#again... I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST THE PEOPLE HOLDING THE EVENT this is just funny to me as a brazilian that's all

[renah]

just saw a fandom summer event whose first day prompt was "summer vacation in Brazil" and I'm like

it would be so funny to see a bunch of gringos showing up to vacation here on july only to realize we're in the middle of winter and the seasons differs between the hemispheres.....

[hermitcraftx]

Joel winning the Life Series where he centered his entire gimmick this season around Family under the guise of "Joel Toretto" makes me insane because he was alone for so long in the Life Series and it works out so perfectly that the guy who was allergic to allies for the start of the life series and had to be forced into it with soulmates wins the season he focuses on Family. Poetic cinema.

1. Third Life Joel. No friends. No allies. He joined up with Monopoly Mountain last minute and died out of sight of either of them, mostly alone. He had a house full of dogs, not full of friends (and where is that familiar?), and nobody really mourned him when he was gone, offhand comments and brief "Oh No!s" following his death. Being alone got him nothing.

2. Last Life Joel. No friends. He's alone again, for the most part. In Last Life there's a lot of unknowns, a lot of instability- people can get back in yellow or green, or they try, so Joel has temporary red alliances with the likes of Scar and Grian but they don't last. He's alone. Again. Joel laments it, in one of his videos, IIRC, that he's bad at making allies, and "look at where it got him". The closest person he had to an ally in Last Life was Grian when they were both red, Grian seeing first hand how insane and blood thirsty Joel becomes on red. They call themselves the Deadliest Duo, and they kill people, and they laugh when they die. But Joel dies, still, killed by Scott, shortly after Grian permadies.

3. Double Life. Now it's different. Now we're seeing some changes. Joel gets put with Etho, who off the bat immediately considers him a liability, a notion he rejects and fights against to get Etho to respect him. He builds Etho a ship to try and impress him. Etho purposefully takes fall damage to remind him of what's at stake. He's not just a lone wolf, anymore, Etho's life is in his hands and he's not happy about it. Joel hates it, being treated fragile and like a bomb to go off. Eventually, they find out they work together well, they get killed, they go red and Joel goes crazy. Red rage is a real, definable, re-occuring phenomenon for Joel, he IS angry and he DOES want to make people pay. Etho in the life series is usually more reserved, and he holds Joel back, yes, but Joel also helps Etho out of his shell and pushes him to do things he wouldn't normally do. The ship burns everything burns. And then they burned. And Joel's first real alliance goes up in flames, literally.

4. Now Joel has a taste of what it's like to not be alone the entire season. He teams up with Jimmy and Grian, his Bad Boys, and he's fiercely loyal to them, and then to him. (Even Grian by his standards is FIERCELY loyal to the Bad Boys- I mean, he doesn't even kill one of them! I think. Not permanently?) He changes his skin, matching leather jackets, these are his people. And he'd die for his people. Joel and Grian try their best to keep Jimmy alive, Joel going so far as to say he'd have sacrificed himself to keep Jim alive, but it wasn't enough, he wasn't quick enough, and he died right afterwards, leaving Grian alone. But he wasn't alone. And he didn't go out alone.

5. Secret Life is.... weird. He has allies, yes, but it's a bit of a strange situation, he allies with the Mounders and he lives a bit of a ways away from them, not quite in the group but not quite out of it. But he doesn't want to be alone again. He knows what happens when you're alone in this game, and he doesn't ever want that to happen to him again. Mumbo goes out almost immediately following Jimmy, the third to go out. Pearl IIRC betrays the Mounders and messes around with Gem, which is really funny given the events of Wild Life. It's only him and Bdubs at the end, both murdered by Scott.

6. Now. Wild Life. Again. Joel knows what happens if you're alone in this series, and he never wants it to happen to him again. So he bases his persona around a movie character, one that everyone knows and likes, he thinks. He makes himself someone that he thinks people will want to befriend, one where he won't have to be alone. He makes himself look strong, fake muscles clumsily attached to his arms, quoting about family and the importance of it, a vast difference from the lonely man in 3rd Life and Last Life who couldn't be assed to find allies. And it works. He has Gem- and everyone fears them, for once. Everyone already knows Joel is insane, but with Gem behind him, he's a significant threat. Gem keeps him grounded, and from doing stupid shit that gets him killed. They have Etho, and he comes and visits, which is nice. Everyone struggles a lot with the Wild Cards early game but them, neither of them losing lives for several sessions. Joel even comments that normally he's red by session 4, and he doesn't know what to do with himself without all that anger. He lives his best life, with Gem, with his car.

And then Grian's allies die, and isn't that familiar, and Joel lets him into the Family, because of course he would, allying with Grian is like second nature to him at this point. Maybe he feels guilty for leaving him in Limited Life, or maybe he just knows what it's like to be alone and doesn't want that for him. Who knows. He tries and fails at building traps. As soon as he's yellow he gets a double kill on Scott and Pearl, and Grian and Jimmy scream with him like old times. And it's okay, I mean it's stressful and it's like the end of the world but Joel's doing okay, he has his family, he's not alone.

And then the finale comes and it's so hectic and so many people are trying to kill him and Grian saves him, Grian tries so hard to save him, and isn't that something. Being worthy of being saved by Grian. And Gem goes out, not even to a player, to a vex, one of his family members is gone and it's so hectic Joel can't even stop to mourn or he, too, will die. And then he finds Grian and he stumbles to him screaming "Thank God you're alive!" because it had gotten so crazy, so wild that Joel didn't truly even know if Grian was alive, but he was, he still had Family, he wasn't alone again, not this time. And Grian says that he thinks Joel can win, Joel can win, that he'll give Joel his life, that it's about time he wins and Joel gets flashbacks to wanting to die for Jimmy, and Scar wanting to die for Grian and what that did to him, and he doesn't want that, but GOD he wants to win. So badly. And then Grian got knocked off the tower with Bdubs, ender pearling off, screaming how he refused to go like Mumbo, like Skizz, not on his tower and Joel's running, EVERYONE is targeting him, Grian takes out Pearl and Joel takes out Cleo and Ren.

And then it's just them, then it's just Joel and Grian, and Joel can't even find Grian, he just heard the arrows as Grian tries to shoot him, going back on his word as expected, which Joel-- Joel is glad for. Because he wanted to win this on his own terms, he wanted to win because he won, he would not be given anything. He's not alone this time. And he charges up the tree, and he kills Grian, kills his Family, his Bad Boy, his red friend, his ally in the sand, screaming that he's sorry, and Joel laughs.

Joel laughs, and laughs, and laughs.

[peachhcs]

congrats em!!!

person A going out with person B for the first time in public to announce their relationship

perosn a- reader

perosn b -jack hughes

showing you off

jack hughes x fem!reader

you and jack finally make your relationship public!

1.4k words

i've never written for jack before, so i hope this is good 🫣 thank you again for sending in requests for the celly. i'm so excited to write about other hockey players!!

700 celly masterlist

you stood in front of the mirror doing last minute touches on your look. there was an edge of nerves running through your system knowing this was a big night for your relationship with jack. after agreeing to keep things private for the few months you two have been together, you decided you were ready to make things public. poor jack was more nervous than you were knowing how people online got.he worried the comments of other fans getting to you even though you told him countless times you could handle it. a few mean comments meant nothing to you knowing jack chose you. 

“i think i’m almost ready jacky,” you called to your boyfriend when you heard him shuffle into the room. his head poked into the connected bathroom, a smile gracing his lips when he saw your pretty baby blue dress. 

“jesus, you look incredible,” the brunette hummed, eyes racking across your body that the dress hugged in all the right places. you flushed at his comment, spinning to face him. 

“you think so?” 

he stepped further into the bathroom, hands snaking around your waist just low enough that his hands grazed the top of your ass. a lazy smiled painted his lips as he continued drinking in your appearance. 

“can’t wait to let everyone know you’re mine tonight,” the boy pressed a soft, yet passionate kiss to your lips. 

you smiled into the kiss, squeezing his chin between your fingers as his hands drifted lower. a giggle left your lips at his boyish behavior, pulling him off your lips which was instantly met with a pout that you pulled him off. 

“we better go, soon, yeah? don’t wanna be late,” you tapped your fingers against his cheek. 

“you’re 100% sure you’re ready? i don’t want it to be too much too soon. there’s probably gonna be cameras everywhere and people shouting questions,” jack knew events like these had reporters and journalists everywhere trying to catch glimpses of their lives. he didn’t want to bring you into all of it unless he knew you could take it. 

“i’m sure, baby. i’ve got thick skin,” you smiled. 

“i know you do, but sometimes those people can be real assholes,” jack’s worry was cute. you cupped his cheeks, pressing a delicate kiss to his forehead. 

“at least i’ll have you with me then,” your confidence eased some of jack’s worries. he kissed you one last time before dragging the both of you out of the bedroom. 

“about time. thought i’d have to bang on the door or something,” luke snickered, jumping up from his place on the couch. 

“real funny, luke. let’s go or else we’re late,” jack grabbed everyone’s jackets, his antsy side coming out as he rushed his brother and girlfriend out of the apartment. 

the ride into downtown was uneventful. jack’s aux music helped ease some of your nerves as his car approached the venue which was indeed packed with people already at the front. you found yourself squeezing jack’s hand rested atop your knee a bit tighter seeing all those people feet away. jack quickly met your gaze. 

“feeling okay?” the boy wondered. 

“i’m fine. just nervous,” you said. 

“we can go in through the back if you don’t wanna do this. that’s perfectly fine with me,” jack gave you a quick ultimatum, but you shook your head. 

“it will be fine, jacky. promise,” he studied your expression a bit longer before deciding that you were gonna be okay. 

he pulled his car into the line, allowing the valet to take his keys as the three of you climbed out. jack met you on your side, holding his arm out for you to latch onto. your hands squeezed around his bicep as he took the lead, luke trailing behind you guys. the fans and reporters spotted the three of you immediately, quickly shouting to get your attention. 

“jack! is that your girlfriend?” 

“oh my god, he has a girlfriend??” 

“over here! let me get a picture!” 

the two of you posed for some pictures, jack’s hold tightening around your waist as the photographers snapped away, marking the public debut of your relationship. you weren’t sure how your boyfriend was feeling, but you felt in the clouds. so many people were reaching out for you or jack, wanting his signature or to just talk to him for a few seconds. sometimes you forgot this was his life—so flashy, so surreal—yet you loved it. 

he began pulling you down to carpet where security held the doors open for the guys. you waved to the fans one last time before disappearing inside the arena. jack glanced over at you, his expression a bit unreadable. 

“okay?” he wondered almost nervously. your large smile immediately eased his worries though as you latched back onto his arm. 

“god, you’re so cool. i knew you were popular, but i didn’t realize how popular,” your laugh brought a smile to the boy’s lips. 

“i’m glad you approve. it seems like everyone else does, too,” jack pecked your lips before dragging your further into the event to find his friends. 

the two of you quickly found nico and holtzy. both guys smiled widely when they saw their teammate and his girl on his arms. you smiled, watching jack greet them with friendly hugs. “didn’t know you were bringing your girl out,” nico hummed, giving you a gentle hug once jack finished. 

“thought it was time we go public,” jack pulled you back into his side, a proud smile on his lips that people finally knew about the girl he’s been loving for months. 

“wow, didn’t know hughes could become so lovey,” holtz teased, roughing up jack’s arm. your boyfriend brushed the comments off despite the small blush coating his cheeks. 

“whatever. you guys want some drinks? first round’s on me,” the brunette smiled. the guys cheered as they followed your boyfriend to the bar, ordering the entire team the first round of shots. 

you spent the rest of the night clinging to jack’s side, but neither of you minded. his arm was hooked around your waist no matter what, not letting you move too far away from him. you could tell he was enjoying himself knowing the big smile on his lips didn’t come out often unless he was around you or his teammates. jack adored all of them, even when they chirped on him, and he couldn’t be happier getting to spend the night with you too. 

even if you were just eye candy on jack’s arm, you didn’t care. getting to spend time with your boyfriend in his element was your favorite thing. 

as the night winded down, photos from earlier were released on social media. you peaked over jack’s shoulder as he scrolled through the pictures, smiling when he came across the ones of you two. there were a few of both of you smiling and one where jack’s eyes were on you when you weren’t looking. there was a lot of love in his eyes that made your heart just burst. 

“who knew we cleaned up so nice,” you teased. jack looked over at you, eyes bright. 

“so you think it went okay then?” 

“i think they liked me. do you think it went okay?” you wondered, brushing some of his hair away from his forehead. 

“i think it went amazing. i’m glad you came out tonight, it was a lot of fun,” jack leaned over, kissing your cheek. 

“thanks for bringing me, handsome. i hope i can come along again,” with that, the hockey player placed a more passionate kiss on your lips. your fingers tangled into his hair, twisting the locks around while his own hand cupped the side of your cheek. 

neither of you cared that you were in public. the booth you sat in tucked you guys away into a corner that almost created your own space away from everyone else. jack deepened the kiss even more as he slipped his tongue inside of your mouth, but the moment was short lived. 

“jesus, you guys are so gross. can we leave soon?” luke stood at the end of the table in disgust. 

he was such a little brother with his snarky comments. you giggled, but jack didn’t find his brother as amusing. 

“hold your horses. we’ve got all night,” jack said. 

the younger boy only rolled his eyes, shuffling away like a little kid. jack’s attention turned back to you, eyes still bright with love and lust. 

“now, where were we?” 

[kyupidos]

updated 08/02/24: here is a part 2 to this analysis!

i think one of the most disturbing yet funny things about sebek antis is how they manage to twist a well written narration about internalized racism and the struggles of being a mixed person into something relating to “fascism”.

( btw there will be SLIGHTTT b7 spoilers in here but i personally think it’s whatever, no big difference to what we’ve known in the past nothing shocking. )

as his biggest fan AND as an ethnic person i feel as though you HAVE to be brain dead and/or white to not understand any of this. he doesn’t genuinely believe that humans are an inferior race, he has MULTIPLE instances praising human people ( riddle, epel ). and the evidence is in firstly, epel’s school uniform vignette where he praises his apple carving, saying it’s even nice enough to be used as a gift to malleus, and we KNOW how highly he regards him. and not once does he ever say anything like “for a human”, or insult him for “being human”, he appreciates his skill.

then there’s riddle’s ceremonial robes vignette, and while he does look down on him, it’s not really even about being human saying, “i would better be served by weight training than riding with a bunch of amateurs” ( in reference that here we see him initially join the equestrian club ). but once riddle proves his skill, sebek is more than willing to respect him highly.

( a small thing from the harveston event that i’ve been told of from a friend as well, he also holds high respect and love for marja. initially he wasn’t fond of her, but she gave him a squirrel plushie for the plush sled race. because of this he’s basically like, “she’s the only reason i got this far!!” and praises her. i haven’t played the event and this is what my friend says, but i figured to at least include this. )

the most insane part is you don’t even have to scour through every single moment he shows up on screen to know this, it even shows in his WIKI that one of his dislikes/pet peeves is “whining.” to be clear, while admittedly he does make patronizing remarks in regards to humans, it’s never enough to say he has a genuine hatred, and in fact he proves the opposite many times, in both epel and riddle’s case. and, in regards to the personality section, again referencing epel and riddle ( there may be other examples, they just happen to be the ones i found specifically ), he isn’t afraid to acknowledge and respect people for their talent or skills, even if they are human.

and if you’re wondering what i mean by it being ethnically related, fae are canonically ( say it with me now canonically, ) considered to be a minority race. being half human half fae is what makes him mixed, equally canonically so. as far as i’m concerned basically everyone in the fandom knows this but the complexity around this part of his character is just SO undermined that people are willing to call him “openly racist” ( to others, not his internalized racism ) and a FASCIST. are you serious?

we know already that sebek learned a lot of what he thinks now from his grandfather, ( sebek zigvolt wiki, trivia ) considering malleus and lilia commenting that his temper is a trait he gets from him ( scary monsters event story for malleus ), which of course is likely what garners his dislike towards his human aspect and his father for being human, even considering his father outputting, trailing off when noting he is human, while being prideful in his mother who is a fae ( birthday boy vignette ).

and what do we learn about his grandfather? he was in a war against humans, which makes it obvious enough how he would learn this internalized racism and why he would put down that part of his human identity. remember that fae age differently, this war wasn’t even that long ago for them. i think it’s a shame people seem to put so much love into diasomnia but not even recognize its lore that’s rooted so deep yet at the same time is right in front of our face.

but that’s all from me folks. willing to dive deeper into my sebek love and analysis if anyone wants it!

[withwritersblock]

Happier Than Ever

~Happier Than Ever by Billi Eilish~

Author's Note: requested! toxic af. it's kinda paced a bit weird, I apologize Summary: Y/N breaks up with Jack after a toxic relationship Warnings: toxic relationship! "harsh" language Word Count: 2,492 Jack Hughes x fm!reader

Her head was in her hands as she let out another sob, her vision was starting to grow blurry from the amount of tears falling from her eyes. Jack was standing across the living room, his eyes dry. 

She lifted her gaze, looking towards him. He dropped his gaze towards the floor, as he crossed his arms over his chest. He didn’t know what to say. He had zero idea on how to make her feel better or make the situation better. He was the reason she was sobbing. He was the reason she felt so broken.

She wiped the tears on her eyes as she stood up and began to walk towards the front door of the apartment. “Y/N, come on-” he let out. She simply raised her hand up as she continued walking towards the door. “So this is it? You’re just going to leave, like that?” he spat. 

She spun around, her back leaning against the front door. “I’m so done, just leave me alone, Jack,” she let out, sobbing as she walked out of the apartment. Jack watched her leave as he clenched his jaw tightly. He rolled his eyes as he walked towards his bedroom. Luke peeked his head out of his bedroom, looking towards Jack. Jack simply flipped him off as he walked into his room.

~One Month Ago~

He reached out to her, slid into her DMs on Instagram begging for her to go out with him. She was an influencer with millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram. She lived in New Jersey despite probably having more success in LA. Jack swore he never saw anyone more beautiful than Y/N. She was gorgeous and funny and seemingly the perfect girl for him.

It only took one DM and several dates later, they were together. Social media found out quite fast as people saw them in public together. So, she decided to feed into it. Jack also agreed, it gave him more recognition and he was all for it. 

She was laying in her bed, his head was on her chest as he slowly ran his hands up and down her sides. She was editing a TikTok on her phone. It was an aesthetic looking video of her going to Jack’s game. He was featured in the video a few times, surely it would get the attention of his fans. 

He pressed his lips to her exposed collarbone for a few seconds before he hovered over her frame. She turned her phone off, dropping it beside her head as she met his gaze, a small grin began to form on his lips as he scanned her features. “Hi gorgeous,” he whispered before he leaned towards her, kissing her delicately. She reached her hands up and took a hold of his cheeks as he continued to kiss her softly.

“You’re coming with me to that dinner I have tonight, right?” she asked as she slowly pulled away from his lips. He simply hummed before he began to kiss down her jawline, down her neck. “I want to leave by five, it’s across town and I don’t want to be late,” he simply hummed again as he continued trailing his lips down her skin.

~~

It was ten minutes before five and Jack was nowhere to be found. He went back to his apartment to get nicer clothes for the dinner event. She called him and it went straight to voicemail. She was sitting on her couch, simply scrolling through TikTok as her heart rate continued to elevate as she was waiting. 

This was important, it was meetings with her managers about the next steps on her journey. She was meeting important people that could guide her career into a better space. She wanted to have Jack’s support, not because he was a famous hockey player, but as her boyfriend. 

She opened their messages, creating a short message asking if he was on his way yet. She hit send and waited to see any gray text message bubbles pop up, but there was nothing. She tilted her head back against the couch as she felt her eyes fill with tears. Her lips quivered as she watched each minute tick by. 

It was ten minutes after five and she couldn’t wait any longer. She ordered herself an Uber. She began walking out of her apartment as she called Jack again. It rang and rang, she felt her eyes continue to tear up as she was walking down the hall towards the elevator. 

The call went to voicemail again, “It’s Jack, sorry I couldn’t answer the phone, I’ll give you a call when I can!” his voicemail rang out. His voice was loud and excitable. She sighed as she heard the beep.

“H-hey, I couldn’t wait anymore. I’m heading to the restaurant. Please call me,” she let out sadly as she hung up the phone. She dropped her phone into her purse as she stepped into the elevator, pressing her lips together as she clenched and unclenched her fists. 

She thought about reaching out to Luke, but she knew Jack would get mad if she did. She stepped out of the elevator, feeling her feet feel a bit heavy as she walked into the lobby of her apartment, half expecting to see Jack waiting for her. He was nowhere in sight. Nodding slightly she pulled her phone out from her purse, seeing no message from Jack. 

It was 5:15 now and nothing. The Uber was waiting and she sat down inside the backseat and remained quiet. The driver was polite and remained quiet after he realized Y/N wasn’t entirely excited to engage in a conversation. 

It was 5:40 now and she was only ten minutes away from the restaurant when Jack began calling her. She answered on the fifth ring as she brought it to her ear, but didn’t say anything. 

“Hey! So I’ll be there in like ten minutes,” he explained, excitedly. 

“What are you talking about?” she asked, her voice breaking slightly.

“You said be at your place at six? I’m getting in my car now-”

“No, Jack, I said five. I called and texted and you-”

“No, honey, I remember you said six,” he said passive aggressively. She clenched her jaw as she tilted her head back.

“I said five, Jack. It’s too late, just stay home,” she countered. 

“Don’t get mad at me because you said the wrong time, how is that my fault?” His voice was harsh.

“I didn’t-”

“You said six, I got ready by six, how is that my fault? It’s not. So where is the restaurant? I'll try and meet you there as soon as I can,” he said while huffing. 

Her lips began to quiver as she shook her head, “Stay home, Jack. I don’t want you there anymore,” she said sadly as she hung up the phone. She met the gaze of the Uber driver through the rear view mirror for only a second before she shifted her gaze out of the window towards the busy streets. He called her back instantly but she didn’t answer. 

The driver pulled up towards the fancy restaurant and put the car in park. “Thank you,” she mumbled as she climbed out of the car adjusting the tight black dress on her frame. She walked into the restaurant to see her manager waiting for her. 

“Hey! Where’s Jack?” Jasper said instantly. She chuckled dryly. “Sorry, you look great. I was just hoping he would be here, they’re big Devils fans,”

“Of course they are, no he’s not coming,” she said simply as the pair began walking towards the other end of the restaurant towards the gentlemen she was supposed to be meeting. 

It was 6:32 and Jack walked through the door. She lifted her gaze, seeing him walk through the restaurant confidently. He had a cocky grin on his lips as he made his way towards their table. Jasper smiled widely as he saw Jack walking towards them. 

“Thought you said he couldn’t come,” Jasper said excitedly, standing up from the table. Y/N clenched her jaw, her eyes filling with tears as she saw him.  She blinked them away as she stood up from her chair to meet him. He happily planted a kiss on her cheek. “Fellas, this is Y/N’s boyfriend, Jack Hughes,” Jasper said.

“Oh wow, didn’t realize she was involved with the Devils superstar,” one of the older gentlemen said. Jack smiled widely as Jasper pulled a chair towards the table for him. Jack sat down beside Y/N. He rested his hand onto Y/N’s leg, rubbing his hand softly against her skin. 

She kept her gaze towards her half eaten salad as she continued to tense up with his hand touching her frame. “So you and your brother seem to be turning the team around. This is exciting,"another one of the gentlemen said. 

The rest of the two hour dinner was no longer about Y/N. It was about Jack. Every question and every topic was about Jack and how the Devils season was going to go. 

“It was great getting to know you, Jack, and um-sorry what was your name again, Doll?” one of the gentlemen said. Y/N’s eyes widened as she raised her eyebrows. She licked her lips nervously.

“Y/N,” she said through gritted teeth, “I’m going to go wait for the Uber,” she whispered towards Jack.

“I’ll just drive you home,” Jack said back. She shook her head as she walked towards the exit of the restaurant, ignoring the rest of the people at the dinner. She was texting Jasper to not take any offer they had towards her. 

It was clearly not about her, the whole dinner was not about her. Jasper specifically asked if Jack could come as Jack Hughes and not Jack, Y/N’s boyfriend.

She was angry. She waited outside of the restaurant, her arms crossed over her chest. She began crying, she didn’t know when but the tears were falling down her cheeks. He walked out, a cocky wide smile on his lips. His smile faltered slightly as he saw the tears on her cheeks.

“That went well, why are you crying?” he asked, trying to be supportive, it fell short. She rolled her eyes as she kept quiet. “What?” he asked harsher.

“I told you to stay home!” she let out.

“You wanted me there, I found a way to get here, why is that so awful?”

She huffed. “I wanted my boyfriend there! Not Jack Hughes, Devils superstar!” she let out. He laughed dryly.

“Well I’m sorry that they were bigger fans of me than you!” 

Her mouth fell open as she let out a forced out chuckle, “If you showed up with me then things would’ve gone different! You had to make an entrance! You had to make it about you! It’s never about me! It’s always about you!” she let out angrily. “I needed you to be just Jack! I don’t need you to be the NHL star you all of the time. I needed you to be there for me, for fucking once!” she shouted as she saw her Uber pull up beside them. 

She walked towards the back door, pulling it open. 

“She’s good, I’m taking her home,” Jack shouted into the car, trying to slam the door. She took a hold of it and climbed into the backseat, locking the door instantly. 

“Please just drive,” she mumbled towards the Uber driver. He nodded as they drove away, leaving Jack standing alone outside of the restaurant. 

~Present Day~

She sat in her car, in the parking garage staring towards her best friend Joey’s contact. She hasn’t spoken to him in a few weeks because Jack had convinced her that she didn’t need Joey. It wasn’t all at once but she slowly stopped talking with Joey, her childhood best friend. She hit the call button and it only took two rings before he answered.

“Hey sweetie,” he said, simply excited to see Y/N calling. 

“Can I come over?” she asked, a sob leaving her throat as she spoke. 

“Oh my god, of course, I’ll make you a coffee,” Joey expressed as he sounded like he practically jumped into the air. “Do I need to book a rage room?” he asked, half joking but half seriously.

“I’ll let you know when I get there,” she said, a sob and a chuckle leaving her throat.

The drive to Joey’s apartment only took five minutes as she pulled into the parking garage. She entered the lobby to see Joey and his boyfriend Derek waiting for her in the lobby. Her lips began to quiver as she walked towards the pair and hugged them instantly. They squeezed her tightly to them for as long as she needed. 

“I knew that pretty boy was too good to be true,” Joey mumbled as the three of them walked towards the elevator. The three of them waited inside, Joey was holding onto Y/N tightly as they reached the sixth floor. 

They entered the apartment and Derek quickly walked towards the kitchen to take a hold of the freshly brewed latte. He handed it to Y/N. She gladly took a sip, her entire frame relaxing at the taste and the feeling of her best friends beside her.

“I should’ve left him last month, that was my last fucking straw but I stayed,” she let out while shaking her head, she sat on the couch, pulling the mug towards her lips.

“The dinner thing? Oh yeah that was a rough one,” Joey mumbled as he sat down beside her, squeezing her to his side. “Why’d you break it off this time?” he asked softly. Derek sat on the coffee table in front of her. 

She took a deep breath, “He accused me of being with him to get more views and followers. It’s like my comment sections are entirely full of comments asking if I’m doing okay, or if I’m happy because he makes me so fucking sad that my followers are starting to ask. So if I really was with him for the views and money and followers would I seriously be that sad?” she explained.

She shook her head, “I loved him, I wanted to be happy with him but I couldn’t. I tried and stayed as long as I could,” she mumbled another sob leaving her throat. “It doesn’t make sense,” she said suddenly.

“Oh, Y/N, it makes so much sense. He was barely in your videos, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Let’s have a weekend of drinking and crying and smashing things, okay?” Derek offered. Y/N laughed, a real laugh. 

“It’s always the pretty ones that turn out to be assholes, huh?” Joey mumbled as he pulled Y/N tighter to his chest.

[leah-lover]

Meeting again. Alexia putellas × reader.

This is a look into the beginning of Alexia and reader's relationship before the big event.

This is part 1 of a series.

My life has been a bliss. As a Spaniard my dream was to join barcelona. I started out at the youth academy and moved up the rank until I found myself as a part of the senior team. 

My journey was full of ups from winning championships with my dream team to winning individual awards. However, I had a few downs, most notably my ACL tear. When I tore my ACL I thought my career had ended. My road to recovery was nothing short of hard but I got through it and came back stronger. I couldn't have gotten through it without my support system at barcelona. I had a whole network of loving friends who helped me, some I grew up with at the academy and others I met on the team. 

My most notable friend was alexia putellas, she and i met in my early days at barca. We bonded over our chosen path, and our will to do anything to be the best. In our early days of friendship I was always in awe of Alexia's eyes. I would find myself gazing into them for a long time.

One day while we were in the tactics room she whispered in my ear with the biggest smirk on her face “ you are staring people are gonna notice.”  my cheeks immediately turned red but i didn't say anything i just refocused my thoughts on the coach.

After everybody left the room, alexia and i stayed behind and closed the door. 

“Do you want to tell me something?” she said with a smile on her face. 

“ Always cocky. It's not funny anymore.” I responded, which led her to stop.

“ and i don't know if i should tell you anything.” I added.

“ Then don't;” she said. She then pushed me against the wall and started kissing me. The motion was swift but surprising. Without hesitation I leaned into the kiss. We didn't separate until our held breaths gave out.

“ Well, that answers that I guess.” I said, holding her hand.

Our relationship was almost perfect for 6 years after that. Of course we had little spats but nothing major. The world didn't know about us but our barca family did. We did everything together. We roomed together, sat in the locker room next to one another. We even captained our team together. She was a midfielder and I was a forward, our chemistry was pertinent on and off the pitch.

While our relationship was thriving, so was women’s football. More eyes were on us every year. The compassion got harder and we got better. We won several league titles,cups and even the champion’s league. The little spats started after Alexia won her ballon d’or. Alexia was a perfectionist, football was her life and it was mine too. We would get cuddled up in bed and watch hours of footage together and we both loved it. But the pressure was too much for her and she started to act out. She would stand me up for dates, not answer my calls, and leave me to go to bed alone. She made me feel like I was an inconvenience to her. I felt like I lost all priority in her life. 

One day I got home from training and left her behind like I had been doing for months. We were supposed to go  have lunch with my parents but she said she had to do extra training so we switched it to dinner. After about an hour of waiting after I got to the restaurant, my parents decided to go home without eating because Alexia didn't show up. She left me stranded  and ashamed. So I decided to end our relationship. I deserved better than to be number 2 in her life. Not after all we had gone through together. 

I got home, packed my bags and waited for her by the door. When she arrived I immediately got up.

“ You not coming to tonight's dinner is the last straw. I tried to be patient but I can't anymore. I love you, I always will. But I am leaving you and barcelona. I am not renewing my contract.3 i said, i then went to her and kissed her. Surprised, she whispered “ I am sorry, please don't leave.” 

I kissed her again and left. 

That was 3 years ago.

[acupofinkedblood]

Egobworder x reader

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝

• Knights in shining armor, what a typical concept of what people usually fantasize about when it comes to such romantic matters like those cliché instant novel. No need to be ashamed, we have all been there, it’s a classic one after all. Love songs and various different types of artwork have all tricked us into believing in knights in shining armor, such idealized man who comes to the rescue of a damsel in distress, the perfect protector who values chivalry in qualities expected of an ideal knight, especially courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak. On theory, it sounds idyllic, isn’t it? And hey, you did achieve your dream of having someone like that in your life! But then again, when you look at the so-called ‘knight in shining armor’ of yours compared to the one in your mind? Well, let’s just say that Egobworder isn’t the typical Prince Charming that you were hoping for

• You’re pretty much used to the traditional type of knight on a white charger. Yeah, those guys who are full of sophisticated poetry and have quite the honor of the name they carry. But this guy? Egobworder? You think he is going to be like that Romeo to your Juliet, who is going to sing sweet nothings into your ears below your balcony in the middle of the night? If that’s what you have in mine, then let me hold your hands while breaking the news to you: You’re at the wrong address honey. Did you forget who is he originally? Yeah, even in this current circumstance, that specific trait of his isn’t going to hasta la bye bye anytime soon. He is technically still Skateboard, but more sophisticatedly fancier - that’s the best way for one to describe him

• Egobworder isn’t your daily stereotype of such fancy gentlemen on a lovely horse going all out to devote his entire life just to do good deeds with a people-pleasing attitude, oh no no, let’s just say that he has more than just that. That’s the head start for you to know. You have to remember that at the end of the day, the formulation of this dude right here is still the original Skateboard that you once knew. Yes, he’s still that laid-back and reckless skateboarder, but that’s deep inside, maybe a bit toned down yet it’s still there - you get the point of what I’m trying to say. Other than that he’s still managed to swoon your heart with that sweet tongue alongside with that charismatic demeanor of his

• How did you even meet him? The answer is simple: Egobworder has a free spirit with nothing to bound him back in one place for the rest of his life. His heart yearns for adventures, and so he shall fulfill it. Locating this man is actually quite the hassle since he insisting on following the calls of the abyss to nowhere. Rambling nonstop about this whole ‘adventure calls’ and how it’s important for him to charge forward to serve his purpose, which he doesn’t even tell you what is it clearly. One moment he is here, then the next moment he is already planning to leave after whatever he claims as his business has been finished. When you cross path with him, I mean it when I say this is quite the once in a blue moon type of event. It can be quite the random meetup, or it can be quiet the rendezvous that you have been calculating your eyes out just because of him. Nonetheless, the best advice one can give you is to seize the moment before he disappears into the unknown again

• Thankfully, Egobworder isn’t a loner. He has been traveling alone for who knows since when, but that doesn’t mean he is against the idea of having a companion by his side. If he did, then why would he offer you to become his partner out of the blue? All those years of traveling alone can get pretty boring when you have gotten used to it. Besides, with how much of a yapper he is, he needs someone to accompany him and his words aside from this idle sword. It’s pretty funny how people give him the look when he starts talking to himself with no audience, so guess that he does yearn for someone to join him. You can call him foolish when he just offers you, a stranger who he knows nothing about — or at least you thought so — to come and accompany him. But hey, you only live once, he has nothing to lose after all. Besides, how can you even say no to that mischievous yet all-knowing grin?

• When you agree to his request of becoming his companion, be ready to bid your old life a farewell because you’re about to see a whole new world when being with him. The goal of his journey is pretty unclear, it makes you wonder if he even has a goal in mind at the first place when starts traveling around. Egobworder is like a self-proclaimed Robin Hood - for the lack of better titles to associate him with, he goes wherever he feels like his presence is required. Although technically he is pretty sporadic, so it’s hard to grasp his character within a trait. Now that he has you by his side, maybe you can help him navigate through the journey properly so he won’t get lost on a daily basis again. He will take you to see the new world which you have never imagined before, and it’s a worthy experience, prepare yourself to be surprised with the miracle of life that you have missed for so long

• Egobworder is pretty ambitious himself. He charges forward with no string to bound him, always hungry for adventures and the thrilling adrenaline rush it comes with. Neophiliac isn’t the worth I’d use to call him as — but nonetheless, it’s somewhat accurate to a certain point — he only pursues things that he likes after all, no matter old or new, impossible or possible. Well, for Egobworder, he is rather venturesome. If he wishes to achieve something, he will go all out for it. Does this apply for all of his escapades? Maybe. Does this apply for his attempt to court you? Oh absolutely. But where’s the fun in saying it directly in front of your face? You already know how much he enjoys the chase of something — which in this case, it’s you — so he will try and win your heart without making it looks like it’s his intention. Damn him and his odd way of thinking. Then again, that’s what you have signed up for after all

• Charismatic is definitely a suitable choice of word to describe Egobworder. That smile, that gesture, that irresistible charm of something so vexatious yet so endearing at the same time - gosh, calling him a smooth operator is pretty accurate because of how much of an attraction he is. And damn does he take the ‘ego’ part of his name seriously, because giving this man attention is like feeding his ego a five star course meal. He has people wrapped around his finger with the perfect combination of a rascal and a gentleman within the same body. That is a dangerous fusion, I’ll give you that. One thing for sure is that it definitely amuses him if you get jealous of the people who are swooned by him. To Egobworder, he doesn’t mind them, what catches his eyes however is you and your response to said people. It’s a bit funny when you get all fussy about him being a chick magnet. He will reassure you that he only has his gaze upon his partner, but of course, it feels like he is teasing the heck out of you at the same time

• This man has a sweet tongue, and you probably see this coming at this point. Egobworder is blessed with the ability to swoon people with his words just for the fun of it. How can one even stay nonchalant with such sweet nothings from someone like him? Word is a powerful weapon. And of course, Egobworder is aware of it. He takes it as an advantage for his own gain, usually to keep his head on his neck before looking over for violence as an alternative solution. No, he isn’t against using violence. But there’s a saying ‘When word is useless, then violence shall be the answer’, so at least he has to try to use words first after all. It will save you two a great deal of effort. He knows how to find the possible persuasion to save the two of you out of a tough situation. He knows how to strike a good bargain when buying the necessities for your adventures. And most importantly, he knows how to convince someone to see the logical side in his plan no matter how absurd it sounds. Yeah, the ‘someone’ in saying is you. No matter how dumb his plan sounds, he always finds the right words to get you to agree with him

• That is to say that it’s undebatable about him being a huge flirt. Flirtatious banters are one of his favorite things to do with you. Most of the time he will keep it simple with intimate gestures out of the blue, but when he feels like he wants a serving of trouble since it’s what he is formed by at the end of the day, then that’s when he attacks with verbal affection right into your heart with no warning. Compliments coming from him is easy to foresee already, but with a questionable frequency to the point that you feel like he doesn’t spare you a moment to breathe at all? Yeah, you have to mentally prepare yourself for that because the way he does it is so unexpected just like his default tendencies. Whenever he feels like he wants to see you flustered, he means it when he says he is going to praise you heaven and back. It’s nothing too dumbfounded when he suddenly corners you against a solid surface then proceeds to give your heart an insane race all over again. You already know this guy - he is full of surprises

• Damn this guy with his mouth alongside his actions, one did mention how he isn’t going for those traditional stereotypes of those cliche knight in shining armor, and that makes him unique compared to those old-fashioned fairytale heroes. But then again, his flirtatious attempt is definitely bold — hell, it can even be described as foul if you may — and he isn’t shy away from it at all. If you think he is just a playful dork, then you’re an absolute idiot and I mean this in the most lovingly respectful way possible because surprise surprise, he manages to fool you into thinking that. I beg of you, don’t fall for it so easily. He is the type of guy whose touch will linger in that vulnerable spot of your body with a straight face while telling the things which he’d love to do to you with great pleasure. And good luck wiping that cocky grin off his face because he will act oblivious when you ask him to repeat what he just told you

• There are probably times when you have to physically shove him away when he suddenly thinks it was a good idea to whisper those suggestive things that belongs behind a closed bedroom’s door into your ears while you were minding your own business. And to make it worse, he is definitely not going to shy out even when you two are out there in front of other people. He does it not just for the thrill, but to get your attention from whatever you’re doing at the moment to him instead as well. Two birds with one stone, it’s still a win for him. Even when you’re talking with someone longer than he likes, that isn’t going to stop him from keeping his voice low enough for only you to hear. At least now he has your attention, not them. Is he petty? The answer is yes. But a slap or two on his helmet absolutely worths everything he says. He is impossible, and you know it well enough due to how long you two have been traveling together. Yet you can’t help but love it as much as it annoys you, no?

• He will definitely invite you to stand on his flying sword then charge forward just for the laugh of the situation. One thing for sure is that he will be a huge tease about it, or in a more casual way of saying it— yeah he will be an absolute dick during the entire ride, especially in the few first attempts of you two flying together. Egobworder will pretend that he has lost control over the sword because of how he claims that he isn’t used to flying with another person before, then will fake a chaotic landing which he accidentally drops you, just to fly downward and hold you in his arms gracefully like you weight a feather in his embrace. Yeah it’s absolutely valid for you to be upset with him afterwards. Don’t worry, it’s only one time, next time he promises that he will pull no stunt for your sake. But still, kick his ass, let it be a warning to that guy to never do that again

• Speaking of that, his sword technically isn’t the best type of transportation that can carry two people at the same time since it can be a bit cramped. Not that he mind though, but for the sake if your comfort, it’s up to you really. Unless you’re fine with standing in front of him with both of his hands holding your waist with a firm grip to keep you safe while flying while he is dangerously close to you, then you probably need a horse, or anything else that can help you to move around. It’s your choice whether you want to go with really. Fair warning though, good luck finding a horse that is fast enough to catch up with Egobworder at a decent price. But if you don’t want to get another vehicle to travel, feel free to stand in front of him on his sword anytime you want

• It’s clear as day at how he can be quite an asshole too. That previous mentions of him and his damn random urge are just a few honorable mentions, because there are still more of it, and they just get even more questionable from time to time. One time he deadass asked you if you want to share this drink of a funny-suspicious-looking potion he found in the random treasure chest with him, and when you figured that it was a shrink potion, you almost straggled him right there and right now if he didn’t start to run away. Okay, that can be count as an accident. But that time when you strayed away from the original plan and was captured in a hanging cell? What did he do? He took his sweet time laughing at you while beating the guards up. Even when he had the keys, he still insisted on making you beg for it just so he could get a good laugh out of the situation

• Yet despite all of that, you can’t deny that he genuinely cares about you. He just got a funny way of showing it. Maybe that’s just how he is, you should have known better than assuming that facade of him as who he actually is. Trust me when I say this, no matter how ridiculous his scheme can be, Egobworder holds you dear close to his heart. As much as it’s funny as hell when he pokes fun at you lightheartedly, he will immediately stop when he knows that you’re uncomfortable with it just by looking at the change in your usual expression. Who is it that carries you in such firm embrace when you have fallen ill to seek around for a medic? Who is it that has your back if not almost all of the time so he can protect you? Who is it that risk breaking his own favorite flying sword just to save you in the nick of time? You already know the answer, don’t you? Egobworder does it all for you because he actually cares for you more than anything else

• Don’t let that asshole fool you with that easy-going persona, he can actually be pretty protective of you whenever the times come. After all, you’re his partner — both in traveling and romantic senses, he puts those two together since it does makes sense, get it? Partner and partner romantically? — it’s his responsibility to look after you and to make sure that you’re safe with your head attached to your neck. He loves messing around with you, sure, but if other does that? Not on his watch. No one messes with his partner but him. And if they can’t take a hint to leave you out of the conversation, then he will just pick you up, throw you onto his shoulder like a potato sack then fly away immediately after throw the unfortunate dumbass into the well with one hand only. You do remember that he’s still strong as hell, right? It’s important that you keep it in mind, because you’re the brain and he’s the brawn in this dynamic

• That is to say, he can be a romantic partner when he feels like it. It’s not too obviously different from his other playful tease though, because unexpectedly, he knows how to get embarrassed too when he has to admit that it’s something more than just an ordinary flirt he just throws at you. Other than those chaotic jabs, he does have his serious intimate moments with you when the time comes. The most noticeable change is that he seems to be quieter than when he is being a nuisance just to get a reaction out from you. He doesn’t use his words much anymore, though his touch starts to linger on your hand, reluctant to let go before has the courage to hold onto to it. Another thing is that he will pull out unpredicted things that will catch you off guard. Like that time when he was resting close to you at your camp then decided to plug a flower nearby and put it in your pocket. Or when he began to twirl you around gently under the moonlight asking for a slow dance. What’s actually in this guy’s mind? Well, we might never know

• During the time you two travel together, he will tell you all of the tales about his past adventures. It will certainly amaze you, hearing just how much had he accomplished before meeting you. He will tell you stories of those faraway land which are full of jaw-dropping scenery, those bloodshed he has to deal with for the sake of the people he wants to protect, those exotic creatures that can only be imagined by slumbering into the dreamland, and so on. It’s marvelous, and he definitely has the voice of the storyteller, if you know what I mean. And well, he might exaggerate a few parts of it just for dramatic effect, claiming that he should have had his own epics by now so everyone can hear about ‘the tales of the almighty and handsome Egobworder’ — his words, not mine — heck, his pride is definitely something else. But hey, most of it is accurate to what exactly happened, he isn’t just pulling your leg by making things up on spot. If you want to, he can definitely schedule a plan for the future to revisit where he used to go through, aside from those where he has to hide his face because of not-so-legal things, of course

• He had his worries too. Egobworder just doesn’t like to show it to people around him, especially you. And hell, he did a great job hiding it all behind a cheeky smile. Egobworder doesn’t want to regret any decision he made, but sometimes he can’t help beating himself up in his mind when thinking of what if instead of doing this, he could have done that for the better. He carries his thoughts by himself because that’s what he is used too. And don’t get me started on how he would probably bite his own tongue rather than burden you with his nonsense. He is worried about fate, worried about himself, worried about the consequences of his potential flaw and of course, worried about you. It takes time for you to actually break down the towel of walls he has built up around his concern. And yes, please be patient with him. It’s not like he doesn’t want you to help, but he isn’t used to being helped. But once he learned to do so, he would show you just how much he appreciated you

• For someone like him, companionship worths much more than any promised treasure he could even imagine. He doesn’t get attached easily based on how open-minded he is when it comes to exploring the world, but guess that you have managed to become his exception. At first he simply thinks of you as someone who fate has led him to so that you shall become his partner, the one that will share his burdens and join him in laughters. Nothing more, nothing less. Yet when he looks at you now, why does he feel his heartbeat quickened? Just from the sight of you? Heck, Egobworder used to think that he would never be the type to settle down, he is too wild for that. And then you just have to hop into the picture to prove him wrong. Ironically, he adores it. He adores you, romantically

• The bound between the two of you is deep enough for you two to understand each other without a word spoken. You know that he looks at you with the same love you carry in your eyes ever since you lay your eyes on him. It takes time before it starts to hit him like a pillow of rose being shoved into his face, yet he isn’t against it. At first he would reconsider his own feelings properly, just to realize he has already seen you as something more than just ‘companion’. Your love is reciprocated before he even acknowledges it. Good lord, it makes him feel like an idiot. Though when he looks into your eyes, suddenly everything is fine again. Give him a good while to choose his words before have the serious talk with you about how he feels, it will be worth it, I promise

• You aren’t just a random partner he decides to scoff up out of nowhere to stay by his side through these endless adventures, you are more than just that. More than just a normal companion - you are his beloved treasure. All those time he has spent with you, it makes him feel like he has known you for an eternity. You give him that familiar warmth which he thought that he would have forgotten it by now with how much he paced around from here to there. As corny as it might sound, but you have become the home where his heart rests. He doesn’t say it often in serious manner, but Egobworder loves you. He really does, don’t think that he isn’t capable of staying faithful to his sweetheart, you will be surprised if that is what you had in mind. Jokes aside, you aren’t just a wonderful experience of which he has the pleasure to bound with, you are his everything. And he will thank the stars and whoever above for blessing him with the presence of you, his upmost precious treasure

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝

Note: For the dear customer who requested him, in all due respect, please count your days because I physically have to dwell into my mind to give him a proper personality (ﾟ∀ﾟ) Jokingly of course, but damn this one is definitely tough-

Note 2: Consider this my red envelope to you, dearest customers!

[krispycreamcake]

Reiji's perfect gift

From author: I'm gonna try just a tiny different writing style today sooo enjoy

Edit: I'M GOING TO KILL MYSELF OH MY GODDDDDDD I POSTED THIS BY ACCIDENT AND TRIED TO CNP IT BEFORE I DELETED IT BUT IT ONLY GOT LIKE ONE SENTENCE. I AM LEAVING THE EARTH.

"Mmmm... That's- hnng- good..." I grunted out in relief as I felt their gentle fingers easily glide across my aching muscle, pulling and tugging until I could no longer hold in my voice. Just the feeling of them on my skin made me instantly fall into a state of relaxation and pleasure.

Once they were done, I rose up from the bed and rolled my shoulders. "Thank you, I do appreciate it." The words left my mouth as if butter had been smeared all over my lips. I turned around to face them, looking into their eyes. I wish I could've stayed longer but I had important duties that couldn't be dismissed.

Truth be told, I've been certainly stressed out these past few days with the events father had planned for us. Convincing my no good brothers was hard enough as it is to attend, but making sure they don't make a fool of the Sakamaki name would be the harder issue at play.

"Reiji? You're kinda zoning out, you ok?" I heard their voice and immediately snapped my attention back to them. I cupped their face with a gloved hand and grazed their cheek with my thumb. "It's nothing you should be worrying about. I'm just focusing on making sure everything turns out the way father expects it to." They quirk an eyebrow at me before giggling.

"What's so funny?" I ask. "Well if things turn out the way he expects it to, then wouldn't that be a disaster?" I grin as the joke registers to me. As much as I do appreciate the humour, it was just another reminder that without me, this family would completely fall apart.

"I suppose you're right. Truly I couldn't imagine them being on any kind of behaviour, so it'll be hard to make sure they're even on their best one." They look at me a bit despondent as if they know what has to happen now. "Goodnight. I do hope you have a good rest, if you need me, you know where to find me."

I watch as their hands grab onto mines, not saying a word. It would be so easy to ignore what must be done and just stay here with them, but I'm afraid that that's just not in my character. "Don't look so troubled, you'll feel my fangs soon enough."

"I watch as their expression changes from one of surprise to embarrassment. What a predictable human. "I assume that's why you're so against letting me go no?" As their unbelievable fibs reach my ears, I can't help but think about how I'm only wasting more time. I say my farewells and immediately head to the game room to check on my brothers.

"Really Ayato, you never fail to disappoint me." I watch as he freezes in his spot, pool table clutched in hand. "Shit.... Reiji." I sigh before crossing my arms. "I don't expect anything from you other than to slack off, but even then you prove to me time and time again that you cannot be trusted with anything. You can't even set an example for your younger brothers! You agreed to come to the gathering and claimed that you had read the event's guidelines, yet here you are lazing off and playing games! You understand the severity of your situation don't you? Of all of us? We are to present the family's greatest accomplishments over the years and yet we have nothing to show for it."

I fix my glasses as my voice grows Stern and tense. "Tch- why don't ya take that damn stick outta your ass and have fun for once? Isn't today supposed to be your special day?" If I didn't have more important things to attend to, I'd slap that imprudent little boy across his face. Where does he honestly get the audacity to speak to me of all people like that?

"You know that as vampires, our birthdays are rather pointless and tiresome to celebrate. I am not some weak mortal that needs to be pitied for having gained another year to my age. Kanato, your advanced math class is having a meet-up tomorrow, you will be attending. Laito, I've arranged for you to be giving a tour in the demon world where you'll be teaching others about our history and culture, all your notes and resources are on your desk. Ayato, you have been designated to attend tomorrow's ball along with Subaru. You all have your work cut out for you so I don't expect anyone to be slacking off."

They luckily knew I wasn't asking but still, neither seemed pleased to be bossed around. "I think I'd rather die than have an old guy like you tell me what to do you know." Laito spoke with firm determination, I could see it in his face and sense it in his voice, no matter how smooth of a tone he may put on.

"These are not my wishes, I am simply carrying out our duties and making sure you low-lives don't drag the Sakamaki name through mud." I quickly spat back at him. Why must they oppose every single thing I say? I'm doing this for them! I sigh before taking my leave.... Until I heard Kanato murmur something under his breath.

I snapped my head towards him. "Speak up, it's rude to mumble, you're no longer a child anymore Kanato." I watched as Kanato looked at the floor, fiddling with that teddy bear of his before finally speaking up with such dead eyes.

"Teddy and I think that you should just leave if everything's such a bother to you.... You don't care about us anyway, but I can't say that we all don't feel the same! Uuu..... You want to abandon us, leave us here to rot!" I was almost taken aback before Kanato started to sniffle and cry like a child that lost its mother.

I once again adjusted my glasses before giving them all a stern look. I head back to my room to review the letters we received after a certain good-for-nothing let them stack up without informing anyone that they were delivered in the first place.

Just as I climbed the stairs, I immediately noticed that they were there. Watching perhaps? Sometimes I just don't know what's going on with that person after it seems like I have everything figured out. "It's highly unbecoming to ease drop on other's conversations."

I chuckle as I watch them jump in surprise. I grabbed their hand before giving their wrist a slap with my index and middle fingers. They wince at the jolt of pain before yanking their arm away. But something wasn't right.... Their usual playful stature in moments like these, was replaced with what I could only concur as annoyance and anger.

"Is something the matt-" My ears were immediately assaulted by a loud berating. "How could you not tell me it was your birthday??? Are you insane?? We spent the entire day doing nothing! I could've made you a cake or something or- or I don't know! Get you a present at least! You told me 'not to worry about it' when I asked because it didn't matter!"

My face drops and I feel exasperation creep up on me. "Is that what this is all about? I believe you heard my explanation when I was speaking to Ayato, I won't repeat myself because you refuse to listen to anything that isn't what you want to hear. I've explained before that I'm busy, so if you don't mind, I'll be taking my leave."

I walk past them before things could escalate more. I tried to remain as composed as I could but everyone seemed to be additionally unintelligent today. Truth be told, I couldn't care less! My birthday? Ha..... What a joke, it should be forgotten and buried with that woman.

I turn the knob on my door and see my room in the state of a pigsty. I hurriedly closed the door as it let out a small slam. "Hm, it seems I've let this place get the best of me. I don't have time for tidying right now..... I need to-" I don't know what overtook me, or perhaps I did, but I slid down the wall and thre my head back, tears streaming down my face. What a fool I've been, running around catering to others and I shut them out when they try to do the same.

"Yes?" I look down to see them... But not just them. The triplets are outside as well and Subaru even. A warm yellow glow was radiating off of their face. Candles that were stuck inside a strawberry shortcake.... My eyes grew wide as I realized. I didn't say a word as I opened the door for all of them to come in. Ayato was the second to bolt inside holding a bottle of wine.

It's that damn person's fault! Ever since they got here, they've made my life hell! Their outrageous tendencies to check in on me, to care for me, to hold me! How could they..... Make me see my own flaws, make me feel this way? I hear a knock on the door and immediately stand up, drying my eyes and taking a second to breathe before opening it.

"Happy birthday dear Reiji~ happy birthday to you!" I unintentionally gave a small smile as I listen to all their uneven voices try to sing in harmony, it was absolutely awful. But I can't say I didn't enjoy it nonetheless. "Thank you all.... And I'm assuming this was your idea?" I asked them.

They tried to be humble but I knew they really enjoyed the praise they got from me. I opened the bottle of wine and poured everyone a glass, using the ones I keep locked away in my room. They all seemed surprised to see me bringing them out.

I can't remember how many drinks we'd all had, but when they kissed me.... I can't explain it. It was more sweet than any blood that I've ever tasted, more delicate than the finest of pastries. In fact, if it wasn't for that kiss, I don't think I'd recall that night at all.

I feel a presence behind me and before I could see who it was, they left. The only thing to indicate that there was someone there in the first place, was a small store bought card with the words 'happy birthday' written on it in an ugly font with bright colours. "Hmph, you really are good for nothing."

[otomiyaa]

Ticklish Xiao & Reader

Platonic + 41. “No, I’m not ticklish there.” Requested by @eliankrios for my 1K Followers Event🌻

Fishing. Generally speaking it was seen as mostly a quiet and peaceful activity. But not fishing with Aether and friends, nah.

"Heeeheeehee!"

"Don't you daaaare!"

"You're scaring the fish- don't touch me!"

"Oh nooooooo!"

"NOHOHO - n-no tickling-ahahhaah!"

You couldn't hold back the grin as you watched the chaos in and outside the lake. Aether's fishing rod was floating in the water. Sethos and Cyno were going after it and making it a race who would get it first, but ended up in some chaotic splashy battle with each other.

Meanwhile Aether was yelling and laughing for his life as Childe and Venti pinned him down and tickled him to death. You were sure Aether started it with the tickling though.

"They shouldn't have come here if they were going to be noisy."

You looked to your side at Xiao who just said that. The two of you were still at the fishing spot, your legs dangling above the water and fishing rods still in your hands, but with all the noise and the splashing, you were very unlikely to catch anything. You chuckled at his grumpy remark.

"They're just having fun. We're still enjoying ourselves, right? Ah look, they've really got him now," you said, pointing at Childe who was tickling Aether's bare tummy without mercy while Venti held his arms. Aether's loud contagious laughter was all over the place now.

Xiao sighed and shook his head. "He's exaggerating."

Pffft, that made you laugh. "Come on now, that would be you if your tummy was tickled like that!" you exclaimed, enjoying where this conversation might be going if you handled it well.

Xiao gave you a funny judgy side-eye. "No, I'm not ticklish there."

Ha! "Oh really?" You couldn't hide the smug grin as you reached out for him. He didn't even flinch when you reached for this tummy.

"You're not going to stop me?" you asked, pausing when he merely stared at you.

"Like I said, I'm not ticklish there. I don't see why I would stop you."

Oh. Your hand froze right before it reached its destination, and you hesitated for a moment. There was nothing more foolish than tickling someone who wasn't ticklish, right? Hmm... Never mind. You decided to try anyway, and you started to wiggle your fingers against Xiao's tummy.

"AGh," Xiao made a funny sound and bent forward. He caught your hand and glared at you.

"Don't you dare."

"Ooh? I thought you weren't ticklish?"

He was someone like that hm? Lying with a straight face? He was surely covincing, but not enough to stop you!

The struggle between the two of you was only very brief. He tried to run away for sure, but he barely got up before you caught him. Both your fishing rods fell in the water and floated after Aether's.

"Dohohon't!" was Xiao's first cute little cackle as you pinned him down and tickled his tummy.

"I can't believe you lie so easily, Xiao! Who's exaggerating now, huh?" you teased. He wriggled and squirmed but didn't seem too motivated to make a scene like Aether.

"I'm n-nohothing l-like thahat!" he protested through held back giggles. You glanced in Aether's direction again and alright yes, Xiao wasn't as hysterical. He also wasn't attacked by two people at once. But still, he was ticklish and laughing at your mercy. That was a win for sure.

"Heehee, I'm afraid I didn't catch that," you lied, clawing mercilessly all over his tummy and sides. More and louder giggles could be heard gradually as he squirmed and struggled, his arms wrapping around himself yet unable to protect every spot from your wiggling fingers.

"Not ticklish, tssk," you said with disbelief, switching to playful pokes in circles on his tummy. Xiao squealed adorably and arched his back.

"Ahahalright f-fine! I'm tihihicklish!"

"I can see you are ticklish, yes. Oh wait, did you say that, thinking it would stop me? It takes a little more than that," you said smugly. Xiao's lack of wrath was also your savior. If he really hated this, you would probably already be in the water by now.

"Gahahaha!" Xiao shook his head. "I ahaham s-sorry!" Smooth, smooth!

"For what?" you asked. You curiously scanned his torso and decided to test his ribs and underarms as well - which happened to be even more ticklish than his tummy, perhaps.

"WAHh!" Xiao let out a pitchy yelp and was then reduced to silent laughter. Hehe, it tickled that much.

"Well?" you asked, smirking when he was laughing so much he couldn't even answer you.

"F-for lyihihing!" he finally managed to say.

You raised your eyebrows. "I'm glad you admit it." You had never seen your friend Xiao laugh this much, so surely you couldn't help it and continued for a liiittle longer.

Then when you finally stopped, you held out your hand. "Apology accepted," you said with a smile. Xiao rolled his eyes tiredly and shook your hand sheepishly.

"Good," he said, breathing heavily as he recovered from the tickle attack.

"What do you say, should we go help our dearest Traveler?" you said, surprised to see and hear they were still caught up in the same tickle fest over there. Xiao frowned.

"Now why would I..." He stared at your smug face for a moment, and then sighed.

"Fine, I'll help."

Great! No one caught any fish that day, but there sure as hell was a lot of fun and laughter, and that was the whole point of your get-together, even ticklish little Xiao couldn't deny that!

[missycolorful]

The scene with q!Forever and q!Philza at Global spawn in Pugatory is something that will always kinda sit in the back of my head. Because it truly, truly solidifies the strength in their dynamic, and neither of them will probably realize it lol. Hello, I'm here to be insane about q!philever, so buckle up

Like everyone else, q!Phil was dealing with a lot in Purgatory. He began to lose trust in close friends. He wasn't sure he'd even be able to save his children. While trying to uphold his morality and not kill except in self-defense, he was very much walking a fine, jittery line. All while trying to keep his team organized and motivated. Aside from kind of losing his mind like the others, there was no clear indication that Phil's composure was dangling by a loose thread.

But then he's allowed a moment of peace to exchange information with another team. It's just him and Forever. No kills planned, nothing. Just two people allowed to talk about the absurd situation they've been thrown into. A moment to really take everything in.

During the conversation, Forever doesn't hold judgement toward Phil or anyone else due to the event, even when he comments on Philza's kill on Rivers. Even when Phil tries to justify his actions, Forever doesn't hold it against him. It's hard to say exactly how important this is to what happens next, but I feel like it means something here.

It's when q!Forever says that once they leave Global Spawn, that they become "enemies" again, this is when q!Philza breaks. And I think this moment has been glossed over by many (I want more fan art, dammit >:T) cause it doesn't feel big on the surface. It's not like cc!Philza genuinely sounds heartbroken, his cries sound... a little exaggerated/dramatic, you know? What he cries about isn't anything groundbreaking, it's what many of them feel ("I don't want to be here." "I don't want to kill my friends."), even though Phil fans can sense a deeper meaning here. And after Forever briefly consoles Philza ("Everything is going to be good. This is what we need to go through."), Phil, like a flick of a switch, is right back to his composed, level-headed self. It was like that moment never even happened.

But it did, and it drives me crazy that he did it in front of Forever. cc!Phil made that conscious choice to have his character lose composure, his character that he and his fans knows is an emotionally constipated motherfucker. And the reason it drives me nuts is because how the fuck did we get here?

I can imagine this scenario with lots of characters, and it never plays out like this (i.e. with Tubbo, he'd likely just keep it all in. Et cetra.). I don't see him letting himself be this vulnerable around most others. Hell, before this, I never would've imagined he'd do this in front of Forever, either.

But the more I think about it, it kinda makes sense.

Phil and Forever's relationship is a funny one. Early on, Phil wouldn't trust Forever with a toothpick. He'd never be emotionally open with him. Forever even held a bit of animosity toward Philza after Phil'a final rejection. But that rocky start is honestly a huge part of why it is as strong as it is now. Cause, well, the strength of any relationship comes from accepting all parts of a person. Flaws and all.

Some characters hold Philza up on a pedestal (i.e. q!Missa). They don't really see his flaws. They don't think about his ugly sides. They just see a pillar of a man who is always willing to help, who can do anything and everything, who keeps composed and lighthearted and level-headed in any scenario. q!Forever was kinda like this, at one point.

But Forever realizes that isn't the case eventually. Because Phil's not great at dealing with emotional situations, and Forever learns that the hard way. Phil's not good at talking about feelings, he can be blunt and a bit harsh, because he's a pragmatic sort of guy. But it takes a softer, gentle approach to reject someone, and Phil wasn't ready for that. So, in retaliation to the hurt Phil caused him, Forever had a conflicted relationship with him. It didn't last long, but I digress. This brief shift in their relationship was for the better. By not placing him on this pedestal anymore, Forever began to see Philza in a different light. One that didn't cast Brunim in its shadow.

With Philza, Phil saw Forever at, arguably, his worst in the beginning. Obsessive, threatening, clutching onto a pipe dream with no regard for Phil's feelings. But over time, Phil got to see the much more real sides of Forever. When Tallulah lost her first life, when Forever made NINHO. He saw a passionate and intelligent side to this guy who was obsessed with him, and he respected that person. And with this recognition, he offered his trust to Forever, such as giving one of his presidential votes to Forever.

Both of their perspectives for the other changed throughout the first few months, and I believe they gained some level of appreciation between them because of that. They share this newfound respect and trust. And that is the core to their new relationship. Consistently, Forever and Phil have given each other open and mutual respect and trust. Never is either of these things taken for granted, abused, or manipulated in any way.

When Forever is hooked on the happy pills, he subconsciously seeks out Philza's help, which Phil offers with ease. Before Forever goes to the Nether, Phil expresses his worry and wants to help. But he doesn't push, because he respects Forever's agency, and trusts that Forever is doing what he thinks is best. (also during this scene, when Forever gave him access to the warpstone in that secret part of his base, only Forever and Richas had access to it beforehand, which feels like a big moment according to his fans, so! :D). So when Forever returns to the Nether, while he doesn't believe Fit and Pierre when they say they tried to save him, he absolutely, 100% believes in Philza.

Because he knows Philza by now, and Philza knows Forever. Maybe not on equal levels, but still. After merely a few months, they've slowly begun to understand each other a bit more. So I guess it's only natural that they'd be more open around each other.

I'd even argue that this isn't the first time Philza lets down his walls around Forever. It just didn't happen when Forever was awake.

I wouldn't say that Phil talking to Forever while he was in a coma is the same level of vulnerability as the scene in Purgatory. Because Phil wasn't totally direct with his feelings, he sort of deflected (the story, banging the pots and pans, calling him an idiot, etc). Hell, even when he is expresses how he feels, he's not entirely direct: "We just really care about you. We wanna see you come back. You're making us worry." Like, of course everyone cares, but to say this as we when it's just the two of you obviously feels like a moment of vulnerability but not wanting to admit to it. Cause, hey, under different circumstances, he absolutely would've committed to visiting Forever in the hospital every day. Still, his very open worry did give off a sense that his walls were crumbling.

So with all of this, if Philza can meet with someone alone in practical hell, and that someone, a person he openly trusts and cares about, can look him in the eye and say "I don't judge you" on the things he's has done, maybe that allowed the floodgates to open for a bit. Maybe once Forever said they'd be enemies outside those doors, the situation hit Phil like a truck, and he just couldn't keep it in anymore. And maybe knowing it was just the two of them, Phil knew he could be a person around Forever, not a leader or a mentor or a force to be reckoned with. And Phil really needs someone on equal footing with him like this. He needs someone he can feel safe around. So for him to find this in Forever, of all people, even if it's just for this moment, is extremely important to me.

The way their relationship has progressed, perhaps it would've been simply a matter of time for Philza to be open with Forever. I dunno when Phil will be quite so open around Forever again, but I do say when with a fair enough of certainty (or I could be wrong and I'm simply talking straight outta my ass but who knows). Because to have this moment with Forever was intentional, even if it feels like a blink and you miss moment. It may have been under a minute, it may not feel important to other viewers. BUT to me, it genuinely says so much about their relationship, how far they have come, and where they are now.

[familyvideostevie]

october first

day one: steve harrington after the events of august, steve and bee girl (you) wake up in your new house | no good at waiting one-shot, fluff | 1.1k

You wake up with a shiver. The morning sun bathes one wall of your bedroom in pink light. Your sheer curtains flutter in the wind and you snuggle deeper into your bed, tugging on the covers.

“Hey!” someone next to you grumbles. “S’cold in here, give it back.”

Steve tugs on the duvet but you don’t relinquish your hold, instead rolling with it until you’re pressed against his back.

“I know,” you mumble, eyes fluttering. Your bedroom isn’t really decorated yet but you’ve got the basics. Mattress, bed frame, dresser. Mismatched bedside tables you found at an antique sale two towns over and a rug Joyce gave you from the Byers garage. The rest of the house is coming together slowly. You have yet to get a dining table but you do have a couch and lots of kitchen utensils. Bob gave you an old bookshelf and the kids pooled money together to buy you a welcome mat. The good people of Hawkins have treated you and Steve moving into the little farmhouse as an invitation to get rid of all of their junk.

You love it.

Steve groans and shifts, releasing the duvet and turning so that he’s facing you, nose to nose. You can barely see the eyes you love so much through his lashes. “Morning,” he says. “We’re going to have to buy more blankets if you’re going to steal them every morning.”

“You’re the one who left the window open last night,” you remind him. He scoots even closer to you and shoves his face into your neck.

“Because you like fall air,” he says. His lips are warm on your skin. “Never say I don’t do anything for you.”

Living with Steve is pretty much a dream. Even when he leaves his shoes in the way, even when he doesn’t clean his toothpaste from the sink. Even when you forget to do the dishes or don’t put your laundry away. It’s fun. It’s like every day is a dream come true.

“No one says that,” you laugh. You twine your fingers in his hair. “Especially not me.”

Steve makes a pleased sound. “What are we doing today?” he asks. The last two months have been nonstop. Finishing the house, finding furniture, moving out of Bob’s for you and the farm loft for him. You haven’t had time for a proper housewarming yet.

“Nothing,” you say. He pulls back to look at you, eyebrows raised.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Hell yeah,” he says, running the pad of his finger over your top lip. “Finally a day off we don’t have to spend running around town.”

“We have to go see about that table tomorrow, though. After work.”

Steve flops back on his pillow. “It never ends,” he says.

“Nope,” you say, popping the p. “But it’ll be worth it.”

“Well, duh.” He raises his arms above his head and stretches. “We need a table so we can play beer pong at our housewarming.”

“And so we can eat at it, Steve.”

He smirks. “Oh, yeah. That too. And so we can do all sorts of nasty things on it—”

You place your hand over his mouth. “That’s enough from you, Harrington.” He licks your palm but you don’t pull it away. “Behave.”

His expression morphs into what you think he thinks are puppy dog eyes but really he just looks like he ate something sour unexpectedly. He mumbles against your hand and you remove it. “Christ, honey,” he says. “I was gonna suffocate.”

“What a way to go,” you deadpan. He laughs and turns away from you, throwing his legs over the edge of the bed and stretching again. You admire the freckled expanse of his bare back.

“You hungry?” he asks. “We could do pancakes.” He stands and wanders to the closet where he pulls out two sweatshirts. One he throws to you and the other he drags over his head.

“When we get a dog are you going to make it breakfast, too?”

Steve’s head pops out of the hoodie — one of yours, you’re pretty sure — and scoffs. “You think you’re funny with this dog-dad shit,” he says. “You watch. I’m going to be so normal. Nothing like Dustin’s mom and their cat. Nothing.”

“Sure, Steve,” you coo. You sit up in bed and pull on your own sweatshirt, borderline giddy with the sheer serenity of the morning.

Here you are, in your home with the person you love most in the world, talking about getting a dog.

This time last year you weren’t even friends yet. You remind him.

Steve snorts and crosses his arms, leaning on the dresser. “I was half in love with you already.”

“Was not,” you gasp. “We’d only been mean to each other!” You hadn’t really liked Steve until you both sat soaking wet in your car. You’d been curious about him before that. Interested. A little obsessed. But it warms you from head to toe to know you’d had him captivated from moment one.

He grins his most boyish grin, the one he usually sends you before he’s about to do something that will make your face hot. “Exactly. I had a dream about you the first day we met.”

“Really?”

He nods and rubs the back of his neck like he’s suddenly embarrassed. “Yeah,” he says. “I don’t think I told anyone, though.”

“What was it about?”

Yeah, he’s totally blushing. “Uh.” he says. “It wasn’t anything big. Just you buying apples from me, I think.”

You can’t help it. You laugh. You laugh so hard your stomach aches. “Oh my god, Steve,” you gasp. “I told you to fuck off and you had a dream about me.” You’ve almost been together a whole year and he still surprises you. You hope it’s going to be like this for the rest of your lives.

He’s scowling. “Yeah, whatever.” Even as he grumbles he makes his way back to the bed and sits on the edge of it. He puts his hand on your leg through the duvet and squeezes gently. “Okay, funny girl, do you want apples or chocolate chips?”

“I’ll help,” you say. “Both, obviously.”

“But first…” Steve says, leaning in. Your eyes flutter shut and he pauses a breath away from your lips. “Your breath stinks,” he whispers.

“Speak for yourself,” you whisper back. He snickers and then leans in, hand framing your face. His lips are a little chapped but his kiss is as sweet as always, tender and loving. He kisses you once, twice, then trails his lips along your cheek.

“Morning,” he says, as if you’d just woken up. “Love you, bee girl.”

You sigh with happiness. “Love you back.”

thank you for reading <3 reblog, send feedback, general masterlist here! promptober masterlist, find all fics under #fvspromptober23

[sgnjimmy]

Jake Kim x reader, no 8? Thx

★ 𝓙𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓚𝓲𝓶 𝔁 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻

≛ 𝙰/𝚗: hey-yo, so sorry for taking so long. I have issues with responsibility so ya know. again so sorry and here it is!! I hope I made it justice.

≛ 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 616.

"Have you seen? Lineman is dating!" You open the office door suddenly.

"What?" Jake asks with his down, working on the papers on his desk.

"He's dating. And going around showing pictures." You scrunch your face in disgust. "... And saying things."

By the tone you're using, Jake knows exactly what kind of things he's sharing.

He's honestly surprised to learn that Lineman is in a relationship. He figured he'd at least date once before this "event" would occur.

It's funny how things are... And also sorta weird.

"Seems like a nightmare from hell." Jake states, still not raising his head from his work.

"Yeah, tell me about it." You grab the chair in front of his office desk and land on it with a heavy thud. "Can't believe he's dating… 'nd I'm not!"

"If it helps you, me neither."

"No, I know. I mean like– in general. I never dated, you know."

Oh.

Oh, he thinks.

Jake moves his head up to look at you in surprise. He stays quiet for a while, and you come to think it was better if you had said nothing.

"... Me neither."

"... You don't have to say that, to um, make me feel better…"

"I'm not." He tells you.

The chair under Jake starts to feel cold against his skin, and he quickly grows uncomfortable. You both hold each other's gaze without noticing. And as the minutes go on, Jake can no longer sit still under your stare.

Your eyes feel heavy, he desperately wants to run away from it. Jake turns his head to avoid your gaze and feels heat rush up to his cheeks.

"But you shouldn't complain."

"Huh?" You say as if he had woken you up from a deep slumber. "What do you mean?"

"You shouldn't be complaining about not being in a relationship." Jake moves his head back to face you, tiling his chin smiling. "After all, I'm all yours for you to take."

You feel your heart failing a beat. What did he just–

Jake winks at you.

And you realize he was just teasing… Ah, you must be really out of your mind to have believed he had feelings for you, of all people.

"Sure, sure." You try to laugh it off as if he didn't just filled your heart with fake hope. "I should…" You clean your throat. "Um, get going."

As you raise from your seat and walk towards the office door, Jake shouts your name, fastly walking your way — placing his body in front of you.

"Wait." He says while bloking the door. "God, I guess I'm really a coward."

"Jake… what– what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to tell you that I– that I…"

He move his eyes down, and he find himself locking his vision on your hands, Jake holds them and places a kiss on each knuckle.

"I'm trying to say that I love you." He says, expressing his deepest thoughts as he raises his eyes from your hands.

This information takes out your breath for the second time today. So all that teasing was actually real. He meant all of that?

The countless times you got mad at yourself for pinning on your boss were all meaningless now. He liked your back!

"Please say something…" He prays you to return his feelings, but all this silence from your side has starting to make him feel worried. "I like you, but what about you? Y/n, do you?"

Instead of a proper answer, you take your hands off of his tender hold to grab the back of his neck, pulling the leader of Big Deal for a kiss. As Jake kisses you back, he feels his insides melting.

So this is what kissing was like.

This is how kissing you was like.

As soon as you pulled back and ended the kiss, Jake was already addicted to the feeling of your lips on his.

© 𝙨𝙧𝙜𝙣𝙟𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙮 2023

[spiderlandry]

wind — lo'ak sully

Description: You make a matching ionar (rider’s mask) for Lo’ak after he fails the first time trying to tame an ikran. you give it to him after his (successful) second try, but what does it mean?

Pairing: Lo'ak te Suli Tsyeyk'itan x GN!Reader (Na’vi)

Warnings/Tags: mentions of mating/finding a mate(?), use of y/n, actually requited love, reader is a softie, proofread once and barely edited, events probably not canonically correct because i’ve never read the comics

Word Count: 3k

Author’s Note: if anyone has any avatar thoughts or hc/drabble requests feel free to send them in my inbox !! i’m honestly willing to write for most of the characters, so just ask 😇 (any human!jake thoughts are especially welcome)

Everything has fallen away and nothing else matters when Lo’ak is in the Tsahìk’s healing hut, being bandaged by his grandmother after falling off a cliff on his first try taming an ikran.

The disappointment from his father rolls off in waves, and in turn, the shame of it suffocating.

Mo’at interrupts his train of thinking.

“Mawey,” She says in a gentle voice, but its read as a warning nonetheless. “I can feel you burning a hole into the ground.”

“Sorry.”

The curt response is not lost on her, but she doesn’t mention it.

Enter Kiri, the third person who has come to see him since the incident. Her face is etched with worry, eyebrows scrunched but it seems like she’s trying to hide it. She sits cross-legged across from her brother.

“Father was just worried about you.”

That gets a dry laugh out of him, wincing when the exertion stings.

“He’s got a funny way of showing it,” He replies.

Never-mind that. The moment he hit the ground, he knew he would be the other end of their father’s worry. That’s not what he hates. It’s that he feels the disappointment.

But it’s as if Kiri reads his mind.

“He’s not disappointed, either. He doesn’t hold it against you.”

At his quiet, Kiri leans against the wall, keeping him company while their grandmother rubs paste on his shoulder.

-

It is his third say of ordered rest that he finally notices your absence. Amidst of the chaos and his family practically doting on him with worry, he realizes the empty hole in his heart is in the shape of you.

You, who was there to see him fall. You, who was one of the best hunters in the clan and a great flyer. And you, who he has been in love with since he could remember.

Another wave of shame and embarrassment hits him. It lingers.

If you’d seen his failure, surely that destroyed all his chances with you. Hell, he barely had any after you’d called him ‘a great friend,’ a few weeks ago. But it’s different now: you have witnessed his worst moment, and would deem him unfit to be a mate.

His moping is apparently so noticeable that his own father has to talk to him. It happens before the hunting party leaves.

“Look,” His father—the Olo’eyktan for Eywa’s sake—makes the party wait. “I’m sorry about yelling at you.”

“Yeah, I know. We’re good.” Lo’ak’s lungs are burning. He needs to get away from this conversation, otherwise it will lead to Jake finding out about his affections for you.

“Hey,” His father taps his shoulder, and Lo’ak has to meet his eye. “What’s going on?”

Lo’ak knows that Jake is often misjudged as a father. He hears his friends talk about how being an Olo’eyktan makes him too busy to properly care for his kids. But what they don’t know is that every duty his father fulfills is done with his children in mind. Not too many people give him enough credit, not even Lo’ak.

He pays attention.

“Can we…not talk about this?” Lo’ak nods to the hunting party waiting for their leader. “We can talk about it when you get back.”

Jake gives in, but not without promise. “Later.”

They never end up talking about it, much to Jake’s dismay. Lo’ak avoids him too much. He prays to Eywa hoping his son will solve it soon.

-

When he sees you again, it had been about two weeks since the incident. He knows you’re close with Kiri, and every time his sister sneaks away he knows she’s with you, but he decided that if you didn’t want to be near him, then so be it. He didn’t anticipate the pain that came with that. The burning in his chest, something his father taught him about heartburn—yeah, that. Probably.

There’s a lot of people in the clan, which is why it surprises him to see you spending time with Ralu of all people.

You’re both far away, but he sees you flash a smile at the man and he begins to see red.

Ralu isn’t a bad person by any means. But he’s arrogant. And you told Lo’ak once that you hated arrogant people. Ralu was named after his great grandfather, one of the most notorious warriors among the people. Lo’ak figures that’s why the guy carries himself with an air of importance.

So when you laugh at his joke, Lo’ak starts to think that maybe you changed.

When did you change?

The burning is quelled for a moment, quickly replaced with an even worse emotion: a soul-crushing, haunting feeling called guilt.

Lo’ak is guilty of many things. He disobeys direct orders, he has the tendency to slip out of important celebrations, he can disappear for days when he needs time to think.

But he has never once felt guilty of loving you.

Until now.

It is not truly just guilt out of loving you, rather, it’s a product of his own cowardice and inability to even strike a conversation with the slightest hint of interest in becoming yours officially.

You don’t know that he is already yours—that you hold his heart in your delicate hands—maybe that is where he went wrong. Was it fair for him to have assumed you knew that? No, not really. But what could he do?

He stalks away, the sight of you and Ralu summoning bile in Lo’ak’s throat. He wants to feel the wind one only gets while flying and let the sting of the air wash his mind of the image.

He decides to take training more seriously this time around. Maybe he’s not too late.

He hopes he’s not too late.

-

Lo’ak loses himself in the fight. He lets his body carry him on hunts, he climbs the trees with calloused hands, he visits the mountains to study the patterns of the ikran coming and going.

He’s so determined to prove himself to you that he doesn’t pay mind to how you come and go through the home of the clan’s most talented craftsman.

Doesn’t notice when your eyes gravitate toward him as you come back from doing your tasks—he is too honed in on sharpening his blades and fixing his arrows.

You and Lo’ak hadn’t spoken in weeks.

But he wanted to make it worth it for when he finally invites you to watch him try and tame an ikran for the second time alongside his family.

It’s not long until Lo’ak finally approaches you with the proposition.

You receive the invitation with a gentle smile. He’s glad that Ralu is nowhere to be seen. (Bastard.)

-

It’s early morning, and you have not shown up. The thought of you not being here makes his stomach churn, not only out of shame but also regret. Maybe he really had lost you, but that is going off the assumption that he ever had you in the first place.

Most of his family stands behind him in support as he goes over the plan in his head, watching the ikran screech amongst themselves. Although, Tuk and Kiri are with grandmother—so it is just Neytiri, Jake, and Neteyam. He was so confident your name would be a part of that list.

He shakes off the thought, letting himself feel the vibrations. The rope in his hand burns from his tight grip. He launches himself into action, spotting the dark blue creature about to lunge at him. It’s beautiful. He hopes he doesn’t die.

The skin of the ikran brings him back to the feeling of falling, a flashback to the first time. As he wrangles it from the back, avoiding the claws reaching for him, he shakes his head roughly to rid himself of the image. The earth beneath him scratches at his leg when he falls off and tries to get back on, keeping its mouth tightly wrapped, bruises threatening to form on his hand.

Wind.

Edge. He is at the edge of the cliff.

The wind pushes against him, he pulls forward.

His vision is a tunnel, he grabs his kuru. He doesn’t see who arrives.

He successfully mounts the creature, making tsaheylu at the same time.

They both fall.

He hears the family erupt in cheers from afar when he saves himself from hitting ground, circling upward and letting out a loud cry. He does not hear your cheers amongst them, but it’s there regardless.

That is when he lands back on the cliff’s edge, meeting his parents’ proud smiles and Neteyam’s hard pat on the back.

You emerge from behind his family, and his jaw falls slack.

“Y/N,” He says, breathless. He resists the subconscious urge—the instinct—to run to you and wrap his arms around your figure, as he is reminded that the possibility of you and him have been null for a long time. “I thought you didn’t come.”

You two are inches from each other now.

“Are you kidding?” Your laugh melts him. “I just wanted to see if you’d fall off again.” The teasing isn’t something new, he knows you don’t mean it but even if you did, he couldn’t care less—every corner of his mind is now burned with the image of your smile.

He playfully shoves your shoulder, and you stop him from pulling away by holding his wrist.

You lower his arm. You bring an object out of the satchel you’ve been carrying around and places it on his outstretched hand.

It was an ionar. A rider’s mask.

And it looked familiar.

It is crafted beautifully and carefully—the light leather is cured perfectly, and in the middle, where it would rest on top of one’s nose-bridge, there’s a dark piece of river crystal sanded down to a point.

“I can’t take this,” He shakes his head. “This is yours.”

There’s something mischievous in your eyes, a glint he’d never seen. “Look closer.”

He grabs it and inspects, and his heart drops when he runs his finger over the piece, feeling the letters before seeing them. His name engraved into the side. Your mask had your name. This one has his.

“You…?” He meets your eyes, and you’re looking downward. In a surge of confidence, he puts a hand on your jaw to get you looking at him. “You made this for me?”

You nod. “It is a gift,” you respond. “I finished it this morning. I was not sure if it would be to your liking—”

“Don’t say that.” He cuts you off, and your eyes seem to be searching for something in his. He hopes to Eywa you find what it is you’re looking for. “This is perfect.”

You glance past him and he remembers that his family has been there the whole time. He turns and his eyes shoot daggers at his brother when he can see there must be something at the tip of Neteyam’s tongue. He knows that look, he’s about to get teased.

Luckily, before the brothers can exchange any words, you get Lo’ak’s attention again.

“Go fly with your family,” Your soft voice has him reeling. “I will meet you back home.”

-

He proudly dons the mask you’d given him, not taking it off when he starts looking for you after getting home. He wants—no, needs—everybody to know that he wears it like a badge of honor. He prays that people notice it matches your mask. In a way, it felt like you were staking claim on him.

Much to his chagrin, he sees you with him. Ralu. You’re nodding along to something he’s saying, and though it’s not a welcome sight, the adrenaline from flying fuels Lo’ak enough to walk over.

Your ears flick at the sound of nearby footsteps, and Lo’ak is relieved to see your smile grow wide when you catch a glimpse of him wearing the mask you made.

Lo’ak raises his brows at Ralu, and his stomach churns when Ralu does not respond to an obvious look of challenge.

You take notice of the fire in his eyes directed at your friend. In response, you place a hand on his forearm, and his gaze softens at you.

“Do you want to fly together?” You ask.

“Just us?”

“Yes,” you say it as though there is no other answer. “Who else?”

“It’s—” His eyes flit to Ralu, who seems to have stricken up a conversation with another clan member. Deciding it’s not worth mentioning, he replies, “Nevermind. Let’s go.”

-

“Where are you taking me?” He shouts over the wind, following you on his ikran while you fly fast ahead of him. The eclipse hides behind the floating mountains.

“Just wait and see!” You yell back, banking a hard left.

Landing on the cliff, you pet your banshee while Lo’ak’s lands on the ground with a hard thud. You laugh at him.

“I have to work on that,” He dismounts. “Where are we?” There is a wall of vines and moss standing tall behind you, and surface area of the soft grass is too little for both of your creatures to fit. They fly away, finding shelter on a nearby mountain.

“Follow me.” You feel the wall of vines, pushing it aside to make way into a dark passage.

The path is illuminated by bioluminescent flora growing through the cracks of the stone. He hears your footsteps behind him, and he soon runs into a wall, a small crevice with light shining through it, but too small for any Na’vi to fit.

You push past him and put your arms in the gap, putting the force of your body into getting it out of the way. He wants to help, but his eyes trace over your figure and he can only hope you don’t feel him checking you out without shame.

The gap is now wide enough to go through, so he follows you into it.

“Eywa,” He mutters under his breath as he takes in the scene. Though the cave should be dark, there is a clear pond that glows blue. There’s a tiny patch of grass surrounding it. It is not so extraordinary if one thinks about the rest of Pandora and its beauty, but the most remarkable thing is the quiet.

The wind is gone.

Your breaths are the only thing in his ears. You dip your legs in the water, splashing Lo’ak and taking him out of the trance.

“Hey!” He grins, doing the same to you.

There’s a pause while he tries to think of what to say. This place seems sacred, somehow. At least to you. You’re a great warrior—the best one he knows—yet he’s never seen such a content look on your face. It suits you.

“Why did you bring me here?”

You shrug, bashful. “This place is only accessible with an ikran. There is no other way to get up here.”

He stays silent, staring at you to go on. You avoid his gaze, opting to stare at the ripples you create in the water.

“I have been waiting to show you this place since I discovered it.”

“Have you…shown it to anybody else?”

There’s a longing in your eyes. “Neteyam.”

He is taken aback. Why would you take him here? He perks up, trying to look at your face. He sees the smirk.

“That’s not funny.”

You finally turn your head to him. “It is to me.”

“You’re messing with me, right? I just have to double-check.”

“I am,” You chuckle, lips settling into a thin line.

Another moment of silence.

“You will have to go through Uniltaron soon.”

He hums in agreement. He knows you had recently completed yours, he was there.

“After that, you will be free to choose a mate.”

A tiny flame of hope flickers in his chest. “Yeah. Yeah, I will be.”

“Do you have someone in mind?”

He doesn’t hesitate to say yes.

Your shoulders drop ever so slightly, but with the quiet echo, he hears.

“I always had the feeling you were spoken for,” you whisper. “Will you tell me who?”

He contemplates on it. Telling you would be the biggest risk of his life. It would change the nature of your relationship forever.

Before he can say anything, though, the sound of a water droplet reaches his ears. His eyes snap to you, and you have taken off your rider’s mask to wipe at the tears on your eyeline.

He scoots closer, shoulders touching. “Hey,” he puts a hand on your back. “What’s wrong?”

“You know what it feels like for someone to have your heart, don’t you?” You finally look at him again.

“I do.”

“Doesn’t it hurt?”

Since when did someone have your heart?

He wants to know who it is. Who makes you feel the way he feels for you.

He answers with the truth, “It does.” He clears his throat, trying to think of more to say. “But it doesn’t have to.”

“How?” You’re hugging your middle. He can feel you closing in on yourself.

The simple answer is that being with you flips that pain onto its head and it disintegrates. The hurt is never there long as he’s with you. But how can he tell you that if your heart belongs to someone else?”

“What do I do, Lo’ak? Please.” You almost plead for his answer. Your tears have stopped, and you, again, are searching his eyes for something. He has never seen you this vulnerable before. He wants to be the only person to witness you like this.

“You tell them.”

When you don’t respond, he takes his own advice. He bares his heart out to you.

“You’ve always had mine.” He says it so quietly that he doesn’t think you process the words until about three agonizing seconds later.

Yet you don’t say anything.

I’ve made a mistake, he thinks.

But he couldn’t have been more wrong when you finally respond by laying a hand on his cheek.

“You have always had mine, too.”

-

Here is a reference picture for a rider’s mask !! Lo’ak’s would look different obv, the middle part would have a river crystal that’s actually taken from the river where Y/N realized they loved Lo’ak (my cuties.) The leather would be a bit lighter, and I also imagine some beads from Tuk woven into it on the sides (Tuk found out and insisted on helping. My sweet summer child)

(additional author’s note: i know they don’t technically get a visor until fully completing their rite of passage but let’s pretend that’s not true for the sake of the fic)

[dirtbra1n]

piece toss

hi @aranarumei You'll never guess who your secret santa was for the @ssmygiftexchange. >:) prompts I borrowed from the most were 'sort of "day in the life" [...] that explores a relationship with two characters', the related 'character/relationship study', and the most obvious fateful 'Perhaps something with Sasaki & Hanzawa interacting? They don't talk too much, so it would be cool to see their distant / cordial relationship' kiri please understand I have a lot to say on this. putting a new sign around my neck that reads Please ask me about what I think about sasaki and masato's relationship. and what I think it could be

while I'm cross-posting on ao3, I'm putting the whole thing here too. are you proud of me I'm even putting a title on the post like you would. that's enough preface out of me though. life is really beautiful. thank you @ssmygiftexchange for giving me the chance to do this, the event as a whole has been a real treat to watch unfold!

sasaki, you up off your ass yet?

Mostly life hasn’t changed at all. Overall less of a pain in the ass. Different people to see every day, same people to miss.

wake the hell up man your sisters blowing up my phone

shut up already

Sasaki’s phone starts buzzing. He flips onto his stomach and grumbles, “What?”

“While you’re out being errand boy could you bring over that last CD I lent you?”

“...You’re annoying.” Beep. Sasaki gets up off his ass.

Mostly things are exactly the same. This isn’t a bad thing. Actually, as Sasaki gets older—imagine that—the way things shake out shows him more and more often that he just had to stick it out. Just had to make it out of the woods.

Just had to latch onto something long enough to open his eyes again. He stretches.

His phone has started up again by the time he’s done brushing his teeth. His reflection in the mirror looks hassled.

He huffs discontentedly into the receiver and says nothing else.

“...Sasaki-saaan? You there?”

Sasaki looks down at his phone. He moves to hang up.

“HOLD IT!” Ugawa cries. “Don’t be so cold!”

Sasaki checks the time. “Is it an emergency?”

He can hear Ugawa’s glasses glint. “Wanna come out with us?”

Sasaki hangs up the phone.

—

The twelfth train station passed on his route sees Sasaki Shuumei seeing Sasaki Shuumei, reflected, in his train’s grimy window. He looks bored. His head rolls a little with the momentum.

The thirteenth train station passing on his route sees Sasaki Shuumei seeing Hanzawa Masato mid-yawn through the glass. He looks tired. Sasaki blinks, lead on his eyes coaxing them shut again.

The twenty-first train station passing on his route sees Sasaki Shuumei, cow-licked, walking stiffly, briskly, to catch his transfer.

—

Pretty definitively it was not an emergency. Ugawa and the girls took him on a field trip to a newly opened cafe way out of the way—not that far from the university, so he can’t hold it against anybody, but Ugawa still caught his eye and apologized with his hands pressed together—to try four novel drinks at Ugawa’s behest.

He can admit he had fun. He’s just on his last legs.

The three of them take mercy on him at about two in the afternoon, splitting off to get some shopping done. Ugawa says, “Go get some rest now!” which Sasaki thinks is a little funny somehow, but he exhales relief and a twinge of immediate, cooling melancholy. He stretches again, muscles pulling like taffy. Hungry…

Across the street he sees a big, still-unlit sign for hotpot. Standing before it he sees Hanzawa. Standing around him he sees approximately ten hundred other people. To no one, Sasaki says, “Whoa.”

Sasaki ambles from one side of the street to the other, excusing himself between older ladies sharing a grocery basket. The wafting smell of hotpot pricks at him. Hanzawa says cheerfully to the crowd (a dozen people or so), his back facing Sasaki, “Bye bye!”

He turns back around with a loosened-muscles’ ghost of a sincere smile playing at his lips, in the familiar twinge of melancholy wrinkling his eyes. Sasaki feels like he’s seeing a stage actor just after he’s come off-stage. Hanzawa looks down at his phone and lets out an exaggerated sigh, then looks up and sees Sasaki looking, unassertively, down at him. Hanzawa’s eyes open wide and the hair on top of his head seems to ruffle up. Sasaki, for no particular reason, remembers watching Ponyo for the first time. Right there in front of Sasaki, in that moment, Hanzawa went from somebody Sasaki didn’t really know to… Hanzawa.

It makes him look a lot younger all of a sudden. Sasaki blinks, a little drowsy. “Hanzawa,” he says finally.

Hanzawa glows a little brighter. Sasaki squints the slightest bit. “Hello, Sasaki,” he says. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it! Answer me a question?”

Sasaki says, “Mm?”

“How do you know you’re lost?”

“...How do I know I’m lost?” Sasaki gazes at the bustle over one of Hanzawa’s shoulders, spares a glance at the sign over the other. Yearns again for hotpot for another couple of seconds. His eyebrows drop a little. “Is this a trick question?”

“I would never trick you,” Hanzawa says, his eyes aglow.

Sasaki gazes now, doubtfully, straight over Hanzawa’s head. Lets another few seconds pass him by. His eyebrows pinch, “Are you a little kid?”

Hanzawa folds over, startled by his own eminently familiar laughter. Sasaki doesn’t need to tilt his head too far down to look at him because his hand comes up, wobbling, while he catches his breath. “It wasn’t my fault!” Hanzawa wheezes. “I was being ferried around right in the middle of our party. I lost all sense of direction ages ago.”

…You are a little kid. Sasaki waits for him to regain his footing.

“Hey, Sasaki,” Hanzawa says, straightening up and holding his side, “are you busy?”

The CD in his pocket weighs heavy for a second and a half. “Not really, I guess.”

Hanzawa’s eye smile sends Sasaki back a few years. “Could I hassle you into joining me on a few errands?”

“Sounds like a pain…”

He holds up a finger, “One errand.”

Sasaki lets his head fall back to look up at the sky. He sighs.

—

“Hey, Hanzawa?”

“Yeees?”

“What exactly are you having me do?”

Hanzawa yawns heartily into his elbow and finishes pulling his other leg through the window. “Besides turn a light on?” He yawns again. Washing his hands and considering the scenery beyond their point of entry, he finally continues, “I guess you could send Ogasawara a message telling him we’ll be stealing all of his valuables.”

—

It’s funny that he doesn’t remember opening his eyes; just is what he is where he is. He wasn’t much anything, either, until a second ago when he felt a fwump at the back of his head, and then he was groaning and then he was reaching to yank Ogasawara’s leg off from the knee and then he had one heavy hand on Hanzawa’s ankle. “Oh.” says Sasaki. “I forgot.”

Hanzawa blinks at him, then yawns. Then, woken up, faces the back of the couch and lets slip half a laugh before it occurs to him to raise a hand and say, “Sorry…”

Sasaki turns back around. “Did we leave the TV on?” A high-budget commercial silently advertises the revival of some reality show. He squints at it a second longer before pulling himself to his feet.

“I suppose we did. Unless he turned it on himself?”

“He would’ve pissed himself seeing us here before he ever got to the remote.”

Hanzawa coughs loose that second half. He asks, “The time?”

Another reluctant glance at the TV screen. Oops, “Six-fourteen.”

Hanzawa rubs his nose and murmurs, “Oops.” He adds, “Though I guess we could have guessed by looking outside.” The window is a canvas painted over with oils. That streetlamp beyond it has always made a racket but in this dark it rattles under Sasaki’s skin and stays there, buzzing. A few moths orbit helplessly around it but the two of them are otherwise pretty much on their own.

Looking at it another way, Sasaki is pretty much on his own. Hanzawa swings his feet off of the couch and onto the floor, standing with a few disjointed pops and cracks. 

Ouch. Sasaki turns back towards the window. “Well,” he says to the moths outside, “I guess I don’t have anything to be doing tomorrow.”

“You’re not meeting anyone?” Hanzawa floats to join him at his right. The way he asks is pointed.

Sasaki doesn’t really turn to face him about it, either way. “Didn’t have anything planned.” He sighs a little. “You kinda wore me out today anyway.”

Hanzawa laughs, “It was fun though.” He pauses; Sasaki sees him turn his head. “Right?”

The buzzing scratches at his throat. Before he can reply Hanzawa moves on to ask, “Have you ever played chess, Sasaki?”

“...Mm?”

“I saw a chessboard at the market earlier and I keep thinking about it.”

Nothing is keeping you here. Keep going?

“Think my older sister keeps our old shogi board somewhere. Been a long time since I saw it last.”

Hanzawa hums thoughtfully. Sasaki can halfway see him holding his chin. “Were you any good at it?”

“Not really.”

Laughter. He collects himself to ask, “Were you bad or was she just better?”

Keep going? “Dunno. I don’t think I ever thought very hard about my next move.”

Hanzawa hums some more. Sasaki turns his head the slightest bit to see Hanzawa’s slowly swaying. A second longer shows him his shut eyes. “Did you ever regret a move right after making it?”

You don’t even remember where the pieces go. Keep going? “...Probably.” The lamp outside wavers for a second. The moths return to their pursuit with heightened fervor. Keep going? The old dog a few houses away barks to remember he’s still kicking. Keep going? Sasaki inclines his head enough to glance at him directly. “Did you?”

Sasaki watches him shift his weight from one foot to the other. His mouth opens.

The lights come on. The both of them turn blearily to watch Ogasawara Jirou catch his breath in the doorway. Whatever double-meaning thing Hanzawa was going to say melts into an astonishingly natural-sounding, “Welcome home!”

He’s met with a suspicious look. Sasaki, outside of whatever that is, stares blankly at him. “What are you doing here?” Ogasawara asks.

Sasaki looks down at Hanzawa, who replies, “Sasaki was returning a CD.”

Sasaki looks back at Ogasawara, who frowns. He clarifies, “What are you doing here?” Sasaki watches him realize how pointless a question it is. He redirects: “How’d you even get inside?” He and Hanzawa point at the window. Ogasawara throws his shoes down next to Sasaki’s and trudges miserably to the couch. He lies down. He buries his face in his hands.

Keep going? “I think I’ve had enough of today now,” Sasaki says plainly.

Ogasawara whines, “Sasaki…”

Sasaki doesn’t hear him, so he puts his shoes back on. Hanzawa volunteers to walk with him to the station.

They don’t make it as far as the station.

The weekend crowd beyond the neighborhood is loud, rowdy, and dense. The train station, a beacon in the bustle, seems like it would be a massive pain in the ass to reach. Sasaki gives up. He turns pliantly towards Hanzawa, awaiting their next destination. Hanzawa smiles at him. “I’m dead tired,” he says.

Sasaki pulls his eyes open. “...You’re tired?”

Hanzawa tilts his head. “...Hm?”

“Never mind. What now?”

Hanzawa’s hand returns to his chin while he thinks. “I figure Ogasawara would let you back in. You should go keep him company.”

Sasaki glances over his shoulder, back at the mouth of the neighborhood. He can basically hear Ogasawara’s cries already. “Mm. What’re you gonna do?”

Instead of answering, Hanzawa takes a few rhythmic steps towards the shifting crowd, head swaying along to the ending refrain of the music floating out of the nearest convenience store. He calls, up and away more than at him, “Bye, Sasaki! I had fun today.”

Sasaki watches him shake off the familiarity he’d put on. Another three steps to the rhythm like he’s dancing; Sasaki gets a feeling like he’s watching him through a restaurant fish tank. It feels kinda bad. His eyebrows pinch together. “...I’ll see you later, Hanzawa.”

In the time it takes Sasaki to blink one time, Hanzawa does an about-face to stare back at him. He’s making that glowy face again. Sasaki squints, then concedes.

By the time Sasaki opens his eyes again, Hanzawa is nowhere to be seen.

—

“It was a long day today…”

Sasaki shoves at him with his feet to make more room, squints at him dubiously, “...What had you busy?”

Ogasawara scrubs his hand over his face. “Long story. Did Hanzawa get you, too?”

Sasaki forces his eyes open again, “What do you mean, ‘too’?”

Ogasawara’s voice is gravelly. “Nothing.”

Sasaki forces his eyes open again. “...Does it have something to do with your girlfriend?”

Ogasawara says something woeful about infidelity yaoi.

Sasaki forces his eyes open again, says something he distantly recognizes as nonsense.

“Hey, Sasaki?”

Mmm?

“Just sleep.”

[that-one-xachster]

by saying something stupid like 'i love you'

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"I love you"

"What?"

"Nothing."

-> 3 times in which you try to tell him that you love him, but thats not how it goes

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can be taken for any character that you'd like, I was feeling a bit silly haha- might get back into writing

not sorry if this one shot sounds like a comedy show rather than fully angsty, I wrote it based on how I have interactions with people, so im not sorry cause I don't know how you interact with people. please dont come at me for it not sounding angsty or wtv GAAAA I SOUND RUDE LMFAO WHAT

not proofread!

[f/n] = friend's name

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"I love you."

"Huh?"

He looked up from your notebook, holding his pen, explaining the question in chemistry you didn't understand. He sat so close to you, your knees touching, making you feel like a man in the 1800s who just saw a woman's ankle.

You shook your head.

"Nothing."

He just shrugged and went back to explaining the problem to you, and you shifted your weight, resting your head in your palms.

You tapped your foot repeatedly against the table, listening to what he was explaining, before stopping him -

"Wait a second, isn't that the wrong step? You gotta restart-"

"Huh? What are you talking about- oh shit."

"See-"

"Yeah, funny story how about we both just go and ask [f/n]?"

"True. Do that, she's the smarter one."

"Smarter than you for sure."

"No, you're the most idiotic one out of all of us, shut up-"

"No can do-"

You two bickered back and forth until the class ended, never getting to ask [f/n].

Moments like these were what made you fall harder.

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"I love you."

He didn't even hear you this time. Of course he didn't, how would he? He was in the hall, talking to some other friends of his. You're not his only friend, you shouldn't be so selfish-

"Did you say something? Sorry, I was submitting this assignment."

The same friend mentioned before, [f/n] sat next to you in class. She was adamant that you had a thing for the guy, despite your multiple attempts to deny it. No way in absolute hell would you admit that you had a flimsy, silly, teensy little crush on him. No way.

"Nah, you can go back to that."

"I have a better idea, did you hear what happened this morning to-"

And she told you about some events that occurred in the morning, as if she were your personal newsletter. For free of course. She was the nerdy type, but had many friends and always knew what was up with the school, and of course she had to fill you in. You listened to her tell you about random fights, break ups, make ups, and people being stupid in general, enjoying the time you spend with your friend.

Sometimes a distraction is good right? Sometimes.

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"I love you."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"No no no no- what? Repeat that."

"Dude, I said nothing-"

"Nuh uh, you keep mumbling random shit and won't tell me what it is bruh, spit it out."

"The hell you mean 'nuh uh'? Buddy you don't need to peek into everything I say, you see, im a verbal thinker hArDy hAr hAr-"

"..."

"..."

"....for the love of god never do that again."

"....yeah."

Akward silence engulfed you two. The teacher walked in after a few seconds, immediately starting the class.

Recovering from the past embarrassment, you whispered jokes to each other, poked each other with your pens, copied each other's notes when you couldn't finish writing them in time, and got caught laughing too much for a joke, but hey.

At least he didn't hear you mumble another soft, barely audible, "I love you."

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| ennoshita, atsumu, OIKAWA, tendou, hanamaki (hear me out), kirishima, denki (hmo), SERO, honenhuki, muramatsu (a very big hmo), + anyone else you'd like! these were the ones I thought of lol |

hope you enjoyed <3

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bonus ! funny little smidgen- well funny to me lmao

"Do you have the answers for math?" "I thought you did." "..." "..." "Ok- ok well I did half at home, I'll just do the other half now-" "Hold up- which half did you do?" "The first, why?" "Goddammit, I did the first too." "We're screwed?" "We're screwed."

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[faithrainee]

It hurts me so bad to think about Peter B Parker's story. This man lost his parents either at a young age or at an age he could somewhat remember them. Which in itself is traumatic, and painful, and changes a person for the rest of their life. How many birthdays did he go without having his parents with him? How many school events did he have no parent to take with him? "Take your dad to school day" isn't the same when your uncle, who you do love dearly, is the only masculine figure you can take to school. I can't imagine the looks, the conversations with teachers, the, "Is that your grandpa, bud?" questions that he probably was asked for years.

Then he loses his uncle. In ATSV we see its probably a sudden thing. Probably an accident or a crime being committed against him. Something along those lines. No one deserves that. How painful must it be to say you're the man of the house, the only man in the house, at 14, 15, 16+ years of age?

He becomes Spiderman. Its probably amazing, probably freeing and thrilling and- it's probably traumatic, let's be honest here. This is New York, I can only imagine the crimes he witnesses very young, if he got bit young like Miles. But even if he got bit as an older teen like some of the other spidermen, its still trauma. Getting hurt, seeing people die, being practically in charge of saving people. It takes a toll on you.

And then his aunt dies. And in ITSV his reaction to Aunt May's house hurts. He didn't want to even ring the doorbell. Why would he? She's gone. He doesn't want to see his dead aunt now alive, its not even his aunt. It's an interesting parallel to Miles seeing living Uncle Aaron. Miles hugs him and is shocked, rightfully so, but Peter doesn't react that way and its interesting to me.

And Peter has no one. He's actually alone. Besides MJ, and for a while I'm sure its okay. Until they divorce. He seems terrified of settling down, of having kids, of having people to take care of. Because realize, he had so many people that he likely feels he failed. They're gone because he couldn't save them. Why would he want kids? Why would he want to risk losing them? I saw someone post about how in ATSV Peter keeps Mayday close to him even in fights because he doesn't want to lose her. And I agree.

Peter is a clingy person, we see it with Miles. At the beginning of ITSV, Peter wants nothing to do with Miles, he wants to get back home and sulk and cry and be comfortable in his sadness.

And sure, comfort is nice, but he realizes caring for others feels so good. Loving others feels amazing. Being loved feels so warm. Being proud of others, being supported by others, being wanted and needed by others is the best feeling. It's uncomfortable, being so loved because he's afraid of losing it all. And after seeing Miguel lose his daughter, its likely worse. And after Miles feels betrayed by him for not visiting, for giving away his location, for planning not to tell him about his father's death, it's likely more worse.

He does not want to lose people again. He's happy and flippant and jokes around so much its funny on screen, but goddamnit is this man so full of hurt. He loves people so much, you can see it on screen. The way he teaches Miles in ITSV. The way he touches the people he loves, hugging Gwen and Miles close to show them pictures of his baby, holding Mayday close when he's feeling vulnerable, patting Miguel's shoulder to get him to loosen up, standing close to Miles trying to talk him down- he loves people and he loves them so big and he's just so scared to lose them.