#JULIET IS FUCKING 13

[sumarmz]

"Omg Romeo and Juliet is literally the greatest love story of all time"

It's about two dumbass kids getting married after meeting twice then killing themselves after meeting 4 times (one of which being their wedding). How is that romantic.

[digitalcockroach]

exceptionally stupid kids movies that use like thematically relevant in-universe covers of Real Songs are my weakness par exemple

[wormsdyke]

3am pacing around the room in a heated debate with myself over which movie should fill the 4th slot on my letterboxd profile

[c0rpsedemon]

The Tiktokers Are Saying That Romeo And Cinderella Is About Grooming

[enobariasteeth]

the production of R&J im in has changed juliet to be 18 and I’m irrationally upset about it

[a-salty-alto]

Every day I remeber no one cares about Paris from hit play "Romeo and Juliet" to even TRY assassinating his character and I get so sad

[mediumgayitalian]

fic rec friday 13

hi!! welcome to fic rec friday. every week, i pick five fics i have bookmarked and rec them with a little review. check them out!

I Need A Hero by @theroyalsavage

The "Nico is a superhero, Will is a med student" AU nobody asked for or wanted.

OBSESSED WITH THIS AU OBSESSED WITH THIS AU OBSESSED WITH THIS AU. I AM LOSING MY MIND AND HAVE READ IT SO MANY DOZENS OF TIMES. genuinely one of my top faces like its so fucking GOOD!!! the romcom romance of it all!! makes me lose it!!! the angst of loving someone who is constantly putting himself on the front lines!! the fear of not knowing if he's coming home!! being his healer, holding his life in your hands because he doesn't trust it with anyone else!!!! what if i rioted!!! what if i chewed clean through my ceiling!!!!! what if i swallowed my phone!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what if i clawed my way out of the pit of despair!!!! i am!! gonna!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!

2. As If His Hands Were Enough (to Hold an Avalanche Off) by @theroyalsavage

Nico di Angelo has been through enough to know life doesn't always work out the way you plan. But fate is a funny thing, and, in Nico's junior year of college, it hands him salvation in the form of freckled cheeks and a smile like the sun.

OH dude this author is actually everything to me. prepare for an onslaught of their stuff bc i am OBSESSED, but this one especially....oh it's special man. this had me LOSING MY MIND. seph’s acceptance made its way into my devotion scrapbook. never be ashamed of loving anybody….what a fucking thesis. i also ADORED how a) story didn’t end with them getting together, went thru them learning each other too and b) nico didn’t get fixed by dating will. he got fixed by loving himself, something he learned to do by loving will. crying.

3. Of Gods and Men by @theroyalsavage

There is something profoundly strange about the forest behind Will Solace’s new house. The trees, it seems, breathe magic. The truth is this: there are things that the forest hides that humans cannot understand. Nico di Angelo is one of them.

I LOVE PARTICULAR AUS!!!!!! AND I LOVE YOU ROYAL SAVAGE!!!!! dude god nico and mortal will is always gonna knock me flat bc its so canon, you know? will is going to be a consort of a god one day. and to read it in fic has me HOWLING but this one in particular....OH the ending is gonna knock yall flat fr!!! if you like percy refusing immortality for annabeth youre gonna LOVE this!!

4. Kitchen Nightmares by @theroyalsavage

Nico is the owner and head chef of an upscale restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, New York City. There's nothing easy about running a business, especially when you have to juggle an overprotective father, a college-age sister, and a staff about as under control as a stampede. The last thing Nico needs is a rival in the form of the ugliest food truck on the face of the planet. And yet, that's exactly what he gets. Of food fights, fledgling friendships, and Nico di Angelo's stupid little soft spot for Will Solace.

i know ive literally said it like five times now but NO ONE does an au like theroyalsavage idc. dude romeo & juliet but food truck and fancy restaurant?? hello!!!! omg!! i literally sat my ass down and devoured this i could not stop myself. and then i hit the end and started it right back up again. the love without having the space to establish anything….inherent homoeroticism of rivalry…..my heart!!

5. don't wanna be lonely, just wanna be yours by @theroyalsavage

Will Solace, café manager extraordinaire, just wants to coast through their monthly open mic night in peace. He definitely is not banking on meeting a handsome stranger with the voice of the gods and the death glare of a high-ranking member of the KGB. And yet, that's exactly what he gets.

telling someone you’re not even dating you’re in love with them after like five months is insane behaviour will solace i get you 😭😭 he is so real in every scenario all the time like he is genuinely perfect for nico who is equally as insane and deserves someone who is fully obsessed with him. god.

thank you for joining me this friday!! happy reading!!

[southtopaz]

PSYCHO KILLER - SCREAM

Summary: in which Iris Morris has to navigate her personal relationships while surviving a psycho.

Warnings: Fem!reader, angst, mention of blood, violence, swearing, mention of death, Tara Carpenter x Fem reader, multiple parts.

Word count: +6k

A/n: this part will follow the events of Scream 6 but it will take place two years later from Scream 5. English is not my first language, so I apologize for any grammatical mistake.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4,Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16

That night, the air in Sam, Tara, and Iris's apartment was thick with tension as they settled in together. They had all agreed to stay in their apartment and spend the night together under the guise of safety in numbers, but Iris couldn't shake the feeling that it was also a way to keep tabs on one another. Trust felt fragile, and she found herself scanning the room for suspects.

In the kitchen, the atmosphere shifted to a quieter, more intimate space. Iris and Tara stood side by side, chopping vegetables and stirring pots, their movements synchronized. The silence between them was comfortable yet charged.

"Wanna try this?" Iris asked playfully, dipping a spoon into the simmering sauce and holding it out towards Tara. Their eyes locked as Tara leaned in, accepting the offering. The moment lingered, until Tara finally looked away, her cheeks flushed.

"It's good," Tara said softly. Iris smiled, that small, genuine smile that made Tara's stomach flutter.

"I think you should get out of the city," Tara suggested, her brow furrowing in concern.

"Already tired of me?" Iris teased, but her heart sank at the thought.

"I would never get tired of you," Tara muttered. "It's just... after everything that happened last time, I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to go."

Iris paused, the weight of Tara's words settling in. "Look, Tara, do you want me gone?"

The question hung in the air like a challenge, and Tara's eyes widened. "Iris..."

"Do you want me to stay away from you?" Iris stepped closer, invading the space between them.

"No, of course not! But I just want you safe," Tara replied, her voice trembling slightly.

"Well, I want you safe too and I want to be right beside you."

Tara's expression shifted, a mix of fear and urgency. "There's someone trying to kill us,"

"I don't care," Iris shook her head. "You have to be insane if you think anything could pull me away from you."

"You can't say things like that,"

"Why not?"

Tara took a step back, breaking the charged space between them. "You know why," she said, her voice trembling as she turned to face the countertop, her back to Iris.

"What...?"" Iris pressed, feeling the ache of uncertainty.

"Would you two just make out already!" Mindy shouted, exasperation evident in her voice.

"The fuck, Mindy?" Iris replied, her cheeks flushing as she glanced at Tara, who looked equally flustered.

Mindy strode into the kitchen, her energy filling the space. "Seriously, just get over it!" Tara, trying to diffuse the tension, said, "I have to talk to Sam. Be right back," before she patted Iris's arm affectionately. Iris watched Tara leave, a longing ache settling in her chest.

"What was that all about?" Mindy pressed, her eyes narrowing on Iris.

"What?" Iris asked, trying to focus on pouring the sauce into the pan, as if that could distract her from the heat in her cheeks.

"You know, that whole Romeo and Juliet shit I just witnessed," Mindy raised an eyebrow.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Iris insisted, her voice slightly higher than usual.

Mindy groaned, frustration bubbling to the surface. After ensuring they were alone, she reached over and turned off the stove, prompting Iris to protest.

"Hey! I was cooking!"

"Don't care. We need an intervention here. You're really pissing me off," Mindy shot back, her voice firm.

"I didn't do anything! What the—" Iris began, but Mindy cut her off.

"Iris, I've been holding back on this because I hoped you'd figure it out yourself, but since apparently you have absolutely no brain cells in that pretty head of yours, it's time someone tells you the truth."

"Tell me what?"

"You like her. You like Tara," Mindy stated bluntly.

"What? No, I don't!" Iris stammered, embarrassment washing over her.

"For the past two years, I've seen you look at her like she's everything you've ever wanted," Mindy continued, her tone shifting to one of sincerity. "You literally have heart eyes when you talk to her."

"I don't like her like that! Absolutely not! What the hell?"

Mindy rolled her eyes, clearly frustrated with her friend's denial. "You hate dancing, yet you danced with her the other day. You hate horror movies, but you watch one with her every Friday night just because it's Tara's favorite thing. You hold her hand whenever you get the chance, and you remember every little detail about her. You might think nobody notices, but I see how you can't tear your gaze away from her when she isn't looking."

Mindy stepped closer, her grip firm on Iris's shoulders as if to ground her in reality. "She's the only one who brings a genuine smile to your face. You get all giddy and blushy when she pays attention to you, and let's not even talk about the jealousy when someone else tries to get close to her."

"So yeah, you don't just like her; you're in love with her," Mindy concluded, her voice softening.

"What?! I'm not! I..." Iris protested, her heart racing at the accusation.

"And honestly, it's getting embarrassing at this point. We're all waiting for one of you to make a move, but you're both acting like complete idiots" Mindy added, crossing her arms defiantly.

"Wait, both of us?" Iris asked, realization dawning on her.

"Iris, you're so oblivious. That poor girl could tell you she loves you and wants to marry you, and you'd still think she means it platonically," Mindy said, shaking her head in disbelief at her friend's stupidity "Tara has literally been waiting for you to do something for years. The fact that she's still waiting just shows how much she wants you,".

"You think she likes me? There's no way," Iris said, her disbelief palpable.

"Dude, why do you think I gave you the idea to write that letter to express your feelings?" Mindy asked, her tone serious. "Because I knew it was the only way you'd actually make a move, and she was obviously going to say yes, I wasn't going to set you up for failure"

"You don't know that," Iris replied, her voice tinged with doubt.

"Then why do you think Amber took that letter away and sent that text to separate you two? She knew that if Tara had gotten that letter, you would've never dated her. It was the only way she had to make you notice her".

"And look I'm not saying you didn't love Amber because unfortunately I know you did but you never unfell for Tara and now you finally have a chance to do something". Mindy urged, her expression softening. "I know a part of you is still afraid, but this is Tara we're talking about. The girl you spent most of your childhood being in love with, and she is also the one that spent all of that time loving you back. So could you please, for the love of God, do something about it? I just want you to be happy, and, okay, I may also want to win the bet Sam and I have going on."

"You guys have a fucking bet?" Iris asked, eyes wide with surprise.

"Can't tell you," Mindy replied, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

"You just did," Iris shot back, crossing her arms.

"Did I?"

"I can't believe you guys have a bet, people are dying out here," Iris said, half-laughing, half-exasperated.

"Still not an excuse for being a pussy" Mindy countered, giving Iris a light shove. "Make me proud, bestie. She's on the terrace."

With each step toward the terrace, Iris's heart raced. The conversation with Mindy echoed in her mind, pushing her forward. Iris felt a whirlwind of emotions stirring inside her, a mix of nervousness and disbelief that left her momentarily breathless. She had long acknowledged her feelings for Tara, yet the thought that Tara might share those feelings was something she never dared to entertain, but now that very possibility was all she could think about.

"Hey," she finally managed to say, her voice almost a whisper.

Tara jumped, placing a hand over her chest, her eyes wide with surprise. "Jesus, you scared me!"

Iris laughed softly. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to." She took a step closer, her pulse quickening with each moment spent in Tara's presence. "I came to let you know that food will be ready in a little bit."

Tara smiled, a hint of curiosity in her gaze. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, why?" Iris tried to sound casual, but her mouth betrayed her.

"You just look a little... weird, that's all."

"You calling me ugly?" Iris teased, the playful banter a welcome distraction.

"Never! You could never be ugly, believe me," Tara replied, patting Iris's arm affectionately. Before Iris could think better of it; she caught Tara's hand in hers, intertwining their fingers with a tenderness that sent a jolt of warmth through her.

"Your fingers are cold," Iris noted, suddenly aware of a slight tremor running through Tara's form. "Are you cold?"

"Mm, yeah," Tara whispered, her cheeks flushed with something more than just the chill in the air.

Without thinking, Iris pulled her closer, wrapping her arms around her in a warm embrace. "Is this okay?" she asked softly.

"Definitely," Tara replied, her voice muffled against Iris's shoulder. They held each other for what felt like an eternity, and Iris couldn't resist the urge to gaze at Tara. She ran her fingers through Tara's hair, tracing the gentle arch of her cheekbones, her eyes staring at the constellation of freckles that danced across her nose.

"Is there something on my face?" Tara asked suddenly, her voice teasing yet curious.

"No, why?" Iris replied, caught off guard.

"I can see you looking at me," a nervous smile blooming on her lips.

"Sorry," Iris whispered, feeling a blush creep into her cheeks. She tried to pull away, but Tara tightened her grip, refusing to let her go.

"Don't be sorry. Just... stay."

"Maybe I just like looking at you," Iris admitted, the words spilling out before she could think better of it.

Tara inhaled sharply, her expression shifting as if she were contemplating something significant. Then, she gently cupped Iris's face, drawing her attention back to her. "You like looking at me?"

"Yeah," Iris said, her heart racing. "I can't help it. You're just so..." She wrapped her arms around Tara's waist, pulling her even closer.

"So?" Tara prompted, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Beautiful." A deep blush spread across Tara's cheeks, illuminating her features in the middle of the night. Iris was mesmerized, her gaze locked onto Tara's captivating eyes, losing herself in their depths.

"Honestly? I think it's time I admitted I like looking at you too," Tara confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah?" Iris breathed, a smile forming on her lips.

"I've liked looking at you ever since we were six, so... yeah." The space between them shrank to nothing; they could hear each other's breaths, feel the warmth radiating from their bodies. Iris was acutely aware of how fast her heart was pounding, wondering if maybe Tara could hear it too.

"Tara, I..."

But before Iris could finish her thought, a loud voice broke the moment. "HEY YOU TWO, FOOD IS READY!" Chad's call echoed up the stairs, shattering the delicate bubble they had created.

"You've got to be kidding me," Tara sighed, resting her forehead against Iris's, her breath mingling with Iris's in a way that felt almost sacred. Iris couldn't help but chuckle softly, feeling both amused and a little deflated.

"Come on, I'm hungry!" Tara finally disentangled herself from Iris but not before leaning in to plant a quick, lingering kiss on Iris's cheek. The gesture sent a jolt of warmth through the girl, leaving her momentarily frozen in place, her heart fluttering wildly.

"Let's go," Tara said, reaching for Iris's hand, their fingers still intertwined as they made their way downstairs.

In the kitchen, the atmosphere buzzed with the chatter of their friends, Mindy, Chad, and Sam all standing around the table. The three of them noticed their hands together but chose to let it slide without comment, a knowing smile exchanged among them. Iris stood beside Mindy leaning against the countertop, while Tara settled in beside her sister, but not before punching Chad in the arm as she passed.

"Hey, the fuck?" Chad exclaimed, feigning hurt, but Tara just rolled her eyes and ignored him.

"The others?" Iris asked, looking around.

"Quinn's in her room with some boy, and Anika's watching TV," Mindy replied, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"I already left some blankets on the sofa for

you all," Sam said, her voice filled with exhaustion as she reached for a bottle of wine. The strain of the last few days hung heavily on her shoulders, evident in the way her brow furrowed and her movements felt a bit slower.

"We don't have to stay here, you know," Mindy said, trying to keep the mood light, though a hint of worry crept into her voice.

"Well, too bad. I insist. Safety in numbers" Sam replied, her tone leaving little room for argument.

"This'll be so fun!" Chad interjected, a grin spreading across his face. "A little slumber party with the core five!"

"Core five?" Sam asked, her confusion evident as she raised an eyebrow.

"Did you just give us a nickname?" Tara teased, leaning back against the wall with her arms crossed, clearly amused.

"I sure did!" Chad exclaimed, his chest puffed out with pride. "I mean, we've been through a lot together. It's a pretty cool nickname!"

"That's debatable," Sam shot back, a smirk forming as she rolled her eyes.

"Extremely debatable" Tara chimed in.

"C'mon, you bunch of haters! The nickname fucking rocks". Iris laughed, clearly enjoying the playful banter. "Give me five, bro". Chad happily did so.

"You can't just give yourself a nickname, dingus," Mindy protested, shaking her head but unable to hide her smile.

"Of course I can, dingus, because I just did!" Chad insisted, raising his hand expectantly, waiting for everyone to join in. "Core five, up top!"

"Nah," Mindy replied, playfully waving her hand away.

"Get that away from me," Tara said with mock disdain, shaking her head as if Chad had offered her something distasteful.

"Iris, Sam, don't fail me now!" Chad pleaded, eyes wide with faux desperation.

"Come on, Sam, look at his face! How can you say no?" Iris pinched Chad's cheeks, trying to emphasize his supposed cuteness.

"I would like a little more respect and support from my fellow members of the Core Five," Chad huffed dramatically, crossing his arms while pretending to sulk.

Just then, they heard Anika's voice echoing from the hallway. "Guys, what the hell?" she called out, her tone sharp and urgent. The group exchanged quick, concerned glances and without a second thought, they all turned and rushed toward the living room.

"We're hearing from sources inside the homicide division that the prime suspect is none other than Samantha Carpenter, one of the survivors of the Woodsboro killing in 2022, seen here attacking a woman on the street last night."

Sam was quick to mute the television, the noise suddenly feeling overwhelming, and rushed out of the living room, seeking refuge in the kitchen. The other four exchanged worried glances before following her, signaling to Anika to stay put. They couldn't believe that some people would even think Sam was capable of doing something so terrible. The world could be cruel, and right now, Sam was suffering under its weight.

"I know it's tough, but don't listen to those people, Sam. They know nothing". Iris said as she settled down next to her, concern etched on her face. Tara nodded in agreement, moving closer to offer support.

"I know you're not a fan of how I've been handling things, and I get that I've given you a hard time," Tara said, taking Sam's hand in hers. "But I can say that none of us can relate to what you are experiencing." Sam turned to her sister, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"And I'm really sorry that you have to do that alone," Tara continued softly.

"It's not your fault," Sam replied, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I know I shouldn't care about what people think, but it just sucks being this hated." Her voice cracked slightly, revealing the vulnerability she was trying to hide.

Iris quickly handed her a napkin to wipe her tears, and Sam offered a grateful smile. "We will always be here for you, Sam," Iris reassured her, her tone warm and steady.

Just then, Chad and Mindy entered the room, their presence a welcome distraction. "Hey, just a reminder," Chad said, his voice firm yet comforting. "Not a single person in this room hates you, okay? We've all been through some fucked up stuff, and we're coping with it differently. But we moved here together for one very specific reason."

"We are a team," he finished, his words hanging in the air like a promise.

"Gosh, since when are you so wise?" Iris laughed through her tears, the tension in the room easing as everyone shared a soft chuckle.

Sam felt warmth spread through her as she looked at her friends, grateful for their unwavering support. "You guys really mean a lot to me,".

"We are the core five," Mindy declared dramatically, as if it were a big revelation.

"Thank you very much," Chad responded, grinning widely.

"I hate myself," Mindy joked, and without missing a beat, she high-fived Chad.

"Say it, guys, c'mon!" Iris urged, her finger pointing between Sam and Tara with an infectious enthusiasm.

"I mean, yes, we are a team, but..." Tara began, laughter bubbling up as they all joined in, the heaviness of the moment lifting, if only for a little while.

"I've been sleeping with cute boy from across the hall," Sam announced, her cheeks flushing a light pink.

"Boom!" Mindy shouted, her excitement reverberating through the small apartment.

"I fucking knew it!" Tara exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight.

"Finally, a hot guy, Sam! I'm so proud of you!" Iris chimed in, her voice filled with amusement but happiness for her friend.

"I mean, I totally knew it from the day you had that hickey!" Mindy joked, her laughter contagious and filling the room. The others burst into giggles, recalling the embarrassing moment.

Chad, sitting off to the side with a playful grin, leaned forward and said, "Does somebody else want to confess something?" He cast a teasing glance at Tara, clearly remembering the hand holding his two friends did.

"Don't look at me, you weirdo! I have nothing to say," Tara replied, feigning innocence while crossing her arms defiantly.

"Nothing?" Mindy asked in despair as she stared pointedly at Iris. "Jesus, this will never end!"

Tara quickly tried to redirect the conversation. "I feel like we should high-five or something,"

"Hell yeah, Core Five motherfuckers". Iris said enthusiastically, raising her hand in the air. The others quickly followed suit, each of them joining in for the playful moment.

Just then, Sam's phone began to ring loudly, cutting through their laughter. Tara's eyes lit up as she recognized the caller ID. "Look who it is!" she exclaimed, snatching the phone away and displaying it to everyone.

With a mischievous smile, she passed the phone to Mindy. They all erupted into laughter, pretending to answer it with exaggerated voices, playfully interrogating Danny about his intentions. Sam, still blushing, finally managed to get a word in, saying she would call him back later.

The mood took a sudden turn when strange noises started coming from upstairs. It was impossible to confuse the unmistakable sounds of moans.

"Quinn and her gentleman caller are back at it again," Tara remarked, rolling her eyes in disbelief.

"I swear to God, it's like she doesn't know how to be quiet!" Iris added, shaking her head with an amused grin.

Before they could continue their

conversation, a sudden chorus of phone notifications broke the moment, startling them all into silence. Iris felt her heart race as she glanced at the screen. A chilling image flickered before her eyes: Ghostface, looming menacingly over Quinn, a knife poised dangerously close to her throat. Time seemed to freeze as the reality of the situation sank in, and a sense of dread filled the room.

"What the hell?" Iris whispered in horror. Quinn's desperate shout for help echoed in their house, and instinct took over. They all sprang into action. Tara dashed toward Quinn's room, but Iris caught her arm just in time, her grip firm and unyielding.

"Stay here," she told her urgently, her eyes wide with fear.

"Chad, get ready," Iris’s voice was low but commanding as she pushed Tara toward him. He nodded, understanding what his friend meant.

The five of them, alongside Anika, stood tense and anxious, their breaths shallow as they faced the door. The sounds of chaos poured out from within: furniture crashing, muffled shouts, and a struggle that sent chills down their spines. Then, suddenly, the screams stopped and a horrible silence enveloped them.

"Run," Mindy hissed, her voice sharp with urgency. Just as the words left her mouth, the bedroom door burst open with a violent

force.

Ghostface emerged, a terrifying silhouette against the dim light of the hallway. With a swift, brutal motion, he hurled Quinn's limp body towards them. The thud of her landing was sickening, and Anika's scream pierced the air as Quinn crumpled on top of her.

Iris reacted instinctively, yanking Quinn's bloodied body away from Anika, panic and horror coursing through her veins. "No!

Quinn!" she cried, desperation clawing at her throat.

"We need to go!" Tara yelled, urgency in her voice. Chad clutched her arm, and they bolted for the door, believing their friends were right on their heels.

Suddenly, the air thickened with tension as Ghostface fixed his gaze on them, waiting to see who would make the first move. But there was no time to strategize; he surged forward, targeting Iris with deadly intent as he swiped his knife at her. She dodged every strike as quickly as she could, but eventually he sank his knife into her arm, causing her to scream in pain.

"Fuck you" She yelled and kicked the attacker hard in the crotch, sending him reeling back for a brief second that allowed her to stand up. When he got to his feet again, he turned and punched her in the stomach. Iris pushed away from the blow in time to see Ghostface lower his knife and impale it in the wall where her head had been.

Iris grabbed the back of his head, slamming it against the wall before delivering a kick to his legs. He turned around and strongly pushed her to the floor, ready to attack her once again.

Mindy rushed at him, determined to pull him away from Iris, but as they hit the floor, he simply shoved her aside and stabbed her in the upper arm, causing blood to flow everywhere.

Anika, still on the ground, grasped his ankles, trying to trip him and free Mindy. Ghostface quickly climbed over Anika, and he started to choke her before he lifted her up and slammed her into the fireplace as he sank his knife into her abdomen, slowly dragging it upwards, causing the woman to scream in agony.

Iris quickly sprang to her feet, grabbed a lamp close to the coffee table, and smashed it into Ghostface's head. He staggered and lost his grip on Anika as a result, while Mindy hurried to her girlfriend.

Sam entered just in time, slamming an empty knife block into Ghostface's head as she angrily punched him with it a couple of times.

"Come on!" Yelled Sam.

Despite the pain in her arm, Iris went over to Anika, threw an arm around her waist, and ran towards the nearest room, which happened to be Quinn's. She could feel Sam and Mindy approaching from behind, and they hurried into the room, locking the door as fast as they could.

"Fuck" Mindy sat in the bed and groaned as she put pressure in her arm, blood pouring out of it. Anika was sitting next to her groaning in pain while she held her stomach, they all tried to ignore the amount of blood she was losing.

"Hey, look at me," Iris said urgently, grasping both of Anika's cheeks with her hands to force her to focus. Anika's eyes fluttered, the effort to stay awake written all over her face. Iris could feel a wave of panic rising within her, but she fought it down. "Everything is going to be fine. I need you to stay awake, okay? Just look at me."

Anika blinked slowly, her gaze wavering as she tried to hold on to Iris's reassuring presence. In the background, they could hear Ghostaface grunting and pushing against the door, the sound echoing in the tense silence. Then, suddenly, he stopped, and the air grew heavier with uncertainty.

"Bathroom door, hurry," Sam whispered, fear lacing her voice as she looked at Iris with wide, frantic eyes.

Without hesitating, Iris nodded and darted toward the bathroom, her heart racing. She tried to ignore all the mess, the walls were smeared with remnants of blood and the floor didn't look much better.

As she reached the bathroom, the sight that met her made her stomach drop as she saw one of Quinn's hookups lying in his own pool of blood in the tub.

"Fuck, he is dead" Iris shouted as she reached the door, just as Ghostface barreled into view. She instinctively tried to slam it shut, but he forced his body against it, pushing his way through with surprising strength.

"Sam Help!" Iris yelled, her heart racing as she struggled to keep the door closed. Ghostface managed to thrust his arm inside, swiping his knife blindly as he tried to attack her.

Sam sprang into action, rushing to Iris's side. Together, they pushed against the door, straining to keep him at bay. With a final shove, they managed to block Ghostface's arm and wrestle the door closed. They quickly turned the lock, their breaths coming fast as they heard him pounding on the other side.

"We need to barricade it," Iris said, glancing at the dresser nearby.

Without a moment's hesitation, the girls shoved the dresser in front of the door. It scraped loudly against the floor, but they didn't stop until it was firmly in place, creating a barrier between them and the frantic pounding outside.

Panting, they leaned against the dresser for a moment, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins. "What do we do now?" Sam asked, her eyes wide with fear.

Iris took a deep breath, scanning the room for anything they could use. "We need to find a way out. We can't let him get in."

"Mindy, keep Anika awake!" Iris instructed, her voice urgent as she saw the girl on the verge of passing out. Mindy nodded, quickly grabbing a shirt from the floor. She pressed it against Anika's stomach, applying gentle pressure while trying to soothe her.

"Just focus on me, okay love? Keep your eyes open," Mindy said softly, her voice steady despite the horror surrounding them.

Suddenly, Iris spotted a familiar figure outside the window. "Is that Danny?" she asked, her heart racing with a mix of relief and anxiety. She glanced at Sam, who was already nodding as she continued pushing the dresser.

"Go! We've got this!" Mindy urged, stepping away from Anika momentarily to help Iris brace the door. They pushed against it with all their strength, feeling the pressure of the pounding on the other side.

"We are going to die" Mindy whispered, her voice trembling as the weight of the situation settled in.

"Don't fucking say that! You hear me?" Iris snapped. "Anika doesn't need to hear that right now." She turned back to Anika, her heart aching at the sight of her friend's pain-stricken face.

"Ani, you okay?" Iris shouted, forcing herself to remain calm. Anika nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks, though her expression was twisted in pain.

"Everything is going to be fine," Iris said, the words feeling heavy in her throat. She wasn't sure if she believed them, but she needed Anika to hold on.

Ghostface continued to bang violently on the door, each impact sending tremors through the walls as Danny handed a ladder over to Sam. She reached out to grab it, her fingers brushing against the cold metal just as another thunderous slam echoed through the room.

"Get ready!" Danny shouted, his voice strained as he positioned himself in the window to help.

Ghostface slammed into the door again, causing the dresser to shift slightly. Iris and Mindy pressed their backs against it, straining to gain better footing. Iris could feel the panic rising within her, but she refused to let it show. "Guys hurry" she yelled, her voice trembling.

"Only one of you will be able to cross at a time!" Danny shouted from the other side. "Come on!"

"C'mon, guys!" Sam urged, turning to face her friends.

"No way, you guys first!" Iris replied firmly, her resolve unshakeable as she pushed against the dresser, feeling it slide slightly under the pressure. "You go, Sam. You have to."

"Mindy!" Sam glanced at her, desperation flooding her voice.

"Go," Mindy said, determination hardening her features. "We'll hold the door. We'll be fine. We send Anika later" She exchanged a quick, reassuring glance with Iris, who nodded, feeling a surge of confidence from her friend.

Sam took a deep breath, her expression conflicted, but she knew there was no time to waste. "Okay," she finally said, her voice steadier. She carefully maneuvered her way to the window, the ladder swaying slightly beneath her.

“Cmon baby, You've got this!" he encouraged her, his eyes locked on her as she began to cross the ladder.

"I'm okay! Just hold on!" Sam shouted back, glancing over her shoulder to see Iris and Mindy bracing themselves against the dresser.

Once she reached the other side, she shouted, "Come on! Next person!"

The sound of Ghostface's relentless banging reverberated through the room, and Iris felt a rush of fear at the thought of losing her friends.

"Iris, it's your turn," Mindy urged, glancing over her shoulder.

"Fuck no, you go. I'll stay," Iris insisted, struggling against the dresser as Ghostface pressed closer.

Mindy helped Anika get toward the window. "You have to go first," she insisted.

"I can't," Anika whispered, panic rising in her voice.

"You have to please"

"Mindy, please," Anika begged, her eyes wide with fear. Mindy sighed, leaning in for one last kiss.

"I love you, okay?" she said softly, then made her way to the ladder, disappearing into the night.

"Now you, Anika, come on!" Iris called, moving to the window to help.

"I can't," Anika cried, shaking her head desperately.

"You have to! Please, I need to hold the door!".

"You go, Iris, please," Anika urged, her voice trembling.

"Anika, look at me," Iris said firmly, gripping her friend's face. "You are here because of me, because you're my friend and now he did this to you"

"It's not your fault," Anika replied, shaking her head, desperation filling her eyes.

"Yes, it is," Iris insisted, her voice steady despite the fear swirling around them. "I need you to get onto that ladder, okay? I can't let you die on me. I'll hold him off."

Anika's heart sank as she realized Iris had already made her decision. There was no changing her mind. With a heavy sigh, she nodded, determination replacing her fear as she stepped toward the window.

Iris moved to the door, her body tense as she braced herself against it. "Just go!" she shouted, her voice filled with urgency. Anika climbed onto the ladder, her hands trembling as she reached for the rungs.

As she moved, Anika felt the warmth of blood seeping through her clothes, each drop a reminder of the danger they were facing. Her strength waned with every movement, her bones feeling heavier, her vision dimming. Panic bubbled beneath the surface as she glanced back, seeing Iris struggling to keep the door shut against Ghostface's pounding.

"Come on, Anika! You can do this!" Iris shouted, her eyes fierce with fear. "Just a little further!"

Anika pushed herself to keep climbing, her heart racing. "Iris!" she called out, but the sound felt distant as her world began to blur.

Then, through the haze, she spotted Danny, his hands reaching for her from the other side of the window. Relief washed over her as she felt herself being pulled into the safety of his apartment. Just as she crossed the threshold, she heard Iris scream, the sound chilling her to the bone.

"IRIS, COME ON!" Sam shouted from the apartment, panic evident in her voice. She couldn't lose Iris now; it felt more real than ever in that moment.

Iris stood at the window, the ladder swaying slightly beneath her as she peered down into the darkness below. Her heart raced, each thud of Ghostface against the door echoing in her ears, a constant reminder that time was running out.

She took a deep breath, her injured arm pulsing with pain. The wound throbbed, making her hesitate as she gripped the ladder.

With trembling hands, Iris stepped onto the first rung. The metal felt cold beneath her fingers. She glanced back at the door, where the pounding intensified, splintering the wood with each blow. She could almost feel the dark figure on the other side, waiting for the moment when she would falter.

The ladder shifted slightly, and Iris's stomach dropped. She steadied herself, breathing deeply as she forced one foot after the other onto the rungs. Each movement sent jolts of pain through her arm.

Suddenly, a loud crack echoed through the room, the door splintering under the force of Ghostface's relentless assault. Panic surged through Iris as she felt him drawing closer, but she forced herself to focus. She was so close to the window, right in the middle of the way.

With every ounce of willpower, she pushed her body forward, her injured arm screaming in protest. The pain was sharp and relentless, but she couldn't afford to give in to it. Behind her, the door finally gave way, crashing open as Ghostface entered, his presence suffocating the air. He stepped into the room, eyes locked on her, and her heart dropped.

He approached the window and impaled the knife in the wood before reaching for the ladder. "No, no, no—fuck!" Iris whimpered, her desperation growing as she glanced back at Mindy and Sam, who were frantic with fear.

"IRIS, YOU HAVE TO MOVE NOW!" Mindy yelled, urgency lacing her voice. But Iris's eyes were glued to the figure at the window, dread pooling in her stomach as Ghostface lifted the ladder with ease, shaking it violently. The metal rattled beneath her, each jolt sending a wave of terror coursing through her.

Iris took another step, her heart pounding in her chest. The ladder swayed again, and she felt a rush of vertigo. "No, no, no," she muttered under her breath, gripping the rungs tighter.

Ghostface shook the ladder again, trying to dislodge her. Iris could feel the metal creaking beneath her as she lay flat against it, fighting to maintain her grip. Her heart raced, and she felt herself teetering on the edge. Sam's hand brushed hers, but she couldn't get a solid hold.

"Iris!" Sam urged, panic etched on her face. "Just a little further!"

"No!" Iris cried out, feeling her grip weaken as the ladder wobbled precariously. "I can't".

"Iris, you have to keep going!" Mindy shouted, her voice breaking through the chaos.

Iris squeezed her eyes shut, summoning every ounce of strength she had left. She pushed against the pain in her arm, forcing herself to move. With a deep breath, she began inching forward, her body trembling with fear and exhaustion.

Ghostface was still right there, the knife gleaming menacingly as he gripped the ladder, continued to shake it, his movements gleaming with malicious intent.

Sam reached out, stretching half of her body out of the window, her heart racing as she desperately tried to reach for Iris. Danny and Mindy embraced her in order to protect her from falling. Finally, her fingers found Iris's forearm, she gripped it tightly, not willing to let go of the girl. "I've got you!" she shouted, pulling with all her strength.

Danny joined Sam and together they managed to inch her closer. With one last, frantic effort, Danny scrambled through the window, his arms wrapping securely around Iris. He pulled her into the apartment with a powerful yank.

Iris rolled into the room, gasping as she hit the floor. The moment felt surreal, the adrenaline still coursing through them as she scrambled to her feet. But just as relief began to wash over them, they all turned and froze. There stood Ghostface, staring coldly at them from the window of their apartment. The knife glinted menacingly in his grip.

"I'm going to kill you motherfucker" Iris shouted, her voice laced with anger and fear. The words echoing in the small space. "You heard me? I'll fucking end you!"

Ghostface stood still for a heartbeat, seemingly assessing them, before slowly backing away as he slipped out of the room.

"Iris, thank god you're okay!" Sam exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her friend in a tight embrace, her relief palpable as tears streamed down her cheeks. "You're okay."

But the moment of safety was short-lived. "We need to get her to the hospital right now!" Danny shouted, urgency in his voice as he moved towards the door. He had Anika in his arms, applying pressure to her wound, his face strained with concern.

Iris swayed slightly, still in shock but nodding at Danny's command. "He's right" she managed to say. Just as she began to move, her strength gave out, and she suddenly collapsed to the ground.

[sl-vega]

✧Sticking to the Script✧

Pairing: Xingqiu x FEM! Reader

Genre: fake dating, strangers to lovers, slow burn, fluff, angst (?), high school smau, modern smau

⋆｡°✩-Synopsis: Xingqiu just got entered into a special writing contest, the type that's invite only, the theme this year is love, the only problem is that he has zero romantic experience. but he really wants to prove himself as a writer. meanwhile, you just found out that your boyfriend cheated on you, and you need to show him that you're 100% over him, the only problem is that there's no way you can get an actual boyfriend that quickly. clearly, the solution to both of your issues is to fake date each other. it shouldn't be hard for an actor such as yourself, all you need to do is stick to the script.

Status: CANCELLED; revamped version

playlist: just here for the vibes. also shoutout to the lovely @uuyuomi for giving me ideas for what songs should be on here

✧MEET THE CAST✧

y/n + company ✧ xingqiu's victims friends ✧ other friendly faces

PROLOGUE-a little fall of rain can hardly hurt me now

01-no chance for a showmance

02-time to write the other 51

03-inspiration? more like desperation

04-the world's a stage and i'm the star

05-lara jean who?

06-not so soft launch

07-rebound already?

08-hollywood here i come

09-i swear i'm not a gold digger guys

10-action!

11-possessive much?

12-juliet's found a new romeo

13-boyfriend vs boy friend

14-no shit sherlock

15-boy you got me helpless

16-you've got it bad

17-denial ain't just a river in egypt

18-third wheeling x10

19-spotify doing me dirty

20-taking my breath away (literally)

21-practice makes you a little too perfect

22-finishing touches

23-cheating but not really

24-feelings are confusing

25-front row seats to my demise

26-confess before the credits roll

27-not the best with words but i'll try for you

28-setting the scene

29-opening night

30-confessions and curtain calls

31-fucking finally

EPILOGUE-that's a wrap!

(OPEN) Taglist: @freyao7, @thatoneswordgirl, @sn1perz, @latay7, @esmetrees, @nmriki0, @help-whatdoimakemyusername, @httpsrenren, @cupid-spams, @aixaingela, @kaitfae, @luvkvni, @danhenglovebot

additional notes:

-this is the reworked version of going of script

-time stamps don't matter

-feel free to comment if you want to be added to the taglist

-this is for all the xingqiu simps and theatre kids

-it's fully planned out so it will start soon :3

-names in bold means I can't tag you btw

[coco6420]

tagged by @tiddiesoutwhenthetisout (who has just made a new nickname, tea, thats NOT tiddies lmao).

would be a shame if i listed my 225 want-to-read books for 2025 😟 its all too convenient

25 books for 2025

1. whd rouse's translation of the iliad

2. frogs by aristophanes. recently started it and i need to finish it, translation by ian johnston

3. iphigenia at aulis by euripedes. translated by someone i cannot name at the moment oops

4. evocation by st gibson, because of of my favourite books is hers. a dowry of blood. probably the rest of it too if book 1 goes well.

5. husbands material by alexis hall. i suspect i may secretly be a romance enjoyer because of the first book but also it might just be really fucking good.

6. ripe by sarah rose etter. honestly, i just want to read about someone's life

7. romeo and juliet by shakespeare. i dont particularly want to read shakespeare, but we're fucking studying it and i want a leg up to keep my grades for later

8. fingersmith. watched a really great video essay on the movie vs the book and im intrigued

9. memorial: an excavation of the iliad by alice oswald

10. the eyes are the best part by monika kim. because i need a dark tale once in a while

11. where sleeping girls lie by faridah àbíké-lyímídé

12. the only good indians by stephen graham jones

13. she who became the sun by shelley parker chen

14. as the earth turns silver by alison wong. im a chinese person living in new zealand, of course i wanna read a book about precisely that.

15. things fall apart by chinua achebe. ive heard praises sung about this book, and people feeling so hard.

16. but always in tandem by youcouldmakealife. it has no cover and 53 ratings in goodreads and the average ratinf is exceptionally high. i am intrigued.

17. the girl from the sea by molly knox osterang. the cover has adorable magic sapphics. what more do you need

18. how long 'til black future month? by n.k jemisin. the concept reminds me of the vogue story on queer people, a dystopian world that makes feeling and commentary. except this time its about race and modern society.

19. garlic and the vampire by bree paulson. this sounds adorable

20. the diomedeia by gregory michael nixon. someone recommended on the diomedes discord and i trust them so fuck yeah

21. cemetery boys by aiden thomas because its recommended EVERYWHERE

22. all that's left to say by emery lord, mostly because i have a copy

23. frankenstein by mary shelly

24. the secret history by donna tart

25. the road by cormac mcarthy

thanks for the tag!!

npt: @ri-dumb-fck @you-know-that-i-bought-it @johaerys-writes @skeelly

[the-final-sif]

Honestly, rules about what I can interact with as a minor are kind of strange to me. I've been allowed to have sex for years (and not from Romeo and Juliet laws) but I can't read a fanfiction where two consenting adults do it??? This isn't about specific authors being uncomfortable with it btw, moreso the culture and rules about it.

I mean, so reading fanfiction is whatever as far as I'm concerned. Go nuts, read the tags, you're gonna make your own choices about it. Law is gonna say one thing but that's largely a matter of old people clutching pearls over kids seeing boobs or whatever.

The difference for me on a cultural level and what I will push back on is interaction. When it comes to stuff like 18+ spaces, nsfw commissions, sexual roleplays, and commenting on 18+ fic, it's about the consent of the other person involved. And I do think maintaining rules/general culture of those spaces being 18+ is important.

Like, you can go have sex in real life, sure, but that real life person is going to visually see you and have a sense of your age. You might be able to lie to them about it, but it's gonna be a lot harder. Ideally, any partner you have would be fully aware of your age and both of you would be comfortable with your age and their age.

Online, that becomes much harder. People are putting out content and sometimes interacting with strangers. The general assumption adults are making is that in an 18+ space, they are only interacting with other adults. Everyone has passed a baseline threshold. When they find out someone is 16 or 13 or a 12 year old in an 18+ space, that feels super creepy, gross, violating and can stick with a person for life. They didn't consent to that interaction, they didn't want it, they didn't have any say in it. They never wanted to be interacting with someone at that age in that way.

The difference is in knowledge and consent. In real life, you going and fucking an 18 year old when you're 16 is between the two of you and as long as both of you know what's up, have fun and remember safe sex practices.

On the internet, if you at 16 and and 18 year old want to sext (but seriously do not send photos if you're underage, it's still very illegal even if that seems dumb), maybe doing a nsfw roleplay or whatever, cool. Again, remember safe sex practices and have fun. Not my business.

But going into an 18+ space which is clearly marked 18+ where everyone there is under the assumption that they are interacting with other adults isn't cool. They didn't consent to that, they aren't aware you're 16, and you have no idea how old they are or if they're cool with interacting with a 16 year old in that manner. It's a violation of consent, and that isn't okay.

[canirove]

Rice, Rice, baby | Chapter 21

Previous chapter | Next chapter

Masterlist

Declan's pov

❃ Flashback to the day after the lionesses game and his chocolate cake date with Liv (chapter 5)

“I want all the details. Now.”

“Hello to you too, Jordan. Please come in” I say after my brother storms into my house.

“Details” he repeats once we are in the living room, sitting on the sofa and patting the spot next to him.

“Details about what?” I ask, sitting down.

“The girl you dumped your beloved brothers for. What's her name? How did you meet? When did you meet? Is she hot?” he smirks, making me roll my eyes.

“Her name is Olivia, though everyone calls her Liv, and we met a couple of months ago when I was with the national team.”

“Oh, Olivia. What a lovely name” Jordan smiles. “But you met when you were with England? How? You aren't allowed to go out.”

“She works as a barista in the cafeteria at Tottenham training centre.”

“Wait, she is a Tottenham girl?” he gasps.

“Yes and no. She works for them, but she isn't into football that much. Her dad, on the other hand… He also works for them, he's part of the medical team, and he is a huge fan who apparently hates anything Arsenal.”

“Wow” he chuckles. “You are like a modern Romeo and Juliet.”

“Let's hope no one dies, tho.”

“Yeah…” Jordan smiles. “Do you like her?”

“I… I do, yes” I confess.

“And you like her a lot, don't you? Because your face right now is turning bright red, little bro” he laughs.

“Yeah” I nod. 

“Does she like you back?”

“She blushes a lot when we are together and gets all nervous, which is really cute” I smile. “And we've made out a couple of times, so I guess she likes me back.”

“Oh, Declan” Jordan laughs again. “I think you do more than like this girl.”

“What?”

“You should see your face right now talking about her. I think I've only seen you smile like that when talking about football and you love it, which can only mean one thing: you are falling in love with her, Dec.”

“I'm not falling in love with Liv, don't be silly” I say with a nervous laugh. “I just met her.”

“And?”

“And you don't fall in love with someone after a couple of dates and some kisses even if those kisses have been the best of your life and have made you feel things you've never felt before.”

“Declan…”

“And yes, she's great. She's funny, and sweet, very clever, and a lot more beautiful than she thinks she is. And when I'm with her I feel like I can truly be myself. Just Declan, the boy from Kingston, not the football player. But you don't fall in love that fast, that only happens in movies.”

“Well, I did” he shrugs. “And everything you just said proves my point and confirms it. That, and the fact that you haven't slept with her yet. Because you haven't, have you?”

“No.” I've just thought about it. A lot. Especially since our date after the game. Who knew seeing someone eat cake could be so sexy and… erotic. 

“Then there you have it. Because you usually don't waste your time” Jordan smirks.

“That's not true” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

“It is, Declan. We all know it is” he says. “But now you are taking things slow because you want to do it right with this girl. Because you truly like her, you don't see her as a fling. So here comes my next piece of advice…”

“Jordan…”

“Don't fuck it up.”

“What?” I laugh.

“Don't fuck it up, Declan. Or have you forgotten what you did with Sarah?”

“I…” I fucked up. Big time. I got scared because I had started to feel things for her, things that were more than just a physical attraction, and… “That's not going to happen with Liv.”

“It better not, Declan. It better not.”

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

❃ A few days after those photos in Ibiza and Liv's visit… or after Declan did fuck it up (chapters 13 & 14)

“Declan, time to get up” Jordan says.

“No.”

“The preseason is about to start, you need to get out of bed and start training” Connor adds.

“I don't want to” I say, covering my head with my duvet.

“Declan…” Jordan sighs.

“Leave me alone!” 

“We are your older brothers. We can't leave you alone.”

“But it is what I want!”

“Ok, fine” Connor says. “One, two…” I hear him whisper.

“What the fuck!” I yell when one of them throws the duvet away and the other dumps a bucket of freezing water in my head. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”

“Maybe” Jordan shrugs. “But we needed to do something to stop all this moping and get you out of bed.” 

“Like, we get it, Declan. You fucked up, and big time.”

“Big time was what I did with Sarah. What I've done to Liv is… is… urgh” I groan, letting myself fall on the very wet bed.

There are no words to describe what I have done to Liv. The way she looked at me the other day… I think I will never forget it. It will be engraved in my brain forever. And I will never forgive myself for hurting her like that. But I deserve it. I deserve her hate and all the bad things I'm sure she's thinking and saying about me.

“I still don't understand why you did it, tho. Why did you cheat on her? Don't you love her?” Connor asks me.

“I do.”

“Then?”

“Then that's the problem!” I say, sitting up. “That I love her! That I'm madly in love with her, and that scares the hell out of me because I'm a coward!”

“Love is scary, Dec” Jordan says, sitting on the bed next to me and avoiding the wet patch. “But it also is the most wonderful feeling.”

“I know, Jordan. I know. Because I've experienced that with Liv. She's the first girl I've felt that with. And every time I've lived one of those moments of extreme happiness with her, where I've felt like I'm in cloud nine, I've ended up fucking things up and treating her like shit.”

“What do you mean?” Connor asks, sitting on the other side of the bed.

“I've… I… I've basically ghosted her.”

“In English, please.”

“It means that every time something good has happened between us, something important, I've freaked out because I'm a coward and ignored her. She would text me and I would leave her on read or reply with a vague answer. Or she would call me to facetime and I would ignore her and then not call her back.”

“That's…”

“That's being a jerk. Say it, it's the truth” I shrug. “And then, to make things even worse, I would come back as if nothing had happened and with a bunch of excuses because I was feeling guilty and as an idiot for sabotaging our relationship, and do something big and romantic for her to try and make up for it. Like when I took her to Paris for her birthday after basically ignoring her on the actual day. But then, of course, something will happen that would make me realize that I was even more in love with her than I thought, I would freak out again, and fuck things up.”

“And that's what happened this summer.”

“Yes” I sigh. “Things were so good between us… So good. She was the first thing I would think of in the morning when I woke up and the last before falling asleep at night. After training or a game, she was the first person I wanted to talk to, and just thinking about her put a stupid smile on my face. And when I would see you with your wives and the kids, I… I…”

“You?” Jordan asks me.

“I would see myself having that life with Liv” I confess. “She's the one I want to marry and start a family with and love for the rest of my life. She's the one.”

“And that realization made you freak out so much that you spent your summer looking for the best way to sabotage it all until you found it in Ibiza.”

“Yeah” I sigh again. “I… Why am I like this? Why do I do this to myself? To her?” I cry, furiously wiping away my tears. “I love Liv. I love her like I've never loved anyone before. I want to be with her and only her. But now I've ruined it all. She will never forgive me for what I've done, which she is in her right to, and she will hate me for the rest of her life. I could see it on her face, on the way she looked at me the other day. I broke her heart and hurt her so bad, and I hate myself so much for it. So fucking much! I just… why am I like this?” I yell, hitting the bed. “Why?”

“Dec… Declan…” Jordan says, taking my hand on his.

“Why am I like this?” I cry again, looking at him. “Why did I ruin the best thing in my life?”

“Sometimes, we… I…”

“We are humans, Declan” Connor says, putting a hand on my shoulder. “We all make mistakes, it's in our nature. Some of those mistakes are bigger than others, but…”

“This can be fixed” Jordan says.

“Fixed?” I laugh. “How?”

“You need to talk with Liv and explain everything to her. Tell her how you feel, tell her what you feel for her.”

“She doesn't want to see me, Jordan. She made it very clear after crossing my face. I'm like dead to her.”

“But she still loves you, Declan. That doesn't go away that fast even if you've hurt her the way you have.”

“And even if she doesn't forget you, which we all agree she's in her right to… Telling her may help you forgive yourself. And maybe, one day, once you've fixed all those insecurities and self sabotaging… You can give each other another chance” Connor says.

“You think so?”

“I mean, it's worth trying” Connor shrugs.

“But how am I going to tell her all this if she doesn't want to see me? I'm pretty sure she's blocked me everywhere, and I can't show up at her house. If she doesn't kill me, her dad will.”

“You could also meet with her after work” Jordan suggests. 

“I can't go to Tottenham training centre just like that. I'm the enemy, remember? And that would make people start gossiping.”

“What if you ask Madders for help?”

“No, not him” I say. “He's probably going through enough already with being caught in the middle of all this, I don't want to make things worse for him. Liv loves him like a brother.”

“Then…”

“Then there is nothing to do” I sigh. “I fucked up, and Liv will hate me forever.” 

“Wait!” Jordan says after a few seconds in silence. “The national team!”

“What about it?”

“You are playing two games in October, and you will probably stay at Tottenham training centre, right? That's your chance, Declan!”

“If she knows I'm going she'll probably say that she's sick to not see me.”

“Or not” Connor says. 

“Dec, this can be it. You have to stay positive!”

“That's easy to say when the woman you love doesn't despise you” I say, letting myself fall on the bed again. “Was the bucket of water really necessary?”

“It was. And we will be throwing another one at your face every time you start being negative” Jordan threatens me.

“Urgh” I groan.

“Will you stay positive and focus on talking with Liv during the international break?”

“And will you keep little Declan inside your pants in the meantime?” Connor adds. 

“It has only left my pants for Liv since the day we first kissed” I reply, hitting him with a pillow.

“Wait, really? I thought you and the singer…”

“She wanted to, but I didn't.”

“Good, good. Keep it like that” Connor says. “And stay positive and focused.”

“I will. I promise” I say. “Now can I please get out of this wet bed and have a proper shower?”

“You can. But we will be watching you” Jordan says.

“Not while you shower, but you know what we mean” Connor says.

“Yeah… Thank you, guys” I say, smiling for the first time since I ruined it all. 

“You're welcome, little bro” Jordan says before he and Connor hug me. 

[momsopposed2theoccult]

Possibly weird but genuine question: Do you guys think that Zane and Rikki were having sex at any point during the show? Obviously it’s rated PG (13?) and marketed at kids and preteens so they couldn’t actually bring it up on screen, but I do think it’s likely. I can’t imagine Cleo and Lewis having sex at any point during canon since they both seem like the type who would feel awkward bringing it up and would probably want to wait until they’d been together a couple of years, and Emma was never serious enough about Byron or Ash for that to come into question (and even if she was, based off her personality she would probably also want to wait). But Rikki and Zane? Fiery, intense, passionate, emotional Rikki and Zane? Rikki and Zane who went from being flirty enemies to basically Romeo and Juliet within the span of a few episodes? Rikki and Zane, who are both attractive and know it? Zane, the hotshot popular guy? Rikki, the confident, impulsive rebel? Rikki and Zane, who show us time and time again that they’re crazy, stupid in love with each other and willing to go to great lengths to prove it? Rikki and Zane, who were serious enough about each other to become business partners? Yeah they were definitely fucking.

[lilacflowersss]

>A young teenage boy stands in his room

>What is this young boy's name?

>Idiotic Bloke

>Wtf? no!

>Joey English?

>better

>Your name is Joey English, You're a young lad going through your emo phase. Which you don't consider it as a phase. IT'S MY TRUE SELF YOU TWAT. Anyways the only happiness in your life are Legos,Video games, Anime,and Good Music. And when you're bored of those things,you would writie in your journal or read your favorite book.

>Joey look around your room

>You look over to your special shelve of your collections. Lego sets that you got for your birthday,your Gameboy and Switch,your Goku anime figure,and your manga and novel book collection. Oh and the guns your dad gave to you for "self defense" and "protection". Who the fuck would give a 13 year old guns?? Who would even trust a teenager with this kind of weapons. Why the hell are you even thinking about your father. You fuckin hate your dad. He's a fuckin idiot. What did your mom even see in him?

>Whatever let's continue

>The comfort side of your room. Which of course has your bed, a window with a nice view and your posters.

>Joey view your posters

>You look at your Lisa Frank unicorn poster. Unicorns are your favorite animal. Your spirit animal. The most mythical creatures you ever seen. Makes you upset that they're not real. But it is your dream to see one and keep it as a pet.

>Joey look over to at the other posters

>Romeo and Juliet. Such a poetic story. Ever since you read it in literature class it became your dream to create a story inspired by this play. But nothing beats your most favorite story. Twilight. Such a masterpiece. You can go hours and hours talking about it. For it is poetic. A Creation from the gods above. Stephenie Meyer is a genius. She's your idol and you wanna meet her one day and thank her for her amazing creation.

>Now go to the other corner of your room

>These posters are your favorite. It consist of your all time favorite music artist that your mom showed you about. Odetari and ICP. Now these are the rest of your rifles that your father give to you for Christmas. Imagine a 10 year old opening up a present expecting a new gaming console only to be getting a shotgun. That was the worst Christmas ever and the same year you wanted to disown your father. Next year you hope you get a sword from your uncle. The only problem is that your parents don't trust you with sharp objects after the piercing incident. But somehow trust their kids with guns? Whatever.

>End of short introduction

[randomthefox]

"OMG why do you even care Pac-Man doesn't even have a story it's just eating fruit and being chased by ghosts in a maze!"

What are you a fucking boomer? Do you think Pac-Man was just an arcade game from 1980 and then literally nothing else forever?

Like first of all, the arcade games have stories in and of themselves. Stories which do inspire the imagination. Pac-Man has a meet cute, falls in love, has a child. That child has a Romeo and Juliet esk romance of his own. This IS a narrative, one which could be faithfully adapted by a talented artist who gives enough of a shit.

Second of all even ignoring the original arcade games, the Pac Man World games exist which HAVE STORIES. You can infer narrative from the opening cutscene alone.

I for one find it fascinating that the party on Ghost Island advertises "meeting Pac-Man" as a selling point. This implies that Pac-Man is famous for his exploits and has celebrity status with people wanting to meet him in person.

The fact all the party goers are Ghosts implies that there isn't any kind of prejudice or conflict between Pac People and Ghosts. Ghosts are enticed by the prospect of meeting Pac-Man, so from that we can infer that it's just Inky Binky Pinky and Clyde who are the problem causers and Ghosts in general are normal citizens. Reminds me of how Paper Mario had villages of Koopa's recontextualizing the species from their depiction purely as enemy combatants in the main games.

That's all narrative inference I made from A FUCKING POSTER IN THE INTRO CUTSCENE

If you think Pac-Man doesn't have a story and therefore you have creative liberty to make up whatever stupid bullshit you want because who cares, then you are a HACK.

It frustrates me to no end that people act like it's okay to do this with video games. You wouldn't hear people saying this shit about other mediums getting adapted poorly. But when it comes to video games we aren't allowed to complain, because video games are stupid and we're stupid for caring basically.

[klbwriting]

Not Romeo, Not Juliet

Chapter 13: Sweet (The End)

Fandom: Red Hood

Pairing: Jason Todd x f!reader

Warnings: none

Summary: the Shakespeare competition brings on changes

Notes: Here is the final chapter! There is a sequel coming which who knows, I might post the first chapter today, not sure yet! I hope you enjoy! Let me know if you want to be on the taglist for the next one!

Taglist: @deans-spinster-witch @amberpanda99

YN was dressed in her Lady MacBeth costume, backstage with her school as the competition was going on. It was at Gotham University so they had very nice backstage areas where all the theater groups had their own space, but they could still see the rest as they gathered. YN kept glancing, looking for Jason, at least wanting to wave or smile at him before he went on. Plus, he was in tights, and she was desperate to have that image burned into her memory and she didn’t know if she could sneak out to watch any of his show since they were on right after Bludhaven Prep. She felt someone tap her shoulder and turned, frowning at the sight of Sydney.

“Hi?” she said. She knew Sydney from last year, she was the one who had backed her up when she had told the Shakespeare council about the leading lady controversy.

“Hey, just wanted to come give you this, our director is keeping Jason busy right now, him and the other seniors are working out some issues…” she said, handing over a rose with a note attached to it. “He also said he loves you, you’re going to kill it, and his brother is throwing an after party in the café area of the university so don’t leave right away.” YN laughed, reading the note that just had a heart with his initials on it.

“Thanks,” she said. “I won’t have you playing messenger, but you can let him know that I got his message.” Sydney nodded and headed back to her group. YN knew that Jackson, Matt, and Chelsea had released the video, they had to be the ones who had done it, but she had no proof, so she was prepared to let it go. It sucked, they were terrible people, but she wasn’t one for revenge honestly, and it brought her closer to Jason. He had told her everything after the kidnapping, his past as Robin, she knew who Batman was for fuck’s sake. It was dangerous knowing these kinds of secrets, but she wasn’t a snitch either. She finally caught Jason’s eye as he came out of side room with Jackson, Matt, and Chelsea, all of them looking rather annoyed as they milled around. She caught his eye and held up the rose. He smiled at her, giving a wave and she felt herself fall more in love with him, blushing as she turned back to her team who were glaring at her. She rolled her eyes, not caring at all what they thought. Then her phone rang. She had special permission to have her phone on her at all times just in case her mother had a medical emergency. She stepped away to answer it and the smile fell from her face.

Jason noticed her change in mood when the call came in. She didn’t run off, only hung up and went back to her team, loosely holding his flower now, looking dejected, so he knew it wasn’t some bad news about her mother. Something else had stolen her smile and he felt his desire to punch something grow. It didn’t help that the other seniors were sticking by their bullshit excuses for being dicks to YN. They had pulled him aside early, apologizing to him for how they acted around him. He wasn’t the one they should have been apologizing to, but they wouldn’t budge on that. YN wasn’t even really a person to them now that they knew she was from Crime Alley and her father was a mid-level crime boss. He really hoped that during the spring semester he could just leave them behind. He refocused his mind on the play, wanting to get past this before he talked to YN.

“And our award today for Leading Male goes to Jason Todd from Bludhaven Preparatory for his portrayal of Hamlet,” the president of the Shakespeare council said from the stage. Jason looked around backstage at the others in his class. They looked shocked. During their performance Matt had tripped, falling off the stage midway through act 4 and they all figured that pretty much destroyed their chances of winning anything considering he had to do the rest of the show in a chair since he might have broken his ankle. No one expected Jason to win but here he was, walking out and taking a trophy from the president, saying a quick thank you before standing awkwardly off to the side while they announced the Leading Lady next. “And our Leading Lady this year is YN YLN from Gotham Academy for her portrayal of Lady MacBeth.” YN came out and took the trophy, smiling at Jason who was smiling back at her. They joined hands and held up their trophies before parting to go backstage. The rest of his castmates gave him a half-assed congratulations because they knew the big prize of Best Production was going to…”Gotham Academy for MacBeth.” “Thanks a lot Matt,” grumbled Chelsea as she stalked off to change into her afterparty clothes. Jason just rolled his eyes, heading to change himself. Dick found him as he was washing off the stage makeup in the large bathroom behind the auditorium.

“Look at that, we have a real thespian in the family,” he said, walking over and picking up the trophy. “I’m proud of you.” Jason blushed, not realizing how much he actually wanted Dick to be proud of him. He swallowed hard, making sure to wipe his face off, because the makeup was getting in his eyes, making them water. “YN, is waiting right outside by the way, please come to the after party before you two go sneaking off, I did pay for it.” Jason chuckled and nodded, letting Dick take the trophy with him.

“Well, if it isn’t the leading man,” YN said as he exited the bathroom in his typical combat pants and black tshirt. He walked over to her, pulling her close and kissing her. “Your death scene was incredible.”

“Well, unlike most I have practical experience in that,” he said. “But yours wasn’t so bad either my leading lady.”

“Yes, because it was offstage and no one saw it,” she laughed. Then her smile fell a little. “Can we talk?” O he hated the sound of that. She must have seen the panic in his eyes. “Its not bad, well, its not good either.” She took his hand and led him towards the party, stopping at a bench outside the café to sit down. Despite the cold and the snow Jason felt warm when she slid her arms through his arm to hold it close.

“Just rip the band aid off,” he said softly, not wanting to stall what he could tell was probably going to destroy him.

“Someone has anonymously donated a lot of money so that my mom can get into a clinical study of a new cancer treatment being done in Singapore,” she said. “I’m not 18 so legally I can’t stay here without a guardian, and I don’t want to leave my mom alone in a new country, so I’ve decided to go too.” Jason’s head fell. “It wouldn’t be fair of me to ask you to wait for me, or to stay being mine when I can’t be here with you. I don’t want to fight and breakup because I’m halfway across the world.”

“I understand,” Jason said softly. He started to feel himself shutting down, wanting to push her away with a flippant comment, but when he looked at her and saw that this was killing the same way it was him, he couldn’t do it. “Your mom needs you, how long is the treatment?”

“It’s supposed to last six months,” she said. “I’ll probably finish school online.” He nodded.

“Do you plan on going to Gotham U still?” he asked. She nodded. “Alright, so I’ll see you at college then?” Not like he was leaving the city and Gotham U was the best college they had, he was obviously going there also. She smiled a little.

“Ya, although I think by then you will have another person you love, and who loves you just as much as I do,” she said. He shook his head.

“One last date tonight?” he asked, nodding towards the party. She nodded. “One last kiss?” She nodded again. He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers, fingers coming up to gently wipe the tears from her face. When they parted, she traced the scar on his cheek again. “Come on, Dick wants to meet you properly and show you he’s not that bad.”

“Ya, let’s go,” she said. Jason stood, taking her hand. His heart was in pieces, but it felt ok, it would be ok somehow. She would come back, and they could try again when they had more choice, more control, when they were just playing characters in a tragedy, not living it.

Parting is such sweet sorrow

-Romeo and Juliet, Act 2 Scene 2