element?
Changbin looks up from his phone for half a second, wholly uninterested. “Then shut up and sleep,” he says expressionlessly. Very timely, his most recent track comes up next on the playlist and he starts rapping along with it. Minho thinks he can really use a good eye shut as SpearB is performing live right behind him because Changbin can only stay sober like this for so long until he gets his hands on one of BamBam’s sketchy-looking concoctions. 
You’re starting to get bored too at this rate because usually, during times like this when the car is filled with nothing but music and everyone (except for the driver) feels like they’re falling into a food coma, a certain idiot will—
“Y/N, don’t you have a midterm on Monday?” Ah, there it is. 
Jisung bends himself forward and drapes an arm over the leather seat, scrunching his nose at the sight of Minho sleeping soundly against your shoulder. He’s still bitter about the fact that Minho refuses to drive anyone other than you with his motorcycle for some reason. Exclusive things are always so annoying. 
You exhale deeply because Jisung reminds you of that one kid who always asks questions that stress the hell out of the teachers back in high school. Would it kill for him to just shut up once in a while? 
“I do, and I haven’t got a wink of sleep since yesterday afternoon,” you tell him rather lazily, shifting when Minho snuggles himself closer to you, his hair tickling your jawline. You pray he doesn’t know how fast your heart is beating. “A little alcohol might spare me a night of crying myself to sleep.” 
Jisung lets his bottom lip stuck out like he’s a fucking five-year-old not allowed to get his favorite ice-cream flavor. “Aww, you should have asked Minho for cuddles then, pretty sure he’d be more than happy to—,” he remarks sarcastically and you wish you could just throw him in the middle of an intersection. He’s lucky because Minho’s a heavy sleeper or he would have been knocked senseless or something. The last thing Chan needs is being forced to pull over for having wild animals wrestle the shit out of each other in his vehicle. 
“Hey, fuck off,” you snarl at him, knowing you should have chosen the passenger seat instead. That way, you wouldn’t be fuming inside because you can’t physically strangle Han Jisung to his imminent death. He has already tattooed that image into the back of your brain and you swear you’ve never heard a creepier chuckle from your friend. 
Jisung notices the coral tint on your cheeks and sneers, leaning back against his seat. “Yeah right, as if you’re actually gonna get drunk,” he says snarkily. “You’re just gonna be there to prevent Lee Minho from making bad decisions.” 
“I decided to come because Yeji wanted me-“
“Yeji who? In what world will you have time for her when you’re too busy staring at Minho like a total creep? Wanna bet ten bucks?” 
That’s bullshit because Lee Minho is already your entire world. 
Chan butts in, “Make that fifty.”
Changbin raises his hand, “I’d bet my Tesla.” Your friends really spelled out ‘a bunch of fucking clowns’ in bold, gigantic capital letters and you’re this close to facepalm yourself against Chan’s steering wheel. This is why you don’t go to parties with them that often because you’re stuck with cleanup duties with Seungmin until these crackheads grow out of their amateur drinking habits. 
“You’re just jealous because he would rather call you an Uber than give you a lift himself,” you say pointedly and Jisung lets out the loudest, most scandalous gasp. So dramatic. 
“You,” he jabs a finger at you, eyes wide in accusation. “Need a nap.”
You laugh dryly, ignoring the urge to snap a picture of his flabbergasted expression and turn it into a new meme for your group chat. “You don’t say, Han, you don’t say.”
And Changbin rolls his eyes over the moon, vividly picturing where this disastrous conversation is gonna go. Basically, he wants you to get shitfaced as soon as you step foot into BamBam’s house so he’ll have a sappy, drunk confession video to toss on Twitter tonight because Woojin just posted a picture of him with a drumstick dipped inside a glass of what looks like a watered-down Margarita. He’s highly concerned since there hasn’t been anything juicy on his feed other than his friends creeping people out with their questionable content. 
“If you two don’t end up getting drunk and kiss, I’m gonna be pissed,” Changbin says casually as if it’s just an afterthought. This prompts you to chuck your phone in his direction—you can care less about your screen protector at this point if it means stopping him from taunting you further. 
He asserts like a snake, “Hey, remember that time where you tripped over Kkami and totally crushed Minho under your weight?”
“I blame gravity for that.”
“But Albert Einstein said you can’t blame gravity for falling in love.”
“Who cares about Albert Einstein?!” you whisper-shout harshly, cautiously eyeing Minho’s sleeping figure. He scrunches his nose and murmurs something that you can’t quite hear before turning over to face you completely. His arms unexpectedly slip underneath yours like second nature. He furrows his eyebrows occasionally, other times he’d be grinning like an idiot and his lips are slightly agape, full eyelashes framing his eyes beautifully. Sometimes you wonder how weird his dreams are whenever you caught him talking (and cursing) in his slumber. 
Changbin wants to pry aloud when you start staring at Minho for too long; he might as well be tossed on the freeway at this point before exasperation squeezes the little amount of oxygen left out of his chest. This is worse than Hyunjin’s terrible rom coms. He props his head onto his hand in boredom as Chan pulls over and turns off the engine. “Hey we’re here, why not wake your prince up with a kiss—”
“I’m gonna kick your ass,” you threaten. 
Now there are two distasteful tattoos at the back of your head. And you will not hesitate for a heartbeat sacrificing the entirety of your bank account to get them removed. To get Lee Minho removed from your mind.
If only it were that easy.  
“Mhmm,” the figure beside you lets out a low grunt and hugs your arm closer instinctively. His warmth seeps through the fabric of your denim jacket and sets your heart on fire. You’re ready to flick his forehead any second now to interrupt his slumber but before you could even do anything, Seo Changbin aggressively opens the door and you widen your eyes in horror. Where the fuck did he get a megaphone? And what for?
“Bitch wake up! Those drinks aren’t gonna finish themselves!”
It’d be a miracle if you ended up finding him alive by dawn. 
Tumblr media
five.
“Y/N you ass, give it back!
“No, we’ve only been here for three hours and this is your fifth cup already,” you tell her in a mildly serious tone before dumping her cup of whatever the fuck of a yellow substance that Ryujin gave her ten minutes ago into the sink. 
Yeji plops herself onto the sofa in the living room after you drag her out of the kitchen where people are making out on the marble counter. Glad to see nothing’s changed...idiots. “God, you’re such a party pooper, I shouldn’t have told you to come,” she complains in between small hiccups, alcohol tinting her cheeks beet red. 
“I’m here to save your ass and this is how you’re repaying me?” Your question didn’t come out as coherent and threatening as you imagined and every single cell inside your body is shaking for no specific reason. 
Your friend narrows her eyes down into a mere glare like a detective in those crimes shows that you spend way too much time on and you’re debating whether you should be laughing or pissing yourself. She fucking knows that you’re lying. She fucking knows the sole reason for you to be here. “Give me a break, it’s not like you’re doing anything besides staring at your boyfriend from afar,” Yeji scoffs dejectedly. 
“God forbids ‘Lee Minho’ and ‘my boyfriend’ go in the same sentence,” you grit, subconsciously averting your gaze around the living room to spot your roommate. All he’s been doing is being held back by Chan when he tried to murder Changbin once, catching up with his old friends from high school and hanging out with some of his classmates, ranting about how much he dreads Kim’s eight AM, gushing with Hyunjin over some senior’s choreography set. By the looks of it, Jisung must have handed him at least seven of those red party cups from the bar—thanks to BamBam who keeps restocking them every hour. 
Yeji chuckles creepily when the alcohol finally hits her hard, you think you just got chills by the way that she’s leaning closer. “Of course not,” she hiccups into your ear, words slurred, “Lee Minho’s not my boyfriend, he’s your boyfriend.” You look at her in the eye, and mentally regret your life choices. How insufferable. 
“I mean, seriously,” she slams her body back onto the couch and groans; you can’t tell if it’s out of frustration or the cushion is too soft for her back. “It’s like you’re living the life of the main protagonist in a Harry Styles fanfiction! Do you know how many girls and boys would kill to live in the same apartment as that?” Her index finger is pointed directly at the person you’ve been watching and avoiding all night, across the room with a dart in his hand as he stands in front of the dartboard. 
“Were you aiming for the board or were you plotting to kill me? Because I can’t tell! I-can’t-fucking-tell!” Changbin shouts over the music and you momentarily cringe at the crack in his voice; it’s never a college party without one of your friends riling each other up over the dumbest things. And also, who thinks it’s a good idea to lend an unstable Lee Minho a sharp object of any kind?
You look away as heat flares through your nostrils when Minho accidentally glances at you after laughing at some corny joke that Chan made. He’s more than mildly hammered right now, you suppose, because, well, Chan can only make people laugh when they’re exceptionally drunk. 
A stupid question then slips out of your lips. “With what?” It sounds like you only have one brain cell and are perpetually dumb. It makes you feel even dumber when there’s nothing but a can of Coke inside your body. 
“A hottie who dances, cooks, has a good sense of humor, lowkey a genius, highkey a tsundere, shares a name with a famous actor. Far more handsome than the actor himself, if I dare.” Yeji has no hesitation whatsoever naming every reason as to why people on campus shamelessly throw themselves at your roommate on a daily basis. And now your head grows ten times fuzzier, floating mundanely in the clouds above. Basically, you feel like you’re drunk—except your confidence isn’t sky high enough to do something stupid—which makes no absolute sense. 
The silver-haired girl next to you puts an arm around your neck and giggles, you’re highly perturbed that her vocal cords are gonna give in tomorrow when she convinces you through FaceTime that you should be extra careful with your notes since she won’t be showing up to class. “Oh! And he has three cats, right? Cat people are said to be more intuitive and thoughtful, that’s a bonus,” Yeji asserts and your jaw is on the floor at this rate. She doesn’t even spare him a second glance during lunch break and she already knows this much?
No wonder Minho never talked about his cats with Felix and Seungmin again.
“I bet you read that off a Buzzfeed article.” 
“Doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong!”
You inhale and exhale deeply, linking your fingers together, “Yeah, but that’s all people will ever see.”
“Well, what else can they like about him?”
“I don’t know,” you say bluntly, but the rouge on your cheeks is anything but ‘blunt’. “They don’t see how stuck-up he is, how he loves hogging the blanket all to himself, how he secretly stocks up a stash of trashy snacks. They don’t see the way his eyes sparkle when he looks into their eyes during a conversation because he’s actually a very attentive listener.”
Yeji pats your back without turning her head, slightly amused, “I think you meant how he looks into your eyes during a conversation.”
Your eyes scan the room one more time to find Minho hugging his stomach from laughing too much, there are actual tears in his eyes because Changbin just lost a bet and apparently he has to belly flop himself into the pool as a punishment. You haven’t seen him this happy in a while, even when he’s potentially dying from a really bad stomachache but it still puts your heart at ease knowing he’s having fun tonight. 
Needless to say, he always knocks the breath right out of your lungs without much effort. Even when he’s ditched the leather jacket and ripped jeans, you still think no one looks better than him in a large t-shirt and sweatpants. 
“But I don’t get it,” Yeji looks over at you this time, real carefully because your tone just grows firmer and more serious. “How can he just stand there, laugh...and look so beautiful?”
“I told you—”
“Yeah that’s exactly what I need to hear right now, Yeji,” you facepalm almost immediately, highly disappointed in yourself. 
Jisung’s getting his ten dollars on Monday when you surprise him with two slices of cheesecake from his favorite dessert place. Changbin can keep his Tesla and Chan...Chan isn’t getting anything.
You push yourself off the blue velvet couch and groan, you’re getting sore quickly because the cushions are far too soft. “Let me get some fresh air, I feel like I’m gonna to lose my mind,” you tell your friend but you doubt that she caught it since the music is all too loud for students to communicate properly. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why fistfights during parties are a thing. 
“Uhm, wait,” Yeji tugs onto your sleeve and jerks her head towards the direction of Minho. “I’m sorry but what the hell does your boyfriend want now?”
“Huh where—“
Like..three feet away. Or a whole lot closer. 
“Why didn’t you answer my texts?” And you find Minho standing in front of you with his arms crossed stubbornly, eyebrows knitted together and tinted pink cheeks. He looks a little pissed off, and you don’t think you’re both on the same page here. 
When you give him a ‘what do you mean’ look, your roommate feels the need to unlock his phone and jab his index finger against his poor crusty screen as he shows you at least fifty messages that he’s been spamming in the last half an hour. This reminds you of the yellow Post-It note that Minho violently smacked onto your fridge the very night when he first moved in. 
‘I hereby fucking declare that if we did end up going to the same party (doubt btw), we would keep our phones with us 25/8 so one can save the other’s ass from stupid decisions— lee minho’ he wrote. Minho knows all too well the only ass that needs to be saved is his. And you’ve thought about taking the note down several times but you don’t think you’d have the heart to. 
“Oh,” your head draws a blank canvas and you look for your phone in your pocket. But then, “I left my phone in Chan’s car.”
Minho rolls his eyes at you and decides that he’s too impatient to wait for Chan to sober up and remember where he left his keys. “Whatever,” he manages to crack a small smile, one that shines through the dimmed LED light on the ceiling and makes your heart stuck in your throat. “Let’s get out of here, I have something to tell you.” 
“Hey hey hey,” Yeji tries to get up from the couch but her limbs are too wobbly. “You can’t just tap out all of a sudden and steal her from me like that. Don’t even think for a minute you second rate—”
“Yeah, no, she’s mine.”
You’re downright baffled. But you’re not sure if it’s because of what he said ten seconds ago and your heart is going haywire, your brain cells are giving in on you or it’s because he’s tugging you by the wrist and piloting you through the impending chaos of sloppy college students. 
You’re not sure if you want to know. You’re not sure if you’re ready. 
Tumblr media
six.
Fall arrives sooner than you thought and it almost makes you miss summer. Though you didn’t really have anything exciting besides an internship that refrained you from living on YouTube for too long. 
The evening is oddly cold, but you’ve never had a problem with the tips of your fingers growing chilly. It’s different tonight—it’s the kind of coldness that slips through your flesh and into your bones, coming in contact with the thumping force of your heart, causing it to shiver. There’s nothing to do but keep your gaze straight forward, your feet moving on their own with the one and only goal of heading home. Clouds with the murky color of wet ashes pass by, and the ground as its dank reflection—a reminder of how humanity is ruining the planet. 
The streets are so quiet and tranquil; you’re afraid that Minho might be able to hear your heartbeat. Now you’re pointing a finger at society in accusation because it’s the weekend yet no elder couples are taking their night strolls, no middle-aged ladies in fluffy jackets are walking their spoiled teacups dogs and no wasted college students are roaming the streets with ‘trouble’ spelled out on their forehead. Really, you’d rather stare at people in a creepy way and zone out than constantly thinking about Lee Minho when he’s right beside you. 
This is terribly suffocating and you don’t think if you can keep this up in the next thirty minutes until both of you get home and melt into the comfort of your bed. 
“Sober up, Mister Celebrity, that’s too much fun for tonight.” Minho winces slightly when you press a can of cold green tea against his cheeks as he’s about to doze off on the wooden bench next to the vending machine. While he’s taking a swig, you feel a silent obligation to take a seat but your eyes are determinedly fixed on the curb. 
The bench suddenly feels far too big and the night breeze is far too cold for Minho’s liking, so he shifts his body closer, fingers brushing over yours and sending electricity down your spine. “What do you mean?” he scoffs, finding it hard to not look at you so his gaze is temporarily glued onto the can of green tea in his palms. “Tonight was nothing compared to Jisung’s birthday.” He can still feel the remaining warmth from your hands, it makes him wonder how it’d feel to actually hold them. 
“Ugh, god,” you shake your head in disbelief, internally cringing. “Don’t even remind me.”
You still don’t know what Hyunjin fed him that day to the point he couldn’t remember what happened. All hell broke loose Felix posted a video of him pretending to be a stupid ostrich and trying to do a mating dance towards Jisung on Twitter. No one dares to talk about that scarred video since. Now that he’s reminded you of it, you wish you didn’t own brain cells in the first place. This is why the internet is scary. 
“What is it that you wanted to tell me anyway?” 
Minho stops for a second at your question and places his beverage down on the bench. He stares distantly at the space ahead as if he’s fighting with himself inside his own head, seriously contemplating something. It’s come to your attention that this isn’t very like his usual self. Minho never hesitates for a second when he has something in mind. Even when he knows that you might rip his head off.
He exhales deeply, turns his head, and makes direct eye contact with you for what seems like an eternity. His eyes are as wide open and honest as a child’s, they possess something so much more the longer you stare at them. A warmth, safety. Your heart is gonna combust if he doesn’t get this over with soon. 
Then, “I think I forgot to put yeast in the batter.” Wait what?
“Minho!” you punch his arm, earning a low grunt from the blond-haired boy. “Don’t fucking scare me like that!” He’s looking at you as though your eyes are turning red with rage and smoke is coming out of your ears, scared for his own life but truthfully, you’re just relieved. Surprisingly. 
“Wait, so you’re not mad?” he asks you with a wide-eyed expression, trying way too hard to keep a straight face. “Aren’t we supposed to bring homemade bread for the get together at the nursing home tomorrow?”
“Old people still enjoy Bingo for some reason, they can have that instead of bread.” His mouth forms a small ‘o’ as he scoots closer to you and you can tell that he reeks off alcohol, which is making you a little dizzy. When your gaze falls elsewhere but Lee Minho, you attempt to appear casual, “But if you wanna bake so badly, I can still pull an all-nighter and start over with you.” That was doable, but you could have done better—should have sounded like you didn’t really care. 
Minho flings his bangs away from his face and tosses his head back, chuckling breathlessly. “Don’t you have a midterm to stress over instead of me? I don’t want you to pick out every single strand of hair on your head after baking with me.” He finally said something nice once in a while, you sorta appreciate it. “It’d be embarrassing when my parents FaceTime me and see you as bald as my great grandfather.” Nevermind, he’s still the same old jerk. 
“You don’t have to be embarrassed, you’ll be moving out in two weeks, either way, right?” Your tone sounds sad and grim all of a sudden; it really dampens the atmosphere because Minho is now looking at you with concern laced in his brown eyes. “Look, I get that it’s bothersome to be my roommate so there’s no need to feel bad. I’ll be fine going back to my old life where my feet don’t get cold in the middle of the night because no one would be there to hog the blanket anymore.”
Minho feels the need to clear things up here. “I never said anything about moving out,” he grabs you by the shoulders and hopes you could just look at him when he’s being serious for once. “Y/N, who even said anything about moving out? Was it the landlord?”
“No,“ you say, still not willing to face him directly. You’re such a coward. 
“If so, why would I move out? Did I do something wrong? Did I piss you off or something?”
You’re trying so hard not to snap at this point. “No!”
“Then why can’t you just fucking look at me?!”
“You’re still drunk, let me buy you another—“
Minho shakes you forcefully, hoping to knock some common sense into that brain of yours. “For fuck’s sake, I’m not drunk!” he cries helplessly, not caring about the fact that he’s waking up every cat possible in the neighborhood. “Just- just look at me, will you?”
You stubbornly keep your eyes anywhere but him. “Why would I look at your stupid face?”
“Don’t bullshit me, Y/N. You’re not usually like this.”
Every single cell inside your body quivers simultaneously when he says so—good god, no, he’s testing you. Minho knows something’s off. Now to think about it again, you’d rather let him dirty your carpet than being put on trial like this.
“You wanna know why I’m acting like this? It’s because of you! You’re making me nervous! It’s your fault for making me feel this way!”
“What?” he blurts, eyes blinking numerous times in disbelief. “What did I ever do to you?”
“God, Minho, you can’t possibly be this dense. Tell me, that you’ve never, not even once, seen me turning beet red when you simply look at me in the eye. Or when you’re just sitting there, laughing your ass off about something stupid. It makes my heart flutter, okay? You make my heart flutter. Do you know how much of an effect you can have on me? You don’t go around juggling with others’ feelings like that,” your voice grows smaller and smaller towards the end until there’s nothing but an oddly comfortable silene floating midair. A sense of relief washes over you; you unknowingly exhale.
Minho stares at you in awe for a moment there, until he also speaks up for himself. “Maybe you should take your own advice,” he almost snickers, and this causes you to peel your gaze away from a random bush to gawk at his response. “You’re telling me to not go around juggling with others’ feelings? If anything, you’re the one who keeps messing with my heart. What am I supposed to do? Not get drunk so that I won’t be able to get away for doing dumb things?”
“What dumb things?”
“I don’t know, kiss you?”
“Fuck, you can’t get away with it this time now, can you?”
You’re already regretting this and there’s no turning back. Because when Minho subconsciously runs his tongue over his bottom lips, you’re already fighting the rouge spreading on your cheekbones. He shortens the distance between your heads until your lips are practically a breath away from his. Impatient, you grab a fistful of his shirt to smash your lips against his. Minho stays frozen for a nanosecond, taken aback by your boldness before pulling you closer by the waist. You’re hesitant at first, but he guides you through it, telling you that it’s okay by embracing you more tightly. Dear god, Minho’s kissing you and the world just falls away. It’s slow, comforting in ways that words can never be. He slackens his jaw to deepen the kiss, smiling into it when giddiness bubbles up inside his stomach. 
The world still feels like it’s spinning when he parts away, an alcoholic taste mixed with the green tea ghosts your lips, and your face grows ten times hotter. Even in this cracked darkness, Minho sees you blush hard and is fully aware that his cheeks are mirroring yours—he doesn’t even bother to convince himself that it’s from the alcohol, because it isn’t. 
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Minho questions though his breath is still a bit shaky from the kiss. He really didn’t lie when he said that he could never stop bothering you. 
You can’t help but smile at him brightly; this causes his heartbeat to spike inside his chest. “Well, do I have to?” He shakes his head and stares down at your hands until he musters up every strand of courage left to finally intertwine them with his own. Fits like a glove. 
“Come on, let’s go home,” he tells you softly, eyes crinkling into a pretty crescent moon shape. But you stop him right there when he attempts to stand up and wordlessly lean your forehead against his. Minho understands that you simply need a moment so you both hover right there, simply melting into each other’s touch. But what you say next just makes the ignited passion inside his heart flare-up. He’s at a loss for words, utterly speechless. 
“I am home.”
“Welcome home then, Y/N,” Minho whispers.
Everything feels like a dream that you’d never want to wake up from. His hands are clasped on either side of your face, resting just below the lobes of your ears. His thumbs gently caress your cheeks so that you won’t drift away, your breaths mingling. Never before has your own name made your heart flutter. But you guess it’s only because Minho said it. You do know that it’s not an afterthought, nor out of impulse. It’s a promise, for whatever’s coming your way on this path, he’s never gonna leave you behind. And the moment he feels that thing beating inside his chest is in sync with yours, he slowly leans in again.
Albert Einstein once said you can’t blame gravity for falling in love. And you have every right to argue with him in the afterlife because you’ve confirmed that Minho is your gravity. Gravity keeps you grounded, always get a hold of you so that you won’t ever have to wander off too far away. It’s there for you but it doesn’t have to act like it cares. Minho’s kinda like that too—he picked you up every time you said you’re good walking home, he only stocked up the stash of candies to secretly feed your midnight cravings. They only differ so much where his heartbeat for you is loud, undaunted and he loves you fearlessly; nothing shall meddle with his feelings for you as long as the way your eyes light up when they meet his doesn’t change. 
Before you met Minho, you didn’t know that it was possible to just look at someone and smile for no reason. The way his lips curl up when he smiles, his sarcastic remarks, his kindhearted nature though he’s awfully good at hiding it. That’s what people do when they’re in love, they say—to fawn over the littlest things but they’re what makes you fall so hard for him. But as time passes by, you’ve learned that it’s actually quite nice to be in love with someone. Because then, you get to spend your time and effort on their happiness as well, not just your own. In exchange, that person is capable of bringing colors to your dull world, tearing down your walls, and showing you just how beautiful life can be. Surely, Minho might not stay by your side forever in this crazy game of Monopoly but you’d risk it all for him even if the sky comes crashing and the universe turns upside down. 
After all, you can’t love alone. 
765 notes · View notes
xxlovendreamsxx · 4 years ago
Text
Tomato Apocalypse
A/N: Commission for @iminnerdvana who wanted a non-massacre story! She allowed me to share with everyone else, so I hope you all enjoy!
.
.
In all of his twenty-six years, Sasuke has never—even for a second—had any doubt that his family would be unfit to care for another living being. Never since he was a moody teenager, never since he left home, never since he started wanting a family with Sakura, or since their daughter was born.
That is, until tonight.
He and Sakura had only been gone for a little over twenty minutes, fetching soba noodles, brown rice, and a few other items Sarada had requested. They were only supposed to have been gone for ten minutes, what with how close the grocery store was to Mother and Father’s house, but Sasuke found that ever since he married Sakura, such was usually never the case; his wife was a window-shopper at heart, and liked to stroll down every grocery store alley regardless of what they came for.
Sasuke was sure that everything would be fine. His daughter was more behaved than he had ever been at that age, and his parents had still raised both him and Itachi into fine young men. There was no reason to worry.
Which is why it comes to him as such a shock when he and Sakura step back inside his parents’ home with two handfuls of grocery bags that night, greeted by none other than their precious daughter barreling into his waist with loud sobs. The sight alerts him instantly, and he starts sensing his surroundings for any danger, fearing that the worst has happened. He doesn’t feel anything out of sorts; Mother, Father and Itachi’s chakras are all calm and undisturbed.
“Sarada? What’s going on? Why are you so upset?” he asks, immediately kneeling down to pick his little peanut up and hug her safely. Sarada merely wraps her arms around him and cries harder, which worries even his wife judging by the look on her face.
They abandon their bags and decide to seek out answers first, heading to the kitchen towards Mother and Itachi. His shoulders relax as he finds them chatting and smiling, prepping vegetables together, but he also finds his anger rising even more. Why is no one attending to Sarada when she is obviously incredibly upset?
“Why is Sarada crying?” his wife asks them, before he can. It was probably for the best that she did. In the state that he’s in right now, Sasuke’s pretty sure he would have snapped at them—and Mother wouldn’t have liked that at all.
But he’s not quite sure he would have minded that, now, after seeing the way Mother smiles and shrugs like this is all no big deal. Sarada is crying and terribly upset. This is a big deal.
Itachi starts to crack up, and Sasuke scowls. Whatever he is finding funny in this situation, Sasuke isn’t seeing it at all.
There is nothing funny about Sarada being this upset, he thinks with gritted teeth, pulling his crying daughter closer and rubbing her back. He kisses the side of her head.
Mother sees the look on his face, and she sighs dramatically. “Oh, Sasuke, lighten up. She overreacted a little, that’s all. We were making dinner, and she was helping us—well, you know, ‘helping’ us,” —she uses quotation marks, here, to emphasize that his daughter had no doubt only hung around them and chatted her little heart out, because she was too young to truly do anything yet— “while we were prepping everything. But then when she noticed Itachi adding tomatoes in the frying pan, she got very upset.” She rolls her shoulders into one of her rare shrugs, going back to the chopping of her green onions. “She ran off before we could explain to her that this was only our dinner, and that she didn’t have to have any of it because we were making a special-no-tomato version just for her.”
“You are?” Sarada blubbers, wiping her very wet, very red eyes to look at her grandmother. 
The latter grins at her in return, and abandons her work to lovingly pinch her cheek and pepper kisses all over her face. “Of course we are. We didn’t forget about you. In fact, we love you so much that you’re getting a special dinner all to yourself. And your uncle Itachi and I were just talking about making you your favorite dessert, too. Doesn’t that sound nice?”
“Yes…” Sarada whimpers, rubbing her wet cheeks dry, though tears continue to roll. 
But when Itachi holds his arms out, inviting her to go with him instead, Sarada turns her face away and into Sasuke’s neck once more.
“Ouch, that hurt my heart a little. Are you still upset at your favorite uncle, Sarada? I’m sorry if I didn’t tell you first about the tomatoes.”
“Want to stay with Papa…” she sniffles, hugging him tightly.
Rubbing her back still, Sasuke hugs her back, and murmurs soothing words.
“I don’t understand why she would be so upset about you adding tomatoes,” Sakura whispers, no doubt so their daughter wouldn’t overhear. “She never cries about it when we’re at home. Maybe she’s tired?”
“Well, honestly, she wasn’t crying when she ran off,” Mother admits, sighing. “She went to see Fugaku in the living room, and five minutes later, well…”
Sasuke stiffens, and he just about growls. “Father made her cry?” he snaps, quieting his voice as his rising anger seems to upset Sarada again. “Where is he?” he hisses.
Itachi takes his turn to sigh, now; Sasuke hates it, because it sounds downright patronizing. “Sasuke, she’s a child. Children get upset every now and then. I’m sure Father wasn’t being a monster.”
And it is downright patronizing. He grits his teeth. “Where. Is. He? I want to talk to him.”
Mother makes an exasperated noise, and she props a hand on her hip, her dark eyes narrowed admonishingly at him. It still builds a swirl of anxiety in Sasuke’s stomach even now, but this is his daughter who’s crying, and his daughter that no one is taking seriously, and he can’t let his mother step down from the importance of this matter. 
“Sasuke, is that really necessary?” Mother asks, shaking her head. “Honestly, I’m sure this was all a big misunderstanding. You know how much your father loves Sarada.”
“Then he won’t mind clearing it all up to me, will he?” Sasuke snarls, because he is getting tired of Sarada’s feelings being trivialized, and being brushed off merely because she’s a child.
His father is not a cruel man, but he can be callous and cold without realizing, Sasuke remembers. And he won’t tolerate him playing the same mind tricks on his own granddaughter. 
Mother and Itachi both protest when he starts trudging away, and even Sakura says something along the lines of, “Sasuke-kun, darling, wait just a minute—” but Sasuke doesn’t listen. He can’t. He stalks angrily around his old home with purpose instead, Sarada hiccuping in his neck still and holding onto him for dear life, which Sasuke isn’t surprised to find isn’t any better than her sobbing. It hurts just the same to listen to.
Father will pay for hurting her.
When he gets to the living room a minute later, Father is sitting on the couch, rubbing a tired hand over his face while he watches the news. Whether that’s because he is truly tired, or feels guilty for hurting Sarada’s feelings, Sasuke doesn’t know—but he does truly hope for the latter, for his father’s sake.
Father looks up, and genuine surprise crosses his features. This doesn’t catch Sasuke off guard; his father’s hearing hasn’t been great ever since a bomb accidentally went off at his police district after it had been presumed harmless due to malfunction. 
(luckily, no one had been hurt.)
Father blinks. “Sasuke? When did you and Sakura get back? I didn’t hear the door—”
“What the hell did you do to Sarada?” Sasuke demands, his tone as icy and threatening as his dagger-glaring eyes. He knows he’s being rude and disrespectful, but he’s too pissed and worried about his daughter to care.
His father startles, but it isn’t long before his lips thin out and his gaze narrows with contained fury. His jaw cinches, and he grits out, “Mind your tone, boy. Your mother and I taught you better than that, and I’ll be damned if—”
“What the fuck did you do to her!” Sasuke yells, which triggers some outraged cries from the kitchen that he ignores, only listening to the way Sarada starts to cry again. He kisses her head and holds her tighter, unable to manage gentle soothing sounds. She only begins to calm when he rubs her back and bounces her a little, though Sasuke is far too focused on the way his father recoils and doubles down with twice the anger to think about doing anything else to pacify her.
But after a few silent seconds boiling with unspoken rage, Father does the unexpected, and forces his fists to unclench at his side. He sighs heavily as he does, as though he thinks that somehow, not fighting makes him the better man.
Or maybe he just doesn’t want to upset Sarada any further, he realizes, as his father’s eyes flicker to his daughter, who is sniffing miserably in his arms.
Sasuke’s anger softens, but not much. He still glares angrily at the man before him, because even if he is right, and his father is sorry, he still shouldn’t have hurt Sarada in the first place.
Father shakes his head, and rubs the back of his neck. “Sasuke… I promise you, I didn’t do or say anything mean to her. I know I wasn’t always the warmest father to you, but I’m trying my hardest to never be anything but warm with Sarada. When she ran over to me, she was half-crying already. She tripped over the carpet and fell down—bumped her forehead in the process. When I came over to help, she started crying on the floor. I started soothing her—and it was working.” He pauses for a few breaths. His throat bobs with a swallow. “Until I forgot that she hated tomatoes, that is.”
A wave of confusion hits Sasuke, wariness replacing some of the fury on his features. A little voice in the back of his mind, which he half-thinks is Sakura’s fault that it’s there as it is often resonating her opinions, scolds him that he should have waited lest he just have overreacted and caused disrespect to his parents for no real reason.
He mulls his lips, and asks with some hesitation, “You… offered her a tomato?”
Father’s lip twitches at a corner, so briefly and faintly Sasuke might have missed it if he blinked. His face remains neutral, but Sasuke can see the glimmers of amusement swimming in his eyes. His father crosses his arms over his chest, huffing. “Close. She had a big red bump on her forehead. I teased that now she had a big tomato there. I thought it would make her smile.” He shakes his head like he’s silently scolding himself and wishing he could turn back time. “It wasn’t until she started bawling and ran off again that I realized I should have picked another red fruit to compare her forehead to.”
Just like that, Sasuke’s anger fades and bleeds into a whirlwind of guilt; it seeps into his stomach, and climbs all the way around his heart. Fuck. He had overreacted. Mother was not going to be happy with him. Or Sakura.
Though in his defense, he had been acting solely for the way he thought his daughter was being mistreated, so maybe that would soften their scowls a bit.
Hopefully.
The thoughts must show on his face, because Father’s features twist with even more amusement as he watches him, so Sasuke looks away and turns his attention towards his daughter instead. Sarada is sniffling into his neck, even now, but she doesn’t seem as sad as she has been since he’d arrived, so there’s some relief in that.
He kisses the top of her head to reassure her, then gently tugs her away and whispers inquisitively if he can take a look at her. Sarada doesn’t put up any complaints, so he takes that as a yes and brushes her damp bangs out of her red face. Her eyes are puffy, wet and glimmering still with tears, and even though she looks more tired now than she does sad, it still breaks his heart into a million pieces.
At least the presence of the big red bump on her forehead that indeed exists is distracting enough that he doesn’t have to think about that, much.
He can’t believe he hadn’t noticed it until now. But he supposes she was hiding her face in his neck for most of the time since he’d arrived from the grocery store, so maybe it isn’t so unbelievable that he didn’t.
His daughter rubs her forehead, eyes growing a little mistier, and she looks at him like it’s the end of the world and like nothing could ever be possibly worse. “Oji-chan said I have a tomato on my forehead…” she whimpers, scrubbing her eye as she often does when she’s exhausted. She sniffles, tears spilling over her cheeks again as she hiccups and fights back sobs. “And uncle ‘tachi and Baba were putting tomatoes in dinner… I hate tomatoes, Papa…” Her last words crack, and her breaths break into little gasps as she buries herself in his neck again and starts crying, which Sasuke doesn’t fight.
He shushes her sweetly and starts rubbing her back while murmuring reassuring words and loving encouragements, letting her snivel and weep against him freely. The more she does, the more she’ll tire herself out, and Sasuke believes a good long nap will do her some good.
When she quiets and is back to her miserable sniffles, Sarada asks him, “Do you think Mama can make the tomato go away, Papa?”
Sasuke’s lips twitch, but he somehow manages to hide his smile. Father struggles as well, it seems, and the guilt Sasuke has over disrespecting him grows twice-fold. Father loves Sarada more than anything in the world, just as he and Sakura do. He wants to be a better grandfather to her than he was a father to him.
Sasuke’s eyes lessen with apology, but he focuses on Sarada for now and pulls her back to give her one of his rare smiles—the ones he solely reserves for her. He brushes her cute bangs away from her soft, round face.
Instead of answering, Sasuke leans in and lays the fondest, lingering kiss on her forehead; not in the middle, but exactly over her big red bump that’s causing her so much distress.
Sarada winces. 
“There,” he murmurs, kissing her nose. “No more tomato on your forehead. Papa ate it.”
His daughter gasps. “Really?” She tries to touch her bump to check it, but Sasuke grasps her hand, peppering sweet kisses all over her hand.
He smiles. “Really.”
She launches her arms around him and hugs him tight, muffling into his neck, “Thank you… I love you, Papa.”
“I love you too, Sarada.” He rubs her back and gives her a pat. “You understand now that sometimes if you see us adding tomatoes, it isn’t because we forgot you?” Sarada pulls away from him, and she nods. Sasuke nods back. “Baba and Itachi were hurt earlier when you ran off. But they’re even making your favorite dessert anyway, tonight. Go apologize to them.”
“Yes. Okay, Papa. I’m sorry,” she whispers, and he kisses her nose before he lets her down, satisfied.
Sarada wipes the tears from her face one last time, and she smiles up at him even in her tired state. The sight lifts Sasuke’s heart by miles.
But just as she looks like she’s about to run back off towards the kitchen, she hesitates. She turns around, and swiftly tackles her grandpa’s legs into a tight hug. “I’m sorry, Oji-chan. I hope you weren’t sad. I love you.”
Father seems a little stunned, but it isn’t long until he picks her up to fully return her embrace, pressing a kiss to her cheek. He murmurs something in her ear, and Sarada pulls back with a wide smile and a giggle, nudging his nose with hers in an eskimo kiss. Father grins and peppers a few last kisses over her face, then let’s her down. 
There is nothing but happiness and smiles on Sarada’s face as she pats hurriedly towards the kitchen, traces of her sorrow now all but nearly gone, save for her puffy, red eyes. Mother will likely have some kind of magic home remedy for them.
When they are left alone, Father crosses his arms over his chest, and his face slips back into his usual apathy. Sasuke knows he has to apologize, and that his father is expecting it, but the words won’t leave his throat when the prideful part of him screams that he was only defending his daughter.
He opens his mouth and tries, anyway, but nothing comes out. He tries once more, and then again a third time, all with the same results.
He expects his father to admonish him and his lack of respect, but instead, what he gets is totally unexpected. His father cracks up, and slips a hand over his mouth to hide his smile. A smile Sasuke doesn’t think he’s ever seen directed at him since he was a very young child.
His mouth hangs rudely, too stunned to remember his manners.
“You’ve really inherited the worst parts of me. I wish I could lecture you about your complete lack of respect and your damn stubborn pride that won’t even let you apologize, but I don’t know how to begin doing that without feeling like a complete hypocrite.” His father’s features soften back to something more neutral and unreadable, but he still shakes his head and huffs, amused. “I’m sorry I taught you pride came before humility, Sasuke. And I’m sorry I never apologized to you when I was wrong. I should have.”
“Yes. You should have,” Sasuke finds himself admitting, and his gaze drops in panic. He runs a hand through his hair and looks in the direction of the kitchen with a sense of dread, crossing his arms, too. “I’m not sorry for being angry with you when I thought you mistreated Sarada.” He pauses, just for a breath. “But I am sorry that I jumped to conclusions so fast.”
“Your mother will make sure you won’t be doing it again,” Father says, an odd tone to his voice.
Sasuke looks back to find him smirking. He can’t blame him.
Looking back to the hall leading to his next dreaded destination, Sasuke’s shoulders drop. “Yeah. Sakura will, too,” he mutters.
He’s not sure who will kill him first.
.
.
A/N: Commission slots are still open! More about my conditions and rates here. 
149 notes · View notes