#They keep on saying “after the three months we've had you NEED a break”

[for-a-longlongtime]

WIP on Wednesday Thursday

Well, first of all, my WIP folder is currently looking like this:

But fuck it, we ball right?

I got tagged by @din-cognito and @avastrasposts this week, and @the-blind-assassin-12 and @lotusbxtch last week, so I've got some catching up to do! I've been all over the place working on different docs, so you're getting a few tidbits this week.

I've posted snippets of this before (and lo! a hozier title! I'm gonna have to change that though because the story ended up going differently than planned), and after it having been on hold for months, the pieces are coming together at last.

let me wrap my teeth around the world (working title) | Santiago x Frankie “You think we did the right thing there?” Santiago says, staring at the ceiling as he avoids Frankie's eyes. Unsure he really wants to hear the answer, because of how likely it is that he is the only person who can’t answer that with a decisive yes. Fish was the only one on their team - besides Tom - who'd had a family to take care of, who needed that money probably more than any of them did because of his pilot license being suspended. “I mean... Following his lead with the money.” No answer. The deafening silence lasts for much too long. Santi grimaces as he closes his eyes. Shit. Why did he even ask? He keeps fucking up like this.

Next we've got a WIP that I haven't worked on in a bit (it wanted to go on break, bummerrr) but that I'm hoping to pick up very soon.

Untitled | Reynaldo x Matthew It’s those large hands that draw Matt’s attention first.  That, and the golden chain partially but-not-quite hiding under that checkered golf shirt, glistening every now and then in the bright afternoon sun. It’s almost as bright as the gleam in Sophie’s eyes when she throws back a shot and listens to the older man introduce himself as Reynaldo. Matt is only vaguely aware of the prepared talk that the man launches into, a few words standing out, such as ‘exclusive members only’ and ‘the best golf club in all of Arizona’. Things that everybody wanted to hear, and that gave Sophie all the more opportunity to coo at the man how this was ‘one of the best premium golf clubs’ she’d ever been at. It probably isn’t all that premium though, considering the Scotts and Dale had been able to book this place on a budget. And truth be told, it’s still unclear to Matt why they are here on a ‘vow renewal bachelor staycation’, which seemed a contradiction on its own. Or even why Sophie showed up here, acting like one of the guys, just long enough until she found someone who was willing to give her the attention she was clearly looking for. He’d seen the pattern before, especially with the girls on the Kel-squad. None of that matters though, he tries to remind himself as they make their way up to the golf course. He’s simply glad to get away from Kelsey for a couple of days - not just for some peace and quiet, but also so he doesn’t have to wonder if she’s talking to Domingo every time she smiles at an incoming message on her phone.

Finally, this last one is still in the VERY early stages, but ngl... I'm excited. Thank you to the folks who encouraged me to keep going with it! This is hella out of my comfort zone but what the hell, that's where the fun is, right? This one is going to more filth than I'll probably be able to shove into an one shot... so it may end up becoming two or three parts. We'll see.

for glory (working title) | Harry Castillo Harry is speechless, shock painted over his features, and it takes him a moment to find his voice. "You wouldn't dare to," he finally manages to say, and what had previously been surprise in his eyes has now flipped into unmistakeable rage. "Mmm, is that so, Harry? What - you think I've got morals or something?"

EDIT: WAIT!! I forgot to add one final excerpt! This is from a yet to be decided chapter from Joel and Marcus Moreno' story. I spent way too much time trying to find the right face claim moments for them at different ages, and this is what I settled on for their mid-twenties:

Joel in his mid-twenties (a.k.a. Zach Wellison in Brothers & Sisters)

Marcus Moreno in his late twenties (a.k.a. looking like Comandante Veracruz from the Burn Notice movie).

Yes, I'm as shocked as y'all are about the latter, but I promise it'll make sense. As for the excerpt:

Untitled series | Joel Miller x Marcus Moreno Marcus folds his arms as he leans back against the wall, looking every bit the charismatic guy most people know him to be. But Joel has known him a long time and can see where the varnish has cracked, and the parts he so desperately tries to cover up.  "So you don't like it. How I look. You don't like me anymore," Marcus says after a moment, and there’s something about all that combativeness on display - as well as the bitter irony of those words - that hits Joel much harder than he was prepared for. He doesn’t have the same defense system that Marcus clearly is equipped with; the mask that he can put on and off so easily after years of practice. So he just shakes his head. "Think it's been too long since you've had someone push back against you, M." "The fuck is that supposed to mean?" Joel tries to hide his sigh by drinking from his coffee, but the beverage has gone cold, the stale taste of it now bitter on his tongue in a way that feels oddly specific to this situation. "Don't pick a fight with me because you're unhappy, Marcus," he says softly.

I know a lot of y'all already posted a WIP Wednesday, so I'm just gonna link a couple of folks, no pressure as always (apologies if you've already made your weekly WIP update):

@perotovar @sin-djarin @lotusbxtch @mountainsandmayhem @qveerthe0ry

@letsgobarbs @gothcsz @milla-frenchy @guiltyasdave @oliveksmoked

@magpiepills @arcanefox207 @reallyrallyauthor @my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction @clubsoft

@romanarose @the-blind-assassin-12

[walkingstackofbooks]

Every time I watch Shore Leave, I become more convinced that Ruth is dead.

Like, Jim's hellbent on chasing after Sulu, Yeoman Barrows has just been attacked, and then he stops for these flowers with a look of wonder on his face?

My theory is that he's terrified he'll be too late and something will attack Sulu, he thinks something along the lines of "how many more flowers will I have to lay on graves?" and then he sees the exact flowers he lays on Ruth's grave and he has to stop and take one and smile sadly.

And then the whole conversation with Ruth, I mean... Yeah, it does make sense if they were once together and then broke up, but the /pain/ and /longing/ in his eyes, man.

(Also this leaves open the possibility that because he's already seen one dead loved one on this planet, after McCoy is "revived", he might be half-convinced that the McCoy who came back was just a reconstruction because he wanted to see him, and the real Bones is still just as dead as he was. Oh, I want to write this fic so badlyyyy.. if it wasn't a work night ...)

[rinawantstosleep]

𖹭༉‧°𓂃 𓈒𓏸‪‪

bf satoru x fem single mom reader

wc: 1.1k

— a pair of troublemakers residing in your house; both of whom are (unintentionally!) dead-set on making themselves the death of you.

"I don't like your stupid, white hair." 

"And I don't like your boring, brown hair, buddy."

"W-well... well, I don't like your ugly, doo-doo face!"

"Your mama does." 

The two could go bickering like this for hours on end if you let them. What may seem to be a mutually digressive arrangement is actually an oddly adorable bonding in disguise. Satoru and your son put on a front of being annoyed at the other's presence, but you've never seen them apart for longer than a few minutes at a time. They've grown on each other; much like how moss grows on a statue that's been lingering out in the open. An indispensable cycle of life that's truly inevitable. 

"No, she doesn't! She doesn't! She likes... sof- sofis... sofistogated guys."

"You mean sophisticated?"

"Shut up!" 

You'd been terrified that your little one wouldn't have a father-figure to rely on anymore after you divorced your husband. However, it was something you had to do for his sake. The child deserved to live in an environment that wasn't always reeking of alcohol, where he wasn't subjected to the constant, drunk yelling of a pathetic excuse of a father who couldn't get his shit together and lazed around at home all day while you did all the work. If that meant that you'd have to raise him on his own, then so be it. At least he'd be raised properly. Signing those papers was, by far, the easiest decision you'd ever made. 

"I'm not shutting up because a kid in clothes too big for him is telling me to."

"You... you're the one always wearing tight clothes around the house to impress my mama."

"No, that's because I'm ripped. Gotta show off what I've got. And your mama loves that." 

"Oh, yeah? That means you show off your... your - um... ugly, doo-doo face!"

Would you regard it a miracle that Satoru just so happened to stumble into your life around that very time? Well, relatively. Meeting him wasn't something you'd planned, nor anticipated. The kind stranger who offered to pay for your order at a café a year ago has somehow, thanks to quite a romantic sequence of events, turned into your boyfriend; a rock to lean on for when you need the support. And, also, someone that your little one can look up to (with the fun, bonus benefit of the pair getting into silly, childish quarrels nine times out of ten). What is Satoru if not a three-hundred-and-thirty-six-month-old toddler, too? Puts your five-year-old to utter shame with the way he acts. 

"Enough. Baby, we've been over this before. Behave."

"But, mama, he's being a meanie!" "But, babe, he's acting all pretentious." 

The responses come simultaneously: one is high pitched and whiny, and the other is your son. Sometimes, you have to pause and ask yourself how you haven't gone insane yet. It's the love that keeps you from falling apart. How could you ever harbor any other feeling for these two, except for wanting to cherish them? You just... need to work on a pet name that doesn't apply to the both of them at once.  

"I don't want to hear it. Sweetie, finish your lunch. And, Satoru?" 

"Yes, honey-who-loves-me-and-my-'ugly, doo-doo'-face?" He's smirking, snickering, while saying this, the sly bastard. When will the pair ever relent on trying to one-up the other? 

"Why have you got one of my hair ties on your wris- never mind. Don't forget to change the sheets in our room. I'd do it myself if not for the meeting I need to get to in an hour." 

"Yes, ma'am." 

Cue a tiny gasp. 

"But, mama..." The voice of your little one breaks the peaceful silence at the dining table once again. His legs start kicking back and forth - a sign that he's growing restless - from the chair they're dangling off of. He's got a protest already forming up in that head of his. "Toru said he'd take me to the skate park today. And he promised to get ice cream after."

Toru, huh? That's new. You can't help the smile that paints itself on your lips. The two have been getting along pretty well, it seems, contrary to all the bickering they do. That's always nice to know. It's amusing to see the dynamic they've built. One second, they're riling each other up to no end, the next, they've already formed a secret alliance to go out and have fun together. How cute. "Is that so?"

"Mhm! So that means we need to leave riiight after I finish my lunch. Don't get mad, okay?" 

It's the small things like these that warm your heart. Some sacrifices can be made if it's in regards to this adorable (step, even though you haven't married Satoru yet)father-son moment. The sheets are insignificant right now. "Awwh. Of course I won't get mad, baby. It's good for you to want to spend more time with Satoru. Isn't he a fun guy?"

"... maybe." 

. . . 

"Just make sure he's safe out there. Helmet and gear on at all times, no big ramps. And don't let him eat too much sugar. He'll get hyper. Once the rush dies down, he'll get cranky -"

Satoru's arm wraps around your waist before you can finish your sentence, pulling you overwhelmingly close to his frame. Instinctively, your arms move to wrap around his neck, just the way Satoru likes it. Oh, how he wants to just throw everything else out the window and drag you to the nearest room with a lock in place.

"You -" A quick peck to your lips, followed by a nibble on your bottom lip. "- worry -" Another peck. "- too -" Another. "- much." Then, an unexpected bite on the shell of your right ear. "I'd never allow myself to let that little demon get hurt; or hyper."

Large hands wander across the curve of your back, resting firm on your butt. Satoru doesn't want to expose your son to the way he's squeezing your plush flesh with his long digits, so he shifts to have your back pressed against the wall. A perfect opportunity to kiss you - which the man can't help but seize. What else is a smitten boyfriend to do while waiting for your son to get ready and come down from his room upstairs? Lips against lips until one of you pulls away for air. "He's safe with me, okay?" 

"Okay." 

"Atta girl. Now, you go to that meeting of yours. And, tonight, after we both get back- oww."

"Groooss! Don't kiss my mama, or you'll make her ugly! Like youuu!"

"Baby, no. Don't kick Satoru's ankles-"

"I'm saving you, mama."

with 𖹭, rina !!

[sanguineterrain]

im begging you to write a part 2 of vigilante reader because the way you write??? the dynamic between reader and jason??? the sex tension???are chef kiss!!!

thanks very much! part 2 and I couldn't put off the reveal bc I'm just too impatient lol 🫶 but I might write another part post-reveal? maybe? cuz I'm growing attached to these two <3

jason todd x gn!vigilante!reader (nocturne). tw explosions, smoke inhalation, reader passes out, canon typical violence, identity reveal, asshole bruce. jason is in love? jason is in love.

read pt 1 here! | all fics are reblogged to @sanguinelibrary

****

"Go home."

"Bruce, I—"

Bruce looks at you, eyes sharp with fury and... something else. Something older.

The others know how to talk back. You still haven't gained the courage to sass The Batman.

"Go. Home. If you need an escort, I can call Superman."

You take a step back at his coldness.

"Bruce, I know I messed up, letting Hood escape but—"

"Yes, you did. You deliberately disobeyed an order. I told everybody to stand down. He could've killed you."

But he didn't, you don't say. He could've, but he chose not to.

He'd felt safe.

"I had it under control, honestly. He wasn't—it wasn't like the other encounters you've had with him. He wouldn't have hurt me."

That is the wrong thing to say. You realize that after the words leave your mouth and the muscles in Bruce's jaw jump.

"You can't be this naive. I know I wouldn't have chosen someone who's this naive," he says savagely. "You know Hood can't be trusted, and you're defending him to me. We've seen time and again he's rogue. He doesn't make sense and that's exactly why he's dangerous."

"But if you would just listen—"

"Enough," he snaps. "Enough. Go home. I'm suspending you for three weeks."

"Three w—I'm not even injured!" you cry.

"No, but you need the time. You're not thinking clearly. Go. I don't want to see you until next month."

You press your lips together before you say something truly foul. Something about Batman's habit of pushing people away. Something about dead Robins.

You don't let the tears fall until you leave the Cave. This is all Hood's fault. You know it would've been a different conversation if you'd managed to successfully capture him.

You'll take down the Red Hood if it's the last thing you do.

****

It takes you approximately two days to break your suspension.

In your defense, you meant to follow Bruce's orders. You would've stayed put and helped Barbara with research instead.

But not at the expense of civilian lives.

"All units to Canal and Riverview, 10-80. Standby. Do not enter the factory until given clearance from the Bomb Squad."

You turn off the police scanner and stuff it in your drawer. In Gotham, explosions usually come in multiples. If there's one, there's bound to be another. The police are generally inept when it comes to evacuating civilians. You know one of the other Bats are on their way, but you're the closest to the docks.

You glance at your suit. No. If you go as Nocturne, Batman might suspend you indefinitely.

You grab your gas mask and put on a black hoodie and a domino mask. You'll just have to make do.

The marina is blanketed in thick smoke. It makes your eyes water. But in the commotion it causes, you're able to slip past the barriers and help workers out of the factory. It's difficult because without the suit, people don't give you the same trust and respect. But you're anonymous, and that's all that matters.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

You ignore the voice and keep hauling two elderly workers towards the exit. They're barely outside before you turn around, determined to clear every level of the factory.

You're yanked backward by a hand on your hoodie. You nearly lose your footing, but the hand is firm, dragging you towards the pier.

You're spun around and put face to face with a red helmet.

Oh, of all the fucking—

"Let go of me!" you shout, smacking his arm. Hood's grip tightens.

"I will as soon as you stop doing stupid shit. What were you thinking, coming here?"

You pause. Whoops. This isn't how a plain civilian would react to being apprehended by the Red Hood.

And that's definitely not how the Red Hood would react to getting swatted by a random civilian. Shit.

"I was, um, I was thinking I could help," you say haltingly. "P-please don't hurt me, Mr. Hood, I was—"

Hood sighs and lets you go, then tucks his gun into his holster.

"Cut the shit. I know you're Nocturne. I also know that you need some acting lessons because what the hell was that? Mr. Hood?"

A chill washes over you. "I don't know what you mean. Nocturne?"

Hood shakes his head. "I don't have time for this. The building's gonna collapse any second. Stay. Put."

He goes back toward the smoking entrance. Your eye twitches as you follow him.

"Last time I checked, you don't have that kind of authority, Hood."

He turns around and looms over you. "Don't I?"

Anyone else would back down. You might've a week ago. You should, after the tongue lashing Bruce gave you.

But there's no soot on Hood's helmet or vest. He doesn't smell sweet like gasoline or pungent like motor oil.

He was in the factory to help.

Something shifts. Batman is wrong. Batman is more wrong than he's ever been.

Because Hood's not the enemy here. Not anymore. Maybe not ever.

You push past Hood. "It'll be faster if we work together."

"Oh, absolutely not. You're not even in your suit."

"As per your request," you say, flashing a plastic smile. "You're welcome."

"Don't get cute with me, you—hey!"

You dart past him and go straight into the factory. Hood shouts your name, which makes you pause, just for a moment.

But revealed identity or not, you need to clear the building. So you pull on your mask and run faster.

Your worst fear is confirmed when you check the upper level: someone was missed in the evacuation. It's a worker, and she's unconscious.

You don't think about how explosions come in pairs in Gotham. Don't think about how long it'll take to get to the exit.

You take off your mask and slide it onto her face. The smoke burns your throat immediately, but you ignore it and lift her in a fireman carry, just as you were taught all those years ago by Robin. He's the one who taught you how to save people without relying on brute strength or height.

You hope he's alright, wherever he is. You hope he's not too upset seeing you rush into a burning building.

That's your last thought when you see the entrance. Your face is covered in sweat and grime. The heat from the fires is exhausting. You can feel your eyes beginning to close.

"There's something seriously wrong with you," a decoded voice says in your ear, and then the woman's weight is lifted from your shoulders.

Hood grabs your hand, the woman over his opposite shoulder, and you make it out just as the second explosion goes off. It knocks you forward.

Hood puts the woman down just in time to catch you. His arm is around your waist, the other hand cradling your head. His gloved thumb touches your mouth, and you feel his dawning realization as he finally sees your mask on the woman.

"Don't tell Ba'man," you slur.

"Jesus fuck—" Hood starts to drag you. You feel lightheaded. He's moving, and you wish he'd stop. "You don't take off your mask. You never take off your mask. We taught you that!"

"She was unconscious, J'y..."

Arms tighten around you. Everything goes dark.

****

You wake up to the smell of scrambling eggs.

For a moment, you just bask in the smell. It smells like Alfred's breakfast scramble. Bacon. Butter. Golden potatoes.

Then you wake up further and realize that you're not in the Manor. You're in your apartment.

So who's cooking?

You get up quietly, slipping out of your room. You pause in front of the full-length mirror.

Honestly, you've looked worse. Your hair needs a wash, and you're in the same clothes you went into the building with, which are now a little charred. But your face is clean of soot, and your throat hurts only a little.

The kitchen sink runs. You slowly creep out into the living room, keeping your breathing even and silent.

The mess of black hair, you recognize. Sort of. You might've mistaken him for Bruce if you didn't know that Bruce has a lifetime ban from kitchens all over the world.

He's too tall to be Dick. Too skilled in the kitchen to be Bruce. Too nice to be Bruce, too—you can't imagine Bruce Wayne making you eggs. Especially when you disobeyed his orders. Again.

The red helmet on the kitchen stool turns your blood to ice.

You grab the letter opener from a drawer and wait a few seconds to see if Hood's heard you. Then you throw the letter opener with near perfect aim at his exposed shoulder.

He catches it without turning.

Your heart skips a beat. Every time you think you might get the drop on him, Hood reminds you just how competent he really is.

A mix of fear, aggravation, and something you don't want to examine too closely swirls in your gut.

"Impressive," he says. "Dami been training you? Mama Al-Ghul spent a lot of time on his knife lessons."

"Why are you in my apartment?"

Hood sets the letter opener down on the counter and turns off the stove. Then he serves the breakfast scramble on two plates, then sprinkles chives over them.

This is the weirdest kidnapping ever.

He sighs, back still facing you.

"You can't tell anyone it's me," he says.

"You make a lot of demands for a guy who just used the last of my eggs."

Hood laughs. It sounds wet. It sounds like grief.

"God, I've missed ya, honeylove."

Your heart pounds. You try to find another weapon, anything. Hood doesn't give you the chance.

He turns around.

The first thing you see is the stark white streak of hair and the curls you once loved. The curls that were near unrecognizable in the casket.

You were right: Batman was wrong.

pt 3

[wandascrush]

Let the light in

Summary: The Avengers are separated after being hunted down and forced to live life on the low, causing a painful break up with the love of your life. What happens when she finds you again? Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Fem!reader

A/N: Based off of this request

Warnings: Angst, violence, loneliness, blood, breakup, team separated, depression, kissing, comfort

Song: Let the light in- Lana Del Rey

The team sat around the dark living room, the familiar voice of one of New York's most famous news anchors echoing in through the air, “Good evening New Yorkers, today we open our headline with some shocking news:  Former Stark enterprise building, located on the upper east side, exploded earlier today by a missile attack on the Avengers. Sources say Tony Stark was currently using it to house new plans for an updated Avengers training arena and larger compound.  Two architects, three investors, and one security manager was injured. Two of the victims later succumbed to their injuries after the explosion. Reports confirming the source of the violence are still unknown, however the Avengers were believed to have been inside the building at the time- hence the attack. The founding members of the Avengers Initiative such as Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, Thor Odinson, Y/N L/N, and Clint Barton have yet to speak out. This marks the second targeted attack on our world’s heroes in nearly a month since the Maximoff twins incident in Barbados, where Pietro Maximoff was nearly assassinated. It raises the question for us all: Are our heroes being hunted?” 

The screen went black, bye bye news lady. The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop. “What’re we gonna do Tony?” You got no answer. 

 “Cap?”  

For the first time in the decade you’d known the team, (except for the Maximoffs & Peter) you saw uncertainty in all of their eyes. Tony threw his classic sunglasses on the couch, squeezing the middle of his nose in a useless attempt to massage an oncoming headache away, “Fury… thought it’d be wise if we split up for awhile-,” he was quickly shut up with protests from the group.

“It’s too dangerous. This isn't easy for me, but we're facing a threat that's beyond anything we've encountered before. I've crunched the numbers, run simulations – the Avengers need to disband temporarily. We scatter, go off the grid, and regroup when the dust settles.”

“This is bullshit, Tony. You know it is. This is exactly what they want-” 

“Tasha,” your gentle touch on her back always softened her heart, but not today. She didn’t even look at you. 

“It’s not the end, Nat. It’s like a strategic retreat. We're ensuring we'll live to fight another day. For once, I’m with Stark on this. We play it safe, keep low profiles, and spread out,” Steve sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees and taking a hard look at everyone, “we’re family, we keep each other safe. And this is how we do it.” 

As much as the idea made your stomach churn, he was right. He always was. This was your family. Every holiday, happy memory, laugh and cry and battle and bruise was all with them. This team is how you met the love of your life. You loved each other, and if this is what needed to happen, then you’d do it. 

But that didn’t sit well with your girlfriend. 

“No, end of story. We’re not separating.”

“You know I don’t think it’s just you’re choice, Natasha. I mean we have to decide this together,” your fingers lightly brushed the edge of the bed, nervously playing with the soft sheets you had just bought.

“Exactly, and I. Said. No.” She was acting like a stubborn toddler that didn’t want to eat her veggies, crossing her arms and raising her voice an octave.

It was then when you saw something different in her eyes, those beautiful green orbs that held so much sadness and joy at the same time. But today they were cloudy, like a storm was brewing in her mind. You gently slipped off of the bed and stood in front of her, pressing your forehead to hers, “You know it’s going to be okay, right?” soft palms caressed the side of her cheek, immediately feeling her sigh into your touch. “It’s going to be okay, you’ll see.” You wish your words were true. 

    Two months later the Avengers were spreading out all across the U.S., saying choked up goodbyes and packing your things. It was agreed upon that there’d be a team meeting once a month, every month, for the next year until you could figure out who the threat was, and how to eliminate them. You thought San Francisco sounded nice, fresh, and a little more peaceful than the hustle and bustle of New York. And it was, for a time. You got a haircut, dyed your gorgeous h/c locks to a rich h/c shade. You bought a sweet little home with a bay window over looking the Golden Gate Bridge, started building an in home gym and library, and kept an extremely low profile. You finished file work and other Avengers paperwork at home, with a high security grade laptop. Natasha on the other hand, refused to dye her hair, or keep a low profile. She didn’t want to admit that she was depressed, but it was glaringly oblivious. Being thrown out of her comforting routine put a wrench in Natasha’s life that not even you, her beautiful girl, could fix. All day she would do her paperwork, workout, and just keep to herself. It was like you weren’t even girlfriends anymore. Finally, in the fifth month of living “undercover,” she finally agreed to go on a low key date with you to a small, cozy bar on the outskirts of the city. You got dressed up for the first time in what felt like forever, did your makeup real pretty, and even did braids on Natasha’s silky hair. She looked happy, finally. Adorning a brown leather jacket, dark blue jeans, and a low cut green top- her classic silver arrow necklace sitting pretty on her chest- your girlfriend looked like her old self again...absolutely perfect. 

“You look gorgeous, baby,” swift arms swept you into a gentle kiss, smirking against your lips and pulling you close to her waist. 

You thought that night would be perfect, but by 11 pm you two were home and icing her bloody knuckles, static tv voices echoing in the background. You felt hot tears rising to the surface, but you never let them fall. It’s not like you were just mad or angry or disappointed…no this was something more. You were embarrassed. Embarrassed by Natasha. You thought you’d never say that sentence, but then there you were, apologizing to the bartender for your girlfriend's rowdy behavior, and throwing $20 to the guy she completely knocked out before nearly carrying her out of the bar and into a cab. Within the next two weeks she packed her bags, and your home was changing once again, now empty. 

  8 months later 

    The team said that you’d only be separated for a year, or less, but you were coming up on a year pretty soon and none of you were any closer to figuring out who the threat is. But you, you moved on, strived forward, and kept going. Your breakup with Nat had been one of the most painful moments of your life, but you didn’t let it stop you. These days you hardly cried over her at all, never even thought of the old days. Well, except for last Tuesday, when you saw one of her old sweaters and lied in bed for the rest of the day, or on Thursday when you heard her favorite song and- well, never mind that. You were at the top of your fucking game. 

  Ms. Romanoff, on the other hand, had moved out of San Francisco completely and settled in Washington D.C. from the last you heard. She attended the monthly zooms, same as you, but you two never addressed one another. Natasha pushed all of the heartbreak she harbored deep, deep down until she would lie down for bed and reach out next to her…but you were never there. 

[fanged-fanfics]

Hello! I was here during the previous lmk era and I love your fics! Would it be okay with you if I requested a ButterRoll cookie and GN! reader fic? Basically how they meet and what causes ButterRoll cookie to look at the reader in a more romantic light over the span of their months working together. I also must say I'm super impressed with how often you post, it feels like an angel sends me a letter from heaven every time I see a notification of a new post from you lol. I wish you the best and once more plead you not to burn yourself out. (⁠*⁠˘⁠︶⁠˘⁠*⁠)⁠.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡

☆ A New Kind of Experiment — Butter Roll Cookie x GN Reader Fic ☆

Genre: Fluff || they/them pronouns for reader || No warnings needed

──────.𖥔 ݁ ˖˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ──────

Back in your academia days, you had two main Cookies you called your friends— Butter Roll Cookie and Espresso Cookie. Espresso was a hard worker, and Butter Roll kept things light and fun– you were a grounded force between them, making sure neither went too far in the wrong direction. That is, until Butter Roll Cookie mysteriously disappeared after he got expelled. You and Espresso had no idea what had happened, it was like he disappeared into air. Nevertheless, you put your life into your work, determined to finish what you three had started.

You couldn't pinpoint what exactly happened along the way— when your dreams had turned to dust, and hopes belittled to ashes— but you had been in the care of the Cookies of Darkness for quite a while now, several years after graduating. You'd been beyond surprised to see Butter Roll there, and the two of you became close coworkers in no time. It felt just like how it used to be, right back to his usual jokes and jabs. His unyielding optimism kept you encouraged to keep working as a scientist under his guide. Whilst you were cleaning up another failed experiment, Butter Roll was already preparing more raw dough.

You glanced over, seeing his giant whisk placed to the side. His gloved arm was punching in the dough, making sure it was malleable enough. "That's the fifth we've been doing today" you spoke up. "I know! Isn't it amazing?" Butter Roll asked, looking to you with a joyful shine in his golden eyes. "It is, and there's no one better to conduct these than you" You responded. A short pause hung in the air before you added, "But with how relentless these have been, maybe we're overloading the mixer?". "Hmmm... that could impact the dough, making it too runny to formulate properly" Butter Roll mumbled. He stood up, using his free arm to cup his chin.

You stepped up behind him, fixing his red goggles atop his forehead "Besides, you could stand to take a break". "Come now, you know I can work for much longer than this" the director chuckled. "That may be true, but you've also been working this hard for the past week. We need our director in his best shape" you responded. Butter Roll gave you a wide smile that made his eyes upturn in gratitude. He stepped back from the table, sitting in a nearby chair "Alright, you've convinced me!"

You began cleaning up the materials, getting the raw ingredients all wiped up. You were just about the only one who could make Butter Roll rest like this when it came down to it, if any of his usual subordinates tried he'd just insist that he had more to do. You've always been right by his side, picking him up when he needed it and making work flow as smooth as possible. He watched you clean, seeing your efficiency firsthand impressed him once again. "Shouldn't you be resting too?" He teased. "I haven't been working nearly as hard as you" you responded. "Oh, but you have! Your mind has been hard at work, thinking of all the new concoctions we could try!" Butter Roll countered "And you haven't been feeding it enough! Come, come, we must fix it!"

You almost protested, but Butter Roll was already right behind you, lightly taking your arm. He looked to you for permission, and you dropped your rag while sighing with a little smile "If you insist". Butter Roll led you to a side door attached to the hallway by the laboratory, opening it to reveal a small bedroom. He clicked the light on for you while you walked in to sit on the mattress. Butter Roll went to sit beside you, leaning his head into your lap. "Finally feeling tired, sir?" You asked, petting your hand through his long hair. He smiled, tilting his head into your touch "Not quite, but I can't resist this time with you"

You kept gently scratching his scalp, watching as the tension completely left him. He had his eyes closed, mulling over your proximity. This, above all, is what he came to love about you. The way you kept him so grounded, a comforting reminder of where he came from, and a loyal companion who wanted to see where he was going. Though he's always happy to work for others, his chest feels warm when seeing how deeply you care for his own wellbeing. This, he knows, is why you're such good partners. And he plans to keep you for as long as he can.

[jamesv-t]

The Warning in Kerrang magazine. Transcription of the interview below the cut

The Warning blew up last year with their fourth album, Keep Me Fed. Since then, they've toured relentlessly. Gearing up to take on Latin America and Europe, it's clear the Villarreal Vélez sisters are on the brink of international superstardom...

WORDS: ALIYA CHAUDHRY PHOTOS: GUSTAVO KURI, ZEUS LOPEZ

The day after The Warning played the MTV Europe Music Awards, held in Manchester in November, the Villarreal Vélez sisters got on a plane to Miami to perform at the Latin GRAMMYs.

"That week, the way that we lived It it was just so crazy," drummer Pau laughs today. "Very chaotic," adds bassist Ale.

"It was a lot" lead vocalist and guitarist Dany agrees.

At the EMAs, they were up for Best Push, an award that highlights breakthrough artists. The band played Automatic Sun, taken from fourth album Keep Me Fed, washed in red light and punctuated by bursts of flames.

Speaking to Kerrang! from their homebase in Monterrey, Mexico, several months on from the back-to-back performances, the three sisters talk excitedly, finishing each other's sentences, or with overlapping answers.

"It was just so hectic and full of adrenaline," Pau enthuses. don't think we'll ever forget that whole week.

At the Latin GRAMMYs, The Warning performed Qué Más Quieres - up for Best Rock Song - in metallic outfits as strobe lights pierced the air. The band are native Spanish speakers but mostly write and sing in English, making a point to include one Spanish track on each album, which, on Keep Me Fed, was the nominated track.

"We toured a lot in North America and in Europe, even Asia," Pau recounts of the past year's whirlwind. "But we hadn't been to South America in a while not even in Mexico. So to have been recognised in the Latin American community by our peers, especially our rock'n'roll peers, and to be representing Mexican rock, we feel very honoured."

To call it all a busy time would be an understatement. After releasing Keep Me Fed last summer, The Warning's fame has sky-rocketed, landing them on international stages including awards shows, TV screens and even New York's iconic Times Square. It's all the more impressive when you take into consideration the fact that Dany, Pau and Ale are only 25, 23 and 20 years of age, respectively. And, as Pau reveals, they've been so all over the place that they even know some of their on-the-road locales.

"Touring North America, we know what it is, we've done it for a while," Pau says. "So we know our stops, we know our Walmarts, we know our Targets. We know where to go."

"The only thing was the cold in Canada..." Ale adds.

The first leg of that tour was a run of the United States, including festivals and headline shows, followed by support slots with Halestorm and Evanescence in Canada - the former being a band The Warning had toured with in the past. "It was just like reuniting with old friends," Pau smiles.

By the time Kerrang! catches up with the trio, they're nearing the end of a break from travelling - a much needed pause before the whole machine kicks back off again.

"We've been here in Monterrey for a while, and again, we're about to leave, but I feel that leaving and touring just makes me really appreciate my home, my city," smiles Pau.

At home, their stardom is undeniable and frankly unavoidable. It's Warning-mania. 

"Every time we leave our house, we get asked for a picture or an autograph," Pau says. "It's not jarring, because I know that it's there. I'm aware that when I go out that will happen, but sometimes I am caught off-guard."

One time, the drummer was approached by a fan at a restaurant, right when she was in the middle of paying the bill. 

"There's the other part, where you assume people are coming to you because they recognise you and they want to tell you something." Dany starts.

"But then they're like, Hey, is your car the grey one that's parked behind? and I'm like, "Oh! I got ahead of myself." Pau laughs. 

The band's 2024 tours were just the first phase of the Keep Me Fed cycle - this year, they're continuing to play heavily across continents. 

"We're super excited about getting this album to the places that haven't heard it completely." Dany says 

On the day we catch-up, they're just a week away from some genuinely mega home-country shows, including three nights at Mexico City's 10,000-cap Auditorio Nacional. This tour, along with a special local date at the 8,000-seat Auditorio Citibanamex, is completely sold out. Not that it's sunk in yet.

"We're going to be living these shows that we've been planning for a whole year." Pau says. "It's this weird anticipation and anxiety - we've been living with the concept for such a long time, rehearsing for them, planning them, working with so many people to make them happen, and now they're going to happen!" 

After Mexico, The Warning are touring South America in March, before heading to the UK and Europe in April, including a stop at London's 02 Academy Brixton.

"We're from the completely other side of the world." Pau explains. "so to have more than a thousand people buying tickets to see us at each show in countries that we've visited only once or twice, it's really crazy to us. It speaks to the power of music and the connection that music has with people, no matter the language, no matter where you're from"

The Warning have had plenty of experience playing venues big and small. These days, they hop from opening for the likes of Guns N' Roses and Muse, to their own gigs. adopting as needed, but always trying to make it as memorable-and massive as possible.

"Production-wise, it's like, 'Will that fourth screen fit on the stage? Probably not... So you just remove that type of thing" Pau explains.

"But for us, it's the same setlist, same energy. It doesn't matter if we're playing for 300 people or 3,000- it's the same concept for us. It's the same experience."

There's another layer to playing away from home, too. They essentially become ambassadors.

"When we have an appearance at a festival or someplace that rarely has Mexican guests, we do feel that we're representing our country as a whole," Pau nods.

"Even though, of course, we have just a tiny little bit of what Mexican music has to offer," adds Dany. 

For many of The Warning's fans, the band could well be their introduction to Mexican rock music.

"We try to paint our country in the nicest light possible, because we come from such a beautiful country with such beautiful culture and history and music," Pau says. "Mexican rock is a very specific genre that I hope people from other places of the world start discovering, because it's such a rich genre with such rich history. For us to be able to participate in even a little tiny bit of it is great. Hopefully we get to open that door in people's minds, for them to be curious about what else Latin America has to offer."

In between all the touring and dropping an album, The Warning have also been jamming with other bands. At Aftershock Festival last year, Pau joined Dead Poet Society on their song Hurt. Her and Dany then did the same when they came to Mexico City.

Another Aftershock connection, The Warning also collaborated with Japanese outfit BAND-MAID, who they'd met at the festival in 2022 and toured with last year. In December 2023, the two bands began working on a song together over Zoom, with The Warning flying to Japan to finish it last May (they then released the single, entitled SHOW THEM, in August).

In the accompanying music video, each member faces off with their instrumental counterpart, as Dany and BAND-MAID singer Saiki Atsumi trade vocals that are entirely in English,

"It was very interesting to see how both of us were using a language that was not our native one," Pau explains, "They speak Japanese, we speak Spanish, So it was about finding a common ground in a different language and making it work musically, and communicating musically."

It did lead to challenges when it came to nailing the lyrics, though. 

"We would choose a word, and they were like, 'That doesn't mean the same thing in Japanese English.' We're like, 'What? What do you mean?' It's that type of thing that translates so differently with other people's music."

A song about not only refusing to make yourself small, but trying to be as big as you can be, SHOW THEM proved to be an empowering listen, bolstered by its electrifying swagger. "Ultimately, music literally became the language," Dany says. 

This collaboration, and The Warning's success overall, shows that fans are truly global in their tastes, looking outside of their home countries and languages. 

"I feel that now, because of social media and the way that things are connected, we stop looking at music as this foreign export or import," Pau offers. "It's just this way to communicate, and music from different places in the world is just so different because the language is different, and the phonetics are different."

That mentality is especially important for a bilingual band. 

"We can make music in English and we also make it in Spanish," Pau says. "For people to look at those two sides that we have, and for them to consume it in the same way, it's really cool for us."

It's a little early for The Warning to start thinking about their next album, but when asked, they do have some ideas in mind.

"I want to have more than one song in Spanish," Pau teases.

"Let's do that!" Ale agrees. 

After the year they've had, the three sisters are still able to stay grounded. "We keep a very big balance of knowing where we are, knowing where we were, and..." "...where we can be," Dany completes Pau's thought. 

Of course, having family around helps. Not just within the band, but their parents play integral roles as well - especially when it comes to touring. Pau describes their mother as "a professional mom", while their dad acts as a stage manager and audio engineer. And, of course, there's no-one who keeps your ego in check quite like a sibling.

"I feel that we keep each other humble," Pau says.

"We complement each other," Dany adds.

"When we rehearse, we know how to call each other out while also recognising the steps that we're taking," Pau continues. "We do that with everything within the band. I think we have a good balance."

And it's a balance that bodes very well indeed for the future. "I think we're going to be okay!"

The Warning play London's O2 Academy Brixton on April 17

[sawtastic-sideblog]

Damien Haas x female!reader

Before we starting would like to say that the only thing I've written in months is research papers for school but I have finally written for Damien for the first time in years.

So just a couple things to keep in mind (triggers) there's talk of a horrible aunt and bad childhood and there are brief mentions of parental death and self harm I think that's it but if anything else let me know and I'll add it here.

That being said it's probably bad. To try to excuse it I was woken up early this morning and I've had a migraine since Thursday but I also feel like I'm not a great writer.

Anyway

Enjoy this Damien fluff

"Hello and welcome to Smosh Mouth. I'm Shayne."

"I'm Amanda. Welcome Damien to our table of discussions."

"Hi, thank you. I'm so excited to be here. Big fan, big fan," Damien says, pretending to be nervous. They continue on with the conversation as you set your phone down to go do your normal Saturday chores.

You haven't had the time to listen to the newest Smosh Mouth this week. You've been incredibly busy with online school and being sick. Yes, you realize that you are older than most of your classmates, but you're proud of yourself for going back to pursue a degree in your interest. You have no plans to leave Smosh, but you really wanted this degree just to prove to your childhood self that you could.

Education was always super important to you and you never had the opportunity to go to college right out of high school. You taught yourself how to edit and put in many, many applications everywhere. Finally, after five years of trying to break into the industry, you got an email back from Smosh. You cried and screamed and jumped for joy when you landed the interview and when you got the editor position you sobbed. Partially out of happiness and excitement, but mostly out of relief.

When you were told the amount of money you'd be paid, you were shocked. You knew that you'd save it and use it for school. So, after working at Smosh for a year, you applied for online classes and haven't looked back sense. Only a few people know about you being in school, Ian, Anthony, anyone that you'd need to report to for you job, your best friends at work, Angela, Amanda, and Chanse, your brother, Jack, and his wife, Bella.

You have always been close to your brother despite a seven year age gap. He was on the football team in high school and college. Both teams absolutely adored you and you became the unofficial mascot. Where he went, you went and vice versa. You knew it was just to get you out of the house and away from your crazy aunt.

Your parents passed in a car accident when you were three and your mother's resentful sister was the closest relative who was able to take care of you. She was incredibly strict when it came to you. Jack could do whatever he pleased. You had to cook, clean, learn to sew, and basically just learn how to be a woman, according to Aunt Virginia. She tried to keep you from going to school and Jack would make sure you went. He would make sure you were able to do your homework and do whatever you wanted to do. It was a rough time, especially after Virginia kicked Jack out when he and his college sweetheart, Bella found out they were expecting without being married. You stayed there on your own for nine years becaue Virginia wouldn't let you leave. Discouraged it and made it impossible for you to move out in your home town.

When you got the job at Smosh, you had two months to find a place, move, and get settled. You had told Jack and he immediately told you that he was coming with you.

"What about Bella and Sadie?"

"They'll come with us, silly. Once we get out there, Bells can find work as a nurse, we can enroll Sadie in a good school, and I'll even look for something other than news station camera man."

"Are you sure? Sadie is only twelve she's going to resent you for making her leave her friends."

"Yeah, we've actually been planning to do this anyway. She's super excited about it. That dinner we have planned on Friday was when we were gonna tell you and tell you that you're coming with us. I guess we have to move our plans up."

That's what you did. Bella and Sadie went out there first and got the apartment settled as Jack trained his replacement and you slowly moved what little you had from Virginia's house, to Jack's. Then, in the middle of the night, you vanished. You didn't leave a note because why would you want the hateful old bitch to know where you went?

On your first day of work, Jack took you. You thought he was just going to drop you off but followed you inside.

"What are you doing?"

"I have an interview."

He got the job and now you two were known as one of the many dynamic duos. You're quiet and only really talk to Jack, Amanda, Chanse, or Angela. You do talk to Kiana, Tommy, and Spencer, but not as much as the others. You stayed behind the camera, but somehow became well known in the Fandom for your unique editing that captured the audience and enhanced the joke.

Your first "on camera" appearance was during the Shayne Guesses whre he guessed childhood photos. You submitted one of you in Jack's football helmet, hair covered, eyes almost fully obscured.

"Okay, this isn't fair. I can't see the hair or the eyes very well," Shayne complained.

"Yeah, but I thought this one was cuter. Once you see the answer you'll understand," Spencer explained.

After six months of working at Smosh, you could move into your own apartment. You stayed close to Jack, but you finally got your own space. That you always do a general clean of on Saturdays while listening to a podcast or the newest Reddit Stories before catching up of any homework you need to get done. Which is what you're doing now.

"Your can think your friends are beautiful. Like they have beautiful moments," Amanda says as you place the last of your dishes into the cabinet.

"Yeah, of course," Shayne agrees.

"Yeah, totally. I actually have an observation of a beautiful friend of ours," Damien annouces. Amanda gasps.

"Tell us, tell us, tell us," Amanda all but chants as you start a reset on your living room. Shayne and Damien both chuckle.

"Okay, so we have a couple of friends who work on the crew," he begins. He goes on to reveal the story is mainly about you. "We were at Jack's wedding about a week ago and I just saw her dancing with her niece, and smiling, and having fun. I know that she works hard. She comes in before us and stays until the slack message kicks her out. Then she goes home to do school work." Your head whips around to your phone and you make your way over to it.

"How do you know about that?" Amanda asks.

"Angela mentioned it. Is it something that I shouldn't know?"

"Uh, I'm not sure. I thought everyone knew, but we just didn't talk about it."

"What is she in school for?" Shayne asks. Amanda answers with you special interest and Damien takes the reigns of the conversation again.

"Anyway, I just know she has to be stressed out. I mean, I'm assuming and if I'm wrong I will apologize, but it just sounds like a super stressful situation to be in. Seeing her just let loose and have fun at the reception, after really only seeing her stone faced or with a small smile while talking to Jack. She was laughing, like throwing her head back laughing, and jumping and dancing with Jack and his wife and daughter. I saw her dancing with you, Angela, and Chanse at one point." Amanda nods at this.

"Yeah. I remember dancing to Take a Chance by Abba and we all just took turns pulling Chanse around," she beams as her tablemates laugh. They go off on a quick tangent about their time on the dancing floor and how, somehow, Bella, a Smosh fan since 2007, got Ian and Anthony to do a double decker twerk in their very nice suits.

"Yeah, but seeing her loving life and looking like she didn't have a care in the world other than celebrating her brother and sister in law and niece and the love they have for one another. I mean she was the best lady and we found out during speeches, which is the most I've heard her speak by the way, that they didn't have a greatest of childhoods, which just made the looks of pure happiness of her face so amazing. She was truly beautiful and I'll carry that memory with me for as long as she allows me to know her."

"I know what you mean. I didn't know she had teeth until the wedding. Like, she never smiles," Shayne jokes.

"I know she's not here today, but I hope she watches this when it comes out. Hopefully it'll make her feel better and it'll help her get over whatever it is she has quicker," Amanda says.

"Yeah, if you're watching this while you're still sick, feel better!" Damien says. You smile and wipe at your eyes as they change the subject to something else. You'd never really spoken Damien and you only speak to Shayne when Courtney pulls you into a conversation and he walks up to speak. But knowing that these guys consider you not only a friend but beautiful, as well, makes your heart swell a little.

A timer goes off on your phone just as the episode ends and you quickly pull up the newest Reddit Stories video, after turning off the timer. You go back to the kitchen and take the last dose of your medicine. You had somehow caught bronchitis and have been out of work for a week, but you finally felt better and wanted to get back into your normal routine.

You hear a text notification as you enter your living room and walk over to your phone again. It's a text from Ian.

Hey, I hope you're feeling better. Alé had notes from the all hands meeting sent to your email. We're going to have another one on Monday if you can make it.

Hey Ian, I feel great, thanks. Doctor cleared me yesterday. I'll be there!

He just sends back a thumbs up emoji. You chuckle and get back to your cleaning.

Monday morning rolls around and you are in the office by seven thirty, trying to get a head start on footage that had been give to you. By eleven you'd made good progress and Tommy had to physically pull you from your desk.

You sit at a table in the back with you laptop open to your school stuff. Your habit for every all hands meeting since nobody every sat near you. That is until today.

You can feel the nervous energy radiating off of Angela as she sits down beside you.

"I'm so sorry."

"Why?"

"Because I let it slip to Damien that you're in school."

"It's okay. It was bound to come out sooner or later. Especially with my associates degree coming to me in the mail soon."

"What? No way!" Angela shouts, gaining attention from a few people. You smile softly as you make eye contact with Chanse before rolling your eyes. He laughs as your eyes move to the figure sitting beside him. Your eyes meet Damien's and you give him the same small, but now nervous, smile you gave Chanse. You turn your attention back to Angela.

"Yeah, Gen Ed finally done," you say as you pull up the email. Angela makes noises of excitement as she reads, earning more stares. You try to hide behind the laptop, but you know you've been seen. Your face heats up and you pull the hood of your jacket over you hair. "Angela, please. You're making a scene."

"Sorry, I'm just so fucking excited for you!" She all but yells again as she pulls her feet under her. She stands while squatting in the chair and kind of bounces or jumps, you don't know. You should be use to her antics but you are still easily embarrassed.

"Good morning, everyone," Anthony starts, pulling everyone's attention from you. You remind yourself to get him like a billion cookies for this kindness. Angela situates herself in the chair as you open your last assignment instructions for the semester.

Two hours later, you're watching people mill about as they go back to work. You're assignment on hold until you can do some in depth research at home. You pretend not to notice silver hair approaching as you stand and slip into the crowd, quickly making your way back to your desk, ready to become an editing machine again.

You have no idea how late it is when you feel a tap on your shoulder. You jump and take off your headphones as you turn around. A soft, amused smile plays on Damien's lips as he watches your confusion.

"Hi?" You whisper your question.

"Hi, it's six o'clock." You check your phone and see that it is actually about ten past six and that you have a missed slack warning you to leave. You nod.

"So it is. Thank you," you say as you save the edit and start shutting down for the night.

"Is that a crochet Toothless?" Damien asks, motioning to a small dragon crocheted from black yarn with big glittering, green eyes. You nod again. "Did you make it?"

A third nod as you pick it up and hand it to him. He admires it and hands it back to you. You place it back on your desk, right under your monitor.

"Jack likes those movies too."

"Yeah, it means a lot to us. We have matching tattoos." You don't know why you said that, but Damien nods, enthusiastically.

"I've seen Jack's the black silhouette with the red part of the tail, right? On his forearm. Like where my sword is, but smaller."

"Yeah, that's it," you say. Before you can think about it, you're pulling up your sleeve. Damien looks down as you show off your tattoo. His fingers come up to trace the outline of the tattoo before following the scars that litter your arm down to your wrist. Silently, he lifts your arm and places a gentle kiss to the exposed skin. You look up at his face and you can tell even he seems surprised that he did that.

You take your arm back and pull down your sleeve. You turn to pack up your bag, expecting Damien to be gone when you turn around. You turn back to see he's still there, looking at your decorations on your desk. A picture of you and Jack at your high school graduation, the little Toothless, and a Lego bunny Sadie gave you.

"Can I walk you to your car?" You nod as Damien motions for you to lead the way. You're both silent as you walk. Once at your car Damien speaks. "If I overstepped a boundary by talking about you on the podcast, I apologize. I really hope that's not why you're not speaking to me."

You're taken aback for a moment before shaking your head.

"I'm not mad at you, Damien. I just don't talk. As far as the podcast goes, everything is okay. Spencer warned me about it and what was talked about, just not what was said. And what you said was very sweet and I appreciate it. It made me feel seen for once in my miserable life."

"I'm glad I could be of service," Damien says, seemingly at a loss for words.

"I have to go. I need to pick up my niece. She's been with a friend since I was sick and I told her friend's mom that I would pick her up after work."

"When are Jack and Bella back?"

"Next week."

"When are your classes over?"

"I'm working on my last assignment this week. It's due Friday."

Damien nods.

"Have a good night," he says and turns to walks to his car.

The next day you find a Lego rose set on your desk, after lunch. Spencer is there staring at the attached, unopened note while nursing a Kickstart.

"What are you doing?"

"Being disappointed that the Kickstart hasn't given me mutant powers like x-ray vision," he responds, looking up at you.

"What's this?"

"Legos."

"No shit."

"I don't know. It was just here when I came to talk to you. You're always here but you weren't and the roses were."

"I went to the restroom." You sit at your desk and take the note off the box and open the envelope.

"I'm trying to respect your privacy but I am curious."

"Go away, Spencer."

"Okay, bye," he says as he walks away making a horrible sipping sound, knowing you hate it.

Thank you for sharing with me yesterday. I remember Jack saying you don't like real flowers, so Legos. I'll always see you. - Damien

You smile and put the Legos and note in your bag. You turn back to your work and get lost in the latest Try Not To Laugh.

The rest of the week consists of thoughts of Damien, but not seeing him much if at all around the office.

Friday night, you're laying in bed after turning in your assignment, confident that you did great on it. As you start to drift off your mind wanders to the day with Damien in the office. The softness of his lips against your skin, his words from the podcast "she was truly beautiful and I'll carry that memory for as long as she allows me to know her," and the intestity in his gaze when he looked at you. Your eyes open wide as you shoot upright in bed.

"Fuck, I like him!" You shout into your apartment. You hope you didn't wake Sadie. You listen for a minute before deciding that your neice is still sleeping soundly. You lay bac down and grab your phone, pulling up fan compilations of Damien to fall asleep to.

One week later a bunch of the editors are going out to dinner. You decide not to and continue working until the five forty-five slack. You pack up you bag and turn to see Damien at th entrance to your little cubical.

"We meet again," you say. "Hello."

"Hi," he smiles. "I was wondering what you were doing tonight."

"Going home. My social meter is at it's limit for the week."

"Oh, I was going to see if you want to hang out but I get it." He looks a little disappoint. You get an idea.

"Come over. We can hang out."

"Really?"

"Sure, it could be fun. What could go wrong?"

You unlock your door and let Damien step in before you. You lock the door behind you out of habit. You quickly make your way to your office and put down your bag and go back to the kitchen and grab two glasses of water.

"Thank you," Damien says, looking towards the box of Legos on the table. "You haven't built them yet?"

"No, I've been busy with school stuff. I was planning on building them tonight. Wearing pajamas and watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but still building them."

"Oh, if you'd feel more comfortable in pj's go ahead."

"No, it okay. You don't have any pj's."

"I actually do in my car. My laundry machines broke and I had to go to the laundromat. I've been too lazy to take my clothes inside."

"Go get them. We can have a pajama party." You smile as Damien looks surprised. He nods and stands up, excusing himself to his car. You run to your bedroom and change into a pair of light gray sweatpants and a black tank top. You hear Damien walk in and the lock click before his footsteps lead to the bathroom.

You emerge first and set to work making cups of hot chocolate with just a splash of vanilla. You're not sure when Damien walks in, but at some point you look over and he's leaning against the door frame with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle pajama pants and a pizza place shirt. He has a fond smile on his face and you return it.

"You kind of match. Turtle pizza and being Shayne's favorite pizza place."

"You're my favorite pizza place," Damien says. His eyes go wide as you let out a giggle. You hold a mug out to him. He takes it and immediately goes to take a sip.

"Careful its-"

"Ow!" Damien almost shouts as he puts a hand to his mouth.

"Hot. Are you okay?" You ask. He nods but his brows are furrowed as he takes a deep breath. "Did you burn your lip?"

He nods as he sets his mug onto the counter. You set your downs beside his and walk to the freezer, grabbing an ice cube. He takes it and holds it to his lip. He pulls it away as he says, "Thank you. Sorry about that."

"It's fine. You were just being a silly goose and didn't listen." You pick up your mug and walk over to Damien as he holds his fingers to his lips again. With your free hand you grab his wrist and pull it away from his mouth. "You're fine." With that you stand on your toes and give a quick peck to his lips. "There all better now."

You walk around him, leaving him to make the next move. You look over your shoulder and see him still standing there. You shake your head and make your way to the couch. You deposit your mug on a coaster and open the box of Legos.

You're sat on the floor between the couch and coffee table, Buffy the Vapire Slayer on the television screen, and piles of organized Lego pieces in front of you as Damien walks in and sits to your right. You silently follow the directions as the roses come to life in front of you. On the screen, Buffy punches Spike and your eyes get caught on it. Your brain turns off as you mindlessly watch the episode.

A hand on your left shoulder brings you back to your apartment. You look over and notice how the black painted nails match your shirt. Your attention goes to your right. Damien's face is unreadable as he stares at the screen. Your hands find themselves on the Legos again. Another two episodes and you've finished the roses and you're leaning back against the couch, watching Giles explain something to the Scooby Gang. Your eyelids grow heavy and your head starts to nod.

"Hey, I think it's time for bed." Damien's voice is soft. You nod and shift to stand up, but find Damien's shoulder instead. You sag onto him and close your eyes fully. "Oh, no, no, the floor isn't comfortable, babe."

"It is right now," you say. Your tired brain barely registered the pet name.

"Come on, it's late. Let's get you to bed."

You allow him to pull you up and guide you to bed. As he pulls the covers over you, you grab his wrist.

"You okay?"

"If it's so late then stay the night. Just don't watch any more Buffy."

"I don't want to impose. I should go."

"Please stay. I want to hang out with you."

He nods and you smile. You drift off pretty quickly, but you feel a kiss pressed to your forehead and hear the light switch click and the door shut before you're pulled into sleep.

The next morning you walk into the living room, hearing the TV playing New Girl. Confused, you look to the couch and remember last night. You smile at the softly snoring Damien on your couch. You grab the mugs and water glasses from the table and take them to the kitchen. You decide you want to hear the sweet words Damien said about you again, so you turn on the Smosh Mouth episode.

After his speech, the sound from your phone stops. You spin around to find Damien standing there.

"Good morning," you smile at him.

"Good morning. I have a question."

"I have an answer."

"You've already listened to this podcast. Why are you listening to it again?"

"To hear the nice things you said about me."

"But you've got the real thing right here. Don't you want me to tell you new words?"

You think about it a second before shaking your head. He looks a little confused as he cocks his head to the side with a smile.

"Why not?"

"Because I'd rather have your mouth on my mouth," you say shrugging and turning back to your project of deep cleaning the oven. The very confused "huh?!" noise that comes from Damien pulls a silently laugh from you.

"So, you do like me?"

"I literally kissed you on the mouth."

"I thought you were joking or, like, I don't know. Maybe doing a bit."

"You go process and once I am done with the oven, I'll come talk."

"Yeah, okay," Damien says as he turns around. As you take the next hour to clean the oven, you hear Damien in the bathroom. You shouted to him that an extra toothbrush is in a drawer.

When you finish cleaning the oven, you wash your hands and make your way to the living room where Damien is watching New Girl again. You sit on the opposite side of the couch and he pauses the show.

"Hi," he says.

"Hello," you say back as you turn your body towards him and cross your legs.

"So, you like me?"

"Yes."

"And I like you."

"Yes."

"What are we going to do about it?"

"Date? Make out? Fuck? I'm down for any and all of it."

He smiles and leans toward you. His hand goes to your knee closest to the couch.

"So, you don't mind if I do this?"

You shake your head. He brings his knee up to prop up on as his hands trail up to find your waist.

"Or this?"

You shake your head again and he leans fully over you as you lay back. He's holding himself on the arm of the couch to hover you. He brings his lips to yours in a quick, teasing kiss.

"Or this."

"Please keep doing that."

He smiles fondly at you as he pulls back and sits back down on the couch, pulling you into a sitting position.

"I like you, like, a lot and I want this to be something."

"I want the same."

"Can I take you on a date?"

You nod and grab his hand. You play with his fingers and you two talk about where you're going to go, what your relationship status is, and when and if you'll tell the fans. When you've settled everything for the time being he leans back and pulls you on top of him. He turns on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the twonof you cuddle as you watch.

"Hey, wait a second."

"What's up?"

You shift to where you can reach his lips and kiss him. His hands find a home on your wait and neck as yours perch on his chest and cheek. He deepens the kiss and pulls you closer.

"They got the mustard out!" Sounds from the television and you break away, laughing and slightly out of breath.

"Dude?"

"Shut up, this is my favorite episode."

He chuckles and holds you close as you cuddle and watch your favorite episode of your favorite show.

[ahgasegotarmy116]

The Art of Etiquette Part 10 | Jeon Jungkook

Summary: Your lesson with Jungkook ran a bit longer today so he offers to give you a ride home but decides to make a stop along the way Pairing: f!reader x Etiquette instructor Jungkook Word Count: 2.7k~ Warnings: Suggestive language if you think about it lmao but nothing too crazy a/n: I can't believe it's been this long since I last updated this story 😭 (almost 2 months) I know this chapter is short but the ball is coming up in the next chapter so this was a good stopping point. Hardly edited per usual lol Start from the beginning

"Late again princess. I should start counting at this rate" Jungkook taunts, his back to me as always when I walk in the room.

"Prey tell," he continues, turning to face me and sizing me up like a predator does his prey. "what might your excuse be for being late this time? The roads were quite clear last I checked" he presses, walking closer and closer to me. 

"I-I forgot my shoes at home. I know you told me I needed to break them in so..." I say, being truthful but keeping the matter of being stopped by Foster on my way out of class to myself. 

"Why are you so nervous? Have I done something to frighten you already?" he asks, circling me and slipping my bag off my shoulder before walking over to the chair I usually sit on when I change into my heels before class. 

Gone is the easy going and attentive Jungkook from Sunday, leaving a hungry dominant one in it's wake. 

"I'm not frightened" I argue, following him so I can sit down but when I reach for the box that contains the shoes in question he gives me a warning glance, leaving me recoiling and letting him do as he pleases. 

Okay so maybe I am a little frightened but I just don't know where we stand and that fact alone has me on edge. 

"You look at me as though you were afraid I might gobble you up" he smirks, kneeling before me and helping me slip them on.

"You look at me as though you would" I throw back and the look in his eyes goes from mischief to one of challenge, knowing now that I'm willing to play into his little game. 

"Is that something you'd like?" he asks, licking his bottom lip making my eyes draw straight to them.

"Is that something you'd like?" I echo, throwing the taunt right back. He smirks softly and runs one of his hands up the back of my calf, no higher than my knee but still sparking a flame alight inside me.

"Answering a question with a question, I was under the impression I taught you better than that" he says and removes that hand that I begged would climb higher, him choosing to stand up and straighten his appearance instead, walking towards the sound system to turn on the endless ballroom music I'm sure we'll be dancing to. 

Damn him and his flirting! Can't he ever just follow through with one thing? 

~~~~~

As our lessons draw to a close he hands me a bottle of water, leaving me accepting and downing half of it in one go. 

I feel his eyes on me, watching as a stray droplet trails down my cheek to the column of my neck and collarbone until it disappears under my blouse and it seems as though he wishes he could tear it away and find where else that droplet might've traveled. 

I finished drinking moments before it disappeared, watching him as he watched it, his eyes fluttering up to mine seconds later and noticing my stare.

Clearing his throat in response he turns away and goes to shut off the sound system for the rest of the day. 

"Your dancing is improving" he says once he's walked back towards me, giving me a towel to dab off the light sheen of sweat that had appeared during the final three songs.

"I only stepped on your foot once today" I say feeling a tad victorious. 

"Twice" he corrects gaining him a frown. "That one doesn't count! My foot barely grazed yours" I groan and he chuckles, "Still hurt though" he says with a shrug. 

"Really?" I cringe, hating the thought that I somehow still seemed to hurt him even after all the time we've spent running through all these steps together.

He grants me a devious smile before stepping towards me, one of his feet closer to mine now. I look up at him with a questioning gaze, waiting for what he might say but it wasn't something I had expected. 

"Step on it" he says, smirking at the confusion now running through my whole body leaving me recoiling instead.

"What?" I question, baffled by the absurdity of the request and he chuckles, thoroughly amused with my reaction.

He glances down at his shoe and back up at me, daring me not to and I narrow my eyes at him while contemplating it for a second but decide to do it anyway, being met with a hard shell encasing the front of his foot.

"Steel toe dress shoes? Really" I roll my eyes, walking over to my stuff so I can take my heels off, feet thoroughly abused with the whole task of breaking them in.

"They're very useful when you're in the line of work that I'm in" he responds, amused by my reaction of him revealing his secret to me. 

"I bet they are" I respond and once I'm back in my flat shoes again I stand up but lose my footing after having spent all this time on my toes.

"Are you okay?" he asks, catching me right away.

"Yeah I'm fine. Dancing with new shoes was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be" I explain and he nods his head, understanding completely and lets go so I can stand on my own. 

"Were you planning on teaching me anything else tonight? It's already a little past the usual time we wrap things up" I ask, checking my phone and then glancing outside, seeing that the sun is long gone. 

"Oh I apologize, I seem to have lost track of time. Let me drop you off then" he says, grabbing his keys. "I drove here though, and I'd hate to have James send someone to pick up the car again" I try to refuse, ultimately knowing I'll lose the battle but still doing so nevertheless. 

"It's fine, I can come pick you up from home and take you to campus when I drop off Bam at his trainers in the morning" he says and I stop in front of his car while he goes to the passenger side and opens the door for me. 

"Isn't that a little too much? I don't want you going out of your way to do that for me" I say, making excuses so he doesn't feel like he has to do all of that.

"It's completely fine y/n. I pass by your house on my way home anyway so I don't mind adding a couple of extra stops since I don't have much planned in the morning" he replies and I nod my head, slowly making my way over to his car. 

"I really don't mind driving in the dark Jungkook my vision is completely fine" I relay, trying to back out once again but this time he walks up to me and ushers me over to the car by my waist so I have no other option but to get in. 

"Okay but I-" I start, turning to face him before I get in, not knowing how close his face had been to me, leaving our lips mere inches apart.

He tilts his head and hums, urging me to continue. I try to find the words I mean to say but they are buried in the deep recesses of mind, whisked away with the proximity between us. 

"I'll pick you up once your classes have ended as well. That way you'll be here on time tomorrow" he says, touching my jaw for a second before leaning in.

"Get in the car" he whispers against my cheek leaving me quickly turning around and doing as he says before he can see my expression. 

Seconds later I could've sworn that I heard him chuckle and mumble a quiet 'Cute' under his breath before closing the door and rounding the car to his side. 

~~~~

After we've been driving for a bit I notice how he's pulled off onto a dirt road and I'm instantly confused. 

"Is this where you plan on killing me?" I joke, curious as to where we're going.

"If I wanted to kill you Pretty," he starts, paying close attention as we round a bend, pausing in his response for a second. "you'd already be dead" he finishes, sending a chill through my body and when he notices how stiff I've gone he gives me a sly smile before turning back to make sure we get to our destination safely. 

"I went ahead and messaged Matthew and asked him to inform James that our lessons ran a little late so they won't be too concerned" he says, putting the car in park and unbuckling his seatbelt.

"So this is where you're going to kill me" I say and he chuckles again before tapping me twice under my chin. "You're cute when you're scared" he says before opening his door and rounding to open mine.

I cross my arms over my chest, thoroughly annoyed by the fact that I let him get away with stuff like this to the point where I actually prefer it.

I'll never give him the satisfaction of knowing that though. Knowing him though he's probably already very aware of it, otherwise he wouldn't keep pushing my buttons. 

When he opens the door I glare up at him keeping that same posture and he smirks down at me while offering his hand to help me up.

"Where are we?" I ask and he lets out a dry chuckle.

"Get out of the car and you'll find out" he temps and I look between him and his outstretched hand that is still waiting for me to take and against my better judgement I decide to dance with the Devil. 

Who would blame me though when he looks at me like that, a heated gaze that never truly acts upon the sinful desires hidden behind them.

Stepping out of the car we're met with an open expanse of land, not a single soul or building in sight with only the low hum of vehicles barely audible from the highway behind us.

"What is this place?" I question marveling at the serenity of it all, breathing in the cold night air and letting the chill surround me. 

I shiver slightly as it's seeped through my clothes a lot sooner than one might think and just as I'm about to wrap my arms around myself for warmth I'm met with a coat being draped across my shoulders and when I turn around I see he's looking up towards the sky. 

"Have you looked up yet?" he ask, the body heat from him wearing it moments ago still present making me shiver for another reason but once I do look up none of it matters anymore as I take in the sight of thousands of heavenly bodies strewn across the clear night sky. 

"I-" "You were so concerned with the thought of me harming you that you didn't even notice the clear purpose of me wanting to bring you here" he says, cutting off whatever nonsense I was about to let tumble out of my mouth.

I sigh in response, not bothering to ruin this moment of peace with nonsensical bickering since he's clearly done this with me in mind.

"How did you find this place?" I ask after having taken in the sight of it, countless stars twinkling above us.

"I went driving one day and my car broke down so I pulled off near the entrance of this little dirt road and while I was waiting for the tow truck I walked down the path and well..." he says, trailing off making me fill in the obvious blanks. 

"I see" I respond and we stay silent for a while, the both of us standing there with all of our thoughts angled up towards the heavens until he finally speaks again.

"I should probably get you home" he says, turning towards me but I shake my head.

 "No, no not yet. Can we stay a little longer? Please?" I ask, this moment difficult to let go just yet and I can see him smiling at me from the corner of my eye as I continue to keep my eyes on the stars above, praying that I'll be able to feel this way forever...

~~~~~

When he parks his car in the driveway and opens the door for me he keeps me there for a second, not letting me get away so fast this time.

"Thank you for letting me keep you a little longer tonight" he says, ghosting his hand on my waist and it's then that I realize I'm still wearing the coat he let me borrow. I try to take it off but he grabs both of the open sides and pulls them together, trapping me inside and in turn pulling me closer to him.

"I wanted to give your jacket back to you" I mumble since the intimate space between us makes even that sound too loud.

"I realize that, but I want to get you inside first before taking it back. Don't want you to catch a cold after all the effort I put in to make sure you stayed warm" he explains, one of his hands now holding onto my waist while the other keeps the coat closed.

I hum in response and look away as I notice he's started to study my features.

"The ball is this weekend" he says and I nod my head. "I know" I mumble again, my expression now one of doubt.

"Hey" he says, cupping my face, trying to make me meet his gaze but my eyes then turn downward in response. 

"There's nothing to worry about y/n, I promise" he says and I nod my head again, not bothering to utter a word in response.

He tilts my chin up and I give in, letting my eyes peer back into his and I notice how sincere he looks, an expression I don't think I've ever seen from him leaving me holding my breath and waiting for him to continue. 

"No matter what happens just remember that I'm proud of you. You've done well in our lessons and I have no doubt that everyone is going to love you" he reassures me making me feel a little more at ease with the thought of it all but also nervous about him saying things like this to me.

"Thank you Jungkook" I whisper and he smiles in response before reaching into the car to grab my bag that's still on my seat and handing it to me.

"Let's get you inside" he says placing his hand on the small of my back, walking me to the front door and stopping right outside of it, waiting for me to unlock it. 

Once I step inside I turn around to say something but he steps inside making me take a step back but he takes another step closer so he's standing right in front of me, hardly any space between us now. 

I blink up at him, not really sure what his plan is before he slowly unzips the coat the rest of the way, making my breath hitch, the feeling of him taking my clothes off even if it's as simple as this making my brain short circuit.

Once he unhooks it at the bottom he pushes it off my shoulders and leans in to help it slide down my arms leaving me shivering once his warm breath hits my neck. 

He hums, satisfied by my response and places a feather light kiss under my ear before quickly pulling back and pretending as if nothing had happened meanwhile leaving me completely flustered by his ministrations. 

Let's just say I'm lucky neither of my parents came downstairs to greet us. 

"Sweet dreams" he says playfully and slips out without another word, walking over to his car and driving off. I only close the door once his car is out of view, my back against it now, catching my breath as I think about everything that happened today and all I can think of is 'How the hell am I supposed to take much more of this?'

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[alexanderwales]

Garth came out to the balcony and found Claire there, shoes beside her, dangling her feet over the three story drop. She had squashed her dress by sitting on it.

"Hey," she said.

"What's up?" asked Garth.

"Do you care?" she asked.

"Not really, just being polite," said Garth. He sat down beside her, uninvited. His tie was quite loose, so he undid it entirely, stuffing it in his pocket.

"Mother is very interested in having me find a husband," said Claire. "Or at least a boyfriend. And all I want to do is focus on my art. I have talent, why can't she see that?"

"Hrm," said Garth. "It's the opposite problem with my mother. She wants me to stay away from girls, because apparently I keep picking the wrong ones."

"You do have a reputation as a playboy," said Claire. She looked him over. "Earned, I think."

"Well, be that as it may, I don't think it's mother's place to say," said Garth.

They sat together for a moment, looking out at the night air and the slowly moving river that wound its way through the city. Garth had only intended to come out on the balcony to cool down for a bit, but he had the sense that Claire might be spending the whole night here.

"Say, I have an idea," said Garth.

"Oh?" asked Claire.

"Your mother wants you to spend all this time trying to chase boys, and my mother wants me to get with a respectable girl," said Garth. "So why don't we simply agree to a fake relationship? We would have to put some effort into it, just to sell it, because all our friends and family know we don't really have much affection for each other, and over the course of several fake dates, we could slowly fall in love with each other. But of course neither of us could admit that to the other, so we would use the fake dating story as a flimsy pretense to spend more time together, or to kiss each other, and we would say 'oh, but of course this is just for the cover story, people need to see us kiss, they need to believe that it's not all an act'. And as we pulled away from kissing each other, we would realize that it's not as much of an act as we had once believed. And then before we could confess to each other, I would say something boorish about your art, as though I don't understand what it means to you and expect you to change like all the men you've had no interest in. I would learn my lesson, of course, but before I could apologize you would come across me kissing another woman and misunderstand it, because it was only her trying to rekindle some old relationship that had long since passed. You'd run off before I could explain anything to you. Then when it seemed like you were going off to art school or making a hasty marriage of convenience, I would come in with a grand gesture and confess my love to you."

Claire stared at him. "Why are you so incredibly weird?"

"It was only a joke," said Garth.

"I didn't find it particularly funny," said Claire.

"Well, of course, to begin with we'd dislike each other, wouldn't we?" asked Garth. "So I think we're off to a roaring start."

"It's not a terrible idea, a false front for our mothers," said Claire. "Then an amicable breaking off after six months or so, when we've had our breathing room."

"Narratively, I think it could work, the end of the second act would be at the six month mark, when the fake breakup becomes a real breakup, and then I have to win you back," mused Garth.

"I'm being serious," said Claire, rolling her eyes. "Alright, this will be my one condition: you need to stop joking that it will lead to us falling in love with one another."

"Alas," said Garth. "My one condition was going to be that we joke about it constantly. Don't you think that it would add something to the whole arrangement, if we laid together cuddling beneath a willow tree and you said, 'haha, can you imagine if I was fool enough to fall in love with you just because my head is pressed against your chest and I can hear the hammering of your heart'?"

"So this wasn't a serious proposition disguised as a joke?" asked Claire. "It was just a joke?"

"Well, unfortunately, I'm already in love with you," said Garth. "So it's a desire for your affections disguised as a ploy to fool our mothers which has been cloaked in a joke."

"You're impossible," said Claire. She gave a small laugh. "That's it, I'm calling the fake relationship off."

"But we have to save that for the second act!" said Garth.

"No, I won't be swayed, it seemed like such a good idea several minutes ago, but now, in the cold light of the present, I can see that you're simply too immature," said Claire.

"I had wanted more time to plan my grand gesture," said Garth. "We were supposed to have a lot of plot beats where I showed you how gentle and caring I am, and revealed my hidden depths."

"It's now or never," said Claire. "I need that grand gesture to know that I wasn't a fool for falling for you."

"Alright," said Garth. He cleared his throat. "Claire, when I sat down here minutes ago and proposed that we have a fake relationship which would slowly blossom into a real one, I was just making a joke. But now that time has passed, all these fond seconds together, the joke has turned into a reality."

"It has?" asked Claire.

"Yes," said Garth. "Will you fake date me?"

Claire held in a smile. "Yes. Sure. But if we can drop the layers of irony for a moment, I do want to make it clear that I'm not charmed by you, and certainly won't fall in love with you."

"And why layer of irony was that said on?" asked Garth.

"Oh, well if you can't tell, then I'm not going to tell you," said Claire with a smile.

Garth smiled back. "You are going to be so angry with me when I reveal that this fake dating scheme was something I only did for a bet."

[inawickedlittletown]

We've Got A Long Way To Go (BuckTommy) - 12/?

Summary: A few months after the break up, Buck picks up a call that changes everything. Tommy has his own regrets, and an unexpected meeting and a change in Buck's life will bring them together. Fix-it fic. Words: 3k Read on Ao3 Chapter One - Chapter Two - Chapter Three Chapter Four - Chapter Five - Chapter Six Chapter Seven - Chapter Eight - Chapter Nine Chapter Ten - Chapter Eleven

-

Chapter Twelve

Buck took a moment for himself in the bathroom, splashing his face with water and then taking a few breaths before he walked back out and up the stairs. Seeing Tommy holding Lucas was enough to make him want to lose it. How was it that he could see it and feel it and want it and not get to keep it? Tommy was in his apartment holding his kid and maybe they had a lot left to discuss and figure out, but Buck knew he’d do anything to get to be with Tommy again. He’d do anything if he got to keep Tommy with him and Lucas. At one point between the baking and the sad looks from Maddie, Buck had thought he might return to therapy. He wondered if that was what he and Tommy needed. 

He stopped right at the top of the stairs and just watched, until Tommy turned and saw him. 

“Evan���” 

Buck moved closer. He knew what he needed to know. 

“Are you — you came here, so I want to know if it was for closure or something else?” 

He could tell that Tommy hadn’t expected that. Buck wasn’t wrong, though. Tommy was the one that showed up and wanted to talk about it. They could have gone weeks and months not discussing any of it and just being friends or something like it. The wall between them that had been erected in the moments after Tommy walked away had already been lowered the moment they ran into each other at the hospital and there was no reason to throw it back up. 

“I came for whatever you were willing to give me,” Tommy said, meeting his eyes. He looked so earnest and vulnerable. 

When Buck didn’t say anything. Tommy kept going. 

“Friendship. More. Evan, I know your life has been turned around by this…this little guy, here. But I was wrong to walk away from what we had and we have a long way to go, but I think it’s worth figuring things out. I’d be a fool if I said I stopped caring for you. These last few months, all I’ve done is miss you.” 

Buck didn’t know what to say. It was good to know that they were on the same page. He knew he wanted to jump at the opportunity to try again and yet something gave him pause. Fear, he realized. 

It wasn’t just him anymore. It was him and Lucas. It was a boy that had already lost too much and couldn’t afford to lose anyone else. Could he trust that Tommy was going to stay? Could he trust that they wouldn’t run into some other hurdle that sent Tommy running this time not just from Buck but from Lucas too. 

“I don’t know,” Buck said. 

“I…I see.” 

Buck could see the disappointment. How Tommy dropped his gaze but couldn’t hide the downturn of his lips. Buck hated it, he hated that things weren’t any easier. It didn’t help that Tommy was still holding Lucas and that Buck wanted to see him do that all the time. Buck had never understood the attraction that people had to men with babies before, not until it was Tommy with Buck’s own kid. 

“It would be different if it were just me,” Buck said. “What if you decide you don’t want me anymore? Or Lucas?”

Tommy closed the steps between them and it looked like he was trying to figure out what to say. Meanwhile, Lucas slept on him, his head on Tommy’s shoulder and his hand clinging to his flannel shirt. His cast resting neatly over Tommy’s bicep. Buck smoothed the back of Lucas’ hair. It was maybe a bit dirty. He was going to have to figure out how to bathe him in the morning. 

“I’ll always want you, Evan,” Tommy said, voice full of emotion. 

It hadn’t been enough for Tommy to stay the last time. Buck’s eyes went right to Tommy’s and it was far too easy to get lost in that blue stare. Tommy was the one to look away.  

“That’s—” 

Tommy caught his hand. “Lucas doesn’t change how I feel about you. It makes me recognize how amazing you are, probably. And even if…if you give this a chance again and we somehow mess it up. Whatever happens between us, Evan, he has me. I’ll never walk away from Lucas. I can’t promise that we won’t break up again, that’s not something either of us know, but I can promise that I’ll be in Lucas’ life no matter what. And I can promise that I won’t let fear make me run from us again.”

The conviction in his voice was strong. Buck was at a loss for words. He gripped Tommy’s hand tighter. 

“I was scared,” Tommy said. “I’m ready to admit that. I’ve never felt the way I feel about you for anyone else. We…we can talk about our exes and air all that out, but I’ve never felt the way I feel about you before. I was falling in love with you and I got scared, but I’m still—” Tommy paused, took a few breaths. “—I couldn’t stop loving you if I tried.”

Buck gasped. That was more than he’d expected. 

“Therapy,” Buck said, only just managing to get the word out. “How do you feel about couples therapy?”

Tommy chuckled. “Sweetheart, I would do just about anything you ask me to. If therapy is what you think we need then sure.” 

“Really?” 

“Of course.” 

Buck reached for Tommy’s face, tipping it up so he could look directly into his eyes. They were glassy with unshed tears. Josh had asked him if he loved Tommy and Buck hadn’t had an answer even though he knew deep down what it was. It was what had hurt the most, though Buck had tried his hardest to not admit it even to himself, when he realized he’d never even told Tommy. 

“Evan—” 

Buck leaned over Lucas to kiss him. He’d missed those lips, the way they were pillowy soft and how Tommy kissed him, gentle pressure like he didn’t want to push for more. Tenderness. It was familiar, it was their first kiss all over and it sent a thrill through Buck because it was Tommy. It was Tommy and they were kissing again. It was Tommy and he’d said he loved Buck. It was Tommy and Buck loved him too. 

“I love you too,” Buck said, breathed it against Tommy’s lips, pressed their foreheads together and closed his eyes to relish in the moment. 

-

He shouldn’t feel so complete with Lucas in his arms and Evan kissing him, but he did. It still filled him with fear, but it was fear that was competing with utter bliss. Evan had mentioned therapy and Tommy had shied away from ever thinking he needed that, but he would do it for Evan. He would do it for them if that was what it took to get to keep what they had. 

They stood together for a few moments until Evan pulled back, but not before he pressed another kiss to Tommy’s lips. Tommy had known he’d missed the quick and easy intimacy that existed between them, but not quite how much. It was like his mind had tried to push it away so he didn’t think about it all the time and remember to miss it. 

When Evan pulled away, Evan took Lucas from him and before Lucas could get too comfortable in his arms, he put him in bed, covering him with a blanket. Evan lingered there before he stepped back and turned to Tommy. Both of them stared at each other, several feet between them. Tommy knew they still needed to keep talking. There was too much still left for them to say, but he didn’t know if that was what Evan wanted right at that moment. Evan motioned for him to go downstairs and he followed, but not before moving the diaper boxes back to in front of the stairs. 

“I’ll get you that second gate tomorrow,” Tommy said. 

“I can do it, if it’s too much trouble,” Evan said. “You’ve done so much already.” 

“Hey, you have enough on your plate. Let me worry about the gate and any other baby proofing I missed. Is there anything? 

“You were fairly thorough,” Evan said, headed straight for the kitchen. “Hungry? I have cake and muffins and banana nut loaf. Cookies too.” 

“Surprise me,” Tommy said, following him. “How, uh, how did you land on baking as an outlet?”

In the six months they’d been together, Evan hadn’t baked anything once unless it was a lasagna. Tommy hadn’t even known that Evan was interested in baking or that he was so good at it. Tommy who was hopeless in the kitchen was more than a little impressed. He’d tried a little of everything Howie had made him take the other night and he was blown away. All of a sudden, he had an image of Evan baking Lucas the perfect birthday cake. Tommy didn’t even know when his birthday was. It was something they’d need to talk about too. They would do their very best to make it special. 

“It was really late one night and I wanted to call you. I missed your voice. I just…I missed you. But I didn’t know what I would say and I didn’t think you’d pick up and that was…Anyway, I didn’t think I should reach out and my bananas had gotten brown and spotty so I looked up a recipe and it kept my mind occupied. It kept my hands occupied.” 

“And you just kept doing it?” 

Evan ducked into the fridge and returned with a few things. 

“I did,” Evan said. “I had to because otherwise I would have called you and everyone told me that was a bad idea.” 

“Everyone?” 

Evan nodded. “I, uh, I didn’t tell them what happened in detail, just that you broke up with me.”

Tommy had known that already going off of what Howie had said. Had they all painted him as the villain for breaking Evan’s heart? Tommy didn’t blame them one bit. 

Evan unwrapped the foil. It already smelled delicious. 

“I mean, that’s not wrong necessarily,” Tommy said. 

Evan cut them both slices of banana bread and brought the plates over to the table so they could sit. 

“I think I’m not blameless,” Evan said. 

Tommy shook his head. “Maybe we had our issues, but I think it is mostly my fault. I wish you had called,” Tommy said. “I was too much of a coward to do it. Almost texted you a bunch of times, though.”

Evan smiled a little wistfully. “I saw. You were bubbling me.” 

“Bubbling you?” 

“You know…when you type and type and the bubble shows up. I kept waiting but you never sent anything.” 

Tommy wondered if it would have gotten them anywhere back when it was so raw and the emotions were even more heightened. Nothing he’d ever typed had ever felt like enough to explain or to open up a line of communication. He didn’t even want to think about how they wouldn’t have even gotten to where they were without the Lucas of it all. 

“Like I said. I’m a coward. But you…god, Evan, you’re so strong. You’re so brave.”

He was. He was one of the bravest people in the world and Tommy was just happy to know him. 

“But you are,” Evan was quick to say, grabbing his hand. “You are, Tommy. And I’m not even talking about the job because I know you’re capable. You went through so much and I know it wasn’t easy to be yourself for a long time. You survived it. Tommy, you came out of it and the things you did to survive were brave because they kept you alive.” 

“No,” Tommy said at once. He shook his head and tried to take his hand back from Evan, but Evan held strong. 

Tommy wasn’t brave. Especially in those days, when he’d been so deep in the closet and sure that giving himself away at all would be the worst possible thing. He’d been weak and scared and willing to hurt others through lies and through all the hate he hurled because it was safer — or at least he’d told himself it was — to hide behind a mask of ignorance and lack of acceptance. There was no denying he’d grown up seeing and hearing the worst and not just from his father. The world — society at large was homophobic. The way that he’d acted…it wasn’t something to admire. 

“Tommy?” Evan asked. 

“You shouldn’t admire that. You shouldn’t admire me or throw me on some pedestal like I’m some queer yoda or something.”

“But I do admire you,” Evan said. 

Tommy was starting to feel the panic that he’d felt that day when they broke up. Lesser than then, because of everything he knew now. Evan loved him. He loved Evan. They weren’t something casual that could end at any moment. 

“You said that Abby dated a himbo after you,” Evan said. “She did. You weren’t wrong about that. I was a piece of work back then. Ask Hen and Chim. Bobby, even. I stole the ladder truck to go meet up with a hook up. I stole it a second time to meet up with someone I met on a call. And the whole time I felt empty, like the sex was great and I had a connection with someone but it never stayed. No one ever stayed or wanted more. I didn’t even meet Abby in person for weeks because I didn’t want to just sleep with her and screw everything up. Then after we did finally meet I was swept up into it never realizing Abby was just in it for fun and a distraction from her mom while I was thinking it could be a lot more.”

They didn’t really talk about it. Evan had dropped the information about them sharing Abby as an ex, but they didn’t get into the details. Tommy didn’t think he wanted the details. Evan had called his relationship with Abby transformative, had compared it to what he and Evan had. Maybe to Evan that had been a good comparison, but Tommy hadn’t taken it that way, because after all whatever Abby had meant to Evan it had come to an end. 

“My point is,” Evan said. “Neither of us is perfect, Tommy, but we’re not the people we were once. I’m not that kid in my first serious relationship or the one that slept with any girl that came across. I like who I’ve become and you opened up my eyes to parts of myself I didn’t even know about but that doesn’t make this any less important. I like who I am now and I love who you are.” 

Evan’s thumb moved gently over the back of Tommy’s hand. Tommy’s mind was in a whirl. He’d felt so bad when Evan revealed he was the guy that Tommy had referred to as a himbo because that wasn’t Evan at all, not the way that Tommy knew him. The last thing Tommy would use to describe him with was himbo. 

“We have a lot to learn about each other,” Tommy said at long last. “A lot to talk about still. Abby being one of them.”

“Yeah,” Evan said. He offered a tentative smile. “We can’t ignore the hard things anymore. We’ll communicate. It’s the only way this works between us and with Lucas.” 

Tommy already knew how it had gone when he ran the last time. He knew how empty and lonely his life had been. He wouldn’t run. It wasn’t the way they were going to end again and he really did hope that this time they got it right. He thought they might, even, solely because of how much the both of them wanted it. That was a revelation to Tommy, as well, and maybe he really had had himself convinced that Evan didn’t take them seriously enough. 

“I really do love you, Evan,” Tommy said. “I think that’s the easy part.” 

“Someone told me once that love isn’t something you find. It’s something you make. But, we did find each other, and we can make whatever we want out of this together.”

“Yes,” Tommy said. “That’s…that’s what we’ll do.” 

The smile that Evan gave him was wide and bright and he was leaning towards Tommy and Tommy met him halfway and felt Evan’s fingers on his jaw. Their lips slid together into a perfect kiss and Tommy was reminded of their very first kiss. How Tommy had taken a huge risk and how Evan had responded like Tommy had just given him all the answers. 

Evan pulled back slowly and Tommy opened his eyes to see his pleased little smile. It was a smile that Tommy was never going to tire of. 

They had a lot of things to still talk about, but all of that could wait. Tommy didn’t think that there was anything that could scare him away. Not this time. He wouldn’t do that to himself and he definitely wouldn’t do that to Evan. Certainly not to Lucas. One break up was enough. 

“If I didn’t have a kid in my bed I’d ask you to stay,” Evan said after a while, his words taken over by a yawn. 

“Maybe that’s a good thing. We should…we should start slow. Ease into it.” 

“That’s probably for the best,” Evan said and he yawned again. 

The lack of sleep from the last few days was probably catching up to him.

“I should go and let you get to bed,” Tommy said. 

Evan’s smile deflated a little. 

“I’ll be back tomorrow with another baby gate,” Tommy said. 

Tommy stayed long enough to finish eating the banana bread, but then he stood and let Evan walk him to the door. They lingered there without opening it, but Tommy knew he needed to leave and that Evan needed to catch up on his sleep. Still, they drifted close to each other and exchanged kisses until Tommy made himself pull away. 

“Text me when you get home?” 

“Of course. I’ll see you tomorrow, Evan.” 

[blogurlnotfound]

A Trip to Rome - Doctor Who x Reader

heyyy I started writing this last april and then disappeared for... a while... and finished it today lol. anyways, I hope you enjoy! let me know your thoughts :)

11th Doctor x Reader

Word Count: 2,600+

Summary: After traveling with The Doctor for a while, you finally decide to go to Rome. While getting ready, you realize your feelings for The Doctor might be more than platonic. Could he feel the same way about you?

No warnings :) any gender reader

You had been traveling with The Doctor for a while now. Maybe close to a year, but you weren't 100% sure because it was hard to keep track of time. It didn't take you long to figure that out either, you really stopped counting the days after around three months.

You probably stopped then because subconsciously something in you knew that your days with The Doctor would never end. Subconsciously, you were in love with The Doctor.

You had never been good at differentiating platonic and romantic feelings. All your past partners had revealed their feelings to you and then you started developing feelings of your own. It didn't mean you were any less in love with them, it just meant you needed a little more pushing. But with The Doctor it was different.

"Y/N!" The Doctor exclaims your name excitedly, "Where do you wanna go today?" He clasps his hands together and breaks into a childlike smile from ear to ear.

You look at him from your spot in the library. It was a beautiful place to sit. The book shelves covered every wall and spread like a forest through the room. The thousands of books gave the room a permanent smell of old parchment, a smell that you delightfully filled your lungs with whenever you entered the library. Vines covered the book shelves and ceiling, somehow without sunlight on The TARDIS. And, of course, the swimming pool was in there too.

"Hmmm," you place your finger to your lips, thinking, while a smile creeps onto your lips. "Ooo how about Rome? I've always wanted to go! I used to be-"

"I've already been to Rome." He responds with a frown.

"But you haven't been with me!" You say with a wink. "C'mon, let's go," you start, grabbing his arm and dragging him behind you towards the door. "We're gonna find me the perfect outfit in the TARDIS's wardrobe!"

You hear him chuckle loudly in response, you can tell his frown has turned into an even bigger smile than before. What you couldn't see, was the blush that tainted his cheeks. "Alright, fine. We'll go to Rome!"

-+-

"y/n, you've been looking in there for an hour! Is there really nothing 'worthy of Rome'?" You couldn't see him, but you knew he was being dramatic with flailing arms and exaggerated expressions.

"You know, you don't have to be so dramatic and impatient all the time! It's not like we're in a hurry. We've got all the time in the world." You yell back from the spot you're changing.

Maybe he wasn't being that dramatic about you taking an hour, but he was unbearably impatient most of the time. One time, the two of you had gone to a traveling carnival planet (The Doctor wouldn't elaborate on how the planet could travel) and he complained about the lines having a thirty minute wait. He'd hate Disney World.

You looked at yourself in the mirror. You liked your outfit. It was simple, and you were sure you were going to fit in with the common people. Well, if The Doctor is able to land in the right time period, apparently it's harder than it looks.

"Haha, very funny." He says deadpanned.

You roll your eyes and make your way out towards him. Once you were in his sight, he couldn't look away. He was in awe of you. "Sooo, do you like the fit?" You spun in a circle to show him the whole thing, "I feel like a true Roman peasant!" You said fake dreamily, bringing your arms to your face.

He just stares at you.

"Doctor?" Your brows furrowed in confusion, "You okay?"

He snaps out of it. His posture straightens and he turns on his heel away from you, "Yup, yup, all good. No problemo. Whatsoever. Ready to go?"

"My outfit?" You say with a small frown. He spins back towards you, and you grab the clothing fabric to show him.

"What?"

"Do you like it, Doctor?" 

"Yes y/n, I do." He walked towards you and grabbed your hands in his, "I like everything you wear."

You look into his eyes and smile softly. A small blush forms across your face. He smiles back at you with so much care and love. You can feel your heart skip a beat.

"Thank you." you softly say. "Are you going to change too?" You look down at his outfit. He wears it everyday. His cute little brown tweed jacket and 'cool' bowtie. Of course he looked nice, it was a nice outfit, but not exactly Roman material.

"What's wrong with my outfit?" The way he says it is reminiscent of a toddler. It's funny how someone who has experienced so many lives can act so young sometimes.

"Well, it's not exactly suited for the Roman Empire, is it?" You reach your hand up to his bowtie and play with it, "I don't even think this would exist yet." You meet his eyes again.

The way he's looking at you feels new. You realize that you've never really been this close to The Doctor, except in life threatening situations. This felt domestic. His eyes were full of admiration, not fear or strategy. You felt warm and safe. You felt like you're where you're meant to be.

"I suppose you're right." He reaches his hands up to the bowtie. His hands hover over yours.

"I always am." You say, letting a breath out.

You both just stand there. Looking into each other's eyes. Feeling his hands over yours as his chest rises and falls with each breath. Your eyes flicker down, looking at his soft pink lips.

You pull away.

"Um, I'll wait for you at the console." You quickly go into the TARDIS hallway.

What was that? What just happened? Was he flirting? Were you flirting? Did you like him? Did he like you? Why did you want to kiss him and stay in his arms forever?

You get to the console and place your elbows on it, then place your face in your hands. "Ohh y/n, what are you doing!" you grumble out loud. "You can't like The Doctor, he's not a relationship person! I doubt he's ever even been in a relationship!" You groan loudly into your palms, "What is wrong with me?"

You rub your eyes, then your cheeks, and then your temples in an attempt to relax your brain. It might've worked, if The Doctor didn't walk into the console room looking like a Roman god. Now you were in awe. Starting at his exposed arms that shine under the TARDIS light, his disheveled brown hair that makes you think about other things, and his smile that always brightens your day.

"And how's my outfit?" He greets, spinning in a circle as you did.

You take a moment to answer. "I think we'll fit right in."

You smile at each other.

-+-

The city of Rome was a lot busier than you had expected. There were hundreds of people walking the cobblestone paths and quite a large number of horse-drawn wagons too. The people of Rome were fast-paced, many of them dashing past you and The Doctor as you two casually strolled along the roads. Your face was plastered with a smile from the moment you exited the TARDIS. Being in the place you've always dreamed of being was... well a dream come true!

"So my dear y/n," he says clasping his hands together cheerily, "what is it that you wanted to do? Watch a fight in the Colosseum? Try to chat with the Emperor? Visit the Vestal Virgins?" He wraps an arm around your shoulders, and with mischief in his voice he continues, "haggle with some local merchants for authentic Roman artifacts?" He wiggles his eyebrows at you with a smile as you laugh.

You push him off of you, "You're such a dork Doctor. Why do you even want to haggle? Don't you have plenty of souvenirs from the other times you've been here?" You roll your eyes playfully at him as you start walking into the market.

"Well, yes... but I've never haggled in Rome with you, y/n!" He jogs a little to catch up to you, "So, what do you say? Should we start with the man with the hefty moustache on your left or the lady selling sandals up ahead?"

"I never said yes to haggling!"

"Oh but you never said no!" He took your hand in his and headed towards the sandal selling lady, "Hellooo ma'am, my lovely wife here had just broken her favorite sandal last week! This beautiful one right here," he pointed to one with gems lining the sandal strap, "would just be a perfect replacement as her new favorite?" He phrased it like a question and looked at the lady, pleading with his eyes.

You were a little confused, but tried your best to not show it on your face by feigning a smile at her. Why had he called you his 'lovely wife'? He'd never done such a thing before.

"They're 10 silver coins each." The lady responded deadpanned.

"Oh, ma'am, we've just given our son all our silver coins. We only have a few bronze ones," He reached his hand into his pocket (where he was apparently stashing coins?) and showed her a handful of bronze coins. "Would this be enough?"

She crossed her arms and looked at him and then at you. The Doctor's plan clearly wasn't working.

You put on your best sad face, "Please miss? Our son, he's... he's not well. He hasn't been well in ages. Some new sandals would just make me so happy and make caring for him a little bit easier." She doesn't budge. "Please?" You force your eyes to water, pleading with her as best you can.

"Fine." She says sternly as she snatches the coins from The Doctor's hand. "Just take it and go."

You grab the sandals and quickly walk away from the market stand, The Doctor right behind you.

Once you’re out of her sight, you turn to The Doctor and push his chest playfully, "You could've at least told me our cover story, Doctor!"

He laughs boastfully, "That wouldn't have been nearly as fun! Plus you did a great job! No prep needed."

"Ugh, you're so stupid." You can't help but smile at him. "C'mon let's go find someone else to swindle." You grab his hand and lead him farther into the city.

-+-

A few swindled people later and you were starving, and so The Doctor took you to his favorite restaurant in Rome. It was hidden in an alley, and was quite fancy for the time period. You were sitting at a small table for two that overlooked the ancient city, a lit candle in between you two and glasses of wine in front of you. It was almost romantic. 

“I had a lot of fun today Doctor,” You say to him, “this was a nice, and needed, break from being chased by aliens.”

He laughs softly and looks up at you with a soft smile, “I had a lot of fun too, y/n. I'm glad you convinced me to take you to Rome. Last time I was here I was nearly killed!”

“When are you not nearly killed on your travels?” you smile cheekily at him, endearment in your eyes.

“That's a good point y/n,” He grabs his wine glass and raises it in the air, “let's make a toast. A toast to a nice, relaxing day in Rome.”

You clink your glass against his, “Cheers to that.” You both take a drink of your wine and sit silently for a moment, admiring the city below.  

“We should do this more often.”

“Do what? Come to Rome?” 

“Have relaxing days. Just the two of us. Exploring cities without the threat of losing you. We should have more dinners too, with fancy wine and fancy cheese.”

“Careful Doctor, if I didn't know you I’d think you were saying we should go on dates.” You laugh to yourself. You wished that was what he was asking. Of course you loved going on life threatening adventures with him, but the human in you wanted connection and love. And after your moment with him this morning, you couldn't stop wanting him to be that connection and love. 

“Well… what if I was?” His hand reaches behind his head and he begins nervously scratching the nape of his neck. 

You're definitely lost. “Wait, what?”

“What if I was saying we should go on dates, y/n? Is that something you’d want to do?”

“Well I um…. I…” you're flustered and tripping over your words. This is not where you expected today to go. “Um, I would really like that to be honest. But, I didn't think you were the dating type? I mean you're always traveling from place to place and you've never mentioned past relationships and-”

“y/n.” He stops you before you ramble, “You're right, I'm not usually the dating type. In fact I don't usually allow myself to fall in love. But traveling with you, y/n, it's been life changing. And trust me, I've lived a lot of lives. Something about you is different. I wasn't able to fight it. And after today I don't want to anymore. The thought of settling down in one place isn't so scary anymore, not if I'm with you.” 

“Wait I- I don't understand. Are you saying you love me?”

“Yeah y/n, I think I am.”

You stare at him blankly, unable to form a thought in your head. 

“I love you y/n. I've loved you for a long time but I haven't been able to admit it. You're very special to me. You're my companion. My y/n.”

You didn't know what to say. You didn't even know what to think. When you first met The Doctor you had no idea anything like this would happen (well to be fair you had no idea anything that happened to you would happen). “I think I love you too?”

“You think? Why are you saying it like a question? I just confessed my love for you and you say, ‘I think I love you too?’” he repeats you mockingly, “What kind of response is that?!” 

You burst out into laughter, “Okay, okay, I’m sorry, I'm sorry. I love you too, Doctor. And I agree, we should do this more often.” 

He smiles softly at you with a twinkle in his eyes. “You're so beautiful when you laugh.”

“Shut up, idiot.” You say while blushing, trying to hide the smile on your face. 

“Mmmm, no I don't think I will.” He stands up from his seat across from you and reaches his arm out to you, “Dance with me?”

“Dance without any music?”

He pulls out his sonic screwdriver from his pocket and points it into the air, it makes the soft whirring sound you're oh so familiar with, and orchestral music begins to play, “C’mon, you don't have an excuse now.” He smiles cheekily at you.

You roll your eyes and grab his hand while standing up. He pulls you in close to his body, you softly shout in surprise, and he begins to sway you back and forth. He’s smiling down at you with love, care, and admiration clearly in his eyes. They sparkle while they search across your face, taking in your beaming smile and similar look in your eyes. 

He leans down and places a soft kiss on your lips, which of course you reciprocate. You lean your head against his chest and sway together with the music.

“I love you, my y/n.”

“I love you too, my Doctor.” 

[rachetmath]

Ruby: Hey Jaune where are you going?

Jaune: Well Ruby I was asking around town to see if I could find a teacher.

Ruby: A teacher? Why were you looking for a teacher?

Jaune: To train with.

Ruby: Jaune come on. You're fine. You don't need a teacher.

Jaune: Okay but I need a break.

Ruby: From what?

Jaune: Woman after the emotional rollercoaster we had. I need to figure some stuff out.

Ruby: You can figure it out with us.

Jaune: No.

Ruby: Why not?!

Jaune: This is something I need to do alone. I can't be worrying about you and have you cuddling me all the time.

Ruby: We need you though.

Jaune: You have your team and my team. Which I’m not apart of no more. What do you need me for?

Ruby: Healing.

Jaune: Ruby, for how long we've spent together, no one has gotten injured that badly.

Ruby: Nora-

Jaune: She did that to herself. Plus I am now the odd man out. What need is there for me other than being in danger?

Ruby: You can be with Qrow.

Jaune: No. He has Robyn and Harriet.

Ruby: Come on.

Jaune: Ruby I need this. I need a training arc to get back on my feet. I need to figure out what I'm going after all this. Especially, after Alyx despite everything gave a second chance. I’m not wasting this.

Ruby: What are you talking about?

Jaune: Ruby, I couldn't save Pyrrha. I couldn't save Penny. Oscar. Alyx.

Ruby: Wait, you did save Oscar.

Jaune: Not before Emerald.

Ruby: oh.

Jaune: I’m just saying, I want to live to see my family again. So I need to get more experience and training to become stronger because obviously the roles I have are not a good fit for me.

Ruby; Hm. Good point. Good point.

Afterwards

Weiss: You let him go!!?

Ruby: Absolutely.

Yang: Why?

Ruby: I mean I understand. I thought I took L’s but him, nope.

Blake: But Ruby-

Ruby; Blake. He cheated Beacon. He almost dies multiple times. Every girl he meets either dies or hoes him in some way. And he was trapped on an island for years. Okay? He’s an uncle to a lesbian couple's son. He has a family who he may not be on good terms with. Also, in theory, didn’t Raven burn down the village him and his family used to go to? Probably the last good memory he had of his family.

Qrow: Oh shit she did.

Ruby: Oh my god. How was Raven not on his kill list along with Cinder?

Qrow: Yeah, we might not need to avoid telling him.

Ruby: All I’m saying is the guy has been through hell by himself. I say let him breathe.

Weiss: Are you serious?!

Ruby: Bitch don’t be mad at me! You only started liking him cause you were simp for the Rusted Knight. Hell, didn’t he save you like three times either from embarrassment or death? And didn’t you start off as immature as you thought he was?

Weiss:: Um.

Ruby: Exactly.

Nora: Ruby, that’s not fair. He’s our teammate. And our leader.

Ruby: Oh, so now you care?

Nora: What did you say?

Ruby: I mean Sakura-

Nora: Nora.

Ruby: No, Sakura, you can’t keep choosing when you want to start being a good teammate.

Nora: Excuse me. I’ll have you know-

Ruby: Don’t you be rude to him sometimes.

Nora: Um.

Ruby: You're also never there. In fact, you and Ren majority of the time are useless.

Ren: What?!

Ruby: Like you're never around when he needs you. And no, that portal thing doesn’t count. That was our fault. However, you two always prioritize each other but never Jaune. In fact, you two halfway almost left us to fight a giant grimm. Let Jaune face a maiden by himself, knowing his skill level is average.

Nora: Ruby that was months ago. Get over it.

Ruby: Alright, so where were you in the Cardin situation? Where were you during the Pyrrha situation? In fact how come you two were the first out when Neo showed up.?

Nora: Um.

Yang: In fact, isn’t Jaune kind of the one who saved your relationship by talking with Ren?

Ren: Um.

Ruby: Exactly. Like I said Sakura, you can’t choose to be a good team member when you want to be. So be a good girl and stay with your Sasuke.

Nora: Little bi- *tries to strike Ruby*

Ren: *hold Nora back* No Nora, calm down!

Nora: No way I’m taking that disrespect!

Ruby: Plus, he had a point. We barely get hurt. We rarely do defense. And the majority of our battles rarely require strategy. I hate to say it but strength is everything. And Jaune has the potential to outweigh us in every category.

Ren: Ruby, he is a healer.

Ruby: And you’re supposed to be a ninja and a skilled fighter but you're just as useless as your girlfriend.

Ren: … …

Oscar: Well Aura Amplification is more than just healing it increases other people's abilities.

Ruby: Oh really. Okay, Oscar, I have one question. Who here now needs Jaune to help amplify their abilities?

Oscar: Um.

Ruby: Mind you Ren is able to cover multiple people without Jaune’s help now. And Weiss barely needs healing either. So who?

Oscar: … Nobody.

Ruby: NOBODY. So let Jaune use his semblance for him. He needs it more than us. Maybe it has multiple purposes that we don’t know about.

Yang: But Ruby he’s not built like us.

Ruby: *stares at Yang*

Yang: What?

Ruby: I-I should- You are- Oo I… Keep it together Ruby. No need to bury this bitch along with your mom. She still raised you.

Yang: What? What did I say wrong?

Ruby: Yang, if Jaune stopped giving Fs about everything, he basically be a monster.

Yang: Wait rea-Really?

Ruby: Yes he goes there sometimes. He did it Heaven not giving a f about the situation and went for Cinder. In Argus, he didn’t think twice about stealing an airship and was ready to put his hands on Oscar.

Yang: Until you stopped him.

Ruby: You must not have seen his eyes he was ready to fight me too.

Yang: Oh.

Ren: And in Atlas he was ready to risk our lives to save Oscar.

Yang: True.

Blake: And again he look me in the eyes after we tried to stop him from killing the Curious Cat. Honey, he is close to being up there.

Yang: He’s got that Beowolf in him.

Ruby: Damn straight. Look. Let’s just give Jaune some space. Let him readjust back to Remnant. And let him find his strength. Alright? Now if you excuse me I need to find someone.

Yang: Who?

Ruby: Raven. She was the last one to see my mom so I need to hear her side of the story of what happened. It may end this stupid family feud we got. Later.*leaves*

Oscar: Hey where’s Emerald?

Somewhere

Jaune: I recall wanting to be alone. Why are you here?

Emerald: Emotional Support.

Jaune: I don’t need emotional support.

Emerald: Not you. Me.

Jaune: And what makes you think I am available, capable or interested in helping you?

Emerald: First, you have zero reasons to trust me. Two, I need screen time now because I’m a major player. So being a side character in your story can work. Three, I’m not like Pyrrha or Weiss, I can like you for my own reasons other than you being the “Rusted Knight” or your potential. And I might not be as linit with you as the others. I can show you, tough love.

Jaune: And what do I gain from this?

Emerald: My actual loyalty.

[themultifandomgal]

Jay- Trying For A Baby/Finding Out

Jay and I knew that as soon as we got married we both wanted to have a child. So in anticipation Jay and I move into a larger house a couple of months after we come home from our honeymoon. This time a three bedroomed house.

I came off the pill the day of our wedding and since then my period has been all over the place so I've just been taking a test every week, but it's starting to become a little disheartening so I've decided to stop taking a test until I have any symptoms. Jay and I walk through the doors of the precinct. Trudy buzzes us in and we head up to intelligence

"Good morning YLN, Halstead it's good of you to join us" Voight says crossing his arms

"Sorry we're late. Our hot water wasn't working this morning" I sigh putting my bag down at my desk

"Used it up last night?" Adam wiggles his eyebrows

"Not that it's any of your business, no. The boilers fucked so that needs replacing" I snap at Adam who holds his hands up. I go over to the break room and pour myself a coffee. Adam walks in behind me "sorry I didn't mean to snap at you. I've got a headache and I keep getting negative tests back and now the boiler. It's just getting to me"

"You don't have anything to apologise for. Here" Adam opens up a cupboard and takes out some pain killers "for the head"

"Thanks" I smile at him and take two tablets with my coffee.

I walk back to my desk and sit down starting to look at possible connections to the drug cartel we've been looking at the last couple of weeks. While I'm sitting there I start rubbing my head as the headache continues to get worse as I'm staring at the screen in front of me

"I think I've got something" Antonio says standing up. He walks over to the board with something in his hand. I stand up, but immediately feel dizzy so I sit back down as my ears ring

"YN?" I hear Jay say. I look up at him

"Your headache not getting better?" Adam frowns

"No. I feel a little dizzy. My stomachs cramping a little as well. Guess it's my period coming"

"Go lay down" Voight nods towards the beds we have. I stand up but as I do I decide to sit back down

"I'm gonna pass out if I stand up" I say to no one in particular

"Lean on me when you stand up. I'll carry you" once again I stand up and lean on Jay who picks me up and carries me to the break room and puts lays me down on a bed

"Go to sleep see how you feel afterwards" Jay kisses my head and leaves the room. Only 20 minutes later I need the loo. Slowly I stand up and start to make my way to the toilet, but the last thing I remember is my ears ringing and my eyesight going.

I wake up to a white ceiling and a hand in mine

"Thank god your awake. You scared me" I turn to look at Jay who looks worried

"What happened?" I ask

"You passed out when you got out of the bed" Will walks into the room as I say

"I needed a wee. I didn't piss myself did I?"

"Typical. You pass out and your more worried about wetting yourself" he chuckles

"No babe you didn't, but we know why you passed out?"

"Period?" I ask looking between Jay and Will

"No. Natalie checked you over and ran some tests"

"Oh god am I dying?" I ask wide eyed

"No baby will you let Will speak"

"Sorry"

"Your pregnant YN. You and Jay are going to be parents. And I'm going to be an uncle" Will smiles. I frown feeling confused. Natalie walks in

"How are you feeling YN?"

"I... I'm... I took a pregnancy test a few days ago. It was negative so I decided I wasn't going to take anymore until I had symptoms"

"Tests aren't always accurate or when you took it you may have been to early for it to detect. Now, I'm going to have you rest up for a couple of weeks while this dizziness passes. Don't hesitate to come back if it continues or if you experience a lot of sickness. I can give you some tablets for that"

"I'll let Voight know we're taking some time off"

"We?"

"Well yeah I need to make sure you don't pass out on the way to the bathroom" I smile shaking my head

"I'll be fine"

"She will as long as she rests up and drinks plenty"

"Thank you Nat"

"No problem. I'll have Maggie get your release forms ready. Congratulations to the both of you"

"We're really going to have a baby?" I ask with tears in my eyes

"We really are" Jay says leaning down to me, peaking my lips.

[an-au-blog]

We've all seen Sora take the kids and marry Zeff or leaving Zeff custody of Sanji but hear me out: Sora doesn't die and is the one to break Sanji out of the dungeon and escapes with him. They're in some no name town in the East Blue and Sanji sneaks on to Mihawk's little coffin boat to loot him and take it back to his mom and gets caught. Mihawk walks him back to Sora who apologizes profusely and Mihawk can see that shes ill and that they're clearly out of their depth and for whatever reason, his mind cannot fathom it honestly, he offers to take the Kuraigana with him. Sora and Sanji agree too, for whatever reason, maybe they're scared because they know who he is, or they're just that desperate. Either way they agree and leave with him.

They make a supply stop a couple islands away because Mihawk realizes they have nothing except a shared back pack of clothes and that's it. Sanji is trying not to hide behind his mom from Mihawk but he's a kid who's been through a lot and Mihawk reminds him of his brothers and Judge. Mihawk gets them a few outfits and picks up some more food because of how thin they both are. When they check into an inn and Sanji's asleep Sora finds Mihawk and thanks him and says she had to save her son.

Not even a month after they're all settled in his home Mihawk finds himself extremely endeared to this duo and hopes they never leave, it takes him another three to say it and Sora cries happily and Sanji nods. Sora has taken over most of the cleaning and Sanji cooks with Mihawk a lot and Sora has improved greatly. The dynamic isnt perfect by any means but it works for them. Sometimes Sanji's nightmares will wake Mihawk up before they wake him up so Mihawk will sit with him until they do or he calms down. Sora knows a lot about caring for weapons and instruments so she'll tune the piano or clean his antique swords.

Woops Mihawk is in love and suddenly has a wife and child he didn't think he would and Newgate is going to laugh at him. Doesn't even necessarily think of the implications or anything just tells them at dinner over their plates. They don't leave until Sanji decides to go work at Baratie when he's a teen and then joins the straw hat crew. Life goes on. Everyone thinks Sanji's an orphan still since he doesn't talk about his parents. His parents read the paper.

When Perona appears Sora confirms it's not her pink haired daughter but she'll take another. And then look! Zoro's here, Sanji's nakama and the kid Mihawk almost killed, how charming. Zoro's really confused because Mihawk in the castle is different from the master training him and he's a lot softer and kind towards Sora. Sora asks them both about their adventures in pirating and such.

Zoro asks point blank if she's Sanji's mom and she laughs and mentions how that's so Sanji to not talk about them and Mihawk mentions how smart that is because otherwise oops, they're either down a son or Mihawk's bounty is unfrozen. Sora jokes that need two more to make up for the other two she has and Mihawk tells her that they cannot keep collecting kids.

Zoro is absolutely gonna kick Sanji's ass.

That's a whole-ass fix right there, damn! I actually love any au where Sora doesn't die, I don't wanna see her go ngl hahaha ':)

And I genuinely think she can melt almost anyone's heart. But have you thought about the Sanji repressions??? He's already canonically bitchy but now he'll have all the sass from Mihawk as well????? I think that'd be absolutely hilarious!

Plus that would mean that Mihawk was going to the Baratie to check in on his son, that's so cute omg :') And that could also be an excuse for why he didn't kill Sanji's "new friend" during his fight with Zoro.

Also why do I feel like Mihawk would try his damned best to make Sanji call him father instead of dad and Sanji would do it just to spite him.

Sanji: thanks for uh... you know... not killing my new crewmates

Mihawk: I guess it couldn't be helped

Sanji: Whatever, bye dad

Mihawk absolutely not having the heart to correct him at this point:... yeah.

Also Sora adopting Perona during ts makes me so happy. She would brush and braid her hair thinking if she'll ever have the chance to do it with her biological daughter. So that only makes her want to savour every moment with Perona while she can. And I think Perona would love Sora as well, she loves cute and pretty things so they'd make a great dynamic just absolutely driving Mihawk up the wall by redecorating... or as he calls it "ruining the aesthetic" or his castle.

Also... for the haha's: Sanji knowing way yoo much about swords would confused the hell out of Zoro. Not to mention that once Zoro finds out about his connection to Mihawk, I feel like he'd want to fight him even more than he already does. Bonus if Sanji is actually a really skilled swordman.

[felldragon]

You mentioned that Seofon means a lot to you and I just felt the need to say that, yeah, same

I used to be a pretty casual Granblue player who was mostly around for Belial and about a year ago I developed a strange fascination with Seofon, to a point that I got a bunch of my friends into him as well (including Shades, it's my fault). I was apprehensive about recruiting an Eternal, so I got Seofon from the freebie I got after Seeds of Redemption in early February

...I then recruited the other nine Eternals over the course of the next seven months

Just yesterday I transcended Seofon for the third time

Which meant clawing my way to victory against Ewiyar in a grueling solo battle, but I pushed through. For. For him

I used to be so casual and I've been getting nonstop Platinum every month since March. I've gotten so much stronger, especially in Wind. Can you guess why? It's all his fault

First perpetuity ring and everything

I used the free revans weapon we got from the anni event to get a Sette di Spade because I can't do revans raids yet and I've been using it ever since too -

He just gives me a lot of feelings

The friend group keeps making jokes that ever since he noticed my interest, we've been getting a lot of content for him as well, Heart of the Sun and Last Sumo Warrior and Relink and the Grandcypher Kitchen and his art for the orchestra concert and who knows what else

I also had to grind like crazy in Relink to unlock him immediately when I hadn't unlocked Proud quests yet so I spent hours farming Ahrimans, so I'm used to suffering for him at least

I just wanted to get that off my chest as I am the resident Most Normal Seofon Anon

Anyway, he's pretty great I guess (understatement of the century)

OH. YOU... So you're finally in my inbox hmm?~ heheh... yes i have seen you around, what a lovely pleasure it is to answer an ask from the fabled Most Normal Seofon Anon...

anyway... this is a beautiful story. like actually... seofon really is contagious 97% of the time... i really understand where you're coming from, because most of my seofon insanity is posted on Other Sites and such, which means Tumblr is Spared from half the things i say... but it made me... really happy? to see that people found out who seofon is because of me on those sites! like i ran a poll on twitter and a huge chunk of people said they found out about him because of me... so you anon, are my kindred, truly. i get you. you get me. 🌟

like people even call me an authority on him and send me posts with him and it makes me go Woah. I've had an impact on the people. they see this freak and think of me... let's spread the illness together...

BUT ENOUGH ABOUT ME, LET ME JUST. SAY. GOOD JOB WITH ALL OF THAT!!!!! CONGRATS ON STAGE 3 TRANSCENDENCE!!! YAY!!!!!! 💓 let's work on stages 4 + 5 together... ^__^ i'll think of you from now on when i work on 5*'ing the other eternals~

i get going crazy over him and doing crazy grinds over him. i actually logged my progress on his first stage last year, where you can see i went pretty insane in a short period of time. 😳 unfortunately due to my health i have this tendency of going Wild for a bit and then taking breaks. but hey. if it works...? (do not get me started on the evoker grind pre-rank 200. i fought 1300 six dragon raids in three days to get 3 sands... >_< but that's offtopic so---)

i'm over rank 200, so i get to visit seofon whenever i want (i also have my siero academy permanently stuck on the v2 battle with seofon)

BUT YEAAAAAAH THANKS FOR DROPPING BY SEOFON ANON!!!!! feel free to keep me updated on how you're doing~ maybe to inspire you i'll drop a silly picture of my seofon mochi kororin in a Situation next time you're in my inbox. for now i'll leave you with this video. which i think will really resonate with you.

lore about this video is that i just got out of the ER and just felt the need to make it. the hospital drugs told me to.