#I'm probably missing a bunch but these have been stored on a note in my phone for like... FOREVER

[aangelfish]

☀️ – ADA with reader on their period !

TW: period talk, blood mention, dazai

🥃 note: reader is afab, but no pronouns are used <3

Yukichi Fukuzawa:

Very sweet man, he buys whatever you need as soon as you ask for it

He has a lot of snacks in stock already, so that's covered, no problem!

(If Ranpo whines about his snacks going missing, he’ll get smacked)

He's not well versed in female anatomy (haha who said that omggg??) But!! He's willing to learn and adapts to your needs very quickly

Will leave in the middle of an agency meeting if you call him, you don't even need to ask

If your cramps get so bad that you cry, he'll do his best to find the strongest (and safest) painkillers in literally all of Japan. Fukuzawa spares no expense for your comfort

Also he does NOT get embarrassed if he has to go out and buy pads or tampons for you!! He's in and out of the store with literally zero issue 100/10 husband material

Doppo Kunikida:

Probably has it written into his schedule depending on how long you two have been together lmfao

Listen!!! He's a busy man. He needs to make sure every single thing in his day to day life is planned for, including his partners cycle

Usually, he doesn't need to go out and buy anything for you when your period hits because he's stocked up on everything well in advance

But if you beg him enough, he might go out to buy you some extra snacks,, and herbal tea,,, annddd that really fluffy blanket you saw at the store–

It's really a toss-up on if he'll leave work if you call him. He adores you, but he's got a duty to uphold! (“I ran out of painkillers, please–” “I'm on my way.”)

Blushes when he buys pads/tampons for you, but otherwise doesn't react. God forbid Dazai tags along for whatever reason, because then Kunikida might actually die of embarrassment before he leaves the store

Dazai Osamu:

Acts like he forgets your period, but the first day it hits you there's literally a care package left at your flat with all your favorite snacks, a new heating pad, and a bunch of other goodies

He's not one to complain if you need anything from the store, he'll buy whatever you want (with Kunikida's money) plus some alcohol for himself

If you call while he's at work, he doesn't mind at all 99% of the time. He probably even uses it as an excuse to dip if nothing interesting is going on tbh

“Ah, my Dearest! You've called at the perfect time. Do you need me at home? No? Are you sure? How about I come over to check on you just in case, hmmm?”

If you need pads or tampons, Dazai doesn't get embarrassed at all. Very smooth, might even boast about how he's “just doing what any good boyfriend should”

^ If he simply doesn't feel like it, though… He'll send Atsushi to buy them instead. It's endless amounts of fun for Dazai to torture the poor boy, he really can't help himself </3

Atsushi Nakajima:

Atsushi's lived a pretty solitary life before joining the agency, so his knowledge about menstruation is limited to what he's read in books

He doesn't get queasy with blood, though, so that's good! Very much willing to help if you bleed through your clothes or anything like that. 100% the boyfriend ever

He might go overboard when buying things you want/need, practically begs for Dazai's help to cover everything

Tiger form is very warm btw. Atsushi is a living heating pad, and he absolutely lets you take advantage of that

If you call him while he's at work, he may be a bit reluctant to leave at first… A little bit of pleading gets him to cave near instantly, though :P

Might cry when he goes to get you some pads/tampons?? He's aware it's something you need, but he's terribly anxious and will panic if someone asks what he's up to

Akiko Yosano:

Yosano feels most equipped for dealing with this, and she is! She is a doctor after all :3

She keeps track of both of your cycles, and if they happen to align at any point, she will make a remark or two about how close you've both gotten

^ (She then proceeds to infodump about how periods don't actually sync up due to proximity. Might even show you a medical study or two on the subject!)

Depending on when you call her, Yosano may or may not leave the agency to check in on you. If nobody's injured or if she's out shopping, she'll drop by just to make sure you're alright <3

She probably doesn't need to go buy you pads/tampons because she has some for herself that you can easily use?? But she's not opposed to buying more if needed

Yosano knows how bad cramps can be too, so if anybody tries to bother you about going to work she can and will rip someone in half

Buys your favorite takeout on her way home from work.. Of course, she reminds you to eat well during your period,, but she can't help but spoil you just a bit

Ranpo Edogawa:

This literal CHILD of a man acts like he's on his period too 😭 he whines so much if you ask him to do anything

He still gets everything you need, he's just complaining the entire damn time… But you'll praise him either way, right? Right??

Ranpo might have to ask someone else to buy snacks for you because if he does, he knows he'll eat like,,, half of them

If you call him while he's at work, he literally doesn't hesitate to leave. It's been so boring all day, so he'd rather spend time with you anyway!!

He'll go buy you pads or tampons if you ask, but uh,,, please make sure to text him what brand, because he'll just toss in one of each if he forgets </3

For all Ranpo’s whining during the day, as soon as he gets home he's ready to cuddle with you under the warmest blanket he can find. He will NOT take no for an answer, so get cozy!

Jun'ichirō Tanizaki:

Will give you cavities with how sweet he acts while you're menstruating. He's already the perfect boyfriend, but during your period he dials it up to a thousand

He's no stranger to periods and all the annoyances that come with them due to having a sister, so he's not at all fazed by any of it

He calls you from work instead of vice versa. “Hi, Love. No, no, just wanted to ask how you were doing! Need me to buy anything from the pharmacy? No? Are you sure you don't need me to-”

Honestly just tell Tanizaki to come over during his break or something, he'll be a nervous wreck if he goes without seeing you for a whole day </3

He buys you anything you need or want with a smile on his face the whole time!! He likes taking care of you

Cooks your favorite food for dinner, and it's literally perfectly made somehow?? You two end the day by enjoying your dinner snuggled up in bed and watching your favorite movie

🤍 : [ PLATONIC ]

Naomi Tanizaki:

Zero complaints from her if you want her to stay over for the week, she'd be happy to help out! Though Junichiro might come over too sometimes (he'll cook, don't worry)

If anyone at the agency (Ahem, Dazai–) tries to bother you, Naomi chews them out with no mercy. NOBODY will call you for any reason other than to entertain you or ask if you need anything

Buys you anything you need without any fuss, it's not like monthly trips to the pharmacy are new for her. She'll stop by a local bakery to get you pastries, too

No work talk, nope! If you have any seriously pressing issues to get done with at work, she takes care of them (or makes her brother handle them)

Kenji Miyazawa:

If you need the fastest errand boy around, Kenji's the one to call for sure!

He's used to helping others out, so he has no problem buying you whatever you need and then delivering everything to you

Likes knowing he can be a dependable kid, even for mundane stuff like this. It honestly makes his day if you ask for his help

He'd offer to bring takeout or something to you, but he's sure that he might eat it before he even arrives at your home. He ends up just ordering delivery for you

Izumi Kyōka:

She has a map of the entire area memorized, so she can go store to store for anything you need and then drop it all off in under 30 minutes

However, Izumi does get distracted easily. If you give her some money to buy herself a snack too, then she's less likely to get sidetracked

Does whatever work you had for you, for the whole week. You don't need to ask, it's all taken care of already

If you call her a good kid for helping out, she'll walk with a skip in her step for at least a good few days after

[oracle-of-dream]

Submissive and huh?

Minors DNI

Summary: Your friend Taerae recently learned a new term and wants your thoughts. Explaining it might help him understand properly, but do you have the strength to tell him.

Warnings: Male Reader, Idol Taerae, Student Reader, Lewd faces/Ahegao, Mention of arousal and breeding

Wordcount: 1.2k

Math classes had been kicking your ass all semester and tutoring from the professor wasn't working out. You'd ended up being assigned a study partner. The program was meant for students struggling with the class to help each other. That's how you met Taerae. 

He didn't originally introduce himself as an idol, especially since it was an online class. No one had seen his face. But when you met up with him for the first time to study together, you instantly recognized him from TV. You hit it off over a shared hate for math and spent more time together outside class.

He'd complain about his idol life issues and you'd give him any notes from class he'd missed.

You'd just gotten home from a late-night study session at the library. As if it knew, your phone lit up with a text as you sat on your bed.

TR: Yo! Y/N, I met some fans while out with the members today!

YN: Cool. Don't you meet fans wherever you go?

TR: Well these stuck out!

YN: How?

TR: Well, I noticed them, a bunch of guys, giggling in the convenience store and pointing at me and Hao while we were shopping. I didn't want to embarrass them so I just played it cool and ignored them. But then they came up to me!

YN: Okay, some brave fans? That's it?

TR: Just wait a sec! 

TR: They came to me and told me they were fans. But more specifically, MY fans! Of course, I was happy to hear, but they were foreigners because they used a term I didn’t know.

YN: What term?

TR: Submissive and Breedable?

TR: I know what submissive means, they mean I'm not an aggressive person. That's not entirely true, but I'm submissive at times.

You looked at your phone, blinking a few times. Some "fans" dared to say that!?

TR: I can't find anything when I look it up, it's probably slang, right?

Maybe telling him that his fans want to breed him wasn't the best thing to tell your friend. He was just too wholesome for that.

YN: Yeah, it is, but it's not something cool. No one says it really, it's not the trend anymore.

TR: Really? I know trends, I'm not old, but I haven’t heard of that.

YN: See? There's no reason to worry, just fans being weird.

TR: Well, the photo they wanted was also...off.

YN: Off how?

TR: They wanted me to stick my tongue out and look up at the camera, which was super high above me. To be honest–it felt a little embarrassing to pose like that.

You shook your head trying not to imagine his cute self making lewd faces for a group of boys, but it was hard. And so were you.

YN: You should be more careful, they could use photos like that weirdly.

TR: What do you mean?

YN: Let's drop it. Subject change, what are you doing now?

TR: I'm getting ready for bed, I just got under the covers.

You looked at the clock, midnight was on its face.

YN: Oh shit, I didn't even realize. You should sleep!

TR: No, no, I'm pretty awake. Plus, it's nice talking to you. Did you want to video call while you get ready for bed?

You’d done it before, talking on video call into the night, but it was always a little like Taerae just wanted to see you.

YN: Sure, I'll call you.

You pressed the video call button on your phone. It showed your reflection as you waited, automatically you straightened your hair a little and kicked some stuff on the floor out of frame.

Taerae answered the phone with a smile, the camera close to his face.

You laughed as you set your phone on your desk, "Well hello to you too, why so close?"

"No reason, I just want to see you closely."

"Well, I can see you so closely I can count your pores," You scoffed as you went into your closet to find pajamas for the night.

"Is it weird I'm holding it so close?"

"A little, but it's no big deal. If you don't wanna show yourself then why'd you wanna video call?"

Taerae didn't answer.

"Are you still thinking about what those guys said?"

He shuffled in bed, "Mmhm."

"I promise it's nothing bad."

"Then why don't you just tell me?"

You sighed, "Okay, fine, I'll spill."

Taerae's eyes peered curiously at the camera as he waited for you to come out of your closet. You settled on wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt and shorts. You returned to find Taerae's eyes filled with impatience.

You swallowed awkwardly, "You already know what the submissive part means, but the other part..."

"Breedable," Taerae reminded you.

"Yeah–It means," You struggled to find a good way to break it to him with that look in his eyes. So full of trust and purity. "It means, they wanna do it with you."

Taerae's expression dropped into surprise, "Oh, that's it? I read about that kind of stuff of fans wanting me to have sex with them. That's not so bad."

"Well, breedable means, specifically where you'd be the one getting fucked. Likely by a man. Who wants to... finish in you."

You couldn't bring yourself to look at the screen to see his expression. He'd fallen silent, thinking of a response. It felt like ten minutes passed until he broke the silence.

Taerae's voice was deep and serious, "Y/n."

"Yeah?"

"Look at the screen." You looked at the screen to see Taerae in bed, holding the camera above him to show off his shirtless torso that was mostly covered by the bed sheet except for his collarbone and neck. "Am I breedable right now?"

You felt warm in your face as you answered, "Yeah, I-I guess."

"Submissive, too?"

"Sure," You said as you looked down at your hands.

"Yes or no! Sure isn't good enough, and look at me!"

You complied, looking at him. He smiled before making a face; his eyes looking up at the camera as he stuck out his tongue and held up a peace sign with his other hand.

"Jesus, Taerae!" You looked away quickly. Your heart was in your ears, pounding as the image of sweet Taerae's lewd face was plastered behind your eyelids.

He laughed loudly. "I am, aren't I? Submissive and breedable. I take it as a compliment, they like me that much! To be honest, you look all shy... You look a little submissive too."

You moved your phone so he couldn't see you anymore.

"I was kidding! Don't hide from me!" Taerae's muffled voice shouted from the speaker of your phone. 

After you calmed down, you turned your phone back over to see him still there. Still shirtless, and holding his phone at the same seductive angle.

"You're so weird!" You yelled at Taerae, who just giggled.

"And you still like me anyway. Even with all my breedable energy."

"I'm going to hang up–"

"What!? We gotta see you do the pose too, what if you're more breedable than me, we should test how–"

You cut him off as you pressed the red dial button. You turned your phone off before he could call you again. You lay in bed, alone in the dark, thinking about Taerae's face.

And in the privacy of your home, you test if you can also feel submissive and breedable, making Taerae's new iconic look. A secret he'll never know about... As if you didn't already have a big secret.

[redishflavor]

if you saw the other one no you didn't

someone's John dory ask got eaten and I can't find my previous draft on it 😔

A/N -> I'll be starting school soon again so I won't be able to write as many fanfics as right now, but still send it requests! I just won't be able to publish them as fast as before 😅

but anyways (this is way longer than my last one damn)

John dory x reader headcanons

okay let's get one thing straight

this man has been in the wild for over idk how many years

he probably is secretly touch starved

and he's probably really bad at flirting

let's say this is after the events of TBT, so he's back in society again (probably)

hes bumped into you a few times and during those few times it was just some small talk here and there

but then when he bumped into you again he decided to flirt

with a terrible pick up line

after he said that he gave a look that was like "Yep, still got it"

he does not got it

you just looked at him, looked away and snorted

he thinks it's working

it might be

without him asking, you gave him your number on a peice of paper

there was a small not under the number (yall choose idk what to put) with a small heart at the end

(ur stinky but funny ❤️) (I sorry I had to��😭)

he didn't read the note, he js put it on his wall in a frame

he was the first to text you

just a simple "Hi this is John dory"

and you know how some people type something but not send it?

he did that

"PLEASE PLEASE DATE ME 🙏🙏" then he deleted it to respond 'normally' to your text

after a few weeks of talking to each other you were the first to ask if he wanted to go on a date

he probably has never responded so fast to someone on his life

I js had to add this but he probably lost his other glove bc Rhonda ate it

anyways back on track

the first date you two went on was at a small Cafe (idk I panicked😭)

you two talked about a hunch of stuff but then settled on the topic of bands

one of your favorite band was BroZone

his eyes visibly lit up at the word BroZone

asks a bunch on questions like "who's your favorite band member" or "what's you favorite song"

takes his SWEET TIME telling you he's THE John Dory from BroZone

so many questions from both him and you

but after that date he offers to walk you home

and that's also how he got your address

a few more dates later he's the one to make the first move

a small text saying to meet him up at the Cafe they had their first date in

hes already there looking a bit flustered

after you two sit down he asks if you want to date

and that's how yall start dating (I am so sleepy rn guys)

every now and then he would send small gifts to you like flowers, candies, anything that reminds him of you at almost any store he goes to

he likes compliments, both giving and receiving them

when he's spending the day at your place he likes to cuddle with you

or hold you in any way

hug, hand holding, any touch basically

LOVES when you kiss him

like pepper him with kisses and he's melting

grab a bucket and mop he's gone

when he first introduced you to his brothers they had many questions

when Poppy met you (probably through Branch)

you two both bonded over dating a member of brozone

as you and Poppy were fangirling over them JD just looked at you lovingly

like he almost forgot his brothers were there

he loves you too much

he also gets you free tickets and backstage passes to every single one of BroZone's concerts

you've never missed a single concert

and you have way to much merch (mostly JD's merch) (and it's signed with his signature)

I think I might end it here bc I'm running out of ideas and any longer to post this would end up taking longer to post because school starts in like 2 says for me 😭😭 anyways I hope this was good for whoever asked this and again so sorry I lost your ask! I hope you have a great day/night!!

[kawa-goat]

Revisiting the Plot of Hello Neighbor (In the Big 2024)

Because why the hell not? Spoilers for the game, obviously (but it's been six years, so I doubt that you'd care).

Hello Neighbor is one of those games where I can't put in words the feeling of nostalgia whenever I hear news about the game. News are they're going for a movie now? And a third game, too (which is kinda funny; in my mind, Hello Neighbor was already in its sixth game or so). I don't exactly like Tiny build or its leader, but I remember liking this franchise back in 2017 or so.

So what was stopping me from revisiting (or rather, actually immersing myself into) this franchise after so long? Nothing. I thought as much when I bought this game in Play Store.

I think the first Hello Neighbor is a game that got and still gets a lot of flak for many reasons. Some valid, some not. I still remember, when I first played this game back in its release period in the PS4, I couldn't understand a single thing that came from that game. Just a bunch of puzzles here and there with no reasonable explanation, and a plot that didn't really feel like a plot.

Time passed and having matured a lot, I think differently. The plot they were aiming at wasn't bad--I'd actually say it had a pretty solid foundation--it's just the gameplay itself felt distracting, and didn't shape very well into the story. I'm just telling my personal experience, but I'm certain the average folk in this fandom gets what I'm trying to say.

The idea was good, but the execution was not.

Gameplay aside, what did I learn from replaying Hello Neighbor six years later?

The Actual Story

So I'll only focus on the first game for two reasons:

It's the only game I've played (lol);

I want to make a point by the end of this post. It's something that I've been meaning to say for a while.

So Hello Neighbor is split in four acts. This fact alone is something interesting to note. When you split a story into acts, you're pretty much saying, “Hey, each act focus on one thing at a time so that, when combined, it will tell an overarching story.”

Act one begins in the perspective of a child. Now, I remember from the alphas that the player was pretty much a blank slate that connects you to the rest of the game. Most importantly, the Player was an adult, so you can imagine it was a little surprising for me to see a younger version of the protagonist.

But why? Were they aiming for some character background? At first, I couldn't tell.

Continuing: the child notices something fishy coming from the house just right across the street. As it turns out, his neighbor was supposedly (strongly implied, I'd say) holding a kidnapped child right in his basement. If one pays attention to visual clues (something crucial to a game that doesn't have dialogue like Hello Neighbor), it can be seen that missing person posters were being upheld in town--one for a boy and one for a girl.

I'm sure you can put two and two together and realize the missing kids were being held hostage inside the Neighbor's house.

The initial act is about that. You're trying to sustain the hero by yourself and saving these kids. It ultimately leads to you being caught and kidnapped by the Neighbor.

Act 2 comes. It's the reverse of act one. If before you needed to break into the house, now you need to break out of it. When you succeed, something (probably one of the children) manages to distract the neighbor, making time for you to escape.

Now it's time for act three, everyone's favorite. For some reason, the game takes a massive time skip between act 2 and act 3. You're an adult now, and the neighbor thing seems to be in the past--only the bills aren't, and you're invited to leave your house. You return to the old town from the previous acts, to your old home.

The neighbor's house was nothing but a shell of its past self, with indicators that it burned down.

The player is instructed to enter your old house, but you can explore the neighbor's old house. Doing so triggers a unique cutscene that speaks for itself. The protagonist starts to hallucinate an entity around the house and begins to breathe heavily, only for him to run away from there.

And that's when it all clicked; the story I couldn't understand before.

You see, what Hello Neighbor did was tell two stories at once. One about the missing kids and the neighbor, the other one about you. Your trauma from the incident. Even years after the fact, you weren't able to actually move on, much less solve it.

So Hello Neighbor is a game that tries to tap into the psychological aspect of survivors victims.

Then, the dream sequence happens. Basically, a distorted version of act one is created, and your objective is the same--reach the basement, save the kids.

I can tell why people hate this part. First, “it was all just a dream” is generally bad received by people (although the game is a little deeper than that). Not only that, but you actually spend more time trying to solve a puzzle other than actually caring about the plot.

Anyway, when you make it to the fake basement inside the fake house, you manage to “save” the fake child and enter act finale--a real “face your fears” sort of thing. I feel like it's easier and more accurate to read the Entity as a representation of your past fear rather than an actual being.

After a session of marvelous gameplay, you reach the epilogue of the game. Like I said, act 3 and finale were building up repressed childhood trauma and how to face them on your own. When the protagonist allows himself to go free from the past, he manages to wake up and face the present through a different perspective, without being tormented by unresolved conflict.

Returning to the beginning (the concept of acts), act 1 and 2 contextualize the past of the protagonist with the neighbor plot and the reason for his trauma. Act 3 and finale show how it affects the protagonist and how did he manage to overcome it by himself.

Again, I wouldn't even say it was a good game, but I feel this sort of plot is kinda underappreciated in horror media. Stories that focus more on the mental state of victims and how they are impacted aren't something that you see every day in gaming.

That's something I wish people could understand from Hello Neighbor. Like, yeah it wasn't perfect, but it did try to tell something, to pass on a message.

And yet, people dunk on the franchise a lot because of the first game (and that awful mat pat joke) to the point where Hello Neighbor's mark in media is simply that. A laughingstock. I might be speaking from a biased fan perspective, but it's really frustrating to see how quick people are to dismiss this franchise, specially its story.

The soundtrack in this game is really good, I gotta say.

Since I'm already at it, I think I'll touch the Hello Neighbor books, since I've seen some people claim it's the best source of media from the franchise.

Thanks for reading!

[literaticat]

I watch a bio on B&N (not so recent) and learned about their decision to allow its staff in each location to curate its book selection for its customer base. As a bookseller yourself, I was wondering how do you know what your local consumer of every genre might enjoy? And is there any obligation to be fair-- in that I mean stock an author that might be selling well even if you don't agree with their views or their writing is problematic? Also.. out of curiosity, have you ever had to deal with people that ask for a book from an author only to be accused of being discriminatory if it isn't stocked?

WIth the caveat that I haven't been a bookstore buyer in a decade, I did USED to be one, so, while other buyers might have different feelings, etc, here's what I think:

Local bookstores are typically in neighborhoods that have a certain VIBE. Probably the booksellers (and buyers) who work there are from the area or live there, and/or are just there every darn day talking to people. We know what kinds of things our customers get excited about, and what they order if we don't have it on the shelves. If people are forever ordering SF/F, for example, or requesting classic picture books we don't have on hand, that might be an indication that we should bulk up those sections! If we can't give Poetry away to save our lives, maybe it's a good idea to order less of it. ETC.

We also have computers with inventory, and Edelweiss, the publisher's catalogue portal. And we have sales reps from the publishers who know us, our taste, and our neighborhoods well -- they will mark up the catalogues in Edelweiss so if it is a local author or local interest, or if it's something they especially loved, or the publisher is hot on, or they've heard the author is going to be on NPR or whatevs, they will make a note of that to help us when we're placing our order -- and, even if we don't know off-hand, we see it a glance what has traditionally sold well in the neighborhood.

For example, within Edelweiss, for a bookstore account, it gives numbers for our store and region. SO when the new Maggie Greatauthor book comes out, I can see in the computer right there on the same page as the catalogue listing that we sold twelve copies of their previous book in hardcover and the paperback has done well, too - I better get a bunch of her new book! Book by a new author with no sales history? Well, Edelweiss has comp titles listed, too. So if this new book is, say, a paperback original rom-com that's being comped to Jasmine Guillory and Talia Hibbert books, and my store always does well with those, I should certainly get it in. And, hey, if we miss a title for whatever reason, or don't order enough in our initial order, we can always get more if there's a media blitz and people request it or we sell out of the first ones we got. And if we mess up and THINK a book will do really well and we've actually over-ordered it, well -- we can return them to the publisher.

...Is there any obligation to be fair-- in that I mean stock an author that might be selling well even if you don't agree with their views or their writing is problematic?

There's no obligation to do anything -- it's an independent bookstore for a reason! However, it's a business, right? We want customers to be happy and find what they are looking for. So If I'm the buyer, even if I'm personally not wild about a topic, book or author, if people want to spend money on it, I would carry it. Am I gonna get a pile of the new Rush Limbaugh book or whatever? Nah. But maybe I'd get ONE, and if somebody wants it they can find it, or they can ask and we can get it in for them. Probably, though, we'd end up either selling the one to the token bananapants grandpa in the neighborhood and not getting it back again, or if grandpa is on vacation, eventually returning it.

Also.. out of curiosity, have you ever had to deal with people that ask for a book from an author only to be accused of being discriminatory if it isn't stocked?

I remember what most readers of this are probably too young to remember -- the John Kerry "Swift Boat scandal" and the book that "exposed" it (which was in fact a pile of trash from a deranged mind but whatever) -- I worked at a store in very liberal San Francisco at the time, and we had a lot of agitator kind of people come in like "I SUPPOSE U ARE TOO LIBERAL TO CARRY THIS?????" -- but we literally couldn't get it in, it was out of stock because it got so much media attention! So then finally it came in and the people would be like U DON'T HAVE THIS BOOK HAHA SNOWFLAKES!!!! And we were like, here you go buddy, that'll be $25. :-)

Anyway, this rarely happens, because a) We will order any book that is in print that a customer wants to buy if it isn't on the shelves, I'm not the mind police, and b) most people who are real whackjobs don't spend a ton of time in bookstores, tbh.

[pluckyshroom]

watch the speedpaint and hear the spooky little tale below narrated on tiktok!

Before we moved into the new house, mama gave me two rules: she said that i should keep a diary to ‘make sense of these big changes in my life’, and that the woods that lined the backyard were off limits. I didn’t appreciate being treated like a baby about it, but since she’s been stressed with everything going on, I didn't argue. It’ll give me a chance to practice my writing, at least. Though for the record, moving isn’t a big deal, and I don't care about a bunch of boring trees.

It’s a spooky looking wood, to be sure. Almost all its leaves are gone for the season, and it makes them look dead compared to the much prettier red and yellow maples in the front yard and around town. But unpacking has taken up most of my time, so I haven't given them much thought until yesterday when I went into town.

Mama sent me to buy a few groceries, and told me to learn the streets since I'm getting old enough now to do stuff like this for her--errands, she calls them. I would have decided on my own to do some exploring since I hadn't really gotten the chance yet anyway, but I promised her to be good about it.

Everything here is small and close knit--not just the people but the buildings. They look like a mouthful of crooked teeth, the way that the roofs all stand at different heights and angles while all smushed together, but I took note of which ones were on which blocks like I promised, and eventually found the corner store where I was supposed to get our milk, packaged noodles, and bread.

The clerk is a weird but friendly kind of man, I think. His hand is missing some fingers, probably war scars or something, and his eyes sparkle a little too bright, like he knows something I don't; but I minded my manners all the same when I brought my things to the counter. He asked me how I was enjoying the town and the house, and I said just fine, though I wondered how he knew. Maybe because I'm the only new face he’d seen in a while and he assumed, or mama called the store to tell him I was coming so she could keep her fretting to a minimum about my making it there and back.

But the weirder thing was that he said the same thing mama had: just make sure to stay out of those woods. My curiosity got the better of me, and I asked why. He answered matter-of-factly as he put the milk and bread into a crisp paper bag, saying that nothing that goes into them comes back out ‘unchanged’. I didn’t know what he meant, but the twinkle in his eye got brighter in a way I didn't like. I paid him with my crumpled five dollar bill, got my change, and left without saying much else.

I know it sounds silly, but since then I've had this creeping feeling in my stomach that the woods know I'm aware of it. My bedroom window gives a direct view into it, and every time I look, it’s like it wants me to go in. I won’t, not only cos I promised mama but I saw a deer and her baby go just now, and I can’t explain this in a way that doesn’t sound crazy, but once they got past the tree line, they didn’t look right--like their features couldn’t decide how to be deer features. I swear for a second, the doe looked like she had feet.

[tragedycoded]

Am now cursed with knowing the version of the story I have is better than the version I had outlined and needing to immediately get it out of my skull and into the word document.

I'm going to yap real quick. I'll try to avoid finale spoilers but that's always the part of the story that comes to me the clearest when I know I've got a winner so oops~

So I'm going to reskin my characters and hope no one notices (if you read DMLS you're going to notice.)

The novel takes place in 1995, when lovers Paul Cody and Ezra Hayes are scuba diving on vacation and decide to check out a sinkhole that was discovered a few months earlier.

There was no cave diving certification back in 1995, but I've decided Cody is a recently retired Air Force pararescuer. I think he's going to be my math teacher. He and Hayes have been together for a long-ass time, so Hayes may as well be qualified to do cave dive/body recovery. But he's not a professional diver. He doesn't do shit for work. This is it. He fucks around all day. He's done almost a thousand dives because he decided scuba diving kicks ass sometime in the 1980s. Guess who Hayes is a reskin of.

While they're on their first dive of what they're hoping is going to be several that vacation, they find the body of a young man who went missing earlier that summer.

That would be Kurt, the marine botanist. Spoiler alert, he was actually the last to die, and he's tied for dying at the deepest depth.

On Kurt's body is a tablet with a note that says (paraphrased) "DON'T GO TO THE LIGHTHOUSE."

Since they aren't equipped to bring up a body from depth (they've only got the air they need to go down 130 feet and come back up, and they don't make it past 100 feet before they find Kurt's body inside a huge sinkhole) they come back up and report the body to police. The police don't have a dedicated dive team (it's the '90s) and they aren't going to go out there to recover "a bunch of tourists."

Cave diving is fucking dangerous even today but 30 years ago they were lacking a lot of the high-tech equipment that divers have today. I need to confirm they didn't have dive computers that would tell them how deep Kurt came from. How far down Kurt went will be a realization Cody has in the finale.

Cody, being a fucking boy scout, is like Well he wasn't dangerously far down, if we plan to make a deco[mpression] stop on the way up it'll be fine.

B Story, aka "SURPRISE, MOTHERFUCKER!"

When they get back down there to retrieve the body several days later, he isn't where he was. The two men realize a shark or a current or something must have knocked him down off the shelf he was on, and he's fallen deeper into the sinkhole.

This is where most of the pre-midpoint happens: they realize the body has sunk deeper, they can't go after him right that second, and then Cody starts to show signs of nitrogen narcosis at around 130 feet. His reasoning is impaired and for about 30 seconds he's fixated on the idea of continuing to descend. This is a setback. His tolerance for nitrogen is decreasing. They have to be very careful when they're putting their air mixes together which means I HAVE TO DO FUCKING MATH.

Knowing he has the skills necessary to bring back this young man's body, and also possibly locate the other five members of the party so their parents can have closure, Cody agrees to coordinate with the local police to go back down into the sinkhole.

I'm folding a lot of things to keep this yappening moving. Cody and Hayes are probably going to argue and then fuck nasty before going back down there. They also have to show the reader I did my research by talking with dive store staff and police and the kids' parents and their dive support etc. etc.

Hayes, who has a natural resistance to nitrogen narcosis and doesn't trust he can get a body into a bag at serious depth after the last time, insists on going with him, and Cody calls his best friend (who is a diving instructor/Hofer expy) to discuss the problem he's going to have bringing a body up from that depth. Bestie goes "WHAT??" and helps him plan for the dive; Hayes's sister also hears about what they're doing and flies out so she can be dive support for the rescue operation.

This is necessary so that they can get all the air mixtures they're going to need to survive potentially hitting a depth of 230 feet. They're already pushing it going over 165 feet. Nitrogen narcosis can occur at depths of 33-100 feet.

They meticulously plan the dive and how to bring Kurt's body back up. They agree on what to do if they find the other five divers, and agree that once they bring back Kurt's body, this is the last deep dive for Cody for a while, possibly permanently.

At the midpoint, they go back down.

This is where I'm cutting myself off, because that's the whole point of the story. From there it's 35k words of heavy metal guitar noises. Underwater.

[gwydionmisha]

Personal: Life on hard Mode

I took Goth Millennial to the good (Cheap, employee owned) grocery store. We generally shop together and we both needed a lot of things. I need to restock a whole lot of stuff thrown out or given away in the Great Refrigerator disaster. So I'm zooping along in the riding cart because my hip joints hate me and my broken toe is healing extra slow and we kept having this thing where I was like, "Oh! We need to grab X." GM: but we HAVE X. Me: It was old and nearly empty, so I threw it out when we emptied the freezer. Them: sad face

The new refrigerator is a lot smaller and less disability friendly, It does, however, WORK and it's mechanisms are simpler so let's hope it doesn't break once every 1-2 years like the old one. A kind friend got me a new britta as we gave away our sink attachment, filter tank, and emergency jug when we moved here. The water is so cold and delicious, far better than the old fridge water. Finding anything in it is a drama, though, especially with the freezer. I was trying to get cheese for meds snack and spent ten minutes searching. I thought we'd saved emergency frozen broccoli for yesterday's dinner from the Great Fridge Disaster, but if we did, it was buried in my hurried restock, probably amongst the frozen fruit for smoothies. Sigh.

Related note: I searched every stir fry veggie pouch in the freezer section of the good grocery store and all of the mixed pouches had onions and/or carrots and/or cauliflower. Sigh. I do not like cauliflower except in a tiny number of things, stir fry emphatically not amoung them. I like carrots fresh in salads and in certain soups and restaurant dishes, but not homemade emergency from frozen sir fry. I can no longer digest onions properly and I don't like them enough to go through the unpleasantness unless it's something special like the good cheese and chives bakery bread or restaurant stir fry, and even then, less is more. (I cook with freeze dried or dried and powdered garlic which I'm fine with and frozen garlic i can digest, but normal onions are right out, even frozen. I can handle a small amount of powdered or freeze dried). I don't make the rules. My body does. So I guess I can no longer buy a frozen stir fry packet for emergencies. Sigh.

Somehow my Bay leaf is missing and I forgot to restock, dammit. Also, I've not had safe for me salsa since the fridge killed the last mostly used container, and I still haven't been to that store for that, safe cup of soups, cheese, and dried mango, which are staples. Fuck! There are too many things I can't enjoy without salsa, so it's either no emergency too sick to make food soups, or no dried fruit for a month. (I'm an old and mango is both vitamin rich and something I am always willing to eat and at my age… a little fruit is a good idea every day.

I have a bunch of good things for now. bagels and cream cheese, fresh fruit, mushrooms, etc.. My fridge is restocked. I do have some cheese that survived the disaster, but half of it is messed up from it's sojourn in Squirrel's little chest freezer (I feel like if I say chest freezer, people imagine something you can hide an adult body in, whereas this was a freezer I bought when we lived in the previous apartment because storing my stuff and Squirrel meat in the tiny apartment freezer won't work. I now rather wish it WERE hide the body size, but where the fuck would we put it in this over crowded postage stamp apartment?), which means it crumbles and doesn't melt properly. (We were very lucky. Usually squirrel's meat freezer is PACKED, but it had a third empty when disaster struck, which saved the ice cream and the more expensive stuff I had like assorted vegetarian burger meats, frozen fruit, and cheese. It also meant ice.) I thought I had swiss, but maybe we used it up fast early in the disaster before it could go over.

It keeps going like this. I burned the OTC mostly on medicine, but also some fresh fruit and veg. I'm still pissed they cut OTC nearly in half this year. I'm also angry about the paternalistic "Healthy Food" requirement, which is nonsensical because bagels aren't classed as "healthy food," but cream cheese, Count Chocula cereal, and frozen pizza is, which seems kind of bullshit to me. Goth Millennial thinks it has to do with FDA subsidies and not nutrition at all, which sounds likely to me. I am ALSO pissed that the OTC is designed as a subsidy for large chain grocery store and pharmacies and also I have to pay tax on it. Fucking capitalism. It didn't used to be. It used to be at cost, so more valuable. Instead of doing the food portion like EBT, so I could buy at farmer's markets and also get seeds and starts, I have to go to the second most expensive grocery store in town and have to buy from their limited "healthy foods" list which does not involve starts and seeds. side eye

So I'm likely fucked for paying bills because of the refrigerator, and will need to wait 'til next month to get the rest of the food, and all the fresh fruit and the best vegetables are coming into season, tempting me to burn toilet paper on money on what I KNOW, are luxuries. I live a block away from a market garden that gets fresh fruit and sundries shipped fresh each morning from other local family farms and they have fruit so fresh and good nothing that nothing I've ever tasted can touch the quality. I am sleeping on sheets so torn I struggle not to put my legs through the holes and the visit to a friend in another town I'd hoped to do this month is postponed, possible cancelled.

I know, I know, this is one lost Summer for me while people are literally dying of starvation in Gaza. I'm just exhausted from the heat and the physio and the constant barrage of disasters hitting my friends one after the other. Some friends caught COVID. Goth Millennial is still fighting the unjust firing and the same employer is threatening another of my Millennials over the same bullshit. Us: "You need to tell the Union. " And the housing department is foot dragging and there this whole thing going on with a bunch of other bureaucracy stuff, and, and, and….

I still have not heard back on them raising the housing rate in August, so I can't even plan properly. Did they not get quorum? Did the protest work? Who knows? It's weird they've sent no email, right?

[dustydaydreamer]

Hello all!

I have created a new cocktail I am calling the Mistake.

The recipe is:

1 part amaretto

1 part cointreau

1 part water(I suggest replacing with seltzer for those of you that like carbonation or conforming to the societal standard of not just watering down a cocktail, and maybe add more than one part)

2 parts hiding from family, friends, the law, and any other potentially concerned party

17 parts worrying about if you're developing an alcohol dependency because you haven't been able to stop thinking about alcohol since New Years, the first time you actually got drunk and also the week before where you had between one and three drinks each night, so you told yourself you weren't allowed to google any questions about alcohol and you weren't allowed to open the pantry where your parents store the liquor, and you broke one of those rules tonight, and you really should just put the drink down and out of the room and deal with throwing it away tomorrow but then you would have to deal with the fact that you're throwing away alcohol and alcohol is expensive and what if your parents notice? You should probably let them know you're struggling with being around alcohol right now. They're very supportive.

lots and lots of ice

Notes:

I don't know if this is already a thing, thanks to the "you're not allowed to google any questions about alcohol" rule that I haven't broken

This would probably be much better after a bunch of experimentation, but some variations I can think of right now would be:

frangelico instead of amaretto

triple sec instead of cointreau

definitely definitely this is a mixer, more than a cocktail. it needs one of the clear liquors, like whiskey or gin or vodka or...tequila? but any of the previous three would probably be better. And I feel like I'm missing one but whatever

I'm queueing this!! cause I don't want my friends who are on tumblr to see this until waaaaaaaaaaay later. definitely not right now

Enjoy!

[vinceaddams]

Ooh I've never tried wood conditioner! It definitely needs a lot more work than that. The main body of it is pretty good and sturdy, but there are a whole bunch of smaller things that need fixing.

(Also, thank you for replying! I know you must get an annoying amount of asks for advice! I see someone's left a bunch of links in the notes, so I will have to check those out. This is the sort of thing where I could google it, but google is getting increasingly bad at showing me useful information made by people who aren't just trying to sell something, so real humans are probably better at directing me towards places to learn. If you ever need sewing advice I will tell you all the relevant things I can think of, in excruciating detail!)

Here is the sickly old man:

There's a strip of wood missing from the bottom of one of the drawers. I'm looking forward to using my brass cleaner on those handles!

Sections of the original varnish are beautiful, but overall it definitely needs refinishing, I scrubbed that bottom bit with soapy water but it just looks Like That. It doesn't appear to be mouldy though, it smells fine. I wish there was enough of the brand name left to read it. (Anyone recognize this M?)

Quite a few spots are badly worn away and need filling.

Some things need re-glueing, and some are a bit warped. I can re-glue and clamp stuff, but have never un-warped anything.

But the worst one is that two of the drawers have these nice slidey boards on the sides with little wheels and bearings that make them run smoothly, but on the other two they're missing.

I also want to cover up the empty strip in the bottom, since I'll use them for sewing supplies, not files. And maybe add a little bit of height to the sides of the drawers somehow, though they're not too bad this way.

So I'll have to get some help from someone who has a lot more tools than me, and make replacements somehow.

Right now I'm just storing all my trim & twill tape in the top two and leaving the bottom two alone, and I'll probably do some smaller furnitures first so I can work up to this one, but I really want to fix it eventually and to not do a bad job! I'd never seen a filing cabinet like it before, and it strikes me as something that would have been super expensive if it was in good condition.

Have you got any advice for places to learn about restoring furniture?

I've done a little bit of it, many years ago, but there's so much I don't know. (How does one find out which varnishes and such are best when there's such an overwhelming selection at the hardware store??)

I just got back from an estate sale where I got a beautiful and slightly decrepit hardwood filing cabinet for $20! I also have a couple of antique chairs that need attention, but not till late spring when it's warm enough to sand things outside.

A decent wood conditioner will get you surprisingly far, but it depends on the kind of damage! Do you have pictures?

[neon-dynasty]

Gathering Friends

I collect Planeswalker cards. Ever since I opened Sarkhan Vol in a Shards of Alara draft, I've been in love with the card type. It's like calling in a favor from a friend, except instead of getting a ride to the airport, you get dragons.

Look at that card! It may not seem special now, but imagine seeing something like this for the first time. The curved art border, the transparent rules box, the character literally popping out of the frame. It was unlike anything ever seen in the game before, at least outside of joke sets. The introduction of Planeswalkers in Lorwyn was probably the biggest impact on Magic: The Gathering in the franchise's history.

The rules for my collection started off simple: 1) Every printing of every Planeswalker card 2) If there's a premium and a non-premium version of the card, only the non-premium version counts

Then they got a little more complicated as new ways of getting Planeswalker cards came about: 3) Prerelease promos that are identical in every way to their main set counterparts don't count (this would go on to exclude promo pack cards with the foil symbol stamped on the image, as well as reprints with the little symbol on the bottom left of the card) 4) Cards given out as prizes don't count 4b) Heroes of the Realm cards DEFINITELY don't count 5) Lottery cards don't count (1/30 Collector Booster, serialized, other assorted nonsense)

Then came the big one: 6) Special foil treatments do count, so long as they have different collector numbers

That last rule was tough to decide on, because it walked back the lottery stipulation for the foil etched cards in Kamigawa Neon Dynasty. However, the textured foil cards in Double Masters 2022 were different enough from their main set counterparts that it felt right. It's also a very expensive category. As it stands, I can't afford to collect all of those, but we'll see what the future brings.

I'm currently pretty far behind with the collection, missing around 91 out of the 687 currently available Planeswalker cards (excluding 18 cards that land outside of the rules, of which I do own 7). It's mostly a bunch of inexpensive cards, less than ten dollars each, so it's doable. I'm thinking of buying everything worth less than five bucks in one go, and then completing the rest set by set. The last (and only) time I had a complete collection was during Amonkhet, so I'm in no rush.

It's definitely a first world problem, but damn if they don't print FAR too many cards these days. I love collecting these things, but because I don't let it get in the way of my real life, the backlog builds up. It's especially annoying because there are three or more different versions of each Planeswalker card in each set nowadays. I rarely feel the thrill of opening one in a pack anymore, because it's only one of a dozen or more mythic rare cards I need from the set. Phyrexia: All Will Be One is certainly an outlier, but I added thirty-five rows to my spreadsheet in anticipation of the set's release.

One interesting thing about the way the game is now, rotating out of Standard doesn't affect the price of cards very much after a few months. Prices stabilize much more quickly than they used to, and they don't drop as drastically anymore. I no longer feel like I should wait until rotation to clear the backlog a bit.

As a final note, I recently discovered the existence of this card:

It's a prize for Japanese store tournaments. It doesn't count toward the collection (though I do have the other three alternate art promos in this series), but I want it very badly. I've been trying to figure out how to scrounge up a couple hundred bucks to get this card, and feeling ridiculous because there's no excuse for spending that much money on a Magic card, especially one I'll never play.

I enjoy collecting these things, even during times when I'm not actively playing the game with friends. It maintains my connection to the hobby, and gives me a reason to keep up with the story and the game mechanics. On the flip side, sometimes I feel trapped by what can seem like a monumental endeavor. I often wish I could divert the attention I spend on this elsewhere.

In the end, though, Planeswalkers are the reason I still play one of my favorite games in the world. If I hadn't started this collection, I would certainly have moved on from Magic years ago. For something that brings me so much joy, I'm glad I've been able to stick with it for all this time.

[scorchieart]

Scorchie's Follower Celebration Thingy [CLOSED!]

Hello friends! Hope everyone is doing great as we dive into September 😊

I wanted to give a SUPER BIG THANKS to each and every one of you awesome internet nodes for welcoming me into this fandom and chatting with me, reading my writings, and just the all around goofiness of the past few months. Y'all are the real stars ✨

I really wanted to do something for the 100 mark, but real life slipped time away and I don't want to miss this next milestone. I don't have a cool prompt list to offer, but what I do have is a pile of fic ideas brewing in the pot for months now that I've been simply dying to tell you all about.

But I am notoriously indecisive ('tis a blessing and a curse) so I thought some audience participation might be fun. Below the cut are 6 multi-chapter fic ideas and their pitches. I'm asking YOU lovely readers to let me know which one you'd like to see written first to help celebrate 🥳🎉

Each of the following fics has at least a basic outline written, but I've listed them in order of how concrete the story is and/or how excited I am to write them. Of course, the final decision rests in your hands, dear viewers, so do keep in the mind the power you wield in determining the next few months of my fledgling writing career.

More details for the voting below, now on to the pitches! ⭐⭐

Note, all these ideas are for Ikemen Prince. I promise one day I'll expand my library to more series, but for now these guys are still on the brain. Oh, and these aren't the final titles of the fics, just some placeholders for your convenience.

Jin's first year at the palace New title? New father? New brothers? Jin didn't sign up for this, but reality has something different in store for this young prince as he learns to navigate palace life, charm the nobles that loathe his existence, learn what it means to be a big brother, and watch his new family grow. (This one has been in the works since Jin's route release back in March, and I've already got a chunk of it written cuz I'm so excited. This all started from the question: "What happened when Jin first met the other princes?" and it was all downhill from there. Needless to say, it'll be riddled with spoilers for pretty much all the princes' routes.)

Prank boi Clavis finally gets a taste of his own medicine Sariel takes tiny Yves and Licht (and a hyperactive Clavis) into town for the annual Winter Market, but when Clavis sets his eyes on an exotic stand filled with dangerous goods, he ends up biting off more than he can chew with his brothers in tow. (This one is the shortest of the bunch. Just a bit of slice-of-life in the lives of some mini princes being funny kiddies. When I tell you the flashbacks scenes in-game are my favorite parts...)

The eldest 3 go on a hunting trip (begrudgingly) It's time for the young princes to take part in high society. That means fancy balls, hunting trips, and waaaaay too long cramped carriage rides. The real question is if they'll catch any game before they end up hunting each other! (Another slice-of-life scenario, but I wanted to try a hand a writing perspective from multiple protagonists. I have 6 chapters planned and the POV shifts between Jin, Chevalier, and Clavis as the story goes along.)

Straight Eights continuation Basically the continuation of the modern high school AU I started a few months back. Chapter 1 is posted already if you wanna take a look at how that setup went.

Murder in the gardens? Detective Licht is on the case! Another gala, another migraine. Licht sneaks out of the palace to escape the party scene, only to sneak onto a murder scene! Guards and nobles swarm and catch sight of the Brutal Beast standing sword in hand and bloodied atop the dead body, but while the crowd is calling for punishment, Licht requests pardon and proper investigation when his brother looks him in the eye and boldly proclaims "It wasn't me." (Probably the most nebulous idea of the bunch because I have zero experience writing mystery, but I really wanted to delve more into Licht's character and how he reacts to different scenarios. It'll have the usual lot of gathering suspects, interviewing and investigating, and maybe even a spunky sidekick to lighten the mood with witty one-liners. Also the "Herlock Sholmes" character from Ace Attorney looks like Licht in detective getup and I got hooked.)

Clavis & Leon go on a mission, but neither is too happy about it It's Clavis's 15th birthday, but no one is paying any attention to him. Granted, there's a mass kidnapping case going on, but that's no excuse to ignore the third prince! All evidence points to the culprit targeting Prince Silvio's birthday party next month. Eager to prove himself to Sariel and Chevalier, Clavis requests to head the investigation, but how's he supposed to look cool when they make him babysit 3 of his younger brothers at the same time? (Another Clavis? Ye, what did you expect? Again, this is selfish wish-fulfillment of me wanting to see Clavis and Leon interacting more, but with a road trip mixed in!)

There they are! Hope you enjoyed that brief peek into my wacky brain space!

How to cast your vote ⭐

Just leave a comment on this post or send me an ask or a DM with your ranking of the above pitches from most to least interested to read. (for example: 2,4,6,1,5,3)

I'll keep the voting open until Saturday, September 17. Afterwards, I'll do some magic number crunching behind the scenes and post the results.

A few notes about requests ⭐

Experience is the best teacher, as they say, and I've definitely learned a lot more about writing since I started posting. Namely what I enjoy and do not enjoy writing, how to balance different characters and their voices, juggling genres, and a lot lot more! I have plans to experiment more with them in the future and I'm so excited about it! Mondo thanks to everyone who's let me bounce ideas off them, given me advice, and offered feedback on my work. You guys actively shaped the writer I am today.

But since I'm still in the process of developing my writing voice and the end of the year is bringing a lot more real-life responsibilities, I will be closing my ask box to writing requests at the same time the voting concludes. So if you have an idea you'd like to submit (first of all, thank you so much!), you've got until Saturday, September 17 to send it in. Details for posting requests can be found on this post.

To all the people who have sent me requests in the past, you guys are so super awesome and creative. To the requests I have not completed yet, trust me they're on the way. And to awesome people along for the ride, I hope you'll look forward to what I have coming in store 😉

Last thing, I pinky promise ⭐

I just wanted to thank you all again for the wonderful memories. This is the first fandom I've actively participated in and uploaded content for, and the fact that this many of you like the randomness I've been posting really and truly means the world to me.

To all the friends I've made along the way, and to the new ones I have yet to meet, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I honestly wouldn't have kept up with it all for this long without you guys.

Peace and love, and keep rocking on! 👊

- Scorchie

[draftingteacups]

Soni and the Ghost Marriage Event

Note: I don't know if I'll ever write anything for the Ghost Marriage Event for the story, so I decided to make this a cool thing for Valentine's Day 👍💖

So yeah, enjoy this What If Scenario everyone! In this What If Scenario, people know that she's the Champion/Grand Duchess and used Mega Evolution already.

The Start

Soni is a heavy sleeper, so she probably wouldn't hear the chaos of her Pokemon fighting against the ghost army until they were right at her bedroom door

Ghost: "We are going to take over this place for her Highness!"

Soni looking very unamused: "Oh really? Do you not know that you're in the presence of a Grand Duchess, the highest authority in her land?"

Ghost: "M-Miss, please don't mess around! We know all the royals here in Twisted Wonderland!"

Soni, her eyes turning sharp at the BS she needs to deal with in the morning: "Ha! I'm not from Twisted Wonderland as I'm from an entirely different world, yet it still applies all the same! If you need to know of my qualifications, let me show you my Pokemon's true strength."

Yeah, she manages to kick out the Ghosts and seal them off using special Ghost balms that Sam had in his store combined with her own Pokémon using their powers to block them off

Soni went back to sleep, calling it a vacation day; she ain't gonna deal with this crap hell no

Needless to say, when the whole school got taken over and the whole Operation begins, everyone headed over to Ramshackle as it was the only place that the Ghosts hadn't taken over if what the Ghosts were saying were real

Ghost: "Stop what you're doing! In the name of her Majesty's happiness-!"

Soni: "Oh, I am a Majesty and you're making me very unhappy right now. Get out of my sight."

Ghost: "WAHHH-!" *POOF*

Ghosts were scrambling to go into Ramshackle, only to get rebuffed and destroyed in an instant

Everyone just going, "Ah yes, the one person who could probably single-handed destroy the school, have a good day- wait, we need your help-!"

Soni is not amused

Meanwhile, Eliza is wondering who the heck has taken over Ramshackle because her guards apparently insulted royalty without realizing it and trespassed

Idia is just relieved by the fact that Soni's a huge Boss Battle that no one can overcome and is stalling out time for him to not get taken to the Ghost World

Crowley does his whole roundabout "Save Idia-kun" speech and gets the others to help out

Soni only helps once Crowley gives her a nice hefty bonus because she's not getting fooled by his tricks again

Everyone's gotten through their ideas and people think just throwing her at the bride to destroy her would solve the problem

Soni's like "Nah, it wouldn't get rid of her permanently" and she wasn't going to spend eternity fighting off this person

Thus Operation: Propose was born

As the guys work together to deal with the Operation, Ace, Deuce, and Grim just cheer on Soni for beating the crap out of the Ghosts

Swanna's helping them out because those Ghosts have been pissing it off

Croagunk's also joining the party

Soni: "You guys are the worst for just sitting there like a bunch of Duckletts."

Ace: "You're the only one with limitless power to handle these guys, teacher's pet!"

Deuce: "I need to take care of Happiny and I don't want her to distract you when you're busy."

Grim: "I tried to fight them off earlier, but you were sleeping a whole bunch, henchman!"

Soni is very not amused

Lunch rolls around and then everyone's treated to Soni's cooking while watching Round 1 of the suitors getting slapped

Deuce gets dragged away by Cater for the operation and Happiny's not happy about it; Uncle Ace takes over with Riddle assisting him

Soni's brain is working overtime at plans because this is almost doomed to fail

Now, Deuce can talk to Soni now, but that was after prolonged exposure to her and being her friend with Happiny in the mix.

If you add his inability to talk with women plus the stressful situation at hand, he's definitely going to freeze up still.

Eliza: "What kind of talent do you have?"

Deuce: "...Ah-"

Eliza: *slaps him* "How dare you ignore my question!"

Cater: "Ahaha, Deuce-chan really can't talk to anyone outside of his family and Assistant-chan, can he?"

Deuce flusters around: "It's different!"

Meanwhile, Happiny is not amused by this lady slapping her daddy; how mean!

Angy Happiny goes to crush the Ghosts with boulders and sends them scrambling back to NRC in a heartbeat wait how does that work with ghosts

Ghost 1: "Your highness, we've encountered another problem at the dorm! A small, pink monster is throwing boulders at us!"

Deuce: !!! "Happiny!"

Cater: "Aw, Happiny-chan really loves her daddy~"

Deuce: "Cater-senpai, please be quiet-!"

Eliza: "The little monster's name is Happiny? And she's your child??"

Eliza's just confused by this information

Then Eliza sees Happiny from a photo from Cater's phone that the guards confiscated and instantly falls in love with the little one; look at how cute she is!

Eliza deems Happiny an ideal Flower Girl and the Ghosts rush off to pick her up; Deuce is not happy at all by this

In the chaos, Soni is doing her best to keep everyone safe, but none of the students can assist her because they need to keep trying for Operation: Propose

Happiny gets taken from Ace and Riddle, even as they're doing their best to protect the little bun

Soni is ready to throw hands with this Princess and Ace has to keep her calm; it's not at all easy because he's pretty pissed off himself at this whole situation now

Meanwhile, Happiny's just crying 🥺🥺🥺

Happiny's white stone from her mom and dad is taken in favor of a bunch of flowers in her pouch and Happiny is incredibly upset because the white stone is important to the little bun

Happiny adamantly refuses to smile and pouts, looking upset and adorable; Eliza plays with Happiny's hair and removes the ribbon that looks like her mom's for something more fitting for the wedding

The little bun is even more upset and wails

Leona's like "Please make her stop crying. It's terrible on my ears."

Cater is guilty because it was his big mouth that got Happiny in this mess

Happiny sits near Deuce and cries while Deuce wishes that he can pick her up and comfort her, but he's stuck in place due to the curse; it's a total nightmare come to life

Swanna gets taken into the Marriage Hall and causes chaos that everyone's happy about this time around, just plain pissed by this Ghost Bride who thinks the Pokemon would be a wonderful symbol for their wedding

Vil says, "Ah yes, chaotic and noisy- very fitting for this marriage."

Everyone watching this sees Soni look like she's gonna storm into NRC, but Crowley distracts her saying that they needed to gather as many people for the Operation

Operation: Propose is on the shoulders of Rook, Epel, Riddle, and Ace in the end

As they're getting dressed up though, Sam guides her to the back to show off a few new items

Soni: "Sam? I thought you showed off what I needed?"

Sam: "Well, little lady, you definitely will need this! It's something that only you can have!"

Soni stares at the items in question: "...You've got to be kidding me."

Soni is highly not amused and will badger Crowley for a pay raise

The boys go into the school being told the Soni will be right behind them

They're so confused by the fact that she's hiding though

Ace: "Eh? She'll be in the shadows, ready to save us if we need it?"

Crowley: "Yes, Miss Monet is the person who's been responsible for holding them back. They'll automatically attack her if they know who she is."

Riddle: "I truly don't understand why she isn't leading the charge, Headmaster."

Crowley smiles: "Well, she has her own weaknesses."

Everyone except Rook: ???

Rook: "Ah, even the strongest of people will have their own fragility. How beautiful!"

Like Soni's in the shadows ready to assist them and they can hear her, but they can't see her

Soni watches Epel coming with a horse and just goes, "Ah yes, Eliza's acting out a stereotypical fairytale princess ending"

She watches everyone do their proposals and commends them for the whole speech

Then Riddle lights the ghosts on fire for his height being mentioned

Soni tells them to get moving with the ghosts coming at them; Ace wonders what's the big deal with her hiding in the shadows

Soni just tells him to get moving don't you dare ask again

Meanwhile, Idia's dressed up and ready; the Bride took to preparing in a spare room in order to get ready

Happiny throws things at the guards that try to put more stuff on her, pouting all the way

Little Happiny distracts the guards that way because little bun can throw things fast and hard

Deuce honestly has been going through the worst hours of his life, so he's full-out supporting Happiny in his state

Eliza tells him to control Happiny, but he refuses, saying that Happiny wants the things that they've taken from her back; Eliza says that would clash with the wedding theme

The wedding goes as expected with Ace running into the room and the guards trying to stop them

Ace: "Honestly, stop trying to find someone who doesn't exist! A marriage partner should be someone who'll you laugh or cry with. Someone who'll stay by your side no matter how hard it is. Honestly, this is such a pain! What kind of talk did you surround her with?!"

Ghosts: "Don't be so unkind to the Princess' dreams! She's been looking for 500 years!"

Eliza: "...Someone who doesn't exist...?"

Ace: "You're honestly a terrible person, just doing whatever you please. I swear I've seen this situation before."

Cater and Trey laugh nervously; Happiny's never been happier to see Uncle Ace and cries louder for him to help Deuce

The rest of the Tuxedo Gang appears and everything seems to be going to plan, but the ghosts keep respawning.

They get held back as the wedding continues; Idia's doing his best to stay away from Eliza and wonders where the heck is Soni please save himmmmm-!

Chubby: "We will ensure that the Princess' dreams come true! She's dealt with too much to have her Ideal Prince snatched away!"

???: "They aren't even dreams. They're nothing more than unfulfilled promises and fantasies by people who enjoy watching this circus. That's why you're on this planet still, right?"

???: "Honestly, you're so delusional. It's making me laugh."

Everyone: ??!

Chubby: "Show yourself, villain!"

???: "Villain...? Me? What a joke!"

???: "I'm pissed off at you for all the crap you've put me through today! Hurting others for the sake of your happiness, putting a literal child through this crap!"

???: "You talk about loving someone, but you're deluding yourself into thinking that forcing that love on someone else is fine when it's absolutely not!"

???: "You call me a villain when you come here and treat people who don't meet your impossible standards like trash! You don't see reality because you're stuck in your own head! Worst of all, you don't even consider the harm you're causing others because you're so fixated on a person so perfect and ideal when such a thing doesn't exist!"

Soni teleports into the room with a flourish of her SSR tier wedding gown ensemble with Dior and Primrose by her side: "People like you should go six feet under and stay there!"

Soni's outfit looks similar to Black Tea's Fragrant Rosebud dress, but with blue accents instead of pink, white gloves, and without the cleavage dip; She's holding out a bouquet of blue roses for sucking up negative energy as well with her hair down for once

Soni tells Primrose to unleash Aromatherapy to release the paralyzed students and they are freed from the curse, shocking Eliza because how in the world had her slap been nullified-?

Happiny is so happy to see her mama and runs over to her side, throwing away the flowers that kept getting stuffed into her pouch

Happiny just gets calmed instantly by the love and concern radiating off of Soni; Eliza's doubly shocked by the appearance of another bride

Eliza: "Wait, are you the royal my guards have been talking about all day?"

Soni smiles angrily with a vein pulsing on her head: "Yes, I'm so glad to finally meet you. Shall I repay your slaps towards my fellow students and utter disregard for Happiny's distress tenfold?"

Happiny: "Happiny!" Go, mommy, go!

Dior and Primrose get to work destroying the ghosts who honestly cannot reform fast enough with everyone finally free from their binds

If they get overwhelmed, then Soni sends out Aegis who terrifies everyone into staying back because Aegis sucks up the ghosts' life energy without hesitation

Leona told her that she should've done this hours ago, but Soni was busy trying to figure out a way to safely get everything done without being a casualty

Vil while he's fighting off the ghosts comments where she found the dress and Soni just says, "Sam had it."

Suddenly Ace and Riddle realize why she never appeared from her hiding spot, no matter how much they asked her why

Chubby goes Gigantimax and Soni releases Mega Evolution for Dior with the Tuxedo Boys helping out massively; Dior's been at the frontlines keeping them safe, so they had to return the favor

In the battle, Eliza gets slapped by Soni multiple times, each one leaving a terrible bruise on her cheeks for each of the guys who got paralyzed as well as Happiny's unhappiness

Chubby tries to stop Soni, but Soni beats him up with her bare hands like "Bitch, you better be joking."

Everyone at NRC is cheering her on, by the way 🤣

Eliza realizes that Chubby is her Prince Charming, but Soni's like "Screw your happy ending, you better give me compensation for all the destruction you caused at Ramshackle as well as Happiny's distress for your tantrums."

During the clean-up to which Soni managed to get paid for since she was not the damned janitor, Soni cleans out Happiny's pouch and fixes her up back to normal

Happiny promptly passes out from crying so much and snores; Deuce is handed Happiny and he's just trying not to feel terrible about what happened

Then the conversation with Ace's Ghost Marriage SSR happens

Soni has varying reactions to the others and their perspective on love

Soni isn't too surprised by Deuce's lack of girls approaching him during his Delinquent stage

She thinks that Jack's dedication to one person is honestly admirable, but she can see how it could be overwhelming to people if they're not up to that sort of thing

She just snickers when Sebek talks about the whole letter thing

When Ace brings up his example about focusing on his studies, Soni's in agreement that saying that it honestly felt way too soon for something like love anyways

Ortho tells them all about how genuine Ace was during his speech and everyone, including Soni, teases him about it

Then Ortho tells them the statistics with Soni's speech

Ortho: "According to my data, Soni-san was concerned about everyone that was involved. There's a guaranteed likelihood that her words on love are genuine!"

Soni: "Forcing someone to love you is just straight-up wrong. It's honestly kind of annoying."

Ace: "Who's the unlucky guy that tried to pull that on you? How hard did you turn him down? Did you punch him?"

Soni looks like she's done with everything for the 1000th time: "It wasn't just one person. I don't remember any of their names because they're not that important."

Turns out Soni has gotten a sizable amount of fan mail and love letters from people since she was 14; that number has only risen in recent years

All of them were rejected in favor of Soni not really being interested in love because doing so would be a pain to deal with on top of her regular duties as Champion

She's also been faced with people who say that she should love them because of their gifts, which makes her really annoyed because love nor affection cannot be bought

In the end, she's fine with not being in a relationship, despite people online saying that she should be interested in it.

Deuce: "W-Wow... I never expected you to be super popular."

Epel: "It's honestly impressive how used to this situation you are."

Soni: "Like I've said in the past, the faster you deal with the source of the problem, the less bullshit you need to deal with in the future. Works very well against dramatic people."

Ortho: "Soni-san, I can tell that you're rather romantic in your own way though! Dealing with your duties first and foremost is pretty cool! But I sensed a bit of longing in your voice too."

Soni: "....That's because I was thinking of my parents. My mom and dad were pretty romantic with one another. They weren't perfect, but nothing really is in the world."

The others are curious and then Soni details how her mom and dad met near one of the most romantic sights in the region, the old Lumiose Tower.

It wasn't love at first sight, but genuine curiosity on her dad's part about her mom's culture and Johto as he'd never talked to someone from there before

Kirako not-yet-Monet was horribly shy and scared due to the cultural stances between men and women in Johto, but Zavier Monet was respectful of her wishes and what she wanted

It wasn't a perfect first meeting, but they were friends far before they ever fell in love

Zavier Monet was a traveling trainer who had 8 Gym Badges from his home region of Galar and was traveling Kalos as it'd been his father's homeland

Kirako not-yet-Monet had little experience in traveling, much less being a Pokemon Trainer, and did so as to be independent of her family who were... less than kind about her departure, to say the least

Zavier met Kirako again, this time on the way out from Lumiose City and they decided to travel to their next point of travel together; and then another; and then another

Ortho: "It really sounds like a true love story of friends falling in love!"

Jack: "It's honestly a nice story."

Soni picks at her white gloves where her marks lay: "... It really is."

Soni: "Well, I'm certainly not as romantic as Ace, that's for sure."

Ace: "Hey!"

Soni doesn't really care if romance never comes for her. She's got all she needs at this very moment.

Happiny: "Happy Hap!" Mommy, you look pretty in the gown!

Soni: "Thank you, Happiny."

There's also a part of me that wonders if any of the boys would try to bridal style carry Soni for fun because hey, why not?

Soni is definitely not amused by it though

Jack can lift her with ease, although he's shy about it and Soni just keeps quiet as to not embarrass him

Epel can lift her up and Soni asks him to be careful to not trip on the dress because it's pretty long

Sebek nearly drops her because he didn't expect her to feel so heavy and she straight up hits him with the bouquet of flowers in retaliation

Both Deuce and Soni turn red for different reasons; Deuce never expected to be doing this sort of thing and Soni can hear Happiny cheering like please stop baby

Deuce did carry Ace before piggyback-style, both in the story and from Croagunk's Poison Jabs

Bridal style with Soni wearing an actual wedding gown- nope, his brain went poof-

Soni can understand Happiny and Happiny's basically going, "Mommy and Daddy are getting married!"

Like it's cute, but it's still embarrassing to hear; worse, only Soni could understand what Happiny was saying, but others could guess what the little bun is saying based on the sheer happiness radiating off of Happiny and the situation

The first thing that Ace said when Soni got lifted was, "Crap, you're heavier than I thought you were."

Soni said, "How is it that I managed to carry you bridal-style and I didn't even complain as much?"

They bicker about it and promptly stop by Othro commenting how the two of them really looked like a proper groom and bride

Like Epel's dressed up like a groom too, but it looked more like a sibling carry; Epel's sulking over it

With Ace, it really looked like two people that trusted one another in carrying them, even if they fought

Soni just wants the day to be over and sleep because running around in heels is exhausting

Ace says that he wouldn't be interested in someone like her because that'd be a weird thing for him to think about.

She's his friend first and foremost

....Well, that's if he's not going to end up in this romantic What-If here.

I wish you guys good vibes today! 💖👍

[helloalycia]

overstepping [one] // jane banner (Wind River)

summary: after getting several voicemails from your colleague and best friend with her asking for your backup, you attempt to call her back, only to get no answer.

warning/s: mentions of rape, murder and injuries.

author’s note: this is a two parter because i finally watched Wind River and it broke my heart but also lizzie was v cute and i felt the need to write this, hope you like it x

part two | masterlist | wattpad

"C'mon, work you stupid phone," I complained for the millionth time, before standing on the chair to get a better signal.

When I saw the bars in the corner of the screen increase, a grin appeared on my lips. I loved my parents, but the fact that they lived in a remote cabin in Tennessee with zero signal was not my favourite thing.

When the bars remained, my phone decided to actually be helpful and receive all the messages, calls and voicemails I missed. I did a brief flick through, noticing nothing was too important that couldn't wait for me to return to work. As an FBI agent, I rarely got time off. And now that I had taken a two month vacation to spend with my parents, I was adamant on enjoying it, even if I was missing work a smidge.

Next were the calls, which I noticed were mostly from my colleague and close friend, Jane Banner. I furrowed my brows, realising she'd left me several voicemails, too, which was strange since she knew I was on a break from work. What could be so important?

I sighed, glancing down at my uncomfortable position standing on the chair and leaning above the wardrobe. It was the only place in the house with decent signal and the only other place that wasn’t in the middle of nowhere was twenty minutes out. Telling myself I'd just listen to one voicemail to make sure everything was okay, I played the earliest message.

"Hey, Y/N. I'm sorry, I know you're on a break, but I just had to talk to you," it began, and Jane sounded troubled. "I was in Vegas, as you know, but I've been called out to a reservation in Wyoming where this poor girl was–" She paused, releasing a shaky breath. "She was raped and left to die out in the cold. I thought I could send in another team to take a look – y'know, usual protocol. But the coroner won't rule it a homicide and you know what that means."

I swallowed hard, knowing exactly what that meant. If it wasn't ruled a homicide, no backup would come and we had to move onto the next case. But if this girl was raped and left to die, the rapist was still out there and wasn't getting caught by the FBI.

"I can't just leave it and go," Jane continued quietly, with that recognisable passion for her job evident in her voice. "I have to do what I can. But I... I can't do this alone. It's not like other cases, Y/N. It's different out here. And there's only so much their police department can do. I know you're on a break, but I was hoping that, maybe, you could come out here and help me? It's the Wind River Indian Reservation. That's it, I guess. Bye."

The message ended and I found myself chewing on my lower lip anxiously, unable to think about anything other than Jane now. She'd worried me with that one voicemail alone – I couldn't imagine what the others said.

She was usually so good at dealing with cases, but this seemed different. She sounded shaken up, attempting to put on a brave face by the sounds of it. What was so different about this case? She didn't need me. She was capable.

Curiosity got the better of me and I played the second message, ignoring the discomfort in my arms as I stretched to maintain the signal. It was left a day after the first one.

"Hey, so I just remembered that you said you don't get much signal up there with your parents," she began apologetically. "I don't mean to– shit, it's so cold..." There was a pause, a noise in the background, then she continued, "Sorry, just turning up the heating. Anyway, I was saying. I don't mean to intrude on your break. I just– I'm hoping you'll find signal and hear this because I could really use your help. I think we've got a lead on who may have done it. It was hectic today. Really could've used that backup."

She chuckled dryly at her attempt at a joke, but all I felt was guilt. She sounded exhausted within a day of being there.

"I hope you get this," she finished with a sigh. "I should go. Got a busy day tomorrow. Hope you're doing okay. Bye."

I wasted no time in playing the next message. Three days into her case.

"I don't know why I keep sending these," she began with a hoarse voice, and my heart clenched at the sound of it. "You clearly aren't getting them in time. But it's easier talking to you like this than not at all."

It went quiet, so quiet that I thought she may have finished and forgot to hang up. But then she spoke up again, a whimper escaping her lips.

"It's so hard," she admitted. "We've covered worse cases, but this one... everything about it makes me uncomfortable. Something doesn't feel right. I've got a lead – we think it might be the boyfriend who did it and we're gonna see him tomorrow. But I don't know."

I frowned, squeezing my phone tightly because I didn't recognise the girl speaking as my friend. This girl sounded broken and I wondered what she could have discovered that made her like this.

"I've got the police department with me for backup," she said with a sniffle. "And Cory, he's a hunter whose been helping me with the case. They're all gonna be with me tomorrow. But I wish you were here, too. You always make things easier."

The lump in my throat wouldn't disappear no matter how many times I swallowed it. She made things easier, too. Always. And all I wanted to was be by her side and be there for her like she always was for me.

"Sorry about this," she said with a watery laugh, and I could imagine the embarrassed smile on her face as she did. "I sound like such an idiot. Never mind these messages. Just enjoy your break. I shouldn't be worrying you like this. See you when you get back."

The message ended and I checked to see if there were anymore, but to my disappointment, there wasn't. That message was from a few days ago and she hadn't sent anything since which was concerning in itself.

Trying not to panic for no reason, I called Jane. Hopefully everything was okay and I was being stupid. She was a fully-trained FBI agent. She could take care of herself. Right?

The call rang and rang, but nobody picked up. One missed call. No biggie. She probably heard it and couldn't find her phone or something. So, I tried again.

More ringing and no answer. Okay, no big deal. Just try again.

Another call and no answer. The chewing on my lip became more intense. Why the hell wasn't she picking up? Was she still working the case?

I waited an hour, trying again at ten minute intervals, unable to fight my concern. But there was no answer every time and I realised that I couldn't sit and wait for her to call back. Not after how she sounded in those voicemails.

No, I had to go there. She needed backup.

—

Wyoming was way colder than I could have prepared for.

I mean, technically, I prepared for nothing. I bid my parents a goodbye, threw some random clothes in a bag and caught the next plane over there. I tried for Jane's phone constantly, knowing she was never one to ignore me for this long, but there was no point. She wasn't answering, which could only mean so much.

When I reached the reservation, I had no idea where anything was or what I was looking for exactly. I just knew that as soon as the taxi dropped me off in the centre of town, I didn't know where to go.

There were a lot of locals hanging around, so my first port of call was to ask them if they'd seen Jane around – or Agent Banner, as she may have introduced herself. I showed them a picture of her on my phone, described her with vivid detail, but they just stared at me like I was crazy. I was starting to believe I was at one point, until I stopped by the convenience store.

As worried as I was for Jane's whereabouts, the chill in my bones was real. Especially my hands, which I was certain would fall off any minute. So, I decided to buy some gloves and also ask the cashier if he'd seen Jane around or heard anything of her. Whilst I was doing that, a customer caught my attention, probably having overheard my conversation.

"Did you say Jane Banner?" he asked with a quirked brow, interrupting my purchase. "The FBI lady, right?"

I nodded quickly, facing him. "Yes, that's her! D'you know where she is?"

He nodded casually. "Yeah, she's in the hospital. That big shootout that happened a few days ago, right?"

My stomach dropped. "The what?"

"The shootout," he repeated, not aware of the concern in my face. "At the drill site. A bunch of officers were killed and the FBI lady was one of the only one left standing." He tutted as he shook his head. "Very lucky that one."

A shootout? The hospital? Only one left standing? No wonder she hadn't been answering her calls.

"Can you– do you–" I stopped, clearing my throat and trying to stop freaking out. "Which hospital?"

After getting the address from him, I caught a taxi to the only hospital in town and prayed to God that Jane was okay. The one thing she'd asked for was backup and I couldn't even give her that. If I'd just looked at my messages sooner... fuck.

Getting past the front desk and to Jane's room was no issue at all. A quick flash of my FBI badge was enough for the receptionist to give me the details and wave me through. My heart was constricting in my chest the longer it took. What if it was really bad? What if that customer's intel was outdated and Jane was– no. I couldn't afford to think like that.

Upon finding Jane's room, I spotted an older man leaving through the door, being careful to close it behind him. I didn't recognise him at all.

"Excuse me," I called, earning his attention. "Is that Jane Banner's room you just came from?"

He seemed surprised, glancing over his shoulder to make sure I was speaking to him, before nodding. "Yes. Sorry, who are you?"

I pulled my badge from my pocket and showed him, though I doubted anyone would take me seriously when my eyes were watering at thought of Jane being severely injured.

"I'm her friend," I said, swallowing down the lump in my throat before lowering my badge.

"Oh, you're the backup that didn't come," he said with realisation.

My eyes flickered to the floor guiltily. He wasn't exactly wrong.

"I didn't mean it like that," he added quickly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

I shook my head, lifting my eyes to meet his. "It's okay. I should've... I should've been here." It went quiet as he didn't know what to say, so I looked to him halfheartedly. "I assume you're from the police department, one of the ones who helped Jane."

"Not exactly," he said, before putting out his hand for me to shake. "Name's Cory. I'm a hunter by trade."

Returning his handshake, I recalled Jane's voicemail. "Oh, yeah, she mentioned you... thank you for helping her out."

When I couldn’t, I added in my head.

He offered me a small smile and I couldn't find it in myself to return it. I must have looked like shit, since he gave me a pitiful gaze.

"You want me to catch you up before you go in?" he asked, nodding to Jane's door. "She's okay by the way."

I nodded, sucking up a breath. My nerves were eating away at me the longer I didn't see Jane – half of me was terrified of what I'd find, and the other half was afraid she'd be upset or angry because I left her to it, even when she pleaded for my help.

Cory and I took a seat down the hall and he proceeded to explain about the case and how they found the guy who raped that poor girl. The shootout was the worst bit, making me shiver with discomfort. Apparently, Jane had gotten blasted with a shotgun, puncturing her torso and neck despite the vest she wore. All of the officers with her were killed and by the sounds of it, Jane almost was, too. But Cory managed to take out the criminals and the rapist himself. When he was finished telling me, I had no words.

"She's a bit shaken up, but her surgery went well," Cory reassured with a short nod. "Does she know you're coming?"

I shook my head, voice thick with emotion. "She wouldn't answer her phone. I guess I know why now."

Cory nodded, rubbing the back of his neck before sparing me a consoling glance. "She talked about you a lot. I think it'll cheer her up seeing you. You should go."

My eyes met his, teary and stinging with unshed tears. "Thank you so much."

He shrugged bashfully, but he didn't realise all that he'd done. I gave him a small, tight smile before standing up with a sigh. No point dwelling anymore – I had to see her.

Pushing my selfish feelings aside, I sucked it up and approached Jane's room. She would either want to punch me or not, but either way, I had to see if she was okay. And so, when I opened the door slightly, heart racing in my chest, said heart jumped in my throat at the sight of her.

She was laying on the bed with wires stuck in her and, only from what I could see, bandages were covering the side of her neck. I thought she was sleeping at first, but then her head tilted towards the door curiously, and bright blue eyes widened with disbelief.

"Y/N?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. "What are you– how did you get here?"

I closed the door behind me and hesitantly approached her bedside, unable to stop my eyes from soaking in the sight of her. She looked so feeble and vulnerable and unlike how I saw her last. Then, Cory's words came back to me and I began to imagine the worst scenario of her getting shot, blood seeping from her wounds, the life draining from her eyes...

"Y/N," she called, and I looked to her startlingly, hoping I didn't look as troubled as I felt.

"Sorry," I said, clearing my throat. "I, er– the messages. Voicemail. I heard them and tried calling you back, but..."

She pursed her lips, exhaling with a wince and looking up at the ceiling, as if suddenly remembering she left messages in the first place.

"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner," I said quietly, guilt seeping back in.

"No, no, don't be," she said, and I just about noticed the pink dusting her cheeks. "It's not your fault. I shouldn't have interrupted your vacation like that. I know you said you wanted a break and–"

"Jane, no, don't even say that," I cut her off, reaching for her hand in an instant. She looked my way, eyes flickering between mine nervously. I squeezed her hand gently and said, "I should have been here. You needed me and I– I didn't come. Maybe if I had, this could have ended differently."

She tried to smile, but I could see the discomfort in her eyes. "It's not that bad, honestly. It just looks bad."

I pressed my lips together, eyes falling to the bandage on her neck. Even though it was big and covered her wound, I could still make out the bruising around it from the impact of the shell. I didn't imagine the torso wound looking any different, and that thought alone made me regret leaving her alone. It was very much as bad as it looked; I knew that and she knew that.

Her lips trembled as she avoided my eyes, her own tearing up. I pushed away my guilt momentarily and changed the subject.

"So, I met Cory. He seems like a great guy."

She didn't say anything as she seemed lost in thought. Either that or she was trying not to cry in front of me. I hoped it wasn't the latter, since the last thing I wanted was to make her feel uncomfortable.

"You know," I said, when she wouldn't speak, "I'm pretty sure I told you to stay safe before I left for my vacation."

At my poor attempt to lighten the mood, she cracked a small, tight smile, but a smile nonetheless, and my racing heart slowed down momentarily.

"I'm glad you're okay," I said, now that I had her attention again, and she looked my way with a softened expression. "Kind of okay. But you know... okay."

Thankfully, she knew what I meant and her hand tightened around mine.

"I'm glad you came," she returned, and I couldn't look away even if I tried. She was always able to trap me with a single gaze.

With a tug of her hand, she motioned for me to sit on the edge of her bed, so I did. And then she began to ask me about my vacation, what I'd been up to this past month, how my parents were... basically anything and everything except for the case. And it was understandable, since she was reminded of it all the time. If I could be a form of escapism for her, so be it. It was the least I could do.

We spoke for hours until the nurse came in to let me know visiting hours were over and I'd have to come back tomorrow. With a regretful sigh, I got up from my seat on her bedside and stretched my limbs.

"Where are you staying?" she asked, a slight frown on her lips.

I smiled awkwardly, realising I didn't think that far ahead. "I'm not gonna lie, I don't know. I came straight here. There's gotta be a hotel or something in this town, right?"

She nodded and flicked her hand to the shelves on the other side of the room. "You should stay in my room in the inn. Key's in my bag over there."

"Oh, I don't have to do that–"

"Y/N, it's not like I'm going to be staying there anytime soon," she cut me off, smiling halfheartedly. "Please."

I chewed on my lip and nodded, giving in. When I grabbed her keys from her bag, I stopped by her bedside and gave her a supportive smile.

"I'll back first thing in the morning, if you don't mind," I said, and she finally gave me a smile that reached her eyes.

"I'd like that."

I nodded, resting a hand on hers and squeezing comfortingly. "Goodnight."

—

Though I knew Jane was okay, I still couldn't stop myself from thinking about her all night. The sight of her wounds and the broken expression on her face was enough to keep me awake. And the guilt that came with it all... why couldn't I have just picked up my damn phone?

As promised, I returned to Jane's hospital room the next morning, this time bringing some breakfast snacks from the hospital cafeteria since I knew the food would be much better than whatever they were serving her. Judging by the content expression on her face when I gave it to her, I was right.

When she finished eating, she was able to sit up slightly and move over on her bed, urging for me to join her and watch some TV with her. There was no way I was going to turn down that offer, so I slid next to her and kept a packet of sliced apples between us as we watched whatever was playing on the TV.

About halfway through watching, she spoke up randomly, taking me by surprise.

"When are you leaving?"

I tore my gaze from the screen and realised she was staring at me with intense green eyes.

"When you're well enough to," I answered truthfully.

She looked down to her hands. "You don't have to stay with me. You can go."

I studied her profile, knowing it was the wrong time to appreciate how stunning she looked even when she was makeup-free, sporting a bed head and tired.

"Do you want me to go?" I asked softly, afraid I may have overstepped.

She was quick to shake her head slightly, finally lifting her gaze to meet mine with glossy ones. "No."

I nodded, trying very hard not to smile, cleared my throat and grabbed her hand. "Then I'm not leaving. I'll be right here until you get better and I can take you home."

A ragged breath escaped her lips as she nodded in response. We both looked back to the TV and I noticed she didn't let go of my hand, her fingers warm to the touch and giving me goosebumps at the contact. But I wouldn't have had it any other way.

[hrrytomlinson]

Unique AUs I’ve Read

I have a list of fics on my phone that are so unique, so different, so specific to a certain theme/genre, that you could literally find nothing else like it on ao3 (in my opinion). When authors deep dive into a universe, the reader falls in love with the characters and plot. These plots are some of the most unique ones I’ve ever come across. Enjoy.

No Matter Where You Are (No Matter How Far) by @ceaseand-exist​, 35k

An Everest AU where Louis sets out to climb the tallest mountain on the world and meets a curly-haired guy named Harry who worms his way into Louis's life. It's not long before reaching the summit becomes the least of Louis's worries.

Behavioural Ecology by @turtlekz​, 81k

Louis Tomlinson is a primatologist working with the Jane Goodall Institute for primate conservation; and Harry Styles is the photojournalist sent from National Geographic to write a piece promoting awareness about the endangered species. They meet, and love is never, ever simple, as we know.

Featuring Eli the chimpanzee, bickering humans, storytelling, and five men who come to gain an understanding of what it means to be human; all stationed in the Republic of the Congo.

Coax the Cold by @mediawhorefics​, 86k

England, 1897.  

English Professor Louis Tomlinson’s passion for the occult has been a source of mockery and derision for most of his life. When he hears whispers of a travelling freak show newly established in London claiming the existence of a monstrous sea hybrid, half-man, half-fish, Louis sees it as his ticket to credibility amongst his peers. The summer he spends undercover working on the show, however, gives him much more than that.

Run Away Home by @hattalove​, 106k

Louis stands, in the middle of a clearing with his hands in his pockets, and stares. This boy—God, this gorgeous, gorgeous boy. He seems so clumsy, confused at the best of times, but there’s a wisdom about him as he speaks, a maturity that belies his age.

Louis is hopelessly, wildly attracted to him.

Or, Louis is a successful jockey down on his luck, struggling to get his life back on track after an injury. Harry has a horse, a house fit for a prince, and a broken heart.

It takes them a while to figure out that they need each other.

Above Your Head by @heypopstar​, 57k

What happens when an unstoppable object meets an immovable force?

Space AU. Louis is an astronaut. Harry works for Mission Control. They don't get along.

Paint The Sky With Stars by @icanhazzalou​, 62k

On 10 April 1912, Harry Styles boards the finest ship the world has ever seen. Still grieving the death of their mother, he and his sister are being sent to America to live with a callous uncle who cares more about his business connections than family. Harry prepares himself for a long, disappointing voyage alone in his stateroom.

Louis Tomlinson has borrowed and saved, and finally has enough to purchase a Third Class ticket to America. With all of his belongings in a single ruck sack, he boards the Titanic filled with hope for a brighter future. Never one to sit still, he can’t resist exploring the massive ship, and soon goes sneaking into First Class in a stolen steward’s uniform.

By a twist of fate, Louis finds himself in Harry’s stateroom, entranced by the most attractive man he’s ever laid eyes on. He keeps returning day after day, even if he doesn’t understand what it is about Harry that continues pulling him in. That’s all right; Louis has a week to figure it out, and Harry is plenty willing to help.

Except they don’t have a week. They have four days. Because on 15 April, their entire world will be turned upside down.

Or, the historically accurate Titanic AU with a happy ending.

Outwit, Outplay, Outlast by @lookatyourchoices​ & @winingandcrying​, 60k

“Tommo and Harry are gonna do it. I don’t know when, but they’re gonna do it. They’ve got the mattress, the pillows, everything’s in place, and they’re gonna do it. I really wish those two the best of luck.” – Taylor Swift, "Chapera"

Or a Survivor All-Stars AU in which Harry and Louis are just in this game to win the million dollars, but they end up with something better.

Featuring Harry's yellow swim shorts, Louis in snapbacks, and OT5 shenanigans.

Love Is A Rebellious Bird by @100percentsassy​ & @gloriaandrews​, 134k

AU in which the boys still make music. Louis is the concertmaster of the London Symphony Orchestra, Harry is the New! and Exciting! interim conductor/ex-cello prodigy who "has made Mozart cool again" according to Esquire Magazine (Louis hates him immediately, which is definitely why he internet stalked him in his dark bedroom late at night that one time), and Niall is the best. Zayn and Liam are around too.

Don't hum Bolero.

7 Up by @cherrystreet​, 51k

Very loosely based on the British TV show "The Up Series" and somewhat inspired by the song “Something I Need” by Onerepublic, we follow the lives of Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson in an interview setting every seven years. They fall apart and come together, their lives and emotions recorded. Harry calls it a time capsule. Louis calls it a pain in the are.

Take My Breath Away by @realitybetterthanfiction​, 153k

There is a prestigious school in the British Royal Navy classified as Premier Delta - or as it is known by its flyers, 1D. These select pilots are an elite set of Naval lieutenants who are trained in the skill of aggressive aerial combat. They are instruments of war, trained in times of peace. They are dogfighters, relentless and fearless in their mission to protect their beloved country. From their lofty vantage, they are always watching, waiting, and ready to lay it all on the line.

Lt. Harry Styles, call sign Sparrow, is a prodigy when it comes to flying. The owner of an unrivaled Naval pedigree, being a pilot was always written in the stars for Harry. With his trusty RIO, Lt. Niall Horan, Harry has made an unprecedented ascension in the ranks of the Naval aerial combat elite, and has been recruited to the esteemed Premier Delta flight school, carrying on his family’s legacy. What he finds there are unexpected friendships, perilous challenges, and something beyond what he ever thought possible. Because as his father had always told him, before the great Captain Styles went tragically missing in combat, you don’t fall in love with the sky, you fall in love with what keeps you on the ground.

Be With Me So Happily by @briannamarguerite​, 42k

Harry Styles may have had his doubts at first, but by the time the gates to the elephant sanctuary came into view he was one hundred percent positive. Louis Tomlinson hated his guts. Like hated, hated. Like loathed-him-on-sight hated.

From what Harry could tell, he hadn’t even done anything close to insulting enough to warrant the disdain that was Louis Tomlinson’s default expression whenever he looked at Harry. It really wasn’t fair. Especially since he’d been lusting after the man from the second he’d laid eyes on that pretty, pretty face with those pretty, pretty eyes.

Or ... the one where Harry Styles has a bad reputation and a heart of gold, and Louis Tomlinson wishes he wasn't so enchanted by boys who looked like Disney characters and wore shirts with bumble bees on them.

Aka Louis is the director of the Styles Elephant Sanctuary and really doesn't want to babysit his funder's spoiled lay-about son for two months.

All I Wish Not to Remember by @avocadolouie​, 71k

What happens when all you had, all you loved, all you held dear is viciously ripped away from you? When your inner core, once filled with love and hope and light, blackens to raw, dark hatred?

What happens when your soul is hopelessly consumed and no matter how hard you try, no matter how hard you attempt to shake yourself out, to rid your tormented mind of the opaque feelings that plague you, all you can see, all you can feel, all you can want is...

Revenge.

A modern adaption of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. A tragic tale of timeless undying love, merciless revenge, and selfless sacrifice.

Love Endless (The Road to Recollection) by @wubwubnparmaham​, 171k

The year is groovy 1973, and eighteen-year-old Louis Tomlinson is perhaps the gayest teen to ever grace the gloomy, hateful town of Fortwright. Would be fine if he wasn't so viciously bullied at both home and school for such a "harmful" sexual preference.

Yeah, yeah, we've all heard this story, haven't we? Believe him, Louis didn't think he was anything special either.

Until he found the mansion. The notoriously haunted mansion hidden deep within the forests of his tiny blip of a town in Bumfuck Nowhere, Idaho. No one with a brain ever goes near it, but Louis could use a little excitement in his life...and possibly a Band-Aid or two.

After discovering the mansion was less abandoned than he'd thought, he's now left with the most riveting mystery of a lifetime; every new finding leaving him with more questions. Who is this elusive owner, and why won't they show themselves? Why is there a set of journals in the same handwriting that span over centuries? Why in the world is there a padlock on the refrigerator...and who the hell is Alexander?

When We Were Younger by @waytoomanypeopleintheaddisonlee​, 76k

About a week after Harry started visiting this particular chat room, he was watching some kid argue with the whole room about football, personally disinterested as he tipped a bag of crisps into his mouth. He happily chomped on the crumbs, taking a swig from a glass of Ribena to wash them down, glancing at the screen and very nearly spat the squash back out again. His heart was pounding wildly. The display icon of the argumentative newcomer had caught his eye, and not in a good way. He gulped as he clicked the picture, and when it popped up in full resolution, his heart nearly fell right out of his arse. Sixteen year old Harry Styles’ world turns upside down when he logs on to gay teen chat to discover somebody has stolen his photos and used them as their own.

These Bountiful Silences by tommoandbambi, 123k

They live in a world where they can only say four words per day. Harry meets some people that don't want to live that way.

Once Upon A Dream by @louehvolution​, 33k

Louis is psychic and gets caught in the middle of a murder investigation led by FBI Special Agent Harry Styles.

Aka, the Medium/Criminal Minds-inspired AU no one ever asked for.

In the Clear by @thedarkestlarrie​, 80k

After Princess Gemma and her fiance Niall are captured by the witch from across the land, Harry and Louis are forced on a journey together to save them.

Featuring Lumberjack Liam, Magical Zayn, unsolicited tattoos, and untangling the past.

Also known as The Larrietale.

Down the Backs of Table Tops (and Ticket Stubs in the Attic) by @londonfoginacup, 7k

There's only two of them stuck to the house now, two souls tied to the walls and floor and pipes and appliances. Two souls stuck in a world that's moved on without them. Well, two souls and a cat.

He holds up the red fabric for Harry to get a good look at."We're going to decorate!"

Harry thinks this might be an odd shut-ins version of retail therapy, and he looks to Grimmy for guidance on how to explain to Louis that this will not at all help his cause.

The World Turned Upside Down by @dogsliampaynedoesntinstagram, 71k

In September 1984, Harry Styles starts at Manchester Polytechnic with two goals: to take pictures and to join the Lesbian and Gay Society. He’s never paid much attention to the news, but everyone he meets in Manchester supports the miners. He realises how right they are when he meets Louis Tomlinson, a striking miner who flirts with him. A month later they are both at the founding meeting of Manchester Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, trying to bring down the government. Through letters and visits they build a relationship, in a world very much not of their own choosing.

Manchester and Doncaster in the 1980s are grim, hopeful and alive. Niall is president of the Young Labour club, Nick Grimshaw is in love with the singer of an up and coming band, Fizzy wants to know more about the women of Greenham Common and Harry and Louis are brave.

A Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners/Pride AU.

Through Eerie Chaos by @mediawhorefics, 102k

For as long as anyone can remember, Old Hillsbridge Manor has always been believed to be haunted. Everyone in the village agrees and keeps a respectful, fearful, distance. New in town after a bad breakup and an internship that led to disappointment rather than a permanent job, Harry Styles figures taking pictures of the decrepit building could be a great new creative project. Or at least a much-needed distraction while he searches for a job and crashes at his parents’ new house. No one warned him about the apparitions though; about the music, the laughter, the people who flicker and vanish when you call after them, the echoes of a past that should be long gone… Harry has never believed in spirits but even he can admit that there’s something weird going on. What starts as mere curiosity evolves into a full-blown investigation and soon enough, Harry finds himself making friends with an aristocrat from the 1920s and struggling with finding the best way to tell him that he’s dead.

The Ghost Hunter AU where Niall lives to prove ghosts are real, Zayn is a skeptical librarian and Harry gets caught up in a century-old mystery and catches feeling in the process.

find more fic recs here

[jaybird-redhood]

propinquity

wc: 2.2k

pairing: jason todd // gn reader

The first thing you think when you see him for the first time is that he has the cutest smile.

That’s a lie, the first thing you think it that he is so incredibly in shape, and it looks great on him, but the smile thing sounds better in your head.

He's moving into the apartment across from yours a month after you moved into yours. Weird, because the two people in your building closest to your age are 2 and 63, respectively.

You suppose that some wicked twist of fate must’ve brought this upon you for missing your cousin’s birthday party last week, because the guy standing across from you is crazy hot. And looking right at you. And you are in the huge neon Wonder Woman t-shirt that your best friend got for your birthday last year.

Yeah. Karma.

“Nice shirt,” the guy offers, holding in a grin. “You’re really making it work.”

“I-”

“See you around, neighbor.”

And with a shut of a door and an awfully charismatic smirk he’s gone.

The next time you see him is a week later, and this time- luckily, you think- you’re dressed somewhat put together. You run into him while unlocking your door.

"What's got you in a twist?" he asks.

"Um," you start, "I just. Ugh I have so much to do. Like 3 hours of homework, a lecture tomorrow that I cannot skip, and I'm completely out of bread and eggs and can't even you to the store until, like, Thursday at best."

Once you start rambling you can't seem to stop. You slouch against your door. You're not entirely sure why you're telling a stranger all this, but he seems to be listening, so you suppose that’s a good sign

"I get the feeling," he offers, and you look up at him. "I'm majoring in English Lit and my classes are kind of kicking my ass."

You give him a small smile, "Glad to know someone in this building is struggling as much as I am."

"Jason," he says, and he reaches his hand out to you. "My name."

You shake it and tell him yours.

As you both turn back into your respective apartments you think that he maybe isn't as intimidating as you thought.

~

The next day goes by with a really boring lecture and another 3 hours of work you need to do.

The ride home from uni isn't that long, but it's long enough for you to contemplate all the ways that your life went wrong after moving to Gotham. And, maybe as payback for thinking mean things about the city, rain that you think should belong to a category 3 hurricane starts to whip around your car 10 minutes into your drive.

Your clothes are dripping water in literal puddles by the time you get back to your apartment.

Groaning, you start fishing for your keys in your purse while walking up the last flight of stairs.

When you get to your door you stop. Right in front of it there’s a grocery bag. Picking it up and looking inside you see a loaf of bread and a small carton of milk.

You pick it up smiling.

“Jason?” you ask, knocking on his door.

No response.

You shrug and turn around. Remember to thank him the next time you run into each other; you think.

~

That next time doesn’t happen to be that long and thank goodness for you.

“You know, we really need to stop meeting like this,” he says to you.

You’re sitting on the floor outside of your door looking rather pathetic, and he’s giving you the most awful smirk you’ve ever seen. (Not that it looks bad on him though. You seem to think that nothing could really look that bad on him)

“I swear I’m usually more put together than this,” you sigh to him. “You moving here jinxed me!”

“Yeah yeah. You’re locked out, aren’t you?”

You give him your best withering I’m going to kill you stare, but it must not be working because he just laughs even harder at you.

“This is completely not my fault it’s just I lost my second set of keys like right when I moved in and then today when I got home, I accidentally left them in my car, but my second set of car keys is in my apartment so now I can’t get them out, stop laughing at me!”

“God you’re a mess,” Jason says- finally finished laughing at you and maybe taking a bit of pity on how disheveled you look. “You couldn’t call anyone to get you in?”

You shake your head.

“My friend is the only other person with a set, but they’re out of town, and our landlord is being a dick and telling me it’s my fault in the first place, so I need to deal with it. I’ve been sitting out here for like an hour.”

“All I’m hearing is that it is your fault and now you’re just moping about it feeling bad about yourself.”

You tilt your head against the door so hard that it makes you wince a bit.

“Ok fine,” he says crossing his arms.

“What?”

“Wait right here.”

He goes into his apartment and comes back out with a skinny metal thing you don’t recognize.

You look at him in confusion and he just motions for you to scoot out of the way as he sticks it in your locks and starts to pick it.

You sigh in relief.

“Thank you thank you thank you. For everything. I swear I will get my life together, so you don’t feel like you have to keep cleaning up my messes.

“I don’t mind,” he says with a small smile, “Take your time.”

And with that he opens the door to your apartment and turns back to his.

“By the way, you should really get better locks. That was way too easy.”

You make a note in your head to get that done sometime. As you’re lying on your couch that night, you’re AirDropped a photo on your phone. Saving it up you see it’s a piece of paper with neat handwriting on it: a phone number and a smiley face, Jason’s name at the bottom.

You smile too and add the number to your contacts.

~

Over the next few weeks, you and Jason start talking more, both over text and through the various times when you run into each other outside your doors.

Each interaction is better than the next, and you soon start to realize that Jason isn’t just some hot guy with no brains. He’s sweet and charismatic, has a whole wall full of bookshelves, could probably quote any classical novel by heart, has incredibly good taste in music, and best (or worst) of all, would make incredible friend material.

It’s just that as you become closer friends, you start to realize that that might not be all you want.

It’s a stupidly cold Friday morning when he texts you, and you’re covered in blankets and wrapped in sweatshirts in your bed. Movie at my place tonight?

You text back your approval and a quick be there at 6 before getting ready for classes.

The day goes by slower than you hoped.

It might be the anticipation of seeing Jason again, or more likely the hours of lectures you have to sit through, but you’re elated when your final class for the day gets let out.

The hours in between are a blur.

A blur which leads to the two of you sitting on his couch watching Romeo and Juliet together, a blanket thrown over your bodies.

You have the obligatory bowl of popcorn resting on your legs, and every few minutes Jason reaches across your lap to take a handful.

The way you’re laying half on top on him is completely deliberate, as to take as much of his body heat as possible. Your landlord had turned off heating 3 weeks prior to ‘save money’ or some other bullshit.

Jason’s not complaining though.

Once your popcorn bowl is finished and your head is in his lap, he runs his fingers through your hair absentmindedly. It might be the nicest feeling you’ve ever felt.

Throughout the movie you exchange snide comments about the plot back and forth. You start trying to say funny things whenever you can just to hear how sweet his laugh sounds to your ears.

By the end of the movie, you’re only slightly in tears, or so you tell yourself.

“Are you crying right now?” Jason asks incredulously, wearing a teasing smile.

“It’s not my fault,” you half say half moan, “Leonardo DiCaprio just has that effect on me.”

He just laughs and pulls you upright until you’re sitting on his lap.

His eyes are a shade of blue green that you’ve never seen before, although you could swear their getting greener by the second.

You watch his gaze drop down to your lips before staring you right in the eyes again.

“Can I kiss you?”

“God yes,” you tell him, and kiss him right back.

~

The next week is somewhat uneventful, even though you and Jason had been meeting each other almost every night, rotating apartments based on whose house was warmer each particular night.

Tonight is your night, and you’ve been waiting the whole day to show him the film you had rented to watch together.

The walk up to your door is easier than usual, and you have a bounce in your step that’s making you feel even more elated than normal taking out your keys to unlock your apartment.

You open your door and your bag drops. The keys clatter when they hit the hardwood, and the silence that follows is deafening.

“You’re bleeding on my carpet,” is the first thing that comes out of your mouth.

There Jason is, bleeding quite profusely, and using your kitchen counter to keep himself vertical. He’s wearing what looks to be a torn half of a domino mask and an extremely hot leather jacket.

(Not that this was the time for noticing his fashion choices, but you filed that thought away for later.)

What really catches your eye though is the huge red bat symbol on his chest, and the red helmet next to it sitting on your counter.

He shifts a little to the side before stumbling through saying, “Um, so, I know this isn’t ideal and I’m really sorry to put you in this situation, but I seriously do not feel like bleeding out tonight and-”

“Oh my god this is great,” you cut him off with. “I thought you were a hit-man!”

“Wait what.”

“Shit no that’s not what I meant- kind of, hang on we should probably stop you from dying before having this conversation.”

You walk over to him to get a better look at his wounds.

“God Jace, you look like death warmed over.”

He just stares at you.

“You have a bunch of stuff in your bathroom, right?”

At least this elicits a reaction. He grimaces in pain but gives you a nod of his head in conformation.

“Ok I’ll be right back, don’t move.”

He gives you a look that says seriously, where would I go.

3 minutes later you’re back with a needle and thread, and some sterilizing spray.

“This should be fine,” you tell him, “I took a first aid class last year with my friends and passed with flying colors according to the nurse.”

“Just try to keep them tight and neat. I trust you,” he says, and your heart pounds just a little harder.

You respond with a nervous laugh but take a deep breath and start working.

~

An hour and a half later you’re done.

The combination of pain meds, bandages, and a whole lot of stitches eventually led to you and Jason laying in your bed together, both completely exhausted.

He turns his head to face you.

“Could we maybe go back to the hit-man thing?”

“Oh uh. Well I saw a bunch of shirts covered in blood in your laundry in the bathroom, not to mention all the weirdly specific first-aid you had,” you tell him.

“And also the assorted guns and knives you have hidden all over. I guess I just assumed? But the whole Red Hood thing is so much better,” you reassure him.

“You found all my knives?”

You smile up at him.

“I love that that’s thing you chose to focus on.”

“And you’re really not mad that I didn’t tell you about the whole vigilante thing before?” he asks.

“Jay, I had already resigned myself to life forever with some shady hit-man that also happened to be incredibly good looking. Red Hood is ten times better than that. I’m not going to run away from you just because you’re incredibly intimidating and probably could kill me. I see that as an added bonus,” you say, with as much charm as you can muster without yawning.

“Just. Be careful, ok? I’d hate to make this a routine.”

He responds by pulling you closer to his body.

“I promise,” he whispers into your head. “You really to remember to get better locks by the way, breaking in was still way too easy.”

You let out a small laugh and finally you let yourself give into sleep.