#Now our ten-year anniversary is coming up

[twilight-deviant]

How did you take fancy to the ship fiskmatt?

Heh. There's a semi-long answer to this? If you want the rolling snowball of reasons.

I'll confess I had next to no familiarity with Daredevil before the Netflix series premiere in 2015. I knew it existed, and I may have seen some of the 2003 movie. Buuuuuut I have long been a fan of Vincent D'Onofrio. So I went into DD (when it was still realistic and expected to watch all Marvel projects) most excited about whomever Vincent's character was going to be. (Hearing his voice at the end of 1x01 and then seeing him at the end of 1x03 made me happy.)

I ramble about that because it set a stage of increased odds that I would probably:

Love Vincent's character most. (Still true.)

Be most invested in a ship with his character. (Fisk/Vanessa is probably my second fav DD ship after Fisk/Matt.)

Then I watched Daredevil, and no ship reeeeeeeally caught my fancy (outside of Fisk/Vanessa). I liked Matt/Karen for the Pilot before my interest immediately fell off. It was then replaced by Foggy/Karen and their sweet B-plot in 1x02. (btw, I think canon abandoning this relationship was a big dumb mistake.)

So I passively thought to myself, "Eh, not every show needs a ship, and the plot of this one is more than enough to keep me entertained."

And then episode 1x06 happened.

Fisk decided to talk to the Man in the Mask on the radio, and at 90mph, my thoughts went from, "I have no DD ship" to "Eeh! My ship is going to speak to each other!" to "......My ship?"

It was very odd. Haha. As if I had been shipping them the whole time but forgot to tell myself. (Is that what makes a person's soulmate OTP? THE one true pair? They were out there, you just hadn't met yet.) It was only after that scene and episode that I began putting more thought into the FiskMatt ship. Because it genuinely had not occurred to me before.

I always love a good hero/villain ship, and FM is goooooood. S1 is a really great time to get into the ship because they push the "two sides of the same coin" bit and push it hard. They are the same, except where they are exactly opposite. In hero/villain shipping, this is such a holy grail yin/yang dynamic.

I also enjoyed a lot of their dialogue, of course. Fisk's strong and immediate respect for Matt that he voiced in their radio call.

(My soul left my body at this line. ^^^ It's been almost 10 years, and I'm still not over it. Other hero/villain ships WISH they could have something so beautiful and profound to look back on.)

I know that's an unnecessarily long answer when the truth is just, "One minute I didn't ship them, the next minute I was obsessed." But it feels relevant to say the whole of S1 had a big impact to me. Their relationship and its potential checks almost every box for what I could want out of a ship. (One of the only things it's missing, imo, is more time spent together, on screen and in comics.)

S2 only had the one scene with them, but it was everything to me and I was so excited for it, I had to pause my tv before Matt entered the room and compose myself. My family watching the show with me was like "wtf just play it?" (Did I upload that S2 scene to youtube so I can watch it whenever I want? Yeah, maybe. I uploaded the radio scene as well, but Disney copyrighted it. I can't share, but I still watch it privately.) I also loved that Matt put Fisk in prison at the end of S1, but the man was still so utterly respectful and taken with the blind attorney. Until that scene. ^-^; Before Matt threatened Vanessa, Fisk had a little crush on him. Change my mind.

Then S3 went back to S1 basics (with Born Again set to do the same next year). Centering Fisk and Matt's relationship because it's undeniably the lifeblood and success of the series. Fight me. The show puts so much focus on the two characters individually (more than other main characters) while also super-charging the tension of their interactions. Every time they speak is so impactful and memorable.

Sometimes, I feel like a crazy person because how am I and a dozen other people the only ones shipping this??? How are there not hundreds of fics on AO3? (I don't want to say it's because Fisk is unconventionally attractive because I try not to push assumptions like that on other people. I hate when Matt/Foggy shippers assert the only reason people don't ship them is fatphobia. 1. Eff off. 2. I'm overweight. 3. I just like their platonic friendship. At the same time though... Fisk's appearance and age are probably part of it? Right?) But idk... I kind of like the coziness of my rarepair. I like being at the perceived center of the ship. Haha. I like when I wake up to someone that just discovered FiskMatt and my inbox is 30 kudos left on various fics.

That said... I'm curious if Born Again might awaken new people to take a fancy to the ship. X3

[evie-sturns]

dinner - Chris Sturniolo

summary: you and your boyfriend chris have just had your one year anniversary, to celebrate chris's family invites you and your parents round for dinner! but when chris gets worked up by your touch he has to take you to the bathroom...

contains: smut, bathroom!sex, semi-public, fluff, teasing, stomach bulge.

--------------------------°°••....••°°--------------———

in honor of chris and i's one year anniversary, his family is deciding to throw a huge dinner party. i'm not too sure if his extended family will be there but my parents and siblings are coming.

"chris?" i call out, spraying my face several times with setting spray after finally finishing my lengthy getting-ready process. i hear his excited footsteps sprinting up the stairs before the bedroom door swings open.

"you look so pretty," chris smiles, walking over to me and wrapping his arms around me.

"oh- chris! careful, i don't want to get makeup on your shirt!" i laugh while chris smooshes my face onto his white shirt from his deadly tight hug.

"right so were gonna go pick up matt and nick- i think everyone else is meeting at mary lou's." i say, pulling away from the hug and grabbing chris's hand.

chris nods before dragging me downstairs, my high heels click against the wooden floors as i adjust the straps of my white sundress.

i turn my phone on do not disturb while unlocking the front door, "how long are we going to be there?" chris asks, stepping out into the afternoon sun.

"only a couple hours, you might get a little bored." i tell chris before jumping into the drivers seat of our car.

"no- i'll be fine," chris defends himself with a sigh.

i look over at him "you okay?" i ask, rubbing his shoulder as i drive down the driveway.

"just.. really fucking nervous" chris laughs.

"chris no. you know my family loves you so much, all your brothers will be there its a happy thing!" i try to lift his enthusiasm with a confident tone.

-

i pull into the driveway of chris's parents house, ever since we picked up matt and nick, chris has cheered up. hes been laughing dramatically while making stupid jokes.

"you guys ready?" i ask with a grin, switching off the car.

"yes ma'am." nick jokes, swinging open the car door and jumping out, matt follows close behind. chris get's out of the car and instantly starts walking up to the front door, i run up behind him.

the front door opens slowly, mary lou's face peeks out and instantly lights up "hello!!" she sings, wrapping her arms around me.

"your children are here too" matt scoffs, she wraps her other arm around matt nick and chris, squeezing us all together. the sweet smell of her floral perfume flooding my nostrils.

"come in! come in." she hurrys us inside, the kitchen has my older brother and younger sister in it, roaming through the pantry. the dining room has tens of adults around all chatting happily around the table.

"look whos here!" jimmy calls out from the dining table, everyones heads snap up to me and chris. dramatic hollers come from the people round the table, chris and i burst into laughter.

“come! come sit” my mother smiles widely, tapping the two seats left for chris and i. i look over at chris and flash him a quick smile before sitting down

chris sits down right next to me, our shoulders brushing briefly.

"its been so long! hows molly?" i ask, molly is my dog. shes getting old but shes my childhood dog.

"oh shes doing great, you know still limping but we took her to the vet a couple weeks ago." my mom replies with a small sigh,

"anyways- and chris! i've missed you darling congratulations on 1 year! hows that youtube going?" she continues, looking up at chris with a wide grin.

"thank you! it's going great thank you, my career now- yeah!" chris speaks, his hands resting comfortably on his lap.

"ahh- youtube i remember when you were just starting a couple years ago!" my dad laughs, before chris and i dated we were friends since high school. my dad always loved chris, he says that chris is a 'sweet boy'.

all heads on the table turn towards mary lou and my cousin james, bringing over several dishes to the table.

"this looks awesome thank you." matt smiles up at mary lou.

i look over at chris, who is now shifting in his seat. he locks eyes with me and instantly breaks eye contact, looking down at his lap.

i serve up some food on my plate,

suddenly i feel chris's hand on my thigh as he talks to one of my cousins, his long fingers trace small circles on my inner thigh under the table.

i stab my fork into the cabbage on my plate, glaring over at chris as he happily chats with various members of my family while his fingers slowly shift up my thigh.

he drags his fingers just under the hem of my dress, i can feel myself growing more sexually frustrated, my panties dampening by the second. his pinky lightly grazes my panties.

"chris." i whisper, he turns to me with an innocent face and a small head tilt.

as soon as he wraps up the conversation with my cousin he leans over, his lips just below my ear before he whispers subtly

"you're gonna excuse yourself to the bathroom and i'm going to meet you there in a minute okay?"

i nod, squeezing my thighs together.

"i'm just going to pop to the bathroom" i smile warmly at my parents like my boyfriend wasn't just teasing me under the table.

i scoot my chair back and stand up, swiftly walking upstairs and taking the first door into the large bathroom.

the walls in chris's parents house are paper thin, last time i was hear i could hear conversations from each bedroom clearly, so now i hear chris making up a lame excuse to meet me up here.

"hey- i don't know if y/n's feeling very well she was nauseous on the way here" he lies through his teeth "i'm going to go check up on her." chris says, i hear his chair shift before footsteps running up here.

he swings open the door with a stupid smile. "yes?" i say with a roll of my eyes.

he walks over to me, grabbing my ass and lifting me up onto the marble countertop. my back presses against the mirror as chris steps between my legs.

I spread my legs apart, causing my dress to ride up my thighs revealing a portion of my panties.

"fucking soaked." chris scoffs, my face flushes as he tugs down my panties to my ankles before putting them in his pocket. he fidgets with the belt of his jeans, letting it drop down followed by his jean.

"if you. make a sound. i will stop completely." chris speaks sternly, i nod, sinking my top teeth into my bottom lip.

"good girl." chris says, rubbing my cheek before lining himself up with me.

he pushes his tip inside of me, observing my face. he slowly gives me more, i shake my head as i press my lips together.

chris is big, its a known fact and it's almost impossible to stay silent when he pounds into me.

"you can take it, i know you can" chris mutters, bottoming out. i arch my back, breathing heavily.

he starts to thrust into me, his hands gripping the plush of my hips. the thrusts grow faster and harder, we both know we don't have all the time in the world so hes desperate to make me cum, and to cum himself.

the angle we're in allows him to repeatedly hit my g-spot.

"fuck!" i moan out, before i can even finish the word chris's hand is plastered over my mouth.

he presses two fingers into my mouth to shut me up.

i whine against his fingers, squeezing my eyes shut as i shift all over the countertop. shortly after my legs start to shake, i feel myself growing so close to my orgasm.

his hand that was on my hip moves to my lower stomach, pressing lightly. i look down, theres a clear stomach bulge.

"you feel me right there sweetheart?" chris breathes, i throw my head back with a frantic nod. he continues to press on my stomach.

i wrap my legs around his back before clenching harshly around him. i squeeze my eyes shut as i fight back all noises that are begging to leave my mouth.

my orgasm crashes over me, chris chuckles lightly before pulling out. he releases into his hand as he throws his head back.

we stay still for a couple seconds, i look down at his hand that he just released in

"gross!" i tease,

"hey it was this or on your dress so i took the practical option." chris replies, i stick up a finger and repeat what he said in a nerdy tone.

i flop down off the countertop, tugging down my dress and reaching into his pocket, digging around for my panties.

i pull them out of his pocket and slide them up my legs, chris washes his hands and redresses himself.

"that was.. hot." i breathe out, unlocking the door to the bathroom.

chris follows close behind me down the stairs, all heads turn to us.

shit. were we too loud?

"oh no! y/n were you sick?" mary lou says with a small pout. i hesitate for a second

"your hair is all messed up and you're absolutely flushed! your red!" my mother adds on,

i look over at chris who has his hands in his pockets awkwardly.

"yeah- i'm sorry guys i threw up in there" i lie with a fake sigh

truthfully, i wasn't sick. i just couldn't tell my whole family that my boyfriend was just balls deep inside of me right upstairs.

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

@luanetaluenta @sturnsssbow @mattfangirl @luvr4miya @luvtay111 @lolasturniolo @freshloveforthefit @ruedowney @lovingchrissposts @333michelle @h3arts4harry @sonicmacks @jamiesturniolo @chrisstopherfilmed @itzdarling @sturniolo-simp4life @daddyslilchickenfingers2 @recklessmatt @ev3rgreenxtrees @lovergirl4387 @certifiednatelover @solarsturniolo @mattsenthusiast @yomamaslays4lyfe @peachmels @alinaa131 @pepsiluvr0209 @creamoncreamoncream2 @szobofc @mattscoquette @blahbell668 @sturniolo04 @ecilphttlunar @pkfferoo @bitchydragonparadise @thematthewlover @sturni0l0 @ratatioulle

[soobnny]

ten things seo changbin says when he thinks you’re asleep — fluff, established relationship, a little angst

chan | lee know | CHANGBIN | hyunjin | han | felix | seungmin | jeongin

one. happy one year anniversary, my love. ah, i don’t think i can fall asleep for a while. my heart feels like it wants to jump out of my chest because i’m so happy right now. it’s so crazy to think back to a year ago. did you know i cried when you said yes to being mine? i tried to keep it together in front of you but i sobbed the moment i got home. thank you for giving me a chance, and for continuing to give me a chance. one year, huh?

two. i never thought i’d feel this way again. i thought no one could possibly love me, but then you came in the form of the biggest contradiction. ah, (name), thank you for loving me.

three. i love your moles. you always say you hate them, but i love them because it’s yours. i love them because it’s so potently you. i love everything about you.

four. the boys joked around about marriage earlier, how i’d probably be the first one to tie the knot, and i know they were teasing, but it got me thinking. i genuinely do want to marry you. i think about it all the time. i think about how lovely you’d look in white, and whether or not you’d prefer a beach wedding or a fall wedding. you always told me how much you loved them. and god, who would my best man even be? felix would kill me if it isn’t him. and our first dance… would it be exactly like the way we dance in the kitchen at midnight? ah, sorry, i’m getting ahead of myself, aren’t i?

five. i hope this isn’t just all in my head, that i’m not just making you up. you’re too good to be true sometimes… do i really deserve you?

six. honey? i’m sorry. i should’ve never yelled at you. i know you were coming from a place of concern, and a tiring day is a horrible excuse for my actions. i’m sorry. please sleep well. we’ll talk about it tomorrow, okay?

seven. you got a haircut yesterday. you didn’t tell anyone, but i noticed. you look very pretty, ah what am i even saying? you always look pretty. everyone adores you, but not as much as i do, kay? i love you.

eight. my arms are always open for you, my love. i will catch you if you fall, even if i have to do it over and over again. just don’t give up.

nine. i feel like i’m losing you. please don’t go anywhere. i— i don’t know what to do without you.

ten. i always thought i was hard to love. thank you for making it seem so easy. i love you. i can’t wait to ask you to marry me tomorrow. ah, let me sleep now so tomorrow comes faster. i hope you say yes.

[johnbrand]

Where Would You Rather Be?

“You know I love you right?” Malcolm reaffirmed his boyfriend. “And I’m here for you.”

It had been a difficult week for Shane. He had lived in the city for almost ten years now, having moved originally for college and then sticking around after graduation. It had been a scary transition, but thanks to the quick friends he had made, the journey was easier.

One of them, Shane’s freshman roommate who he had lived with and then nearby since they had first met, had received an eviction notice the week prior. Shane had been as supportive as he could through the entire process, but watching his dear friend pack up and leave was stressful. His friend would now be living hours away, no longer right next door.

Shane nodded his head, followed by a quick “Thank you.”

“I’m happy to be the shoulder you can cry on, I know this is hard,” Malcolm sympathized. “Would you still like to go out for dinner tonight? We can cancel plans if you need some time.”

“No, no I’ll be fine,” Shane smiled a bit. “Plus it’s our third anniversary–you’ve done more than your fair share and I'm thankful for that.”

Malcolm chuckled, quickly grabbing Shane from the behind, “Then perhaps you’ll have to show your gratitude later tonight.”

Rolling his eyes, Shane gave his boyfriend a soft peck before departing back for his apartment. After climbing a few flights of stairs, he was surprised to find the door to his friend’s former apartment wide open. Curious, Shane swung his head in, noticing boxes and other assorted items sprawled across the otherwise empty space. Before he could investigate further, a voice from behind ordered him to move aside.

“Get out of the way, bro!”

The rich baritone caught Shane by so much of a surprise that he visibly jumped a bit, scurrying as a large figure stomped through the doorway before dropping a few boxes down. At least above six feet tall, the buff, masculine intruder immediately intimidated Shane. 

“Mind being useful and helping me grab the rest of my stuff?” the man asked. Shane, a bit petrified by the pure masculinity in front of him, did not utter a word. The man did not need his response however, knowing Shane would help him in whatever means necessary. Shane could not explain what had come over him, his mouth unable to formulate words as cardboard boxes were dropped into his waiting arms. Before he knew it, two hours had gone by and everything had been brought into the man’s apartment.

“Martin,” the mysterious man finally offered his name, alongside a giant meaty mitt that crushed Shane’s. “Are you my new neighbor?”

“Uh…yeah,” Shane finally spoke, pointing to the wall that their apartments would share. 

“Cool bro,” Martin replied. “Wanna go sit out on the balcony with me for a bit?”

Martin checked his watch, noting that there was still a little time before he had to get ready for his dinner date. “Sure.” Following the muscular alpha outside, Shane took a seat on the wicker couch as he waited for Martin to grab himself a drink. He did his best to schedule out the remaining amount of his free time, and to finally register how hot his face was. 

“Sit over there,” Martin directed as he stepped onto the balcony. Shane did not stop himself from getting up and moving aside so Martin could sit on the couch. It was not until he had moved to the other side of the coffee table that Shane realized that Martin wanted him to sit on the deck.

“That’s right, faggot,” Martin responded, noticing Shane’s confusion. “Sit in front of my feet.”

Shane was shocked, offended by his neighbor’s sudden bigotry. Yet he did as he was instructed, taking his seat in front of the two massive soles that were placed in front of him. 

“You got any plans tonight, fag?” Martin questioned. 

In a flustered, embarrassed, and strangely lustful state, Shane answered, “Yes, I have an anniversary dinner with my boyfriend.”

Martin snickered. “And when is that?”

“I should start getting ready in 10 minutes,” Shane’s response was robotic. “I’ve got to shower, get dressed, wrap my present, and then travel.”

Martin considered this for a while, basking in the fact that Shane would await his next prompt. Shane could smell the man before him, Martin’s natural musk and body odor holding an authority over him like nothing else had ever before.

“Let me offer you a deal, faggot,” Martin finally said. “You can leave now, get ready and go have a great night with your loving boyfriend. Or you can stay seated exactly where you are, at the feet of a straight man, waiting for my next command and praying that I let you service me through whatever means possible.”

Shane did not reply, shocked by what Martin was insinuating. With casual indifference, Martin wiggled his casual toes in front of Shane, knowing the silence was already his answer. But in true alpha fashion, Martin made sure to drive his superiority home.

“Where would you rather be, faggot?”

They remained there without uttering a word: Martin laidback, comfortable, and minding his own business, and Shane at his feet. Neither got up as time ticked past. In his head, Shane’s plans slowly altered. He did not need to wrap Malcolm's present, he did not need to shower, he did not even need to change. But eventually, the anniversary dinner came and went, and Shane was still at the feet of the straight man.

Shane could only hope that someday Malcolm would understand that their relationship would never have been as fulfilling as one with a straight man's feet.

[thebisexualdogdad]

Smutober day 26: Tim Bradford x GN!reader - Special treat

It was your one year anniversary with Tim and he surprised you with reservations at a restaurant that you had to get months in advance.

“I can't believe you got us a table here ten months ago,” you chuckle, looking over the menu, “you were really confident after only dating two months.”

“Well I guess I just knew you were the one,” he smiles.

The waiter brings you a nice bottle of wine after Tim informed him it was your anniversary and you put in your orders unable to keep your eyes off your boyfriend in his new suit.

You scoot closer to Tim in the booth, putting your hand on his thigh, “you look so handsome tonight.”

“You're one to talk,” he says, kissing you sweetly.

You talk about your days at work while waiting for the food to arrive, you rubbing your hand up and down his thigh.

Tim starts shifting in his seat, grateful for the food when it comes but to his surprise your hand doesn't leave his thigh.

You nonchalantly pick up your fork and begin eating your meal, your hand now traveling to his inwards.

Tim struggles to take the first bite of his food and almost chokes when you cup his crotch.

He looks at you and you grin back at him, playing with the zipper of his pants.

“Y/N,” he mutters under his breath.

“You treated me to this wonderful meal, you deserve a special treat too,” you tell him, pulling his zipper down and slipping your hand into his underwear.

He can't believe how casually you are doing this while eating and right here in the middle of a packed restaurant.

He has to loosen his tie slightly, letting him breath more easily as he does his best to get his food down.

You've let his cock out of his underwear now, stroking him slowly.

He keeps glancing around, making sure no one has clued into what is happening under the table right now.

“Everything taste alright?” The chipper waiter asks when he comes back to your table.

“It's so delicious isn't it Tim?” You ask, doing a few shallow strokes at the base of his cock.

“Yeah-Yep real good,” he stammers.

“Wonderful, let me know if you need anything,” he says.

“Actually could we put in our dessert order now?” You reply purposely to taunt Tim, now stroking the tip.

“Of course, what would you two like?”

“What do you want dear?”

Tim grips his fork, blurting out the first thing he could thing of, “crème Brûlée.”

“You got it,” he smiles before finally walking away.

“You're evil,” Tim grunts and you just smirk at him, returning to your normal movements along his shaft.

You continue to eat while slowly stroking Tim, never going any faster to draw it out.

Finishing your meals you sit there making small talk, Tim on the brink of cumming.

“Y/N,” he says with a low moan.

You lean in and kiss his cheek, whispering in his ear, “go on and cum Tim.”

The waiter arrives with your crème brûlée, setting it down on the table right as Tim cums, shooting out and hitting the underside of the table.

He chokes out a muddled thanks, your hand working every last drop out of him.

The waiter leaves again and you smile at Tim, lifting your hand up to your lips and sticking two of your fingers in your mouth sucking off the cum that got on you.

Tim couldn't get through his dessert fast enough, he needed to get you home immediately and make you pay for torturing him tonight.

[xetlynn]

Until Dawn- By Your Side: Chapter Two, Promise

(Joshua Washington X Reader)

[One] [Two] [Three]

“I hope this was the right thing to do.” Sam quietly says, it seemed like it was supposed to be to herself. Chris and I give her a confused expression. “What?” He questions.

“You know, getting everyone together on the anniversary.” She explains further. “I mean Josh seemed really pumped about us all doing something didn’t he.” She starts but it was more of a question in the back of her mind. I just look at her with the same expression I’ve held. “Yeah, no, he definitely did.” Chris assures her. “I haven’t seen him so excited about something in… forever.” He continues, Sam looks at me to see if that’s true and I nod my head. “Good, good.”

“It’s hard to tell with him, and I’ve kinda been worried. Only hearing updates through [Name] or you.” Sam tells the blond as I notice her avoiding eye contact with me. I mean she has every right to feel worried about him but why is she acting sort of weird with me right now. “No, no, it was a good idea.” He tells her.

“I hope everybody else feels the same way.” She whispers. “we’re here aren’t we?” I add in, leaning back. “Well thanks bros, good talk.” She playfully punches both of us. “You know what? Let’s just stop talking about what happened and enjoy the trip.” Chris suddenly tells us. “You know what? You’re right.” Sam sighs.

“You know how Josh and I met?” He switches the subject and I smile, remembering it’s because of me that we all met. “No…?”

“Ok, [Name] became my friend in second grade. Neither of us remember how or when that happened but suddenly we were just friends. In third grade Josh sat in the back of the room, I sat in the front and [Name] was also in the back with Josh. She instantly talked with him and they became friends but somehow Josh and I never knew each other existed. But the kid sitting on the other side of him started strap snapping the training bra on the girl in front of him so the teacher made him move to the front- where I was sitting.” He smiles, and I lean back, listening even though I lived through it. It’s nice to hear. “Okay, so?” Sam asks.

“So I got moved to the back!” He exclaims. “And?”

“And next to Josh, that’s how we met! And us three became friends. To this day. Well [Name] and Josh a bit more than friends now.” He chuckles, pushing me closer to Sam and I roll my eyes, shoving him back. “A match made in heaven.” Sam smirks, “Josh and Chris definitely are.” I say, laughing. Chris scoffs.

“If it weren’t for the fact that Jeanie Simmonds hit puberty like three years early and on that day decided to wear a low cut shirt that showed off her training bra. I mean who knows? You could be riding in this cable car alone or with just [Name].” He pulls out a hypothetical and I shake my head. “Right now. Or talking to some other person or persons entirely. Boom: Butterfly effect.” He does a mic drop motion with his hand. “You’re so dramatic, Chris.” I sigh.

The cable car gets to our destination and we climb out. We try to open the door but it doesn’t budge. It had been a couple minutes of trying to get the stupid thing to open. “Jessica, over here!” Sam suddenly calls and I stay in the back after hearing my sister’s name. We were supposed to come here together but after I found out she’s going after Mike, we had a huge argument and I want nothing to do with her. “Uh… are you guys having a really weird stroke?” Jess asks them.

“We’re stuck in this stupid thing.” Chris answers her. “Can you please let us out? Pretty please?” Sam asks.

“Jess, don’t play a dumb prank either, just hurry up.” I tell her, annoyed. She ignores me and presses the button, letting us out. “Oh, my God. I thought we were goners. Another ten minutes in there and I would have chewed off my own leg.” Chris exasperates. “Aw, sick, Chris.” Sam mutters. “Like I said before, you’re dramatic.” I fold my arms over my chest. “Look I got a lot of meat on my bones. This is all muscle down here.” He explains and I just walk away from them. I hear them talk about Jessica having a crush on Mike. Jessica telling them about how she’s with him.

I take my phone out and text my boyfriend. Wondering if he’s got everything set up. I don’t get a response though.

I walk behind everyone as we make our way up to the lodge until I find my way back to Chris and Sam who’s weirdly being quiet. “Chugger gonna make her big come back this weekend?” He asks me and I glare up at him. “Again with this?” I groan, both of us stop walking and I place my hands on my hips as I stand in front of him. “I’m just saying Josh found her pretty hot.” He puts his hands up defensively.

“Chris, we’re 20 years old now, Chugger no longer exists. Plus Josh still finds me hot. Obviously because we’re dating.” I scrunch my nose, irritated on this being a conversation once again. He goes to say something but has a smirk tied to his lips, I glance to Sam who was looking behind me.

Suddenly arms wrap around my waist and I’m lifted up into the air. I let out a squeal, kicking my feet. “Woah!” I get placed back on the ground and then spun around.

“Hello, my beautiful darling.” It was Josh, he pulls me into his arms and I hear him sniff my hair. I let out a laugh. “Hi, my love.” I look up and he kiss my lips. “Where have you been?” I ask him.

“Oh you know, around. Setting everything up. Or at least trying to.” He frowns. “Hm, I tried texting you.” I pull away from him.

“Sorry, haven’t really been on it much with all the running around.” He rubs the back of his head. I stare at him, my face scrunched with confusion. He’s acting weird. He gives me a wink and I roll my eyes.

We get to the stairs of the lodge.

“Man I feel like this mountain gets bigger every time I climb it.” Chris complains, he keeps walking behind me and kicking the heel of my shoe. “Oh yeah? Feels the same to me.” Josh says, grabbing my hand. “Oh come on, you grew up here. It probably feels like it’s shrinking.” Chris huffs.

“I guess that’s true.” Josh smiles, squeezing my hand. “When are you gonna install some cell towers up here? I’m getting withdrawals already.” The blond criticizes the mountain, lifting his phone in the air to try to get some sort of service.

“You got a spare million lying around and I’ll fix you right up.” Josh jokes, chuckling to himself and I smile. “Funny you should say that…” He checks his pockets as we start walking once again. “Ah I think I left it in my other jacket.” Chris points back. “Oops.” Josh shrugs. “Darn, that sucks.” I snap my fingers.

“Hey guys… Get up here okay?” Josh questions the rest of the group ahead of us.

“Yeah… well, more or less. But it’s so good to see you!” Ashley smiles to my boyfriend and then makes eye contact with me, giving a big grin. I’ve always loved Ashley. She’s a sweetheart. I’m iffy about her after the prank but Josh keeps telling me the twins would’ve wanted me to forgive them. It feels like I should be telling him that. In the beginning his anger was strong…

“Sup with him?” Josh motions to an upset looking Matt. Matt just looks away, I let out a breath. “Let’s just get inside.” I whisper, tugging Josh to come up the stairs.

“Yo yo yo! Are we gonna get things moving up here or what?” Chris asks Josh. “Yeah man!” He smiles.

He grips my hand once again and I look up at him. Wondering why he keeps doing that. “Hey… you doin’ alright?” Our friend gets serious, my eyes soften and lean closer into my boyfriend. Wanting to know the same thing even though I’m with him so much. His mind can go everywhere sometimes. “I mean I know it must be really tough without your sis-“

“Stop.” Josh warns him, letting go of my hand. “I just meant that-“

“No I know what you meant. You know seriously I’m over it and I just want us to have a good time, you know? Like we always used to.” Josh turns away from us and I frown, I know he’s not okay. I don’t know why he said he’s over it. He doesn’t have to be over it.

Chris nods his head though, “Right, Chugger could come out like she used to. But she won’t budge through this facade.” Chris pokes my side.

“Shut up about the Chugger thing already.” I throw my head back, jokingly gripping my head. “If my lady says no Chugger, that means no Chugger, sir.” Josh points a finger in our best friend’s face with a smile. Turning back around to try and open the door. “Dammit, this freaking thing.” He curses.

“It’s iced?” I ask. “What else.”

“Maybe there’s another way in.” Chris suggests. “There are a million ways in. They’re just all locked.” Josh continues to try with the door. “There’s gotta be, like, a window round the corner we can get like, get open or something.” Chris tells my boyfriend who stands up straighter at his idea.

“Wait a second, are you saying we should break in?” He questions Chris. “I don’t think it’s technically breaking in if you own the place, right?” Chris laughs.

“Hey, not if I don’t report you.” Josh jokes, making our friend nervous. “Lead the way, Cochise!” He motions him to go back down the stairs.

Once we get down Chris talks to Ashley. Josh and I watching the scene, his hand finds his way back to mine and I feel a kiss on my jawline. “I missed you.” He whispers in my ear and I smile. “I saw you three days ago.” I keeps my eyes looking ahead of me. “Three days too long.” He pulls me closer to him, kissing my neck making me laugh because it tickles.

“All right, all right, love birds. Keep it moving!” Chris orders us, shooing at us like we were cattle or a flock of birds. Instead of arguing we move it. Wanting to get inside. “Ashley was looking pretty hot today, right?” I teasingly ask the blond.

“Yeah if you don’t hit I’m sure Mike will get on that case.” Josh tells him, I pinch his hand, thinking that was a little too far. “Hey, cut it out you two.” Chris shakes his head but doesn’t lock eye contact with us. “Re-laaax I’m just checkin’ to see if there’s some blood flowin’ down there.” Josh laughs. “Tsk yeah…”

“Listen dude. Look around you. Look at these beautiful mountains. Do you see any parents?” Josh even takes a glance around him as he instructed our friend to do the same. “I mean can you imagine a more perfect, ripe scenario, just dripping with erotic possibilities? You, and Ashley, alone at last…” Josh makes up a hypothetical and I can see how these two are best friends. “You’ve laid all the groundwork… you’ve been a perfect gentleman. Now you come in for the kill!” Josh dramatically tells him. I let out a sigh at this awful conversation.

“Maybe you’re right.” Chris smiles.

“You’re a hunter bro. No fear. No mercy. I mean she won’t even know what hit her.” We walk around him and start back up to get to another way inside the lodge. “Alright, alright. I got it. Jeez.”

“You’re gross, Joshua.” I gently push him, he snickers pushing my back but we’re still holding hands. “You know I’m only messing.” He stops us to kiss me on the lips before continuing again.

“So how are we planning on breaking in to my parents lodge, bud?” Josh asks Chris. “Wait, I didn’t say I had a plan-“

“You sounded like you had a plan.” I chime in, Josh hums, agreeing with me. “You better deliver, Cochise, or else you got five lovely ladies who are gonna be freezing their bus off and last time I checked, that’s not a good way to get laid.” Josh tells him, playfully squeezing my hand and I scoff.

“All you think about is your penis.” I mumble. “Mm, maybe.” He whispers back to me. “well shoot, nobody likes cool buns.” Chris says.

Chris walks over to where an emergency axe should be but he lets out a disappointing sounding “oh.” Then he goes over to a cupboard? “Well well well. We got ourselves a thinker. Nice one.” Josh pats the thing, letting go of my hand. They push it over to the closest window. I watch them do the work.

“Who’s gonna get in there first?” Chris jokingly asks us. I shrug my shoulders. “if you want, I can do it.” I offer but Josh immediately pulls me back shaking his head in disagreement. “No, no, let Chris go.” He tells me, I look to Chris who waves it off. Climbing on the thing.

He lifts the window open and climbs inside the building. We hear a thud and him groan afterwards. I wince. “C’mon.” Josh lifts himself up and then helps me beside him but there’s barely any room. “Ugh, I’m okay!” Chris moans. “I should’ve pain more attention in climbing class…” He talks to himself. “You mean gym?” Josh furrows his brows as I laugh.

“Yeah, you know, with the climbing up the rope.” He stands up from the ground and then the light in the room shatters. “whoa.” Josh steps back, I almost slip but I catch myself. “Did I do that?” Chris asks.

“I don’t… I don’t think so. Here, use this.” Josh throws him a lighter. “Whoa- Chris, I just got an awesome idea.”

“Yeah?”

“Totally!”

“Well what is it?” Chris asks, looking up to us. “Okay. So I am pretty sure that I’ve got some deodorant in one of the bathrooms… you could use that with the lighter.” Josh tells him. “I don’t follow. How’s a stick of deodorant gonna help?”

“Spray on. It’s a can.” Josh corrects him. “Ohhh yeah, now I gotcha. “Flamethrower.”

“Just like we do with the lil army dudes.” Chris excitedly remembers and I wince at the memory. The smell of the plastic burning in my nose. “Yup. The ones we melted. Just point the spray-can at the lighter and Fwoosh!” Josh flings his arms up, almost knocking me before he grabbed onto my waist quickly. “Bye-bye frozen lock.” Chris chuckles. “Bingo.” Josh looks to the side. “Alright, so you got this. I’m gonna go sort something out- you up for hunting around in the dark for a little bit?” He asks Chris, I’m confused on what he has to sort out.

“Nope. But I’ll do it.” The blond shrugs. “Godspeed pil’grim.” Josh salutes to him before jumping down and then motioning for me to get on his back. “In the snow?” I nervously ask.

“Yes, I got you.” He says. “I… okay.” I slowly get onto his back and I feel his hands grip my thighs immediately. He makes his way back to the front of the lodge. Sam and Ashley were still sitting there. “I gotta go do something, I’ll be back.” He pats my thigh and I jump down.

“Joshua, where are you going?” I ask him in a quiet tone, we were a few feet away from the stairs still. “Just a sorting out a surprise for everyone.” He doesn’t look me in the eye and I fold my arms across my chest. “You’re acting strange, love.” I tell him.

“I’ll tell you later, I promise.” He puts his hands on my hips, pulling me closer to him. “You promise?” I raise my brows, he smiles. “Of course.” He gives me a long kiss before letting me go.

I go over to Ashley and Sam who are huddled up together. “Where’s Chris?” Ashley asks and I laugh. “He’s in the house, gonna open the door for us.” I inform them, sitting with them.

“Where’d Josh head to?” Sam speaks up and I glance off to the direction he was heading. “Um, I don’t actually know. He told me he would tell me later.” I frown, now feeling myself getting colder. “Weird.” She mumbles.

“Let’s go over to the door so we can get that fire started as soon as possible.” I pat both of them and we stand up. Walking up the stairs to the front door.

Masterlist

J. W. Masterlist

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[just-dreaming-marvel]

Love That Burns ~ Ending 1 ~ 36

LOVE THAT BURNS MASTERLIST

< previous chapter

Word Count: 2,245ish

Summary: Logan has a plan to surprise you. What could possibly go wrong?

Warnings: character returns from the dead

Notes: Check out the Everyday Moments Masterlist for more moments of our favorite couple! Also, the chapter numbers will continue from the main storyline.

Reminder: I DO NOT do taglists. Please don’t ask. Please follow and interact! I appreciate any reblogs, likes, comments, and asks! 

To say Logan was nervous was an understatement. First off, he hated flying. Second of all, he had never planned a trip like this before, let alone by himself. You had been pestering him for years about going on a vacation, a true vacation, but he always found an excuse to brush it off. Now that your anniversary was nearing, Logan wanted to do something special for the two of you. Logan was going to surprise you with a ten day trip to Hawaii. He had rented a small house with a private beach for the week, just the two of you. He could only hope that you’d like it. 

It was a Saturday, so Logan wasn’t working. You had slipped out to run some errands by yourself , allowing Logan to prepare how he was going to tell you about the trip. He had bought a new swimsuit for you, something he hoped you would like in his favorite color to see you in. He placed it in a bag and set it on the counter.

Anxious about the present, Logan waited for you outside, keeping himself busy with chopping wood and working on his bike. When his ears picked up the sound of the truck, Logan quickly set the tools down and wiped his hands clean on his jeans before standing to meet you.

You smiled as you caught sight of Logan waiting for you outside. You parked the truck and Logan was there in no time, opening your door.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he greeted, leaning forward and meeting your lips for a brief kiss.

“Hey, honey,” you replied. “You been waiting for me?”

“Maybe.” He smirked. “What can I grab?”

“Everything’s in the back seat.”

“I’ll grab everything. You head inside.”

“Are you sure? I can–”

“Go. I can handle a few grocery bags.”

You kissed his cheek before heading inside. It didn’t take you long to notice the gift bag sitting on the counter. “Uh, Logan? What’s with the bag?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he responded, coming in with all the grocery bags.

“So you won’t mind me taking a look inside then?”

He shrugged. “Nope.”

With curious eyes, you peeked into the bag and pulled out the new swimsuit. You held it up, studying it, before peeking back into the bag. There was nothing else in it.

“Thanks, honey,” you said, trying to mask the utter confusion you were feeling. “I needed a new swimsuit?”

“Fuck, I didn’t think this all the way through,” he muttered.

“What is going on, Logan?”

He sighed, running a frustrated hand up his face and through his hair. “I’m taking you to Hawaii.”

The swimsuit dropped to the ground. “What?”

“Tomorrow. You and me. Hawaii.”

“You–You’re serious?”

“Very.”

You squealed and jumped up into Logan’s arms. He caught you with a laugh as your arms wrapped around his neck and your legs wrapped around his torso.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Logan pressed a kiss to your neck. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

You pulled your head away enough to look at him. “Are you sure you can handle it? I know how you feel about flying and not to mention the water. Do you–”

Logan shut you up with a kiss. “Your reaction sealed the deal, baby. I’ll be fine.”

“You sure?”

“I’m the one who planned it, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but–”

“Nope. We’re going.”

You squealed again, going back to hugging him tightly. “I love you so much!”

He chuckled in your grip. “I love you more.”

~~~

Logan knew he had made the right choice as he watched you bounce around the airport. He couldn’t help but watch you with a loving smile. You were so excited that it was becoming contagious. It was helping but his anxieties at ease, especially since he had a few more surprises up his sleeves once you two reached Hawaii.

“Oh, Logan! Let’s–”

He quickly grabbed your hand and pulled you into him. “No more stops, sweetheart. We haven’t even gone through security yet. We can explore more once we’re past that.”

“Oh. Right. Let’s go!”

Logan laughed as you tried to tug him along. He willingly followed you to the security line. To distract himself from the oncoming pat down he would be forced to have, he wrapped you up in his arms and held your back against his chest. He also needed to make sure you didn’t happily wander off before you hit security. You leaned back into him, completely content with him holding you still as you waited in line.

“Are you guys newly weds?” A kind old lady asked as she stood behind you in line, watching you and Logan.

“No,” you responded with a smile. “We’ve been married for a few years now and have been together for even longer.”

“Well, it’s nice to see two young people such as yourselves so happily in love still.”

You and Logan had to bite back a laugh. If only this woman knew that Logan was 183 and you were 85. You were probably older than the woman herself.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Logan responded. “I got lucky.” He kissed your temple as you melted into him.

The lady smiled and looked at you. “You’ve got yourself a keeper there, dearie.”

You patted Logan’s arm that was around you. “Yes, I do,” you replied before meeting his lips for a kiss. 

When you reached the security checkpoint, you gave Logan another kiss.

“I’ll be right in front of you,” you told him, knowing that he hated situations like this.

“Okay,” he responded, sneaking another brief kiss before he let you go. 

He watched as you walked through the checkpoint with ease before turning around to wait for him. You shot him a smile as he stepped toward the TSA agent.

“I’ll take the pat down,” Logan stated.

The agent turned to his colleagues, “opt out.”

Suddenly, the coins and all other metal objects around begin to shake and float up. You and Logan are seemingly the only ones who seem to notice. You gasp as you realize who is standing behind Logan. Seeing your concern, Logan draws out his claws and spins around but was stopped before he could do any harm.

“What do you want?!” Logan asked as Magneto lifted his head.  

Without even thinking, you rushed back through the scanner and place yourself between Logan and Magneto, flames ready in your hands.

“There are dark forces, Wolverine, Ember,” Magneto responded, still holding a grip on Logan. “Human forces, building a weapon that could bring about the end of our kind. What I want… I want your help.”

“Why would we trust you?” You asked.

“You wouldn’t.”

Slowly, Magneto released Logan, causing Logan to pull you back behind him. It’s then you noticed that everyone in the airport had stopped moving. Logan tensed as he held onto you and stepped through the scanner. Your brows furrowed as you noticed the look on his face.

“What is it?” you whispered. 

“A wheelchair,” he breathed out.

You followed his line of sight to see Charles weaving through the crowd of frozen people. You couldn’t believe your eyes. Charles stopped his wheelchair a few feet away from you and Logan, with Magneto remaining behind you.

“Hello, Y/N, Logan,” Charles greeted.

“How is this possible?” Logan asked, stunned.

“As I told you a long time ago, you’re not the only one with gifts.”

~~~

The X-Men jet was an unwanted familiarity as you and Logan stepped into it. Charles had promised to explain everything as soon as you reached the mansion. Magento and Charles let the two of you have your space in the back of the jet as you flew to your old home.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered to Logan.

He was completely confused as to why you were apologizing. “What are you apologizin’ for?”

“You worked so hard to plan a vacation and now we don’t even get to experience it.”

Logan pulled you into his lap and used his hand to keep you looking at him. “It’s not your fault. I’m the one who should be apologizing. Should have taken you on a vacation long ago.”

You sighed, resting your head in the crook of his neck. “Should have known that we’d get pulled back into this eventually.”

“We can say no.”

“You know we can’t… not when Charles is back.”

Logan sighed, kissing your head. “No matter what happens, we stick together.”

“Always.”

~~~

Ororo was hugging you before you could fully step off of the jet. You quickly hugged back, tears pricking at your eyes. You had missed her so much.

“You never called,” she rasped, growing emotional.

“I’m so sorry,” you replied. “Forgive me?”

“Of course.”

When the two of you finally pulled away, Logan was swept into a hug from Ororo and Marie was on you. The hugs continued through Colossus, Bobby, and Kitty, each excited to see you and Logan. 

“Hold up!” Marie exclaimed, grabbing your left hand and holding it up. “Did you two get married?!”

“Yes,” you responded.

“And none of us were invited?” 

The room quieted down immediately, with everyone’s eyes on you and Logan. Sensing your emotions being to grow, Logan placed a hand around you and pulled you back into him for comfort.

“Technically, it’s not legal,” Logan responded. “But it’s real to us.”

“I’m very happy for you both,” Charles said with a smile, trying to ease the tension.

You couldn’t stop looking between Ororo and Marie, both clearly heartbroken about the lack of an invitation or an update. It had been twelve years since you had last seen or talked to any of them. You basically cut off communication as soon as you left.

“I think we need to all rest and regroup in the morning,” Charles suggested.

Magneto scoffed. “We’re wasting time,” he argued.

“Not enough to make a difference.” Charles rolled in front of you and gently took your hand. “We can talk later. Your room is cleaned and ready for you and Logan.”

“Thanks,” Logan replied, sensing that you were about to break down. “I’ll come back for our bags.”

Logan was practically carrying you as the two of you left the hangar, everyone watching. You couldn’t fully take in the idea of being back here, feeling too guilty for leaving your friends in the dust. You froze once you were inside of your room. It didn’t feel like home the way it once did and it hurt with the familiarity of it.

“Sweetheart,” Logan whispered, trying to get your attention elsewhere. 

“Can you go grab the bags?” You murmured.

“Those can wait. You need–”

“Please, Logan… I just need a few minutes.”

Logan sighed. He knew that it wasn’t worth arguing with you in this state. “Okay. I’ll be quick.”

You nodded, still focused on the room. He kissed the back of your head before slipping out of the room. The last few hours seemed like a fever dream. Charles was alive. He and Magneto needed you and Logan to help with an end-of-the-world scenario. You were back at the mansion, standing in the room you once considered home. Weren’t you just going to Hawaii with Logan? Was this some nightmare that you’d wake up from? Did you really want to be here? Did you really want to help?

~~~

Logan was trying to be as quick as possible, knowing that you needed him close.

“Can we talk?” Marie stepped into Logan’s path as he was heading back to you with the bags.

“Not now,” he muttered.

“Then when? You and Y/N left and never reached out. None of us knew where you were or how to get a hold of you.”

“We needed the time to ourselves."

Marie scoffed. “Twelve years?”

“I ain’t going to apologize, kid, if that's what you're looking for. I—“ 

The familiar scent of your smoke hit Logan's nostrils. He was taking multiple stairs at a time before Marie could stop him. He burst through the bedroom door to see you curled up on the floor, panicking with smoke coming off your body. 

“I got you, sweetheart,” he pulled you into his arms, not caring that you were burning through his clothes. 

“Can’t—cool—down.” Every one of your words was a strangled breath.

“It’s okay, princess. We’ll cool you down.” 

Logan lifted you up and carried you into the shower. He turned it on cold water, letting it run over the two of you.

“I’m sorry," you cried. “I’m sorry.”

Logan shushed you. “You’re okay. It’s okay.”

He held you until you returned to your normal body temperature. He quickly stripped you both of your wet clothes before drying you off, slipping one of his shirts over you, and tucking you into bed. He pulled some underwear on himself before crawling in bed behind you and tugging you to his chest.

“This is a lot,” you rasped.

“We can leave,” Logan mumbled. “We don't have to help.”

“Yes, we do… They are our family… and you heard Magneto. This could affect all mutants.”

“Yeah,” he sighed, burying his head into your neck. A few moments of silence fell between the two of you.

“I hope you know that this doesn't get you out of the Hawaii trip by any means. You’ll own me.”

He chuckled, pulling you impossibly closer. “Trust me, sweetheart, I’m already thinking of how to make it up to you.”

next chapter >

[adverbally]

Keep Me Coming Back for More

Written for the @steddie-spooktober day ten prompt “orchard” | wc: 865 | rated: M | cw: none | tags: fluff, anniversary, long-term relationship, vacation, implied/referenced sexual content | title from “Heaven” by Bryan Adams

———

The Apple Orchard Inn is a quaint bed and breakfast, nestled in the mountains to give its guests a breathtaking view of four acres of fruit trees across the valley. Not just apples, but pears and cherries, ready to be picked by adventurous visitors or to be made into jams and preserves and all manner of delicious baked goods for people to buy at the reception desk.

As the less outdoorsy of the two of them, Eddie had been skeptical of Steve’s chosen locale from the start. “That’s the only activity they have? Wandering around and providing free labor for the orchard?” he had complained. “And we’re supposed to drag that into a three-night stay?”

Steve hadn’t taken it personally, knowing Eddie would see the beauty of the inn and be forced to eat his words. He was right, as usual— Eddie had stood in front of their private cottage, complete with a porch swing and a great view of the trout pond up by the main house, and immediately been struck dumb.

Now, on their last night, Eddie stands on the back porch overlooking the valley and breathes in the fresh, fragrant air. He doesn’t want to leave. He already misses the quiet trickle of the stream that runs behind their cottage, the sweet smell of fresh fruit, the sight of Steve wrapped in one of Eddie’s flannels with his face turned up into the mid-autumn sunshine. Even the hike around the orchards, which Eddie had suffered for Steve’s sake, was now a fond memory of their anniversary trip. Three days of peace with the man he loves more than life itself, laughing and kissing and pressing together like they can’t get close enough.

“Hey,” Steve greets, stepping out the backdoor with a fluffy green bathrobe over his favorite flannel pajamas. He’s carrying two steaming mugs of tea, a delicious cinnamon blend made here at the inn, and his hair is still dripping and fogging up his glasses with the residual warmth from the shower.

Eddie accepts the mug he’s given and pulls Steve closer with an arm around his waist. They lean against the porch railing and soak in the sight of the stars. They’re bright out here, tucked away in the mountains far from the nearest city, lighting up the valley with their glow.

“You did really good with this one,” Eddie murmurs. “Sorry I was such a dick about it.”

Steve chuckles. “I knew you’d come around as soon as you saw it. The porch swing alone—”

“I’m building a porch swing for our house as soon as we get back,” he enthuses. “It’s gonna be awesome.”

They fall back into comfortable silence, listening to the flower bushes rustling in the breeze and the laughter of a couple walking up the pathway to their own cottage.

“Ten years,” Steve sighs into his mug. “Hard to believe we’ve been together so long.”

“Our relationship is almost old enough to go to middle school,” Eddie jokes, even as he catches Steve’s hand on the railing and laces their fingers together. Turning serious, he admits, “I don’t think I could’ve imagined being in a relationship this long before I met you. Hell, I probably wouldn’t have thought I’d be alive this long.”

Steve shivers, more at the reminder of Eddie’s mortality than the evening chill. “I thought I’d, you know, be married with kids and all that by now. But then I wouldn’t have you, so I’m glad that didn’t work out.” His smile is small and crooked as he holds out his mug in a toast. “Here’s to ten more years of you ruining all my plans.”

“To ten more years of you doing all the planning for both of us!” Eddie declares, clinking their mugs together.

Before Steve can take a sip, Eddie pulls him in for a long, tender kiss. He feels Steve fumble to sit his mug on the ledge of the railing, freeing his hands to cradle Eddie’s cheeks. They’ve had their share of kisses over the past few days, from quick pecks beneath the apple trees to filthy exchanges of spit preceding a good hard fuck, but this is the one that makes Eddie’s knees weak. Steve tastes like spiced tea and a hint of toothpaste, and his body is a solid line of warmth pressed up against Eddie’s, and he’s taking his time to explore Eddie’s mouth like he hasn’t already done it millions of times over the past decade. It’s kind of blowing Eddie’s mind.

Breaking away with a gasp, Eddie is a little hoarse when he suggests, “How about we go defile another set of sheets?”

“Are you trying to get us banned for life?” Steve’s grin betrays his eagerness.

“I’ll hand wash them myself in the tub before we leave tomorrow, scout’s honor. Housekeeping never has to know.”

“Smart and good at laundry? I knew I kept you around for something,” Steve teases, leaning in for another kiss.

Eddie mumbles against his lips, “Don’t forget my massive dick.”

Steve’s delighted cackle echoes through the valley, but it’s for Eddie’s ears only when he whispers, “I love you.”

“I love you, too. Happy anniversary, baby.”

[kurara-black-blog]

That entire video (you know the one) could've been a phone call:

Thomas: *calls Lee and Mary Lee* Hey, friends! Sorry for the sudden call, but I got something important to talk about with you two— nothing, uh, drastic or anything, just. Yeah.

Lee and Mary Lee: Hi, Thomas! Sure, buddy, what's up?

Thomas: Well, you see... Do you guys remember that big production I talked about some time ago? Well, I just got a callback!

Friends: That's incredible, Thomas! Congratulations! We're so happy for you!

Thomas: Thank you, thank you! But, uhh... There is a problem. The day of the callback is– *deep breath* it's the same day as your wedding, and I don't think I'd be able to make it to both even if they weren't around the same time. So I'm calling because I've... I've been wondering if you guys would be too upset if I were to go to the callback? It's just—! It's a really big chance that I might not get again and I— I want to be there for you guys, I know weddings are also a one time in a lifetime thing and there will always be another production to try— and I promise, I promise I'll make it up to you guys after—!

Deceit, at the corner of the room for support: Thomas, you're rambling, please take a breath.

Friends: Thomas, buddy, calm down.

Thomas: Sorry.

Friends: It's ok. And, sure, we would be bummed if you weren't there, but are you kidding me?! You get a callback for that big production that'd be such a large step into your dreams and you think we'd want you to miss it?!

Thomas: Well...

Friends: Nope! You're going to that callback, mister, even if we have to drive you there from our wedding parlor! We can hangout after or something, maybe do an special event in one of our anniversaries, wink wink. It's ok, man, we'd hate for you to lose that chance, I think we'd be even more upset to see you at our wedding knowing you could've gone to the callback and gotten the role.

Thomas: I dunno about getting the role, but...

Friends: Oh, shut up, we know you will get it! You better tell us all about it after, ok?

Thomas: Ok, yeah, ok... Yeah! Yeah, thank you guys so much! And I'm sorry again, I just–

Friends: Started overthinking about what we'd think of you if you were to not go to our wedding to chase your dreams?

Thomas:... Yeah...

Friends: It's like we know you or something!

Thomas: Haha, yeah, it's like we've been good friends for many years!

Friends: Exactly! So don't you dare think we'd stop being your friends just like that, ok?

Thomas: Ok. Thanks again. I'll let you two go back to wedding planning now

Friends: Ugh, don't remind me. Bye, Thomas! Take care, love you!

Thomas: Bye, love you too!

Deceit: Would you look at that? It's almost as if drawing conclusions on how others will feel based entirely on your own rigid perception of right and wrong is counterproductive! But, no, that couldn't be, yes?

Patton: I'm so happy right now that I'm going to ignore the taunt and HUG THE STUFFING OUT OF YOU!!!

Roman: Can't believe I'm saying this but SAME!! COME HERE, SCALY SPAGHETTI!!

Janus: DO NOT—!

Thomas: Aaaaand there they go. Back to the mindspace, I guess. I'm sure they'll be back soon.

Virgil:... Twenty says they'll catch Janus in ten minutes.

Logan: Twenty says nothing, it's a number. But I bet it'll be five minutes. And it'll be Roman with a tackle.

[messenger-of-babel]

Happy New Year

Summary: Hal reflects on all the ways he could have kept you around for another New Years. (Hal Jordan x fem!reader)

Word Count: 3.0K

Notes: brief mention of injuries, mild language, a soft spot for Hal Jordan.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Your favourite tradition with Hal had always been the New Year. He'd come back and whisk you away with that signature grin, leather jacket on his shoulders while he offered you his arm. The same arms that wrapped themselves tight around your waist as he grinned down at you, crafted smirk on his lips as he counted down with the crowd at whatever party in Coast City, Gotham, or Metropolis that he had somehow managed to get the exclusive invite to. Then he'd kiss you breathless, pulling away only to whisper, "Happy New year," against your lips before greedily taking another kiss.

It had been Hal’s favourite activity too. He couldn't explain the rush he got picking you up from your apartment, seeing you smile at him. When it came to pestering the other members of the Justice League for tickets to their city events, he started a month ahead to really wear them down until they agreed (however he always started two months early in order to get tickets to Bruce’s New Year Gala). He didn’t care if he became a pest at the watchtower, there was nothing better than seeing you all dressed up on that front step, smiling at him like he had just brought you the sun (which he would if he could). 

You meant the world to Hal Jordan, which is why it felt like his was tearing apart right now. There was a persistent ache in his chest, and a sharpness of breath every time he swallowed. The crook of his arm felt light, and his back was unusually straight without you jumping on him from behind. He was on Gotham for business, dreary and depressing as usual. The clock tower loomed in front of him, except this time there wasn’t a crowd counting down, or a kiss waiting on the other end. 

Ten.

“You’re late.” You had said to him as he raced into the restaurant, hair combed with only his fingers and suit jacket thrown over his arm. He tried to give you a charming smile to make up for it, but he could see from the frown on your face you weren’t buying it. 

“Only by ten minutes, got caught at work.” He had said, arm coming to circle your waist, which you shook off. He hadn’t been lying, he had gotten called to Oa for an emergency. However he didn’t particularly feel like revealing that he was in fact the local superhero, the Green Lantern, on your anniversary dinner. Or the fact that he was late because of a potential threat to some Lanterns stationed in deep space. 

“Not ten, twice that.” You snapped. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair again. “You’re still in the waiting area, I clearly wasn’t that late.”

“It's because we lost our reservation, Hal.” You murmur, brushing past him and refusing to meet his eyes as you storm out the restaurant. 

“Shit.” He hisses under his teeth as he watches you leave,  before turning to follow you. He offers a small wave to the onlookers from nearby tables, privy to the whole argument, and nods apologetically as if he hadn’t screwed up his anniversary. 

Nine.

“Nine weeks?” You ask, peering up at him with eyebrows furrowed. “You’re going to be gone for nine weeks?” 

Hal bites the inside of his cheek, cursing as the frown settled across your face. He nods, “Yeah, sorry babe,” and he winces, fiddling with the cuffs of his jacket. It was times like this he wishes he could tell you everything, let you know it wasn’t his fault. That he was doing this for you, so that you could be safe back on earth. He wanted to show you had badly he wanted to stay with you, to sleep in on Saturdays and watch dogs in the park from your bedroom window. To make you a coffee before you went to work, and kiss you on the cheek before he left for his.  

You just sigh, flipping through the calendar splayed out on the kitchen counter. “You miss my birthday you know.” You say quietly, head in your hand. 

“Yeah I saw.” He replies, lump in his throat. “I’m really sorry, babe. It’s just work-“ he cuts himself off with a frustrated groan. “You know I’d stay if I could, right? I wouldn’t go if there wasn’t any other choice. I love you, you know that.” He says softly. 

Silence.

That was the first time in your entire relationship you hadn’t said it back. He watched as you chewed at your lip, and he could see your eyes mist up slightly. It made his heart clench painfully in his chest, and his mouth went dry, not knowing what to say. He knew he should stay in the kitchen with you, to talk it out, but he couldn’t. 

Muscles heavy with shame he turned from the kitchen, heading back into your shared bedroom to continue packing. Maybe things would have been different if he hadn’t been a coward.

Eight. 

There were eight missed calls on his phone when he checked, all from your phone and minutes after the other. He cringed, finger hovering over the button to call back, before it slid to click the phone screen off instead and he pocketed it. 

“No personal business on the job.”

He turned, looking over his shoulder to catch the gaze of Batman who was busying himself with an array of computers. They’d set themselves up on the rooftop of a Metropolis skyscraper, monitoring transmissions from the adjacent LexCorp building. Hal stepped away from the edge he had been standing near, observing the chaos in the streets below, turning to face the black clad man. 

“I know that.” He scoffed, green mask crinkling in annoyance. 

“You accept any call here and Luthor could be made aware of our position.” 

“I said I know,” Hal snapped back, shoulder blades rising. “I didn’t take the calls.”

Hal sighs, feeling the phone vibrate in his pocket again. “It’s just…my girl. She’s worried is all. I said I was here for work. She’s probably losing her mind.” He confesses quietly. The weight sits uncomfortably in his chest, and his ego bruises slightly confiding in Batman of all people. Yet he can’t stop the words coming out to the silent vigilante. 

The man in question just sends him a side eyed glance, face stern but doesn’t tell him off. “We’ve been going through a hard patch. Just busy with work, you know? And we’ve been able to go out less and it’s just putting a bit of a strain on us. Not really her fault, it’s mine if anything.”

He signs and pinches the bridge of his nose as if to alleviate the oncoming headache. Batman just regards him silently, the white slits of his mask narrowing. Eventually he gives a grunt, turning back to his computers. “You can call her when it’s all over.” He says gruffly, making Hal sigh. 

You were definitely going to kill him when he gets back.

Seven. Six. Five.

He punched in 765, the code to your gated apartment building, only to be met with a red light and a buzzer sound. With a groan he hit his head on the cool metal of the grate, fingers coming up to find the button for the intercom. Typing in your shared apartment number and he waited as the dial tone began. It rung four times, making Hal worry, before you finally picked up and the tension eased out of his shoulders. “Hey doll, the code isn’t working,” he starts, aligning himself in front of the small camera so you can see him. “Can’t get in.”

He can hear your sign on the other side. “Codes change every month Hal,” you remind, the flicker of irritation in your voice not going unnoticed. “Changed up last week.”

He rustles the flowers in his hand, crumpled from being pressed against his chest for so long. “I was kind of busy, work kept me occupied.” He says, trying to be suave but the nervous smile on his face still lingers. The door buzzes again and the light turns green, metal creaking as it slides to let him in.

“It always does.” You say, voice flat until the static tone of the intercom cuts. 

Four.

He had four more drinks that he should have, going out to celebrate with old drinking buddies as one of his old, non-hero friends got hitched. The bachelor party had been a blur of sounds and colours after a while, and for a few pressing moments he had to remind himself that he wasn’t the bachelor anymore, he had someone waiting for him at home. The very same person he hurt as he stumbled in inebriated through the front door, tie loose and hair mussed. He could see the hurt flicker in your eyes as you took in the smear of dark lipstick against his cheek, dangerously close to the corner of his mouth. 

“Have fun?” You ask, crossing your arms. He thinks you’re beautiful even when you’re angry at him. He can see it in the way you dig your fingers into your arms, the slight quiver of your lips as you hold yourself back. He just nods in return, world spinning as he does. “A lotta fun,” he slurs, blinking away the lights dancing in front of him, tempting him to collapse onto the wooden floor. “A lotta pretty ones…” he snickers to himself, and your body freezes. If he was sober he’d backtrack faster than Barry could run, explain that the whole night he kept himself in check, that he actually came to his senses and denied everyone that threw themselves his way because they weren’t you. That you were the prettiest person he knew, that he didn't really mean to make such a comment.

But he doesn’t. He stumbles to the couch and collapses into its groaning arms while you regard him from the doorframe with a scoff. 

“You’re pathetic Hal Jordan.” You spit at him, but he can hear the hurt in your voice. If he was a better man he’d chase after the shadow of your retreating form, but he doesn’t. 

He doesn’t know if he deserves to. 

Three.

Hal Jordan had three things that he valued in his life. There was his work, of course, with the justice league and as a Lantern. There were the people of his city, his home, who had already endured so much, and then there was you. From the first time that he saw you, he knew everything was about to change for him, and he could only hope that it would be for the better. He wasn’t so sure what to call it now.

He had never expected things to get so messy.

Fires littered the streets of Coast City like pockmarks as he soared overhead, a threat too big for him to handle alone striking his city. Ever since it was rebuilt it had attracted all sorts of crazies, at a frequency that called him in more often than he’d like. Biting down his pride he had called the League. Was it sometimes overkill? Yes. Was Supes beginning to get worried about his ability to defend his city? Most certainly. 

But he couldn’t risk the city being destroyed again. Not when you lived here now.

His heart fell through his chest coming to the rubble of your apartment building. Touching down he leaped across the bricks and warped metal, courtyard strewn with personal belongings. Some of them he recognised, such as the framed art piece he got on sale that you hated but hung anyways, the glass now shattered and frame broken. Many were from other tenants, remnants of their lives now pinned under stone and steel. The paramedics had corralled as many people as they could off to the side of the road, blankets wrapped around shivering shoulders.

That’s where he beelined for next, relief quickly filling his veins as he sees you on a medical stretcher, bruised and scraped, but alive. You make eye contact with him, offering him a faint smile as he approaches.

“Are you okay?” he asks softly, wishing more than anything he was out of the suit right now. To be Hal Jordan, the worried boyfriend. You nod, smile flickering weakly at the corners of your mouth. “I’m fine.” You say back hoarsely, hugging the blanket tighter around your shoulders. “I’m just waiting for someone.” You say, eyes flicking to the shattered phone screen beside you on the stretcher.

He feels guilt gnaw at him like a rat in his ribcage, and his own smile is tight in return. “I’m sure whoever you’re waiting for is worried to hell and will be here any moment.” He tries to sound calm, as if he isn’t going to wrap the whole battle up just so he can make good on that promise. You let out a dry laugh, not the kind that you’d let when he’d surprise you in the kitchen, or when he’d spin you around while strolling in the park.

“I won’t count on it.” You say, trying your best to stay calm. “Thank you for coming to check on us, for caring.” You say softly, giving him a warm smile that goes straight to his heart. Since you’d been having a rocky time he couldn’t remember the last time you smiled like that for him.

“No problem,” he said, voice caught in his throat. “Stay safe.”

As he walked away to talk to the paramedics to increase the range they should check for survivors, his heart fell painfully into his stomach. If only you knew how much he cared.

Two.

There had always been the two of you, against the world. That’s what Hal thought at the dinner of your first month anniversary together. However, that feeling was nothing more than a memory as he came home, late as usual, to the spare bedroom where he had been banished the past week. It was a new apartment, in a neighbourhood that you had been reluctant to move into but he had insisted it had the best safety. He knew he had done this to himself, but it did nothing to quell the ache he had in his chest that craved to have you close.

As he passed the ajar door of your once shared bedroom, he cant help but let out a small sigh, eyes cast back down to the floor as he wills himself to walk past. He’d been sleeping there shortly after the last city attack, where despite his best efforts he only got back to you in plain clothes two hours after the paramedics had let you go.  He should have had the conversation with you about him, his work, but he still couldn’t bring himself to say it.

 He was losing you; he knew that. Hell, everyone knew that, even the Bat. He’d seen the side glances cast to him in meetings, obscured behind the overly sympathetic (and not very concealed) gazes of Superman and Flash. He hated the pity, feeling like everyone was watching him lose the one thing he managed to both treasure and isolate the most.

As he dropped his bags on the bed he changed out of his suit. He knew it was dangerous to come home in the suit in case you found out, but there was just some small quiet part of him that hoped you might. That you might have stayed up, worried about him cheating or some equally heartbreaking scenario, and catch him coming home. Then he wouldn’t have to have the conversation itself and the cards would be on the table instead of him having to place them there. He knew that’s what it would take to have even a chance of keeping you.

Changed into a loose shirt for sleeping he crawls into the cold sheets of the guest bed, fiddling with his ring. Not for the first time, he thought of how you deserved any other ring that this cursed green one in your life.

One.

When he came home there was nothing of yours left. Clothes gone from the closet, books taken off the shelves. Nothing to indicate you had ever been a part of his life, just a single piece of paper on the kitchen counter. His heart had dropped to his floor and his knees wanted to buckle, despite having prepared and resigned to this moment mentally for weeks. He traced the faint curves of your handwriting, ghosting his fingers over the swells of your vowels.

You had left a pros and cons list, separated into two columns on the yellow grid paper by a thick black marker. In the cons you had written things like, ‘stays back late at work all the time, forgot anniversary, doesn’t pick up when I’m worried, comes home late’, and the worst one in his eyes, ‘cheating?’ surrounded by many scrawled question marks.

His eyes fluttered over to the pro’s column, unable to look at the hole he dug himself any longer. In more delicate handwriting you had delicately listed only one thing.

One, single thing.

I love him.

Now, Hal stared up at the clock face of Gotham, hands shoved into jacket pockets as he waited to meet Bruce. He waited on a park bench nearby, standing up when he saw the looming figure of the billionaire begin to approach him.

He hoped that no matter wherever you had taken yourself, whatever you had decided to do when you moved on, that you could hear the way his arms ached with your absence, and the way he faltered to say your name.

Happy New Year.

[sugdenlovesdingle]

Canon what canon?

---

"Wait... So are you breaking up with me?"

Tommy paused and at least had the decency to look devastated.

"Yeah... I guess I am. See you around Buck."

He watched Tommy turn around and leave, the door closed behind him and the silence was deafening. He ran a hand through his hair, just to give his hands something to do.

Ten minutes ago he was getting ready to go out on a date with his boyfriend of six months, and now he was dumped?

The room started spinning and he was gasping for air. Is this what a panic attack felt like? He tugged at the collar of his shirt and tried to get up to open a window but his legs felt like lead

He pushed through but somehow he never seemed to get closer to the window. He reached out a hand but never got close enough to reach the latch.

Suddenly he felt himself falling, even though he was pretty sure there hadn't been anything in his way. He closed his eyes and braced himself for the impact... but it never came.

"Evan?" a sleepy voice pierced through the fog in his mind. "Evan, wake up."

There was a hand on his arm, softly rubbing up and down.

"Evan, come on, it's ok."

He took a deep breath, relieved and somewhat confused he could actually do so now, and opened his eyes to find out where the voice was coming from. He turned his head to the right and was met with a pair of blue eyes, full of concern.

"Hey... are you back with me? I think you were having a bad dream."

"Tommy?"

"Yeah I'm right here. Are you ok? Do you want me to get you some water?"

Tommy sat up and turned on the light on the nightstand. They weren't in the loft and Buck was confused about where the hell he was.

He rubbed a hand over his face to try and get rid of the brainfog but then was even more confused when he felt something cool against his face. He looked at his hand and saw a ring on his ring finger.

"Evan... do you want me to call someone? A doctor? 911? You looked like you were in pain. You'd tied yourself up in the sheets. I woke up because I got cold."

"I just... I... it felt so real..." Buck stammered and sat up too.

"What did?"

Buck stared at the ring on his finger.

"You broke up with me. On our six month anniversary."

"When you asked me to move in with you?"

"Y-yes!" Buck looked up at Tommy who looked both concerned and amused at the same time. "You said you couldn't be my first and my last and then you left... and you called me Buck."

Tommy put a hand on his forehead and Buck felt the cool metal of his ring against his skin.

"You don't have a fever." he murmured. "But baby, when have I ever called you Buck? You even made me promise in my wedding vows never to call you anything but Evan."

The world around him slowly started to make sense again as he looked around the room. The bedroom in the house he shared with Tommy. His husband.

There were two dress uniforms hanging from the wardrobe doors, a towel thrown over a chair, and a pile of clothes on another. His phone charging on the nightstand, and Tommy's on the other side.

"it just... felt so real."

Tommy leaned forward and kissed his t shirt clad shoulder.

"It wasn't. I promise. I know I freaked out when you started talking about moving in and getting married after six months... but we got through it didn't we? We're good now."

"Y-yeah... we're good." he let Tommy pull him back down and wrap his arms around him.

"Try to get some sleep. You don't want to be yawning in the pictures when you officially become lieutenant Kinard." Tommy said and kissed him.

"Yeah..." Buck murmured, the last 2 years slowly coming back to him as he put his head on Tommy's chest and listened to his heartbeat. "Hey babe... have you ever seen Glee?"

[steddieas-shegoes]

wrong date

for @corrodedcoffinfest prompt 'wrong date'

rated t | 890 words | cw: mild language | tags: famous corroded coffin, jeff's dad finally accepts he has a rockstar son

🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

It was supposed to be a special show, not even part of the regular tour. A stop in Indianapolis in a small venue, only 250 tickets sold, a shortened set with a new song list just for this crowd. They'd have merch available specific to this show.

It was a bit of an anniversary show, marking the ten year anniversary of their first time playing in Indy, which is the show that led them to signing their first deal.

It wasn't even a real tour date.

But when their merch arrived for it, they went into panic mode.

"How did they mess up the back?" Jeff was yelling through the phone on the bus, something he never did. "We were clear that this would have the art submitted with the date and location of this one show. It can't have the same back as our tour shirt!"

Frankie and Eddie watched Jeff from the couch as Gareth sat on the counter by the fridge. Normally, Jeff was incredibly calm when faced with a problem, especially one that could definitely be fixed. This could be fixed, though it would be cutting it extremely close to the show date.

"No. Fix it. Get them overnighted. I don't care if it costs you more money. Not having the merch we told fans we would is gonna cost a lot more." Jeff hung up, immediately banging his head against the cabinet in front of him. "It's so simple. They fuck up the simplest thing."

"You good?" Gareth dares to ask while Jeff is having a breakdown.

"How many times do I have to fix shit they fuck up? Why do they even get to be in charge of things if they can't handle it?" Jeff continues, ignoring Gareth's question. "We need a better manager."

"You mean like the last guy we had?" Frankie snorted. "Maybe we could call him in prison and ask him for help while he serves time for tax evasion and embezzlement."

"At least he got us the right fucking shirts!" Jeff argued, but quickly deflated. "I just want this to be perfect."

Gareth made eye contact with Eddie and Frankie before hopping off the counter and standing in front of Jeff. He placed a comforting hand on Jeff's shoulder.

"This wouldn't normally bother you this much. What's goin' on?" He asked.

"My dad's gonna be there."

It all made sense now.

Jeff's relationship with his dad had been...rocky. Not always. In fact, as a child, he was incredibly close to him, and they spend countless hours playing together, taking fishing trips, going to concerts.

But when Jeff started taking music more seriously than school, planning for a future on stage instead of in a college dorm, his dad had a lot of things to say, and none of them were positive. It broke Jeff's heart to lose his support, but it got easier to deal with the more successful they became.

When their recent album debuted at number one, Jeff's dad reached out to let him know he was proud of him. He didn't apologize, or even admit he was wrong, but he was trying a little. It was enough for Jeff from a distance.

But apparently it wouldn't be at a distance anymore.

"He's your VIP ticket?" Eddie asked.

Jeff nodded. "Him and my mom. They heard about it and insisted on coming to see what all the fuss is about."

"Who said there's fuss?" Eddie joked. "No fuss here. Just a lot of people who wanna sleep with us or be us."

"Yeah, I guess they wanted to get the experience without going to a regular show."

"We'll have the best show ever, then. Gotta show them how fuckin' cool you are, right?" Frankie said as he pulled Jeff into a hug.

****

Jeff's parents were the first ones backstage after the show, somehow beating Gareth's parents, Wayne, and Frankie's mom by minutes.

He gave his mom a hug, but hesitated before holding a hand out towards his dad.

Everyone watched as his dad looked down at it, then back up at Jeff.

Jeff dropped his hand, and only his closest friends in the world could see the disappointment on his face.

But his dad's arms wrapped around his shoulders, and the entire room breathed a sigh of relief.

"Proud of you, son. I'm glad you didn't listen to me."

"Really?" Jeff asked against his shoulder, voice wet and rough like he was holding back a sob.

"You're a true rock star. Can't say I ever thought it was possible, but seeing you up there, I know that's where you were meant to be."

When Jeff pulled away, he noticed both of his parents were wearing the shirts that had only arrived at the venue the day before.

Everything was correct this time.

When Jeff's dad turned around to say hi to Frankie's mom, Jeff looked at the date on the back.

"You're fuckin' kidding me," he groaned.

"What?" Eddie asked, watching the door for Wayne.

"They got the date wrong!"

Eddie laughed. "I guess our encore technically played on June 20th, so that's gotta be at least a little right."

"We have to fire our manager," Jeff shook his head. "Today. I'll hire someone off the street. Only qualification is knowing what a calendar looks like."

[estellan0vella]

Sunshine's Guide To Murder│Lee Minho

Prologue SS: 5 (ignore time stamps and dates) Word Count: 1.25K Content Warnings: Discussion of murder, mention of suicide

Previous Next Masterlist

The cosy living room of their shared house feels lived-in, a comfortable chaos of half-empty snack bowls, open laptops, and scattered audio equipment spread across the floor and coffee table. The scent of buttery popcorn lingers in the air, mingling with the faint hum of Jeongin’s laptop as it processes the latest episode of Three Sunshines Guide to Murder.

Hayun is sprawled across the couch, one leg lazily draped over the armrest, her socked foot swinging slightly as she scrolls through her phone with the kind of casual disinterest that only comes from hours of mindless browsing.

On the floor, Felix sits cross-legged, a worn-out notebook open in his lap as he jots down notes with fierce concentration, his brow furrowed. Across from him, Jisung is stretched out on the opposite end of the couch, an arm thrown over his eyes as he pretends to nap, though the occasional twitch of his lips betrays his act.

Jeongin, as usual, is immersed in his work, leaning forward with his headphones half on, one ear uncovered as he meticulously edits the audio for their latest episode. Every now and then, he pauses, adjusting the volume levels or scrubbing through the track to erase unwanted noise.

“How’s it coming along, Jeongin?” Hayun asks, tossing a stray popcorn kernel into her mouth.

Jeongin doesn’t look up, his focus unwavering as he adjusts a knob on his software. “Almost done. Just cleaning up some audio. Felix kept slapping the fucking table every time he got excited.”

Felix’s head snaps up, eyes wide with mock offense. “Hey! I wasn’t that bad!”

Jeongin slides one ear of his headphones off, his deadpan expression making it clear he’s not having any of it. “You slapped the table twelve times in the first ten minutes.”

Hayun snorts from her side of the couch, barely stifling her laughter. “Sounds about right.”

“Come on,” Felix says, his voice half-whining, half-amused. “It’s called passion!”

Jisung suddenly sits up, stretching with a dramatic yawn that suggests he’s just woken from the most exhausting nap of his life. “I still can’t fucking believe this Lester Eubanks guy, though. Dude’s in prison for killing a little girl, and they just... take him on a shopping trip? And then he just slips out and has been on the run for half a century? What the actual fuck?”

Felix chuckles, shaking his head as he closes his notebook. “It’s wild. The FBI has been chasing this guy for fifty years, and it’s like he just vanished into thin air.”

Jeongin lets out a low hum of agreement, still not looking up from his laptop. “Disappeared like a ghost,” he mutters, clearly half-listening.

“Yeah, the fact that he's been evading the FBI for that long is mind-blowing," Hayun adds, her eyes still fixed on her phone, but she’s clearly engaged now. “But hey, it makes for great content.”

Jisung leans forward, a mischievous glint in his eyes, rubbing his hands together like he’s plotting some grand scheme. “Speaking of great content, you guys know our one-year anniversary for the podcast is coming up, right? We need to do something big.”

Felix looks up, eyebrows raised in surprise. “Wait, already? Damn. Time flies when you’re digging into the darkest corners of humanity.”

Hayun sits up a little now, resting her elbow on the back of the couch as she turns her attention to Jisung. “Okay, so what are you thinking?”

Jisung grins, the kind of grin that always means trouble. “Well, we’ve hit 400,000 listeners, too, so it’s gotta be something huge. Felix suggested covering Tupac and Biggie, but—”

“Overdone as hell,” Jeongin interjects smoothly, still focused on his screen.

Felix nods in agreement, scratching the back of his head. “Yeah, that’s true. Everyone and their grandma has covered Tupac and Biggie.”

Jisung leans back, crossing his arms over his chest, his grin widening. “Exactly. So, I was thinking... we cover the murder of Shin Yuna.”

The room falls silent, the air suddenly heavier. Even Jeongin stops typing, his fingers hovering over the keys as he glances up, brows furrowing. Felix straightens a little, his expression shifting from curiosity to concern.

Hayun’s brow furrows as well. “That was only, like... five years ago.”

“Yup,” Jisung replies, clearly relishing the tension his suggestion has created. “I mean, everyone says her girlfriend, Lee Chaeryeong, did it. But we all know that’s bullshit. The case was wrapped up way too quickly. Chaeryeong killed herself and left a confession and everyone took it as gospel. What if the police had it all wrong?”

Felix frowns, his posture stiffening. “I don’t know, Ji... that case is still really touchy. Especially since a lot of it went down around campus. People still remember.”

“Come on, Felix!” Jisung exclaims, throwing his hands in the air. “It’s been five years! And besides, we could make it a multi-episode thing. We could dig into the police reports, conduct interviews, see what we can find. Maybe even prove that Chaeryeong wasn’t the killer. We could solve it.”

Hayun’s face softens, but her voice remains cautious. “What about her brother? Minho, right? We’d need to talk to him first. Give him a heads-up before we start poking around. It’d be... sensitive.”

All eyes turn to her as she mentions Minho. The weight of their stares makes her shift uncomfortably. “What?” she asks, her voice defensive.

“You’re the one who should talk to him,” Jisung says casually, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“Why me?” Hayun protests, her eyes narrowing. “I don’t even know the guy. Plus, don’t you have beef with his group?”

Jisung shrugs, a sly grin creeping across his face. “You’ve got that whole ‘nobody-can-ever-get-mad-at-you’ thing going on. If anyone can get him to talk, it’s you. And yeah, I’ve got beef with Changbin and Chan. The rest of them? They just have my disgust by association.”

Jeongin chimes in with a smirk. “Minho’s the one we need to talk to, out of respect. The police consider the case closed, even though they never found Yuna’s body. But if we want access to police reports or interviews, that’s going to be the easy part. Minho? That’s where we’ll need finesse.”

Hayun groans, dragging a hand down her face. “Fine, fine. I’ll message him later today. But if he doesn’t reply or isn’t interested, we’re dropping it and covering something else. Deal?”

Jisung, Felix, and Jeongin all nod, looking relieved. “Deal,” Jisung says with a triumphant grin. “But trust me, this is gonna be fucking huge.”

Felix leans back against the couch, his gaze settling on Hayun. “You sure about this, though? I mean, you’re gonna have to deal with Minho directly. He’s... kinda intimidating.”

Hayun chuckles, trying to brush off the nerves creeping up on her. “What’s the worst that could happen? It’s just a conversation. Plus, like you said, we think his sister might be innocent. He deserves to know that someone else thinks so, too.”

“Just go in with that angle,” Jisung advises, his tone more serious now. “He’ll have insight that we don’t. If we could actually solve this case? Fuck, man. It’d be legendary.”

Felix claps his hands together, a sudden burst of energy filling the room. “Alright! So it’s settled. We’re going for it. And Hayun, you’ve got the toughest job. Good luck.”

Hayun gives him a mock salute, her lips curling into a half-smile. “Thanks. I’ll need it.”

Taglist: @hityoulikebahng @drewsandsebastianswife @fackeraccount

[alexthetrashyracoon]

CW// a bit suggestive, fem! (Implied) reader, (my brain is fucking empty and I have no clue what to write anymore but I wanna write and that’s the only fart I got that made somehow sense)

Sometimes when John comes from deployment or even if he just feels lazy, he lets you take care of his beard, there aren’t many people he trusts with his beard and you are one of them.

He would heave you onto the bathroom counter and wrap your legs around his naked waist, he’s a typical grey sweater wearer at night but no shirt, not that you would ever complain. The Captain looks delicious anyway.

“Take care of me, darlin’?” He asks and hands you the razor, a sly smile on his face, the implication of his words not lost to you in any way. You roll your eyes at him and take the razor from his calloused hands, which immediately drift down to your naked thighs, stroking underneath the hem of the oversized shirt you had stolen a while ago from his side of the closet. You can feel the tips of his fingers reach your woolen panties.

You feel his eyes on you, John never stops looking at you, he makes you feel like the center of the universe without breaking a sweat, and the way he looks at you, it made you fall for him so long ago.

“We’ve got our anniversary coming up soon.” John rumbles, pulling you from your deep concentration state. You blink a few times and put the razor down.

“Don’t talk when I’m so close with a sharp object to your face.” You grumble and wipe away some of the shaving cream on his cheek. “You got anything planned?” You don’t want to admit that you almost forgot it was anniversary time already. It happened once, never again since then.

“I don’t mind getting new scars as long as they come from your hands, luv.” John grins and runs his thumb over your bottom lip. “But don’t worry your pretty head about it, I’ve got stuff planned for us. You’ll love it.”

You don’t say anything, John is crazy when it comes to keeping secrets and you know, you’ve got ten years of experience by now, that no matter how much you pout and complain he won’t give you any hint on what he will give to you. So you pick up the razor again and keep on shaving until his facial hair is back in its familiar appearance. “Done.” You declare and turn to clean the razor.

Before you actually can clean up, John throws you over his shoulder and pats your butt, what did you expect to be honest, and carries you back into the bedroom where he drops you on the big bed and cages you with his strong body.

“Let me show you my appreciation for always taking such good care of me, luv.”

His surprise is his retirement from the active duty at the military after one last mission, you wrap your arms around his neck and cry happy tears into his shirt at the news he’s sharing over pasta at your favorite Italian place. John explains that he loves serving his country and that he thought long and hard about this decision but in the end the love to you was stronger than anything else.

Your surprise isn’t as big but it works just fine with his one. A small cottage in the country side that you got from your grandparents since they would be moving into a retirement home now that they got older. And John loves it, he always wanted to move out of the city and enjoy his semi-civilian life in such a peaceful place.

[mariacallous]

(JTA) — As we mark the grim second anniversary of the Ukraine conflict this Shabbat, I’m reminded of a haunting melody I heard in the city of Poltava last month.

I was standing before Sonia Bunina, a plucky 17-year-old, when she opened her mouth to sing when an air raid siren rang out.

I flinched. Not Sonia — she didn’t miss a beat.

“Kol haolam kulo gesher t’zar meod, veha’ikar lo lifached k’lal,” she belted out before seeking shelter. “The whole world is a very narrow bridge, and the most important thing is to have no fear at all.”

Sonia, like so many Jews I know in Ukraine, is many things — determined, grieving, focused — but she’s certainly not cowering.

As she sang those words by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov — the Ukrainian Jewish sage whose followers continue to come by the tens of thousands to his grave in Uman annually — she embodied the prayer’s indomitable spirit.

Sonia and I met outside Poltava’s Hesed, part of the network of Jewish humanitarian hubs founded by my organization — the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, or JDC — more than three decades ago. Today they’re a lifeline to tens of thousands of Jews facing loss and strife. Since she was a toddler, Sonia has been attending activities at Hesed — her mother coordinates cultural programs for the elderly, and she connects teen volunteers like herself with isolated seniors, a critical source of comfort these last two years.

These days, traveling to Ukraine feels like a pilgrimage — there’s a pull in my soul to visit family near Lviv, to bear witness to Ukrainian Jewish resilience, and to be inspired by the clarity of purpose that is so palpable there. Since my first trip in 2011, I’ve been eight times. Last year, I wrote about how a year of crisis had transformed the ordinary into the sacred in Ukraine. Now, visiting feels even more essential with the worsening humanitarian situation.

Ukrainian Jews aren’t blasé about these challenges — far from it. Just take the delicate ballet of emotions on their faces when checking their phones during an air alert — contacting loved ones, scrolling through photos of devastation, and analyzing Telegram chats speculating on a given rocket’s make and trajectory.

But life goes on — there’s work to do — and though they’ve lost so much, they refuse to give any more away.

Showing up for each other, whatever it takes, is now baked into their very essence as Jews, and in Ukraine, there are tens of thousands to serve — hungry old women and displaced young families, disabled Holocaust survivors and stunned middle-aged professionals, shocked to now need help when they were once donors and volunteers.

They act fearlessly to ensure their communities make it through this crisis, body and soul intact. Can we expect anything less than boundless creativity from the people who birthed Sholem Aleichem and the Baal Shem Tov?

“These bombings, all these things that are killing people, destroying houses, leaving children homeless … it’s very scary,” Galina Limarenko, an 82-year-old retired nurse, told me in her small bedroom in Berezivka, taking note of the warm blanket, firewood, and other winter supplies my colleagues provided. “Thank God for the Jewish community, which never gives up and always shares even their very last piece of bread.”

I saw that irrepressible spirit again at our Beit Dan JCC in battered Kharkiv — a shapeshifting wellspring of strength just a few dozen kilometers from the eastern border. Shortly after Feb. 24, 2022, the center became a staging ground for truckloads of emergency aid — part of the 800 tons of humanitarian assistance we’ve delivered so far.

A few blocks from missile strikes, it now hosts children’s camps and soulful Shabbat services and operates a “kids hub,” offering academic enrichment to children who haven’t had in-person school for years — robbed of normal childhood by the pandemic and now the ongoing crisis.

And amidst blizzards and blackouts, Beit Dan has also become a “warm hub,” a safe place for beleaguered Jewish Kharkivites to charge their devices and obtain a hot drink and warm meal.

“If you share in our pain, and provide support where it’s needed, I’m forever grateful,” said Nika Simonova, Beit Dan’s program director. “The ability to remain human is the main thing. Done right, I believe that can save the world.”

That’s why we at JDC, aided by a coalition of partners including the Jewish Federations, Claims Conference, and International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, deployed a historic response to this conflict and remain committed to the Jewish future here.

We’re focused on ongoing humanitarian support for more than 41,000 Ukrainian Jews, expanding trauma relief, closing children’s educational gaps, and getting unemployed Jewish community members, among millions of Ukrainians plunged into poverty, back to work.

There is no doubt that the Jewish world is now responding to crises on multiple fronts, including this one, but we have been here so many times before. We must draw strength from our history and from the sure knowledge that this is what we’re built for. Our compassion and commitment, when leveraged with that timeless sense of mutual Jewish responsibility, means we can tackle the challenges we face — and come out on the other side even stronger.

As I walked through Lviv on my last day in Ukraine, I asked my cousin Anna Saprun, a 25-year-old business analyst, how this period has changed her.

“I hate what’s brought me here, but I love who I’ve become,” she said with a fierce and feisty smile. “Nothing scares me anymore. I feel powerful.”

Two years after the conflict began, Ukraine’s Jews are inspired anew each day, resolute in the sure knowledge that they know exactly who they’re working for — each other.

[phthalology]

Let me tell you, little thrall, the reason why the Witness revealed itself to humanity at Mare Imbrium. 

It begins, as all things do, with the Hive. You may feel some shred of questioning shed on your arm. Did your wizard not just say this was a story of the Witness? Is the Witness not older than the Hive, and strange to us? Nevertheless, you are in our tunnels. The universe is full of emerald and onyx. Peel the shred of questioning off. 

Now, Savathûn did not know of the existence of the Witness, but she suspected. It was uncouth to say that something was pulling the strings of the Hive, being as the Hive were all-eating and left nothing but themselves behind. Still, Savathûn investigated secrets and unspoken things, and thought that the sword logic might be creating a throne just to harness the energy of an eternal vacancy.

Around this time, Crota’s brood took Earth’s Moon without even most of the fleet behind them, Sol’s citizenry running as low on their hoonish little spaceships as they did. 

Crota had ambition and bite and a certain blind devotion which Savathûn knew well.

After all, she had done so much good work faking it. 

Oryx was deep in the galactic center, finding treasures; Xivu Arath was in forever war with the Cabal Empire; Savathûn had been to Sol before and accompanied her brother’s brood as Crota took the Moon. And meanwhile, she had her own experiments, her own black-slab projects. Savathûn’s cunning arts untangled the DNA of the worms. It was heretical to slice those little gods apart, but she did it, and Nokris helped. Through this, she became fond of her nephew’s penchant for soul fire and pickling vats. Through this, she learned enough to ask the worm gods who their gods were.

They answered Rhulk, and the glaive with which he killed his father. 

This meeting of Rhulk and Savathûn before Crota’s brood had hardly scratched furrows in the Moon is the topic of another story. Finally, a victim higher up the chain answered My Witness. 

With this confession, that watcher turned a few of its eyes to the Hive. 

With a discerning eye for the sorts of injustices which caused both material and morale harm, the Witness set its sights on Savathûn’s pet project, Earth.

The child who had once been Sathona felt the universe coiling around her in static-fuzzed black tendrils of fear as she stood on a grand tombship at L2. Nokris skulked behind her.

And so did the Witness raze the Moon, upon which had formerly crawled Crota’s nearly-newborn brood, and upon which happened to be a few Guardian fireteams. The Witness began to enact the Final Shape upon the Moon for revenge against Savathûn, who had dared to investigate it and to lie to it, as she was wont. 

Come here, little thrall. This story is a secret. Did you know that? I am a confidant of Savathûn and I must practice my stories, practice my histories. I must test them in different situations and for different people, so that I get the words just right. But the Queen of Lies suffers few truth-tellers. No, don’t scuttle away. A Guardian or a Tormentor would have gotten you eventually. It’s statistically likely. Look. That hurts. Don’t bite. There --There. 

(This is a Destiny ten-year anniversary project. Context here.)