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darsynia · 8 months ago

Text

New (Nomad Steve/Nurse!Reader)

MCU MASTERLIST | STEVE ROGERS MASTERLIST | Ro Roll

Summary: As soon as two weeks ago he’d have said that keeping to himself was the easiest part of his life right now… but that was before he met you.

Word Count/Warnings: 2,400 | None

As 1/7 of my Birthday fics for @ronearoundblindly, NEw is a first kiss hurt/comfort fic about writing your own happy endings. It's a hugely busy week for you and there's no pressure to respond right now, they'll all be here when you have time!

Excerpt:

Lately it feels like exhaustion is your religion. Stay up way too late, stumble home confused and euphoric and try to will yourself to sleep, then wake up and perform miracles to get yourself back to the hospital for your shift. You’ve always been a night owl, but your shift supervisor practically considers you the ward’s brand ambassador, and to keep the peace, you agreed to stay on the day shift. You’d gotten the schedule down to a science, right up until a tall, gorgeous complication started to jog at the track after hours.

The name he’d given feels fake, but nothing else about him does, and you know all about needing to distance yourself from the horrible things you’ve seen at work. You suspect he was a soldier until he got out, and after that probably a firefighter, but you’ve never asked. Mostly, you just try to keep up with him. The sum total of the words you’ve spoken to each other probably wouldn’t make for a single meet-cute in a romance novel, but they feel consequential enough to you.

NEW

It takes Steve a painful amount of time to adjust to hiding.

It isn’t just that he’s recognizable, it’s that he’s always stood out, always. As a small baby he’d been gasped over by strangers, as a sickly child he’d see concern and aversion in their eyes, and once he’d grown into a scrawny adult, those reactions had just intensified.

Some accused him of making himself sick to avoid the war, as though he could have secretly known it was coming and starved himself into stunted growth just in case. For some, it didn’t matter what he looked like-- any man who wasn’t at war was fair game for ridicule. Even those who didn’t care either way found his presence unnerving simply because men his age were scarce. He reminded them of the people they missed, the people who didn’t have the ‘protection’ of being physically unable to join up.

If his life was a narrative, he’d be the best protagonist he could be.

Even so, there was a special kind of hell in wanting so desperately to fight for justice and be told how lucky you were to be disallowed. Back then, it had been important to him not to hide. There were certainly others in the same boat as he was, men who needed groceries, to watch the news in the theater, to have a walk in the fresh air. So he went out anyway. He was the example, the target, the archetype.

Once he had the serum, hiding meant all the hard work by Doctor Erskine and Howard Stark would be for nothing, so he didn’t. Even in tights.

The symbolism was even stronger when he came out of the ice. Now, people look to him as a lodestar meant to bring them all back to decency and safety, and he wants to, but with action, not iconography, no matter how potent.

That hadn’t been enough, and now they’re here.

“You’ve been tying your shoes for five minutes, man. You okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Sam.” Steve finishes up quickly and straightens. “Daydreaming, I guess.”

Sam leans over and looks out through the thin rectangle of night sky visible through the thick curtains. “At this point I think you can just call it dreaming. Stay safe out there.”

Steve watches Sam head off into the kitchen before he slips out of the apartment door and locks it behind him. He and Sam keep nocturnal schedules, but Natasha’s expert-level camouflage skills have netted her a day job that keeps them all afloat. Their plan of moving from community to community taking seasonal jobs has worked well so far.

This is the most ‘domestic’ of their locations to date; they’re spending the lead-up to Christmas in a small city in the midwest full of people who know how to keep their heads down and get things done. No one’s expecting a trio of superheroes to settle in a satellite town whose main attraction is a vintage bowling alley, but there are other calculations to consider. People make eye contact here. They bring their real selves to the conversation, and Steve’s been struggling with some real guilt about that.

As soon as two weeks ago he’d have said that keeping to himself was the easiest part of his life right now… but that was before he’d met you.

As it has for the past week, your heart starts racing when you get close to the track. The problem is, you were run ragged today, and you feel just like the mermaid from the original fairy tale. Every single step is like knives stabbing the balls of your feet, and your arches are singing ‘fuck you’ so loudly you expect Ursula to show up any minute.

You stop on the bench right inside the gate to let the burning pain subside a bit. The last thing you want is for your burly new crush to think you’re a lightweight, not now that the months of forcing yourself to run after work have paid off so nicely with… well, him.

Besides Frank, the school’s night security officer and all-around nicest tough-guy in town, there isn’t anyone else visible on the brightly-lit track. You take the opportunity to cross your ankle over your knee and reach for your shoe in preparation to swap it with the sneakers in your bag. These are a new pair, and you’d planned on wearing them every few days to break them in. As soon as you get your heel off you understand just how much you screwed up by not bringing the others in to swap into once you realized how go-go-go your day would be. The swelling is bad, and the beginnings of blisters sting in various places. There’s no way in hell you can jog today, and walking home is going to be excruciating. It’s a god-damned miracle you have the day off tomorrow.

“I don’t know what I was thinking,” you mutter under your breath. The John F. Kennedy High School campus is the same distance from the bus stop as your apartment is, but in the opposite direction. Your feet had already been screaming, why hadn’t you gone home instead?”

“Thought you weren’t coming!”

Your crush’s voice cuts through the late November chill, warming your heart. You look up and see him crossing from under the bleachers, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his hoodie. He’s far enough away that you let yourself sigh, half in addlepated pleasure in seeing him, half in utter frustration at yourself. He’s the reason you came, of course. You’d walk across fire to spend time with this guy, and by the time you head home, that’s definitely what it’ll feel like.

“Sorry, long day,” you tell him once he’s close enough.

Hurrying, you yank off your second shoe and nearly swallow your tongue from the pain. Tears stand in your eyes, exacerbated by the surprise when you look up and your new friend is right there, almost like he'd teleported over. He’s crouched in front of you, and there’s nowhere to hide from his concerned scrutiny.

He confirms your assessment of ex-military by the professional once-over he’s doing, even more so when he takes your shoe out of your weary hand and tests the bend of its sole with a practiced hand.

“Don’t say it--”

“These are not very good shoes,” he pronounces. With a move as graceful as a ballet dancer, he shifts onto the bench beside you, still examining the shoe. You snag it from his hand and tuck it into your backpack with its mate, pulling out your tennis shoes before zipping back up.

There’s no chance you’ll be able to put them on, but, one thing at a time.

“You’re right. I didn’t expect to be the runner on the ward today, but we were shorthanded.” You wince at your feet, both of which are looking decidedly puffy. Shit, will either pair of shoes fit, at this point? “There’s a ‘best foot forward’ joke I could be making about hoping you’d be here running tonight, but honestly, I’m too wiped out to make it.” You look over as you finish speaking and catch his pleased reaction. It’s understated, but it’s there, enough to make you brave. “I have the day off tomorrow, maybe I can give you a twelve hour rain check? I bet you’re even more handsome in sunlight.”

To your dismay, his face falls and he looks down. You turn your head away, unwilling to see the evidence of just how badly you’d gauged this. He’s very clearly not interested.

“Or not! ‘Not’ is also okay, sorry about that, I--”

The words dissolve on your tongue at the gentle touch of his knuckle on your chin, turning your face back toward his in the time-honored tradition of romantic male leads.

“Please don’t-- Running with you has been-- Believe me, during the day-- I would like to, I just can’t.” Disappointment is etched across his handsome features, but more than that, you can see the way his mind is racing just like yours had just seconds ago. The man looks like he’s desperate to rewind to a moment that doesn’t feel like this.

There’s a remedy to that, and after a day of doing your best to fix everything and everyone around you, it feels like the most natural thing in the world to surge up and touch your lips to his.

You meant to pull back right away, mirroring that thing where a couple knows each other so well that gentle brush is all that’s needed-- but your midnight warrior is still in the middle of the book. His large hand shifts to cup your cheek, holding you still for his head tip where he deepens the kiss and scrambles your brain. It’s impulsive, desperate, and honest. You grab at his clothing, needing to believe this is real, even as the two of you follow kisses with more kisses like you’re saying goodbye in an airport.

“Doesn’t look much like you’re runnin’!” the security guard calls out, his words so distant they almost don’t register at first.

That ends things abruptly, but the two of you don’t move much farther apart than a few inches, his hand still on your face, yours with a handful of his sweatshirt, right over his heart.

“Textbook,” you whisper, flattening your hand out to smooth over his chest. It’s solid muscle under there.

“Oh?” he asks, pulling his hand away swiftly like he’d forgotten how to be a gentleman in his eagerness to touch you. It’s charming as hell.

“This whole operation, it’s right out of the romance novel guidebook,” you praise. “I ought to look for cameras.” A shadow crosses his face, and you suddenly put the pieces together. “Shit, you’re hiding from something, aren’t you? That’s why you freaked out about coming here in the daytime.”

He’s already standing, but instead of stalking away from you, he’s looking around the track, turning in a circle of deep concentration. He’s looking for cameras, but not in a joking way, not as part of a bit.

“The school district would rather spend the money on Frank than cameras, if that’s what you’re looking for,” you murmur, pushing your voice into steadiness out of sheer determination. “The city contributes. It’s been so much safer when everyone who wants a night walk comes here, but there are fewer of us out in the winter months.” The fall chill is actually helping with the pain in your feet, so that's something.

Your mysterious crush is facing you again, apparently satisfied that the two of you aren't being watched by anything more permanent than good old Frank. “I’m sorry,” he says. The words have a horrid finality to them, but you’re focused on his eyebrows. They’re not on board with the rest of his body language. They’re beseeching, rather than resolute, hopeful rather than harsh.

You have one chance to get this right.

“There are some things I love about my coworkers, and let’s be real, a lot of things I don’t-- but do you want to know the thing I like least about working in a hospital?”

Your whole body is practically vibrating with adrenaline, and you realize this is your opportunity to shove on your shoes. As you do that, you refuse to look up at him. The goal is to bring his critical thinking skills back from ‘fight or flight’ mode. Then maybe you can get the two of you on the same page again.

It takes over a minute, but he lets out a long breath and sits down beside you. “Tell me."

“They’re terrible gossips,” you say, looking right at him. He’s not allowed to make the obvious (ruinous, new-relationship-wrecking) conclusion about what you’re saying, not without having to look you in the eye while he does it. “I can’t stand that shit. That’s why they send me on the errands. I’ve got everyone trained to stop talking when I walk by, at this point.”

His relief is visible. “I can respect that.”

“Good.” You set both feet on the ground and decide to test things out by standing. If you’re wobbly, you feel certain he’ll reach out and catch you. “Tomorrow night?”

“Wait,” he says, the picture of confusion. “You’re not-- You think I’m hiding from something and you’re not going to ask about it?” Even in the dim glow of the nearby track light, you can see the clench and release of his jaw.

“For all I know, you’re hiding from your last girlfriend. I know I’d find it hard to give you up, and I’ve known you for what? Two weeks?” Your feet are screaming at you about as loudly as the critical voice in your head, but happiness has made both just distant enough to achieve your goals.

He shoves his hands into his pockets, which you take to be a good sign. “Would that still be ‘textbook?’ This is all new to me.”

All of the cheeky, sarcastic, and cheesy thoughts that cross your mind would ruin the moment, so you go off script. It’s not the best, but it’s not awful, either.

“New is terrible for work shoes, but it’s lovely when it’s you. See you tomorrow night!”

Stay tuned for more stories in the Ro Roll! Would you like more of these two? Let me know 💚

#steve rogers x reader #steve rogers x f!reader #steve rogers fanfiction #steve rogers fic #fluff #hurt/comfort #captain america x f!reader #captain america x reader #captain america #steve rogers #mcu #mcu fanfiction #marvel #steve rogers imagine #steve rogers x you #captain america x you

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chocolatespringonion · 7 months ago

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What if Hughie suddenly goes mad?

Hughie was tired of all the violence, death and murders. When he finally couldn't take it anymore and his already fragile mind, broke.

He became disoriented, unable to know where he is, who the people around him are, his mind is melting bit by bit until The Boys doesn't know what to do with him. They pitied the boy as one single thought appeared inside their head, Butcher had finally broken that boy.

Butcher refused to admit it himself of course. But deep down he could feel guilt creeping up his spine and whenever those unpleasant feelings appear he would pump himself full of tempV and went off to go Supe hunting.

The Boys unanimously agreed for Hughie's and their own safety, they will admit the boy into a mental hospital, hoping he would be safe and able to bounce back from whatever he is currently experiencing.

Hughie didn't let himself taken away without a fight, despite his disorientation and hysteria he understood his own friends are trying to send him away. He yelled and cried, saying he was not crazy but his pleas fell into deaf ears as he was dragged away into his new prison cell.

Months went by, The Boys and Annie would usually visit him once a week, but seeing how unresponsive Hughie had became towards them, the visitation became less and less. From once a week to once every 2 weeks, to once a month, to finally Hughie doesn't know if they'll ever come back.

On his rare days of being sober he would understand that his friends did this for his own safety but when those episodes came where he would break down and his brain would turn into a mushy paste, the betrayal would sting like hot molten iron. Hughie dreads the days where his sober state would leave him completely.

6 months later.

Homelander had gotten a schedule from Ashley that he is to catter to the young people by supporting the idea of caring for the mentally ill, something about how young people nowadays care a lot for mental health so Homelander should get on the bandwagon.

The bright idea was Homelander will visit a chosen mental hospital by roulette and he would care, listen and help those who was mentally vulnerable.

The first part of the filming was done, Homelander talking and playing simple games with the people he would assume had a problem with delusions, he talked and shared his tales with the depressed patients and they even managed to stage a rescue of a schizophrenic patient. Homelander was far from pleased with this work but what can he do?

After wrapping up the first day Homelander was allowed to roam around as he please. He stumbled upon an open door and took a glance inside.

Inside was a familiar man dressed the same as the other in a blue gown, sitting on the windowsills as the sun shines on his face making him appear somewhat ethereal. He was looking outside but it seems his mind are elsewhere.

It was Hughie Campbell.

Homelander knew he hadn't seen the Campbell boy in a while, he even asked Butcher in passing one time, the question made the other man's expression turn fierce and almost in a brink of snapping. Homelander was too entertained by his irritation to question again but he now knew the reason for the man's defensive reaction.

Out of curiosity, Homelander stepped into the room. His presence seems to catch the boy's attention and he looked away from the window and now to face Homelander.

The supe expected Hughie to panic and scream or maybe even beg for his life but what the other did was unexpected, he smiled brightly at the supe until his dimples are visible, he was happy?

"Hello, I'm Hughie. It's nice to have a visitor, who are you?"

Speechless, Homelander only stared at Hughie, making the other tilt his head and drop down from the window and walked closer to the blonde supe. Hughie invaded Homelander's personal space and stared closely into the supe's eyes, Homelander could even feel the other's breath with how close their proximity are.

"You- are pretty. I like you." Hughie leaned himself closer and pushed his lips against Homelander's.

The kiss was like no other he had experienced before, it was fleeting, not a hint of fear nor hidden objective, just a simple innocent peck on his lips.

Hughie pulled away and grinned at the supe, proud of his own achievement. "We're married now."

Homelander should've exploded in anger, he should've destroyed Hughie Campbell here and then, leaving nothing of the boy but ashes, he should've leveled this place that witnessed his shame to the ground, but he didn't.

It was the first time he felt such innocence, be felt nothing but the boy who was staring intently at his expression, studying it and when it didn't give him the result he hoped for, his smile faded into sadness.

"You don't like me anymore? I'm sorry. I'm sorry, don't be mad." Hughie began crying and wiping the tears with his bare hands. It couldn't help but pulled the strings of Homelander's heart.

"I'm not mad." No that isn't right, he needs to make sure that what happened earlier was only a coincidence or a mistake. "I won't be mad anymore if you kiss me again."

Hughie sniffed and looked up from the ground into the supe's eyes. "Really? Not angry?"

Homelander nods. But he couldn't help but second guess himself, what the fuck is he doing?

Hughie's face suddenly beamed in happiness as he pulled Homelander into his arms. "Uh-huh. I'll kiss everyday so don't be angry anymore, okay?" He once again captured Homelander's lips into an innocent kiss which this time dispelled the supe's doubts.

He-liked it?

Hughie kept kissing Homelander in the cheek afterwards while the supe was dumbfounded in place. A nearby nurse saw this and panicked, "Sir! Don't do that!"

Homelander just stood there as the nurse brought backup to restrain Hughie and calm him down. Homelander who was watching Hughie crying in helplessness calling out, "Wife! Wife! I want to be with my wife!"

Homelander questions himself, Is that supposed to be him?

When Hughie finally sleeps did the nurse apologized multiple times for the inconvenience. Homelander dismissed her saying it wasn't a big deal at all, and how he was thankful these people could have someone as capable as her caring for them. Which made her smile and leave the room as Homelander's new fan.

Homelander stared at the sleeping Hughie, now so peaceful and different from his manic behavior earlier. He is used to see fear and nervousness from the human, so this is how he is when he's now afraid?

It was a new feeling for Homelander. No fear, no expectations, no ulterior motives, just Homelander being himself had made the boy's previous melancholic face bloom into one of joy.

Homelander didn't realise it himself but his previously wrinkled and battered heart is now moved by the sleeping man.

Maybe he'll try to prolong his job here for a bit.

****

Hughie woke up late at night and saw the leather holding him down on the bed. So he probably did something and the nurse had to tie him down to give him his medicine. He sigh, as he tries to recall the day's events, it's hard for him to try and remember what happened during one of his episodes, but this time he vaguely remember kissing someone and calling them wife, he couldn't remember who the other was, only that empty blue eyes which was beginning to shimmer in an unspoken emotion.

Shit. No wonder he was now tied up in bed.

Hopefully his victim didn't hate him too much and forgives him for the offense. He doubts they'll be meeting again, no one wants to get attacked by a madman a second time.

***

How is he going to make Hughie kiss him again?

Was the thought belonging to the one and only Homelander as he was standing in front of Hughie's door again the very next day. It didn't take anything at all in fact. When Homelander opened and Hughie saw him, the other jumped out of his bed and immediately latched himself to the supe. Homelander quickly closed the door behind him to let them not be disturbed.

Hughie started hugging the blonde and put his chin on the blonde's head, "Wife, you came back. I'm so happy."

"I'm not—" Wait if he said he is not his wife, would the other cry again? "—going to leave you. Why would you think that?"

"I'm sorry. I was insensitive. Of course wife is the best. Wife is the kindest and prettiest." Hughie began innocently kissing Homelander's cheek again.

Since when does he have such Saint like patience? But it seems whenever it's Hughie, his temper wouldn't flare.

"Wife, do you want a kiss?" Hughie stared down innocently at Homelander.

It was what he was after since the beginning after all. "Sure."

The human leaned down and once again their lips met.

Without even knowing it, Homelander had became addicted to the madman called Hughie Campbell who is clearly not in his right mind. But he didn't care. For the first time in his life he felt free of the darkness of the human heart and enjoyed the pure feelings only a madman is capable of giving.

He hoped, Hughie will never regain his sanity. Maybe he should steal the boy away from here and let him stay in his condo indefinitely to ensure he'll stay Homelander's and will stay as he is.

***

It was sunset when Hughie had finally gained his sanity back. Once again he only remembered bits of pieces of his episodes but he remembered he had attacked someone with kisses again.

Since when had he become a kiss maniac?

Despite not remembering the other's identity he knows it must be the same person. He could remember the sensation of the kiss today and different from yesterday, he could feel the other reciprocate his advances. How those previously dull blue eyes brighten as it laid eyes on Hughie, and how it became misty when they kissed.

His heart pounds when he remembers the feeling.

"God. This is so fucked up." But he enjoyed it. Unlike when he kissed Robin or Annie, this mysterious person didn't feel like the usual confident women he's been with. This person was more timid in the beginning and became needy in the end, as if they needed—no CRAVED Hughie so bad the black hole inside the other is trying to swallow Hughie whole.

And Hughie liked it.

"Christ. I'm so fucked up."

_____________________________

A/n: I wrote this while still haven't watched season 4 of The Boys and as I'm having a huge important thing tomorrow. I wrote this instead of preparing.....

This is Top!Hughie x Bottom!Homelander for me. Hughie is crazy and Homelander is crazy, when you add minus with minus it became positive so naturally this would be sane and normal, right? Right...?

#homelander x hughie #homelander/hughie #hughie x homelander #hughie/homelander #the boys #hughielander #hughlander

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quintessenceofdust88 · 19 days ago

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Little Blobs, ch. 5

Hiiii darlings! So chapter 5 of Little Blobs is finally here, after giving me a lot of trouble hehe But I ended up really liking how it turned out! It has fluffiness between Buck and Tommy, fluffiness between Buck and Chris, and also a fight that I loved to write! Shout-out to @bidisasterevankinard and @laundryandtaxesworld who heard me yap about this chapter and really helped me out. Thank you, you lovely people! ♥♥ Okay, here we go! I hope you like it! If you can leave me a comment, either here or on AO3 (or both hehe), I'll be happiest person on the planet! Love y'all ♥

Buck is sixteen weeks along in his pregnancy, and it’s official: his favorite striped button down, the one he wore for his and Tommy’s first coffee date, is definitely no longer a viable clothing option.

He pouts when he realizes there’s no way it’s gonna close over his belly, and then throws it on his and Tommy’s bed with a huff. He likes his clothes. He doesn’t want to give them up.

“Hey, sweetie, are you ready?” Tommy asks, and Buck glares at him with the force of a thousand suns for daring to ask the question so inconsiderately.

“Oh, that’s so easy for you to say, you have clothes that fit you!” Buck exclaims, crossing his arms, he realizes he’s being irrational, but he doesn’t care.

Tommy, to his credit, manages not to laugh, though he still looks slightly amused by Buck’s outburst. He also doesn’t look offended, which tells Buck just how good of a husband he has.

He’s still upset and pouty when Tommy approaches him, placing a small kiss to the side of his head, and then kneeling down and pressing another one to his swollen bump, a small smile on his face.

“Hey, blobs, you’re getting too big for Daddy’s clothes in there? You’re growing so fast!” He tells them, his voice enthusiastic, but Buck notices his gaze is slightly saddened, and bites his lips, deciding now is not the moment to address it.

He’s been noticing a few moments where Tommy gets that sad, far away look in his eyes, ever since they came back from Indiana. Buck can only imagine how bad it must have felt for Tommy, seeing his father like that, and he wonders if that’s what’s still rattling him. He tried to ask, but Tommy says he's fine, and Buck doesn't know how to push the issue. It's not like he can’t relate that much; his relationship with his own father, while certainly not perfect, was never this antagonistic.

Thinking about his father reminds Buck of why he was dressing up in the first place. It's his day off, and he scheduled a video call with his parents so he can tell them about his pregnancy.

He meant to do it a lot sooner, but didn't get around to it, and now he's worried they'll think it's too late, among the other thousand things they'll have to criticize. Not that Buck's nervous or anything.

[READ ON AO3]

Tag list (lemme know if you'd like to be added or removed!)

@bidisasterevankinard @unhingedangstaddict @silversky9 @music-is-the-voice-of-the-soul @asmugfirefighter

@typicalopposite @littlepaws9 @aplaceinme @rubydaiquiri @racerchix21

@dearqueend @laundryandtaxesworld @buckleyskinards @actuallyitsellie

@agentpeggycartering @chaoticdisasterbi

#bucktommy #tommy kinard #evan buckley #gabby writes #mpreg #pregnant evan buckley #little blobs #little blobs verse

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breakyourrxles · 26 days ago

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❥between two breaths (m) | 𝟙𝟙

𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬

↳ The age-old adage once again proves itself to hold weight: When things seem too good to be true, then they probably are.

kim sunwoo x fem!reader (side lee juyeon x reader) — idol!sunwoo, fan/trainee!reader. forced proximity, forbidden love, friends to lovers, angst, slow burn, idolverse-typical themes regarding; dating, image, public perception, etc. happy ending, plot-heavy!! reader thinks she's nonchalant about it but she rly isn't. smut. [5,7k wc ongoing] cws: heavy themes of wanting-but-can't-having, mild jealousy, explicit sexual content, a little alcohol consumption, dancing on the edge of career suicide, poor decision making because of The Wanting.

❥ masterlist | ao3

She takes in a deep breath and then comes out with it. "Have you seen the posts online?"

The following months are both exponentially better and distressingly worse; that, of course, depends wholly on one's perception of the deeds at hand.

"Hey."

Sunwoo sits at the desk with headphones over his head, but that doesn't last long once the single word is spoken by him. He pulls them down to dangle around his neck instead and turns the chair so that he can face you.

You often meet like this now.

Neither dorm is particularly apt for the kinds of activities that the two of you often find yourselves engaging in now. The dam of self-preservation has been broken and the crashing wave of self-destruction has instead taken its place. Stolen kisses have quickly turned into secret getaways and far, far more. An incredibly dangerous game. You have not yet even come upon your first year debut anniversary.

Yet there are no signs of stopping yet.

The less all of the members know on either side, the better. Sunwoo's dorm had been fielded a couple of times during the first foray into terrifying waters—at least they know more than MVNE members do—but ultimately it had been decided that putting the burden of silence on them is an incredibly unfair one, and thus, here the two of you find yourselves now.

You look up from your phone, pretending not to have noticed him all the while and say, "Yes?"

Everything inside of the company building smells alarmingly sanitized at all times, and you cannot help but assign reason to it regardless of how arbitrary it might be. An allegory for the kinds of lives idols are meant to live; perfect, untouched, unmarred and more than anything else, available to the onlookers who seek to have them.

At the very least, it is safe within these sickeningly white walls. There are no fans to watch, no reporters to pry; and that makes for a treacherous recipe.

Sunwoo is thin now in ways that only slightly concern you, but you know him well enough to know that it is less because of a lack of care for himself and more because of the fact that a comeback schedule is unwaveringly demanding. He now stands only a few days within the aftermath of it—somehow, it is August—and you have such a devastatingly difficult time wondering where all of the time has gone.

He is worn down and even now, there is little sleep to be had. It's late into the evening; he has future appearances to make, ongoing schedules, another drama to film, and flights overseas to catch. When you think of it all for too long, the twisting in your gut comes back full force. Thus, the only option is to do your best not to.

Neither of you have claimed a name to whatever it is that you have allowed yourselves to get wrapped up in.

"You don't have to stay here, it's late," he says. "Don't you have a thing tomorrow with the girls?"

You do, and you are expected to be wide-eyed and bushy-tailed for it in approximately four hours. Time that could be spent sleeping but instead—you are here.

"Not like I'll miss it. They'll drag me out of bed by the hair if they have to and I'll smile wide and do my part just like I always do."

Sunwoo frowns a bit, squints his eyes as if judging you for your decision and says, "Sure, but you don't have to be miserable while doing it."

"You're headed to Japan soon, right? We've barely had time to see each other since June with how busy you've been. No doubt we'll get the message that it's soon our time to begin comeback preparations also, I'd rather lose some sleep than miss out on the limited amount of time we have together now."

That seems to heighten his mood, because he smiles and wastes little time standing from the chair and crossing the small amount of space in the room to meet you at the couch.

"Aww, so you miss me when I'm gone?" he says. "Never thought I'd see the day when you're actually being honest about your feelings towards me! You like me!"

Huffing out a sigh, you roll your eyes and make a useless effort to turn your body away from him. There's little ability to do so, however, and Sunwoo makes a quick motion to cage you in against the plush of the cushions so that you have nowhere to escape to without a fight.

Towering over your body lengthwise, Sunwoo stares down at you with a wicked, knowing grin and long, black hair dangling down around his face. He isn't particularly strong, and you probably could stand a chance if you truly wished to take a stand. The thought crosses your mind for a moment, but instead of that, you swiftly lose the will to do any such thing and for precisely the same reasons as only just discussed.

Soon, this will be largely a thing of the past and for an indefinite amount of time. Will things pick up precisely where they had left off once time finally allows for some sort of reunification, or will the both of you come to realize that this has all been little more than a whirlwind curiosity that has now effectively been satiated?

"I like you fine," you mumble in reply.

"It would be better if you could come with me," Sunwoo says, craning himself down and his face falling closer towards yours. "If you could sneak away and meet me abroad. We could go to all of these restaurants I know, and it wouldn't be as bad as being here is with the fans. We could actually have something remotely resembling a normal life… A normal…" He pauses, body going somewhat rigid above you as a thought crosses his mind but eventually he simply lands on, "This."

The thought had never really crossed your mind before this very moment, and without more than a single consideration of it you say, "You wish I hadn't become an idol."

"I told you to audition."

"Sure, but if I hadn't debuted then we wouldn't be shackled into this the way that we are."

Sunwoo cocks his head a little and gives a half-hearted smile. "Yeah, that's true of all of this. This never would have happened if you hadn't debuted, either. I don't—"

"I know, you don't sleep with fans."

"Well!" he interjects suddenly, loudly. "Technically speaking, I don't sleep with you, either! But yes, I definitely don't do any of this with fans."

"You still resent it, though." Reaching up, you grab ahold of Sunwoo's chin and force him to look straight at you after his attention has slightly wandered. "If you could have this without the idol thing, you would."

"Obviously, I think they just call that a normal relationship."

"Do you regret it, then?" you ask, and it's a question that falls from your mouth faster than you can really recognize the potential implications of. By the time it is placed on the table, it's too late for you to reconsider whether or not you're truly ready to hear the answer to it.

The silence that hangs between it and the impending response is suffocating, and Sunwoo is far from quick to give you your reprieve.

"No, I don't regret it." Turning his head slightly, he presses his lips to the palm of your hand that still grips his face and says, "You're amazing, and it would be a crime for people not to see it. Am I a little jealous and selfish and are there parts of me that want nothing more than to hide you away from everyone and keep you for myself? Sure, but there was never going to be a path where I got everything I wanted. There was never an option that wasn't complicated. Being involved with someone is complicated in the best of circumstances, and we're far from that, so…"

Trailing off, Sunwoo pauses to gather his thoughts into something coherent so that he can move forward again and eventually he says, "If it wasn't you, it was going to be someone else. There's no easy."

You smile, force yourself up just enough to plant a quick kiss to his lips and say, "You're lucky I'm not jealous like you are."

Affronted by the incredibly true accusation, Sunwoo reels away from you and grimaces at the words.

"You meet with Juyeon for private little coffee dates, like, all the time! Frequently! Who knows what else you two get up to when I'm not around!"

"You think we're banging at the coffee shop across the street…?"

"No! I don't know, maybe! Not like I'd ever know!"

Trying not to laugh, your lips thin into some sort of bizarre half-smile and you say, "Juyeon is your friend, don't you think he'd tell you if things were… you know, headed in that direction?"

"Juyeon doesn't know anything about us, so no, he wouldn't, because he wouldn't feel as though he has any reason to need to. And by the way, this is not information you should use to your advantage!"

"This would be an incredible moment to point out that you are frequently abroad, and I could just as easily think myself sick about who or what you might be doing out there," you reason.

"Not the same," Sunwoo insists, "Because I'm jealous and a little obsessive and so that doesn't track at all. Do you not read romance manga, or something?" He rolls his eyes, huffs out a sigh and then leans himself back down so that his lips sit only inches from your own. "Hopelessly devoted despite having little to no reason for being so. The ideal male lead, everyone knows that!"

When the kiss finds you, it's just as devoted as his prior words entail. Sunwoo always kisses you with the kind of intent behind the action that might lead one to think that it might be the last time, and though the impression is incredibly lasting, you cannot help but feel the lingering ache of wonder that is left behind after the fact.

Will it be the last time?

However, beyond the kiss lies further intent, and you fall into the motions far more easily now that the months have passed you by. Sunwoo slinks his body down further against yours, gently slots his hips between legs that part away without so much as a second thought, and you melt into the feeling of being together like so many times before.

There's a sort of hunger urging him forward, and you find yourself matching it with nipping teeth and wandering hands that hope to soon meet flesh hidden beneath. A warm palm slides up underneath the ample looseness of your shirt to rest just above your waist, and though it does not make a move for anything more, you cannot help but find yourself wishing that it would.

Instead, Sunwoo lightly rolls his hips against you and both of your mouths part to revel in each other's wanting gasps.

Once reasonable kisses become fervent, and after a testing motion, Sunwoo falls into a delicate rhythm against you. Resolve is quickly falling away; fingertips find skin and nails dig muted indents beneath them, the room is warm and the hopeful intoxication of desire is all too dizzying for you to make an effort to keep up with.

But not here.

"Sunwoo—"

"I know." The words are airy and desperate against your mouth, but he doesn't stop and instead his warm, bitten lips drag over to your ear. "Can you come like this?"

God, probably, you think. Embarrassing. Swallowing that down, you shift your position slightly—just right—and the next movement against you has your eyes screwing shut with increased probability. "Think so. Can you?"

"I hope not."

There's always an excuse, always a reason that it is never quite right to finally pull the trigger on one of the final-most decisions in all of this. To you, it stands firm as the last remaining wall that separates the two of you from a conversation that you're not quite sure either of you are ready to fully meet head-on: What is this? What are we doing? What are we?

That—as well as what this could easily be—feels as though it could change everything.

The hand once beneath your shirt drags down to grip firmly at your hip to hold your body in place, and the feeling of his fingertips digging into your skin is sinfully electric. Sunwoo pants lightly against your ear, every so often a soft moan slipping through and you want so badly to experience it in full: without the hang-ups of the future or the worries of what might be waiting on the other side of it.

Maybe you can handle it. Maybe he can, too.

Clutching at his waist, your nails dig in as your release shakes you, and the hedonistic groan that escapes from him through it is enough to have you reconsider all of your prior convictions.

Sunwoo slows to a halt, face coming back around to kiss you once again and says, "Don't miss me too much while I'm gone."

MVNE is busy, and oftentimes, being busy is indicative of success.

This is something you are thankful for, as you are no stranger to the ease of falling away to obscurity as a new idol group as so many others before you have. The days are long and the nights are short even when you are not amidst overwhelming comeback schedules; the girls are tired, perception is good, and more important than anything else you have learned, is that the company is happy.

With only two groups on their roster, having both reaching relative success is more than any shareholder could possibly ask for. The Boyz and MVNE are both lauded in their respective fields and often considered to be tightly wound together in a sort of way that isn't often seen between girl groups and boy groups. Chances have been taken by the company to create this, and while not all of the notions have ended up paying off, in the end, the net outcome has been a positive one.

It is a rarity nowadays that yours and Sunwoo's names are brought up as a unit.

Granted, you don't spend much of your time perusing the online portals for opinions that you may or may not wish to see. Occasionally, Woori or Nara might bring up something that they had seen, but for the most part you do not concern yourself with public opinion. Figure, if something were to come up that you need to be made aware of, you will be.

Two weeks have gone by since you've last seen Sunwoo.

Exchanged messages are few and far between, and you try to make peace with it by telling yourself that you expected this. It's not a lie, but as it would turn out no amount of mental preparation could get you to a point where the lack of content felt like it was anything other than a heavy rock sitting deep inside of your gut.

You are, however, too busy to pay it much mind.

This green room is tiny and barely wide enough to hold the ten of you, but you can't do anything about that except grin and bear it. Woori is less interested in putting on a pretty face in regards to the fact, and mild complaints are occasionally brought about to managers and staff should they have the misfortune of passing by and catching her unrelenting eye.

The couch is meant to seat two comfortably. As of now, it seats five.

You, Miyoung, Nara, Kaia and Serri rest piled on arm rests and squished atop cushions. Phones are out and not many words are exchanged as the lot of you wait to be called to go on. It's a small festival performance for a college and won't require much of your time. For that, you are thankful.

Navigating to your messages one more time, you check for a new one despite knowing that no such thing has come in.

After much deliberation and a little bit of fight put up by the managers, eventually they relent and succumb to allowing for a dinner outing in the evening.

Drinks are flowing and copious amounts of food is placed upon the long table for everyone to enjoy. The girls are smiling and laughing loudly amongst each other, and after a little bit of soju, you're feeling the jovial atmosphere in all that it has to offer you. Things have been a little complicated since debut—far from a squeaky clean journey—but at times like this you are reminded of precisely why you chose this path for yourself, and like so many times before you can't help but think that there isn't a better group of people that you could be going on this journey with.

With a vaguely foggy mind and the alcohol consumed coursing through your blood, you lean over and shove your shoulder against Woori's with a big grin plastered across your face.

"You're a great leader, you know that?" you say.

She glances down at you and gently pats your head. "And you are a little drunk. Thanks though, some of you do not make it easy."

"You should be nice to me," you reason, slightly slurring your words. "I'm quite popular, and a good dancer! People like me, you know!"

"I know, and if it weren't for that I'd already have had you locked inside of a studio and the key mysteriously lost to the ether."

You gasp, pulling away from her and exaggeratedly irate. "You wouldn't!"

Woori squints at you, leaning in close and shoving a displeased finger towards your face. She says, "I wouldn't, but only because you've been on your best behavior as of late."

Suppose that depends on what best behavior entails. Indeed, no problems are being caused for the members of the group due to your negligence, but on a similar vein, the man you are meant to no longer be seeing has since made you come on many more than one occasion. Oops.

"Hey, sorry to interrupt."

Snapping your attention to your other side, you are met by Hyemi who is standing with phone in her hand. She looks nervous, a little awkward in ways that aren't necessarily unlike her even in the best of times, but for some reason the appearance of her feels incredibly sobering this time. A kind of nervousness begins to quickly bubble up beneath your skin, but you make an effort to fight it off with the immediate presence of a pleasant and inviting smile.

Hyemi continues on and says, "Can I talk to you for a second? Maybe outside?"

"Yeah, sure!" Whatever this is about, you're perfectly happy to acquiesce to the wish. Chances are, this is not a conversation that you want to have amongst company, so you rise from your chair and shuffle away from the table towards the door with your eyes glued to the device still clutched within your teammates hand.

This late into the nighttime hours, the weather has cooled a bit and the stifling warmth of summer isn't so overbearing. People are everywhere on this busy Seoul street, and while that presents a whole separate set of problems that you don't necessarily have much of an answer for, you instead hone your attention on the thing that you do have engagement in.

With her phone held to her chest, Hyemi looks at you with an odd air of condolence. It is evident in the way that she is carrying herself that she is searching for the right words to continue on with her mission, and the longer it takes, the more your stomach turns from the anxiety of wondering.

"What is it?" you finally urge.

She takes in a deep breath and then comes out with it. "Have you seen the posts online?"

Your eyebrows knit together. "No, what posts?"

"I don't know if you even care, or if it's something I should be bothering you with at all. I just saw them and thought maybe it's something you would want to know about…"

"Well, what is it?"

"About Sunwoo."

Hyemi hands you her phone, and pulled up on the screen are more than one post made speculating the one thing that you cannot bear to deal with right now. There aren't many of them, but enough that your heart begins racing as you scroll through them. One is bad enough, and more than one is nothing short of a disaster in the making.

People are speculating that he may be in a relationship with someone now.

You take the time to click into each and every one. Read through the contents and then glance over the comments all corroborating the same line of thinking. That he's acting different; minute changes in the way he has been carrying himself in public or with the things he has been wearing out. Most likely all made by fans of him and the group who are watching everything he does with a microscope in hopes of catching something just like this.

People who have seen him more than even you have over the past few months.

This is a blindspot that you'd not considered nearly enough, obviously. Sunwoo wears his feelings on his sleeve and it's not surprising that his demeanor has changed once that shift came to fruition. The irony in all of this, you suppose, is that the two of you are not dating; there is no relationship, only brief bouts of fooling around in the limited time offered for the two of you to do so.

That fact is a little bit more humiliating to you. The trickle of catastrophe is already slipping through the cracks, and all you have to show for it is a few awkward conversations and juvenile secret meetings.

Well, you certainly have sobered up now.

"Is it true?" Hyemi asks.

"What? No!" You shake your head, recorrecting. "I mean, I don't know. I don't think so. He hasn't said anything to me about there being… someone."

"When my idol started dating someone, I knew it," Hyemi says, laughing lightly under her breath. "I guess when you follow someone enough, you can spot the small differences in everything. Nothing was ever confirmed, it was never made public, but I'm pretty sure I knew."

"You believe them."

She shrugs. "They can always be wrong, no matter what, they're always going to be on the outside looking in, but it's clear that they've picked up on something."

"He has been super busy lately, if I had to guess, he's just exhausted and having a hard time keeping up with the charade."

All of those words linger in your mind, even after handing the phone back to Hyemi. They repeat like a reel over and over again as if you are combing through the details in an effort to find your own demise. Looking for the silver bullet, searching for one piece of evidence that puts you at the scene of the crime.

No one is ever named, and no speculation about the person on the other end of his transformation is made.

"Yeah," Hyemi agrees. "Well, I suppose you would know better than anyone."

Once the two of you make your way back inside, you slip your phone out from your coat pocket without anyone noticing and hurry off to the bathroom with shaking hands and a short message sent off.

You [22:12]: we need to talk. soon.

This cannot happen.

The following morning you awaken to the sound of your phone vibrating on the nightstand. A message has come through, and in your sleepy haze it takes you a moment to recollect the happenings of the prior evening so conclude why it is that you are receiving it.

Quickly, you turn and grasp it, but the name awaiting you in your notifications is not the one that you're expecting. In fact, you don't have a message from Sunwoo, at all.

It's your manager, and you are being requested to meet with him as soon as possible.

Typically, he might come by for simple discussions that do not require the delicate hand of privacy to obscure them, but clearly, that is not the case this time.

You close your eyes and go over the day's schedule in your mind, piecing together all of the things that are expected of you. Today is light and less demanding than some of the others—perfect timing, you figure—because you're not entirely sure what it is that's awaiting you on the other end of this.

Though, you do have your suspicions.

The memory of your conversation with Hyemi still weighs heavily on your mind, and how could it not? All of those posts, all of the detailed reasoning for people's suspicions in regards to Sunwoo's private life are still ever-present as if only just having read them. How convinced they sounded, how sure they had seemed of their detective work.

And how right they were.

This is yet another conversation that you are going to have to have with him, but with Sunwoo damn near off the grid and unwilling to accommodate your needs, you don't exactly have a plan worth moving forward with.

He is due to be home in a week's time, and so you wonder, can this wait that long?

You sigh, roll yourself out from beneath your bedding and text back to your manager that you'll be there in an hour.

The two of you often meet in the same conference room for things such as this, and today serves to be no different.

Normally, meetings like this are about up and coming work. Folders with paper shoved inside sprawled across the table and his laptop sitting open with fingers tirelessly at work as he jots down notes and inputs schedule information into templates. The coffee often goes cold before he ever has a chance to finish it, and sometimes you wonder which one of the two of you really has the more tiresome career choice.

At least you don't have to work with Excel.

Once the door is closed behind you, he finally speaks up. "Sit down," he says, and there's a particular and unfamiliar firmness to his voice that you do not often hear. It causes a sense of danger within you, and before you know it, you're attempting to run an inventory of all of the possible transgressions you have committed that could have caused this to happen.

Unfortunately, there are far too many to really keep count of.

You sit yourself gently into the chair as if hoping not to disturb the delicate balance that surrounds you. Hands tucked into your lap, you look towards him with the wish that nothing on your face gives away the guilt that follows you.

He tugs his glasses off his face—you've seen this gesture before when he is exhausted with you—and runs his palms flat over the skin with a groan.

"This is how this meeting is going to go," he states. "I am going to ask you questions knowing full well that I am not going to receive the truth in response, and we're both going to make peace with that. Neither of us want to be here, and if I'm being perfectly honest, I couldn't care less about any of this beyond the fact that it makes my job much, much harder and the emails from up top far more frequent. I don't want emails, I don't want to hear about posts on the internet on gossip websites, do you understand? I truly do not care, but I also understand that it's my job to care. It's my job to care for the minimum amount, so that's what I'm doing."

A moment of silence passes between the two of you, and though you are fairly certain he is not expecting a reply from you just yet, you couldn't possibly have anything to say through the dryness of your throat, anyway. Your head is spinning; all of the posts, the comments, and now this. It feels so suffocating, so insurmountable, and worst of all—Sunwoo is nowhere to be found.

You feel like you're drowning in an empty room.

"I'm doing my job," he continues on, turning his laptop around to face you. To tell the truth, you don't have to look at it to know what's awaiting you, but for the sake of the charade, you force your eyes down to view the screen; full of things that you have already been made well aware of. "So I'm going to ask you: Do you know anything about this?"

Your body trembles in your seat as you continue to stare at the words that have already dug in and tormented you, but somehow you gather the courage to look back up at him, part your dry lips and say, "No."

His features cannot hide the disbelief that sits atop his shoulders, but all he says in response is a simple, "You don't know anything about this?"

"No," you reiterate, and the boiling irritation of being asked once more reignites the drive inside of you to fight back. Logically, you know it will not serve you to do so; that you are best suited to bow your head, keep quiet, and maintain what is left of a lowkey existence.

And yet, you cannot do so.

"Can I ask why I'm being asked about this when this is clearly a situation involving the other team?"

"You know perfectly well why that is."

"From what I have read, there were no names and no hints of the identity of the other party that may or may not be involved," you say. "Are there not other women? Are there not other women that he has been around in the past however many months? Yet I am the one sitting here."

"When you entered this program, and when you signed that contract, you knew what to expect," he says, strong in his delivery of the fact. "You knew that this would follow you forever, and even in the best case scenario where people accepted it and ultimately moved on from it, there would never be a world where it would completely disappear. You are incredibly lucky to be graced by the public's favor thus far, and that is why we're sitting here today; to ensure that that continues to be the case."

With no response sitting on the tip of your tongue, your manager sits back against his chair and slumps down slightly, as if a margin of strength has swiftly dissipated from his form. "It doesn't have to be this difficult," he says. "The company sees things like this and they have to get ahead of it, and frankly speaking as someone who has been in this line of work for a long, long time: where there's smoke, there's usually fire."

"That doesn't mean I'm the match."

"It doesn't, but you're in close enough proximity to the flame that people are gonna be asking you questions about it. Look, I already told you I didn't walk into this meeting today expecting to hear an admission of guilt, and quite frankly, I don't care, what I'm here to tell you is…"

The words trail off into nothing but a huff of frustration, and you recognize his posture for exactly what it is: The distress of a man who is stuck firmly between a rock and a hard place. Decades of experience in dealing with situations just like this one and more times than not being lied to as the outcome. He knows what to expect from you, and is not at all surprised to be receiving it. This meeting and these questions are simply a job that must be done, but if his intentions are not to force the truth out of you so that the company can begin their acts of damage control, then…

Closing his eyes slowly as if quietly searching for the peace that has left him, he lets out a barely there sigh and says under his breath, "Tighten up." Your breath catches in your throat at the words, so softly uttered that you can't be sure you've even heard them. "Both of you. He's going to have to hear the same thing you are, but probably delivered far more differently. I don't care how, or why, or when; but we can't have any more of this, because if the suits up top start getting uncomfortable with the amount of whispers going around, then they're going to do whatever they need to for it to stop."

The swallow you take is so dry and hard that it sounds deafeningly loud in your own ears.

"What… What does that mean?"

"I can only be on your side so much," he says, a lazy chuckle coming through. "I've already said too much, so you should just listen to me and not ask so many questions. Anyway, MVNE is much too successful for it to really be a contract termination, if that's what you're worried about." A hand comes up to close the laptop, but his gaze remains firmly on you. "A blessing and a curse, depending. Try not to find out which one it is."

You watch him stand, shove the computer into his bag and then make his way around the table towards the door.

However, you remain too stricken by fear to attempt to do the same.

His hand sits on the doorknob for a moment, but he does not immediately turn it. You hear another disgruntled sigh fall from his lips. He says, "It's a bit early to be telling you this, but since I have you: MVNE are slated for a late October comeback. The announcement and meeting will go out to the members next week, and then preparations will begin. If you can just get through the first year without a major scandal, it'll be the best for everyone involved. Other people have the luxury of tenure on their side, and that comes with time. Not to mention…"

"He's a man," you say conclusively.

With your back still turned to him, you hear the clicking sound of the doorknob turning, the door opening, and the despondent reply that punctuates it all.

"Yes, that too."

#sunwoo smut #tbz smut #the boyz smut #sunwoo x reader #sunwoo imagines #sunwoo scenarios #tbz x reader #tbz imagines #tbz scenarios #the boyz x reader #the boyz imagines #the boyz scenarios #kpop fanfic #kpop smut

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gabessquishytum · 11 months ago

Note

CEO Dream is looking to mess with his board of directors (they’re all cronies of his parents, resentful of his being nepo’ed into the position despite his actual qualifications, and constantly looking to needle or undermine him), so he decides to hire his preferred sex worker Hob as his PA in order to fuck him all over the office all the time.

They don’t really hide that Hob is there for sex, given that the whole point is to piss the board off with it; during meetings Dream’s hand is usually up Hob’s skirt, or sometimes he’ll just pull Hob to sit in his lap. Directors will have scheduled one-on-one meetings in Dream’s office, only to walk in and see Hob and Dream who had clearly just finished having sex. Even finding Dream alone in his office sitting at his desk isn’t a safe bet, as there’s a decent chance that Hob is under the desk sucking Dream off.

Dream is having a great time, both the sex and the chance to be a menace to his board is incredibly stress-relieving. But also Dream has inadvertently given himself an opportunity to get to know Hob better; before they only met up in order to have sex, and despite the fact that they are having even more sex now, there’s still time left over to learn about Hob as a person, which is beginning to do funny things to Dream’s heart.

Not to mention, as time goes on, both of them are startled to discover that Hob is…actually really good at the PA part of the job. Like extremely competent kind of good. Not only willing but eager to even take some of the workload from Dream, and clearly thriving in his new position.

(Competent is a very sexy look on Hob, of course, which encourages Dream to come on to him at the office even more)

The day Hob presents substantial and comprehensive proof of corporate wrongdoing from the most annoying board member, leading to their termination, Dream very nearly proposes on the spot.

-🪽anon

AKAJDJF this is such a great au, with SUCH great fic potential.

Hob never told Dream this (because they never really talked a lot), but he actually started doing his BA in business and even nearly graduated, but unfortunately had to drop out because money was so tight - that's when the sexwork started. So Hob is far from clueless about what he's doing - he's extremely knowledgeable and competent. He makes reforms in the office that make work much more efficient. He seems to notice everything that happens, even the tiny things. He could easily put Dream out of a job. Although of course, he'd never want to.

He very much enjoys having unrestricted sex with Dream. It's so much better than only seeing him a few times each month. Hob doesn't have to bother with other clients because Dream is keeping him very much afloat financially. His new work outfits are sooo cute and fun. Dream even gets him lunch every day... and yes, Hob is maybe developing feelings in that particular direction. But hes too afraid to investigate his heart any further. Falling in love with a client is a bad idea, that's just good business sense.

Getting fucked is enough. Particularly because Dream makes it so fucking good. It seems to get better every day. Hob can't even smell Dream’s cologne without getting hard, and he can't pass the main boardroom without flushing pink. Knowing exactly how many orgasms he had while spread-eagled on the table and speared open on Dream’s tongue....

Alas Dream does not propose when Hob shyly reveals the outcome of his investigation into the board member. He does, however... offer Hob a seat on the board. And it's not just a seat on Dream’s lap this time.

The scandal is uproarious. Dream put a common whore on the board of directors! Didn't vote him in or anything! Too bad Hob has a dossier on each of the other board members and plenty of corporate secrets to spill about them. Looks like they'll have to accept his presence.

Even when he spends half of the meeting under the table. He can still take notes from there just fine, don't worry!

#🪽anon #the sandman #dreamling #nsft #cw public sex

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novelconcepts · 1 year ago

Text

Another year, another absurd amount of books read (296, because if I wasn't reading or writing this year, my brain was on fire). I was asked again for my top books of the year, so here we go: 2023's top 10, in no particular order.

This was the first book I read of the year--literally, vacated the hangout with my wife and sibling-in-laws to sit on their couch upstairs and eat through it. Do you love The Fall of the House of Usher, but wish for a nonbinary protagonist and a lot more mushrooms? This is the book for you! (T. Kingfisher is fucking rad, I made a concerted effort to only list ONE of her books on here, but honorable mention goes to The Twisted Ones for fucking me upppp.)

A gay, post-apocolyptic Pinocchio retelling involving copious robots, found family elements, and a cool-ass treehouse. Klune always hits for me with his unrepentant queer family dynamics and sense of humor. Honorable mention to the first two in the Green Creek series (although that's got a lot more...adult elements in among the werewolves, you've been warned).

I thiiiink I found this through The Homo Schedule podcast (PSA: if you missed out on Jasmin Savoy Brown and Liv Hewson doing a podcast together, now you know better), and it wrecked my shit. Tons of trigger warnings, as this is a memoir about abuse within a queer relationship, but it's so beautifully written. I personally suggest listening to the audiobook first, then standing anxiously behind someone at a book warehouse sale, hoping they'll set down the only paperback copy so you can swipe it.

A fantastical-historical reimagining in which the KKK is filled with literal monsters, and Black women are resistance fighters armed to take them out. Visceral and intense, and truly an excellent horror story.

Just. Such a soft time travel story about a daughter and her father and cherishing the time you get with loved ones. I was thoroughly unprepared for how lovely I found this one. It's very kind.

Spooky house, take-no-shit redhead, protective sibling elements, bisexual recluse with a sword who really just needs a nap. I haven't found a Harrow book yet I haven't slapped five stars on. She's so good at character and atmosphere, and I'm always surprised at how fast her stories race by.

The whole Daevabad trilogy (of which this is the first book) is just magical. A girl from the mortal world finds herself embroiled with the centuries-long prejudices and wars of djinn in a fantastical city. It's one of the rare stories of its kind that does have a love triangle, but doesn't feel like a love triangle; it's far less interested in the insufferable "who gets picked" than it is in the actual horrors these people are both perpetrating and coping with. It's an intoxicating ride.

Fuck You, TERFS: the book. Given that fact, there's obviously quite a lot of transphobia to deal with, but it's very clear that those people are wrong, and it's a super-engaging (and super-oh-god-what-comes-next) witchy time populated with queer, protective, interesting characters I'm excited to see again in the follow-up.

Have you ever wanted a haunted house story with visceral imagery and a rather lovely twist? Gailey has you covered. As much as I enjoyed The Echo Wife, I think I actually loved this one more, and it makes me so excited to see what else they've got up their sleeve.

One of my final reads for the year, when I was just churning through hardcovers at the speed of sound. I love this book. I recognize it won't be for everyone, but it takes so much of what I love about IT (one of my all-time favorite books, despite its flaws) and twists it through the lens of an author who escaped the Mormon church. It's horrific, it's fantastically abstract in places, it explores childhood and memory, imagination and abuse, and almost every character is queer. It's a great "I simply cannot sleep until I've finished" read.

#long post #book recs #t kingfisher #tj klune #carmen maria machado #p djeli clark #emma straub #alix e harrow #s.a. chakraborty #juno dawson #sarah gailey #kiersten white #plenty of others could go on this list as well but i figured i'd keep it to ten this time around #still can't believe i read just shy of 300 books in a year #bonus shoutout to the animorphs series all of which is out on audiobook now (the main books anyway)#and which honestly really do hold up well

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ablobwhowrites · 3 days ago

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yandere dandys world y/n idea? Maybe?

Hear me out on this idea. Like cause I like boxten a lot. I like the funny musical man. (Also toodles and pebble and coal are platonic yanderes only)

Plus this is just a idea for a y/n but I don't know if it'll ever be a official y/n I'll write for unless you guys like this idea.

Imagining boxten y/n. Who mostly is besties with poppy and over time he sees how strange the other toons are acting but thinks he's overreacting and just him overthinking. Plus him taking the baking classes with sprout and Cosmo takes up a lot of his time and it's almost 24 hours that y/n has been taking these classes and of course y/n wants to get better and make the perfect cake but sometimes when the classes aren't scheduled it's almost instantly that Cosmo or sprout need help with something that consumed a lot of time.

Y/n sometimes wants to go on solo runs again but almost Everytime a other toon sees him a elevator and immediately joins him or calls y/n over and cause he doesn't wanna be rude, y/n let's the toon go with him in the run or if called over for something just gets out the elevator to help but once in a while he is able to slip in a solo run for a bit but tries to be quick a run but when he comes up from a run thinking he got back in time. It's either poppy or vee standing in front of the elevator door when he comes back up and poppy is like "I could cover for you! You don't need to just wander off, you could get in big trouble." But the Vee is just sighs and is angry that y/n wander off again and now y/n has to hangout with Vee for a week so that Vee won't tell any toon that he snuck out.

I do imagine one time in a run. Y/n was getting back to the elevator a twisted tried to drag y/n back away from the elevator but goob was on the run and was able to grab y/n back and after goob would keep the twisted as far away from y/n as he could and scraps would check up on y/n from time to time on the run before getting back but I do imagine when y/n was first attached by a twisted, there was a lot of arguing among the toons for who was in charge of distracting the twisted because y/n could have gotten killed by only got away with some minor scraping on his arm.

During Christmas time I do imagine that likes to try and help bobette, rudie and ginger with puting up decorations and rudie just telling stories about Santa and y/n standing there like "...so a fat guy in a red suit breaks into people's houses and leaves presents but takes only sweets a milk? Won't he get sick?" And rudie is like "your right!...but Santa loves cookies what could we do to trade cookies and milk?" And end up asking Cosmo and sprout to make some kind of sweet that Santa could eat and just rudie and boxten y/n just yapping about Santa clause.

Bobette just going along with y/n's and rudie's "full proof" plan of seeing Santa clause and making a pillow fort next to the Christmas tree to make sure they'll be able to see Santa clause. They don't because they got tired and coal found them and end up sleeping next to the trio. Toodles joins and rudie tries to set up a camera next to the tree to catch a picture but ends up getting a picture of peddle or coal next the to tree.

I imagine astro always checking up on y/n to make sure his dreams are nice ones but sometimes sees y/n have nightmares and tries to stop them but only successfully a few times. Shrimpo is kinda a bodyguard to boxten y/n a lot of runs together. Like pacing left and right looking out for twisted's and making sure non of them get near y/n. Also during Valentine's day I imagine y/n finds a very nice flower but the stem is slightly crushed and y/n knows who is from.

(anyways this is just my idea but if you like it, you guys can request more and I would love to yap about it. But that's it for my yap session, please don't be shy and request ideas for fics or y/n's and for now please stay safe and drink water!)

#yandere x male reader #x male reader #yandere x reader #yandere x you #yandere male x male reader #male reader #yandere x darling #random talks #yandere dandys world x reader #yandere dandy world #yandere dandys world #dandys world x reader #dandys world #yandere x y/n #x y/n #boxten y/n

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leonawriter · 8 months ago

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While reading the chapter, it's easy to go with the flow and see this as Conan urging the disabled lady to be moved swiftly to safety, but knowing that the one holding onto the wheelchair there is actually Kid, and he's asked for a favour.

It then becomes clear that the "Hurry!" is less "get out of the fire!" and more "We're on a tight schedule, move it or someone's gonna die!"

This is further hinted at when neither the old lady nor her assistant are seen near the front of the car some panels on:

I also went in knowing (remembering) that Kid would turn out to have been disguised as Shiho this time, but for some reason thought that Shinichi had (somehow) contacted the thief before entering the train.

He, as shown above, didn't.

I can only imagine the urgency he felt, because the plan is... delicate, let's say. Remove one piece from the board on their side, and everything falls apart. There's already too many wild cards. Shinichi HAS to have Kid on board, or they lose.

He likely knew way in advance by looking things up about the train, and Jirokichi, that Kid would be targeting that location, at that time. That they'd cross paths.

He knew that he had to figure out which passenger was Kid, hoping that he hadn't miscalculated, and convince him to play along with something that - even from the start, with how he says "shake off the bad guys going after her" - is dangerous.

Here he is as they're disembarking, talking on the phone to Kaito, likely in a way that's specifically easy to mis-hear as a normal conversation.

Shinichi may have known for a fact that things would become that dire, but at the same time - he quite possibly didn't know how many twists there'd be. He did know, at least, that his mother would be holding up Vermouth, which would take one card out of play and ensure Kid couldn't be tag-teamed by both Vermouth and Bourbon.

I'd even go as far as to suggest that the Shiho disguise was created by Yukiko, and given to him by Conan, as it's highly unlikely that he'd have been able to create it in that short frame of time.

He even warns Kaito here - "They'll probably try to corner her in the storage, where they've got some explosives, so be careful."

So like... as much as I've seen (and probably, at the time, felt myself) that it's an uneven debt... I'd go as far as to say this case emphasises how much Shinichi TRUSTS Kaitou Kid, and also how much he believes in Kid's abilities!

For one thing, Kaito now knows enough about not just Shinichi (he mentioned his mother at the previous heist) but also Haibara:

Do note that she's telling him exactly what to say here, via an ear piece. We don't see a voice changer on the phone she's implied to use earlier on, so it's equally likely he heard Shiho's voice (possible, since he'd need a frame of reference) or Haibara's voice (if he knows she's the child form of the lady he's impersonating, he'd simply age that voice up).

As for Shinichi trusting in Kaitou Kid's abilities?

Well, for that we just have to look back on the past several heists!

Especially the one for the Kirin's Horn, I'd say, since...

Kaito himself was the one to brag about how "I've shown that... nothing's impossible for this Kaitou Kid!" - something that is quickly followed up by Conan sticking an identifier to Kid's back and Kid STILL not being caught.

So Kaito proved that he is capable of disguising as literally anyone, no matter how unlikely or how little he has to go by, and that he's capable of not being caught even with a handicap.

No wonder Shinichi was desperate to have Kaito's help, as he trusted that someone like this, who had a sense of justice (see: Magic Lovers Murder Case, the Samizu Mansion Murder Case, the Four Masterpieces, Iron Tanuki, and Ryoma's gunbelt) would listen and help.

#dcmk stuff #leona rereads dcmk #kaitou kid #somehow this became an essay on how this was not Shinichi taking advantage #so much as being desperate for help

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des2dream · 3 months ago

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Allow Me To Teach You Something!🌹✍

Reader X Andrew Marston story written by DesDaydream

It was the first week of a new semester and you've finally grown accustomed to the university environment. You recently moved out of your parent's house and found a place not too far from campus grounds. It took a lot of planning, a lot of spending, and a lot of time to adjust, but you feel like you can be able to manage now. Before you left for your studies, you promised your loved ones that you would do your best. You promised that you would have a good experience. You promised that you wouldn't let them down. You even made a promise to yourself that you would graduate no matter what. You can survive a couple years at university....away from your old home....in a new place....full of so many people young and old. You weren't used to this, but you knew that you had people who are willing and able to help you. You just know that you can do this! You meet up with your friend at one of the lounges in The Student Center for lunch and listen to them ramble about what happened yesterday.

"So this guy walks up to me and asks if I want to go to his party this weekend to "welcome the new students", but I know he's just using that as an excuse to lure people into his bedroom or something. I tell him 'no' and he has the nerve to say, 'Whatever, ugly! You'll be sorry when you're missing out' and I just.....No! I won't be missing out! I heard your wifi sucks anyway!"

You listen to every word they say, but you're more focused on your schedule this semester. You were given a fair amount of classes and nothing seems out of place. You want to make sure you know exactly what time your classes start so you don't make a bad first impression by being late.

"It is nice to have you with me. Things were starting to get a little boring around here. There's so much I want to show you. You're gonna love it! I've made a few friends here and they've been asking about you constantly!"

You nod in response as you continue to gaze at your schedule. Your friend notices the lack of eye-contact, but continues to speak.

"There's some cool places near campus that we can check out. The park? A few cafe's? We might be able to crash at my friends' dormitory once in a while if they'll let us. There's also this museum I've been hearing great reviews about! That sounds fun, right?"

You nod once more, but your attention is still focused on the list of classes you were given. Your friend now getting annoyed, sits up and swipes the schedule out of your hands in the blink of an eye.

"Hey! Earth to human being, are you in there? Are you feeling nervous? You've only got a few classes this semester and the first week is basically introductions. All you have to do is sit there and listen."

You apologize to your friend before admitting that you do feel a little nervous about the new semester and being so far from home. You're in unfamiliar territory and you want to make a good first impression on your professors and the other students. Your friend takes a moment to sympathize with you as they recall their first semester. They put a hand on your shoulder and reassure you that everything will be okay.

"You're smart! You've made it this far so what's stopping you now?"

Before you could respond, you and your friend are met with the president of the art club who is also good friends with your friend. There were plenty of clubs on campus, yet you weren't sure if you were going to join any of them. Your friend was well acquainted with different kinds of arts so it's no surprise that they'd be a part of the art club. You heard that they often had snacks on standby which was always a plus.

"Hey!" said The Art Club President as she took a seat next to you and your friend.

"How are we doing? Are we doing okay?"

She looked directly at you before asking,

"How has university been treating you so far?"

You're not sure how to say, but luckily your friend has got you covered.

"They're a little nervous, but I'm here to tell them that everything is gonna be alright and they're being a worry wart! You've been here for a while. Tell them how good campus has been to you!"

"Trust me, you're going to be fine. It takes time to get used to everything, but soon you'll have it all sorted out. You can call me if you ever feel lost," said The Art Club President.

"There's also plenty of professors and staff who can help you too. We even got some new faces recently. I'm not gonna lie, they look kinda cute. We have this T.A., Mr. Pearce who is very kind. A little timid, but very sweet and helpful. We have a wonderful dean. All the professors are cool. Hey, what does your schedule look like? I might recognize some names."

Your friend hands over your schedule for The Art Club President to examine it. She nods as she examines the professors you were assigned to, but she stops for a moment after reading the last name. She rubs her eyes and take a minute to look again. Her face went from cheery to concerned and that only made you tense up. Your friend is confused by this sudden reaction.

"Um, what's wrong?" they asked.

"Is there a problem?"

The Art Club President tries to muster up a smile, but you can still see the concern in their eyes. They burst out a fake laugh as they go to pat your back.

"No! I wouldn't say there's a problem! Everything's gonna be fine, kiddo! All these professors are great for you!"

"You don't sound so convinced," said your friend.

"Cut the bullshit and tell us what's up!"

The Art Club President lets out a defeated sigh.

"Okay, fine! You've been assigned a literature professor, correct?" she asks you to which you respond with a nod.

"Right......well......your professor.....he's.....well......"

Your friend swipes the schedule out of her hands and reads through it. Not even a minute later do they groan before collapsing into their seat.

"Ohmygoddamnit!" they groaned.

You're a little uneasy by this reaction and you ask what's going on. The Art Club President takes a deep breath before giving you an expanation.

"The university recently had a new literature professor since last semester, I believe. His name is Professor Marston. He's actually very smart to have become a professor at a young age. He seems to know what he's doing. It's just....."

"HE'S A BUZZKILL!!!" your friend yells.

"Some of my friends have taken his classes and they have their experiences. He's strict, he's incredibly serious, he's intimidating, and he's a buzzkill! He actually scolded one of my friends for being a couple minutes late like.....it's not that deep, sir!"

"Professor Marston just wants to ensure that the students can be able to take in as much information as possible. He means well, but....he's....um.....I promise he's not a monster or anything." said The Art Club President.

Great. Just great. Your first semester and you've already got a difficult professor coming your way. Just as you were getting ready for your future. Your breathing starts to get heavy. Your heart rate feels like it's pacing like the speed of sound. Beads of sweat are starting to form atop our forehead. You need to get out of there! You need to find a restroom or somewhere quiet! You excuse yourself from your friend's table and rush out. Unfortunately, you're not sure where some of the bathrooms are. You had a map of the campus, but now you've got tears in your eyes and your vision is blurry. Your eyes are looking down at your shoes, but you don't care. You need to run! You need to hide! You need to find somewhere to take a breather! You need to calm down!

Suddenly, you feel something collide into you before hitting the ground. You look to see your bag next to a puddle of someone's drink and spilled papers on the ground. You look up to see two eyes staring down at you in shock and disapproval. Today just wasn't your day! You frantically apologize as you gather up all the papers trying not to cry. You try to explain yourself, but you can't put it into complete sentences. Your practically shaking! A hand reaches down to you waiting for you to take it. Once you do, you feel a warm sensation travel through your body. You look up to see those same disapproving eyes you were scared of turn soft and compassionate. Your eyes travel to see beautiful locks of brown (or dirty blonde) hair and two perfect windows that protected those compassionate eyes. Those eyes, hair, and "two perfect windows" belonged to a tall man in professional clothing while holding a suitcase. His features were too captivating for you to look away. Your heart rate lowers and you're no longer shaking.

"Are you alright?" you hear a voice that sounded smooth like honey but slightly tough as nails.

You nod in response before apologizing again.

"Allow me to teach you something," said the man who owned such a distinct voice as he picked up your bag.

"Eyes are meant for observing. I would advise you to look up where you're going. Check for your surroundings, understand?"

You nod again before apologizing one more time and walk away in an opposite direction. You look back to see someone walk up to the man and look down at the mess on the floor you caused.

"Marston, what happened? Is everything alright?" they asked.

"Yes. I had a run-in with someone. Likely one of the students. It was an accident so it's nothing to fret over."

Did you hear that right? Marston? As in.....Professor Marston?! The person your friend just trash-talked a moment ago? The person who was said to be strict and intimidating? Sure, you felt a little scared at first, but that couldn't be him! Could it? You touch your hand and the thought of his touching yours gives your body another wave of sensational warmth. You feel your heart pounding and your face feels hot. This was going to be your new professor? Well......things just got interesting.

End Notes: Nothing like a "meet-cute backstory" to make things interesting, right? People like a "meet-cute" story, right? This was HARD! I don't usually write Fanfiction. I'm more used to writing my own creations, but I wanted to give it a shot. People seem to enjoy this type of art so why not give it a try? Also, this timeline is supposed to be Listener's first week and semester while Andrew is currently in his first year of being a professor and he's spent more time in university than Listener (if that timeline makes sense). Oh my gosh! I hope this turned out good! I'm a little embarrassed, but I hope you enjoyed it! That's it! Have a nice day! Bye now!

#zsakuva #sakuverse #andrew marston #andrew x reader #crumpets #creative writing

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astro-pioneer · 2 years ago

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crossfire!

the virus was meant for the leader. why do you have it? 『dazai, kunikida, chuuya, fyodor』 season 3 spoilers!

dazai!

came as a surprise to everyone in the ada

it wasn't unusual for members to be in the face of danger

but for something as specific as this to harm you of all members? strange

it was obviously planned for someone else and yet you were attacked

dazai was not having a good time

it got even worse when he was also hospitalized

Nervousness wasn't a friend of Dazai's; it could be better categorized as a stranger. He never had a reason to be nervous before. You never made him nervous before. But now, not able to protect you in your moment of vulnerability, the horrendous emotion creeped into his mind without warning.

"Man, this sucks," he groaned, head thrown back. He was waiting for his phone to ring with a call from Atsushi. Oh, how he missed getting calls from you after you finished a task outside the office. For now until they take down the virus ability user, he'll have to deal with staring at the candid picture that he set his background.

kunikida!

you knew blood in alleyways was a common occurrence

you also knew to not get involved

but when it's bordering the sidewalk? crazy

he got the call from the hospital in the middle of the day and was like O:

the mafia doesn't know who you are but their connections run deep

he's just hoping everything will be solved before you're in danger

His schedule did not have a 'call from the hospital regarding s/o' event jotted down. It was stressful as he knew that not seeing you would keep you safe, especially when news of Mori also getting the virus reached the detective agency. Him suddenly going to the hospital would immediately put the mafia's sights on every patient there.

For now, he'd need to distract himself with planning on how to get rid of the virus. Both for the safety of Yokohama and the survival of you. All the news he has related to you comes from Haruno; he hopes they'll fix everything before the timer on his watch goes off.

chuuya!

man is willing to protect your unconscious body with his LIFE

anyone who'd willingly think he'd allow his enemy to take the only person he actually likes in the mafia is dumb

he was so paranoid an ada member would come after you that he skipped on going to the hospital

refused to leave your side even when he's needed

not even dazai would risk getting into a fight with him during this time

he promised to help in times of need, anyway

Chuuya kept on ignoring his ringing phone, sharp eyes watching the entire room from your bedside. He already informed Mori that he refused to leave your side. Hell will appear on earth if anything happens to you while he has the power to prevent that. The ringtone was different than the other contacts he had, but not yours.

The caller was persistent. "What?" Chuuya didn't want to be professional or polite with whoever was calling, since it definitely wasn't any of the mafia members. His hand tightened around the body of his phone, the words the person on the other side of the phone was speaking pissing him off. "Ridiculous," he muttered, but loosened his stance. You'll be better soon, guaranteed.

fyodor!

would kill the virus ability user immediately

you and your ability were far more important than this unneeded piece in his plan

sure, the virus ability was also good, but yours was amazing

if it took a while for his subordinates to end him, he'd pretend as if nothing was wrong

there's also the ada and mafia going after the guy as well, and he knows they would not allow their leaders to die

you'll be in tip-top shape to continue in assisting him in his plans in no time

The Russian calmly hummed, the tea he was served brewed just perfectly. His phone was in front of him, three digital monitors playing. The top one showed your vitals, the pulse lowered than before his plan took action. The middle one was his subordinate. His heartbeat was normal and he was seemingly confident. Strange.

Ivan's was at the bottom, erratic. He was panicking, obviously losing. It was a shame the virus ability user wouldn't die at the hands of one of his minions. His interest grew when the middle one changed to anxious. He'll be able to move onto the next step in his plan. Simply perfect.

#✎ expedition #∅*｡ saturn #bungou stray dogs x reader #bungo stray dogs x reader #dazai x reader #kunikida x reader #chuuya x reader #fyodor x reader

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genericpuff · 10 months ago

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Big steps are scary, but not moving forward is scarier u.u

So I've been sitting on this post for a little while now, I had planned to post it a few days ago but then I crashed for a nap and woke up to the news of LO ending so wound up using that as another excuse LOL

The last few months have been, to put it lightly, brutal. It's not that anything has happened, it's more like nothing is happening - the usual slow season in tattooing has been especially long, with especially less clients coming through the door, so while it's given me loads of free time to prepare for my conventions and work on other projects, it also means I'm not making as much as I'd usually make. And what I usually make is typically what supports everything I do here.

This has basically been me for the last half a year:

(riding it out, just riiiding it out, whoof)

I'm very fortunate to have a job that satisfies my dream of making a living off art, controlling my own schedule, and making money doing it to boot - but the caveat to it all is that it's a luxury service that relies on the economy around me doing well, and the economy around me right now is very much NOT doing well. I'm also very fortunate that my savings are capable of supporting me, but that's all they are, savings - if I'm not making anything, they'll burn up eventually. I'm not sure how physically capable I would be of going back into retail / food service, and it's honestly just not something I want to do after coming this far as a tattoo artist.

I've also learned how valuable and necessary collaboration is during projects like these. Not just to supplement the quality of the work itself, but to supplement the working experience as a whole. Working with an assistant has been an eye-opening experience in that regard.

When I set out to make this account, it was for the purpose of LO shitposting, edits, essays, and nothing much more than that. I wanted to keep it separate for the sake of my mental health and for the sake of my separate audiences, because when I started here, it just... wasn't a popular opinion in the slightest to have opinions about LO and comics like it outside of the positive norm. I had a lot of fear for a long time built up in my head over it, but as time has gone on, I've fortunately had mostly positive experiences and even when they aren't positive... I've proven to myself that I'm capable of moving forward through it all with my head held high and that these scary experiences aren't as scary as they tend to seem in my head. That's really just the funny thing about fear over any sort of 'risky' endeavor.

That said, I've also branched out a lot more from this blog's original purpose. I've talked about the process of making webcomics, Webtoons as a platform, offered alternatives to creators seeking refuge from the more corporate platforms, given out writing and art advice, discussed topics concerning Greek myth, shared my own original works, and basically just naturally progressed into talking about and doing other things because LO will end eventually and I don't want to restrict myself to talking about the same comic forever LOL

This is a crossroads that I've been at for a few months now. And I know nothing will change unless I take a step forward. It might wind up not being in the right direction in the end, but it's forward, and that's all that really matters to me, because staying in the same place forever isn't good for anyone.

So, I guess I'm gonna stop yapping and just show y'all what I've been working on! I brought this up in a Twitch stream the other day and people in the chat were all very supportive and optimistic, so I'm hoping those of you who follow me here will be too ╭( ･ㅂ･)و (and if not, well, you can kick my ass in my inbox later LOL)

I've applied for my genericpuff account on Twitch to become an Affiliate channel and am just waiting on the approval process. Assuming everything goes through well enough, y'all will be able to subscribe to my channel or support it with bits. If I do get approved I'll be doing a rehaul of the channel design and offering some fun lil' goodies for the chat, and I'll be trying to stream at least twice a week.

So please go follow my Twitch account if you haven't yet! It's the best way to get early sneak peeks of Rekindled, as I'm usually working on new episodes, but we're usually also chatting about LO, webtoons related stuff, and other fun topics ٩(｡•ω•｡)و

twitch_live

But now for the biggest new addition - I've started a Patreon account specifically for my genericpuff stuff ! Normally I would redirect anyone who asked to my main Patreon, but it's not as active nowadays simply due to my original projects being on hiatus. And it's not exactly the best space to share any bonus goodies related to my genericpuff account.

That said, I want to make it clear that I will still be putting limitations on what I offer on this page. Anything related to early access sneak peeks will still be free for all. This will be a glorified tip jar first and foremost, most of what I will be offering as bonus goodies and incentives will be stuff like time lapses of pages, art tutorials, original character designs, critique requests, early access adoptables, deleted scenes, etc.

Basically it'll be stuff that I'm already making (or want to make) but will be exclusive to patrons that won't be tied exclusively to the reading experience of Rekindled. The comic will always be free to read, not just because of the legal stipulations of it being a fan project, but because I want it to be.

Alternatively, if you want to access the stuff I have planned for my original work that I will be posting as early access to my Patreon once it rolls out, you can support that Patreon here!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all so much for supporting what I do here, in all of its niche craziness. Building this little community over the past year has been life-changing, and I don't say that lightly. I've worked very hard to maintain what I'm doing here, and I'm going to continue doing so - it's a privilege to write and draw for you all week after week, and I appreciate any and all support you can give so I can keep managing what I do.

And if you can't, that's okay! The best way you can support my work is to read it, share it, and engage with it! Remember that reblogs will always be more beneficial than likes, and please don't ever be afraid to pop in to our streams or into our Discord to say hello! It would be a joy to have you ( ´ ∀ `)ノ～ ♡

Thank you all so much. This has been a big barrier to overcome on a mental level, my anxiety is through the ROOF right now, but I'm so grateful and glad I have such a wonderful circle of readers, community members, and friends who have offered their reassurance through this slow season and process of seeking support. Whether or not this is a step in the right direction, it's at least forward <3 And whatever comes of it, we'll see. But I'll be riding it out all the same ~

#lore rekindled #lore rekindled announcement #lore rekindled comic #ama #ask me anything #anon ama #anon ask me anything #announcement post #patreon #twitch

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zoeykallus · 2 years ago

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Hey I really like you’re hc and wanted to ask you how the batch would react to there child failing math and possibly having to repeat the year if they can’t get a 4 (D) in there final

My parents are gonna kill me and I could really use some genital parenting and who’s better far that then the dad batch

Aloha! I'm so sorry, I'm so late with this one! I put the reader in "the kid"'s shoes. Hope that's alright.

The Bad Batch x Offspring!Reader HCs - Gentle Parenting

Comfort

____________

Hunter

When you finally confide in him and tell him about your math grades, he looks at you with raised eyebrows. And although Hunter has never been unduly strict, your guts suddenly tighten. "Why didn't you tell me you were having trouble with this earlier? We could have gotten you tutored," he says quietly. You avoid his gaze and say, "Dad, I've been tutoring, secretly. I thought I could handle it. I didn't want to let you down." Hunter blinks, thinks for a moment, then you hear him say softly but firmly, "Look at me when I'm talking to you, Kid." You lift your eyes again, surprised at the indulgent expression on his face, the softness in his eyes. "Nobody's perfect. Sometimes there are things you're not as good at as others. But you're better at other things. Repeating the year is not the end of the world. However, you'll have to study harder to at least make it through. Uncle Tech and Uncle Crosshair are good at math, I'm sure they'll be happy to help you."

You smirk, "Uncle Tech for sure, but Uncle Cross will just roll his eyes again" Hunter smirks as well and says, "He still loves you, and he likes to help you too, even if he won't admit it" Hunter sits down next to you and says, "Look, when all this schooling is over, you don't necessarily have to choose a career where you need this math stuff. What's important is that you find something that you like to do, something that makes sense to you. Many people spend years in education, jumping from job to job until they find something that makes them happy, or at least not unhappy." "You don't expect me to do anything in particular?" Hunter laughs softly, "Why should I? That wouldn't be wise or fair. Everyone has different strengths, desires and sensitivities. You may be my child, but you're your own person. Just try to be happy with what you do, that's all I ask."

Echo

He lowers the holo newspaper he has just read and looks at you piercingly, so piercingly that you automatically have to swallow. "Math?" he asks, as if he hadn't heard correctly. You nod silently. Echo thinks for a moment, then sighs. "Well, it's not everyone's cup of tea," he says thoughtfully, lifting his gaze and saying somewhat reprovingly, "You knew you had trouble with it before. Why didn't you approach me sooner?" You scuff your foot nervously under the breakfast table and say, "I thought I could handle it. I didn't want to disappoint you." "You were so afraid you'd disappoint me, that's why you're just telling me this now?" You nod meekly. Echo sighs again.

"Then I must have done something wrong in raising you. I thought you knew that you could come to me at any time, no matter what the problem. Did I put too much pressure on you? Is that it?" he asks gently. You blink in surprise. You didn't expect this reaction. "Not exactly," you say softly. "But?" "Dad, you're a soldier, have been all your life, and you often act like one. Everything strictly on schedule, everything has to be in order... sometimes I feel like I can't keep up." Echo smiles sweetly and laughs softly, "Oh Kiddo, sometimes when I'm like that, you have to remind me that I'm a father too, and we're not at the academy here." He leans forward at the table and says conspiratorially, "Your Uncle Hunter was pretty bad at math, did you know that? He was pretty darn good at just about everything, but math wasn't his thing at all" You look at Echo in surprise. "You're serious?"

Echo nods with a smirk. "Nobody's perfect, kiddo. It's not the end of the world. But for the future, you now know you can come to me with any problem, right?" You nod eagerly, earning a satisfied smile.

Wrecker

Contrary to the expectations of many, Wrecker has always been good at math, not at the Tech level, but much closer than you think. There's no way around it, anyone who works with explosives should know what they're doing and be able to calculate the amount of ingredients, explosion radius and much more. Wrecker can calculate things in his head, which would make some people dizzy. So you're all the more nervous when you give him the bad news. "Really?" he asks, puzzled, "Math? Hmm, I guess you didn't inherit that from me then." "I'm sorry," you say quietly. He looks at you questioningly. "Why? You've been studying hard, haven't you?" "Yes, I have" Wrecker puts a hand on your shoulder and says gently, "Then there's nothing to be sorry about. Some things you can't force. You'll find other strengths in yourself"

Du starrst ihn.

"You're not mad?" His expression is almost startled. "Mad? Why would I be mad? That wouldn't be fair, would it? Take a deep breath. I know all the exams have drained you, and you've been under a constant state of stress. Treat yourself, do something good for you. Maybe we should go to the fair in Naboo? You could take some friends with you" "You're rewarding me for my failure?" Wrecker laughs heartily. "No, Kiddo, this has nothing to do with failure. I'm rewarding you for working hard and want to give you a way to distract yourself from all the stress" "You're the best, Dad" He grins. "I know"

Crosshair

He's eerily quiet, just looking at you piercingly. "Dad?" "Math?" he asks as if he has to taste the word. You clear your throat nervously and nod. "Yeah, Dad, math." Crosshair sighs softly, pushes a new toothpick between his lips, and says, "I knew that sharing the same gene pool with Hunter would eventually doom me in some way." You look at him in disbelief. "What do you mean?" you ask cautiously. "Your Uncle Hunter is terrible at math". Surprised, you sit up in your chair. "So it's Uncle Hunter's fault?" Crosshair raises his eyebrows critically and asks, "Have you been studying? Tried tutoring?" You nod eagerly.

"Well, then it's Hunter's fault," Crosshair says dryly, "But that aside. You can't force something that isn't there. Some people can calculate absolutely anything for you, like your Uncle Tech, and others can just barely count their own fingers, like your Uncle Hunter." You look at him critically. "It's not that bad," you say quietly. Crosshair looks at you, his expression softening. "I know, Kiddo, I'm just making fun of your uncle, not you. You have other qualities. Besides, you're still young, you still have time to find your calling and the things you're good at and happy with"

Tech

He blinks so often and so fast for a moment that you begin to think he's having a stroke or something. Nervously, you wait for him to regain his composure. "Math, then," he finally says quietly, "I could have tutored you." You sigh and say, "Dad, your math is always so complicated, I can't keep up. I've looked elsewhere for tutoring, but it hasn't done me much good." Tech puts his holopad aside and looks at you. "Everyone has different strengths, my brothers and I are the best example of that. You have plenty of time to find yours." You ask cautiously, "You're not disappointed?" He shrugs and says, "Well, with the situation, maybe, but not with you. I'm proud of you, of your hard work and everything else you've accomplished so far. You still have a lot ahead of you, this is not the end" "That's really a relief," you say honestly. "You never have to be afraid to open up to me, I hope you know that". You nod with a smile. "I know that, dad"

"Good," Tech says with satisfaction, "Now we'll see that you don't fail a second time. You don't have to become an ace, I don't expect miracles and neither should you. Don't put too much pressure on yourself." You slide around a bit uneasily on your chair. "Do you think I can do this?" Tech nods gently and says, "Of course. But even if you can't, it's not the end of the world. We'll find another solution if we have to. Don't ever let that discourage you."

Ko-Fi (If you feel like giving me some coffee)

@rintheemolion

@andyoufollowyourheart @clone-whore-99

@brynhildrmimi @kaliel2310

@misogirl828 @tech-deck

@meshla-madalene

@chxpsi

@thebahdbitch

@nahoney22 @ladykatakuri

@darkangel4121

@ttzamara

@arctrooper69

@padawancat97

@agenteliix

@allsystemsblue

@palliateclaw

@either-madness-or-brilliance

@ortizshinkaroff

@andy-solo1

@hunterssecretrecipe

@heyitsaloy

@greaser-wolf

@extrahotpixels

@hated-by-me

@hunterxcrosshair

@malicemercy

@bebopsworld

@echos-girlfriend

@cpnt616

@dangraccoon

@jediknightjana

@pb-jellybeans

@antishadow2021

@sleepycreativewriter

@starwarsnerd111

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livebloggingmydescentintomadness · 9 months ago

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Hey man

this is the malevolent fic-starved anon.

You mentioned a Jarthur fic rec list

👁️👁️👁️

yo! i got you 👍

i haven't published the post yet because there are some more fics in my marked for later i want to get through first, but i'll go head and copy/paste the list i have so far for your enjoyment. putting it under a cut since it's long.

formaldehyde (or, The Case of the Missing Lilly) by SupposedToBeWriting 110k M

Half of the King in Yellow gets ejected through a portal on a failed ritual. To return, he must perform a human sacrifice - harder than it first seems, as the entity struggles to adapt to the peculiar ways of mortals. In a stroke of luck, he finds the perfect sacrifice in the form of one drunken, surly ex-PI: Arthur Lester.

In the meanwhile, Arkham is in the swing of Prohibition and everyone knows how things work around here. A chance meeting and an abrupt kidnapping put John and Arthur on a case: one where secrets lurk behind every mask and blood flows thicker than gin.

Surrogate: The Director's Cut by Kraiva, Somniate, Trin (ssjtrinity) 637k+ WIP M

The King in Yellow had a plan. It worked, and Arthur Lester broke.

Then it all went to hell.

A certain Outer God took issue with his favorite show's cancellation, and arrived with certain demands.

Hastur is furious. His adopted daughter is afraid. John wants to kill his other half; and Arthur has a lot of healing to do in rebuilt Carcosa, in the mystical Dreamlands.

Forced family is not, as it turns out, a good time for anyone.

(yes, this fic is absurdly long, and YES, it's absolutely worth it)

All that is mine to me, all that is yours to you by Stringgoblin 86k M

"We'll find you a nice cadaver, or something."

After everything, Arthur and John finally have time to figure out how to get John his own body. It isn't a pleasant process. It turns out that having a fragment of a god excised from your mind has some side-effects, and being a fragment of a god suddenly resident in a human ex-corpse isn't particularly straightforward either.

They'll help each other through it. They always do.

whiskey old fashioned sour by bluejayblueskies 80k E

Following the death of his daughter, famous film composer and pianist Arthur Lester drops out of the music scene and disappears from the public eye. Ten years later, Arthur now works as a private investigator and has no interest in performing or composing ever again.

John is intrigued by Arthur, who comes to his club to drink on the rare nights that there’s no music scheduled. As they meet again and again, they begin to grow closer. But Arthur isn’t the only one with a past he’s trying to run away from.

In a Yellow Wood by oprime 72k T

John is gone, and Arthur goes back about the business of living. Until he finds himself thrust back into the dark underbelly of the world and decides to find his best friend. Or die trying.

I Prefer My Heart to Be Broken by Trin (ssjtrinity) 140k M

(TMA/Malevolent crossover)

Somewhere Else isn't right, and they've never talked about what happened in the Panopticon, but so what? They're together. The Fears aren’t gone, no, but behind a curtain, subdued.

Martin actually loves the small-village life, farming and friends and found family. Jon is... managing. They're making it work.

But the universe they landed in is occupied, and its current rulers are very interested in the new kids. Entities made of Fear, attached to a damaged ex-human and his surprisingly sneaky lover? Who could resist playing with that?

Everyone has plans, and plans under those plans. What happens when a web grows too heavy to support its own weight?

"Tears and blood, blood and tears," says Kayne.

He is not wrong.

Oh, I Love You So Much (It Scares Me Half To Death) by SupposedToBeWriting 84k M

Arthur and John have become Doe & Lester, private detectives. Finally in his own body, John is eager to see what the rest of his mortal life holds -- Arthur, on the other hand, believes that John should spend his life without Arthur holding him back. Arthur is not the sort of man who can provide stability, warmth. A family.

On a case, they find a baby clutched in the arms of her dead father. John grows attached quickly, and together, the men discover that the baby is in fact Emily MacFarland from another timeline... and that the universe is much more breakable than they thought.

The sky falls around their ears, strange flesh monsters crawl from portals, and the world seems to be nearing its end. John begins to realize what exactly he wants out of life, as Arthur faces the constant enemy to his own happiness: himself.

A Night Out In Albany by SupposedToBeWriting 9k M

Arthur and John arrive in Albany after the last train to New York leaves. Stranding in Albany for the night, they take advantage of the opportunity and get Arthur a change of clothes and a shave -- and maybe even a movie, if time allows. After the horrors they encountered in Addison, and amidst Arthur's growing suspicion that his friend is hiding something, sometimes it's nice to have a night out on the town.

How Their Light Sets Me Dreaming by Artistic_Witch 12.6k M

After the confrontation with the King, John awakens to a beautiful vision of a life he and Arthur never had the chance to lead. Is this a manipulative trick meant to break him, or something else entirely?

Now That's What I Call Entangled! by Croik 58k E

On the way to the plateau, Arthur and John discover a spell in one of their books that will (hopefully) allow them to fight back against the King in Yellow. But when John ends up absorbed by the King, it's up to Arthur to free him.

tachycardia by bluejayblueskies 6.3k E

The thump-thump-thump increases until it’s all John can hear, and quite frankly, he’s had enough. “Just calm down!” he snarls, and he clenches his hand into a fist, and then—

And then, it stops.

John has a single moment of blissful silence.

Then, Arthur wheezes and crumples to the ground.

Or, John gains control of Arthur’s heart.

In Vino Veritas by SupposedToBeWriting 5k T

Taking advantage of relative safety, John and Arthur have a nice meal and a bottle of wine. It takes some time before they realize that certain god fragments are not immune to the effects of alcohol, and certain mortal men have recently lost a significant amount of blood. Confessions are made, plans are established, and a good rest is had by all.

Take My Skin and Wear It by PrettyArbitrary 3k E

Stripped to his skin, Arthur lays back on the mattress. “All right, John, I’m all yours.”

They share a body. John thinks it's about time he got more familiar with it.

It Would Be A Long Drive Home by Croik 20k T

The King in Yellow throws Arthur out of the Dreamlands, convinced that will be the end of his troubles. But he's miscalculated - Arthur and John are still deeply entangled, and the threat of Arthur's death and banishment to the Dark World hangs over them all. The King has no choice but to help Arthur survive this, for his own sake (aka Arthur Never Makes the Deal with Kayne AU).

Faroe's Waltz by Wildehack (tyleet) 10k M

Arthur dreams of pain and wakes to music: the opening strains of a melody, left incomplete.

Cold As the Rain That Falls in December by captaincravatthecapricious 41k M

There's no way Arthur just waltzes off to NY with a hole in his stomach sewed up by filthy thread and fishhooks, right?

Phagia by PrettyArbitrary 4k T

It's a holdover from his old body, his old identity. Sometimes his blunt little human teeth ache to bite. To rend, to tear into flesh and set his jaw and just rip.

a burden halved by Calamitatum 11k

Arthur's scars litter his skin like a roadmap of mistakes, the harrowing evidence of everything he's suffered to keep them both alive.

When John is injured on a case, he's startled to find that Arthur can't feel it. Determined, for once, to ease his friend's burden, John keeps the severity of the wound to himself. After all, he's seen Arthur bounce back from plenty worse, right?

Right?

From Roots to Tip by Croik 3.2k E

Breaktime in the Dreamlands, and Arthur promised that John would have his turn for a "hand job."

The Lightning In The Collied Night by Artistic_Witch 4k G

Arthur decides to help John acclimate to his new body by teaching him how to dance.

Sometimes all you can do is dance in the dark...

Embrace the World Ahead by SupposedToBeWriting 2k T

Taking a quiet moment, Arthur starts to nod off. John has a question he'd like to ask, and in return, Arthur receives the first hug he'd had in a very, very long while.

#malevolent #jarthur #anonymous #ask

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