#I'm not even a tenth part as annoying about this man as I want to be

[kingdomvel]

source

go fuck your mother (sorry ☝🏼)

go fuck yourself (not sorry ☝🏼)

(pls I hate him)

[jmrabinez1712]

Questions I myself have about the franchise of Dog Man by Dav Pilkey.

Well, first of all, I deeply apologize if these same questions bother you too much:

1.- Since the tenth book, George and Harold don't appear at the beginning of the books and I don't like that very much personally and I wonder why they have disappeared from the last books, do you know?

2.- In the last books, there are some interactions between some characters that I didn't like at all and that were, from my own personal perspective, too absurd in a bad way.

3.- I know that Lil'Petey and Molly are children and that they can be annoying. I was an annoying child too, but only to a certain extent. Obviously Petey and Molly are different from me, they are fictional characters and Dog Man, as a graphic novel franchise for young children, is very absurd on purpose at times. However, some of Lil'Petey and Molly's appearances in the tenth book (and some of Molly's appearances in the eleventh book) really bothered me in a very bad way. How is it possible that Molly and Lil'Petey sometimes have zero ability to read the room, geez? Are those feelings of annoyance and anger that I have normal? Or are they reprehensible?

4.- That said, even though Lil'Petey and Molly may be annoying in the later books, I also don't like Petey sometimes yelling at his son like that when he's upset. I don't know what Petey's voice sounds like when he's really angry, but I, personally, was really scared and sometimes felt like crying every time my own parents yelled at me when they were angry.

5.1.- I haven't read the eleventh book completely like that, but... I didn't like about two parts of the same book at all. One part of the book annoyed me and the other part of the book... offended me and made me angry. The part of the book that annoyed me was after inconsiderate Molly read him the unfinished "Wally's World" comic. Petey was upset that his interview with the construction company that was going to rebuild Petey's lab was interrupted, but then he was upset that his son and his friend hadn't finished the comic and he berated them for it and called them "baby little quitters"... Which confused and annoyed me... Was he focused on being upset that he had been interrupted in an important interview, but suddenly and without warning, now he's upset that his son and his friend hadn't finished a comic? Petey, please learn to focus better, but hey. And the other part of the book that annoyed me was when many had once again rejected Petey, for some strange reason, Molly lost her optimism. Lil'Petey also lost the characteristic optimism that he himself used to have. Molly and Lil'Petey were reluctant to save the day and help people in general from danger because many had rejected their father again. That really surprised me about Lil'Petey who, before that event, was normally also very abnormally kind (in his first appearances) besides having his somewhat irritating character qualities in his first appearances and that was why I could tolerate Lil'Petey more in his first appearances, but hey. I don't know if that's a sign of maturity, character development or flanderization, but oh well. That confused me a very lot.

5.2.- And the part of the book that made me very angry was when Sarah had become very angry with Lil'Petey and Molly for not wanting to save the world and all that. To me, the "argument" of calling the other "baby little quitters" like that in a very angry way to "provoke empathy for even those who still hate you" doesn't sound very convincing to me. Even that made me angry and sounded offensive to me. I don't know if it was a joke to provoke laughter per se, but if that was intended to be a "joke," well, that didn't make me laugh at all. I didn't like it. I found it to be an offensive joke in very bad taste that insults the intelligence of people like me.

6.- Am I overreacting? Am I being an imbecile who's a killjoy? If so, I deeply apologize. I'm so sorry.

[sweaterkittensahoy]

what would you think a hallmark-esque fanfic would look like for rosielemmons, and/or Jackharding. I think that both have potential.

Oh, RosieLemmons is big-city lawyer Rosie ends up breaking down driving from the airport to a convention, and tow truck driver and mechanic Ken Lemmons is the one to show up at the side of the road.

Rosie's burned out from working for a big firm, and he was really looking forward to this convention because there were going to be workshops on starting your own firm. He figures he'll get his rental fixed easy enough, and it'll be fine.

But it's the week before the small town festival (Carp Days; Catfish Crawl; something like that), and the whole town basically goes quiet except to get ready for it. Ken promises Rosie he'll have him fixed up in a jiffy, but then it turns out he doesn't have the part he needs, and it's gonna take two days.

Rosie sort of sighs it out and says, "Well, okay, guess I'll get a place to stay."

And Ken has to explain that it's the Gar Jubliee or whatever it's called (I'm not trying to make fun of small town festivals; I grew up with one, and I lived near a place that did Sucker Days, named for the fish. This is all knowing ribbing; I promise). So, no hotel rooms to be found, but hey, his parents have a spare room, just across the hall from his, and his momma works from home, so they've got the manners and the internet connection he needs.

Rosie does his webinars and thinks about what he wants to do with his life as a lawyer, and the third day he's there (the part got delayed by a low-water bridge washing out in a thunderstorm), one of Ken's sisters is over trying to make sense of insurance paperwork because she needs them to pay the accident coverage, but they're saying she went to the wrong hospital. Rosie ends up sorting it out for her, and then neighbors start to show up with similar stuff. It's not that they can't figure it out; it's that Rosie knows the ways the insurance company will try to get out of paying, so he can get it done in about a tenth of the time.

And meanwhile, Gar Jubliee (I've decided that's what it is) is getting set up, and Rosie's really liking everyone he meets, and Ken's just so handsome and so helpful and smart and easy to talk to.

And you see where this goes. Rosie DOES have to go back to New York for awhile to get his affairs in order, but by next Gar Jubliee, Rosenthal, esq. is one of the happiest sponsors for Gar Jubliee.

For JackHarding, it's a little trickier because Rosie and Ken are just so openly affectionate it's easy to find a Hallmark story for them. But JackHarding feels like a classic "Perfectly fine with what I've got until suddenly the literal best man ever walks in" sort of Hallmark story. With Jack being the one fine with his relationship, but then Harding comes in as a consultant or something and at first, they butt heads, but then they end up really liking each other, and meanwhile Jack's trying to get his serious-but-not-quite-longterm boyfriend to agree to just show up to his family's house for one goddamn dinner. And, yes, he knows his family can be a bit stuffy, and yes he knows it's not an ideal Sunday evening thing, but he's asking for him to just suck it up and show up once.

And then on the Sunday the boyfriend finally agrees to show up, he ends up calling with an excuse at the last minute. Jack is actually working with Chick on whatever the project is (hot deadlines and all that) and knows his mother will be very annoyed if he messes up the seating arrangements, so he invites Chick, and Chick says yes. And Jack texts his family to let them know "Hey, my boyfriend had a minor emergency, but I'm bringing along a work friend."

So, like, no confusion from his family that Chick is NOT his boyfriend, but then Jack starts feeling a bit confused because here's this guy he's only known for a few weeks who's showing up to this dinner and doing great but also occasionally muttering smartass remarks about his family's airs under his breath, and Jack's snickering along with him because Chick's 100% right. And, why can Chick do this so easily but Jack's boyfriend was being such a dick about it.

And then, as they leave Jack's family's house, who's walking by just happy as you please definitely NOT dealing with a sprained ankle like he claimed?

Boyfriend.

And Jack is PISSED and just TEARS HIM UP and he shouts, "What's so fucking impossible about doing one goddamn thing for me?"

And the boyfriend snides that the problem is that Jack only asks for shit when it's something annoying but keeps himself closed off otherwise.

And that's when Chick grabs the guy and bodily lifts him into a trash can. And slams down the lid.

Chick takes Jack to bar, and they have a drink, and Jack bemoans that maybe the boyfriend is right. Maybe he's closed off, and Chick refuses to let that stand. Tells Jack that, hey, you're quiet, but you're an open guy. I mean, hell, you invited me to your family's dinner and let me make fun of them a little. Maybe if that asshole had shown he was willing to try, you'd open up to him more. You think about that?

And so on and so forth, they kiss. Final scene is Christmas at Jack's family's house, and he's got a huge smile and Chick's got a huge smile, and they get scolded for giggling as they mutter to each other and refuse to share anything they're saying with the table. Which makes them laugh harder.

[matrixxsystem]

Terrapin Soup Part 7

A few days had gone by as usual since Usagi's visit with Leos family, most of the questions about them had subsided. On occasion something would come up like Mikey asking for his favorite color, or April asking what Leo likes most about him and teasing him about kiss. Or even the few times Splinter would ask if he'd seen the Lou Jitsu movies yet and which ones he think Leo should show him first.

All of which was well meaning but it did get a little annoying after the tenth; "Are you sure he hasn't even seen Lou Jitsu in the Battle Nexus?" 

Leo sat in his bedroom scrolling on his phone when he found some Hidden City news sites finally, after hiding himself in his roof where he was finally able to get a bit of peace from his loving family. He'd been careful not to trip anything on Donnie's stupid parental controls he had on everyone phone to avoid them getting virus's or hacked by anyone. But this forum was pretty up to date and seemed to be fine, there were even a few links to some yokai app site where you could get channels to tune into.. Neat. Maybe he'd see something about Usagi and his teacher cleaning up the city.. If he asked Draxum would he know anything about that? Would he know what they were actually doing? What if it was human's.. Draxum didn't hate them as much now but would he go that far as to eat them if he had the option? Maybe he would be the person to talk to about his feelings.. Draxum's the one who made them after all, he'd probably have some kind of fix for whatever was wrong with him.. But... If he wasn't how he is would Usagi still like him? Don't be stupid of course he would! Even if they had different diets he still knew about Usagi's habits and didn't care. Maybe that would be something to ask next time he stayed the night and took Usagi stargazing again.. 

"Hey Leo-"

Instinctively Leo shoved his phone under his pillow and sat at attention hearing a voice come into his room. Not that he had anything to hide but his thoughts had been trailing off and his phone felt like proof of him thinking unsavory things. Oh, but it was just Raph. He stood up pretending like he was working out as the massive figure came into view, "Oh hey man what's up?"

"..I'm.. I'm gonna ignore whatever it is you're trying to hide"

"Hide? Me?? Never, I mean- I.. I'm offended you'd even think I'd- ... Yeah okay whatever, what did you want?"

"Raph wanted to ask you something, relationship related."

"Aww you having girl troubles big bro~ Came to the expert did you?"

"Uh- No."

"Boy troubles then? Which I mean I know more about I think April would know more about girl stuff-"

"I mean about your relationship."

"...Uhhhmm mine? Okay? Like.. Like what? Cause I mean you guys have been kinda all over us lately and not that I don't love the attention don't get me wrong but like- It's a bit much even for you guys" Raph looked like he was trying to find the right words, clearly he wasn't going anywhere till he got it out of his system, and Leo wasn't gonna kick him out of his room if it was so important he came all the way here to ask his question in privacy. He patted the spot beside him inviting Raph to sit down as he did. "Make it quick, I was thinking about.. Going out, later." Raph nodded and sat on the edge of the bed, crushing the mattress and causing the bed to creek and shift making Leo slide towards him, he never minded though, not like Raph could help it. "Well.. I... Its been on my mind a lot and I feel bad so I thought maybe I should tell you."

"This.. Raph don't mess with me, what's up?"

"I have a bad feeling about Usagi. I-I can't really explain why, and I know it's stupid and you can be mad but I just.. I just get this weird vibe from him and-"

"Imma stop you right there."

"But-"

"Raph seriously. I'm not mad. I get it, like full and total honesty I really understand what you mean." He craned his head to give him a sympathetic smile and pat his shell, "I won't tell you that you're crazy or whatever, but I need you to take that feeling.." 

"Yeah..?"

"And kill it."

"..What-"

"Take whatever you have against him and kill it, for me okay? You can feel however you want on your own time, and weather you like him or not isn't going to change anything. I know he's.. Done things. And y'know what, who hasn't. Y'know how many times Donnie's experimented on us or how many times we've beat those foot faces within an inch of their life? Or like Hueso was a literal pirate, a wanted man and we love that guy! I mean dad was in a murder area for who knows how long and we still near worship Lou Jitsu! Usagi's told me a bunch of the dirty laundry he has and if you get that feeling about him then you should be getting that same weird feeling about me. I don't blame you for getting weird vibes, but I'm gonna tell you right now that he's not a threat."

"Leo just.. All I'm saying is be careful okay? He seems awesome, and I'm glad he makes you so happy, really I am. I just.. It feels like he's hiding something bad, not everyone is who they say they are.." Leo sighed a little laying back on the bed with his legs hanging off, "Yeah well.. No one is who they say they are.."

"But I'm who I say I am?"

"Oh please, who are you right now then?"

"Well.. Raph?"

"Fake. Raph's voice is higher."

"Excuse me??"

"Fake! Fake fake fake!" Leo rolled from side to side almost like a child throwing a fit, but this was clearly in a more dramatic and mocking way, no real anger or upset behind it. "It's just Raph's body, you're.." He tilted his head a little to read the expression on his face, "You're Brick." He said little his head fall back to the bed. His tone more confident after seeing the face. "I am not! The body was named Raph so I'm Raph by default-"

"Faaaake"

"Why are you being so difficult!?"

"Well I named you Brick actually so I dunno if you've ever heard me call you that, from that time you ran into the wall face first to prove a point."

"And I was right!"

"But Raph doesn't remember that."

"No I remember-"

"Cause you're Brick."

"Well how do I not be Brick so you'll take this seriously! I'm trying to talk to you-"

"I unno- But I am taking this seriously though! And I proved my point! You don't even know who you are half the time and that's on accident! No one is who they act like, we all change for other people and act different when we're around others. Who you are when you're alone.. No one shows that to everyone right at the start."

"Well.. Well who are you then huh??"

"I'm... I.. I don't know yet. Even if I did I don't think I'd be able to tell anyone really, you guys might be my brothers but I don't think even you would understand. I will one day I think, but who knows."

"Oh.. Hm... So- Wait a second- Hold on, back to me being Brick-"

-_-_-_-

It took a while for Leo to talk his way out of his conversation with his brother in red, not fully understanding what he was getting himself into till there were a million questions he found himself unable to answer. Once he managed to slip away he headed into the labyrinth of sewer tunnels just outside of Donnie's security, there he was able to look though his phone without any fear of cameras or audio playing where his genius brother could find it.  He turned on the app for one of the few local news stations in the Hidden city, starting to scroll though different stories that'd been put out this past week. Most of it was fairly normal stuff, well.. Normal for the city's standards at least, things like;

'Flying Pet Saves Child Stuck In A Tree'

'Couple Gives Birth To Yokai With Five Eyes, Couldn't Be Happier'

'New Dog Park Being Built, Dogs Are Not Allowed In The Dog Park. Yokai Are Not Allowed In The Dog Park'

'New Tradition Sweeping City Of Placing Feathers On Doorsteps Preventing People From Leaving Via Front Door, Hilarious Pictures Of People Exiting Though Windows Here' 

'Battle Nexus Obituaries, Updated Daily!' 

That last once made Leo shudder as he quickly scrolled passed it and finally found something that caught his eye. 'Yokai Gang Disappeared Mysteriously. West End No Longer Under Their Control And Want To Thank The Masked Heroes Responsible' Leo smiled a little having a feeling he knew who the article would be mentioning. But.. Despite the threat of the gang being gone they didn't seem to be painting the aforementioned heroes in a positive light like the title made it seem.. "-may suggest that a rival gang or someone with intentions to oversee control of the previous gangs faction only dethroned the Cobalt Hues gang to take control into their own hands. Residents who decided to stay were advised to remain on high alert for any new activity and report any suspicious sightings to the HCPD immediately." 

Well that didn't sound great.. But it made sense to still be on alert in case something went wrong, better to be prepared then just let your guard down to have it happen again. But at least he was able to see some of what Usagi was up to now! He took a screenshot of the headline to ask him about it later and headed back towards the lair, right as he got better reception his phone lit up with a notification. Oh? Had his phone not be getting other messages while he wasn't in rage of the wifi? There was a few from Usagi now that they'd exchanged numbers, and some from his brothers too, shit.. It must be important if everyone was trying to find him..

Sagi<3: Hey are you free tonight?

Sagi<3: Leo?

Sagi<3: I really need your help with something if you can.

Sagi<3: Hey you know a bunch about medical stuff right? You told me you do most of the first aid for your brothers still I think.

Sagi<3: Call me when you see this okay?

Raps: Leo ur bfs texting me, where'd you go? Raps: I swear if ur goofin off and makin him worry were gonna fight

Angelo: Leeeeooooooooooooooo Angelo: Dude Raph said you vanished, he's gonna have the lair on lockdown if you don't answer soon Angelo: I have plans to tag a new wall tomorrow so if he grounds us I'm using ur swords to get there >:P

D0NN13: I'm changing your name to Dum-Dum. Oh and get another hose key if ur top-side I need another one for.. Things.

Leo sighed as he pulled a curtain back walking into the the blinding lights of the atrium unlike the dark sewer tunnels he'd been in earlier, he was only gone for like.. Half an hour maybe? What was so important that- Oh. Usagi was standing in the center of the room, Mikey clinging to him as usual while the others seemed to be talking with him. Usagi gave the brothers a sympathetic smile, one of his hands gently patting Mikey's head as he listened. Leo smiled a little seeing how gentle he was with Mikey, even though he had all the reasons to push him off or not even bother with affection towards him, it was sweet.. "Usagi?" He stepped in further, watching as all eyes turned to him. "Where have you been!?" Raph asked, stepping past the group ready to lecture his brother into the far future about leaving without telling anyone where he was going. "Ah- Sorry, I got a little.. Lost... And lost signal, but I'm here now. What's up?" He leaned over peeking past Raph to give Usagi a little wave, "Sorry I didn't see anyone's texts till now- Is something wrong..?"  Usagi's silence wasn't reassuring.. "Sagi..?" He sidestepped past Raph who didn't even try to stop him thankfully, "C'mon what's goin on? How'd you even get here?" From the looks of it no one else had been told anything either, he wasn't sure if that was good or bad. "I managed. Since you'd showed me the way once before, I.. Apologize for the intrusion." "No no- I'm not- I was just wondering because I know how far it is. It must really be important huh? Seriously though, is something wrong?"

"It's.. My sensei-" He finally said after a moment. "I didn't want to say anything without you here." Usagi gently nudged Mikey telling him he needed to move, and thankfully he listened this time and stepped back. "He was hurt on a mission and won't let me help. He's always been stubborn and self-reliant to a fault but I'm not sure what else to do, he hasn't taught me much first aid so I don't know where to begin. And.. I'd be eternally grateful if you'd help me with the next mission." Raph perked up hearing mention of a mission, "Just say the word Usagi and the Mad Dogs will be there to help-" "No." Usagi raised his hand to cut him off, "I'm already disgracing Hyo's rule of asking for help at all, let alone from a ninja.. He'd have my head if I managed to involve the rest of you as well. Please.." "Oh. Well I guess that makes sense-" Leo grabbed his sword, a light blue trail of sparks already flying from the metal. "So we need to get him and patch him up first? We should bring him here, the med bay has more then enough to spare. I know the most about first aid here anyway so.." He looked back to Raph, "Is it okay if we do that, you guys can watch over him and I'll bring back some pizza as thanks." Raph hesitated, but nodded, "We made a vow to help anyone in need of it, if you think this is what we should do I won't argue." Leo nodded and looked back to Usagi, "Think he'll listen to me? Or should we get some kinda trank darts from Donnie's lab to make things go smoothly?" He said joking mostly of course, and gently nudged Usagi when he saw the yokai giving his joke actual consideration, "Oh c'mon, no one's more stubborn then me Sagi~ I'll get him back here no problem. Which, I should ask first.. How bad is it? Like.. Anything broken or still oozing?" Usagi smiled a little and nodded, "Right, I trust you." He thought for a moment, "It's.. I don't think anything's broken, and I managed to get most of the bleeding to slow down, it shouldn't be fatal at least."

Leo nodded and firmly gripped the hilt of his odachi, waving it away from the others as a bright blue portal opened up, "Alright, Mikey, go tell dad what's going on so he doesn't freak out and get everyone pizza order, Raph, you can text April and have her come over and help me once we get him in. Donnie get's to turn on all the weird stuff he built in the med bay since Raph will pass out if he sees blood or anything like it. Everyone got it?" The all nodded and headed off the separate ways save for Usagi who stood close to Leo. "What can I do..?" "You're gonna help me drag him back, I don't think he likes me vary much so having you there might help things be less.. Tense."

Once on the other side of the portal, which Leo surprisingly managed to create in the genkan of their house. It just hit Leo now, but Usagi had his ears down, it was probably the first time he'd seen them not tied back.. Even when they would go out together he hadn't looked this casual. Maybe he didn't have time while worrying about his teacher? He'd mention it later once all this was settled, this wouldn't be the best time to try and flirt.. Usagi stepped inside glancing around before heading up the stairs, "This way. He must've gone to his room." Leo followed in silence, taking a mental note of the tiny red pools trailing up the steps. That.. Isn't a great sign... "Sensei-" Usagi called softly, stopped at one of the doors at the end of the hallway, "I'm coming in." He pushed the door inward, finding him sitting on the floor beside his bed, he didn't look too bad but not with the light Leo noticed more of his features. He wasn't a lion like he thought before, there were dark spots trailing all over, he was a leopard. Interesting.. "Sensei! You should've stayed put like I said! You got blood all over the floor and I'm gonna end up being the one to scrub it out.." "..Iss fine. Leave me be, imjus need ta sleep it off." "Sensei please even you must see how childish this behavior is.." Leo rolled his eyes, gently patted Usagi's shoulder, "Let me." He knelt down in front of him and gently lifted his head, Leo's hand firmly under his chin to hold it up, "Name?"

"Hyō. Tomogui Hyō."

"Age?" "Fuck off-"

"That's fair.. Alright where does it hurt?" "I don't feel pain." "So everywhere got it. We're gonna take you to a more comfortable spot, can you stand?" "..Howdya think m got up 'ere?" "..Also fair. C'mon then-" "M not goin nowhere. Jus lemme.. Rest." "Yeah see, normally I would, but my cute boyfriend over there said he's worried about you, and if you're important to him then it's kinda my job to make sure you don't bleed out. Unless you'd rather me pull out the stitching kit here without any pain meds? I'm sure under this low light and unsterilized room I'll be much better at patching you up.. Oh and how easily do you get infected? And how attached are you to your limbs? Cause I mean I'm just spitballin here but you don't look too good and honestly the odachi makes for a pretty poor bone saw- But hey! I'm open to trying new things!" The was a long moment of silence before Hyo shifted, forcing himself to stand despite how off balance he was. "I hate turtles.." He muttered as Leo smiled and motioned for Usagi to put an arm around Hyo to help keep him steady while he reopened the portal. Thankfully aside from a few deep cuts and probably some bruised ribs he seemed okay, sure there were smaller cuts and it was hard to tell just how bruised he was under that fur, but he'd live. 

"Why didn't you take him to some like, yokai hospital?" Leo asked, one arm under Hyo's other side as Usagi held up the other, walking him to the med bay. "He refused.. And I couldn't drag him that far. I was starting to consider getting some kind of taxi till I remembered you had the ability to portal. And he doesn't like those places, so having him in your care seemed like the better option." "Gotcha.. Well I'm glad you trust me that much, I'll do what I can. I'm sure he'll be fine though, it doesn't look that bad." They got to the med bay laying him down one of the already made bed, Donnie was still there using some kind of sterilizing light to make sure everything was still clean. "Please tell me you didn't make a mess getting him here." Leo rolled his eyes, "That's the least of you problems Dee, do you have your scanner, we'll need it." Donne nodded handing him a device shaped like a phone, "He's not in our database, clearly, so it'll take a little longer to show everything. It's fresh out of beta so be patient with it. Raph said April's on her way, it'll be a few minutes though." "That's fine, we should probably get his soaked clothes off any way so she probably wouldn't want to be here for that. I just need some extra hands to hold him till the meds kick in mostly, and someone to help clean up after." He held the scanner and let it do it's work as Usagi watched closely, wondering if this tech was only available to them or if most people had things like this.. He waited till Donnie left the room to gently tap Leo's shoulder, "Is there anything I can do?" Leo thought for a moment, "You can get some water if you want? And one of the rags over there, it'd be a pain if the blood dried and matted his fur. I don't think he'd be too happy if he woke up half shaved.." They both laughed a little trying to picture it.

-_-_-_-

Another half hour later April came into the room, "Raph said we had a medical emergency what happened-!" She froze in the doorway seeing Usagi dump a large bowl full of dark red water into the sink, and Leo standing over a body that looked like no one she'd seen before. "Oh jeeze okay- Leo you have ten seconds to explain who this is and why you're making your boyfriend play nurse for you-" "Ah April! I'm glad you're here! Also, have a little faith in me I know what I'm doing. This is Usagi's teacher, the one who raised him. He got hurt and I'm patching him up. Sagi offered to help so I gave him some busy work. But I need you to help wrap his arounds up after I finish with the stiches- Please."  April sighed and nodded, setting her bag down and rolling up her sleeves to go help. "So what even happened?" "Sensei takes some of the most dangerous missions to protect the Hidden City. He puts the safety of those above himself, and as usual he refused help and was out numbered. Allowing the orchestrator of the attack to get away." "..Okay so he was ambushed or something? That's no good. What's gonna happen now then?" "We're going after him" Leo pulled the last stitch through tying it tightly, "Make sure he doesn't get up either, if those stitches rip I'm gonna make sure he's awake when I put 'em back in. He should be sleep long enough to sort things out, but can you watch him while we're out? You and Donnie can take turns if we take too long. But Raph hates it in here and so does Mikey." "They're not going with you?" "Well.. It's a long story but yeah, text me if anything happens and we'll come right back okay?" "You're lucky I love you Leo. Fine, I'll do the wraps and I guess now's a good time to get my homework finished.. Better bring me back something cool okay?" Leo nodded and after washing his hands opened another portal for him and Usagi, "Thanks, you're the best! I'll find something super cool for you before we get back I swear-" And with that he and Usagi stepped back, Hyo had been set up with a pretty heavy dose of anesthetic so Leo really hoped April wouldn't have to deal with him till he was back home.. But that was a problem for future him to worry about. Right now he and Usagi needed to find the culprit and bring them to justice.

And that started, at the West End.

Part 8.1 Part 1

TS Master Post

[snarkymonkeyprime]

A continuation of yesterday's post. Takes place like a week later.

Kai pressed the button for the tenth floor, more than a little surprised to see Ethan follow him into the elevator.

"That night," Ethan began.

Kai's face reddened in the elevator's mirrored surface. That night. The aborted kiss? Granted, Dek's important call had been just that but Kai had relived that brief moment over and over for the last week. He cleared his throat, fidgeting. "Yeah?" he rasped.

"You mentioned what you did for Xerynn. Care to explain further?"

He sighed then. Right. "Is it really that interesting?" he replied, shoving his hands into his hoodie. Dammit. Asshole. Do you even remember?

"It is because you seemed reluctant to tell me about it." Ethan's smile appeared warm but Kai could read an edge in the words.

He frowned. "It's hard to explain."

Ethan reached over and hit the emergency stop, the elevator lurching to a halt, a dim red light bathing the interior. "Try me."

Ah. This is Detective Oakes then, Kai thought, disappointed. He sighed and leaned against the back of the elevator. "Fine. Basically, there are these, uh, infestations that I go and take care of." He lifted his eyebrows at Ethan. "Happy?"

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "You mentioned lost things. Infestations aren't lost things."

And of course you have a great memory for stupid shit. He let his head hit the elevator. "Sometimes it's a thing with an infestation. I go, check it out, remove it." He pulled his hands out and clapped them together before swinging his arms wide. "Happy now?" he retorted, not hiding his sarcasm.

"Is it because of something Xerynn's into? That why you won't tell me all of it?"

Kai wanted to kick Ethan in the shin. Instead, he took a deep breath before letting out an annoyed laugh. "I get it. I'm the last person to defend Xerynn in anything. But this is outside him. Has nothing to do with him, really. I can deal with it, he can't." Kai was genuinely irritated at having to steer Ethan away from Xerynn.

"I find that hard to believe," Ethan retorted. "Look, if it's something illegal, we can get you -"

Enough. Kai pushed away from the elevator and jabbed a finger in Ethan's chest. "If you can't trust what I say, then leave it; okay? Nothing I do is illegal. What I do is important." He startled himself with how much he believed that. He'd seen the effect of removing Chaos permanently. While he suffered briefly depending on the severity, it was worth it to see a space return whole. To see the malaise of Chaos vanish. He jabbed Ethan again. "Don't use me as an excuse to further your investigations into Xerynn." He dropped his hand and moved away, leaning against the wall again.

He'd apparently been more lost in his head than he thought given how he jumped at Ethan's hand on his neck. "Wh-what?" He shivered when Ethan's thumb drifted over his lower lip.

"I'm sorry," the other man husked. He said nothing more as he tilted Kai's head back, slanting his mouth across Kai's.

Kai's eyes widened in surprise, his hands reaching up to grip back of Ethan's sleeves. He didn't hide the whimper when Ethan's tongue darted against his mouth. His lips parted and he moaned at the wet muscle invading.

Of course you're a great kisser. Why wouldn't you be? You look like a goddamn movie star, you asshole, Kai lamented, even as his legs wobbled, Ethan's left arm wrapping around his lower back as pressed his advantage. Kai's entire body lit up with fire at the feeling of the other man against him. His fingers tightened on Ethan's jacket, desperate to distract his mind from the blood rapidly pooling in his groin.

Ethan broke away, meeting Kai's eyes. To his relief, they were as hazy as Kai felt.

He swallowed, a new flush of warmth cascading over him as Ethan's eyes followed the motion. "Wh-what was that for?" he asked.

The other man remained quiet, his blue eyes tracking across Kai's face as though mapping every feature. "I like to finish what I start," he murmured. He stroked Kai's lip again. "We were interrupted before."

This time, Kai darted out from under Ethan, startling the man. He fixed his shirt, avoiding the detective's look. "Um, right. So." He cleared his throat and reached over, disabling the emergency button. The red light vanished and the elevator resumed it's ascent. He said nothing until the tenth floor, risking a look at Ethan when he did.

He shivered at the dark look in the man's eyes. The elevator door pinged open and Kai moved toward it. "I, uh, I have an appointment," he managed. He froze when Ethan moved, eyes widening.

To his surprise, Ethan only rested a hand on his shoulder before pressing a kiss to his temple. "Later then." He nudged Kai forward, off the elevator.

When the doors slid shut, Kai's legs crumpled and he hit the floor with a squawk. He touched his lips almost reverently, remembering quickly the feel of Ethan's mouth on him. He flailed and scrambled to his feet, glancing around and eternally grateful no one had seen his performance.

Staring at himself in the closed elevator doors, he straightened his shirt and smoothed his hair. "Okay. So that happened." He touched his lips again, ducking his head to hide the shy smile that erupted. He dropped his hands and scowled. "Right. Job. Fantasies later, job first." He shook his head. "Christ, I need to stop talking to myself. I sound insane."

[galacticlamps]

🙃🧸🦖🐸 for the ask game? c:

🙃 What’s a weird fact that you know?

I feel like this one's pretty well-known but oh well: When the first Globe Theater opened its doors at some point in 1599, it may not have been the first time audiences walked through them to see one of Shakespeare's plays.

Or at least, that's the melodramatic way of putting it. Before The Globe existed, the company that founded it (the Lord Chamberlain's Men, who Shakespeare was already working for at the time) performed at a completely different location, North of the Thames, called The Theatre. The man who owned the land on which The Theatre was built didn't particularly want them there, especially as the lease neared its end in the late 1590s, and for a while the company performed at other venues while their intended future home was being built - the Blackfriars though, still not the Globe. Before the Blackfriars was completed, however, its neighbors successfully petitioned to have theatrical performances banned in the immediate area, leaving the troupe without a home again even though they'd just gone through the expenses of building one. They invested in a new piece of land, South of the Thames this time & under different legal jurisdiction, but rather than build yet another new theater from scratch, a group of armed men supervised by Peter Street, a carpenter popular among acting companies at the time (and incidentally, the man the Tenth Doctor identifies as the Globe's architect in the episode the Shakespeare Code) dismantled The Theatre and moved most of its timber into storage by his workshop until it could be shipped across the river and used to construct the Globe the following spring.

Some accounts going for dramatic effect claim this all took place in one night, and that the men were able to walk the wood across the Thames because it was one of those times when it froze over completely, but none of that is true. It was also never a 1:1 reconstruction - the Globe was significantly larger, for one, even though it did follow the same basic design - but with The Theatre being one of the very first purpose-built playhouses in Britain, the same could be said of many contemporary theaters modeling themselves off it.

The reason we know so much about this is because the resulting legal battle stretched out for years - members of the Lord Chamberlain's Men argued that because they/their family had built The Theatre & paid for it themselves, it was theirs to do with as they pleased, though of course the landlord objected to an entire building being removed from his property, so for a somewhat anecdotal incident in early modern theatrical history, it's comparatively well-documented - but I don't actually know if the doors themselves were part of the move lol

(And yes, for the record, I am VERY disappointed that dr who had an entire episode centering around not just Shakespeare but literally how & why the Globe itself was built that failed to so much as mention the actual interesting history of it. And far from being murdered by an alien witch in 1599 in Bedlam, a place he never went to, Peter Street wasn't even held accountable for any building-stealing either, since the lawsuit was still going on when he did die, years later. Apparently he was briefly arrested once, for neglecting his duties to his guild - although the amount of theaters he worked on would suggest he never really neglected the work itself - but he was released later the same day. I know Peter Street is small potatoes to bother being annoyed about in an episode that's by one transphobic writer & praises another, but I'm still not letting it go)

🧸 Favorite place to nap?

You picked a really great week to ask this because normally I'm not a napper at all, but my current schedule has kinda forced me to be - however, they're still mostly accidental, so it tends to be either on a rug or bed wherever my cat happens to be curled up. I'll sit or lay down to pet her & then wake up an hour or two later very disoriented, so I can't say I'm a big fan right now

🦖 Favorite extinct animal?

ugh this is so hard but I literally asked you the same thing so I suppose fair's fair. If asked as a kid, I always said my dinosaur of choice was a brontosaurus - but I was also vaguely aware that the things I was referring to from museums were actually an Apatosaurus, or on occasion, a Barosaurus. I don't really know why I refused to use the right words even though I knew brontosaurus was wrong lol

But as a Bird Girl (TM), the mere idea of humans having once shared the planet with moa (and elephant birds tbh, really anything bigger than an ostrich) absolutely fascinated me, and I'm truly still kinda torn up about the passenger pigeon & great auk

🐸 Describe your aesthetic.

I've never really thought about it before, but I think every place I've ever lived could be described as having a kind of organized maximalism, if that makes sense? Like I'm very anti-clutter (not that it doesn't happen, just that it drives me nuts when it does), but very pro-having a lot of different things hanging on walls & lining shelves & countertops, as long as they each have A Spot and there's also enough empty surface area to work on. But I'm definitely not attached to any specific art style - or even art styles in general, I'll hang things up that definitely aren't art, like a map or a funny sign I found or some other object I managed to affix to a wall somehow. And there are always a lot of books everywhere, but they definitely don't follow any particular aesthetic - my shelves would all be a nightmare for those people that have entire rooms full of hardcovers that are all exactly the same size, but a lot of them are too neat & cared-for for the used bookstore aesthetic either, and too bright & paperback for the dark academia vibe. The design work I've done has also ruined me in that I can't think of a color I don't love, in the right context, if not as a pigment then at least as a shade of light, so I can't say there's any particular palette I'm especially partial to, though I'm tempted to say jewel tones & earth tones - but I know even something as broad as that leaves out plenty of colors I love, like lime green, for instance. And true to my url, anything fun or odd that gives off light is also a big part of what I'll do to a room, given the opportunity, so your rock lamps, lava lamps, moon lamps, colored lamps, old-fashioned lamps, banker's lamps, tiffany lamps - all things I adore, and how could I ever commit to an aesthetic that allows for some but excludes the others?

I realize this question may've been more geared toward fashion & clothing but I'm honestly even less sure if I have any aesthetic to speak of there. I kinda have a hard time justifying spending money on clothes based on what they look like as opposed to like, how long they'll last or how well they'll fit or how warm they'll be or something else, if that makes sense? And I also own enough dresses/skirts/leggings if I need them for anything, but I never really have time or cause to wear stuff like that - for day to day work I generally want something sturdier that I won't have to worry about getting ruined easily, and that has a few decent pockets at least. I'll admit that practicality is making me veer more & more towards butch lately and I'm not complaining about that, but it's also not something I'm like, committed to - at the same time I've been eyeing a couple of longer skirts for a while now that I absolutely do not need & would not be able to wear often but kinda love the look of? (I blame it on watching or working on period pieces) And it's gotten to the point where I'm even thinking hey, maybe one year I can do a Halloween costume that justifies getting something like that so at least I'll have an excuse to own one to see if/when I can get away with wearing it outside of a costume.

[katsukikitten]

Oh you so get me. Yeah Uncle Festus pinned up against the tree and fucking Gabby pinned underneath a big ass stone table are you kidding me?? All she ever wanted to do was watch unicorns and be a herald of inevitable endings and she got crushed for it?? Not to mention Cicero's backstory, like the brotherhood was literally just a band of misfits finding family in each other and Astrid was such an ass about everyone following her rules that she made up which in the days of the original brotherhood tenets would make her a heretic.

Idk what version you're playing but before the tenth anniversary release, there was this bug doing the Dawnguard questline where if you started it with a follower, when you find (idk if you've done this quest so I'm just gonna call her Her but basically she's a goth dommy mommy that everyone loves) Her, she would join you and your follower and so me and Her and Cicero were wandering skyrim as this crazy bloodthirsty power throuple and I miss those days cuz they fixed that bug ugh let me have my murderous crazies

As for avoiding the main quest line, I do the same thing lmao cuz if you never go to that ruined tower outside whiterun and kill the dragon there, then dragons literally don't spawn and I find it so annoying trying to just do my thing and suddenly there's a dragon like come on man I'm busy!! But also I agree about the thieve's guild, I wish there was more you could do after the main quest other than the little jobs Vex and Delvin give you and the couple ones from Delvin that fix up the Flagon

Speaking of the Ragged Flagon though, Vekel the Man kinda... 👀 Lowkey most of the people in the guild could get it I have such a huge crush on Niruin and Bryn and Sapphire

-Skyrim anon

YOU MEAN VAMPIRE MOMMY? I dead ass just beat the last part of her quest last night aka killed her dad. Finding her in that puzzle where she's just locked up had me so sad

But I hate, HATE having a follower 😭 they always get caught or go who's there. Like girl we're here and now they know too 😭 like the enemy will go past me and agro her that's how bad it was 😂 I got all three elder scrolls and then killed her dad last night. Which I'm wondering if the boy and arrow are really worth it. Which I also didn't realize that I only had killing her dad left? Cause I took a short break cause her quest line was by far the longest, no complaints tho. But anyway the vampires were getting me more than the dragons 😭 in fact I wish more low dragons would come find me but since I sneak everywhere it doesn't happen

OH I FOUND THE UNICORN TOO 😭 SHE COULD HAVE SEEN IT! no stable for the unicorn or shadowmare have been killing me cause when I fast travel the horse is why vampires agro me 😭 but now I shouldn't have to worry about that hopefully? Delphine wants me to go to some random cave so I guess I'll go explore and fight all the dragons 😭 I know I'm so far from beating the game but I so don't want to get even close because I just LOVE this game. Did you do the quest line with that new island? I started doing a few at the raven point place but then wanted to go back to Skyrim to keep exploring 😂

OH did you ever do that quest line in solitude where you take the guys pelvis bone into the palace abandoned wing to talk to that demon and fight some dudes insecurities for a staff that does what it wants? 😂

[scifrey]

NINE-TENTHS

Part Eight

"Sorry, that was a shitty thing to say."

"I do apologize again," he mutters. "I have a wretched temper and I must control it better."

"It was an accident."

He does a sort of half-shrug, head shake move that's awkward as hell, and oh fuck, cute. Dammit. Dammit.

The Rules, I remind myself firmly. Don't forget The Rules.

"Been wondering," my mouth says without any input from my brain, and okay, so that shot of whatever it was the paramedic gave me before she started packing my wounds is kicking in strong because I can't feel my face any more. "Why do you come in and stare at me every morning?"

"Stare at you?" he echoes like an offended maiden aunt. 

It's hilarious, so I laugh. And then I wince, and grab my elbow harder. Goddamnit, that hurts. The paramedic heaves a sigh, and wraps my arm in a sling.

"Ouch," I complain as she ties the knot behind my neck. 

"Your fault. I told you not to move it."

"I'll make sure he stays still," the dragon says to her with a sort of condescending solemnity.

Is he taking the piss?

I think he's taking the piss.

"You're not my keeper," I snipe back, smirking to show that I'm teasing, that I'm trying to get that light mood back. That I want him to lean back in and press all of that delicious body heat against me.

"I've injured you. It's on me to ensure—"

"Fun as that would be, this isn't actually a draconic romance," I interrupt. I want to put my hand on his knee. Good thing it’s trapped in the sling. "I get it. You're being nice, but like, you don't owe me a debt of honor or any of that possessive Harlequin stuff."

A smile breaks out across his face, and thank fuck. This one is a sarcastic little thing, curling up just one side of his mouth. "Read many draconic Harlequins, do you?"

"Man, shut up," I grump, but I can't seem to control my matching grin. "You can't shame me for my taste. There's nothing wrong with liking happily ever afters."

"Nothing at all," he murmurs, but it's so soft I decide he didn't mean for me to hear it. Fine, I can pretend. I'm in too much pain to pick a fight, anyway. Or, to continue picking it, or… whatever this is that we're doing.

We're not actually fighting, are we? 

My stupid brain-weasels grab that idea between their sharp teeth and run away with it, and suddenly I wonder if I've misread this whole thing. What if he doesn't even want to be here?

I hate taking pity-favors from people. If that's what this is, I'd rather do this alone. No one needs to see me being whiny. It's not cool, and it's not sexy. And I want very much to be cool and sexy for him.

Choking on my humiliation, I say softly: "You didn't need to come."

"I really did," he replies, infuriatingly calm.

"We'll probably have to wait for hours."

"I would have been sitting in the café, anyway."

"I will be annoying," I threaten.

"I'm certain you will be."

"I hum terrible classical music earworms when I'm bored."

"I especially like your Peter and the Wolf when you're mopping," he says, but it's small, careful. Despite him being taller than me, and fit as hell, everything about him is carefully controlled. Gentle, that's the word. Precise. From the shine on his shoes to the crease ironed into his slacks, to the usual careful lay of his hair, this man has never once looked or sounded anything but mindfully curated.

He makes me feel loud, messy, and childish. I thought dragons were supposed to be brash, confident, and charismatic, but he's never been demanding, and I’ve never heard him speak above a gentle murmur (unless he’s yelling about fire extinguishers). 

He catches my look of confusion and says,"My apologies."

"No, it's—" I start, and then literally bite my tongue because I have no idea how to end that sentence. 

Is it fine? Beanevolence is a public space, and I don't have to hum at work if I don't want to. So is it creepy he's noticed? Or is it charming? I have no idea.

"You didn't answer. About why you come into the café every day?" I prompt. He clears his throat and a flush climbs up from his collar. It's not red enough to be scales. Is he embarrassed? "What, you're such a wealthy man of leisure you have nothing better to do?" I joke.

"Quite," is all he says.

Holy shit, what? I have the time to think, but not say, because the ambulance stops.

"Alright, everyone out," the paramedic says, stepping over us to fling open the back door. I don't blame her. The burnt-coffee reek is pretty acrid.

The dragon descends first and holds a hand up for me to take and, yeah, okay, I've got a sling now and it friggin hurts to move so, sure, I can let him Mr. Darcy me onto the sidewalk. There's that smallness again. He's not even a bit impatient for me to accept his help. I don't want to think about it. I also make a point of not letting myself think about his skin, or its warmth, or, or what shape his fingers are when I finally slide my hand into his. 

Nope. This is not a tropey repressed hand-touch moment. I refuse. 

The paramedic walks us through getting signed in at the admission desk, then we're directed toward the uncomfortable waiting room. 

"Plastic chairs," I whine as I sink into one, just because I can. 

I'd promised the dragon I'd be a bastard. I might as well live up to it. It'll be fun, if nothing else.

The dragon looks around and then down at his blackened hands. "Would you mind if I—?"

"Go. Scrub." I wave him off.

"Will you—?"

"I'm fine." I pull my cell phone out of my back pocket. There's already half a dozen texts from Hadi, and one each from Gemma and Stuart, who must have heard the news already, and a missed call from Mum. 

He hesitates, and I pointedly bow my head to make it clear that I've already dismissed him, turning my attention to the family group chat:

 im 👌 oven caught 🔥 not my fault

The dragon doesn't have a tail, but when I glance up, it still looks like he's walking up the hall with one tucked between his legs.

Previous Part | Next Part | Read on Wattpad

[holy-guacamoly]

Beloved... I would like to make a request please 🥺 you know I ADORE your Levi fluff with every cell in my little soul. Can I request some Levi fluff and comfort with an s/o that's feeling stressed and overwhelmed with a lot of responsibilities and things to do. I just want a hug, some cuddles, someone to tell me I'm doing a good job, maybe make me some comfort food right now you know? Mac and cheese is my go to for sad days

And I adore writing Levie fluff and comfort! So it's a perfect match! <3 YOU DESERVE THE WORLD! I hope this little fic helps to ease the mind. :) Warnings: none, maybe my typical swearing but that's who I am Modern!AU A/N: I wrote this in a way that could be interpreted as a platonic friendship but also as lovers. Whatever suits whoever reads this best.

Mac & Cheesy - LevixFem!Reader Comfort

With utter disgust, you stared at the bright screen of your phone. Your calendar was bursting with meetings, classes, chores and other responsibilities. You already ran out of color options to mark the various dates. Just when you were about to throw your phone away, the tenth reminder of the day popped up, just to mock you. Another Zoom Call. Another god-forsaken video conference where you wouldn't have the opportunity to talk. So what did it matter? You sighed, no, more like grunted and roughly pushed the device over your desk, while you let your bodyweight press into the chair. Your head fell back like it was filled with wet sand. At this point you didn't even care about the sting in your neck, that was caused by the abrupt motion. The last weeks had been rough. No day went without a stressful event or a shitload of work. You always stayed up late, failed to nourish your body properly and it started to show. Dark shadows painted the bags under your eyes and you looked worn out. But the worst thing about all that was your anxiety that feasted on your negative emotions. The tiniest mistake managed to upset you, robbing you of your last few hours of sleep that were left. The numbness that followed the day after was even worse. Now that you thought of how miserable your life was, your immense frustration came back. It was unfair. Why you of all people? Why couldn't someone else do those shitty jobs? You felt heat rising to your cheeks, as your anger grew stronger. Like a pouting child, you kicked the nearest thing which happened to be a very solid part of your desk. As your toe met the hard surface without mercy, you couldn't help but hiss loudly while spitting some curses. "For fucks sake!" you screamed, reaching for your aching foot. Your waterline desperately tried to hold back the upcoming flood of furious tears. "Oi, brat!" A familiar voice suddenly interrupted your little show. You looked up, face reddened, eyes glistening. "What's that commotion about?" Levi Ackerman asked. He leaned against the doorframe of the living room, staring at you with an inkling of worry. Like always he wore, a pearl white shirt, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and grey pants. "None of your business, you midget," you snapped back, clearly not in the mood for a talk. The raven-haired "tched" in annoyance and made his way over to your huddled body. He knew that your moody behavior had nothing to do with him. Levi wasn't blind. The endless nights of working, the days filled with duties and above all your exhausted expression wouldn't go past him. "If you call me midget one more time, I bodyslam you." His voice was calm and collected, but you could make out a hint of amusement in his tone. You puckered your lips, the flesh on your cheeks getting sucked in between your teeth as you mumbled another insult. "I'm not in the mood, Levi," you finally murmured. The man scoffed at your comment. "And I am not in the mood for your cocky behavior. So you better tell me what's bothering you." His attitude changed from annoyed to soft in an instance, as he lowered himself on your level. "Oi, look at me," he said softly. By now you had buried your face in your arms, legs pulled up to your chest and you didn't plan on changing that position. You shook your head as much as your little cocoon would let you. He couldn't help you anyway, so why bother talking about it? "Fine." All of a sudden you heard a loud sigh, followed by strong arms lifting you from your chair. A high-pitched scream was heard from you in response. You wiggled your legs and arms in a desperate attempt to get free, but of course, Levi was stronger. He was quick to walk over to the couch, practically throwing you onto the soft cushions. "What the-" was all that you were able to say before he cut you off. "Don't you think I noticed how stressed you are lately? Damn, Y/N, I am not that blind," the pale man huffed. Your mouth opened in a fruitless attempt to say something back, but Levi kept speaking. "I know that shit's rough right now, but I need

you to tell me what's going on in that pretty head of yours, so I can actually ease your pain." By now he sounded clearly lost and hurt that you wouldn't let him in. "Let me help you, brat." This sentence was nothing but a mere whisper. Finally, your tears spilled over your waterline. You were so touched by Levi's concerns and beyond sorry for how you treated him. Since you were young, you were able to keep a tough facade, but never managed to hold that up when someone genuinely cared for you. "It's just too much, Levi," you sobbed. Your whole body trembled at the overwhelming emotions that finally found their way to the surface. "I feel like I'm failing. Everything I touch seems to crumble in my hands. I don't even know why I do all that shit. I hate it." Your voice was small and weak as you tried to explain your situation. Levi was quick to sit next to you on the sofa, his arms snaking around your shivering body in no time. You felt the vibrations of his soothing humming against your skin, while gentle caresses tried to ground you. "I am the worst," you added under tears, face hiding in the dark-haired's chest. Levi's lips moved against your scalp as he spoke, "The only thing you are is oblivious. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes." He gently pulled you away from his body, to gain eye contact. "You know that I basically hate people, right?" he asked nonchalantly. This caused your right eyebrow to raise slightly, clearly showing your confusion. "But somehow I still like to spend time with you and do you know why? Because you are smart, kind and so talented." Your gaze wandered down to the floor. A tiny sniffle filled Levi's ears, almost breaking his heart. "Why am I messing everything up then, if I am that smart and talented?" you asked weakly. The person closest to you chuckled in a very untypical manner. "If being an independent, diligent and boss-ass woman means 'messing up', then yes- You are doing so," he stated, a grin dancing on his lips. You mimicked his expression. Even though you were still exhausted and feeling kind of empty, your heart went a little lighter. "You really mean that, huh?" you mumbled, while you let your head fall against his chest again. Levi nodded, placing a soft kiss on the top of your head. Gently he leaned over to grab the cozy blanket that was draped behind you, wrap you up tightly. He then pulled you on his lap and secured you in his embrace. Levi's fingers drew soft circles on your arms, assuring you that you were safe and nothing would harm you also long as he was there to protect you. "I mean it and I will remind you every day that you're doing a good job if I have to." "By the way, did you eat today?" Levi added, actually knowing the answer already. You shook your head. "I'll make you some of that disgusting junk, that you call food. Mac and Cheese is your favorite, right?" Your head shot up, brows furrowed. "Excuse you, Sir? Mac and Cheese is a culinary upper-class food! Don't you dare to talk about that delicious dish like that," you exclaimed. Levi pushed his palm against your forehead in response and shoved away. A "Tsk" emitted from his lips again as he turned away from you. "Whatever you say, brat. And now shut up and get some rest."

[wildsunscorpion]

How Bum Geon Woo communicates through his body language (Plus how he's actually giving the special treatment Eui Joon's been yearning for)

I reread DCS for, like, the tenth time now. Yes, I'm obsessed ohmygod! I'm liking how these two characters are written so far. I originally wanted to break down just Chapters 20-24 of DCS because the first time I read it I got just a little annoyed with how Geon Woo (a.k.a. Ahjussi) was, let's say, just kind of pushing Euijoon's limits. But I ended up doing more than just Chapters 20-24. Dios mio.

I was just a little tired of seeing the same trend with guys in manhwa. They always seem to be domineering, especially if their partner is the "sweet and naive" archetype. (Eui Joon, I think, does not really fit into this mold.) Of course, that's usually because they're dealing with their own issues, and I don't really blame them.

But I like DCS because it justified that kind of behavior in Geon Woo when he was having sex with Eui Joon (in Chapters 20-24, particularly). Lol I'm probably the only one who realized this later than I should have ehehe. I'm still posting this tho.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD‼️‼️

His antics speak volumes. It's amazing how I missed all those details just because the sex scenes were. Steamy. As. Fuck. Good lordy! Geon Woo is definitely a man of few words (He once said Eui Joon makes him talk like he would for a whole year, haha!), so it would make sense to communicate whatever's going through his mind in a situation through body language.

I also want to add the times that he makes the effort to hold a conversation with Eui Joon. Geon Woo doesn't really talk when he doesn't need to, so it's important to pay attention to his actions.

☙ ☙ ☙ ☙ ☙

Chapters 0-12

The first time we get a glimpse of Geon Woo's side of the story was when Eui Joon finally confesses to the person who's been his crush for 3 effing years, Hyeon Woo. Eui Joon is inexplicably happy when Hyeon Woo says he'll consider and comes to the convenience store in good spirits. Geon Woo, keen as always, notices, and when Eui Joon tells him what happened this is what we get:

It's the way it was framed. How we see his reaction from behind rather than from the front. He turns away, seeming to go inward and brood once again.

Afterwards, another gangster comes. The guy challenges Geon Woo for taking too long at the front of the line. Geon Woo asks Eui Joon if he smokes, and when he replies that he doesn't, Geon Woo "borrows" the lighter on the countertop and uses that to throw a stronger punch to the man behind him, who temporarily falls unconscious. Geon Woo turns back to Eui Joon, seeming to have something else to say. But he sees the frightened look on Eui Joon's face and decides to keep it to himself before leaving through the door.

"And..." He pauses, turning to Eui Joon. "... Never mind. Good work."

JUST WHAT WAS HE ABOUT TO SAY?!?!?!

In the succeeding panel, Eui Joon is nonplussed. He wonders out loud, "What is happening?" Couldn't have said it better, girl. Geon Woo was just taking out his frustration and he had the perfect opportunity at the moment.

The second time was when Geon Woo invites Eui Joon to drink after the incident with Hyeon Woo (who basically asks Eui Joon to cheat with him and inebriates him—probably with the intention to take advantage of him). From the side stories, we learn that Geon Woo has taken an interest in Eui Joon after seeing him for the second time, and when he comes by through the hallway—finally discovering they were neighbors—and witnesses the two, he sees it as a chance with Eui Joon.

He invites Eui Joon out to drink, after Eui Joon's suggestion for a dinner at 2 in the morning fails to entice him. Eui Joon rambles his questions away, wanting to get to know him better, but Geon Woo doesn't immediately answer and catches him off guard when he "casually" inquires after his sexuality. Not the smoothest move there, lol, but in the side stories we see that wasn't really his intention.

"Damn it, why did I ask that question? It just slipped out..."

He answers Eui Joon's questions afterwards, surprising Eui Joon with the fact that he's actually been listening to what he's been saying for the past minute. We're starting to see just what kind of a person he is (Listening skills are always a plus in my book).

A little later, we see them on their way back to the apartment. Eui Joon asks Geon Woo to tell him anything interesting because he's been the one talking all night. Geon Woo acquiesces, asking a question that may have been part in consideration of Eui Joon's vulnerable state, and perhaps also part due to the possibility that he worried about him.

"Come to think of it... School has already started. Isn't it tiring to work 'til dawn? Aren't you working too much?"

Geon Woo's face is a little hard to read. So every subtle change in his expression says something. If you read the manhwa, you'll see the slightest bit of concern in his eyes. It's hard to catch until you've read the side stories (at least for me, haha).

One more thing I like about Geon Woo is that he doesn't meddle when it's not his business. He knows the state of Eui Joon's family—their inability to afford his college tuition, his hospitalized brother—and he knows he can help. I mean, I don't know how wealthy and powerful he is as a gangster but he probably has the means to. But he rarely opens the topic to Eui Joon.

Aaaand onto Chapter 8! Just before the first sex scene in the entire series. Eui Joon is crying because he had a shitty day both at school and at work, poor thing—all because of Hyeon Woo. He cries even more when he notices that Geon Woo, who came to the store every day, didn't come to the store that day. When he encounters him outside, he breaks down, catching Geon Woo off guard.

Geon Woo tells his lackey to leave and asks Eui Joon to stay. Eui Joon tells him he was fine and proceeds to go back to his room, but Geon Woo frightens him when he says he was already being nice. And then we get this:

"Ah, I don't mean it that way... Just a while."

That gentle tug is honestly so uncharacteristic of the usual ruffian behavior we often see from Geon Woo. It's a nice sweet detail that proves what he says in Chapter 26 (when he finally confesses) that he treats Eui Joon differently from others.

Eui Joon cries his heart out to Geon Woo, and Geon Woo just lets him. Afterwards, Eui Joon resolves to forget about Hyeon Woo. By finding someone, hmm, more physically endowed.

"I must find someone more good-looking than him. With a nicer body... And a bigger dick!"

Clueless guy basically described the man beside him.

To that, Geon Woo says:

"How long have you known me? You really dare to say anything like that in front of me?"

Which comes off as slightly hostile at first. The next panel shows a dark aura surrounding Geon Woo, which Eui Joon interprets as distress from his implications of doing it with him—whose sexual preference so far remains ambiguous (In the side stories, we learn that Geon Woo himself struggles with figuring this out.). But then, he surprises Eui Joon when he slowly leans in to kiss him.

CUE SEX SCENE! I pitied Eui Joon a little because he wasn't really in the best state when Geon Woo offered this. In Geon Woo's defense, though, from the moment he found out that Eui Joon was gay he saw doors opening. When Eui Joon said something like that, I think his attraction to Eui Joon finally caught up to him and he couldn't resist the opportunity. He definitely wasn’t distressed by the implication of Eui Joon’s words; he was distressed by the decision he had to make—to go through that door or not. Because he knew he wanted it, even though he was constantly denying it from the start.

“This dirty thought wasn’t something that I have planned from the beginning.”

The day after, Eui Joon is a little rattled. He doesn’t know how to treat Geon Woo after that—not when he realized that sex could be that hot and satisfying (uwu). Geon Woo appears to be unaffected while Eui Jon’s brain is in knots about everything. But the questions Geon Woo asks tell us that he’s beginning to show Eui Joon a little emotion. He asks to see Eui Joon’s face to inspect the healing bruise he got yesterday (the one that Geon Woo covered with a bandaid—which was so sweet, huhu). And then, he asks if he was tired after school.

“Let me see your face.”

“School classes. Are you tired after taking them?”

From my perspective, he wasn’t just asking for the sake of being nice to the person he slept with. The story still hasn’t covered much of Geon Woo’s history to know whether he had been like this with his previous partners. Although there was a moment in Chapter 27 during one of their conversations when he gave us a little glimpse:

Geon Woo: It's normal to cry over pathetic things at your age. Eui Joon: Have you cried like that before too? Geon Woo: No. Eui Joon: Then how do you know that? Geon Woo: I just... know. Because there was a guy like that around.

From the time Geon Woo invited him out to drink, I think Geon Woo was genuinely concerned when he asked how Eui Joon was doing.

☙ ☙ ☙ ☙ ☙

Chapters 13-26

Geon Woo's love language, I think, is his actions. He fights off the gangsters that bully Eui Joon into giving them discounts or even paying for them from his own pockets so they won't have to. He gives Eui Joon food and medicine when he finds out he was sick (the morning after having sex with him in the car for hours, lol). He likes taking care of the person he likes. So in Chapter 26, when he "confesses" to Eui Joon, that was Geon Woo pointing out that he's been doing the same thing all along.

"I mean, look at me just once... What kind of person I am. How I treat you. Take a good look at it. If you think that I'm good, then pick me. If not, you can throw me aside." "But. Before you do, you should understand this. Until then, I don't intend to let you get away."

This "non-confession" (he actually tells Eui Joon it wasn't a confession) actually says a lot about Geon Woo. His attitude towards their relationship is very blunt and straightforward. Once he's made a decision, he stops listening to his doubts and stands by it. I don't really know when Geon Woo decided that he liked Eui Joon. It was more slow-growing. In the side stories though, we see him considering this big-time when this thought crosses his mind:

"There's the common phrase of having the opportunity to meet your fateful love. If there's a sign for it, would it be possible to stay vigilant?"

AHJUSSI YOU SOFT-HEARTED ROMANTIC I CAN'T T^T He becomes more bold with Eui Joon afterwards, but he's still a little prickly. He's constantly weighing his options, trying to figure out in what way will doing the things he does for Eui Joon benefit him, if at all. In Chapter 13, when a customer comes inside the store and forces Eui Joon to pay for what he bought, he's on the scales. But then the memory of that morning flashes through his mind, and he remembers how the simple act of Eui Joon giving him his number had made him smile like an idiot. He beats the customer for him, taking the money he owed, and gives it back to Eui Joon. He even manages to casually ask him out on a date. The guy can be smooth as fuck.

Eui Joon: Are you saying... we should eat together? Geon Woo: Sure. I guess I've done something worth compensating. Will you give me my reward?

Take notes, people! At this point, Eui Joon has gotten him wrapped around his finger, and he didn't even know it! Of course, Eui Joon still thinks their relationship is only purely sexual, but then Geon Woo begins doing these uncharacteristically tender gestures that Eui Joon initially interprets as Geon Woo giving him special treatment.

"Let me see your face." "School classes. Are you tired after them" "I'm thinking that... You'll look good in short hair, too."

And Geon Woo even tries to initiate a conversation with Eui Joon when he feels like Eui Joon couldn't take the awkwardness. A good example was when Geon Woo treats him dinner at the restaurant.

"...." "Is this your first time coming to this kind of place?"

Somehow, these things he does still feel kind of forced, like he was genuinely annoyed at Eui Joon and everything he did. Even when he asks to do it with him again and Eui Joon refuses because he was still sore, there was a moment of frustration that shone through.

It was a sign that Geon Woo was still confused about the things he was feeling towards Eui Joon. He knew he wanted him physically, but then he doesn't take up the woman's offer that evening after Eui Joon refuses him. It wasn't actually written on paper, but knowing Geon Woo's character he might have felt uneasy about going through with it. Not particularly on Eui Joon's behalf, but it may have been unconscious because of his budding feelings.

His feelings were something that rattled him, and he was usually undeterred in any kind of situation. What rattled him more was that Eui Joon didn't know anything about what he was going through.

"Being naturally attracted to you, and going through unfamiliar emotions. This feeling should only be felt at an adolescent age."

We're seeing him from behind again. The use of this perspective in manhwas / mangas / comics usually makes you feel like can't tell what the character's thinking about, but most importantly that they're most likely about to go do or SAY SOMETHING DAMN IMPORTANT. Like, maybe, telling their feelings to the person they like!?!?!

"Eui Joon-Ah. I like you."

ASDFGHJKL DID ANYONE SEE THAT COMING?!?!?!

That actually surprised me hella lot. I'd originally thought Geon Woo was the tsundere type, but he was more honest with his feelings than I believed. However, he hadn't been completely convinced by these feelings until Eui Joon had offered to break it off. Suddenly there was an exit to his situation, but he didn't really feel happy about it. He was frustrated at not being able to properly understand what his words made him feel. Because the truth was he didn't want to break things off. He just wouldn't admit to himself at the time that the reason was he actually wanted Eui Joon.

We could see him debating it himself, poor thing:

"I didn't expect myself to be in a situation where I couldn't even understand my own feelings. I should've figured it out the moment I couldn't understand my sexual preference. I'm not that young anymore... What is this?" "No... It could also be a spur of the moment... It doesn't seem to be like that. It might also be due to pride, but I feel it's not necessary for these kinds of feelings to affect my pride... But even when it's like this, I still want to..."

Geon Woo decides to "have a little fun" before conceding to Eui Joon's request to "end their entanglement". But I've noticed that whenever something bothers Geon Woo too much, he takes a smoke. When Eui Joon makes the suggestion, Geon Woo does just that.

The slightly rough way in which Geon Woo treats him afterwards shows his frustration. He grabs his arm roughly and pulls him towards the car, but he doesn't realize he was hurting Eui Joon's wrist with his own watch until Eui Joon whines in pain—at which point Geon Woo just laces his hand through his instead. Which I thought was so sweet T^T

When Eui Joon freaks out about doing it at the school where he studies and asks Geon Woo to consider it for him, Geon Woo says, "Do I have to consider that for you too?" And when Eui Joon asks for him to do that, Geon Woo replies, "I guess I've been too nice to you." THE MAN WAS FREAKING FRUSTRATED!!! Geon Woo even challenges him to stay quiet, telling him no one will hear them if he does. Throughout the whole thing, Geon Woo wanted to dominate him, daring him to take what pleasure he could give him, but with an aggression that bespeaks the storm in his heart and mind. Reading it back, I realized just how damn hot that scene was. I mean, goddamn. After Geon Woo admits his feelings, there's a serenity about him afterwards. He no longer has to second-guess taking care of Eui Joon or expressing what he felt towards him. He gives him food and medicine the next day since he caught a fever. He "invites himself" to watch a movie with him since they both had nothing to do for the rest of the day. The guy was basically courting Eui Joon, haha. Not a confession, my ass XD

And then, when Eui Joon opens up about how he rejected Hyeon Woo, Geon Woo tells him he'll also wait for him for around three years T^T

MY HEART I CAN'T T ^ T ☙ ☙ ☙ ☙ ☙ So that's kiiind of a long breakdown. I included as little pictures as possible. Copyright and all that. I just really like this series so far. I want to be able to read the original someday. Hopefully I'd be able to learn Korean T^T. If you like this as much as I do, chat me up =D would love to hear other thoughts.

[acdeaky]

are you ready for love?

warning: fluff, alcohol consumption, strong language, slight angst?

note: congrats on 4k followers @writingfortoomanyfandoms​​ ! i began writing this and then fell out of love with it, but i (finally) figured out the ending and fell back in love! enjoy!

word count: 4.5k

black lives matter

“what I'm saying is - and this is not a come on in any way, shape or form - is that men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way!” dan spoke, a little too loudly for the restaurant the group was in, trying to voice his (very out-of-date) opinion above the rest of the group. he was met with a lot of voices arguing he was wrong, and a fry from shane’s plate. “what?” he practically whined. 

“just because you want to shag any girl you're friends with, and who doesn't have a boyfriend, doesn't mean that every guy is the same!” harry perked up, practically punching dan in the arm after his comment. 

“it so means every guy is the same,” dan argued, looking over at you. “you and ben are only close because he wants to get in your pants.”

“why did we let him join?” you asked everyone else, basically pretending that dan wasn't sat a few seats away from you. 

“because he's my brother and has no other friends.” erin replied from next to you, a hand resting on your thigh which was pressed against her’s.

“that is not true.”

“oh, dan, sweetie, it is.” erin just smiled sarcastically at her brother, her eyes showing faux sympathy. 

“you all know i’m right, but you don't want to say it,” another chorus of disagreement came from the group, as did another fry from shane’s plate. “mate, would you stop that?” shane just shook his head, wrapping his arm around the back of renee’s chair and lightly brushed his fingers against your shoulder. next to ben, you were definitely closest to shane with him being like a big brother to you. 

somehow, the rest of the meal went without a hitch. dan quieted down with the unpopular opinions and everyone else enjoyed each other’s company as they finished their meals and had a few drinks afterwards. shane and renee were the first ones to leave. both of them had had long days at work, but made it out for the meal, and were now more than ready to collapse into their bed. harry and erin were next. as they paid their part and begun to leave, they dragged dan out with them, keeping him from saying something inappropriate to you and/or lucy. 

after those three left, you and lucy stayed a little longer. it had been a while since the two of you had hung out together alone, and a catchup with definitely needed. 

“so what’s the real reason ben didn’t come tonight? he's definitely not ill else you would be there nursing him back to health.” she teased, giving you a light prod to your side. 

“he didn't want to have to deal with comments from dan,” you stated plainly. “and i’m glad ben didn’t come else he would have had to deal with exactly what he didn't want to deal with.”

“yeh, that's fair. maybe we should stop inviting dan to these things.”

“maybe,” you both giggled, thinking of how much more civilised somethings would be without him. “that's too mean, though. erin would not be happy.” 

“she most definitely wouldn't be, but dan’s a dickhead.”

“oh, yeh.” the two of you sat gigging for a little longer, the few drinks the both of you had had making their way completely into your system. after chatting for a little longer (and realising you should both definitely go home), you paid the rest of the bill and left, still chatting as you got into your car, travelling back to your same apartment building.

the ride home wasn't long. luckily, the group had mutually decided on a restaurant that was close to both of your apartments, meaning it only took about ten minutes to get home. the traffic was light and it seemed that every light turned green just in time for you. sooner than you knew, you were heading out of the garage of the apartment building, heading towards the lift and pressing the ninth floor button for lucy and the tenth floor button for you. as you reached her floor, you shared a slightly emotional goodbye with each other. it took exactly 23 seconds to get from the lift to your apartment (you had counted many times) and as you swung the door open, there was ben, sat idly on your sofa with his feet up and netflix playing on the TV. 

“hello, wanderer.” he teased as he heard you pull off your shoes and collapse onto the sofa next to him. “did you have fun? was dan a dick?”

“when is dan not a dick?” you only replied, pulling your knees closer to your chest as you turned your body into ben’s. one of his hands lifted off of his thigh for you to do so, landing back down on your knee. 

“that's true. what did he say this time?”

“that men and women can't be friends because the sex part gets in the way.”

“well that's not true, look at us!” ben said, his eyes quickly flitting to you and then straight back to the TV. 

“yeh, look at us.” 

“you are woman, i am man. we no sex.” he spoke in a deeper voice, making you giggle at his ridiculous impression of a caveman. 

“i’m just glad you weren't there; another comment from him would have sent your fist through his face.” 

“oh, yeh. but erin would not have been happy.”

“she most definitely wouldn't be.” you giggled again, thinking back to the conversation you had had with lucy. “i’m actually so tired, i think i’m just calling it a night. you stay as long as you like” as you got up, you pointed to ben, giving him a look which said ‘keep it down’ which he replied with a salute. you gave the other a quiet ‘night’ before placing a kiss on his cheek and dragging your feet to your bedroom. 

as you got ready for bed, you couldnt help but think back to what dan had said. if you told erin and lucy (or even ben) that you were contemplating his words, they would have told you to stop and say that ‘dan was just being dan. he didn't mean it’. you just couldn’t help thinking about whether it was true. of course, you were close to shane and harry, but they both had girlfriends, they definitely wouldn't want anything to do with what’s in your pants. but you were also close to ben, and he didn't have a girlfriend. the only explanation for you two being close was that he wanted what was in your pants, not in your head nor your heart. 

it pained you to think of that; ben being here only to try it on. of course, ben was attractive and had sex appeal, but he was also your best friend and you weren't about to jump in to bed with him at the first chance. you have never, and will never, go about relationships like that. to you, it was unbelievable how much you let dan’s comment cloud your mind, yet you almost hoped there was some truth to it. 

only a wall away, ben was sat thinking the exact same thing. the show he was binging was still playing in the background, but in the forefront of his mind was dan’s comment. ben knew men and women could be friends without sex getting involved; he had those relationships with all the girls in the group, except her. although he wouldn't openly admit it to anyone, he had developed feelings, but didn't want to ruin what the two had by trying it on with her. so ben sat back and tried to let his feelings settle. that instantly failed when he continued to hang out with her almost everyday and talk to her everyday. it didn't take him long to realise he was in love. 

ben didn't stay for much longer; his eyes were being to strain to properly see the TV and dan's comment was still lingering in his thoughts. he quietly turned off the TV and left the room, practically tiptoeing past your room as he entered the guest room (which was almost his considering how often he slept in it). all he did was slip out of his jeans, jumper and socks, leaving on his boxers and slid into bed. just like you, it didn't take him long to fall asleep, soon drifting off nestled within the comfy sheets and only imagining what it would be like to hold you in his arms. 

in the morning, ben woke up before you (like usual) and set himself the task of making breakfast. he knew you'd be hungry this morning and, as soon as he got out of bed and put on a pair of shorts, he made his way into the kitchen and began making his famous pancakes. it didn't take long for you to wake up nor did it take long for you to smell the pancakes. 

“morning, chef.” you smiled lazily as you walked into the kitchen. 

“morning to you, too.” like usual in a morning, ben was clad in some shorts and a plain t-shirt as he stood in front of the hob. the teapot had already been filled and there was a half empty cup stood on the side next to the hob. “sleep well?”

“yeh, i guess.” ‘don't tell him’ you thought to yourself. “i just couldn't stop thinking about dan's comment last night.” 

“love, i've told you before to take no notice of him-”

“no, ben, he said something else last night. not just the men and women and sex thing.”

“well, what else did he say?” he asked, less annoyed this time, switching off the ring and giving you his full attention.

“he said that you and i are only close because you want to get into my pants.” although he asked you to tell him (and you would have told him anyway), you couldn’t help but feel ashamed at telling ben. you knew he would be mad that you let something dan said cloud your judgement about him, but you also knew that he would deny it. you wished he wouldn’t.

“you know that’s not true, right?” there it was. “you know i would never do that to you, or anyone for that matter. don’t let him get into your head; he’s a dick.”

“yeh, course.” you mumbled as ben turned back to the pan, flipping out the pancake onto a plate. as both of you ate, you sat talking about anything and everything. you were content just being here with ben, and yet you still couldn’t get those thoughts out of your head.

to ben, all you would be is his best friend; he made that perfectly clear last night and this morning. to you, your feelings would always be there, making it unfair on anyone else you dated. your heart was wrapped around ben indefinitely.

after breakfast was finished and the kitchen was tidy, you said your goodbyes to ben (even though you don’t normally kick him out this early), making up a lie about finishing off some things for work. what you really wanted to do was talk to erin and lucy; you needed to empty your head to someone.

“hey, you guys are okay to chat, right?” you asked as soon as the facetime connected to the both of them.

“yeh, of course!” “i’ve got my wine, i’m ready.” they both replied, supportive smiles already on their faces.

“okay, i’m sorry i’m bringing this up again, but i’m still thinking about dan’s comment last night.”

“which one?” erin giggled, taking a sip of her wine.

“the one about ben only being close to me because he wants to get in my pants.”

“that’s not true.”

“it’s true.”

“what?” you and erin asked lucy, who sat with a slight smirk on her face.

“ben does want to get into your pants, but not as a one time fling or being friends with benefits, he really likes you.”

“he does?”

“yeh,” both you and erin looked at each other, pure shock coming over your face and slight shock on erin’s. “he got drunk with the lads one night and came to my place instead of yours-”

“makes sense,” erin perked up, taking another sip of her wine. “your apartment is literally a floor below Y/N’s.”

“exactly; he miscounted the floor numbers and came to my door. he kept on apologising so i let him in and he just ranted about dan saying stupid things again about the two of you. then he spilt his feelings and almost broke down asking me not to say anything. i told him he should go to your place and tell you himself. he said he would and i assumed he did, but obviously-”

“he didn’t. that night he came up to my apartment and basically passed out on the sofa. i pulled his shoes off and left him a glass of water and some painkillers for the morning. that was it; he didn't really say anything at all until the next morning.” you frowned, thinking at how literally minutes before ben stumbled into your apartment, he'd stumbled out of lucy’s. 

“wow, well i knew benny boy had feelings, but i didn’t know he did that.” erin said, turning and making sure harry hadn't heard any of that conversation. 

“no one knew, i kept ben’s drunk escapade a secret. he couldn’t even remember it happening.” after that, all three of you were slightly stunned into silence. it was a minute before anyone spoke. 

“what are you gonna do?” erin’s voice was small, something that isn't normal for her. her wine glass had been discarded (though half empty) and she and lucy were both looking at you. you knew your face hadn't change. even without looking at your screen, you knew the only look on your face was disbelief. 

“i-i don't know.”

“surely you're gonna do something?” lucy gasped. 

“and say what to him? ‘hey, ben. i've just been chatting to our good friend lucy and it turns out you drunkenly told her about your feelings for me’. i’m not good with confrontation!”

“and that's why you two will never be together!” erin chuckled, shaking her head at you. 

“what do you mean?

“i mean, you're scared of confrontation and ben will never admit his feelings for you because he's scared you’ll reject him.”

“but i wouldn’t-”

“he doesn’t know that.” she was right. ben doesn’t know what you're thinking, and you don't know what he's thinking. right now, the only way to get over the situation is if you say something. yet, you couldn't help but think that ben’s drunken confession was just that: drunken and stupid.

“i need some time to think, girls.”

“okay.” 

“just keep us in the loop, yeh?” lucy asked, pity absolutely drowning her face. 

“will do, bye.” you waved as did lucy and erin, saying their own goodbyes before you ended the call. 

this had changed everything. of course it had. you definitely didn't feel the same way you did before the call, and you definitely didn't feel the same way about ben as you did before the call. you couldn’t help but think if this had changed things, if this had given you the confidence to finally tell ben about how you feel. 

it was something to sleep on, something to cloud your thoughts for another night. 

but you didn’t get the chance to do that. before you had even managed to settle down for the night, there was a loud, and brash, knock at your door. the thought of ignoring them crossed your mind, hoping it would be a drunken fool who had stumbled across the wrong apartment.

yet, no matter how long you stayed laying on your back, staring at the blank canvas of your ceiling, the knocking did not cease. with a grumble, you made your way through your apartment and towards the front door, not bothering to switch on any of the lights on your way.

as soon as your door was open, whoever was on the other side flung themselves inside, stumbling as they attempted to pull off their shoes. you couldn’t even see who the person was, the low light of the hallway doing little to help you figure out who the intruder was.

and, just as you were about to speak up, the person spoke - though it was more of a grumble - and said, “luce, i’m sorry for doin’ this again.” ben. his voice was slurred and his actions were full of haste. the way he threw his shoes to the side and his jacket on to the floor made you realise he truly thought he was on the floor below; everywhere he was throwing things were where lucy had furniture.

then you realised something else; it was happening again. that night lucy had told you about, with ben drinking with the lads, had happened again. though, you weren’t sure if he was drinking alone or not, but whatever had happened to ben had made him feel the need to see lucy, before anything.

“i know it’s prob’ly late, but i can’t stop thinking about her and you’re the only person who knows how i feel.” came ben’s mumbling voice again. he sounded weak, vulnerable, something you’d never heard in any tone of his voice before. well, there were some exceptions, but this voice, this tone, was something else. and it scared you.

but you stayed quiet, waiting for ben to either say something again or... something else to happen, like a meteor hitting the earth, to save the both of you from this conversation.

“fuck, you moved things around in here?” he grumbled, walking around to find something to grip onto or sit on.

your head was screaming to say something, to reply and end whatever this was, yet your heart was screaming to save yourself the heartache (from what, you didn’t know).

it wasn’t until ben managed to find a lightswitch that your heart began to race even faster than before. you were met with his disheveled look, his boots haphazardly pulled off and scattered across your floor and his jacket thrown carelessly across the wood of your dining table mismatched his reddening eyes and mess of his hair.

and, as if time was frozen, ben stood against the wall of your apartment, his eyes as wide as ever and his heart thumping against the case of his chest. you were no better; at least you knew who had stumbled into your apartment, but ben was in shock. because it was you. of course it was you, who else could make ben’s heart beat as fast as you could?

which is why ben stood still, acting as if he stayed deadly still, the predator before him would ignore his very existence. but the elephant was in the room, and you could not ignore the existence of that.

“ben,” you whispered, your voice stretching out to fill the gap between your bodies. instead, it died upon it’s journey, failing to reach the only person who mattered to you at that minute. “ben, it’s okay: i know.”

that didn’t settle his nerves. the only things those two words did was set his heart racing faster and he felt like his world was collapsing in on himself.

“no,” he shook his head, finally pulling his eyes away from your glance, turning his back towards you as his hands made his hair even more of a mess. “no, it’s not okay.”

but it was. it was more than okay because somewhere between ben stumbling through your door and this moment right now, you had found the courage to tell him that you knew, that you felt the same, this it was okay.

taking advantage of his back facing you, you stepped over to him carefully. at first, you were unsure of your movements, letting your hands linger in the air just above ben’s back before you took the final step and pressed them against his t-shirt-covered skin. the muscles in his back tensed and tightened, but he quickly let the warmth and welcoming feeling of you relax him.

only then did you become more confident, letting your hands move lightly over his back, mapping every bump and dimple they found. you ventured down to ben’s hips, covering the skin of his sides before settling around his front on his stomach.

“it’s okay, ben.” you said once again, your voice falling into a quiet whisper next to the shell of his ear as your chin rested on his shoulder. both of hands met yours. they were warm and fit comfortably between yours, something you had always imagined.

“how do you know?” he tested the waters, only letting his voice be loud enough for you to hear, like this was your little secret. you weren’t sure if ben was asking how you knew how he felt or how things would be okay, but you chose the former.

“lucy told me,” you replied in an equal tone, moving your head from his shoulder to press against his back, just between his shoulder blades. “she told me about that night you went to her apartment after you had been out with the boys: she told me how you felt about me.”

“and?” he said soon after, not wanting to wait any longer for a response that could change his life.

“ben, you mean the world to me, and i was always afraid that if we began a relationship, it could ruin our friendship. but i’m not afraid of that anymore, and i just want what i want: you.”

ben had never felt so sober. he had begun the night alone and, somehow, ended it in your arms; one of the places he didn’t think he’d be for a while.

his thumb began tracing small circles on the back of your hand, letting himself know that this was real and this was happening. it also grounded you. it gave you something to focus on when you needed it. but you didn’t want it to be that; you wanted it to be something that happens regularly and often. now, that might happen.

reluctantly, you pulled your hands from his, taking your arms away from his body as you circled around him. once his face met yours, neither of you could hold in the tiny smile which threatened to appear at the corner of your lips. god, you could only imagine what his lips felt like, what they tasted like. and you imagined that they felt like silk.

your hands quickly found purchase on ben’s body once again. this time, you traced the outline of his face, allowing yourself to take your time as you moved along his jawline. as one hand did that, the other tangled it’s fingers into the hair on the nape of his neck - something that he was growing out for a role, but you enjoyed it regardless.

ben was so overwhelmed, the only place he could find to anchor himself to you were your hips. he squeezed and pressed the skin lightly, wanting to live in the moment as much as he could, just in case you slipped through his fingertips, like silk does.

you can’t help but notice that you’ve never seen him like this before, so vulnerable and open to you and your touch. of course, you had touched each other before, but not with the softness and meaning like now.

“i want you, too,” ben finally whispered, never letting his gaze falter from you. his hands seemed to grip your hips a little harder as your hands slid down from his head and onto his shoulders. “that’s all i’ve wanted since i met you.”

just then, you pushed yourself onto the balls of your feet, managing to slightly close the gap between you and ben as his head bowed lower, too. your lips met like a perfect melody, so soft and gentle and better than you could have ever imagined.

slowly, and once again, your hands traced their way up ben’s skin, circling around his neck before toying with those little hairs you had suddenly become so fond of. and, as a response, ben’s hands shifted from your hips to your lower back quicker than you could register, pushing and pulling your body flush with his own.

his hands were warm and big and better than you could have imagined. they were strong, keeping the two of you together in perfect harmony as you explored the other’s touch after so, so long.

but, then ben pulled away, keeping you pressed against his chest while looking down at you, your lips swollen and red and, god, so beautiful. he only smiled, pulling away to grab your hand a second later.

he was your personal guide through your home, taking you towards your bedroom (only after turning off the light he switched on earlier). as soon as you got in the room, ben let you go, turning to close the door as you stood waiting for him; you almost felt like a stranger, standing there in your own room with no feeling of anything but ben.

once the door clicked shut, he turned his attention back to you. while he walked forward, you stumbled backwards, only stopping when the back of your knees hit the side of your bed.

“get in,” he spoke gently, pressing a light kiss to your forehead. “i’ll be there in a second.” and so you did. since you were already about to settle down for the night when ben knocked on the door, you just sat underneath the covers again.

seeing the cast of ben’s shadow on your walls from the beaming moon was a sight you knew you would never tire of. the way he moved gracefully as he pulled off his shirt and jeans, leaving on only his boxers and turning back to you.

he was a ghost striding towards you. a vision as his body drifted towards you, so bright and beautiful under the moon, so quiet as he slipped under the covers to lay next to you; his arms open and welcoming.

so you accepted, letting yourself have this, this moment, with ben. you found yourself tucked into his side, one arm dragged across his torso with your head on his chest. his left arm wrapped itself around your shoulders, his right arm laying adjacent to yours, letting your fingertips touch and ghost along one another.

you stayed there, for a minute or two, just getting used to each other’s rise and fall of your chests and the dips and bumps of each other’s skin. neither of you had felt more at peace than in that moment.

and as you lay there in ben’s arms, the steady beating in his heart right below your ear and finally feeling content, you knew that you were ready for love.

-

TAGLIST: @shes-over-bored @i-barely-go-on-online​ @sohoneyspreadyourwings​ @brian-maybe-not​ @deakysbabybooty​ @1001-yellow-daffodils​ @retromusicsalad @hardcoredisneynerd​ @painkiller80​ @leatherjacketmazzello​ @scarecrowmax​ @mebeatlized @seesiderendezvous​ @alright-mrfahrenheit​ @someone-get-a-medic​ @miamideacon @chlobo6​ @teenagepeterpan​ @spacedustmazzello​ @deakysgurl​ @forever-rogue​ @xcdelilahxc​ @keepsdrawings​ @igotsuckedintothevoid​ @kill4hqueen​ @supersonicfreddie​ @laedymoon​ @inthedayswhenlandswerefew​ @warriorteam1924​ @painandpleasure86​ @boomerangbassist​ @mamaskillerqueen​ @bhxrdy​

[rogue-barnes-16]

THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF NATASHA ROMANOFF (part V/?)

Summary: after the too convenient disappearance of Natasha Romanoff, the Avengers —a local biker gang— search for help in the most unexpected place in order to get their friend back. Will it help, or will the situation just get more twisted and dangerous?

Pairing: biker!Bucky Barnes x reader

Genre: angst-ish (biker gang au)

Tags:

The mysterious disappearance of Natasha Romanoff: @shirukitsune @retrxbarnes @montypythonsholysnail

Permanent taglist: @notexactlythatgirl @thisismysecrethappyplace @sofreakinmanyfandoms @pizzarollpatrol @bubblycypress87 @1a-girl-has-no-name1 @loislp @lovenaturefirst @dyanna-corona @2ptonpt @goodnightmode @disneyprincessbuffyannesummers @mannls @cutie1365 @catch22inareddress @mybooradley @sebastianisasnack @butifulsoul125 @unlikelygalaxygiver

Warnings: language

A/N: I've been kinda missing for quite a while, posting something here and there, but I kinda miss writing regularly so I'll try come back to posting twice-thrice a week, but you gotta give me a bit to get some shit rearranged and written for that schedule to be possible. Meanwhile, enjoy this part of the series and if you wanna be added to the taglist, send an ask <3.

The mysterious disappearance of Natasha Romanoff masterlist

Rogue-barnes-16 masterlist

I took a deep breath and threw myself against the backrest, waiting for the first location to load while my hands ran through up my face and through my hair.

A yawn escaped my lips as I checked the laptop's clock first, and the timer for the code to do its magic second.

Leaving the laptop over the chair where I had been sitting, I walked my way to the kitchen and poured myself what would be the fourth coffee of that morning.

As soon as I finished, I made my way to the balcony were I used to spend those early mornings with my mug held between my palms.

I took a sip of my coffee, resting my elbows over the small balcony's railing. My were eyes closed as I breathed in the forest morning breeze.

"So much for saying it was a one-night stand." A teasing voice behind me asked, and a grin tugged the corners of my lips. "You still here?"

"It's been two weeks since that." I taunted him, taking a sip. "get over it."

"can't get over you." He dramatically stated in his morning husky voice, which made the sentence seem way more romantic than I thought it was.

"So fucking cheesy." I laughed.

"Bare with me, doll." feeling his lips against my temple made my smile wider while a pair of hands traveled from behind me to rest on my hips. "this is mine." he tugged the hem of his jacket, which I was wearing.

I hummed in response, leaning my back against his chest. "It's chilly out here. I didn't wanna get cold."

He tugged the hem of his jacket eagerly, feathery kisses tracing a path from my shoulder to my neck "come back to bed" I chuckled at his eagerness . " it's still warm."

"I got work to do" I replied noctant with the sole goal of sort-of upsetting him in a playful way. "No time for cuddling."

"Please, Y/n." he whined, slowly pulling me away from the balcony to take me back to the bed. "Just ten minutes."

"It's not gonna be ten minutes." I retorted playfully, turning around to kiss his lips as we entered the bedroom once more. "You're not fooling anyone with those puppy eyes, Barnes."

He let out a subtle laugh "at least you won't get cold."

I shivered.

It was always a little bit too chilly during the morning in that balcony.

I felt the urge to squeal when a jacket was suddenly thrown over my shoulders as a reply to my subtle shiver.

I held it back, though, and instead, grabbed the lapels clothing offered and put it on while a tall figure made its way to my side "Drop the coffee, yunky." Sam teased, resting his elbows over the railing without sparing me more than a subtle glance. "it's like the tenth one I see you with this mornin'."

"It's just the fourth one." I responded, looking before me to avoid eye contact with him as I took a sip of the coffee. "It's nice to see your level of drama hasn't changed at all."

"it's good to see your level of sarcasm is still the same, too." I shook my head with a smirk I couldn't hold back. "I kinda missed that annoying sass."

"Oh boy, ain't I aware of that."

His amused yet brief chuckle preceeded a surprisingly soothing silence between the two of us.

"So" I looked over to him and, by the knowing half smile in his face as he watched me intently, I just knew what he was going to mention. "a boyfriend?"

"Hell no," I denied with a scoff. "we're not talking 'bout that."

"C'mon, Y/n." he whined, turning to face my side. "I won't tell Barnes."

"Sam" I pinched the bridge of my nose as all the bad memories from those last days with them came back around, as if they had been summoned by Bucky’s last name. "I still don't trust you. Any of you."

"Uh... Sorry."

"Like-- I appreciate you tryin" I explained the best way I could. "but we're not there yet, and I don't know if we ever will."

"Yeah I'm-"

I shut my eyes as the self-awareness of how rude I might have sounded hit me. "I'm sorry I-"

"No, no, I'm sorry, you're right." he sighed, rubbing is hands together in an anxious manner. "And... I know it's not my place to ask any of this, but-" he took a split second to measure his words before speaking. "You're happy with him, right?"

I frowned, not at the question itself, but at what was carefully hidden behind it. "what d'ya mean?"

"I mean, you're with him because he makes you happy, right?"

"Wilson, why the fuck would I be with him if he didn't?" I inquired, now turning around to face him as my tone turned more hostile each passing second.

"I shouldn't be sayin' this but-"

"But you're gonna say it anyway." I finished. He opened his mouth a couple of times but nothing came out. "C'mon, what d'ya mean?"

"Listen-" he glanced around before continuing the sentence he had just started. "I'm just sayin I hope it's 'cause you're happy together and not 'cause of Bucky."

We eyeballed each other for a hot second while the anger built up inside me, making it so damn hard for me not to explode.

"Y'know what? I'm not havin' it." I stated, stepping away from the balcony in order to reach the living room.

"That's not an answer."

"You don't fuckin' deserve one." I hissed, grabbing the laptop to finish what was left to do as quickly as I could, now eager to flee out of there.

How dare him? I thought to myself. Who the fuck gave him the right to say shit like that.

The moment I was done with the laptop, I smacked it shut and, picking up my jacket, I rushed downstairs.

I was so inside my thoughts that I ended up bumping into Bucky on my way out, which left us both with barely enough balance to avoid falling down the stairs.

"Shit- sorry."

"Don't worry." he let go of my forearms, which I didn't know he was holding, and I shockingly enough, had to do the same, since I gripped his arms to avoid falling. "You okay?"

"Yeah- I mean..." I puffed, affirming with my head. "I'm fine."

"I..." I stared into his eyes for a moment, watching him trying to read me in order to find out what was wrong. "You sure?" I only nodded as his worried irises observed me. "you finished?"

"Yeah, everything's set in the laptop already." he mumbled an 'alright' and stepped aside, freeing the way for me to exit. "I... I really hope you find her."

"I'll call you if I need your help again." he answered, and, right after, attempted to climb upstairs.

"Bucky wait!" I followed him just to be close enough to be able to grab his hand, which made his whole body tense. "I changed my number." I explained whilst getting a pen out of my pocket to scribble my new number on his palm. "there it goes." I let go of him with a pang of sadness that I wouldn't even admit to myself. "keep me updated." I requested, trying my best to ignore the tinge of red creeping up his neck and ears.

"Okay. Have a good time with your boyfriend." what was meant to be a smile ended up as a pursed lip, and I couldn't blame him since I felt my mouth doing the same gesture as I climbed downstairs to the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

BUCKY'S P. O. V.

I double checked Natasha's phone's latest locations, which Y/n had managed to get before leaving, before going back to the map in order to revise which were areas out of New Jersey and Queens.

"Hey" I spun my head to the door frame, against where Sam's side was now resting. "How's it going?"

"Uh... I think we have something." I informed him, pointing at one small area near the center of Manhattan. "I called Carter— I know, Steve's gonna kill me." I stated, anticipating whatever Sam must have thought of saying out loud. "She said Hydra's boys have been seen in this area for a while and--"

"I wasn't asking 'bout Nat." he cut me off, tilting his head to the side slightly while the faintest tinge of worry showed up in his eyes. "I meant-- y'know what I meant."

"What d'ya want me to say?" I questioned with a wannabe-careless shrug. "It's going. Just like it's been goin' for 'bout year already."

I took a peek at his face and I just knew he was about to explain to me how different it had been today from the rest of that year of me drowning in self-pity.

"Don't-"

"She got a boyfriend."

"Yeah, I heard that too." I replied sarcastically, getting up in order to reach for the phone again.

"What I mean-"

"She moved on, I know." I finished his sentence, starting to mark Peggy's number once again. "Can you focus on-"

Sam teared the phone away from me in a swift movement, which left me shocked for a couple of seconds.

"what the hell, Wilson?"

"Don't call Peggy," he warned me, locking the phone and placing it in his pocket. "Steve's gonna end you. And-"

"I swear if it's 'bout-"

"I wasn't gonna say that she moved on, you idiot." he snapped. "I was gonna say, don't do anything fucking stupid."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"It means she's not single." my friend warned me with arms crossed, no longer resting against the door frame. "It means that if somethin' happens and she doesn't stop it-"

"Nothin'll happen," I assured him with a sting of pain in my heart.

He sighed, scratching the back of his neck. "I'm just sayin'..."

"Sam."

"I'm tryna help, man." his reply sounded as a desperate whine. "If you do something stupid and her relationship goes south, the blame's gonna be on you."

"It wouldn't-"

"It will," he argued, lowering the voice before continuing. " 'cause it's easier to blame the ex who fucked her up."

"We're all adults."

"Yeah" he agreed. "but you're my friend and I don't wanna see you bawling and weeping for another year."

"I'll be just fine."

[rivkahstudies]

hi !! i just found your blog, and i love it !! i was wondering... how did you decide on your major / academic path? i'm struggling!! i'd love to hear your experiences with it! (i'm asking some other people, too, jsyk!) @cloudyco

nonnie I want you to know that I unironically clapped my hand to my chest and tried not to emote all over the place because you made my day. I am so glad you like my blog!

so, I’m one of those REALLY annoying people who’s “known what they want” since they were young, but I promise it wasn’t as straightforward as that and you might still be able to relate to me, even though I figured things out at a potentially different age than you did. I’m going to try to cover the highlights, but there were more, smaller time ranges that I’m gonna skip over since those ranges mainly consisted of “do I really want this or do I want to fly off and herd sheep in New Zealand.” Bolded parts are really important to me personally in analyzing my journey.

ages five through ten: really interested in history and honestly wanted to be an archaeologist. I learned this year in my anthro 101 class that archaeology and paleontology are actually subsets of anthropology. go me, I guess!

sixth grade, age eleven: Started watching Bones with my family. I was like, “hey, that’s cool, I didn’t know anthropology was a thing.”

seventh grade, age twelve: went on a field trip to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. For non-Americans, that’s a really, really big government-funded SET of museums. Not just one museum. I am in love with it and if I could marry it I would. Anyway, we were signed up by my teacher for a demonstration with forensic anthropologists. We had to figure out based on a skeleton how a person died. I figured out that he was male, over 6′0″, died of a hiking injury, and the extra foot found at the scene was actually a skinned bear’s foot (without claws, they look comparable to a human’s.) Held that man’s skull in my hands, maintained “eye contact” with his eye sockets, and my little preteen brain went “holy shit I want to be an anthropologist.”

ninth grade, age fourteen: took a course on forensics that included One Singular Section on anthropology. I really though I wanted to be a forensic anthropologist.

that same year: do I want to be an anthropologist or an artist or a fashion designer or a translator or WHAT I HAVE NO IDEA

tenth grade, age fifteen: I’m on my second year of Spanish and realizing that I really, REALLY love languages. I’m also taking history classes again and digging those. Art too. I do my research and see that Brown U and Rhode Island School of Design have a dual degree program for anthropology and art majors. I set my sights on that.

eleventh grade, age sixteen: Third year of Spanish and, at seventeen (in the spring) I start my studyblr. I figure out that linguistic anthropology is a thing. I start actively self-studying other languages. I finally “know” what I want to be. I drop the art part of my degree plans because I know that I would have more fun if it were just a hobby. 

twelfth grade, age seventeen/eighteen: I may or may not have chosen Boston University in large part because they offer 27 languages and are in an incredibly diverse city in the Northeast, a place in the US I love. I get in, miraculously. I visit the city and I accept. I decide to minor in Spanish.

freshman year of college, first semester: literally 2 weeks before the semester ends, my writing professor convinces me to adopt another minor–Jewish Studies. A) I’m Jewish, B) I’m interested in learning more about Jewish culture, C) it’d be cool to study Jewish stuff, D) I’m interested in learning Ladino and Yiddish. This has made my education INCREDIBLY specialized but I don’t care because I’m studying what I love.

where I’m going from here: I am probably going to get a masters but not a doctorate, because a doctorate gets you heavily into professorial work and I want to apply my work to the job market. I’d like to be a translator/diplomat but doing research would be cool too. I will probably go to grad school for Linguistics, Translation, Applied Anthropology, or Linguistic Anthropology, but who knows, that might change. The two grad schools I’m considering right now (I WILL apply to more than 2) are BU and U of Pennsylvania.

I hope this helps?? For more advice, I really suggest researching A BUNCH and thinking about what makes you super happy, because that’s really what I did for, what, six years? It was basically a cycle of think, research, repeat.

If you would like to ask me anything else, nonnie, you are welcome to ANYTIME! Peace and love to you!