#and i also. didnt know what to do with it

[roundaboutnow]

I can see why you might think this about adult animation - sometimes i catch myself thinking so as well- but there a lot of really good options :D

If you want to get into adult animation, I recommend:

Futurama (i watched it and enjoyed it as a kid. probably not as much plot as you are looking for but a fun/wholesome show nonetheless) and Disenchantment (equal parts plot and humor!)

Bojack Horseman (so much plot! not always good things! but stuff happens that cant be undone! deals with adult situations, not just adult humor) & Tuca and Bertie (i watched it too long ago but i remember i loved it)

Common Side Effects (new! a mystery scifi/fantasy thats all plot!)

Bob's Burgers (not much plot but not inappropriate either. i've seen kids with the bobs burgers lunchbox! i believe its PG but its created with adults in mind)

Final Space (i dont remember much about it but there was definitely a plot there!)

Venture Bros (it does get grody and raunchy but i found i didnt mind it as much) (the first episode especially may be upsetting) (but it's also silly and fun, parodying lots of comics and classic animations) (and the plot!!!)

Invincible (too violent for me personally, but what I saw of it wasnt gross the way a lot of other adult animation seems to be. others who have watched it have great things to say!)

King of the Hill (Look, I haven't watched it yet but everyone i know and love who's seen it have only had positive things to say)

Not all adult animation is going to be your forté- i don't care for a lot of it myself. even stuff i used to like just seems gross and abrasive now!

But the ones i listed up there have heart, story, nuance, or all of the above! Adult animation can be off putting sometimes but there are some real gems out there!

anyway, what kids animation do you recommend?

i've seen a LOT- Avatar, Gravity Falls, Amphibia, The Owl House, OTGW, Steven Universe, Infinity Train, and so many more....

why do kids cartoons always have the best most nuanced and layered plots and characters and adult cartoons are always just “fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck”

[scribz-ag24]

I've recently seen again a post talking about the Sableye and Dusknoir's relationship so i'd like to put my two cents in the discussion, for I love screaming into the void about PMD. (this isnt meant to discourage any other interpretations btw this is just my take on theirs and Dusknoir's relationship, bc I think they're very fun characters and I am very glad the game actually gives these minions a bit of relevance in se5).

Tbh I don't buy that Dusknoir treats the Sableye nicely, at least not out of kindness. I don't think he's a tyrant or inexplicably mean, of course, and I think his minions ADORE him, but i also believe that doesn't mean he's nice to them, sth that i consider meaningful for their character arcs.

Throughout the entire game he's exclusively giving them orders, in se5 he concocts a plan that involves thrashing them MULTIPLE times (he's lucky Grovyle isn't one to try and kill enemies in battle ig), and the cherry on top is that the first time we see him being fully genuine he does this:

(yes, he is in turmoil in here, but there's not a single thing implying that 1. this is an unusual response towards the sablye, 2. dusknoir feels bad for it at some point or is surprised at himself, 3. this has any impact in the sableye at all. You can argue these reactions happen off screen and we don't see them, they don't happen bc they have pressing matters to attend to or they happen after they return to life, and that's perfectly valid, but i'm sticking with what the game shows us, here.)

I must say, though, the fact that the Sableye, despite having been almost mindless pokémon up to now, STAND UP TO AND ATTACK Primal Dialga for their boss and even try to look after him despite him ordering them to check on Grovyle and Celebi first is SO important to me. they are goons to the bone and they love that scheming ghost so much.

My own view is that Dusknoir is generally polite to them (you wouldn't randomly break your own revolver or weapon without any reason, would you?), but is quicker to get mean with them than with people he doesn't know or he is seeking to manipulate. He doesn't care about their behaviour as long as they get the job done, which is why I think the anime thing of the Sableye climbing onto his shoulder isn't that remarkable, rather it's a very cute moment, one that is showing how they've been working together for long and how their size difference affects their interactions, but it is not necessarily conveying an affectionate bond (this is a bit random, but it reminds me of Disney's Jafar with Iago lmao. throw your pet sableye at your enemies so they mock them and then return to your shoulder). Additionally, Dusknoir letting the Sableye onto his shoulder is probably as close as we are gonna get to a villain turning around in his chair while petting a cat in PMD lol.

[this isn't meant to be a one-to-one comparison, it's just a detail i find cute and shows that this gesture can have multiple interpretations, with none being the only right one]

Leaving that aside, I hesitate to claim Dusknoir trusts his Sableye as allies, as Grovyle makes a point in the main story of how the Sableye (your Sableye, he says, as if objectifying them; not friends, but tools, weapons at Dusknoir's disposal) are lacking compared to the way hero/partner/grovyle support one another (power of friendship and hidden information babyyyy). The Sableye are used to Dusknoir's way of doing things, though, I'm sure. They know what happens when he's displeased, after all.

I think, most of all, the Sableye are meant to look disposable: they are 6 identical pokémon that almost act like a hivemind, and we are not supposed to think at all about how we may hurt them in battle any more than we do with the angry Manectric pack or random dungeon pokémon. This, I believe, is why the game has them stand up against Dialga and gives them unique dialogue at the end of se5. They're meant to show their inner shine, just as Dusknoir managed to do. They suddenly gain an individuality they had never shown while they were working to maintain the dark future.

Where they abandoned Dusknoir in the Old Ruins, now Grovyle has motivated them to look for their dignity and fight for a better world, and that starts with protecting their leader from Primal Dialga's rampage, and supporting his new objective and allies in their quest to save the future. In their own small way, they've also grown as characters throughout SE5.

I believe that, overall, Dusknoir saw the Sableye as tools, but thanks to their growth and clear care for him, there's a possibility he might start to see them (and by extension other pokémon) in a more genuine, less pragmatic / objectifying way in the future. Now that Dusknoir has the chance to live a fulfilling life, he may learn to care for others without surrounding himself by so many walls. If anything, I think their future is quite bright. Not that the Sableye would mind if he still thrashed them around, though lol, they're clearly not bothered much by it (special episode 0 had a great depiction of the sableye imo, you can check that romhack if you haven't yet).

In conclusion, look at these little guys who adore their can-get-mean-but-is-mostly-polite boss and probably have a body count but now are good, they're so cute:

[w1f1n1ghtm4r3]

many a miscellaneous critter doodle

[hereforuconnwbb]

Unexpected Halt - CHAPTER EIGHT

paige x azzi (pazzi)

au fic!

~paige plays for uconn and azzi plays for stanford~

word count: 10.9k

warning: language, drugs

I PRE WROTE ALL TS AND WAS GONNA POST LATER BUT IMMA POST NOW CS IM SO GIDDY AND HYPED AZZI IS BACK FOR ANOTHER YEAR LESSSSFUCKENGOOOOOOOO

hey guys heres chapter 8 !! ik u guys wanted me to fix it but hey, we r getting there veryyyyy slowly 🤞🏽 gonna build off of this in the next chapter and maybe get them right ??? 🤷🏽‍♀️ we will see 😛 im hoping i didnt leave any mistakes in here and that it all adds up but hopefully yall enjoy !!!

DISCLAIMER: i want to make it clear that i DO NOT support, condone, or normalize victim blaming, manipulation, or any form of abuse. this story is purely fictional and meant for storytelling purposes, exploring themes of deception, miscommunication, and emotional conflict. the events depicted are not meant to excuse harmful behavior but rather to show how misunderstandings and outside influences can impact relationships. if any part of this story is upsetting, please read with discretion.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few days had passed since the incident at Ted’s, and the silence between Paige and Azzi was deafening. Neither had reached out to the other, both wrapped up in their own spiraling emotions, unsure of how to bridge the gap that had suddenly appeared between them.

Paige had spent the last few days in a haze, replaying everything over and over in her head, feeling the weight of the mistake she’d made. She hadn’t known Lexi had drugged her, but the consequences of her unconsciousness were now clearer than ever. Azzi was hurt, and Paige couldn’t fix that — not yet, at least.

She couldn’t bring herself to call Azzi. The idea of hearing the coldness in her voice, or worse, hearing nothing at all, made her stomach twist. She knew Azzi had blocked her number. She had seen it in the moment of panic after waking up, and it hit her harder than any physical blow.

The days dragged by in an uncomfortable mix of regret and confusion. Paige found herself constantly checking her phone, hoping for a message, but there was nothing. Not even a hint of the person she’d come to rely on, to trust.

Azzi, on the other hand, was no better off. She sat in her room, staring blankly at her phone, unable to erase the image of Paige with Lexi’s lips pressed against hers. It burned in her mind every time she closed her eyes, the overwhelming betrayal eating away at her. Her heart ached in ways she hadn’t known possible, but her pride kept her from reaching out. What was there left to say?

Each passing hour felt like a battle to hold herself together, to not let her emotions get the better of her. She missed Paige. She missed the connection they shared, the easy comfort of being with her. But she also felt foolish for letting herself believe it was real. How could she have been so blind? And now, all she had was the image of Paige, unconscious, while Lexi twisted everything for her own gain.

Caroline had tried to comfort her, offering words of support, but even she had become a distant figure in the background. Azzi couldn’t focus on anything except the pain of what had happened. She’d blocked Paige’s number because she didn’t know what else to do. She didn’t want to hear more lies, more empty apologies. It wasn’t that she didn’t love Paige anymore. It was that she couldn’t trust her. Not now.

Paige lay in bed now, scrolling mindlessly through social media, trying to drown out the quiet ache in her chest. She didn’t know how to fix this, didn’t know where to start. The whole situation felt too complicated to untangle, but she knew she needed to find a way to apologize — and more than that, to explain what had really happened.

But how could she even begin? Would Azzi believe her?

Paige sat up, the silence in her room feeling more suffocating than it ever had before. Her phone lay in her hands, the screen lit up with messages from KK and Ice, but not a single word from Azzi. She couldn’t keep doing this. She couldn’t keep staring at her phone, hoping Azzi would maybe unblock her and reach out. She had to be the one to break the silence.

But where to start?

With a shaky breath, she unlocked her phone and scrolled through her contacts, stopping when her eyes landed on Caroline’s name. She hesitated, her fingers hovering over the screen. Caroline wasn’t exactly Azzi, but she was close. She might not be the one to forgive her, but maybe she could help. Maybe she could tell her what to do. After all, she had been there through everything with Azzi.

Finally, Paige tapped out a message, her heart pounding.

Paige: Hey, Caroline. Can we talk? I need to explain myself.

It took a few minutes before the dots appeared, and then the reply came. Caroline’s response was swift, but it hit like a punch to the gut.

Caroline: Paige, I don’t think you and Azzi should be talking right now. She’s hurt, and I don’t think it’s going to help either of you for me to be the messenger. You fucked up, and now you need to give her space.

Paige winced, the sharpness of Caroline’s words striking her harder than she had expected. She had known it was coming, but it still stung.

Paige: Caroline, I swear, I didn’t.

Caroline: I don’t care what you didn’t do. The fact is, she’s upset, and you need to respect that. Azzi’s not in a place where she wants to hear from you, and I don’t think it would help. Not right now. And honestly? I don’t think she’d want me to be talking to you either, but I’m not going to be the one to make this harder for her. She’s already been through enough.

Paige’s hands trembled as she read the messages over and over. She could feel the anger, the hurt in Caroline’s words, and she couldn’t blame her for it. She had let Azzi down, let both of them down, and now Caroline was just as angry. But she needed to talk to someone. She needed to explain.

Paige: Caroline, please. I just— I didn’t know what was happening. I was drugged. Lexi did it. I— I’m not making excuses, I just need Azzi to know that. I need to explain to her that I didn’t do this intentionally. It wasn’t me.

The reply came quickly, almost too quickly.

Caroline: I know you think you’re explaining, but right now, it’s not going to help. Azzi needs time, and I’m not sure if she’ll even want to hear what you have to say when she’s ready. You’ve hurt her, Paige. I think you need to take a step back and think about that.

Caroline’s words were like a slap in the face. Paige’s chest tightened as the weight of her own mistakes came crashing down again. She didn’t know how to fix this, didn’t know if Azzi would ever be able to look at her the same way again.

Paige: But I love her. I really do, Caroline. I never meant for any of this to happen. Please, just tell her I’m sorry.

Caroline didn’t reply for several minutes, and when she did, it was in a much softer tone.

Caroline: I’m not the one to give you her forgiveness, Paige. You’ll have to work for that. Just… think about what you’ve done. Think about how Azzi feels.

Paige read the message over and over again, her heart heavy with the weight of the truth. She didn’t deserve Azzi’s forgiveness. Not yet. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to fight for it. She had to.

She just didn’t know how.

—----------------

Azzi sat on her bed, her knees pulled up to her chest, staring blankly at the floor. Her phone lay beside her, still turned over, as if even looking at it would bring back everything she was trying to push away. But no matter how much she tried to distract herself, Paige’s words—or what she thought were Paige’s words—kept replaying in her mind.

She had barely slept since that night. Barely eaten. Everything felt off. On the court, she was slower, unfocused. She hadn’t even told her teammates what happened, and she wasn’t sure if she ever would. She just kept pretending she was fine, when in reality, she felt like she was unraveling.

A knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts.

Caroline stepped inside, her expression cautious. “Hey,” she said softly.

Azzi just hummed in response, not looking up.

Caroline walked over and sat beside her, exhaling before speaking. “Paige texted me.”

Azzi stiffened at the mention of her name. Her jaw clenched, but she still didn’t look up.

“She wanted to talk,” Caroline continued. “Said she needed to explain herself.”

That made Azzi scoff. “Explain what? That she lost interest? That she wanted her ex instead?” Her voice was bitter, laced with hurt. “I don’t need an explanation, Care. She made it pretty damn clear.”

Caroline hesitated for a second before nodding. “I told her I didn’t think you’d want to talk to her,” she admitted. “I shut her down.”

Azzi finally lifted her head, her expression unreadable for a moment before she exhaled. “Good.”

Caroline studied her carefully. “Are you sure?”

Azzi let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. “What am I supposed to do? Let her talk her way out of this? She kissed Lexi, Caroline. She literally told me she wanted her. And then she let me find out with a damn picture? Nah. I don’t wanna hear anything from her.”

Caroline frowned but didn’t argue. “I get it,” she said. “And I’m not saying you should forgive her. But… you’re not okay.”

Azzi looked away. “I’ll be fine.”

Caroline sighed. “You don’t have to be fine right now. But you also don’t have to act like this doesn’t hurt.”

Azzi swallowed, trying to keep herself composed. “I don’t wanna talk about it anymore,” she muttered.

Caroline nodded slowly. “Alright,” she said, squeezing Azzi’s knee gently before standing up. “Just know I’m here, okay? For whatever you need.”

Azzi didn’t respond, just gave a small nod before Caroline walked out of the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

And no matter how much she tried to bury them, they weren’t going away anytime soon.

—----------------

Paige sat at her desk, her phone still in her hand, though it had been a few minutes since she sent the message to Caroline. She didn’t expect an immediate response, but she still stared at the screen, waiting for something—anything—that would bring some relief to the knot in her chest. There was no reply from Caroline yet, and, even though she’d already given her the cold shoulder, it felt like she had lost Azzi for good.

She couldn’t shake the guilt gnawing at her. The way Azzi had blocked her, the way everything had gone from feeling perfect to nothing in the blink of an eye. Paige had never felt so helpless in her life. She hated herself for that night. For letting herself get caught up in Lexi’s twisted games, for not being able to explain herself, for letting Azzi slip away.

It wasn’t fair.

It wasn’t fair to either of them. She hadn’t had the chance to tell Azzi what had actually happened. She hadn’t even had a chance to apologize properly before things had spiraled out of control. Paige wiped at her eyes, trying to blink away the tears, but they kept coming. She hated the weakness she felt, the tears that kept spilling out even though she couldn’t stop them.

She couldn’t explain to Azzi. Azzi wouldn’t listen. She had no way of telling her that she wasn’t the one who sent the messages. That it hadn’t been her kissing Lexi, that she had been knocked out, unconscious, and that the whole thing had been twisted into something that it wasn’t. She wanted to scream, to shout at the top of her lungs to anyone who would listen, but all she could do was sit there, feeling more alone than she ever had.

And Azzi—Azzi would never know.

Paige felt the suffocating weight of her isolation, the constant ache in her chest. She couldn’t reach out to Azzi. Not after what happened. Azzi had made her choice. She had blocked Paige’s number, had made it clear that she didn’t want anything to do with her. And Paige couldn’t blame her. Not after everything that had happened.

But still, the thought of not being able to explain herself, of not being able to make Azzi see that she was innocent in all of this, tore her apart. She needed Azzi to know. She needed her to understand that everything had gone wrong, and she had been powerless to stop it.

Paige wiped at her eyes again, letting out a shaky breath. She hated this. Hated feeling like she had no voice. No way to make things right.

The room felt too small, too suffocating, and Paige stood up abruptly, pacing for a moment before grabbing her jacket. A walk. She needed a walk.

Without thinking about it any further, she grabbed her keys, slipped on her shoes, and stepped out into the cold night air. The campus was quieter than usual, the only sounds being her footsteps echoing on the pavement as she walked aimlessly, hoping the chill in the air would cool her thoughts, calm the storm inside her head.

Her mind kept circling back to Azzi. She kept wondering where things had gone wrong. When had everything started to unravel? Had it been Lexi’s reappearance? Had it been her letting her guard down and trusting the wrong person?

Paige wanted to scream at herself, to apologize for everything she had done wrong. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t take back any of it. She couldn’t change what had happened. And the longer she walked, the more she felt like a part of her was just slipping away.

She didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know how to fix this.

The tears came again, harder this time, but she didn’t even bother to wipe them away. She let them fall, letting the cool breeze brush against her face as she tried to breathe through the pain. All she wanted was to hold Azzi, to make everything right again, but she knew that would never happen. She knew she had messed it all up beyond repair.

And the worst part? She didn’t even know how she’d get back from it.

Paige’s footsteps slowed, the weight of the night pressing down on her as she wandered aimlessly through the quiet campus. She could hear the soft rustling of leaves in the trees, but it felt like the world around her was miles away. Every step was a reminder of how broken she felt, and the pain in her chest felt like it might swallow her whole.

As she turned a corner, the sound of voices caught her attention. Her heart skipped a beat—Ice and KK. They had probably come looking for her. She hadn’t been in her room for hours. She hadn’t wanted to be there, hadn’t wanted to face the emptiness of it all. But now, she was alone, and the guilt was suffocating.

“Paige,” Ice’s voice called gently, and Paige’s shoulders tensed, the weight of the tears she’d been holding back finally breaking through. She didn’t even try to hide them as they fell freely down her face. She felt small in that moment, vulnerable in a way that she wasn’t used to. But the comforting presence of her friends made the pain a little more bearable.

KK was the first to reach her, pulling her into a tight hug. Ice followed, wrapping her arms around Paige as well, the trio standing in the quiet night with nothing but the sound of Paige’s soft sobs filling the air.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Ice whispered softly, her voice soothing as she rubbed Paige’s back. “You don’t have to be alone in this, alright? We’ve got you.”

Paige could barely catch her breath, but somehow, just being held in their arms felt like the tiniest bit of relief. She had been running on empty for so long, her emotions too tangled to even make sense of. But now, with KK and Ice there, she felt like she could finally break down—like she could admit how badly she was hurting.

“I messaged Caroline,” Paige finally whispered between shaky breaths. “I thought… maybe she could help me explain. But she shut me down. She shut me down…” The words stung more than she expected, and she felt a fresh wave of tears crash down on her.

Ice’s grip tightened around her. “You tried, Paige. You’re trying. That’s all you can do right now.”

“I don’t know what to do,” Paige choked out, her voice cracking. “I just… I can’t lose her, but it feels like I already have. I can’t even explain what happened to Azzi. I… I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, but everything’s messed up now.”

KK’s voice was quiet but firm. “You’ve got to give her time. Azzi’s hurting too, you know? You can’t blame yourself for everything, Paige. What happened wasn’t your fault.”

“I didn’t even get to tell her what happened,” Paige whispered, barely able to speak the words through the lump in her throat. “I didn’t get to tell her I was unconscious when the picture was taken, when the messages were sent… I didn’t get to explain myself.”

Ice sighed softly, her fingers still gently brushing through Paige’s hair. “Paige, we know. But right now, you can’t carry all of this on your own. You’ve got to give Azzi some space. You know how she is—she’s hurt, too.”

Paige nodded weakly, burying her face into Ice’s shoulder. “But I don’t know if she’ll ever forgive me. I don’t know if I can fix this.”

“You can’t fix it overnight,” KK said, her voice full of quiet assurance. “But you can start by being honest with her. And with yourself. You’re not alone in this, Paige. You’ve got us. We’ll help you through it.”

Paige nodded, her tears slowly subsiding as the weight of her friends’ words sank in. She still had a long road ahead of her, and there was no telling how things would turn out with Azzi. But for now, she wasn’t alone. She didn’t have to carry this pain by herself.

With a shaky breath, Paige whispered, “Thanks… both of you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

KK gave a soft laugh, squeezing her tighter. “You’ll never have to find out, Paige. We’re here for you. We always will be.”

As the three of them stood there, the cold night air no longer seemed so suffocating. It wasn’t much, but it was a small glimmer of hope in the middle of all the darkness. And for the first time in days, Paige allowed herself to believe that maybe—just maybe—she could make things right with Azzi.

—----------------

The morning after the late-night breakdown, Paige awoke feeling heavy. The guilt still clung to her, but today was game day—UConn was playing at Gampel Pavilion, and she couldn’t afford to be consumed by her emotions. She had to push through. She had to focus on basketball, even if it was hard to focus on anything else.

As the team began to prepare, the gym buzzed with excitement, the energy of the upcoming game pulsing through the air. Paige couldn’t shake the thoughts of Azzi, but she was determined not to let it affect her performance. Today, she would be focused. She would be the Paige Bueckers the fans knew and loved.

During warm-ups, Paige went through the motions, bouncing a ball between her hands, stretching her legs, and mentally preparing for the game. The stands were already filling up with fans—die-hard UConn supporters who were excited to see their team compete. Paige couldn’t help but notice how many eyes were on her. She always thrived in the spotlight, but today it felt different.

As she walked toward the sideline, a young fan caught her attention. The little girl was holding a sign that said, “I believe in you, Paige!” It made Paige smile despite everything she was carrying inside. But then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a couple standing near the front row, holding a baby who was staring up at her with big, curious eyes.

“Hey there,” Paige smiled softly, walking up to them. The baby’s eyes locked onto hers, and she couldn’t help but wave. “Hi, little one! You’re so cute.”

The baby giggled and reached out a small hand toward her. Paige’s heart melted. It was a simple interaction, but it was the kind of innocence and sweetness that she desperately needed in this moment. Without thinking, she bent down to get closer to the baby, letting the little one grasp her finger. The parents were smiling, clearly just as touched by the moment as she was.

“I think you’re a future UConn fan,” Paige said with a chuckle, her voice warm and gentle. “Look at you, already a natural.”

The baby babbled happily, and Paige couldn’t help but laugh. She made a silly face, trying to get the baby to smile more. And sure enough, the little one broke out into a bright grin that had Paige grinning back, feeling a brief respite from her worries.

The moment felt perfect in its simplicity. Paige spent a few more moments chatting with the parents, thanking them for their support before she moved on to the next part of her warm-up routine. But what she didn’t know was that someone had captured the interaction on their phone, and before long, the video was being shared all over social media.

By the time the game was about to begin, the video had gone viral. The caption read: “Paige Bueckers making our hearts melt with this precious moment with a young fan! This is why we love her!” Fans flooded her social media with praise, commenting on how sweet and genuine the moment had been. It was a reminder of why Paige was so adored, even in the midst of everything she was going through.

—----------------

Azzi sat in her dorm room, the quiet hum of her laptop filling the space as she stared at the screen, not really focusing on anything in particular. She had spent the last few days pushing herself through the routine of school and practice, keeping herself busy, trying to avoid the thoughts of Paige that constantly swirled in her mind. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t escape the pain.

As she scrolled mindlessly through social media, something caught her eye. It was a video, a short clip of Paige interacting with a baby fan during warm-ups before the game. Azzi’s heart skipped a beat as the thumbnail loaded. She hadn’t expected to see Paige on her feed, especially not like this.

The video was simple but so undeniably sweet. Paige was crouching down, smiling brightly at the little baby, making faces and engaging with the child in a way that was pure and endearing. Azzi couldn’t help but feel a pang in her chest, watching the way Paige lit up in that moment. She hadn’t seen Paige so carefree in a while, and the sight of her doing something so genuine made Azzi’s heart ache with longing.

She swallowed hard, not expecting this reaction. But there it was—right in front of her, the real Paige, not the one with the cold, distant energy from the last few days. The Paige who made her feel like the world was worth it.

Azzi paused the video, taking a deep breath. The urge to reach out to Paige was almost overwhelming, but she quickly shoved that thought aside. No. Not after everything that had happened.

Despite what happened between them, she couldn’t help but admire the way Paige had handled the situation with the baby. It was clear that Paige was still the same person, the one she had fallen for. But Azzi couldn’t forget the betrayal she felt when Paige’s ex had sent her those messages, the photo, everything that had gone down.

Still, watching the video made Azzi feel conflicted. She couldn’t just turn off all her feelings for Paige, not when she still cared so deeply. It was hard, too hard, to simply pretend that the connection wasn’t there anymore.

Azzi sighed, shaking her head, trying to clear the fog in her mind. She glanced at the clock—there was still time before the game started. In a quiet decision, she clicked over to UConn’s sports app, finding the live stream of the game. It wasn’t the same as being there, but it was something.

She hit “Play,” and the game footage loaded, the pre-game buzzer echoing through her speakers. It was hard to admit, but a part of Azzi wanted to watch—wanted to see Paige play, to see her in her element. She missed it. She missed her.

With a small sigh, Azzi adjusted the volume, leaned back in her chair, and watched as the camera panned across the court, waiting for the game to start.

—----------------

The game was intense from the start. Their opponent came out aggressive, matching UConn’s energy possession for possession. Paige quickly found herself in a battle, hounded by a tough defender who was making every dribble, every cut, a challenge. But Paige thrived in these moments.

She took control early, weaving through the defense and knocking down a pull-up jumper from the elbow for the first points of the game. The crowd erupted, but there was no time to celebrate. Their opponent responded immediately with a three-pointer on the other end, setting the tone for what was about to be a tight, physical contest.

The first quarter flew by, a back-and-forth affair with neither team able to break away. Paige dished out assists, finding her teammates in transition and setting them up for open shots. She hit another mid-range jumper, then drilled a three of her own off a screen, keeping UConn in rhythm. But every time they gained momentum, their opponent answered right back, refusing to let them build a lead.

By halftime, the score was tied.

Paige wiped the sweat from her forehead as she made her way to the locker room. The intensity of the game was exactly what she needed—something to pour herself into, something to distract her from everything off the court. But even as she focused on the game plan, the weight of the last few days still lingered in the back of her mind.

Coming out of halftime, UConn looked to push the pace. Paige initiated the break, driving into the lane before kicking the ball out for a three. She followed it up with a hard drive to the rim, finishing through contact for an and-one. The crowd erupted as she flexed her arms for a brief second before stepping to the free-throw line.

But their opponent wouldn’t go away. They responded with a run of their own, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on second-chance points. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the game was still up for grabs.

Paige stood near the sideline, catching her breath as the buzzer sounded to signal the start of the final period. The score was nearly even, and it was clear this one was going to come down to the wire.

She took a deep breath, rolling her shoulders back again. One more quarter. That’s all that mattered now.

—----------------

Paige bent over slightly, resting her hands on her knees as she took deep breaths. The fourth quarter had been nothing short of a war. Both teams were going at it, possession for possession, neither backing down. Bodies crashed into each other on drives, defenders slapped at the ball with desperate aggression, and every bucket felt like it could be the turning point.

With under five minutes left, the game was deadlocked. Paige had already taken several hard hits, her jersey damp with sweat, but she wasn’t going to slow down now. She snatched a rebound and pushed the pace, weaving through defenders before dishing a no-look pass to her teammate for a layup. The crowd roared as UConn took a slim two-point lead.

But the other team refused to go away.

A deep three from their point guard put them back on top. The next possession, Paige fought through a double team, spun into the lane, and finished with a tough floater over an outstretched hand. The lead changed again.

Each time UConn scored, their opponent responded. The clock ticked down, the intensity inside Gampel reaching a fever pitch. The fans were on their feet, screaming on every possession, the sound rattling through the arena.

With thirty seconds left, UConn was up by one. Paige locked in defensively, her stance low as she shadowed her matchup. But their opponent made a quick move, driving hard to the basket. Paige slid over to help, but the ball handler kicked it out to the corner. The three-pointer went up.

And it dropped.

The opposing bench erupted as the shot fell through the net. With only six seconds left on the clock, UConn was suddenly trailing by two.

Paige felt her stomach twist, but there was no time to dwell on it. No timeouts. No huddles. Just instincts.

She grabbed the inbound pass and took off down the court.

Her defender rushed up, trying to force her wide, but Paige cut back to the middle, her feet barely touching the ground as she sprinted across half-court. The clock was down to two seconds. There was no time for anything else.

Paige planted her foot and launched a deep shot from just beyond half-court.

The ball sailed through the air, the entire arena holding its breath.

Then—

Swish.

The net barely moved as the ball dropped in.

Gampel Pavilion erupted.

Paige barely had time to react before her teammates swarmed her, bodies crashing into her as they screamed and grabbed at her jersey. The crowd was deafening, the floor shaking with the sheer force of the celebration.

She had won them the game.

Paige was breathless, hands in her hair as she tried to process what had just happened. She had done this before. She had hit clutch shots before. But tonight? This one meant everything.

For the first time in days, she felt something other than heartbreak.

She felt alive.

—----------------

Azzi sat on her bed, her eyes locked onto the screen as the game reached its final moments. The intensity had her gripping the edge of her blanket, her breath caught in her throat as she watched the opposing team drain a clutch three to take the lead.

Her heart pounded, even though she told herself she wasn’t as invested as she used to be. This wasn’t her team. She wasn’t supposed to care.

But then—Paige got the ball.

Azzi could see it coming before it even happened. The way Paige moved, the confidence in her stride, the way she pulled up from beyond half-court without hesitation.

Then—

Swish.

Azzi sucked in a breath as the crowd erupted, her stomach twisting as she watched Paige’s teammates swarm her in celebration.

Classic Paige.

It was the kind of moment that would be all over social media within minutes. The kind of moment that made Paige who she was—clutch, fearless, electric. Azzi had seen it firsthand so many times before.

And for a split second, just for a moment, she forgot everything.

She forgot about the messages.

She forgot about the picture.

She forgot about the way her heart had shattered.

Because all she could see was the girl she—

Azzi clenched her jaw and exhaled sharply, shaking her head.

No.

She grabbed the remote and turned off the TV, the screen going black instantly.

She refused to let herself get caught up in Paige Bueckers again. Not after everything.

Azzi leaned back against her pillows, sighing heavily.

It didn’t matter what Paige did. It didn’t change anything.

—----------------

Paige sat on the edge of her bed, still in her game gear, staring at the floor. The cheers from Gampel still echoed in her head, the weight of her game-winning shot still lingering in her body. Any other time, she would have been ecstatic—reliving the moment over and over, scrolling through the endless reactions online, feeling on top of the world.

But now? It felt… hollow.

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, fingers threading through her damp hair. The adrenaline had worn off, leaving her drained, exhausted in a way that had nothing to do with basketball.

Azzi hadn’t texted her.

She hadn’t expected her to, but a part of her had still hoped. Hoped that maybe, just maybe, Azzi had seen the shot and thought of her. That she would reach out, even if just for a second.

But there was nothing. Just silence.

Paige blinked against the sting in her eyes, shaking her head. This is my fault. She kept telling herself that, over and over, even though she still didn’t have all the answers. Even though the entire night was still a blur, even though she knew she would never—could never—do that to Azzi. It didn’t matter.

Because Azzi thought she did.

Paige pulled out her phone, staring at their chat—the one that had been one-sided since that night. Every message she had sent after getting her phone back had gone nowhere. Blocked. The word still sat heavy in her chest, suffocating her.

She wanted to explain. She wanted to scream that she didn’t do what Azzi thought she did. That she had blacked out before anything happened. That she would never betray her like that. But she had no way to reach her. No way to make her listen.

Paige inhaled sharply and tossed her phone onto the bed beside her, pressing the heels of her palms into her eyes.

It wasn’t just the loss of Azzi that made her feel like this. It was the helplessness. The way she felt like she had no voice, no control, no way to fix what had been broken.

And she didn’t know how to live with that.

—----------------

Meanwhile, Ice sat cross-legged on her bed, her phone in hand as she scrolled through her TikTok drafts. “Yo, KK, remember when you were acting a damn fool at Ted’s that night?” she teased, smirking as she tapped on a video.

KK, lying across the floor with a bag of chips, rolled her eyes. “Acting a fool? Nah, I was carrying the energy that night.”

“Uh-huh,” Ice chuckled, pressing play. The video showed KK hyping up the crowd, doing some ridiculous dance moves in the middle of the bar while people cheered. Ice’s camera work was shaky from her laughing, but it captured everything—the loud music, the packed room, the chaos of the night.

They kept watching, laughing at KK’s moves, until Ice went to the next draft—another angle, another clip. The camera had been pointed at KK, but it was a little wider this time, catching more of the background.

And that’s when it happened.

KK was mid-spin when Ice’s laughter suddenly died in her throat. Her fingers twitched as she tapped the screen to pause the video.

“Wait.”

KK, still munching on chips, barely looked up. “Wait what?”

“Look,” Ice muttered, rewinding a few seconds and then slowing the video down. She zoomed in, her heart sinking as she focused on the background.

There was Paige. She was turned slightly away from the bar, caught up in a conversation with someone—not Ice, not KK, but another person they couldn’t see clearly. And behind her—just for a split second—Lexi stepped into the frame.

And then, clear as day, Lexi’s hand moved over Paige’s drink pouring substances in.

KK sat up so fast she nearly knocked the chip bag over. “Hold the fuck up—”

Ice played the clip again, watching the same thing happen. Paige had been distracted, fully unaware. And Lexi? She had been quick. Smooth. As if she had done this before.

Ice and KK locked eyes, the air suddenly thick with realization.

“Tell me I’m tripping,” KK said, voice lower now, serious.

Ice’s jaw clenched. “You’re not tripping.”

KK exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down her face. “Paige doesn’t know. She doesn’t know she was drugged.”

Ice’s stomach twisted. Paige had been blaming herself this whole time, drowning in guilt, thinking she had done something she hadn’t.

And the truth had been sitting right there in Ice’s drafts the whole time.

Ice and KK sat there in stunned silence, the weight of what they had just discovered pressing down on them like a brick wall.

Ice finally broke the silence. “We need to tell her.”

KK nodded, but she was still staring at the screen, jaw tight. “She’s been tearing herself apart over this, Ice. She thinks she actually let that shit happen.”

Ice exhaled sharply. “Lexi’s fucking sick. Paige was out cold, and she—” Ice cut herself off, shaking her head. “We need to tell her now.”

KK didn’t argue. She grabbed her phone and stood up. “Come on.”

The two of them left Ice’s room, moving quickly down the hall. KK’s heart pounded in her chest. Paige had been keeping everything bottled up, convinced she had ruined her relationship, and all this time—she never even had a chance.

When they got to Paige’s dorm, Ice didn’t bother knocking. She pushed the door open, and there was Paige, sitting on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the floor. She looked exhausted—like she hadn’t slept in days.

Her head lifted slightly when she saw them, her brows pulling together. “What’s up?” she asked, her voice hoarse.

Ice and KK didn’t say anything at first. KK just walked over, sitting next to her, while Ice stayed standing, gripping her phone.

Paige’s expression shifted, picking up on the energy in the room. “What?” she asked again, her voice quieter now.

Ice swallowed, then looked Paige dead in the eyes.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” she said. “Lexi drugged you.”

Paige blinked. Her whole body went still. “What?”

KK took a deep breath and held out Ice’s phone. “We have proof, P. It’s on video.”

Paige stared at the phone like it might explode in her hands. Her fingers shook slightly as she reached for it. Ice played the clip, and Paige watched.

She saw herself standing there at the bar, completely unaware. She saw Lexi slide into frame. She saw Lexi’s hand move over her drink.

Paige’s breath hitched.

The room spun.

She had no memory of this.

Her stomach twisted violently, like she might throw up.

“Lexi…” Paige whispered, her voice trembling. She could barely hear herself over the blood rushing in her ears.

KK placed a steadying hand on Paige’s back, her usual playful demeanor gone. “She set you up, P. You didn’t kiss her. You didn’t cheat. She did this to you.”

Paige clenched her jaw, swallowing down the lump in her throat. Her breathing was unsteady. Her hands were shaking.

All this time, she had been drowning in guilt. All this time, she had been hating herself.

And the truth had been stolen from her.

She never had a voice in this.

She had been a victim.

Tears welled in Paige’s eyes, but this time, they weren’t just from heartbreak. They were from anger. From betrayal. From the sheer violation of it all.

Lexi had stolen so much from her.

And now, Paige wanted it back.

—----------------

Paige, Ice, and KK stood in front of the police station, the tension heavy in the air. Paige’s heart was pounding as she walked into the station, clutching her phone tightly, the video of Lexi drugging her ready to be shown. This was it—she was going to take action. She was going to make sure Lexi couldn’t hurt her—or Azzi—anymore.

After a few moments, they were ushered into a small office, and Paige nervously took a seat, her hands still trembling. A detective sat across from them, flipping open a notepad, looking up at Paige with a serious expression.

“So, what do we have here?” the detective asked, taking in the scene.

Paige’s voice shook slightly, but she kept her focus. “I was drugged. Someone put something in my drink without me noticing, and I—I need you to look into it. I also need to report… what happened after. I was unconscious, and she kissed me. I—I didn’t consent to it.”

The detective nodded, glancing at Ice and KK for a moment before looking back at Paige. “Okay. Let’s take a look at the video.”

Paige pulled her phone from her pocket, her hands still shaking, and handed it over. The detective played the video, eyes narrowing as they watched the footage of Lexi subtly slipping something into Paige’s drink. Paige felt a wave of relief flood through her—it was evidence. She was being believed.

“This is definitely a clear indication of tampering,” the detective said, pausing the video. “We can follow up on this. It’s enough to open an investigation.”

Paige nodded, finally feeling like the weight was starting to lift. “Good. I—I’m just so tired of feeling like I have no control over this.”

The detective paused for a moment, flipping through their notes. “We’ll look into the drugging part. We’ll need to talk to the bar staff and any potential witnesses, but this gives us a good place to start.”

Paige felt her chest tighten. “But what about… the other part? After I passed out… She kissed me. I didn’t consent to it. Can you do anything about that?”

The detective hesitated, then spoke in a measured tone. “I’m sorry, but without any concrete proof of the kiss or your state at the time, there’s not much we can do about that. The video doesn’t show anything further than the drugging, and no one has corroborated your story.”

Paige’s stomach dropped. Her heart felt like it shattered into pieces.

“So you’re telling me,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady but failing, “that I have no proof that she kissed me while I was unconscious?”

The detective nodded, his voice softer now. “Unfortunately, without any physical evidence or witness accounts, there’s nothing we can do legally about that part of the situation. It’s your word against hers.”

Paige’s hands balled into fists, and she tried to swallow the lump in her throat. The one thing she thought would be enough—enough to prove how messed up everything was—wasn’t.

“You can’t even do anything about the fact that she drugged me? Just because she didn’t touch me the same way?” Paige’s voice broke. She could feel herself spiraling. “I don’t get it. This isn’t okay. This isn’t fair.”

Ice leaned forward, her voice firm but compassionate. “We get it, P. We do. But we can’t let her off the hook just because she’s being sneaky.”

KK added, “We can’t just back down. We’re not gonna let her slide. We’ll find another way to make sure she faces consequences. We will.”

The detective sighed, closing the case file with a resigned look. “We’ll do what we can. But right now, the drugging is the only part we can act on.”

Paige nodded, feeling defeated but still a flicker of hope burning inside her. She wouldn’t let Lexi win. She couldn’t.

“Thank you,” Paige whispered, feeling the weight of the conversation and the long road ahead. “Please, just… do whatever you can. Make sure she doesn’t hurt anyone else.”

The detective nodded, looking sympathetic but helpless. “We’ll be in touch.”

As Paige stood up, she glanced at Ice and KK, their faces full of determination. “This isn’t over. I won’t let it be.”

Ice and KK nodded, walking with her out of the station. Paige knew the fight wasn’t over. Lexi might have escaped the law for now, but Paige would make sure she faced the consequences, one way or another. She wasn’t going to give up—not on herself, and definitely not on Azzi.

—----------------

Paige, Ice, and KK sat on a bench outside, the late afternoon sun casting a soft glow over campus. They were all still processing the visit to the police station, the weight of everything starting to sink in. It felt like a lot had happened in such a short time, and it was hard to believe that it was all because of one person—Lexi.

Paige let out a long breath, her hands resting in her lap as she stared down at the ground. “I still can’t believe that’s all they could do. I thought for sure they’d take me seriously about what happened… but now it feels like I’m the one who has to do everything.”

KK and Ice exchanged glances, both trying to comfort her, but they were also feeling the same frustration. Ice reached over, placing a hand on Paige’s shoulder. “We’ll find a way. You’re not in this alone.”

“I know, but it just… sucks, you know?” Paige’s voice cracked as she looked up at her friends. “I don’t even know how to make it right with Azzi after everything. I didn’t do any of this, but I feel like I ruined everything.”

KK frowned, glancing around the campus. “Hey, look. We’ll figure it out. But you can’t carry all of this alone, okay?”

Before Paige could respond, she saw a girl walking toward them, her eyes locked on Paige. She was around their age, wearing a simple hoodie and jeans, but it was the expression on her face that caught Paige’s attention. The girl looked like she had something important to say.

“Oh my God, I’ve been looking all over for you!” The girl’s voice was a mix of excitement and nervousness, and she approached Paige hesitantly.

Paige furrowed her brow, the familiarity of the situation hitting her. She recognized the girl now. “Wait… you’re the one who was in the bathroom at Ted’s that night. The one who left her phone in the stall.”

The girl’s face brightened as she nodded. “Yeah! I’m Serena. I saw everything that night. I’ve been trying to track you down ever since. I… I didn’t want you to think I was just some random bystander, but I saw what happened with you and that girl, and I think you need to know what I got on my phone.”

Paige’s stomach dropped at the mention of Lexi. “You saw… everything?”

Serena hesitated for a moment, then sat down next to Paige, pulling her phone out of her pocket. “I did. I know I wasn’t supposed to, but I was suspicious. When I walked into the bathroom and saw you passed out, I noticed that girl—you know, the one who was with you. She was right next to you, and I was just… something about her didn’t sit right with me.”

Paige stiffened, knowing exactly who Serena was talking about.

“So,” Serena continued, “I made sure I set my phone up on the bathroom stall door so it could capture whatever was going on. I had it pointed in the right direction, and when I opened the door and left, I made sure it kept recording.”

Paige blinked in shock. “You were recording me without me knowing?”

Serena nodded. “I know it’s weird, but I didn’t want to just let this go. I watched the footage later, and I saw that girl—Lexi—was kissing you while you were out cold. I don’t know her, but I saw it all. She took a picture of you two kissing too, and then when you woke up, she started acting like nothing happened.”

Paige’s heart started racing as she absorbed what Serena was saying. She had always known there was something off about that night, something in the back of her mind telling her that what she remembered wasn’t all of it. And now Serena had the evidence—the video.

“I knew it,” Paige whispered, her hands trembling. “I knew she kissed me while I was unconscious, but I couldn’t prove it. This—this video…” She couldn’t believe it was real. The weight of everything, the feeling of helplessness, finally started to lift as she realized she wasn’t alone in this.

Serena unlocked her phone and airdropped the video to Paige. “I just wanted to make sure you had this. You deserve to know what happened, especially if it’s going to help you get justice.”

Paige watched the video, her heart sinking as she saw Lexi leaning in and kissing her while she was unconscious, unable to do anything to stop it. She could feel the anger rise in her chest. The way Lexi had manipulated everything—it made her sick.

After the video ended, Serena gave her a small, apologetic smile. “I know it’s a lot to take in. But I thought you should know. And if you ever need anything, I’m here. I’m not going to let her get away with it either.”

Paige nodded, tears welling in her eyes. She didn’t know what to say—she was overwhelmed, exhausted, and still trying to piece everything together. But one thing was for sure: she wasn’t going to let Lexi get away with what she’d done.

“Thank you,” Paige finally whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

Serena nodded, standing up to leave. “Just take care of yourself, okay?”

As Serena walked away, Paige sat in silence, the video still fresh on her mind. She wasn’t going to let this slide. This was just the beginning.

Paige, Ice, and KK sat in silence for a few moments, each of them processing everything that had just unfolded. The weight of Serena’s words lingered in the air as Paige held her phone in her hand, the video playing over and over in her mind. Her pulse was still racing from the shock of seeing it all again.

Ice was the first to speak, her voice quiet but firm. “This is huge, Paige. I’m glad you’ve got the video now. But what’s next?”

Paige wiped her eyes, her hands still shaking slightly. “I don’t know… I don’t know what to do with this.” She looked down at the phone in her hand, the evidence staring back at her. “I can’t just let this go. This is… this is messed up.”

KK nodded, her expression serious. “You’re right. You need to take this back to the police. You’ve got proof now, and they have to listen.”

Paige took a deep breath. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m not letting her get away with this.”

The three of them stood up, and as they walked back to the police station, the reality of the situation started to settle in. Paige’s mind was a whirlwind, thoughts spiraling as she tried to figure out what this all meant for her, for Azzi, for everything. She knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but she couldn’t just let Lexi’s actions go unpunished.

By the time they arrived at the station, it was nearing late afternoon. The police officers who had initially spoken to Paige greeted them, and the group followed them to a small meeting room. After a quick introduction, Paige handed over her phone, her fingers brushing over the screen as she handed over the damning video.

“We need to make sure this is seen by the right people,” Paige said, her voice steady, though there was a slight tremor underneath.

The officer nodded, watching the video carefully. “We’ve been looking into the situation more closely. We actually got in touch with the staff at Ted’s and got some more details. Looks like Lexi, the girl you mentioned, has been flagged by them before. She’s got a bit of a reputation for making trouble.”

Paige’s heart sank at the mention of Lexi’s name. “You knew about her?”

The officer gave a nod. “Not all the details, but yeah. We’ve heard rumors, and it looks like your situation is part of a pattern. We’re working on getting more concrete evidence. This video definitely helps.”

Paige let out a slow breath, the pressure on her chest easing slightly. “So, you’re saying… this might actually go somewhere?”

“We’re working on it,” the officer said. “We’re reaching out to some of the people involved and pulling more footage from the night. We’ll also be contacting Lexi soon, and we’ll see where it goes from there.”

“Good,” Paige said, feeling a surge of determination. “She’s not going to get away with this.”

Ice and KK stood behind her, their support unwavering. They had seen the weight of the situation settle in on Paige, but now they could see the fire burning in her eyes. She wasn’t going to let this end with a dead-end. They would get justice.

After a few more questions, the officer turned to them. “We’ll be in touch, Paige. You’ve done the right thing by bringing this to us. We’re taking this seriously.”

Paige nodded, relief and anger still mixing in her chest. “Thanks. I just want to make sure no one else has to go through this.”

Once they left the station, Paige felt a slight shift within herself. She wasn’t sure how long it would take, but she finally felt like she was doing something about it. Lexi wasn’t going to get away with her manipulations. And as she walked back with Ice and KK, she knew she wasn’t alone in this fight.

—----------------

Paige, Ice, and KK walked back to their dorm in silence, the weight of everything still pressing heavily on Paige’s chest. She kept thinking back to the conversation at the police station, her fingers itching to reach out to Azzi, but she knew that wasn’t the right move yet. Not when things were still so raw between them.

Once they were back in her room, Paige sat on her bed, pulling out her phone. Her hand hovered over Caroline’s name in her contacts, a wave of hesitation washing over her. Caroline had been pissed at her before, but this time, Paige had to make her understand.

She typed the message, taking a deep breath before pressing send.

Paige: Hey, Caroline. I know things have been rough, and I get why you’ve been shutting me out, but I really need you to listen to me. I owe you an explanation.

The response came quickly, but Caroline’s tone was firm.

Caroline: I don’t know if I’m ready to hear it, Paige. Azzi’s been through enough because of you, and I really don’t think this is something you need to be getting into right now.

Paige’s stomach twisted at the message. She’d expected this, but she wasn’t going to let it stop her.

Paige: Please, just give me a chance to explain. You know I’d never hurt Azzi on purpose. This thing with Lexi—it’s not what you think. It’s a lot worse than you know.

She waited a few moments, watching the three dots appear and disappear as Caroline typed.

Caroline: Fine. But this better be good, Paige. Azzi’s been heartbroken over this for days.

Paige quickly attached the video Serena had sent her and typed the message. Her hands were shaking, but she had to get this out.

Paige: I just got this today. It’s from that night at Ted’s. Lexi drugged me, and she used my phone to message Azzi, pretending to be me. She even sent that picture of us kissing while I was unconscious. I’ve already reported it to the police, and it’s under investigation now. I don’t want you to think I’m some kind of monster. This is all on Lexi.

She stared at her phone, her heart pounding in her chest. She had said it. She had finally said it all. There was no turning back now.

Caroline: Wait… what?

The message came a few seconds later, her disbelief clear through the words.

Caroline: I knew something wasn’t right. But I was pissed. I was too pissed about what happened between Azzi and you to think it through properly. I didn’t want to be the one to defend you when Azzi was heartbroken.

Paige’s chest tightened as she read that, the guilt gnawing at her. She understood why Caroline had felt that way, but hearing it out loud still hurt.

Paige: I know. I know, Caroline. And I hate that I made her go through that. But please, you have to believe me. I never wanted to hurt her. I’m doing everything I can to make this right.

Caroline: I just— I don’t even know what to say, Paige. This is a lot.

Paige sank back onto her bed, taking a deep breath. She had to get through to Caroline, she had to.

Paige: I know it’s a lot. I just need you to understand that I was never trying to do anything wrong. I thought I was protecting her, and I failed. But I’m not giving up on her, and I’m not giving up on us.

The message sat there for a long moment before Caroline replied.

Caroline: I’ll talk to Azzi. But you better hope this investigation leads somewhere because she doesn’t deserve to go through all this.

Paige felt a weight lift from her shoulders as she read Caroline’s words. She wasn’t sure what would happen next, but at least she had an opening now. A small one, but enough to build on.

Paige: Thank you. Just… please let her know the truth when you can. I just want to make this right.

Caroline: I will. Just don’t make this worse, Paige.

Paige set her phone down, letting out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. She knew this wasn’t over. Far from it. But she’d taken a step. Maybe it was a small one, but it was a start.

As she sat there, Ice and KK glanced at her from across the room, both of them giving her small, reassuring smiles. She didn’t know what would happen next, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like she had a chance at making things right.

—----------------

Caroline paced nervously outside of Azzi’s dorm, her fingers tightening around her phone as she held it in her hands. She had told Paige she would talk to Azzi, but she wasn’t sure how this conversation would go. Azzi had been hurt by Paige, and the last thing Caroline wanted was to make things worse. But, after everything she had seen, she knew the truth needed to come out.

Taking a deep breath, Caroline knocked on Azzi’s door. She heard a faint voice from inside, and with a hesitant nod, she pushed the door open. Azzi was sitting on her bed, a blanket wrapped around her, her eyes red from crying earlier that day.

Azzi looked up, her expression hardening as she saw Caroline. “What’s this about, Caroline? I told you before, I don’t want to talk about Paige right now.”

Caroline took a few steps into the room and sat down on the edge of the bed, her eyes softening as she looked at Azzi. She had never wanted to be the one to get in the middle of their mess, but this was bigger than anything she could ignore.

“I know, Azzi. I know you don’t want to hear from her. But I think you deserve the truth,” Caroline said, her voice firm but gentle.

Azzi’s brows furrowed, confused. “What do you mean? What’s going on?”

Caroline hesitated, then pulled out her phone. “Paige reached out to me. She explained what happened, and I didn’t believe her at first. But then… She sent me something. Proof. Proof that what happened with Lexi wasn’t what we thought.”

Azzi looked at Caroline skeptically. “Proof of what?”

Caroline swiped through her phone and opened the first video. She held it up for Azzi to see, her heart racing. “This is from the night at Ted’s. It’s the moment when Lexi slipped something into Paige’s drink while she was distracted.”

Azzi stared at the screen, her eyes narrowing as she watched the video. She saw Paige, laughing and talking with someone else, unaware of Lexi standing beside her, covertly putting something into her drink. Azzi could feel her stomach twist, but she stayed silent.

Caroline swiped to the next video, her finger shaking slightly as she clicked on it. “And this… This is the part where Lexi kissed Paige while she was unconscious in the bathroom.”

Azzi watched in silence, her lips parted as she saw Lexi leaning down over Paige, who was unconscious in the stall. Lexi kissed her, taking a moment to snap a picture before Paige stirred and pushed her away, visibly confused and disoriented. Azzi could see the tension in Paige’s movements, the way she was fighting to shake off the fog, the way Lexi tried to act like nothing had happened.

Then, Paige’s voice, shaky but strong, rang out in the video, pushing Lexi away. “Why the fuck are you kissing me while I was out? Are you crazy? I’m in a happy relationship right now.”

Lexi, her expression unbothered, smirked. “Well, not anymore,” she said, her words dripping with malice.

Caroline watched as Azzi’s face shifted, her jaw tightening in anger. Azzi’s eyes were glued to the screen, her brows drawn together in disbelief. Caroline couldn’t blame her. Seeing it all play out like this, it was hard to process.

“Do you see it now?” Caroline asked quietly, her voice softer. “Lexi was the one manipulating everything. Not Paige.”

Azzi turned her gaze to Caroline, her face pale. She was quiet for a long time, as if trying to absorb everything. Her emotions were all over the place — hurt, confusion, betrayal.

“I don’t know what to think,” Azzi murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “I just… I can’t believe it. I— I don’t know how to feel about it. I should've given her the chance to speak to me but I didn't.”

Caroline reached over and put a hand on Azzi’s shoulder, trying to comfort her. “I get it, Azzi. I really do. Lexi manipulated everything, and she’s the one who needs to be held accountable. Not Paige.”

Azzi shook her head slightly. “I don’t know if I can fully process this straight away. It's gonna take some time. ”

Caroline sighed, understanding the depth of Azzi’s pain. “I know this is a lot. I don’t expect you to process this whole thing right away. But you deserve the truth, Azzi. And now you have it.”

Azzi’s eyes were distant as she stared at her phone, her mind clearly racing. “I need some time. I just… I need time to think about all of this, it's all just new.”

Caroline nodded, standing up and walking toward the door. “I understand. But just remember, don't stress yourself too much because of how you handled it.”

As she left the room, Caroline glanced back at Azzi, who was still sitting on the bed, staring at her phone, the weight of everything settling in.

Outside the door, Caroline’s heart was heavy, but she knew that the truth was out there now. She could only hope that Azzi would come to see that Paige hadn’t been the one who had hurt her.

Azzi sat on her bed, her phone still in her hands, but now everything felt different. The video Caroline had shown her kept replaying in her mind. The look of shock on Paige’s face when she woke up, the way she pushed Lexi away, the argument that followed—it all started to make sense in a way that Azzi hadn’t fully understood before.

But even with the truth laid out before her, Azzi was still struggling. She couldn’t just flip a switch and go back to how things were with Paige. There was too much hurt. But now that she knew what happened with Lexi, it felt wrong to hold onto the anger. It felt like she was holding onto something that wasn’t real anymore.

Azzi took a deep breath, scrolling through her contacts until she landed on Paige’s name. Her finger hovered over the “unblock” option, and for a moment, she just stared at it, her chest tightening. Was she ready to hear from Paige again? Did she want to hear from her?

She thought about the last few days—how she’d kept her distance from Paige, how much she had cried, how much she had wanted answers, even when she wasn’t sure how to get them. Paige had been blocked, shut out from her life, but Azzi couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this story. And maybe—just maybe—she needed to hear it from Paige herself.

Azzi tapped the screen, unblocking Paige’s number. It felt like a heavy weight was lifted, but it also felt like she was stepping into unknown territory. Her emotions were still raw, but she knew it was a step toward healing, even if it wasn’t one she was ready to take just yet.

She didn’t message Paige. She couldn’t. Not yet.

Azzi lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind swirling with all the things she still needed to process. She wasn’t sure if she would ever fully heal from what had happened between her and Paige as it has emotionally wrecked her.

This was going to take time.

But unblocking Paige was a start. It was a sign that, maybe, just maybe, she was open to talking again when the time was right. The healing process couldn’t begin without some form of connection, and as much as Azzi hated to admit it, that connection had to come from both sides.

She closed her eyes, letting out a long sigh. “It’s going to take a while,” she whispered to herself, her heart heavy. But for the first time in days, she felt like there was a possibility of moving forward, even if that meant taking baby steps.

For now, that was enough.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[evesbookshop]

𝐀𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬

𝐀𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐱 𝐟!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 ⇩⇩⇩

“𝐇𝐞𝐲! 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐱 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞? :)”

✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿

𝐅𝐭: 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐕, 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐱, 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤

✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿

You Loved Shouta, you loved him a lot. You loved him enough to let him marry you, you loved him enough to let him get you pregnant. You loved him.

You hated being pregnant. At first it was fun, a cute bump, buying baby clothes, decorating a room for your son. Then your feet started to swell, your bump was no longer cutely small, and you couldn’t go more than an hour or two without having to piss. No you hated being pregnant. And this was his fault, so you'd be damned if he didnt help get it out.

First it was curb walking, did it for a week. You didn't get anything but a sore back out of that. Then was the spicy food, Shouta was forced to do that with you too, he gave birth in the toilet that day and you had found that your spice tolerance had grown to be impenetrable during pregnancy. Ball yoga, fun but unhelpful. Pineapple, tasty but also unhelpful, acupuncture, that could’ve worked if you hadn’t chickened out before they stuck the first needle. 

That left the big one, sex.

“Shittt-” Shouta was under you, hand on your hips as he helped you bounce up and down on his length, “Just like that, pretty girl.’

“Shut-t up.” your eyes were screwed shut and face scrunched in pleasure but also in focus, trying to take him as deep as you could and this position did that the best. Hands planted on his firm and hairy chest as you split yourself open on his cock. It was safe to say he enjoyed this method more than the others. 

Knees pressed into the parts of the mattress closest to his hips as you ground down into his pelvis. The deeper he got the better chance of this working, plus god did he feel great from this angle. 

“Taking me so good though, now I can’t give you compliments.” The rasp in his voice shot straight to your core and you fluttered softly around his member. Letting out a pitchy whine, “See you like it. Don’t act like you aren’t enjoying this.”

“Hngh, fuckin shit- wish you weren’t enjoying this so much” You grit out as you continued to take him as deep as possible. “You did this.”

“I know, baby. And i'm so sorry” No he wasn’t, when you guys had decided you were ready for kids he'd spend every hour he wasn’t dead tired fucking load after load into you. The last thing he was was sorry.

“Liar.”

“Heh, yeah but you liked it.” A lazy smirk made it way onto his face, hands coming up to knead your sore and already lactating breasts. Massaging the tender skin softly and reveling in the way you shuddered against the feel of his calloused hands. Tweaking your nipples between his thumb and index marveling at the small drops of milk leaked from them. “Practically begged for me, remember, Sweetheart?.” Condescending bastard.

“Hate you,” you grit out before letting out a pitchy whine as the tip of his cock smacks against the most sensitive spot inside your walls.

“Love my cock though.” Shouta has the nerve to smile cockily as he helps you rock against him. Not that he's wrong, but he could at least pretend to be sorry.

“Didn’t I say shut up.” You groan, leaning back to place a hand on his thigh to revelave some of the pressure on your bladder, the last thing you needed to do was to stop piss. The new angle allowing him to watch the way your cunt swallowed his length with every drop of your hips.

“Shitt, you look so fucking good like this, Mama”He said lowly, eyes taking in every inch of you pregnant body and how you looked taking what you needed from him. “Gorgeous” 

That had you blushing softly, sheepish grin spreading across your already flushed face. Maybe you didn’t totally hate him, but you did need his help.

“Shou, hmph, shou.” you try to get his attention focused and it works. His eyes fluttering open and focusing on your face rather than where you're sucking him in.

“W-what? What happened?” His voice deeper than ever as he tried to work through grunts that begged to be let loose.

“Help me damnit- fuckk- my hips hurt, just do something-” You groaned partly in discomfort but mostly pleasure. Shouta understanding what you need, hands coming to grab your his firmly. Lifting you up and holding you still a few inches in the air as he began to plant his feet into the mattress.

Making sure he has a steady grip and footing before taking over completely. Thrusting up into you with a force you were unprepared for. Drawing a gasp turned moan from your lips as he rammed into you with speed and strength, aiming for your g-spot with a perfected precision. Shouta had you memorized like the back of his hands.

“Oh fuck oh fuck o fuck- just like that Shou!” Your moans came faster and breatheir as he pushed you closer and closer to coming.

“Gonna come for me, Sweetheart? Shit, you gonna gush all over this dick.” He was met with raid nods and high pitched moans you muffled through clenched teeth. “Nuh uh, gotta say it, use your words for me, Mama.”

“Yes, yes, I’m gonna come. Gonna come all over your cock- oh god!” With that the dam blew, legs shaking as your walls clenched and spasmed around him. And Shouta like the good husband he was fucked you through it. Helping you ride out your high as he chased is own, thrusts growing sloppy as he neared his peak.

“Pull out!” you warned suddenly, he thought he heard wrong but soon you were repeating yourself, “not inside , not inside!”  You told him through moans and though confused he obeyed, fucking into you until he couldn’t hold it anymore and pulling out . Your hands coming to pump his length until he was coming all over his stomach and your hands. Both of you panting hard, him on his back and you sat on his thighs.

“Why’d I have to pull out?” He asked, his chest still rising and falling hard.

“If it works I don't want the baby to come out covered in your load.”

✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿

𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝!! 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬 , 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 ❤︎︎

𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐨𝐰 ❣︎

𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐨𝐞𝐧 ❤︎︎

[calebsangelbby]

・❥ CALEBS FAVORITE KINKS !!!

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 0:10

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ rundown :: a list of what i think are calebs top 5 kinks !

WARNINGS :: NSFW! 18+, incest , oral sex , bondage , collaring , orgasm denial , porn w/ no plot

a/n :: these are not in order !! :)

1. INCEST :: now, this might seem a little bit overboard , but to caleb ? it's nothing new . after knowing you for so long ... growing up together , living in the same house , sharing everything with each other .. it's like a normal thing to him. so normal to the point where he'll call you his 'sissy' during different times of day . " sissy , could you grab my water from the table for me ? thank you, love . " it just rolls of the tongue !! especially during your alone time, too . it slips out more than you or him could count . when he first moaned it he never even payed attention to it , thinking of it as nothing . it was only when you gave him a look that he couldn't quite read did he notice what he accidentally said . "o-oh my god pips im.. im so sorry. that was fucking weird and i shouldnt have said it... im a damn pervert." shame flooded his face ... but he knew it would happen again , whether he could control it or not .

2. BONDAGE :: listen , he doesnt want to be tied up because hes horny , it's because he trusts you so much ... and that kind of turns him on . the fact he can willingly submit to you and trust you without having to worry about what you're doing . although he likes to be restrained , he'd never do it to you .. only if you asked him . he'd do anything you asked for (within reason) , whether thats strapping you to the bed with ropes , chains , a belt (his) , cuffs .. whatever you please . all he's worried about is them scuffing up those pretty wrists of yours . "nono wait baby .. your skin, it's red . do you need me to stop ? i'll stop right now for you , you look like you're in pain . let me kiss it better pips .." is what he'd say on any other occasion .. but the times when you didnt look so in pain , thats when his freak comes out . "you cant run away silly .. stop trying to run from me . i wont allow it , and neither will those restraints you begged me to use on you . i actually quite like the way you look right now... all tied up and cute for me ."

3. COLLARING :: i feel like this is the most canon you could ever get . he'd seriously be into making you wear a collar for him , wanting everyone to know who you belong to & to not try with his girl ! also , he'd want one with a bell .. just so you couldnt escape without being noisy ;) . buuuut he's up for wearing one for you as well , he also wants to let people know who he belongs to . i think he'd get one for the both of you regardless of you wanting one or not , his need to get people off of you is too strong, as he is alarmingly obsessed with you . the collar isn't just used as man repellent , it turns him on so fucking much . knowing that you're practically his property gets his dick hard to the point of ache , he'd definitely make you wear it during sex . mumbling incoherent sentences about how much he loves the way it looks on your gorgeous neck .. how he never wants you to take it off . "as long as you're here, with me, you aren't touching it . fuck , you're so good for me .."

4. ORGASM DENIAL :: hear me out . it's late at night and he notices your location isnt on ... he texts and calls you multiple times without an answer . eventually , he tracks you down and confronts you about going out without his knowledge / consent . after he's done scolding you , that night , he'd drag you into his car as soon as he could & not let you cum . he would adore hearing you beg for him , solely because it feeds into his desire for you to need him as much as he does you . he wouldnt be too fond if you ended up doing it to him ... maybe as revenge or something , but nonetheless , he would be in pieces . pleading , begging , writhing , all of the above just to feel your perfect cunt squeeze around him one more time so he can cum . he would never put his hands on you , but he would just get so desperate ... he might have to move you himself !! at that point , all he would manage were whimpers and prayers . "ohmygod pips please .. im sorry! okay! im sorry .. i can't take this anymore baby , i need to cum . i need it so fucking bad ."

5. FACE SITTING :: caleb takes "the best way to die is by thigh" way too seriously . he would happily pass away while in between your thighs ... he loves eating you out so much it's kind of concerning . the moment his lips are on your core hes not letting up until you've cum over and over again on his face .. hes addicted to the taste of you . his deep obsession with your juices is so bad that he has to have you suffocating him , almost breaking his nose , using his face as a toy ... he can't get enough . i think this roots from the fact that he jerks off to your voice all the time & that makes him so attached to all your moans . especially when you call out his name while you cum .. he thinks about those moments way too often .

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ in conclusion :: caleb would really do whatever you asked , aka hes into anything , but these are the ones he really enjoys . <3

[chaosartic]

A furry surprise | AA23

word count: roughly 1k

warning: fluff, pet names, slightly suggestive at like one point

summary: You’re finally able to give Alex his birthday present. But what do you give an F1 driver? Correct, a kitten.

a/n: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX ALBON! And I’m continuing with my small (full season) project. I finally redid my masterlist so now everything is sorted correctly.

You’re not panicking, why would you? It’s not like you were picking up your boyfriend from the airport today. But that’s not where the anxiety comes from. No, it’s because of something else. Due to your tight work schedule you weren’t able to be there during the race weekend and his birthday. You remember the look in his eyes when you told him the news. Yes, he was upset but it was ok, at least that’s what he told you. You’re already at the airport waiting for the plane to land, alongside Alex you are also picking up George. Since he helped you organize your boyfriend’s birthday present you offered to drive him to wherever he needs to be after the long flight.

You and Alex got together about six months ago so it was the first time that you have to get him a birthday present. When that realization fully settled in you started panicking. What does a Formula One driver need that he couldn’t get himself? For sure not a new watch or fancy clothes. He can just buy those himself whenever he needs. So you turned to his best friend for advice. After a lot of back-and-forth and thinking you finally found the perfect gift, at least that’s what you hope.

You know how much he loves his pets and how much he misses them whenever he leaves Monaco. Nowadays it wasn’t uncommon for him to stay at your place and since you don’t reside in Monaco or anywhere near there he sees them less than normally. Sure that wasn’t the long term idea but for now the long distance has to work. The birthday present idea, get him a pet that stays at your place. So whenever he visits you and work drags you away half the day he has some company to spend the time with.

“There you are!” the excited voice of your boyfriend rings through the almost empty airport. You are immediately pulled into his warm embrace, a small sigh leaving your lips having missed being in his arms. Your head is resting comfortably on his shoulder taking in the familiar scent that is just purely him. “Alright love birds leave that for later in the bedroom,” George jokes, “someone promised me a ride.” You reluctantly left Alex’s arms and gave George a quick hug, congratulating him to his podiums.

You dropped George off after a short ride. Before that he assured you again though that the gift was a good idea and that Alex would love it. However, the closer the two of you got to your apartment the anxiety started coming back. What if he thought it was too much? What if he didnt like her? Before you could overthink it too much Alex turns towards you, his hand resting comfortably on your thigh. It was unusual for you to drive but every now and then, especially after a long flight, he enjoys being a passenger princess. “So happy to see you again sweetheart,” he says, a permanent smile on his face.

“Baby you know that I love you, right?” you start carefully. “Of course I do,” he answers with a slight confusion visible. “Can you promise me not to be mad at your present? No matter what it is.” The request shocked him visibly. Why would you request that from him? What was this present? “Sweetheart of course,” he starts, “but now I want to know even more what you got me.” The anxiety in your stomach settles down a bit at his words. His hand is moving small circles on your thighs in hope to bring you comfort.

The car ride was over sooner than you probably want. Alex didn’t hesitate a second to lean over the center console and kiss you. His lips moving slowly against yours having missed this a lot. After you both pull away he gets his stuff out of the trunk. He takes your hand in his, guiding you to the apartment. He tries to hide it but his excitement is clear.

The apartment was dark when you entered it. Upon turning on the light both of you saw a little furry ball rushing around. “What was that?” His voice was high pitched. His eyes sparkling with excitement and love already. You don’t answer him, instead you walk after her. “Alex, meet May,” you introduce her. The little tuxedo kitten is now resting comfortably in your arms. Alex squealed a little before rushing over to the both of you. “Your birthday present,” you confirm even though he already guessed that in his head.

One of his hands is resting on your upper arm, the other stroking the kitten slowly. “But… but why?” he asks, still confused. “It’s stupid really. But I know how you miss yours whenever you’re here,” you start a blush now creeping up in your cheeks, “thought you might want one here too to keep you company when I work.” Now that you say it out loud it sounds like a stupid idea.

Before you can overthink it again his voice calms you down. “I love this and you and her.” His eyes are still sparkling with love and excitement. He carefully takes the kitten out of your arm and presses a small kiss on her tiny head. He put her down on the ground before pulling you into his arms. He kisses you full of passion again. “Thank you so much, I love you both so much.”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

I hope you enjoy it! Any feedback is appreciated!

[turbotaxevasion]

Things I do as a Night Shift nurse that I think the Bats also do

Bruce

sigh, a lot

walk around to stay awake

pretend to shake the computer when it freezes but i know its expensive so i cant break it

turn all the lights off and hiss when someone turns them all the way up

Dick

say "good morning" at 11 pm

randomly dropping that i have a DNR

saying hello to everyone i pass by so they dont think im mad at them bc of my tired bitch face

Barbara

wiggling my fingers on the keyboard so the keys make the fun click clack sound even tho im not typing anything

looking at a file note and going "wow, and on x history month/international x day" to literally anything

seeing an acronym and going "what is that?", googling it, and realizing that i did already know it

guessing random acronyms and never attempting to learn what it actually stands for

Cass

walking quietly so i dont disturb people and accidentally scare my coworkers bc they didnt hear me come up to them

dance with my hands to the music in my head bc full body dancing is socially quite weird

dancing with my full body if i see another nurse (vigilante ig) down the unit (across a building maybe) to communicate like bees

quacking at other nurses (vigilantes ig) when they start to complain

Jason

"do not need me, figure it out or perish" - said to another nurse (vigilante ig)

getting into a philosophical debate with a sundowner dementia grandma and going "ok ms. girl!!! didnt know she was educated!!!" when she tells me she was a teacher and a waitress and a ceo and an engineer and a pilot and an astrophysicist and a lawyer with her single bachelor's of english (i love my ladies pls dont think i dont theyre sweethearts)

"and what inspired this choice?" - said any time a patient (civilian ig) does something not only strange but potentially dangerous but i dont want them to think im mad at them

Tim

40 oz Stanley full of pre-workout

"is it too early to go home?" - said 2 hours into a 12 hour shift

wandering around with my coat on my shoulders like a cape bc its cold in the hallway and forgetting about it until i go into a room and start melting

"i think a shot of ketamine could fix most people but this lady is unfortunately built stronger than that"

Stephanie

braiding everybody's hair bc they found out she could and now can never escape it

calling tim pookie on shift even tho they are not dating (i do this with a fellow nurse that i am alao very good friends with)

debating whether or not she eats, pees, or naps during her break

snacks so frequently in the cave theres a note by the bat-computer saying "do not eat on bat-computer"

Duke

"i should not be awake right now, this is cruel"

"please do not the microwave" - we're missing a microwave and they almost broke this one too

clearing out the work fridge and when ppl complain goes "wah wah wah im [name] and i wanna eat mold even tho im allergic"

Damian

"this place will not be standing in the morning"

"you say im nice but you should know im seething and full of rage"

showing coworkers pics of my cat theyve definitely already seen

[frownyalfred]

AP Bruce would hate demons head Bruce bc he’s like “YOU TOOK THE TEACHINGS AND DIDNT EVEN USE IT TO PROTECT GOTHAM?? WHAT THE FUCK??? I went to prison willingly for this shit!” And would have to physically be held back when he learns of a Bruce who actually allows the loa to Do Those Things to his kids because most Bruce’s know what what’s like and never wants that to happen to a CHILD

AP Bruce being held back making awful, pointed comments about Demon's Head Bruce really liking to suck Ra's dick and all the other Bruces are horrified meanwhile Demon's Head Bruce is standing there like yeah that's fair but also? I killed Ra's so you can keep joking, he's still alive in your world isn't he? and AP Bruce has nothing to say to that because yeah....Ra's is.

[rainbowdrop]

Ok since I love some JJ content and this idea was stuck in here(🧠) for a while... Well... I did- something- (something being a 2k word first part fic)

I don't know if I will extend on this or really do anything more... But oh well I already write at least this so- ehr.. hope you like it-!

(take in mind this isn't my normal do thing- so it surely had mistakes, not only in the canon aspect of things but also in the writing over all (and also also English isn't my first language so- so yeah take that in mind)

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Ok- Tim never saw himself as a hero alright? He idolizes them and he follows them through news and forums or more… let’s say active ways *cough *cough "bird watching" but he never thought that he would ever be one of them… not even when this idea first came. Because back then it wasn't about how he felt or what he wanted to become... He was just done really- just as done as probably the whole Gotham, but that night- that night, what he saw, how easily was for him- no- for that thing- to just tear apart the whole life of someone, and still left them to life, and seeing him smile and laught- all that- just to see the pain in other not even in her he did all of this to hurt someone who was close to Batman- and he- he just saw- saw paralyzed in fear and horror as Joker shoot Barbara Gordon-

He- he wasn't supposed to be here- watch that- he was just following Batman that night, but he lose him, and when he finally managed to knew where he probably was going but it was to late and to far away to get there and it was just pointless to try (he knew, he tried) and even of not for that, it make news that there was a breakout, and not of just anyone but the Joker- and being honest here- even he knew it wasn't worth being out just for a few good shoots, so he was going back, he swear he was going home-! But- but he saw something when he was moving in between buildings- because as someone who knows how to hide- he knows how to look for people trying to hide- so he could barely make out a dark figure just going trought the other side of the street-

And ok- yes, it was kind of dumb to see what that shadow figure was doing there because well- Gotham- but- But- maybe he didn't need to get to close... He could even take some evidence and maybe send it anonymously to the police station as he does sometimes...

...

He didn't know when he started running, he didn't register when he got to his room, he didnt feel as he closed everything and when he land in the bed or when his eyes got not blurry of the tears... He just didn't knew much of that night after he saw that... The only thing that he was sure of it's that he couldn't go to sleep at all, and that everytime his body told him to sleep and he tried to close his eyes he just saw Barbara Gordon (Batgirl no- no she won't be that anymore- not anymore- she couldn't because- because Joker-) and the image was just as vivid as if it was just Infront of him...

He didn't go to school the next day- and he probably wouldn't have go the next days if it wasn't because that happened a Thursday so he just los a Friday and he had Saturday and sunday- bit really does days he could barely move- he just eat something because Mrs. Mac came Saturday morning to bring the groceries and make some food for the next few days and she made him eat something... He could barely hold himself enought to pass the food that just felt like disgusting slime in his mouth- Mrs Mac the oblivious angel that she was didn't notice- or didn't ask about his behavior and was soon out of the house in the late afternoon.

Monday morning just a bit better (better enought to force himself to go to school... He still couldn't stomach much, barely a piece of bread and water since Mrs Mac visit-) he was a bit late for school, but he manages to pull through and even give an excuse for his absence in friday- he was still pretty much out of it tought, so for the rest of the day he was barely paying any attention in class... His mind thankfully numb of it all that it didn't bring any explicit memories of that night... It was just not there. And even in the night, his body didn't much of wanted to go out.. he knew that the Joker was again in the Asylum (it was the second thing he did after Mrs. Mac force him to eat something) and- and rationally he knew that he could go out again... But he just couldn't- not with that image staying and reappearing each time he tought about it si- so no he wouldn't go out- not in the foreseeable future.

And he did- he didn't go out for half of the month, he didn't saw as much as news as he normally did and he didn't even check on the forums as much- because yes- of course he saw the brutality of this city the brutality of the Joker- but it was different it was totally different to be there to watch and even hear what happen that day, he saw the blood saw the bullet go trought skin and probably (surely) bones and hear that agonizing scream even a street afamfar from it, and seeing that smile for bigger even then, seeing the actual monster... It was different, and he couldn't see- couldn't dare to see the news and imagine the sounds and the scream and the blood-so he just didn't... For a while- for a while he didn't, until his brain make him need to know what happened- to- to know- did- did Joker killed batgirl-? Killed Barbara Gordon-? Because yes he was there, and he probably technically saw what happened that night- but after that first shot and that first scream... His mind won't bring anything else.. he just say how Barbara fall and bleed and scream- but then the next thing he remembers after that was just him being in his room- So after those two weeks he needed to search what happened- so he forced his fingers to search for Barbara Gordon-

....

He just looked at the screen- he didn't notice, but Tim was starting to hold his phone so hard that it was turning white, and his hand was trembling and and he threw his phone to the wall (he needed to buy a new one for sure) Barbara Gordon- she was (she is is is- because she is alive she is at least alive-) she is- paralyzed... Paralyzed... She- she couldn't be Batgirl anymore... Joker- Joker took that from her... Joker destroyed that forever from her... And Joker was just let to live... (In Arkham but that's for now because even Batman knew that it was just for now it was always just for now) And then he would be free again.. and do more damage to more people- as he always does as he always will do- because Batman would never kill him- because he would never be like them he wouldn't just become like them- he wouldn't cross that line...

But- someone needed to do something- do something that really did anything to at least stop Joker's plans- to stop the number of victims to grow- but- but how-? Arkham wasn't an option... Didn't matter if just to contain him or treat him... Someone like him just wasn't insane.. he was like that just because. Tim made his research and he knew that at least the joker didn't qualify as an inestable person that just didn't know what his desicions make- no Joker knew what he was doing and he knows that it hurt people.. he just does it to enjoy and to "play" with Batman... (And besides who made that first report of Joker counting as and insane person who couldn't be accountable for his actions was Harleen Quinzel aka future Harley Queen, that was almost for sure manipulate from Joker to become her "sidekick" so Tim was pretty sure that statement is fake or at least based in false information) but bringing this information wouldn't do much, everyone knew that the system didn't work for the people, but for the villains that hold the money and the power above everyone... So the justice system was also a no... Batman could stop him but when it was to late... If just someone could inform the plans.. could knew what would happen even before they could be public knowledge.. then maybe they could be stopped even before really damage could be done... But how...? Or even better who?

...

Tim took a few steps back as he turn around to look at his clock... Welp there goes another night with barely sleep.. but as he looked at his board full of threads (yes a bit cliche but it really make the word to put his tought into actual coherent things and not just a mess of thoughts) he make a kind of coherent plan... First the best option for the joker to be stopped (without the killing thing- because he now understand the filly extension of what that implied when he saw Barbara fall... He didn't think he could pull that off even to that monster without hearing Gordon's scream of pain of horror) the best thing was for someone be inside Joker "organization" someone close enought to being keep up of their plans... But after he followed his thoughts, he realized no one in there would be able to do that for him, he tought of buying some of his lackies trust and that they betray the Joker to inform him... But first they probably didn't knew much- probably just getting in the plan mere moments before it was done and second even if it work... If it worked there was a hight chance that Joker would discover them.. and- and he didn't want to be responsible of that hypothetical person dead... His second tought then was someone close to the Joker.. someone kind of usefully to the Joker so that it was harder for the Joker to suspect abou... But really all the closer to him were as crazy or were being manipulate by the man, so he couldn't just buy their secrets...

So it had to be someone new, someone that infiltrated from the start with that objective, bit again he wouldn't just send anyone to what probably was a risky (if not suicidal) mission... But even then he make a list of what this hypothetical infiltrate would need to achieve that... Since he would be closer to Joker and he would need to pass a lot of time with him to first wins his trust and to second do all the job of inform and give clues to Batman or at least the police... It needed to have ton of time and not have that lot of personal relations since they would notice if they were gone for longs period of time (hmm... Just like him, he could easily ask his parents to move him to a digital school and that was it, he didn't have that close of friends .. so he could easily go without much problem.. and he could probably easily make it to his house just once a week when Mrs. Mac came to check on him and his parents didn't really came that often... And when they did they didn't stay for more than a few days-...) that "hypothetical person" should also be able to not be notice, since they should be the responsible to pass the information of the joker to the right people... (He could also do that... He knew tons of secret spaces in all Gotham that not even Batman nor Robin could know since they never saw him... Huh....) And- and there is also the part that really was hard to decide... The risk... Whoever stayed there will be hurt physically and mentally... He didn't want to put anyone near that risk... More when he would be in his parents mansion(where if he was the infiltrate nobody would look for him-) with the allowance of his parents (with wich he could buy tons of resources more people wouldn't be able to-) and- and- he looked around in the empty house... Where nobody- nobody would knew if he was gone... Nobody will be worried... And his parents probably didn't care as much for him if they barely check on him... He could probably disappear for days... Make a simple excuse for Mrs. Mac if he couldn't return for the few hours she was here ... And then... Then he could probably be the one to do it- he wouldn't have to worry he put another person life in risk- he could take it as it was... And he wouldn't worry anyone if something did happen...

He looked and thought of what he would need if he was the one to do it... He was lost in tought when he finally notice the light coming trought his closed curtains... He turned around quickly to his clock and- shoot-! He was late for school- he hurriedly start to make his way to the bathroom to get ready and make sure he didn't look as of he stayed all night awake- once he came from school he could thing this better, bit his mind was already made up- he wouldn't let any of Joker plans happen any more- not of he could do something about it.

(if I ever make a second part here would be the link for you to click)

Joker Jr. AU but a bit different

I have recently seen and read several Tim Drake AU's where he is Joker Jr. They were all really interesting but I noticed how Tim was (obviously since that's like the main trait of the Joker) always insane in these fics, which has given me the following idea: Tim is Joker Jr. but he is not insane and actually purposefully became him to at as a spy.

Hear me out: Little 11/12-year old Timothy was out at night doing some nighttime photography (*cough* batstalking *cough*) when he witnessed the Joker doing something so brutally sick and wrong (Barbara being shot maybe?) that Tim decided that Joker needed to be stopped and it had to happen soon. Somewhere in that thought process it somehow got into his head that he had to do something.

I am sadly not actually smart enough to explain to you how he did it, but Tim tricks the Joker into making him his "son" and into thinking that he is insane. However instead of bringing chaos and harm upon the people of Gotham, Tim is using JJ as a cover to infiltrate the world of Gotham's rogues and send warnings to the police and citizens before attacks so they can be stopped or at least as many people saved as possible.

Another use of Tim pretending to be JJ is, that he can slowly convince Harley to leave the Joker over time and even better: Joker might take him to Ethiopia where Tim saves Jason. Through Jason's vague memories of being rescued in the last second by a child that was with the Joker? the Bat's finally become aware of the fact that Joker has a child (i imagine that they only heard rumours about it before and they kind of brushed it off since the story didn't really add up or some other excuse like that). They are obviously very concerned but when they finally find Tim and expect to meet a traumaticzed child that has become close to insanity, this happens instead:

*Batman and co. dramatically landing on the roof JJ is standing on*

*Tim turning around and starting to wave exitedly when he sees them*: Hi :)! Omg I can't believe I'm meeting you guys, i am a big fan do you need something from me? Information maybe? That would be no problem although you might have to wait a bit if you need like specific info on a rogue because i would have to investigate first and-

Nightwing: Wtf B?! You told me to come from Blud tonight since I am the best of us with children but I wouldn't touch whatever this is with a ten-foot-pole.

Batman (ignoring his son): Hello Timothy (yeah they figured out his identity), we are here to rescue you from the Joker and bring you home to your family.

Tim: Rescue me? Why would you have to rescue me? *whispering to himself* and my parents have found out i'm not at drake manor? I am going to have to check they're travel plans again.

*Bat's sharing a concerned glance*

Jason: I know this is hard to understand for you and you must be so scared, but Joker is very dangerous. We can help you. You are safe now and you don't need to defend him.

*Tim looking at them with a confused Pikachu face*: Ewwww, I would rather drop my camera off a roof than defend the Joker. I think we are having a little misunderstanding right now.

Tim, completly convinced from his Hero's greatness, just assumed that the Bat's knew about his existence, who he was and that he was only pretending to be a rogue. Why wouldn't they? There the best detectives in the world after all!

He then procedes to explain to them how he is literally the perfect spy, since his parents wouldn't even really miss him if he died and he already made contingencies that would assure all the data and evidence he has on people would be automatically deleted.

The Bat's leave that rooftop not only without Tim, but also somehow even more concerned than before.

In conclusion: Give me an AU that is just Tim my sweet-summer child doing the most reckless shit that is somehow atually very helpful for everyone while the Batfam is just desperatly trying and failing to convince Tim that he has no obligation for what he is doing and that his sacrifice would not be worth it (during the many encounters they have, Tim slowly turns out to be the perfect adoption bait and I think we all already know how this is going to end.)

This is literally my first ever tumblr post or post about the batfam so I hope I did this the right way and this was somewhat possible to enjoy. Please tell me if i made any mistakes since english isn't my first language and feel free to write fic's using my idea!

[talon-dragonbeast]

weird rules, social expectations and Being A Woman

you know, something that really pisses me off about Society (tm) is how normativity is just so mindlessly, happily rewarded, even by the most tolerant of people. specifically (but not exclusively) regarding to gender expression.

i am a woman. i was born a woman, i live as a woman, i am perceived as a woman, and i even identify as a woman. ill admit i also have some gender fuckery going on in here, but my internal identity is, frankly, nobodys business; im happy to be assumed a woman, because i honestly dont care how others perceive me in this regard. but. this doesnt mean that i am happy to do the whole nonsense routine that is required to be considered a Real Woman by almost everyone in this god darn planet. i dont do makeup, i dont like to style my hair, i mostly stopped shaving, and you couldnt pay me to care about clothes.

my mother is always telling me about how pretty i am. growing up, i heard it all the time. you have such beautiful curls, if i had hair like yours i would let it grow a lot longer (thanks, i like it shorter tho). im so jealous of your eyes, they are so blue! (haha yeah, i was born with them). i bet this dress would look so pretty on you, why do you never wear skirts? (they just make me uncomfortable, i like my own clothes anyways). if you wore makeup more often you would look so much more beautiful (i like how my face looks, thanks). you should shave your legs, they look bad like that (you never tell [brother] to shave his legs).

it is infuriating. i hate it so, so much. i am a woman, not a doll to play dress up with. and if i have to pretend to be a human, the least that society could do is to just let me exist in peace! it drives me crazy that all this is even expected. worst part, it is fucking Everywhere.

this christmas one of my cousins got me a new pencil case. it is pink and green, and has some cats and snakes and bugs and moons drawn on it. it is beautiful, and although i wasnt too thrilled about the color, i figured it was cool so i began using it. one of my friends saw me take it out during class, said oooo [name], thats so pretty! and gave me a Look. i dont know how to explain it without sounding crazy, but i swear it was like she was saying, so now you like Woman Stuff! you know what Look im talking about, right? when you finally cave in and do the feminine thing, and its like everyone is so happy that youre finally filling your expected role in life. it is weird as hell. i dont like it.

but like, this is my friend, who supports me being aroace and autistic and IS BISEXUAL HERSELF! something something, leftism leaving peoples bodies when a gender non-conforming person does something that is stereotypically associated with their gender. idk, its a bit like dog training when you think about it for a second. in animal training (and i mean proper animal training, not beating your dog until it stops barking), good behavior should be rewarded, while bad behavior is supposed to be ignored so the animal learns to only do the good behavior. you do the feminine thing, and you get smiles and compliments; you stop doing it, then suddenly gender presentation doesnt matter. and this... training behavior is, of course, mostly unconscious, with its perpetrators unaware that theyre even doing it. if i asked my friend what she meant by that, she would say that she didnt mean anything, she just liked the case. if i asked my mother why do i have to shave while my brother doesnt, she would say that its just how things are.

its just how things are. its how it always has been. its how it always will be. so just shut up, smile, and pretend it isnt happening. pretend youre not being trained like a dog to salivate at the sound of a bell. it doesnt matter, it isnt happening, so why bother thinking about it? dont think about it. stop thinking about it.

[acphengene]

Chapter 1 - It’s her

₊ ⁺ pairing: Jay x reader

₊ ⁺ genre: fantasy, fluff, angst, found family, brotherly love, death of family, loss, heartbreak, swearing, smut

₊ ⁺ word count: 7.6k

₊ ⁺ note: this is my baby… the amount of brainstorming - rewrites and hours I’ve put into this chapter over the last few months is something else. I really hope you love it as much as I do

You had always loved to travel. Today was no different. You slid down the soft material your seat was covered in and closed the window cover to block out the blazing sun from scolding your skin.

The usual travels you embarked on were for relaxation or fun, this, as fun as it might end up being, was for the better of your kingdom.

When your older brother had left The Kingdom of Night, he had not only left you and your father behind. He had left your people, and because of that he had also left you the crown.

You couldn’t help the sigh that escaped your lungs, you had always been ‘just’ a princess, but now it said crown in front of it, and that single word came with a shit load of responsibilities.

Which meant training of your powers, and learning of foreign policies and the history of all kingdoms. Because of that you were on board a plane, soon to enroll in the ‘University of Heirs’.

Despite the name it wasn’t only the heirs of each kingdom that attended, which was your luck. Two of your three best friends were currently enrolled in the prestigious school that was located in The Kingdom of Day.

Sunoo was a siren from The Water Kingdom, with beauty, brains and a voice who could make even the stone giants from Fire cry. He studied medicine and marine biology and hoped that the plants only his people could get beneath the waves, would change the face of the medicine most used on land.

Jungwon was a Night fae studying gastronomy. Always passionate, always kind, and with a serious addiction and fascination of mixing everything with chocolate. However, his experiments didn’t always end well. The two of you had grown up side by side, as his father had been a chef in the royal castle since before you were even born.

The last one was Niki, even though he did not attend the school he still called Day home, at least until his profession would whisk him off to the next far away land. He was a dancer, with charisma and an almost dangerous appearance very similar to the black panther he could shape shift into. You and Jungwon had met him in the forest behind the castle when you were little and the three of you had been together ever since.

You smiled a little by the thought of your friends, before shooting them all a text telling them you were officially on your way. They had all been ecstatic when you’d informed them of your official acceptance to ‘UoH’.

In front of you stood a glass of sparkling light wine, one you quickly drowned before finally calling your brother. As per usual he didn’t pick up.

“Hey I just wanted to let you know we’ll be taking off soon. Can’t wait to see you” you said before hanging up.

Despite your brother having earned the title; ‘the lost prince of Night’, he wasn't really lost. No, Jake had left to go do… Well if you were being honest you didnt really know. But he would get to live a normal existence as of now.

The two of you had always been close, two halves of one whole, born no more than a few minutes apart. So it had felt a little like a betrayal when he had left to live in the cold and white tundras of The Winter Kingdom.

He was, just like your friends, now enrolled in UoH, with three best friends of his own, or brothers as he liked to call them. You had no idea exactly what he was studying, he had always been vague about that, but you guessed it didn’t really matter in the end, as long as he was happy.

The plane started its motors and off you were, all you could do now was hope that everything would work out in the end.

As you’d touched down you were quick to find your bags, you had decided to travel without any kind of security, hopeful you wouldn’t draw too much attention to yourself. It was possible most of the time, as long as you hid your eyes behind sunglasses.

They looked much like the night sky, dark black with small specks of grey, they were a physical manifestation of your bloodline, of where you belonged. Despite having tried every colored contact out there, it was impossible to mask them. It seemed that ordinary fae magic couldn’t keep the magic of a royal at bay. But that wasn’t really a surprise.

Jake had sent you a message somewhere along your journey, telling you that he would be there to pick you up and take you to the apartment your father had secured for you off campus. As far as you knew it wasn’t one of the complexes that hosted most of the heirs, which made it a lot more bearable.

Your hidden eyes searched for his dark messy hair, but instead all they found was what looked like a thousand black and silver balloons, and a few bouquets of flowers. In the midst of it stood your brother, surrounded by your best friends.

Sunoo threw his bouquet into Jake's arms, startling him, and sprinted towards you. You let out a high-pitched scream and ran to his arms. A second later Jungwon was there as well. And as you looked towards your last bestie, you saw him hand what you assumed to be sparkling wine to your brother who now had all your presents in his arms.

Niki’s walk was slow and elegant, and he had a feline smirk painted on his lips. The last few steps he lept as the cat he was, just before wrapping his long arms around the three of you. Kissing the top of your head. “We’ve missed you” he whispered.

The little heart in your chest was beating so fast it felt like it would beat out of your chest by the pure joy you felt of finally having them all so close. It had been so long since you were all together, too long.

Sunoo was the first to look at you, his tears had already spilled from the prison that was his dark blue eyes. “You’re a bitch for leaving us for that long” He said as he willed his voice to not break.

Jungwon chuckled at the statement. You laid your hand on the siren's cheek. “I know, but I’m here now” you whispered. He nodded as a response, just before Niki pulled him closer to his chest.

“He’s right you know, you literally have the ability to shadow jump, yet you still choose to stay away from us most of the time. It’s not fair” Niki had a twinkle in his eye as he spoke and you couldn’t help but roll your eyes.

“I hope you don’t mind that I brought them,” Jake said with a smile before he bit his lip. Niki was by his side quickly, helping him get rid of everything they had thrown at him, so that he too could welcome you.

Jake grabbed your wrist and pulled you into a bone crushing hug, and for the first time in a long time, you felt whole. You smiled into his chest. “I’ve missed you” you whispered into his shirt. He hummed in response.

After a little while you pulled away and grabbed his face. He laughed a little with his eyes closed. You took him in, he looked older.

“Look at me Jake” you said with a little laugh.

His smile disappeared with an instant, and you felt your blood go cold. You removed your hands from his cheeks and lifted the sunglasses that until now had hid your eyes. In a much harsher tone you repeated; “Look. At. Me”.

You punctuated each word, and it was said with a dominance that was well known between royals and their subject. You saw how both Jungwon and Niki squirmed by the command beside you. Saw how there was a hint of gratefulness that the words weren’t directed at them.

And as he opened his eyes your previously beating and happy heart stopped. Where his eyes had previously mirrored your own, were now only filled by the dull grey that were typically known in Winter.

Jake sighed. “It’s just contacts Y/N, don’t make such a big deal out of it”

In an instant you grabbed his chin with your thumb and index finger as you crept closer to him, turning his head from side to side as you inspected them.

“That’s not contacts” you whispered.

The two of you weren’t identical in any way, but the one thing you had always shared had been your eyes. It seemed however that Jake didn’t share the sentiment, and had chosen to replace them. His nickname suddenly made sense however, the one thing that identified him as a prince had been erased.

You let out a huff of air as you finally let go of him. “I’m not done discussing this with you”. He chuckled nervously, as he turned towards Niki, most likely to gain some kind of sympathy from him. The two had always shared a brotherly like bond. Niki being the younger brother none of you had ever gotten.

“You brought this upon yourself my guy, don’t look to me for help” he crossed his arms over his chest, one of which you quickly hit with a flat hand. He only sent you an annoyed look, as to say; seriously?

“This is getting a little boring, so let’s instead discuss what we should be drinking tonight” Jungwon said, as he snaked his arm around yours, suddenly dragging you along, not giving two shits if any of the other ones came along.

When you were out of earshot he whispered: “I know I should’ve warned you, but Niki swore us to secrecy”

“That’s just because he wants to be present whenever I kick Jake’s ass,” you whispered back to your best friend, just before you turned your head to look towards the three other men. “It’s creepy, it’s almost like he’s no longer my brother…”

Jungwon squeezed your hand in a reassuring manner. “Let’s just get you home, and we’ll fill you in on everything”

“Hey, where the hell is Jake?” Heeseung yelled from the bathroom. The cracked door had resulted in the smell of his perfume traveling out of the room as an insane amount of steam escaped with it.

The heir to The Winter Kingdom liked the feel of the scalding water on his skin despite the fact that he could survive days if not weeks in the snow. One of the many perks that came with his title.

His younger brother was currently laying on the large couch in the living room. His arms and legs were spread out, and at this moment he looked more similar to a sea star than the ‘Ice Prince’ he was.

“He said something about picking up his sister” He yelled back. The sudden start of the conversation kicked him out of the hangover he had been nursing all day, and for the first time in hours he actually sat up.

In the kitchen not far from him stood yet another young man, Jongseong, or as his friends called him; Jay. He was currently occupied with cutting up different kinds of vegetables all the while he laughed at his best friend. Sunghoon held up a finger, as to say; hold that thought. As he fought his body's need to throw up.

Jay shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re still hungover,” he said laughing. Sunghoon sent him a glare in response.

“It’s not my fault, blame the star shots my love” he said as he once again fell back onto the couch.

By the mere mention of the beverage, Jay shuddered. “Gods, why would you drink that shit? You always get so miserable, plus it taste like unicorn piss”

“It’s because he thinks they give him the ability to dance whenever he drinks them,” Heeseung said as he appeared in the room, wearing nothing more than a towel, as he tried to dry his white hair with another. “And that being said I’ve actually been told unicorn piss isn’t that bad”

He sent a pointed look towards the suffering man just as a groan escaped him. The two older men responded by laughing.

“Don’t worry baby, you always have an incredible talent for shaking ass” Jay commented.

“Have anyone ever told you two, you’re disgusting?” Heesung said as he threw himself on the other end of the couch.

“I think you might've told us once or twice”. Jay said as he sent a wink his way.

“Always defending my honor” Sunghoon said before he crawled towards his brother, dropping his head in his lap.

“Gods you need a shower, brother” the look on Heeseungs face was nothing short of disgust.

The three of them shared an apartment with Jake, and the connection they all shared was nothing short of brotherly love.

Jay walked over with a bottle of wine in hand. “I’m guessing you don’t want any of this?” he said as he poured the red liquid into two glasses. Heeseung took one with a sigh and a thanks. Jay had always had a talent of foreseeing whatever those closest to him needed, and when Heeseung was tired he typically craved red wine.

Sunghoon lifted his head from the couch and narrowed his eyes to look at what bottle he held in his hands. “Please give it to me”

“Cheers to yet another night guys” Jay said as he gave him one of the glasses. Sunghoon drowned it quickly, hopeful that it would cure him in an instant. “Fuck that’s good”

Heeseung sipped to his glass, as Jay turned to fetch one for both him and Jake, he couldn’t be far behind.

Jay had been raised like the prince he was, always polite, always well dressed, rarely caught unguarded. He had always had a signature smirk painted on his lips whenever he was out in public, and his eyes bore the darkness and secrets from his kingdom; The Afterlife.

He grew up without many friends and the spirits didn’t always feel like keeping him company, so instead he had spent time with his parents. He had travelled with the pair whenever their duties had taken them beyond the grey mist that surrounded what would end up being the resting place for all souls.

Despite what most people thought, he was capable of love, of laughter and of heartbreak.

When he was no older than 8, he and his parents had travelled to Winter, to collect the soul of the late king of the Kingdom. During the festivities of saying goodbye to both a father and grandfather, Jay had run into the two princes.

They were burdened by grief, but instead of teasing them for their tears, he had instead explained the orb or pure blue light his father had collected to bring within their borders. He had asked them if they had a message for the man they had lost, because if they did he would be happy to deliver it once he stood on solid ground again.

The three had been inseparable ever since, always so connected to one another that their parents teased that they could speak into each other's minds. They had sworn nothing would ever come between them.

Jay and Sunghoon were however kindering spirits, they liked to joke that they had probably been lovers in another life, hence the disgustingly sweet pet names they always had called each other. They were a unit, and one was rarely without the other.

Shortly after Heeseung had accepted his position at ‘UoH’ he had run into Jake at a coffee shop. The sunglasses indoors in the middle of a snowstorm called out to him, and after Jake stared into the beaming grey and blue orbs of the prince, he had felt comfortable enough to share the secret of what had happened to ‘The Lost Prince of Night’.

No longer than 3 weeks after Heeseung had left them to travel to Day, they had followed him. Not to enroll, no it hadn’t been their time yet, but to be near one another, and together they had all found an apartment.

Now they shared a home, and for some reason it worked perfectly despite them having four somewhat contradicting personalities.

As Jay returned to the living room the magic of their front door clicked open, and through it walked their dark haired friend. He gave them an almost sad smile.

“You owe me 30 gold leafs,” Jay said as he held out his hand to Heeseung.

“Fuck she clocked it that fast?” He asked as he got up to fetch Jay his well earned money. Heeseung was back in the living room, changed into the clothes of the night, gold leafs in hand, before the guys had even blinked.

Jake just nodded before receiving the glass Jay had just poured for him. “Yeah, I don’t even think it took her a full minute” He didn’t drink, he just swirled the liquid around, almost hypnotized by it.

After about a minute he looked up and saw his friends who all stared back at him. “Look, can we talk about something else?”

Heeseung slapped his brothers naked thigh, and said as he screamed out: “You can tell this dickhead that politics is an important subject to have, even though you’re not crown prince”

Sunghoon stuck his tongue out. “Don’t see why I would need to, it’s not like I’m ever gonna use it”

Jay got up once again and went to get a different bottle of wine, since Sunghoon had drowned his second glass efter Heeseungs comment. “Well if you think about it you could use it to get to The Summer Kingdom and seduce Beomgyu’s sister?”

He pointed towards him in response. “I like that!” Sunghoon said as he took the bottle of light wine out of his twin flames hand and cooled it down instantly.

“Look, if you want I can remove the veil from your eyes whenever you’re around her, that way she might not be as triggered by it” Jay said as he laid a hand on his friend's shoulder.

Jake just shook his head. “No, she’s already seen it, and I don’t really want people finding out.”

Heeseung shrugged. “Maybe she’s not really mad at you veiling your eyes, but more the fact that she has to step up as crown princess?”

Both Sunghoon and Jay sent him somewhat panicked looks, it had never really been something they all talked about. None of them had ever wanted Jake to explain his actions unless that was what he wanted. He himself had never brought it up.

“No way I’d ever take over for your brother, so don’t even think about stepping down” Sunghoon said in an effort to make light of the situation.

“If Hee didn’t want the throne, no one would ask you babes” Jay said before ruffling his hair.

“I get why that would make her mad, but she’s just always been more headstrong than me, so honestly I didn’t even think she’d mind. I mean she has her powers, and she’s so much like our father, whereas I… I just run when things get hard.”

His head was hanging low, as if finally admitting what he had always felt would somehow make him less of a male, less of a prince in his friends eyes.

Instead of judging, Jake's three brothers pulled him into an embrace.

In an apartment not far from the four princes, you too opened a bottle of wine, only to plop down on a pillow in the empty living space.

You sighed. “I’m never lifting a box ever again” Sunoo said as he threw himself next to you.

“I’m pretty sure it was my shadows that did most of the work” you said as you grinned and a shadow stroked your cheek lovingly.

“Plus we gave you all the light ones, so I don’t really think you have anything to complain about” Jungwon said as he put down the final box.

Instead of answering, Sunoo just rolled his eyes, as he held out his hand, just as Niki brought over one of the bottles of sparkling wine.

“So, how long have you known about Jake’s eyes and not told me?” You said after taking a few sips directly from the bottle.

The three men looked at each other, all with a similar expression; like the last thing they wanted was to speak. Instead of forcing them, you just waited patiently.

Niki was the first to respond, as he shrugged. “It’s been a few months, for a while I thought it was just the light, or that maybe the sparks of the grey and silver had taken over… that was until I actually talked to him for more than 2 second, and then he was forced to maintain eye contact with me”

Jungwon took over as Niki seemed to look for the right words. “We sought him out when it was made public that you were taking over as heir, I mean we’re at the same school after all, his disappearing act won't really work on us”

They both sipped at their bottle before looking at one another. “I wasn't exactly nice to him,” Jungwon finally said.

You couldn’t help but raise a brow at your best friend. He was known for being level headed, keeping cool even as things were tough, so him losing it, even if just a little, was everything but normal.

“Yeah, he said some stern words that’s for sure” Sunoo said as he picked at the dust stuck to his trousers.

You couldn’t help but chuckle. “I would’ve liked to see that”

Jungwon smiled a little. “Sorry we didn’t tape it for ya”

You sighed as your fingers found the label on the bottle, as much as you wanted some type of explanation as to why you found yourself in this mess, you knew they couldn’t give you one.

“Now” you said as you stood up and opened one of the boxes. “How about we get some of all my junk put in these cabinets, while you give me all the tea on those spoiled heirs I’m gonna spend most of my days with”

“Now you’re talking!” Sunoo said as he got a sudden rush of energy. He was by your side in a heartbeat.

“Okay, Jake’s powers have for obvious reasons not manifested yet” Sunoo said and the two of you did a dramatic eye roll together.

“Obviously not” you echoed as you pulled out a few wine glasses from the bubble plastic they’d been hidden away in.

“I’m pretty sure Sekura is currently in the top of the class” Jungwon said, as he inspected a vase for cracks.

“Yeah she’s incredible, someone pissed her off the other day and she started a full blown storm” Sunoo commented as he started pouring the wine into the glasses.

“Okay, so powerful but not in control then” You made a mental note of that.

“Heeseung and Yeonjun is currently on a shared second place” Sunoo tried not to look at you but couldn’t help it. It wasn’t that you hated Yeonjun, you just didn’t like how he had almost laid a claim on you since you were kids.

Your father of course loved the idea of a marriage between the two of you, especially now that you were heir, him not being crown prince only made the match between the two of you more perfect. He himself had used that pun once or twice.

Instead of commenting on it you just hummed and tried to seem like his rise in power didn’t piss you off immensly.

“Heeseung has as far as I’ve understood only shown his speed, but we’ve all figured there's something else lurking under the surface” He shrugged.

“Jay is third” Jungwon said, desperate to change the subject. "Although I’m pretty sure he has as much if not more power than his father”

“Jay is from The Afterlife, right?” You felt how the shadows almost reached out by the mention of his name.

They had always done that whenever the kingdom was mentioned. It had frightened most you grew up with. They saw it as a bad ownement, but they had always refused to explain why.

Sunoo nodded. “And he’s hot”

“Heeseung and Sunghoon too” Jungwon added.

You couldn’t help the laugh. It was something they had always been masters at, taking your mind off whatever might cloud it with negative thoughts or energy.

“Jay is kind, kinder than people give him credit for. But then again I don't think he lets anyone in. Sunghoon is… an acquired taste” Niki had decided to chime in. He didn’t know a lot about what happened at school, but he knew the elites.

You sent him an interested look, urging him to explain further.

He shrugged. “The two are rarely without the other, pretty sure Sunghoon only leaves Jay’s side if he’s hooking up with someone - plus they call each other every pet name under the sun. Not gonna lie it’s pretty fun to be around them”

Niki smiled, clearly thinking back on one or two interactions he had with the pair in the past.

“I could set you up with one of them if you’d like. Sunghoon owe me one after I let him see my answers for a test a few weeks ago”

“Fuck no!” Niki was quick to say.

You all laughed at his reaction. He was not alone in being protective over you. Jake and Jungwon was just like him, Sunoo on the other hand was like a demon on your shoulder, always urging you to do whatever might cause the most trouble.

“Sunghoon might not be an official heir, but he is powerful” Jungwon said as the laughter died down.

“Yeah, he’s like the talk of the grounds. People say his mate has to be someone extraordinary for him to be this in control of his powers. He didn’t only get his nickname ‘ice prince’ because of his cold heart ” Sunoo said with a shrug.

You couldn’t help the roll of your eyes. You had heard people speak of that so-called theory your whole adult life. When your powers had manifested everyone had been in awe. It had been generations since Night had a shadow jumper, even longer since one had the ability to talk to them, to see them as sentient beings.

It had been everyone's theory that it had to mean you were mated to someone powerful. Whoever that being was, they too would also gain an immense power almost overnight if you decided to join them by their side.

Every royal on the continent had dropped by or invited you to their galas whenever one was held. And every single one of them had made sure to introduce you to every nobel-being from their court, hopeful that a bond would snap between the two.

Nothing had come of it, all you remember from those days was a voice in your head, one that had seemed to follow you at every dinner og party since, you had never quiet figured out who it belonged to though. You did however have your theories.

“So people are throwing themselves at him and he’s entertaining it? Can’t say I don’t understand then”

Niki shrugged. “I’m pretty sure that’s not the reason. Apparently he had been the perfect prince up until a few decades ago, and then a switch flipped”

“Nothing breaks a being as bad as heartbreak” Sunoo sang, the sound of his voice was instantly calming the somewhat tense in your brow.

He smiled. “Sorry” he said as he started fidgeting with some paper.

“Never apologize for who you are” you said right before kissing his cheek.

The next morning Jake came knocking. After a long talk with the guys the night before he had decided he owed you a bit of an explanation as to why and how he had lost his eyes.

You opened the door for him, letting him in, and this time around his eyes were back to their normal glory of darkness and light.

“Hey” he said. His shoulders were drooping, and his usual confidence seemed to have disappeared as soon as he stepped through the threshold.

“What can I do for you?” You asked, the question seemed colder than you had intended it to.

“I actually wanted to talk, you know, explain myself” he said as he bit his bottom lip, he had always done that. And when he did he was either excited or nervous. This time it had to have been the latter.

You raised a brow in response before you moved into the room and threw yourself on the lounge chair the guys had help you build last night.

“I’ve never really apologized for leaving, for putting this burden on you. I know I should have discussed it with you beforehand, but it just seemed easier for me to just disappear” He had sat down on the couch across from you. His elbows were resting on his knees and his whole body seemed to reach out for you.

A small smile painted your lips, but it was easy to see the hurt displayed in your eyes. “You never left me any choice. I had to take over, I had to step up. If you would’ve just talked to me, we could’ve figured it out, we could’ve talked to father together”

You reached over the gap between you and took his hands in yours. The two twins of night, the moon and the stars as they had called you. He had managed to break decades worth of trust between the two of you with just one decision.

Jake shrugged, and squeezed your fingers. “My powers never came, and it felt like the land itself rejected me as heir, as if I wasn’t worthy to bare the title nor the crown after father. And then you got yours… And they were stronger than anyone had seen for generations. I know it wasn’t your fault, that you couldn’t help it, but it was the last straw, the final thing that broke my belief in myself. Why would the people rally behind me, when you were right there for the taking?”

“This is gonna sound harsh, but the land did reject you Jake, you were always running off to other kingdoms, always leaving especially after mom... The magic had nothing to stick to, no vessel to blossom in. It wasn’t because you weren’t worthy, it was just because you weren’t there. The crown is yours if you want it Jake, all you would need is just to spend some time back home”

He let go of you then as he leaned back into the cushions of the black couch. He smiled, and he somehow seemed lighter than just a moment ago.

“No, that would do more harm than good. And if I’m being completely honest, I kind of like living like this. Everything is so slowpaced and not really that serious, and I like Jake Sim, much more than I liked crownprince Jaehyun” he smiled, and this time it seemed genuin, so you returned it.

“Good, I’m glad. But just promise me that in the future, you’ll come talk to me, okay? No more secrets”

He reached out with his pinkie and grabbed a hold of yours, as the two of you had always done. And then you laughed, and for the first time in a long time, you felt like a part of you had healed.

“By the way” you said with a smirk. “What contacts are you using? I’ve never gotten any of them to actually work”

He poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue. “Oh wouldn’t you like to know”

You raised a brow at him and he chuckled in response. “It’s one of my friends… Jay, he can veil anything. It doesn’t really matter where you are, when it’s up it’s up”

Jake saw how your eyes widened as he spoke “yeah, he’s pretty darn strong”

“We’ll see who’s the strongest in a few days” You winked at your brother.

One bad thing about emptying all boxes while drunk on sparkling wine, is that nothing ends up where you intended it to.

You had rushed most of the morning trying desperately to find the little bottles of cream and serums you had gotten from a prince when you’d turned 200 a few years back.

It was your first day and you felt almost sick by the thought of all those princes and princesses under the same roof.

Of course you had all run into each other at every other gala held to celebrate whatever your parents had deemed to be important, but you had avoided most of them after the whole mate-ordeal.

But this, this was now your time to get to know people, to socialize and build alliances, not just for you, but for your people. It had previously been Jake’s job, so instead of getting to know these people you had just had fun with what some would call “the help”.

The school was grand, with cathedrals and corridors almost longer than the wings of the castle you had grown up in.

Every door opening were covers in gold emblems that represented each kingdom. There was nowhere, where the ceilings didn’t seem to stretch into the sky. Didn’t matter if you were on the ground or the first floor.

The beings of every kingdom scattered the halls and it seemed like the trend was that people stayed in the colors that represented their home.

You saw snow fox shifters in all white, summer fairies in light green, angels in light blue and the mermaids seemed like they had been dipped in liquid pearl.

Jungwon spotted you before your eyes found him and Sunoo in one of the many halls. He had you in a tight hug even before you were able to greet your two friends.

A genuine smile broke out on your lips as you returned it. “Thank you” you whispered before kissing his cheek.

Sunoo was like both you and Jungwon in all black, something that made almost everyone stop and stare, he however didn’t seem to mind. Instead he quickly returned every disgusted look people would send his way.

“Gotta let people know that I have a future queen in my life” had been his response when you had asked.

The pair had followed you to your first class, and you looked over the people in the room. The winter princes were the first to spot you. Both beautiful with their white hair and blue and grey eyes. Sunghoon sent you a smile, reassuring but still somehow curious.

Heeseung on the other hand gave you a nod. Respectful and royal, like the heir he was raised to be.

Yeonjun noticed you almost instantly and he left whatever conversation he was having with a dark angel, and walked straight towards you.

“It’s good to see you Y/N” a voice said behind you, and you quickly tore your attention from Yeonjun to greet whoever had sneaked up on you.

You met the tall figure of none other than prince Soobin. He smiled at you, dimples on full display. “Soobin” you said before embracing the royal.

Soobin was the youngest brother of King Jimin of The Water Kingdom. Jimin had always had a soft spot for you, both because of your love for Sunoo, but also because of the way people had fought over you. He too had been in a similar situation, not because of his powers, well that too, but mainly because of his beauty.

“Incoming” Soobin said before he let go of you.

“Y/N, hi… It’s good to see you” the red haired male bounced on the balls of his feet as he greeted you. The action seemed almost child-like.

Soobin rolled his eyes right before he put a hand on the small of your back. Startling you. Somewhere in the room you heard a growl.

“Let’s get you out of here before the fire spirit set’s fire to your hair, shall we?” Soobin sent you a sweet smile, completely ignoring the red prince before him.

He guided you past Yeonjun and you sent him a somewhat apologetic smile as he said: “Oh come on ‘Bin, you can’t still be mad at me because of that!” He laughed and it only grew louder when Soobin glared at him.

You sat down next to the siren prince. And somewhere in the back of your mind you heard that small voice repeat one word over and over again: “fuck”.

“So how did the training go?” Jake asked as he stuffed his mouth full of rice.

He looked between his three friends. Friends that were all uncharacteristically silent.

Sunghoon coughed as Heeseung hid his head in his hands.

Jay swallowed and said with a low voice: “your sister just shot to the first in the class” he send your brother a serious look, he tried to smile but failed.

Jake dropped his spoon into the bowl. “What, how?”

“Oh god Jakey, you could’ve told us she’s absolutely insane!” Sunghoon said before leaning back into his chair.

“Insanely powerful is what he means…” Heeseung said as he rubbed his temple. “If you thought it would be hard to keep the royals away from her before, god just you wait until they phone home and tell them what happened”

Jake sighed as he started stress eating. “Just tell me already”

“She’s new, so our teacher likes for people to demonstrate their talents, and you know she just stayed seated - everyone was so quiet, like so so quiet” Sunghoon said dramatically.

“And then some idiot decided to say, out loud I might add: that she clearly had no powers, that she was nothing more than a scammer” Heeseung said as the color drained from his face.

“Gods” Jake said as he shook his head.

“Yeah, and then the ground swallowed him. He literally got eaten by his own shadow, and a few seconds later he was catapulted out of the shadow the chandelier made on one of the walls” Jay said.

It was now Jake’s turn to hide his face in his hands. “Did she make them sentient?” He asked but his voice were muffled by his hands.

The spoons the three princes held in their hands dropped then, making a loud sound that made him remove his hand quickly. His friends all stared at him while they gaped.

“What. Do. You. MEAN?!” Sunghoon almost yelled in what sounded like dispair.

Jake rubbed the nape of his neck nervously. And as if on cue, a small shadow crept over his shoulder and looked between them all, right before bit slithered back to your outstretched hand.

You send them all a wicked smile. Heeseung stood up with a small ‘nope’ and left his lunch behind. Sunghoon stared into the thin air as if he would turn to stone if he met your eyes, and Jay sent you a look that was almost impossible to desipher. Gods he was beautiful.

Jungwon and Sunoo laughed at their reaction. You turned toward your friends and dropped the mischievous mask. The smile on your lips turned genuine and soft.

“That was mean” Sunoo said as he tried his best to hold in his laugh.

“Mean? That was absolute perfection” Jungwon’s laugh was contagious, and soon the three of you were almost rolling on the floor unable to take a normal breath.

When you finally got it back to normal Sunoo looked a little more serious. “Since Niki isn’t here I’ll be the bummer and ask; are you sure you didn’t do too much in there?”

You grabbed his hand. “I chose not to downplay my powers. And it might work for Jay, and I’m sure there’s other people in there that doesn’t show their full potential” you shrugged. “But I don’t wanna hold back, I’m already a little behind compared to the rest, and I don’t need them to think I’m completely useless”

Jungwon sent you a dimpled smile. “And what about your dear little friend, did you hear them again?”

Since you were very young, you’d heard a voice inside your head. It wasn’t your own monologue, it was more like a presence of someone else. Someone who would offer comfort and sweet words of encouragement when you needed it the most.

It had showed up shortly after your mother died, and you liked to think it was her looking out for you, as if not even death could keep her from being there for her daughter.

When you woke up this morning you had hoped to get words of encouragement maybe even a phantom hand to brush your cheek. “Yeah but all I got was ‘fuck’”

Sunoo raised a brow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well how the hell would I know, it at least sounded like it. Literally repeated over and over for at least five minutes”

“Maybe dear old mom doesn’t think you taking over is the best idea?” Jungwon said teasingly.

“Oh she definitely would’ve hated every second of this” you said with a smirk as you picked the skin off a grape.

“Maybe she said something else?” Sunoo said, trying to sound reassuring. “I mean after all it is kind of muffled, the sound of her voice I mean”

You shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter, I mean maybe they just dropped something on their feet”

“So what are we doing to night?” You quickly asked to avoid sticking to the topic.

“I’ll see you at home guys” Jake said to both Sunghoon and Jay, he had afternoon classes, where as these two twin flames were lucky enough to have an early day.

When Sunghoon had asked Heeseung if he wanted to go home with them, he had mumbled something about putting out a fire in the library. Not that that made any kind of sense.

Sunghoon looked at Jay as they walked across campus, he had been quiet today. And usually a quiet Jay meant a hurting Jay.

He had learned it the hard way through the decades, but after almost two centuries he now knew if something was going on by the mere way he took a breath.

There was no need to bring it up, least at all when they were out in public, so instead he let his friend be as the two walked home in silence.

Jay had been there for him all the times he had cried and yelled, even when he wanted to claw his heart out of his chest with his bare hands. He owed him to be there for him, he wanted to be there for him.

“Jay…” Sunghoon said cautiously when they were outside the door of their apartment.

“Just open the damn door Hoon” he said with gritted teeth.

He obliged, and as soon as the lock had clicked open, Jay threw himself at the door and the second he was inside he released a nightmare of pictures.

What had a second ago been their entry way was now a cascade of flashing locations. Grey mist, was replaced with complete darkness, the darkness with the night sky, to be surrounded of a thousand bushes of moon light lillies.

Sunghoon tried to remember where the furniture was as they had disappeared when Jay had veiled what seemed like the entire world.

The Afterlife heir had thrown himself up a wall and was now clawing at his mind, his neck and his chest as he hyperventilated. Sunghoon could hear the frantic beating of his heart, and tried his best to get him to calm down.

“It’s okay, we’re home Jay, just breathe” he laid a hand on his friend's shoulder.

His face shot up to meet his best friends worried eyes. But instead of eyes all he saw was stars, thousand of thousand of stars. The world around them stilled to that exact picture as well. And the pair stood somewhere in the sky.

“Breathe” Sunghoon repeated as he himself took a deep breath. Jay mirrored him, and a few minutes later the stars disappeared, and they were once again back in their entry way, and the darkness of the heirs eyes were back once again.

“What’s going on?” He asked as he sat next to him on the floor.

Jay rubbed his face with his hands, as he took a shaking breath. “I’m so fucked Hoon, so fucking fucked”

He shot up, as if finally opening up made it impossible for him to sit still. “Fuck, fuck, fuck! Gods I’m so fucked!” He kicked the chair that stood closest by.

Sunghoon laughed a little, trying his best to ease the tension.

“It’s her…”

For a split second Jay thought Sunghoon moved as fast as his brother. Because before he knew it he stood up and were walking towards him.

“Who’s her…?” He was suddenly more serious than Jay had seen him in a long time.

“She’s … Y/N. It’s her…” he said.

For a second Sunghoon was certain the world had stopped spinning.

“WHAT?!” Sunghoon yelled so loud, that Jay was certain even the dead back home could hear him.

₊ ⁺ please comment, like and reblog if you like the story - it helps me so so much ₊ ⁺ please let me know what you think, if you have theories of both Jay and our sweet reader but also about the rest of the guys ₊ ⁺

₊ ⁺ let me know if you wanna be added to the tag list

⁺ taglist: @1-itsneverthatserious-1 @flawlessapollo6 @ijustwannareadstuff20 @azzy02 @zaycie

[chaifootsteps]

Hi! I hope you're doing well <3 i saw a post somewhere recently about "well, have you read viv's twitter for some detail that wasn't in the show" and it made me think about how media consumption has changed. Back in the early 2000s, there was a chance that you never saw a cartoon from start to finish In Order. In recent years, i went back & watched Code Lyoko & there were episodes i never saw that i got to watch - but at no point did I ever feel lost when dropped into a random episode.

All the information for the show was contained in the show & you didnt have to go through accounts online to find small pieces of info that should be in shows & I really miss that. And it's the shift of how people interact with shows & fandom now. Everything is short 8 episode seasons, so you dont get the development that should be in the shows. And you cant be dropped in a random episode and still catch on pretty quick as to what the Main Point is (Code Lyoko's being "defeat xana, save aelita from Lyoko). And i miss that vibe shows used to give.

Also, i miss physical game guides for games. There was something magical about turning a page and telling my dad (when we played games together, earlyish to mid(?) 2000s again) what to do because we've been stuck on something for a while.

Nostalgia? Tired of not having info easily accessible in shows? Who knows - the first handful of episodes for HB has that early feel, drop in (depending on episode) on an episode and yea, its hell assassins killing people. The newer season? Cant do that, too many plot lines going. Dont know where i was going with this, other than maybe quality of shows declining to try and shove So Much in shortened seasons.

Let's all crowdfund a time machine to go back, eat some pizza, buy some game guides and hit up Blockbuster, and forget that booktok and No Child Left Behind are going to come along and ruin everything.

[epiphainie]

yeahhh and like if i came out defensive in my first reply it's because i think buck already has his own part in their conflict without also prescribing him the responsibility of tommy not saying things. i personally never saw that daddy issues scene as tommy searching for an opening to share something serious and buck steering them away from it. i just cannot imagine for six months straight this happened but also i read tommy as someone who's comfortable in that chill cool dude smokes and mirrors show. mostly because i feel like tommy minimizes his own feelings too. if he was upset about eddie ending their friendship, if he was regretting breaking up with buck, none of that showed in his actions in the bar imo. he was all it's okay, i didnt expect him to anyway, and going along with the flirting. and correct me if i'm wrong but they brought up eddie in the bar just in the context of him moving out and not talking to tommy. tommt was already down with the hookup before knowing buck moved into eddie's place (which i agree threw him off but and was a factor in him saying what he wanted to say in the morning in the least functional way possible, but not in the bar. he was going along with lets see where the night takes us thing at that point.)

no good segue to this but i think where tommy's issue is that he's really bought into his own narratives and grabs at things that validate his insecurities and has a hard time opening up with it, buck's is that he's really head in the sand about his own feelings. it is different imo in that tommy latches onto stuff to feed his insecurities more and make it all even harder on himself, and is aware he's doing this, while buck's just avoidant of anything that can emotionally hurt him or change the comfortable status quo. like i dont think he's quite acknowledged the depth of his feelings for tommy, the love and the heartbreak and how much he missed him, like how he hadn't acknowledged for months that abby had dumped him, how he hadn't acknowledged him and taylor hadn't been working out for a while, how he hadn't acknowledged eddie leaving was hurting him etc. till it come out in a fight with eddie and i think that's pretty much how it was with tommy too. thats why i see his "i dont need to have feelings for everyone i sleep with" not just as a response to tommy scoffing at him about eddie, but as a lash out after months of not acknowledging that tommy hurt him. that's why i think he skips over what tommy's trying to allude to sometimes because he doesn't wanna be in the spot where he needs to acknowledge his own feelings. he does this with conflict as well, like when he feels bothered about tommy breaking abby's heart but immediately tries to do damage control with the moving in together thing instead of actually letting himself be upset in front of tommy. and this obviously gives tommy more fuel for his narrative that buck doesn't really want to be with him, is confused, is in love with eddie etc. this is why i want tommy to be the one to break the pattern because it'd be a great payoff for his arc to overcome his fears he knows he has and it would put buck in a situation where he is in turn forced confront what it is that he's feeling for tommy. when here's a guy squirming and agonizing over telling him that he loves him, is buck ready to accept that he feels the same but more importantly what admitting that would encapsulate

Rewatched the scene at the bar, and I'm going to be too hard on Buck for a moment, look away.

Tommy says, "I was driving by your place the other day....," and doesn't sound done with the sentence when Buck interrupts then propositions him. What was he going to say, huh?? Where would the conversation have gone? Would there have been a conversation, a confession, if Buck hadn't interrupted it with sex???

Tommy says that Eddie stopped speaking to him, and Buck SAYS NOTHING. Not a "sorry, I didn't ask him to do that" or a "he shouldn't have" or a "that sucks, man, I know you were friends." We've talked about how Tommy got no indication Evan missed him; he ALSO got no indication Evan cares at all that his friends stopped speaking to Tommy on his behalf (and, I mean. maybe he doesn't).

[lovesickmarauders]

also hot take. i understand snape being a harsh teacher. We know that slughorn taught snape and when slughorn taught harry he canonically panicked and didnt stop the poisoning that ron recieved, he had amortentia stole from his stock and he was also,, kinda useless from what i remember. only prioritising the slug club

No wonder snape locked in. Someone had to do the teaching

No he didnt have to be *as* cruel to students but in a class where if you mess something up it explodes? i kinda get it

[horsemotifs]

I actually like that they went with a handjob. People I think are rightly more skeptical of any kind of brotherfucking where Lochlan has no power, because it would be more uncomfortable to watch (unless they're into that). If Lochlan went down on Saxon, it could've been too disempowering, too degrading. Saxon could've put his hands in Lochlan's hair and held him down on his dick, Lochlan could've choked on it, etc. and I think a blowjob is a little too explicit anyway?

Anal sex was always a non-starter. I really don't see how people want these boys who've never douched in their lives to have butt sex in the first place?

Jerking Saxon off while he lies there to the side seems like a nice compromise to me. It's not too explicit, there's some plausible deniability for the "I don't think they actually want each other" crowd, like a sliver, because it is less intimate than other forms of sex. And Lochlan is more active while Saxon is more passive, but Lochlan is still pleasuring Saxon. He's still in a more submissive sexual role without Saxon dominating him or overpowering him. Lochlan can remove his hand at any point if he gets uncomfortable. He couldn't do that if Saxon were pushing his head down on his dick or was on top of him fucking him. Not saying Saxon would ever pose that kind of danger, but a handjob is safer, so to speak. It lets Lochy be in charge and set the pace, without requiring such an obvious bottom to actually dominate Saxon himself.

It gives that cuckold vibe that people were getting too, where Saxon doesn't get to fuck Chloe and is lowkey getting off on the fact that his brother is fucking her, with the cherry on top that Lochlan works him to completion so he's not left out. I guess Saxon was the Asian girl who gets to watch? I don't know.

Also pretending to jerk a dick under a blanket is so obvious in hindsight. That's so much easier to fake than a blowjob or anal sex. We also have to remember that anything more explicit than the handjob would require 20yo Sam to imitate said sex act with 30yo Patrick. I respect that they put the comfort of their actors first, because that is actually a wild age gap to pantomime sex with and no one really acknowledges it. I know they had intimacy coordinators but still.

i didnt mind the handjob either. wouldn't have complained about lochlan blowing him but i like with what they went. just wished it was more than the few non-linear pieces of memories we got (but i get why they did it that way. but i think with my dick first). and about the age difference between patrick & sam idk if thats why they did it considering we dont really know how either of them wouldve felt about it, charlotte le bon being 38 as well or if they had doubles. possible but idk. i wouldn't have minded being sams stunt double for that tho 🙋