#also lamest ending but eh

[pop-culturereference]

Never Touch Him Again

Summary: Barbara finds out what Tarantula did to Dick. She takes justice into her own hands.

I originally wrote this for Dickbabs week but didn’t quite finish it. Also, not really shippy at all. The prompt was “touch.”

Word Count: like 3,000 ish

Characters: Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, Catalina Flores

Pairings: Gen

“Don’t…touch me…”

Babs slammed the pause button and shoved herself away from her desk. Her skin flashed hot and cold until she was shaking and she felt like she was going to throw up. She lashed out and hit her books off the desk. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, but it was futile. It was times like these she desperately wished her legs worked; she needed to get up, to pace, to kick something until it was broken beyond repair and her foot was bleeding.

Instead, she yanked her hair up and wheeled over to the punching bag in the corner, where she picked up her escrima sticks and started mercilessly beating the shit out of it. If the punching bag were a person, it would have been dead, the muscles and skin pounded to bloody oatmeal sticking to splintered bones. When the back of her shirt was soaked with sweat, she threw the escrima down in a corner and reluctantly forced herself back to the video. She owed it to Dick to find out the truth.

She’d already found the truth that Bruce wanted: Dick hadn’t killed Blockbuster. He’d been there, and he’d watched it happen, but he hadn’t been the one to kill him. 

She hadn’t been surprised when Bruce came to her. “I need your help; I think Dick may have killed someone,” he’d said. Babs had been horrified, but not surprised. Dick had been very, very… off…  for a while. As soon as Bruce had brought it up to her, she knew that whatever she found would explain Dick’s behavior.

And it was explaining more than she’d expected. Right now, she only needed to watch far enough in the tape to see if Tarantula listened to Dick and left him alone, or if she didn’t and raped him. Babs considered Dick’s recent self-destructive spiral, and her heart sank. She was pretty sure she already knew. After steeling herself with a few deep breaths, Babs watched the next few seconds of the video, then turned it off. Her heart sank down to her stomach and sat there stewing, making her nauseous. Tears burned her eyes and left hot tracks down her cheeks. How selfish, she chided herself. Dick is the one who has the right to cry, not you.

Babs started putting herself back together, piece by piece. She did it, as she always had, with a plan of action. Her eyes still burned as her mind whirred. She had everything on Tarantula, and nothing on Catalina Flores

She had a recording of Tarantula shooting a man in the head. The man was universally hated. Tarantula was wearing a mask.

She also had security footage of Tarantula attacking and trying to kill her while she was at dinner with Dick. Again, she was wearing a mask.

She had evidence of Tarantula bribing police officers. No one cared—not in Gotham, and certainly not in Blüdhaven. 

She had footage of Tarantula raping Dick. Again, she was wearing a mask. If she were ever put on trial, Nightwing couldn’t very well show up to testify. Plus, she had connections. It wasn’t going to work.

Clearly, Babs would have to take things into her own hands.

She didn’t tell Dick what she knew. She didn’t tell Bruce, either. She didn’t tell Helena and Dinah. She could do this herself. She’d beaten Tarantula once before, and this time, Oracle would be the one catching Tarantula unprepared, and on her turf.

The plan was to do this the Bat Way: Lure Tarantula to Gotham, get her to commit a crime here, and let Commissioner Gordon handle the rest.

Babs knew just the crime: attempted murder. Of the commissioner’s daughter, no less. Babs allowed herself a grim smile. She had her work cut out for her.

—————————————————

The next time she went to see Dick, she wasn’t sure how to act. She worried that she was overcompensating by goofing off because she didn’t want to seem too serious, and she also worried about overcompensating with coldness or rudeness to avoid pitying him. She honestly wasn’t sure what he was up to recently; their conversations were concise and infrequent. She figured she had the best chance of cornering him into talking in the Batcave. She asked Bruce when Dick would be there and then used a software security update as an excuse to be there when he arrived.

“Nightwing!” She called, grinning nervously.  “Long time, no see! Get your butt down here!”

It was no longer “get your cute butt down here,” for which she allowed herself a gust of sadness.

He didn’t swing over using the bars around the cave. Instead, he click-clacked down the stairs and over the walkway to her, his leg brace altering his gait just enough that Babs probably couldn’t recognize him any longer by his walk alone.

He gave her a bow with a hand-twirl. “At your service, oh great Oracle.” 

Now that,  at least, was normal. While the theatrics didn’t have as much heart as usual, they hadn’t disappeared. 

Babs had thought over her next words and planned them out to the letter. “I’ll get straight to the point. I miss you, Dick.” He was wearing the Nightwing mask, so she studied the rest of his face for a reaction. All he did was tighten his lips to not give anything away. This close, she could also see that he looked deflated, like one day he’d just decided to shrink half a size, but only his skin had gotten the memo; It was stretched taut, making him look hollow and angular.

He waited for her to continue.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been in contact as much. That’s on me. And…I miss my best friend.” She tilted a sad smile at him. “Can I take you out to dinner this week?”

He just stood there blankly, like she’d caught him off guard and now he didn’t know which expression to paste on next. Babs ached at how worn down he looked, and subtle anger squeezed her heart. Dick didn’t deserve this. She sighed. “That’s okay if you don’t-“

“No, no, that’d be great. I… miss you too, Babs.” He still looked diluted, like not all of him was there, but now he was smiling. 

“Great, I know this really good place a few blocks from my place. Big yellow M on the front, you might have seen it before. Called McDonald’s.”

It was a pretty low quality joke, but Dick let out a huff of laughter anyway. 

“I’m kidding,” she said. “This weekend?”

Everything she’d said was genuine, so she refused to acknowledge any guilt she felt over her ulterior motive.

————————————

Tarantula’s night of crime had taken some careful planning.

First, she’d had to stick surveillance on her to get some manipulation material.

Then, she’d had to find a place to rent with a good insurance policy. She’d also faked documentation for the past few months, just to be safe.

Then, she’d gathered evidence of Tarantula’s crimes in Blüdhaven and planted a file on her in the GCPD’s system.

After finishing the paper setup, she’d enlisted Batgirl as her eyes, ears, and knight in shining armor. Cass had installed the camera system in Babs’s new decoy apartment. Cass had also been the one to deliver the blackmail letters.

Now, all she had to do was go to dinner with Dick then come home to the new apartment and wait for Flores to come try to kill her.

Dick picked her up. He would also give her a ride back. It wouldn’t do for Flores to try to kill her before she got back to her heavily-monitored-and-filmed apartment. Babs had planned everything out to the last letter so she could focus on dinner with Dick, but she still needed a moment to steer her head out of Oracle mode and into friendship mode. While Dick helped her into the car, she methodically threw out any thought of her impending attempted murder.

Dick wasn’t very talkative so far; he didn’t even question her new address, but Babs explained anyway. If her explanation was a little embarrassing, hopefully it would only serve to show Dick her candor and openness with him.

“I’m only here for a week or so. I punched a whole in the wall with my escrima last week, and when they came to fix it, they found a rat infestation. I can’t be there while they’re fumigating.”

Dick maneuvered the car into the left lane, then shot her a glance, clearly disgusted. “Rats? That’s horrible!” He exaggerated a shudder. Babs had another explanation planned for when he asked why she wasn’t staying with her dad or even Bruce, but he didn’t seem to question it. Her heart squeezed; Dick was still dazed and not quite right. She’d already planned to be the one carrying the conversation, though, dinner would be fine.

“Believe me, I know that better than you do at this point. First hand experience.”

“Seriously, that is so disgusting.”

It was Dick, so she couldn’t help but mess with him at least a little. “Yeah,” she said. “They came scurrying out of the wall all together. They were this big,” she said, leaning to show him her hands measuring about the distance of her forearm. “Their noses left little greasy prints on my wallpaper. I thought I could handle it, until one night I reached to untangle the computer chords and I grabbed one of their tails.” She added an authentic shudder. 

Dick gaped and made a gagging sound. Well, not the best expression, but at least he was a little more animated. “You’re kidding! Babs, yuck! Please tell me you’re joking!”

“Kidding!” she said, laughing. “Don’t worry, Dick! I hightailed it out of there the moment I heard the word ‘rat’. I’m not going within a mile of there until every last one is exterminated.”

“Thank goodness. You had me seriously worried for your health and sanity for a bit there.”

“Aw, you do care!” she crooned. It was so easy for Babs to slip back into their old rapport, but the conversation died there. She had to remember that they’d broken up and also that Dick was very traumatized and probably wouldn’t be his old self for a while. She felt a sudden, sweeping melancholy as she realized that things might never go back to the way they were. It wasn’t fair to feel upset right now, she knew that. So instead, she pursed her lips grimly and reminded herself that at least Tarantula would be arrested later that night.

They made a nice little scene walking into the restaurant, Babs in her wheelchair and Dick in his click-clacking leg brace. No less than 4 employees and 3 non-employees offered to help them. Dick just glared, expression blank and flat, while Babs politely reassured them that they could manage. She did not roll her eyes even once.

It was a nice restaurant. The food was good, and the service was good. The conversation was not that good, but Babs hadn’t really been expecting otherwise. Nostalgia stung her the whole night, like lemon juice on a forgotten paper cut. 

She tried to diffuse the awkwardness between them with casual insults, a Barbara Gordon specialty. Dick reacted slowly and gave his chuckles and smiles a little late, but when they left and were once again seated in his parked car, he sighed and apologized.

“I’m sorry Babs, I’ll drop you off. Thanks for dinner.”

Babs locked eyes with him fiercely and fought not to show her anger at Flores. “Don’t apologize. Don’t you ever apologize. I can tell you’re going through some stuff right now. It’s not your fault, okay? Dick? Look at me. It is not your fault. I’m here as your friend, don’t think you owe me anything. I care about you. I-” don’t back down, Babs— “I love you. I’m not going to push you into telling me anything, but just know that I’m here for you, okay?”

Dick wasn’t looking at her, but the passing headlights of the highway reflected bright in his teary eyes. He cleared his throat. “Thanks. I… appreciate that more than you know.” He blinked hard, and drove her back to the makeshift apartment. By the time they got there, he was able to give her a normal, dry-eyed goodbye, and offer his help for her rat situation. Babs squeezed his hand and gave him a reassuring smile before waving a goodbye. 

The next part made her feel like an idiot, but it was necessary. As soon as Dick was out of earshot, she scooted closer to a potted plant that she knew was bugged and murmured sweet nothings in a low voice. She clapped a hand over her mouth to stop the laugh that bubbled up, then made some lip smacking sounds and moaned a little. It wasn’t a very high quality bug, so it wouldn’t be strange that it only recorded her voice because she was supposedly closer. Breathlessly, she said, “you naughty boy, you know I have to work on my thesis tonight. Tomorrow.” She followed up with one more smack for good measure, then left her apartment and closed the door.

The moment the bug was out of earshot, she had Cass on the comms.

“Bait taken?” Babs asked her.

“Yes.” Babs was having a hard time not giggling. That was probably the stupidest, most embarrassing thing she’d ever done.

“Estimated time frame?”

“One hour.” The gravity of the situation settled on her, and there were no more giggles. 

“Thank you. Oracle out.”

Babs let herself back in, and, once again, she wanted to pace. Just as well that she couldn’t, she didn’t want to tip Tarantula off that she was expecting her. Instead, she changed into pajamas and erased the last 10 minutes of footage from her security cameras.

The dinner with Dick had gone okay from an interpersonal perspective, and from a make-flores-want-to-kill-me perspective, it had gone even better. It was pretty obvious from the dinner where Tarantula attacked her that she was jealous of Babs’s relationship with Dick. It should be just the little extra nudge that would get Flores over here to deal with her personally. The day before, Babs had delivered blackmail letters via Batgirl. Dearest Catalina, she’d written. It’s obvious that you’ve got half of Blüdhaven in your pocket, but I know for fact that the other half is in the pocket of Roland Desmond’s only surviving relative. She’d be very interested to know about this. Here, she’d taped a disk with footage of her shooting Blockbuster in the head. If you want my copy destroyed, get in touch. Much love, Barbara Gordon.

This was not Oracle style. When Oracle wanted to blackmail someone, they had no way to trace her, and she usually only did it to get criminals to up their paranoia and sabotage themselves. This time, Babs wanted Flores to track her down. She wanted to look like an easy target. Really, the only thing that "Dearest Catalina” could do now was kill her. It would be too much of a risk for a commissioner’s daughter to have that knowledge, even if the disk were destroyed. Sure, Flores would feel bad about it, but she’d know it was necessary. But, that wasn’t enough for Babs, so she made Flores angry. Batgirl had tailed Flores from Bludhaven yesterday and watched her plant a bug in Babs’s newly-placed potted plant, and the day before, Babs stood right next to it and gushed about her date with Dick. Flores would show no remorse, no hesitation. 100% premeditated murder. Batgirl was ahead of Flores now, and would be waiting for Babs’s signal to jump in and help her out. 

Now, all she had to do was wait. 

.

.

.

15 minutes, and she decided that waiting was the worst part.

.

15 more, and she was so glad she didn’t actually have a rat problem.

.

She hoped Dick was doing okay.

.

Fifteen more minutes, and Cass buzzed in to tell her Tarantula came armed with a knife and zipties but no gun. Good. Tarantula was going to get personal, maybe even tie her up and blabber even more condemning evidence. She got ready and pretended to be asleep. Ten minutes later, her window creaked open. She sighed softly and shifted in under her covers, keeping her eyes closed even though her heart was pounding. She struggled feebly when Tarantula grabbed her wrists and tied them together, feigning disorientation. She held off until she was already tied to struggle with her full strength.

“What do you want! Who are-” Babs was cut off with a slap to the face. Ouch. She tried to wipe blood off her face with her shoulder, but only succeeded in smearing it. It dried there, making her skin feel dry and crackly.

Flores sighed. “You know, I have nothing against you! I would have just let you be!”

“Is this about Dick?” 

“We could have made this quick and easy, but you just had to keep causing problems!”

“Oh, good. So this is just boy drama. Not about you shooting Blockbuster. I thought you were going to kill me.”

“Oh, I’m going to kill you, alright,” Tarantula snarled. 

Babs sneered. “I’d like to see you try.”

Tarantula punched her in the gut. She kicked, hard. One landed in her gut again, but most on her lower torso and upper legs. Hah. All of her spinal nerves down her legs were non-functional. Silver lining.

Babs squirmed but didn’t fight back. She needed to lull Tarantula into thinking she posed no threat.

Finally, Tarantula pulled out the knife. “I hate you. I thought I didn’t want to do this, but for you, I really don’t mind.”

Babs held still until Tarantula grabbed her by the hair to bare her throat. By this point, she was done pretending. She sliced through the zip tie and swung her fist directly into Tarantula’s nose. She grabbed Tarantula’s broken nose in her right hand and twisted, getting a scream. As her hands went to her face, Babs grabbed them and twisted again, breaking wrists and fingers. She kept one of Tarantula’s hands, squeezing it so the bones crunched slightly. She squeezed tighter, feeling Tarantula’s metacarpal bones grinding together, then screamed directly into her ear, rupturing her eardrum and signaling Batgirl. 

Babs leaned to Tarantula’s other ear and hissed, “This? This was nothing. Never. Touch him. Again.”

[clairecrive]

Heyy:) can you write Nikolai x tidemaker reader, while Nikolai is still Sturmhond and the reader is part of the crew. Nikolai fell in love at first sight but the reader is a little introvert, but she snaps one day and confesses her love to him.

Sorry English isn’t my first language:)

Stars in the night

a/n: Hi hun sorry for the long wait. it's a bit shitty but I hope you're still around and like this x

warnings: none, fluff

word count: 2.8K

tags: @jupiterandbutterflies, @agentsofsheilds , @for-bebbanburg , @randomoutsiders , @pansysgirlfriend, @hannaxmaria , @vintagebitc , @story-scribbler , @crowssixof , @odetostep , @lizzie-he4rts, @korol-lantsov, @subjecta13-thefangirl,@gallysonegoodlung, @a-c-lee, @mriddlemethis, @carnationworld, @thanossexual, @luvxginger, @sanna2020, @partiesandblurrypolaroids, @edithsvoice, @wafflesandschemingfaces, @snugleo, @sugarmelonwater (tag list form)

SHADOW AND BONE MASTERLIST

Nights were usually y/n’s favourite time of the day. Chaos and shouts left place to eerie silence and the comforting quietness of the stars. Being on a ship meant always having people around whether they were shouting or singing or playing or whatever.

Y/n didn’t mind their company per se, it’s just that sometimes, people’s presence can get too much. But whenever she felt overwhelmed, she knew she could count on the stars to anchor her and help her breathe.

After an exhausting day at sea, no one refused the possibility to sleep and recharge. So, more often than not, y/n didn’t have any trouble in taking the night shift. It actually made her even more popular with the rest of the crew.

The crew’s captain was another thing. Y/n hadn’t a precise idea on him simply because he was always up to something. Sitting still was not in his blood, even where there were no chores to attend to. If there wasn’t something to do, Sturmhond would create it.

He was such at antipodes with y/n’s personality that their interactions were limited to her assignments, her report after her shift or him updating her about his plans. Or rather- her role in them. Y/n wasn’t foolish enough to think that he really made her part of his plans. And to be fair, y/n never asked more than what directly concerned her. Maybe that was why Sturmhond was so interested in her.

There was nothing subtle about the man. From the way he walked like he owned the world, to his shiny red hair. So, when he unusually started to roam around her just because, y/n did notice. Hell, everyone on the ship noticed. It was hard not to in such a limited space.

However, y/n thought nothing of it. It was just him being his extravagant self. Nothing new, honestly. She did not mind it either. The man had a way of being there without being overbearing, which was more than y/n could say about any other men she had met. Well, all except Tolya, of course.

He had started by bidding her good morning and goodnight every day. Then he would come to find her throughout the day, to chitchat above all things. To y/n’s horror, the privateer didn’t desist. He kept coming and y/n honestly didn’t know how to react.

She had always found him quite handsome and charming, but there was something she was absolutely shit at: small talk. And the man wanted exactly that from her. Alas, it all ended up with Sturmond’s voice filling the awkward pauses and y/n barely answering his questions.

She knew in her heart that she was giving him the wrong impression and she feared that her awkwardness would be mistaken for coldness making him eventually desist. Despite her fears though, the man didn’t seem off-put by her behaviour. He kept coming and coming but that didn’t ease y/n in any capacity.

Then one night, he stopped beating around the bush. It didn’t exactly catch her by surprise, y/n knew him, it was only a matter of time before he came out with it. It wasn’t in his nature to be discreet. Or so she thought, based on what she saw.

“Why did you want to be part of my crew? You don’t seem to like me,” he wondered, his green eyes shining in the moonlight.

Despite the words that left his mouth, y/n knew what his question implied. What he was really asking. But however powerful she might be, y/n didn’t have the guts to be upfront with him. Not even with the comforting presence of the stars as their witnesses.

If only he knew.

She knew that this could potentially be a chance for her to test the waters, to see what his intentions were and to make her clear. But alas, she knew nothing about flirting. Deflecting it is, then.

“Tolya and Tamar trust you. I trust them with my life so,” she shrugged, tacitly implying that she somewhat trusted him too.

“I see. So not only do I owe them my life but also an incredible crew.”

“The big and mighty Sturmhond praising someone other than himself?”

“I only sing praise when they’re due.”

“And, of course, no one deserves it more than yourself.”

“Well, you said it darling.” He flashed her a dazzling smile that made the moonlight pale.

Y/n rolled her eyes a bit to convey her annoyance and a bit to avoid him seeing the blush rising on her cheeks.

Truth be told, Tolya and Tamar weren’t the only ones that persuaded her from becoming a part of his crew albeit they were a big part of it. She wasn’t lying when she told him that she trusted them with her life. If it wasn’t for them, y/n would probably be a soulless machine right now. Her body on the outside but really nothing that made her y/n on the inside. That’s what happened to Grisha in Shu Han.

She owed the twin everything but that wasn’t why she made the decision to join them on the Volkovny. They didn’t force her to follow them or anything. And y/n couldn’t deny that Sturmhond’s handsome face didn’t make her sway a little in her decision. That was, however, something slippery about the privateer. It didn’t make him untrustworthy per se, but it certainly made her wary about trusting him.

The biggest push that prompted her to the Volkovny and life on the sea was her experience in Shu Han. Being Grisha meant not having a safe place outside of Ravka and sometimes in Ravka as well. Her home country was war-torn and as much as y/n had been trained to be a soldier all her life, she didn’t feel ready to take part in a fight that she didn’t feel her own.

Despite his unorthodox methods, General Kirigan’s sole purpose had always been making Grisha safe. And seeing as she had seen first-hand how the world treated Grisha, y/n could really get behind his plot, not caring about how bloody it was.

Life on the sea meant no more persecutors. Outside of her crew, no one in the ports they sailed to knew she was Grisha. Not that she was ashamed of who she was, but it’d be like having a mark on her skin if people knew. A mark that made her unsafe. She craved a life where she didn’t have to constantly watch her back. And being on the Volkovny granted her wish.

Not that it was a safe lifestyle, of course. But y/n was a survivor. If she had come out of the keirgud alive, she could well out best every threat that she will eventually cross on the sea. Besides, she knew that the twins had her back. And, in a small percentage, so did Sturmhond.

She and the captain didn’t exactly have a relationship, not like the twins have. She wasn’t his confidante or anything and she preferred to spend her time on her own -as much as life on deck allowed her- but since she was such in close quarters with the twins, that definitely made her closer to him than the rest of the crew. Not to mention that now the captain had started spending his nights with her too.

Well, not all night and not every night but it was a substantial increase in his time spent with her. Sure, it was all parts of him doing his rounds at night and being his amiable self.

So why the hell did her breath hitch whenever she caught his silhouette approaching? She hated herself for feeling like this. And him. Only that she didn’t, not really. It wasn’t his fault, was it? It was just her being silly. It’ll pass, sooner or later.

Only that, of course, it didn’t. In fact, it got even worse. If before she could manage their interaction by playing aloof and uninterested, it has now come to the point where she almost blubbered. Her heart hated her, it’d beat frantically whenever he’d approach, and his intoxicating smell made it impossible to form a coherent thought.

So, y/n decided to just stay clear of him to prevent any embarrassing situation.

After that, things didn’t get weird per se. Seeing y/n alone and drifting away from most group gatherings wasn’t weird. What was though, was her absence during the night shifts.

Before she monopolized those shifts, now she took turns like everyone else.

That was the big spy that made everyone worry about her. Non though went to talk to her about it. It would have been too personal for most of the crew to ask, and those who didn’t think better of it.

The twins knew her very well, she’d come to them whenever she was ready.

The captain… well, he didn’t react at all, which made y/n think that he hadn’t noticed anything.

He very well did, though. And the sign that he did was that he hadn’t come to her anymore. He noticed her withdrawal and while he didn’t understand why he respected her decision.

That didn’t mean that he gave up on her entirely though. His research moved elsewhere; his tactic shifted from approach to observe.

It took him almost a week to be feed with this new tactic. Not only did it prove unsuccessful, but he had almost broken a limb or two in his spying attempts.

One night, the one when he knew that you had taken the shift, he shifted again to ”approach”.

“Lovely night, eh?” He grimaced as the words left his mouth. Lamest approach ever.

“Oh, captain,” y/n exclaimed, startled by his unexpected presence, “yes, indeed.” She agreed, turning back to rest her arms over the bannister.

Nikolai’s eyes shine with amusement and y/n grimaced, cloaked in the darkness of the night, she was torn between wanting to punch herself or him. Maybe both.

“Sorry for startling you. I was surprised to see you here.”

“I’m on the night shift today,” she explained even though it wasn’t needed but saints. If they had given her social skills, she would have been too powerful.

“I see. It does not happen as often,” his eyes roamed over to her face, he could only see the side facing him thanks to the moonlight.

Y/n knew what he was doing, the man was hardly subtle, but she appreciated his attempt of breaching the subject lightly.

“We all took turns; it wasn’t fair for me to hijack this time shift.”

“I’m far too smart for you to lie to my face,”

“Excuse me?”

“What I mean to say,” he sighed, regret showing on his face, “is that I worry that you might have changed your habits because of me.”

“Why would you think that?”

“It has not escaped my notice that you’ve trying to avoid me.”

“Avoiding someone on a ship is an impossible feat.”

“I’m aware,” he smirked, and something told her that seeing her trying to do exactly that amused him to no end. Y/n turned back towards to sea and said nothing. Better silence than pointless words.

“So,” it was Sturmhond who broke the silence, “want to tell me what’s the problem?”

“There’s no problem, captain.”

“Again with lying,” he chided softly. Sturmond knew y/n like the back of his hand. Being on a ship will do that. He knew then that the best way to approach her wasn’t to put her under the spotlight or in a corner.

She sighed, knowing that lying to him would not get her out of this situation. Trying to muster her courage, she turned to him.

“Alright, you’re right,” she conceded and that alone was telling since Sturmonhd’s ego didn’t need any stroking. “You haven’t done anything wrong, though. It’s me.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“You should because it’s true. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by my emotions and I don’t know how to deal with them.”

“So, you just run from the situation?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it running,” she mumbled under her breath. His intense stare put her even more on edge.

“Isn’t that point of living, though?” he added softly, “Feeling?”

“Maybe.”

“Amazing,” he said with an edge to his voice.

“What?” Y/n’s eyes flickered to him and the expression on his face left her wondering if he was serious or making fun of her.

“I’ve seen you facing volcras and other enemies straight on with a courage that puts to shame many soldiers and yet this is what you’re afraid of?”

“Rejections is much scarier than combat.” Abandoning every attempt of pretence, y/n went with the truth. She was already in the game, now she had no choice but to play.

“Is it?” His brow raised and now there was no doubt that he was making fun of her.

“If something goes bad in a battle, I’m dead. And there’s nothing for me to worry about if that happens, right?”

“But putting myself out there and then getting rejected, means living with the shame and embarrassment of knowing that I’m not enough.”

“Well, that’s a rather tragic take on it.”

“Joke all you want. I don’t suppose you know what it feels like, giving your shining hair and dazzling smile.”

“While knowing you think that of me brings me immense joy, I would also like to point out that you’re wrong.”

Now it was her turn to raise her eyebrow in wonder.

“Rejection takes a whole other shade of intensity when it comes from your family.” The words were said lightly but they made her breath get caught in her throat anyway.

“Is it because of your lifestyle?”

“It’s because of their opinion of me that I’ve chosen this lifestyle.”

“I’m sorry that your family is unable to see how much you shine.” “Maybe it’s because you’ve blinded them?” She tried to ease the tension and she was rewarded with a tease of a smile.

“Oh, don’t point it at me! I will lose my eyes and then you’ll throw me from this ship,” she shrieked and went to shield her eyes as if she was under the midday sun. This foolish stunt earned her the captain’s laugh. One so full and rich that left no doubt of its authenticity. It made y/n smile too and wish that he’d do that more often.

“I would never throw you from this ship.”

“What use could I have with no eyes?”

“I’m sure we’ll be able to find you something else to do.”

“Like being the ship’s clown.”

“While you amuse me to no end, I was thinking about a far more private role.”

“Private as in?”

“Meant for my eyes only.”

“Selfish much?”

“When it comes to you? Shamelessly so.”

The privateer leaned down to her, agonizingly slow giving her all the time to pull away if she wanted to. A million things swirled through her mind in those few seconds. Every worry about what was going to happen, about all the ways this could go sour.

The wheels in her mind turned incredibly fast almost making her lightheaded. Before this could turn into a full session of overthinking though, y/n shook her head effectively stopping the thoughts from growing.

Despite her lacking in basic social skills in an incredibly sad way, conversation with him always flowed easily. She never worried about what she was supposed to do or say or whatever. She could just… be. Be y/n.

That was priceless if not rare. And right then and there she decided that she wasn’t willing to lose it. Not without fighting.

Borne from the spur of the moment the best decision she could ever make, she leaned into him as well. Closing her eyes, she was able to see the corner of his lips lifted a little before she felt his lips on him.

Saints.

Did she say that she was afraid of feeling? Fuck that. This feeling, the feel of the touch of his lips on her, his fingers lightly stroking her face, his breath inside her, him becoming a part of her? She was pretty sure was going to die if she went too long without it.

Angling his head to the side, she pressed her lips on his with renowned fervour. Her hands found their way in his strands. A moan left him as y/n swallowed the sound. Using the grip on his hair, y/n pulled him to her. Sturmond gladly followed her lead, returning the intensity of the kiss before his hands gripped the back of her knees, lifting her up.

He lightly used the bannister as leverage, his grip shifting to her hips holding her so tightly so that losing her was not an option. Not now, not ever.

[captnjacksparrow]

Hi Sparrow,

So a couple weeks ago I saw a pinterest post comparing Karin and Sakrua. For the most part Sakura was the happy one and having everything she ever wanted. A happy childhood, having people with her, being loved, getting the guy she wanted, you name it. But in the comments there were people saying that Sakura was a brat (because she is), and basically hating on her. And then someone had the audacity to say that "She's been through a lot don't hate on her!" (how I saw it). I was like huh? What the heck did she ever go through that was as horrible and painful as countless numbers of characters, Karin included. She never lost anybody, did she? She was accepted and loved. What did she go through that was so bad to say that she went through 'a lot'? Was it because she was bullied for having a massive forehead? I know that bullying isn't fun but come on!! Being bullied is 20 times better than watching your comrades and family being killed right before your eyes and being forced to watch. Being bullied is a lot better than being a complete outcast of society and being hated by everyone. Being bullied is a lot better than seeing the person you love so dearly being killed. Being bullied is a lot better than being abused and losing the only person you had. What kind of pain did she go through that was as bad as all those? And anyway, Ino helped her get through her insecurity. Her parents dis motivating her isn't cool I know, but at the same time they still loved and cared for her. She had EVERYTHING that Karin didn't have. Or she went through a lot because her Sasuke-kun didn't acknowledge her?

And I saw a post on Quora (SS stan). The first thing that I saw was that the person stated that 'Sasuke had c- ptsd and nEeDed SomEoNe tO lOve aNd aCcEpT hIM' My first thought was "Well what about Naruto? He accepted Sasuke didn't he? Wasn't Naruto ultra desperate to bring him back?" The funny thing is Naruto literally said that HE can be the one that SASUKE can COME HOME TO!!!! (idk if it was filler or if it's canon) And later on started posting the same manga panels of the Chunin Exam. And on one of them Sakura is doing that lover hand thing, and added another panel of Sakura hugging 'Sasuke-kun' before he went on a complete rampage and said that "ShE cAlMeD hiM DoWn." And that one time Sasuke held Sakura like a princess and set her down before she hit the ground. I mean, not that Karin is relevant in the Quora thing but... There was that time where Sasuke HUGGED her (it seemed that way at least) while saving her before she fell. Sakura-chan isn't so special, eh? He also saved Naruto not the way he did for Sakura or Karin but he saved him.

Anyway, I went overboard. I didn't mean the rant sorry!!!! but please tell what you think- thankies!!!

Yeah, Sakura suffered too much pain... Like Crying for no reason is what she did all throughout the series and that's what her fans are rabidly arguing about.

Here Sakura was shown to be crying rivers in her room... Alone. So, they headcanon that 'A Poor Girl is crying daily while passionately thinking about her loved one'....

WooW!!! What a suffering. Even I could do it. But my mom would slap and shut me off if I cry like Sakura in order to get what I want.

Such a Tear Wiping assholes.

'Sasuke has C-PTSD and needed someone to Love and Accept him' is one of the lamest argument I've heard in this Fandom.

I don't understand why Sasuke was being reduced to Poor Little Meow Meow when it comes to Shipping and use PTSD as a card to argue that he needed Love???

In NaruSaku fandom, 'Naruto is severely suffering from PTSD. All he needed was love... He loved Sakura and he couldn't realize it in the end'

Blehhh😑😑

In ThathuThaku Fandom, 'Sasuke needed Love and Sakura was readily waiting for him to give a Family.. but he couldn't realize it because of his Trauma'.

Puke🤢🤢

I talked about Sasuke's PTSD here... Not at all Sorry for being Insensitive or my inability to indulge in Fandom's Headcanon or Theories or Assumption... But In this Entire Series, Tsunade was the only one to have explicitly shown to have PTSD, that could affect the plot in a way which led to her Character Transformation.

Tsunade was suffering from Hemophobia because of carrying the blood of her loved one on her hands which led to her becoming Immobile in dangerous situations. So, Kabuto started to beat her mercilessly using her Phobia against her. But after seeing Naruto desperately trying again and again to fight Kabuto, She finally collected her mental strength to overcome her Trauma and started to kick Oro like a football.

I know, the PTSD of Tsunade wasn't handled properly. But Hey, we can't be expecting a Therapist to cure this PTSD in an organic manner in narutoverse just like we have in out Real Life.

If Sasuke were shown to be like Tsunade or atleast hinted to have some fear, then I would've gladly agreed that claim. Okay, let me be generous, and agree to that fact that Sasuke was severely suffering from PTSD to the point he can’t even breath properly.

So what???

Does it means that Sasuke desperately needed Loooovvve from everyone??? No. He was suffering after the Massacre. Yes. And as a natural response, Sasuke was unknowingly looking for Happiness... And he actually got it. 

But he never allowed himself to prolong that happiness. Slowly but surely Sasuke was healing on his own and by the time, the series had started, Sasuke was behaving like a normal kid as compared to Gaara at the same age. It’s not like Sasuke was asking for Love from everyone... He found happiness by himself. Sakura doesn’t have to provide him.

So, this Sakura’s suffering for Sasuke and Sasuke’s suffering needs Sakura’s Love is all just some poor Head canons.... whereas in Canon, these claims has nothing to back them up.

[evolutionsvoid]

"Before you even say anything, here is a hundred pieces. You let me stay and they're all yours. I just....I just need a drink. A real drink! Please, its been a long day and nowhere else lets me in! I promise I won't make trouble and I will make sure they don't either. Thank you, kind sir, thank you so much. I am at wits end here and need something strong to keep me sane. I will have two steins of your strongest stuff, and also a plate of chicken gizzards and any other junk meat you got. Organs, cartilage, whatever you got, they ain't picky. Here's your coin for that, and you can keep the change if you are willing to hear me vent. Ah, you barkeeps are a godsend! You hear our woes and grant the cure. Bottoms up to that!" "Ah! Just what I needed! You would not believe what I got to put up with! This little...well, I guess it will make more sense to you if I start at the beginning. Should be pretty obvious that I am sort of a magic fellow. Was always interested in it at a young age, thought it was the greatest stuff in the world. I dreamed of shooting hellfire from my hands, lifting houses with my mind and flying with nothing more than a word. So when I was shown to have a knack for the magics and whatnot, I was ecstatic. When I learned what magic really was, that kind of killed the mood. Dusty books and ancient scrolls, all bound by a mountain of rules and laws. You can't do this without having that, you aren't allowed to cast until your level thirty whatever and no spells during off hours! And when we were allowed to use magic, it was the lamest stuff imaginable! Learn to lift a quill! Learn to sprout a seed! Make something change color! What a bore! I was ready to leave it all when I found a group who shared my misery. They hated all the paperwork and fancy doodads, and sought to get their hands on real magic. The second I heard that, I was all about it. Long story short, I wound up joining a group of warlocks and took up their lifestyle. At the time, I didn't regret it at all. I finally got to use some real deal magic, and do all the things those stuffy mages said were 'primitive' and 'uncouth.' Bunch of snobs, they turn their noses up at using sacrifices and blood magic, but then are totally fine with imprisoning someone for centuries for casting the wrong spell on the wrong day! What's so bad about the occasional ritual and sacrifice? Spill some blood here, take a heart out there and you get yourself the power of the gods! Sounds like a fair deal to me! They all whine about torturing and killing, but isn't that what human society is? Aren't all our achievements built on suffering and bone? Cripes, where would the two of us be if there wasn't human misery! Eh, don't give me that look, I am sure you've heard worse..."   "Anyways, all that is well and good, but there is one thing every warlock needs to achieve their true potential: a pact. You got to contact some ancient entity and join there team to get the real good stuff. Common trash always freaks out about making pacts with demons and 'selling your soul,' but that's how you get places. You don't get to wield absolute power until you sign your name on the right human skin scroll. I wanted a piece of that, and so did my brothers, but we weren't going to sell our selves to just any demon. We wanted something with real weight, an entity that no one else could even rival. If we joined with Glar'Blax the Horrible like every other warlock, what good would that do us? So we spent ages scouring the land for the perfect host, some being that nobody else had joined with and one that could grant us magic this realm had never seen! After a while, it seemed like a lost cause. We came up with zip. Nada. Nothing. But fate guided our hands and we found a tattered scrap that spoke of the Slavering Void, the Abyssal Queen of Want, the very Empress of Oblivion! Word of her hadn't been spoken in centuries, and relics of hers were said to have been destroyed long ago. This was an entity that hadn't been mentioned in this realm for thousands of years! And we had a lead! Right then and there, we decided she would be the perfect host. It was too perfect to pass up! To be the servant of the Empress of Oblivion! The whole world would tremble at our power! We used all that we had to follow the trail and track down that ancient tome, but we finally located it. With it in hand, we would be able to summon her and sign the pact. Ultimate power would be ours, but sharing it started to sound a little bothersome. What good was it if a bunch of other losers had it as well? In the end, I was the only one to make it out of that wretched temple, the rest of those fools honorably sacrificed themselves to fill the bellies of her rotted guardians. With that, the book was mine and soon the power to bring this land to its knees would also belong to me. How naive I was..."

"I was so excited when the ritual worked, when that connection between our realms opened up. To see a fraction of her form, to hear her very voice! It was like all my childhood dreams were coming true! I don't think I breathed once as I went on and on about swearing myself to her and being her eternal servant. I praised her, bowed to her and used every piece of flattery I could think of to win her over. When she said she would consider this pact, my heart nearly exploded in my chest. At last! All that I dreamed of! But first, she had some questions. I didn't think it odd at the time, nearly every pact has to have some agreement. I figured she was just getting an idea of how much power to give me, or how I could best serve her agenda of destruction and hunger. I barely listened to the questions, I agreed to everything and said I would be the best vessel ever. 'How good are you in a position of authority?' The absolute best, my Queen! 'Are you good with disciplining others when needed?' None shall escape my justice, just say the word! 'Can you combat retaliation? Are you able to hold up to pressure?' I am an unbreakable wall for you, my Empress, none shall get in your way! And so on and so on. I said what she wanted to hear, confident I would be granted everything I ever wanted. At last, she deemed me worthy and said I would wield the most precious thing to her! Oh, here it comes! Infinite power! The might of gods! The very maw of the cosmos! And what do I get? This little WORM!"

"She drops off this slug of hers and starts laying out the rules to me, all while I stand there speechless. They eat at this time, they go to bed at this time and no more than three treats between meals! Make sure they eat their special food and no staying up late! Here is their carrier, their toys and favorite plushie, and I packed extra snacks. Contact me through here if there is trouble, but until then Mommy needs to get some rest. And POOF! That was it! No super magic for me! No immortality or power beyond imagine, just this little brat and their list of demands! It's horrible, demeaning, obnoxious! They fuss over their food, they whine when they drop their toys and they hate when I have to enforce curfew! Speaking of food, do you have the...Excellent. Thanks. Here you go you little bugger, now eat up. Also Mommy wants you to eat these carapaces she packed, so you best get to chowing. Don't bellyache to me! Mom said so, so do it! Anyways, I get stuck with this little squid here and no powers to show for it. I think it is an absolutely wretched job, but guess who sold their soul for it?! Me in my infinite genius signed on as an eternal servant for her, without even considering what that could mean. I always assumed you would be their speaker, their hand, a servant to spread their power and influence! But no! She wants me to babysit her kid and probably take out the garbage! Unbelievable! So I have been doomed ever since to lug this squid around, making sure they eat their food, mind their manners and don't go to bed too late. Bad enough when you have to do it with human kids, but this little thing can do more than shout and stomp their feet. They are certainly the child of Oblivion, and Want too! Always want, want, want! I want this, I want that! Gimme, gimme, gimme! And if they don't get what they want, then they throw a fit and start slinging magic and warping reality! Little thing wanted to play with a horse and carriage we rode once and I said no. We had places to be, and if I let them play with it then they would want to take it with us as a toy. End result? Horse implodes into a searing star of blood and unleashes a gravitational wave of gore that leveled the stable and every soul inside it. So I was kicked out of THAT town for eternity! Oh, don't look so worried, they are more agreeable when they are eating. Pushing them around your plate won't make them disappear, you have to eat them! Your mom already got on me for skipping them last week, so please just choke them down so I don't suffer! If you do it, you can have an eye candy for a treat, okay? Good. Cripes!"

"Now I know what you are thinking, that this gig isn't going to last forever. Babysitting is a temporary job, at some point Mom has to come home and take care them herself, right? A couple hours for her to get some alone time and then I am off the hook, right? Yes, but there is a catch there. This gig isn't a permanent one, only when she needs to take care of things or go to the freaking spa or whatnot, but you forget what time frame we are working with here! Humans? Minutes, hours, days. Beasts from beyond? Well, seeing that a century is a power nap for them, I would say I am not going to be relieved of duty for some time! The last time she popped in to check on things was three months ago, and all I got afterwards was a 'I will be back soon!' A time frame would be nice, oh mighty Queen! So until then, I got to tote them around and take care of them, without a moment for myself! You think a creature capable of dissolving buildings would be fine to leave alone for a few minutes, but NOPE! One day, I had had enough of it. All the whining and appeasing was driving me mad, so I called it quits for an hour. Set up a little playpen at the inn, filled it with toys and candy, dropped them inside and went on my way. I just wanted a drink and maybe some relaxation. Something to get that infernal crying out of my head! So I found a bar and made myself a resident. Two drinks turned to three and then six. I was having a wonderful time losing all my senses, when SHE showed up. Get a call inside my skull asking me whats going on. I say everything is fine and they are just down for a nap, so I let them be for just a second. I tried every explanation and excuse, but she cut through all of them. I have no clue why she needs a babysitter if she is so freaking omnipotent! Can't watch your kid yourself, but the second I cut loose, she is on me! Of course she is furious I left them alone for a couple hours, and she decides to teach me a quick lesson. Buddy, you don't know pain until someone opens a gnawing abyss in your chest cavity. Uugh, I swear I can still feel it. Fill these back up for me? You are a fine lad, the best! Drinking around the kid? Oh they don't mind. They are probably twenty times the drinking age anyw- I see you hiding those in your napkin! Eat them or no candy! Every day with this kid, I swear..."     "I will say this though, it isn't all bad. Turns out I did get some of that ancient powerful magic I was hoping for from the deal. The catch is that it is all in this little worm. They have the power they inherited from their Mom, and my pact allows me to harness some of it. I get to borrow some of their abilities and magic, and they almost make this torture worth it! I absolutely vaporized one of my old professors at the mage academy without hardly trying! Decades of reading and paperwork, old man, how did those help you then!? When they tried arresting me for obliterating that horse barn, I used some of that power to get away easy! They never knew what hit them! It is exhilarating to wield and incredible to behold, but only when this little brat is in a good mood. Turns out I can't control the power if they won't let me, so if they are in a fuss I get absolute squat. So I got myself a temperamental grimoire here, that only gives me godhood when they have their plushie or if they think it is fun. Not the worse deal, but I sure would like something a bit more reliable! How many scrapes I have had to crawl my way out of because they were in a foul mood at the time! I left their favorite rattle at the inn once, so when I had to deal with a horde of bandits they just gave me guff! Had to use every trick I knew to squeeze out of that disaster! Little monster should be grateful! All the battles we went through with a random amount of magic, and they come out with hardly a scratch each time! You know why? Because I nearly kill myself every time to make sure they don't get hurt! You think Mom was mad when I left them alone for an hour? Imagine what she would do if they got a real injury! A scrape and cut is no big deal for beings like this, but if they get actually hurt, she would pull my soul apart piece by piece! Or maybe she would just take them back and obliterate this entire continent, I got no clue. I just never want to find out!"

"So what does this mean for me? I got no clue. Just got to watch the lil' squid til Mom comes and pick them up. I pray I get a reward at the end of this, though honestly a full night's sleep would be all that I truly want. Whining, crying, constantly needing entertainment...I think I am going to need to join an adventuring guild just to find enough stuff to keep them happy. Maybe if I can get into a band of mercenaries or 'heroes' or whatever, then I can find some relief. Pawn this little thing off on one of them for a few hours so I can finally get some peace! You know any places around here that has something like that? I once thought of a daycare or nursery, but the employees nearly shot me on sight when I showed up. So maybe a group of fools will take me in, with the promise of incredible power that I can provide. Well, only sometimes, but they don't need to know that. Get me one more drink? There's a good man! I can't live without this medicine! And look at that, you finally ate it all! See? That wasn't so terrible! Now here is dessert, but don't tell Mommy. This is a pact between us! You give me power and eat your food, and you get treats! Best deal you can ever make!

So you are saying down by Main Street? On the west or eas- NOW what's the problem!? What? It's Bilefruit flavored! That is your favorite kind of eye candy, why are you fussing?! You don't like Bilefruit!? SINCE WHEN!? You liked it yesterday! It was your favorite, now you hate it?! Oh no you don't! You want another piece, huh? Is that the scheme we are pulling here? Pretend you don't like it so you get an extra helping? Well, that isn't going to work! You eat it or get nothing at all! Your Mom would have me atomized if she heard I was giving you so much candy, so don't gripe! Pouting won't help you, so- hold up whoa whoa KID NO! STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT! BARKEEP! BARKEEP RUN! OH GODS WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!? CUT THAT OUT! YOU STOP THAT RIGHT NOW! OH GODS I AM SO SORRY, MAN! SEND IT BACK! SEND IT BACK, YOU LITTLE WORM! ACK! WE ARE STILL IN THIS BUILDING, YOU IDIOT, STOP CONTORTING IT! OH GODS! FINE! TAKE THE CANDY! TAKE IT!"

"Welp, banned from this town too. When we are stuck sleeping on the streets, you better not be whining...." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Dahr'Maht, The Endless Watcher" I feel like if I ever played D&D, this would be the nonsense I would try to play as.

[jungshookz]

Halloween in CeeWorld

I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to post this. 

These drabbles were in Cee’s drafts, so... if I wasn’t supposed to post this, blame it on Y/N. 

Enjoy. Or not. It doesn’t really matter to me. 

                                    the little ghost (ceo!yoongiverse)

“alright, let’s get this quarantine hwalloween party started!” you clap your hands together as you step into the living room before rubbing them together excitedly, “is everyone excited??”

“as excited as i’ll ever be,” jungkook huffs as he leans back against the sofa chair, “i can’t believe we’re celebrating halloween indoors like a bunch of losers-”

“you’re very much welcome to leave-” yoongi butts in, “and then stay isolated in your own apartment for two weeks after you’re done partying as part of the safety protocol-”

“quick question- why does jungkook get to be the one with the goggles?” jimin gets up from the couch before putting his hands on his hips, “i look way hotter in them-”

you frown lightly before rolling your eyes, “does it matter who gets the goggles-”

“yeah! the goggles ties the entire costume together-”

you and yoongi exchange knowing glances when jungkook and jimin start to bicker over who should get the goggles and you know that if you don’t cut it off right now that they’ll continue to argue until the end of time

“where’s my little ghost?” you interrupt loudly, cupping both hands around your mouth as a makeshift megaphone, “oh, spooky little ghost...”

a moment of silence ticks by and suddenly-

the sound of rapidly approaching little footsteps echoes down the hallway and you grin excitedly, dropping down onto your knees before reaching up to adjust the inflatable proton-pack you have on your back  

pap-pap-pap-pap

hwayoung bursts out into the living room wearing a plain white sheet with two holes cut out for her eyes and you feel your heart basically bust out of your chest

you already saw her in her costume earlier when you were getting her ready but 

god

it gets you every single time! 

you were debating on cutting two holes for her pigtails but then you’d figure she’d look less spooky that way

anD you were going to cut two holes for her arms but that would completely ruin the look of the costume as well

everyone knows ghosts don’t have arms or ponytails 

“ᶦ ᵍᵒʰˢᵗ, ᵐᵃᵐᵃᵎ” hwayoung practically ramS her little body directly into you and you laugh lightly when she bounces up and down on the balls of her feet

she leans forward to boop her nose against yours through the sheet, “ᶦ ᵍʰᵒˢᵗ!”

“oh my god-” yoongi snorts, bringing his hand up over his mouth when hwayoung blinks up at him through the sheets, “that’s… that’s hilarious.” 

holy shit

that’s so cute

“i have to admit, i thought a blanket ghost was a lazy costume idea, but-” jungkook nudges you aside before looking down at hwayoung with a grin, “look how cute she looks!”

“i know!” you clap your hands before letting out a sigh, “it was actually pretty hard cutting out the eyeholes into two perfect circles.”

“aw, now i’m sad that we don’t get to go trick or treating! we would look so good walking out on the streets-” jimin groans, reaching down to pat the top of hwa’s head, “the ghostbusters with this little itty bitty super scary ghost-”

“ᵇᵒᵒᵎ” hwayoung sticks her arms out from under the sheets and you let out an exaggerated gasp as if she actually scared you

(you don’t miss the way jungkook jumps but you choose not to point it out) 

“okay, now what do you say?” you get up off the ground, everyone immediately going off to their designated candy stations at your signal

yoongi’s in the kitchen, jungkook’s in the laundry room, jimin’s in hwa’s bedroom, and you’re the lucky one who gets to accompany your daughter on her candy-collecting journey

“do we know if hwa’s allergic to peanuts yet?” jungkook pokes his head around the corner before holding the bag of mixed candies up, “i think i should eat all the reese’s peanut butter cups just to be safe-”

“ᵗᶦᶜᵏ ᵒʰ ᵗᵉᵃᵗᵎ”  

“nuh-uh-” yoongi opens the kitchen door, “what do we really say?”

hwayoung pauses and you frown lightly as you think about his question as well

what does he mean what do you really say?

you really say trick or treat when you go trick-or-treating

what else are you supposed to say??

!!

hwayoung suddenly perks up and reaches up to wrap her hand around your pointer finger to get your attention

you look down at her, “yes?”

“ᵗᶦᶜᵏ ᵒʰ ᵗᵉᵃᵗ ᵖᵉᵃˢᵉᵎ” 

“trick or treat, pleas-” you turn around to send yoongi a playful glare, “yoongi, no one says please when they go trick or treating-!”

“we’re not raising an animal, y/n-!”

                              hello, playboy (secretary!yoongiverse)

yoongi doesn’t really understand why halloween is such a big deal

he’s pretty sure it’s just an excuse for people to go out half-naked anD for people to get completely wasted without being judged

sure, he supposes it can be fun for people to dress up and stuff, but at the end of the day, think about it!

you’re wasting money on a costume that you’re literally only going to be wearing ONCE a year and then you’re probably never going to wear it again because you can’t wear the same costume twice in row because everyone knows that’s lame 

he’s, personally, never had to worry about costumes before because he literally?? doesn’t dress up or do anything for halloween

but things have changed now that you’re the boss

and one of those things is celebrating halloween with a fun costume party

admittedly, he enjoys company parties because he gets to drink free booze and eat free food all night (last year they served these mini buffalo chicken sliders at the christmas party and he still dreams about them from time to time)

and yeah, it’s nice getting to mingle with his colleagues and not having to worry about any office work

but costume parties are so lame!

he knows you’re only throwing it because you’re trying to prove to people that you’re a fun boss, but if anything, this costume party will make people think you’re trying too hard to be a fun boss, ultimately making you the lamest boss ever

...no offence, obviously

he tried to explain that to you because he,,. really doesn’t wanna see you get hurt again but if there’s one thing that he’s learnt about you, it’s that you’re very stubborn 

anyways

he’s waiting for you because you’re changing into your costume in your office and then the two of you are going to head up to the rooftop together

“yoongi, i need you to-” yoongi looks over when you open your office door slightly before sticking your head out, “is that your costume?”

yoongi reaches up to brush his fingers over the flimsy devil’s horns he clipped into his hair before nodding, “yeah. i’m a demon. duh.”

“that’s… yeah, those are devil horns, alright,” you snort, “you didn’t even- c’mon, you’re still wearing your clothes from work-”

“then i’m a secretary from hell.” yoongi lowers his voice before wiggling his fingers spookily, “what did you need me to do?”

“i can’t zip my dress up. do you mind…?” you ask sheepishly and yoongi nods and turns to shut off his monitor seeing as you guys are almost ready to go

“sure thing. also, just a reminder that the party started, like, ten minutes ag- woah.” yoongi turns back around and feels his mouth go dry when he sees the costume you’re in

hello, playboy

he didn’t know that this was the costume you were going with

holy shit

the little black satin dress that you’ve got on is hugging your figure in a way that he’s,.., never seen before,..,

and you usually wear heels to work but these stilettos are making your legs look,.,. wow

black stockings usually aren’t the first thing he thinks of when he thinks sexy but you are most definitely changing his mind about that

“eh, it’s fine.” you sigh before spinning around and moving your hair to one side, “i don’t think anyone cares if i’m even at the party or not, anyway.”

yoongi swallows thickly when he notices the little cotton tail that’s glued onto the back of the dress

nice touch 

very nice touch 

his brain is telling him to move but he finds that he’s frozen to the spot as his eyes slowly trail up your bare back

you turn your head to glance at yoongi over your shoulder, “yoongi?” 

he’s always thought that you were pretty, so that’s not something that’s suddenly being revealed to him or anything  

and he’s always thought that you were cute (especially when you make a fool out of yourself trying to get his attention)

but this?

you look… sexy.

really, really sexy.

“yes! sorry, i just- that’s-” he clears his throat and shakes himself out of it, “that’s not true…” he steps forward before gently taking the zipper, “i would care if you weren’t there.”

the zipper glides smoothly against the silky satin as he pulls upwards, yoongi making sure not to snag any loose strands of hair or anything along the way

jesus christ 

and you smell good, too

“okay, you’re good.” yoongi steps back and folds both his hands in front of him, “zipper’s, uh, good to go.”

“thanks- also, you’re only saying that because you have to.” you turn around before rolling your eyes playfully 

“saying what?”

“that you’d care if i wasn’t at the party.” you repeat, reaching up to adjust the little collar you’re wearing around your neck, “i know everyone hates me, yoongi. you don’t have to sugarcoat it.”

“i’m not sugarcoating it!” yoongi scoffs, watching you struggle with the buttons in your cuffs for a moment before automatically reaching out to help you, “…and who cares what they think, anyway? at the end of the day, you’re the boss.” he nods firmly, looking up at you, “now lemme hear you say it.”

you chuckle nervously before looking away, “i’m not gonna-”

“come on...” your heart skips a beat when yoongi hooks a finger under your chin to turn your head back to face him, “just once? for me?”

god

he really knows how to pull your strings, doesn’t he? 

you let out a sigh

“i’m the boss.” you mumble sheepishly, reaching up to scratch the back of your neck  

you’re the boss

you’re the boss

...you’re the boss.

you have the power to fire all of these people. (not that you’re going to, but... you know)

so why are you so scared of them?? 

your brows knit together and you stand up a little straighter, “yeah… i am the boss…!”

“that’s right!” yoongi chirps, nudging you aside so he can quickly turn your office lights off and shut the door for you, “now, we’re going to go up to the party and we’re going to have a good time and you’re not going to sit there worrying about what other people think about you-” 

“yeah! i’m not!” you grin, reaching up to fix the bunny ears sitting on your head 

yoongi smiles before holding his arm out for you, “c’mon, bunny. let’s go show everyone who’s boss.”

                              sweeter than frosting (lveb!jooniverse)

“i’m back!” 

you look up from your mixing bowl when you hear the front door slam shut

yoongi glances over his shoulder before looking back at you, “are we really going to spend the entire day baking?” 

you nod before shrugging as if telling him that it is what it is 

you usually get a lot of orders whenever it’s a holiday, and halloween is no different because,.,. duh

halloween parties all over the city! 

the thing is, you didn’t think that you’d get a lot of orders this year because of social distancing and all of that, but you were sorely mistaken

you have forty-five orders today and you’re pretty sure you’ve bitten off way more than you can chew 

your average is like fifteen orders a day

obviously you’re super grateful for the business because money is good and nice and helps to pay for bills or whatever but 

woW

these are a lot of orders!!!!!

and you have to do everything by yourself!! 

yoongi’s actually supposed to be helping you, but his version of helping you is sitting on his ass and occasionally handing you a tool every now and then 

at one point you asked him to hand you a piping bag and he handed you a spoon which??? how?? did he even???

how did he mix up piping bag and spOON

he also eats whatever leftover bits you shave off the top of a cake or whatever frosting is unused 

so, all in all... not very helpful. 

it’s nice to have company, though! 

yoongi even suggested to put on a spooky movie to keep the two of you somewhat in the holiday spirits while you work your butt off

he insisted that you guys watch something really scary and super bloody so he’s.,,. not entirely sure how you ended up convincing him to watch wallace and gromit: the curse of the were-rabbit

“how’s it going in here?” namjoon steps into the kitchen and almost instantly the corners of your mouth turn up in a bright smile 

he offered to be one of your delivery boys today to help out and you would’ve jumped his bones right then and there if it weren’t for the presence of yoongi and hoseok in the living room

he’s just!!!!

he gets more and more perfect every single day :’) 

“going okay...” you gesture to the multiple mixing bowls around the kitchen, “halfway done!” 

“mm, would you look at that.” yoongi mutters to himself as he keeps his eyes glued on the laptop screen, “that is indeed a were-rabbit...”

“are you- are eating the frosting or are you helping y/n frost the cupcakes?” namjoon pauses to look at the bowl that yoongi has cradling to his chest, yoongi humming as he sucks off the remainder of the frosting off his spoon

“eating!” “helping.” 

both you and yoongi speak up at the same time and you two look at each other before exchanging knowing glances

“eating.” “…yeah. eating.”

yoongi leans over to pause the movie before turning in his stool to look at namjoon 

“waht are you thuppothed ta be?” yoongi asks, the spoon hanging from his mouth carelessly as he turns to look at namjoon

namjoon perks up when he realizes that he must be referring to his super fun halloween costume

he reaches up to brush his fingers over the little beansprout clip he has in his hair with a grin, “a sprout!”

he was trying to think of a creative plant-based costume but there weren’t a lot of options for grown adult men like himself 

there was a broccoli costume that he could’ve pretended was a tree, but… it’s very clearly broccoli

so this was the next best thing!

and it was pretty cheap too, so that’s a bonus

“i think it’s cute.” you giggle, leaning up to press a kiss to namjoon’s cheek, “very cute!”

“mm, i think you’re cute-” namjoon grins cheekily, slinking an arm around your waist and pulling you in closer so that you can give him a proper kiss

“-!”

yoongi immediately groans and looks up towards the ceiling, “god, you guys are sick-”

“uh, says the one eating frosting by the spoonful-“ namjoon pulls away for a split second and laughs lightly when you turn his head to get him to kiss you again

heh 

:-) 

                                  wa-hoo! [roommate!taehyungiverse]

“alright, people, let’s get this show on the roa- oh, jesus-!” namjoon immediately spins around as soon as he barGEs into the apartment, his face going bright red

uh

he just got a very good look at taehyung’s bare ass which was the last thing he was excepting when he walked in here

well

maybe not the last thing he was expecting

“what the fu- ever heard of ringing the bell?!” taehyung rolls off of you before pulling his overalls up so that namjoon doesn’t see both his ass and his dick in the span of three seconds, “this isn’t even your friggin’ apartment anymor-” he turns to look at you, “hey, why does namjoon still have a key, anyway?”

you get up off the couch before pulling your skirt down a little, “in case we both lose ours! he’s also my emergency contact number.”

“okay, but- wait, why aren’t i your emergency contact number?” taehyung frowns, placing both hands on his hips

…

“okay, we don’t have time to do couple’s counselling- are you two ready to go or not?” namjoon turns his head a little to make sure that everyone’s clothed and no body parts are carelessly hanging out

phew

he’s in the clear

oh, jesus

what makes things worse is the fact that you guys are dressed up as mario and luigi

THEY’RE BROTHERS

AND BROTHERS DON’T DO WHAT YOU GUYS WERE JUST DOING

“yeah, yeah, we’re ready to go-” taehyung raises a brow as he sticks his green hat back on, “why are we even going barhopping anyway? it’s not going to be fun having to get our temperature checked every time we go into a building-“

“it’s halloween!” you hand him his mask (you guys stuck the moustaches onto the mask, which you think is a pretty clever way to deal with the whole mask wearing situation) “and now that conditions are slightly better, we have to take advantage!”

“c’mon, mario, get your heels on-” namjoon claps his hands to get your guys’ attention, “i’m parked out front and i do not want my car getting towed-”

“okay, gimme a sec-” taehyung gives your bum a swat when you bend over to step into your heels and you let out a gasp as you shoot straight back up with pink cheeks, “taehyung!”

“what?” taehyung raises both his hands in defence, “i couldn’t not smack it-”

namjoon’s face twists in discomfort

he’s completely fine with the pda

what he’s bothered by are the costumes and the mental image of luigi smacking mario’s ass that’s now burned into his mind forever

he’s… going to stay away from super smash bros for a while.

[shimmershae]

My thoughts on Episode 6--On the Inside

Very appropriate title by the way.  Works in a multitude of ways.  

As always, my randomness is going beneath a cut again to spare the eyeballs of those of you that don’t want to see it at all and also?  Help those of you that have somehow stayed spoiler-free in this brand-new age of early release episodes.  It is still so wild to me that I’m a full episode ahead of half the fandom.  I don’t know what I’m going to do when we get to the final episode and they decide to make us all suffer together--because somehow I do feel they will do exactly that after spoiling us for the first 23 episodes.  It is going to be agonizing.  

Anyway.  Without further ado, Shae’s stream of consciousness review (of sorts).  

Not fair, Angela.  Opening the episode with that shot of that big ass spider.  I hate those suckers.  So naturally, they’re an easy sell for setting the horror scene to me, lol.  

Okay.  Who the hell’s chasing Virgil and Connie?  Walker No-See-Ums?

Barely a minute in and the atmosphere for this episode is moody AF.  

What is this?  Tara Jr. The Walking Dead?  LOL.  Where’s the Scarlett for this mini plantation house?  Anyway.  First three minutes of this episode?  Just as attention grabbing as the first five episode openings this season.  I don’t think people out there are giving our writers enough love for that.  Every episode so far has opened like a mini movie.  

With the way the Walking Dead logo keeps crumbling away with each successive episode, somehow it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the Carol and Daryl spinoff was eventually titled The Living and had flowers growing out of each letter, lol.  I mean, there would be a certain sort of life-affirming symmetry in a show that’s been promised to be much lighter in tone doing just that.  

More Carol and Aaron?  Yes, please.  I don’t necessarily like Carol staying at home and sitting the sidelines like a figurative happy little homemaker in the B story while the rest of the mains are trying like hell to sell the A story, but if she’s going to be totally prohibited from the main storyline until it’s time to blow shit up?  I’m going to continue enjoy getting to see her do what she should have been doing for seasons--interacting with others in the community, especially Aaron and the ladies.  

Truly.  I really am loving my girl getting some quality Aaron and Rosita time.  It’s so long overdue.  

Bless sweet Kelly.  Riding off to her sister’s rescue.  

Why isn’t Lydia shown as part of these plans?  For someone that could barely read last season, I doubt that big ass map was a piece of cake for her and it’s all just guesswork anyway without her guidance.  I mean, why does it feel like they are cutting some of this stuff that might not seem like much plot-wise but would go a long way toward establishing different character beats?  Personally, I would have loved to see her involved in the search and sharing scenes again with Carol and bonding with Kelly. 

Virgil be having that “I always feel like somebody’s watching me” feeling.  Don’t you hate that, lol?  

“You haven’t slept in days.”  But how many days, Virgil?  I’m going to need a number because I’m confused AF about this timeline at this point.  What we’re seeing and what different pieces of dialogue is telling us is not exactly lining up.  I’m going to find it awful hilarious if it hasn’t even been two weeks since the cave in.  For reasons.  

Connie’s spidey senses are clearly tingling.  

Alrighty, then.  She’s clearly got PTSD.  Understandable.  They’ve all had it.  Some have been treated more sympathetically than others, though.  

I mean, it never seems to cross anybody’s mind how Carol probably sees Henry’s head on that pike, Mika’s pale and bloody body, Lizzie crumpled face down in a bed of yellow flowers, Sophia with a smoking bullet hole through her undead head whenever she closes her eyes but whatever.  

Okay though.  But what if Connie had really shitty, impossible to read handwriting?  AKA doctor’s  handwriting.  What then?  

Leah’s face honestly twists my insides whenever I see it, lol.  It’s quiet a visceral thing.  No, that does not make me a horrible person.  Not everybody wants or has to drink the awesome, great, redeemable villainess Kool-Aid.  IMHO, she’s got a face meant for a Walker.  Perfect makeover idea.  Eh.  Mostly it’s her expression and the deadness of her eyes.  

Anyway.  Why is it always the fingers?  Eff that.  

Listen.  If ya’ll can’t tell Daryl’s conflicted AF with the situation he’s landed in, you don’t know how to read NR’s face and eyes.  He’s not a masterclass like MMB but he’s pretty darn good when he wants to be.  

I honestly feel sorry for Redshirt Frost.  

“You do what you gotta do.”  Frost knows what’s what and he’s willing to walk the walk for Maggie.  Impressive loyalty.  I’m left wondering how the current, colder incarnation of Maggie inspired it because I’m still struggling to see it.  Anywho.  My point is the dude knows the score and just gave Daryl the okay.  

Daryl taking off his angel vest before stepping into the role of torturer/interrogator=him shedding the persona/the man Judith and RJ and Lydia and Carol know him to be.  Pushing away his man of honor status so he can just survive somehow.  

Pope never quits chewing whatever the hell he’s got in his mouth.  It’s kind of distracting.  

Ohhh.  We’re back to the Haunted Mansion.  I mean house.  Where are the Hitchhiking Ghosts?  

All the eyes scratched out of those creepy pictures=spooky.  

The good old fogged up bathroom mirror shot.  Somebody’s been watching and studying their horror movies, lol.  Not gonna lie though.  I’m legit bracing myself for the jump scares I know have to be coming.  

I’m loving the music/score in these scenes.  

Truthfully, I could care less about these Reapers.  But they are hella attractive, lol.  Listen.  Angela knows what she’s doing.  

Kelly’s horse is so pretty.  Prayer chain for that baby.  

More dead horses?  Why?  

Connie’s slingshot?  Sorry.  I maintain, no matter how much I like these two, that they have the lamest weapons ever.  Endless supply of Virginia rocks or not.  

So.  Did Virgil and Connie enjoy a little equine for dinner?  Did they kill it before the Walkers fed?  What monsters!  Yeah, no.  Not if they were starving even if I personally could not have.  The more probable story is they fled the camp in a panic and left the horse behind and then it went down.  Sorry.  I didn’t exactly study the wounds on the poor animal because it is so traumatizing to me to continue to see them meet such dastardly ends on this show.  I don’t know who the hell has such a score to settle with horses but stop it.  

Days.  It’s only been days.  Not weeks.  So many times with all that Daryl and Company have had to contend with since the cave in?  Those do not exist, lol.  They’re just a convenient, appeasing piece of dialogue thrown at a fanbase primed and ready to read everything into not much of anything.  There’s just not been enough time for it to happen unless Daryl has literally been up 24/7 for all of them.  You know, strategizing how to attack the remainders of Alpha’s horde, figuring out how to defend Hilltop before it fell, healing from the wound he sustained at Alpha’s hand, sitting on that log all damn night with Negan waiting on Carol to come home, having a lover’s quarrel with his best damn everything, taking care of the Grimes babies and Lydia, being the reluctant leader.  Kang, why you playing them like that?  Daryl’s a super guy but he’s not a superhuman with clones.  So many times my ass.  

Seriously.  Who been watching Connie and Virgil?  The MIA Oceansiders?  Beta’s Fee Fi Fo Fum Ghost?  

Nice.  A Michonne mention.  Maybe the truth will start to trickle out.  

LMAO at Connie’s “I’m not staying here.”  Me neither, girl.  I would be outta that house so fast.  

They really “Quiet Placing” this episode.  Honestly?  I’m kinda loving it.  

WTF was that?  I know she can’t hear but you telling me all the little hairs on her arms, legs, and neck didn’t stand the fuck up and say fuck this shit, I’m gone?  Pardon my language, lovelies, but that moment had my heart kicking up several beats.  

Okay, okay.  To be fair to Connie, every hair on her body been doing that since the front door closed.  Maybe they’re desensitized.  

Gollum’s chasing Connie!!!  He/She wants their Precious!!!

The knee jerk reactions about this episode sight unseen are OTT, honestly.  And I mean no disrespect by saying that.  I can understand completely where they’re coming from because we’ve been burned so long in this fandom.  But it’s obvious the spoiler source has their particular biases and reads into things in such a way that don’t line up with what’s actually being shown onscreen.  Daryl’s loyalty in this episode and all along quite clearly lies with his family and his community.  He’s been playing Leah since the start and is truly just trying to survive somehow.  

Awful thought.  The Reaper that’s so suspish of Daryl--haven’t quite caught his name or really cared to.  I feel like he might try to get to Daryl somehow.  When he realizes that Daryl cares no more for Leah than any human would care for somebody (they thought) they used to know?  He’s going after Dog.  Or Carol should she finally join this story. 

I refuse to believe Carol isn’t going to be a part of this story.  Because they messing with her mans, lol.  

“You’re ever with us or you’re not.”  Now where have I heard those words before?  I wish I could find that Daryl gif because that had to be one of the funniest things ever, lol.  

Unrealistic suggestion to Daryl, Leah?  Breathing oxygen seems to piss off Carver.  Oh look.  He finally has a name for me, lol.  

I love how all three of the ladies--Carol, Magna, and Rosita--look at Kelly with such indulgent, adoring “little sis, you alright?” eyes.  

They are seriously the most beautiful quartet of characters.  I mean all of them are lovely but Carol and Rosita this season?  Ugh.  The unfairness of the pretty.  

Human bones.  Terminus callback, lovelies.  How it all would have eventually gone down if Gareth and Co. hadn’t met the business end of Rick’s red machete.  

So many horror movie homages in this one.  

Virgil’s like “let’s leave this Texas Chainsaw Massacre behind.”  

Connie and Virgil have obviously bonded, ya’ll.  I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying their scenes together when the character mostly got on my nerves with Michonne.  He’s a good actor and the core of his character is sympathetic, but I’m not going to lie.  I wasn’t super enthused when he was the one that rescued Connie because I didn’t know how their scenes would play out. But there’s a nice synergy there.  

Okay.  Does Carver want Leah for himself?  Because I’m sure Daryl at this point would love to scream “take her, I know where I fucking belong!”  

Daryl’s digging in deep because Carver has shown him Leah’s potential weak spot.  Nuance is truly lost on some people, LMAO.  He cares about Leah as a human being probably.  He’s Daryl, after all.  The sweet one.  But he sees her as his way outta this and he’s going to exploit it.  

It’s nice to have a silent Negan for once, lol.  I can pretend he didn’t take my baby Glenn away from me and enjoy JDM’s pretty.  

So.  These cannibal people were the watchers?  Hmm.  

I’m really digging Virgil 2.0.  Yeah.  Nobody’s surprised more than me.  

Sweet, sweet scene between Virgil and Connie.  His determination to reunite her with her family brings back the sympathy I felt for him when he told Michonne “I promised her flowers.  Every day.”  

Damn.  How many of those creepy crawly cannibals are there?  

How brave of Connie to confront her fears to save someone she’s obviously grown to care about.  

The Kelly/Connie reunion gave me chills and made me cry.  Thank fuck Angela didn’t cheapen that moment by having it focus on literally anybody else.  Kelly is the most important person in the whole world to Connie and vice versa.  Just like Carol is the most important person in the whole world to Daryl and vice versa.  Angela fucking knows.  Everybody does.  Except the people busy building castles out of sand while the waves of Carol’s and Daryl’s converging stories keep crashing closer and closer to shore.  

Such a beautiful moment given to us by Angel Theory and Lauren Ridloff.  So authentic and sweet.  Kelly and Connie are home to each other.  

Poor Frost.  That’s all I gotta say about that.  

WTF, though.  Was Mel just not available or what?  I want to see more of the ASZ characters that I care about, not the Reapers.  Like I’d be fine with the story if all the characters not named Maggie, Negan, or Daryl weren’t surviving on crumbs during it.  Especially the 2nd billed actress on the entire show.  Angela.  Please.  Fix this.  

One last WTF.  Seriously.  WTF has Maggie done to inspire Pope’s obsession?  It better be juicy after all this shit.  

Overall impression of the episode--

One of my favorites of the season so far.  The horror aspects were fantastic, IMHO. I truly didn’t expect to like Connie and Virgil’s scenes as much together so that was a nice surprise.  She got the reunion that felt most true and earned for the character and her story and I thank Angela from the bottom of my heart for that.  

I would have loved more Carol but I always want more Carol.  I’m okay with her taking a backseat because ultimately?  This was Kelly’s moment with her sister.  Carol and Connie will eventually have their time to sit down and talk.  And pick back up their blossoming friendship because I truly do not feel Connie blames Carol at all.  

I do wish Lydia had been included with the girl group.  Last episode felt like it was leading up to that.  

The Reaper storyline continues to be the weakest link because every time we see them the dialogue and interactions feel totally recycled from the time previous.  I feel like it would have totally been helped by a tighter focus and less stretching out because 8 episodes of this is really diluting what I feel like Angela and Co. are going for.  I’m not here for Leah being redeemed or being a bigger focus in any of the episodes because she does nothing of interest for me.  I’m just peeking in on that story for the Daryl of it all.  

Speaking of the Daryl? You lovelies out there gotta stop taking that spoiler source’s recaps at face value because it’s obvious to me at least that there’ some bias at work.  Every action and word coming from Daryl is coming from a place of loyalty to his family and wanting to protect them, no matter how he has to dirty his hands.  Leah is just a means to his ultimate end.  She’s not his future.  She never was.  His future’s already spoken for and 2023 can’t get  here soon enough.  But like Daryl, we have to just survive somehow.  

Oh goodie.  More Maggie and Negan next episode and looks like no real follow up on Connie and the ASZ reunions.  Hopefully, this is yet another instance of the previews being deceiving but I’m not holding my breath.  

Until later, lovelies.  

Hope my word vomit didn’t bore you too much.  

[cannibalcreepers]

If you could rank the wrong turn movies what would be at the top and what would be last 👀

Oh boyo oh boyo

So! This is personal taste of course 😌

Please know that if you do like one of the movies I talk poorly about, know that this is just my taste, my opinion and it does not mean anything

I am happy that you enjoy them, even if I don’t

-----

But here is my ranks and why:

 1. Wrong Turn  10/10

The first and original, just OMG the designs of the 3 boys 🥰😍

They're rugged and feel so real, like you could actually end up accidentally running into them in the West Virginia mountains! The protagonists are actually amazing too, I liked them, I felt for them when they died, I could feel the fear and tension and that is how these kinds of movies should be.

The axe scene is just, wow! The practical effect they used for it was soooo good!! definitely top one out of the whole list. The best out of the whole series up, just too good.

2. Wrong Turn 2   8/10 

The second of the franchise, I was a little iffy at the idea at first cause as past movies have proven adding new family members to an established antagonist family never ends well, looking at you Texas Chainsaw 3. 

But when I finally watched it, I enjoyed it very much! 

The protagonists were not as great and there were really poorly shot scenes such as the BJ scene between M and Elena, you could see his crotch area and Elena's head was positioned by his leg like? How did you mess that up??

Also the axe scene in that one was not as great, sorry whoever did that it was just poorly done and I know they were proud of it but, it looked very fake. As for the cannibals tho? AMAZING, they stuck with kind realistic but sadly they didn't do well with Three-Fingers, the reason why he now looks like a goddamn goblin 😔

But Brother, Sister, Ma and Pa are just omg yes, perfect family dynamic, I felt for them, I wanted them to survive more than the protagonists, they did amazing with their acting. Perfection 💘

3. Wrong Turn 4  6/10

Now this is where things start to drop in quality, but Wrong Turn 4 was fun and brought more gore and entertainment than it's previous films.The scene with the doctor being pulled apart and eating the man alive like he was some kind of cake, loved it! Also, One-Eye and Saw-Tooth is back!

 And One-Eye looks so cute 😍 like an utter baby, while his two brothers could've looked a bit better but I enjoy their looks and how they act. 

We also get to see them act more like brothers and caring for each other along with seeing them as kids, so that's pretty cool. As for the antagonists? Eh, nothing, don't care for them. Boring, rude and just stupid. Not worth caring about. 

4. Wrong Turn 5   4/10

This is where things start getting worse and the quality is dropping in make-up, design, character, story, camera work and acting. Just hmmm nope, there are not enough shits in the world for me to care for these protagonists.

The three boys save it for being a bit goofy and fun, I just found One-Eye running the blade over his tummy to intimidate the woman at the beginning to be hilarious and then Three-Fingers was just a complete riot with stepping in front of her and licking his lips as she flips him off, hilarious.

The three boys designs dropped in quality real bad here, like I would've put them at 5 had they not been funny purely for the fact they look bad. Saw-Tooth looks too short, One-Eye seemed to have gotten as fat as Saw-Tooth and Three-Fingers looks like he is a damn goblin from Harry Potter! It’s a good thing they’re still goofy enough to entertain. 

Everything else tho, bleh. I did not like Old Man Maynard in this one, complete change of character, bad very bad and boring. 

5. Wrong Turn 3    2/10

Protagonists are stupid as hell and I hate what they did to my sweet boy Three-Toes. 

I love Three-Toes design and how sweet and fatherly Three-Fingers is, annoyed that this film is the reason they got both Three-Toes and Three-Fingers deformities wrong. Their deformities were on the left and then they switched it to the right??? And thus the next films after started doing that like, NO! Three-Fingers messed up hand is on the left not the right 😤

Once again the protagonists are trash, so horrible and not because they're convicts. You can make criminals interesting characters that you can make the audience love, but these guys, the fucking worse in who they are, how they act just ew. Plus not all of then were convicts and only one of them was an actual serial killer neo-n*zi while the others were petty thieves/criminals or just had bad luck, one was an undercover marshal for god's sake.

Yet they had no personalities, bland ass characters. The scene with Three-Toes murder is what gets me, no one protests or feels guilty or anything, just outright murder a child just cause "Oh he's a mutant and trying to kill us" BITCH THAT'S A SMALL ASS CHILD! and they knew he was a kid too! Heck I would've felt for them had they felt anything at all when it happened, not even the chick felt sorry, just looked away cause 'ew gross beheading'

That's when I was hoping Three-Fingers would just go murder ballistic John Wick style on their ass. But no, he gets killed by the lamest of protagonists 🙄😒 

Completely unsatisfying and annoying. Deserved a proper battle to the end. 

6. Wrong Turn 6    0/10

WHERE DO I BEGIN!!

Omg a dumpster fire of a movie, I have never been so upset by what they do to the boys!

Their designs are just, NOOOO what did you do to them? They're so nasty looking, so fake, they look like really poorly made statues, i don't know how to explain how much it hurts me as an artist to see the poor make-up work like, make-up artist I just wanna talk! Were you held against your will? Were you only given 30 mins of work??? 

The story is whack, I do not like the antagonists woman and I do not like protagonists at all, they're annoying and stupid.

 The whole cult thing is stupid and just throws you off, I don't accept this part of lore, it's ridiculous.

 I have pushed out the whole movie from my mind as well so I've forgotten a lot about it. Only thing I liked was that one scene where she caresses One-Eyes cheek because I wish I could do that and that is all. 😂

[lisinfleur]

Knot on your tongue

The request:

Universe | Vikings, Lothbrok Trading C.O. AU Pairing | No pair Info | Modern Age AU, CEO! Ivar, Spanish Speaker! Friend! Business Woman! Reader, requested by anon for 5CW7 Words | 2273 ⁑ Warnings: Might content some language mistakes (non-speaker of Spanish here… Sorry!).

"It's always a pleasure to work with people like you, Señor Lothbrok," your father said, shaking that man's hand, treating him with respect, as if he wasn't at least thirty years younger than him.

But the man with which your father was dealing at that meeting was nothing less than the current CEO of the biggest trading company of the market, buying the actions of your father's company for an amount that would warrant his deserved retirement, your life, and probably the life of the children you weren't thinking of having yet. And even paying this amount of money, Ivar Lothbrok accepted to have you as a counselor in his administration of your father's boats and docks. The company would, somehow, still be in your family's hands, honoring the years of your father's life that were invested in building that business.

You were extremely satisfied in seeing that smile on your father's face, but you couldn't miss Ivar's expression and the confusion in his eyes with lots of the words your father spoke during that meeting. It wasn't hard to see his lips in clumsy curves that were practically denouncing his complete unknowledge of your mother language - not something you would expect from a man of worldwide businesses like him, but something you would expect from a man used to make the great majority of his deals past the Middle East or across the Russian territory: The Lothbrok company was expanding to the west with your father's company acquisition - which was another reason why you convinced your father it would be a good deal: your company was the first one to count with the Lothbrok Trading C.O. interest and support and with their financial investment, your business would multiply the routes, increase the number of boats and you were sure you would see your father's business swallowing great part of the concurrence around.

It was a dream becoming true for your old man, but also, it was a plan for a lifetime career for you and if you wanted to sustain this, you knew that keeping your relationship closer to the group CEOs would be something crucial.

Of course, you heard the stupidity around the former shareholders of your enterprise - naturally pissed off with the negotiation that took from them the shares they thought would be theirs entirely after your father decided to retire. All of them were betting your father would marry you to any of the Ragnarssons and when Ivar came to consolidate the negotiation, you heard tons of jokes and misogynist words saying things from your father putting a real trustable mind in front of his business to him marrying you to the lamest of the Ragnarssons to ensure your inheritance would come sooner.

What those stupid old misogynist scum-bags didn't know is that you were the head behind the whole project, you were the one who went to the Scandinavian headquarters of the Lothbrok Trading C.O. to make the presentations that convinced all the five Ragnarssons that your business was worth to be bought and that deal was valuable for their expansion plans. You had no plans to marry any of them or none of that shit they thought you would do. You were a hell of a shark in their sea and the big fishes didn't notice your talent until it was too late for their wallets and the deal was closed despite their discontentment.

And this talent was exactly what allowed you to notice Ivar's discomfort with your father's expressions he couldn't fully understand. So, when your father apologized for leaving the place without sharing the meal they were planning to since he had to prepare the documentation for his retirement, you smiled at Ivar, accepting his invitation for a casual lunch.

You took him to a traditional restaurant near your office almost to confirm your speculation: Ivar's forehead furrowed while he was trying to read the menu and since it was a not so famous place, the thing was entirely in Spanish, not translated to the English he was used to using in their international negotiations.

"I... I'll follow you," he smiled, using the classic exit for moments like that, but you smiled back at him, comprehensively.

"I can help you with the menu if you admit you cannot read it, señior Lothbrok," you joked, repeating your father's way to call him.

The two of you had already talked a lot in the last year for you and Ivar to have some more intimacy and so, you were already able to treat him informally when the two of you weren't stuck into any office around the world. Björn was more serious for you, more distant. But he and the other brothers were already close enough for you to smile at his eyes rolling on the other side of the table.

"You're really having fun with it, aren't you?" he complained and you giggled.

"To be honest?" you left open, receiving one of those discontents smiles of his, only to smile a little bigger at him. "Yes, Ivar. It is interesting to see an intelligent man like you struggling with a simple menu, afraid of making an order and ending up with a plate of sauce or something stupid like this in your table. Or losing the chance to get the waitress's number just because you didn't understand that ‘guapo’ has nothing to do with your condition." you giggled at his surprised expression.

Yeah, you noticed the confusion in his eyes and how he didn't know exactly how to answer at the giggles among the waitresses, not knowing if they were mocking him because of his crutch but surely taking it the worst way since anything about his condition was a weak spot for him.

"She said you're handsome. That's why she's looking at you since we got into the restaurant," you translated for his surprise, almost laughing when he looked at the waitress and then at you again, fully shocked with what she said.

"She..." he started and you completed.

"She's interested. Yeah, but you'll probably need an interpreter to understand whatever she'll say at the phone when you call. So, why don't you let me help you with my language instead of keeping struggling with your pride, uh?"

Ivar sighed, defeated. He was a man pretty full of pride and you couldn't blame him for this. During the time the two of you worked together you could really understand the deepest effort he made to raise his position so, you could completely understand his difficulty in admitting he needed some help.

"Fine..." he said, looking at you. "Fine," he repeated, more decided. "You're right. I need help with this thing. What the heck is a m... moe... mol-a-e-h," he rolled his tong and you smiled, trying to avoid giggling to prevent him to be offended.

"Mole. You say 'mol-eh'. It's a sauce. There is a lot of different recipes of mole, but this one is the mole poblano, usually served with turkey or chicken, see?" you showed him the picture at the menu, smiling with the attention in his eyes.

"Mol-eh," Ivar repeated, trying to get the pronunciation. "Mol-eh po... pobl...Jez... This will be a long ride," he sighed and you smiled.

"Nothing like learning your native Norwegian, my friend," you said, giggling this time of your complete inability to order anything but 'en fika' - that was a coffee with cookies you learned how to order in Swedish (The closer to Norwegian you would ever understand).

"I can try teaching you Norwegian in exchange. This way I won't feel such an ass when I start rolling my tongue to say these things... What's a po... poz...What is this?" he pointed the posole name, making you smile.

"Pozole. It's kind of a stew made with sweet corn, chili and pork or chicken. They have three variations here: green, white, and red, here... Verde, blanco o rojo," you pointed the words, teaching him how to say them. "It's a very spicy dish, but maybe you'll like it since you like challenges," you smiled.

"I'll try these so, one of each so I can see the differences," he smiled.

"Then make your order, Ivar," you smiled, pointing the waitress and causing him to gulp dry looking at you. "Say... 'Me gustaría las pequeñas porciones de Pozole, los tres.'" you taught, speaking slowly.

"Me gustaría... las p-pequeñas porciones de Po.. Pozole... los tres." he tried to repeat and you smiled.

"Almost there. Try again, slower. You don't need to speak in our speed," you advised, "Sometimes, we speak too quickly for the beginners, but you'll reach this point, don't worry."

"Me gustaría las peque-ñas porciones de... Pozole, los tres," he repeated, this time slower, more secure.

"Good. She'll get you, now call her..." you smiled, ready to make a little prank with him.

He raised his hand and the waitress who was looking at him came, shyly smiling at him.

"¿Cómo puedo ayudarlo, señor?" she said, and you nodded at him who softly cleaned his throat before trying the sentence you taught him to.

"Me gustaría... las pequeñas porciones de... Pozole." Ivar pointed the dish at the menu to ensure she would understand. "Los tres," he completed and she smiled, noticing he was learning to speak her language, softly reducing her speed to speak thinking he would understand her better.

"En un minuto, señor," she smiled looking at you, and you asked her for your favorite dish in that place, waiting as she took note of everything. "¿Algo más?" she asked and you smiled when he looked at you.

"How do I say 'not now?'" he asked and you smiled bigger.

"You say 'Ahora no, preciosa,'" you said, and he repeated, causing the waitress's face to burst in red as she smiled, leaving to take your orders with a giggle that caused Ivar to raise his brow.

"You tricked me," he said and you laughed, looking at him. "What did I say?"

"You said 'Not now, beautiful,'" you translated and he rolled his eyes looking at you.

"You're just like Hvitserk, always trying to get women in my life."

"Well, you should take the chances life is giving you, Ivar. You won't be young forever. And what's the matter of some drinks tonight with the beautiful waitress that's putting her phone number on the napkin of your tray right now? Uh?" you smiled and Ivar couldn't hold back his smile as well.

In the end, the two of you really became good friends and it was good to have some moments out of his business with you like that.

"You know you'll have to go with us, right?"

"I follow what I say, Ivar... I'm also in need of some moments out of the office," you smiled. "It will be good to have some fun tonight with your Spanish lessons," you joked and he smiled.

"Just keep in mind you won't flee from a night with my brothers and I when we come back to Kattegat..." he stated and it was your time to smile, surprised.

"We?" you asked, looking at him.

"As my personal counselor and future CEO of the Lothbrok Trading C.O. West Headquarters, I think you'll need to spend some more time with your colleagues..." he said as if he wasn't shotting in your face with those words.

"CE-What??"

It was his time to giggle, and he looked at you with security in his blues.

"Don't play the surprised one, Y/N. I can see your talent. You're a shark... Just like Björn and I. You're into this world until your neck and you know how to play with the tides here... If I will leave the West unity with someone of my trust, this person will be you. I settled everything with your father. He'll retire, and you'll assume. Your sector will be as big as mine, so I thought you should have a befitting position."

"But..." you coughed, still taken aback, "I thought the..."

"The positions of command are for the ones who know how to rule, Y/N. It doesn't really matter if you're a part of my family or not. The great secret of the Lothbrok Trading C.O. success around the world is that we didn't try to hold everything in our own hands. Of course, we keep the majority of the shares in the family and we're the heads of everything, but such as Björn has Halfdan right under him, I intend to keep you as my man of trust here. Or better saying, woman of trust," he smiled.

You never thought you would go this far so quickly, but you couldn't avoid smiling back at him.

"I won't betray your trust, my friend," you said, smiling proudly.

"I'm giving you this position exactly for knowing you won't," he answered, firm in his decision, showing you it was something that was certain in his head quite before you could ever dream with this. "We settle the documents tomorrow at the office. But now, I want to enjoy this Pozole and learn how do I ask that beautiful waitress about what time she leaves her turn so we can take her for a drink with us tonight..."

Ivar's smile became slightly malicious and you giggled as he sipped from the cup of water in his hand. His eyes on the waitress smiling at him from the door of the kitchen. It would be a fun time and a good way to celebrate your most recent success...

And maybe to help an introvert friend to get some good time for the night.

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[bab-ybird]

Friday Nights with Defsoul

Pairing: Jaebeom x Reader

Genre: College!au, Best friend!Jaebeom, best friends to lovers, fluff, fluff, and more fluff

Word Count: 8,245 words

[ ft. GOT7 and some DAY6 members ]

A/N Yes, I am aware that I misspelled Jaebeom’s name here, but I wrote this before he clarified the spelling, so until I find time to edit this, you’re just going to have to sit through jAebUm lmao oops; thanks for reading tho! mwah

~

It's been a while since Jaebum last attended a party. Not because he was busy- even though he was- but because he just didn't feel like it. After all, parties were only fun when he was in the mood to get wasted and spend the night dancing with his best friends, so he didn't see the point of attending one when he felt like doing something else more productive.

Like hosting his radio segment. He'd only decided to join the campus' radio station as a DJ in the October of the previous academic year. It was in his third year of college that he composed a significant amount of songs and gained enough experience to be confident enough to share them with the world that was his university. Finally giving into Park Sungjin’s, his senior, antics about becoming a part of the crew, Jaebum now appeared on the station every Friday night to share his music in a segment he (lamely) liked to call "Friday Nights with Defsoul". Now, he was in his second year of hosting the segment, and his fourth year of college, set to graduate at the end of March- if he managed to not screw anything up.

Despite not being in the mood to party, Jaebum couldn't say no to his friend Jackson's invitation- not when Jackson was using this party as an excuse to finally relax from his hectic life. It was rare that Jackson was willing to let loose for the night (he was always so busy with his extra-curricular activities), and since Jaebum figured that his friend needed all his support during this tough time in his life, he agreed to be present. So here he was, half-heartedly sipping at a drink that his over-enthusiastic friend, Park Jaehyung, had given him, standing at the kitchen counter, and snacking on a bowl of chips that he had poured for himself.

"Jaebum! My man!"

Ah. The sweet sound of a dongsaeng forgetting to call me hyung.

Hong Kong native and fellow performance group member Jackson Wang carelessly calls out his hyung's name as he bounds through the kitchen door with a red cup in his hands. "I've been looking all over for you!"

"Have you really?" Jaebum asks sarcastically. "You seemed so eager to leave me alone, by myself, when you went to go mingle with your Chinese friends."

Failing to notice that Jackson didn't come up to him alone, Jaebum almost misses the small chuckle that comes from Jackson's friend. A girl with a lean frame, pale skin, long black hair, and the warmest brown eyes Jaebum had ever seen watches their exchange silently. You stand behind Jackson, watching amusedly as he playfully hit his hyung's arm. "Aish, hyung, don't be like that. They're Chinese, like me. They remind me of home."

Jaebum nods understandingly, patting his friend on the back. "Okay, okay, I get it. Go have fun- "

"EY, LUCAS! Glad you could make it, man!"

And just like that, Jackson forgets about his friends and leaves the kitchen to go mingle with a handful of people who look too young to be at a college party.

"Don't they look a little too young to be here?" Jaebum comments, eyeing the new arrivals and starting a conversation with the girl that Jackson had left him with to entertain.

You seem to know who he's talking about and nod. "Yeah, they are. They're just in high school."

Jaebum's eyes nearly pop out of his head. "Eh?! And Jackson invited them here? How does he even know them?"

Amused at his reaction, you smile. "They met at a summer camp a couple of months ago. You know what he's like, it's so easy for him to get homesick. I'm happy he's able to make so many friends that let him feel like he's at home, even if just for a little while."

Jaebum watches the kitchen door warily, largely aware of the trouble that the underaged teens could get into if they were caught drinking. Sensing his discomfort, you speak up again. "I wouldn't worry too much about them. I made Jackson swear that he would take care of them tonight. No alcohol, no drugs, no funny business whatsoever."

These words unexpectedly give him comfort, despite the fact that they come from a complete stranger. "Thanks." He says. "That makes me feel better."

You nod, but don’t say anything back as you reach into the fridge and grab one of the many smoothie bottles that Jackson liked to stock up on.

"You seem to be really close to him. How come I've never heard of you before?" Jaebum asks.

Swallowing the sip you had just taken, you sit on a counter stool as you answer. "Jackson and I go back. Summer before freshman year, I think? We met at summer camp."

Raising an eyebrow, Jaebum tilts his head, confused. "Oh, so you're-?"

"Chinese?" You chuckle. "No. I'm Spanish-Korean, actually."

Jaebum's head tilts in confusion. "Spanish-Korean? But then why would you go to one of Jackson's Chinese summer camps?"

"I speak Chinese. At least, now I do. Back then, I wanted to get a better grasp of the language before heading off to college, so I decided to attend a Chinese summer camp." You tell him, taking another sip.

"So how many languages do you speak? Or is it just Spanish, Chinese, and Korean?" Jaebum can't stop himself from asking.

You shake your head, smiling proudly. "I'm also fluent in English, Russian, Japanese, and French."

"Wow." Jaebum's voice comes out filled with awe. "That's amazing. It really is, I've never met someone fluent in so many languages. You could conquer the world, probably."

Chuckling softly, you brush the hair out of your face. "Thanks. I'm flattered."

"If you don't mind me asking, why so many?" Once again, Jaebum can't keep his nose out of your business.

"Oh, I want to be a translator or a travel guide." You tell him honestly. "I love travelling, and the only thing I'm good at is talking to people, so I figured I'd make a career out of it."

"That sounds fun." Jaebum comments. "So, your major is-?"

"Majoring in Linguistics, minoring in World History." You answer. "What about you?"

The conversation is suddenly about him, and he thinks it’s such a shame because he could spend all night learning the tiniest details about this very interesting girl.

"Major in Film, minor in Music Theory." He says.

"Oh, you're into music?" You ask. "Do you compose?"

Jaebum nods at this, takes a sip of his drink, and gestures for you to share his bowl of chips.

"Are you, perhaps, on the campus radio?" You raise an eyebrow.

Jaebum is shocked. Unless he told them directly, no one ever even guessed that he was a DJ for the campus' radio station. "How did you know?"

You snap your fingers, looking at him with a triumphant look in your eyes. "I knew your voice sounded familiar! You're Defsoul, aren't you? The DJ that comes on every Friday night?"

Oh, my god. For the first time in his life, Jaebum is speechless. How did this girl, who didn't even know him before this, figure that out faster than any of his actual friends?

"Um- I, uh- "

Taking a sip from your drink, you continue. "I love your segment. I've been listening to it ever since you started."

Wow. "Thank you. That means so much to me, really." Jaebum finally finds his words.

"Although..." You hesitate, and this makes Jaebum even more curious.

"What is it?" He pries.

"Well," You pause. "Have you ever considered, um...calling it by a different name?"

...excuse me? "Come again?"

"Don't misunderstand me, please!" You hurriedly apologize. "Not to be rude, or anything, it's just...your segment name is sort of..."

Jaebum senses that you’re having difficulty putting it nicely, so he offers words of his own. "Lame? Boring? Cliché?"

You nod, relieved that you don't have to say it yourself. "Exactly."

Jaebum gives you an expression of distaste. "I happen to like calling it that, thank you very much. My friends think it's a good name too!"

"I'm not saying that they don't! It's just that you could have a name that's catchier, more unique, more memorable- so maybe one with not too many syllables in it- "

"Okay, okay, stop. I get it." Despite himself, Jaebum finds himself laughing, thoroughly amused by this girl and her personality. "I still don't know your name."

"I’m Y/N." You tell him.

Jaebum offers his hand for you to shake. "Im Jaebum."

"Finally." You say, firmly gripping onto his hand as you shake it. "A name and face behind the lamest radio segment name in the world."

Jaebum's jaw drops as he watches you laugh with an incredulous look on his face. "Wow, you really- "

"I'm joking, I'm joking!" You cackle unreservedly. "Forgive me."

Jaebum decides to poke some fun at you. "No, I don't think I will."

Your face falls. "Ah, oppa, please! We only just met!"

Jaebum shakes his head stubbornly, taking a sip of his drink.

"Fine." You resolve. "If it helps my case in any way, I'll personally make it my mission to find you a better segment name."

Jaebum shrugs, swallowing his drink as he watches you munch on his chips. "I don't see the point of changing it, to be honest. I'll be gone in a couple of months."

"Okay, first of all, graduation's still in March. It's only September, you still have a long way to go." You point out. "Second of all, that's all the more reason to change it! You don't want to leave this school known as the guy who couldn't come up with a cooler name for his segment now, do you?"

Jaebum narrows his eyes. "As much as I hate to admit it, you make a valid point."

"Of course, I do." At this, Jaebum scoffs, making you laugh. "Look, since you're obviously incapable of doing it yourself, I'll do it, okay?"

Jaebum looks at you incredulously. "Yah. Don't you think you've insulted me enough?"

"Sorry! Sorry, I'm joking." You apologize quickly. "I can't help it. I'll stop, I promise. As an apology for my behavior, how about I make you a drink?"

Jaebum accepts, looking into his cup with distaste. "Why the hell not? You owe it to me to make me one, and this one tastes like shit anyways."

You get up from your stool. "I'll be right back."

The both of you fall into conversation so naturally that night, that neither of you notice how long you talk for until the music dies and the small crowd goes quiet. You exit the kitchen to be greeted by the sight of passed out bodies sprawled across the floor, the party host nowhere in sight. While you do a thorough check of the first floor for any conscious party-goers, Jaebum does a sweep of the second floor to find Jackson unconscious on his bed. Setting some painkillers and a glass of water on his bedside table, Jaebum goes back downstairs and leaves the house with you, locking the door as you walk out. You quietly chat about random things as he walks you back to your dorm, and Jaebum decides he wants to be your friend. Obtaining your number, the both of you text each other the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that.

Suddenly, going to parties doesn't seem so bad anymore.

-=-=-=-

Jaebum feels his phone vibrate in his pocket as he exits his last class of the day.

Y/N: Hey, are you doing anything for the rest of the day?

He feels a smile growing on his lips, but he stops himself from smiling at his phone in public.

JB: No, why?

Y/N: Last class' prof isn't showing up, and everyone else is busy. Want to get dinner?

JB: It's like...5pm.

Y/N: Fine. Want to eat food, extend eating into the hours of the night, and call it dinner?

At this, Jaebum allows the corners of his mouth to curl up in a grin.

JB: Sure. Where do you want to meet?

Y/N: I'm at the convenience store in front of the social sciences building. Bring your wallet.

Jaebum can't help but chuckle at this. He immediately stuffs his notebook in his bag, and heads for the social sciences building. When he gets there, he sees you standing outside the convenience store across the street. He's about to cross when he sees you motion for him to stay put, crossing the street yourself. In your hand is a plastic bag of various snacks and drinks that you had just purchased.

"Take this, please." You heave, holding the bag out for him to take. Jaebum receives it, noticing red marks on your hand, left behind by the weight of the bag. "Thank you. God, that's heavy."

"You could've asked for two bags." Jaebum points out, falling into step beside you as the both of you walk in the direction of a nearby park. You shake your head adamantly.

"Tsk, tsk, Jaebum. Don't think like that. It's not good for the environment." You tut, imitating the tone of a mom scolding her child. "Do you want help with your bag?"

He raises an eyebrow. "You just gave this to me, and now you want it back?"

"Not the convenience store bag, dummy." You smile. "Your backpack, I meant."

"Ah. No, I'm fine." Jaebum refuses.

"You sure?" You press. "The bag I gave you is quite heavy, and I'm not carrying anything. I'd feel bad if you were the only one doing the work here."

Jaebum smirks, turning his head to look at you. "What kind of man would I be if I made you carry my bag for me?"

Your jaw drops and you put a hand to your chest dramatically. "Now why'd you have to bring gender roles into this? I'm just offering an exchange of baggage!"

Shaking his head, Jaebum's smile doesn't leave his face as the both of you arrive at the park and settle on the grass. He sits, crossing his ripped-jean clad legs. You mirror his position, sitting in front of him, comfortable in your leggings. Tugging the plastic bag closer, you pours out its contents onto the grass, revealing bags of chips, and four bottles of drinks, two of each kind.

"First things first," You start. "Don't think I'm some kind of gold digger or anything like that just because I told you to bring your wallet."

Jaebum smirks, looking at you with amusement. "Wasn't planning on it."

"I only asked you to bring your wallet because since I bought us snacks, I expect you to pay for dinner." You declare, ripping open a bag of chips. "And not in the gentleman-should-always-pay manner, but in the it's-my-turn-to-pay manner."

"Sounds fair." He helps himself to another bag, opening it and setting it in between them so that the both of them can share. "What are you, some kind of feminist?"

You cock your head to the side in genuine confusion. "Huh?"

"That's the second comment you've made today about gender roles."

"Oh." You laugh, understanding. "No, I'm not. I just don't like it when people hear my words but listen to a different meaning, so I have a habit of saying things explicitly. Miscommunication is so common these days, don't you think?"

He nods in agreement. "Too true."

"Besides," you add, lifting a chip to your mouth but not eating it yet. "it's easier to let people know what type of person you are straight up instead of having them judge every single thing you do."

Jaebum thoughtfully watches you as you continue to munch on your salty snack. As a student, he was too familiar with the saying 'honesty is the best policy', having heard it almost every day, but you take it to a different level, give it a completely different meaning.

Noticing his blatant staring, you raise an eyebrow in the middle of chewing. "Why are you staring at me like that?" You ask, voice muffled by the hand you raise to cover your mouth.

"Oh. Uh, nothing." Jaebum answers, averting his eyes. "You're probably the most honest person I've ever met."

The expression on your face is unreadable, Jaebum decides, as you nod.

"It's a good thing." He adds, just in case it isn't clear.

Not failing to pick up on this, you chuckle, tucking your hair behind your ear. "Really? Most people don't think so."

"Oh? Why not?"

You shrug. "A lot of people say I'm too blunt. Too brutal when it comes to expressing myself. That I don't know how to sugar coat even the harshest words."

"And how do you feel about that?"

You shrug, meeting his eyes. "I don't really care. They're all empty words. At the end of the day, the truth is the truth, and nothing can change that."

At that moment, Jaebum notices the sun starting to set. Its light tints everything in hues of orange and purple, reflecting off of the brown of your eyes. The last rays of the day kiss your skin and the strands of your hair, giving you an ethereal glow.

"Stay put." Jaebum orders, reaching into his bag and digging around for his camera.

"Didn't have plans of moving at all." You comment.

Jaebum brings out his camera and turns it on, hoping to capture the scene before him.

"Smile." He tells you.

Lightly grinning and striking a casual pose, you stare back at the camera lens. You watch as Jaebum frequently changes his position, making sure to not leave any angle uncaptured. He even plucks a random daisy he found, asking you to hold it up to your face and pose with it. You oblige, even moving your snacks aside so you could get up to stand and pose as Jaebum directs you from behind the camera.

By the time Jaebum decides he's done with the impromptu photoshoot, the sun's completely gone, and your space on the ground is dimly lit by a nearby streetlight. You finish the rest of your snacks and drinks while looking at the pictures he took, and when that's done, fall into natural conversation as you walk around, looking for a good restaurant.

"Was that for a project?" You ask as you’re seated at one of the tables in a barbeque restaurant.

"The pictures? No." Jaebum answers, picking up the menu card and scanning it. The both of you had previously decided that since he would be the one paying, he would be choosing the menu for tonight.

"Then why take so many?" You ask, thanking the waitress that comes to bring them your side dishes.

Before the waitress leaves, Jaebum places his orders and returns the menu card. "I had to take a photography class in my freshman year. It became a hobby of mine."

"Do you have a photography account on Instagram or something?" You ask. "Photographers are into that, right?"

"Yeah, I do." He confirms, somewhat baffled. "How are you so good at that?"

"Hm?" You raise your eyebrows. "Good at what?"

"You're the only person to ask me these without me having to mention it first. None of my friends asked about the radio segment or my Instagram. I've barely known you for a week and you've already figured out both!"

You shrug, smiling and sitting up as the meat is served. "Intuition, I guess."

As Jaebum gets to work in grilling the meat, you nibble on the side dishes. Dinner is quiet. The two of you fall into a comfortable silence, your chewing being accompanied by soft sounds of approval at the taste of the meat.

You guys finish eating just before the clock strikes 8pm. You wait outside as Jaebum settles the bill, and you both decide you want to take a walk before returning home.

"Before I forget," You start, brushing your hair back. From his angle, Jaebum can see the way the streetlights illuminate your face, giving your skin a warm glow. The shadows that fall across your features contrast greatly against the milky color of your skin, giving your face depth and definition. The moonlight kisses the highest points of your face and brings a twinkle to your eyes, nature giving you an ethereal glow for the second time that day. Despite it only being his second time to witness this kind of natural beauty, Jaebum didn't think he would ever get tired of seeing you like this, nor did he think he would ever stop craving to capture every single moment like it.

"Def's Soul." You say.

Jaebum blinks. "What?"

"I told you I would come up with a new name for your segment." You state simply. "I decided on one just in time for your next appearance on the station."

"But, that's just my code name."

You hum in disagreement. "No, it's not. Def's Soul. As in, the soul of Def. Your soul."

Jaebum looks at you in amusement. He has to admit; it is kind of catchy.

"Music comes from within, right? By sharing your music to the world, you're giving everyone who listens a peek into your soul, your mind. I thought of calling it 'Peeking Into Defsoul', but that's just not attractive to listen to, it has a weird connotation, and it's worse than what you've got now. You can also call it 'Soul in Seoul; by Def', but I think 'Def's Soul' is the best." You finish your mini ramble about the segment name, turning to look at Jaebum's reaction. Jaebum can see on your face that you’re happy with what you had come up with, and abandons all plans of bickering with you about not needing to change the name of his segment at all.

"Okay." He concludes. "Def's Soul it is."

-=-=-=-

"Hey, everybody, welcome back. I hope you all had a wonderful week, hung out with some friends, aced all your tests. I know I certainly did. Even if you didn't, there's always next week.

Before we get down to business and listen to some sick tunes, I just want everyone to know that I'm going to be changing my segment name. That's right, from now on this segment will no longer be known as 'Friday Nights with Defsoul', but 'Def's Soul'.  As in my soul.

If you want to know why, ask away and I'll reply in a bit, but for now, let's welcome the weekend with Sucker by the Jonas Brothers."

The live comments feed is suddenly full of questions on why he suddenly decided to change the segment name. When the song comes to an end, Jaebum turns the microphone back on.

"A lot of you are asking why I suddenly decided to change the name.

To be honest, it wasn't my idea at all. I was content with the previous name, but I met someone who recognized my voice from radio and told me that it was such a corny name. So, she helped choose a new name, and that's when she mentioned 'Def's Soul'.

Basically, it means that by showing you all my music and my personal playlists, I'm giving you guys a peek into my soul, my mind. A song says a lot about the composer and lyricist, the same way you can tell a lot about someone by the way they compile their personal playlists.

In my opinion, it's one of the most intimate things a person can bare, yet also one of the vaguest. As those of you who study the arts should know, art can be interpreted in many different ways. Some interpretations are exactly the message you want to convey, and others are the exact opposite. So, by sharing my music with you, I'm baring my soul while at the same time, covering it up for you guys to decipher and uncover.

Here's your next look: we have one of my personal favorites, Teenager, by yours truly, featuring my friend, Jackson Wang. Enjoy."

Jaebum switches off the microphone, leaning back in his chair and sipping on a bottle of water as he listens to one of his latest compositions blare through the speakers of the studio.

Things in front of my eyes look new...

You brighten even the deep part of my heart...

-=-=-=-

"You were right." Jaebum comments, sinking down on the grass. You look up, and, seeing the cat in Jaebum's arms, take hold of it immediately, cooing and petting its head. "Def's Soul is a much better name."

You raise an eyebrow, looking at him triumphantly. "Oh? What made you realize it?"

"A couple of kids in my cinematography class were talking about it." He says. "Then I passed a couple of people on my way here who were also talking about it. I guess it just rolls of the tongue more easily."

You grin as you strokes the cat's head. It purrs, nuzzling its head against your arm. "I'm glad."

You stroke it a couple of more times. "What's her name?"

Jaebum looks at you blankly, clearly not paying attention. You chuckle. "Your cat. What's her name?"

"Nora." Jaebum watches as his cat cozies up to you, looking the most content she ever had. "She likes you."

"Really? I like her too." You grin widely, bringing Nora to your face to rub cheeks with her.

"You should cat-sit sometime." Jaebum suggests. "I tend to get really busy with practice."

"Practice? For what?" You ask.

"Dance practice. I'm part of a performance group."

You stare at him unbelievingly. "No way. For real?"

Jaebum nods nonchalantly.

"That's so cool! You're so multi-talented, can I watch you guys practice? I'll take care of Nora in the practice room and I'll stay out of your way. Promise!"

Chuckling at your enthusiasm, Jaebum finds himself nodding. "Sure. You can stay with Youngjae's friend who always comes."

"Yes!" You cheer, then lean down to talk to Nora. "You hear that Nora? We're going to see Jaebum-oppa dance!"

A strange feeling appears in Jaebum's chest, one he can't explain. "What?"

Looking up innocently, you meet his eyes. "Hm?"

"What did you call me?"

Tilting your head confusedly, you answer. "Oppa?"

Calm down, Jaebum, your heart's beating a little too fast right now. Stop thinking about how cute she is when she does that. "Why? You never call me that."

"I was...talking to Nora..." You say, confused as to why it was such a big deal.

Oh, Y/N. If only you knew.

-=-=-=-

A couple of days later, you find yourself walking alongside Jaebum, Nora's carrier in hand. He's leading you to their practice room, telling you stories on the way there. Like how one time, the boys had a bonding night and ended up drinking too many bottles of soju. One of their maknaes, Bambam from Thailand, had apparently unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt and, singing wildly, started swinging around on a streetlight as if it was a pole. When the both of you arrive at the studio, your stomach hurt from all the laughing you did on your walk there.

As you approach the door, muffled sounds can be heard through the walls from the inside.

"Yah, get that away from me!" Youngjae, Jaebum notes.

"Kim Yugyeom, I swEAR to god I will kick your ass if you- " Youngjae's friend, Nayoung.

"I'm joking, noona, I'm joking!" That's Yugyeom.

"Hyung, please-!" Youngjae again.

"What happened to my hair?!" Bambam, in front of the mirror, probably.

"Really, no one cares." Jinyoung.

Plus, a loud cackle that can only belong to Jackson. That leaves Mark, though he's probably resting on the couch, so everyone's present.

As he slowly swings the door open, you clearly hear the commotion inside- though it sounds more like chaos to you.

"Sorry. They're a bit noisy." Jaebum tells you as he holds open the door so you can walk through.

"A bit?" You scoff. "I'll say."

Fully stepping into the room, your suspicions are only confirmed as you’re met with the sight of five guys and a girl causing a scene in the wide space. From where he stands, Jaebum can see Jackson chasing Youngjae with something furry in his hand, the latter not realizing that it was fake and running away screaming for his hyung to stop. Yugyeom's holding out something as equally furry, except it's directed towards the only other female in the room. The girl, Nayoung, then proceeds to take one of the few pillows on the couch, raising it above her head to protect herself from whatever Yugyeom is threatening her with, before knocking the thing out of his hands and chasing him around the room, ready to beat his ass. Bambam stands in front of the mirror in a state of distress as he runs his fingers through his now blonde hair. Jinyoung stands at his side, looking like he had better things to do, yet still taking the time to laugh at Bambam's situation. All this chaos and Mark is calmly perched on the couch, tapping away at his phone and playing a game.

At the sight of a newcomer, this all stops.

"Everyone, this is- "

"Y/N!" A loud voice that can only belong to Jackson yells. You laugh as one of your closest friends comes running and tackles you in a hug. Jaebum suddenly feels the need to unwrap Jackson's arms, but since he knows that you guys are close friends, he controls himself from following through with his tendencies.

One by one, the others unfreeze from their positions. Bambam is the first to approach, though for a completely different reason.

Sitting down in front of you, he unlatches the opening of Nora's carrier and lets her crawl onto his lap. "Hi Nora~ I missed you. It's been a while." He coos.

Jaebum sets his things down in a corner of the room and watches as Jackson introduces you to everyone. The group's practice ensues after that, and you and Nayoung sit on the couch, making sure to keep out of the boys' way.

While he dances, Jaebum steals glances of you in the mirror. His chest becomes warm and his smile only grows bigger whenever he manages to catch you enjoying the song they're dancing to- his song. Page.

By the end of it all, the nine of them gather in a circle on the floor, sharing tupperwares of Nayoung's homemade kimbap, stir-fried pork, and rice balls. Then, as if the heavy snack isn't enough to satiate their hunger, the group leaves the studio and heads for a restaurant just halfway down the block.

Jaebum ends up sitting beside you and across Jackson. The group place their orders for boxes of chicken and bottles of beer. Once the food arrives, everyone's mouth is soon preoccupied with eating.

"Hey Jaebum-hyung. Are we still up for that music video shooting next week?" Jinyoung pipes up, taking a sip of his beer. "I need to know whether or not I can visit home."

"I'm still looking for someone to help me film. A lot of the people in my class are too busy with their own projects." Jaebum answers. "If I don't find anyone by Thursday, you can tell your mom you'll be home for the three-day weekend."

"Why don't you ask Y/N to do it?" Jackson says, gesturing to you with nod of his head. "You were a videographer at one point, right? In high school?"

You narrow your eyes at him. "I don't remember telling you that, but yes, I was."

"Really? Would you be willing to help us film?" Jaebum asks, turning to his left to face you. "It's for my final project, and you'll be fully credited."

You shrug. "Sure. Just give me a time and place and I'll let you know if I'm free."

The following weekend, you help them film, and Jaebum finds that he really likes the way you do it. He also has fun editing the music video for his cinematography class, and decides that it would be a good idea to film more music and performance videos. The credits are always the same; you as the camerawoman, Nayoung as the hair stylist and makeup artist, Jaebum as the editor, director, and producer, and GOT7 as the cast. It's a fun little hobby.

Months pass and before you know it, it's the last month of your senior year. In a couple of weeks, you would be taking the last exams of your college career and a few weeks after that, you'd be graduating and leaving this place forever.

That should've been Jaebum's only worry.

But he started noticing recently that you were looking a little worse for wear. Your undereye area was looking a lot darker than normal, your skin turned a sickly pale tone, and you lost a lot of weight. He knew that you were aware of these changes as you started wearing masks more, and often hid behind baggy clothing- most of which consisted of his hoodies.

He'd tried talking to you about it, but you, like him, weren't the type to be open about your struggles and personal problems. So, he'd let you be, watching over you from afar, and taking care of you in whatever way he could. Jaebum would drive you to your part-time job if he was free, so you could rest in his car instead of tiring yourself out by taking the bus and walking. He'd show up at your apartment in the morning when he knew you would still be in there, more often than not holding a breakfast pastry and smoothie in his hands. He'd make sure you ate properly and didn't miss any meals, and even helped you study for your exams (Most of his were practical, anyway. He didn't have as much to memorize as you did.). He was the reason the amount of cup noodles you were accustomed to consuming lessened significantly.

Despite all of Jaebum's efforts, you didn't seem to improve at all.

On this particular Thursday morning, Jaebum knocks on your door holding a ham and cheese croissant in one hand and a jug of organic orange juice (courtesy of Jackson) in the other. There's a stumble from the inside of the unit, and you open the door, flustered.

Cute. Jaebum watches as you stand there in your mismatched pajamas, bare face, and messy hair that's sticking up all over the place. You cover your mouth, yawning. He frowns at the sight of your eye bags and sickly skin, but covers this up with a cheery grin. "Good morning!"

"Jaebum?" You mumble sleepily. "What time is it?"

He checks his watch. "Almost 10 in the morning. I wanted to wake you up so you'd have time to eat before your 1pm exam."

At the mention of the academic enemy, your eyes widen. "Shit. I was supposed to wake up two hours ago! I'm not done studying!"

You run back into the apartment, leaving Jaebum to let himself in and lock the door behind him. He watches as you frantically flip through your notes and continues studying your reviewer in obvious distress.

Setting the food beside her, he ruffles your hair. "Eat."

Without looking back to check if you listen, Jaebum makes his way into the kitchen and starts cooking up lunch for the two of you. He figures a healthy serving of spicy soft tofu stew would be just what you needed to get through the day.

Jaebum adds lots of meat to the pot, and even cooks rice for the both of you. While the stew is boiling, he sets the table, bringing out utensils, glasses, and a pitcher of water. By the time he finishes cooking, it's 11am, and he guesses that you have just enough time to eat, shower, and cram study some more.

He brings the steaming pot of jjigae to the dining table and literally has to peel you away from your notes. It doesn't take much to make you eat; you quickly figure out that the sooner you finish your share of the meal, the sooner Jaebum would allow you to return to your cramming. Scarfing down the food with no shame, you finish eating in less than ten minutes, while Jaebum sits beside you, leisurely consuming his portion. He eats slowly, calmly, and watches amusedly as you become frantic about studying again.

Jaebum finishes up his meal and cleans the table, even doing the dishes. When the clock strikes exactly 12:15pm, he forces you to take a shower, holding the door close from the outside. He only leaves after you stop trying to pry it open and he hears the water running.

By 12:50pm, Jaebum is walking you to your exam hall, where he stops a few feet from the door to let you go in by yourself. You stop in your tracks, turn to face Jaebum, and give him a shy smile.

"Thank you..." you start. "For doing what you did. You didn't need to, but you did. All of it."

Jaebum finds himself smiling, his chest warming up. "It's no big deal."

"No, but," you continue. "I'm really grateful. More than you could ever know. I owe you one."

"You don't owe me anything." Jaebum tells you. "Consider this as payment for all the times you filmed for us."

You start to shake your head, but Jaebum speaks up again. "Besides, as your friend, it's sort of my job to take care of you."

You chuckle and smile, staring at him with fond eyes. "Still. Thank you."

Jaebum doesn't expect what you do next. He's frozen in place as you step forward to stand on your toes and press a soft kiss to his cheek. There's no trace of shyness on your face as you step back, give him a bright smile, and turn around to enter the exam hall.

Jaebum's sure that his ears had gone red by the time he finally moves (a good five minutes later). Unable to calm his heart down, he takes deep breaths as he makes his way back to his apartment. The moment he steps in and closes the door behind him, Nora comes padding up to him with her soft paws- the exact moment he decides to let out an excited and joyful scream.

She kissed me. She actually kissed me.

The smile on Jaebum's face never leaves him for the rest of the day.

-=-=-=-

It's a couple of days later that Jaebum convinces you to finally take a break. Between your part-time job and studying for finals, you were exhausted, and it was starting to show physically.

Since he knows that you would study if he left you alone in your apartment, he manages to drag you out of yours and into his with the goal of hanging out by eating a big meal together. Jaebum had prepared multiple boxes and orders of delivery food; pizza, hamburgers, jokbal, fried chicken, bossam, you name it. He's rather proud of how he set it all up in his living room: a comfortable layout of pillows and blankets, the coffee table in front of them completely covered in the food, and his TV ready to play whatever movie Netflix could provide.

"So how do you think you did on your exams so far?" Jaebum asks as you both begin to open up the different boxes of food.

"Let's not talk about that, please. I'm going to want to study again and that completely defies the purpose of this break." You respond, helping yourself to the jokbal.

Jaebum nods. "Fair enough."

He clears his throat. "How are you, then?"

You shrug. "Fine enough. How are you?"

"Fine enough." Jaebum repeats, a small grin on his face. You mirrors his expression when you catch onto what he did.

Meeting with you was always like this. Somehow, you brought out the playful side of him and you almost always ended up giggling at nothing.

"I'm just a little tired but I'll be fine." You add, bringing a piece of meat to your lips and giving him a half-hearted smile.

Jaebum studies you as he eats, stealing glances at you every now and then. When you both decide you're done eating, Jaebum persuades you to rest on the couch while he cleans up. He walks back into the living room to find that you had started watching a movie, and sinks down onto the couch beside you. Hardly paying attention to the movie, Jaebum finds himself watching you.

He's under the impression that you’re completely immersed in the movie and didn't think you'd notice, but you pause the movie and set the remote down, turning to look at him with a questioning look on your face.

"What is it, Jaebum?" You ask.

Jaebum gives you an innocent look. "Hmm?"

"You've been staring at me since dinner. What's the matter?"

Jaebum sighs. He isn't getting out of this one. "I'm just worried, I guess."

"About what?"

"You. You suck at taking care of yourself. Every time I see you, it's like your eye bags have gotten darker, you've lost more weight, you have less energy, you're paler-"

"Okay, okay, I get it." You cut him off, chuckling. Jaebum stares at you incredulously.

"Are you laughing?" He asks. "Is this funny to you? I'm worried about your health and well-being and you have the audacity to laugh at me?"

You shake your head, smiling at him. "You're too cute, Jaebum-ah."

Jaebum stops and his body has no other reaction other than to huff and turn away.

"I'm not laughing at you. Promise. It's just cute how you're so worried." You say. "Why are you even bothered so much anyway? It's not like I'm dying."

Jaebum gives you a deadpan look. "This is what I get for being concerned? You're an ungrateful friend."

This makes you burst out into loud laughter, and it's so contagious that Jaebum can't help but join in. When the both of you calm down, you give him another smile. "You don't need to worry, Jaebum. I'm fine."

Jaebum doesn't agree. He always worries about you. But he doesn't say that and just nods.

You turn away. "Geez, you worry too much. It's not like you're my boyfriend or anything."

Jaebum freezes at that statement. For some reason, it hurt. A lot.

You’ve already resumed playing the movie, so he mumbles to himself. "What's so wrong with that?"

"Hmm? What was that?" You ask, pausing the movie again to look at him.

Jaebum turns his face to look at you. He has no doubt his emotions are displayed all over his face. His heart feels heavy- is it really so bad that he wants to be yours? You made it seem so...unappealing.

"Hey." Your voice comes out cautious, gentle. "You okay?"

Jaebum breaks his silence, raising his eyes to look at you properly. "Would it really be so bad? If I wanted to be?"

Your eyes widen. "Jaebum, I-"

"Answer me. You make it seem as if dating me is such an unappealing concept. Is it really that bad?" Jaebum's voice came out weak, insecure, and he hates it. He was never really the insecure one. Everything he did, he did it with the security of hard work and perseverance to support his confidence.

But not this. How could he ever have prepared for this?

"Of course not." You answer immediately.

"Then why say it like that?" Jaebum snaps.

Oops. Maybe that was a mistake.

You frown. "What are you getting mad at me for? I was just checking up on you, and now you're being all snappy!"

"I just-" Jaebum gives up. "Never mind."

He feels like collapsing. The conversation escalated pretty quickly from him checking up on you, and he hates feeling like he's on the edge of breaking your friendship. He hates not being able to do more. Why couldn't he just man up and tell you how he felt already? How hard could it be?

Evidently, it's extremely difficult.

"No, I will not. Talk to me. You keep avoiding the topic and it's obviously bothering you." You press. "What's the problem?"

Jaebum groans in frustration. "I said don't mind it. I'm fine."

"Do you think I'm stupid, Im Jaebum? You think I'm an idiot?"

"No."

"Then talk to me!"

"No!"

"You're being ridiculous-"

"I said I'm fine!"

"Why's it so hard for you to open up-"

"Because I like you, okay?!"

Oops. That wasn't supposed to come out.

"All I want to do is care for you and take care of you because I hate seeing you suffer. Why do you think I dragged you over here to rest? Why do you think I worked so hard to take care of you all these past weeks? Why do you try to deny everything that I do for you, saying I don't need to? Okay, maybe I don't need to do anything for you, but I want to. Why can't you let me care for you the way I want to?"

Jaebum's heart is racing. He'd never felt anything as overwhelming as this before. The pain of wanting to do so much for someone who didn't want him to- what did that tell him?

You’re frozen, quiet, so Jaebum continues. "If you want me to stop, if you really don't want me to do anything for you anymore, say it here and now. I'll stop for you. Tell me you don't like me back and I'll stop it all."

"It's not that I don't like it-" you start.

"Then what?" Jaebum cuts in, voice hard. "Why-"

"Jaebum!" You snap in a tone that had the ability to zip Jaebum's mouth shut. "Let me speak!"

Jaebum backs down immediately.

You sigh. "Look. I'm sorry I ever made you feel that way. I didn't mean to make it seem like I didn't want you to take care of me. I like it when you show that you care, I really do. It's nice to have someone looking out for you, you know?"

"Then why deny it?"

"I guess I didn't want to be a burden to anyone." You shrug.

Jaebum stares at you disbelievingly. "You'd never be a burden to me."

"And I know that now." You say. "I just- ugh, I didn't want to impose. I felt like I was just an extra load to everything else you were carrying. You already do so much, and here I am, like a newborn baby, terrible at taking care of her own body and needing one of her best friends to take care of it for her."

Jaebum's face lights up. "I'm one of your best friends?" He asks with a cheeky smile on his face.

You hit him on the arm. "Yah. Is that all you got?"

"Aish. I listened, I did!" He insists. "But am I really that important to you?"

You huff and turn away, but mumble under your breath nonetheless, "Yeah."

A wide smile breaks out on Jaebum's face and he can't help but throw his arms around you in a bear hug.

"Y-yah. Wha-what is this? Don't people usually hate it when their crushes call them a best friend? Why are you so happy?" You stutter.

Jaebum lifts his head to look at you. Your face is quickly going red and there's a nervous look in your eyes. He gives you a big smile. "You calling me one of your best friends means you consider me one of the most important people in your life. Even if you don't return my feelings, it's fine. I'll take what you're ready to give me, even if it's just a friend-zone."

And you understand. Jaebum sees it in the way your features soften and the way your body relaxes against his. Suddenly gaining a shot of courage, you lean forward a little bit, smirking lightly.

"I never said I friend-zoned you." You say lowly. You’re mere inches away from his face and Jaebum can feel your breath against his lips.

It's his turn to stiffen, his turn to grow nervous. "You just did..."

You daringly bring your hands up around his neck to bury your fingers in his hair- a sensation Jaebum realizes he'd never get tired of. You smile teasingly. "That was before."

Jaebum gulps audibly. "B-before what?"

You chuckle fondly. "Is the Im Jaebum stuttering? What a historic day."

"N-no, I'm not-"

Jaebum never finishes his sentence because his lips are suddenly trapped in a lip-lock with those of the woman in his arms.

And no, sparks don't fly. They never really do, Jaebum realizes. What happens is much better.

His heart beats faster than he ever thought was possible and his head goes fuzzy. Before this, he was frozen stiff, but the second your lips start to move together, electricity courses through his veins, his entire body awake- alive.

You take over all his senses- he feels intoxicated in the best way possible. His senses are heightened and he's suddenly aware of everything that is you. Only you.

He feels you smiling as you lean back into the couch, pulling him with you. Jaebum can't help but smile himself, as he crawls over your body on the couch, the kiss never breaking.

This. This is a billion times better than the friend-zone.

[fckeverything-v]

 1. Do you bite or lick ice cream? Lick

 2. What is home to you? Alabama:/

 3. What was the last lie you told? I couldnt tell you

 4. Does everyone deserve the truth? Maybe not?

 6. Describe a moment in which you did something unacceptable in a bad situation. Walk away, move states..

 7. List two things that are more easily done than said. (No, I didn't mix them up.) Being alone & fuck irdk

 8. When was the last time you worked really hard to achieve something? Mhm 4 years ago.

 9. How many all nighters have you pulled? A lotttt haha

 10. If humans didn't evolve to laugh or smile, how would we express our happiness instead? Woah people express that? no but humans would probably bone all the time.

 11. How many romantic "things" or "flings" have you had? Only 2 (technically 3) serious relationships. Many flings.

 12. What is your paradise? I dont have one :(

 13. What is your favorite background noise? (Ex. Water dripping, people talking.) Music

 14. How many hearts do you think you have broken? Only 1... maybe 2 soon. (not you hehe.)

 15. What is the most important thing about electronics? What does this say about you? Finding friendships through social media or other platforms. And mhm probably that im a lonely pos

 16. Why do people care about celebrities? Do you care about celebrities? Because they're pretty. Not really.

 17. What is the most annoying thing someone can do to you? Chew loud.

 18. Do you overexaggerate? What are the pros and cons of this? Eh, yeah. And I cant think of any pros.

 19. Have you played any instruments before? Which instruments? Piano, saxophone

 20. Do you like taking selfies? Why or why not? No. I stare at it until i hate it.

 21. List 3 things you like about yourself?

 22. What is the best advice someone has ever given you? To not give up. As simple as that sounds.

 23. Do you have what it takes to raise a child? Why or why not? No. Dont you need to be mentally stable- i would hope so..

 24. How do you cheer yourself up after a bad day? Play games for hours.

 25. When was the last time you felt awkward? Ha. Literally 5 minutes ago.

 26. Are you introverted or extroverted? Or a mixture of both? Introverted x100000

 27. What constitutes a good friend? Someone who doesnt give up on you amd atleast tries to understand.

 28. Would you rather have a lot of friends to hang out with or just one best friend? One best friend.

 29. In a regular day, what do you not want to hear? 'Hey hows your day going'

 30. What is your dream job? Fuck, is this still a question.. to be a homicide detective in the biggest city i can think of.

 31. Is it better to be lazy but smart or hardworking but unintelligent? Lazy and smart DUH

 32. What is a truth about yourself that others find hard to believe?

 33. What have you always wondered about the other gender? What it feels like to GET OFF. DUH.

 34. Which fantasy world would you like to visit the most? Um my own dreams i guess.

 35. Describe the worst friend you have ever befriended. Im not wasting my time describing that.

 36. Imagine that you have switched bodies with someone you don't know. You can't switch back. What do you do? Live it up. I think id feel happy honestly.

 37. If you found the recipe for immortality, would you sell it or would you burn it? Mh. Sell it, their problem now and im rich.

 38. What is the most important, applicable class you have ever taken? Current events.

 39. Name the last book you read. Dammed- chuck palahniuk

 40. Imagine that you are unable to express emotion. How would this affect your world? No change

 41. When was the last time you made the first move? Um never..

 42. What is your opinion on electronic music such as dubstep or trap? Trash

 43. What was the last tv show youve watched? Rick and Morty.

 44. Do you like and appreciate your life? I appreciate what i am trying to do.

 45. Do you like and appreciate yourself?

 46. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday

 47. What are you scared of? Heights.

 48. What is the most embarrassing, cringe-worthy thing you have ever done? Um live my life everyday probably.

 49. What are some of your hobbies? .... literally WORSE question. I smoke cigs. Is that a hobby?

 50. What is a superficial yet annoying mistake you constantly make?

 51. Are you a good friend? What makes you a good friend? If not, what makes you a bad friend? I feel like i am both. I try to be there for them. But also, im so hard to get so i feel like i might come off the wrong way a lot.

 52. Do you honestly learn from your mistakes? Honestly; nope.

 53. What have you learned the hard way? Not to care what people think. After wasting my whole life. Im starting to realize it doesnt matter.

 54. What is the most important thing to have in order to attain happiness? Follow your heart

 56. Are you a creative or a logical thinker? Both but probably logical.

 57. What is the smartest thing you have ever done?

 58. What is your ideal meal? Fuckk probably so good ass chicken with some gooooood asssssss mac and cheese. As lame as that sounds hahaha.

 59. What is the worst thing someone could do on a date? 1. Go on date with me

 60. Do you like animals? Which kind is your favorite? Yeah and dogs are cute but i love elephants.

 61. If you could turn one legal thing illegal, what would it be? Christmas.

 62. Do you have any guilty pleasures? Of courseeeee (;

 63. What is the best thing that the internet has ever created? Video games.

 64. Do you like playing video games? Which video games? Woah you read my mind of sum? Shooter games.

 65. What is your opinion on beauty in today's society? Bullshit

 66. Are you a morning person? When do you usually wake up? No not really and like 5pm nowadays.

 67. Do you have a favorite Disney movie? Character? No

 68. Would you rather live in the city or in the countryside? City but i love the countryside

 69. Would you rather live near the ocean or in the mountains? Mountains

 70. What are the best things about winter? Cold. Even though i hate it. Snow. Even if i dont see it. Trees dying.

 71. What scares you most about the future? Literally everything.

 72. What makes you feel old? Doing nothing.

 73. How many hours do you spend on the computer or phone on average? Idk like 5.

 74. What are some of your New Year's resolutions? Be a better me.

 75. What is your life story in 6 words?

 76. Describe yourself in one word. Awkward.

 77. What bad habits do you do? Smoking

 78. What genre of music do you listen to? everything

 79. Most prominent childhood memory? I would say, but its embarrassing that that's the memory.

 80. Imagine if you had an older brother. If you already have one, what is it like? If you don't, how would this change your life? My life would be so different. Maybe i would have someone to talk to.

 81. Spirit animal?

 82. Do you believe in horoscopes? Yes

 83. What is the worst advice you've ever been given?

 84. List the 3 most important people in your life right now. 1. Fox 2. Fox 3. Fox

 85. Favorite memory of your family. :/

 86. What do you look for in a relationship? Happiness

 87. Do you have a role model? Why or why not? No. I dont need it. But now that i think about it i have one role model.

 88. What is your opinion on social media? Dumb

 89. Are you a pessimist or an optimist? Pessimest

 90. List some things that you think are overpriced? Food

 91. What is your worst memory or creepiest experience? ..

 92. What superpower would ruin the world? Any of them

 93. What is something you swore you would never do when you grew up, but you did anyway? Exactly what im doing now. Nothing. Giving up. Dropping out

 94. What lessons have you learned from movies and which movies were they? Dont trust yourself when you know you arent okay. Fight club

 95. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Europe

 96. How do you approach people? I dont but i guess a smile.

 97. What is your opinion on first impressions? I think theyre okay. Only if you dont judge.

 98. What are some things you did as a child that you no longer do? Lol play with imaginary friends

 99. What languages can you speak? English

 100. What do you think society will be like in 30 years? Lol hopefully ill be dead bc that shit sounds terrible

 101. What do you do on your lazy days? Play games.

 102. What ended your last relationship? I had enough.

 103. Favorite food? Soul food

 104. What is the most terrifying dream you've ever had? Fuck im not saying.

 105. When was the last time you got seriously angry? Last night

 106. What was the last friendship you broke? My friend Ashley:(

 107. Do you have any pet peeves? Close minded people

 108. Who was the last person you gave a hug to? Zack

 109. When was the last time you got seriously stressed? Last night

 110. What part of your personality do you want to change? I dont have one.

 111. Who is the most positively influential person in your life right now? My sister Grace.

 112. What is your biggest motivation? My siblings. Faith & Grace.

 113. What did you want to be when you were little? Honestly i never knew.

 114. What are some things that you are good at? Smokin weed

 115. What is one thing you want to be good at? Social skills

 116. What distracts you the most, especially when you're trying to work? My mind

 117. How important is privacy to you? Eh pretty significant i guess.

 118. If you could create one social norm, what would it be? Be friends with everybody.

 119. What's the craziest lie you've ever told? Um.. i told my 2nd grade teacher my family died in a car crash.

 120. What story do you like to tell about yourself at parties? I dont go to parties haaha

 121. What is the lamest thing that you have seen someone do? have friends and socialize too much like woah calm down you know youre still alone.. right. Like its only you. Hahah jk. But irdk.

 122. What is the stupidest thing you've done to impress someone? a guy invited me over and ive never done anything sexual before so i pretended like i knew and i hurt his dick like bad. (We didnt have sex)

 123. What is your morning routine? Wake up, wash face, brush teeth, get dressed, and then boom feel sad

 124. What's the last thing you did that is worth remembering?

 125. If karma was coming back to you, would it help or hurt you? Help

 126. What is your opinion on playing "hard to get?" Being sort of isolated like not opening up. Which is okay bc if they want you they'll wait.

 127. What are the pros and cons of straightforward? Cons, you may hurt feelings. Pro, you know yourself and what you want to say congratulations

 128. What do you consider "leading" someone on? Being fake happy.

 129. Are you the friendzoner or the friendzoned? Friendzoner

 130. What do you admire most about your friends? How beautiful he is. Inside & out.

 131. What do you admire most about your family? They're still here.

 132. What is your opinion on "going with the flow?" You may forget where you are trying to go. Or who you are.

 133. Do you enjoy talking or listening? Listening.

 134. When is it time to end a friendship? Idk

 135. What is the worst excuse you've ever come up with? Lol too many.

 136. If GPA didn't matter, what courses would you have taken? Doesnt matter.

 137. What are your favorite baby names? Ive always liked Riley for a girl name and idk havent thought Bout a boys name.

 138. When was the last time you had a deep conversation with someone? Maybe a week or so ago. Or a few days ago.

 139. What instantly ruins a conversation? Lack of excitement

 140. Biggest turn ons and turn on offs. Affection. And idk

 143. When did you last do something outside of your comfort zone? God every day.

 147. What do you like about the 21st century? ???

 141. Biggest disappointment. Myself

 142. Do you have any self-restraint? A little.

 144. Prized possession(s)? little things

 145. What is your opinion on second chances? They might seem okay but idk.... depends i guess

 146. Text or call? Both, depends on whom im texting or callin

 148. What advice would you give to yourself 5 years ago? Life is hard and stupid but choices you make will stay with you forever so what are you gonna do, follow your heart or head? (head is better hope)

 149. How organized are you? Eh not really anymore.

 150. Favorite mode of transportation. My car

[eldritchsurveys]

460.

What's your favorite fairy tale? >> The Snow Queen.

Do you know who Tom Jones is? >> Vaguely.

Do you have a favorite pen? If so, why is it your favorite? >> I have one that has a simplified bunny head on the end and I think that one’s pretty cute.

Tell me one fact you know about horses (without using Google). >> They’re an abomination. (I don’t remember the details of their weird-ass physiology, but I just remember that being the conclusion, lol.)

When was the last time you had to walk up or down stairs? >> Coming back to the apartment about 15 minutes ago.

Tell me one unique quality about your own handwriting. >> In print, I use either all caps or a random mix of uppercase and lowercase depending on... the flow of writing, I guess.

What daily chore do you secretly enjoy? >> ---

Has a child ever asked you a question you found difficult to answer? >> No.

Name five books you've read in the past year. >> Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Benjamin Alire Sáenz), Packing For Mars (Mary Roach), The Bridge of San Luis Rey (Thornton Wilder), Sharp Objects (Gillian Flynn), The Devil in the White City (Erik Larson).

^Are any of those books your favorite? >> I rank Aristotle and Dante pretty highly as far as emotional impact and the experience of beauty is concerned.

Are you a person that enjoys re-reading books? >> Eh, not usually. There are just so many new things to read.

Which hobby is the lamest: stamp collecting or spoon collecting? >> I don’t think any hobby is lame.

What do you daydream about most often? >> I don’t really daydream much.

Why is your favorite band your favorite band? >> ---

Do you have a favorite talk show host? >> No.

What do you wish you could afford at the moment? >> ---

What is the most unusual color you've ever painted your nails? >> I don’t know, nothing super out of the ordinary.

Which sounds the most refreshing: a hot shower or a cold one? >> Neither.

Have you ever made your own soap? >> No.

What's your favorite popsicle flavor? >> ---

Can you sleep with socks on? >> I don’t know, but even if I could, I really really would not want to. And my sleep would probably suck because of being overheated and uncomfortable, so.

When was the last time you were pissed beyond belief and why? >> I don’t remember.

Name a band with the word 'red' in their title. >> The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.

Do you have a favorite candle brand? >> No.

How many years until you turn 38? >> Six.

What is your opinion on taxidermy? >> It’s neat.

Would you ever want to own a body part in a jar? >> Sure.

What is the worst thing you have ever done to your own hair? >> Not taken care of it for years because of executive function and lack of good products and lack of stable housing.

What do you think makes you a good girlfriend or boyfriend? >> I don’t know.

What qualities of yours do you think could potentially harm a relationship? >> I’m aromantic and I don’t generally “have feelings for” people, I am often dispassionate about emotional stuff, and I like my alone time.

How often do you indulge in a favorite food from your childhood? >> ---

Have any of your childhood habits carried over into adolescence/adulthood? >> Maybe, I never paid much attention.

What is the nicest thing you've done for someone else in the past 24 hours? >> ---

What sort of conditions do you require in order for you to fall asleep? >> I need it to be dark and somewhat quiet. Also, the room needs to be on the cooler side because I overheat quickly.

What is the first band that comes to mind when I say 'dark'? >> Lacrimas Profundere.

Do you have a favorite punk band? >> Yeah, the Distillers.

As far as relationships go, what are your biggest deal-breakers? >> Clinginess and a need for a lot of attention and emotionality.

Be honest: do looks really matter to you? >> Sure. I have eyeballs, after all.

Congratulations! Someone sent you flowers! What kind do you hope they are? >> I don’t know, I guess it doesn’t matter. I’m not going to keep them for long anyway (because, you know, they die).

What type of underwear do you personally prefer to wear? >> Fruit of the Loom briefs for boys, size XL. And they must be dark coloured -- black or charcoal is preferred, but I’ll accept navy.

What is the grossest chore you've ever been assigned? >> I don’t even want to think about gross chores.

What band (BESIDES IRON MAIDEN) comes to mind when I say 'iron'? >> Heh. Uh... yeah, I got nothin’.

Have you ever done something simply because you were of age? >> Probably.

Do you think it's worth it to tell someone you had feelings for them when you don't have them anymore? >> I don’t see the point, no.

What color shirts do you tend to buy most often? >> Black.

Have you ever done something you once thought you'd be too chicken to do? >> Probably.

Where would you rather go: Portland, Oregon or Portland, Maine? >> Portland, Oregon.

Name a band that begins with the letter Y. >> Yellowcard.

Tell me about someone who has made a huge impact in your life. >> Hmm.

What can I usually find you doing at 4pm on a weekday? >> In my room browsing tumblr, or watching a show.

What's a food you love but don't get to eat very often? >> Any kind of Creole food.

Do you dot your lowercase i's? >> I don’t use lowercase i’s, usually. I don’t think I dot them in cursive, either.

What's the first song on your iPod/mp3 player that comes up under P? >> ---

Do the words 'Amon' and 'Amarth' mean anything to you? >> Yeah, it’s a Sindarin name for Mount Doom. And also a quartet of long-haired Swedish dudes who are really gung-ho about vikings.

What's your favorite mythical being? >> I’m not sure.

Don't you hate surveys that end abruptly? >> No, I actually never noticed but this is like the fifth survey I’ve taken in recent memory that brought it up...

[niennavalier]

Okay, belated Star Wars thoughts under the cut; no particular order, just as I think of them. Possibly some unpopular opinions, I dont really know, I'm not all that active in the SW fandom. So maybe I'll get roasted alive but...eh, whatever, this site is somewhere between an void and hell anyway.

Also SPOILERS BELOW (OBVIOUSLY)

[[MORE]]

Okay, so first things first: I enjoyed episode 9. A lot. It was really fun to watch, and just talking in terms of my experience in the theater, it was fantastic. It was so much fun to see the old crew back, all of those appearances were basically like happiness shots in the arm. It was really very cool. The Palpatine reveal and everything around it was pretty damn epic for the obvious reasons. And I absolutely loved seeing the trio bantering and arguing and passing each other - I always love stuff like that. I swear, just give me hours of good character interaction and I'll be happy. Kylo and Rey fighting together/him using the blue lightsaber was also some cool shit and basically like "yaasss heres the payoff for the entire trilogy let's fucking gooo"

Oh, and I need to mention that little droid that Rey fixes. That little guy was adorable and I want merch for him and I will not hear otherwise. (The droids are always great in all the movies fight me)

Also Zorii and Jannah. Badasses, loved watching them and the way they got to interact with the main cast. Just...wanna spill all the love for them in this sentence.

But there are a lot of other things I have to say about the movie - especially the more I think about it and the trilogy as a whole. Dont get me wrong; I still really loved watching the movie. There are just...certain things that feel like missteps or missed opportunities?

(Not counting how badly Oscar Isaac wanted Finn and Poe to be boyfriends, which I just discovered is a thing. And reminds me a lot of anytime anyone mentions Julian Bashir to Andy Robinson and his response is always "oh Garak wanted to have sex with him from the start". Which I literally love so much, this man is a treasure, and I'm glad that apparently the same thing is happening here. And it's not that I'm not gonna talk about it here cause I dont think Poe and Finn should've been boyfriends, but I'm pretty sure Oscar Isaac has much more to say about it than I do)

Gonna start where I always start when I have problems with writing: romance. Because IMO badly written/unnecessary romance can ruin any good story real quick. I'm talking about the kiss at the end. I'm not saying this to bash on the Rey and Kylo shippers. Generally, I dont care what you ship so long as you dont start harassing everyone else; I care even less when it comes to this fandom cause I just participate in it so little. So this isnt me bashing on the ship itself or the fans, but I just think that, in the context of the movie itself, the romance was really poorly handled. To the point that I saw the scene going that way and all I could think was "oh god please dont kiss, I'm begging you". And well...we all know where that went. But I just never got a romantic vibe from the two of them in terms of what was shown on screen. The chemistry always felt familial, at least to me, across episodes 8 and 9 in particular. I dont know if that's just the chemistry between the actors or what, but the tension between them never struck me as romantic - more like two people desperate for someone who understands the chaos around them, not lovers.

Again, granted, maybe that's just the way I read stuff, especially considering I really appreciate movies that don't feature romance arcs. I'm not sure how it read to other people, and I'm not gonna bash on the shippers who like it. I may feel like JJ Abrams didnt write a convincing romance - or just stuck the kiss in there at the end to fulfill some plan from episode 7 that didnt actually pan out - but I have no problem with the ship itself, or the people who ship it. (Because at the end of the day, this is all fiction, and I couldnt care less how anyone chooses to interact with it)

(And this isnt an entirely rated point but because I've seen it around:

In all honesty, I'm starting to think that the romance thing was just a symptom of a bigger problem with this trilogy: it doesnt feel cohesive. It's like JJ Abrams and Rian Johnson had two separate sets of notes and just refused to actually look between them. Two separate sets of ideas that they were too stubborn to compromise on.

And I have a feeling (at least, talking to my little brother, who definitely feels this way) that a lot of people are pinning this fragmented feel to the trilogy on Rian Johnson and The Last Jedi, but I honestly don't think that's fair. Because, and here's the unpopular opinion: I really don't think Last Jedi is that bad. At least, not bad enough to deserve all the flak it gets.

Won't get into that entirely here because that could be a whole separate post, but that's my opinion. Sure, it's not perfect, there are definitely a lot of parts that are pretty irrelevant and not really necessary, but that's true of everything. Frankly, its biggest problem was that it was written for the wrong audience. Which is a major problem, yes, but taken for what it is, it's perfectly decent. As I said before, I could write a whole thing on this movie and why it's not that bad (because I have my brother's points as to why it's terrible for me to argue against) but overall, my reading of 8 is that it's a movie meant to introduce wider ideas and concepts to the universe - particularly this very gray and murky area of morality and character - through stories that are closer to the characters and tied to harsher realities of war. Things aren't always black and white, people are complex, sometimes our heroes can be gravely wrong in ways that aren't glamorous.

Frankly, it feels somewhere between a super deep indie movie and Star Trek (particularly DS9, at least to me, because I love when that show gets to twisty moral stuff). So yeah, wrong audience, yet he decided to stick with his storytelling despite that. No matter I personally might fall into the audience that movie resonates with, it wasnt gonna resonate with most of the fandon.

Again, Last Jedi is far from perfect in other ways too, but it sets up some great ideas that I was really hoping to get some closure on. Honorable mention here is when Rose saves Finn when he's speeding out to sacrifice himself and because of the desire to save the people they love, which I always end up likening to the "we dont trade lives" sentiment. Mentioning this cause my brother always complains about it, but I was thinking this would be one of those virtues that separate the good guys from the bad guys and ultimately allow good to triumph. Yknow, sorta like how Voldemort's lack of understanding of love contributed to his downfall, to liken it to HP. I was under the assumption that would be the concept at some turning point in the climax, but...guess not.

Big one though, which was actually a pretty big disappointment IMO, was the whole neutrality argument, the existence of a grey area. The most interesting thing from Rey and Kylo's scenes in 8 was the notion that the Jedi and Sith could be left to die, and the two of them would essentially find a way separate from those two sides, walking a path down the middle. I know I'm not the first person to bring this up, especially because of how the Force just...works. That the scales need to be balanced. And so, given that, to have the Jedi always destroy the Sith - that's not balance. Give it a few more years and the same problem is gonna happen; if there are Jedi, there will be Sith and war is gonna break out. That's hardly resolution, so neutrality is the way to go. And, personal opinion - I loved that this ended up in 8. It's just a lot more nuanced than "good vs evil, good is victorious" and brought in new ideas to this universe that I really wanted to see explored.

But that just...never happened. Sure, Rey has that yellow lightsaber at the end, but it's really very little more than the barest hint of lip service to that entire concept. Because it's never built on throughout the movie. Kylo's insistence that they look for a different way turns into a demand that she basically become his Sith queen. Which isnt playing with the gray area - it's more firmly dividing light and dark. And as she's fighting Palpatine, he's all the Sith, while she's all the Jedi; doubt that needs further explanation. Sure yeah, she's dealing with the revelation of her bloodline throughout the movie, but that interaction with the dark side is very different than in 8; she's afraid of it (a character arc I love, dont get me wrong), not lured by it. The Sith are very clearly evil, and despite her family, she comes to embody the Jedi as a whole. The opposite of what was laid out in 8.

Which actually just makes her choice to take the yellow lightsaber make even less sense? Because...she has no reason at all to turn away from the Jedi and every reason to keep using the Light side. The only possible reason by that point is if she knows about the balance and makes that choice intentionally to prevent the rise of a Sith lord. But that choice is never shown, so I dont give that a pass. It just feels like the lamest nod to something from 8 - no buildup, no explanation, just there because it technically should be.

And that fucking sucks. What a waste. Puts so much space between these movies.

The romance might be another aspect of that - 8 didnt really give me a strong romantic vibe, and then 9 tried to benefit off of buildup of romantic tension that just wasnt there. And that romance isnt the only other one. Just the existence of Palpatine at all? Like, awesome plot yes, but not at all foreshadowed. The banter between the trio at the start? One of my favorite parts to watch, but it comes out of nowhere, and I guess we just have to live with the idea that all of the development happened off screen. Lame. The return of the fucking helmet? Fuck, i actually have more i can say about the way i interpreted the helmet, but this is getting long. So point being: it's like we just got zipped right back to episode 7 all of a sudden and didnt even get a symbolic moment of him losing the helmet in 9 (at least, not that I remember).

Really, on the whole, JJ Abrams basically did the beginning of 9 such that most of 8 could be made irrelevant. Because that's how I felt throughout the whole movie; like 8 didnt matter. And I know a lot of fans are honestly happy with that (so maybe if was actually the right choice on that front) but god does it make the whole trilogy clunky. Literally nothing flows.

And I think that's my main problem with the trilogy as a whole - or, rather, with the production behind it. It's like JJ Abrams and Rian Johnson were just so goddamned married to their ideas that they wouldnt budge from the story they wanted to tell. Like they put their individual creative visions above the quality of the story as a whole. Like they weren't willing to deal with any changes that they didn't put into play themselves. And the trilogy suffered for it.

Which is really so obnoxious to me. Because it is very possible to be flexible and improv and incorporate other ideas into what you already had; just look at D&D. That's the job of a DM. You can plan everything out perfectly, figure out the story you want to tell, decide how you want everyone to interact with your world, but the players will invariably fuck those plans over. And you just have to roll with the punches. But beyond that, those changes can be for the better, because those are ideas you never thought of, and incorporating those makes for an even richer story than anyone expected. All because the people involved are willing to see where the story naturally takes itself.

Just wish these directors could understand that.

(Also...what was Finn gonna tell Rey? I mean...? This is honestly the strangest thing about the movie because it literally felt like the writers just...forgot they ever had this plot point after halfway. Which just feels like sloppy writing, and I feel Poe when he seems to be really curious what Finn wants to tell Rey. Because...me too!)

[lemonsandstrawberries]

Double Trouble Reunion, part 10

fandom: Stony (Steve x Tony), Avengers,

universe: Double Trouble universe (Steve and Tony, T2 and S2)

summary: Both Tonys go down with a sickness and Steves are there to take care of their partners and T2 notices something new about them all.

length: 3 563 words

a/n: AH CAN YOU ALL BELIEVE THAT THIS IS PART 10 :D?! because I can’t! feels like some kind of a milestone! going back to the fic - this is another domestic part, but I am building up here to something so bear with me for a bit longer! this is for all of you who like reading about Steve taking care of Tony... just doubled! hope you will like it, feedback, likes and reblogs are greatly appreciated! if you have any ideas what would you like to read in this series, I am open to suggestions!

——————–

Double Trouble Reunion, part 10

"ACHOO!"

"Tony! Cover your mouth!"

"Why?" T2 sniffled and loudly blew his nose. Well, wasn’t that attractive. S2 watched with disgust in a seemingly safe distance as he remained on his spot in the armchair, in a sunny place near the window. "You can’t get sick. He is sick already," brunet explained, tilting his head in the direction of a lump buried under the covers in bed beside him. As an answer, the lump groaned and curled into a tighter ball, only a bit of disheveled brown hair sticking out. "See? Everything is fine!" T2 summed up, scrunching the used tissue and tossing it aside from the bed. Probably for Steve to pick up later.

S2 didn't even bother to answer. He stood up from the chair and grabbed the earlier tossed tissue, throwing it in the nearby bin. "I left this for you here, can you at least throw them inside?" he asked his boyfriend, slowly getting irritated.

"Uh oh, sorry, can't," T2 grinned adorably, feeling relatively safe in his current feverish state, "sickness is messing up my aim."

"Yeah, right," S2 seethed, doing the reasonable thing and wiping his hands with some antibacterial wipes he kept in his pocket since both Tonys started to sniffle and cough. "Why you couldn't be the one coming down with laryngitis," he grumbled to himself, already forgetting that his Tony while being sick turned into a real chatterbox. He wasn't sure how T1 was dealing with sickness, but the other brunet had a massive sore throat and could barely speak.

T2 laughed cheerfully, the sound coming out as deeper and nasal. "Hey, wanna hear a joke?" he asked, not waiting for an answer. "Who is a genius and all covered in snot?" he gave S2 a second and then pointed his head in T1's direction, who still remained buried under the covers.

That was a lame joke, the lamest of lamest jokes in the history of lame jokes. Still, S2 snorted out a small laugh, and the reaction made T2 grin brighter. Until he sneezed again.

"Ew," S2 summarized, taking a step back and watching T2 wipe his nose again.

"You know you can't resist me," T2 grumbled, making an effort and throwing the tissue this time to the bin. Nice.

"Oh yes, it is really hard for me to not fling myself at you," S2 deadpanned, going back to his spot.

"What are you - NO!" T2 cried and pulled the covers up to his chin when the window was opened and cold, salty air made its way into the room. "Not again! Close it!"

"Just five minutes. Need to air the germs out!" S2 argued, sitting down. He also believed that breathing in ocean air was a cure for common cold, while Tonys could argue that there was no scientific proof for that. Well, one Tony.

"Just admit that you hate us," T2 seethed, shivering a little.

"Not both of you," S2 smirked, taking his book back and flipping the pages. "We all know whose fault it is that you are sick."

That was a blatant lie. Sorta. Okay, maybe. How was he supposed to know that standing in an airport and wearing short pants that ended below his knees would give him cold days later? It might as well be T1's fault, seeing that he and S1 had to have a private conversation in New York which happened in the late evening in open space and on top of the Avengers Tower. But nooo, everyone had to blame him, because he had a sense of humor.

In the end, T2 pouted, jutting his lower lip. He was cold, and sick and miserable.

"Don't give me that face," S2 said sternly.

Cold and sick and miserable.

"Tony…"

Cold and sick and so, so miserable.

"Okay, fine!" S2 gave up. He closed the window and turned just in time to see a brief, triumphant smile showing on his boyfriend's face before the sad look was back on. It took him a while to realize, but sometimes, T2 was playing him as he wanted. Eh, he just had a soft spot for his snarky guy.

T2 shivered again. "Cold," he curled in himself, "come here," he asked, needing Steve's body warmth.

"Oh, no, no, no," S2 quickly refused, still having fresh memories of what happened when he had listened to that request earlier. Both Tonys clung to him and stayed still, soaking in the warmth and falling to sleep, which was just a cover, and soon, there were twenty fingers worming under his arms and squeezing at his sides. It was a scenario that seemed to like to repeat and this time, S2 didn't know how to get away without unnecessarily tiring out his boys, and the other Steve had to come rushing in and save him from two sick Iron Men. "Not falling for that again!"

The lump under the covers giggled quietly, which sounded a bit spooky with how deeply and hollow the voice was because of the cold, and T2 winked at his boyfriend.

"You had fun," he pointed out.

"Seriously, why you couldn't get a sore throat too," S2 grumbled, slowly becoming tired of being teased. He started regretting volunteering for Tony-sitting and delegating S1 cook lunch for them.

"ACHOO!"

S2 opened his mouth to tell his boyfriend, again, to cover his mouth, but it wasn't him. "Oh great!" he called, "you gave T1 your cold again! That is why you were supposed to be in separate beds!"

A screamed out no, and both Tonys squeezed closer, T1 no longer on his side and turned around, but in the middle of the bed and buried against T2 frame, who held the other him protectively. Maybe it would be wiser, but they didn't want to be alone. And strategically speaking, watching two Tonys together was easier, than watching them separately.

"Soup is ready!" Steve finally showed up, walking into the bedroom, holding a tray with two bowls of chicken soup with noodles. There was no point if making anything creative, as Tony always demanded chicken soup while sick and Steve had a feeling T2 would be the same.

"Took you long enough," S2 grumbled, watching his counterpart setting the tray on the nightstand table.

"Why? Needed saving again?" S1 asked with some mischievous satisfaction, maybe enjoying a bit too much the memory of walking into the bedroom and seeing S2 trapped between both Tonys and laughing his heart out. He didn't wait for an answer, not expecting to hear anything good anyway, and sat on the bed, turning to T2. "How is my favorite other dimension babe doing?" he asked, tenderly brushing his hand against T2's face, both to pet and to feel if he still had a fever.

"Better since you showed up," T2 purred, and Steve smiled in relief, not feeling any fever anymore, at least on this Tony. S2 watched the exchange, having a familiar feeling. He really had to give more thought about T2 having some manipulative streak in him.

"Tony?" Steve moved slightly away and addressed the lump in the covers. The lump grunted. "Babe, soup time," he said, gently patting the covers Tony hid into.

With a grunt or two, Tony slowly peeked out from his warm cocoon, blinking at the brightness and with hair sticking out in every direction and sweating and flushed and - wow. Just wow. Steve had to take a hot minute to himself and clench his teeth really tight to not show what he just thought.

"Oh my God! You can't be thinking about this right now!"

Too bad that the other him was in the room.

"I am not thinking about anything!" Steve quickly defended himself, trying to get out of his mind the dirty and hot image. Totally inappropriate in current circumstances.

"But you did. That's - that's horrible, okay?! He is sick!" S2 judged, narrowing eyes at his counterpart. Steve grunted something and tugged at his collar, just as T1 quietly giggled, again hollow and deep, and nothing as the sweet high pitched giggling they all loved so much. With effort, he sat up and pressed his back against the headboard, in the same manner as T2 was sitting the whole time.

"Wow, you are so lucky," T2 said, looking at the other sick him with jealousy, "my Steve won't touch me with a ten-foot pole when I am sick."

The statement was met with a 'not true' grunted out by S2, and timid 'we did it only once when he was sick' by S1, which was quickly drown out by a shocked 'WHAT?!' from S2.

"Nothing!" Steve scrubbed his neck with a sheepish grin, trying to ignore the judging look from the other him. "Eat up, guys," he said, handing the bowls with soup to Tonys, not missing the comment about being messed up coming from S2, but choosing to ignore it.

T1 smiled to the soup and dipped his spoon in, eagerly eating with an appetite. On the other hand, T2 eyed the soup suspiciously.

"The heck is this?" he asked, sounding offended.

"Chicken soup," Steve answered immediately, not understanding the grumpy tone.

"I know that! I meant this!" T2 snapped more and dipped his spoon in and lifted it up, letting the noodles fall back into the soup with soft splashes.

"Uhmmm…" Steve hesitated, not knowing how to continue this conversation. "Alphabet noodles?" he asked. It wasn't the most mature kind of noodles in the world, but Tony did enjoy them on his sick days. Even more, he enjoyed spelling some words with them and it was cute to see how much joy it brought him during his bed rest. "Tony likes it," Steve said, and Tony smiled sweetly, continuing to sip his portion.

"This is not what I ordered," T2 grunted with a pout, which already was a lie, as he didn't order anything.

S2 snorted and looked at his boyfriend in disbelief, before looking at Steve. "My Tony likes star-shaped noodles. You know, a star for Stark," he pointed out cheerfully and T2 sent a hurt look in S1's direction. Like he could know. There was no point in cooking a new portion of noodles.

"Tomorrow, okay?" Steve asked with a sigh, promising star-shaped noodles for a later date, "eat this now while it is still hot."

"Hey!" T2 snapped, yet not on Steve, but on Tony, who showed the other him his spoon and then quickly hid it in his mouth. "He spelled a bad word on me!" he complained in Steves' direction.

"What did he spell?" S2 asked.

"I can't say because I am a gentleman," T2 explained snootily and T1 happily chewed on the offensive letters. "And - why there is chicken in the soup?!"

Steve felt a headache coming. "Because it is chicken soup?" he asked the obvious.

"Tony likes only noodles and carrots in his chicken soup," S2 quickly explained, and T2 eagerly nodded.

Steve didn't say anything. If he knew that cooking for sick Tonys would be such an ordeal, he would let S2 handle it. "Duly noted. Now eat," he said, not adding 'before I smack you', but it was well implied.

"But I don't waaaaant meat in my soup," T2 whined. He was saved by T1 who dipped his spoon in the other's soup and swiftly plucked out pieces of meat and ate them. "Oh, great," T2 shuddered, looking angrily at the other brunet, "now I have your germs in my soup."

T1 snickered and didn't seem bothered at all. The reaction even encouraged him to be a pain, and he scooted closer and licked T2's cheek, long and wet.

"AAGH!" T2 cried in anguish, and it would be funny if Steve wasn't already irritated.

"I am really tempted to put you in separate beds," he threatened, eyeing his boys sternly.

"That is what I have been saying this whole time," S2 reminded, convinced that the getting better process would be cut in time by half if both Tonys didn't keep giving each other germs. Even if they were driving each other crazy, Tonys really didn't want to be alone and quietly resumed eating.

"Well, seeing that they are calm," S2 said, standing up and stretching, "I am gonna leave you on Tonys' duty," he winked at the other him, needing a break.

"Okay," S1 nodded, "lunch for you is the kitchen."

"Thanks," S2 smiled and gently patted his Tony's head and then leaned in to brush a hand over T2's hair. "Be good, guys!" he said and walked out. T2's eyes lingered a bit longer on his leaving boyfriend, feeling that the goodbye was a little cold for his liking. But well, he wasn't exactly a delight to start with, so maybe he won't be missed that much.

"Good job," Steve praised when minutes after both Tonys finished their meal and handed Steve empty bowls. "How are you feeling?" he asked and put the bowls back on the tray, watching T2 shrug and T1 shake his head. "Still can't speak, huh?" he asked sympathetically, checking T1's forehead and feeling that he was burning. T2 got sick first so it was logical that he was also getting better first. Steve was just hoping that his Tony won't give the sickness back to T2. "I will get your medicine. And make you water with salt to gargle your throat," he said to T1 who grimaced horribly. "Hey, you know it helps!" Steve pointed out. It was an old, but a trustworthy method, one he picked up from home. He moved from the bed and reached for the tray, almost dropping it down at the asked question.

"So, you two had sex while T1 was sick?"

"T2," Steve seethed in warning and straightened up with the tray, as T1 shot a funny look at his counterpart. Where was this heading to.

"Hey, I don't judge," T2 soothed, shrugging the warning off. "And I can understand that. He does look kinda cute while sick."

Steve didn't really expect such confession and took a glimpse at Tony, who blinked in confusion and the sight made Steve feel a little hot again. Flushed Tony, sweaty and with sparkling eyes. If it wasn't for a horrendous cough and occasional sneezing, his current appearance could be easily mistaken for a mid-sex haze. Somehow, this thought made Steve horribly guilty.

"And he can't talk now either. And in comparison to his usual loudness, it had to be an exciting change."

Even more guilt and why T2 had to read through him so easily.

"I am going to get your medicine," Steve repeated, more as if to remind himself that he had more important things to do than fantasies, "can I leave you two alone for few minutes?" he asked, addressing more T2 than T1.

"Of course," T2 answered charmingly, "that feather is still in the nightstand, right?"

"T2," Steve warned again, hearing Tony grunt something in protest. Not the time and place.

"I was joking, you can go," T2 smiled. Steve wasn't convinced and didn't move a muscle. "I promise, I will be good," T2 assured.

"Okay," Steve believed and walked out, feeling a bit suspicious, but trusting the other Tony to not do anything his Tony wouldn't want to.

"Tsk, I should feel offended," T2 complained, but there was some humor laced in his voice. He lowered himself back into the covers and closed his eyes, opening them back when a warm shape pressed to his side. "What?" he asked, seeing T1 cuddling to him.

"Hrrmh," T1 answered, which could mean everything and nothing. The brunet wiggled some more and settled with pressing his side to T2's front and curling into him, putting the top of his head underneath T2's chin. That was new. T1 rarely initiated cuddling between them, and when T2 thought about it some more, it was usually T2 who reached for Tony's hand or lay himself across brunet's lap, just to irritate him and provoke to play. T1 liked to smack him when Steves were turned around or place hot kisses on his lips, but rarely the touch was soft and casual, nothing like the everyday affection between Tony and Steve, T2 witnessed every day.

"Who would have thought that you are the cuddly type when sick," T2 teased, looping hands around his counterpart, getting another 'hrrmhh' as an answer. Then something more happened, and the hand that was idly placed against T1's stomach was taken in a hold and rubbed up and down against the cotton of the shirt. Oh wow. T1 was asking for a tummy rub? From him? He had to have a really high fever. Quick and ruthless tickles were common among them, but that kind of tickling, soothing and soft, was performed only by Steves. T2 remembered one time T1 tickled him like that, and it was such a long time ago when T2 felt out of his place and missed his Steve and S1 -

Tony got impatient and batted on the hand like a cat on a toy, encouraging it to move. T2 smiled to himself and complied, rubbing small circles into the warm skin only with his fingertips, applying gentle pressure. T1 couldn't laugh, but his back was shaking a bit and some small snorts escaped here and there, showing how much he enjoyed the touch. After all, who could know better than other him what he liked?

And just like that, T2 realized something. Something he didn't see before. Out of the two of them, he was seen as the one who needed more attention and affection and knew how to get it. T1 was always snarky and liked to be in charge. Yet, when they were sick… The opposite happened. At their most vulnerable, it was T2 who tried to maintain some control, while T1 totally let go and let himself be taken care of. There was no trick to it, just a complete trust in his partner. Just like T1 was trusting him in the current moment, although T2 couldn't imagine T1 coming to him and asking for tummy tickles on a regular day. It wasn't a good thought. T2 quickly started to questions his relationship with S2. Of course, they loved each other. They trusted each other. They were engaged. Then why he tried to stay alert at all cost, why he tried to prove that sickness didn't deprive him of his wit and charisma, why he couldn't relax and give himself over to Steve? He gave himself to Steve in so many different situations and on so many different levels, except this one, this one when he felt truly vulnerable and defenseless, something kept telling him to keep his guard up, which was completely unnecessary. Unless you didn't trust your partner… T2 felt lost. He did trust Steve. He never got a reason to not trust him, unlike T1 and S1. But while they worked their issues out and the conflict made the bond between them stronger than ever, T2 and S2 never had that groundbreaking moment. They never questioned their love and commitment to each other. It remained the same, steady and unchanged. He remembered that once, in the middle of the night, while half asleep, T1 confessed to him that he felt jealous of the strong bond between T2 and S2, wishing that he and his Steve were like that too. And they were. T2 was just seeing it. They were, in their own, unique way, and maybe the bond was even stronger as it was based on pain and tears and forgiveness. Dammit, he wished his Steve was here.

"Hey…"

Oh, maybe he was lucky.

T2 turned his face to the side and saw S1 standing near the bed. Not so lucky, but still lucky.

"Are you okay?" Steve asked in a whisper, alarmed by the stillness from the brunet and some confused look in his eyes.

"Yeah," T2 whispered back, still brushing Tony's belly soothingly. "He is sleeping," he said, feeling the steady movement under his fingertips.

Steve smiled and put the tray with medicine aside. It could wait. He cautiously lifted the covers and fitted himself against T2's back gently.

"What are you doing?" T2 asked, sandwiched between this dimension couple.

"S2 said you were cold," S1 answered, brushing T2's hair away from his face, and covering them up, mindful of Tony.

"Oh," T2 said, feeling guilty when his fiance was mentioned. He really wished for his Steve to be here in this moment. "Where is he now?"

"He went to the city," S1 whispered and well, that kinda broke T2's heart. "He wants to buy you some stronger medicine for you cold, he is afraid you might sneeze your lungs out," he added, chuckling a bit at the last part. The words fixed his heart and he felt warmth spreading over his limbs. Not only because of warmth coming from two bodies.

What was he even doing anyway? It wasn't a contest, it wasn't a debate which couple loved each other more and there were no winners. They all were winners, finding love with their right partners and then finding love in an impossible place. Feeling happy and at ease, T2 closed his eyes, wishing for their sickness to pass already and show his lovers how much he cared.

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<– previous part // next part —> 

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OPENING A TAG LIST FOR DTR! If you want to be noted about updates for this series, leave a comment below or send me an ask!

tag list

@princess-evans-addict , @ticklishwallflower,

[nymeriasutcliff]

AureliusAurelius, WTF this I just watch?

I saw Fantastic Beasts 2 yesterday and I gotta say I am very, very disappointed, which is the total opposite of my feelings towards the first movie. I'm gonna talk (a lot) about every character and the things that didn't work for me, so... BEWARE, SPOILERS AHEAD.

We're gonna start with Newt, given that he is (supposedly) the protagonist of the movies. I think he was okay, not great like in the first movie, but he didn't have a lot of room to do things and be himself, so okay is fine. He is basically a pawn under Dumbledore, but he gets so frustrated because he knows he wants to do want Dumbledore says, even though he shouldn't, that it's very funny and very relatable. I absolutely loved the first scene with his creatures, seeing him chasing after baby nifflers was very funny and held the promise of more fun coming (spoiler, the delivery was meh). I absolutely, absolutely loved the kelpie. It was so, so, so beautiful and amazing, but we'll talk more about the creatures later.

I was really astonished with the young actor they casted to play Young Newt because he was spot on. Truly. Standing ovation to the young man.

Even though I really liked Newt and his portrait, my question is (and is one I'm gonna be repeating very often, sadly), what was the point of Newt in the movie. What was he supposedly doing in Paris? I mean, what was the point of him going? Was he supposed to find Grindewald? Help Tina find Credence? Find Queenie? Because he did none of these things. The only thing he did was use the Niffler as a police dog - kudos to Cecil, (I don't know why I thought he was called Cecil, but apparently not. Well, I don't care is a cute name for a Niffler)-, lick the floor and have a very awkward and cute romantic moment with Tina at the worse time and place, but did whatever. Oh, and the innecesary family and love drama 

Oh Jacob and Queeni, what did they do to you two? Where was the funny and charming man of the first movie? Where was the sweet, caring, sensitive and daring lady we all loved? I think JK dind't know what to do with these two, and she tried to create drama for the sake of drama, and it shows. Jacob recovered his memories because there weren't bad memories (I'm okay with that), but Queenie has enchanted him because they can't get married (Really? Queenie? It's so OOC it's not even funny. And if you're gonna do that, at least you could've make Queenie selfish and that she simply enchantes him while he remembers nothing, because she wants to be with him. I think it would have worked better with the Queenie plot twist). So, after they go to visit Newt who knows why, because supposely they want to go to Paris to get married, so it simply doesn't make sense that they go to see Newt, when a) Queenie knows he is gonna see through the enchantement (which he does), and b) he's gonna be against it and will try to lift it (which he also does). C'mon Queenie, you're smarter than that!

Long story short, they argue, Queenie runs to Paris to be with Tina without telling his sister (logic not found, cause everyone knows that Paris is a very small city and you can find whoever you wanna find in 10 minutes tops); and the work of Jacob is finished in this movie. Not, really. He doesn't do anything else except for a very funny moment with Flammel. There's even a moment at the Lestrange mausoleum when he disappears in thin air and reappears when the plot needs him... (He arrives way before the rest and does who knows what until the plot needs for all to go inside for the speech. C'mon.)

And Quennie of course can't find his sister in Paris (no shit Sherlock), gets overwhelmed, finds Grindewald's skull french lady (yes, I'm calling her that), meets Grindewald, has a moment of “OMG, OMG, OMG, you're really bad”, he tells her that “love is love, right?”, and she decides that “OMG, this is a very nice young man, not the maniac genocide that everyone says. I mean, in his speech he only says that muggles are less, but obviously he's gonna let me marry my muggle boyfriend.” Really? Really? It just doesn't work. No. Not with Queenie. It's like JK Rowling totally forgot about the character she created in the first movie. I want my sparkly and caring Queenie back dammit.

Leta, Theseus and the whatever fuck their story was supposed to be about. Once again, the big question, what was the point of Leta and Theseus in this movie? Why does the wizard community hate Leta so much? Since when does McGonagall a) exist at that time (I saw that Rowling deleted McGonagall's birth date from Pottermore because she fucked up), and b) run after a student? Seriously? Who was the writer of this movie again?

Going back to Leta. Yes, yes, she is beautiful, has amazing hair, awesome clothes, on flick eyebrows, is very sad and has the lamest fiancé in history. Were we supposed to care about the family drama? Really? Were we supposed to care about the calamari guy? Or this was just another way to show us that the Lestrange family is bad? I don't know. I think this plot would have worked better without the calamari guy (because he contributes 0) and if Corvus was really alive. But, whatever. And last, but not least, what was the point of sacrificing herself? For what? That she was depressed and that was the easiest way to kill herself? That's the only explanation I have. Once again, the drama for the drama. (See the “I love you” while she looks at the Scamander brothers)

And Theseus, aside from being bland as fuck, is a fucking awful auror. In the first movie the moto was that if you see Grindewald is a matter of national security and he has to be detained, but in this movie Theseus says “don't arrest him if he doesn't do anything, because giving a speech it's not a crime.”  ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? ARE YOU DUMB OR SOMETHING? Jesuschrist.....

Eh.... what did Tina do in the movie? Was she concerned about her sister? Not one bit, she's perfectly fine with her joining a lunatic's army. Was she concerned about Credence? Even less, because when they find him she doesn't even talk to him (even though she was in Paris for him and, let's not forget, got demoted in the first movie for protecting him). The only thing she is concerned about is Newt and Leta and their engagement. Sigh another good female character lost in the claws of drama for the drama and being the love interest.

We're getting towards the end and the parts I am most angry about.

Dumbledore and Grindewald, I'm still mad that they aren't gonna give us the gay couple we deserve, but whatever, fuck JK, fuck Warner and fuck everyone. Once again, the famous question, what was the point of Dumbledore in this movie? Was showing us that he's a fine and dazzing wizard with an increible taste in fashion? Because if it was, they did perfectly. If it wasn't, I don't know what it was. They didn't give us a love story between them, the Ministry was once again against Dumbledore because of reasons unknown (politicians being incompetent, I see what you did there JK) and he didn't even try to do anything. I don't know, the only thing I truly know is that I'm disappointed, and that he did a sexy blood pact (yep, I'm calling it that) with Grindewald. Oh, I also found out that he has disgusting taste in men. C'mon, Grindewald? Have you seen his hair? Tsk Dumbledore, I expected better.

Grindewald, like everyone in the movie didn't do a lot, but I didn't care that he didn't. Probably because he is a sassy diva and used the good silk to call his followers. Also, I think the movie was called “The crimes of Grindewald”, right? What are those crimes? The bad hair? I can understand it. Using the good silk to call the followers? Understandable too, because it's gonna be a bitch to clean. The people he killed? Ehm..... nobodies none cared about. A kind of nazi but not really speech? Meh. Tricking Credence? Expected. Convincing Queenie to join the dark side? This one I believe. C'mon, make me a good villain in the third movie JK.

Nagini.............................................. if there's one thing that I was really excited about and disappointed me terribly was Nagini. What was the point of all the hype and backlash the trailer generated if Nagini did nothing in the movie? I truly don't know what was her point in the story. I believe she talk four time tops. Once again, JK being politically correct starring minorities, but not really, because they never do anything. And related to her is Credence, who is my favourite character of the series and the real protagonist. How did he end up in Paris? How did he learn to control de Obscurial? How did he end up with Nagini? Sigh...

After seeing the trailer I thought the movie was going to show us that the Obscurial end up in Paris by chance, and Nagini found him and given that she also has a beast inside, taught Credence how to control it. I don't something with a little bit of logic, an explanation and also giving Nagini some kind of point in the movie. (Apart of showing us the amazing leg she has).

The creatures: I think, except for the Niffler, the only reason they appear is because the movie is called “Fantastic beasts”. In the first movie the creatures (see Frank, the Niffler, the Swooping evil) played a very important part in it, but in the second one? What was the point of the creatures, except for the use of CGI? Except the Niffler, who is the hero of this movie for me, because he did the most (steal the sexy blood pact and be a damn awesome police dog).

I absolutely loved the Thestrals (they are my favourite fantastic beast ever), I laughed a lot when Grindewald named his Chupacabra “Antonio”, the baby Nifflers were the cutest, the kelpie was a thing of dreams, and the zouwu was very beautiful, but did they have a point? Not really.

My biggest problem with this movie is that it has the pace of a book, and it shows, which per se is not bad, but it doesn't work for a movie. It's like the first half of the book when the boring things happen and they're the preparation for the awesome second half. In a book I can get behind it, in a movie? Not so much. I believe Rowling tried to tell many stories (love triangle between Leta and the Scamanders, love drama between Tina and Newt, Lestrange family drama, love drama between Queenie and Jacob, Credence finding his family, Grindewald, dramadrama between Albus and Grindewald, political drama) in very little time and ended up telling nothing (at least telling it right). I hope AureliusAurelius (I have to laugh with this telenovela plot twist) and the Niffler realize that they are the best of the movie, and go back to New York to be a big happy family with Percival Graves (Gradence for life). Maybe Nagini can go with them and be the awesome character I believe it is.

PD: Shout out to Nicolas Flammel and his little running. He stole my heart. I read somewhere that people ship Albus and Flammel and I'm all for that. (If someone has the gif of him running, pleeeeeease send it to me, I need it in my life).

[maraudersinparadise]

Party Lily

In which Lily is moping, Mary can't take anymore of that, Remus needs to take the girls to a birthday party, and Lily trashes the party to a stranger.

FF.net  AO3

Lily did not want to go to that party.

Not that she doesn’t like parties, as a whole. On the contrary – she’s rather fond of such gatherings, considering how much fun she always has.

Mary likes parties, too. Mostly when Lily goes to, because Mary says Lily can turn even the lamest parties on memorable moments, like on Edgar Bones’s birthday all those years ago, when everybody tried to leave because no one was enjoying it and out of nowhere Lily created a cards game that got everybody so involved that the first person left only 4 in the morning (the fact that the loser had to drink enormous amounts of alcohol and divulge some secret might have helped, but Mary always seemed to forget these little things).

That particular Friday, however, she just didn’t want to leave the comfort of her bed and interact with the outside world. Such behaviours tend to happen when one has just lost their childhood best friend one week prior.

“Mary, I told you I’m not going to some bloody bar!” She says as she hears a knock on her door.

“Good thing I wasn’t inviting you to a bar, then,” a familiar voice says, and she hears the smile on his voice.

“Oh. Come on in, then, Rem.”

She had met Remus Lupin in a book club when they were both 17, and coincidently, they started attending the same university, which contributed for their stronger friendship.

“Everything alright?” He asks, hands on his pockets, leaning against her door frame after closing it. “Haven’t heard much of you since last week.”

“I…” Lily hesitates, sitting on her bed.

“You don’t need to lie to me,” he reminds her. She knows that, but the instinct to not share this is immediate, “and you also don’t need to tell me what’s going on. Just wondered if something happened.”

Lily sighs.

“Well, d’you remember Sev?”

“Hm, weird fella, dark hair, hook nose, seemed to hate me?” Remus guesses.

“Yeah, that one.”

“What about him? You guys are super close, right?”

Lily sighs again. Then she tells Remus how they hadn’t been that close for a while now, mostly because Sev had found other friends on college. Lily would have literally zero problems with that – she wasn’t immature enough to think she would be Sev’s only friend forever – if not for the fact that those friends usually sputtered some rather prejudiced things.

Not directed at any group, no. It was more directed to a lot of people – gays, black people, immigrants and, more recently, women.

On the few occasions Lily had bumped into these friends of Sev’s, she’d stood up to her believes (“really, Timmy? You’re literally using a 2-thousand-year-old book to justify your bullshit?”). Severus hadn’t liked it and asked her to refrain from such comments. Lily raised her eyebrows and let go. Maybe he was having a hard time to adjust on a new college, considering both of them had started just a year before and Sev was really introspective.

As Severus spent more time with his Trash Troup (Lily always loved a good alliteration), she felt a wall building between them. It was hard to put on words, and it was even harder to get Severus to listen – he didn’t get why she just couldn’t hang out with them and not turn everything into a “politically correct” debate.

She didn’t get how he could stand listening to such gibberish for so long.

Then last week she did.

They had agreed to meet on a pub – sans the Trash Troup – have a beer and talk like they did before. Severus was running really late, and she started to worry. As she was about to call him, Severus entered the pub, dragging along Mulciber and Avery – both of them who previously had said hateful things about women in general.

She managed to not roll her eyes, but couldn’t quite smile the way she used to when they met at the booth she had sat.

“I thought it would be just the two of us?” She asked quietly.

“Sorry to intrude in your little date thing,” Avery interrupted rudely, “but imagine how bad it would look to him to be seen on a pub with you?”

“And just what is that supposed to mean?” Lily snapped.

“Well, what kind of respectable woman goes to a pub anyway?” Mulciber questioned.

“The one who can do whatever she wants.” Lily replied instantly. She glanced at Severus, as if to say, ‘see what I mean about them?’, and found a speculative look about him.

“Well, these sorts of girls aren’t respectable, Evans,” Avery said, “you should know that by now. Oh, I forgot you were a pain on the arse with your feminist views.”

“Well, you’re free to leave as you please, Avery. You weren’t invited at all.”

“Lost cause, Snape. We should really leave. This place is full of sluts,” Mulciber said with disgust.

“Sluts?” Lily asked, fists clenched.

“Well, yeah, Lily,” Severus talks for the first time, “look at their short skirts. They’re begging to be raped.”

Lily gaped and then glared at him. For the first time she heard him say things like that. At once, she got up and gestured at herself.

“Then what am I, Severus?”

His eyes widened as he saw Lily’s wearing a short skirt herself, then he glared at her.

“A slut, just like them.”

That was the last time Lily spoke to Severus. He tried apologising – her mobile was full of messages from him, but she would not return to that toxicity (or at least she told herself she wouldn’t).

Remus only raises his eyebrows as Lily talks. By the end, he’s sitting on the chair in front of her, brow furrowed.

“I’m sorry, Lily,” Remus says, and just then Mary enters the room.

“Oh, came to drag her along too, did you?” Mary asks Remus.

“Drag me along to where?” Lily asks in an alarmed voice. Mary rolls her eyes.

“He came over to invite us to a party, Lily! At a fancy house, even! Let’s pretty ourselves up for the occasion, eh?”

“You know I’m not on the mood, Mary,” Lily replies, laying back down on her bed.

“She’s been like this for a week now,” Mary tells Remus, ignoring Lily’s presence on Lily’s own bedroom, “because of that scumbag Snape. I’ve tried it all. Maybe you’ll be luckier?”

Lily hears the door snapping shut, and knows Mary left her to Remus’s device, which Lily thinks to be rather unfair, considering she can’t say no to Remus.

Remus was never the healthiest of people, ever since he was little kid. For this, he wasn’t really fit to play with the other kids, so he stayed inside and read. This led into him joining a book club when he was seventeen-years-old – in which he met Lily.

He is smart and funny; Lily loved to sit by his side so she could listen to his quiet and sarcastic comments during the club. Once she told him exactly that, and he laughed, saying he’d try to come up with new material every day.

Since then, they became very good friends, even after the book club had be shut down. Sometimes Lily noticed that Remus wasn’t looking all too good, so she sent him a pack of his favourite tea and a book recommendation.

Remus tried to make it up to her, but she adamantly refused.

She always insisted on taking Remus out, making him have fun and not mope and hide. She took him to parties and bars (whenever those friends of his allowed, that is).

And now Remus – bless him, curse him – seems to be trying to do the same with her.

“It’s a birthday party. I’m supposed to bring friends,” he explains, and Lily groans, hiding her face, “so I thought I should bring the friend who always drags me to such events.”

The brilliance of Remus is that he can make someone feel obliged to do something with the softest of words. With a single sentence he made Lily feel guilty for dragging him to places he wasn’t really into going, and to deny the same favour to him.

“You, Remus Lupin,” Lily says, taking the blanket off her face and glaring at the now grinning boy, “are a danger with your words. But you know that already. Ok, I’ll go to this bloody party, but be warned: I’m not gonna have fun, I don’t want to go, and I’ll hate every second I’m there.”

Despite such harsh promises, Lily dresses like she usually does. Mary did mention something about it being fancy.

“Whose party is this anyway?” She asks as she and Mary enter Remus’s sedan.

“One of my mates’ mother,” Remus replies, starting the car, “I’ve been told by her that if I don’t bring you I won’t be allowed to stay.”

“How does your friend’s mother know me anyway?” Lily asks, and Remus grins in reply.

“Well, Mrs. Euphemia Potter follows me on Instagram, and she saw that story I posted last month.”

“Oh. So now she thinks we’re dating?”

“At first. I’ve explained that you’re just a friend.” Remus clarifies and shrugs. “She still said I had to bring you, as you are, her words not mine, ‘incredibly gorgeous’ and also ‘seems to be a very nice and polite girl’. She wants good influence on my mates.” He finishes. Mary snorts and Lily furrows her brow.

“Well, you are an excellent influence on people, Rem.” Lily says. And it’s the most absolute truth: Remus made people feel like they should be better to other people.

“And Lily’s definitively not that much of a good influence, let’s be honest here,” Mary adds. Remus laughs, but Lily rolls her eyes.

“I was very good to you, MacDonald.”

“Eh, just a bit. Couldn’t get worse, could I?”

Before Lily replies that, actually, it could, Remus interrupts with his kind smile again, “anyway, it’s her 70th birthday, so my mate decided to throw her a huge party by himself.”

“Wait, it’s her 70th birthday? And you let me leave dressing like this?!” Lily squeaks, looking at her simple dress and heels.

“Don’t worry, Prongs said it wouldn’t be like, suit and all that. Look at me.”

To be fair, Remus wears simple trousers and a buttons-down shirt with a tie.

“You look great, Lil,” Mary pipes in.

“So how old is your friend anyway? If his mum is turning 70.” Lily asks curiously, lowering the sun blocker to get access to the mirror and check her make-up.

“He’s a couple months younger than you, actually,” Remus explains, “he was sort of a miracle, because she got pregnant of him in a very old age. It’s why he’s such a spoilt brat, but we just ignore that usually.”

As promised, the house Remus parks in front of screams of fanciness, and Lily once again wonders if she’ll be underdressed. Mary assures her once again that she looks just fine, and Remus leads them both to the backyard, where there are some tables scattered around, a mini bar near a pool, and what looks like an improvised dance floor.

Looking up as if asking help from above, Lily follows Remus and Mary, choosing to sit on a swing while Remus goes for some drinks and Mary stands with her.

Lily feels her phone vibrating and sighs as she looks at the screen and sees it’s a message from Severus.

“Oh, hell no, Lily Evans!” Mary exclaims, trying to take her phone away. “You’re not moping around about because of that idiotic arse!”

“I’m not moping around, Mary! I’m just understandably sad about losing my oldest friend.” Lily replies. Mary sighs.

“Well, of course I understand you’re sad about it, but… it’s like this. When you remember the good times, remember why you told him to fuck off. Don’t get hung up on him, Lil. He’s a bit of a scumbag-”

“Just a bit?” Lily pipes in.

“- a lot more than a bit, but I was trying to be a sensitive here, and you’re better off without him.” Mary says. “What’s he even saying anyway?”

“Says he didn’t mean to call me a slut. That we should talk because he misses me. To meet up at his place, sans Trash Troup for real this time.” Mary rolls her eyes. She’s heard that before.

“Well, I think you should block him on everything.”

Lily sighs and nods.

“Maybe you’re right.”

Mary smiles a bit and goes after Remus and the drinks, but Lily knows that deep down Mary wants to give her some time.

Her petit friend is right; Lily should block Severus from her life, as a whole. She had given a free pass to him for far too long. With another sigh, Lily opens her Instagram and deletes the photos she had with Severus, and blocks him. Then on Facebook, Twitter and finally on WhatsApp, where he had been the worst.

“Creep or ex?”

Lily swirls the swing 180 degrees, searching for the source of the voice – it’s a tall man with jet black and messed hair, wearing a pair of round glasses.

“I beg your pardon?” She asks. The man smirks.

“Well, it’s just I came over because you seem rather lonely, and I couldn’t help but notice you just blocked this dude on a million different social media, so…” Lily raises an eyebrow at the man, trying to ignore the glint of fun that shines on his eyes.

“So this means you were looking at what I was doing over my phone?” She completes, a tone of accusation clear on her voice. Instead of looking ashamed, the man simply grins. “Have you ever heard of something called privacy?”

“I’m truly sorry, it’s just it’s a bit odd to see a pretty girl such as yourself sitting so far away from this marvellous party, on her phone, on Facebook even, so I got a little curious.”

“I could be engaging on a tirade against bigotry,” Lily suggests, shrugging. The man smirks again.

“You could, but you weren’t. Which makes me return to my question.”

“Hm, I’m sorry, but I feel like you are being the creep after all,” she says.

It’s kind of funny because she reckons she knows him from somewhere. His face is familiar, but she can’t quite put it together – she’s terrible with names and faces.

“Touché,” he admits, grinning. He points to the swing besides Lily, “can I sit here? I feel like I should prove I’m not a creep at all, just fell prey to the great curiosity that sometimes takes upon even the best of people.”

Lily shrugs. To be honest, she doesn’t want company, but feels it could be rude to ask him to leave. So he sits on the swing, using the chain as a support for his head.

“Enjoying the party?” He asks.

“Not much,” she replies simply, looking down at her phone and wondering if there’s anything else she could do to get away from Sev.

“Why’s that?” He asks, and Lily fails to see his raised eyebrows because she’s still staring at her phone.

“Well, for starters, what sort of party is this anyway?”

“It’s a birthday party!”

“How would one know?” She says, looking at him. He’s got a puzzled face about him she finds a bit endearing. “I mean, where’re the balloons? The cake? The ‘happy birthday’ somewhere on this party?”

“Maybe the cake’s inside waiting for the right time,” he suggests, fixing his glasses that had gone askew. Really endearing.

“See, that’s just no right. Birthday cakes were meant to be displayed, not hidden. Someone picks a birthday cake thinking how it’s going to look on the party, you know?”

“Not always. D’you know how expensive cakes can be nowadays?” He hits back.

“Didn’t this bloke throw the party to his mother? Look at this house. Money certainly isn’t an issue on this family, right? So why be cheap on his mother’s 70th birthday party? From what I hear he must be loved oh so dearly, so why not retribute kindly?”

This wins her a sweet smile from him, so sweet that she’s got to hold herself as to not smile back.

“Okay, point taken. What were the other flaws?”

“Well, balloons, obviously,” she states matter-of-factly, “how can this be a birthday party without a single balloon? I repeat, how would one know it’s a birthday, huh?”

“Maybe if the read the invitation they’d know,” he replies cheekily, causing Lily to roll her eyes.

“That’s so not the point. It’s a birthday! You’ve got to show it’s a birthday!” Lily exclaims, looking at him.

So, so fit.

“Maybe this lad wanted to do a fancy party, considering it’s his mother’s 70th.”

“Huh, I hear you, but I must disagree,” she tuts, causing him to bark a laugh, “if he wanted it to be fancy so much, what’s with this semi-formal-wear thing? I mean, it took me about 30 minutes to get dressed. I came because my mate told me this lad’s mum wouldn’t allow him in if I didn’t come, I was spiralling at home because of my creep-slash-ex, and I still managed to get dressed in 30 minutes. Were this a really fancy party, I’d be so underdressed I’d crawl home crying out of shame.”

“I’d say you look brilliant anyway, were this a really fancy party,” the man replies smoothly. Lily narrows her eyes.

“I think you’re trying to get yourself inside my metaphorical pants, Mr. Creep.”

“I’d rather die than admit to such a thing,” he says, laying his hand on his chest as a promise sign.

“Don’t waste your time, tho,” she says, “as a not so good party is meant to be, I have yet to have a drink, so I won’t be drunk anytime soon.”

“One, you being sober only works on my favour – were I actually trying to get into your pants – as I’d never try anything on a drunk girl,” he says, raising his eyebrow, “and two, you’re kind of isolated, how do you expect the waiter to bring you a drink if you’re away from the party?”

“The host should advise his waiters to bring drinks even to the isolated girls – you and I both know those are the kind who need to drink the most, eh?”

The man laughs at her attempt of a joke, and Lily smiles back. He’s really handsome, and a bit charming – that damn dimple she’s seeing as he laughs could murder her – so she doesn’t mind his presence so much. In fact, she’s actually kept her phone away as she drags the party.

“Which brings us back to: creep or ex?” He asks again, and this time she laughs.

Before she could answer, a glass of champagne is stretch at her face, and she looks up to see Remus holding drinks.

“Sorry for the delay. Had to introduce Mary to someone.” Remus says, smiling apologetically. “I didn’t mean to abandon you at all,” he says, and Lily smiles.

“It’s okay,” she assures him, “I’m not alone. I’ve been telling…” she looks at the man, who’s now smirking.

“James Potter.”

“… James Potter how this par-” she stops dead.

Oh no.

She looks at James Potter, who’s clearly having a laugh at her at the moment, and feels her face and neck blushing.

Because of course she knows him. He’s Remus’s mate, James Potter. She knows his face because he’s often on Remus’s Instagram, either on selfies with their other two friends (damn her if she could remember their names now) or when James steals Remus’s phone.

“So you’ve met James, then?” Remus asks, and Lily puts her face between her hands as James laughs more. “I feel like I’m missing something.”

“Evans and I were just having a chat about how this party sucks.”

“I never said it sucked!” She says, returning the swing to its original position so she’s not facing the boys.

“You clearly stated you weren’t having fun,” James says, and she can hear his smile on his voice.

Shit, shit, shit.

“It’s a bit of both,” she says suddenly, “he was an old friend of mine who’s turned onto bigotry and creepy things. So we had a fallout and I was blocking him because he’s been trying to get to me, and I’m tired of this.”

She slowly turns back to James, and he’s got his eyebrows furrowed, not sporting a smile for what feels like the first time of the night.

“I told you I shouldn’t leave my flat,” Lily states at Remus, who widens his eyes in surprise, and then she turns to James again, “I’m really sorry, I-”

The remainder of her apology was cut by a voice approaching them.

“James Potter, you spoilt little brat, where’s my cake?”

They all turn to see a beautiful, older woman walking towards them, wearing a fancy pink dress.

“Hello, mother,” he replies drily.

“Yes, yes, hello. Where’s my cake?” Euphemia (Lily remembers the name because Remus said it earlier) turns to the other two, and Lily practically jumps up from the swing. “Oh, Remus! So nice to see you!” She says, hugging Remus, who returns with a wide smile on her face. Euphemia then turns to Lily, who doesn’t know what to do and is sure her face is still all red. “And this must be your friend, Lily, isn’t it? So very nice to finally meet you!” Euphemia hugs Lily too, who, a bit startled, returns the hug the best she can. “See, James, she’s really as pretty in person as she is on Remus’s pictures. Now, where’s my cake?”

Lily looks at James (who exclaimed an indignant “mom!”) raising an eyebrow, but he ignores her.

“The cake’s on the kitchen,” he mumbles. Euphemia makes a face, and Lily has to hold herself not to laugh.

“On the kitchen? This is a birthday party! The cake must be seen!” Euphemia states. James rolls his eyes and sighs.

“Sorry, ma. Want me to get it?”

“No, I want you to be the host and show our lovely Lily our home. Remus can help me, can’t you, dear?”

Remus nods that he absolutely can help with the cake, and follows Euphemia with a wink thrown at James and Lily.

“So how come your mother knows my name?” Lily asks, sitting back down on the swing, looking directly at James (of course it was James. She knew Remus had one really handsome friend).

“Remus talks about you.” He replies, too blasé for Lily to believe. It’s her turn to smirk.

“And what was all that about me being as pretty in person?” She inquires, taking pleasure in seeing him squirm.

“Well, I might have mentioned to Remus that I find you to be really pretty, and I might’ve threatened him to death unless he brought you today. Only suppositions, of course.”

“Hm, suppositions, right?” Lily repeats, grinning. James looks at her and smiles back.

“She’s wrong anyway,” he continues, and looks over Lily again.

“Who’s wrong?” Lily asks.

“My mother. You look even prettier in person.”

Lily laughs at the line (a very good one, indeed), but she cannot hide her blush.

“So you are trying to get into my pants!” She says. James shakes his head with a laugh.

“Not tonight, no. You don’t seem to be the type who share their bed with creeps,” he states, and Lily smiles.

“Not on first meetings, no.”

“See, I’m not completely wrong.”

“And I don’t really share my bed with a complete stranger who doesn’t even introduce himself.”

James grins, gets up, takes a few steps back to the party, then walks towards her, eyes sparkling, the messiest of hairs and the most brilliant smile he’s shared this night.

Oh no, Lily thinks again, because she knows that the knots on her stomach are a direct reaction to the spoilt little brat.

“Hello, nice to meet you!” He says, offering her his hand. She grins back. “My name is James Potter, and I really suck at throwing parties to my mother.”

She shakes his hand, and doesn’t mind the least when he seats again on the swing besides her and doesn’t let go of her hand, intertwining their fingers instead.

“Nice to meet you, James Potter. I’m Lily Evans, and I’m great at fixing ruined parties. Where’s the nearest market? I think we need some balloons in here.”

[multi-universal-muses]

Gregg

BASICS.

► NAME ➔ “Gregg” ► ARE YOU SINGLE? ➔ “Not anymore! Greggory Lee’s happily taken!” ► ARE YOU HAPPY? ➔ “Um, hell yeah, dude!” ► ARE YOU ANGRY? ➔ “Eh, not really.” ► ARE YOUR PARENTS STILL MARRIED? ➔ “Yeah, my folks are still together.”

NINE FACTS.

► BIRTHPLACE ➔ “Possum Springs, a.k.a. lamest birthplace EVER.” ► HAIR COLOUR ➔ “Gold like the motherfuckin’ sun, baby!” ► EYE COLOUR➔ “Navy blue!” ► BIRTHDAY ➔ “May 26! GEMINIS RULE!” ► MOOD ➔ “Pretty chill. Plenty impatient right now since Angus’ cookin’ brownies today!” ► GENDER ➔ “Totally a dude.” ► SUMMER OR WINTER? ➔ “Summer all the way! BEACH PARTIES! It’s also when I get ta see Cap’n without a shirt on!” ► MORNING OR AFTERNOON? ➔ “Mmm...afternoon!. Morning ‘s when I gotta wake up and I hate waking up!”

EIGHT THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE.

► ARE YOU IN LOVE? ➔ (Pulls Angus in and full-blown kisses him) “Sorry, what was that?” ► DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT? ➔ “Eh, not really. Even me and Angus didn’t get together that fast.” ► WHO ENDED YOUR LAST RELATIONSHIP? ➔ “I guess Casey - not that he had a choice.” ► HAVE YOU EVER BROKEN SOMEONE’S HEART? ➔ “I don’t think so. Hope not.” ► ARE YOU AFRAID OF COMMITMENTS? ➔ “Nah, I’m more scared of letting someone I’m committed to down.” ► HAVE YOU HUGGED SOMEONE WITHIN THE LAST WEEK? ➔ “60% Angus, 39% Mae, 1% Steve Scriggins (don’t ask).” ► HAVE YOU EVER HAD A SECRET ADMIRER? ➔ “Probably. Never noticed though. Besides, who needs that now when I’ve got only eyes for Cap’n? ” ► HAVE YOU EVER BROKEN YOUR OWN HEART? ➔ “Wait, wha’? I don’t get it.”

FOUR CHOICES.

► LEMONADE OR ICE TEA? ➔ “Lemonade over cold leaf juice any day!” ► CATS OR DOGS? ➔ “BOTH! TOO CUTE EITHER WAY!” ► A FEW BEST FRIENDS OR MANY REGULAR FRIENDS? ➔ “A few best friends cause the ones I’ve got are so awesome, but I wouldn’t mind a few extra pals!” ► DAY OR NIGHT? ➔ “NIGHTLIFE, NIGHTLIFE, NIGHTLIFE, NIGHTLIIIIIIFE!.”

FOUR HAVE YOU EVERS.

► FALLEN DOWN / UP THE STAIRS? ➔ “More than I can count, especially after carrying that robot up the stairs with Mae. Ouch...” ► WANTED SOMEONE / SOMETHING SO BADLY IT HURT? ➔ “Angus before we got together.” ► WANTED TO DISAPPEAR? ➔ “I, uh...it’s cool if I don’t answer that, right?”

FAMILY.

► DO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY GET ALONG? ➔ “Eh, we got distant after I came out as gay. Angus’ been encouraging me to reconnect with ‘em since we moved to Bright Harbor, so I try calling them every week.” ► WOULD YOU SAY YOU HAVE A “MESSED UP LIFE?” ➔ “Right now? Nope, even if I have been through some pretty messed up things. I’ve definitely had it easier than Angus, though.” ► HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN KICKED OUT? ➔ “Not really. I more walked out than got kicked out. I guess I just...didn’t trust my parents to react well after I came out.”

FRIENDS.

► DO YOU SECRETLY HATE ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS? ➔ "HELL FREAKING NO!” ► DO YOU CONSIDER ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS GOOD FRIENDS? ➔ “I’ve got plenty of friends but Mae, Bea, and sometimes Germ are my main posse!” ► WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU? ➔  “Angus of course!”

Tagged by: @the-purple-hero

Tagging: @wolf-the-boss @leodorelionheart @flxbber @musxinquisitor @lady-scorpion-and-friends @moritaka-inuduka  @smash-them @billyjoelmutt and anyone who wants to do this! Feel free to steal it from me! :P