#and 404 he falls in love again again

[bakudekublogblog]

EVERY TIME I THINK OF THIS PANEL I GO A LITTLE MORE INSANE. THE BEGINNING. THE BEGINNING OF WHAT?? wonder duo era?? hero partners bakudeku?? their marriage?? their eyes meet across the battle field and something BEGINS??? HORI LET ME IN I JUST WANNA TALK

[dllamarama]

Episode 15 Queen of Tears BaekHong recap

Hae In is being manipulated by shibalsaekki YES. He made up a different story about her relationship with Hyun Woo by altering her memory into something entirely different. He even separates her from her family and she believes everything that he said. Although she did not totally lose her personality and her judgement, she put her total trust in YES. Now, let's see some plot holes in this ridiculous plot. First of all, how the hell does YES know about her “attempt” to kill herself? That incident happened in Germany when she was devastated after finding out about the divorce paper prepared by Hyun Woo. If we want to make the argument that he just made up that story without any knowledge about it, it still didn’t make sense because YES is creating believable stories to Hae In to make sure that it did not fall far from her previous memories. Hae In had a dream when she was almost being hit by a truck. She remembers a piece of that specific memory because YES had changed the real reason behind that incident. Although it was somehow Hae In’s subconscious that wanted to give up on her life, she was not trying to end her life because he was cheating on her. It was because she was devastated that Hyun Woo prepared for a divorce behind her back while lying to her that he loves her. But since she will slowly regain her memory, I was hoping that it will guide her slowly to Hyun Woo even though her memories had been altered by YES. But it won’t happen!! Why??? Because this drama is already on episode 15 and they are rushing to give closure for each character and side couples.

The hospital staff are much more ridiculous if anything; they sign an NDA and could be sued if they try to say anything to Hae In and the hospital was obviously bribed by YES to keep it a secret. Hah!! Which moron doctors/surgeons would let a random person to be a patient’s guardian without any letter? And to mention here that the patient has high risk of memory loss after the surgery. Their practitioner’s licence could be revoked and sued on top of that. That just peaks idiocy for this type of writing.

I wouldn’t argue about Hae In being oblivious to all her suspicions about YES. I would say she has always been suspicious of him but had no choice but to believe him because YES provides his arguments with concrete evidence and she cannot totally rely on her instinct due to all the evidence. But all the strange things around her should make her realise it on her own, and again I blame it on the writer’s decision to make the amnesia happen in episode 15. She should be able to deduce it herself with how she is uncomfortable with YES, her secretary being replaced, her bedroom drawer with nothing inside it and she mentioned that she checked an article online so what about the article where she said that she was being threatened by YES? So many loopholes and too many things left without conclusion.

Scene: Hae In being mesmerised by Hyun Woo even in his prison’s uniform

The moment she locked eyes with Hyun Woo, I bet her heart was beating like crazy and when he said “Hae In-ah”, she must have felt it deep in her heart but she believed in fact and not her heart. So, she shakes off that feeling and acts cold to him because she believes that Hyun Woo is the cheating bastard that stalked her. But the fact is that she couldn’t even hold eye contact with Hyun Woo. Hyun Woo’s teary “Are you healthy now?” is replied with Hae In’s cold “If not, why would I be here?”. Hae In is stabbing my heart with that cold eyes and tone. Hyun Woo has only been worried for her well-being and health while never trying to ask anything about her memory. He never rushed to try and tell her stories about the past Hae In. He just wanted to make sure that she is healthy above anything; he never wanted her to be in pain even though she hates him now because of YES lies. He believes in their love and it will guide her to him even though it will takes a lot of time. When he said that he always worried a lot about her and he missed her, she was taken aback. Her heart melted at that word but she was later mad because she can’t believe that her heart raced because of this cheating bastard. So she went at him harder and while Hyun Woo was sad and frustrated, he tried to persuade her to believe in him but Hae In is not giving him the chance. So Hyun Woo tries a different method, to question her own logic with the situation and be the sane voice that was hidden in Hae In’s head. She can barely refute his question and we see her resolve is slowly breaking because she couldn’t make sense of the situation. Hyun Woo's heart breaks some more after seeing Hae In’s finger without the ring. He said sorry for breaking his promise to be by her side after the surgery and for making her come and see him in this state. He asks her to take care of her health while being pulled away by the prison guard. Hae In is in confusion with all of the emotion that she feels and need a moment to get her bearings back.

Scene: Hyun Woo is cleared of all charge

Hae In decided to stalk Hyun Woo who is being released from prison because she is worried that her stalker is out of prison. So she basically stalks her stalker worrying that the stalker will do something to her. Good excuse Hong Hae In. It was touching to see Hyun Woo being out of the prison and finally reunited with his family. His hugs with his siblings are so cute but when he hugs his mother, I cried. How could anyone have the heart to hurt this good boy? Hae In is confused as to why Soo Cheol is living with her ex-husband’s family and thinks that they are a weird family. I only noticed when Hyun Woo was hugging his mother that he was already wearing his wedding band, he must have worn it right after he got back his belongings. It's bittersweet in a way that she didn’t have any memory about the ring and the hardship they went through, before she decided to wear the ring and decided to live for Baek Hyun Woo. But, all of her memories of their past are there with Baek Hyun Woo and she only needed to really hear his version of the real Hong Hae In. Na secretary is doing her best to help Hae In without getting fired by giving her clue about her true love. But, Hae In is clueless and still needs more time to process her feelings and organise her thoughts and new information by other people instead of from that lying shibalsaekki.

Scene: Is this karma for Baek Hyun Woo?

Hyun Woo is back in the Queens Group and Hae In just had to be in the right place and bumped into him in front of the elevator. She is confused that her first instinct was to avoid him and then come back (?) to her senses and decided to ask him some questions. But we know that she is just making excuses to see him. She was taken aback when she bumped into him in the corner and looked nervous when she saw him walk towards her. He needs to talk to her and Hae In is not losing the fight and said that she too... has something to say. They meet in the company’s lounge and Hae In immediately sets the tone straight for him and makes it clear that she is uncomfortable to see him. Hyun Woo was left speechless with a hurtful expression, but Hae In is not done yet and keeps provoking him by saying that he is just an opportunist trying to try and seduce her again. Hyun Woo hides his disappointment and tells her that he thought that she will be able to recognise him soon because she was so confident that she will fall for him again because he is her ONLY ideal type. Hae In is not even hearing anything from him and is firm with her decision to not see him again. Hyun Woo is defeated with Hae In’s resolution and lets her go without a fight. He knew her, she would not believe anything that he said because she already sees him as the bad guy and it will take more than a talk to prove her that YES is lying and there is more to the stories that she didn’t know. The comedic relief makes a comeback when her handbag’s handle was stuck on her chair, but she thought that it was Hyun Woo who's holding her handbag. Imagine her embarrassment when she saw that Hyun Woo did not even hold her and it was her handbag’s handle that was stuck.

Scene: Hyun Woo’s entire universe

Hae In receives a scheduled email for an invitation to the aquarium. It is the same aquarium Hyun Woo proposed to her for marriage. Shout out to “before” Hong Hae In for helping your current self. It was a nice parallel with her past memories when she said “Why is this big place empty?”, which was the same thing that Hyun Woo said to her years ago. As she walked through the tunnel inside the aquarium, she saw someone standing in front of the aquarium screen (she couldn’t recognise him from behind TT TT). Hyun Woo turned around and Hae In was confused with his presence there. But, it was “before” Hae In who invited him there and he was also puzzled by the invitation unknowing that it was “before” Hae In who sent it to him. Current Hae In is totally clueless about the invitation and suddenly the lights switch off around them and their wedding day video was shown on the aquarium screen. Hyun Woo had a melancholic expression while watching it. He is with the memory of their wedding day and Hae In without it are both holding their tears back. Hae In is probably perplexed by the sudden rush of emotion seeing the video but she seems oblivious to her own feelings, as if she didn’t realise that her eyes are full of tears. Hyun Woo swallows his frustration and sadness throughout the video and lets out a heavy sigh once the video ends.

The aquarium staff bring out a huge flower bouquet and hands it to Hyun Woo with a card from “before” Hae In, they also reveal that Hong Hae In had reserved the whole place and the flower bouquet. They reveal that this is not the first time she reserved the whole aquarium and had made the same arrangement four years ago. Thanks to that, Hyun Woo finally knows that Hae In has been playing as his universe years ago (FINALLY!). Why is he so innocent and naïve? Baek Hyun Woo……… “I see… It wasn’t the universe. It was you.” Will she ever remember this part of their memories? Will she ever know how much she loved him before? It makes me sad for these reasons when Hyun Woo mentioned that, and she didn’t understand what he meant by those words. Once she read the card that she prepared for him, she was in disbelief that “before” Hae In was making this much effort to remarry someone who had been cheating behind her back. She knew that the old her wouldn’t make that kind of decision and she is right, Hyun Woo said the same that she wouldn’t have done it if he was the kind of bastard that YES painted him to be. He was finally able to say something and have Hae In listen to him. He asks her to start doubting everything that YES said, that YES is not someone who protected her and has actually been the one who isolates her from him and her family. Hae In started to believe in him and she noticed his scar on his right hand and remembers YES lies about saving her from the car crash. She begins to fully doubt YES with evidence, finally!

Hae In meets YES at his house and starts to see him in a different light. She seems to finally notice his weird possessive behaviour and we can see her hold a guard up in front of him. She is reading his emotions carefully to make sure that he won’t notice that something has changed with her. She also confirmed her suspicions when she saw that there were no scars on his right hand which was covered in bandages previously.

Scene: Miraculous notebook with her four leaf clover

I was so angry when I saw in the preview that YES was burning her notebook and then amazed again with her luck. The first snow in Germany put out the fire and saved her notebook. She finally got a hold of her notebook and started reading it. Thank God (if only I knew what would happen right after). I should’ve known it when she called Baek Hyun Woo and asked to meet him that this god forsaken drama is going downhill or should I say underwater? Anyway… she regains her memories one by one while reading her notebook. She was able to remember the moment she wrote it while she was in her ward in the hospital in Germany. The words that Hyun Woo said to her came back one by one and she was feeling sorry for her harsh words and treatment of Hyun Woo while she lost her memory. She describes Hyun Woo's lovable qualities and it makes me cry. Then, I sobbed in my pillow with her last sentence, “He’s the reason I didn’t want to lose my memory. And even if I did, he’s the only reason I wanted to live. Baek Hyun Woo… is the name I don’t want to forget till the end.”

Hae In was driving her own car to meet with Hyun Woo but YES tracker on her car started beeping and I know this episode will end in vain. Hyun Woo and Hae In just had to meet on the opposite side of the road and this brings a deja vu (in Germany when they were about to start being happy, they happened to be on the opposite side of the road as well). Hyun Woo was waiting to cross the road when his vision of Hae In was being blocked by a bus and when the bus passed, Hae In disappeared. While he crossed the road, YES crashed into him with his car… Fuuuuuuuuuuu

Summary:

I thought I had little to say for episode 15 because there are not many scenes for our couple but it turns out I had so much to say about the ridiculous plot. Starting with the amnesia plot in episode 15, but with additional ridiculous plot twists that are only putting more emphasis on YES instead of our couple. Can we focus on one thing and then another? It was soooooooo infuriating to get this much ridiculous plot that in turn just made this supposedly romantic comedy drama into a makjang. I did not sign up for this. I was supposed to see Hae In and Hyun Woo rediscovering their love miraculously without the makjang plot line. Might as well make this drama into 20 episodes and I wouldn’t complain about the plot. I like fast paced drama but I don’t like drama that fails to explain itself and loses its focus towards the end of the series. It was a fun ride until episode 14 and then I realised that YES and MSH are still scheming when we only have 2 episodes left. So of course we will get the last 2 episodes that try to fit in the plot that are worth at least 4 more episodes.

[amyysfics]

skz - your body insecurity gets bad while cuddling

pairing: chan x gn!reader, changbin x gn!reader, felix x fem!reader warnings: hurt/comfort, some crack in felix', descriptions of body-insecurity summary: your boyfriend notices that you are insecure while cuddling and knows just how to help you get through it word count: 1.5k

©amyysfics (2023) All Rights Reserved - Reposting/Modification of any kind is not tolerated.

Bang Chan, 565 words

Channie noticed your discomfort almost immediately. Of course he did - he knew you better than you knew yourself sometimes. He would take note of the way your eyebrows would scrunch up a pinch. He would feel your muscles tensing under his body. You didn't try to pull away, not wanting him to realize that your thoughts were torturing you once again, but his perception of your tiniest shuffle was out of this world - so he knew how you felt, even without you saying it out loud.

"Wait, let's sit up real quick, baby", he loosened his touch around your body, helping you get into a more comfortable sitting-position. His hands were still hovering on your arms, his fingers ghosting over the small hairs that were all over them. His eyes found yours. And while his were shining with love, yours were full of sadness - the tears threatening to escape if you looked at him for a second too long. "Channie?", you put one of your hands over his, slowly removing his hold of your arms. "I can't help but feel like I don't deserve to be with someone as-", you stammered, "-someone as beautiful as you." Your eyes deviated from his, looking at your lap in shame.

The man in front of you asked you to look at him again, his voice barely more than a whisper, "May I touch you, baby?" You nodded, not trusting your voice. Chan put one of his warm hands on your cheek, holding it there until you leaned into it unconsciously. "Whenever you lean into me like that, it shows me that you trust me as much as I trust you. That you feel as comfortable around me as you can." A tear rolled down your cheek. It landed on your lips, tasting salty. You didn't mind.

"Can I touch your hips?", he asked. You nodded again, trying to hold in the rest of the tears that were about to fall. His hands slid down your waist and stopped on your hips. You barely felt the touch, your eyes never leaving his. "I love holding you here when we dance. It's like my hands were made to hold you - like I was made to hold you." Your bottom lip quivered and you stopped holding back, finally letting yourself cry.

"Am I allowed to kiss you, love?", his hands were still on your hips, squeezing them ever so slightly. You nodded one last time, letting the tears trickle down your face. His lips felt soft on yours as his arms slid behind your back, holding you impossibly close to him. Chan tasted the salty tears that hadn't stopped yet, but he didn't care. This wasn't a kiss of lust or romance. It was a kiss of trust and intimacy. It was a kiss of comfort. It was one of love. "If you think I'm beautiful, then you have to be, too. Because I am convinced that I was made for you. That we were made for each other. You complete me and I complete you."

He let you stare at him, letting his words seep into your brain for as long as you needed. "Channie?", you nuzzled your head against his shoulder. "Hm?" "Can we cuddle more?" This time it was his turn to nod, letting your bodies mold together once more, as if they were one, "Of course, baby."

Seo Changbin, 404 words

"Do you think my stomach is too big, Bin?" Changbin furrowed his eyebrows behind you. You were cuddling for a while, but this made him remove his hold from you, letting his hand slide off of your waist. "Jagi! What do you mean?", he made you turn around slightly, so he could see your face. He was expecting you to be joking, but he could tell by the redness in your eyes that you meant every word.

"Yah!", he looked at you with an entirely serious expression. "Why? Do you think mine is?", his eyebrows furrowed more. You were shocked at his response. "No! Why would I ever think that?", your eyes widened, "Your stomach is warm and soft and quite literally my favorite place to sleep!" You sighed, "I just...I think my belly is too fat and that it makes me look gross."

Changbin noticed that you tried to look anywhere but at him, not wanting him to see how embarrassed you were. "Bunny.", his hand touched your chin, making you look at him, "Did I ever tell you that I can't sleep without holding your belly?" You shook your head. "When I hold your stomach it's like I can keep you safe. I can hold you even when we are asleep, and if a big bad closet monster would try to snatch you away from me at night I could hold onto you without it standing a chance. I always take hours to fall asleep when I am not holding you."

You giggled a little, but he could tell that you still weren't entirely convinced. Both of his hands moved to your cheeks, squishing them a little so you would automatically pout a little with your lips. It made you look adorable. "Your belly holds all of your most important organs, you know? It makes sure to keep them save so that I get to have one more day with you. And it does that every single day. How could I think it's gross, when it's such an important part of you?"

"Do you mean that?", your eyes were wide, glistening with wetness. Changbin put both of his hands onto your belly, immediately spreading their warmth to you. "Every word, bunny."

Both of you got back into the position you were in before your question. "Binnie?" He only hummed in response, his breath tickling your neck. "I like your belly, too."

Lee Felix, 438 words

Felix could feel you attempt to pull out of his tight cuddle for the third time, so he finally decided to talk to you, "What's wrong, honey?" You mumbled what he could only assume to be words in some sort of alien language. "I didn't quiet hear that.", he giggled. "I said I don't like my body today.", you tried to wriggle out of his hold - again. But he pulled you even closer - again. "I'm not going to let you get away from me until you hear what I have to say. And if you still want to stop this insanely good cuddle-session to let me freeze to death, then, I'll let you.

He didn't wait for your response, seeing you pout in surrender. He already knew the response, but asked anyways, "Is this about the fact that your legs are hairy?" "Yes." "You are like crazy pretty when you smile. Genuinely. You are gorgeous. I can see your eyes sparkle when you do, and it makes me so happy. That's why I always send you stupid tiktoks that I think you will like." In an attempt to stop him from seeing your smile you pulled the corners of your mouth down to keep the pout intact. It didn't work. Felix beamed a toothy smile at you, "Sometimes I catch you dance along to music when you think nobody is watching. But everyone is watching, because you are mesmerizing. One time I had to threaten the boys I would teakwondo their asses if they looked at you for too long again." You laughed, not being able to hold back any longer. "You did what?" "It's true!", he nodded.

"Do you know why I stopped calling you cupcake a few months ago?" "Because honey is sweeter?" He shook his head, "Close, but no. I realized that you are way better than any cupcake could be. No matter how good the buttercream is and no matter how many sprinkles are on it." A loud snort escaped you, "Lixie, that is such a bad analogy!", you had tears in your eyes from laughing. "Yes, but it made you laugh."

You didn't protest when he hugged you even tighter one last time before letting you get comfortable in his arms again. "How could I ever even care about some hair on your body when your laugh immediately hypnotizes me. You don't even realize that I would do anything for you if it only means I get to hear your laugh."

In order to keep up the playful atmosphere you slapped his arm slightly, fake-rolling your eyes, "Shut up and cuddle me, sprinkles."

Taglist: @notastraykid, @hee0soo, @moon0fthenight, @bbyquokka

[citruslullabies]

Ok I know I've mentioned this in a comment, but can we please see a scenario where Angel and Dogday are sleeping, and then Dogday just starts kicking Angel until he eventually ends up kicking them out of the bed?

Of course!

Trigger warnings: none

Romantic/platonic?: unspecified

Requested by: theveniceangel

Category: fluff before disastrous angst in the next fic

Ship (romantic or platonic): Dogday x reader

Word count: 404

That's the Kicker

After Dogday had been saved, he could finally experience things that he hadn't experienced in a long time.

He experienced genuine love and care by your hands, he experienced freedom with you. He also got better sleep and actual meals besides little random critters he would catch in his mouth as they crawled on him. Everything was so much better here. The big canine was currently getting ready for bed, getting all nice and snug as he looked up and saw you.

“Hi Angel, are you ready for bed?” He asked softly, making more room despite being so large. His eyes were soft as they watched you yawn and walk over, crawling into the bed you both shared. “Yeah… I am, work was a pain in the ass today.” You murmured, so you were looking forward to some good sleep.

You scratched behind Dogday's ears and got comfortable against him, breathing in his soft vanilla scent and his warmth recaptured in your home. Your eyes slowly fluttered closed as you fell asleep, and what only felt like a few seconds was quickly disturbed by a startling awakening. You let out an oof sound as you fell to the hardwood floor beside your bed. You hissed as you rubbed your head and cradled your gut with your right arm.

Utterly confused, you looked up at the bed and saw your big fluffy companion happily asleep. Twitching and kicking as he let out low boofs in his sleep as if chasing a rabbit in a field. Or maybe Catnap, yeah he was probably chasing Catnap. You groaned as you grabbed your nightstand for support as you got up, letting out a sigh as you gently stroked Dogday’s fur while very carefully getting back into the bed. “Please, please do not kick me again.” You whispered softly, praying that he wouldn't give you a harsh kick to the stomach again.

You slowly rolled the big dog over and laid back down, snuggling into his back and slowly falling asleep again. You pressed your face against his clean fur and got comfortable in the blankets as Dogday continued doing his own thing, drifting off into a dreamless sleep where everything was calm and quiet. You felt safe in bed with Dogday with your brain doing nothing but relaxing and leaving your senses to rest.

Shame that you woke up just an hour later off of the bed again.

Thanks for requesting!

[dokries]

sooo lucky

pairing: lee seokmin (dokyeom) x gender neutral reader

genre: fluff, established relationship

word count: 404

warnings: a couple of kisses on the cheek, threatening gacha machines, having bad luck but it’s okay because seokmin is there :D (or is he making it worse…)

author note: yes i love writing seokmin leave me alone. also, this is named after the itzy song because my bestie suggested it and you know what, it fits. lots of love!

masterlist

“oh my god, i swear if it’s the red one again, i’m going to hurt this machine.”

seokmin laughs, leaning into your shoulder as you input a coin into the unassuming gacha machine once more, and sighs contently. “this is so much fun.”

you glare at him mockingly before turning the knob slowly, praying softly under your breath for the figurine you want. seokmin chuckles at your seriousness and squeezes the hand that's been in his from the beginning of your gacha gambling.

as you make the final turn and hear the click you’ve become used to, you lock eyes with seokmin. “think i’m finally gonna get it?”

“yes, of course you will.” he nods seriously before looking down at the quarters in his hand and counting, mouthing numbers before finishing with a satisfied smile. “besides, i have lots more coins in case we need them!”

you peck him on the cheek as he goes on about how he’s rich, even if all the money in his hand is only three dollars at most, and he grins before raising his eyebrows. “now take it out! you’ve got this.”

you close your eyes as the gacha ball rolls out, and you pick it up after hearing a gasp from seokmin, and his giggles fill the air as you open your eyes.

“oh my god, you’ve got to be joking. i swear this thing is rigged.” you stare down at the red gacha ball that matches the rest of its siblings in your pockets.

thankfully, your boyfriend’s contagious laugh lifts your spirits like always as seokmin falls into you for support. soon enough, you attract the eyes of the other people in the mall with your loudness—the two of you could care less but maybe it would be better to not get kicked out.

you and seokmin stop laughing abruptly before making eye contact and giggling secretly, shushing each other as he hands you another coin with a kiss on the cheek.

“here, go again.” he whispers, and you smile widely at his enthusiasm as you take it from him, popping the quarter into the now tired machine.

maybe seokmin’s bad luck is rubbing off on you, but you know what? you don't find yourself caring too much, especially as he leans his head on your shoulder in amusement, interlocking your hands again like he’ll never let go (because he won’t, if he can help it).

[ironwoodprotectionsquad]

While I’d love to hear six hours of discussion, perhaps we can hear your top 10 reasons you like Ironwood? Don’t want you to lose your voice after all my fellow Dadmiral friendo

Look I stream for 6 hours straight some days but that’s beside the point lolz. Also sorry this took so long. Life has been a thing.

1. James feels…human. I know the point of characters in stories is to make them feel alive and to immerse you into the world I know. But stay with me there are just little details like James adjusting his tie and little laughs at R/WBY’s antics that just make him feel more real.

2. James is strong. And not just in the physical sense but the emotional one. Between him in volume 3 holding it together despite the world falling apart around him and him taking on all of Atlas and Mantles hatred and vitriol while trying to protect them is incredible. Everyone hates him despite him trying his best and it’s both incredible and heartbreaking to see.

3. James is compassionate. I am not even slightly referring to volume 8 that bullshit is not canon at all just no. After watching Yang with his own eyes break (who he thought) was an innocent students leg unprovoked after the match ended and his aura was down, he believed her when she said she saw him attack first. He assumed the best of her even when all evidence showed that she was being malicious. Or in volume 4 when Weiss accidentally summoned a Grimm that attacked someone, he stood up for her or after Ruby failed to stop Cinder in volume 3 (? Or 2 can’t remember for sure) and he told her she did well and she took action which is what huntresses do. He is strict but he shows kindness to people.

4. He’s kind of silly sometimes. He’s normally very strict so it makes his funny moments stand out more. Like when he laughs when the girls admit they stole an airship or when he grins at Winters comment about how he couldn’t pay her to smile for the cameras.

5. He’s not a good public speaker. Now I can hear you say “but wait, he speaks publically all the time and while yes he does, he also does the equivalent of error 404 when things don’t go exactly as he mentally prepared beforehand and we see this in volume 7.

When the girls don’t react at all to his announcement that they’re all huntresses now he just freezes because this man needs to preplan everything and he did not have a plan b prepared and panics and it’s so relatable I adore it so much.

6. He’s awkward. While similar to the last point, people can suck at public speaking and still be able to converse well with people in a smaller setting but sometimes James seems to even be a little awkward even in less formal moments.

7. In early volumes he was allowed to make mistakes and still be a good person. I like it when characters are allowed to make a mistake and still be seen as a good guy. People make mistakes and screw up but that doesn’t make said person evil. Sometimes we can’t fix something or stop a bad thing from happening or even make a decision that winds up causing more problems. But the intention of the decision is the important thing. James wanted to protect people in volumes 2 and 3 so he brought his army because he had a feeling Salem was up to something. Cinder used said army to cause even more chaos but at the time the narrative refused to demonize him for this and allowed people to understand what his intentions were. That’s way more compelling than the narrative twisting itself to try and somehow prove the mains are always correct and never make mistakes. Learning and growing make stories interesting.

8. James is willing to make the tough decisions. Time and time again we see James making really difficult calls to try and navigate a war that most people don’t even know they’re fighting. He makes the plans to transfer Ambers Aura to keep it from Cinder. He pulled his armies from the other kingdoms to try and maintain peace, he decided to focus on Amity instead of the wall to try and restore global communication, he decided to try and save who he could when he was put between a rock and a hard place. He made the tough calls and stuck by his decision and that is admirable.

9. James trusts people. After James’s talk with Glynda she took his advice to heart and was more open and honest with people. When Winter tells him something is going on at Haven, he takes her word for it. When Ruby and co lie to his face he trusts their word. He trusts Yang when she says she saw Mercury attack her first during the Vytal Festival. (Despite what the narrative tries to tell us) James gives people the benefit of the doubt and is willing to trust people.

10. James is an incredible fighter even without a typical offensive Aura. Pretty self explanatory but James is able to go toe to toe with some dangerous adversaries and hold his own despite not having a special “super power” like everyone else does. Or even a special weapon really he kicks ass with just a pair of guns and that is so badass of him lolz.

And a bonus more meta point because I want to talk about this so there. But one thing I loved about Ruby and James’s volume 7 fallout is that we can see exactly how and why each of them made the decision they did during that breakdown. On one had we have Ruby who is full of hope still and sees the best in the world. She lost her friends and is still dealing with the trauma of that and doesn’t want to ever lose anyone else again or let people suffer a loss like she did during the fall of Beacon. On the other we have James who is equally traumatized from Beacon but in a very different way. He did his best to fight back against Salem and it was in the end used against him and caused even more pain and suffering. He’s terrified of going toe to toe against Salem again and wants to protect what he knows he can until he knows they are able to take on Salem. It’s realistic and painful and neither side is really a perfect option. It’s a bad situation and we can see how the characters respond to it and it feels in character and real and I wish that we got to see that writing continue into volume 9.

Sorry again for how long this one took! As I said life’s been all over the place and chaotic and it still is but I got a burst of motivation so I decided to finally type this out.

[demigoddessqueens]

(not so) secret love

based off a previous prompt here

A/N - tried to get as many as I could

You had been working alongside them for quite a while. There was an amicable element to your dynamic, but the tension was palpable between you two as well. That just came naturally after avoiding one too many close calls from Assassins/Templars. Call them a fool but fleeting time with you as just another reminder not to waste any more moments on how they feel towards you.

“What has you smiling in such a way, perhaps some other love on your mind?”. “Yes, one that I’ve started to care about for quite some time.” “..—who would that be?” “You.”

Altair

He’s taken aback and surprised at your forwardness, but may also be a bit smug too because it’s “oh? You think about me? 😏”

Ezio

A total flirt who means well (because he loves you too!) who will absolutely tackle you into the tightest hug and just love all over you

Yusuf

Another flirt who flings himself into you, or head in your lap, being all “well Ezio can take the rest of my mission, just tell me how much you love me!”

Edward 🏴‍☠️

He’s used to attention (comes with being a pirate), but all he’s wanted was your approval in the end. Your approval and love was worth more than the treasure he’s so sought after

haytham 🗡️

404.exe.Templar has stopped working

He’s used to being told he’s cold, calculating or off-putting, but it’s a new warmth he’s getting used to being loved by you

Shay 🍀

At a loss for words, which is new to him, but any clever retort he has falls short given that he’s trying to hide a blush from your knowing smile

Connor

Also 404.exe.Assassin son stopped working

He knows he cares for you, and deep feelings was something new to him, but he’s glad you feel the same because he wants to explore that with you

Bayek

Pulls you close for a kiss, and what feels like an eternity pulls away as he whispers in your ear, “I’ve thought about you for the longest time and it is a privilege to be loved by you.”

Eivor

Is actually bashful about your confession, as they didn’t think you felt the same, but is also glad their nerves are put to rest

Basim

He’s a bit in disbelief, holding your shoulders tight as he asks again and again, before pulling you into a deep kiss. Let him hold you just for a while

Jacob

Mr crime boss turned smitten is the happiest he’s ever been! Don’t mind the deep kisses, he’s just happy he’s right about his feelings!!

Evie

You think it’s cute she’s trying to hide her blushing but bless her heart! She’s glad to have found someone she cares for in all these duties as an Assassin

Arno 🇫🇷

His lil romantic heart is about to burst with feelings! Think the most swoon worthy hug and then multiply that because this is Arno and he loves hard

Desmond

He’s relieved he wasn’t imagining things and wants nothing more than to just be near you at all times

[nathanbatemanfucker]

Kinktober 13: Body Worship

pairing: aaron hotchner x afab! reader

contents: 18+/NSFW/MINORS DNI, teasing

wc: 404

an: a continuation of this series where reader and hotch start their first time, for the sweetestttttt @greg-montgomery

kinktober masterlist | seeing him masterlist

Aaron is taking his time. Maybe one day you’ll want him to— you’ll want to relish the feel of his warmth around you, his mouth on you, his touch so gentle. But you’ve done enough waiting, tortured yourself enough with how long it took you to let yourself love him unapologetically and vice versa.

“Aaron,” You grumble, your hand falling to thread through his dark hair.

His mouth stills where it’s pressed against your thigh, and his eyes widen a little with concern, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

He raises a brow at you, waiting patiently for you to talk to him.

“You're just driving me insane. I want you, Aaron. I have for what feels like a million years and you're teasing me.”

“Is that what you think I’m doing?”

“Yes.”

“I love you,” He says simply, as that explains everything.

Now you're the one to quirk an eyebrow at him. Even as you do, you say, “I love you too.”

“Then let me savor this. Let me savor you,” He murmurs, his eyes soft, brimming with affection.

You’re stubborn— that’s just a fact, a way of life. You know and Aaron’s come to accept it. Come to love it as much as he loves any other part of you. It’s why when you look at him skeptically for several moments, his gaze doesn’t falter and he doesn’t give you an alternative.

“Alright, fine. I’ll be patient.”

He grins against your thigh before he starts again, his hands brushing every inch of your skin, followed by his mouth. For all intents and purposes, he’s worshiping you. His hands are so insistent, full of reverence. His cups your breasts, teasing your nipples into your writhe underneath his touch. His mouth is even better, bringing you to peak after peak as his hands rub gently at your thighs, as he murmurs the softest of praises to you. It all makes you dizzy, like you’re floating in the ocean, fully submerged in pleasure. In Aaron.

After you’ve both lost count of how many times he’s made you cum, he gathers you in his arms, gazing down at you, “Are you okay? Need an intermission?”

“Just…give me a minute,” You huff, pressing your face to his chest, trying to ground yourself. “You’re gonna kill me when we have sex aren’t you?

He grins, treating you to a soft kiss, “I’ll go get you some water and a snack.”

hotch taglist: @honeybrowne, @hotchs-bitch, @pastanoodles11, @stevengrcnt, @greg-montgomery, @lesbianhotch, @rousethemouse, @flightlessangelwings, @hotchsdharma, @maisondenachtai, @silversprings-mp3, @callm3c0nfus3d, @ilikefictionalmen

[wings-of-ink]

Romanced!ROs reactions if the MC were to find them one day, solemnly telling them, "I don't know how to say this, but you're going to be a parent" - only to pull out a bedraggled little stray kitten or pup?

What if MC has already done this, but this time just said "I don't, know how to say this, but you're going to be a parent". This time the MC does not show the kitten or pup.

Oh my goodness, lol. These poor ROs; their day-to-day lives are in shambles at this point.

Oswin:  His hand goes to his hip and he gives MC the look and waits for the punchline, while the previous kitties and doggies are at his feet. When MC doesn't pull any more little animals out…his eyes get misty. "Yeah? Is…are we…" *melts*

Zahn:  Excitedly waits to see the new furry friends. Looks around, looks at MC… "Where are they?"

MC just looks at them.

Zahn just smiles, excitement ready to erupt. *Error 404: Zahn not found*

Duri:  *assuming the appropriate talks have happened, otherwise, this would be a poorly timed joke on Duri*  It takes just a moment for them to realize, and the shock freezes them up for a moment before they run to MC with their arms open for an embrace.

Rune:  "My love, we agreed no more surprise pets."

MC nods and smiles. "I know."

"Let's see them." Rune tries to hide a smirk.

MC just stares and smiles.

Rune laughs, nearly falling over.

???:  "Well...this is awkward - again." *pulls out hidden baby from pocket* "Also, there's a warrant for my arrest."

Thank you for the ask, Anon! I had some fun with this one, lol.

[oh-stars]

Numb

wc: 404 | cw: depression | gen rating | for @steddiemicrofic | Prompt: "hole"

---

He couldn’t escape it. Everywhere he went, it followed, it consumed, it overpowered. He’s had it for as long as he could remember, this hole in his chest. It was like he woke up one morning to it, shoving every emotion out of the way to feel the pulsing emptiness within. 

Demo-things and nailbats brought on tunnels and wayward children bleeding into secret bases and flesh monsters to end in a blaze of glory with mind-controlling wizards and earthquakes; they gave it power. The hole in Steve’s chest went from a small pit to a blackhole, unrelenting in its desire to numb him. 

Dustin was a good distraction for a while and talking things out with Robin sometimes made the hole shrink for a day or even a week. No matter what, it always came back. 

Steve burrows into the pillows and sheets of his bed, the one he shares with Eddie now. He clings to the pillow under his head, searching for the cool fabric to counter the blaze under his cover. There are no tears, but he feels like he’s crying – too numb to actually let tears fall. He wants to feel that relief Robin always talks about after a “good cry.” He just can’t.

He just wants it out. 

The door creaks open, heavy boots thudding softly against the old wood floor. “Dark day?” Eddie whispers as he sits behind Steve, a ringed hand carding through his hair. 

He shifts, careful not to knock Eddie’s hand off his head, to look up at his tired, wonderful boyfriend. No words, his eyes say it all. 

Eddie just nods, leans down to kiss his head. Because Eddie gets it. He has a hole of his own that takes over his days, trapping him in their bed for hours. He's the only one who just gets it. 

Steve watches Eddie change out of work clothes and slip into cozier ones. He pulls his hair into a bun, takes off his rings, and slips into bed. “C’mere,” Eddie says, already pulling Steve into his bare chest. The love he feels for Eddie won’t magically banish the darkness out of Steve’s chest, his affection can’t smother it into ash. But he does make it bearable.

They’ll lay there for the rest of the evening, like all dark days. And Eddie will hold him until Steve can feel something again. However long that takes. Hopefully forever. 

[icaruspendragon]

Would love to see your take on heartstopper ( maybe tao and nick bonding? Bonus points if mama nelson is on board)

and when i tell you i’ve got 17k words worth of nick-centric charlie pov that i’ve been writing for like ten months living in my docs LMAO

pls enjoy this snippet in hopes that validation will be enough to get me going on it again hshs

“Charlie is shivering in his seat, January air clinging to him long after he finished the walk to his children’s literature lecture. His hands are wrapped around a paper cup, clutching it in a desperate attempt to leech some of the tea's warmth into his nearly numb fingers, gaze focused on the laptop in front of him. Charlie generally keeps his head down at the start of term, preferring to be seen and not heard for the first couple of weeks to get a feel for things. That way he knows how to conduct himself. Still, almost instinctively, he looks up upon hearing a new set of footsteps cross the threshold, wondering idly if it’s anyone he knows from last term.

Charlie most definitely does not know the stranger hesitating just past the doorway. He’s rosy-cheeked and strawberry-blonde and boyish. And he’s just standing there as he scans the room in search of a seat like it’s the most casual thing in the world, like he isn’t making Charlie feel like the human equivalent of an error 404 message.

He may not know the other boy, but Christ does he want to. He’s pulled from the beginnings of a daydream featuring a rosy-boy when the gaze of the boy in question lands on Charlie. His lips quirk upwards and lopsided and soft when their eyes meet. And it’s a moment that feels significant for some reason, like it’s stretching out before them like honey falling from a spoon. Slow and sweet and promising warmth. It stretches further when the unnamed boy walks toward the empty seat beside him and his cheeks get impossibly rosier with each step.

Charlie’s brain offers two incredibly unhelpful thoughts as his seatmate gets settled: He’s so pretty and oh no.

Gay panic makes itself right at home while he tries (and rather spectacularly fails) not to stare too hard at the boy next to him. He turns slightly and now they’re face to face. Charlie learns his eyes are brown. They’re brown like honey, warm and sweet. And he has freckles. So many freckles. So many constellation clusters dusted across rosy, rosy cheeks.

Charlie realizes that silently staring at the boy next to him is weird, “Hi.”

The rosy-boy smiles, looking at Charlie with his honey-warm eyes for several seconds before offering a quiet greeting of his own.

“Hi.”

He knows something else is supposed to happen now, something he needs to do. He just can’t remember what it is.

“I’m Nick.”

Even his voice is pretty. Another distracted moment passes with Nick looking at him all honey-eyed and rosy-cheeked. Then another before oh shit, I’m supposed to also introduce myself.

“Charlie.”

A handful of distracted moments pass where they look at each other for what’s probably a beat, then two, then three too long. Nick exhales through his nose, it’s a gentle approximation of a laugh, but then their professor is standing up from the desk and walking to the lectern and Nick turns his head to the front of the room. Charlie does the same, managing all of ten seconds before giving into temptation and casting a sidelong glance at Nick.

His smile is still soft.

His cheeks are still rosy.

And he’s looking at Charlie, too.”

[bloopitynoot]

Reading SVSSS: Chapter 1

For those who don't know, I am reading SVSSS for the first time and sharing my thoughts!

If you have not read it, there will be spoilers! Consider this a warning.

Also- if you want to follow along, I am aiming to post updates daily. You can find all the posts in the tag bloopitynoot reads SVSSS. You can also check out the intro post for context on my read.

Chapter 1: Scum

two seconds in an i'm already intrigued by the "anti-anti" dynamic. We have an anti-hero Luo Binghe and the "anti" fan Shen Yuan. p.9

honestly we live for a king like Shen Yuan though - bless those fans who make concise summaries in the epic fandoms. p.9

Fucking hell Luo Binghe :( p.10

Side note unrelated to the plot of this- the amount of page flips I have done to hit that guide at the back these first couple pages; outrageous.

in relation to point "Fucking hell luo binghe :(" even his teacher is Bullshit. p.10

ENDLESS ABYSS?! p 11

okay, but listen, is it truly the dark path if he's part demon? like isn't that the correct path for him? p.13

to clarify the previous point- I was rooting for him until he "began to eradicate each one of the human realm's great righteous sects" p.12

like okay, those who wronged him, totally fine- but everyone though?

crying at this authors name LOL p.12

I get it Shen Yuan- big same. I'd be pissed too (re: dying at the end of the shitty book) p.13

the RAGE of his dying breath oh no ahahahaha p.13

Shen Yuan has trained his entire life for this moment (re: transmigration) p.16

oh god "please ensure that no score falls below zero, or the system will automatically mete out punishment" p17

Well damn. I wouldn't want that either (re Shen Qingqiu's fate) p.19

this point system is WILD. Poor guy dies if he fails, jesus p.20

honestly same, if I was transmigrated into the body of a martial magic man, I would be checking out my new body too p. 23

YES. POINTS FOR PLOTHOLE RESOLITIONS!! p. 24

Shen Yuan/Shen Qingqiu: ERROR 404 p 26

okay thoughts: this is such a crazy role to navigate. he knows what's theoretically going to happen but he has to change the plot WITHOUT breaking character p.29

RE: ERROR 404. Super gross that he was having these thoughts about a CHILD. I did not know Luo Binghe IS FOURTEEN at this point. :( p.30

omg. he's (shen yuan/shen qingqiu) also over here talking about finding a girlfriend LOL p31.

i'm crying XD "Holy Shit" p.33

at least Shen Yuan is aware that Shen Qingqiu is NASTY. p.35

Ming Fan is vile too- SO rude. p.38

oh no, im nervous for Luo Binghe (re- his necklace and Ming Fan's squad) p. 40

okay but honestly he deserves it. He (shen yuan/shen qingqiu) just got points removed for the leaf thing and now he's over here doing it again. p.46

the SASS he (Shen yuan) is giving this system p.50

oh jeeze the fact that Shen Yuan/Shen Qingqiu is unlocking new content is STRESS. p55. Like he is barely surviving the plot, it's been like 10 minutes, and he's over here unlocking a side quest already

finding a loophole to help Luo Binghe- I love it! p59.

This concludes my first chapter!!! Hopefully I have a new chapter tomorrow

[antlerscove]

Josh Hutcherson!Mike Schmidt x Reader

A/n: nothing too bad, just Mike needing your comfort after a long night at work :)

Word count : 404

Warnings: angst, comfort in the end though

“It’ll Be Okay”

Mike Schmidt was your boyfriend of a few months. You never noticed his strange habits of staring at the poster on his ceiling or the nature sounds he played. It never occurred as odd, and you knew he lost his brother a while back, maybe it was to help with the grief? You wouldn’t pry about it, until one particular night when he got back from his new job.

“Mike! Hi my love,” you had said.

“Hi baby, why are you still awake? Is Abby in bed?” he looked tired, groaning as he sat next to you.

“I missed you, Mike, and Abby is sound asleep-” you paused, “are you alright, love?” you asked. He looked at you like a deer in headlights, almost taken aback a bit.

“Night shift, fell asleep at work and ended up falling to the floor at some point..,” he thought about his next words, “then I left, it was morning so I locked up and left,” he finished. You decided to hug him, then grabbed his hand and led him to his room.

You laid down and dragged him down with you. He landed softly onto the mattress, then he lifted his head to look into your eyes, they softened at your concerned expression.

“I will be okay, baby,” he said, curling into you. He practically was melting into your body, head on your chest. You pet his hair silently, kissing his forehead.

You felt a wet spot on your shirt where his head was, you grabbed his chin and softly lifted his head up, seeing tears slowly forming once again.

“Oh, Mike,” you sorrowfully said. Tears started to slowly run down his face. You kissed them away, and it caused him to cry more.

“Stress, all it has been, my dreams keep getting weirder, work is weird. It doesn’t feel right… I don’t feel right,” he sobbed out. You softened your eyes, kissing his tears away and then kissing his lips. He reciprocated the kiss, holding onto your head and pulling away first. You looked at him and wiped his remaining tears off.

“Mike, I cannot promise anything, but I can promise that I will stay,” you said. He smiled a little, not enough to be considered “happy”, but a smile of “thank you”. He melted back into your chest.

He was stressed, but you were going to help him out of it. You knew you would.

[dangraccoon]

Roast

Day 5 ~ sunburn ~ healing salve ~

Hunter

Word Count: 404 Content: sunburn, bacta, Hunter being a sad wet cat, sibling mockery

It was getting close to sunset as you put the finishing touches on the meal you’d been preparing for Omega and the boys. They’d be back from their “family beach day” soon.

You checked the roast in the oven, deciding it needed just a little more time, then you go to the cupboard to get dishes out to set the table.

You’d just finished placing the plates on the table when the door opened. You smiled.

“Hey honey,” you called as you started over to greet your love.

“Mesh’la,” his smoky voice answered, though you noticed a little strain.

“Everything okay?” you asked, but as you turned the corner towards the doorway, your question was answered for you.

He looked miserable, stiff, and from head to toe his usual sunkissed, golden skin was notably darker, and a little red. “I need bacta,” he groaned.

You stifled a chuckle. “Oh, sweetheart. Did you fall asleep out there again?”

He looked at you with those tooka eyes he broke out any time he was sick then nodded a little as he started to shuffle towards you.

The timer on the oven started beeping again. You gave him a pitying smile. “Get the bacta from the cabinet,” you instructed softly. “I’ll be right there.”

He grunted out a soft noise of agreement and you went back to the kitchen. 

You could hear him digging around in the cabinet, grumbling mixes of basic and mando’a curses as you pulled dinner from the oven and set it to rest.

By the time you’d finished, he’d made it to the bedroom, his sandy clothes dropped near the laundry basket, and a jar of bacta gel was sitting next to where he collapsed–naked–onto the comforter. 

“How you doing, honey?” you chuckled, noting the obvious tan lines at his hips and knees and the comparably lighter space between where his shorts had protected him from the sun.

“I feel like shit,” he said, the bedding beneath his face muffling his words.

You hummed in agreement, gently touching his arm to assess the damage. “Are you sure you want bacta right now? You’re gonna need quite a bit and you know it makes you sleepy.”

“Yes” he nearly whimpered.

“The boys aren’t going to go easy on you,” you warned, smirking.

Hunter groaned. “They’ve been mocking me all afternoon,” he whined. “Please, mesh’la?”

“Alright, alright,” you laughed, picking up the bacta. “Hold still.”

« Previous Day Next Day »

Thanks for reading! - River

Whumptober 2024 Masterlist DangRaccoon Masterlist Taglist Form Read on AO3

Tags: @writing-positivelyexisting @nekotaetae @lokigirlszendaya @get-wr3ckered @jediknightjana @idoubleswearimawriter @lucyysthings @unstable-kiwi @6oceansofmoons @l3xi3luv @savebytheodoresnonjosestuff @winter-phoenix1995 @serenityselene @nomercyforthewarrior @ravenclawbitch426 @luna-the-lone-red-wolf @Padawancat97 @flowered-bicycles @error6gendernotfound @techs-goggles9902

[natimiles]

Nati!! Congrats on (almost) 400 followers!! 🎊🎉🥳🎉🎊

First off, mad respect for your ability to just crank out stories at the speed you do! 😅 That's a gift 💕

Secondly, could I request sweet Leviachan and top of foot, please and thank you 🙏🙏

Thaaaanks! And thank you so much for your kind words 🥹🤲🏼🤍

Here we go with a sweet (and very embarrassed) Leviii! 

Leviathan + Top of the foot

Words: 404

Tags: you’re injured, but nothing serious; no descriptions of the injury; established relationship; no pronouns for reader.

You just finished dinner, and both of you are excited and anxious to go back to Levi’s bedroom and continue playing the new game he bought. You are laughing and jokingly racing up the stairs, and then the next moment you slip and fall.

You let out a shriek, which easily turns into a whimper when you try to balance yourself on your feet. Levi is right beside you in a matter of seconds, holding you before you hit the ground.

“Are you hurt?” he asks, his eyebrows furrowed.

“I’m fine,” you try to reassure him with a smile.

He doesn’t buy it. His face is burning red, and he’s sure his heart is about to leap out of his chest, but he fights through it to lift you in his arms and carry you bridal-style to his bedroom. With utmost care and gentleness, he places you on your gaming chair. Kneeling in front of you, he begins to take off your shoes, but then his wide eyes dart to yours as if he’s just thought of something.

“C-can I? Does it hurt?”

You let out a soft chuckle. “It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt.”

Levi nods and turns his attention back to your feet, now properly taking off your shoes to get a better look. At first glance, everything seems normal.

“See? I told you I’m fine,” you say with a soft smile.

“I know, I just…” he mutters under his breath. He is still intently analyzing your foot, making sure there is not a single scratch or bruise on you, and then he finally sighs in relief. “I wanted to make sure.”

His orange eyes shift to look into yours, showing you he is seriously worried about you. Never breaking eye contact, he gently holds your feet, bringing them close to his lips. He places a kiss on the top of each foot in succession, hoping you know but also don’t know what it means. You blink, surprised by his actions, but you can’t hold back the smile spreading across your face, especially when he has that adorable blush spreading over his entire face.

Levi’s soul is about to leave his body from how nervous he is, but he fights it again. He will fight all his embarrassment if it means making you smile, ensuring you’re happy, showing you how much he loves you, and making sure you never stop loving him back.

Taglist: @sh0jun @chandeliermichel @judejazza

Beneath The Milky Twilight ♥ Event Masterlist

[tassodelmiele]

Noisy little mess

Hi sweetie⁓

Brief intro 'cause I'm so late to do everything this monday, goddammit.

Or...

CoDdammit. Lol.

Sorry

That's a "dialogued chapter". I love dialogues.

I lllllove them.

Next time i'll give you some more action, i promise.

Maybe. I suck at scheduling things

DISCLAIMERS: GhostxYou yelling time; Price is so good at being a psychologist i don't even know why he's a soldier; Soap risking his life by being a little too funny; Gaz doesn't like coffee; dialogues that last halves of hours; roommates enjoyining their time alone; brain gets error 404 on how-to-behave correctly;

................................

Sixth part here:

................................

«I bet someone'd fought the other day»

Price appears behind you, and incredibly, it's not breakfast time: it's like 4pm, and you're not used to seeing him somewhere which is not Laswell's office.

You let the weight fall from your hand, breathing heavily; lately, gym is the only thing that allows you to not explode like a goddamn balloon in a cactus field.

You exhale: «…did he tell you?»

«Didn't need to tell me. We heard the yells»

«…ah»

He sighs, sitting on a bench. «Some things are better to be told under your breath. Particularly if they are personal. And above all, if they're the kinda things you were talking about-»

«You're telling me you've heard that i-!» You say almost in a hurry, immediately biting your lips. «…sorry Captain»

«You don't need to be sorry»

«No? And…what about being bewildered?»

He frowns. And you find the intimacy of the gym, combined with Price's soft eyes and his bear you're so tempted to pet, comfortable enough to open up a little.

As if you've not behaved like an open book since you'd made the first breakfast with the Task Force.

«Look» you preempt every possible objection about not being professional on a military base (since you know you're not) «I don't wanna be a burden, or cause problems. I-I know you've already got plenty of them…»

And he anticipates you with a sigh: «…but?», knowing so well you're about to stream out a flow of that sort of thing girls tell their besties at pajama party nights.

«But…but I don't know how to handle the Lt! I…just don't know. It seemed to me we got along well but, apparently, we weren't. We are not. I mean» your hands gesticulate above you to draw the speech in the air «one day he almost broke my arm, then he helped me get rid of some sort of stalker, but the day after he offended me and told me to shut my mouth. I don't know! I don't know how the hell I am supposed to-»

«Is this bothering you?»

«Yes!» You almost yell, emptying your lungs with a sigh.

Price's humming fills the silence for a while. «Ok. I'll make sure to put you under someone else's supervision-»

«No»

You bite your tongue again, and he smiles under the bear; you know he did. He was expecting your answer, but doesn't need to make you feel bad about how much of a childish behavior this is. He pats your shoulder: «Ghost speaks through sarcasm. Not that easy to handle. But if he doesn't ignore you, then he likes you. That's what we've learned 'bout him»

«What about him being touchy?»

Now you can add to your "goal list of the year" that you've made Price slightly blush; and he can't deny it, even if he hides the red under a bear scratching. He doesn't even ask you about the kind of "touchy" behavior you're speaking of, so you imagine that, somehow, he already knows…things.

«Again» he sighs. «Does this bother you?»

Fists are clenched around the thumbs, squeezing them hard, and your sight is focused on the weights abandoned on the floor. You feel some sort of heat climbing up your tights thinking about how much Ghost's touch did notbother you. But your brain doesn't allow you to admit it. 'Cause it bothers you not being able to find him bothering just enough to officially make him stop, and you're just hoping he'll quit somehow 'cause old memories and vices are frighteningly awakening in you. 

«It would be better» and saying this costs you a lot of swallowed cravings «if he stops»

«Mh» 

It doesn't seem like he is falling for it. But he doesn't ask further.

«I'll speak to him»

And you can just give your beautiful Captain the best smile you've got.

«I just can't believe that bloody woman is a…whatever»

«People in bed are different from people in war, Lt»

Ghost glares at Soap through his fifth coffee of the day.

«Why, thank you, Sergeant. I'll engrave your pearl of knowledge on my tombstone» 

«It'll be ma pleasure»

«What is it?»

Two pairs of eyes turn at Gaz, who's peeking from the opposite side of the table. None of them is a "snack" kinda guy, but this afternoon really calls for a break.

And Ghost's drinking coffee. Again.

The Lt. gazes back at Kyle.

«What?»

«You're not drinking tea anymore» he claims, suspicious.

«Are ya afraid I'll turn into a Scottish?»

Soap grins: «aha, not funny», as he rummages through the pile of recruits' tests that need to be checked. «Look, look at this, bloody Jesus, I-» He tooks away one sheet in particular, waving it around. «How the hell is she capable of runnin' like a-a...dunno!»

«Who're you talking about?»

«Our laddie» He spits out with a smirk. «Christ, she does have working lungs, look at her running test results!» 

«'Course she has, or she won't be able to yell like that»

The whole office turns silent around Price's words. He enters with a smirk, nodding at his desk full of plastic glasses.

«When did the tea party start?»

«Sorry Cap., promise we ain't eaten all the cupcakes»

He grunts, heavenly sliding on his goddamn chair (spared by the misappropriation). He waves his head at Ghost:

«I've got complaints»

That makes him say his second: «…what?» in, like, two minutes.

«Our little one» Price explains «is politely asking you to stop being…you know what»

«An asshole?» is Johnny's supposition.

«A shithead?» is Kyle's.

«Surely someone's gonna be bloody dead meat» is Ghost's ultimatum. 

«I've spoken» are Price's last words, before he stretches his limbs so hard his bones crack, making Gaz shiver with a: «damn Cap., go see a fucking osteopath»

Then a mumbling is heard from Ghost's mask, almost chomped in his teeth as he tried not to let his thoughts hiss out of his mouth. But he fails, and everyone can hear: «fucking child, not grown enough to tell me by herself»

It makes Soap almost burst into a laugh he chokes in his guts, exploding in a sudden cough. 

«Ya ok bud?»

«Aye, aye…'s just…» Johnny takes a breath, gaining some air. «'S funny to look at you two playing the “cordless phone” game»

Ghost doesn't like this. Not a bit, not a single word.

«What do you mean?» He snaps.

«Why don't you just talk frankly to her?»

«I've nothing to say»

«Bullshit. You've been yelling at each other for one week»

«You're a bloody blabbermouth»

«'M sorry, it was impossible not to hear you. Why are ye even so mean to her? You two started well»

«I'm not here to make friends»

«Maybe ye could get a girlfriend instead»

«Johnny»

Price intervenes before Ghost decides his knife fists better in Soap's throat than in his hand. Captain gives his boys one of his gazes. 

«That doesn't have anything to do with you, so, even if you know every crumb of this shit cake…shut your holes. 'K?»

And they do it. They shut up, since they neither want a telling-off from their Cap., nor Ghost's knife in their butt.

The day was kinda ruined, though. At least, Simon's day. And he spends the rest working hours glaring back at everyone, avoiding speaking and trying to shut the echo of Soap's voice in his head. 'Cause he hates to admit it (and he wouldn't do it even under torture) but that goddamn man was right: it was just a matter of speaking with her honestly. Without being a dick.

Fuck; that last part could have been a problem.

The fact is…problems that are killing his synapsis are actually two.  

Price managed to get one of them, and maybe it's pretty obvious even for the rest of the team. But the other mental pirouette is what is really eating him alive. And he doesn't have enough teeth to clench, cheeks to devour internally, fists to smash on the door to avoid thinking about it.

'Cause one thing is liking you.

One other is wanting you. In a bad, absolutely not polite and caring, incredibly violent way.

Abstinence surely is one of the worst tortures. He's used to it, though: both to abstinence and torture. So it shouldn't be a problem, but it is, and he can't deal with it, he can't accept it, it's just unbearable and…and…

And Ghost almost starts to think everything is so overwhelming at the point of giving him hallucinations, as he hears…something.

Something familiar.

He stops next to a door, and it takes him one second to realize what door it is, and who's behind that door.

And what sound he had just heard. 

And in that one second of chaotic information riddling his brain…he hears it again.

A moan. A cute one, so muffled and soft that it was almost inaudible.

His eyes slid to the room door. 

That's your room. 

And, if he remembers well, the big crazy woman of your roommate is currently out on a mission. Therefore, you're alone.

All alone.

Absolutely alone.

So alone that you're, evidently, enjoying your moment of privacy a little too much.

He's about to knock at your door, or to burst in, he doesn't know, he'll figure it out somehow, but as his hands brush against the door knob there's another moan, so soft, so gentle that he thinks he's hallucinating.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

«What are you…doing?»

He jumps, his heart skips a couple beats as he jerks alarmed eyes to look at who's just appeared next to him.

He almost faints when he sees you. Thank god the mask is covering his face, otherwise you would see a jubilance of embarrassment and fear, red and deathly white.

You're standing, a toothbrush in your hand and in your feet the insecurity of someone who doesn't know if to make an u-turn and pretend you've seen nobody, or stay and wait for an excuse.

Him too, he seems to choose the "excuse" kinda behavior: he coughs, straightening his spine at his limit to stand taller, more confident. 

And he talks, but words are not as dry as he would like: «I came to see y-TO» he suddenly withdraws «to make sure you're going to be at the meeting tomorrow mornin'» the last few words become a mutter.

Silence follows. Moments of strange silence, oddly, densely fluffy, as if you're looking at the scene from above a cloud.

W H A T 

That's what your mind is flashing while you're discharging your incredulity on the poor toothbrush.

«I…» You start, with the intention of saying something sensible, really, to make the most of this occasion and let him know how fucked it's his way to handle people, sarcasm or not. «We just-like-we've almost…in your…yesterday» you start all over again «you've treated me like a wannabe whore»

He immediately hurries: «Wasn't my intention to-»

«I'm sorry if it wasn't, you'd done it» You shut him. You shut your goddamn Lt., and this isn't even the first time. «I can't hold up with this anymore»

«With what?»

«You» You spit, clenching your fist around the toothbrush. «With you, ok? I-I-look, i know this couldn't-you're my superior, I'm sorry if I'm being…disrespectful? I'm sorry» words start to rush from your lips, eyes are wandering around, in search of a cute way to avoid yelling at him again. «But you're so…»

«…So?»

«Unreadable. Unbearable» adjectives slip through your mouth, sharpened and straight to his heart. Or at least you hope. «I can't work with nerves at a razor's edge»

«I supposed you already knew we've to work under all conditions»

«These are not normal conditions, don't just spit the whole thing out»

«Explain, than»

«You know!» You muffle the voice. «Stop teasing me, 's like you've got some sort of dual personality! Anyway, I've already spoken with Price and-»

«He'd told me» He cuts your speech. «But I'd rather your pretty voice gives me clarifications»

«We've already fought on this point, like, five times!»

«What point»

«You make fucking fun of me!». This time you yell, then immediately bite your lips. You feel like he's teasing you, and obviously the joke's always on you. «That's the point! And all 'cause-'cause I've moaned once, and somehow now you hate me because I've made you turned on!»

«I-»

«First you treat me like some kinda hoe, then you protect me from stalkers, but one minute later you make fun of-of-! Do you know» you're rushing disconnected words, and your toothbrush is pointed at his face threateningly «how fucking difficult it was for me to open up about my goddamn kink? Do you know??»

«Listen-»

«But I've done it! I've done it 'cause you're a superior of mine, and I want, I swear to god, I WANT to respect you, to-to trust you and be at ease with you like I used to till a bloody week ago!!»   

You're breathing so heavily your lungs' movements are making your whole body wave. Stern, ice-cold eyes are locked on him, and you don't even know how you've managed to gaze at his mask for so long.

There are times in which you need to make a choice in a matter of seconds. Simple ones: putting salt first in the pot, or going first with pasta when water boils; wait a little at the coffee machine to make the espresso a long one; going to the bathroom before putting nail polish; picking up the book you're supposed to study instead of the phone with you're gonna fuck around with for the rest of the day…

Simple things. Ordinary choices.

Like biting your tongue before talking shits (that's what you're not doing), or speaking before it's too late (that's what he's not doing).

And you two face each other in a silent sights fight, spiced with rage and frustration, every muscle tensed and every fist clenched, teeth tight and cheeks chomped from the inside.

You'd like to burst into tears.

He'd like not to be a dick. For once.

And the whole situation is unlocked by another sudden, soft moan from the room. 

You instantly get red in every inch of skin; he widens his eyes, just able to say:

«What the fuck-»

«Sorry» you're so fucking embarrassed you can't even stand his sight anymore. «Sorry, i-i've…i've given Bernie some "solo-time", and she…uhm…apparently-»

«Hold on». His tone changes so suddenly, turning into a hurried, awkward question: «Is Bernadette Kelly inside?»

«Y-yeah»

«Wasn't she supposed to be on a mission?»

«She was a substitute, in case Fisher couldn't do it. But he managed to go»

«…oh»

«…oh?»

He's lucky the black makeup disguises his redness so well, since he can feel how hot his face is under the mask, as he wonders how it could have ended if he had rushed inside the room to Bernadette touching herself.

«…ok. Well, no. But…ok, 's ok» He mumbles to himself, allowing his brain two seconds to readjust the thoughts's stream. 

«Ok?»

It pisses you off so much you don't know where to restart the angry mood. 

And you do it in the worst way possible, blowing out a mean: «you've thought it was me, didn't you? Were you ready to scold me again 'cause "I haven't got enough dignity to be a soldier", and then feel allowed to touch me?»

You're ready for everything, you're wearing armor in berserk mode: you can face him yelling at you, threatening, flirting, scolding, putting blame on you, taking you at gunpoint, punching you or throwing a burrito at you, you don't care.

You're ready. You're waiting.

Aaand waiting.

Aaaaaand waiting.

'Cause he's not moving, so frozen in place you're wondering if he's still breathing.

Ghost's not an evil man. He's not violent, he's not an asshole.

He's just having a metaphorical system error in his software that's reminding him he has not, in his goddamn entire life, dealt with such a duty. 

And he doesn't know how to: he doesn't know if it's better a silenced gun or a sniper, to do stealth or to burst in the house with a grenade; he doesn't know if it'll be a dangerous mission or a walk in the park kinda thing.

He doesn't' know, 'cause his only way to solve these problems is being a dick and waiting till the counterpart gets enough of him, and just leaves him alone.

But this time he doesn't even know if he wants to be left alone.

And so, with his mind blown up and just your toothbrush in his eyesight…

He left.

Without a word.

He turns his heels, leaving you in the corridor.

................................