#UGH i want a pump SO bad it would make my life SO much better FUCK

[snapcracklepop-myjoints]

what i want to know is this. theyre using refitted insulin pumps for cortisol pumping. they have studies showing continuous glucose monitoring helps fine-tune corticosteroid dosing for adrenal insufficiency. but ive seen nothing abt ppl doing cortisol pumping using the ??? built in cgm ?????? hello ???

[kirby-the-gorb]

reply roundup!

reminder that there's actual stuff on the patreon once again, link in the pinned post :)

@capitalismdisruptedmybarbeque added an [image description] for blanket, thank you!

also thank you for all the boops, what a good website feature.

@optimus-jetpack asked: What is your favorite Kirby game? Probably asked before but I'm new to Tumblr and I love your drawings

my actual favorite is epic yarn, but if we're talking mainline only it's either crystal shards or forgotten land! I grew up with crystal shards and the design in forgotten land is super charming (as is the design in epic yarn lol). and thank you!

on [do not fuck with me] @nogoinghomegame said: roman reigns

how does it feel to be the funniest person on this website? I still think about this and it's been 2 months.

on [quicksand] @graycoin said: Yeah...that sounds like a rough day. :/ I hope all that leads to something better, at least.

thanks. I'll get the rest of the paperwork turned in this month and then we'll see I guess -n- (and thanks for all your other supportive words too)

on [pudding] @xurkitreeking said: I want to eat your art, i feel like it would make a satisfyingly cronch like one of those puffed air chip

omg that's so nice??? like puffed rice or something yeah, I can totally see what you mean

on [pudding] @ceylonsilvergirl said: I know things like spills are technically so small, but when you’re already at the end of your rope it’s fascinating how something like this can send you into a crying fit. you held it together so well for so long, and this was the straw that broke the camel’s back

ugh yeah sometimes when there's already So Much you just look at it and you're like. haven't I already been through enough. but it's like, kind of a "safe" thing to get upset about? because it's obvious to anyone there that it happened and that it's unambiguously negative, even if it is only minor, and it's also not like you're taking space away from someone else or whatever.

on [reborn] @ceylonsilvergirl said: I’m not allowed to watch any more, after I laughed so hard I gave myself an asthma attack

that's so tragic, this world is in shambles

they also did a delightful [expansion] of [outline] that's just so fun honestly, I love that every single object has the same gormless expression that kirby already had lol

on [bug] @theraphos said: me irl, literally i was about to clean the tub earlier and noticed this baby spider that was seriously just a fuckin. dot. i somehow managed to get it in a cup unharmed

whenever there's a spider in like, the shower, or the sink, I always worry so much about it going unnoticed and getting drowned until I know it's moved somewhere safer (we are a pro-spider household)

on [injection] @fakejtwelve said: I hope new meds work well for you 💜

thank you! so far I feel about as bad as usual except that my nose is finally not congested. which I guess is something. (it usually takes a couple months to really kick in so there is still grounds for hope!)

on [ghost] @11-eyed-rook said: this purple is a good purple thank you

there are many good purples in the world :)

anonymous asked: what is kirby's favorite swear word

honestly I think he's partial to "fuck", it's just got a good arrangement of consonants in it. easy to apply forcefully to a variety of scenarios.

on [eyebrows] @joekingv1 said: *asks baby what is their secret*

they definitely do not have a brown marker hidden behind their back :) don't bother checking you can trust them :)

on [pumpkin] @beardedhandstoadshark said: oh my god. Look at the lad. so round, so happy, so pumped (ha) to be here. no candles in and already glowing. happy halloween to everyone but especially this pumpkin (also as someone who can't cut circles for the life of me, let alone small ones, this seems genuinely impressive)

thanks! tbh my partner just handed me a steak knife and let me go, I smoothed it out some by just kinda like, jamming a finger in there to mush down any particularly jagged parts. it was a small pumpkin which probably helped.

@edgywithaheart asked: opinions on terminalmontages kirbo ?

excellent shape, excellent face. not all the jokes are For Me but clearly others enjoy them.

[sunny6677]

Making Sweet Amends.

(A rewritten version of the Candy Store scene from Hollow Sorrows for the Saturated AU.)

@catsockpuppet @mayisgoingnuts

————

"..so.. he got another job?"

"Yep!"

"..ugh.."

Radford whips around to the still incredibly jolly Kevin, having a stern expression as he sighs. "Listen, dude.. don't you think this job stuff he's doing is kinda getting a bit much? He can't just go to another job because he found something he liked better—"

"Yeah, he can! I like this job a lot! That's why I'm still here. Why can't he go somewhere else if he likes something more?

"Ugh.. because that's not how work.. well, works, dude. What do you even do that's so good here anyway?"

"Well, I get to see the smiles on everyone's faces when they get their candy!"

"..really? What about bratty kids?"

"Bratty kids don't exist! They just act out because of their parents!"

"..what about entitled customers?"

"Oh, pssh.. they don't mean anything when it comes to my job! They come, and then they go! I'm not gonna hate my job just cuz they were mean to me. Besides, I've rarely come across any entitled customers anyway."

Radford furrows his brows. "..wow. You don't have a single problem in your life, do you—?"

Kevin's eyes then light up suddenly as he looks ahead. "Oh—hahah—hi, kids!"

The bell at the door then rings. It shows Skid and Pump having a very cutesy filter around them as they innocently stare for a moment. Or this at least seems to be how Kevin sees them as he talks joyfully. It cuts to reality, where Skid rolls his eyes.

"What are you—"

Skid forcibly places the money on the counter. Radford grows visibly shocked, "What the hell?!". While Kevin exclaims in excitement—"W-Woah! Kids! Where'd you get this from?!"

"We.. wanted to make up for earlier." Skid sighs.

"Yeah.. this enough to make you forget about it?" Pump asks.

Radford slowly blinks, and flatly says to Kevin while looking over at him, "..what was that you said about no bratty kids?"

"Eh, it's okay, kids!" Kevin shrugs. "Thanks for the money though! I really appreciate it!" He takes the money, putting it in the register with a bright smile.

"..wh—what?" Radford blinks, baffled. "You're just gonna let them sway you like that?"

"Sway me like what? They just felt bad and wanted to give me candy!"

"No, they didn't. They're clearly just giving you candy so they can—"

"Kids—"

Gregor suddenly enters, holding a arrogant expression as he speaks. "It's really not polite to let him take the money so easily. I mean, heh.." He smirks to himself. "You could easily just take it back if he accepts it like that. Sometimes making people think you're gonna do something nice for them and then—"

"Heyyyy.." Radford shoves himself beside Gregor, arching a brow. "Who are you?"

Gregor stares, a bit mildly surprised. "..a priest? What else would I be?"

"..I dunno. You look like you're wearing a curtain." He then asks more suspiciously, "..why are you talking to the kids?"

"Well.." Gregor turns around. "Because they needed my help! They're quite rude, you know. And.." He smirks to himself, whispering, "It's.. honestly kind of funny to watch them fail."

Skid and Pump make offended glares at this. Radford only raises a brow in suspicion, before walking back over to Kevin, and whispering—"..uh.. Kevin, is it just me? Or is this guy kinda weird?"

"Oh—c'mon!" Kevin grins, "He's not that bad! Well, he's not really bad at all. He's a priest."

"Right you are, young man." Gregor proudly smiles. "Mark my words, I shall teach these kids a lesson and guide them into the right path. Anf I will proudly watch them stumble every part of the way.."

Skid grumbles at him. Gregor then decides to pull out something from his bag. A suspicious bottle containing an odd liquid—which seems to have a poorly drawn cross on it.

"Here.. have this for any troubles. Come, kids. Let's go find somewhere else to go."

"..yeah.. sure—whatever.."

"..mm.."

The kids then reluctantly follow Gregor out of the store, while both Radford and Kevin eye the bottle. Kevin smiles from ear to ear, while Radford seems more skeptical.

"Wow! This looks pretty cool!" Kevin laughs.

"..yeahhh.. are we sure this is holy water? It doesn't look really—"

..the store begins to suddenly rumble for a moment, causing them both to shoot up in mild alarm. One of the candy machines begins to rattle, before a bunch of candy shoots out, and the rumbling stops as they hear a faint snarl.

Radford appears weirded out, while Kevin just stares.

"..wow. Looks like the machine must be malfunctioning again! You think the water might fix it?"

Radford flicks his gaze over to Kevin, before just groaning in irritation.

[babacontainsmultitudes]

hello!!! hope you are well!!!!! asking all the dndads folks this .. what are your hopes / predictions for next episode

Hi you!!! Hope you’re doing well too :]

Hopes and predictions huh? Hmmm…

Haven’t put too much thought into the realm of actual predictions for this one, truthfully! I’m *hoping* it’ll be a pretty Linc-centric episode (well, Linc and Grant!), which feels reasonable enough to expect?

Very excited for whatever Matt is gonna bring to the table more generally, really. Aside from Lincoln just being the bestest fucking boy, I think Matt more than all the other players (granted Beth excels here as well) just does a phenomenal job at remembering the core themes of the show (“Family!!!” I scream from the rooftops, “This is a show about family!”) and accordingly pays a lot of attention not just to the arc of his own character but to that of Grant as well (and of course all the intricate ways in which the two are intertwined)- a fact that I think is obvious just by looking at how many of Matt’s dad and teen facts revolve around Grant actually! But that’s another post lol. But yeah, even in last week’s teen talk he stated:

“I’m sure Scary won’t be happy with Grant but like, I think, the thing I’m more concerned [with] is obviously Grant- is gonna be how Grant feels about himself. Him screaming “no” after he did it is like, that’s rough”

Which is just- ugh it’s everything to me. That to say, I’m really pumped for what’s to come on that front, since I have a lot of faith in Matt to steer things in a direction that is narratively satisfying for both Lincoln and Grant. Also, it’s such a small thing relative to all that’s going on but, I really do hope that Anthony remembers that Grant hasn’t heard Lincoln’s new voice yet lol, I don’t want that to go unaddressed! Ugh I almost wanna go and relisten to “The Staircase” just thinking about all of this- I’ve been waiting for Grant and Linc to confront each other for *SO LONGGG* hahaha. As a final note on Grant, cause if not I could go on forever, in the teen talk Anthony stated:

“(…) I’ve already had some thoughts as to what he [Willy] wrote onto Grant’s collar”

Which seems to imply that the kiddads don’t all have the same thing written on their collars, which is very interesting! Makes me wonder about Lark and Sparrow as well (<- this got me thinking: “what if Lark and Sparrow’s collars had things written on them that forced them to be apart from each other” or something to that effect OUGH that’d be so rad anyways anyways total tangent loool).

*Otherwise*, FUCK ANTHONY BETTER REMEMBER NICKY. Lmaooo he better parachute in at some point in this episode or else!!! I’d love to see him have to confront Terry’s death, I’d LOOOVE to see him confront/interact with Grant, and I really hope that his reactions to either of those things isn’t just “fuck this shit I’m out” and then he poofs away as he is one to do. Especially now that Anthony decided for convenience’ sake that Nicky can’t make portals anymore- at least keep that consistent lmao. If he *did* try to just dip though, my hope would be that Taylor steps in and actually confronts his dad about that trend of his. Because really, ever since Waterdeep when you think about it we’ve seen that Nick has this bad habit of running away from his problems rather than confronting them (granted his behavior is I think pretty understandable in a good chunk of those cases) and so… Well I guess now that Taylor has become more attached to his dad I would like to see him actually call Nicky out on those behaviors and how it affects him as his son and let his dad know that, well, he doesn’t want Nick to walk out of his life again, y’know?

Hopefully that makes some sense haha, didn’t mean for this ramble to be so long! But yeah, I guess those are the main things running through my head atm (I’ve also been thinking about Scary and Terry and how all that shit is gonna play out ofc, but nothing concrete to say on the matter as it stands).

:3 Wbu???

[amazing-spiderling]

What’s some of your favorite characters to write and what’s some of your least favorite?

Friendo, please know that I have been staring at this ask in my inbox for a while and always going "HUH." because it feels like such a big question, sometimes I don't know how to answer it. skfdjs

I think, broadly, my favorite characters to write are going to be the ones who have some attribute I've managed to zero in on with some amount of personal understanding. It doesn't have to be a character I think is "just like me", (I don't know that I've felt that about many if any fictional characters) so much as one that I think I have one or two things in common with that I can focus on in a story. I guess the trick is remembering to focus on lots of aspects of their character so I don't reduce them to just that, though.

As for favorites...

From Metal Gear, I really liked writing from Otacon's POV. While he is brilliant and talented in his own right, in a lot of ways he is the best person to have an outside perspective on the crazy things that are happening in his world. Yes, he's an unparalleled engineer and hacker, but he's surrounded by genetically altered super soldiers pumped full of nanomachines, and it tends to put things in perspective. I think that's why Project Itoh chose to write the MGS4 novelization from his POV. Since I often feel like an observer around people who seem to lead more dramatic and interesting lives, I think I find it enjoyable to write stories with a "friendly outsider" perspective.

For Marvel... I think it's *easier* for me to write for Peter Parker, again, some similarities between us I feel I can tap into with ease, but I think its more *fun* to write Wade. He does get to have all the best banter, and if I want to write a joke that isn't actually that funny, well, then it's just that much more in character. I think I prefer writing Foggy to Matt, again, because of that "involved outsider" thing he has going on. He's emotionally involved in a lot of the goings on, even if he isn't in the middle of things (and then sometimes he is in the middle of things, but that's another issue). I also like writing Foggy in Earth-65 contexts because I think a lot of Murderdock comes from what he isn't saying. If we're inside his head and seeing the reasons behind his actions, some of the mystique is ruined. But if we are sitting on Foggy's shoulders, and only seeing the external (albeit, from someone who has a better understanding of Matt than most) we have to piece things together and make more inferences, and that gives me the chance to drop little breadcrumbs and easter eggs and I LIVE for that.

On the flip side, characters I've had little luck with... ugh. Hm. That's really tricky. I think I don't tend to write the characters I don't have fun with, life is too short. Sometimes it's required though, especially when I'm writing with a partner and we're splitting up the side characters, but even then... it can be fun to write characters I hate and go, UGH, THEY'RE AWFUL. (See: Huey from MGSV)

I guess the most difficult would be characters like Elektra, not because I don't like her- but because I think that we haven't got much in the way of real, solid characterization and motivation for her that doesn't revolve around Matt Murdock. (Well, not counting the Elektra movie, so maybe I should just use that as her model from now on lol.) If I'm totally honest, I feel like a lot of the meta I read about Elektra is from people who have pinged some characteristic within her (like I have for my faves) that doesn't ping for me, so I don't find it relatable or interesting to explore. But I also don't want to throw her into a fic just to make her a bad guy so my ship can kiss, you know? And it's just... bleh, it's a lot of homework, so that's probably why I've avoided it. Does that make me a bad fan? Maybe. I never claimed to be a good one.

[r7leee]

winter wonderland

wanted to pump out a little gift for y'all before christmas 🫡 also i DESPERATELY needed to write for my girl gwen ugh love her 🫶🏻 (i’m legally married to her in case you’re wondering)

pairing: gwen stacy x fem!reader

summary: headcanons for being gwen's girlfriend during winter <3

warnings: cursing, implied-girly/femme!reader, tooth-rotting fluff, reader celebrates christmas

word count: 687, should take about five and a half minutes to read

listen to: winter wonderland by beabadoobe

i don’t imagine gwen being a cold weather girl

she would much rather prefer walking in the park with you over trudging through piles upon piles of snow

she definitely has soft hands (calloused from her drumsticks, but soft), so she hates winter because her hands get all dry and cracked

her cuticles also get really bad, girl’s hands look like this:

but no need to worry, because her pretty girlfriend’s to the rescue!!

every day you SLATHER this girl’s hands in lotion and pluck her cuticles

you also paint her nails in her current favorite color and she does yours <3

even with hating winter, she has so many poofy jackets

they surprisingly look so good on her

whenever you see her in one, you always HAVE to go and give her a big bear hug because what else are you supposed to do?? she looks like a fucking marshmallow!!

when you say you’re cold, she always insists on giving you her jacket. of course you protest every time, but it never works

she of course wants her girl to be warm, but she always wants to see how dumb you look in the jacket (girl’s 5’8 and has muscles [you can’t convince me otherwise], of course you’re gonna look like an idiot in it)

she’ll take a picture and post it on her story and you’ll be like “ gwen noooo :((” and she’s all “oh, I’m sorry. can’t help that you’re smaller than me” 😭🫶🏻

sometimes you convince her to go out in the snow with you

it takes a while, but once she’s out there, she won’t go back inside

she is absolutely a BEAST at snowball fights

you’ll be hiding behind a tree holding your snowball, and she’ll come out of nowhere and hit you right in the face

you have to yell at her to stop at some point because it’s just snowball after snowball and you’re starting to get cold

you guys also make snowmen, i don’t make the rules

hers always look kind of demented tho

shit’s looking like this:

“gwen, what the fuck is that 😭”

“that’s harold. what do you have against him?”

“he looks like he got thrown in a blender…”

“your face looks like it got thrown in a blender.”

“you’re so rude!! ☹️ you know what, at least mine looks better.”

christmas is the absolute best with her

you guys would have a tradition of giving each other the most ass gifts ever, like cat socks or shrek earrings

one year she legit gives you coal

the next you get her an empty pringles can, you get the process

sometimes she actually turns up and gets you something good that reminded her of you

one year she literally gave you this amazing dress

satin in your favorite color that came down to your knees with lace on the edges

“where’d you get the money for this?!”

“i have my ways.”

“i swear to god, if you spent all your money on this…” (she did)

needless to say, it’s your new favorite dress

she also loves baking with you, even though she‘s ass at it

you’re trying to make snowflake cookies and they end up looking like a fucking whale

also the dough’s super inconsistent because she poured almost the whole bag of flour in 😭

poor girl cannot follow instructions for the life of her (I don’t believe in consistency LMAOLMAO)

the cookies are so bad you almost gag trying to eat them but at least you spent quality time with your girlfriend!!

if there’s one thing she does know how to make tho, it’s hot chocolate

she has a killer recipe, but she refuses to give it to you

says it’s a family recipe that can absolutely NOT be shared

after a day of her kicking your ass with the snowballs, her hot chocolate’s the best thing to perk you up

your cold hands will graze each other’s as she hands you your mug <3

you’ll cuddle while the snow falls outside, her arm gently around your waist, tons of blankets over you two

[needs-to-stop-looking-at-valves]

I gunna be straight forward I want to see the old ass coffee shop trope on Pepa and Felix thank you goodbye

Oh we LOVE some coffee au? Let's GO!

Félix could complain about a lot in his life. The fact that he lived in a small apartment in a big, busy city, the fact that he didn't make nearly as much money as he wanted, or the fact that he worked in the food industry. It. Sucked. But honestly, you had to look at the good things in life. He had a job, he'd only been called one swear word once this month (he worked in food in the middle of a big city, if anything that number is low), and he liked his coworkers. It was fairly slow in the coffee shop too, given that the sun was starting to set. Soon, his shift would be over, he'd get to go home, do it all over again.

"Félix? How's it going up here?"

Agustín poked his head from the back. Félix owned this coffee shop, 'la mariposa negra', alongside his buddy, Agustín. He was the numbers guy, Félix did...well, literally everything else. It was a system, and he worked. Félix shrugged.

"Good, good. Think we should close up early, no one gets coffee at night."

"Maybe, I'm just about done back here. How many pastries do we have left?"

Félix looked over the glass counter, and shrugged.

"A good number. Why, you want something?"

"No. They're good after a day, right?"

"Maybe, but I'd rather give them away, like usual."

"It'd be easier."

"If everything in life was easy, we wouldn't push ourselves, amigo."

Agustín always worried about money, he couldn't blame him. But Félix had too much pride to serve day old food like other coffee places. Agustín chuckled, knowing better than to argue.

"I know, I know. I just, wish people saw that, Félix. Let's clean up early, get a head start for tomorrow. You need help?"

"I got it, I got it."

Félix was started to pack away all the pastries, when the bell on the door rang, letting him know someone was here.

"Hey, we're shutting kinda early tonight, so you can't hang out in here, just an fyi."

"Oh, that's too bad, it feels nice in here."

He stood up to properly apologize to this woman's face, when he got a good look at her. Now love at first sight was bullshit. But adoration at first sight was VERY much a thing, because this woman was GORGEOUS. She wore a black tank top with a picture of a sun on it, cute little shorts that revealed those beautiful, long legs of hers, and her face. Sharp green eyes, beautiful freckles, and little wisps of red hair clung a bit to her sweaty features. A large tattoo ran from her neck, down her front, past her breasts that he totally wasn't looking at, stopping just short of her shorts. They were so detailed, angry, they reminded him of lighting.

"Uh, excuse me? Yoohoo?"

Oh my god, he had been staring at her this whole time, like some weirdo. He cleared his throat, trying to save himself here.

"Sorry that's just. A REALLY impressive tattoo."

She looked down at herself and grinned, showing off her cute little gap in her teeth.

"Oh thank you! My brother did them! He's an artist. So uh, is it too late to order?"

"Oh no no, please, go on, what can I get you?"

She sighed in relief, whiping some sweat from her forehead.

"Good! I was hoping you guys were still open when my run was over. Let's see...oh, I want one of those chocolate muffins, chocolate cake pop, two of those brownies...and what would you recommend for coffee? I want something sweet."

"Could've fooled me on that one. Honestly, I like the salted carmel fraps. Could put in a couple more pumps than usual, since you're a first."

"Ugh, I heard THAT during my first time. Sure, I'll take it."

He snorted, despite not really wanting to. It made her smile, and he hated it, no way a woman should get to look so pretty and be THIS funny. He got the cup ready, and was about to just make it, when he realized he could totally use this opportunity here.

"Name for the drink?"

"I'm...the only one here?"

"And how do you spell that?"

It was HER turn to snort now, and damn was that a sound he could get used to.

"P-E-P-A. Odd way to spell it, I know."

So her name was Pepa. Pretty Pepa. He wrote the name on the cup, and as he let everything blend, he packaged up her goodies.

"I haven't seen you pass by here, you new?"

"To the area, yes, I'm here for work."

"What do you do for work? Model?"

She chuckled at him, swatting her hand playfully at him.

"Oh, you flatter. No, I'm a meteorologist! I work at the news station like, twenty minutes from here."

"Oh I think I know that place, I delivered coffee there once."

He poured the contents of the blender into a cup, added whipped cream, and added loads of caramel to the top, before putting a lid on it, and adding it to the rest of her order.

"Oh I didn't know you delivered."

"We really don't, we were just especially broke that week, honestly."

She chuckled as she put her counted the cash she needed for her order, before stopping herself.

"Oh shit, I almost forgot-could I get an iced coffee too? Something strong. And an egg sandwich, totally forgot my sister asked for something."

"No problem at all,"

Félix got started on this next coffee, making it as strong as strong could get, as well as throwing an egg sandwich in the griddle.

"Your sister works with you?"

"Oh no, she works at the hospital a bit away, she's an emergency response nurse. We live together though."

"Ay, it's good to stay with family. Mine's back in Colombia."

He met her rather surprised looking eyes, and for a moment, she looked excited.

"You're from Colombia too? My mom is from there!"

"REALLY? Huh. Small world, huh?"

This woman loved talking about herself, and he did NOT mind in the slightest. He got the rest of her order, pushing it to her, and giving her the change back. He hated to see her go, really he did. But it's not like she could stay her. Though, he'd never forgive himself if he didn't at least TRY his shot at this woman.

"You know I uh, haven't met anyone else from Colombia here. Do you miss it?"

She looked surprised by his question as she gathered her stuff, before her face fell, and she nodded.

"I do, yes. Mi papi called it his home before he died, it meant a lot to me. But we moved here because I was given the job offer, as well as my sister. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I'm just saying, I miss it too. I miss Christmases there, I even miss Palm sundays. And the flower festival, always beautiful. I just thought, if you needed someone to relate to, we could always talk more."

She seemed to not understand it, before a chuckle escaped her precious lips.

"Are you...flirting with me, hombrecito?"

"I'm more keen on the word 'seduce', but si, I am flirting with you. Assuming another man hasn't swept in before me."

Pepa bit in her lip in thought, before setting her stuff down, and grabbing the pen usually left on the counter. She then took his hand (her skin was SO soft), and wrote numbers on it, alongside just the smallest heart.

"My phone number. I'm not giving it to you because we're both Colombian, you know."

"You...aren't?"

"No. I like sweets, and I can't think of anything sweeter than chocolate ~"

She kissed his palm, leaving just a bit of lipstick under the ink. She was a bold woman, not shy at all. She gathered her things, gave him a wave alongside that mischievous look, and he swore he saw rainbows over her as she left. He stood there, not believing this absolute goddess just hit on him. She was so pretty, she worked close, and clearly she was into him. How much luck can one man have?

"Félix, did I hear someone come in? Do you...you okay?"

Félix slowly nodded, and didn't care how badly he was swooning right now.

"I'm...more than okay. I think I just met the woman of my dreams."

"Ay, you said that last week."

"It's DIFFERENT this time! You should've seen her, Agustín! She was pretty, witty, she's. Oh, my poor heart, it won't sit still!"

"You sure it's not the three cups of coffee you've had today?"

"...might be both."

Agustín rolled his eyes as he helped him finish cleaning, before they walked back home. Agustín may not believe him, but Félix knew what he was talking about. He knew he was in love with a woman who didn't even know his name.

[write-orflight]

Light the Lamp: Chapter 1

**Gif Not Mine**

Prev -  Next

Pairings: Bucky Barnes X Reader (Friends to Lovers, College/Hockey AU

Rating: M

Words: 2.2K

Warnings:  College kids being college kids, drinking, swearing, talk of sex(No smut yet but will be)

Request: OPEN/CLOSED

Summary:  Love and Hockey were kind of the same, everyone’s just rushing to score. So why couldn’t you?

A.N Summary bad but I literally couldn’t focus on writing anything else until I finished at least the first chapter of this. let me know what you think, Message/reply/inbox to be tagged.

  Chapter 1: 1st Quarter

Hockey wasn’t the sport Bucky wanted to play originally. He wanted to play baseball like his old man but when Steve decided he wanted to take ice skating lessons, he made Bucky tag along so he wouldn’t be the only boy in the class. Soon, they found themselves recruited in the junior rec hockey team and had been playing together ever since. It wasn’t a surprise that when recruitment came around that school’s were trying to pick up both of them. People knew better than to separate Cap from the Winter Soldier. Steve’s nickname was easy to figure out. He had a natural authoritative nature that made him the Captain of almost every team he played on. You never knew why they called Bucky the Winter Soldier until you played against him. Bucky was like an assassin on the ice. While everyone was focused on Steve in Center, Bucky was on left wing scoring the goal before you knew what hit you. So both of them getting recruited to play for the Avengers at Wilmington University wasn’t surprising. 

Meeting you was. 

At first, it was a sort of form of hazing. When they were starting their Freshman year so was the Coach’s daughter. He had asked senior members of the team to ‘keep an eye on her’ and make sure she didn’t get herself into any trouble. The seniors’ thinking that was lame, were more than happy to pass the task off to the two eager freshmen trying to make a name for themselves. So that’s how it started, The two boys walking you to classes and home from the library late at night, much to your demise. 

“I should’ve known my dad was going to do something like this.” You complained when you saw the two boys waiting outside your dorm the first week of classes. “Thanks for coming. But you can tell my dad that I’m not going to be the freak being escorted by hockey jocks everyday.” 

“No can do, Doll.” Bucky says. “We leave you, we’re doing drills the rest of practice.” 

“Doll? What’re you? A 40s newscaster?” You say, with an annoyed expression walking passed the boys who just followed suit behind you. “Ugh, this is such bullshit. He literally begged me to go to Wilmington and promised I’d be able to have a ‘normal college experience’. What about this is fucking normal?”  

“I know it’s less than ideal but hey, we can make the best out of this.” Steve smiles. “I’m Steve, by the way.” He says extending a hand. 

You shake it. You couldn’t blame them for your dad not trusting you. “Y/N. You?” You asked the other boy next to you. 

“Bucky.” He provides. 

“Bucky?” You question. 

“Well, it’s James but my friends call me Bucky.” 

“And that’s what we are? Friends?” You ask. 

“Might as well be, since we’ll be seeing each other a lot this semester.” 

And that’s how your semi-unconventional friendship started. Pretty soon, even though your dad had eased up on the 24-hour watch, per your mom's request, you still found yourself walking and getting coffee with the two in the mornings. Even, found yourself waiting in the rinks watching practices so you could hang out afterwards and that became your life for the next two years. Now the three of you we’re entering your Junior year of college. Steve was right back in his title role of Captain, Bucky was now first string Left Wing and you were… still watching from the bleachers. You didn’t mind though, you grew to love the sport due to it being your dad’s profession. Hell, you were on skates before you could even walk. But you never found yourself on the women’s team, Hockey wasn’t something you really wanted to do. You still supported the girls team though, which is why you found yourself watching their practices too. 

“Hey, Y/N!” Carol said, skating to the end of the rink where you were sitting next to her girlfriend, Maria. A position you often found yourself in, entertaining player’s girlfriends while they practiced. Maria was cool though, at least you knew about the sport. 

“Hey, Marvel.” You called her by her nickname. Thing about Hockey is everyone was called by their nicknames. 

“You going to the Sigma Pi party later?” She asks. 

“Uh, no one told me about it.” You say, awkwardly. 

“I’m telling you now.” Carol says like it's obvious. “You never go out anymore and I refuse to let you become a cat lady before you turn 25. Come over ours at 7, we’ll pregame and head over at 9. What do you say?” 

“Fine, I’ll come.” You say. 

“Great!” Carol says, pumping a fist before signalling her girlfriend to come closer to the rink. You look away as they kiss. Couples made you uneasy, especially hockey couples. You wanted that more than anything, for your guy to skate up to the gate just to sneak a kiss from you. Not that dating anyone from the team was even an option with you dad coaching. The team saw you as a little sister and if anyone was caught even looking at you in any way, their ass was grass by either your dad or Bucky, who’d become protective of you over the years. 

“Marvel, stop flirting with your girlfriend and GET BACK ON THE ICE!” You heard your dad scream. 

“Sorry, Couch!” She called. “Sorry, baby i’ve gotta jet. Y/N, don’t forget. 7 o’clock!” She says before skating off. 

“I won’t!” You call after her. 

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

You can’t help but look at yourself in the mirror awkwardly at the tight Satin dress your roommate, Wanda practically forced you in. You were just going to wear a sweater and jeans, your regular wardrobe but Wanda insisted everyone had seen you in that and what they haven’t seen is you in a dress. Especially, with your new body, you had gotten over the summer working at a sports camp. Who knew running after kids would be such a great form of exercise? 

Wanda also did your makeup, something you didn’t typically wear, giving you a natural glow eye, a layer of mascara, and sticky gloss that made your look ‘dewy’ as Wanda described it. You tried to keep your hair in the bun but Wanda insisted you keep your hair down. Saying it made you look hotter, you shrugged knowing you’d have to take her word for it. 

The two of you made your way to Carol and Maria’s apartment. Carol swung the door open and looked at you in surprise. “Woah, Ice Baby, you clean up nice.” 

“Don’t start, Marvel. And you know how I feel about being called that.” You hated the nickname but since you were the coach’s daughter and you stuck around the rink any chance you got, The seniors had started calling you Ice Baby your freshman year and the nickname unfortunately stuck long after they had gone. 

“Right, sorry, I always forget.” Carol said moving out the way for the two of you to come in. 

The four of you drink and play games until it’s time to head to the party. You’ve got a pretty strong buzz going as you enter the party and you regret the strappy heels Maria made you borrow before leaving. You’re sitting in the corner when someone comes to sit way too close to you. You look up to see Brock Rumlow, or Rum as the team liked to call him. 

“I almost didn’t recognize you, Ice Baby. You look good.” 

“My name is Y/N but thank you.” You say, annoyed. 

He holds his hands up in mock surrender “I forgot you hate that nickname. Let me bring you a drink to make up for it. What you want.” 

“Rum and coke, please.” 

“Oh, so you like Rum?” He says, obvious double entendre hanging off his tongue. 

“The drink? Yes.” 

“You’ll like the man soon enough.” He winks, smirking at the flush that spreads across your cheeks. 

The two of you spend the night like that. He brings you drinks and shamelessly flirts with you as you get drunker and drunker. The two of you even dance for a bit in the sea of grinding bodies. Soon you’re telling him a story and a hand drifts to your leg. You turn and he’s much closer to your face than you thought he was. 

“Wanna get out of here?” He asks. You nod but before you can even stand, Bucky is there towering over Brock.

“You can leave, Brock. But I’m taking Y/N home.” He says. 

Brock rolls his eyes. “Forgot you had a Winter Soldier guard dog. No worries, dude. I’m leaving anyway.” He says, before turning to you. “You’ve got my number, call me if you wanna hang this week.” He says, nodding to Bucky before walking away. 

“Ugh, Bucky. What was that for?” You whine, drunkenly. 

“You’re drunk. I’m taking you home.” Bucky says. “Come on, stand up.” 

You shakingly get up and Buck is there immediately under your arm, his arm around your waist helping you walk out. 

The cold breeze hits you as soon as you step foot out the party and take the long trek home. 

“I think I drank too much.” You point out. 

“You think, kid?” Bucky says. “You’re lucky, I was here meeting Sharon otherwise you would’ve been shit out of luck.” 

“Brock would’ve taken me home.” 

“Brock’s a lowlife. Don’t worry about him, I’ve got you.” 

You sigh. “Sorry for ruining your night with your girlfriend.” 

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll call her when I make sure you get home so if you could pick up the pace.” 

“My feet hurt.” You complain. 

“Yea, I bet. God, when did you start wearing heels, Doll?” 

“I wanted to look good tonight.” You sigh. 

“You always look good.” 

“Fine, I wanted to look hot.” You provide. “For once, I wanted to be the one guys paid attention to at parties.” 

“You can be yourself for that, Y/N.” Bucky says. “You’re a catch.” 

“If I was, someone would’ve fucked me by now.” You drunkenly admit. That makes Bucky double-take. “I mean, think about it? 3 years into my college career, I turn 21 in a couple months and still it's where no man’s gone before down there.” 

“Y/N, are you saying you’re--” 

“A virgin? Yea, Bucky catch up.” You groan at the pain in your feet. Bucky looks and takes sympathy on you. 

“Here take off your shoes.” He says, toeing his off as well and sliding them over to you. 

“You’re just going to walk barefoot?” You ask, putting on the shoes, holding your heels in your hand. 

“Better than you walking barefoot.” He shrugs. 

“Anyway, I decided over the summer that maybe I was putting too much thought into it. I mean almost everyone loses their virginity in high school and it's never good, no one ever says their first time was good. I just thought maybe I should just, you know, get it over with.” You slur. “Which is what I was trying to do until you chased my date away. God, you always do that, Bucky.” 

“I’m not fighting with you while you’re drunk.” Bucky says, trying to get you to drop the subject but you persist. 

“Every time I try to talk to a guy, you butt in--” 

“Maybe I wouldn’t butt in if you picked the right guys for you.” 

“There’s nothing wrong with the guys I pick! You’re just a cockblock.” 

“That’s not true.” 

“Yea what about Charles? He asked me on a date freshman year and took it back not even an hour later. I had to beg Steve to tell me why and it turned out that you threatened him if he even thought about going out with me.” 

“Y/N, you had just turned 18 and X was a 24 year old senior! I didn’t trust how he was just waiting. So yea, I told him to fuck off. And Rum is an asshole who can’t get a girl to sleep with him unless they’re shitfaced. So yea, I told him to fuck off.” Bucky exclaims as the two of you make it up the stairs to your apartment. “Y/N, you’ll find someone right for you and that right person will make your first time special. I just want you to find someone who’ll make you happy.” 

“And I just want you to remember for next time that if you want to tell a girl who she can and can’t fuck, you have Sharon for that. Not me.” You said, taking off the shoes as you arrived at your front door. 

“Y/N, wait--” You hear him say but you don’t care, you slam the door in his face regardless. 

Who did Bucky think he was? Sure, he was your best friend but so was Steve and he’s not nearly as protective as Bucky was. You honestly couldn’t tell who was worse at this point, your dad or Bucky. You loved both of them but they had the fatal flaw of forgetting you weren’t a kid. You were a woman, a woman with needs. And one particular need you needed to get rid of.   

So you picked up your phone and called Brock. Bucky couldn’t be right about everything.

Taglist: @buckybarneshairpullingkink @riverofcrestmont @babymango-writes @astralsaf @gabi-socio @hereforalongtime512​

[theartofdreaming1]

As usual, my thoughts regarding this week’s prompts and random thoughts on chapters 25-27 are below the cut.

heart

The imagery that really caught my attention this time was Peeta pointing out the changes in the moon to Katniss: The only indication of the passage of time lies in the heavens, the subtle shift of the moon. So Peeta begins pointing it out to me, insisting I acknowledge its progress and sometimes, for just a moment I feel a flicker of hope before the agony of the night engulfs me again. - So for one, we see another example of Peeta focusing on the small details in life (which I’ve previously hypothesized to being an important element in his recovery from his hijacking) as well as Peeta being the one to give Katniss hope, even if it’s just for a brief moment. Also, it’s a nice parallel to Katniss looking at the moon and desperately wishing for it to be “her moon” back in chapter 23. As a nocturnal person, I also love watching the moon from my living room window🌙

mind

Hmmh, I don’t think that Katniss and Peeta’s win was predetermined - although I do believe that by introducing the romantic angle, they significantly improved their odds. A Career winning the Games is not really that special and exciting, since it happens so often (although Careers generally satisfy that excitement for violence/blood/gore, that plenty of Capitol people seem to share). As a volunteer from District 12, who achieved an extremely good training score and proved herself to be very capable in the arena already, Katniss definitely had an edge by playing into the classic underdog story, which offered another exciting “narrative” for the Capitolites to follow - that, coupled (heh) with the romance angle Peeta introduced? Katniss (and Peeta) definitely had the entertainment (and excitement through novelty) factor on their side. Ironically, Cato’s chances of winning were not as good as he expected, precisely because he was playing it by the book.

soul

Poor Peeta (and Katniss), it hurts that their relationship was in such a rocky place by the end of the book. Especially those weeks right after the end of Book 1, when there were still cameras around District 12 and they had to pretend while hurting must have sucked big time🥺

Chapter 25

Ugh, the muttations are just so unsettling... *shudder*

Honestly, I’m just so impressed by Peeta’s presence of mind to draw that X on Cato’s hand, after he had just most of his calf ripped off, only to be grabbed and put in a headlock by Cato! He and Katniss work insanely well under pressure

God, Cato’s death is just so gruesome and awful... In the end, his “gift” from the Feast doesn’t help him win at all, but instead ends up prolonging his suffering a cruel amount... I wonder if in general these “gifts” come with a string attached (aside from the expected danger of trying to get them, I mean) - because the Gamemakers also intend for Katniss’s “gift” (medicine for Peeta) to force an even more cruel outcome on her - saving him from blood poisoning only to be forced into killing him herself... 🤔

I’m not sure if this is exactly medical protocol, but I’m terrified that if he drifts off he’ll never wake again. “Are you cold?” he asks. He unzips his jacket and I press against him as he fastens it around me. - Katniss is terrified of the idea of Peeta dying; at the same time, Peeta worries about her freezing - I can’t with these two 😩

Peeta begins to doze off now, and each time he does, I find myself yelling his name louder and louder because if he goes and dies on me now, I know I’ll go completely insane. He’s fighting it, probably more for me than for him - Katniss can’t lose any more people she cares about 😢; on a different note, Peeta fighting his unconsciousness “probably more for [Katniss] than for him” points out one of the crucial elements Katniss brings into Peeta’s life - she is that someone for whom he will fight - including for his own life and well-being - even when it feels easier to give up... Having that person in your life that keeps you going can make all the difference - if Katniss hadn’t had Prim and promised her “to really, really try” to win (and later also made Rue the same promise), I’m not sure she would have made it this far; it’s the thought of Prim anxiously watching her after Rue’s death, that forces Katniss to keep going, to not give in to despair after that particular traumatic event - Peeta, on the other hand, didn’t really have that kind of person in his life, as he will point out on the beach in CF (and Katniss acknowledges herself that the only person who will be devasted if Peeta dies is her)... that is not to say that neither Katniss nor Peeta aren’t fighters on their own - but it helps to have someone that inspires you to not give up

the adrenaline pumping through my body would never allow me to follow him, so I can’t let him go. I just can’t. - We’ll see the mirrored version of this by the end of Mockinjay 

Pity, not vengeance, sends my arrow flying into [Cato’s] skull. - Another act of rebellion, technically (sure, this can be spun as Katniss killing Cato so she and Peeta may win - before Peeta dies from blood loss - but we know better - Katniss’s motivation was compassion for her supposed enemy)

We inch down to the tail of the horn and fall to the ground. If the stiffness in my limbs is this bad, how can Peeta even move? - Peeta is tough as nails, yo!

Before I am even aware of my actions, my bow is loaded with the arrow pointed straight at his heart [...] I drop my weapons and take a step back, my face burning in what can only be shame. “No,” he says. “Do it.” [...] “I can’t,” I say, “I won’t.” - In spite of her initial reflex, Katniss chooses Peeta/ chooses not to kill him; it’s a recurring theme in their relationship (despite her wariness of others, she chooses to open up to Peeta eventually; although she vowed to never marry and have children, she’ll choose to have a family with Peeta); also, my psychology-brain just noticed how this moment illustrates how harmful thoughts/impulses don’t have to determine your actions and are not an indicator of who you are - it’s about what you choose to do

“You’re not leaving me here alone,” I say. Because if he dies, I’ll never go home, not really. I’ll spend the rest of my life in this areny trying to think my way out. - Again, makes me think of MJ; also, I think that from this point onwards, Katniss and Peeta are officially linked together forever; the bond they forged during this traumatic experience will connect them to each other until the day they die

“On the count of three?” Peeta leans down and kisses me once, very gently. “The count of three,” he says. - My heart😭

Chapter 26

... while our muscles are immobile, nothing is preventing the blood from draining out of Peeta’s leg. Sure enough, the minute the door closes behind us and the current stops, he slumps to the floor unconscious  [...] Through the glass, I see the doctors working feverishly on Peeta, their brows creased in concentration [...] I’m not sure, but I think his heart stops twice. - Peeta was in such a bad shape by the end of the Games; I’m still kinda salty that the movie really glossed over this fact :/

... they’re taking Peeta but leaving me behind the door. I start hurling myself against the glass, shrieking and I think I just catch a glimpse of pink hair - it must be Effie, it has to be Effie coming to my rescue - when the needle jabs me from behind. - Oh geez, in Catching Fire Katniss will also get sedated in a hovercraft because she’s upset about being separated from Peeta 😢 (also, Katniss thinking that Effie is coming to her rescue 😭)

While she [Lavinia, the avox] adjusts my pillows, I risk one question. I say it out loud, as clearly as my rusty voice will allow, so nothing will seem secretive. “Did Peeta make it?” She gives me a nod, and as she slips a spoon into my hand, I feel the pressure of friendship. - Katniss is so considerate of Lavinia’s situation, and Lavinia’s giving her a gesture of comfort and support; they’ve never been able to have a proper conversation (Katniss doesn’t even know Lavinia’s name), but still they managed to build up such a bond - compassion certainly is a strong thing to behold 😭 (and this whole scene is just through and through about compassion, with Katniss asking how Peeta is doing!)

Home! Prim and my mother! Gale! Even the thought of Prim’s scruffy old cat makes me smile. Soon I will be home! - Katniss is so excited to see her home and her loved ones again

I want to get out of this bed. To see Peeta and Cinna - Aww, the two people she grew closest to over the course of the past weeks (Haymitch will be added to that list in just a smidge)

Or do I hear a man’s voice yelling? Not in the Capitol accent, but in the rougher cadences of home. And I can’t help having a vague, comforting feeling that someone is looking out for me. - Thank God for Haymitch! 

And behind one of them [doors] must be Peeta. Now that I’m conscious and moving, I’m growing more and more anxious about him [...] “Peeta!” I call out, since there’s no one to ask - Katniss is sick with worry over Peeta; romantic feelings or not, she cares so fricking much for him by now!

I run for them [Effie, Haymitch, and Cinna] and surprise even myself when I launch into Haymitch’s arms first. When he whispers in my ear, “Nice job, sweetheart,” it doesn’t sound sarcastic. - These reunion scenes are so intense and heartwarming! And then Katniss asks about Portia and Peeta because their presence would make this scene complete 

when I asks for seconds, I’m refused. “No, no, no. They don’t want it all coming back up on the stage,” says Octavia, but she secretly slips me an extra roll under the table to let me know she’s on my side - It’s moments like these that help humanize Katniss’s prep team - they might be shallow, they might be completely oblivious and ignorant, but they aren’t that bad [of course, the prep team chattering about their mundane lives while talking about the event that ended with the deaths of 22 children shortly after, leaves a bad taste in our mouths]

I immediately notice the padding over my breasts, adding curves that hunger has stolen from my body. My hands go to my chest and I frown. “I know,” says Cinna before I can object. “But the Gamemakers wanted to alter you surgically. Haymitch had a huge fight with them over it. This was the compromise.” - God, the idea that the Gamemakers wanted to give a boob job to an unconscious, malnourished 16-year-old girl makes me sick 🤢 (Also, what’s the flipping deal about boobs?! As a pretty flat-chested gal, I’ve always been annoyed that there are barely any bras my cup size that are not push-up ones; I’m not self-conscious about it, so stop making me pretend that I’m bustier than I actually am!)

“I thought it’d be something more... sophisticated-looking,” I say. “I thought Peeta would like this better,” he [Cinna] answers carefully. Peeta? No, it’s not about Peeta. It’s about the Capitol and the Gamemakers and the audience. Although I do not yet understand Cinna’s design, it’s a reminder the Games are not quite finished. - Ugh, that sinking feeling when Katniss and the reader realize that the Games are still not over... Sidenote: Peeta flirted up a storm with grimy, bloodied Katniss and complimented her when she wore Cinna’s first, absolutely badass costume (”You should wear flames more often”)... Katniss’s girlish outfit  has nothing to do with Peeta and she knows it... Cinna could have dressed Katniss up in a trash bag and Peeta would have been smitten - although a trash bag by Cinna would probably still look pretty good ;)

“How about a hug for luck?” Okay, that’s an odd request from Haymitch but, after all we are victors. Maybe a hug for luck is in order. - Aww, Katniss actually wouldn’t have minded giving Haymitch a hug just because - sadly, this is about survival tips instead :/

But what was it Haymitch said when I asked it he had told Peeta the situation? That he had to pretend to be desperately in love? “Don’t have to. He’s already there.” Already thinking ahead of me in the Games again and well aware of the danger we’re in? Or... already desperately in love? I don’t know. I haven’t even begun to separate out my feelings about Peeta. It’s too complicated. - Poor Katniss... she didn’t have the time and peace of mind to sort out her feelings regarding Peeta before they all got tied up and muddled with her need for survival. Now she’ll be having an even harder time trying to untangle that mess :(

Chapter 27

Then there’s Peeta just a few yards away. He looks so clean and healthy and beautiful, I can hardly recognize him. But his smile is the same whether in mud or in the Capitol and when I see it, I take about three steps and fling myself into his arms [...] He rights himself and we just cling to each other while the audience goes insane. He’s kissing me and all the time I’m thinking, Do you know? Do you know how much danger we’re in? After about ten minutes of this, Caesar Flickerman taps on his choulder to continue the show, and Peeta just pushes him aside without even glancing at him. - Man, their reunion here always gets me - it would be so fricking good if Katniss didn’t have to worry about their potential doom 😒😔 - she barely has time to just be happy to see Peeta alive and well before slipping back into survival mode while Peeta is just genuinely thrilled to have her in his arms, completely unaware of the pressure and immediate danger Katniss experiences in this moment... It hurts so bad

I’m with Katniss - How did the previous victors endure rewatching those horrible moments from the Games?! I guess because they had to, but oof... I think I’d just completely shut down, blocking out the footage shown, ugh

But I do notice they omit the part where I covered her [Rue] in flowers. Right. Because even that smacks of rebellion. - In such a callous and cruel place as Panem, any act of compassion can be regarded as rebellion, it’s crazy. In a place filled with apathy, hedonism, greed, and cruelty, the most radical things you can exhibit are love, kindness, and respect!

A wave of gratitude to the filmmakers sweeps over me when they end not with the announcement of our victory, but with me pounding on the glass door of the hovercraft, screaming Peeta’s name as they try to revive him. In terms of survival, it’s my best moment all night. - Again, another instance where Katniss’s genuine feelings/reactions to Peeta are get muddled with her need for survival

The one thing I never do is let go of Peeta’s hand. - irrevocably linked with each other

Despite Haymitch’s running interference, I’m determined to see Peeta privately. - Katniss just wants to have an honest and open talk with Peeta 😢 (I get where Haymitch is coming from, and maybe in this instance it’s the right call, but we’ll see a similar situation in the beginning of CF when Haymitch advises Katniss not to tell Peeta about President Snow’s visit and that time, it doesn’t go so well...)

Then Peeta’s there looking handsome in red and white - for someone who isn’t sure whether she’s into him or not, Katniss sure mentions how good Peeta’s looking a lot 😏

“Well, there’s just this and we go home. Then he can’t watch us all the time,” says Peeta. - 👀👀 Peeta is so thirsty here; reminds me of when he pulled Katniss close to him in the cave before they set out to hunt... He clearly believes she’s also “already there” regarding their relationship; he’s never this “suggestive” (can’t think of a better word right now) with her once she lets him know that she doesn’t really know how she feels about him - I feel a sort of shiver run through me and there’s no time to analyze why - Katniss totally isn’t averse to what Peeta’s suggesting here, either (though there’s probably also a healthy amount of fear mixed in with the thrill of being wanted - letting people in can be terrifying)

I can feel Peeta press his forehead into my temple and he asks, “So now that you’ve got me, what are you going to do with me?” I turn in to him. “Put you somewhere you can’t get hurt.” And when he kisses me, people in the room actually sigh. - It’s me; I’m people 🙋🏼‍♀️ (also, the “turn in to him”?!?!! it just suggests such a closeness, I can’t-)

Katniss burying her face in Peeta’s shirt when she’s afraid she might cry learning that he lost his leg 🥺 (how awful it must be to be constantly on display while you’re dealing with your private feelings, ugh)

“... The moment when you pulled out those berries. What was going on in your mind... hm?” [...] It seems to call for a big, dramatic speech, but all I get out is one almost inaudible sentences. “I don’t know, I just... couldn’t bear the thought of... being without him.” - It might not be a super eloquent way to put what she was supposed to say, but this way, Katniss is being perfectly honest (and frankly, if she’d had the chance to properly process her feelings, she would have been able to voice this sentiment with less hesitation)

I go back to my room to collect a few things and find there’s nothing to take but the mockingjay pin Madge gave me. Someone returned it to my room after the Games. - For one, Katniss didn’t think of that pin (again), but also - was the pin returned to her simply because it’s standard procedure or did someone (like Plutarch, for example) arrange for Katniss to get the pin back, to keep her connection to this symbol going?

I stare in the mirror as I try to remember who I am and who I am not. - Poor Katniss! She’s been through so much, experienced so many traumatic events in short succession recently (aside from the trauma she already had), already had problems defining her identity beyond sheer survival, and now the Capitol also keeps pushing an identity onto her and a romantic relationship, when she hadn’t even had the chance to figure out how she felt about that yet

“... Haymitch has been coaching me through the last few days. So I didn’t make it worse,” I say. “Coaching you? But not me,” says Peeta. “He knew you were smart enough to get it right,” I say. “I didn’t know there was anything to get right,” says Peeta. - Oh boy. It’s always so painful to see Peeta realize that he’s been completely out of the loop; again, we’ll see how Katniss and Haymitch adopt a similar strategy in the beginning of CF: banking on Peeta’s good social skills and eloquence and keeping him in the dark. In a way, it’s a sort of compliment they pay to Peeta for being good with people, but, by not telling him, they are also using him for their purpose (which is motivated by caring for and wanting to protect Peeta, but still). Peeta is right to be upset about it - he has always been very clear about not wanting to be used as a piece in anyone’s games, really. And, as we will see later in CF, they are way more effective as a team when they are open and honest with each other.

“It was all for the Games,” Peeta says. “How you acted.” “Not all of it,” I say, tightly holding on to my flowers. “Then how much? No, forget that. I guess the real question is what’s going to be left when we get home?” he says. “I don’t know. The closer we get to District Twelve, the more confused I get,” I say. He waits, for further explanation, but none’s forthcoming. “Well, let me know when you work it out,” he says, and the pain in his voice is palpable. - It’s just so goddamn painful😢 They’ve both been done so dirty by that forced star-crossed lovers of Distrct 12 routine. (Sidenote: I appreciate that Peeta actually gives Katniss the chance to explain herself here - still, it’s too much to deal with on the spot so I can understand why Katniss ended up dropping the ball, even though it’s frustrating to read.)

That it’s not good loving me because I’m never going to get married anyway and he’d just end up hating me later instead of sooner. That if I do have feelings for him, it doesn’t matter because I’ll never be able to afford the kind of love that leads to a family, to children. And how can he? How can he after what we’ve just been through? - Oh Katniss, you certainly are skipping a couple of steps here; I’m pretty sure there are some options in between dating and being married with kids you could look into. Also, she’s just assuming that this is what Peeta wants, but she doesn’t know that at all - As someone who also has this stupid habit of imagining how whole conversations could possibly transpire and then resigning myself to the hypothetical outcome of said imagined conversation instead of actually having them: Don’t do that. ‘Never assume - it makes an ASS out of U and ME.’ 

I see Peeta extend his hand. I look at him, unsure. “One more time? For the audience?” he says. His voice isn’ t angry. It’s hollow, which is worse. Already the boy with the bread is slipping away from me. I take his hand, holding it tightly, preparing for the cameras, and dreading the moment when I will finally have to let go. - Ma babies! They are both so hurt and both just want to be with each other 😭 But they’ll need some time apart, to figure things out before they can do that.

[yunhoiseyecandy]

title; after class

genre; smut

pairing; dance teacher!hyunjin x female reader

word count; 1.5k

|||notes- fingering, mirror sex, teasing, dirty talk, unprotected sex|||

standing in the middle of the practice room, your blood ran cold. to say you were nervous would be an understatement.

you had prepared your whole life for this moment; the moment where you’d be able to make it into the dance academy you’d been studying to get into for, well - forever.

it wasn’t easy. in fact, it’d been one of the hardest things to accomplish. your teachers had been difficult to handle, their constant nagging and bugging, reminding you you’d never make it past high school, and that the only reason you were here was simply because of luck.

but you never believed them, always looking on the positive side of things. and so far, it seemed to be paying off.

because right now, looking around to the two other brave girls standing next to you, you knew you’d made it.

and that was more than enough to give you that boost of excitement to continue in the program.

you watched the girl with short, brown hair smile up at you as she tied her shoes, wondering if it was time to introduce yourselves. “oh, hi. my name’s y/n,”

your eyebrows raised to let her know that if she wanted to greet you back, now was the time to do it. she smiled, glancing at the girl in between you both. “hello, y/n. my name’s kristin. and her name is missy. 

missy gave you a half-smile, resting her hand on her hip. “are you new? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

you placed your bag on the ground, looking around the studio. “yep, I just got in last week. how about you guys?”

“we just got transferred here yesterday from another academy, thought it’d be nice to get a fresh start, you know?” kristin said.

“yeah, I get it alright. sometimes you just have to escape,” and before you could finish your sentence, the door opened to reveal the most attractive man you’d ever laid your eyes on.

he walked in, closing the door behind him and facing you three. “so, are you the new students we got?”

you looked to your side, head gesturing to missy to say something. “um, yeah, we are.”

kristen looked between you and the man, “and you are..?”

he smiled, biting his bottom lip. “oh, right. I’m hyunjin, your dance teacher for this semester.”

oh. that made sense, the id hung around his neck making everything lock into place. 

he placed his bag on the ground, walking to the center of the room and stretching. “so, who’s ready to start?

the next hour and a half felt like hell for your body, muscles burning almost as much as your skin. you knew you must look like a mess, hair falling out of your ponytail that you’d re-done at least fifty times.

it made you feel better about yourself when you looked over to the the girls next to you, their bodies splayed on the floor as their chests heaved up and down, the only thing running through all of your veins being exhaustion.

turning your head to hyunjin, your voice sounded like a tiny mouse as you spoke to him. “are we almost done? I don’t know how much more my body can take,”

“same.” missy and kristin said in unison.

hyunjin chuckled, running his hand through his wet and messy hair. “we’re done, don’t worry. but I was hoping I could run through a couple more steps with y/n. that is, if you don’t mind staying a little longer..”

his voice trailed off at the end of his sentence, eyes flickering down to your lips as you sat up. your ears burned, confused as to why he’d want you to stay after. you were positive you’d done all the moves correctly, moving your feet and swaying your body to the sensual music.

he’d sensed your confusion, “don’t worry, you did just fine, y/n. I just want to see if you’re eligible to qualify for the upcoming competition. I was hoping maybe we could be partners.”

your mouth dropped open in shock, surprised that he chose you to compete with him. “a-are you sure? I don’t want you to be the reason that you don’t get first place-”

“oh come on, y/n. you’re the best dancer out of the three of us, do it. I’m sure you’ll be great at it.” missy said with a grin as she stood up and packed her things, kristin doing the same thing with her belongings.

hyunjin laughed, “right? I mean, you’ve all got amazing, raw talent, but I feel that y/n’s style will fit the music’s emotion and feeling the most,”

“what song is it?” you said, hand bringing your water bottle up to your mouth.

“pour up by dean, ever heard of it?”

“hell yeah I’ve heard of it, he’s one of my favorite artists!” now you really wanted to practice with him, especially now since you already knew the tempo and beat of the song.

missy  opened the door, “well, I guess that’s our cue to leave. Bye guys! I hope everything goes well!” 

and with that, both girls were gone, leaving you and hyunjin alone fore the rest of the evening. 

he stood up and offered you his hand, pulling you up to meet his eyes. “good. now I can finally focus.”

“what do you mean?” you said, eyes looking back into his. he was beautiful, his lips plump and full, and you’d be lying if you said you didn’t want to kiss him right now.

“you think I haven’t noticed the way you’ve been looking at me? all the staring and biting your lips, it’s starting to get frustrating, baby.” he wrapped his arm aroing your waist and pushed you into the wall, hand lingering against your thigh.

“hyunjin, w-we can’t,” your eyes kept drifting to his arms, pupils blown wide with anticipation. you couldn’t ignore your body as you felt the need to close your thighs together, a damp spot forming along your panties.

he teased your shorts, pulling at the fabric softly. “why not, love? it’s only us in here.” he leaned down to pull your bottom lip between his teeth, sucking on it when your eyes fluttered closed.

“ugh, fuck it.” you said, pulling your shorts down a long with your underwear.

he did sat on the floor in front of the mirror, pulling you so that you weren’t facing him while you sat on his lap. his hands ran up and down your thighs, pushing them apart so he could see just how wet you were for him.

“oh, baby. did I do this?” his hand cupped you, palm rubbing over your clit. the pads of his fingers were rough against your skin, a finger slowly dipping into your soaking hole.

you moaned, “fuck, more.” your head was thrown back in pleasure, his hand underneath your shirt, now groping your breast over your bra.

“more? shit, I didn’t know you’d be so needy for me,” you felt as two more fingers found their way inside you, three fingers pumping in and out of you.

“oh my god, hyunjin. c-can you fuck me already? I want to feel how good you’ll be inside of me.” you turned to face him, licking your lips and meeting him in a sloppy kiss.

“all you had to do was ask, baby.”

he quickly pulled his pants down, returning to your previous position. pulling your legs apart once more he slid into you with ease, your warm and wet walls wrapping around his cock. he felt perfect inside of you, stretching you out until you felt him rub against that spot inside of you.

your head fell forward, body not being able to take all the pleasure that was running through you. “hyunjin, right fucking there!”

his hands came to rest at your hips while he thrusted up into you, the only thing that could be heard being your whimpers and his groans, skin slapping against skin, and the dirty words that left his mouth.

“you must love this, darling. you love how good my cock feels inside you, hitting all the spots your fingers could never dare to reach.” his hand moved from your waist to your clit, barely touching the sensitive bud.

“go on, lovely. make a mess out of yourself on my cock.” 

you clenched around him, trying your hardest not to scream in fear of someone hearing you. “shit, y/n.” 

he came not long after, his hot cum filling you up. you both sat there until your breathing evened out, his fingers running over your stomach to help calm you down.

he spoke, finally, the tense and semi awkward leaving the room. “can we maybe go out for coffee? I heard there’s a new place that opened up a few blocks from here.”

you giggled, “sure. but weren’t we supposed to go out and then have sex?”

requests are: open

[sorry if this was bad, it’s my first skz fic so hopefully my next ones will be better heh]

[intheticklecloset]

Don’t Hate the Player (My Hero Academia)

Primary Universe

@kiyachi-tickles​ I know that for a lot of these video game fics people tend to write about Mario Kart, but I’m a SEGA girl, so I decided to switch things up and have the boys play Team Sonic Racing! And, well...Bakugou doesn’t really do well with teamwork, does he? ^^

Hope you enjoy, and thanks for accepting my request, too! I can’t wait to read it! 😁

~

“Nothing’s gonna slow me down!”

“Yeah, Kacchan. Nothing’s going to slow me down!” Deku teased his friend while keeping his eyes on the screen as his character – Silver – raced along the track with ease.

Beside him, Bakugou grumbled. “Yeah, yeah. Just wait, nerd. I’ll catch up.” This was the third grand prix they’d played in this game, having decided beforehand to play through all six of them before even firing up their laptops. Deku had already won the first two, and two races into the third, he was set to win again.

Bakugou’s character – Knuckles – smashed through objects that were in his way and shouted, “Get outta my way!”

“That’s what I’m saying,” the blonde muttered.

Deku couldn’t help but giggle. Playing video games with Kacchan was always interesting, but in this particular case, his losing consistently was just funny to him. It was a racing game – it shouldn’t have been that hard. But more than that, it was a team racing game. And that’s what was making his friend lose so much. Bakugou was nothing if not a lone wolf.

“Why are my teammates so far behind?” he complained as they began the third lap.

“If they’re behind, send them items to help out,” Deku replied, breezing through the level with ease in first place. His teammates were second and third. It was smooth sailing for them.

“Ugh, losers.” Bakugou pressed a key on his keyboard. “Here, take the dang cube. It’s useless anyway.”

Deku bit back yet another giggle as he sailed over the finish line, his teammates right behind him. Several seconds later, Bakugou crossed in sixth place with his teammates in seventh and tenth. When the scores were tallied, Deku grinned across the table at him. “Looks like I’m gonna win this one, too.”

“Shut up. We still have three grand prixs to go, nerd.”

“I know, but even if you win all three of them we’ll be tied in the end.”

“I said shut up!”

As predicted, Deku won the third grand prix. Then he went on to win the fourth as well. At this point, Bakugou was just trying to win a race.

“Move or get run over!” Knuckles shouted at his opponents.

“Yeah, what he said!” Bakugou added, staring at his screen intensely, really getting into it now. He was actually doing pretty well; this track was a bit harder for Deku’s character’s racer type, so he was actually in fourth place while Bakugou was in second. The entire race, the blonde was ahead. Then suddenly – on the last lap – Silver whipped out in front of him and crossed the finish line in first place yet again.

Bakugou whipped his head up to glare at Deku. “What was that?!”

“Team Ultimate, baby!” Deku cried, fist pumping the air. “I win again! Let’s go!”

“Come on, you bunch of losers! I thought Sonic was supposed to be the fastest thing alive! Why’s he so slow?”

With every race that went by that he lost, Bakugou grew more and more frustrated with himself. But at the same time, watching Deku grow increasingly elated with every win and even get cocky about it was fascinating to him. The nerd was never arrogant; that was part of the reason he irritated Bakugou so much. But it seemed with video games, humility went out the window.

Finally the last grand prix rolled around. This time Bakugou was doing really well, keeping up with Deku and giving him and his team a run for their money. His teammates played a lot better; it was as if Sonic had heard him and stepped up his game. When the last race rolled around, it was entirely up to the results of this track who won the grand prix overall.

Deku’s team won by one point.

“One point?!” Bakugou yelled, jumping out of his seat and throwing his hands in the air. “One point? Are you kidding me?”

“Oh, yeah!” Deku cried at the same time, not only jumping out of his seat but beginning to do a victory dance of sorts around the table. “I won! I won every grand prix! All six of them!”

Bakugou stared, watching his rival dance around with all the arrogance that was usually something he himself would show off instead. Frustrated as he was, he begrudgingly let Deku have his moment – until the nerd finished his victory lap around the table and began to take another one.

“That’s it!” Bakugou roared, lunging at the green-haired boy and tackling him to the floor. “You cheated somehow! There’s no way you were that good!”

Deku continued to laugh even as he was pinned to the ground. “Haha! Don’t hate the player, hate the ga-HAME!�� He shrieked, suddenly bursting into loud laughter and struggling against his friend. “NAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! KACCHAHAHAHAHAN DOHOHOHOHOHOHON’T!!”

“This is payback for not only beating me in almost every single race we just played,” Bakugou growled as he drilled relentlessly into Deku’s hips, “but for being so dang cocky about it!”

“AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I’M SORRYEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!” Deku cried, laughing openly even as he squirmed and tried to tap out. “PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEASE!!”

“I’m not satisfied yet.” Bakugou grinned and moved to straddle his thighs so he couldn’t kick or roll around anymore. This made Deku even more hysterical than before.

“STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!! KACCHAN!!”

“Oh, no. I’m not stopping. You’ll just have to deal with it, Deku.” The atomic blonde smirked and leaned in closer to his rival’s face, knowing perfectly well he was about to be even meaner and not caring in the slightest. “Tickle, tickle, tickle, little nerd.”

For the briefest of moments, Deku’s laughter went silent from the teasing. Then it came back even stronger and more desperate than before. He begged and screamed and laughed, but Bakugou wasn’t letting him off that easy. He kept up his merciless assault on the smaller hero’s hips – yes, he was staying on his worst spot on purpose – and kept up his teasing until Deku was red in the face and crying with laughter.

“Plehehehehehehehehease!” Deku wheezed, his hysterics coming out in breathless gasps at this point. “Stahahahahahahahap, p-plehehease, I c-cahahahahan’t tahahahahahake it anymohohore!”

Finally satisfied that he’d thoroughly wrecked the nerd with tickles, Bakugou stopped, but didn’t climb off of him. Not just yet.

“Since when do you get so high and mighty when you win games?” he demanded.

“S-Sohorry,” Deku replied in a breathless giggle, still catching his breath. “I couldn’t help it. You were just…just so bad at it…I thought it was funny and it made me kind of silly.” He smiled sheepishly. “You just need more practice is all.”

“Oh, spare me.” Bakugou rolled his eyes and finally stood up, letting Deku pull himself back to his feet as well. He closed out the game, shut down his laptop, and tucked it under his arm. “Next time I’m taking you down, nerd.”

“And if I beat you again?” Deku challenged, grinning as he shut down his own laptop. “Are you going to tickle me to death again?”

Bakugou couldn’t help but let out a laugh of his own. “Not to death. I still want to fight you at one-hundred percent. But probably within an inch of your life, yes.”

“Maybe I’ll just…let you win next time.”

“Don’t you dare go easy on me, you little--!”

Deku spent the next several minutes running away from Kacchan and his laptop and his wrath, laughing all the while as his friend shouted threats and curses at him from behind – not unlike the racing game they’d just finished playing.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Secrets ~ 7

Warnings: noncon sexual acts later in series; fingering.

This is dark!Bucky and dark!Steve and explicit. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Notes:

Will King Steve ever show up?! Haha, we’re getting there, I promise.

I love you all, I thank you for your patience and feedback as always! Please don’t shy away in the comments, reblogs, etc.

After your midnight run-in with Barnes, you hid under your covers but didn’t sleep much. The morning rose behind the curtains as you groaned and mulled over another day of royal hell. You dragged yourself out of bed on your own that day. You dressed after grumbling over the selection of pastels and print then waited for your keeper.

You could probably march right out of the palace and not be noticed, you thought. Last night, he hadn’t even heard you enter the pool room. You cringed at the recollection and pushed your legs together as you felt a tickle between them. You stood sharply and teetered on your feet. 

You marched to the door and pulled it open, intent on sneaking out in your bare feet without the annoying and unsteady click of heels. If your mother could outrun Astrania for two decades, you could probably put up a good chase.

You were stopped by the figure awaiting you on the other side. Barnes was just as surprised as you as his hand was still outstretched as if to turn the handle. He blinked and his lips curved in amusement as he looked you over. You scowled, caught before you could run, and crossed your arms.

“You’ve forgotten your shoes,” he looked down.

You huffed and turned back. You stomped to the closet and wrenched it open. You blindly pulled out a pair of white heels. He followed you and kept you from closing the closet. He bent and reached past you to reveal a pair of nude pumps.

“The white… doesn’t go,” he switched the ivory for the beige. “Are you so impatient to start the day?”

You were silent as you sat on the edge of the bed and held back a whine as you shoved your already tortured feet into the shoes. You stood and flitted past him for the door.

“Eager for it be over with,” you swept through the door.

His chuckle stoked your chagrin as he caught up to you. He walked beside you as you retraced the usual path to the dining hall where he would sit and chide you for holding your fork wrong.

“Oh yeah? And how did you sleep?” He smoothed the lapels of his jacket, “Or maybe you were kept awake… by some wandering thoughts?”

You stopped short and turned on your heel to face him. He calmly met you as he came to a smooth halt and he smirked at you. His dark hair was combed neatly but still appeared soft and his thick beard was, as ever, trimmed and clean. He watched you with an unsettling confidence. His eyes ventured further down and you smacked his shoulder.

“And what happens if I tell your king what you did last night? What you tried to do?” You challenged.

He shrugged and fixed the top of your dress as the frill that ran along the neckline folded oddly.

“You think he would be bothered?” His hand slipped down your chest and you shoved him away. He caught your hand and held it firmly. “First, you do not strike a noble.” He remanded, “Like it or not, I have my own title, your highness. Second, I have done nothing more than the duty I’ve been handed. The king wants me to present him with a fit wife and your vow includes a lot more than dining room etiquette.”

“I assure you, I have more than enough experience to guide me in those matters,” you struggled with him as you twisted in his grasp. “Let go of me, Barnes.”

“My lord,” he corrected as his grip tightened, “That is how you must address me.” He released you at last. “Not Barnes, definitely not James.” He sniffed. We have only a few more days and I have little confidence that you will retain much of our work, so if anything, you might appease the king in other avenues.”

“And you would what? Show me how to f--”

“Language!” He cut you off as he grabbed your arm and spun you suddenly. He tapped your ass harshly. “You push too far, your highness.”

“You,” you tried to elbow him but he kept your arm in place as he tugged you down the staircase. “You push too far… my lord.” You descended if only to keep from falling on your face. 

“Because I must,” he sneered and for a moment, you were proud of how you had irritated him. “Because you insist on making it so… difficult.” The pause revealed his urge to swear himself. You wanted to laugh but his hold on you had you more inclined to slap him.

“Get off,” you wiggled free as you got to the bottom of the stairs, “Lord Barnes,” you spat with spite, “You want me to be proper, you want me to act as a queen would, then you should treat me like one and listen to me.”

His blue eyes gleamed as he watched you. You shook your head and waved him off as you strode ahead of him. He followed with even steps. You refused to look back at him or slow your pace. Just a few more days, but for what end? For what would be a man just as bad, if not worse.

“You’re not queen yet,” he admonished from behind, “But… not so far as you were.”

👑

Another ridiculous dance lesson, this time without Priscilla tapping your calves with her stick, and you were ready to kick your heels off. Barnes, however, had other ideas. He ushered you from the grand hall and back up the stairs. You knew where he was taking you before you even turned the first corner. The hall of mirrors was your personal nightmare. Your flaws reflected back at you from every angle.

You stopped before the door and, with his arm still hooked in yours, you drew him back.

“Not another fitting,” you pleaded as you untangled yourself from him, “I can’t--”

“You better get used to it, your highness. All of this isn’t for nothing. This will be your life. Fittings, dancing, events… your wedding is a footnote to the list of expectations.” He pushed open the left door. “For every season, you will need a new wardrobe, and as time goes, you might need second fittings.”

“Jesus,” you sighed.

“Your highness,” he reproached curtly. “You must learn to withhold your gripes. Whenever you feel you must bemoan your unhappiness, you might instead smile and count to ten. It works well for my nephew and he is much younger than you.”

“I…” you grimaced, “How dare you--” You searched for words but all you could think was “asshole”, so instead you clamped your lips shut and stormed through the doors.

“There,” he entered behind you, “Much better but you must remember to smile.”

He poked your cheek as he came up beside you and you shook him away. You squinted as you looked to the middle of the airy hall. The mirrors reflected the lights in your peripherals as you took in the scene. A bench had been dragged out and a folding screen was only six feet away, erected beside another rack of clothing. The garments, however, were scant and made your lip curl.

“What is this?” You snarled.

“Well, we have your wardrobe sorted, your attire for your engagement, and of course, the wedding dress,” he passed you and turned as he walked along the bench, “We only need to worry about the wedding night.”

“Oh, no,” you laughed dryly, “No, no, no. I don’t think--”

“Do you think? Ever?” He scoffed. “Now, I will give you a choice. Humour your stubbornness for this one instant. You can choose whichever piece you want and try it on or I can choose and put it on you myself.” He unbuttoned his jacket and pushed it back as he put a hand on his belt, “So?”

You stared at him. Your eyes strayed to the rack of laces, satins, and silks. Your gaze was drawn back as his fingers twitched and you nodded. Slowly, you crossed the hall and swept by the end of the bench. He turned and sat, you glanced over your shoulder from the corner of your eye as you approached the hangers.

You flicked through the selection and found none of it preferable. Whatever you picked would offer little coverage and you expected, little defense to the king’s whims. You tapped your toe and grabbed a hanger without looking. You felt the heat of Barnes’ gaze as you moved behind the screen.

You paused and closed your eyes. You took a breath. Your nerves swirled amid the anger boiling in your chest. You sighed and lifted your lashes. You held up the lingerie and turned it in disgust. Something blue…

The pale blue lace was stretched between slender boning along the structured bodice. You set the set down on the small stool and stepped out of your heels. You rubbed the soles of your feet as you delayed. You wanted to moan as your thumb grazed the tender arch.

“Do you require assistance, your highness?” Barnes taunted from the other side.

“I could just check the sizing and--”

“Would rather the second option?” He called back. “I do like the pink one.” You let out a disgusted ‘ugh’ and strained to unzip your dress. “Two minutes,” he warned.

You slipped out of the pink, frilly dress and shivered as you stripped off your underwear. The panties, made of delicate lace, barely covered your ass as you stepped into them. Your cheeks peeked out the bottom as the top tickled low on your pelvis. The bodice met the upper hem of the bottoms and the cups barely covered your tits, finely embroidered flowers just big enough to conceal your nipples beneath the lace.

“I can’t--” you stood and looked down at yourself, “I can’t-- Barnes, it fits but I can’t…” You were suddenly very self-conscious. You didn’t want him to see you, or anyone else for that matter. “Can I just--”

“Well,” he startled you as he came up and peeked around the screen. You tried to cover yourself but it was of little use, “It does fit.”

“Hey,” you turned away from him and grabbed your dress.

“Mmm,” he purred, “Very nice.”

His hand closed around your arm and he drew you back. He wrestled the dress from your hand and tossed it over your shoulder. He dragged you away from the screen and turned you ahead of him. He placed his hands on your shoulders as he walked you to one of the many mirrored walls.

“Look,” he ordered, “Look at yourself.”

You blinked and raised your eyes. You made yourself focus and bit down as you faced your reflection. Your flesh was on fire as you took in the revealing lace and your exposed skin. You gulped and your gaze met Barnes’ in the mirror. His tongue glided over his bottom lip as his hands slid down your sides.

“You’ve convinced me. The blue is… nice,” he slithered as he gripped your hips. He pressed against you and rocked his hips. His arousal was obvious through his trousers. 

“What-- Hey,” you grabbed his wrists, “That’s enough.”

“His majesty doesn’t like a woman who acts shy,” his hot breath grazed your scalp.

“I don’t care what he likes. You either,” you wrenched his hands away and spun to face him. “I tried it on. We’re done.”

You shoved him but as your hands met his shoulders, he caught your wrists. His eyes were dark and dangerous as they clung to you and he marched you backwards. You stumbled, afraid you would trip, and were steadied only as your back met the cold glass of the mirror. He pushed your hands against the wall on either side of your head and leaned in. His nose met yours as he loomed over you.

“Now, don’t go making a mess,” he raised your hands up above you and held them together. 

His right hand fell to stroke your cheek as he stared you down. He played with the strap of the bodice and slid his fingers beneath as he tugged it past your shoulder. You trembled as your hands throbbed from his tight grip and you squirmed against the mirror.

“Barnes,” you warned as boldly as you could but your voice wavered tellingly. “Get off!”

“You don’t want to ruin this,” his fingers danced over your breast and along your stomach. “Not yet.”

“Let go,” you begged as he fumbled with the lace along your pelvis. 

He turned his hand and pressed two fingers down your vee. He pushed along the crotch of your panties as he forced his foot between yours. He hummed as he crushed the lace against your cunt and both felt the slickness seeping through it.

“Your highness,” he rubbed your clit and you hissed in surprise. “What did I say about making a mess?”

You could only squeak as he swirled his fingers. You turned your head away from him and closed your eyes. Your thighs closed around his hand but did not deter him. He kept his hand snug against you as he curled his fingers and teased you through the lace.

He released your hand and grabbed your chin. He turned your head as his large hand framed your face. His hot breath washed over you.

“Open your eyes,” he demanded and you whimpered. He repeated himself, his tone so deep, so dark, that you obeyed without thinking. You bit your lip as his fingers kept on. “Don’t hold back. You can’t. Not with him.” He rested his forehead against yours. “You have to let the king hear you.”

“B--” your words fizzled to a moan.

“Like that.” He goaded, “Or the king will do worse. If you do not show your pleasure, he won’t care for it.” Barnes fingers sped up and you writhed between him and the wall. “He’ll use you like he has so many, or you can make him want you, like he has never before.” Your mewls grew louder as he played with your bud. “Just like that,” he growled, “Listen to you.”

You spasmed as your climax rose at once. You braced the glass as your body tensed around his hand and you quaked through the ripples of ecstasy. You gasped and gulped for air as your nerves bounced off each other and your blood pulsed hotly in your veins. 

Barnes stilled his fingers and his other hand slid down to your throat. He tutted as he stood straight and kept you against the mirrored wall. He dragged his fingertips up the lacy panties and hooked them beneath the top. 

“We’ll have to choose another,” he tore the panties down your thighs and dropped his hand from your neck. 

He rolled the lace to your feet and tugged until you stepped out of them. You leaned against the glass senselessly as he stood and folded the panties. He felt the wet fabric before tucking them into his chest pocket and buttoning his jacket. He cleared his throat and winked at you.

“Try the pink one,” he said before he strode back to the bench, “The king likes pink.”

You pushed away from the glass and covered your vee with your hands, dazed but humiliated. Only two more days. Could you make it through?

[kenganparadise]

Hey how are you love!!!

I was wondering if I could get a head canon of agito confessing his feeling, planning a first date, and losing his virginity to his S/O please!!!!!!

Im doing pretty wonderful after seeing this in my ask box!! I love you for requesting this- Thank you so much!! I’ve always wanted to write HCs about Agito falling in love❤️ it’s so obvious that he’s my favorite. I hope you enjoy this as much as I loved writing it💙❤️💜

Agito-

• Agito doesn’t know what he’s feeling. He never conciders finding a partner or finding love before. He’s spent his whole life serving Metsudo.

• That is till he meets his S/O. He doesn’t know what it is about them, he just knows that they’re special to him. He knows that the feeling he has for them is much different than anything he’s felt toward anyone ever before.

• They make him feel so warm and fuzzy inside. Every time he sees them his gut tightens and churns. He goes out of his way to pass by them. Even if it means inconveniencing himself he’ll go out of his way just to see them.

• Sometimes he is unable to stop thinking about his crush. He does everything and anything to get them out of his head. They’ve plagued him. He even sees them in his dreams

• He sees things that couples do, maybe in books and movies. He also does a lot of people watching (more like analyzing and collecting data while he’s the fang) but when he’s living his nomad biker babe days he watches how people act and treat each other.

• He sees couples kiss and hold hands, he takes note of people who do PDA, he imagines him and his crush doing things like that.

• His feelings confuse him. He tries to bottle them up. He’ll probably have this nasty crush for a very long time before he even speaks to his crush. He’ll just silently watch them from afar.

• However bottling up emotions and feelings is never ever a good idea. Eventually they’ll bubble over. This could be due to jealousy or maybe his feelings grow and grow even more till it gets downright uncomfortable.

• Finally he does something about it- he confides in his friends/family. He probably approaches Metsudo and Sayaka. maybe Takayama and Omori if he’s feeling desperate. He probably even goes to Okubo. He knows Metsudo and Okubo have experience in love and relationships (Metsudo more than Okubo)

• Mestsudo is delighted that Agito has fallen in love. He advises that Agito go out and buy his crush a bunch of gifts then give a very grand confession to his love. Agito adores Metsudo but he’s not going to put on a show.

• Sayaka does the same. She tells Agito to write anonymous love letters to his crush. She’ll deliver them of course. He considers it but doesn’t want to do that either.

• Okubo give Agito a bunch of pick-up lines. He thinks that a little demeaning so he’s definitely not doing that. (Could you imaging Agito telling a pick up line to his S/O. It would be so Awkward)

• Omori and Takayama tell him the exact same thing “just go tell them how you feel.” Omori says. “Just tell them how you feel, dumbass” Takayama says. Agito does exactly that.

• Agito approaches his crush at their usual spot. “I’d like to speak with you privately.” He says with a poker face. He’s all business. He takes them somewhere private where they won’t be bothered.

• When he’s alone with his crush he feels a pang of nervousness in his heart. Seeing them look up at him in confusion/curiosity makes his gut churn.

• It’s hard to read him. So his crush has no clue what he’s speaking to him about. His tone and body language doesn’t tell them a thing. They have no idea the things that they have put him through. They don’t know the turmoil going on inside him.

• “I think I’m in love with you.” He speaks, still all business. His crush is taken by absolute surprise. They’re frozen. “A-ah I’m sorry did I hear you right? Can you repeat that?” They’ll say. “I think-no. I am in love with you.” He says, reassuring his crush.

• “well. How about we go out on a date?” They say timidly after processing this shocking information.

• Dates- Agito knows about these. “Yes. What would you like to do?” He asks still all business. “Dinner! Just the two of us!” They’ll say. The hearing his crush say ‘just the two of us’ makes his heart leap.

• The date is set. They’ll meet the following night. Agito will pick them up and they’ll go to a traditional restaurant.

• He wears his finest suit. He picks out an expensive cologne. With Metsudo’s help get gets a dozen of the most vibrant roses- only the best for his date.

• He meets them at their home. “You look pretty.” Is all he’s able to say. He does think they look beautiful. They did their hair and obviously put lots of thought into their outfit.

• During the date his crush does most of the talking. He is having a wonderful time just listening to their voice. He replies every now and again. Sometimes he’s unable to hide the smile on his face.

• After good food, drinks, and desert he walks his S/O home. He asks his crush politely if they’d like to see him again. Hearing them say yes makes his heart skip a beat.

• If his crush wants a kiss they’ll have to make the first move. “Bend down a little please.” He of course obeys without a second thought. They better not expect him to kiss back. But his lips will twitch when he’s feels their warm ones press to his. When his crush pulls away they’ll be about to see pink dusted across his cheeks.

• He’ll walk home. He will absolutely ponder for hours about that kiss and he will definitely be seeing them in his dreams again at night.

🔞WARNING NSFW AHEAD🔞

• After dating for a while Agito feels himself ready to lose that pesky virginity. He waits for his S/O to make the first move.

• Agito has spent many nights touching himself to the thought of his S/O. Even before when it was just a crush he’d be in his room, dick in hand, thinking about them.

• He’s imagined what their body looks like beneath their clothing and that they feel like from the inside.

• The first time- He’s practically champing at the bit watching them undress slowly. His dick is practically twitching in his pants. His breathing gets ragged watching them strip down to their underwear.

• When they stare at him he realizes it’s his turn to remove his clothing. He hurriedly rips of his clothes down to his boxers. To say he is impatient is quite the understatement, he’s spent many nights thinking about this exact moment.

• Their fingers are like fire on his skin when his S/O touches him. The two are sitting on the bed as his S/O begins kissing his neck and chest. They feel up his pecs and abs. Their hands trail down to his hips and stop at his boxers.

• He jumps and blushes a deep crimson color when they they squeeze his ass.

• He realizes he should probably be doing something too. He grabs their chest and massages it roughly making them moan.

• Hearing them moan spurs him on more. He pinches their nipples lightly in his fingers. It doesn’t matter if his S/O is AFAB or AMAB he’s sucking on those titties. After playing with their chest a little he takes their nipple in his mouth. He sucks roughly. He moves his hands down to their hips.

• He touches them through their underwear. He rubs them roughly. He flinches when feeling them palm him through his boxers. Feeling their hands on him makes him very impatient. “How do you- what position should we do?” He asks. “Well do you want to be on top? Or do you want me to be on top?” They purr in his ear. Ugh that’s the hardest decision he could make right now.

• He wants them to be on top first. He lays on his back with soft pillows behind him. They pull down his boxers, his massive cock springs out. He watches as they remove their panties finally.

• His S/O coats his dick with a generous amount of lube. He grunts as they stroke him a couple times while coating him. Then his S/O mounts him.

• He listens to his S/O hiss as they sink down onto his dick. It’s a delicious stretch. He exhales as their hips meet his. His Adam’s apple bobs. It’s such a stark contrast. He’s so used to his rough cold calloused hand, and now he’s deep inside his soft, warm, tight S/O.

• He uncontrollably bucks his hips up into his S/O. They moan as he does. They grab his hands and place them on their hips. He’s got a vice grip on them. Then they start to move.

• He watches like a hawk as they bounce on his dick. He literally can’t look away. They set a steady space. He’s got insane stamina but It’s his first time. He cums rather fast.

• He can’t really help it, his S/O is so soft and warm. And they look gorgeous moaning and being pleasured above him. He’s never felt this before, so he pumps his load inside quickly.

• He doesn’t warn them before hand, it’s only when they feel his dick go soft and the huge load inside their belly that that they’ve realized he’s finished.

• He feels bad for not warning them beforehand- but seeing his release seeping out of them makes his dick come back to life.

• The second round however is much different. He is on top and controlling the pace. He enters them and sets a rather brutal but steady pace. His S/O better get ready to get fucked into the mattress.

• Their legs would be locked around his waist as he pounds into them. he’ll be grunting in their ear the whole time, his hands are clawing at the sheets beneath. Hearing them moan in his ear spurs him on.

• He lasts much longer this time. He’ll only finish after his S/O cums. He grunts loudly as he dumps another load in his S/O.

• After that it’s quite a long night for his poor S/O. He excited and wants to try everything in one night (but we know that’s not possible)

• He switches positions. He loves the sight of his S/O getting fucked in different poses. Each round he lasts longer than the previous.

• Once he’s had enough and he realizes his S/O has definitely had enough, he carries them to the bathroom for a nice hot bath. Then it’s off to bed. He cuddles his S/O the whole night. He’ll probably fall asleep after them.

[secretobsessionstuff]

Alright lately i’ve been having really bad migraines and I just started thinking about how good it is to read about light sensitivity when it comes to them— So i was wondering if maybe you’d write something with Dakota having a really bad migraine, light sensitivity and all that good stuff, and he’s trying to convince blair it’s not that bad but then he gets sick from the pain and well....she’s not so convinced anymore. I hope you’re doing good!!✨✨

Thanks for the request, I had a lot of fun with it! A while ago I wrote a fic with Dakota and Blair on a cruiseship, and this is the same trip. Takes place on a cruise :)

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

When Blair returned from the bathroom, she found Dakota with his head on the table. He wrapped his arms around his head as a pillow and appeared to be sleeping. But he wasn’t sleeping. His back rose and fell quite rapidly from his heavy breathing. From within the cave that he created, he tried to block out the noise of the room. The music and chatter was overwhelming.

They were in a club-like room with a few tables against the wall and a dance floor in the center. It was loud and the lights were set up to beam around the space. Dakota stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the other vacationers who were laughing and grinding up against each other. It would have looked fun if Dakota were able to even spare a glance at the scene.

Blair put her hand on Dakota’s back. His shirt was damp with sweat which wouldn’t have seemed out of place if Dakota had gone up to dance at least once. But nope. Not long after arriving at the club, Dakota guarded their table with his life. He never left his seat even when Blair asked him to dance. “What’s wrong with you, Kota?” Blair raised her voice to be heard over the music.

Upon feeling a hand on his back and hearing his girlfriend’s voice, Dakota shot up. He had only planned on resting his head for a minute while Blair went to the washroom. The plan certainly wasn’t to look like a buzzkill when Blair came back. And the plan definitely hadn’t been to rest his head and forget about time and space. But that’s what happened. As soon as Dakota found a semblance of darkness within his arms, he started to drift out of his body.

He dragged his hand down his face and tried to pump life back into his body. The strobe lights made him wince as he spoke to Blair. “I have a bit of a headache.”

That was one hell of an understatement. Dakota felt like all the blood in his skull was pooling right behind his forehead and pushing against his eyes. With each sharp slash of the lights across his vision, he wondered when the blood was going to start bursting through. Already his eyes were bloodshot with how much he’d been rubbing them.

Dakota wasn’t usually prone to migraines, but he felt this one coming on even before they got to the club. But Blair wanted to try all the activities that the ship had to offer, so he let the man stamp his hand and walked into the rave. At the beginning, he hoped that the pain would go away. Now he just hoped that the pain wouldn’t get worse.

Blair seemed to wait a moment before speaking. Her attention got snagged by the song that started playing. “Uh…I might have…ibuprofen back in the room.”

“No, that’s okay,” Dakota said quickly. He could see that Blair wanted to stay. She hadn’t even sat back down at her chair because there was too much energy in her limbs. She’s so cute, he thought. He wanted to join her on the floor but the thought of getting up made his stomach turn. “Go dance. I’m going to get us something to drink. What do you want?”

“I want you to dance with me.” Blair was slowing inching closer to the center of the room. She took the question seriously when Dakota’s face remained neutral. “But I guess I’ll have whatever you’re getting.”

“I’m getting water.” There was no chance that Dakota would be drinking anything else. His stomach would surely team up with his aching head. Though he suspected that that was already happening.

“Oh…you sure? They have some pretty cool drinks here.”

Dakota didn’t have the energy or the mental capacity to have this conversation. “…Blair.” It sounded more exasperated than he wanted but there was nothing he could do. There was only so much fake-it-till-you-make-it that he could muster.

Blair’s face dropped. “Okay fine…get me a water too.” A pout came across her face for a second before concern took over. Dakota was already gone, but she knew that he felt worse than he was letting on. He wasn’t acting like himself. For the time being, Blair danced but it wasn’t as fun.

The lineup for drinks was extremely long. Dakota stood there for as long as he could. At one point he closed his eyes to get a break from the flashing reds and yellows. It wasn’t until a stranger tapped him on the shoulder that he realized that the line had moved forward. He was still so far away from getting the drinks. Eventually, Dakota gave up because every part of his body hurt. He felt his blood pumping in his ears in tune to the music. A wave of dizziness washed over him, but he managed to stagger to the bathroom.

As expected, many other people were in the washroom. Dakota wanted to splash water on his face but there were too many people at the sinks. There was an available stall however, so he hid in there for a while. The thumping of the music could still faintly be heard, but the lighting in the washroom was dim.

The momentary break from the light and noise was welcomed. Well, it was good until the lack of stimuli made Dakota realize just how bad he felt. His stomach was in turmoil. It churned in time with his heartbeat that could be felt under every inch of his skin. The most pressing throbbing came from his eyes. He felt a band of pulsing pain wrap around his head.

Dakota wanted to stay in the stall longer, mostly because he felt sick to his stomach, but people started knocking on the door. With no time to feel better, he swallowed a wave of nausea and left. It took a few minutes for him to gather the willpower to walk back into the club. The music and the lights got ten times worse now that he had a taste of silence.

By some miracle, their table was still free! And that miracle was Blair. She sat all alone, looking sadly towards the crowd of dancers. She perked up as Dakota joined her. She noticed his empty hands. “Where are the drinks?”

Dakota was just too happy about having a place to sit that the question didn’t register in his mind. He rested his elbows on the table and put his head in his hands.

“Kota?”

“What?”

Blair was going to repeat her question, but there was a more important one to ask. Actually, it was more of a statement followed by a question. “You don’t look so hot. Are you sick?”

“It’s just a headache.” His voice was muffled by his hands. “The lights…” he gestured around the room as if Blair could somehow have missed the seizure-inducing lights.

He didn’t bother with the rest of the sentence because the need to burp took precedence. He let out a long, wet belch that made him press his fist against his mouth. The food in his stomach sloshed around inside of him, making him shiver with nausea. Maybe it was time to ask Blair if they could leave.

“Hey, babe can you look up for one second?” Blair grabbed his arm and gave it a little shake. She was tired of looking at the top of his head all night, and trying to make sense of his mumbling.

Dakota moaned from the movement. Just then, a harsh hiccup caused his stomach to jump into his throat. A heave escaped his mouth just before a gush of vomit splattered onto the table. In his disorientated state, Dakota barely had the idea to lean over and let the next wave of puke hit the floor.

“Oh God, Dakota!” Blair jumped up from her chair, removing her arms from the table just in time. She came around to Dakota’s side and held onto his large frame. He was practically falling out of his chair with the force of each retch. “Okay, alright…you’re okay.”

Dakota squeezed his pounding eyes shut as his stomach contents splashed across the floor. He feared that if he opened his eyes, he would find himself hanging upside down. The world flipped onto its side, and Dakota no longer knew which way was up. His poor belly was getting rid of everything he ate that day. By some sick joke, the noises of the club were drowned out in his current state. Most of his senses abandoned him except for touch. He could feel Blair firmly rubbing his arm.

“I’m right here,” Blair said. “Don’t worry about a thing.”

Blair wanted to move Dakota out of the club, but there was no stopping the flood of sick from pouring from his mouth. With another gurgle and groan of pain, Dakota coated the floor.

Even when he had a moment to breathe, Dakota didn’t dare open his eyes. He did righten himself though because he came close to falling in the mess he made. He slowly sat up, only to let his head fall into Blair’s arms. “Everything hurts, Bee.”

“Oh baby, I’m sorry,” Blair cooed as she brush his hair away from his face. “I’m getting you out of here. Can you stand?”

Dakota didn’t feel confident about standing, but no one would stop him from trying. He held tightly onto Blair’s arms for support as he planted his feet on the floor.

“Alright…” Blair mumbled nervously. “Let’s see if we can get back to the room without you crushing me.”

It took some getting used to, but eventually Dakota managed to walk in a straight line. He felt drunk, hungover, and possessed at the same time.

“We’re almost there,” Blair assured him as they turned down the hallway to their suite.

They were so close, but Dakota stopped. He braced himself against the wall and threw up again. “Ugh fuck…my head.” He burped which dislodged the last small wave of sick. It was a thin stream of stomach acid and bile. When he was finished, Dakota’s legs began to give out.

Blair felt the added weight of her collapsing boyfriend and accepted it. “Okay, okay this is a good spot.” She lowered them both to the ground, a few feet from the puddle of sick.

Once sitting against the wall, Dakota opened his eyes again. He hugged his middle and squinted. As he remembered all that just happened, a deep sigh escaped him. “Did I just puke everywhere?”

Blair couldn’t help but grin. “Yeah, you just puked everywhere.” She covered her mouth with her hand, but it didn’t stop the laugh. “And we just fucking left.”

Dakota half-heartedly chuckled at the thought, then he winced in pain and put his hand on his forehead. “I hope that never happens again.”

“Yeah, that was a migraine,” Blair said while looking back and forth down the hallway. “They aren’t fun.”

“No kidding.”

“Does your head still hurt?”

“Yes.” Dakota cursed at the lights in the hallway. At least they weren’t as bad as in the club.

Blair stood up. She reached out a hand to help her boyfriend. “I’ll give you meds to knock you out so you can hopefully sleep it off.”

Dakota sighed as he became upright. “You might just have to decapitate me.”

“That’ll be plan B.”

[cobaltusami]

Self conscious

Aaaahhhh this was so so SO much fun to write, Fuyuhiko Is my second favorite character from Goodbye Despair. I love this smol Yakuza boi so much. I wanted to do something sort of body positive, I'm not sure how well I did In that regard, But I love how this turned out either way. It's just so much fun to me. <3

Holy shit, It just occurred to me that this Is now my longest fic. and I wrote It In eight hours with breaks-- Dayum.

Also bonus fun points because Kuzuhina Is one of my favorite ships from the game-

Characters: Lee!Fuyuhiko, Ler!Hajime

Words: 4196 (It's a long boi)

Pairing: Kuzuhina

also mentions of MahiruXHiyoko

The sound of the ocean waves crashing against the sand, the warm sunlight enveloping his skin, the gentle cooling breeze dancing from tree to tree… It was almost relaxing enough to put Hajime to sleep.

Almost.

However, being pelted with a water balloon ruined that relaxing atmosphere.

He let out a shriek, jolting upright from his lying position on the newly soaked beach towel in the sand. His eyes darted around, offended, until they landed on the doubled over laughing perpetrator. Of course It was Ibuki.

“Bahahahaha! You should have seen your face! Ibuki thought you were going to have a heart attack!” She cackled, holding her ribs with one arm and pointing with the other.

Hajime should have known better than to relax, especially with Ibuki around. He sighed and stood up. “Yeah yeah, Very funny Ibuki…”

He felt something hard and plastic press Into his back, he quickly shot a questioning glance over his shoulder, meeting Chiaki’s gaze.

“It’s dangerous to go alone, Take this.” She whispered, He reached around and took the water gun from her. He winked and whispered his thanks, keeping the toy concealed from Ibuki’s line of sight.

“You think you’re sooooo funny, Don’t you Ibuki?” He smiled, shuffling closer to the laughing rockstar.

“Ibuki doesn’t think she’s funny, She thinks she’s hilarious!” She laughed, tears formed In the corner of her eyes. She was completely oblivious to her impending doom.

“Yeah,” He sighed, an evil grin on his face. “Well I think that this Is funny!”

The ‘this’ he was referring to, was blasting Ibuki in the face with a cold stream of water from the Water gun. She shrieked in surprise, still giggling as she brought her hands up to protect herself.

“Mayday mayday! Target has obtained a weapon! ABORT MISSION!” She went running off, With Hajime chasing after her laughing.

The other students laughed as they watched the two, joining In on the game by grabbing their own water guns.

Soon almost all of the students were enveloped In a water gun battle.

Well, Almost all.

Fuyuhiko remained in his spot In the shade under the tree, his arms crossed as he watched the others playing and having fun. Even Peko had joined In on the fight, throwing water balloons left and right like a friggin ninja.

He rolled his eyes with a fond smile watching their antics.

“Fuyu?”

He quickly stopped smiling as he looked away from the beach, looking up at a now dripping with water Hajime. “Y-Yeah?”

“Do you wanna join In? I’ll get you a water gun an--”

“No.” was his curt response. “I don’t.”

“Are you sure? You look kind of lonely over here all by yourself…” Hajime sat down In the grass next to him, pulling off his shirt and wringing it out.

Fuyuhiko glanced at him for a moment then quickly darted his eyes away, flustered. “I-I already said I don’t want to.”

“Will you at least change Into something beachy? That suit has to be uncomfortable.”

“No way!”

Hajime raised an eyebrow, questioning the urgency of his tone and the quickness of his response.

Fuyuhiko blushed, quickly thinking up a reason. “You’ll just shoot me with water if I do!”

He has a reason, but there’s no way In hell he’s going to talk about It. He’s insecure about his body.

“I promise I won’t?” the taller boy tried, thrown off by his odd behavior.

The young Yakuza shook his head. “No way.” he stood up and hurried inside the beach house, abruptly ending the conversation.

Hajime blinked in confusion. What was that about?

He wasn’t sure, But he knew someone who would be.

“Peko?” He approached the swordswoman, who was in the middle of cleaning off her glasses with a towel. “Can I ask you something?”

She looked up curiously, pausing her actions. “Sure. What Is It Hajime?”

“It’s about Fuyu.”

Her red eyes darted over to where Fuyuhiko had previously been sitting. “What’s wrong with Young master? Where did he go?”

“He went inside, He’s fine I think…” Hajime responded, putting the swordswoman at ease. “Does he have a fear of water or something?”

“Hm? Not that I am aware of. Why do you ask?”

“Because I asked him if he wanted to join us and he said no. Then he got kind of agitated when I suggested he change into some beach attire.”

She sighed softly, continuing to clean off her glasses. “Ah. I see now… Young Master Is, how should I put this… Self-conscious.”

“Self-Conscious? Of what?” He asked, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“His body. He Is smaller than most boys his age.” She replied, putting her glasses back on and wrapping the towel around her shoulders. “He hates showing off his body.”

Hajime frowned as he looked back at the beach house, He wouldn’t have pushed him so much if he had known that.

“Don’t feel guilty. You had no way of knowing.” Peko said as she put a hand on his shoulder.

“I still feel bad though. I knew he felt self conscious about his height but I didn’t even think about his body.”

“Perhaps I should go check on him, If you are that concerned.”

“No! No It’s okay, I’ll go check on him. You go back to playing with the others.” Hajime interjected. This was the first time he’d really seen her let loose and have fun, He didn’t want to be the reason she stopped.

She gave a small tilt of her head. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I can handle him. Go have fun.” He smiled reassuringly at the woman, She gave one last skeptical glance before getting hit with two water balloons in the back by a wildly cackling Kazuichi and Ibuki.

She narrowed her eyes, Holding out her hand. “Hajime, I am going to need your weapon.”

Hajime chuckled at her dead serious demeanor and handed her the toy gun. “Don’t murder them.”

“I make no promises.” She replied, whipping around and pumping the water pressure slide on the gun. “Which one of you wants to die first?!”

Kazuichi and Ibuki screamed and went running with Peko chasing after them.

Hajime laughed and shook his head at them before making his way up the beach house stairs and into the building.

“Ugh,” Fuyu had lowered his book to see who came inside, but upon seeing it was Hajime he quickly brought it back up covering his face. “What the hell do you want? I already said I’m not joining you guys.”

“I know, I’m not here to ask that.” He replied softly.

He pulled out the chair across from Fuyuhiko and dragged It over to the spot at the table next to him before sitting down.

The Yakuza glanced up from his book again for a moment, a skeptical look on his face. “Then why are you…?”

“I’m here to apologize.” Hajime answered.

“Apologize?” He parroted, more confused than before.

“I didn’t mean to pressure you earlier, I just wanted to include you In on the fun.” He said. “I didn’t realize that you were self conscious about your body.”

Fuyuhiko’s face turned bright pink with embarrassment, His hazel eyes widening with surprise. “W-What?! I’m not fucking self conscious! Where the fuck would you get that idea!?”

Hajime blinked. “It’s okay to be self conscious, There’s nothing wrong with feel--”

“I am NOT self conscious! I just don’t like getting blasted with water!” Fuyuhiko shot back, crossing his arms stubbornly.

“Fuyu?”

“W-What!?”

“Take off your shirt.”

“Excuse me??”

“If you aren’t self conscious… Take off your shirt.”

Fuyuhiko kicked out his chair from the table, aggressively shrugging off his jacket and tossing it on the floor. Next he undid his tie and dropped it on top of his jacket. He did all this without breaking eye contact with Hajime.

Hajime folded his arms as he watched with a skeptical look, It was as if he was challenging him with his gaze.

The Yakuza started to unbutton his dress shirt but stopped halfway. Without his jacket to obscure his frame even a little, He already felt shy.

He crossed his arms and looked away from the brunette. “I can’t.” He mumbled under his breath.

“What?”

“I SAID I CAN’T!” He snapped, clearly flustered. “Are you fucking happy now!? Yes! CONGRATULATIONS YOU FIGURED IT OUT! I’m fucking self conscious!”

Hajime frowned and hooked his leg around Fuyu’s chair leg, Pulling him closer without any protests. “Hey, It’s okay. Everyone has something they’re self conscious about.” He reassured the embarrassed boy In front of him.

“Yeah right.” He muttered, still refusing to meet Hajime’s eyes.

“It’s true. Even I’m self conscious.”

Fuyu rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to lie.”

“I’m not.” He insisted.

“What do you have to be self conscious about? Look at you…” The tips of his ears turned pink as he blushed more.

Hajime smiled a little and reached forward, starting to button Fuyuhiko’s shirt back up for him. “I can’t make people laugh. I can’t tell a joke to save my life… I’m not funny.”

“It’s because you’re trying too hard. You’re someone who is unintentionally--” Fuyuhiko immediately clamped his mouth shut, flinching rather violently as he felt Hajime’s fingers graze his ribs accidentally.

Hajime paused what he was doing, his hands hovering over the buttons of the white dress shirt still. “What was…”

“N-Nothing!” Fuyu stuttered, pushing his hands back. “Listen… I appreciate the attempt to make me feel better but-- HEY!”

The blond yelped as he felt a few fingers poke experimentally Into his side, He reached down and grabbed his hands, holding them away from his body. “Will you fucking stop that!?”

The Yakuza didn’t appreciate the grin on Hajime’s face. “Oh, Fuyu… I might be able to make you laugh after all~” He said teasingly, trying to pull his hands free.

Fuyuhiko narrowed his eyes at the other boy, keeping his hands in a vice grip. “Don’t you fucking dare!” He hissed.

“Don’t I dare what?” Hajime asked innocently, batting his eyelashes at the smaller boy.

“Don’t fucking touch me!”

“I won’t.”

“Liar!”

“Will you relax? I’m not gonna touch you. Can I have my hands back now? I’m kind of losing feeling in them.”

Fuyu watched him closely as he slowly released his hands. Hajime made a show of shaking them to regain feeling. “See? Have I touched you?”

“N-No… I guess n-nahahaha! You fucking lihihihied!” Fuyuhiko giggled boyishly, doubling over in his seat to block as many spots as possible.

Hajime grinned as he dusted his fingertips along his exposed neck, when he brought his shoulders up to try to protect the sensitive spot he darted his hands into his partially open shirt and began tickling his ribs. “I didn’t lie, I’m not touching you… I’m tickling you. There’s a big difference.” He winked at the laughing boy.

“Ihihihif you don’t stahahahap right nohohohow, I’m going to kihihihill you!” The blond laughed, writhing under his torturously gentle touch.

“Ooh I’m so scared~ Is the big bad Yakuza gonna kill me dead In my sleep?” Hajime laughed, paying special attention to a sensitive spot near the bottom of his ribs. “C’mon, How am I supposed to be scared? You’re so adorable when you’re being tickled!” he cooed.

The young Kuzuryu’s neck and ears turned red from that, He brought his leg up to try to kick Hajime away. “Stahahap! Dohohon’t fahahahacking tehehease me you jeheherk!”

Not only did he not succeed In kicking him, Hajime caught his leg and held it firmly in his lap as he administered tickles to the top and underside of his knee. “I’m afraid that’s gonna be impossible, You’re just too cute not to tease~” He hummed In reply.

Fuyuhiko squealed and desperately tried to pull his leg back, laughing much harder than before. “N-NOHOHO! AHAHAHAHAHA!”

Hajime glanced down at his hand, noticing every time his laughter spiked It was because he was scribbling against the spot above his knee. “You have ticklish thighs, Fuyu?” He asked amusedly, now honing In on that spot.

Fuyuhiko spazzed out, His body flailing at the electric sensations coursing through him. Unfortunately that meant he also threw himself out of his chair.

As soon as Hajime realized what had happened he was quick to follow, Kneeling beside the still lightly giggling boy. “F-Fuyu?! Are you okay?? I’m so sorry, I didn’t think you would fall…”

He gently pulled the blond up into a sitting position and was checking his head for any injuries when Fuyu waved him off. “I-I’m fine…” He reassured, still recovering.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh like that, It’s nice. You should laugh more often.” Hajime smiled.

“Y-Yeah yeah… whatever.”

He thought about It. Maybe that wasn’t the worst thing he’s ever been through… It was actually kind of fun to let loose. He was still super self conscious about his body but for a minute he forgot about that, only focusing on the sensations and laughing.

Then again, Maybe It's the possible concussion talking.

He blushed as he shook his head. “I’m just glad you didn’t hear my real laugh.” He mumbled. “It’s really obnoxious.”

“Your real laugh?” Hajime tilted his head, his curiosity piqued.

“Yeah, when I laugh hard enough I snort.” He calmly replied.

“Okay, I have to hear that.” He laughed, slowly raising his hands.

“Keep your fucking hands to yourself.” Fuyuhiko narrowed his eyes half-heartedly. What he wanted to say was; ‘Go for it.’ but Yakuza pride and all that.

Hajime Isn’t an idiot, he can tell Fuyuhiko likes the attention but won’t admit it. And he isn’t going to make him uncomfortable by making him admit it.

“Who’s gonna stop me? You? I’m so scared.” Hajime smirked, quickly he pulled the Yakuza into his lap and pinned him against his body. “Now, Wanna make It easier on us both and tell me your ticklish spot~?” He asked teasingly.

Fuyuhiko squirmed, seeing If escape was even physically possible. It wasn’t. “Go to hell.” He growled, blushing.

“Suit yourself.” He shrugged, undoing the rest of his shirt buttons. Using both hands he ghosted his fingertips across the exposed sides.

Fuyu immediately began giggling again, his body actually relaxing under the soft touches. It wasn’t unbearable or torturous, but gentle and pleasant instead.

Hajime smiled at the string of bright laughter moving to his ribs brought about. He massaged his fingers in small careful circles against the ticklish bones. “Come on Fuyu~ There’s only a few spots I haven’t tried… If I have to find your tickle spot myself I’m really not gonna be nice~”

“Fuhuhahahahack you!” Fuyuhiko retorted, squirming aimlessly.

“That’s not very nice.” Hajime pouted, shoving his hands under the Yakuza’s arms. His fingers drilled and wiggled unrelentingly, which drew hysterical laughter from the smaller of the two.

“NAHAHAHA! STAHAHAHAP!”

“I would, But you sort of have my hands trapped and… Well, since they are, I might as well tickle you~” He teased, obviously pleased with himself for turning the tough Yakuza into a laughing heap in his arms.

“HAHAHAHAJIME! I WIHIHIHILL STAHAHAB YOU!”

“No you won’t.” Hajime smirked.

He continued to torture the blond student for a bit longer before ‘freeing’ his hands and brushing his fingers across his quivering stomach teasingly. “How about here? Is this a bad spot, Giggles~?”

The boy let out a shriek as he quickly brought his hands down over top of Hajime’s, trying to pry them away out of instinct. “Dohohon’t!” He tittered, blushing.

“Ooh, Looks like It is!” He declared, unfazed by Fuyuhiko’s attempts to stop him. His fingers gracefully descended on his soft belly.

Fuyu shrieked again, throwing his head back with loud bright laughter. His body jolted, and was sent flying out of his lap by the intensity of his flailing.

Hajime froze, did that seriously just happen a second time? He didn’t stay frozen for long, He sat on his legs to pin him down. “There, Since you’re on the floor you shouldn’t be able to fall for a third time.” He laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation.

Fuyuhiko’s face couldn’t get any brighter pink. He wrapped his arms around his midsection to hide his body and protect his stomach. “Okay, You found one of my worst spots… congratu-fucking-lations… Now let me up.”

“Oh no, I’m not letting you out of this. I warned you what would happen If you didn’t tell me, Didn’t I?” He hummed. “Although, I think Instead of being mean, I’m going to be nice instead…”

Although the tickles that he unleashed on his poor belly weren’t very nice. His fingers scribbled mercilessly against the sensitive skin.

“KYAHAHAHAHA! NOHOHOHOHO! STAHAHAHAP!”

“Look at this cute ticklish belly, It’s just begging for affection. And what better affection than tickles?” He grinned at the whine that slipped past his lips.

“THIS IHIHIHIHISN’T BEING NIHIHIHICE!” He whined between laughs.

“Yes It Is. I’m going to compliment every spot I tickle so that you feel a little bit better about your body by the time I’m done.” He replied. “I think that sounds pretty nice to me~”

Fuyuhiko covered his face with his hands, hiding his embarrassment.

“I like all the freckles across your skin, It makes you unique and It looks adorable~”

He switched to skittering his nails across his trembling stomach, drawing some higher pitched laughs from the boy. “I also like how your skin turns pink after a little bit of tickling.”

“BAHAHAHAHASTARD STAHAHAHAP IHIHIT!”

“Nope!” Hajime leaned down and blew a raspberry against his belly button.

“NAAAAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAJIME N-NAHAHAT THAT!” He laughed hysterically.

Just as he said, He began to snort between laughs. It was absolutely precious to the younger of the two.

“So what If your frame Is smaller? At least you have all your organs and bones, like your ribs for example.” He winked, fluttering his fingers across his ribcage. “There’s definitely twenty four of em. Unless you want me to count~?”

“Nohohohoho! *snort* Don’t you fucking dahahahare *snort* You bahahahastahahahard!”

“Well, Maybe I better count. Just In case.” He winked, Starting from the bottom set of ribs he worked his way up teasingly, Counting as he did.

So this was how Fuyu was going to die? Not the most dignified death in the world but… There’s worse ways to go, he supposed.

“Yep! All twenty four ribs!” Once he finished he skittered his fingers across Fuyu’s neck. “Your skin is really soft and tender, Perfect for tickling~”

“I wihihihill ehehehehend you!” He giggled.

“Shush! Let me hype you up.” Hajime laughed, going back and forth between neck, chest, ribs and underarms. Keeping Fuyuhiko In stitches. (and snorting, much to his chagrin.) “So what If you're not as tall? I think your height suits you. Plus, It makes it easier to pick you up and smother you with tickles.”

“Okahahahahay! Okahahay! *snort* Ehehehenough! Plehehehehease!”

Hajime relented, sensing he’d had enough. He sat down on the floor next to him and watched his chest rise and fall as he gasped for air.

Fuyuhiko brought his hands up and wiped the tears away from his face with his sleeves. “Oh my… God…” he panted.

“So, Are you feeling any better?” He asked with a grin.

“Y-Yeah… Th-Thanks…” Fuyu blushed as he sat up. “But… If you tell anybody what just happened--”

“Don’t worry, It’ll be our little secret.” Hajime winked, smiling at the flustered Yakuza.

“I can’t believe you think I’m cute. I am not fucking cute.” he huffed, crossing his arms.

Hajime blushed. Huh, He didn’t realize how that might sound without the proper context… Of course he didn’t mean romantically initially but.

He also didn’t feel any need to clarify this.

Is this inner conflict between platonic feelings and romantic feelings what being bi Is like? (Yes. Yes It Is. at least In my experience--)

“I can’t believe you think you aren’t cute.” Hajime retorted. “If I find out you’re feeling self conscious or dissing on yourself again, I will find you, and I will wreck you with compliments and tickles.”

Fuyuhiko gave a cheeky grin. “Is that supposed to deter me? You think I’m afraid of you?”

Hajime smirked and stood up, offering his hand to pull him to his feet. “You should be. Because you said I found one of your worst spots, Not the worst one… which means I still need to find it. And when I do, there will be no mercy.”

Fuyuhiko shuddered internally as he took Hajime’s hand and got to his feet.

“I’m not going to pressure you but… I might have a temporary solution If you wanted to join us.” Hajime said, going over to where he left his swim bag. From it he produced a tee shirt. “You could wear this with your swim trunks so that you don’t have to walk around shirtless.”

The Yakuza’s expression softened. “I didn’t bring my swim bag.”

“Peko did. She thought you might change your mind.” Hajime looked up at Fuyu and smiled, standing back up. He set the clean shirt on the table and ruffled Fuyu’s hair as he walked past. “If you change your mind…” He lingered in the doorway, looking back at him. “I’d love It if you joined us-- Uh, I mean, WE would love it-- Oh, You know what I mean.”

Flustered, The usually tsundere boy hurried back to the beach, Leaving behind the smiling Ultimate Yakuza.

“There you are! You sure were gone a while.” Mahiru sighed. “What were you off doing anyway?”

“Was Young master okay?” Peko asked, suddenly at his side.

“Fiend, Why Is your face so red? Are you possessed by a demon!?” Gundham asked.

“Did someone say Demon possession?” Sonia practically bounced over, Her eyes sparkling excitedly at the prospect.

Hajime stammered, Trying to process his words. “I-I was at the beach house with Fuyuhiko, He’s okay Peko.” He answered both Mahiru and Peko at the same time before turning to Gundham and Sonia. “No, I’m not possessed by a demon.”

“Aww...” Sonia pouted momentarily.

“Then why is your face so red? Did you forget the Human uv protection barrier?” Gundham asked, crossing his arms.

Hajime blinked. “The what?”

“Sunscreen?” Sonia asked, Turning back to Hajime after Gundham nodded in response to her question. “His face does not look sunburnt. Actually his face looks like it is going back to it’s normal color.”

“So that means Hajime was totally blushing!” Ibuki giggled. “What went on In that beach house, I wonder.”

Hajime’s face went red again as he was swiftly reminded of the reason he was blushing in the first place. “Sh-Shut up Ibuki!”

“Did something happen with Young master?” Peko asked curiously.

“N-No, Of course not! I-- GAH!” Hajime yelled In surprise as he was pelted with a water balloon, He whipped around In the direction it came from, Expecting Soda or Chiaki to have thrown It but instead finding Fuyuhiko.

He stood there barefoot In the sand, wearing swim trunks and Hajime’s shirt, which looked baggy on him and obscured his frame.

Peko’s face lit up, As did Hajime’s. The others were shocked.

“Hey Dumbass! Don’t lie to them. The truth Is I was going to stay inside but he cheered me up and convinced me to join you all.” He smirked, winking at Hajime who smiled lightheartedly.

“Well, There goes my fun! Who said he could join us??” Hiyoko pouted.

Chiaki sidled up to Fuyuhiko, handing him a rather large water gun with a bright smile. “Upgrade unlocked.”

Fuyuhiko grinned and took it from her. “Target acquired.” He responded, Locking eyes with Hiyoko as he pumped the water pressure slide.

The dancer screamed and took off running with Fuyuhiko on her tail. “NOOOO! MAHIRU HELP!”

“GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE SHIT!” Fuyu called after her.

Mahiru and Hajime exchanged looks, cracking up laughing at their friends. “I’ll get my girlfriend to be nice if you go call off your boyfriend.” She said jokingly.

Hajime blushed, laughing along with her. “Deal.”

“Hiyoko! Over here!” Mahiru called, taking off running after her girlfriend.

“Fuyuhiko! Stop it, she’s already deeeaaad!” Hajime called after his friend, Laughing. He took off running after him too.

Chiaki leaned against Peko, sighing dramatically. “I think we pushed them In the right direction today.”

Peko nodded, patting the Gamer’s head. “It was smart of you to bring Fuyuhiko’s bag. How did you know he would change his mind?”

“I had a feeling. Thanks for carrying it for me, It would have looked suspicious If I’d been spotted with it.” Chiaki smiled sweetly up at the swordswoman. “Good work getting Hajime to go check on him. I don’t think either of them saw us In the doorway.”

Peko faintly smiled, watching Fuyuhiko get thrown over Hajime’s shoulder and carried away from Hiyoko. “I don’t think so either. Not that they could have heard us over Young Master’s laughter.”

Chiaki giggled as she watched Hajime getting sprayed down with the water gun now. “Mischief managed~”

[petri808]

Pranks Are So Revealing Sometimes…

@itafushiweek One bed prompt

After everything had finally settled and damages were assessed to Tokyo jujutsu high following the Kamo incident, the faculty decided it was time for a full renovation. They would fix the damaged areas but also update other undamaged parts. Including the dorms according to their teacher. The students were given a schedule of when each of their rooms would be worked on and given boxes to pack their belongings for temporary storage.

“Don’t worry,” Gojo grinned. “Shouldn’t take more than a day or two per room.”

“Yeah, okay,” Megumi stared back up at his teacher after reading the information. “But where are we supposed to sleep if our room is being renovated?”

“Oh, well since the unoccupied rooms will also be renovated during this process…” the man tapped his chin. “Got it! You bunk with Yuuji, then switch when it’s his rooms turn.”

“Cool! A sleepover!” Yuuji pumped his fists in the air. “We can hang out and watch movies and eat junk food and just crash from a food coma.”

Megumi swallowed thickly with a groan. “I’d rather you give me your credit card,” directing his comment to Gojo, “so I can get a hotel room.”

“No, can do buddy. Come on, it won’t be that bad.”

Yuuji threw an arm over Megumi’s. “It’ll be fine,” his brilliant smile causing the man’s cheeks to redden. “Movies and food, we’ll have fun.”

Megumi looked away and crossed his arms over his chest. “Ugh! Fine!”

“Good.” Gojo patted his student on the shoulder. “Now that’s settled, get packing young Megumi. Tomorrow we’ll be starting with your room.”

With Yuuji’s help, it didn’t take long for Megumi to pack up his belongings. There really wasn’t much, fitting everything into 3 medium sized boxes. Mostly clothes, some books, and minor items. He packed a bag with just enough to be displaced a couple of days, and if the renovations took longer, he could probably just borrow clothes from Yuuji. They were roughly the same size anyway. The boxes were then taken to Yuuji’s room and stacked in a corner out of the way.

But the full toll of the situation didn’t really hit Megumi until the morning of the renovations. He was awoken around 7 am by Gojo, letting him know the construction workers would be there in 15 minutes. Great. So, he dragged himself out of bed and walked into Yuuji’s room planning to get a couple more hours of sleep. It should be fine considering Yuuji rarely got up early on a day off.

The problem was— ‘Only one bed…’ Megumi groaned internally as he swiped his hand down his face. Duh! How could he have missed this detail?! And there was no way to fit a second bed in the room since they were only designed for single occupancy.

“Ugh…” Megumi shuffled back out of the room in irritation. Guess he’ll just go get breakfast and figure out what to do next!

Look, he didn’t have a problem sharing a bed with another person. It’s just sleeping on a bed instead of the hardwood floor, what’s the issue with that? If it was anyone else, Nobara, Toge, Maki, Yuta, whatever— no problem. The PROBLEM is it’s Yuuji. Maybe one of them will let him stay with them? Megumi put his head down on the kitchen table with his arms over his head in frustration. No… that would be weird to ask. Gojo already made all the arrangements between everyone, so if he suddenly had an issue with it, they might find that suspicious and he really didn’t need them asking questions, or worse teasing him about it.

He could hear it all too. What’s wrong with Yuuji? You worried something might happen? Too afraid to confront your feelings. Wink, wink. Aww that’s so cute you’re embarrassed. But Yuuji’s a good catch. Yada, Yada. Maki’s monotone, “just man up” tone was not something Megumi wanted to hear. ‘It’s just a night or two… no big deal. He’ll sleep on one side; I’ll sleep on the other. What could go wrong?’

“Morning!”

Megumi’s body immediately went stiff at the sound of Yuuji voice. Damn guy was like a cat this morning, he never heard him come in! Or did he just miss it because he was too wrapped up in his mind?

“Yeah… morning,” Megumi responded as he sat up in his chair and pretended everything was fine. “Sorry, I didn’t make coffee or anything yet.”

“Nah, it’s fine. I can make breakfast. Want some?” Yuuji responded in his chipper way.

“Sure, since you’re offering.”

“I see they started working on your room. That’s what woke me up.”

“Huh? Oh yeah, That’s why I’m up too. Gojo kicked me out at 7.”

“Oh, if you were tired, you could’ve just gone back to sleep in my room.”

“Nah. I’m fine.”

“You still look tired.”

“I’m fine.”

“If you say so,” Yuuji placed a plate of food in front of his friend, then sat down across from him with his own. “So, got any plans for today?”

“Not really.”

“I was thinking of grabbing some snacks from the store for tonight.”

“Something happening tonight?”

“Movie night! Remember?”

“You were serious about that?!”

“Of course! We rarely have time to relax, so this is a perfect opportunity.”

“Well, since I’m stuck in your room… what movie are you picking?”

“You can choose. I don’t really care. How about I’m in charge of snacks and you grab the movies.”

“Fine. I’ll dig something up.”

The pair part ways for the rest of the day. Megumi felt it best to keep himself occupied so he wouldn’t think about that night. So, after breakfast he got some training in with Yuta and Maki who between the two really kept him on his toes. The construction work on his room sounded a lot more extensive than Gojo had relayed based on all the noise coming from within. Someone had placed a “do not enter” sign on the door, and so when Megumi walked past it, he didn’t bother peeking. By the time he returned from shopping around 5pm, it was silent. ‘Guess they’re done for the day.’ But since the sign was still up, it wasn’t finished. ‘Ugh, it better be done by tomorrow night.’

“Hey, Megumi!”

Megumi froze in place. Damn it with Yuuji sneaking up on him! He turned around. “Yeah?”

“I got food!” Yuuji held up two plastic bags stuffed full. “Dinner, snacks, drinks. Did you grab the movies?”

Megumi pulled three DVD cases out of his shopping bag and showed it to his friend. Three movies would kill about six hours, which meant sleeping right after they were finished, equaled less dead time to worry about.

“Sweet! Let’s get started!”

The moment of dread was upon Megumi the instant he walked into Yuuji’s room and laid eyes on that single bed. And as the dorm mate puttered around oblivious to his nervousness, he just watched quietly as the man plopped the bags onto the bed and grabbed a laptop from the desk. This was it, no turning back now.

“Why are you just standing there?” Yuuji questioned with laughter in his tone and patted the bed. “Come on, before the food gets cold.”

Megumi rolled his eyes as if nothing was wrong, but his heartbeat picked up the pace with each step towards the bed. He should be happy that Yuuji was so oblivious to emotions, and yet a part of him was annoyed… maybe disappointed… Megumi quickly shut those thoughts down as he sat on the edge of the bed.

“So, just to get it out of the way. How is this gonna work? Like which side do I sleep on?” Megumi questioned.

Yuuji stopped fusing with a food container and looked over. “Oh, hmm, doesn’t matter to me. I can sleep on either side.”

Well since he was already on one side. “I’ll just take this side I’m on then.”

Yuuji gave him a thumbs up. “Pass me the first movie.”

The first movie… all the movies he’d chosen were just action types. Megumi wanted something with as little romance as possible and knew Yuuji didn’t mind action or horror. Frankly, he thought it was funny his friend still loved horror after becoming a jujutsu sorcerer. Don’t they see enough of it in real life? Between the movies and the eating, he was pleasantly surprised to find that Yuuji became so engrossed in what was on the screen, it helped his anxieties stay lowered.

Megumi had taken up a position with his back against the wall sitting upright, and legs stretched out in front of him, while Yuuji was next to him with about a foot of space between them. Mid-way through the third movie, Megumi was genuinely paying attention since he’d never seen it before, when he felt a pressure against his shoulder. His eyes flared, cheeks heated up, and adrenaline spiked his heart rate. Yuuji had fallen asleep against his shoulder. No kidding this guy could fall asleep anywhere! Versus him who was too wide awake now to even think about it.

The last thing he wanted to do was awaken the sleeping man and make things even more awkward. So, Megumi tried to gently push his friend away to simply rest against the wall. His first several tries failed, but on the fourth, success… briefly.

“Mmm,” Yuuji stirred without waking and shifted on his own to curl up in Megumi’s lap instead!

‘Fuck, my life!’ Megumi screamed in his head. Things just went from bad to a disaster!

Again, Megumi tried to shift the man away, but every time he tried Yuuji would whine.

“Stop moving…” Yuuji mumbled and wrapped his arms around Megumi’s waist, snuggling his face deeper into the man’s leg.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Megumi gritted out in a muffled anger. By now, his whole body felt like it’d been stuck in a furnace and was being roasted alive. Ugh! Yuuji had turned into a damn octopus clinging to its meal! And yet… Megumi had to admit the man was cute as he slept. Geez, he even smiled in his sleep!

Not much he could really do, Megumi exhaled in defeat. So, he did his best to turn off the laptop screen using his foot and shift it close enough to reach. He then grabbed it and placed it onto the nightstand next to the bed, leaving them in a darkened room with only the gentle breathing of Yuuji as any sound. Okay, fine! Megumi counseled himself. Just ignore the fact there’s someone attached to you and try to get some sleep. The faster he went to sleep, the faster the nightmare would end. So, he shifted his body to lie down, then turned over onto his side hoping Yuuji would also readjust.

And the man did, just not in a way Megumi wanted. Yuuji simply snuggled up to his back and weaved an arm around his torso like he was one of those giant stuffed animals you win at a fair! He pushed the arm away, but it sprang back into place.

Megumi screamed in his head. He was so tired… ‘just ignore it, ignore it, ignore it…’

The sound of birds chirping caused Megumi to rouse the next morning. Perfect, his torture was over, it was time to get up— ‘Why was the pillow so hard—’ his eyes opened in a panic as his hand felt the unmistakable sensation of muscle beneath clothing. Without moving an inch only his eyes shifted over and saw the outline of Yuuji’s body lying on his back and he was curled up against his side! ‘Oh, fuck!’

Fight or flight kicked into overdrive as Megumi sprang from the bed like a cat and bolted out of the room. Every nerve ending along his skin was on fire and his mind freaking out, praying Yuuji had slept through it all. ‘This is gonna be so awkward if— What the?!’

As soon as he made it out of the room, Megumi almost ran right smack into Gojo. The man had one hand on Megumi’s bedroom door and the other carried a cursed doll, like the one Yuuji had trained with to practice energy control. “What is that for?”

Realizing he was busted, Gojo slipped the doll behind his back. “Nothing. I was just gonna check on the progress.”

“Uh-huh…” Megumi’s eyebrow raised, instantly suspicious. “Well, let’s just check,” he opened the door himself and walked in. “What’s going on?!” He whipped around. “Are they finished?” Because his room looked exactly like he’d left it the morning before. And he meant exactly!

“Really?!” Gojo pretended to be surprised. “That was quick! Looks like you can move back in. Well, see you at breakfast.”

Gojo turned to leave but Megumi grabbed his shoulder.

“Oi! What the hell?! There was no construction was there you prick?!”

“Nonsense! They must’ve finished yesterday.”

Megumi narrowed a menacing glare at the teacher. “That damn doll was the one making all the noise, wasn’t it?”

“Um… no…”

“And you were about to plant it for a second day!”

“Of course, not! I’m just carrying it around…”

“You’re such a shit liar!”

“Careful Megumi, might wanna keep your voice down lest wake up Yuuji.”

“What do I care if he wakes up now?”

“He’ll find you missing and the bed empty and be sad.” Gojo grinned defiantly then took off in a sprint, cackling like a mad man down the hall.

Bastard pranked him! Megumi screamed as he took off after the man. “I’M GONNA KILL YOU!”