#I’m so happy for them and for anyone else who has found true love

[rosicheeks]

😢

[pikp0kcas3]

The Hazbin Hotel fandom’s issue with accepting aromanticism and asexuality

Now that it is officially Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week, I want to talk about this!

I find that, as an aroace myself, I am constantly grasping at good representation and coming up empty— it usually ends up in one of two ways.

One: the character is portrayed as emotionless, cold, and robotic in nature. It’s the question aromantic and/or asexual people are often asked: “Are you heartless?” The answer is no, of course, but general media makes it out to be the opposite.

Or two: Their lack of attraction is seen as something to “fix” because they “haven’t found the right one yet”, and they end up with a partner as a “happy ending”.

It frustrates me greatly because of how little people actually see aromanticism or asexuality as a true part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

So when I watched Hazbin Hotel, and I found out about Alastor being aroace, I was over the moon. I was on cloud nine. I also saw how his voice actor has looked up the term as an attempt to learn about aroaces, which makes me OVERJOYED?? Amir is truly a blessing, and I love that he’s proud to embody a character that’s part of our community. It’s so beautiful to finally have a proper character, a fan favorite at that, who just so happens to be aroace— and that’s another thing I love about this.

It’s never explicitly stated in the show (though it is stated in interviews), but it’s rather clear when you’re watching, isn’t it? Alastor’s aversion to any sort of sexual advancement, coupled with Rosie’s blatant “I know you’re an ace in the hole” comment sort of spell out his asexuality pretty clearly, as well as what side of the spectrum he falls upon. In addition, his Valentine’s day card was strictly platonic, which caters to his aromantic side. It feels so validating to finally be represented, to finally have a character in media who shares the same lack of interest in romance and sex as I do.

When I entered the fandom to look for more content, I kind of expected to see the same respect for Alastor’s orientation there too. But that… wasn’t the case? I am fully aware that aromanticism and asexuality are both spectrums— of course, aromantic and/or asexual people can enter those kinds of relationships. I’m not denying that and they belong in the community as much as anyone else on the spectrum.

But, the more I see the same line again and again and again, the more it feels like an excuse to just ship what you want.

Usually I don’t mind shipping? I’m often a firm believer in people shipping what they like as long as it’s harmless and they don’t go crazy over it. I also know for a fact that Viv doesn’t have a problem with people shipping her characters. They are fictional, after all.

But in this case, people are ignoring the very thing that makes Alastor a part of the aroace community! People are ignoring his lack of romantic or sexual attraction!

Is this not the same as changing a gay character’s orientation to suit a straight ship? If not, how so? I’m told that we are a part of this community, so why aren’t we being treated like it? Why is it so hard to accept the people on the end of the spectrum who aren’t interested?

Something I’ve been noticing throughout my life is that society has not exactly progressed very much on the idea of accepting asexual or aromantic identities. Maybe we have, a little, since the old days— but hell, people in “the old days”, which in truth wasn’t very long ago, believed that asexuality was a medical condition to be “fixed” by taking the right medication or having sex. That’s a pretty low bar to clear. And on the romance side, you’re seen as a “late bloomer” or “boring” if you don’t express interest. These days, being friends with someone is treated like a gateway to them possibly becoming a lover. Not getting married, not going on dates, not wanting a partner— it’s all treated like a crime when it’s not.

Maybe I’m selfish, or sensitive, or I’m butthurt over nothing, or I’m making it all about me. Maybe I’m gatekeeping or whatever the term is. But please, please, please, I just want an aroace character like me who simply is not interested in sex or romance.

And I want fandom to respect that. I admire the creations that fans make— the art, the animatics, the writing and the character analysis. And I want people to keep creating because creation is indeed a beautiful thing.

But I really would like people to treat aroace identities like they’re important. Like it’s more than just a spectrum to get wiggle room to wrangle in another ship.

[fineghkst]

How Azriel acts around his mate

i’m thinking of turning this into a series so let me know if you guys would be interested (you can also choose which character i should do next)

warnings: suggestive

At the moment he finds out

Azriel couldn’t hide the surprised look on his face. It was the first time in a while the spymaster got speechless. Az is most likely to create a ragged excuse and leave as soon as possible (yes, he’s definitely panicking), going to some isolated place to understand that he finally found his mate.

How he acts?

Azriel definitely doesn’t know how to act around his mate once the bond snaps. He probably will act very awkward at the beginning, not knowing if he should tell his mate about it (considering they didn’t felt the bond yet) or wait until they realize.

Therefore, Azriel will need some time to digest that he finally has a mate. Az feels really insecure, thinking he’s not good enough for them and believing they won’t accept the bond. Even so, Azriel really tries to be the best he can to his mate, he’s always there, showing support at every situation. He’s also very kind and just wants to see his mate happy.

Will he tell anyone?

No. Az will hide it as much as he can. Azriel is a very private person and probably wants to figure out this new situation by himself. On the other hand, he knows how his brothers are a pain in the ass, so Az rather avoid to listen to the stuff they’re going to say. At least until his mate discover the bond by themself, he won’t talk about it, preventing them from ending up knowing from someone else

But once his mate accepts the bond Azriel’s behavior changes completely, he’s almost announcing to the world, constantly touching his mate in public.

When his mate feels the bond

He’s scared. Really, Azriel never felt this type of fear his whole life, to be rejected by the person who was supposed to be with him for the rest of his life. However, even if he’s terrified, Az forces himself to be honest about his feelings towards his mate.

He has never opened up that much to someone before, exposing an extremely vulnerable side.

If his mate needs some time, he will be very understandable and wait as long as necessary. Az will never pressure his mate to accept the bond or even give him an answer (please he’s the biggest gentleman out there).

When his mate accepts the bond

Az finally feels complete. His mate is his family, the person he trusts the most and is willing to do anything only to make them smile.

As i said before, Az didn’t feel enough for his mate, so he always thought they wouldn’t accept to be bonded to him forever. Honestly, he’s in a deep state of happiness, it’s like he’s finally found his home, his place in the world.

And as SJM said before, Az is a freak, so yeah, not leaving the room any time soon after that.

Things he loves to do with his mate

Pretty much everything. Azriel his happy to go anywhere or do anything if he has his mate to accompany.

It can be to comb their hair to having deep conversations at midnight. Az just loves to be with them.

Does he often feels jealous?

It depends on the situation. Azriel really trusts his mate, but if someone gets too flirty around them, he will definitely be jealous (and kinda insecure). He’s not likely to make a scene but will have a frown on his face for the rest of the night.

Favorite body part

He’s addicted to every single part of his mate, showing true devotion to their body everyday. He loves to kiss their soft lips, neck and inner thighs (he just can’t keep his hands away).

PDA

Even though Azriel is a very reserved person, he’s constantly touching his mate in public, always having a hand on their waist, holding their hand or kissing them. He usually doesn’t go too foward, but it depends on the situation, if he spends a lot of time away on a mission, will definitely be more clingy.

In short, I don’t see him caring much if someone his looking, but he prefers when they have more privacy.

How often he says “I love you?”

Everyday. He just wants his mate to be sure of his feelings. Az not only say it with words, but always demonstrate with his actions.

Protectiveness

Azriel is really overprotective. He’s terrified on losing his mate so they will always have his shadows with them, almost turning into a part of them.

Random bonus

Before every snowball fight Azriel always spends the whole year planning a new strategy to beat his brothers asses. He will share EVERY SINGLE DETAIL to his mate and even accept suggestions to improve it.

Once he wins, Az will celebrate a lot with his mate (if you get what I mean…)

[azrielslightintheshadows]

Princess.

Azriel x f!Reader

One of the series I’m currently working on. Enjoy!

Summary; Reader is Mor’s new friend that she found in the winter court while she was away for business. Y/n has been raised as a princess since her parents wanted to wed her to a noble fae in order to climb the social ranks. When her parents are brutally murdered y/n is left alone without a clue about the harsh reality or the brutality of the world. Mor finds her and takes her back to Velaris afraid of what might happen to her if she was left to live on her own. Will y/n survive the hate she will receive from certain members of the inner circle -including her mate- regarding the way she grew up?

Warnings; angst, mentions of abuse and trauma

Masterlist.

Princess Masterlist.

Chapter 2

Azriel was seething, he felt like he could kill Rhysand for how he played him. How could he do this to him? He despised you, he hated you. He hated the fact that you never got to see the slaughter that happened in the war, he hated that you never had to get your hands dirty with someone’s blood. He hated that you were raised in a warm house with loving parents, that you would have dinner every night with your parents -the table filled with love and care. He didn’t know why he felt like that, he knew he should be glad that someone else didn’t go through what him and his family did, he should feel happy that a beautiful and sweet female like you wasn’t defiled by the horrors of this world. He could see how delicate you were, you reminded him of a rare and unique flower and even though he loved that, he felt the urge to rip this flower from the ground and destroy it. Was he a monster? He wondered. He was sure raised like one, but did they manage to turn him into one too?

Lost in these thoughts he reached the roof, he removed his shirt and didn’t even bother to wrap his hands as he approached the training dummy. He kept punching and kicking, hatred was pouring out of him like a wave, smashing into everything that stood on its way and drowning anyone who didn’t run away.

The dummy snapped in half and fell on the ground. Only then he stopped and stared, his breathing plummeting and tears escaping his eyes.

Was he so broken that he could hate a soft creature just because she was raised better than him?

“Ouch” Cassian cringed as he walked out “what did it do to you?”

“Fuck off” Azriel growled making Cassian chuckle.

“Do you want a real opponent?” The warlord asked and amusement filled his eyes, it had been a while since he had a good fight.

Azriel pounced on him and so they began.

Cassian had never seen him acting like that before, the shadowsinger was mad, his eyes wide and red, his hair a mess, his shadows frantically flowing around and the two siphons he had on each arm cracking from the power. Azriel had Cassian on the ground in less than five minutes.

“I hate her” -punch.

“I fucking hate her” -punch

“I fucking hate me.” -he didn’t punch this time, he just stared wide-eyed, his shoulders rising and falling quickly with every breath.

Cassian was speechless, he just stared at his brother with a worried and confused look.

“How on earth can I be mated with someone so weak and naive”

Cassian choked on air “she is your mate?”

“Yeah I felt the bond snap the moment she walked in…” Azriel rolled his eyes.

“Does she know?” The warlord stood up and stretched.

“I don’t think so, and I don’t care” he shrugged.

“But…why? I mean she seems like a sweet and caring female she could make you happy” Cassian was really confused, his brother needed love and affection so why was he denying his chance to get them.

“How can I be with someone like her? She will never be able to understand me and what I’ve been through. She is trained to wed a high fae not an Illyrian bastard. I will corrupt her, I will defile her.” Azriel couldn’t breathe as he realised what he said. Everything was entirely true.

“Az, please don’t think like that, you deserve to be happy. She deserves to be happy too and you can make her happy…” Cassian spoke with a sad look.

“No I can’t. Don’t speak about this again.” Azriel said and picked his shirt up, ready to leave.

“What are you planning to do?” His brother asked him.

“Make her hate me.” He responded and left.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

You stayed in your room, when Mor came to ask you if you wanted to go out you told her that you couldn’t because you had to wait for Azriel to get you. She didn’t say anything and left with a curious look.

You didn’t know if Azriel was going to come, maybe he would avoid you and tell Rhysand that he showed you everything and you didn’t need to hang out together anymore.

Your hope didn’t last long as Azriel strolled in your room, his face was cold. He scanned your room and hummed. “Such a cute room for the princess” he scoffed.

“I didn’t choose it.” You whispered.

“Did I give you permission to talk?” He growled and you shook your head, you opened your mouth to say sorry but closed it again when he glared.

“Get dressed we are going out. I expect you to be at the balcony in five minutes” and with that he was gone.

You took a shaky breath and got up. You didn’t know what to wear, if you wore a dress he would scoff and be like “of course the princess is wearing a dress” so you picked a pair of pants and a shirt that looked way too big for you -At least this will cover my silhouette. You thought and got dressed. You felt kinda guilty for wearing pants, your mother would be so disappointed. But you needed to forget all the training you had and finally get a hold of your life. You needed to gain control of yourself in order to survive.

The pants were tight but the shirt reached your knees so you felt comfortable, with one last look on your reflection you hurried off not wanting to piss him more by being late.

The moment you walked out to the balcony and he saw you his eyes widened and his face became red. He looked feral.

“What the fuck are you wearing?” He growled.

You stared at him waiting for permission to speak, he noticed. “Speak”

“I found those in my closet” you whispered.

“Why would my shirt be in your closet?”

You gaped at him, this shirt belonged to him? And then it hit you, the smell seemed so familiar when you wore the shirt… it was his smell. Stupid, how did you not notice this. You reprimanded yourself.

“I can go back and change” you offered and he just rolled his eyes.

“I don’t have all day, and I don’t care, you already ruined it. Keep it” he made a look of disgust and flared his wings.

“Let’s go” he said and opened his arms.

Your jaw dropped. You would fly to the city? Couldn’t he winnow you there? What if he dropped you? This would solve his problem.

He noticed your hesitation and huffed.

“I won’t drop you come on my patience is running low don’t make me grab you”

And with that you moved closer to him and let him gather you in his arm. His smell was so toxic yet addictive and you had to use way too much power to keep yourself from leaning further into him.

He glanced at you and took off. You didn’t scream, you didn’t feel fear. You kept staring at the city so mesmerised by the view. You felt free and a smile appeared on your face.

Azriel noticed this and furrowed his eyebrows.

“You’re not scared?” He asked.

“No, I like the feeling” you whispered, you weren’t sure if he heard you over the wind. The corners of his mouth twitched, a smile was trying to emerge but he quickly covered it with a frown. He looked at you, mischief flashing in his eyes and he dived. You were descending so fast that you could feel your intestines rearranging themselves but you didn’t scream, you didn’t know why but at that moment you trusted him. Even though he despised you… you trusted that he wouldn’t drop you and… you laughed. The ground was getting closer and you were laughing. You felt like you had gone mad. Azriel was probably thinking the same because his jaw dropped and confusion filled his features.

He manoeuvred both of you to the sky again and he stopped. You were floating over the city . You glanced at him and he was staring at your face.

“You really aren’t scared” he noted.

You nodded and he shook his head, the cold expression coming back as he landed. He dropped you and started walking. You grunted as your back made contact with the ground and your eyes filled with tears, you weren’t hurt just embarrassed as everyone stared at you.

“Come on I don’t have all day”

Requests are open!

My laptop has left the chat and probably this life so I’m posting this from my phone. So please excuse any mistakes I might not have noticed. Getting a new laptop on Monday 🥲

Also if anyone wants to be tagged on this series please comment so I can make a tag list on my phone.

[waffledforbreakfast]

Sending Love Letters - [MUTI! BLLK X F!READER]

(SEPARATE) pt2

Staring: ness, otoya, karasu, Reo

pt1: rin, sae, shidou, niko, kaiser

[ BLLK Scenario Masterlist ]

TW: heavy ooc, bad grammar, bad spelling, bad formatting, cringe, scuff, etc.

>Ness

[btw i imagine kaiser and ness as good friends (like they were pre-bllk) ]

Ness sat with Kaiser and his family at the table, sorting through Kaiser’s many love letters

“Wow Michael, this must be a new record” Kaiser’s mother laughed “Who knew so many people had bad taste?”

Kaiser glared at his mother “Least we know I didn’t get my pretty genetics from you.”

Ness held in a laugh as he sifted through the pile of love letters. Kaiser’s birthday was over the weekend, and today being Friday, all the fan-girls sent him mail.

“This one girl had sent me like 20…” Kaiser picked up a fat stack, all with the same name signed 

“That’s dedication…” Ness stared in awe at the stack.

But he eventually snapped out of it and continued looking through the pile

“Oh hey, this one’s for you.” Kaiser pulled out a slightly crumpled envelope (from him just shoving it into his bag) “At least it has your name on it… did you send it?” he was hesitant to believe that someone liked Ness

“No I don't think so…” Ness took the letter and inspected it carefully, it was in fact his name written on it. “Lemme read it real quick…” his small smile indicating that he was actually very excited to have a letter sent to him

Kaiser gave him a side-eye before going back to counting his own, silently jealous that someone liked Ness and not him

Ness, on the other hand, was having the time of his life. “AHHHHHHHHH WHAT IF [Y/N] SENT IT TO ME!! AHDOIFHABWIEUFBI”

He was smiling like crazy, he knew well that the handwriting, signature, and writing style was yours, he was all to familiar with it

For good measure, he pulled out a piece of your English homework and compared the two (how he got your homework? Don’t ask)

It was definitely yours, he was sure. You did have 2 classes with kaiser that day (don’t ask about that either), and you walked past them 6 times in the hallway.

At this point Ness was quietly squealing, he was so excited that you liked him back!

Kaiser silently laughed at this, not quite understanding why Ness was so happy, but also knowing full well that he may or may not be slightly(??) obsessed with you, so he didn’t bother

Ness was then day-dreaming for the next several minutes, and would even blank out occasionally for the rest of the day

“For f#ck’s sake Ness, just write back to her already…” Kaiser was getting annoyed at the heart pupils in his eyes “I swear if you’re gonna be like this on my birthday-”

“OK OK SORRY!!” Ness apologize before slipping the letter away “I’ll do later” he promised himself that he’d make it perfect, just for you :3

>Otoya

“No thank you, I’m alright” Otoya gently pushed the girl off his chest, the girl looked up at him with confusion 

Hiori and Karasu’s jaws dropped while Yukimiya just laughed, “See, told you. Pay up”

The two other boys grumbled as they pulled out a few coins “There’s no way he actually did that, wasn’t he making out with that girl just a few weeks ago?” Hiori questioned, it wasn’t like Otoya to reject a girl, if anything, he was usually the one making the first move. Something must be going on.

“I told you” Yukimiya collected the few coins “I swear there’s some other girl he likes, why else would he stop talking to the others?”

“Rejecting girls for another girl?” Karasu also found this really suspicious “Unlikely. That would imply that he actually isn’t a total ass. Which we know isn’t true.”

Otoya rolled his eyes “Who do you think I am? Also- if you’re gonna discuss your little ‘bets’, maybe don’t do it right in front of my locker.” he laughed, not answering their questions

Hiori and Karasu frowned, “cmon, tell ussss!!” Yukimiya nodded in agreement “I must say, I'm curious too. Who’s the lucky or… unlucky girl?”

Otoya scoffed “No one. I don’t like anyone.” he laughed “Do you really think I’d get attached to someone so easily? Only a fool would do that.”

As he said that, he opened his locker to grab his jacket, when an envelope fell out. It spun in the air before landing on the floor, face down with the signature showing.

“ ‘[Y/N]’, heart.” Karasu read, “Is that the girl?”

Otoya swiped the envelope up quickly, “You saw nothing.” he shoved it in his bag, pretending nothing happened

“[Y/N]? Do you like her!?!”

“Does she like you!?”

“Why is it signed with a heart!?”

“Is it a love letter!?”

The three boys bombarded Otoya with questions, to which he didn’t answer. “I dunno what you guys are talking about.” He laughed with a smile, but his heart was beating so fast. He was asking himself the same questions, “Does she like me? Do I like her? Is it a love letter? Why is it signed with a heart???”

“Wait [Y/N]? She’s in my chem class, I have a project with her.” Karasu remembered working on it with you

“Lucky bastard…” Otoya whispercursed with a smile under his breath, Hiori and Yuki gave him a side-eye, not knowing what he said

“Wait, doesn't she have a boyfriend-???” Karasu looked at him

“Does she?” Otoya internally panicked, there’s no way you were already taken by someone else. “That’s fine, I can work with that.” he shrugged it off

“Why would she send him a letter then?” Hiori questioned

Karasu laughed, “That was a trap, I just wanted to see if it really was her.” he gave a prideful huff “She is in my class though- I’ll ask her tomorrow.”

Otoya froze in playful betrayal, “I don’t like her. I swear”

Yuikimiya rolled his eyes “Right right.”

Otoya laughed before grabbing his jacket and bag “Whatever. I’m gonna go home now, cya tmr.”

“Make sure to read it!”

“Remember to write back!!”

“Bye lover-boy!!”

The three boys teased him about the newfound crush. Otoya only scoffed and smiled, before walking home, reading the letter on the way. 

He looked around him to make sure no one was watching, before smiling like an idiot at the confession. “Hm. Knew she’d like me.” He felt a surge of pride, “Now i’m guaranteed to win her over.” He tucked the letter away, already thinking about what to write back.

>Karasu

[Adding on from First/Second Encounters, SchoolAU!w/Otoya, Hiori, and Yukimyia]

You and Karasu had been passing each other notes for quite a while now, sometimes in class, or just in the hallway, whenever, really.

The two of you even went out a few times, as friends(??) of course. Eventually making your own codes together as a fun pass-time

Karasu was just eating lunch with Otoya, Hirori, and Yukimiya when you stopped by and slid him an envelope before walking off.

“oOooo, your girlfriend just gave you something~~” Otoya teased, knowing well that he liked you

Karasu just laughed, “She’s not my girlfriend.” He picked the letter up and looked at it carefully

“Not yet.” Hiori added, “You’ve been trying to confess for weeks now, but you always chicken out.”

“Yea, it’s getting kinda depressing.” Yukimiya nodded

Karasu just rolled his eyes before going back to the letter written in code. He took a bit to decipher it, reading it word for word

“What does it say?? I literally can’t read that-” Otoya squinted at the paper

“I think that’s the point…” Hiori commented, before looking back at Karasu “Looks like we lost him…”

Karasu just sat there, smiling to himself, not hearing a single word the other’s said. He was much too caught up in the fact that you had basically confessed, he was worried he mis-read it. He looked over the words again, before tucking the letter away, and covered his stupid smile with his hand, but his whole face was red.

“The words may be hard to read, but his face sure isn’t” Yukimiya laughed at Karasu’s expression “I’m guessing she confessed?”

“What? No?” Karasu tried to play it off, but he really couldn’t stop smiling.

“Awwwww, such cute love birds.” Hiori teased, “When will your relationships be this innocent, Otoya?”

The fboy only shrugged

“Back to Karasu,” Yukimiya turned to him “What are you gonna write back?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Karasu stuffed a spoonful of crappy-cafeteria food in his mouth, still somehow smiling, “You’ll see though. If I’m lucky, the next time you guys meet her, I’ll get to introduce her as my girlfriend”

>Reo

“Reo, can we please take a break” Nagi whined

“Alright, we’re done anyway.” Reo took a sip of his water, finishing up their training. 

The two of them packed up, bagging their things before a small envelope fell out of Reo’s duffle.

“Hey Reo, what’s that?” Nagi pointed at the slip of paper that had fallen in a small puddle, the corner now wet

Reo looked down on it before picking it up and shaking it lightly to get the water off “Looks like another love letter.” He tossed it in a bin with a shrug 

“What if [Y/N] sent it?” Nagi said, knowing 

Reo froze for a few seconds, “What if [Y/N] sent it-” He did a 180° and shifted through the trash for the letter

He felt slightly embarrassed to be digging through garbage, but whatever. He picked the letter back up and inspected it carefully, what if you really did send it?

“Wow, what a sight… the richest boy in school is digging his hands in the trash for some letter…” Nagi mentally judged him, but shrugged it off, used to Reo’s desperation by now

Reo carefully slipped the envelope in his pocket, and turned to leave. He used to read all the love letters he got, he’d be lying if he said they didn’t boost his ego. But ever since he started crushing on you, he couldn’t bring himself to, always imagining it was you who wrote to him (until Nagi told him he looks kinda desperate so he stopped reading them all together). But surely reading this one couldn’t hurt, right?

Once he got home, he went to his room immediately. His caretakers found this a bit strange, but Reo was acting weird ever since he mentioned you, so they didn’t bat an eye

He threw his bags down and put the envelope on his desk, tilting his light to face it. It was like he was dissecting an animal.

He sat down, and opened it carefully, making sure not to touch the still wet corner. He took a few seconds to admire the kuromi theme before reading the letter.

Reo tried to keep a straight face while reading it, but his heart was beating 100x faster than before. He had to take a moment to process after he read it.

There wasn’t even a way to be sure you were the one who sent it, what if he was freaking out over nothing? He looked again at the name signed, but it was muddled out from the water. Reo cursed himself for letting it drop into the puddle.

All he could see was the first letter, and it was in fact yours. But Reo knew better than to get ahead of himself, what if sent back a letter and it wasn’t you!?

He sprung out of his chair quickly and went to go look for his parents.

“Mom! Do we have any restoration technicians?” Reo barged into the room, unaware they were in the middle of a small meeting, he gave a quick apologetic bow to the guests in the room

“Reo honey, is it urgent?” Ms. Mikage asked politely, gesturing at the clients.

“Yes. Very.” Reo nodded, 100% serious.

His mother took a moment to think before replying “There should be one in the services department, though I'm not sure if he’s what you're looking for. Ask for Mr. Deez when you get there.”

Reo bowed, “Thank you, mother.” and with that, he ran out the room and towards the Mikage office.

Usually, he’d book a chauffeur, but he didn’t have time for that, he had to get there now. 

He pushed the glass doors open and stumbled to the receptionist, “I’d like to talk to Mr. Deez from the services department-” Reo took a moment to catch his breath

“I- yessir, right away.” The receptionist quickly dialled the man up and poured Reo a glass of water.

Once the recoverist arrived, he sat down with Reo and examined the letter. “Hm, I’m not sure I can do much for you, but I might know a man who can.” he pulled out his phone and started typing, “What did you say this was? A love letter?”

“Don’t worry about that” Reo said quickly “so did you find someone who can help?”

 “Yes, though he’s a bit far.” He showed Reo the location, “This is his shop, he specializes in these things, often working with detective agencies. You can call him Mr. Nuts” 

Reo took a picture of the map and stood up, “Thank you, Mr. Deez.” Before he could blink, Reo was already running out the door. 

Reo checked the map as he ran, it’d be a 27 minute drive, there’s no way he could run faster. He stopped in his tracks before calling his chauffeur.

Once the car got there, Reo hopped in, coffee in hand. “Take me here.” he showed the man the location, and they were off.

Reo tapped his finger as they drove, getting anxious. What if they didn’t make it before he closed? What if they couldn’t help him? What if he finds out that you weren’t the one who sent it? What if-

“Mr. Mikage, we’re here.” the chauffeur parked and was about to open the door for Reo before he hopped out himself

“Thank you, wait here for me.” it was too late to turn back now, he’d already put a good few hours into this

He walked through the doors and looked around, it was a small shop, tools lying everywhere. “Hello? May I talk to Mr. Nuts?”

“Oh? A new customer? Welcome! I am Mr. Nuts, how may I help you?” an older looking man sat at a rusted table 

Reo explained the situation and handed him the letter, asking for his help.

“I see I see, let’s take a look” The man took the letter and put it under a special light

“Please handle it with care.” Reo couldn’t help but worry

The man pulled out a few tools, some napkins to dry it, and put it under a metal machine. “Here, do you see that?” He pointed at a small screen attached “There’s what you're looking for.”

On the screen showed a filtered picture of the letter, and there was your name signed. 

Reo’s eyes widened, it really was you who sent it to him! His entire face lit up, he couldn’t help but blush a little, the long chase had been worth it.

“Thank you, sir.” he took the letter back and held it tightly “For your trouble.” Reo threw a few bills down before exiting the store

The ride home felt much shorter than the ride there, but Reo couldn’t complain. He plopped down on his bed, letter still in hand. His heart was beating like never before, face still flushed.

Suddenly, a notification from his phone snapped him out,

Reo grinned, “Great idea, Nagi.”

[dreamescapeswriting]

Time Heals All Wounds ~ SCB

WORD COUNT: 3.8k

PAIRING: Changbin x fem!Reader

GENRE: angst, miscommunication, fluffy ending, established relationships, fighting, accusing of cheating, rumours, swearing, cute ending,

⤜Copyright: © DreamEscapesWriting - April 2023

⤜MASTERLIST

Almost two weeks. That's how long it had been since you and Changbin had been able to go to bed at the same time as you and even be able to hold you in his arms. With everything going on with work he'd found himself busier and busier as each day progressed. However, you seemed to have found comfort with someone else. While 3Racha were all busy making preparations for a show that they would be featuring on and the rest of the members were on a small break from everything. Leading you to spend all of your time with Seungmin, Jeongin and Felix since the four of you seemed to get on the most out of all of the boys - besides your boyfriend of course. Changbin never had an issue with you hanging out with the guys before, in fact, there were multiple times when he had encouraged you to do so if he was busy with something else except now Changbin was beginning to doubt everything around him. Two weeks of you not being around him but with Seungmin and he was starting to go a little insane. 

You: [7:45am] I'll be with Seungmin today, remember to drink water, I love you xx

What could you have possibly been doing from 8 am until now at 10 pm? It seemed almost silly for him to be doubting the two of you together, Changbin knew that you would never do anything to hurt him and he knew Seungmin would never do anything either but somehow logical thinking was gone out of his mind and he was left with the crazy thoughts. It didn't help that there were now photos of you and Seungmin going in and out of the dorms together or to some cafe in the middle of Busan. 

Why did the two of you go all the way to Busan just to go to some cafe? Was it because you thought no one would notice you there? 

Your romantic relationship with Changbin was hidden for now because JYPE wanted to wait for the right moment to announce that one of its members was dating. As far as anyone was concerned you were a close friend of the boys and an ex-employee of JYPE who now worked with another company.

"Thank you for the ride, you sure you don't want to come in? I'm sure Changbin is asleep by now," Changbin's heart shattered as he heard the comment from you. Were you cheating while he was under the same roof as you? How many times had this happened? The rational side of Changbin had been pushed down deep inside of him and replaced with the Changbin who was convinced you were cheating on him and sleeping with his best friend. His hands clutched onto his phone as he stared down at the images of the two of you together. Laughing, your head was thrown back with your hand on Seungmin's shoulder a slight blush appeared on Seungmin's cheeks as he looked down at you with a smile spread on his face. To anyone else, it would just look like two friends who were having fun together but to Changbin it fueled his deluded belief that you were together in secrecy. 

That all of the dating rumours he'd heard about you both were true and he couldn't seem to shake them out of his mind. There were countless articles claiming that they had seen the two of you kissing or that you'd held hands on the beach together.

"No, I should go. I'm up early tomorrow, but can we do this again on Friday?" Seungmin seemed so happy that it killed Changbin inside, how could the two of you do this to him? 

"Sure, but it has to be a secret. No one can know...Okay? It'll kill him if he found out." You whispered, hugging Seungmin goodbye for a final time before shutting and locking the door, sighing happily to yourself as you kicked off your shoes. Turning around and letting out a high pitch squeal when you came face to face with your boyfriend.

"Jesus, fuck, you scared the life out of me." You whined out holding your hand over your chest as you tried to calm the way your heart was racing. It was almost 10 at night and you'd half expected him to be in bed like he had been for the last two weeks.

"Thought I was asleep, did you? Tried to invite your other man into the house?" You stared at Changbin a little confused and shook your head at him, letting out a nervous laugh since you couldn't decide if he was joking around or not.

"You're usually asleep, I was just going to let him stay over in the guest room to save him driving all the way to the dorms." You explained, staring into your boyfriend's eyes as you slowly took off your jacket and waited for him to say something and when he didn't you turned around to hook your jacket up.

"I know you're sleeping with him." The jacket fell to the ground and you snapped your head around to stare at Changbin completely taken aback by his comment.

"Sleeping with Seungmin?" You questioned, wanting to make sure you were assuming what he said was correct. How could you even think about sleeping with him? He was your puppy best friend, someone you would tease a lot and pretend to bully one another with. There was nothing there but years of friendship and someone you saw as a brother to you, the mere idea of ever kissing Seungmin made you want to clean your lips with bleach. Sure, he was attractive but again he was nothing but the brother type to you.

"You're always sneaking around together, hanging out until late. And what was that about? "it'll kill him if he found out", hmm?" Hearing him repeat the words with his assumption that you were cheating on him hurt. You'd never in a million years hurt Changbin.

"First, we're not sneaking around. You know I'm hanging out with Seungmin and that's it. Just hanging out, friends." You stated, reminding Changbin that it had been his idea for you to become close with the guys in the first place. You were friends with each of them, why wasn't he just accusing you of being with them all?

"We started "hanging out" and look where we are now," You blinked at Changbin. You didn't know if this was some sleep-deprived and overworked side of him but you didn't like that he was accusing you of something you hadn't and would never have done.  

"Changbin, seriously. Why would you ever think I would hurt you like this?" You reached out to touch his arm but he flinched away from you, shaking his head and laughing dryly at you to show he didn't believe you.

"I don't know but it's obvious. All of the articles that are coming out. The secret meetings on Friday, the not coming home until late? What else am I supposed to think?" Changbin was red in the face by now, his eyes tearing up as he stared down at you.

"You're supposed to trust me." You stated calmly. The last thing you wanted to do was cause some kind of big argument over nothing. You didn't blame Changbin for putting two and two together and coming up with five, there had been times when you'd seen articles of him and another idol together and thought the worst. You knew when you were in the wrong mindset it was hard to see through the fog and think rationally about things that were happening around you.

"How can I when you're sneaking around? Going to Busan together when there are plenty of cafes in Seoul the two of you can go to." He rambled out as you rubbed the bridge of your nose waiting for him to at least calm down a little so you could explain everything to him. You walked further into the living room and took notice of the laptop that was open, one article was opening debating how long you and Seungmin had been together. 

For a long time, there had been rumours of Changbin and you but they'd been gone for a while now and suddenly replaced with Seungmin. It seemed as if no one believed guys and girls could be friends with each other, even in the idol industry and you hated that. Even when you were a stylist you'd heard people gossiping about their idols being together even if it wasn't true. 

"You can't trust anything that they say, you know that babe." You called out, glancing at the images that were being used. Sure if they're taken out of context they could mean something but all of it was bogus. Seungmin was like a brother to you, the two of you playfully bullied one another far too much to ever be able to date.

"Do I? Because it all looks pretty damn real to me," You ran your hands over your face, you were too exhausted to deal with this and all you really wanted was to crawl into bed and get some shut-eye.

"Changbin..." You trailed off, yawning a little as you turned to look at him and shook your head. It was too late for either of you to be getting into a fight and you knew he needed to be up early for his day of shooting some more scenes.

"You know what, no. I don't want to hear you come up with some dumb excuse. Or to tell me it's not true when clearly it is." He grabbed his coat and next his car keys, 

"You're just going to walk away without letting me explain it?" You questioned, your hand falling onto your hip as you stared over at him. 

"There's nothing to explain. You're fucking my best friend behind my back, so if you want each other. So be it," Your heart just shattered into a billion pieces right in front of him.

"What's that supposed to mean exactly?" Your voice was shakey as you got the words out, waiting for him to tell you that this was all some mistake. That he didn't mean what he was accusing you of and that he was deeply sorry for what he'd said.

"I'm done. I need space, I can't deal with it." He mumbled, wiping his eyes on his sleeve as he reached for the door again, only stopping when he heard you sniffling a little.

"I've stuck by you through every rumour you had while we were together but you're just going to give up when I get one?" It was true, through your time together there had been plenty of times when this could have had the roles reversed when you could have been the one accusing him but you knew Changbin would never hurt you.

"Because you KNEW I wasn't doing it." He cried out and that was it, you'd reached the point where you could no longer stay calm with him.

"And you should know I'm not either!" You yelled at him, you'd reached your breaking point. How was it okay for him to have his rumours but the second you got one he was calling it quits?

"Seo Changbin!" You yelled as he reached for the front door handle, his body tensing when he heard you call him by his full name.

"If you walk out of that door...that means you don't trust me," Your voice cracked, a few tears rolling down your cheeks as you watched him. Praying that he would see the truth in all of this and turn around and apologise for ever believing it but he didn't The door opened and slammed shut behind him.

Your knees buckled as you fell onto the rug and began to sob, pulling your knees into your chest as the love of your life walked away from you like you meant nothing. As if the last three years you'd spent together were no indication of trust between the two of you. 

Changbin hadn't know where he was going but he was just gone and out of the house, hearing you and Seungmin talking about meeting in secret was the part that drilled it home that you were cheating. There were almost 16 missed calls from Seungmin, along with some voicemails that Changbin was exclusively ignoring because he didn't want to hear you both lie to him.

It was Friday, four days since he'd spoken to either of you and his final day of shooting on set. Chan and Jisung hadn't mentioned you or Seungmin since the first time he'd come to work after the fight. They knew better than to do so if they wanted a productive day with Changbin, it seemed if anyone mentioned you by the name he'd shut down and refuse to talk unless it was for the cameras.

"We're going to have all three of you stand right in the centre and then we're going to have you announce the winners." The director stated as all three of the boys stood where they were supposed to, Chan clutching a golden envelope. They'd been hosting a small competition to help bring in a few new producers for JYPE and they'd been there to host as well as help aid people who needed it.

"The time has finally come," Changbin called out with a huge smile on his face as he stared into the camera,

"It's time to announce which four lucky people have won the chance at becoming producers," Jisung said as he smiled, winking at the camera before Chan read out all four names. Music blasted through the speakers as each of them came out to thank the judges, giving small speeches to the camera. Once the cameras cut, the contestants began to speak with the guys there was a sudden burst of music once again and confetti began to rain down on them all. The rest of the Stray Kids members came out from backstage and smirked at the surprised-looking 3racha members.

"What's going on?"Chan laughed looking at them as all of the members screamed happily and congratulated the guys on completing the show,

"It's a wrap-up party," Jeongin explained, blowing a sound maker into the leader's face and smirking as loads of people began to flood the stage. Almost everyone who had been working on set as well as the contestants were here, having a good time and shaking everyone's hand.

"Yn and Seungmin had been planning it," Felix said to Chan, loud enough so that Changbin could hear him. The only member that wasn't here with them all was Seungmin and Changbin knew where he would have been.

"Probably to hide the fact that they'd been sleeping together," Changbin grumbled, folding his arms over his chest. As much as he wanted to celebrate the last day of shooting, it was hard to do that when the thought of you played on his mind.

After a few days of being away from you and having time to think about things he knew it wasn't true, he'd known from the start that none of it was true but he'd still let his thoughts get the better of him.

"You know neither of them would do that," Felix told him, wrapping his arm around his shoulder. Changbin had refused to talk to them about what was going on but you'd told Seungmin who told the rest of them. Each of them had previously attempted to make Changbin see sense in it all but he flat-out refused, too stubborn to think about anything else.

"You're forgetting me and Jeongin were there for most of it too. They'd barely make it five minutes without bullying each other, I  know they'd never do that to you hyung." CHangbin stared at Felix before shrugging his arms off him and making his way to the exit, ignoring the pleas of the others to stay and party with them all.

The door to your place unlocked and you looked up from the sofa where you were laid to see Changbin staring over at you, you said nothing as you turned back to look at the TV. 

"Where's Seungmin?" He called out, noticing the state of the living room as soon as he walked in. It looked like you'd barely moved for the last few days and it hurt him to know you were in so much pain.

"On a date." You mumbled, cuddling into the pillows and sniffling a little. Ever since he'd walked out on you, you'd refused to move from the sofa and wallowed in your pitty, taking his hoodie and wearing it while you cuddled into the sheets you'd bought down from upstairs.

"A date?" Changbin walked further into the room, there were empty glasses of water all over the place, and a few bottles of soju spotted about. It was obvious you weren't taking very good care of yourself right now and it wasn't like he blamed you for it, he blamed himself since he'd been the one to cause you so much upset.

"Yes, that thing couples do when they want to go out together," You hissed, Changbin knew you had every right to be angry with him and he bit down on his lip. Seeing you like this killed him inside and to know he had been the one to cause this? it practically ripped him in two.

"Yn-" He tried to say but you cut him off before he even had the chance.

"If you're here to get your stuff, can you just not talk to me? I'd rather not be accused of something I didn't do again," You choked out, turning your head into the pillow and beginning to cry heavily into it. Changbin dropped his keys and rushed to your side, bringing you to rest your head against his chest as he ran his hands down your back in a soothing motion.

"I hate you," You mumbled even though it wasn't true, your fist curled up as you weakly hit his chest whimpering as you shook your head at him.

"You walked out on me, on us like we meant nothing." You hissed at him as you weakly hit his chest again, Changbin let you as he held your crying body.

"I'm so sorry," He repeated every time you told him you hated him, whimpering and crying heavily against him as he continued to soothe you.

"After I trusted you with yours, you didn't even t-try to extend the same courtesy to me." You sniffled, pulling away from him and shaking your head. The two of you stared at one another, you could see the tears forming in his eyes as he stared back at you and shook his head.

"I'm so fucking sorry, I know I should have listened I just couldn't see past the photos," He whispered as you stared back at him, scoffing a little.

"There has never and never will be anything between me and Seungmin. Ever. If you'd listened to me you would have known that," You grumbled, folding your arms across your chest as you watched him looking down at the floor.

"Nothing will make things right but I will spend every day apologising and trying to earn your forgiveness," He spoke clearly, turning his head to look at you again as you bit down on your lip.

"You accused me of cheating on you," You reminded him, looking up at the ceiling so the tears wouldn't fall down your cheeks.

"In all of the times, you had rumours I never once-" You took in a deep breath so you didn't start to cry again.

"I never once accused you of it. We talked about it, that's what we're supposed to do Changbin," You sniffled, wiping your eyes on the sleeves of your hoodie and shaking your head at him.

"We're supposed to talk things through, you're not just supposed to walk away as soon as things get hard," You finally broke down again and instantly you were wrapped up inside his arms and held against his chest. Both of you sobbed into one another as he continued to hold you, refusing to let you go even for a second.

"I should have stayed. I should have calmed down and listened to everything you had to say that night," He whispered as you nodded your head, cuddling into him. As badly as you wanted to hate him, you still loved him and adored being back in his arms again. it finally felt as though you could be at peace.

You'd sat there together, cuddled in one another's arms as you broke down every now and again. Talking everything through about your time with Seungmin even though Changbin had told you that you didn't need to. That he trusted you despite acting as though he didn't.

"So, you've been going all the way to Busan because he has a crush on the waitress in one internet cafe?" Changbin chuckled as you laughed weakly, looking down into the mug of hot chocolate and nodding. Once you'd calmed down a little, Changbin cleaned up around the living room and made you both a warm drink so that you could talk things over. Nothing would make up for what he'd done right away but he was going to do what he could.

"Yeah. He finally asked her out the night we got into our fight. That's why he wasn't- Oh my god, the party!" You cried out remembering that you and Seungmin had planned a surprise party for the boys.

"Went off without a hitch, Felix took charge," Changbin explained, drawing small circles on your shoulder as you let out a painful groan. 

"I forgot. After the fight, I just shut everything out." You mumbled, looking at Changbin who was smiling weakly at you and leaning down to kiss the top of your head and pulled you closer to him.

"It's fine, we're making up and that's what's important," He whispered to you, kissing your cheek as he kept himself pressed against you.

"True." You glanced at him and smiled a little, he was blushing a little as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Am I banished to sleeping on the sofa for a few days?" He chuckled but you shook your head, you'd spent too long being apart it was time the two of you fell asleep holding each other for a while.

"You're banished from leaving the house for a while until I've had too many cuddles." The two of you nodded and began to make your way up to bed. While things were going to need to be worked on with trust, you just needed to be held by one another for now and let time do the rest of the work.

Tagline: @chiisaiblog​ @hanasonmi​ @sw33tnight​ @taestannie​ @illicee​ @army24--7​ @acciocriativity​ @scarletemeterio​ @halesandy​ @aerastus​ @lost-leopard-beanie​ @laylasbunbunny​ @critssq​ @pearlygraysky​ @lenfilms​ @btsiguess-kpop​ @meowmeowisdaname​ @imafivestarkpopstan​

[hardlypartying]

idk if you have watched much press for s4 but maddie bailey is sending me with her responses to any riara related questions or fan praise…. (i think she’s obviously traumatised from the jiara situation.) anyway bailey made a comment about how kiara couldn’t stand murder let alone someone harming a fly which would make riara totally incompatible - and whilst i agree that’s true i also feel like her character would be the most capable of empathy/forgiveness compared to the other pogues!?!? like she’s so humanistic!!!!

would love your thoughts and a potential kiara deep dive 🫣

This ask is very apropos and you’re gonna need a drink…

I’m with you on the fact that Madison is probably traumatized by the way jiara was blown out of proportion by some fans and how that bled into their dynamics irl. It sucks so much that’s how it went down and I feel for them that they can’t be friends without things being made weird.

That being said, I don’t understand this extreme hatred she has towards Rafe potentially working his way to being a better person— regardless of him being someone who could potentially be with Kiara. Sure, don’t ship them but to say the fans of the ship don’t care about Kiara is… a take.

I 1000% agree with you, I think more so than anyone else Kiara as a character is capable of forgiveness given the opportunity to understand someone. Her heart and passion is what drew me in, she is so empathetic that its sometimes comes at her expense— I think that’s what her parents are terrified about when they see her hanging around the Pogues. Granted, the Pogues we know are genuine guys but her parents don’t know that or care to take the time to get to know them. Kiara did and since has had an unwavering loyalty to them. Her heart is so big and it’s perplexing to me that Madison thinks that there’s a cap on that? I personally don’t get it. I see Rafe as someone deeply troubled and who has never given a chance to get help— he lives with what he did everyday and resents himself for it. He was unwell, but rather than allowing him some grace, we’re what? Bashing him as he’s trying to make amends? Personally I believe that under the right circumstances any single one of the Pogues would’ve done what Rafe did regardless of who was in front of the gun, but their loyalty fits right on them and not on him. Rafe has continually expressed such a complex range of emotions about what he’s done and how he’s managing it— none of it was linear but that makes sense to me. I don’t expect him to have a clear path out of this but fucking hell he’s trying.

What really confuses me about their rhetoric is that they hate the idea of Kiara and Rafe because he’s dangerous, a murderer, psychotic, buzzword buzzword but then they’re happy to ship him with Sofia? Then all of a sudden it’s a cute relationship and he’s found his match. Dpmo. If they really believed Rafe was that dangerous why would they want Sofia, who is completely innocent in all this, to be with someone who has the potential to be violent again 🤨 Bc she’s “changed” him? It’s insipid and hypocritical.

Now for a mini Kie deep dive— at first I didn’t really get why Madison was playing Kiara like that during their scene together. She looked genuinely terrified seeing Rafe and her body language was so telling. And in my mind I’m surprised by her reaction because we’re seeing him heheing it up with Sofia and making business moves like? What are you afraid of? Venture capitalists? Yes. But then I took a moment to think about the state of mind Kiara was in.

I don’t think it was an extreme thing she did to pull out the knife. In her point of view someone just tried to kill her. Drown her no less and who else tried to drown her? Rafe. Her survival instincts were probably shooting through the roof because every time she sees Rafe, it’s never for a good reason. And you got to remember the very last time she saw him was at the beach with the sea turtles… not a good memory. She’s got no reason to trust he’s here out of the kindness of his heart, she doesn’t see/know him like that. All that mixed in with that batshit guy who’s hunting the Pogues down and the fact she’s alone— yeah the knife was a smart move. I think she would’ve done the same if Topper showed up tbh. I’m also proud of Rafe for not freaking out when seeing her hostility lmao, he’s come a long way. Back in the day (s2) if he saw that knife come out, he would’ve escalated the situation and made things worse.

And just to throw my two cents here— Rafe has been dogged this season. Oh my goooooddddd. You’re telling me he’s scattering his dad’s ashes alone, the only Cameron who cares? His dad who he last saw going off to South America with the Pogues? The Pogues who hate Ward and want him gone? And then his dad dies? Right after Rafe finally gets the approval and affection from Ward that he’s always wanted? And no one has given him an explanation of what went down? I’m surprised he hasn’t crashed out on them tbh. That little tiff he had with John B was too polite. In his mind 2+2= the Pogues killed Ward. Sarah and Rafe quite literally carried Ward to the tarmac together and it was all for nothing? No small reconciliation for the sake of Ward’s memory, after all he was their father. And he died for Sarah. It’s crazy to me.

Anyway I’m a spiteful person and the more people hate something the more I lean into it. The cast hating riara is hilarious to me because this ship was born out of nothing and now it’s in their mouths. Wild. I’m just upset that they’re facilitating hate towards people who ship riara, I’m of the mentality that you ship and let ship. Not gonna yuck anyone’s yum!

[bluecollarchub]

Switcheroo (originally story I posted on CYOC in 2015. Bit dated and my first time writing but thought i would share)

Dean was rich.  Fabulously rich.  And he loved it.  At 30 years old, he had amassed a fortune larger than most men had by the time they died.  He lived in a Pent House in NYC, surrounded by anything and everything he had ever wanted.  Gorgeous men flocked to him, eager to please him in return for whatever favors he might give.  Tall, muscular, with abs found only on the most determined athlete, he was certainly a physical specimen to be admired.

Now, Dean was not always like this.  At 18, he was a Journalism major at some crappy state school (he’d worked hard to forget the name, embarrassed it wasn’t Ivy League).  Poor, with few friends.  And fat.  Did I mention fat?  Average height, oily skin, pale, doughy body.  He was the farthest thing from a stud imaginable. 

One day, Dean decided to switch majors.  He realized he had no hope of being on Broadway and Journalism not only frightened him, but he realized there was no money to made in it.  As he got older, he realized money was the most important thing for him.  He wanted money.  Lots of it.  So, switching to a Business Major, he began the process of making money.  And he came up with a brilliant idea, as so many young men do, patenting the idea and making millions from it.  With those millions, he decided to change himself.  He wanted to be happy.  And he wasn’t happy being fat and pale and oily.  So he worked out.  He got the best doctors money could buy for his skin.  He hired the best trainers.  He hired the best tailors and the best hairdressers.  Finally, he was good looking enough to appear on the cover of GQ—which he did when he was 27. 

Gone was the pasty skin, replaced with a dark golden tan.  Gone was the flabby waist, replaced with hard abs.  Gone was the oily, pimply skin, replaced with skin smooth as a baby’s bottom and clear as the ocean.  He was an Adonis…and he knew it.  He treated everyone like dirt beneath his feet and he got away with it because he was rich and beautiful.  He had everything he could possibly want.  And he liked it. 

One day, during his annual physical, he was greeted with some horrible news:

“You’re dying, Dean.”

“What?!”

“You’re dying.”

“That’s impossible, Victor.  I’m 30 years old and in the best shape of my life.”

“Tell that to the cancer.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I can and I am.  You have a severe form of cancer and it’s spreading through your body at an accelerated rate.”

“How long?”

“A year, at the most.”

“What can we do about this?”

“Nothing, Dean.  You can’t stop it.”

“Victor, price is no object.  Do whatever it takes.”

“I’m sorry, Dean, but-“

“NOW!  Find a cure, find it NOW.”

“Okay, Dean.  Okay.  If that’s what you want.”

“Of course it is, I don’t want to die.”

“There is an experimental treatment the government has been working on.  It’s designed for Bush, to keep him in office forever.”

“I don’t care how my contributions to his campaign are being spent.  How does this help me?”

“It’s brain transfer.”

“What?”

“Brain transfer.  You can transfer your brain to another person’s body.”

“This isn’t Star Trek, Victor.  Get with the picture.”

“I’m serious, Dean.  I can switch your brain with someone else’s, give you a new life, a new chance to live again.”

“And lose all my money?  I think not.  I’d rather die, first.”

“You’re going to, if you don’t take this opportunity.”

“I’ll lose everything.”

“No, you can sign everything over to your new body, give him all your money, your life, everything.”

“Who am I going to find that will be dumb enough to trade?”

“Anyone, you’ve got a dozen and one rent boys that would kill to be in your body.  You don’t have to tell them the truth.”

“That’s true.  You’re right.  You’re a genius, Victor.”

“I know.”

The next day, Dean walked around his pent house, looking at the young men that were always by his side.  Maybe David?  No.  Maybe Sal?  No, too Jewish.  He wouldn’t be Jewish.  Vince?  Yes, Vince.  Vince had perfect hair and a naturally smooth body.  He was exactly what he was looking for.  Abs not as tight as Dean might want, but that was fixable. 

“Vince, I have a proposition for you.”

“What is it, Dean?”

“How would you like to have my body?”

“What?”

“I am looking to become younger, and I was wondering if you would like to swap bodies with me?”

“Are you high, Dean?”

“No, Vince, I’m perfectly serious.”

“I could be you, really?”

“Yes, Vince.  Really.”

“Shit, yeah.  I’ll do it.  But why do you want to give up being you?”

“My life isn’t a challenge anymore.  I want to start over.”

Lucky he’s an idiot, Dean thought. 

Dean arranged everything with the lawyers.  All of his money and belongings would be given to Vince—or the body of Vince, with Dean inside—the day after the operation.

“Don’t worry, Dean.  Everything will be okay.  When you wake up, you’ll be in a disease free body.”  Victor lowered the gas mask onto Dean’ face.

******

Dean woke up.  All was dark.  Where am I, he thought.  Oh yeah.  Holy Shit!  I’m in Vince’s body.  I’m in a new body.

He felt so weak, so tired and so weak.  After years of feeling so strong, this was a frightening change.  He didn’t realize Vince was so weak.  Even the act of lifting his arms took more effort than he had expected.  Struggling to sit up was an effort, too.  It felt like something was sitting on his stomach.  He was finally able to sit up and he hopped off the table.  Feeling around for a light switch, he bumped into a garbage can, making him shout in pain.  The cool air from the air conditioner gave him a chill and he realized he was naked.  He scratched his chest, feeling hair.  Wait…there shouldn’t be hair.  Vince was smooth.  Did he shave?

The lights suddenly came on. 

“Good morning.”

Dean turned to the sound of the voice.  He saw the ugliest man he’d ever seen standing before him.  He was naked for some reason.  “Put some clothes on, you hideous fucker.”  Dean’ voice sounded strange, not like Vince’s at all.  More of a southern drawl.

The naked man looked confused.  He was short, maybe 5 feet tall if he were lucky.  He had a scruffy beard and was almost bald on top with a fringe on the sides.  He was fat, not fat, gargantuan.  He had the makings of a third chin.  His dull eyes were squinty, piggish.  His head sat on top of his shoulders, his neck consumed by fat.  Hair covered his chest, back and shoulders and his short arms hung heavily by his sides.  Manboobs larger than most supermodel’s hung to the sides of his chest, sacks of dough resting on top of a giant stomach that covered his groin completely.  Stout, flabby legs covered in dark hair touched all the way to the knee. 

“What do you think?”  The voice said again.

“What are you talking about?”

“What do you think of you?”

Dean realized that was a mirror in front of him, not a man.  Not Vince.  Some fat, ugly man.       

“What have you done to me?”

“What’s wrong, Dean.  You told Vince you wanted to be young so you could have a challenge for your life again.  Well, you’re 20 years old and I’d say you have quite the challenge before you.”

Victor stepped into the room. 

“Victor, how could you do this to me?”

“How could you think about stealing some poor kid’s life and letting him die?”

“You switched Vince out with this…this…”

“Careful, Dean.  And yes, I did.  It was all my idea.  Mine, Vince’s, and your lawyer’s.”

“You mean…”

“That’s right, Dean.  All your money is being split four ways.  Every last million.”

“Four?”

“You don’t think we’d let poor Malcolm be poor, do you?”

“Who?”

“Malcolm Franks.  Your new body.”

“He’s going to die though.”

“He will die someday, yes.  But if you mean soon, then that would only happen if he really did have cancer.”

“What?”

“I tricked you, Dean.  Malcolm, I should say.”

“Why?”

“Why?  Because you’re rich.  You’re rich and spoiled and frankly, you’re an asshole.  You thought you could buy everything you wanted.  Well, you can’t anymore.”

“What am I going to do now?”

“Well, I imagine you’re going to go to work tomorrow, and go home tonight, to Malcolm’s nice, cozy home.  It’s a bit different than what you are used to, but you should feel right at home.  All assholes feel comfortable in trailers.”

“What?”

“You live in a trailer park at the edge of town.  Alone.  Not married, not family.  And you are a janitor at the local high school.  No college for you, Dean.  Malcolm dropped out at 16.  Yeah, you have definitely got quite a challenge before you.  But, you’re young again.  And, no cancer.  That’s exactly what you wanted.”

Victor tossed Dean a bundle of clothes.

“Get dressed, I’m sick of looking at that tubby body.”  He started to leave.  “Oh, you’re still gay, by the way.  But good luck topping anyone in that body.  Or finding anyone to date you at all, looking like you do and with no money.  You’re going to have to learn to be a little nicer from now on if you don’t want to end up alone.”

He walked out.  Dean began to cry.  All his money, all his hard work, gone, replaced with Malcolm, the fat janitor.  He was going to be stuck in high school, forever, watching all the little assholes graduate and go on to bigger and better things while he was stuck in his dead end job. 

He put on the smelly wife beater and the stained briefs.  He started to cry as he saw his penis in the mirror…he couldn’t even see it looking down.  What was once 9 inches had become 2 at best.  He had a tight foreskin with a long overhang but his mighty dick was gone, forever.  He pulled on the briefs and then the torn jeans.  The ratty sneakers followed. 

He was now poor.  And fat.  And he had bad skin, the pimples on his face were proof of that.  He had come full circle.  Only, this time, there was no hope for him.  He didn’t have the money to pay the doctors and the trainers.  He didn’t have the opportunity to go to college.  He was Malcolm, and he was always going to be Malcolm.  Fat, hairy.  Baby dick. 

He walked out of the room, staring at the laughing faces of Victor, Vince, his lawyer…and his body…his old body.  He had it all.  He had everything he had ever wanted.  And his selfishness had taken it all away.  He walked out of the hospital, walking towards his new life, his new place in society.  Gone were his endless parties.  His hordes of men wanting him to fuck them.  He was a grunt now. 

And he knew, as he waddled down the street, that’s all he ever would be.    

[rougepancake]

can you do prompt 2 with giyu, mitsuri, and rengoku, I hope you don’t have to many requests so I’m sorry😭

AHAHAHA I LOVE THEM 💚💚

Prompt 2 - “Wait a minute. Are you jealous?”

Ft. Giyu Tomioka, Mitsuri Kanroji, and Rengoku Kyojuro

Warnings: None. Not proofread because who does that ;]

GIYU TOMIOKA

He watched in silence as you joked around with Rengoku and Uzui, making dumb jokes and laughing unnecessarily loud at them. It made him happy to see you happy, but it hurt him in a way.

A way that he didn’t know how to describe.

He noticed you running over to him and immediately snapped out of his trance. You began to enthusiastically tell him about what the other two had said, but he found his thoughts wandering as you spoke.

“Tomioka? Are you paying attention?” You leaned forward and waved your hand in front of his face, giving him a worried look as you awaited his response.

“Yes.” He nodded simply and returned his focus to you, his expression unreadable. You sighed and placed a hand on your hip, not buying his flimsy lie.

“Listen.” You paused and figured out the best way to word it, since Giyu wasn’t very in touch with his emotions. “Are you… jealous? Of me spending time with Tengen and Kyojuro?”

He tensed up and avoided your gaze. You could’ve sworn he was pouting, but you can never be too sure with Giyu.

“I’m… not…” He lied quietly, and you wrapped your arms around him and held him close with a smile.

“That’s okay.”

MITSURI KANROJI

She’s so cute. So adorable. Especially when she’s fangirling over everyone else.

It sounds outrageous, but it’s true. She’s so wrapped up in observing Sanemi’s scars to even notice how you’re looking at her.

You love her so much that it hurts, in a way. But you haven’t worked up the courage to tell her. Or anyone for that matter.

So you just wasted your time observing her from afar, getting absolutely nowhere with your love life and growing increasingly more lonely than before as you watched her socialize.

With a heavy sigh, you leaned against a nearby tree and watched her.

So graceful, yet so clumsy.

How could one manage? You had no idea, but you loved it anyways.

You were smitten. Lovestruck. Lovesick. Yeah… lovesick. That must be it since every time you thought of her your heart pounded in ways that made you feel nauseous.

You couldn’t tell if it was beautiful or horrifying.

The sound of Shinobu’s voice pulled you from your thoughts, startling you just enough to make you jump with surprise.

“Y/n. Are you perhaps jealous of Mitsuri’s relationships with the other Hashira?” She asked softly, her eyes shining with curiosity. You stood there, answering her question with silence that said all the things you were too afraid to.

“No.” You said after a while, stepping away from the tree and turning your back to the rest of the Hashira. “That’s so silly, Shinobu-san. I have no reason to be jealous.”

RENGOKU KYOJURO

He’s like a puppy sometimes. It’s actually wild with how close he resembles one when he’s pouty.

Like right now.

Rengoku is staring at you from across the table, his lips pursed in a pout that made him so much more adorable.

“Kyo..?” You tilted your head and offered him a soft smile. It was rare that you got to see him like this, so you couldn’t help but relish in his cuteness. “Don’t tell me this is about what Tengen said.” You sighed and rested your elbow on the table, a quiet sigh escaping you.

“But he said you would look good with children.” He mumbled and avoided your gaze as if he were being scolded. “What did he mean by that? He already has three wives.” He stated firmly, his pout becoming more intense.

In your defense, you had taken him out for drinks. So you technically signed up for this.

“I’m not sure.” You chuckled. “Maybe he was just being polite.” You shrugged it off like it was nothing.

“I don’t think so.”

“Oh please.” You playfully rolled your eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous of Tengen.”

“…”

“Kyojuro.”

“…no…”

[mai-mai-lim]

"What do you wish for?"

An all-dialogue birthday work for Ashley Jang.

A/N: yup, i am.... very late on this. It was supposed to post a week around her actual birthday (July 20th) and what day is it today? ... yeahhhh

and because im actually proud, here's the post that only has the artworks.

--- “Saengil chukha hamnidaaa~”

“Happy birthday Hye-chun! Make a wish yea? What do you want?”

“I-i want-”

“Shh, dont say it out loud, or else your wish wont come true!”

“Alright, do it like this. Close your eyes and say your wish, not out loud. And then blow it all out.”

“You did it!!! Now we can eat the cake!!”

“Yaaayy!! Cake time!!”

"Alright, here give these to the elders first, these should be enough.”

“Oh look who’s coming for the cake!! So eager, its not your turn yet, Seung-jae.”

“Aw.”

“Auntie!! Have a cake!”

“Its alright, you can give it to Seung-jae.”

“Bleh, he has to wait! Mama said so!”

“Hey!!!”

“Haha, kids these days…”

--- “Do you like your lunch here?”

“I love it!! I’ve never been to a buffet here before. It’s quite nice!”

“Glad you love it. Also, we ordered a slice of red velvet cake for you. Happy birthday my girl.”

*gasps* "Thank you!!”

“So do you wanna make a wish? I mean, we can ask for a candle-”

“No need, I can just wish in my heart and just, eat the cake you know?”

“Oh yes yes. Haha, you are growing up, don’t feel like doing that anymore isnt it?”

“Y-yeah…”

“Hm? What’s wrong, dear? Are you ok?”

“Oh, it’s just…, I was thinking of the old times back then. There was a time when Uncle Ethan brought us to the island for my birthday years ago! It was really fun.”

“That was years ago? Time sure flew fast… ” 

(How long… did the accident happen? Hold on, this year is… oh. They were gone… for more than a year…)

“...I, I actually miss them, it’s just not the same anymore…”

“Y-yeah, I miss them too.”

“*sighs* let’s not think about that today, alright?”

“Sorry, I sort of brought down the mood on my own day.”

“No no, dear, you didn’t. It’s understandable. Come on, the cake’s not gonna get eaten by itself, no?”

--- “Heeeeeeyyyy!! Happy 21st Birthday Ashley!!!”

“There it is, the magic number!! Now can fully do whatever you want liao!”

“Whoa, you guys…”

“21 leh! I see people always make 21 years old extra special one, so we also made it like this for you, with balloons, deco, food, also matcha cake, one of your favourites!”

“T-thank you.”

“Wait, actually back in your home, you are considered 22 is it? Must be confusing.”

“I mean, I’m studying here, may as well follow how you guys count.”

“Well, fair enough. Also I just noticed you got your hair dyed! Looks pretty!”

“Thanks, been wanting to do that for a while.”

“So, any wishes you made?”

“I dunno man, I just wanna survive another school year, then it’s off to… wherever we go after grad-”

“Shush!! Too early to think bout the future! Let’s just celebrate your day, afterwards we go for karaoke, k?”

“It’s more like, are we gonna stay in touch after grad?”

“Like I said, it’s too early to think that! Course I hope we stay in touch, but who knows?”

“Ok ok fine, soooo, I heard karaoke just now~”

“The cake can wait then, let’s go!!!”

--- “Hey, you guys actually know Ashley’s birthday is coming up soon?”

“Wait really? Huh, never knew that. She didn't really tell anyone that.”

“Ooo, why dont we gave her a lil’ surprise then?”

“And that’s what im thinking about! Let’s start planning…”

- “Haaaaaaaaaappy birthday girlypop!!”

“Heard today is your special day, gurl! We planned this few days ago just to give ya the best of the best!”

“... oh my god…”

“Yup, I asked around and got your favorite cake flavor too!”

“Red velvet, eh, I guess it’s alright…”

“*whispers* He found it from the finest cake shop and stole it.”

“What the- Don’t tell her that!!!”

“There are also presents given from some of us who couldn't come, but they wished ya too."

"I... I didn't expect this, all of this really. T-thank you, all of you..."

"Aw, don't mention it! You are one of the coolest people I met here, may as well returning the favor. By the way, did you wish for something?"

"Bet it's gonna be loads of plushies- ow, hey!!"

"Uh you are completely wrong. I'm not telling you all then."

"BOOOOOO"

. . .

(Besides, that wish had already came true, and they are right in front of me.)

---

Formatted text for whose speaking: Pink - Ashley, Blue - Seungjae, Orange - Brutus, Green - Cameron, Non-colored text in part 4 - Jinjer

[niceminipotato]

Hello guys.

So for Pride month this year I really don’t have the capacity to do what I did last year with a one-shot a day. Sorry. Still I wanted to do something. So I will be posting 5 one-shots for 5 different fandoms. Hope you enjoy. The first is of course Meddison 😉

PRIDE - Panicked

She was breathing. Wasn’t she? Her heart rate spiking and the tingly feeling at the tip of her fingers didn't mean anything. The jumbling prickling sensation running up and down her spine was nothing. She was ok. She was alright. But… maybe this thing she was feeling wasn’t entirely normal?

No. She was fine. She just needed to breathe and clear her head. She only had to calm down. It didn’t matter that he knew. Everything was fine. Everything was—

“Denying it won’t make it be less true, Red.”

“Go away, Mark.”

Just how the heck had he found out? This whole thing was platonic. It wasn’t as if she had let anything show. Had she? Not even she herself believed this was true. Oh the lengths she’d go in her denial.

“You are in love with a woman. And hey that’s ok. I’ve been in love with women before.”

They were in the middle of the hall, where just about anyone could hear. As soon as the words left him she covered his mouth and glanced around. The last thing she needed was one more rumor about her to become part of the general circulation of Seattle Grace. And they didn’t need much to go off of…

First people had found out she had cheated on McDreamy and that’s why he ran. The amount of dirty looks she had gotten for that one made her laugh some times. Then people heard about things not working out in bed. Honestly, how they had found out about that one was a mystery to her. News of their divorce wasn't really a secret. Still the whole hospital was buzzing with it before lunch. The last bit had been her little arrangement with Mark, which of course led to nothing between them. Not that she wanted it either way. But after so long being in the front page she wanted to be out. She really didn’t need anything else to be part of the gossip cesspit that was this damned hospital.

“Shut up.” She seethed and Mark only chuckled.

Uncovering his mouth he gave her one of his shit-eating grins. “Red, this is fine. Falling for a w-”

“I told you to shut up.”

“Are you really that ashamed to have joined us in the rainbow?”

“Us? And I’m not—”

“You’re acting like it. Do you think it dirty? Are you not proud of what you are?”

Proud? It had nothing to do with pride(ahem). And she really wasn’t ashamed. She had never had issues accepting people and their preferences. Hell, it wasn’t as if anyone would need to have her blessing to love who they loved.

No. No one had the right to judge people. Not even Satan herself. Not that she’d ever want to or feel the need to. People get to be happy with whomever makes them happy. They get to be happy in whichever way they choose and no one has the right to keep them from their happiness. That was what she believed at least.

Back to the present conversation though. Mark really didn’t know what he was talking about. He was wrong (he wasn’t though).

“Mark, I-I’m not…” not what? Yes, I am.

Mark only watched her as she struggled with her own acceptance, his grin still as irritating as ever. In reality, it wasn’t hard to accept her inclinations. See, she had already had an inkling as to where her preferences lie. What was hard to accept was the reason or rather the person who finally cemented the notion for her. It was so messy and complicated.

“Why her?” She whispered the question echoing in her head.

“I think your heart chose the best person.”

“I don’t even know if she’s-”

“Meredith Grey is as colorful as you and me, Addison.” He took a deep breath and continued to smile.

“Do you hear yourself, right now?”

“Oh come on, Addie. Gotta throw in the jokes wherever I can.”

An eye roll was her only response as she went back to panicking over the fact that she had utterly fallen for the blonde with baby blue eyes. That same blonde who had been her ex-husband's mistress. The blonde she had thought she’d grow to hate but didn’t. Why did she have to be her ‘gay awakening’? Truthfully her gay awakening was probably that girl from med school but still not even her slight panic then could compare to her panic now. This felt more real. It felt true. But…

What was she supposed to do with all of this? What could she even do? Denying this whole thing was becoming increasingly harder. Making it seem as if Meredith being close didn’t affect her was just not something she could do anymore. Not now. Not after she let herself sorta accept the issue. She was freaking out now and she didn’t even have the other woman in front of her.

“Speak of the devil and she will appear. There’s Grey.”

Addison spun around, only years of experience kept her standing after moving so quickly on her high heels. Her heart, that traitorous thing, beat furiously as she noticed said blonde at the end of the hall with her person, as she called Cristina.

Mark chuckled beside her, no doubt noticing the bigger shift in her state. “Now what?”

“What do you mean now what?”

Mark let out an exasperated sigh, “do I need to spell it out for you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about Mark?” Her gaze was still on the blonde when Mark leaned in and whispered the craziest thing in her ear, sending her into a stuttering mess. “W-wh-what?”

“Go over there and ask her out on a date.”

“Are you out of your mind? You hit your head before you got here, didn’t you? You need a CT.”

“My head is perfectly fine. And you just need to go over there and ask her out.” Mark wrapped an arm around her shoulders while she looked at him as if he had grown three heads.

“You must be delirious. Why would I go ask her out?”

“Because you like her and you’re both single so why not?”

Pulling away from him and turning to face him she shook her head. “I can’t just go ask her out. Sh-she’s… Meredith Grey.” She whisper-shouted the name and Mark only chuckled.

“Addison, what do you do when you’re interested in someone?”

“Nothing. Because I’m not interested.”

“Again. Denying it won’t make it less true.” He raised a brow when she opened her mouth to argue but closed it again. “Listen, trying won’t cause any harm. Just get over there.”

“Mark, I’m her ex’s ex-wife.”

“What I heard in that statement is that, as I said before, you’re both single.”

“That has nothing to do with—”

“What’s got you so scared, Addie?”

“If she’s not… and then even if she is… what if… what if—”

“You’re acting like a scared little baby. You won’t know what’ll happen until you try.”

“Can you give me a break? I just figured out that I—”

Mark laughed and she went on to shush him. “You did not just find out. You already knew.”

“I… whatever. What about Derek?” She asked and noticed Mark stiffening slightly, which was pretty strange.

“What about Derek?”

“You know what. Why are you being so defensive all of the sudden? Anyway, I don’t even know if he’s over her.”

Mark glared, “he is.”

“How would you even know?”

“I just do.”

“Well, I don’t believe you.” She crossed her arms and watched him almost pout before letting out a sigh.

“I know because we’re as colorful as you.”

“We’re…”

Suddenly Mark’s defensiveness made sense as well as the slight blush creeping along his neck. She looked at him a moment and watched him shift uncomfortably, which made her grin. There had always been something about Mark and Derek. The way they acted after that little drunken adventure which had led the three to bed. Oh yes. She could definitely see the two of them together and happy.

“I’m happy for you two then.”

“Yeah?”

There was a vulnerability to his words that made her reach out and squeeze his arm. “Yeah. Definitely.”

He relaxed, “good.”

“Mhmm.”

“Ok well now, as I said, Derek won’t be an issue so…”

“Mark…”

“Addie, just go over there and ask her out. What have you got to lose?”

‘Everything’, she thought to herself and Mark seemed to read the thought on her face.

“Don’t be a chicken. Do it or you’ll regret it. Trust me.”

The ringing of Meredith’s laugh floated over to them drawing their attention. Ignoring the chicken bit Mark had said she focused on the rest. As she watched the giggling blonde she wondered what could happen should she listen to her friend.

Did she have it in her to get hurt again and survive? Wouldn’t it be better to stay safe and away? What would Meredith do if she told her? What would she do if she didn’t? Would she really regret not acting on this? There were so many questions that she couldn’t find an answer to. What if it didn’t work out? But then… what if it did? What if Meredith felt the same? Could the blonde feel that draw she felt? That never ending pull? Did she also freak out when she figured it out? Was she stumped just as she was in her panic?

Meredith’s laugh rang once more, shaking her out of her haze. As she looked at the happy blonde she wondered how it would feel to be the one to make her smile. The one to make her laugh.

She could picture late dinners, rushed lunches, small juju breaks, late night movies, small conversations, wordless conversations. It was the little things she’d like with her. Coming home after a long day to just sit and be with each other. The other things that came from a relationship would be most welcomed as well. She would never deny that but just the small things, the things you don’t think about. She wanted those with the blonde. How would she get any of it if she didn’t try? At least once.

“Fine.”

“Yeah?” Mark beamed and she couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Yeah.”

“Ok. I’ll wait here. Then I’ll celebrate with you or go drown in beers with you.”

“I’d rather drown in wine.”

“Fine. Wine it is. But I don’t think we’ll need to drown.” Mark wiggled his brows and she shook her head.

They waited a few minutes for Cristina to finally leave Meredith on her own. Mark had been impatiently waiting, throwing glances towards the blonde. Addison had almost smacked him a few times for being so obvious. Once the brunette had gone leaving just Meredith at the nurse’s station he practically shoved her towards it.

Addison had half a mind of turning around and kicking him on the chins but resisted. She took a steady breath and made her way towards the blonde. Her usual strut was less impressive, less threatening. That confident gait of hers has been replaced by a nervous, almost hesitant, one.

Heart knocking violently against her rib cage she managed to get to Meredith, who was writing down notes on a chart. With absolutely no idea how she managed, she cleared her throat to call the blonde’s attention. Baby blue eyes met her jade and she almost turned around with her tail between her legs.

“Hey, Addison.” Meredith smiled softly and honestly why would she do that to her.

“H-hi.” ‘What the hell was that sound?’

“Umm hi.”

“Uh, busy?”

“Just charting.” Meredith watched her a while and the silence became awkward and almost unbearable. The blonde gave her an almost pained smile before she spoke again. “Well umm, yeah. I’ll see you later I guess?”

Addison resisted the urge to pinch or slap herself out of her haze. She needed to say something. She hadn’t come here to stand in front of Meredith doing nothing and looking like an idiot. She had come here to ask her out, like Mark had said. But her mouth wasn’t moving and the air was so thin. Still, though she had to say something, anything.

“A…” she began but stopped taking a quick breath before resuming. “Are you on a twelve?”

“I uh no. I’m not. Finishing a sixteen.”

“Oh, I see...” ‘Dammit, Addison. Talk!’ Another steady breath and she continued, “are you going to be busy after?”

Meredith frowned, curiosity evident in her eyes. “I don’t know.”

“You’re probably going to Joe's, huh?” Addison forced a chuckle and all she could think about was the cheer amount of awkwardness and tenseness in the air.

“M-maybe? I don’t know. I think I’m the only one that gets out early today.”

“Ah…”

“Addison, are you ok?”

“Yep. Are you ok?”

“Yes. It’s just you seem umm…”

She needed to stop. She was making things worse. Meredith was looking at her as if she had gone crazy. Frankly she felt was going crazy. Who in their right mind would do this? This thing wasn’t real. She didn’t—

“Denying it doesn’t make it less true, Red.”

One big deep breath and she grounded herself. “Meredith… let’s go out.”

Meredith stared blankly at her, her lips parting as her mouth hung slightly open. Briefly the image of staring into a computer blue screening entered her mind and she fought to contain her laughter. Soon the blonde’s gaze softened and she bit her lip almost nervously.

“Go out? You and I?”

The questions floated softly towards her and Addison couldn’t tell what emotion was swimming in those baby blue eyes. All she could tell was that now, now she was really freaking out. Her palms were starting to sweat and she had the sudden impulse to jump in the balls of her feet while chewing her bottom lip. She resisted in both instances.

“W-well, yeah. I mean umm well you and I… you know… and I thought that Joe’s was a good place. Unless you’d rather… if you’d like… uh…”

For a moment Meredith’s gaze drifted away from her and focused on something or someone behind her. Where her gaze had been blank then surprised then a bit soft when it returned to her once more it was hard and closed off.

“Is this a joke?”

“Huh? W-what do you…” Addison turned and found who the blonde had been looking at.

Mark had stayed right where they had been still staring towards them with a grin. It seemed as if he were poking fun and he probably was. Though Addison suspected the blonde had the completely wrong idea of what Mark was making fun of.

Spinning back to the blonde she began to blabber on. “No. No. No. Meredith I would never… he’s just— it’s not what you think… why the hell does that sound worse? No wait. Listen, he’s only making sure—”

“Goodbye Doctor Montgomery.”

If she thought she was panicking before she was wrong. Seeing the flash of pain etching into Meredith’s features sent her reeling. Quickly she made her way around the nurse station and thoughtlessly grabbed her hand.

“No. Please, it's really not what you’re thinking.” Meredith’s eyes locked on where she held her hand and she quickly let go. “ sorry. I… This really isn’t a joke. I’m not trying to make a fool out of you or … or anything like that. He, Mark, is only there because he’s trying to make sure that I go through with it. Wait no… that sounds worse than before.”

“Doctor Montgomery, I really am busy.”

Meredith’s low tone made her ache. Why was this going so wrong? All she had to do was tell her she wanted to go out with her. Why had it become so much more complicated? Meredith really thought that she was playing her.

“Meredith, wait. Please let me explain. See what’s happening is that I well I just wanted to uh you know… God I’m acting worse than a child. I’m being ridiculous.” She groaned and covered her face before taking a steadying breath. “Ok, I wanted to ask you out. I… well… I really…”

Why couldn’t she finish the stupid sentence? It was simple. Just three words and done. One more deep breath and keeping her gaze on the floor she went on.

“I’ve never done this before. Y-you’re the first um woman that I ask o-out. I sorta uh l-like you…”

Once the words were finally out she felt a bit more relieved but as she dared a glance at the other woman’s face her rising panic overtook her. Meredith stared blankly at her with her bottom lip stuck between her teeth. She didn’t know what to make of the reaction. Was this good or bad?

Her panic only rose higher as the seconds ticked by with silence being the only response from the blonde. She felt a pang on her heart as she realized that maybe coming to tell her had been wrong. That now Meredith was quiet because she couldn’t think of what to say to get out of the conversation. Maybe Meredith was straight unlike Mark had suggested. Or maybe she wasn’t but she still felt this was wrong.

“I… I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” There was a deep void spreading through her heart but she continued to force the words out. “Don’t mind me or what I said. I’m sorry. Just forget it all, ok? I’ll s-see you around.”

She turned away from the blonde, ready to bolt, and feeling her heart breaking. She needed to get out of there. Mark was frowning at the other end of the hall, seemingly confused, and she turned away from him too. As she made to step away a slender hand wrapped around her wrist.

“Addison, wait!”

Turning to the blonde she saw panic in baby blue eyes. Panic she supposed she had put there when she told her she liked her. She really should go before she broke down in front of Meredith. There was only so many times her pride would allow her to make a fool out of herself.

Trying to pull her hand away she began to beg the blonde to let her go. “Please—”

“I get out in, in an hour and twenty.”

“What?”

Meredith bit her lip nervously, a slight blush dusting her cheeks. “I get out soon. So maybe we um we could go out?”

“Y-you want to?” Addison only blinked in disbelief.

“Yes. I also um well me too. Same like you.”

The blonde’s sentence was a complete mess but she understood. Suddenly, Addison could feel a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. A smile, which Meredith nervously mirrored. Soon butterflies sprung to life in her stomach. Her fingers tingled, but it wasn’t a bad tingle. It wasn’t the nervous and panicked one. It was the excited one, the expectant one.

“You want to go out?” She asked and Meredith nodded vigorously. “O-ok. In an hour twenty?”

“Y-yeah. We can um go to Joe’s. Though I’m a little hungry—but Joe’s is fine.”

“Well there’s this sushi place I want to try. We could uh maybe go there instead?”

“Sushi’s good.” Meredith beamed at her and before she knew it the blonde had left a peck on her cheek.

Her brain almost short-circuited at the action. She could feel heat rising on her cheeks and the top of her ears. Her breath hitched, and she felt herself shudder. She was definitely going through it, but one glance at Meredith told her that the blonde was going through it worse than she was.

The pinkish hue from before had intensified into an almost crimson. Her baby blue eyes were wide in shock. It appeared as though Meredith had acted on impulse, and now it was catching up to her. She rambled incoherently and Addison found it so very cute. The blonde waved her hands around, trying to explain, maybe? Addison wasn’t sure what Meredith was saying because she was on cloud nine at the moment.

“…uh s-so an-an hour and change?”

Addison shook herself out of her stupor and nodded with a grin. “Yes. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

“Ok.” Meredith grinned back nervously before turning around to leave.

Before she could talk herself out of her own impulse Addison gingerly grabbed the blonde’s wrist making her stop. Before Meredith could fully turn to look at her she was already placing a soft kiss on her cheek earning herself a surprised gasp.

“Thought I’d return the favor.” She whispered before pulling away. “I’ll see you soon.”

Meredith nodded wordlessly before scurrying away with her adorable flushing self. A chuckle escaped her at the ridiculousness of the whole situation.

She had been needlessly drowning herself in panic and anxiety. She had been so scared without needing to be. It appeared as though Meredith was having the same issue she was. Oh but was she ever so glad she had done it. Glad she had listened to her friend, even though for a moment that same friend had almost cost her everything.

“So… you’re going out with Grey?”

She wasn’t surprised when Mark appeared beside her. “I am. I am also going to kill you.”

“What? Why?” He brought a hand to his chest in mocked offense.

“She thought I was playing her because you were so not subtly watching us.”

“I just had to make sure you did it. I’m taking my duty as a friend and wingman seriously.”

“Oh, be quiet. Anyway, I have to go. I need to leave my written orders for tonight.”

Mark wiggled his brows suggestively, “why the hurry, Red?”

Narrowing her gaze she sized him up before speaking, “because, Mark Sloan, I have a hot date to get ready for.”

“Wow, the panic went away. Good.”

“I wasn’t panicking.”

“Denying it doesn’t make it less true.”

“Bye, Sloan.” She rolled her eyes and began to make her way to the elevators.

“I’ll walk you. Need to give you pointers.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“Mhmm. So listen, take her to a nice place then you start a simple conversation. Don’t do heavy things first. Just ease into it and—”

“I know how to go on dates, Mark.” She let out already exasperated.

“I know but still I’m nothing if not a good wingman.”

“Manwhore is more like it…” She muttered under her breath.

“That’s besides the point plus I’m taken now. “ He shrugged. “So as I was saying when you so rudely interrupted. Take her to a nice place and…

Hope y’all enjoyed this messy little thing 🤭 until the next one. Stay awesome 😎

[stardewstardropthoughts]

Ilysm but unfortunately I have some angst, sorryyyyy. Would you do how the Bachelors would react to the farmer maybe ghosting them? It could have a happy ending, though. (I live to torture myself with angst 😳) Tyyyy

I love you too which is why I apologize in advance for this lmao cause it’s all hurt no comfort I’m sorry! I love angst so much, maybe I’ll do another version when I have more energy with a happy ending!

You ghost the bachelors

Elliott:

He doesn’t have many people who support him to begin with, so when you came around and spent so much time with him? He was thrilled

He often awaited for when you would step into his beach house for your daily visit, often carrying little gifts for him, once a bouquet

But now, he holds the wilted bouquet you had asked Leah to give to him for you, a note attached that simply says who it’s from. No reason attached

His heart is breaking as he closes his front door, an apologetic look from Leah the last thing he sees before he’s on the floor, back to the door sobbing into his hands

He had loved you so much, with such a raging passion and zero regard for anyone else, why had you suddenly decided he wasn’t enough?

Why didn’t you come and explain your reasonings yourself instead of sending someone else in your place?

He tried to find you, to talk to you but it was as if you were avoiding his every attempt, turning around and leaving if you saw him at the saloon, avoiding the beach unless absolutely necessary to see willy

He couldn’t fathom what he had done so wrong for you to treat him this way, needles to say he isn’t going to be jumping headfirst into any relationship any time soon

Shane:

How could you do this to my man, my love, my sweet sad chicken man?

He always thought it was to good to be true, that someone as beautiful and vibrant as you would waltz into his life and make his days infinitely better even when he tried to push you away in the beginning

You stayed by his side on some of his darkest days, he could hardly believe when you gave him a bouquet

Now it’s like the world is crashing down around him, the withered bouquet in his hands, you had taped it to his door, not even facing him in person to deliver the blow

He tried to convince himself that it wasn’t really happening, that you wouldn’t just ghost him like this

But then you were avoiding him around town, no longer stopping on his way to work to chat

You wouldn’t answer the door when he would go to the farm to see you, wouldn’t visit marnies shop if you knew he would be home

He had a mermaid pendent in his bedside drawer that he had intended on giving to you on your three year anniversary which had been just a few days later

Spends a lot of his nights sobbing in bed because you broke his heart

Good luck to anyone else who tries to build a relationship with him because now he’s more guarded then before

His days were finally full of color and laughter when you were around, but now it’s a dark grey sea and he feels like he’s drowning all over again

Alex:

He had been out talking to rusty when you had snuck into his house and left the wilted bouquet on his bed, a note attached that said who it was from

Found the wilted bouquet when he had gone in to get some lifting done for the day, he’s never experienced a panic attack prior but he certainly is now

The note has no explanation as to why you’ve decided to tear his heart to shreds like this, and not even with the decency to do it face to face

Goes straight to the farm to ask why you’ve done this, but you aren’t there. Robin who was building you a coop at the time said you were in the mines, but Alex can see the lights on in the farmhouse

You don’t answer the door when he knocks, he scribbles a little note down and slips it under the door, asking what he did and if he can fix it

He never gets an answer, spends the rest of his night to sad in bed to even think about weight lifting

Once again throws all his focus into becoming a professional gridby player, no time for friends or relationships, he needs the distraction so he doesn’t just sit around and cry about you all day

You were the first person he ever thought he could love romantically, after watching his parent’s relationship fall apart he hadn’t believed in love but you changed that

And now he doesn’t believe again

Sam:

Mans a whole golden retriever energy baby why would you do this

Everything was going great in the relationship with you, or so he thought

Because if it was actually going as well as he had thought, he wouldn’t be looking at the wilted bouquet sitting atop his guitar with nothing but your name scribbled on this little note

His eyes are filling with tears immediately, trying to think of anything he might have said or done to upset you recently

Trying to think about why you hadn’t done this in person, why hadn’t you given a reason

Writes you a letter asking why and what was happening, why hadn’t you said something sooner if you were unhappy

You never respond, it seems as if you’ve made yourself disappear all together to him

Your never home when he try’s to visit, you don’t go to the saloon on Friday nights anymore, his friends don’t know what happened either because you don’t talk about him to them

He’s so sad and he doesn’t know what he’s done, he just wanted to be the best he could be for you but now he can’t even do that

Sebastian:

He found the wilted bouquet on his motorcycle one evening when he was going to go for a drive to the cliffs that overlook zuzu city

He had wanted to bring you with him but from what he’s gathered from the evidence in front of him, your not going to be going

He doesn’t really blame you, he knows he’s probably not the best you can do but that doesn’t make it sting any less

Rides out to the cliffs where he can have a nice little breakdown in private

He does want answers though, so he spends almost two weeks trying to track you down, to no avail

It’s almost like your avoiding him on purpose, you never visit robins shop if you know he’s home, don’t visit sams when you know they have practice, you avoid him at all the festivals

He’s hurt, it took a lot of convincing for him to open up to you and now you’ve gone and closed yourself off from him

Lays awake a lot contemplating what could have gone wrong, but he never does get an answer about it

Harvey:

Man, stepping out of his office for a quick breather and having Maru hand him a box addressed from you was a surprise

You don’t often leave packages for him, he takes it back with him and is shocked and saddened to see it’s a wilted bouquet with no explanation as to why you’ve decided to do this

Underneath it is all the little gifts he’s given you over the course of your relationship together

His hands are shaking as he sets it down, he doesn’t understand what’s gone wrong

Closes his office for the rest of the day and sulks in his apartment, tries to call you but you don’t answer

You avoid your annual check up that you had scheduled for a few days later, calling Maru and telling her you’d be in grumpleton then so you’d just have the check up there

He can never seen to catch you when your out and about either to try and get an answer as to why you’ve broken his heart with such little regard for his feelings

He’s had a hard time opening up to people and small talk makes him quite nervous so it had taken so long to break down his walls and then you’ve just abandoned him?

He spends weeks trying to pick apart every interaction you’ve had, trying to figure out where it could have gone wrong, what he could have done to prevent this outcome

In the end he’s left with no answers and a hold in his heart where his love for you use to consume and keep him warm

[alezangona]

The Shadow of Khansar (Salaar Fic)

Part 2 - In the Silence of Night

Part 1 | Part 3

“I met him at a party my father hosted for Radha Rama’s birthday. I must’ve been fifteen or sixteen at the time.” Varadha stares straight ahead through the window, his body settled on the ground, leaning against the bed with an arm thrown across casually, swiveling his drink in hand. Deva observes him from behind, laying atop the bed, body stretched out and propped up on one arm.

“I was bored Deva and lonely too. I had been for years at that point if I’m being honest with myself and you know how my step siblings are. Mahit was different though. He was never a follower, never succumbed to Rudra’s will. He always did what he wanted and what he thought was right. So he came up to me, started a conversation, snuck us out of Kotagada, and we spent the rest of the night driving around the city. No one noticed us, and if they did, they didn’t care enough to bother us. I think that was the first night I felt like myself again, after you’d left.”

Deva’s heart clenches at the humorless pull of Varadha’s lips. His first instinct is to apologize for ever leaving him, for making him feel as if he was alone. He wanted nothing more to tell him how he felt the same in Varadha’s absence, where true happiness was nothing more than a distant memory. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to admit it. Not yet, not when Varadha’s voice trailed off into a hum that meant he had something more to say.

“We were just friends at first and he was just so different from everyone else in my life that it felt easy to confess to him any doubts and insecurities. It felt easy to tell him about what brought me joy and happiness. Somehow what we felt for each other became more and well…” Varadha trails off, his head turning slightly up towards Deva, teeth digging into his lower lip. “That was all for a short time though. He enlisted in the military and I had my own duties to attend. We hadn’t seen each other for years till he got promoted a couple of years ago and was stationed in the city. By that point, we’d outgrown whatever friendship we had, but he’s him and I’m me. Which is to say that everything since then has been casual. He has no claim to me, nor I to him.”

“Hmm,” Deva grunts as Varadha places his drink on the floor and turns his body to face him, crossing his arms on the frame of the bed and resting his chin on top. He tilts his head slightly, making direct eye contact with Deva, a haze settling in as the alcohol flows through his system.

“That’s all it is now. Casual. Even then it’s been months since I hooked up with him.” Varadha stresses once more, as if he needs to somehow make it absolutely clear to Deva that there is nothing between him and Mahit. Then, softly, his voice starts again. “What about you? You said earlier that you have girlfriends from back home. I didn’t drag you away from anyone special, did I?”

“No, no you didn’t.” Deva’s voice comes out in a hushed tone and he gestures to Varadha to refill his glass with the rich bourbon. “The last girlfriend I had was from a decade ago, not that it amounted to much. She wanted to get married but there was no point to that. My life is tied to Khansar and I don’t think I would have ever wanted to bring her here. She wouldn’t have liked it.”

“Oh,” Varadha looks away, gripping the bottle and taking a gulp without bothering to fill his own glass. “Do you regret it? Leaving her behind?”

“Maybe I should, but I don’t. She was a good woman, she deserved to have someone better than me. Someone who was capable of loving her the way she loved them.” He found himself admitting.

“You didn’t love her?”

“I think she was just a place holder at that point in my life.” Deva sucks in a breath, suddenly nervous as he debates whether to continue or not. “Ever since Amma and I left, I’ve been waiting for you to call me back. I don’t think any moment since then has felt real to me, it was just some haze I was living through till I was needed again.”

A heaviness settles in the room as Deva shifts his position, sitting cross-legged on the bed. For a moment, the only sounds that could be heard were the chatter from the night market below. If he listened closely, Deva could hear the high pitched voice of a woman bartering with a vendor, a man laughing wholeheartedly at a joke his friends must have made, and of course the vehicles that honked periodically as if trying to drown out the voices of humanity. The room however, stays silent for a while longer.

“I’m sorry,” Varadha starts and Deva looks down at his friend in confusion. Varadha tilts his head back up to Deva, allowing their eyes to meet once more. He takes a deep breath, the movement drawing Deva’s attention towards the thick necklaces adorning Varadha’s neck and catches the slightest glimpse of the scar behind his ear. He resists the sudden urge to run his finger across it.

“What?”

“I wasn’t lying before in the cell– if you were anywhere else but here, you would’ve been okay. It’s because of me you had to give up so much in life.” Varadha’s gaze snaps to the electrical scar that runs up Deva’s arm. Slowly he reaches out, a rushed breath of air passing from his lips as he turns Deva’s hands over. His thumb brushes lightly against the raised skin, his shoulders slumping.

“Rey, mentala neeku?”

“You can’t pretend it’s not true Deva,” Varadha scoffs. “This scar? It’s proof of just how much you’ve done for me. Whatever the conflict was, it was between Rudra and I. I shouldn’t have come to you for help. You could’ve died that day, and all for what? Some grudge he had against me?”

“Varadha-“

“Not to mention that my father is the reason why you’ve lost your family, your people, the reason why you had to leave this city. I couldn’t do anything but watch. I should’ve known better, I should’ve done something to help you-”

“Rey-”

“And worse? I find out today that after all these years, you’ve been putting your life on hold, waiting to fulfill some promise you’ve made to me all those nights ago. That you’ll come when I call. You deserve better Deva. You deserve to not have me holding you back at every turn and that’s exactly why I didn’t call you back all these years. You’ve lost so much because of me and I… I can’t be this selfish.”

Deva’s breath catches in his chest and he slides down immediately, seating himself on the floor besides Varadha, their bodies closer than before. Varadha’s thumb doesn’t stop its exploration of Deva’s scar and Deva can’t bring himself to take his arm back either.

“You’re officially drunk, because that’s not how I remember any of this happening.” Deva whispers, afraid anything louder would agitate Varadha. Except he doesn’t pull away like Deva expected, chuckling lightly instead as he leans in closer to Deva.

“No, tipsy maybe. Definitely not drunk. And in my senses enough to realize this needs to be said. In my senses enough to know that I need to stop making decisions for you and let you make them on your own.

“When the rest of Khansar was gathering its forces, I didn’t know what to do. Baachi, Baba, Bilal… everyone was looking to me for guidance and all I wanted to do was run away. All I wanted was to not have to deal with this insanity anymore– and I should’ve been strategic. I should’ve made alliances and brought in armies enough to protect me and mine. But I was selfish. It didn’t matter to me anymore if we won or lost. I was tired of the burden, tired of facing all of this alone.

“Ever since you left, I’ve wanted you next to me but was too ashamed to ask after everything you had given up because of me. I shouldn’t have come back to ask you for more, but I missed you so much. Whether we survived or not, all I could think was that I needed you back at my side. Now there’s a bounty on your back, all for what? You do too much for me Deva. You always have. I don’t deserve this– I don’t deserve you.”

“Done with your nonsense yet?” Deva covers Varadha’s hand with his own, head shaking in disbelief.

“Everything I’ve done for you, I’ve done because I wanted to. I know I’ve been away for twenty-five years, but the time, the distance? It hasn’t changed my reverence for you.” Deva takes a deep breath, feeling the shift in the atmosphere as he prepares to continue. His gaze falls once more to the scar behind Varadha’s ear and he swallows hard before lifting his hand slowly, a slight shake in his fingers. Finally, his finger comes to rest against Varadha’s warm skin, and Deva’s body relaxes when he doesn’t pull away from the touch.

“Reverence? Really? Your ex turned you into a poet?” Varadha tries to sound confident, he really does. But Deva knows him well enough to sense the slight hint of apprehension.

“I didn’t make that promise to come back when you needed me because I felt indebted to you for what you did. I made the promise because having to be without you for even a second scared me. I was worried if I didn’t say anything then, you would’ve forgotten me and that I would’ve never seen you again. I was selfish too. I was selfish that night and I was selfish all the days following when I wanted nothing more than to return to you.

“Everything I faced between the night Amma and I left and when you came to Bharuch was a placeholder, not because my loyalty to you was a burden, but because it was–” Deva stops suddenly when Varadha’s hand wraps around his wrist, grip tightening.

“Deva,” Their eyes meet once more and Deva is taken aback by the emotion in his eyes. An explosion of guilt, fear, hope, and so much more that he couldn’t name even if he wanted to. Deva moves his palm away from Varadha’s face, wrapping his fingers around Varadha’s, and bringing their intertwined hands to his chest.“I need you to understand that I’m here because I want to be, because there’s no other place that I would rather be. And before all of this, you said that you didn’t deserve me? That is a load of bullshit because Varadha Rajamannar,” He emphasizes, “Naa meedha intha hakku unadhi nee okadike, ra. I am yours, whether you want me to be or not.”

[whumpbug]

hi bug!

for your boys, just a thought: a moment where archie has to patch simon up. role reversal. like if simon tried to protect his boy and got himself hurt, and now he has to talk archie through patching him up.....

your boys are so lovely. i can't wait to see them get whumped to bits in the event!!!

- @whump-kia

kia this was genuinely such a blast to write that it ended up a tad longer than i originally planned for, thank you SO much for the prompt (˃ᆺ˂) i hope u like it as much as i loved writing it because these boys are SILLY.

to anyone else: see this post for character info!

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

There was a rumor circulating that there was an “inconspicuous medical student” spotted “aiding the activities of a notorious vigilante” in the city, and it was safe to say the crime lords and such were not happy about it.

The rumors were true, of course, but it didn’t make them any easier to deal with.

And Simon was currently dealing with them.

He should have known his extremely selfless and abundantly kind nature towards Archie would come back to bite him in the ass.

He’d be sure to rub it in Archie’s face when he saw him again.

“You’re the kid that’s been helping that little punk, aren’t you?” The man spat in Simon’s face as he shoved him up against the wall.

Judging by the way he was dressed and the way he smelled, Simon had half a mind to assume he was a goon from the drug ring Archie had been after for some time now.

Fortunately, the guy clearly wasn’t the brightest. No experienced lackey would start heckling a target in the middle of an open alley way without checking if anyone was around first.

Unfortunately, the guy was quite a bit stronger than Simon and there really wasn’t anyone around after all.

Just my luck.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Simon spewed back, struggling against the man’s grasp.

The man’s hand tightened around Simon’s neck and the gravity of the situation began to sink in.

He was alone in this alley. Sure, he had used the emergency button on his watch that sent signal to Archie as soon as he recognized he was in danger, but it had been a good amount of time and Archie was.. nowhere to be found.

“Don’t play dumb with me!” The man shouted, sending a knee slamming into Simon’s gut. “You’re going to tell me everything you know!” Another knee to his middle sent him stumbling back and doubling over.

“I don’t.. don’t know anything..” Simon sputtered, coughing harshly and tasting metal.

Simon knew he was in hot water. He had no combat training, so self defense skills, and despite being decently fit, he was no where near the league of a guy who beat people up for a living. He needed to get out of there as fast as possible.

Alright Simon, c'mon. Focus. You can handle this. Just think.

Before Simon could form another coherent thought, a fist connected with his face that sent him reeling. Blood began leaking from his nose all down his mouth, and he choked on the taste. Before he could recover, his whole body was rammed against the brick wall and his arm was pulled awkwardly behind him. 

The punch had left him dazed, so dazed that he didn’t recognize the sound of two other guys approaching the scene.

“For god’s sake, don’t kill the kid! Rough him up, get some information, but don’t kill him. We'll have more use for him later,” A deeper voice chided.

Simon heard vague mutters of obedience before he felt his arm being strained again.

“Alright kid, since I’m feeling so nice, I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself. Answer the question and you’ll be on your way,” The man sneered. Simon could hear muffled snickers behind him, but couldn’t quite get the angle to look. “What is the little punk’s real name.”

He knew he should be sizing up the scene and determining the best course of action, but goddamn his arm hurt. He could feel every tendon being strained at the orientation the man had it at.

Still, no matter what, he wasn’t going to sell out Archie. Archie would come. He always did.

“N-No idea,” Simon spat, stomping on the man’s toe in an attempt to buck out of the hold.

Unfortunately, the man was still significantly stronger than Simon, so his attempt at retaliation only served in angering him further.

“You little—“ The man growled, before twisting Simon's arm and yanking it fully out of its socket.

Simon let out a stuttering wail as the pain temporarily blinded him. Suddenly, his head was being slammed against the wall again and he couldn’t figure out what was hurting more now: his head, his arm, or his stomach.

He was almost sure he was done for, until he heard a familiar shout and the sound of a fist connecting with a face.

Took him long enough.

Simon let himself slide down the wall once the man was pulled off of him, cradling his aching shoulder as he watched. Through hazy vision, he saw Archie made quick work of the lackeys. It was a flurry of hollers and yelps and limbs flying, but eventually, Archie emerged unscathed and rushed right over to Simon.

“I’m so sorry I was late! I was working, and I didn’t see the alert and— oh god, your arm!” He blurted, hands awkwardly hovering over Simon, a complete contrast to the ruthless machine he had been not a few seconds earlier.

Simon wanted to be mad, he really did. The emergency alert was there for a reason, after all. But how could he stay angry when Archie was looking at him with such sincere concern and regret. Simon sighed.

“It’s not as bad as it looks.. it’s dislocated, but I’m pretty sure it’s not broken so we won’t need to go to the hospital,” Simon explained.

Archie gave a small huff of relief.

“You do, however, need to help me pop it back into place.”

Archie blanched.

“Pop it back into place?! Isn’t that dangerous?! I don’t know what I’m doing!” He babbled.

“Relax, I’ll walk you through it. It’s not that hard. You just have to kinda.. push it until it feels right. I’ll let you know,” Simon replied, absurdly calm for the situation at hand.

“..Ok..” 

Simon carefully instructed Archie on where to place his hands and where to push in, and after a bit more coaxing, they were ready.

“Alright. Don’t give me a countdown. You have to just do it, or else I might tense up involuntarily and that could— URGH!”

A sickening snap reverberated from Simon’s offending limb.

“Sorry! I’m sorry! You said not to give you a countdown!” Archie mewled, pulling his hands away as if he’d just been burned.

“It’s fine.. it’s.. I’m good.. you did good,” Simon placated, squeezing his eyes shut at the lingering pain.

“Okay.. okay, that’s done. We should get you back to your apartment and patched up.. that black eye looks.. pretty rough..”

“Don’t I know it..”

Archie tenderly helped Simon to his feet, and supported the taller’s man weight with ease.

“Thanks for not, uh, selling me out by the way..” Archie murmured, as they began their arduous journey back to Simon’s home.

“Well, what type of ‘inconspicuous medical student’ would I be if I just went around telling everyone how I ‘aid the activities of a notorious vigilante’?” 

“...You’re an idiot.”

Simon grinned. Yep. All worth it.

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

[letstrythisout4]

hi >. i saw your requests for prompts and requests and just wanted to ask if you could do like head cannons or even a story abot Blaise Zabini being a girl dad.

Like I know this sounds lowkey specific but could you please?

It's alright if you dont want to.

♡ ♥💕❤

Author note: this is much longer than I thought it would be, but I love it and it isn't even everything i thought of, thank you sm for this ask and if anyone else has anything they want to request or questions or anything please send me an ask

Blaise Girl Dad:

When Blaise found out he was going to be a father he was both ecstatic and terrified at the same time

Ecstatic because Merlin I’m going to be a father, I am going to raise a human being from birth into adulthood and help them through as many challenges as possible.

Terrified because Merlin I’m going to be a father, I am going to raise a human being from birth into adulthood and help them through as many challenges as possible.

Because of his own experience with his father (i.e. none), he felt incredibly conflicted

Logically he knew that a parent is a parent. Your job is to raise, protect, love and guide this human being as much as possible without taking away from their life. There are obstacles you won't be able to protect them from and in those times you will have to be the shoulder to cry on. And in turn when they succeed you will be their first and loudest supporter.

He didn’t need to have a father to know that

His mom made sure that (to the best of her ability) he never felt like he was missing something

Emotionally though…

Blaise loves his mother

His mother fawned over him

But there was always a question as to why there was no father in his life

His mother would never take anything or anyone away from him that could bring him joy and as he visited his friends as a four year old, he could see that fathers, just like mothers, should bring happiness to their kids 

When he was a really young he would ask her why he didn't have a father and she would comfort the confused child before explaining that why he may not have a father, to her he as miraculous as the moon, sun and stars and most precious of everything in her eyes

And so when Blaise found out he was going to be a father he made sure to make his child know -just as his mother did with him- that they were everything to him

Holding his baby girl in his arms for the first time was more than enough to reassure him that it was going to be so incredible simple to love his baby

Blaise doesn’t and has never liked the way so many speak of fatherhood

As if its some burden, “babysitting”, that kids need “discipline” and “punishments” for every little toe out of line

That having a daughter was “more difficult” than having a son

He hated being in public carrying his daughter, who was dressed in her favorite baby blue puffy princess dress, and being questioned

“Mom dressed her, eh?” someone's grandpa would ask, shaking his head at the admittedly excessive dress.  “No, I did.” “...” “She is a princess, what else would she be dressed in?” 

His daughter would be fussy and someone would say, “It’s because you spoil her.” 

“Spoiled”

Blaise hates the way people use the word spoiled

Because his baby is spoiled

But people seem to think that means she gets away with everything. Which is not true. 

Being a girl dad has made Blaise realize that people care way too much about the non-important details when it comes to kids. 

No, my daughter is spoiled. She’s a kid who wants to spend extra time on the playground. Time that we have. So yes, Blaise “spoils” her and allows her the extra time. Because why not? 

Being a father has taught Blaise that adults just like to tell kids no.

Blaise is incredibly aware that the time he has with his daughter is limited. She will grow up, she will not be dependent on him always. So yes he “spoils’ her.

Yes she can have another scoop of ice cream.

Yes she can have that plushie.

Yes she can stay up past her bedtime to watch him to some silly magic.

Because one day she isn't going to be five and wants to dress like princess Tiana everyday. 

Merlin, he spoiled her before she was even born. Every piece of furniture in her nursery was built by him, by hand. 

He spent an unholy amount of money on stuffed animals and books she wouldn't be able to truly engage with for years. 

And an even greater amount of money on books about raising a child, psychologically and biologically

Ever since he knew he was going to be a father he has been active in his daughters life and has said that watching his daughter grow is the biggest blessing he’s ever had.

He loves every moment he has with her. 

When she said that she wanted him to be her partner for her ballet performance, he agreed without hesitation.

When she wants to take taekwondo as an eight year old, he signs her up immediately

When she magically turned his hair pink, he laughed beside her.

And this continued on as she grew up.

He felt his eyes water as they stood on Platform 9 ¾ for her first year

“You said you wouldn’t cry”

“I’m not” he did

He’s the kind of parent to send his daughter lavish gift baskets

His daughter never spends Christmas at Hogwarts, if she wants to spend it with her friends they can come over to the Manor too, there's plenty of room

And most importantly, she would never want to spend Christmas at Hogwarts.

His love is not one sided. His daughter loves him back just as much. Nobody is allowed to talk shit about her dad or her grandmother. She will curse them into the next century.

That’s her dad. Her day 1. Her ride or die. She knows that in any situation she can call on him and he will come. 

And it sets up such a lovely understanding of what care and love look like.

The respect, care and autonomy that Blaise allows his daughter allows her to become such a well rounded person. From the moment she could express her opinions, wants and desires, he has respected them and aided her in acting them out/ achieving them.

He will support her till the ends of the earth

(also she is very much best friends with he kids of Blaise's fellow slytherins .... feel like i should say that)

[hlficlibrary]

HL FIC LIBRARY ✤ AUTHOR REC

AO3: LiveLaughLoveLarry

Tumblr: @loveislarryislove

STATS:

✤ Number of fics: 88

✤ Posting Since: 2014

TOP 5 FICS:

1️⃣ You Took My Heart By Surprise {T, 39k}

There is reason to believe Prince Harry’s life is in danger. After a failed kidnapping attempt, Louis is assigned to guard Harry around the clock. He is the best at what he does, but he has a tendency to not get along with clients. Louis and Harry start off on the wrong foot, but it soon becomes clear that neither is at all what the other expected.

Queen Anne met Louis’ eyes. “While your file documents many remarkable accomplishments, it also contains a number of early terminations. Why is that?”

“It all depends on what your priorities are,” he said slowly. “If your primary concern is protection, I’m your guy. If you’re looking for someone polite…” He shrugged. “I don’t generally try to be rude, but social graces aren’t what I’m being paid for. If someone values being sucked up to over being protected, that’s their problem.”

“You seem quite well-mannered,” Anne said, frowning.

Both Nick and Louis snorted at that. “You’ve only known me for ten minutes,” Louis said. “Give it time.”

2️⃣ Though the Seasons Change So Quickly (Keep Them Buried In My Heart) {G, 6k}

A series of moments of Harry and Louis' relationship through the years, from the very beginning to the present, through the perspective of those around them. It's beautiful and it's brutal, it's awe-inspiring and it's awful - it is what it is.

"He’s special, Gem," Harry says. "He’s different. Different from anyone else I’ve ever known. I think-”

Gemma holds up a hand. “Slow down, buddy,” she says. “You’ve only known him a few months.”

“I know,” Harry says again, his fingers tugging at the designs embroidered in the blanket. “But it’s still true.”

Gemma studies him for a long moment. It’s interesting, she thinks. She’s never seen him like this -– not really. He’s almost glowing, a smile constantly either present or hiding just below the surface, and while it could just be the band as a whole making him so happy, she somehow doesn’t think so.

3️⃣ Funny How The Stars Crossed Right {NR, 17k}

Liam and Louis round the corner to see a horse trotting around the ring. She (or maybe he) is a beautiful animal, with a dark black coat and white socks. A tall man in riding clothes sits atop the horse, speaking softly. He’s completely focused on the horse, and doesn’t notice their entrance at all. Dark brown curls spill out from beneath his helmet, and his expression is one of total joy.

“Who’s that?” Louis asks, finding himself oddly breathless.

“That’s Chester,” Liam says. “He’s an angel.”

Louis is about to comment that he looks like an angel, but then pauses. “The human or the horse?”

Louis is a photography student, assigned to do a project at Greenfield Stables. Harry is a veterinary student, working part-time at Greenfield to gain experience and make a little money. They both have something to teach the other.

4️⃣ Might've Took The Long Way {M, 21k}

It's been two years since Harry and Louis broke up. They were that couple in high school -- you know the one; been together forever, hopelessly in love, all over each other, the whole nine yards. Even when Louis went off to university, they found a way to make the distance work.

Until they broke up.

Now Harry is back in town, and no matter how many times Louis tells himself they can't be together, they keep falling right back into each other.

“They got a name?” Bebe asks.

“What?”

“Your ghosts,” she says, her voice suddenly soft. “If you want to tell me, I mean. I know I said I wouldn’t ask, but. Sometimes it can help to exorcise them.” She pauses, and chuckles. “Other times, vodka works better than sage.”

Louis holds his breath for a moment, building the courage, before he finally murmurs, “Harry.”

“Sorry?”

“Harry,” Louis says again. The name feels like a time bomb in his mouth, but it hasn’t blown up yet. “His name was -- is -- Harry.”

5️⃣ The Things You Hide {NR, 27k}

Louis has been an MI6 agent for four years. Now he wants out. Unfortunately, his superiors have other ideas. Their solution: a 'mission' in the Greek Islands, one that's more vacation than actual work. Harry is an avid photographer who shows him around the area. He's open and carefree and everything that Louis wishes he could be. Along the way they fall in love, and maybe Louis learns a little about love, a little about lies, and a whole lot the meaning of home.

HIDDEN GEM:

💎 what's left of my halo's black {E, 22k}

As Harry sucks lovebites into Louis’ neck, Louis hopes that one day those marks will cover the way he can still feel Alex’s handprints burned into his flesh.

As Harry’s nails drag scratches along Louis’ back, Louis hopes that one day the scabs on his heart will heal and drop away just like the scabs on his skin.

As Harry fucks him down into the mattress, the bed shaking with every thrust, Louis hopes that one day his mouth will forget the shape of Alex’s name, won’t trace it over and over as the heat builds inside him, won’t want to scream it when he comes. Maybe one day he’ll open his eyes, as he slowly floats down from his post-orgasm haze, and won’t expect to see Alex’s face smiling back at him.

But today is not that day.

A year after a devastating breakup, Louis is still trying to put himself back together - but getting over a breakup is hard when you work as a wedding planner. Thankfully, his coworker Harry is the most supportive friend Louis could ask for. But Harry has some secrets of his own, and they send Louis' world spinning off its axis all over again.