#anyway. I ain't never seen two pretty best friends.

[pondslime]

AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON (1981)  dir. John Landis

[passwordispassword]

I love drawing ugly bitches

[itsgrimeytime]

he's such a pretty liar || Rick Grimes (TWD) × gn!reader

rick grimes taglist: @golden-hoax @mgparker @zomb-1-egutzz @deadgirlrin

AVAILABLE ON AO3

Dialogue Prompts: 8 + 2

Inspiration: my boy by Billie Eilish

Summary: You and Rick had gotten along at some point, at the farm and prison. You were friends even. Until the Governor killed Hershel, which you believed to be perfectly preventable. Because of his inaction then, you'd gotten a bitter taste in your mouth at the thought of him and eventually, he started to reciprocate the behavior. But as time passes, and you experience more and more with him, is it really hate that you feel?

TWs: enemies to lovers (like fr though), yelling, mentions of death (Shane, Lori, Beth, and Hershel), mention of the Claimers scene, cursing, anger, nosebleed, bruising, love confessions, injuries, blood, and all things TWD.

[[A/N: This is based on Carl being mad at Rick after the prison. Rick do be stressed out, and he do be saying some terrible stuff, but like so are you. This gif is so 🫣💞🤭💞🤪. Anyway, enjoy :))) ]]

You weren't a bad person, and in that regard, you wouldn't say Rick was either. Honestly, you respected him as a leader -you just didn't agree with all his choices. That's where it all started, after all, isn't it?

You'd seen what a wrong choice could do, you'd watched Hershel die right in front of your eyes. You'd seen it all.

And, sure, maybe you were grieving a little but you still largely disagreed with Rick's actions on the matter. It was preventable.

It started there, and only really got worse. It was like once you identified one flaw, suddenly you were second-guessing his every move. The two of you couldn't be in a room without arguing, couldn't be put on shifts together, nothing. Daryl, for one, wouldn't let you be alone together at all. And if it wasn't him, it was someone else.

"Rick, seriously," you spoke once, almost sternly, "-that can't be your decision."

"Why?" he responded -pointed and short, "-Ya got a better idea? Go right fuckin' ahead."

You knew that since the prison, Rick had been strung thin. You knew that he had been harder on himself than you could ever be about Hershel. But, you still were angry. Sometimes, sometimes it felt like maybe he was just a target for everything that you'd been through. And you were trying to change your behavior, change your ways.

You'd known him for so long, and you were going to be stuck with him. The group, even though the two of you weren't on the best terms, was like family to you.

And then, it started getting personal.

This argument stemmed from something small, trivial, you can't even remember it now. Maybe a decision on a run? You can't-

"Ya act like ya ain't made mistakes of your own," he added, "-all high and damn mighty-"

"When did I say that?" You interrupted, more cold than anything, "-You're putting words in my mouth, Grimes."

"-Because I seem to remember ya tellin' me about your family," he continued, not even pausing to listen to you.

You stilled in place.

"Rick," you warned (voice slightly shaking), "-don't... don't go there."

Your family. At the beginning of all this, you'd froze -scared. Watched one of them get bitten, and then everyone just followed after -not willing to grieve. You regretted not being quicker, not being more aware, but you weren't used to it. You weren't-

"Ya fucked up," Rick continued, as if he wasn't bringing up what he was, "-We all do, why do you-"

"No, no," you shook your head, voice shaking, "-Rick, that is not fair. You can't bring up my family-"

You had hated yourself for that, hated yourself. Still did. You would never forgive yourself for not saving them, even though you really didn't have an idea how to then, you should have-

God, he was bringing this up? Really?

"-over a goddamn run strategy."

"Well, you pick apart every damn thing I do," he retorted, "-'Thought I'd do the same for once."

"Oh, fuck you, Rick," you seethed, tears burning the backs of your eyes, "-you want me to poke at your wounds? Talk about who you could've saved?"

He pursed his lips, and you saw something flash through his eyes (they were trailing the now shake of your hands) that looked a little like regret. Like maybe he was understanding what he said. You felt like your skin was on fire.

"Do you want me to start from the beginning?" You tsked, a fire burning in your chest, "-Shane? Or maybe Lori? Beth? Hershel-"

"Stop," he stated, quieter than before.

"-Why, Rick?" you hissed, and you felt the tears now, "-Is this not what we're talking about? Oh, do you not want me to bring that up? Over a run?"

"I get it," he spoke, softer, and something in you sharpened, "-I get it, Y/N."

"Do you?" you responded, frustrated and just... angry, "-Do you, Rick?"

"I shouldn't 'ave-"

"Can it," you interrupted -short, "-Let's just get the fucking supplies and go."

Rick frowned, blue eyes far more emotive (all you could see was regret and pity), "Y/N, I didn't-"

"You didn't what?" You countered, and your voice was cracking, "-You didn't mean to bring up the fact that I watched my family die, right in front of me? Do you think that I don't hate myself every day for not doing anything then?"

Rick didn't say a word.

"-Hate to break it to you, sheriff, but I fucking do."

"Y/N..." he trailed off, blue eyes much calmer, the rage from before dissipating out of his voice.

"No, just-" you cleared your throat, wiping mindlessly at your frustratingly red eyes, "-Let's get this shit done and leave."

From then on, it had been much deeper.

You couldn't stand him, you hadn't been alone with him since. He made your skin crawl and your mind flare up in anger, and sometimes, just sometimes, it would shake your respect for him. Because you did have some, you probably wouldn't even be here, if you didn't.

The funny thing about it all was that you were close to Carl, very close to him. At the prison, after Lori's death, you'd nearly been inseparable. It was kind of like a parent relationship, but at the same time a little like a friend. It made you want to reconcile sometimes, but all you and Rick did was clash.

So much that you started to wonder what a normal conversation was like with him.

And then, you had the run-in with the Claimers.

God, what they'd threatened to do to Carl? You personally would've snapped their spine yourself if you had the chance. But what Rick had done? You couldn't imagine it yourself.

But you knew that he did what he had to. And some part of you wanted to tell him that, despite... despite all of your problems, you knew he needed it.

It was late that night when you decided to talk to him. It was just the two of you awake. You, on purpose, and you just knew Rick would be. Doing that was probably still rattling through his skull, he probably couldn't even close his eyes without-

Your steps were slow and careful, trying not to startle him -he just seemed to be staring. Endlessly staring, and just pacing. Despite it all, you felt something in your chest swirl with worry.

"Rick?" you spoke, gently. Even still, you saw his whole body tense up.

"Please," he muttered, voice low and gravelly -blue eyes heavy on you, "-I don't need your shit right now. I kno' 'at I did somethin' bad, really damn bad. But I just can't deal wit' ya-"

"No, Rick," you interrupted, "-that's not why I'm... That's not what I want to say."

"What do ya want to say, then?"

"You made the right decision," you responded, tone sturdy and unmoving, "-you... you did what you had to."

Rick stilled, something flickering through his face -a flutter of emotions.

"I know, we aren't on the best terms, but-" you rolled your lip around your teeth, "-you're not a monster, Rick."

The silence was loud then, as his blue eyes skimmed over you -carefully. Maybe like he was seeing a new you, or maybe an old one he'd forgotten about. One you'd forgotten about.

"Trust me, I know it feels like it," you added (mind flashing with what you'd done over the years), "-but you did what you had to. You saved your son, and that's all that matters."

He didn't say anything for a moment, trying to process your words. And if you really looked, you might've seen his eyes fogging up a little and the slight drop of tension in his shoulders. A little like he was waiting for someone to tell him that.

And then, he replied, "Thank ya."

You pursed your lips a moment, fidgeting with your hands. You weren't sure what else to say. This was all so new. With a succinct nod, you moved to spin on your heel and lay down for the night.

"Wait," he called, and you turned back to him -eyes inquisitive.

There was a beat.

"-'At day, on the run," he continued, slow and regretful, "-I'm... I'm sorry. I never should 'ave said somethin' like 'at. I never should 'ave brought it up at all. 'Wasn't right of me to."

"Thanks, Rick," you responded, brief but genuine, grateful. You could tell he understood.

Before you could fully turn around though, he added -softer, with something you couldn't quite name, "Goodnight, Y/N."

There was a pleasant hum in your mind at the way he said your name, but you shoved it away. You'd locked all of that far away, a long time ago.

"Night, Grimes," you chimed back, lighter in tone.

He smiled at you then, and something in you gleamed a little from it. Not that you would ever say it out loud.

There was something different after that, a sort of trust or respect. Or maybe something else, you didn't really know. It was there, though.

When you found Alexandria, things shifted a little. Mostly because it was your group against another one, you and Rick were profoundly on the same side. That being said, you still clashed. You weren't sure if it was just the authority of it all, or what? (It might've had a little to do with a blonde wife that he was spending some time with, but you'd never say that out loud.)

"You're seriously not going to let me lead the run?"

"I got Daryl on it," he responded, eyes solely sat on you.

"He's been on all the runs lately," you continued, trying to explain your case, "-Shouldn't this shit be evenly distributed? Have you even talked to Daryl about what he wants? Or are you just assigning us like it's some dictatorship-"

"'Course I damn talked to 'im," he snapped back, and you could see something tired in his eyes, "-everybody gets a say in what 'ey're doin', ya know 'at."

"Except for me," you contradicted, "-you keep giving me the same fucking chores, when I'm useful in other places-"

And he was, he kept you in Alexandria -washing clothes, making dinner, keeping an eye on the people. He made you some kind of mediator between Deanna's people and your own. But you were useful, you shouldn't be locked inside like you couldn't handle yourself. Because you could, and you had before.

"-You know, I scavenged for months before I met you, right? I was alone, and I figured it out."

"I know 'at," he confirmed, pinching the bridge of his nose. You could nearly see the stress radiating off him, but you couldn't stop, not then.

"So, so what-" you asked, "-you don't trust me? You don't think I can do it?"

Rick sighed, big and loud -fully facing you, "It ain't 'at, Y/N. I know ya can handle yourself, I've seen it."

"Then, what is the problem, Grimes? I don't get it-"

"Just take the goddamn next run," he groaned, something in his tone broken (and something a little like guilt curled up in your stomach), "-I'll tell Daryl he's switchin'."

You stopped in place, words faltering off your lips. Your will and the fire in your gut extinguished, you suddenly felt very out of place, and a little like the bad guy. You knew you weren't though, but he just looked so tired-

"Okay," you finally responded, a little dumbfounded, "-thanks."

He nodded in your direction and didn't say a word. You took it as a motion to move along, so you did.

Apparently, he might've had a good reason to worry.

It wasn't that first run, or even the second or third, it was the fourth after that conversation that you were stupid. Well, it really wasn't your fault. You thought someone had your back, and they didn't; so, one of the walkers had clawed pretty deep into your arm.

It was bleeding a lot (maybe too much) and probably needed stitches, but you didn't worry about it. Denise could handle it, and you, as a community, were pretty good on medical supplies at this point.

What you didn't expect, was after Denise patched you up for one Rick Grimes to be on your ass.

You were still sitting in her doctor's space (you had no idea what to call it) then, silently trailing your fingers over the bandaging. You could already see some of the blood through the white of it. It made you a little nervous, you won't lie.

And then, the door swung open.

At first, you nearly grabbed for the knife you hid on you -alarmed, assuming it was someone coming to hurt you. Instead, you were met with one Rick Grimes -his face was all scrunched up in that way he always got when he was frustrated.

If there was one thing you could recognize, it was that.

"Rick?" you questioned -carefully, a little shocked by him bursting into the room. Did you do something to him recently?

"'At's why ya can't go on fuckin' runs," he grumbled out -suddenly so angry, it made your head spin.

You furrowed your eyebrows, "What?"

"You're always makin' damn bad decisions," he continued, and something in you bristled. Your defenses were up in an instant.

"What the fuck, Rick?" you countered, "-You don't even know what happened, how the hell do you know it's on me?"

"You're injured," he clarified, a little like he was talking to himself, "-ya made a stupid mistake-"

"How the hell do you know that?" you hissed, "-Do you just think everything that goes wrong has to be my fucking fault, Grimes?"

"-and you're damn hurt."

There was something there in his tone, something different. Your frustration twisted into a little bit of curiosity. What was that?

"I can’t leave ya alone for one second without ya hurting yourself, can I?" He started up again, and it was there again, angry but also... but also-

Your eyes swam over him, and you recognized it then, worry. He was worried about you, you felt something in you stall. It was so different from what you knew from him-

"I mean," you responded, a little awkwardly -unsure (since when did he care so much?), "-I’m fine so it’s okay-"

"No, it’s not okay," he suddenly shot his eyes to you, blue eyes heavy with worry (so much, it shot to your core), "-Not when I feel like I’m goin' to go batshit fuckin' crazy, thinkin' you’ve hurt yourself."

It was silent for a moment, as your mind processed the words. Skimming along his face, as he seemed to do the same -frustration dissipating along his features.

That... That was new.

"It's just some scratches," you spoke -a little lost, you weren't sure exactly what to say. He cared about you that much? Thought about you that much?

Rick's eyes darted to the bandages, which were just about as dark as before -which was just a little, the stitches seemed to stop it mostly. Something in him relaxed, you could tell in his shoulders -the drop of the tension. You couldn't believe that was because of you. When-

"Ya had to get stitches, yeah?" He spoke, suddenly and a bit awkwardly too (like he wasn't sure what to do).

"I did," you confirmed, just looking and something in you felt like you needed to tell him more, so you did, "-Uh, five in one, and three in the other."

He pursed his lips (like he was debating something), before shattering out a breath, "Can I see it?"

"It's already wrapped up," you responded, blankly -you were running a little on autopilot, "-She already-"

"Denise can rewrap it," he offered, stepping closer. Something in your stomach stirred.

You furrowed your eyebrows, "You want to waste medical supplies, just so you can see my wound?"

Rick's lips pressed into a thin line, something in him firing back up, "I'll replace the supplies my damn self, if I 'ave to, just let me see."

You couldn't really say anything, it felt like all the words had washed from your head. Like you couldn't speak if your life was on the line.

He faltered a second, sighing, and his eyes shifted to something softer (a little like pleading), "I... I need to see if ya are alright."

You felt like you were stone -frozen.

"Please."

Your heart lept into your throat (and you let your mind drift somewhere you'd never let it before), "Yeah, okay."

That started the shift.

And he started checking over you after every run, you thought it would've been annoying but... you got used to it. And something in you liked helping him calm down, although you'd never say it out loud.

Things were a little different. You clashed but it wasn't as fiery anymore. Because you knew he cared about you, and somewhere you could acknowledge you cared about him. (More than you'd ever admit.)

This time it wasn't even Rick you were arguing with. It was someone originally from Alexandria. You couldn't even remember their name, but they'd said something about you and you let it slide. But then, they kept going.

"You made a shit call," the guy remarked, sauntering up to your side.

You were a little startled, but you stayed composed, "What are you talking about?"

"We could've gotten more supplies," he continued, "-that gun store was right there, and you called the whole fucking thing off."

You soured -something steeling in your gut, "You mean the one that was swarmed? Hate to break it to you, but we were outnumbered."

"We could've done it," he added -persistent, something frustrated in his tone, "-we had the manpower."

"Are you serious?" you laughed a little incredulously, "-There were three of us, and about 30, 40 maybe, walkers. That is-"

"Maybe you couldn't have done it," he tsked, lips falling in a flat line.

You flexed your jaw, trying to stay composed, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"You're a sorry fucking excuse for a lead," he gritted through his teeth, "-You don't know shit about-"

"Next time, just go right ahead and do it yourself then," you shot back but stayed still in your space (composed, composed, composed), "-and I don't know about you, but I value life more than something we already fucking have-"

"It's ammunition," he seethed, stepping much closer to you -something sparking behind his eyes, "-Don't know if you fucking know this, but it's pretty damn important to survival-"

"No," you disagreed, voice calm and collected, "-it's not. You don't need to walk into a situation that you can't handle-"

Without warning, a fist flew at your face -right at the nose.

"Shit," you hissed, and you felt the thrum of pain under your skin and could almost immediately taste the coppery taste of blood, "-What the fuck? Why did you-"

"What the hell is goin' on 'ere?"

It was Rick, and his tone was something you'd only heard a few times -blue eyes flickering over you. They held onto your, now bleeding, nose which you were now trying to soothe, and something in his jaw tightened.

The guy was the first one to speak, mostly because you were trying to stop the bleeding. Luckily, Maggie rushed up to your side with paper towels -doing her best to help too.

"They made a mistake on the run-"

Rick didn't let him get far, "So, you punched 'em in the damn face?"

"Well," the guy fell quieter, "-we were arguing-"

Maggie snapped back, shifting her focus for a moment, "You were arguin'."

"No-"

"They were just trying to talk some sense into ya," she continued, tone cold, "-You were the one who took it personally-"

Rick put a hand on her shoulder, eyes flickering toward you -something swimming through them that you recognized from a different day, and Maggie took the notion to stop talking. She turned back to you, and gently guided you to tilt your head forward. On instinct, you pinched your nostrils shut -breathing out of your mouth.

"Even if it was a fuckin' argument," Rick tsked, something cold in his tone, "-there's no damn reason to do 'at. They weren't gettin' violent with ya-"

"How do you know that?"

"Because I kno' 'em," he retorted, "-an' if 'ey got their hands on ya, you wouldn't be standin' in front of me."

You laughed a little and could feel his eyes shoot to you for a second. It made something in your chest flutter, something you were trying desperately to ignore.

"We need to get ya some ice," Maggie spoke, mostly to herself, "-It's already bruisin' up pretty bad."

"'S leave 'is for another day," Rick seemed to exit the conversation with the man, tone unshakable, "-but if I 'ear anythin' else from ya, 'ere's gonna be a problem. Ya got 'at?"

You could almost visually see the way Rick shifted as he made his way over to you. Composure slipping into something more worried, eyebrows furrowing and eyes shining in an entirely different way. Like he couldn't help it, his hands frantically found themselves along your shoulders. It made your skin buzz a little, and made you feel a little woozy. Well, you guessed there could be more than one reason for that.

On that note, you stumbled in place a little, and Rick's hands immediately slid to your sides -stabilizing you. Your heart skipped a beat, stupid fucking handsome men with big fucking hands.

"'Ey, can ya bring a chair over 'ere, please?"

Before you could so much as blink, he was pushing you into it -gently, mind you. Ever-so-gently. And almost on instinct, he fell onto one knee in front of you, trying to hold your eye contact with your head slightly forward, you guessed. His eyes were the same as that day, but there was something else there too, something fuzzier.

"Maggie, ya go get the ice," he turned to her, "-I'll stay with 'em."

She seemed to scamper off because you could tell it was just the two of you. Maybe he'd warded off everyone else, Rick had this... aura to him when he wanted to -a dangerous one. Sometimes you thought it was to balance out his natural nature as a leader.

Quietly, you heard Rick tear off another paper towel and gently wipe at your mouth (where you imagined blood was staining at this point). It was strangely intimate, as you just skimmed over his face.

He was entirely focused on the task, so your eyes roamed along the creases along his face, the blue of his eyes, the sharp line of his nose, the little curls that peeked behind his ears-

You blinked, clearing your thoughts. He was always handsome, you knew that.

"What even is that dick's name?" you questioned, testing to see if your nose had stopped bleeding as much. It had.

Rick smiled a little, looking up at your eyes from where he was focused before (he seemed to be done), "I 'ave no fuckin' clue."

You laughed at that, and if you were honest with yourself thought you saw something shoot through his eyes. Something warm. You ignored it.

"'S hurt?" he spoke, softer.

You responded, simply, "I've had worse."

Rick smiled a little at that, but fell into something more serious, "So, yeah?"

"Like a bitch," you admitted, and he let out a low sort of chuckle.

It made something in you relax, something warm lighting up in your chest. You let yourself feel it this time, just once.

"Just so ya know," he interrupted your thought process, "-'at ain't happenin' again."

You frowned, furrowing your eyebrows -warmth dissipating, "Are you- Are you chastising me right now?"

"No," he quickly responded, but didn't explain further, "-'M just tellin' ya I ain't lettin' it happen again."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Rick paused a second, ripping another paper towel off and dabbing at your nose. It was probably still bleeding a little bit.

You just watched him, waiting for an explanation. Even though, you weren't entirely sure he was going to give you one.

"Anyone touches ya, says anythin' to ya, so much as looks at ya the wrong way-" he listed, tone deadly serious (it shook through your skull), "-ya come get me, and I’ll set 'em straight. Understand?"

Your mouth moved before you could stop it, "What?"

"I'll handle it," he repeated, pulling away the paper towel and locking eyes with yours, "-It ain't happenin' again."

"Rick," you laughed -incredulously, and maybe a little defensive, "-I don't need a fucking guard dog. I can handle myself."

"'Didn’t say 'at," he hummed, carefully, eyes skimming along your face -a little like he was in wonder (it made your head spin a second), "-'S for me, not ya."

"How does that-"

"If 'ey're fuckin' with ya, 'ey're fuckin' with me," he interrupted, eyes so solid that you couldn't really look away, "-you can handle it how ya want, but Imma 'ave some choice words of my own. So, send 'em my way too."

The words faltered in your throat, something swirling around your heart. He was just so-

The coppery taste again.

You shriveled up your nose in disgust, and Rick laughed at it (something gleaming in his eye), as you reacted -spitting the taste out into the dirt.

"Yeah, keep laughing, Grimes," you tsked, but there was no bite, not really. Not like there used to be, "-I'll beat the shit out of you."

"'Ere's no doubt in my mind," he retorted back, smiling in a way that crinkled at the eyes. You thought for a spare second it was a beautiful one, that maybe he was beautiful.

After that day, you'd say that everything was a little confusing.

These feelings towards Rick were far from new, very far. They'd always kind of been in the very back of your mind. Part of you was actually pretty sure that hating him had in some way distanced you from what you felt otherwise. Now, that is to say, you had definitely hated him at one point. That just didn't mean that it erased the... other thing.

You and Rick were off-kilter. Or at least you were. You guessed you couldn't say anything about him, he was very much a mystery to you at this point.

He just kept doing things. Like the scratch and nosebleed. And every time he'd smile at you a bit warmer, say something you couldn't really avoid. Not anymore. (And you weren't sure you wanted to avoid, honestly.)

And he'd looked at you a lot more, searched you out (when before you used to shun each other, avoid each other), and just smiled at you sometimes for no reason. The thing was you didn't mind it. You wanted him to. Because you... because it was all different.

You were confused, but you weren't going to be the one to encroach on it. It all felt so surreal, that one day something would happen and you'd just snap right back into place -just like before. To be fair, you still argued. But, it was moreso bickering now. And even if it wasn't, before you could get as heated as you used to, you compromised -easily.

You slotted together perfectly and bounced off each other with ease. Hell, he started coming to you about running Alexandria, about problems he couldn't quite get. And the two of you would talk until you worked out a solution. Because you always did.

It made no sense why you'd even clashed in the first place.

You were confused, beyond confused. And you wanted things, wanted to ask things, but they seemed dangerous. Far away-

That brought you here, on a night when you couldn't sleep. Which were more frequent nowadays, if you were completely honest. This whole situation made your mind run for a lot of different reasons, and when it wasn't that, it was nightmares. Alexandria was safe, you knew that, but it didn't necessarily stop your fight or flight -the urge to constantly be on edge, protect.

So, sometimes you sat here on the steps of your porch in the night -the chill and silence of it soothed you. It wouldn't always get you back to sleep, but it would make you feel better. Remind yourself that you're breathing. That you're alive.

You exhaled, trailing your finger along the wood of the railing beside you -absorbing the low buzz of bugs in the air and the strangely familiar groans of walkers outside the walls. It was kinda fucked up that it calmed you down, but you gave yourself a pass.

"Funny seein' ya 'ere."

Your eyes shot up and latched onto his.

The Grimes house was just a couple of houses down, diagonal to yours. So, you could see him, but not entirely clearly.

He was leaning on the porch railing, you could see the sleeves of his jacket against the starch white, and his hair seemed a little messy -your eyes trailed over a particular curl. It was hanging slightly down in front of his face. (You got the urge to fix it, comb it back into place.)

"'Could say the same to you, Grimes," you replied.

You saw him smile, dropping his head to look at the ground. It made something in your chest flutter. But, before you could say anything else, he was stepping down from his porch and making his way to you.

As he got closer you recognized that he was in pajamas with just a jacket thrown over.

He stood just at the bottom of the stairs, leaning onto the railing slightly and just looking at you. Like he always did these days. With worry and... something else.

"Nightmare?" he questioned, genuinely.

You rolled your lip around your teeth, deciding to say, "Kind of."

Rick's lips pressed into a frown, eyes glazing along your face (you didn't look back at him), "Can I sit?"

You were wordless, but moved slightly to the left (despite not really needing to) as unspoken acceptance. He stared at you for a second longer, before slowly but surely making his way to the steps. He sat closer to you than you thought he would've, but it was almost in character of him to do something that surprises you so.

"Ya cold?"

On cue, you shivered slightly, "I've had worse."

Rick let out a low sigh (he knew you well now), nudging off his jacket and hanging it squarely on your shoulders without hesitation. His eyes trailed over you wearing it for a moment, a small look in his eyes that you couldn't name. All shiny as his lips quirked up just a smidgen.

"You don't have to do that," you objected, but it was quiet and weak.

"I want to," he replied, simply.

You couldn't argue with that. Hell, you didn't think you could argue with him anymore-

Rick interrupted the thought, eyebrows furrowed in that kind of way you knew to be worried, "What do ya mean 'kinda'?"

You took a second, staring out into the night -listening to the silence.

"My mind won't stop," you clarified, "-sometimes it's... things I've done, and other times it's... things that I just can't seem to figure out."

"What's it today?"

You pursed your lips a minute, before answering, "Something I can't figure out."

He stared at you, blue eyes flickering along your face in a hazy sort of way. It made something unfurl in your chest that you'd tried to keep shoved down, "Is 'ere anythin' I can do to help?"

You ran the idea through your head a few times, and let your eyes match him a few more. You aren't entirely sure why, but talking to Rick fel a little like he'd never judge you. Even though he had before, it was... it was now. Things were very different.

"Can I ask you a question?" you spoke, then, deflecting a little.

"Shoot," he responded, almost instantly. ( A little like he'd do anything you'd ask.)

"What happened to us?"

Rick's eyebrows furrowed, and you took it as a motion to keep talking, to explain. So, you did.

"We used to-" you dropped your hands on your lap, and stared out into the Alexandrian streets, "-We used to scream at each other until our faces turned red. We couldn't stand each other, and now..."

"'At ain't a good thing?" he questioned, something in his tone a little disappointed (it made your head swirl a little), "-'At it changed, I mean."

"It is," you reassured, facing him a second, "-but I just... Isn't it confusing?"

Rick stayed silent a second, eyes smoothing along your face. Just looking, like maybe he thought you were beautiful (just like you did on that day), or maybe like he never wanted to forget what you looked like.

"No."

You pressed your lips together.

"Don't get me wrong," he clarified with a smile, "-I hated ya once, a long time ago. But 'is? Now? It makes sense."

You asked before you could think about it, "What is 'this'?"

He just stared at you a second, something flickering through his eyes, careful and considerate. Something warm. The warmth you kept seeing now, the one you tried to avoid.

"You," he answered, vaguely, "-Us."

"What does that mean?" you asked, your confusion was ever-so-clear. This was all things you didn't understand.

He didn't say anything, as you stared out into the streets -watching some of the porch lights flicker. The night sky was still dark, so you weren't really worried about the hour.

And then, you felt calloused fingers on your chin -guiding you back to his eyes. The thoughts cleared out of your head.

"Y/N, you drive me fuckin' crazy," he laughed a little, and you felt your eyebrows furrow, "-not just in a frustratin' sorta way. You... I worry about ya like crazy, I think of ya like crazy... I care 'bout ya like crazy-"

Your heart skipped a beat.

"-an' I... I love ya like crazy."

Your lips felt stitched shut, as he just smiled at you -something in his eyes that you could see now. You could identify.

"Ya poke and prod at me until I'm reelin', yeah, but-" he pressed his lips together, eyes shimmering across your face, "-I wouldn't 'ave it any other fuckin' way. An' I mean 'at. I just... I'm not me without ya annoyin' the shit out of me. Without ya callin' me out on my shit."

You laughed, something burning the backs of your eyes, "I am the only one who would do that, huh?"

"Ya are," he grinned at you, and you felt something in your chest squeeze tight.

It felt clear then, abundantly clear.

"I love you too, Grimes."

He grinned, the big kind that crinkled at the eyes, "Thought so."

You rolled your eyes, with no bite, "Oh shut up, sheriff. I could still kick your ass, and you would deserve it."

He laughed, the genuine kind -hand coming to cradle your cheek, "Still, don't doubt it, sweetheart."

You smiled, and noticed just how close the two of you were. He only seemed to be roaming closer, and it made your heartbeat pick up in your chest a little. Before you could stop it, your eyes dipped down to his lips.

He grinned again, the kind that rattle down to your core, all handsome and shiny white teeth. And then, he started moving closer, his own eyes dipping to your lips.

"Ya kno', I can think of a way to get me to shut up."

"Can you?" you teased, quiet between the two of you.

He just hummed, distracted. It made something in your stomach stir.

"I am pretty desperate for you to," you remarked -playfully.

Rick busted into laughter, a loud kind that you barely ever heard from him. It made something in your chest shimmer, proud. You kind of wanted to hear that forever. And now, maybe you could.

The thought made you grin, as you leaned forward, impatiently, and connected your lips to his. It was just a press of lips, but you did feel him lean into it. Before you could get far, he laughed even more, breaking off the kiss, and it made you laugh.

"'Course ya can't wait for one second," he chuckled -playfully, "-You've always been so damn impatient."

"Oh, fuck you, Grimes," you laughed into the night, "-You're lucky I don't-"

And this time, he shut you up.

[bonezone44]

Pretty Is As Pretty Does (18+)

Uncle!Ezra x F!Reader x Uncle!Tommy

Summary: The best part about Uncle!Ezra and Uncle!Tommy is that they always smile when you walk in.

Word Count: 2883

tags: spitroast, double creampie, praise kink, southern accents, being called 'pretty', two men talking about you as if you aren't there. nicknames for Reader: angel, niece, baby, honey, sugar.

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

It's late at night and you can't sleep. Been tossing and turning for what feels like hours. You finally decide to get out of bed and do something, anything, rather than lie there counting endless sheep.

You make your way to the kitchen with sleepy bare footsteps. You hear murmuring out the back door--deep, smooth voices and soft laughter. You figure Ezra has a friend over. You bite your lip. You want Ezra to yourself for some quality time. Maybe if you let him know you're up, he'll send his friend home. It's worth a shot anyway. You've got nothing better to do.

When you step out onto the screened in back porch, you see Ezra reclining in one chair and his friend in the other. Theyre silhouetted by the blue light of a bug zapper hanging in the corner. It's been a hot summer, but tonight the air is cooler and drier than it has been in weeks. The wood floors creak as you step further onto the porch and both men go quiet and turn to you.

"Hey, angel," says Ezra with a wry smile on his face. "What're you doin up this late?"

"Can't sleep," you answer with a shrug.

"Aww, you poor thing." He holds his hand out towards you. "Me and Uncle Tommy are out here shootin the shit. Why don't you come sit with us for a while?"

That's when your whole body goes hot. You look over and realize it wasn't just any of Ezra’s friends. It was Tommy. And Tommy’s got a nice little smile on his face, too, as his eyes rake over you in your pajamas and bare feet.

" Damn, girl," says Tommy. "You get prettier and prettier every time I see you."

Your cheeks burn and you fidget. "I don't know about that--"

"Shit, I do. I bet you gotta beat them boys off you with a stick."

You wave him off. "No way."

"Aww, look at her bein shy," says Ezra, turning further toward you in his chair. "There is no need to be so timid around your uncles, angel."

"That's right, honey," says Tommy. "It's just us. You don't gotta worry bout nothin around us." He smiles. "We'll keep you safe from all them boys out there. We'll have 'em runnin off. Don't you worry about that."

You roll your eyes with a smile.

"What? You don't believe us?" asks Ezra with big, puppy dog lookin' eyes.

You shake your head. "Y'all are just sayin stuff."

"Oh, c'mere, honey," says Tommy as he reaches out and grabs your hand. "Why don't you come sit by Uncle Tommy and let him show you how pretty he thinks you are?"

Tommy's one of the most handsomest men you've ever seen in your entire life. He's got beautiful wavy hair that curls beneath his ears. His voice is so smooth and syrupy compared to Ezra's deep rasp. He's always wearing nice blue jeans and cleaned-up cowboy boots. Ezra almost never tries to dress nice to the point where you've given up on ever looking nice, too. And right now, you're standing in your sleep clothes and Tommy's offering you something that you weren't even trying for.

Your heart races in your chest and you gush between your legs. Your face is on fire--the whole situation makes you so nervous. What if they're lying? What if they're just playing tricks on you? What if this is all one big joke? Your history with Ezra didn't matter. He could change his mind at any minute and go running off leaving you all alone. You were tired of being abandoned by the people you trusted most.

Ezra rests his large hand on your hip. You can feel the heat of him through the thin fabric of your shorts. "Go on, angel. Uncle Tommy ain't gonna hurt you none." You glance at Ezra nervously and he nods. "Go on," he says again.

You decide to give in. Ezra's been around long enough. He knows you. He knows how anxious you get. And if he's there, it does feel safer. You've at least got one person on your side if Tommy doesn't treat you right.

You take two steps towards Tommy and the two men immediately relax. Tommy spreads his legs and guides you by your hips to sit between them. He pulls you back against his warm, broad chest. He feels so solid and sturdy behind you. And he smells like something clean and bright--waking you up even more, making you more aware of just how much of his body is touching yours. His hands slide up and down your bare shoulders.

"Now what's makin you think you're not the prettiest thing on two legs, sugar?" says Tommy.

"I-I don't know," you answer. You did know, though. It was all the movies and TV and magazines. All the clothing stores and boutiques where the clothes never quite fit you right. It felt like the whole world was telling you that you weren't pretty enough to be loved.

"Too much TV," says Ezra and you roll your eyes.

Tommy chuckles into your skin as he presses light kisses into your shoulder. Each one excites you and soothes you at the same time. "You know all that stuff is fake, don'tchu?" His hands slide down your arms, squeezing you just above your elbows. "You can't be thinkin ya ain't pretty just 'cause ya ain't fake, now, sugar. 'S not what men like anyway."

"Not any man worth a damn," adds Ezra.

"That's right," says Tommy. His hands move from your arms to your waist. "Men know a real thing when they see it, sugar." His hands slide up to your breasts and he gropes them in each hand. "And we got ourselves a real one right here."

Your hands grasp tight onto Tommy's knees next to your own. You glance over at Ezra with hazy eyes and Ezra sits so casually as if nothing unconventional is going on.

"'S about what's on the inside," says Ezra, flicking dirt off his ankle as he goes to cross his legs. "That's what counts."

"That's right," says Tommy. He squeezes your nipples through your shirt. "And I'm proud to say that our little niece here is pretty on the inside and out."

"She sure is, ain't she?" says Ezra.

You don't know how to respond. You're not sure what to do. All you know is that there's a pool of slickness growing between your legs and it's enough that you wonder if you're gonna leave a wet spot on the chair beneath you.

"What? You still don't believe us?" says Tommy.

"She can be real stubborn when she wants to be," says Ezra.

Tommy chuckles. "How 'bout this? Don't you feel this, sugar?" One of Tommy's hands slides down the front of you to cup you between your legs. He pulls you flush against him and that's when you feel it. That's when you feel how hard he is. You're not sure how you missed it before. It feels like a steel rod against your back. "You feelin' what you do to your Uncle Tommy, baby?" He rolls his hips against you. "'M about to burst and we ain't even done nothin, yet. We're just sittin here talkin."

Part of you wants to laugh at that. There's a hell of a lot more going on than just talking.

"I think she's grown weary of conversation, brother," says Ezra.

Tommy chuckles again. "Ya think?"

"Yeeeeep," Ezra groans and stands from his chair. "And you did promise to show her how pretty she was."

"I sure did, didn't I?"

Ezra walks over and stands in front of you. You feel surrounded--caged in. But not unsafe. "Whatchu thinkin', angel?" Ezra cradles your face in his big hands. He leans close enough to you that the whole rest of the back porch disappears. "Want me to get you ready for Uncle Tommy?"

Oh fuck. Does Ezra mean what you think he means? "O-Okay," you say.

"Good girl." He grins briefly before his eyes go wide and serious again. "Uncle Tommy's big. I don't want you gettin hurt."

You nod. "Okay."

Ezra sinks to his knees before you. He reaches for your waistband and you lift your hips as he tugs your shorts down and off your legs. "Mm-mmm," hums Ezra, staring between your thighs. "Our little niece is pretty everywhere." His large fingers poke and prod at your lips. "She's wet, too." He spreads your pussy apart with both hands. "Soakin," he says.

"Is she now?" Tommy says. His breathing's picked up. Both his hands back on your chest. You can feel his whole body rolling into you, even if just in the smallest way. Ezra's touch has you responding in kind.

Ezra's head tilts upward with his fingers still on you. "Remember that job on Breyer street? The house with all those cat paintings?"

Tommy stills a moment. "... y-yeah?"

"Remember how that faucet on the side of the house wouldn't stop leaking?"

"...yeah?"

"That's about what she looks like right now."

Tommy laughs and holds you close, grinding against you. "Fuck, man. You can't be sayin shit like that to me, man. What the hell?"

"I am merely trying to be honest with you," says Ezra with a shrug. He thrusts two thick fingers inside of you with one hand and with the other, he rests his thumb against your clit. Unmoving. Simply applying pressure as you and Tommy's bodies move together.

"Oh my god," you moan as Ezra's fingers stroke inside you and Tommy whispers in your ear.

"'S Uncle Ezra makin you feel good, sugar? 'S he touchin you just right?"

"Mm-hmm," you whimper. "So good. So good."

"You feel how pretty we think you are, honey?" asks Tommy.

"And it's not just because you're our favorite little niece," says Ezra.

"That's right," says Tommy. "'S because it's a fact, sugar." Tommy grunts. Ezra's fingers squelch inside your wet walls. "It's a fact that you're the prettiest goddamn thing we've ever seen."

"Our pretty little angel inside and out," Ezra says with a smirk as he adds a third finger inside you.

"Oh fuck" you moan and writhe.

Tommy chuckles. "Even if she got a dirty mouth on her."

Ezra laughs, too. "Oh she's filthy."

"Is that right?"

"I-I don't know." Your dizzy with desire. You're surprised you can register anything they're saying to you.

"How 'boutchu get that filthy mouth on Uncle Ezra's cock while Uncle Tommy gets inside this pussy, huh, sugar? How's that sound?"

"Yeah, okay," you slur.

Ezra pulls his fingers out of you and stands. Tommy scoots you forward so he can undo his jeans. He and Ezra situate you so that your feet are on the floor with your ass hovering above Tommy's lap. Your hands grip the arms of Tommy's chair. Ezra pulls his own cock out of his pants and it bobs in front of your face.

You and Tommy both hiss as he pierces your cunt. Ezra was right. Tommy is big.

"Shit, man. You didn't tell me it was like this--" Tommy chokes out through panting breaths.

You bite your lip and groan.

Ezra chuckles as he strokes himself. "I tried, brother, but some things are best experienced for yourself."

"You got that right," says Tommy. He moans and curses as he guides you up and down his shaft, providing you with the rhythm and speed.

Once you feel steady enough, you open your eyes and Ezra's cock is hard and ready for you. You open your mouth, eager to hold its weight on your tongue. He doesn't thrust or move--merely lets your rhythm on Tommy's lap provide all the back-and-forth action.

"You're doing perfect, angel," says Ezra as he caresses your cheek. You've given him much better blowjobs before but he's looking down at you like you're giving him the high of a lifetime. "You look so pretty."

"Prettiest fuckin thing we ever fucked," grunts out Tommy.

"Play with that clit and she'll cream all over ya," says Ezra.

"Goddamn," curses Tommy. And he does what Ezra says. He reaches one hand around and presses hard against your clit. Four fingers rubbing back and forth just above where his cock is thrusting in and out of you.

Syrupy warmth begins to flood between your legs and seconds later your spasming between the two men--thighs twitching and toes curling.

Tommy curses again. "If she wasn't my favorite niece before, she sure as shit would be now."

"Told ya," says Ezra.

Tommy continues to thrust into you as you bounce onto him. "Yeah, suck his cock. Suck Uncle Ezra's cock, sugar."

Ezra does his best to keep his cock inside your mouth, but he doesn't seem too concerned about your performance there. It seems to be enough to watch you getting fucked so hard by your Uncle Tommy. Hearing your thighs slap each other and his cock squelch inside you is like music to Ezra's ears and dick. And your whimpers--goddamn!--you got the prettiest little whimpers he's ever heard in his life. Add in Tommy's desperate grunts and Ezra's careening toward the edge and nearly sent over it. He has to take a step back to get control of himself.

Without Ezra's cock to muffle you, your whimpers turn into shouts and Tommy grits his teeth. "Where do I cum?" asks Tommy through strained breaths.

"Fill her up, brother." Ezra's eyes sparkle at you. "Then I'll take my turn inside our pretty little pussy."

Tommy curses some more. He wraps his arms around you and taps on your clit, hoping to make you come along with him. And you do, it's hard not to. His thrusts were hitting all the right spots in your inner walls and Ezra's standing in front of you and watching you with tender focus. Your legs twitch and your toes curl all over again.

"Alright, now, hold it all in, angel," says Ezra with a stern expression on his face and you know what he means. You reach between your legs as Tommy pulls out and you do your best to keep all his cum inside you.

Ezra sits and then lies down on the floor, his cock hard and at attention. He waves you over with the flick of his fingers. "Come ride your Uncle Ezra, baby. Come show me how it's done," he says.

And something animalistic has been triggered inside of you as Ezra casually reclines on the hard wood floor. His elbows are bent and his head rests in both hands. He dons a simple smile and it almost drives you crazy. You want him as desperate for you as you are for him. You want him aching and writhing for your touch. He's been too relaxed this whole time and you almost hate him for it.

Tommy's cum is beginning to seep from between your fingers so you hustle to sit on Ezra's cock. Ezra's facial expression doesn't change as you sink onto him--but you notice the way his hips curl ever so slightly into you. He's holding back and you wanna make him give in. But you know Ezra, just as much as he knows you. And riding him how he likes it isn't going to get you anywhere. He wants you to use him--make yourself come by whatever means necessary. And that is certainly something you can oblige by.

So you do. Your hands grip his chest and you find the right angle that allows you to roll your hips into him with your clit pressed against his skin. You decide to take. You take and take and take your pleasure from him--you don't give a shit what makes him feel good. This one's all about you. And eventually he does give in. You see the way he grits his teeth and bites his lip. His hands fly to your waist, but you don't let him guide you at all. This is your ride and your orgasm. Even if you've already had two and Ezra's yet to have one.

But it was just what Ezra wanted--he was getting off on you getting off and some kind of feedback loop developed into both of you getting off and your panting and he's snarling and then suddenly there's another burst of hot liquid inside of you and seeping out of you. And you don't know it, yet, but Ezra loves when all the juices and cum are soaking his lap and he's filthy with the remnants of a well-and-good fucking. And if he could suck his own dick after all of it, he would. But instead, he pulls you up his body and has you sit on his face and he gives your pussy the most tender and loving kiss with tongue and all. All while your trembling and dizzy from overstimulation.

Once you finally take a moment to breathe. You find Tommy watching with lazy, tired eyes from his chair, his own cock already tucked back in. But there's a smirk on his face that tells you he appreciated the show you and Ezra just gave him.

"Alright, angel," says Ezra with a messy mouth. "Let's go put you back to bed."

------

a/n: wow. so horny. jesus christ.

tagging: @neverwheremoonchild @xdaddysprincessxx 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[ya-what--ya-erster]

Goodbye Don't Last Forever

Javey. Kind of funny ngl. Enjoy.

David Jacobs was eighteen and newly graduated when his girlfriend, Francis Sullivan, left for Santa Fe, leaving no goodbye and no way to contact her.

David went crazy when she left. He loved her and she left without a word to him. He made some stupid (but not too regrettable) decisions in the time after. Dyed his dirty blonde hair a dark shade of brown. Started wearing his glasses again. Went outside only when required (as in almost never). Stopped talking to many of his friends.

Only two of the habits died, and fortunately it was those last two. He found himself to be pretty fine within a few months of her being gone.

Six years later, David Jacobs was 24 years old and getting a new roommate.

"Hi, are you David?" A confident voice came from behind him.

He turned to face- woah he's hot- the person asking the question.

"Yeah, yes, that's me. David Jacobs. Hi."

The man smiled and held out a hand to shake.

"Jack Kelly."

Those eyes... that handshake. So familiar. But the familiarity was out of reach in David's mind.

So he stood up a little straighter, smiled back, and said, "Nice to meet you in person finally. I mean I trusted Albert enough to not find me a serial killer roommate but... I feel very assured now, haha..."

"I won't kill ya, Davey."

Davey...

"Good to know. Same here. Do you need help taking anything up?"

Jack shook his head. "All I's got is this." He nodded to a moderately sized suitcase that he was gripping.

"Oh. Sorry, I didn't-"

"It's nothing, Dave. I just had to leave kinda quickly and didn't have much anyways."

"Well, uh. Let me uh... I guess, follow me?"

...

David was down bad for his roommate. And, down bad as in like, Taylor Swift "if I can't have him/I might just die it would make no difference."

Something about him, Jack, felt so familiar in all the most wonderful ways. His smile was a smile David felt like he had seen dozens of times.

David wanted to know why. He wanted to know why this boy felt so natural in the environment. Why he seemed to be the missing piece in David's life.

He was going to find out.

Not today though, he decided, when Jack entered the apartment looking like he was about to burst into tears.

"Hey, are you okay?" David asked slowly.

Jack nodded stiffly, putting his head down and throwing his bag and coat to the floor.

"Jack, you look sad."

"I'm fine."

"Jack."

"I ain't- you don't gotta be all in my business." Jack was heading to his tiny bedroom, so David grabbed his arm to stop him.

"You can tell me, you know?"

Jack leaned forward, hugging David, beginning to cry.

"Woah, hey. Hey, it's alright, let it out..." David wished Jack would hug him more often, and not while crying.

Jack continued to cry for maybe three minutes, David didn't know exactly. What David did know is that when Jack made eye contact with him, he looked like he had done something horrible.

"I ain't a real boy, Dave."

David's heart could have shattered just then, hearing Jack sound so broken.

"What do you mean, you aren't a real boy?"

"I wasn't- I'm not- I am a boy. I know and promise that I am but I just- wasn't born that way and I feel like a fraud and I get sad sometimes."

"That's okay to be sad, Jack. But you're a boy, I know you are. If you say you're a boy, you're a boy. No, how old are you?"

"Twenty-four."

"Okay, Jack Kelly, you are no boy, you're a freakin' man."

Jack smiled a little, wiping his eyes dry.

"Thank ya, Davey."

...

David was having none of this "stay up until 3 AM painting" bullshit.

"Jack Kelly, you will start going to bed at a decent time or so help me-"

"I'm fine, Dave!" Jack defended himself.

"You drank four coffees today and three energy drinks. I don't even know how you're still alive!"

"Fine, fine. I will be in bed no later than midnight."

"Is that the best I'm gonna get?"

"Yup."

David sighed, deciding to give in.

"At least show me what you've been working on into the ungodly hours of the night?"

"Maybe someday." Jack smiled mysteriously and disappeared once again into his room.

David was not staring at his fine ass as he retreated. He wasn't.

...

"Davey, do you got any food?"

David was regretting getting a roommate but also enjoyed having someone around. He didn't appreciate having to buy random shit every other week because Jack had a craving and pretty much no money. (He spent his money on rent and art supplies, which David didn't mind because his apartment was cheaper and Jack's art was amazing.)

"We have fruit snacks and spaghetti-o's if that qualifies as food. We might also have a banana."

Jack strolled into the kitchen area after David's previous statement and pulled out a packet of fruit snacks, a can of spaghetti-o's, and the blender.

"What the fuck are you doing?" David asked, shocked and amused all at once.

"I'm making me some dinner, you want some?"

"Jack, there is no way in Hell you are going to eat- drink spaghetti-o's and fruit snacks put through the blender. It's gonna be terrible."

"Actually, no it isn't. My old friend dared me to do it and it actually tastes good."

David had a brief memory flash through his mind.

"Francis! I dare you to put the two most different things you can think of in the blender and then drink it." Race shouted.

"Okay, I'll do it." Francis smiled that daredevil smile of hers and got started. Spaghetti-o's and fruit snacks.

When it was complete, Francis took a long drink.

"Wow. That's actually not terrible."

"Davey, you good?"

David nodded. "Sorry, just. You just reminded me of something."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Ex-girlfriend."

"Thought you said you're gay?"

"She kind of helped me out on discovering that."

"Well. That's nice of her. How so?"

"Uh. It's a long story."

"I bet I can handle it. Besides, I have an abomination to drink. I'll listen."

"Oh. Okay. Well. Basically, she decided she was going to Santa Fe and wasn't going to, you know, say goodbye to me or anyone. And I spent a long time angry and then realized I didn't really miss her romantically at all and just was pissed, and then me and my friend Albert accidentally fucked when we were drunk and I was like 'wow that's allowed?' and anyways uh Al and I aren't and weren't interested in each other at all, we were just drunk like I said, but then it all made sense why I wasn't like, sad over the 'love of my life' leaving because it was just a high school girlfriend and I'm not even into girls. So I'm not even mad at her anymore really I'm just gay and confused and I've talked a lot now sorry."

David looked up at Jack for a reaction. He was wearing this face... David could not name the emotion.

"What was her name?"

Huh. Weird question.

"Why?"

"Well, I was just wonderin' if maybe I met her, since I's come here from Santa Fe and all."

"Oh. Yeah, uh. Her name's Francis Sullivan."

"Have a picture?"

"Yeah, one sec." David scrolled through his phone's camera roll until he found her. "Here."

The picture made Jack frown, and David kind of would have done anything to make him smile again.

"You know her?" David asked.

"Yeah, uh. I knew her."

David's heart sped up.

"Really? Is she doing okay? Is she alright? Do you know where she lives, cause I might need to go-"

"Davey. Stop."

"What?"

"You can't exactly go visit her."

"Why not?"

Jack seemed to be looking inside himself instead of at David when he spoke.

"She was... the real depressed type, Dave. Always sad. She never smiled, I don't think. She was in a real bad state of mind."

"What're you-"

"She ain't alive no more."

Everything stopped in David's head.

"What?"

"I'm real sorry, Dave. She just ain't... But I'm here."

"What's that supposed to mean? 'You're here?'"

Jack hesitated before opening his mouth. "She didn't exactly... die the way you're thinking. She, uh. She just... more... changed? She ain't Francis anymore. She cut her hair and went on T and got top surgery and goes by a boy's name now, and he/him. So, uh, tellin' ya she died was probably not the brightest idea but that was an in-the-moment decision."

"Good for him. What does that have to do with you being here?"

Jack made absolute eye contact with David, wondering how he could be so fucking stupid, and held it. Held it as he crossed the room and held it up until the moment he pulled David into a hug.

"I'm sorry for leavin' you. I just had ta get away."

David jerked away from Jack in a quick movement.

"You? You're... You- I can't-" David's brain was moving too quickly and all he could think to do was punch Jack in the face as hard as humanly possible.

Which he did.

"Son of a bitch- Dave! I only told ya cause I thought you said ya weren't mad anymore!"

"Yeah, well. Now I am, asshole. You... You deep friend burnt-ass dino nugget dickhead. You absolute.... I can't even. How dare you? I fucking loved you, yes even if I'm gay now, and you, you just ran the fuck off and never bothered contacting me for six years. I would have understood if you needed to leave, needed to leave me, needed... whatever. I would have given you your space. I hate you."

Jack looked hurt. It made David feel good. All that pain he went through and it was being passed on.

"Davey-"

"David."

"Right, sorry. David. I'm really sorry. I don't- I never meant ta hurt you. To be honest, I thought you'd be glad if I left and never came back."

David felt less good.

"I just- I wanted to feel like I could be free. It didn't really... go as planned. Because I just realized I wanted to come back. Mostly for you."

David didn't stop to think. David just kissed Jack like he was hungry for it.

"I fucking hate you." He said, pulling away.

"No you don't."

"Don't test your luck."

A small moment of touching silence passed.

"So..." Jack started. "You slept with Al?"

"Now I actually do hate you. Get out, I'm calling him. Maybe he'll be nice to me."

"Davey... I love you. I always did."

"I'm... good to know. I can't- I'm still mad, bitch."

Jack just laughed, and he knew right then that it would all be fine.

A/N: hope y'all liked it :) It'll be on ao3 asap

[wordsbymae]

"They ain't lap dogs you know, they're working dogs and you spoil em too much" but mousey is for sure his lap dog lmao

so now farmer finally has them. what now? would he propose, not like in the the other AU when he is older? or would he just start going around the town telling people about his little wife/husband/spouse? because, what is little mouse supposed to do? they just can't say no to the only person that is so nice to them, the only person that takes care and protect them (or so the farmer say). mousey must return the favour.

I literally was going to answer about an hour ago but got completely distracted by making a mood board for the farmer's two dogs cause you reminded me of them. whoops!

Anyway!

Oh for sure!!!! He doesn't need his boys to be his lap dogs when he has the prettiest thing all to himself.

There is no way on God's green earth he will ever actually propose. Don't get me wrong, he wants nothing more than to marry his little mouse and put a ring on it. But actually courting them? Actually having to be vulnerable and open himself up to rejection?

Never ever going to happen.

I can see this going really two ways, there is a third secret option but that's for later.

The first way is he just starts acting like you're married. Tells everyone in town he can't stay too long or the missus/ his partner will be getting worried. Gushes about your cooking to anyone who will listen makes it clear that he's got a sweet little thing waiting all for him back at home. Carries a Polaroid picture of you hugging Pancho, with a big wide smile and while Lefty sooks in the corner. He'll show it off whenever he has the chance, talking about you and your boys.

Those who watched you two that day at the farmers' market just nod their heads with smiles and wish him all the best. He probably starts even wearing a plain gold band. Proud to show it off.

Meanwhile, the reader is confused when the very rare times they leave the farm everyone wishes them congratulations (and asks if any kids will be coming).

Mouse brings it up to the farmer and tells them they don't want people getting the wrong idea. They're just friends. The farmer just laughs at this.

"It's a bit too late to stop them from getting the wrong idea Mouse"

He practically gaslights them, I mean what's the big problem? Who cares if a few town folks think they got hitched. They are living together. You do act like a homemaker. You can't blame anyone for thinking you two had been married for years. The only thing stopping you two from actually being seen as truly married is the lack of a ring on your finger and you not being in his bed.

And would it really be so bad? Being his?

He's been so good to you. So kind. Like how a real husband would act. He looks after you and protects you. Buys you the prettiest things and asks nothing in return.

But now he is. Now he's asking for payment. Be his little homemaker in law as well and he'll take care of you like he always has.

You can't say no. You quit your job when your cottage burned down, just as the farmer told you to.

"I'll look after you mouse. Until you get back on your feet of course"

No one is hiring in town and even if you did get a job you wouldn't be able to buy or even rent a house. There was nowhere to go. There was taking the chance on living on the streets but wouldn't it just be easier to just say yes?

He was kinda right. You've already practically been his stay-at-home sweetheart, how bad would it be if you put a ring on your finger. This is everything you've ever wanted. To be his pretty spouse, him all to yourself.

So why did it feel so wrong?

The second is mostly fem reader but he would not be against baby trapping. If for even one moment he thought you would say no to being his wife, he would resort to baby trapping. I always view this fic set in the 60s or 70s (maybe even 50s) so there would be no way you could leave him with a babe in your belly. You would have no husband and no support. So of course you don't really have a choice. You're already on thin ice living with a single man, but that was something you could cover by explaining why. But a baby? That can't be hidden, can't be explained away. So as soon as you knew, the farmer would have a priest ready and waiting.

Tag list: @floraroselaughter

[ihavenosoul12]

OKAY BUT LIKE JACOB AND EMMA MAKE ME CRAZY they aren't even my favourite characters but oh my god those two

like both of them are wrong (on some level stay with me i love jacob but i ain't defending him) but also EMMA WAS RIGHT

on the surface it's like. they get together, classic summer camp thing, they break up, summer's over, they're supposed to move on, emma set that expectation but jacob couldn't let go. if summer lasts one more night, maybe he can convince her to go long distance, so he sabotages the car and he tries so hard to change her mind

but emma's mind won't be changed. and she knows what jacob is like, she's been with him all summer, and she knows how much something like her making out with another guy at the firepit will upset him. and the fact that it's KAITLYN, jacob's childhood friend, who gives her the room for this, it shows that kaitlyn knows that this is the only way as well. dylan's off the table, ryan just made out with someone else, the only real option is nick. he's jacob's best friend, her best friend's crush, that's the perfect choice. it's so calculated

and yet when they go to the docks, emma can't help but flirt a little more, like it's nature for her, she's spent so long with jacob that it's almost secondhand. and, in that one cutscene, she reveals that she still likes him but that she's still ending it. it was never that she didn't like him, it was just that she wanted it to be contained to summer, she wanted him to move past her, and for her to be able to move past him

we dig a little deeper. she says they were toxic but why is that? well, jacob has pretty clear abandonment issues or at least insecurity, and emma is an actress, she admits that she puts on a performance to make people happy. and while these things may sound unrelated as first, imagine that in play. a guy who clings onto any sign of affection, who needs so desperately to be seen, and a girl whose confidence comes from a place of not wanting to see other people sad.

she only flirted with jacob at the docks because he was crying. and he latched onto that immediately. she knows what he's like, she's been with him all summer. she knows about these issues and he doesn't know hers. he doesn't know emma at her core but was so willing to open himself up at the slightest affection

it's not even just that emma wants to avoid upsetting jacob when their potential long distance relationship goes sour, it's that she doesn't want to have to keep performing to a guy she really cares about, and because he would be exhausting to her. they're not toxic because they tear each other apart, it's that they wear each other down.

and nick being the one that she kissed, jacob's best friend at camp besides kaitlyn, it really plays into his issues. the betrayal, his ex kissing his best friend. but she knows that's the best way to try cut him off and she just can't help herself and it's SO MESSY

she just has to believe that abi will understand, or her performance will cave. how funny is that she only seems to really care about upsetting abi

anyway jacob insane for sabotaging a car and emma girlfail for vlogging

[onyx-archer]

A Timey-Whimey (Shit)Storm: A Critical Look at Life is Strange 1's Ending.

It's been a hot minute since I did one of these essay type posts, and I know that the title is may suggest some kind of dislike of the game or something, and incite the ire of fans, but at least hear me out a little before getting mad. I actually enjoy these games, along with the comics, so I'm coming at this from a place of love. I especially have a soft spot for the original Life is Strange, I've just had this on my mind for a while.

Obviously, there will be spoilers for "Life is Strange," but I will also briefly cover spoilers from the Life is Strange comic series, and a brief, albeit minor spoiler of Life is Strange 2's 5th episode, and some stuff from Life is Strange: True Colors' "Wavelengths" DLC. If that ain't your bag, then you've been warned. All of it will be under the cut anyway. Before that though, I have some other house keeping to get out of the way.

I want to make it abundantly clear up front what my stance on the game being covered is, so there's no room for misunderstanding. I quite like the original Life is Strange. It's probably my favorite game of it's type (narrative adventure game in the Telltale style). I don't like Before the Storm or Life is Strange 2 though, but both of those will eventually get their own posts. I do like True Colors though.

I also want to make it clear that I am 100% on the side of "Pricefield," but I'm not really making this post from the place of a Pricefield bias or whatever, so I want to head that off at the pass.

With that, the rest is under the cut. Again, hella spoilers inbound, you've been warned.

Life is Strange is the kind of game that I have a pretty lukewarm opinion of genre wise, but manages to keep me engaged through the way it unfolds. I'm not especially fond of the narrative adventure game genre that was popularized with Season 1 of Telltale's The Walking Dead, despite having played quite a few of them. I like a few, sure, but it's generally not something I'm fond of. If not for the fact that Chloe's character design appealed to me (you'd know why if you've seen my original characters), I'd have never even touched it.

I have fond memories of playing the original Life is Strange with my best friend back when it was still being released, and how we'd actually hash out our thoughts on what decisions made the most sense in the moment while playing. I initially remember hating the ending of the original making my choices feel meaningless (as by the time "Polarized" came out, my friend and I weren't able to play together due to us living in 2 different cities at the time), and it was only after letting it marinate for a while that I came to the conclusion that I liked one of the two possible endings, and disliked the other.

I'm (rather obviously) on team "Bae," as far as the endings to the original are concerned. To me, this is the only ending that actually makes sense unless you want to argue that the whole point of the story is some fatalist, deterministic experience at it's core (which I've certainly seen argued multiple times), but I don't think that ideology is even remotely interesting to think about, and is flawed as hell. That's beside the point though. The part of this post that is dedicated to the first game is, primarily, about the reason why that ending is the only one that makes sense to me.

Throughout the game, Max (and by extension, we, the players) use her time travel powers to ultimately solve a few puzzles, and to otherwise scope out minor multiple decisions we make during the story. The moment we see Max use her powers for the first time is when Chloe (whom she doesn't recognize at the time) is shot in the girl's washroom at Blackwell. However, before she does this, she sees the vision of the Storm, and is jolted awake by it in the middle of class.

From here, the game tries to heavily imply that Max using her powers to save Chloe from being shot is what ultimately made the Storm come to pass, and drops mentions of the concept of Chaos Theory multiple times. I'm not going to bother explain what that means, but it does at least make some kind of sense. Max using her powers can alter the course of things, and create an untold amount of diverging timelines. We see this obviously through the "Bay" ending, as Chloe's death happens, and no storm comes. This is clearly to enforce the idea that Chloe not dying does something that causes the storm.

However, where this concept begins to eat shit like a skateboarder failing to bail properly from a bad Tre Flip is when Max goes back in time via a photo for the first time. She prevents the death of another person, Chloe's father, William. As we all know, this action has the consequence of Chloe eventually getting into a car accident and becoming quadriplegic, and is doomed to die when her respiratory system gives out due to the nature of the injury.

Now, this specific timeline brings with it questions, and the game doesn't really bother to answer them, despite it being a big hole in the whole "Chloe's death prevents the storm" idea.

The main question is "why didn't William not dying yield a storm?" If the idea of preventing a person from dying has far reaching consequences, and can lead to a storm, then why did William's survival not lead to a storm? Wouldn't that be a bigger shift to the "natural order of things" that Max saving Chloe did?

The cop-out answers I've heard to this are things like "she wouldn't have done it if she didn't save Chloe first to begin with" and "she didn't over-use her powers during the period of William's accident, so the storm wouldn't have been bad." I've even heard the idea that Chloe's accident is the universe saying "fuck you" to Max saving William, and while that is certainly believable, it ultimately makes you wonder "why are the dead whales even a thing in the 'William Lives' timeline?"

The second time I was left wondering is "in the timeline where Max is taken to the Dark Room, Chloe is very dead, so how is it that the storm happens at all if Chloe's survival is the reason it happens?"

Naturally, people will say "the act of saving Chloe sets things into motion, so it's too late to stop the storm by that point." It's here where I call bullshit, because it then makes you ask the question I brought up earlier: "why didn't the timeline where William lives have a storm after he was saved?" If the universe is pissed that Chloe lived, then her dying should prevent the storm, right? But if the universe is pissed at her living, then why isn't it pissed about William cheating death due to Max's intervention?

If it was just the timelines where William died but Chloe lived, I'd be like "alright, sure, Chloe cheating death caused the problem." But Willian's death being prevented doesn't do the same, so it's inconsistent reasoning at best.

Again, by the logic of the "Chloe being alive causes the storm" viewpoint, William should lead to that happening 5 years prior if he survives the day he's supposed to die, but that doesn't happen. If the storm is caused by Chloe being alive, then what does it matter which day she dies, so long as she dies before the storm is scheduled to happen? Unless you want to argue some divine punishment is occurring via a pissed off God, which would make the whole thing feel worse, then there is no logical consistency with the idea of "Chloe Alive = Storm, but William Alive =/= Storm."

It's by this logic that I think that the storm is tied to Max using her powers, rather than specifically the act of saving Chloe. This is then later reinforced, at least in part, by the sequel comics. Now, I know people will argue aren't canon, but they offer a look into a post "Bae" ending, and answer some questions about it in an official capacity, even if it's just meant to be a single view as to what could happen.

In those comics, Max's powers are tied to the storm, and are tied to her flickering between different realities, which lead her to a universe where Chloe and Rachel are alive and in LA for 2 years. She is later forced to confront another storm, and is able to prevent it from doing any damage, and then uses it to power a leap back to her original reality, albeit with the help of a guy who has the power to travel between dimensions, Tristian.

So in short, official media confirms that the powers are connected to the storm, and not necessarily Chloe's life. Max first uses her powers to save Chloe, sure, but the storm isn't linked to Chloe's fate by itself.

However, this is merely part of the justification I have for what I ultimately think is the "better" ending. The other is a simple question: how do they know that Max preventing herself from saving Chloe will stop the storm

Yes, we as the player, the outsider looking in, know that Max preventing herself from saving Chloe will lead to a Storm-less timeline, but in the scene where they decide that is what they have to do to stop the storm from happening, Max says that she caused the storm, and basically says it's due to her fucking with time. So how do they come to the conclusion her using her powers, the thing that caused the storm in the first place, to fix one more thing suddenly prevent the storm? Why would she even think that's a good idea when the consequences of her meddling with time are literally barreling toward Arcadia Bay?

In short, the metatextual element of this scene causes the internal logic of the choice to make no sense. If the use of powers causes the storm, then why would they even think using them again would fix things? If it's Chloe being alive, then William being alive should have done the same thing.

Basically, I think the issue with the ending isn't inherently the choice itself, but the logic for why the characters would even think a Hail Mary play like "go back in time and prevent yourself from saving Chloe in the first place" would even remotely work, given that they have two running ideas of the cause of the storm, and only one of them actually makes sense outside of a passing thought.

The issue with the "Bay" ending is that it leaves you with questions that have no good answers, but the "Bae" ending's questions are easier to answer.

In the "Bay" ending, if the photo jump is to the past where Max knows she can rewind time, even if only barely, then what's stopping that Max from abusing her rewind anyway? If the powers are the cause of the storm, then leaving her with the knowledge of it even being a thing is dangerous for the week leading up to Post-Photo-Jump Max's return, where that Max knows to not abuse her powers. Heck, if past-Max doesn't know of the rewind yet, and Photo-Jump Max knows that, then she can still save Chloe, and past her wouldn't know about the idea of time travel, so she'd not abuse the ability. Sure, there'd likely still be some kind of repercussions for messing with things, but it'd be significantly lessened if her powers are the cause of the storm, and not Chloe surviving.

So again, if Chloe's death has to be the thing that prevents the storm, why didn't saving William cause a storm? Why didn't Chloe dying to Jefferson at the end of Episode 4 stop the storm? If it's not Max's abuse of her powers that causes the storm, then what's stopping her from abusing the power in a Chloe-less world? We know thanks to the comics that she retains the ability to time travel after the week is done. Hell, if the "leaks" of an alleged Max-focused sequel game being in development are true, then it also confirms Max keeps her powers in a more concrete way than the comics did, so what's stopping her from abusing them outside of a sense of grief over losing Chloe?

I ask those questions because the act of letting Arcadia Bay get destroyed in the "Bae" ending doesn't highlight the issues with explaining how the storm came to be in the first place, and it ultimately could be either Chloe surviving when she should have died, or a consequence of Max abusing her powers during the week. It ultimately says "this is the cost of saving your friend. You made this bed, now lay in it."

The "Bae" ending reinforces the idea that Max shouldn't mess with time, and it shows the active consequences of doing so. It actively makes the "your choices will have consequences" thing the game shoves in your face at the beginning of every episode actively mean something, but in a way that isn't inherently obvious from the jump. From a metatextual standpoint, it's honestly really smart to have the idea of "choices and their consequences" be more of a theme rather than just a mechanic. Max ultimately has to live with the fact that her selfish desire to save her friend cost hundreds of people their lives, and she's not the only one who knows about that burden, because Chloe will have to spend a long time coming to terms with the fact that Max chose her over the lives of others when push came to shove. It ultimately feels like the journey meant something in the long term.

Conversely, the "Bay" ending just leaves me like "so there's no real consequences for anything, because this is how things would have played out if Max didn't have powers." Sure, Max has to live knowing her friend is dead because she wasn't allowed to save her, but she'd at least live knowing she did it for the greater good. It tries to say "this is the right choice" but fumbles because it ultimately just leaves people like me poking holes in the time travel logic. So long as she doesn't try to prevent someone's death again, she's free to use and abuse her powers however she wants. It doesn't reinforce the idea of "messing with things has consequences," it just lets Max have the ultimate do-over, where the only consequence that matters is her best friend is dead. She has to live knowing she let her friend die. At most, it's a tragic thing that will affect a few people, and that's it. To me, it just feels incredibly hollow.

Even if you like the "Bay" ending, I think you have to admit that the "Bae" ending has the time travel feel less problematic from a narrative logic standpoint. It, at the very least, doesn't require the answer to the question of "what caused the storm in the first place?" unlike the "Bay" ending, where it's left up in the air if it was Max's powers or Chloe's life that was behind it. From here, I'm going to basically go into some minor points as to why I think the "Bae" ending makes the most sense as the "canon" one for the series after the first game. These are not as important to the broader point, but still. If you wanna dip from the post now (assuming you made it this far) then cool, hope to see you when I talk about why I hate Before The Storm, cause that may interest people.

Some people like to suggest that the "Bay" ending has more potential for expansion, but I strongly disagree. That ending's future story potential, at least as far as Max is concerned, is just "Max has to learn to deal with the grief of losing her best friend" and otherwise has no real direction. If she meets Steph or something in a future game, for example, it ultimately will be a bit awkward for Max, and that's it. In the "Bae" ending, there's actual potential for drama if Max interacts with a former resident of Arcadia Bay, knowing she let it burn for the sake of one girl.

We can see how each ending effects David via the 5th Episode of Life is Strange 2. We know that regardless of Chloe's fate (at least as far as the two timelines that branch off from the first game's ending are concerned), David ends up in Away. David and Joyce split in the timeline where Chloe dies, and obviously Joyce died in the storm in the timeline where Chloe lives. We see how this effects David, but even then, there's more of a story to be told with Chloe surviving vs dying, at least in my view. Chloe and David being able to set aside their past issues and becoming the family Joyce had longed for them to become is a far more interesting story than David trying to reconnect with Joyce after Chloe's death split them apart. I'm not trying to suggest David is a great character or anything, but it's notable that Chloe and David's relationship is more interesting to explore in a post-Storm world, because he actually has a reason to become a better person in a Joyce-less world vs a Chloe-less one. It ultimately makes more sense for him to end up in Away because of Joyce's death rather than Chloe's. We see he really wants to be there for Chloe when he saves Max from the Dark Room, and we see how much Chloe's death affects him in that timeline, so I'm not saying he wouldn't relocate because of it if she died in the bathroom... but the drastic change he undergoes between Life is Strange and Life is Strange 2 really only makes sense in a world where he lost Joyce, and has to be better for Chloe's sake.

Steph is another character where it only makes sense to have Arcadia Bay get demolished, rather than have Chloe die. Sure, Steph is a very emotional character at her core, and runs from things that make her uncomfortable, no matter how good her life is going outside of that... but I honestly think it makes more sense for her to run from the past in a world where her hometown got levelled, because she'd have some kind of survivor's guilt because of the fact that she lived and her mom didn't. Yeah, she could still have survivor's guilt after learning both Chloe and Rachel died, but I'd argue it'd make more sense that she'd be running from Mikey in a world where the scars of Arcadia Bay run deep, rather than what happened to Chloe and Rachel. What reason would she have to avoid Mikey, her best friend, in a world where she doesn't have to feel bad that Mikey's family (presumably) died in the storm? In a world where her survivor's guilt would make talking to others from Arcadia Bay more painful and awkward for her? You could argue that, yeah, Chloe's death could hit her hard because they were good friends, and that because of Chloe being friends with Mikey too, that she'd avoid Mikey for that... but I just think it's more believable that she'd cut herself off from her past in a world where Arcadia Bay was destroyed.

Either way, this post and the time it took to write it got away from me, and I may have to refine it later when I eventually turn these essay type posts I've made into videos. For now though, hopefully this was an interesting read, and hopefully I've conveyed my views on the ending of Life is Strange's first entry at least somewhat succinctly.

[etes-secrecy-post]

Hi, before I explain my post, I want to say something important.

• What you see my blog has become a major overhaul. And despite the changes, I decided that my 2nd account will be now my artwork blog with a secret twist.

⚠️NEW RULE! (W/ BIGGER TEXT!)⚠️

⚠️ SO PLEASE DO NOT SHARE MY 2nd ACCOUNT TO EVERYONE! THIS SECRECY BLOG OF MINE IS FOR CLOSES FRIENDS ONLY!⚠️

• AND FOR MY CLOSES FRIENDS, DON’T REBLOG IT. INSTEAD, JUST COPY MY LINK AND PASTE IT ON YOUR TUMBLR POST! JUST BE SURE THE IMAGE WILL BE REMOVED AND THE ONLY LEFT WAS THE TEXT.

⚠️ SHARING LINKS, LIKE POSTS, REBLOG POSTS, STEALING MY SNAPSHOT PHOTOS/RECORDED VIDEOS/ARTWORKS (a.k.a. ART THIEVES) OR PLAGIARIZING FROM UNKNOWN TUMBLR STRANGERS WILL IMMEDIATELY BE BLOCKED, RIGHT AWAY!⚠️

😡 WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT EVER LIKED & REBLOG MY SECRET POST! THIS IS FOR MY SECRET FRIENDS ONLY, NOT YOU! 😡

Okay? Capiche? Make sense? Good, now back to the post…↓

My Wangan Maxi Tune Career Returns 2024 Edition [Timezone Arcade Araneta City Gateway Mall II & Gateway Cinema] - Part 7 [First Half] (Recorded: Jun 19th, 2024)

Hey, hey! It’s me! 😁 And welcome back for another installment of "My Wangan Maxi Tune Career"! I returned in 2022, and now I'm continue it, this 2024. Yes, it's been a while. I haven't shared my WMMT's play progress in this current year, with the last record I posted was on May 31st, 2023 (Pls, go check it out in the "previous" section) before it went into troubles. And by that, I'm talking about my PC desktop problem. *sigh* 😫😔 Nevertheless, I have now SO MANY photos and screenshots that need to be uploaded on my current social media sites right away before I move on to my current update.

Once again, If you haven't seen my "first & second half" of "Part 6", then please check out my "previous" down below (w/ highlight).

IMPORTANT NOTE(S):

#1: Once again, no #OnThisDay throwback post for this date.

(And) #2: Whoever say's "FFA" was making me unhappy... 😥 Because I can't find the acronym on the Google search... This is why, this game is not ready to meet. Even though, they've already launched the old vanilla installment.*sigh* 😔

So, without further ado, let's get started:

1st to 6th Image(s) 📷📲: ↑

• [1st to 3rd Images] June 19th, 2024, I'm here at the specific TZ Arcade branch in Araneta City Gateway Mall II, with my two beloved paper dolls (🐻👨‍🍳 Chowder & Panini 🐰👩‍🍳). Upon entering the said mall and TZ branch, the atmosphere was pretty nice and clean, much like I visited every TZ branch. Anyway, I've redeemed the ₱200 free Power Load coupon through my gold membership TZ Power Card 💳🕹️😁, with an additional ₱150 load for a good measure 💵. However, there's one problem though... There's no Wangan Maxi Tune cabinet at this particular TZ branch. 😥 Damn, it'll be better if I play it inside this awesome atmosphere, alas it ain't happened. 😓 So, should go back to Trinoma where I previously played? 🤔 Nah, because as far as I know, there's another TZ branch located somewhere at the huge "Araneta City" mall. So, I venture myself to search for another TZ branch with my trusty Google Maps app 🗺️📲, in about a 1 hour ⌚.

• [4th to 6th Images] And said an hour later, I finally found another TZ branch located at the OG Gateway Cinema. 🎞️🕹️😃 Huh, you know what, the layer reminds me of going to the Ayala Glorietta mall in Makati City, where there's a TZ branch beside the Cinema. And that was my "Real Life Story". 😁📖 I was in my High School days 🧑‍🎓🏫 (3rd year High School to be specific; 2010 to 2011) when my former BF ("Best Friend") 👤 invited me to a meet-up for playing a music rhythm arcade game (named "DJ MAX Technika" 👇🎶🎧) at the aforementioned Glorietta TZ branch, which I suck at it. But, I was also playing my debuted "Wangan Maxi Tune 3DX Plus" 🚘🌃🛣️ arcade, which is my preferred over that music rhythm. 😊 Yeah, who doesn't love playing arcades after watching an awesome movie (say the new upcoming Disney movies, etc..). I've been there, but I never actually attempted that in my life. 😥 As for the actual arcade branch, it matches my memories back in 2012 😊, and no doubt this is one of the most unique branches unlike the Glorietta branch because besides the TZ branch was this Taco Bell / Pizza Hut stand, which is an awesome nice touch if I want it to grab something delicious Taco/Pizza from the "Yum" brands! My paper dolls loves eating Taco/Pizza! Yum! 🌮🍕😋 Sadly, I don't have funds for ordering food. Bummer... 😥😓

7th & 8th Image(s) 📷📲: ↑

• Okay, let's move on to the Maxi Tune experience, with "The Speedster Twins" w/ their Impreza cars! 🐶🇯🇵🚘🟥🔵🌸🐰🇯🇵🚘 So, without further ado, let's bring out the twins! Take it away! 😊

Spot 🐶🏎️ & Riya 🐰🏎️ [wearing Teenage Dogday's attire w/ Teenage Dogpressed's jacket & Teenage Hoppy and Teenage Catnap's clothes combined respectively]: Thank you, creator! 😄

Riya 🐰🏎️[wearing Teenage Hoppy and Teenage Catnap's clothes combined]: Actually, you go first Spot because you've received something cool! 😃

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing Teenage Dogday's attire w/ Teenage Dogpressed's jacket]: Why thank you, Ri! 😃 Yeah, I've got my first-ever marker in my Maxi Tune experience! I'm sure it's nothing knew, but here it is! That so-called "New Driver" 🔰 always embraces me throughout my childhood, including you Ri!

Riya 🐰🏎️[wearing Teenage Hoppy and Teenage Catnap's clothes combined]: Yes, sir! I think it looks good on you, you know! A Japanese symbol for any kind of beginners! Whether you're a beginner in trading card games, a skillful chef, or whatever you desire! 🔰😀

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing Teenage Dogday's attire w/ Teenage Dogpressed's jacket]: You bet! For us, it is a symbol of our beginners as a Maxi Tune player! Even though I've been there since 2011 and then you followed in 2013. 😊

Riya 🐰🏎️[wearing Teenage Hoppy and Teenage Catnap's clothes combined]: You're correct, twin bro! 😊 Hey, let's move on to our "Story Mode" journey, shall we? 📖🚘🙂

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing Teenage Dogday's attire w/ Teenage Dogpressed's jacket]: Yeah, sure! 🙂

9th to 22nd Image(s) 📷📲: ↑

• Spot & Riya's Maxi Tune "Story Mode" Journey 📖🚘:

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing Teenage Dogday's attire w/ Teenage Dogpressed's jacket]: Let's proceed to our Maxi Tune "Story Mode" journey, with the continuation of "Garage ACE" second half. 📖🚘

Riya 🐰🏎️[wearing Teenage Hoppy and Teenage Catnap's clothes combined]: Yes, sir! However, we have a problem with the steering wheel. 🙁The maneuver is completely jaggy over solid & sturdy wheel. 👎

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing Teenage Dogday's attire w/ Teenage Dogpressed's jacket]: Yeah! These previous aggressive jerks doesn't know how to respect the machine , or fixing it from the mechanic employee! 😑

Riya 🐰🏎️[wearing Teenage Hoppy and Teenage Catnap's clothes combined]: Yeah, does this came from the "PVP" matches? 🤨

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing Teenage Dogday's attire w/ Teenage Dogpressed's jacket]: *Sigh* What do you think, Ri? 🤨 But, all that aside, we've continue it anyway, and I've lost my ("5") winning streak because of the aforementioned jaggy steering wheel! 😫 I'm so frustrated! 😠 Ri? What about you!?

Riya 🐰🏎️[wearing Teenage Hoppy and Teenage Catnap's clothes combined]: Well, I carried on and I continued my winning streak! 🤷‍♀️

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing Teenage Dogday's attire w/ Teenage Dogpressed's jacket]: YOU WHAT!? 😳 HOW THE HECK DID YOU DO THAT?! 😲

Riya 🐰🏎️[wearing Teenage Hoppy and Teenage Catnap's clothes combined]: *Sigh* I was so lucky, that I haven't got the same fate as yours. And while it was challenging with the jaggy wheel, I put in on my best and I've got 45 wins (now 46) on my winning streak. 😮‍💨 *Phew* What a sign of relief for me, Spot... 😩

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing Teenage Dogday's attire w/ Teenage Dogpressed's jacket]: Lucky you, Riya. Looks like, I'm about to re-climb my winning mountain once again. *Sigh* 😩

Riya 🐰🏎️[wearing Teenage Hoppy and Teenage Catnap's clothes combined]: But hey, on the bright side, our Impreza cars are now at "Level 9, Step 33"! 🔧⚙️🚘 With the last stop to "Fully Tuned" 🔥🚘 is completing "The Legendary F1 Turbine" stories! Eh, Spot? Do you think, you can handled "10 wins" on your winning streak? 😁😉

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing Teenage Dogday's attire w/ Teenage Dogpressed's jacket]: Heck, yeah! You're right, Ri! I can handle it! 💪😁 One last level and our cars were "Fully Tuned"! LET'S GO! 😃

Riya 🐰🏎️[wearing Teenage Hoppy and Teenage Catnap's clothes combined]: *pat on his back* Awesome, there ya go! Uh yeah, should you changed your title, with this awesome "Tune Maximism"!? 🙂 I've already update my title, though! 😁

Spot 🐶🏎️ [wearing Teenage Dogday's attire w/ Teenage Dogpressed's jacket]: Sounds cool, but I'm gonna save that title via Wangan Navi App. 🚘📲😊

Riya 🐰🏎️[wearing Teenage Hoppy and Teenage Catnap's clothes combined]: Sounds fair, and that includes our Maxi Tune "Story Mode" journey, with us! 📖🚘😊

○ Unfortunately, this is far as I go for now owing to the limitation of Tumblr’s photo upload. But don't fret because I've posted my "second half", right here → [CLICK ME!]. 😉 ○

In the meantime, that’s all for now. More Wangan Maxi experience, coming up soon.

If you haven’t seen my 2019 Wangan Maxi Tune 6 & Wangan Navigator app (on the alternate blog), then I’ll provide some links down below. ↓😉

My Wangan Maxi Tune 6 Experience:

My WMMT6 Progress (2019): Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5, Part 6 , Part 7, Part 7½, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14 [Final] (The Last WMMT6 Update)

My Wangan Navigator app (2019): Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14 [Final]

My WMMT6RR Progress (2022 - present): Part 1 [Nov 19th, 2022], Part 2 [Nov 19th, 2022], Part 3 [Nov 19th, 2022], Part 4 [Final] [Dec 28th, 2022], Part 5 [first half], Part 5 [second half], Part 5 [third/final half], Part 6 [first half], Part 6 [second half]

Also check out my previous Maxi Tune installments:

• WMMT5DX - [CLICK ME! #1], [CLICK ME! #2], [CLICK ME! #3], [CLICK ME! #4 (The Last 5DX Update)]

• WMMT5DXPlus (All in chronological date) - [CLICK ME! #1], [CLICK ME! #2], [CLICK ME! #3], [CLICK ME! #4], [CLICK ME! #5], [CLICK ME! #6], [CLICK ME! #7], [CLICK ME! #8], [CLICK ME #9], [CLICK ME! #10], [CLICK ME! #11], [CLICK ME! #12], [CLICK ME! #13], [CLICK ME! #14], [CLICK ME! #15], [CLICK ME! #16], [CLICK ME! #17], [CLICK ME! #18], [CLICK ME! #19], [CLICK ME! #20], [CLICK ME! #21], [CLICK ME! #22], [CLICK ME! #23], [CLICK ME! #24], [CLICK ME! #25], [CLICK ME! #26], [CLICK ME! #27], [CLICK ME! #28], [CLICK ME! #29], [CLICK ME! #30], [CLICK ME! #31], [CLICK ME! #32], [CLICK ME #33], [CLICK ME #34], [CLICK ME #35], [CLICK ME #36], [CLICK ME #37], [CLICK ME #38], [CLICK ME #39], [CLICK ME #40], [CLICK ME #41], [CLICK ME! #42], [CLICK ME! #43], [CLICK ME! #44], [CLICK ME! #45], [CLICK ME! #46], [CLICK ME! #47], [CLICK ME! #48], [CLICK ME! #49], [CLICK ME! #50], [CLICK ME! #51 (The Last 5DX+ Update)]

[sea-drifter]

DiVe headcanons [Diluc x Kaveh] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Author's note: Had to edit some stuff after i did the interdarshan championship and saw how he acted during al haitham's story quest. I got to know him more and god i love him so much- so ye, edited some stuff since i want to make him close to canon since he's so perfect. content: full on fluffy lovey dovey little shits, a few crack headcanons here and there, bit of angst, and with Kaveh here, ofc there's alcohol and drunkenness Anyways- enjoy ^^

-One thing's for sure, Diluc confesses first. End of story. Kaveh would plan the most elaborate confession, with plans even for the possibility of rejection. But Diluc. Diluc... [God the confession was so chaotic-]

-He wanted to set things straight as soon as he realized his feelings, making Kaveh have a mix of emotions. -All that's going on in Kaveh's brain: ● "Omg that confession was so cute- with the backside of the mansion as a makeshift candle-lit dinner too? Gosh, he's so adorable-" ●"hefeelsthesamewayhefeelsthesamewayhefeelsthesameway-" ['He feels the same way] ●"I PLANNED AN ELABORATE SURPRISE FULL OF THOSE FLOWERS YOU LIKE BY THE SIDE OF THE LAKE FOR A VERY CUTE BUT AFFORDABLE DATE AND YOU STOLE MY THUNDER-" -Diluc was upset ofc cuz the first thing he saw was Kaveh in fury. [dw, both were a blushing mess after Kaveh finished his angry rambling and Diluc slowly processing what he just said] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ aight time for hcs on when they're dating: -Kaveh sometimes asks Diluc on some architecture stuff. Cuz, he's prolly been everywhere with all this having to import wine, and prolly been in fine establishments. -So maybe some insight into what types of walls he's seen in Snezhnayan infrastructures and whatnot. -Diluc doesn't have many memories of what the buildings looked like since he was focused on the business [like the fatui killing spree]. But Kaveh knows. He's just trying to get to know which places he's been to and see if he can get a story out of him. -Kaveh most definitely laughed his ass off when Diluc told him about the vodka incident and why he's never drunk wine ever again. -Like, he'd tease the shit out of him but still loves him regardless. -I like to think that whenever they go to some sort of gathering, like, a ball, Kaveh sneaks in a bottle of grape juice. -So that whenever someone offers Diluc a drink, he pours the grape juice into his empty cup, then discreetly switches his with Diluc's. -When Diluc took a sip expecting the awful drink, he was surprised to realize it was his favourite glass of grape juice in his mouth. Then he looks at Kaveh, gulping down his glass, then winking at Diluc. -Diluc thinks this is really sweet of Kaveh, but unfortunately, he had to go home earlier than the rest as his partner has gone drunk from a single glass. -Diluc was kinda glad he didn't have to drink whatever was in that glass as well as being out of that ball that didn't interest him. -Kaveh wakes up with a headache but tells Diluc it was worth it as he proceeds to vomit in the bucket that was fetched in advance. -Kaveh is now part of Mondt's drinking squad™ for sure [Kaeya, Venti, Rosaria, and I think Eula?]. -More reasons for Diona to hate Diluc: he has a drunkard boyfriend -Kaeya and Kaveh are besties def. Booba window hotties. The two pretty best friends they say they ain't seen yet. -Both of them terrorize Diluc with lots of teasing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Diluc: "I would have thrown you out already if you weren't my boyfriend." Diluc huffs, to which Kaveh answers, Kaveh: "I know, but you can't cuz you love me~" Diluc: "..."*clearly blushing* Kaeya: "Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd a point to the Light of Ksharewar, earning yet another embarrassed face from our dearest bartender-" Diluc: "Out." Kaeya: "Aw, why so mean?" Diluc: "Do I have to drag you out myself?" Kaeya: "And that is my cue...drink to your heart's content for me Kaveh~" And off Kaeya goes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -Kaveh is def really flirty, is what you'd think. But I think he'd be really shy and hesitant about showing affection at first. -Yeah, he's really out going and caring whenever he's with anyone, but showing a specific kind of love that isn't shared between friendship is a different thing. -cuz I mean, with what happened to him, he's constantly questioning himself whether he deserves this happiness, Diluc, or to be even loved. -Diluc takes his time with him though, which allowed Kaveh to slowly open up more emotionally to him. [This made Kaveh a bit more clingy to Diluc, chatting more, and smiling more] anyways- -He likes giving handmade stuff to Diluc as gifts. One of the few he has given is a portrait of Diluc and a miniature version of The Dawn Winery. -There has also been a time where Kaveh played an instrument for him as a surprise for their anniversary. -Ever since that time, they sometimes try to duet during simple at home dates. -Diluc is basically a sugar daddy- ahem. -Diluc loves spoiling Kaveh with gifts. Whenever they go shopping together, if Kaveh saw something, he'd buy it. No doubt. No words needed. -kaveh has always had an eye for pretty things, and with that, he tries not to look into shops as much after he noticed how all the things he wanted to buy but didn't were at the front of his room. [Al Haitham put them inside.] -But that's not the only way he shows his love for Kaveh. Whenever both of them are busy, he has Adelinde taking care of Kaveh for him. -She provides him snacks and beverages whenever she sees Kaveh neglecting his needs just to finish by the deadline. -And whenever necessary, she knocks him out so he can actually sleep for once. She's taken care of the young master, how is this any different? -With this, Kaveh has actually been having a somewhat healthier sleeping schedule than before. As he has developed a fear of not taking care of himself after those countless knock outs from Adelinde. -Going back to deadlines, Diluc sometimes sends connections to Kaveh's client to lengthen the deadline, and with threats if necessary. He loves his boyfriend after all. -So forgot to mention stuff about how Kaveh would be during the time that he finally moves out of Al haitham's house. [he is rejoicing] -So I see Kaveh being out of place and awkward in the Dawn Winery, since he's never had maids and butlers before. -Like, he'd usually do all the chores himself even before his mom left for Fontaine. So this is a real spin off from his usual life. -His conscience not being able to take it, he just helps the maids with their work. By doing so, everyone in the mansion has grown to like Kaveh too, and even being friendly to the point they have a chat with him whenever they're free. -Though Adelinde kinda hates how he's really friendly with everyone, cuz he usually chats with Moco and Hillie, who sometimes takes advantage of his kindness and asking for help with chores. [He was pretty happy to help but like, you have a bunch of deadlines deary-] -As Adelinde and Elzer seem to be the ones that are with Diluc the longest, sometimes they tell Kaveh stories about Diluc. In rare times, ones that involve Kaeya. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ don't forget to like and reblog, it rlly helps with the algorithm ^^ Will start moving my writings to a different blog when all my drafts are posted, in which i will post part 2 there for now, check a few of my other writings here ^^

[misscammiedawn]

Signed up to the library streaming site and put in London (1994). It's a documentary where the narrator returns to tumultuous London after being absent for 7 years. I'd seen a clip or two on but never the whole thing. It's pretty much 80 odd minutes of footage from day-to-day life in the city I grew up in during the time I grew up.

Fact is when we visited again in 2018 it weren't the same. Not really. The old shit's still old but the vibe is off. It ain't home anymore. The past is a country I can't hop a plane to and have a holiday in. A topic that funny enough the docu actually goes over with its own subject's memories of places which are no longer in the city when it was recorded.

I reckon London's just like that, though? Something about the ancient history of a city that has been alive so long you can still feel its pulse and the new and old mingle so seamlessly that it haunts you with its familiarity juxtaposed with its strangeness. Like an old friend you've not seen for decades. The voice has changed, the way they carry themselves is different, the light in the eyes ain't the same but the eyes themselves are. Eff knows I know that well. I grew up noting the scar tissue of The Blitz, still apparent in where history was wiped out in an explosion and you see Edwardian structures and modern chic glass monoliths protruding like new growth in an ancient specimen.

Makes me feel even more of an expat to know the London I grew up in only exists in film. For better or worse I grew up a stones throw from "Cardboard City" the homeless settlement which is now home to the UK's biggest IMAX. My home was within the grimey nostalgia of a piss soaked graffiti stained city. It was just second nature-- as was the constant threat of IRA bombs.

I don't think I miss the messy old piss and cigarettes of the town I grew up in. Not really. But I identify with it. Call it home.

I think London just has that effect on people.

I don't glorify that shit. Na, on the contrary, I recognize it was a small hell that's been sanitized as best it could be. But I feel at home with the imperfections. It's kinda making me a tad homesick, y'know?

To take a touch to actually sit with that and kind of think about why this docu catches bits of the place in my memory that I can't see even walking down those same streets I wanted to go through the film and take a couple screenshots of places I'd been to in my childhood that show up and show them in the film versus how they look on Google Street Maps today. See that vibe change I mentioned.

Movie on the left, Google on the right.

Vauxhall Park

Brixton Market

Spitalfields Market

Elephant and Castle

and ...Fuck...

I had no idea they took down The Elephant. This is legit how I'm finding out about it. I clicked about to see when it happened and get a shot with the elephant statue to prove it was the right spot. Here's an image from 2020 with the shopping centre and statue still standing.

My memory is in locations. I close my eyes and I see places. That damned area is always with me. I can still see the giant billboard for 1994's The Mask next to the old swimming pool that used to be there. I remember before I even left England seeing a social media post about the frog slide being tossed in a skip and people of the area mourning a childhood memory.

Guess it all has to go in the end. Elephant just got wrecked. First with the big bougie flats then the Heygate Estate getting taken down and I guess the old shopping centre's gone too, ey?

And so it goes.

But yeah, the photography in the film was gorgeous and caught a slither of a world condemned to the past. To quote the movie "There is no town in the world which is more adapted for training one away from people and training one into solitude than London." She raised me and part of me will always be there, wandering the halls of the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre; a place that can only possibly exist in memories.

Anyway-- that's a big ole wander down memory lane. I love my city. One day I'll see her again.

[the-girl-with-the-glass-heart]

The first time Logan and Roman ever formally met was sophmore year of high school, Logan was studying hard in preperation for a big test they were going to have at the end of the week while his next door neighbor Roman was throwing a big party.

Logan tried his best to just ignore all the noise and focus on the home work but he couldn't, it was just too fucking loud. He put down his book and marched over to Roman's house, trying to not puke from the smell of beer and cigarette smoke and ignoring the judgey glares he got from the two stoners standing near his picket fence.

He knocked on the front door and after not getting an answer for a couple minutes knocked again, only to be greeted by roman who had confetti strewn in his hair and all over his clothes. Obviously a teensy bit tipsy.

Logan had seen roman before plenty of times before, most of them just in the hallways at school or walking to the bus stop, and on super rare occaisions his mom would ask him to return a pie dish or something to them, but this was the first time he had ever really talked to him. He had really no reason to talk to him anyways, roman seemed very much like the typical dumb arrogant prissy prince type who would pick on him so he thought it would be best to just avoid him all together.

Logan however decided to just be as direct as possible. "I'm sorry to bother you, but i'm studying next door and i was wondering if you could possibly turn down the music a little and keep the screaming to a minimum?". Roman just blinked a few times, then smiled and snapped his fingers "Hey, i know you! You're my neighbor! Leon!", causing Logan to roll his eyes.

"Actually it's Logan. Can you please just keep it down? I can't focus." "Maybe you just need a break! You're welcome to join us if you want!". Logan at first tries to explain his numerous reasons as to why he wouldn't ever want to go to party but it's too late, roman has already grabbed him and yoinked him inside.

Roman begins to introduce logan to all of his friends and logan feels kinda awkward but when he explains how hes never been to a party before that just makes roman cling to him even more. Logan relents and decides to stay and you know what, it ain't actually half bad. The popular kids are not as mean as logan thought they would be, they didn't force him to drink, and they even let logan bump white and nerdy by weird al at one point. It was pretty cool, not to mention that roman kid seemed actually kinda sweet. He's kind of a fun guy to analyzs Shakespeare with. 10/10 would try again.

[wench-and-jezebel]

Stranger Things Reaction: The Vanishing of Will Byers

Wench (@scripted-downfall) reacts: A Flashback Series

See this link for context

I ain't never seen an elevator whose doors are this slow to close, I'm sorry

I mean, I guess flickering lights might interfere with elevators, but still

Oof, elevator closing wouldn't have saved him anyway.

YOUNG DUSTIN IS SO CUTE!  MY GOD, HE'S ADORABLE!  I mean, not saying anything against him nowadays but he's so adorable here!!!

Okay, I'm sorry, but, from a DM standpoint, if the players are already guessing what "surprise" monster is coming, that's kinda unfortunate.  Like, they were already bickering about whether the demogorgon were coming before Mike (I think?  idk, DM kid) played his surprise thing

The surprise was well done --- I'd've added something after "that didn't come from the troglodytes"... instead of "That came from something else" I'd've said, "That came from whatever the troglodytes were running from", but it was still well done --- but them knowing the surprise already is still iffy storytelling

They’re all so smol!?!?!? Babies

NOOO NANCY WAS SO MEAN!?  DUSTIN GOES UP ALL CUTELY AND OFFERS HER A PIZZA SLICE AND SHE SLAMS THE DOOR???? RUDE!

Dustin = current beloved of the show

Wait, hold up.  Will just crashed his bike because of a creepy thing standing in the middle of the road, and said thing (about which I'd forgotten the first time) looked like Vecna.  Were they setting this up early, or am I making this up? 

Oh, or maybe not; apparently the Demogorgon was humanoid.  I must have been mixing it up with a different creature... maybe some of the zombie dogs in Resident Evil.  I thought the demogorgon had flower-teeth-face-things... idk

So weird seeing future regulars be listed as “also starring” or something like that

Okay, Hopper looks kinda like shit

alskdjflakdfj Okay, but Will's mom getting on Johnathan is a bit uncool

Dustin continues to be adorable

Well, shit, Steve… that's an entrance

"I'm stealthy, like a ninja" aslkdjf;alksdfj BUDDY Steve, you are not 

Nancy looks so different.  Well, they all do, but still

Well, at least I'm not the only one thinking Hopper looked like hell

Wait, hold up aslkdjflakjsdf CHRISSY CARPENTER?!  Someone had a girlfriend named Chrissy C and decided to run with it

Oop- biohazard, that always goes well

NOT THE DUCT TAPE

Hello there, Eleven

She's awfully calm and trusting for someone in a lab for ages (re. her walking in without any haste whatsoever)

I find it kinda hard to believe that he could see her over that counter when she’s soooo tiny, but oh well

Them geeking out over the radio is so cute

I love Mr. Clarke so much

The Australian accents too

Hopper already done with this shit

Mike’s looking pretty damn laser-focused, just saying.  If they’re all best friends, then why is he so serious compared to the others, hmmmmm?  *cough cough* Byler *cough cough*

"After school, you are all to go home and stay there" Yeah, right.  Hopper, buddy, when does that ever work

I love Joyce so much

El is very… yellow. I'm sure her being in a yellow shirt that looks too big for her and is all ill-fitting while she doesn't look comfortable there at all has nothing to do with Mike's color being blue and Will's being yellow and her and Mike having a thing, of course not. *cough cough* Byler *cough cough*

Wait, that’s right; she’s nearly nonverbal… how tf can she talk so much/well in the s4 flashbacks?

kasjdf I love that scene… she telekinetically turns off the fan and then just goes back to her fries like it was nothing

Oh, look, the Byers’ phone is yellow

Hopper acting like the doorknob hitting the wall is conclusive; buddy, she just said she had two boys, and I’m willing to bet that door gets slammed a bunch

Oop- flickering light and broken wood

Mike’s very… impassioned… about Will’s wellbeing *cough cough* Byler *cough cough*

Oh, Ted.  *sigh*

Not Mike being very.  Concerned.  About Will. *cough cough* Byler *cough cough*

ldkflaksdf Not Steve trying and failing to sneak into Nancy's house.  Yeah, bud, you're sure as shit a ninja, mmmhmm, of course

Also.  Knowing what I know from the future.  “Steve trying and failing to sneak into Nancy’s house” is kinda really sad.  Nancy might be pissed at her parents for putting her on house arrest, but it is at least them caring about their kids, so what's it say that Steve's easily able to wander around?

Oof, this poor dude.  I remember what happens to him and he deserved betterrrr

WAIT HOLD UP Steve's actually helping her study asld;kfja;lskdjf;alkfd

alksdjf;lakjsdf not Johnathan blaming himself for Will going missing and Joyce being all "don't do tht to yourself it wasn't your fault" after ragging on him for it less than an episode ago

The yellow phone is back

Eleven!  Dun dun duuun!

Ep 1 is done!

[janatm]

the way that we movin' is reckless, baby || BRAKE

tagging: Jake Puckerman & Bree Brown

date & time: August 9, 2024 at night

location: Puck's Place

warnings: jake being a drama queen and bree not communicating effectively

summary: What started off as a much needed conversation about the breakdown of their relationship turns into something that feels very final.

word count: 4,363

BREE never thought she'd be spending the night with Jake where the main objective wasn't sex. At least, not since they broke up. Even though they hadn't been alone alone, this still felt intimate. Being apart of his time with his niece, like she was family too. Between this and Jake going around implying he wants to marry her, Bree felt a surge of affection, of love, for her ex, and it made her furious and hopeful. It was confusing and as she sat on the couch, she waited for Jake to come back with some water for her. Maybe she was just dehydrated and that's why her brain was short circuiting every time she looked at him. As he walked back in, she smiled and took the water. "Don't get any ideas. We are not hooking up with your niece in the house." She said swinging her legs over his andbgetting comfortable.

JAKE was killing two birds with one stone here with Maya and Bree, which was kind of a relief. Defending himself lately and trying to convince his ex that he hadn't been doing anything other than hanging out with Puck and Maya was much easier now that the chatty teen could co-sign his story, and show Bree the embarrassing TikToks they'd made before deciding she needed to go talk to her friends. Grabbing Bree's water, Jake handed it over and flopped back down. "Babe, I wasn't gonna make a move while baby Puckerman is in the house. Give me some credit. I'm actually a great uncle." He laughed. "And besides, those texts the other day seemed...like you needed us to talk some shit out anyways."

BREE laughed as her ex praised himself for being a good Uncle. She wasn't going to bring up the fact that he'd only been one for a few weeks because seeing him and Maya together, she could tell he was actually having fun having a family. Plus, she had to agree, he was a pretty good uncle. Drinking some of the water she figured if he was gonna open the door for an actual conversation then she'd give it a try. Looking at him, she found herself moving into him a little more, bending her legs so she could scoot in a bit more. "I know we weren't..." A pause. "That I wasn't perfect but-" she just needed to ask it for fuck sake. "I didn't let you explain and so I've spent the last couple of months assuming the worst and I just need to know why you cheated on me. Even if it hurts to hear."

JAKE hated doing the whole talking thing when feelings and shit were involved, which he was sure he'd gotten from his mom and Gabe, but it had been almost four months since their break up and he decided that she deserved the truth — even if he wasn't fully ready to get into that whole thing. As soon as she started speaking, he sighed as he gently ran a hand along her thighs. "Neither one of us were perfect, but that's not what we expected anyways." He pointed out before exhaling a deep breath. "Being your secret, or on campus only, boyfriend was kind of fucked up. I ain't using that as an excuse, but being this boyfriend you couldn't post about, take around your folks, tell anyone who wasn't at PSU about wasn't easy to deal with. Especially when I had to see you out at your little events and shit with other lil' content dudes. I sucked that shit up as best as I could, but then it just started bothering me more and...I went to a party that one night, met some girl who didn't mind posting me on her Snap and shit, and I just let things go too far. Wasn't 'cause I didn't want you, but it was just nice to be with somebody who wasn't afraid to be seen with me like that."

BREE liked to think of herself as a rational and mature person. Generally, when people spoke she listened and processed to the best of her ability, asked clarifying questions if needed and nothing had to get out of hand. Unless, of course, her feeling were involved, in which case she was pretty damn immature about things and struggled to see different perspectives and actually listen to what's being said. Which is definitely why when Jake spoke, instead of hearing him she was just thinking of a retort. "So it's my fault? You knew what it was going to be when we got together, if that wasn't going to work for you, then you shouldn't have been with me." She was riling herselfup and she pulled awway from him a bit. "And you could've come to me, could have talked to me instead of 'sucking it up' and fucking the first bitch who posted you on her snapchat." She said, her voice slightly raised because she was still upset about all of this, more so than she thought.

JAKE had expected this sort of reaction from Bree, which was why it had taken him so long to get into this before. He knew the kind of pressure she was under to live up to her parents' bullshit wants for her, and he had known what he was getting himself into here yet he had still gone into this because he'd wanted her. He still wanted her, that hadn't changed obviously, but he was at least able to think about it more rationally than his ex. "I didn't say it was your fault, Bree." He pointed out, deciding to stay calm since them both getting worked up wasn't gonna help. "I know you, and I've heard you every single time you've complained about having to do whatever your parents want you to do. I know you're under a lot of pressure to be this perfect daughter that they want you to be, so that's why I didn't say shit. You had enough on your plate already so I didn't want to add to it." Jake shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "I fucked up, okay? It's not like I even wanted that girl, I just...I needed somebody to want me and to not be ashamed of being with me, even for just an hour or two. It was wrong, and I am sorry."

BREE was ready for things to escalate. That is what she had been prepared for. For him to say it was her fault and that she wasn't enough for him or that he got bored or he just didn't care. That he hadn't loved her or wanted her and most of all she expected him to get angry, maybe tell her to get out, but he didn't. He didn't say or do any of those things. Instead he was calm and it broke her heart. Not that he was calm but that he thought she had been ashamed of him because that was so far from the truth but how could he have known that? It just hit her in a wave and she didn't cry but she could feel tears welling up, all the same. Biting the inside of her cheek, she stopped those tears from falling. "I was never ashamed of you, Jake. I wanted you with me at every event and in every photo, every video but my parents they just, they didn't approve and I can't.... I can't disappoint them." She wiped at her cheeks where a tear had managed to escape. "I thought you just... didn't want me anymore. I didn't know I was hurting you. I'm sorry." It wasn't everyday Bree apologized, but she meant it.

JAKE furrowed his brows when he noticed Bree soften at his words, and while it hadn't been his intention, he was at least glad that she was receptive to what he had to say. Arguing and snapping at one another wasn't gonna get anything accomplished, and he noticed the way she was fighting back tears and could only nod along as she spoke. He had heard all of this before and while he did appreciate it, it wasn't gonna magically change anything either. "I know you can't disappoint them, which is why you disappoint yourself and the other people you care about instead." He pointed out, reaching a hand out and placing it on Bree's thigh, giving it a small squeeze. "Baby girl, there was never a moment when I didn't want you. I always did — I still do." He admitted before he was leaning in closer to his ex. "Look, I get that we weren't perfect, and that I made shit worse, but Bree, you can't think that I fucked up because I didn't want you. I fucking love you."

BREE had been holding it together pretty well considering how she actually felt. Neither one of them was the best when it came to just saying what they felt, but it was a particularly rare occurrence for Jake, who, for the most part, came off as a rather unserious man. But the tone of his voice, the way he was looking at her, she knew he meant every word he said and it was getting harder and harder to not just let every single wall down for him. To not just melt into him and let him hold her together. It would be so easy, it was always so easy with Jake. Then her brain processed exactly what he had just said and she felt her heart stop as she looked at him. Really analyzed his features, replayed the words in her head. He had never said that to her, I mean she thought - she hoped but he had never said it. God he was so close and he smelled good and he loved her. He fucking loved her. Leaning forward she closed the distance between them and did exactly what she said she wouldn't do again and kissed him. Before she knew it she was straddling him and her breathing was heavy when she finally pulled away. Her arms around his neck, she put her hands on his chest to give them some distance. "You've never said that to me. Why'd you say it now?"

JAKE hadn't meant to say it, not at all, but he also wasn't able to hold himself back with Bree. She knew him too well, even when he hadn't wanted her to, so there was no lying to her, and he'd hidden his true feelings for a while. Not intentionally, but it kinda took him a while to even accept it, and by then, he'd already fucked up and lost her — or so he'd thought anyways. He noticed her leaning in and he didn't move, deciding to let her make the moves here, though he still managed to inhale a small breath as she kissed him. His hands immediately went to her waist the second she was straddling him, and the heavy breathing only left him desperate for more. He was sure that his face showed just how disappointed he was that they'd needed air and had to pull apart. As soon as Bree asked the question, he was sure that he died a little on the inside yet again. "By the time I realized that's what I felt for you, it was too late. And it's not like you talk to me much aside from yelling at me and telling me to fuck off, or trying to make me jealous with that white boy, so I couldn't just tell you any other time." Jake sighed. "And I ain't say it now 'cause I want it to fix shit and we get back together right at this moment. I just needed you to know how I felt."

BREE lightly smacked his shoulder after his comment about Shep, but didn't comment, deciding to let him finish answering her question. Leaning in again, she planted a quick kiss on his lips. "In my defense, you're a very aggrivating person." She said playfully putting a hand around his neck before kissing him again. "And I'm not trying to do anything. I've told you, we're just friends." Again she kissed him and it was a dangerous game she was playing here. This was not a good position for her to let herself get into with her ex. Her ex who is an ex for a reason, it's just in this moment, she doesn't care why, because he loves her and she loves him. "I -" Uh oh, she wanted to say it back but when she tried the words just wouldn't come out. Instead, she just looked at him and contemplated hooking up and hoping he could just tell, but that was definitely not the right move. Or she could get off of him and leave because she never should have been here in the first place but that was also a hell no. "So now what?" She asked, opting to just hope it went unnoticed.

JAKE smiled as Bree kept planting quick kisses on his lips, deciding to just let her have her way...for now. "I only aggravate you because you want me." He teased, though they both knew it was true. It was also why she kept insisting that nothing was happening with Shep yet any time they were talking shit, she'd made a point to try and talk the dude up as if he were hitting it at all. "At one point you said he was tapping my ass, so which is it?" He asked, raising a brow as she eyed her. Not that it mattered either way, since she'd proven that even while intoxicated, Bree came to him, not to her little fake boyfriend. Staring at his girl's face, he could see the internal struggle going on between her mind and her mouth, and he just nodded. "I know, baby girl." Maybe he should have just challenged her to say it, but he wasn't in the mood now, and he figured she'd get there was she was ready. Moving his hands to her ass, he squeezed it firmly as he shrugged. "Any other time, I'd whip my dick out and tell you to strip and sit on it, but my niece is just one room away." Jake groaned. "But you can stay right here, and we can talk about the wedding your parents are gonna pay for in a few years. I'm sure you're gonna want something over the top, but I want an open bar, chicken sliders, maybe some fireworks, and Kendrick Lamar has to perform at the reception."

BREE wawnted to disagree and say he aggrevates her being he's annoying but it was be a lie he'd see through immediately, so what was the point? Besides, he'd just admitted to loving her and that earned him at least ten minutes of nice Bree time. "I just think there's a lot of tension between you two that could be alleviated by hooking up and if I'm there as a witness then it's a win/win." While her feelings for Shep might be what the public thinks they are, she does find herself attracted to that charming smile and southern twang. She wouldn't be mad at seeing two good looking men make out. Giving Jake a genuine smile as he let her off the hook for the whole, I love you, she felt her love for him grown. He understood her in a way no one else did and loved her anyway. It made her feel seen. Unable to hold back the giggle as he grabbed her ass and she scrunched her nose at his vulgarness and then before she even had time to say anything about it, he had her smiling again just to have her rolling her eyes two seconds later. "It's out wedding, not a Wendy's we're not doing chicken sliders. And I want Beyonce singing Halo as our first dance song, so if I can manage that then I can definitely get you Kendrick." Sighing as she snuggled into him, adjusting herself so she was sitting on his lap more comfortably. "But that's not what I mean, I mean what about us now?"

JAKE furrowed his brow's at Bree's suggestion, and he was sure she'd fallen and bumped her fucking head. "Is he gay? Cause I ain't, but even if I were gonna let some dude suck me off, it wouldn't be him." He huffed, and he couldn't even believe that Bree would suggest such an atrocious idea, yet of course she wanted to see it. "And you're one to talk. I see women flirting with you too, so why don't you bring one back to my place some time and give daddy a little show?" He suggested, and he was mostly just saying it to get back at her, but he wouldn't turn it down if she wanted to follow through. With the way she'd reacted the last time he'd mentioned their future wedding, he was at least glad to see that she could joke about it now, even if he fully meant that they were getting married in the future. "Listen, I don't want some fancy ass caviar or whatever you rich people eat, okay? It's my day too so I think we have to mix your bougie tastes with my...affordable ones. And sadly, I don't think Beyonce is taking wedding performance gigs unless you know her personally, which we don't." Jake pointed out. Locking his arms around her tighter, he didn't really have to think about her question before he was sighing softly. "As much as we both want this, I can't do the whole dating thing again until you're ready to stand up to your parents. It's not fair to either of us, and honestly, I just can't do that shit again."

BREE raised an eyebrow at Jake's protests and she wouldn't say it, but again she thinks both of them protest a little too much for there to be no tension at all but that could just be the smutty book reader in her. Rolling her eyes at his suggestion, she didn't even want to respond. "Because daddy hasn't earned a show." Which of course implied that he could, which maybe if they were 100% more stable in their situation she would maybe, possibly consider it. The use of 'we' was not lost on her and her heart kind of melted at the idea of them being a we again. "There's time, I could meet her and she could love me and be honored to sing Halo for us." Okay, so she wasn't actually delsional, as much pull as her parents had she doubted even they could make that happen, but truthfully so long as she's marrying the love of her life she doen't care. That's not true, she's going to be a bridezilla. She'll be lucky if she doesn't get left before the big day. Nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck as he spoke, she didn't love what he was saying but she understood. "And I don't trust you not to hurt me like that again and getting back into a relationship with you knowing that, wouldn't be fair to either of us either." Nervously biting on her bottom lip, she stopped and looked at him again. "So are we just.... friends?"

JAKE rolled his eyes right back when Bree didn't immediately agree with his suggestion, because of course she wouldn't. That would be too easy and Bree Brown didn't do anything easy. "But what I heard is that the option could potentially be on the table? Good to know." He nodded, figuring that was a little payback of his own. But they weren't in a place for a threesome regardless, so he wasn't going to dwell on it too much. he let her ramble off about Beyonce and just nodded in support of her delusion, knowing damn well that Beyonce would never make an exception for them, no matter what connections the Browns had. But they had years to pick out what they wanted for their wedding. Sighing when Bree mentioned him hurting her, he did agree there, and they weren't going to get any better without fixing their issues, so Jake was willing to be mature for once. "We're more than friends.." He hummed, squeezing her ass as he met her gaze. "It doesn't matter what we label this. We both know what we want, we just have some work to do so for...we're exes who are figuring things out." That probably sounded just as messy as their situation was, but he didn't care. "Let's just take this one day at a time?"

BREE would pout and maybe she did a little bit, but at least for now, they both knew a threesome was definitely not a good idea. There is no way she'd have fun in a threesome with Jake. Listening to her ex try and describe what they were to each other now, was slightly painful for her. It was just too loosey goosey, not enough certainties or boundaries. A part of her wanted to just make this a clean break like she had attempted in the first place, but well, we see how successful that was the first time. So, maybe there was a middle ground between cutting him off completely and sitting in his lap talking about their future wedding. "You know I'm not a take it one day at a time kind of girl, Jacob. I need clarity. So for the sake of clarity can we agree that we are not in a relationship. And even if we still have feelings for each other, we are free to date and sleep with who we like but maybe we just don't talk to each other about it."

JAKE being left to define or label what they were now was dangerous, given that he'd been the one to ruin an already fractured relationship anyways, and he could tell from Bree's body language that his words weren't what she was looking for. Not that it mattered much since the alternatives weren't great either, but he was open to other suggestions. Or he was until Bree tossed out an alternative he had at the bottom of the list, for obvious reasons. "Are you sure about this? "Cause you're the one who's always chewing me out about sleeping with other women, even when it's been weeks and the only person I've had sex with has been you." He hummed, though he was sure he'd probably get chewed out for that too. "And that's not really clarity. We just keep doing what we've been doing, but fucking other people too? And what if feelings for other people get involved too? We just..carry on?"

BREE was aware that her grilling Jake on his sexual exploits had less to do with her thinking he was out there fucking whoever, whenever and more of a projection because she was the one having sex with other people. She was also aware that her not wanting them to discuss who else they're sleeping with was because she didn't want him to know that she was out here fucking other people. Especially, Shep. For some reason, he specifically got under Jake's skin and she simply refused to believe that had anything to do with her. However, he was right. It wasn't really clarity, it was her way of getting everything she wanted. It was selfish but she also wasn't entirely sure what the solution was. "We're not together anymore. We're not getting back together. Isn't it normal that we see other people?" Truthfully, she had felt somewhat guilty the past few weeks and maybe she was looking to be absolved of that guilt. "We should stop this." She motioned between herself and her ex. "No more sex, no more flirting, no more making out, no more intimate moments. A real break up."

JAKE was slightly expecting them to work out some sort of condition that worked out well for them both, so his mouth went dry when Bree started talking and implied that they were completely over. Sure, she'd said this same stuff before, yet this felt different. The whiplash he was getting from her shifting from one decision to the next was even too much for him now. "Are you serious?" He huffed before he gripped her waist tighter and moved her off of his lap. "Fuck it, we're done." He decided as he stood up. "You can see yourself out. I'm sure Shep is probably waiting by the phone for you to call anyways, so have fun with that, and don't fucking show up at my place the next time you're drunk and horny for something other than a mediocre stroke game. You keep your distance, and I'll keep mine." Jake stated as he started to head for Maya's bedroom. "I'll tell my niece you said goodbye, now get out."

BREE kind of saw this coming. Eventually, maybe not tonight but at some point she was going to piss him off enough that's he'd be over it. She'd been punishing him since she found out he cheated. Felt entitled to do and say what she wanted to him to try and hurt him the way he hurt her. While she hadn't expected to manage that tonight, she did and unsurprisingly, it didn't feel good. Could she have tried talking to him, sure but if she had hurt him even a fraction as much as he hurt her then it would be pointless and likely just piss him off more. So she gathered what she had brought over, left her birthday gift for Puck on the table and pulled every ounce of strength she had not to turn around and beg. Once he was outside she felt a tear run down her cheek. And then another. And another. Already, she missed him and she wished she had been able yo say the words. To tell him she loved him. Just so he would know. But she hadn't and now she might never get to.

[blckbarbree]

the way that we movin' is reckless, baby || BRAKE

tagging: Jake Puckerman ( @puckjake ) & Bree Brown

date & time: August 9, 2024

location: Puck's Place

warnings: jake being a drama queen and bree not communicating effectively

summary: What started off as a much needed conversation about the breakdown of their relationship turns into something that feels very final.

BREE never thought she'd be spending the night with Jake where the main objective wasn't sex. At least, not since they broke up. Even though they hadn't been alone alone, this still felt intimate. Being apart of his time with his niece, like she was family too. Between this and Jake going around implying he wants to marry her, Bree felt a surge of affection, of love, for her ex, and it made her furious and hopeful. It was confusing and as she sat on the couch, she waited for Jake to come back with some water for her. Maybe she was just dehydrated and that's why her brain was short circuiting every time she looked at him. As he walked back in, she smiled and took the water. "Don't get any ideas. We are not hooking up with your niece in the house." She said swinging her legs over his andbgetting comfortable.

JAKE was killing two birds with one stone here with Maya and Bree, which was kind of a relief. Defending himself lately and trying to convince his ex that he hadn't been doing anything other than hanging out with Puck and Maya was much easier now that the chatty teen could co-sign his story, and show Bree the embarrassing TikToks they'd made before deciding she needed to go talk to her friends. Grabbing Bree's water, Jake handed it over and flopped back down. "Babe, I wasn't gonna make a move while baby Puckerman is in the house. Give me some credit. I'm actually a great uncle." He laughed. "And besides, those texts the other day seemed...like you needed us to talk some shit out anyways."

BREE laughed as her ex praised himself for being a good Uncle. She wasn't going to bring up the fact that he'd only been one for a few weeks because seeing him and Maya together, she could tell he was actually having fun having a family. Plus, she had to agree, he was a pretty good uncle. Drinking some of the water she figured if he was gonna open the door for an actual conversation then she'd give it a try. Looking at him, she found herself moving into him a little more, bending her legs so she could scoot in a bit more. "I know we weren't..." A pause. "That I wasn't perfect but-" she just needed to ask it for fuck sake. "I didn't let you explain and so I've spent the last couple of months assuming the worst and I just need to know why you cheated on me. Even if it hurts to hear."

JAKE hated doing the whole talking thing when feelings and shit were involved, which he was sure he'd gotten from his mom and Gabe, but it had been almost four months since their break up and he decided that she deserved the truth — even if he wasn't fully ready to get into that whole thing. As soon as she started speaking, he sighed as he gently ran a hand along her thighs. "Neither one of us were perfect, but that's not what we expected anyways." He pointed out before exhaling a deep breath. "Being your secret, or on campus only, boyfriend was kind of fucked up. I ain't using that as an excuse, but being this boyfriend you couldn't post about, take around your folks, tell anyone who wasn't at PSU about wasn't easy to deal with. Especially when I had to see you out at your little events and shit with other lil' content dudes. I sucked that shit up as best as I could, but then it just started bothering me more and...I went to a party that one night, met some girl who didn't mind posting me on her Snap and shit, and I just let things go too far. Wasn't 'cause I didn't want you, but it was just nice to be with somebody who wasn't afraid to be seen with me like that."

BREE liked to think of herself as a rational and mature person. Generally, when people spoke she listened and processed to the best of her ability, asked clarifying questions if needed and nothing had to get out of hand. Unless, of course, her feeling were involved, in which case she was pretty damn immature about things and struggled to see different perspectives and actually listen to what's being said. Which is definitely why when Jake spoke, instead of hearing him she was just thinking of a retort. "So it's my fault? You knew what it was going to be when we got together, if that wasn't going to work for you, then you shouldn't have been with me." She was riling herselfup and she pulled awway from him a bit. "And you could've come to me, could have talked to me instead of 'sucking it up' and fucking the first bitch who posted you on her snapchat." She said, her voice slightly raised because she was still upset about all of this, more so than she thought.

JAKE had expected this sort of reaction from Bree, which was why it had taken him so long to get into this before. He knew the kind of pressure she was under to live up to her parents' bullshit wants for her, and he had known what he was getting himself into here yet he had still gone into this because he'd wanted her. He still wanted her, that hadn't changed obviously, but he was at least able to think about it more rationally than his ex. "I didn't say it was your fault, Bree." He pointed out, deciding to stay calm since them both getting worked up wasn't gonna help. "I know you, and I've heard you every single time you've complained about having to do whatever your parents want you to do. I know you're under a lot of pressure to be this perfect daughter that they want you to be, so that's why I didn't say shit. You had enough on your plate already so I didn't want to add to it." Jake shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "I fucked up, okay? It's not like I even wanted that girl, I just...I needed somebody to want me and to not be ashamed of being with me, even for just an hour or two. It was wrong, and I am sorry."

BREE was ready for things to escalate. That is what she had been prepared for. For him to say it was her fault and that she wasn't enough for him or that he got bored or he just didn't care. That he hadn't loved her or wanted her and most of all she expected him to get angry, maybe tell her to get out, but he didn't. He didn't say or do any of those things. Instead he was calm and it broke her heart. Not that he was calm but that he thought she had been ashamed of him because that was so far from the truth but how could he have known that? It just hit her in a wave and she didn't cry but she could feel tears welling up, all the same. Biting the inside of her cheek, she stopped those tears from falling. "I was never ashamed of you, Jake. I wanted you with me at every event and in every photo, every video but my parents they just, they didn't approve and I can't.... I can't disappoint them." She wiped at her cheeks where a tear had managed to escape. "I thought you just... didn't want me anymore. I didn't know I was hurting you. I'm sorry." It wasn't everyday Bree apologized, but she meant it.

JAKE furrowed his brows when he noticed Bree soften at his words, and while it hadn't been his intention, he was at least glad that she was receptive to what he had to say. Arguing and snapping at one another wasn't gonna get anything accomplished, and he noticed the way she was fighting back tears and could only nod along as she spoke. He had heard all of this before and while he did appreciate it, it wasn't gonna magically change anything either. "I know you can't disappoint them, which is why you disappoint yourself and the other people you care about instead." He pointed out, reaching a hand out and placing it on Bree's thigh, giving it a small squeeze. "Baby girl, there was never a moment when I didn't want you. I always did — I still do." He admitted before he was leaning in closer to his ex. "Look, I get that we weren't perfect, and that I made shit worse, but Bree, you can't think that I fucked up because I didn't want you. I fucking love you."

BREE had been holding it together pretty well considering how she actually felt. Neither one of them was the best when it came to just saying what they felt, but it was a particularly rare occurrence for Jake, who, for the most part, came off as a rather unserious man. But the tone of his voice, the way he was looking at her, she knew he meant every word he said and it was getting harder and harder to not just let every single wall down for him. To not just melt into him and let him hold her together. It would be so easy, it was always so easy with Jake. Then her brain processed exactly what he had just said and she felt her heart stop as she looked at him. Really analyzed his features, replayed the words in her head. He had never said that to her, I mean she thought - she hoped but he had never said it. God he was so close and he smelled good and he loved her. He fucking loved her. Leaning forward she closed the distance between them and did exactly what she said she wouldn't do again and kissed him. Before she knew it she was straddling him and her breathing was heavy when she finally pulled away. Her arms around his neck, she put her hands on his chest to give them some distance. "You've never said that to me. Why'd you say it now?"

JAKE hadn't meant to say it, not at all, but he also wasn't able to hold himself back with Bree. She knew him too well, even when he hadn't wanted her to, so there was no lying to her, and he'd hidden his true feelings for a while. Not intentionally, but it kinda took him a while to even accept it, and by then, he'd already fucked up and lost her — or so he'd thought anyways. He noticed her leaning in and he didn't move, deciding to let her make the moves here, though he still managed to inhale a small breath as she kissed him. His hands immediately went to her waist the second she was straddling him, and the heavy breathing only left him desperate for more. He was sure that his face showed just how disappointed he was that they'd needed air and had to pull apart. As soon as Bree asked the question, he was sure that he died a little on the inside yet again. "By the time I realized that's what I felt for you, it was too late. And it's not like you talk to me much aside from yelling at me and telling me to fuck off, or trying to make me jealous with that white boy, so I couldn't just tell you any other time." Jake sighed. "And I ain't say it now 'cause I want it to fix shit and we get back together right at this moment. I just needed you to know how I felt."

BREE lightly smacked his shoulder after his comment about Shep, but didn't comment, deciding to let him finish answering her question. Leaning in again, she planted a quick kiss on his lips. "In my defense, you're a very aggrivating person." She said playfully putting a hand around his neck before kissing him again. "And I'm not trying to do anything. I've told you, we're just friends." Again she kissed him and it was a dangerous game she was playing here. This was not a good position for her to let herself get into with her ex. Her ex who is an ex for a reason, it's just in this moment, she doesn't care why, because he loves her and she loves him. "I -" Uh oh, she wanted to say it back but when she tried the words just wouldn't come out. Instead, she just looked at him and contemplated hooking up and hoping he could just tell, but that was definitely not the right move. Or she could get off of him and leave because she never should have been here in the first place but that was also a hell no. "So now what?" She asked, opting to just hope it went unnoticed.

JAKE smiled as Bree kept planting quick kisses on his lips, deciding to just let her have her way...for now. "I only aggravate you because you want me." He teased, though they both knew it was true. It was also why she kept insisting that nothing was happening with Shep yet any time they were talking shit, she'd made a point to try and talk the dude up as if he were hitting it at all. "At one point you said he was tapping my ass, so which is it?" He asked, raising a brow as she eyed her. Not that it mattered either way, since she'd proven that even while intoxicated, Bree came to him, not to her little fake boyfriend. Staring at his girl's face, he could see the internal struggle going on between her mind and her mouth, and he just nodded. "I know, baby girl." Maybe he should have just challenged her to say it, but he wasn't in the mood now, and he figured she'd get there was she was ready. Moving his hands to her ass, he squeezed it firmly as he shrugged. "Any other time, I'd whip my dick out and tell you to strip and sit on it, but my niece is just one room away." Jake groaned. "But you can stay right here, and we can talk about the wedding your parents are gonna pay for in a few years. I'm sure you're gonna want something over the top, but I want an open bar, chicken sliders, maybe some fireworks, and Kendrick Lamar has to perform at the reception."

BREE wawnted to disagree and say he aggrevates her being he's annoying but it was be a lie he'd see through immediately, so what was the point? Besides, he'd just admitted to loving her and that earned him at least ten minutes of nice Bree time. "I just think there's a lot of tension between you two that could be alleviated by hooking up and if I'm there as a witness then it's a win/win." While her feelings for Shep might be what the public thinks they are, she does find herself attracted to that charming smile and southern twang. She wouldn't be mad at seeing two good looking men make out. Giving Jake a genuine smile as he let her off the hook for the whole, I love you, she felt her love for him grown. He understood her in a way no one else did and loved her anyway. It made her feel seen. Unable to hold back the giggle as he grabbed her ass and she scrunched her nose at his vulgarness and then before she even had time to say anything about it, he had her smiling again just to have her rolling her eyes two seconds later. "It's out wedding, not a Wendy's we're not doing chicken sliders. And I want Beyonce singing Halo as our first dance song, so if I can manage that then I can definitely get you Kendrick." Sighing as she snuggled into him, adjusting herself so she was sitting on his lap more comfortably. "But that's not what I mean, I mean what about us now?"

JAKE furrowed his brow's at Bree's suggestion, and he was sure she'd fallen and bumped her fucking head. "Is he gay? Cause I ain't, but even if I were gonna let some dude suck me off, it wouldn't be him." He huffed, and he couldn't even believe that Bree would suggest such an atrocious idea, yet of course she wanted to see it. "And you're one to talk. I see women flirting with you too, so why don't you bring one back to my place some time and give daddy a little show?" He suggested, and he was mostly just saying it to get back at her, but he wouldn't turn it down if she wanted to follow through. With the way she'd reacted the last time he'd mentioned their future wedding, he was at least glad to see that she could joke about it now, even if he fully meant that they were getting married in the future. "Listen, I don't want some fancy ass caviar or whatever you rich people eat, okay? It's my day too so I think we have to mix your bougie tastes with my...affordable ones. And sadly, I don't think Beyonce is taking wedding performance gigs unless you know her personally, which we don't." Jake pointed out. Locking his arms around her tighter, he didn't really have to think about her question before he was sighing softly. "As much as we both want this, I can't do the whole dating thing again until you're ready to stand up to your parents. It's not fair to either of us, and honestly, I just can't do that shit again."

BREE raised an eyebrow at Jake's protests and she wouldn't say it, but again she thinks both of them protest a little too much for there to be no tension at all but that could just be the smutty book reader in her. Rolling her eyes at his suggestion, she didn't even want to respond. "Because daddy hasn't earned a show." Which of course implied that he could, which maybe if they were 100% more stable in their situation she would maybe, possibly consider it. The use of 'we' was not lost on her and her heart kind of melted at the idea of them being a we again. "There's time, I could meet her and she could love me and be honored to sing Halo for us." Okay, so she wasn't actually delsional, as much pull as her parents had she doubted even they could make that happen, but truthfully so long as she's marrying the love of her life she doen't care. That's not true, she's going to be a bridezilla. She'll be lucky if she doesn't get left before the big day. Nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck as he spoke, she didn't love what he was saying but she understood. "And I don't trust you not to hurt me like that again and getting back into a relationship with you knowing that, wouldn't be fair to either of us either." Nervously biting on her bottom lip, she stopped and looked at him again. "So are we just.... friends?"

JAKE rolled his eyes right back when Bree didn't immediately agree with his suggestion, because of course she wouldn't. That would be too easy and Bree Brown didn't do anything easy. "But what I heard is that the option could potentially be on the table? Good to know." He nodded, figuring that was a little payback of his own. But they weren't in a place for a threesome regardless, so he wasn't going to dwell on it too much. he let her ramble off about Beyonce and just nodded in support of her delusion, knowing damn well that Beyonce would never make an exception for them, no matter what connections the Browns had. But they had years to pick out what they wanted for their wedding. Sighing when Bree mentioned him hurting her, he did agree there, and they weren't going to get any better without fixing their issues, so Jake was willing to be mature for once. "We're more than friends.." He hummed, squeezing her ass as he met her gaze. "It doesn't matter what we label this. We both know what we want, we just have some work to do so for...we're exes who are figuring things out." That probably sounded just as messy as their situation was, but he didn't care. "Let's just take this one day at a time?"

BREE would pout and maybe she did a little bit, but at least for now, they both knew a threesome was definitely not a good idea. There is no way she'd have fun in a threesome with Jake. Listening to her ex try and describe what they were to each other now, was slightly painful for her. It was just too loosey goosey, not enough certainties or boundaries. A part of her wanted to just make this a clean break like she had attempted in the first place, but well, we see how successful that was the first time. So, maybe there was a middle ground between cutting him off completely and sitting in his lap talking about their future wedding. "You know I'm not a take it one day at a time kind of girl, Jacob. I need clarity. So for the sake of clarity can we agree that we are not in a relationship. And even if we still have feelings for each other, we are free to date and sleep with who we like but maybe we just don't talk to each other about it."

JAKE being left to define or label what they were now was dangerous, given that he'd been the one to ruin an already fractured relationship anyways, and he could tell from Bree's body language that his words weren't what she was looking for. Not that it mattered much since the alternatives weren't great either, but he was open to other suggestions. Or he was until Bree tossed out an alternative he had at the bottom of the list, for obvious reasons. "Are you sure about this? "Cause you're the one who's always chewing me out about sleeping with other women, even when it's been weeks and the only person I've had sex with has been you." He hummed, though he was sure he'd probably get chewed out for that too. "And that's not really clarity. We just keep doing what we've been doing, but fucking other people too? And what if feelings for other people get involved too? We just..carry on?"

BREE was aware that her grilling Jake on his sexual exploits had less to do with her thinking he was out there fucking whoever, whenever and more of a projection because she was the one having sex with other people. She was also aware that her not wanting them to discuss who else they're sleeping with was because she didn't want him to know that she was out here fucking other people. Especially, Shep. For some reason, he specifically got under Jake's skin and she simply refused to believe that had anything to do with her. However, he was right. It wasn't really clarity, it was her way of getting everything she wanted. It was selfish but she also wasn't entirely sure what the solution was. "We're not together anymore. We're not getting back together. Isn't it normal that we see other people?" Truthfully, she had felt somewhat guilty the past few weeks and maybe she was looking to be absolved of that guilt. "We should stop this." She motioned between herself and her ex. "No more sex, no more flirting, no more making out, no more intimate moments. A real break up."

JAKE was slightly expecting them to work out some sort of condition that worked out well for them both, so his mouth went dry when Bree started talking and implied that they were completely over. Sure, she'd said this same stuff before, yet this felt different. The whiplash he was getting from her shifting from one decision to the next was even too much for him now. "Are you serious?" He huffed before he gripped her waist tighter and moved her off of his lap. "Fuck it, we're done." He decided as he stood up. "You can see yourself out. I'm sure Shep is probably waiting by the phone for you to call anyways, so have fun with that, and don't fucking show up at my place the next time you're drunk and horny for something other than a mediocre stroke game. You keep your distance, and I'll keep mine." Jake stated as he started to head for Maya's bedroom. "I'll tell my niece you said goodbye, now get out."

BREE kind of saw this coming. Eventually, maybe not tonight but at some point she was going to piss him off enough that's he'd be over it. She'd been punishing him since she found out he cheated. Felt entitled to do and say what she wanted to him to try and hurt him the way he hurt her. While she hadn't expected to manage that tonight, she did and unsurprisingly, it didn't feel good. Could she have tried talking to him, sure but if she had hurt him even a fraction as much as he hurt her then it would be pointless and likely just piss him off more. So she gathered what she had brought over, left her birthday gift for Puck on the table and pulled every ounce of strength she had not to turn around and beg. Once he was outside she felt a tear run down her cheek. And then another. And another. Already, she missed him and she wished she had been able yo say the words. To tell him she loved him. Just so he would know. But she hadn't and now she might never get to.

[kazewhara]

# — pairing: modern!xiao x gn!reader

# — characters: gender neutral reader, xiao, xinyan

# — warnings: suggestive content. (minors, beware.) swearing.

# — tags: suggestive content, modern au, pining, first kisses, smart ass reader,

# — notes: this was completely unplanned, like idk what happened, but it ended up becoming formatted (barely)... anyways, as always, reblogs are appreciated and i hope you enjoy!

✧ — 🍃 — ✧

xiao is somehow a magnet for tense situations

more often than not it's violence related. it's been that way since high school

he didn't ever do anything to initiate fights, but he certainly didn't run from them easier

usually, if someone tries to pick a fight with xiao, he'll just stare them down and ask:

"are you going to hit me?"

maybe... seven times out of ten, that works in de-escalating a situation. his fearlessness is unsettling to those who are just peacocking for no reason

but to those who aren't easily intimidated, that riles them up and they throw the first punch

xiao is no pushover -- "mama-ain't-raise-no-bitch" style.

he'll fight anyone who comes at him sideways, even if you tell him to leave it alone

but if they came at him the wrong way, why should he just let that slide?

all of this to say that you've had to patch xiao up a LOT over the years, even in college.

including tonight.

you two were attending a party thrown by campus superstar xinyan

it was a little rowdy because her music was high energy, but it was good vibes all around, everyone was having a good time

...until xiao accidentally bumped into someone and spilled their drink

he apologized right away, but this person was one of those "do you know how much this cost?!" types

xiao, who is not going to stand for any of that, immediately digs his heels in

you weren't there to witness it unfortunately... you only found out about the fight after xiao had knocked the person out, but not without injuries of his own

xiao finds you pretty easily in the mass of people and you panic when you see his nose bleeding

xinyan points you to a room and tells you where the first aid kit is, and you drag a very unwilling and unhappy xiao to a room to patch him up.

"seriously, you couldn't have kept your hands to yourself for one fucking night, xiao?!" you scold your best friend harshly as you inspect his bruised face. it's not terrible, but whoever hit him must have been wearing rings, because there's scratches in quite a few places. they got him pretty good.

xiao glares down at you. he's never liked being yelled at, especially when he felt he was in tbe right. "they hit me first." his brows twitch when you grab his hands roughly and start to clean his split knuckles. "you know i don't just fight people for no reason, so shut it."

you tsk and dab some antiseptic on the wounds. "you're so fucking annoying." you curse. "for once, xiao -- just once -- you could've just left it alone. if they didn't back down, then you should've got help." you squeeze his hand and curse quietly. "you could've called me."

xiao doesn't say anything. you seem to be pissed not only at the fact that he got into another fight, but also at the fact that you weren't there to help him.

you were never around when xiao got into fights. ever. he made sure of that. you always saw the aftermath -- the suspensions, the detentions, the nosebleeds, and so on, but not once have you ever seen him in action. call it cliché, but he didn't want you to see him like that.

part of that was because he wanted to maintain some shred of dignity. he never escapes a fight unscathed; he doesn't want you to see him getting hit. but the other part -- the biggest part -- was because he doesn't want you to be afraid of him.

there's no use in hiding the fact that he's a fighter, but one of xiao's biggest fears is that you will see him fighting and never let him touch you ever again. it's a selfish, dirty fear and he knows it -- especially since he can't exactly touch you the way he really wants to -- but he doesn't want to lose what he's already got.

"i never call you before a fight." xiao grumbles. "now seriously, knock it off."

you scoff. "fine." you finish bandaging his fingers and grab his face roughly, relishing in the pained grunt you get in response. "don't bitch about it now. you got yourself into this mess, so you gotta deal with the consequences."

"that doesn't mean you have to slap me." xiao pulls one of your hands off of his face with a roll of his eyes. "can you just shut up and clean my face?"

"why, so you can go back down there and get your ass handed to you again?" you taunt as you place a bandage on his jaw. xiao squints at you threateningly. you know he never loses a fight and you know how much he values his pride. you may be his best friend, but you really know how to push his buttons.

xiao tries to think of a way to retort without sounding like a five year old. "no, so i can go home." he seethes. "you can stay here alone for all i care."

you hum, unbothered. you don't even give him a response, you just clean his face with deft fingers. you may have gotten used to administering first aid, but xiao's never gotten used to the proximity necessary for it. he hates the way his heart jumps to his throat when you tilt his head to the side, carefully inspecting him for anything you may have missed. there are times when he wishes you could be this close and not have to scold him for fighting someone.

there are times when he wishes he could just... hold you.

not to say that he can't, because he already does. you two have been friends for over ten years -- you've been tangled together for such a long time that being close to you really shouldn't be the worst of his problems. but it is, and xiao thinks less of himself for it. he's become greedy over the years.

"christ, are you even listening?" your voice fades in suddenly and xiao opens his eyes. he didn't even realize he'd closed them.

"what?"

"i said i'm done. go get yourself an uber and go rest, loser." you sigh as you pack the stuff away. "pain in my ass for ten years." you grumble.

xiao raises a brow at you. "are you going to say that to my face?"

"what, you think i won't?" you glare up at him. "i said, you're a pain in my ass." you reach up to flick your best friend's forehead but he catches your wrist and squeezes it.

"don't even think about it." he warns.

"you gonna fight me if i do?"

"you're going to lose." xiao scans your face closely, not liking the way your mischievous grin starts to grow. "i'm serious."

you must not take him seriously, because you use your other hand to flick his forehead with all your strength anyways. xiao's first instinct is to grab your other wrist, but as soon as you try to pull yourself back out of his grip, you pull too hard and topple backwards, taking xiao with you.

the first thing that crosses xiao's mind is that he's definitely seen something like this in those corny movies you like to watch.

you two are in a compromising position, with him hovering over you, pinning your wrists to the bed. it's not the first time you've been in a position like this, but something’s... off. xiao's already been battling with himself for the past fifteen minutes about this exact type of situation; being thrust directly into it does very little to help his conscience.

to make matters worse, you're not saying anything. you're just... staring at him. almost like you were expecting something. xiao has to force the next words out of his mouth.

"i told you," he says lowly, his voice foreign to his own ears, "you're going to lose."

you shudder almost imperceptibly beneath him, but he catches it. you wriggle your fingers, but still make no move to get out of his grasp. "and what happens if i lose, xiao?"

this is very, very dangerous territory. xiao doesn't know how you two got here, but you needed to get out of it fast before you did something you were going to regret.

he knows that this isn't safe, but he doesn't budge. he can't. greed locks him in place as he drinks in how vulnerable you are like this. you're completely helpless and yet you're not making any moves to fix it. xiao swallows tightly.

it wouldn't hurt to take just a little more... would it?

"do you really want to find out?" xiao can't stop his eyes from dropping to your lips. they're back on your eyes in a second, but he knows you saw that. his stomach flips when he sees you do the same. "losers tend to get hurt."

he tries his best to scare you, to get you to stop. because if you let him take any more, he doesn't think he'll be able to.

there's a slight curl to your lips that's between a smirk and a fond smile. "you won't hurt me, xiao."

xiao's not religious, but he starts to say a prayer in his head. "how can you be so sure of that?"

"i know you won't." again, your eyes drop to his lips. your brows furrow as though you're about to say something but you think against it. you smile invitingly instead. "we've been friends for years, xiao. i know you're thinking what i'm thinking."

you really weren't making this essy on him. the tips of his ears burn at your call-out. there's no hiding anything from you, really. granted, he's been hiding his feelings for you for almost six years, but you were really perceptive when you wanted to be. he just hates that you choose now of all times to notice when he wants you; his ears burn hotter when he wonders if you know just how much.

"if you want the truth, i'm really hoping we're not on the same page right now." he confesses. when you frown at him, he sighs. "what happens after that, then? if we really are thinking the same thing."

you roll your eyes and xiao starts to see the beginnings of a blush forming on your face. "there is no fucking way you made me pull some cheesy romance drama shit just for you to consider the pros and cons of making out with me."

"huh?"

"oh my god, you're so dense." you notice that xiao's grip has loosened on your wrists, so you free one of your hands and pull your best friend closer to your face, chuckling at the way his amber eyes blow wide. he stammers your name and you see his face start to turn pink. "do you get what i want you to do now?"

xiao, who was clearly unprepared for this outcome, is at a complete loss for words. it's moments like these when you remember that despite his popularity throughout the years, he's still got very little experience in this area. it's funny though, watching your hard-ass best friend be reduced to a blushing mess as the thought of kissing you.

"stop laughing, oh my god." xiao grumbles. he's not looking at you anymore. "you're so difficult."

"am i the difficult one here? i think i made myself pretty clear." you pause. "but, i mean, if you really don't want to, then i'll stop. i'm sorry, i kinda got carried away."

xiao scoffs at you. "now you apologize? you're such a handful."

"excuse me?"

"shut up." xiao murmurs. he doesn't give you a second to think before he's closing the distance between you two, pressing his lips to yours. it's hesitant and shy, like he's testing to make sure that this is really what you want -- like he is really what you want.

he eases up after a second to say something but you don't let him, tugging him back down into a firmer kiss. that's all the confirmation xiao needs to adjust himself, propping himself up on his forearm and squeezing the wrist he still has in his hand.

"fucking finally," he grumbles into the kiss. you make a mental note to tease him about that later. the second you swipe your tongue against xiao's bottom lip, you know that you two weren't going to be going home for a while, if at all.

xiao nips at your lip and a small noise escapes you against your will, causing him to hold your wrist even tighter. there might be a bruise there at this rate.

you make another mental note to apologize to xinyan in the morning.

✧ this... was not supposed to end up this way LMAOOO but idk i chickened out on the angst last minute bc best friend xiao needs to be boyfriend xiao much much faster okay.