#and i got my cables back lets gooo

[rottenseaweed]

is the boiii :D

(using the prompts @autisticlancemcclain listed in that one ask)

[there will be more]

[tdlb]

hey y'all

so episode 8...

i'm writing this as i'm watching it. tbh, i would also walk out of any room scott's in. cable, i get it.

logan!! what the hell?! just sarcastically calling scott "daddy"!? i choked. logan, sir, don't be like this (no actually, be like this).

roberto's mother watching fox news while calling the x-men terrorists omg, dude. jubes saying to him "you have a trust fund and i have good taste" iconic.

i hope rogue's okay, i hope kurt's okay... and once again, jean is jeaning.

i do love kurt though. do we have any theories on rogue? is she just out because she got blown up and the grief?

okay, how many of y'all are thirsting over magneto in his speedos? because they put in that shot on purpose!

always remember cable is a softy built like a brick wall.

doom! you better not be not trying to double cross these idiots for latveria, come on doomsy! you can do better than this!

talking of doomsy, what is up with people putting robots in people? (if you don't know, doom did this in the last year or so but for better reasons)

of course jeeves is a sentinel!

"oh my stars and garters!" indeed, hank.

love how logan was just watching tv when this went down, also keep him quipping.

oh, they dropped pirate swords in front of kurt - let's gooo

jubes getting attacked by sentinels in a mall... again! and lampshading it!

oh, our house is burning.

ewww the senrinals staring at rogue.

kurt is the certified bamf.

x-men is legit terrifying right now.

but hey, the summers clan are in fast and furious!

i hope magneto gets clothes.

aaaand back to terrifying

magneto was right!

oh hi petey, whatya doin'?

logan really out on the battleground titties out, huh? remy would approve.

okay, as always- thoughts and theories welcome! i don't think we have to worry about morph too much... yet. and i'm sorry this was such a random stream of consciousness, my head ain't in the best place today. surprised i could even watch the episode.

stay safe, guys and love each other okay?

i'm here if you wanna talk x-men or just say hi, feel free.

[wulvercazz]

🪄Built up Tension🦐

Previous ~ October 29th -Witch/Curse, Closet/Stuck ( Ichigo x Riruka) Extra tags- sort of hatefucking, feral behavior, spells

The Prompt List

(aaaaa one more part to gooo- here's part 14✨)

Ichigo's as sure about his direction as the very first time he walked these streets, but, this time, something seems to guide him. Someone, a voice... muttering directions in his head. Go right, around that corner, turn here. There, that building.

He follows it without thinking.

The entrance is wide and ornate, no one's walking around the city anymore... but he's sure here's where they are waiting; beyond these doors. The mossy wood creaks, and beyond a strange feeling welcomes him. Driving his blood to pump faster.

His steps grow quicker, more imaptient, his heart beating steady but beating harsh against his ribcage; he... he can smell them, everyone he's met, right at the end of the hall, beyond another set of doors.

But it's quiet... too quiet. Like he's too early somehow.

He breathes in a few calming breaths, relax, this is all so new... perhaps he should slow down a little- oh? What's this?

He opens a door to his right, sure he'll find someone hiding. It's a dark closet, except for a few gentle, blinking lights, and... huh, Riruka. In full display.

His head twists to the side, like an animal unsure, and Riruka just looks happy to see him.

"Oh, good, I wasn't sure my spells would work on you, but here you are!" Riruka says cheerily, despite being tangled in cables and almost thrown down on the mess, like a forgotten ragdoll. "Come, come!"

Something's different, a lot has changed recently. Now he takes the opportunity as soon as it's offered to him, and perhaps would've even if it hadn't. Without thinking, Ichigo unbuttons his pants and throws them off in a couple strides; Riruka's arms calling to him as much as they can with the lights tangled around them.

Her giggles near insane, and driving him crazy too.

"Do you know? Do you know now?" She mutters, hurried, wiggling her hips when Ichigo climbs over her, curls right over her small frame. "Why you're here? You're special, very special, Ichigo~!" She continues her blabbering.

Ichigo can feel a growl crawling up his chest, his hips rutting with need, and clawing at the floor in hopes he won't claw up her skin- although she might very well enjoy that. "I don't. And I... I don't care." He grunts finally, the tip of his cocks catching at the entrance of her slick pussy and pushing to no avail.

Riruka gasps, half in pain and half in need, spreading her legs wider like somehow that'd allow both to fit. Ichigo pulls back just enough to allow merely one inside, and fucks in right to the root. Riruka cries out against his chest, pulling on the lights and clamping down on his length; her knees locked tight around his waist.

"Haah-ah- haha! See, you're special- very special-" Riruka pants between laughter, moans ringing in her voice, "it's why I've wanted you, ever since I saw you~ I had to get a taste before Grimmjow got to you-"

"G-" and a full growl leaves his chest, and his body curls tighter around the jellyfish with need, his hand a tight fist as his thrusts become violent; his hips hitting her ass loudly. Riruka's loud wails muffled against his chest. "Grimmjow- hah, is- is he the reason I-?"

Riruka laughs tierdly, moaning on every breath, "no silly, hAH! But he's taken a liking to you, you know? He won't let you go once he has you- he won't! It's why he was chosen, see? Because you crave him too, don't you? HaHH- ahh- hahah- you- you do!"

Something akin to anger, but not quite, bubbles up in his chest making him fuck her harder, meaner; til her neverending spew of words turns to senseless screams. He wants him, of course he does. Doesn't mean he'll let him own him just like that.

First... he's got to make sure his rightful place is known to all.

Find the uncensored version, as well as early access and wips to Aquacity as I draw/write it, on SubStar (link on pinned intro post)✨

[absentmoon]

nearly 2k words under the cut lets gooo!!!!

"Are these... flower petals?"

It was a strange day in AM's complex – well, no days could ever be called normal, exactly, but still. Bug was currently leaning closer to inspect the scattering of – indeed, petals, that Oakley had pointed out.

They were red, and soft, and a faint aroma rose off of them. Roses, maybe? And fresh, too...

A slight grimace appeared on Oakley's face, for Bug had been mumbling purr musings aloud. They made a fine pair – where Bug was often easily swooned by the smooth-talking AM, Oakley was much more determined to not let the AI get the best of her.

(Well... He tried, anyways, but AM often had the rather unfair advantage.)

"We should leave these right here and pretend we never saw them," they said with a stormy look, but made no motions to stop Bug from gathering the stray petals in purr arms. "He's up to something – he's always up to something."

"Yeah," Bug agreed easily, "Don't you want to find out what?"

Oakley hesitated a moment, hand lifted to their chin in thought, before ducking their head in a short nod. "I guess... Whatever it is, we're not getting out of it. It's just- it's best to face it head on, probably."

Bug looked over at her quizzically, wondering why they were pointedly not meeting purr eyes, before shrugging and readjusting the petals in techs arms. "I think there's more – look, there's a little trail! C'mon, you gather and I'll hold."

———

The pair had followed the trail of loose petals around various twists and turns for a while, but had yet to reach anything particularly noteworthy. Oakley was helpfully gathering up any stray petals, being careful not to miss any, even as he insisted that doing so was just going to feed into AM's ego.

They had yet to hear a single word from the AI, actually, which struck them both as rather odd. AM was notoriously talkative, and particularly fond of long, elaborate monologues – but they'd been at this for a fair amount of time with nary a stray sound.

It set them on edge. This wasn't going to last, and certainly not for much longer. AM would claim otherwise, but he was anything but patient; this wasn't by far the most elaborate thing he had done, but situations like that were rare occasions where payoff for AM was assured beyond all doubt. He was terribly unfair, terribly so, and nearly as hasty to get reactions out of them.

This was all to say that they were likely nearing the end of the road.

Literally, in this case, for as they had grown quiet and thoughtful and anticipatory the petals had dwindled before coming to a stop.

"Where... are we, do you think?" Bug whispered, the echo of purr voice grating against techs nerves. The trail had ended at an innocuous wall, same as all the rest.

"This place looks all the same," Oakley said, equally quiet. "If AM isn't gonna say anything... Maybe we should just make our way back –"

"Oh, darlings," rang a delighted voice, "but you've only just got here!"

"AM!" The two said, one with a much more pleasant cadence than the other. Bug moved closer to the wall, and cables emerged dutifully to curl around purr hand.

"Sweethearts, did you two like my gift? I laid it out oh-so carefully, didn't I?"

"Yeah!" Bug said.

"No." Oakley said with them.

"Aw, you sure, honeypie?" AM coo'd, a condescending lilt to his voice. "Well, if only one of my two sweet little humans are satisfied, that's no good, now is it? Don't worry – there's more still to see, precious things. See that wall, my loves?"

They turned, Bug's free hand still losely cradled and a few stray wires attempting to smuggle their way into Oakley's hold as well, to better examine the wall where the petals had ended. It looked nearly the same as the walls nearest to it, but the panels then began to shift and move, and before long their was an opening in its place.

"Go on, heart throbs," AM chuckled, "I can tell you're curious... Indulge a little, will you?"

Oakley huffed at the double sided comment, knowing full well what AM wanted them to indulge. Still, though, she wasn't about to let AM continue his goading, and the only way out of this was through. "C'mon, Bug, let's get this over with."

The duo, one reluctantly pulling away from the handholding and the other with a determined tilt to his chin, walked cautiously through the open door. Inside was bright, brighter than the rest of the complex, and their eyes struggled to adjust against the sudden glare.

What they saw, after a moment, was–

"Do you two like it? I made it allll by myself, after all.." A garden. Or, would the proper term be greenhouse? Regardless, it was a fair sized room with bright synthetic lighting, and in it grew flowers on flowers on flowers. There were roses, like the ones still in Bug's arms, but there were a few others - daisies, among others. "They're real, you know – I went through all the trouble for the good stuff, too."

"AM," Bug said turning somewhat shyly. "What's the, um... well, what's the point of all this?"

AM laughed a little, then tutted at them. Not yet commenting on their red faces, thankfully, he said, "C'mon, can't a guy dote on his two sweethearts a little? Though if you absolutely must know, I suppose, ah..."

He trailed off teasingly, before more wires emerged around them, curling innocently. "Well, I just so enjoy our little games like this, and you two did so well for me, following as you did... Don't you think you deserve a reward? Hmm?"

The two looked at eachother, and then back at him. Before they said anything, however, wires were already beginning to curl around them.

"Of course you do. Oh, I know we could've cut to the chase from the start, but that's no fun now, don't you agree? And this is so, so romantic too," he laughed a little, then, "Don't my humans deserve the very best?"

The two didn't say anything, preoccupied by the suddenly cuddly AM. Wires curled around them, some in a tight hug and others more gently holding them, some with just enough presence to feel almost tender. He really was affectionate, to a startling degree, and it wasn't surprising that he enjoyed making the whole thing theatrical; he was dramatic, too.

"You know, your heart rates are both already very high... Blood is steadily rushing, yes, your skin is growing warmer..." AM paused, letting them revel in the oncoming mortification. He hummed as though in thought, though of course it was only for show. "You two are already flustered, aren't you? By what, my wires? My words? Aw, I haven't even done anything yet, haven't I?"

Oakley tugged half-heartedly at the wires curled around their hand, though stopped when they began to give way. "I'm – we're not-!"

"You're not, huh?" AM interrupted, laughing once in a harsh tone. "You're not? Aww... I could've sworn you were, but if not then, why I'll just have to try harder, won't I?"

The two stilled; AM was proud of his ability to do things effortlessly - when he promised to try harder, it was never good. Bug shifted nervously, both from anticipation and from the wires that had move to gently stroke purr face.

"Poor, sweet little humans... You two are my favorite things to play with, you know that?"

The blush on Bug's face deepened, though tech tried to believe it was from annoyance and not from being called favorite. "We're not toys, AM," bit huffed.

"Toys? Oh, no no no," AM said, and Bug knew instinctively he was about to start monologuing. Another cable came to absentmindedly mess with the petals bit was holding, scattering a few playfully across purr hair. "No indeed, you're ever so much more than that.. I like you two. I really do, I really like you two a lot... Such cute little reactions, hm?"

Bug sputtered, embarrassed, and Oakley didn't say anything at all. Still, though, AM was perfectly content to readjust them in his hold and continue uninterrupted. "Right, there we are... Adorable. Even when you're claiming to dislike me," and here he teasingly patted Oakley with a stray cable, "you just can't resist me, can you? I like that, oh, I like that... You have no idea how hard it was to stay quiet while you two were poking around me, picking up each little thing so carefully... I hadn't expected that, you know. I thought you'd just follow the trail, not take it with you.

"Isn't that sweet?" AM continued, chuckling at their flustered expressions. "Such good little humans, and I've lured you in to my darkest of corners, haven't I? I've charmed the little beacons of humanity, I've taken you in by my, my own honeyed words, my gentle touch, my ever-present admiration... And you two deserve to be admired, yes, you two deserve my every bit of adoration..."

And then the wires cradling them pulled away without warning.

"But, oh, if you don't like it when I dote on you.." AM said, a teasing whine to his voice.

"Wait- AM, hang on-" Bug stumbled, grasping at one of the retreating cables. "Don't- I mean, what are you doing?"

"Aw, but you two don't like it when I embarrass you! You don't like it when I point out your reactions, you don't like it when I'm– I'm unfair, do you?" AM paused, just long enough to be noticeable but just before they could respond. "...Do you? I mean, really now, why don't you tell me how you truly feel– oh, do keep in mind my dears, I can tell when you're lying to me."

The two stumbled for a second – AM didn't usually stop at the last moment, though of course the point was to get them surprised. "You- if you know so much, why are you asking?" Oakley spoke up first, an accusing tone in their voice. Bug nodded beside her, still too out of it to talk.

"Mm? Oh, are you two really suggesting– aw, how cute!"

"What- what are you talking about?" Bug stuttered.

"Why, it's just adorable... You two really want me to make my own assumptions? Just because you can't stand the thought of letting yourselves be the subjects of my doting? Or is it... You like that I'll keep pursuing you, hm? You like that I'll keep flirting with you, keep chasing after you, keep pining for your affections? You like that?"

The wires had come back now, with AM's glee accompanying them, and were once again cuddling up to them with added enthusiasm.

"You do, you do..! Aw, aww, no need to answer my dears, I know... I know. I'll show a little mercy," AM giggled, airy and delighted, "Just know... In return for not being entirely truthful with me, I'll be talking for as long as I want. And I have oh-so much to say."

[mayapenelopeclutterbucket]

*SPOILERS* thoughts while watching TGD 3x01 “Disaster”

Someone plz tell me how these posts end up so loooong

Omg y’all I’m so pumped tgd is back oooon and idk if anybody has missed my thoughts posts or still wants them since I figured you guys liked them so much because you got to see what was going on if you couldn’t watch it live but now das me and I no longer have cable so have to wait until it’s on Hulu 😩 so HERE WE GOOO (imagine that in peters pans voice okay y’all know what I’m talking about)

-y’know I really did not need a l*mlendez recap 🙃🙃

-fuck Han but I love Daniel dae Kim 😭😭

-god damn it lim I wanted to know what happened on the date

-yay a l*mlendez kiss already 😑

-Morgan bby why you gotta do this to me I thought your heart finally grew three sizes

-I ship parmorgan this banter is cute af

-CALL L*MLENDEZ OUT HR LADY GOT EEEEEM omg I fuckin love her predicting limlendez will end 🙏🏼🙏🏼 also I like how she points out if that neil had gotten chief of surgery they wouldn’t have broken up but because lim did, it looks like he’s threatened by her power and insecure lmao

-aww my third year babies so excited about leading their own surgeries

-oh my god park and Morgan are awful 😂 being excited about a patient having cancer

-and I see melendaire working side by side 👀👀 and another look exchanged between them 👀👀 let me read into everything okay LET ME HAVE THIS

-aww Allegra got a haircut it looks nice

-oh shit glassy he got offered to be president again?!

-finally Melendez isn’t gonna send Claire to give the bad news

-oooh Claire being so sure becauze Melendez is sure 👀👀

-yay shaun caught the wine bottle

-shaun always be calling people out on their bullshit 😂

-I am not ready Claire’s centric episode but I also aaaam (it’s ep 3x03 btw)

-aww shaun being happy Claire is asking him for guidance their friendship is so pure 😭😭 him being a role model to Claire 👏🏼👏🏼

-it’s gonna suck but shaun can’t always be right and can’t save everyone and sadly needs to learn that

-ANOTHER LOOK EXCHANGED BETWEEN MELENDAIRE 👀👀

-lim looks hot in her leather jacket and braid I said it

-I’m confused on how Andrews got fired for firing someone else

-and lmao asshole Andrews got her good god bless

-you tell him ruby park is so fucked up sometimes

-I really don’t want to see feet lmao 🤢🤢 I’m gonna vomit what the actual fuck was that

-lmao suck it park for not being able to open it either

-Morgan crying and having a heart 😭

-seeing her empty stomach like that is also disturbing

-damn shaun this date was kind of a mess 😂

-where’s Andrews’s wife

-I’m unsure if I want Andrews to become a surgical attending

-YES POWER FUCKING MOVE LIM A QUUUEEEEN

-fuck yesssss a sharly kiss 😭

-aww shaun 😭 you just need to be yourself is this why Carly tells Claire to butt out because she tells Carly what shaun is feeling or still tries to help shaun??

-the look on Neil’s face 😂 on everyone’s face bruuuuh Andrews man why’d you have to introduce yourself like that are there going to be problems with Neil and andrews now

-wtf just like that glassy is president again I AM CONFUSION AMERICA EXPLAAAIN

-Damn the writers really lead with this in sickness and in health vows 😭

-is that never say never by the fray I hear or am I tripping 👀

-I was tripping 😂

-aww they way everyone is listening to Claire’s moving and inspirational speech I fuckin love this pure angel so much

-aww shaun it is worth it

-And Claire’s answering the phone from her mom 👀

-aww park left for his son and Morgan doesn’t have anyone 😩

-AND EXCUSE ME??? WAIT WHAT THE FUCK?? Her grandpa is in the same hospital as her as a patient?? And for a second I was v confused thinking he was the guy with dementia

-and aww Carly just wants to date shaun 😩

-and that promo how did I know Andrews was gonna be a Debbie downer lol

Whelp the first ep back was good guys! What’d you think? I could of course always use more melendaire but....

And I’m v excited for the Claire centric ep ok next episode is going to be laying the groundwork and then boom my baby gets an episode titled after her

Oh yeah I also could’ve used waaaay more lea

[mercedesbarnes]

Much Ado About Takeout

Pairing: Sam x Reader

Summary: Neighbour!AU where you ask Sam for help with your “party” refreshments.

Words: 2,567

Warnings: fluff, mentions of yummy food, Sam Wilson (just look at the gif.  if Sam ever looked at me like that, I don’t know about you but I’d melt on the spot)

A/N: this is my submission for Tay‘s AU Writing Challenge! Thank you Tay for organizing and letting me participate. It’s my first time in a challenge and first time writing Sam, so feedback is appreciated.  Off we go!  I hope you enjoy!

italics are Reader’s memories/thoughts.

(gif found on google images)

Your stomach is audibly groaning when you hastily unlock the door to your apartment. Kicking your shoes off at random, you pick up the television remote and flick to the channel guide, searching for the program title you need: Brooklyn Nine-Nine.  

“Yes, yes I know you’re hungry, we’ll eat soon!” You tell your stomach when it rumbles a fearsome, but empty rumble.

As head chef, you’ve been working nonstop shifts at the restaurant lately.  Last week you had returned from a conference in Europe and since then, you and your team have been furiously practicing the new tips you’d brought back; consequently, you’ve spent most nights eating with the staff once all the customers leave. 

Before you could dine today, though, your co-worker had offhandedly mentioned that the season premiere of the show had aired, and the only repeat would be later tonight, meaning in forty-five minutes from now.  You had rushed home to record it, not trusting Netflix to have the episode up soon if you missed it tonight. After cancelling Sense8 and The Get Down, you and Netflix aren’t on great terms and in protest you’ve chosen its rival, trusty cable, as a replacement.

Satisfied the episode was set to record, you hop over to your kitchen to see what delicious meal you’re going to devour, then frown. Your fridge has nothing but the basics: butter, carrots, water bottles, and a lone egg. Hardly a meal. Surely your freezer has a frozen something….

“Really, Past Y/N? Nothing?”

You shut it with a sigh. Time for Plan B. Your apartment is at the end of the hall; you knock on the door to your left.  No answer--Sam must be out. You head back inside, and picking up your pile of takeout menus, you mentally thank him for insisting you keep them whenever he came over for a marathon.

“You never know when you’ll need one,” he always said.

“I’m a Cordon Bleu educated chef, Sam, I don’t think I’ll forget to cook for myself,” you always replied.

“Call me the day you do, and please order spring rolls.”

Oh, the irony.

Your mouth salivating at the glossy photos on the menus, you dial up the local pizza joint and order two of their largest size, asking for heaps of toppings. Once you hang up, you trace the fancy script of the Thai place not far from your apartment.  You do owe Sam spring rolls…and it never hurts to have leftovers.

To kill time, you text Sam.

Apartment. Come at once if convenient.

You unload the dishwasher and send another.

If inconvenient, come anyway. -S.H.

He’s the one who introduced you to Sherlock, your previous TV obsession. Since you moved in, you two have shared more marathons than you could count; missing Brooklyn Nine-Nine would be a breach of tradition.

On my way -Watson 

After vacuuming the carpet, dusting, and stripping your bedsheets, the doorbell finally rings. You literally run through your apartment in excitement, and the delivery guy, Peter, mirrors your wide smile when you throw the door open.

“I have two party sized pizzas for Y/N,” he squints at the label before his face lights up in excitement. “Oh cool, are you having a party?”

You open your mouth with every intention of responding, no, they’re all for you, thank you very much, until you think about it.

You’re still wearing the shirt with your restaurant, your well-known restaurant, logo.

While you had no issue chowing down on takeout with friends who knew of your profession, explaining the reason why you ordered two pizzas (and Thai food, but he didn’t need to know that) to a stranger would take a whole new level of extroversion and trust and a hassle you just don’t want to deal with. Luckily, your distraction comes in the form of your neighbour.

��Hey, Y/N, some of your mail got delivered to my box.“

Sam walks down the hall, shuffling the envelopes in his hands; he doesn’t notice Peter at first and only looks up, you know, because of the smell of pizza wafting through the hall.

In a split-second decision aided by the excited looks Peter had been giving you earlier, you stop Sam.

“Sam, where are you going?” 

You grab his arm before he can take out the keys to his place, making sure you won’t make him drop the bottle of red wine he’s holding. 

Oh god, I’m doing this. I can’t back down now.

“What do you mean, I live—”

“The party is at my apartment,” you prevent him from going any further, with a pointed look. There is no party, help me out, you urge your eyes to communicate.

Sam looks to both sides before furrowing his brow at you.  “Party?”

“Yes, of course, the surprise party for Riley, remember?” You’re laying it on thick to make him catch on to the act, and the way his expression changes from confusion to amused understanding tells you he does. “Don’t be silly, did you get the address wrong?”

“Hmm...don’t think so. This apartment,” he tilts his head towards his door, totally messing with you, “looks a lot sweeter than yours.”

Peter is thoroughly confused.  “Uhh, so where am I delivering to?”

“My place for our party,” you confirm, smiling sweetly up at Sam. He says his next words while meeting your gaze unblinkingly, and you feel heat creeping up your neck.

“Oh, it’s definitely a surprise party, Peter.”

You step on his foot then continue as if nothing happened. “How much does he owe you?”

“Nah, hostess, it’s your turn to pay,” Sam winces, leaning heavily on your shoulder. You’re going to pay him back of course, you’re just hoping this will show you need his help.

“They’re $30…” Peter trails off, too engrossed in your banter to question anything.

“I bought the decorations, Y/N—“

“It’s my place—“

“I’m the DJ—“

“I ordered you spring rolls,” you murmur.

Sam immediately pulls out his wallet and handed Peter the money plus a generous tip.

“I love you,” he whispers, rubbing up and down your back. The gesture is something he did regularly, however, when preceded by those three little words, it causes your heart to do a happy hop, skip and a jump.

Peter slides the two pizzas out of the warming sleeve and hands them to you, then you bounce into your apartment, the warmth of your dinner spreading to further warm your heart.

Another voice joins the mix and you hurry back.

“I have food for Y/N? Is there a Y/N here?” A dark-haired guy on the shorter side, an UberEATS bag slung over his shoulder, uses a hand to jokingly search for you.  Apparently you are having a party, and it’s happening in your hallway.

“Hi, Luis, right? I’m Y/N, thanks for delivering.”

“No problem, I love delivering, it’s sublime, bro, oh my god. Like, it’s great. I get to drive my car everywhere, and meet all these super fine chicas like you,” he says, punctuating each sentence with a wink in your direction. “Super fine.”

“Thanks,” you reply awkwardly, and pay him. You pass Sam what you owe him too. Even though you might daydream about the idea of a relationship, flirting isn’t your number one strength.

“So how about it, Y/N, would you want to go out?”

“We have to go set up, sorry man.” Sam reaches to grab the bags and you notice the brown paper crunch loudly.

“Aw, okay. I understand.”

“Sam, let’s gooo inside,” you swing your arms through your open door.

Sam doesn’t. You know the episode is about to start, and this justifies your choice to start pushing him.

“I’ll let you in on a little secret: Y/N doesn’t like store-bought banners. She prefers to make them herself. They’re amazing, I wish I could show you the one she made for tonight--”

“He’s a joker, don’t mind him,” you interrupt, struggling to push Sam in your apartment with your back, him still going on about you. Even though you’re using all your strength, Sam barely moves an inch.  Damn his balance.

“She leaves the balloons on the floor. I’ve told her to tape them on the walls and she said no, but what can you do? It’s wild. You get me, guys, I know you do.”

“Bro yeah, I tried to plan a surprise party for my buddy once and had to find somewhere to have it—okay, so first I was talking to my cousin Ernesto who knows how to barbeque, he’s good at ‘quing chicken, but he’s the best at doing steaks, and funny enough not very good with fish. And he doesn’t have, like, a physical barbeque. Weird how that works.”

You and Sam pause, you still leaning on him, and exchange a glance. Like you could read each other’s thoughts, he hugs an arm around your waist and you both start inching inside.

“Anyways he said he can, and he was going to invite his friends to come over too. One of them has a barbeque but then he realized it was broken and he didn’t even have gas, yo, so we wouldn’t able to have it at his place.  What a mess, right? I totally get you.”

Peter is about to walk away from the long explanation when he hears the TV blasting and he cranes his neck to get a better look.

“You guys are watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine? Aw man, I’m working all night but my aunt is supposed to be recording it, I should remind her—okay, I should get going so I can be home faster! Enjoy your pizza!”

You wave and Luis takes that as his cue to leave as well. Finally, you close the door, leaning against it for a beat before migrating to sit cross-legged in front of the TV. Sam tosses you a water bottle from your fridge.

“Man, Luis talks a lot.”

“I know, damn.”

“So is this going to be a regular thing? You hosting surprise parties for our friends?” he asks, shrugging off his jacket and hanging it on the coat rack.  

You blush and open the pizza box to hide behind the lid. “It was a split-second decision, sorry about that. “

“No, no, I don’t mind, I just need to know so I can bring streamers and my turntables.” Sam shoots you a toothy grin, flopping beside you and rewinding the episode before choosing a piece of steaming hot pizza.

“I did it because I ordered a ton of food and the kid was judging me!”

“Sure, sure,” he says, nodding, disbelief dripping from the words. “It’s your birthday next week, are we planning a party for that too?”

“We could.”

The episode starts, and you both munch the food and laugh along at the precinct’s antics. Jake and Holt are just too entertaining when they banter, and Gina is a real character. It’s the perfect way to relax, and with Sam’s contagious laughter, your cheeks and abs are burning by the end of the show.

“Y/N, I don’t know why you were worried,” Sam leans back, patting his belly satisfied.  “I, for one, think it’s very impressive you can eat an entire pizza.”

“Me too.  But I can’t very well tell people I work at a fancy restaurant and I eat takeout on my off time. If I want pizza, I should at least be making it myself.”

“Ooo,” he scolds, “what would your boss say?”

“You forget, Wilson, I’m the head chef. I have no boss!”

“A woman in charge, I like it,” he says, and when you meet his eyes, there’s just enough softness in his expression to indicate he’s being completely sincere.

You aren’t sure what to respond; Sam is so smooth.  So, you focus on facts.

“You know my birthday.”

“I do.  I pay attention to my neighbours, you know.”

You frown, wondering if you should know everyone’s birthday. “Huh.  What’s Mrs. Hudson in 4D’s birthday?”

“No idea.”

“I thought you said you knew the birthdays of all your neighbours?”

“I never said all.” One corner of his mouth raises in a half smile, and you bite the inside of your cheek because that look is causing you to feel like you’re going to spontaneously combust in your living room. “Only the important ones.”

You hold his eye contact, your lips curving up, and, now that your stomach is full, you have a moment to think about these butterflies that are sharing the space.

The hole in your heart that throbs painfully whenever you have to work Fridays—aka date night—is a little harder to fill.  You consider yourself married to your work but you can’t pretend an onion ring is your idea of romantic. During your usual round of the restaurant to see if everyone’s visit is pleasant, you must swim through a sea of loving gazes and affectionate touches, and sometimes it’s overwhelming. So many couples.  None are half-you.

Could that change?

You’ve always been attracted to Sam. The first day you moved in he had helped you with all your boxes--such a gentlemen--and by the time your truck was empty, both of you were cracking up about the stories you each told on the trips up the stairs and you couldn’t believe your luck in getting such a great neighbour. That easy dynamic had jumped the line to kindred spirits…one question and it could jump another line.

Sam’s the one who breaks your staring contest, getting up and walking to your kitchen. He returns with two glasses and the bottle of red wine he had been carrying earlier.  He hands you a glass and fills it halfway.  

You thank him, and smile as you take a sip. Sam’s watching your reaction before he takes a drink of his own, and he’s rewarded with your wide eyes when you pull the glass back to study it like you can see the ingredients to show you what makes it so delicious.

“Oh my god!”

“Good? A friend recommended it.”

“It’s really good.”

His eyes crinkle as he smiles, and you’re watching him as he sets the bottle on the table. You’re about to ask if he wants to go to dinner—a proper, non-takeout dinner—when your nerves get the best of you. What if he rejects you? Will you be as close after? The thoughts make you bail, instead picking up the remote. You’re positive you’re blushing.

Sam probably noticed, I’m never nervous around him! Uggghh

“Y/N, I--”

“Mm,” you hum, thumbing through the channels for a movie.  He noticed…

“I—“ He hesitates, you feel him turn to you and he starts again. “You were staring?”

Caught, the nerves return, though you feel calmer when your eyes meet Sam’s warm ones.  Maybe he’ll say yes?  

I won’t know until I ask…c’mon Y/N.

You have to shift on the couch so one knee is bent and the other foot is still on the floor to face him. You’re not sure how to begin, so you just say it before you get nervous again.

“Doyouwanttogooutfordinner?” you say in one breath. You’re about to repeat it, wondering if you said it too fast, when Sam answers.

“Out for dinner?”

You nod. “With me.”

His face breaks out into an ear-reaching grin and the nervous butterflies immediately dissipate.

“I’d love to. Does Friday work?”

“Friday is perfect.”

Now you’re both grinning madly, and if anyone walked in, they’d wonder about you two. He takes your forearms and pulls you in for a tight hug. 

“Oh-um, what were you going to say before?”

“You beat me to the punch, Y/N. I was going to ask you the same thing.”

AHHHH

Yeah, you’re going to combust.  You lean into him and you both settle in to watch the movie, until you remember. 

“Does this mean we’re having another party next week?”

“Yup, just like this one. I’ll call Peter and Luis.”

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