#all I know is that I would love to hear the sound of a dodgeball impacting someone/something with the literal force of the sun

[wizfizz21]

*PANG*

apollo's keepsake had better be a red dodgeball

[jockbroski34]

The Jockrooms

I hated gym class.  I wasn't athletic and I didn’t like playing sports.  Worst of all, I was stuck with the dumb jocks in my class.  Today, one of them, Kyle, threw a dodgeball right at my face.  The force was immense.  As the ball collided with me with the speed of a bullet train, I felt myself lose my balance and I tumbled onto the ground.  I sat on the ground in a daze, my head spinning from the raw power exerted from the ball.  If he threw it any harder, I’d be sent to the nurse.

Kyle was one of the tallest guys in the school, towering at an impressive 6’4, and he was just as strong as he was tall.  He was huge and he made sure that everyone knew it.  He was proof that God picked favorites in terms of genetics.  The guy had pretty much everything, except for a working brain.  He had little problem asserting dominance on those he viewed as weaker than him.  To him, I was yet another easy target with my wimpy constitution.

His jock friends cheered and high-fived him for how savagely he destroyed me.  Our gym teacher did nothing to discourage his aggressive behavior, but I wouldn’t expect any less from the football coach.  Those were his boys after all.  They could probably get away with murder and he’d still cover for them.  I sat down on the sidelines, covering my swollen cheek, as I was forced to watch Kyle and his goons dominate the rest of my team.

After what felt like an eternity, the teacher dismissed us to go change and I was relieved.  I was still covering my cheek, bruised from the dodgeball that was lobbed at me.  I sat down on the bench and opened my locker to change my clothes.  I felt a hand bump me as Kyle and his entourage walked past me.

“Sorry about that, bro,” he said, in a condescending manner.  “You’re supposed to dodge the ball, not get hit by it.  That’s why they call it dodgeball.”  I had to admit, that’s the smartest he’s ever sounded.  

“Whatever, you dumb jock,” I scoffed, ignoring his “advice” as he and his jock friends walked by.  I wasn’t sure if they were snickering at his lame attempt for a joke or at me, but I didn’t really care.  I doubt that they had much for brains either, with only sports and sex being the only thing keeping their testosterone-ridden minds running.

I glared over at Kyle while he was changing.  I had to give him credit.  He was very handsome, and he knew it, but that just made me hate him even more.  He was a guy who people either loved or hated, but his arrogant fuckboy attitude would be a turn-off for anyone who wasn’t as shallow as him.  I began to wonder why he had to be the one gifted with such a nice body.  If I was as strong as him, what would I do?

I finished changing into my regular school attire, but I felt the urge to go to the bathroom.  By the time I finished emptying my bladder, the locker room was completely empty.  Amidst the ghost town, something caught my eye.

I noticed a door that wasn’t there earlier at the end of the hallway opposite of me.  It looked out of place compared to anything I’ve seen in the school.  It was crimson with a silver knob.  I could hear something coming from the other side of the door, but I couldn’t make out anything.  It didn’t sound like construction.

For some reason, I almost felt like it was calling out to me.  Even though I needed to get to my next class, I needed to know what was behind the door.  My curiosity got the best of me as I put my hand on the handle.  It was warm, but not enough to burn my hand.  I hesitated for a moment before opening the door and I took my first steps in.

I tried to gather my bearings in this foreign room.  The room was very warm, steamy almost, with the smell of sweat lingering in the air.  It smelled like our locker room and the heat was far too much, almost like a sauna.  I knew I wouldn’t last long in this heat, so I figured it was best to head back to class.  I turned around, but instead of reaching for the door, I walked face first into a wall.  …This was where I came from, right?

“Hello?  Helloooo!”  I shouted, hoping someone would come to my rescue.  The only voice that responded was my own as my words echoed throughout the room.  I sighed.  Looks like I’ll have to find my own way out.

I realized that this would not be easy as I looked ahead.  I saw rows of lockers all around me and to my horror, the maze stretched out further than I could possibly imagine.  This room alone looked larger than the school itself!  Why did the school need this many lockers?  I decided to follow the line of lockers to find out if there was an exit at the end.  I started to hear a buzzing sound, not from the sounds of the lights, but from a different source, along with a voice so quiet that I couldn’t understand what it was saying.  I honestly felt like I was hallucinating.  Perhaps the ball Kyle threw at me actually put me in a coma.

I followed the row of lockers, the numbers increasing with every step.  The bold red lockers complemented the dark walls and white ceiling.  As I walked forward, I was tempted by turns and corners, filled with even more lockers.  I did not want to risk getting even more lost so I simply walked as close to a straight line as possible.  I found myself sweating profusely, drenching my T-shirt and jeans.  As I was getting more and more sweaty, I was also getting dehydrated, and there seemed to be no sign of any water fountains.  I was surprised that they had not installed any, but that wasn’t even the weirdest thing because nothing made sense here.

My heart sunk as I entered an empty room, a dead end.  If whoever built this place had any sense of interior design, there would be a door here.  I observed my surroundings, but there seemed to be no sign of any way out.  This was going to be longer than I thought.  I realized I would have to give an explanation to my teacher about why I was so late, but she would never believe an excuse like this.  That is, if I can even find a way out of here.  I looked down, surprised to find a bottle of some sort.  It looked to be some sort of beverage.  It looked to be a sandy brown.  I would’ve preferred…no…I desperately needed water, but I would be a fool to ignore any amount of hydration.

I untwisted the cap, and was surprised by the strange smell of the liquid.  It didn’t smell foul, but it didn’t smell sweet either.  I closed my eyes and took a sip, but I grimaced at the mixture of bitterness and saltiness.  The chalky taste lingered in my mouth, but at least it made me feel more alert.  Despite the unpleasant taste, I knew it was better than nothing, so I chugged the bottle before dropping it on the ground, making sure not to miss any drop.  To my surprise, I felt more full of energy than I ever had before.  But for some reason, as my body was starting to digest the drink, I felt as though the room was shrinking before my eyes.  Wait, was I getting taller?  Maybe this place is messing with my head.  To be honest, I wouldn’t mind being a couple inches taller.  Maybe Kyle would stop picking on me if I was on his level.

The downside, however, was that I was starting to feel even more sweaty to the point that my clothes were now flooded to the point of no return.  I knew they would smell of sweat forever no matter how many times I washed them, so I figured that stripping would be the better option.  I can always change back into my gym clothes when I get back.  I desperately hoped that I was all alone here so no one would see me in this embarrassing state.  I looked at the locker at the end of the room.  1000.  The numbers went up to at least 1000?  This had to be some kind of sick joke.  I was frustrated, but I knew I had to retrace my steps in order to find a way out of here.

A strange idea entered my head after walking into several more dead ends, seemingly out of nowhere.  If I went to my own locker, would I find something there?  It sounded like a stupid idea since I would miss out on other potential paths, but it just felt right.  Besides, I had no other leads.  My locker number was 0136.  I continued walking back trying to test if my hypothesis was correct.  My body was trying to fight back against my exhaustion and my mind was trying to stop itself from being drowned out by the subliminal noise.  It felt like this place was messing with me in some way.  I had to find a way out of here.

Eventually, my eyes lit up as I turned a corner to find lockers numbered in the 0100s.  I felt my body guiding me until I found a locker that appeared to be left open.  All of the others were closed, so maybe it had some significance?  0133…0134…0135…0136!  I chuckled at the coincidence that my locker would be the one that was different like I knew it would be.  Inside, I found yet another one of those same drinks from before, a piece of paper, and a…red jockstrap?  I chugged the drink desperate to feel hydrated.  For some reason, it tasted better than I remembered.  The paper appeared to be some kind of riddle.

“Only this way is right.”

“The combination will show you the light.”

Turns out I was right to come this way.  For some reason, it seems like this room was made specifically for me.  I was more curious about the second line.  “The combination will show you the light.”  If my locker number was what led me here, then surely my locker combination would be the next hint.  05-13-34.  51334?  I shuddered, knowing that my journey would be a lot longer than I had anticipated.  Hopefully this helps me escape from this hell.

I started to wonder who wrote this, but I didn’t even know who built this room in the first place.  None of this makes any sense.  I might not even be in school anymore.  This could be some sort of pocket dimension.  I could be dreaming, or I could be in a coma.  I looked back in the locker, my eyes fixated on the red jockstrap.  It looked like it had already been worn and was a size too big for my skinny frame, but for some reason, I felt an urge to put it on.  I stripped out of my dripping boxers and put on the jockstrap.

To my surprise, it actually fit perfectly around my crotch area.  I expected to feel uncomfortable, but instead I felt liberated.  If only there was a mirror in here.  My cock bulged as it stretched out the red fabric.  I could’ve sworn it looked bigger, but I knew I was just imagining things.  Regardless, I felt faster and full of stamina and virility.

I was not an athlete though.  Only the jocks wore jockstraps, and I hated them, but I couldn’t even remember why.  Why was I so mad at Kyle earlier?  My memories of today started to blur.  I couldn’t think straight.  I couldn’t remember anything.  I had no comprehension of time anymore.  Who knows how long I have been in here.  I sprinted ahead down the hallway, with a newfound sense of energy that I had never felt before, as I needed to find locker 51334.  The heavy sound of my big feet created a steady rhythm, almost like a drum.  My body seemed to move on its own like it was on autopilot.

As I ran forward, the audio grew louder, yet the words remained just as shrouded as they were before.  Despite that, I felt like I started to understand the words deep down.  A weird contradiction, I know.  Wherever the source of the noise was, it had to be coming from that direction.  I knew in my heart that this was the right way.

I kept on going for what could’ve been hours.  Who even knows at this point.  The concept of time was foreign to this place.  If you told me I was gone for a week, I’d believe you.  I kept on finding the same drinks from earlier on benches scattered around.  They were the only thing keeping my head in the game.  They gave me strength, but eventually I stopped seeing them as I became reminded by the intense heat of the room and of all the dead ends I had run into.  I had to be in the 40000s as I began to feel fatigue again and it felt like my body was finally about to give in.  My body felt sore and swollen as if I was still recovering from a workout.  Workout?  Since when did I care about the gym?  Maybe this jockstrap was rubbing off on me more than I thought.  But I’ll never be like Kyle or the other jocks, I assured myself.

I kept going.  My body was pushing itself to the limit, while my mind started to wander.  I became worried that I was gonna miss the game that was on tonight.  Me and the bros were going to watch it together and I didn’t want to miss it.  I couldn’t even comprehend how unnatural these thoughts felt.  I should be thinking about playing the new update for my favorite MMO, not watching sports.  But bros always come first…

I felt like I was going crazy, like this giant locker room maze was having an effect on me.  I was awakened from my trance by a sudden realization.  I needed to get to practice.  It was like an alarm clock went off in my head.  The last thing I wanted was to get dropped from the team due to poor attendance.  This renewed sense of urgency was what kept me going instead of passing out from the heat and exhaustion.

At long last, I was greeted by a room that was surprisingly familiar to me.  It felt like a second home to me.  It was like the actual locker room in my school, but on a larger scale.  I looked at the number next to me.  50000.  This had to be the right way.  I was almost there.  The background noise was at its loudest here, but I still could not find any source, but at this point I didn’t mind it.  It honestly helped me calm down a little.  I checked every locker in this large room, until I saw it.  51334.  It was half open, so I pried it open, with a sense of strength that I had never felt before.  Inside the locker, I found another note and a larger bottle of the same drink.  I gulped every drop down like I had just found an oasis.  This one tasted better even compared to the rest.  I read the note, hoping to be free from my prison.

“Inside the locker you will hide”

“The way back is on the flipped side”

I had to get in the locker?  It was a weird instruction, but I followed the orders.  I was surprised I was able to fit into it with my bulky build.  I turned to the other side to read what it said.  My eyes widened as I felt a sense of dread run down my spine.

“Close the door but don’t be shocked”

“When you wake up, you’ll be a jock!”

Shit, I didn’t want to become one of the jocks!  I valued my intelligence too much to stoop down to their level.  But it was already too late as the door shut itself on its own and I felt the ground below me vibrate.  Was this truly the only way out or was I doomed to join them from the start?  I tried to break my way free, but my strength dwindled as my eyes dulled and I passed out from exhaustion.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I woke up on one of the benches to the sound of metal and heavy chatter.  To my relief, I was finally back in the real world.  The football team was getting ready for practice.  Damn, I really did miss the whole day.  To make things worse, Kyle was standing right over me.  Great.  Despite everything though, I actually kinda missed him.  That was probably the first sign that something was very wrong with me.

“Bro, wake up!” he said as he shook me.  I looked down.  I was dripping in sweat and I was wearing only my jockstrap.  The fact that I was wearing the same red jockstrap was proof that it wasn’t a dream.  “You alright dude?  Coach says you were passed out here for hours!”

I regained my consciousness, surprised to see him concerned for me.  “Bro, you’ll never guess what happened.  I was in this, like, weird maze, dude.  Lockers everywhere.”  I was genuinely shocked by the words that came out of my mouth.  I sounded like a total dudebro.

“Bro, are you high?  What are you talking about?”  Kyle chuckled at how absurd I sounded.  I felt embarrassed because I honestly sounded as stupid as him.

“I’m not lying, bro!  There was a door right there!”  I got up and pointed towards where the door should be.  It wasn’t there.  I looked like I was insane.

“You sure you’re okay after gym, bro?  I figured you’d catch that dodgeball since you’re such a good wide receiver.  Must’ve gone too hard.  Practice should help clear your head.”

“Practice?  Wide receiver?  What the fuck are you talking about?”  I didn’t play any sports.  Before today, I didn’t even know any teams outside of famous ones and the ones local to us.  I didn’t know any positions, any rules, or any players.  If that was the case, then why did it all feel so familiar to me?

“Did you lose your memory or some shit?  Let me refresh you, bro.  You play football and you’re our wide receiver.  You hang out with me and the boys every day.  You’re a total jock, bro.  You’re hardly a genius, but surely that rings a bell, right dude?”  My eyes became fixated on his charming blue eyes, and I felt myself sink into them as if they were the ocean, as he reminded me about my place in the world.  Finally, things started to make sense…but…

What the fuck?  You hated Kyle.  You didn’t play football.  You weren’t friends!  But for some reason, that didn’t seem right.

You loved Kyle.  He was one of your best friends.  You guys played football together.  You guys basically ruled the school.  You didn’t need to think much because you compensated with raw strength and power.  Brawn over brains, bro.  You were a jock and you always will be one.

“Huhu…Now you’re making sense bro,”  I chuckled.  I only now realized how much I changed, with how deep my voice was.  How much of a cocky douchebag I looked with that smirk plastered on my face.  How much bigger and stronger and taller I was.  How toned and perfect every muscle in my jock body was.  I should hate this, but why does it feel so good?  “I had a dream that I was someone else.  A total nerd, bro.  It was awful.”

“That person never existed.  This is who you were and always will be.  Just think back to when we met, bro.”  He said it with his usual cocky grin, but I felt no malice from it.  I assumed he was gaslighting me into believing that I lived a different life, but he seemed genuine.  I remembered him cracking up at one of my dumb jokes at practice and we started hanging out both in and out of school.  Memories of the practices and football games and parties we shared filled my mind and I smiled as I looked fondly back on those days.  No…I shouldn’t remember this.  But for some reason, it all felt real to me, like I accidentally stumbled into some parallel universe where I was one of Kyle’s jock bros.

I felt any semblance of my former self lose control as my jock self remembered that he was the only me.  I was an intruder in my jock body, someone that was never there and shouldn’t be there.  I felt my thoughts slow down as my new self started overwriting any old memories with his own, and I started to remember who I really was, a jock.  I wanted to die inside, watching me become another asshole jock just like Kyle, but as I was fading away, I started to remember why I liked being a jock so much in the first place.  I got to be big, strong, and popular.  I could fuck anyone I wanted with my massive cock.  Who cared if I was a little dense?  Definitely outweighed being a fucking nerd.  I knew it was the jock in me talking, but it didn’t matter anymore because that’s all I was now.  My cock bulged further in my jockstrap as my conscious mind was engulfed by my real self.

“Sorry bro, it’s just been a crazy day.  Let's get ready for practice.”

“You’re going to practice in just that?  Haven’t gotten off yet today, bro?”  Kyle chuckled, pointing at my red jockstrap, which was already leaking with precum.  I became embarrassed as I noticed the damp stain on my favorite jockstrap.  And that Kyle was staring right at my 9 inch bulge.

“Nah, bro.  I gotta get changed.  Why are you looking at my dick, bro?”  I became defensive, not comfortable with one of my bros staring at my erect cock.  Kyle was hot and all, but this just felt wrong to me.

Kyle stammered, looking for an excuse.  I could’ve sworn that his bulge grew as well in his tight football pants.  “I just never realized how big it is, bro.  No homo though.”  He snickered, trying to ease the sexual tension.  “Come on, Coach will be pissed if we take too long.  Probably will make us run extra laps.”  Before we left, I took one look in the mirror to admire my awesome body before joining Kyle and the others.

I had been playing football ever since I was in middle school so it’s no surprise that I was a natural.  I worked up a serious sweat, but it was nothing I wasn’t used to with Coach’s exercises.  He worked us to the bone every day.  When I came home, my mom was cooking dinner and she asked me how practice was, and I told her good as usual with a smile on my face.  For a second, I was surprised my mom knew I played football, but then I remembered that my parents were always supportive of my athletic career.  They always dropped their plans to cheer me on at my games.

Later, Kyle invited me and the bros over to watch the game.  I went over there as I had done many times before and I was greeted by my bros, people who I’ve known for just as long as Kyle.  After all, If they were his bros, they were my bros.  We laughed and joked around as we always did until the game started.

We gathered into Kyle’s room, big enough for seven guys, but man did I forget how much we reeked after practice.  We always shouted a ton during the game and I’m honestly surprised we never got any noise complaints from the neighbors.  It was like our own little frat party hosted in Kyle’s room.  We got really into it, but we were devastated when the opposing team scored in the last minute to gain the lead and win the game.  A wave of sadness and anger filled the air as everyone started to leave.  Everyone but me.  Kyle told me to stay for a little bit longer.

“Are you gonna make me feel better or what?”  he ordered.  He was really upset about the loss.

“How, bro?”  I responded.  Did he want me to crack a joke for him?  Give him a bro hug?

“I figured you remembered.  I need someone to relieve my stress.”  He grabbed his massive cock in his shorts and wiggled it around, helping me put two and two together.  “We found out one drunk night how good of a cocksucker you are, so you agreed to ‘lend me a hand’ if I ever need it.  Don’t worry, this is our little secret.”

“Oh, sorry bro.  I completely forgot.”  God, that was a wild night.  It was an embarrassing request, but I knew I was just helping a brother out.  I got on my knees and serviced Kyle as he made himself comfortable.  He grabbed the back of my head with his firm palms, covered with callouses from years of pumping iron, and pushed his girthy shaft deeper into the depths of my mouth.  I was surprised at my lack of a gag reflex as this mass of meat clogged my throat.  I swallowed load after load of his hot, sticky semen until we had enough.

“Gotta say, bro, you suck dick better than like 90 percent of chicks I’ve been with.  You sure you’re not a little faggy?”  he teased.  I laughed and rebuked his claims.  I’m sure even some straight guys would be tempted by him and his impressive rod, and I’m no different.  We quickly changed the subject and we pretended like that never happened.  Neither of us wanted the other to know how much we enjoyed it.

To this day, I don’t know what the purpose of the jockrooms was.  Doesn’t really matter though.  As far as I’ve known, I’ve always been a jock and that’s all anyone has ever seen me as.  It is real though.  It was after gym class a few weeks later.  When we were changing, I saw a nerd, Kevin, walk down the same hallway I did at one point.  I felt like I knew him at one point, but that obviously wasn’t true.  Why would I hang out with someone like him?  I hid around the corner and watched as he approached the red door.  I smirked as he put his hand on the door and opened it, taking his first steps into his new life.  If you can’t beat us, you might as well join us.

I was eager to see Kevin at practice later.  He woke up on the same bench I did, wearing a jockstrap like me, almost completely unrecognizable from the person he was hours ago.  He took a moment to adjust, but we helped him remember how much of a jock he was.  Once a jock, always a jock.  I will never understand why the two of us thought we were nerds before.  After all, I’ve known Kev most of my life and I was the one who introduced him to Kyle and the others.  He’s been my best friend since 3rd grade and we were inseparable.  We were practically in sync on the field.  It felt awesome knowing that we were the kings of the school, and whoever hated us was just jealous that they’re not us.

[delopsia]

I absolutely adored and loved the Rhett headcanons. Can we please get matching Bobby ones pretty pretty please with diabetes inducing amount of sugar on top 🥺🙏💕💕💕

Aaaaa, thank you! I was hoping somebody would ask for a set of Bobby headcanons! :D This got a little long again 💃

✧˖° General Bob Headcanons

Snores, but very, very lightly? To the point that he sounds more like a cat purring than anything. If you tell him he does it, he goes red in the face and denies it, even if you have video evidence of it. Bobby hears snoring and immediately thinks he must be snoring loud enough to guide ships through the fog...

Bob has this funny thing where he intentionally buys damaged products. He got left out of things a lot as a kid, the last to be picked for dodgeball, was always last to be partnered up for assignments, little things that never felt all too great.

So now he's taking home a dented can of Lysol because he knows how shitty it feels to be left out.

It is so, so easy to make this man smile. You can make the dumbest joke of all time, and Bob's got a cheesy grin that's brighter than the sun itself.

Bob doesn't always have the words to describe what he's feeling or trying to say. No matter how hard he tries, those words simply don't bubble up in the ol' noggin, and he's stuck stuttering until he can come up with something.

The longer he can't find the words he wants to use, the brighter his face goes. Blushes from the tips of his ears all the way down into his chest. Poor baby looks like he's been sunburnt

Buys trinkets that remind him of his friends, and he's got an entire shelf dedicated to housing them. A glass-blown phoenix that he found in a gift shop, a plush coyote that he picked up at the zoo, a horseshoe because his momma loves horses.

Has a talent for origami. It started out as a meaningless thing to ease his nerves, but it quickly devolved into an obsession. Flowers, elephants, stars, butterflies, he knows no bounds. He's been known for leaving them in places and waiting around the corner to see who takes it. There's no better feeling than watching someone find it and take it with them.

That being said, Bob showers his significant other in them. Once he becomes comfortable, you will never know peace. There are stars in your cups, there were origami flowers lining the edge of your clawfoot bath this morning, and you've been finding hearts for months.

Hates when people stand behind him. It's more of a nervous thing than anything because there is nothing worse than thinking you're alone and sensing someone looming behind you. If Bob can find a spot where his back is to the wall, you best believe he will be there.

Bobby can play the guitar and the piano, but he's so, so shy about it. He doesn't know where to look or what to do with his eyes while he's playing it, and he really, really doesn't know what to say if you compliment him on it.

Green thumb. Every plant is safe with Robert Floyd; growing up on a farm, it's hard not to get good at growing things. From dandelions to lettuce, he can garden just about anything.

Also happens to talk to the flowers as if they can hear him. "Hi buddies, are you getting enough sunshine?" "Hold on, hold on, I'll water you in a second." "Do you need me to rotate you?"

Eats all one type of food before moving on to the next thing on his plate. It's more of a focus thing than anything; Bob just doesn't...think to switch from the mashed potatoes to the green beans until the potatoes are completely gone.

Speaking of food, Bob unintentionally gives his S/O food-themed pet names. Honey, peaches, sugar, pumpkin, sweetie. He hardly notices he's doing it; it's just one of those things that happened.

Bob could very well have his vision corrected with a simple surgery, but he chooses not to have it because he's so used to having glasses. He's been wearing glasses since he was five; they're a part of his identity at this point.

He's one of the unlucky ones who turn bright red when he drinks alcohol. Didn't realize it until someone pointed it out, and now he absolutely will not drink in public because he's afraid of turning as red as a stop light.

Drinks his coffee black. Primarily because he can never get the ratio of additives to his liking; too much creamer, but then it's too much sugar, and oh, well, would you look at that, he accidentally grabbed the salt instead of the sugar.

Animal lover to the core. Please take him to the zoo or the aquarium, he's been dying to go, but nobody will go with him :( His favorites have always been the red pandas and the jellyfish. For no reason other than he finds them cute.

Bob's got thighs for days. God, is it a sight to watch him struggle to get into his jeans. He's always gotta jump to get them past those perfectly pale thighs.

Does this thing where he gets lost in your eyes when you speak. He's listening, but good lord, he is absolutely drowning in the way your eyes twinkle as you talk to him. Chin in hand, humming along to whatever you have to say.

[dialovers-translations]

DIABOLIK LOVERS GRAND EDITION Yoyaku Tokuten Drama CD “A Heated Battle! The Ball-Game Competition’s Preliminaries!?”

Original title: 熱闘！ 球技大会前哨戦!?

Source: Diabolik Lovers GRAND EDITION Yoyaku Tokuten CD

Audio: Here

Seiyuu: Toriumi Kousuke, Katsuyuki Konishi, Midorikawa Hikaru, Kaji Yuki, Hirakawa Daisuke, Kondou Takashi, Takahiro Sakurai, Kimura Ryouhei, Tatsuhisa Suzuki, Kishio Daisuke

Translator’s note: This is definitely one of those CDs which would benefit a lot from visuals. There’s the background noises - of course - but those can be rather vague. During the dodgeball sequence, you can constantly hear the boys making random ‘hah’ and ‘ugh’ noises as they throw the ball. I didn’t actually translate all of it though because at times other characters start talking on top of it and it would just become a mess. ^^;; Overall this was a pretty fun CD though. Personal highlights being Shuu doing a slam dunk and the MC outsmarting the boys not once, but twice. She’ll probably end up regretting it afterwards though, poor girl. 

Laito: Hey, Bitch-chan! Have you decided which event to join at the upcoming ball-game tournament? (1)

You shake your head. 

Shuu: You still haven’t made up your mind? Still the same old Slowpoke, huh?

Subaru: They’re all mixed teams with students across all three different grades, right? So why can’t we just let the people who want to participate do their thing and call it a day? 

Reiji: If this was a normal school, the different classes would be facing off against each other. However, Ryoutei Academy does not have a large enough number of students to apply said system.

Shuu: They should just cancel it already then. What a drag…

Kou: Per usual, you guys lack any kind of motivation, huh? Oh well, that only plays in our advantage, I guess.

Ayato: Keh! Those Mukami bastards…!

The Mukami’s approach them. 

Ruki: What a rude way to greet someone. 

Azusa: Good…evening…

Kanato: What brings you four here today?

Yuma: Isn’t that obvious!? ーー Oi, Sow! You’ll be joinin’ our team for the ball-game competition!

Azusa: I’m sure…you’d have a much better time with us…than if you were to join the Sakamaki’s team…Justin wants you to team up with us as well…

Kou: I’m sure you would want to make the best of the day, right? We’re actually going to try our best so I’m sure you’d be able to enjoy the different events as well!

Ruki: There you have it. If you understand, come with us. 

*Rustle* 

Ayato: Che…Don’t be decidin’ that by yourself now!

*Rustle* 

Ayato: Chichiashi’s gonna be on my team. …Right? 

Kanato: Ayato. She will obviously form a team with me. That was your intention all along, wasn’t it? You’re always so indecisive, so I’m being so kind as to make the decision for you. You belong to me after all. … Right, Teddy? 

Laito: Look who’s Miss Popular all of a sudden! What will you do? The choice is yours~

Shuu: Haah…What a drag…Then why don’t you just participate in all categories? 

Ayato: Oh! Mr. Sloth actually has a decent idea for once!

Reiji: I suppose that would fix the issue. 

Laito: Nfu~ I like the sound of that. I can’t wait to pamper you after you’re all worn-out and exhausted from having to participate in all games~

Ruki: Heh…You guys never change, do you? 

Kou: You should just leave these tyrants and come with us instead! We’ll treat you much nicer, you know?

Subaru: Fuck off…Oi, come here!

Reiji: You should team up with us. …If the message is clear, thenーー

You make a suggestion. 

Reiji: Haah? We should all form one big team together? …Are you out of your mind? 

Shuu: …Hah. You really have a few loose screws. 

Kanato: You really think our families would gladly team up together? You can’t even figure out that much?

Laito: I’m impressed, Bitch-chan! You’re being loved by so many different men! …So, what will you do? Will you choose us? Or the Mukami family?

You frown. 

Azusa: You can’t…make up your mind…?

Laito: You really are indecisive, aren’t you? 

Kou: In that case, why don’t we use the different categories of the ball-tournament to decide on the matter? Whichever team wins gets to have M-neko-chan on their team!

Ayato: A showdown, huh? I like the sound of that!

Reiji: If we’re going based on the ball-game tournament, that would be five different sports in total, being  basketball, soccer, table tennis, softball and dodgeball, correct?

Kou: Exactly! We’ll hold five different rounds for each category with one member of each respective family participating at a time. Whoever wins a total of three rounds first is the winner! The rules will be the same as during the actual tournament. That’s fair enough, right?

Reiji: I see. That does sound reasonable. 

Ruki: It’s settled then. 

Shuu: Pwaah…Whatever. 

Ayato: Hehe…I’ll make you regret challengin’ me!

Reiji: Well then, to keep things fair, let us decide who shall play which sport by pulling straws. 

Ayato: Haah!? I’m goin’ for basketbal, obviously!

Kou: It wouldn’t be fair if you get to choose the sport you’re best at, right? I figured we’d have to decide it this way, so I’ve already prepared a lottery!

*Rattle* 

Kou: Voila!

Laito: You thought of everything, didn’t you. Well then, I suppose I’ll draw first.

Kanato: Excuse me!? Who said you could go first!? I’m going before you!

Ruki: No redraws. You have to settle with whichever event you pulled on your first try. Am I clear?

*TIMESKIP*

Reiji: Well then, let us start with the table tennis competition. Subaru, Azusa. Please get ready.

Subaru: Che…Why me!? 

Azusa: Good luck…

Subaru: Tsk…I’ll get this over with real quick. Hah!

*THUD*

Laito: Wow! Look at that ball go!

Subaru: Hell yeah!

Ayato: Keh…Don’t just send the thing flying!

Reiji: Haah…Subaru. Do you know the rules of table tennis? When you serve, the ball has to bounce once on your side and once on the opponent’s side of the court.

Subaru: Wha…!? O-Of course…!

Ruki: So you were playing without even knowing the rules? 

Subaru: N-No…! I just went a lil’ overboard, that’s all!

Azusa: Well then…My turn next…There!

*Thud* 

Azusa: Ah…It got caught in the net…

Reiji: That’s minus one point for the opponent as well. I suppose that covers for Subaru’s blunder from earlier.

Ayato: Oi, Subaru! Don’t mess up on the serve this time!

Subaru: Fuck off! Just you watch! …Hah!

*THUD*

Ayato: And there you go fuckin’ up again right as I warned you!? 

Azusa: Then…I’ll try one more time as well…There. 

*Thud*

Yuma: In the net again!? 

Ruki: Haah…Azusa as well, huh? 

Subaru: Che…This time I’ll get it right for sure! Hah!

*THUD*

Azusa: This time for sure…I’ll get the ball to the other side…

*Thud*

Subaru: I’m only just warmin’ up!

*THUD*

Azusa: Why can’t I get it over the net…? …There.

*Thud*

Subaru: Hah!

*THUD*

Subaru and Azusa continue to fall to land a proper serve.

Shuu: …Say, what is this sport called again? 

Yuma: Table tennis…I think? 

Laito: Heeh~ I had no idea that in table tennis, both parties just continue to exchange serves forever and ever~

Ruki: At this rate, a winner will never be decided…

Reiji: I suppose that leaves us with no other choice. Let us decide on a winner through rock-paper-scissors.

Subaru: Hah!? Don’t decide that without us!

Kou: What’s the point in continuing at this point? We’re all bored of watching you two, Subaru-kun. Azusa-kun, you’re good with rock-paper-scissors, right?

Azusa: Mmh.

Ruki: It’s decided then. 

Subaru: Fuck…! 

He tosses his racket away. 

*Thud* 

Subaru: Guess I have no other choice then. …Oi, let’s hurry up and settle this score.

Azusa: Oh…Sure. 

Subaru & Azusa: Rock…! …Paper! …Scissors!

Subaru: Fuck yeah!

Azusa: Ah…

Yuma: Azusa lost, huh? 

Azusa: I’m sorry…If this was a fist fight instead…I would have gladly taken the L…

Yuma: No you should win that one!

Laito: Well then…Basketball is up next, right? Let me think…I guess we can make this a one-on-one shooting show-off? 

Ruki: Yes. Each person gets three attempts and whoever lands the most shots wins, okay? …I am up next. 

Reiji: From our side…It’s Shuu. 

Shuu: Haah…Why me?

Reiji: It was decided in a fair manner. Go ahead and make use of your height for once.

Shuu: What a drag…

Azusa: Ruki…Try your best…

Ruki: Yes, I will. …Well then, I shall go first.

*Woosh*

Kou: Wow~! Nice shot!

Ayato: Tsk…That bastard, I can’t believe he landed from far away like it was nothin’! ー Oi, Shuu! Don’t you dare miss now!

Laito: Good luck, Shuu~!

Shuu: Haah…What a drag…

*Woosh*

*Thud thud thud* 

Shuu: …

Laito: …Ah.

Kou: …Ah-ah~ He missed. 

Ayato: What are you doin’, lazy-ass!? 

Reiji: Haah…You’re putting us to shame as the eldest son of this family.

Ayato: Lame-o!

Shuu: Shut up. Why must I even do this? ーー Besides, why would you even try to land from far away? It’d be much easier to just put it straight through the ring, right?

Azusa: Eh?

Shuu dribbles towards the ring and performs a slam dunk. 

*Thud* 

Ayato: Oh…!

Azusa: Wow…

Kanato: I think…this is the first time in my life…I’ve seen Shuu move around this much…

Reiji: I suppose miracles do happen after all. I just hope this isn’t a bad omen for what’s to come. 

Kou: However, Ruki-kun takes the victory here, right? Slam dunks are forbidden according to the tournament's rules after all. 

Ruki: Yes. …Too bad for you, Sakamaki Shuu. 

Ayato: Haah!? That doesn’t matter right now, does it!?

Azusa: We’ll hold five different rounds for each category with one member of each respective family participating at a time….and the rules will be the same as during the actual tournament…That’s what we decided on, no?

Ruki: Breaking the rules leads to disqualification. I am fairly certain we established that beforehand. 

Reiji: We most definitely did. We take this loss. 

Laito: Nfu~ Shuu tried so hard too. What a shame. 

Ayato: Tsk…!

Kanato: I do not mind. We just have to win the next one, that’s all. 

Laito: So, what should we do next? Soccer? Softball? 

Ayato: I’ll go next! ーー Oi, Yuma! Compete with me in soccer!

Yuma: Heh! Ya sure have a big mouth! I’ll crush ya real quick!

Reiji: ーー Listen carefully. You will compete in a penalty shootout and alternate to take single-shots at the goal in a penalty format. Whoever has the most points after five turns is the winner. 

Ayato: Bring it on!

Yuma: Hell yeah! Gimme yer best shot, mate! …Ey!

Ayato: …In your dreams! 

*Thud* 

Ayato: How’s that!? I won’t let a single one of yer shots through!

Yuma: Che…

They switch places. 

Ayato: How’s that!? It’s my turn next! …Ugh!

Yuma: Heh! Ya think ya stand a chance with a weak shot like that!? 

They switch places again. 

Yuma: I’ll show ya what a real shot looks like!

*Thud* 

Ayato: …Ugh! Yours is just as weak!

Ayato: The way you talk like you’re the shit really gets on my nerves!

*Thud* 

Yuma: …Ugh! Ayato…You can kick like ya mean it, ya know!?

They continue switching places and successfully stopping each other’s shots. 

Reiji: …They’ve long surpassed the five shot mark. 

Laito: This back-and-forth is giving me flashbacks…

Shuu: Just having to witness it feels like a chore…

Azusa: Should we resort to rock-paper-scissors again?

Ruki: We already had to rely on it earlier, so it wouldn’t be ideal. 

Kou: In that case…Ah! Look! There’s takoyaki over there!

Ayato: …What!?

Ayato looks away. 

Yuma: Hah! You’re wide open, mate!

*Thud* 

Ayato: Aah…!!

Kou: Goal~!

Ayato: You bastard…Kou!

Shuu: Who is even so stupid to fall for that…? 

Subaru: Oi! Doesn’t that go against the competition’s rules as well!? 

Ruki: There is nothing in the rules which mentions it is prohibited, therefore Kou’s actions are perfectly legal. 

Reiji: Haah…With Ayato’s loss, it is now 2 against 1 in their favor. We cannot afford any more losses. 

Azusa: Fufu…Aren’t you glad, Eve? You should be able to take part in the ball-game competition together with us…

Kou: Pwaah~ I want to go home already…So let’s quickly take the victory home. 

Kanato: Ugh…I do not like this one bit. Whether it’s Ayato’s sheer stupidity…or the way those Mukami’s are acting as if they have won already. Softball is next…I shall turn the tables by winning this one.

Ayato: Haah? Kanato, you can play softball? 

Kanato: It’s your fault for losing! That’s why I have to step up now! So let’s hurry up and get started already! Who is playing from the Mukami team!? 

Kou: That would be me~ 

Kanato: Okay. …Please watch me, okay, Teddy? 

*Rustle* 

Laito: Kanato-kun, huh? …Do we think we have a chance at winning? 

Reiji: It’s not like we have much other choice, do we? 

Laito: I know but…Do we consider it a win for Kanato-kun if he can hit one ball?

Ruki: Yes. The other competitions already took far too long after all. If Kanato gets three outs, Kou is the winner. However, if he can hit one ball, Sakamaki Kanato takes the W instead. 

Laito: You heard him! Kanato-kun, what do you think? Do you think you can hit it?

Kanato: Oh, shut up, Laito! That would be a piece of caーー 

Kou: Here it comes!

*Woosh* 

*Thud* 

Kanato: Ughー!

Ayato: A miss right away?

Kanato: Shut up! I 

Kou: Here comes number two!

Kanato: Wha…!? 

*Woosh* 

Kanato: Ugh…!

Shuu: Pwaah…I guess this competition is as good as over, huh? Which means I finally get to go home, thank god. 

Reiji: What do you mean, ‘thank god’!? Good grief…The Sakamaki house must never lose to the Mukami’s!

Laito: Right? They’ll take Bitch-chan away from us as well. …I suppose I have no other choice. ーー Kanato-kun! Subaru-kun just told me that he’ll throw Teddy out if you don’t hit the next ball!

Subaru: H-Haah…!? The fuck!? I never said anythin’ like that!

Kanato: I won’t let you…lay a single finger on Teddy, Subaru!!

Subaru: But I never said I would!!

Reiji: Not a bad provocation coming from Laito…Kanato! If you don’t want to lose Teddy, you better hit the ball and end this showdown!

Kanato: Hic…Throw away Teddy…Uu…Outrageous…

Kou: That’s three outs for you!

*Woosh* 

Kanato: Not in a million yearsーー!!

Kanato hits the ball.

*Thud* 

Kou: Hah…!

Ayato: Oh!

Laito: A homerun~!

Kanato runs up to Teddy. 

Kanato: Teddy~~~!!

*Rustle* 

Kanato: How foolish of me to leave you alone with that brute of a Subaru, Teddy! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you are never in danger again…by locking that guy up!

Subaru: For the millionth time, it wasn’t me!

Reiji: We’re not even with two points each.

Ruki: Only dodgeball remains. 

Reiji: How about all ten of us compete in this one? 

Azusa: All of us…? So four against six…? Shouldn’t we get some kind of handicap then…? 

Reiji: Oh dear? Are you implying that you stand no chance against us otherwise? 

Yuma: Haah!? Don’t be spoutin’ bullcrap! 

Kou: Exactly! That sounds a bit unreasonable, doesn’t it? …You agree, don’t you, Ruki-kun? 

Ruki: Like the others are saying, I do question the fairness of it. However…Right. We are willing to compete under those circumstances but if we do manage to win despite the disadvantage, I assume we will be rewarded accordingly? 

Reiji: Very well. If your team wins, not only will she join your team but we will grant any one of your requests. 

Ruki: Hmph. Deal. It’s settled then. 

Ayato: Heh! This time we’ll crush you for sure! 

They start playing dodgeball.

Laito: Ahーah~ Everyone’s totally fired up…

Azusa: Ah…The point of this game…is to avoid getting hit by the ball…right? …That seems really difficult…

Yuma: Oi, Azusa! Don’t ya dare jump in front of the ball!

Ruki: Kou, Yuma, Azusa. We should aim for Sakamaki Shuu first since he is the least likely to try and dodge. The middle triplet is second on the list. 

Kou: Roger!

Yuma: Let’s get this over with and settle the score! …Take this!!

*Woosh*

*Thud* 

Shuu: …Ah. 

Yuma: Hah! Bingo!

Reiji: Ah! The ball’s in the opponent’s hands again!

Yuma: Next!

Kanato: Ah! Teddy, watch out!

*Thud* 

Kanato: Guah!

Ayato: …The fuck, Kanato!? Why did you let yourself get hit to protect that stupid bear!?

Reiji: We’ve lost two members because Shuu failed to claim the ball…I cannot believe he allowed himself to get hit so easily. Pathetic…Good god.

Ruki: It’s four against four now. We’ve evened the playing field. …Let’s go!

*Woosh*

Azusa: …Woah. That was close…

Reiji: Hah…!

*Woosh*

Yuma: Wait, you little…!

*Woosh* 

Shuu: Pwah…I’m sleepy…

The remaining eight boys continue playing dodgeball. 

Kanato: Nobody’s getting hit…It will be morning soon. Just how much longer until this is over with?

Shuu: You really think there will be an end to this? 

Kanato: There better be! We can’t even return to the manor like this! …You feel the same way, don’t you? ーー Ah!

Shuu: Hm? 

Kanato: …She’s gone!

Subaru: Hm? What’s wrong, Kanato?

Yuma: …!! The Sow’s gone! What’s going on!? 

*Thud thud thud* 

Ruki: This is…? 

*Flip* 

Ruki: A letter?

Ayato: ‘...I’m sorry. I just can’t.’ ーー Chichinashi! She made a run for it! 

Ruki: Kou, Yuma, Azusa. Split up and search for her. 

Reiji: You lot as well. Hurry up and find her!

Subaru: Don’t tell me what to do!

Yuma: Che…Who does that damn Sow think she’s dealin’ with, huh!? 

*TIMESKIP*

Laito: Haah, haah, haah…Bitch-chan! We finally found you!

Yuma: Sow! Explain yourself!

Azusa: Haah, haah…Exactly…I tried so hard…to stay in the game…and not let myself get hit by the ball…

You explain. 

Ayato: Haah!? You already decided to join the girls’ team!? 

Ruki: …!? 

Reiji: What do you mean!? 

Azusa: So…We can’t get hurt together at the…ball-game competition…? 

Kou: No, I don’t think that was ever the intention…

Ruki: I see…If she has already submitted her application to the school, then there is nothing we can do about it. Let’s go home. 

Yuma: Tsk…I can’t believe we got played like this…

Laito: Ah-aah~ I never thought you out of all people would do this to us. I guess today was just a wasted effort then. I better get plenty of blood in return to make up for it, okay? So, Bitch-chan, why don’t the two of us ーー Hold up…She’s gone again!? 

Subaru: Where did she go!?

Shuu: Guess she ran away? Actually doing the smart thing for once. 

Reiji: She sure has some nerve to run away from us not once, but twice.

Kanato: Kuh…I can’t forgive her. I better punish her thoroughly after this!

Ayato: Fuck! You best believe I’m suckin’ you dry next we meet, Chichinashiiiiーー!!

ーー THE END ーー

[mr-nauseam]

Practice 28

.

Tw: This part from Bad Ending

.

Coriolanus walks around the playground with a bored expression. All the children are playing dodgeball, all of them except Snow, who has refused to participate in an activity so unworthy of someone like him. Or so he tells himself trying to avoid thinking that concern about getting his clothes dirty and being easily pushed around by the other children were his real motives. 

Weak. Whispers the wind and he hears his companions laugh in chorus: they laugh at you says his head, Coriolanus walks away until the sound of his unwanted thoughts are drowned out, not wanting to think about how humiliating it is to know that someone as thin and fragile as Hilarious could bring him down with a simple elbow, how easily the ball slips from his hands and how not even with all the fury in the world could he cause Pup Harrington a bruise. 

 

As he walks Snow thinks of his father, who was so tall and strong, he could see him in the distance at the train station without difficulty because his figure was always imposing. Crassus, the coronel, with his clean uniform and a cruel look that froze the world. The look Coriolanus possessed, proof of the great man he was destined to be but no matter how much vegetable soup he ate in desperation, year after year he felt himself being left behind by his classmates, they were stretching endlessly until they looked like giants trapped in tiny desks.

Pup. Festus. Urban. Gaius. Even Hilarious. Even Felix. All except Sejanus. And almost as if he had summoned him, he sees the omega sitting on a lonely bench, carrying a bundle in his arms. 

His ridiculously large brown eyes watch him, and Coriolanus unquestioningly touches his curls in answer. Instinctively Sejanus ducks, making himself smaller than he already is. Coryo has to smile, of course a kid from the district couldn't be taller than a starving Snow. 

He bounces one of the curls that falls across Sejanus' face before asking, "What have you got there?" 

Sejanus looks lost for a minute until he seems to understand and in a soft voice says, "My baby." 

He sheepishly shows him an ugly plastic baby. Coriolanus frowns a little, because boys don't play with babies, that was done by girls. 

"What do you do with a baby?" he questions him and Sejanus rocking the doll tells him with a silly grin:

"I take care of him. I feed him. I love him very much. He's mine." 

His frown deepens. That's not what he was asking. 

"You're not understanding me. Why are you playing with a baby? You're a boy."

"I'm a boy but I'm also an omega, we have babies and we take care of them and love them very much. That's what my father says."

Coriolanus had thought that perhaps an omega boy would be different from their whiny and passive female counterparts, that fateful day when the boys invited Sejanus to play dodgeball with them came to his mind.

The teacher had to intervene because apparently Sejanus was hitting the others too hard with the ball but seeing right now Sejanus in front of him, mumbling sweet and meaningless words to the hugging toy made Coriolanus recognize that that didn't make much sense. 

Not with Sejanus at least. That time he remembers Plinth spent all the day whining, until his eyes were swollen and his cheeks were soaked with his tears because he swore he hadn't hit anyone too hard. No harder than other children had hit him. Only Coriolanus was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and now witnessing this scene, he considered for the first time whether his classmates had lied. 

Maybe they didn't want to play with the district's trash anymore and thought that was the best way to get rid of the inconvenience that was Sejanus. Who knows but he decides to take a seat next to him on the bench, Sejanus immediately opens a space for him to do so without any problems.

Coriolanus can't take his eyes off Sejanus, somewhat intrigued by the tenderness with which Sejanus cares for his baby. Very different from the clinical manner in which Lysistrata cared for hers. Almost as if she were more of a doctor tending to a small patient than a mother with a child. It is different from the strict and hysterical way Clemensia treated her baby doll, which she always entrusted to some imaginary nanny while attending to endless fake work calls. And it ultimately has nothing in common with Arachne's scratches with felt-tip pens on the faces of her plastic babies who were always naked and with broken hands. 

No. There is tenderness. Too much and gentleness, gentleness even in Sejanus' gestures, and maybe that's what doomed him: 

"And you playing by yourself? Your baby doesn't have a father?"

Sejanus looks a little embarrassed, lowers his gaze. Fixing his attention on his shoes and says in a pained whisper:

 "Well. I am his dad. My baby doesn't need anyone else.... I love him enough and-and it's not like anyone wants to play with me."  

"That's not right. Babies need a father. One who's an alpha I mean." 

Sejanus grimaces looking like he's going to protest before Coriolanus stops his complaints and his heart, "I could play with you." 

And that was how they sealed their fates. The baby, motionless until that moment, bursts into tears.

Coriolanus wakes up, somewhat frightened, his heart trying to burst out of his chest because the baby's sobbing does not stop, although consciousness has caught up with him. Has Coriolanus finally gone insane? It wouldn't be a surprise, blood curse, given to him by an insane grandmother. 

The sweat that runs down his back is cold and a moan of regret almost escapes his lips until the vision in front of him becomes clear. It is Sejanus. No longer a child, grown and taller than he should be, he holds in his arms not a doll. A real baby that moves, breathes and cries. 

"Please, Julius." He begs, and though the weariness is obvious in his gaze, there is no anger or frustration. Just a worried, somewhat desperate face and yet Sejanus keeps his words sweet. 

“Please calm down, love.”

Snow thinks that dreams come true.

[saltbind]

tag game!!

tagged by the lovely @serpentmessmer

Do you make your bed? i will just kinda nudge the sheets back into place but its mostly for my cat. i ain't tryin' too hard tho i do not spend much time out of my bed in the first place

What's your favorite number? 7, 13, 23, Good Numbers

What is your job? i relay calls for folks who are deaf/hard of hearing/have speech issues

If you could go back to school, would you? if it was free i absolutely would i love learning. alas

Can you parallel park? bruh i cannot even drive yet. i'm. working on it

A job you had that would surprise people? i don't think any of my jobs would surprise anyone, it's all retail, hospo, admin and call centre stuff. nothing weird in there really. oh, i worked at a non-emergency police call centre once for a month. it was terrible

Do you think aliens are real? yes, but considering i have a phobia of them i would like them to stay far away til i work through that shit

Can you drive a manual car? i cannot drive any car :)

What's your guilty pleasure? i try not to feel guilty abt pleasure as my prev mutuals have said, but i do feel indulgent when i get to have a nice long bath (no bath in current unit so it's a hotels only kinda thing rn)

Tattoos? one so far and many planned. however i will have to get my one covered up bc it's to do with Magical Children's Series Whose Author Turned Out To Be Shit, and as i am trans i don't rly want it on my skin anymore lmao

Favorite color? phthalo green!

Favorite type of music? when i was younger i was a biiiiig metalhead and i am still very fond of it, but now i'm into darker sounding stuff with fun synths and basslines. spotify says dark pop and alt z is what i listen to a lot of, idk about that but it sounds correct

Do you like puzzles? i adore puzzles. i love escape rooms especially

Any phobias? just aliens rly but jokes on you if you send me any to freak me out bc i'm desensitizing anyway

Favorite childhood sport? the Autism means my hand-eye co-ordination has been shithouse my entire life, however i did martial arts for a while and started when I was like 12. so i'm counting that bc it was v fun. i was also surprisingly good at dodgeball, possibly bc being shit at sports meant i was dodging balls in all the other sports too

Do you talk to yourself? not out loud a lot but internally yeah i got a dialogue. out loud is reserved for my cat

What movies do you adore? i like horror movies and movies with whatever actor i'm fixated on. idk i don't know if i adore movies so much as they get hooked inside my brain until i've watched them enough to recite them. the movies that i have been moved by i usually only watch once and that's a different kinda love. i have movies i'm married to (inception, deepwater horizon, etc) and movies that are (as stephen king would say) a kiss in the dark from a stranger (donnie darko, the lovely bones, million dollar baby, etc)

Coffee or tea? tea 100% the smell of coffee makes me nauseous

First thing you wanted to be when you grew up? as a baby baby i wanted to me a marine biologist, then a herpetologist, then a drama teacher who was also an author, then an actor, etc. this was all before age 10.

tagging @monstraduplicia @jellybracelet @hellhoundlair

[lazyrants]

Little Sportacus (prod 206)

Original airdate: September 26, 2006

Story by Magnus Scheving

Written by Magnus Scheving, Mani Svavarrson, Noah Zachary

Directed by Magnus Scheving

Executive producers - Magnus Scheving, Ragnheidur Melsted, Raymond P. Le Gue, Brown Johnson, Kay Wilson Stallings

Starring Magnus Scheving, Stefan Karl Steffanson, Julianna Rose Mauriello, David Kristjan Olafsson

Puppeteers - Gudmondor Thor Karason, Jodi Eichelberger, David Matthew Feldman, Julie Westwood, Sarah Burgess, Ronald Binion, Emily Decola

Little Sportacus - another Sportacus themed episode! Sweeett!

The episode begins with Sportacus getting a letter from ten year old Tommy - 'What stuff did you do when you were ten?' He says his favourite game was dodgeball! (When I was ten, I loved dodgeball too!!)

Then at the end of the game (he cartwheels and flips and rolls to dodge the ball, awesome!) he catches the ball in his hand. Meanwhile, Robbie is in his lair, shaking with a bowl of popcorn in his hand, yelling 'It wasn't me!!' Possibly, having a nightmare about getting framed? Then he wakes up, and says that was a great nap. He grabs some chocolate.

But he is distracted by the sound of a rubber ball.. bouncing. Stephanie is walking with a basketball and she stops to tell her uncle what a wonderful day it is. Milford says it's a great day to do some yard work.

This is the exact type of scene to have 'Upphaf' from Latabæ as background music, and it does.. until Ziggy rides his bicycle without his training wheels. Stephanie tells him to use his brakes, and whaddya know? He hasn't learned how to do that yet. So, he's in trouble. And we all know who to call when Ziggy is in trouble. Sportacus - whose crystal beeps. Ziggy is headed straight for the ice-cream stand, and he doesn't worry. He does the exact opposite until he gets a bit closer. Sportacus throws an anchor's hook up to the airship.

Then he attaches the other side of the anchor to a hook of the ice-cream stand. Then with no effort (come on, he's Magnus Scheving) he LIFTS UP THE ICE-CREAM STAND. But that's not it - Ziggy's still riding, so Sportacus goes down the rope. Ziggy is about to crash into Milford's bush when Sportacus stops the bike.. with his yoyo.

Then Sporty aerobics over to him and checks if he's all good. Robbie decides to use his periscope, but a running Stephanie startles him and he hides. Milford asks why Ziggy was going so fast. He was trying to ride his bicycle, but he says he is just too little. Sportacus says that you learn more when you're little. After he leaves, Robbie wishes Sportacus could be a teeny tiny child so he didn't know anything. But that's impossible. Or is it? So, he goes to build his newest invention, and it can change your age.

He tests it on a bird and brings him back to an EGG. That's like bringing Sportacus back to an fetus - that won't work. So he adjusts it a bit and now it works perfectly. Meanwhile, Sportacus is doing some skipping from here and there. Robbie's disguise is.. a bush. Behind him. Wow. Sportacus hears the leaves rustling and stops for a few seconds, then continues. Anyways, once Sporty is distracted, Robbie tries to zap Sportacus.. but he keeps moving side to side. Then he finally stays in one place, and bam! He is ten years old again.

Fun fact - Little Sportacus is voiced by a girl. Anyways, he runs over to Ziggy and asks for his help. But he doesn't believe him until Ziggy says he has a super-secret nickname only Sportacus knows. Then Sportacus whispers it to him - 'Mr. Fluffy Bunny Pants'. I don't know why that was kept a secret - if I got a rabbit I'd name it that! Also shocked Ziggy is even funnier then confused Sportacus.

Ziggy thinks the rest of the kids would freak out if they saw Sportacus like this, so Ziggy goes to Pixel's house and asks for some drip to borrow. It is delivered in an orange package. So, anyways, Sportacus puts it on, and Ziggy tells him to just act like himself. Then he does a 360 spin and that super cool hero pose with his arms. Ziggy then corrects himself - act like a kid. Then he occupies him with a ball so he is bound to do the exact opposite of what Ziggy JUST said.

I love this season, but it seems that Ziggy doesn't think enough sometimes. He learns the lessons, moves on and does something ridiculous. Well, this is only one dumb Ziggy moment I can name. He's cool the rest of the season. Anyways, he goes to start figuring out what happened to Sportacus. Meanwhile, Stephanie spots Sportacus just standing on the court. She asks who he is and he does the 360 epic superhero spin xd1!!!!111oneone. He says Spob as he already started to say his real name (but forgor he wasn't supposed to). The two shake hands, and Stephanie wants to play a game. Spob says he is out of practice.

Stephanie passes the ball to him which nearly makes him fall (come on, Sportacus!!) then he passes it back. Stephanie starts dribbling the ball, and then they perform Time to Play. As the song ends, Stephanie is suspicious of how good Spob plays. She rips out a page of her diary and it flies away. Sportacus is on the move - he does the signature move, cartwheels and jumps to catch it in mid-air.

As Stephanie figures out it's Sportacus, Ziggy comes riding on the court. He accidentally says 'Hi, Sportacus!' and he corrects himself by saying gibberish (genuinely funny!!). Anyways, after they clear up that Steph knows Spob is Sportacus, she asks how it happened. Sportacus said if only someone was around when it happened. Ziggy says there is a way to find out so they go to Pixel's house. Stephanie tells them it's Sportacus but they don't believe her. He power jumps to prove it is him.

So then Ziggy asks Pixel to check the cameras earlier today. They see the bush behind them move before Sportacus is zapped. They say they have to find out where that bush is from. Using Pixel's drone camera. The drone is controlled with a remote control, and the kids see a leave trail. So, they follow it and it leads to Robbie's lair. Stephanie follows it and she mistakes it for a dead end, until she leans on the door and falls down.

She gets up, climbs the ladder and opens up the chute to Robbie's lair. Meanwhile, Robbie himself is deciding to celebrate the success of his plan with a nap. But the kids have showed up. Pixel's drone is hovered down into the lair. Another trail of leaves leads to.. Robbie. Napping. Ziggy wants to control the drone so he snatches it from Pixel and gets it stuck in between two of Robbie's microwaves. Sportacus calls for a rope from his airship and decides to go down. He ties it to his waist and Stephanie holds it. He dives down!

Sportacus unties himself. Meanwhile, the drone starts shaking along with the table. On the table is that little baby egg. It almost rolls off but Sportacus dives to catch it. Even when he is facing a serious problem he still saves someone, no matter how small their trouble is. The dive wakes up Robbie, and he starts chasing him around the table. Then Sportacus kicks the drone.

The kick is reminiscent of Bruce Lee's flying kick in 'The Big Boss'. No surprise as Sportacus re-enacts Lee's nunchuck routine from Enter the Dragon in 'Double Trouble' and 'Great Greens'. Maggi admits he watched Lee as a child. Anyways, the drone starts flying towards Robbie's face and he falls to the ground. He continues to chase him after he gets up. Using his wits (and the throwing of a baby egg to distract him), Sportacus flips onto the platform. Robbie asks how he did that, and he said he practiced. The kids cheer. Robbie runs up the staircase and Sportacus walks on the rails. Robbie dives to catch him, Sportacus flips, and Robbie falls. Epic and also kinda funny.

Sportacus sees his clothes in one of the pods (iiittt's the LazyPod Podcast!! XD. Go listen to it though, Mark Valenti hosts it and it's epic) and he figures there must be a way to get it. Oh yeah, Robbie stole them while they were performing 'Time to Play'. He pulls the lever and is back in costume. Sportacus flips off to the machine but Robbie blocks him. Then after he cartwheels back Robbie says it'll destruct in ten seconds. Sportacus says that's all he needs. Then he throws the egg, slides under Robbie's legs, and presses the button. Fricking liar. He needed TWELVE seconds! But time is Lazy in LazyTown, so technically he needed eight seconds. Missing the point - he is back to normal again. Sportacus notices it's going to blow. Robbie comes flying out the lair!

And he lands on Milford's bush. Everyone notices it's Robbie Rotten. Anyways, probably because of the power of one apple bite, Sportacus is a-okay. He gives Pixel the drone. Ziggy tells Sportacus he learnt an important lesson today - you're never too little to learn and if a bush comes at you with a fishing rod and an umbrella, run. (I checked behind myself to see if there was a bush with a fishing rod and umbrella. No joke. Why am I like this?) They all laugh and sing Bing Bang. Robbie is still chillin when the egg hatches.

The bird says 'Mama!' and Robbie says 'ME???' then he pats the bird (in the extended version of the episode). Then a cartoony circle closes in on the bird and fades into the credits.

10/10 - I liked that episode a lot!! Season two has started amazingly. Two episodes in a row with a full rating.

[mymanyfandomramblings]

Gleecap 3x06--Mash Off

Here we go, controversial episode about which I have controversial opinions. To clarify, this is my second watching of this episode, and I was able to watch it more critically this time around. Here's my reaction recap:

Puck running around the hallways so that Shelby can walk past him again--hilarious. To be clear, I don't like the Shelby/Puck storyline, but damn it gets some funny moments out of Puck

Additionally--Hot For Teacher was a hilarious number. The mic stand duelling, the sheer amount of fun all four guys were having--love it. Ditto the above point.

Sue's political ads are so ridiculous, and I love that the show tries to pretend that people are actually taking them seriously.

You And I/You And I is one of the best mashups the show ever does. It's actually heavenly

Also--Puck plays piano? Since when?

Also half the ND's just sitting down on the floor for no real reason

Now the first part of the episode that bothers me--Finn specifically tells Santana that he's not interested in making it vicious. He wants to keep it civil. If he'd started off matching the competitive energy, Santana's actions would have made more sense, but no. He says he doesn't want it to get vicious, and Santana sails in with her insults. I really don't like her until late Season Three, and I know that she's actually great by season four, but this..is not it

When Will enters the choir room, Quinn, Rory and Blaine are looking out the windows at the top of the wall. Why? We'll never know.

Honestly, the New Directions are actually working together pretty well--Finn moves to give Rory a solo, Blaine backs him up, they're all friends. The fact Finn is so decent the rest of the episode makes what eventually happens extra frustrating.

"You're skinny, like all the crops on your family's farm failed.", Rory, I adore you

Now, here's a part where the whole Incident could have been avoided if the writers had just remembered one thing that they established earlier--insults don't roll off Santana. She can dish it out but can't take it. But no. Drama.

Quinn's dodgeball faces are perfect. Of course she's the dodgeball-as-an-outlet-for-repressed-rage girl

Also I adore that at all points in the game, there are random players just flying through the air

I fundamentally disagree with Kurt's assessment that dodgeball is bullying--it was one of but a few things we did in PhysEd at school that I liked. However, the way the Troubletones attacked Rory was plain mean.

I love protective Kurt. Bullying is such a sore spot for him, and he will rise to anyone's defence.

"I sound just like her" --Sugar, you are brilliant

Now observe--both Mercedes and Shelby tell Santana to back off Finn, because there's no point to the feud. Santana has an option here--she could stop, or she could keep going.

Also Brittany's response to Mercedes making herself leader is gold.

And then the Hallway Scene. I really really really wish I could have more sympathy for Santana because nobody deserves to be outed, but this lead up makes it really hard.

I also paid close attention to what Finn was doing during this scene. As Santana talked, managing to hit every one of his insecurities (his weight, his comparative mediocrity in comparison with Rachel, the fact his future is more or less hinging on riding Rachel's coattails, the fact he slept with her and neither came away happy etc.) you can see him slowly getting madder and madder, and then boom.

I am not defending Finn. He's not the brightest, but that's no excuse for discussing her sexuality in a crowded area where anyone could hear--and they do. However, I do think that it wasn't intended as an outing per se. He was primarily focusing on what he perceived as cowardice (which it really isn't), rather than trying to say anything homophobic, or intentionally yelling 'hey everyone, Santana Lopez is a lesbian'. Once more, I don't condone his actions--he took a cheap shot, he was thoughtless, and he endangered Santana, I just wanted to...nuance the discussion. (I would also like to add, that I hate that the outing is turned into a 'Finn was doing it for her own good' in the next episode--Finn was retaliating and hitting her where it hurt, nothing more)

Once more, Sue's political ads. I wonder how Carole responded to either of the implications a) that Burt is cheating on her with a donkey or b) she is the donkey

Puck is actually very sweet with Beth and I love that.

Next pet peeve--Mercedes is team captain of the Troubletones. Shelby knows that Santana has been crusading against Finn for seemingly no reason. Why then did she let Will pit Santana (and not Mercedes) and Finn against each other in the coin toss

Also Rachel is hilarious at how ridiculously aggressively she responds to Finn winning the toss.

You Make My Dreams/I Can't Go For That is actually brilliant. The costumes are fantastic, the choreography is fun, Rory and Tina get exposure, the girls' skirts and hair is so cute, and they are all having the times of their lives.

Brittany vaguely frustrates me throughout the presidential campaign arc, but then she does that a lot. Brittany is very up-and-down for me as a character.

Rachel being a selfless friend!! Yes, Rachel!! Love that for her.

Quinn in early Season 3...sure is a ride.

Also here, even Brittany is telling Santana to lay off Finn, to which Santana responds that manatees have thick skin. I am trying so hard to be sympathetic to her, but she makes it so difficult.

And now the scene. I love Sue taking responsibility for once. I love that for Sue

Now comes the bit where Naya Rivera's acting makes me feel sorry for Santana. That 'I haven't even told my parents' is so heartwrenching.

My unpopular opinion is that I prefer the Hall & Oates mashup to the Adele mashup. That said however--Santana sounds stunning. STUNNING. Her dress is also really pretty, even if I find the costumes a bit plain compared to the ND's. I don't find that the songs suit Mercedes incredibly well, but everything about Santana's performance redeem it, along with Britt's worried faces.

I genuinely believe that Finn was only saying that the Troubletones were good, however he probably did deserve the slap. Once more Naya acts the heck out of this scene

There's my two cents about this very controversial episode.

[midorishinji]

Tumyeonghan - chapter I

투명한 (tumyeonghan): adjective. 1- Invisible. 2- Transparent, clear. The camera only shows what the operator wants to see.

Sasuhina ｜Chapters I and II｜Inspired by NewJeans "Ditto" ｜ Also published in Portuguese and on AO3

Chapter I: side A

The VHS tape slid easily into the video player. The old television — a model from when she was a child, forgotten in the attic of her grandparent's house — was the only one that had an entry for the device: when turned on, one could feel the heat from the tubes and the electricity that left your hands numb as you touched the screen, making the hairs on your arms stand up.

A static-filled hiss filled the screen for a few seconds and then suddenly disappeared, being replaced by the sound of Sakura's loud laughter. She had beautiful white teeth, straightened to perfection because she used to wear braces when she was thirteen. In the video, Sakura was no longer thirteen years old, but seventeen. All those tapes were from their senior year of high school, dozens of them, some depicting a week or two, never much more than that, but others portraying just a weekend or a few days. All recorded by Hinata.

— Hey, turn that thing around! — Ino complained, laughing, while talking to the camera. She was trying to tie her hair into a high ponytail, her usual hairstyle, while Sakura posed in front of the camera: index and middle fingers raised “peace and love” style, tongue out, pout, and…

A hand on the camera cut the image. Hinata imagined that it was her own hand doing this, working as a simple scene transition: the pink palm and the long, pale fingers that preceded the darkness looked like hers. The new scene took place in the school courtyard: Sakura and Ino in gym uniforms — white t-shirt and navy blue pants — practicing a choreography to some trendy song. The sound was muffled because the boys were running in the background, taking advantage of the teacher's momentary absence to turn the game of dodgeball into something inherently violent, discarding rules like “not aiming for the head” immediately.

The camera paused for a second on Sasuke, at the back of the court. He smiled, seeming to realize that he was being filmed: a discreet smile, small to the point of being almost imperceptible. The tape stopped for a few seconds, freezing the boy's face on the screen: the yellowish tone of the footage gave the impression that the sunlight was hitting his black hair even inside the covered court, and Hinata felt her heart become warmer. The Hinata of that time would have smiled too, even without meaning to: it was the only usually visible part of her face, her lips; everything else was almost always hidden by the viewfinder of the portable camera, a birthday gift she got from her uncle Hizashi on her fifteenth birthday. The gray camera, with a hand strap replaced by a homemade one — made of lilac fabric with golden stars of varying sizes — and a single sticker on the left side, of a smiling teddy bear, had long been one of her most cherished treasures.

The film started rolling again. Sakura and Ino were dancing, out of sync, and stopped for a moment. — Hey, are you filming? — Sakura asked.

— Come back here, we need to rehearse for the talent show, Sakura, seriously! — Ino insisted, in a threatening tone, speaking simultaneously.

Hinata heard her own voice, louder than usual, due to being close to the camera's microphone. Instead of wearing the PE uniform, she was wearing a sweatshirt over it, something she already imagined and confirmed by the sight of the hem of the sleeve, too long as it took up almost half of her hand when adjusting the visor. — Y-yeah… You guys can keep going.

Sakura and Ino were going to perform at the school's talent show. Hinata would film it because she didn't know how to dance. She was always more comfortable hiding behind the camera's viewfinder, where no one could hear her wavering voice, or see her trembling, frightened gaze, or pay attention to her ever-nervous hands. She was more comfortable this way, invisible.

The two girls were talking to each other, giggling. The physical education teacher returned to the court, interrupting the boys' violent dodgeball game after one of them was hit in the head with a ball. Someone carried him on their back, like a small child, while he laughed, spitting out blood. Everyone seemed to be having fun, of course — except for Hinata, who just observed the world through the lens of her camera.

The image darkened shortly after pointing the lens at the reddish floor of the court. When everything cleared up again, she was on the school's terrace, recording the clouds in the sky: one of them looked like a cat, but the movement of the wind took it further and further away, even though her arm stretched up high tried to keep up fruitlessly. It was very windy, her hair appearing on the periphery of the frame, dancing.

— But what about the party on Saturday, what are you gonna do? — Ino asked.

— Oh, I’m gonna tell my mom that I’m gonna sleep at Hinata’s house, and then we’ll go.

It was Sakura's voice detailing the plans. Hinata didn't answer, trying to capture the fleeing cloud. Haruno's pointy-chinned face entered the frame, with a mischievous smile. — So, what do you say?

— But what do I tell my dad?

— He won't care if we go out.

Sakura was right, her father wouldn’t care. He worked too hard to care. He passed her in the hallways of her home without paying much attention to what she was doing. Invisible. Ino's voice in the background detailed the dress she planned to wear that day, and asked for an opinion on which shoes would match best, the black ankle boots or the thick silver heels. The camera was still focused on the cloud, which was now moving out of frame even faster. Hinata pressed the “fast-forward” button on the remote control until the image went dark again. When everything cleared, the scene was only partially illuminated: it was night, they were in someone's living room, and it took her a few seconds to remember that it was Naruto's house, and she only really remembered when she saw the brown leather sofa near the window, where she remembered spending most of the stuffy night there, alone, recording the movement of the avenue. She hadn't gotten to that part in the movie yet: she was recording Sakura and Ino's backs, until she tripped over someone.

— Be careful where you go, Hinata! — the voice spoke to her. Even though she was only filming a portion of the dark shirt, she could recognize the voice anywhere. If she closed her eyes, she could still remember the rhythm at which Sasuke's heart beat, and the smell of lemon soap on his skin.

— S-sorry... — she heard her own voice say, shyly.

— You should put that thing away for a while and enjoy the party. — Sasuke said. He tried to look into her eyes: not the eyes in the camera, but the ones behind the viewfinder.

— I can’t dance.

Distressed, she paused the film and pressed the eject button. The tape spat out and Hinata automatically played the next one, sitting back down on the floor to watch. As soon as the first chaotic seconds began to roll, she clearly recognized when the recording was from: it was September. It was raining a lot, due to the muffled noise of the raindrops falling violently on the school roof, mixing with the screams of the students. She knew it was September because she ran and ran, but she couldn't reach Sakura and Ino in the hallways; no matter how hard she tried, they seemed like just a distant dream, the more she reached out to grab them, the further away they were. She knew it was September because the hand that was trying to reach them was covered in plaster, because that was the month in which she broke her arm and had to keep it in a cast for thirty days, and the weight of the immobilization prevented her from reaching her full potential, like an anchor pulling her back.

Sakura and Ino screamed, their voices getting further and further apart. Breathing heavily, Hinata stopped in the hallway, filming the emptiness for a few seconds. She felt tears flowing from her eyes, not her eyes at the time, no, her current eyes. That was the last tape. She remembered going to the school terrace days later, and crying until her chest hurt from sobbing, her screams muffled by the thunder. Her small, frail body was drenched in rain, her uniform weighing twice as much as usual. Everything hurt, an agonizing, tiring pain. She was tired of the inquisitive looks, of everyone staring at her with strangeness and derision. She was tired of being the camera operator in other people's lives, never the protagonist, not even an extra. She never appeared in the shot. The camera slipped out of her jacket’s pocket in an accidental act while she was leaning over the terrace railing, and fell into a puddle of water next to her feet, unusable. She mourned the loss of her only memorable trait, even if it was bad in everyone's eyes. She was about to become a nobody again.

The image froze again, the VHS player making a whirring sound as it froze the image of the lonely hallway, focusing on the door at the very end, where you could see the rain falling outside in a downpour. Hinata cried, alone, always alone. Invisible.

[celiastjamesoscar]

I always say I come from a zoo family, pretty much all of us work or have worked at the zoo, I say I basically spent my childhood there. It made me want to visit like every zoo and like just compare them. San Diego was definitely a bucket list one for me cause it's like the best rated zoo in the country. Well deserved though cause their zoo is insane. We got there right when they opened (I think 9am) and didn't leave until after 3. The only zoo higher on my bucket list is Australia zoo.

That quote and "I can fix that" live rent free in my mind. The only movie I probably reference or think about more is Dodgeball (and SpongeBob). I didn't realize they were bearded dragons until I got one for myself (his name was Bob) and then watched the movie again and I was like wait a minute...

I don't know. An old friend had a lizard and I said if I ever got one, I would name it Bob (which I did) and then I said if I got a lizard, I'd name it Philip. I just like naming reptiles' normal human names. Also, Phillip has probably lived in the back of my mind since reading the Kane Chronicles because I believe there's a crocodile named Phillip and the name just stuck with me.

That print was just announced today and I didn't hear about it until a buddy in discord told me. It's funny because I said the EXACT same thing to him. I was literally stressing how bad I needed to save money last night and how I was basically going to get autographs at my planned cons and nothing else, almost zero spending money but this was TLOU so it was always the exception.

Your childhood sounds like it was pretty entertaining then!!! Your family sounds like the American version of the Irwin family! I just googled the San Diego zoo, and that map is huge 😭 I understand why you would spend all day there

I haven’t seen Dodgeball, but I need to. My dad loves that movie

I love that you give your reptiles human names; it gives them more character. Bob and Phillip are peak human names too!

TLOU is single-handedly running the economy at this point. They just keep on adding all kinds of collection stuff that you can’t pass up; and I love that for them. I have also been stressing about money, but TLOU can have my entire paycheck

[prozac-shaped-urn]

wrote a thing. not sure it works. will find out ig. in the meantime tell me what y'all think of it

again, assume this is formatted properly, margins are evenly spaced, everything's centered, yadda yadda yadda

INT. FELICITY'S HOME - BATHROOM - NIGHT Beth and Felicity stand at the sink. Felicity fills up the basin with hot water from a bucket. Beth washes Felicity with a cloth, dipping it in the basin every few strokes. BETH This reminds me of summers with my nan in Myrtle Beach when I was a girl. She lived just off the beachfront. There are six of us cousins, and all of us are sea creatures. FELICITY Did she hose you down before you went inside? BETH Drenched us sopping wet. There was a trail of water damage on her hardwood flooring from the back garden door to the wash room. We fought over who got to shower first, and somehow my cousin Darryl always won. FELICITY Sounds like a terrific childhood. BETH We had our moments like every family, but it was a blast. I miss it… Those innocent days in the sun and sand. Ice cream cones and wiener sausages. Watching the seagulls. Tackling my brother in dodgeball. FELICITY You're the eldest girl. Beth gives her a deigned look. FELICITY Takes one to know one. I have two younger sisters. We don't get along. Never have. BETH I'm sorry. FELICITY It is what it is. I don't keep up with them much anymore. What updates I get, I get from Bobby Dean. He's under no obligation to me, but he wants me to know how Cynthia and Irene are doing, so he tells me. I think it helps him more than it does me. It makes him happy, so who am I to stop that? BETH He loves you. Good man... Good boy. FELICITY He does. We haven't had a perfect relationship by any means, but he sees my flaws and I see his, and we love each other because of them. I don't think it was a conscious decision. We got to know each other as adults and it came naturally. He says I should quit bathing in buckets now that-- Oops -- Beth wasn't supposed to know about that. Beth looks at Felicity, confused. BETH Now that what? Felicity stays silent. Beth pokes at her. BETH Now that what? FELICITY Now that he's sober. It takes a moment for the realization to hit, but when it does -- BETH Is this some kind of penance, Felicity?! Some kind of self-flagellation? She doesn't answer. Beth drops the cloth into the sink and squeezes Felicity in her embrace. BETH We're not to blame. Do you hear me? It's no one's fault. Not theirs, not ours. We carry the weight together. All of us. Bobby Dean is a brave, brave man and you are equally as brave for helping him when he's needed it. Stop doing something you don't want to do just because you think you need to suffer -- You already have suffered, Felicity. There's no need to make it worse. Felicity isn't convinced.

BETH If you don't want to think of it that way, think of it like this: You're stealing his fucking spotlight. Felicity giggles -- that option is better. She agrees. The air is cleared. Felicity taps Beth's arm. FELICITY Your turn. Or would you rather go take a shower at Julie's? Felicity playfully taunts Beth. Beth relents and pulls the drain plug. BETH Just don't get my hair wet. Felicity puts a bathrobe on and pours hot water in the sink. She dips a clean wash cloth in the basin and squeezes it over Beth's hair. Revenge is swift.

~~~ i know it's long. it'll be cut down or cut out entirely if it doesn't work with everything else once i get there.

[1-800-ye0sangspr1ncess]

spuǝıɹɟʎoq sɐ uǝdʎɥuƎ

(Enhypen as boyfriends)

Pairing: OT7 x gn!reader

Warnings: Alcohol and language, other than that none. (^v^)

Type: Headcanon

Genre: Fluff (sorry devils, today is not your day)

AN: Just wanted to bless you with something before I go on hiatus. It didn't come out quite the way I wanted but I'll edit it when I come back.

"EEEMMOOOO BOYFRIEND"

if it was 2011 and you were dating this clown you'd be getting laughed at non-stop

- but it's 2021 and suddenly everybody wants their own emo boyfriend

unfortunately, not everybody's partner can pull off the look but yours...

damn... yours pulls it off like he created the style

if you're also into that emocore aesthetic he'll probably call you every night before school so you guys can plan outfits

if it's not really your style he also doesn't mind

kinda, sorta, low-key finds how you two are complete opposites (and I quote) "cute or hot or whatever" - emo heeseung 2021

not really big on PDA

sends you song recommendations

talks through music/ playlists (doesn't write or sing songs, he just finds making sentences with song titles fun)

TOTALLY DOESN'T HAVE A TEMPORARY TATTOO OF: "< HS + Y/N3" ON HIS RIBCAGE OR WHATEVER

- wants to tell you he loves you but doesn't wanna seem like a softie

- HATES SPORTS

-y'all can't tell anybody that I told you but... he's still kinda sour over the whole incident...

What incident you say?

- During P.E. last year they were playing dodgeball and he got hit in the.... yeah. YOU DIDN'T HEAR IT FROM ME!

- Dates often happen at night because he hates the sun.

- heeseung is the kind of boyfriend to take you to a heavy metal concert but completely forget about you the second it starts.

" Oh MY GOD, IT'S STARTING! MOVE!" don't mess with this boy and his tunes

- when the concert ends he apologises and offers to make it up with ice cream or a "holding hands in the hallway" coupon which is a super big deal knowing this guy hates anything too touchy XD

Jay:

"the extension of your mother" boyfriend

- you know those couples that work out even after high school? that's you guys

- definitely, a giver when it comes to affection

- "Did you eat yet? Hey, I know you're tired but you have to finish your assignments if you wanna pass. Want me to get you anything from the store?"

cooks dinner some days and cleans the apartment on others

makes a schedule for house chores

the reward for when you do them is kisses and cuddles

lowkey has to bribe you to do most things

"c'mon y/n you were meant to clean the windows today. I did them last week and the week before."

genuinely cares about your well-being

likes spending time with you indoors when it's cold or raining outside.

don't even get started on PDA

wants everybody to know you two are together and he plans to keep it that way.

when you're waiting in line for something he likes to hold your hand and swing them back and forth.

not in a bad way but he likes making it known that you two are together

Not in the annoying way that we all hate like when couples kiss every second of the day but more like people envy you.

You're more of a Pinterest couple

"oh my gosh, I wish I had my own jay." "I want what they have." "If only my crush would notice me so we could be just like them."

- dates are never during the week, this man prioritizes his studies.

not that he doesn't care about you.

"I do care about you... just not more than my studies. wait shit that sounded bad. I don't mean it like that. I-" yeah it's bad but you get what he means so he stops panicking and makes it up to you by making an exception to take Friday as a chill day.

Dates are literally everything on your bucket list.

Drive-in theatre? Check

Dine and dash? check. although it was his friend's dad's restaurant and he paid in advance but you don't know that.

Wants to be the guy you have all your first with. Okay not all but most.

Enjoys making the most of everything when it comes to you.

Also home dates with him >>>>>>>

Sets up the table, classic music playing from youtube on your tv

Kinda just laughs it off when ads come on.

"Remind me to get YouTube premium"

honestly, he just cares about you and if you're happy, he's happy.

Jake:

"box of chocolates" boyfriend (you never know what you're going to get...

It's not like you forget you're dating him but that's just how comfortable you feel with him

It's not one of those best friends to lover sort of things but your relationship dynamic seems like close friends who just happen to make out and hold hands and write each other notes all the time, totally normal.

to be honest that's how you started out but you just decided to give it a label so people could get off your backs asking when you'll go out

EXTREMELY NICE GUY

very nice to hug

enjoys anything that is mentally challenging

"Y/n, I bought this 3 600 piece puzzle, wanna help me build it."

The only reason you agreed to do it was because you didn't want him to be sad and mopey and you know you'd feel worse if you were to see him building it by himself...

you would love to move in with Jake but there are just a few problems...

leaves dishes all over his room

only remembers to clean them up when you say you're coming over

since you two don't live together he uses you visiting as motivation to kinda fix his act

blasts music really loud

hangs out with his friends a hell of a lot, which you don't mind but sometimes it gets annoying when they come over and make a hell of a ruckus. You once invited Jake over to your place and he didn't tell you he was bringing a plus one. The sunset dinner for two turned into a moonlit dinner for two and a half.

his friend also managed to break one of Yuki (your favourite house plant)

that person is banned from visiting now...

video calls on weekends

doesn't like home dates

prefers to go out

beach dates

restaurant dates

bungee jumping date... wait BUNGEE JUMPING DATE?

extremist. so he loves the outdoors a lot.

PDA YES YES AND YES.

Takes any and every opportunity he gets to kiss you.

Back Hugs while waiting in line for something...

hopefully, you're ready for a whirlwind romance with this one

Sunghoon:

"Mr Perfect" boyfriend

People who have never dated before have expectations of what dating is like or what type of characteristics a partner should possess.

Most often than not people are disappointed with their firsts... not you though.

NGL at first from what your friends had told you, dating wasn't all that and to say you were not looking forward to your first s/o was an understatement but boy oh boy were you surprised when Sunghoon asked you out.

Took you to a really nice restaurant (it's his grandmas)

food was awesome

and he knows how to hold a conversation

one thing you love about him is how he's an energy matcher

you might be in a goofy mood, he's not the type to ask "wtf is wrong with you" he'd just play along.

PDA 50/50

sometimes it's simple hand kisses while waiting in line for something or holding hands

other times it's not that he doesn't want to but he's more of a practicality sort of guy.

like "is it really necessary for me to hold their hand right now? like we're at the pharmacy and they're talking to the doctor. Imagine they need to take out their medical aid or something and I'm holding their hand and I have to let go? That's so embarrassing."

Is lowkey just scared of rejection...

Dates are always really enjoyable

Almost like directly out of a movie.

Likes going on walks a lot

Really into romantic stuff so he probably books a cooking class for two or a dance class.

anything where you two get to be close with each other he loves.

Before dates, he's a mess though

Calls you to ask if his outfit is ok

triple checking that the place he booked was booked for the correct day

Makes sure both your phones are fully charged because of pictures duh?

Late nights with him >>>>>

You'd think he calls to hear your voice? oh no, it's very much the other way around. He knows you like his voice so he'll have a list of things ready to talk about just to keep a conversation going so he has a lot to say which guarantees that he'll be talking for a while.

For your anniversary, he gave you a cd. It didn't have anything on the cover but he told you to only play it when you're driving long distances by yourself.

*inserts cd and presses play* "testing? testing? 1, 2, 3? hope this works... HEY Y/N. Welcome to seven hours of your favourite person's voice."

You giggled at how silly he could be but really appreciate all he does for you.

Sunoo:

"poetry guru" boyfriend

IDK he just seems like the type of guy to read you poetry and shii

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"

Shakespeare in the house

very romantic

never ceases to amaze you

writes note and poetry of his own, inspired by you of course.

hands you note when he sees you in the hallways or puts them in your locker.

valentines day is like every other day but x10

normally it's like notes and sometimes sweets but now it's a giant teddy bear, chocolate and a whole poem with that old-timey music playing from his laptop in the back.

the way I describe it doesn't do justice to how perfect he makes valentines day.

offers to walk you home

buys you water for the walk home since you live pretty far from school

would offer you a ride home but his mother doesn't allow him to date and she doesn't think her son is the type of person to just have friends

"who were you talking to just now? Are you dating them? What did I say about dating Kim Sunoo?!"

gets an earful when his mom sees you holding hands

his parents talked about it over the weekend so now he's allowed to date.

You didn't think it made such a difference but turns out that valentines day and every other secret relationship day was nothing

Gives you piggybacks to class

takes notes for you when you're absent

personally delivers them to your house

this one time he had a carriage come pick you up for school and you got scolded XD

never a moment when you don't feel loved

dates are super extravagant

always at his house since his parents are strict but it's always something different

horse riding

golf

fancy lunch prepared by his personal chef and butler

you two lowkey try to set them up together only to find out the chef has kids and a boyfriend...

butler was so heartbroken, he quit... yikes.

one thing you love about each other is either one smiles

they just light up a whole room

PDA... King of it like you remember the notes?

Memorized three whole sonnets to perform for you on your birthday

you lowkey find his intelligence and literature obsession attractive

Jungwon:

"Pinterest money" boyfriend

how he does it? you don't know

you and Jung-won are mutuals on Pinterest so you can always see what the other is up to

You have a feeling you're the only actual person he follows on Pinterest because almost every single date of yours has some resemblance to one of the pins in your "Ideal dates" board.

Either that or he takes you out to a theatre performance

Knows you have a knack for theatre and promises that one day he'll buy you a whole theatre and name it after you

You know he's joking but part of him truly wants to do that in the future because he loves you that much

picnics galore with the speaker and everything

orders food and runs to wait by the park entrance to pick it up

comes back and almost half the food is finished

looks at you with wide eyes, only realises now that he almost finished everything "oh, sorry y/n. um, you can have the rest."

you have to reassure him that it's ok and you understand because you know... that's what any person would do. Hunger is a normal human feeling y'all.

You share some with him still because he wasn't full yet.

he looks so cute with full cheeks

you enjoy learning dances with him

sometimes he helps you memorize lines for your upcoming plays

lowkey wants to start acting because of you...

it's a relationship where you both just take care of each other and provide comfort to one another...

Niki:

"First Rodeo" boyfriend

"hey y/n, can I let you in on a secret?"

"Yeah sure Riki, what is it?"

"This is actually my first time ever dating somebody..."

"WHAT? NOOOO. I HAD NO IDEA?!"

"damn, was it that obvious?"

"Riki, for our first date you took me to your cousin's 16th birthday party. It was EXTREMELY obvious... but I love you anyway"

LMFAO, Riki learnt everything he knew from Movies and older people around him.

Not a great place to start but it's the effort that counts

Might've helped if he learnt from the romance novels you recommended him before you started dating but you know, it's fine. Forgive and forget

You're in charge of date planning now, it's the decision you both agreed to make since that day

some might wonder why you even bothered going on a second date with him

he's a sweet guy

just a little inexperienced

tbh both of you were but you actually do your research ToT

stopped asking his friends for help

he asks his mom now

got scolded after telling his mom that you two's first date was a party.

doesn't know if he got scolded because he went to his cousin's party or because that's what your first date was.

he doesn't bother asking though, he just avoids the party scene in general after that

you were HIGHKEY nervous when he asked if he could plan your next date but when he invited you over for a meal that he... MOST DEFINITELY 100% TOTES NO EXTRA HELP FROM HIS MOM, cooked by himself for you... your nerves were washed away by the divine flavour provided by the dish

fought over who would get seconds since there was a little bit left but you decided to share it

he's the kind of boyfriend to always worry about you but doesn't want to come across as clingy or as if he has nothing better to do.

He always asks you for help with homework, not because he doesn't understand it (well yes, that is sort of the reason) but also because he enjoys your company and being within close proximity of you

very happy you're his first s/o and the same can be said for you

AN: I won't even lie to you. Rereading this, jake's one is hella all over the place but yeah. I'll fix it when I have time. So sorry. This was rushed.

also...when I watched the en-log where I got the picnic picture from (Jungwon), I was just ahh, I had a cuteness overload because the way he was just having a little picnic and eating chicken in the park with his speaker but then it started to get dark out and I'm assuming it was getting later in the day and he said "It's almost time for work" and I felt so bad because he's only 16 and he's working his ass off and he has a full-time job and I'm like damn what about school? I know they have education and stuff but I genuinely feel bad sometimes because they can't live normal lives and these young kids are working their asses off so early on in life but yeah anyways...)

[antivanruffles]

Gon loved Killua. 

That wasn’t a revelation to anyone who knew them. Gon was free with his affection, and he loved those closest to him fiercely and without abandon. That was evident in everything he did for them; from simple things like making a cup of tea for Aunt Mito after a long day, to more complicated matters like ensuring their safety through any means necessary. 

It only made sense that Gon loved Killua, he was Gon’s best friend. His partner in crime, his confidant, his equal. He was the one person who knew Gon as well as he knew himself. Maybe better. So yes, Gon loved Killua. That was never a question, and it was never a problem. It was a fact of life, just like it was a fact that the sky was blue, or that the sun rose in the east and set in the west. 

Gon loved Killua. 

The problem arose when a realization slowly dawned on him one day. It wasn’t a thunderous realization that smacked him right in the face like a dodgeball. It was more like a gentle tide rising slowly before waves broke on the shore; something soft and soothing in its obvious simplicity. 

Gon was running errands for Aunt Mito, as he usually did. He stopped at the cafe down by the port for the loose leaf tea she preferred. While he waited in line, the cafe busy with tourists vacationing for the summer, he was aware of a family seated at a table nearby. One parent was engrossed with their youngest child, trying to get the baby to eat some breakfast. The other was equally engrossed in their older child, a girl in a floral tulip dress that likely would have made Bisky envious. The girl was slowly reading from her book, stumbling over some of the words as she sounded them out, but doing well enough. 

Gon wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but as he waited he found that his hearing easily picked up the girl’s voice through the din. She was reading a fairy tale about a princess, a dragon, and true love. 

“Mama,” the girl said at the conclusion of the story. “What is true love?” 

“Well,” her mother said slowly. “It’s a lot of things.”

“Are you and mommy true love? Like the princess and her prince?”

At the question the girl’s mother shared a look with her partner, a sly smile spreading across the other woman’s face before she went back to feeding the baby. 

“I think so,” was the calm reply from the girl’s mother. 

The girl seemed very pleased with that answer, her eyes glowing. “But how do you know?” 

“I know because of a lot of small reasons that add up to something big. For instance, your mommy is the first person I want to talk to when something exciting or important happens. She’s the person I want to see when I’m feeling sad, because she always makes me feel better. I think her laugh is one of the best sounds in the world, and I like being the one to cause it. She makes me feel safe, and heard, and supported. All of those things, plus a hundred more, are what I think makes us true love.” 

The little girl nodded slowly, a very serious look on her face as she pondered this new information. Gon found himself pondering it as well. Whatever else the girl was going to say about her mothers and their ‘true love’ was lost as it was his turn at the counter. 

Gon ordered Aunt Mito’s tea, and some muffins for the morning. Then he was headed out the door, his mind a swirl of strange thoughts. 

He pondered what the woman had said, and the soft looks she and her wife shared. It seemed so simple, and yet not remotely simple. 

True love. 

It wasn’t something he had ever really thought about before, aside from the casual mentions you would hear in movies or books or whatever else. Gon hadn’t had much experience with it, not in his life, and certainly not personally. Romantic love, true or otherwise, hadn’t been on his radar as a child. Not even now at eighteen. It was just a thing that existed in the world, something for other people. 

He turned over the woman’s words over and over again, and if he applied the scenarios to a person in his life there was only ever one answer. Gon thought about other scenarios, other moments, and other ways someone might love a romantic partner. Some of them were cliche, because that was all he knew, some were things that came to mind for no reason at all, but it was clear as day. 

Each time the answer remained the same. 

Each time a piece of the puzzle seemed to slide into place, and the picture became a little clearer. 

Questions were swirling in his mind, things he hadn’t even thought to broach before now came to the forefront. Like, what did love mean to him? It meant a lot of things, like that woman had said to her daughter, and there were many different kinds of love, absolutely. Then he asked himself what did true love -- or the idea of it anyway -- mean to him? 

Gon was halfway home, arms ladened with everything Aunt Mito had requested, when he stopped dead in his tracks as the puzzle pieces all fell in line and the picture finally solidified in his mind. There was one answer, and one answer only. 

What did true love mean to Gon?

The answer was Killua. 

The answer had always been Killua, even when Gon hadn’t known what the question was. And he was certain the answer would remain Killua, for as long as Gon could imagine. For as long Gon lived.

He stood rooted to the spot as the sun sank down low on the horizon, and it was only when the sun was starting to kiss the ocean that he forced himself to move again. And only then for fear of making Aunt Mito worry.  

Gon barely paid attention to what he was doing the rest of the night. He dropped off his shopping bags, helped Aunt Mito put everything away. He ate dinner, washed the dishes, and finished up his chores for the day even as his mind was reeling and his heart was thundering. 

As he crawled into bed that night, body buzzing with this realization, that was when the worrying started. Like what would he do? What would he say to Killua? How did any of this work?

What would happen if Killua returned his feelings? That was terrifying in a way Gon couldn’t explain, what did it mean to be in love with someone; to be in a relationship? Or what if Killua didn’t return his feelings? That terrified Gon in ways that were easy to explain. And he tried very hard not to dwell on that scenario.  

This had all been much easier when Gon simply loved Killua. That was straightforward, and something he understood. This though? This he did not understand, and yet it somehow made perfect sense. 

Gon was in love with Killua.

[xneens]

i do

Warning: language, major character death, violence, angst

Word count: 3.4k

Summary: Soulmate AU where the last words you will ever hear from your soulmate is written on your wrist so you won't know it's them until you've lost them.

Staring at the words on your wrist, you held back another sigh, tracing the black ink with your finger, dread and sadness washing over you. You shuddered at the words, unable to rid of the lump in your throat.

I do.

Born with the words on your wrist, no one knew when they would meet their soulmates, unknown to who your other half was until they died. It was cruel, knowing the last thing they'll say to you would cause you immense pain. Horror stories stemmed from the agonies of other's pain, movies made out of the tales that would become famous.

Some, those who were protective of their hearts, buried themselves away from others, but fate always led them to their soulmate. No matter how short the time would be stretching from the duration of your life to a single second before you'd lose them. The best outcome to happen was when two lovers let go, and spend their lives together, to die at when they were to, finding out they had spent their lives with their one and only. That possibility was becoming more and more realistic with modern technology and wishful thinking.

Yet, there was some tragedies. The unfortunate ones would have their sentences written on their wrist, knowing they'd only know their soulmate for a short time, or not at all. “It's nice to meet you.” "What's your name?" "Can I get your number?" "Sounds like a date." Not knowing them at all was, to most, was worse than to know them at all.

A few rare situations when your soulmate would die young. Parents told horror stories, reading the words off their kid's wrist. "We're playing dodgeball in gym!" "I didn't do my math homework." "You can come to my birthday party. I'm turning seven next week!"

Then there were the most terrifying stories. They were the ones turned into thrillers, a real life story turned into a disrespectful horror movie. They'd lose each other, aware there was nothing they could do. "I thought you locked the door." "I don't think we're alone." "Behind you!" "Someone's in the house."

Thankful none of the situations applied to you, you still couldn't get the words branded in your wrist out of your head. It lingered, whispering the last words before your heart would be torn, only healed when death came for you. Some looked on the positive side, knowing meeting their soulmate was inevitable.

Natasha broke you out of your reverie as she tackled you down on the mat, leaving you breathless at the sudden attack, confused to how you've become acquaintances with the ground. You spit your hair out, grimacing in disgust as a few strays stuck to your lips. With your hands tied behind your back, and crushed against the former assassin's body, you turned your attention on her smug smile, glaring daggers.

"Okay, get off before Tony pictures us scissoring again." you grunted, too tired to push her off of you. Natasha laughed, letting your wrists go as she shifted her weight off of you, sitting next to you on the thick mat. You rolled onto your back, closing your eyes in exhaustion. "That was unnecessary, Nat."

Spending the day at the gym with Natasha seemed like a good idea after being beaten by Clint the day before. You knew you were getting rusty, without all the life threatening missions and people to save, your skills wasn't needed. Besides, you loved yourself too much for Steve to convince you to join him on his suicide runs. He woke up before the sun rose, and it only took a few runs to realize that even you couldn't keep up with his fast pace. ("Although, I would love to see his fast pace in the bedroom. Ow, Sam!")

After tying the score—despite the lack of training, you and Natasha still tied when it came to hand to hand combat—you had sat down on the bench, which was now sweaty, and sulked, sighing over the words written on your wrist.

Natasha rolled her eyes, leaning on her elbows as she eyed your expression, eyes narrowing when you didn't return her smile. "What's with the sad face? Are you thinking about your soulmate mark again?"

"You know I only allow myself to think about it once every other month." you replied. Natasha made a noise in respond but you ignored it. "Shut up, I know I'm pathetic. No need to voice your opinions."

"You're not pathetic, just compassionate." she whispered, her eyes sparkling with remembrance. Natasha had lost her soulmate on a mission a few years before the Avengers were formed, but it didn't stop her from living her life. You hoped you could follow her path when the horrid time came. "Out of curiosity, if you had to guess, do you think you've met your soulmate by now?"

You've given it much thought, coming up with a good theory that even Tony Stark would be impressed by. Of course, you didn't share it with anyone, giving Nat the simplified version of it. "With the amount of people I've met, I like to think so."

The playful smirk returned to her lips, a wiggle of her eyebrows as she digested your words. "And do you think a certain blond, big-hearted, super soldier might be it?"

You reached for the nearest water bottle, throwing it at her only to have it hit the wall behind her as she dodged it. Natasha laughed, putting distance between you, sensing an attack. You scowled at her but it lacked real annoyance. "Oh my, God. I have, like, the smallest crush on him and you're already planning our children's proms."

"I'm thinking: under the sea." Natasha joked, grinning when the corner of your lips curled up. The both of you burst out laughing, thinking about Natasha in a ridiculous kid-friendly dress as she chaperoned yours and Steve's future offsprings.

As if summoned, Steve chose that moment to enter the training room, freezing in his tracks when he saw you and Natasha cackling. His expression made Natasha double back into another round of laughter while yours subsided in giggles. Steve cleared his throat, looking down as a slight blush decorated his face.

He murmured your name, walking up towards you, his blue eyes eyeing the ground with too much interest. "Did you hear about the party Tony is making all of us go to?"

Natasha stopped laughing immediately, jaw clenching at Tony's betrayal. They had a truce where Natasha would stop hacking into his system to play Spice Girls—with the help of Bruce, of course—and Tony was to stop throwing parties every month. It's been three months since the last party, the one where Natasha has almost killed the billionaire. Tony couldn't hold off any longer. She stood. "I'm going to kill him."

Before either of you could get a word in, Natasha was already out the door, her stance deadly as Tony Stark awaited his death. The door slammed close behind her as Steve sat down beside you on the mat, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

You admired his ruffled hair, blond strands hanging down on his forehead. You had mentioned to him that he looked sexier with his long hair, and it seemed like he was following your advice. Dressed in a simple black t-shirt and gray sweatpants, Steve Rogers was every girl's waking fantasy. It truly was unfair how good he could look in sweats.

"Hey." you greeted, smiling sweetly at him. Being happy around Steve was as easy as giving Pepper Potts presents. He returned the smile, grinning from ear to ear as he looked away, his cheeks reddening even more. "What can I do for you, Stevie?"

"Thor wanted to have some kind of Asgardian contest that may or may not level the top floor. I thought you might want to do something else, have a peaceful night instead of risking our lives to one of Thor's games?" he asked sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Not letting excitement cloud your senses, you grew cautious, eyes narrowing as you looked around the room, trying to search for a hidden camera that would allow Tony to get you back from ruining his thousand-dollar crocs. Steve Rogers was not asking you out in no way.

Steve saw your expression, quickly backing off. "Only if you want to. I'm sure you missed Thor and all. It's okay, I can suffer a few third degree burns—"

"No!" you shouted, making Steve flinch at the suddenness. You cleared your throat, cheeks heating up. "Uh, I mean, yeah. I wouldn't mind missing the party. Where did you plan on going?"

Slightly surprised, a smile crept on his lips. He ran a hand across his face to hide the cheeky grin. "Wherever you want to go."

You threw him a smile, unhealthily giddy. If Clint were here to comment, he'd compare you to a happy school girl with a massive crush. "Oh. Okay."

A voice interrupted the short silence, scaring both you and Steve. You suspected the AI, Friday, had been invested in your conversation. "If I may make a suggestion, I advise you both to leave sometime in the next hour before Mr. Stark ropes you in. I'm inclined to think Mr. Stark won't be above blackmail."

"Thank you, Friday." you murmured. The AI said it's goodbye, far too amused for your liking.

Steve got up, offering his hand for you. Both of you were smiling like idiots, cheeks hurting from the too-big smiles that adorned your faces. You had a suspicion you somewhat embodied a clown. The super-solider kept his hand wrapped around yours. "Would you like to leave at this moment, or get changed?"

You shook your head, liking the warmth of his touch. "I'm good. Let's leave."

Steve Rogers was a gentleman, that was confirmed by his acts and the influence of being raised right. Despite that fact, he was a savage in the bedroom. Or half the time, out of the bedroom. You had been surprised, yet pleased, when you fell into his bed halfway through the second unofficial date. After that night, Steve finally built the courage to ask you to be his girlfriend—a term he found silly but otherwise a happy milestone.

After years of being friends, Steve was ready to begin the rest of your lives together. No one was surprised, besides you, that he had proposed three months after the first official date. Being head over heels, you excitedly agreed, only to blanch when Tony started a petition to let him plan the wedding with you. Pepper had stopped him.

No one knew what happened the night of Thor's and Tony's party. Though, Steve made a smart choice to ditch it when you both found a floor of the tower littered with blackened metals and slightly burnt walls. The team wouldn't speak of the incident, not that neither you or Steve cared. You had both been too jubilant to interrogate them.

The wedding day came. Steve had been stopped by Thor, failing to sneak into the room you were in. No matter how strong he was, Thor wouldn't allow any bad luck to happen especially after you had lied to him about naming your firstborn after him. Steve tried, and failed, to tell him you weren't going to name his son after the God of Thunder. Bucky was too busy arguing with Sam about the flower decoration to help out Thor.

Dressed in the lavender bridesmaid dress, Natasha burst into the room, a smile adorning her face. She had thanked you multiple times for not dressing her in those ugly dresses she had seen on Pinterest. "You getting cold feet yet?"

"Mine are toasty warm." you mumbled, hands trembling at the thought of declaring your love in front of a crowd. You wondered if it was too late to get ear plugs so no one would hear all the gooey, cheesy vows you would utter to Steve.

"Very convincing." Natasha teased, taking a shot of the wine laid out on the table. Placing the flute down, she eyed the door, prepared to attack Steve if he managed to get away from Thor. "Alright, what're you worried about?"

You bit your lip, messing up the fresh layer of lip gloss Pepper had put on. Glancing out the window, you saw the crowd settling down in there chairs. The anxiety built up inside you. "Um, falling down the aisle. Accidentally saying the wrong name. Messing up in my vows. Dying of embarrassment."

"You'll be great, I promise. No one's going to die. You won't trip because Tony wouldn't let you. You won't say the wrong name because Steve's is practically implanted in your brain and you'll be too busy staring into his ocean blue eyes that you won't mess up. Now, are you still worried?" she asked, laughing when you managed to trip over your wedding dress.

"If anything, Tony's going to purposely trip me." you muttered, tempted to take a swig of some liquid courage, but the fetus in you held you back. The ceremony would start soon, and being too nervous, you hadn't eaten any breakfast. It was probably a good thing considering the nausea you were feeling. Why call it morning sickness when it didn't happen in the morning?

"You're being paranoid, everything will be great." she sighed, turning to the window, staring directly at the green hybrid. The Bruce and Natasha thing was unsurprising but kind of weird, especially with the whole sex thing. You had gagged at the thought of Bruce trying to fit inside of Natasha, and stopped altogether. "I'll be right back, I gotta do something."

She left the room before you could address her, groaning when she left a tiny crack in the door. Natasha knew how much it annoyed you when people left the door open when you originally had it closed. Heaving a sigh, you went to close the door, only to be met by a small force. Steve stuck his head through opening, his worried frown turning into a dazzling grin as he spotted you.

Without a word, he took you in his arms, his hand cupping your cheek as he pressed a quick kiss on your lips. You smiled into the kiss, closing the door behind him as your arms wrapped around his neck.

You pulled away, wiping the lip gloss smeared across his lips. Steve did the same, smirking at his handy work. "Hello, Mrs. Rogers. How do you feel?"

"Like I want to tangle myself around you in every way possible." you whispered, pressing another kiss to his lips. Steve chuckled, his thumb drawing small circles on your back. "How about you, Husband?"

"I've been waiting for this day for a very long time. You can't imagine how jovial I am." said Steve. He gave your nose a quick peck, and you giggled. "I know it's suppose to be bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony but I couldn't bear it."

Giggling, you pulled him closer, your lips meeting his neck as you sucked softly at the sensitive skin. "Hmm, I can't wait until I'm officially yours. Do you think we have time for a quickie? It'd really help with my wedding nerves."

Steve laughed, but the sound came out a little breathless. Even with the thickness of the wedding gown, you could feel him on your hip, smirking when he shifted. "While that's a very tempting offer, both Natasha and Pepper would kill me for ripping apart this beautiful dress."

"But Steve—" your whine was cut off by Natasha pulling Steve out of your arms.

The redhead glared at him, pushing him towards the opened door. "You, out, now."

"I'll see you—" Steve began to say, only to be cut off when the door slammed in his face. Natasha turned to turn her death stare on you.

"Look at your makeup. I can't believe he snuck in here with Thor on his ass." Natasha complained, pushing you towards the vanity, quickly applying the tube of lip gloss on your lips. You blinked back the tears as she practically poke your eye with the mascara wand, trying to fix Steve's touch on your slightly smeared mascara. "You look like you're going to puke."

You shook your head, taking a deep breath. "I'm good. Where's Tony?"

"Right here." he answered, entering with a velvet box in his hand. The billionaire set it down on the vanity before eyeing your stance. "Wow, you look ..."

"Like I'm gonna throw up all over Steve's suit?" you finished, panic rising.

"I was going to say gorgeous but now that you mention it, you do look a little green." he teased, earning himself a nudge from Natasha. Tony rubbed his ribs. "If you want to ditch, I have the car running in case you want to make a quick getaway."

You rolled your eyes, wishing you hadn't let him talk you into such a big wedding. All you wished at the moment was to take Steve with you and elope. "Thanks for the offer but I'm good. Let's get this over with."

"And here I thought you weren't romantic." Tony joked, handing you the bouquet of flowers.

Natasha checked her watch, the music audible. Morgan, the flower girl was already walking down the aisle along with Pepper's nephew on her heels. The former assassin opened the door, grinning. "Wait a few seconds before you follow me."

And with that, she walked down the short hall before stepping outside, the aisle was cleared by flowers adorning the sides. Weeping willow branches hung down from the huge tree, creating an illusion of fantasy, the little arch at the end of the aisle was created of leaves and even more colorful flowers. You were surprised no one was sneezing with the amount of pollen.

You took Tony's arm, taking another deep breath. Looking at him, you swore he was a bit proud. He smiled at you. "I hope you know I take full credit for the union of your two souls."

Ignoring his mini jab, you raised an eyebrow. "And how so?"

"There was never a party." he informed, grinning cheekily. He pulled you towards the opened door, walking down the hall. "I made it all up so Rogers would get the balls to finally ask you out."

"Then what the hell happened to the tower?" you asked, confused. People were beginning to stand but your curiosity became more important than your nerves.

Tony winked. "That's for me to know, and for you to dot dot dot."

"God, you're such a nerd." you mumbled, turning your attention ahead as your feet hit the white carpet that moonlighted as the aisle. The nerves began to bubble, and you gripped his arm tighter in fear of falling face first.

The ceremony was a blur, Steve just as nervous as you had been, becoming more and more braver as he spoke his vows. By the end of it, you could barely see him through the tears brimming your eyes. If it wasn't for the waterproof makeup, you were sure you would've cried your face off.

You had just finished your vows when the priest had asked if you would gladly wed the man in front of you for the rest of forever. You whispered a soft "I do."

The priest turned to Steve, the super-soldier happy beyond belief. He asked him the previous question he had asked you. Yet, Steve, being eager, had almost cut him off near the end.

His eyes bored into yours, filled with love and warmth. "I do."

Then everything turned black.

You awoke in the Medbay, needles puncturing your arm, a tube tied to your nose. Every single inch of your skin hurt, your eyelids heavy as you opened your eyes, only to close them once again when the bright fluorescents shone. You felt someone squeeze your hand, a finger brushing along your wrist.

Turning your head, you glance at the person, finding out it was Tony. While he was relieved you were awake, something in his eyes made you believe he wished he had more time to prepare you for the worst. At the moment he uttered those words, you wished your ears had been damaged in whatever hell Hydra had dropped on your wedding.

"Steve's dead."

[elysianslove]

first of all can i just say congrats on the 500 like i'm so happy for you and you absolutely deserve it (huge bear hug :) ) now i had this crazy hcs idea and i immediately thought of you so long story short how would Karasuno , Aoba Johsai and Nekoma react to their sweet manager having powers similar to those of scarlet witch (marvel) or mirajane strauss (fairytail anime) feel free to pick whichever one is easier and thank you so much for indulging my crazy request. love u lots - safiyah <3333

oh my goodness thank you sm for your words here’s a bear hug <3 also also i was literally just thinking just how cool it would be to have like a supernatural au haikyuu thing and then you send me this wow we on some mind reading shit. anyways i really hope you like this. sorry it’s like hq on crack if you want a serious one lemme know hsjkhsk

karasuno high

they lose their shit. 

every single one of them. 

mentally they’re all like 12 (except daichi and mqybe ennoshita) so i definitely think they’d have a very childish reaction to it. 

it’s so endearing though. 

they find out while walking you home one night: it’s very stormy and they just wanted to make sure you get home safe because they worship the ground you walk on. cue like a fucking billboard nearly falling on you and the group of boys and your instincts just kick in and you stop it mid air. 

noya’s still screaming even after everyone’s just gone silent and is gawking at the fact a billboard (or whatever the object is i can’t think rip) is hovering above them. in mid air. because of you. what the fuck? 

daichi’s blood pressure drops he’s like somebody catch me im about to faint wtf is going on. 

you kinda freak and just toss it away and run your way back home, as far away from the boys as possible. 

but alas, you’re their manager, and you have duties to fulfill. so you show up to practice the next morning terrified for your life. 

you’re not really sure why you’re so scared and nervous. you just are? it’s a huge part of who you are and it’d be a big bummer if the most important boys in your life didn’t accept it. 

noya greets you with a really big hug

tanaka’s so loud but what’s new <3 

daichi and suga just come up to you and gently ask if you’re okay because you ran off so quick yesterday

they all act super normal during practice but you can tell

you can tell

they want to ask so many questions they’re gonna explode 

after practice, when coach ukai and takeda leave, and it’s just you, kiyoko, and the boys, it’s s o quiet. you would hear a pin drop. 

you just sigh and go “you can ask” 

your poor eardrums </3 

they’re so fascinated by everything you say 

kiyoko’s like “i had a hunch” like how do u have a hunch about something like this anyways what a queen

noya’s like “make me fly” 

and tsukki in the back “drop him on his ass pls” 

they definitely make you do so many things for them with it 

cleaning duty is now on you because hello !! you can move things with your mind !! 

kags doesn’t get it. he’s like. ok? and ? i can set volleyballs perfectly, hinata can jump really high despite his height, she can move things with her mind? so what? 

i love him 

they’re also crazy good at keeping it a secret? 

not hinata tho he slips up so often like thank god the secret isn’t realistic or believable

he’ll be like “oh yeah? well our manager can move things with her mind!” 

and suga just has to usher him away with a pained smile like “yeah she’s so incredible haha” while doing that thing moms do where they squeeze or pinch your shoulder if they’re mad at you in public 

it feels like a weight lifted off your shoulders when they find out because the closer you grew to these boys, the more they felt like family to you.

aoba johsai

my favorite team 

i hc makki as someone that smokes weed. pls don’t try to convince me otherwise. look at him. he’s a pothead <3 

this is going somewhere i swear.

so you’re a 3rd year manager, meaning you’ve been with these boys a while now, specifically the third years of the team, so y’all are pretty close. 

how they find out: it’s like 3am on a weekend, the seijoh 4 and some of the second years. you’d baked a cake with like all of them all at once in the kitchen, so it was now a mess, so you’re attempting to clean it up as fast as you can the way you know best — with your hands and your mind. makki walks in, high as shit, sees this and just. 

“damn must be the weed.” 

you don’t hear him. so. uh oh. 

he was probably sent there by iwa to get water or something, so iwaizumi walks in and just yells so loud “what the fuck!” 

it’s like they’re all summoned by this. they eventually all pile into the kitchen and you’re literally just frozen in fear with pots and pans and utensils and specks of flour hovering by you. and then you maintain eye contact with iwa as you lift one hand and direct the pans into a cupboard and slowly shut it. 

“so it’s not the weed?” 

they honestly. don’t act any different tbh 

it’s like an added feature of yours that they appreciate. 

oikawa asks you to read his mind to test if what happened that night was real and you just lift him up from off his seat. 

“i asked you to read my mind tho hm” 

yeah mind reading is just a regular thing now. they will slyly ask you to read the other team’s minds during a match and you’re like no that’s cheating. but you do. and you subtlety give them advice. like “hm i wonder if that team’s gonna do this specific attack” 

also oikawa asks (read:begs) u to like help them make it through to nationals

you say “will it feel like a true accomplishment if i do?” 

shuts his pretty face up <3 

they also make you like. toss volleyballs to them. but with your mind. multiple of them. they take it as some stupid challenge idk these boys are dumb i love them 

they also love throwing things at. YOU. LIKE WTF? 

like haha dodgeball but it’s a group of 6’0+ athletes against just. you. 

sounds fair 

they also become insanely protective of you after they find out. idk how that clicks w them but. yes. 

especially mattsun and iwa ? like men. relax.

anyways they would abuse the shit out of your powers genuinely but it’s okay it’s out of love <3

nekoma high

they. they’re idiots. all of them. 

kuroo would probably be like but scientifically ! this makes zero sense 

omg kenma would lose his MIND. 

HES A GAMER BRUH 

HED BE OBSESSED W YOU.

but lowkey bc none of that simp shit </3 

ooou okay so you’re at a training camp and they sneak you in with them so you guys can play truth or dare 

bc yk. you’re kids. 

and y’all are going around and you just pick truth and someone asks what’s the biggest secret you’ve ever kept from us and they expect some dirty shit they’re nasty smh 

and then you straight up go “i can move things w my mind” 

and theyre like ok miss stop playin fr 

keep in mind it’s dark as hell in the dormitory and eerily quiet and you shift one of the chairs in there, and it squeaks loudly

yamamoto jumps and looks at you w so much fear in his eyes. “that wasn’t you” 

“bet?” 

and then suddenly all chairs are moving all at once and yamamato deadass screams 

kuroo’s shrugging like. “it’s just the wind,” like ur not in a closed off room w all the windows shut whatever u say sir <3 

lev’s like

gone into shock. seriously someone go get him water or something. 

when morning comes they’re all like hella scared to approach you except kenma and kuroo bc kenma— is in awe. kuroo — does not believe it. 

you’re kinda :( that they’re scared of you and you approach them after the day is over and just apologize, and tell them you didn’t mean to scare them and that you’d never hurt them or even consider it. 

they do a 180 bruh they just all go “awwwwww” and suffocate you in a group hug so you shove them all off for good measure lmao 

kuroo still doesn’t believe it until you save his ass in broad daylight and he’s like ok maybe it wasn’t fake so what sue me 

whenever there are training camps where other schools come they beg u to help them prank the boys 

especially bokuto and hinata 

and you do obviously 

it’s hilarious watching them scream as something moves slightly. you never do it that it’s suspicious just enough to be like did that happen or is my mind messing w me rn 

scarlet witch also has the ability to mess w people’s mind in the literal sense and whenever one of the boys pisses you off particularly you just make them see their biggest fear 

kenma asks you to reenact some of his favorite gameplays for him

it’s literally just roleplay and you couldn’t care less someone catches the two of you you’re no pussy you can admit when you’re having fun 

overall a very chaotic reaction 

they don’t treat you any different they’re just like 100x more hyped about who you are. like the fact that you’re their manager is already a blessing and now this !!! 

incredible <3333

[adhd-disaster-willie]

home is wherever you are tonight

summary: Alex and Willie are suffocating beneath their respective parental figures, so, barely 20 and scrambling to just breathe, they leave LA. And they also slow dance.

notes: this was gonna just be a like 800 word fic of them dancing but I have no self control so I ended up with this monstrosity. (also, maybe listen to apple pie by lizzy mcalpine while reading)

word count: 2,600

---

“I been runnin' 'round

Try'na find a place where I can breathe

But me oh my

I found you

Under an april sky

And you feel like

City life, apple pie baked just right

Home is wherever you are tonight”

---

The early morning tastes like coffee and Willie’s breath mints, gentle laughter lingering on his lips. And Alex has never been a morning person, but with the first rays of sun in his eyes and boxes crammed into every empty space in his car, he thinks that maybe he should wake up early more often.

The road seems to stretch endlessly ahead of them, but Alex can’t tell if the tension in his chest is anxiety or anticipation. Willie squeezes his hand in reassurance as he starts the car and they take a deep breath in unison, realizing it’s maybe the first time they’ve ever been able to truly breathe.

They’re several miles down the highway, shoved in between cardboard boxes and the dry August heat; and Alex’s car is cramped and smells of fast food and summer and Willie Willie Willie. Alex adjusts his grip on the steering wheel, mumbling the words to whatever song is playing on the clunky, staticky radio. The whole world seems softer, with the sun dipping just below the horizon, the last dregs of light sticking to the clouds and painting them pink. Alex sighs contentedly, a grin tugging at the ends of his lips. Willie has their hand stuck out the open window, giggling into the rushing air like it’s telling him the whole world’s secrets. And with their other hand gripped in his own, no reason to let go ever, Alex thinks that the secrets of the universe are laid right out on the dashboard for him to hold.

“What’s so funny?” Alex asks, although it’s less of a question and more a reason to hear Willie’s voice.

“We’re running away together,” Willie replies breathlessly. He laughs again, throwing his head back and stretching his arm farther out the window like he’s trying to touch the clouds.

“Well I wouldn’t quite say we’re running- oh okay.” The last part is in response to Willie putting their index finger over Alex’s lips and looking at him like he’s crazy.

“Yes we totally are. Buzzkill.”

Alex huffs, but it doesn’t hold any weight and is laced with a smile. “I’m driving, idiot. Stop- okay move your hand please.”

“Make me.”

“Willie.” Alex’s fixes a stern gaze on him, just long enough to send them into a fit of giggles before he turns back to face the road. It’s several minutes of comfortable, soft silence before Alex sighs in resignation. “I guess you can say we’re running away.”

“Ha!” Willie pumps his fist, narrowly avoiding smashing the ceiling. And really, considering the age of Alex’s rickety car, smashing would probably be the right word.

Alex raises their intertwined hands briefly. “Here’s to running away.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Willie cheers. They crinkle their nose and kiss Alex’s knuckles, hugging their hands to his chest.

“That’s…” Alex shakes off the crimson tint to his cheeks. “You’re not drinking anything.”

“Not yet,” Willie replies, waggling his eyebrows mischievously.

Willie falls asleep with the sun, something that’s baffled Alex for years. The sky is twinkling with stars and the horizon with city lights, and Willie’s curled up around a pillow, their cheek pressed against the window, breath fogging up the glass. Alex shifts slightly to turn down the music, maneuvering around cautiously to reach the knob without letting go of Willie’s hand. He can’t help from humming under his breath, it’s an older Queen song, one Alex remembers listening to with tangled headphones, huddled in the corner of the gym to avoid the atrocity of dodgeball.

“Love of my life…” Alex trails off, mouthing the lyrics. Beside him, Willie stirs slightly, mumbling something incoherent.

“Hmm?” Alex likes having conversations with a mostly asleep Willie, it’s incredibly entertaining.

“Love you more.” Eyes still closed, Willie pats Alex’s cheek and nods decidedly. “Mostest.”

“Is that so?”

“Love of my life!” Willie sings along loud and off-key, voice slurred with sleep. “M gonna love you forever.” They fall back, last bits of consciousness gone, and Alex blinks back surprised tears.

“And ever,” he finishes softly, squeezing Willie’s hand. Forever sounds nice.

The rest of the drive floats by like a spring breeze snaking through a field of long grass. Willie wakes up at some point, eats an ungodly amount of popcorn and screams the lyrics of American Idiot out the window at the bustling city, like it’s the last time he’ll ever get to hear the song. Alex can’t help but laugh loudly when a conservative looking old lady glares at them, utterly scandalized.

“I think you just ruined her night,” Alex quips with mock seriousness.

“As I should!” Willie flops back into the seat, adjusting their tangled seatbelt and looking at Alex with a lopsided grin.

Alex laughs for what’s maybe the millionth time today, and it hits him that this is the most he’s ever involuntarily smiled in a day. It’s half past 8 and he’s settled at the base of a tree with Willie perched on a branch just above his head, rambling on about color theory or something equally as confusing. The drive would’ve taken 4 hours without Willie pulling on Alex’s elbow and squealing for him to stop at everything mildly interesting, but Alex isn’t entirely complaining, even if his back is sore.

It’s odd, to be leaving LA, but Alex thinks that everyone knew he couldn’t stay there his whole life, not with the church on his drive to work and the streets full of too many people that know him too well. And maybe he didn’t like change, but it can’t be that much of a change if Willie is still there with him. Willie grounds him. So do Luke and Reggie and Julie and Flynn, but in a different way. His parents tied him to the floor, his friends root him, let him grow and have a place to come home to at the same time. And Willie? Willie is the ground. He is the soil and the curling grass to Alex’s timid tree. Willie is home, wherever they may be.

“2 miles,” Alex states, pulling gently on Willie’s ankle, letting them know that he wants to look at them. Willie hops down and Alex winces even when they land safe and sound on their feet.

“Why do you do that?” Alex questions huffily, crossing his arms over his chest.

Willie gives a half shrug. “ ‘S fun.”

“For you, maybe.”

“Hmm.” Willie drapes their arms around Alex’s neck, pulling him into into a gentle kiss. Kissing Willie feels like rain after months of drought, sun breaking through a canopy of trees, and Alex is sure that it always will, until they’re old and grey. Alex smiles against his lips, pulls apart and rests his forehead against Willie’s, biting his lip in a soft smile. “C’mon.” He clasps Willie’s hand and sticks it in the pocket of his hoodie, bumping their shoulders together. “Lets go home.”

“Home.” Willie breaks out in a grin that glows like the full moon on a clear night. “Yea.”

---

The apartment complex is wedged in between a suspicious looking butchery and a quaint little antique shop with butterflies painted on the dusty windows that Alex reminds himself to take Julie to at some point, when his friends all inevitably visit in the whirlwind that they are. The pale yellow wall paint is peeling and the stairs are much more wobbly than Alex is comfortable with, but he lets out a breathless, bubbly laugh at the sight of it. His parents aren’t there, nor is Caleb, or any of the things back in LA that were suffocating them both to the point that they booked it, half-broke and with only 2 months of warning.

Alex swings their hands, looking at a very bouncy Willie with his eyes blown wide from excitement. “Hey, we’re home.”

“We’re home!” Willie grabs Alex’s face roughly, fumbling to kiss him with their hands shaking and lips curled up in a giddy beam. They settle for holding him in a crushing hug, swaying them back and forth gleefully.

“You’re excited,” Alex chuckles, brushing at his crumpled hoodie when Willie breaks away.

Willie sticks his tongue out childishly. “So are you, admit it.”

Softening, Alex cups Willie’s cheek and exhales softly. “Of course I am.” He crinkles his nose affectionately as Willie leans up to peck his cheek. “Now-” Alex stacks as many boxes as he can fit in his arms. “Lets do this.”

---

It’s 2am and Alex is completely and utterly exhausted. Half the boxes are open, they unpacked most of it just looking for the air mattress. His record player is resting on the counter, there’s a pile of books in one corner and several trashbags of clothes in another. Willie is sitting crosslegged on the floor trying to work the portable air pump and scowling at the still deflated mattress like it stole his wallet.

“Y’know, you’d think they would provide some sort of instruction book,” Willie says poutingly. They fall back onto the wooden floor with an annoyed sigh.

Alex looks up from where his head is buried in his arms, sitting on the single bar stool they’d managed to fit in the car. “There was an instruction book, speed bump. You threw it out because you claimed that ‘everyone knows how to work an air pump!’”

“But I’m not everyone!” Willie whines. “You should’ve warned me.”

“I… okay.” Alex bows his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Lets blow up the mattress and call it a night, okay?” He lowers himself to the floor, hovering over Willie and tucking a strand of hair behind their ear. “Give me the pump, I’ll figure it out.”

“Hmm.” Willie hauls themself up, yawning loudly. They settle themselves in Alex’s lap, head tucked into his shoulder while Alex wraps his arms around them and fiddles with the mattress.

“M gonna fall sleep here,” Willie mumbles into Alex’s shoulder.

“Yea?”

“Mhm, g’night.” Willie burrows further into Alex, tucking his hands into his hoodie pockets.

Alex exhales, a fond smile tracing his face. He lifts one hand to card his fingers through Willie’s long hair, using the other to blow up the mattress. Willie groans in frustration at the loud noise and Alex has to fight a laugh.

“Alright get up, we have to- Willie.” Willie’s latched himself onto Alex like some sort of leech, pretending to be asleep despite the soft giggling escaping his lips.

“William,” Alex says, snickering. Willie doesn’t budge. “Pretty boy,” Alex tries. That always works.

Willie melts, lifting their head and flushing bright red. “Stop taking advantage of me,” He grumbles as he stands, pulling Alex up with him.

“Stop letting me,” Alex retorts with a teasing chuckle.

But instead of flopping unceremoniously onto the mattress like Alex expects, Willie pads tentatively to the wide window facing the flickering city and lets out a breath of awe. He hugs himself firmly, brushing his thumb over his bicep. Alex approaches them and snakes his arms around their torso, perching his chin on their shoulder and humming in question.

“I’m okay,” Willie answers the unspoken question, nudging Alex’s head lightly. “It’s just overwhelming but like…” he pauses, eyebrow furrowed in thought. “In a good way. It’s a lot, but it’s all good.”

Alex nods in understanding. “Yea, I agree.” He intertwines their fingers, rocking back and forth. “Lots of good.” He presses a kiss to the top of Willie’s head, lingering for a moment to relish in his presence.

“It’s beautiful,” Willie remarks, eyes raking over the bright city lights. It looks so distant and yet so familiar at the same time.

“You’ve seen the city a million times.”

“Ok, but this is a different city,” Willie responds. It’s true. It’s like the same puzzle with all the pieces arranged differently, except for one in the middle that the whole rest of the world revolves around.

Willie wriggles in Alex’s grip and spins around, tossing their arms over his shoulders and fidgeting with the hood of his sweatshirt. “Dance with me,” he says, voice soft and silvery, a whisper of cloud waltzing across the moon. Alex raises a doubtful eyebrow.

“You wanna dance… Willie, we’re exhausted.”

“No, no, no,” Willie shakes his head slowly, eyes squeezed shut for a moment. “Just-” They settle one hand one Alex’s shoulder and the other on his hip. Humming a gentle, lilting tune, they begin swaying side to side, drumming his fingers to a beat only in his head. “Dance with me.” He presses an idle kiss to Alex’s lips, chapped from the wind and laced with fresh apples . “Please.”

Alex hums in consideration, moving Willie’s hands to hold them in his own. “One second.” He ducks out of Willie’s arms, earning a squeak of protest.

Alex has had his record player for years now, Ray gave it to him as a Christmas present when he was 15 and he definitely cried. He’d gone through 3 boxes packing his records and Willie had looked… mildly concerned. But ha, who’s laughing now? The vinyl starts, popping occasionally in the way that makes Alex giggle with joy. Alex steps back proudly, floating back over to Willie and mimicking their previous position, one hand on their hip and the other on their shoulder. Willie smiles fondly at the song choice, Apple Pie by Lizzy Mcalpine, though he knows that nothing else would’ve fit.

“Remember the first time we listened to this song together?” Alex asks as Willie stumbles over his feet.

Willie nods. “Course I do, hotdog. You got sooo blushy.”

Alex shrugs nonchalantly. “Well, you kissed me so it worked out.”

“It did,” Willie whispers.

Alex spins them messily, laughing aloud when they slam into his chest without warning. "Very graceful," he remarks sarcastically.

Willie scrunches his face affectionately, pecking the tip of Alex's nose, singing gently as he draws back. "Home is wherever you are tonight."

It’s a tender moment, until Willie steps on Alex’s foot and snickers an apology. “Oops-”

“Ow, Willie. You don’t know how to slow dance do you?” Alex teases.

“Ok-”

Alex sighs warmly, god sometimes all the feelings were just so big and overwhelming. “Just, c'mere-” He draws Willie closer to him, embracing them like he’s the only thing in the world. And maybe, for the moment, he is. Willie tucks his head into Alex’s shoulder, breathing in his scent, lavender and dust; and Alex follows suit. His eyes flutter shut and he hums contentedly, heart giving a leap at the sheer domesticity of dancing in the empty living room in their pajamas, Willie tracing slow, sleepy circles on his back.

They’re hardly dancing anymore, really, wrapped up in each other like the sea and the shore at high tide, swaying to their synced heartbeats. The unfamiliar walls and creaky floorboards, cold beneath their socked feet, suddenly begin to look like home beneath all the strangeness and Alex can’t help but grin.

Alex’s home is in the crook of Willie’s neck and the light curve of his spine; the scent of rainstorms and cotton holding him close like he’s prone to break. And perhaps one day he will break, fall apart in Willie’s arms. But with the scratchy record humming in the background, and Willie’s body melting into his own, he thinks that their arms would be the best place to fall apart in.

---

art i made :)))