#I don't think they'd like. date? each other? but they are so committed to each other

[diabeticgirl4]

Yknow all throughout exu I was trying to figure the boys out, bc it def felt like there was a Thing between dariax and dorian, except orym felt like he fit in there somehow but I couldn't quite pin down how. Now in the main campaign the amount of times liam has absolutely Stressed how important dorian was to orym;; oh boy he's gonna be so heartbroken when dorian leaves isn't he

[wordsinhaled]

Have some Edwin & Charles making out because it's what they deserve. Thanks @shaylogic for prompting this :)

---

So, Edwin and Charles start courting, right? Because Charles is like, I've got to do this the right way! Edwin deserves to be courted! And of course, that involves, like, slowly progressing their relationship. They start going on dates, which are lovely. Charles brings Edwin flowers, and Edwin wears one on his lapel and hums to himself while shelving books in the office. They're not trying to rush, because there's no need. They have all the time in the world. And they're committed to the process! So they go out on their date of the week, and then they walk home arm in arm, and they have a bit of a kiss in the office doorway, all prim—never mind that after a few weeks, letting go of each other becomes an exercise in clinging and lingering, in a series of drawn-out, 'until next time' kisses, Don't go, not yet, wait, let me just... It grows harder and harder for them to cut things off at what Edwin would call a reasonable point and Charles might call halfway respectable: their hands start to wander; they get wrapped up in each other. On one memorable evening, matters progress from just inside the office door to up against the wall next to the office door until they tear away from one another jerkily like reluctant magnets, breathless and laughing, and slowly straighten themselves out, flushed and flustered, smoothing wrinkled clothes, flattening errant hair, touching idly for as long as they can justify... Charles doesn't think he's ever wanted anyone or anything this much. The way it feels to have Edwin like this, to be learning him like this, is swiftly becoming something he can't do without. He straightens Edwin's bow tie for him with trembling fingers, the last bit of evidence of what they'd just been doing slotting back into neatness, and Edwin finds himself holding his unnecessary breath all the while. Eventually another night finds Charles walking Edwin backwards until the backs of Edwin's thighs hit the desk and Charles pushes him to perch on it. He's sucking on Edwin's tongue, Edwin making these delicious, needy noises into his mouth and plucking at Charles' suspenders. Charles gets his hands under Edwin's suit jacket, pushing it down his arms, and Edwin shimmies to help, and the garment gets flung rather unceremoniously somewhere, neither of them much care where... And then Charles is staring at Edwin in his shirtsleeves and slipover, rosy-cheeked in the low warm light, his tie hopelessly askew, his hair in disarray from Charles' efforts, and—hold up a tick, he's got to— "Wait." Charles drops his forehead to Edwin's shoulder, panting into the space between them. "Wait—wait, I wanna—Edwin, I wanna do this right—" "Charles, you are doing this very right." Edwin sounds... god, he sounds bloody good. Like Charles has unraveled some of the tension in him, or something, with all the kissing and the reckless touching. He sounds happy, giddy even, and relaxed, and more than a little impatient, as if he wants Charles to get back to kissing him, the sooner the better. And Edwin hasn't let go of him, hasn't removed his hands from Charles' hips where they feel like twin brands, Edwin's long, pretty fingers unmoving just beneath the hem of Charles' polo shirt where they had started to journey before Charles halted them... "You know what I mean." Charles huffs. He uncurls himself so he can look at Edwin plaintively, through the fog of want that's still scattering him all over, and he thinks it's unfair that Edwin's so distractingly beautiful. "Wanna make you feel proper special, don't I? Not like some girl I chatted up 'cos I wanna get up your skirt—" "Oh, you don't?" Edwin asks dryly, and Charles can't help snorting a laugh. "Well," he says, "can't say I don't, at that..."

[madlori]

Sometimes the delulu IS the solulu.

After some thought, and reading a lot of really insightful thoughts here and on Discord, I think I've reached a conclusion.

I'm going full tinhat. Not in an unhinged way, though.

I don't think this is the end.

I'm not going to count on it. I'm barely going to hope for it. But I am going to...keep an eye out for it.

The one common refrain we've heard from each other is that this did not feel like a permanent breakup. It felt so obviously and blatantly like a setup for Buck to fight for the relationship. It was that "one partner freaks out a bit and the other has to show their commitment" relationship hurdle which is so common it's a trope. In fact, most of us assumed that's just what it was...until those interviews

Now, I do not put Tim Minear up on some kind of pedestal of writerly greatness - far from it. And he did not write this episode, but the plotlines all go through him.

BUT.

He has always been very attached to Tommy as a character and to this relationship. He loves it. He loved red string theory so much that he wrote it into this episode. And I'm about halfway convinced he's in love with Lou but that's beside the point. (I mean, we get it, Tim.)

Tommy's what he always said he wanted to get for Buck. Firefighter, integrated into the 118, yadda yadda, we've been over this a lot. Someone he chooses, someone he works to build something with. Someone who shows up for him. He had Buck SAY in this episode that he'd never felt like this since Abby.

The thread of Tommy wanting a found family like Buck's. The intense settled/caregiving vibe of 8x05. It all felt so...purposeful. And yes, I agree that this could have been done just to punch up the angst for Buck when it ends. But that's not the only explanation.

The many, many comments of wanting to move Buck along in his personal life. Oliver wanting to do settled, domestic storylines with him. Giving Tommy the big hero romcom entrance in that hospital.

And what now? Cycle Buck through another love interest? It's hard to imagine recapturing what he had with Tommy with anybody else, or for the GA to embrace it as much as they did. What little we can see of the GA reaction (because the official socials are weirdly quiet and have not posted) is that they're not happy about this. Tim knows this.

I can buy Tim making some dumb writing decisions but he's not stupid. I find it very hard to swallow that he'd voluntarily toss away all this, and this potential, and what they'd already established, and a pairing/character/actor he loves, for what? For nothing.

So I think that it's not for nothing.

I think the plan IS to reunite them...

...they just don't know when, or how.

For some reason he wants to give it a break for awhile. I don't know why. There could be off-camera reasons. But I think it happened recently. Two weeks ago we got interviews talking about hurdles being overcome, relationships deepening, etc etc. It's a great episode for them, came out of Oliver's mouth. Not important, not consequential - great. And hey, what happened to that very important Bobby conversation where he gave Buck important advice? It wasn't there.

I think a change was made in the last two weeks. And yes, I know the loft stills were dated 9/17.

Two weeks is plenty of time to reshoot one scene, between when those interviews came out and last night. The stills could be from the first time it was shot, in September. Put the guys in the same wardrobe, we'd never know the difference, or that those stills weren't from the scene we actually saw.

OR

The scene was always the one we saw, but was always meant to be temporary, and the change was in how they talked about it in the interviews from last night. That is a simpler explanation, as it doesn't involve reshoots, but it doesn't explain those very incongruous interviews we got two weeks ago that do not match the scene we saw. Now, they have always vagued it up, and talked around things in interviews, but this was an entirely new level of misdirection and outright lying that isn't typical.

I'm really tinhatting it up now, but hey, what have I got to lose? I'm not investing anything in this. It's just...a thought.

If you think the network interfered (I don't, at least not for plot-related reasons, see below) or Oliver demanded the relationship be cut (I don't - I know lots of you are mad at him but I'm not), whatever it was...I just get a vibe. It could be as simple as money. It could be a ratings thing. Honestly? It could be that they've found out they're getting cancelled, and were ordered to cut bait on guest stars. They could be kicking the can down the road to goose ratings for spring when they do bring it back. There are lots of reasons I can think of and probably more that I can't.

I read a thoughtful and reasonable post about how it was more or less a mercy killing to post those interviews - most showrunners like to keep viewers guessing and coming back, so for them to say definitely BT was dead meant it's really, really dead (although how definitive they actually were is another question).

They might be right about that. I don't know.

Or they just might not know themselves. Even if the plan IS to reunite them eventually - if they don't have a plan for how or when, the safest course is to shut it down. No guarantees they can make it work, so play it safe. Oliver and Lou might not be looped in on this.

It's pretty thin. They probably would be, although we have ample evidence of actors not knowing stuff until the last minute. The other option is that they are looped in and are intentionally lying but I think that's very unlikely - although Lou has demonstrated a keen skill in keeping his mouth shut when necessary.

I'm not going to get nuts about this and neither should anybody else. I'm not going to be scouring socials or the internet looking for support or clues. I'm not going to be holding my breath waiting for a sign.

The only thing I'll keep an eye on is how they handle any flirtation or dating Buck does in the near future. How they handle it might be telling.

This is ALL very unlikely, let's be real.

I'm still tinhatting, though. Why not? What have we got to lose?

But if I'm right, I expect that red dodgeball in my inbox toot sweet.

(And Buddie still isn't going canon, btw.)

[shinelikethunder]

i don't actually think teenage Dean Winchester would be spurned-lover-style jealous of teenage Sam's girlfriends i think based on his s1 behavior that it's far more likely he went "HELL YEAH my little brother is DATING he is going to SLAY at this and i'll make sure of it," unilaterally appointed himself Sam's wingman, had to be beaten back with a stick from micromanaging his brother's love life, and probably lovingly fantasized about all the hot chicks Sam was gonna hook up with and all the things they'd get up to because let's face it, who wouldn't fall head over heels for the guy? (speculation about kissing practice, which of course Would Not Count as anything except making sure the little nerd did their family proud, is left as an exercise to readers who are so inclined.)

also probably the closest thing to a jealous shitfit he pulled involved one (1) time Sam ditched a hunt to be there for his then-girlfriend's Important Life Event, and it'd be like 40% loudly-expressed "he should be putting his FAMILY first" and 60% ferociously-suppressed "we don't get to just DO that! if i've accepted only ever being able to date super casually for a few weeks at a time before we blow town then where the fuck does he get off thinking he can just PRIORITIZE this COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP BEHAVIOR bullshit. that i tooootally don't want or care about anyway. because it's for SISSY NORMIE LOSERS, not a tight-knit clan of ULTRA-COOL SECRET MONSTER HUNTERS like us"

like i think Dean did accept much more readily, long before he could even realize the ramifications of what he was accepting, that the way they lived meant the Winchesters' only long-term relationship option was "rampant emotional incest that we don't have to acknowledge as long as we all only bang girls," but he also canonically had all kinds of festering resentment about missing out, and was aware on some level that their lives required the sacrifice of a lot of things he secretly longed for (and made a lot of noise about devaluing in favor of What's More Important)

and the toxic cocktail of that + envy of Sam's ability to just go "nah fuck expectations i want something else" + boundary-challenged investment/enabling/policing of each other's heterosexual exploits as a bulwark between their family dynamics and The Unspeakable + freakout over the early warning signs of a difference in values on family loyalty + inchoate terror of losing him to the outside world one day + unthinking idolization and projection along the lines of "well of course this girlfriend would take him away from us and wrap her entire life around his if she could, i mean, have you met him? who wouldn't want that? this is WHY we have to keep it casual and not get girls' expectations up"...

...the entire dynamic of Dean being Sam's number one hookup cheerleader but also perceiving signs of romance/commitment as a threat... s1 Dean trying to have a hand in pushing him towards actual romantic prospects anyway, because he's worried about Sam grief-spiraling and has reluctantly accepted that the rupture in the family is about things Sam genuinely wants, even as Sam's grief is already driving him to the conclusion that they aren't worth the cost and meanwhile the brothers have spent all season bonding even closer and more claustrophobically as adults...

well, i think all that is way more interesting, and in many ways even more fucked-up, than applying bog-standard jealous boyfriend tropes to the absolute mess of their upbringing

[lixzey]

the name of the game

Sirius Orion Black has, for the first time in history, lost.

Sirius was known to be a bit of a daredevil, always betting with his friends for things he knew he could do no matter what. However, he had just suffered his first ever loss in a bet. He agreed to a bet against James, that he could get five detentions within a week. He was sure it would be easy, and that he would win. But when the end of the week came, he had only gotten four detentions. James had won the bet, and Sirius couldn't believe it.

Now, because of the terms of the bet, he had to do whatever James wanted him to do.

One would think that since they were best friends, it would be easy and all that, but it wasn't.

Yes, Sirius Black and James Potter were the best of mates, but that doesn't mean they'd go easy on one another. Others would think it's pathetic, but Sirius and James enjoy making their lives a little bit harder. But above all, they have been through all the good and bad together—well, mostly the bad.

Sirius knew James like the back of his hand. It was James' first time winning a bet; naturally, he'd take his time picking a dare for Sirius. The possibilities were endless, and knowing his friend, it was bound to be either humiliating or disgusting—like how Sirius always dared James.

“I know what to do with you.” James smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Sirius rolled his eyes. “Let's get this done and over with.”

“For the love of Merlin, don't make Sirius show his arse in the Great Hall, James.” Peter groaned from beside Sirius, leaning over the wall behind him.

"Oh, I won't, Pete.” James grinned, turning to face Sirius. “I dare you to go on a date with someone.”

Sirius cocked an eyebrow at him, a smug smile gracing his lips. James wanted him to date someone. It was too easy! Here he was thinking that James would dare him to punch Snape or any other Slytherin, for that matter. Sirius has no problem getting a girl. It was too bloody easy. All he had to do was smile, and a girl would be on her knees, begging for him.

As if reading Sirius' mind, James smirked. “Oh, I'm not done yet, Pads.”

Sirius rolled his eyes. “Go on then, Prongsie.”

“I dare you to go on a date with someone,” James repeated. “And you have to ask her to be your girlfriend.”

Sirius nearly choked on his own saliva. James wanted him to go on a date with someone and ask her to be his girlfriend. What kind of sick joke was that? Sirius has never asked anyone to be his girlfriend in all of his eighteen years of existence. He'd hook up with girls and forget about it the next morning. Sirius Black never commits, even if it's only for a dare.

“I'm not doing that, James.” Sirius crossed his arms over his chest.

“You have to!” James said indignantly. “I did everything you wanted each time I lost a bet!”

Sirius thought back to the last thing he had James do when he lost against him. Sirius had told James to ask Lily Evans out in the most exaggerated way possible. He made James sing and dance in front of everyone in the Great Hall. It was hilarious seeing James proclaim his love for Lily Evans wearing dress robes only to get hit in the head by a dictionary-sized book.

Remus sighed and shook his head. “It's a terrible idea, James.”

“Oh, please, Moony. I deserve this! Padfoot always wins, and this may be the first and last time I get to win and dare him to do shit.”

Remus raised a brow at James. “You want to drag an innocent girl into this just because Sirius always wins?”

“Don't be such a buzzkill, Moony.” James rolled his eyes, playfully shoving Remus to the side. “So what do you say, Padfoot? You game?”

“I'm in,” Sirius said without thinking. “It's not that hard; I mean, how bad could it be?”

James' grin widened. “Glad to hear it, my good friend.” James then started to elaborate on his dare.

1. Sirius has to court a girl of James' choosing.

2. Date her for a year, and when she's completely head over heels for him,

3. He has to break her heart and tell her it was all an act, all part of a dare.

“I bet you can't do this, Pads,” James teased, wrapping his arm around Sirius.

Sirius scoffed. “I can and I will do this. You're on, Potter.”

James and Sirius shook hands, marking the start of the dare. Remus sighed in annoyance, while Peter had no choice but to support Sirius. Unlike the past bets the Marauders made, this was a secret; no one else could know about it.

“So, which girl is Sirius going to date?” Peter asked. James' eyes scanned around the courtyard, choosing between the girls scattered around.

“Her.” James declared after a while, pointing to a girl clad in gryffindor robes who sat alone by the large fountain. She had long (y/h/c) hair that fell over her shoulders in soft waves and bright (y/e/c) eyes that were glued to the book in her hands.

Sirius stared at the girl, confused. “Who is she? I don't know her.”

James snorted. “She's in our year, you dolt.”

“You were far too busy flirting with every other girl here at Hogwarts to even notice her.” Peter shrugged.

“Honestly, Sirius. You've spent nearly seven years at this bloody castle.” James tutted mockingly.

Sirius continued to stare at the girl. How come he has never seen her before? She was in the same house as him, and yet he never noticed her.

Of course you don't know her, a voice in the back of Sirius' head whispered. You hardly notice anyone who's not worthy of your attention.

“Who is she, then?”

“That's Y/N L/N.” Remus said matter-of-factly. “I've sat with her once in Arithmancy.”

“She's perfect!” James exclaimed. “You two can get to know each other.” he teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

Sirius rolled his eyes before breaking into a mischievous grin. “Game on.”

“You'll start tomorrow, Pads.” James said, patting him on the back. “You have until graduation.”

Sirius smirked confidently. “This is going to be fun.” This was going to be a piece of cake. He won't need a whole year to make Y/N L/N fall in love with him.

“Give me a week, and Y/N L/N will be mine. Mark my words.’’

Remus rolled his eyes, sighing in defeat. This was a bad idea, and he knew it would backfire in the worst way possible. But Sirius was too stubborn to listen. This was only the start of another one of Sirius' stupidity, and knowing Sirius, there would be more to follow.

@helens3amstuff @gatoenlaciudad @thebetawolfgirl @lovemelikecrazyiloveyoucrazy @tchalamss @lilmaymayy @ashlynnmalfoy @crazycat-ladys-blog @michakune @mxltifxnd0m @spencerr3idd @dangelnleif @sthkate @ferrjulie @imnotoverlyobsessive @mel-vaz @elsagreeer @lovely-maryj @meowmeowmau @bobthe-turmpetman29 @saintcosette

[lanawinterscigarettes]

What about smth for JD (heathers) with an s/o who's equally as possessive and protective over him, maybe even more so?

I fucking love it when the reader perfectly matches the characters energy omg

Jason Dean with an s/o who's just as possessive/protective as he is

Warnings: gender neutral reader, both the reader and JD are possessive and protective to an unhealthy extent, JD and the reader are a match made in hell (which means they're naturally perfect for each other), codependent relationship to the max here, swearing, dark humor, mentions of murder/death, mentions of gun use, some smutty/nsfw stuff

As much as JD likes to mess with you, he actually does appreciate just how much you seem to love and care for him. Far too often has he been in relationships where it seemed as though he was the only one who was putting in any effort that he eventually began to lose hope he'd one day find someone who loved and worshipped him as much as he does for them

Then you showed up, and everything in his life seemed to get ten times better. He actually started attending school more often just so he can see you, especially if he knows you won't skip

However- that doesn't mean that he won't push your buttons, because he absolutely will. Believe me when I say that he's going to have at least a little fun at your expense

He'd never actually cheat, as he's way too clingy for that (unless he got really pissed off and wanted to teach you a lesson or something, but even then he'd probably end up killing the person afterwards) but he does find it amusing to see your reaction to him flirting with other people

It doesn't even have to be anyone he actually likes, in fact, he purposely goes out of his way to flirt with people he hates and actively talks shit about in front of you because he knows how mad you'll get. He's an asshole, what can I say

The look of silent rage that appears on your face whenever you see him walk up to any random guy or girl gets him chuckling everytime. He'll stay over there and flatter said random person until you storm over and drag him away from the conversation

Don't think that just because he flirts with other people that you can, that'd be crazy. How dare you talk to anyone other than him? What do you have, a death wish or something? (You flirt with other people anyway because he's not the boss of you and you can do what you want)

It's all in good fun though, because neither one of you would ever let anyone else lay their hands on the other, whether that be in a violent or sexual manner (or both). In fact, you guys even joke that if one of you ended up cheating on the other all three people involved would die, because there's no way the cheater or the person they'd cheated with would be allowed to live and the other couldn't live knowing their beloved was gone (it's actually not that much of a joke, but since you guys are so attached to each other that would probably never happen)

Speaking of committing murders, you guys do! All the time! :D (I don't know why I'm saying this like it's a good thing lol) Anytime someone does something to piss either one of you off, the two of you turn it into a date where you both kill the person, frame it as a suicide, then go back to your house for sex while the adrenaline is still pumping fast through your veins

Jealousy sex/make-up sex happens fairly often, by the way. You two may love each other, but because your personalities are so similar they're bound to end up clashing at some point, which leads to explosive arguments that typically end in "hate sex" (it's not really hate sex since you guys still love each other but given how much you both curse each other out and literally say "I hate you" during it I guess it could qualify)

Neither one of you really have any friends, not that you'd need them when you have each other. In fact, the only time you ever hang out with anyone else is when you're purposely trying to get JD riled up, and vice versa

I know he acts pretty aloof but I like to think that deep down he's actually really flattered to have someone who's crazy over him the same way he is over you. To someone as clingy and obsessed as him, it's almost like the highest honor, y'know?

End notes: I'm finally working on old asks yippeee

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[twopoppies]

In my opinion, I really doubt that they haven't gotten married - even just a small ceremony (maybe just family). Whether it happened September 28th or not, they both - especially harry - just seem like the type to not want to wait. Those videos from the 1d days when Harry would fiddle with his rings and smile when interviewers talked about marriage makes me think that maybe it did happen around then, but definitely not like 2011 when people would show that video of Louis replying to a fan about already being engaged to harry (I view that as a joke). They definitely knew they were it for each other since the beginning, but they might have wanted to wait because it might complicate things even more than things already were. In my head I hope they did when Jay, Fizzy, and Robin were still around to be there, but regardless of the timeline, looking at their lyrics, how they talk about love in interviews (harry talking about feeling like a team once you have been together so long, and louis calling his partner his "other half"), there is no way they aren't married.

I always hoped they'd done something while the three of them were alive, as well. Maybe it was just some informal commitment ceremony because I don't think they were married as of 2017.

For years, I assumed they weren't married because marriage records are public documents. But this morning I was talking to @apparentlybychance about it and looked this fact up, and apparently (correct me if I'm wrong), in France, marriage documents are kept private for 75 years. In Italy, they're public, but you have to know the date and the city where it was performed and request a copy from there.

So... who knows? Maybe they've gotten married in France. Or Italy. LOL! It's fun to consider.

[shepherds-of-haven]

How would each RO's fan base react if MC dates their idols? And what would MC's fan base think if they date some RO? 😅

Blade's fanbase: I think reactions from his fanbase are mixed, ranging from either envious and salty (like "nooo I was supposed to be the special one who unlocked his ice-cold heart, this isn't fair!!") to resigned acceptance because the special treatment was obvious to anyone watching closely enough, so it's not exactly a surprise

Trouble: completely non-surprise, it was sooo obvious for so long, they'd most likely "adopt" MC as part of their fandom and ship/worship them from afar as a couple... except for Rovyn, if you've read Trouble's latest day off 😭

Tallys: I think it would mostly be mystification, like "HUHHHH since when were they interested in each other?? what made Tallys break down her walls and go after MC, who's not even another Elf??" I think they'd be more rabid for details and consumed with curiosity than anything!

Shery: there would be much wailing and gnashing of teeth, it'd be like watching a much-beloved daughter go off on her own and marry into a different household, the mourning and loss would be intense 😭

Riel: honestly I feel like 90% of his fanbase would be very happy that Riel can actually find romantic happiness with somebody, I think his fans worry about him and his health and want him to find someone because they mostly entertain no fantasies that that person would ever be them, lol, if they're fans of his then they're already well aware of his impossible standards 😂 So they would be very pleased for him and likely approving of the relationship!

Chase: there would be much salt from his fanbase and many mutual reassurances along the lines of "don't worry, we know his pattern, it's just a hookup, this won't last, no one panic!!" and the longer it went on and the more committed and in-love Chase acted, the more the confidence would die down to a sour 'we all agreed not to talk about it' lol

Red: I think there would be much salt and bitterness, I'm guessing that in the case of fuckboys and players that the fans accept/love/embrace that aspect of them (believing that they'll never settle down and will be perpetual bachelors), and then when that changes, there's probably a sense of betrayed outrage, like they're not the same person or something anymore, lol. I imagine that the salt would be increased even more if Red and MC are exes!

Ayla: I think there would be a sense of noble acceptance and acknowledgement about it, like, "ah.... my fair Ayla... if that is your path to happiness, I can only step aside and wish you well from afar......" So generally they would just be happy that she'd found someone and could only wistfully observe her changes in demeanor as a result of finding love with MC from a distance, and with a faint sense of pride and approval, like

Briony: gnashing and writhing, tearing out of the hair and sobbing into pillows and etc. There are probably angry muttered discussions of challenging MC to a group (?) duel that never actually come to fruition

Lavinet: melodramatic theatrics and public declarations and fervent letters sent to Lavinet along the lines of "My dearest Lavinet, I thought what we had was special! How could you betray me thus? 🥺 What have I done to deserve such scorn from thee???" It's not personal to MC, it's just that Lavinet had a LOT of admirers sending her love letters and they all thought they were the only one lol

MC: I think this would depend on who MC was dating! If it was someone higher up in the ranks, like Blade or Riel (aka a co-Commander) or someone like Lavinet, Trouble, or Tallys (old guard, noble, etc.), it would be like "yeah I guess that makes sense... :/" but if it was someone less obviously "deserving" or "equal" to MC, there would be some "make it make sense!!!" feelings of shock. After all, MC is the Hero of Haven, they deserve someone who can equal their greatness!!

[apomaro-mellow]

Matchmaking Harringtons 3

Steve was having a great time with Eddie. It was mostly because he was just that amazing. He was funny, hot, cute, and totally into him. A winning combo in Steve's opinion. But it was all due in no small part to the fact that his parents were so supportive. Steve didn't talk about the girls he dated that much (because why would he?) but his folks seemed actively interested in his going with Eddie.

Maybe it was the whole 'serious relationship' thing they were trying to commit him to. Maybe they were overcompensating for not being around much and wanting to also prove they were okay with his preferences. Either way, they always wanted to know how things were going with Eddie.

They'd been going out for a couple of dates at this point and honestly each one was better than the last. They were all typically low-key, with moments that they were able to get alone for a bit of privacy.

"Let's just say the back of his van is very spacey", Steve said into the phone as he paced about his room.

"So...you're still a total slut then?", Robin said from the other end of the line.

"Guys can't be slutty. And it's not being a slut if it's with the same guy."

"So you've?"

Diane was in the middle of bringing up a basket of laundry when she heard her son's conversation in his room. She swore she'd never be the kind of mother that constantly eavesdropped but well, the door was open just a smidge...

"Not, not the full thing, all the way yet. I think he's nervous. Or he can tell I'm nervous? I don't know. I told him I'd never been with a guy before and I thought that might make him, you know, take initiative?"

"Or maybe he's taking things slow because he doesn't wanna scare you off?", Robin suggested.

"That...could be it. But that's kinda why I called. I thought he was moving kinda slow, but guess where he's taking me tomorrow?"

"Steve, is Munson taking you to a hotel?"

Steve rolled his eyes. "No. He's taking me to Le Petit Nuange. That French place a town over?"

Robin gasped. "Sacre bleu! Va-t-il faire une proposition?"

"Robs, please. My extent of French is 'filet mignon'."

"Do you think he's serious? Like trying to meet your parents serious?"

"I don't know? Maybe? It's just weird. Le Petit is just...so not Eddie."

Diane was inclined to agree. A fancy place like that seemed out of character for someone as boisterous and non-conforming as Eddie. He has once brought a bouquet of lilies, despite their dire meaning. 'Screw flower language, these are some damn fine flowers', he had said.

And even if he thought of taking Steve somewhere special, Enzo's was the nicest place in town. Where would he get the idea to go to the next town?

Jonas.

Diane had thought he was being suspicious when he hid Steve's shoes before a date and met Eddie outside to talk. Diane had thought he'd been giving the boy some kind of shovel talk. He must've been giving Eddie advice on where to take Steve instead.

And she could just imagine what he was trying to do - clean Eddie up. Well, if he wanted to go behind her back, then two could play at that game.

-------------------------

The doorbell rung and Steve answered it. Eddie was there, in a button up shirt with long sleeves that hide his tattoos. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail. And he had a bouquet of nice, traditional, red roses.

"They're beautiful", Steve beamed. He took a moment to put the roses in a vase, missing the thumbs up his dad gave Eddie. Diane however, did not miss it.

"Your chariot awaits", Eddie said, giving a sweeping bow and then locking his arm with Steve's. "Have a good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Harrington!", he called back.

As the van roared down the street, Diane enacted her own plan. She had her husband would also be having a date night.

At Le Petit Nuange, Eddie and Steve were being seated and Eddie had never felt more out of place. It was like everyone could tell he didn't belong here. But when he saw Steve smiling from across him, he knew there was no place he'd rather be.

"What made you want to bring me here?", Steve asked.

Jonas had practically cornered Eddie when he had come to pick up Steve, saying he just wanted to talk a little. Eddie was prepared for the whole 'I have a shotgun/shovel and I'm not afraid to use it.'

"Let's talk", he had opened with. "Steve and you have been having fun, right?"

"Uh, yes? I guess?", Eddie said, unsure now.

"Fun's all well and good Eddie. But now's the time to show Steve you're serious. And you are serious? Aren't you, son?"

"Y-yes. Yes, I am, serious like a heart attack."

"Then you've gotta take him some place special. A place like, uh, say Le Petit Nuange", Jonas rubbed at his chin.

Eddie's brows rose up under his fringe. "Le Petit Nuange? That place is-"

"Is upscale. Which is what Steve deserves, isn't it?"

Eddie swallowed. "Yeah, yeah it is."

He looked at Steve's hand, sitting on the table, just asking to be held. Steve deserved all this and more. And Eddie wanted to be the one to give it to him. It was why he took extra shifts and more of his side business to have the dough to take Steve here.

"I just looked up places in the yellow pages and thought you might like it."

"You know, my parents actually come here a lot", Steve pointed out.

"You don't say", Eddie tried to hide his expression by covering his face with the menu. When he got a look at the prices, it did a good job hiding the way his eyes bugged out. Looks like his purse strings would be a little tight after this. But he had prepared for that. Steve was worth it.

He was worth the stiff shirt, the swanky eatery, and even spending more time selling music that was beneath him to the general populace.

"So tell me more about this gig you've got coming up", Steve said.

Eddie's face broke out into a wild smile and he nearly slammed the menu down. "It's gonna be a ride, Stevie." He wasn't shouting, but his volume was a little louder than polite, and he felt eyes on him. He cleared his throat and quieted himself. "I mean I'm excited to rub elbows with other bands. The experience is sure to be enlightening."

Steve gave him an odd look. "Yeah, I hope my parents let me go. Indy isn't far, but I feel like they've been keeping a closer eye on me lately."

The thought of Steve being in a crowd while he played made Eddie wanted to jump for joy. He wanted to tell him come, even if his parents said no. Sneak out for the weekend, what could they do? He was a man now. But he couldn't do that. Not just because he was trying to clean up and having his new boyfriend at a metal venue might ruin that image. It was also because Steve's had nice parents.

There weren't many that could both accept and encourage their queer child.

"You know Steve, your parents-hcck!" Eddie choked on his words as he saw the Harringtons walk right in and get led to a table.

"What about my parents?", Steve asked.

"They're uh, they're um great!", Eddie squeaked, then cleared his throat to get it back to its normal register. "I mean they're great. I can tell they love you very much."

Steve smiled, none the wiser to his folks being seated not too far away. Eddie tried not to look at them, tried to ignore them. But this couldn't be a coincidence.

Jonas was looking around while trying not to look around. "When you said you wanted to go out tonight....I didn't think you meant this place."

"Why not?", Diane questioned. "We're regular patrons. And it's been a while since we went out." They'd been getting plenty of alone time what with Steve dating now, but they usually spent their evenings at home.

Jonas pulled out her chair for her and when he sat down, he used the menu to continue looking around. Diane watched him like a hawk.

Steve didn't know what was going on with Eddie. He looked nice dressed this way, sure. But it didn't feel like him. He felt...smaller somehow. Like he was trying to shrink himself down. Even as they talked, his smiles were restrained, he didn't move his hands as much, and even his voice seemed like it was being held back.

Steve watched as he cut his food, using minimal motions like he was working with glass.

"Eddie, are you okay?"

"Huh? Yeah, course, I'm fine. I uh, I just need to hit the can-uh use the facilities. Please excuse me."

Eddie got up in a haste. He thought he'd be ready for tonight. It was just playing pretend. Potentially for the rest of his life. Maybe having an audience of the parents was what was tripping him up. He got close to the bathroom when a hand tapped his shoulder. He turned to see none of than Mrs. Harrington.

"Don't worry, I know this wasn't your idea", she started right off. "My husband put it in your head. I'll admit, I like the idea of Steve being treated like a prince, but if you clean up too much he'll get confused."

"Right, yeah, gotta strike a balance. Mhm."

"Glad we could talk", she patted his arm. "Go get him, tiger."

Eddie returned to Steve and saw Diane come back to her table not long after. He could see them exchange words, although he couldn't hear what. Then Jonas got up from his seat. He gave Eddie a strange look while making his way to the bathroom. Eddie sighed and excused himself again.

"Now I don't know what my wife might've said to you, but you've got to stay on this path. I can see a real future with you and Steve if you do."

"A real future?"

"I could only give my son to someone who could take care of him. You understand what I mean, don't you?"

Eddie nodded. The kind of man who could take Steve to these places and not have his soul leave his body when he looked at the menu. When Eddie sat back down, he looked at Steve, sitting across from him. It was the kind of view he could get used to.

Somehow, the meddling didn't end there. The Harringtons took turns, getting up to meet with Eddie and each time he had to come up with an excuse.

"I'm gonna check their wine selection."

"I want to make sure the kitchen knows my allergies."

"I'm gonna see if the violinist takes requests."

Finally, Steve stood up with him and grabbed Eddie by the elbow. "Come with me."

Steve took him to the bathroom and locked the door behind them.

"Steve", Eddie gasped, scandalized when his neck started to get kissed.

"You've been antsy all night." Steve's hands went to his hips and began to untuck his shirt.

Instantly, Eddie felt like being released from shackles. Steve's hand roaming under his shirt left him so distracted, he almost didn't hear what he said next.

"Hm?"

"I said, do you wanna get out of here?"

"The bill-", Eddie was cut off when Steve reached behind him and took down his hair, running his fingers through it to free the tresses.

"A little dine and ditch never hurt anyone."

Eddie looked to the window in the bathroom. Just barely big enough to make a getaway. He was halfway out when they heard someone knocking on the door. Eddie was helping Steve out as the handle was shaking. Steve was giggling and it was like a sweet bell to his ears.

They were making their way around the back of the restaurant and towards the van as the manager finally came around with a key.

Diane and Jonas could make out the commotion going on near the bathroom and saw the empty table where two lovebirds should be.

"You knew I made Eddie take Steve here", Jonas confirmed.

"Yes."

"And every time you got up-"

"Was to speak with Eddie. And now they've-"

"-Snuck out the bathroom."

Together they sighed, remembering when they snuck out of stuffy formals to be alone together. And because they wondered if they were doing right by their son.

"We're going to have a long talk when we get home, huh?", Jonas asked his wife.

"Oh yeah."

"Any hope for me?"

"Ask me after dessert."

Part 5

Tag Team

@tartarusknight @swimmingbirdrunningrock @estrellami-1 @potato-of-the-lord @dragonmama76 @m-owo-n @sticknpokelightningbolt @somegirlsomewhere @tinyplanet95 @samsoble @runniem @hallucinatedjosten @nburkhardt @littlewildflowerkitten @noctxrn-e @subversivecynic @larawrmonster @suikatto @platinum-sunset @imacowboy3 @tiny-enthusiast @netflixisacopingstrategymom @honorarybrit81 @manda-panda-monium @krazyperson @ninjapirateunicorns

[aingeal98]

Dickbabs to me is like. He had a crush on her as a kid. She thought it was sweet but did Not see him the same way because they weren't on the same level. Then they grew up and he grew into a very attractive man. He still has a crush on her and his life is kind of a mess. She's attracted to him now and they're already working together so why not? Might as well give each other some happiness before it all collapses.

I can see them maybe looking at each other once in a while and wondering... Considering. Maybe this could be a forever kind of thing. But given the life experience they both had right before they started dating I don't think they'd ever actually admit that out loud. That they love each other, sure. Any commitment bigger than that and I'm like hmm. Sounds fake.

(Probably why a lot of modern dickbabs doesn't work for me the way they did in the 90s/2000s but that's a whole other post)

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 66 (Going to Therapy)

Heather and Conrad scheduled their first appointment with Dr. Supriya Delgato two weekends later, when Ash was again back in the city with the Landgraabs. The almost-four-year-old was none the wiser to what they'd just gone through, with Heather's resilience leading their way through the fog.

They arrived together to St. Sims Hospital on Friday evening. Licensed to deal with family relationships, Dr. Delgato greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome," she said. "I want to start by saying it's brave to be here, to be willing to have these kinds of discussions."

"Thank you, Dr. Delgato. And my mother said to say hello."

"You know our therapist?"

Heather shrugged. "She met my mother years ago and her son Pierce is friends with my sister, Hazel, but I really only know the Delgatos through the clinic."

(Pierce Delgato is also married to Carlton Bell, a younger brother of Heather's brother-in-law, Kris, Holly's husband.)

"Small towns are like that, Mr. Gordon. I assure you I'm an impartial participant in your healing journey."

"I feel like I'm on the other side of the table in the interrogation room at the station," he admitted.

"I don't want either of you to feel like this is an interrogation. We're just having a conversation, trying to unlock things that maybe you've been unable to say to yourself. Why don't you start by telling me how you two met."

"I came out to interview her about a case at my last precinct," said Conrad with a half smile. "A month or so after the investigation ended we ran into each other again."

"He scheduled a vet appointment at my clinic four hours out of the way," she cut in. "My sister pushed us together, gratefully. I was afraid I wasn't ready after my last relationship with my son's father."

"What made you sure you were ready for a full commitment?"

"Conrad did." Heather smiled. "He makes me feel safe, and he centers me when I'm spiraling. My son had an accident not long ago, and I don't know how either of us would have gotten through it without him. I have to stop myself from thinking he's a better father to my son than his own father because it's not fair to Malcolm to have to live up to the man he is. Before Conrad, my romantic history is...it's not great."

"It's not that bad," said Conrad. "So you dated Malcolm Landgraab and pined for your best friend."

"I almost slept with Everett when I found out I was pregnant with Ash," she admitted. "And when I was in high school I was so sad he wouldn't choose me I flirted with his father!"

"Sometimes when we're young we can't control our emotions, and we don't yet know how we feel about ourselves or the world," said Dr. Delgato. "Have you ever talked with a therapist before, Heather?"

She shook her head. "I meant to, but I'm always busy, and my family and I are so close. My brother, River, can always be counted on to tell me what I need to hear."

Conrad had never heard either story from her past before, but neither could change how he saw her. "Your brother says you think you're broken, but I've never seen that."

"What do you see, Conrad?" asked Dr. Delgato.

"I see an amazing mother who runs her own business and loves with her whole heart, so when she gets hurt, she puts walls up."

"But you helped me tear them down."

"And what about you, Conrad? When you're hurting, how do you respond?"

He nodded. "I put walls up."

"And your fears of fatherhood stem from the deaths of your parents?"

"My mom, mostly. She died when I was fifteen, but she was sick for almost five years before that."

"He worries something could happen to him and his child would have to grieve him," said Heather. "I don't know how to talk to him about it because I can't think about losing him, either."

"I felt cheated for time," he admitted. "Before I got my anger under control, I would find it so easy to get mad at her for leaving me, then mad at the world again when I remembered how much she didn't want to die. The thought of my kid ever going through what I went through scares me more than dying."

"It's interesting you've forged such strong bonds with Heather and her son despite this fear. Surely both would be just as devastated as your own child if they lost you."

Heather nodded emphatically. "We would be," she agreed. "Ash sees his father one or two weekends a month in San Myshuno. Sometimes Conrad's with him more than I am, if I work late. His name's on school records so he can pick him up from daycare. He knows how to get him to sleep when he wants to stay up late with us, and he makes his favourite spaghetti with tomato sauce exactly how he likes it."

"I love every minute I spend with Ash," he said, a proud smile spreading across his lips. "He's smart as hell. Mastered every game on his Wabbit Tablet already, and he's so good with Gord and the cats. Sometimes it does feel like I'm basically a father to him, but I don't make decisions about his life. It's not my place, and I would never take that responsibility from his parents. Ash and Heather both have so many people around them. My family was just my parents and me, but Heather's family is huge, and Ash has his father's family, too. If anything happened to me, they'd never be as alone as I felt."

"We are your family, Conrad. Me, Ash, and my family, too. River loves you like the brother he never had, especially after your advice to read The Giving Tree worked getting Michael to sleep."

"It wasn't advice, it was an idea. I liked the story, Ash liked the story, it sorta felt like an easy thing to try."

(They went to therapy feeling very flirty because they kissed right before I set this up, and unflirty Heather autonomously blew him that kiss.)

"Conrad, correct me if I'm wrong, but say, hypothetically, you couldn't see Ash anymore," suggested Dr. Delgato. "How would you feel?"

"Devastated."

"There's no shame in feeling like you're not ready to be a parent, but do you think your desire to form family attachments and your fear of having children might contradict each other? Maybe it's an old idea you've held on to because it's comforting when things are consistent, especially when you went through so much upheaval when your mother was sick. But you can't stop other people's grief. If you really think about what you want, is it to limit the number of loved ones who would miss you, or are you afraid to admit you want the family you felt was robbed from you, knowing everything you know about how devastating losing family can be?"

Conrad considered the question. "You are good, Dr. Delgato. When Heather told me she was pregnant, I wasn't sure I was ready, but when we lost the baby...I want a family with Heather, but I don't want to spend every day of my kid's life hung up on the worst case scenario. I know how this sounds, but Heather's mind jumped through a flaming blue hoop to talk to the dead about ambrosia without a single fear, and I don't know how she does it. My mother was a high school guidance counselor before she got sick, and the dead mentors..."

"Conrad, I didn't see her," Heather promised. "We don't even know if we'll need to travel again, but I could go-"

"No. I want to face everything I haven't let myself deal with," he said. "I want to do this for us, and for our family. It's just a lot for me after keeping it all to myself for so long."

Dr. Delgato smiled warmly. "Sounds to me like you took the Ambrosia Society up on their challenge! And you're doing it together, how fantastic. My daughter Evie looked into it." The doctor seemed struck by a sudden idea. "Have you summoned the Grim Reaper as part of the challenge yet?"

They shook their heads. "It seems wrong when Ash is home," said Heather. "We're doing it for him, but we don't want to scare him. And Conrad...the whole thing has to do with death. I understand why it scares him so much."

"I think you should consider talking to Grim about death. He certainly knows the subject. Both of you should summon him and keep working together on the challenge. If you like, we could schedule another appointment in a month or two if you still need someone to talk to, but you two are one of the strongest couples I've talked to in a while. You went through a terrible thing together, but it's obvious you find strength in each other. Hold on to that and I think you'll get through this."

They thanked Dr. Delgato, and Heather looked at Conrad nervously when they walked in the door. "Ash doesn't get home until Sunday and our Spooky Day party is tomorrow night - should we summon Grim tonight, maybe?"

Conrad didn't want to disappoint her, but he still wasn't ready. "Maybe tomorrow morning, before we get set up for the party," he bargained. She nodded.

"Tomorrow morning."

Though he felt as though he'd made an important realization with Dr. Delgato, Conrad was still too cautious to rush into facing death. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 1 Summary | Gen 1 Start

NOTE: Would a real counselor advise you to talk to the dead? Not like this! But The Sims is surreal and I technically turned the ambrosia quest into a team activity/bonding experience, so it made sense to me that she'd be like "This is great, go further, be a team!"

[izartn]

So, about how I see Link Click's Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi relationship:

As it stands in canon? Queerplatonic partners. And it's convenient for the plot that they're like this.

Because of Chinese censorship it can't be explicitly romantic, yes I know it. Let me tell why it's queerplatonic for me. The way these two have intertwined their lives and futures together?!

Owning a business and living together, that hint in ep2 (comparing them to the subtextually older lesbian couple who also came across as queerplatonic bc censure) where Xiaoshi wonders/fears if years down the line he and Lu Guang will separate/break up implying their partnership is for life as far as he's concerned (the parallel can be taken as a subtext romance too but follow me we're talking text), the way they were already going also on vacancies together three years prev in canon, etc...

Without entering on their complimentary powers and the way the dives need both of them if they want security in not screwing the past, and the inmense trust and vulnerability the dives themselves require?

They're not simply best friends either.

Those aren't the actions of normal, totally not queer friends. Cheng Xiaoshi checks out women on the dives, sure, (and men too when the host is feeling it which I love bc they can't address it directly bc censorship and then it comes across as Xiaoshi being super confident in his own relationship to sexuality/gender) but I don't think he would ever date bc Lu Guang is already there, filling that place in his life minus sex and romance but all that same companionship and intensity of feeling.

These two meet in what, the last year/s of High School and then proceeded to latch onto each other with a commitment reserved for romantic partners.

And I know you want to say, "it's the censorship! they'd be romantic and canon if not for the censorship!"

Are you sure? Are you sure the story would work if there were explicit romance in it? (I mean, if they could I'm pretty sure they would have nailed it anyways but allow me my a-spec delusions) Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang feel so much like an already established pair, they work like one, and Link Click is not about them coming together like many other stories. Are you sure this would work as BL?

There's a distinct difference on the way they start the show already like six years at least since they're best friends and three or two since they live together. That's not usually how it goes. I'm talking not just romances but every buddy or nakama anime/show, where the protag has to learn to work with who will be his best friend or rival. These stories usually have the same kind of plot progression as a romance which is why they work so well when you make the subtext text.

But a story where the main romance is already established and we're following a plot that has nothing to do with it? Much more rare, even stranger to find them well done although there are some very good ones and with the friendships instead of romo they're more common. For example, Soul Eater, which is all about the trials of it and how they hace to truly come to understand each other. That's Link Click a bit, but not even then.

Link Click juggling a budding romance between Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi with all the other stuff is going on?? Messier for sure. I don't know if people would have liked it as much or if the donghua would have been as well done.

As it is, Link Click has the exact level of emotional connection between our protags it needs to have incredibly high stakes emotionally and at the same time not need a detour by romantic scenes/fanservice that would derail the plot or the other charas importance. That it happens to be pretty queer anyways in a platonic way?

Nice for the aroace-spec folks watching the show xD

Btw, I'm pretty sure in season 3 we're going to get more of Lu Guang's PoV, the origins of their powers and the past between him and Xiaoshi. It'll probably dig more into the aspect of "testing their bond and coming stronger bc of it" which is were the romantic subtext usually comes through...

—unless you're very very good at writing like Arakawa in FMA, who nailed the brotherly relationship without tipping into incest subtext which I've seen more than a few writers fumble. or the latest D&D film for the platonic childrearing and partnership for a no familial example between a man and a woman also very very difficult to get right for writers dunno why—

... but until then, for now I'm incredibly satisfied by the canon.

The other read of course it that they're already a couple since well before the start of season 1, and to mentally edit what we saw in canon with that lens (it wouldn't be very difficult honestly) but reading only the text? Queerplatonic partners!

There also how Xiaoshi and Lu Guang don't have that anxiety/insecurity of their bond that makes it so easy to read the want for something, like a romance for shipping purposes. Despite the disagreements on the Dives or the trials of season 2 or Lu Guang keeping secret Cheng Xiaoshi future/past death they read very steady which is fun. I love some good established relationship, you can go to deeper places when the base is already secure and the risk is higher for the characters. Plus I love domesticity! Yes, I do my angsty/Gothic leanings notwithstanding. Don't you know you need a home for the Gothic to be effective?

[georgeweasleyslostearhq]

hi i love your writing style <33 would you write a oneshot where y/n and fred have been dating for a few months and r really secure in their love for one another and at a party someone polyjuices into y/n to make fred think they cheated, but he just knows they'd never do that? ^^

NICE TRY

Pairings: Fred Weasley x Fem!reader Summary: ^^^ Warnings: mention of cheating.

the loud music was blasting Fred's ears. there were people dancing and screaming as he pushed through to get more firewhiskey

the older years of Gryffindor were celebrating another win in Quidditch.

Fred took a chug as he went back to George to find a few first years with cups in their hands. he shook his head and went up to them.

he snatched the cups from the two boys hands and ushered them away

"go back to bed, you're too young for this" he demanded

"you can't make us!" they yelled at him defensively

"if you don't go back to your dorms I will make sure the rest of your years here that I'm still here will be hell, I'm talking pranks every day on you and all of your friends" Fred threatened.

the boys had heard of Fred and George. and they usually laughed at the pranks they came across that the twins did, and they couldn't imagine the victims being them.

they looked at the ground and pushed past the older kids to go to their dorms, Fred watched to make sure they went up the stairs before going to find George

"what took you so long?" George asked him

"came across some first years sneaking in, think they can come down here and party with the big people" he laughed

"how many of those have you had?" George nodded to Fred's cup

"only a few, it'll probably be my last, I don't wanna get too hammered tonight" Fred shrugged

"not me, I'm getting wasted!" George chuckled drunkenly, already seeming wasted enough.

Fred chuckled at his brother and took another sip of his drink.

George distracted himself by talking to Lee while Fred felt hands on his body, roaming down his sides and up to his chest

he looked to who he was looking at to see a drunk girl all over him

"hey cutie" she yelled over the music, going on her tippy toes to get closer to his face.

Fred backed away from her, the scent of the alcohol as he breathed on him made him sick.

Fred never allowed any girl who flirted with him to be near him, he would turn them down straight away and make them leave him alone

that was ever since he was claimed by you 5 months ago. he had high hopes for you guys as you'd been friends for years before that, and you both seemed so in love with each other.

Fred often got hit on or flirted with, whether it was the occasional girl throwing herself onto him, or just openly flirting with him, and he never liked it.

he made sure everyone knew he was in a committed relationship with you, he would show you off to everybody. taking you wherever he went where he get you into trouble and get detention.

he never made you feel like you weren't good enough or that he would leave you, he made sure you felt like the only girl in the world to him, that you were his world.

the girl scoffed and walked away from him when he told her to leave him alone, that he wasn't interested

George went up to Fred as he finished his drink

"I don't know if I'm seeing right, because it's kind of blurry, but is that Y/n over there?" George pointed to the corner where you were pressed up against a wall with a guy making out with you, his hands sliding up your thigh

Fred looked over and squinted to make sure it was you through the subtle red lights.

"yeah" Fred answered

"what are you gonna do?" George slurred as Fred looked back at him

Fred held out his cup for George to take but then retracted it

"never mind, I think you've had enough" Fred sighed before walking towards you, putting the drink on a table that was on his way to you

he got to the corner and raised his eyebrows

"having fun?" he questioned them but they only continued their makeout session

Fred rolled his eyes before pushing the guy off of 'you'

"what the hell man?!" the guy yelled at him angrily before realising it was Fred and ran off

he looked at the girl who looked at you and glared

"what are you doing?" he sneered

"what does it look like?" she spat

"alright whatever, who are you?" Fred shook his head, annoyed at the situation

"your ex girlfriend now" she smiled sarcastically

by the looks and sound of it, she wasn't drunk

but either way, Fred knew it wasn't you. you would never do something like this, you had no interest in any other guy but him and you liked to show it.

and he trusted you, with everything in him, he trusted you and knew you weren't someone to trust, you hated the thought that people do that to others.

he found it funny that this person thinks they could do this

"you know what I find funny?" he smiled at her

"what?" she crossed her arms

"I find it funny that Y/n went to bed an hour ago"

the girl in your form laughed it off

"you believed that! as soon as I walked away from you I came back" she giggled

"I walked her up the stairs, I walked away from her soo" he clicked his tongue, squinting his eyes like he was in thought

"I don't know what to tell you, Fred, I don't wanna be with you anymore, when you left me I came back down" she shrugged

"nice try, but she wouldn't do this" Fred blinked

"Fred leave me alone, we're over" she tried walking away from him but he pulled her back, feeling the shape of a bottle in her pocket of her robe.

he put his hand in her pocket and pulled it out

"give me that!" she yelled and tried to get it out of his hands

he lifted it up in the air and took a sniff to smell exactly what he thought it was

"I'm gonna ask you again, who are you?" he put the bottle in his out pocket

"none of your business" she growled

"fine, when does it run out?" he asked her

"why would I tell you that?" she raised her eyebrows

"because I don't want people thinking my girlfriend is a slut going around making out with fifty guys" he answered her angrily

"it's been one, actually" the girl scoffed

"alright then, well done. when does it ware off" he repeated

"no"

"do you want to make this harder than it has to be?" Fred crossed his arms

the girl refused to talk and just stood there

"you know, I'll have to tell Professor you raided his potions, that'll be at least 3 weeks detention" he grinned at her, making her glare

"so what's your name?" he questioned, growing tired of her

"Anna" she mumbled but he heard

"Anna Trent?" he wondered

she nodded her head, her face beginning to change back to her normal face

"right, well, Goodnight Trent. and I'll have you know that you will seriously regret it if you try this again" he threatened before leaving her there as she morphed into herself

he went up the stairs and walked to his dorm, opening the door to find you in his bed, asleep

he took off his jacket and put the potion on the table, making sure to remember where it was for later.

he climbed into his bed and smiled when you snuggled into him

"Freddie?" he heard you mumble as you moved closer to him

"why aren't you sleeping, Love?" he kissed your head, wrapping a hand around your waist

"couldn't. how was the party?" you muttered sleepily

"boring. go back to sleep, Love" he replied, lifting your leg to wrap it around his torso as he got comfortable

"I love you" your kissed him before yawning

"I love you more" he stroked your hair until you fell asleep.

he smiled knowing it couldn't've been you as he heard your light snores.

you were right here, in his bed waiting for him to come back to you, cuddled up to his pillow as if it was him.

------------------------------------------------

[w0lp3rtinger]

@biolover9 <3 eeeehehehehe - @lambpaca and I have talked about this. Like, even outside of the parameters of Shadow and Amy getting together. This is just general conversation.

I've mentioned this a bit about it before on the sideblog, but I just... never could see Shadow ever wanting biological children. Truthfully, I don't think he could have them even if he wanted to, not without a massive amount of medical intervention.

Like... if you're making the ultimate weapon, the ultimate life form, why would you ever give it the ability to make more of itself? That lessens your control over it and runs the risk of causing your enemies to get their hands on a weapon of their own. You don't want that.

(I'm saying 'it' because like... that's how GUN viewed Shadow. 'It'. Even Gerald viewed Shadow as 'it' in the end in his diary. What Shadow wanted didn't matter to them. )

Beyond that though, I can see Shadow looking at their own biology and not wanting anyone else to have to endure it. Especially working off of the idea that they're still young and all the ramifications of genetic testing and mutation on them haven't really come to fruition yet (looking at you, 'immortality'). Why would he be selfish enough to pass a potential curse like that along?

That's not to say Shadow doesn't like kids. We've seen them be extraordinarily patient with characters like Cream, Tails, and Charmy both in-game and outside of game. I think for them to want kids though, they'd need to have certain needs met. They'd need to be free from GUN, they'd need to feel safe, they'd need to make a lot of peace with themselves and grow as a person. Essentially, they'd have to go through hell and then also a lot of soul-searching before reaching the conclusion of, 'I want to be a parent.'

But Amy? Oh without question, I think Amy wants kids. Doesn't matter if they're hers or someone else's. I've joked about her having a vision binder listing out three kids and names and everything. Amy also has been shown to want a domestic future after she's defeating Eggman. She wants to enjoy the peace and the every-day magic of just existing to exist. I think a lot of people agree that Amy would want kids to be a part of that domestic bliss.

Personally? I think there's also this idea that kids are hope for a future. Amy has spent her entire childhood fighting. There's no way to get that time back, no way to undo that which she has seen and had to experience. She forced herself to grow up quickly in order to protect both herself and the world. Amy wouldn't have kids unless she felt safe enough to do so.

I also think Vanilla being Amy's main parental figure that we see in almost every iteration of the Sonic franchise helps. Vanilla is, by all accounts, a loving, kind parent. That would have made a positive impact on Amy not only in regards to who she becomes as a person, but also, her own expectations on what being a parent entails. Seeing someone who wants to be a parent, who likes being a parent, who likes their kids (both their biological kids and the ones they pick up like a wet cat off the street), that means something, you know?

All the Sonic Gang solidify that family is what you make it, family is a choice, but Vanilla shows that parenthood is also a choice, and one that can be done with joy.

How does Gigi factor into this? Well, I kinda touch on it in The Home You Make, and then I show it in Late Evening Talks, but effectively- Amy and Shadow both make each other feel safe, they help the other grow, they help the other be their best selves, and in the moments they struggle, they're there for one another. This creates an environment for the two of them that allows them to entertain and discuss the notion of being parents. Without question, I can see them covering it before they even really start dating. Shadow in particular, not wanting to mislead Amy, would make his stance/circumstances abundantly clear, but now, fully committed and comfortable with one another in a way they were not previously, the subject would come up again not as a nebulous 'well maybe' but as a 'are we gonna do this?'

And they decide, 'yes.'

They'd take the adoption process slow, looking. They’re not really looking for a hedgehog- the species doesn’t matter. It’s the kid that does. I don’t even think the two of them really know what they’re looking for when they start. I mean, how do you put parameters around this sort of thing? Ultimately, Gigi wins them over. She’s funny, she’s creative, she’s sweet even if she’s a hellion, she’s protective, she gets into fights- she’s them. They see her in them. They get this kid. The child care staff warn them about her being 'stubborn and standoffish,' and overall ‘difficult to work with’. That pisses Shadow and Amy off royally. Not like that's unfamiliar territory- they’ve been this kid, frankly. When they meet Gigi, they’re smitten, and frankly, them coming from a place of understanding with her helps her warm up to them. When they fully decide to go for Gigi, they take the process slow, letting her get to know them, letting her decide if their home is the place she wants to be.

And she decides, 'yes.'

[carnivalcarriondiscarded]

do—

Do Howdy and Barnaby ever get together in your human au 🥺🥺

of course they do, who do you think i am

oh BOY do i have things to say about human!Laughingstock! im so unwell about them allow me to talk and talk and talk and ta-

~

so in this au they're like... the ultimate slowburn. their feelings for each other slowly simmer and grow over the course of *checks nonexistent watch* a lil over a decade i think. it's not very dramatic - just soft & silly w/ just a heap of pining and a pinch of angst for Flavor

it starts when they were teens - Howdy had a lil crush on Barnaby in middle school. and how could he not? Barnaby was cute, hilarious, and kind. at this point, they weren't friends! Barnaby knew Howdy's name, but only because they'd shared a school since elementary (as with 6/7 of the other neighbors) & speaking from experience, you just Know Those Names. Howdy slowly "grew out of" this crush, especially when the friend group started forming and he & Barnaby became actual friends.

that crush would fluctuate over the years. It starts out strong and then softens into just this hum in the back of Howdy's mind. always there, often easy to ignore, just... part of him, in a way.

Barnaby has a similar experience. when he and Howdy became friends, he got a lil crush - how could he not? Howdy was cute, laughed at all of his jokes and had a few of his own, and was endearingly eccentric. but at the time, Barnaby didn't recognize the crush for what it was. so he elected to ignore it until the crush dwindled to something easily manageable, something he wouldn't realize is still there. as with Howdy's, it'd never fully go away

and its noticeable enough to their friends that they'd all kinda side-eye how touchy Howdy & Barnaby are with each other (Barnaby is a physical guy, but damn. if Howdy is nearby they Will find a way to be touching at all times), the way they always laugh at each others jokes, the way they always ask "where's [x] / is [x] coming with" whenever the other is absent. but the group couldn't be sure if they were looking into it or not. it's too subtle. over time they get so used to it that they don't bat an eye - Howdy is Barnaby's best friend after Wally. of course they're close!

but then there's this one college party Howdy drags Barnaby to (and by extension, Wally). they're drunk off their asses, Wally's edible has kicked in, the party is pretty chill and everyone is having a decent time. all three of them are on the couch, and Barnaby and Howdy start drunk-complimenting each other. naturally, this feeds their mutual attraction, and one thing leads to another! they make out on the couch. naturally with Wally sandwiched between them, snacking on chips and committing the moment to memory (it's a surprise tool that'll help them later!) neither Barnaby nor Howdy will remember this

now, something i'd like to state for Barnaby in this au! he has had a lot of relationships - from one night stands to actually dating someone for months. sometimes the one night stands were a "he takes someone home after a date, & they leave while he's sleeping and ghost him" situation. with actual dating, the other person always breaks things off after a few weeks, if not days. it breaks Barnaby's heart a little bit every time. to the point where in his mid-20s, he just... stops dating. he avoids other people's advancements towards him, he always takes a friend with him to bars/etc as a buffer, he becomes an expert at gracefully turning people down

("why, pray tell" no one asks "do they always leave him? he's such a catch!" that he is! when he was in school, it was his friend group. he'd try to introduce his 'girlfriend' to his friends, and it'd be an immediate "eugh, you're friends with those freaks? no way!" as an adult, people found it off-putting how (by societal standards) unusually close he was with Wally. also, again, a "weird" friend group. they'd think it's too much, or just not their scene, or 'why don't you date your little blue haired boyfriend', etc. Barnaby never holds it against Wally or his friends. he has the mindset of if that person was the one, they would accept every part of Barnaby - and his friends are indeed part of him. Howdy has also dated around a little, but to a much lesser extent. he's too busy! he doesn't have time for that!)

but the ball really starts rolling in their late 20s. something the group does together - as a fun lil rare hobby - is LARPing. they get really into it! Sally made them all custom costumes, Julie helped make the weapons (like a giant sword for herself), etc etc. they fully commit to the bit (even Frank <3). so at this event's point in the timeline, Eddie is fully integrated into the clique, but that's unimportant - just to show where we are!

so they're all doing their thing, it's a pretty big LARP event - there's always way more people than our dear neighbors, yk. they're just part of the crowd! & there's a big battle hosted, the group is split between teams, but Barnaby & Howdy are on the same side! yay! during the battle, Barnaby is "mortally wounded." Howdy half-drags him away from the main battle under the cover of their teammates (including Eddie and Julie) and sits him down by the tree. now, Howdy & Barnaby are the ones who get into the roleplay the most. they get lost in the sauce! they perform the hell out of everything they do!

& since Barnaby is "dying", he really acts like it. Howdy acts accordingly, but again, they get a little too emotional, a little too into it, a little lost in the sauce. genuine tears are in their eyes, Howdy's voice is genuinely shaking a little as he holds Barnaby in his "dying moments" (Barnaby is holding the sword between his arm and his side. he has ketchup on his armor.) Eddie and Julie are getting choked up just watching this happen. and as Howdy & Barnaby look into each others' tear-filled eyes, those little feelings that have been so quiet for so long come right back babey! full force! but then they all get hit with "arrows" and have to die right there and then, and the moments over. but! both Barnaby & Howdy walk away from this LARP session grappling with Partially Realized Feelings.

Barnaby struggles with this the most, since yk at this point he's sworn off dating. he's being careful with his heart! but when he tells Wally all of this, cause he tells Wally everything, Wally's like "oh. yes, i know! remember that one college party where you two kissed for an hour". and then he goes on to point out every instance where he's thought "right, Howdy and Barnaby are in love" (bc Wally is way more observant than he lets on! he saw that shit! his peepers were peepin!)

BUT IT'S STILL A SLOW BURN BABEY!

Barnaby and Howdy don't approach each other about this. they're both in the boat of "well, i'll just keep going and see what happens" to the point where they're practically dating without ever saying anything to each other. Howdy notices how Barnaby lingers around the store more. Barnaby notices how Howdy keeps turning up at his work to talk more. (they already chat so much...) but they still! dont! say! anything! but they both Know! they're not emotionally circling each other they are Dancing to their Own Music!

and Barnaby is letting himself believe that this can work because, well... Howdy already accepts him as he is. Howdy is part of the group. Howdy loves Wally just like the rest of em. Howdy has seen Barnaby at his (presumed) worst and didn't even flinch! as for Howdy, well, he just thinks this is right! his whole life no one has really caught his eyes or heart, but Barnaby is different. he's always been in Howdy's peripherals. it feels natural to love him so deeply. Barnaby slots into his life like the final piece of a puzzle!

there's a lot of stuff that happens in this inbetween state - Howdy's store burns down & almost takes him with it, there's some family drama that needs to be handled, The Crash happens, etc etc etc - so it's a while before they "actually" get together. but they're both patient! they've waited this long, even if they didn't know they were waiting. neither of them are in a rush. they're young. they have time.

[wisteria-blooms]

⭐️

Reblog this if you want readers to come into your ask box and ask for the “director’s commentary” on a particular story, section of a story, or set of lines.  Or, send in a ⭐star⭐  to have the author select a section they’ve been dying to talk about!

Okay, so bear with me as I type this half-asleep...

long hair & tattoos (lh&t as someone kindly abbreviated; I love it!!) is obviously my baby or my first-born child, if you will. Obviously, the tropes aren't original, but it was my fake-dating template for sunburns & dragons (let's call that sb&d). You'll see the chapters mirror each other. For example:

Chapter 1: The dinner

Chapter 2: Talking to Fred/George

Chapter 3: Meeting Bill/Charlie

Chapter 4: Making plans

Chapter 5: Meeting the parents

Chapter 6: An argument with the parents

Chapter 7: Talks about moving in together...

Okay, so I want to talk about the moving in part. I don't think I'm any sort of expert on Bill and Charlie's characters nor could I give good advice on how to write them, but I tried to make the distinct in the same situations.

Bill (lh&t) (Chapter 7):

“I don’t mind it, really,” Bill responded. It seemed like he’d been thinking about what happened at dinner, too. “If the penthouse is as big as your father says it is, then we could both live there without issue. We might not even see each other.”

“I’ll use the money to rent elsewhere,” you suggested. “It’d look suspicious if you rented under your name. Your father would find out.” You wracked your brain for another option. “Then I’ll take your flat.” “I don’t know if the owners will be so happy after I announce the termination. And even then, there’d be a place under my name and yours.”

At the end of the chapter, Bill accepts (Y/N)'s offering of the penthouse. I actually had a bout of amnesia and forgot that he offered to share it with her, and shot down her suggestions because they'd be risky. To me, it shows that he wouldn't mind living with her, and she doesn't deserve not to live there. But there's a more.... rational and refined side to him that tells him it wouldn't be a great idea. Real people having real feelings. Things could get tangled and messy. At this point of the story, he doesn't have any romantic feelings for her, but knows something could happen and someone could get hurt. That's why he stays on the down low for the next couple weeks. (Aside: he starts thinking more about (Y/N) in Chapter 8 after seeing her at the family dinner).

vs. Charlie (sb&d) (Chapter 7):

“Swimming in luxury and eating fondue on quartz countertops, indulging in vintage wines while I’m wedged in between my two loudest and most annoying brothers on a bed that can barely support my weight,” Charlie wallowed in self-pity, punctuating his remarks with a long sigh. “The universe really chooses favourites.” A crescent of sweat grazed your neck, outlining your sweater, at what you were about to say. Feeling your guilt implode, you blurted out: “You can stay over if you need."

“You have to get the unit first before dreaming about living with me,” Charlie teased, emphasising the word ‘me’ by pointing at himself, and subsequently, ricocheting your lack of faith against you.

Charlie wouldn't have cared if (Y/N) had asked him to move in with her, but since she did, he definitely doesn't mind sharing a space with her. At this point, Charlie has no romantic feelings for (Y/N), but has been extremely flirtatious. (Y/N) soon realizes she has to be careful around him (like, is what he's saying real or just something to make me feel good?). Charlie, unlike Bill, hasn't thought about the weight he's putting on (Y/N) and the repercussions. He's used to being friends with woman, flirting as he likes, and not expecting any sort of commitment. Having a roommate - someone to hang out and cook with - is just fun.

That's why I say Bill knows what he wants, Charlie "dillydallies" a lot more. But will that change? We'll find out in a couple of chapters.

Anyway, that's my director's cut. Let me know if there's anything else I can explain!!