#and he essentially said i just need to be better at my job so we get less calls and that being on call is essential and unavoidable

[gaystardykeco]

need to sleep but the Dread is consuming me

[nomaishuttle]

ok yayyy robinfreckle time...

[tarysande]

There are a couple more Garrus-Vakarian-related hills I'm willing to die on.

Maybe this particular bit of fanon has faded over the years, but there used to be a lot of insistence that Garrus is young and somehow inexperienced when he meets Shepard. Canon doesn't really support this. Turians start their mandatory service at 15. Garrus has at least a decade of experience. Even if he's 2-4 of years younger than Shepard (according to Patrick Weekes), he's got at least as much field experience as she does by dint of the difference in turian and human "enlistment" ages.

Garrus is really damn good at his job at C-Sec. You don't give the Case of Investigating the Rogue Spectre to a greenhorn. You give it to your best, most tenacious agent. Pallin may not always approve of Garrus's actions, but that doesn't actually stop him from putting Garrus on the tough case. Also, we don't know much about how C-Sec works but we do know a bit about how the turian hierarchy works, and we know C-Sec was essentially a turian initiative. That means it's a meritocracy where failure reflects on the superior, not the one who failed. So, in roughly a decade (Shepard's 29 in ME1; I always think of Garrus as about 27), Garrus has not only done shipboard military service, but he's also risen to be one of C-Sec's top investigators; Pallin wouldn't risk having Garrus's "failure" reflect poorly on HIM otherwise. I'd say that actually makes Garrus as remarkable in civilian law enforcement terms as Shepard is considered to be within the ranks of the Alliance military.

Of course Garrus was scouted by the Spectre program. And honestly, if his dad hadn't stepped in, I think Garrus would have become a Spectre, no problem. Especially for a turian, he's cut from precisely the cloth the Spectres would be looking for: extremely skilled, extremely capable, and--most importantly--he's a turian not just able but willing to work outside the chains of command that turians are taught from birth to revere and be loyal to above all else. This is the reason Pallin is leery about Spectres: he's a good turian. Good turians follow straight lines; they don't carve out their own paths.

Garrus's dad's not dumb, and he's not cruel, and he, too, rose to the top of the C-Sec hierarchy. He took one look at his kid, I think, and said, "I love my child, but I'd say it's a 50-50 chance he ends up a shooting-first-asking-questions-later Spectre like Saren Arterius, and I don't want to see that happen." Yeah, he uses his parental influence to try and jam square-peg-Garrus into round-hole-C-Sec and Garrus resents him for it, but there's no way he did it just to stop his son from getting his way or because he doesn't like Spectres. I expect Vakarian Sr. had to clean up more post-Spectre-interference messes than we can possibly imagine. But we also know he and Alec Ryder were pals later.

So the importance of what Garrus learns from a Paragon Spectre Shepard is this: You can't just do what you want and claim the ends always justify the means. That's what Saren does. Over and over again. Garrus's code and his idealism and his sense of justice and his ability to work alone should make him a great Spectre, actually, but he needs Paragon Spectre Shepard's actions to show him the lesson he tells her he's learned during ME1: "If the people I'm sworn to protect can't trust me... well, then I don't deserve to be the one protecting them." (And the seed of Archangel was planted.) I think for the first time he realizes that even though he believes his sense of justice to be correct, it doesn't matter for shit if he can't show others why that's so. And that's where the trust comes in. (Also, ow, the extra level of importance this gives their exchange where she tells him she trusts him and he tells her she's about the only friend he has left is... a lot. Cool, cool. I'm totally fine. Nothing to see here.)

When Shepard asks him what happened on Omega, he replies, "My feelings got in the way of my better judgement." Something tells me that this never happens to "good" turians, which just makes the line so much more devastating. And although the lesson some might take away from this is "feelings bad; no feelings ever," the "grey" that Garrus has to learn to deal with is precisely the grey of recognizing feelings, validating them even, but not acting on them until they've been examined. (Which is why my Shepard stands between him and Sidonis; she doesn't give a shit about Sidonis. But Garrus has refused to process his own feelings of failure and self-loathing, so they have to take the therapy session to the Citadel and deal with it there.)

Ahh yes. The mountain range of character analysis.

[literaryslapshot]

LUNCH ⎯ C. Berzatto

carmen interviews a new girl for the recent waitressing job at the bear, and she's been the recent reason for his journal entries the past two weeks.

carmen berzatto x fem!reader

warnings: sexual themes (18+ MDNI), cuss words, carmen being super whipped but also kind of a perv, reader is kind of a ditz but so am i, reader has tats because i do too, reader also doesnt have much dialogue bc it's mostly from his pov.

word count: 1k

a/n: not really based off any specific episode or season in the series. i just love carmy so much <3

"Chef i need you to take over for at least an hour, i got an interview in 10." Carmen instructed Sydney, walking into the office as the kitchen staff began to prepare for open. The staff- mainly Sydney, Richie, and Carmen desperately needed a waiter in house. With how busy the restaurant was beginning to get they needed more than Nat out there.

"Are you gonna hire her?" Sydney asked; Carmen had briefed her about the applicant a day prior. He sat down, refreshing himself on the resume before meeting with her.

"Well she's the only applicant so far, so I don't really think I have a choice chef," before he could finish his thought he heard the chime of the entrance door. Glancing down at the time it read 10:51.

Early, off to a good start, he said to himself quietly. He gave one puff of cologne on his neck to try and musk the smell of kitchen before going out into the front of house to start the interview. Carmen forgot how to breathe for just a few seconds when he saw her- easily the most beautiful person he's seen walk in his restaurant.

"Um- Hi I'm Carmen Berzatto, the owner, you must be Y/N?" He introduces through a deep breath and a shaky hand that he extends. She takes it with a smile, following his lead. The soft taps of her high top converse against the tile floor, the flow of her skirt twirling as she turns in front of him slightly. It's exhilarating.

"Can I get you something to drink before we start? Water, a soda, coffee?" He offers, standing tall next to the table side. She grins and shakes her head denying his offer, her sweet sounding voice making butterflies flutter around in his stomach. That hasn't happened in a while.

They make small talk for a little while, Carmen asking pre-thought out ice breakers before getting to the real questions. But if he's honest with himself he isn't even listening to her answers. He's too focused on the way her lips move and how she purses her lips when she thinks about an answer.

He's taken great notice of the tattoos she has on her arms, in similar places to his own, all black outlined like his too. one is written in french, he assumes, right above her wrist on her arm. One is two small birds on the inside of her forearm. He wants to pause the interview just to talk about what they all mean to her. Partially because he wants to hear her voice for the rest of his life. He wants to press record on his phone and listen to her talk about whatever she wants to, her voice is that angelic.

"Can I ask you what the tattoo on your hand means?" she asked and he thought he was going to faint because she grabbed ahold of his hand gently to get a better look at it. She giggled when she got a better look at the artwork.

"It's to remind me to be careful when I chop vegetables, essentially," Carmen explained with a chuckle. "What does the one on your wrist mean?"

"Terre à terre, down to earth. I dont want to stray too far from who I was raised to be, so that's a reminder. I also have a couple more in french- my grandmother was french so I have a lot of french things in my life." She pulls up the sleeve of her shirt to reveal another tattoo, "étoile filante, shooting star. The first time I saw a shooting star was on my sixteenth birthday, my worst birthday actually."

He reminded himself to close his mouth because he knew he was about to start drooling, hearing the way her silky voice sounded even better in a foreign language.

He breezed through the interview, Natalie insisting that even though there are no other applicants and she'll probably get the job, do it the right way. "I'll give you a call by the end of the week, Y/N. It was a pleasure having you today." He shows her out of the restaurant, walking her to her car for safety, of course."

When Carmen got back inside, before he got to joining the team in prepping for the lunch crowd he pulled out his journal that he started to carry with him. It was full of various things: different dinner ideas to try out on the menu for a special, addresses, phone numbers, and other journal entries. he's made a habit of journal three times a week and he has a feeling he's going to be doing it a lot more with Y/N joining the team.

-

I could eat that girl for lunch. She smelled sweet like fuckin brownies or something, rich and delicious. Her tattoos, her gold necklaces, her smile, her skirt. I feel like a perv but god i know her skin would be so soft, and she'd have the best blind reactions to recipes, and i bet she'd taste good too. I'm closing the applications, this Y/N chick is gonna be the death of me.

-

"Hi Y/N, this is Carmen from The Bear, how're you?" he couldn't even wait a full 24 hours before he hired her. Embarrassing. "I just wanted to call and let you know that we're offering you the job if you are still interested." He bit the cap of his pen with a grin hearing her cheer and laugh on the other side of the phone. "Yea- yeah that's great, listen could you start Monday? I'll get you trained n'all that."

Carmen ends the phone call and moves some papers around on his desk, printing the papers for Y/N and putting them in her folder. He couldn’t stop grinning like a kid from hearing her excited voice over the phone.

Instantly he’s thinking of a million things to write in his journal about her. But he doesn’t have time, he needs to prep the special for tonights dinner service before anything else. Carmen will be thinking of her, however. Thinking of how soft her hands must be, or how sweet her chapstick tastes. He'll think of how it'll be nice to have her around, not just the help but to have someone with a softer tone around the place, too.

He thinks about Y/N while making glaze, mixing everything together to get that perfect spicy honey taste, he's imagining how her face lights up when she laughs. He doesn't even really know her yet but he's already making up what a first date would be like. He'd take her out for coffee, go see a movie, then go for a walk. But not too late, though. Even if she might be a night owl it's still inappropriate to keep a girl out past ten, at least that's what he read in some magazine a long time ago.

"Chef you ready to prep the team for tonight?" Sydney asked, interrupting his thoughts. He stumbled, dropping the spoon into the bowl and biting his tongue.

"Fuck- yeah, yeah I am."

-

"'M gonna go over the menu with you, if m'goin too fast then stop me." He pulls up a chair and tucks his hair behind his ears. Setting the laminated piece of paper in front of her, explaining each dish to her in firm detail. Carmen watches as her french tip acrylic nails trace along the menu, guiding along the words that he says from memory.

She's impressed, shocked even that he came up with this himself. She jokes that she can't cook and it gains a laugh from him.

"I'll teach you a few things, if ya want." He didn't mean for it to come out sounding like he was hitting on her...but secretly he was. Since when was he that slick with words?

-

I can't stop thinking about her. She's on my mind all the fuckin' time. She smelled really good, must have been her shampoo. I would love to just sit with her there, not sexually. Just be. I bet she's really calm and chill. I'd love to get ready with her in the mornings, again not sexually. To spend time, to laugh, to talk. I could eat that girl for lunch.

-

When Carmen walks into the front he catches Y/N taking pictures in the mirror by the entrance. He chuckles, watching her pose and smile. She turns around and gasps, cheeks getting darker when she realizes she's gotten caught.

"Sorry, the mirror is just so aesthetic."

"That? Um, okay? Guess we have different opinions of what aesthetic is." Carmen guides her to the back counter, teaching her how to count inventory of everything.

He feels out of place- no, he feels gross when he watches her bend down. He sees a peek of white lace stick out from the band of her jeans and he knows he shouldn't stare, but he can't help his mind from wandering. He wanders about what other types of underwear she might have, if she has any special ones, what they'd feel like wrapped-

"Carmen!" Sydney snaps him out of his daydream. "Sorry to interrupt, but you have a phone call from the AC guy." He's pulled away, for the better, but he knows he's going to write about this as soon as he gets the chance.

-

I'm interested in more than just being her boss. I could eat her alive, i'd let her take a seat on me wherever she wants for however long she wants. She'd taste like....like sweet watermelons on a sunny summer day. Yeah, something like that. She can't be real can she? I don't know how long I can keep acting professional. I just know she'd be the one for me.

・。♡.・���✭・.・✫・゜✭・。. ♡・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜♡・。

feedback | masterlist

[juniperskye]

Why are you in my head?

Sneak Peek: Eddie and you are soulmates. The legend of soulmates is that you start to hear one another’s thoughts around age 16 – not all the time, but when you’re feeling a strong emotion. It simply flows out of you and into the other, the legend also states that the closer you are, the more you can hear them. **The events of season 4 did NOT happen** I did also use some of the dialogue

Bold are Eddie’s thoughts; Italics are reader’s thoughts. (mind you, they are essentially hearing both sets of thoughts)

Eddie Munson x Fem Sunshine! Reader (Soulmate AU)

Fluff - Part 2 Part 3 Part 4** Part 5

Word count: 1364

REQUESTS ARE OPEN - not edited - please be kind. Feedback is welcome if it's constructive!

Warnings: My blog is 18+, minors DNI, explicit language, let me know if I missed any!

That being said I do not own the characters portrayed in this story.

You had known all about soulmates, your mom had told you bedtime stories about soulmates and how she and your dad met throughout your entire childhood. They had been hearing one another’s thoughts for quite a while before your dad saved your mom from being run over by a biker as she stepped off the curb. She’d tell you how when their eyes met she could hear him thinking about how beautiful her eyes were and he heard her thinking about how handsome he was. You have hoped and dreamed of meeting your soulmate since you were four years old.

You had a soulmate, that much you knew. You had been hearing his thoughts for the last few years, they were few and far between which frustrated you. Your mom had explained it just meant he wasn’t close by, which sucked. You were hoping that the distance would decrease, given your family’s plans to move.

Hawkins, Indiana wasn’t exactly a town that people were flocking to…but here you were. Your mom had been offered a job at their hospital there as the supervising nurse and your parents had decided it was too good an offer to pass up. Your dad had contacted the local police department to see if they had any openings, to which they asked for a letter of recommendation and pretty much offered him the job.

Things were working out well for your parents. You hadn’t really been sure about the move. Your soulmate’s thoughts had been pretty quiet the last few days but, a part of you knew it was because your anxiety of this move was clearly drowning out his thoughts.

The car finally came to a stop, and you glance up for the first time since you’d gotten in the car that morning, too focused on the music playing from your Walkman and rereading The Hobbit, again. You looked up to see a modest home in a cookie cutter neighborhood, you were grateful for your parents and their ability to provide you with the things you need, but some days you wished your family wasn’t so…average.

“Sweetie, why don’t you head in and pick your room?” Your mom suggested.

“Really? I get to choose?” You asked.

“You have your pick, other than the master bedroom. You and I will organize the remaining rooms.” Your mom explained.

Damnit, if I could just get the chords right.

You quickly jogged up to the door, letting yourself in. You made your way upstairs first, checking out the two small bedrooms up there that were situated opposite the master bedroom, separated by a full bathroom. While both rooms were nice, they didn’t give you nearly enough room to “express your creative freedom” as your mom had encouraged. On the main level there was a kitchen, dining room, sitting room, powder room, and living room. There had been a door leading under the stairs, you were pleased to see it led down into a fully finished basement that had a full bathroom.

“MOMMMMM! I chose my room!” You called as you ran up the stairs.

There we go.

*Eddie’s POV*

Hell yeah! This is fucking perfect!

The thoughts had rung out like an alarm in his head. Her thoughts had never been this loud and clear. What had changed?

She better let me make the basement my room!

Had she finally moved? He had been hearing all her nervous thoughts about packing up and moving across the country. She must be closer now if her thoughts were coming in like this now.

YES! YES! YES! Now…how to decorate?

He smiled to himself. She seems sweet based off what he knows. He had asked Wayne about soulmates when he was growing up. He’d asked questions like “why can’t I just think of my address, so she could find me?” and Wayne had explained that it didn’t work like that. Thoughts were passed back and forth at moments it was needed – in times of excitement, or when we needed comfort, or to vent. There was some sort of neurological algorithm as to what thoughts were sent when.

*End Eddie’s POV*

You had started unpacking pretty much the second your parents agreed to let you make the basement your room. Your dad had even agreed to take you to the hardware store to pick up paint this weekend.

“You’ll start at the high school on Monday. The principal confirmed that he received your transcripts and all your credit hours transferred, so you’re right on track.” Your dad explained.

“Oh, awesome! Did he happen to send my schedule or anything so I could familiarize myself with it beforehand?” You asked.

Oh fuck…fuck, fuck, fuck! I am so late. O’Donnell is gonna kill me!

Your hand flew to your head, the volume of his thoughts brought forth a pounding in your head. They had never been this loud before.

“Bug? You okay?” Your dad looked concerned.

“Yeah, I’m okay! Just a headache. Too many thoughts in there I guess.” You chuckled lowly.

“Honey, was it his thought?” Your mom questioned.

You hadn’t told your parents much about your soulmate, only that you had been able to hear him and that he was, in fact, a him.  They had also been aware that you hadn’t been able to hear him lately – that was when your mom explained that your thought can sometimes drown out theirs.

“Yeah, it was and uh, I don’t know, I guess it was kinda loud.” You shrugged.

“How loud?” Your mom asked.

“I don’t know, loud enough to give me a headache. It was like he was in the room with me.” You looked at your parents, a knowing grin making its way onto each of their faces. “What?”

“Nothing bug. Let’s go see if your principle sent that schedule over.” Your dad wrapped his arm around your shoulders and pulled you into his side.

Monday morning had come way too soon, though you’d had an incredibly productive weekend. Your room was painted and decorated, you’d finished rereading The Hobbit and had begun rereading Pet Cemetery, you’d also memorized your class schedule.

Your dad dropped you off at school, he also told you he was planning to go and check out a car for you after his shift – that had left you pretty excited.

Finally! My own car!

The day was dragging on pretty slowly…truthfully you were ready for lunch.

Then Vecna will make a surprise return.

What the hell?

This campaign is going to be epic!

His thoughts had come and gone like this since you’d arrived in Hawkins. Just back and forth with random tidbits that left you more confused than anything.

The bell ringing had been your saving grace. It was finally time for lunch, and now you were feeling anxious again…where were you meant to sit?

You looked around and before you could take a step, a voice stopped you dead in your tracks.

Here we fucking go.

“We're the freaks because we like to play a fantasy game. But as long as you're into band or science ...or parties or a game where you toss balls into laundry baskets...”

God he’s hot.

“It's forced conforming. That's what's...killing the kids!”

Assholes.

Kids were either laughing at his outburst or calling him horrible names, but you just stood there. Could this really be him? This super-hot guy who just caused an entire scene in the cafeteria.

“Me, I am army-crawling my way toward a D in Ms. O'Donnell's. If I don't blow her final, I'm gonna walk that stage next month, I'm gonna look Principal Higgins dead in the eye, I'm gonna flip him the bird, I'm gonna snatch that diploma. I'm gonna run like hell outta here…This year is different. This year is my year.”

He took a step back and bumped right into you, but before you could fall to the ground, he grabbed your arm and pulled you up and against his chest.

Holy shit.

Holy shit.

You both let out a quiet chuckle.

All at once, colors were brighter, smells were sweeter, touches were softer. Everything came together in that moment; you couldn’t believe it. Here he was.

[sweetdispatch]

Who’s the boy? - C. Bedard

Next door hearts

pairing: Connor Bedard x Hughes!reader

summary: It's summer time and you need to face your brothers and admit to them who's your mysterious boyfriend

warning: swear word

words: 1.4k

note: finally the longer version! feel free to send more ideas to this AU🧸

---

Knowing that you’re gonna return to Chicago, you packed only essentials. All the clothes have at home and there’s no need to bring more. You were thankful that your parents helped you to rent an apartment and you don’t have to take all your belongings back home to bring them back after summer. Connor drove you to the airport and you felt bizarre. It was the first time in the 5 months since you knew each other you'll be apart for more than two weeks. 

“I don’t know if I want to go home” You admitted and Connor looked at you surprised.

“Why? I thought you miss your family” 

“I do but… I would love to spend these free months with you without worrying about our schedules” You sighed. 

“Hey” Connor grabbed your hand. “We’ll be back together soon. You can’t prioritisering me over your family. Look, you have to return in the middle of August to Chicago, I’ll fly there too and we can spent my last free weeks together” 

“I can’t ask you to do that. You have to spend as much time as you have with your family” You protested.

“It’s my decision and I already made up my mind about it” Connor said and you laughed.

“You’re ridiculous” You looked at him with love in your eyes. 

You walked out of the car and Connor went to grab your suitcase. You hugged him tightly and kissed him goodbye. You knew that you two would talk every single day for the next couple of months but you still didn’t want to leave him. You were well aware that you’ll miss him but that was also a learning experience for you. The whole time you were in the plane, you were thinking about your relationship with Connor and how to tell it to your brothers.

Thankfully, your parents came to pick you up from the airport and not your brothers. You ran towards them and hugged them. In all the craziness, you forgot about your parents and how much you missed them. You were excited to cook with your mom and golf with your dad. In the car, you break the news to them.

“I met a guy in Chicago and he asked me to be his girlfriend so basically I’m in a relationship” You said and your mum turned to face you.

“That’s amazing sweetie! Why didn't you bring him with you?” You mum asked and before you could answer your dad spoke. 

“I bet he’s a hockey player since you were working for them” You knew he said this as a joke but he was right.

“He is a hockey player and he wanted to spend time with his family” The car stopped at a red light and your dad turned to face you.

“Which one?” He said and you couldn’t recognize his voice. 

“Connor Bedard” Your dad turned away his eyes back on the road. “Are you mad?”

“No, I’m happy for you…” Before he could finish, your mum spoke.

“We’re happy for you and we can’t wait to meet him. Did you tell your brothers?”

“No and I’m scared to do it. You know how protective they are” Your mum laughed. 

“That’s their job, they’re your brothers and they don’t want you to get hurt” 

“I know, can you not tell them? I want to do it by myself when the time is right” 

“Sure sweetie but it’s better to do it fast before they’ll figure it out by themselves” Your mum said and you nodded. 

The rest of the drive you were telling your parents about Chicago and how life looks there. Before you could see, you already parked in the driveway and you left the car. You took a deep breath and walked into the house. Your brothers ran to the door to question you about your last instagram post but your mum stopped them. 

“Give her a break, she just arrived” You smiled at her and took your suitcase to your room. 

You laid in the bed and started thinking about how to break the news to your brothers. For now, you decided to keep your mouth shut. You thought to yourself that tomorrow you’ll tell them about everything. For now, you need to rest. You send a quick message to Connor that you’re at home. 

The next day, you woke up and decided to go for a run. It was your tradition during summer. Around 9AM, you left the house and after an hour you returned. You saw that your parents' car is not in the driveway which meant you’re alone with your brothers. The first thing after you opened the door was the smell of breakfast. Your brothers are up and you can’t escape them. Slowly, you walked into the kitchen and felt all eyes on you. 

“How was Chicago?” That's the first question you heard from Quinn when you entered the kitchen to grab a bottle of water from the fridge. You took a sip before you spoke.

“Great! I love the city and the job and…” You didn't finish your sentence because Jack interrupted you.

“Later you’ll tell us about it. We have more important things to discuss. What does the caption mean under your post?” Jack asked you.

“Umm… I meant that I fell in love with the city” You lied and judging by their faces, you knew they’re not buying this.

“Bullshit, tell the truth” Luke said and you were surprised at this outburst. You expected this from Jack, even Quinn but not Luke.

“Okay I have a boyfriend. Happy?” You were done with this conversation already and it hasn't even started. You walked out and started going upstairs. Your brothers followed you.

“Who’s the boy?” Quinn asked you and you took a deep breath.

“He’s my neighbour, his name is Connor” You told them, trying not to share the news that he’s a hockey player and keep it simple thinking that they’ll drop the topic. You entered your room to take clothes. 

“Like Connor Bedard? The one from the Blackhawks?” Jack asked you and you cursed under your nose. Of course they’ll connect that you said to them that you live next to the hockey player and work with the team.

“Yes” You confirmed and turned away to go into the bathroom.

“I’m cool with that” Luke replied and you looked shocked at him. That was not the reaction you expected from him, especially after his outburst earlier.

“Me too, he looks like a good guy” Quinn said it back and you froze in spot. You expected screaming from their side and they just accepted it. This felt bizarre for you.

“He better treat you right or I won’t be too careful on the ice towards him” Jack said and you laughed. Now that was the reaction you expected. 

“I’ll tell him that but Connor is treating me right. We’ve been friends for the past 5 months before he asked me to be his girlfriend. Actually he planned a super cute day for me before he even asked me the question. I’ve never been in such awe of a man” You replied, still replaying the day in your head.

“That's the most important thing, but as Jack said, he better not hurt you because we might not be too careful on the ice next time playing against Chicago” Quinn said and hugged you. You smiled, grateful that your brothers accepted Connor but also scared of them playing against Blackhawks next season. 

“Thanks guys, I appreciate it” You smiled at them. It wasn’t as scary as you thought. Went better than expected. 

“When can we meet him?” Jack asked out of nowhere. 

“Probably during the season” 

“Invite him over here, we need to meet him” Quinn said and you didn’t know what to say. 

“I don’t want to take away his time with his family” 

“Just a weekend. I bet he’ll be happy to see you” Jack said and you thought about it for a minute.

“I’ll talk with him later, okay?” All three of them nodded. “Can I take a shower now?” 

“Yes but don’t you think that you’ll get away with telling us how Chicago had been treating you” Luke replied and all of them left your room. You smiled to yourself.

[beannoss]

Do you ever think about how Endo said something like, "Fans think Twilight is kind, but I think he's actually matter of fact" and like... the profound philosophy of that?

Let's take it as writ: Twilight isn't kind, he is matter of fact.

And yet, that matter-of-factness manifests in ways that are, almost unerringly, kind. He values consent, he values empowerment for those around him (with some limits, if they impinge on his mission), he privately espouses and practices other values that align with progressive ideologies, like feminism and the rights of the child. Obviously he's 100% antifa and anti-war. One could argue (and perhaps this is what Endo means) that Twilight makes those decisions because they often result in the path of least resistance, making his job easier. And okay, maybe. Except that we're given to understand that the usual company Twilight keeps whilst on missions are the worst of the worst of people; and we've also seen that decisions along the lines of his values, when done publicly, can actually harm his missions (thinking, for instance, of the Eden interview; Henderson intervened on the Forger's behalf, of course, but that was essentially dumb luck). I think it's also true that we're meant to infer that before Strix, he'd started to become cynical or hardened (I often think of his initial reaction to seeing the old woman robbed, that his knee-jerk response is "She should have been more careful" and only when Yor directs her outrage in the right direction does his perspective shift/his compass correct). Even taking that as it is, his values quickly flow to the surface, so they can't have been that deeply buried, only needing someone to tap the ice to let the water flow. (have i lost the metaphor? nvm, you get me)

He lost everything and for a time he poured that devastating loss into destruction and wrath; watched how that did nothing but create more loss and more destruction and more wrath, and instead turned the devastating loss into what is, arguably, a profound act of love. It's complicated, of course, his turn to spying and the sacrifices he made and makes, and the motivations he has and the motivations he tells himself. But also, foundationally, to dedicate oneself to the betterment of society, in this case the eradication of war, because one wants to stop the suffering, is an act of love.

So circling back to Endo. We take as writ that Twilight is not kind; he is matter-of-fact. Taking who he is on the whole, the values he practices and those he prizes, the actions he takes and how they can be perceived, and one must conclude that to be matter-of-fact by Endo's metric is to act in ways which are perceivable as kind, compassionate, progressive and loving.

And I don't want to get too far down the track of how men are often written, particularly men of the archetype from which Twilight (superficially) comes, and certainly the archetype on which Endo is riffing (maybe more accurately, subverting?). But it is true that such a leading man is rare; to conceptualise their interiority in such a way is vanishingly rare. And I think it goes a long way, actually, to explain the tone of SpyxFamily overall.

No idea if this makes any sense but it's been eating my brain for weeks and I just had to get it out!

[miniwheat77]

Brat. (dbf!Captain Price x Reader.)

!CW! NSFW, Smut, oral sex (f receiving), using worms as bait, age gap, (sorry if I missed any)

Your body feels warm, the hot sun beating down on you as you swam with one of your friends in her swimming pool. You had one as well but her parents weren't as strict as yours so you spent most of your time there.

You had just turned 18 but since you still lived with them for the time being you had no other choice but to follow their rules. You still had a curfew, had to tell them when and where you were going and what time you would be home. They still had to approve of it of course. Although they rarely ever told you no anymore since you were 18.

Your dad sat at an old wooden bar in and old dive bar him and his best friend, John Price liked to hang out in. They've been neighbors for years and years and it's essentially how their friendship started. They spent every holiday, game day, barbecue, and family get together with each other since then. They got along well, never fought. John was invited to everything and since he didn't have a family of his own it wasn't too hard for him to show. He wasn't married, had no kids, and lived too far away from his parents and siblings to plan the flights. He also didn't know when he'd be deployed but since he took on a job on the base and was only backup for missions, he was always home. Usually worked a 9-5 on the base. It was out of the ordinary for him and apart of him felt useless but it paid the bills. He was still there if they needed him anyways.

You dad was tipping the whiskey back like it was water which only meant one thing. Something was stressing him out.

John smiles after drinking some of his own bourbon. "Something going on mate?" He asks your dad. "Ah yeah. Y/N has been driving me crazy lately." He groans. "Me and her mom." He laughs. John tilts his head in confusion. "What's been going on?" He asks. "If you don't mind me asking of course."

"To be honest? I don't know. She's just been a real grouch lately. Has an attitude, doesn't listen, complains all the time. We've given her much more freedom since she turned 18 so I'm not sure where it's coming from." He shrugs. John nods his head. He's still listening. "I mean.. we convinced her to go to the doctor to get a few scans and blood work done, thinking maybe it was hormone imbalance or a mood disorder but those all came back fine and seemed to piss her off even more to be honest." He shrugs. "She got something going on in her personal life? Maybe she's fighting with a friend or boyfriend?" John asks. Your dad shakes his head. "She hates guys her age. Hates pretty much everyone she isn't close with anyways. She always said she won't date until she's older after her first boyfriend but I mean. She was like 12 so it was stupid anyways. She's only got a couple close friends and that's where she is right now. I don't know what it is." He tips back another shot of whiskey.

"Must just be moody. Maybe you guys should come out to the lake with me this weekend. I’m taking the boat out.” He shrugs. “Yeah that sounds good.” Your dad smiles. “Maybe getting out of the house will help her out.” He shrugs.

“I don’t know, I just know she’s in my damn nerves.” He laughs. Once they finish up their drinks, they part ways. Driving down the same roads to get home since they were neighbors. They’d usually carpool together but they’d met after work. When your dad arrives home, you’re home already. Watching a show on the couch. He closes the door behind him as he steps inside, smiling when he sees you. “Hey. John invited us out to go fishin this weekend. I said we’d go.” He smiles. “Do I have to?” You mumble. “Yes.” A grumble leaves your lips. “I’m not sure what the attitude is but it better quit young lady.” You roll your eyes, going upstairs to your room. Throwing yourself back on your bed with a groan.

—

John smiles at your dad, he’s sitting up at the front of the boat. You’re laying on your stomach, bikini leaving little to the eyes, you’ve got a pair of sunglasses on and you haven’t spoken much the entire trip. “John, you mind letting me off at the doc? I’m gonna go get another case of beer.” He nods his head, starting up the boat and making his way to shore. He lets your dad off, letting him know he’s going to go back out with you and to let him know when to come get him. When he’s back out on the lake and the anchor is down, he flips his hat around. Scooping up some water with his hand and flicking it all over you. He draws a gasp from your lips and you turn around, “John what the hell!” You gasp. Wiping the water down. “Cmon kid. You’re driving your poor ol’ man nuts. What’s with the attitude?” He crosses his arms, lazy smile playing at his lips. “I don’t have an attitude. Why does everyone keep saying that?” You roll your eyes. “Oh come on. The eye rolling, talking back, ignoring people when they talk to you. Being a real brat little lady.” He teases. You grumble, laying back down. “Nope. Cmon. You’re gonna try fishing. You’ll have fun.” He picks up a fishing pole. “We’re using worms. I mean.. you can use power bait but the stocked fished are smaller than natural spawn fish. It’s up to you.” He shrugs, holding out the styrofoam container that has the worms in it. You sigh, taking it from him. “You want me to show you how to put a worm on?” He asks. “Yeah sure.” You mumble. “Alright, here. You basically just thread it through the top.” You watch him hook the worm and thread it on, watching as it squirms. You take the pole from him, casting it out into the water and waiting.

Pretty soon, there’s a boat full of younger guys creeping up near you. They cat call you, yelling out obscenities at you. You ignore them, rolling your eyes. John is a little amused because he knows what your dad has said about guys your age and how you hate dating. They leave just as quickly as they come. “Can we just home? This is boring.” You roll your eyes. “No, not until we catch some fish.” He laughs.

This is where he starts to see it.

When you think he’s not paying attention, you’re adjusting yourself. Sliding awkwardly on the seat, rubbing up against your fishing pole for any sort of friction. Acting more and more bratty as the time ticks on. It’s amusing to John really, to see just how frustrated you are. “Where is my dad? He’s been gone a long time.” John shrugs. He pulls out his phone. He notices a text from your dad, seeing that he’s received a text from him a few minutes before.

You mind giving Y/N a lift home? Her mom texted me and said she took a bad fall at work and is in the ER.

Yeah no problem at all, see you later mate.

“He said your mum fell at work so he’s going to go see if she’s okay. It’s just me and you kid.” John sits down. “So we can go home now?” You ask. “No.” He laughs. You mutter something under your breath. He laughs. Your fishing pole bobbing startles you and John perks up. "You got a fish!" You set the hook, yanking the fishing pole and starting to reel it in. The fish puts up a pretty good fight and when you reel it closer to the boat, John scoops it up with the fishing net for you. Helping you get it off the hook. "Look at that darling." He smiles as you pick it up. "Good girl, see? This is fun." He smiles. His statement takes you off guard, cheeks heating up. "Uh.. Yeah. Whatever." You shut down quickly. He thinks it's odd at first. Once you've thrown the fish back into the water, he sits down across from you at the front of the boat.

He looks around, making sure no one else is around. “Look. I know what’s going on.” He smiles. “Yeah? And what’s that?” You look at him. “Well.. I’m putting two and two together here. The attitude, the never wanting to go out.” He smirks. You look up at him. “I mean.. you’ve been grinding up against your fishing pole since I gave it to you. Rubbing your thighs together when that boat full of guys came by.” Your lips part slightly, cheeks going red. "And when I called you a good girl." He chuckles, seeing how you start to squirm from his watchful eyes on you. “Do you not know how to make yourself cum sweetheart?” He laughs. "T-that's inappropriate John." You look away from his gaze, thankful your sunglasses help conceal your embarrassment. He laughs. "Oh come on, what your dad doesn't know won't hurt him, besides. You've been on his nerves lately and if I help you out, maybe he won't be so stressed out. So talk to me." He smiles. You stay quiet and he moves across the boat, sitting right next to you, throwing an arm over your shoulders. "You can talk to me darling. I can help you." Your heart rate picks up, it's racing in your chest. "I.. I don't know what you want me to say." You breathe. You're one step away from panting at his close proximity. The only thing you can think about are his hands on you. "Have you ever had sex before?" He asks. You shake your head. "Have you.. done anything at all?" You shake your head again. "I've tried to it myself but it makes it worse." You look down at your hands nervously playing with them.

He smiles. Right now, John is thankful there is a room below on his boat. "I can show you." He rests his hand on your thigh, feeling you stiffen up under his touch. "O-okay." You breathe. "Come on." He grasps your hand. There aren't many boats left on the water, it's getting late in the day and everyone is going home thankfully, you might get a little loud. He pulls you down the small set of stairs into the cabin of the boat. It's really small. He makes sure to wash his hands before he touches you, having you do the same.

There's a small bed and a table and chairs and that's it. "Lay on your back." You swallow hard, getting up onto the bed. His deep voice has your clit throbbing at the attention it knows it's about to get. You're sure you've soaked through your panties. He leans onto the bed, helping you remove your bathing suit. When your bottom half is exposed to him, he wants to drool. "God you're beautiful." He groans. He glides his hands down your exposed thighs, causing chills to rise on your skin. You're panting now, small gasps leaving your lips. "Relax." He chuckles. "I'm going to help you, try to calm down sweetheart. You're too eager." He runs his fingertips over your skin, his touch is searing, it burns your skin as his fingers move across you. You want his hands on you. You want them inside of you. He takes a deep breath of his own, trying to ignore the way his cock throbs against his cargo shorts. "Start slow. Little circles on your clit." He reaches forward. "Like this." He breathes. He uses his thumb, rubbing circles over you. Your lips part slightly, a whimper leaving your lips. It’s different when he’s touching you. You can feel your lower stomach swirling, something is building already. “You try.” He draws his hand away. Resting your hand over your mound, rubbing circles over your clit just as he said. The sensation is gone just as fast as it came, causing you to whimper out at the loss, your touch feels like nothing. You draw your hand away. “This isn’t going to work John, it doesn’t work.” You blush.

You try to sit up but he pushes you back. “Have you ever cum before?” He asks. You shake your head. “Oh darling.. no wonder you’re so bratty.” He smiles. “All of that sexual tension and no way to release it. Poor thing.” He’s teasing you, but at the same time actually feels really bad. He knows it’s harder for you to cum. “Stop it John.” You try to push him off, tears gathering in your eyes from frustration. “I’m just teasing darling, let me help you.” He moves himself up further, grasping your thighs and pulling you down on the bed further, you let your head rest back on the pillow, looking up at the ceiling. The boat rocks back and fourth over the water. You’re nervous. You don’t know what he’s going to do to you. He moves himself between your legs, and you don’t understand what's going on until you feel something warm and wet against your entrance. You lift your head up, jumping at the sensation. “Oh f-fuck!” You gasp. He glances up at you. He’s still got his hat on, but he’s flipped it backward by now. Giving himself room to devour you. He moans into your opening, you taste sweet. You’re breathing hard, clutching at the sheets as he flicks his tongue over your clit. He starts slow, letting your sensitive nub get used to the sensation of his tongue, not wanting to overwhelm you. You clutch at the sheets, melting further and further into him as he laps at your entrance with his tongue. It's clear that he's had a fair share of experience. You feel something building in your stomach and you know you're about to cum.

You're getting louder and louder, crying out his name and he's never imagined himself in such a position.

This is just to help her dad, so that he isn't so stressed out.

That's all.

John rocks his hips into the bed, cock hard and throbbing against his shorts. Begging for some kind of friction. He imagines your pretty lips around his cock, maybe your pretty eyes looking up at him as you take him further down your throat. He groans into you earning another moan from your lips. When you're wet enough from his spit and your arousal, he slides a couple of his fingers into you. Feeling you tense up around him, all of the air leaving your lungs, you've never had anything inside before and he can't help but smile into you.

He sucks against your clit, swirling his tongue around it, you're squirming, struggling to stay still beneath him, even his grip on you doesn't keep you completely still. He sucks your clit into his mouth one more time, lapping his tongue over you, his fingers curling into the sweet spot inside of you and you lose it, lips parting as moans leave your lips. A mewl leave your lips and you squirm out of his grasp as he desperately laps up your arousal from your orgasm. You push him away, closing your legs. You're looking at him with a look of pure shock, panting, a little sweaty. The look you're giving him it's unsettling how fucked out you look. He wipes his lips of you, looking up at you. "Do you feel better?" He laughs. You nod your head. "Good. Try to relax." He smiles. "Still got about an hour of light left, let's make it worth while and try to catch some fish yeah?" He smiles, standing up. When he's out of your line of sight, he sucks the taste of you off of his fingers. Groaning at himself.

What has he just gotten himself into?

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Leona Kingscholar - Platinum Jacket Vignette

"Happy 100th Anniversary"

[Land of Dawning – National Museum of Art]

Leona: Who'd've thought I'd get to lay my eyes on paintings that I've only ever seen in artbooks like this…?

Leona: That's the Land of Dawning's National Museum of Art, for ya. This'll probably be good for perusing.

???: Heey, the King of Beasts's got a great lookin' mug in this painting.

Floyd: I wonder what's goin' on? Oh hey, Sea Lion-senpai, you tell me.

Leona: Huh? Why should I have to explain anything to you?

Floyd: 'Cause you're right here. But hey, if you don't know nothin' about it, that's cool too?

Leona: Tch… Fine, whatever, just don't start something annoying. You better get lost after this.

Leona: In order for him to establish his ideal nation, he required cooperation from the hyenas…

Leona: Once he came to that conclusion, he himself went to where the hyenas lived in order to negotiate with them.

Leona: There, he spoke at length as to how he could best utilize their strengths and abilities. This painting depicts that scene.

Floyd: Uh-huh. 'N so, what'd the hyenas do? They just went along with what the King of Beasts said without causin' a fuss?

Leona: The hyenas were already pretty hated. And the king was offering a trusted position directly under him.

Leona: It was a tremendous boon for the hyenas, from their perspective. So, of course they took him up on his offer.

Leona: He didn't let what society thought of them sway him, instead he gave jobs to each hyena as what suited their individual abilities…

Leona: This single moment shows just how accomplished the King of Beasts was as a ruler.

Floyd: You think so? I know I wouldn't like having someone sizin' me up and choosing what I gotta do～

Leona: It's the same with sports, ain't it?

Leona: Imagine having a good shooter stuck on defense, or a spindly guy on offense…

Leona: If the team goes along with a coach that gives asinine directions like that, they'd lose even the easiest of matches.

Leona: That goes for both you all in the basketball club, as well as us in the Spelldrive club.

Leona: Anyone can be useful, even if they don't have the constitution or strength.

Leona: For example, if you got a guy who's got nimble fingers, you just gotta put 'em where they can steal the ball or disc from the opponent.

Leona: Then, you use someone who can stay in control of game and send them towards the goal.

Leona: There's no need to have everyone rushing around the field. Any number of tactics can be used to score goals.

Floyd: I get what you're sayin, sure, but whaddya do if your teammates don't listen to what you say?

Floyd: See, I don’t like doin' anything if it's boring, y'know. There's tons of times I get bored in the middle of a basketball game, too.

Leona: Heheh. What, they not giving you any rewards over there in the basketball club?

Floyd: Eh, you saying the Spelldrive club gets somethin' for winning?

Leona: That's right. We get the finest reward one could ask for:

Leona: Victory.

Leona: Our club runs on the merit system. Anyone who can't show their worth during a match gets dropped from the starting team…

Leona: But with just a bit of effort, anyone can get their chance in the spotlight and even find their names on the lips of people outside this academy.

Leona: Plus, this school throws a lot of support towards the Spelldrive team, so even certain grades can be overlooked from time to time.

Leona: Essentially that means each one of our victories matter much more than any of the other athletic clubs' wins.

Floyd: Hmmm… I thought you guys in the Spelldrive club were a bunch of try-hards, so I didn't think I'd like it, but I'm likin' the sound of that merit system.

Floyd: Maybe I'll join the Spelldrive club too. Don'tcha think I'd be great at it?

Leona: No way, absolutely not. …Also, how long you plannin' on following me? I'm already done explaining things, hurry up and leave me alone, already.

[Land of Dawning – National Museum of Art]

Floyd: Mmkay, next. What's this painting?

Leona: [sigh]… This painting's showing the Thorn Fairy's men all celebrating their master's endeavors.

Floyd: They're, what… dancing around a green fire? Looks kinda like a campfire! Bet they're havin' fun～

Leona: True, they look pretty carefree. Seems like the Thorn Fairy's subordinates don't mind doin' menial tasks.

Floyd: Menial tasks…? Oh, right, there's a ton of cleanup to do after making a fire, or something like that, huh.

Leona: An astute observation, little merling. I'd expect nothing less from someone so naïve in the intricacies of fire.

Leona: Here on the surface, even the smallest flame can grow into a blaze with a little mismanagement.

Leona: Especially in places where the air is dryer… like where I come from in the Sunset Savanna.

Leona: It's not that bad during the rainy season, but there's gotta be extra caution thrown to the wind during dry season. As a precaution, we've enacted regular fire drills.

Floyd: Uh-huuuh. Didja do those fire drills too, Sea Lion-senpai?

Leona: Yeah. Like I said, fire can be a matter of life or death in my country. That's why those fire drills are essential services.

Leona: It's a pain, but the royal family's gotta do it, to set a good example for our people.

Leona: Since a majority of the country get together to observe, it's basically just another huge traditional event at this point.

Leona: Although… Let's just say there's been times that I've had other things on my plate that I completely forgot to take part.

Floyd: Mhhmm… And so, what all do ya do during those drills?

Leona: To be perfectly frank, it's basically getting practice in with handling water. A buncha people'll hold onto a large hose and put out a huge fire in real time.

Floyd: Wow, that's lamer than I thought. Doesn't sound like much fun to just watch happen.

Leona: Oh, not at all. It's not so bad if you're just there to watch it go down.

Floyd: Eh, whyzzat?

Leona: Because they get to witness the glorious scene of the royal family being tossed around by a giant hose.

Leona: You might think that'll invigorate the gathered public, seeing how willing we are to risk their life for the country…

Leona: But if you ask me, I think there's something more to it.

Leona: People can see them in regal attire caked in dirt, and their miserable faces all swollen from the smoke in their eyes…

Leona: They can even see those well-groomed manes completely sopping wet and pathetic. I bet it bring a gleam of joy to them all, heh.

Floyd: Heh, Sea Lion-senpai, I see right through you. You say you'd sometimes forget, but you def haven't been takin' part in it for a while, haven'tcha?

Leona: Well now, who can say?

[Land of Dawning – National Museum of Art]

Floyd: Hey, I think this is a painting of when the Sorcerer of the Sands got his hands on a magic lamp.

Floyd: He looks like he's havin' the time of his life. Most of the Sorcerer's paintings are of him lookin' real smart and proper, so this one's kinda cool and different.

Leona: This tale is of one where he finally achieved his heart's desire after a long and difficult journey. No wonder he'd be ecstatic.

Floyd: You mean he worked super hard for that single lamp? Bet all the trouble he went through to get there was fun, at least.

Floyd: It's boring if you can just easily snag something you want. The more you want something, the more it's worth tryin' to get it.

Leona: Makes sense to me. So what, when I saw you slackin' off the other day, that was you trying your darndest to get class credit, or something?

Floyd: You're one to talk. 'Specially since you skip class waaaay more than I do.

Floyd: Wait, so you were in the botanical garden then too, huh. You shoulda said something, we coulda been skiving buddies～

Leona: Unlike you, I ain't all that impressed with conversation. I was taking a snooze in the tree shade.

Leona: I'd just found a good place to get some shut-eye, I ain't looking to waste time on idle prattle.

Leona: I prefer a quieter, cooler, more comfortable place…

Leona: Now, that would be a place worth sleepin' in.

Floyd: Ahah, that's some stuff to be picky about when you're just plannin' on sleeping there.

Leona: I ain't asking for much. At the very least, all I need is for you to not be there.

Leona: Trying to sleep somewhere noisy'll affect my sleep quality.

Floyd: What, you saying there's different types of sleep, now? Doesn't seem like where or how ya sleep really changes anything to me.

Leona: I am much more of a delicate being than you are, is all. If the quality of my sleep ain't pristine, then it'll slow down my thinking processes.

Leona: I ain't gonna be happy if I can't be quick on my feet and some conniving sneak tries to get the better of me.

Leona: At the very least, I make sure to increase the quality of sleep I can get in my room by taking precautions.

Floyd: Huh, like what?

Leona: I'd roll out a rug under my bed, for one. Even just doin' that'll keep the noise coming from the floor below to a minimum.

Leona: You got all the freshmen, four to a room. There's fighting and arguing over their personal space almost on a daily basis.

Leona: And it wouldn't do 'em any good if I were to intervene on their behalf every time they got in a tussle, right?

Leona: That's why I try a buncha different things to help keep the volume down. It's for all our sakes.

Floyd: You say it's for your underclassmen, but you're just doin' it to get some nappin' in.

Leona: Oh me, oh my. How absolutely wretched that you cannot even see just how loving and kind of an upperclassman I am.

Floyd: Uh-huh, sure… Anyway, I'm gettin' bored lookin' at all these paintings. I think I'll go look around elsewhere.

[Floyd leaves]

Leona: Yeah, yeah, get outta my sight already. Geez, his attention turns on a dime. Whatever, I guess I'll also… Hm?

Leona: This artwork depicts the scene where the King of Lions introduces his newly born cub to his people. Well now, what an absolutely cheerful looking spectacle.

Leona: When their belief in a future filled with hope is suddenly overtaken by despair…

Leona: I feel like I would be able to say this from the bottom of my heart: …Long live the king.

Requested by @farfalla049 and @sakurakudo.

[elvensorceress]

tuesday teases

Haven’t been around in a million years but the show baited me with delicious Eddie angst. So. Hello lovely little gay people in my phone. Would you like some Tuesday fic teases?

@tizniz @hippolotamus @chaosandwolves @inell @smilingbuckley @spotsandsocks @daffi-990 @exhuastedpigeon @blutterlie @thelikesofus @ronordmann @dr-shortsighted-owl @lovecolibri @eddiebabygirldiaz @fiona-fififi @thekristen999

Here’s the ridiculous boys after the realtor phone call meeting…

“She probably wasn’t thinking anything one way or the other. She’s just focused on her job and finding us— me. Me, technically. A house.”

No. Not just Eddie. Their house. It would be theirs. Even if Buck isn’t there. Even if he never steps one foot into it. Eddie’s home is still Buck’s home. That won’t change. Ever.

But he can’t say that. How does he say that?

He gets up from the couch and grabs his empty mug. “You still want to make snickerdoodles? Or some other cookie? Or, what did you call it? Cake masquerading as loaf bread?” Eddie doesn’t wait for an answer. He goes into the kitchen and gets out the stash of flour he’s recently acquired.

He stocked up. Just in case. Can’t have the alternative of Buck without his baking.

Eddie sets one of the ten pound bags on the counter then grabs a pack of butter and the carton of eggs from the fridge and finds the measuring cups and spoons in their drawer. The basket Buck made years ago during quarantine is next. It holds the vanilla, the baking powder and soda, various flavored extracts, finishing salt, molasses, packets of instant yeast, chocolate chips, other baking essentials. He takes the jar of cinnamon from the spice rack in the cupboard, goes to put it with everything, but finds Buck staring from the kitchen doorway.

He looks too wistful. Too heartbroken. And all Eddie can offer is a kitchen and ingredients. He doesn’t have anything else.

Was it really that much of a loss? They were only together for six months. Did Buck really want to spend his life with the guy? It couldn’t have been that serious. It never is.

None of the people Buck’s dated are good enough for him.

Maybe Buck isn’t thinking of his ex right now. Maybe he’s thinking about the kid who was like a son to him.

Or the whole Eddie moving to El Paso thing. He seems fine, for the most part. He’s helping. But that’s what Buck does. He helps. He supports. Even when he shouldn’t.

But Buck has bad relationships to get over. He’s not really thinking about Eddie or Eddie’s problems. He’s focusing on a task so that his mind doesn’t wander where it shouldn’t.

Buck would be fine without Eddie. Hell, he’s probably better off. Or he will be.

Eddie asks too much of him. He takes up too much of Buck's time with his issues.

Eddie looks through the little stock pile he’s put together. “Anything else you need?”

Buck looks, stands beside him, and answers, “Sugar?”

Sugar.

Eddie’s stomach twists. It’s not a pet name. It’s an answer. Not a term of endearment. Answer. And of course it slipped Eddie’s mind. Why wouldn’t something that huge and essential be missing from his offering. He should have some though. Buried in the back of the pantry. He finds white, brown, and confectioner’s, and adds them to the supply. “All yours. Whatever you want to make. I’ll run to the store and get more if you need anything. We should have plenty of flour though. I got you five bags.”

Buck’s head snaps toward him. “Five bags? You got me five bags of flour? Like, two pound ones, right? Or the five pounders?”

Eddie shakes his head and gestures. “No, the tens. Like that one.”

“You bought me fifty pounds of flour?”

“Well, you’re the one who decided his coping mechanism was snickerdoodles and sourdough. I’m just being supportive. Since you’re my wingman and I’m yours or whatever you said when you stole my tablet and my realtor call.”

Buck huffs but smirks. “More like saved your call.”

More like saved Eddie’s everything but who’s counting?

[raybeam-littlebean]

I saw a post some time ago (wish so much that I had reposted it then) that said something along the line of this:

"If you're going to make Bruce out to be a bad father and how all his wrongs, then you can't have Alfred being the greatest person in the world. That you must expose him as well."

Paraphrasing, of course, but it was essentially the post. And then it goes on to point out many of Alfred's flaws and actions he's done repeatedly that bathe him in a less than saintly light. We all give the man a pass, no war in Ba Sing Se, but I feel like we need to judge everyone.

So I say it with my chest, Bruce Wayne was a bad father. Terrible even. Stuck between mentor and father figure he didn't even want to be. Just like Alfred, but worse in a way. He fucked those kids up. And I don't care how DC writes him, I will never forgive him. And sure, I will see some media of "good dad Bruce" and I smile and like it, but still. I know in my heart, this is a terrible father. Is he a bad person? Probably not. Is he doing his best? Probably. But if that's his best, I'd hate to see his worst.

And Alfred. Stuck between butler and guardian. He fed into Bruce's delusions and self destruction, until it might cost Bruce his life, then Alfred would step in. After all, if the master was dead he'd be out of a job. And everything else he has done, too much to name. But the unforgivable one being what he put of Jason's head stone.

Clark doesn't get a pass either. Bouncing blue boy scout, count your fucking days. He sees life in black and white, thinking that because Conner was made by the "bad guy" he must be bad. Even after everyone finally "accepted him" he STILL felt alienated and it was because of Clark. No amount of back pedaling will get me to overlook that. For a man that sees everything as a definite right and wrong, he makes a lot of wrong choices when it comes to his children.

And Oliver. I hate you. Death by firing squad at sunset. I will take care of Roy, better than you ever could.

This was a DC parent hate post brought to you by blurred morals and my own hate for my parental figures

[marleemutt]

TLDR: im a black trans artist who can use some help right now following the sudden passing of my only sister - her doberman is now the responsibility of my parents and we can use help for his food, supplements, toys etc.

Kofi (help me send Chewy orders to my parent's house)

Wishlist (literally send him things like toys, treats, etc.)

⬇️ more info ⬇️

hey guys

some of you might be aware of this already, but early October, my eldest sibling & only sister suddenly passed away due to a seizure, she had been dealing with epilepsy her whole life.

this has been incredibly difficult for me, and my family. her passing was incredibly sudden, she was only 30.

for the past month or so ive been struggling to find any motivation to draw, and barely able to work.

she was the incredibly devoted owner of a doberman named Remi(Ramsey). Me and my sister traveled 4 hours to pick him up three years ago. He's a goofball who tears up socks and needs constant supervision. My parents love him, but I can tell he is a lot of work for two people who have fulltime jobs and have lived long lives.

I'm going to try to help them take care of him as much as possible, I feel that it's the least we can do to honor my sister's memory, since she loved him so deeply.

My sister always wanted a doberman, for years she would watch videos about dobermans and talk about them to anyone who would listen.

Remi wasn't easy to raise - I shared a room with my sister when she got him in 2020, she still worked a 9-5, five days a week, so I was his nanny for most of his difficult childhood. I was his chew toy for the first year of his life about - but that only made him bond closer to me. If he wasn't following my sister, I was choice #2. Dobermans are "velcro dogs", they were bred to guard their owners, and because of this, they are fiercely loyal. I've been moved out of my parent's place for going on 3 years, and my sister had just moved with Remi out a few months prior to her passing.

A week before my sister's sudden passing, we had to board Remi at my dog daycare job while my family and I took a trip out of state. When dropping him off, although he was happy to see me again for the first time in months, the moment my sister turned her back to him he began to panic. He got through the boarding all right but my coworkers told me he would cry and wait by the door for me or her. When my sister picked him up, they said he jumped all 80+lbs into her arms.

Since my sister's passing, Remi has been directionless. He's with my family, people he trusts, but he's bored, confused, and heartbroken. My sister would often take him to the dog park, social events, on runs, etc. but my parent's can't do that in their age. If my apartment allowed large dogs, I would take him, but I can't, and I see him maybe twice a month if possible.

Ramsey's Christmas List

I made a christmas list for him of things that might help my parents better take care of him. We're trying different food brands out because he struggles with frequent stomach issues, and we can't seem to figure out what food my sister was feeding him. This list is by no means a necessity for him, but I tried to add things to help with his boredom and keep him stimulated when my parents can't give him all their attention.

i do want to state that my family is capable of providing him with the essentials to live, we arent irresponsible. i would just like to help my parents out since a 3 year old 80-90lb doberman is a lot of work to be suddenly placed on them soley. And I worry for his health and well-being sometimes - Remi has a tendency to eat/tear random objects when he's bored.

please consider donating whatever you can. Everything goes directly to him.

thank you for taking the time to read this, and possibly reblog if possible. ❤️

[danieyells]

hi there,

thank you so much for all the voicelines you post !! if it’s okay, can i request subaru’s ?

thank you again !

You're welcome! At some point I might go back and put in the ones I leave out because they don't appeal to me as much lol but since i always end up posting 99% of them anyway I think it's enough for most people hahaha. It's all of them now! Sorry for the delay.

I WAS GONNA OMIT ONE OR TWO BECAUSE OF SPOILERS but eh i'll just warm for like. extra spoilers. since after doing more code peeking it wasn't the spoiler i thought it was. SUBARU IS A SWEETIE THOUGH. I also read Subaru's chats which were put in the code recently and. Man this guy needs anxiety meds. I have a small guess as to what his stigma is, but we'll learn in a few days anyway.

Hello: (the first time the game is opened after that character is set as home screen NPC. Only happens once per day, unless the character is switched out and back.)

"I'm very sorry to have kept you waiting. It's wonderful to see you again."

You've Got Mail: (whenever there's something in the inbox, usually Arena rewards)

"It looks like there's a notice for you. I'd be happy to go pick it up for you if you've got your hands full. Oh, forgive me if I'm overstepping."

oh no he's anxious about helping--

Default: (requires no affinity, has no time constraints)

"I really am so lucky to be surrounded by so many kind people like you."

"I never thought I'd get the chance to enjoy the lifestyle of a student until I came to Darkwick. Every day truly is fulfilling here."

it feels like subaru is like. . .the only one who actually enjoys school life here. . .or who really enjoys being here period lmao. . . .

"You think I'm always smiling? Ha ha, I hear that a lot. It just happens when I'm around all of you."

"I may be the captain, but it's just in name. I think Haku is much better suited for the job than me."

"I've been working since I was four, so people often said I was mature for my age. But the truth is, I've still got a lot to learn."

that makes two characters whose parents have essentially been keeping them from normal life and normal childhood for work reasons since they were four year olds. . . .

Affinity 1: (between 5am and 11am)

"I tend to just have hot water for breakfast. I know it would be better for me to eat a proper meal, but it's just so much effort."

DO WE REALLY HAVE TO START WITH "I NEED THE GHOULS TO EAT PROPER FUCKIN MEALS". . . .

Affinity 2: (between 11am and 4pm)

"I'm sorry I'm so late. The campus is so crowded I can never manage to walk in a straight line, so it always takes me longer than I think. Silly, isn't it?"

baby you're hardly the first person i've met with anxiety about crowds. you're fine.

Affinity 3: (between 4pm and 8pm)

"What would I do without Haku's help? Hotarubi would be a mess without him."

Affinity 4: (between 8pm and 5am)

"I wonder if I should apply early to take out any common artifacts I might need for this mission. I'll ask Haku what he thinks..."

Affinity 5: (between 8pm and 5am)

"Ah!  You surprised me there... I just got back from a small errand. Do you need something?"

Affinity 6: (between 4pm and 8pm)

"Ever since I was a child, the performing arts were my only focus. Maybe that's why people always say my mannerisms are so peculiar. It bothers you too, doesn't it?"

poor boy doesn't know how to act if he isn't acting. . .he doesn't know how to exist off-script. . .no wonder he made a deal with a demon. it's probably the first thing he's ever done for himself.

Affinity 7: (between 11am and 4pm)

"I'd like to go to the cafeteria, but the line is always so long. I feel bad taking time to choose while people are waiting behind me. The bar of entry feels a little high."

i am once again suggesting subaru get anxiety meds. hell go to sinnostra and get some weed, i bet they sell that. i hear it can help.

Affinity 8: (between 4pm and 8pm)

"I'm just about to go and meet a friend. I hate to inconvenience you like this, but if it's something urgent, could you speak to Haku about it instead?"

Affinity 9: (between 8pm and 5am)

"What am I going to do? We're supposed to be meeting up in an hour... If I cancel now, they'll hate me..."

Affinity 10: (between 10pm and midnight)

"Whew... I'll walk you back to your house, {PC}. Oh, it's no problem at all, I assure you! I wanted some fresh air anyway."

Affinity 11: (between 5am and 11am)

"I have an Anomalous Ecology test coming up. It's such a fascinating subject, I couldn't help but stay up all night studying. Now I'm a little sleep-deprived."

Affinity 12: (between 11am and 4pm)

"I'm going to stretch my legs a little. I might not have a show to practice for right now, but I need to keep putting myself through my paces. I'll get rusty otherwise."

Affinity 13: (between 4pm and 8pm)

"I'm sorry my phone's been making so much noise. I recently downloaded an app by mistake, and it won't stop sending me notifications..."

awww he's also technologically incompetent. . .poor guy was probably raised with such a heavy focus on his career he just. never needed a smartphone. anyone he needed to contact or who needed to contact him was probably always very close by. it sounds like he didn't even properly go to school before going to Darkwick. Somebody please take this boy on a walk. like anywhere. take him to a library. buy him a churro. can sho make churros? this is somebody who's never had any sort of normal social experience and sees how different he is and wishes it weren't the case, unlike Ritsu who assumes everyone else is like him, i think he'd like to have some more Experiences.

Affinity 14: (between 5am and 11am)

"... ...Oh! Hello, {PC}—I didn't even notice you there. My mind was somewhere else."

Affinity 15: (between 5am and 11am)

"Good morning! Sorry? My hair's messy? You're right, it's sticking right up at the front... That's embarrassing. I'll fix it right away."

Affinity 16: (between 11am and 4pm)

"I usually have lunch in the dormitory. I do eat on the terrace with Lyca every now and then, but he seems so busy these days..."

Lyca is one of the members of Obscuary, btw! Seems like he and Subaru are friends.

Affinity 17: (between 10pm and midnight)

"I didn't take you for a night owl, {PC}. Since you're here, I suppose I'll stay up a little longer. You're sure you're okay? You're not sleepy?"

Affinity 18: (between 8pm and 5am)

"Do you visit Sinostra very often, {PC}? I see... Oh, no reason. I was just making conversation. Ha ha."

why do you ask that. . .a certain mafioso captain wouldn't happen to be suspicious of you would he. . .or maybe you owe them money. . .or maybe you used to be part of Sinostra and moved to Hotarubi. . . .

Affinity 19: (between 10pm and midnight)

"It's getting late, {PC}. How about we finish this tomorrow? Thank you for keeping me company all this time."

Affinity 20: (between 5am and 11am)

"Oh, I couldn't ask you to come all the way to my room to wake me up—I'd feel terrible. I do very much appreciate the thought, though."

it's okay buddy jin already makes them do it, one more pit stop won't hurt.

Affinity 21: (between 11am and 4pm)

"Oh, hello, {PC}. Sorry, I was actually just on my way out. I should be back by evening—do you mind if we speak then?"

Affinity 22: (between 4pm and 8pm)

"Lyca has seen my message, so why hasn't he responded to it? I hope nothing bad has happened to him..."

Affinity 23: (between 8pm and 5am)

"Lyca will adapt well to human society, I'm sure of it. I'm so relieved that Darkwick chose to trust him. I can't thank you enough for your help."

he really likes Lyca huh? that is his dog.

Affinity 24: (between 10pm and midnight)

"You can't sleep? Then let me tell you some stories. Legend has it that evil spirits appear once you've told a hundred. Now, what number was I up to..."

BOY IS TRYNA GET YOUR ASS HAUNTED.

Affinity 25(max): (no time constraints)

"I don't want to seem like I'm testing you, I just... I get really anxious sometimes... I'm sorry. I'm being weird, aren't I?"

he's the type to ask 'are you sure you love me? are you sure you wanna be with me?' after you get married and move in together and own a house and have two kids with another on the way. he's the hyper anxious 'i'm sorry we disagreed about our favorite colors do you hate me?' friend(affectionate) I wonder though, is he apologizing for seeming like he's testing you because he's using his stigma to see what you've been up to or something. . .? Probably not lol it's more likely he just keeps asking if you like him

Spring: (March-May) (between 5am and 11am)

"There is no time like spring. Everyone seems more relaxed this time of year. It's reassuring to see."

(between 11am and 4pm)

"I have some sakura mochi. I was just about to prepare some tea to go with it—would you like to join me?"

(between 4pm and 8pm)

"They have no control over whether they bloom, and yet they get made a spectacle of nonetheless... Oh, sorry—I was talking about the cherry blossoms."

(between 8pm and 5am)

"There are many different flowers growing in Hotarubi, but I think the wisteria are my favorites. This is the best time to see them, so you should take a walk around."

Summer: (June-August) (between 5am and 11am)

"Hot today, isn't it? It's always raining in Hotarubi, so it does provide a little escape from the blazing summer sun, but... Ha ha. It is very humid, isn't it?"

(between 11am and 4pm)

"Summer makes me think of the ghost story Yotsuya Kaidan. The scene where Oiwa becomes hysterical, having realized her her face has been disfigured— incredible."

Yotsuya Kaidan is one of the best known japanese ghost stories! It's extremely violent, so read the summary at your discretion. The scene in question has Oiwa shown her reflection by her sister's boss to see that the cream she was given by a woman who was in love with her husband was actually some sort of poison that instantly scarred her face. She grabs a sword and goes to kill her, only for her to accidentally slit her own throat.

(between 4pm and 8pm)

"Hotarubi House holds regular festivals during the summer months. If you need a yukata to wear, I'd be happy to pick one out for you."

(between 8pm and 5am)

"I don't mind scary stories, but when that biwa in the tea room started playing by itself, it did make me jump a little..."

slight spoiler, although you can probably figure it out from this but. . .Zenji is a ghost. Subaru currently can't actually see him or hear his voice. . .only Haku, the pc, and, perhaps not so oddly, Towa can afair. All of his youtube content doesn't have him or his voice in it because he can't be recorded by cameras. So Subaru doesn't realize that the biwa playing on its own is actually Zenji playing the biwa.

Autumn: (September-November) (between 5am and 11am)

"The air has gotten crisper, and the leaves are changing color. I know it's only natural for the seasons to shift, so why does it make my heart ache so much?"

(between 11am and 4pm)

"Oh, these? They're some chestnuts I found. I know—I should give them to Sho. I'm sure he'll be able to make something delicious with them."

(between 4pm and 8pm)

"That's another kuchikiri tea ceremony under my belt. It's an annual tradition where one cuts open a tea jar to reveal the tea that was preserved from the first harvest."

(between 8pm and 5am)

"On long autumn nights when the moon is shining beautifully in the sky, it's hard to resist taking a walk outside. Don't stay out until too late though, {PC}."

Winter: (December-February) (between 5am and 11am)

"...Oh, {PC}. Good morning... I had a hard time getting up today. It must be the cold... Ha ha. Not very captain-like, is it?"

Jin, Taiga, and Ed are all prone to not getting out of bed. and Yuri falls asleep on operating tables when he has down time. Trust me Subaru you are perfectly captain-like.

(between 11am and 4pm)

"Today, I'm going to order ingredients from one of my favorite stores so we can all make negima—tuna and scallion—hot pot together. Please, do join us."

(between 4pm and 8pm)

"It's cold out today. I was just thinking about lighting the fire. Would you like to come and warm up with me?"

oh subaru you don't even know how that sounds

(between 8pm and 5am)

"People say winter makes you want to snuggle up with someone, but I find that a good blanket does a much better job."

i agree that blankets are much easier to manage than people lol. probably warmer too.

His birthday: (February 20th)

"A present? For me? Thank you... I didn't expect you to do anything for my birthday, so I'm a little caught off guard. I really appreciate it."

Your birthday:

"Um... Happy birthday.  I really hope this year will be a wonderful one for you."

New Years: (January 1st)

"Happy New Year. I hope I can depend on your guidance and support again this year."

Valentine's Day: (February 14th)

"Chocolate? Oh, It's Valentine's Day, isn't it? Does that mean these are for me...?"

nah i just wanted you to look at them. YES THEY ARE FOR YOU BBY. why would you be showing him chocolate if it wasn't for him! On any day, not just valentine's day!!

White Day: (March 14th)

"These are for you, {PC}. I put in a special order for monaka from my favorite confectioner in Ginza. They're wafers filled with bean jam—I hope you like them."

April Fool's Day: (April 1st)

"Earlier, Haku told me he was switching houses. It gave me a real shock— I'm very relieved that it wasn't true..."

i bet subaru made the most scared kicked puppy face and started apologizing for being such an awful captain and blamed himself for that haku would go to a different house and haku had to quickly explain it was just a prank for fear that subaru might burst into tears.

Halloween: (October 31st)

"Happy Halloween. I know it's nothing special, but I've prepared some treats for the occasion. Oh... But you're more than welcome to play a trick instead."

please don't trick him. april fool's day was hard enough for him.

Christmas: (December 25th)

"Merry Christmas. We already have our New Year decorations up in Hotarubi, so it has a real east-meets-west atmosphere now. I hope everyone is okay with it..."

Idle: (about 20 seconds without interacting with the game) (below 13 affinity)

"Everyone seems busy at the moment. Maybe I should use this opportunity to tidy the garden..."

(13 affinity and above)

"{PC}? Oh... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. I was just worried because you were so quiet..."

Absent: (logging in for the first time in 2 or more days?)

"You're back... I'm so relieved. I was worried I'd done something to make you feel uncomfortable..."

this man shakes like a chihuahua 24/7. like you can taste the anxiety coming off of him. i love him. he's so pathetic(affectionate). i wanna squeeze his hand reassuringly and tell him everything's gonna be okay. i wanna hug him and pat his head. i wanna take him places so he learns more about the world outside of working. i wanna watch him do schoolwork excitedly because he's never really gone to school before and it's a new and exciting experience. i want him to experience the most mundane aspects of life with wonder.

good boy. yeah. get him anxiety meds /nodnod

[seffyriath]

okay here is my weird take about what emet-selch might have done regarding zenos and whatever "experiment" was going on

Joke answer: he's a dragon stuffed into a human body

serious answer: it's the same as the joke answer but longer and explained in an incoherent way.

i think we've been given hints about what the fuck was going on with Varis's Large Adult Son even after endwalker, but i need to reference other things to do that, so let's break it down:

-We have been given more insight into how Memories and Souls work and interact in this setting, especially after Dawntrail. We know that it's possible to implant memories onto a soul that didn't originally have them, and it works fine if you have the technology to do this

-Emet-Selch's whole job involved souls and the lifestream

-We've seen Athena also bring back ancients, in a temporary way, by reconstituting soul stuff and grabbing the memories for those ancients, since souls and memories are essentially different kinds of aether. if you've played FFVII at all, you already know this. one would assume that Emet-Selch would manage reconstituting souls a lot better

-there are some memories that are so powerful that they are blasted or etched into your soul, which is why some faded memories can stick around from past lives

-We know that Emet-Selch was seriously thinking of a way to bring the ancients back without rejoinings, and this was probably attempted via his literal large adult sons and their descendants.

-dragon's souls, as far as we know, are unsundered.

-fitting with the Sephiroth and Jenvoa parallel, they are also canonically aliens

about Zenos:

-the devs have said that he was "born wrong" and that's why he's like that. this seems different than "born evil" because Lyse assumes that this wasn't the case, and that's not the normal philosophy for the game. characters have been wrong before, but if he was experimented on, this is likely referencing Sephiroth, who was also born wrong on purpose, as a joke, via tampering in the womb

-people in the world still have vague, ephemeral memories of the ancients, but Zenos is different. Zenos has upsettingly visceral memories of the final days but he also views the world like the ancients do, particularly regarding accomplishing your life's purpose and then dying right after as a positive thing. this is why his actions at the end of stormblood do not read as suicidal to not just me, but the characters. they're really confused about why he does this! Zenos acting the way he does seems to be the answer to why the ancients tried to emphasize a more communal existence, because what happens when the most powerful motherfucker on earth is also a prince in an extremely hierarchical society? you get Zenos

-However, Zenos also follows the rule of beasts and is much more beastlike, similar to dragons. Dragons aren't evil, but they have extremely different cultures and views than humans, because they're functionally immortal and don't need to reproduce. they are power manifest, and can easily take over an ecosystem. Midgardsomr's covenant with Hydaelyn most likely prevents this, but the point is that dragons are pure power, and that's what they respect the most. like Zenos, although being raised as he was probably made this even worse

-Zenos seems pretty dysphoric, but it doesn't seem to be directed at any gender. he's stated that he doesn't care about his name one way or the other, and that he only wants his body back from Elidibus because of how powerful it is. he otherwise doesn't seem to care about normal human experiences, like human food or sex, or just companionship in general with other humans. as far as food goes, he's the only villain to do this, as the writers tend to get into what foods the characters like in the lore books, even the villains. you can't really say that this is just the product of being a royal or someone in power. even Thordan has a favorite food, and even Varis had a childhood friend, who we've actually met.

-both in The Hunt Begins and in general, Zenos actively wants to be able to use and manipulate aether. this is odd, since Garleans are constantly told that magic is evil and bad, but Zenos goes out of his way to try to do this, including piercing himself with a crystal where the aether exchange could kill him. this could be because his great grandfather is a sorcerer of eld. it could be because dragons not being able to use magic would feel extremely unnatural to him. why not both?

-He seems. REALLY excited when he transforms into Shinryu. like, weirdly excited. i get it, it would probably own being a dragon, and you could say that he was just really excited about fighting the wol the first time, but this has happened twice now, and every time he almost sounds like Susano with how excited he is. it's a total fucking mood shift. also in his last fight he still keeps the Shinryu attacks. since it's in a place that's ruled by emotions, one has to assume that he's attached to them

-He literally has a horde (of weapons)? i know we don't see a lot of FFXIV dragons do this, but Vrtra has a horde that he uses as a bank. what's up with that.

-He doesn't really have a coda yet, and while i don't think he's going to be brought back, or that he NEEDS to be brought back, the wol seems like they're just starting to be comfortable with thinking about what Zenos's deal is with enough time and distance

-how d. how did he know that dragons can just lay eggs like that. yeah he could have READ about it but like. how did he figure out how to do that in the fight. and why. why did he just doooo thaaaat.

IN CONCLUSION i think that in a bid to try to bring ancients back into the world through unnatural means, Emet-Selch took the closest recently dead unsundered soul he could find at the time (a dragon's), imprinted some of his memories onto it (as one would do when making the convocation crystals) and put that shit in a baby. thanks.

[amethystarachnid]

Hi! 🤍

I saw your Marvel Holiday Special, and would love to request it, including Loki Laufeyson, if possible.

As soon as I saw the prompt [ Holiday Road Trip  – A festive road trip adventure with your character, from road snacks to sing-alongs to unexpected pit stops. Will the two of you get into mischief along the way? ] I knew I would love to see what mischief Loki and Fem! Reader will get up to on their road trip.

The only plot point I'd love to see is Reader taking Loki home to meet her parents for the first time, as this is their first Christmas together as a couple. Other than that, I'm open to any and all additions!

Thank you in advance 🤍

CHRISTMAS ROAD TRIP

⤷ LOKI LAUFEYSON

ᯓ★ Pairing: Loki Laufeyson x fem!reader

ᯓ★ Genre: romance, fluff

ᯓ★ Request from: MARVEL Holiday special

ᯓ★ Story type: one shot

ᯓ★ Word count: 6.4k

ᯓ★ Summary: what the ask said, it's just them on a cute little road trip

ᯓ★ TW(s): some men staring at y/n and loki gets jealous

ᯓ★ After this event is done I was thinking of writing a part two with Loki meeting the rest of her family if y'all want to read it!!

ᯓ★ My Masterlist

ᯓ★ MARVEL Holiday Special

ᯓ★ MARVEL Multiverse - choose an AU, pair it with your favorite character and make a request!

ᯓ★ Songs & Superheroes tales - The Game (to make a request, follow the rules on the link!)

ᯓ★ MARVEL Bingo

ᯓ★ English isn’t my first language

The chill of December wraps around you as you shuffle through the living room, tossing a scarf onto the pile of clothes Loki has deemed necessary for this trip. Your breath fogs slightly in the air, even inside, thanks to the old heating system that never quite does its job. Loki, standing near the window with his usual poised elegance, eyes your movements with a raised eyebrow.

“Are you certain we need to bring all of this?” he asks, gesturing toward the heap of jackets, sweaters, and boots. His black coat hangs over one arm, and he adjusts the green scarf you insisted he wear, its color somehow making his eyes seem even sharper in contrast.

“Yes,” you say with a grin, tossing another blanket into the backseat of the car. “It’s a road trip in the middle of winter, Loki. We’ll need everything to stay warm.”

“Is the car not equipped with sufficient heating?” His tone is suspicious, as if the idea of a less-than-perfectly functioning Midgardian invention offends his Asgardian sensibilities.

“It works fine!” you shoot back, though you cross your fingers mentally because “fine” is definitely a stretch. “Besides, it’s better to be prepared than frozen on the side of the road because of… well, let’s just call it ‘old car problems.’”

Loki sighs dramatically, pulling his long hair out from beneath the scarf. “It seems your love for this outdated contraption borders on madness.”

You roll your eyes. “My ‘outdated contraption’ is the only way we’re getting to my parents’ house. So unless you want to conjure a portal and skip all the scenic stops along the way…”

“Very well,” he interrupts, his lips curving into a reluctant smile. “Lead on, darling. I’m at your mercy.”

The term of endearment warms you in a way the old heater never could, and you pause for just a second to take him in. Loki—the god of mischief, with his sharp tongue and sharper cheekbones—standing here, wrapped in layers of human warmth, about to spend his first Christmas with you and your family. You feel an odd mixture of pride and nervousness, though you quickly push the latter aside.

“You’re going to love this,” you say, your voice soft but certain. “The road trip, my parents, the holiday. All of it.”

He steps closer, tilting his head as he studies you. “You seem… different today. Anxious, perhaps?”

“Nope,” you lie, too quickly.

He quirks an eyebrow, not buying it, but lets the moment pass. Instead, he picks up a thermos from the counter, examining it with mild curiosity. “And this?”

“Hot chocolate. Essential for road trips,” you say, taking it from him and packing it into a tote bag. “You’ll see.”

He doesn’t argue, but the small smirk on his face suggests he’s already planning to tease you about all of this later.

It takes another twenty minutes to finish loading the car. Loki insists on helping, though he does so with a mix of bemusement and mild exasperation. You’re almost certain he could transport everything into the vehicle with a snap of his fingers, but he indulges your need to do things the “human way,” as he puts it.

When the car is finally packed, you hand him the keys. He stares at them as if you’ve just offered him a particularly baffling puzzle.

“You’re driving,” you say, barely containing your laughter.

“Absolutely not,” he replies immediately, holding the keys between his thumb and forefinger like they might bite him. “This… contraption is yours. You shall pilot it.”

“It’s not a spaceship, Loki. It’s a car,” you say, sliding into the driver’s seat. “Besides, I like driving. You get to sit back and relax.”

He mutters something under his breath about Midgardians and their strange customs but climbs into the passenger seat without further protest. He looks comically large in the small space, his knees brushing the dashboard despite his attempts to adjust the seat.

“Comfortable?” you ask with a grin, starting the engine. The old car roars to life, though it takes a couple of tries.

“Exceedingly,” he deadpans, resting his elbow on the window ledge. “Do proceed.”

The sarcasm doesn’t escape you, but you’re too excited to care. You pull out of the driveway, the crunch of snow under the tires echoing in the crisp morning air. The city begins to fall away as you head toward the open road, the skyline replaced by sprawling fields dusted in white.

For the first few miles, Loki is quiet, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery. You steal glances at him, wondering what’s going through his mind. He’s so rarely this subdued, and while you appreciate the peace, you can’t help but feel like he’s holding something back.

“So,” you begin, breaking the silence. “What do you think so far?”

He turns his head slightly, his eyes narrowing as if considering his response carefully. “It’s… peculiar.”

“Peculiar how?”

“This,” he says, gesturing toward the dashboard and then out the window. “The journey itself. On Asgard, such distances would be traversed in an instant. There’s something… inefficient about all of this.”

“Efficient isn’t the point,” you counter. “The point is to enjoy the trip. The stops, the conversations, the memories. You can’t get that if you just snap your fingers and appear where you want to be.”

He looks at you for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, to your surprise, he nods. “Perhaps you’re right.”

You grin, feeling victorious. “See? I told you you’d like this.”

“I didn’t say I liked it,” he corrects, though his tone is lighter now. “Merely that you might have a point.”

“Close enough,” you say, reaching over to turn on the radio. Static fills the car for a moment before a holiday tune comes through, cheerful and bright. You glance at Loki, half expecting him to complain, but he only raises an eyebrow.

“And what is this?” he asks.

“Christmas music,” you reply, tapping your fingers on the steering wheel in time with the beat. “It’s mandatory for road trips in December.”

“Mandatory, you say?” He leans back in his seat, his lips twitching. “I had no idea the laws of Midgard were so whimsical.”

“Oh, they’re very serious,” you say with mock gravity. “In fact, I think there’s a fine for not singing along.”

His laughter is sudden and genuine, catching you off guard. It’s a rare sound, and you treasure it, even more than you do the road ahead or the promise of home waiting for you at the end of the trip.

The hum of the road beneath the tires and the gentle sway of the car create a rhythm that feels both soothing and energizing. You lean forward to fiddle with the radio again, this time landing on a station that’s playing upbeat holiday classics. Loki watches you with a bemused expression, his long fingers resting idly on his knee.

“Ah, yes,” he says, as the unmistakable opening notes of Jingle Bell Rock fill the car. “Another... mandatory Christmas tune?”

“Exactly,” you reply, popping open a bag of pretzels and offering him some. “And if you don’t like it, you’re legally required to tell me in song form.”

He picks up a single pretzel between his thumb and forefinger, examining it with an air of suspicion. “This looks like it was made for livestock.”

“Hey, don’t insult the pretzels,” you protest, grabbing a handful and tossing them into your mouth. “They’re a road trip staple.”

Loki places the pretzel on his tongue like it might be poison, chews slowly, and then swallows. His expression shifts from disdain to surprise. “It’s... salty.”

“Yes, that’s kind of the point.”

He considers this, then reaches for another. “Intriguing.”

You grin and pull another snack from your arsenal: a brightly colored bag of gummy bears. “If you think pretzels are weird, wait until you try these.”

He raises an eyebrow, accepting one of the bears and holding it up to the light. “Is this... an animal?”

“Sort of,” you say, trying not to laugh. “It’s candy. Just eat it.”

He does, and for a moment, his face is a perfect picture of concentration. Then, slowly, his lips curve into a smile. “This is much better than the pretzel.”

“See?” you say triumphantly, tossing a few gummy bears into your mouth. “I told you, snacks are essential. You can’t have a road trip without snacks.”

Loki leans back in his seat, his long legs stretching as much as the cramped car will allow. “And this is how Midgardians entertain themselves on journeys? Consuming... novelty foods and singing mandatory songs?”

“Pretty much,” you reply. “Oh, and there’s one more thing.”

“What’s that?”

You reach into the tote bag and pull out a thermos. “Hot chocolate.”

He accepts the thermos with the same air of careful curiosity, unscrewing the lid and taking a tentative sip. His eyes widen slightly, and you know you’ve won him over again.

“This is... quite good,” he admits, taking another sip.

“I told you, road trips are fun.”

He glances at you, his expression softening. “I suppose they are—when shared with the right company.”

Your cheeks flush, and you turn your attention back to the road, the snow-covered fields stretching out in every direction.

A few hours and several snack wrappers later, the car’s fuel gauge dips dangerously close to empty. You pull into a small, slightly shabby gas station, the kind with peeling paint and a flickering neon sign. Loki surveys the establishment with a look of barely concealed disdain.

“This is where we’re stopping?” he asks.

“Unless you want to push the car the rest of the way, yes,” you reply, pulling into a parking spot near the pumps. “Come on, stretch your legs. I need to use the bathroom anyway.”

Loki unfolds himself from the car with all the grace of a cat, though his nose wrinkles as he looks around. “It smells.”

“It’s a gas station,” you say, slamming the car door. “What were you expecting? Roses?”

He doesn’t dignify that with a response, instead following you toward the building. Inside, the fluorescent lights buzz faintly, and the air smells faintly of coffee and stale popcorn. You head for the bathroom, leaving Loki to explore the aisles on his own.

When you emerge a few minutes later, you find him standing in front of a display of souvenir snow globes, one of them turning over in his hands. The miniature scene inside—a plastic snowman and a lopsided evergreen—glimmers as the “snow” swirls around it.

“Are you actually thinking about buying that?” you ask, amused.

He glances at you, then back at the snow globe. “It’s... quaint. And yet oddly mesmerizing.”

You laugh, grabbing a couple of candy bars and a bottle of water from a nearby shelf. “If you want it, get it. Consider it your first Midgardian souvenir.”

He looks at you for a moment, then nods, placing the snow globe gently on the counter as you both approach the cashier. The older man behind the register barely glances up, sliding your items across the scanner with the air of someone who’s been doing this job for far too long.

“That everything?” the cashier asks, his voice gruff.

“Yes, thank you,” you say, handing over your card.

As the cashier bags your items, Loki leans closer to you. “What exactly is the purpose of this trinket?” he whispers, nodding toward the snow globe.

“It’s just for fun,” you whisper back. “Not everything needs a purpose.”

He looks skeptical but doesn’t argue.

Back outside, you load the snacks into the car while Loki examines the gas pump like it’s some kind of alien artifact.

“Do you know how to use this?” he asks, gesturing toward the nozzle.

“Yes, I know how to use it,” you reply, rolling your eyes. “Go sit in the car. I’ll take care of it.”

He doesn’t move, instead watching intently as you swipe your card and start filling the tank. “Fascinating,” he murmurs.

“It’s really not,” you say, though you can’t help but smile. He has a way of making even the most mundane things feel... significant.

When the tank is full, you hop back into the driver’s seat, and Loki joins you, carefully placing the snow globe in the cup holder between you.

“Ready to hit the road again?” you ask.

He nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Indeed. Though I’m curious—what other ‘essential’ stops will we be making along the way?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see,” you reply, pulling back onto the highway. “Road trips are all about surprises.”

The car hums along the snowy highway, the world outside your windows stretching into a winter wonderland of frosted fields and glittering trees. Inside, however, it’s less serene. Loki sits in the passenger seat, absently flipping through the contents of the glove compartment with the unrestrained curiosity of someone poking through someone else’s junk drawer.

“Do you actually need half of this?” he asks, pulling out a map so faded it’s barely readable.

“Put that back,” you say, swatting at his hand without taking your eyes off the road. “You don’t touch the glove box. It’s sacred.”

“Sacred?” He chuckles, holding up a broken pair of sunglasses and a random assortment of gas station receipts. “Darling, this is hardly a relic worth worshipping.”

“It’s my chaos box,” you reply. “It’s not supposed to make sense. Now leave it alone before you break something.”

“Very well,” he sighs, shoving everything back with little regard for order, which makes you groan. “Though I fail to see how it could possibly get more broken.”

You glance at him, catching his smirk, and roll your eyes. “If you’re bored, you can always stare out the window dramatically and brood. That’s kind of your thing, isn’t it?”

He leans back, folding his arms across his chest in mock offense. “I do not brood.”

“Oh, you absolutely brood,” you say with a grin. “You brood so hard you make storm clouds jealous.”

He opens his mouth to retort but stops when his hand brushes the thermos of hot chocolate, which is now teetering on the edge of the cup holder. He grabs it just in time but not without spilling a healthy splash onto his coat.

“Gods,” he mutters, glaring at the stain like it personally insulted him.

You bite back a laugh but can’t resist teasing him. “Nice catch, broody. Very heroic.”

He dabs at the spot with a napkin you hand him, grumbling under his breath about “ridiculous human beverages” and “primitive travel conditions.” You’re still laughing when he huffs dramatically and folds his arms again, clearly aiming for indignation but only managing to look adorably annoyed.

A few hours later, you pull off the highway to check out a small roadside shop advertising “the best pies in the state.” It’s the kind of place you’d normally drive past, but the idea of a warm pie in the middle of a snowy road trip is too tempting to resist.

Inside, the shop is charmingly rustic, with walls covered in old photos and shelves lined with jars of preserves. You head straight to the counter, but Loki lingers near a display of homemade candles, holding one up and sniffing it cautiously.

“Vanilla bean,” he reads aloud, his tone skeptical. “Is this supposed to smell like food?”

“It’s a candle,” you reply, selecting a cherry pie from the glass case. “It’s supposed to smell nice.”

He sets the candle down, unimpressed, and joins you at the counter just as the cashier rings up your order. As you pay, Loki spots a basket of candy canes and picks one up, frowning as he examines the striped treat.

“What exactly is this?” he asks, holding it like it’s some kind of alien artifact.

“It’s a candy cane,” you say, grabbing one for yourself. “It’s minty. You’ll like it.”

He pulls off the wrapper and takes a tentative lick. His face immediately contorts into a mixture of surprise and confusion.

“This tastes like winter,” he declares.

“That’s kind of the point,” you say, unwrapping your own. “It’s festive.”

He tries another lick, then shrugs and tucks the candy cane into his coat pocket like it’s a weapon he might need later. You stifle a laugh, imagining him wielding it like a dagger.

Back on the road, you decide it’s time to test Loki’s patience. You rummage through your tote bag and pull out a festive headband adorned with two glittery reindeer antlers.

“What is that?” he asks warily.

“A gift for you,” you reply, grinning as you hold it out to him. “Put it on.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Oh, come on. It’s Christmas!” you say, leaning over to try and place the antlers on his head.

He dodges, his reflexes annoyingly quick. “I am not wearing that.”

“Why not? You’d look cute.”

“I do not do ‘cute,’” he says, crossing his arms.

“Fine,” you say with exaggerated disappointment, sliding the headband onto your own head instead. “I guess I’ll just have to be the festive one.”

“Finally, some sense,” he says, but there’s a glint of amusement in his eyes.

You’re about to retort when you glance at him and realize the candy cane he’d tucked into his pocket has fallen out and is now stuck to his scarf. He hasn’t noticed, but the sight of him sitting there with a sticky candy cane dangling from his pristine scarf is too much. You burst out laughing.

“What?” he asks, frowning.

“You, uh… you’ve got something on your scarf,” you manage between giggles.

He looks down, spots the candy cane, and sighs heavily. “This is why I prefer Asgardian fabrics,” he mutters, carefully peeling the sticky mess off his scarf.

“You’re a walking Christmas disaster,” you say, still laughing.

“And yet, here you are, subjecting me to all of this,” he replies, though there’s no real bite to his words.

“Because you love it,” you tease.

He glances at you, his expression softening. “Perhaps I do.”

As the sun begins to set, you find yourself driving through a picturesque little town, its streets lined with twinkling lights and festive decorations. Loki, who has been staring out the window for the past few minutes, suddenly sits up straighter.

“What’s that?” he asks, pointing to a small group of people gathered around a fire pit in the town square.

“Looks like a caroling group,” you say, slowing down to get a better look. “They’re singing Christmas songs.”

“Fascinating,” he murmurs.

“You want to stop?” you ask, half-joking.

He surprises you by nodding. “Yes. I’d like to see this.”

You pull into a parking spot, and the two of you wander over to the group, who are enthusiastically belting out Deck the Halls. Loki stands slightly apart, watching with an expression you can’t quite read.

After a few minutes, one of the carolers notices him and offers him a songbook. “Would you like to join us?”

Loki hesitates, glancing at you. You give him an encouraging nod, trying not to laugh at the idea of the god of mischief singing Christmas carols. To your amazement, he accepts the book and flips it open.

What follows is perhaps the most surreal and hilarious thing you’ve ever witnessed. Loki, with his deep, smooth voice, joins in on Silent Night, his usual air of confidence somehow making the song sound like a solemn Asgardian hymn. The carolers seem delighted, but you’re struggling not to laugh so hard you cry.

When the song ends, Loki hands the book back and turns to you, one eyebrow raised. “What?” he asks, clearly aware of your barely contained laughter.

“Nothing,” you say, grinning. “You’re just… full of surprises.”

He smirks, slipping his arm around your waist as you head back to the car. “And you wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The town square is straight out of a holiday movie. Strings of fairy lights crisscross above the cobblestone streets, casting everything in a warm, golden glow. The shop windows are decorated with frosted garlands and tiny ornaments, and the faint scent of cinnamon and roasted chestnuts wafts through the crisp air.

“This place is... quaint,” Loki remarks, though there’s no malice in his tone. If anything, he seems intrigued.

You grin, taking his hand and giving it a tug. “Come on, let’s walk around. Stretch our legs before we hit the road again.”

His fingers tighten around yours, and you set off down the street together, weaving through the small clusters of people enjoying the festivities. Loki, with his impossibly perfect posture and graceful strides, looks somewhat out of place among the casual, bundled-up townsfolk, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

At one point, you stop in front of a shop window displaying tiny porcelain houses arranged in a Christmas village scene. Snowflakes painted on the glass catch the light, giving everything a magical shimmer.

“Do people in Midgard really live in houses that small?” Loki asks, leaning closer to inspect the display.

You laugh, standing on your tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “No, they’re just decorations. They’re supposed to be cute.”

He tilts his head, considering this. “I suppose they have their charm.”

You stay there for a moment, watching him as his gaze shifts from the display to the reflection of the twinkling lights in the glass. His face softens, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“What?” he asks, catching you staring.

“Nothing,” you say, smiling. “Just glad you’re here.”

He looks at you for a long moment, his expression unreadable, and then leans down to press a kiss to your lips. It’s soft and unhurried, the kind of kiss that makes the rest of the world melt away. When he pulls back, his thumb brushes lightly against your cheek.

“Likewise,” he murmurs.

The spell is broken by the distant sound of a bell jingling, signaling someone entering a nearby shop. You laugh softly and take his hand again, leading him further down the street.

You walk for a while, pausing occasionally to peek into shop windows or admire the decorations. At one point, you pass a small stand selling roasted chestnuts and decide to grab a bag to share. Loki takes one, examines it like he’s expecting it to come to life, and finally pops it into his mouth.

“Well?” you ask, grinning.

He chews thoughtfully before nodding. “Better than pretzels.”

“That’s high praise,” you tease, nudging him playfully with your shoulder.

Eventually, your wanderings lead you to a cozy little restaurant tucked away on a side street. Its glowing sign reads The Holly & Hearth, and through the frosted windows, you can see the warm glow of candlelit tables and hear the faint hum of conversation.

“This looks nice,” you say, glancing at Loki. “Shall we?”

He nods, holding the door open for you like the gentleman he so often pretends not to be. Inside, the restaurant is as charming as its name suggests, with rustic wooden beams, a crackling fireplace, and tables adorned with holly wreaths and red candles. A cheerful hostess greets you and leads you to a cozy booth near the window.

As you settle into your seat, Loki shrugs off his coat and places it neatly beside him. You, on the other hand, haphazardly toss yours onto the seat next to you and lean back with a sigh.

“Finally, real food,” you say, glancing at the menu. “Not that I don’t love snacks, but I can’t live on pretzels and gummy bears alone.”

“I don’t know how you managed this long,” Loki replies, his eyes scanning the menu with mild curiosity.

The two of you place your orders—warm soup and freshly baked bread for you, and a hearty roast for Loki. While you wait for your food, you sip on hot cider and talk about nothing in particular. It’s easy, comfortable, and you can’t help but marvel at how natural it feels to share these little moments with him.

That is, until you notice Loki’s expression shift.

His posture straightens, and his gaze narrows slightly as he glances around the room. You follow his line of sight and realize he’s looking at a group of men seated at the bar. They’re not exactly subtle about the way they’re watching you, their gazes lingering a little too long on the curve of your legs and the snug fit of your sweater.

You glance back at Loki, whose jaw is now clenched. His fingers drum lightly against the table, an almost imperceptible but telling sign of his irritation.

“What’s wrong?” you ask, though you have a pretty good idea.

He doesn’t answer immediately, his gaze still fixed on the men. Finally, he leans in slightly, lowering his voice. “They’re staring at you.”

You laugh softly, brushing it off. “It’s not a big deal. People stare sometimes.”

“It is a big deal,” he replies, his tone clipped. “They’re ogling you like... like wolves.”

You bite your lip, trying not to smile at his indignation. “It’s fine, Loki. Let them look. I’m here with you.”

He doesn’t seem convinced, his eyes flicking back to the men, who are now pretending to be interested in their drinks but still sneaking glances in your direction. You reach across the table, placing your hand over his.

“Hey,” you say softly, drawing his attention back to you. “You don’t have to be jealous.”

He arches an eyebrow. “Jealous? I am not jealous.”

“Uh-huh,” you reply, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’re definitely not jealous.”

He huffs, clearly trying to maintain his composure, but his free hand moves to rest possessively on your knee under the table. The gesture is subtle but unmistakable, and it sends a pleasant little thrill through you.

“You’re cute when you’re protective,” you tease, leaning forward slightly.

He smirks, though his gaze remains slightly guarded. “I am not cute.”

“Sure you’re not,” you say, your voice teasingly sweet.

Before he can respond, your food arrives, and you’re momentarily distracted by the comforting aroma of warm bread and hearty soup. Loki, however, is still keeping an eye on the men at the bar, his expression one of thinly veiled annoyance.

As you eat, you make a point of keeping the conversation light, hoping to draw his attention back to you. It works—for the most part. He relaxes a little, though his hand remains on your knee, his thumb occasionally brushing against your leg in a way that makes it very hard to focus on your soup.

When you’re both finished eating, you lean back with a satisfied sigh, savoring the lingering warmth of the cider. Loki watches you for a moment, his earlier tension finally melting away.

“You’re entirely too captivating for your own good,” he says, his voice low and warm.

You smile, reaching across the table to take his hand. “And you’re entirely too dramatic.”

He chuckles, his thumb brushing over your knuckles. “Perhaps.”

The moment is interrupted by the sound of one of the men at the bar laughing a little too loudly. Loki’s gaze flicks to them again, and you can practically see the wheels turning in his head.

“Don’t do anything,” you warn, narrowing your eyes at him.

“Who, me?” he asks innocently, though the mischievous glint in his eyes suggests otherwise.

“Yes, you,” you reply. “Let’s just pay the bill and get out of here, okay?”

He sighs but nods, and you flag down the waitress to settle up. As you slip into your coat, you feel Loki’s arm wrap around your waist, pulling you close as you make your way toward the door. It’s a subtle but unmistakable display, and you can’t help but smile as you glance up at him.

“Feeling better?” you ask as you step out into the chilly night air.

“Much,” he replies, his lips curving into a satisfied smirk. “Though I still don’t like the way they were looking at you.”

You laugh, leaning into his side as you walk back to the car. “Well, you don’t have to worry. I only have eyes for you.”

He stops, turning to face you with a serious expression. For a moment, the teasing is gone, replaced by something deeper.

“I know,” he says softly, his hand coming up to cup your cheek. “But I can’t help it. You’re... everything.”

Your breath catches, and before you can respond, he leans down and kisses you. It’s slow and sweet, the kind of kiss that leaves you feeling warm despite the cold air around you. When he finally pulls back, his forehead rests against yours, and you can see the faintest hint of vulnerability in his eyes.

“You’re everything to me too,” you whisper, smiling up at him.

He presses another quick kiss to your lips before pulling away, his smirk returning. “Good. Now let’s get back on the road before you tempt me to abandon this journey entirely.”

Laughing, you take his hand and head for the car, ready to continue your adventure together.

You both make your way back to the car, the chill of the night air nipping at your cheeks. Loki’s hand stays warm in yours as you slip into the car, and despite his earlier grumbling about the road trip, there’s an almost reluctant contentment to the way he settles into his seat next to you. You adjust the rearview mirror, settle the gearshift into drive, and take a deep breath, ready to continue the journey.

“Ready for this?” you ask, glancing over at him as you pull out of the restaurant’s parking lot.

Loki looks at you, a slight smirk on his lips, but there’s something softer behind his mischievous eyes. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” he says, his tone a little more serious than before.

You take that in stride and shift the car back onto the main road, the headlights cutting through the snow-covered streets. The gentle hum of the engine fills the space between you as you make your way toward the highway again, the familiar roads taking you further from the cozy warmth of the small town and closer to your family’s home.

As the miles slip by, the temperature outside continues to drop, and you turn up the heat just a little bit. The soft flicker of the dashboard lights casts a glow over Loki’s features as he shifts in his seat, pulling his jacket tighter around him.

“So,” you start, breaking the silence, “have you decided what you’re going to wear tomorrow? The family dinner?”

Loki looks over at you, a little surprised. “Wear?” he repeats, raising an eyebrow. “You didn’t tell me there was a dress code.”

You laugh lightly. “Well, it’s not a formal event or anything, but my family tends to go all out on Christmas Eve, so… I don’t want you showing up in your typical black and leather. Trust me, my mom won’t let you hear the end of it.”

Loki chuckles under his breath, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You think she’ll mind if I show up in a full Asgardian outfit? Complete with the crown?”

You roll your eyes, but the warmth that fills your chest at the thought of Loki trying to make an impression on your family is undeniable. “You know my mom would love that. And my dad, too, probably. You’d definitely steal the spotlight.”

“Is that not the goal?” Loki says with an innocent grin, and you can’t help but laugh.

“Sure, but not at the expense of your dignity.”

“I have plenty of dignity to spare,” he says, leaning back in the seat. “Besides, I find this whole ‘family’ thing fascinating. You’ve mentioned your parents quite a lot, but I’ve never met them. Do they, uh… approve of me?”

You glance at him, surprised by the slight hesitation in his voice. He’s trying to act casual, but you can tell it’s more important to him than he’s letting on.

“Of course they do,” you say softly. “They’re excited to meet you. I wouldn’t be bringing you if I didn’t think you’d get along.”

Loki nods, though his gaze seems to linger on the passing road ahead. “I’ll try my best to… behave.”

You can’t help but smile, reaching over to rest your hand on his. “I think they’ll like you. Just be yourself. But also, maybe, try not to antagonize my dad too much.”

He raises an eyebrow, giving you a teasing look. “Antagonize? Me? Never. What makes you think I’d do such a thing?”

You laugh again, the sound light and carefree, and you both settle back into a comfortable silence. The road ahead stretches on, snowy fields and frosted trees blurring past your window. The quiet of the car feels familiar, the two of you sharing the journey together without needing to fill every moment with words.

After what feels like both a long time and no time at all, you see the sign that signals the turnoff toward your parents' house. You breathe a small sigh of relief, the excitement of being close now outweighing any lingering nerves. You’ve been looking forward to this—both the chance to see your family and share this part of your life with Loki.

As you pull up the winding drive, the house looms ahead, a two-story home with red brick and a sprawling front yard that’s been decorated with twinkling lights, wreaths, and even a couple of reindeer statues. It looks like something straight out of a Hallmark movie, and you can’t help but smile at the sight.

“This is it,” you say, slowing the car to a stop just in front of the porch.

Loki glances around, his eyes scanning the house and the decorations. “Very festive,” he says, though his voice holds a note of amusement. “I didn’t expect this much cheer.”

You turn the car off, giving him a quick glance. “Don’t worry. My family’s great, but they’ll take it easy on you. They just… love Christmas a little more than most.”

Loki gives you a wry smile. “I’m sure they’ll find a way to make me feel completely at home.”

You roll your eyes, but the truth is, you’re just as nervous as he is. “You’ll be fine,” you reassure him, giving his hand a squeeze before you open the door.

As you step out, the chilly air immediately hits you, and you pull your coat tighter around yourself. Loki follows you, his movements fluid as always, and you both make your way up the steps to the door.

Before you can even reach for the handle, the door swings open, revealing your mom standing in the doorway, beaming. She’s wearing a festive red sweater with snowflakes and her hair pulled back into a loose bun. The moment she sees you, her smile widens even further.

“There you are!” she says, wrapping her arms around you in a warm hug. “We’ve been waiting for you. And I take it this is the infamous Loki?”

Your mom pulls away and glances at him, her smile not wavering for even a second. Loki, for his part, looks like he’s preparing for a battle, but when your mom gives him an easy smile and extends her hand, he hesitates only for a moment before shaking it.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” he says, his voice smooth but a little guarded.

“Likewise,” your mom says with a laugh, clearly not phased by his formal demeanor. “Come on in! Dinner’s almost ready.”

You shoot Loki a look, reassuring him with a soft smile as you step into the warmth of the house. The scent of freshly baked bread, roasting meats, and spices fills the air. The living room is lit by a crackling fire, and the familiar decorations you grew up with are scattered throughout the house. It feels like home.

As you enter the living room, your father, who’s seated in his favorite armchair by the fire, looks up from his book and stands. He’s a tall man with broad shoulders, a salt-and-pepper beard, and a warm, welcoming presence. The moment he sees you, his stern face breaks into a huge smile.

“There she is! My favorite daughter!” he exclaims, holding his arms out to pull you into a bear hug.

Your father’s voice booms, but there’s no mistaking the love behind it. When he pulls back, he glances over at Loki, sizing him up with a raised eyebrow.

“And this must be Loki,” he says, his voice less warm but still friendly. “You’re a little different than I expected, but no less intriguing.”

Loki stands a little straighter under your father’s gaze, clearly aware of the scrutiny. “I’m not sure what your expectations were, but I assure you, I’m… delightful once you get to know me.”

Your father chuckles, extending his hand. “I’ll take your word for it. Welcome to our home.”

Loki hesitates only for a second before shaking your father’s hand firmly, and you can see a flicker of approval pass between them, though it’s still a little tentative.

The moment is interrupted by a voice from behind you, and you turn to see your older brother, Matt, standing in the hallway, grinning widely.

“Well, look who finally showed up! Did you get lost on the way here?” he teases.

You roll your eyes and go to greet him. “Shut up, Matt,” you say, giving him a quick hug. “I didn’t get lost.”

Matt, always the joker, looks over at Loki with a raised eyebrow. “So, you’re the infamous god of mischief, huh?”

Loki, who’s clearly been getting all kinds of attention from your family, puts on his best regal smile. “In the flesh,” he replies smoothly, though there’s a hint of annoyance in his tone.

You can feel the subtle tension in the air, but your mom comes to the rescue by clapping her hands together.

“Alright, enough of the introductions! Everyone, dinner’s ready!”

As you all head into the dining room, you can feel Loki’s posture relax just a little, but you can tell he’s still a little on edge, trying to navigate the maze of your family’s personalities.

You smile to yourself, a little giddy at the thought that this—this chaotic, perfect mess—is your family. And Loki? Well, he’ll get used to it, and in time, they’ll warm up to him just as much as you have.

[changingplumbob]

CW: Moderate sim spice - Guide to content warnings

Glenn tried to be in the moment but it was hard. His mind was racing. Silver was an excellent kisser. The werewolf had said it had been a while but it was obviously like riding a bike. Glenn was quietly proud of being the first one to get close to Silver for so long but he wasn't going to tell him that. Silver might think it meant Glenn liked that he had been alone when the opposite was true. The man he was wrapped around had a good heart, and Glenn wished he hadn't shut himself off from society, from love. But guilt was a tricky thing. He didn't blame Silver for wanting to run away from it all.

*waves* Let me explain for anyone new. My sims have woohoo drives and like to get it on but I know reading that isn't enjoyable for everyone. The text below contains that so if you are only here for the plot, or it makes you feel uncomfortable, please feel free to skip the rest of this post. You will not miss anything essential to the plot by not reading it.

Silver: *between kisses* Watcher you do taste good

Glenn: *giggling* Thank you *kisses* I have a whole dental hygiene routine

Silver: I love that you take care of yourself

Glenn: I can take care of you to if you let me

Glenn could feel Silver start to smile. He ran his hand through Silver's hair and attempted to pull him closer. A foolish mission as they were already chest to chest, but he needed him.

Silver: You ready for me to take your pants off now

Glenn: More than, but let me see you to

Silver placed Glenn gently on the bed and bent down to take his shoes off before removing his own.

Glenn: You know, we kind of have matching shoes

Silver: What do you mean

Glenn: Mine are brown and yours are grey- or silver! Get it, because you're Silver

Silver: *chuckling* It's not to late for me to cancel this woohoo you know

Glenn: I was just trying to say I like it. It's like we were in different places but we still got matching shoes. It's cute

Silver: You're cute Babycakes

Silver pulled off Glenn's jeans and boxers slowly. Glenn felt nervous lying back as Silver examined him, and again he got the feeling Silver wanted to eat him up.

Glenn: Can I do you first

Silver: You sure

Glenn: Yeah

Glenn watched intently as Silver removed his remaining clothes far quicker than he'd done for Glenn. Silver then pushed Glenn back on the bed and straddled him.

Silver: Just use your hands

Glenn: But I want to taste-

Silver: If you do a good job I'll feed you some

Glenn blushed and focused on the task in front of him. He was nervous but Silver stroking his chest and face helped him keep calm. In the end, well, he did get a taste.

Silver: Come here

Silver pulled Glenn up and around so the pair were sitting on the edge of the bed. Silver pulled Glenn's face to his and peppered it with kisses making Glenn chuckle.

Glenn: Beefcake, what are you doing

Silver: You'll see but you need to understand... Werewolves are naturally stronger

Glenn: Promises promises

Silver: I'm serious Glenn. If I do anything that is too strong... anything that hurts you, you need to tell me

Glenn: But then you'll stop

Silver: I'll stop what I'm doing because I don't want to hurt you but I'll finish what I start okay? Don't deal with pain just because you think I won't bring you to a finish

Glenn: I promise Silver, I'll tell you if it's too much

Silver: Good, because I can get a little over enthusiastic sometimes

Glenn: Please, I am the most over enthusiastic

Chuckling, Silver leaned over Glenn's lap and got to work caressing him. Glenn had imagined what it would be like but it was better.

Glenn: Oh, um-

Silver: Too rough?

Glenn: No your hands are perfect I just... So for a potion of plentiful needs you need some pleasure and that's harvested when someone orgasms. Henri gave me some empty vials for it. Would you mind if when I do finish I channel some of that pleasure to be used?

Silver: Do you need like the physical-

Glenn: No, no no. No body fluids required. I just didn't want to do it without asking

Silver smirked and got off the bed to kneel in front of Glenn.

Silver: I don't mind that. Do you mind this?

Glenn: Mind what? You're not doing-

Silver kissed the inside of his thigh and Glenn twitched.

Glenn: I don't mind that

Silver: Uh huh, and this

And so Silver continued to tease Glenn, a kiss here, a soft bite there, until Glenn couldn't stand anymore and begged Silver to finish him off. As Silver enveloped him and his tongue joined in with his hands Glenn struggled to recall the spell for channeling the pleasure, unable to focus on much more than the sensations he was feeling.

When he finished and curled around Silver's head some brain function came back to him. He kissed Silver's back and looked up to watch one of the vials on his shelf fill up with the telltale pink contents. Rather than dissipate in to nothing the pleasure was being stored.

Silver: I was right, you do taste good

Glenn: And you give amazing head

Silver: What can I say, it's my centuries of experience Babycakes

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