#also give his little minions a little more personality

[speyerboot]

Sir babygirl with Eggs

[dahliakbs]

Retired Villain

(⁠ ๑Batfam X Reader - Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne and Tim Drakeﾉ⁠♡ ⁠)

Masterlist

╠You'd put your reckless lifestyle behind in favor of living a boring civilian life, knowing that you wouldn't get anywhere in life if you kept getting beaten up and sent to jail over and over like it was the only thing life had to offer.

You thought that putting your past behind you and creating yourself a fresh start would finally put the bats off your trail...

But sadly for you, it had only taken your cities vigilantes about two weeks to find out where you lived.

Even though they'd found out where you lived and how you'd decided to turn your life around they didn't believe it.

And instead of taking the information at face value they'd decided to check up on you in person.

And that they did.

Now you would've thought that they'd leave you alone after just the first few times but no, they'd started popping up everywhere. Using the excuse of your old atrocities to monitor you almost every waking moment of the day.

And when I say every I mean every.

Your at the supermarket, buying food like everyone else and Nightwing just randomly shows up out of nowhere. Bugging you and using the excuse of monitoring you to justify his presence.

"I know times are dire but stealing milk from the supermart?" you could see his outline in your peripheral, propping himself up against the fridge next to you.

He's shaking his head playfully before moving to take your cart away from you. You knew he was aware that you weren't gonna steal anything but apparently teasing you was his new favorite hobby.

"For the last time, I'm not stealing anything from this store" you huffed before dumping the carton of milk into the cart he'd taken from you.

"This store, so how about the next one?"

You could already feel the gray hairs sprouting, it was like he was sucking all the energy out of you and you could do nothing about it.

Well, at least he helped you with the shopping right?

While your on your way making your way to work one of the Robins will just mysteriously appear next to you, specifically the youngest one. Always giving off a clear air of distaste towards your entire being but still accompanying you on your way to work.

"Don't you have school kid?" you ask, it was like nine in the morning and he was casually walking next to you as if he didn't have somewhere to be right now.

"I don't need to go to school, besides I'm stuck monitoring criminals like you" he stated and you could already feel him drilling holes into the side of your head.

This kid really has no chill...

"Well if it makes you feel any better I also don't like having people watch me 24/7" you could feel your shoulders sag at the thought of having to put up with the bat and his tiny army of children.

Even when you were simply relaxing in your humble abode they'd still had the audacity come ruin your little alone time.

You were just relaxing in your pyjamas, munching on some popcorn and enjoying the fact that for once you were finally all by yourself when suddenly a figure hauls themselves over the edge of your window sill and crashes onto the floor of your apartment.

Of course your quick to push yourself off your couch and grab a weapon from the hidden compartment in your chair only to realize that your intruder was just another one of batman's minions.

"Red, you can't be serious" you immediately drop you weapon and walk over to his crumpled form.

He looked like he just went through hell, which was pretty sad since you knew he was just a kid on the inside but batman's sidekicks always seemed a little on the younger side.

"Are you crashing for the night?" He'd already done this before, always denying the fact that he was staying the night but always ends up staying anyway.

"No, I'm not" he muttered to himself, crumpling even more into himself but flinching when one of his wounds comes into contact with his detached gear.

"Right, your monitoring me" you played along, allowing him to believe that he was leaving anytime soon but you could already see his body relaxing it self.

"By the way, your crashing on the couch Tonight" you'd at least allow him to stay somewhere in your house, knowing that the supposed 'Batcave' that they always spoke about was somewhere on the other side of Gotham.

He should be lucky that he's your favorite, because ain't no way were you allowing any of the other bats anywhere near your house. Let alone inside of it.╣

[tropicalcryptid]

Ok so She-Ra pulled such a great hat trick with Hordak's characterization, and I LOVE it

One of my favorite things about 2018 She-Ra is Hordak's story and development (and Entrapdak cough but that's not the point of this particular post), and the cleverest thing is that so much of it is actually being set up and told to us in seasons 1 and 2 before we even realize that that's what's happening.

When we first see Hordak in the show, he's giving "generic evil overlord" vibes. Garden-variety baddie. Maybe a little more reasonable than some and clearly capable of long-term thinking, but that just serves to make him intimidating. Everything about him--the way he runs his empire, his armor, his color scheme, his minion, his Villainous Eye Makeup(TM), even his name--are all projecting to the audience "yup, Acme Bad Guy here. Move right along."

But then, backstory. And everything snaps into focus. Not only is it one of the first big oh SHIT moments of the show, where we suddenly zoom out and realize that there is SO much more going on than we realized--it's also the start of the audience seeing Hordak as a character rather than an archetype. Suddenly we realize that he's not conquering Etheria because he wants power, or hates happiness and sparkles, or whatever--he's doing it out of a desperate attempt to prove his worth to his brother/creator/god. This moment where Hordak lets Entrapta in is also the moment the show lets us in on what makes our favorite spacebat tick.

On top of that, we've also seen him bonding with Entrapta and opening up to this person that he respects and trusts...probably the only person he's ever respected or trusted apart from Prime. And she's Etherian--someone of a lower species, someone he's supposed to subjugate, someone who he has been raised and trained and programmed and mind-controlled into believing is below him in every way.

But instead she's brilliant and creative and mesmerizing. She's not afraid of him, and she's fascinated with his work. For the first time since being abandoned by Prime, Hordak finally has someone that he can talk to, who is on his level and both understands and cares about the science! (because he is a giant nerd). She's kind to him, a mere defect. And it just sends his whole worldview into a spin, and that's all before--

Bam, mans is a goner. Entrapta's "Imperfections are beautiful" comment punches right through all the toxic bs that Hordak has been steeped in his entire life. You can see on his face here--I think it's the moment Hordak fell in love with Entrapta, but this is also the face of a spacebat reevaluating his entire worldview. If Entrapta, who is amazing, believes something different from Prime...what does that mean? If Entrapta, who is brilliant, believes that he is worth something, and that she herself is a failure...

Well. We know what happens after that, and how Hordak begins to doubt, and eventually fights back against Prime (and remembers his love for Entrapta after TWO mind wipes help my heart ack). But we also get to see what life in the Galactic Horde looks like: the only life Hordak ever knew before coming to Etheria.

It's not nice.

It's really not nice.

Prime operates in a very specific way, and we learn a lot about it in season 5. Prime expects complete obedience, devotion and worship from his clones. He allows no individuality from his subjects, not even a name. Failure or deviations are punished, mind-wiped, or destroyed. We even learn from Wrong Hordak that facial expressions are considered a privilege reserved for Prime (apart from, presumably, expressions of rapture caused by being around Prime).

And once we learn all of this, suddenly thinking about season 1 Hordak becomes very interesting indeed. The time we spend with the Galactic Horde and Prime throws absolutely everything that we know about Hordak into a whole new context. Now all those traits that made him a generic villain are actually hugely effective characterization! And what that characterization is telling us is that Hordak had already moved much farther away from Prime than we (or, probably, he) had realized, even long before he met Entrapta.

Horde Prime does not allow his underlings to have names, personalities, or any differences of appearance. Not only does Hordak allow this among his own troops, he chose a name for himself as well! Season 5 tells us that his very name is an act of blasphemy against his god. And yet Hordak took one for himself, and that name is part of the core identity he is able to hold on to when rebelling against Prime.

Horde Prime cast Hordak out when he showed signs of physical imperfections. Hordak not only keeps Imp (who is by all appearances a failed clone or similar experiment) around, he treats Imp more gently than we see him treat anybody or anything before Entrapta. Imp is not simply "generic evil guy's minion," he is proof of Hordak's capacity for compassion, and evidence that Hordak cannot bring himself to cast aside "defects" as easily as Prime. Considering where Hordak came from, Imp's existence is a huge, flashing neon sign telling the audience this guy here is better than the hell that molded him, and we don't even realize it until 4 seasons after it's been shown to us!

Very cool, ND.

There's more, though. Hordak's red and black color scheme? His dark eye makeup and lipstick? Very Evil Overlord chic. But nope! Actually these are actually expressions of individuality on a level that Hordak knows would be abhorrent to Prime!

Reading between the lines, I see this as Hordak desperately trying to reconcile two diametrically opposed beliefs in his head: (1) devotion to Prime, whose approval he desperately craves, and (2) maintaining some degree of unique personhood, of Hordak, from which to draw strength. Because a failed, defective clone cannot survive on a hostile world, cut off from the hivemind and from Prime's light. A failed clone cannot create an empire to offer Prime as tribute, nor build a spacetime portal from scraps and memory to call Prime back. A failed clone cannot create cybernetic armor to keep his hurting, weakened body alive; to force himself to keep going no matter what, to fight through the pain and the doubt by sheer force of will.

But maybe Hordak can.

And so there it is. Hordak had plenty of time to gain and explore his individuality while separated from Prime, but I think the reason he did it so effectively (while still deluding himself that Prime would forgive him for these little sins, if only Hordak could prove his value) is because he had to.

Wrong Hordak gained his individuality surrounded by kind, quirky people who took care of him; Hordak was ripped from the hivemind by Prime himself and had to fight for his survival against all odds. And that produced a dangerous and damaging foe for Etheria. But it also produced the one clone with the strength of will to defy Prime himself.

This is long and rambling, but ultimately my point is that 1) I love Hordak, and 2) I love love love love that the show was so clever about his characterization. We learn so much about him and how much progress he's already made in breaking from his psycho abusive cult upbringing, and we don't even recognize it until the show wants us to. Hordak had come so far, all on his own, before he met Entrapta. She just helped push him over the edge and finally realize (at least consciously) that Prime's worldview might not be the correct one.

Idk, I just don't know if I've ever seen all the trappings of Basic 80's Villain(TM) so successfully subverted, where looking back 4 seasons later is actually a smack in the face with the "effective character building" stick. Amazing.

[perfectlyoongi]

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who has been tying your shoelaces since you were little. Yoongi still had that image in his mind of you crying in the rain because you tripped over your shoes and got all wet. since that day, Yoongi has always made a point of tying your shoes before leaving the house. and now, even though you were adults with separate lives, Yoongi couldn’t control his habit whenever you slept at each other’s houses. “wait, you still need to tie the laces. you can fall, you know that. nevermind, i don’t mind bending down. it’s not like this is my first time.”

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who still intimidates any suitor of yours. when you were just 5 years old, Yoongi remembered how that boy who bothered you so much started running away when he saw Yoongi picking you up from school. since then, Yoongi has made it his personal mission to fend off any and all suitors you might have. he was your older brother. somehow, he always looked out for you. and Yoongi guaranteed that he would continue to take care of you, no matter how old you were, no matter how many suitors you had. if they really wanted you, they could put up with an intimidating Yoongi for a few minutes. “oh? are you really sure you want to bring your new friend to lunch? well, if it’s just a friend, i’m okay with it. but if it’s something else…”

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who still cooks lunch for you whenever you need. if you asked Yoongi, he would say he only learned how to cook so he could make your favorite dishes. during school, Yoongi always woke up early to cook for you, making a point of giving you something tasty and attractive — it was already his habit. so when you spent the night at his house or when you couldn’t waste time making lunch, Yoongi would show up at your work or doorstep with a small lunch box filled with your favorite lunch. after so many years, he still knew you. “your message was full of typos. i knew right away that you were late, that’s why i cooked this to you. it’s your favorite, i hope you like it. oh, and i also brought you a piece of fruit. enjoy, minion.”

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who picks you up from work or school when it’s raining. every month, Yoongi had your schedule updated and posted on the wall of his studio, and when you were still busy and the rain became more and more intense, Yoongi would put everything on hold to pick you up. whether you worked next to him or studied on the other end of town, Yoongi always found the quickest route to you, to make sure you didn’t get caught in the rain or risk getting sick. “remind me how many umbrellas i’ve given you, and how many you’ve used. just to refresh my memory. it’s just that it’s becoming really old that i have to come and get you every time it rains.”

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who offers you something whenever he is with you. Yoongi was never good with words. and Yoongi was shy in his actions. but what Yoongi always did to show you that he liked you was something as simple as giving you a gift. a new book, your favorite ice cream, even a four-leaf clover he saw on the way home — no matter what. ever since you were little, Yoongi got used to giving you little souvenirs to calm your heart and this act seemed to never die, no matter how much time passed. he just wanted you to know how much he truly loved you. “there’s an origami stall back there. a lady is teaching children how to make various animals and her husband was selling some and i thought you would like this crane.”

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who is always willing to give you advice, or receive it. it was three in the morning and you had come home after a date and didn’t know if they were right for you? Yoongi was already accepting your call without realizing it. you just received two equally good job offers and don’t know which one to choose? Yoongi was already ready with a list of pros and cons. was Yoongi unsure of his new project? you were already inside his studio listening to his music. Yoongi didn’t know if he could hold on a little longer? you were already by his side reassuring him that he was loved. you or him, it didn’t matter. both of you gave and received in that mutual relationship of complicity. only Yoongi knew what was best for you. only you knew what was best for Yoongi. and that was enough. “i’m going for an interview now but as soon as i leave i’ll call you. it’s not supposed to take long, so you can think about what you really want to say and i’ll help you later. if you want, i can even write the message for you. i have to go. don’t make any stupid decisions before i get back!”

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who looks at you with eyes full of pride just because you are you. watching you from afar only squeezed Yoongi’s heart. yesterday you were still a small child and today you were already signing the contract for your first job. time flew between your childhood and your adulthood, and all this time, Yoongi was watching you. you were such a pure, innocent child and managed to transform into this responsible, mature adult — only Yoongi knew how many heartaches it took to make you so grown up. “it seems like yesterday that i gave you a piggyback because you had hurt your knee on the slide. and now i’m inside your first apartment that you bought with your first job. you’re growing up too fast and i don’t like it. stop. stop right now.”

[mya-valentine]

Hello! Could I request platonic Class A with reader who is strong as hell and has a bone quirk. They can summon bones, make bone structures, create bone-weapons and even skeleton armies to fight for them. They fight with a pair of sickles (like Death, from the Puss In Boots: The Last Wish) to add some variety to their fighting style. They come off as a bit cold and intimidating at first because of how brutal they are on the battlefield and to villains, but they’re actually surprisingly sweet ^^.

Bones of Fury, Heart of Gold

When you first joined Class 1-A, your bone quirk immediately set you apart from the rest. You could summon bones from your body to create weapons, structures, or even skeletal armies to fight for you. The sight of bones materializing from thin air, forming intricate and sometimes gruesome shapes, unnerved some of your classmates at first. Combined with your cold and intense demeanor during battle, you quickly earned a reputation as intimidating and even a bit scary.

Your fighting style was brutal and efficient. Wielding your dual sickles, reminiscent of a grim reaper, you carved through villains with deadly precision, summoning bones to trap, impale, or crush enemies without hesitation. Your skeletal minions were an added terror, creating a battlefield where chaos reigned as you commanded your forces with eerie calm. Some of your classmates—especially people like Mineta—would shudder after seeing you in action, unsure of how to approach you outside of battle.

But off the battlefield, you were a completely different person.

The first person to notice was Tsuyu. She caught you in a quiet moment after training, sitting alone, tending to some small wounds. “Hey,” she said in her usual calm, straightforward tone. “You okay?”

You looked up, surprised that someone had approached you so casually. You had become used to people giving you space because of your intimidating quirk. “Yeah, just a few scrapes,” you said, smiling faintly. It was a small gesture, but it was the first time anyone in the class had seen a glimpse of your softer side.

Tsuyu tilted her head. “You fight really hard out there, ribbit. But you seem different when you’re not fighting.”

You blinked, a little thrown off by her observation. “I… guess I don’t like being too harsh with people unless I have to be.” You chuckled, rubbing the back of your neck. “The villains don’t really give us a choice though, do they?”

That conversation marked the beginning of the class realizing that beneath your cold, battle-hardened exterior, you were surprisingly sweet and thoughtful.

After that, more of your classmates started warming up to you. Momo admired your discipline and dedication to mastering your quirk, often discussing different strategies with you during training. She found your ability to create bone structures fascinating and started brainstorming ways to combine her creations with your powers during team exercises.

Kirishima was all about your strength. “Dude, you’re so manly!” he’d shout during training, his eyes practically sparkling whenever you summoned your bone sickles. “I’ve never seen anyone fight like you! The way you’re able to turn your quirk into weapons is insane!”

Even Bakugou, who rarely gave compliments, would grunt approvingly after seeing you in battle. “You’re not bad,” he’d mutter, which from him was practically a glowing review.

Your skeletal army also caught the attention of the more strategic thinkers in the class. Izuku couldn’t stop muttering to himself about the potential applications of your quirk, imagining scenarios where your army could be used to protect civilians or overwhelm enemies in large-scale battles.

Outside of battle, you made a conscious effort to be kinder to your classmates, which didn’t go unnoticed. You’d offer to help with studying or step in to assist someone struggling during training. Your sweetness caught them off guard, as it was such a stark contrast to the brutal way you fought. You'd offer words of encouragement when someone was down, or give small but meaningful compliments that always lifted spirits.

“I never thought you’d be so… gentle,” Ochako admitted one day during lunch.

“Yeah,” Kaminari chimed in, “you’re like, totally terrifying on the battlefield, but you’re actually kind of a softie, aren’t you?”

You couldn’t help but laugh, a genuine, lighthearted sound that made a few of your classmates blink in surprise. “I guess I save all the scary stuff for the villains,” you said with a smirk.

Even though you had started out as intimidating and cold, your true personality began to shine through as your classmates got to know you. They realized that the brutal, bone-wielding warrior who fought with sickles like Death itself wasn’t the whole story. Beneath that exterior, you were kind, supportive, and deeply loyal to your friends.

When the class had to face a particularly tough villain during a training exercise, everyone was ready to stand by your side. “We’ve got your back,” Todoroki said, cool as always. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

With your bone army at the ready, and your classmates rallying around you, you felt more supported than ever. You might have been intimidating on the battlefield, but here, with your friends, you didn’t need to be scary. You just needed to be you.

And that was more than enough.

.

.

.

Masterlist

[godmadeaterribleerror]

Just Your Time - No Love Lost Bonus Chapter

Series Masterlist

Read on A03!

Author's Note: Silly, silly fluff. Title from ordinary things by Ariana Grande.

Word Count: 1.5k

Summary/Warnings: You give Ben internet lessons. Takes place in Chapter 14, Usual warnings.

Tags: Soldier Boy/Supe!Female Reader, canon divergence, fluff

“There are three major platforms. Instagram, TikTok, and facebook. We’re going to go one by one.” You glance up at Ben, who’s scowling down at his phone like it’s just made a very personal insult about his mother. “Why are you making your grump face.”

His glare turns to you. “I don’t make a fucking grump face.”

“You do. You get all pouty, and the lines here,” you reach up, tapping a finger between his brows. “Get deeper.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

“Tell me why you’re being a baby.”

“I am not being a goddamn baby-“

“Benjamin.”

“This is fucking stupid.” He snaps, glower returning to the phone. “I don’t need to know about Instagran or tiktak-“

“Tiktok,” you grin at him. “And Instagran was a big Freudian slip, Pretty Boy. It’s Instagram.”

“I don’t fucking care what they’re called, this is fucking pointless shit for shallow pussies-“

“Oh, fuck off, I’ve seen you flexing in the bathroom mirrors, Ben.”

“That’s different. You fucking love it, and it’s to make I haven’t lost any fucking muscle-“

“You are biologically incapable of losing muscle. And this is shallow,” you shrug. “But it’s fun. And you promised you’d do it.” 

He scowls. “Fine.”

“Can I get a little more enthusiasm-“

“No. Start talking.”

You wrinkle your nose at him, scooting closer to reach over his arm, pointing to the apps as you speak. “Instagram. TikTok, Facebook. There’s also YouTube, but that will have to be a whole other thing, and Snapchat, but you’d hate that-“

“Why.”

“Have you ever wanted to have all your messages instantly deleted and look like a puppy dog in the camera?”

“No, that sounds dumb as fucking balls.”

“Then no Snapchat. That’s Twitter, but-“

“Says X on it.” Ben drawls your name, giving you a smug look, and you sigh.

“Well, that’s why we’re not talking about it. If I tell you about Elon Musk and Tesla, you’ll have an aneurysm and that would just be huge bummer for me.”

“Aw, Sunshine,” he leans down, bumping your nose with his. “Would you fucking miss me? Get all damn sad if I died?”

It’s very difficult to hold your ground. Ben’s hand has moved to your thigh, and his mouth keeps brushing yours, and you feel his hunger running from his body into yours. But you manage to raise a hand and push his face backwards with a scoff, sticking your tongue and ignoring how to hunger flashes in his chest. 

“You know I would, don’t be a cunt.”

“Brat.”

“Uh huh,” you tap the phone, still in his hand, and don’t allow yourself to meet his eyes. If you meet Ben’s eyes you’ll start climbing on top of him, and you’ll lose. “Pay attention.”

Ben scoffs, but falls silent, waiting for you to continue. 

“No Twitter. Just these three.” You risk a glance up at him. He’s still distractingly handsome—the world didn’t like you enough to change that—but glowering at the phone, and you nudge his shoulder with yours. “Tell me their names.”

“Instagram,” he grunts, raising a finger to point at them one by one. “TikTok, and…” His eyes narrow, and he pauses for long enough that you’re not sure he’s going to figure out that the names are right there on the display. 

“Ben-“

“Facebook.” He looks up at you with a smirk. “Fucking nailed it.”

“Yeah, you’re a genius.” You mutter, but still smile at him. Something warm grows in your gut, and you have to stop meeting his eyes again. “Facebook is probably the least important one, but you would like it-“

“Why would I-“

“Because it’s for old people.” You grin at him, and Ben rolls his eyes. 

“Shut the fuck up.”

“No. I think we’ll do Instagram today, because TikTok will break your brain and I’m not ready to explain the Minions to you yet.”

“What the fuck is a minion-“

“Nope. Not today.” You lean over him, opening Instagram. “And remember, the less of a little bitch you are about this, the faster we finish and the sooner we can do something else.”

“We could just do something else right fucking now, no one’s damn making us do this-“

You give him a flat look. “I am, Benjamin. Eyes on the phone.”

He gives you one last glare, and turns back to the phone. “What the fuck am I looking at.”

“Instagram,” you sigh, hanging over Ben’s arm to frown at the screen. “Essentially, it’s a photo sharing app. People post about their lives, pets, memes-“

“What the fuck is a meme.”

“It’s like a funny photo or Internet joke. We’ll have to talk about it later as well. There’s a lot of business accounts, celebrity accounts, celebrity fan accounts-“

“What-“

“It’s an account that posts a bunch of photos and news and videos about one specific celebrity.” You tilt your head at the phone. “There are probably some for you, actually.”

“For me?” Ben blinks at you. “The fuck are they doing on them?”

“Posting photos of you.”

“How did they get fucking photos of me-“

“The internet, Ben.” You grin at him. “Believe it or not, there are photos of you on the internet.”

He pauses, frowning between you and the screen. “Are they good photos?”

Every photo of him is a good photo. Ben has a stupid, amazing face that looks like it was carved by Michelangelo, and every photo of him is a good photo. He doesn’t get to know that.

“They’re fine.”

“Just fucking fine?! The hell did all the good ones go-“

“Jesus, Benjamin, they’re good.” You give him a flat look. “Who’s shallow now?”

“You’d be worried about how you look if your face had to be fucking everywhere,” he snaps your name, but it’s fake anger. You can feel his amusement, and any annoyance is coated in a layer of complete comfort that makes you a little dizzy. “My job was my damn face. I’m not a vain pussy, I’m a business man-”

You snort. “You are not a fucking business man, Pretty Boy.”

“Fuck you, Sunshine, I made millions-“

“I’m sure you did,” you pat his arm, and Ben glares at you. “Are you going to keep being a huge baby, or can I keep talking?”

“Whatever.”

“That’s the spirit.” You take the phone from his hand, and start to swipe through the app, talking Ben through the what turned out to be the many nuances of Instagram. You’d—incorrectly—thought this would take twenty minutes, but Ben wouldn’t stop asking questions. You made the mistake of showing him a Soldier Boy fanpage, and that alone took ten minutes to explain and move on from. By the time you hit livestreams, Ben looked like he might start throwing something—what the fuck is the point of this shit, I don’t care about what these pussies have to say about fucking nothing—so you called it. He knew how the explore page worked, not to answer strange DMs, and if someone promised him hot MILFs in his area that it was probably a lie.

“I’m not an idiot,” he grumbles your name, closing the app. “And I don’t even know what a fucking MILF is-“

“Mother I’d Like to Fuck.” You grin at him. “But you might be more into GILFs.”

He frowns. “The fuck’s a GILF.”

“If MILF is an acronym, I think you can figure out GILF yourself.”

It takes a second of Ben glaring at you—the gears of his brain slowly turning to find the answer—and you can see the moment he gets it, because he rolls his eyes and a flash of indigence runs through him. “Brat.”

“I don’t know what you could possibly be referring to-“

Your words die in your throat as Ben tosses his phone somewhere across the room and hauls you onto his lap, burying his face in your neck and grumbling against your skin.

“You’re fucking stuck with me, beautiful, no damn GILF on the internet is taking me away.”

You hum. “What if they’re horny, and in your area?”

“Only old lady in my area is Mallory, and I’d rather cut off my goddamn dick than fuck her.”

“That’s not very nice, Benjamin-“ Your word turn into a long, breathless sound as he starts to leave open, wet kisses along your shoulder, and he’s so hungry, and it’s all fucking on purpose. YYour heart is racing as his hands tangle in your hair, and words start to feel a little far away, and you can feel how smug he is about it. “Cunt-“

“We’re done with the internet shit today.”

Not a question, but his muscles flex around you as he pulls you closer, so you don’t argue. “Yeah.”

“Good.” Ben flips you over in one, smooth movement, moving up to your mouth and smirking as you moan. “Next time, we’re doing this shit first. I don’t give a fuck about the internet,” he lets out a low groan as you tug at his hair. “But I can get the fuck on board if this is how we start.”

You answer a little too fast to be dignified, but he’s dropped back down to your neck, and you feel a little high. “Deal.”

“Deal.” Ben looks up at you, grinning as you start to try and tug him back to your mouth. “Let’s get started on it right fucking now.”

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@manicjk @lordofthunderthr @artemys-ackles @brtodd

[httyd-art-requests]

Hellooo!! I saw a drawing come across my dash recently by you that I believe was original art with your ocs?? I’m a big sucker for httyd ocs and I was wondering, how many do you have? Would you be willing to talk about them maybe??

YIPPEE I love talking about my OCs!! Thank you for the interest, I'm more than willing to talk about my little guys and gals <3 It's probably going to get long, sooo...

OC lore and art under the ominously placed readmore button. smile

Dreamer

The pair you (probably) saw the art of are my self insert, Dreamer, and his Deathgripper companion Draugr. Dreamer is a scholar and healer's apprentice who arrives on New Berk to study dragons in order to better heal them... except he's also terrified of them. Draugr is one of Grimmel's former Deathgripper minions who was stranded on New Berk after the events of (my alternate version of) THW. Dreamer nurses him back to health, and in return he helps Dreamer get over his fear of dragons.

Dreamer also has 2 Terrible Terror buddies, and they're also the ones who deliver all your asks to me :) They're called Terror Mail for a reason, hehe

Light Furies

I have a pair of female Light Fury OC named Eclipse and Sunny, who are a mated pair. Eclipse is melanistic and a menace to humans and dragons alike, and Sunny is the only dragon she likes having around her. Grumpy one × Sunshine one.

Eclipse was gravely injured in a fight to defend her territory from another dragon, and would have perished had Sunny not stumbled upon her. Sunny, a young female who recently left her flock to establish her own, refused to leave a fellow Light Fury to her fate- no matter how much of a hassle she insisted on being. And thus, Sunny slowly carved out a place for herself in Eclipse's cold, cold heart, and two of them remained by eachother's sides ever since.

I plan on redrawing them sometime soon, now that my style has changed somewhat

The Huntsman

The proverbial meat and potatoes of my OC roster. He has the most detailed story out of all of them, and he's one of my favorite OCs I've ever made <3

His name is Iskar, also known by his moniker as the Huntsman. He's the son of a dragon hunter who, after his father's fleet was burned down and pillaged by a mysterious warlord, was raised by the family of a blacksmith on a faraway island where dragons only exist in folktales.

Well, except for one...

Iskar's Night Fury, Warden, who was kept as a living trophy on his father's ship before it burned. Iskar formed a bond with the dragon, who then stole him away to save his life. The two of them have become inseperable, and Warden is part of the reason Iskar is feared across the Archipelago. As for the other reason...

Iskar also gets involved with Drago Bludvist, following a trail of rumors in an attempt to find his father again. Drago blackmails him into working for him, and Iskar becomes something like a personal attack dog and assassin for Drago. He earns himself a reputation and becomes a wives' tale across the Archipelago, and it isn't until he meets Hiccup, during Drago's siege on Berk, that he's convinced to take up arms against Drago and free himself. Iskar switches sides to help save Berk, gives Hiccup his own world map as a farewell gift, and returns home to his family after nearly 10 years.

In a sort of epilogue / theoretical second movie, Iskar takes his niece, Valorie, to Berk so she can learn to train dragons "the proper way". Needless to say, Berk is not very happy to see the man responsible for almost getting their island destroyed. Iskar acts as a translator between Valorie and the Berkians, as Valorie doesn't speak their language and Iskar does (on account of his travels with Drago), and through the course of their stay on the island, he successfully redeems himself in the eyes of the Berkian population.

Valorie

Okay she's not actually Iskar's niece. She's the daughter of Runar and Ylva, the blacksmith and his wife who originally raised Iskar, and the ones Iskar returned home to after he was free of Drago. They had her while Iskar was away working for Drago, and she was around 8 years old when he came back home, give or take. She grew up knowing him as Uncle Iskar, the globetrotter and explorer who occasionally came home to bring her cool presents.

She grew up with a Night Fury around the house, so naturally, she became fascinated by dragons and dragon riding- which Iskar definitely didn't help with, considering he engineered Warden's saddle to have a second seat right behind the rider's own.

She eventually bonds with a Stormcutter while studying under Berk's finest (Fishlegs), whom she names Windseeker.

Valhalla's Gate

Not a character, but an island Iskar discovers during his travels as a free man after Dragos defeat. Iskar is a cartographer by profession, thus the handcrafted world map he gifts Hiccup, which just so happens to contain directions to a hidden island Iskar has named Valhalla's Gate.

It's a dragon sanctuary through and through, built around and on the back of a sleeping Foreverwing which guards the island and all of its inhabitants. You can only approach the island on dragon back, similar to how you could only leave Vanaheim by smelling a certain way to trick the Sentinels in RTTE. A natural defense mechanism, if you will.

Iskar often takes detours on his travels to visit the island, and becomes well known by all the dragons that live on it. Hiccup also finds it thanks to Iskar's map, shortly after Berk rebuilds itself and Hiccup has to suddenly take on a lot of chiefly responsibilities- and what better way to deal with newfound responsibilities than to follow a mysterious map given to you by a guy who tried to kill you? Surely nothing can go wrong. Smile.

Conclusion

There's a lot more to say about all of them, but hopefully this about covers the important parts. I could go on about Ylva and Runar, Iskar's relationship with Eret and Hiccup, Dreamer's relationship with the Berkians, etc etc, but this reply is long enough already lol

I'm always happy to talk about my characters, so feel free to ask me stuff about them if you guys are interested! But, seeing as this is primarily an art request blog, I won't be talking about them much unless someone asks. That's what @wardenofdragons is for!

(He says, knowing full well he keeps forgetting to post on it)

[tsw1234]

We Can't Be Friends (part 2)

Word Count: 1598

Pairings: Vampire Slayer!reader x Vampire!Dick Grayson

Synopsis: It's been months since the apocalypse. Discovering your newfound powers as a vampire slayer hasn't been easy, and with these newfound powers came new responsibilities like protecting the remaining civilians in Gotham from the creatures of the night, killing vampires alongside your courageous friends, etc...Yet there's just one thing blocking you from fulfilling your destiny, the very vampire you've been sworn to kill.

Notes: (Quickly) Proof read by me

Warnings: Smut, Angst

You knew this was wrong. You absolutely should not be doing this. Lord knows if you were to be caught, not only would it end badly for you but also your friends, your commune, and your little brother. Yet, it's as if something is compelling you to do this. You walk through the abandoned park en garde. Most sane people would show up with some sort of protection--like a stake or rosemary. But you're not sane, and the things that you've done as a result of armageddon wouldn't classify you as sane either. 

Despite Gotham's ongoing events, its park seemed to be the one of few places unaffected by the apocalypse. The grass and tree leaves were coated white, due to December's icy precipitation. Following down the park's path of lights illuminating the snow-covered vegetation you arrive at your destination--- a bridge that provides a beautiful view of the park's scenery and its pond directly below you. It was truly spectacular. Nostalgia of kids and parents and images of Haley dogs running around resurface.

"I know you’re here Grayson?". You felt his presence when you entered the park, perks of being a vampire hunter. You know when they’re nearby. As soon as those words escaped your lips, he appeared in front of you; almost as if you summoned him, like a genie to its master.

“Hello to you too [nickname],” he says, sliding next to you. While you don’t turn to face him you can feel his eyes on you.

"I feel you staring at me."

"I prefer to call it admiring, princess," he states with a smug smirk on his face. You rolled your eyes at his smart remark.

"You lost your right to admire the moment you sent your brainless minions to wipe out most of humanity.". 

"You broke up with me."

"So that gives you the right to kill people?"

"No, but it makes us even."

"Wrong again, you killed the man I loved. That ups the score 2-1, me." you challenge. The contrast between the two of you is vast--the deadpan on your face compared to the amused look on his. One could interpret the both of you to be having two separate conversations just based on facial expressions alone. "And who might that person be?" he asks cockily.

Silence fills the air. Your immediate reaction is to say him but, he's not the same man you loved--looks wise yes, but personality...? 

"Why'd you do it...kill Bruce?". Dick's demeanor changes instantly, his body more tense; The once smug look on his face is replaced with a stoic expression. 

"That's not your business."

"It is my business. They mattered to me--You matter-"

"You lost that right when you broke up with me.". Silence once again. 

"Jason..."

"Alfred..."

"Damian-"

"Damnit [Name] I told you to leave it alone. Stop poking your nose in places it doesn't belong." he stern. The cold air details the exasperation in your conversation. The quietness between you felt odd, you don't never liked fighting with Dick. It was unnatural between you too and it seldom happened. But, when it did, it would get ugly. You were both passionate people and when your thoughts would rarely clash, it would take time for the person in the wrong to step forward and apologize. 

"Do you know I'm supposed to kill you?". His eyebrows perk up at the shock of your abruptness.

"It's a part of my destiny or something..." you say as you cast a stone across the park's pond. Silence again. 

"Why are you here [nickname]?"

"..."

"I mean you hate me. You hate what I am, what I've done--yet every time you ask to see me. Why?"

"I don't know..." you mumble. "What?" 

"I don't know!" you shout letting out a voice crack. 

"I don't know why I called! Maybe it's because I miss you...". To say that out loud hurt your soul. Of course, you've known that you had but to say it helped you come to terms with your emotions. 

"Everywhere I go, I have memories of you--of us. You are a constant reminder of the life that I had because you were my life I know that I broke up with you and it haunts me every day but...you were one of the few constants in my life and I just feel like the day I stop agreeing to see you is one less piece of my old life.". You break down, all the many months of pent-up emotions gone just like that to the blue-eyed monster whom you loved.

"Come here..." he says, pulling you in an embrace. There you are, the very own vampire slayer destined to end the war on humanity allowing the wager of the war to console you. Here he is comforting your sniffles and cries, knowing that in the end, you have to kill him. How tragic. 

"[Nickname], everything I do is for you or because of you. Whether or not you believe it. Why did I do it--kill all those people? I wanted to find a way to be with you forever and in the process, I had to sacrifice people I loved. You are what's keeping me sane, what's holding me back from killing the rest of humanity. It's you, princess."

You look up at Dick with your tear-filled puffy eyes. He rests his palm against your face, wiping away any tears that had trickled down your face. "I miss you too, like hell and I hate that you're going through this because of--"

You cut him off with a kiss. A much overdue one to say. Although caught off guard, Dick accepts it swiftly. Immediately his hand hugged your waist and ran up and down your back. Your fingers find their way to his hair, intricately running through them. The kiss between the two of you felt like a fever dream. It felt as if it was the last day on Earth and the both of you needed to kiss to survive. It was passionate, warm, and embracing. 

He starts to move down your neck, peppering kisses as he goes and making sure to linger on your sweet spots causing you to release a soft moan. "Just as I remember huh?" he says in between each kiss. 

"May I?" he asks, toying with the waistband of your panties. You feverishly nod, allowing him to help discard your clothes. After unclasping your bra, the icy winter air hits your nipples causing them to harden. 

"You're just as perfect as ever, my pretty girl," he says as he dips two fingers inside of you. You try to suppress your moans but he's quick to break your resolve as his fingers hit a spot that hasn't been touched since the last time you've seen him. He speeds up his pace, being aware not to go too fast, yet too slow. "Fuck, Dick" you whine. The combination of the weather plus his touch helps you reach your orgasm fast. 

"That's right princess, come on my fingers," he says as you let go. He sucks off the remnants of your release and proceeds to take off his pants. He lifts you and you wrap your legs around him. He rubs his tip up and down your entrance before putting it in slowly. You release a loud moan holding on to him--nails digging into his back. He starts steady and then goes faster resulting in you letting out several curses and shrewd moans. You both reach your climax in sync, letting go together. Too disoriented to move, he cleans you up and helps you put your clothes back on. Once you're both clothed, he pulls you into his arms--once more-- kissing your head and whispering sweet nothings. You both stay like that for a while, basking in the moment of bliss.

"[Name]" you hear a voice say bringing you back to reality. Dick is still holding onto your waist. But, instead of pushing him away, you secure his hold on you whilst looking into his blue eyes. You turn around to see your best friend, out of breath, bruised, and upset. You momentarily pushed whatever feelings for Dick you had aside and rushed to their aid.

"What happened?" you asked, helping them catch their breath. They said nothing but your sense kicked in, telling you something was wrong and for some reason, it gave you an inkling that Dick had something to do with it. 

"They found us...and they have T.J.". they say, eyes focused on Dick. Your eyes shoot to your ex (lover?) in disbelief. He knows where your brother is, he has to! They're his men. 

"How could you!" you yell, voice full of pain. You march over to where he stood, his face filled with confusion and guilt. "How could you let them take him? After everything that just happened!" you shout as you shove him. 

"Where is he?"

No response. Another shove. 

"Answer me! Where is he!". Silence once again. "I don't know," he replies full of melancholy. "You're lying. Tell me!" you urge. 

"I don't know [nickname]," he whispers. Dick is feeling a whirlwind of emotions. The biggest one is hurt. He can't believe that you would believe that he would do this to you. After everything he had just said and done? He's going to find which one of his men did this and they're going to face the consequences. You shove him one final time before running over to your friend. 

"Come on, we're going to find them and my brother," you say, shooting him a wicked glare, leaving Dick in a state of sadness, guilt, and anger. 

[palskippah]

Hi! @hyperfixatingonbowuigisohard had this idea of Mr. L but preggy and I loved it jsdisd

I know nearly nothing of this game, but here's some ideas anyways for it!

-Mr L does his little presentation number, turning around, balancing his weight on one foot, and almost giving Bowser a heart attack when he clearly was barely keeping his balance, fearing that his husband would stumble and fall.

-Bowser immediately recognizes him, and Peach mutters to herself that Mr L reminds her strongly of someone, but she's not sure who. Bowser looks at her in disbelief, not sure if she's messing with him or not.

>Mario doesn't recognize Luigi at all at first, and Bowser genuinely asks him if he's an idiot. That's clearly Luigi! Same hat (a bit different though) and his overalls (although darker...) and that's his mustache! (looking as dashing as ever, by the way), and he's exactly as pregnant as Luigi! (Mario signs that Luigi isn't the only pregnant person in the world, and Bowser gets exasperated).

>Bowser keeps trying to convince Mario to not fight his expectant husband (AKA, Mario's brother!), and even if it wasn't Luigi, the man was clearly very pregnant, how was he going to fight him?!

>Mr L overhears and takes it personally, jumping into battle. He loses, of course. And when he's on the ground, tired and out of breath (from what Bowser's just sure is just the baby tiring him up, because Mario was really tame on his attacks), the koopa hands him a Shroom Shake so he feels better, and Mr L angrily accepts it and then sends Bowser straight to hell. When he tries to stand up and fails miserably, he lets the koopa help him to his feet, and then sends him to hell again and leaves, to work on his Brobot. (I can't remember what else happens during that fight asdkaj)

>I can't remember how Mr L leaves after the first battle, but imagine he's waddling very slowly away and Bowser's like 'Babe?? Luigi?? Please come back :C' and Luigi is literally within arm reach (especially for Bowser), but he's also very angry and telling the koopa weirdo (AKA, King Corny, King Incompetent, Mr wrappedaroundyourhusbandsfinger, King Bootlicker) to back off or he'll kill him. And well, Luigi is very capable of doing anything, and this is a brainwashed, evil Luigi, so the koopa isn't taking any chances. And the 'Green Thunder' is even more cranky because Mario didn't even break a sweat and Mr L was all huffing and puffing when the battle ended. The whole waddle away, when he wasn't insulting Bowser, Mr L muttered to himself about the stupid huge baby that didn't let him do anything and the horrors of motherhood and pregnancy.

-Mr L doesn't care for the baby, because he just came to existence and found himself heavily pregnant. He doesn't know this baby; he doesn't feel anything for them! But still there's the muscle memory or maybe it's the feelings that Luigi has for the little thing or something, because sometimes Mr L would find that he had been stroking his own belly or resting his hand on it. He'd move his hand away as if burned, and quickly look around hoping none of Count Bleck's other minions saw him showing such weakness, feeling embarrassed.

-Normally Bowser is all over Luigi to be of assistance for anything he may need, to, y'know, make his life easier now that he's pregnant. And Luigi is always glad that he has his husband right there to take care of him, but that is not the case with Mr L. He's angry that the idiot koopa thinks that he needs to be monitored like a baby, when he can take perfectly good care of himself! But also, he claims so and all, but is clearly struggling.

>Like at some moment he presents his brobot control remote (or something? How does he even summon that robot?) and then accidentally drops it. All of them, Mario, Peach, Bowser and Mr L stare at it for a few seconds. When Bowser makes a movement of going forward to pick it for him, the green one swats him away, he can pick it up himself, thanks fucking very much. Cue Mr L doing the pitiful preggy crouch while Mario and Peach pointedly don't look (after he yells that they can stop staring!) and Bowser tries to get closer to just pick the damn thing himself so Luigi can stop straining himself (getting yelled at in return).

-On Super Dimentio form, know that brainwashed Luigi (Mr. L) and Dimentio don't give a single shit about the baby, the first obviously having the set goal of being of assistance to Dimentio or whatevs, and the late one wanting to fulfill the prophecy. But well, Luigi sure does, so he subconsciously makes sure to protect his bebi Magma. The new form is huge, but the baby is still normal sized, it's just that Luigi made sure to give them some extra padding because it looked like they'd need it to be safe.

>By the way, the idea of one side of his face being a crying Luigi and the other being Dimentio is directly from @galaxygermdraws' design of Super Dimentio which is so cool :'''v

>Super Dimentio form may have only some physical characteristics of Luigi and only Dimentio's mind controlling it, but Luigi has been pregnant for many months now, and he can't help muscle memory, so the Super Dimentio form waddles like he does, and maybe Mario, Peach and Bowser would find it funny, if they weren't so horrified by the whole ordeal and the huge hands trying to squish them like bugs.

-As soon as Luigi is out of the Super Dimentio form, he's lying on the ground and wiping the streak of tears from the only cheek that has them, while wondering aloud why is he crying and on his side on the floor, and the next second after that, he's wrapped in Bowser's arms and Mario's holding his hand and Peach is touching his face, all of them fretting over him, while Luigi doesn't know what has them with such worried expressions, or why Bowser's weeping so much.

-If before Bowser was all over him, since the whole Chaos Heart ordeal he doesn't take his eyes away from Luigi, neither does Mario, who's glued to him for long weeks until he can feel that his brother is going to be alright.

>Anyways, baby's born, they're all happy yey :D Also pls look at that paper Magma I drew, that's my best drawing up to date.

ALSO alternate thing where the Chaos Heart remained with the baby in some weird way, but they don't notice because she's literally just a baby but she has the potential to destroy the universe, but Magma never does because she's a chill girl her whole life who doesn't have reasons to unleash the doom of the universe JSJDK silly idea in the same way that Luigi -the bestest guy around- is supposed to help destroy everything (??? or something like that I read somewhere? Maybe it was a headcanon aksdladk)

Thanks if you read till here!

[areislol]

xiao as spiderman headcanons 🕸️

►— pairings. spiderman! xiao x gn! reader

► — warnings. slight angst (?), fluff, modern! au, spiderman! au

► — a/n. guyss this includes xiao as spiderman and also your classmate (you don't know that, shhhhh) art by @niilar on twt

wordcount. 3.3k

𝐱𝐢𝐚𝐨 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧... / general hcs / meeting you

i. xiao definently stays quiet throughout the day, he doesn't really want to make himself all that known in society (hard to when you're literally spiderman). his only job is to protect the city and its people, he doesn't have "time to do other things other than saving the city" as he says.

his mysterious nature and how he keeps his life and well, himself, so private only makes people want to know more about him, reporters and people who are dedicated to finding out more about his life would try to follow him whenever he's done saving the city or just webbing a robber on a wall but whenever they try to follow him they always end up losing him after a few turns around buildings.

and xiao knows this, he doesn't get why they're so interested him and his life, it's bothersome really. but then again, he understands at the same time. i mean.. who wouldn't get so curious about one's life when they leave straight away after fighting some bad guys? it only makes them more interesting!

ii. he's so quiet and doesn't talk much, even when he's fighting. his opponents are always egging him on to talk and teasing him but he only gives them one snarky comment or scowl in response. even when he's not fighting, even when he's just roaming the streets to see if anyone is up to no good (and many people watching him), he doesn't speak.. not once.

when someone asks a question he gives them a short answer because he can't be that rude, but if it's too personal then he'd just start walking faster and if they keep on pestering him he'd just swing away.

iii. he's so, so chill. nobody really hears that much from him and they can tell that he's really chill because?? whenever somebody alerts xiao as he's walking the streets that there's somebody trying to steal a bag of grapes he's sighing and nodding his head, thanking the person beforeswinging towards the place like it has happened more than once (it has)

the way he swings and thwips his webs is so elegant and has such a.. calm and chill vibe/manner? of course any spiderman who has been spiderman for a long time gets used to swinging and gets good at it but the way he does is different.

it's probably how he swings from one building to another with such ease and it looks like he's cutting through the air...

iv. HE MULTITASKS!!! he would be fighting with some bad guy, for example, a reptile mutant! and then all of the sudden his minions start to run towards xiao from different directions and he is so quick with it.

he quickly looks around his left and right before webbing them to the wall while also avoiding the attacks of his opponent, (that's so hot of him) AND HE LOOKS SO GOOD DOING THAT AS WELL!!!! the way his face is so concentrated on trapping his enemies to the wall yet also avoiding the punches of the reptile mutant and sometimes even using the webbed enemies to whack the mutant as well.

thanks to his spidey senses, xiao can easily swiftly avoid the attacks and land a blow towards his enemy. and by the end can you just imagine every single one of the enemies minions webbed to the walls, squirming and cursing while xiao's just stepping on the reptile mutant who's wrapped in web with one leg, some of the web wrapped aroun the palm of his hands and whenever the reptile would move, even just an inch, he would tug on it, narrowing his eyes at the mutant.

"be quiet and don't move."

even if it's something simple like webbing a bagel for him to eat while also webbing a theift who stole some old woman's purse nonchalantly. the little things you guys. the little things.

v. he has a soft spots for kids. and people know this. you can often spot him just minding his own business before stopping in his tracks, watching a couple of children play soccer or any games. and even though he's wearing a mask, you can notice the way his white eyes soften and the jawline softening. it's adorable.

he gets really shy whenever anybody asks if he has a soft spot for children. always blinking stupidly at the person before shaking his head.

"no, what makes you say that?"

vi. texts with fighting like it's nothing. (just like miles honestly) this links in with multitasking but.. i'll keep it separate. could be fighting some big ass monster or robot but he'd be texting you, his friends, getting in tune with today's drama or even watching the live video of him fighting the monster.

[1:15] "hey Y/N, what are you doing?"

[1:15] "... atlas, aren't you meant to be fighting off that dude? 😭😭"

you're literally watching the live video on youtube right now on your laptop. and he's fighting some big monster dude that's wrecking buildings and throwing cars while xiao's effortlessly avoiding the cars and texting on his phone, texting you. you can see how he looks away from the phone to web the guy's arm to the back before texting you back.

[1:20] "yeah, sorry for the late reply. was busy"

??? but he looks so hot while doing it so it's fine.

vii. xiao would try to distance himself a little from you since he's spiderman and he doesn't want you to get hurt but at the same time he wants to be with you. he then remembers that he's spiderman, he has spidey senses, he saves people.. he can easily prevent any danger coming towards you!

so that easily solves the problem.

vii. when he first met you (as spiderman), he had saved you from a group of boys who cornered you in a dark alleyway, and it just so happened that xiao was patrolling that area. when he spotted the odd scene of a group of boys surrounding someone, he immediately, and quietly, walked over to the alleyway.

and when he heard your scared and wobbly voice, pleading for them to leave you alone he clicked. stepping into the alleyway, making sure not to make a sound before gripping onto one of the guy's shoulder tightly.

"and what do you think you're doing?"

the guy turned around so fast he almost got whiplash and his eyes widened at the sight of the spiderman. before any of them could move or think or their next move he quickly webbed them two by two onto a wall, making sure to tape their mouth with webs as well.

that's when he saw you. his crush. you were crouched down, cheeks wet with tears and hair sticking on your forehead from sweating too much from being afraid. he slowly stepped towards you, making sure not to freak you out. he felt anger and rage travel throughout is body, they made you feel this way?

"are you alright? what did they do to you?"

you explain to him how they have been following you for a while now, only for you to be cornered into an alleyway. an that's when he found you, and xiao understood how scared and terrified you were so he offered you a hand to get up, he made sure you were stable.

you were sniffling and your eyes were slightly puffy from all the crying, xiao just couldn't leave you like this. his job was to protect the city and its people, nothing else. but.. he wasn't just spiderman, underneath the mask was a normal human being who was just like everybody else. and so xiao decided to cheer you up by taking you a calm and warm café.

it was a bit odd, for spiderman to offer you a treat but you couldn't deny that you were hungry and you agreed. you two ended up chatting from walking to the café, inside and sitting down and even till you two left.

xiao had to admit that it was quite fun to chat with you, you listened and had many stories to tell him, even drama from your school (that he somehow already knows..). he eats with the lower mask lifted up to reveal his lower part of his face and wow, was he attractive.

you were so wowed and taken aback by his... pretty lower face? you tried to eat your donut but it would miss your mouth and you just stared at him in awe as the donut missed your mouth like three times. and only when xiao stops eating his own food and looks at you quizzically and clear his throat, do you snap out of your thoughts and begin to eat your donut.

your gaze definenetly made him red and nervous. he didn't know why but something about you drew him towards you, was it your friendliness? how you were patient and kind towards him? how you treated him like a real person than just spiderman? it surprised him that you were this kind. maybe.

he paid for everything despite your protests and to your dismay. you two walked out of the café and he made sure to walk you home to make you were safe. you were thankful for him saving you and walking you home since you never felt safe walking home alone.

and plus, you got to talk to somebody as well! xiao didn't mind listening to you ramble on about your day, it's... as if he's used to it already.

when you're by your apartment door you're thanking him profusely and he's just taking it with a nervous wave, telling you that it's alright. opening your door, you're about to step inside when you turn around and it almost frightens xiao by how quick you turned.

"how about– we.. as a thanks we go to that café again? i'll pay, this time."

your face is slightly red from inviting him to that café, since you've never really invited anyone to anywhere, let alone spiderman, a very handsome one.

xiao dislikes the idea of you paying but then again, throughout the time you two were at the café he felt so comfortable around you even though you two were strangers and barely knew each other, well, that's what you think anyways. plus.. he gets to spend even more time with you!

since then, the café became a place you two would frequent to get together again, to talk and discuss about your day. thing is, you two start to grow closer and closer the more you two meet in the café, and it went from just a day in a week to like three-four days in a week to going to the café.

and that's how xiao, as spiderman befriends you! funny how he's both your friend as spiderman and xiao, isn't it?

𝐱𝐢𝐚𝐨 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞

i. he was one of your first friends when you both first arrived to school. xiao wasn't the "friends for life!!" type, but like spiderman xiao, he was drawn to you. your cheery smile and aura made him feel so welcomed and safe, like he would never be judged.

ii. xiao doesn't have many friends, like maybe two or three. but you're his closest friend. and no matter how many times you try to help him gain more friends (because so many people always give him an interested look), he always turns the offer down and shakes his head, saying that you're enough. (which never fails to make you blush)

iii. he sits next to you, always. if somebody takes HIS spot, he will glare at them until they get the message and get up. and sometimes his leg moves to the side, touching yours. obviously you notice but don't say anything. and if you happen to sneak a glance at xiao while he does this you can notice a very faint blush on his cheeks.

iv. he is VERY smart, like impossibly smart. so he always helps you with your questions, like you don't even have to ask, one glance at your puzzled face and he's already helping you. also takes this opportunity to inch and move in closer to you to the point your shoulders are touching.

if the teacher EVER picked on you to answer a question (that she knows you absolutely do not understand) xiao will whisper the correct answer, and to make sure the teacher doesn't notice he looks down and rests his cheek on his palm, making sure to face you before muttering the answer.

loves to see your happy and confident face when the teacher is astonished by how you got the answer right, that is until she calls you up to explain how you got your answer.

tutors you for free if you need it, he's a great tutor. he takes your pace and understands what he needs to do to make you understand, whether it be visually like a video or a drawing or if you need it to be physical.

gives you his homework answers, but also explains to you how he got them since he wants you to understand. lets you cheat off his paper, and he is ALWAYS prepared for his tests so if you need a study/revise buddy, he's your top pick.

if the teacher ever caught you cheating off a text (which, will never happen) he would take blame, saying that he knew and allowed you (true but still).

v. he's very protective over you. always keeping you close by (to the point where he's either lurking right behind you or pulling you in where your shoulder and hips are touching, you don't complain.)

xiao glares at any boy who decides to give you the look, he wants to keep you safe so he never leaves you alone unless you need space or feel uncomfortable.

vi. when he first got bit, you immediately knew something was wrong when he came to school all sweaty and nervous. you questioned him if he was okay or sick but he said it was nothing, obviously it more than nothing since he continued to profusely sweat and looked around at the people around you like they were crazy.

you brought him to a classroom where nobody was and tried to calm him down, he did, gradually. of course he didn't tell you that he was bitten by a spider and that he may or may not be spiderman.

but overtime he started to started to get the hang of being spiderman and could control his nerves around you, but that also meant that he more sensitive with his new abilities. he could tell when you were about to get intro trouble or whenever you were going to get hurt

he is so so thankful for his spidey senses, although even without them (before he was bitten) it was like he could sense whenever you were about to get hurt.

because of his training to become spiderman and saving the city and people, you two spent less time together, but it didn't mean he makes up for the lost time!

vii. this is out of topic but... that's right folks, in apology for not spending enough time with you (which is like, every hour of the day) he stays over at your place, watching movie with you, studying, baking, or just sleeping over. he gets to be even closer with you without anyone to disturb him.

he also gives you little gifts sometimes, whether it be little snacks you like or cute keychains on your desk. or sometimes you'll see your favourite drink or some heated food on cold days on your desk, and when you look over at xiao like "???" he's all like ":)))"

viii. sits with you during break all the time, sometimes buys you lunch and eats it with you. if you're feeling confident and cute, you can feed him. he's in shock at your question if you could feed him and he's EMBARRASSED, but he still lets you feed him with a grumpy face, it's so cute.

people are always questioning whether or not you two are dating or not. it's honestly so cute seeing you two eat together, the way you two talk about whatever for so long and you two NEVER run out of things to talk. normally it's you that's doing the talking and xiao listening.

ix. lends you his blazer every winter season, when you lose/forget to bring yours or just gives it to you for no reason. and he finds you so adorable when his blazer is slightly big on you (if you're shorter than him)

sneaks a photo of you in it without you knowing.

x. HHHH IF YOU'RE INTO LIKE CUTE LIL ACCESSORIES HE TOTALLY LETS YOU PLACE THEM IN HIS HAIRRRRR, whether or not it matches his appearance or not xiao will still wear them no matter what because it's you.

xi. if you ever gift him keychains, and EVEN though they don't match his whole appearance/vibe, he'll still place them on his bag cause?? he finds it cute.. like if you have a whole different style compared to xiao he definenetly finds the difference... cute.

xx. switches sides with you when you two are walking on a pavement near a road!! like originally you were on the road side but xiao quickly switches sides with you so you're on the safe side with all the buildings while he's on the road side. (plus with his spidey senses he can just protect you 100x more)

xxx. when you two are on a bus going to school together, if there's no more seats he would either, one, glare at someone until they give up their seat (it works), two, holds you close by the waist with one arm while he uses the other to hold the handle.

or you're in front of him WHILE he's holding you by the waist and using his other hand to hold onto the handle, if the bus ever shakes or halts abruptly xiao's quick to hold onto your waist tightly and makes sure you're okay. it always makes you blush.

if you two are going on the regular bus to go to a city or some place, he hides you from the creeps!! hiding your body (the back) with his front. or the other way, except, since he can't cover your behind with his hands or arms he pulls you into a hug and covers it with his bag (AAAAAAAAAAAAA).

he shares one of his earbuds with you, he probably buys a new pair of earbuds so it's brand new and not dirty, he makes sure he only uses one side while you have the other side.

xiao asks what songs he should add into his playlists so you can choose any song when you two are listening on the bus on your way to school or anywhere. doesn't matter if your songs aren't his type, if it makes you happy he could care less.

xl. he holds your bag. it's the bare minimum, i know, yet so attractive. heavy or not he WILL hold your bag so your shoulders aren't affected by your straps at all.

lx. totally unrelated to this topic but, he definenetly keeps and sticks polaroid pictures of you two (or you) on his wall, anything you take with him he puts on his wall, right next to his bed so whenever he wakes up, he's either met with the face of you (yes he's that whipped for you) or he can just turn around to be reminded of you again.

when xiao invited you over to his place, he kinda forgot about the pictures on his wall so when you noticed them when you entered his room xiao was SO shy and embarrassed, stuttering and stumbling over his words as he tries to explain himself but you laugh and shake your head, telling him it was cute.

dies inside when you give him some polaroid pictures of you, just you.

note: if you would like to be added to the genshin impact spiderverse! au taglist pls just ask me!! dont be shy <3

taglist 🏷️ : none so far

liking + following + reblogs are very much appreciated!!

another note: i just needed to get something out honestly, don't know if anyone has done this yet so, here we are! starting another wip after i post this.

[invye]

So I did some calculating (read: guesstimating, since I am still prohibited from looking at the wiki bc of spoilers) and I figured out the following:

During Dressrosa we learn Law got his Devil Fruit 13 years ago. If I remember correctly, Luffy got his 10 years before start of the show + two years timeskip + a couple months in change where they were actively travelling = 12 and a half(+?) years ago.

Now add in a bit of fanfic handwaving timeline adjusting and we're left with the realisation: Rosinante is fated to die saving Law at the same time Shanks loses his arm saving Luffy.

And the consequence of that leaves the potential for the CoraMiShanks Fix It AU to have all of them on Kuraigana at the same time, recovering physically, mentally and emotionally from everything that just happened.

So let me (lengthily) unravel the timeline of events under the cut:

Cora-san and Law learn of the Ope Ope No Mi and get going, informing Mihawk of their plans, who promises to catch up to them to help and asks them to wait.

Cora does not, in fact, wait; feeling the chance slip through their fingers between Doffy and the Marines going after it as well

In the North Blue, Cora is shot. In the East Blue Shanks has his arm bitten off.

Mihawk arrives just in time to scoop up a despodent Law and watch the silence spell break; it starts a race against time to find Rosinante and bring him to the village doctor/clinic whatever place where he can be treated. This also requires Mihawk to somehow manage pulling Law from 'all is lost' mode into 'crisis solving' mode, because he's the one with the medical knowledge to even begin having a chance at saving Rosinante.

In the East Blue Shanks is gritting his teeth trying not to lose control over his Haki as Hongo does his job to fix as much of his arm as is possible.

12 frantic hours later Rosinante is barely hanging on to life, but at least a number of lead bullets lighter. Law is so exhausted he's shaking, only not passing out because he's also still suffering his own pain. Mihawk is woozy and unsteady because he has just donated much more blood than medically advised to replace all that Rosinante has lost.

The Marines arrive on Minion Island. Mihawk is planning on using his Warlord status and intimidate their way off the island, only for Sengoku to find them first. Sengoku is faced with the pain of watching his adopted son unconscious on that bed, halfway to death, only still alive because of the actions of the Warlord least inclined to ever follow orders and the little kid who shows all signs of his body going through the adjustment of just having consumed a Devil Fruit. Sengoku helps them leave the island unseen. Its the least and simultaniousy last he can do.

Mihawk calls Shanks. Rosinante is still unstable, and for all the knowledge Law has, he severely lacks the experience, and there is only one other doctor Mihawk knows and trusts with this. Shanks promises that they will be at Kuraigana in no time. Mihawk hears the pain in his voice, but Shanks asks that they talk about that in person.

The Red Force arrives at Kuraigana first, which is good because it gives Hongo time to set up and sees Benn and Shanks in a position to catch Mihawk when he stumbles off his boat, having pushed so far that he hasn't slept in who knows how long to get them here as fast as possible. Shanks leaves Benn to help him and assists the kid. Hongo spends the next couple hours fixing whatever can be fixed to further stabilise Rosinante. Law insists on helping, or at least being there. The Ope Ope No Mi is not magic, but Law is willing to put the work in.

Shanks watches over Rosinante so Mihawk and Law can rest. Also so that he doesn't have to face Mihawk yet.

Hongo gives Mihawk the medical run down, including Law and Shanks' state at Mihawk's request, before slipping him a sleeping aid.

So here they all are. In various amounts of horrible pain and scared of the immediate future.

Law fears for Cora-san while also not knowing if the Devil Fruit actually saved him. Rosinante is only ever regaining consciousness in short bursts, and calling for Law in all of them. Shanks is suffering horrible phantom limb pain but lies about it so he doesn't have to talk to Mihawk about losing his sword arm yet. And Mihawk is emotionally overwhelmed to the end of the world, scared for Rosinante, scared for the kid, scared for what is going to become of Shanks and himself now.

Perfect, ever stoic Mihawk wants to scream. Yell at Rosinante for not waiting. Yell at Shanks for not being more careful. But that won't help any of them. So he makes food. Recruits the kid into cutting vegetables to keep him occupied and moving while they wait. Writes down the list of things that contain gluten that Rosinante can't have. Writes down the list of foods that have textures Law can't stand (and doesn't Mihawk know that feeling from his childhood). He makes stew because Shanks can eat it with one hand without needing to ask for help. Makes enough to feed Benn and Hongo who won't be going anywhere for the forseeable future too. Honestly he's lost track just how much he owes them now.

And at some point, when his mind stumbles out of merely functioning and falls face first into reality, Mihawk sits in the dark and allows himself to cry.

Because he almost lost them. He almost lost them all.

[annes-andromeda]

⚠️Spoilers for Wish⚠️

While I am excited for/ planning to watch Disney’s Wish, I honestly wish (heh) they had gone with the original plan for Amaya’s character and made her a villain alongside Magnífico.

Like, I genuinely think it could’ve been cool to see them as partners in crime and be inspired by classic Disney villain traits: vain, narcissistic, power-hungry, cruel, and enjoyable to hate.

I could’ve seen their relationship as something similar to Scarlett and Herb Overkill from the Minions movie, where it’s two married villains who are clearly terrible people, but are still heads over heels for each other.

I’ve read the golden book and kids book of the movie that some people have uploaded on YouTube, and while those books tend to omit things from the actual film, they give us a basic synopsis of the overall story.

(SPOILERS FOR THE MOVIE BELOW)

——————

Essentially, the story ends with Magnífico being sucked into his staff, Amaya rules Rosas and Star gives Asha a wishing wand (essentially making her a Fairy Godmother sort of character mixed with elements of Snow White)

It’s a pretty basic, cut-and-dry story and I’m not saying I expected Shakespeare or whatever, but imagine how much better the story would’ve been with both Magnífico and Amaya as the villains:

The story could’ve been that the kingdom of Rosas was ruled by Magnífico and Amaya, who both seemed charming and generous on the outside, but were greedy and self-serving on the inside. They essentially didn’t care for anyone but each other.

I’d also add Amaya’s cat Charo from the concept art book, cause it think it would be cute that these two are absolute shitheads, but are still cat parents who spoil their cat and take it everywhere.

Anyways… Magnífico, like in the actual story, only granted the wishes that benefited him (and his wife), while the majority of wishes were stashed away in his tower.

Asha wants to become Magnífico’s apprentice and when introduced to the wishes, wants to grant her grandfather’s wish and finds the kings (and queens) whole wish-granting system unfair to the people (again, like the canon material).

The story would then go like the actual movie: Asha makes a wish on a Star and Magnífico sees her as a threat to his power and hunts her down (only with Amaya by his side).

I’d like to think that while Magnífico has his moments where his true personality shines, I feel like Amaya wouldn’t truly snap until the very end, having a little more composure than her husband (similarly to the Evil Queen or Maleficent or Ursula)

In the end, the King and Queen are defeated and banished into Magnífico’s staff. Asha is named the new Princess of Rosas (or Queen, whichever you prefer), and she actually joins the Disney Princess lineup and it’s not just advertisement. Like the real story, Star gives her a wand and Asha becomes the new wish-granter.

It’s not perfect, but I think it may have been more interesting and entertaining to see rather than the typical director the creators went with the story

These are just my thoughts, however, I’m still gonna watch the movie and see I think about it.

[watchmegetobsessed]

NO HEARTBREAK

A/N: i can't believe i actually finished this fic, but here we are! hope you can still take some holiday spirit, this was originally planned for fanficmas, but i got stuck with it, so i put it aside, but now its here!

PAIRING: Harry x PA!reader

WORD COUNT: 9.7k

WARNING: mention of alcoholic parent

SUMMARY: You planned to spend the holidays alone, just like you always do. However, your boss had other ideas.

MASTERLIST | SUPPORT ME!

You unpack the chicken sandwich you planned to eat hours ago, but you haven’t gotten around to actually do it. Now it’s past six and you’re finally having a breather and have the chance to eat your lunch. It’s gotten saggy, kind of melted together, but you’re famished at this point and you’d eat just about anything.

Just as you bite into it, the door you exited through just minutes ago flings open.

“Y/N? Harry is asking for you,” an assistant from the venue walks up to you with an apologetic look when she sees that you’re eating.

“What could he possibly need?” you groan with your mouth full.

“H-He didn’t say, he just—“

“Of course he didn’t, because he is being a brat,” you roll your eyes, swallowing the bite before taking another one. You decide he is alright waiting one more minute, his dressing room is probably not on fire, so it can’t be that urgent.

Seemingly, the assistant is shocked that you just called him a brat, for one because he is your boss and for two because he is literally known to be the nicest person alive.

He really is. But sometimes he just knows exactly how to get on your nerves.

While still eating, you head inside, dodging any questions flying in your direction.

“I’m on my lunch break!” you tell everyone, waving at them in dismiss.

“It’s six twenty,” you hear someone mumble in confusion, but you just shrug as you eat your sandwich, heading to Harry’s dressing room.

You don’t knock, just walk in and though the assistant that’s been following you like a minion sprints right out of the room when she sees Harry only in his underwear, you don’t even flinch as you step inside.

“Yeah, you’re not on fire,” you sigh, to which he gives you a puzzled look, but you just shake your head. “What did you want? I’m on my lunch break,” you say, kicking the door shut before taking another bite from your sandwich.

“It’s almost half past six.”

“And I didn’t have time to eat since my so called boss left his phone in his hotel, so I had to do an extra round back there aside my usual tasks,” you answer with a fake smile.

“Come on, don’t be so grumpy!” He steps closer, wanting to cradle your face in his hands but you swat them away.

“What do you want!” you repeat.

“I can’t find my shoes.”

You stare back at him with a blank look on your face before speaking up.

“Have you checked in the box that has ‘shoes’ written on it?” you ask.

“Yeah, but I didn’t find it.”

Bullshit. You already know it’s there, he is just doing this to get on your nerves, because that’s his hobby. He loves pissing you off as if it was his job and then he also loves begging for your forgiveness, which you give him every damn time.

That’s your dynamic. And you love it.

“Hold this,” you say, handing him the half eaten sandwich before walking over to the shoe box. “You’re giving me a raise if I find it in here.”

“I’m already paying you a ridiculous amount.”

“Because I deserve it for putting up with you.”

You dig into the box, knowing exactly which pair he needs for tonight’s outfit and in the meantime, he stands over you, still in his outfit and you’re trying to ignore that tiny little fact. Pushing a few shoes aside you catch a glimpse of the pair you need and you pull it out with a sigh.

“How about a Christmas bonus?” you ask, holding the shoes up for him as you stand up, hand them over and then take your sandwich from him before flopping down onto the couch.

“You know you always get a Christmas bonus,” he comments as he steps over to the clothes rack with the lazy intention of getting dressed. Over your sandwich, you allow yourself to steal a few glimpses of his naked torso and legs before they get covered by his outfit.

You hate how it makes you feel every damn time, even after four years of knowing him. How your body betrays you when your head is trying to do the right thing and forget about the feelings you’ve been harboring for your boss for so long. It’s such a cliché, almost kind of ridiculous, but luckily, no one knows about it and if it depends on you, you’ll take this to the grave with yourself.

“Speaking of Christmas, you know when you’re leaving?” he asks, tugging his shirt over his head.

“What do you mean?”

“When are you going home to your family?”

“Oh, I’m not going anywhere,” you nonchalantly say before swallowing the last bite of your sandwich.

“What? So… your family comes here?”

“Nope.”

“Y/N, what are you talking about? Where are you spending the holidays?”

“At home.”

“But you just said that you’re not going home.”

“No, you asked if I’m going home to my family. I said I’m not going anywhere.”

“Would you stop pulling my leg and just tell me what I want to hear?” he groans and for once he’s the one who’s annoyed with you.

“I’m not spending Christmas with family. I’ll be just… in my apartment, probably watching The Office, eating gingerbread.”

“You’re fucking with me, right?” he asks in disbelief. “You mean to tell me you’ll be alone for the holidays?”

“Yeah. Just like for the past few years. It’s no big deal,” you shrug, but it blows his mind.

“The past—what?! You’ve been alone all these years? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You never asked.”

“Jesus, woman!” he scoffs. “What’s… Why? I know that you never met your dad and your mom… has passed, but you must have some kind of family.”

“Not really,” you simply say. Harry stares at you and it’s obvious he has a lot of questions, but he remains silent for a couple of minutes before speaking up.

“Spend it with me then.”

Now it’s your turn to look at him with a puzzled expression.

“Huh?”

“Come home with me for the holidays,” he repeats, squeezing himself into his pants.

“Uh-huh, nice joke,” you snort out a laugh.

“I’m not joking. I know my mum would be glad to have you for Christmas, Gemma has been asking me about you too, she would love to see you again. So just spend the holidays with us.”

“I’m not family, I won’t just… crash your time at home.”

“Oh come on! First of all, you are family. You’ve spent more time with me in the past four years than my actual mother and sister. And second, you wouldn’t be crashing. I’m inviting you, so I obviously want you there.”

You stand from the couch and dump the wrapping paper of your late lunch into the trash before walking over to him.

“No,” is all you say to him.

“No?”

“No, I’m not going home with you. Now don’t disturb me unless your pants are on fire. I have shit to do before you go on stage.”

And with that you just walk out.

The show passes by smoothly and you watch part of it from the pit like you usually do, following Harry’s jumping form around the stage, ignoring how wildly your heart is beating every time he’s scanning over the crowd where you’re standing. In an arena full of thousands of people, you can still feel like you and him are the only ones.

It’s clear to you that you can’t spend the holidays with him and his family. It would cause your heart to break beyond repair and though you’re good with keeping up the tough look, you wouldn’t survive a hit this painful.

Harry has the most loving and supportive family you’ve ever seen, that’s why he could become the person he is today with a heart bigger than life. You would get a glimpse of what you never experienced and what you’ll never have. Him, all the love he receives and gives, the big happy family that surrounds him even in his worst moments. You’d have to come home to your lonesome, work filled life and realize just how much you crave to be loved like you were never before.

Your job is your life, because being around Harry brings you some warmth and life, a sliver of what you’ve always craved.

You go backstage before the show is over to get everything ready for him to leave once he zooms off the stage. Busying yourself so when he bursts into his dressing room he doesn’t have the chance to bring your visit up again.

“You’re oddly silent,” he comments in the car, riding back to the hotel that you’ll be leaving in the morning.

“Just tired,” you shrug, hoping he wouldn’t push you, but you should know it by now that’s not possible with him.

“Is it about my invitation? I meant it, I want you to come and—“

“I’m not going, Harry,” you snap, probably a bit harsher than you intended. When you get his silence in reply, regret sinks into the pit of your stomach, but you keep your mouth shut.

Tour carries on and you dread to reach the end of it, because it means Harry will go on a break so you have to go on a break too. It’s the downside of being a personal assistant, you need to line your life up with your boss’.

Harry hasn’t brought Christmas up since you declined his invitation so you’re convinced he accepted your choice.

The last show blows the arena up, he sings Kiwi three times and you watch him with a swelling chest as he puts everything he has into pleasing his fans. You drink up the sight of him on stage, because you won’t see it until you get back on the road next year.

“How was it?” Harry asks out of breath as you match his fast steps towards the dressing room.

“You’re always great, why do you ask me every time?”

“Because I like hearing it from you,” he grins, shaking his jacket off himself and you catch it before it could land on the floor.

Everything goes as usual, you pack up, head back to the hotel and get ready to leaving in the morning only that this time you’re going home and Harry leaves to the UK. There’s one week left until Christmas and according to his schedule that you know like the back of your hand because you put it together, he won’t return to the States until the third of January.

You ring him up in the morning, making sure he is up and then you meet everyone at the lobby for checking out.

“You have your tickets ready?” Harry asks, a smug grin on his annoyingly handsome face as he pokes at your bag.

“What, did you turn into my assistant?” you sass at him, which just makes him laugh.

“Just making sure,” he shrugs and walks away to talk to Mitch and you eye him with suspicion.

And you should have gotten more into it, because the picture clicks together when you part way at the airport. Harry is taking a private jet home while you fly commercial so you need to go to your gate from the lounge after your rounds of goodbye.

You hand your ticket to the flight attendant, she scans it and then comes the shit storm.

“I’m sorry, Miss, but it seems like your ticket has been cancelled.”

“What?” Blood dries out of your face.

“It’s not valid anymore.”

“Shouldn’t I have been notified about such a change?”

“It was a customer cancelation, not from our side.”

“A customer… That fuck…” you growl as realization sets in. “Great, amazing. If you excuse me, I’ll just go and kill my boss.”

You step out of the line and grabbing your carry on you march back to the lounge where Harry is supposed to me. And he is, smugly sitting in the same spot you left him, sipping on a drink.

“What the fuck did you do?!” you stand in front of him with your hands on your hips, but all you get is a grin.

“Y/N, aren’t you gonna miss your flight?”

“Stop with the bullshit, you cancelled my ticket!”

“Me? Oh, I would never do such thing!” He puts the glass down and stands, tucking his hands into his pockets as he looks down at you with a smirk you’re not sure you want to slap or kiss off his face. “So, you’re gonna have to come with me. You can’t get stuck here, there’s no other flight back to New York today.”

“And how would you know that if you didn’t check?”

“Just a feeling,” he shrugs. “Come on, we can board the jet now. You’re coming home with me!”

He wraps his arm around your shoulders, but you shake it off and stand still. He is not getting away with it this easily.

“Harry, I’m not going home with you.”

“Yes, you are. I already arranged everything,” he shrugs and it just infuriates you even more.

“Fuck off.”

“Y/N, board the jet with me. You’re coming home with me.” His tone drops and you swear you’ve never seen him this determined about anything. Looking around you notice that people start to pick up the scene that is about to unfold, but you’re not one to cause public drama. Harry knows that.

“You’re a fucking child, you know that?” you hiss through your teeth as you catch up with him, a smug grin plastering across his annoyingly handsome face.

“This child is your boss and you love him.”

“I fucking hate you.”

He tries to put his arm around your shoulders again, you shake it off and go ahead, hearing his laughter that just makes you hate him even more.

Or love him.

The flight is long, but you sleep through most of it. You wake a few hours before landing and pulling out your laptop you try to work some on Harry’s schedule for January, but before you could get into it, he slams it shut and takes away.

“Hey! What are you doing?” you groan as he sits across you, hugging your device to his chest with a smug look.

“No working, we’re off the clock. I’m holding onto this until after Christmas.”

“No, you’re not. That’s my personal laptop so I need it back.”

His face falls as he realizes it’s not something he got you for the job and not too willingly, but hands you back.

“Put it away though. No work until after Christmas, I mean it.”

“You’re awfully obsessed about how I spend my holidays all of a sudden.”

“Just want you to have a good time.”

“And what makes you think I’m not good on my own in my apartment?”

“Because I know you,” he simply answers before standing up and walking to the back of the jet.

You land safely and make it through the airport, meeting Gemma as you walk through the doors of the terminal and you’re not even surprised she’s been expecting to see you. It was all planned out probably way ahead.

“Good to see you again!” she smiles, pulling you into a quick hug.

“Same, though it would be better if you didn’t play along with your scheming brother,” you narrow your eyes at her.

“You belong here, Y/N. I would have hit him if I found out he let you alone for the holidays.”

“Great, both Styles kids are against me,” you scoff.

“Stop being a drama queen and get your ass into the car,” Harry pokes your side before wrapping his sister in a hug.

You sit in the back on the ride and listen to the siblings catching up, occasionally chiming into the conversation. You try to focus on the scenery that’s passing by you, but you often find yourself stealing looks at Harry. The change in him is already visible, he has switched out of work mode and into break mode, he’s a lot looser and carefree and you wonder if he’s been dreading this break for a long time. He always stretches himself to his full capacity and you find yourself worrying about him overworking himself and not giving himself enough time to recharge.

“Wait, where are we… Where are we going?” you ask when you finally process that this is not the way to Anne’s.

“To my place,” Harry simply answers. “Why?”

“Why not Anne’s? You always spend Christmas at hers, don’t you?”

“She doesn’t have enough room to accommodate both of us, one of her girlfriends is temporarily living with her until January, so we’re staying at mine and just go over,” he explains and your heart starts racing instantly. You’ll be locked in Harry’s London home, just the two of you. Alone.

It’s not your first time in his London home, but definitely the first time staying over, being his guest. It’s already stressing you out.

“Thanks for the ride, Gem,” Harry hugs her upon arriving at his place.

“No problem. See you at mum’s on the twenty-fourth?”

“Of course.”

You’re busying yourself with your bags, but you catch her whispering something in his ear and you wonder what kind of secret can’t you hear, but you don’t want to be nosy.

“Bye Gemma,” you smile at her as she gets back into her car.

“Try not to kill each other!” she chuckles through the rolled down window.

“Give me that,” Harry snatches your big suitcase from your hands, leaving several of his bags on the porch just to bring yours in first.

It hasn’t changed since you’ve last been here a few months ago, but Harry himself was only one time here since then. You always feel in awe here, because it’s so uniquely Harry, this house reflects his taste the absolute most. His LA home is humongous and modern, but this is what feels the most like him with mismatched vintage furniture mixed with some modern ones, lots of trinkets and decoration everywhere you go and a bunch of framed photos of him with friends and family. Walking around in here feels like invading his mind in a sense, but you were invited here, so you’re just enjoying the intimate glimpse for now.

Harry shows you his guest bedroom that’s right next to his room, it’s nice and cozy and you have your own bathroom.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” he warns you just when you sit on the edge of the bed, bouncing on it gently.

“Why?”

“Because we have things to do. Come on, let’s go.”

“Harry, we literally just arrived, what could be so important that we can’t even unpack?”

Christmas shopping.

Harry drags you on a shopping spree where you buy all kinds of Christmas decorations, ornaments, garlands and lights to cover every possible corner of his house. When you’re done with that, you go grocery shopping to stock up the fridge and pantry that’s now empty. You buy so much food it would be enough for three families until the end of the year. On the way you find out only half of it was meant to make it home, on the way Harry simply stops at a homeless shelter and drops everything off. He doesn’t try to document it or draw attention to himself, you know it’s not what it is about for him.

He even asks for a list of things they would need and promises to drop by with them later. When you’re heading back to his place you can’t stop staring at him and he notices it too.

“What?” he chuckles with a tint of blush on his cheeks.

“Nothing,” you shake your head, but then add: “You’re such a good man.”

He doesn’t say anything, just nods shortly, acknowledging what you said.

Arriving home you carry everything inside and you want nothing than to take a nap maybe, jetlag is starting to kick in, but Harry has other plans.

“What, how do you think all this decoration will be put up?”

You groan and act like a drama queen, but of course, help him with anything and everything. You work for hours, but it doesn’t feel that long. Harry does everything he can to annoy you, but it always turns into fits of laughter and you start sabotaging him too. Your banter is perfect and you totally forget just how tired you were feeling not long ago.

“I’ll order dinner while you finish these, what do you want?” he asks while you’re hanging the stockings over the fireplace.

“We literally just restocked your fridge, why don’t we cook something?”

“Because I always crave fast food when I’m jetlagged,” he shrugs, opening up the app on his phone. “Pizza?”

“Sure,” you nod.

About thirty minutes later you’re sitting by the kitchen island, eating extra cheesy pizza and drinking wine.

“You’re not actually mad at me for bringing you here, right?” he asks, peeking at you over his slice.

“I was at the airport.”

“Okay, but what about now? If you don’t want to be here I can book you a flight back or you can take the jet…”

You know you have all those options, he would drive you to the airport without hesitation at five in the morning and it might have occurred to you to leave, but now, as you’re sitting here with him you realize there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.

“No need. I’m… I’m happy to stay if you’ll have me.”

“Of course I will have you!” he chuckles in relief. “You’ll always have a place here or wherever I am. I told you, you’re family.” Reaching over he tickles your ear, something he knows you hate, because it makes you giggle like a toddler, but he just laughs as you smack his hand away.

“Stop! My ears are off limits!” you protest.

Even though you’re around Harry 24/7, there’s not much alone time you actually get to spend with him. He’s always surrounded by people, his life is constantly buzzing and you don’t want to bother him when he has some private time for himself. But this time, it’s just the two of you having the most one-on-one time you’ve spent together probably ever.

Sitting by the kitchen island, the pizza is long gone when you’re still talking, the last drops of wine chilling in your glasses. The conversation flows easily and you hop from light topics to heavier ones and this is the version of Harry that truly makes it easy to fall for him.

“Can I ask you something?” he pops the question, turning towards you with his whole body on the stool.

“Sure.”

“Why were you so against spending the holidays with me? We’re friends, right?”

“Yeah, we are,” you nod, avoiding to look at him.

“So then why would you choose going home alone instead of being with me and my family?”

Pursing your lips you push them from one side to the other, trying to come up with an answer, but there’s nothing that you’d willing to say out loud.

“Okay, I see this is a touchy subject. You don’t have to answer.”

Slipping off his stool he starts cleaning up and you feel bad for not answering his question, but you just can’t bring yourself to reveal this part of you to him just yet. You’re not one to get vulnerable easily even though Harry would be worthy of it.

You silently stand rom your stool and grab the wine glasses before loading them into the dishwasher. He is standing with his back facing you and for a moment you fight the urge to hug him from behind. It would be way too intimate and you’d never be in the position where you get to be that close to him, and the thought is so excruciating.

“Good night, Harry,” you mumble under your breath, heading out of the kitchen, but his voice stops you.

“I meant it, Y/N.”

You turn around at the doorway and see him watching you, leaning against the edge of the counter.

“You’ll always have a place with me.”

You have no words to answer, so you just turn around and walk out.

Eleven hours of sleep completely wipes out the awkwardness of the last bits of your conversation from last night. Despite the long sleep, you feel disoriented, the jetlag is still kicking your butt and most likely Harry is fighting the same battle, because when you appear in the kitchen he is sipping on what smells like the strongest brew of coffee as he sits by the kitchen counter with his phone.

“Mornin’,” you clear your throat and grabbing a mug you pour some for yourself from the vintage pot before joining him.

“Good morning, how did you sleep?”

“Like a truck hit me,” you chuckle, rubbing your eyes.

“Do you have plans for today?”

“You’re asking that as if I planned to be here.”

“Alright, then get ready, we’re leaving in twenty. We have a busy day ahead of us.”

He did not joke.

After a quick breakfast the two of you make a round to get everything from the list the shelter gave you and you drop it off as promised. It gives you an insane boost for the day, seeing the volunteers be so grateful. He chats for a bit, gets to know the problems they face around winter time and you already know he will donate a fat amount to the shelter before Christmas morning.

He takes a group picture with the volunteers, but asks them not to post until after the holidays. People tend to look for the bad in pure acts and he knows well they would call him out for wanting clout.

Then you’re off for a last minute gift shopping, it’s quick, because Harry knows exactly what he wants to buy and where he can find them, so you get done with it before he could be spotted.

He has to drop off something for a friend at the ice rink that’s in front of the town hall for the Christmas Market, so that’s where you’re headed next. You don’t want to stay in the car so while Harry disappears, you wander to the side of the rink, watching the skaters, mostly kids. You watch the joy on their faces, the screams and laughs, you’re witnessing some great memories being made.

You wish you had some of these as well.

“You want to skate?”

You were so deep in your thoughts that you didn’t even notice Harry’s return.

“Huh?”

“You’re watching them so intently. We have time to skate a bit if you want,” he offers with a small smile.

“Oh, no. Let’s just go. People will recognize you and it will turn into a shit show,” you shrug, stepping away from the rink.

“I mean, there are about fifty people at most, don’t think it would get that bad. Come on, I’ll get us both a pair of skates.”

“Harry, I can’t skate,” you admit, not too willingly. “I never… I never learned how to skate.”

He looks back at you stunned, opens his mouth to say something but then closes it and your need to get away from the rink grows.

“Your mom never took you skating?” he then asks and you shake your head.

“She was busy getting drunk or pretending she was getting better at rehab for the third time,” you shrug, acting like it’s no big deal, but your childhood or the lack of a normal one has always stung. You just learned how to mask the pain.

Harry doesn’t speak as he nods shortly and the two of you head back to the car in silence. Arriving back to his home you’re desperate for some alone time so you lock yourself up in your room and end up taking a nap. 

It’s dark outside when you wake up, your throat feels dry like a desert and you swear it feels like you slept for days, but when you check the time on your phone you see that it’s been just about two hours. 

When you make your way downstairs you find Harry in the living room with a fake tree, ornaments and decorations littering across the floor everywhere you see as he is putting up the lights first. 

“Hey,” you softly speak up to get his attention. He looks over his shoulder before finishing up with the lights before stepping back.

“Hi! Was I too loud? I’m sorry if I woke you up–”

“No, I didn’t hear a thing,” you smile back at him. “Can I help?”

“Sure!”

The two of you slowly dress the tree up, he has all kinds of ornaments, silly ones, vintage ones, even handmade ones, so it turns out colorful and mismatched, but it fits him and his home perfectly. You can’t even picture him to have one of those perfectly decorated modern trees. 

“Hungry?” he then asks when you’re finished.

“Yeah.”

You cook together, though it’s mostly him, you’re just working under his hand because you don’t want to be useless. It’s quiet, usually your chit-chat is ongoing, but now you both keep away from conversing and you know it’s because of your comment about your mom earlier. You shouldn’t have been this blunt, it must have come off the wrong way.

“Hey, I’m sorry for what I said,” you speak up, leaning against the edge of the counter.

“You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I shouldn’t have been that blunt, you couldn’t know… and I shouldn’t have said it, it’s not something I should be sharing…”

“Y/N, don’t think you have anything to be ashamed of,” he says, finally looking at you as he puts the knife down. “And I don’t want you to think that just because your past wasn’t that good your future can’t be different. I told you, you’re family for me and for a lot others in the crew.”

“It’s… You don’t know what you’re talking about,” you mumble under your breath, refusing to look at him.

“But I do know, I know that you are part of my family and you don’t ever have to feel like you’re alone. Christmas, Easter or birthdays, you’re always welcomed here.”

There are no words that can describe what you’re feeling as he is looking at you with those beautiful eyes filled with warmth. There’s a sense of belonging that’s pulling you towards him, but you still have your walls up so you keep your distance even despite the strong urge to just throw yourself into his arms. 

“Thank you,” is all you manage to say. Harry nods before turning back to the food.

You don’t talk about it again. By the time dinner is ready the mood has lightened and you’re back to your usual dynamic. 

That night you go to sleep with mixed feelings. It’s great to spend the holiday somewhere where you’re wanted and welcomed. It’s been a long time since you felt this at home at Christmas, it’s been seven years since your mom died and for a while you spent the holidays with a friend of yours, but even then, you didn’t feel like you belonged there, it was more of a pity invite you got. You had a fallout not long after and the lonely times began. But Harry is not changing it all, for the first time in your life you actually feel like you’re surrounded with love and he didn’t just fly you out because he felt sorry for you, but because he actually wanted you here.

On the other hand however, you can’t ignore the bitter taste in your mouth, because the tiny voice in the back of your head keeps reminding you that nothing is forever and you should save yourself from heartbreak. No one loves you enough to stay long, that’s just how it’s always been and it will be like that in the future too. If you let yourself believe that Harry will be in your life forever, you’ll end up crying when he leaves, just like everyone else in your life did. You need to keep your distance, that’s why he can never know about your feelings for him you’ve been harboring.

“You’re here! Oh, I’m so happy to see you again!”

Anne pulls you into the most bone crushing hug ever when you walk into her house. Chuckling you wrap her in your arms as well.

“Hi Anne, thank you for having me.”

“No need to thank me, you’re family!” she waves in dismiss and you swallow back the bitterness, stepping to the side so she can greet her son as well. “I missed you so much!” she sighs and you can’t help but smile as you watch them hug. Harry’s embrace practically swallows his mom, it’s the cutest thing ever. You wonder what it’s like to have such a great mother.

Gemma is already there, cousins, aunts and uncles and a few of Anne’s friends as well. The place is packed, there’s food everywhere and though you know most of Harry’s family, you still feel odd on your own. However, you don’t spend much time left alone, Harry sticks to your side, easing your fears about crushing their family celebration. He is more touchy too, that you notice, his hand often lands on the small of your back, your shoulders or arm, physical connection is continuous throughout lunch and even during game time after. He always insists on being your partner whenever you have to team up for a game and you crush it every time. You spend so much time together, you can understand each other from just a look.

“It’s not fair!” one of his cousins groans following another one of your wins. “There’s a no couples rule and you are definitely one!”

You freeze right away, even though it was just a joke and everybody knows that. No one bats an eye, but Harry notices how tense you’ve become.

“Y/N, is everything–”

“I’m gonna have a breather,” you cut him off and get up from the floor. Grabbing your jacket you rush out to the back porch that’s empty, since it’s freezing cold out.

“Fuck,” you mumble under your breath as you zip your jacket and fold your arms over your chest. You can never be seen as a couple by others, you will never be together with Harry, not even if he happens to feel the same way you feel about him. This can never be more than just a friendship. It probably shouldn’t have turned into that in the first place, he is your boss, not a friend you hang out with for fun every day. You’re his assistant, you plan his trips, you buy his plane tickets, book his hotel rooms, keep in contact with his accountant and manager and housekeeper and everyone else that’s part of the Harry Styles show. 

The sliding door opens behind you and you want to curse again when you see Harry stepping out.

“Hey, are you alright?” he asks, putting his coat on as he walks over to you.

“I’m fine,” you answer shortly, staring ahead of you, out to Anne’s backyard. 

“You should know by now that I know when you’re lying,” he chuckles softly. “Is it what Jonah said?”

“We’re not a couple, Harry. We should never be.”

“Wow, okay, you took it to your heart.”

“I just don’t want people to think it’s something that could happen. Because it can’t and won’t.”

“I’m sorry that thinking of me in a romantic way is so fucking painful to you,” he snorts out an offended laugh and you instantly regret being so harsh.

“I’m… It’s not…”

“You’ve been so weird, Y/N. Acting like spending the holidays with me is like the last thing you wanna do, and now you get all worked up because of one silly comment.”

“It’s not… It’s not what it looks like. I promise I’m happy to be here it’s just…”

You can’t explain yourself without telling him the truth about your feelings. You’ve been cornered, oh shit.

“Are you… trying to avoid me?” he guesses and you shut your eyes closed, praying he would just disappear so you don’t have to have this conversation. “Okay, don’t answer, but I’ll come clean and maybe that will make you feel better…” he continues and your eyes pop open as you look at him. 

He looks nervous, like before his first solo Wembley show, but there are no thousands of people waiting for him eagerly to perform, it’s just you and him, yet he is fumbling with his fingers as if he was about to go on stage.

“There’s a part of me that hopes you’ve been acting like this because you feel the same way… Y/N, I—fuck, I should have prepared a real speech,” he chuckles anxiously and you can’t decide if you want to run away or jump into his arms. “We spend so much time together and we get along so well, I feel like it was bound to happen… I would love to—Um, gosh, this is so bad,” he chuckles again.

“Harry, no…” you plead quietly, but he either didn’t hear it or chose to ignore it.

“Y/N, you are so much more than just my assistant, you’re one of my absolute best friends, but even more than that… I mean I want you to be more than that and I’m hoping you feel the same way… We’re so good together and you know me better than anyone and I know you like the back of my hand too, that’s why… I have hope that you might feel the same way. I mean, I feel like there’s been sparks and… I really didn’t plan this out, fuck,” he exhales as he finally looks at you now that he has said everything out loud, but then he sees tha panic on your face. “I was wrong, oh shit. You don’t… Fuck,” he curses, running a hand through his hair.

“N-No, I…”

“It’s fine if you don’t feel the same way, I won’t go crazy about it, I mean it will hurt like hell, but it’s fine, or it will be fine.”

“It’s not that. I’m… Harry, I do feel… the same,” you manage to say, but there’s no relief, only pain. 

“You do?” his face lights up.

“Yes, but… We can’t… We can’t do this.”

“Is this because you work for me? I’m sure we could figure it out, don’t stress about that.”

“It’s not about that,” you shake your head. “Please don’t make me… I don’t want to talk about it.”

He is confused, he doesn’t understand what’s happening and how he should feel about it, because you just admitted to having feelings for him, but you’re pushing him away at the same time, it doesn’t make any sense to him at all. 

“Did I do something? I can’t make it right if you don’t tell me what it is, Y/N, I–”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” you repeat yourself and he is more confused than ever, but he wouldn’t make you do something you don’t want to.

“Okay,” he nods. “It’s okay, I won’t bring it up again.”

“You won’t?” you ask with wide eyes, it’s definitely not the reaction you were expecting from him.

“If that’s what you want, yeah.”

“I don’t want this to ruin everything between us, Harry. I don’t want anything to change, I can’t… I can’t afford to lose you too!” The last part comes out barely as just a whisper and they hit him hard in the chest. Lose him too? You could never lose him, no matter what. 

“Hey, you won’t lose me, okay? It’s all good, let’s just… I won’t bring it up again. We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” Stepping closer he cups your jaw in one hand, the other one resting on your shoulder as you try to control your panicked breathing. 

“I’m sorry,” you breathe out in defeat. This shouldn’t have happened, he will now distance himself from you and you’ll lose yet another person you love and who is supposed to love you back. You want nothing more than to be with him the way he just proposed, but your fears root too deep to let yourself get into a relationship that would hurt you so badly eventually.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for. It’s alright, don’t worry. Come on, let’s get back and drink some mulled wine, how does that sound?”

“You’re not mad at me?” you ask in disbelief.

“Of course not,” he smiles and you can tell it’s genuine. He holds a hand out for you and you’re hesitant to take it, but eventually do and the two of you join the party.

You can’t shake the tension in your bones at first, you’re on the edge, waiting for Harry to change, but it never happens. If anything, he is even sweeter with you, always checking in on you, making sure you’re alright and it confuses you even harder.

You just rejected him, he shouldn’t want to be around you. This is not what usually happens, because no matter what, people always leave you. No one has ever loved you enough to want to stay.

You have a few drinks, just enough to ease your anxiety and enjoy the gathering again, like before your talk with Harry. You play more games, sing songs and dance to Christmas music and have some amazing talks with Harry’s family. You’ve never felt more at home, Anne treats you like her daughter, Gemma is like your sister, though Harry… he does not feel like a brother to you. Not when you shiver every time he touches you, not when your eyes meet and he gifts you with a warm smile, mouthing “Are you alright?” every time. Not when he pulls you into his arms and dances with you in the kitchen, your legs tangling together so you almost fall to the floor laughing. 

When the party is dying down you’re in the kitchen helping Anne clean up. 

“I’m sorry I couldn’t host you this year, but next year you’ll have a place here, Y/N, I promise,” she tells you and you stop as you look at her.

“Next year?”

“Yeah. You’re coming next year too, right?” she smiles at you warmly and it feels like a tight hug. “I hope my son didn’t get too much on your nerves,” she adds chuckling.

“No, I… it’s been amazing. Thank you for having me…” Your voice dies down as your throat closes up and tears dwell in your eyes.

Anne notices the change in you and she drops the kitchen towel from her hands to move over to you.

“Darling, what’s wrong?” she asks, her eyes searching your face as she takes it between her hands. You want to talk, but the words don’t roll off your tongue, so you just shake your head, urging yourself to stop crying like a baby.

“Honey, what got you so sad? Did I do something? Or Harry? You want me to whoop his ass?”

A laugh bubbles from your throat and it feels like it broke the restraint that’s been holding your words back.

“You didn’t do anything. You… Well, you did,” you hiccup, “but not in the sense you asked.”

“Tell me what it is, come on, let’s sit down and chat.” She pulls you over to the kitchen island and you both climb up to a stool as she patiently rubs your back.

“I’m sorry for… breaking down,” you breathe out when you finally gain control over your breathing.

“No need to apologize. Just tell me what the matter is, Darling.”

“I’m just… It’s so stupid,” you shake your head with a bitter laugh. “I didn’t want to come here, because… it’s everything I never had.”

“What do you mean?”

“I never had a Christmas like this. I never had a big family, I never experienced so much… love.”

It’s like your chest has been opened and now you’re unloading your deepest thoughts that you’ve been harboring deep down probably your whole life. And Anne quietly listens and lets you talk. 

“We barely celebrated Christmas with my mom, because… she usually wasn’t really in the condition to do so, it was a miracle if she remembered what day it was. I never felt this warmth and I didn’t want to come because I knew it wouldn’t end well. For me.”

“Just because your past Christmases weren’t good, you can still have nice ones now. You have all these people around you that love you and want to spend time with you, this is your chance to make up for all the bad memories.”

“I know,” you breathe out. “But it’s like… my brain is not letting me have it, I keep thinking that if I settle in this feeling and let myself have it, it will hurt more when I lose it.”

“But why do you think you’ll lose it?”

“Because I always lost it,” you answer without missing a beat. 

“Oh Darling…” she breathes out and the next thing you know is that she has her arms around you, pulling you into her embrace, your head resting on her chest. 

You’re not a hugger, you usually try to avoid close physical contact, but now you instantly melt against her, even put your arms around her waist, letting her warmth wrap you in a cocoon. 

“Love is a tricky thing, because as good as it can feel, losing it could break your heart. But you can’t deprive yourself of it fully. You can’t push away everyone from yourself because there’s a chance they might step out of your life one day.”

“But I don’t think I can handle it,” you admit truthfully. “Everyone has left me and I don’t think I can handle it one more time.”

“Of course you can,” she replies, giving you a squeeze. “You have to, because it’s worse if you push everyone away and end up alone. That’s no way to live life.”

“Feels more stable,” you shrug, making her laugh as she lets go of you so she can look at you.

“Yes, but you won’t be happy.”

“I won’t be happy if I get my heart broken again either.”

“No, but when you receive the love, you’ll feel like you’re on the top of the world, that’s what gets you going. Without love, you’ll… lose yourself.”

You’re chewing her words thoroughly, adding everything to what you’ve thought so far and it’s putting it all into a different perspective, though you still can’t shake your deeply rooted fears.

“Have you ever had your heart broken?” you then ask.

“Oh, a million times!” she chuckles. “It’s the way life is, you live, you love and sometimes your heart gets broken. Then you heel and go on from there, appreciating the love you have, looking for other people to give you more. Easy as it is.”

“You really make it sound easy,” you chuckle. 

The two of you sit in silence for a bit, deep in thoughts until Anne speaks up again.

“Harry’s confession scared you, didn’t it?”

“You know about it?” you ask, eyes widened.

“Of course,” she laughs. “He is my son and he shares an awful lot with me. Like his feelings for this one particular girl,” she winks at you, heat crawling up your neck. The thought that Harry told his mom about you awakens the butterflies in your stomach right away.

“I don’t want to lose him,” you mutter, refusing to look her in the eyes. “It’ll hurt less if we… don’t get involved.”

“You really think your heart wouldn’t get broken if you parted ways now?”

You want to answer yes instantly, but you can’t when you actually think about it. It doesn’t matter that you’re not dating him, losing him would be just as hard and painful at this point, because he is your friend. Your best friend, to be exact. He is such a huge part of your life already that it would be impossible not to have your heart broken if you lost him.

“I know you to be the kind of person who takes risks. That’s what you have to do too when it comes to love and you just have to hope for the best. And if you end up hurt, take it as a lesson, build from it and continue stronger.”

She pats your hand and slips off the stool before leaving you alone with your thoughts. 

You needed this conversation and you’re glad it was Anne you could have it with. It’s bittersweet, because you wanted your mom to be just like her, to give you this support and wisdom, but she could never be the mother you needed her to be. 

Your thoughts are racing when you say goodbye and you and Harry head back to his place. It’s dark, the street lights are gently illuminating his face as they pass by and you’re working up your courage to talk to him when you arrive. 

He is still not showing any signs of anger or disappointment about your previous conversation, he is not bitter about getting rejected and it’s sending you a message, loud and clear.

He loves you enough to bear with the pain of being rejected rather than to lose you. 

“If you’re not too tired we can watch a movie, if you want,” he offers arriving home.

“Can we… talk?” you ask, your inside shaking from anticipation and fears. 

“You can talk during the movie, I don’t mind,” he shrugs, not taking the hint what you meant.

“No, I mean… can we have a talk?”

His eyes finally meet yours and he realizes that it’s something serious.

“Oh. Sure, let’s sit down.”

“I can’t,” you blurt out. “I’m… I’m too nervous,” you add.

“Okay, then we’ll stand. What’s up?”

You take a deep breath staring at him, getting lost in those beautiful green eyes for a moment before you force the words out of your mouth.

“I love you.”

It’s relieving and scary at the same time to say it so openly, but you can’t take it back now. Harry’s lips part, but because of your talk earlier, he doesn’t say anything, just waits for you to add more.

“I’m… I’m sorry for the way I reacted today. Truth is that… I’m scared to death, Harry,” you admit, already feeling your eyes tearing up. “I’m so used to people walking out of my life, people who were supposed to love me, that I reject the idea of giving someone the power to break my heart like that again. I thought that I’m protecting myself by pushing you away, but I was so wrong,” you breathe out a bitter chuckle. 

You’re a mess, your hands are shaking and you feel like throwing up, but you know you have to put it all out. It’s now or never. Stepping closer you continue.

“I had an eye-opening talk with your mom,” you smile. “It’s gonna be hard to change my point of view, I’ll have to work on that. But I do take risks and– Sorry, I’m rambling,” you chuckle, scratching the back of your neck.

“It’s okay,” he smiles softly. 

“What I’m trying to say is that… I love you and I… I want to give it a chance. Give us a chance.”

“Really?” His whole face lights up as he takes your face between his hands.

“Yeah,” you smile through your tears. “Just please… Don’t break my heart,” you add in a whisper.

“Oh Y/N…” he exhales, resting his forehead against yours. “You have the right to cut my balls off if I ever do that,” he says, finally making you laugh.

“But I already have the right to do that if you ever miss a flight or don’t answer my texts in less than 24 hours.”

“Add this to the list too,” he grins, nudging your nose with his, his lips are now just a breath away. 

“We have to set boundaries though,” you say, though it’s the last thing you want to talk about.

“We will. But we’re on vacation, so no more work talk,” he warns before his lips finally press against yours. 

You’ve imagined kissing Harry so many times, but fantasy is nothing like reality. Like feeling his hungry mouth discovering yours, his hands pressing into your back or the moan that slips through his delicious lips when you tug on his hair to pull him closer even though you’ve melted together and you can’t tell where you end and where he starts. 

He somehow backs until he bumps against the couch and he falls to the soft cushion, pulling you with him and you settle on his lap, pressing your front against his eagerly. You’re ready to go all the way, right here on his couch, you’ve wanted him for so long, you don’t want to wait any longer, but fate has different plans for you.

Harry’s phone starts buzzing in his pocket breaking the moment, though neither of you are eager to acknowledge it and pull back, but when it doesn’t stop, Harry grunts against your lips and reaches into his pocket with an annoyed frown. You attempt to climb off his lap, but his free hand is quick to grab onto your waist and pull you back.

“No moving,” he warns you before answering the call. “Mum? It’s not a good ti–” he starts, but Anne cuts him off.

“Harry, be patient with her, okay?” you hear her voice in the quiet. Harry’s eyes snap up to meet yours as he answers.

“I am. Well, not right now,” he cheekily says referring to the situation the two of you are in at the moment and you can barely bite a giggle back. 

“Right now is what matters!” Anne sighs. “Listen, I talked to her and she is–”

“Mum.” This time Harry is the one interrupting. “Now is not a good time. We are actually smoothing things out with Y/N, like, right now.”

There’s a silence in the call while Harry is eyeing you with hunger and passion, his free hand relentlessly massaging your hips, waist and thighs.

“Oh… Oh! Great! I’ll get out of your hair then. Come by tomorrow to tell me everything!”

“Are you sure you want to hear everything?” Harry chuckles and you smack his chest playfully, giving him a hard look, but it quickly turns into a smile.

“Oh you wanker!”

“Bye mum!” he laughs, ending the call and letting the phone drop to the cushion next to him before eagerly returning all of his attention to you. “Now, where were we?”

“Get those in order, right now!” Your voice beams through the hallway as you’re jogging to Harry’s dressing room, the whole backstage buzzing from the show that just ended minutes ago. You have a looser schedule since you’re only leaving in the late afternoon tomorrow, but you want everything to be ready in time as usual. 

Questions are thrown at you on your way by different crew members and you have an answer to all of them because you are probably the only person around here who knows everything, even the stuff that’s not even your responsibility to take care of. 

Reaching his dressing room you walk in without knocking, a habit that’s not new, you used to come and go even before you started sharing a bed with the star of the show. 

“You have about…” you start, checking the time on your phone, “ten minutes to get ready so we can get going,” you announce as you walk in, expecting him to be running around in his underwear, either about to shower or freshly out of the shower, because usually that’s the state you find him.

Not this time though.

Surprisingly, he is already dressed, his things are packed, ready to leave.

“We can get going, but not where you’d think,” he smirks at you, grabbing his backpack as he walks over to you, stealing a quick kiss.

“Huh?” you narrow your eyes at him.

“Come on, we have somewhere to be.”

Confusion etches onto your face as he takes your hand and starts pulling you out of the building, to the parking lot, but he doesn’t head to the car, instead the two of you are walking over to the sports center that’s right next to the arena he has just performed at.

“Harry? Where are we going?” you ask with a nervous laughter.

“No questions, it’s a surprise,” he smirks.

The building is closed, it’s quite late at night, but he just simply walks up to the entrance and you spot a security guard there who unlocks the door for you without hesitation. 

“Good evening,” Harry greets the man. 

“Good evening. Everything is ready for you,” the man nods with a smirk.

“Thank you so much.”

“Are you going to murder me? If you want to get rid of me you should just fire me and break up with me,” you mumble, but he just laughs at your comment.

“I’m never getting rid of you, baby,” he says, kissing your temple as the two of you turn the corner. 

And slowly, you realize what is about to happen.

“Harry? Is this…” you breathe out, the two of you approaching an ice rink.

“It is,” he chuckles, squeezing your hand as he pulls you over a bench that has two pairs of ice-skates waiting for you. “I know I’m not a parent, it won’t be a good childhood memory, but it can still be a nice experience. Learning how to skate.”

You’re touched by the thought and the gesture. It’s been almost two months since that one time back in England when you blurted out how you were never taught to skate. He remembered and he is now eager to turn it into a nice experience rather than a bitter part of your childhood.

“It’s gonna be a lot better,” you smile at him, curling your arms around his neck before kissing his rosy lips. “Thank you.”

“Am I doing this no heartbreak thing right?” he smirks, wrapping his arms around you tightly.

“You’re doing it perfectly.”

Thank you for reading, please like and reblog if you enjoyed and buy me a coffee if you want to support me!

[cocoa-rococo]

Koopaling Headcanons: Lemmy

Larry | Morton | Wendy | Iggy | Roy | Lemmy | Ludwig

The clown prince of crime and everyone's favorite circus performer! Gosh he's adorable.

Right-handed.

Fairly sensitive about his height. The rest of the Koopa Troop know better than to bring it up. Just. Don't call him short. Last guy who did ended up with more than a broken nose.

Allergic to peanuts, which is unfortunate, because a lot of folks like them roasted at circuses. He likes other nut butters better anyway.

Likes collecting old circus memorabilia, such as posters, small trinkets, and flyers. He started it when he was younger, and has kept it going ever since.

He purposefully lets people underestimate him due to his silly personality and clown aesthetics. Makes it all the sweeter when he ends up with the last laugh.

Can and will juggle just about anything. Ludwig had to stop him on multiple occasions because he was tossing around something dangerous for fun (and profit).

Is very fond of caramel corn and citrus candies, as well as fruit gummies.

Favorite cookies are snickerdoodles and classic chocolate chip, but he loves fruit pies and sweet crêpes for dessert, really anything flaky with layers.

An excellent roller and ice-skater, given his balance. He, Wendy, and Larry like to skate together sometimes.

Very tactile person! Likes giving and receiving hugs, pats on the back, head scratches, and secret handshakes.

Similarly, a tactile learner; if you want him to remember something, give him something he can hold.

Because of his smaller size and how much he moves, any sickness he gets hits him like a truck, but also burns through his system pretty quick.

The only member of the castle with permission to enter Iggy's lab at any time without prior warning or knocking.

Has an almost terrifying amount of emotional intelligence and is very good at sussing out the crux of a relationship problem, sometimes even before the other person does.

Always rehearses his tricks in front of Iggy before anyone else, because he knows he’ll always be guaranteed a laugh, as well as critique on what he can improve on.

One of the lesser strict generals, which the minions are thankful for, but will also ask them to assist in his tricks. This can range anywhere from "hand him something" to "balance on a ball while juggling flaming hammers". The minions are not so thankful for this.

His proficiency with stage illusions actually helped him grasp the concepts of his wand's abilities. Out of the Koopalings, his strength lies in how precise his magic is, able to pull what he needs right when he needs it, as well as being able to divide and manage his concentration.

Likes to exercise with Roy, though he leans more towards yoga and calisthenics than weight training.

He likes all kinds of flowers, but likes seeing cosmos and marigolds the most. Poppies are nice, too.

He can be just as bad as Iggy when it comes to pulling pranks, mainly because no one suspects him; he manages to get out of 99% of situations by pulling the "ohhhh I'm just a lil guy" card.

An alarmingly good impressionist. More than once he fooled the guards into doing something for him by pretending to voice someone else.

Given his small size and how active he is, his metabolism is working overtime to fuel him. He eats almost as much as Larry.

Mastered the art of making the perfect hot chocolate drink, inspired by his trips into the ice lands. Wendy is determined to learn his secret. Lemmy is an adorable steel vault.

If you pick him up or he falls over, he has this… almost ragdoll-like heft to him, with dangly limbs and a little flopping from where you grab him, like he's made of sand or a weighted stuffed animal. The only time this doesn't seem to affect him is when he's on his ball. No one can really explain why this is.

Favorite fruit is any kind of berry, as well as peaches (formed before any interaction with a certain princess).

Morton used to carry him under his arm when they were younger. For what purpose? None know. Lemmy, though, was happy to stay there until he was put down again.

He likes sleeping where he's suspended, like swings, tree tents, and other such places. There was a notable instance where Kamek once found him tucked in his shell and snoozing in an empty hanging plant holder.

Really good at shuffling cards and coin moves, really any sort of street magic or little parlor trick. He's been learning tarot interpretation from Kammy because it's always a hit at parties.

His bombs are his own invention. Iggy helped him develop the combustion system and ratio of powder to use, but the shape, style, and make are all his own. Similarly, the tires he sells for his business are made from the same rubber as his balancing balls.

One of the most agile of all his siblings, and one of the best climbers.

He used to share a bunk bed with Iggy when they were young, but once they got older and had their own separate rooms, he used a hammock instead of a bed. It's quite cozy, with lots of blankets and pillows.

One of his favorite snacks is roasted sunflower seeds with a little salt. Crunchy, and especially tasty after an energetic routine.

The one most likely to lose things. Not because he misplaced them somewhere, but because he made them vanish via magic trick, and can't remember if he re-summoned them again.

Takes any sort of dance class he can. He's energetic and likes being able to move around a lot, but he's especially fond of tap, hip-hop (no pun intended), and ballet. The latter he practices with Wendy.

[madelynhimegami]

Schezo Wegey Guide

Before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone that these summations are based on my understanding of the characters, and what I've observed of them within the games. Sometimes, that comes with a little bit of extra analysis and headcanons, which are inherently interpretive. Those headcanons are not to be taken as the Absolute Authority on the characters. These entire guides are not meant to be Absolute Authority. They're about giving a good look at the characters as they're shown to us, based on what I know.

Also, follow-up questions are always welcome.

That out the way,

Schezo Wegey is motivited entirely by a never-ending desire to gain more power. So he says.

First thing's first, let's discuss his accidental double-entendre's. While it's extremely tempting to try to force as many of them as possible in his dialogue (I know I've been guilty of it), he doesn't make those slips that often.

Generally, his freudian slips happen when he's excited, flustered, or irritated. Or in other words, when he's not taking the time to actually think about the words he's saying.

(He is, after all, trying to break the habit) (via practicing his speech to a handmade doll) (that he made himself)

The slip-ups are of greatest effect when he forgets to say a word, or says the right words in the wrong order, or mispronounces something (as opposed to, for instance, saying the word "come" with weird emphasis)

One good example that actually comes from Puzzle Pop (despite how he is in the rest of the game): "If you don't feel capable of doing this yourself, I'd be happy to play with [Carbuncle] myself for this next match."

Most importantly, it's unintentional. That's the whole point.

Amitie (and perhaps Lidelle) doesn't know what the word "creeper" means, but since Arle calls Schezo a creeper, she does too. It's more of an affectionate nickname than an insult, coming from her

Schezo's age is unknown. Granted, most of the cast's exact age is unknown, but Schezo stands out in that there's not a clear frame of reference of how old he is beyond "older than 14 and younger than Satan," which encompasses a rather wide range of possible ages.

Other characters usually address him as a young man-- which is noteworthy, since Satan looks like a young man but is immediately pegged as a geezer.

(Personally, I read him as in his early- to mid-twenties)

A fairly common interpretation (at least in my circles) of his history is that Schezo's mind/personality was corrupted as part of the process of inheriting the power and title of Dark Mage from Runelord.

This corrupted Schezo was the one Arle met at the start of Madou 2: Schezo with a body count, Schezo with minions, Schezo looking to abduct and murder others for the sake of harvesting their magic from them.

This interpretation continues that, thanks to his interactions with the core Madou cast, Schezo eventually overcame the corruption, resulting in the Dark Mage we know now.

Either way, it's a fact that he's not quite the edgey boy he used to be, and is aware of that fact.

He is still interested in becoming powerful, but is significantly less inclined to taking power by force, preferring to instead earn or win it.

But more than that, what he really wants is a life of peace and quiet. He will never get it.

And even more than that, he wants to keep close to Arle, Rulue, Witch, and (to an extent) Satan.

He once admitted to Arle that he needs her in his life. Arle just assumed he was trying to say "I want your power" again.

Perhaps he is scared of succumbing to corruption again in their abscence?

Schezo's preferred habitat is cave.

The cave in Primp Town that he's squatting in is one that used to be frequented by Klug (as seen in Fever 1). It's full of crystals that can be used for magic.

Despite living in a cave, he's still able to cook and bake as he feels a need to. How he manages it is an excellent question.

He adores cuteness and cute critters, but tries to not let it show around others. Acorn frogs, onion pixies, Carbuncle (sometimes), fish-mode Salde, palm-sized elephants, and Amitie's hat (with or without its power) are known subjects that endear him.

He and Witch are close, especially after Schezo saved her grandmother. And then declined to steal her magic immediately afterwords because of her weakened state.

They tend to bicker and/or try to exploit each other when they do bump into each other, however.

Schezo is analytical and observant, able to get accurate reads on people he spends time around when he cares to. It was he that figured out Ringo's fear of ghosts had nothing to do with them being "unscientific."

He also has powerful magic sensing ability, able to accurately detect how much magic power someone or something has on sight.

He can also determine the source of ongoing magical effects, if he's familiar with said sources.

He is able to communicate telepathically with the Dark Sword, though how often they communicate is unknown.

He's only ever silly as a means to an end. Anything beyond that is either an accident or concentrated sarcasm. Usually he has no patience for shenanigans, especially from other people.

He's not very patient about being around other people in general. This is a result of both introversion and social awkwardness (he does not know how to respond to positive interaction in the slightest).

The most likely of the regular cast to complain about the damn kids today (without being one of the damn kids himself).

[artbyblastweave]

Thinkin’ about The Siberian

I was sitting on a draft that said something to the effect of “Worm AU where Manton pulls an NBC Hannibal and moonlights as The Siberian on top of being a globally respected parahuman studies researcher. Is this anything.”

Then I thought about this a little more and realized that this might not be far off from what actually happened. There’s a throughline in Manton’s interests, in his trajectory through life, where he’s trying to figure out what you can use powers to get away with doing to people- about identifying constraints and overcoming them. 

He’s the guy who somehow credibly catalogued, and got his name associated with, the fact that powers generally can’t be used to pop people like balloons, and he did so reasonably early in the timeline, in the nineties at the latest. That’s.... an interesting direction to take your research! When people are just coming to terms with the fact that parahumans are real he’s out there taking careful note of whether they can manifest their powers inside people to instantly kill them. How did he test that? What capes did he collaborate with to test that? What did those conversations look like? Did the IRB at a minimum issue any revise-and-resubmits?

And then, of course, he gets picked up by Cauldron (also known as the infinite untraceable victim depot) to work on improving the vials- gaining a sufficiently in-depth understanding of what they are, how they’re made, and what they can do to people that when Cauldron told Legend that Manton had gone rogue and was the one creating C53s, he found this plausible. You’ve got the guy who’d later become the backbone of the Slaughterhouse 9 basically systemically cataloging every conceivable way a power could violate someone’s physiology- first from without, and then, at Cauldron, from within.

Then, when he pulls the trigger and gives himself powers, the resultant ability is essentially a distilled refutation of the Manton Effect- a minion that can obliterate anything, eat anything, delete any material from existence, viscerally dismember people in a unity of conventional and esoteric, power-enabled violence. And he’s insulated from the consequences of his actions on two levels- in terms of Siberian’s invulnerability, but also in the discrepancy between his form and that of his minion. He mixed the vial that gave him that power himself.

Essentially- I don’t think Siberian is something that just happened after a psychological break following a messy divorce. I think Manton basically pre-committed to becoming something like The Siberian, spent most of his career working towards some form of transcendence through superpowers, and the messy divorce was downstream of the cracks starting to show as he got closer and closer to what he’d been chasing.

Now to segue into a complication that’s more directly supported in the text- it’s Worm, it’s always complicated- Master powers spring from loneliness. My theory is that while Manton wanted apotheosis, and while he’d probably been gearing up for a rampage for a while, he genuinely didn’t want to do it alone; he wanted a sidekick. Hence why he bothered pursuing a family in the first place, hence why he fed his daughter a vial, hence why his own projection ended up looking like his daughter after he accidently made her explode or whatever with the bad vial- a monkey’s paw restoration, giving him back a facsimile of the person he wanted to take along for the ride, and making his capacity for violence inseparable from her presence.

This is why he joined up with the Nine rather than remaining a solo act; it’s why he engages in a bad imitation of the Parent/Child relationship with Bonesaw; and it’s why he seeks out Bitch as a candidate. His interest in her candidacy parses to me as genuine- Even moreso than Bonesaw, even moreso than Jack, Bitch has arrived at a no-frills fuck-you-I-do-what-I-want outlook that’s very appealing to Manton. He wants to have a murderer-daughter relationship!

But Rachel got where she is the hard way, by having a life that sucked a lot, by getting near-constantly kicked around! She has a clear reason to be so angry! Even if all my postulations about Manton having a long game are complete bullshit, there are several stages at which Manton had to actively opt in to the same lifestyle and reputation that Bitch was forced to adopt as a basic survival tactic. He didn’t have to start eating people! He’s a tourist! His “freedom” is inseparable from his distance, his disguise. Rachel’s “freedom” is just the freedom of having nothing left to lose.

All of this to say- In an interlude in which Bitch has an extended internal monologue about how people with families have the opportunities to be assholes and monsters to a captive audience, it is absolutely not a coincidence that she’s scouted by a would-be parental figure who proceeds to be an asshole and a monster in front of a captive audience, before trying to buy her affection with a puppy. In rejecting Manton, Rachel dodged an esoterically-packaged but ultimately very familiar bullet.