#also rory is pure chaos and i love him

[tatelangdonsweater]

Criminally underrated AHS couple

Like… I wish somebody would look at me the way these two look at each other

[thatsthewrongwallcraig]

I know you wrote for Kappa/Euro. Hear me out.. could you write for Euro/Dead from lords of chaos? No one writes for jack kilmer and it drives me insane‼️😭

Pure Fucking Armaggedon

Summary: In the midst of a heavy night of partying with the Black Circle, you crave your boyfriend's attention but just like so often lately, he's very much not interested, leading you to meet your needs somewhere else…

Pairing: Dead x fem!Reader x Euronymous

Word Count: ~3.7k

Content Warnings: Trve Kvlt Smvt 18+!, Talk About Depression/Mental Illness, Talk About Self-Harm, Very Angsty, Hurt/Comfort...ish, Alcohol, Smoking, Cheating…But With A Twist, Fingering, Unprotected P In V, Creampie, Pet Names

A/N: Hi, anonnie! Thank you very much for this ask <3 Before everybody jumps into my inbox about Jack Kilmer: Please don’t, okay? He’s not tickling my brain like Rory does and I’d hate to let y’all down by having requests sitting in my inbox collecting dust 🖤 However, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't having a lot of fun writing this chaos!

Massive thanks to @spookyorchid for endlessly entertaining my rambles and inspiring me!

Disclaimer: This is solely based on the characters depicted in Lords Of Chaos!

Tagging the horny horde:

@crypticsewerslut @quicksilversg1rl @cc-luvr @icarus-star @milaeth @roryculkinsgf @spookyorchid @arch1viste @whoareyoi @angelsanarchy @blueberrypancakesworld @rocketqueen-world @lifelessvessel @doddernix @svgarcaine @amayalul @basementgrl222 @kristennero-wallacewellsver @iiheartsai @fan-goddess @shady-the-simp

Could you stomach it anymore

Could you stand to be a breath away

Can you feel the way your face distorts

Did you think that it could be this way

- Stomach It By Crywolf

Your upper lip twitched a little as your gaze darted right into your boyfriend's chestnut-coloured eyes. In a rather stark contrast to yours, Pelle's expression was indifferent whilst he stared back at you, face smeared with a now gray amalgamation of once black and white corpse paint.

"Sorry…" He muttered, his voice lacking the depth and sympathy to really sell his point.

"No…it's, it's okay, really. It makes no sense to pressure yourself when you're not in the mood, no." You shrugged your shoulders at him, very much meaning what you said whilst you still felt that massive rock of repeated disappointment settling down in your stomach.

"I'm gonna go grab another beer then…can I get you something?" Pelle shook his head lightly.

"No, but thanks. I think I should just go to sleep now." The Swede with the long blonde hair allowed himself to slump deeper down into the old, worn out sofa, crossing his arms in front of his chest and with that not just verbally but also physically blocking you out.

"Nighty then…" You mumbled, turning away from your boyfriend to hide just how hard you fought to keep your composure.

Neither the heavy leather jacket, the edgy metal studs and spikes all over nor your trusty Darkthrone shirt hugging your torso were able to shield you from the emotional hurt raging inside of you. It's been months since Pelle last touched or so much as kissed you on the mouth. You knew just fine that something wasn't alright with him, that he was going through an episode again and the last thing you intended on doing was putting any blame for that on him but fuck was it challenging you this time. It didn't go past you how the I love you's had become more and more scarce, how he turned his back to you at night whilst you stared at the ceiling hoping for the oncoming episode to wash over him in a few, swift weeks but his current black hole of depression was unlike anything before. You hardly recognised your boyfriend anymore and felt like nothing but an accessory to the whole band persona he'd put up to cover up how much he was actually hurting on the inside.

To not come off as a soft, little crybaby to everybody else, you stifled your breath and wiped the emerging gush of tears from your lower lash line as fast as you could before making your way out to the densely crowded yard again. Empty bottles of beer lined the way whilst partially smoked-up cigarettes laid scattered all over, the heavy smell of a raging bonfire filled the crisp night breeze. Whilst almost violently looking to the ground to avoid anybody seeing you being about to burst into tears, you rushed to one of the cooling boxes to grab a beer or preferably something stronger. A sense of recklessness washed through you as you dug a deeply green, still halfway full glass bottle from the cooler. Jägermeister would serve you just fine right now.

Armed with the strong booze, you went right back into the house, hiding yourself away from all the action to simply get drunk in peace and solitude.

"Ugh…" Your whole body quivered as the herbal liquor shot down your throat, drenching your mouth in its bitter taste.

Right after the sensation eased up a little, you chased the first swig with a second, deeper one, the alcohol burning its way through your stomach before you'd even reached the corner of the house that could be described as a guest room to slump down on an array of dusty mattresses. With the intense warmth of heavy liquor washing through your body, you curled yourself up, shoving an old pillow underneath your head and before you really realized it, vagrant, quiet tears trickled from the corners of your eyes, pooling at the tear duct to eventually swap over the bridge of your nose. If you were honest with yourself, you felt sick of it, sick of being ignored and pushed away but at the same time you just couldn't bring yourself to point the finger at Per. He simply didn't choose this way of being and feeling yet it felt like he wasn't even trying anymore…which, again, would just be another symptom. You sighed in defeat before treating yourself to another numbing mouthful of booze.

Allowing the tears to just run down your face at their very own pace, you simply wanted to get drunk as fast as possible but even that wouldn't be granted to you, a gentle knock on the slightly ajar door pulling you from your thoughts.

"Huh?" You muttered, sitting up straight again and wiping the wetness from your cheeks.

"Hey…are you okay?" The familiar voice belonging to Øystein asked.

His head peaked through the open door, a messy bunch of black hair framing his face in wavy strands.

"Saw you rushing through the yard and thought checking up on you wouldn't hurt…" He slid his lean statue through the small opening, stepping towards you before crouching down to meet your gaze.

"See? That's part of the problem…you, you care and Pelle just…he just sits there." The words blubbered out of you in an uncontrolled rush accompanied by a new surge of hot tears.

"Hey now…", Euronymous quickly sat down, tucking the frizzy hair behind his ears, "What's going on, hm?"

"I'm so sick of this shit, Øystein… I can't help him, I can't fix him and he just pushes me away time and time again. I'm so done with this bullshit." It practically gushed out of your mouth in a poorly choked-back wail.

"There's a whole horde of people out there, Euro, yet I feel so terribly fucking lonely all the time. Everybody's cheering for Mayhem and for Dead, going on about how fucking cool and true he is for what he's doing to himself on stage but you know what?", You tried to stifle your shaky breaths, "It's not cool. None of it. It's actually fucking terrifying…and it's me who's got to stitch him back to gether every damn time."

With every one of your words, Øystein's eyes widened a little more, partly in understanding about just how much his friend was dragging you through but also in plain sympathy for you.

"Come'ere, yeah? C'mon…if it helps you can squeeze me as hard as you want to, okay?" Euronymous spread both his arms, inviting you in for a tight hug.

Not wasting a second thought on it, you leaned in, wrapping your shaking hands around his shoulders to squeeze and press as tightly as you could.

"There you go…that's it, right there." Euronymous encouraged you, the palms of his broad hands resting at the back of your head to soothe you with gentle pets and strokes.

"I wish I could help you but none of us really gets through to him anymore…I'm so sorry." Øystein sighed into the curve of your neck, the tip of his nose almost touching the cold, black leather of your jacket.

"I don't even know what's going on with him anymore. Everything is just so terribly wrong and I don't know how much longer I can do this shit, Euro, I really don't." You sniffled, inevitably having the vastly different scent of Euronymous right in front of you sneaking up into your nostrils.

Unlike Pelle, he smelled like stale cigarette smoke, cheap aftershave and beer…maybe not exactly a crowd pleaser but you found comfort in it.

"It's okay. I don't judge you." He whispered to you in a soft tone and it threatened to break you apart from the inside.

"Thank you…", You croaked into his hair, your voice getting weaker with every letter, "I feel so shitty for thinking about it like that but…but I'm so goddamn tired. I-...I just wanna feel loved again."

"To remind you…there's a whole horde of people out there who love you." He tried to cheer you up but ultimately missed the point.

"Not…not like that. Ugh, I sound stupid…" You felt the need to take the words straight back and to just go with Øystein's attempt of calming you.

"No, you don't, seriously.", Euronymous led his fingers to get lost in your hair, fingertips softly stroking across your scalp down to the nape of your neck, "I can't imagine how you came up with enough energy to stay this long in the first place. We both know it's not his fault, neither is it yours or mine but we've all been watching you breaking away because of him. You're not smiling anymore, not screaming your lungs out at the gigs, you're barely even here anymore…he's eating you up."

"I can't just leave, Øystein…" You gradually loosened your death grip around his torso to lean back, your face wet with slowly subsiding tears.

"I know…all I'm saying is that it might be time to think about yourself a little more. It won't help anybody if you get lost in his chaos, too." Before you could raise your own hand to wipe the sleeve of your jacket across your face, Euronymous was already on it, his thumb brushing over your cheek.

Whilst taking a deep breath to steady yourself a bit more, the two of you just stared at each other for a moment. You followed how he slightly grinded his teeth together, jaws clenching, withholding something you couldn't quite decipher.

"Øystein?" You furrowed your brows a little, the feeling of something being violently off ebbing through your chest.

"I'm sorry…" That's all he offered to you before cupping your face with the full length of his palm and leaning in to press an anything but timid kiss to your trembling lips.

A part of you, the voice of reason within, practically screamed at you to pull away, to scurry back and to let this go down as nothing but an awkward, boozy, little slip-up, but you didn't move by just an inch as the pungent taste of smoked cigarettes and cheap beer swept into your mouth alongside Euronymous' daring tongue. You simply let it happen, allowed him to slip his tongue into your mouth and intoxicate you with the dangerously addictive feeling of being wanted, desired by someone.

"Fuck…" You groaned into the nearly bruising kiss, hands reaching out to claw at his utterly worn out Venom shirt to pull him closer to you.

Catching the notion that he had dared to make the right move at the right time, Øystein's palm left your face, both hands roaming over your back down to your ass to simply scoop you into his lap, your legs wrapping themselves around the cold of his bullet-shell belt as the hem of your washed-out, gray denim skirt rode up generously over your fishnet-stocking covered thighs.

"I got you…just hold on to me." Euronymous muttered, trying to catch his breath a little whilst his fingers dug themselves into the curve of your behind, causing you to whine out as you arched your hips impossibly close towards his crotch.

The aching need to feel just something again practically pulsed through every nerve ending and every muscle, pulling you into his tight grasp and for your hands to slip under the soft fabric of his shirt, skin against skin leaving you to crave more. Whilst one of his hands left it's place cupping your ass to hurry down between your bodies, awkwardly fumbling with the buckle of his belt before almost violently pulling down the zipper, a short but heavy pang of guilt jolted through your ribcage, nearly causing you to flinch on the spot. Nothing about this situation at hand was right or somehow, in some crooked way, justifiable to you and yet you made not a single move to stop any of it from happening. You didn’t grasp for Øystein's hand as it hushed from his unzipped pants amidst your legs, the sound of your tights tearing and ripping thundering in your ears, right before curious fingertips brushed over thin lace panties, no. The only reaction it pulled from your body was a needy moan.

"Right there, yeah?" You heard the smirk in his tone without even needing to see it.

Nodding softly, you placed your mouth back onto his, teeth teasingly grazing over his bottom lip.

"Bet that feels even better, babe." At first you didn't know what struck you harder, the endearing pet name or Euronymous' fingers snaking past your slip, dipping right into your soaked folds to draw achingly slow circles around your entrance.

"Please…" You hummed into the kiss, your forehead leaning against his.

"Please, what?", He inquired, fingertips prodding and nudging against your cunt, "Want me to fill you up, no? Such a greedy little thing."

You choked back a whine as Øystein withdrew his hand from your slip to shove the fabric to the side, fingers freeing his rock-hard cock from the confines of his shorts right before thrusting into you with a precise rock of his hips against yours.

"Oh, fuck…" Your moan got lost in his mouth, the delicious feeling of being stretched out so harshly rippling through you.

"How long has it been, huh?" He pushed, drilling himself into you until it threatened to hurt.

"I dunno…four months, maybe five." You couldn't stop your eyes from fluttering shut, the burning heat of arousal and shame creeping into your face in equal parts.

"Yeesh, couldn't leave a girl like you untouched for that long." Euronymous huffed, his other hand steadying your posture with his palm flat against your back as he started rolling his hips, practically bouncing you on his cock.

With your entire body flush with the sensation of Øystein spearheading into you in a firm pace, the last bit of your coherent brain busy muffling and holding back desperate mewls and whimpers, you rendered completely oblivious to what was happening around you…unlike the black-haired guitarist. From the very corner of his eyes, Øystein's attention got pulled towards the semi-open door, the old, wooden floor in front of it creaking treacherously. Just by the way a well familiar pair of thoroughly worn out combat boots barely peaked across the lines of the door frame, he knew that the both of you had been caught right in the act but he didn't so much as even bother to stop from guiding you up and down his throbbing hard on.

"You at least got yourself off here and there, no?" You shook your head.

"Didn't feel right. I- I just hoped things would get back to normal…" You groaned, the sensation of Euronymous' cock stroking over that extra sensitive spot inside of you sending cold, little shivers down your spine.

"Oh, love, then I better make sure to give it to you better than Per ever could…lazy fucker." Øystein scoffed more to his friend and singer hiding next to the door frame than to you but you didn't take any notice of that, your senses way too busy with just keeping it together.

For a moment, Øystein felt actual and very real rage gushing through him. Anger towards his friend for being such an oblivious prick regarding the suffering and all-round neglect he was dragging you through. It was a terribly self-righteous emotion, that he knew for sure, however, he couldn't help himself but to let it fuel the way he rutted into you, burying himself as deep as possible inside of your wet pussy.

The rather morbid thing both of you failed to take notice of was what Dead was doing hidden away in the shadows of the hallway, the crushing humiliation not only going straight to his heart but to his awfully throbbing cock as well, the bitter-sweet masochistic rush leading him to palm himself through his trousers whilst biting down on his fist to not let just one singular sound escape from his twitching lips. The Swede was shamelessly jerking himself off to you getting railed by his closest friend.

"Gonna take good care of you, babe." Øystein groaned in a lust-riddled tone, both of his hands now closing down around your hips to hammer your form onto his cock with every jut and snap of his hips.

It had you bashfully nuzzling your face into the crook of his neck, the cigarette smoke soaked leather of his jacked cold against your cheek, whilst you still clawed at his sides underneath his shirt.

Your fingers dug into his skin as you felt your walls starting to flutter and contract around Øystein's hard on, the first crushing jolts of your pent-up orgasm rippling through your body, senses being sent into blissful overdrive.

"Good girl…fuck, pulling me in so hard now, huh?" Euronymous' voice cracked and eventually faltered just like the rolls of his lap against yours.

"Issok…", He talked you through your release, shoving himself balls deep into your spasming cunt before flooding your insides with white-hot ropes of his seed, a guttural groan ripping itself free from the depths of his lungs, "Just let yourself go. I gotchu."

The earth-shattering sensation of all the pent-up sexual desperation mixed in with shame and crushing guilt washing through your system had you biting down on his leather-clad shoulder, a fresh surge of tears threatening to swap over your lower lash line at any second.

"Aw, shit." A sore croak from outside the room led both of you to turn your heads so suddenly that it nearly gave you whiplash.

"The fuck?!" You shrieked out, practically jumping from Øystein's lap whilst he was equally busy with tucking himself back in and getting off the mattress.

"I got this!" Euronymous tried to calm you, awkwardly stumbling away from you before tearing the door open and vanishing into the dark hallway.

For a split second your overworked synapses tried to get a vague grasp on what was going down. Feet were hammering down stairs, noisy commotion erupted from inside the house before the sound of shattering glass and incomprehensible screaming and shouting filled the yard.

"Oh fuck no…" You huffed under your breath, wobbly legs nearly giving out as you tried to pull yourself from the mattress.

As soon as you stood upright again, you felt Øystein's load oozing out of you, soaking the flimsy fabric of your slip with every step you took. You dreaded the scenario that was unfolding outside because the yelling didn't seem to die down but much rather escalate further.

"You fucking traitor!" Pelle's raspy voice cut through the night air, hitting you as soon as you slid out the front door.

"Fucking traitor?!", Øystein spat right back whilst your eyes scanned the scenery anxiously, "You're the spineless loser, Per!"

"You fucked my girlfriend, Øystein!" Dead yelled and with his words you noticed Metallion and Jan Axel staring right at you, nothing but drunk confusion washing over their faces.

"And you pathetic fuck got off to it!" Euronymous had to duck down to dodge an empty beer bottle being sent his way.

"You what?!" You directed the question right at your boyfriend before you noticed a tell-tale damp and soaked-through spot right around his zipper.

"Yes, please tell her how you stood outside the room jerking off to your girl breaking down in front of me, Per!" Your bewildered stare rushed towards Øystein now.

"Huh? You…you saw him or what now?!?" The guitarist shrugged his shoulders and nodded.

"What the fuck is going on in here?" Jan Axel tried to intervene but both Per and Øystein shushed him almost simultaneously.

"You shut the fuck up!" Pelle sneered, looking like he was about ready to throw one of the plenty empty bottles of beer after his drummer too.

"No.", You huffed, wrapping your leather jacket around your torso to shield you from the creeping cold, "He actually got a point, because…what the hell?!"

"Pumpkin, I can explain, I promise." Per raised his hands in a soothing manner but you didn't feel like having any of it.

"Don't you dare sweet-talk me now, Pelle! You've been pushing me away for months but…you get off to, well, this?" You indirectly confirmed all that had been happening between Øystein and you.

"No. Just no. You know what? Fuck you. Fuck this shit. I'm not even remotely drunk enough to deal with this shitshow right now." To undoubtedly cement your point, you took a few swift steps toward Øystein who was looking at you with wide eyes as you fished for the pack of cigarettes in his pocket, drawing one for yourself before deliberately putting it to your lips.

"Yes, I fucked Øystein.", You threw your hands into the air after lighting the cigarette, "Maybe I should've done that much sooner, who knows?"

The last sentence was solely aimed to hurt Per as much as he had hurt you.

"Fucking hell, I'm so sick of all this dysfunctional shit…", You just shook your head before heading back inside, "Better none of you disrupt the date I have with a piss-warm bottle of Jägermeister now or you fucking bet I'll cut your dick off!"

[ethical-cain-vinnel]

NO NUT NOVEMBER WITH RORY CHARACTERS

Pairing(s): Gabriel (2014) x GN! reader, Euronymous x GN! reader, and Jack Thurlow x GN! reader

Tags/Warnings: Pure smut, penetrated reader but no mentions of which hole (so it works for anyone), sub reader for euro and jack but soft dom reader for gabe, slight varg vikernes slander cause as fine as emory is i hate the actual varg, kinda boring sorry :(

Notes: This is a collab with @icarus-star who is absolutely amazing! He’s writing for Danny Cooper, Chris Kenton, and Possum and you can find his fic here! Also, for the Euronymous part I am STRICTLY going off of Rory’s portrayal in the movie Lords of Chaos. I hope they’re not too ooc i really tried to make them accurate

GABRIEL

Okay so I have always felt that Gabe is on the asexual spectrum, specifically demisexual and/or aceflux

In other words, I think that he has little to no sexual attraction to someone he hasn’t formed a bond with. For the aceflux part, I think that he has some periods of times where he feels no sexual attraction at all and has a very low sex drive and other times where he has to go at it at least 3 times a day (and obviously times where he’s in between the two)

So, some years are easier than others and sometimes he can go for months without having to jerk off or have sex but I’m going to be talking about a month where he has a pretty high sex drive

I feel like he doesn’t often participate, but one year, you wanted to try it with him and he agreed

It is TORTURE FOR HIM

Poor boy is so pent up because in the last few weeks of October, his sex drive started to get higher again :(

Within the first few days, he’s so whiney and pent up and all he wants to do is hold your hand and kiss you as you two make love

I think for this year’s no nut november, he lasts a week MAYBE two before hes whining and telling you that you won

He’s so teary when he finally gets inside you and he cums almost as soon as you start moving

He needs you to take control because he gets fucked dumb so quickly

Overall, he doesn’t last long but the sex afterward makes it worth it

EURONYMOUS/ØYSTEIN AARSETH

He usually doesn’t care about no nut november, but stupid varg brought it up to the rest of the inner circle so now they’re all doing it.

On Halloween, he fucks you until you’re both overstimulated and passed out to hopefully make this easier for you both

He goes into it pretty cocky, thinking he’ll win the prize that the inner circle decided on

And he does pretty well

Until midway into week 2

Euro has a VERY high sex drive. Like at least 5-6 times a week but thats on a bad week

He could barely sleep in the same bed as you, your scent instantly making him pop a boner

He NEEDED to feel you again and by tuesday of the 3rd week, hes shoving you on the bed and tearing your clothes off

He fucks you so hard that you can’t walk for a few days and he has to either carry you everywhere or bring it to you

He’s pounding into you and saying the nastiest shit

He’s so mean about it but the aftercare is way better than normal

JACK THURLOW

I know that his fans (me included tbh) loves to make him out as a sex fiend but honestly, I think he has a pretty average sex drive

Out of the three characters I picked, he’s the one making it to the end

He’s only doing this cause he’s curious to see if it does anything (cough cough make him more emotional so he can write kick ass poems cough cough)

He lets you cock warm him on the last night of november

“Quit moving. Only an hour left. Be good”

Once it’s December first, you know you’ll need to call out for work in the morning.

He fucks you at his desk before taking you to the bed

He fucks you until he’s shooting blanks, and even then, he keeps going for 1-2 more rounds

The last week was really hard on him but he didn’t realize until he was back inside you

I genuinely think that he became more insufferable and aggravated without realizing it at the 2 ½ week mark

He takes care of you reaaallll well for the next couple days hehe

[marchsfreakshow]

Alright, so!

Hypothetical question: if the Evans were somehow in the same universe and wound up meeting (after the initial shock of seeing so many doppelgangers of themselves...), who would get along the best/like a house on fire, and who would be hissing at each other from across the room like feral cats?

THE CHAOS!!

I love chaos! I'll include a few non ahs evans too <3 thank you for this anon i've had so much fun thinking about these.

My thoughts under the cut cause I rambled.

Kit and Colin are definitely gonna get along fr.

Warren and Kai might just end up getting high and scream about politics together, I can feel it in my bones.

Tate is gonna sit in a corner and watch incredulously, too many doppelgangers, too much to think about.

Jeff just thinks he's had too much coke and is seeing things, and would probably freak out at JPM who just stays calm and attempts to not murder, basically his clones.

If we're going with pre-death Kyle, I think he'd try to be friendly with like, Jimmy. Who is just feeling insecure x100.

Quickie is zipping around and saying hello to everyone way too fast which freaks out Rory, but he'd be into it.

Kit and Rory might also just sit together and talk about their wives. Same with Edward and Gallant. They're just talking about the men they love. But not very much, Edward is literally just too scared to talk to anyone. He'd rather go back to his own universe and exist with his art.

Austin and JPM are getting along purely because of blood. Like that's the only reason they get along. And the fact that James is a ghost, and Austin is a vampire.

Going with FrankenKyle, Quickie is definitely accidentally incriminating him. He doesn't mean to, but he does. Jimmy realises Quickie is too much for our little zombie boy and pulls quickie back, telling him off. Jimmy is definitely the dad of the group for a moment.

Kai and Stan might get along. Might. Other than that, Stan isn't getting along with anyone. They're all (decently) loyal to their women, so they're all not fans of Stan being...well Stan.

Colin might have a sudden soft spot for FrankenKyle like Jimmy, and he's definitely checking on Kyle occasionally. Kit's fatherly nature also kicks in a lot and wants to check on everyone to make sure they're okay :(

[not-alien-girl-v]

Hi! I love your blog sm!! Could I pls request the evans with a manic pixie dream girl gf? Or just a Tate fic about having a manic pixie dream girl gf bc Tate is my absolute favourite 🥺 thank you !! <3

The Evans x MPDG

warning: idfk. soon i’m not gonna tag for language because this is tumblr you can’t expect to not see the word fuck

note: no jimmy, rory, austin, or whatever the fuck was in apocalypse because i haven’t bothered to watch seasons 4 and 10, and i just don’t want to write about ginger or bowl cut evan today. sue me. also i feel like i’m missing someone here. if i didn’t write about your favorite character i’m sorry

Tate:

tate is kinda like the sad boy archetype that falls in love with the mpdg in every movie

his life is boring and pointless, then he meets you

he’d write some poem about you, calling you ‘his sunshine, the only light he’d ever known’

and one day you’d drag him to an open mic night at a coffee house and force him to sit amongst the masses

you read out his poem and he’s absolutely mortified

but he waits until you are outside to kiss you, his way of saying thank you

he mostly just entertains your madness, he lets you come to him with all your bullshit things you say and he listens

he never reciprocates it much, never being high energy or whimsical, but he always admires you for it, whether it be by words or just by the adoring way he looks at you

you give all his favorite songs new meanings, you take him to do things he’s never done, and before he realizes it, he’s finally living, instead of merely surviving

you’re truly a spectacle and he never wants to take his eyes off of you

Kit:

he loves how silly you are,, finds it so endearing and pretty

he loves joking around with you like kids, and your spontaneity charms him every time

although sometimes you are a bit much for him

he loves you so much, and he wants to marry you and settle down and have kids

but you’re not sure the words ‘settle down’ will ever be in your vocabulary

it’s nice to have someone solid to fall back on when things crash and burn but he wishes things weren’t always crashing and burning with you

he cares too much about you, and doesn’t want to see you get hurt one way or another

and you’re so magnetic to everyone around you, he’s always terrified of losing you since he never matches the energy you give to him

Kyle:

the most manic pixie dream boy on this list

not kidding either

in a mainstream way, if that makes sense, like you would still have to introduce him to good music

niche but i imagine this song being ‘your song’

often times you butt heads with who gets to take who on an exciting, life changing, world shattering date because you both have something planned

he doesn’t always have the time to be crazy with you, but if you catch him in the right mood, he’d be willing to drop class for the day and drive out of state

late night impromptu dates, like grocery shopping or graveyard visiting

on that note, he’d take you to a graveyard and make up stories about the most unusual graves, like the youngest ones, the ones with strange gravestones or notes, and whoever can make the best story doesn’t have to pay for dinner later

he’d always end up paying, you’re just too good to beat

James:

you’re a breath of fresh air to him, especially once he can’t keep murdering hotel guests anymore

you keep things interesting, eternity in the hotel doesn’t seem so bad when he has you by his side, finding new things to do everyday, throwing him off daily but he loves you for it

he’s very hesitant to do some things, however, like throwing water balloons at people from the roof, but he enjoys the chaos and mild inconvenience it bestows on the victims

and he does love your weird food combinations you come up with on the spot during dinner, he tries to stomach them every time, even when you mix strawberries into your soup

he really doesn’t mind how little you sleep during the night, he doesn’t sleep at all, so he can just spend the empty hours alone with you, which is more than he could ever ask for

he reads you his favorite books from his youth and without fail, you give him a new way to look at the stories, a new perspective on things

he cares an awful lot about you and your eccentricity, and he always avoids saying no to your schemes

Kai:

pisses him tf off

hates when the attention is on you during cult meetings

ignores you and your madness at all times

certainly does NOT get all soft when you’re alone together

absolutely NEVER plays into the little stories you make up on the spot or random impressions you do when you’re bored

DEFINITELY DOES NOT do silly little things like letting you do his makeup to look like you, buying you books of poetry, or flowers that reminded him of you

is in NO WAY effected long term by your spontaneity, certainly he doesn’t enjoy his life 10x more since you came into it and made it inherently better

this is kai anderson we’re talking about, he’d never cuddle up with you and listen to you talk all about your adventures from the day, all the dogs you shook hands with, all the strangers you greeted like friends, the ‘meaningful’ pieces of trash you collected off the ground to plaster on your bedroom walls

no, he’s a cult leader, he would NEVER buy into all that sappy shit

[rebelcliche-archive2]

🍓 🔫

whoa, whoa, you ain't gotta hold me at gun point, rory, dang!

i know it's harder for us to interact on nancy and dmitri bc of the separate plot threads and the age difference, so it can be hard for them to relate to each other, but i still enjoy the interactions we do have together on here! i'm also glad i convinced you to take up robin too bc she deserves some love and attention in this fandom and i knew that if anyone could do her justice, it would be you!

i know this fandom has been little less than a fuckin hellscape for us both, but i can promise that if i didn't have you, i would've left this fandom for good after s2 lol. and tbh, you're one of my best friends and i'm beyond blessed to have known you for as long as i have! i think it's funny how we're both pretty level-headed and chill until we get together and then it's pure chaos (i.e. me encouraging the spam on dear ol' enzo here). and it's been like this for years and i wouldn't change it. it's wild to me that i've known you longer than anyone else on this horrible ass website and i wouldn't change it for the world tbh! these 8 years of friendship have been wild, but i'd rather it have been with you than anyone else!

i think you're an amazing writer- like seriously, how much effort you put into your portrayal of dmitri, here, is so admirable and criminally unappreciated. it's truly unfair that your blog gets overlooked at times when you put so much thought into your portrayal of dmitri and try to make him as historically accurate as you can. i can only hope that you'll get the attention that you deserve on here and that people will start appreciating you and your portrayal more! you're rortastic and i love you to pieces, rory! i'll always be in your corner! never forget it!

[wiypt-writes]

What The Stark Spangled F**k?

Trouble Tin Paradise: A Stark Spangled Forever One Shot

Summary: Rori is causing chaos in the kitchen…

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Katie Stark (OFC)

Warnings: bad language, Rori being a brat…nothing else specific

Disclaimer: this is pure fiction. I own none of these guys bar Katie Stark and any other OFC mentioned. I don’t give anyone permission to use or repost my work. Reblogs are cool though. MINORS DO NOT ENGAGE.

A/N: been sat on this for a while…but here’s some Rogers-Stark chaos…

Stark Spangled Forever Masterlist

Main Masterlist

“Where’s Mom?” Jamie asked, wandering into the lounge. Steve, who was led on the rug helping Flossie slot brightly coloured bricks through the corresponding holes, looked up.

“If you’d have been listening at breakfast instead of messing with whatever was so important on your iPad you’d know the answer to that question.”

Jamie rolled his eyes and folded his arms. “Humour me.”

Steve laughed and shook his head, “She’s taken Harry to soft play, then said she might head to the tower to see Auntie Pep about some work. She’ll be back for dinner.”

“Okay, so I actually did know that.”

“Why you asking then?”

“Coz I wanna know why she didn’t take Rori.”

“Take it you didn’t hear the shouting before?”

“Had my head set on. I was kicking Uncle Bucky’s butt online. You know, for someone who used to be in the army, he is so crap at shooting games.”

“Okay, two things. What have I told you about saying that word? And two… me and your mother are gonna have a discussion with Bucky about the kinds of games he’s buying you for that damned PlayStation.”

Jamie sighed, “fine, whatever, but what was the shouting?”

“She back chatted your Ma one too many times. This morning she refused to put her coat on, said she hates it. When your mom told her there were kids all over that would be grateful for such a nice jacket, Rori told her to, and I quote, ‘wrap it up and give it to them as a present’.”

“Oh.” Jamie grimaced.

“Yup, so she’s in her room…”

“Yeah, no she’s not.”

“What?” Steve blanched and felt his stomach flip.

“Don’t panic… or actually, maybe do…”

“James, what the hell-“

“She’s in the pantry… and…”

“Oh for the love of- watch Floss.” Steve jumped up as Jamie swapped places with him and he jogged down the hall.

“Rori? Aurora? What are you-“

He stopped dead in the doorway between the kitchen and large pantry and blinked. Rori was sat on the counter side, having pulled half of the tinned food cans Katie kept in one of the cupboards out and had liberated them of their labels.

“Hi, Daddy.” She grinned at him, as she flicked a label from a can of kidney beans off her finger.

Steve looked at her, then to the damned cat that seemed to be wherever she was, as it sat on the side, currently swatting at a label from a tin of tomato soup.

“What. The. HELL do you think you’re doing, young lady?” Steve’s voice was loud and stern. Rori blinked and then shrugged.

“Taking the labels off these tins.”

“Yes, I can see that!”

“Then why d’ya ask?”

Steve looked at her, as she stared back before he groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fine, let’s try a different question. Why are you taking the labels off the tins?”

“Because Mommy annoyed me. And I want to make Erica a paper dress, because she needs one for the cat-walk.”

“Because Mommy annoyed you.” Steve repeated.

“Yup.”

“You know, right now you’re really annoying me.” Steve looked at his daughter. “Shall I go start pulling labels off all of your things? Or how about I go and pull all your drawings off the wall in the play-room?”

At that Rori’s eyes widened. “No, Daddy, that’s-“

“Mean?”

“Yeah!”

“And what do you think this is, Aurora?”

Steve’s anger was now starting to boil over. He loved his kids, every last one of them, and he would also happily admit to anyone who asked, one of his favourite things about Rori was that she was a total sassbag like her mother. But sometimes that sass got too much, just like it did with Katie, and now was one of those times.

“Daddy-“

“No, no, this is naughty. And your mommy shouted at you this morning because you were naughty. You didn’t get to go to soft play because you were naughty. And now, you’re here, being equally as naughty by trashing the pantry, because Mommy annoyed you by punishing you for being naughty in the first place. Can you see the flaw in your logic?”

“What’s a flaw?”

“Problem.”

“Oh. What’s logic?”

“Reasoning. Something you use when you decide if something is a good idea.”

“Oh.” She pondered for a moment, then shrugged. “But I can use the labels!”

“Oh, you can use the labels huh?” Steve strode forward and ignoring the yells of protest swept them off the side and scrunched them into a ball in his large hands, “not anymore!” He stalked over to the garbage and tossed them in. “Now get down from there right now and go to your room.”

“I don’t wanna!”

“Well right now I don’t wanna look at you…”

“Go back to the lounge then!”

And that was it, Steve’s final shred of self control snapped. He gently gripped his daughter by the arm, ignoring the screams and yells and lifted her off the counter, slinging her over his shoulder. She screamed and hit at his back with her balled fists in an out and out tantrum as he carried her upstairs and dumped her on her bed.

“Stay here, and if I hear so much as a foot step, I swear to God I’ll put every single one of your toys in the garbage too!”

Rori glared at him, through her angry tears, sobbing loudly as she wiped her eyes. “I hate you.”

Steve swallowed, he’d never heard that from her before. Jamie had uttered it once or twice but been quick to take it back but it still cut him to the core. However, not wanting to show weakness he simply swallowed, hands on his hips. “That’s fine, because right now, I don’t particularly like you either.”

Closing the door on her cries, Steve leaned against it, banging the back of his head on the wood lightly as he did so. He took a deep breath to calm himself, before he headed back down to the lounge.

Flossie grinned up at him, holding her hands up, “Daddda.”

He picked her up and smiled as she pressed her palms against each of his cheeks. “You gonna turn out to be as much as a diva as her?”

“Course she is,” Jamie shrugged, “she loves Rori.”

“I’m too old for this crap.”

“Language!” Jamie grinned and at that, Steve chuckled before he groaned.

“Your mom is gonna go mad.”

“Yup.”

Steve chewed the inside of his lip before he placed Flossie down and flopped onto the sofa. “Find me a seven foot block of ice I can freeze myself in again, will ya?”

****

Katie stared at the array of tins on the side and groaned.

“I was gonna put em away,” Steve sighed, “but I didn’t know what to put where or…”

“No, it’s okay. Little shit.” Katie shook her head as she picked up a tin and shook it. “So that’s soup of some kind…”

“Oh, I threw the labels…” Steve groaned, “Doll, I’m sorry.”

“Steve, it’s fine.” Katie turned to him, “this isn’t your fault, it’s hers.”

“Well, I unloaded on her, big time. Enough for her to say she hates me.”

Katie snorted, “she says that to me at least twice a week.”

“She’s never said it to me before.” Steve hung his head a little and Katie moved, her hands sliding up his chest and coming to rest on his broad shoulders.

“Because she’s a Daddy’s Girl, soldier, and has you wrapped around her little finger.”

“Hmm, wonder where she gets that from.” Steve arched a brow and Katie popped a shoulder.

“It’s a talent I’ve perfected, I’ll give you that.”

He chuckled a little as she stood on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “Don’t worry about it, just go make sure Harry and Floss are okay and I’ll start dinner.”

Leaving her to it, after offering to help and being waved away, he headed into the play room and spent some time with his youngest son who told him all about his day in a very enthusiastic manner. An hour or so later, Katie called them all in for dinner which turned out to be one of her exceptional lasagnes, a huge salad and some garlic bread. Rori stalked into the room, not even looking at Steve and sat down.

“This looks great, Mom, thanks!” Jamie helped himself as Steve dished up a smaller portion for Harry and Rori, Katie giving Flossie a few crackers to keep her occupied, the tot having been fed earlier.

“I don’t like lasagne.” Rori mutinously stated as Steve set the plate down in front of her.

“For the love of-“ he began but stopped when Katie held her hand up.

“Since when? You are it last week.”

“Since now. It’s boring.”

“Okay.” Katie replied, her voice calm, “how about I fetch you something else?”

Steve and Jamie exchanged a glance, neither of them sure where this was going. Katie was normal the hard ass when it came to things like this.

“What else?” Rori asked.

“It’s a surprise.” Katie said, mysteriously and Rori grinned.

“Okay.”

Katie left and momentarily returned with a label-less can and true can opener.

Immediately, Jamie roared with laughter as Katie grinned and began to open the can.

“No, I don’t want-“

“But you don’t know what it is yet!” Katie looked at Rori before she opened the tin and face an “ooooh” before she clapped her hands together. She grabbed a spoon, stuck it in the tin and slid it over. “Your favourite!”

Rori grabbed the tin and looked inside before she pushed it away and glared at her mother. “I hate peas!”

“Well…” Katie shrugged, “I couldn’t tell what was in it on account of you taking the label off.”

Rori blinked, then looked at the tin before she looked down at her plate. “I’m sorry.” She sniffed and then a tear fell down her cheek.

“Thank you for apologising.” Katie spoke gently. “And I think you need to apologise to someone else too, huh?”

Rori nodded and raised her head to look at Steve. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I don’t hate you. That was mean.”

Her voice broke on the last word and Steve sighed, moving so he could pull her into his lap. She wrapped her arms round his neck and sobbed as Steve gently rocked her side to side.

“It’s okay, and Rori, it’s alright to be angry and feel mad but it’s not okay to do and say things like you did today. Do you understand, Princess?”

She nodded and sniffed again.

“Okay, now, you gonna sit and eat your dinner?”

She nodded again and Steve kissed her head before she shifted and sat back down.

The room was silent for a few seconds as everyone tucked in, the happy mood restored in the Rogers’ household.

And then, a little voice spoke from Harry’s seat.

“Momma? I like peas.”

[finalfilms]

part two for final destination characters fave deltarune characters (adding a lil bit of undertale cause there’s a LOT)

nora - obviously toriel, cause they’re both moms, yk? but she like to sit and watch tim play it and shouts at him whenever he does a genocide/snowgrave route

tim - we barely see any of him but i believe this man is pure chaos when it comes to video games. he picks the most random options and will do “asshole pacifist” routes. that being said, he loves jevil and papyrus

eugene - the obvious answer is clearly alphys or toriel, since their both teachers, but his all time favorite is sans. he secretly loves puns and bad jokes, and the character on sans is great for him to analyze. (he def analyzes characters and makes theories all the time)

kat - this hashtag girlboss loves the other hashtag girlboss. she loves undyne and susie so much and wants to be as badass as them.

rory - this little shit loves lancer so much. he will point to lancer and ralsei interacting and go “that’s us” to kat, who will try to punch him

wendy - ralsei. she feels like ralsei having to deal with jason and kevin all the time. she also wants to hug him and pet him because he looks very soft

julie - the queen. totally. similar to alex, in quoting her randomly, but also because of the chaotic energy that just sort of vibrates off the queen. she likes it.

kevin - unironically likes berdely (burghley? birdlee? berdley?) he usually says he’s the best character to piss off wendy

jason - i feel like c round. he thinks c round is adorable and can do no wrong (even though he died to c round like 3 times)

lewis - susie. he loves how badass and cool she is. he did die to undyne in undertale a lot though.

ian - little goth man’s fave is burgerpants/pizzapants. no i am not going to explain

erin - erin on the other hand really likes kris. she feels bad for making kris do options that they don’t want to seem to do, and for that reason NEVER does snowgrave. she’s also a big susie fan.

frankie - little bitch boy likes napstablook. napstablook does not like him. it is a good cycle.

okay so this one was wayyy longer but i like it and i hope it makes sense #LOL

[wheresmynaya]

Cupcake Battles Ch.3 | Brittana

Also available on ff.net (x) ao3 (x) & below the cut! 

Tensions are high as we return to the Cupcake Battles arena where the remaining two teams duke it out for the opportunity to win $10,000 and have their final cupcake display featured as  the centerpiece at the Annual Cheerios Breakfast Benefit. Reinforcements have been called upon and are hard at work assisting the teams with the task of producing 1,000 cupcakes in order to fill their displays.

After such a close call in the second round, Brittany and Sugar have a new sense of determination as they work and keep their usual antics to somewhat of a minimal.

Keyword: somewhat.

“Ugh, this isn’t right!” Sugar grumbles out in frustration to a ball of fondant before her. The color is all wrong but even she can’t fix it, so what does she do with a wrecked ball of fondant?

What any other person would do, of course, throw it at her enemies!

“Ow!” Tina yelps as she is pelted square in the chest. She looks down to her counterspace and finds the misshapen, discolored ball of sugar. She scoffs at it and snaps up to find Sugar pumping her fist triumphantly.

“Bullseye!” Sugar cheers and the sound makes Brittany look up from the frosting she is working on to see what the fuss is about.

“What did you do?” She drawls out behind a smirk and follows Sugar’s gaze to find Tina rubbing her chest, “You didn’t…”

“I did,” Sugar says proudly and dusts off her shoulder, “Right in the tit!”

Brittany chuckles as she reaches over for a high five, “Nice one.”

\\

Over by the judges’ panel, Sam’s face is covered in the remnants of Mercedes and Artie’s cupcakes from the previous round. Through the smeared frosting and cupcake crumbs, there is a content smile.

Santana, Kurt and Sue just stare at him with pure judgement.

“How is it all over his face?” Santana questions from the opposite end of the table, “With a mouth like that I’m sure he could’ve unlocked his jaw and swallow the thing whole.”

“Someone get this man a napkin!” Kurt beckons but Sam’s already reaching for his – very expensive – pocket square.

“It’s okay guys,” Sam waves off, “I got one!”

Kurt looks on in horror as Sam uses it to wipe his face, “Dear God, not Versace.”

“It was hideous,” Santana brushes off and finally looks away from the scene, “He’s doing us all a favor.”

Kurt looks as scandalized as ever, but his comments get lost as the camera is back on Sam. He wipes away the remaining evidence but completely misses the bits that have somehow gotten in his hair as he scrambles to make his announcement.

“You’re almost out of time, bakers!” Sam calls out to the teams, “Just 30 more minutes before your fates are decided.”

\\

Santana eyes drift over to Brittany’s station again and she watches as Team Batter Up Cupcakes continues to work at a steady pace. She’s never really rooted for anyone in particular when it comes to these things, it kind of defeats the purpose of her job, but this battle has been different for her in many ways. Of all the contestants she has met through the show, she has never met someone like Brittany. She can’t put her finger on it, but there’s just something special and she finds herself wanting to know more.

How she gets so wrapped up like this in a matter of hours, she’ll never understand.

She’s still going to judge fairly and remain unbiased like always, she’s proven that thus far, but deep down she’s hoping and wishing that Brittany and Sugar come out of this on top.

She wants them to win.

She wants Brittany to win.

She wants to reward her for being so damn talented and for being the first girl in a long time to make her blush, but when the reward in her mind doesn’t exactly match up with the prize money or the benefit she thinks she might be in a little trouble here.

So maybe Kurt is right and maybe she has a little bit of a crush on the baker but honestly, who wouldn’t? The girl is damn near perfect in Santana’s eyes.

It doesn’t help that Kurt is on to her now though and makes a comment about Santana’s leering every two seconds. She’s close to smacking him upside his head, but she manages to control herself and ignore most of the things he says like:

“I’m all for happiness, Santana.”

“Love is Love, Santana.”

“Let her touch your other boob, Santana.”

“Will you just shut up already!” Santana finally snaps, “I’m so close to beating you with this chair.”

Kurt frowns but quiets down anyway.

\\

Brittany inhales deeply, trying to settle her rattling nerves as she glances up at the clock for the twentieth time in the last five minutes. The round is really zooming by and they’re making great time, but the pressure is still there. She has seen what happens when you don’t finish on time so she doesn’t want to give Bland and Tacky over there any help.

They need to be on point!

With the help of the reinforcements, there is no doubt they’ll finish strong but she just hopes that the adjustments she and Sugar decided to make to their recipes will pass over well with the judges. They’re confident though in what they’ve changed, so they at least have that going for them. Just another thing they do so much better than the competition.

There’s also just a little part of Brittany that she keeps to herself that wants to make Santana proud.

The co-judge sees something in them, something that sometimes goes over everyone else’s heads. Where others have called Brittany and Sugar weird or random or strange, Santana sees talent and sheer genius. It’s like Brittany finally feels understood and it’s such a great feeling, but at the same time she doesn’t want to let Santana down. She doesn’t want that faith in her to be misplaced or wasted.  

The next time Brittany checks the time, she finds Santana’s eyes are on her. There’s a soft smile playing at her pouty lips and there’s this glimmer in deep brown eyes as she watches Brittany pause for a moment.

Something inside Brittany swells and she fills with a warmth that only seems to happen when Santana looks at her like that. It’s like the brunette only has eyes for her which is saying something since she’s supposed to be judging everyone but Brittany isn’t exactly complaining.

When Santana gives her a subtle nod, Brittany feels like her heart bottoms out and the smile she didn’t realize she wore grows bigger. She tries to stay focused though and turns back to her work, but not before sending Santana a wink as she goes.

\\

“How’d we do?” Their designated builder, Rory, asks as he and a couple others roll out the display Brittany and Sugar had designed earlier in the round.

It’s this massive set up with differentiating heights for shelving and pops of color that fit in with the Cheerios’ theme along with the backlights lining the underside of the shelving. It’s flashy but not too much that it distracts from the main focus which will be their cupcakes.

Brittany and Sugar are ecstatic as they moon over how great it looks; meanwhile, Blaine and Tina’s display is presented too.

“Oh wow, amazing job guys!” Blaine compliments as he takes in their masterpiece.

It’s basically a wooden table with one stand in the center that is carved out to look like a cheerleader with pom-poms. No color, not lights, no excitement.

It’s so underwhelming that even the builder looks a little uneasy about it.

“You sure we can’t do anything else?” Jake the Builder asks but Blaine just shakes his head.

“No, this is exactly what we envisioned. It’s so perfect!”

Tina nods as well, “We didn’t want to be too obnoxious with our display. The cupcakes are the real focus here.”

Brittany and Sugar can tell who that comment is meant for judging by the quick glare Tina gives them, but they fake a snore and abruptly wake up when Tina adds, “Unlike some people here.”

“Were you saying something?” Brittany calls out to them innocently, “Your display put us to sleep.”

“Yeah, I knocked out for a good five minutes!” Sugar agrees.

“You’re just jealous!” Blaine replies in a huff, “We don’t have to rely on – “

Sugar lets out another loud faux-snore and Brittany fakes looking shocked as she turns to her partner then back to Blaine and Tina, “Great! Look what you’ve done. You put her asleep again!”

Tina only rolls her eyes and turns back to Blaine, “They’re ridiculous.”

“Yeah, well…your display makes my eyes hurt!” Blaine yells over and his face is already tinting a shade of pink from frustration.

Brittany and Sugar just laugh as the other team continues to try and insult them although nothing the say seem to bother the girls. A bit of trash talk never really fazed them anyway.

\\

With just ten seconds left, it’s a mad dash to finish off the final touches to the teams’ displays. For Brittany and Sugar, everything is perfectly in place and they stand back to admire their work with seconds to spare.  

Blaine and Tina looked as stressed as ever rushing around, occasionally bumping into each other and their helpers. It’s utter chaos and completely hectic which is so unusual for them since thus far they have been really great with time management.

Brittany and Sugar just stay huddled together as they join Sam in counting down the final seconds as loud as they can. They – of course – don’t miss Blaine and Tina tossing them dirty looks as they go.

“5…4…3…2…1!” Sam calls out then his voice turns deeper, “Step away from your displays, it is time for Judgement Day!”

Blaine is wiping his brow while Tina looks like an anxious mess. They both have somewhat of a worried look on their faces as they eye their display.

Brittany takes such a weighty moment to poke fun at them and gestures over to the left side of their display, “You missed a huge gap right there!”

Blaine’s eyes widen and he rushes around to look although he knows he isn’t allowed to make any changes. When he finds that Brittany was just messing with him – yet again – he rolls his eyes tiredly.

“This is the last time we’re competing against you guys,” He says grumpily.

“Awh don’t be like that!” Brittany replies through a sweet smile, “This is like our ritual. You make boring things and kiss everyone’s ass – “

“Gross,” Sugar interjects.

“And we make fun of you and win!” Brittany shrugs, “It’s the best.”

Blaine opts to stay silent and Tina just shakes her head as Sam brings around the judges to get a better look at their finished products. This time their first stop is Team Baking Dreams Come True and Brittany and Sugar lose the playful banter while they await their turn.

\\

She’s a tad bit weary after listening to Santana completely demolish Blaine and Tina’s display for being, “A perfect example of what not to do if you’re claiming something is rustic. It’s not even that. It’s not even minimalist. It’s just uninteresting but I’m not surprised.”

For Blaine and Tina, their cupcakes better blow the judges away or else that’s it for them!

Brittany and Sugar’s display isn’t boring, that’s for sure, but being too busy can be just as bad. Regardless, she and Sugar are proud of their work no matter what the judges have to say. They’re proud of themselves for making it to the final round and they’ve had a ton of fun.

\\

“Okay esteemed judges,” Sam says as the group approaches the final team, “Last stop: Team Batter Up Cupcakes.”

“Hey judges!” Brittany greets happily. She has miraculously regained some composure after the whole Chocolate Boob incident and keeps a level head as the judges have a look at their display. She and Sugar are off to the side on stand-by while the judges walk around it but as Santana rounds the corner, her eyes catches Brittany’s.

Brittany then sees her stop and turn to her with the same familiar soft smile as before.

“You’ve got a little,” Santana says and gestures to her own nose but her voice is so low that Brittany doesn’t hear what she’s trying to say and leans in closer for a better listen.

“Sorry?” She asks confusedly.

“There’s just some – “ Santana pauses then takes the back of her hand to brush gently against the tip of Brittany’s nose.

Brittany doesn’t blink, doesn’t breathe, she just lets it happen like she’s having some out of body experience. She’s just brushing something off of her nose, but there’s something oddly intimate about the whole thing. If she wasn’t on national tv right now, this would be the moment where she would shoot her shot but that’s not the case. She stays grounded where she stands, frozen by Santana’s touch.

When Santana finally pulls away, Brittany can see her visibly gulp.

“Flour,” Santana clarifies.

“Oh,” Brittany’s sure her entire face goes red, “Thanks.”

There’s a twitch of a smile before the trance is broken and Santana goes back to studying the display.

Brittany’s trying to process that but earns a backhanded slap against her arm, curtesy of Sugar. She has to mouth shut up to the other baker in fear of her going rogue and doing something embarrassing like telling Santana that Brittany thinks she’s drop dead gorgeous.

Sugar isn’t wrong, but like…now isn’t the time for that.

\\

Kurt watches the whole scene like it’s the most racy thing he’s seen all day.

“What was that?” Kurt asks in a hushed whisper.

Santana surrounds herself with an air of indifference, “What was what?”

“That!”

“Yeah,” Santana chuckles as she turns away to focus on something else, “You’re gonna have to be a little more specific.”

Kurt catches up to her and lowers his voice even more, “I may be – as you say – the Queen of England, but even I know what an eye-fuck looks like.”

“Kurt!” Santana gasps then laughs, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say fuck before. That was amazing.”

“Don’t deflect,” Kurt says with narrowed eyes, “You need to dial back the obvious gay before you get accused of favoritism, especially with this kind of rivalry going on. You need to focus.”

Santana grits her teeth because he has a tiny bit of a point, but she’s not going to admit that to him. Instead she keeps her eyes on the team’s work as she smirks, “Can you say fuck again? I need a laugh.”

Kurt just lets out frustrated groan.

\\

“Glad someone incorporated the Cheerios colors,” Sue agrees with her eyes still roaming the display, “Looks fine.”

“This came out really great and I spy a new cupcake too,” Kurt points out a moment later looking somewhat impressed, “Should I be nervous?”

Brittany smiles softly, “Well there are quite a few spices involved…”

“Great,” Kurt says but he lacks enthusiasm, “What is it?”

“So we took the judges’ feedback into consideration and got rid of the Piña Colada cupcake and replaced it with our take on a Dirty Chai,” Brittany tells them, “The cake batter is infused with classic chai spices, topped with an espresso whipped cream frosting and garnished with a chocolate covered coffee bean.”

“Oh!” Kurt looks to Santana in surprise before turning back to Brittany, “That actually sounds lovely.”

Brittany smiles proudly before Santana speaks up.

“Mercedes and Artie did a very good coffee-based cupcake last round,” Santana comments while looking straight at Brittany. There’s something different in her tone that Brittany can’t quite place, “So I have pretty high expectations.”

Brittany smiles confidently though despite the change and the moment they had just a few minutes ago, “I always come through for you, don’t I?”

“We’ll see if you can keep that up,” Santana smirks and it causes Brittany to perk up before it falters. Santana glances back to the display and her expression is unreadable, “It’s an okay design. The different heights are a nice touch.”

Brittany and Sugar share a look; so far their feedback has been okay – better than Blaine and Tina’s for sure– but okay nonetheless. The big thing that’ll earn them a win is taste though and they’re pretty confident they’ve got that in the bag.

Brittany and Sugar thank them before Sam is directing the judges back to the panel for the final tasting.

\\

For maybe the first time ever, Brittany kind of feels bad for Blaine and Tina.

Team Baking Dreams Come True are up first and the judges have already gone through three of the four cupcakes Blaine and Tina decided to go with. Again, the feedback is all over the place but the biggest struggle is that Santana’s facial expressions are pretty unreadable and her remarks are either really positive or really negative.

There is no in between.

Sue continues with the bluntness while Kurt kind of smooths over their sharp words with his diplomatic critiques. Their flavors are there as well as the execution so at a surface-level, they did great but they’re just missing something. With everything considered, Brittany and Sugar have no idea how the judges truly feel about Team Baking Dreams Come True.

By the time Blaine and Tina are dismissed to their station again, Brittany’s stomach is in knots.

“We’re totally going to win this. We got this, Brittz!” Sugar whispers encouragingly as they walk the short distance over, holding onto each other’s hand tightly.

Brittany nods resolutely at the reminder and says, “Yeah we do.”

\\

Brittany’s thinking so far so good as the judges work their way through the cupcakes.

Everyone’s feedback has been relatively positive! Kurt even thanked them for dialing back the cayenne pepper in the Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate cupcake because he could actually enjoy it now. Sue was a little disappointed that the Piña Colada cupcake had been replaced which the bakers found confusing since she was the one that said it wouldn’t go over well at the benefit.

And Santana…well, she’s unreadable still. Brittany had gotten use to the stolen glances and secret smiles but since the moment they shared near her team’s station, Santana has gone…cold? Brittany isn’t sure what it is.

It’s like Santana’s trying to keep her cards close to her chest with how short she’s being with her feedback and this newfound seriousness is making Brittany and Sugar nervous. There was this warmth Santana possessed when she spoke to them – to Brittany – but that’s gone now and Brittany wonders why that is.  

Overall though, Santana has commended their high skill level and their ability to balance flavors perfectly…but that’s nothing new. Brittany and Sugar already know they’re awesome in those departments and Santana has spent the entire morning confirming that.

\\

It’s not until they reach the team’s final cupcake – their new one inspired by a Dirty Chai – that a crack appears in Santana’s stiff exterior.

“You weren’t joking about the spice,” Kurt notes as they begin to taste, “But it’s not overpowering and the cake is deliciously moist. There’s a warmth to this one that I really love. I think it might be my favorite.”

Brittany’s heart skips a beat. Thus far, their cupcakes have been a hit or a miss when it came to Kurt so she’s glad that he speaks so highly of this one.

Sue chimes in next and she’s already halfway through the entire thing as she says bluntly, “I don’t hate this either.”

Brittany and Sugar share a look; that’s two out of three so far!

“What are you thinking, Santana?” Kurt prompts as he looks to the side at his co-judge.

She’s deep in thought as she drags the tip of her fork through the frosting before taking it to her lips for another taste. There’s a glimpse of her tongue against the metal and Brittany thinks she’s never been so jealous of a fork before.

“What was this called again?” Santana asks after running her tongue along the curve of her bottom lip.

Brittany’s zeroed in on the movement but blinks back into focus, “Dirty Chai. It’s one of my favorites to start the morning. I think it tastes like Christmas in a cup.”

Santana hums in response and looks down at the plate.

Brittany’s heart is racing faster than it has all day and she thinks that she has never wanted to be a mind reader more in her life. If Santana doesn’t say something soon, Brittany might actually pass out from anticipation.

“Christmas in a cup,” Santana repeats like she’s testing the words then she begins to smile. She finally meets Brittany’s gaze and her smile grows even wider, “That’s cute.”

“Cute?!” Kurt practically gasps and stares at Santana with this confused look, “Since when do you – “

“Don’t,” Santana cuts him off quickly with a glare before turning back to Brittany. She smiles again and the warmth is there but only briefly. The smile she wears slips away seconds later and the seriousness is back, “I think it was a very wise decision to replace your Piña Colada cupcake with this. It fits in perfectly with the rest you’ve chosen. It was bold of you to make such a drastic change in the final round, but it was well executed.”

Brittany fills with pride and she can’t help but ask, “And the frosting?”

Santana smirks at the forwardness but relents with a bow of her head, “Tastes like espresso.”

Brittany beams at her before looking to Sugar; there’s no way they’re leaving the arena without a win now, she’s sure of it!

“Well Brittany and Sugar,” Sam cuts in, already eyeing the judges’ leftovers, “You can return to your kitchen while the judges get to deliberating.”

\\

When it’s time to announce the winner, it’s like Sam decides to take a dramatic pause after every single word and it’s complete torture. Sugar is close to losing it and just stomping over to read the little card herself, but Brittany keeps their hands joined as they wait it out.

When Sam finally says the winners’ names aloud, Brittany swears she blacks out for a good five seconds before she’s registering who the cheering and confetti cannon explosions are for. The excitement moves around her in a blur and her ears are ringing with the sound of We Are The Champions and she struggles to focus as a huge check is being guided into hers and Sugar’s hands.

Nothing makes sense though until her eyes land on Santana who stands just a few feet away from her wearing the proudest of smiles while she claps for them.

When Brittany blinks, suddenly everything is back to normal and she gets it.

“Holy shit,” She says as she looks down at the check then turns to Sugar, “We won.”

“Duh!” Sugar beams before weeding out Blaine and Tina with their sourpuss faces, “We’re rich, bitches!”

Blaine and Tina just rolls their eyes before sulking out of the arena.

Brittany laughs and pulls Sugar into a one-armed hug, “We’re so awesome!”

“Hell yeah we are,” Sugar agrees, “And now we get all dolled up and go to a swanky benefit!”

Brittany’s smile falters and her face fills with confusion, “Wait. We actually get to go to the benefit?”

“Yeah, didn’t you hear when Guppy Face was explaining?” Sugar asks before she begins to smirk, “Or were you too busy daydreaming about Santana…“

“I wasn’t daydreaming,” Brittany sighs and begins to explain, “I was just – “

“Op, heads up! Hot Judge alert,” Sugars rushes out just in time.

“Congratulations,” Santana says as she approaches and the rest of Brittany’s words die on her lips.

Sugar’s wearing this mischievous grin before suddenly disappearing, leaving Brittany to hold the giant check alone.

“Thanks,” Brittany replies with a shy grin, “We’ve had a lot of fun today. The money is cool too.”

Santana nods, “You definitely earned it.”

“Totally,” Brittany says as she looks down at the thing, “Just not sure how I’m meant to cash it.”

Santana chuckles at that, “We got rid of the money gun. Sam broke the thing last season.”

“Bummer,” Brittany jokes, “Would’ve loved to make it rain.”

Santana bites her lip, “I just wanted to come over and congratulate you myself. It was a pleasure to watch you work. You’re a very talented baker.”

“Thanks,” Brittany blushes but pushes through, “That’s really awesome coming from someone with your kind of experience.”  

Santana ducks her head bashfully at the compliment before replying, “Well I’ll let you go to get ready for the benefit.”

Brittany barely gets a word out before the blonde is soon whisked away by stylists and rejoins Sugar in some room where they spend the next couple of hours getting primped.

\\

It has been the longest day ever for Brittany, but when she and Sugar finally arrive to the benefit and spot the many guests admiring their cupcake display it’s all so worth it. They linger around it for the first thirty minutes or so, accepting various compliments and congratulations before they sneak off to the bar for a well-deserved drink.

“You think we can keep these outfits?” Sugar asks wistfully after the bartender places their drinks in front of them. Sugar is pointing her toe out and gliding her hand down her side, “I look hot in this jumpsuit. Plus it has pockets!”

Brittany snickers, “Well they didn’t say we have to give them back. Maybe we can keep them? I wouldn’t mind adding this dress to my wardrobe.”

Sugar nods and goes to clink her glass with Brittany’s, “You’re a total babe, Brittz!”

Brittany grins at the compliment as she brings the glass up to her lips. Sugar follows suit before her eyes drift around the room, “I wonder if there are any single people in here for me to – fuck!”

Brittany’s eyes widen at the smack she feels against her arm that causes her cocktail to slosh around, “Sug, you have got to stop doing that. We don’t waste alcohol.”

“Britt, look!” Sugar urges as her eyes stay glued on someone across the room.

Brittany reluctantly swivels around, still dabbing at her arm, “What?”

When she doesn’t get an explanation, she looks up to find what has Sugar’s attention this time. It doesn’t take Brittany long to figure it out though because the woman across the room is glowing. Brittany swallows dryly at the sight of a plunging neckline and the way shimmering black fabric clings to perfect curves. Again, she finds herself in a trance as she stares the brunette down.

“We aren’t the only honeys in this joint,” Sugar says in awe, “Santana cleans up good, huh Britt?”

Brittany’s speechless; she didn’t know the judges would be attending too but she just nods in response to Sugar. Her words don’t seem to be working right now anyway.  

The crowd parts for Santana as she pauses to greet those that approach her and despite the reputation that proceeds her, she seems rather friendly with them. She looks genuinely happy to meet everyone and there’s this gleaming smile she wears that ignites the room. These people are like moths to a flame and if Brittany wasn’t so far away, she’d be right there with them getting burnt to a crisp.

Brittany can feel herself falling deeper and deeper and Santana hasn’t even looked her way yet. Who knows what’ll happen if she ever does?

She feels so silly about it because she’s only known the woman for a few hours and with all things considered, she really doesn’t stand a chance. The woman isn’t just some random she met at the grocery store. She’s Santana Lopez, the world renowned pastry chef and entrepreneur and Brittany is just…Brittany.

That’s not self-loathing or anything because Brittany knows that she’s special, but Santana is next-level. She’s famous and Brittany is just a small-town girl. What could she possibly offer someone like her? It’s that thought that has Brittany turning back to her drink with a sigh.

This is just a little crush and it’ll go away soon.

“What’s that for?” Sugar asks. She’s leaning her back against the bar top edge people-watching while she sips on her cocktail. When Brittany doesn’t answer right away, Sugar gives her a poke.

Brittany shakes her head and finally answers, “It’s nothing.”

“We haven’t known each other since like birth or anything and there’s a little bit of an age difference here, but show me a little respect…” Sugar says with her hand on her hip. She’s giving Brittany a look with her brow quirked, “You think I don’t know when my best friend is in a mood?”

Brittany frowns at that because of course Sugar notices everything. She thinks about her words carefully and what she’s feeling while she takes another sip of her drink.

Brittany has always been pretty secure with who she is. She has always been a risk-taker, always defied the laws of man and thought outside of the box, always known who she is. When it comes to women or men, Brittany has never had a problem before. Not to say that she’s some kind of player, but she can carry on a conversation pretty easily. She doesn’t usually get nervous around them either, but it’s different with Santana.

For the first time maybe, she’s kind of intimidated.  

“This whole thing with Santana is ridiculous, right?” Brittany finally asks but she’s more so just thinking out loud. She takes another sip and adds, “Like I’m completely off my hammock for thinking something could happen? Like she’s totally out of my league?”

Sugar ponders for a moment before shrugging, “How? You’re hot. She’s hot. Why not be hot together?”

Brittany snorts, “I don’t think it’s that simple.”

“It totally is,” Sugar replies easily, “Just talk to her. You miss all of the shots you don’t take.”

“I don’t see how alcohol is involved here…” Brittany squints.

Sugar gives her a look, always well-tuned to when Brittany’s trying to troll her, “I love a good shot as much as the next person, especially if it’s free, but I think you know that’s not what I’m talking about here.”

“Yeah, I know,” Brittany’s aloof demeanor falters, “I don’t know what’s going on with me. I’m so off my game.”

“You’re just getting in your head about it,” Sugar says then downs the rest of her cocktail, “How about this? You finish off your drink and we’ll get you another then we’ll take a bunch of pics in the bathroom mirror and send them to Blaine and Tina to rub it in their faces?”

“I don’t know,” Brittany frowns, “I’m not really in the mood for that.”

“Come on Britt,” Sugar begs, “Nothing cheers you up like making fun of our archnemeses.”

Brittany just swirls the liquid around in her glass like she’s deep in thought until Sugar starts to chant, “Chug! Chug! Chug!”  

That causes a grin to break out and soon Brittany’s tipping back her glass while Sugar claps excitedly beside her. They gain some attention from those that sit near them at the bar, but they don’t pay them any mind. They’re here for a good time, not a long time.  

“Hey hottie!” Sugar calls out to the bartender with a wave, “Another around for us and make those babies doubles!” Brittany’s just about to protest when Sugar cuts her off, “I’m gonna grab us some snacks, brb.”

Then Sugar is gone in a flash before Brittany can say okay.

\\

More than ten minutes go by and Sugar still isn’t back yet. Brittany wonders how far away these snacks are because she’s starting to get a little hungry but then suddenly a small plate topped with various hors d'oeuvres slides in front of her.

“Finally!” Brittany feigns annoyance as she begins to turn to Sugar, “Your drink is probably so wa – “

The rest of her words fall away because her best friend isn’t the one standing before her, it’s Santana. She wears this sexy, smug little grin and her dark brown eyes are dazzling as she stares right back.

“You’re…not Sugar,” Brittany points out without thinking but the comment makes Santana laugh.

“Unfortunately no,” Santana chuckles nervously.

Brittany chastises herself for being so rude, “I – I’m sorry. That came out wrong. Hey Santana, you…you look really beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Santana smiles coyly.  “Sugar asked me to bring this to you,” Santana answers with a nod to the plate, “She also wanted me to tell you that she’s chatting up a hot DILF and she’ll be back soon. Honestly, she’s got her work cut out for her because Kurt had his eyes on him the moment we got here.”

Brittany chuckles at that, “Yeah…she likes a challenge. You should’ve seen her in college.”

Santana adds, “I can only imagine. She kind of just started rambling at me then passed me that plate. Your friend is a lot.”

“Yeah, that’s a thing she does,” Brittany says and presses her lips together to keep from laughing out in embarrassment, “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Santana grins then glances to the bar, “She said a drink would be waiting for me when I arrived – albeit watered down – as well as someone needing a little company while she’s off trying to score herself a man.”

Brittany facepalms; she can totally see where Sugar’s trying to go with this. She conveniently running into Santana and directing her over to the bar is just too big of a coincidence.

So much for taking bathroom selfies and blowing up Blaine and Tina’s phones.

“I’m sorry,” Brittany apologizes again, “She has a slight problem with boundaries and gets worked up around attractive people.”

“I can’t blame her,” Santana says around a smirk, “She didn’t say the person in need of some company would be drop dead gorgeous though and absolutely killing it in that dress.”

Brittany tries to fight off the blush and shy smile as she catches Santana’s eyes lingering on her legs. She’s really thanking whoever out there designed it because man, do they know how to craft a sexy leg slit. She’s totally going to try to smuggle it back to Lima after this thing.

“You look really great,” Santana adds earnestly.

Brittany brings her glass to her lips as if she’s trying to hide behind it as she says, “Don’t flatter me.”

“I’ll do as a like. Especially when it’s true,” Santana replies smoothly before giving Brittany a cheek-bunching grin. It’s a combination of sweet and smug but what really has Brittany struggling to keep her composure are Santana’s cute-as-hell dimples.

Brittany’s impressed by Santana’s forwardness though, she has always loved confidence on anyone and Santana does it so well. It has Brittany thinking that maybe she stands a chance after all if Santana is flirting with her like this but she’s still a little hesitant.

She and Sugar are meant to return to Lima tomorrow; what is she expecting to happen with Santana within the next 16 hours? Can’t be much.

“So,” Santana hums as she slides into Sugar’s vacant seat.

“What are you doing?” Brittany questions, mostly surprised that she’s choosing to stay.

“Keeping you company?”

“You don’t have to do that,” Brittany laughs, “I’m sure there are loads of people here you probably have to mingle with.”

“True,” Santana nods and from the corner of Brittany’s she can see Santana turn to her, “But I rather mingle with you instead.”

When Brittany looks back – just to check that she’s really there and she really said that – she’s momentarily distracted by Santana’s utter beauty. Sure, she was stunning back at the Cupcake Battles arena but here it has intensified ten fold. Santana is gorgeous, flawless even, like words can’t begin to describe how amazing she looks all done up and of all the seats in this place, she chooses the one next to Brittany.

How did Brittany get so lucky?

That familiar warmth from before surrounds Brittany and the crazy butterflies soon fill her stomach yet again. Her resolve is slowly starting to crumble the longer Santana stares at her, but she has to at least try to hang onto the last bit of dignity she possesses.  

“You sure it’s not because Sugar bribed you with a drink?” Brittany smirks, her confidence slowly returning.

Santana shakes her head though and giggles, “I’m sure.”

\\

From across the room, Sugar tucks away her phone after scoring the DILF’s number and grins proudly at her work taking place at the bar. She watches as Santana tosses her head back with a laugh because Brittany is freaking hilarious and she’s probably working that infamous Pierce Charm on her. Just a little push in the right direction was all Brittany needed, the most awesome wing-woman ever strikes again!

“Huh,” Kurt hums as he comes to stand next to Sugar. He’s holding a plate of hors d'oeuvres as they both watch everything unfold between Santana and Brittany from afar, “You’re a pro.”

“Of course I am,” Sugar says smugly as she swipes a pitted olive from his plate and pops it into her mouth. She scrunches her nose at the taste and spits it out somewhere off to the side, “Gross.”

Kurt just looks at her like she’s both amazing and horrifying.

\\

Any of the nerves Brittany was struggling with before have long since vanished as she talks with Santana at the bar. They’ve both had a couple of drinks now so that might have something to do with the ease of conversation, Brittany thinks. She’s truly having a great time getting to know Santana and finds that the brunette is so easy to talk to, not to mention witty as hell.

Well, she knew that already from what she has seen on the show but it hits differently in person. Santana has been portrayed as this intimidating, no-nonsense judge who is prone to going all Lima Heights on anyone that challenges her critiques but the more Brittany gets to know her, the more she realizes that there’s a clear divide between her on-screen persona and what she’s like in person.

In person, Santana is sweet and little bashful at times and pulls the cutest faces when Brittany makes a joke. She has the greatest laugh and the most beautiful smile Brittany has ever seen. Not to mention those eyes, she could stare into them for hours on end.

It’s taking everything in her not to stare at Santana’s boobs though especially with that plunging neckline, but she also keeps catching Santana lingering longer on the exposed skin of her thigh or her lips and she’s kind of thankful that she isn’t the only one struggling. This leering thing is apparently a two-way street.

She also finds that they have so many things in common aside from the whole baking thing. They were both cheerleaders in high school, both relatively popular growing up, and both made drastic career choice changes. After giving Santana a little more backstory about her time at MIT, Brittany learns that Santana is a classically trained singer and before deciding on culinary school she wanted to pursue a career in music.

“My scholarship for culinary school covered more than anything I received for music so making the change was an obvious choice,” Santana says with a shrug.

“Do you still sing?” Brittany asks, ever so intrigued by all the little details she’s learning.

Santana nods, “Sometimes but mostly just at home in the kitchen or in the shower. I kind of miss it. I wonder what my life would’ve been like if I went that route instead, like would I be raking in the dough and topping charts or would I have been a flop?”

“You totally would’ve been a star,” Brittany says with a certainty that makes Santana chuckle.

“How can you be so sure?” She questions through a giggle, “You’ve never heard me sing.”

“I just know these things,” Brittany shrugs, “And you have to go with it, I’m kind of a certified genius you know.”

“Ah, who am I to argue then?” Santana relents as she starts to soften some. There’s this delicacy as she adds, “I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone that before, about my singing.”  

“Well your secret is safe with me,” Brittany winks and it makes Santana blush.

“You’re very easy to talk to,” Santana admits a short while later.

It’s Brittany’s turn to blush then and she thinks if she spends any more time with the woman, she might just fall for her which is why she’s a little annoyed when Sugar finally returns with a loud, “Hey girl hey!”

Santana turns to her with this look that is a mix of annoyance and confusion, but it subsides when Brittany speaks up.

“Were you successful?” She asks remembering this DILF mission Sugar was wrapped up in while her friend orders herself another drink.

Sugar smirks, “You could say that.”

Brittany shakes her head and laughs, “They won’t know what hit’em.”

“Totally. What are we talking about?” Sugar asks while the bartender crafts her drink.

“We?” Santana questions and there’s just a touch of irritation behind her smile, “You’re staying?”

Sugar raises a brow at that, but before anything else can be said Brittany quickly intervenes with a subject change, “I was just telling Santana about the Great Eggs Benedict Debacle of 2016.”

Santana looks confused again and asks, “The great what?”

“Ooh, good story,” Sugar nods in approval, “Smackdown of the century, classic.”

Brittany doesn’t pay too much attention to Sugar’s comment and glances to Santana again to clarify, “The moment that solidified my dislike for all things breakfast.”

“Wait, you don’t like breakfast?” Santana has her nose cutely scrunched at that, “How come?”

“There are several things at play,” Brittany tells her, “For one, you can have it at any time of day – just look at this benefit – and that doesn’t make any sense to me. Lunch has a specific time of day and so does dinner. Why is it any different for breakfast? It’s dark out and that person over there is eating pancakes but it’s not considered dinner. It’s so confusing.”

“Make sense,” Santana nods and begins to grin, “You must not be a fan of 24 hour pancake parlors then?”

Brittany’s reply gets lost because the way Santana stares at her, almost tenderly, makes Brittany’s knees shake and she isn’t even standing. Sugar seems to notice too but miraculously stays quiet as the bartender places her drink in front of her.

“Santana!” Kurt calls out from somewhere close and the women turn to him as he approaches. He greets Brittany and Sugar before turning to his co-judge, “It’s almost time. We should head to our table.”

“Right. I’ll be there in a sec,” Santana says and goes to stand.

“I should grab us a spot too,” Sugar tells Brittany before she’s disappearing again with her drink without another word. Brittany looks between the two a little lost.

“These things wrap pretty quickly once the speeches get going,” Santana explains as she starts poking around in her clutch for something.

Brittany nods and looks over to where Sue Sylvester is already taking her place in front of the room. They don’t have much time left now.

“Take this,” Santana offers and Brittany looks down to find a card between her fingertips, “It’s my business card.”

“Oh,” Brittany accepts it with a surprised smile, “Thank you.”

“You know,” Santana starts and she almost looks nervous, “If you’re ever in L.A. again or need some business advice or whatever…give me a call?”

Brittany’s pretty sure she has stopped breathing and her words struggle to form at the gesture. Santana Lopez has just given her a business card containing her personal phone number, of course she can’t think straight at the moment!

“So yeah,” Santana chuckles nervously at Brittany’s silence then juts out her hand.

Brittany eyes it and takes it into her own and she swears sparks fly at the very touch. She grips Santana’s hand, and it’s soft and firm at the same time somehow.

“It was nice chatting with you,” Santana says politely as she pulls away from the handshake, “I hope I did well in keeping you company.”

Finally Brittany gets her words working again and replies, “Totally. Easily the highlight of my day.”

“You won a fat check and became a Cupcake Battles Victor, yet this was your highlight?”

“Well I’d rather be Victoria,” Brittany says with a shrug, “But yeah, it was. These competition wins are a dime a dozen, but I rarely get the chance to talk to someone like you.”

Santana gives her that look again from earlier and Brittany doesn’t know who swoons first, “You’re something else, Brittany.”

Brittany cocks her head to the side and smiles back bashfully.

“Santana!” Kurt calls out again and starts to wave the co-judge over, “Hurry up!”

Santana flicks him off and turns back to Brittany with an apologetic grin, “Sorry, duty calls. I’ll try to find you again after all of this?”

“Yeah sure,” Brittany replies with a bow of her head before Santana joins Kurt at their table. She feels like she’s on cloud nine and she knows Sugar is going to want every single detail but for now she just soaks this moment in.

\\

Brittany spends the rest of the evening getting to know everyone at the table she and Sugar share. It’s great food and great company which makes for an awesome time, but Brittany can’t get Santana out of her head.

She finds herself glancing over to where Santana sits, watching the way she lights up around the other guests. The brunette seems swept up in conversation with some other prestigious pastry chefs that Brittany recognizes. Kurt sits next to Santana and the two bounce off of each other just as they do on the show, but a little part of Brittany wishes she could take his place.

Brittany doesn’t think she’s ever been quite so jealous of a gay man before, but the feeling stands. She wants to be the one sitting next to Santana, to be in her presence again and listen to the whispers of her snarky comments which says a lot because she already got a couple hours worth of alone time with her already. Maybe she was a little spoiled with all the attention Santana gave her at the bar, but she can’t help it.

Santana has her hooked.

If she’s lucky though, sometimes Santana glances her way too. When their eyes meet and the smile Santana wears matches her own, Brittany thinks maybe Santana is just as helpless.

\\

True to Santana’s earlier prediction, the benefits wraps up quickly after the speeches take place. There are people everywhere and Brittany eventually loses sight of the brunette amongst the crowd with everyone standing now. She hangs back with Sugar though and they try their hardest to find the woman.

“She could’ve gone out the back way?” Sugar suggests, “A special exit for celebs?”

The word celebs sits funny with Brittany now that she has had the chance to get to know Santana a little better. The woman is known all over the world in the culinary industry and an esteemed judge on a popular tv show, but Brittany doesn’t consider her a celeb. Not anymore.

She’s just Santana; a beautiful girl who loves to bake and probably has the voice of an angel.

Yeah, Brittany is definitely in trouble.

“No. She said she would find me afterwards,” Brittany tells her and she kind of hates how hopeful she is.

“She must’ve gotten busy?” Sugar tries, “I don’t see her anywhere. Wait, give me a boost. You think this table will hold me?”

Sugar’s already scrambling up to stand on her chair while Brittany continues to look around.

“I have to say goodbye,” Brittany tells Sugar, “I didn’t get to before.”

Sugar frowns at her best friend for a moment, feeling a little sorry for her, before she’s back to vigilantly searching the room for the brunette in question.  

Brittany starts to feel a twinge of sadness as she continues to scan the room with no avail. She doesn’t know why she’s getting so caught up in her feelings. It wasn’t as if Santana promised to come find her afterwards, it’s not like she owed it to her or anything. She just kind of wishes they had a proper goodbye, whatever proper means.

Brittany doesn’t quit until they’re being ushered into a car that’ll take them back to their hotel.

When The Turtles’ Happy Together starts to play through the speakers and Sugar starts to groove in her seat, Brittany thinks she might just punch a hole straight through the radio.

[isagrimorie]

Going back a bit, I apparently missed this in my excitement posting the Cyber-Mandip. 

The Master’s face, a kid in a blood soaked playground: 

Directly on top of the Citadel. And the Master is just giddy with the chaos he’s unleashed. 

Back to Ryan who is Not Having Fun At All. 

And then he throws the ball at the Cybermen and manages to hit them and his joy! I love his joy. He’s never going to be the most dexterous nor the most athletic but he’s improved somewhat. 

Because people with dyspraxia can, through practice find ways to improve coordination. 

“Some people with dyspraxia can strengthen specific connections between brain and body with practice. I'm never going to be the worst's greatest skier, for example, but the more I practice it, the less challenging it becomes.” (source)

I do wish the show showed more that Thirteen was subtly trying to help his motor skills, not by curing him but by slowly doing what amounts to Occupational Therapy. As it is we get more by hints and us piecing it together through moments like this. 

I love his pure joy at this and it’s not way, no way at all turned him into a soldier, he is still the same Ryan Sinclair but more aware the weight of taking arms. It’s one of the things I found frustrating about Rory. 

I know he’s more popular in fandom when he turned from a nurse to badass Roman Centaurian (I also appreciate the badass-ness) but it’s frustrating that his popularity took off because he became badass. 

Ryan is still Ryan. He isn’t part of the Doctor’s Children/Soldiers of Time thing Davros accused the Doctor of creating in Journey’s End. 

[justsomevoltronstuff]

Can you please do what the Paladin and musical S/O would do? So kind of like a Paladin x musical reader? Also thank you SO SO much for "The Musical Couple" pairing with Keith! I love it so much, thank you!!

asdfghjkl I’m glad you liked your pairing👉👈🥺💜🌸

also, I literally play five instruments and am SUCH a music nerd so this request made me actually squeal in excitement, thank you SO much for requesting this oml

idk if you were asking for headcanons or scenarios so I did headcanons cause they tend to be easier, I hope that’s alright!! and if it’s not please by all means pop back into my requests and tell me it’s not what you wanted and I’ll rewrite it ASAP🥺👉👈

and I’m sorry this took so long, forgive me?🥺

also also (lmfao halp) I wROTE THIS OUT ENTIRELY THE OTHER DAY AND THEN TUMBLR CRASHED AND I LOST ALL OF IT AND IM SO MAD ASDFGHJKL so I’m sorry if some are super short and others aren’t bc imma finna square up with tumblr soon

»»»»»»»»»«««««««««

Shiro

I imagine he’s very much a music lover

but not a musician

like mayhaps he took piano or violin when he was a youngin but didn’t stick with it

tho he absolutely thrives while listening to music

probably a total sucker for Mozart and Tchaikovsky

absolutely loves listening to you play music/sing songs

thinks you’re way too gifted a musician to be stuck in space with him

he adores how easily you get lost in the music

loves watching your face as you end up in another world of your own and the rest of the universe falls away

thinks it’s amazing that despite everything thrown your way, you still find time to keep up with your passion

Lance

I imagine he’s more of a dancer than a musician

which leads me to this idea of you playing your instrument/singing while he dances along with you

and it’s just kinda comfortable and so you guys that no one really questions it

one time you managed to do a perfect transition to a song you’d never played/sang before and he actually tripped up and faceplanted in shock

Keith couldn’t stop laughing

and you were in tears from laughing so hard

our loverboy Lance has been Betrayed™️

okokok but

dis boy gives me hella Shakira vibes, ya feel?

so like he defo asked you to learn Hips Don’t Lie for him

when you actually take time out of you busy schedule to??

he dies a happy man.

the wholesomeness of the dancer and musician trope is so pure asdfghjkl

Hunk

okokok I imagine his family is extremely musical?

idfk why but I get dat vibe

so this boy is either very very very musical OR got no musical bones in his body bless his heart

if not musical

he absolutely has no clue how you could possibly do that

but thinks it’s so freakin amazing

cannot possible hope to comprehend being able to just play/sing so casually and easily

asks you to teach him

but then just sits and watches you in awe as you attempt to

if musical

there is no such thing as silence between the two of you

the simplest tapping can turn into an all out musical

cooking together? turns into the two of you dancing around banging pots and pans and cabinet doors and anything else to make a beat and sing a song

it’s absolute precious chaos

I’m talking there’s eight distinct parts and y’all are hitting all of them

it’s a mess and no one really knows how to make y’all stop

Keith

music boi frfr

can and will listen to anything and everything

absolutely loves how talented you are

y’all sing and play instruments together as much as possible

two person shows constantly

thinks you’re incredible

does not think himself worthy of playing music with you

but you pour when he doesn’t join you so he rolls his eyes and pretends to be annoyed but is secretly overjoyed you wanna play music with him

dumbass bbyboi

classical to heavy metal and everything in between

Pidge

is not musical

unless you count techno? idfk I think Pidge would be a master at techno

loves it when you play tho

Pidge just enjoys listening to you while working

realizes it’s easier to focus on projects while you quietly practice in the same room

accidentally matches specific things with specific songs and when you play that song while Pidge is working on a different thing it lowkey messes stuff up

but that’s fine bc Pidge is a genius and it’s always easy fixes

Pidge got talked into playing music with you one (1) time and the whole crew decided it was better if that never happened again

~Admin Rori💜

[mortales]

&.  →  MALE  :  BOB MORLEY : BLOODY SHIRT BY TO KILL A KING — is that AMBROSE LYKOSSON wandering through Briar Creek? They’ve only been here for THREE YEARS and word around the town claims that the 30/1000+ ORIGINAL WEREWOLF is known to be DAUNTLESS and DECEPTIVE. They can be found at BATE'S MOTEL as the OWNER.  With them being part of the LYKOSSONS, it’s only a matter of time before blood is shed.

(   note,   this  blog  is  a  sideblog  to  rhys’  (  huntrs  )  follow  backs  as  well  as  memes,  etc.  will  be  sent  from  there  !!   )

                            ❝     dying   is   easy,    everything  else  is  work.     ❞

❛❛   aesthetic .  ❜❜   ―   ◜   ❏  . ―  constellations  of  freckles  on  his  skin,   snapping  jaws  full  of  sharp  teeth,     the  feeling  of  being  watched,   low  echoing  laughter.    . ― ✎  rory.

basic ▸

full name:  ambrose  lykosson

age:  thirty  /   1000+

date of birth:  unknown,   sometime  during  the  winter.

occupation:  owner  of  bate’s  motel.

species:  original  werewolf.

language(s) spoken:  english,  tagalog,  spanish,  latin   &   more,   bits  &   pieces  of  many  others.

hair color:  black

eye color:  brown

notable scars or tattoos:  crescent  moon  birth  mark  on  his  left  shoulder  blade.

interior ▸

2 positive traits:    dauntless,  adaptable

2 negative traits:   deceptive,   wildcard

likes:  fighting,   causing  mischief   /   anything  that  captures  his  attention,  making  connections,   running.

dislikes:  anything  boring,   pretending  to  be  nice,  anyone  stuffy,  being  alone,  most  depictions  of  him  in  history  (  he’s  quite  picky  about  it  !!  )

habits:  cracking  his  knuckles,  running  a  hand  through  his  hair,  pushing  himself  physically  when  stressed.

family ▸

no  written  records  of  any  blood  related  family  members,  ambrose  rarely  if  ever  mentions  them.

bio ▸

cursed  a  thousand  years  ago  as  a  wolf  to  hunt  down  vampires  ?  right  up  his  alley  !!   at  one  point,  he  might’ve  been  more  remorseful  or  conflicted  but  it  has  essentially  entirely  faded  throughout  the  years. 

carlisle  cullen  but  a  chaotic  werewolf  ??  meaning  he  would  find   &  take  in  newly  turned  wolves,  making  connections  &  taking  care  of  them  like  they  were  his  own  family.  it  was  in  fact,  partly  out  of  his  desire  to  protect  family  /  actually  caring  for  them  &   partly  because  he  wanted  power.  he  wanted  those  who  would  go  to  bat  for  him,  who  would  help  him  hunt.  peace  was  never  an  option  for  him.

essentially  was  a  traveling  pack  for  a  long  time,  hunting   &   making  detours  to  pick  up  new  wolves  who  he’d  teach  &   take  care  of.  actually  caring  for  them  became  second  nature,  even  today  he  has  an  undeniable  loyalty  to  most  other  wolves,  even  some  hybrids  to  an  extent.

he  quickly  found  out  caring  too  obviously  put  them  in  danger,  those  he  cared  for  were  killed,  so  in  turn,  he’d  kill  anyone  his  enemies  cared  for  as  well.  his  hands  are  stained  in  the  blood  of  thousands.

ambrose  played  along  with  hunting  down  vampires  for  years  upon  years,  until  he  simply  grew  tired  of  it  !  it  no  longer  entertained  him  &  thus  no  longer  was  his  probably.  plus,  he  figured  it  was  his  way  to  no  longer  indulge  the  curse  placed  upon  him.

that  isn’t  to  say  he  didn’t  still  kill  if  the  need  arose,  it  was  simply  more  of  a,  i’ll  protect  family  first.

hasn’t  shied  away  from  life’s  luxuries,  wherever  something  was  happening,  ambrose  was  never  far  behind.

this  being  said  he  quite  literally  is  part  of  a  lot  of  myths  /  legends  told  around  the  world.  he  gets  quite  offended  at  their  depiction  of  him  most  of  the  time,  also  probably  makes  people  think  his  motel  is  haunted.

lies  about  who  he’s  known,  how  old  he  is,  just  who  he  is,  honestly  just  whatever  makes  it  more  fun  for  him.  he’s  an  ass !  although  most  of  what  he  lies  about  isn’t  too  serious.

still  looks  for  wolves  to  take  care  of  to  this  day,  they  can  come  &  go  as  they  please  but  he  will  bat  for  them  no  matter  what.

heard  something  was  happening  in  briar  creek,  there  was  no  way  he’d  stay  away !

talks  a  lot  more  like  bellamy  than  bob  as  well,  i  just  imagine  him  having  quite  a  gruff  voice.

couldn’t  care  less  about  most  vampires  now,   unless  they  trying  to  fuck  with  him  or  one  of  his  wolves     --     then  he  cares  !

his  wolf  form’s  essentially  a  large  pure  black  wolf  with  glaring  gold  eyes  !

pansexual  &  quite  the  flirt,     that  being  said  despite  his  nature  &  how  he  acts  most  of  the  time.  he’s  easily  committed  to  those  he  cares  about,  stayed  with  past  loves  for  hundreds  of  years  until  their  death  or  circumstance  tore  them  apart.

cares,  actually  isn’t  afraid  to  care  by  any  means  he  is  just  chaos  incarnate,  no  one  ever  quite  knows  what  he’s  up  to,  whether  he’ll  destroy  everything  he’s  created  or  simply  just  sit  back  &   watch  everything  unfold.

i have plenty of wcs   !!   so hit me up to plot or give this post a like > :  )

[clean-bands-dirty-stories]

Eventually~ Benny Weir

A/n: This is honestly a mess I’m sorry.

Song Suggestion: “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede

MASTERLIST

“I’m going stag. Gotta keep my options open.”

I could feel Ethan’s eyes on me, apologetic and soft, but I ignored them. I didn’t care. I refused to admit that there was any reality other than the one where I didn’t care. Benny wasn’t going to ask me even if he DID take someone to the stupid dance and I’d rather him go with no one than have to watch him dote on a girl the whole night. A girl that wasn’t me. That would never be me. I knew these girls would get their head out of their textbooks and pretty bags eventually and see Benny for the total catch he was but until then I would hide my nerd where no one could find him.

My nerd? No. Wait.

"What about you?" Rory asked, turning to me. I hummed, raising my eyebrows. "Who are you taking to the dance?"

Everyone looked at me and I swallowed. "I- I haven’t been asked," I shrugged. "And I d-duh-Don’t have anyone in mind that would agree to go with muh-me so..." Ethan and Rory both threw me pointed looks and I pointedly ignored both of them in return.

Ever since I’d joined their little group, this had been happening a lot. After the girls found out about my crush on Benny, the boys realized not too long after, Ethan being the last one - only the next day. They’d been insisting I tell him, that he liked me too, but I didn’t see it. They’d all said that they weren’t going to force anything or push me to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with so they were letting this whole thing take its own path but it was obvious they were getting impatient. They wanted to see us both happy and they supposed we could make each other happy. I knew he could make ME happy but...

Every time I thought that Benny and I might have a thing, my dopey side came out. I was a lot more like Rory than Benny or Ethan. Not just a nerd but hyperactive and energetic and a total dweeb. I ate too much, too fast, and snorted when I laughed. I talked a million miles a second and knew tid bits here and there about a million different fandoms, never getting all into just one. I made weird noises with my mouth and drummed against every surface with my hands, tapping the floor with my feet when my hands were still. I had a stutter and struggled to get a full, unbroken sentence out to Benny - or anyone for that matter - let alone flirting with him or encouraging him to flirt with me as smoothly as Erica or Sara would. You’ve heard of a man’s man. Now get ready for a loser’s loser. Aka, me. If Ethan was the Geek King then Benny was his right hand, or like the Prince. Rory was the Jester, along for the ride and offering some kind of help. I was a peasant. A no one. I had nothing to offer. No visions, no magic, no fangs. Looked over and useless and easily forgotten. Except that my friends reminded me on a daily that I was important, even if I didn’t feel like it. Even if my social alignment argued otherwise.

Honestly at this point I was just losing hope. I hadn’t had any real optimism about my crush on Benny going anywhere to begin with but these days I was messing it up so much and getting used to the whole friend thing that I was fighting to just make it disappear.

So I didn’t care. I didn’t.

- At the dance, 3rd Person POV -

Y/n and Rory had been so excited for the dance that Benny, Ethan, and Sarah had left the two out of planning in the mess against Jessie. Y/n was completely normal anyway, so she deserved a normal night, full of fun.

So while a pouting Benny waited by the punch bowl for Sarah’s cue, Rory and Y/n were on the dance floor, absolutely losing it. They were both going full out and laughing while the people around them couldn’t help but smile every time they looked over. The pair’s happiness was so contagious and pure that not even bitter couples or awkward lonley people could help but enjoy how much they were enjoying themselves.

Ethan was fine ignoring them, but Benny was struggling. At first it had been whatever as he hadn’t noticed them, but then Y/n’s loud, distinct laugh sounded and it had caught his attention. Now he was having a hard time looking away.

Y/n looked absolutely amazing. Not just because she was dressed up - though she really did look absolutely stunning - but also the energy and the way that smile light up the room... it was a sight. Y/n had always been like that for Benny. Even while he had crush after crush on other people and even before he had really been close to Y/n, it was hopeless. At the end of every night his mind wandered to and settled on one person. Every day his eyes caught most to one person, a smile tugging as he watched and thought and wondered. Now that they were friends, it was even harder. He found himself unable to help himself as he tripped over himself to drop any and every sign to let Y/n know how he felt to try and gauge if his feelings were reciprocated but it seemed...

Well, look at them. Y/n and Rory. Rory who was the only one who could always touch Y/n. Who could always get a laugh and who could always keep up with the fast talking and random references and high energy levels. Rory who could get dorky and loud but who could also be comforting and protective and safe when Y/n got anxious. Rory, who was always Y/n’s go to when stability was needed in the chaos of a problem. The two had been friends forever and honestly, Benny wondered why they weren’t just dating already. Obviously Y/n brushed off all of Benny’s flirting and advances because Rory was the goal, right? No way that it was a problem realizing that he was flirting and crazy about Y/n- a monkey could see how head over heels he was.

So as much as Benny couldn’t look away from the stunning sight of a happy, lively Y/n before him... he wished he could. As Y/n danced with Rory, he felt a little piece of him die. A little more hope lost. Another knife in the heart, a little twist once it was embedded just for fun.

Jessie showed up mercifully (though Benny was probably weird for thinking it a mercy thing for the maniac evil villain to make an appearance and crash the dance he had so wanted to go to and have a good time at) and pulled the two boys out of the room, giving Benny a distraction to clear his mind. Then Ethan got bit and Jessie dipped out as Sarah saved her friend from vamping out.

Now they were all here. Y/n had showed up just as Sarah disappeared in an upset panic, allowing Erica to try and go after her. Rory carried Ethan as he, Y/n, and Benny followed as they all took Ethan home. The night of fun and dancing was ruined and Benny was stressed about his friend. When they got home, Y/n patched Ethan’s arm up. Y/n was getting really good at playing doctor as the extra piece in the puzzle. Without any special thing like Benny’s magic or Ethan’s visions or a pair of fangs, Y/n had taken to bandages as well as stakes and bombs and holy water guns, adding an important piece to their group in a new way.

After he was all patched up, Rory took a seat on a chair. When Benny began pacing, Y/n sighed and grabbed his hand. He looked over, startled. "Come on," Y/n whispered, nodding toward Ethan’s door and the hallway beyond. Benny followed wordlessly because how could he say no? It was Y/n. He was pulled downstairs to the living room. Ethan’s parents were asleep so when Y/n stepped toward a music player Benny panicked. Y/n had it under control though. Soon ABBA’s Dancing Queen was playing just loud enough for them to hear, Y/n smiling and moving gently to the beat.

Fighting a smile, Benny watched for a second. "What are you doing?" He finally asked as Y/n attempted to pull into dancing too.

Smiling, Y/n shrugged. "I know how much you-ou wanted to go to the dance... I figured... L-look, you need to relax and... and there’s a luh-lot of stressful things going on. J-just- just dance with me, Benny. Come- come on." She looked a little exhausted, but comfortable. A world of difference from when they first started hanging out.

Benny smiled, unable to help himself. Y/n dropped his arms as he began to move, both of them dancing dorkily to the music, trying to keep their laughter quiet. There was a tension in the air, deliciously thick and full of something. Something so thick and demanding that it seemed tangible, pushing them closer and closer together until Y/n tripped and fell against Benny. Their eyes locked and both of their breaths caught, hearts racing as they tried to rightn their minds and steady their hearts. Enough beats passed that the song ended.

Everything I Own by Bread began and they both blushed.

"What playlist is this?" Benny asked to try and ease the tension. It only seemed to add to it.

Y/n shrugged, still not moving from holding his shoulders as his hands rested on Y/n’s waist, both of them not wanting to move away even if it had landed here originally just to steady Y/n. "I think this is actually that CD I burned for Ethan a while back. He asked what kind of music I listened to so I gave him a handful of my favorites."

Benny nodded, his eyes searching Y/n’s. "Wanna dance?" He asked.

Y/n swallowed. Her body was completely at peace. As they had gotten to know each other Benny had become less of an energizer and more of a stabilizer, calming and centering in the best way. In a way no one had ever been able to before. Y/n loved him more for it. "Sure." Benny tugged Y/n closer and their holds on each other shifted to accommodate for a slow dance rather than a fall.

Y/n loved him more for it.

As they danced, that feeling echoed and prodded, demanding to be recognized. Y/n thought of the almost three years now that the feelings for Benny had been strong and unwavering, no matter what or who happened. Y/n hadn’t been affected by the love potion like everyone else because the feeling was so familiar that Y/n knew how to deal with and control it. Y/n had pictured knowing and talking to and hanging out with Benny, but somehow he had taken all those daydreams and made reality even better. Y/n didn’t want to miss a single second of him. Of anything he did or said or - just, him in general.

Did Y/n love Benny? Was that allowed? Shouldn’t that be scary since the goal was to try and just be friends? Why wasn’t Y/n scared? Why did this feel so right? Why did it feel like everything was RIGHT, being with him like this?

I would give anything I own just have you back again.

Benny’s mind was racing as he looked at Y/n, his heart screaming at him to do something. Anything. Talk. Pull Y/n closer. Steal a kiss. Something! He was frozen, though. Despite his desperation to be with Y/n how he had been craving for the last while. He wanted it so badly! But he was terrified...

Had he been wrong about Rory and Y/n? If he was, did it matter? Did Y/n think of him as more than a friend? If not, could it become like that for them? Was the look in Y/n’s eye what he thought it was? Were the feelings that surged through him taking similar paths in Y/n’s body? Was there something just under the surface, almost out in the open and swirling through the air but being repressed but heir idiocy? Was this tension trying to tell them something? Or was he desperate? Wanting it so much that he was imaging it? When had any advance on someone he liked gone the way he wanted it to? What if he was wrong and he messed up and Y/n never talked to him again? He’d be back at square zero again...

Is there someone you know. You’re loving them so, but taking them all for granted? You may lose them one day. Someone takes them away, and they don’t hear the words you long to say...

I would give anything I own. Give up my heart, my life, my home. I would give everything I own just to have you back again. Just to touch you once again.

Benny swallowed, leaning closer. His nose brushed Y/n’s and Y/n gasped so softly Benny almost missed it. There was no way. No way this was happening. Both of them were in shock at the show of wanting from the other. Y/n was breathless, air stolen by the overwhelming sensation of the idea of kissing Benny. And Benny was feeling Y/n’s hands tightening on the back of his neck, hearing the swallow and the gasp and the nervous noises of surprise and nervousness. Emotions that must mean approval because even though Y/n was aware of what was in his mind, he wasn’t getting pushed away. Turned down. Blown off. If anything, it was almost like Y/n was a millisecond from leaning in too. Or, at the very least, encouraging him.

Just as a decision was about be made, Rory came in. "Hey he’s..." his words faded out as he noticed what he had walked into, the both of them pulling away. Both were blushing, Benny swallowing and unable to look at Rory, suddenly scared maybe he’d interrupted something that MIGHT have been happening. Y/n was flustered and suddenly moving. Fingers tapping, toe digging into the carpet. "Awake," Rory finished, his expression guilty when he caught Y/n’s eye. Y/n sighed, a simple head shake all Rory got for his silent apology. It was whatever. Let’s move on.

So they did.

And they didn’t talk about the almost kiss again, for a long while.

- Reader POV -

"I don’t want to fight them," I whispered, my eyes on Benny’s angry expression.

Sara frowned. "You don’t want to punch him? Not even a little?"

If I was being honest, I really couldn’t say no to that. "Get one punch in," Erica told me. "It’ll make you feel better. We’ve got the moon stones."

"That’s a little unnecessary though," I hissed, trying to hold myself back.

Erica chuckled once, the sound exploding out of her mouth in a puff of air. "Sweetheart if ANYONE deserves to hit Benny when there’s only one hit to give, its you. For everyone, go for it." I shot her a look and then Sarah and they both shrugged, not caring either way.

Benny made my decision for me. Rory attacked Sarah, who was immediately backed up by Erica with her moonstone. Benny tackled me to the ground, pinning me at first. Sara and Erica turned to me. "Go,” I grunted. "I’ve got him." They paused and I struggled with Benny’s hands not finding purchase around my throat. "Go!" They sighed, shaking their heads and rolling their eyes before moving onto saving Ethan.

It wasn’t that I WANTED to fight Benny.... per say... Maybe there had been a growing need to push him though. Slap him or shove him or trip him. Anything to get that dumb grin off of his face. It came with loving him, I guess. Sometimes I wanted to strangle him. But I never did because I knew it would go away and I would never hurt him. Now was my chance though. To get away with it.

Wrapping my legs around his waist, I twisted my body so we rolled, me on top. I used my momentum to pin his arms over his head. His eyes went wide as my moon stone fell out. I smirked, reaching down and snagging it in a split second after letting his hands go, pressing the stone against his forehead. There was a bright light that made me turn away and then he went limp under me.

Okay so many fighting him hadn’t been a good idea. I was out of breath, my hands planting on his chest to hold myself up as I caught my breath. The skull broke and everyone got reoriented once the spell was broken. I was so busy thinking about the stupid skull and the leather jacket Erica insisted I wear and the whole stupidity of my feelings that I’d let take over and this whole, stupid situation... I forgot that I was still straddling a shirtless Benny, my hands flattened against his chest.

His hands rested on top of mine and I looked over, our eyes locking as mine went wide. "Hey there," he greeted, his expression soft and his eyes searching mine.

I swallowed. "Hey."

A laugh caught my attention. Erica approached us, her smirk wide as she crossed her arms, lifting her eyebrows. "Gonna stay there all day?" She asked me.

His skin was warm against my hands and I’d never admit it out loud but he looked fairly good without a shirt. If I was being honest and was able to get whatever I really wanted, YES, I would be staying here all day. But I wasn’t getting or being either of those things so instead I swung my leg over and pushed up to my feet, shaking my head silently and offering my hand to help Benny up. My body was tingling and burning as if my insides were like an annoying younger sibling, poking me relentlessly and going ‘hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey you. Hey.’

Benny took my hand and we worked together to pull him to his feet. Once he was up, I froze as he took an unnecessary step toward me, masking it as a small adjustment to help him gain complete control over his balance even though it was obvious he had had control the second he was on his feet. We both paused and then I moved away, pushing my hair behind my ear and walking as fast as I could.

What the HELL was that?!

-

Benny Weir was infuriating. One second he was giving you his jacket or almost kissing you and then the next he was checking out other girls and screaming about how hot they were. It was the number one reason why I was so sure he didn’t like me. He didn’t want to be with ME, he wanted to be with a GIRL. Any girl.

It was heartbreaking.

I pulled my guitar from next to my bed, strumming. I hummed quietly, trying not to alert anyone in my house as to what I was doing. Music was my one actual talent. I had so much free time, I had to do SOMETHING with it, right? My dad had long since thought I stopped playing guitar and since he was usually working, sleeping, or hanging out with his buddies he wasn’t often around enough to catch me even when he was in the house. We had a system going. He left me alone and stayed out of my business and I was low maintenance and kept my grades up and came to him if I really needed anything major. It worked for us.

The problem was that since I had gotten friends, he was stoked. He let each of them know where our spare key was and gave them free reign of our house, allowing them to come over no matter what day or time it was. Every time I was happy to see them and it didn’t bother me to have them come in - Erica, Sarah, and Rory had free reign as well since my dad and I had both stated that they had eternal privileges to come and go as they pleased and they LOVED it since it made them feel so normal. It made them all smile because my house was so chill and they all felt normal and free here. I liked how they livened the place up. So I was always happy when they came over.

Except now.

As I stopped, a soft smile on my face, clapping started and I jumped, looking over. "That was awesome!" Benny gushed, eyes wide in awe.

I shot to my feet. "What the h-heck Benny? What are you doing huh-here?"

He paused at my genuine anger. "I just wanted to come over and... I had to do something." He took a step forward but I was blinded by the fear inside of me. He was so close and he’d invaded my safe space. I’d kinda been avoiding him since the almost-kiss and in my moment of privacy and freedom, he’d invaded. I kept my secret about playing and singing a secret so long and now I felt like someone had tugged my pants down or something. I felt exposed and raw and awkward. Maybe more like someone had read my journal without my permission. Not that I had a journal. That was lame.

"Get out!" I yelled.

He stepped back, hands up. "Whoa." His eyes brows rose. "Is this about you playing? I’m not going to judge you, Y/n, it was great. We all have our talents it’s honestly not a big d-"

"It’s a big deal to me!" I screeched, my face twisting with anger.

His eyebrows came together, sighing and shaking his head as he tried to form words to vocalize how dumb he thought I was being. A fight was coming, I could feel it. But then his eyes landed on something else and his face softened, the tension in the room shattering in a second. "Is that my jacket?"

Following his eyes I saw the jacket on my bed, on top of my pillow. Usually it was shoved under my blanket so no one could see, but I wasn’t prepared for visitors. Usually they’d give me a call or at least yell to me before they came into my room. And if it was with absolutely no reason it was on weekends or we were in such a rush with some supernatural panic that no one noticed the jacket. I reached out for it, blushing, then drew my hand back. "Um," I began.

"You still have it?" I looked back at him but he was smiling.

That confused me. "I’ve washed it a bunch and kept meaning to give it to you."

He rose an eyebrow. "You’ve had it since freshman year. Since we first talked. It’s been a while, Y/n."

I blushed, gripping my guitar until my knuckles were white. "I lost it for a while," I mumbled. "My room was a mess and... and then I found it about a month ago and just... haven’t gotten around to giving it back to you." That was true, for the most part. But the really real truth was that after I’d found it I’d begun to sleep with it, pretending it smelled like him after so long, pretending I was... I was...

Snagging it off my bed, I chucked it at him. "Get ou-out," I snapped.

"No you have the wrong idea. You can-"

"G-G-GUH-G-GET OUT!"

Benny stepped back, shocked, his jacket in hand. "Fine," he mumbled, obviously upset. "Fine I’m leaving. Geez, sorry I interrupted." He turned and I waited until the front door closed before I sunk to the bed, putting my guitar down and placing my face in my hands. What was WRONG with me?! His jacket had become like a security blanket and now I felt suddenly cold without it nearby.

Geez I was a mess wasn’t I?

-

Something was draped over my shoulders as I spun around, jumping back when I realized Benny was right behind me. I looked down. It was one of his jackets, except not the one I had stolen oh so long ago and just barely returned. Oh god it smelled like him. I went to take it off but he caught my wrists. "Keep it," he insisted. "The other one... I didn’t want to give it back." I rose an eyebrow but he just sighed, shaking his head. I let the lack of a reason slide. "I remember when you used to wear my jackets around all the time. I just... miss seeing you in them I guess."

Our eyes met. "Why do you do this to me?" I choked out, my face slack in defeat.

"What?" He asked, genuinely confused.

Since I’d become friends with him, my stutter had died down a lot unless I was really upset and my confidence had sky rocketed. They’d stayed and hadn’t left me, made fun of me or gotten irritated with me. Not even Erica, who had become like my protective older sister where Rory was the annoying younger brother I never wanted but would die for and was glad for every second he was around. Because of that friendship and stability and happiness and confidence, I said what I said now with ease.

"You do- this," I grunted, motioning to him. "Look at me with- with that look. Like I’m the only- the only person you can see. You talk with this kind of voice that m-makes me want to melt and you touch me and m-my skin buzzes and then you say things that make it seem like... make it seem like you like me. You almost kiss me or dance with me or give me your jacket or st-stay up all night studying with me. You remember things that no one else does and encourage me and even kuh-kissed me on the cheek a few times, your eyes trained me like- like I’m all you care about. And then-" I closed my eyes, stepping back to clear my head. "And then you scream at the top of your lungs about wanting this or that girl or how huh-hot someone is or something and I feel so small and stupid and CONFUSED! God Benny just let me know, you know!" I opened my eyes, my emotions suddenly exploding as I spilled years of wanting into one let em’ rip moment. "I’m crazy about you, you jerk! Can’t you tell? Are you enjoying watching me squirm? Are you just oblivious? Geez! I... I just... I j-just need you to stop, okay? Because you’re leading me on, even b-by accident and it HURTS. I need our relationship to be clear and it’s not so just st-"

My splurging rant was cut off as Benny’s hand caught the side of my face, lips pressing against mine to cut off my words. I hummed in shock and he leaned close, his other hand pressing gently to my waist, tugging me softly, as if asking. Wondering. Would I do anything back?

So I melted against him, kissing back. He smiled and my hands rose, holding the back of his neck and slipping into his hair just a bit. Soft. His hair was soft. And he was warm. Warm and soft and goodness it felt so good. I stepped back against my locker and he followed me, pressing me against it just a little. Not aggressively but like he was leaning on me. It made me wonder if his knees were as weak as mine were.

When we stopped kissing, I was reminded that we were in a very public school hallway and counted my blessing that it was lunch so no one was around to see and tease us. His forehead rested on mine, our eyes closing as our breaths, fast and light, mixed in the air between us. "Clear enough?" He asked breathlessly.

I grinned. "You... you... y-you..."

He chuckled. "Take your time."

Instead I kissed his cheek and he leaned away, our eyes opening and searching each other’s. "Me too," was what I managed out.

He nodded. "I know."

Grinning, I cocked an eyebrow. "Did you just Han Solo me?"

His laugh was gorgeous. "Only if that makes you Leia."

"In no world are you Han Solo and I’m Princess Leia. We’re totally not cool enough."

He touched my face gently. "I’m the sarcastic piece of crap brought to reach my full potential to impress a total badass. Sounds right to me." I blushed. He leaned close. "I want to kiss you again. Do you want to kiss me again?"

Smiling, I nodded. "I don’t think you have to ask," I mumbled as he leaned down.

"Just in case," he shrugged.

Our noses bumped into each other’s and we laughed. The bell rang and we parted, our hands falling to our side for a second before he moved to the space of wall by the locker I leaned against. I turned to face him, both of us crossing our arms and looking at each other in a sort of dorky stare down. We were both blushing and grinning and I didn’t know what either of us were thinking but I didn’t want to look away.

"Did you guys kiss finally or are you planning some sort of prank that’s going to make me hate you for weeks?" Erica asked, rolling her eyes.

She said stuff like that often and Benny was always the one to respond, usually diverting attention as he flirted with her, making her roll her eyes again. And then we’d have some epic prank that made her get that much closer to dripping us dry. Or so she said. But this time Benny didn’t even look away from me as he replied, "We kissed. It was great. You’re allowed to be jealous."

Erica froze, looking over at us. Then she was suddenly next to us, snapping her fingers in between us to grab our attention. We both looked at her, our expressions unchanging. "What?" She demanded. "Seriously?!" I nodded. "Oh my god!" She screeched, grinning. "So are you guys official or are we going to have to torture through some more awkward angsty tension before you open your eyes? Cause I’ve had about all I can take at this point."

Benny was the one who acted next, moving next to me and wrapping an arm around me so his right hand could take my right hand, pushing off the lockers and moving through the hallways with me, leaving a soft kiss against my forehead. I blushed and Erica screamed ‘finally’ so loud that I giggled too. "Only if you want," Benny added after Erica was out of hearing range.

I smiled up at him. "I want," I told him.

I guess everyone was right. It had to happen eventually.

[tillymint7]

Stephen Sutcliffe 😎

As I always say once again I really connected with elements of Stephens work. There has not been one artist that I have not connected with on a level with my work, journey, process or approach.

The struggle Stephen has with dylexia, self doubt and anxiety and creative block. I know I have suffered from this at times this semester, but what I found most difficult was deciding which way to go, this is also something Stephen suffers from. The worry can often grind you to a holt its like the chaos in your head pulls the breaks.

If Stephen has taught me anything it is definitely that its ok to get lost, it’s ok to get stuck and if you do then just make work about the hurdle. It’s pure genius it’s definitely something I will remember moving forward. He famously makes work about creative blocks he just uses what your going through to propel him forward instead of allowing it to be a problem it becomes a productive part of his process.

Stephen is such an approachable down to earth person to talk too. The Q&A was fab, but once again my anxiety about chatting to him about my work in a one to one held me back again. That feeling can really hinder me sometimes, although saying that I feel I got so much from the Q&A I don’t really think I needed any further information.

I love the humour he has in his work, this idea of him re-recording old interviews with the person saying things in alphabetical orders was a very strange concept and sounded almost alien. Stephens fascination with language and thirst for knowledge grew from his disappointment of his working class background, which always made him feel that he lacked intelligence. He even seems unhappy with his lovely northern accent too, which I think sounds just fine. It’s funny how we are unhappy with the things that really don’t matter. Stephen gets obsessed with people who inspire him even buying a cardigan identical to one of the people he admires.

The image below is from an art work where two men (can’t for he life of me remember their names 🤷🏻‍♀️) took books out of the library and collaged images over the illustrations 🤣 apparently it’s illegal as well as funny, so sadly they both went to prison. I understand that defacing public property is an offence, but I actually can’t help seeing the funny side of these art works.

Stephen often wanting to understand the character of the person he is researching to their entirety becoming an obession. Stephen uses TV and not books at first to make his artwork because that’s what he knews he has even been referred to as a director but he always considers himself an artist first and for most.

I found it interesting that he has started painting wall murals for his exhibition because he found with being a video/film artist that his work was often surrounded by other artworks that conflicted with or detracted from his work. This idea of a mural started off as a way of creating a setting or defining a space for his work but the murals have now grown into a real love for Stephen. He even sells screen prints now as part of his practice. Just shows you that an artist can never really be bound by one art medium. So many, more often than not, move on to adding different process and mediums to their practice. I find using so many process and medium so freeing and yes gallery’s may hate me like Rory said, but do I really care? ....No I actually really don’t, I’m not making art for the galleries my art is part of me and if they don’t like then so what! If art is made purely for consumption and financial gain is that true fine art? Surly it’s important that we make art that we want to make, that’s honest and true to who we are? otherwise aren’t we just a one person factory and part of capitalism itself, lacking soul and individuality limiting ourselves to other peoples demands?

[recipeforlife-blog1]

Movie Review: Split

Title: Split

Actors: James McAvoy

Year: 2016

My Score: 4.5/5

Having only seen James McAvoy in Shameless for the largest part of my life, I had no idea of the full extent of this guys talents. Over the last couple of years I’ve watched him play incredibly diverse roles: Charles Xavier in X-men, Bruce in Filth, Simon in Trance, Rory O’Shea in Inside I’m Dancing... and it’s really shown me that this guy is a very versatile and multidimensional actor. So when I heard he was playing the lead in Split I was very optimistic.

At first I thought the movie looked like it could be one of the best I’d watched in years. I loved the concept: a unique idea, a complex character and tackling a mental health issue. As I saw more trailers for the film, my faith began to dwindle as I was worried they were running more with a horror film, which would be focused on fear over substance. The end product, I am glad to say was much closer to the former.

James was superb, I genuinely forgot I was watching the same actor playing all the different roles. It was like each part of his personality was so extreme, it had become its own person entirely. Hedwig was such an innocent, it was hard to imagine that the same person could be so dangerous. Patricia was a voice of reason in the chaos. It seemed that she and Dennis were there to control things. Then there was Barry, who was such a likeable and endearing guy, with plenty of potential in his own right.

SPOILERS AHEAD

To be honest, I think I may have preferred that they not get so fantastical with the ending. The rest of the movie felt real, but once “ The Beast” started to appear, the genre changed into a more make believe story, which disappointed me a little. Given the ending (which finally makes sense to me now that I watched ‘Unbreakable’) I can see where the director is heading with this. And I’m not against a potential new “squad” of characters with “superpowers” but for me personally, I would have preferred a movie with this subject matter to have stayed in the realms of reality.

That said it was a very, very good movie overall. We had the two stereotypical “girls” but we also had a more complex character in the form of Casey. Her story intrigued me and it was interesting to watch that unfold through the movie. I particularly like how she escaped because she was ‘broken’

“You are different from the rest. your heart is pure! Rejoice! The broken are more evolved”

I do quite like the idea of having cool characters in movies who are a little broken. We can’t all be those perfect superhero types, real things happen and real emotions take hold.

This movie portrayed a lot of sides of a human being and real emotions. It was complex, interesting, thrilling. It was great. I’d definitely watch it again.

[letzoespoilyou]

Pieces - an atomwave re write of that scene from Doom world.

This is for you @furiousflamewolf thanks for the ask, I hope you enjoy it and it does your idea justice!

Pieces

 Mick’s world was breaking apart, he could feel the pieces of it shatter just like the site that had occurred before him. There was never going to be enough things to smash nothing would fall into as many pieces and nothing was going to be able to bring those pieces back together again. It had happened so suddenly one moment he had felt hope that grinning idiot had stepped forward in all that chaos, without his suit or anything to protect himself just so he could say he trusted Mick. Ray had just stood there with his innocent smile and that look of trust and friendship had been focused soul on Mick. Mick new he didn’t deserve to be looked at like that, he’d messed up, he’d made a mistake but of course Ray Palmer would still have his back, would still want to help he see the person he was deep down and forgive his flaws.

Ray had said he’d trust Mick and his word had been open and honest,

“I don’t care what the others think Mick, I still believe in you. Partners right?”

Damn it Haircut! Mick thought at the time why me, what did I do to gain your respect, your friendship and made you think I was worth saving from myself. Len from their timeline had changed in a way he saw more to Mick too and had gone and sacrificed himself so Mick could continue to evolve with the Legends and in particular one Ray Palmer, smug git always knew too much and was far too observant! He should have known that this Len would also have the same observation skills.

Ray had stood up for Mick and clearly had him in his thoughts, if even in alternate timeline Ray took it upon himself to look after Axel, and Mick knew that Ray would forgive him, welcome him back and be annoying positive and supportive. Mick felt that warmth in his chest that was very much related to being around Ray, yep he had feelings for the nerdy genius and he was tired of running from them. Nope Mick had very much fallen for Ray and who wouldn’t when he looked at you the way he did now, Mick so used to wallowing in darkness now had a literal ray of sunshine focused on him and damn was he going to disappoint Ray now. He’d thrown the spear over and made his choice, he knew where he wanted to be, he knew who cared about him and after this was over he was going to tell Ray how he felt.

Mick felt relieved and that damn stupid feeling of hope as he watched Ray start the incantation. Everything was going to work out and then in a blink it all shattered. One minute Ray was there joy, triumph and hope but then just cold, a frozen version of himself, expression dead and Mick felt the pain cutting deep. This couldn’t be happening, this wasn’t real and for the first time in his adult life Mick Rory felt the sting of tears prick at the corner of his eyes as he looked at the man he was planning on telling he loved him stare blankly at him. Mick then felt the familiar burn of anger and all his hatred was directed at Snart. This Snart was not what Mick had wanted and needed no Mick had changed, Len had met Barry and the Legends he had changed first but Mick now got it, no this was still the cold hearted bastard that didn’t value the people around him. Snart walked up casually to Ray and Mick wanted to scream at him, then the cold man turned to Mick looked at him knowingly saying “You must have loved him to pieces” before tapping Rays frozen form and it shattered into pieces.

Mick cursed, this Snart had clearly noticed the way Mick’s eyes had lingered too long on the “janitor” of star labs of course he had worked out that Mick felt more for this particular member of the Legends team after all the first place Mick had gone when he punched Snart out was to find Ray. Mick hadn’t realised how obvious his feelings had become, he had been careless and Ray had payed the price. The smug smile on Snarts face said it all, the look had said “this is what happens when men like you think they’re in love”. Mick tried hard not to agree but he’d had given himself false hope, the first person after Len that had showed him kindness and companionship, that had come to him for advice and comfort, that had saved his life and treated him like a man and what had that got Ray, killed.

Mick’s heart shattered to pieces right along with Rays body and he just froze, collapsing in on himself. He vaguely remembers the team pulling him along with them but he was going numb. It couldn’t have happened, Ray couldn’t be dead. He couldn’t have lost his friend his, well now he was never going to be able to tell Ray and see where this was going. No, Haircut would have had a way out of this he was an expert at surviving near death experiences. Mick should have fought harder, he should have made the Legends leave him behind so he could kill Snart. Yea it was probably suicide but he’d at least take that bastard down for destroying one of the few pure and good things in Micks life. If Ray wasn’t around really what was the point of him surviving now anyway, he’d lost another person he cared about, if the world, if fate hated him so much then let him go out fighting, if he could avenging Ray then he’d at least achieve something.

Mick felt himself shake with anger, he closed his eyes and the vision of Ray going cold and still came into focus, Ray’s body shattering to pieces and those cold dead words “You loved him to pieces” finally broke Mick as he let out a scream filled with pain, anger and defeat!

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 Mick shot up in bed he’d been sweating and his eyes stung where unshed tears had been burning away. Every night the same dream, every night he watched as Ray shattered and Mick could do nothing. Every time he woke up he remembered that it was his fault and that his feelings for Ray had got him killed. But Mick couldn’t take the nightmares, the mission had finished they had gone back and re written the events that led up to the creation of that alternate reality. Ray hadn’t died at the hands of Snart, he was in fact alive and well probably sleeping soundly in his room. But Mick couldn’t shake the guilt couldn’t let the notion that if he gets close to Ray he’d get the man killed. But he also couldn’t shake the raw pain that was losing him, he couldn’t turn off the feelings. He was torn between protecting Ray for himself and just going and telling Ray.

If Mick remembers Ray’s death did Ray remember, if so then the man would be putting on a happy face and not facing it? Would Ray remember the pain of being frozen to death, no Mick had to make sure he was ok. Mick had these feelings and he owed Ray for having his back he was going to make damn sure that Ray wasn’t hurting alone.

He pulled on a new less sweat drenched pair of pyjama bottoms and headed down the wave riders corridors to Ray’s room. He knocked and heard a muffled just a minute from inside as the door slide open. Mick could tell Ray was sitting up in bed and the light from outside revealed that the man had been woken suddenly to. His brow was sweaty and his eyes read, he was breathing in short breaths and holding himself, yep Ray too had woken from a nightmare. The door slide shut behind him and the room went into darkness apart from the soft glow of a light near the bed. Mick made his way over and sat next to Ray.

“You ok Mick” Ray said and of course Ray would be worried about him. Mick lifted a hand to Rays chin as the man was staring intently down, he lifted Rays chin up so he could look into those eyes. Ray tried to smile putting himself together to hide any pain he could be feeling. Mick noticed he shivered and that Ray’s skin was cold to touch.

“Your cold, haircut” Mick said and Ray let out a breath.

“Must be some left over feeling, I dream it every night getting frozen and I wake and feel the cold, just sit for a bit and wait to warm up. I’ll be fine Mick it’s not like it actually happened it was an alternate timeline hopefully the memories will fade”.

Mick hated this and maybe his next move would be rejected but they both needed some comfort right now. Mick pulled Ray against him and hugged him tightly. There was a noise of shock from Ray before Ray let out a breath relief and brought his hand to rest on Micks waist. Mick could feel that Ray’s body was cold and shivered slightly at the contact.

“Sorry I’m cold” Ray whispered into the crook of Micks neck.

“Don’t worry I’ll warm you up” Mick said almost kicking himself mentally for that but there was no going back now.

“Is that a proposition Mick?” Ray said with more of his usual optimism and warmth.

“You tell me Haircut, do you want it to be?” Mick replied trying to keep the nerves out of his voice.

Ray pulled back and looked at Mick really looked at him and Mick used every ounce of will to not just jump the man then. Ray had a light blush forming on his cheeks and a dopey smile like he was the cat that finally got the damn canary.

“Well…” Ray began and Mick could tell it was going to be one of his rambles.

“Shut up Haircut” Mick said before going in to claim the kiss he’d been thinking about since after the Russian Gulag. This kiss was heated and definitely long needed and wanted by both men. Firm hands held onto each other as they worked there lips together all that wasted time and want being communicated through the desperate drag of their mouths against each other. They broke apart panting and Mick knew that this was no mistake, staying away from Ray would only torture both of them and there was no way Mick wasn’t doing that again as he stared at Rays slightly kiss bruised lips.

“So partners again?” Ray said hopefully and Mick couldn’t help smile at the idiot.

“Yeah Haircut, gonna make sure you never wake up cold again” Mick replied.

“Why Mick that was almost romantic” Ray said with amusement and joy.

“Less talking, more kissing” Mick growled going in for another kiss and pushing Ray back down onto the mattress.

That night Mick slept and no longer dreamt of shattered bodies and Ray falling into cold pieces, if the memory came back he only had to look at the happy idiot curled up against him to know both of them were together whole and happy.