#and I haven't talked to any of them since then

[aninipanin1]

Hihi, here is some food for thought, albeit rather niche!

Ex-Professional Footballer Young Manager who agrees to play as a substitute player in a match in exchange for a major business sponsor for Blue Lock, and suddenly was absent from the Blue Lock Facility for a week because of it. The Blue lock boys (who didn't know about her football background bc she didn't think it was anything impressive compared to their achievements in Blue lock) panicking thinking Ego locked her off, only to end up learning the truth and watching (fanboying over) her match.

STRIKER OF THE HEART AND GAME

Notes: Yall never fail to give me the most, diabetic and tooth-decaying ideas to write. Theyre all so sweet, and I love reading ALL your asks.

"Good luck, Y/n-chan! You can do it!" Anri cheered beside you, watching you put on your cleats and gloves inside the sports bag as you sat on the tiles ground of Ego's office.

Speaking of the man, he had his back on you, eyes focused on the CCTV cameras around the facility as he watched the players practice in their own respective stratums and places. He was the epitome of calm, cool, and collected, opposite of the pounding of your heart just thinking about playing the sport once again.

Well, its not like Ego is about to be subbed in a team as its center midfielder where he has no prior knowledge or experience playing with, and being expected to dominate nonetheless.

"Thank you, Anri-san! Um...I'll try my best."

"Why are you nervous, Y/n-chan?"

A squeak was heard from Ego's swivel chair, as the man turned around to face you, his eyes disapproving and empty as it always looked. He stood up before folding his upper half forward to meet your eyes.

"You are in Blue Lock. A team already passed the average-at-best standard and world of Japan. Even if you are a manager here, you know the key to awaken your true capability, you know your own ego and strengths. Use them, use them wisely. I chose you as the manager of this place for a reason."

You looked at the man, your main mentor ever since you have been in this place with a smile. One large enough to brighten up your whole face. You know that even if his words came out somewhat harsh, this is his way of caring. Having seen it time and time again with how he interacted with the Blue Lockers, it was his way of comforting and at the same time looking out for your pre-game morale.

"Of course, Ego-san! I'll win this game!"

And with that, you headed out of the facility, inside one of the buses provided by the higher-ups and started the journey to where the match will be held.

"Y/n-chan! Let's eat lunch togeth- Eh? Y/n-chan?"

Shidou burst through your office door, ready to jump and hug you, and hopefully, have you join him in the cafeteria to eat lunch. But to his surprise, you were not there.

You would always be there when it was lunchtime, writing down some things or eating away in the confines of the room. But today, you were nowhere to be seen.

Shrugging, the striker just hopped his way to the cafeteria, thinking that you may be there. But to his chagrin, you also were not there. Shidou started to get a bit upset and sad, after all, he has not seen you for hours! He needs his daily dose of Y/n.

"Hey, has any of you guys seen Y/n? I haven't seen her since breakfast. She told me she'd help me schedule my workouts." The blonde heard Karasu talking with the other PXG members in the cafeteria.

But much to their worries, everyone seemed to be experiencing the same thing. No one has seen you since you entered the cafeteria to eat breakfast, and that was very unlike you. You would usually be walking around the facility, helping with the players and staff or even accomplishing your never ending responsibilities and tasks.

"Hmm, maybe she is just busy in her office? Or with Ego-san? We know how her work piles up aomost every second. I feel bad for her." Nanase answered Karasu's inquiry. His theory was not that farfetched and could possibly be true if Shidou did not just went there a few minutes ago.

"She isn't in her office, headband. I tried to look for her everywhere, but she isnt here."

"Not even in a different stratum?" Karasu added.

"Dunno. Didn't check."

"Then don't assume, idiots. She's probably in the other stratums-" But Karasu was cut off when their door to the cafeteria opened to reveal Reo who looked a bit panicked.

"Has any of you guys seen Y/n-chan around in your stratum?"

"Er, no. Why?"

"Then she's really missing. I've been running around the other stratums to ask if they've seen her anywhere but she is nowhere! You guys are the last place I asked and...well you get the idea."

Now that made all of them panic, where were you?!

Looking around at each other, they nodded as if they thought the same thing at the same time. There was definitely only one person who knows where you are.

Welp, time to go to Ego's office.

"What?" The man said, annoyed and a bit angry at the accusatory questions. Well, it was not accusatory but the thought of doing what the players were saying made him feel like they think he was dumb.

"Was she kicked out and we'll get a new manager?!" Reo said, panicking.

"What?! No, Y/n-chan is the best. You can't do that!" Charles said, frowning heavily. His teeth bared as if he was ready to bite Ego if he did confirm he kicked you out.

"Oi, four eyes if you kicked her out, I will kick you literally." Shidou threatened.

"Did she leave us here?" Rin said. Even if his voice sounded neutral and cold, there was a slight crack that indicated he was absolutely heartbroken if that was the case.

"No, you idiots. She didn't leave, nor did I kick her out. I am not dumb and she pampers you all too much for her to just leave." Ego rolled his eyes at the overdramatic and outlandish thoughts they had. Instead, he turned his swivel chair to face the monitors that were mounted on the wall.

"She is out for the week. She has to play in some matches. Unfortunately, no is not an option since it was tue JFU's decision. Now leave and go back to training, or else someone will indeed be kicked out of this place, and it's not her. Now go."

This definitely made the PXG team's (and Reo's) ears perk up in interest. You? Playing in a match? In a football match?! Holy cow, why did they not know? Or better yet, why did you not tell them?

That afternoon, most of the PXG members huddled together as they searched your game in the tablet provided in Blue Lock. And to no one's surprise, it was currently live, and the game is just about to start.

Meanwhile, in the Manshine stratum, Reo dragged both Nagi and Chigiri in their rooms and prepared the tablet.

"What are we even watching, Reo? I wanna play." Nagi mumbled on the pillow, laying down on the purple-haired male's bed stomach down, Chigiri who sat down on his bed as well nodded.

"Yeah, I mean, I don't mind. But it's not that important, is it." Reo looked offended when Chigiri even tried to insinuate that the match was not important.

"What do you mean not important?! Y/n-chan is going to play as their midfielder! Its the most important thing ever! We're already lacking because we're not there at all to support her! So we have to support her from here."

Now that got Chigiri to straighten up, and Nagi awake, both their eyes wide. They thought it would just be a normal exhibition match. But Reo did not mention you would be playing! Then maybe they would have immediately paid attention.

"You mean Y/n-chan is playing?!" Chigiri said in shock.

"Y/n-chan...I want to watch...!" Nagi said, for the first time paying attention to something, his once half-lidded eyes wide awake and focused on the screen of the tablet.

"Yeah! I didn't tell you?" Reo asked to which he just got a pillow thrown on his face, courtesy of Chigiri.

"No, you dumbass! Just start playing the live, geez."

Needless to say, the two teams even forgot to eat their dinner just to see the end of your match was an understatement. The members were too focused on their screens.

Charles, Rin, Shidou, Chigiri, Reo, and even sometimes Nagi would be muttering curses and mean words towards your teammates who would fail to receive the ball that you so graciously give them from the midfield. There were even times when you would give it to them in a place optimal for a goal, with a pass that even an amateur can score a goal with but they would still miss.

"That number 9 is a fucking idiot." Rin rolled his eyes.

"Number 9? You mean number 21! She is the worst striker I have ever seen! Hmph! If I was (nickname) I would never pass to her!" Charles said throwing his fists up in the air.

"Why is she even the striker? Y/n-chan should have been the striker, and instead, she's stuck at the midfield." Karasu commented.

"Poor Y/n-chan. The enemy team is already ahead of 2 points, and they still have none." Tokimitsu said the moment he saw your face when the camera panned at you. You looked stressed and a bit annoyed at your incompetent teammates.

"If I was her, I would have probably punched that number 21 girl." Shidou said with the angriest face anyone has seen him. After all, they were strikers, and they know a good pass when they see one. Yours were absolutely perfect every time, and if they received a pass like that, they would never waste it away by being locked by the goalkeeper orget stolen by the other team.

The Manshine players were not fairing well either. Reo was clenching the poor blanket too harsh in anger at their strikers and even the defenders and midfielders for leaving you alone at times and not syncing with your smart plans.

"Absolutely horrendous!! Why didn't they go there?! Even an idiot would know that Y/n-chan lured the other team's players there for a reason!" Reo complained.

"They're absolutely brainless at the game." Chigiri rolled his eyes, although he did feel a little amused that someone like Reo, who is usually a gentleman to girls, throwing curse words at the players.

"Hmm...I would be so happy if Y/n-chan gave me a perfect pass like that. She would even clear up some of the defenders just so number 21 or nymber 10 can score a goal." Nagi commented, a frown on his face, not liking that your team was losing.

But of course, when you make a mistake, its forgivable. Like the one time you received the ball a bit sloppily, mainly because you were growing tired.

"Well duh, of course she would miss. She's tired of carrying the whole team on her shoulders." Reo said.

In the dying minutes of the game, with only less than 10 minutes left, with the score being 2-0 in favour of the opposing team, you seemed to have had enough. You became a ballhog, dribbling like a pro against the defenders and midfielders, using your teammates as shields just for you to score a goal.

And let's just say that if Ego was not watching the match as well, he would have scolded the two teams for screaming like wild animals when you scored.

"Now that's a goal you fucking idiots!" Shidou laughed and jumped like a monkey along with Charles.

"She's the only decent player, which sucks." Rin rolled his eyes.

Some of the members of your team ran to congratulate with you, but instead of celebrating, you turned to the striker who looked a bit annoyed that you did not pass to her and scored yourself.

"If you can't do your work as a striker. Then I will do it and score. Do me a favour and get out of my way, that's the least you can do to help this team win."

Everyone was silent after you said it with a straight and emotionless face, just watching you walk away to your place in the court. To say that the striker was pissed was an understatement. She was the striker of this team for more than three years now! She was also older than you, meaning she deserved respect, and you had the audacity? You were just an intern, a replacement of their midfielder.

The other team members were split into two. Some who are close to the striker immediately sided with her and started to glare at you, while some who really wanted to win were more on your side, but they decided to just stay neutral and continue playing.

Until the end of the game, you were a ballhog, passing scarcely to avoid it being stolen by the enemies.

'Tsk, at least some of the defenders in this team are decent.'

Doing a quick roulette on the defender in front of you and immediately holding the shoulder of the one to your left. You squinted your eyes and shot another goal, this time it had a bit of curve to it that the goalkeeper did not read so it resulted into another miracle goal, or atleast thats what they called it because there was only 2 minutes left in the game.

Everyone in the stadium were on their feet, even the commentators stood up shouting in their mic in amazement.

"What...WHAT A GOAL!! THE INFAMOUS MANAGER OF BLUE LOCK HERSELF, Y/N L/N, SCORED A MIRACLE GOAL! A GOAL THAT EQUALIZES HER TEAM!"

In the end, there came an additional time but unfortunately, no goal came. After all, you were tired beyond belief as stamina had always been your problem and hence why you do not play much anymore.

So, it came to penalties. You managed to score your own penalty, but to say that your other teammates flopped was an understatement. The other team, however, managed to score 2 penalty goals, hailing them the winner of the match.

The boys, who watched in the Blue Lock facility, were more than pissed of course. You lost because of those stupid teammates of yours that dragged you down. The worst part is that they know you can produce better plays if only your teammates can catch up to it.

Ego, who waa watching remained neutral as ever, while Anri was gripping her hair in annoyance.

"It can't be helped. This is why we are striving to change Japanese football, Anri-chan." Ego said.

In the locker room, you remained quiet and neutral as always as you took a shower and changed into your normal clothes. But as you did, the striker of the team came out, her face contorted in annoyance.

"We lost because you were a fucking ballhog. Why couldn't you just pass the ball to me or Hana over here? Heck even to Aiyo-"

"Not really. We lost because none of you scored your penalties. Even if not all of you did, if only some of you did, we could have won. My ballhog move was for the best, after all, it was the one that scored us two points and equalized us. It was even the reason we got to play longer." You said with a straight face, just saying facts. But to the others, especially to the striker, you were bragging about being the best in the team and dissing their skills which pissed her off more.

If it was not for the manager walking in, the situation would have gotten worse. Thankfully, the manager was not any of the players as he congratulated and thanked you for your hat trick. And said, it was very much impressive seeing as the opposing team was one of the strongest in Japan.

"It's nothing, sir. I still had fun playing. Thank you."

With one last bow you left them to themselves.

"Why did you not tell us about this?!" Isagi said, mad and horrified. The other two teams did not tell them that you were playing matches and that you did one yesterday and he did not get to watch it?!

"Yeah! Chigiri, you're so mean!" Bachira said with a pout, while Niko just agreed.

"I'll tell Ubers about this. They have another one tomorrow right?"

"Yeah. At 7:30 pm. We wanted to support Y/n-chan even if we're stuck here. But be aware, her team is so shit it gets annoying and that Y/n is the only carrying that team. So yeah..." Chigiri said to which Isagi just shrugged.

"Oh, it can't be that bad, right?"

Oh, how wrong he was. Wednesday came, and all the teams all camped in a meeting room (inside the Bastard Munchen stratum) and set up the live (they managed to convince Ego, which was surprising but knowing his favouritism towards you, it was not that surprising).

At first, it was just the Blue Lockers, but when Kaiser, along with Ness, entered the meeting room, they were a little curious.

"Leave, Kaiser." Isagi rolled his eyes, to which the German just smirked.

"Oh, but I heared little Y/n will be playing a game. I want to watch how she does, of course."

Now, the meeting room was crowded as hell. Even some of the masters went to watch, for God's sake. The moment the match started, the whole pace was quiet down, and everyone's attention was on the screen of the large tv.

You got the ball early in the game as you dribbled past the midfielders and decided to give the strikers one chance to prove if they'll be worth passing to in this match.

You decided to give a curved pass accurate to where number 21 was, till now you did not really have any care to know what her name was. It was a pass that was easy to score a goal with. You put a good spin to it, and it was optimal for any type of straight shot.

Even the Blue Lockers rolled their eyes at this, not liking that you're going easy on your team, especially after what happened last game.

"If she doesn't score that, I don't have any hope for any of them at all, except Y/n-chan." Chigiri commented, remembering how pissed he was when he watched the previous game.

They all watched the striker, receiving the ball with the side of her right foot and kicked to the net only for it to hit the goalpost, bouncing on it to end outside.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Isagi let out, everyone started to curse as well as the others.

"I mean, I would make a comment about how they're a Division 3 team. But anyone could have scored that goal..." Yukimiya said, shaking his head. This was a professional team? He thinks not.

"I think I know that striker girl. I have heard of her before... yeah. She was supposedly good, guess fame got to her head and she didn't improve anymore." Niko said, thinking back to some articles he has read about her. If that was the case, it would be rather sad that she wasted her talents and skills to remain in that same level forever instead of bettering herself.

After that fluke of a goal, you ended up just passing the ball to some of the defenders and midfielders who are much more efficient in protecting the ball or even scoring. After all, you were not used to being a ballhog, and the last game was just a desperate measure. But now, you had time to flesh out the game and your strategies instead of going all instinct.

Passing to one of the midfielders whom you knew named Yuko, you let her weave her way through the enemies before using her being stuck in the middle of two of them as a way for her to have no choice but pass it to you, which she did. You received it through the small opening before running through the field, dribbling the ball as fast as you can (you weren't a natural like Bachira or even Lavinho, but you weren't bad at it) before you were stopped by the opponent's defenders, who were lured by the aspect that you were not the best dribbler they have seen and to hopefully steal the ball.

Instead of fighting or dribbling past them, you kicked the ball high. It was high enough to seem like it was a pass, only it was to get past the defenders. It curved downwards as the goalkeeper tried to catch it, to no avail.

You scored your first goal of the night. And by God, was it magical to see. You were like a magical siren, elegantly swimming past the defenders, luring them using your elegant plays and seemingly understandable and naive plays so they can try and intercept you, only for you to turn around and be the one to make use of their belief that you were an easy. Just like the old sailors who thought that the beautiful girl in the middle of the ocean was an innocent woman, lured in by her beauty and hypnotizing voice, only to be dragged down the sea in despair.

You were that. Beautiful yet deadly. This was something none of the players or even masters have seen.

You looked ahead at the goal, not even celebrating as you just wiped the sweat on your forehead. As if you did not just plunge the opposing defenders into your sea, drowning them in despair.

"Damn...I've never seen her play...I kinda wish I did before..." Oliver said, breathless. The rest seemed like it as well, as if they were the players on the field, affected by your siren song.

"Now I get why Ego called her play...hypnotizing once...this is what he meant..." Kunigami added.

"Heh, a play that is so beautiful yet naive looking to lure in those around her, only to turn around and show her hidden monstrous side the moment she's in her golden zone for a goal. A killer playstyle that kid got." Lavinho said as he rested his back on the walls. You looked like you were dancing on the field so beautifully and elegantly. He would know since he was a dancer. And now he wonders if you had any backgrounds in dancing. The way you position your foot, your posture, the way you moved, and your isolation, it all reminded him of a dancer. He'll have to ask you.

"See! I told you guys. Y/n-chan is absolutely breathtaking when she plays." Bachira said excitedly. He had you play with him before, and he had a taste of your true ego before. Needless to say, it was one of the reasons why he had a crush on you somewhat. Your posture and the way you moved with a ball at the time to him was the perfect form for dribbling. And so, he would ask you for help in training and well, it was brutal but fun.

"Hmm, now I know your hidden side, Y/n. That crazy four-eyes definitely picked the right person to be the manager of these losers." Kaiser whispered under his breath.

ADDITIONAL TIME:

After the game:

Blue Lock is WRITTEN by Kaneshiro Muneyuki and ILLUSTRATED by Nomura Yusuke. All credits to the both of them.

[hrtwayne]

Loveee Song || Alexia Putellas

Pairing: Alexia Putellas x Goalkeeper!reader

Summary: Where Alexia realizes she is completely in love with her best friend and would do anything to make the athlete notice.

Note: English is not my first language.

Warning: Mention of kissing!

Masterlist | Women's Football Masterlist

Friday nights were sacred for Y/n and Alexia. It was a ritual they had maintained for years: just the two of them, no distractions, surrendering to the comfort of movies, carefree conversations, and the tranquility that only each other's company could provide. On this particular night, they were nestled in Y/n's bed, with Alexia lying on her side, her head resting on the goalkeeper's shoulder. The gentle caress of Y/n's fingers through her hair was so soothing that Alexia felt her thoughts drifting, as if they were floating on clouds.

Alexia noticed, with a racing heart, that something had shifted within her. There was a different warmth in her chest, a growing need to be even closer to Y/n. She wanted to spend hours listening to the athlete talk about anything, she wanted to wake up by her side every morning, feeling the safety and affection that always radiated from her. When she realized it, she was staring at Y/n's face with a new intensity, trying to memorize every detail of her features.

Y/n, always so attentive, quickly noticed the fixed gaze and turned slightly to face her, smiling softly.

"Why are you staring at me? Is there something on my face?", Y/n's question was playful, but the concern in her voice was noticeable.

Alexia immediately looked away, her cheeks burning with the embarrassment of being caught. The midfielder's heart pounded in her chest, almost painfully. How could she explain what was happening inside her?

"You're so oblivious, aren't you?" Alexia murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Sitting up in bed, she reached out a hand to Y/n's face, gently pushing a strand of hair behind the goalkeeper's ear, revealing more clearly the face that enchanted her so much. "It's been a while since I've been trying to show you that I want to kiss you, and you either haven't noticed or pretended not to."

Alexia's confession made the air around them feel heavier, almost tangible. Y/n froze, feeling the world stop around her as her body tensed. Alexia was so close, her lips just inches away, and the midfielder's gaze was intense, almost predatory.

"So... are you going to keep staring at me or are you going to kiss me?" Y/n managed to say, her voice almost faltering under the tension of the moment.

Alexia let out a frustrated groan before taking the initiative, closing the small distance between them. In a swift movement, her lips collided with Y/n's in a hungry, desperate kiss, as if both were trying to make up for all the lost time.

Alexia climbed onto Y/n's lap, eliminating any space between their bodies. The kiss was a mix of need and desire, their mouths moving in perfect sync. Y/n's hands explored Alexia's arms, feeling the soft skin under her fingers, while the midfielder's heart raced uncontrollably, echoing the excitement pulsing in her chest. With her fingers tangled in Y/n's hair, Alexia pulled her closer, as if fearing that the closeness would never be enough.

Feeling the urgency of the moment, Y/n took control, her hands firmly placed on Alexia's waist and thigh, holding her in place as she explored every nuance of that kiss, every sensation that arose from their lips colliding.

When Alexia finally began to pull away, seeking a breath, Y/n kept a hand on her chin, her eyes locked on the athlete's. The intensity of that moment, the connection they felt, was overwhelming.

"Kiss me again," Y/n murmured, her voice laden with a desire she could no longer contain.Alexia let out a low laugh, still trying to catch her breath, her eyes shining with a love she could barely contain.

"I was waiting for you to say that," she replied, before brushing her lips against Y/n's again, ready to dive even deeper into that feeling she had finally found the courage to express.

The world around them disappeared, leaving only the warmth of their bodies and the rapid rhythm of their hearts. That night, what was once an unshakable friendship transformed into something deeper and unforgettable.

[ladysherreeamore]

The Jakolas making up a ship like it's ever going to be a real thing is like waiting for Kanthony to happen when it'll never happen in real life

Why are you shipping gay men with women

it's weird!

Do you hate Luke so much you rather Nic end up with a gay boy who won't even look at her?

We've seen so many pictures and videos of Jake with Nic by now and we should see attraction in his face and body language but we still haven't seen anything more than what i've done with my friends. I have a lot of male friends and sometimes I spend time with 1 more than the others going places, wearing their clothes, giving a hug, talking to them, and many women hold hands with their male friends. Show me something more than what Nic hasn't done with Dylan Llewellyn and her other friends. Yoy say they are dating by seeing them go places together and a general birthday post but she's never said that. Real fans remember her saying not to believe gossip magazines, so why are you believing what they say? She's said she hasn't been in love since she was 9 years old, which may be an exaggeration but it sounds like it's been a very long time even though she lived with a man for 2 years. If she didn't love that man and we've never heard her say she's in love with Jake, then what makes you think she's in love? Why would she get a ring about someone she just met? I don't understand your logic at all so help me understand. She goes places with her friend but don't you go places with your friends? Would you support your friends if they had something big happen in their life? Do you go to their birthday parties? I don't know about yiu but I dkn't know a straight guy that goes to so many gay events and likes a post of naked guys on a nude beach.

Do you know that his friends call him "Twink" which is a gay term?

If he was straight then why would he let his friends call him twink?

What part of this screams relationship goals to you? Do you know she's friends with a lot of people in the LQBTQ community? Name someone besides Luke who isn't gay and that would be a shorter list, if it even exists. I haven't seen Jake hangout with any straight men either and that would be weird if he were straight, but he's NOT! Do you want to see her end up heartbroken when he leaves her for a man? We don't see any attraction so why are you shipping them?

Show me the difference between what we've seen between Nic and Jake vs. Rachel and Kurt

[the-silver-peahen-residence]

Miwa said nothing wincing from the shouts and screaming but she was NOT going to stop any of that! No thank you! It's already scary enough seeing her angry!

"Uhhhh! I um…gotta check up on them!" Kisho tells Gojo then turns to Miwa. "Miwa! Can you grab us some ingredients like um…berries, peas, and some chicken for us?!" He tells her, with clasp of his hands with a slight bow. "Thanks!"

"N..no problem!" she said but quickly goes to get that rapidly for them as students sweatdrops hearing Todo's scream for help and mercy for the angry honey badger. Right now, she was holding him down while sitting on his back bending his legs back as he was hitting the ground wincing in pain.

"OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW!!!!"

"Miko! Let me talk to Todo! I got this!" Kisho assures Miko. She heard him but only looks to a crying Todo to let his legs go and stand seeing him crying.

"Todo, listen! We haven't told anyone about our relationship. We are not ready to tell anyone yet. Do you understand that?"

"B...but I thought you already said something!" he said now scared of Miko who was looking at him with a scary look. She was ready to finish him but...she was keeping herself calm since Kisho is talking to him.

"T..though...I will still admit she is right for you. Her temper scares me. T_T"

"...."

"I'm so sorry! He's been like this after what happened!" Miwa said seeing Todo wincing from the punch.

"But I was speaking the truth though!" Todo said in pain that Gojo blinks.

"I-um! That's just Todo talking!" Kisho laughs, trying to laugh it off. "We are talking about preferences and we had an argument about what we like in girls!" He quickly answers but omits the part about Miko. "NOTHING SERIOUS! Gojo-sensei!" Kisho laughs loudly. "Anyway! We gotta make lunch for the kids! It's REALLY IMPORTANT! TODO IS GOING TO JOIN US! RIGHT TODO?!"

"Wait I do-"

Kisho leads into his ear, "Todo! Listen...we haven't told anyone about this! Please! Do it for Miko! Or else I can't protect you!"

"HUH!? But why!? YOU SHOULD LET YOUR LOVE BLOSSOM TO EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT YOU AND MIKO ARE-"

"Miko and Kisho are what?! Together!?" Gojo gasped with eyes wide.

Before he could answer, that's when he got hit hard in the face this time by Miko as he winces falling back. However, he tenses seeing a murder like aura from Miko with her hair moving around her.

"Uh oh..." Miwa sees Miko walk over to grab the back of Todo's shirt, now dragging him away.

"Miko-chan?"

"Excuse us Sensei..I need to talk to Todo for a second.." Miko said softly now dragging him on the ground to the outside. Even Miwa got scared again seeing Todo being dragged outside.

"Wait, where are we going!?" he said.

"Oh no where..I just wanna talk......" she said now being outside.

"T..Talk....wait......"

'Yes, I just wanna talk. I just wanna talk...I wanna have a nice quiet talk!" Miko said, cracking her knuckles with eyes glowing.

"WAIT! THAT'S NOT A TALK-NO NO NO NO NO! NOT AGAIN!! OH GOD SOMEONE HELP ME!"

Now most students paled seeing and hearing Todo's screams of help hearing Miko beating him up twice as worse. "HALP MEEEEEEEE!!!!"

Gojo sweatdrops. "Wow, Miko-chan really is a dangerous force to mess with isn't She though what was he-"

"I'm sure it's nothing Sensei. You know how Todo is." Miwa laughed scared but tense hearing Todo screaming louder for help.

[dinkerr]

rockstar vi touching herself to playboy model reader ♡

warnings: this is kind of part 2 to my first one, masturbation, fingering, brief mention of alcohol, vi is a loser, rec from anon, this is absolute ass and very short i'm sorry, i wrote this while sitting in the waiting room at the eye doctor, that's it i think.

｡･ﾟ･♡･ﾟ･｡ vi can't stop thinking about when she had the fortune association of meeting you. you're burned into her head like a branding, the image of how you looked that night, how you talked and carried yourself- she misses the taste of you when you were in that bathroom stall with her and holyfuckyou'renotreturninghercalls.

a brand new playboy magazine with you plasterered on the front cover had just come out and of course she bought it like a horny teenage boy as soon as she heard about it after playing a show. the famous rockstar herself wasn't even amusing the thought of what it'd look like if her fanbase saw her buying a porn magazine the same hour it came out. she just needed you.

she layed on her old leather couch the moment she got back to her apartment, limbs sprawled over it with empty bottles of alcohol on the coffee table in front of it. she was mindlessly flipping through the thin pages of the magazine, eyes boring into each image and deciding if it was worthy or not with the only true thought running through her head was seeing you.

her moans are mixed with the sound of nightime in la when she sees you after another flip of a page- the distant sounds of police sirens and cars honking and people walking on the cold streets the moment she flips a page and brings her free hand to quickly unzip her jeans and rub lazy circles on her clit.

you're on your knees, your bare ass in the air with your elbows propping you up, your only prop is your hair and the cherry red telephone you're holding to your ear.

she sees your familiar eyes on paper looking into hers like they did when the gleam of the blue lighting radiated down on the two of you when she met you in the same club she's been going back to every night ever since you haven't been returning her calls.

it's like you're taunting her, like you asked to hold a telephone and to look into the camera lense because you just knew that she'd see this, like you knew that she'd be touching herself to you.

she threw her head back on the armrest of the old leather while her eyes focused on your tits that were barely visible, instinctively spreading her legs apart almost as if you were there between them. she moans and her hole clenches around nothing at the thought, and all she can do is slip her fingers inside her and pump them as quick as possible.

the familiar sound of her pussy squelching and her moans filled her ears with her eyes focused on you, and they never had any plans of leaving whatsoever. she wants you to fuck her backstage before and after every show, to watch your tits bounce and hands grip at her biceps to stabilise yourself.

her back arched off her couch and her eyes roll to the back of her head at the thought, her heart shaped lips open in a moan when she pumps her fingers faster and her cum stains the inside of her jeans. she fucks herself through it, pretending it's you who's doing so. she's had sex with you before, right? she's not creepy for pretending you're fucking her when she looks at naked pictures of you.

later, she's walking through her apartment to reticently reach for the phone to call you for what felt like the most repeated thing she's done this week.

she hears the phone beep before it stops, her heart skipping like a loser at the realisation that you've answered.

"hi." she says over the phone, her voice sounding more sad than she'd ever like. "you haven't been answering my calls."

"i know, i'm sorry i ditched you. going to cancun for work." you explained.

"without me?"

"you can't come. it's for my work."

"i'll see you there. my and my buddies will find you." she spoke, and she knows you know who she is now. she knows you know that you're stuck with her.

[the-s1lly-corner]

Hanging out in the Mansion

Another one!!! Growls@@ im halfway tempted to go look for the old fics and quizzes I used to adore on quotev in middle school

Notes: gn reader, you're a crp, written as non romantic since youre new to the mansion, long post, there will be some character overlap due to "OH x and y hang out together too", very self indulgent, technical part two to the breakfast post

CWs: canon typical violence and death mentions

Characters: slenderman, splendorman, jeff, nina, Jane, masky, hoodie, Toby, Ben, Sally, Eyeless jack, laughing jack

SLENDERMAN

He doesn't really... do much... sure he doesn't outwardly stop you from tagging along with him, but... it kind of feels like a vague tolerance of your existence there in the moment

The only time he really shuts you down and makes you leave is when he goes out into the woods to feed... or when he shuts himself inside his.. office.. space.. at least it looked like an office from the fleeting glimpse you caught through the door before he shut it in your face

But outside of that he tends to... observe the others... sticking to the walls, near the corners

He is... a good listener. At least you think he is. You could tell him anything and he'd cast you no judgement... you wouldn't get any confirmation he was actually paying attention to you until he brings up something you said or liked weeks later

SPLENDORMAN

You can usually find him either keeping Sally entertained or chatting with someone, at least when he's in the mansion! He... actually leaves fairly often for a few hours.. no clue what he does- you haven't quite figured it out or worked up the nerve to ask

But whatever he's doing he's more than happy to let you join him! All you have to do is ask! As far as he's concerned you're already a friend

Though get ready for him to gently and not so subtly pry- asking all sorts of questions to get to know you. Absolute sweetheart even if a little intrusive, if his questions ever tread to more... personal subjects... let him know and he'll drop it in an instant

Always makes sure you're included in any group activities he's in

MASKY

Odds are he's with hoodie, so the three of you are going to be a trio for the day.. you kind of just follow their lead once they're back from doing... whatever it was they were sent out into the woods to do

He doesn't talk much- at most he might respond to you verbally once or twice. It's not that he doesn't like you- he doesn't have any strong feelings for you yet. It's just that he's not very... talky

If you ask bluntly enough he'll show you around the mansion. You already know where the rooms and kitchen are. As well as the living room.. he shows you where other non-bedroom rooms are, as well as the immediate forested area around the mansion

It's... actually a little nice once the quiet tension passes

HOODIE

Great listener, you can talk to him about just about anything. He kind of... nods.. when you trail off and go quiet. You can keep going, he doesn't mind

You're free to tag along behind him as he walks around doing some smaller stuff around the woods. He may not have any assigned work from slenderman at the moment... but sometimes he can't stand just doing nothing

Plus your voice is a nice change from the silence of the woods... also it's a good opportunity for you to get to know the general layout. Landmarks to mentally jot down so you don't get lost

Even if you know sign language he doesn't communicate that much- not much for conversing from his side of things

TICCI TOBY

He mostly hangs out in the living room so going up to him is fairly easy! He's not going to be totally buddy buddy with you off the bat but he's not shut off

If he's in the living room, jeff is there too. And that gets him talking- you're free to hop into the conversation whenever you'd like if you've got something worth while to say

Actually if it goes well you're free to join the two of them just about whenever! He plans on going around the woods tonight to do.. fuck all.. collect rocks, run around, things like that. Maybe the three of you can go out to town and nab some snacks

Only if you're not gonna get them caught of course

JEFF

It's too light outside to go out and do some slashing so in order to kill the time Jeff lounges about the mansion. You're free to join... you seemed cool at breakfast so try not to make yourself look like a total dork

Knife throwing is one of his favorite hobbies when Slenderman isn't breathing down his neck. Throwing the blade decently is a quick way to foster a friendship with him! Though if you suck... maybe he'll be nice enough to give you some tips

He's... a little hot headed... easily agitated. So keep that in mind when interacting with him pre solidified friendship- he's got a shorter fuse for people he doesn't really have a connection to

But other than that he's... oddly chill enough to hang out with. If you impress him he might ask you to come to town with him tonight to pick out some late night stragglers

JANE

She doesn't really spend time around in the common areas or with others. Nina's too much. Jeff is.. Jeff.. She does sometimes play with sally.. lj is too loud and ej returns her blunt and somewhat cold attitude... so she spends a lot of her time either in her room, outside, or in the library

She doesn't own the woods or the mansions library so you're free to join her. Just don't get all up in her business

She at least gives you some attention if you ask something or need something. She won't go out of her way to get you something but she at least gives you instructions

Low social battery, it's best not to pester her too much all at once... slow burn friendship...

More or less instantly shuts you out if she finds out you're also getting buddy buddy with jeff

NINA

Drags you around the mansion- basically pulling you by the arm the entire time. While masky shows you around in silence she's going to be telling you every little detail... even if a lot of the stuff serves no purpose to you

But once that's done and squared away she actually.. just outright asks if you want to go hang out in her room. Maybe listen to music.. watch a movie.. make something-

At least that's assuming she doesn't plant herself in the living room to chat up Jeff and catch up with Toby... or assuming she doesn't get snatched up by Sally to go play some games

Really she kind of drifts around the mansion doing whatever...! Like laughing jack there's a chance you'll be hanging out with someone else if you stick with her!

BEN DROWNED

Odds are he's with Jeff. Sure maybe not physically, but when you're a spirit tied to technology there aren't many windows to step out into the physical world

Oh he WILL make fun of you for throwing up your throws during the knife throwing thing. He will never let you live down a particularly bad throw. Months can pass and he will still bring it up

He doesn't really ask you questions about yourself- at least not the "OH where are you from?" "What do you like?" Ect ect ect ice breaker questions to get to know people... nah... he's more likely to ask if you wanna get your ass handed to you in a game

It's been so long since he's had a new gaming buddy- sometimes having the same shit talk with the same people gets old

SALLY

Well obviously she's going to drag you off to play some games! Odds are she's managed to snag a few others to join you!

It's actually.. really fun... sure it's little kids games- board games, tea parties, pretend. Things like that but who doesn't like innocent fun every now and then?

It also gives you a chance to just.. have a moment of peace. No doubt the transition of moving into the mansion has been hectic

...good luck trying to leave, she's going to get for at least one more game.. and another... and another... playing with splendor and Jane and on occasion ben and nina is fun- but you're fun too it seems!

LAUGHING JACK

Always on his feet- he seems almost incapable of keeping still for very long. Sticking with him leads to you scurrying across nearly the entire mansion and learning just about every inch of it save for any rooms that are off limits

Hes.. open. Chatty and willing to pick you apart to figure out what makes you tick- not in a malicious way to keep you in line... no no no, it's all mostly innocent for him...

He can be a little overstimulating sometimes, though, he talks a lot and he talks loud. Not quite shouting but his talking voice is definitely louder than most... he also moves around. A lot. Not just walking- he emotes a LOT. And laughs... a lot

Hanging out with him often times leads you hanging out with just about everyone for at least a few minutes

EYELESS JACK

He likes to spend his time alone. He doesn't... really enjoy spending time around others. Everyone's either too nosey or too loud. Your best bet at getting close to him is just... letting him take the lead

Small talk is going to be your best friend- slipping in some words in passing whenever you guys run into one another. He's reclusive but he's not outright rude... well... okay he's blunt and sometimes doesn't have tact but he's not going to ignore you if you haven't done anything wrong

It's like trying to befriend a cat. Give him time and let him warm up to you at his own pace. He won't be all over you when he starts seeing you as a friend but overtime those few shared words turn into sentences...

Maybe one day you can convince him to come hang out in your room to watch a show or something

[secretlysamcro]

Female reader x Jax Teller Explicit language, adultery & possible spoilers If you're under the age of 18, haven't finished the show or dislike any of said topics, please read no further.

TILL IT'S GONE PT. 1

It started with the missed calls. Then the texts. one, two, ten.

All left unread.

Jax Teller wasn't the kind of man used to being ignored, and yet for the past week, you've done exactly that.

At first, he brushed it off, maybe you were pissed off, maybe you were just trying to prove a point. But when days passed and you still stayed silent? it started to sink into him.

He knew, he fucked up.

A week of silence. A week since you called him out on his shitty behaviour. A week since you told him you were done being his dirty little secret. But now, he wanted to talk, the guilt eating away at him.

"Fuck off" you hiss to your phone as it continues to ring, then it stops. This time, another text.

Jax: Open the door y/n

You groan in annoyance, you expected this to happen, just not so soon.

Maybe he's finally grown a spine, coming here to end this shit properly or maybe he just wanted to fuck his way out of another mistake.

You unlock the door, yanking it open, keeping all your emotions in check, or so you thought. He stood in the doorway, his kutte hanging loose over his hoodie, looking like he hadn't slept in days. His eyes were dark, like there was too much on his mind, like he was carrying something heavy.

Good.

"You weren't answerin'" he mumbled, his voice rough with something, guilt, anger or maybe a little bit of both.

You roll your eyes, letting the anger lace your words "Maybe take the hint".

Your eyes slide over him. Fuck. he looked good. But that was the problem, he always looked good. Always looked like he gave a shit, even when he didn't.

He took a step closer, but his eyes dropped, like he couldn't bring himself to meet yours.

"You really done with me?" His words hit you harder than he expected and for the first time, he wasn't the confident, cocky Jax teller. He was vulnerable, raw even. Something you didn’t actually expect.

Before you could even open your mouth, he spoke again, cutting through the silence.

"Can we just talk y/n?...please" You could hear it. The desperation in his voice, and you fucking hated it. You didn't want to care, didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much that 'please' fucked with you.

Jax steps into the apartment like he had no place to be, but the moment you shut the door behind him, it was like the world stopped.

His eyes were tired, his shoulders slumped. He wasn't angry, he wasn't anything but broken.

You didn't say anything, just stood there, arms crossed your entire body exhausted from the last week of silence, waiting for him to make a choice.

A choice you knew he was never going to make.

"I never meant to..." He starts, his words clumsy, too slow. He shakes his head, trying again. "I never meant for any of this to happen" He just stood there, hands by his sides, the guy you'd spent so many nights with. The guy you thought you knew, but really, you didn't.

You swallow hard, holding your breath. "Stop, Jax. Just stop" you move across the room, looking out the window, your back now facing him.

"What you said the other day..." he began, looking at the floor as he fidgeted with his hands "Its been playin' on my mind"

You stood there, still refusing to look at him and your body, so fucking tense.

"about you being my escape..." he continued, his voice lowering in tone, like he was testing the waters "I can’t..."

You turn to stare at him, waiting for him to finish because you knew where this was going.

"I cant leave" he says suddenly, his hands rubbing away at his face, the frustration creeping back into his voice.

"I can't leave Tara. I can't leave my boys" He walks closer to you, "I cant turn my back on them just to make this..." he gestures between the two of you "...whatever this is work"

The words stung more than you expected. You knew he had a family. You knew all of this, you knew it was fucked up, but so did he. You knew it would end like this, Jesus Christ, it had to end like this but hearing him admit that it will never be anything more?

Fuck, it hurt.

"Then leave me alone!" you interrupt, your voice raw with frustration, the anger slipping into something deeper, more painful. "Stop draggin' me into your bullshit. Stop calling me, stop texting me"

"You think I don’t know how fucked up this is?" he whispers, moving closer to you, “You think I planned on falling in…” he doesn’t finish his sentence, instead his hands hover just over you, wanting to touch you but before he can make contact, you throw your hands up instinctively, a clear gesture to keep him away.

"Don't" you say, your voice forceful.

He freezes, his fingers barely an inch from you, but the space feels like fucking miles. His breath hitches, his eyes searching yours, trying to figure out what the fuck to do now that you've put this wall up, one he didn't expect.

His face tightens with guilt, and for the first time his eyes are truly meeting yours. He looks vulnerable, lost even. He's breaking in front of you, but still, he won't change his mind. "I don't know how to fix this y/n" the tough exterior he usually wears, starting to slip.

Tears begin to slip down your cheek, you don't even bother wiping them away. "This can't be fixed" its suffocating. The words breaking as they leave your lips.

"I'm sorry" he says, his voice so quiet you almost don't hear it. He steps forward in desperation, his hands shaking as he reaches for yours. His fingers gripping your hands tightly, pulling you towards him,

"I never wanted to hurt you" his voice full of emotion, like he's begging you to understand. He pulls back, but you don't let go. Your grip tightens around his hands, clinging to him as if you're unintentionally trying to make him stay.

No matter how hard you try to hold on, his hand slips from yours, slow and reluctantly, like it's the hardest thing he's ever had to do. You hold on as tight as you can, like you know the moment your hands stop touching, it will all fall apart.

But the truth is, it already has.

He stops just before he gets to the door, his back facing you. For a second, you think he might turn around, but he doesn't. He just stands there frozen, as if he's savouring these last few seconds being in your presence.

You stay stood where you are, your chest heaving up and down, you want to say something, want to tell him to stay, but you know you cant make him choose you.

Jax lets the door slam shut behind him, muffling the sounds of your sobs.

And it’s fucking heart breaking.

He knows he’s messed up, played with your feelings, led you on. And now, just like that…it’s over.

Jax unlocks his front door, the house quiet and dark. Tara’s asleep, the kids both tucked in. He drags himself into the kitchen, exhaustion weighing him down. He collapses into a chair, his body sinking into the wood as he lets out a sigh.

For just a second, he lets himself break. The tears escaping as the guilt, the pain and everything he’s been holding in comes rushing to the surface.

He refuses to let the rest fall. Then, the switch flips. His expression hardens, pushing the emotions deep down where they can’t touch him. His mask is back on, as if nothing even happened.

Both of you, torn apart by something that never should have started.

Photos & gifs used are not mine, only edited to fit the story.

ngl it took a lot for me to not end this in smut and actually do the right thing!!!!! But I did, I’m growing lol

feel free to send in requests! I’m on pause with inbox requests at the moment only because I wanna get some part 2’s finished, but will carry on with them soon 🖤

Jax Teller Masterlist

xoxo secretly samcro

[son-justdont]

okay so here's the update regarding my mom's opinions on catws

she fuckin gets it, dude

i talked about how despite everything hydra does to make him look intimidating, you can see that he's very neutral, sometimes even scared. i showed her this gif:

and she said "it's like he's lost"

we talked about how he's extremely calculating and doesn't react emotionally even in high stress or when he's being bested, like when Natasha fucked up his arm, or even during the face reveal. and she said "because they didn't understand the science of it... the serum enhances everything about the person, and he wasn't bad. that's why they had to work so hard and wipe him so much, because he wouldn't ever actually want to do those things." i couldn't help but smile while she was saying this lmao

she also said: "to me, Steve always seemed... independent. it's almost like Bucky relied on him more than the other way around" which is the most stucky thing she could've ever said. she's so fucking right

she was like "wait, so he pulled him out of the water... and then he just walked away?? so now he's just wandering around... and the longer he stays unfrozen, the more he's going to remember everything"

we can't quite yet watch civil war but we are very excited for it lol

oh, and she loved nick fury and she didn't even know who the fuck he was. i forgot to explain beforehand but she understood pretty quick. and then she was very upset when he "died" as well LOL she said "THEY NEED TO STOP DOING THAT." she hated rumlow immediately as well and i was like yeah that's the correct opinion

now i wanna respond to some of the comments under the cut cuz ive been having such a good time lmao

@bucky-boychik-barnes @impetusofadream HERE U GO (one of them is from a different post where i talked about the same thing lmao)

@ilovemosss i read this post out to my mom including the replies and when i read this one she went "YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!"

@sentowritesstuff @stuckydrewx @partofthefandom @musette22 @rillils @skullfragments

she really thought all these responses were so funny and sweet! i however will not be introducing her to ao3 lmfao. she's no prude but she's pretty shy. i'll have to just relay ideas i find myself, i think. if anyone has any non-M rated recs you think she might like based on what she's said, feel free to send them my way haha

honestly she'd probably enjoy herself but i am probably only be showing her Cap and Bucky related stuff LSKDJF we didn't even watch avengers and i sure as hell am not showing her AoU. i'm basically explaining the relevant information as to what went on in between movies. i was like "natasha is an ex russian spy that was groomed to be as a child. that's basically all you need to know" like i didn't even explain nick fury and she was SO UPSET WHEN HE DIED LMAO

and, i gotta spill the beans, but i haven't seen a marvel movie since the first black panther. yeah that includes IF and EG. i know what happens but my interest in marvel PLUMMETED back then and i never caught up. honestly i'm only back into this stuff because i rewatched jessica jones and then wanted to go through the whole MCU from the beginning, saw CA:TFA, went "oh yeah this was all that i liked," and went all in for them.

i have watched TFatWS and i loved it (it seems like the fandom doesn't though LOL) for what it was, so i'll probably show her that. she is gonna be so so so so so upset regarding steve's choice, just like the rest of us. and i'm not looking forward to it lol. but i'll update when that happens too

i'll have to make a post civil war mom thoughts once that happens haha

[reveryfics]

Under The Influence

Tony Stark x Male Reader

Summary: Tony sends you a drunken text, asking you to pick him up from one of the high end bars.

A/N: Kind of surprised I haven't done anything with Tony among others yet. Requests open.

The fluorescent lights hum above you, a relentless buzz that mirrors the frantic rhythm in your temples. You're hunched over Tony's paperwork, a mountain of neglected forms and reports that seem to multiply with every passing minute. It's late, far too late for a workday, but here you are, shouldering the burden of his procrastination, again. Your eyes strain, the words blurring, when your phone vibrates against the polished surface of the desk.

It's a text from Tony. A single, curt message: "Pick me up. The usual." You recognize the name of the bar instantly, one of those high-end establishments where the drinks are as extravagant as the clientele, and Tony's presence is a regular fixture. A wave of frustration washes over you, a familiar tide of resentment mixed with a weary acceptance. You know what this means. You know the drill.

You fish for a set of keys, the weight of them heavy in your hand. It's one of Tony's cars, a sleek, expensive machine that feels out of place in your grasp. The drive to the bar is a blur, a series of streetlights and passing cars that barely register in your consciousness. Your mind is already occupied with the task ahead, the inevitable cleanup that awaits.

The bar is dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of expensive liquor and perfume. You spot Tony immediately, slumped at the bar, his speech slurred and his eyes glazed. The bartender, a woman with tired eyes and a practiced smile, seems genuinely relieved to see you. She nods, a silent acknowledgment of the routine, as you approach Tony.

"Tony," you say, your voice firm but low. He barely registers your presence, muttering incoherently. You wrap an arm around him, supporting his weight as you guide him out of the bar, his protests a muffled whine against your ear. He's plastered, completely and utterly gone. You manage to steer him into the car, his limbs heavy and uncooperative.

The drive back to his apartment is silent, save for Tony's occasional drunken ramblings. You park the car, help him out, and guide him to his room. The familiar ritual begins. You help him shed his expensive clothes, the stench of alcohol clinging to him like a second skin. It's a routine you've become intimately acquainted with since becoming his assistant. Each time, a new layer of frustration builds, a silent scream trapped within you.

You usher him into the shower, the warm water a temporary reprieve from the haze of intoxication. He protests, his voice a low grumble, but you persist. You wash his hair, his skin, the alcohol-soaked grime of the night. You dress him in clean pajamas, the soft fabric a stark contrast to the disheveled state he was in moments before.

Finally, you guide him to his bed, tucking him in like a child. Just as you turn to leave, his hand shoots out, gripping your wrist with surprising strength. He pulls you down, onto the edge of the bed, his grip tightening.

"You," he mumbles, his voice thick with sleep and alcohol. "You're… good." He starts rambling, a disjointed monologue filled with half-formed thoughts and slurred words. He refers to you as "his assistant," the title a constant reminder of the professional boundary that separates you.

He confesses, in his drunken state, how he feels about you. He speaks of your patience, your efficiency, your unwavering support. He acknowledges your frustration, the silent sighs and exasperated glances you try so hard to conceal. He talks about his drinking, the self-destructive spiral he can't seem to escape. He apologizes, his voice laced with a genuine remorse that catches you off guard. He says he needs you, just to be near him, in any capacity.

You sit there, listening, your heart pounding in your chest. The words are a jumbled mess, but the sentiment is clear. You reach out, your fingers tracing the lines of his face, gently pushing his hair back from his forehead. You play with his hair, the soft strands sliding through your fingers. You sigh, a mixture of relief and trepidation. "Tony," you whisper, your voice barely audible. "I feel the same way."

[askagamedev]

On premium non-lifestyle games: As a success metric for the developer/publisher, how much does playing a game matter compared to purchasing it? If I like a game's premise and decide to buy it, but have no intention to play it any time soon, is my purchase less valuable to them?

In terms of value, a player who buys the game but doesn't play it much is slightly less valuable to the publisher than a player who plays a lot.

The most valuable players are the evangelists, the hard core players who will engage with the community, make content about the game, and serve as volunteer brand ambassadors to the community at large. These are our cosplayers, fan artists, bloggers, youtubers, fan fic authors, and so on. These people not only play the game, but also help encourage others to play the game as well. These players go to conventions and events. This cohort typically comprises less than 1% of all players.

Most regular players fall in the second group, the engaged players. These are players who will play the game regularly, maybe they'll read the patch notes as they drop or engage with new content that appears. Some of them will buy merch. They're the ones who play regularly and keep coming back. They're the primary consumers of the post-launch content. We usually see around 20-40% of players fall into this category.

A good 60-70% or so of players will buy a premium game and quit before finishing it, let alone engaging with post-launch content. We value these players for their contribution, but they don't really factor too much into our post-launch content plans since they have clearly fallen off of the game. We primarily think about how we can convert more of these players to engaged players in future game releases, as well as what these players did engage with in the game and how we might lean more into that. You probably fall into this category.

At the very bottom of this list are the gamers who haven't played the game and comment on social media. We consider how we might sell a future game to them, but they have basically zero effect on our plans for content and very little for sequels because they have no investment in the game other than talking about it.

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[star-lights-up]

okay i started having thoughts earlier. a dangerous thing.

i present to you: an idea. for a cherik she ra au.

🤦‍♀️ i can't tell if a feel like a genius, a crazy person, or a moron.

(EDIT: there is now good art for this AU here)

moving on! details (oh and spoilers for she ra if you haven't watched it sorry):

first off, yes, charles is she-ra. idk the logistics here maybe it's just his family line or he's genderqueer or something (you know, i saw a comic once that had a transmasc main character who found out his family line was a bunch of magical girls and he had to figure out how that factored into his identity because he was a magical girl too like his mom. idk.) in any case. Charles is she ra. interpret how you like it's not plot important.

also just going to point out here that I really, really, really wanted to put erik in the she ra costume (ALSO catboy charles. need I say more?). but his arc???? SO MUCH like catra's i could draw so many parallels here.

So, anyway. Erik and Charles (Erik Applesauce Meowmeow and Charles Happysmile Rainbowfist, if you will. iykyk.) (if you don't please keep reading i'm sorry i'm not crazy those are real names) are living in the Fright Zone on etheria, happily working for the Horde. They're about ~17 ~18 at this point. Secretly, they talk about ruling the horde someday. It's a quiet, silly daydream, but they love it.

Umm it's been a while since i watched the show. actually. so this could be rough.

but Shadow Weaver, who, in this, is Sebastian Shaw... though he'd probably still be called shadow weaver? what was his mutant name? black king? idk how much hordak would like someone with a royalty title working under him but... okay. Anyway, Shaw's really awful, but mostly just to erik. So shaw starts rambling on about giving charles a promotion and leaving Erik and the rest of their team (az, janos, and angel probably) (oh my gosh az can be kyle. this is the best day ever.) and erik hears and gets angry and dejected and climbs up to the top of the fright zone.

which by the way if you haven't watched she ra looks like this:

could not think how to describe this. it's too crazy.

anyways moving on. Charles climbs up after him and reveals that he's stolen a skiff, and they're gonna go out past the fright zone and just take a look around.

Erik, ever the rule breaker, is ecstatic. But when they get out of the fright zone he's like, Charles, let's go to the whispering woods!! and charles is like ERIK NOOO. THAT'S WHERE THE PRINCESSES ARE!

(also just to clarify since like all the x men characters are men 🙄 we are using "princess" as a gender neutral term for this au)

So, of course, Erik is like move over charles and starts piloting the skiff towards the whispering woods.

Charles falls of the skiff when they get in a tussle over the steering wheel (it's not a wheel but it steers the damn thing and i have no clue what to call it so bear with me) and gets lost for a bit. He finds a sword, shining brilliantly and calling out to him. But just as he touches it, he wakes up to Erik shaking him on the shoulders, begging him to wake up.

They're still in the woods, and they've got to get back to the fright zone before shaw notices they're gone and kicks their asses.

But charles can't stop thinking about the sword. he sneaks away again, to look for it.....

but just when he finds it, he's KIDNAPPED!!

BY A PRINCESS!!

Now, i've been going back and forth on who should be glimmer and bow. Because like, charles has a lot of people around him, and honestly? Jubilee or Kurt/Azazel's powers would match glimmer really well. BUT I think his two most significant relationships, outside of Erik, are Raven and Hank. So we'll have them be glimmer and bow, respectively. It does work, raven has the fighter spirit, and in first class she does kinda give off that bubbly but fierce vibe that glimmer has. And bow's always messing with gadgets, just like hank. So. We've got our token straights.

Anyways, Charles is like "shit y'all are EVIL you should not have my sparkly new sword!"

and raven's like "no YOU'RE evil you're a part of the EVIL HORDE"

"who calls us that???"

"EVERYONE!"

And so anyways. They're taking charles back to bright moon, Raven's city that she's the princess of. But it's kinda a long walk and Charles starts blabbing away with hank and well. They figure out that he's kinda nice.

So they go to this town and Charles is trying all this new food and seeing parties and flowers and all sorts of shit for the first time and Hank and Raven are like. Ummmm he's just a kid in a candy store?? Not an evil monster??? wtf???

And meanwhile charles is like "wow life is kinda cool here! maybe princesses aren't actually that bad???"

MEANWHILE back in the fright zone charles has been missing for a few days. Shaw is PISSED and erik is WORRIED and ANGRY. What if Charles is hurt?? what if something happened to him? what if a princess got him??? ....did he abandon erik??

Shaw gives Erik charles's promotion and tells him to go attack a place with his team.

That place ends up being the village charles hank and raven are at.

Charles sees the devastation around him, the innocent villagers being crushed by horde troops, and he realizes this was the upcoming attack. An attack he'd been told was on a crucial military outpost, not a CIVILIAN TOWN. obviously as a nice guy he starts freaking out and feeling totally guilty, but then Erik pops his head out of one of the tanks and is like "CHARLES IS THAT YOU???" and charles is like "ERIK WTF YOURE BLOWING UP PEOPLES HOUSES" and erik's like "I KNOW THEY LET ME DRIVE A TANK!!!"

anyways. They now have their beach divorce moment. Charles begs Erik to leave the horde with him, because what they're doing is wrong. Erik can't believe charles is throwing away their dreams, everything they've worked for their entire lives. The idea that maybe, someday, they'd be running etheria side by side together.

The badge that used to be Charles's but was given to erik by shaw when he got promoted in his place parallels the helmet. Just sayin.

They fight, and part ways. Charles starts trying to help the villagers out, the horde troops keep advancing, Raven uses too much of her powers and then suddenly, Charles sees it: the sword. Calling out to him.

As if something is compelling him, he takes it, raises it, and shouts "for the honor of GRAYSKULL"

and he transforms into A FUCKING PRINCESS!!!!!

I'm thinking, appearance wise, for regular charles we have short first class hair, kinda scrawny age accurate dude, short king. Then She-Ra Charles has apocalypse hair and is totally buff like james mcavoy.

Charles goes back to bright moon with his new allies, his new friends, and pledges his allegiance to the princesses and the rebellion.

So begins years of back and forth fighting between the horde and the rebellion. Charles meets countless new princesses, we've got Sean! Alex! ummmmmmm other people! I'm too tired to think of! they're all princesses!! Also someone needs to be a sailor who sings sea shantys. I don't make the rules.

Oh my god i was on another paragraph but i just want to say that MOIRA has to be a princess omg. We will give her the character development she deserved <3 OH AND EMMA OH MY GOSH!!

OOOOH MAYBE THEY CAN BE SPINNERELLA AND NETOSSA!!! PRINCESS WIVES FOR THE WIN!!!

anyways back to your regularly scheduled programming ranting

Erik is further abused by shaw during this time, constantly told he's not good enough and shit like that. He makes friends with/uses darwin. Darwin is technically a princess but his family sold their power stone or whatever the fuck they're called (basically just big crystals that give each of the different princess family lines their magic.) to the horde when they took over their territory, so he doesn't have powers. Just scorpion claws and a tail. he's lowkey a badass but also super friendly. (if you can't tell, he's scorpia).

At some point there is an alternate reality and time travel (? right?) fuckery that I only vaguely remember. In any case, they accidentally activate this thing that teleports the entire planet of etheria out of the void they've been in since the First Ones were there (the first ones were the first people to settle etheria, they have all these old ruins and writings that nobody can read except charles since he's she ra and she ra is a first one entity. his sword is first one's tech).

As soon as they do, HORDE PRIME catches wind of this and begins his siege on their planet.

It turns out Hordak, the guy in charge of the fright zone (i really can't think of a character for him besides apocalpyse but idk how I feel about that so we're just going to leave it as hordak and horde prime for now.) is a clone of Horde prime who was defective, lost his memory, has been working to teleport etheria out of the void and get to horde prime for like the entirety of his life.... yada yada.

Erik gets taken by horde prime. He's been kinda chillin with Charles and his friends since the whole void debacle and shit went crazy, so they know immediately and charles is like "I can't leave him" and they go back in this First Ones spaceship that they have picked up and named Cerebro (i would love to keep it as darla but alas we're already keeping so many names i need to keep this x men themed somehow) and Charles sneaks in to get Erik. Oh and Raven. She's been kidnapped too. I totally didn't forget this plot point.

Now. I must mention that his She Ra sword (I'm just realizing.... it could be the cerebro sword from krakoa... omg... because cerebro the spaceship and the sword are both first one's tech) was broken in the process of him trying to stop the teleportation. So he is no longer a princess. he has no powers. he is just a military trained 22 year old deeply in love with the antihero.

BUT! ERIK! IS NOT A REGULAR PRISONER!! he's been BRAINWASHED! Horde prime's whole goal is to mind control the entire universe and make them a part of his hive mind, using these chips he's developed. Actually, fuck it, he's apocalpyse. They have the same goal. Imma keep calling him prime tho because it's shorter and easier to spell.

He orders Erik to antagonize/hurt/maybe not kill but slightly maim or at least emotionally break Charles, leaving them alone in his throne room. So ensues the HOTTEST VERSION OF CATRA- wait what who said that. Um. SO ENSUES AN EPIC FIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO BEST FRIENDS.

Erik realizes that the best way to hurt charles? well that's easy. It's to kill himself. So he starts trying to jump off the edge. Charles wrestles him away, pleading with him to stop, to remember himself, to remember that he's good, that he's more than his pain and his anger.

The chip gets damaged, thankfully, in the fight, and Erik begins to come back a little bit. Of course, even though he's weak and a little injured and has just had all sorts of mind fuckery going on he's like "why did you come back for me -- we both know I don't matter!!" because he just wanted charles to stay safe and Charles is like "Erik, you matter to me!"

So they're like, fine! But then prime's clones start closing in on them, and they're pushed to the edge of the platform, and the only way to go is over and they're falling, surely to their deaths-

"for the honor of GRAYSKULL!!"

Charles is She-ra again! new and improved She-ra, being able to summon a sword from no where instead of having to lug that heavy old first one's artifact around!

Hank and the other princesses have rescued Raven and, together, they've blown up prime's computer system on the ship. She ra and Erik skedaddle to Cerebro.

There's this whole long thing involving chips and mnd controlled etherians and a really cute alien cat and all sorts of things. In any case, the main plot is: Apocalypse Prime (cool name huh) is trying to use the magic, restrained to etheria's core and concentrated into a weapon called the heart of etheria, to wipe the universe clean and build civilization as he wants it. Charles, Erik, and crew (by the way charles raven hank and now erik are called the best friends squad. that's not important but it's cute.) begin searching for the failsafe.

Turns out that the failsafe has to be transferred into a living person -- someone to go down and release the energy themself. But no one could survive that.

No one except she ra.

Charles takes the failsafe, much to Erik's dismay.

Since Shaw led them to the failsafe, Erik interprets this as Charles choosing Shaw over him. He runs away from the rebellion with his new alien cat friend, melog. (there's not enough creatures in x men )): no themed name for him)

Anyway, someone, probably hank though technically it's another princess in the original series but hey we can be flexible has made some sort of tech to shut down prime's base of operations (called the Spire) on etheria (currently also connected to his command ship). BUT they need to get close enough to activate it. So they make a plan: the princesses will go to the spire and try to sneak close enough, and they'll fight if they get caught, and charles will go to the heart and activate the failsafe.

What nobody knows is that he's having trouble summoning and staying in his she ra form. But it's fine. Surely, it's nothing to worry about. He has bigger problems -- erik has disappeared and they all have to put up with sebastian shaw and his friends are facing danger and everything's really just gone to hell.

Meanwhile, Erik follows some horde clones on a whim (melog can make them invisible) and he realizes that they're using tech to reach the heart manually, digging into the planet, poisoning it. He has to warn charles. He could die.

He goes back to the rebellion base only to find shaw there. Just shaw, mind you, everyone else is gone.

Shaw begins to patronize him, as usual, but Erik tells him to stfu, that charles is in danger. They go to the heart together. Shaw dies fending off some monster. Shadow weaver gets a redemption arc. Shaw just gets eaten i don't give a fuck.

Erik reaches Charles, but Charles has already been wounded by the monster and infected by horde prime's virus. Erik carries him to the heart, but Charles finds he can't turn into She-ra because of the virus.

It'll work, with or without she ra, but he'll die.

He's fine with making the sacrifice. He realizes that it's neccesary. Erik, however, refuses to leave him, staying with him as he prepares to die.

Charles soon passes out - they're in the heart, they've made it. Erik begs him to hold on. "You've never given up on anything on your life, not even for me, so don't you dare start now!" He's sobbing, the magic is starting to come undone from the planet's core all around them, the failsafe is activating -- Charles is going to die. And he knows, even if Charles doesn't feel the same way, he has to tell him that he loves him.

"Don't you get it? I love you, and I always have!

So please. Don't leave me again."

Charles finally manages to drag himself back to consciousness, surprised at Erik's words. With the last bit of breath he has, he manages to whisper. "You... love me?" Erik nods, tears streaming down his face.

"I love you too." Charles, weakly, tugs Erik down for a kiss.

and with the POWER OF LOVE he turns into she ra!!!!!!!!!

The heart is deactivated, prime's ship and spire are exploded, and Etheria is returned to its full, magical glory, something it hasn't been since the first ones arrived.

Together, Erik and Charles find their way to Hank and Raven. The four friends face their world together, looking at the beauty they've helped to protect and restore.

They've done it.

....i was way to invested in this wasn't i. sheesh i have been writing for like an hour and half now.

[solar-sparky]

Surprise!

You guys finally get a little bit of my character's lore/story!

I wanted to do something simple to start, just how my Neo 3 meets their roommate.

(I haven't written something in like 2 years, so my apologies if anything is amiss. I reread multiple times and sometimes I still do not catch stuff :')

Another grueling shift at Grizzco, it’s really nothing new for Harper. At such a high EVP rank they are tasked with handling the most dangerous sightings of Salmonids. It's not a job a person would willingly take, but sometimes you need to do whatever you can to get by.

“Nice work today Harper!” It was one of their coworkers from today's shift calling from across the locker room, waving with a grin on their face. They were just about finished with changing out of their uniform.

“Thanks.” Harper sighed as they took off their boots to hang up on the drying rack. They weren't one for talking, especially not with anyone at Grizzco. It's not that they don’t like anyone, it's just a shady business and people go missing all the time. Your next shift might be your last, it's best not to get close to anyone.

“Never expected to see Grillers today. Man those little guys were everywhere, huh?” Harper let out a small grunt in acknowledgement. The coworker approaches them, “Hey man if you want, me and the others are gonna go out tonight, you want to tag along?” They were neatly folding up all the chords that hook up to the harness of their suit.

Harper was busy wiping off their hardhat, they quickly glanced up at the inkling standing in front of them, “Ah… I’ve got stuff to do tonight, thanks though.” Their speech falling into a mumble.

“Alright, if you need anything or want to do anything I’m always down too!” The Inkling headed back towards their open locker to finish up and head out. They seem kind but it’s hard to tell if they understand the dangers of what they are doing. “‘Cya!”

Harper sent them off with a single wave of their hand.

~~

Trading in the capsules was always interesting. The slight bit of randomness of bonuses made it fun, but the guaranteed pay was always there. This time it was decent, enough for rent and the usual groceries, plus a couple of concession stand tickets to sell off for a small bit of extra cash. Harper hopes to find a better job soon, maybe even move out of their cramped apartment. Anything extra will go a long way.

As they exit the building, the light from the setting sun hits Harper's eyes. The dim lighting of the Grizzco building is always a stark contrast to the outside no matter what time of sunlight it is. You know, at least the city air was much better than the stench of the Salmonid zones. Before they head back to their place, they have to stop by the community bulletin board to see if any tabs have been ripped off their roommate vacancy poster. It has only been a few days since posting it, but not a single bite.

Walking closer to the board, they notice an Octoling, tall and well-built, standing at the board, squinting at each posting, using their finger to follow along.

I’ve never seen this guy around before… As Harper draws closer, they can see them mouthing some of the words on the posters.

“Hey,” Harper speaks up,  “do you need somethin’?”

Parts of their tentacles spike up at Harper's voice, the stranger swiftly turns around towards them, staring wide-eyed like a startled creature. Harper asks again, “Hey if you’re done here, I need to check my… paper?” Before they could squeeze by, the blue Octoling grabs Harper’s paper off the board and starts reading it out.

“Looking for... roommate…” Their pronunciation was not good to put it lightly, definitely someone from out of town. They slowly lower the paper down, their yellow eyes looking from over the poster back down at Harper.

“Well?” Harper shrugged with an annoyed expression on their face, they don't really have the time for this, “I need to know if you are interested or not cause I~” Another set of yellow eyes, this time much bigger, appear from behind the Octolings legs, grabbing Harper's attention. It was a smallfry of a Stinger class Salmonid, peering up at them. 

“~I think we should go. We’ll talk about it, okay?” Harper frantically grabs the Octoling by the arm and starts pulling them away quickly, the smallfry following behind jumps up onto the Octoling.

~~

I think I have a pretty good idea at what this guys deal is; Not fluent in Inklish, followed by a salmon? They're probably from that area near Spawning Grounds. Harper and this strange Octoling had been walking down the streets in silence for a couple of minutes. The Octoling was looking at almost everything, they were in awe at the city's tall buildings, busy streets, and the amount of residents that live here in Splatsville. Each place that caught their eye, they would stop and look at for a bit before rushing to catch back up to Harper. Maybe the sounds of chatter, cars, planes and the above head monorail were a bit much for them, but nonetheless they seemed to be enjoying themselves on this walk. 

“Uhmm… Nice. Uhh, s-sky today?” Breaking the silence between the two, the Octoling stutters, fidgeting with their hands and eyes wandering. Seems like they only know a few words in Inklish but not even close to enough for a proper sentence. “You uhmm, like…” Their sentence trails off as they begin to mutter in a different language.

Salmonid! Well that makes it much easier. From their time at Grizzco they’ve heard and learned how to speak Salmonid. It isn't required at all to work but you can listen to conversations to know what plan of action to expect next, giving you and your teammates the advantage. The Octoling begins to open their mouth, but before they can say anything, Harper clears their throat and cuts them off, “You don’t need to do that.”

“You speak Salmonid?” Once again surprised, the Octoling this time slowly turns their head to face Harper.

“‘Picked it up, yeah.” Harper says with a shrug and a roll of their eyes. Salmonid was extremely different in comparison to Inklish, if it's not your first language then it is very hard to learn.

The Octoling breathes a deep sigh of relief, they didn't have to fumble around with their words. “Oh thank Coho, no one else around here can understand let alone speak my language!” Their voice is rough and loud but shows a lot of emotion. They seem very excited at Harper’s ability to speak Salmonid. “Your pronunciation seems great but I can tell it's not your first language.”

“So, why are you here?” Harper asks as the two continue their walk down the street.

“Ah my mother told me that I must find people like myself, so I was curious. We spotted this city on the horizon and crossed part of the desert to get here. We got here 2 days ago?” They look over at their Salmonid companion who nods in agreement. “Yeah, 2 days ago. Haven't been in this part of town though.”

Crossing the desert from the sea to the city is no easy feat, and this Octoling did it in nothing but the wraps on their feet. A bit taken aback by this fact Harper asks another question, “How did you end up near that orange building?”

“Smelt like home! Soap here darted straight for it.” The Salmonid smiles and bows their head in shyness.

Harper pauses their walk and shakes their head, “‘Smelt like home-’? Just don't go near that building, okay?” their ears point backwards in anxiousness.

The Octoling looks puzzled, “Why not?”

I don't think they’ve seen any Grizzco workers before, otherwise they might’ve known. “Ehhh you wouldn't like it, especially them, Soap or whatever.” Harper gestures towards the small Salmonid sitting on the Octolings shoulder, it waves in response. They continue onward through a thin alleyway and the Octoling jogs to catch up with them.

“Oh my apologies, do you want my name?” The Octoling says from behind.

“Shoot.”

“My name is ‘The Octopus Who Listens to Crickets Chirp’, but you can just call me Cricket.” Cricket holds out their hand with a grin on their face, the fangs of their beak sticking over their lips on either side, one pointing up, the other pointing down.

Not from around Spawning Grounds, they're actually from a school… Harper slowly reaches out their hand almost hesitantly and shakes Crickets hand. “... Harper.”

“Well Cricket, I don't know if you understood anything I said before but I am looking for a roommate. Do you need a place to stay or…” Harper tilts their head towards the apartment building from across a courtyard filled with grass patches and walkways.

“Ahh that's what that sign was for!” Cricket laughs a bit, “I haven't been under a roof in a couple days so sure!”

About a 15 minute walk from the Grizzco building, the apartment that Harper lives in is found in a more quiet part of Splatsville, away from the main hub at least. The building itself isn't new but it's not too old either, it's well kept. Walking up the stairwell, Cricket was still looking around with curiosity even though it's just a room with light grey walls and stairs. Harper’s room is on the 4th floor, not the top floor but fairly close. Harper pulls out their lanyard with their keys and unlocks the door.

“Here we are, it's not much but- Oh watch for Crumb.” A small yellow blob making a noise sounding like a mix of chirping and purring approaches the front door. It was Harper's sea slug, who was always excited when Harper returned home. Cricket picks up the creature, holding it out in front of them. It squirms out of its grip and runs up their arm to their shoulder and presses its face against Crickets. 

“Yeah, uhmm, it's not much but it's enough.” Harper takes off their hat and shoves it into the sleeve of their jacket. “If you can wait for a bit, I can get dinner ready.” Harper flicks on the light switch revealing a small apartment room.

Crumb was still rubbing its face on Crickets, “That would be handy.” 

They finally pick up Crumb and place it on the ground where it continues to brush up against Cricket's legs. Harper looks down at it with a somber smile. It follows Cricket as they walk out of the entryway.

“You can just- Yeah.” Not having much in terms of outside wear, Cricket begins to explore the apartment; A living space to the right of the entry hall with a very shallow balcony outside, a large L-shaped couch takes up a lot of space and is used as a sort of barrier to create a room. A small flat screen TV stands on a unit containing cases for DVDs and a few older looking electronics with one fairly new looking game console placed right underneath the TV. The kitchen was across the way from the living space with the usual amenities and a small bar-like seating area. From there, there is a hallway leading to 3 other rooms, one of which, Cricket watched Harper disappear into.

Cricket could get used to this, they didn’t really have this kind of living space before. While it was much smaller than their families living quarters due in part to not having to share with huge fish, this one felt cozy and well lived in.

~~

A couple minutes later, Harper begins to make dinner. “Anything to drink?” They ask Cricket who was sitting on the other side of the counter, messing around with a bowl and some packets.

“Water is fine for me.” Without another word Harper begins to fill two glasses with water from their water filter. It was quiet, aside from the sound of a bubbling kettle. With a click, the rumbling starts to fade. 

“I’ve noticed that your storage cabinet is full of these strange bowls, you don't eat these every day do you?” Cricket asks with a concerned frown on their face as Harper starts to pour in the hot water into the bowl of dried noodles and powder. They place a plate upside down to cover the top of the bowl.

“Well they are quick and easy, and I like them so yeah, most days.” Harper begins to do the same with their own bowl of noodles, packets, then water, then cover.

Cricket slams their fist on the counter top and snaps their fingers, “That must be why you look sickly!” Harper does a near spit take, instead choking on their water due to Cricket’s sudden connection. “Where are your essential food groups? Any vegetables and meats?”

Very caught off guard, Harper is still coughing, “Uhm-” they finally clear their throat but still speak in a wince, “Excuse me, it’s expensive.”

“Huh, can you not just grow it?” Cricket asks as they watch Harper take another drink from their glass to try and clear their throat more.

“That would be even more expensive and take time and I don't really have that.”

“I see...” Cricket sounded a bit defeated. Food was important, almost sacred to them and the first person they can talk to has a problem with acquiring healthy ingredients? They had to do something about it. Harper looks over at them, Cricket was clearly thinking about something by the look on their face.

When the noodles were ready, the two ate in relative silence, Cricket occasionally chiming in with something to say. It was different for Harper, their past roommate didn't talk much, as such they grew accustomed to the silence. It was nice to hear someone else's voice though and Cricket seemed like the kinda guy you find at a bar and have a really nice conversation with then never see again, but they’d be seeing them everyday now. Despite their comment earlier, they are very polite and well-mannered. It was a nice change of pace for Harper and they could definitely get used to it.

~~

The next morning, around 8am, Harper woke up early to an unusually pleasant smell. Perhaps it was just from some food shop down the street but, no, it doesn't smell this good unless there’s splatfest prep going on. Harper rolls over to see that the bed across the room was empty, Cricket was nowhere to be seen. It didn’t concern them too much however, they probably just got up earlier than them. As Harper sat up, Crumb crawled on over to greet Harper good morning as they stretched.

Stepping out of the bedroom the smell was even stronger. Harper stumbled over to the kitchen as at this point it was the only place for the source of this smell. 

Well there was Cricket, humming to themselves as they stood over the stove. Soap was on the counter bringing over an egg to Cricket.

Harper stood across from the counter flabbergasted, they rubbed their eyes both in tiredness and to check if they were seeing correctly. “What are you doing?! Did you use my stuff?”

Cricket turned around still holding the pan over the burner. “Not at all! You barely had anything anyways.” They teased while waving a spatula around, their voice was too loud and energetic for the morning.

Harper looked around the kitchen a bit more, there were three bowls filled with rice, one being smaller. On top of the rice that was already sprinkled with seaweed and sesame seeds, each serving had some perfectly fried canned meat slices. Harper started rubbing their face in shock, “Then where did you- How.”

“Ah! I woke up much earlier than you so I went for a walk. I noticed that some old folks at a market down the street needed some help with some crates,” Cricket continued as they walked over to put a fried egg in each bowl, “so I offered to help them and they gave me some stuff!”

Putting the pan into the sink to wash later, Cricket grabs the bowls and places them on the bar counter which was already set with condiments and other toppings that Soap presumably set up. 

“Well, do you want some or not?” Cricket points the spatula at Harper before placing it in the sink.

Harper stood there speechless, their mouth open. They sat down on one of the bar stools and brought a bowl and pair of chopsticks closer to them. Cricket gives them a smile before walking around to the other side to join Harper in breakfast. Cricket gives their thanks before eating. Harper breaks the egg’s yolk and lets it seep into the rice, they take a piece of the egg, some rice and some of the meat.

“It's… Good.” Harper's eyes widen, it's really good in fact everything is cooked and seasoned perfectly, that and Harper hasn't had a good home cooked meal in a while. Their usual breakfast just consists of either toast or cereal.

“Mmm, I’m glad! Learned from only the best!” Cricket grins, their mouth partially full of food, they weren’t expecting Harper to say anything.

Of course this tastes good, this guy was raised by Salmonids. Harper thought. It was nice to share a genuine meal with someone again after a while. They’ve only known Cricket for less than a day, but they’ve already grown to really appreciate them. Even though Harper is also a stranger to them, Cricket just treats them like a friend they’ve known for years.

Harper pulls out their phone from their pocket to check the time. “Oh I’ll take the leftovers with me to work,” Harper stands up and brings the bowl over to the other side of the counter, “Thanks.” Cricket was still eating their bowl, so was Soap. Harper would love to stay around to finish but it was getting closer to their clock-in time.

“Don’t worry, I’ll clean up when we’re done.” Cricket says. Harper puts their extras into a container, and quickly feeds Crumb before they leave.

As they finished packing up their stuff for the day and while putting on their jacket, Harper asks Cricket one more thing, “Do you want to make dinner?” They sound shy in their request.

Once again caught off guard by Harper’s question, “Of course!” Cricket excitedly says.

Harper smiles at them before they shut the front door and head off to work.

[osarina]

carinaaaa what is omegazai like during his heat? is he whiny n clingy? does he try to hide or suppress them?

AMIRA I FREAKING LOVE U THANK U FOR INDULGING MY OMEGAZAI THOUGHTS I OWE U MY LIFE <333

so i talked about before how i think dazai's heats would be very sporadic and unpredictable. they're not on like a schedule because he suppressed them for so long that it fucked up his body. i think it would take a while honestly for him to STOP suppressing them even once he meets his partner. it's only once ur like ? u literally haven't had a single heat since we've met ? i know ur an omega ? and he tries to blow it off but eventually u get it out of him that he's literally been suppressing them since he presented and u are naturally appalled. after MUCH arguing u finally convince him to stop suppressing them and u'd help him through it. his first heat is NOT pretty -- like he's so sensitive that he's pretty much just in straight up pain the whole time, too sensitive to handle any touching, but obviously his body is craving it so it's just a bad time all around. u pretty much just spend days hovering trying to keep him comfortable and be there for him and he's bitter and miserable once he comes out from it and refuses to go thru that again. u then have to convince him that this was the worst of it and each one will get easier.

i think it would take like 4-5 for his heats to be like SEMI normal. still highly sporadic and unpredictable, but he's not as awfully sensitive anymore, much more like the average omega's heat. i don't think he would have much of a warning to them coming on - like he has MAYBE an hour when he starts feeling the symptoms to when he'll be totally out of it. very much inconvenient when it comes to long missions LOL.

but for general behavior, i do think that once his heats become more normal, he becomes way more clingy during his heats. i think at first he'll start to try to maintain some semblence of control, even when he trusts you just because he hates the lack of control over himself that his heat causes. but once he's really under the effects of it, he just CANNOT handle any form of separation LOL very clingy, very whiny, and is always somehow just coherent enough to pull the 'you're the reason im even going through this' if you ever have the audacity to try to deny him anything while he's in heat. he takes it as a personal attack if you try take any of your clothes from his next, which mind you is literally ALL of your clothes except the ones on your back, and even then he'll get bitchy about wanting those too. he honestly just really wants to be spoiled - he wants to be spoiled both in and out of heat but when he's not in heat, he's conscious enough to think he doesn't deserve anything like that, and when he's in heat, he's too out of it to think about what he does or doesn't deserve.

directly after his heat is terrible LOL - he's miserable and will withdraw for days

[dreamsofbroflovski]

Okay one, when Butters is super horny and it's just you two he'll hump your leg without realizing it and two can we have HCS of the main 4 + Butters with a reader that doesn't finish easily cuz they're on antidepressants? U don't gotta go into detail but it's a similar thing that I struggle with :3/nf

- 🐣 anon

 #1 - ABSOLUTELY. In your sleep too...

 #2 - Here it is! Hope I did it justice. I might've been a bit too honest about how I see these people. was it made clear i have a favourite? no?

Also, for the people that have sent me asks with requests and stuff: I did not yeet them into the void. I try to do the most I can, so if I haven't gotten to your ask yet, it's very likely I'm holding onto it because I either need another request done first (I guess y'all have noticed how slow I am) or need to converse with my three brain cells (which only awaken in a very specific planetary position) before I can actually write it.

MAIN 4 + BUTTERS HEADCANONS - ANORGASMIC READER

𓆩♡𓆪 STAN MARSH

Eeeeh… Well, sorry. But the very first thing this dude will do is blame himself.

After your first time together when he cums and realizes you didn’t, it’s an automatic shift in the mood from chill and sexy to absolutely dark. He fully sulks, thinking he’s the most selfish motherfucker on the planet, that you’re definitely going to leave him and you should because he doesn’t deserve you.

Which then makes it a shock when you actually explain to him what’s going on - it involves you opening up about some rather personal subjects, and he pays close attention to every word, slowly feeling even worse for making your problems about himself. Out of nowhere, it turns into the both of you butt naked talking about life.

You bond over something. He drowns himself in alcohol to escape his own depression, right? Alcohol can cause erectile dysfunction. At first he didn’t imagine his problem could be similar to yours - but, even if it’s not the same thing, he feels a bit… seen, in a way. Less ashamed of himself.

The concept of things maybe getting a bit more difficult moving on scares him a little bit, no doubt. Like, what if he ends up doing wrong by you and then it really becomes his fault? But he’s suddenly determined to not let something like this get in the way of your relationship - so he pushes through it, and you two end up emotionally closer as a result since you decide to face your problems together.

𓆩♡𓆪 KYLE BROFLOVSKI

The smartest about it. i love him so much i married him 3 times already actually

This is the type of knowledge he’d have even if he doesn’t take antidepressants himself. So, once he finds out you do (either by you outright telling him or by him noticing something around your house), the dots connect in his mind instantly.

So he knows the issue isn’t with either of you, rather it’s a side effect like all medications have, albeit a very bothersome one.

And what do we do with problems? We sort ‘em out. So this guy is doing research and reading scientific articles to try and approach it from a practical sense for you, especially if you’re getting in your head about it, he’s showing you actual information to drill into your head that it is normal.

To be real with you, I think that, in general, Kyle’s one of those people that heavily subscribes to the notion that ‘sex is more about connection and both parties feeling good rather than orgasms’. So he’d have your back in that regard, remind you of it often, and keep that philosophy whenever you two are together. i’m marrying him a 4th time right now

Extra little fact: He’s read through the medicine information leaflet for your medication like a dozen times to figure out everything that it does and any potential other side effects. And probably cornered himself into an anxiety attack of his own by doing so, tbh.

𓆩♡𓆪 ERIC CARTMAN

sighs I’m holding onto the hands of all the Cartman wives right now. But y’all knew what you were in for when you chose the hellspawn. And he’d by far be the hardest to come to an understanding with.

He wouldn’t comprehend it at all. Like, surely this couldn’t be a problem with him (and, for once in his life, he’s right on that!), right? He’s amazing! So that leaves out the other half of the equation, which is you, and he’s sure that’s where the ‘problem’ lies.

It’s entirely possible that you two might even fight over it. He feels a bit threatened by the prospect of there being an inadequacy in your relationship, and so he gets defensive.

Once he gives it a Google search and finds out it’s actually something that happens, though, boy does he regret arguing. And then you get something that you probably should’ve recorded because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime affair: an honest to God apology, complete with flowers on your doorstep, from Eric Cartman.

He ends up having to re-learn a lot of his preconceived notions about sex. A lot of newfound understanding about orgasms not being the end-all-be-all of the deal, and learning different ways to bring you pleasure, physically and mentally. But we know how he gets when he sets his mind to something, and he does deliver on that regard. Cartman growth arc what do you know

If he does make you cum, though? No one is ever hearing the end of it. So so smug.

𓆩♡𓆪 KENNY MCCORMICK

At first, this idiot sees it as a challenge. Like you’re being bratty or testing him out or something - which he’s down for.

But then he goes serious immediately when you explain what actually is going on, and he does apologize. It is all a little bit confusing in his mind, to be fair - for him, arousal and sex are the only actual easy things in life, so this feels out of left field to him. 

Honestly? It would take a bit of explaining to him that your situation is a side effect from medicine. I feel like his household is one where the concept of depression is spoken of as ‘laziness’, so his knowledge about the subject is zero when you first talk.

He’s willing to make amends, though. He does provide a lot of emotional support - in the usual Kenny way; there’s a lot of non-sexual touching involved - and makes sure you understand that it’s not gonna be a problem for him and that he doesn’t think less of you for that at all despite his initial misunderstanding.

And from then on, whenever you two meet for that, he’s a man prepared for battle. Sex toys, lube, water and snacks to replenish energy, anything he can possibly try on you to bring you that pleasure. And if still by the end of the ordeal you don’t finish at all, he’s gonna have made sure you felt good. 

𓆩♡𓆪 LEOPOLD ‘BUTTERS’ STOTCH

So sweet it gave me a cavity, as usual. 

Does blame himself a bit as well at first, but doesn’t get in his head nearly as much as Stan would. It just takes a little bit of talking and that sadness gets quickly replaced by legitimate concern.

Another guy who wouldn’t understand antidepressants very well because his parents would’ve probably given him the belt if he even thought about saying he was depressed. He’s a fast learner, though; the explanation amps up his concerns for you a bit, but it also brings him back to his regularly scheduled programming, which is…

You get absolutely smothered with support and reassurance. He’s not gonna let you feel bad about a single thing if he can avoid it; so if you have any insecurities in that regard, he’s helping get rid of them with loving words and a little bit of careful insight he’s picked up from his limited understanding of the matter.

He’s eager to go through with any possible suggestion to sort things out and make things better for you. Different positions, actions, or sex toys? Why not! Sex therapy? He has no idea what it actually entails, but sure, go right on. He needs you comfortable first and foremost, whatever shape that takes.

Dividers by @cafekitsune

[taweretsdagger]

"we can use a mirror, kate can hold it"

lost's tragic, (probably) autistic doctors: part two. this time with some fraught gender dynamics!

so it turns out once you start reading jack and juliet as autistic, you can't turn it off. it takes over your whole life and suddenly your mind is just a big cork board with a bunch of red thread and push pins. and in the center of the chaos is the following image:

this is part two (of three... probably, hopefully only three!) of my jack and juliet analysis series. if you haven't read part one of this analysis, you can find it here!

in this post, i'll focus on autistic traits which present differently in each of them and discuss how gender may be contributing to those differences. but before we get into all that, i want to spend a moment (maybe two) talking about food.

food, autism, and gender

the grilled cheese above is something of a celebrity in this series--it's what links juliet to jack the first time we see them interact. food in general is an important part of their relationship while jack is being held prisoner, since juliet is tasked with delivering his meals. by a few episodes into s3, the two of them have become friendly and familiar as a result of these interactions. juliet brings jack a cheeseburger, and climbs up to sit on the table in his cell while she jokes about making the whole thing from scratch. it's an adorable exchange, and a far cry from jack attacking juliet at the start of s3.

after juliet is taken prisoner by the others for killing danny, we see jack complain when tom brings him a sandwich (because juliet used to be the one to bring his food). later in the episode, she does so once again, and jack treats her brand with an aloe plant--another sweet moment, which ends with him promising that they'll make sure ben lets them leave the island.

i started this post with this topic because the motif of food and nourishment displays both the autism and gender stuff between jack and juliet really succinctly. getting enough to eat is a common challenge for autistic people--sensory sensitivities can make certain foods or preparation methods intolerable, and it's common for autistic people to eat the same few meals over and over again and/or be particular or "picky" eaters. it would make sense for two autistic people engaged in some serious hero-savior/captor-prisoner projection to bond quickly over meals and food preferences.

in the first part of this analysis, i mentioned differences in how jack and juliet are positioned among their respective societies. let's go back to that. both characters are (gifted, brilliant) doctors, but we are first introduced to juliet in a domestic/support role, and will continue to see her portrayed as the designated "food delivery other," as well as a sidekick to ben's various plans and antics.

there are certainly narrative reasons for these choices, but it is a notable role for the single doctor among an isolated society to play. especially so when compared to how infrequently we see jack interacting with the crash survivors' food systems such as fishing, hunting, and gardening (or being positioned as a supporting character in any sense).

along the same lines of how two doctors might be positioned in their societies based (in part) on their gender, the same autistic traits or tendencies can present differently in two people depending on their specific personal experiences and identities, gender included. we do live in a society, after all!

here are a few signs of autism we'll examine more specifically in jack and juliet using this lens:

stimming/sensory processing issues

masking (and not masking)

meltdowns and associated coping mechanisms

some info that's relevant to discussion of each of these traits is that autistic behaviors are likely to be "toned down"/experienced more internally in (cis) girls as compared to (cis) boys. more than anything, it's suspected this is due to patriarchal expectations of how girls should behave in childhood. it also contributes to the under-diagnosis of girls with autism (and other forms of neurodivergence), since they are more likely to experience punishment for these traits and may learn to hide them as a result.

stimming:

in jack's case, i'd argue drug/alcohol use is the most salient example of stimming. substances are commonly used as a sensory-seeking behavior, and something we specifically see jack turn to when a situation is out of his control (more on his control issues later).

the one example that's front of mind for me with juliet is the shot of her waiting to talk to ed, where the camera zooms in on her hands and she's tugging at her fingers. but as the shot pans up, we see that her expression is neutral and placid. this is a much less overt example of stimming as compared to jack's, which could tie in the gender dynamic stuff i mentioned earlier.

masking:

as alluded to above, autistic girls are often high-masking, especially if they are punished for displaying behaviors which might be tolerated to a greater degree among boys. i think one area we see differences in jack and juliet's use of masking is in their respective bedside manners with patients.

it's a running joke that this isn't a strength of jack's (though i don't think his bedside manner is as bad as it's made out to be). meanwhile, we see juliet interact very comfortably with sun when giving her an ultrasound, both in s3 (when there's still a LOT of distrust between them) and in s6. being a healthcare worker is emotionally demanding for anyone, but the expectations on women working in this field to perform emotional labor are likely to be higher, based on patriarchal ideas of women being "natural" nurturers.

we also watch juliet actively mask in her very first scene on the show, when she is on the edge of crying and quickly pulls herself together to get ready for book club. yet she's still clearly *struggling* to keep it together throughout the rest of that scene--burning her hand on the muffin pan and responding irritably to adam, only really coming into her own once the plane crash causes something like an earthquake in the barracks and she jumps into emergency response mode.

meltdowns:

like with stimming, we have a lot more data available with jack than we do juliet, and this fact can be interpreted as evidence of gender influencing their specific presentations of autism in and of itself. (however, i do think there's more to juliet than meets the eye when it comes to meltdowns.)

jack has a LOT of emotional outbursts, usually when things are out of his control. he definitely has issues with anger, and expresses it inappropriately often. confronting christian at an AA meeting, blowing up at sarah/kate/cindy/etc. even over small things, the way he treats locke and sawyer during disagreements... i'm sure there are more examples. in addition to his substance use, i think jack's need to be in control and have all the answers are things he uses to help regulate himself and avoid going into a full meltdown. which works sometimes, and other times not.

so, moving to juliet. we do see her have emotional outbursts and use violence, but the way these behaviors occur in her is much different to me from how we see them in jack. i think juliet's meltdowns are more internalized, usually presenting as self-destruction that's driven by her morbid curiosity, her abandonment issues, or both.

when things start getting out of hand--again, even in small ways--juliet has a tendency to dive in headfirst, even if doing so puts her in harm's way. i always think of her chugging the juice richard gives her (not to mention the BOMB, which i'll hold off on discussing until we get to part three), but there are also several examples where juliet's fear of being abandoned makes her push people away before they can leave themselves. she says as much to jack before they kiss outside the tempest (though at that time she has ben available as a very reasonable excuse), giving us yet another example of these characters being receptacles for the other to project their issues and desires onto.

season 4 and the bootleg appendectomy

okay, let's pick up the story where we left off in part one!

in general, the dynamic between jack and juliet is positive throughout most of s4. we see juliet operating like a co-leader of the group that stays with jack on the beach; she is armed basically the whole season and regularly goes on expeditions to find/direct/check up on people, both other beach crew members as well the new "outsider" threats of daniel and charlotte.

however, despite the two getting along well on the surface, juliet and jack are on opposite development trajectories throughout the season. i mentioned juliet continuing to grow as a community member and leader among the survivors; on the other hand, jack starts out s4 pointing a gun at locke and pulling the trigger. that act, coupled with the final fracture of the survivors' group (in a BRILLIANT scene, in the dark, in the rain, RIGHT BESIDE the oceanic 815 wreckage!!!), shows that we have left behind jack's "live together" era and entered his "die alone" one.

let's close out this part by discussing the appendectomy, as this clearly shows the schism in jack and juliet's respective arcs. it's a really important event between them, not the least because jack 100% would have died had juliet not been there or not been capable of performing the operation.

in part one, i described viewing jack and juliet's relationship like two mirrors reflecting against each other. i'm going to follow that metaphor here (and will continue to do so in part three of this analysis), since it helps show that the two are no longer in sync by the back half of s4.

the appendicitis development is, of course, a nightmare for jack's control issues. but, one might think he'd be able to let go of these since juliet is a doctor who has performed quite a few appendectomies. sure, she's not a surgeon; sure, it's not ideal. but i think jack's reaction displays his misogyny just as much as it does his need to be in control, since he goes to extreme lengths to make clear he doesn't trust juliet to get the job done.

demanding to be awake during abdominal surgery is ludicrous enough. specifically demanding that someone *without medical training* be present to hold a mirror so you can watch the surgery is a degree of absurdity only jack shephard could bring to the situation. and i mean, how significant i personally find this demand might already be clear based on the title of this post, but through his inability to trust juliet, jack literally projects out the mirroring camaraderie he and juliet have previously experienced onto kate!! (gahhhh, it's just so so good!)

at first juliet goes along with jack's demands, but after it becomes clear she won't be able to perform the procedure successfully with him awake, her growth as a leader is made clear to us. juliet stands up to jack, orders bernard to knock him out, and orders kate to leave. she pulls it all off expertly--no self-destruction on her part, no one gets hurt, nor are there any gratuitous displays of anger/aggression. everything goes smoothly, as soon as juliet steps up.

as if that's not enough, we then see her make amends with kate and open up about her kiss with jack (knowing jack is awake, basically playing matchmaker between them). it's very similar to when jack lets go of kate at the end of s3, but in juliet's case it's a step forward we actually see her follow through on.

like their positions among their societies and the autistic traits discussed in this post, juliet's approach to leadership is markedly different from the one we typically see jack take. this idea comes back around in the leadership struggle between jack and sawyer later on in s5, and it would makes sense for both juliet and sawyer to have strategies that are disparate from jack's, and/or that sawyer relies on juliet as an advisor/comrade in his position of leadership among the dharma initiative.

(hey, is anyone else consumed by the symbolism of juliet taking out jack's appendix? a vestigial organ that's part of the digestive system? one he doesn't need anymore, because his ancestors evolved to cook their food and prepare it in more palatable, digestible ways?? anyway, i think i'm gonna make a grilled cheese for lunch.)

i will see you all back in the meta-analysis verse for jack and juliet part three: bomb and death edition! <3 :')

[muirmarie]

Her hand is soft and warm as it settles against the back of his neck, but her eyes are dark and determined, and he thinks, helplessly, of that steel core in her that he's always admired. He'd admired it from a distance at the Academy, but as the years passed and they'd grown closer, it was something he could always look to to shore up his resolve—thinks, sometimes—hopes—that she looks for the same in him.

They've talked about it before, late at night, whatever celebration that had originally drawn them together having long dwindled away, the two of them gravitating together as they so often do: they've talked about being the people others look to to keep them together.

Jim and Spock, they'll rush headlong into danger.

The two of them, she'd said once, her and Leonard, they walk right into it, eyes wide open.

Her eyes are open now, aren't they, open and boring into him, begging him to understand. He doesn't, can't even begin to know what she wants from him, but he hopes she knows he'll still follow her lead. Follow her anywhere, he thinks.

She'd certainly be a better leader than he was, since he's the reason the two of them were taken, him and his goddamn need to—

But they've fought about that already, haven't they. Haven't they had that fight sixteen ways from Sunday in the two weeks they've been here. They got the kids out, and as she's repeatedly reminded him, she'd chosen to follow him and his mad dash, she'd chosen—

Well, he thinks, hoping she can see the easy capitulation in his eyes. He's choosing, too.

She tugs him down, and she's not soft with it now—she's pulling him into her like she's got to, like she'll die if he doesn't touch her, doesn't kiss her, and he's helpless here, too, isn't he, his mouth opening against hers, his hands sliding to her waist, to her lower back—

He's always loved to learn how a person kisses, loves to find their rhythm and learn to match it, match it and then change it just enough to make them both off-balance, just enough to—

She makes a little noise in the back of her throat, her other hand tightening against his shoulder, and he stutters with it, his hand sliding lower as he pulls her against him, as she tries her best to climb inside of him, or maybe pull him inside of her, he thinks, dizzy with it—

He's never let himself think about kissing her before, and now he thinks he'll never be able to stop, never be able to breathe without thinking about her mouth hot and sweet against his, never—

She shifts until both her arms are looped around his neck, and he knows what she's doing before she does it, his hand sliding under her thigh as she hitches her legs up around his waist, his other hand fisting in her hair, and he thinks—

"All right, all right, I think that's enough of a goodbye," Garred laughs, for once sounding genuinely amused. "If I'd known you wanted to give the crew a show, I'd have taken advantage of it earlier, but your ride's almost here, honey, so if you have any last words for him, you better say them, now."

something just reminded me of an AOS Uhura/Spock/McCoy post-Beyond idea I had like a week ago, and this time I'm NOT gonna tag spiral in some poor person's tags, so:

I think this was actually part of a dream, tbh? But specifically, McCoy and Uhura were captured, and they were being their normal badass selves together, and then Uhura was going to be released for some reason - I think maybe they wanted to keep McCoy for his medical knowledge? That's how I'd write it at least, so the Enterprise couldn't manage to secure his release. And Uhura, who had been told the entire story about her necklace by Spock (McCoy is unaware of this until Right Now) is basically like:

let me say goodbye to my boyfriend (McCoy, gulping: boyfriend?)

goes up to McCoy and kisses him - like. really KISSES him.

without turning around is like "I want to give him something to remember me by"

all the captors are like, hootin' and hollerin' at the smooching, and are like, yeah, we get that, you two are obviously passionately in love, go for it

she puts Spock's necklace around McCoy's neck, ensuring they can track him

like three weeks later they bust down the door to his cell and bring him home, and McCoy's far too aware of the way both Spock and Uhura's gazes keep going back to the necklace still around his neck

after he's healed up and released from Medbay and everything, and he tries to give it back to Uhura, she pulls a chain out of her shirt, and is like, oh, Spock already gave me a new necklace - if you don't want to keep that one, that's between you and him, but I think it suits you.

he tries to give it back to Spock, kind of half-heartedly trying to also, like, apologize for kissing Uhura or whatever, and Spock's like "the necklace symbolizes affection and love, and my girlfriend gave it to you, are you trying to say you don't accept her love and affection, because that is illogical"

and McCoy is just "...."

and Spock, with lots of determination and extremely poor skills, soldiers on like, "in fact, given that I first gave it to Nyota, your refusal to accept it is also by transitive properties refusing me, as well"

and McCoy is just "what the fuck are you talking about"

and Uhura leans into the room like "he's doing an extremely bad job of propositioning you on both our behalves"

and McCoy is "WHAT"

and Uhura's "take off your clothes and leave the necklace on, what's not making sense, chop chop"

and Spock just, like, nods.

and McCoy drags his hands across his face, and then, y'know.

Takes off his clothes, but leaves the necklace on.

chop chop.