#and accidentally stumbling on an official movie along the way

[heloflor]

Probably my hottest Mario take: I might actually like the 1986 Anime Movie more than the 2023 Movie. Yes the 2023 one is a better movie overall while the 86 Anime didn’t age well and is filled with plot conveniences and random things happening just because, along with the bad animation, questionable voice acting, weird soundtrack and sound design, but idk I still really like it.

It’s just that there’s something very charming about that movie. It came out a single year after the first Super Mario Bros, back when there was little to no lore about the Mushroom Kingdom, and it really shows in the way enemies are used and random characters exist but also you can tell they made an effort with the little they had. It’s like watching the very beginning of the franchise, way before it became the phenomenon it is today, and there’s something about it I really like.

I’m also fascinated by the way Peach and Bowser were written in it. This was the first time these two were given a personality past “evil bad guy” and “damsel in distress”. And not only are they both great in the little screentime they have, but these new personality traits, given one single year after the creation of those characters, remain to this day their personality, albeit with a few small tweaks (Bowser being a dad becoming a huge part of his character, Peach losing her temper in most versions). Kinda funny how these two are the biggest highlight of the movie despite only being in it for like 5 minutes, but still, love what was done with them.

And when it comes to comparing it to the 2023 Movie, I actually find it hilarious how many similarities the two have, including having the exact same skeleton for their story. It’s been 37 years yet Nintendo is still writing the same thing, I love it (more on the comparison here).

Oh yeah and because I just know there are some people who will go “the hell you like about this movie?!”, here’s an actual list!

- Literally everything about the intro is great once you get past the weirdness of the Mushroom people coming out the TV. We get Mario playing the Famicom, Peach managing to defend herself for a while before getting overwhelmed, Mario being hilariously chill about all of this, Mario more than willing to fight Bowser until he sees just how enormous Bowser is and gets intimidated, the back and forth between Peach and Mario hiding behind each other, that moment where Bowser gets rid of Mario with one finger and then smiles about it followed by a beat and then Peach starts throwing furniture at him, the Game Over screen, Luigi reacting like you’d expect. Just. Everything about this scene is great!

- The wooden title cards look amazing. It’s a small thing, but I love the “fairytale” vibe it gives the movie. And now that I think about it, that might also be why I’m being so nice with this movie, since fairytales do tend to be small stories with little going on and not always making sense, making it easier to forgive its flaws.

- The shop scene is also very solid in showing us who Mario and Luigi are as people and how they play off of each-other. On that note, I like their dynamic. It’s a bit of the usual bickering siblings who would still do anything for each other, but it works.

- The meeting with the wizard guy is also solid with the way Mario and Luigi react to things. It’s a bit of an exposition dump, but you can tell they try to make it entertaining. Plus, it works for how simplistic the story is (yes I’m giving this movie a lot of slack).

- The travel montages...yeah I’m gonna be honest with this one, it sucks. I do like how they use them to show the different power-ups they get, but it’s still very boring and I skip them when watching the movie. Except for the last one on the airship, that one is pleasant.

- Luigi tripping on mushrooms. Do I even need to say more? But yeah that whole sequence with the paratroopa is nice (once you get past the fact that a turtle made a bunch of birds). And I like how clever Mario gets to save himself and Luigi from the babies.

- I’m not one to care about people drawing smut of cartoon characters, but the internet is sleeping on those Toads. That’d actually be hilarious if the main takeaway the fandom had of this movie were to be the Toad girls. And on an unrelated note, their designs is more original than the Toads we get now!

- The whole sequence with the Piranha plants and the Lakitu honestly bores me and drags on a bit. The Piranhas might also be the worst animated part of this whole thing. I do like how much of a selfish bitch the Lakitu is though. Idk, that’s a fun character in their shittiness.

- The scene in the cavern is fine. I like how the Hammer Bros is used as that intimidating guard, and we get to see Luigi be the one to solve the issue this time around! On that note, I love that Luigi’s love for money isn’t only for jokes but is at times used as a plot point (him later on flooding the castle and finding Mario’s star). Mario’s daydream is also pretty cute.

- I probably watched that scene between Peach and Bowser a dozen times since I re-discovered this movie this year. I adore the way they are characterized, especially in the context of this being the first time they’ve been written this way. Bonus points for Bowser who has no rights being as adorable as he is in this. Ultimately this scene doesn’t really advance the story, but I still love that we got some insight on who these two are at such an early stage of the franchise’s existence.

- The underwater scene is also a slug to go through, though it’s interesting to see how they used the Cheep Cheep. Also Mario dressing up as a ballerina while the dog references that one queer music star is a yes.

- I find the third act of this movie to be honestly solid. Sure there are some contrivances with the fire platforms room and the water somehow destroying the castle, but I still like it. Granted it might be due to how much screentime Bowser gets here. Speaking of which, it’s actually surprising that Bowser turns down Peach when she promises to marry him if he lets Mario alone, with Bowser refusing because he knows Mario might be trouble since he already ate two of the power-ups. This is probably top five smartest things Bowser has done in the entire franchise. This isn’t an insult to Games Bowser btw, I fucking love this dumbass, and he is kind of a dumbass when interacting with Peach in this movie as well!

- While the ending is hated for a reason and I do find it dumb as well, it’s still incredibly sweet how Mario accepts it and wishes happiness on Peach.

So overall, is the 86 Anime good? Ehh, not really. But if you’re able to get past all the weird shit going on, it’s very charming as a piece of Mario history, and it’s especially funny to see all the small things that end up becoming a core part of the franchise. And because of that, I can’t help but like it more than the 2023 Movie, even if the 2023 one is an overall better movie (I’d give the 86 Anime a 4,5/10 and the 2023 one a 6/10 in terms of movie quality; but in terms of enjoyment the 86 Anime is above the 2023 Movie for me)

[ackerfics]

levi x reader in anastasia au i've got so many thoughts.......

levi and erwin as dmitry and vlad bc the revolution's got them in a financially disadvantaged position

levi stumbling upon reader singing in the empty ballroom, dancing away to forgotten memories

(it is then and there that he falls for her, but he doesn't believe in love at first sight so he doesn't realise it yet)

erwin chuckling at the banter between levi and reader, keeping track of who's bested who in a notebook like vlad in the movie

levi with the words he can't say lodged in his throat as he watches reader glide down the stairway of the opera house, draped in a dress whose magnificence rivals the night sky

levi and reader having a moment when they realise "it was you all along" like in in a crowd of thousands from the musical

just. levi x reader in anastasia au.

cel, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS <33 i can't help but add little things here and there as well oh my God :<<

levi and erwin as dmitry and vlad is just so perfect. after hearing that there's a huge sum of money being offered if the real princess is found, they had to take that opportunity. with levi's background as a thief and conman and erwin's smooth way of talking people until he convinces them, these two are the best duo to ever exist.

after another day of seeing poor imitations of the real princess, levi finds reader in the old palace of the royal family, twirling in the ballroom with perfect and elegant steps only the nobility teaches to their children. he swears he sees people dancing alongside her, as if the night is meant for a celebration of grandeur and sparkling gowns. the song she's singing, too, is so hauntingly beautiful that levi can't help but feel lured into every word. it's most likely she's searching for a lost memory but it's so out of reach. it's safe to say that levi accidentally finds himself getting enchanted with the unknown young woman doing a one-sided waltz in the ballroom.

and erwin being this little shit who tallies every single point in his little journal. he keeps this page a secret from levi because if his best friend knows about him keeping tabs on their amusing bickering, levi would rip that specific page off, and erwin will start over again. because he's been levi's partner in crime since they were fifteen, he knows that levi's snarky replies are far from irritation (unlike other arguments he had with infuriating people) so erwin concludes that his best friend enjoys the never-ending back and forth internally. erwin is definitely on reader's side the whole time, never tell levi this fact though.

levi finding himself mesmerized with every thing reader does. like how she carries herself like an heiress of a noble fortune. or how she effortlessly executes every lesson erwin assigns to her in preparation for the dowager empress's evaluation. or the way she reminds him of the princess he admires from afar, the princess she's playing for them to get the money from the empress. because of the reminder that they (him and erwin) are somewhat using reader, the budding feelings he once felt for the lost princess die down, replaced by an overwhelming wave of guilt. however, when she smiles at him in that dress erwin makes her wear on the boat to paris, he's officially shrouded in a pink haze. the feelings he suppressed the past days overrules his infatuation for the lost princess.

meanwhile, erwin knows this won't end well as he watches levi and reader dance on the deck of the ship. it's the first time he sees levi with that look on his face. erwin is the one who teases them about their tension but he never expects it will develop this grandly. of course, he supports this but knowing that levi told him that they'll never share the prize money with reader before embarking on this journey, he knows levi is screwed.

can i just say that anya's midnight blue gown is one of the prettiest gowns i've ever seen [screams]. and levi agrees. reader in that breathtaking dress is the show of the night for him. the whole time the opera is unfolding in front of them, levi can't seem to concentrate on the singers expressing their emotions through song. instead, he carefully glances at reader, who's so immersed in the opera that it's safe for him to linger his stare for a moment longer. as if his stare calls for her, reader turns her head to find levi staring at her with the most adoring eyes. she only smiles, which leaves levi in a wide-eyed, blushing mess that she chuckles at. she even tells him that he's being adorable, to which he responds that it's her fault for turning him into this mess.

again, levi, you can't flirt to save your life and please, your feelings are showing, sweetie.

CEL, THAT SONG HOLY SHIT IT'S SO HEART-WRENCHING :<<

after having a nightmare about the mysterious people telling her to remember, reader finds herself in the company of levi. which leads to their revelation that they already fell in love with each other way before any of this happened.

it started with levi telling her a story of his first love, the lost princess, where he's walking along the palace gardens (because his mother is one of the help) and he sees her enjoying her cup of tea in the gazebo. he then encourages reader to fill in the story since he personally believes she's the lost princess (feelings aside -- which is an excuse). it's going well, with reader describing the weather and how she feels hot because of her dress. until she says that there was a boy who offered her a flower from the garden, a boy who's smaller than her yet handed her a carnation with a determined face. she also laughs a little when she adds that the boy then realized he was in front of royalty so he bowed the lowest bow she's ever seen in her life. levi is astounded at this because he never mentions this little detail to anyone but reader easily puts this out there. one can tell from the look in her eyes that she's not just filling in the gaps, she's reliving it the memory or watching it play around her.

then they nearly kiss but levi splashes cold water on himself by going on one knee and saying, "your highness". give this man a break please. he only wants to show reader how much he loves her but no can do.

ah, fated lovers and their love for each other that transcends time.

JUST LEVI X READER IN AN ANASTASIA AU. JUST THEM LOVING EACH OTHER IN THIS UNIVERSE.

[bixqueen]

supercorptober (supercorp october writing prompt)

i stumbled upon this prompt on AO3 a year after this happened lol but i’m wondering if we’re doing it again this year. and if someone makes a 31-day prompt list or we come up with it all ourselves? anyways, i’m interested in participating this year (hopefully although college decision process is a lot) and seeing how supergirl goes starting in august maybe it’ll help us with the pain lol

31 days

no.1:

- lena doesn’t understand how her friend can be eating an ice cream cone in the middle of fall while she’s freezing, yet she finds it cute and kara just doesn’t know why she’s blushing

no.2:

- sam and alex force lena and kara on a blind date

- they’re best friends

- they both think they’ve been stood up and sam and alex are screaming inside watching this happen

no.3:

- its karas first time at a high school party and she spots a special someone she is very into

- 5 mins in heaven or spin the bottle

no.4:

- kara and lena are both single and attend homecoming only to fall into each other’s arms (literally or metaphorically)

- can be at the game or the dance

no.5:

- baking and making a mess only for alex to walk in on them making out then begins cussing as she leaves

no.6:

- halloween themed game night with all their friends trying to get them to realize they love each other

no.7:

- first sleepover at Danver’s house

- kara and lena are freshman besties and decide to have a movie night and sleepover (ofc they make out DUH)

no.8:

- engagement (proposal) party with the superfriends being exposed for betting on the relationship

no.9:

- protective kara while lena works with DEO on serious (dangerous ofc) case

- nobody gets why supergirl is so worried

no.10:

- the way the ending of the 100th episode could’ve gone (GO WILD lol)

no.11:

- ice skating and hot cocoa days !!

- kara and lena go ice skating and casually fall on top of each other any chance they get then go back to karas for some cocoa and do some more falling on top of each other…

no.12:

- a flight with supergirl while lena is all bundled up and cozy on a fall night

no.13:

- visiting krypton and learning about their fall customs (/halloween idk if they do that most likely not)

- kara introducing lena to her parents

no.14:

- teaming up for a not so serious mission only to be scolded by j’on and alex ofc (be silly with this)

no.15:

- what really happens before a soccer game and your girlfriend shows up early to show support…hmm

- or lena pulls kara aside during their group warmups and have fun before the game

no.16:

- an accidental slip-up in front of lenas coworkers happen of her and supergirl kissing (though they don’t know it’s the same person)

no.17:

- moving in together after dating for a while but they don’t get to do much unpacking once one of them finds a movie (halloween one) only to find out the other hasn’t seen it

no.18:

- who you gonna call? SUPERGIRL!

- or lena doesn’t really need any rescuing, she just likes being held in karas strong and secure arms

no.19:

- supercorps child first halloween

no.20:

- elementary school kara doesn’t know anything about love until she spots an adorable black-haired girl and can’t stop thinking about her

no.21:

- they’re at a bar and kara accidentally spills a drink all over lenas clothes (expensive) and instead of being pissed she knows a way kara can make it up to her

no.22:

- kara and lena happen to be put together for some science project and that hatred that was once there slowly dissolves into something else

no.23:

- “what do you mean you don’t go trick or treating?”

- “well kara, we are in high school now. don’t you think it’s a bit odd to dress up and beg others for candy? i can buy you some at the store.”

- “yeah but that’s not as fun,” the blonde girl whines in an attempt to make the shorter girl put on her (_) costume and tag along.

- or lena doesn’t want to go trick or treating with kara, alex, and sam but gets guilted into it

no.24:

- lena and kara agree to babysit ruby one night and against their better knowledge they let her watch a movie that’s probably too scary for her (as well as them)

- supercorp cuddles

no.25:

- kara reveals she has a special surprise for her best friend lena

- she gives her a clue everyday going into halloween and her friend must figure it out in order for it to be revealed (this can be like some fluff love confession thing that takes lena until the very last day to figure out bc she’s a useless lesbian)

no.26:

- school trip to a museum (science or art) and the two best friends (who are hopelessly in love with each other) find any moment to slip their hands together and run off for a few moments

no.27:

- lena travels to ireland in hopes of discovering what really happened to her mother while kara stays in national city but keeps tails on lenas heartbeat and whereabouts. she ends up flying there once a day to be there physically and they both end up going to THE river/lake (they’re either together or just friends in this)

no.28:

- lena walks into her office only to find her best friend struggling to catch a puppy she brought (named pumpkin hehe) as a halloween surprise gift

no.29:

- lena knocks on the door of her best friends house begging to build a snowman in the middle of the night since she can’t sleep and seems to (for some reason) find comfort in those ocean blue eyes

no.30:

- alex gets tired of hearing kara complain about how much she likes lena but doesn’t know what to do so she decides to ask lena out from karas phone

- lena agrees and kara still doesn’t know what’s going on until after the “date” and she sees her messages. let’s say she’s not that mad at alex

no.31:

- lena has been missing for 3 days now and even the super can’t seem to find her. until she picks up on certain hints around the city and finds that she’s been captured by lex (i’m bad at horrors lol this is me trying)

I began this idea process back in like mid-june but i thought this might be really fun! we don’t know how this season will end but i thought we can at least have some happiness during it lol. anyways, it’s officially autumn so i finally got to post and it’s in a month advance which is nice! so repost and comment if you want to take part. i think it’ll be in A03 again but im super excited for this!

[toukenramblings]

can I have child saniwa and shokudaikiri, daihannya, and ookurikara headcanons? sorry, you can tell I have a Complete Bias to the osafune swords and the dategumi ww. thanks! (child saniwa has so much potential though- how did they get into government shenaniganry? why were they picked above all else? they pull this in the live action movie but idk if it's adequately explained in universe. you don't gave to answer these questions, I'm just thinking out loud ww thanks again!!)

~~

REXYYYY HAVE I EVER MENTIONED HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU BECAUSE I DOOOOOOOOOO. anyway pls take my love. Y’all, Rexy does fics as well! I love their mind and they made a lil fic about the child!saniwa headcanons I’ve done before. PLEASEEE give Rexy some love~<3

Shokudaikiri Mitsutada

“I’m Shokudaikiri Mitsutada, I-” “...”

“A little one!”

Micchan is a kind soul, he bends down to the height of the little one - who may be terrified of his eye patch or see him as amazing. He’s a pirate! Yeah sure he’ll be whatever the fuck this little one wants, this is his child now. He treats the little one with such gentleness.

If they ever touch the burnt part of his face, his eye that no longer works - he’ll flinch. He’ll flinch, and maybe this kid will notice? If they pull away, Micchan will apologize. He was just surprised that’s all. But their hands are so small, so pudgy and soft, unlike his own oh so scarred and cracked in places. Maybe he’ll compare his larger hands to them, let them rest it in his palm and marvel at his fingers and how big he is. Maybe the lil one calls his hands beautiful despite the scarring.

Anyway back to the happiness. Micchan cooks for everyone in the citadel but for the little one he makes special care to make their dishes as cute as possible. Their apples are bunnies now, their pancakes are elephants, everything is cute now! But he also sneaks things into their meals that is healthy. Like making their chicken pot pie with vegetables, cut up so small that they won’t notice or something.

Nightmares come to everyone. But to this little one who probably has more than a child should at their age, it’s Micchan to the rescue. Mitsu’s room is found pretty close to theirs and he’s already somewhat of a light sleeper so the minute he here’s a sniffle, he’s awake and there to comfort them.

Will also be found crying as they interact with the rest of the Dategumi. Tsuru he trusts the most around them, going back to the Tsuru and Child Saniwa headcanons I made, Tsuru is rather gentle around the little one. Micchan trusts everyone with the kid but Tsuru just....I don’t know how to say it, he feels for the kid more, I suppose.

One day the lil one draws a picture, holding hands with Micchan and Tsuru - a family picture of them and the Dategumi. Expect Micchan to stuff that picture into an omamori and cry about it every day.

Yes Micchan caves under their pouty face and puppy eyes in the end, but he is rather stern when he wants to be. He keeps them on their toes, in a way. He ensures that they study on time, is always there - basically just a mom.

Yes Shokudaikiri is a busy man but he always makes time to spend with the little one, just to hold them close or just exist.

Head pats. Hugs. Micchan SO AFFECTIONATE. Ruffles their hair, forehead kisses, whatever this kid wants.

Oh Micchan, like Tsuru, is fucking ready to fight the government. Probably will poison their damn food for making this little kid fight.

Daihannya Nagamitsu

“It is quite a pleasure to meet you-”

“...”

“Ah! A young one!”

See, Daihannya, like Mitsu, will bend down to their height and make himself known. He’s a gentleman through and through, with a sweet smile that charms the pants off of them, calling them a nickname from their real name, or whatever title they prefer. They are his master and he will call them whatever they wish!

A mental image that warms my heart is the idea of Daihannya taking the kid away from a stressful day and just...sitting in his lap and painting something. Or just playing with his hands, or finger painting, or writing, or whatever. Daihannya appreciates creativity in all forms, whatever makes the kid happy!

Like Micchan above, if the lil saniwa makes a picture of him and them holding hands and have it like a family photo, Daihannya found framing it, making several copies, shoving it into an omamori, and just showing it off to EVERYONE. He’s that one dad who shoves like 60 pictures of his kid into his wallet and pulls it out like receipts whenever someone asks about his kid.

Daihannya isn��t much of a chef but he will at least try to cook something for them. He is the kinda dude who takes note of whatever the hell they like to eat though and keeps snacks for them hidden in his pockets somewhere.

Despite all this, I think that the above headcanons are for more the Daihannya that gets closer to the lil kid. He does care for them, but is rather distant about it at first. He does care, but is more so along the lines of first getting to know them. He teases and makes them laugh yes, but he doesn’t initiate much physical affection compared to like Tsuru or Azuki or Micchan. He’ll give them a head pat and say, “You did great,” but that’s where it ends.

As time goes on however, Daihannya will warm up to them. It’s rather strange. Yes he leaves out little treats for them outside of their door and whatnot but his smiles become more and more genuine as time goes on. He’ll begin to spend more time with the little one, who he slowly dotes on. Think of it as someone who isn’t against the parental role but slowly grows into it over time.

Anyway Daihannya can and will give the kid piggyback rides if they ask. He isn’t a monster.

He’s rather teasing to the little one in a way? Will be the one adult who holds treats out of their damn reach and chuckles as they jump and try to reach it- NO DON’T CLIMB ON THE SHELVES, HE’S SORRY, HE’LL GIVE IT TO THEM.

Daihannya is a bit lazy at times. So if anything he’ll invite the little one to nappy with him! Sometimes nappys are just what you need mAN.

When Daihannya becomes full parent of this little kid, expect him to casually and snidely threaten the government. “Oh ho, sending a little one out on such a dangerous job like this huh? Naughty naughty...I outta punish you.” what are you kikkou

Oookurikara

“....”

“......”

“........”

Why is there a child here? Why is this child their master? Where is everyone else? Oh God. Mitsutada? Sada??? Tsuru? HELP. Okay but there is no doubt that the kid is a lil bit terrified of Kara. Kara naturally has a rather intimidating aura. He knows how to curb himself around kids, no swearing and all, but he’s a bristly sort of man. He won’t bend down to their level to greet them or anything, maybe just brush past them. He’ll greet them, almost silently.

He isn’t as physically affectionate as Micchan or even Daihannya. He’ll reserve the affection for much more private times. Even then it’ll be sparse! His affection is just a mere head pat and maybe a simple, “You did good.” than anything.

Now, Ookurikara does have a bit of a softspot for kids and animals, he really does care about Taikogane, even if it’s sporadic. He’ll give a soft smile to the lil kid before turning away, denying that he ever did such a thing. It’s rather tsundere like in a way, or more perhaps kuudere?

Like Daihannya, Oourkikara will leave out snacks for them with a note. Compared to Daihannya’s notes which are like: “For you, master~!” and signed with his name, Kara’s little notes are just, “Master’s” and that’s it. Often kept somewhere where he knows the other tantous won’t take them or ‘accidentally’ eat them.

Daihannya will leave snacks at their room, with a knock and a smile, but Kara leaves them snacks with a soft knock and then leaves. He won’t wait for them to thank him.

As time goes on, Kara doesn’t open up per say. He does in his own way. He begins to tolerate the saniwa and their lil self, but more or less as they become more ingrained into his life he’ll notice things a lil bit more. Kara is already pretty damn observant despite how cold he is to people and he knows some things that the little kid likes. Maybe they’ll get a surprise gift after a long hard day?

Ookurikara is not good for comfort. One day this little kid stumbles into his room and he doesn’t know what to do. All he does is listen, rubs their back gently, and just stay there. However awkward it may be. They fall asleep on him and he carries them back to their room, curling them up in a blanket.

If they ask for him to stay, he awkwardly will, holding their tiny little hand. They’re a kid, Sada-chan takes warfare in stride despite the fact he...well, is Sada-chan and has been through is fair share of stride. But this little saniwa? Oh, they don’t deserve this.

When the morning comes, Ookurikara is gone but in his place are a small batch of snacks - their favorite, he knows, he’s seen how they light up when Micchan gives that to them. Did he make it himself? He won’t tell.

Over all, it’s very hard for the little saniwa to get to know Ookurikara, despite his penchant for hiding snacks and candy for them in his pockets. It takes a long time but he’ll warm up to them in the end. He’ll deny it but he’s already taking pot shots at the government officials who allowed this to happen.

[lunar-wandering]

out of curiosity, will you tell us more about your monkie kid ocs?

you bet i will, let’s go folks, random infodump about my OC’s here we go-

Iva:

- she/her

- ace (edit: she’s aroace specifically)

- eel demon. she’s not all that good at walking with her legs. like swimming more, obviously.

- her alignment would be. chaotic chaotic. genuinely.

- she kidnaps Red Son once and that’s kinda... bad but they both had fun at the end of the day so-

- she’s a scene kid.

- she pranks everyone. constantly. nobody is safe.

- she does know how to be serious though. you know something is serious serious if she’s not joking around

Aeolian:

- he/him

- bi (in the disaster way specifically)

- monkey demon

- he’s got wind magic....as well as a few other tricks up his sleeve

- his alignment would be Chaotic Neutral

- i don’t have any really set design for him yet but i feel like yall need to know hes got those like pom pom earrings, like what Monk has in Eto Ranger

- he mainly stays in his human glamor....

- ....except for when he’s phantom thieving.

- thats right bitch, this monkey boy’s a phantom thief! he’s called Phantom Thief Fanfare.

- he’s usually a rather calm person... usually. some of that it just a front, but he does need to like. Emulate Iva to reach the appropriate level of crazyness for a heist.

- He keeps accidentally learning people’s secrets. like he keeps being in the area when someone drops information, or stumbles upon the open page of a diary, etc. He’s so fucking done with it, but he keeps a book of it all just in case he needs the info some day.

- he owns a bookstore

- no mirrors allowed. for Reasons.

Haze:

- they/them

- bi

- also a monkey demon, ‘cept with smoke magic this time. (its definitely not because i wanted to make a smoke and mirrors joke)

- they’re a detective! and they’re very good at their job!

- they honestly figured out that Aeolian was Fanfare a while ago but they haven’t done anything about it yet. They wanna figure out why he’s doing it first.

- they’re alignment would be chaotic good.

- they actually, surprisingly enough, are really good at music. they write songs when they’re not investigating things

- Haze genuinely worries about Aeolian and Iva sometimes...

- (Haze is the only one in the group who hasn’t experience some kind of trauma)

- Haze is a very lucky monkey

- speaking of which, they don’t bother with a glamor. full monkey, all the time.

General HCs for all of them:

- Aeolian has. a major crush on Haze, which Iva keeps teasing him about

- theres a small pool connected to the ocean in one of the back rooms of Aeolian’s bookstore/house, so Iva can go from her underwater house to Aeolian’s rather quickly

- Haze and Iva get along surprisingly well, the two of them tend to talk about recent shows they’ve seen and stuff like that.

- they drag Macaque into their friend group the same way one drags a cat to a bath. with spite, determination, and several injuries. and also hissing. a surprising amount of hissing really, we thought you were more civilized, Macaque.

- they make him part of the friend group partly because Iva thought it’d be funny (which it was), and partly because Aeolian is certain they’ll need someone powerful with them when shit inevitably goes down.

- (of course,when shit goes down, it turns out Macaque is not enough, and Aeolian has to go get MK and the others for help, but that’s later)

- Haze, Aeolian, and Iva have movie nights! ....whenever Haze gets to pick a movie they pick something about phantom thieves and Aeolian is getting nervous. Iva knows full well that Haze has already figured Aeolian out. she thinks it’s hilarious.

- they’re all neurodivergent. yes, all of them. Haze is the only one with an Official Diagnosis for autism but the other two are neurodivergent as well.

- Picnics! Under! The! Sea! (dont worry, Iva makes an air bubble so the food doesn’t get wet.)

- they all like to bake, so sometimes one of them will just show up with a tray full of baked goodies for the others.

- Aeolian sees MK nearly fall off a building once. He used his wind powers in order to make sure he didn’t fall. MK was left confused over it for weeks.

- Haze will sometimes eat at Pigsy’s Noodles while working on case notes.

- Iva makes it her duty to pranks whoever she comes across, but Red Son and Wukong get Special Pranking Treatment.

- (she had to get Aeolian and Haze to help her move everything in Wukong’s house on the mountain an inch to the left. don’t ask how she convinced the two of them, you don’t want to know.)

[amachaheadcanons]

CAN YOU GIVE FLUFFY HEADCANONS FOR AMACHA ON DATES??

YOU BET YOUR FINE BOOTY I CAN ANON

(⊙ω⊙✿) Me likes the way you think!!

Fluffy Headcanon Set of Amacha on Dates

You might wanna be sitting for this...there's a lot...

They study hard for an hour and a half before a well-deserved break, in which Rantaro starts cooking up a storm. Tenko insists on helping since he refused to take her money. "Tenko's sure you just want her to pay a high price! Tch, typical--"

Their first date is accidental. She came over to study/work on a school project/get tutored. Considering one of his father's Japan-based houses is close to a train station, the two decide to go there; it was quieter than the dorms.

It's a quaint traditional home for 1, on the larger side in comparison to typical Japanese apartments. Being a quiet, hideyhole for FatherAmami, it was vacant of maids/butlers. Of course, Rantaro cooks dinner for them.

'So that's why Rantaro took so long "getting study snacks" at the supermarket' Tenko realised. This unexpected thoughtful side of his making her soften inside.

"No need, Chabashira-san. Your thanks will be enjoying the meal I slaved away making just for you~." He teases. Despite attempting to refute and ensure he was aware she didn't mind chipping in some money, he refused with no end. Including the train fare and his precious tutoring time. He didn't want anything from her. Though that didn't stop her from asserting he was hiding ulterior motives, nor internally denying the fact she savoured every denial he made whenever she joked about him trying to get in her panties. She appreciated the constant dismissal, while silly, it reassured her; comforted her.

She starts chopping up veggies both spitefully and with pride. The food smells delicious, he can see it on her face despite her verbal denial. They get caught up in cooking and conversation, studying further never gracing their minds. They were too busy enjoying the other's company. He pleasantly surprised her, thus why she continued to launch questions at him.

She speedily sets the table before he can. A little too excited to eat his food.

Because the house is so old, the lights go out. The fuse box is a pain to figure out on an empty stomach, thus why Rantaro breaks out the fancy candles and they eat by candlelight. It's very romantic, Tenko starts to blush as it reminds her of romance manga. Now thankful for the light shortage since he couldn't grasp the extent of her embarrassment.

They talk for hours. By 9pm they're too tired to even attempt studying, and instead finish the night with a Disney movie and tea and biscuits on the pull-out sofa bed. "How luxurious!!"

Tenko's excitement never looked more beautiful/endearing.

Rantarou's dozes off first, his light snoring made her giggle. He was so dainty. She gently lays the blankets he previously prepared over his sleeping form.

Sitting a comfortable distance to finish the movie. A lullaby plays on screen and Tenko is easy prey. She ends up sinking into the bed beside him, the cool autumn air didn't help her sleep-cuddling tendencies, thus making her spoon him for warmth. His sleeping form happily complies and fits in the mould she made.

Both being early risers, Rantarou's embarrassed to be in the situation, but smiles anyway, patting her hair, she instantly stirs, he pretends to be asleep.

When Tenko rubs the sleep from her eyes, she stares at him, their positions exposing she was, in fact, the instigator of such affection. She slowly slides out, utterly embarrassed and completely confused. She gets to work in the kitchen, {even wearing his apron} to surprise him with breakfast in bed. "As thanks" for dinner the night before... He is happily surprised, both at her way of showing gratitude and the feelings making his chest tight at the image of her wearing such domestic accents.

^ Those dinner/study/movie endeavours continue for almost 3 months before he has the guts to invite her to Disneyland, confident she'd love it. She asserts the idea and is all-in after Rantarou confesses the last time he went was with his sisters...he sounded so gloomy whilst reminiscing and she insists they go to restore the happiness it's supposed to invoke!! It'd be a crime otherwise.

He goes all out. He buys them front of the line, year-long passes. They're worth it. This one's the official first date. At least in his head, he tells her it isn't but he wants it to be, and it definitely looks like one.

Tenko is no longer scared or feels threatened around him, not in the slightest. Strangely though, anger stirs inside her chest and makes her lips thin whenever girls fawn/compliment him so boldly.

He waits patiently for Tenko when she's using the bathroom. On her way out, her appreciation is emphasised by a wide grin as he watched her with excited eyes. A stranger crosses their path. Tenko increases her speed, "He better not ditch Tenko for this beautiful and pure ginger fox-- oh how embarrassing that would be!! Not to mention low!"

A girl from school attempts to confess to him, in the happiest, most magical place of all. She's a year younger than them. So pure, kind and sweet. He doesn't have the heart to outright reject her, thus stumbling over his words awkwardly, Tenko can sense he's trying to be gentle.

Tenko smoothly approaches and wraps an arm around his, making him freeze his faltering, "Kasumi-chan. Tenko heard your beautiful speech. You're so brave and sweet and beautiful. Any boy would be lucky to have you, but unfortunately... Rantarou-kun is spoken for." She wants to break it to her as gently as possible, and pretends their dating, as a softer blow. After giving Kasumi the necessary confidence/reassurance, Tenko watches the girl trot back to her friends. A content smile marking her face.

She follows, willingly, paying no mind to the contact whatsoever, excluding the butterflies in her stomach.

With his free hand he pats her head, "Very smooth, Chabashira-san, I'm impressed. I would never have thought you'd-"

"Oh, shoosh avocado!" Avoiding eye contact and hiding her blush. Since their arms were still tangled, Rantaro interlocked their fingers and drags her along, "C'mon, Tiga~"

He showers her in mostly food but of course gifts her something cute she had her eye on.

They have a blast. Afterward, Tenko found herself often speculating when they could go again. Due to his big spending habits she tends to repay her gratitude in free Neo-Aikido training and the rare times she'd make sweets for Himiko, she'd give him a decent portion.

Because Rantaro is so loving and crushing hard but doesn't know how to love her, he often shouts her lunch or packs an extra bento for her. This surprises Tenko.

He's so thoughtful and wonderful she has her suspicions. But still blushes whenever he brings her lunch in public with her friends around.

To combat this, she insists on helping him with his studies and is a great confidence booster whenever she can sense her sparring partner is doubting/self-loathing. Due to their regular training, continuous study sessions, bonding over food and movie nights. They become really good friends.

One day, Tenko can't shake the rejection from Himiko, especially when Himiko happily hugs and is very clingy with Angie and the others. The stinging morphs into a deep cut. Rantaro finds Tenko pushing herself. He's at first impressed. Then majorly concerned after realising she'd been at it for 4 hours straight.

He confronts her, she breaks down in tears. It breaks his heart to see such a loving, devoted girl be treated like this. He knows Tenko would sacrifice everything to see Himiko smile, so instead of taking it up with Himiko...

"You know...we've been making great progress with our school work. This weekend, why don't we go to a theme park, as a reward?"

This marks the third/forth official date since they'd revisited disneyland a few times prior. He takes her on all the rollercoasters, they bond over the adrenaline rush, it's a good distraction. She's like no one he's ever met before, and only falls harder.

Plus, the slow love-story these two would have to build that loyalty, blind-trust and love that's indestructible is a big reason why I love amacha~! Hope it was ok! If not just lemme know and I'll do more future-date things, like further in their relationship haha!

Sorry got a lil' off-topic...BUT it's VERY vital Tenko gets over her dependence on Himiko before anything can really flourish between these two, BUT I love the idea of Rantaro happily pining after Tenko and making sure she's ok, cuz no one else would.

[demonwifey]

Birthday Surprise🎉🎁

Yo, what’s up ya’ll✌🏽 So yesterday was my birthday and thanks again to everyone on here and twitter that sent me a happy birthday wishes💗 This practically me self-inserting because I had this idea for my birthday. So it’s a gift to myself and you guys. THIS IS A 18+ FIC. IF YOU ARE NOT 18 OR OLDER, DO NOT READ. Hope you guys enjoy!💚💜🖤

Beetlejuice x black+AFAB!reader

Warnings: Drunk reader, ropeplay/shibari (kinda), NSFW🔞

Word Count: 3,064

So, Happy Birthday! You’re officially 24! Although that should have been exciting, it really wasn’t. It’s not like you were having a bad day, it just wasn’t anything special. After your 18th birthday it just seemed like another day. Although your family might have bought your favorite dessert, or your friends took you out for a fun time, birthday’s just weren’t the same as from when you were a kid. 

However, birthday’s did have a different meaning once you became an adult; specifically when you hit 21. Like you said, your friends took you out for a good time. Which basically meant getting so drunk that you wouldn’t leave bed the next morning. You didn’t mind, if only for one day out of the entire year. And this year wasn’t going to be any different...if you didn’t have a certain clingy demon staying at your place. 

Oh boy, the type of tantrum you knew Beetlejuice would throw if you were gone all night. When he first came around, he didn’t even like it when you left for work. You were gone most of the day but you’d be right back. As if that gave him any ease. Then you two started dating and he took it to a whole new level. Of course, you were able to leave. It's not like he held you hostage. But that didn’t stop him from dragging on your leg and begging not to leave while you headed for the door. Although it wasn’t easy being with Beetlejuice, you loved him nonetheless. 

Given all this knowledge of Beej’s clinginess, it made you worry about tonight. Your best friends were taking you out but you didn’t really want to go. You actually didn’t mind staying in with Beej, chowing down on some store bought birthday cupcakes, and watching your favorite movies. Not to mention, knowing Beej, the amazing birthday sex you’d get at the end of the night. That sounded WAY more appealing than standing in a hot and sweaty club with music so loud you’d have to scream to be heard.

But no matter how much you opposed, your friends begged you to come out. And you still would’ve said no if they didn’t say “Y/N, you never hang out with us anymore! All you do is stay home. It’s like you’re hanging out with some secret boyfriend or something.”  

And you not being the so subtle person accidentally froze in place before trying to counter by speaking too quickly, “Uhh, Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.” 

And they caught on immediately. You knew your friends would’ve done everything in their power to get you talking about you “secret boyfriend”. Which wouldn’t have been a problem if he wasn’t a dead demon. So you agreed to their plans but to not be out all night. The latest being 11:00. Although they gave groans of disappointment, they still agreed. 

Now, you’d been with Beej for at least a year. Out of all the tricks and scare pranks he did to you, his reaction to your news was the scariest. He was...calm. His hair stayed it’s natural bright color. There wasn’t any change in expression on his face. Not even the slightest eyebrow twitch. He wasn’t even fazed by the outfit you had on. A short, all black, velvet dress that hugged your curves just right and a pair of 6-inch block heels to match. Your hair was done up and you had just a touch of makeup on that made you look different than your usual self. All that and no major reaction.

“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, babycakes.” He spoke. He walked up to you, still so calm and composed. Once he was close enough, a cold hand gently pushed a stray strand of hair behind your ear before an even colder palm rested against your cheek. “Practically good enough to eat.” 

“Ah...ha. Yeah, I mean. If you want me to stay here, that’s fine too, Beej. I can just call my friends and tell them-” But he quickly stopped you. 

“No, no, no. Don’t go cancelling plans on account of me, Y/N.” His voice started normal but then got lower as he finished. 

You felt his thumb make its way to your lips. It grazed them ever so lightly, like he wasn’t trying to mess with your lipstick, before adding a small pressure to your bottom lip. You knew that was a signal to open your mouth as he slipped his thumb in. He gently pressed it against your tongue before swirling it around, getting the digit wet from your saliva. You never looked away from his golden eyes, and thank God for that. Although the was able to maintain himself, the look of lust and domination in his eyes was enough to make you say “fuck whatever plans were happening tonight”. Absentmindedly, you went to swirl your tongue around his finger as well. But before you could put in any work, he slowly pulled the thumb away. 

You would’ve let out a whine if he didn’t place a hand on your lower back and walk you closer to the door. You weren’t sure if you should be scared and relieved. One one hand, he wasn’t being super drastic like normal. Which was great. You wouldn’t feel bad all night about leaving him for the night. On the other hand, what exactly was keeping him so calm? And what were his plans for when you got back? He places your purse in your hands before giving you a deep kiss on the lips.

“Beej, I-“ But before you could continue, your phone dinged. Your friends texted that they were outside. 

“Just enjoy yourself tonight, babes.” His husky voice echoed through your ears, practically making you melt in his arms. 

He then opened the door in front of you before giving a light tap on your ass. The contact was enough to make you let out a small yelp before stumbling forward out the door frame. The heat that filled your cheeks was practically burning. It’s not like you were a blushing virgin but something about this whole thing is making you feel like one. You quickly gained your balance before looking back. Beetlejuice stood in the doorway with a sinister smile on his face. The last thing you noticed was a streak of hot pink that flashed in his hair. 

“I’ll be here when you get back.” And with that, he shuts the door in front of you. The look on your face had too many emotions to uncover in one sitting. All you could do was turn to walk to your friend’s car as they waited. 

You sat in the back seat as they all screamed “Happy Birthday, biiiitttccch!” Not holding back any of the excitement in their voices. You would play along until you adjusted in your seat and felt dampness in your panties. You tried to not to squirm too much once you noticed the feeling.

“Ha...haha. Thanks, you guys.” You say, trying to remain cool. God, the night hadn’t even started and you were really to get back inside to Beej. You just pray that the night ends quick.

****

You weren’t exactly sure what time it was. All you knew was that you were somehow in the backseat of your friend’s car, head laying someone’s lap. Your words were slurred as you tried to keep singing the last song you heard before you all exited the club. Almost everyone in the car, except the driver, seemed to be drunk but not on the same level as you.

All night, your friends wouldn’t stop handing you drinks. If there was one thing they were gonna do, it was make sure you got happy drunk on your birthday. Although you tried to resist, somehow you always ended up with a newly poured glass in your hand. You had basically been thinking about Beetlejuice all night. Both scared and excited for what he had in store for you once you got home. You forget when your thoughts started getting clouded and fuzzy from the alcohol, but you assumed it was after the fourth pineapple vodka was handed to you. You were turned on when you left the house but now it was increased by ten with the alcohol in your system. 

Once the car was parked in front of your house one of your friends offered to walk with you to the door. You reassured them it was fine though. Yeah you’d probably stumble a little bit but you were perfectly able to walk on your own. You thanked everyone for a great night before trying your hardest not to fall on your ass while approaching the door. 

“Pay my tuition just to kiss me on this wet ass pussy~” You mumbled while fumbling with your keys at the door. God, you never hated door locks more than now.

After struggling for what seemed like forever, you finally unlocked and pushed through the door with success. Accidentally slamming it behind you, you flinched but giggled at the loud sound. 

“Beej, I’m home! Come get some of this wet ass pussy!” You yelled from your position. This actually would’ve been the first time Beetlejuice would’ve seen you like this. He didn’t actually know how rowdy you got when super drunk. You quickly dropped your keys and purse to the floor while your shoes weren’t far behind. No response was heard from Beetlejuice so you yelled again. 

“Beetlejuicssse! It’ss my birthday! I want birthday sex now!” You stumbled across the room while laughing at your own silliness. You loudly stomped across the room but still no answer from Beej. Now you were getting frustrated. 

“Beej! Where are you?!” You yelled but not as loud as before. Again, no answer. You thought maybe he’d left. And the thought alone made you sad. It was your birthday. Why would he leave you like this? It wouldn’t be long before you started drunk crying so you moved over to the couch, trying to quickly calm down before you lost it. As you sat thought, you noticed a box sitting on the coffee table. 

The box was small. Just about the size of your hands. It was black and white striped with a silk dark green ribbon tied to the top in a bow shape. The box basically mimicked Beej’s everyday suit. You blinked in confusion before clumsily picking it up. Did he leave this here, you thought. As if the answer wasn’t obvious. You stared at it for a moment before seeing the small note attached to the ribbon. It was black with a white heart stamped in the center. You flipped it over to see a sloppily written message on the back. 

To: My favorite babe, Y/N.

From: BJ, the sexiest demon you’ll ever know.

It took everything in your power not to snort at the message. But you smiled nonetheless. Okay, so he wasn’t here. At least he left you a gift. Maybe you two could spend the day together tomorrow. Your fingers fumbled to untie the bow just like with your keys. You were still drunk enough to laugh at yourself though. It didn’t take long for you to get the bow undone as you quickly lifted to top of the box. 

You weren’t exactly sure what you expected but this wasn’t it. Inside was one tiny thing of black and white striped rope. Nothing else. Just that. 

“Uh, okay.” You thought out loud. 

You were way too confused and way too drunk to really make sense of this. Even so, you reached inside the box to grab the robe and pull it out. Just as you were about to get a closer look at it, the rope started moving. On its own. You honestly would have blamed the alcohol for playing tricks on your mind if the rope didn’t snake it’s way up your arm. It moved so slow and smoothly like a snake slithering its way up your arm. You’d been with Beej long enough to be used to anything supernatural, so this whole thing didn’t really phase you. Not only that, but seeing the way the rope slid up your body started making you feel...aroused? Yeeaaah, maybe it was time to go to bed. 

However, just before you could get up, another piece of rope emerged from the box and wrapped around your ankle. That’s when you looked up to see the strange sight in front of you: different ends of rope slithering their way out of the tiny box. No like snakes but instead like tentacles. Again, you weren’t too phased but this was a little weird. That’s when you felt two more ends of the rope wrap around your ankle and wrist. 

Your head was still a little hazy and this whole thing was making you feel dizzy. And on top of feeling turned on, it almost was like you were on cloud nine. Just as you were about to move again, you noticed the green ribbon sliding its way up your chest. The was the last thing you saw before it quickly snapped itself around your eyes. And you weren’t sure how it happened, but somehow you blacked out.

****

You slowly blinked your eyes open once you came to. The room seemed blurry but it was slowly becoming clearer with each second. As your vision went back to normal, you could tell that you were in your bedroom...in your bedroom...upside down? What the hell? 

You shook your head before widening your eyes. You were upside down, in the air. You tilted your head backwards to see your bed directly under you. You quickly tilted back up to see your body was laying straight, like you were on your back, but entangled in the black and white rope from before. Not only that, you were completely naked. The only thing you could really see was the way the rope squeezed against your breast. Further down you could see your legs being held up and spread out with rope wrapped tightly around each ankle. Not long did it take you to feel the tightness of rope around your whole body, including the way your arms were pulled tightly behind your back. 

“Uh, fuck, ah. Beej?” You groaned, out trying to look around but not getting much of a view. It seemed as though you sobered up a little but still your head swimming. You couldn’t tell if it was the alcohol, the hundreds of questions you had, or the fact that you were hanging upside down.

“Beetlejuice?!” You called out again. The whole thing felt like deja vu from when you first got back home. But this time, he actually appeared. 

There he was, upside down, but standing in front you. This time, you could tell his demeanor was way different from before. He looked so...mischievous. His hair was a mix between hot pink and beaming green. He was dressed in his normal stripes but his suit jacket was gone. The sleeves on his shirt were rolled up, exposing his strong and moss covered forearms. He didn’t seem angry but the air seemed to be more hot when we appeared in the room. 

“Hiya, hot stuff.” He said. His scratchy voice gave you so much more ease. But you were still on edge.

“Beej, what the hell is all this? Why am I tied up like this? And why am I upside down?” You demanded. The way he looked at you after you finished was almost like he didn’t like your tone but still amused by your confusion. 

“It’s your birthday, babes. This is my present.” He said while walking closer to you. 

Before you could ask another question, he gave you a slow and sensual kiss. It was something you’d been wanting all night. Not just a kiss but any type of contact with Beej against you. And you had a feeling that he was going to give you just that. He quickly interrupted your thought with his tongue pushing its way into your mouth and swirling against your own. No longer being able to hold back, you let out such a loud sigh and moan together, it almost sounded like you came just from that. He chuckled at the sound as he pulled his tongue away, causing you to whine almost as loud.  

He lifted his hand to rub his thumb against your lips, much like he didn’t from earlier. But instead of mimicking the same action of pushing his thumb in your mouth, he only trailed his hand down your body as he walked around the side of you.

“Ahha, Beej. I’d be just fine with a present while not hanging in the air.” You spoke. But you weren’t able to see him once he walked around. “Beej, I appreciate the gesture but I think-AH~” You let out a quick gasp. 

All you could feel was one of his cold fingers rubbing against your clit. Oh...fuck. He was really going to do this. You couldn’t even finish your panicked thoughts before you felt a wet finger slowly push into you. He slowly started pumping it in and out while one finger continued to circle your clit. It wasn’t long before you became more and more wet to the point of practically dripping. 

“Ah~ Mmmmm~ Oh, Beej, yes~” You moaned, basically letting go of any fight you had inside of you. You didn’t need any more answers, you just needed Beetlejuice to make you feel good. You could’ve been embarrassed with how fast you came, letting out half a scream, even though his fingers were going painfully slow. Your breathing was slightly hitched but you were able to regain your composure quickly. But that was stunted once he flattened his tongue and gave you heat a long, slow lick. 

“Beej~” You moaned out one last time. It became very evident what his plan for you was, and you weren’t getting out of it anytime soon.

“Oh, we’re far from done. Just sit back and let me take care of you, birthday girl.” Was the last thing you heard before his tongue and fingers went to work on you. 

Yeah, it was going to be a long night. But, Happy Birthday to you.

Did ya’ll catch that W.A.P reference? 10 points to you if you did.

I know I’ve been slacking on fics for a while. I’ve been busy with school bullshit and I know I sound like a broken record saying that. But I wanna thank you guys for still sticking around and being patient with me. I’m still working on requests and I’m far from finished with writing fics. Thanks so much for reading!💚💜🖤

[lady-divine-writes]

Good Omens - Dodge and Parry (Rated NC17)

Summary: Crowley discovers that he is rather enamored of his angel's bruises ... especially the ones that go farther than skin deep. (2006 words)

Notes: I wrote this for Kinktober 2020, the prompt 'bruises'. So I was going to write a piece about bruise worship, which this sort of is, but it went much deeper. I will try to come up with something kinkier and more fun another time XD

Read on AO3.

“How does that feel, angel?” Crowley asks, soaking his washcloth completely, then wringing it out over Aziraphale’s scalp. “Too hot? Too cold?”

“Neither.” Aziraphale hums happily with eyes shut. “It’s perfect. Sublime, I should say. Like soaking in a nice, warm cup of tea.”

“We’ve added enough dried flowers and wot not that you could just be,” Crowley comments, swiping a hand through the water, swatting at a cluster of rose petals, lavender, sweet jasmine, and chamomile.

“Hmm. Then you could drink me,” Aziraphale says, sinking deeper into the steaming water.

“Ngk … I … I could …” Crowley stumbles, but he recovers, a triumph since that remark from his angel almost had him choking on his tongue. “But let’s save the sweet stuff for later, eh? We’ve gotta get you fixed up.”

“Yes … let’s. Then … I can do you …” Aziraphale mumbles, drifting off, his cheeks rosy from the warmth and the company. Crowley soaps up his cloth and runs it over Aziraphale’s arm, sliding past a mark that has blossomed considerably since he last saw it. He runs the cloth over it again and it seems to darken, the cream-colored suds rinsing into cloudy water and revealing a plethora of purples swirled together, related to one another by hues, tiny freckles sprouting along the fringe like shy violets.

A galaxy of them really.

Crowley isn’t normally fond of scars and bruises, especially on his angel. Aziraphale bears many types of blacks and blues, with varied stories behind them. Older scars on Aziraphale’s corporation - ones following mortal paths and having faded to silver - come by way of other angels who delight in his suffering. Crowley has seen every one of those, categorized their existence, set their placements to memory. A touch of his fingertips tells him when they were created … and by whom.

Crowley has gathered a list of enemies on his angel’s behalf, and that list is long.

Very long.

Not all of angel’s bruises are visible to the naked, mortal eye, but they’ve dimmed his aura considerably.

Crowley never thought the humans’ quarantine would get to Aziraphale. Being locked inside, forbidden to go out and socialize, leaving him heaps of time to read his books, seemed like a dream come true. With no one coming into his shop to browse, there was nothing keeping him from doing his crossword puzzles till his heart’s content. And it seemed that way for the first few months.

But it didn’t stay that way.

More and more, Crowley would catch his angel sitting in a chair by the window, staring up at the sky, sighing deeply as if for a long lost love, which seemed utterly preposterous to Crowley since every book Aziraphale could ever want lay in a stack beside him. Aside from that, he had his music. And cake! Why, they’d been baking cake every single day! So much cake, in fact, that any poor soul who so much as poked their head out of their door received a cardboard baker’s box packed to bursting with confections, passed along at a socially safe distance courtesy of a long, wooden shepherd’s crook.

And thanks to a wonderful service with a mildly vulgar name, whenever Aziraphale so desired, a delivery person dropped by with a box of his favorite sushi, which Crowley generously tipped for.

But Aziraphale still wasn’t happy. And he was becoming less happy by the day.

Something had changed.

He mentioned several times to Crowley that he felt hemmed in; that lately, being locked inside made it difficult for him to breathe. He longed to walk through the park, soak in the sunshine (when it made itself available), and feed the ducks again.

Crowley didn’t understand it. Aziraphale despised exercise to such a degree that if he sat at Crowley’s kitchen table, preparing to sup, and discovered that he’d left the butter in the fridge, he’d rather do without then to get up and fetch it.

It wasn’t until days later, when Crowley found a stack of newspaper clippings hiding underneath Aziraphale’s ledger, that he began to catch on:

Covid cases increase rapidly as next steps planned

'Tier Three' Covid restrictions in announcement on Monday

More than 80% of positive UK cases in study had no core symptoms

It wasn’t the toll quarantine was taking on Aziraphale. It was the toll this disease that caused the need for a quarantine was taking on the humans he was so fond of. That time spent staring at the sky, Aziraphale spent praying, wondering why the Almighty would let this continue, let so many of Her beloveds die and for what?

From the expression on his angel’s face after, Crowley assumed he got no answers.

It was like the Ark all over again, only without the refreshing rain, and with no rainbow in sight.

Determined to take his mind off of it, Crowley arranged a private movie marathon for his angel at his flat. They sat on his sofa with homemade snacks and watched some old Errol Flynn movies. And it worked! After a while, Crowley started watching Aziraphale more than the film, his angel that much more entertaining. Aziraphale had started the way he watched every movie - sitting primly upright, hands folded in his lap, eyes glued to the screen. But over time, he’d started to inch forward, lean in, muscles twitching to recreate the fight scenes - the swipes of a sword, the parries, his feet shuffling enthusiastically in place to mimic the steps of the actors’ retreats like they were performing a gavotte.

Encouraged that this was a way to break through Aziraphale’s melancholy, Crowley recommended they dig out the old fencing foils and have at it, sans protective gear in honor of old Errol. Besides, they didn’t need it.

“Oh! No, no, no!” Aziraphale argued at first, even with a smile on his lips. “I couldn’t! It’s been so long!”

“Nonsense!” Crowley retorted, heading for his closet. “You were an expert swordsman centuries ago. I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully now. It’s like riding a bicycle.”

“And how’s that, dear?”

“Once you fall off, you get right back on.” Crowley tossed Aziraphale a foil, which he caught without looking, and Crowley smirked knowingly.

Crowley didn’t give Aziraphale a chance to back out, didn’t salute him like at the beginning of an official duel. Crowley came at him like a buccaneer, crowing and catching Aziraphale off-guard. But Aziraphale fought back. He wasn’t upset by Crowley’s abrupt start. On the contrary. He laughed at Crowley’s antics, especially when he tried to evade by climbing over the sofa, and then onto an end table. His joy was infectious. It rang through Crowley’s flat, made the plants (which had initially recoiled at the sound of clashing metal) stand straighter, wave their leaves and cheer. It rose up inside Crowley as if the joy were his own, making him laugh, too.

Laugh till he snorted, which he hadn’t done in a long time.

But it didn’t last as long as Crowley had hoped.

Aziraphale got lost somewhere in the fight, lost in thinking, his mind drifting in all directions while he dodged and parried by rote. His face grew tense, his expression morphing from concentration to anger … to vengeance. He went after Crowley with clouded eyes, as if everything pent up inside him - the sadness and the anxiety - had found a weak spot in Aziraphale’s armor.

And now, it was starting to break through.

Crowley didn’t know who Aziraphale saw when he looked at him. Those world leaders who didn’t take this pandemic seriously, who didn’t act quick enough, who were greedy.

Beelzebub and the Dukes of Hell, whom Aziraphale credited for the speed in which this disease took hold, and the blind, stubborn stupidity of those who refused to do their part to stop it.

Gabriel, who has long since laughed off any correspondence Aziraphale has sent him regarding the matter, rejecting the last dozen with a very snarky ‘Return to sender!’ emblazoned in gold across the envelope.

Or the Almighty, who has the power to stop this but who has refused, and doesn’t have the decency to tell him why.

Or maybe he simply saw Crowley, who treated the whole thing like a joke, not only taking a nap for the first few months but then extending it, leaving Aziraphale alone when he might have needed him most.

Aziraphale attacked, closing in on Crowley fast, fighting with more fist than blade, and Crowley defended.

They struck one another at the same time - Aziraphale bringing his wrist down on the bridge of Crowley’s nose, Crowley’s guard-covered fist coming up to block and accidentally clocking Aziraphale on the jaw.

Both stumbled back, seeing stars.

Had they been human, Crowley’s nose would have broken, and Aziraphale’s jaw would have shattered. As was, Crowley’s nose ended up a bit crooked till a minute ago when Aziraphale snapped his fingers and set it straight. Aziraphale’s jaw still sported an indigo bruise reminiscent of a mum.

“Oh … oh my dear boy! I am so sorry!” Aziraphale apologized profusely when he saw Crowley’s nose, blood pooling underneath.

“Wot?” Crowley sniffed, wiping his Cupid’s bow with the back of his hand, examining the stain left behind with swimming eyes. “Oh, this? It’s nothing. Barely a scratch. Think nothing of it.”

“But … but …” Aziraphale stuttered, on the verge of tears. He dropped his sword, almost dropped to his knees, too, but Crowley hurried forward and gathered him up, wrapped him in his arms and held him.

“It’s all right,” he whispered, hugging Aziraphale tight. “It’s going to be all right, angel.”

“Do you … do you really think so?”

“Yes,” Crowley said with a sigh. Whether he did or not didn’t actually matter. But no one, angel or human, was going to get through today and on to the next if they didn’t believe it was at least possible. Crowley had to hold Aziraphale together, even if he did it with lies. He had to keep the one angel left on earth who still cared going. “I do.”

That’s when Aziraphale’s tears began to fall.

Crowley held him.

An hour went by, and Crowley held him.

Crowley declared Aziraphale the winner, and as a reward, offered to give him a bath and miracle him healed.

But when he got his angel naked and saw the bruises glowing on his skin, he hesitated. He shouldn’t be attracted to them. He shouldn’t find them appealing. On top of being physical damage to Aziraphale’s skin, some of them were bred out of despair. They should have repulsed Crowley, but they were actually glorious, like a small corner of impressionist art brought to life and tattooed on his skin.

Because not all of these new bruises, exploding with vibrant color and depth, were bad. They happened when Aziraphale was still smiling, still laughing. When his leg banged the corner of a table during a particularly rowdy retreat. When he tried to follow Crowley vaulting over the back of the sofa, misstepped, and landed on his knee. When their foils tangled together and Crowley accidentally kicked Aziraphale in the thigh in his effort to separate them. Aziraphale had watched Crowley fly backward, land on his heel, and spin three times like a ballerina, stopping in a perfect arabesque, just to then trip over air and land in a chair. Aziraphale threw his head back and laughed so hard, he walked right into Crowley’s (blunted) sword, the flat tip leaving its circular shadow behind.

Those bruises …

Those are bruises of pleasure.

They run deeper than skin.

And Crowley is quite satisfied by that.

Crowley almost regrets his promise to rid Aziraphale of them.

But being the one who gets to heal Aziraphale is an honor all its own.

However, he realizes with a grin, there is a way to get them back.

He’ll memorize these, too. Their exact locations.

And freshen them up later with his mouth.

[gcblinborn]

𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎:// 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘.𝐄𝐗𝐄 ⌜ ⁰⁰¹ harry osborn. nick robinson. he/him. cis male. ⌟ looks like HARRY OSBORN has joined the search for the missing mutants. the TWENTY THREE YEAR OLD is known as GREEN GOBLIN and works alongside NO ONE. they were spotted recently in NYC, hopefully they’ll have some luck finding the missing mutants. TW for: drug use/abuse, death (specifically parental), alcoholism, illness.

𝙸. 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚃𝚂

FULL NAME: Harold Theopolis Osborn
 NICKNAMES: Harry, Haz ALIASES: Green Goblin
 
DOB: October 31
 AGE: 23
 GENDER: cis male
 HOMETOWN: New York
 FATHER: Norman Osborn (deceased)
 MOTHER: Emily Lyman (deceased)
 SIBLINGS: N/A 
FACECLAIM: Nick Robinson 
EYE COLOR: hazel
 HAIR COLOR: light brown 
HEIGHT: 6’1”


𝙸𝙸. 𝙱𝙸𝙾𝙶𝚁𝙰𝙿𝙷𝚈


▸ Born to Norman Osborn and Emily Lyman, Harold “Harry” Theopolis Osborn entered the world. His childhood was happy, although he suffered the loss of his mother at the age of 10, due to complications from Oshtoran Syndrome. Most of his childhood was spent with his mother, so his father’s absence wasn’t as critical.
 ▸ After his mother’s death, his father became cold and unloving; attention was given to Harry by Norman if he was being lashed out at or dismissed contemptuously. He was always desperately trying to earn his father’s approval and if he felt like he couldn’t, Harry would lash out in response. Despite his home life, that didn’t impact Harry’s social life. He was funny, charming, and a good friend to those who claimed him as theirs. 
▸ When his father donned the Green Goblin persona during his teenage years, the distance between them grew so immensely, Harry started to lose himself even more as he tried desperately to bring his father’s attention back. Often times, Harry would do rebellious stunts in order to do this and when that failed, it pushed him in a more dangerous direction. Frustrated and feeling defeated, Harry moved further — he started to abuse prescription drugs and drink alcohol, but his father still ignored the behavior.
 ▸ A secret that Harry kept from everyone in his life aside from Norman and Bernard was his diagnosis of Oshtoran Syndrome, inherited from his mother. Unwilling to put his friends through the hardships he had heard about from others, Harry would pretend to be busy or hungover from partying when his sickness got in the way of him functioning normally enough to hide the pain of his symptoms.
 ▸ Eventually during his early college years, Harry secretly watched his father accidentally impale himself on his own goblin glider during a battle with Spider-Man. Wanting to protect his father’s identity, he stripped Norman Osborn’s body of the Green Goblin costume, and blamed Spider-Man for his father’s death. After finding Spider-Man’s suit in possession of his best friend, Peter Parker, just a few days later, Harry confronted Peter dressed as the Green Goblin in their shared apartment. Harry was knocked unconscious during their argument and taken into police custody.
 ▸ While in police custody, Harry raved that he was the real Green Goblin and Peter Parker is Spider-Man, who caused his father’s death. They dismissed the ravings and deemed him a lunatic, shipping him off to a medical institution. 
▸ During his stay there for the year he was gone and shortly after his release, he suffered from amnesia that was caused by an accident during his fight with Peter, forgetting Spider-Man’s identity. This left him in the same position he was in before being shipped off — grieving and set to take over Oscorp, now adopting the title of CEO. Harry started slipping into familiar, older habits that he had while his father was alive, when his focus managed to break from his newest job role.
 ▸ Shortly after becoming CEO, Harry found files that contained research for a cure for Oshtoran Syndrome that Norman had the top scientist of the company working to discover since 1986. The research had paused at the time of his mother’s death. When Harry discovered the files, the research had been resumed and active for just over two years. ▸ One night while Harry was drunk, alone, and tearing through his father’s belongings, he stumbled upon the Green Goblin suit again. Before finding the suit, he was regularly abusing prescription pills and drinking often, especially after discovering that his father had continued research to find a cure for his disease. It was like his purpose had been lost with the death of his father. Despite how absent he had been throughout his life, Norman was ultimately trying to cure him, but never disclosed that to Harry so he felt guilty for his rebellious ways.
 ▸ Putting on the Green Goblin suit, he felt more connected to a man that he didn’t truly know his entire life and adopted something they had in common: madness. He updated the suit to his personal specifications and made it better, in his opinion, the equipment flew faster and moved better than his father could have dreamed of accomplishing.
 ▸ Now, Harry is stuck between good and evil — he could continue what his father had started, use the madness for the same purpose… or he could use it for good, and be everything that his father wasn’t.

𝙸𝙸𝙸. 𝙲𝙰𝙽𝙾𝙽 𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙽𝙶𝙴𝚂

▸ Inspo is a mix between some comics, TASM movies, Marvel Spider-Man, Ultimate Spider-Man cartoons, and the PS4 Spider-Man game. I’ve worked hard (was it really that hard?) to compile them in a way that streamlines events.

𝙸𝚅. 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝙳𝙲𝙰𝙽𝙾𝙽𝚂

▸ When he’s mad, his tell is that his eyes will glow green. This is a side effect from the goblin serum.
 ▸ TBD.


𝚅. 𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚂𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝙳𝙰𝚈

▸ Since coming back to NYC two weeks ago (at the time of the RPG opening), he’s alone at a penthouse, but he does still have his father’s house that he pays for upkeep on because his former butler, Bernard, is living there. It seemed like fair trade for the man who practically raised him after his mother’s death.
 ▸ Within Oscorp, Harry has a small group of five made up of two of the top scientists and researchers along with himself investigating the disappearances of the mutants.
 ▸ Research is still going on to find a cure for his disease, but because he isn’t in critical condition, it isn’t the top priority.
 ▸ Not officially Green Goblin, but he still has the redesigned suit and secret hideout. His focus currently is on his fighting skills.
 ▸ TBD.

[nalgenewhore]

A rogue storm had her presumed dead and stranded on the red planet. Left on her own, astronaut Aelin Galathynius has four years to make it to the next drop-site, some two thousand miles. Armed with her smarts and dwindling supplies, Aelin attempts to survive on an inhospitable planet, when the nearest help is only millions of miles away.

masterlist - ao3 - last chapter - next chapter 

+*+*+*+*+*+*

Aelin carefully filled a container of water and walked it to her garden, pouring it over the crops and repeating the process until each little plant had been watered.

A camera had been set up in her garden so she spoke to it, still speaking as though TNSB couldn’t hear her or see her every move. “Now that everyone can talk to me, they never want to shut up.” She kissed the leaf of the smallest plant, smiling down at it and whispering a soft word of encouragement.

“They’ve even got a whole team micromanaging my crops. Which is just great,” she added sarcastically. Aelin and the botany team were not on the best of terms. “I don’t mean to sound arrogant,” she spread her arms, as if to say look at all of this, “but I am the best botanist on this planet.”

Aelin put the container down and dusted her hands, “In other news, they want me to pose for a picture. I’m debating between ‘High School Prom’,”’ she posed with her hands elbows bent and hands clasped over her stomach, “or ‘Happy College Student On A Pamphlet’,” she hooked her thumbs through imaginary backpack straps, pasting on a gloriously fake grin. “I’m not sure how it’ll all convey with my spacesuit on, but we’ll figure it out.”

Aelin laughed to herself and walked out to the kitchen area, now addressing the camera by the microwave, “Another cool thing about this communication business: email! I get a big data dump, like when I was on The Lani and stuff. Athletes, academics, musicians and even the prime minister too. But the coolest, the single coolest email I got was from my alma mater, the University of Orynth. They tell me that once you’ve grown crops somewhere, you’ve officially ‘colonized’ it.” A cocky grin overtook her features, “So I colonized Farnor. Suck it, TNSB botany team,” she stuck her tongue out before fetching her suit to take her photo.

 +*+*+*+*+*+*

Asterin was in stitches as she looked at the picture Aelin had sent. The golden-haired astronaut was mid-jump, her legs bent and her arms stretched up to the sky and she could make out the huge grin splitting the woman’s face. “Oh, this is so like her,” she murmured, tracing an iron nail over the photo. “This – I can use.”

“Good,” Weylan said, already on to the next topic. He addressed Sartaq and Gavriel on the screen, “Sartaq, is your team still on schedule.”

The man looked beat, a certain bleakness in his eyes, “It’ll be tight, but we’ll make it.”

“Make sure you do.” He tapped the table, “Nine-month flight puts us at day 868. Did we get the Botany Team’s assessment?”

Gavriel nodded, “They estimate her crops will last her until day 900. They resentfully admit Aelin’s doing a remarkable job.”

“Resentfully?” Manon questioned, arching a manicured brow.

“Yes, um, Aelin has a tendency to tell them to go have sex with themselves whenever they disagree with her or question her method. Either that or she tells them she’s the best botanist on Farnor and therefore she doesn’t have to listen to mediocre scientists,” Gavriel told them, a slight wince on his face.

The director of TNSB just shook his head, “Get her in line. We can’t have any miscommunications.” He turned to Manon and Asterin, who were both badly hiding their amused grins. “Food gets there at 868, hers lasts until 900…I hate this margin.”

“And that’s assuming nothing goes wrong,” commented Manon, ever-so helpfully.

+*+*+*+*+*+*

Aelin grabbed her toolkit and wedged it under her arm as she walked to the airlock, going out to do some late-night modifications on the rover.

Something was niggling in the back of her mind, but she paid it no heed, just wanting to do her work and sleep like the dead after whatever meager dinner she could scrounge up. She was running out of ketchup and she dreaded the day that she was forced to eat plain cooked potatoes.

A yawn grew in her and her eyes watered, gods above, she just wanted to sleep.

When one was stranded on a desolate, slumber was a fickle thing. Aelin’s eyes grew heavy as she pulled the airlock handle down.

All she heard was a ripping sound going along the canvas of the airlock before she was airborne, an explosion catapulting her and the tunnel far far away.

A strangled, panicked cry escaped her as she was battered and flung around the airlock as it flew through the air and crashed, her helmet crashing into something and she heard a cracking sound, closing her eyes on instinct.

The canvas tube rolled too many times for her to count until eventually it stopped and Aelin sat up, alarms blaring in her helmet.

It was cracked.

Fuck, it was cracked, a little hole where the polycarbonate-plexiglass had been chipped free. The beeping didn’t stop and Aelin fought to keep her breathing under control as she scrambled to her feet and wrenched the duct tape free, ripping off a length and taping it across the longest crack and then another across it.

Her toolkit had spilled everywhere and she grabbed a sharp screwdriver, stabbed it into the fabric of the airlock and yanked it down, creating a big enough rip for her to stumble out of.

Aelin could hardly see past the duct tape and she spun around, desperately looking for the hab and then sprinting, tripping countless times in her mad dash.

She stepped foot in and saw… her crops, destroyed beyond recognition.

Her lifeline was destroyed and Aelin gasped, her throat tight as she staggered out. She couldn’t stay here tonight and no good would come if she attempted to fix anything now.

Making her way to the rover, tears dripped down her cheeks until violent sobs were ripping from her throat and chest. She stumbled over a pile of rocks and fell to her knees, her gloves digging into the red dirt. There was no other answer; Aelin was going to die here alone.

A scream tore from her and soon enough, she was cursing the gods, “Where are you?! Why do you fail me time and time again?!” Her throat was raw and on fire. Her voice cracked, “Somebody save me.”

But no one answered her calls, not as she stayed there, kneeling in the sand, the reality of everything crashing down on her. There was no hope left, no bright and beautiful feeling.

The gods had never been there for her. Never.

Not when her parents died in that car wreck, not when she had to protect little Elide when she herself needed protecting, not when they made her fall for a heartless and cruel bastard, who carried a chip on his shoulder, going through life thinking no one had it as hard as he did.

It was stupid and childish to think they would save her now.

 +*+*+*+*+*+*

The mood in Mission Control was somber, nobody daring to speak as Nox read off the message Aelin had sent. “…crops are dead. Complete loss of pressure sterilized the soil and boiled off whatever was left in the water reclaimer…”

The only upside was that Aelin had managed to store away buckets of water and didn’t have to worry about that. “How long does she have,” Asterin asked.

“Well, she can still eat the potatoes she has. We estimate about two-hundred days.”

“Rations get her to what? Day four-ten?”

“Yes, so with potatoes, she can stretch to six-ten.”

“Prelim calculations call for a four-hundred-day round trip.”

 “By day 868 she’ll be long dead,” said Manon, her face emotionless. Her eyes narrowed and she sucked on her teeth, “It’s day one-thirty-five right now, we need thirteen to mount the boosters and do inspections… which give RPL forty-seven days to make the probe. Darkness above, gods damn it.”

“How long does it usually take?”

Gavriel answered Nox, his voice defeated, “Six months.”

Weylan spoke to Gavriel, already standing and doing his suit jacket up, “I’ll let you tell Sartaq and his team.”

 +*+*+*+*+*+*

Fenrys was sitting in front of The Lani’s communications computer, typing an email to Aelin. TNSB had finally given them the ok to speak with her and only Fenrys had been up to the task.

Dearest G-Money, he wrote, laughing quietly to himself, Apparently, TNSB deemed it appropriate for us to talk to you and I drew the short straw. Sorry we left you on Farnor, we don’t like you very much and we were all tired of you hogging shower times. The downside is we have to rotate through your tasks, but it’s only dirt (not real science). How’s Farnor?

 +*+*+*+*+*+*

Aelin was crying as she read Fenrys’ email. Oh, how she missed them, so terribly. The day had been a long one, one where it seemed she couldn’t stop the tears even as she fixed the mess that had been made.

She didn’t think she’d ever been as heartbroken as when she was clearing out her ruined garden and dumping the dead plants outside. After she spent a few minutes mourning all her work, thinking to herself that the botany team would be thrilled she had finally failed, she got busy – covering the hole made in the hab by taping over a plastic tarp she would no longer need now that the greenhouse was useless.

The wind was making it flutter and flap, but it would hold as she replied to her friend.

My most beloved Fenny,

Farnor is fine. How’s The Lani? Cramped, with those two broody men? I accidentally blew up the hab, but fortunately, all your movies were spared which means tonight I’m going to eat plain potatoes and watch Mulan.

Everyday I go outside and look at the vast horizon, just because I can and guess what, I officially colonized Farnor.

I hope the girls are going easy on you poor boys, I know they can be rather ruthless when it comes to board and card games.

Say hello to the others and tell Lorcan that I’m gonna beat his ass if he’s still blaming himself.

After a few minutes, she read his typed reply, just two words, Will do.

Aelin did indeed watch Mulan as she ate her dinner and then, she got up, licking her plate clean and walking it to the sink before she sat down in front of her laptop once more, opening the video journal.

She wished so badly that she could be doing anything other than this, but enough was enough. She wasn’t a child and could no longer put this off. She owed it to herself and to her crew.

“Manon, it’s currently day one-thirty-six, around nine PM. I have a favour to ask of you, and I’m sending these to you, only you, because you’re the only one who will understand. Thank you for everything you did and thank you-“ her voice broke, “thank you for being my friend.”

Aelin took a second, her eyes shut as tears slipped past her lashes, “I want you to send these to the crew in case I don’t make it, ok?”

It took a lot to decide to send these, but Aelin pushed through, addressing the first one to Nesryn.

“Faliq… thank you for being you. Every day spent with you is one I cherish, because I love you so much. Thank you for getting me hooked on The Anatolia Story; it’s addictive. I’ve read fourteen out of twenty-eight volumes and I can’t wait to finish it, but I’m trying to ration them. I won’t forgive you for liking Twilight. Take good care of my goddaughter and your wife. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you guys. Every day I miss you.”

The rest of the letters went the same way, with her saying her last goodbye to her family. Every word had her throat growing tighter and tighter, until only Elide and Rowan were left. She didn’t know what to say to him, how to tell him she loved him so when she would be dead too soon.

Hot tears were streaming down her face and she looked crazy as she spoke to Elide.

“Ellie-Boo. I-“ she sobbed once and covered her mouth, “I love you so so much. To infinity and beyond,” referencing the movie that had their obsession with outer-space beginning, Toy Story. “There’s too much to say to you. You’re my person, baby girl. Without you, I would’ve probably wound up in a ditch somewhere. I want you to have the biggest wedding and a dress with enough sequins so that I can see it in the Afterworld. You are not allowed to be sad, no tears, Elide. I mean it. My funeral better be so much better than the one TNSB had – boooring!” Aelin smiled cheekily and then grew serious, the redness from her crying making the turquoise of her eyes pop. “Be happy, my darling sister. Because guess what, you and me? More than anything, we deserve to know happiness and you’re going to have to take my happy too. I love you, to infinity and beyond.” She pressed a kiss to her fingertips and touched the screen.

The letter she dreaded having to dictate was staring her in the face and Aelin stood up, walking around in circles as she attempted to order her thoughts. Eventually, she sat down, “…Rowan. I… there’s a lot to say, but I won’t ever be able to stop crying if I say everything. Basically, I love you. I don’t know how or when or even why, but I do. I’m completely in love with you, buzzard. And I wish I hadn’t been such a coward to keep it all to myself all this time. I wish that we could’ve been together and in the next life, I will find you and I will not be scared of it, ok? I will find you again and I will not be afraid.” 

She couldn’t say another thing and ended the video, sitting and staring at the wall until she finally fell asleep.

+*+*+*+*+*+*

an: that wasn’t a very nice chapter huh....anyhoo! comment/send me an ask to be added or removed from the tag list! thank you for reading darlings 

@mythicaitt @kandasboi @schmlip-scribble @the-regal-warrior @westofmoon @empire-of-wildfire @rhysands-highlady @city-of-fae @shyvioletcat @alifletcher2012 @tangledraysofsunshine @ttakeitbacknoww @tswaney17 @ourbooksuniverse @flora-and-fae @thesirenwashere​ @queenofxhearts​ @that-other-pineapple​ @sleeping-and-books​ @superspiritfestival​ @faerie-queen-fireheart​ @chemicha​ @rowaelin-cressworth​ @mynewdreamwasyou​ @candid-confetti​ @bat-wing-rhys​ @the-reading-obsessed-stitchbear​ @feyrethedarklady​ @booklover41802​ @rowaelinforeverworld​ @jamesxdaisy​ @julemmaes​ @hellas-himself​ 

[snowdice]

Gaps in His Files (Part 4) [Relabeled; Refiled Series]

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Relationships: Logan/Patton

Characters:

Main: Logan, Patton

Appear: Remy, Virgil (but only in the epilogue)

Summary:

Logan Berry has learned many things the last 10 years: a lot of math and physics, a bit of humility, and how to be a hero being just a few. Through his education, his experience teaching, and his exploits as the superhero Bluebird, he’s changed in a lot of small and large ways. He has recorded these changes in well-organized documents and files. He’s even had to create two new file designations: a red one for files about his moonlighting at Bluebird, and a light blue one dedicated to his boyfriend, Patton.

When Bluebird is targeted by a memory device and all of those 10 years of progress suddenly disappear, Patton Sanders and Logan’s extensive files are left as his only resource to get those memories back. But what is Patton supposed to do when there are clear gaps in his files? And what does he do when he is one of them?

This is set 25 years before Sometimes Labels Fail though it’s story is completely independent of it and it is not necessary to read that one first.

Notes: Superhero AU, memory loss, past child abuse, past child neglect, unhealthy ideas about ones place in relationships, emotional suppression, self-deprecating thoughts, medical procedures mentioned, very brief unhealthy views of sex

Does anyone see the Easter Egg in here? Probably not. It’s pretty vague...

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Patton did not like driving Logan’s “special car.” It didn’t matter what position he put the seat in, he still either couldn’t reach the pedals or he felt like he was too scrunched up; the radio was (somehow) only set up to receive the local news station as well as some weird station that only ran a program detailing crop growing strategies which Patton thought must be some sort of cover for a channel sending messages in code (at least he really hoped it was because otherwise its existence was an affront to humanity); and he’d accidentally zapped himself with electricity while trying to adjust the temperature twice in the past and he still didn’t know if that was a feature or faulty wiring and Logan had refused to give an argument that convinced him either way. Not to mention, the car didn’t legally exist. If Patton got pulled over in this thing, what was he supposed to tell the police? Sorry, my boyfriend doesn’t have insurance, I’m pretty sure he built this death trap himself out of scrap metal because I can’t even discern the make and model.

“The corn! THE CORN,” the radio spewed.

“Yes, the corn,” Patton spat back. “I know. I heard you the first time.” Unfortunately, today, listening to the corn channel was better than listening to the news. The local news station continued to discuss and theorize what had happened earlier that afternoon over and over until Patton couldn’t take it anymore.

A memory gun had hit Logan. It had been a theory at first considering the things Lightwave and Logan had said along with the fact that Logan hadn’t seemed to remember how to fly, and had been all but confirmed a couple of hours ago when news that the police had investigated the dropped weapon leaked. Which all meant Logan was out there floundering with no idea what was going on or who he was. Patton wondered how much was gone. Had it erased all of his memories? Did he even know his name? He’d known enough to be able to use his powers, but was that instinct and muscle memory?

The theorizing on the local news station just made Patton’s blood pressure spike more with every passing second. Not that turning off the radio and being left alone with his own thoughts was much better. So…

“Crop rotation!”

Patton was the only person who knew Bluebird’s secret identity (at least, as far as Logan had told him.) Well… Remy might have guessed, but he hadn’t been officially told, and Patton doubted he’d be any help anyway. So, Patton was the only person who could really look for him. Sure, he was certain the police were searching (as well as some doubtlessly more dangerous people), but Patton was the only one who knew Logan.

You don’t know this Logan.

His Logan would have gone back to his apartment or maybe Patton’s if he were injured.

Patton gripped the steering wheel tighter. Okay. Maybe this Logan didn’t know where his apartment was. Maybe he didn’t know who Patton was. But he was still Logan, and Logan was rational and, more importantly, predictable. Patton would bet that in a circumstance where he knew nothing about what was going on, he would default to general survival tactics and what had he ranted and ranted to Patton about when they’d watched that one survival movie? Follow the water. Water is where you find food and shelter and almost certainly civilization if you follow it downstream. Sure, that was for when someone was lost in a forest or something, not already in a city, but Patton hoped he’d fallen into that strategy despite that, at least until he thought up something else better.

That’s why Patton had been driving up and down the river for the past few hours looking for anything suspicious and listening to someone blather on about corn. He pulled up underneath a bridge. It was a little bit away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but near enough to get to a more populated area quicklym and it had some good shelter around because there were trees. Patton bit his lip. If he thought like Logan, this would be a good place to stop. He decided to get out of the car and go out on foot for a bit.

Before exiting the car, he checked to make sure the mask was still in place. It felt strange on his face; he never really wore one. He clicked the locking mechanism which made the lights flash once but didn’t beep. He turned and froze when he met eyes under the bridge. The stranger didn’t speak but watched Patton intently from what looked like a makeshift house under the corner of the bridge. Patton edged out from beneath the bridge and headed toward the riverbanks. His shoes sunk into the mud a bit. It was starting to get dark which made it hard for him to search for things that looked out of place, especially when he was unfamiliar with the area. He was just running on blind Logan behavior instinct at this point. It was also starting to get cold. Patton hoped Logan had chosen to wear the winter super suit or he’d found a coat or something.

He wandered, looking into dark places and listening for any sounds beyond the river crashing into the banks. Around 15 minutes into his walk, his eyes caught on a large rock in front of a drainage pipe. Perfect, Logan’s voice said in his head. Patton crept over to check it out. No one was there, but it looked like someone had been recently by a smear of mud near the base of the rock that looked like someone’s foot had slipped there. Okay. He peered around him carefully, walking back toward the river. He had the sudden feeling of being watched. Up. He looked up at a small ledge along the bank and sighed in relief. “Thank god.”

Logan stumbled back a step when he realized Patton had seen him and turned tail to run again.

“Wait, L-” he cut himself off. He couldn’t risk it just in case someone was listening. There was a reason he had the mask and the car after all. Patton was the only one who knew his identity and Logan wanted to keep it that way. He thought quickly, head latching onto a story he’d been told one night curled up against a half-asleep Logan. “I’m Devora the Mood Goddess?” he tried.

Logan paused and turned to face him. “You know me,” he said peering at him from behind the mask still on his face.

Patton nodded, shoulders dropping in relief. “I do.” He offered a hand. “Come with me?”

He looked at the offered hand and then at Patton’s face. There was a moment of silence and then he nodded slowly and took a few steps down toward Patton. Patton grabbed hold of his arm when he got close enough, loosely so as not to startle him even though he wanted to latch on and never let go. Something loosed in Patton’s chest at the contact.

“Who are you?” Logan asked, accepting the touch, though he looked at Patton’s hand on his arm in confusion.

“In the car okay,” Patton requested. He nodded after a moment. “Are you okay?”

“I have body aches and from context clues, I assume memory loss,” he said, “but otherwise I feel well enough.”

“Good. Let’s get back to the car.”

They picked their way back toward the bridge through the muddy riverside. Patton groaned softly when there was an unmarked police car parked next to Logan’s car.

“What?” Logan asked at normal volume.

“Shh,” Patton scolded, but it was too late. A flashlight flared to light and turned to them the next second. “Hello Detective,” Patton said wryly. Patton had met Detective Silvia a couple of times, but of course she didn’t know that since Patton was wearing a mask. Logan knew her a bit more as Bluebird. She gave him a very suspicious look that grew almost hostile when she saw Logan was with him.

“Bluebird,” she said.

“So, I’ve come to understand,” Logan replied.

“I’m his friend. I’m here to help,” Patton said.

“Every villain in the city is looking for him, excuse me for not believing your word.” Patton sighed.

“He knows the code word,” Logan said.

She considered him and then shook her head. “I’d still be more comfortable if you came down to the station.”

Logan tilted his head at her. “No,” he said firmly. Then the detective yelped as her feet left the ground.

“Bluebird no!” Patton hissed. “The detective is our friend.”

“She is not my friend,” Logan replied with a frown. “I don’t know her.”

Patton rubbed his temples. “Just get in the car and put her down gently when you do.”

He went without compliant and Patton rounded the car. His eyes fell on the man he’d seen earlier, backed up against the wall with wide eyes. “Thanks for being concerned for him buddy,” Patton said.

They both got in the car and Patton drove away. He saw the detective being placed back on her feet in the rearview mirror. “Well, I’m going to have to send her a fruit basket,” he mumbled under his breath.

Want to read more? Click below!

AO3 Part 5

[ckret2]

Godzilla movie concept

Destoroyah vs. Hedorah vs. Biollante three-way match

But they're all in their tiniest forms.

Destoroyah is a single inch-long trilobite, no buddies around to combine with. Hedorah is a stress ball-sized wad of ooze that dropped off the main monster. Biollante is a single undersized rose bud stumbling around on two flimsy roots.

It's still filmed like a kaiju movie, with gratuitous attention given to the massive amounts of property damage they're doing. Destoroyah broke the tip off a pencil! Hedorah's poison has killed a single fruit fly! Biollante, in her efforts to reach higher ground, knocked a candle off a birthday cake! It was still lit!! There's a tiny burn on the table!!!

Kaiju attack sirens go off. Humans scream in panic and evacuate the battle scene, then crowd in the hall outside the office where the fight is going down to watch through the door. An extremely serious meeting attended by G-Team, the Prime Minister of Japan, and several other high ranking government officials is held to decide what to do about this public menace. (The fight is taking place on the Prime Minister's desk.)

A G-Team soldier is suited up in very futuristic-looking armor and sent into the room with a cup and a magazine to try to capture the kaiju. The scene frequently cuts over to a tense military command center where they're issuing orders to the soldier and monitoring his condition.

The inside of the soldier's helmet flashes the words "CONTAINMENT BREACH" in digital red when Hedorah squelches out along the rim of the cup. Biollante wraps around his palm, so he pulls his glove off and throws it away. His commanding officer yells at him to not deviate from his training and he yells back that the situation made it necessary. Destoroyah takes advantage of the opportunity to bite the soldier's thumb.

There are murmurs of shock and disappointment in the command center. The general grimly declares the mission a failure. The soldier apologizes for not being able to finish his mission, voice tight with pain and anger at himself. Gruffly, his commanding officer reassures him that he did all he could. The soldier's fiancée collapses to her knees sobbing.

He goes to the hospital and gets two stitches.

"We're out of alternatives," the Prime Minister says, watching footage of smoke and destruction in his office. (Hedorah and Destoroyah teamed up to spill a mug of coffee on Biollante but it also short circuited the PM's laptop.) "He might make everything worse... but our only hope now is to call in Godzilla."

Cut to the inside of the PM's office. The door creaks open. A newly hatched Baby Godzilla toddles in, looking around curiously. There are lovingly constructed shots of the destruction as he trips over and crushes a knee-high filing cabinet and accidentally knocks over a bookcase.

Under psychic instruction, he scoops up Destoroyah, Hedorah, and Biollante. The Godzilla theme plays as he trots down the hall carrying them.

He tosses them outside in the bushes.

The end.

(In the sequel, Biollante merges with one of the bushes, rips out the roots, and terrorizes a single block of Tokyo. She's now big enough to fight two dorats.)

[valkyriesryde]

Hella Feelings {8/?}

Chapter 8: Bruises ~ Chairlift

Pairings: Bucky x OC; Sam x OC

A/N: Chapter six with @stuckonjbbarnes​ bless up my lads

Warnings: language, awkward encounters, a little bit of flirting, secondhand embarrassment probably

Word Count: 2555

Previous Chapter ~ Masterlist

~~~~~~~

Holly walks into the apartment with her tail between her legs and her feet dragging on the ground. In the kitchen Vanessa’s movements are slow and she’s definitely feeling hungover and like an idiot.

"Where have you been? I thought you were in bed..” Vanessa asks, looking up from where she’s cleaning the stove, ”I made breakfast for you...it’s in the microwave."

Holly throws up her hands and chucks her shoes on the floor, "I SLEPT WITH SAM! FUCK MY LIFE! RUINED EVERYTHING, LIFE SUCKS!” She yells turning the microwave on and sitting on the floor of the kitchen.

“BITCH SAME BECAUSE I TRIED TO GIVE BUCKY MY PAJAMAS AND HE DOESN’T EVEN LIKE ME!” Holly accepts the comment even though she’s slightly confused because it’s literally what their lives have become after these boys walked into their lives. She gets her food from the microwave because at least she’s got that going for her and gets back onto the floor.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Vanessa asks staring at Holly shoveling scrambled eggs into her mouth.

“Living my worst life, what about you?”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bucky walks into the apartment to find Sam watching tv with his hood up and they kind of look at each other expectantly.

“Last night was great!" Bucky says in the same breath that Sam groans, "Last night was a shitshow."

“I dunno man...she’s funny and she wanted me to kiss her.” Bucky shrugs, plopping onto the couch.

“YOU MORON. TELL ME YOU KISSED HER.”

“I couldn’t take advantage of her like that...I want her to actually want it.”

“YOU REALLY ARE A DUMBASS.”

“Well...did you kiss Holly?” Bucky asks, trying to change the subject...because maybe she did want it last night?

”Like I said man...I made that ass mine.” Sam kind of pauses and then adds,"...and then she snuck out this morning."

"DUDE NO!" Bucky tries not to laugh.

“Yeah…”

“ISN’T THAT YOUR MOVE?” He finally settles on a smirk and Sam stands up from his seat ready to go back to bed and sleep for the rest of the day.

“I may be hungover but I’ll kick your ass.”

"I really thought you two would get together first, anyway, want to help me plan how I'm going to ask Vanessa out?"

Sam sighs and sits back down. “Fine.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Holly are you ready to go yet?” Vanessa is pacing by the door, trying to justify running to the elevator.

“Yes, now if we leave now... we have a ten minute leeway to avoid the guys okay? Okay.” Holly checks her watch before pulling her bag onto her shoulders and siking herself up. “Just stick to the plan. We get in and we get out and if we have to sprint??”

“WE SPRINT.” Vanessa yells back, darting out the door and to the elevator.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Bucky I swear to god we have to leave now! I’m not facing Holly today!” Bucky stumbles out of his room pulling on his shirt because Sam woke him up way too early with his dramatic ass.

“You should just talk to her.” He says looking blindly around the room for his bag and wallet.

“Say one more word on the matter and I’ll tip your coffee down the sink.” Sam threatens from the kitchen.

“You monster.” Bucky whines but doesn’t say anything else, snatching the cup.

The pair head to the elevator and wait. The doors open and Bucky chokes on his coffee a bit because Vanessa and Holly are standing in the elevator and holy shit this is incredible. Bucky is having a field day. He can tell that Sam has half a thought to run down the stairs and Holly is staring very intently at the buttons.

“So how was everyone’s weekend?” Bucky asks happily, once he’s sure that Sam isn’t going to bolt and the doors shut.

“Interesting.” Holly mumbles and Vanessa stares at Holly like she’s crazy but also wait, her and Bucky? Bucky is smiling at her? DOES BUCKY LIKE HOLLY?

Sam is finally like, “What about you Vanessa?”

“It was okay, I guess.” She breaks out of her thoughts and looks at Sam, straightfaced...fuck everyone, I wanna go back to bed.

Bucky’s eyebrows furrow, he had a good weekend, he thought she had a good weekend too. Damn alcohol, I can't trust it anymore. So he puts asking her out to the back of his mind for the time being.

Once they clear the elevator, Vanessa reaches to grab Holly’s hand, to make their escape, but accidentally grabs Bucky’s hand instead. She pauses for a second wide eyed, looking down and drops it like a hot potato. Then finds Holly’s arm and drags her out of the building. Meanwhile Holly and Sam are staring at everything BUT each other because oh god what is the other person thinking???

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sam has officially given up today, he’s so tired, he’s sad, he just wants to go home and play video games. He walks in the foyer of the building and catches a glimpse of a familiar body closing the stairway door. He’d know that ass anywhere.

“Holly!” He runs up the stairs and stops abruptly when she stops at the first floor.

“Sam.” She just wants to run away, she just wanted to go to bed and play video games for the rest of the day, why him? Why now?

“Are we going to talk about this weekend?” Sam walks up the last couple steps slowly until he reaches the landing. “Because I thought I made it pretty clear that I like you.”

Holly shrugs, "We were drunk. Drunk feelings aren't real feelings..."

"What kind of backward bullshit is that????" He’s a little peeved because that’s a bullshit excuse what does that even mean?

"Oh so you actually want to date me?"

"Yes I want to date you!"

"Then date me!"

"Done!"

“FINE” both storm off, Sam back down the stairs because he’s going to use the stupid elevator and Holly up the stairs.

Holly gets up to the apartment and walks in, seeing Vanessa reading about the Hillside Strangler.

"I think I'm dating Sam? Not sure though, more to come,'' she's so nonchalant about it but Vanessa tosses the book down, not in the mood for killers, not in the mood for really anything, except this, this is new and exciting.

“OH It’s about time! Look at you two...getting all serious.” She wiggles her eyebrows and Holly shrugs before going to her room. She’s happy for Holly but also in the back of her head, she’s like oh no, BUCKY IS GONNA BE CRUSHED. But also mwhahahaha Bucky is gonna be crushed, I should tell him because if she can’t be happy then he can���t be happy either.

So Vanessa grabs her phone, not bothering to read any of the messages Bucky had tried to send her and taps out a message.

Then she scrolls to a text from Steve who asks if she wants to hang out. Fuck it, Steve’s fun… we’re gonna go to Central Park and people watch. She sends a quick text and they meet up on 5th Avenue to pick up coffee before they go.

Bucky walks in on Sam mumbling about "gonna take her on the best fucking date she's ever been on" while he’s scrolling through his phone. He looks at his phone and sees a text from the only person that matters, Nessa: Holly and Sam are dating 🎉

“OH SO YOU’re dating now?!” Bucky yells at Sam.

He can’t even figure out why the girl he likes was ghosting him...and then she texts him just to tell him that? He decides enough is enough. It's been a week of hot and cold with her...well mostly luke-warm. Bucky goes to the girls’ apartment and knocks, almost punching Holly when she swings the door open unexpectedly.

“GOD BUCKET! You almost hit me!” She glares and he gives her an apologetic look.

“Is Nessa around?” He asks.

“Wouldn’t you like to know...weather boy.” Holly smiles sweetly. “She’s out...if you must know.”

“Do you know where?”

“I’m not telling. GIRL. CODE.” She laughs, shutting the door in his face...okay guess I gotta go find MY GIRL.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Movies? You’re taking me to the movies?” Holly stares at Sam who is currently holding the passenger door of his car open for her with an unsatisfied look.

“And dinner.” He nods proudly.

“Our first date is fucking dinner and a movie? Sam what the hell!” Sam reaches out and grabs her hand, pulling her closer to him and gives her a smirk that makes her think that maybe she’s missing something.

“Believe you me baby, you’re going to want to see this movie.”

They’re sitting at an ice cream parlor after the movie, both with their own cups, Holly refuses to use a cone currently. Sam laughs and nods along with Holly who hasn’t shut up since walking out.

“Does he know?”

“Not yet” he snickers, finishing his ice cream.

“You’re friends with the wrong one! There’s a Steve look-alike out there who is FAMOUS and you’re stuck with him!”

Sam chuckles and nods his head, he is definitely going to be telling Steve about his doppelganger in the new blockbuster Knives Out.

It’s a couple hours later and neither Sam nor Holly can find it in themselves to end the night. They’re sitting on the stairs of their building watching the cars go past with Sam’s hand on her thigh when he breaks the comfortable silence between them.

“What’s going on with Nessie? Bucky said they had a good night at Steve’s but now she’s not talking to him.” Holly shrugs, it’s not her place to say she thinks but she also just wants her friend to be happy.

"She a dumb clown.” She deadpans, “Bucky needs to make a move because she won’t."

Sam scoffs and pulls Holly closer to him, he kind of wants to kiss her but it’s probably not the best time.

“Like that’ll happen.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Vanessa is headed back down 5th Avenue, casually looking in the storefronts, when she walks straight into a man. He steadies her, holding her arms lightly and apologizing and she looks up, catching the apology a little too late. Because she’s floating in this guy’s eyes.

“I’m so sorry –Vanessa?” They say at the same time and both smile a little, remembering a very similar version of this by the mailboxes.

“D-do you wanna go for a walk?” Bucky asks and Vanessa wishes she could just *poof* out of there.

Her head and her heart are in full battle mode and she finally just shrugs and turns the way she came, walking back towards the park with Bucky. They’re both quiet and just sort of walking down the paths, until he finally asks “How’ve you been? It’s been a minute.”

“I’m fine. You?” She throws back, stuffing her hands into her back pockets.

“Are you okay? Truly?” Bucky is concerned because where’s the friendly weirdo he knew a week ago?

“I’m fine, James.” She says with a little venom, adding “What about you? Are you okay?! Now that your best friend is dating Holly? Or maybe you're fine and seeing someone else already.”

“Uhh, last I checked I wasn’t seeing anyone and of course I’m okay?” then it hits him. “Wait, you think I like Holly? Holly? Your best friend Holly? Why would I go after Sam’s girl? She’s not even my type! She’s–”

“HEY I LIKE YOU...OKAY?!” Vanessa stops in her tracks, eyes burning because he won’t shut up about Holly.

“What?” Bucky stops short, wondering if he heard her correctly. Nessa stomps up to him, less than a foot away and jabs his chest with each word.

“I. Like. YOU.”

Bucky can’t believe his ears and he watches the way she crosses her arms, pouting. He can’t resist grumpy Vanessa and he reaches out and holds her arms and is like “Calm down, killer. I like you too.”

“But you didn’t KISS me the night of Steve’s party.” Vanessa stares at him, squinting her eyes and he can’t help but roll his eyes both at her absurdity and his dumbass choices.

“You were drunk...I would never have forgiven myself for taking advantage.”  Nessa moves about half a step closer, causing Bucky to move his hands around her waist and she half yells “THAT’S NOT AN EXCUSE BARNES.”

“DO YOU WANT ME TO KISS YOU NOW?!” He yells back, matching her tone and before she can answer, he pulls her flush against his body. Their lips crash together and holy shit Vanessa nearly swoons cause his lips are so much softer than she expected. But she breaks the kiss before they can get carried away because this is a very public park. Bucky kind of pouts and she gives him a quick peck, smiling.

“Hold my hand, Barndoor.” She thrusts her hand at him and he just laughs, grasping her hand and pulling her into him.

“Barndoor?”

“I know...I’m getting rusty.” Nessa groans as they head back downtown.

“Look at us…” Bucky doesn’t respond as he’s sure he’s dreaming right now.

“HEY! Look at US!” Vanessa repeats and he finally looks down at her, eyes sparkling.

“Who woulda thought?” he asks, wanting to kiss her again because shit she’s just so perfect.

“NOT ME”  Vanessa yells, catching the eye of some tourists.

They head down the familiar streets towards the apartment and Bucky is like “So are we good? What is this... are we dating?”

“You’re stuck now James Dean. You have a whole ass girlfriend.” As they get towards the building, they see Sam and Holly and Nessa pulls her hand out of his.

“We can’t tell them...not yet.”

“They’re never gonna get over this.” Bucky warns but Vanessa gives him a megawatt smile and he can’t say no to that face.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Holly leaps out of Sam’s grasp and off the step as soon as she sees Vanessa and Bucky walking towards them and runs up to with a wicked grin. Sam feels a chill as soon as she leaves him but he smiles watching her so excited as she approaches their friends.

“You’re NEVER going to believe who we saw on the big screen!”

“What are you talking about?” Nessa laughs sitting below Holly.

“Actors?” Bucky chimes in, sitting a step below Sam but angling himself towards the trio.

“My new favourite actor Buck and he’s about to be yours too.”

Sam pulls out his phone and opens a photo before turning the screen to Bucky who looks at it confused, “that’s a picture of Steve.”

“BUT IT’S NOT!” Holly yells and Sam laughs.

“Wait..let me see.” Vanessa swipes the phone, squinting at the screen. “No way! Steve looks like Chris... Evans?! He should be an impersonator...on looks alone.” She giggles handing the phone back.

“I think Steve makes enough buck owning his own successful business but...like...I’d pay to see them in the same room.”

“If you were friends with Chris Evans you could get him to pay.”

“Or just get Bucky’s black card to do it.” Sam suggests and Bucky punches his shin.

“Bucky has a black card?!” Holly cries, completely shook.

~~~~~~~

Taglist (open): @cant-decide-at-this-moment @rinthehufflepuff @buckysmischief @sebbbystaaan @supraveng @hopingforbarnes @dumbubblegum @murdermornings​

[atlas-of-a-human-soul]

Girl you need (G.D.)

Summary: Best friends to lovers don’t always work out in your favor.

Warnings: angst, swearing, implied smut

Word count: 3200

Part 2

What’s that saying? Friends to lovers is the best way to build a lasting relationship? Maybe it’s just what I’ve been saying my whole life in an effort to convince myself the feelings I’ve developed were a start of a fairy tale and not a tragedy.

It seems as if every time I had feelings for a guy, they remained unreciprocated. I’d get the textbook line: you’re too perfect to end up with a guy like me, or the occasional: you deserve the world, but I can’t give it to you. Whichever excuse they used, the end result never changed: I wasn’t good enough.

I was never the girl the guys choose and whether I liked it or not, it started to truly affect me.

Confidence slowly dwindled, my beliefs about love faded and worst of all...I stopped letting people in. I’ve shut my heart inside a treasure chest like a precious gem, locking it and forgetting where the key is. A small part of me knowingly lost the key, because if you don’t let people in you won’t get hurt. And I was tired of the hurt.

But then he came into my life.

I found that every question I had, he became the answer to it. The key to my treasure slowly came out of hiding and he personally dusted it off. Now he holds it in the palm of his hand and I am terrified just as I am excited about the prospect of finally being the one.

Grayson...

He is an ambivert, a social butterfly unlike me. He commands every room he enters, while I’m usually hiding in the corner. His aura attracts people by nature and I’m not even sure he understands how powerful his charisma is.

He is intuitive, but he doesn’t let his mind rule, rather his heart. He likes to listen to his heart instead of logic, which is why he gets hurt more often than he’d like to admit. Wearing his heart on his sleeve has marked him a target for those who have anything but good intentions in mind. I know he suffers for it, but I’m always there to make him laugh. Regardless of what I’m doing, I drop everything and help him nurse his wounds. I’ve always been the type that followed my heart, until I forced my brain to step up to protect the weak muscle inside me. He taught me to listen to my heart again, but to bring my brain along for the ride as well.

Grayson is an open book, pages filled with stories I ache to read and a main character I could never get enough of. He’s the type that inspires, bringing out the best in people. Instead of overthinking he overfeels, he’s determined and passionate, altruistic, but he burns out easily. I’m there to help him heal when that happens, whether it be a movie weekend in or a wild adventure where I’m a 100% sure I’m going to die most of the time.

He’s very determined and passionate about things and people he loves. I’ve felt it first hand. He’s got so much love inside him that it’s bursting out the seams, but most of it goes in vain. I tend to be the one to grab any leftovers and bask in his caring nature.

Grayson and I have a connection that surpasses the physical, a deep emotional tether that I’ve been relying on heavily. While we’ve never been more than good friends, the lines between friendship and love have been blurred for the longest time now and I no longer knew where the scale will end up once its tips over.

Sometimes it’s his arm around me, resting on my shoulders casually or his hand on the small of my back that remains in its spot for so long I feel his touch turn to fire. Other times it’s his fingers trailing up and down my spine as I nestle in his side, my head on his chest and his lips ghosting my forehead as his breath moves a few stray hairs out the way. Maybe it’s about the look in his steadfast brown eyes that seem to soften whenever they rest upon me, or the striking smile his lips spread into whenever I walk into the room. Perhaps it’s the warmth of his touch and how I’ve never felt safer than in his embrace, but most of all, it’s about the way he didn’t pull away when we accidentally kissed.

Both going for a cheek, Grayson and my lips connected and although I felt my brain falter and my heart jump, I was sure he’d step back and rub the back of his neck nervously as an awkward chuckle graced my ears. But he didn’t. He barely even flinched before his lips lustfully captured mine for a deeper kiss and his eyes closed as we got lost in each other. I nibbled on his bottom lip tenderly, dragging it between my teeth to assert dominance and the moment his soft flesh escaped my hold, Grayson made sure I knew he was the dominant one. He gripped my thigh tightly, turning needy and every move I made that resulted in our lips parting was a new groan rolling off his lips. We became a mess of tangled limbs, sweat and heavy breathing, moans I’ve stifled by biting into his shoulder as each of his thrusts made me feel like I’ll unravel. It was perfect.

If I knew what I know now, I’d never let it go down.

“I’m just so tired.” I mumble into the phone, making up an excuse to ditch my nightly outing so I could spend the night with the guys, hoping Grayson and I can talk about what happened that night.

When I woke up the next morning, all I found of him was a note on the pillow where his head used to be, the sheets on his side of the bed cold and empty without him.

Last night was just what I needed. It was perfect.

Not exactly the most romantic thing he’d ever said as I’ve seen and heard him flirt with girls. The note just didn’t sit well with me. Knowing him, I half expected to wake up to banana pancakes and a big cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows. A part of me truly believed this night would make him want to bridge the blurred lines between us and finally try and see if there was something to explore at all.

Before last night, I had never let myself feel anything for him no matter how hard my very soul wanted to give in and love him with every fiber of my being. Last night all my doubts have gone, all contingency plans ruined and my damn key was no longer mine.

But Grayson always says he’s not looking for something serious right now. He keeps saying he’s had too many relationships that poisoned him from start to finish and he needed some fresh air and fun.

Was I that fun? Would he do that to his best friend?

After not hearing from him at all, I decided to drop by and initiate the talk myself. I need to know where we stand.

“He’s not home.” Ethan shrugs, letting me inside and I bite my lower lip.

“Thought he’d be here.” I mumble to myself, wondering where he went. I didn’t have to wonder for long as Ethan had the answer prepared for me.

“He’s out with his girlfriend. Tessa, remember?” Ethan raises a brow in question, looking at me a little more intently than usually. His brown eyes scan what’s most likely a shocked, hurt look in mine and I see his frown form slowly and deeply.

“He, uh. He didn’t say they were official. Or anything really. Thought she was just a friend.” I stumble over my words, unsure what to say when my brain feels as if it’s just been drained of any shred of intelligent thought.

“They’ve been dating for a month, Y/N.” Ethan informs me and I find my serious demeanor change into a hurt, almost panicked, high pitched giggle followed by tears in my eyes.

“You good? Kinda scaring me there.” Ethan takes a step closer, pocketing his phone for the first time since I came in. He’s always on that damn thing. My outburst must have truly scared him. I’m never the one to lose my composure.

“I. I’m fine.” I manage to slip out between the giggles, placing a hand over my chest as a ragged breath comes through to my burning lungs.

What the hell am I supposed to say? I think I’m in love with your brother who is also my best friend but he also never told me he’s official with someone and we had sex last night? I don’t think that’s a good idea.

“If you’re so fine, then why are you crying?” Ethan counters, outstretching both arms, leaving his chest wide open for me to fall back on.

And I do.

His arms wrap around me in a protective way, his chin resting atop my head as he listens to my giggles turning into sobs. The strength he holds me up with is enough for me to feel the uncontrollable trembling inside me had now become evident outside as well.

We moved to his bedroom, lying in bed in embrace as I soaked his shirt and smeared make up all over it. The very make up I put on to look cute for his twin.

He waited patiently for me to run out of tears to cry, slowly until my sobs stopped and my chest hurt with the ragged, sharp, pained intakes of breath that came erratically in comparison to his even breathing. My head hurt, my sniffles forced me to blow my nose multiple times and now I had no more in me to move. So I allowed myself to close my eyes and rest on Ethan’s chest as his hand rubbed my back gently, moving in soothing circles.

The door swung open, startling me into opening my eyes and I quickly sit up and face the source that was blatantly unaware of my presence and blurted out a request before focusing on me with widened eyes and parted lips.

“Ethan, turn up the music cause I’m about to f - Y/N?!” He says my name like it’s the most natural thing in the world, like my eyes aren’t bloodshot and puffy from crying my heart out, like he wasn’t about to just say he’s about to fuck another girl. His girl.

“I’m gonna go.” I wipe the nonexistent tears with the back of my hand and move to stand, finding it hard and disorienting for I stumble forward and almost fall into Grayson.

Ethan jumps after me, trying to stop me from leaving while Grayson reached out to grab me and... I don’t know what he wanted to do...steady me? Stop me and ask me not to tell his girlfriend he cheated on her? Whatever the reason may be, I slapped his hand immediately, on instinct. I couldn’t handle his hands on me right now. The thought of his touch made my physically ill.

“What the fuck is going on between you two?” Ethan whisper shouts, peering over Grayson’s shoulder to make sure we’re alone and he can speak freely.

I wrap my arms around me, avoiding their gaze at all costs as my attempt to bypass Grayson once more fails.

I push him back, growing aggravated with him and the pain I’ve held inside quickly turns into anger.

“Will you stop trying to leave and talk to us like a normal human being?!” Grayson shouts and I flinch, taking a step back in genuine fear. He never yells at me. Never. It’s the first time I haven’t felt safe nor happy around him. The first time I wanted to be as far away as possible. I can’t say I’m afraid he’ll hurt me, because there’s nothing more painful than what he already did, but I’m not good with angry outbursts directed toward me. I’ve never been able to handle people yelling at me and he knows this.

He tries to touch me again, but Ethan steps in this time around as I recoil from his brother like a wounded animal.

“What the fuck did you do, bro?” Even in my state, I could hear Ethan’s voice lower and his tone darken with a looming threat as if he’s speaking through his teeth.

“I - We made a mistake last night, okay?” Grayson whispers, making sure his girlfriend can’t hear as his eyes meet mine with the statement.

“Wow.” I scoff, shaking my head. Ethan turns back to look at me, his confused eyes flickering between us, awaiting an explanation.

“Nice to know that’s what you see me as.” I sneer, allowing the anger to fill me once more and the poison spread through my veins.

“I have a girlfriend.” Grayson insists, pressing his lips into a tight line and I nod to myself, pursing my lips.

“Didn’t seem like she crossed your mind while you were balls deep inside me.” I’m a lot of things, but crude has never been one of them. Until now. Even I’m surprised with the venomous words spilling from my mouth, noticing how Ethan’s jaw dropped to the floor with my statement.

“So why did you do it? Huh? To fuck with me and my feelings? Or is it to sabotage not only what you have with the clueless girl in your bedroom but also whatever the fuck connection we had?” I feel myself growing frustrated with him and the silence that hangs in the air as he looks anywhere but in my eyes. He never avoids eye contact, insisting it’s the proper way to talk to someone. I see his jaw clench and his face twist in an almost pained grimace and I know I struck a chord.

“What was last night to you? What am I to you?” I hit my palm against my chest in affect, not feeling but hearing the thud that comes with it.

“I’m not trying to hurt you Grayson, like you’ve done to me. This isn’t a quid pro quo thing. But after everything you’ve learned about me...after all this time, can you honestly tell me you didn’t do what you did because you actually live for the drama and pain in your life? Is this who you’ve become, because it feels like it is? Your life was doing so well that you felt the need to sabotage it so you can revel in the pain of losing not only me, but possibly the girl you came home with?” I know I’m right. It’s because he’s become who I used to be and who he just turned me into once more.

“Fuck you.” Grayson writhes, rage taking over him as well and I see his arm muscles contract under the pressure of his self-imposed control.

“I want her. I want HER.” He repeats, emphasizing and I chuckle dryly, putting my hands on my hips as the last shred of my heart shatters and I remember why I kept it hidden for so long.

“Ever heard of that saying...Don't leave a girl you need for a girl you want.” I remind him of the word he wrote himself, one that I hoped would be a powerful blow to his heart as it is to mine.

“You know...All my life, I’ve tried so hard. And I’m never the one. I’m always the second choice...third choice even! And you say fuck you....well, someday someone will. I can assure you it won’t be you. Ever again.” I run a hand through my hair, moving toward the door he’s no longer blocking and I find myself locking eyes with him for the first time since we started this talk.

“This...whatever it was..” I gesture vaguely between us.

“It’s over.” I swallow thickly, praying I keep it together for a moment longer.

“I’m so stupid for even allowing myself to think you might be different from all the other guys I had feelings for. I thought you’d realize that last night actually meant something to me. That you’re the only guy that’s ever made me fall in love and open my heart to someone again, but in the end it only made the heartbreak deeper and so much worse than anything I’ve ever felt.” I take a step into the hallway, feeling like my chest is about to cave in as the emptiness inside is now a hollow chasm where the bad outweighs the good and everything I wanted to believe in again is lost in the darkness once more.

“Wait.” Grayson grabs me by the arm, pulling me back and around to face him and I use both hands to stop myself from plummeting into him. Palms pressed against his chest, I push back, but his hold on me grows so much stronger that I’m sure I’ll have a bruise to join last night’s collection with a single, but major difference in its inception - last night was passion and this is desperation.

“You felt something for me?” The incredulous look in his eyes is enough for me to be sure he was blind to it all, like I’ve just opened his eyes to a whole new world of possibilities he could have never anticipated.

“Grayson?” A voice sweet as honey comes from across the hall and I can’t help but turn in its general direction. I follow the voice to a stunning girl whose curly locks fall across her almost bare chest, the rest of her body on display in the skimpy underwear she stripped down to.

I bite the inside of my lips, trying to hold myself together as I turn my head back to Grayson who didn’t move his eyes from me. He’s waiting for my answer, but I already gave him one. He chose the girl he wanted over the girl he needed...he can suffer the consequences for all I care.

Tapping his chest lightly with my right palm, I push away from him again and free myself of his relentless hold. His lips part and his eyes water as I take a couple steps back, my own vision turning blurry with the scene. In this moment, both our hearts broke, I could tell. But once I turned my back on him, there was no room for looking back. Not even when Ethan called after me, begging me to stay and talk through this. Not when I heard a thud as if Grayson’s legs gave out and he fell to the floor. Not when Tessa asked for an explanation, half screaming at Grayson.

I can remember being nothing but fearless and truly happy with him by my side, but we’ve become echoes and echoes, they wither, fade away and die.

Tags: @xalayx @fallinginlove-16 @accalialionheart @heyits-claire @daddygraysonsbitch

[slytherin-puffskein]

twelve ways to fall in love with you.

the signs as moments falling in love | requests closed

from @cinnamonriko:

scorpio: It was when I found myself wanting to tell you things I didn’t share with anyone else. You had sat there expectantly, and openly- like you’d wait all day if you had to. And when I told you you didn’t leave, you understood.

- - -

signs completed: capricorn - scorpio

- - -

Usually, Barnaby Lee found himself enjoying Valentine’s Day. The cute dates, the kisses, the gifts, what else could be better than an entire day solely dedicated to spoiling your significant other? Literally nothing, at least to his eyes. However, this day was now reduced to nothing as he was officially single. Four months thrown down the drain, with no consideration nor apologies. He couldn’t boast over the fact that he had easily gotten over it, however, because it would have been a lie. It had been hard, perilous even, but he had managed to claw his way out of all these unpleasant feelings and get back on his daily routine. He was healing. Slowly, but surely.

He knew of this pain, and promised himself to help whoever experiencing it. And so, when it came to his knowledge that Laurent King was dealing with the same emotional storm, he just had to intervene. As soon as he had received the news he had showed up at his apartment, his shoulder ready for him to cry on and his ears free to listen to every woes. The first night had been long. Painful, even. Murphy McNully, this single name kept slipping out of Laurent’s lips, decorated with uneven sobs and choked back words the redhead didn’t dare to add. Barnaby couldn’t blame him: most of it was probably too personal to talk about. He was his best friend, but there were still many things he didn’t, couldn’t know yet.

“I don’t understand.” Laurent had sniffled, his face buried in the crook of his neck while the TV was playing in front of them. “I don’t understand at all...”

“It’s ok, Laurent. I’m here... I’m here”

He couldn’t help but scoff at that memory. I’m here. As if that was a good way to comfort him. Words wouldn’t have been sufficient at that very moment, so he had resorted to listen at last. My parents never bothered about my advice, why would he? And what kind of advice do I have anyway, me who got dumped only a few months ago? Talk about a bad joke.

Days became weeks, weeks became months, and now was their first Valentine’s Day without a partner to share it with. No cute dates to go on, no compliments to give out, no kisses to offer. It definitely put a weight on their hearts, threatening to crush it when least expected.

But Barnaby had a plan.

- - -

Laurent had his entire evening planned out: a well deserved glass of wine along with a bunch of good movies to watch, all of this preceding a long, warm bubble bath. What else could possibly top this? Nothing, absolutely nothing.

A wistful voice crept in his mind anyway. You damn fool, you know there is much more enjoyable than this. Remember your first Valentine’s Day with Murphy? You two had so much fun. A candlelit dinner in your favourite restaurant followed by a romantic stargazing session. What happened once you guys got back home was a lot of fun as well-- He immediately cut off his thoughts, gently slapping his cheek and mentally cursing himself. Shut up, shut up! Who said Valentine’s Day was for couples anyway, huh? I’ll enjoy it with my own damn self! He wasn’t convinced, however. 

He had slipped into his most comfortable pyjamas and was choosing which movie to watch as his doorbell suddenly rang, prompting him to almost jump in fear. Bewilderment reading itself on his face he approached the door and checked into the peep hole, his muscles relaxing as soon as he recognized Barnaby’s face. A question reigned in his mind still: what is he doing there? Soon enough the door creaked open, and Laurent was greeting Barnaby inside.

It didn’t take long before he started swarming him with questions: What are you doing here? Everything alright? It’s so cold outside, why are you only wearing that coat? Barnaby only had that damn smile etched on his face, however, and despite Lau’s frustration due to not having any decent answers, he couldn’t help but feel a delightful flutter in his chest.

As he removed his coat, Barnaby finally decided to explain himself: “I assumed you wouldn’t like to spend the evening alone.” He admitted, red blossoming over his cheeks. “So I decided to keep you company... and...” A pause, and then he shook his head. I can’t lie to him. “Well... I... I didn’t want to spend the evening alone. As for you, I dunno, but I had hoped- well not hoped, I didn’t hope you were sad, more like--” And he was stumbling with his words again. For a reason yet unknown to him it always occurred when he was near Laurent.

Before he could try and come up with a decent sentence, Laurent was speaking: “I... I must say, I didn’t really like the thought of being alone as well.” The redhead confessed. “I mean, y’know what day it is... brings back memories.” And he trailed off, once again avoiding to reveal any more information to Barnaby. He knew it was unfair to keep so much from his friend, but... he wasn’t ready to bare himself just yet. He wasn’t ready to fully let go of his relationship with Murphy. Would he ever be? He had no idea. I loved him so much... and now it’s all reduced to dust.

Suddenly, he felt Barnaby’s hand land on his shoulder, and words clung to his throat as they found themselves unable to make their way out. He could only stare at his smile. “Well, I guess it’s your lucky day, then!” Barnaby exclaimed. “I’ll chase away these bad memories, let’s enjoy this evening together!” And suddenly his gaze landed towards Laurent’s bedroom. “What were you planning to do?”

Laurent immediately guessed what Barnaby was thinking about, and a smile finally curved his lips. “Movie night. I know for a fact that you...”

“... Love them.” Barnaby completed. “Yes! How about we check a few of them out, hm?” A glint of excitement passed through his eyes.

“Let’s.” Lau replied at last. Maybe tonight won’t be so bad after all.

- - -

It turned out that Barnaby had another trick up his sleeve, and it revealed itself in the form of a box he pulled out of his bag. “Ta-da! I stopped by your favourite donut shop and got us a few things! What’s better than movies? Movies and donuts! You’ll thank me later~”

“We should make this a tradition.” Laurent commented as they both sat down on his bed. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy this more than I am supposed to.”

He was already smiling and giggling, and the sparkles usually inhabiting his eyes had come back at last. That sight proved itself to be a real comfort to Barnaby, the fondness with which he was staring at his friend only confirming it. For once, Laurent wasn’t thinking about Murphy and their disastrous breakup. He was focusing on the present, filled with good movies and donu-- his face fell as Barnaby opened the box.

Green, matcha glazed donuts were part of the mix. Otherwise known as Murphy McNully’s favourites. It took a few seconds for Laurent to snap back into reality and realize that Barnaby has been calling out his name with worry decorating his features. Laurent blinked one, two times. “Ah, sorry, I... I spaced out, I guess.” His gaze swiftly drifted away from the donuts. “Matcha flavour was Murphy... Murphy’s favourite. His favourite colour is green, of course it had to be his...” He trailed off, unable to continue. His heart threatened to squeeze itself in his chest and eventually blow up, his brain was assaulted with thunders of painful memories, his hands felt cold... and suddenly he was looking at Barnaby again.

Barnaby, who looked as if he had just learned he had accidentally committed the world’s biggest crime. “I’m sorry!” He blurted out. “I-I didn’t know, I didn’t mean to, I--”

Luckily enough Laurent was quick to interrupt him. Giggles even punctuated his words. “It’s fine, Barnaby. You didn’t know...” Without a warning he suddenly reached for his hand, their fingers slowly intertwining together. “Thank you. Really. These strawberry glazed ones look super tasty...”

That was sufficient to appease Barnaby, and Laurent felt better as well. As soon as their fingers linked together he has been feeling lighter, in fact. Let’s watch a movie, now. Let’s watch a movie and forget about our shitty relationships. Memories of Barnaby’s breakup with his ex girlfriend suddenly rushed through him, and he saw himself in that same bedroom a few months ago, comforting a tearful Barnaby. Man, the turntables. Now he’s the one comforting me... is he still sad about his breakup? It’s Valentine’s Day after all. He must feel melancholic... however he feels, I’ll give him support. He deserves it.

With that in mind he squeezed his hand, and he chose a movie at last.

“Are you sure a romantic movie is what you need?” Has been Barnaby’s first question.

“I’ll be fine, Barnaby. How about you?” You always ask about me. Let me ask about you.

Barnaby nodded, stuffing a donut in his mouth and then replying: “Yup!”

Laurent jokingly smacked Barnaby’s arm, laughing. “You’re so gross, swallow before speaking!” How ironic, since he has been eating a donut and talking as well.

- - -

Curled up against Barnaby as he would always do when watching TV with him, countless thoughts swirled inside of Laurent’s mind thus preventing him to properly enjoy the movie. He couldn’t make out whatever the actors were saying, and suddenly, as they reached the middle of the movie Laurent reached for the remote and hit the ‘pause’ button. Silence greeted them, and Barnaby stared at Lau with confusion. “Everything alright...?”

A nod, and then some more silence before Laurent finally spoke up: “I was so in love with him.” His voice was down to a murmur, but he knew Barnaby would hear it anyway.

And he did. “I know.”

“I just... it all happened so fast. One day I was madly in love, and the other he breaks up with me. He told me it wasn’t my fault, he--” He suddenly stopped speaking, and locked his gaze with Barnaby’s.

Time froze as they both tried to decipher what messages the other’s eyes contained. Neither of them managed to find anything, and it was probably better this way. For Laurent, at least, for he had figured out he wanted to talk to Barnaby. Not simply look at him, talk. He wanted to tell him about his relationship, and hopefully let go at once.

A last look in Barnaby’s eyes was enough to convince Laurent, for what he saw revealed everything: he was ready to listen to him. He was ready to try to understand. He was ready to sit for hours if it were to take that much time. And so, he started speaking. He poured out his heart. He told him about how great his relationship with Murphy had felt, but also how the impression everything would go wrong had kept gnawing at him. He had tried to deny it for as long as he could, but it eventually hit him straight on the face as their breakup finally occurred. He was too much. Too much his opposite. Murphy liked calculations and percentages, Laurent liked spur of the moment actions and carelessness. Water and fire don’t mix, and the same could be said about Laurent King and Murphy McNully.

He had expected it, yes, but it devastated him anyway. He had thought he would have been enough. He had thought it would have been alright. He had loved Murphy for the way he was, but Murphy had failed doing the same. “But can I blame him?” Laurent suddenly said. “I’m... I’m so... so me, and I’m so different than him... but still, I... I guess it is selfish of me to say this, but... I had wished I would have been good enough for him. Turned out I wasn’t. Probably will never be...”

Silence. He didn’t know how to express himself anymore, so he had resorted to shutting himself up. Barnaby, however, had loads to say as he held him closer, his arms curling around his waist in a comforting embrace. “I know how you feel...” These words felt like a punch to Laurent. Really? How would he know? Wasn’t his past relationship ideal? Wasn’t their breakup mutual? Yes, he had cried... but everyone cries during breakups at some point. You cry because you’re missing a part of yourself. It’s like someone removed a limb of yours: it hurts, so you cry.

He stared as Barnaby chewed on his bottom lip. “I didn’t tell you everything about my own breakup. I... I didn’t live up to my own expectations either. I told you we agreed on breaking up... but it was mostly because I was disappointed with myself. Because...” He held back his breath, as if he was struggling with to find the right words. As a sign of support Laurent reached for his hand. “I figured out I might like guys more instead of girls. You know I like boys as well as girls, but I never told you what caused that realization. It was kissing her while thinking of how it would feel if she were a boy... I supposed I fell out of love, and it made me feel like the world’s worst asshole”

Confessions, confessions, they came one after the other. Sometimes from Lau, sometimes from Barnaby, sometimes both telling them at the same time. Revisiting these old memories hurt, but also relieved them of a huge weight that has been pressing on their shoulders. When they finished speaking they felt good. They felt light.

And Barnaby understood how Laurent felt.

And Laurent understood how Barnaby felt.

“I must admit, I miss being in a relationship.” Laurent shyly confessed as he hit ‘play’ on the remote.

“Me too... I miss cuddling someone.”

“I miss kissing someone. It feels so... heavenly.”

“It feels perfect with the right person.”

And they were now looking at each other. Barnaby’s eyes flicked to Laurent’s lips. Laurent’s eyes flicked to Barnaby’s lips. “Wanna... wanna try it out?” The words slipped out of the redhead’s mouth. “Just to pretend we actually had some action during Valentine’s Day.” He added with a giggle to lighten the atmosphere.

A blush brightly coloured Barnaby’s cheeks for a moment, and Laurent was quick to fear that he had fucked up. There you go, now he’s going to think I’m a pervert. 

However, against all expectations, Barnaby nodded. “Y-Yes...” He stammered a little before speaking again: “I’d love to... I’ll be able to brag that I kissed the prettiest guy on Valentine’s Day.”

Laurent’s eyes widened at that claim, but he realized that Barnaby probably wasn’t even aware he had said this out loud. Instead of discussing this he remained silent and allowed Barnaby to inch closer. His arms tightened their grip around Laurent’s waist, and a gasp of surprise threatened to fall off his lips. Instead, he cupped Barnaby’s face and smiled teasingly. “You seem pretty eager.”

A blush blossomed over his friend’s features, and he stumbled with his words a little before finally coming up with a coherent sentence: “A-Are you ok with this, Lau? Kisses should... mean something.”

Laurent’s reply came without a moment of hesitation. “And what would this one mean for you? To me, it would be... moving on, I guess. Get into another chapter and leave Murphy behind for once. How about you?”

Silence lingered in the air as Barnaby didn’t answer, and what he had planned to reply shall remain a mystery as Laurent suddenly tugged on his shirt’s collar to pull him into a kiss. Immediately, a wave of comfort came to wash over the both of them as they curved into each other’s body, living the kiss at it’s fullest.

Neither of them wished to pull away.

- - -

The next morning, Laurent woke up to Barnaby’s steady heartbeat. He had fallen asleep on his chest, and donut crumbs were all over it. A quick look at his friend was all it took to confirm that he was still sleeping. After a few seconds of hesitation, he decided to not pull away. He even closed his eyes.

Following their kiss, they had focused back on the movie. Little words have been said, as if both of them had mulled over what had just happened. Had it been a mistake? Would they regret it? Laurent had feared how he would feel the next morning. But at this very moment, as he was curled up against Barnaby, absolutely no regret came to seize him.

I told him everything. I told him about my fears, my insecurities, the downsides of my relationship with Murphy. I told him everything I had feared revealing, and his reaction? Complete understanding. He even admitted stuff to me as well. It felt so... so right. So perfect. Just like him.

And the kiss. It had it’s hold on his mind still. Suddenly, Barnaby moved a little, and pulled Laurent closer while still sleeping. The redhead’s heart threatened to leap off his chest, and that was when he knew.

I like him.

I’m so screwed.

[kassandra-lorelei]

I would love a prompt of C.C. realising she is younger than Fran. And how our Niles reacts, of course :P

@missbabcocks1 Here we are, at last, my bestie! I hope this was everything you were expecting when you requested it!

But also, oh my God, I am so far behind on all these prompts! I’m so sorry everyone’s been waiting - work keeps me very busy! I will try to do more, more often, to get through them! I need to get back on track a bit, even though I work full time now. Besides, it will be good - who doesn’t love hearing about these two idiots and their adventures?

Niles had to say, there was something extremely pleasantabout C.C. having been told to go on maternity leave. In the days after thewhole extended clan had arrived in California, there had been so much work todo – particularly for both his wife and Mr. Sheffield at the studios – that itseemed as though neither one of them would get a break!

Fortunately, a small miracle had happened and Maxwell had,over the course of some months (as opposed to his usual years), noticed thatthe load was really too much for her to handle. Studio work, even forproducers, didn’t lend itself to anything apart from being on one’s feet allday when shooting and the rounder her belly grew, the more it was starting tobecome a concern whenever a live set inspection or meeting was called.

It was a relief for the butler when their employer hadfinally told her to simply rest at home for the remainder of her pregnancy. Notthat C.C. hadn’t put up a fight, of course. She seemed to have a constant worrythat things just wouldn’t get done if she wasn’t there to make sure of it, andfor the first long, few weeks, she hadn’t been able to help swinging wildly ona pendulum back and forth between “on edge and anxious” and “bored out of hermind”.

That was why Niles had done everything he could to keep heroccupied, which was what he found so pleasant about it, in truth. Having her athome meant that they got to spend more time together, just as they would’vedone had they still been at the mansion back in New York. They’d read books,watched movies, tossed playful remarks back and forth as he went about hischores – the works. He’d even bring lunch right to her lap if she was feelingtoo tired or uncomfortable to move.

As time moved forward and C.C. settled further into hermaternity leave, her worries seemed to settle as well. Not that they went awaycompletely, of course, but enough so that she could actually enjoy herself andnot think about working all of the time.

Not that she didn’t find some of that to do around themansion, as well. The office always had things that needed clearing, filing or reworkingand it wasn’t as though Maxwell would ever get around to it. So, C.C. had takenit upon herself to do a little bit of administration work, every once in awhile, whenever she felt the boredom creeping up on her again.

She had clearly felt the urge a little while after Niles hadbrought her lunch, because when he returned to the living room with his own sandwich(he’d cooked the bacon for this BLT to perfection, in his mind), her plate fromher meal was clean and she had retrieved another box.

She was sat going through the papers inside it, a greatCheshire Cat-like grin stretching across her gorgeous face.

He loved to see her looking so happy, even if it did alsointrigue him. What could she have found in that box that had made her sopleased? He could even hear her chuckling a little bit under her breath…!

Well, there wasn’t anything like having a little bit oftheir usual fun to ask her what was going on…

He sauntered over, allowing a grin to start to curl at thecorners of his mouth.

“You’re looking awfully chipper. Did Mr. Sheffield call tosay that he’s fired someone you hate?”

C.C. looked up and smiled at him brightly, “Better.”

“Oh,” he blinked in return, coming to stand over where shewas sat on the sofa, craning his neck a little to take a look at what she wasdoing. “Two people?”

C.C. half-rolled her eyes at him. He didn’t take itpersonally – he knew it was all part of the fun.

“No one’s been fired, Scrubbing Bubbles,” she told him. “Ijust happen to have stumbled upon an excellent piece of news.”

“Is that so?” Niles’ eyebrow raised and he leaned in towardsher, elbows resting on the back of the sofa. “Would you care to share thisexcellent piece of news with your now-very-curious husband?”

His wife pretended to think about it, before another verypleased grin began to spread itself on her lips.

She practically purred her answer, “I might, for a littlequid pro quo…”

That was an answer Niles always enjoyed hearing. He wasbasically finished for the day, not including dinner, which he could easily putoff for another couple of hours or so.

And he was sure he knew the perfect way to spend them.

“Well, you know I am always happy to scratch your back, ifyou scratch mine…”

His motion to lean down and plant a kiss on her lips wasinterrupted at the very last second, when C.C.’s hand darted out and she pickedup his sandwich off his plate, taking a bite out of it and putting the restback.

She chewed for a while, during which Niles could only try tostammer out a protest but fail, eventually just letting his jaw drop and hangthere for a moment until she was done and ready to speak.

She dusted her hands off as she picked up the paper she’dbeen reading, “Now, you wanted to know what I’ve been looking at.”

Niles frowned in slight annoyance at his plate, “Yes, and Icould’ve enjoyed one whole, complete sandwich to go along with it…”

C.C. rolled her eyes, trying to look unimpressed but notreally managing to conceal her amusement.

“I’ll make it up to you later,” she said in a voice that luckilypromised it without using those words, before going back to the paper. “Youwanna see what I’ve found here or not?”

After a moment, Niles sighed.

“Alright, you’ve got me. What is it?”

“There’s the yenta I know and love,” his wife grinned,gesturing proudly at all her hard work. “I’ve been refiling and reorganisingall the household legal documents. The Sheffields’ and ours.”

“Both sets?” Niles quirked an eyebrow, surprised. “Shouldn’twe leave the Sheffields’ files for them to sort out?”

C.C.’s grin dropped away from her face and she gave him ALook. They both knew exactly what it meant, too – he had just been so takenaback by it in the heat of the moment that the answer hadn’t really registeredto him.

The Look meant something along the lines of “Who are youkidding, Butler Boy? Since when have the Sheffields ever done anything that wecould do for them?” mixed in equal combinations with “Would you trust Maxwellor Fran Sheffield to do something like organise and keep legal documents?”.

He could only really nod in return, once the understandinghad settled in properly.

“Good point,” he said, turning his attention back to thepapers. “What did you find? I’m assuming, of course, that your good news comesfrom one of these pages.”

“You’d assume correctly, lover,” she lifted one single sheetof paper out of her lap so that he could see. “Check this out.”

Setting his sandwich down on the one clear patch on thecoffee table, Niles took and peered at the document.

His eyes then went back to his wife, “It’s a copy of MrsSheffield’s birth certificate.”

His immediate thought was to ask why she had been looking atthat particular piece of paper in the first place, but it was almostimmediately interrupted by the rest of his brain asking him who he thought hewas kidding. Fran’s birth certificate was a closer and more heavily guardedsecret than the contents of the Vatican archives; he would’ve looked withouthesitation, if he’d been the one doing the filing.

They both already knew that C.C. knew this, too. There wassomething especially warming in that – they knew each other, inside and out, andknew exactly when the other would be interested in something they’d found.

“Mm-hm,” she hummed pleasantly, as smug as a cat who’dgotten both the cream and the canary. “Notice anything about it?”

Niles studied the certificate carefully, looking for the onepiece of information that she could be talking about. There was one reasonnobody ever saw this paper, and it was the one thing they’d both truly wonderedabout their friend for as long as they’d known her.

Of course, he had the information that she was in the sameclass as Val at school, who had accidentally let slip one time how old she was,but there was something more concrete about seeing the proof firsthand. Rightthere in front of him, on the official piece of paper that recorded Fran’s birthday.Besides, what if Val also lied about her age (poorly, compared to MrsSheffield, but even so)? Or what if the hastily-used excuse that Val kept beingheld back turned out to be true (because, well, come on)?

It didn’t take long to find.

In the butler’s mind, he’d more than half imagined that herbirth date would look…off, compared to other people’s. That was, he’d thoughtthere would be a day and a month, but no year. His sense of logic had steppedin in the moments he’d thought that and told him not to be ridiculous – itwould be scribbled out with a pen, or redacted, like an important militaryrecord, or the dates and locations of stories that authors wanted to representas “real life” in Victorian literature.

But, much to his surprise, neither of those things weretrue. The date was there, in full.

And his eyes could only widen at the number printed on thatpage.

“No…!” he exclaimed in some disbelief, incredulous at havingthe proof positive there in his hands. “It can’t really be true! Surely…!”

“Oh, yes,” C.C. was on the verge of chuckling in puredelight, clasping her hands together in glee. “Our good, perpetuallytwenty-nine-year-old friend, is at the same time, somehow older than I am!”

As if to illustrate her point and celebrate at the sametime, she began to half-dance in her seat, shimmying her shoulders from side toside and wiggling her hips as much as her belly would allow.

Niles watched in amusement, his hand dropping away with thepaper still in it.

“You really are pleased with yourself for finding this,aren’t you?” he asked, mostly rhetorically because the answer was obvious toanybody who had working eyes.

His wife scoffed, still in the middle of her dance number, “Likeyou’re not happy to have finally fully solved the mystery! I’m surprised youdidn’t do this back when she first started at the-oof!”

Suddenly, she flinched, doubling over and clutching at herstomach, halting her in her seated tracks.

In an instant, the butler tossed the paper back into the pileand flew to her side, seating himself next to her as alarm bells immediatelywent off in his head, loud and ringing like the end of the world was on its way.In his state of dread and panic, an impending apocalyptic event would haveactually been preferable to what he imagined might have been happening.

What was going on? Was something the matter? Was it thebaby?!

“C.C., are you alright?!” he cried out, fear of the worststarting to grip at his heart.

Much to his relief, she took in a few deep breaths andrelaxed, letting her arms slip gently around her stomach.

“Yeah…yeah, I’m fine,” she said, raising an accusing eyebrowat her bump as a faintly entertained smirk made its way onto her lips. “Yourlittle servant spawn must’ve felt my happiness and decided to aim a kick at mylower intestine!”

Niles felt the last of the fear be washed away by the toneof her voice and the look on her face as she rubbed at her belly. She was fine.The baby was fine. Everything was fine. He could calm himself back down.

He could get himself back on track. Besides, he had afeeling that it might distract her from the glee of finding out for definitethat she was younger than Fran, and they’d all be allowed to go on with theirdays.

He pulled her into an embrace, settling one of his hands ontop of her stomach and patting it lovingly.

“Getting creative at running rings around you, even from inthe womb,” he beamed proudly. “We have a little prodigy on our hands already.”

C.C.’s half-smirk blossomed into a full one, “And you’ve gotyourself a little clone.”

Niles slid his hand over her belly, taking her hand andentwining their fingers, “You say that as though it were a bad thing.”

She pretended to think about it in return, exaggerating alook of contemplation and using her free hand to tap at her chin.

“Essentially having two of you around the place? Now, why onEarth would I think that was a bad idea…?”

He slid as close as he possibly could in response, leaningin so that his nose was nearly brushing hers.

“You wouldn’t. You love me too much for that…”

C.C.’s slightly hitched breath was warm against his skin, “Maybe.”

Niles felt the corners of his mouth twitching upwards, “Alittle.”

His wife played at being stubborn, “Sorta.”

It was at this point that the butler knew he’d won the game,“Kinda.”

He felt his lips brush against hers, before C.C. pulled awayjust enough to give him a teasing look.

“If our kid turns out to be as big a sap as you…” she lookedlike she was trying to think of a good threat, but came up with nothing.Instead, she simply shook her head. “I really have no idea what I’ll do.”

“I imagine you’ll be forced to finally melt and renounceyour throne. Though I have no idea where they’ll find another Ice Queen at suchshort notice…” he closed the gap again and quickly pecked her lips. “Unless, ofcourse, you’ve already melted.”

She was back to smirking again in an instant, in a way thatmade him think she thought she’d caught him out on something.

“You’re not distracting me out of it.”

Niles’ brow furrowed, “Out of what?”

“Being happy for my little age victory over Nanny Fine,” shereplied, poking him lightly in the chest.

The butler felt his face fall. Damn, she really was good. It truly did go to show just howwell they knew what the other was thinking at any given moment…!

Well, all he could hope to try and do now was downplay thewhole situation enough that she might not keep that smirk of hers for weeks onend.

“I hadn’t intended to distract you from that – our littleone did the job for me quite well enough,” he eventually counterpointed. “Besides, whosaid anything about it having to be a competition?”

C.C. seemed slightly put out by his question.

“No one, but I don’t think it would kill anybody toacknowledge it.”

Niles bit back a frown. She did have a point; she wasyounger, and she had every right to be able to say so. Many years’ worth of“old” and “ancient” jokes could easily be deflected away without trouble, withthat knowledge out in the open, as well as in mind.

Besides, it wasn’t as though not being twenty-nine tookanything away from Fran. Their friend had many things in her life to enjoy andbe proud of, and her age didn’t have any bearing in any of them.

So, he smiled, giving his wife a kiss on the cheek.

“Alright. We’ll talk about it with her tonight,” he said,before pointing a finger at her, emphasising that he meant what he was about tosay. “Using gentle words, though. You say you don’t think it will kill anybody,but you can never be completely sure.”

C.C., chuckled and grabbed his hand, “As you wish, ScrubBrush.”

The gesture was tender, and her voice amused. She wasagreeing to his terms with neutral feelings, but she was enjoying the fact that hewas being so commanding over it.

He couldn’t hold back a smirk over how it wasn’t the firsttime.

“God, I love it when you agree with what I say…” he practicallygrowled, thinking back to her words before about “making it up to him”.

His wife’s eyebrow shot up and she began to grin, clearlyunderstanding, “Hoping to cash in on that promise I made just now, are we?”

Niles pointedly checked his watch in return, “Well, we dohave a few spare hours before anybody is due to arrive home…”

C.C. cast her eyes quickly towards his sandwich, remindinghim it was still there, “What about your lunch?”

The butler studied her for a moment, and then looked atwhere his sandwich was sat waiting, the bacon and lettuce crisp against the soft,cool tomato and the bread cut thick from the loaf he’d bought only that morning.

He reached out, grabbed his prized lunch and took one bite,chewing it rapidly and swallowing before setting it back down and taking hisnow-laughing wife into his arms.

“I’ll finish it later.”