#also… to anyone who hasn't read this fic NEEDS too

[hawkbutt]

Nothing was ever wrong - they have never been wrong. But there was something missing - and this was it.

Art inspired by Still By Brewrosemilk on AO3 Author is here on tumblr @gayhoediaz

[gaywineauntsstuff]

Dick Grayson Olympics

Dick has absolutely been in the olympics multiple times by the point he's Nightwing.

Dick just also happens to have like 9 different countries in which he is a citizen. So he competes for a new country every 4 years and every time the olympics is near his phone gets absolute bombarded by a bunch of official teams and recruiters begging him to join.

He is also the world's youngest Olympian and gold medalist in general. (the youngest Olympian on record is 12 but Dick Grayson was beating up grown men by 8 so i'm starting there, he's an overachiever, no I will not accept criticism)

here me out

first one at age 8 right before his parents die, he competed for France

second one at age 12 and he competes for Italy

third one at 16 and he competes for Switzerland

fourth one at 20 and he's with Romania

you get where i'm going with this

There are 6 events and he wins gold in every one of them except one time he showed up hungover, concussed with a stomach flu (he got a silver on the uneven bars bc his vision was so blurry so he did it blindfolded so he wouldn't throw up.)

No one except Tim and Alfred know (Tim bc he's a stalker and Alfred bc Dick needed his help getting to the airport as a child) but he takes a sabbatical from work and does missions covertly in the countries he's competing in (not as Nightwing bc that would be too obvious)

He also refuses to compete for the USA bc he's still bitter about being thrown in Juvie and they can't make him

He leaves every medal by his parent's grave as a promise that he has not abandoned their dreams for him.

When anyone ever figures out he was in the Olympics he just smiles and said he competed for France once when he was a kid (bc its technically true he's only competed for France exactly one time) and he's like really bashful about it and says stuff like "oh even though my routine wasn't perfect as a kid it was still an amazing experience to have with my Mom and Dad." (he is absolutely faking the bashfulness he just doesn't want people to google him and see he's won 15 gold medals before he turned 25 bc then there are questions and he's a relatively private person).

Bruce doesn't know that Dick was in the Olympics because an 8 yr old boy who grew up in a circus would have no idea of scale. (this is based on a random fic I read where a 12yr Dick Grayson did not call Bruce when there was an active gunmen at school -he found out from another parent a week later- but called him absolutely balling, making him rush home from work bc someone stuck gum in his hair.

So 12yro Dick just tells Bruce he wants to go to an acrobatics competition and Bruce is like sure, okay how long will you gone? and Dicks like a few weeks. And because Bruce has no scale of normal parenting things, he does not see this as an issue.

By the time Dicks 24 he just doesn't tell Bruce because he thinks it's hilarious he hasn't figured it out yet. Alfred doesn't tell him bc he's hardcore judging the 'world's greatest detective' very British-ly.

The only Titans that know are Wally and Donna and they are sworn to secrecy.

And yes he is mad bc he likes the women's gymnastics stuff more bc he grew up in a circus and he thinks it looks more fun.

[lullabyes22-blog]

Real talk because you are THE resident Silco expert and all your headcanons are 100% correct: why does fandom think Silco would be good in bed? (Or good at sex at all?)

I've seen headcanons about him being a giver, and about his dick game being fire, and while he's a sexy, charismatic man, I feel like he's too... selfish, insecure, and just not a romantic guy. He's also a very bitter, lonely, and angry dude. Idk, it makes sense he would have some kinks but I feel like he'd be too much of a bitch to care for anyone else in bed. I guess he'd want it rough, and I've read some fics where he's a sadist, but I feel like it'd just be a quick fuck to satisfy himself, not a slow, passionate, sensual thing.

idk, do with this what you will.

I agree - with nuance 💗

Silco - at least as I write him in FNF - is principally a headfuck. If he's demonstrating an interest in you, then he wants something from you. If he's nice to you, there's a bottom line. No act of generosity comes without strings attached, and every small kindness comes at a terrible price. That aspect of cold-blooded calculus is never far away from his base nature, which splits the world into assets and liabilities, and his own actions into a transaction of cost versus reward.

With that in mind, he excels, not at sex, but at getting his partners to do what he wants them to do. For him, it's one of the many fluid ways of expressing power, and demonstrating his mastery over the subtleties of the human body and mind.

A few readers have noticed that he comes across as very detached and controlled during FnF's sex scenes - and that they read as weirdly voyeuristic. That always delights me, because it's an intentional choice. He doesn't really see his partner as anything beyond a medium to his goals, so his focus is entirely on their physical responses and his own actions. His narration is distant, observational and impersonal, because he doesn't experience sex as something that involves an emotional or empathetic connection. Rather, he's gauging how his target's responses play out on a physical plane, and he's calibrating his own actions to maximise their impact.

To give credit where credit is due, he's very intelligent, patient and observant. There is also some realistic backing to the running gag that Good D is invariably attached to Bad Men. More specifically, Bad Broke Men. Silco has not grown up in a position of privilege or wealth. He has been forced to make use of every available resource. He has survived by the skin of his teeth on a constant knife edge of deprivation, hunger and fear.

He's a scrapper. He's a survivor. He's an opportunist.

And to be any of those things, you need to know your way around people: their wants and weaknesses. That's the foundation for the idea that he's good in bed - that he can anticipate his partner's desires, and respond accordingly. The difference is, his actions have no romantic underpinning. It's a matter of pure pragmatism and self-interest.

In terms of technical skill, he's likely very good at finding his partner's pressure points, both literal and figurative, and exploiting them. But if it were up to him, he'd find a way to turn the thumbscrews with nothing more than a well-chosen word and a cold look. The sex is just a generality, and his enjoyment a function of their compliance.

When it comes to actual intimacy?

My friends, he'd be spectacularly bad.

Not just bad, but skittish, hostile and hopelessly inept. He'd feel like an accomplished stage actor who has to step out onto the boards for an improv class. He hasn't got the right lines, he isn't dressed for the part, and he isn't even sure what role he's supposed to be playing. He'd be so awkward, he'd actually have trouble looking his partner in the eyes. The sum total of his sexual ouvre would devolve into the following comedy of errors:

"What the fuck is this?"

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Don't touch me there."

"This is going well, right?"

"Why can't I get it up?"

"I can't do this."

"Leave me alone."

"Where are you going?"

"Don't leave me."

"They always leave me."

"Why does everyone leave me?"

And he'd only spiral deeper into self-loathing and isolation. To submit to intimacy is to open oneself up to the mortifying ordeal of being known, and the constant risk of rejection. To Silco, it is anathema. Actual emotional vulnerability during sex would be not unlike attending his own public execution.

But.

Silco is not a one-note villain, much less a one-trick pony. He has a human history riven in deprivation, bloodshed and betrayal. He's remade himself from a 'weak' man into the premier kingpin of Zaun, but that predatory bracing still hides remnants of the soft-natured idealist he once was. In fact, he's the product of a deeply embedded internal conflict between two distinct versions of himself. The one who seeks to burn his enemies, and the one who seeks to save his city. He's also, as demonstrated by his love for Jinx, capable of profound devotion, loyalty, and a deep-seated longing for companionship.

That means the potential for romance exists. It's just buried deep, deep, deep down beneath years of abuse, neglect, trauma, and self-imposed barriers. If he meets someone who can dismantle those barriers, or bypass them altogether and earn his trust, there is a ray of hope.

Sex would still be frightening and uncomfortable, and it'd involve a lot of trial and error. But it'd also have the potential to be deeply healing. Not because Silco would become a better man, but because his partner would make him want to try. He'd also bring the same intense focus, intelligence, and determination to the task that he applies to his criminal empire - which means that, once he does have his sea legs, Silco would have the potential to become a truly giving lover.

It's all about context.

And the context is always: will he take the gamble when he has nothing to lose, and everything to gain?

[sleeplesssmoll]

Since you mentioned liking Secretkeeper, any plans on writing Bkorn/Vertin? finding fics of rare ships is hard ;-;

This is me planting seeds in your mind (lovingly)

You're right! I am an outrageous multi-shipper and I think Vertin and Bkornblume are adorable. They're both a mischievous and playful, yet gentle. They're both sneaky rebels too. Vertin worked from within the Foundation, Bkorn worked within the Stasi to help others. Bkorn seems fond of Vertin in her voicelines. She shares snacks with her and asks Vertin to read her poems in the Wilderness. Bkorn's reactions in the Wilderness like telling Vertin secrets or giggling make me think they enjoy each other's company. There's also this description of her:

A best friend who loves to yap but always lends a ears. Bkornblume is someone Vertin confides in and that makes her special. Also the little animation of them cuddled on the couch sharing a scarf was what finally did me in. Too sweet c:

I won't say I had plans on writing (no drafts or anything) since I'm all over the place with that stuff. I did have some secretkeeper in an idea I had floating around. It actually started as a crappy love triangle with Vertin, Matilda, and Sonetto. This was what I cultivated from my brainrot for anyone interested (not a fleshed out fic but an idea):

Matilda approaches Vertin one day and tells her she's going to confess to Sonetto. Vertin is confused as to why she needs to tell her first, and Matilda tells Vertin to quit playing dumb. They both like Sonetto, but they're also friends. She is warning Vertin out of respect and consideration for her friend, which moves Vertin (i HATE love triangles that aren't triangles. Vertin and Matilda are buddies and they don't want to hurt each other.) Nonetheless, Vertin wishes Matilda good luck and assures her she wants them to be happy. Matilda isn't convinced but thanks Vertin with a big hug before leaving.

When Matilda finally confess, Sonetto needs time to answer. Sonetto decides to ask for Vertin's advice like usual. Vertin plays wingman and says that it's worth trying to see how their relationship goes. Matilda and Sonetto got along since they were kids and she mentions that Matilda had a crush back then too. Sonetto admits she was totally caught off guard and says that she's never been good at noticing things like that. Vertin knows this first-hand, but doesn't bring up her feelings. She then asks Sonetto if there's a reason to reject Matilda. Matilda is cute, energetic, and compassionate. What could go wrong? Sonetto tentatively agree. She thinks highly of Matilda too, but something is amiss. Sonetto hasn't realized she also has feelings for Vertin (she confuses her love with admiration). She accepts Matilda's proposal and the two start dating.

Vertin is happy for Matilda, yet a part of her is also heartbroken. Vertin hates this feeling because she already decided to let Sonetto go. Sonetto and Matilda share the same beliefs and they will always follow the Foundation (in her mind). They're both brilliant arcanists and they are a perfect match. There will come a time where Sonetto will have to leave her side regardless of Matilda's involvement, and so Vertin already prepared herself for another goodbye.

This is where Bkornblume comes in!

Bkorn knows about the situation before everyone else because of course she does. She congratulates Sonetto and Matilda in person, but in the evening she finds Vertin alone in her office and confronts her. "Are you really ok with this?" Vertin tells her it doesn't matter if she's ok or not; Sonetto is better off with Matilda. As Vertin's friend, Bkorn is livid but lends an ear instead of continuing to argue.

Here is where Sonetto and Vertin's paths begin to diverge.

Sonetto and Matilda are happy together, but there are times during their dates that Sonetto's mind wanders to Vertin. Vertin would love this. I wonder what Vertin is up to? Things like that. Vertin's always on the back of her mind, but Sonetto chooses to focus on her girlfriend. Sonetto is very loyal and devoted to Matilda and things progress between them. I want to reiterate that Sonetto really cares about Matilda and she's assuming her affection will grow into true love with time (Sonetto also kisses Matilda first. Matilda initiated, but got flustered so Sonetto met her half-way).

On Vertin's side, Bkorn has decided to treat her on a "date" too to cheer her up (and get her out of the Suitcase because Vertin mentioned that she sees Sonetto everywhere. It's like she's expecting to see her puppy run up to her every time she turns the corner). This "date" will also serve as a reason for them to speak one on one without interruption.

Bkorn was being silly, but Vertin mentions she's never really had a chance to go on a date before, at least not a proper one. Bkorn volunteers to take her on more. Vertin thinks she's joking again but Bkorn says she thinks Vertin needs to take time for herself and experience things. It doesn't have to be serious, just have fun. Life is too short, something they both know all too well. Vertin agrees but she's also worried because she doesn't know what to do. Bkorn reassures her. "Now is a great time for us to learn! We can figure it out together." Yeah, neither of them really know where to go from here but they match each other's vibes. Vertin cheers up a bit too. However, Secretkeeper is a secret from everyone else. Bkorn and Vertin don't want to attract attention since they're not really serious (put a pin in that and then throw it away because this is the only time i've written this out lol)

While the pairs become closer, Sonetto and Vertin grow more distant. Sonetto misses giving Greeting Kisses (Vertin put a stop to it out of respect for Matilda and Sonetto agreed that she had a point. No one wants to make ducky sad). Vertin misses Sonetto falling asleep against her shoulder and helping her with the daily crossword in the newspaper. They feel each other's absence in all the little things. Sonetto knows Vertin enough to tells she's hiding something, but not exactly what which also bugs her.

Relationship wise, Sonetto and Matilda move slow and steady, fumbling through intimacy together. They're both very comfortable with each other and progress step by step.

Bkorn and Vertin are kinda the opposite. Because of their situation, they're very direct about everything. This is especially true for Vertin because Bkorn encourages her to express things outwardly. However, she has no idea what she signed up for. Example:

Vertin is up late as usual and decides to share her thoughts instead of being alone with them (she knows Bkorn isn't asleep yet either), "Are we going to kiss at some point?"

"Do you want to?"

"Most couples do."

"But I'm asking if you want to. If you want a kiss, you'll get one."

"When?"

"Whenever you want."

"Now?"

Bkorn was not ready for this. "Vertin, it's 2am."

"Is that a bad time?"

"That depends on the kiss. Impress me or I'm not letting you sleep over again."

Vertin continues to sleepover after this.

They're whole...situationship (idk what to call it) is like that. Vertin and Sonetto learn things about themselves while they are with their partners. Matilda helps Sonetto get over the guilt she has when people do things for her. Sonetto finally understands that giving can also make the giver happy. Its ok to accept and receive love (screw that martyr mentality!) Naturally this also makes her think back to all the times she and Vertin squabbled about this very thing.

Vertin gets more vocal about her feelings too. She opens up about loss and grief and Bkorn helps her realize that one of the reasons she's very tactile is because she can confirm people's existence through touch. As someone who sees and hears people who no longer exist, physical touch can be a source of comfort. An almost addictive one that she didn't notice until Bkorn brought it up. Bkorn liked the attention, but she noticed a pattern in Vertin that concerned her. Normally Vertin's affection is random but sweet. She'll walk into the room, kiss her cheek or give her a hug, then return to whatever she was originally doing. They're pleasant surprises. However, after a meeting with the Foundation or during a heavy thunderstorm Vertin will always seek her out and it ends up being more than a kiss. The physical attention didn't bother Bkorn in the slightest, but Vertin's almost desperate antics worried her especially when she realized that it was because Vertin was hurting inside (reminder this is/was an "unserious" and "for funsies" situationship). Yes, I gave Vertin unhealthy coping.

Sonetto and Vertin are also doing things for their partners! It's not all one-sided. There's a point where Bkorn tells Vertin : "If I didn't know better, I'd assume you love me" in response to how Vertin treats her. Vertin genuniely wishes she could. She wants to love Bkorn but they both know Sonetto still has a grip on her.

Meanwhile Sonetto does everything from making breakfast to showering Matilda with attention (wife-netto). However, Matilda isn't stupid. She's been observing (stalking) Sonetto for years so she can tell something or rather someone is on her mind. However, she believes her love will win over Sonetto eventually. She must have faith.

Even though her divination showed her a sinking ship. It's one of the few times she hopes she is wrong.

From here on is a mess. As in, I don't know where we're going from here either.

I did have some ideas, but not very fleshed out.

Sonetto learns Vertin's secret when Vertin is injured during a mission (I'm always injuring her; this is the extent of my creativity). Sonetto insists on helping Vertin place healing ointment on the back of her shoulder. Vertin says its just a minor injury, but gives in when she sees how worried Sonetto is. She can't say no to that face. While Sonetto's applying the salve, she freezes at the the sight of a few other "injuries". Kiss marks as clears as day and light scratches. Sonetto starts slathering salve on them immediately to erase them, startling Vertin. She quickly realizes Sonetto is erasing the evidence Bkorn left behind, but doesn't mention it. She gives an awkward thanks and the two are super tense around each other after that.

Sonetto racks her brain to find out who the hell put there hands on Vertin and she confides in Matilda. Matilda is shocked, but she's happy (and relieved) Vertin found someone. Sonetto is still reeling, "But why would she hide that from us?" Matilda asks a question she wasn't ready for:

Why is she angry?

Sonetto can't answer. Is it because their friends and friends don't have secrets? No, Vertin always had secrets. That's just the way she is and Sonetto never had a problem with it...until now. She reflects on these ugly emotions and their source.

More stuff happens...idk if I can tie them in well so I'll just jump forward

She eventually suspects Bkornblume but she's still not sure what to do with that information even if she's right.

When Sonetto, Vertin and Bkorn are working together on some paperwork, Bkorn asks Vertin for coffee. Vertin scurries off immediately.

Sonetto asks why keeps bossing Vertin around. Bkorn takes no offense and explains that if she doesn't give Vertin something to do, Vertin will find something to do for her. Usually that means spending Sharpadonties (or stuff that would make Sonetto kill her if she found out). By making a simple request, Vertin can still fulfil her need to provide without going overboard. Since the need to give is part of Vertin, this is Bkorn's way of letting Vertin be herself but in a way that won't hurt her wallet. Vertin returns with freshly brewed coffee for everyone, not just Bkorn. Bkorn thanks her and Vertin lights up like a proud child. Vertin sits still and helps finish the rest of the work without running off to buy snacks or her usual antics. Sonetto remembers her talk with Matilda. She realizes that she could have done something similar to Bkorn because Vertin truly from the bottom of her heart wants to make the people happy. It's adorable--

Sonetto tells Matilda about her new discovery. Matilda gives her a defeated smile. She advises Sonetto to talk to Vertin one on one. It'll be better for both of them. Afterall, they're all friends here. They want what's best for each other. This time when Matilda kisses her, it feel different. Like a goodbye?

Sonetto can't sleep that night and ends up finding Vertin in the living room in her favorite armchair by herself. Vertin can't sleep because Bkorn had a similar talk with her (they've been talking about it because bkorn has feelings for Vertin but there's no room in her heart for her.)

Up until now Sonetto and Vertin have been somewhat tense around each other but Vertin can tell somethings bothering her. "What's wrong, Sonetto?"

This time, Sonetto has a request. "Can I hug you?"

Vertin bolts up and gives her one, "Are you alright?"

That's when Sonetto realizes how much she truly missed Vertin and how stupidly in love she is with her. And from here...

I don't think I settled on a proper conclusion so I just replay scenes in my head repeatedly. There are interactions with Vertin and Matilda too because they're friends. Really need this to be a proper triangle!

But thanks for sticking around until this point. I don't make many posts about ships aside from TK14 and Verneider so this exploded out of me. The repressed one was me the whole time.

[angellayercake]

Oh well @sakuraspoke if you insist on me rambling about Terzo who am I to refuse? ☺️

We know from some interview snippets about him that by the time he becomes papa he is bitter and he hates himself and he is somewhat of a recluse which is clearly a massive contradiction to the caring, entertaining, silly, sexy charmer we see on stage. That man seems a lot more in keeping with the description we see from Bishop Necropolitus Cracoviensis who describes Terzo during his time as a Cardinal. As being a visionary who cares for his flock and revels in sin.

So how did he get here and how does that relate to this song?

I think we can all agree that his hopes for what he would achieve during his reign as Papa were squashed very quickly. He clearly put up a fight and was starting to gain momentum by the end where perhaps he thought it might be possible (hence why he was dragged off stage, humiliated and murdered) but we can see that nothing really went to plan and this is what probably sent him down the spiral of depression and self hatred.

But to bring it all back to 'We'll never have sex'. He created a very specific persona that was very likable and charming and I have no doubt that those are aspects of his personality and he had no lack of partners within the Ministry and without. But they ONLY wanted the Charming Papa™ and when his darker side would reveal itself, his self loathing and dissatisfaction they would run for the hills, if they even stayed long enough to see it. Because he is Papa right? Sex god leader of the Satanic Church, champion of the female orgasm, he is above wanting to be loved or cared for.

He is lonely, depressed, hopeless and desperate for some connection. So he keeps up the facade, keeps accepting the one night stands and casual propositions just to stave off the loneliness for a night or two until he just can't anymore. He closes himself off and comes to terms with the fact that no one will ever want just him.

This is all my standard headcanon for him in general and most of my fics unless otherwise stated but this also leads specifically into banchetto so I will put that under a read more in case anyone doesn't care about that bit 😁

This is basically where he is emotionally at the beginning of Banchetto underneath the hurt about his removal from his position and his brothers interference etc.

So why does he do what he does to poor reader? Well I think personally he has forgotten how to relate to people romantically other than sex. He hasn't had a traditional 'relationship' for many many years probably since he was a very young man and first learned about falling in love and heartbreak.

When he realises that reader is attracted to him he also finds her a distraction from wallowing in his depression and even though he had grown to hate no strings sex he falls back on that easy seduction to give him that taste of connection he craves. That is until he realises how much he hurt her by playing with her and that's when he realises

1. He may have found someone who really does care for HIM not what they can get from Papa. She has seen him at his worst. Complete rock bottom and still she cares?

2. He is beginning to care for her too. He looks forward to seeing her everyday and the light she brings into his life. He wakes up earlier so he can be up as soon as she arrives and he wracks his brains for question after question so he can justify following her around as she works. It's only when she disappears for that week after he cornered her that he realises this though.

And this is why they are taking it so slowly (aside from the fact she really does have a job to do which he tends to forget and at this point has completely forgotten). She has picked up on the fact that this is unfamiliar territory for him and really there is no need to rush right? What could possibly bring their happy little domestic bubble to be popped??? 😈

On that note I will leave it there. If you have got this far I love you 😚😚

[ghostieblr]

the perfect star that hid

written for @sterekbingo square "soulmate au." kind of a new take on soulmate au? at least i haven't seen this particular type (if you have, please link them to me!! <3) also, my card is under the cut! at the very end. the full fic is here, but you can also read it on ao3 (where i'll post it when i get back home) if that's more your style.

The name unfurls on his wrist at the mall, filled with people, a scratch to his bone that goes unnoticed; he always wears full sleeves, a habit borne of shame and fury, fury at himself and his life and at the one who is writing it. He's 27 — older than the average population of those without someone by their side, someone who are made with dust and ashes that together make the perfect star.

He's celebrating his 27th birthday, actually, in this very mall. Friends that appreciate his appreciation for Star Wars, that don't mind him or pity him, who actually care about him — they booked an entire cinema hall for him, pulled certain strings to make it happen, and none of them had to pleaded or begged for it. They just love him.

He doesn't have his soulmate, yet, perhaps never will, but there is this truth as well: he has friends that love him like family, like their own. It might just have to be enough.

That's what he's thinking, the epiphany dredging up his past agony and mulling it over, layering it over with itself, a sort of aftercare that he's giving a try. And he's tired, too, of the heartache and the negativity — his own most of all. And he is tired of the day, muscles aching, and hey. It's a good time for a relaxing shower, now that he's home.

So he smiles at no one in the apartment but at himself in the mirror he's hung in the living room, a sort of statement piece that Lydia insisted on after taking one look at his at the time barely furnished abode, and shrugs.

"You don't need anyone, Stiles."

The words don't sound quite right as he hears them, the meaning of it turned desolate instead of triumphant as his thoughts become intangibly tangible, an epiphany to something he might just have to get used to. Still, he's said it, it's out there, and it's gonna have to do.

He picks the clothes off of himself, hopes the shower will help him pick himself up. Decides a bath would be better — but he's not got that now, has he? Perhaps he should start saving for a house, now. But it's just so much harder with one income only; he could move back to Beacon Hills? San Francisco isn't bad, but the prices of real estate are no joke.

The pros and cons of that potential scenario run through his head, his legs out of the jeans now, his hoodie off of his body next. Huh, he's almost out of toothpaste; he should go to the grocery store tomorrow. He should also see what's in his fridge and what's not but — later.

He's getting ahead of himself.

The t-shirt he's wearing comes off, too, a full-sleeved one, white, that looks rather good on him. Accentuates the lean muscle thing he's got going on from his years at the Track Team in high school and college. There's this scar he has on his left palm from falling once in the middle of a tournament. He turns his hand—

It's not bare, anymore. His wrist — it has a name.

His soulmate's name.

He stares. And stares and stares because what the hell. This has to be a joke, right?

It just has to be.

He has been within 100 metres of this person before multiple times. Has been to his childhood home, to the fucking police station he works at because hello — Derek Hale is one of Sheriff's Deputies, and Stiles is the Sheriff's son.

They've been within 100 metres of each other before.

But this has never happened.

But...

He rushes to his bedroom, naked, panicked, ecstatic. Picks up the phone from where he'd chucked it on the bed, opens the contact of a person he hasn't contacted since the last project they did together in high school.

Cora Hale picks up on fifth ring, when he's about to hang up and try again.

"Stilinski?" She sounds confused. "It's been a while. What's up?" A muffled voice, a male. Cora says, "Are you fucking kidding me? It can't be him — you've known each other for — it's impossible —" She's clearly not speaking to Stiles.

"Is Derek there?"

Cora stops talking.

"Cora, is he — did he get it too?"

Sounds of footsteps, labored breathing. Phone changes hands and then: "Are you Mieczysław Stilinski?"

Stiles stops breathing. It's real.

Derek is asking him the name nobody but his father and the people at the DMV know.

"I don't know any other Stilinski’s. Just your father and you," Derek is saying. He sounds confused, happy, breathless. "And I know your name starts with an M. I saw some papers on the Sheriff's desk once, by mistake but — how is it you?" A pause. "Not — I didn't — I mean like —"

"How is it me when we have been around each other for so long. I have been at your house, you've been working at the BHPD for... fuck, 3 years now?"

"Since I came back from NY, yeah."

"I don't know, Derek, I don't but I... you were at the mall today, right?" He just wants to be sure.

"Yes. Yeah. I was, I was buying a gift for my parent's anniversary."

"And today's my birthday, I was —"

"With your friends watching Star Wars. I know. I saw you and the Sheriff let the whole station know about it yesterday."

Stiles can't fucking believe this. And also... "I'm so fucking cold. I really should wear some clothes."

"What?"

"Long story short — Shower, saw the name, called the one Hale's number I had."

Derek's chuckle is sexy and seriously, how has he never heard it before? It's a crime. And Stiles should be in jail. At least then he would have met his soulmate earlier... but wait, that's a paradox. Isn't it?

"I thought you were short story long kind of person," Derek says, and follows up with, "And if you're free right now... I know it's late but, would you forsake your shower and meet me to figure out why he haven't met before?"

Stiles cuts the call.

Then calls Cora's cell again. Derek picks it up with an exhale that seems very anxious, so Stiles closes his eyes at his stupidity and admits, "That was a yes. My brain just jumped ahead a few steps. Please text me your number so we can let Cora have her phone back," Cora cheers in the background, "And I can end the call so that I can wear my clothes and you can text me whatever address and we can finally meet and I'm sorry for ending the call so abruptly and seriously why haven't we met before? It's so —"

Derek chuckles again, and really, it's such a nice sound. "Stiles, breathe. I don't want you to die just yet."

"I can absolutely do that, yep."

Silence.

"Stiles? Wear your clothes. I promise I'll help you out of them when —"

There's a sudden struggle at the other end, and then it's Cora's voice coming down the line, "Ew! No! Do it on your own phone. Stiles, I'm texing you my brother's number, so go! Now!"

She ends the call.

Stiles lets his own phone fall onto the bed, processes what happened for just a minute, and then smiles goofily when Cora makes good on her statement.

Somehow, even though they haven't interacted in all these years despite all the things connecting them to the same peg on the board, Derek texts Stiles: "Stop dawdling and come meet me at the diner on 5th. Remember to wear your clothes. For now."

It's all one block of text too, the dork.

Guess that's his dork now.

Greatest. Birthday. Ever.

[bokettochild]

I absolutely love fics that give all the Links different written languages.

BUT

For the ones that don't...

Who do you think can or can't read/write cursive? I firmly believe that Wind's grandma taught him how to read it, but he never writes in it so he can't without double checking certain letters multiple times.

Ooh!

Yes, Wind is quite proficient in Hylian cursive! He and Aryll actually both are since Granny doesn't really use anything else except back when she was first teaching them how to read, and even then, her letters are all swoopy and graceful (they love that). He reads it well, but his handwriting is still awkward and crooked (JoJo had it overlapped onto Warriors'). Aryll spends more time writing things down so she's a bit better than he is, but only a bit.

Four is familiar with cursive, since he spends a lot of time at the castle and most of the royals use it. he can read it well, and he can sort of write it, but Blue finds the excessive loops to be ridiculous and while Red thinks they're pretty, it's too tricky to do all the time, so only really Green uses cursive, and only when split. Vio likes how it looks, but he writes to get things down, and he thinks too fast to care about how his writing looks (it looks like chicken scratches).

Legend is also quite used to cursive, and he can write in it, when he takes the time to try. Most of the time, he's like Vio and just trying to jot things down, but if he's writing a letter or a note to someone, he tends to at least try and make it look nice, and cursive does a decent job of that. I'd like to note, also, that since he's a bit of a book collector too, Legend is very good at reading even the crappiest of handwriting, not just cursive.

Hyrule hasn't got much expose to written materials, but most of what he has seen are old books with the gilded letters and the like, so he doesn't even know cursive is a thing until Aurora introduced him to it. He's not very good at reading it, and definitely can't write with it, but he's getting better.

Wild might have been able to write in cursive before he lost his memories, but he doesn't any longer. Most of Hyrule doesn't bother with cursive, not even Flora, since she, like Legend and Vio, has only the intent of writing things quickly and no longer has anyone to tell her to make it look nice. Purah and Robbie are the same. Sidon and the Zora do use cursive, but Wild doesn't really care enough to try reading it, since most of the time anything they bother to write is just official mumbo-jumbo to him anyway. He does have rather neat printing though!

Sky can read cursive, as can all the students at the academy, but he prefers to print things out, because it's easier and he was always a rather lazy student. Zelda feels the same way, but Groose actually has the best penmanship out of them all (he wanted to be better than Sky). They can all write cursive, but again, Sky never cared to practice enough to make it look very nice, so he sort of struggles to do it.

Twilight on the other hand! Twilight has the fanciest gosh-darn handwriting out of the whole chain! Since he's a total book nerd (look at his house), I'd say he's probably been exposed to all sorts of handwriting, and as a kid decided he would make his handwriting look like the stuff in fancy books. Ulli helped him to learn, and he now writes with a very neat hand indeed. Most of the time he prints things, to save time, but this man could be a calligrapher if he so chose! He really likes to do those embellished first letters like in old books, and while sometimes he gets teased about it, Shad may or may not have asked him to help with some of his publications because of his skill.

Warriors has very neat handwriting, but unfortunately, cannot read or write in cursive. I'm a street-rat Wars truther, so this man probably only recently learned to read in my take on him. He makes sure his handwriting looks nice, but cursive is a bit too much for his needs. Soldiers don't get sent things with cursive most of the time, so when he does, he can usually just ask Impa to help him read it, as it's usually in regards to an official frivolity anyways.

Time cannot cursive. Malon can, but she's not very good at it either (reading or writing). Time doesn't care to learn, Malon doesn't really care to improve, and the only way to get Time to even try would be to tell him he could use it top mess with Wars.

[softpascalito]

I To Dig a Grave I Chapter 3 I

Summary: Twenty-one years after the outbreak, you come to Wyoming looking for something and end up in Jackson after a stranger saves your life.

But he doesn't stay a stranger.

Turns out Joel Miller is looking for something too. It feels like a fresh start. But when bad luck seems to follow you, Joel is the only one to turn to, forcing both of you to confront your feelings about your pasts- and each other.

Pairing: Joel Miller x F!Reader Rating: Explicit / MDNI Word count: 12k+ Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Age Difference, Smut, Explicit Content, Grief/Mourning, Mental Health Issues, Canon-Typical Violence, Chose not to use Archive Warnings, Tags to be added

AO3 LINK // Series Masterlist // Playlist

notes: very excited for this chapter because you guys finally get to see what a big part of fic will deal with. keeping everyone who reads on in my prayers <3 (you'll need it)

i've also added a small playlist for this fic. in case you'd like to dive in the link is above!

this fic will deal with heavy topics. please note that it doesn't use archive warnings and tags will be added as we go in order to avoid spoilers. each chapter will have detailed warnings in the end notes on ao3.

Chapter 3 - The Sky

‘‘The sky here’s very strange. I often have the sensation when I look at it that it's a solid thing up there, protecting us from what’s behind.’ ‘But what is behind?’ Her voice was very small. ‘Nothing, I suppose. Just darkness. Absolute night.’’

- Paul Bowles, The Sheltering Sky

The body is resting against the only intact wall of the cabin, to Joel's left. Propped up next to the fireplace, the scene around it leaving no doubt about the finality of it. Blue hair drenched in red, thick liquid pooling below and running through the crevices of the weathered and beaten wood.

He barely registers Tommy’s footsteps behind him nor that they come to a sudden halt.

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters under his breath. 

Joel is the one that steps forward, kneeling down next to the fireplace, his hand gently reaching out to touch the pale skin of her hand. “She’s already cold. Must’ve been a few hours,” he whispers, his voice dangerously close to cracking.

“We need to alert the others. What if these guys are already at the gates? Maria has no clue-”

“Tommy-” Joel gently tries to stop the rambling of his brother, but he can't bring himself to take his eyes off her. But the other man is barely listening, his feet shuffling anxiously as he reaches for his rifle.

“Joel, goddamn it, I mean it. Get up. They may be waiting for the moment to attack-”

“There is no attack,” Joel says, again, and his voice feels too calm for what he’s implying. 

He stalls for a moment, the realization coming to him that he’s gotten too good at this. He’s gotten too good at being in the presence of death, likely better than he ever has been in the presence of people.

He carefully leans forward, using his free hand to gently push the fabric of her hoodie out of the way, glancing down at the wound and giving a small nod. He doesn't need to see the way Tommy’s shoulders fall. He feels the air shift as his brother comes to the conclusion Joel has found much faster. They both know why he got there quicker. Takes one to know one.

“Why would she-” Tommy breaks off, turning his gaze away from the thing he doesn't understand. “I don't know,” Joel mutters under his breath. It hasn't hit him yet, the full force of what this means. Of the consequences it will draw. “We need to get her back to Jackson.” But he can’t really focus on that. Not when he has your best friend’s lifeless body next to him without a clue where you are.

“Do you think-” There's a heavy pause. “Did she do this alone?” Tommy asks, placing his rifle next to the door and beginning to look around the cabin for something useful.

Joel immediately knows what he's asking. But he shakes his head. “I don't think she would have- There's no sign anyone else was here.”

His head is spinning, screaming at him to do the one thing he knows. He needs to find you.

And then he doesn't. Because before they can even begin to move the body, he can hear hooves approaching outside. He recognizes the fast gallop of your horse even before you call their names.

“Lane?! Joel?! Tommy?!” Your lungs hurt from calling them. It was easy enough to follow the tracks, spurring your own horse on much more than you dared on any patrol so far. The mare almost seems relieved when you reach the two other horses and you slide off her back in one quick motion.

It's at the same moment that the door flies open, Joel crossing the small veranda in a few strides. You freeze in your tracks. “Where-?” The words die in your throat. Joel carefully makes his way towards you, his steps slow and controlled. Your eyes fly to his hands. They’re bloody. He has almost reached you when you find his eyes again. There is a gentleness in them that confuses you for a split second.

And then it all makes sense. You don't want the blood, you don't want that look in his eyes, you don't want any of it once you realize what it means.

“No.” Your voice comes out all wrong and you don't know if he heard you. If anyone can.

“It's okay. Come here,” Joel mumbles as he reaches you, carefully sneaking his arm around you. He tries to pull you close and he's not sure whether it's for your or his sake. Maybe both.

“No. Joel, where is she?”

He shushes you again, readying himself to catch you if your knees give out, his grip around you tightening ever so slightly.

Joel Miller has come to know you fairly well over the past years. At least he likes to think he does and you've rarely caught him off guard. But today you do.

“Where is she?!” Your knees don't give out. Not even close. They bend just enough for you to slip past the broad man in front of you, taking off with a run towards the door of the cabin.

It takes him a second to register what has happened. Then, he’s storming after you as fast as his legs will allow him.

“Tommy!” he yells out, hoping that if he won't be able to stop you, at least his brother will. But it's he who catches up with you just as you take the first step onto the veranda, roughly pulling you back by your arm, hard enough that it sends both of you tumbling to the floor.

He barely registers the way the wooden step digs into his ribs and knocks the air out of his lungs. Instead, his fingers stay tightly wrapped around your arm. “Fucking let go, Joel! Let me see her!”

He doesn't know what to say. He can't tell you that he simply can't. That it would stay with you forever, even more than this will anyway.

“Come here,” he just repeats weakly, bringing his other arm around to pull you in. One of your knees is bleeding, your jeans ripped open where you hit the floor with full force. Joel makes a mental note to clean the wound later.

Your body is trembling much harder than you thought possible as you let Joel pull you into his arms. It has nothing to do with the cold. You don't even feel like you're able to recognize temperature. An absurd concept, that your body would adjust to any of it, that it would ever stop shaking and trembling. Joel's arms feel like he's all around you, wrapping his body around yours, sheltering you from what is only a few feet away. 

Your lungs that were burning just a minute ago seem to not be a part of you anymore. They in- and exhale in their own rhythm, one that feels too fast and too slow all at once. You hear Joel muttering into your ear, but you can't make out the words. Your cheeks are wet. You don't know why.

The world dissolves around you and you briefly wonder if you’re dying. It's not a shocking idea that gets you up and fighting. You wonder about death the same way you would about whether or not they have soap at the store. The world has almost gone dark when you realize you are not, in fact, dying. But, even as the strength leaves your muscles and you collapse against the body next to you, you are aware that something has.

***

You regain consciousness, just for a moment. There is a steady rise and fall around you and at first you think it's your lungs expanding and deflating. But as you open your eyes enough to catch a glimpse of your surroundings, they move. Up and down. Slow and steady.

You're on horseback, pressed against a broad chest that has to be Joel’s. His arms are pulling you tightly into him, keeping you upright, making sure you won't fall off. You don't think you could bring yourself to care. It probably wouldn't even hurt. In fact, every part of your body should hurt with the way you were running earlier, with how you fell onto the stairs, bone crunching as it took the blow to your side. But oddly enough, it feels like you're floating, like your mind is far away from your body and equally far away from Joel. There is a disconnect, a faulty wire. One that simmers, undetected, till it snaps one random afternoon and sets the whole house on fire.

You still feel like you’re drifting in and out of consciousness when the movement below you slows and you feel yourself being lifted down by strong, steady arms. They are a constant around you, a shield that protects you from what is beyond.

Word about your disappearances has traveled fast but not fast enough for no one to ask any questions. There have rarely been any runaways in Jackson, except for the occasional teenagers who usually show up again the day after- and the couple last year. The bodies Joel had found in the abandoned hotel. Why was he always the one to find them?

People approach, some calling out to the odd group arriving. Tommy leading both horses and shushing those who call out to them while Joel holds you close, staring down anyone who so much as tries to approach him.

“I’ll go and fetch Maria and we can-” Tommy pauses, his gaze wandering from his brother's face to the curled up body below it. He can't bring himself to say it. Not like this, not in front of you. 

Joel gives a curt nod, understanding. “Tell Maria we're at my place. And-” A small sigh escapes his lips. “Make sure she arranges for a group immediately.”

The younger man swallows hard and turns away. Infected will happily devour any meat they're given, no matter if they've hunted it down themselves. He doesnt think he could bear going back and finding a scene like that. His steps speed up.

You only catch glimpses of the people around you, words being whispered, conversations being started and then abruptly breaking off. And you still feel light, so light that you think you could just float away, disappear into the blue until you’d reach the horizon and whatever lies beyond. But you're wrapped in the dark leather coat that keeps sliding off your shoulders, wrapped in Joel’s arms, and so it won't happen. He won't let you float away. 

For all you know, all of the sounds and glimpses could be figments of your imagination, something like a dream or a fleeting memory of a book you’ve read as a child, one that you remember the cover and smell of, remember that it made you feel something, and yet, the story won't come to mind anymore. Above all, this can be, needs to be, something that is unreal. Because otherwise, you dont think you’ll be able to get through it.

You don't move. You let Joel carry you down Rancher Street, you let him nudge your head further into his chest as you realize you must be passing the corner of the graveyard. It seems impossible that you walked by it just a few hours ago, with your mind on the library and which exams to set and dinner this weekend. It all feels like a lifetime ago, a memory that doesn't belong to you but rather someone else.

The morning fog sunk back into the earth hours ago, the rays of the sun forcing it to clear. The sky above you feels close enough to touch, a vibrant and comforting shade of blue spanning from the tops of the wooden houses to the mountains in the distance.

You were just a baby when your father put up a swing in your backyard, strong ropes tied to the branch of an old oak tree. You must have heard the story a million times. Him, getting out his tools while you were watching from your blanket on the grass, not quite able to move your head on your own yet. But he insisted that your large eyes followed him around, contently staying where you were as he worked. 

You didn't understand, when hearing him talk about it, why he'd build a swing for someone too small to play on it. It only set in years later that he'd simply been that excited to bring home a little daughter and build something for her and fill the backyard with children's and adults' laughter alike.

That evening, he put you on his lap, one arm securely wrapped around the tiny form that was your body then, gently moving both of you back and forth. You’d fallen asleep almost instantly.

It became your favorite spot, and the way he talked about it years after you had left the house and the garden behind, it had been his too. You loved kicking your feet or spurring your father on to push you harder, watching as your legs soared towards the blue sky.

It seemed to you, back then, that you were miles above the ground, imagining what it'd be like to let go and drift off into the sky, to go up, up, up until your house would be nothing more than a small square below you, surrounded by green.

Joel carries you into the living room. He doesn't seem to want to leave you alone. And he seems restless.

He gets on his knees in front of you, soft brown eyes taking in your face. You avoid meeting them, curling further into the couch. His lips are moving but you can’t hear what he says.

After a few moments pass, you can tell he’s waiting for a response so you nod, almost in slow motion. He seems satisfied with that, saying something else before getting dinner started. It probably smells good, but you don't think you know good anymore.

You get through two potatoes, a bit of salad and chicken before you push your chair back, hurrying down the hallway as Joel scrambles after you.

You make it to the bathroom just in time, falling to your knees in front of the toilet as your stomach begins emptying itself. A sharp pain shoots through the knee that collided with the stairs of the cabin earlier. At the thought of the cabin, another wave of sickness hits you. It's violent, the way your throat convulses, your body trying to empty itself of whatever is inside.

But there is no purging the things inside of you. The thoughts and the memories and the images- god, the images. Lane, hunched over a table. Lane, holding a knife while you make dinner. Lane, laughing. Lane, placing a gun to her head. Lane, crying.

The steady flow of scenarios provided by your brain is broken by another wave of nausea, even though this time it is just dry heaving, your stomach already empty. Your head is not.

You don't hear the rushed footsteps behind you, but you feel the calloused hands pulling your hair out of the way and rubbing your back.

“There you go, get it all out,” Joel coos quietly. It's not his fault. That he doesn't immediately connect the dots as you start sobbing, choking for air. The sobs, your lungs demanding air, your stomach blocking the way, clearly insistent on getting everything out of your system.

You’re positive that the noises coming out of your mouth do not sound like yourself or, for that matter, sound human at all. They're a mix of gasping and heaving, back and forth, as your fingers clench around the toilet seat so hard you feel like it may break.

Joel is very lost and very determined not to let you notice. He has never seen you in this much pain, not when he washed you in the bathroom upstairs nor when you were seconds away from being ripped apart by an Infected. He cannot know that on the first night spent with Lane you were hunched over a toilet just like this, throwing up the blueberry muffins that had been too much for your starved stomach to handle. He cannot know she held your hair like he holds it now, fingers firmly wrapped around it, occasionally sweeping a loose strand behind your ear.

You're not sure how long you sit there like this, the cold tiles uncomfortably pressing into Joel's already sore knees, when he carefully leans you against the wall as he fetches a few towels, letting the water run until it's warm, to wet one of them and wipe your face.

His eyes fly over your features, concern etched into every part of his face. You weakly try and raise your arm to take the towel from him, unwilling to just sit and watch. But he shakes his head firmly, his gaze determined. “Let me, okay? You just focus on breathing.”

As he reaches for another towel, you feel your empty stomach filling again. With a heavy, uncomfortable guilt, one you wish you could throw right back up. Tears shoot into your eyes again but this time Joel doesn't hesitate.

“What's going on? Tell me what you're thinking,” he mutters, his thumb brushing over the side of your face as his other hand uses the towel to dab over your chin, carefully wiping the remainder of the vomit away.

“I wasted your food,” you half-whisper, your voice raw. Joel's face falls, for a moment.

“Nothing is ever wasted on you, you hear me?” he mumbles quietly, moving on to wipe your cheek. “I can always make more.”

He doesn't seem to mind that you cry again at that.

***

It must be past midnight when you wake up the next time. The room is only dimly lit now, and a blanket is tucked around you, your eyes facing the worn-out fabric of the couch Joel set you down on earlier. Earlier feels very far away.

You turn, slowly, glad to find that your stomach seems to decide to give it a rest for now. It still lurches slightly as you squint into the dining room, seeing two figures hunched over the wooden table.

“Joel?” you try to call his name, quietly, but your throat feels dry and the word turns into a cough instead. Your fingers rub your throat, willing it to calm down and relax, as Joel appears in front of you, kneeling down beside the couch and offering you a glass of water. You nod your thanks, using both hands to bring it to your mouth and take a few sips.

“Better?” He hums softly, taking the glass back. You give another nod. If he minds the non-verbal communication, he doesn’t let it show. Instead he turns around, returning with the glass refilled. You gratefully accept it again.

It's only after he's placed it onto the small coffee table that your eyes land on Tommy, leaning against the wooden column separating the two rooms as he watches the scene in front of him. He gives you a swift nod when your eyes meet and something that seems like it was supposed to be a smile but, given the circumstances, fails miserably.

Joel motions for him to come closer. “Come on, it's- have a seat.” Their eyes meet and they seem to communicate silently, no doubt continuing the conversation where they left off.

Tommy sits down. He shuffles his feet, his fingers anxiously tapping the lid of a plastic container that holds some food. Courtesy of Maria, no doubt. Joel takes the spot next to you on the couch and you inch towards him, glad for any kind of support even though you have no clue what is about to happen.

“We- We’re still trying to piece everything together,” Tommy says, his voice quiet and solemn. You tense ever so slightly, listening intently. You're not sure you want to know how or why or any of the other details that will undoubtedly make this more real.

“There was a note in- with her,��� he goes on, seemingly choosing his words very carefully. “She said she left you a letter, back at home.” Your eyes automatically fly to Tommy’s sides, half expecting him to pull a piece of paper out of his pocket. He seems to notice your train of thought.

“We're still going through her room, just to make sure- we just want to be certain this happened the way she says it did,” he finishes quietly. You can feel two pairs of eyes on you, but you just nod. Of course. Someone could’ve murdered her and staged it as a suicide. Somehow, that idea didn’t cross your mind. Maybe because you don't think anyone could ever truly hate Lane nearly enough to wish her harm or maybe simply because you already seem to feel in your stomach that her life ended on her own terms.

Joel and Tommy exchange a few glances until Joel awkwardly clears his throat and reaches out to take the plastic container from him. “I'll put this in the fridge.”

The younger brother keeps his eyes on you as you listen to Joel rummaging in the kitchen. His hand awkwardly reaches for your shoulder, hovering above it for a moment before patting it lightly. “I'm so sorry, kid.”

“Thanks, Tommy,” you manage to press out, your own gaze fixed on the opposite wall. You don't want to see the look again, the same one Joel had back at the cabin. In fact, you think you may never want anyone to look at you ever again.

You're still staring at the same spot when the two men head towards the front door a few minutes later. Their voices are low and they must be standing half outside, if the cold creeping into the house is anything to go by. You know their words are not meant for your ears but you still stay absolutely still, listening.

“I’ll bring the letter by tomorrow, okay? Let her get it over with,” Tommy mumbles and you think you hear him shuffling his feet again.

“Yeah, yeah, you do that,” Joel responds, equally quiet. There is a moment of silence. They haven't had a moment to talk about all this, for Joel to consider if he of all people should be the one to take care of you. 

Tommy seems to think along the same lines, even though you can't begin to guess the depth of their seemingly simple words.

“Are you okay to-?” 

Joel gives a shaky nod. “Yeah, ‘ts fine. She needs someone and- Ellie’s staying with Dina for a few days, until we've figured things out.”

Tommy doesn't know what to say. He carefully takes in Joel's face, or at least what he can make out of it in the dim light of the porch. He goes for a hug instead, wrapping his arms around his brother for a fleeting moment, a hand rubbing over the older man's back. “Either of you need anything, we're all here.”

His voice has dropped enough for you not to overhear the last part.

Maybe it's because Joel's own hearing is bad, but he doesn't seem to realize you've been listening when he comes back into the room a few moments later. “I'm sure they'll be done tomorrow. But we should all try and get some sleep now.” He takes a step towards you, gently running his hand over the top of your head. “I put some fresh sheets onto the bed upstairs while you were out. I don't want ya sleeping on the couch.”

You're too tired and exhausted to protest. Besides, you know it would be a waste of time. So you let him help you upstairs, let him wait right outside the bathroom door as you brush your teeth and let him tuck you into bed, the soft sheets a stark contrast against your dirty and scratched up skin. Joel looks down at you for a moment, his fingers tapping against his leg.

“Do you want me to stay here?”

It's almost embarrassing how fast you jump onto the offer, nodding as you finally meet his eyes again. He looks concerned and sad and you hate that you're the cause of it. But you also want his company, more than anything.

Joel turns off the lights and climbs into bed with you shortly afterwards. He’s changed into pajamas, made up of a pair of brown plaid pants and a cream-colored, worn shirt. Compared to you, he actually looks put together. You can see his outline beside you, the candle on his nightstand the only source of light left in the room. It gives everything a dim, orange glow, distantly reminding you of a sunset.

You're suddenly aware of how very heavy your head feels, far too heavy to be held up by your neck. There are too many thoughts in there, you think, they don’t have enough room to breathe. Or to make sense. The faulty wires are back. And they keep your synapses from connecting correctly. Nothing makes sense. 

‘We just want to be certain this happened the way she says it did.’

“Can I ask you something?” Your voice comes out small and still, it seems too loud in the quiet around you.

“Anything,” comes the response, equally quiet even though Joel's voice sounds more steady than yours. You ponder your words for a few moments and you feel him shift beside you, propping his head up on one arm to get a better look at your face. “What is it, darlin’?”

“They brought her back to Jackson, right?”

Joel seems to consider his words for a moment, then he nods slowly. “Yeah. Yeah, they did.” Even in the dim light, you can feel his eyes on you, searching your face. You turn your face away from him, staring at the stacked records in the corner instead.

“Why would someone go through all that trouble? Bringing her so far out?” The words coming out of your mouth seem as much a surprise to you as they are to Joel. You can hear him suck in a breath beside you. The mattress dips below his weight as he sits up.

“Can you look at me for a moment?”

You obey, turning your head and resting your cheek against your shoulder. You can see Joel's face above you. He looks like he's about to cry. You must be very tired, you think to yourself. Joel Miller doesn't cry.

Before your eyes and mind can drift away again, he swallows and speaks up again, the southern drawl in his voice more present than ever.

“Honey- No one made her go.”

His words are slow, carefully chosen. He knows he is treading a fine line here.

“She did it herself, darlin’.” A small frown has spread over his face, his eyebrows knitted together. “I told you earlier, downstairs. Don’t you remember?”

You shake your head, painfully aware that the gentleness in his tone is back, the same one he’s had earlier at the cabin. You think you know all the things he’s telling you, but you can’t recall Joel saying it. The picture of him in front of the couch appears before your eyes, but you can’t make out the words coming out of his mouth. Again, you find yourself surprised that you're the one who speaks instead.

“Did anyone check her?” 

He pauses at that, the frown deepening. “What do you mean?” 

You take a small breath, your fingers pulling at a loose thread of the sheets below you. “I mean, did they check if she's really-” You pull a little harder and the thread breaks, the thin piece of fabric remaining in your palm.

You wonder if they have wrapped her up yet. If someone’s put fresh clothes on her. If anyone has checked her pulse.

“What if she's not dead?”

“I need you to listen to me.” His voice is slightly more urgent now. “I saw her. And she's gone. I'm so sorry and I wish she wasn't and I know-” His voice comes dangerously close to breaking but he only gives a tiny shake of his head and presses on.

“I know how difficult this must be but you need to understand this. She's gone. She's not coming back.”

if you enjoyed the chapter, please consider reblogging/sharing or commenting, i promise it will be the highlight of my day <3

[gretahayes]

Favourite tim drake recs? :0

Assuming you mean fanfic recs, I've got probably the most for him and this is long, so it's going under the cut;

This is genuinely one of my favorites, it's set post-Red Robin, and deals with Tim's vigilante stalking habits, his family finding out, Cass realizing there's no photos of Tim, them setting out to take/find some of him (a much harder feat than you'd think) and finally, Tim seeing the photos. It's amazing and sweet, and I can't recommend it enough. (I especially like the Bruce & Tim and Tim & Damian in this)

This is by the same author, also set post-Red Robin. This is Damian and Tim focused, Damian POV, in which Damian sees Bruce's contingency plans for him and the rest of the family, and with nobody else to turn to, runs for Tim. Canon divergent in the way Bruce doesn't have a contingency for his children, neither does Tim for his team, or them for him, but it kinda makes sense in this setting. Their interactions are amazing here, and seems so real.

In this, Tim gets a tonsillectomy. An elaboration in the form of a long fic. A must-read, I feel. It's funny and has so many feels and such good characterization.

!!! Can't believe I almost forgot about this one! Tim is Bruce's assistant, not son, and never became a vigilante. He's incredibly overworked, but no less dedicated to the Waynes. It's heartwrenching and sweet and funny and—words can't do it justice. It's a must read. The Al Ghuls make a cameo but Tim knows how to deal with them. Tim's deeply sad but next to nobody knows and those that do just accept it (including him). Kon is the MVP. Cass. Damian and Tim have an odd bond built of mutual respect and disdain for everyone around them. Luthor tries to recruit Tim every year and fails.

This is funny and amazing—Tim lands in a universe where he's technically considered a drug addict, since coffee is a drug and in the regular universe everyone drinks it.

The YJ fic Ever. I've recced this at least three times, and I will continue to. It's amazing characterization all around—both YJ and batfam—and genuinely is so fun. I love everyone in this. When an unknown enemy threatens Robin, Gotham's vigilantes come together to keep him safe. Unfortunately, they're protecting the wrong Robin. Or: Tim Drake plans his own rescue. Things get complicated.

This is Tim & Damian—Tim gets his overprotective big brother moment :) love love LOVE the way everyone is written here.

This is short and hilarious—Tim has amnesia after a head wound (can only remember back to his YJ days) and tries to bullshit his way out of anyone noticing. He might have succeeded if not for Cass.

This is a time loop fic, switching POVs. Tim's stuck in a time loop in which Jason always dies. The loop before the one this was set in, he accidentally kills Damian out of stress and too-fast reflexes. He breaks down when he sees Damian again, the whole thing unravels, and they resolve to help him out of it.

THIS SERIES MAKES ME FERAL. Jack, Tim and sometimes Dana, set when Jack made Tim quit from Robin. Horror-type elements and beautifully poetic, but centered around Jack's POV of the son he realizes he doesn't know, and him realizing he may be a shit dad. Dana's the best stepmom ever, and Tim's far nicer to her than he is Jack. This is the first work, in which Jack tries and fails to understand this Tim, and realizes that this Tim is Robin, not Tim. This is the second (and last) work in the series, in which Tim hasn't fully quit the lifestyle even though he's not going out as Robin, but Jack has no proof he hasn't. Just a hunch and a few odd occurrences that us, the readers, who are familiar with Tim's hero life will find obvious, but Jack does not. Dana makes Tim happier, more Tim than Tim-Robin, than Jack does, and Jack hates it. Near the end, he starts calling Tim Robin, not Tim. I LOVE it. Even if you hate Jack (like I do) you need to read this, for the Tim characterization if nothing else. Outsider POV, except he shouldn't be an outsider. But he is.

This is so fucking funny. Tim gets a matching tattoo with Kon, and hides it from Bruce. When Bruce—and the rest of his family—find out, all goes to hell.

Remember when I said the Jack and Tim series was only slightly horror? This is horror. Bruce's got a habit of picking up monsters, and this one is about Tim. If you're sensitive to horror, please read the tags and maybe avoid it, because this is delightful but not for everyone.

In this, Tim becomes an unintentional sugar daddy to the caped community. It's a bit iffy in some places, but hilarious.

This is Dick and Tim (surprised it took me this long to rec one with them as the main focus tbh) and it's Dick checking up on his little brother. Pure fluff, and genuinely amazing.

This is Tim & Bruce but also Tim & Tam in some places. Bruce forgets Tim is the majority shareholder for WE and is thus invited to shareholder meetings, Tim finds this very amusing and is generally a menace. You can FEEL the teenager in this Tim. Amazing.

Tim's de-aged to a kid in this, and re-meets his family. Fluff and feels ensue.

This is Bruce and Tim. Bruce isn't prepared for his newest Robin's neuroses.

This has Tim & Cassie meeting at an archaeologist event as kids and having to fight a monster thing :) it's cute

GODDD this fic? This fic ruined me. Beautiful Tim characterization, a gorgeous look at Bruce and how much he fucks up despite caring, and Dick being a stressed but amazing big brother with gorgeous writing. I love their brotherly affections here, and Tim's weird neuroses being shown here. Tim & Bruce is how it starts, and it's very much centered around their relationship, but it tapers off into Dick & Tim, which I'm not complaining about. Kon (and Bart!) makes a cameo and is an amazing friend. Can't rec this enough. If you read none of the other fics, please read this one.

This is Dick and Tim again. Dick forces Tim to go undercover with him to an Elvis convention in a thinly veiled attempt to spend time with the brother who he doesn't think knows how much he loves him. It's set in Tim's POV, though, so until Dick says this, Tim doesn't know. Hilarious and short.

This is Dick and Tim (who's surprised? Nobody) where Dick goes to Robin!Tim's science fair because Tim mentioned it and well, nobody else was going. Short and sweet.

This deals with the batfam finding out about the shitshow that was Tim's BruceQuest. If you're a stickler for canon I'd recommend you skip this one, but if not, it's a great read.

This is Dick and Tim again, and it's amazing. Tim's alone on Christmas Eve. Dick finds out, and does something about it. It's Robin!Tim, so this is Dick, Babs and Tim. This author is amazing at writing their interactions, plus inside Dick's head is a tricky place to write and they nail it perfectly. Mostly Dick & Tim, but since he invites Tim to Babs' holiday party, Babs makes a good number of cameos.

This is Tim talking a jumper off the ledge while Damian watches. Then they talk about it. Tim from Damian's POV is always interesting, but this especially is amazing.

This is a core four fic, Tim's POV! Pure humor. Tim finds a dildo in the dishwasher and he drags them for a team meeting so he can sus out whose it is.

I've recced this before, I think, but I'll do it again. Red Robin canon divergence fic in which Bruce is actually dead, and Tim calls Dick to tell him he thinks he may have been wrong. Dick's POV, short, but the emotion in this is outstanding.

In this fic, Damian has trouble with the transition from Dick's Batman to Bruce's Batman. Tim, who's also had both, is surprisingly helpful. This has so many Tim and Damian feels that I'm literally bursting at the seams. Melancholy, camaraderie, and all the good stuff. Damian's POV, and since he sucks at so much as guessing at what's going on in Tim's head, it's all the more great.

This is Dick and Tim, a soft Christmastime fic.

This is Bruce and Tim. Bruce and Tim have a sort-of game that started when Tim was thirteen. Initially, it was Tim stealing sips (or occasionally whole mugs) of Bruce’s coffee, back when he was too young for Alfred to allow him to drink it. Now, though, Bruce is getting his own back, and steals Tim’s coffee when he can. Sweet and fluffy.

Here, Tim gets a headwound and only remembers back to his Robin days, and forgets to be awkward around Dick and Damian. Tugs at the heartstrings. Dick's reminded of how much he misses this Tim.

This is really funny. Remember that time during the YJ days where the adult heroes were de-aged and the kid ones grew to be adults? Tim didn't reach six foot. In this, he's mocked ruthlessly for it.

Here, Tim goes to high school again after dropping out :) it's core four and hilarious

In this, Tim accidentally kills his dad in self defense—or rather, thinks he does, Jack's still alive but he doesn't know that until Dick shows up—and scrambles to call Dick. He calls Jason instead. Dick eventually gets called and shows up, and the brotherly feels in this are amazing. Tim's in shock for a good portion of it, and it's his POV, so you've got to piece some stuff together. Bad dad Jack, as in worse than canon bad dad Jack. Tugs on the heartstrings, and have I said I love Dick in this? Because I do. Bruce shows up near the end, and to everyone's surprise, doesn't absolutely fuck things up and/or fail as a parent.

Here, Tim is sick and alone. Dick, after not hearing from Tim at all for three days, goes to his apartment, finds him sick, and takes care of him. Eventually he gets dragged to the Manor for some actual r&r. It's sweet, and this writer has an amazing way with words and an intriguing flow.

In this, Bruce knows Tim. They have a routine, have habits, they know each other. This is so so touching, and I love it so much.

Here, Tim and Steph give Bruce a headache. It's amazing.

I..can't even begin to describe this. Bruce is fresh from the timeline, and this is a sort of introspection/character study type thing about him and Tim and how Tim's changed. Mostly, though? Mostly, Bruce just gives his son a hug.

Here, Kon is Tim's work husband. Bruce suffers. Pure fluff and humor, with a touch of feels.

Here, Bruce takes Tim to get his wisdom teeth out. They're both worried, but together, they're alright. Tim cries while doped up on the drugs. He cries a lot.

Here, 90's!Tim Drake wakes up in his Red Robin body. Exhausted from a YJ mission, he chooses to focus on getting through a normal day so as not to disrupt things for his future self. But, y'know, his way. Hilarious and so in-character, if exaggerated for comedy.

This is Tim and Damian—Damian gets hit with truth serum on patrol, and a pissed off Tim has to come and get him. Damian resolves to not tell Tim he's been hit with truth serum. They get closer as a result. Love their dynamic in this.

This is core four again, but just general teenager superhero chaos. Can't rec it enough

Here, Tim tries to build a LEGO Gotham, but his family just can't leave it—or him—alone. He calls a family meeting to tell them to knock it off, and they do not. Fluff and humor.

Here, Tim has appendicitis and gets his appendix removed. The best mix of fluff, feels, and good old complicated family dynamics ever

In this, Bruce tries to navigate giving affection to his odd son, Tim. Touching and funny.

This is Tim and Damian—Damian crashes on Tim's bed in the Watchtower when injured, Tim finds him. They talk, and maybe bond a bit, even though they'd never admit it.

Here, Bruce hugs Tim. Really nothing else to it.

Another fic where Tim wakes up with amnesia and pretends to know his family so he's not rude. He's found out when he correctly deduces Bruce is his dad, but makes the mistake of calling Bruce dad.

This is Dick and Tim again. Tim gets de-aged into a six-month-old, and Dick takes care of him. Soft and so so sweet.

In this, Tim's trying to work in his apartment when his siblings keep showing up to distract him and get him to take a break. It's sweet of them, if very annoying.

This is Bruce and Tim. Tim's injured and lying in bed, Bruce gets him takeout. Feels fuzzy and just...good. You've got to read it to know what I'm talking about, no summary does it justice.

Here, Damian tries to make amends with Tim. He does it very oddly though, so Tim thinks he has a crush on him, and avoids him all the more for it because ew-gross-ew-ew.

In this, Tim gets his teeth knocked out and grabs Dick as a mediator so he tells Bruce. Short and funny-sweet. You can tell this is in Tim's Robin run, due to all the little hints dropped.

This is Tim and Kon, funny and nonsensical. Tim calls Kon in the early hours of the morning, drunk. Kon thinks he deserves sainthood for this.

In this, Tim has road rage and most of his family find that out in the most hilarious way possible.

Bruce and Tim—a test sort of fic? Interesting, definitely.

This is timkon, Tim has memory loss and is amazed by Kon all over again.

Core four go to a gala :)

This is Dick and Tim, Tim breaks into Dick's house, accidentally interrupts his nap, tries to leave out of guilt, and gets wrangled into hugs. So so soft and so so sweet.

Another de-aged Tim fic, but this time with six year old Tim and Bruce taking care of him. This is so melancholy and...ugh. I love them.

Here, Tim and Dick are thrown into an alternate universe and have to try and get back with no other support system and no way out. They meet this world's version of Bruce and Alfred, though.

CEO Tim, and hates it. He makes that Luthor's problem.

Timkon, in which Tim plans all his dates VIA corkboard and Kon is so attracted to that.

CEO Tim (again), except he's still a teenager and people end up thinking he's a communist. This is short and hilarious all the way through. Also, Bruce is there.

This is The kid!Tim fic ever. Tim, having found a weird hole after a storm, decides to go exploring ignoring the fact that This Is Gotham and They Probably Have Cursed Stuff Down There.Luckily, it was just a cave system that spans the entire Gotham underground. Unluckily, Tim is a very curious child. Tim's a sorta eldritch being at the end?? Amazing, 100 would recommend.

In this, Tim finds out he isn't his parents' biological son. This changes everything. This changes nothing. Can't say anything else without spoiling, but I can't rec it enough.

In this fic, Bruce is back in time in Drake Manor, and meets baby Tim. It's like you're frozen in time, and all that matters is Bruce and his infant not-yet-son.

Here, Kon and Tim date. Tim's a cryptid stalker that refuses to be photographed, Dick is a big brother that loves his little brother, and it's cute.

Sorry it took me so long to compile this list anon, happy reading!

[em-writes-stuff-sometimes]

My Work on Archive Of Our Own

Please ignore if me gushing about the reception of my fics is irritating. I understand there are some people who genuinely hate when fanfic writers do this, so I'm putting it under the cut so you don't have to see it!

(And fair warning; if this irritates you and you still decide to click 'keep reading' and you then decide that I am obviously up myself so I deserve a hate anon or several, I need to preemptively remind you that I gave you the choice not to engage. You will be blocked and I shall call you a silly little guy if you do this.)

I also would like to make this an invitation to anyone who wants to share their proudest stats, or a nice comment they got, or even just something they are really really happy about in having written their fic. (No need to click read more, just go for it and use this as your excuse to show some pride.) On any platform!

Gonna tag the following: @lya-dustin @ewanmitchellcrumbs @the-common-cowgirl @the-wonderland-madnesss @marthawrites

@vampire-exgirlfriend @exitpursuedbyavulcan @emilykaldwen @ripdragonbeans @aegonx

Feel free to turn this into a pass-on game, if you like! We should celebrate the things that make us happy, too. ❤️

I've not ever really posted about this because, IDK, I worry about being considered a conceited asshole. I figure, though, that this is my blog and my safe space and if I want to celebrate something I'm proud of then I should be able to do so. Nor am I implying that I believe this is any sort of metric of popularity or superiority, OR that I write for the sole purpose of validation through clicks and numbers. I have very little interest in engaging with any of that rhetoric. NO. It's just a convenient bonus, kinda like how I love my job and the fact I get paid is awesome but not my primary reason for doing it.

Okay, I think I've got the disclaimers out the way? (Can never be too sure with fandom.)

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who reads my stuff. Not only on here, but on Archive Of Our Own, which is more or less a place I consider the Ultimate Fanfiction Site (TM). It used to be fanfiction.net for me, but then their ads got annoying and their content ban gross, so AO3 it is! I've read fanfiction on AO3 since I was like 13, and I still find it crazy beyond belief that my work is not only on there, but that it gets any sort of traction at all.

As a little acknowledgement of something I'm proud of, I wanted to document my stats on my big series, terms of endearment, as of June 2024. It is by and large the biggest project I have ever done, and I've poured countless hours of researching, writing and editing into it.

darilaros (princess)

Words: 48,843 Comments: 254 Kudos: 801 Bookmarks: 111 Hits: 21,971

gevivys (beauty)

Words: 52,147  Comments: 578  Kudos: 2,965  Bookmarks: 490  Hits: 106,019

dōnus riñus (sweet girl)

Words: 58,775 Comments: 660 Kudos: 3,414 Bookmarks: 635 Hits: 141,339

ilībītsos (little slut)

Words: 62,725 Comments: 556 Kudos: 1,880 Bookmarks: 289 Hits: 99,939

ñuhus prūmȳs (my heart)

Words: 104,063 Comments: 1,188 Kudos: 2,274 Bookmarks: 368 Hits: 110,356

jorrāeliarzus (beloved) (ongoing)

Words: 38,451 Comments: 234 Kudos: 454 Bookmarks: 86 Hits: 16,208

That makes for a total of 365,004 words; 3,470 comments; 11,788 kudos; 1979 bookmarks; and 495,832 hits. Jesus Christ.

To everyone who kudos'ed, commented, bookmarked, subscribed or even just clicked on the link to the fic, thank you very much. This series has grown and grown, not just in my head but also in audience. It's given me so much encouragement and support in my writing, and a feeling like maybe I am decent at this? I don't know. I used to write when I was a kid, but I stopped during high school. Rediscovering the joy of it hasn't just been rewarding in terms of having fun with it, but also in discovering that there are people who genuinely want to read what I'm putting out. I've spent a lot of my life feeling powerless and silenced, so this really means so much to me.

I am going to keep on writing for as long as I possibly can, because I genuinely haven't found a hobby as long-lived and fulfilling as this.

Thank you. I'm so very lucky. I'm so grateful. I love you all!

[uhohdad]

First of all bestie take all the time you need

If the fic came out next week or next month or next year it wouldn't make it any less perfect so don't overwork or stress yourself your health is so much more important to us than the fick ( mentally and physically )

Second of all, I don't wanna spoil anyone who hasn't read your last post, but know I'm giggling like crazy while playing with my hair.

Also, do you do emojie anons here? 👉👈

First of all bestie tysm ily and i appreciate everyone being so patient with me y’all are <3 💖🩷💕💞💗🩷💕

and yes of course!! just let me know which emoji lovebug i think the only one taken is the teddy bear at the moment

OH also I remembered a few more Price (+ one Konig) fun facts I forgot to share:

⚠️THE TRIBUTES and THE GAMES SPOILERS BELOW⚠️

Price made the kids go to bed early the night before the games because he didn’t want to see or hear them. 😭 It’s too hard, because is it impossible not to be even the slightest bit charmed by his tributes.

Price was the one who was knocking on Plucky’s door the night she was upset over her training score :( He knew she was feeling some type of way. It’s also why he was trying to be delicate with her about the interview.

Reader’s ‘Price Voice’ in the arena was not far off in the least bit. Price is acting like he’s watching a sports team he bet the farm on - screaming at the screens, leaning forward in his chair, grunting mumbles to himself, hollering and highfiving when his kids find their fucking sense.

Also this wasn’t canon five seconds ago but it is now - Price absolutely got so excited by one of Plucky’s escapes that he gave Ruby a sloppy, excited kiss on the mouth. She stormed out of the room bright red, fists at her sides, and heels slamming against the floor.

Price not only matched them but made sure the outfits were “soft” for their interviews on purpose. It lends to reader being underestimated and it made Konig seem less intimidating so he could lay the lover boy angle on thick.

When Konig saw Reader in that blue dress - AYO. Bro was flabbergasted when he saw her backstage. And back in the suite he sat at that dining table and just watched her pace around the room with her pretty fluttering dress like a flower-goddess-of-wrath with fucking hearts in his eyes bro. So down bad.

[wannaeatramyeon]

Hello amazing author. So you're an absolutely amazing writer and I really enjoy reading your fics. I honestly don't get how good you are at writing, I am so jealous. So I was wondering if you have thought of a fic where Taehoon/Jake and the reader insert were in a relationship, so they went on a date and the whole Viral hit crew/big deal decided to watch because they idk were bored? I think it would be a cute little scenario. I love the way you write Jake and Taehoon (you're also the reason I am now a Vin Jin simp). Take care of yourself and have a good day/night/evening <3

Hi Anon, why the hell are you so sweet. Come here and let me smoosh your cheeks. Thank you for reading?! I can never get over that there are people that e n j o y ??? reading my bs.I haven't written about that sunglasses shitter in a hot second, maybe I need to cook something up for him.

I did something similar-ish (but not really) Jake and Reader here. Here's something for Taehoon.

Seong Taehoon x Reader: Coffee date (feat Hobin)

G/N Reader. Fluffy.

Crap.

How is Seoul such a small place? A city of nearly 10 million people and Hobin sees goddamn Taehoon and you here.

Obviously on a coffee date, if the way Taehoon is looking at you is anything to go by. Hobin can't really make out your face, but he's still pretty certain you are wearing the same smitten expression.

Huh.

It's surprising how Taehoon hasn't noticed him yet. Someone so shrewd and perceptive, nothing getting past him. Yet it's like when you're around, his attention is fully focused on you.

Hobin peeks over again at Taehoon.

Entire body leaning towards you, knees knocking together with yours under the table and your hand on his leg as you are gesticulating about something else with your other.

One side of his lips lifted in a trademark smirk and his half-lidded gaze peers at you beneath his lashes. Even from across the room, Hobin can make out that his eyes are unfathomably tender.

Ugh. Quite honestly it gives Hobin the creeps.

This is Seong Taehoon he's looking at here. How can Seong Taehoon ever look at someone like that. Wasn't it only yesterday he called Hobin cringe for talking about Bomi all the time?

Hypocrite.

Frankly, Hobin can never get over how soft Taehoon is for you. In his own way, of course. And this: catching a glimpse of you two, of Taehoon when he doesn't think anyone he knows is around, feels like Hobin's intruding on a private, intimate moment.

Which he is. But that's besides the point.

Seriously though, what is your magic touch and how can Hobin get in on some of that.

Taehoon lets you get away with so much. The way you poke and prod at him with your words, and sometimes even with your hands and fingers, present company and public decency be damned.

Taehoon has kicked people in the face for far less. Has kicked Hobin in the face for far less.

It's a rough lesson learned for the company the first time they mistook Taehoon's soft spot for you for his attitude softening in general. Snapper said one word a bit too overconfident and nearly got kicked through a wall.

That reminds Hobin. He needs to get that wall patched up soon.

.

.

Bzzt!

Taehoon's phone vibrates, breaking him out of his reverie, eyes darting to it and then - shit.

Snapping straight to Hobin's face.

Hobin flinches. Feels his soul departing as he whips his head away. Maybe Taehoon didn't recognise him. Maybe Taehoon didn't even see him.

The only way Taehoon couldn't have seen him is if Taehoon was blind or Hobin was invisible.

He has been caught red-handed staring.

Taehoon's good mood from moments ago is replaced instantly by prickly annoyance. Damn it, the last thing he wants to see is Hobin's stupid ugly face here.

Who, by the way, is doing an absolutely terrible job of hiding; judging by the way he ducks under the table.

Taehoon excuses himself. Long legs making short work of his strides over to Hobin's table. Yanking the aforementioned up by the hair until they're staring eye to eye.

"Morning Taehoon-hyung!" Hobin manages, mustering up some courage and charm.

Hyung? How fucking transparent. It makes Taehoon want to beat him up more.

"Why the fuck are you here?"

What was that Hobin was saying about your magic touch with Taehoon?

Maybe... Maybe this would work.

Hobin tries for a sweet smile, eyes big and round and pleading.

A smile he has seen on your face before. Right when Taehoon is on the precipice of exasperation and anger. The same smile that would placate him, pulling him from the edge as his temper diminishes and he settles for an eye roll instead.

Unfortunately, it's a very grotesque imitation of your own that makes Taehoon want to kick Hobin's face more than ever.

Hobin's eyes flicker to Taehoon's leg twitching.

Oops. Nevermind then.

[happiness-of-the-pursuit]

WIP Wednesday (and Last Line Tag)

Hi! Since the last time I posted I got an awful cold, traveled to visit friends, and toured a law school while I was there. So basically, that's why I haven't participated in the last few games and things BUT THAT CHANGES TODAY. Thanks for the tags below!

Needed a brain break from Daddy Issues, so finally wrote the Leo Chapter from my fic that's Outsiders POV of RWRB (Shades of Bougainvillea if you remember). This is also my last line, so it fulfills that tag too:

With June turning down the campaign job, and Alex still working through his penultimate semester of undergrad, not much changes in the Claremont White House over the course of autumn months. Mostly, everything’s as busy and bustling as it ever is, and Leo does his best to support everyone as best he can. He does, however, take note of a specific trend as he observes his step-children across the breakfast table. Alex has always had his phone attached to his hand, but recently it’s led to fewer impassioned rants about right-wing tweets, and more grins followed by rapid typing. He doesn’t think it’s Nora, either—more than once he’s witnessed this phenomenon occur while Nora’s sitting at Alex’s side, mid-conversation with June. Which means that Alex is talking to someone else other than June and Nora. Leo can’t help but grin into his coffee mug. He likes that someone besides the two of them can draw that smile from Alex; he hopes that maybe he can meet whoever it is one day.

Lots of thanks and tags, so below the cut!

Thanks you for the tags for various things over the past week @bigassbowlingballhead @captainjunglegym @getmehighonmagic @wordsofhoneydew @magicandarchery @heysweetheart-writes @eusuntgratie @itsmaybitheway @rmd-writes @kiwiana-writes @inexplicablymine @suseagull04 @cactusdragon517 @read-and-write- @run-for-chamo-miles @sparklepocalypse @myheartalivewrites @hgejfmw-hgejhsf @songliili @futureseaempress @welcometololaland!!!!

I am tagging anyone who tagged me and hasn't posted today, plus @affectionatelyrs @bribumblebee @cultofsappho @daisymae-12 @emmalostinwonderland @firenati0n @gayrootvegetable @gay-flyboys @junebugclaremontdiaz @jackzimmermemes @leojfitz @nocoastposts @rockyroadkylers @user-anakin @violetbaudelaire-quagmire @whimsymanaged @xthelastknownsurvivorx @zwiazdziarka and @14carrotghoul!!!

[murkycran]

Staticmoth/Voxval Fic Rec List

Welcome to my Staticmoth/Voxval Fic Rec List! :D

I will keep updating this periodically as I read more fics, so feel free to check back every once and a while! I'll reblog it when I update it, plus make a note with the date at the top. Trust me, this is by no means a complete list; there's fics I still want to add to this that I just haven't gotten to yet. I just decided to go ahead and post it anyways, because if I kept waiting until I ran out of fics to rec I'd probably be working on this forever.

These are not in any particular order; I'm going by both my Bookmarks list on AO3 and my memory of fics I forgot to bookmark. I also tried to make notes on what fics were written before season 1 released, but I might have missed some, so keep that in mind.

Please let me know if any links don't work!

✨Before you proceed:✨ read the tags on these fics if you decide to read them. Many of them have heavy material - no surprise given the fandom, but still, felt like this needed said. On that note, there's also fics with explicit material and some fics are straight up PWP. Again, read at your own risk/heed the tags.

Fic Rec List Masterpost

Radiostatic Fic Rec List

Misc. Vox Fic Rec List

------

Freak-A-Zoid by Femalefonzie

Summary: A shortage of suppressants in Hell means that Vox is going to be enduring a heat for the first time in years. Who better than the Vees' resident pimp to help him through it? Afterall, the last thing they need is for someone to complicate the situation with "feelings" and Val was the best at keeping love and lust separate. Until now.

TLDR; Valentino plays himself.

Notes: SO FUCKING FUNNY. Cannot read this in public bc I laughed too much. Val and Vox are both idiots. Perhaps the most human depiction of them that I've seen, especially during sex. Neither of them are suave or coordinated, but by god are they trying.

system takeover by Subedarling

Summary: Velvette has never been the type to play hero. But when a mysterious new player enacts a dangerous plot to usurp the Vees' power, taking her two idiots hostage in the process, that's exactly where she finds herself. Now she has no choice but to go on an impromptu rescue mission, maintain the facade that everything is fine to the outside world, and prove why she's the backbone of the Vees—and she hasn't even had her morning coffee yet.

Vox and Val are going to owe her so hard after this.

Notes: Technically Velvette-centric but I'm including it anyway bc it does have Staticmoth; found family. She's so badass in this, I love it. The Staticmoth is very sweet. :3

even if i quit there's not a chance in hell i'd stop by Subedarling

Summary: Valentino stretches his arms over his head as he enters the kitchen, yawning. His robe is hanging loosely around him, and God, if Vox were to run his hand down his chest he could probably count all his ribs. He stops short when he sees the plates waiting for him on the counter. His eyes narrow. “The hell is this?”

“You know, most people would say thank you when their partner makes them breakfast,” Vox says dryly.

Notes: Very tender. A good kind of hurt. Deals with ED.

Parvulus by Heliosolar

Summary: Vox woke up to something... unusual. Terrifying, even. He calls Valentino, desperate for the help.

Valentino is, of course, irresponsible, and Vox is exhausted.

He just wanted to get through the day like normal, why did this have to happen?

Notes: Written before season 1. The art of Tiny Vox is not linked, but I've seen it before and it is SO CUTE. If anyone has a link, please share with me so I can link it here!

A Wager of Desire by Heliosolar

Summary: Valentino and Vox have a small dispute over something meaningless, so they make a bet.

Vox has to last an entire dinner while at Valentino's mercy.

What could go wrong?

Notes: Written before season 1 release. One of the first Staticmoth fics I read. :)

Venenum by Heliosolar

Summary: During an uneventful meeting, Vox makes the mistake of stealing a drink from Valentino.

Notes: Written before season 1 release.

Getting Railed (By Child Support) by Charnel_Goat, spappest

Summary: The female of several species can store sperm for many years prior to using it to fertilize her eggs. As it turns out, spider trains do this too.

Decades after their romantic fallout, Overlord Choo Choo Charles is knocking on Val's door to demand he take responsibility for the results. By way of kidnapping his boyfriend to lure him to his den.

Notes: One of the crackiest fics I've ever read. Vox is an idiot with a horrible sense of self-preservation and Val fucks a spider train without birth control. Just...read it, okay? I literally cannot think about this fic without giggling like an idiot every time.

Beautiful Monster by IceBlueButterfly

Summary: “You’re late,” is the first thing that comes out of Vox’s mouth.

That sharp smile somehow grows wider.

“I believe the term is ‘fashionably late’ baby,” a smooth voice with a light Spanish accent replies.

Which… okay if Vox is being honest, is kind of hot.

Screen heating up a little more, Vox shoots a bored look.

“Or just late,” he snips back. “Oh well,” he claps his hands. “Doesn’t matter, you ready to get down to business?”

“Oh baby,” a bright gleam in even brighter eyes, “I’m always ready to get down.”

Vox is already regretting this decision.

OR Moments in time throughout Vox and Val's relationship. Vox may have no idea what the moth demon will bring to his life, but neither does Val.

Notes: A very nice exploration of how Vox and Valentino's relationship evolves.

Only a Shadow by passthevoxcord

Summary: Vox shows up on the hotel’s doorstep with no memory of how he got there or who he is. They agree to house and heal him, and slowly but surely he finds joy in becoming better. Then Valentino shows up and is forced to choose between self-altering addiction and the closest he’s ever come to love.

Meanwhile, Velvette has a new potion brewing, one that will grant her more power than the Vees ever had. Only Vox and Val can stop her, but will goodness really overcome evil? Or will they be only a shadow of their former selves?

Notes: The Voxval is currently toxic and only just now being touched on in Chapter 9 of the fic; I say 'currently' because the author explains in the AN of the first chapter that both Vox and Val will go through some "self-discovery and healing". Seriously, just read it. It's very good!!

You Found Me by passthevoxcord

Summary: Long before Velvette came along, it was just them. Vox and Valentino. Valentino and Vox.

Notes: Includes some interesting headcanons for Vox and Val.

Virtual Reality by passthevoxcord

Summary: Vox gets tired of his cybernetic biology being a barrier to his sex life, so he starts a new project to fuck Valentino in VR. Val will try anything once, but he has something else in mind.

Notes: Surprisingly sweet. ^_^

Muted by passthevoxcord

Summary: Val helps a nonverbal Vox deal with sensory overload.

Notes: Sweet and tender. :)

Freaky Friday by passthevoxcord

Summary: Vox and Val wake up stuck in the other’s body, but it’s no big deal because they both know how easy the other has it. Right?

Notes: Written before season 1 release. Sweet take on the different challenges Vox and Val face in their daily lives.

Something Akin To Love Series by Awesome_Possum

Summary: Vox's taste in partners is delightfully self-destructive and that's an itch Valentino is more than happy to scratch.

It's not safe or sane, and whether or not it's technically consensual is heavily up to interpretation, but what they have is probably something akin to love.

A collection of StaticMoth fics set in generally the same continuity.

Valentino is awful and Vox is unfortunately really really into that because a control freak in the streets is a masochist in the sheets.

Notes: Has 2 parts, both very much worth reading. Very funny, lol. Vox is in a hell of his own making but enjoying it at the same time.

Update Prescription by innerfray

Summary: Vox tricks Valentino into getting his eyes checked. They're forced to confront the nature of their partnership.

Notes: One of my favorite Staticmoth oneshots. Felt like an interesting take on Val's blindness. Angst so good...

Like Moth to a Flame (Or to a Bright Blue Screen) by datweirdo

Summary: Valentino is a moth after all

Notes: Cute and funny!!! "You fucking murdered him" lmao

30 Decibels by Shortsighted_Owl

Summary: Somewhere, under the low humming of the monitors, the quiet gurgling of replacement coolant being piped into Vox body, a new noise - dry, yet somehow viscerally wet, and so very soft - made itself known, but only just.

And Valentino almost missed it. - After a fight with Alastor, Valentino watches vigil over Vox’s broken form.

(What if Vox still has organic vocal cords, and after a fight with Alastor, the synthesiser he uses to amplify his voice is destroyed. What if Valentino hears Vox’s real voice for the first time?)

Notes: Heed the tags, there is in fact body horror lol. Sweet but mildly horrific. <3

Priest, mailman, cruise captain or chef? by Destabilize

Summary: Inspired by Vox's outfits in Stayed Gone - Val and Vox try out some kinky stuff with a priest outfit, to mixed success.

Ah ha!” Val squealed with delight, wine glass drained and thrown on a sofa, “This!” Val was standing proudly by the wardrobe holding up a long red robe with a hat and some kind of sash. Vox scowled, “Is that a fucking priest outfit?”

“Si! Isn’t it fun- it’s in your colors too!”

“You wanna be a priest?”

“No baby! You be a priest and I can,” Val sidled up and leaned down, puffing some smoke in Vox’s face, snaking an arm around his waist, “lead you astray...”

Notes: Surprisingly cute and funny! Vox fails epically at roleplay and it is hilarious.

riding out the drop by spoondrifts

Summary: Like he’d said before, killing Alastor was Vox’s kink, not his. He had been prepared to sit back and enjoy the temporary chaos until Vox got over himself.

What he hadn’t accounted for was the possibility that Vox was exactly as obsessive, bitter, and desperate for Alastor’s acknowledgement now as he had been seven years ago. Distance hadn’t made the heart grow fonder: distance had made a highly detailed revenge scrapbook complete with a conspiracy corkboard done up in red string.

Or: Valentino gets fed up with Vox's fixation on the radio demon. They fuck about it.

Notes: Features (sex favorable) asexual!Vox! :D (I lowkey headcanon him as ace ever since the "better than sex" comment)

Featherstone by spoondrifts

Summary: “To me,” Vox told the baby, “it seems like bad parenting to leave your helpless kid for a whole month with two unstable psychopaths and their parole officer. But hey. Who am I to judge.”

No intelligent reply was forthcoming.

Or: not-so accidental baby acquisition, starring the three least responsible idiots this side of the Pentagram.

Notes: Big Vees as family vibes. Wish so desperately this was canon.

vark attack by tarltonnnnn

Summary: Valentino has to petsit Vark for a day. Chaos ensues.

Notes: Written before season 1 release. Vark is a big dumb (and very cute) baby.

Unplugged by pinkpunchy

Summary: Vox looks like he’s going to vomit. Valentino frowns.

“For the one who suggested this, you’re being a real pussy.”

“Fuck you! Just give me a sec.” Vox spits out, muttering darkly as he adjusts his shoulders on the pillows, trying to arrange his body for the moment he loses all function. Valentino, despite his impulsive nature, waits patiently. His manicured nails drag along the spot where cable and port connect, thumb smoothing up and down the flat surface surrounding it. Vox’s breath is coming faster now, not slower, something Valentino is tuned into as naturally as his own breathing.

“Hey.”

A large hand grasps a corner of Vox’s screen, tilting it up and putting an immediate stop to his fidgeting. Valentino smiles, red eyes narrowed to slits.

“Do you trust me?”

Notes: Sex as a...trust exercise? Lol I'm joking, but seriously. Sweet and hot at the same time.

Electric Desires: Lust, Power, and Unspoken Longings in Hell by Dani69696969

Summary: Vox is starting to get fed up with Angel Dust being the only thing Val talks about when Vox is right there, ripe for the taking. Inspired by Vox looking happy that Angel might have quit in Episode 2.

Notes: Very sweet. Plot with porn. :)

The Art of Pimping by MarenRose

Summary: Desperate to close a deal with one of the most lucrative investors in Pride, Vox does the unthinkable and pimps out Valentino for a one-time date. What could go wrong?

Notes: Vox's jealousy and possessiveness really brings out his stalker side in this lmao. Vox is a little pathetic and that makes his jealousy all the more funny to me. :D

Welcome to VoxTek Enterprises! by MarenRose

Summary: Subsequently, Valentino, of all people, has become the office’s saving grace.

(A series of VoxVal ficlets through the eyes of Vox’s assistant)

Notes: Pretty funny! Vox's assistants are really going through it. One of the tags is "Imagine being happy to see Valentino" lol.

(Fic rec list to be continued)

[ofstardustanddreaming]

never too much

oneshot summary: (the request) Throughout their first few weeks of being in a romantic relationship together, Nanami finds out that reader is still pretty shy and insecure of herself. She wants to hold his hand, hug him, kiss his cheeks, talk to him and rant about anything— his heart melts. Yet reader gets insecure, being told in the past that she was clingy and talkative, not wanting to make Nanami uncomfortable, she keeps it to herself instead of showing affection. Nanami makes the first moves of the mentioned gestures of affection, so she can feel comfortable around him, hopefully.

content warnings: heavy talk on insecurities, mention of shitty exes, and nanami being super comforting

fandom: jujutsu kaisen

character: kento nanami x reader

gender neutral reader

anon request

a.n. - oh anon, this tugged at my heartstrings. i always love fics like this, and i feel like nanami would be so sweet lol. i enjoyed writing it, i hope y'all enjoy reading it!

Two months is how long you have been dating Kento Nanami and every day has felt like a dream. He's the perfect boyfriend that you always dreamed of, feeling like you were in a fairytale. And today was no different really. Today marked the first weekend you'd be spending at his place, the first time either of you step in the direction of spending the night. He was the one to ask if you'd like too, and you of course have to jump on the chance.

You decide to plant yourself outside of his work with his favorite snack (and one you grabbed for yourself, obviously) from the bakery, knowing he was working some overtime and probably needed a little pick me up. You also figure seeing him after work could be a good surprise, you only hope he might want to see you after work. You had gotten out of work early, so it made sense to you, while you made the plan on the train, to be able to make a quick pitstop.

You look around anxiously for Nanami, hoping you hadn't missed him, or he had gotten out early as well. But you had nothing to fear as you see him walk out, his face brightening when he saw you, a soft smile gracing his features.

"Hey sweetheart, what a nice surprise seeing you here." He says to you, and his first plan of attack when seeing you was to shoulder the overnight bag you had brought with you to Jujutsu High, that contained what you needed for the weekend visit. It made your heart flutter when he so mindlessly did the most gentlemen of things. The next thing he did was with the opposite hand than that of the arm shouldering the bag, was to offer it to you as you both walk to his place. He doesn't live too far from Jujutsu High and it was a nice day outside. A perfect day for a walk, as he told you, making sure you knew that he doesn't live to far.

"Of course Ken, I hope you don't mind me stopping at your work so soon in our relationship. You also didn't have to grab my bag, but thank you for doing it. Oh! And before I forget, I got another surprise. I picked up some treats for us this weekend, some of our favorites." You tell him, cringing a little. You weren't sure if you had been talking too much, or jumping around in your statements. Previous relationships had always made some comment regarding your talking levels, always being roped in with being clingy. You glance over at Nanami, who is smiling down at you, eyes darting between your face and the route in front of you, making you relax a tiny bit.

"These treats sound lovely for this weekend. I also don't mind you stopping by at work, you always brighten my day. And in no way is it a problem for me to hold the bag for you." He says, noting your jumpiness around him still. He genuine about enjoying seeing you after work, even if the relationship was still relatively new. He could feel his heart blossom anytime he saw you, something he hasn't really felt with anyone else. He was hoping that he wasn't pushy at all with you though, concerned he would seem to forward and make you uncomfortable with any words or advances he has made.

He did notice that you weren't one to initiate any sort of first contact, not that he expected that at the initial part of the relationship, but he was a bit nervous if him grabbing your hand earlier seemed too forward. But he holds the observation inside, wanting to enjoy the weekend and not focus on something that could be nothing. Surely you'd say something if you were uncomfortable he truly hoped. (Although if he felt you were uncomfortable he'd sit you both down to talk about it.) But he figures you just didn't enjoy initiating contact first in such a new relationship, and besides, he loves initiating contact anyway.

"Any plans for the weekend?" You ask, changing the subject as the both of you come up to his house. He messes around with the lock, trying to find the right key, as he talks a lot about relaxing for the evening at least, leaving the rest of the weekend up to fate.

You're curious about his house, really soaking up the outside while he swings open the door. Two stories, plain looking outside. Knowing Nanami, he was a very minimalist person, and you were right in that guess. Inside the house, it was very minimalistic. As you walk through the entrance way and into the main area, you pause in the living area to really take it in while he takes your bag to the guest room.

He has a couple of hanging plants next to the long sliding doors. The light filtering through the blinds, his TV stand pushed up against the wall so it wasn't blinded by the sunlight. The couch placed in the nice sunlight of the window and a blanket hanging off it, and you could only imagine how warm it felt there. You're brought out of your thoughts when Nanami walks back into the kitchen, the sound of his footsteps causing you to sharply turn to him.

He's out of his work clothes and into more lounge wear, and it sparks you into moving into the guest room to do the same for yourself, shedding yourself from the workday. You come back out to see him making dinner, your eyebrows raising in shock.

"We could have ordered take out, you didn't have to go to the trouble of making anything." You say, grabbing his attention.

"I do enjoy cooking, you know. This is no trouble at all, really." He says, continuing his thought. "It's simple and easy, to kick off the evening."

You smile, relief at the thought it wasn't too much trouble. You sit at the table near the kitchen, still visible to each other and close enough to hear each other talk if you wanted too. It was kept minimal though as he was hyper-focused. He soon finishes the dinner though, as he promised a quick and easy make, bringing your plate over to you, and you continue what small conversation you had. And to your appreciation, it flowed. It isn't forced and awkward. This is the first time in a long string of awful exes that you've felt truly listened too by someone, without them wanting to get something in return for it.

He asks you questions, sincerity behind the tone, really listening to your answers. He looks you in your eyes as you respond, causing your face to warm up anytime he looks at you for longer than 10 seconds. You're starting to worry you're rambling too much.

"But yeah, I think that's the new idea I came up with would work, I'm just unsure how to bring it up. I'm sure they'd choose someone else's idea first though, I don't know if mine is the best." You catch yourself rambling, your breath hitching. "Sorry, not to hog the conversation. Has Gojo done anything to bother you lately?" And your eyes shift. What if he thought you were trying to find out about another man.

"Your idea is good, but that's the second time you've done that, you know. Stopping yourself from talking, that is." He says instead, and your eyes snap up to his. His eyes are ones of concern, and you aren't sure how to respond.

"Sorry. I don't notice I do it." You finally stammer out, and Nanami looks understanding.

"Hey, it's okay. Just a small observation. Sorry to put you on the spot, truly. Gojo was relatively fine today, but then again, I wasn't around him very often." Nanami continues, noting how nervous you were about the observation. He didn't mean to say it so bluntly and take you off guard, very willing to switch the topic for your sake.

You both finish up eating, where you both playfully fought over you helping with the dishes. You eventually won when you flicked some of the water in his face. (Although he didn't miss you you tense, worried you took it a step too far.) But he gently laughs at it, pulling you in close to stand next to him at the sink to wash and dry. The hand on the waist when he pulled you in made your body ghost shiver, and you hope he doesn't feel that. You swear he lets his hand linger though, for a second longer than necessary, sure that he might have felt your shiver anyway.

You fall into a peaceful silence while you wash and you so badly want to rest your head on his chest, but you refrain. As you finish up, you both head over to the couch to relax for the rest of the night. He brings over the snacks you bought as well, intending to eat them over whatever it is you both choose to do.

"Any ideas for a movie?" He asks, deciding to take a small lead. He sees how nervous you are in suggesting something new, as if he wouldn't want to do what you suggest, and he wants to help with that. He did notice in previous situations that you tend to get bashful at suggesting anything, opting to let him have the choice in what to do. He didn't want to always make the decision, always wanting to hear your input as well. At the very least here, he could start with nudge you into voicing what ideas you have about a movie.

"Something in the romantic genre?" You question, wanting to see if that's a good idea with him, and he nods. You're excited, previous relationships not really wanting much to do with romance, thinking it was one of your "tactics" to push them into doing more romantic activities. Nanami's considerations for what you want to do always took you by surprise, in a good way. He looks fine with the decision too, scrolling through the lists on the variety of streaming services. You both settle on a movie that sounds promising that neither of you have seen before.

You both lean back into the couch, and you nervously bite at your nails. You curl your legs under you as you glance over at Nanami, craving the touch of cuddling, unsure of how to ask for it without it being awkward. He's coming back from dimming the lights and closing the blinds as he sits next to you, and thankfully you don't have to worry about asking. He grabs the blanket off the couch as he also hits play on the movie. He wraps the blanket around the both of you, as the blanket was big enough to wrap around two people, and you couldn't be more happy at the invitation.

He pulls you into his chest and you feel warm as you bury yourself into his chest. His frame makes you feel secure as he strokes your arm and side. His heartbeat was soothing as you burrow into him. Your arms strengthen their grip on him as he pulls you even closer. You turn your focus to the movie, enjoying the warmth for a majority of it.

But the movie then pulls you out of the comforting trance right around the climax though, where the fight between the love characters are at a high. It reminds you of what used to be. The guy uses the woman's exes against her, saying that maybe they were right about her personality. Maybe that he should've listened to them and should have never went out with her.

What if Nanami finds about about your insecurities or clinginess, and decides to use it against you? Is your thought, and it causes you to stiffen. It's enough to get Nanami looking down at you with his brows furrowed in curiosity. He pauses the movie and you look up at him, worry at ruining movie night.

His heart hurts when he sees the gloss of tears in your eyes. He shifts you both around, the dim lighting allowing him to still see you clearly when he sits you to face him.

"Hey, it's okay. I know we've been going slow for two months, and we haven't known each other for very long, but you can talk to me." He speaks with a soft tone in his voice, eyes shifting around your face for any sudden changes in your demeanor.

"Sorry. I'm sorry." You whisper out at first, tears falling quick. He wipes them away, the pads of his fingers cool and welcome against your warming skin, letting you take your time.

"It just made me worry about previous exes talking to you. You would've found out eventually about my personality, but maybe they would've told you sooner and you would leave me sooner." You say, looking at him with your lip trembling a little. He senses your heightened anxiety, but he can't imagine what they'd have to say to him. Anything an ex had to say about you, he'd assume was a lie until you told him otherwise. He lets you collect your thoughts before you continue.

"I suppose it's better you hear it from me anyway. I'm too clingy. I'm too talkative. That's what they all said anyway when they broke up with me. It's the reason they did. And even though you might be the best relationship I've had where I was starting to not have to worry about that, it'll be the reason you break up with me too, eventually. Even though I'm trying to control myself and not be too touchy or talkative, it'll still be too much for you. One day I'll talk too much or want one to many kisses and it'll cause you to break up with me." You tell him, trying to easy your way out of his touch, worried that would even be too much for him.

You're full on sobbing now, standing up from the couch and pacing in front of him. He stands up next to you and pulls you by the wrist to try and stop you.

"That's why you primarily want me to initiate anything, huh. Darling, look at me." He wraps his other arm around your waist, the one on your wrist coming up to gently trace your face. "Hey, it's okay. I haven't minded initiating contact at all these past couple of months. I know I may not have touched you often, I can't imagine how hard that must have been for someone who loves touch. I just didn't want to cross your boundaries, I always wondered why you seemed hesitant to reach out to me or kiss me. I even wondered why you always seemed cautious with your words, as if I wouldn't give the chance to hear your beautiful words."

He sets you both down on the couch again, your breath still hitching, still also feeling bad about stopping the movie night. It's as if Nanami can sense that too, quick to get on more with his speech.

"I need you to know that they're all wrong. I want nothing more than for you to feel comfortable around me. I don't mind you touching me, I don't mind you talking to me about any and every thought you have. It's you being a regular human. And so what if you need a little more contact than what's considered a norm? That's what's normal to you, alright? I'd let you know if I need space, but that's so rare. I want you to feel comfortable enough that you don't hesitate to kiss me because that's just what you feel you need. Much like I'd pull you in for a hug because it's what I need. If anything, you should be telling me off if I'm not providing you the support you need. From now on, don't hold your breath and deny me the chance to hear your gorgeous voice. I can't imagine how starved you've been for contact you've been denying yourself and craving, and I can't believe I haven't been giving enough of that contact, especially since I've been catching on lately. How stupid I've been to not ask you outright." He cups his hands around your face and you sigh, leaning into his touch.

Your tears are stopping, he plants many kisses alongside your nose, forehead, anywhere on your face. He kisses you once, twice, three times on the lips, deepening the third one. You really lean into that one, hands balling the fabric of his shirt up. You start to let go, and he's quick to remind you that it's okay. As long as you feel comfortable to touch him.

"You may not be okay with it right away, and we'll have our boundary talks as situations arise, but I'm willing to stand with you side by side." He says, a finger tracing the outline of your face.

"Thank you Ken. I don't even know how to begin to thank you."

"You don't have too. It's what relationships are, it's about finding that middle ground." You bite your lip and threw caution to the wind for once in the relationship. You take charge and you slide your arms around his neck, pulling yourself as close as you could for the skinship, shaking in his embrace. He wraps his arms as tight as they could go without hurting you, burying his face in your neck. He maneuvers you both in the lying position on the couch, wrapping the blanket around you both, the movie you both had put on now long forgotten. As you both now take in the warm embrace, you're glad to have shared in the vulnerability. Even if it's a two month relationship, it was good to take a step forward in a new relationship, as you both drift to sleep.

[epically-ace-attorney]

*Intro Post ~ Welcome to the chaos!*

Hallo! This blog is an Ace Attorney AU using the musical EPIC! Canon is our bitch and we do as we please :)

The blog is joint run by @weltato (hi) and @the-ace-attorney-siren (formerly @burtrice1). Feel free to ask us anything about this AU in the inbox and not DMs - PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A WIP AU AND IS CONSTANTLY BEING THOUGHT OUT!!

The "backstory" I suppose would be that Wel was watching a great guy on YouTube by the name of Mortius (you should check him out, he's cool) react to "We'll Be Fine" and "Love in Paradise" from the most recent saga released from EPIC as of writing this (20/09/2024) - The Wisdom Saga. Wel had also been binging through some Ace Attorney streams by The NyanCave (also really cool, you should check them out too) and had that on the brain at the same time. Then she noticed something interesting - Odysseus had been on Calypso's Island for seven years.

You wanna know who else had a seven year gap? Phoenix Wright.

So obviously, I go to burtrice1 and say:

And then this happens:

And everything came from there. Just imagine it: Phoenix on that cliff calling for Mia T^T

Anyway, we had some planning to do: there is currently a list of characters from The Ace Attorney Trilogy, Ace Attorney: Investigations 1 & 2 (we're using the fan translation names in this house), and Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice (because Wel hasn't finished Dual Destinies and hasn't seen Spirit of Justice yet) and what people from EPIC they're going in as.

*RULES OF THE BLOG!*

No spoilers for the games please! There will be people that see this blog with no idea about the Ace Attorney series and they'll want to find out themselves (also one mod hasn't finished the series yet).

No spoilers for EPIC! There will be people that see this blog with no idea what the craic is with EPIC and letting them experience the joy that is this musical is all the sweeter with no spoilers <3

As previously mentioned: game canon is our bitch and we do what we want with it, which means that if you see an inconsistency with ages or anything, no you don't ;p

To second that: we are fitting characters with roles we feel they fit the best in EPIC canon, so a villain from Ace Attorney might show up as a 'good guy' from EPIC - it's not because we've redeemed them, it's just that they fit the role nicely.

Please keep questions PG, there are minors that enjoy both Ace Attorney and EPIC and we'd like to keep this blog a safe space for everyone.

In the words of Ricky Potts: don't be a dick. We don't tolerate harassment of either the mods or anyone sending an ask into our inbox. Respect isn't hard, friend :)

If you've asked us a question and we haven't responded yet, please don't go into our personal inboxes or DMs to ask us about it - see the rule above. Both mods are busy people and do this purely for fun, so we'll get to your question when we see it. The timezone of this blog is GMT/BST depending on the time of year, so both mods could very well be asleep.

The canon of this AU follows with EPIC canon, which is NOT the actual Odyssey or Iliad. If you want to read those in your own time, feel free to.

Have fun! We want to share this with people to see your reactions and interact with other fans of the Ace Attorney games and EPIC: The Musical.

If you're excited about this blog, REBLOG OUR POSTS!! Reblogging is the lifeblood of Tumblr and can make or break a post. We want to reach as many people as possible with this silly little idea of ours.

If you want to write fics about our AU, please ask us first! Wel is a regular fic writer and she has some ideas floating around, so maybe let her finish those first before jumping in - but we love the enthusiasm! Thank you!

Fanart is awesome!! Please credit the idea to this blog and @ us in the post with the tag #epicallyaa, we'd love to see what you've done :D

This post will update with extra rules as and when needed, if we need to <3

*TAGS!*

#wel writes - this is for whenever Wel writes a fanfic about something. This is a personal tag from Wel, so if you want to see more of her work feel free to peruse that tag on her main Tumblr account. All the fics posted here will be specifically for this AU.

#siren art - this is for whenever the-ace-attorney-siren posts art to this blog. Again, any art posted here will be specifically for this AU.

#epicallyaa - this is a tag for us and others to use about our AU! If you post any fanart or fanfic about our AU, use this tag and @ this account too so that we can see your awesomeness :D

#wel answers - whenever Wel answers an ask

#the siren sings - whenever the-ace-attorney-siren answers an ask

Like the rules, more tags will be added as and when we feel we need some more.

Thanks for reading all of this!! This post is very important to read, so if you come in asking questions blind, we might just refer you to this post and ask you to try again :)

~ Wel & the-ace-attorney-siren