#and I’ll always be grateful for everyone who supported me along the way

[arihi]

I’m obviously not as active as I’d like to be on here anymore- for a variety of reasons, and just not having enough time for it lately. I get in my head about not belonging to the community anymore, but then I think about how I wound up dragging XX number of people/friends to hypnosis cons, all my old blogging, stories that still get likes/comments years and years later - and I founded Read Only Mind with Doc! Lately I’ve seen ROM discussed on Twitter, and a friend of mine even talked about it at a kink event in another country and people knew about it! Makes me feel like I’ve done something good.

[btsxmalereaders]

I'll be There

>pairing —seo changbin x trans!male reader >genre — fluff, a bit angsty >summary —  When you're overwhelmed by the return of your period and feelings of dysphoria, Changbin steps in with quiet care and love, proving that even in the hardest moments you're never alone. >word count — 3,7k >a/n: idk how this happened i was planning on writing something short and fluffy but yeah, anyway... I hope you like it! This is my first time posting in a long while but luckily i'm on my winter break, so i'll catch up with reqs! thank you so much for your patience and support xoxo >warnings: dysphoria, menstrual themes.

“Alright, sounds good. How about next week? If I remember correctly, we have to record the dance practice for the title track.” Chan says and immediately looks at everyone’s reactions. 

You all are practicing for the upcoming comeback, recording videos for promotion, practicing nonstop the different choreographies, attending meetings, recording some songs, practicing again, recording many more things for different platforms and doing many other interviews. It is exhausting, sometimes, but you all think it is worth it when seeing the results of your hard work. 

“Yeah, next week seems fine.” Hyunjin agrees out loud meanwhile the rest of you just nod and stand up as today’s practice has finished. “I guess we could go live after recording the practice, and tease a bit about the comeback.”

Chan gives a few last indications and stays a bit talking to the staff while you start collecting your stuff and getting ready to go back to the dorm. It’s late, and you still need to get up early for tomorrow’s activities. As you walk back to the lockers you let out a deep sigh; your head has been hurting a lot and you could only owe it to the sleepless nights and continuous work. Changbin's eyes flicker to you as you try to gather your stuff, clearly in discomfort but not saying anything. He knows you better than anyone, especially after the months you've been together, but there’s still a certain sense of care and sensitivity he approaches your health with.

“Hey,” He murmurs softly as he grabs your bag before you could even touch it. “Are you okay?” Changbin asks, snapping you out of your thoughts. 

You nod and give him a weak smile. “Yeah, just a little worn out. I’ll be fine.”

He doesn’t buy it, not for a second. He knows you enough to tell you were feeling bad; he has noticed how in this whole time in the practice room you didn’t say a word, only when you were asked to. The groans you let out as a sign of tiredness and discomfort wasn’t something he overlooked. “You sure? You’re still not looking like yourself. Do you want me to get you something?”

Before you can respond, he walks ahead of you, his phone already out. You’re not sure who he’s messaging, but by the time you walk out of the room, he’s holding some painkillers and a water bottle in his hands. “Here, love. Take this and let’s get you something to eat, alright? I’m making dinner tonight.”

You look up at Changbin, a bit surprised but mostly grateful. He’s always been the thoughtful one, noticing the smallest details when you’re not feeling your best. The thought of dinner sounds comforting, but you’re not sure if you have the energy to eat.

“I don’t know, I’m really not feeling great,” you mutter, rubbing your temples as the headache intensifies.

He shakes his head with that soft, concerned smile of his. "That’s exactly why you need to eat. And no arguing with me. You know I can’t let you starve, especially when you're like this."

You let out a tired laugh. "You’re really spoiling me, aren’t you?"

He winks, his grin widening. "Someone has to take care of you, especially when you're too stubborn to do it yourself."

You smile at him, feeling a little lighter, and let him lead you out of the building into the car waiting for you, his arm gently guiding you along. As all of you make your way back to the dorm, Jeongin, Minho and Felix are engaging in an interesting debate about which one is the best Pokémon, Hyunjin seems to be focused on something on his phone and Seungmin, Han and Chan are discussing details of their agenda. But Changbin keeps glancing over at you, his eyes filled with concern, making sure you're comfortable. You find it endearing, the way he always looks after you, even in the smallest of ways.

When you finally get back to the dorm, the first thing Changbin does is usher you to the couch, throwing a blanket over your shoulders before even thinking about starting dinner. You sink into the cushions, letting the comfort of the blanket wrap around you as you watch him bustle around the kitchen. He’s surprisingly good at cooking, something you learned early on in your relationship, and you can't help but admire the way he moves so effortlessly, his focus entirely on making sure you're okay.

"Sit back, relax. I’ve got it from here," he says, glancing over his shoulder with a teasing grin. "I’m the chef tonight."

Everyone seemed to catch up on you feeling a bit down so they do their best on not making too much noise and check up on you constantly. Felix has put on your favorite movie and Jeongin prepared you a warm bath; which you truly appreciated. 

You were nearly sleeping on the couch as the warm water made you feel more tired, but Changbin finished cooking quickly with the help of Minho as well. You all gather at the table and try not to discuss work themes; everyone seemed to be tired of it as well, so a new rule you all agreed on was not to bring those matters to the dorm; just try to relax and catch a break from all the stress it implied.

“I’ll wash the dishes tonight, everyone just go to sleep.” Chan murmurs and everyone thanks him with a smile. You smile and stand up, rushing to your bedroom and hurrying to prepare for sleep.

Changbin walks in a few minutes later, still with a look of concern on his face. You exit the bathroom and yawn. 

“How are you feeling now?” He asks as he starts to get ready too. You just get in bed and sigh.

You close your eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. Your head still hurts, but it’s not as intense as before, and the comfort of your bed helps ease the tension in your muscles.

"I’m okay now, I think," you reply, your voice softer than usual. “The bath really helped... and dinner was perfect, as always, so thank you. I feel... I don’t know, just a little less heavy.”

Changbin walks over to the bed, his expression softening even more as he sits next to you. He brushes a strand of hair away from your face, his touch gentle and caring.

You chuckle softly, closing your eyes for a moment. As much as you love seeing him take care of you, you can’t help but feel a little guilty. He deserves the same care and attention, but you’ve been too caught up in your own exhaustion to give him the same.

"I’m sorry for being such a mess lately," you murmur, barely audible.

Changbin stops mid-motion, "You’re not a mess. You're allowed to be tired, and you're allowed to ask for help when you need it. I’m here for all of it, alright? Just… don’t shut me out."

You look up at him, his eyes so full of understanding, and you feel your chest tighten with appreciation. He doesn’t want anything in return; he just wants to be there for you, in whatever way you need.

“I love you so much,” you whisper, your voice a little shaky.

He smiles softly, leaning in to kiss your forehead. “I love you more, and I’ll always be here. You don’t have to thank me. Just… focus on getting better, okay?"

You nod, feeling a sense of peace wash over you. Maybe you were running on empty, but with Changbin by your side, you knew you could face anything. Even the toughest days would feel a little easier with him there to support you.

Truth is, Changbin has been a gift sent from heaven. It was so easy for you two to connect, to develop something greater than a friendship; it was so natural, so meant to happen. You loved every single one of your friends, you even considered them your family; but with Changbin you just knew you were meant to be together as something more. He often liked to say you were like an extension of himself, of his soul. 

At the beginning you were just a mess of nerves and fear. You were confident in your identity and being, it was the people’s reaction what made you feel worried. The thought of being misunderstood, judged, or treated differently because of who you were felt like a heavy weight on your chest. But over time, you learned to trust yourself more, to lean into your confidence, even when doubt crept in. 

What made it all bearable, though, was finding the right people to stick by your side, people who saw you for who you truly were. Changbin was one of them. He never once faltered in his support. From the very beginning, when you had confided in him about your fears and insecurities, he was unwavering in his care and understanding. He made sure you always knew that your identity, your truth, was something beautiful in his eyes. He never made you feel like a burden, never pushed you to change, just accepted you fully, as you were.

You’d been together for a while now, but it wasn’t something you could just throw out to the fans. Being a part of Stray Kids has always been an exciting, rewarding journey, but it also came with its own challenges, especially in the industry you’re in, where image and expectations are everything. Things are fine as they are now; calm, private, and under control.

“I’m really lucky, aren’t I?” you murmur softly, nestling deeper into Changbin’s embrace.

He tightens his hold on you, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. “No,” he replies, his voice filled with warmth. “I’m the lucky one.”

You smile, feeling the warmth of his words settle in your chest. It’s a quiet moment, but in it, you feel like everything is right.

"Yeah," you whisper, your eyes fluttering closed, "we're both lucky."

He hums softly in agreement, his thumb gently brushing against your arm as the two of you drift into a peaceful sleep.

——————————————————————————————————

The next week rolls around, and practice is as intense as ever. The comeback is just around the corner, and everyone is pushing hard to perfect every move and note. You’ve been working non-stop, barely catching a break, and the exhaustion is starting to take its toll. The symptoms had been there all week, the fatigue, headaches, cramps, but you convinced yourself it was just the stress of all the rehearsals, meetings, and promotions. After all, you’ve been on testosterone for months, and your periods had been absent, so you didn’t expect to deal with them again. But as the day goes on, the cramps intensify, and that’s when it hits you: Oh no. You’re getting your period.

You try to push through, focusing on the choreography and not letting yourself get distracted, but the pain becomes unbearable. You’re still moving, but it’s sluggish, like your body isn’t responding the way it should. Your stomach twists with each step, the cramps growing sharper, and you can feel your face flush. This isn’t just from stress, you think. It’s the real deal.

You’re about to say something when Changbin notices first. He’s always been quick to read your expressions, and today is no different. He pauses mid-step, his eyes catching yours, and something in his expression shifts. There’s a sudden concern there that makes you freeze. He knows.

"Hey," he murmurs, stepping closer, his hand resting gently on your shoulder. "Are you okay? You don’t look so good."

You try to force a smile, but it feels weak. “I’m fine. Just tired, but I’ll catch up, honestly. I’ll be alright.”

Changbin sighs. His eyes flicker over you again, noticing the way you’re holding your stomach and the tightness in your posture. “You’re sweating, and you’re holding your stomach. It’s more than just being tired, isn’t it?”

You let out a shaky breath, trying to ignore the building anxiety in your chest. “I think I’m about to start my period…” you say in a quiet voice, almost embarrassed to admit it. You don’t want to make a scene, especially not in front of the team, but it’s hard to ignore the truth. You had thought the testosterone would stop your periods for good, and now, to have them come back so unexpectedly, it’s a shock. A panic starts to rise in your chest. 

Changbin’s face softens, and he immediately takes a step closer, his expression filled with concern. “Hey, it’s okay. Don’t stress about it. We’ll figure it out.”

But you can’t help the worry that settles in your gut. You hadn’t expected this, and now it feels like everything’s coming undone. What if something’s wrong? What if I’m not supposed to have this anymore?

Before you can spiral into those thoughts, Changbin is already taking charge. He walks over to Chan and the staff, speaking to them in quiet tones. You can hear a few words exchanged, but the conversation feels distant as the pain continues to rise. You want to push through, to keep going, but the cramps are unbearable. You can barely stand up straight, and your body feels like it’s shutting down.

When Changbin comes back, he kneels down in front of you, his hand resting gently on your knee. “They’re good with everything. You don’t need to worry about the live or rehearsal for now. We’ll handle it.”

You open your mouth to protest, but the words get stuck in your throat. The thought of letting everyone down, especially when they’ve been counting on you, makes your chest tighten. You swallow hard, the weight of it all starting to sink in. “I feel like I’m failing, though. Everyone’s expecting me to be there, and I can’t even keep it together.”

Changbin takes your hand in his, squeezing it gently. “You’re not failing. Taking care of yourself doesn’t make you weak. You’ve been working so hard, and you’ve got us. We’ve got your back, okay?”

His words ease the tightness in your chest, but the anxiety is still there, lingering in the back of your mind. You don’t want to feel like a burden, especially not to Changbin. But his reassuring smile and calm presence give you the comfort you need to let go of some of that fear.

He stands up, brushing a hand through your hair before looking down at you with a soft expression. “I’ll make sure everything’s taken care of. Let’s get you home, alright?”

As Changbin helps you out of the practice room and toward the car waiting to take you home, the guilt starts creeping in again. You’re quiet for most of the ride, staring out of the window, your mind racing. Why now? Why did this have to happen now of all times? What if the guys are mad at me? What if this keeps happening? What if something’s wrong with my body?

Changbin doesn’t press you to talk, though. He keeps his hand resting on yours, his thumb tracing calming circles over your knuckles. Every now and then, he glances over, but he knows you need the space to work through your thoughts, even if they’re running wild.

When you finally get back to the dorm, the silence feels heavier. As soon as the door closes behind you, it’s like the emotions you’ve been holding back all day come flooding in. You drop your bag to the floor, your shoulders shaking as tears start to spill. You’re angry at your body for betraying you, frustrated with yourself for not noticing the symptoms sooner, and overwhelmed by the thought of not being there for the team.

Changbin is by your side in an instant, gently pulling you into his arms. “Hey, hey, it’s okay,” he murmurs, his voice soft and grounding. “You’re okay. Just let it out.”

“I’m sorry,” you choke out, clinging to him. “I didn’t mean to-- this wasn’t supposed to happen, Binnie. I thought I was done with this. What if it doesn’t stop? What if something’s wrong with me? And now I’m missing practice and the live, and everyone’s going to think I’m slacking or--”

“Stop,” he cuts in gently but firmly, pulling back just enough to cup your face in his hands. His eyes meet yours, steady and full of reassurance. “None of that is true. You’re not slacking, and you’re not failing. Your body’s doing something unexpected, yeah, but it doesn’t mean anything’s wrong with you. It’s just a part of the process, okay? You’re doing your best, and that’s all anyone can ask for.”

His words break through the storm in your head just enough to make you pause, but the tears keep coming. You bury your face in his chest, letting yourself cry as he holds you tightly.

Meanwhile, back at the studio, the rest of the group has gone live. They’re chatting with fans, teasing the comeback, and answering questions, but your absence hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Where’s ______?, one fan asks in the chat, echoed by several others, as well asking for Changbin.

Chan steps in smoothly, his tone light but comforting. “Ah, ____ wasn’t feeling well today, so he’s resting. Don’t worry, he’ll be back soon! We’re taking good care of him. Changbinnie is making sure he is doing fine.”

The chat floods with messages of support and concern, and the members take turns reassuring the fans, making sure the focus stays positive. Changbin had already briefed them before he left, and you know they’ve got your back. But that doesn’t stop the guilt from gnawing at you as you picture them carrying on without you.

“See?” Changbin whispers as he rubs soothing circles on your back, as if he can sense your spiraling thoughts. “They’re all handling it just fine. No one’s upset, and the fans are being super supportive. You’re not letting anyone down, love. You’re just human.”

You sniffle, wiping at your face as you pull back slightly to look at him. “I just hate feeling like I’m not doing enough. And this stupid period is making me feel worse.”

“You’re doing more than enough,” he insists, brushing a tear off your cheek with his thumb. “You push yourself so hard every day, and it’s okay to take a step back when you need to. That doesn’t make you any less important to the team, or to me.”

You sigh and feel more tears streaming down your face. A silence fills the room for a moment as you collect your thoughts. Changbin clears the traces. “What else are you thinking of?”

“I feel… so out of place,” you whisper, voice cracking. “It’s like my own body is against me. I thought I was past this. I’ve been on T for years, and I’ve been doing everything right, but it still comes back, Binnie. I feel like I’m back at square one, like I’m not even–”

“Hey,” he interrupts softly but firmly, wrapping his arms around you tighter. “Don’t say that. You’re exactly who you’re meant to be. None of this changes that, not even for a second.”

“But it feels like it does,” you cry, voice trembling. “It feels like no matter what I do, I’m stuck in a body that doesn’t feel like mine. And now this, on top of everything else– I just feel so overwhelmed, like I can’t catch a break.”

Changbin takes a deep breath, holding you close as he thinks carefully about what to say. “I can’t pretend to fully understand how this feels for you,” he starts quietly. “But I do know that it doesn’t make you any less of the amazing, strong person that you are. You’ve been through so much, and you’ve come so far. One bad day, or even a bad week, doesn’t undo all of that.”

His words don’t fix everything, but they cut through the noise in your head just enough to ground you. You grip his arm tightly, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing, and it helps pull you back to the present.

“It just feels so unfair,” you murmur after a moment. “I’m so tired of this fight.”

“I know, love,” he whispers, resting his chin on top of your head. “I hate that you have to go through this, but you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here for you, always. Whatever you need; space, comfort, distraction, I’ll do it. You just have to tell me.”

You let out a shaky breath, your body slowly relaxing into his. “I don’t even know what I need right now,” you admit.

“That’s okay,” he says gently, his hand moving to rub soothing circles on your back. “We’ll figure it out together. For now, just focus on breathing, okay? One thing at a time.”

He shifts slightly, grabbing the blanket he’d brought over earlier and wrapping it snugly around both of you. “You’re not alone in this. And this doesn’t change how I see you or how much I care about you. You’re still you, always.”

The sincerity in his voice breaks through some of the tension in your chest. You rest your head against his shoulder, closing your eyes as you focus on the sound of his heartbeat. Slowly, the overwhelming tide of emotions starts to ebb, replaced by a small flicker of comfort. Changbin doesn’t rush you or try to push you to move on from how you’re feeling. He just stays there, holding you, letting you take the time you need.

His words hit you right in the chest, and for the first time all day, you feel a little less alone.You let out a shaky breath, leaning into him again as you whisper, “Thank you, Binnie.”

He presses a kiss to the top of your head, his arms still wrapped securely around you. “Always,” he replies softly. “Now, how about we get you into some comfy clothes and set up a little movie night? Just you and me.”

The thought of curling up on the couch with him, away from all the stress and expectations, sounds like exactly what you need. You nod, finally letting yourself relax a little, knowing that for now, it’s okay to let someone else take care of you.

[kingofbodyrolls]

Announcement

Hey everyone 💕 So, today is officially the last day of 2024 for me, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect—both on the happy things and the sad stuff (depending on how you look at it).

Let’s start with the good news! I’m just one single follower away from a milestone I honestly never thought I’d reach 😭 I can’t believe it—it’s surreal, and I owe it all to you amazing people 🫂 Seriously, thank you so much for supporting me, cheering me on, and just being here. You’ve made this little corner of the internet feel like home.

Now, onto the heavier news… Even though I’m happy about reaching this milestone, there’s this dull ache beneath it, like it doesn’t really mean as much as it should. Lately, I’ve felt like I’m screaming into a void, and no matter how much I pour into my writing, the engagement doesn’t seem to reflect the effort or heart I’ve put into it. Don’t get me wrong—I love every single one of you who’s ever sent me a message, liked a post, or simply stopped by to read. You mean the world to me. But there’s this persistent feeling that I’m running on fumes, and I’ve been carrying it for over half a year now.

This year alone, I wrote 530k words—let that sink in for a moment. That’s a whole novel series. And while I’m proud of the stories I’ve told, I’m also exhausted. Writing has always been my outlet, my way to process trauma, to heal, to laugh. It’s blood, sweat, and tears poured into every word. But when the response is so quiet, it leaves me wondering if it’s all worth it—or if it’s just my trauma whispering that I’m unlovable (ugh, trauma’s such a drama queen sometimes).

I know many of you care deeply, and I’m endlessly grateful for the asks, DMs, and chats on Discord that brighten my days. But when my heart isn’t in it anymore, continuing just for a handful of people—even those I adore—doesn’t feel healthy for me. So, for now, I’ve decided to step back from writing fanfics. Not because I don’t love it (or you!), but because I need to figure out what I’m feeling and where I stand with all of this.

About Songs of the Heart… This story was written for my dear friend @remmykinsff, and it’ll be my last fic. I’ll still post it—along with some small drabbles for the series (I’m calling it Songs of the Heart: The Notes)—because I owe my characters that final bit of healing. But after that, I’ll put down the fanfic pen, at least for a while. I hope you understand.

That said, I’m not leaving Tumblr completely! I’ll still be here to read the amazing stories you all create, to share love and support for other authors, and to occasionally pop in and say hi. But I’ll probably delete the app from my phone (it’s way too easy to spiral here), and I might go MIA for stretches of time. If you want to reach out, you can always find me on Discord (I’m kingofbodyrolls there, too!).

So, I guess this isn’t goodbye—it’s more like hitting “pause.” Maybe one day, I’ll come back to finish those stories I had planned, or even to tackle the milestone requests I’ve been dreaming of doing. Who knows? But for now, I need to slow down and breathe.

To everyone who’s supported me, talked to me, or simply existed here—you’ve made this journey so special. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’re incredible, and I hope 2025 brings you so much joy, love, and light. Keep going, okay? You’ve got this 🫂✨💕

[betterthanburrow]

F1 Lucky Charm - Instagram AU

(Bengals Quarterback! Joe Burrow x F1 Content Creator! OC)

liked by joeyb_9, and 890,755 more users

yourinstagram: And that's a WRAP on the Singapore GP! 🏎️✨ i will always be grateful for the opportunities that are presented to me by @.F1 ❣️

view all 555,101 comments

awansauce: this was such a fun weekend! it was so good to see you (and Joe) again after so long apart!

↳ yourinstagram: it was so good to see you too!

yourdad: i’m so proud of you princess! you did an amazing job on TV! i love you ❤️

↳ yourinstagram: aww… thank you dad! i love you too!

F1: our Lucky Charm!

joeyb_9: from now on… everytime you travel to Singapore for your work, i’m coming along with you!

↳ yourinstagram: i don’t know if the NFL and the Bengals would like that idea… the football fans need to see their star quarterback on the football field!

liked by 420,985 users

BurrowUpdates: Joe Burrow’s Instagram Stories

view all 175,009 comments

username1: aww wait… i didn’t know that Joe was in Singapore with Y/N to support her at the F1 event!

username2: Y/N and Joe have had a lot of busy weeks lately since F1 Grand Prix events and NFL season has started… i hope they’re able to get rest, because i would not be able to handle their schedules.

username3: GET THOSE FEET OFF THE SEAT @.JOEYB_9 i can’t believe this is Y/N’s man.

liked by yourinstagram, and 900,725 more users

joeyb_9: Everyone has a responsibility to do good. I'm accepting my role in that effort and am excited to launch the Joe Burrow Foundation @.burrowfoundation with my family. Please see link in bio for more information

view all 505,789 comments

mamaburrow: i’m so happy to be apart of this foundation! … i’m so proud of the little boy that i raised!

Bengals: we love our Quarterback!

yourinstagram: i’m so proud of you ❣️

↳ joeyb_9: i couldn’t have done it without all of your support… so in reality, i should be thanking you!

liked by yourinstagram, and 105,975 more users

Bengals: As Nelly says, "It's getting hot in here" 🥵

view all 69,004 comments

joeyb_9: we’re a good lookin’ group of football players!

NFL: 🔥🔥🔥

yourinstagram: who’s the first man in the video?!

↳ Bengals: everyone knows who the first man is, especially you… don’t try to fool us!

lahjay10_: why didn’t i make it into this video?!

liked by joeyb_9, and 696,009 more users

yourinstagram: angel bliss ✨

view all 255,791 comments

joeyb_9: the prettiest angel 🤍

↳ yourinstagram: you have a football game tonight that you need to prepare for Mr. Lover Boy ❣️

username1: are you at the football game tonight?!

↳ yourinstagram: unfortunately i couldn’t go tonight because i have some work to do from home… hopefully i’ll be able to attend the next Bengals game that will be happening in Cincinnati

↳ username2: the way that Joe has attended so many of Y/N’s F1 events but Y/N can’t even attend a football game that is happening in the city that she lives in… all the other NFL WAGS are much more supportive of their partners than Y/N is.

↳ yourinstagram: Joe and i don’t measure out love for each other by how many events we attend for one-another… there are times where he can’t attend my work events and i will never hold that against him just like there are times where i can’t attend his football games and he’ll never hold that against me. As much as there are times where i wish that i could drop everything i’ve put hard work into just to attend one of his football games and only be know to the public as the girlfriend of a football player, i worked too hard for too many years just to give everything up for a man. there are many more football games that will be happening this season in Cincinnati that i will be able to attend in the future; i’ll be watching the game from home while working, and i’ll be rooting for the Bengals to win, and i’ll be loving Joe the way that i’ve been loving him for many years just like if i were at the game.

liked by yourinstagram and 125,072 more users

Bengals: HANG IT IN THE LOUVRE 🖼️

view all 85,790 comments

yourdad: the score was close by the end… even though y’all didn’t win, this was a good game to watch!

yourinstagram: win or lose… the Bengals are still one of the best football teams in the NFL business ❣️

sam_hubbard: the only reason we lost the game is because Joey’s F1 lucky charm wasn’t at the game.

↳ yourinstagram: it’s not surprising to see a man blame the loss of the game on a woman 😑

joeyb_9: we’ll win over those nasty Ravens next time.

Author’s Note:

this is definitely one of my favorite Instagram AUs that i have written… so many of the F1 Instagram AUs that have been published onto Tumblr have inspired my Instagram AUs!

if you have any requests for an Instagram AU, please inbox me your request and i’ll try to get the Instagram AU published as soon as i can!

thank you for all the love and support! 🤍

[gingerwritess]

hello!

popping back in here to let you all know that i see you and your sweet messages. i reread comments, i scroll my ask box, i scour the reblogs. every single one of you who have left comments, likes, sent messages, read my work; thank you.

your words and support helped me finish writing my first novel.

i stepped back from tumblr a while ago to finish uni, travel/move, and work on my own projects, and you all helped me along the way. i’m currently editing my first novel and am beginning the query process, so if anyone is interested in hearing more about that orrr potentially beta-reading, please lmk :)

now the info you’re really here for:

for all my remaining loki loves—i hear you, you want more pre-dating idiots. i’ll do my very best to find a way to wrap that storyline up.

for my dear elucien (kqav) readers—i had big plans that may have been too big for me at the time, and for that i apologize! i’m outlining the rest of that story so please rest assured that it will be continued soon. to everyone who supported me over the last few years on ao3 with that story, thank you so so so much; i’ll do my absolute best to finish it for you.

this little community on this blog is so lovely and i will always be grateful to everyone who has supported my writing even at its very rocky beginning (and middle). I’ll try to be more active on here now because bringing you joy brings me immense joy—and nothing screams “graduated college” like reviving an old tumblr blog.

lots of love,

theo

[chloeangelic]

I’ve spent the past week getting slandered in this community with not a shred of evidence, proof, or receipts of me being a mean girl, “Wish Regina George”, a bully, an asshole, someone who spends more time answering anons than I do writing, or any of the other things I’ve seen people say about me out of absolutely fucking nowhere, seemingly because people have grievances towards Gracie that I know nothing about. I appreciate everyone who has checked in on me and asked how I’m doing. 

ETA: I have spoken to one of the people who posted statements and anons about me and we have squashed the beef. The statements made about me have been debunked and they have deleted their posts. Please leave me and my friends alone - I've gotten harassed directly and indirectly by anons and posts for two months and I'm tired. I'm not gonna prostrate myself and try to convince the internet that I'm a good person when I know I've done my best to always be kind and respectful in this community. My words will inevitably be twisted and I feel paralyzed. The damage to my reputation has already been done.

This is the only time I’ll address this, and my anons will not be turned back on because this is literally slander and a waste of everyone’s time. I’ve seen multiple vague posts about me as well and I’ve chosen to ignore it all, but it gets to a point where it feels like bullying and I’m done with it. When someone goes on tumblr live to rehash the same shallow shit talking post about me (i.e. talking shit about people they’re accusing of talking shit), that’s when I feel like my limit has been crossed, and since that same live devolved into an advertisement for the host’s own writing… This no longer reads like vigilante justice. 

Let me get one thing straight: I am here to write about dick, cock and that old man. I am extremely grateful for the friends I’ve made along the way, and I am beyond appreciative for my readers who support me and who like what I come up with. I am 27 years old, I have a fulltime job, and this is one of my hobbies. If you think I’m going to spend my time in a fandom spamming group chats and being catty, I literally don’t know what to tell you. The few uncomfortable situations I’ve had on here have been addressed and squashed very quickly, whether that’s misunderstandings, accusations or anything else. In a creative space, you are bound to butt heads with people occasionally, or have people who dislike you, and that is fine. I know I have an aloof persona on here, I don’t expect everyone to like me. 

I didn’t block anyone up until two days ago when this tumblr live host posted three anon asks in a row about me, and I decided to block the people who seemingly agreed with anons insisting I’m a mean girl, asshole etc. cause why the fuck wouldn’t I? Wouldn’t anyone? I don’t understand why on earth they’re so mad about me blocking them if they dislike me so much already. My shit is still on ao3 if they want to read it. 

I don’t know what my mutuals do in their own DM’s, or group chats they’re in that I don’t participate in, because I stay in my lane and I spend my time writing. Of course I don’t condone bad behavior but how am I supposed to know what happens in GCs and servers I’m literally not in? Or conversations in servers where I’m not active? I have not witnessed any of my mutuals talking shit in any GCs, period. That’s all I can say. Additionally, this whole big/elite writers discord people were talking about a while ago - if that exists, I wasn’t even invited lmfao how’s that for being a big writer? 

One anon said I was an asshole when they tried to have a conversation with me months back, and I assume this was my Rendezvous anon who I was snarky to cause they were snarky to me. I make it very clear that I have limited patience for anons, and when people in my comments respond back to them, they are responding to a statement that is separate from the person who sent it. 

I am not entertaining this insanity any further than this. I will continue to post my old man porn and interact with my mutuals and reblog gif sets of that same old man cause that’s what I’m on here for. If you don’t like me, you are well within your rights, I assume you have your reasons, and that is ultimately none of my business. Everyone has the right to curate their own experience on a website like this. 

Love, 

Daddy

[starhaloeklypse]

Ladies, Gentleman, Those who identify as neither or both, It is FINALLY here. I am so excited to bring this comic to you all and I hope it resonates with many of you out there. Here is my cover of the Undertale Fan Comic I’m working on; “JigsawTale : The Ascension of the PuzzleMaster”. A Post-Pacifist ending long-running Undertale fanwork that centers the perspective of Papyrus. He’s our main character, and we’ll get to see how well he integrates into life on the surface in the human world , along with all of his friends and found family. How difficult is life for monsters who are perceived as even stranger than the average monster is ? He’ll have many obstacles to overcome because Papyrus just isn’t like most monsters. I’m very excited to share my work with you all, this story means so much to me and so much of it is inspired by and informed by my own lived experience. Papyrus is the character I relate to the most in pretty much all of fiction and I feel like I’m telling my story through him, sort of, but also his own at the same time. He’s my favorite for a reason and I think it’s time we give him a moment to shine. The story may contain some potentially triggering topics and events , but when the time comes I’ll be sure to give multiple detailed warnings for anything that needs it. It’s also meant to be viewed by older audiences as such, I’m not really intending for this story to be viewed by kids, it is a story that centers the perspective of an adult who doesn’t always get to feel like one and not only do I think it’ll resonate with that audience more, but it may not be suitable for those who are younger at all times, so I’d proceed with caution. Also I feel I should clarify, I don’t personally see this as much of an “AU”, To me it’s not an alternate universe, so much as it is an extended timeline that asks “What happens to everyone after the end of the ‘pacifist’ run, and what if we looked at all of that from Papyrus’ perspective ?” It’s closer to an epilogue story. Outside of Asgore and Toriel not being immortal in my version of the story and closer to middle age, there are no major differences to the original game, not enough to be considered an AU anyway, but if you see me tag it as one, that’s just to make it easier to find. Regardless , I hope everyone who’s interested gets a chance to read my story when it’s out, it’ll still probably be a while before that happens as I have a lot of things to work on and art skills to improve , but when the day comes , you will know. I plan to continue trying to update when I can. This is just to promote the comic and I hope it reaches as many people as possible. Thank you all for your time and patience, I’m beyond excited.

If you’re interested in the comic and would like to support its development financially , considering I’m a one-man band working on all of this by myself, I’d really appreciate it. If you’d like to request art from me I’d be happy to do so in exchange for donations as well. Any amount helps, and I’d be eternally grateful. Of course however, do not feel pressured to donate. I appreciate you tuning in either way and I hope you all enjoy the story.

[fangirlingfromdownunder]

11th Day of Christmas

Christmas Baby

Summary/Prompt - Announcing your pregnancy at Christmas

Pairing - Jensen Ackles x Reader

Christmas Masterlist | Masterlist

You’re sitting on the couch by the flickering electric fireplace cuddling up with your husband who is finally finished filming and conventions for the year. His hands rub comforting circles over your small, growing bump. The two of you are the only ones who know about it. You’ve managed to keep it a secret way longer than you originally anticipated but you just haven’t wanted the extra stress of the paparazzi trying to get a picture, so you’ve mostly stayed at home. Except your days of hiding must come to an end tomorrow. You and Jensen will be driving up to Dallas to spend Christmas with his family in the morning and you’re bound to get seen along the way. Not to mention that his family will know the second they see you. You’re only four months in, but with two little babies growing inside you, you started showing early.

“I like our little bubble. Do we have to pop it tomorrow?” you ask, breaking the comfortable silence.

“We’re not breaking the bubble, we’re just letting more people in. It’s my family, they’re going to be so excited. My mom just may be a little disappointed we didn’t tell her earlier. They will be her first grandbabies after all.”

“I’m just worried they’re gonna say it’s all too soon. We’ve only been married for just over six months.”

“Yeah, it happened fast, but it’s our life and I don’t regret it. Do you?”

You shake your head. “That night or getting pregnant with twins?”

“Either.”

You shake your head again. “Neither.”

“Then it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.”

You put your hands on top of his. “I love you. I’m so glad you’re home.”

“I’m all yours till the end of January. I mean, I’m always yours, but…”

“I know. I don’t know if I’m ready to share you with two more…”

“We got a few more months yet.”

“I know.”

He kisses your head softly. “Come on. We’ve got a big day tomorrow. Let’s go to bed.”

You scoot off his lap and he gets up. Jensen turns off the fireplace and lights and double checks the doors are locked before coming back to you. He holds his hands out to you and you take them letting him help you up. He pulls you in close and kisses you before leading you upstairs. 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

While the drive up to Dallas is only around three hours long you feel exhausted sitting in the passenger seat. Jensen tries to distract you by singing loudly along with his playlist and rubbing your thigh. You laugh at him and are forever grateful. You’re beyond anxious about seeing his family in your current state, and you know he knows it and is trying to support you as much as possible. 

As you get closer to Dallas your anxiety bubbles up even more. Your leg starts to bounce. He turns the music down. 

“Hey, you know they love you. I’m sure they’ll be happy, excited even.”

“Maybe we should have told everyone earlier. It would be easier if…”

“Maybe we should, maybe we shouldn’t. We’re doing it today, on our terms. In our way.”

“I just don’t want your family to hate me or think that I forced you into this, or hate you because of me.”

Jensen finds a safe place to pull over and then looks over at you. He takes your hands in his. “Listen to me. You didn’t force anything on me. I have always been fully onboard. I want this. I want you and I want a family with you. No one is going to think otherwise, I won’t let them. It takes two to tango and if anyone says anything to you I’ll make sure they know that.”

“Thank you. I love you.”

He leans over and kisses you. “I love you too. I can’t wait to show you and that sexy bump off to my family.”

Sensing that you’re finally less stressed he puts the car back into gear and pulls back onto the freeway. 

Less than an hour later he pulls a park in the familiar driveway. There are two other cars in the front yard already, so you figure his siblings must have beat you there. Your anxiety begins to bubble up again at the thought of facing everyone at once. You know it’s mostly irrational and that they’re all lovely people and you all get along well but you can’t help your anxiety. Noticing the new wave instantly, Jensen shuts the engine off and grabs your hands. 

“Hey, look at me. I’m right here with you. I got you.” You look into his eyes and he leans over and kisses your cheek. “Come on. I know Josh and Mac are here early but it will be okay. They love you too. Sure they might tease, but it’ll be directed way more at me.”

“Alright, can we just get it over and done with already?”

“Come on then, Baby Momma. Let’s go.” He hops out of the car and walks around to get your door and help you out. He wraps an arm around your waist and leads you to the door. He knocks loudly and waits for someone to answer. He knows he could just go in, but he also knows you feel much more comfortable waiting, so he waits. He kisses the top of your head just as the door opens. 

“Jensen! Y/N! Welcome, come in!” his mom says as she opens the door. She gives you both a hug and then looks you up and down. She gives you both a knowing look but doesn’t say anything.

Jensen takes your hand, squeezes it and leads you inside following his mother. In the living room, you greet his father and siblings. They each take turns hugging you both and then you take a seat on the couch. You deliberately wore an oversized jacket to hide the bump but with the fire burning in the corner, it’s very warm. Jensen notices and offers to take your jacket and hang it up but you shake your head. 

Not knowing how else to ease your anxiety he pats your knee and then stands up pulling you with him. “I know we’re all here for Christmas but Y/N and I actually have an announcement we’d like to make.” He takes your coat then and drapes it over the back of the couch before placing a hand on your stomach. 

His mother gasps happily. “I’m gonna be a grandmother?”

You both nod. Then you add, “Times two…”

“Twins?” Mackenzie squeals.

You both nod again. 

“You two always have been in a rush,” his dad says as he stands up. 

You bite your lip, but he comes over and gives you both another hug and then everyone else joins in. They all take turns congratulating you and feeling the small bump. You know then that your anxiety was misplaced and are reminded that you chose the right man with a good family.

Jensen kisses your cheek and then says, “Yeah, well, when you find the right one, why wait?”

[newleaf92]

Favorite Lines from Hazbin Hotel songs Part Two:

Poison—this song broke my heart as Angel Dust is one of my favorites, and seeing what he had to deal with from Val was devastating.

“I shoulda known it when I looked into your red hot eyes.”

“Addicted to this feelin’ I can’t help but swallow up your poison.”

“I got so good at tellin’ you what you wanna hear.”

“Poison, I'm drownin' in poison. I'm fillin' up my glass but it's always hollow full of poison, I'm sick of the poison. Wish I had somethin' to live for tomorrow.”

Loser, Baby

“You’ve lost your way. You think your life is wrecked. Well, let me just say you’re correct.”

“You’re a fucked up little whiny bitch. You’re a loser just like me.”

“You’re a power bottom at rock bottom, but you got company.”

“I sold my soul to a psychopathic freak.”

“And you think that makes you unique.”

“Baby that’s fine by me.”

“I’m a loser, honey. A schmoozer and a dummy. But at least I know I’m not alone.”

“It’s time to lose your self loathing. Excuse yourself, let hope in,baby. Play your card, be who you are.”

Hell’s Greatest Dad

“Looks like you could some help from the big boss (😈)of Hell himself.”

“With a punch from a pentagram.”

“I’ll rig the game for you because I’m the ref(😈)

“Champagne fountains, caviar mountains. That’s just a start.”

“I’m your guy, your day to day, your chum, your steadfast hotelier.”

“I’m truly honored that we built such a bond.”

“It’s a little funny. You could almost call me dad (👹😈)

(😡👿🎻)

“There’s no substitute for pure angelic power! Who just so happens to also be your blood.”

“Can you butt out of my song? (Your song?! I started this!”)

More Than Anything

“Now you’re the only thing worth fighting for.”

“I’ll shelter and adore you more than anything.”

“So in the end, it’s the view I had of you that showed me dreams can be worth fighting for.”

“I’ve been dying to find out who you are.”

“All that I’m hop in’, now that my eyes are open, is that we can start again. Not be pulled apart again.”

“Cause in the end, you are part of who I am. I’ll support your dreams no matter what’s in store.”

“I’m grateful your my daughter/father.”

Welcome to Heaven

“Welcome to Heaven, oh-oh!” (🎤🫦)

“Where the virtuous reside 24/7, oh-oh!” (🎤🫦)

“Welcome to Heaven, oh-oh!” (🎤🫦)

“Check out our sick decor, the spirit’s leaven, oh!” (🎤😏🫦)

“And everyone is hot!” (🎤🫦🤤🫠)

You Didn’t Know

“Checked all the boxes that you said would prove a person deserves a second chance. Now we turn our backs, no second glance.”

“It’s not fair, Sera.”

“That just because someone is dead, it doesn't mean they can't resolve to change their ways. Turn the page, escape infernal blaze.”

“What are we even talking about? Some crack whore who fucked up already?”

“There’s no question to be posed. He’s unholy, case closed.”

“A man only lives once. I’ll see you in one month. Gotta say I wait can’t to come down and exterminate you.”

“Well, I don’t need your condescension. I’m not a child to protect!”

“Was I too naive to expect you to heed the morals you’re purveying?”

“That’s what the fuck I’ve been saying.”

“If Hell is forever, then Heaven must be a lie.”

“When you make the wretched suffer just to kill them again.”

Out for Love

“I see you’re driven by your detestation.”

“You need a different type of motivation.”

“Think of who you care about. Protect them and be out for love.”

“Fuel yourself with the fear of losin’ that somebody who’s your reason to live. Harness your heart and you can’t help choosin’ to fight with all you can give.”

Ready for This

“And though I kinda feel unsteady, now I gotta be ready for this.”

“Not to mention the camaraderie. Yes sure, you’ll form life-changing friendships with folks along the way.”

“Oh, don’t be put off by their snarlin’, that’s enthusiasm, darlin’!”

“Don’t worry, honey, that’s their thing. Keep singing.”

“When Adam brings the battle here, I must appear like I’m ready for this.”

“Surprised? Why, I knew she could do it all along.”

“Stick with her and you’ll be on the winning side.”

More than Anything-Reprise

“And in the end, if it’s only me you saved, there’s something I’ve been dying to say.”

“Need you to know I love you more than anything.”

Finale

“I know I could have done better, better than letting you down.”

“You can do this, now I know it! For your story has just begun.”

“The stage is wrecked, the crowd is gone, but, by god, Charlie! The show it must go on.”

“With more sinners than you can dream.”

“It starts with you. You know it’s true. Fulfill your destiny!”

“With a bit of bravado, maybe tomorrow, we’ll be atop the heap.”

“Nature abhors a power vacuum. It leaves room for you and me. The power of hell belongs to the Vees.”

“I’m hungry for freedom, like never before!”

“Once I figure out how to unclip my wings, guess who will be pulling all the strings?”

“And then tomorrow, it will be a fuckin’ happy day in Hell!”

[youcouldmakealife]

LBTE: Jared (158-160)

In which there are meetings.

If you'd like to follow along, the series page is here.

158. Under Advisement

Sit down, it’s actually a good thing I have a chance to talk to you guys without PR breathing down my neck.”

“Um,” Jared says. Private meetings with GMs are not historically his favourite thing, even if Foster’s always been cool before. “Should we — maybe we should wait for everyone?”

“No, no,” Foster says. “Sit.”

Brian Foster: PR’s worst nightmare.

“Ownership’s explicitly told me you’re not currently tradeable assets — I didn’t need to be told that, by the way, I just want you to know that the first thing they said to me. Well, actually not the first thing, the first thing was — never mind, I’m rambling, I do that. It’s an annoying habit.”

“It’s not annoying,” Jared says, which gets him a grateful look from Bryce as well as Foster. “I think PR would have been pretty cool with that speech, honestly.”

“Are you kidding?” Foster says. “It’d be all ‘you can’t identify who asked for advice, Brian!’ ‘you can’t tell them about a private conversation with the owner, Brian!’ Though probably that’s more HR. Who are also going to be at the meeting, by the way. It’s an all hands kind of meeting. We probably should have booked a conference room. Not that we need to book, it’s — never mind.”

PR’s worst nightmare. Also there are three people in this room and maybe one functioning brain to mouth filter between them.

“Of course they do,” Foster says, then frowns at him. “I told you to as well. Anyway don’t tell them I told you that stuff. I shouldn’t have. That’s — I know the rambling is annoying. I’m trying to get better about it.”

I am very fond of this man.

“I couldn’t figure out how to book the conference rooms,” Foster says. “The system kept locking me out.”

“You’re the GM, Brian,” Dwyer says. “You delegate that. Stay here, I’ll find us a conference room.”

Everyone suddenly arrives, then they scatter, off on the hunt for a room big enough to hold everyone, then on the hunt for someone who has keys to the room, then calling Summers and Greg to let them know things will be delayed. Foster was right — everyone calls him Brian, and there are a lot of exasperated ‘Brian’s being said, while Bryce and Jared sit in Foster’s office, forgotten for the moment.

Very, very fond of this disaster GM.

“Babe—“ Jared says, then Foster’s coming in, saying, “Sorry to barge in!”, like they aren’t sitting in his office, then, “They found a conference room. I’m not allowed to organise meetings anymore. Did you guys want coffee? Shelley’s assistant is going on a coffee run.”

Every bit I write of Brian makes me smile. A little treat for me.

“Okay,” Foster says, then, retreats, mumbling something to himself that Jared can hear — he’s reciting Bryce’s drink order under his breath, presumably so he doesn’t forget it.

“Oh,” Foster says, bursting right back in. “You guys should probably come to the conference room, eh?”

He, like Greg, is doing his best.

So — small mercies, he guesses. They have supportive friends and teammates. His parents are giving him some distance because he asked for it, but they’re standing by. Bryce’s mom came with food and hugs. Their GM is behind them, as is their room, and they couldn’t have depended on that in Calgary or Edmonton. This could have happened earlier in their relationship, when Bryce was less comfortable with his sexuality and Jared had less faith in them as a unit. It really could have been so much worse.

Listing all sorts of possibilities that could have, but did not, occur in this narrative.

Do we need Dmitry as an annoying chaperone going forward Jared texts Stephen after Elaine heads out. He wonders after if that’s a confusing question, but then decides that Stephen pretends to be omniscient often enough that he can figure it out or be confused.

Gabe is much less annoying if you require a chaperone Stephen replies, which is comforting, and also true.

Yes but Jared doesn’t scowl the moment Gabe enters a room, so that will do nothing to mitigate Jared’s soppy face.

Also: confirmed, Stephen is omniscient. Or just very on Jared’s wavelength.

“What’s twitter saying about us now?”

“How should I know?” Bryce asks, but his guilty face gives him away and he knows it.

Someone must stop him.

“It’s not as bad as I figured it’d be,” Bryce says. “Like. I don’t know if I made it bigger in my own head all along, or if it’s like — it was that bad, the first few times players came out, and then time passed and it kept happening and people got used to it. I don’t know. There’s shit but it like — honestly people said worse shit about me when I got traded to the Canucks. By like, a lot.”

That’s weirdly unsurprising, and both depressing and encouraging at the same time. Like, sure, you can marry a dude, but playing for a divisional rival? That’s a bridge too far.

The conversation has significantly changed since Marc and Dan were outed (2010). There’s some extremely alarming backsliding happening, but all told, it would be a very different reaction than what Bryce witnessed as a teen.

Also seriously imagine if Leon Draisaitl joined the Flames or something. CHAOS. OUTRAGE!!

“And everyone’s talking about how hot you are,” Bryce says. “Which, like, obviously I agree.”

Jared rolls his eyes. “They are not,” he says.

They are. Incessantly.

And it’s kind of comforting to know that while Jared would get caught obsessing over all the worst tweets, Bryce is focusing on the ones that call Jared hot. Not the ones complimenting him — and if there are tweets about Jared being hot, there are probably twice as many about Bryce — but Jared.

There are not twice as many about Bryce.

“What’s that for?” Bryce asks when Jared kisses his temple, the crest of his cheekbone, his mouth as it curves up. He was clearly expecting that argument about cognitive bias, and he looks confused but pleased that he’s getting kissed instead.

“Nothing,” Jared says, and takes that golden opportunity, Bryce smiling, guard down, to confiscate his phone, because clearly Bryce needs to be saved from himself.

Bryce so touched he forgot about machinations.

159. Rehearsal

Bryce makes a noncommittal sound, and Jared breaks his own ‘don’t touch the driver’ rule, reaching out and squeezing Bryce’s thigh in a way he hopes is comforting and not like, grope-y. Not the time for grope-y. Kind of because of the general situation, but mostly because of the whole driving thing.

No groping in motor vehicles. This is not a lesson Jared needs to learn twice, unlike the shower lesson.

Jared wonders if they opted for a younger employee to make them feel less defensive, more related to. If there’s one department he can assume is always trying to spin something, it’s PR.

Yes.

Grace also does a lot of the social media stuff though, and they knew this wasn’t something they could handle exclusively via traditional media. So ‘relates to the youth’ but also ‘is the youth’. She’s in her late 20s, which they consider close enough. There are youth-ier employees, but nobody’s putting an intern in charge of this, even with supervision.

“Before we start discussing how the press conference is going to go, I want to hear from you guys, in your words, the answers to some of the questions you’re probably going to get,” Grace says. “And we can build on everything from there, okay?”

In other words: how much do I have to edit the words that will be coming out of your mouths?

Jared tries not to wince. He thinks he fails. Bryce glances over at Jared, and then gives a very tame, very redacted version of camp. Jared only sounds moderately dickish in it, which is impressive, really, because now that he’s no longer seventeen, he accepts that he was extremely dickish the entire time, and also extremely lucky that Bryce likes that about him for some reason.

I think this is the first time Jared admits, without caveats, that he was an asshole to Bryce at the camp. No ‘but he was a douche’ quickly following or the like, no defensive ‘he started it’, just ‘I was extremely dickish to Bryce’. Good work, Jared. (He’s still never telling Bryce he was right about that stretch, even though they both know he was)

“That’s how we met!” Bryce says.

“It sounds sketchy,” Jared says.

“It sounds so sketchy,” Grace confirms.

It was supposed to BE sketchy. Fucking Bryce, man.

“Great,” Grace says. It does not sound like she thinks it’s great, honestly.

“Jared was really mature for—“ Bryce starts, then quiets when Jared kicks his ankle before he makes things sound even sketchier.

NO, BRYCE.

“I’m not going to ask you to lie about how you met,” Grace says. “But I am going to ask you to not tell the truth, unless you want people to start talking about power differentials and the age of consent.”

“Not in Canada,” Jared says. “Age of consent is sixteen.”

Of note! Because of course Jared looked it up (there are also ‘Romeo and Juliet’ near in age exceptions that would encompass their relationship, because nobody wants that law getting used to harass a sixteen year old dating a fifteen year old.)

“It wasn’t sketchy,” Bryce tells her very earnestly. “I know it sounds sketchy, but it was like—“

Jared silently wills Bryce not to say ‘true love’.

“—true love,” Bryce says.

BRYCE. NO.

“Like, we’re married,” Bryce says. “We’re spending the rest of our lives together. It was like—“

Jared hopes ‘fate’ or ‘destiny’ isn’t leaving Bryce’s mouth next.

“—meant to be, y’know?” Bryce says. “Stop looking at me like that, J.”

“I’m not even looking at you,” Jared says. He is looking at the table, because he can’t bear to accidentally meet Grace’s eye while Bryce is saying these things.

Bryce is starting to warm up to this media business as he realises he can say things like ‘true love’ and ‘meant to be’ and nobody starts booing and face washing him.

“This is exactly the kind of dynamic we want. People tend to push back against the gross in love stuff when it seems manufactured, but it’s pretty clear it’s genuine. We can definitely run with this.”

This is a very kind way of calling Bryce gross.

“That’s not really Jared’s thing,” Bryce says.

“We could try?” Jared says weakly.

“No,” Bryce says. “That’s — that’s not J. We’re not like — we’re not coming out just to pretend to be people we’re not.”

Oh Bryce.

“Just because you’re stupidly romantic like, naturally, does not mean I can’t be just as gross as you if I want to be,” Jared says.

He doesn’t believe it even as he’s saying it, and neither does Bryce, judging by his face. Which is — fair. It’s fair. Nobody could compete with Bryce’s level of mushy, but Jared isn’t even in the running. Dmitry is mushier with Bryce in public than Jared is. And frankly Jared’s fine with that, but he can be mushy if he has to. He guesses.

“Doing this in public is also totally acceptable,” Grace says.

“Doing what?” Jared asks.

As Jared is feebly arguing he can be romantic, Bryce continues to have visible hearts in his eyes for his lying husband. It’s a great dynamic. Grace is excited about it. (she hasn’t seen them in front of cameras yet.)

They exchange contact information, making sure to CC Summers. Also Greg, though that’s more so he doesn’t feel left out. This is Summers’ show, and Jared thinks Greg knows it, and honestly doesn’t think he minds. Jared certainly doesn’t.

I cannot begin to express how relieved Greg is that this is Dave’s show.

“Absolutely no internet,” Grace tells them. “None. I mean, other than the email I’m going to send you, obviously.”

“Not even funny dog videos?” Bryce asks.

Bryce has to make sure after Dave’s ‘nobody but me and Greg’ somehow allowed him to take calls from his mom.

“Okay, fine, you can have funny animal videos,” Grace says. “But stay off all social media. Also anything to do with hockey.”

“Can I check the box scores, though?” Bryce asks. “It’s important to keep up with the rest of the league.”

Grace sighs. “Okay. You can have box scores and animal videos. And that’s it.”

“But—“ Bryce says.

Jared doesn’t see Bryce much in the context of ‘authority figures’ (loosely, in Grace’s case, but she is calling the shots), so beyond Bryce and Dave having a combative relationship, Jared misses part of the issue with Bryce in these situations is that he sometimes (often) pushes back just to push back. He’s gotten a lot better about it as he’s matured, but sometimes he can’t help himself.

“Everyone likes you best,” Bryce mutters as they’re walking to their car, but only after someone from security made sure no one was lurking in the underground parking lot hoping to ambush them for a picture or a scoop. Which is obviously such a fun thing Jared hopes will continue indefinitely.

“You’ve never checked the weather in your entire life,” Jared says.

“I could,” Bryce says. “Maybe I’m getting old and boring.”

“Knowing what it’s like out is not boring,” Jared says. “It’s preparation. Are you mimicking me right now?”

“No,” Bryce mutters, abruptly ceasing.

Jared elbows Bryce in the side, and Bryce hip checks him right into a pillar. Gently, but still: rude.

They don’t bicker much — it’s more Jared snarking at Bryce, but it’s fun when Bryce bites back. For me and for Jared.

160. Whirlwind

So Jared guesses they got engaged like, practically as soon as they got together. Like, boom, date three or something: engaged. Bryce moves fast in the storyline. Also in real life, but not that fast. Jared thinks Bryce in this storyline moves a little too fast, frankly. And it isn’t realistic that Jared in this storyline said yes that early in their relationship.

Nitpicking Grace’s storyline for OOC behaviour is peak Jared.

“Please,” Grace says, pinching her nose. “It was a whirlwind romance. Based on a friendship that grew out of shared interests and mutual respect and nobody being anybody else’s coach at the time.”

Jared would like to again point out that Bryce was a terrible couch who didn’t do anything but sulk, so it basically doesn’t count.

“You come here, wringing your hands about best business practices,” Foster says. “When a decade ago both Riley and Lapointe went to the Habs as a package deal. Did you forget about that or are you just coming here with a bullshit line of reasoning so you can pretend you’re not being homophobic as you’re asking homophobic questions? You don’t get to have it both ways. You don’t get to say their sexuality has nothing to do with this and then turn right around and ask me if I knew about their sexuality when I signed them. That’s not how this works.”

Brian Foster’s entire press conference was some of the most fun I’ve ever had writing a scene. Pure Id.

Grace finds a tweet with a longer clip, in which Foster manages to insult three media organisations, mock homophobic fans, swear at least half a dozen times, and reiterate the organisation’s support for Bryce and Jared. He also takes a question about the power play.

Love me a man who can multitask.

“I think you should probably give in and start calling him Brian?” Bryce says, looking over at Jared. Bryce caved to his demands the third time Foster explicitly told him to, but Jared wasn’t planning on it: it felt too weird. But he may have to revise that decision.

“He does keep asking me to,” Jared says.

Jared figures angry monologue defending him and Bryce earns first name basis.

He’s sure there’s already going to be ‘wow, Marcus is slumming with a middle sixer’ shit.

“Literally nobody is going to be saying that,” Bryce tells him. “Like. At all.”

Babe you’re the arm candy.

“Bryce!” Jared says.

Bryce very busily looks at literally everything but Jared.

“Stop going online!” Jared says.

He can’t help it!

“I mean, not by Joe from Kamloops who’s decided he can’t support the Canucks anymore, no,” Jared says. “And definitely not Jim from Red Deer who doesn’t give a shit about the Canucks, but has come to say he’s pretty positive your shoulder injury is proof that being gay is morally wrong, actually.”

No offence to Joes and Jims. Full offence to Kamloops and Red Deer.

And Dmitry will probably beat them up, judging by the text he sent Jared assuring him that he will beat them up, along with approximately seventeen emojis Jared didn’t bother trying to parse.

Look: emojis transcend language. A fist is a fist is a fist.

“Okay, then quit reading the opinions of people who are so miserable that the idea of two people in love with each other makes them furious,” Jared says. “It’s pathetic. They’re pathetic.”

Jared was at a very tender, vulnerable age when he saw some of the blowback of the OG coming out controversy. It didn’t make things easier for him as he started to come to terms with his sexuality, and it did not make Jared like people any more than he was originally inclined to.

“They’re planning on like, rainbow flags,” Bryce says. “Canucks fans. They’re coordinating it online. They’re planning on bringing rainbow flags. And supportive signs and stuff. Some have taken pictures. They’re — they’re really nice.”

It isn't all bad though.

“There aren’t any bad ones,” Gabe says, nudging Jared’s shoulder. “If that’s why you’re keeping your head down.”

“I wasn’t doing it on purpose,” Jared says.

This warm up scene is dialogue and action heavy because Jared’s trying really hard not to feel anything right now, starting with keeping his eyes on the ice so he can't see the crowd.

“There’s one behind the net that says LJBTQ,” Gabe says. “The JB is in a heart. I thought it was kind of clever, but you just know someone on the internet is going to say it’s bi erasure. Which, as a bi dude, I completely agree there’s bi erasure in the community, but — oh, that one says PB&J and peanut butter and jelly are holding hands. It’s adorable. I have no idea what the P could be, though. Maybe Pacific? That’d work, I guess, but—

The P stands for ‘we can’t make a PB&J pun without the P’, for the record. Sometimes it’s not that deep.

“Gabe,” Jared says.

“Okay, okay,” Gabe says, putting his hands up, and skates over to where Dmitry’s doing the ridiculous motions he calls stretches.

Jared looks up, but the lights are bright and his eyes are blurry and all he can see is a wash of colour, so he blinks and blinks and goes to find another puck to try to get in the back of the net.

God Gabe can’t you see Jared is trying not to feel emotions?

“If anyone says shit to you,“ Dmitry says. “Tell me. I will fight them.”

“I know,” Jared says.

“Even if they say ‘hello’ or ‘good evening’,” Dmitry says. “I will fight them.”

“Kind of sounds like you just want an excuse to fight someone,” Jared says.

Well. Yes. But also — got your back.

But something breaks through during a TV timeout, has him looking up at the Jumbotron, because the applause and cheers are louder than a kiss cam or dance cam or celebrity lookalike. The camera’s on Bryce in the press box, looking a little stunned. After a moment Leo elbows him, grinning, and Bryce raises a hand to wave at the crowd in acknowledgement, the sound intensifying in response. The Canucks all bang their sticks against the boards, and Jared is late to join them, eyes caught on Bryce’s face.

And Jared knows this is a home game. He knows it isn’t going to be anything like this in other arenas, knows other teams’ fans won’t be this supportive, that opponents are going to use this against them, that there are always going to be people that think less of Bryce, of both of them, simply because they love each other. He knows that.

But Jared also knows Bryce is looking bashful but smiling, a mixture of happiness and bone deep relief on his face, and in this moment, that’s the only thing in the entire world that matters.

The moment that Bryce gets everything he never even dreamed of hoping for. That he gets everything he never thought he could have.

This is the original ending, before one last arc decided to jump onto the back. I also consider it the end of the climax — it’s all denouement from here.

[elf-osamu]

other suggestions with the same settings! prompt 3 from fluff list 2 w/ oda, nb reader who says the line, both platonic/romantic is ok

“YOU GOT ME FLOWERS?”

[ masterlist ] [ event ] [ reblogs are very appreciated ]

fluff, canon divergence, romantic (can be interpreted as platonic), oda sakunosuke x non-binary!reader (no specific prns used)

warning(s) : not proofread

word count : 599 words

plot : “a bookstore meeting with him. perhaps with a few flowers along the way home”.

a/n : i literally thought “it's probably too short but i don't have any other ideas”, however i wrote so much words in a short amount of time????? ngl inspiration hit me suddenly while writing this 😭 nevertheless, i hope you like it vess ! <3

prompt taken from here !!

during summer sunny days were always hot yet rather humid in yokohama, making it difficult for you to feel comfortable when going outside; your clothes stuck to your body in an unpleasant way, you couldn’t stop drinking water for more than ten minutes, the heat made you feel unsteady — so, generally speaking, you couldn’t stand those sensations.

despite it all, you had accepted oda’s invitation to the library, one which was his and your favorite: you liked the atmosphere there, from the simple yet fairly enjoyable disposition of the bookshelves to the faint scent of old books that were there for who knows how much time.

oda wasn’t a talkative person by nature; he preferred to be the listener, someone who could take care of others and support them in a peaceful way, without having the attention directed to himself for too long.

however, when it came to literature, his eyes seemed to be enlightened by a new light, as if you had uncovered a hidden aspect of his being.

why would one write a comic or a novel? what makes our reality from the fictional one so different? are stories eternal? at which point the author’s beliefs are blatant in a work of fiction?

these and many other questions would have been discussed by him, the man who was saved by literature and wished to make it happen to everyone else; a man who was known to be a listener, yet just had his introduction as a speaker.

the afternoon was spent in that way, talking and listening to each other’s thoughts and ideas — still, oda was the main character for once and you were glad he had found his passion.

the library closed when it was late at night, the same moment you two had ‘decided’ to head out of the building.

it wasn’t too hot like that morning and you felt fine, wandering through the streets with him, a person you were grateful to have by your side.

at some point, you arrived at your apartment.

“what would you say to a bowl of curry rice and complaints about dishes during those boring and strict dinner parties?” you asked with an amused grin, knowing very well how much he disliked those dinners.

he seemed to suddenly remember something, but then he looked at you as if it was nothing. oda rarely acted like that, unless he already had a plan that was meticulously prepared in advance.

before you could question his behavior, he had already started to talk.

“how could i refuse,” he commented in his soft-spoken voice. “still, there’s a matter i have yet to accomplish, it won’t take much time. wait me there, i’ll be right back” and, without saying another word, turned to his right and walked away.

you sighed and shook your head — what could have possibly come to his mind in that moment?

it took him around fifteen minutes to come back to your apartment.

your curiosity had gotten the best of you and you couldn’t wait to ask him what matter was so urgent.

however, the answer arrived as you opened the door for oda: he was holding a bouquet with your favorite flowers. it wasn’t relatively big, but its fragrance and colors made you extremely happy.

“you got me flowers?”, you said while taking the bouquet and welcoming him in your home.

he nodded and a warm smile appeared on his face. “it’s a small gift to thank you for everything you do for me; i wanted to let you know that i truly appreciate it”.

[ do not copy, translate, repost, etc. | by @ elf-osamu ]

[wachtelspinat]

Heya~

I often find it very difficult to find the right words, so I apologize in advance if any of what I have to say sounds dry or wrong, but I write it from the heart, I promise🧡

I know how you feel now and how much you get lost when that realization comes along. I learn art all my life, but I don’t succeed anywhere. No matter how long I try to do it, I still keep thinking “well I’m not good enough”. To be honest it scares the shit out of me every day, because if I’ll give up here… well there’s nothing I can do for life than. When I was in school, I was desperately clung to every fandom I had as my last hope to get rid of bad thoughts and I found those two silly characters that stole my heart immediately so of course it’s weird to say but since then Overwatch has become my “home”. It was not the perfect game but it was fun until Ow2 was released. Even if my love for OW is died, I understood that Junkrat and Roadhog took a much more bigger part in my live that I could ever imagine. I thought it was stupid, like come on that’s just a characters from the old and dead game but it turns out they’re not just characters, but in a way, my family or friends that helped me go through a lot of dark times, so it’s okey to love them deeply even if they are not real~

I always wondered, why do I make art? Is it what I really like and enjoy? Is it cost all the struggles and tears? But I found you and I fall in love with your arts immediately. I could have a really bad day in university but then I remember how I just go to your page to rewatch, for only gods knows how many times, your works. I love everything about them, how you can build a perfect shape with just one line, how many expressions and ideas your works have. Your knowledge of the anatomy is just… freaking olympic🤌🏻✨ you gave me the second breath in my path of an artist because looking at your works I was wondering if I ever be able to achieve such a high level and here I’m speaking not only about arts with Junkrat and Roadhog, I speak about every single one that I could find🧡 and I understood that art in general have much much more power in it that anyone thinks. It gives hope, inspiration, safety, emotions and so on~ even without knowing it, you can make another person’s life a little better.

All I wanted to say is - you are a fantastic person, highly talented and hard working. I’m sure everyone who follows your work will support every of your decision. I just wanted to say a big thank you from myself personally for everything you do🧡

hey ! i'm really sorry that it took me so long to respond, last week was just hell on earth. the sheer amount of words you put into this hit me right in the heart, and what you said made me tear up even more.

having a really hard time here to form my words, not only because my brain feels so fried, but because your ask is so sincere and i don't think i can possibly thank you enough. it's so weird, there is this constant battle in my head that everything is futile and trivial and i'm having a hard time seeing some kind of point behind my actions (not only art related). on the other hand, i know that WE give meaning to something. that it's the small things that tends to move mountains. i don't know if i'm making any sense here. point is. by telling me that - in my opinion - my irrelevant art has given you sth, if it's just a smile, new energy to try sth yourself, inspiration... you are shaking my world. and i'm grateful for that in a way i cannot describe.

and seriously, i don't know why we make art. because as you mentioned yourself it is always connected with doubts and despair. before i entered graphic design school back when i was super young i thought drawing was me. the one integral part that made me so ~special~. just to learn that a bunch of people draw, all around the world, and they often draw even better than i could ever achieve! in the last months of being in university i relied a lot on defining myself through my art again. because it immensely helped with my self-concept when everything around me just felt like i wasn't good enough. i'm kind of re-learning again that doing art is not the one thing that defines me. because i tend to heavily lean into that. it is after all the one thing i actually like about myself.

so yeah, thank you so much for reaching out. i love your art and the love you put into it, so i'm hoping that - despite the struggles we all share while being creative - you continue to draw, as so will i <3

(and junkrat and roadhog, man... yeah they're not just characters, they stopped being just characters from a game a long time ago for me. i know i'm a broken record at this point BUT their codependency and independency, the balance between grit and gross and sweet and off-kilter, sweat, tears, blood and some ice-cream on the side, begrudging and thankful - it seems stupid to me too because i know most people just see these comic relief mad max rip-offs but every time i think about their dynamics and some of the stories i've read in fan works it grips my heart and i think "holy shit i love them so. much." - i'm still not done drawing them by a long shot i think, it just feels like i've reached a dead end of some kind? because with little time at hand and even less energy left i struggle to form my thoughts into drawings. but i'm working on that. i'm working on doing some kind of tribute, like a zine with my art from 2016 up to today and some more stuff i've yet to draw (had this idea since 2022 and i've just recently learned SO MUCH about zine making and printing and i finally started putting the first files together). because that feels right, like a proper "here look at this i hope this explains why i love them so much")

[kallie-den]

A Commanding Weakness Ch. 3

The ship's muscular, boisterous chief of security, Samira Carter, is summoned by Dr. Hiraga for an appointment in medbay. But when the doctor starts playing into her deepest fantasies, will her strength be enough to overcome her secret fetish: that she gets off on feeling weak

If you like my writing, please consider supporting me on Patreon!   For less than the price of a cup of coffee each month, you can get   immediate, early access to everything I write - along with exclusive stories and the ability to vote on what I write next. Your support helps  me keep writing and is greatly appreciated   <3

---

Chief Samira Carter was having a good day. It was her day off, and as chief of security on the Inyx, she didn’t get many of those. Especially not now that they had chased Wasp, the criminal vandal-hacker, all the way to the furthest and most dangerous parts of the rim of Alliance space. This was the kind of time when standards slipped and tempers frayed, and it was Chief Carter’s job to make sure that didn’t happen. Captain Vasser was perfectly capable of running a tight ship, of course, but it wasn’t appropriate to dirty the captain’s hands with every petty squabble and misdeed amongst the crew.

Dealing with all that fell to Chief Carter. Nobody talked back to a good security officer, and she was a great security officer.

As she walked through the Inyx’s passageways and bulkheads, everyone who she passed looked at her with a healthy mixture of fear, respect, and admiration. On her days off, Chief Carter was particularly grateful to be able to bask in that last one. She put a hell of a lot of effort into her body, and she was always glad to get some appreciation for it. Tall and broad-shouldered, she certainly had the build of a security officer, and she spent just about every spare hour she could in the Inyx’s gymnasium keeping her large, prominent muscles nicely toned and finely honed.

When she was off-duty, like today, the regs even permitted her to wear a simple, black tank top instead of the usual button-up uniform jacket. She loved the looks it put on the faces of some of the younger girls on the crew.

But today she had something more to bother with than winking at the women ogling her to make them blush. She had an appointment with the ship’s chief medical officer.

“Hey, doctor,” Chief Carter called out, as she walked into the medbay. “How’s it going?”

“Chief.” Dr. Hiraga rose to meet her, a warm, professional smile on her face. “Thank you for coming. I trust I haven’t interrupted anything important? I was under the impression that you were off duty, but you look busy.”

“Don’t worry.” Chief Carter laughed heartily. “I was just pumping some iron. I’m afraid I had to come straight from the gym.”

She knew Dr. Hiraga was reacting to the sheen of sweat covering her muscular body. In truth, it was simply how Chief Carter often liked to present herself. It usually had the desired effect. Her rich, olive skin looked incredible that way, she’d often been told. She could have showered, but instead she’d just taken a little time to make sure her chin-length bob of black hair looked good.

Dr. Hiraga wasn’t her usual type. But you never knew.

“I’ll be sure not to keep you,” Dr. Hiraga replied. “As you know, it’s mostly just a check-up.”

“I’m sure it’ll be quick,” Chief Carter quipped as the two of them went to sit down. “As you can see, I’m in great shape.”

Dr. Hiraga laughed politely. “I’m sure. But today we’re more interested in your mental health than your physical health.”

“Pfft. I don’t really go in for that kind of stuff, but alright.” Chief Carter sat back, one arm resting over the back of her chair. “What do you need to ask?”

The doctor pulled something up on her datapad. “Well, it’s been a long tour, and we haven’t seen much success so far. How are you handling the stress?”

Chief Carter shrugged easily. “It’s nothing. I’m used to it.”

“Are you sure?” Dr. Hiraga pressed. “As chief of security, there’s a lot of pressure on your shoulders.”

“My shoulders can handle it.” Chief Carter flexed a little, grinning. “If I get frustrated, all I need to do is picture what I’m gonna do to that Wasp once we get our hands on her.”

“That’s certainly what I like to hear.” Something lively and daring suddenly flashed through Dr. Hiraga’s eyes and - to Chief Carter’s shock - she bit her bottom lip. “Don’t worry, Chief. I trust you. I’m looking at those shoulders of yours very, very carefully.”

She was plainly flirting and, for once, Chief Carter was too stunned to flirt back. This was the last thing she’d expected from the ship’s mousy doctor.

“Right.” She laughed awkwardly, immediately unsure if she’d simply imagined it.

“Do you feel you have coping methods for the stresses that your role presents?” Dr. Hiraga asked, flipping back to professionalism. “Friends? Hobbies? Ways to blow off steam?”

“Well, sure. That’s what I go to the gymnasium for.” Chief Carter gestured at her biceps. “There’s no better way to deal with things than lifting something nice and heavy. It gives you a goal to strive for. Gets you out of your own head. It feels great, even if it does leave you a little sweaty.”

“So I see.” Dr. Hiraga’s eyes flashed again. “You make it sound very appealing, Chief. Perhaps I’ll have to pay you a visit at the gym sometime - if you wouldn’t mind, of course.”

Her flirtatious tone threw the security chief off-balance again. “You mean, to work out? Sure. I’d be more than happy to show you the ropes, spot for you, stuff like that.”

“Oh, no.” Dr. Hiraga giggled uncharacteristically. “I was just thinking that I’d love to watch.”

Chief Carter blinked and then looked at her sharply. There was no way she had imagined that. Dr. Hiraga was certainly in some kind of mood. Besides her flirtiness, she was calmer and more assured than Chief Carter had ever seen before. And… was she wearing something underneath her uniform? Chief Carter could see, just barely, a few hints of something black and shiny. It looked kinky.

A slow smile crept over Chief Carter’s face. Was Dr. Hiraga having some kind of midlife crisis? Whatever was happening, it was clearly good for her. The doctor had always been so high-strung, and if discovering her wild side was helping her to get over that, Chief Carter was happy for her.

Plus, she’d be happy to help. Fraternizations between officers were strictly regulated, of course, but as chief of security, Chief Carter felt entitled to bend the rules a little, provided she was being discreet. Dr. Hiraga had never really caught her eye before, but she certainly wasn’t bad-looking, and Chief Carter found herself suddenly curious about what, exactly, was going on under that uniform.

“Sure,” Chief Carter replied slowly, grinning. “You can come watch. I bet there are all kinds of things I could show you.”

“I bet.” Dr. Hiraga took a moment to smile daringly at her before moving on. “Well, I think it’s safe to say that you’re doing great. Now let’s take care of the procedure.”

Chief Carter suddenly frowned. “The procedure?” She’d heard nothing about this.

“An inoculation,” Dr. Hiraga explained. “We’re entering a region of space inhabited by a unique void-faring alien species called the Kressari. They make use of a unique song with mind-altering effects. I’ve devised a simple procedure to protect each of us from those effects.”

“I see,” Chief Carter replied cautiously. This was all news to her. “What does it involve?”

“A simple holo-stimulant nano-implant, based on our ship’s very own holodeck technology.” Dr. Hiraga stood up and started making a few preparations. “It’s injected via the aural canal and attaches to the optic nerve. From there, it makes use of holographic projections that can cancel out other mind-altering effects.”

“Huh.” Chief Carter was taken aback. She trusted Dr. Hiraga, obviously, but she’d never heard of the Kressari before, and this was the kind of thing she’d expect to find out about in a briefing or a ship-wide announcement. “And… this is all coming from Captain Vasser, right?”

“Why, of course.” Dr. Hiraga turned back to her and handed her datapad to the security chief. “Here.”

Chief Carter looked. Sure enough, it was right there - an order to inoculate the crew just as Dr. Hiraga had described, signed by the captain herself. That was more than enough to set Chief Carter at ease.

“What do you need me to do?” Chief Carter asked, shrugging.

“Over here, please.”

Dr. Hiraga beckoned Chief Carter over from her desk to one of the large, reclining examination chairs that occupied the medbay, surrounded by various pieces of medical equipment. Chief Carter obligingly hopped up into the chair and lay down, resting her head on the comfortable headrest. Dr. Hiraga bustled next to her, preparing for the procedure.

“Your hand, please,” the doctor said.

Chief Carter offered it to her immediately, but froze when she saw what the doctor was holding. “Um… what is that for?”

The doctor had reached under the chair and retrieved a large, sturdy-looking leather cuff, attached to the examination chair by a length of cable.

“I’m afraid restraints are standard procedure for this kind of thing,” Dr. Hiraga replied calmly. “Just in case. A few brief muscle spasms aren’t out of the question. We wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself.”

“Uh-huh,” Chief Carter said nervously.

This day was getting stranger and stranger but she had no reason to question the ship’s doctor, especially when she was acting on the captain’s orders. Still, Chief Carter found herself beginning to sweat and squirm as Dr. Hiraga moved carefully around the bed attaching the restraints - one for each wrist and each ankle.

“Y-you know, these might not actually help all that much.” Chief Carter made a show of tensing her muscles, and did her best to keep her voice light and jovial. “I’m sure they’re good enough for most of your patients, but I bet I could bust out in a heartbeat if I really tried.”

Dr. Hiraga had moved away to inspect her datapad, but she glanced back with a look of intense amusement on her face. “Oh, I don’t know about that.”

Something about her complete and total assurance sent a shiver down Chief Carter’s spine. “Yeah?”

“These are designed to hold anyone, chief,” Dr. Hiraga said. “And I do mean anyone. But, if you like, feel free to try them.”

Chief Carter blinked. “Huh.”

“Try it,” Dr. Hiraga repeated. “Try and break out. Give it your best shot.”

That light in her eyes was back, and there was something unreadable in the amusement on her face. This wasn’t the uptight, professional doctor Chief Carter was used to. “No, uh, I was just kidding around,” Chief Carter replied bashfully. “I wouldn’t want to break anything.”

“Not much chance of that, I promise you.” An unusual smirk came to the doctor’s face. “Besides, you’ve got me curious. Go ahead.”

“N-no.” Now, Chief Carter was really struggling to keep her voice light. “I mean, I-“

“What’s the matter?” Dr. Hiraga dared insistently. The flirtiness in her voice was back too. “The big, strong chief of security doesn’t want to put on a show? That doesn’t sound like you! You’re not scared, are you?”

Chief Carter couldn’t ignore that. It was a regular refrain between her gym buddies back on Earth, and she never backed down from a challenge. “Of course not!” she shot back, her cheeks slightly red. “Just don’t go blaming me if I break your chair. I warned you.”

Dr. Hiraga simply nodded and stood back to watch, a lurid, curious expression on her face. Chief Carter knew she couldn’t back down now. She sat up as much as she was able, braced herself against the chair with her left arm, and then started to bend her right, engaging her powerful biceps as much as she could to try and fight against the restraints.

Nothing.

Chief Carter had been hoping to at least feel them budge. They didn’t. There was no give. No elasticity. The restraints were merciless. She strained as hard as she could, uncomfortably conscious of the doctor’s gaze, but all she managed to do was exhaust herself. The longer she tried without success, the more a nameless, shameful tingling started to build within her body.

After a few more long moments, there was nothing for her to do but admit defeat.

When she slumped back into the examination chair, Chief Carter heard Dr. Hiraga laugh at her failure. That made her cheeks burn much, much hotter.

“You see?” Dr. Hiraga teased. “Now, allow me to just…”

She tapped a few times on the control panel next to the chair. There was a hum of energy coming from underneath Chief Carter, and then the cables connected to the cuffs around her wrists and ankles suddenly pulled tight, yanking the security chief’s thick, muscular limbs flat against the chair and binding her firmly in place. Chief Carter let out a surprised yelp.

“Doc! You could have warned me.”

“It’s all for your own safety,” Dr. Hiraga assured her. “Besides, does it really matter? You’re no more helpless now than you were before.”

Helpless. That word ran straight through Chief Carter’s body like a shock. “I’m not-“

“You know, it was very cute watching you strain just now.” Dr. Hiraga’s voice was edging beyond teasing, into mockery. “Huffing and puffing, straining and flexing. You looked so surprised! Not used to feeling overpowered, are you?”

A strangled noise erupted from Chief Carter’s throat. Words slipped away from her, as her body burned hotter and hotter.

“It was quite the sight,” Dr. Hiraga continued, walking around the bed so she could stand next to the chief’s head. “Just imagine if the rest of the crew saw you like this. Especially all those recruits you end up drilling. They’re so scared of you! I bet they wouldn’t be if they saw the big, strong, muscley Chief Carter looking as weak as a kitten.”

Chief Carter had to choke on her breath not to moan.

“Don’t worry. It won’t be for long. Although it could be, couldn’t it?” Dr. Hiraga reached out and stroked a finger along Chief Carter’s cheek. She was obviously enjoying that the chief couldn’t stop her. “I could keep you tied down here for a nice, long time if I really wanted to. It’s not like you could do anything to stop me, could you?”

“D-d-doctor!” Chief Carter spluttered. “T-this isn’t funny.”

“Come to think of it, let me just make sure we aren’t disturbed.” Dr. Hiraga tapped the console again, and Chief Carter heard the disconcerting clunk of the medbay’s doors locking shut. “You’re right, it’s not funny,” she said, turning back. “I’m not joking. I’m enjoying myself in a very different way.”

Chief Carter’s blood started to run cold. This wasn’t right. Dr. Hiraga didn’t behave this way. This was more than just a weird day. Something had happened - was happening - to the doctor. Something serious.

“D-Doctor Hiraga.” Chief Carter tried to make her voice firm instead of breathless. “Let me go. Right now.”

“No,” Dr. Hiraga replied at once. Hearing her say it like that, point-blank, confirmed Chief Carter’s worst fears. “ You haven’t taken your medicine yet, Chief Carter. I need to make sure you take your medicine. She told me to.”

“She? The captain?”

“No,” Dr. Hiraga said again. “Her.” She glanced up, momentarily addressing the room. “Computer. Activate the emergency medical hologram.”

Hidden projectors concealed all around the medbay whirred into life and, within just a few moments, an image made of hardlight materialized on the opposite side of the examination chair from Dr. Hiraga. Chief Carter recognized who it was at once, and it made her heart start pounding a double rhythm.

It was Wasp.

Chief Carter would have recognized the amoral hacker anywhere. She’d certainly spent enough time staring at her file. Those punk tattoos and that slicked streak of neon green hair were unmistakable. She’d never seen an image of Wasp looking quite like this, though. The hacker’s hologram was wearing an old-fashioned white-and-red nurse’s outfit that was made entirely out of shiny rubber and that was unapologetically porny in its tightness and skimpiness. Chief Carter hoped against hope that it was nothing more than a hologram, but her hopes were dashed when Wasp came to life with a malicious, impish grin.

“What’s the matter, doc?” Wasp drawled. “Have we got a rowdy patient on our hands?” She glanced down at Chief Carter, and then wolf-whistled theatrically. “Wow! They weren’t kidding. She’s a real beefcake.”

“What the-“ Chief Carter immediately redoubled her efforts to break free of the restraints, but that served only as a stomach-churning reminder of how helpless she was. Now that the restraints had been pulled tight, her efforts were even more futile. “Release me! Right now!”

“Nope!” Wasp replied breezily. “She just told you. You gotta take your medicine.”

“She…” Chief Carter turned toward the doctor. “Doctor Hiraga! How could you do this? Is she forcing you? Paying you? Blackmailing you? Or are you truly just-“

Her accusations died on her lips when, for the first time, she truly looked deep into Dr. Hiraga’s eyes. Earlier, she had only seen the dancing light of enjoyment and flirtation. Now she could look beyond that, and see it for what it was: nothing but a reflection caught in the glassy eyes of a doll. In truth, Dr. Hiraga’s eyes were blank. They were a yawning void, indicating nothing but a total lack of will or awareness.

All her gleeful teasing from before was gone too. Chief Carter instinctively realized that Dr. Hiraga wasn’t in control of herself. Earlier, she had been nothing but a puppet playing out her assigned part. Now that it was over, she was as limp as a discarded marionette.

And Wasp, of course, was the puppeteer.

“What have you done to her?” Chief Carter demanded.

“Just a little holodeck hypnotism,” Wasp answered lightly. “Don’t worry. You’ll get your taste soon enough.”

Chief Carter didn’t like the sound of that one bit. “And… you faked the captain’s seal?” she asked hopefully, even though she was already dreading the answer.

“No need.” Wasp giggled wickedly. “Vasser was the first. But not the last. Oh no.”

Chief Carter’s head was starting to spin. If Wasp already had Captain Vasser wrapped around her little finger, the whole ship was in danger. That made escaping even more urgent. She was the chief of security. It was her job to keep everyone safe, and that meant she needed to figure out how to get free.

“What are you going to do to me?” she demanded, as much as anything to try and keep Wasp talking.

“Why, me? Can’t you tell? I’m the emergency medical hologram!” Wasp twirled, almost flipping up her latex miniskirt. “The outfit is more than just fanservice for the doctor here. It’s just like she said. We’re going to give you a little procedure.”

That truly made Chief Carter’s blood run cold. “What kind of procedure?”

“She already told you, meathead,” Wasp mocked. “Well, not the stuff about it being an inoculation against aliens. That was bullshit. But yeah, we’re going to give you a fun little implant. Something to make you nice and docile for me.”

“That’ll never work!” Chief Carter raged at once. “I’ll never obey you!”

“That’s the spirit.” Wasp winked at her, before turning to Dr. Hiraga. “How are we looking, doc?”

“The implant is ready,” Dr. Hiraga replied. The lack of emotion in her voice was shocking. “However, my scanners indicate agitated theta rhythm activity from Chief Carter. It may interfere.”

“Hm.” Wasp stroked her chin thoughtfully. “Too much resistance, huh? Any suggestions?”

“A sedative is a possibility,” Dr. Hiraga said blankly. “But it would be necessary to fine-tune the dose. Too much or too little would render indoctrination ineffective.”

“I see,” Wasp mused, before a fresh grin came to her face. “We can worry about that later. For now, I have a different idea about how to deal with all that pesky resistance.”

“Good luck,” Chief Carter snorted. A faint hope had started to grow within her. All she had to do was hold out. Sooner or later, someone would come to find her. “You’ll need it. I’ll never break. Never. I’m as strong as steel.”

The devilish, lopsided grin that split Wasp’s face from ear to ear as she loomed over the captive security chief immediately wiped away Carter’s confidence.

“That’s the fun part, chief,” Wasp drawled. “You’re really, really not.”

“What are you talking about?” Chief Carter frowned nervously.

“You know, I’ve hacked all the way through your ship’s holographic systems and data,” Wasp crowed. “And wow, turns out everyone around here is hiding their dirty, kinky laundry in their holodeck scenarios! I guess that’s what comes of all this repressed, stuffed-shirt military shit. Anyway, I really, really liked what I found in yours.”

“N-no,” Chief Carter breathed, disbelieving, mortified.

“Oh yes,” Wasp cackled gleefully. “It's perfect. Almost cliché, really, but let no one say I’m not a fan of the classics.” She leaned in, putting her face very close to Chief Carter’s. “No wonder you were getting all hot and bothered when Doctor Hiraga was strapping you down.”

“S-shut up!”

Chief Carter had turned bright scarlet. She had never felt so humiliated. She longed to get up, to strike Wasp, to walk away - anything. But she couldn’t, and the certain knowledge of her own powerlessness itched at her, stimulating urges she longed to suppress.

“Honestly, you should be thanking me,” Wasp pronounced. “Just think of this as one of your naughty little fantasies come to life. Lie back and enjoy it. Enjoy feeling totally, pathetically weak and helpless.”

Those words were such a shock they made Chief Carter stop squirming. There was no denying it now. Wasp knew. Chief Carter couldn’t help running through her personal holodeck scenarios in the process - the naughty ones, the ones she kept secret. Among them were fantasies of being tied up and restrained. Fantasies of being overpowered. Fantasies of being drugged. The one thing they all had in common was defeat, and a specific angle of degradation.

Nothing got Chief Carter off harder than the thought of someone making the muscles and strength she was so proud of weak and useless, and then bullying her for it.

The way Dr. Hiraga was teasing her earlier had already hit uncomfortably close to home. The taunting smirk on her face as she’d watched the chief try and fail to break her bonds was something lifted straight from Chief Carter’s wet dreams. Now she understood why.

She prided herself on her strength. Her athleticism. Her impeccable physical condition. Someone watching it all fail her was a hot lash of humiliation that stirred up her body. It turned her stomach into a binding knot of craving and desperate, unbearable shame, and left her feeling like the ground had opened up beneath her, sending her tumbling, falling.

It was every bit as thrilling as it was horrifying, and a little voice at the back of Chief Carter’s mind always begged for more.

She whimpered. She couldn’t help it.

“Aw, look at that!” Wasp mocked. “The big strong bear has already turned into a meek little kitten. And I’ve barely had any fun yet.”

“S-shut up!” Chief Carter wished she had a wittier or more biting retort, but she didn’t. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t fucking think.

“Make me,” Wasp dared immediately. “Shut me up. C’mon. Oh, wait, you can’t. You’re trapped. You’re weak. Wanna take another run at those restraints?”

“I-I’m not,” Chief Carter insisted, and cringed when her voice came out as a whimper.

She couldn’t bring herself to try to break free again. She already knew what would happen, and how it would make her feel.

“Didn’t think so.” Wasp’s leering, victorious grin was another hot, humiliating lash. “Weak.”

Chief Carter started squirming again. She wasn’t even strong enough to keep herself from doing that.

“You can’t stop me doing anything I want,” Wasp pressed. “See?”

She reached out toward Chief Carter and stroked her fingertips over the lines of one of the muscular woman’s biceps. Her holographic form was made of hardlight, not flesh, but it was a close enough imitation to make Chief Carter twitch at the intimate touch. Wasp simply laughed at her plight.

“G-get off me!” Chief Carter protested weakly.

“Make me,” Wasp dared again. “Or else I’m going to go a lot further than just that. Like…”

The hacker bent over the examination chair, and it took Chief Carter far too long to realize that Wasp was about to kiss her. She tried to writhe out of the way but she could only move so much, and Wasp’s hands were immediately there to hold her head firm. The sensation of being overpowered by the person she was supposed to be apprehending sent an immediate quiver of shameful pleasure down Chief Carter’s spine.

Then Wasp kissed her.

There was nothing gentle or affectionate about the kiss. It was a pure power play. Wasp was making a show of the power she had over the restrained chief by claiming her lips and invading her mouth. Chief Carter couldn’t stop her, and couldn’t fight back.

So instead, she melted.

When Wasp finally pulled away, Chief Carter was left panting, her lips wet with drool, her cheeks stained with a girlish blush that didn’t suit her powerful body. The chief could see herself reflected in Wasp’s gleeful, malicious eyes, and what she saw there made her clench her thighs together in instinctive desperation.

“You see?” Wasp jeered. “You can’t stop me. You. Can’t. Stop. Me.”

“I-I…” The way the hacker drove the point home made it inescapable. Her words thundered through Chief Carter’s head, and the knot in her stomach kept binding tighter.

“But that’s just first base,” Wasp added, licking her lips. “And I’ve always been a greedy girl. The look on your face is already delicious, but I want way, way more. Let’s see…”

Wasp reached down Chief Carter’s body, and the chief saw white when she felt Wasp touch the belt buckle of her uniform pants.

“N-n-no!” she whined, as Wasp unfastened the buckle and unzipped her pants, pulling them down just a little to hang on her wide hips. “P… p…”

“Please?” Wasp threw back her head and laughed louder than ever. “Is that a ‘please’ I hear catching in your throat? Oh my god. I bet that stings, huh?”

“Hng… hrnngg.” Chief Carter was burning white hot. She wanted to escape from the heat of her own shame, but there was nowhere to go. She couldn’t even hide her face.

“Maybe ‘stings’ isn’t the right word,” Wasp said smugly. “But still. Big, bad Chief Samira Carter. I bet all the girls on the ship love you, huh? I wonder what they’d say if they saw you now. Tied up. Weak. Begging. Dripping wet.”

“Hffff.” Chief Carter tried to keep it out, but that suggestion wormed its way into her head. She found herself thinking about the women who had been ogling her earlier. The shame was ecstatic. “I-I’m… nnn…” she tried to say, fighting for her last shred of dignity. “Nnnot… wet…”

“Yeah? Let’s see, shall we?”

Wasp started peeling Chief Carter’s boxer shorts away from her body. The chief felt them come away sticky and wet. Wasp’s mocking laughter made her thrash her head from side to side.

“Remember what you were saying earlier?” she jeered. “Something about all the things you wanted to do to me when you caught me? How’s that looking now, chief?”

Chief Carter couldn’t answer. Her tongue hung limply out of her mouth. The sensation of falling was overwhelming.

“Maybe this’ll get you making some noise,” Wasp giggled, and pushed three of her fingers into the chief’s cunt.

Chief Carter let out one long, loud moan, girly and thick with pleasure. As soon as she heard the sound coming out of her own mouth, she tensed every single muscle in her body in an effort to stifle herself. It worked, but only just, and the way it made her back arch and her body writhe was just as humiliating as moaning.

When Wasp started pumping her fingers in and out in a rough, insistent rhythm, she lost control again. Wasp’s merciless bullying had put the muscular chief on a hair trigger, and the hacker seemed to know exactly how to touch her. Within moments, Chief Carter’s choked moans were forcing their way out of her throat and filling the medbay. The only thing louder was Wasp’s laughter, ringing inescapably in Chief Carter’s ears.

“Oh my god!” Wasp cried gleefully as she fucked her with her fingers. “Look at you now. I bet you couldn’t even pick yourself up out of that chair. I can’t believe this is all it takes. You’re so much easier than I thought you’d be, kitten.”

Her words made the boiling knot of humiliation and tension in Chief Carter’s stomach bind even tighter, and made her cunt clench down pitifully on Wasp’s fingers. The truth of her insults was what made Chief Carter truly burn. Her body felt like jelly. Even without the restraints, she wouldn’t be able to stand. Pleasure was robbing her of all her strength, and it was rapidly building to a mortifying peak.

“Gonna come for me already?” Wasp was increasing her pace, her thumb brushing against Chief Carter’s throbbing clit. “I didn’t know you were this much of a quickshot, too. It’s pathetic.”

“N-n-noooo,” Chief Carter howled in futile defiance.

“Oh yeah? Let’s see.”

Wasp did the cruelest thing possible: she started to pull back, making her strokes shallower and keeping her fingertips from reaching the most sensitive places inside Chief Carter’s body. And shamefully, the chief couldn’t find the strength to stop herself from thrusting forward with her hips as much as her restraints would allow, desperate for more stimulation.

She didn’t want this, but her body needed it. Chief Carter was so unbelievably weak to Wasp’s torture.

Wasp howled with laughter as she played Chief Carter like a musical instrument. Her wide, manic eyes were fixated on her victim’s face as she drew strength and glee from the increasingly humiliated, needy, pleasure-drunk expressions that Chief Carter wore.

“Look at you,” Wasp mocked. “You can’t even stop yourself from enjoying it.”

Shamefully, Chief Carter couldn’t help but feel an instinctive, animal gratitude when Wasp started finger-fucking her in earnest again, bringing the wave of her orgasm to its crest. She screamed like a trapped beast as she came, absolute humiliation burning through her mind as she soiled Wasp’s fingers with her wetness.

Wasp took a moment to bask in her victory, but soon turned serious. “Doc,” she called out to one side. “The implant, if you please.”

Dr. Hiraga, who had been standing at attention on the other side of the examination chair, picked up a hypospray from a nearby tray and handed it across to Wasp. Still in the throes of orgasm, Chief Carter only caught a quick look. She saw something pointed and threatening attached to one end.

“Hold her,” Wasp commanded.

The brainwashed doctor moved to hold Chief Carter’s head still. Chief Carter was starting to come down from her humiliating, orgasmic high and regain a little sense, but she still wasn’t able to fight Dr. Hiraga off. The doctor was slight and far from athletic, but Chief Carter felt as weak as a kitten. Her proud muscles wouldn’t obey her, and so she was helpless as Wasp held the hypospray to her ear.

“Time to take your medicine,” Wasp drawled, before pulling the trigger.

Accompanied by the sound of decompressing air, the procedure felt like an icicle being driven deep into Chief Carter’s ear - deeper than was physically possible, so deep it felt like it was reaching her brain. She squirmed uselessly as she felt her mind curdle, the intrusive sensation of the nano-liquid driving all thoughts out of her head. Then, as the implant attached to her optic nerve, strange, glitch-like artifacts started to flake across her vision.

Chief Carter felt utterly helpless. Wasp was inside her now. She could sense something moving within her, changing her, a spider spreading its web throughout her brain. She wasn’t sure if it was a phantom sensation or not.

“How are we looking, doc?” Wasp asked, after a moment.

Dr. Hiraga checked her datapad. “Implant is active and ready for use.”

“Perfect!” Wasp drew herself up authoritatively in an impression of Captain Vasser made all the more mocking by her slutty nurse’s outfit. “Now, on my mark.”

She snapped her fingers.

Dr. Hiraga tapped on her datapad and at once, the holo-stimulant implant behind Chief Carter’s eyes came to life, blaring colors that were impossibly vivid and blindingly bright. Captain Vasser shuddered and seized up as the holographic lights overstimulated her nerves and saturated all of her senses. She couldn’t just see the lights, she could hear them. Taste them. Feel them.

A spiral.

It was a spiral, spinning; a dizzying kaleidoscope that drowned her as it turned. The implant blared so bright it shone all the way through her eyes, turning her eyeballs themselves into spinning, spiral orbs that glowed with electric intensity, bathing the space in front of Chief Carter with an unnatural light she could not herself see.

She couldn’t see the room, only the spiral, as it sunk deep into her psyche and imprinted upon her.

Eventually, mercifully, it stopped. Chief Carter slumped completely limp. No workout had ever left her feeling more wrung out. Her head was throbbing like it was about to split open, and she could still see that shining spiral whenever she blinked. She felt ruined.

“Talk to me, doc,” Wasp commanded. She was watching Chief Carter intently.

“All the readouts are good,” Dr. Hiraga reported in a flat monotone. “Preliminary test complete. Basic hypno-conditioning has been implanted successfully, along with the triggers you specified.”

“Perfect.” Wasp’s voice turned breathy and eager. “Fuck, that was hot. I bet the cap would be creaming her panties if she’d seen that. Too bad she’s stuck on the bridge. Oh well! Let’s get her free. The restraints are getting old.”

Dr. Hiraga obediently tapped on the nearby control panel, and the cuffs around Chief Carter’s wrists and ankles all simultaneously came loose.

Chief Carter couldn’t believe her luck. Finally, Wasp had made a mistake.

She felt like shit, but she wasn’t brainwashed like Dr. Hiraga. Not yet. She was still her own woman. And now she was free. Hidden reserves of strength surged within her. If nothing else, it would be enough to deal with Wasp, subdue Dr. Hiraga, and alert the rest of the Inyx’s crew.

Chief Carter took one single deep breath before she leaped to her feet and threw herself at Wasp.

It was instinct more than anything. You couldn’t knock out a hardlight hologram, but you could sure as hell shove one aside for a moment. And a moment was all she would need. She raised her fist, ready to strike, but was greeted with nothing but Wasp’s supremely confident smirk.

“Melt, kitten,” the hacker said.

As soon as that first word washed over Chief Carter, she was undone. The post-hypnotic trigger took hold of her in an instant. Her muscles failed her. Her raised fist slumped back to her side, and she collapsed to her knees as her legs turned to jelly.

Finally, it clicked. It didn’t matter how strong Chief Carter was. Wasp was in control.

As she knelt before the hacker, Chief Carter felt like the weakest, most helpless woman in the galaxy. And it made her cunt start to drip again.

“That’s what I like to see,” Wasp cooed, as she looked into Chief Carter’s eyes. “Defeat. See? Medicine doesn’t always go down easy. But it’s good for you, chief. It really is.”

Chief Carter didn’t say anything. She was done. Her mind was still her own, for now, but her body was Wasp’s. She’d lost. There was no point in fighting. It was over.

“Here,” Wasp said. “Something to take care of the aftertaste.”

She lifted her white latex miniskirt and, with a wave of her hand, conjured up a huge hardlight cock, mounted to her body with straps and a harness. Wasp reached down and guided Chief Carter’s head to it, pushing the tip of the holographic strap-on past her lips.

Chief Carter started to suck. Even if she’d had the strength to fight, she no longer had the will.

“I think we can call the test a complete success,” Wasp purred, admiring the broken, muscular woman kneeling before her and sucking her strap-on. “Let’s take her the rest of the way.”

She snapped her fingers, and Dr. Hiraga reactivated the holo-stimulant implant.

Lights blared back into life, outshining Chief Carter’s pupils and irises with spinning spiral eyes and drowning both pleasure and humiliation with blissful, hypnotic oblivion.

—

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[daegudrama]

Title: Route 613

Pairing: Reader/Namjoon, Reader/Yoongi, Reader/Vmin

Summary: Reader wants to be the very best Pokémon trainer there ever was. Her first stop in that journey is Paldea University home to a myriad of higher education. Still working to get over her ex boyfriend, Yoongi, reader forms new connections while making a few questionable decisions along the way. Each battle bringing her closer to the glory she's always dreamed of. Will she succeed in becoming champion or will outside forces stop her from achieving her goal?

Word Count: 10.7k

Disclaimer: Real life ages mean nothing in this fic. Refer here for ages and my shitty graphics

cross posted to ao3 here

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Chapter 9

In the morning Yoongi makes you a quick breakfast that is easy to eat on the go. He wasn’t joking when he said he wanted to get back to school as soon as possible. The two of you are some of the first students to arrive back. He doesn’t say much on the trip back, but you think it’s better that way.

As soon as you are settled into your room again you send a message to the group chat. Everyone should be back tonight and a kickback in someone’s dorm is so needed after the intensity of break. Yunjin quickly offers up her dorm saying she’ll prepare the snacks. Jimin and Taehyung promise some local brews from their hometowns.

While the rest of them plan and prepare for the night you head outside your dorm in search of a battle. A few students are milling around and more than happy to battle you. After going three for three you walk around campus feeling a sense of peace. You are safe here. When that bores you it’s time to travel down the numerous steps into town.

Yoongi is buying pokemon snacks from a vendor you were looking for. When he sees you approaching he says something to the worker and she hands over another treat. He pays then hands you the extra he bought. 

“I know it’s unreasonable to ask you to stay inside Mesagoza all the time.” Yoongi says once the two of you have sat down at a table far away from anyone else. “That would really stunt your training and mine. If you venture out into the woods just be on extra high alert. Okay?”

You call for Wooper, Bones, who eagerly waddles over once he’s free from his ball. As you unwrap the snack, you nod in agreement, absorbing Yoongi’s concern. 

“Thanks for the snack,” you say, breaking off a piece and offering it to Bones. He takes it without hesitation. Bones chomps it down happily. “I’ll be careful. I‘ve heard how dangerous Team Rocket can be.”

Yoongi feeds a piece to his own pokemon, his gaze soft and attentive. “I’ve heard some things, but nothing concrete. Obviously, what happened has put me on edge. I need you to be prepared for anything.”

“I’ll make sure to keep my guard up. I can handle whatever comes my way, and if something seems off, I’ll make sure to come back to campus immediately.”

Yoongi’s eyes meet yours, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips, “I know you can handle yourself, but I don’t want you to have to. Just…be cautious. I can’t let them take something else from me.”

With that, you both sit in silence for a moment, the weight of his words handing in the air. The bustling town around you feels distant, but the warmth of the snack and the support from Yoongi gives you reassurance. You finish up your conversation, grateful for the concern and ready to head back to the dorm. 

After sleeping for a few hours you head out once again to sneak in a little more training before you head to Yunjin’s down. As you make your way down the path towards the training grounds, eager to face more trainers, a familiar voice calls out to you.

“Out training again?”

You turn around to see Namjoon strolling towards you, hands tucked casually in his pockets, with that soft smile on his face that makes you question a lot of things. He looks relaxed, like he’s been spending the day reading or researching, typical Namjoon. The thought makes you grin. 

“Of course,” you reply with a smirk. “Got to keep my team in top shape. The tournament is coming up. What about you? Not out for a battle I assume.”

Namjoon chuckles, shaking his head. “I’m more interested in understanding them.” His eyes light up with that familiar spark of curiosity you’ve come to like. “Actually, I was working on a new genetic analysis for my research. It’s fascinating how certain traits pass down through generations of Pokemon. I’ve been looking at Eevee evolutions and how environmental factors influence their development. Have you ever thought about how much influence nature versus nurture has on Pokemon growth?”

You laugh softly, admiring his big brain. “You always come up with the most interesting stuff. Meanwhile, I’m just here thinking about how to get Bones to stop trying to eat every trainer’s shoe mid-battle.”

Namjoon laughs. “Well, that’s important too! Pokemon behavior is key. Plus, Bones just became your pokemon not too long ago. He has time to figure out his role on your team. I’m sure he’ll listen soon.”

You release Bones from his Pokéball, and as expected, your Wooper waddles over taking a curious sniff at Namjoon’s shoes. You wince, expecting the worst, but Namjoon kneels down and gently pats Bones on the head.

“See? He’s just curious,” Namjoon says softly, his tone calm and soothing. “I actually came out here to see if you wanted company while you train. I could watch, maybe help out with some recovery after your battles. I’ve been studying some new remedies.”

Your heart warms at the thought of spending more time with him. Namjoon might not battle much, but his presence is reassuring, and the way he cares for Pokémon is something you’ve always admired.

“I’d like that,” you say, trying to keep your voice steady. “It’s always nice having someone around who doesn’t want to jump into a battle every two seconds.”

Namjoon’s eyes crinkle with a smile. He knows all too well how the rest of your friend group is. Specifically Hiyyih, all she wants to do is battle whoever is closest to her lately. “Plus, I’ll keep Bones entertained between rounds. We don’t want him snacking on anyone’s shoes, right?”

You both laugh, and as you walk together toward the training grounds, you feel a comfortable warmth between you. His arm occasionally brushes against yours as you walk, and those tiny sparks of connection remind you just how close the two of you have become over the past few months. There’s an ease to your friendship, a natural chemistry that sometimes feels like it’s teetering on the edge of something more.

As you reach the field, a few trainers have already gathered, ready for battle. Namjoon finds a spot on the side, leaning against a fence as you prepare to face your next opponent.

“You got this,” he says, his voice filled with quiet encouragement. “I’ll be here if you need any post-battle healing tips.”

The battle goes by in a blur, your focus sharp and your Pokémon responding to every command with precision. Namjoon watches from the sidelines, occasionally taking notes, though his attention keeps drifting back to you. His calm presence makes you feel grounded, even as you’re locked in the intensity of the match.

After the battle, as you recall your Pokémon, Namjoon approaches, handing you a potion bottle. “You might want to apply this to Bones’ tail. He took a pretty hard hit out there.”

“Thanks,” you say, grateful for his sharp eye. As you crouch down to treat Bones, Namjoon kneels beside you, his shoulder brushing against yours. You can feel the warmth of him, close and steady, and for a moment, the world seems to narrow down to just the two of you.

“You’re really good at this,” he says softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Not just the battling, but the way you care for them afterward.”

Your heart skips again, and you try to focus on Bones, but it’s impossible not to notice the way Namjoon’s gaze lingers on you a little longer than usual. You meet his eyes briefly, and there’s a moment—fleeting, but charged with something unspoken.

“Thanks,” you manage to say, feeling your cheeks heat up. “I just want to do right by them, you know?”

Namjoon smiles, and there’s something warm and reassuring in the way he looks at you. “You’re doing more than right by them. They’re lucky to have you.”

As you finish up, the two of you fall into step once again, heading back toward campus. The conversation flows easily, and despite everything weighing on your mind—Yoongi’s warning, the looming threat of Team Rocket—you find yourself enjoying the time with Namjoon. His presence feels like a safe space, and though you can’t talk about what’s really happening, for now, being here with him is enough.

As you part ways, with Namjoon offering a small wave and promising to see you at Yunjin’s later, you can’t help but wonder what this term is going to bring. Will you be able to balance it all?

════════════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ════════════

The warmth of Yunjin’s dorm room hits you the moment you step inside. The small space is already packed with familiar faces Jimin and Taehyung lounging on the floor, drinks in hand, while Hiyyih waves you over to where she’s perched on the bed. Namjoon is by the window, chatting with Chaewon, who’s wrapped in a cozy-looking sweater and sitting beside Yunjin. They’re leaning into each other, looking as comfortable as ever in their little corner of the room. You smile at the sight of them. Yunjin’s always had that calming aura, and it seems to bring out a softer side of Chaewon that not everyone gets to see.

“Hey, you made it!” Hiyyih grins, scooting over to make space for you. She immediately pulls you into the space, offering you a drink she must’ve snagged from the stash Jimin and Taehyung brought with them. “You ready to lose at some drinking games?”

“Is that a challenge?” You laugh, settling in beside her and taking a sip from your drink. “I haven’t lost yet.”

“Oh, is that so?” Taehyung calls from his spot, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Then we better get started.”

Yunjin claps her hands, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Alright, what should we play first? ‘Never Have I Ever’ or ‘Kings’?”

Jimin raises his drink in mock seriousness. “Both, obviously. We’ve got all night.”

Everyone laughs, and soon enough, the room is buzzing with conversation and the clinking of glasses. You lean back against the bed frame, your drink in hand, and glance over at Namjoon, who has quietly slipped into a seat next to you. His presence is steady as always, but every now and then, you catch his eyes drifting your way, the soft curve of a smile on his lips. It makes your heart do that little flutter again, the kind that you’ve been trying to ignore.

The first game starts off harmless, everyone who wasn’t with you in Kanto sharing stories about their winter breaks. Taehyung is talking about how he visited his grandparents in the countryside, and how he managed to get lost in the forest trying to find a “legendary Pokemon” that only he seemed to believe in. The room bursts into laughter when he admits it was just an old Pidgeotto perched on a tree. 

As the room fills with more stories of winter break, the drinks start to flow, and soon enough, the energy shifts into competitive fun. Yunjin suggests starting with “Never Have I Ever,” and everyone agrees, laughing as they prepare for the inevitable teasing.

“I’ll go first!” Taehyung says with a wicked grin. “Never have I ever…fallen asleep during a battle.”

Jimin groans, taking a gulp of his drink. “That was one time! I was exhausted.”

Everyone laughs as the game continues, the questions ranging from lighthearted to slightly scandalous. When it’s your turn, you glance around the room before saying, “Never have I ever…gotten lost in another region.” Namjoon takes a sip of his drink, a guilty smile spreading across his face. “Okay, that’s fair. I got lost in Kanto more than once when I ventured outside of my hometown.”

“That doesn’t surprise me,” you tease. “You are always so focused on your research.”

The playful banter continues, and the room is filled with laughter and warmth. Hiyyih leans into you, nudging your shoulder. “So, what was your favorite part of the Kanto trip?”

You pause for a moment, thinking about the trip. “Honestly, getting to train with the gym leaders was incredible. But the best part was probably seeing how much everyone’s grown. I feel like we all learned so much over break.”

“That’s true,” Namjoon says, leaning closer to you. “It was nice being out there together, working on what we’re passionate about.”

You meet his gaze, and for a brief moment, the room around you fades. There’s something about the way he’s looking at you that makes your heart skip a beat. You quickly look away, feeling the familiar flutter in your chest.

As the game moves on, the drinks keep flowing, and the stories grow bolder. Taehyung teases Jimin about getting too drunk in the Lavender Town tower and scaring himself with a ghost Pokémon. Hiyyih tries to get you to reveal more details about your time in Kanto, but you steer the conversation back toward the group, knowing you can’t share everything.

Taehyung smirks when it’s his turn and says something that is clearly trying to stir the pot. “Never have I ever…hooked up with an ex.”

Your stomach flips as you send daggers with your eyes towards Jimin. 

“Jimin!” You scold.

“YN, I didn’t tell him. He was trying to get me.” Jimin replies with a wicked grin. “But go ahead and expose yourself to everyone.”

Namjoon takes another drink and you follow suit. The man beside you looks lost in thought and you wonder if he’s preparing to answer questions from the rest of the room. Of course, you already know the truth, but you don’t think this is something he would offer up easily. 

Yunjin and Chaewon look deeply confused and a little hurt that you haven’t already shared this information with them. It’s not that you wouldn’t have told them. You just haven’t really had a moment to think about who might want to know this information. 

You start to offer the bare minimum of information when Namjoon grabs the bottle he was drinking from and stands up. He wobbles slightly and leaves Yunjin’s room without a word. Everyone in the room exchanges confused glances and Hiyyih nudges you. 

“Follow him.” She says.

On your way out the door you steal one of Yunjin’s hoodies. You race out of the building looking for Namjoon. It’s not until twenty minutes later that you find him on one of the battlefields. He is lying on his back looking up at the star filled sky. The bottle he was drinking is empty sitting near his feet. He sits up as you approach looking up at you with a goofy smile.

“Hi, cutie.” Namjoon greets waving his hand. 

“Hi, Joon.” You reply, taking a seat right in front of him. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” he says, dragging out the word. “It’s just a little tough hearing the person you like talk about another guy. I really like you and not a single one of the hints I’ve been dropping are landing, y’know?”

You feel your heart skip a beat because surely you heard him wrong. The casual way he says it is greatly contrasting with the weight of the confession. He is still smiling, but there’s a vulnerability in his eyes. Like he’s been waiting for this moment. His timing is kind of hilarious. Is he so nervous to confess that he had to wait until he is probably blacked out? You blink, your heart racing as your mind is screaming for you to stay calm. 

“Wait..what?” You ask, trying to keep your tone light.

Namjoon chuckles, swaying a bit as he sits up straighter. “Yeah, I like you. Really thought I was being pretty obvious, but you never notice. You’re so cute, though.” He leans forward slightly, his grin wide and unfiltered. “I even gave you snacks! Ones that took days to find. You’re so…amazing! Like, you don’t even get it. I’ve liked you basically since we first met. The way you’re so…determined. You care about people, and you never let anything stop you. I watch you with your friends and you always make everyone feel seen. You make me feel seen. You don’t even know how much that means.”

He pauses, his eyes unfocused for a moment before locking back onto yours. “And it’s not just that. You’re smart. And talented. And every time I see you, I get this stupid feeling in my chest because…because you make everything feel better. Even when I’m having the worst day.”

His voice softens, and you feel your heart pounding. “I’ve been trying to show you, but you don’t notice. I always try to find ways to be around you, or give you snacks when you look tired, or make excuses to talk to you, but…I guess I’ve just been too scared to say it out loud.”

You blink, the depth of his words hitting you all at once. He’s been carrying this with him, and even though he’s drunk, there’s a truth to what he’s saying that makes it hard to brush off. But you can’t ignore how intoxicated he is right now.

“Namjoon…” you say softly, reaching out to touch his arm gently. “You really like me?”

“Yeah, like a lot,” he murmurs, leaning forward slightly as if he’s trying to make sure you really hear him. “But it’s more than that. I admire you. You’re…you’re everything I want to be. Strong. Caring. And you don’t even know how incredible you are.”

You feel warmth spreading through your chest, but you know this isn’t the moment. He’s far too drunk to realize what he’s saying, and even though part of you wants to react, you need to hear this from him when he’s sober.

“I hear you, Joon,” you say gently. “But I want to talk about this when you’re sober, okay? I want to know you mean it.”

“I do mean it,” he says, his voice insistent but slurred. “But fine. Tomorrow. I’ll tell you again tomorrow.” His head tilts back, eyes drifting shut, his body swaying as he mumbles, “You’re the best thing in my life…”

You bite your lip, trying to figure out the best way to respond. Part of you wants to let your heart react, feel all the confusing things you’ve been feeling for weeks, but you know this isn’t the right moment. Not when he’s way drunker than you are. 

“Joon,” you say softly, placing a hand on his knee to steady him. “You’re really drunk.”

“So what? I’m being honest,” he says, opening his eyes and matching your soft tone despite the state he’s in. “I like you, and I’ve been trying to tell you…but you don’t even see me like that.”

You sigh, your heart aching at how sincere he seems despite his inebriated state. You know you’ll have to bring this up again when he’s sober, when the words won’t be clouded by alcohol.

“I hear you, Namjoon,” you say gently, leaning in a little. “But I want to hear this when you’re sober, okay?”

He blinks slowly, processing your words. “Sober?” he mumbles, confused. “But I’m telling you now…”

“I know and if you remember this tomorrow I’ll buy you boba.” You offer a small smile. “If you don’t remember this then we’ll have this conversation again while you buy me boba. I have to hear it again when you’re not drunk so I know it's real.”

“It’s real. I’m going to remember this.”

After a few minutes of silence, you help him stand and ask him to text you that he will buy you boba if he doesn’t remember this conversation. That way you can’t chicken out because he will see the text message in the morning whether you want to have the conversation or not. 

Namjoon stumbles a little, but you steady him, making sure he doesn’t fall. His arm wraps around your shoulders, his body heavy against yours as you walk him back towards his dorm. You try to keep the mood light despite the confession swirling around in your head.

Once you reach his door, Namjoon pulls out his keys, fumbling with them before he finally gets the door open. He leans against the frame for support, looking at you with soft eyes. “You’re really amazing, you know that?”

You give a small smile, brushing a piece of hair out of his face. “Thanks, Joonie. But I think you need to get some sleep, okay? I’m gonna head back now.”

He frowns, his lips pouting as he leans forward slightly. “Can’t you come inside? Just for a little bit?”

You shake your head, firm but gentle. Part of you wants to laugh at his confidence, but you know in any other situation you would probably be folding. “No, not tonight. You need to rest, and I need you to promise me something.”

Namjoon blinks, confused. “Promise?”

You reach out your hand, pinky extended. “You’re not going to leave your room until morning, okay? Pinky promise me.”

He looks at your hand, then back at you before hooking his pinky with yours. You can’t help but gawk at how tiny your hand looks next to his. “I pinky promise,” he mumbles, though his tone is more playful than serious. You give his pinky a squeeze before letting go. 

Then, there’s a pause. A moment where his gaze lingers on you, and you can see the question forming in his head before he even speaks. “Can I kiss you?”

Your heart jumps at the request, but you quickly shake your head, giving him a soft, almost teasing smile. “Not right now. Don’t you want to remember the first time we kiss?”

Namjoon’s pout deepens, his shoulders slumping a little. “But I wanna know how you feel.”

You place your hands on his biceps, giving him a reassuring squeeze. “Maybe we can make that happen. But not tonight, okay? Let’s save that for when you can actually remember it.”

He huffs but eventually nods, accepting your decision. There’s a moment of quiet before he opens his arms, gesturing for a hug. You step forward, wrapping your arms around him in a long, tight embrace. His arms close around you, and for a few seconds, the world feels like it’s just the two of you. It's quiet and still. 

When you finally pull away, Namjoon looks at you with sleepy eyes, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Okay. Tomorrow then.”

“Tomorrow,” you promise softly. You give him one last look, making sure he’s steady before taking a step back. 

As the door closes you let out a deep breath, your heart still pounding from everything that just happened. Tomorrow. You’ll figure it out tomorrow.

As you walk away from Namjoon’s door, the weight of the night’s events hits you all at once. Your heart races, and your mind feels like it’s spinning. Namjoon likes you, he likes you, and not in the casual, friendly way you’ve always assumed. He wants to kiss you. He’s made it clear that his feelings go beyond friendship, and now…what does that mean for you?

You continue walking aimlessly through campus, the crisp night air doing little to clear the confusion in your head. You do like Namjoon, of course you do, he’s becoming one of your closest friends, and you’ve always been drawn to him in ways you couldn’t fully explain. His kindness, his intelligence, the way he’s always so thoughtful and gentle. But until tonight, you hadn’t been forced to confront just how deep those feelings might run.

Part of you wants to run back to his door, to kiss him and let the warmth of his affection wash over you. But another part of you…another part of you is scared. Scared of what happens if you cross that line. Scared of losing the balance you’ve built in your friendship. And there’s Yoongi.

Your thoughts flicker back to the nights you spent together, to the way Yoongi had made you feel. That raw, unspoken tension between you two—the way he’d held you, touched you. There’s no denying that something is still brewing between you and Yoongi, too, something equally complicated and confusing. But it’s different with him. It’s familiar and easy, but the two of you broke up for a reason.

You stop walking, standing beneath a streetlight, its glow casting long shadows on the pavement. What are you even doing? How can you untangle these feelings when you don’t even know what you want? Do you want Namjoon’s steady, dependable love, or are you chasing something comfortable with Yoongi? Or maybe, it’s not about choosing at all—maybe you’re just not ready to define anything yet. You don't know. Not now.

Your phone buzzes in your pocket, and you pull it out to see a text from Namjoon. Just a simple, Goodnight. Talk tomorrow?

You smile faintly at the message. He’s always so considerate, even when he’s clearly just as confused as you are. You text him back a quick, Goodnight before putting your phone away. You’ll figure things out in the morning.

But right now, you can’t. You need a distraction. A reprieve from all the conflicting emotions swirling inside you.

Before you realize what you’re doing, your feet start carrying you in a familiar direction. Toward Yoongi’s dorm.

You tell yourself it’s just for comfort, that you need a safe space to think without the pressure of figuring everything out all at once. But deep down, you know that’s only half the truth. Yoongi has always been a safe haven for you. His calm, quiet presence somehow grounds you even when your world feels like it’s spinning out of control. Yet there’s something undeniably tempting about the way he makes you feel, something that pulls you toward him even when you’re not sure it’s a good idea.

════════════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ════════════

You walk down the hallway toward Yoongi’s dorm. As you reach Yoongi’s door and raise your hand to knock, the door swings open and Jungkook comes out, earbuds in, a bottle of water in his hand. 

He pauses when he sees you. “Oh, hey,” he says, flashing a quick smile before he glances down the hallway, seemingly in a rush. “Yoongi is inside. Have fun!” He gives a small wave and practically scurries off before you can respond. 

Jungkook disappears down the hall and a moment later, Yoongi’s familiar face appears in the doorway. His expression softens when he sees you, concern flickering in his eyes as he steps aside to let you in. 

“Come in,” he says quietly, his tone gently but observant. “Everything okay?”

You step inside, taking in the comforting surroundings of his dorm. It’s dimly lit, and a soft hum of music plays in the background, making the space feel safe. You shake your head slightly, offering a small, tired smile. 

“I just…need a distraction.” you admit, trying to keep your voice steady.

Yoongi closes the door behind you and motions for you to sit on the couch, but you ignore it, making your way to his bed instead. You collapse face down onto the soft mattress, the coolness of his sheets pressing gently against your cheek. The familiarity of it, grounds you in a way nothing else can right now. You let out a sigh, as if the bed itself is absorbing some of the tension you’ve been holding onto. 

Yoongi watches you for a moment, his lips twitching in what you think might be a small smile. He sits on the edge of the bed, his body close but not imposing, giving you the space to breathe. 

“So, what’s really going on?” he asks, his voice low and calm. “What would make you feel better?”

Lying face down in his bed, inhaling the familiar scent of him on the pillow, your mind races for something to say. But instead of rational words, something else slips out. You mumble into the pillow, “Your dick.”

For a split second, there's silence, and then Yoongi lets out a low chuckle. “My dick, huh?” He sounds amused, but there’s a slight edge of curiosity in his tone.

You lift your head just enough to meet his gaze, heat rising in your cheeks. “Yeah,” you mutter, a little less playful, a little more honest. “I need a distraction, and that sounds like a good one right now.”

Yoongi’s eyes darken slightly, his amusement replaced with something more serious. He studies your face for a moment, searching for any hesitation. “You sure that’s what you want?”

You sink deeper into Yoongi’s bed, the familiar smell of his sheets soothing you in a way you hadn’t expected. But beneath the comfort, a different kind of tension hums in the background—one you’ve been trying to ignore. Maybe it’s the warmth of his presence next to you, the way his body leans close but not quite touching yours. 

“I just need a distraction,” you mumble again, but this time, your voice is quieter, more vulnerable. You’ve been carrying the weight of tonight, and as much as you told yourself you just needed to escape your thoughts, you realize there’s something more simmering underneath.

Yoongi looks at you for a long moment, his eyes searching yours as if he can see what’s going on behind your flippant comments. The chuckle from before fades, replaced by a stillness, a seriousness that makes your pulse quicken.

He leans in just a little closer, his fingers grazing your arm in the most casual, effortless way, but it sends a shiver down your spine. “Are you sure that’s all you need?” he asks, his voice lower, more deliberate now. 

You turn your head to the side, meeting his gaze from where you’re still lying face down on his bed. There’s a flicker of something in his eyes, something that matches the heat building between you. The tension is thick now, and for a split second, you feel like you’re standing on the edge of something, the next move up to you.

“No,” you whisper, your voice barely audible, but it’s enough.

Yoongi’s eyes darken as he processes your words, and before you can second guess yourself, he shifts closer, his hand moving to your back, fingers tracing lightly over the fabric of your shirt. His touch is soft, teasing, but it’s enough to make your breath hitch.

“You sure about this?” he murmurs, his lips now just inches from your ear.

You nod, barely trusting your voice to respond. “I want you.”

There’s no hesitation after that. Yoongi’s hand slips lower, sliding under your shirt, his touch warm against your skin. He leans down, his lips brushing the back of your neck, sending a jolt of electricity through you.

“You know what you’re asking for, right?” he whispers, his voice rougher now, more demanding.

You turn slightly, enough to meet his gaze, your body buzzing with anticipation. “I know exactly what I’m asking for,” you murmur, your heart pounding as you close the distance between you, your lips brushing his in a way that’s slow, deliberate, and full of heat.

Yoongi responds instantly, the kiss deepening as his hands explore your body, pulling you closer, his intentions clear in every touch.

Yoongi’s hands slide over your waist, fingers pressing into your skin with a grip that feels like both a promise and a test of control. The kiss grows deeper, more urgent, his mouth moving against yours as if he’s been holding back for far too long. You feel the weight of him above you, his body aligning with yours as his hands continue their exploration, skimming over the curve of your hips, your back arching slightly under his touch.

You shift under him, turning onto your back, and Yoongi’s eyes meet yours again, the heat between you practically crackling. His hand moves to cup your cheek, thumb brushing over your bottom lip, and the way he’s looking at you makes your breath catch.

“This what you need?” he murmurs, his voice low, rough with desire, but still holding that edge of control.

You nod, not trusting yourself to speak, but your hands move to tug at his shirt, pulling him down toward you. He obliges, his mouth returning to yours, kissing you deeper, harder this time. His hand slips beneath your shirt again, fingers tracing over your skin, finding every sensitive spot that makes you shiver.

You let out a soft sound against his lips, your body responding to every touch, every kiss, as if he’s the only thing grounding you. The way his body presses against yours is intoxicating, and you can feel his want as he kisses down the side of your neck, his lips leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

“Yoongi…” you breathe, your fingers threading through his hair as he continues his slow, deliberate descent, his mouth exploring, tasting, leaving no part of you untouched. Your body is buzzing with anticipation, heat pooling low in your stomach as his hands move lower, teasing at the waistband of your pants.

He pauses, his eyes locking with yours again, the question unspoken but clear.

You nod, your heart pounding in your chest. “I need this. I need you.”

That’s all it takes. Yoongi’s hands move swiftly, expertly, pulling your pants down, the cool air hitting your skin before his touch is on you again, warm, insistent. He leans down, his lips brushing your ear as he whispers, “I’ll take care of you.”

Yoongi's words send a shiver down your spine, his voice deep and filled with intent. His hands move with purpose now, every touch igniting something inside you. His lips press to your skin, working their way from your ear to your collarbone, leaving a trail of heat that has you arching into him, craving more.

You gasp as his hand slips between your thighs, fingers tracing lightly over you, teasing but not yet giving you what you need. The tension is unbearable, and your breath comes out in short, shaky bursts as his lips find yours again, kissing you with a newfound intensity. It’s slow and deliberate, his tongue sliding against yours in a way that makes your entire body thrum with desire.

You grip his shoulders, your fingers digging into him as you push your hips up toward his hand, silently begging for more. He chuckles softly against your mouth, sensing your need, but instead of giving in immediately, he keeps the pressure light, his fingers barely grazing you, making you whimper in frustration.

“Patience,” he whispers, his lips brushing yours as he speaks. “I’m going to take my time with you.”

His words send another jolt of electricity through you, and despite the aching need building inside you, you can’t help but want to surrender to him, to let him have complete control. He knows exactly what he’s doing, and the way he’s dragging this out is both maddening and exhilarating.

Yoongi finally presses his fingers more firmly against you, his thumb circling in slow, deliberate motions, and you moan softly, your body arching off the bed. The pleasure builds quickly, like a wave threatening to crash over you, and you cling to him, your breath coming in desperate, shallow gasps.

Yoongi’s fingers slow, then stop completely, and you whimper at the sudden loss of contact, your body aching for more. He leans back slightly, his dark eyes watching you carefully, lips curling into a teasing smile. His touch lingers just out of reach, hovering, close enough to drive you crazy but not enough to satisfy. 

“I think you’re avoiding something,” he says softly, his voice low and controlled, but his hands are still. Deliberately still. “Why do you need a distraction?”

You squirm beneath him, hoping to regain the pressure, but his hands don’t move, and it’s really infuriating. Your breath catches in your throat, and for a second, you’re tempted to dodge the question, to stay lost in the heat of this moment. 

But Yoongi doesn’t let you off the hook. His thumb brushes against your thigh lightly, a small reminder of what you’re missing, and then he pulls his hand back altogether. “You’re not getting any more until you tell me,” he murmurs, his eyes flashing with amusement but with a hint of something deeper. Concern. 

You groan, pressing your palms against the bed, trying to fight the frustration bubbling inside you. He is going to be the end of you. “Yoongi, come on—”

“No.” he interrupts, leaning down, his lips so close you can feel his breath against your neck. It takes everything inside you not to just kiss him. “Talk to me. What happened? Why are you needing this…distraction so badly?”

His words make your stomach twist, and you bite your lip, debating whether you want to open up or not. His hands move to your hips, holding you in place but not doing anything further. The weight of his question hands in the air, and despite the heat between you, you realize that’s really not going to let you escape this conversation. 

You swallow hard, your heart pounding for a different reason now. “It’s…complicated.”

He raises an eyebrow, his fingers tightening slightly around your hips, reminding you of what’s at stake. “I’ve got time,” he says quietly, his tone soft but firm. “But you’re not getting what you want until you give me something.”

“Fucking the girl you love isn’t enough?” You ask looking into his eyes. When he doesn’t respond you close your eyes, taking a deep breath. Yoongi’s always been able to read you, and now that he’s calling you out, there’s no use hiding.

“It’s Namjoon,” you finally say, your voice quieter than you intended. “He…he said some things tonight. Stuff I wasn’t really ready to hear. Stuff I don’t know how to respond to.”

Yoongi’s grip on you loosens slightly, his eyes softening as he listens. When he speaks his voice is cautious. “What kind of things?”

You sigh, feeling your chest tighten as you recall the confession. “He told me he likes me. Has for a while, apparently. He was drunk, so I didn’t take it too seriously, but it kind of threw me. He’s…so sweet, and I care about him a lot, but I just don’t know what to say.”

Yoongi is quiet for a moment, processing your words. His gaze never leaves your face, and you can feel his focus shifting from the playful teasing to something more serious. 

“And you’re here because…?” he prompts, his fingers tracing light patterns on your skin now, but still holding back.

“Because I don’t know what to do with it,” you admit, frustration creeping into your voice. “I don’t want to sit with those feelings. I don’t want to deal with the confusion. I just want something to make it all go away for a little while.”

His thumb brushes gently against your most sensitive area, but still he doesn’t fully give in. His lips twitch into a knowing smile. “So you came to me,” he says, his voice laced with amusement but also a hint of something more—something softer.

“Yeah,” you whisper, your voice barely audible. “I came to you.”

For a long moment, Yoongi says nothing. His fingers finally resume their slow teasing movements. You shiver at the contact, but his eyes stay locked down on yours, studying you. 

“You know I’m not just a distraction, right?” His voice is gentle, but there’s a weight behind his words.

You nod slowly, your heart racing. “I know.”

“Good,” he murmurs, finally pressing his lips to your neck, the warmth of his breath making your body arch into him. “Because I’m not going to let you run from this. Not from Namjoon, and not from me.”

With renewed purpose, Yoongi reminds you just why you came back to him. Yoongi’s words linger in the air as his hand moves with more intent now, reigniting the fire he had purposefully held back. You tremble under his touch, your mind momentarily distracted from the swirling thoughts about Namjoon, the tension between you, and everything that has been weighing you down. He's not letting you lose yourself entirely, not like you want to.

His lips are at your ear now, soft and deliberate. "You know, you're going to have to deal with this at some point," he murmurs, his breath warm against your skin. "I’ll give you what you need tonight, but you don’t get to run away forever."

Your heart pounds as you try to focus on the sensations, but his words cut through the haze, leaving you raw and exposed. It’s not just physical, not with him. Yoongi’s always had a way of getting under your skin, seeing past the walls you put up. And right now, he’s stripping you of every excuse, forcing you to confront the reality you want to avoid.

"Yoongi, I…" you start, your voice catching as his fingers press into you in a way that makes it hard to concentrate. But he doesn’t let you finish.

"Shh," he whispers, his lips trailing along your neck, making you shiver. "You don’t have to explain anything to me right now."

His hand moves faster, the pace enough to make your body react instinctively, your breath coming out in ragged gasps as you struggle to hold onto anything but the heat building inside you. But Yoongi isn’t just offering you a distraction, he’s pulling something deeper from you. The more he touches you, the more he reminds you of the things you’ve been burying for too long. It’s hard to remember why you don’t want him back when he makes you feel so good. 

"You came to me because you trust me," he says softly, his voice like a dark promise. "You know I’m not going to let you off easy. Not when it comes to this."

You nod, your body trembling under him as you fight to keep up with the intensity of it all. "I know," you whisper, barely able to find the words.

And in that moment, Yoongi’s hand stills again, hovering on the edge of giving you what you so desperately need, but just barely holding back. You whimper, your frustration mixing with desire as you look up at him, pleading silently.

"Do you?" he asks, his voice teasing but his eyes serious. "Because I need you to understand that I’m not just your escape. This—" he gestures between the two of you, his touch brushing your skin again, "—isn’t just about tonight. I know I said I could be whatever you want, but I think I should have a little more self respect."

You swallow, the weight of his words hitting you in a way that’s impossible to ignore. "I know," you repeat, your voice steadier now. "It’s not just about tonight."

Yoongi's gaze softens, a small smile playing at his lips as he leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to your lips. It’s different this time, not rough or demanding, but slow and meaningful, as if he’s grounding you in the moment, reminding you of the connection between you. Part of you wishes you could forgot the deep connection the two of you share and just let him fuck your brains out. 

Then, without another word, his hand moves again, this time with no hesitation. The pace quickens, and you feel yourself unraveling beneath him, the tension finally breaking as you gasp his name, your body giving in to everything you’ve been holding back.

Yoongi stays close, his movements controlled but unrelenting, guiding you through the waves of pleasure that crash over you. And when it’s over, when your body is spent and your breath comes in shallow, ragged bursts, Yoongi pulls you into his arms, holding you against him as you come back down from the high.

For a while, neither of you speaks. The room is quiet, the only sound is your slowing breath and the faint hum of the music in the background. Yoongi’s arms are secure around you, his presence a steady anchor in the aftermath of everything that’s just happened.

════════════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ════════════

The next morning, you wake up to soft sunlight streaming through the curtains of your room, casting a warm glow on everything it touches. You blink a few times, disoriented at first. Anxiety comes rushing at you as you recall the events of last night.

You sit up, rubbing your eyes, and your mind immediately floods with last night: Namjoon’s drunken confession, Yoongi’s steady presence. The tangled web of feelings and uncertainty you sort of successfully avoid dealing with for one night are now front and center.

Groaning softly, you reach for your phone on the nightstand. You have a couple missed messages. One is from Yoongi, making sure you got back safely, another from Hiyyih asking where the hell you went, and one more from Namjoon. 

Namjoon: Good morning YN. Guess I owe you some boba? I don’t really remember much from last night, but I feel like I need to apologize for something…did I say something weird?

You stare at the message for a long moment, biting your lip. He doesn’t remember. Or at least, he thinks he doesn’t. You knew this conversation was coming, but you were hoping to have more time to prepare yourself. Maybe you should have done that last night instead of hopping in your ex’s bed. Namjoon’s message is the perfect opening, but it also makes your stomach twist with nerves. 

Do you tell him everything now? How honest should you be? Or do you wait until you see him in person?

With a sigh, you start typing

You: We definitely need to talk. Do you want to meet up later? I think there’s a conversation we need to finish.

You hit send before you can second guess yourself. There’s no point dragging this out any longer. As you wait for his reply, you push the blankets off and get out of bed, heading to the bathroom to splash some water on your face. The cool water helps clear your head, but the knot of tension in your stomach remains.

By the time you’re back at your bed, Namjoon has replied. 

Namjoon: Yeah, I figured. How about lunch? We can meet at the cafe on campus.

It feels like a good place to start, a neutral space where you can talk things out without too much pressure. 

You: sounds good. I’ll see you there at noon

With that settled, you check the time. It’s still early, but the rest of your day feels like a countdown to the inevitable conversation. You grab your things and decide to take a walk around campus, hoping the fresh air will help ease your mind. 

As you walk through the quiet campus, memories of last night come back in flashes. Yoongi’s gentle touch, his careful questions, the way he could see right through you. You wonder if you should tell him about the meeting with Namjoon later, if he’d want to know.

For now, you decide to keep it to yourself. There's no need to overcomplicate things until you have a clearer understanding of where your head's at. What would even be gained from telling Yoongi that? He might comfort you but wouldn’t it only hurt him to hear about Namjoon?

When noon finally rolls around, you find yourself standing outside the cafe. Your heart races as you spot Namjoon sitting at a table near the window, his head bent over his phone, clearly waiting for you. He’s got that nervous energy about him, the same kind of energy that was there last night when he drunkenly confessed. You smile to yourself, knowing that things are about to get interesting.

“Hey, Joon.” you say with a smile, trying to lighten the mood as you sit down on the seat in front of him.

Namjoon’s head snaps up, his eyes wide for a moment. A small, bashful smile spreads across his face, and you can see the relief wash over him. “Oh, hey. Sorry, I was just…thinking.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Thinking about how you drunkenly confessed your feelings to me last night?”

His smile drops, replaced by sheer panic. “Wait, I…I did?”

You nod, biting back a laugh. “Oh yeah. Told me everything. How you’ve liked me for ages, how you admire me, how you think I’m amazing…” You trail off, watching his face slowly turn from pale to bright red.

Namjoon covers his face with his hands, groaning. “Oh god, no. Please tell me I didn’t say anything too embarrassing.”

You lean back in your chair, crossing your arms with a teasing smile. “Depends on how you define embarrassing. But you did make a deal with me.”

He peeks through his fingers. “A deal?”

“Yeah.” You smirk. “If you didn’t remember confessing, you’d owe me boba.”

Namjoon pulls out his phone, scrolling through the messages from last night. His eyes widen when he sees the proof. “Oh no. I really said that, didn’t I?”

“Mhm,” you hum, nodding. “So, I’m thinking you owe me that boba.”

He lets out a breath, laughing at his own expense, but there’s a nervousness behind it. “Okay, okay, fair enough. But…do we need to talk about it? About what I said?”

You pause, the weight of his question settling between you two. It’s tempting to keep the mood light, to just brush it off like you have before, but the truth is…you’ve been thinking about it too. Not just about Namjoon, but about Yoongi, about how your feelings are all tangled up right now. You care about both of them, but you haven’t figured out what any of it means yet.

You sigh softly, leaning forward on the table. “Honestly, Joon? I’m still trying to figure out how I feel. About you…about everything.” You look down at the table, fiddling with your fingers. “Last night, it kind of threw me.”

Namjoon stays quiet, letting you have the space to speak, but you can see the tension in his shoulders, like he’s bracing himself for whatever you’re going to say next.

You take a deep breath. “I wasn’t expecting you to say all that, you know? And I care about you, I really do, but I don’t want to rush into something just because I feel pressure to give you an answer right now.”

Namjoon nods slowly, his face softening with understanding. “I get that. I didn’t mean to put pressure on you, especially not when I was drunk. I just…I couldn’t keep it in anymore.”

You smile a little at that. “Yeah, I kind of figured, but Joon, I want to take my time with this. I don’t want to mess anything up between us.”

He nods again, his shoulders relaxing just a bit. “I don’t want that either. I’d rather you take the time you need than feel like you have to give me an answer right away.”

There’s a moment of silence between you, but it’s not uncomfortable. It’s like a mutual understanding has settled in. Namjoon’s willing to give you the space you need, and you’re grateful for it.

“Thanks, Joon,” you say quietly, offering him a soft smile. “For understanding.”

“Of course,” he replies, his voice just as gentle. “I’ll be here whenever you’re ready.”

You nod, feeling the weight in your chest lift slightly. “And, you know…you’re still buying me boba, right?”

Namjoon laughs, the tension finally breaking. “Yeah, I haven’t forgotten.”

As you both stand to leave, Namjoon walks beside you, the easy, comfortable vibe between you two returning. But underneath it all, you know things are shifting. Your feelings for Namjoon are there, but what you do about that is still up in the air. And there’s Yoongi… his quiet presence, the way he’s always there when you need him. But is it healthy to keep going back to someone just because it’s easy?

You’re not sure what the future holds with either of them, but for now, you’re okay with letting things unfold at their own pace. 

You and Namjoon make your way to his favorite boba place, the tension from earlier replaced by a lighter mood. It feels good to have cleared the air, but there’s still a nagging feeling in the back of your mind about last night. As you walk beside him, you decide to bring it up.

“So,” you start, glancing over at him. “There’s one more thing you might not remember from last night.”

Namjoon raises an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Oh no, what now?”

You smirk, finding his reaction endearing. “Well, after you confessed…you also asked for a kiss.”

Namjoon stops dead in his tracks, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Wait—what? I-I asked for a kiss?”

You nod, your smirk widening as his face goes from surprise to sheer mortification. “You sure did, Joon. Drunk you is really bold.”

He groans, running a hand through his hair. “I really don’t remember any of that. What did you say? Did I—?”

You shake your head, cutting him off before his thoughts spiral too far. “I didn’t kiss you. You were not in the right state of mind for that. I told you we’d talk about it when you were sober.”

Namjoon lets out a huge breath, visibly relieved. “Okay, that’s good. I mean, not that I don’t want to kiss you, but…” His voice trails off, and he clears his throat awkwardly. “You know what I mean.”

You chuckle softly, appreciating how flustered he is. “Yeah, I know.”

He’s quiet for a moment as you both continue walking. You can sense he’s thinking hard about something, and before you reach the boba shop, he speaks up again. “I’m really sorry about all that, YN. I didn’t want to make things awkward or uncomfortable between us.”

You glance at him, his sincere expression making your heart soften. “It’s okay, Namjoon. It wasn’t uncomfortable, just took me by surprise.” You offer him a reassuring smile. “Like I said earlier, I’m glad you told me. I wouldn’t have figured it out otherwise. Even if it wasn’t exactly how you wanted to tell me.”

Namjoon laughs nervously. “Yeah, definitely not how I planned it. But thank you for understanding.”

You finally reach the boba place, and as you stand in line, the conversation flows more naturally. Namjoon is back to usual self, cracking jokes and making light conversation. But now, there’s an unspoken understanding between you. You’re both taking things slow, figuring out your feelings as they come. 

As you take your first sip of your drink, Namjoon smiles at you. His dimples are on full display making your heart flutter. “So, what do you think? Does this boba make up for the whole drunken confession?”

You tilt to head to the side pretending to consider. “Hmm, it’s a start, but I think you’re going to need to buy me a few more drinks before we’re even.”

Namjoon laughs, shaking his head. “Deal. I’ll buy you boba every day if that’s what it takes.”

════════════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ════════════

Later, you find a cozy spot under a large oak tree, where you sit on the grass and talk about everything from classes to future plans.

“So, have you thought more about the winter tournament?” Namjoon asks, his expression serious yet encouraging as he leans back on his elbows, gazing up at you.

“Yeah, I’ve been thinking a lot about it,” you admit, fiddling with the grass. “I’m nervous but excited. It feels like such a big deal this year.”

Namjoon nods, his face lit up with interest. “You’ve trained hard for this. I know you’re going to do great. Just focus on what you can control.”

“Thanks, Joon. It means a lot to have your support,” you reply, smiling back at him.

The afternoon passes quickly as you explore, visiting various shops and grabbing a few snacks along the way. The more time you spend together, the more relaxed you feel. There’s something comforting about having him around, even amidst the chaos of your feelings.

Eventually, the sun begins to set, casting a beautiful orange glow over the courtyard next to the dorms. You can hear laughter and chatter from nearby students winding down their day. After grabbing a few drinks from a nearby stand, you both find a bench to sit on, enjoying the cooling evening air.

“This was a really nice day,” Namjoon says, looking content. “I’m glad we got to hang out like this.”

“Me too,” you reply, feeling a mix of happiness and something deeper simmering beneath the surface. 

As you reach the entrance of Namjoon’s building, you hesitate. Namjoon looks at you with a curious expression, sensing your internal struggle. 

“Are you sure you don’t want to come inside? We can study together.” he suggests, his voice warm and encouraging. 

You smile at him, appreciating the offer, but you shake your head. You aren’t sure your self control will remain strong in the walls of his bedroom. “I think I’m going to stay out here a little while.”

Namjoon nods, understanding. “Alright. Just text me if you need anything, okay?”

He gives you one last reassuring smile before turning to head back in, leaving you alone in the soft glow of the courtyard lights. You take a deep breath, the cool evening air refreshing against your skin. You sit back on the bench, letting your thoughts drift as you watch the stars slowly begin to twinkle in the night sky. It’s so peaceful here.

════════════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ════════════

On Tuesday when the Oak’s Club meeting has concluded Professor Oak asks you and Yoongi to stay back. Neither of you have any idea what this is about. Namjoon and Jimin raise an eyebrow but leave, promising to catch up later. 

“I would like to be the first to congratulate both of you on being chosen for the winter tournament.” Professor Oak says, and your chest fills with pride. Yoongi looks over at you the same moment you look at him and the two of you lock eyes. Excitement is taking over every part of both of you. “This year is going to be a bit different than previous years. You have worked so hard and we want there to be maximum support. Tomorrow morning each of the sixteen trainers chosen for the winter tournament will receive a text message telling them to meet at a photo studio in town. There the rest of the trainers will be told they were chosen and there will be a photoshoot.”

The excitement still pulses in your chest, but it’s hard to ignore Yoongi’s discomfort as Professor Oak continues.

“A photoshoot, though?” Yoongi mutters, fidgeting with the hem of his jacket. “Seems unnecessary.”

You nudge him playfully. “Come on, this is huge! We’re about to compete for the chance to represent Paldea University against the gym leaders. People are going to want to know who the top trainers are. The more advertising we do, the bigger the crowd, the more support we get when we win.”

Yoongi rolls his eyes but there’s a hint of a smile. “It’s still about battling for me. All this extra stuff feels like a distraction.”

Professor Oak chuckles, clearly enjoying the exchange. “That’s the spirit, YN! Though I assure you both, this year’s tournament is going to be bigger than ever. The whole school is buzzing about it, even if they don’t know why yet. I want the two of you to be ready for the spotlight.”

You can feel the weight of what’s ahead. The winter tournament isn’t just about winning a trophy—it’s about earning the honor of representing Paldea University in the prestigious challenge against the gym leaders. Sixteen of the best trainers on campus, but only two will get that honor. Not to mention the $7,000 and baskets full of top of the line pokemon equipment. The stakes have never felt higher.

"Any other surprises we should expect?" you ask, sensing there might be more.

Professor Oak taps his chin thoughtfully but doesn’t reveal much. “Let’s just say this tournament could open doors for both of you. Opportunities beyond Paldea. Sponsors, League scouts—there’s a lot of interest this year. You two have been recommended by staff members for a reason. You’ve shown incredible battling capability, and now it’s your time to prove it.”

You exchange a look with Yoongi. His usual nonchalant demeanor has shifted into something more focused, like he’s beginning to see just how important this tournament is. It’s not just about bragging rights—it’s about proving yourself worthy of facing the gym leaders. Technically, other students can still try, but if they can’t even defeat their peers, what chance do they have against the gym leaders?

"Careers?" Yoongi repeats, his tone more serious now.

Professor Oak nods. “If you impress the right people, there’s no telling where this could lead. But for now, focus on the battles ahead and tomorrow’s photoshoot. Friday, the school will meet their top trainers.”

As you leave the room, the magnitude of the challenge settles in. Yoongi walks beside you, quiet but clearly thinking.

“So...tomorrow, huh?” Yoongi finally says, breaking the silence.

“Yeah,” you reply, already considering how you’ll prepare for the photoshoot, and the battles that follow. “Let’s make it count.”

He glances at you. “No telling anyone, right?”

You laugh. “Of course not. We wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.”

The two of you walk in silence for a bit, the weight of everything starting to sink in. It’s no longer just about the excitement of the tournament, this is your shot at representing Paldea University against the gym leaders, something most students only dream about. The thought of it sends a thrill through you, but there’s also a heavy sense of responsibility.

As you near the entrance to the building, Yoongi speaks again, his voice quieter than usual. “Do you really think we can win this?”

You glance over, surprised by the question. Yoongi has always been confident, even in the toughest battles. But now, his usual confidence seems tempered by the reality of the challenge ahead.

“I think we have as good a shot as anyone,” you say, trying to sound as certain as you feel. “We were chosen for a reason. We’ve proven ourselves.”

Yoongi gives a small nod but doesn’t say anything more. You know he’s thinking about the competition and the fifteen other top trainers in the school, each of them just as determined to win. But you’re ready for it. You’ve trained hard, and this is the moment you’ve been working toward.

When you step outside, the cool evening air hits you, and you take a deep breath. The campus is quieter than usual, with most students already turning in for the night. You and Yoongi part ways, promising to meet up tomorrow.

Later that night, as you lie in bed, you can’t help but replay Professor Oak’s words in your mind. The idea of winning the tournament and representing Paldea University feels surreal. The prize money and items would be incredible, but the real reward is the opportunity to take on the gym leaders.

Your phone buzzes, and you sit up, grabbing it off your nightstand. It’s a message from Namjoon.

Namjoon: Yo, what did Oak want? Everything okay?

You smile, knowing you can’t tell him the real reason, not yet.

You: Yeah, everything’s fine. He just wanted to talk to me and Yoongi about some upcoming events. Nothing big.

You feel a little guilty about the lie, but there’s no other choice. Not until Friday. The rest of the night passes in a blur of restless thoughts, and before you know it, your alarm blares. It’s morning, and today’s the day. 

Hiyyih doesn’t try to talk to you about the text message she gets in the early morning. She’s also forbidden from talking to anyone about it. After getting through a day that felt like it was dragging on forever you throw on some clothes and head to meet Yoongi. When you spot him waiting near the campus entrance, you notice his usual laid-back expression is gone, replaced with something more focused.

“Ready?” you ask, trying to lighten the mood.

Yoongi adjusts the strap of his bag, his face set with determination. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”

[eddieschains]

for the prompt list, gimme “can i hold your hand?” pls 🤲🏻 joe or eddie, your choice bb

this is really short i’m sorry :( but i hope you still like it!!

i also kind of used the couple from The Start as inspo for this because i miss them

Can I Hold Your Hand?

The Stranger Things season 4 premiere. It was a big night for Joe, finally being able to share his character with the world. But, he was nervous. He’d never had such a big premiere before. He asked you to come along with him for support since you’d done a bunch of these before and of course you couldn’t say no. He even appointed you to help him with his outfit.

“All done handsome. What do you think?” You turn him to the full length mirror in your studio, smoothing out the creases in his shoulders.

He’s twisting and turning, looking at himself up and down in the mirror. “Love it. Looks great as always baby. Thank you.” He turns to you, pecking your lips softly.

“All right let’s get going then. Got a big night ahead of you.” You smile, grabbing your handbag and following him out to the car.

You opted for a plain white dress, not wanting to clash colors with him. The two of you hop in the back of the SUV with his manager and publicist in tow. As you pull into the venue, you notice Joes leg starts shaking. He only really did that when he was anxious.

“You alright babe?” You ask, placing a comforting hand on his knee.

“What? Yeah, sorry. There’s just a lot of people here.” He chuckles, looking at the crowd of fans lined up.

“Well you did pick the biggest show in the world to star in.” You laugh, kissing his cheek. He smiles at you, before looking back out the window.

The car parks, and the driver gets out to open the door. His manager and publicist exit first, making their way to the other group of management teams while you and Joe stay behind for a second.

“You ready?” You squeeze his arm.

“I guess so.” You can feel his breathing getting heavier, and a small bead of sweat gracing his forehead.

“Hey,” You grab his cheek making him look at you. “It’s gonna be okay. You’re gonna do great. And i’ll be with you the whole time if you need me to.” You kiss him one more time before he hops out of the vehicle, you right behind him.

He stops for a moment, taking in all the people that were here. Since no one really knew who he was, they weren’t paying much attention to him which he was almost grateful for.

One of the people in charge of the people coming on to the carpet approaches him, guiding him through the crowd. He looks down at you, trying not to pay attention to everyone around him.

“Can i hold your hand?” He whispers, right before you reach the carpet. You look up, smiling and locking your fingers into his.

“You never have to ask.” You feel his body start to relax under your touch.

Once you reach the carpet it’s madness. All the photographers shouting to look at them, or to do certain poses for them, the bright lights flashing excessively in both of your eyes. You let go of his hand, moving it around his waist as he does the same to you. Finally feeling more at ease with you by his side.

You finish your photo ops and he gives your hand a squeeze before moving on to some interviews. You stand off to the side, watching in awe as the media throws question after question at him. You couldn’t even explain how proud of him you were. Smiling like an idiot in the corner.

“And who’s this pretty lady you brought with you tonight?” You overhear one of the reporters ask.

He grins widely, looking over at you. “This is my beautiful girlfriend Y/N.” He motions for you to come join him, and you hesitantly walk over. “I needed some support with me today, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s my stylist as well.” You make eye contact with him, smiling so big it almost hurt.

“Oh well you two look fantastic. Have fun in there okay?” She finishes, as you both say your thank yous and walk off.

“Thank you for coming tonight. I don’t think i could’ve done it without you.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” You smile, placing your arms around his neck and giving him the deepest kiss you could.

[allylikethecat]

ally!!! congrats on finishing the january prompts !!! i have enjoyed them so much & am very happy to have 31 prompts to look back on when i’m need of some fictional!george and matty

also!!! as the self-proclaimed #1 fan of YKWTCI I was very excited for this update and it did not disappoint (tuesdays have quickly become my most anticipated day of the week thanks to u and ur fics)).

Poor fictional!taylor and fictional!matty are clearly going through it & you portray their struggles so well. I am especially loving how you portray fictional!matty & his struggles with his new found fame as taylor’s boyfriend ((also the fact that the money from fictional!taylors drawer went ‘missing???’… hmmm wonder who took that - such a good detail!!!)

also fictional!george makes an appearance?????!!! YAY. I love me some fictional!george and cannot wait for a fictional!tay & george interaction — i feel that the angst & jealousy may just be unmatched.

last thing and i’ll shut up!! — the equestrian fic??!!!? do i know anything about horses?? no. do i know that i am absolutely going to devour this fic? yes. the enemies to lovers vibes are so strong and this version of fictional!matty seems so soft & i am in love with him already. i am VERY excited to see where this goes!!

yours,

— 💌💌💌

Hello My Dear 💌 Anon! I hope you are well!

Thank you so much for following along on the January OTP Prompt Journey! It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be, but I had a lot of fun with it, and am super proud that I was actually able to finish them all! (And also so grateful for everyone that read them- thank you so much for being so wonderful and encouraging!) If you're looking for all of the January OTP Prompts one place, or any of my other prompt fills, they can all be found HERE.

I'm smiling so hard at the idea that Tuesdays are becoming a favorite day because of the updates! Thank you so much for following along and the continued support of this fanfic endeavor! I am *also* a huge YKWTCI fan, and am so happy that people are still willing to give it a chance after all of the May drama with these two IRL. I was really excited about this update and am so happy it didn't disappoint!

Oh my gosh thank you so much 🥺 Fictional!Taylor and Fictional!Matty are both very sad and fucked up in their own ways in this fic, (I've been calling them my fictional bisexual disaster duo lol) and I have really enjoyed writing them and developing their characters and motivations. Getting to explore Fictional!Matty's relationship with his essentially "over night" fame in this fic is also a lot of fun- I can't imagine a universe where the character I've created with all of his issues would handle it well, and that it wouldn't have an impact on his self worth only being "desired" because of who his parents, and then later his "girlfriend" are. I was also way too excited about the missing money bit 😂 and was so very much hoping that someone would comment on it so a HUGE thank you for that😂 (this is like when I was very eagerly waiting for someone to comment on Fictional!Matty doing coke in Fictional!Taylor's bathroom and her totally missing it- and then being SO EXCITED when someone commented about it, I'm like yes, excellent, my hints are obvious enough lol)

We still have another chapter before Fictional!Taylor and Fictional!George meet (the meeting will be going down in lucky Chapter 13!) but I am SO EXCITED about their pissing match as they essentially both try and mark Fictional!Matty as theirs meanwhile Fictional!Matty has no idea what's going on and is just trying to make it through the day 😬 I was really excited about this chapter though and getting a little introduction to Fictional!George since he hadn't physically appeared yet.

AHHH Thank you for checking out the Equestrian AU as well! As very much a horse girl, that fic is so much fun for me to write and I am very much my own target audience (then again, I am pretty much always my own niche target audience lol) If I ever am just... assuming that people know too many things about horses let me know and i can try and clarify more. Horse things are just such a part of my day to day life (and the day to day life of the people I am surrounded by) that I sometimes forget that not everyone like, knows what a martingale is. One sided enemies to lovers is one of my FAVORITE things and I am having SO MUCH FUN writing it! Fictional!George hates poor Fictional!Matty so much and Fictional!Matty just wants them to be friends 🥺 I can't wait to get into this version of Fictional!Matty's past- if you think he's soft now just WAIT you are going to want to give him the biggest hug (I know I do!) I also really enjoy writing bitchy Fictional!George and it's been a lot of fun to explore a different dynamic with him!

Anyway, I apologize that I have written you the longest response ever. I was just VERY excited to see your ask! I thought of you when I posted the YKWTCI chapter and am so happy that you liked it! Thank you so much again for always being so lovely and supportive! I hope you have the best rest of your week!

❤️Ally