#I really stress this point on my guided tours

[celestefem]

oh, also, our boat broke down in the middle of a swamp today and we were stuck there for a few hours

[roosterforme]

Yours Truly, Bradley Bradshaw Part 17 | Rooster x Reader

Summary: Bradley was certain Maverick didn't intend to stress him out when he said you and he were the spitting image of Goose and Carole. But suddenly, for better or for worse, it was all he could think about. There is so much to look forward to with you in his life, but now he has to break the worst kind of news to you.

Warnings: Fluff, oral sex, smut, angst, adult banter, Bradley in love, 18+

Length: 4800 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female teacher!Reader

Check out my masterlist for more! Yours Truly, Bradley Bradshaw masterlist

Bradley couldn't seem to stop grinning. Playing the part of tour guide for your class was a pleasure. The kids made fun of Jake, which was honestly lovely, and everyone got to experience different aspects of aviation, not just flying. You even made Cyclone smile, so you'd done the impossible there. Bradley had a grin on his face for the rest of the afternoon, and Nat kept ribbing him about it.

"Are the two of you going to get married and have eighteen kids?" she asked, feigning innocence like nobody else could.

"I know you're joking," he replied as he cleaned up and organized all of the noise canceling headphones. "You know how I know? Because you know how much money I make. I could never afford eighteen kids. It's gotta be like fifteen, tops."

"You never ever even joked about having a child before!" she said, tone accusatory.

Talking about you and thinking about you made him feel calm where no relationship he'd had in the past ever really did. "Come on, Nat. You know I'm serious about this one." 

She laughed in response. "Being in love for once instead of just settling for someone to keep you company looks good on you. It's about time you stopped fucking up." He planted his hand on top of her head, scrunched his fingers, and messed up her hair. "Stop it!" she screeched as he ran away across the tarmac as fast as he could and into the hangar where he found Marty.

Bradley peeked around to make sure she hadn't followed him as he made a beeline toward the mechanic. "Hey, I can't thank you enough for today," he told Marty, shaking his calloused hand.

"It was fun," he replied. "Some of those kids are future aviators, I'm telling you."

"Violet," they both said at the same time and started laughing.

"And Oliver is a bit of a daredevil," Bradley added as he helped Marty pack up his work station. "They've been learning about aviation for months, and I know today meant a lot to them."

Marty looked a little pensive before he nodded at Bradley. "You know what," he said in response as he locked his toolbox, "go ahead and tell your girlfriend that I'll be there for her career day as long as I'm not deployed."

Bradley cocked his head. "Career day. Right. I'll let her know." 

He had no idea what Marty was talking about, but it was just about time for him to head out for the day. By the time he got home from work, you'd probably be on your way back down from Mira Mesa. His thoughts were circling around Maverick's words from earlier. If he was reminded of Goose and Carole when he looked at Bradley with you, then no wonder this felt like the real deal. It must be just that.

But he was in his head now. He was desperate to keep you, because he knew all too well what loneliness felt like, but he couldn't stand the thought of you worrying about him. And the idea of anything happening to him while he was away from you was too much to handle. He rubbed his eyes as he walked to his Bronco. Being compared to his parents felt like a blessing and a curse.

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

The evenings were getting chilly this time of year, but you changed into the dress you wore on your first date with Bradley as soon as you got home. Then you quickly packed an overnight bag. Driving to work from his house tomorrow would be a true test. Nothing was going to be a complete deal breaker for you at this point, but you hoped it didn't leave you in tears of frustration. Or have Bradley trying to scramble to find a way to try to make you happy when you already were.

Your plan for the evening was to pick up some Thai food from the place he loved on your way to his house. When you texted Bradley to let him know you were leaving your place soon and that you hoped he was hungry, he wrote back one sentence.

All I want is you.

Every time you thought it would be impossible for him to continue to set off the butterflies in your tummy, he did it again. Your face felt warm, and you ran your palm along your cheek as you thought about every little detail of the field trip while you drove. He didn't just love you, he appreciated your job and your students. Your ex didn't even let you talk about them. Bradley let them rank the cafeteria foods at the Naval base. He got Marty to give a demonstration. He got permission for them to sit in his jet and assist with air traffic control!

You moaned as you wove through traffic to get there. All I want is you. Well fuck, all you wanted was him. Your feelings outweighed the amount of time you'd known him, but you couldn't seem to make yourself pump the brakes now. When you stopped to pick up dinner, you thought back to your first date with Bradley. It wasn't very long ago, but it felt like so much had happened since then. It felt like even more had happened since he responded to your first letter. In such a short amount of time, you had fallen in love.

Your skin was tingling with anticipation as you parked in front of his house. Hadn't you been with him just a few hours ago? Why did you feel the need to run for the front door with the Thai food? Why did your heart skip a beat when Bradley opened the door in his sweatshirt and gray sweatpants and met you on the front porch before you even had a chance to knock?

"Gorgeous," he breathed against your cheek, holding you close as you tried not to squish the bag containing dinner. Then he pulled his shirt off, leaving him in a tee, and tugged it over your head. His mustache tickled your skin as he leaned in and whispered, "You look too good in my sweatshirt. You look like you're mine."

Your belly swooped as you promised, "I absolutely am."

"Fuck."

You laughed as you handed the bag to him and wrapped your arms around his neck. "Give me a minute to kiss you the way I wanted to earlier, and then we're having a picnic dinner."

Bradley started to respond with one eyebrow raised, but you didn't let him get a word out as your lips met his. He deepened the kiss immediately, and you sighed; this was how you always wanted him. You appreciated that he held back earlier, but right now, you wanted him all to yourself.

"Thank you for today," you murmured between kisses as his hand slid lower along your back. "You're the hero of Mira Mesa Elementary, and I wanted to treat you to dinner on behalf of my class."

His cheeks were a little rosy as he pulled away a bit more. "You don't have to thank me for anything. You know that. I'm happy to do anything you want."

"Stop," you whispered, burying your face against his neck. "A girl can only handle so much. Let's go eat dinner down on the beach, and maybe there will be an additional little something special for you."

You were tugging on his arm, fingers gripping his thick bicep, but he didn't budge an inch. "I'm in sweats and a tee shirt. Should I change?"

"Why?" you asked, still tugging. "You look hot."

His blush deepened. "But you're wearing your dress and my sweatshirt. And I was kind of interested in snuggling on the couch."

"Let's go," you repeated, and he took a few steps toward your car with the bag of food in his hand. "We can come back and snuggle on the couch later."

While he agreed, he didn't seem to want to let you go. His hand was on yours while you drove the few blocks to the beach, and he wrapped his arm around you as you pulled an oversized beach towel out of your trunk along with a blanket. 

"Baby, it'll get chilly as soon as the sun sets."

"I'll keep you warm," you promised, running your fingers along his bare arm before taking his hand. He was quiet as the two of you walked down from the parking lot to the sand, and when you looked up at him as the warm, orange light illuminated his face as the sun sank low in the sky, he seemed contemplative. "What's wrong?" you asked, heart skipping a beat as you stopped in front of him so he was looking at you.

Bradley's gaze was soft as he met your eyes. "Nothing's wrong. I'm with you." 

But even as the two of you ate dinner together, he pulled you snug next to his side like he was afraid you were going to go somewhere. You took a bite of the Pad Thai and then said, "I wish I thought to bring some Prosecco," but you only got a little grunt in response. "Bradley," you snapped, reaching for his chin and turning his head gently so he was facing you. "You weren't like this earlier during the field trip. You're acting strange. Do you want me to go home?"

"No," he replied with wide eyes, wrapping one big hand around your thigh and kissing your forehead. "I don't want you to go anywhere without me." With a sigh, he added, "I'm sorry. I just... got in my own head about us."

"Us?" you asked immediately, scrambling to try to figure out what you could have possibly done wrong. The whole day was perfect, and now you felt yourself trying to pull away from his grasp.

"No," he insisted once more as the air grew cooler. The sky was more dark blue than orange now, and Bradley was silent for a beat before he said, "Maverick... Captain Mitchell... you met him earlier..." When you nodded, he kissed your forehead and said, "He was my dad's friend. They flew together. Maverick knew him well."

Your boyfriend's parents had been gone for a long time. "Oh," you gasped. If you'd known that earlier, you'd have taken more time to get to know Captain Mitchell.

Before you could dwell on it too much, Bradley whispered, "I think about you all the time, Gorgeous. I think about fucking you on my couch and feeding you breakfast. I think about taking you back to Salvatore's for every special occasion. I think about your letters and your pretty face and diamond rings. And the future."

His words were warm and intentional, and you shivered even as he pulled you closer. "Bradley," you said so softly, you could barely hear yourself. "I think about all of that, too."

Some of the tension seemed to melt away from his body as you ran your fingers through his hair. His lips skimmed along yours as he said, "Maverick told me I reminded him of my dad today. And that you reminded him of my mom. This is all because he can tell how head over heels I am for you. Just like my parents were for each other."

Everything he said was too dreamy. When you tried to take a deep breath, it hitched in your throat. "I don't understand what the problem is, Bradley. I feel the same way about you."

His gaze was fixed on the water as he held you and said, "My dad left my mom and I alone. The last thing I ever want to do is leave you."

A smile found your lips as you wrapped your arms around his neck. "Is this why you're being weird and clingy at the same time?"

When he looked at you he laughed. "I guess. I'm sorry."

"Bradley," you whispered, kissing his mustache and reaching for the blanket to cover both of you. "I've spent months falling in love with you in spite of your job. Or maybe because of it. Or maybe just because there was no holding back. I've thought about the risks, and you are worth it. I'm sure your mom felt the same way about your dad."

He pulled you down on top of him, dinner forgotten, and kissed you with one heavy hand still on the back of your thigh. "As long as you've accepted the risks, Gorgeous." His fingers slid up a few inches as he added, "Today was incredibly fun for me, and I'm happy your kids had a good time. I'm already looking forward to visiting your school again if you want me there."

"Oh," you whispered, placing a soft kiss to his scars. "That reminds me. Career day is coming up in a few months. You'll definitely need to be there for that."

Bradley grunted and gave you a little smack on your rear end that made you gasp in delight. "See, you're telling me about this now, but I already heard about career day from Marty."

Your fingers on his bicep tightened as you tried not to moan. "I just got excited earlier," you whispered. "I promise I was going to tell you."

"Hmm... so Marty and the other aviators are more interesting than I am. I understand, Gorgeous."

His voice was teasing, and he seemed a lot more at ease now as that big hand gripped and grabbed at you under the blanket. When you shifted slightly, you could feel him through his gray sweatpants. He was a little eager, but so were you now. His occasional need to hear you reaffirm your feelings for him was something you'd always be happy to indulge.

"Will you let me prove to you that you're the most interesting? My very favorite Naval officer?"

"What do you have in mind?"

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

The first few stars were glittering to life in the sky as the horizon continued to darken from orange to purple to blue. Bradley lounged back on the oversized beach towel with one arm tucked behind his head and enjoyed the sight. It was beautiful. So was the sound of you softly gagging on his cock.

"God damn," he muttered, fingers stroking the back of your neck as he squeezed his eyes closed and focused on the feel of your mouth slowly gliding along his shaft until he was deep once again. The air was cool on his overheated skin, and the breeze was probably enough to keep anyone else from visiting this secluded stretch of beach while you treated him to your lips and tongue.

When you gagged again, he saw stars prettier than the ones in the sky, and he could feel your saliva drip down to his balls before you lapped at them as well. He half expected to see the front of his sweatpants all damp by the time you were done. He was really looking forward to it. And it wouldn't be much longer now as you sucked on his balls and pumped your fist around him nice and slow.

Your voice was light as air when you released him and playfully asked, "Do you believe you're my favorite?"

Bradley glanced down where he could see the outline of your body and his hard cock hanging out of his pants. "Baby, I would believe anything you told me right now," he muttered, delighting in your laughter.

"You're my favorite," you said before kissing his tip and sinking those pretty lips around him once again. Your grip was firm as you sucked, and it wasn't long before Bradley was grunting and trying not to grab you too tight with his fingers. 

You were giving him head on the beach, and it was so damn hot, but you were still his sweet girlfriend. He just wanted to make you happy, and when he came, you moaned in delight until he couldn't tell if his eyes were open or closed. Then your lips were on his, and he could taste both of you there. "You're my favorite," you repeated, reaching down to carefully pull his sweatpants up while he head spun.

He groaned and wrapped his arm around your waist. "If this was your ploy to get me to agree to career day, it definitely worked. But you know I would have said yes no matter what."

Your lips were on his ear as you laughed. "Can we go home and get warmed up in the shower?"

Home. You belonged there with him. He knew it. You knew it too, even if only subconsciously. "Yeah, let's go home."

On Friday, he woke up earlier than usual to make sure you were awake in time to get to work. He packed you a lunch, grimaced when he checked the traffic on his phone and said, "I'll pay for your gas."

"I don't need you to pay for my gas, Bradley!" you insisted.

One look at your pretty face had him shaking his head. "Traffic is a nightmare. What's it going to take to get you to come back here again tonight?" he asked, handing you a mug of coffee. "Because I honestly don't mind paying a little extra in gas money to make up for the fact that I bought a house in Coronado."

You bit your lip and then asked, "How do you not understand that being with you is going to be worth the drive?"

"Save your verdict for after you've actually driven through rush hour."

He was delighted when you returned right after work for the weekend. And Saturday morning, you slept in while Bradley went for a run with Nat. He kissed you goodbye and watched you roll over onto his pillow with a soft smile on your lips. Six miles in and he was getting antsy to get back to make you breakfast.

"Are you two coming to the bar tonight?" Nat asked, huffing as she tried to speak and run at the same time.

He grunted in response. You hadn't been to the Hard Deck yet, and he wasn't sure he felt like sharing you with everyone else this evening. "Maybe."

Nat rolled her eyes. "Just bring her. You've been MIA for weeks and weeks since you got back. You can stare longingly at her while other people are around for a few hours."

"I'll ask how she feels about it."

But he should have known you'd want to go as soon as he mentioned it to you in the shower after breakfast. "I didn't bring anything cute to wear," you complained with a little pout.

"Baby, you could wear one of my ratty old shirts with your jeans, and you'd be the cutest thing in the place."

A smile curved along your lips, and that's exactly what you ended up wearing. Your snug jeans only looked sexier on you when paired with one of his soft tee shirts from his college days, which you tied in a little knot at the hem. He could see a peek of your skin here and there as you finished getting ready that evening, and he couldn't keep his hands off you. When the two of you arrived at the Hard Deck, he knew he was going to have to keep you close by.

"What do you want to drink?" he asked, tucking his fingers around your waist as Jake Seresin himself eyed you up. "The only thing I can promise is that the wine here sucks compared to Salvatore's."

But you were oblivious as you looked around the interior of the bar as you caught a few more gazes. He didn't love these horny guys all checking you out like the piece of fresh meat you really were. "How about a beer then?" you asked, scanning everything that Penny had on tap and pointing to your favorite.

"Solid choice," he replied, ordering two from Jimmy. And then all too soon, you were the one pulling him toward the pool table and Natasha.

"Well, well, well," Jake drawled, setting down his empty bottle and tossing a dart repeatedly up into the air with his gaze glued on you. "What do we have here, Bradshaw?"

"This is my girlfriend," he replied immediately. "Don't get any ideas."

You cleared your throat, stuck out your hand, and told Jake your name. He reached for you with a smile and didn't let go. "You must be the teacher from the field trip the other day. I'm Jake. But if you'd prefer to use my call sign, it's Hungman. I mean Hangman. Looks like Baby on Board was right."

"Right about what?" Bradley asked, eyes darting to where Bob was blushing profusely with a pool cue in his hand.

Jake chuckled. "Nothing I can say in front of mixed company."

"Oh!" you said, pulling your hand free and pointing at Jake while you took a sip of your beer. Bradley felt the need to protect you, but you didn't really need him to at all as you smirked and said, "Hangman. Right. You're the guy with the dumb call sign. My students were still talking about it yesterday."

Bradley started laughing at the sour look on Jake's face. After that, you had some very pleasant conversations with Javy, Mickey and Reuben, even though he could see their eyes dip down to your chest on occasion. It wasn't really their fault that you were beautiful, so he let it slide while he played pool with Nat. Eventually you joined in with him, and you insisted on buying the next two beers plus another drink for his best friend.

"I'll be right back," you told him, playfully backing away toward the bar with a smile, and Bradley watched you the entire time you were gone.

"You are a mess," Nat informed him as if he didn't already know that.

He shook his head. "I just know the day is going to come when I'm not around to physically be with her. And you'll be the one inviting her out to the bar while I'm eating soggy cabbage rolls on an aircraft carrier. So I need to set the precedent now. She's with me, and all of these assholes we work with can keep their hands to themselves where she is concerned."

"You were never this up tight when you brought Vanessa here."

His ex's name always sounded startling now when it rattled around in his head. "She was mean," he said easily. "Nobody wanted to talk to her even though she was pretty." But Bradley honestly never did feel this way about her or anyone else before you. Watching you pay Jimmy with a smile on your face before turning and meeting his eyes was enough to send him walking halfway to meet you.

Bradley took one of the drinks from your hands and leaned down to give you a nice, long kiss with tongue. Was he marking his territory? Sure. Was he also letting you know he was ready to get you alone again whenever you wanted to leave? Absolutely. Was he also just such a mess he couldn't help but touch you? A hundred percent.

It wasn't long before you suggested calling it a night.

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

Bradley was deep inside you, one big hand pinning your wrists above your head on his pillow. His fingers were trailing down your skin as he fucked you a little harder, and you let him talk and ramble to his heart's content while he brought you closer to where you wanted to be.

"You're perfect," he crooned, hazy gaze focused on your face. "Tell me, Baby, please. I need to know." He kissed along your neck, tongue darting out to taste the sheen of sweat. "Please."

"What?" you gasped, barely able to talk at all as his fingers settled on your clit.

You thought maybe he gave up trying to communicate right now, but then he licked his lips and said, "Give me a date. Please. Give me a date when you're going to move in." But he was stroking you just right, and your only response was a gasp before you were chanting his name.

His lips settled on yours as you came for him, clenching around his cock until he spilled himself inside you. His kisses were rough before turning sweet, and soon he was softly teasing your lips as he muttered, "You gonna tell me?"

It took you a second to push through the fog as your orgasm tapered off, and you smiled. "I thought you weren't in a hurry. Just in love." His cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink as he ducked his head, but you'd already been giving it a lot of thought. When he started to shift, you whispered, "January twentieth."

He froze again and met your eyes. "Yeah? Seriously?"

"Seriously."

His hands were cupping your face while he stayed buried inside you. "Gorgeous, you just made my whole fucking day."

Within the hour, he had the date saved in his phone calendar, and you were on his lap on the couch eating popcorn. "We've got time, but I'll help you pack beforehand and move everything. Javy has a truck, so I'll make sure we can use that. You could always start moving some things before that if you wanted to."

You popped a kernel between his lips and asked, "You just really wanted a date to look forward to?"

"So bad," he replied with a grin. "I can't wait to have my professional spider hunter around all the time."

"You're ridiculous," you told him with a grin of your own. You yawned, exhausted in the early hours of Sunday morning. "I need some sleep or else I'll be dead on my feet at work this week. You need to show me that you can be well behaved and let me rest even after I've moved in with you."

"On it," he replied, dumping the remainder of the popcorn into his mouth before scooping you up and heading for the bathroom to get ready for bed.

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

Bradley smiled as he ate some macaroni and cheese in the cafeteria later that week. He had two new dates saved in his phone calendar. The day you would be moving in with him and the date for career day at your school. He couldn't wait. He was admiring the calendar entries when his phone alerted him to a new email. It was oddly enough from your school account.

Dear Lieutenant Bradshaw,

We just wanted to reach out and thank you again for taking us on a tour of North Island. Our lessons about aviation were brought to life. It was the educational opportunity of a lifetime, and we also had so much fun on the field trip. Our classroom door is always open anytime you want to visit.

Sincerely,

Your nineteen pen pals

Immediately after he finished reading, he noticed he had another email. From your personal account this time.

Did you know there are just thirty-five days until I move to Coronado?

Attached was a photo of you holding up three fingers and five fingers in front of your naked tits, and Bradley almost dropped his phone. He could see everything, just like you probably intended, but he had to close out of the image as Maverick approached him with a frown.

"We need to talk."

Bradley's brow furrowed. "What's going on?"

The older man sighed and rubbed his forehead. "A call came in from Norfolk. Atlantic Fleet needs one more F/A-18 pilot for an assignment. Your name was mentioned."

"No," Bradley replied immediately as his stomach lurched. "Atlantic Fleet? Mav, please tell me you're joking."

"I'm not."

Bradley's head was swimming with concern. He'd only been in the Pacific Fleet for a few years, and he wasn't looking to go back to Virginia. Not even temporarily, but certainly not permanently. You were only with him because he was based out of San Diego. You told him yourself how scared you had been when you thought you were falling for a man who lived on the other side of the country.

"My name was mentioned?" he muttered. "Who else was mentioned?"

Maverick shook his head. "Nobody. They want you. I'd start thinking about getting your duffle out of the closet this weekend. I'll get your more information as soon as I can."

Bradley had more questions than answers, but he let the other man walk away without another word. When he unlocked his phone and saw the perfect photo of you, his heart clenched. Having answers to his questions would only make it harder to tell you what was about to happen.

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

But they love each other! Reverting back to full-time pen pals mode? Will that even work? Thanks @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 18

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[wasawattpadkid]

OMG YOU’RE WRITING IS SO EFFING GOOD I can’t stop coming back to your page. Can you possibly do a poly ghost face x fem reader⚠️ prompt being something like “do you think they can hear us through the tent?” Friend group going camping. I think it would be a dangerous situation but exciting.

Thank you so much you're too sweet! I hope I did your request justice! 💕 Thanks for the ask!

Voices Carry

Summary: A camping trip can be stressful and painful. With Billy being the mule of the group his back ached. You and Stu were just the ones to help with that.

Pairing: Poly!ghostface x fem!reader

Warnings: ⚠️smut 18+⚠️ explicit boyxboy, unsafe sex, slight degrading, slight praise, rough sex, tears, cum, p in v, oral (male receiving), after care, vulgar language, threesome, power dynamics

"I hate fucking bugs." Billy said as he swatted the gnats away from his face. "How do you get their little legs apart?" Stu laughed at his own joke earning silence from the kids around him. "Lighten up guys. This'll be fun, we're going to have s'mores tonight!" It seemed you and Sydney were the only ones happy about the camping trip. "Yeah, we'll sit around the campfire and tell scary stories. You're good at that, aren't you babe?" You looked at Billy and Stu letting them know you were talking about both of them. "Damn right I am." Stu threw his arm over your shoulder. You hadn't told your friends about dating the two boys, it was only official with Stu. However they all knew about your sleeping habits.

"This is exactly how Friday the 13th started. If this were a movie we'd be doomed." Randy exclaimed as he held Sydney's hand. "I'm the only single one here I'm already doomed." Tatum took a swig of her almost empty soda bottle. "James Dean back there is single. Ask him out." Randy pointed towards Billy who wore a plain t-shirt paired with distressed blue jeans. Tatum looked at the boy with something close to disbelief. Billy shot her a tight lipped smile with raised eyebrows as he shrugged his shoulders. "He's not exactly my type." Stu laughed pointing at your shared boyfriend. "Ooh burn!"

"Since when did you get picky about boys?" Randy asked earning a slap to the back of the head. "Ow you know that actually really hurt." Billy smiled looking at his boots as they crunched the greenery beneath them. "You deserved that one bud." Tatum nodded agreeing with you. Sydney checked her map making sure you were walking in the right direction. "Can we keep moving my back is killing me?" Billy complained looking at the lousy tour guide. "I'll take it from you buddy." Stu reached out touching his partner's shoulder. You and the group were walking ahead when you heard Stu yelp behind you. Everyone turned seeing Stu hold his hand in pain as Billy chuckled to himself. "He bit me!"

Eventually you and the gang found a decent place to set up camp. "Does anyone here know how to set up a tent?" Randy asked having no clue where to start. "Does anyone know how to set up a tent?" Stu mocked the boy earning a laugh from the girls. "No dipshit, we all just walked miles with tents on our back to use as fire wood. Of course we know how to set up a tent, we're actually men." Stu flexed his arm showing off the muscle. "Does your masculine overcompensation ever get embarrassing?" Tatum quipped making Stu's face drop. "Jokes on you I don't know what that means." He stuck out his tounge making her scoff.

"Think fast Stu." Billy called pitching his bag to Stu. "Who's sleeping where?" Tatum asked noticing the two unmade tents. "Y/n's crashing with us. So I guess that leaves you, Sydney, and twiddle dumb." Randy nodded used to Stu's obnoxious jokes. "Real cute Macher." Stu framed his face with his hands showing off his teeth. "I try!" You rolled your eyes heading over to Billy helping him with the tent. "Awful big hammer you've got there." You bumped his shoulder as your friends continued their bickering. Billy shook his head with a laugh. "You and him are just alike." He said referring to Stu.

"I'd like to think I'm a little hotter." You said sitting down on the ground. Billy raised up stretching his back. He used the back of his forearm to swipe the sweat from his forehead. You were caught up in watching him when a loud crash grabbed your attention. "Are you okay Randy?" His girlfriend asked as he lay beneath the crumpled tent. "I'm fine!" He called out as Stu hit the ground laughing. After about 30 minutes or so both tents were set up. You and Tatum could've helped but watching the boys argue over who could do what was better.

Sydney started on the fire as it began to get dark. "I'll get sticks for s'mores!" You jumped up going on a hunt for skewers. "Ew I'm not putting that in or around my food." Tatum said thinking her friends were crazy. "If you're worried about germs the fire kills almost any bacteria on your food." Billy pinched the bridge of his nose. "How do you think they did it back in the old days Tate?" Stu asked sitting next to the girl. "I don't know doofus I wasn't around back then." You came back handing each person their own stick. The night continued with everyone having a drink or two and eating s'mores. Billy chased Randy around with a stick on fire as Stu cheered him on and Sydney told him to stop.

"Is this thing safe to sleep in?" Tatum asked as she looked inside of the tent Randy put up. "Yes it's safe to sleep in." Randy said aggravated that his work was thought so little of. "It looks great." Sydney kissed his cheek making his sour mood fade. "Alright well we're going to get some sleep." Billy smacked the tops of his thighs as he stood up. "If the tent starts a-rockin don't come a-knockin." Stu stuck his tongue out at the teenagers causing everyone including you make a face. "Get your ass in the tent." You smacked his arm making him laugh. You and Billy laid down pillows and blankets trying to figure out how to make the sleeping arrangement comfortable.

"I call dibs on the middle." Stu threw himself down wincing once he realized you could still very much feel the earth underneath the tent. "In your fucking dreams, she always gets middle." Billy kicked his partner trying to get him to move. "It's not that big of a deal I can sleep anywhere." You shrugged making both boys huff out a laugh. "Yeah we know. You slept the whole way up here." That was true. Traveling long distances always made you drowsy. "That just means I'm not tired now." Billy immediately looked at Stu who was grinning up at you. You turned around grabbing your backpack off the ground. The bright red pack of cards revealed itself as you pulled them from the bag. "I brought uno!" You said happily as Stu groaned and Billy couldn't help but laugh.

"I win again. Are you colorblind or something?" Billy shuffled the cards like a dealer in Vegas. You carefully watched his hands as they played with the cards. "Take a picture it'll last longer." Billy smirked seeing you staring out of the corner of his eye. "Oh sorry." You fixed your posture out of embarrassment. "It's all good." Billy's voice was low trying to stay quiet but it made you want to scream. "Are we playing another round or what?" Billy's question made Stu throw his head back with a whine. "I rather cover myself in peanut butter and go running out there than play another game of this shit." Normally you'd snap at him for complaining but all you could do was look at him. His head was tilted back showing off his neck while his tank top let your eyes run down the obvious veins on his arms. "Is anybody else hot in here?" You pinched your shirt shaking the fabric hoping to cool yourself off.

Stu perked up as Billy put away the cards. "You could take of your clothes off." Billy looked at Stu letting him know not to be pushy. "What! I'm just trying to help my girlfriend." Stu put his hand over his heart trying to seem genuine. While the boys bickered you pulled your top off showing off your black sports bra. "I didn't think you'd actually do it." Stu bit his lip as he scanned the new skin on display. "Relax I'm just getting ready for bed." The way your head was running with wild thoughts you needed the sleep. You stripped off down to your underwear knowing how hot it gets sleeping in between Billy and Stu. "It's supposed to get down in the 40s tonight." Billy warned taking off his jeans and switching them to sweatpants.

"We'll keep you warm babe." Stu kissed your neck looking at Billy as if to say "shut the fuck up." Billy shook his head peeling the white shirt from his torso. The muscles in his back contracted as he rolled his shoulders. All day he had been tense. He wasn't sure if it was the constant social interaction or the 50 pound backpack he had to hike with. Stu left you sitting on the sleeping mat as he switched out of his clothes. "Billy come here." You waved him over seeing he was uncomfortable. He walked over to you not knowing what you wanted. "Sit down I'm going to see if I can help you." Stu scoffed as Billy sat with his back towards you. "He needs more help than you can give him."

Billy flipped off his friend as Stu continued to change. "Is it your shoulders or what?" Billy leaned his head over trying to stretch out his neck. "It's mostly my neck and my shoulders. They've been bothering me all damn day." You placed your hands on his shoulders slowly rubbing out the tension with your thumbs. Billy's eyes closed in hopes the dark would make the pain a little more bearable. Stu was left in nothing but his boxers as he watched his partners. "Is that helping at all?" You wanted to make sure you weren't hurting him. "Yeah." He moaned in pain. Both you and Stu immediately looked at each other knowing how that sounded. With a nod Stu asked you to do it again.

You repeated the pattern on his shoulder pressing down on a certain spot. Another groan left Billy's lips. Billy wasn't aware of the effect he was having on you and Stu. The short haired boy walked over sitting in front of his boyfriend. Billy opened one eye looking at Stu with suspicion. "What are you doing?" He didn't trust Stu when he had that sort of hellish gleam in his eyes. "Me? Oh nothing." Stu responded as you continued to massage Billy's shoulders. "I doubt that- ah!" He exclaimed his head lulling back in pain. You didn't know if it was wrong that his pain turned you on but you were glad you weren't the only one. You pressed a kiss to Billy's neck which brought a smile to his face.

Stu's movement however wasn't as innocent. His hand rubbed against the crotch of Billy's sweatpants making the boy between you two sigh. "We can't do this right now. They'll hear us." Billy said making no move to stop either of you. You had given up trying to suppress the hunger that had consumed you all day. Billy's breath was ragged as Stu continued to rub his growing erection. You smiled against Billy's skin before whispering next to his ear. "Are you telling me you can't be quiet?" Stu tugged at Billy's waistband signaling the boy to raise his hips. Once he did Stu tugged his pants down his legs and off to the side of the tent. "I can be quiet but I know you can't." Billy bit back as his eyes closed tight trying to figure out how he could gain some control. "Who said anything about me?" You whispered as Stu pulled Billy's cock from his uncomfortably tight briefs. "Fuck..." Billy groaned knowing he lost whatever game you two were playing.

You went back to kissing and biting Billy's neck as Stu began to slide his hand up and down the boy's cock. Stu looked at you with a sense of astonishment in his eyes. Billy was a control freak in and out of the bedroom. He was always on top barking orders unless you physically tied him down. So for this to be happening was like lighting in a bottle. Stu scooted down licking a stipe up the boy's shaft. Billy's abs contracted as his hips rolled upwards. You watched happily as Stu's tongue swirled around the tip of Billy cock smearing the bead of precum around his skin. A small gasp could be heard coming from the man under your touch.

His knuckles were white as they gripped the sheets beneath him. It took every ounce of strength not to throat fuck the man who continuously teased him. Stu sat up leaving Billy needy but he'd die before he begged. "Lay back." Stu said making you move out of the way. Billy's back hit the mat as he looked up at the both of you. That little red tint on his cheeks made him look insanely attractive. "Well are you two assholes going to do anything or do I need to get myself off?" The smirk on Billy's face somehow made his words endearing. Stu leaned over whispering instructions in your ear. With wide eyes you looked up at the man. "Go ahead."

You pulled off your underwear leaving them where they dropped. Billy quickly ridded himself off his underwear leaving himself completely naked in front of you and Stu. You walked over to the man on the ground straddling his hips. Your lips connected with his greedily. Billy grabbed his cock running the tip up and down your folds making you moan into his mouth. Without a warning he slipped the tip into your entrance. You sat up properly lining him up before slowly sinking down on his cock. Billy let out what could only be described as a growl through gritted teeth. You started to rock your hips back and forth letting your clit rub against his skin.

Stu walked over helping you out of your bra as you continued your movements. Leaning down he pressed a kiss to your lips before he got rid of his own underwear. Billy watched as you pumped Stu's cock with one hand, the other rested on Billy's abdomen keeping your balance. Your lips wrapped around the tip of Stu's cock, your tongue running flat against the slit. The warmth from your cunt and the sight in front of him almost made Billy cum. "I need you to move." Billy spoke, his voice deep and worn.

You pulled your mouth off of Stu's length with a pop. "What's the magic word?" You teased. "Fuck you." Billy spat appalled you thought that'd work on him. You squeezed around his cock making a slight whimper leave his lips. "Say please." Your eyes hardened waiting to hear the word come from him. "You're a fucking bitch." He sighed in defeat. "Please." His voice was shaky only making his plea hotter. "Good boy." You tapped his cheek making his nostrils flare in anger. His fingers dug into your thigh sure to leave bruises. You started to bounce as Stu shoved his cock back in your mouth. With a grip on your hair he paced himself. Moans were loud against the tent as your thighs started to burn.

"Just like that." Stu moaned as you hollowed out your cheeks. Tears began to well up in your eyes making the world around you blurry. You looked up at Stu seeing him smile down at you. "You're so beautiful with my cock in your mouth." He complimented as Billy thrusted his hips upward. You moaned around Stu not being able to suppress your volume. "Shh." Stu wiped the tear that fell from your eye. His head lulled back with a silent moan. Billy shook beneath you needing to cum. "Stu.. I- I need her to move." His voice cracked as his restraint faltered. "Give me a damn minute." Stu had a habit of getting cocky. In a normal setting Billy would've immediately put an end to it. He'd didn't tolerate what he considered "bitchy behavior."

Stu continued to use your mouth however he pleased. "Y/n baby..." Billy softly spoke making you pull away from Stu. "Fuck!" Stu whisper yelled at the loss of your lips. Billy grabbed your waist easily pulling you off of him. He kissed your lips before he stood up. "Get on your fucking knees." Billy spat at Stu more than upset. Stu being smarter than he looked dropped to his knees in front of his boyfriend. Billy grabbed the mans face roughly squishing the delicate skin beneath his fingers. "Open. Tongue out." Stu obeyed his tongue hanging out allowing Billy's cock to easily slid in. Your fingers found your clit quickly circling the bud.

Billy was always more aggressive with Stu knowing he could and loved to take it. Billy's thighs trembled as he got close. "Y-Y/n come here please..." The willing politeness made you even hotter than before. You crawled over next to Stu sitting back on your heels. Billy pulled out from Stu's mouth letting you know exactly what he was doing. You opened your mouth with your tongue out much like your boyfriend next to you. Billy pumped his cock till ropes of cum hit both you and Stu.

He milked his orgasm till there was nothing left. Quickly you swallowed what hit your tongue not thinking of the taste. Stu seemed to have a mouth full as he swallowed. "That would be way easier with a chaser." Stu joked wiping his mouth off with the back of his hand. "Shut up." Billy said with a smile trying to clear the fog from his mind. Stu pressed his lips yours as he slowly pushed you back on the mat. Both of you had yet to finish and he was going to fix that.

His cock seemed to slam into you making your breath leave your body. He sat up holding your legs still. Stu's pace was quick and brutal making your moans come out in fractions. One of his hands fell between your legs playing with you clit. His thrusts never faltered as you slowly felt that familiar pressure build. Your face contorted in pleasure signaling you were close. Stu's free hand covered your mouth knowing how loud you could get. That band seemed to snap within you making chills cover your body. You cried out into his palm as he continued his thrusts. Once your orgasm had passed he pulled out finishing over your stomach.

Stu gasped for air not being able to breathe. He fell over on the mat trying to catch his breath. It'd be awhile since he had an orgasm so strong. Billy went into his backpack pulling out the wet wipes he had brought. The cloth was freezing against your warm skin. A small wince left your lips as he cleaned up the mess his partner made. "I know baby..." He whispered. Billy pitched the cloth to the corner of the tent telling himself he'd get it in the morning. Billy fell between you and Stu before pulling a blanket to cover you and him. "That was fucking awesome." Stu exclaimed finally getting ahold of the air he urgently needed. "You okay?" Billy asked you seeing the permanent smile plastered on your face. "I think we broke her Macher." He smiled glad everyone enjoyed themselves. Stu curled up next to Billy pulling the blanket over his lower half.

"Do you hear that?" You asked the boys listening to the soft sound of grunting. "Holy shit." Billy said as Stu giggled. "Here I was worried they could hear us." You said laughing. Your head rested on Billy's chest listening to his heartbeat. The three in the other tent went at it for another 5 minutes making you and your boyfriends laugh. Stu was the first to fall asleep, softly snoring into his pillow. "That was okay wasn't it?" Billy asked again. He could be really assertive and aggressive during sex but afterwards he'd make sure everyone was okay. You pressed a kiss to his cheek. "It was great. I'm just a little sore." Stu wasn't a careful person. He could be extremely rough but he never meant to be. You knew tomorrow he'd be carrying you around saying he was sorry for being so careless.

"Do you need anything before I fall asleep?" His voice became deep with sleep. "No I don't think so." He kissed the top of your head before getting comfortable. Within 10 minutes you were both fast asleep.

The morning sun was unforgiving. The tent did little to nothing when it came to shielding you from the light. "Morning sunshine!" Stu said looking down at your naked body. "Good morning pervert." He leaned down pressing a kiss to your lips. "Sydney made coffee if you want some." You looked to your left noticing the lack of Billy. Stu noticed your concern. "He's already up. Tatum and Randy are still sleeping." He laughed thinking of last night. You nodded letting Stu leave before you got dressed.

"Good morning." Sydney said both of you shared a moment of silent acknowledgment. "Morning." She handed you a cup of coffee which you thanked her for. Tatum erupted from the tent ready to fight anyone who said something. "Did you have a good night last night?" Stu asked making Billy look at the ground with a smile. "Suck a dick Stu. Oh wait, you did." Tatum said almost making you choke on your drink. Billy couldn't help but laugh with Sydney. "That wasn't even that funny." Stu said disappointed in his friends. Randy was the next to leave the tent earning a high five from Stu. "Randy my man!" You rolled your eyes sipping on your drink.

The day dragged on with everyone going swimming and later eating hot dogs. By the end of the day everyone was on good terms even laughing about the night previous. Sydney snapped some photos of the group making sure everyone had atleast one polaroid to take home. Billy looked down at the picture in his hand. Everyone was smiling and having fun. He hated to say it but he might just go camping again.

[charminglyantiquated]

So, I’m seriously looking into getting into tall ship sailing (waiting on follow-up from an interview rn) and I’m wondering for getting into it more long-term -

what do people do after sailing tall ships? Like, it’s a pretty physical job, and I’d assume there’s a point where your joints just can’t keep up with it.

Are there other jobs in the industry that people move to? I’m not really keen on the idea of moving up in the ship’s hierarchy- admin and being someone’s boss both aren’t really my thing. Do people retrain in completely different careers? Go back to whatever they were doing before they started sailing?

Anyway, I know your sample size might not be super large so I’d appreciate anything. Thanks a bunch!

This is hard to answer directly - on the one hand sailing tall ships is such a niche industry that there are limited pathways for straightforward advancement. But on the other hand, it overlaps with such a large number of other industries, and requires such a jack of all trades skillset - tourism, carpentry, history and preservation, hospitality, marine electronics, etc. etc. etc. - that there's a lot of ways forward for what I guess I'd call lateral advancement: moving to another job which uses most of the same skills. So there's no one answer, but if it helps, here's some things my tall ship deckhand friends have ended up doing, after no longer deckhanding tallships:

Get a captain's license and keep sailing. Captains often have it a bit easier physically (balanced out by the mental stress lol), and are paid better. Owning your own boat is optional; plenty of companies hire captains by the season to sail the boat, while the management of the company is dealt with by the actual owners. (This is what I did! I don't have the sail-hauling arms I did as a deckhand, but my knees and bank account are both in better shape).

Bosun, first mate, engineer, some other specialized non-captain crew member, usually involves licensing or other education that's useful down the road if you switch to an adjacent career

Racing yachts

Captain for hire on private vessels

Outward bound guide, other wilderness education programs

Harbor cruises, lobster tour guides, and other motor-powered tourist boats, both as captain and as crew - you have the patter and the safety skills but you don't want to deal with the hassle of sails

Water taxis, ferries and other passenger vessels

Lobstering, fishing, aquaculture, tugboats, other non-tourist waterfront industries

Marine surveyor, marine electrician, other specialized technician

Working in a shipyard - good fit for all the fit-out skills of sanding, painting, varnishing, covering and uncovering the boat

Cruise ship hostess

Train conductor (the passion for the early 1900s carried over well)

Working at a a museum focused on local maritime history

Tour guide for local buses, walking tours, etc

Boatbuilder (IYRS, Wooden Boat School)

Teaching the captain's license courses (nota bene: there were obviously some other steps between deckhand and teacher, notably ten years of being a captain in between. But this is what they settled into when they decided sailing was too physically taxing, so I want to include it).

Carpentry, house painting

Designing and selling custom made van-homes (apart from the technical skills, living on board a ship helps familiarize making use of every square inch of space)

Sailmaker

Of course there's other friends who went on to try something completely new and unrelated - I think because so many of the people who start sailing tall ships are here for something completely new in the first place, that's not an intimidating prospect so much as an exciting one. But many of them did make use of tall ship skills even when moving on from tall ships, so I hope the above list is helpful in giving a broad sense of what can follow!

[sunshine-daisies-library]

starry eyed lies | ashton irwin x pop star!reader

author's note: had been cooking this one for a while, might be really sloppy bc i had zero time to work on it lol

summary: as a publicity stunt to boost the popularity of five seconds of summer, ashton is forced to fake date you, a rising pop star that has stolen the hearts of listeners around the world.

warnings: fighting, social media, cyber-bullying?, swearing, mentions of weed, fake dating trope, Ashton is labeled a "bad boy" lol, angst

word count: 11.0k

It was supposed to be a simple “fix-all.” Following the tour for Sounds Good Feels Good, the boys were running on a high. Their names were known all over the world, and they were loved by all girls for not only their music but their looks, too. But with a running high, things must come to an end, as the boys began to falter on their positive fame streak. From negative articles to drama tabloids being released about them, the boys were torn apart by critics and haters alike for their rock star-bad boy attitude. Wherever they made a mistake -one drink too many or ending up in another drama with other celebrities- the press was right there to pick them and prod them where it hurt. The boys’ hands were tied, and it looked like it was the end for their band as they knew it. 

“I’m really at a loss here,” their publicity manager sighed, holding a news article in her hand. On the headlines it stated “Aussie Punk Rock Boys Strike Again: Another Party Gone Wrong.” Depicted in the photo were Luke and Ashton’s headshots taken by the L.A.P.D. It was yet another public disturbance report with additional fines allotted because they were under the influence. On top of that, Luke was still underage and not allowed to drink. 

“I mean, really,” she pressed, tossing the paper onto the coffee table. “Another disturbance report? I thought I told you guys to cut down on parties and alcohol. What were you thinking?”

And to be completely honest, they weren’t thinking. With press on their backs and paparazzi following them everywhere they went, the boys felt completely constricted. Stress was building up in their systems and they lacked an older figure -someone more knowledgeable in the music industry- to guide them through their early onset of fame. One mistake after the other just egged each other on, leaving them feeling hopeless and self-destructive. It got to a point where Ashton considered doing one last big stunt to end his career entirely. At least then he’d finally get to go back home and away from the drama. 

But he couldn’t do that to his boys. His best friends he more so considered brothers had dreamed of moving to L.A. and making music for everyone to hear. Hell, it was his dream, too. He couldn’t possibly throw all of that away for his own selfish desires. Ashton still had to admit that he was getting tired of constantly being under the spotlight with little reward from it. 

“I’m sorry Manuela,” Luke said, hanging his head low. “It won’t happen again, I promise.” 

“I hope I can count on you guys when you say that,” she said, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Because there’s only so much I can do on my end to get you guys out of the hole you put yourselves into.” 

Michael leaned over his knees, determined to make things right. “Tell us what we can do,” Michael insisted. “We can clean ourselves up, we swear. We promised to take this break as a time to fix ourselves and really focus on our music.” 

“See, that’s the thing,” Manuela pointed out. “Taking a break is the perfect opportunity to get out of the spotlight and focus on bettering yourselves. But, completely escaping the press and media will make you guys fade out of the music industry. So we have to find an even balance between the two.”

“How?” Calum asked curiously. A frown rested on his tired face. Anyone could tell the bad press was getting to him. It was getting to all of them. “Everyone practically hates us.” 

Manuela grabbed the remote from the table and turned on the TV, connected to her computer. “That’s where we come in,” she started, sharing her screen to the boys. “What we need is a fresh face that’s receiving positive feedback to get you guys on everyone’s good side again.” She flicked through meaningless graphs and percentages of social media engagement and views on YouTube for their tour diaries and music videos. Ashton winced at the downward trend for each graph. “My team’s first option was One Direction. But considering the break they decided to go on, it’s obviously not a viable choice anymore.” 

“So who do you have in mind?” Ashton spoke up, flicking his hand up to ask his question. 

Their publicity manager clicked the remote to change slides. On the screen was a beautiful girl, smiling at the paparazzi. You looked shy, definitely new to the L.A. music scene but confident nonetheless. 

“Woah, y/n l/n?” Michael awed. “I’ve listened to her music before. She’s sick.” 

“And also America’s new pop princess,” Manuela informed them. “After touring with Taylor Swift as her opening act for the 1989 tour, she’s gained considerable popularity. She’s just moved to L.A. and records at the studio a couple blocks down. She’s new to the industry, but she’s promising.” Manuela switched  off the TV and turned to the boys. “And she’s probably your only option.” 

“Hold on,” Ashton said. He was struggling to wrap his head around this. “What do you want us to do with her? Record a song with her? Not to be rude or anything, but her music genre doesn’t mix well with our type of stuff, and I don’t feel like writing lovey-dovey shit.” 

Manuela chuckled at his immediate disgust at the idea. “No, we weren’t thinking that,” she reassured him. “For now, at least. What we need is a good influence in your lives for the public to see. Someone like y/n.” 

“So what now?” Ashton raised an eyebrow. “We just knock on her door and become best friends?” 

“Ash,” Calum scolded him, smacking his knee. “Be nice. y/n and I are mutuals on social media and she’s had nothing but nice things to say about us.” 

Manuela snapped her fingers. “Exactly,” she agreed. “Calum and Michael are already acquainted with her. We need a bigger step to bring you guys into the limelight.” The older woman turned to Ashton, ironically the one member that was most against this whole ploy. “We need you to date y/n.” 

The four boys let out shouts of differing emotions. Michael was shocked, Calum was confused, Luke was jealous, and Ashton was no doubt opposed. 

“Why him!” Luke whined. “He doesn’t want to do it, let me! I’ll gladly date her.” 

Manuela shook her head, adamant on her decision. “It’s gotta be Ashton, I’m afraid,” she said. “His “bad boy” persona is the most detrimental to your overall image. He’s got to be the one. Not to mention, y/n requested him specifically.” 

“Oh great,” Ashton groaned, voice dripping in sarcasm. “The plan is to sell me off as some pop star’s boy toy? How come she’s in on it and I have no choice?” 

“That’s not the plan,” Manuela told him firmly. “It was created in agreement between her team and yours. She needs all the publicity she can get to boost her fame and, well, you guys are aware of your own situation. It’s all for show, Ashton. All we ask is a few dates in public and even a kiss or two for the press.”

Michael snickered. “He won’t have a problem with that,” he muttered under his breath. 

“But,” Manuela cut the boy off. “We’re not asking you to marry her. It’s just a few months and then an amicable split. She’s going on tour at the end of the year, and you boys are going on your writing retreat. By then, both of you will be able to part ways and your relationship will be a thing of the past. She gets the publicity, your reputation gets fixed. It’s a win-win situation.” 

“Not for me,” Ashton fought back. He wanted nothing to do with this. Hell, he didn’t want anything to do with the band anymore. Each night, he plotted excessive plans to escape his prison called L.A. and fly back to Sydney to be with his family. He was sick of the lights, the glamor, the fame. 

He glanced back at his friends. His heart clenched at the dark bags under Calum’s eyes, and Michael’s uncharacteristically extra pale complexion from the lack of sleep. Anxiety had riddled the entire band, and it was clear on Luke’s hands where he had been picking at his fingertips. They were a wreck, and Manuela made it seem like he was their last hope. If he said no, they could pack up their things and go home. He’d get what he wanted all along. But Ashton couldn’t let go of the sparkling looks in their eyes when they received word from One Direction that they wanted them to open up for their concerts. He saw hope in their futures, saw something bigger in store for them. In some way, Ashton could still see that innocence in their eyes, blocked slightly by their stress and nerves. He was their last chance to bring that optimism back. 

“I’ll do it,” he gave in. The boys let out whoops of joy, tackling Ashton into a hug. Ashton was frustrated beyond belief, but he faked a smile just to see his boys get their spark back. 

–

Ashton was immediately regretting his decision the moment he stepped foot into the restaurant. The restaurant was too expensive for his taste, the kind of eatery that sold mediocre food primarily for you to post on social media for your “friends” to envy you. If this place was your idea as Manuela mentioned, it was only a mere insight of your personality. And without even meeting you yet, Ashton was beginning to loathe you. 

The musician checked his watch again, keeping his head down and away from any prying eyes. You were ten minutes late, and if you kept this up, Ashton predicted you wouldn’t even show up. Ashton swore under his breath, growing more and more annoyed by you. He never should have agreed to this plan. 

Suddenly, you came bursting through the door. Your eyes peered around the store before finding Ashton’s, immediately heading to the table he had saved. Ashton fought the urge to roll his eyes at your lack of sunglasses or hoodie. It was like you were begging for attention. Which, now he thought, you probably were. 

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” you apologized profusely, setting your bag on the ground and pulling out your notebook. A waitress immediately went to your table to take your orders. Ashton had only wanted water, but you ordered one milkshake and a side of cannolis. “Traffic was terrible, as per usual in L.A. I suppose. And then my publicity manager asked me to get my hair down for today, then she scheduled a nail appointment-” You took a deep breath, running out of air from talking so quickly. “I feel like a dress up doll,” you joked, giving the Aussie a sheepish smile. 

Ashton, however, was not amused. He barely returned your smile, his eyes narrowed in annoyance. “Whatever,” he murmured. “Let’s just pretend to look happy when the press gets here. We were supposed to have a ten minute prep time but since you decided to be late-”

“I didn’t decide to be late-” you fought back incredulously.

“We only have three minutes max to plan something good for the press to take a picture of,” Ashton finished, sending a glare your way for interrupting him halfway. 

You huffed, deep in thought before concocting something paparazzi worthy. “Just follow my lead, okay?” you said, watching a swarm of paparazzi approach the restaurant. The waitress set down your order and was about to dash off when you asked for two straws. 

Ashton raised an eyebrow at your idea, not exactly following along. You stuck the two straws into the glass, taking a healthy sip from it. You let out a moan of delight, smiling to yourself at the taste. Ashton fought the urge to chuckle at your almost innocent-like demeanor. He coughed to cover up his laugh, still stubborn enough to maintain his grudge against your tardiness. 

You took the paper wrapping of one straw and glanced up at the drummed in front of you. Tying the wrapper together, you raised the knot up. “Tug the other side,” you instructed. 

Ashton gave you a pointed look but pulled the wrapper nonetheless, pulling until the paper gave way and snapped in half. The knot remained on your end, making you cheer in victory. 

“I still don’t understand what the hell you’re doing,” he grumbled. 

You ignored him, closing your eyes and whispering to yourself. Ashton leaned back, not fighting back an eye roll. “Great,” he muttered. “I’m on a date with a weirdo.” How was this supposed to get the band good publicity? 

Opening your eyes again, you set the wrapper down. “I was just making a wish,” you explained as if it was the most obvious thing. “You never did that before? Tie a knot in the straw wrapper, pull, and whoever gets the knot gets to make a wish.” 

“That’s,” Ashton took a deep breath. “The biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard in my life.” 

You scoffed playfully, cocking your head to get a good look at the paparazzi. More photographers approached the windows, taking hundreds of photos of the two of you. “Try smiling more,” you told him. “Maybe people wouldn’t crown you with the “bad boy of the band” title if you did.” 

“I’m not the bad boy of the band,” Ashton retorted, smiling nonetheless. It was a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, but it satisfied the press who started flashing their cameras more frequently at the sight of it. 

Snorting, you took his hand and weaved your fingers together as you took another sip of your -now shared- milkshake. You let out a quiet giggle despite no one saying anything funny.

“You’re terrible at this,” Ashton deadpanned. 

“I’ve seen people do this in movies,” you responded, shaking your head as if he said something unbelievable. 

“Doesn’t mean it’s a good idea,” he said back, responding to your head shake with a chuckle. 

You hummed, turning away and muttering under your breath, “Look who’s talking.” 

Ashton couldn’t help but be amused by your clever comebacks. He never expected you to be able to keep up with his sarcastic comments. But here you were, dishing them out faster than he can create one. 

“Anyways,” you continued breezily. “You’re so the bad boy of the band.”

“What makes you say that?” he asked, readjusting his position in his chair to prepare himself for whatever response you’d curated. 

You took a pause to collect your thoughts. You took a bite of your cannoli as you thought to yourself. “First off,” you swallowed the remaining bits of the pastry. “In your first album, you’re the only one looking away from the camera frowning. Luke’s looking away, but at least he’s smirking a little bit. That’s big bad boy energy. And the bandana? Come on, you’re trying so hard to be edgy but I see your smile behind the drums.”

Ashton rolled his eyes for the millionth time that day. “Good to know you’ve done your research.”

“I have to get to know my new fake boyfriend,” you waved him off jokingly. “What am I supposed to do? Go into this blind? Surely you’ve done some research about me.” 

The Australian musician hesitated to respond. “I may have skimmed the binder?” he responded, a little bit embarrassed. He didn’t expect to have to know everything about you and your career. 

You squeeze his hand, reminding him you were still intertwined. “It’s okay,” you assured him. “We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other later.” 

You both turned to the windows and noticed the swarm of photographers only grew in size, all of them in huddles behind cars. “You think we gave them enough to look at?” you asked. Not waiting for a response, you placed a couple bills on the table and pulled Ashton up with you. 

“Where are we going?” Ashton questioned as you both braved the outdoors, instantly getting bombarded by the paparazzi. Taking on a protective boyfriend role, Ashton wrapped an arm around your shoulders and lent you his sunglasses to wear. 

“Don’t worry!” you said, raising your voice a bit due to the loud calls of interviewers calling out to them. “I know a place!” 

You sprinted down the street and took a sharp right, tugging Ashton along with you. Impressively enough, you were fast enough to lose the press. Soon enough, you found the place you were looking for and dove in. 

The drummer blinked a couple times, trying to regain his sight after the millions of flashes nearly blinded him. Once his vision turned back to normal, he looked around the room to see a relatively empty restaurant. The lights were dim and gave the feel of a speakeasy but also had sweet handmade decorations adorning the walls. The place was endearing to him, somehow, because of how unabashedly unique it was. 

You directed Ashton to your favorite table in the back corner while you went up to the counter to order for the both of them. By the time Ashton had gathered his bearings in his seat, you returned with a tray full of food. 

“Welcome to the “Quilted Corner,” you introduced him to the cafe. “Everyone’s favorite eatery in the darkest corner of Los Angeles. And by everybody I mean probably just me and five other people.” 

Ashton nodded dubiously, understanding the unique name for the place once he got a good look at the grandma-esque decorations. 

“And what do you have in your tray of horrors?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at the assorted foods.

You began to divide the food between the two of you, the mountain of greasy foods slowly turning into a valley and then nothing at all. 

“I’m going to change your goddamn life, Irwin,” you declared, taking a napkin and wiping your hands with it. “This is the order Granny Stevenson -the owner- recommended to me when I first came here. I was lost in the city looking for a place to duck and cover from the paparazzi and came across this lovely place.”

You gestured to the spread of foods. “This is the “homesick cure,”” you told him. “It consisted of two double cheeseburgers, a side of fries, and a milkshake. All completed with Granny Stevenson’s special sauce.” 

“And a heart attack,” Ashton deadpanned. 

You ignored his statement. “This place is really special to me,” you confessed. “It actually cured my homesickness and Granny Stevenson is a grandma-away-from-home to me. This place is where I go to write songs or just get away from it all.”

Ashton poked at his order, a thin film of oil coating his fingertips. “I don’t see the inspiration factor here,” he said, his nose scrunched up. “It just looks like another fast food place in America.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, sad mis-fed rockstar,” you said with a smirk. You pointed at the one last item you didn’t mention. “Behold the Grandpa Stevenson special.” You held up the dish and smelled it deeply. “A blueberry cheesecake made in-house with all the love this place can put into it. Name a place that sells that kinda love, Ashton.” 

“I’m pretty sure Burger King sold that at one point in a mall food court,” he snipped back. 

You narrowed your eyes at the pessimistic drummer. “Not sold with love,” you reminded him. “Besides, they actually make this stuff here. No processed shit, only love.”

Ashton scoffed, turning his head away from the table. Love. What a load of bullshit. If you were gullible enough to buy into the “love” this restaurant sold you, you definitely wouldn’t make it in the cut throat music industry. You were too innocent. It was only a matter of time until those producers and media companies tear you apart like they did with him and the band.

Despite his negative attitude, he took a fork and tried a piece of the cheesecake. The light dessert just about melted on his tongue, the flavors of cream, blueberry, and cinnamon dancing along his tongue. It was the best thing he’s ever tried.

“Told ya,” you sang, eating your own meal with a knowing smirk on your face. 

Ashton feigned a look of disgust. “You didn’t tell me shit,” he grumbled. “It tastes like every other cheesecake.” That was a lie. It wasn’t like anything he’d ever tasted. Somehow, it tasted like home. 

You tried to wipe your messy face with a napkin. “No one that thinks this is an average cheesecake makes that kinda face.” When Ashton didn’t understand, you sighed, preparing to make the same face. “It’s the look you get when you touch down in your hometown after an eleven hour flight. Or the face you make when you write a banger bridge for a song you’ve dedicated weeks to. Or it’s the look you get when everything makes sense in the world.” 

Ashton stabbed his cheesecake and shoveled more of it into his mouth. Pure Heaven. “Whatever,” he huffed. 

The two of you finished the rest of your meal in silence, aside from sighs of content from you because the food was that damn good. You finished off your milkshake, but not before picking up the straw wrapper and tying a knot, just like you did at the cafe before. 

“Pull away, rockstar,” you instructed. Reluctantly, Ashton followed suit and tugged at the paper, the knot ending up on his side this time. You cheered, clasping your hands together. “It’s your turn now! Your first wish that shall be granted by the straw gods.”

Ashton shot you a look before tossing the wrapper to the side. “I don’t really care for wishes,” he stated plainly. You frowned at his negative attitude and that look alone made Ashton’s heart lurch. He instantly felt bad for the way he’s been treating you; it wasn’t your fault the press hated him. But still, he couldn’t help but put some blame on you. It was better than wallowing in self hate, he supposed. 

“It’s okay,” you collected yourself. “You can save that wish for when you need it.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m not going to need it,” he responded sarcastically.

You chuckled, taking a bite out of Ashton’s cheesecake. He let out a shout of protest but you paid no attention to him. “Trust me,” you assured him. “There’s always a time when you need a wish in L.A.”

–

“She’s weird,” Ashton grumbled, readjusting the cuffs of his button up. The boys were preparing for their interview with Buzzfeed in their shared dressing room, fighting for space in front of the mirror. 

It’s been a total of three months since you and Ashton started your fake relationship and the media has been eating it up. They followed the both of you everywhere you went, hiding in cars and in alleyways to get a glimpse of the so-called happy couple. You played your part well, holding his hand in public and kissing his cheek whenever you had the opportunity. From the public’s point of view, Ashton was just as taken by you as you were with him. The media fawned over his boyish grin and blush whenever you’d readjust his beanie in the winter cold. 

On your end, you were genuinely falling for the boy. Behind closed doors, he was just a boy from Australia, new to the fast paced life of being a celebrity. You saw through his cold facade, slowly cracking through the walls he put up around his heart, and you had a feeling you were growing on him. He’d still quip sarcastic comments and roll his eyes, but you didn’t miss the small smile that would rest on his face when he thought you weren’t looking. As rare as his genuine smiles were, you relished those moments because it was the only times you’d see the real Ashton, not the one he’s put out for the paparazzi. 

Ashton, however, was still holding out his grudge against you, albeit very weakly. His tough exterior was indeed toppling slowly. Your kind nature was just too sweet to not find you a little endearing. Ashton would never admit that you had grown on him a little, and a small part of him possibly looked forward to your weekly dates. He learned so much from you, it was as if he never wanted to stop listening to you. Not that he would tell you that, though. 

“That’s all you’ve ever said about her,” Michael shot back, glancing at the mirror to check his hair one more time. “Come on, mate, it’s been three months. Surely you have something new to say about her?” 

Calum agreed wholeheartedly. “Yeah, she’s come to the studio during her breaks from recording. That’s not even in your dating contract but she still does it.”

“Not to mention she gets us coffee every time,” Luke piped up. “That coffee is addictive, where does she get it?” 

Ashton couldn’t help but smile at the thought. He knew you’d always stop by the Quilted Corner -no matter how far of a walk it was- to pick up some coffee. And he knew you always tried to be slick about it, but he’d always catch you tucking away a slice of blueberry cheesecake in the band’s fridge, just for him. He’d never mention it, though. He wanted to let you have your fun. 

Calum let out a shout, pointing at the drummer accusingly. “Aha!” he cheered. “I knew she was growing on you!”

“What the hell are you going on about, Cal?” Ashton demanded, exasperated by his friends’ antics. 

Calum continued his childish shimmy, the other boys gleefully joining in. “You got that dumb smirk on your face,” Calum smugly pointed out. “You’ve got it bad for y/n, don’t you.” 

Before Ashton could respond, the director shouted, “Five minutes till shooting!” Glaring at the boys to keep them silent, Ashton made his way to the chairs in front of the camera, silently praying for this interview to be quick and over with. 

“Welcome to Buzzfeed, boys,” the director’s assistant approached them with a smile. She was petite but her voice was strong and insistent. “Make sure to always look at the camera, but above all, smile and don’t look down. The viewers want to see your faces, okay?” Nodding in confirmation, the boys readied themselves for the camera as the assistant swiftly moved out of the way. 

“Yeah Ash, don’t doze off dreaming of y/n,” Luke snickered into his ear, making the other boys chuckle along with him -aside from Ashton, of course.

–

The interview went as well as one could expect. The questions about the boys’ past were still continuously brought up but the boys answered the questions with grace they could only credit to Manuela. Luckily enough, the interviewer seemed to enjoy their responses, noting a significant maturity in the boys. They seemed to have gotten over their party phase and turned into serious musicians during their break from tours and parties. 

“Final question is for Ashton,” the interviewer shuffled through their papers. “Sources have spotted you and new singer songwriter y/n l/n around L.A. quite a bit following the end of the North American 1989 tour. Now, you both have confirmed your relationship and made it very clear you two are together. Has y/n been an influence in the reshaping of your image in the media?” 

Ashton bit the inside of his cheek. Just remember what Manuela rehearsed with you, he thought. 

“Yeah, y/n’s been great,” he answered, trying to not sound as monotone as he did during his practice runs. “She’s been such a great influence to me and the boys, always keeping a positive outlook on things. I learn a lot from her, and I’d like to think she’s learned quite a bit from me, too.” 

“Like jumping into the neighbor’s pool at midnight?” the interviewer jested, referencing the one time Ashton had drunkenly trespassed his neighbor’s home while they were on vacation. 

Ashton tried not to cringe at that one memory, heavily wanting to keep that part of him in the past. “Definitely not that,” he laughed awkwardly. “But definitely in a sense of navigating newly received fame and things like that.” 

“That’s great to hear,” they hummed. “Should we be expecting anything from you guys? Maybe a collaboration of some sort?”

The drummed shrugged his shoulders honestly. “It’s all up to her,” he responded. “We’re still taking a break from touring, but we do have an album in the works. Writing music with her is definitely on the table, for sure.” 

Ashton wasn’t sure what word vomit was spewing from his lips. Last time he checked, it wasn’t up to you whether or not you wanted to collab with the boys (you were clearly apprehensive about invading his space), he didn’t want to write music with her (possibly due to the fact that the last time you had a joint writing session, he was stuck staring at you curled up on the other side of the couch; you were just mesmerizing but he’d never admit that aloud), and he hated lovey dovey shit (because he hated the warm feeling brewing in his stomach whenever you’d smile or laugh at his jokes). But it wasn’t like he liked you, right? He had to focus on his career, his boys, his life. Not a relationship that’s destined for failure no doubt because of the media. 

 “I’m afraid that’s all the time we have for you guys, thank you so much for coming to our studio today!” The interviewer finished off the closing statements for their interview while Ashton was left inside his head. 

Truth be told, he was conflicted. He had, in fact, gotten significantly closer with you, closer than he’d expected to be at the very least. He still tried to be closed off, tried to push you away from him so he wouldn’t get attached and heartbroken in the end. You just made it so damn difficult. 

“Nice responses, Ash,” Michael patted his shoulder as they gathered their things in their dressing room. “Really downplayed how much you liked her there.” 

Ashton raised an eyebrow while picking up his phone from the side table. He was stupid enough to not look at the text messages. Particularly the ones from you that stated you were on your way to the studio for your own interview. 

“What are you saying, Mike?” Ashton asked tiredly, tired of the relentless teasing and questions he’s gotten about you all afternoon. 

“Mike’s saying that we know you’re in so deep with her,” Luke spoke up from the back as he slipped on his jacket. “Like, L-word close with her.”

Love? Why the hell would he love you? This was all a fake set up for their careers, why didn’t they get that? 

“Can you guys knock it off?” Ashton snapped, finally raising his voice. “I don’t like y/n and I never will. I don’t even like her as a friend. She’s obnoxious, annoying, and so unbelievably difficult to work with; the two of us will never work out. And thank God for that because if I have to spend more than 10 months with her to save your asses’ careers, I’m leaving the fucking band.” 

“Ash-” Calum said meekly.

“No!” he cut him off harshly. “I’m sick of being pushed around like a fucking doll for publicity. The band was doomed from the start because the press won’t leave us the fuck alone. And using y/n as a last Hail Mary is as stupid as it is useless. She’s going to be nothing more than a washed up young celebrity like the rest of us and fade to the past.” 

“Ash!” Michael stopped him. “That’s enough, we get it.” 

Ashton didn’t piece together their hastiness until it was too late. He turned around to see you standing before them. He didn’t even hear the door open. Your eyes were welling up as your mouth was slightly opened by his outburst. 

“Hi guys,” you weakly greeted them. 

Ashton took a step forward, freezing when he saw you stagger back. “y/n,” he whispered, unable to know where to start with his apology. 

“I have an interview in ten minutes,” you informed them quickly. “I’ll see you around later, yeah?” 

You seemed to have taken that as final as you pushed them out of the dressing room and closed the door shut. You didn’t move from the door until you heard all of their footsteps trail off and out of the studio. You let out a shaky breath you didn’t even know you were holding in as you hang your head low. And to think you thought he actually might have liked you, too. 

A knock interrupted your thoughts. “Ms. l/n?” a voice spoke up. “My name’s Ryan and my buddy Shane and I wanted to know if–” 

“Sorry,” you said, opening the door sheepishly. You hoped your face wasn’t giving away your embarrassment and hurt you were experiencing. “I-um, I think I need to be alone for a sec.” 

“Oh!” the taller one exclaimed. “To call Ashton? I think I saw him walk that way.” 

You bit your lip, nodding painfully slow. “Yeah,” you croaked. “Thanks, I’ll be headed there soon.” 

You didn’t leave any time for debate or questions as you pushed through the pair and walked in the opposite direction, straight to the bathroom. The two men glanced at each other in concern. 

“What’s up with her?” Shane asked.

Ryan only shrugged his shoulders. “I guess it’ll remain unsolved,” he mused wisely.

“That’ll be a great name for a show one day!”

“I know right?”

–

You were lucky that there was enough conflict in both of your schedules to postpone your date to three weeks after the interview. To say you were anxious was an understatement. You picked at your fingernails as you waited for Ashton to arrive at the park. 

You were conflicted with the entire agreement. A part of you wanted to end the agreement, rip the contract into shreds. Ashton was right, wasn’t he? This plan was useless, and your fifteen minutes of fame were almost up. It was only a matter of time until you were no longer relevant. Then what would you do? You’d have to go back home and start over, and maybe that’s better than what you had for yourself now: a fake relationship for attention. 

But at the same time, you had fallen hard for Ashton. Behind his rough exterior was a shy musician that was passionate in what he did. He loved music, but loved his friends and family more. You admired him for that, realizing that he only had a harsh image because he was protective of who he loved. You only wished that he saved that part of himself for you, too.

“I didn’t think you’d come,��� a soft voice spoke behind you.

You turned around on your bench to see Ashton standing, hands sheepishly in his pockets. His cheeks were red from the cold as his eyes were trained on the ground. 

“Of course I did,” you responded somewhat brusquely. “It’s part of the contract, afterall.” 

Ashton scoffed, making you raise an eyebrow irritatedly. You had every right to be a bitch to him. He was the one bad mouthing you in the first place. Your mixed emotions had sat in your stomach for the past few weeks. Your anger was winning out the heartsick feeling. 

“What are you scoffing about, rockstar?” you quipped, disgust filling your tone instead of affection as it usually was in the nickname you gave him. “I signed that paper as much as you did.” 

“It wasn’t like it was my fucking idea,” he shot back, frustration fueling his voice. He pulled at his hair and laughed, but there was no humor behind it. “In case you forgot, I was forced into this bullshit! And to think I was actually going to apologize to you.” 

“About which part?” you shouted back sarcastically. “The part where you called me obnoxious and annoying? Or how about when you couldn’t stand to spend any more time with me or else you’d quit the band? Oh I know! How about when you called me a washed up celebrity? Take your pick, rockstar! You’ve got plenty to choose from!”

“Don’t fucking call me that!” he raised his voice higher than he ever had before. “God, I’m fucking sick of you and your “holier than thou” bullshit! You’re only in this shit for the money and the fame. I’m tired of playing this game and being a fucking plot device to launch your career! Maybe if you actually had substance instead of putting up the “innocent girl from a small town” act, people would like you more! Because Jesus fuck I don’t!” 

What Ashton failed to realize was that your ten minute grace period between meeting and the paparazzi coming was up. The photographers circled around you like predators stalking their prey, starving for anything to satisfy their appetites. You were too caught up in your argument, too, oblivious to the prying eyes of the public. 

“Don’t act like you’re so perfect,” you spat. “You want my honest opinion about you? I think you’re nothing but a stuck up member of a boyband who’s pissy because the attention’s no longer on him anymore. Face it, Ashton! You’re just like everybody else here! Self-centered, fucked up, and ignorant as all hell. Maybe that’s why the media fucking hates you! It’s not because they twist your actions, you just are a fucking terrible person and it’s about time you realized that!” 

Ashton silently seethed, opening and closing his fists as he tried to find the right words to say. “You really think that?” he asked in a low tone. He wasn’t really sure if he wanted to hear your response. Despite his harsh words, he truly craved your validation and he knew that he wasn’t going to hear what he wanted. 

“Yes,” you swallowed. “I do.” Silence filled the cold air as you stood at a standstill. The air filled your lungs like icy needles, not yet thawed for the seasonal change that was yet to come. It was like a test between the two of you. Who was going to be the first to bite the bullet and say what’s been on your minds? 

You made your decision. “Let’s end this,” you said, voice wavering. “Let’s put the both of us out of our misery and end this once and for all. I think we both got enough of each other.”

Ashton was taken aback. He thought the same thing, but he didn’t think you’d be the one to say it. If he was being honest, he didn’t want to end it. If he could spend the rest of his life on a tightrope, teetering towards anger and frustration for eternity just to be with you, he’d do it. But he knew he was hurting you as much as you were hurting him. He knew what he had to do.

“Good,” he agreed, mustering enough strength to not cry right there. He really was losing the one good thing he had going for him. And it was all his fault. “I’ll have Manuela reach out to your manager. You can..lose my number, I guess.”

“If that’s what you want,” you told him smoothly. On the inside, you were crumbling apart.

Ashton forced a nod. “Yeah, that’s what I want.” 

–

He didn’t expect things to get as bad as they did. Ashton knew the paparazzi was everywhere, he always did. But dammit, he got so lost in his anger that it slipped his mind. And the one time it did, everything went wrong.

But for the first time, the blame wasn’t on him. Not in the eyes of the media, at least. 

Is America’s Sweetheart y/n l/n Actually a Monster? 

Pop Princess y/n l/n rips Australian Musician Ashton Irwin Apart

End of an Era: Irwin-l/n Break Up is Messy and Unexpected

Even on Twitter, you couldn’t catch a break. 

#y/nl/nisoverparty

#y/nl/nisasnake

#y/nisthebiggestbitch

#y/nl/nisOVER

On every magazine and gossip column was a picture of your encounter with Ashton at the park. Lucky for Ash, the media only got a glimpse of your rant at him and didn’t get any footage of him yelling back at you. To the public, he looked like the innocent party while you looked completely wicked. 

Oh God, Ashton thought. I just ruined her life.

The weeks that followed were rough. Manuela called for a group meeting and told them that their ratings have gone through the roof. 5 Seconds of Summer were finally back on the good side of the press and were labeled as the “innocent boys from Australia” that got “led down the wrong path.” Manuela was happy that her plan had worked; 5SOS is back on track, but she was disappointed at what it cost. 

“Is there anything we can do to help her?” Michael asked at the end of the meeting. 

Manuela pressed her lips together. “I’m afraid not,” she sighed. “y/n’s manager cut off all ties with us. I think we got the message that she wants nothing to do with us.” 

Calum checked his phone, cringing at the amount of tagged posts he was in. All of them bashing you and everything you’ve worked so hard to create. 

“We have to do something,” Calum pleaded. “She’s not just a coworker; she’s a friend. She’s always been there for us, even if Ash wasn’t here, she’d come by. We can’t leave her hanging like this.” 

“Ash,” Luke turned to his friend, blue eyes pleading and desperate. “Can you talk to her? Maybe we can work something out. Anything.” 

Ashton stammered before he responded. What could he do? He was the very last person you’d want to see right now. He got you into this mess and painted you out to be a monster. The blame should have fully been on him. You wouldn’t have yelled at him if he didn’t push you over the limit. 

“Why should it be me?” he asked. “She hates me.” 

Michael scoffed at his friend, clearly upset at his poor attempt at weaseling his way out of this. “You’re joking,” he deadpanned. “She adored you. Whether you liked her or not she was your biggest supporter. When you weren’t around at the studio, she talked the world about you. You may have not liked her, but she loved you. So you have to fix this.” 

“Boys, relax,” Manuela insisted. “I’m certain her publicity team has a plan set for situations like these. She’s probably going to keep quiet for a while then re-emerge into the public scene again once the public wounds have healed. So it’ll be in her best interest and yours if you keep quiet and not cause a scene. Not when the public finally has a positive outlook on you.”

“That’s so..” Luke huffed defeatedly. “Wrong.” 

Manuela patted his knee comfortingly. “That’s the music industry, love.” 

–

You truly fell off the face of the earth. Ashton was at a loss. After the presumed “silent break” you took, he thought you’d get back into the swing of things. Media tabloids had died down, and it seemed like the public had forgotten about your argument and moved onto the next interesting thing. But you didn’t come back. Not even to your studio, the place remained empty. You didn’t respond to his calls, all of them going straight to voicemail. Your manager only picked up her phone once, insisting he stopped calling if he knew what was best for him. Not even your friends answered his frequent dm’s. 

Your instagram was dormant. The last post was of Ashton a month back, playing his guitar and smiling down at his lyric book. He didn’t even realize you took that picture until you posted it. He was a little shocked that you kept it up, considering all things, but at the same time you didn’t post anything anymore. You used to post everyday, updating everyone about your hectic life. All that was left were the photos that remained on your page. Ashton had caught himself too many times scrolling through, just to see your smiling face again. He beat himself up over the fact that his last glimpse of you in person was nothing but a broken shell of who you once were. 

Ashton pushed the door open, entering the last place he thought of that you could possibly be in. The smell of the restaurant was the same as it always was, full of spices and sweets that made his mouth water. But he had to stay focused. He needed to find you and talk to you. 

Behind the counter, an older couple approached him. Ashton immediately recognized them as the Stevensons, the couple you adored more than their own food. It seemed like they recognized him too once they reached the counter space. 

“You must be Ashton,” the older woman said, readjusting her glasses. Her wrinkles appeared as she greeted him with a smile, a sign that she lived a life full of laughter and smiles. The kind of life you confessed you wanted desperately. “y/n has spoken so highly of you.” 

Ashton ducked his head, blushing at the compliment. Even when you were gone you still managed to light up the room and make him seem like a better person than he actually was. “That’s actually why I came here,” he told them. “I was wondering if you had seen y/n come by.” 

The gentleman beside Mrs. Stevenson shook his head. “Afraid not, son,” he responded. “Not for a while, actually. We were quite disheartened about that, but that girl is always so busy, isn’t she?” Ashton smiled, trying not to wince as he cringed on the inside. 

“Let me make you something, honey,” Mrs. Stevenson insisted, rushing to kitchens before he could refuse. 

Mr. Stevenson ushered Ashton to the booths, away from the restaurant regulars. Ashton ran his fingers through his hair, the rain soaking his brown locks. Spring was a bitch with the rain, but he knew how much you loved it. “What brings you here, son?” he asked. “You usually come with y/n. Don’t tell me she’s in any sort of trouble now, is she?” 

Ashton sat down, dusting off his jeans. “Not exactly,” he answered honestly. “H-have you not heard in the gossip tabloids?” 

“Oh no,” Mr. Stevenson waved his hand. “We were never one for those magazines. Sarah is always strict on rechilut.” 

Ashton nodded along. “I did something wrong,” he confessed heavily. “And I hurt y/n. Not physically, but honestly it feels worse. I want to make things right, but I don’t think she even wants to talk to me.” 

“That’s nonsense,” Mr. Stevenson insisted. “y/n would never cut ties with people like that. Especially you, she was very fond of you.” It seemed like everyone knew that except for Ashton himself. “y/n talked to me like I was her own grandfather. Now, all my kids are grown up and moved out of California, so they don’t come around much. I appreciated her company, and I know for a fact that you shouldn’t give up on her.” 

The drummer’s shoulders slumped guiltily. “I don’t think I deserve that,” he told him. “I was awful to her. I did everything wrong. I don’t think she’d believe me if I told her I loved her all along.”

“Do you really love her?” Mr. Stevenson asked him softly. 

Ashton looked up into the older man’s gray eyes. He saw so much life, so much wisdom in them. If he looked deeper, he saw himself in his eyes, the him he missed all along. “Yes,” he answered truthfully. “I really do.” 

Mr. Stevenson patted his shoulder affectionately. “Then lead with that,” he advised him. “I’ve lived a long life, Ashton. And most of my life has been spent with my dear Sarah. If there’s anything I learned from that, it’s that sometimes you need to shut the hell up and let your love speak for you.” 

Ashton let out a tearful chuckle at his advice. Mrs. Stevenson rushed out of the kitchen, a steaming plate in hand. The older woman set it on the table in front of him. 

“I hope you don’t mind that I guessed what your homesick cure was,” she said sheepishly. “Artie said I should stop guessing but I had a gut feeling on this one. I was right for n/n, I hope I was right for you.”  

Mrs. Stevenson set down the plate to reveal a healthy serving of spaghetti and a glass of water on the table. Ashton’s heart clenched at the sight. “Did I get it right, dear?” 

Ashton couldn’t even respond, he just nodded wordlessly like a child on Christmas morning, eager to play with his toys. Mrs. Stevenson chuckled at his response, ruffling his hair gently like a mother would. “Eat it while it’s hot, honey,” she told him. “And I’m sorry, but it seems like someone forgot to order another package of straws. You’ll have to drink from the glass, I’m afraid.” 

Artie stood up from his side of the booth, playfully rolling his eyes. “I’m on it, honey,” he responded, following closely behind his wife. Before leaving to the kitchen, he turned around and gave the boy a wink. 

Left to his own devices, Ashton tucked his hand into his jacket and nearly jumped out of his seat in shock. Pulling it out, he realized it was the knotted end of the paper straw wrapper from so long ago. Turns out he really did need that wish. 

“Let me make things right,” he wished in his head. “I just want one last chance to do the right thing.” 

Setting it on the table, all Ashton could do was hope that whatever was out in the universe heard him.

– 

Soon enough, you did emerge from the shadows of your hiatus. You were lucky to have a loyal enough fanbase to keep you afloat, and your tour was still set for that summer. You were grateful for the fans that stuck around, and the new ones that came along the way. It was a rough journey, but you tried your best to power through it to the best of your ability. 

Now, you were in your dressing room at the venue you were expected to perform in, an absolute fucking wreck. You were curled up on your couch, trembling and unable to even raise your head from your chest. Sobs filled your room, but you insisted to every manager and passersby that you needed to be alone and fix it yourself. 

To tell the truth, you never truly recovered from the media frenzy that took you and Ashton by storm. You knew you had every right to turn the tides on him, revealing to the world that he wasn’t the perfect saint everyone painted him out to be. But you didn’t, and no one on your publicity team was able to figure out why. 

 The reason was that you were still unexplainably attached to Ashton. Somehow, even though he put you in the situation where everyone started to hate you, you couldn’t help but now be able to understand why he acted the way he did. How he was overprotective of the boys and acted out of self preservation simply because of how cruel the media could be. By no means did you excuse him for putting you in that situation, but you still grasped some understanding. 

The difference between you and the drummer, however, was that he had a support system: his boys. You were practically alone to deal with the mess, cornered and vulnerable. 

You were shaking frantically in your room, unable to free yourself from your thoughts. Only one look at your phone caused your entire psyche to crumble. One fucking tweet about you shook your confidence. Some anonymous user critiqued your music, only attributing your success to your past “relationship” with Ashton. Those simple words broke down the walls you were just beginning to rebuild, and now you were stuck in your dressing room, thirty minutes before you were called onstage. 

Meanwhile, Ashton was navigating through the maze backstage looking for you. A bouquet of your favorite flowers were in one hand, a handwritten card in the other. He figured you’d be somewhere backstage, prepping for your show. He didn’t count on you being in your dressing room since you told him in the past that you loved to watch the crowd from behind the curtains. 

But to his shock, you were still in your pajamas hyperventilating on the couch. Ashton has witnessed this before; he’s experienced this before. But seeing you go through the same struggles he and his boys went through caused his heart to ache even more. 

“y/n?” he called out to you. You didn’t respond, eyes still trained on the ground as your grip around your legs tightened. Ashton set his things down on the side table, instantly kneeling in front of you. 

“Ashton?” you finally spoke, voice raspy and exhausted. For a split second, you thought you were actually hallucinating, envisioning the one man you needed but feared the most. But his cologne wafted into your nostrils, alerting you it was him in the flesh. “What are you-” You heaved a deep breath, choking out a sob. You could barely take the overwhelming stress towering over you like a deadly ocean wave. It was only a matter of time until it took you under and swallowed you whole. 

“Love, I’m going to need you to breathe,” he instructed, his hands finding yours. In your anxious state, you were able to distract yourself from your worries at the mere touch of his calloused fingertips. It was a silent calling to you, gently beckoning you back into reality but not quite succeeding. 

Ashton took your hand and pressed it against his chest, tucking it underneath his slightly unbuttoned shirt. His warm skin electrified your palm, making your heart race -not from the anxiety- but from butterflies. “Pay attention to my breathing and try to copy it, okay?” 

At first, you struggled to listen to his instructions. You worked on your anxiety with your therapists over more sessions than you could count. You tried box breathing, yoga, and even journaling but nothing ever calmed your nerves, especially after the media went after you. 

But suddenly, you concentrated on the slow rise and fall of Ashton’s chest. The way his chest hair tickled your palms in a way that made you want to scrunch your nose at the feeling. How his heart was beating nearly out of his chest but you could tell he was trying to minimize it so he could attend to your needs first. 

You felt your Ashton. 

Moments that felt like hours passed until your breathing went back to normal and your tear stained cheeks dried. Ashton kept your hand against his chest, occasionally squeezing it to bring you back to reality when you teetered back into spiraling. This time, though, he rose from the ground and sat beside you. You let him move your legs over his lap as he practically held you against him. His smell was overwhelming. You could smell his cologne and shampoo, even the faint scent of weed from off his lips. He was intoxicating. He was the drug, dangling above your head, and you were weak, enthralled, captivated, addicted.

You found yourself leaning in to kiss Ashton, a real kiss this time. No corner of the lip bullshit that the press ate up every time. You didn’t expect him to kiss you back with the same fervor as you, hand wrapping around your waist and the other behind your head. It was sloppy, wet, and all shapes of perfect that you couldn’t describe. The taste of tea and weed transferred from his lips to yours as he pulled you in deeper. You gripped his shirt in your fist, hoping in your mind to mold your body against his and disappear from the world, anything as long as you were with him. His love was your poison and, at the same time, your cure. 

Reality began to sink in, making you push Ashton away forcefully and standing on your feet. He flew back into the couch, eyes wide and lips swollen. His perfectly slicked back hair was a gorgeous mess, curls gracefully falling down his face. Confusion riddled his face as he watched you curl back into yourself. 

“What are you–” 

“I shouldn’t have done that,” you whispered, unsure if you were saying that to him or yourself. “Why did I do that?”

Ashton stood up and reached for your hand, only for you to jerk back. “D-don’t touch me!” you exclaimed, scared of your own volume. Anxiety began to knock at your door once again, creeping in like a deadly virus into your system. “How could I be so stupid? Haven’t you put me through enough?”

You started to pace around your room, Ashton watching you move frantically back and forth until he got dizzy. You murmured to yourself not so quietly, scolding yourself for your stupidity and cursing him out for his enticing nature. All over again, Ashton was seeing you crumble.

“y/n, stop,” he ordered firmly, gripping your shoulders. You jerked to a stop, pausing to look Ashton in the eyes. You found yourself getting lost in the pool of hazel, wide eyed and entranced. “You’re going on stage in twenty minutes. Whatever’s going through your head right now, quit it. All of that can be put on pause until after the show, you hear me? And if that voice in your head brings it up while you’re out there, shut it down. What matters now is you, your music, and your fans. Fuck that voice telling you you’re anything short of great.” 

In his empowering speech, you forced yourself to listen to his words, ignoring the person those words were coming from. Taking his advice, you cleared your mind of the past few months and only focused on this moment: your first concert of your North American tour. 

Rushing to get ready, you scrambled around your room to prepare your hair and makeup. Ashton picked out your clothes for the concert, something simple that you absolutely adored but you paid little attention to the way your heart pounded at the thought. And in those twenty minutes, you were set for the show.

Your microphone in one hand and guitar in the other, you made your way straight to the stage. Ashton followed close behind you to ensure you didn’t misstep or forget anything. Mere inches away from the stage, you whipped your head around to meet his gaze just one more time.

“Thank you,” you whispered gratefully. “I know we haven’t talked, but thank you. Can I look for you after the show?” 

Your heart shattered at the shake of his head. “I’ve got a plane to catch right after your show so I can’t come by after,” he told you remorsefully. “But if you’ll have me, I’ll be right here when you come back from tour. Maybe then we can start again, correctly this time. None of the cameras, scripts, or any of that, yeah?” 

The sound of your name being chanted by the crowd was nearly deafening, but his words reached your ears and you smiled softly at him. In the corner of your eye, your stage manager pointed at her watch to inform you it was time to go up. Wordlessly, you pressed your lips one last time against his. 

“Don’t be a stranger, Irwin,” you told him, turning on your heel and pushing through the curtains. The crowd shrieked and screamed at the sight of you, instantly bringing a proud grin to Ashton’s face. 

This was only the beginning of something new and truly beautiful, Ashton thought to himself, hands in his pockets as he made his way to the VIP section.

–

Several months have passed since your North American and European tour and it has been almost a full year since you started your publicity stunt with Ashton. Throughout the tour, you and Ashton -and the boys, of course- kept close contact with each other, never going more than a day without a phone call or video chat. Over this period, you felt like you finally got to know the real Ashton, not bits and pieces he’d accidentally let slip when he first got to know you. This time, he was real and genuine, and that only made me love him more.

You tiredly dragged your suitcase up your apartment complex’s stairs, heaving at the ridiculous weight as you made your way down to your apartment. You didn’t expect to see a certain hazel eyed drummer standing behind the door when you unlocked it.

“Surprise,” he said sheepishly, balloons and blueberry cheesecake in hand. Tears instantly filled your eyes, you dropped your suitcase and wrapped your arms around his neck, nearly causing him to drop the dessert. 

Truth be told, you weren’t expecting to see him so soon, if at all. Your journey with your mental health has been a long one, and there were plenty of ups and downs. A part of you -one you were a little ashamed of- didn’t expect him to keep to his word that he’d be here now. Despite the plenty of calls and talks you had to rekindle your relationship, that nagging voice in the back of your head kept on asking “what if?” What if he took back what he said about wanting to start over? What if it was all in your head, and he never wanted to see you again? But without fail, Ashton was there, willing to rebuild your relationship into a close-knit friendship. And now he’s here, asking to make it something more. 

“You’re here,” you murmured into his chest, taking in his smell that you missed so dearly. “I didn’t think you’d come this soon. How did you even get in?”

Ashton pulled away, holding up your spare key. “Your friend gave it to me today,” he explained. 

Grinning you brought him back down into a hug before settling in and opening the box of cheesecake. Taking out two forks, the two of you ate straight from the box and caught up on everything, though there wasn’t much considering how often you both talked while you were away. 

“I’m really grateful you let me back in,” Ashton spoke up once the box had emptied. 

You were half listening, polishing off the plate of its sweet crumbs. “You let yourself in, silly,” you snorted, not quite understanding what he meant. “You’re the one who got a hold of my apartment key.”

Ashton chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “Not that,” he laughed. “I mean letting me back into your life. I still don’t think I deserve it.”

“We talked about this, Ash,” you leaned back, setting your fork down. “We both said things we didn’t mean that day. We recognized it and we worked from it. We’ve moved on, and we’re friends. I think you deserve it as much as I do.” 

Ashton’s cheeks were tinged red as he tried to think of the right words to say. “I know,” he started. “But sometimes, I wish we had..more.” 

“More?” you raised an eyebrow. It took another second of you watching the drummer blush in embarrassment and vulnerability before it finally clicked. “Oh.”

Ashton stood up abruptly, wiping the invisible specks of dust off his jeans. “You can forget it,” he rushed in humiliation. “I-I just couldn’t stop thinking about that night of your first concert, how it felt, how you felt- and-”

“Ashton, slow down,” you giggled, standing up, taking his hand and tugging him toward you. A small smile rested on your face. “I still think about that night, too,” you confessed honestly. “And I want that, too. Whatever it is that you want.” 

The drummer looked up from your intertwined hands and into your eyes. He swore he saw stars in them. “Will you be my girlfriend?” he asked. “Again?”

You pulled him down into a kiss, your lips craving his all over again. “Yes,” you answered confidently as soon as you backed away to catch your breath. “I will be your girlfriend. Again.”

The two of you shared a laugh, enjoying the silent but welcoming comfort of each other. Standing in the middle of your kitchen, lips coated in sugar and blueberries. 

“What was your wish?” Ashton asked, pulling you closer to him as he broke the s. “Back at that restaurant when we first met?”

You hummed in thought, eagerly pressing your lips against his one more time to relish the moment. “My wish was that whatever we had back then,” you whispered, letting him in on your secret. “turns into something more.” 

“Well your wish came true, didn’t it?” Ashton smiled, a warm feeling bursting in his chest. 

You leaned your forehead against his, eyes fluttering closed. “Yes, Ash,” you said. “Yes it did.” 

--

please like and reblog if u enjoyed! <3

[judesmoonbeauty]

Roger Barel - My Thoughts So Far...

Hiii everybody! I just wanted to drop a review/my thoughts on Roger’s route so far, this all about chapters 1-5. I’m anticipating a lot exciting events after his CE is completed, so I’m trying not to delve into my resources too much, which means I'm reading only 1 chapter a day. I think after every five chapters or so, I will write my thoughts about it. Spoilers will be included, they won’t be super detailed, but they are there below the cut.

Okay so in short: I LOVE his route so far, it’s been great. I laughed pretty much in every chapter so far about something or another. Of course, this is just the beginning and I fully anticipate angst, heartache and drama. I CRAVE it. I haven’t really spoilers about his route, except for one and it’s pretty major, so I’m going to leave that out for now and circle back to it when I read it for myself.

Roger’s Kate So Far:

I LOVE her. I mean I LOVE Kate anyway, but she feels very real to me in the outset.

She is very dead set on NOT falling in love. All she wants to do is survive Crown and get out of there, and it’s nice to see that sense of urgency from her. Not to say that she doesn’t have that desire in the other routes, because she does, but I feel like she really stresses that point in the first five chapters. And understandably so, I mean she’s living in a castle filled with men who kill for a living, and it’s emphasized how she hasn’t laughed/smiled once since coming to the castle, or has barely eaten anything. So, seeing her undergo that stress (poor kid), is refreshing in a way because I feel like in other routes Cybird just glosses over the toll that would take on someone.

She’s a drinker (HELL YEAH). She’s gotten wasted twice so far in the first five chapters. The morning after’s were quite adorable (at least I think so.)

She wants to get stronger and become a fighter because she wants to ensure her survival, so we see her taking self-defense lessons with Roger and Ellis, in order to better herself. And I don’t about you, but I STAN A QUEEN WHO CAN FIGHT. So, I’m excited and I can’t wait to see more from our precious Kate.....

Roger So Far:

So…….I never expected a part of Roger’s route to tackle the fact that he doesn’t believe in love. I don’t know why??? But when I learned that we were going that route, I was happy with it. It’ll be interesting to see how his mind and heart is becomes convinced that love is more than just a bunch of neuro-chemicals and physiological reactions. He is brutally upfront about his lifestyle choices and beliefs - I appreciate that. For example, he’s just like when I get the urge to fuck, I fuck. Of course, he has stipulations to that - both parties mutually consent that they fuck only one time (with Kate being the exception to rule for an entire month as long as she keeps quiet to the others about it).

To be honest, I didn’t like this rule because I feel like it hit too close to home with Jin’s rule with women he get’s physically involved with. (FOR THE RECORD: I’m not comparing the two guys. I’m just saying it reminded me of it.)

Moving on, I just wheezed for a good moment when he compared Kate to his family’s corgi - Ale. Like he’s not saying it to be mean or derogatory, just the way describes her getting worked up, depressed, digging her own grave, etc. It was cute and hilarious. Loved it and I LOVE ALE!

Roger’s Relationships With Others:

Nica: Chapter 1 had me in tears when Roger interrupted Nica’s hitting on Kate. His face was priceless and then to be stuck with Victor as a tour guide. Cherry on the top. Gold star for Roger. C’mere Nica, I’ll comfort you…..

Ellis: He drinks with Roger along with Jude, and he helps Roger with Kate’s self-defense training. I’m sure they’re going to be more involved. I expect it because in Ellis’ Blind Love route, Roger says that he betrayed Ellis’ cursed predecessor and that’s a reason why he’s like a big brother to Ellis. He also wants Ellis as his assistant as he feels that he’s too good for Jude, which I think most of us knew beforehand.

Alfons: Well…..we know how “well” they get along. I was dying in chapter 4 - I think it was - when Kate, Roger and Al are on a mission. They’ve determined recreational drugs are being used, so they’re going to go break it up, and that’s when Al & Roger get into this squabble outside the room they’re supposed to being busting into about whether or not it’s okay to use the drugs or not. Al of course, doesn’t see the big deal with it since he is a firm believer in escaping reality, and Roger basically tells him that when a person runs from reality instead of facing it that it just leaves them more empty - Al is just over it and is like you make me want to vomit in his dead pan face. Poor Kate is like ‘we can’t be doing this right now’. Proper school boy frenemies these two are.

Jude: He’s been featured a lot and that’s because his route should be dropping next (fingers crossed), but he is also a Roger drinking buddy and in the Past Records event, Jude & Roger agree to be drinking buddies in hell together…..if there is alcohol in the after life. Of course, he sees Roger quite a bit for injuries he gets, and when Jude asks why Roger is even bothering with Kate, Roger basically tells him that she is trying to survive, and it’s appealing to him. “A small dream, a goal….even small things to survive somehow. Isn’t it the same for you, Jude?” Jude lore??? More on that later in a Jude dissection I’m writing.

Notable Things So Far:

Roger treats the Crown members in exchange for their blood samples. We learn this in chapter 5 when he treats Jude.

Roger’s father doesn’t have a problem coming to the castle to have his son dog sit. I thought this was interesting. It doesn’t seem that he fears the cursed on the whole, and I’m sure that’s due to his knowing Roger is cursed. That’s nice. He seems like a supportive father (I HOPE I’m not wrong.)

Roger create’s a Robin Growth Chart - this is to help her become strong and survive, but also to teach Roger that romantic love is something that is true - not just a biological concept. He’s already noticed a change in his HR (heart rate), when Kate is around, so I wonder how long it’ll take for him to fall.

Favorite Scenes So Far:

Nica losing Kate to Roger.

Ring wondering if Kate and Roger are together - OMG I WANTED TO GOBBLE HIM UP!

Jude’s reaction to Ale jumping into his arm. So DAMN cute!!! Okay, so I am a cat person, but I’ve been dog sitting for one of my BFFs for the past two weeks (I love her), and I was reading this scene as her poodle was curled up next to (like she literally is on top of me every chance she gets), and Jude said: “…..Whaddya doin’, don’t jump on me, it’s hot.” Then he starting grumbling to Kate and Roger about holding onto Ale better, and asks if they were abandoning their duties while Kate’s like: “Oh, ….Jude please hold it more gently.” LMAO. Just picturing him holding this doggo awkwardly was the funniest shit ever, and adorable and we have the same doggo energy. Love them, but don’t jump on me please.

The self defense class with Roger & Ellis - I’m not sure if many of you know, but currently Ellis is my #2. I ADORE him. He is twisted and precious and I love him, and I get just as excited when I see him on the screen as I do Jude. Him sparring Roger just squeezes my heart so much.

Any scene with Roger and Al. Love it.

K, I should go translate or do something more useful........

[lyramundana]

Hii, fellow poly Minsung whore activist here🥰 I’m nervous about using my account so I went anon, I hope you don’t mind. I have a little scenario here that I’m probably so wrong for but I’m delulu ash.

Maybe reader (whose a fan or a friend is dragging her along with them) meets Minsung (who’re already in a relationship ofc) in a city they’re having a concert in. Minsung are like “hey ykw she kinda fine, let’s spice things up and bring her back to the hotel.” During their night together, the boys use degradation, praise, grips hard enough to bruise, and soft touches just to make her head spin.

Now I love me some a sprinkle of angst. She has a moment of overthinking after Minsung fall asleep and escapes?? Sort of lol. Minsung do not like this, no no no😔.

That night, she ends up at their concert with some good ass ground floor tickets. While she doubted they would see her and if they did, they probably wouldn’t recognize her (girl like they weren’t giving you the best dicking down of your life the night before), they do in fact see her and you just made this easier for them bbg. They told the other members and security guards to bring her backstage after the show.

Oh babe they mad as hellll. They don’t even wait to get back to the hotel as they drag her to an empty room and destroy her. We’re talking hand prints on her ass, more prominent fingerprint shapes on her hips, arms and neck, tears streaming down her face, the whole 9 yards.

Idk where to go from there tbh. Anyways I hope you enjoyed my delulu thoughts <3

Okay now, honey. First of all, there's no such thing as a "wrong" scenario. Everything that it's discussed in this blog is acceptable and very much not-delulu, so don't brush off your scenarios. Specially when is so FUCKING GOOD AND DELICIOUS like this one. Like, excuse me🥵🥵🥵?? You came up with this masterpiece and brought it to me for free?? Sweetie, you should post it in your own blog and let the world see this jewel of yours. Don't feel nervous of using your account. I always make my horny, unhinged requests displaying my username. This is Tumblr. No one here can judge you for your thoughts

You bet I enjoyed every line of this delulu side of yours.

Reader doesn't really follow the group, but her friend is a Stay and this concert is the lifelong opportunity they've been dreaming off, but they don't want to go alone, so they drag Reader to accompany them. While the friend is resting in the hotel/house, Reader decides to take a stroll around the city and comes across MinSung at some point. Maybe they meet in a shop, where they struck a converstation about common interests, and seeing they get along well MinSung agree and say "fuck it, can we join you?" and that's how they get to know each other better.

Reader doesn't know who they are, but their faces are familiar, and they're just happy to chat with someone like normal people. They've wanted to explore the city a bit before the concert, as the weather looked great for some alone time together, but they encountered the language barrier issue and the lack of knowledge about the place. When Reader appears and helps them out, being so friendly and nice about it, their first instinct is glue themselves to her for the rest of journey. Also, they find her really attractive and can't help but admire her discreetly and exchange appreciative comments that she can't understand. And that's how they spent their day hanging out, just the three of them, while Reader acts like a guide and they start to be bolder with her.

At some point they're sitting in a bar together, drinking a bit, and they have privacy to talk about anything. It's also then whey they begin to make their attraction clear. They've been so fucking stressed with this tour, sex recently hasn't been enough for them, and she's just so gorgeous. So cute. The way she speaks, moves, even the way she dress is driving them mad slowly. It doesn't help that she returns every bold gesture from them. She's not blind. She finds them hot too and it's been a while since she had some "fun".

So, after a while of wandering hands, spicy "jokes" and suggestive comments, the tension feels too thick and they throw the question in.

"We should get going back to our hotel room. Want to come with us and see it?"

She's not drunk enough to miss the intentions behind that question, but she's tipsy enough to accept.

The flirting doesn't stop and when they set a foot in the elevator, the tension snaps. They jump at her like hungry wolves, biting and grabbing every piece of skin they can get their hands on, and Reader welcomes all of it like a submissive lamb, ready to be devoured.

They struggle to open the door, being so occupied feeling her up under her clothes and leaving marks already. Once they're inside, one of them closes the door with a kick without taking his attention from her. They leave a path of clothes behind them that ends up in their bedroom and then she's thrown to the bed. She doesn't have time to recover before they're on her again, exploring every inch of her know naked body with their mouths and hands. Her brain is all mushy from the intense pleasure and adrenaline she's feeling. MinSung unleash all the pent up frustrations and desire they've been dealing with on her.

The entire night was filled with her moans and whimpers while they took her roughly, leaving their hands printed on her hips and inner thighs, as they groaned and cried out of sheer pleasure and relief. Sometimes they went at her at the same time, others they took turns while one watched.

"Such a good girl for us, isn't she, jagi?"

"Damn right she is, so eager to please us, to let us play with her body."

"Look at her, so obedient and cute for us. What a good whore, letting herself be fucked by some men she doesn't even know"

"Go on, use your mouth like the little slut you are. Nice job, kitten"

"We'll fill you up so much it'll be leaking out of you for days"

Her mind turns blank, the world spins, and her body starts to shake uncontrollably and tremble with the amount of orgasm she had. They grab her legs and torso with such force it feels they're trying to press the imprint themselves in it, moving her body as they please to find the right angle. When she cums again, she's half-unconscious and the boys are tired too, finally spent. They clean her up, massage the bruises the left and watch her fall asleep while caressing her face and kissing her skin. They chat for a while before the tiredness consumes them too, Reader safely kept in their arms.

The morning after, she's the first to wake up and doesn't take long to realize what happened. She remembers enough of it and feels her face get warm at the memory, but also gets giddy at it. She stretches a bit, careful to not wake them up, and supress a hiss of pain when she feels the marks they left. She reaches for her phone, reading the messages and calls from her friend, who's worried sick, at which Reader calms them down by giving them a "censored" version of the events. Then the friends reminds her of the concert and sends a photo of one of the promotional posters, featuring all members.

Reader feels her blood freeze inside her body.

She turns around to look at the boys in bed, then at the picture on the phone, then at the bed again, and she feels faint.

Maybe it's the remnants of the alcohol, maybe it's the weight of the revelation, maybe it's the lack of sleep she got, but Reader has to fight off a panic attack and the only thing she can think of at this moment is running away from this situation. So she gets dressed, grabs her stuff, and leaves hurriedly without waking them up and full intention of not looking back. When the boys wake up, they expected to see her in their arms still and maybe get another round, but imagine their shock when they see she's not there. Ohh honey, they're seriously mad. Why the fuck did she run? How could she after they night they had? They try to brush off the anger because they know chances of seeing her again are slim and there's no point.

Meanwhile, Reader's friend notices she's not quite the same since she came back and she's even more reluctant than before in attending the concert. To get her friend off her back, she admits she saw MinSung during her walk and chatted with them "a bit" and now she's embarrased to see them. Her friend, obviously, has a fangirl moment at first and chastises Reader for not telling her first, bombing her with questions, but she avoids the spicy parts of the story. Her friend finally tells her to not worry, that although their seats give a good view of the stage, it'll be very hard for the boys to spot her in the crowd anyway. Reader relents and goes to the concert, having dressed prettily at her friends' insistence because "they have to look their best for the occasion!". When they arrive, Reader feels more at ease with the amount of people surrounding her and thinks her friend said the true.

However, when the group comes to the stage, she feels her heart stop at recognizing the men she had that glorious night of sex with and becomes shifty. They don't make signs of having spoted her, even when Jisung came near their zone, he didn't seemed to notice her, and she allowed herself to enjoy the performance, convinced that they was safe. But she didn't know Jisung had indeed spoted her, hence he aproached their location to confirm. He didn't hesitate in telling Minho, and when they overcame the shock, they former anger came back again and they agreed to a plan. Stays could feel a shift in the boys' performance, they seemed more brutal, harsher.

When the concert ended, Reader was about to leave with her friend until a security guard stopped her and told her she was demanded backstage. Both of them were shocked and confused, and Reader's friend even acted worried, refusing to ler her go in fear she got in trouble for something. Reader calmed her down and asked her to wait in the hotel, since the man told them it wasn't anything bad. While she was leaving, the friend winked at her and exclaimed "tell me all the details when you sign the NDA".

A staff members takes her to an empty dressing room and tells her to wait, leaving her alone there. She's fidgeting, not knowing what to expect but having a small suspicion. Suddenly, the door opens with a slam and she jumps in the place. When she sees the two boys enter and locking the door behind them, she knows she's fucked.

They let her know exactly how pissed off they are, interrogating her and even accusing her of being a fan pretending to not know them just to get her wet dream come true. She argues back and denies it all, returning all their yells, until a hand grabs her painfully by the jaw.

"You don't fucking get to talk back to us, whore. We should've put you in your place from the beginning"

"I think she's a little too high up there, jagiya. Let's remind her exactyl what her place is"

All the gentleness they showed the first night is gone. Her clothes are ripped in shreds and thrown carelessly around the room, as she's pushed forcefully on the ground.

They don't hide their satisfaction and pride at seeing the faint marks they left previously, pressing them enough to make her whine in pain.

"Don't whine, slut. We're about to give you even more of them."

They go at her at the same time, no turns now. They edge her until she's sobbing and screaming, first with their fingers and then with their tongues. She gets spanked by one of their belts, feeling the bruises starting to form in her ass cheeks and thighs. She's then gagged with the same belt because "way too fucking loud, kitten. you're not allowed to make a sound".

When she's spasming, eyes rolling back and begging through the belt for some release, anything, the boys exchange a knowing glance and untie the gag, letting her breathe through her mouth in relief. But her relief doesn't last when they position her in the middle, with both of their dicks inching to her cunt. She knows they're up to something, but her brain is too fucked to guess what. When she feels both of their cocks entering her at once, she's about to scream again but a hand quickly covers her mouth, and they both start moving agressively inside her, leaving their dicks printed in her walls. The feelinf their cocks rubbing against each other and her clenching almost makes them cum again, but they control themselves.

They fucked her back and forth across the room, moving from the ground to the couch to the chairs to the make up tables, etc.

"That's what you fucking deserve for leaving us, baby. What the fuck were you thinking with that dead brain of yours, hm?"

"Look at her, so cockdumb already, acting like a desesperate bitch in heat. Aren't two cocks enough for you?"

"Is this what you wanted? Being fucked by two celebrities to share the experience with your friends? Of course you did. You're nothing but an attention seeking slut, only thinking about having a dick inside you"

"We'll make sure you can't even walk after this. You're not going anywhere this time, darling. Let's see how can you run away then."

She can no longer tell if what she's feeling is pain or pleasure, but when they cum inside her and she feels both of their cocks twitching inside her, it triggers her own orgams and her vision turns white. She faints in their arms, muttering and having spasms. They pause to recover their breaths too, checking on her worriedly and chuckling softly when she replies gibberish. One of them lifts her up bridal style and lay her down in the couch, both caging her with their bodies.

"You were ours from the moment you entered our your bedroom"

Tagging @channieandhisgoonsquad @2chopsticks2eyes @sweetracha because they gave me ideas for this. Feel free to add something or give your own version of it. The more the merrier.

[devourers-of-god]

Hi I was wondering if you could do Sal fisher who’s gf has pet rats? Like 2-3 and like one day reader and Sal for over to readers house to hang out for the visit time there and Sal sees this big ass cage and he’s like “what in here?” And readers like “oh those are my baby’s! :D” and Sal’s just shocked (bonus points if he gets to hold them 😚)

Hi !! Its been a while i am sorry! Lots happened in my personal life but I think ill be able to write sometimes anyways, of course I'll do that :3!

Type: Oneshot

Warnings: none its mostly fluff :P

One shot Sal x reader (very bad sorry)

Sal and you have been going out for a while now, 3 months to be exact even tho it already feels like its been longer than that. He's been mostly inviting you over to his apartment so Sal has never really seen how your place looked like. But one day you decided it was time to show him the real you. You had a lot of things in your room, it basically represented what you like, your personality and how messy you truly are. The reality was that you had rats, adorable clumsy rats. There's a big cage well maintained with your fluffy babies, toys and food. You were kinda shy about showing Sal because even tho you knew he liked stuff like that, you were still scared of his reaction, but what stressed you the most was that in all of your past relationships they were all disgusted and thought that you were so weird. But aside from all of your anxiety, you invited him over for the evening.

The time had come, you tidied up your room just so it doesn't look like hell. Sal arrived on time, his dad decided to lift him so he didn't have to walk. You opened the door for him, '' Hey Sal!'' you smiled wildly at your boyfriend. ''Hi y/n, happy to see you'' you could see his eyes filled with excitement as he walked in. You immediately guided him to your room, in the mean time you did a small tour of the place. Your parents were away for the evening so it was a perfect day. Arrived to your room Sal's eyes widen at the first look of your room. ''Wow this is so cool!'' he walked slowly, taking care of not destroying anything, then he walked past this gigantic cage in the corner ''oh my god what's in there!'' He was In fact very excited of finding out what's hiding. ''Oh those are my babies! my rats! here let me show you:)'' You opened the small door to allow your arm in the cage, you took one of your furry friends and handed him to your boyfriend. ''Im so happy that you have rats, they're my favourite!!'' he smiled widely while petting your rat, ''Whats his name?'' he asked, '' Marco'' you replied, with a small smile and a tinted blush on your cheeks. Sal looked at you admiring your personality and beauty. In reality, Sal admired you and he never thought a cute and gentle girl like you had so many rats.

He was very happy you invited him over, after that you two had a great time playing video games and talking for hours, obviously you guys had to have a sleepover. Sal was so interested on everything you showed him, he really realized how much he loves you and you thought he was the sweetest guy ever.

Lets just say Sal now comes over a lot.

OKKKKK EW sorry this is SO bad, I havent been writing in a hottttt minute, ermmmm I got into a car crash and shit (im ok ! just a broken bone) and I've been recovering blah blah blah, school blah blah blah and work yk how life goes. anyways, now that im not doing anything for a good 6 weeks, I thought it'll be a good time to try and start writing again. so please excuse me if the first few are bad ! You can't judge and even if you do, just write it yourself :) ANYWAYS THNAK YOU FOR YOUR ASK ILY

REQUESTS: ALWAYS OPEN

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

WIBTA for shooting my shot with someone, after our previous potential "romance" went sour?

I (F22) am friends with a guy who we'll call M (M21). M and I play the same game, so a few months prior, we ended up getting to know each other better and becoming flirtatious. M gave off a lot of signals he was very interested in me, and I reciprocated. I live in Canada and he lives in Italy; he expressed interest in being my tour guide at one point, so I asked if he'd like to go on a date with me if I went to Italy on vacation (as I have the money and time to do it over my school break). M backtracked, and said that distance meant we couldn't ever be "serious".

I felt very wounded, because he'd been very affectionate with me over the course of several weeks, and I admit it, I was a little emotionally volatile because I was PMSing. We got into a fight where we both said some goofy things, and it ended with us not talking to each other for a month. Over the course of that month, I came to realize I really missed him in my life, and I ended up reaching out to M. We both apologized and patched things up.

Another month has passed, and we're still friendly, though the nature of our relationship is a bit more impersonal now. Here's where things get awkward; I was pretty sure for a long time my feelings for M were mostly just friendship and sexual attraction. But M casually brought up that he was trying to get with a girl he knows IRL, and how jealous I got really surprised me. I was encouraging about it, but I did some soul-searching and realized that what I thought was just sexual interest was actually deeper feelings for him.

M's attempt to date this girl were pretty short-lived as she more or less led him on and then ghosted him (karma?), so now I'm left to think about what to do next. He's given the impression he's pretty stressed and busy because of school, and he's not as responsive to my messages as he used to be, which leads me to naturally overthink "oh my god, he must hate me forever".

Thus, I'm concerned I WBTA and be putting him on the spot if I admitted to him "hey, I still have a big crush on you". If I asked him on a date again if I vacation to Italy, I'd want to make it clear that even if I do have feelings for him, I'd be okay with just a brief vacation fling, but that still changes the context of a lot of our relationship. Also, he sort of already rejected me on the basis of "we're an ocean away"; does it make me an asshole if I try again with different conditions?

What are these acronyms?

[fluffxstuff]

Spoiled

It’s been over a year since my last larry weight gain fic. I love fat Harry Styles so here’s word vomit from a long time ago I don’t want to lose. Never figured out quite how to end it.

It’s the beginning of Harry’s first hiatus in years when the couple starts smoking together. Louis rolls for them, always eager to get a time with his lover. Harry has become an impressive smoker during his last tour with the extra stress of movie premieres and Louis really loves getting to watch someone who has been constantly overworked properly relax. It’s nice to see his favorite man just let go for a minute. He hasn’t mentioned anything gym related or shopping for new clothes the way he usually does when he’s bored; it seems too good to be true to Louis. They really are just having lazy time alone together for the first time in years.

Harry’s lighting a blunt while Louis looks for food to order- Louis notices the pudge of his tummy. He’s softer than usual, not big exactly, but he’s not as defined as he was the day he got home, he had been on his tour routine then. The constant snacking he’d done since they’d woken didn’t help much.

Louis’ cheeks burn when he’s caught staring, Harry’s sucked his tongue at him, giving a playful glare. “Food baby. Nothing to be alarmed with,” he speaks low and lazy as he rubs over the slight swell. Louis only rolls his eyes as he gets back to ordering dinner for both of them on his cell. Harry usually cooks when he’s home, but that’s just another thing he’s been relaxing from.

That same night he falls asleep with an ever bigger belly, stuffed to the brim and bloated beyond what Louis even thought possible. As he helped him to bed for the third time that week Louis realized it was a pattern they’d built at this point. While guiding him he noticed it was much more than a bloat.

His diva had a bit of a belly to work off before the end of his hiatus.

~

It’s only about 6 months into the hiatus that Harry stops fitting into all his size small clothes he loves. Louis hasn’t seen him in anything other than stretched out boxers in a while. He’s definitely bigger than he’s ever been. The pudge of his belly now stretches everything he wears.

Harry doesn’t seem to pay the weight much attention. His growing facial hair helps distract from his double chin when he happens to check on his reflection. He’s sitting sunbathing now while Louis has some time in the pool. He’s gone through a full cupboard of snacks now; chips, cookies, brownies, popsicles, and some jalapeño poppers Louis made for him. Everything tightly packed has the man subtly trying to massage at his glistening bloated belly.

His attempts don’t go unnoticed by Louis who is just slowly keeping closer until he is at the edge of the pool peeking out over at Harry. “I can feel your eyes on me,” Harry grumbles, but doesn’t attempt to look over. He can’t help the sounds of discomfort as he rubs over his complaining stomach. Even without ever actually having the conversation Louis knows that the man knows exactly what he’s doing.

“I told you all that junk was going to give you a bellyache,” he murmured as he got himself out of the pool and to a towel. “You should try listening to me,” he can’t help wanting to be near when he’s like this, wanting to touch himself and let him lay comfortably lazy instead. He sets his towel down to sit up next to him, using his hands to massage in the places Harry had tried to more subtly.

“And steal this pleasure from you? Never.” He teased Louis with a little smirk, a low groan follows close after. Louis can feel just how full he is. He’s soft, but tight, Louis works his fingers against his skin working towards a love handle to pinch. Louis has been extremely inviting to the gain, he doesn’t say a thing about it afraid it might stop, but he’s sure to appreciate every inch of Harry.

“You’re going to have a hard time working this off,” Louis mentions, addressing the elephant in the room for the first time ever. Harry makes an obscene sound at the comment, Louis can’t tell if the arousal is towards his hands or words. “I’m on vacation. Don’t have to worry about it so much.” He explains himself like it’s not a big deal, but he can’t help feeling the slightest but insecure suddenly. “Is it that bad?,” he hesitates to ask.

Louis doesn’t know what takes over him as he places two hands on the sides of his full belly to give it a firm shake. He watches the movement cause a ripple effect, his eyes wandered to his chest which seemed to sync with the movement. Harry’s face grows red at the movement, but his eyes are glued to Louis’ expression. “I wouldn’t use the word bad.There’s definitely more of you to love,” he finally replies, dragging a fingertip along his happy trail.

Harry’s heart is racing at the touches, a sound that is most definitely closer to a moan than a groan escapes him. Sure Louis’ been welcoming to his gluttony, but never this honest. Harry felt worshiped, admired, spoiled. “You take up so much space lately, look at you. So round-,” Harry is basically purring under him so he moves a hand to trail his thicker thighs.

“I didn’t-.. You never said anything about being a chubby chaser,” Harry’s finally able to find his words and it comes off teasing. Louis rolls his eyes, poking a finger into his full bloat and earning a grunt in response. “Don’t make such a pig of yourself if you’re going to want to tease. You’re not in control now big boy,” Louis warns in a tone Harry has never heard from him before. This is new, he is definitely into it.

“Not a chubby chaser, not a lot of chasing to do when your fat ass is glued to a seat most of the time,” he’s pinching a love handle again and leaning over to press a needy kiss to the man’s belly right beneath his belly button. Harry lets another pleased moan escape him which only encourages Louis to leave a love bite in its place. He’s never been teased and worshiped like this all at once. It’s making him hard. When he comes back up to meet Harry’s face he has to climb over his belly to meet him for a kiss.

“I think there’s room in there… could fit a bit more..,” he has a smirk on his face while he says so, leaving Harry speechless. There’s no way he’s even going to think of working it off with Louis looking at him like that. This is all he wants to be.

Without another word Louis steps off, heading towards the kitchen and leaving Harry hard and full. His head is reeling, mouth watering despite not feeling like he can have another bite. He’s relieved to hear the blender, hoping for something to wash everything down with and not another bite.

[tea-plantz]

~Marcy Wu x fem!reader~

Just straight up fluff (and maybe a little bit of angst), in which Marcy moves after the whole Amphibia incident, and has trouble settling in at her new school… until she meets you that is.

!spoilers!

Marcy hated this.

She tried so hard to find a loophole, but even after going to another world it was still no use.

She was moving away, leaving everything she knew and loved behind.

The raven haired girl was currently standing outside of a huge schoolhouse with a lump in her throat, hands shaking and a nauseous feeling in her stomach.

Marcy had always been bad in social situations and on top of that she didn’t know ANYONE here at all, so this was literally hell for her.

With shaky steps, the nervous girl made her way to the principal’s office, which she had gotten some instructions on the day before as to where it was. She just hoped she didn’t accidentally take a wrong turn or something.

At last the ravenette finally stood in front of a big black door with the words “principal” printed on it.

She took one last shaky breath before knocking and entering the room…

“Aah, Miss Wu! Welcome”

Marcy just looked down and nodded.

“Please, take a seat” said the man behind the desk in a brownish suit.

She did as she was instructed and took a seat at the wooden chair in the middle of the room.

The principal told her a bit about the school policy, classes, dress code and blah blah blah. You know, the usual.

“Oh, and you will get a guide for your first week here at (your school)”

Marcy looked up at this. A guide? I mean that would definitely make things easier, but Marcy was internally panic at this. I’ll have to make a good first impression! I can’t screw this up! Ugh why is being social so hard sometimes! Ok ok calm down Mars don’t panic, it’s going to be ok, just like mom said. Don’t overthink it!

“Miss L/n, please come to the principals office, I repeat, miss L/n to the principals office”

The door creaked open as a h/c girl peeked in, “yes?”

Marcy looked up as she saw a beautiful girl standing before her. Her breath caught in her throat as she frantically started darting her eyes around the room, focusing anywhere else then directly at that gorgeous girl. She couldn’t help it, you just made her so nervous! The brown eyed female settled on her feet, as she could feel a weird tingling sensation in her stomach. She looks so cute! Now I’m just gonna stress even more! She thought as her hart rapidly threw itself around in her chest.

“Miss L/n, this is miss Wu, our new student. I would like you too be her guide for the week.”

The girls e/c eyes moved over to Marcy, who was nervously looking at the ground while messing with her hands.

“Of course I will, it’ll be my pleasure!” The h/c girl said with a smile, as she walked over to the black haired girl.

“Come on! I’ll show you around!”

—————————————————————————

“So, you’re the new student huh? What’s your name?” You asked as you and Marcy walked down the hall, you in the lead and Marcy close behind.

The olive skinned girl squeaked at your sudden question, before looking away with her face flushing bright red with embarrassment .

“I-it’s Marcy” she stammered quietly in a shy manner.

“Marcy Wu! That’s a really pretty name! It suits you” Marcy stopped dead in her tracks for a second. She could feel her face heating up before mumbling a ‘thanks’ with a small smile.

For the rest of the tour, you continued to talk and point, while Marcy mostly listed with a few ‘okeys’ and ‘yeses’ here and there, when suddenly a loud bell echoed through the hall.

“Yes! It’s finally lunch time! Augh I’m staaaarving!” You semi-shouted with a groan, before walking in the direction of the cafeteria.

Oh no. She’s leaving now! I guess I should have seen it coming, she’s done with the tour after all and there’s no way she would wanna hang out with me! She’s just so cool! Must be popular too…but I don’t wanna be alone. Marcy thought while her heart sank. She could feel her eyes watering a little as thoughts of Anne and Sasha crawled their way into her mind.

She misses them so much.. why did she have to move! She’s scared, she’s alone.. wh-

“Hey! You coming?”

A voice interrupted her thoughts. Huh? Marcy looked up to see you standing a few feet away from her with your head tilted slightly to the left.

You wanted to eat with her? Even though you guys only just met, and she had barely spoken to you?

Marcy looked behind her too see if you were asking another student, but no one was in sight. She thought for a moment before questioning quietly “me?”

“Yes you silly! You seem really fun to be around, plus, you’re really cute! I wanna get to know you better!”

The ravenhead could’ve just passed out at that point. She couldn’t believe you were interested in being friends with her! And you called her cute…

Marcy’s face was now at the redness scale of a tomato as her mouth slightly fell open. The girls mind could only muster up one sentence …wow.. she’s amazing.

—————————————————————————

-about a week later-

“So, Mar-mar, how’s it going so far?”

Marcy was facetiming with Anne and Sasha, talking about how things are going in her new home.

“It’s actually been really great you guys! At first I was so afraid that everything would just turn out really bad, but honestly it’s been pretty fun! And well, I have y/n to thank for that, she’s been a real life saver heh…”

Anne and Sasha glanced at each other with a questioning look on their faces, as Marcy looked a bit lost in thought with a slight blush on her features.

Why was Marcy acting so strange when she talked about you? Could it be….*gasp* :0

The two girls looked at each other with a slight smirk, both thinking the exact same thing before returning their attention back to the black haired girl.

“Marcy, tell us more about this y/n person!” Anne squealed, startling Marcy a bit, while Sasha was watching with an amused expression. “Yeah loser, tell us!”

“Oh, um well” Marcy begun as her blush returned. “She’s the first friend I made here and she’s really nice! Her eyes are e/c, along with h/c hair and s/c skin. Honestly, she’s really pretty. Oh! And she even eats lunch with me and her other friends. They’re nice too, but not as much as y/n though hehe” The ravenette got more and more enthusiastic as she continued talking, much like how she is when she’s rambling about an interest of hers.

“They also have a great music taste and style! I love her clothes, and oh my, don’t even get me started on her art! (selfinsert much👀) We share a lot of the same interests as well, and the best part is that she cares about what I care about! She even lets me rant about it, and she doesn’t think I’m a wierdo! She just really gets me y’know? Aah she’s so cool.” Marcy finished with a dreamy expression.

“Yup, she’s totally in love”

“WHAT!?”

—————————————————————————

[werdlewrites]

masterlist - ao3 - twitter @ djomamma

summary: “Look, kid,” he’s suddenly closing the space between them, towering above someone so frail and lost, looking for some sort of guidance through the haze. “I’m not afraid. Not of you, or whatever happens tomorrow. Hell, even a year from now. But, I think there are times when… you’re afraid of yourself.” Autumn remains still and unfocused. A stare locked on nothing in particular as her mind twists and pulls at the seams, digging through memories and reliving the hurt in her chest. “You don’t have t’go back. Just-just promise me you’ll think about it.” wc: 3,277 warnings: STEVE TIME, hallucinations, mentions of therapy

There’s unease and a deadly silence the moment those two glass doors fall shut at their backs. A man stands just at the edge, right before cement melds with the grass as he watches them go. A smile of success on his face, and pride. He spares a polite wave as the pair wander off, making eye contact with the officer who just barely glances over his shoulder. His stride is quick, easy to cover the ground with tall legs, yet still struggling to keep up.

Autumn moves against the harsh wind with force. Parting through the unseen with ease out of desperation to escape the grip of Hawkins Lab. It calls out to her. A taunting voice carried with every gust against her skin, but she pushed onward, not daring to look back.

The trio had ventured through the overwhelming building, following close behind their tour guide as he pointed out various spaces - near ghost-like. Rooms, where people once stayed and worked, are uprooted in panic and fleeing into the night. Their life left behind in spilled coffee on the floor and scattered papers. A life now being wiped clean to provide a fresh canvas for rebirth. Dr. Owens explains that hard work is not easy to come by, but that his small staff are reliable and efficient. He apologizes twice more for the incident beyond the walls.

“This, here, is my office.” He’s paused at an opening, allowing them to peer inside and take in the view. It’s boring, really. Just as she pictured. A desk to collect his work and a brilliant blue stress ball, misshapen from the pressure. False greenery to give life to something so dull, with certificates and achievements printed through ink strung up along the wall. In some ways, Autumn can picture her father sitting behind that desk. His wrist aching from hasty writing before slapping the folder shut to escape curious eyes.

“This is where we would meet,” he explains. “With the company of Mr. Jim Hopper, here.”

The officer stands at the girl's side in total silence, studying the man's features and searching for an ounce of ill intent. But his eyes hold sincerity as he awaits Autumn’s response. She remains quiet, merely acknowledging him with a look. Lips sealed tight from a lack of speaking and unwilling to pry them apart. Hopper anticipates some spiteful or sarcastic comment, maybe even an argument. But maybe she had given up. Total surrender as a sliver of hope stares back at her.

“I know you’re scared,” the doctor begins. “We don’t have to do this. You can turn around and go back to your life, and you’ll never see me again.” A hand lays just over his chest as a silent promise to vanish as if he never existed. “But what’s happening to you, won’t just quietly go away. It might get worse. It will get worse.”

Hopper can feel the tension grow around them, like a festering wound. He can hear the sharp intake of air as her body stiffens at his side, cowering beneath his shadow. “Sounds like this isn’t your first time.”

A look of pride and confidence shifts into a smile of sadness. Blue eyes fill with buried memories as they claw their way up to the surface, presenting their beauty and horror for only him to see. The cries of children and the rage that burned them up inside, until they became a mere shadow of themselves. Easy to mold and manipulate into the weapons they needed.

“No, it’s not.”

The car ride is silent, like the many hours prior. He won’t dare to speak and she won’t give him the courtesy of even looking his way. Her focus is locked on the passing scenery, just out the passenger window, looking for the girl. Searching for signs of her younger self in the faded grey. Winter claims and hides her away in the thinning woods. Or perhaps, she lies dormant. Finding the swift changes in her life challenging and overwhelming, seeking shelter from it all when her present self could not. Yet, she finds herself without envy of a girl she can’t fully recognize or place.

Through the silence, a familiar voice calls out for Hopper’s attention. The radio comes to life and the officer seems at his witts end, ready to rip it out from the dash. Still, he answers. Lips pressed to the mouthpiece as he mutters, “What?” Powell mentions another report coming in of a child being seen. Clothes were stolen and running through the woods on their own. For a brief moment, she wonders if it had been a hallucination at all. Maybe, she was being called out to help someone in need.

Autumn can see the way this news brings a certain level of distress. Head fallen back with shoulders sagged, a tormented look in his eyes as he studied the path ahead. She can feel it. The rip of his flesh and soul as he yearns to serve and protect, yet needing to stay by her side while she works her way through a storm conjured up to break her down. In a weakened tone, he says “It’ll be handled,” but never how or when.

Nothing else is said, nor is it needed. The pair vanished into the woods, far from any prying eyes. Inside the cabin, his discomfort is plain to see. He stands just after the threshold, gaze locked on the dirty, old wood with hands planted firmly on his hips. He fights a silent war - to stay or to go. Who would need him more? Would it make a difference?

The girl chooses for him with a heavy sigh, fingers massaging the sore space at her neck until clotted blood falls away like tainted snow. “You should go.”

Hopper has never been a man who needed or sought out permission. Not from family, not from friends or his coworkers - let alone a teenager. But her encouragement gives him a sense of peace. A small shred of relief brings the split he feels to a sudden stop, healing slowly as guilt continues to pour salt into his wounds.

“I’m kind of the reason they’re still out there, right?” Hopper can’t bring himself to answer, though something in her saddened smile tells him that he wouldn’t need to. There’s unspoken blame eating them both alive - maggots to rotten flesh. “D’you trust him?”

“I don’t trust anybody,” he replies without hesitation, and she nods along in acknowledgment. Her tired gaze cast down as she fiddles with what was left of her old jewelry. That old life had long since packed up and wiped clean from Hawkins - maybe even the entire state. “But I think…he can help. Help in ways that I can’t.” All falls to silence after that. The girl is unable to speak for fear a trembling lip will give way like a dam, releasing the floodgates she worked hard to keep strong. He can see it, even in the dark.

“Look, kid,” he’s suddenly closing the space between them, towering above someone so frail and lost, looking for some sort of guidance through the haze. “I’m not afraid. Not of you, or whatever happens tomorrow. Hell, even a year from now. But, I think there are times when… you’re afraid of yourself.” Autumn remains still and unfocused. A stare locked on nothing in particular as her mind twists and pulls at the seams, digging through memories and reliving the hurt in her chest. “You don’t have t’go back. Just-just promise me you’ll think about it.”

Autumn agrees in the silence with a nod of her head. Watching as her protector swiftly shifts into work mode, preparing to disappear into the wilderness in search of another soul to save. He promises to check in, and that he’ll bring home dinner in hopes of lifting the already heavy load from her shoulders. And with a final look to bid her farewell, he slips past the still-opened door and far from her sight. The sound of his engine fades with every second as he puts distance between them.

Now alone, the silence is deafening. Left in her own thoughts - maybe of someone else. Voices crawl over one another as they pile higher and higher. A tower of echoed pain and loneliness. It spreads and digs at the surface of her skin, enticing chipped nails to scratch along the fabric of her sweater and pull at the muscles. It builds rapidly. Seeping into her lungs until it’s suffocating - claustrophobic. Until all she can see in the dim cabin are the wicked smiles of men and creatures.

Hopper had told her to wait for him. To stay put for her physical and emotional safety. But with every tick of the clock, she sees that room. The flicker of a projection against dark wooden walls filled with pristine white. Whispers of children were just at her back when no one was there.

“Run.”

The light is fading in Hawkins by the time Autumn finally settles in. A grey sky now dusted by pink as the sun eases in for a long slumber, beckoning all to join her. But there are others that refuse her kind offer. They evade sleep like a plague, knowing what comes should they welcome it with open arms. There’s only torment in the darkness. They favor a large cup of coffee to keep the demons at bay, like her. Like the teenage girl who’s fled a suddenly crowded cabin to instead sit beneath bright lights of a diner.

It’s louder than she anticipates. Nearly turning her back on it as she passes by the windows, full of kids her age now running amuck with Winter Break in full effect. But, no one spares a glance her way. Far too enamored with their conversations to care about the lone witch of Hawkins taking a seat at the booth. Maybe in a way, she was grateful. They kept all others busy enough so she never became a distraction - a point of interest to mock and spit at.

The spaces at her sides empty one by one. Older men growing tired of the rambunctious teenagers, muttering under their breath as they leave a tip and bitterly leave the scene. And for a moment, she can breathe. Head fallen into her palms as she bounces Dr. Owens's offer back and forth in her mind.

A chance at life, though full of risks.

“It won’t be easy,” the doctor says with a heavy sigh. “You’ll probably hate me at times. But, right now, I’m offering you clarity. A chance to understand who you really are.”

“Aut?” The man's voice fades out, quickly replaced by another that holds a familiar and new warmth. Though, startling in the moment.

Steve stands just at her back with a puzzled look on his face, lips threatening to pull into a smile. “Wh-what are you doing here?” The question comes with a small chuckle, clearly confused by such a public appearance. He even spares a quick look at their surroundings in search of Hopper to stand guard.

“Having coffee,” she offers up, raising the warmed mug to better his view. “What are you doing here? Since you want t’be nosy.” She can’t avoid the grin creeping forward, though hides it behind the ceramic for another sip.

Her sarcasm pulls at unseen strings. The corners of his lips fully turn upward with amusement as he closes the space between them. The boy welcomes himself onto the empty stool, hands folded out across the surface as he studies her with care. “I’m going t’guess that this wasn’t Hop’s idea.”

“How perceptive of you,” she teased, turning her attention back toward the waitress. She’s got a pen and notepad in hand to take the new guest's order but is politely dismissed with the raise of his hand. She almost seems disappointed. “I needed a break.”

His lips part with a whispered, “Ah,” in understanding. Fingers twiddling back and forth from nerves. This new closeness was still not entirely settled in for either of them. “Livin’ with the sheriff gettin’ t’you?”

Autumn can only spare a twitch of the lip and a huffed laugh, twisting the mug back and forth in her hands. She can feel the words creep up the back of her throat, tickling at her tongue until they slip through the cracks, forcing the barrier to collapse. “He found a doctor for me. A-a therapist, I guess.”

It takes a few moments for her words to register. His mouth hung agape as the gears slowly turned until it settled in. There’s a feeling of guilt that constricts his chest for even poking at the situation - encouraging her to confess what others may have kept private. “Oh. Well-well that’s a good thing, right?” His arms cross, leaning further into the counter just to have a better look at his friend, noting the way she avoids meeting his honey eyes. “I mean, everyone needs somebody t’talk to.”

Autumn chews at her lip, gaze locked on the coffee’s oily surface and the patterns created within the sheen. She can still see him in a hazy memory. No longer smiling but instead appearing unimpressed just across a table, grip tightening around a grey mug as he commands another order.

“You nervous?” Steve begins, pulling her focus back toward him with an obvious answer in her eyes - she was terrified. “Y’know, no one can make you do anything, Aut. Believe me, I’ve tried.” The atmosphere begins to ease, and the man's face is replaced by a flash of memories where Steve pleads for her to get back on his bicycle after the fall. Where he tries to get her into his pool for the first time. It’s hard to fight away the smile. “But, maybe it wouldn’t hurt t’give it a shot. Get some things off of your chest.”

Maybe it would hurt.

Maybe it would kill her.

Maybe worse, it would unlock the deadbolt to keep darkened memories secured, letting them spill out into the light. Something evil and rotten, never retreating into the shadows now that it’s tasted freedom.

“C’mon,” the boy says with a sudden burst of energy, swiveling in his seat so his body is fully turned her way. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Yeah? And do what?” She questions with a raised brow, amusement hidden by the rim of her cup as she takes another drink.

His lips purse with brows knitted in thought, attention flickering elsewhere for a spark to guide him. In the end, he surrenders with a casual shrug. “I don’t know. Dumb teenager things? Unless,” a hand gestures toward the crowd at their backs. Voices wild and laughter loud in hopes of gaining attention. The animals had been set free from their cages, now unrestrained and free to disrupt all those around them. All in the name of fun. “Unless you want t’stay here with these idiots.”

It’s all she needs. The ceramic quickly drained of its coffee before resting just over the payment hastily laid out for her waitress. Together, the pair slip out from their seats with Steve working hard to distract her from the sudden glances of fellow students, still unable to make peace with their sudden reunion.

“I heard you and Nance had a little girl time.” He teases.

“And I heard you were playing kiss and make-up.” She wears a smile just at his back, dismissing the sudden spike of her heart rate and the momentary hazy vision. A sensation of dizziness she blames on the amount of caffeine she’s consumed.

The boy is stopped at the glass door, a dramatic roll in his eyes as he forces it open with his back, waiting for her to pass by him and out into the chilled night. It’s an action he doesn’t think twice about. Something natural, and effortless. “I forgot girls like t’gossip.”

It comes for her - for them. It washes in with ease, consuming the world in its evil. In death. Her attention is locked on the contents of her bag, checking that nothing had been left behind in the diner when she notices the ground is no longer painted in the glow of a setting sun. The light is gone - swallowed up by an eclipse as ash rains down from the sky. It dances through the air with every step, quickly coating the top of her boots and dirtying her jeans. Autumn truly sees the world, then. Buildings collapsed and pulled into the Earth by living vines.

The sky cracks with a bolt of lightning, illuminating the nothingness Hawkins had become. She reacts with a flinch, her body recoiling from the sudden shock. The rumble that soon follows is drowned out by a racing heart, echoing in her ears. She wonders if it’s all a dream - or nightmare, rather. Had she even left the cabin? Did exhaustion take over, catapulting her into a deep sleep? Had she ever walked into that diner? Maybe never getting the chance to place an order before she’s out cold, sleeping on folded arms at the booth.

Had she ever seen-

Steve.

Eyes wide and panic in her chest, she turns to find him still there - still with her. Yet he seems elsewhere. A dark gaze is locked on something in the distance, lips fallen to a flat line - completely stone-faced. Empty. For a moment, he seemed frozen in time. A reminder of what was on the other side, waiting for her. But she calls his name, and his eyes move in her direction. The corner of his lips rise into a crooked grin, and something begins to shift.

There’s no warmth to the boy standing before a now vacant building. A soul so easily seen in his eyes was now gone, replaced by something much colder. Something she can’t entirely trust. And when he takes a step toward the girl, her body reacts without thought by adding more distance. Soon, she’s off the curb and into the crumbling street, hand held out to keep him at bay. “Steve!”

The name feels foreign. Like a stray piece in a puzzle that didn’t fit no matter how hard you tried to force it. It was a distraction and further proven the moment he opens his mouth to speak. The tone is deep, with words well spoken. Not like a clumsy boy fumbling his way through life, laughing at the small misfortunes.

“It’s a tragedy, isn’t it? What they’ve done. To you. To me.”

Autumn can’t bring herself to speak. Lungs froze with the lifeless air, muscles trembling and aching from the shock. She merely watches as he continues his approach, knees locked in place, offering her up as bait.

“I know how you must feel. Lost and frightened. Just like you were all of those years ago. And now, you’re desperate.” He’s within inches of her now. His breath is unfelt as if he was only a vision. But his fingers reach out to gently push aside a fallen strand of hair, and her skin reacts to the ghostly touch. Her stomach twists with bile as she drinks in a smile that doesn’t belong to a boy she once knew.

It’s not real.

Not real.

“Willing to let them in - to let yourself truly see. But as that man pries your mind open, you need to remember who was really there for you. Who fought for you. How I could have saved you, and what we could have done.”

[wangxianficfinder]

Fics Still Missing part 4

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These fics are still missing suggestions!

Feat. WangxianFicFinder blog

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1. This is a bit old fic. I remember in it Wangxian are living in a cottage now, and one day WWX finds LWJ vehemently chopping wood. Turns out LWJ is punishing himself because he missed few days of “everyday” therefore he thinks he failed WWX. Do you remember what that fic was? Heh #3 on post

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2. Could you please help me find a fic? The main point was that Lan Wangji was injured in the Gusu massacre and during the turtle cave scene Wuxian gives Wangji his core. The story is canon compliant otherwise, but after Wuxian’s death Wangji learns to play the dizi and he always keeps Chenqing in his belt. I think it was a long fic (50,000+ words) and could have sworn I read it on ao3… but I can’t find it again! Help!! #12 on post

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3. Looking for a fic. Wei Wuxian goes on tour or something similar, and the tabloids post something about him cheating even though he didn’t. He’s dating Lan Wangji and even tho he knows he didn’t cheat he can’t handle the stress of having a boyfriend on tour/ far away. I think it ends with WWX coming back to LWJ and canceling his tour or something similar. Please, any help would be great!!! @/withoutwingsx  #17 on post

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4. i have given up searching for a fic on my own and turn to you. it was a modern au w/cultivation, lz and wwx were working together but wwx was not sect/family affiliated. it’s revealed at some point that wwx was manipulated by madam yu into donating his core and then basically tossed out, but no one knew the details. he’s on some kind of probation while he recovers from the core donation surgery. please help, it’s been days. @/plotwitch #4 on post

not FOUND All Old Things are New Again series by The Feels Whale (@/miscellea)

not FOUND Wei Wuxian’s Guide to Hacking for Fun and Profit by ArgentInferno

not FOUND the soft animal of your body  by sysrae

not FOUND this river runs to you by sundiscus

NOT FOUND! Where You Say My Name by trippednfell

NOT FOUND! Hear a song this deeply by so_shhy

NOT FOUND! 🧡 but his smile never dimmed by Stratisphyre

FOUND? Truth Will Out (when caught on video) by KizuKatana (E, 117k, WIP, wangxian, WN & WWX & WQ, modern cultivation, YZY abuses WWX, caught in camera, partial core removal, WWX expelled from Jiang sect, live streamer WWX, meet-ugly, dual cultivation)

For #27 of missing fic, it sounds vague familiar. Does the fic have wwx working freelance to catalogue/prep-clear out a seized warehouse full of dark artifacts and lz is searching for a missing dragons scale? Or is it one where they're investigating a series if grisly murders where people are used to make arrays and he works as a professor and is briefly a suspect? Or where there's sect cultivators, but also 'city cultivators' like wwx that deal with simple/animal control type & he lied for job

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5. Hello, I’m searching a MDZS fic that is a Empress Ki AU. It’s in AO3, but I cannot find it. @/annarielwen  #7 on post

FOUND? Оплачено сполна (Paid in Full) by Rubiya_Sinner (E, 49k, WangXian, ChengXian, Drama, Romance, Slavery, Character Death, Angst with a Happy Ending, Inspired by K-Drama | Korean Drama, Loyalty, Intrigue, Ancient China, Love/Hate, Revenge, Unhealthy Relationships, Doomed Relationship, Betrayal) there is one empress ki tagged fic however it's in Russian

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6. Hi. You all do great work. I’m hoping you can help me find a fic. It’s a sweet little post cannon, birthday fic for WWX. He and LWJ go into town for food with the juniors to celebrate. All the juniors give him really nice gifts. I think JL gives him something really special and LSZ is worried that his gift isn’t as good as JL…or something along those lines. I wish I could remember more. I hope this is enough to go on. Thanks again! #10 on post

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7. Hi! I was wondering g if you could help me find a fix, I actually first knew about because of you I belive, it’s a time travel fix it fic in which both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wanji got send back before the sun campain, they had a meeting with the clans and basically stopped it from happening, great part of the fic is actually after all is well, like they adopt a yuan, and stuff, nobody dies. I remember Wei Ying having a panic attack and people believing they are from the future because they are inmediatly lovydovy with each other. I believe it was long, like 30 or 50 chapters? Thank ahead!  #19 on post

FOUND? We Can See a New Start by preciousbunnynoiz (M, 127k, WangXian, XiCheng, XuanLi, Soulmates, Time Travel Fix-It, Biting, Implied Sexual Content, Implied/Referenced Underage Sex, but mentally they are adults, Making Out, Fluff and Angst, Humor, Happy Ending, PTSD, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Supportive LWJ, Communication, Soul Bond, Blood, Found Family, Parent-Child Relationship, aromantic JC, Lesbian WQ, Queerplatonic Relationships, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Verbal Abuse, Disassociate episodes, disassociating, Suicidal Thoughts, Self-Harm, Self-Hatred, Depression, Delusions, Mental Health Issues, Mental Breakdown, Attempted Sexual Assault, Therapy, Supportive JC, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Family Feels, Implied/Referenced Torture, Revenge, Self-Sacrifice, Accidental Bonding, Brotherly Bonding)

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8. Hello! I am looking for the wangxian fic where Jin Ling wants to formally court Lan Sizhui. He asks wei wuxian and then asks for his help to talk to lan zhan. I know I’m the fic wei wuxian wears gusu robes during a conference and acts like the best version of a lan wife. Thank you in advance!! #15 of post

NOT FOUND! A Civil Combpaign by Ariaste

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9. hello! i can’t stop thinking about these (a bit vague) scenes from wangxian fics. could you help me find a fic where A) wei ying falls asleep as he waits for lan zhan outside the jingshi. i think it specified that he fell asleep on the porch? #16A of post

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10. Hiii i need help in finding a fanfic So i remeber that the fic starts with the author telling us that wei ying and lan zhan are happy after everything that happened and wei ying is trying to cultivate his golden core  but wei yings core is not strong enough so that he can cultivate to imortality. Lan zhan decides that he does not want to live eternaly and he ages with wei ying. Lan zhan is  sharing his spiritual energy with wei ying and this way he ie sustaining the both of them until he finally runs out of it and one day they lay in bed and they die together in the jingshi. Next thing you know they wake up in the past and i think this fic is a time travel fix it or just a time travel one i cant remeber anything else. I know i read it on AO3. Please help. @/dacika98 #18 of post

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11. Hey, I’m looking for a post-canon fic where there’s an assassination attempt on WWX with poison and LWJ is super protective and has to find the culprit. Thanks so much! #3 of post

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12. For your next fic finder… I’ve suddenly remembered this elusive  fic. I’m pretty sure it was a canon era BDSM AU (in that people have   inherent dom/sub dynamics), and WWX was a sub that had been   raised/socialized as a dom by the Jiang sect. The fic was set during the  CR study arc, and IIRC something happened in the library that caused   WWX to drop hard, revealing the truth to everybody. It’s not The Hilt  Lies Well In Hand by HeavenlySkyfarer, or A Gesture of Companionship by  Khashana. Help? #13 of post

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13. Hi, for the next fic finder I need help finding 2 fics that I read on AO3. A) During the first siege Wei Ying uses the Soul Summoning Ritual to bring back Jiang Yanli’s soul in his body and the Yanli runs to Jiang Cheng and says something like “A-Cheng it’s me.”.   B) During the Wen Settlement days one morning Wen Qing walks into Wei Ying’s cave and finds him dead on his bed. I think he died due to an illness and Wen Qing wasn’t suprised to find him dead.  Thank you for your help. @/bluekittenfire  #16 of post

13A)

FOUND! A Final Sacrifice by FrozenHawFlakes (T, <1k, major character death, Angst, Protective Siblings, Family Feels, family love, everything is worse off for everyone, except maybe JL, but he has another set of problems, What-If, Canon Divergence)

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14. I can’t find a fic where Wei Ying died at canon and woke up from coma in modern world where everyone is alive and good. And they think Wei Ying is dreaming. Wei Ying is also confused. Everyone is good even madam yu and fengmin. And he’s also lan zhans husband there. Thank u #18 of post

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15. hii!!!! im looking for a fic in which wwx is badly hurt, and the lan doctor tells him that the only way he can survive is through dual cultivation. lwj immediately goes to do the deed because he can’t stand wwx in pain. they get together in the end! but it has a little of angst! their first time is a little sad because wwx is very hurt but they love each other a lot and get quicly together! thank you #20 of post

FOUND? as amber of ember glows by occultings (microcomets) (E, 11k, WangXian, Sex Pollen, Marathon Sex, Multiple Orgasms, Mutual Pining, First Time, Miscommunication, Aphrodisiacs, pining for the person you're fucking, Getting Together, mostly) sounds like one of occulting's fics, maybe 'as amber of ember glows' but there are several along this line so I can't be certain?

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16. Posted on instagram. LWJ and WWX were both models, WWX were kidnapped and tortured at one point because of jealous Jin Zixun  @/hid9884 2B of post

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17. Hi can you help me find a fanfic?? um wei wuxian works at a sex shop and lan wangji comes in to close it down bc his parents own it but end up falling in love where as jiang cheng works at a bar where lan xichen fall inlove w/ him and wei wuxian crazy ex (jenny I think) tries to kill him?? #3 of post

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18. Hello, can you help find this fic? The back story in this fic is yzy is cheating with wcz and wwx is yzy'son with wcz. After wwx born he was cast aside and yzy pregnant with soon after with jfm as the fathet. Wcz become a rogue cultivator while raising wwx and he meet csr. In the first chapter i think wwx is kinda kicked out by bssr to make him meet with his sibling in cloud recesses and make a peace with them. I think he introduce himself as a-xian (or it is a-ying? But i think it was a-xian). I think that’s all i can remember. Thank you! #18 of post

FOUND! The Undesirable Son by FragranceLotion97 (G, 34k, WangXian, CQL but WWX is Madam Yu's Bastard Son, It goes differently from the beginning, WWX becomes sworn brother with lxc then becomes his in law, LWJ is still whipped, There is Yin Iron, Heavily CQL with a little mix from the novel, Adding donghua into the fandom because i decide to use a lot of things from there)

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19. For the next fic finder: can you help me find a fic where wwx falls in the lake when they’re fighting the abyss, and everyone believes he dies. Weeks (or maybe months) pass, and then he washes up on the shore of the lake, somehow still alive. I think it might have been Lan Xichen pov, and he was blaming himself for losing wwx since he was in charge of the hunt. #19 of post

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20. Hello! Looking for this fic: Just before he dies, Wei Ying sees Lan Zhan being severely injured (really bad wound through the chest). When he resurrects later on, he’s certain that Lan Zhan is dead, and he’s pissed about it. But Lan Zhan isnt dead, and they find each other. Its a darkish fic with wangxian being quite in love but kind of a murder couple. Lan Xichen is kinda bad here. Meng Yao gets his head chopped off. I cant find it anywhere, it might’ve been deleted… Help? 😳 @/dreammaiden21 #3A of post

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21. Hello, I’m looking for a fic where Lan Wangji raises the Lan disciples to express their emotions healthily. I remember it ends after WWX’s resurrection with Lan Wangji crying really hard. #4 of post

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22. I watched wangxian toxic lover FF video in YouTube I want read this ff please can you search the ff story I’m try find this story but never find it’s request please can you find #9 of post

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23. Hi ! Can u find me a fic? The summary is basically future wy transports to the past where everyone is basically stuck in this cafe and they solve their emotional trauma and after that is solved both wys go back to their own timeline and everyone lives and no one dies #9 of post

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24. It’s been a while! It’s boyfriend! (Hello again! - Mod C)

There’s a fic that I have been trying to find for a while now and I forgot what it is about. All I remember is this:

- Madam Yu good so is the rest of the Jiang

- I think it’s something about time travel fix it

-The Jiang Family + Wei Wuxian talking about Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling’s weird naming of dogs and then they said something about Sect Leader Jiang naming the Sword suibian. Someone in the group said it runs in the family to which Jiang Cheng refuted it by saying his name and Yanli’s name were good names. Madam Yu just laughed and said that it was her who named them and not Jiang Fengmian.

I’m sorry that’s all I remember but anyway thank you in advance!! #13 of post

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25. Hey! There is a fic set in canon where the following scenes happen, and jiang fengmian divorces madam yu at the end.

Wei ying frequently leaves lotus pier at nights, once his room flooded while he was away. One such night, Wei ying overhears jfm n yzy arguing in a pavilion near the lake.

That day jfm had bought a comb for madame yu as a gift but couldn’t give it to her because she stormed out after blaming wwx and jfm.

Help me find this pls🙏Hi! I’m the anon who asked for a fic set in canon era where jfm divorce madam yu at the end. I remembered a few more details, here are they:

• wei ying frequently sneaks out of lotus pier to practice since he has to pretend he is lacking in front of madam yu to appease both her and jc.

• Once when he went out his room floods and yzy blames him• One night wy overhear jfm and madame yu fighting. We later learn that, that day jfm bought a comb for yzy as a gift but couldn’t give it due to her pushing him further away from having any sort of companionship.

• Jyl is an enabler in this fic and unconsciously defends jc’s actions while asking a-xian to forgive and forget. She never asks jc to apologize to wy and wy calls her out on that later in the fic when he and wens settle with the lans. #1 of post

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26. Hello, me again! 😊 Sorry to bother you, but I literally just thought of a wangxian fic I was searching for a few months ago and never found. The problem is I only recall one scene: Lan Zhan is somehow at Qiongqi Path with Wei Ying & Wen Ning when the ambush happens. I think LZ is telling WY to concentrate and not lose control as they fight… When WN is made to attack Jin Zixuan, LZ steps in between and WN’s fist goes through “him” instead. Does anyone know which fic has that scene? 🤔 @/dreammaiden21

Hello! I was #2 in the latest fic finder, and I just wanted to let you know that it was, sadly, not those two. Great fics though! 👍 But in the one I’m looking for Lan Zhan is definitely hurt in that altercation, seriously enough that Wen Qing (who treats him) fears for his life at first. Wei Ying is beside himself (duh!) and Xichen is there at some point, being worried and angry at WY for endangering his brother. I know I read it somewhere… 🤔🤔🤔 #2 of post

NOT FOUND! and so it goes by doyeorem (pomellogranate)

NOT FOUND! Home and the Heartland by Witch_Nova221

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27. Hi! Im looking for a wangxian socmed au fic wherein they are celebrities. I think LWJ is a singer and WWX is an actor who won golden globe awards three times. I remember that there are scenes that they don disguise in public and some of their fans recognize them but posted their picture in twitter hours after the fans encountered them. There’s also a scene where wwx went to an orphanage and gives red packets to the kids for new years day. Wangxian also went to Jiang Yanli’s restaurant. A scene wherein the Jiang Family took a family photo wearing family sweater. At the end of the fic, wwx win a best actor award and Yu Ziyuan was the one who presented it.  I cant find it in ao3, so it might have been deleted by the author. But maybe someone downloaded it? I really love that fic. Thank you!  @/ynariaalejo #5 of post

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28. Hi! I was wondering if you guys knew this one fic on ao3 that’s a Divergent au? I couldn’t find it around and I suspect it’s been deleted :( #12 of post

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29. I don’t remember anything else about the fic so I’m sorry in advance! I just remember that Wen Qing lived and it was her who performed the sacrifice summon instead of Mo Xuanyu so Wei Wuxian was in her body. #13 of post

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30. Hello. I read a fic where wwx was a first responder and he was also in college and lwj was his classmate and misunderstood him as a bad student because wwx was always sleeping in class. Pls help find the fic. @/rosesstarsandhim  #17 of post

FOUND? Scribbled Hearts by Caelum_the_Slytherin (Not Rated, 2k, WangXian, College/University, Misunderstandings, Crushes, goth wwx, felon wwx, Mentions of Death, Realizations, the slightest of angst)

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31. For fic finder, I remember one scene from an arranged marriage/marriage of convenience that may have involved marrying to save the Wen Remnants, wherein they’re opening their wedding gifts and are puzzled by Sect Leader Yao’s gift, a bunch of unlabeled bottles. Wei Wuxian opens one and dips a finger in to taste it and they eventually realize it’s lube and are mortified. @/rosethornewrites #1 of post

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32. Hey! I’m looking for 3 fics, @/imstillthinkingaboutithmm

A) Alternate canon setting where wei ying has an arranged marriage with a dead lan wangji. They have never met before, Lan zhan is a ghost, his dead body may or may not be present in the room. Come night wei ying can feel the cold ghostly touch of his dead husband. They eventually fall in love.

“lovers be lost (but love shall not)” looks interesting but it is not the fic i was looking for. Thanks for the rec though. This fic is set in 1910s while the fic I’m looking for was set in ancient china

C) A modern AU based on the British dating game show “Naked attraction”

Wei ying goes as a contestant and lan wangji is one of the hidden naked men. #10AC of post

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33. Hello Mods! It’s me again! Please help me find this Spy vs Spy AU with WWX vs LWJ. I can’t exactly remember, but i think it was based on that thread about how if you only slash 3 tires of your ex, the insurance won’t pay? My Dumbass forgot to save it, soooo…. I think it was them being Enemies (like from opposing spyclans maybe?) but it could have been colleagues who hate each other too… in any case it was enemies to lovers ish. Thank you soooo much! @/desperation-is-my-middle-name #11 of post

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34. Hi! I sent a query on Mar16 but I’d like to rewrite my FicFinder request Could you help me find a Wangxian fic where either Lan Zhan or Wei Ying was trained to be a feral attack dog owned by evil forces?They put a collar on him and remove it when he’s to attack their enemies. He’s able to break away from them & is welcomed into a warm & loving home. It’s not a new fic, think I read it last year. Similar to the plot of “Across the street to another life” Maybe it’s also an Unleashed AU. Thx a lot! #13 of post

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35. Hi can you help me find a wangxian fic. Is about wei ying want a place to work on his experiments and lab.. and wangji said he be safe with him in his arm sleeve.. and they make it safe for wei ying to be inside of wangji arm sleeves. @/sadritsuka12 #14 of post

FOUND? My heart in my sleeve by exmanhater (G, 2k, WangXian, Crack, Qiankun Sleeves, Sleeve Husband, Post-Canon)

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36. Does anybody know the name or have a copy of this fanfic where I believe lwj is a Lord and he has 5 wives. I believe wwx was the 2nd wife and lwj didn’t really notice him until one day he saw him playing with the other wives children. And I think one of the wives either the 1st or 3rd tried to kill him for favor. @/teamironman98 #1 of post

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37. Hello, for fic finder I want to find a short story set post canon where Wei Wuxian is transformed into a cat and keeps Jin Ling company, I vaguely remember a scene where Wei Wuxian in cat form bapped Fairy on the nose with his paw and stared in wonder at his paws possibly realising he had claws or in wonder that he touched a dog without running away screaming. I think he later figured out how to transform into his cat form at will to nap in sunbeams. Finding this story has been driving me nuts any help is greatly appreciated. @sorathemasterofmasters #16 of post

FOUND? deep and inscrutable by twigofwillow (T, 1k, WWX & JL, Post-Canon, LSZ & LJY show up briefly, poor JL suffers so much, WWX does not care for Fairy at any time, it is a beautiful morning in Lanling and you are a horrible cat, Humor) this sounds like "deep and inscrutable" by twigofwillow, it doesn't have him figuring it out but he's definitely thinking about it, and the other details match

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38. Hello, I recently remember this fic that ive read months ago and im not sure if i remember it correctly, i cant find it anymore so i hope u guys can help me with this.

- its a modern fic. wei ying is sick then he lives with the lans. i remember him going to the same school(?) with lan zhan. i think lqr told lz to take care of him smth like that. then there’s a girl that is also sick(?) there’s a scene where wy asked lz to stay with him but then lz left and chose the other girl (lz didnt know that wx is sick and he was like the girl needs me more than u) there’s a confession on a radio station(?) then when lz found out that wy is sick he ran back to him. there’s also jiang-wen family connections. wy is cousins to the jiangs and has a connection with wens, im not sure if rouhan is his grandfather or uncle or smth. then they found out there’s a scene where madam yu slapped the girl because of what she did (hurt wy) and they cut off ties (business/job) with their family

im not sure if im talking about one story or two. #17 of post

For #17 I’m sure I’ve read the fic but it was when I was early into fandom and new to AO3. Also the girl is engaged to LWJ or something. WWX already is in love with LWJ,  but he’s sick and gonna die in a year

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39. Hi there, I’m looking for a Jiang Cheng time travel story. I don’t remember the how or why but it was during the Sunshot campaighn and he remembered that Wei Wuxian didn’t seem to suffer any symptom to Demonic Cultivation after his marriage to Lan Wangji, contributing it to his healing songs, and planned to have Lan Wangji marry into Lotus Pier this time… @/krysaniar #1 of post

NOT FOUND! Brother-In-Law’s by ILikeReading101

FOUND? Lynchpin by ShanaStoryteller (Not Rated, 103k, WangXian, JC & WWX, Time Travel, Fix-It, Lynchpin [PODFIC] by Opalsong, [PODFIC] Lynchpin by Gwogobo)

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40. Hello! Can you please help find this fic? I don’t remember much. I thing wq make a deal with sushoot soldier that she will give yiling to them in exchange of her famaly and her safety. Wwx fights with a bow and killed wzl using a bow in battle at yiling. I think that jc knows about golden core transfer because he awakened at close at the end of procedure. Thats all that i can remember. Thank you!! #3 of post

FOUND! Justified in Knowledge by Comfect (G, 50k, JC & WWX, JC/WQ, wangxian, WWX & WQ, WQ & WN, Canon Divergence, Canon-Typical Violence, Fix-It, Golden Core Reveal, Golden Core Transfer, Everyone Lives AU, except like WRH and WC, And probably a cast of thousands because its a war)

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41. Hi!!! I’m looking for a fic where alpha Lwj thinks ômega Wwx is a fuckboy. He decides to have one night with Wwx to see if his feelings might disappear. Wwx, who is not a fuckboy at all, thinks Lwj is in love with him too, and confesses to him some time after their one night, but Lwj turns him down rather cruelly, even insinuating he is promiscuous. He regrets it once Wwx starts crying. I also remember Wc/Wx said something about Wwx, and Lwj got into a physical fight with him before going to apologize to Wwx.

Hi, it’s number 6 from the lqst foc finder. It’s not the threadfic by Kizukatana. It was not a threadfic, it was on ao3. #6 of post

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42. Hello! I’m looking for a fic I read ages ago and only remember very little of. I think it was either a war prize or arranged marriage fic? But that could be wrong. What I do remember is that when wwx kills the big bad, everyone expects him to take the crown and be evil or something, but he immediately turns and offers the throne/crown/sword/whatever it was to lwj. Help? Thank you so much for all the wonderful work you do!! @/deathdefyinglifeleaps #11 of post

#11 Oooh, that’s a good one, but not the one I’m looking for. Thank you for reminding me that this one exists, though! (Also, sorry I’m wicked late to this? Not sure how I missed it… my bad.)

Not FOUND pitiful destiny, point your finger at me by sassybluee

FOUND? to porcelain, to ivory, to steel by sunsandships (E, 27k, WangXian, Vaguely Game of Thrones Inspired, Arranged Marriage, top!WWX, top!LWJ, Dubious Consent, Intercrural Sex, Oral Sex, Breathplay)

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43. In this fic wen ruohan will send all the sect heirs into the burial mount. Some sect heirs died and others learned demonic cultivation and came out. Jiang sect send wei wuxian to the burial mount instead of jiang cheng. #1A of post

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44. I hope you can help me with this one. Lan xichen can hear the Jiang wanyin clarity bell ringing. He eventually learn that the clarity bell rings differently according to the emotions of Jiang wanyin. Thank you very much #3C of post

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45. Hello i’m for a fic where wwx dies and everyone mourns for him (including wens in burial mounds) and everyone tried to revive him. @aycee0806​ #13 of post

Is 13 the one where WWX died right at the cusp of immortality right around when the first seige was supposed to happen, and because of that even though he was dead his body didn’t decay? So a type os glass casket/shrine was set up for him up in the Burial Mounds I think? Or is it some other fic? I know I’ve read at least one other fic with this vague premise, but either way I absolutely CANNOT remember the fic name either

FOUND? could be the deleted "When I'm gone" by qiankun_pouch. I have a copy of it. ~bluekittenfire

FOUND? If One for you, then One for us by KusakabeNAyako (T, 85k, wangxian, WIP, Canon Divergence, WN is precious Cinnamon roll, WWX is precious cinnamon roll, Rape/Non-con Elements, YLLZ WWX)

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46. HII!!, I was wondering if you have the fanfic where wei wuxian is going through a hard time bc of his gf jenny and lan wangji the son of a ceo who is working a sex shop to close it down also jiang cheng works at the bar- #15 of post

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47. Similar in vibes, also complete: WWX travels to an alternative universe, where JC died and WWX is somehow the Jiang Sect Leader. He meets LWJ at a conference. The new universes’ WWX was not friends with LWJ. LWJ’s leg was still broken after the Wen Indoctrination and never healed, so LWJ is wheelchair bound (pushed by Jingyi). WWX builds up a friendship with LWJ but I think in the end he goes back to his own universe. This one sounds like that one fic where the theme was something like ‘be careful what you wish for’, iirc WWX wanted to see either his parents or JYL alive 🤔 ~Mod L

Any help would be much appreciated! As well as any other dimension travel recs anyone has. Thanks again for this wonderful blog! @/vasterthanempires #4B of post

4BI have read but also cannot recall! Additional details, it was an alternate dimension talisman WWX created, and when he leaves any changes he might have cause are erased but somehow wheelchair!LZ starts an actual friendship with local!WWX? not sure if it was a bonus chapter or an endnote but I recall I was happy that it was a hair ending for both sets…

FOUND? empty as the sky by incendir (T, 23k, wangxian, JYL & WWX, CSSR & WWX, be careful what you wish for)

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48. I need help on finding a fic. It’s about how wei wuxian created his own sect from a past syndicate movements, he transformed it into a merchant/shops/silk road or something similar. He never went with the jiangs or any sects. When he was still on the streets he got betrayed by an “esteemed” cultivator because of false accusations (vendor told the cultivator that he caught wei wuxian stealing from him, but in actuality wei wuxian was at the wrong place at the wrong time), it was another kid that stole a toy from a merchant, if I’m not wrong. He was also a part of an illegal underground fights where he “won the bet” against the strongest fighter. He’s also claimed by wen qing to be the killer of a murder because the only one who knows around needles is herself, and she met wei wuxian and taught him the arts of needles. There’s also a wei wuxian - xue yang connection by said syndicate because the chang sect was a part of it. #9 of post

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49. hi! i’m looking for a fic where there was quarantine and wangxian went to stay at the family house (it was so big like a mansion or an apartment i don’t really remember).

remember a scene where jingyi was having a panic attack (?) and wei ying came to calm him down. they were at the balcony. i think they were adopting jingyi.

i don’t know if it is finished or deleted. #12 of post

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50. Hi I want to ask is there a wangxian fanfiction where lan zhan is a prince and wei wuxian is a huli jing and becomes his consort by forced marriage but instead wei ying is against this loveless marriage and so everytime they sleep it’s always hate s£× until he gets preg and gives birth to a yuan and tries his best to give him love until he dies protecting a yuan from a wen attack and that day he realises wangji actually loved him dies and gets reincarnated and tries to fix things @/random-online-reader #15 of post

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[melanieryssel]

Genshin's characters as your tour guide | P2

Character: Bennet, Cyno, Nahida

Setting: Basically, now you're in Teyvat. It doesn't matter how you got here, it's totally up to your imagination. You could be a Vision wielder, born in Teyvat, or you could be a God!Creator who got shifted to this land. Anh on your journey to seven nations, you will meet up with other characters who will be your traveling companion.

A/n: I'm a new writer so I would love it if you guys leave me comments on how I can improve my writing. Also, this is a series so I plan on doing a lot of other characters too, let me know who you want me to do next. Finally, sorry in advance for any spelling or grammar mistakes.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Bennet

He gets so excited. Bennet always thinks to himself that his bad luck is the reason why no one wants to be his companion. So when you brought up the idea, he couldn't help but feel thrilled, grateful, and anxious because you chose him. 

You guys decided to meet in Mondstat city and then start the travel. With a brief glance, you can already tell he's under a lot of stress. Bennet holds a rolled map and tries to force a cheerful smile to reassure you that he's doing absolutely fine even though his dark eye bags tell a different story. He couldn't sleep at all due to tons of the fake scenarios he had in his head about how he might disappoint you or you might be affected by his bad luck. And now, your concerned face makes Bennet worry in his gut.

"I don't think we should go today, you look tired Bennet. Maybe we can pick another-"

"NO!!! PLEASE GO TODAY, I SWEAR I HAVE A PERFECT PLAN FOR TODAY JOURNEY!!!"

You sigh, don't want to ruin his excitement. You ask him to promise you that if he feels exhausted, you guys will go home immediately, and if he ever tried to hide it from you, you will be mad at him forever. 

It's safe to say that his bad luck is... worse, or maybe it's your bad luck and not his. You guys are chased by a group of Drendo slimes then Bennet accidentally burns himself and you while trying to get rid of the annoying slimes. You want to see the Cecilia flowers but then it pours with rain all afternoon. Next, Bennet and you are bumped by boars. And now, you slip and fall down a hill, Bennet tries to catch you but somehow he starts falling as well.

"I'm so sorry... It's my bad luck..." Bennet, on his bricks of tears, whispers.

"Hey hey, don't worry. I was careless too so it's not your fault. By the way, I think it makes our travel even more interesting and unforgetfull!."

"R-really?"

"Yes" 

Your answer is all he needs. You guys go home after that because Bennet doesn't think he could stay outside longer without fainting anymore, and obviously, he doesn't want to worry you.

Cyno

Cyno takes his job more like your personal security guard rather than a tour guide. Surely General Mahamatra knows Sumeru like the back of his hand, he promised to take you to special places only, which most people don't even know about. 

You thought it must be some beautiful and majestic scenery with a pond, a waterfall... something that is jaw-dropping.

However, you have never expected Cyno to bring you to the desert. It's boiling hot and you can feel your sweat everywhere. But you try to reassure yourself that the majestic view is so close to you already, only a bit more and you can see it with your own eyes! 

"You are more energetic than I thought, that's impressive." Cyno said.

"Yeah, thanks to all your jokes on the way."

"Oh really, how about I tell you some more of my best jokes. Laugh is the greatest thing to make you forget the heat in desert."

"..." You let out an awkward airy laugh.

Finally, you arrived there. However, it's a bit different from your imagination, leaving you speechless.

Cyno proudly points to the freaking huge pyramid in front of you while you are just staring at it hopelessly. It's sure a jaw-dropping building, but sadly, Cyno didn't bring you all the way here to just see the building from the outside. So you guys go inside and from this moment, you realize his intention.

"As you can see, those complicated and sophisticated puzzles are the evidence of Sumeru's knowledge history." Cyno says after making you solve fifteen puzzles in the ancient pyramid.

"Cyno... I don't know how to do this, can we go to a different place, pleaseeeeeee!" You are about to cry.

"Oh, you should say it sooner if you don't like solving puzzels. They might be a bit difficult, but I believe it's one of the best ways to explore Sumeru and improve you knowledge."

"Being stupid is okay with me."

Nahida

Nahida's first intention is to ask some of her allogenes to accompany you since she still has so much work to do. You actually went on a tour with them a couple of days ago too so when you came to see her this morning and admitted that you wish she could go with you, Nahida was really surprised. Nahida feels so happy and grateful because you see her as a good friend of yours.

Nahida decided to put off her work and agree to go on a small walk with you. She listens to you with great understanding and also tells you interesting stories about Sumeru City. You guys have a fun time together, but then because it's just a small walk so Nahida has to go back to her work right after.

The next day you come again. This time, you offer to help her so she could have a break then you guys could go out together. And the next next day, you come to visit again, bring along some snacks so you guys can spend time together while working. This causes Nahida to get deeply emotional. She is always insecure about her strength and feels like she could never be enough for her people, for Sumeru. What happened to her before gave her a hard time believing that she can ever have a true friend. But now, she has you.

Nahida can clearly acknowledge your sincerity and she thought it was not fair to make you do her work every day like that. So Nahida comes up with an idea so she can travel with you, and be your tour guide without neglecting her load of work.

"Nahida... I think this is kinda weird," you say uncertainly while standing in Vanarana.

"I actually think this is a wonderful idea. What do you think about the scenery? Isn't it beautiful?" Nahida responds, her voice laughing in your head.

"Yes, it's gorgeous, but why are you in my head, Nahida?!" you reply in frustration.

[malk1ns]

I posted a tiktok in the group chat that reminded me of sidgeno at 10:15pm and got bullied into writing a fluffy lil ficlet about it.

If it were a full-length story I would have titled it “if you’re that way inclined”

It’s also on ao3 here! I hope you enjoy :)

Fall lingered for a long time in Pittsburgh this year, but Sid shivers a little as he steps over the gap into the incline car—the sun is going down, and there’s more than a hint of winter in the evening air.

“Cold?” comes Geno’s muffled voice from behind him as Sid navigates to the front of the car. When he looks back, Geno has his face buried in his scarf and his hands tucked deep in the pockets of his puffy coat.

“No,” Sid says, sitting down and gesturing at the wooden bench. “Come on, sit down, it’s gonna start moving soon.”

Geno sits close enough that his coat crinkles up against Sid’s hoodie, twisting so he has one leg folded on the bench, facing the window.

Sid can’t believe it’s taken him this long to get Geno to the incline. He’s been so busy showing Geno the city, anxiously playing tour guide, doing his best to sell Geno on Pittsburgh’s charms in an effort to make him want to stay, but whenever he thought of taking him up to Mount Washington, it was rush hour, or a Saturday mid-afternoon, and Sid doesn’t want to deal with the not-so-covert stares as they’re crammed onto the benches with a bunch of other people.

A quick phone call for a quiet Wednesday at sunset got them a car to themselves, though, and Sid’s timed it perfectly—as they go up, the whole city will be glowing with the sunset. Geno’s gonna love it.

The car lets out an almighty creak and lurches up. Geno startles, jolting closer to Sid, who can’t stop the giggle that comes out. “It’s fine, it’s safe,” he says reassuringly.

Geno side-eyes him. “You say so,” he mutters, unwinding his scarf and tugging the zipper of his jacket halfway down.

As they slowly crawl up the side of the hill, Geno presses his face to the window, watching the city unfold beneath them.

Sid watches Geno. He’s seen the view a million times by now.

“Wow,” Geno says when they’re about halfway up, craning his neck to gaze down at the line of bridges spanning the Mon, marching down into the gathering dusk.

“Do you like it?” Sid asks, suddenly anxious that this is a little…lame, maybe. It’s not as flashy as the suite they’d watched the Steelers game in, and certainly not as exciting as the clubs Max has been dragging Geno to on weekends.

“It’s pretty,” Geno says distractedly, looking down at the Point. “It’s, like, nice view for see with someone.”

Sid bites his lip. “Yeah,” he says, forcing a laugh and looking at the skyline. “Hey, too bad you don’t have a girl to bring up this, eh, it would be pretty…well, maybe next time. I bet she’d like it too.”

Geno’s quiet for a minute; when Sid peers back at him, he’s looking directly at Sid. “I ask Gonch what you say to me when I’m first here,” he says suddenly, and Sid frowns at the topic change. “I’m so tired, it’s stress and the plane and my English is so bad, but you’re talk to me and so later I ask to him, what’s Sid say, it’s sound important, like, big deal. And he says you’re say to me, I’m so glad you’re here, it’s best team with you, it’s you and me now, we’re help them win.”

“Yeah,” Sid mumbles, flushing a little at the overly-earnest monologue he’d babbled out that night, after dinner when Geno and Gonch had been headed home. Geno had watched him the whole time he talked, but he hadn’t said anything—he’d just taken Sid’s hand and squeezed it once, then headed to Gonch’s car. Sid’s surprised Geno remembers it at all, let alone cared enough to find out what he said. “Well, I meant it, you know. And I was right. We can do something really special here together.”

Geno smiles, that big one that makes his dimples pop and the corners of his eyes crinkle up. “You and me,” he says again, quietly this time. “I’m not bring girl up here, Sid.”

Before Sid can even open his mouth to reply, Geno puts a big hand on his neck and draws them closer together, kissing him so softly at first—but when Sid gasps a little and kisses back, Geno tilts his head and holds Sid in place. He kisses Sid so thoroughly that Sid has to clutch at the front of his puffy coat to keep from floating away.

They don’t stop until the car judders into place at the top of the incline, the whole of their city spread out beneath them, glowing in the sunset.

[tallulahneale]

Title: Who really lives their dream?

Summary: Vince as a pharma tech, alternate reality!

A/n: This is a fluffy wuffy story.

Part Nine

It’s been 2 months since Lula left for Haiti and even longer since she left p-p with Vince to handle. How tf did she grow this so quickly? he asks himself. P-P had become a six figure profit business and Vince was having trouble keeping it organised. New clients came in weekly, new drop off points were made and the joining fee was more of an incentive for them.

He gets a call from his mom.

“Hey Mom”

“Hi Son. How’s everything going?”

“Not great Ma.”

Vince explains the situation to her with hopes of advice on how to manage the business.

“Son, you know what you need to do.”

“I don’t want to bother her. We spoke last week and she’s having a great time over there.”

“Who else knows how to handle it better than Lula? Y’all were partners before said she was done.”

“I know, but-“

“Vincent just speak to her. In person preferably. You remember when I told you that you’ll-”

“Ma I’m not tryna hear that righ-“. Anita cuts the call before he finishes but sends a text;

‘Just go Vince’

Time is of the essence, so Vince books his flight for the next day. Time is money and I can’t waste it, he reminds himself. He post an update on the forums to his clientele, informing them of a temporary hiatus which will be sorted out by next week earliest.

Packing light, he heads to the airport sending a text to Lula.

‘Hey boubout, I’ll be flying in tomorrow night. Need to run something by you’

She replies almost immediately.

‘Hey Vince! Omg, for real?! That’s amazing!! Aunty called me and explained everything, don’t sweat it. Also… you can’t be calling me boubout anymore 🤭’

He replies back.

‘Yes, I expect you to be my tour guide too. Y’know I’ve never been there before. And why not? You got a Haitian nigga or something?’

She responds

‘It’s a surpriseee! I’ll see you tomorrow!’

Vince laughs and puts his phone on airplane mode, No way she already has a nigga he snickers to himself before closing his eyes.

——

He lands in Port-au-Prince around 7pm. Damn Cali heat has nothing on Haiti, he said to himself. The scenery is beautiful, from the scent of the water and plantation to the smiles on the faces of citizen and the few tourist. He collects his check-in luggage, his mom had more gifts for the family, and walks to the pathway for arrivals. He gets a few stares and smiles “Women are super fine too” he said smiling back at them. He reaches the immigration border, shows his visa and keeps going till he gets to the exit where family members are waiting for their loved ones.

“VINCENT!” Lula shouts excitedly, she sees him before he sees her. Next to her is a man holding a sign board ‘Mr. Staples’, Of course her bougie ass got a chauffeur, he laughs as he waves walking down towards her.

“Hey Lula Tallulah” he smiles hugging her.

“Look at you! Have you been hitting the gym or is your grown man body just getting here? You look buff!”

“You a trip.” He says shaking his head. “You’ve put on a few pounds too, but inna good way.”

“Right! Work stress did not have me glowing this hard.”

The chauffeur takes his luggage and they follow towards the car.

“So you got a chauffeur now? You living good out here cuh.”

“Yes, I am!” She beams “Did your mum give you the snacks and froot loops that I like?”

“Wait that was for you?!” He snickers “I should have known with your sweet-tooth self. Everything’s in the checked luggage.” He reassures you.

Once they settle in the car, Lula points out a few historical facts and tourist attractions around Haiti that they were going to visit. As she reaches for a pack of chips, Vince glimpses at her left hand.

“Wait… you actually got yourself a nigga!” He does a double take.

“Huh?” Lula looks at her hand “Oh yeah! I forgot to mention” she giggles “Your girl got engaged!!!”

“That’s what’s up. Congratulations sè.”

“Thank you Vince! This was meant to be the surprise but hey.”

“I don’t think you know how surprises work” she rolls her eyes at him.

“Anyway, we’re heading to our place for the night. You can stay at the other house in the yard or my apartment if you want.”

“Whatever, I don’t mind” He shrugs “As long as we have a private place to talk. You know why am here, Lula.”

“Damn nigga take a break and enjoy the sights! You’ve been working so hard and so much.”

He nods, she’s right. He has not been on a vacation in over two years.

——

They pull up to a huge yard with three house and a security quarter round the front. A shirtless man dressed in black linen pants walks down as the car parks.

“Mon kè” He says opening the door for Lula. “And you must be Vince Staples.”

“Yeah. Hey.” Vince replies stepping out to get his luggage.

“I remember you from the airport when Lula first flew in” he says. So that’s how they met Vince thinks to himself, how convenient.

“I’m Pierre. Don’t worry about your luggage, the girls will take it.” He says inviting Vince inside the main house “Come, Lula made some food before she left.”

She giggles knowing Vince will have something to say.

“If it’s BBQ anything, I’m taking her off your hands.”

“Try and die.” Pierre laughs.

“Amou!” Lula cautions “No swinging dicks will be tolerated. Souple e Mèsi.”

Lula walks to the kitchen to make a plate for Pierre and Vince serving them, before making a plate for herself.

Once they’re done eating, Vince and Lula walk around the yard as he explains his reason for visiting.

“To put is simply Lula… I can’t run p-p alone.”

Lula freezes.

“Vince…”

“I’m not asking to you join just want you to demonstrate how I can manage it better.” She nods.

“Tomorrow. It’s already late.”

“Alright.”

She gives him a hug as she walks towards the main house, leaving Vince in his thoughts.

Part Ten link

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Translations: (n/b not fluent in Creole)

Sè = Sister

Mon kè = My heart

Amou = My love

Souple e Mèsi = Please and thanks

~~