#anyway. maybe if i just rewatch the first one it’ll be fine but big sigh

[vlindervin7]

every day i regret watching the third before sunrise movie bc i hated it SO MUCH and now i just have a hard time finding the characters likeable to begin with

[evak-fic-rec-turtleanon]

Evak Fics - Drunk

For the anon from this ask. I've had this in my drafts for a while. It's not complete.

PLEASE READ THE TAGS OR ANY WARNINGS ON THE FICS FIRST.

***** Both are drunk ***** Drunk Even ***** Drunk Isak ***** Bonus - not actually drunk ***** WIP

***** BOTH ARE DRUNK *****

You're Mine by bluexside (1.6k words) - Isak and Even are drunk at a party. Isak gets jealous when he sees Even flirting with a girl, which leads to a drunk angry, mostly stupid, fight.

"let's not think about what brought us here, yeah?." by bazsucks (3.4k words) - What if Eskild had never found Isak at a gay bar at 2 A.M? What if a handsome stranger with squinty blue eyes did? Not very drunk

not a big deal by Anonymous (4.3k words) - Even stared for a few more seconds, unable to fathom why Julian thought this was a good idea, to hurt Isak’s feelings. And yes, Even was mad at the situation at hand, but he knew he couldn’t do what Isak was asking. Neither of them were in the right mindset to do anything, whether it got anywhere sexual or not. They were both drunk and it would be unfair to both of them. It wasn’t right. He knew that. But Even leaned in and kissed Isak anyway.

Into the Night, With You by cuteandtwisted (11k words) - a drunk Isak runs into a strange boy with perfect hair who insists on fixing his boring summer in one night.

***** DRUNK EVEN *****

i can't kiss you if you drink vodka by hippopotamus (587 words) - even is drunk and clingy and isak kinda sorta loves it

Study Break by sweeterthankarma (1k words) - Jonas-” Isak starts, warning, because Even can send some pretty, well...personal things when he’s drunk and/or high— and of course, he must have done exactly that, because Jonas’s eyebrows immediately shoot up, his expression going from intrigued to amused.

Without you I've got no air to breathe in by bluesterek (4.4k words) - Isak is in love with Even. Even is drunk. Even is flirty when drunk.

***** DRUNK ISAK *****

And He Calls Me Moonlight, too by tiptopevak (263 words) - He’s drunk and stumbly and his lips taste sharp like a lick of blue-raspberry vodka, but he’s soft and safe in Even’s arms.

I'll always be there by evaklark (orphan_account) (532 words) - Isak couldn't help but feel a little lost in this definitely not sober state he was in. From an outsiders point of view, he most likely looked like one of those pervy jerks who jacks off to lesbian porn and then makes fun of gay guys. However, Isak just had a very hot boyfriend who was spending way too much time without him.

S'more Than Enough by i_once_wrote_a_dream (691 words) - “S’mores, s’mores, s’mores!” Isak becomes a petulant child when properly drunk.

Don’t Worry Isak, We’ll Get You A Cute Girl by cami_soul (804 words) - Isak is drunk at a party and the boy squad decides to find him a cute girl to hook up with - only it doesn’t quite turn out as they planned. There is a blindfold, there is kissing, there is sweet gooey fluff.

that boy is mine by orphan_account (1k words) - someone tries to touch Isak while he's drunk at a party and Isak is a bit nervous about Even finding out (mind the trigger warning)

with the fume of sighs by slvtherxn (1.1k words) - Of course he had had invited Even along, but Isak didn’t need to be held back by his tired, sober boyfriend. (Isak comes home drunk and sappy to Even.)

i'll be coming for your love by ihatefindingusernames (1.1k words) - Even didn’t know how Mikael managed to drag him to a karaoke bar on a Friday night when he could have spent it rewatching his favorite movies, but there he was.

Don't You Let Me Go Tonight by isakbeanie (1.1k words) - Basically, Isak gets tipsy at a party and Even gets jealous about some things that go down.

can i borrow a kiss? by spoopydumpling (1.2k words) - The boys pregame at Isak and Even's place, then head off to a party with a large amount of drinking and a whole lot of flirting.

drunk in love by blondwaves (1.2k words) - Isak shows up drunk at Evens at 3am, confessions and kissing

(Drunk) In Love by verlore_poplap (orphan_account) (1.5k words) - Isak falls in love at first sight. Too bad he's drunk off his ass when it happens. (some dubious consent)

Vodka kisses by Bellakitse (1.5k words) - Isak likes to kiss Even when he drinks, which would be fine if they were actually together. Magnus and Mahdi finally clue him in.

Curiosity by podicus (1.5k words) - At a pregame at Isak’s, Vilde is curious how Isak knew he had feelings for Even. Isak, meanwhile, just can’t stop thinking about his boyfriend.

can you blow my whistle, baby. by milominderbinder (1.5k words) - It's a normal Friday night in Isak's life. Just five guys, hanging out drunk at McDonalds in the middle of the night, talking about blowjobs, trying to deep-throat coke bottles. That sort of thing.

I may be hurt but doesn’t mean I don’t love you by Evakfiction (1.5k words) - Isak is drunk and jealous. When they get home, it gets out of hand.

the softest proposal by Bellakitse (1.6k words) - A drunk and high Isak shares something with Even he wasn't ready to share.

Sweet by Lisforlove (1.9k words) - Isak is drunk and needy.

Hot Mess by sweeterthankarma (2k words) - It’s Isak’s first time drinking expensive whiskey. Even thinks it should be his last.

don’t try to fight it by orphan_account (2k words) - This takes place sometime between the Christmas party at the end of season 3 and the beginning of season 4, hence Isak still living in the kollektiv. A warning: Even fucks Isak while he's drunk and they don't use condoms.

cards and drunken propositions by Bellakitse (2.1k words) - Isak doesn't remember the night before but he knows he made a fool of himself in front of this crush.

Through The Night by Lisa94 (2.3k words) - "AU where drunk isak pees on some stranger's car on his way home after partying all night. the thing is, there is someone in the car"

retired from logic, new career in happy by sophly (2.3k words) - Jonas POV. The one where Isak is drunk and sappy and Jonas can’t stop thinking about the inevitability of teenage relationships.

You're Not Tall Enough by wordsarelifealways (2.3k words) - Isak manages to get so wasted that he doesn't recognise Even and proceeds to tell Even all about his hot boyfriend waiting for him at home.

smoke in the air, binge drinking by boxesofflowers, Eeyoreneedsahug (2.3k words) - Isak accidentally gets wasted at a house party and Even is there for his boyfriend.

maybe i'll get drunk by hippopotamus (2.4k words) - theres a really hot third year around, and the only way isak knows to deal with it is alcohol

if you have lost a right track then i'll lead you right back by kittenmichael (2.4k words) - “Even,” he whispers, as if it’s a secret Norway’s nights shouldn’t hear, “my tongue feels really weird.”Even chuckles at his boyfriend’s antics, before realising that he’s genuinely confused. “Kind of like cotton?”

Baby... I AM EVEN THE BOYFRIEND! by Evakkk (2.4k words) - The boy squad get Even to come pick Isak up when he gets to drunk to handle...

pool full of liquor by thekardemomme (3k words) - Isak gets drunk and runs away from his friends, and Even seizes the opportunity to be his knight in shining armor. May as well be Shakespeare.

boy, you make me make bad decisions by hippopotamus (3.2k words) - In which Isak is way too drunk, way too dramatic, and his ex is making out with someone else.

Boys' night + Even by skampanda (3.2k words) - Drunk Isak was the best Isak, according to Magnus. He became super comfortable with himself and talked like non-stop about his beautiful boyfriend. There was just one slight problem- when drunk, Isak is super needy.

Ready to Jingle Your Bells by MacksDramaticShenanigans (3.6k words) - It was truly a testament to how drunk Isak was when rather than vehemently denying the request or furiously shaking his head and pushing everyone away, he set his glass down and determinately rose to his feet. And there was also the fact that Isak— sober or drunk— was never one to turn away from any sort of challenge, and Mikael’s wording certainly posed this as one. (Of course, there was also the fact that Even did sing him a song, and what kind of a boyfriend would he be if he didn’t serenade Even right back?)

Drunk Dialing by isakvaltertrash (johntracythatsall) (3.6k words) - “I miss you, and I– I hate you, how could you just, you just left! I thought everything was okay and you just fucking left, Even, you left– do you have any fucking idea what it’s been like to –“ But Even is raising his voice to get through his ramble, interrupting him with a string of “I know, I know, I know”. But Isak is drunk and he’s angry and he’s not going to be that easy.

So, Maybe I'm A Little Gay by LavenderWater (4.3k words) - Come drink with us they said. It'll be fun they said. And it was, at least until Isak drunkenly blurted out his love for Even in front of everyone. Fuck his life.

Homesick by everything_else (4.4k words) - 5 times they take care of each other after the break up. +1

Sweet Boys Shouldn't Drink Hard Liquor by wordsarelifealways (4.6k words) - Isak's mother is spiralling again and the texts are getting to Isak. Unfortunately, Even only finds out when Jonas calls him to tell him that Isak got really drunk and had a meltdown. Even looks after Isak at arguably his lowest point since he moved out of the Valtersen household.

Bumps, Grazes and Kisses by Flatfootmonster (4.8k words) - “What am I usually like?” he asked tentatively. The last strip had been placed over the cut, but the guys hands lingered on his face, smoothing gently over his work with a thumb. “Usually you just seem to be waiting for something to happen.” And the small smile that Isak caught playing on his lips was different somehow; he knew exactly what that something was. “But today you were even dancing—it was shocking.”

Confessions at dawn by chroniclesofwriting, joaneoffart (6k words) - Jonas helps a very drunk Isak to get to his apartment, there, he confesses his thoughts about what he wants in life, without realizing that it is Even himself to who he tells all these things.

Strong enough to carry him by diamondjacket (7k words) - Mahdi thinks Eskild is hot. Isak just wants to get through this with his sanity intact.

bloom by Skamtrash (8k words) - Friends to Lovers AU where Isak talks too much and likes Even, Even smokes too much and likes silence.

***** BONUS *****

your love is my turning page. by carryonevaks (1.1k words) - Isak is drunk in love. Even loves to tease him about it.

***** WIP *****

Face First by LinksLipsSinkShips - Isak's blackout drunk and has an unorthodox way of meeting Even.

Him & I by Emma_jay - Random Evak scenes written in script style.

[mandobls]

don’t.

pairs: obi-wan kenobi x mandalorian!reader

genre: fluff, angst, action

warnings: a lot of inaccurate travel times and locations lol, reader’s kinda goofy, but it’s cute. is reader a bouncer for a planet?? idk?? i say “vibe” in here so i guess that’s how low i’ve stooped. some violence? swearing?

word count: 2.1k

description: in which everything about this is forbidden

a/n: idek the demand for this lmao but we’re here anyway right? it’s been such a long time since i’ve rewatched the movies, so this is gonna be,,,, :)

masterlist 

it’s hard. giving away padme’s children. obi-wan can tell they will be strong, but it’ll be a matter of time until they’re ready. 

he’s decided to stay on tatooine, to watch over the boy. the girl will have the life of a princess. he has confidence in organa’s protection. 

but there’s something he has to do first. 

a funeral. for anakin and padme. he knows anakin is alive. he can feel it. but what anakin will become is alive. the little boy he met on tatooine is not. 

he returns to naboo, kneels when prompted, speaks when looked to. it’s all just numb. he is unfeeling, too broken and... angry. in himself, for losing his brother to the dark side’s pull. he pushes it down, though. it is done, he needs to move on, for the anger is consuming.

condolences are barely heard as he storms back to his ship. he has to get away. it’s suffocating there.

his hyperdrive is damaged, so it’ll take him at least two standard months to get back to tatooine, but maybe it’s better this way. he needs some silence.

but of course. of course. he is nearly out of fuel within two days. he groans, quickly searching for a close planet. this is why he hates flying.

the nearest is only a couple hours’ trip away, and he hurriedly sets his course.

he lands without trouble. the mechanic in the shop grunts after inspecting his ship.

“it’ll be a while before i can finish fixing everything. i don’t even know how you flew with this thing.” obi-wan nods with a sigh.

“how long?”

“think a week, if not two.” 

“that’s alright. thank you.” the mechanic grunts again.

“yeah, yeah.” he’s stranded here for a bit. 

he walks into town, spotting a bar. he can sit for a while before he finds a place to stay.

the bar is packed, music booming and people brushing against each other. obi-wan takes a seat at the bar, pointing a finger at a bottle of orange liquid in the background and holding up a finger, the bartender nods and-

“make that two.” he spins in his seat, placing a hand on his blaster on instinct, locking eyes with a t-visored helmet. it turns back towards the bartender. “oh! and-” the ugnaught behind the bar turns, holding two glasses. “could i get a straw with that?” obi-wan cocks an eyebrow, and the mandalorian beside him just shrugs.

“modern solutions, dear jedi.” the glasses clink as they’re set on the bar, straw lolling around one’s rim.

“of course,” he replies, watching the straw disappear under the mandalorian’s helmet.

“so, what business does an ugly planet like this have with a jedi like you?” she asks, modulated voice betraying a smile.

“getting fuel and repairs. going to head back to tatooine and retire.” the mandalorian tilts her head in recognition.

“so soon?” he shrugs. “that’s alright. life is hard here.”

“i’ve experienced much more in the past years than i should have liked to.”

“understandable.”

“what’s your business with this ‘ugly planet’?” obi-wan asks, mimicking her words. she laughs, leaning an elbow on the table and gesturing to the green paint on her armor.

“duty. i keep peace on this planet as best i can.” he tilts his head.

“and you can’t leave?” 

“i was stationed here. this is the way.” she drains the alcohol from her cup, straw sucking nothing but air. he finishes soon after.

“do you know any place i could stay?” he asks, standing and straightening.

“people are hostile here. there’s a reason i’m here. no hostels or anything. stay with me,” she offers, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.

“oh no, i couldn’t intru-”

“you’re not intruding, jedi. i get lonely anyway.” she stands. “what’s your name?”

he hesitates for a second, but there’s something that tells him she is trustworthy.

“obi-wan. and yours?” the mandalorian sweeps past him towards the door, cape flowing.

“follow me.”

her home is small, but big enough for the two of them to weave around each other comfortably in the space.

“i have an extra cot in that-” she points- “room over there. this is the kitchen, there’s a ‘fresher over here, and that’s my room.”

“i can’t thank you enough.”

“that thank you is enough. do you need anything? clothes, tools?” the realization hits him, and he nods.

“a spare change would be nice, but i don’t need much.” 

“alright. we can head down to the village tomorrow.”

the mandalorian provides food and bed, not even asking how long he’ll be staying. 

he watches her put together dinner, helmet still firm over her tunic and loose pants.

“i can wait in my room if you’d prefer,” he offers. “i’m sure you’re tired of wearing your helmet.” a hand waves in his general direction.

“i spend most of my life in this helmet, obi-wan.” electricity shocks his spine. “i wouldn’t if it was uncomfortable.” she brings the food over, two dishes of something. “okay, i don’t cook. i’ve never cooked for somebody else. i tried to make something and i don’t really know what became of it.” she pauses. “jedi.” her mock-serious tone makes him look up, staring into her stoic visor with a smile. “this is going to taste horrible.” he laughs as she places the plate in front of him gingerly.

“i’m sure it’ll be fine. anything you’ll give me is good enough.” 

“you say that now, but...” she shrugs, clutching the other plate as she walks over to her room. “i promise i’ll eat breakfast with you! i’ll be back, and we can see how it tastes.”

“i look forward to it,” he calls as she shuts the door.

it’s not a second later when there’s noise again.

“have you eaten it yet?” she asks, voice unmodulated and bright.

“not yet,” he replies, fond smile stuck on his face as he prods the food in front of him with a fork.

“don’t!” the mandalorian says, playfully warning tone shining through so clearly without her modulator.

“i won’t.” obi-wan puts his fork down, inspecting the plate again.

she returns, helmet on once more, holding her barely-touched food.

“that was not worth the trouble i went to,” she announces. he laughs, shifting to lean back in his chair.

“i can hold out till breakfast.”

“you sure?” she asks, hand inches from his plate. 

“of course. you’ve been so hospitable, and i think i can wait a few hours.” she nods, picking up his plate and happily slinging the food into the trash.

“alright. you wanna take the ‘fresher first?”

“no, it’s fine.”

breakfast is blended, strange, spiky fruit blitzed into submission so that they can eat together. 

“i’ve got straws for this exact purpose!” she’d exclaimed.

they go down to the village straight after, just a ten-minute walk that’s easily filled by idle conversation. she’s nothing short of hilarious.

“i’ve heard things about mandalore and its inhabitants,” he says.

“are you surprised with what you found?” she asks, gesturing to herself vaguely.

“mandalorians are fierce warriors. i’ve always been under the impression that-”

“we’re all hardasses?” he blinks, opening his mouth to deny- “nah. i’m the only one that’s not.” he laughs. “but you’re right. not many of us have a sense of humor,” she grunts. “you got lucky with me!”

“i can tell,” he replies, attention focusing on the village that’s just meters away.

“okay, robes should be over there. i’ve got credits, so you can just choose whatever.” obi-wan almost refuses, before realizing that his are on his ship, which is still in repair.

“can... can i ask you something?” her head turns towards him, listening. “why have you been so kind to me?” she nods, facing forward again.

“fair question.” she pauses. “i owe my life to the jedi.” his head bobs as he listens. “i admire your way of life, you know. so selfless and kind. i could never be like that.”

“you are selfless.” he says automatically. why else would she be housing him? 

she remains silent, helmet facing stagnant forward as they approach a booth. 

he keeps it quick, picking something that’ll hold him over. the robes he wears has been through many a-

“fight! over there!” the mandalorian groans, glancing back at him.

“i’ve got to go break it up. follow if you’d like.” 

he does, leaving the robe and keeping a hand on the weapon at his hip.

it’s only a fist fight, but the surrounding villagers swarm the area, egging them on.

the mandalorian shoves her way through the crowd, pulling one away from the other with a firm hand on each villagers’ chest. he follows, staying at the inner edge of the crowd.

one of them swings at her, and he’s about to step in-

but her fist strikes true first, knocking out the villager with one strike. she turns to the other.

“i hope that you can sort this out when he wakes up. civilly.” he nods, head bowed, and the mandalorian walks back to obi-wan.

“let’s go get your robes. and maybe some food for later.” he nods, still shocked as he trails behind her.

it’s only been a week and they’ve fallen into a bit of a routine.

he helps her around the house, walks with her as she makes her rounds. and in turn, she provides him with a home and butterflies for his stomach. lots of butterflies. birds in there.

it’s bad.

and it gets even worse when she almost kicks down the door of her house, brandishing a bottle of mystery liquor like a trophy.

“you don’t need to work tomorrow?” he asks, amused. she just laughs triumphantly, gathering two clean glasses and a straw.

“they can take care of themselves. the way only says i need to stay on this planet. i need a break.” he takes a seat in the chair across from her, holding a glass as she fills it with amber. “and besides, you’re leaving tomorrow. we should celebrate!” right... he’s leaving.

it’s strong. he’s nearly delirious within a few hours.

but not as delirious as her.

the mandalorian periodically bangs her head on the table, laughing at everything and anything.

“...no, but you know! you’ve got a thing going on.”

“a thing?” he asks, almost crying in his laughter.

“like... like...” she whines, head lolling. “i dunno the word in basic,” she slurs, hand gesticulating wildly. “copyc.”

“give me- give me the general gist of it.” she nods, index finger raised as she thinks.

“attractive.” she exclaims, and he almost sobers up.

“you think i’m attractive?” he asks incredulously, scooting closer.

“don’t tease. not like... the face.” she pauses in consideration. “but also the face, i guess. but the word means... your aura.”

“my aura?”

“yeah, obi, your vibe. it's personality. your personality is attractive.” 

“wh-” her helmet makes a loud clunk as it drops onto the table, and he can tell she's unconscious.

hopefully, neither remember that conversation the next day.

he remembers everything.

his head pounds and the light shining through the window is too bright. his neck is craned at an awkward angle. he must have fallen asleep after her last night.

he hopes that at least she doesn’t remember anything.

a bottle is placed in front of him. “for- for your hangover,” she says awkwardly, turning back around.

she remembers everything. 

breakfast is quiet and tense, the sound of the mandalorian sucking her straw the only sound.

she sighs, looking up.

“look, you’re leaving soon. i don’t want this to be the last thing you remember about me.” he nods in agreement. “we can just forget about it.” 

she finishes her drink, standing and taking his empty glass.

he stands with her. “wait.”

she turns, placing the glasses down and looking up at him.

“you called me copyc.” he can see her getting ready to respond and quickly speaks before she can. “and i think you are too.” 

she steps closer hesitantly, and he places his hands on her waist lightly. one of her hands comes up to rest on his cheek, other over his shoulder.

obi-wan’s hands rest on her helmet, almost-

“don’t.” her hands are suddenly on his, a practiced instinct. “it’s forbidden.” he nods, hand on her hips again, hers still on top of his.

“what will you have me do?” it’s a pained whisper. 

the mandalorian’s hands raise to his face again, slowly pulling his head closer so his forehead rests against the cool metal of her helmet.

he doesn’t know the significance, but he can feel it, closing his eyes and pulling her ever-close.

“come with me.” it’s useless.

“i can’t.” he understands.

“i know.” 

“obi.” he opens his eyes. “my name... it’s-”

“you don’t have to,” he says. 

she hesitates. “but i want to.” 

so she tells him, he nods, then they’re silent. it is forbidden.

obi-wan taglist: @panda-luminary, @kat-soudone, @sacredmirrxrs​, @spooky-childd, @chandler-woods​, @procrastination-nations​

complete taglist: @ispilledmyink​, @justlovetoreadfics​

[gffa]

Scattered Star Wars Thoughts: - I’m about two thirds of the way through Empire’s End and I’m once again sad that we haven’t gotten anything like this in awhile--stuff happens in these books, the huge, big, galactic-level stuff happens!  The Battle of Jakku!  Rae Sloane vs Gallius Rax!  The bombing of the New Republic ceremony!  Mon Mothma’s struggles to keep the New Republic afloat and her political enemies trying to take her down! Sure, I love the books for the ragtag team I came to know and love, it’s still one of the top tier groups of new characters, but it’s also that stuff happens in this book, I get a good, strong look at the events that shape the galaxy in this era.  I suspect (even though I have no proof) that SW deliberately moved away from this kind of thing, because they were filling up the space too quickly, there soon wasn’t going to be much room left for any kind of big events, between this and Bloodline, especially if they ever wanted to set a show or movie in that era. I sometimes half-wonder if we’re heading for another reboot after awhile, because they’ll want to free up some space or if we’re just going to get more “away from the main action” stories.  Which I wouldn’t mind, if they were more like Spark of the Resistance because that was one of my favorite books of recent times, where it didn’t have to have a big impact, it could be a cute space adventure, but it was about characters I desperately wanted to have more interaction with. I guess that’s what was missing from Alphabet Squadron for me, that the new character stuff was SO GOOD, but Hera’s role really could have been filled by anyone.  Empire’s End is giving us Han and Leia and Mon character moments, but a lot of them don’t have to be about the big galactic stuff, they can be little mini-adventures set between the bigger ones. On the other hand, the comics seem to be filling that niche more than the novels, and the comics are so good that I’m kind of fine with the priority seeming to be on them--even if I don’t think that’s intentional.  (Or maybe it’s just me vastly preferring the comics over the novels, it seems like that’s where the good stuff is happening, imo.) Anyway. Empire’s End.  I really do love this trilogy in a way that, looking back, is a lot sharper than a lot of what I’ve been feeling re: current SW.  I wish Wendig would get another crack at writing SW, whether for these characters or someone else.  And that the Bens would come back and write more, too.  I was skimming over their From a Certain Point of View story and thinking about Join the Resistance! and I MISS THOSE STORIES. - I am doing pretty good at keeping up with my rewatch getting finished before the new season of TCW happens, I’m down to 1.8 episodes per day to reach my goal!  :D Between that and the way I’ve been booking it through other stuff (it’s been so cold out lately that I don’t go out much, so I have more time to watch stuff) that I’m already a quarter of the way through my 2020 Resolutions list! - I just saw Ryan Bergara, Shane Madej, and Steven Lim launched Watcher and have a handful of videos up, so I’ll have those to watch, I also have a bunch of shows (Barry and Patriot mostly) waiting in the wings for when I finish with TCW, and of course more of The Untamed, and, well, THANK GOD SW IS QUIET RIGHT NOW, because it’s getting to be a bit Much.  In a good way, but still!  /wanted to grump - I finished the current season of Grace & Frankie and I really liked the first 3-4 episodes, I got a bunch of IRL LOLs out of them, but about halfway through the season it lost steam for me and the ending just felt weird, like, “Why are we going down this same path again?  What was the point of that sub-plot?” and it just felt unfocused to me. I feel like, by this point, we’re six seasons in, Grace and Frankie lying about stuff from each other feels very, very retread, especially when Grace and Nick have talked about this before, that sometimes she has to choose him, not just Frankie all the time, and this storyline sort of ended up in a place that seemed to contradict that, and it does help to view this through the lens of Grace still has decades of lying and secrets as routine to recover from, she’s going to backslide, and I’m down for that, but I feel like this just didn’t quite acknowledge that it was part of a pattern she’s still working on, rather than ignoring that it comes with context of stuff that’s already happened in the show. I’m also losing my patience with a lot of the romantic partners drama on the show, like, I think they’ve been on a slow drive towards Coyote/Mallory for awhile and I hate it, I really don’t get any kind of spark between Frankie and Jack, Joan-Margaret and the guy she picked to marry didn’t have enough of a spark to make that storyline all that fun, Principal Dan being weird by the end was just *SIGH* (all the more so because I want Mallory to be with someone who Is Not Coyote).  I do very much still love Barry/Brianna, I feel like the show does better at Brianna Is An Onion You Have To Peel Her Back In Layers, so going over similar ground makes sense.  And I actually enjoyed Coyote/Jessica, they’re adorable, but it’s hard to get invested when I don’t think it’ll last.  I actually really enjoy Bud/Allison and their mutual failboating conversation about their first times was delightful to watch.  But I also sort of feel like I’m getting exhausted on Robert/Sol, it didn’t feel like there was any idea what to do with them this season, so they just sort of threw a bunch of things at the wall to see what would stick.  Robert being like, “NO THIS IS A BAD IDEA” while Sol and Allison researched Bud’s family history was hilarious, MORE LIKE THAT, less of them keeping secrets from each other like that entire local theater storyline.  Or even Sol’s health thing, which brought out different approaches to quality vs length of life at their age, that was a much more interesting story. I guess I wouldn’t mind retreading the same ground quite so much, if it felt like they were aware of it being part of a bigger whole, rather than just doing the same thing again, or if it felt like it was going somewhere (I think this is why I liked the Brianna/Barry stuff, it feels like it’s going somewhere), but that doesn’t mean the cast isn’t still delightful and the show isn’t still an absolute delight.  It never feels flat or like they’re Flanderizing the characters, the human moments are still there and very genuine.  (Grace and the other young wives was one of my favorite moments of the season!  It was such a lovely, warm, human resolution.)  The cast still delivers everything beautifully and they’re retreading these stories for a reason--though, I can’t lie, I’m curious to see what the final season has, in the way of a shake-up of the usual dynamics, as well as some more permanent resolution, one assumes. It still remains one of my favorite shows whenever it comes back! Scattered Star Wars Thoughts/2020 Resolutions Update: - Star Wars: The Clone Wars s3e02-20 Current total:  41/260 Scattered Everything Else Thoughts/ 2020 Resolutions Update: - Watchmen s01e01-09 - Bob’s Burgers s10e11 - The Good Place s04e11 - Grace & Frankie s06e01-13 Current total:  86/260 Star Wars Fic Recs 2020 Resolutions Update Current total written:  81/520

[writinginstardust]

Accidentally In Love

Pairing: Mako x reader

Request: anonymous asked “ Do you write for Lok/Atla?Maybe can you write an imagine where the reader is the daughter of Iroh (Izumi's son) and she meets Mako and they fall in love? ”

Warnings: nothing really

A/N: It’s two for one on Mako fic today 😂 I rewatched LOK much sooner than I’d originally thought, like I honestly thought I wouldn’t get to this for another couple of months but for once I suprised myself in a good way. hope you like it, it got a little longer than i’d expected it to.

Word Count: 3002

*

My life could be summed up pretty well as a long series of accidents. Some good, some bad, some neither one nor the other, all changing my life in inexplicable ways with consequences I'd never intended. I was born an accident for starters, the product of two 18-year-olds scared they might never see each other again when one left with the United Forces on a particularly dangerous assignment. 9 months later, there I was. 

I discovered I was a waterbender when I was five and accidentally knocked a candle over, managing to set the kitchen on fire. The water came to me in my moment of panic and I doused it without a second thought. Then I accidentally flooded the kitchen when I couldn't stop it and got myself sent to the southern water tribe to be trained.

It was there I met Korra although I was never supposed to. She'd slipped away and gone exploring and so had I. We bumped into each other and quickly became friends in the way kids do which somehow led to us being trained together. It also led to the rather unfortunate almost-drowning as we both pushed ourselves further than we were able to when we were 8. 

Republic City became my home again not long after that. 

There was no more life-changing accidents for a few years until I got my first boyfriend when I was 12. That didn't end well. Turns out I accidentally dated the son of one of the most elusive crime lords in the city and found out enough to help Chief Beifong take them down. 

And the accidents didn't stop coming. 

I got knocked over by Asami and her father chasing a dog across the road. That got me a new best friend. I almost got myself expelled from school by turning the gym into an ice rink and getting half the student body to cut class. That got me a ton of new friends, many of whom turned out to be bad influences. Thanks to them I got caught fighting in the street and only avoided punishment by Beifong at my dad's intervention. That's what landed me under constant supervision training in the United Forces and what finally let me redeem myself by saving everyone on my warship during an attack. 

At 16 I became an officer, serving under my own father - the great General Iroh - and it's as odd as you'd imagine. I might have asked for a different assignment were it not considered such a great honour, especially for someone as young as I was at the time. It meant I got to spend more time with my dad at least, even if he was shouting orders much of the time. That wasn't something I'd had the luxury of growing up.

A few months ago I'd helped Korra and her friends defeat Amon and the equalists and met Mako. That changed everything for me yet again. I'd gone with him and Korra when the team split up and accidentally developed a bit of a crush as we worked together. So obviously I had to stay in Republic City after all that.

Beifong hired me without question when I asked and I ended up working alongside Mako. A lot. It should be no surprise that my next accident was a big one. I fell in love.

Who knows if he felt the same though.

We were grabbing dinner after a long day at work, both of us too tired to actually talk as we ate. I was watching him intently though. I did that a lot. 

It was one of those rare occasions when he wasn't frowning even a little. He was like that when he was tired enough. The harsh angles of his face softened and the seemingly constant worry in his eyes eased. It was my favourite time to be with him. 

He was more honest in those moments, more willing to open up about himself and his feelings. He was more willing to do that generally as of late actually. I wondered what new information I'd glean tonight.

"Hellooo," he dragged the word out, "You listening, (Y/N)?" Crap. I wasn't. I didn't even realise he'd started talking.

"Hmm?" I made sure to pay attention to what he was saying this time.

"I said, Beifong is letting me have the evening off for the Future Industries relaunch party in a few days-"

"Wait, there's a party ?"

"More like a gala but yeah, I thought you knew. Asami sent an invite." He frowned. I wish he wouldn't.

"I forgot to send her my new address."

He shook his head fondly and a small smile slipped onto his face. "Of course you did."

"Hey! I'm not normally that forgetful." He levelled me with a disbelieving look. "Okay fine, maybe I am. So what about the party?"

"Are you working Friday night?" I shook my head. "Good. Because I was going to ask…" He looked nervous and, dare I say it, a bit flustered. "Would you like to go...to the party...with me?"

It took a minute to compute that, it was the last thing I'd expected to hear. I watched as the hopeful smile that he'd been wearing slowly slid from his face as he mistook my silence.

"I'd love to," I finally blurted out.

"Really?"

"Yeah. It'll be fun." Our waiter came over and we quickly paid the bill and stood to leave.

"So, I'll come pick you up at 7?" 

"Sounds great." 

"I'll see you Friday then."

"See you Friday." I couldn't wait. He hugged me goodbye quickly and we went our separate ways home. It wasn't until I was getting changed for bed that I realised I hadn't asked one incredibly vital question. I hadn't asked if it was a date.

*

I radioed Asami in a panic the next morning and she dropped everything to come over and see me.

"So what did he say exactly?" She asked as I set a tray of tea down on the coffee table.

"He just asked if I wanted to go with him."

"Did he seem nervous?"

"A little I guess."

"Well then my guess is date."

"But he didn't do anything else to suggest it was. And maybe he was just worried I'd think he was asking me on a date and not as a friend."

"This is Mako so you might have a point there." She stirred her tea thoughtfully for a minute before looking up at me suddenly. I could practically see the lightbulb above her head.

"Okay so we don't know if it's a date but you want it to be, right?" I nodded and took a sip of my drink. "Well, in that case we need to go shopping." 

I looked at her quizzically. "Shopping? I have clothes from the last party."

"Yes shopping. If we get you the right outfit we could easily turn 'friends hanging out' into an actual date. And if it's already a date, a great outfit can't hurt."

"You really think a good outfit can do that?"

"I know a good outfit can do that."

"Okay. Let's go shopping then."

*

"Bolin, I need your help." I didn't bother knocking and walked straight into my brother's apartment. 

"Mako! It's great to see you bro! You gotta learn to knock first though."

"You should stop leaving your door unlocked and then maybe I would."

"Solid point. What can I do for you?"

"I have a date with (Y/N)."

"Well finally! You've been going on about her for months."

"I haven't- you're right, I have a bit." I flopped onto his couch and he took a seat beside me.

"Nice to see you admit it. So you've got a date, what's the problem?"

"I'm not sure she knows it's a date." He frowned.

"What do you mean? How could she not know it's a date?" I explained quickly and Bolin had his head in his hands by the time I was finished. "And you say you're the ladies man of this family."

"This is different. (Y/N) is different."

"Not a good enough excuse but we can salvage this."

"Okay, how?"

"First I'll say, from what you've told me she may well think it's a date." I breathed a sigh of relief. I hadn't completely messed up. "But we don't know that for sure so you've got to be observant. Look for signs of attraction, flirt a little, see how she reacts, you know the drill."

"That wasn't as helpful as i'm sure you thought it was."

"Wasn't meant to be."

"What?" I sat up and glared at him.

"You're an idiot. (Y/N) likes you, has for ages."

"How do you know?" He rolled his eyes with an exasperated sigh.

"Aside from it being obvious every time she looks at you? I'm her friend, I know things."

"She's better friends with me than you."

"That hurts bro."

"Bo-"

"Fine! Asami told me. But I knew anyway!"

"I've got to go." I stood abruptly and Bolin shot me a confused look as he got up too.

"What? Why?"

"Need to go shopping." I glanced at my watch quickly and cursed. "Actually I need to go to work. I'll see you later Bo."

"Bye!" He called out but I was already out the door. I'd be late if I didn't hurry and Beifong would probably make me work on Friday if I was. At least the conversation was worth it. At least now I knew she liked me.

*

Friday. 6:50. I was trying not to be sick. Nerves were getting the better of me. Honestly I'd feel so much better if I just knew what this was. Although, if it was a date for sure, I'd probably be hunched over the toilet by now so maybe this was just a little bit better.

I finished applying my makeup the way Asami had taught me and fixed my hair a little before sliding on my new dress. A dress I never could have afforded myself. Asami insisted though.

There was a knock at my door and I startled as I looked at the time. It was seven and the last 10 minutes had somehow gone in a snap. I rushed to find my shoes, yelling to Mako to come in as I did. The door clicked shut and he yelled out a greeting as I finally located the shoes under my bed.

"Sorry, I'll be out in just a minute," I called back and hastened to finish getting ready. I checked how I looked once more, tucking back a stray hair, and took a deep breath before stepping out into the living room. I could do this. It might not even be a date, I reminded myself again.

"Hey, (Y/-" he cut himself off and I was instantly worried. Well as worried as I could feel past the block in my brain that was screaming over how good he looked.

"Hey Mako," I smiled self-consciously and fiddled with my dress. He recovered himself at the sound of my voice and stood from my couch.

"Hey, (Y/N)." I bit back a grin.

"You already said that."

"Oh, right...uh, you ready to go?" I nodded and we left my apartment, walking down the stairs in an only slightly awkward silence.

"Woah! Nice wheels. Where'd you get that?" I was shocked when I saw the car he led me to. It was way too fancy to afford on our salary.

"Asami let me borrow it. Insisted I did actually. She said we should show up in style."

"She's not wrong. Let's go then." The drive was short and thankfully less awkward than the walk down. Whatever weird tension had been in my apartment - probably my fault - had dissipated and we chatted like we usually did.

We arrived at the party slightly late and the venue was already packed. A valet took the car keys from Mako and he offered me his hand as we walked up the steps together. A few photographers took pictures and the nerves from earlier started coming back. People knew who we were. People were going to talk, the papers speculate. What were they going to assume about us? And more importantly, would they be right?

I tripped on the last step, falling into Mako's arms as he moved to catch me automatically. His face was too close to mine and I struggled to breathe. Heat flared in my cheeks as I scrambled to get my footing back and pull out of his embrace. He shot me a concerned look but I just shrugged it off with a small smile and continued inside, tugging him along with me. I almost wished I hadn't when we entered and people turned to look.

The first hour was a bit off a mess. I mixed up people's names, spilled a few drinks, almost knocked over a table full of cakes, and tripped over just about everything. Eventually we ended up talking to Bolin and Asami. I excused myself to the bathroom with a pointed look to Asami. She got the hint and came with me.

"Are you okay?" She asked as the door shut behind us.

"Not even a little bit. I'm freaking out and I keep messing things up and I'm so nervous I think I might be sick and I still don't know if this is a date and if it is I'm on my way to making it the worst date ever and I know this is ridiculous because it's just Mako and he's one of my best friends so this shouldn't be awkward but I love him and he looks so good tonight and it's making me want to kiss him but I can't because I still don't know if he likes me too but I really want him to and I just think I'm going to ruin everything somehow-" the words kept tumbling out in a jumbled mess as I slowly got more hysterical and Asami finally had to cut me off.

"Breathe. Just breathe." She held my shoulders and took deep breaths herself for me to follow. I felt myself beginning to calm down. "Just keep breathing. You're fine, okay? You're not messing anything up. I've been watching you two since you got here and Mako definitely likes you too."

"How do you know?" I asked in a small voice

"It's obvious to everyone here. Honestly, if you could see the way he looks at you, you'd understand."

"You're sure?"

"Yes. Now go out there and get him."

"Okay."

*

"Am I messing this up?" I asked Bolin when the girls disappeared off to the bathroom. "(Y/N) seems so uncomfortable. Are you sure she actually likes me."

"I'm sure bro. If anything this proves it."

"How?"

"She's nervous, Mako. She likes you and you know that but I don't think she knows that you like her."

"Oh. Oh."

"Now you get it. She's hoping it's a date but she's not sure and she obviously doesn't want to mess anything up which is making her nervous and awkward."

"How in the world could you know that?"

"I'm very smart and observant." I gave him a pointed look. "Fine! Asami told me again. You know it hurts you don't think I could figure it out myself." 

"You'll live." I patted him on the shoulder and he rolled his eyes before glancing behind me.

"Watch out, they're coming back."

*

"Well, it was good to catch up with you guys. I'll see you a bit later but I've got more guests to talk to now. Bolin?" He looked over at Asami. "You mind coming with me?"

"Of course."

"Enjoy the party you two." Asami hugged me then. "Good luck," she whispered in my ear before letting go and heading off with Bolin. I watched them leave, still slightly nervous to face Mako again. He cleared his throat and I turned my head.

"Would you like to dance?" Breathe, I told myself, you can do this.

"Sure." I took his hand and he led me to the middle of the room. The song playing was slow, thankfully since I wasn't a great dancer. I knew the steps and where to put my hands at least. His hand settled on my waist and electricity raced through me. I swallowed hard to control my nerves, trying not to get distracted by the warmth that spread from every point of contact as we started to dance. I was lost in him for a while and the silence went on. Finally it was broken.

"(Y/N)-"

"Mako-" we both spoke at the same time and I grinned at how ridiculous this all was.

"You go first," he said.

"Okay. I need to ask, I can't stand not knowing anymore, is this a date?" 

"Yes."

"Okay." Okay? Why was that all I said?

"Are you alright with it being a date?" He looked a little worried. Unsurprising since all I said was okay. I wanted to smack myself for being such an idiot.

"Yes."

"Okay." A few seconds passed in silence again.

"So...does that mean you like me the way I like you?" I asked finally.

"That depends. Can I kiss you?"

"Please." And he did. 

His lips were soft against mine, softer than I'd imagined actually, and the kiss was unhurried. He pulled me closer and I leaned into his body, letting his familiar warmth and comfort permeate my skin. It didn't last long but we stayed close when our lips parted.

"So is that a yes?" I whispered.

"I think it's a yes." He smiled and pulled me into another kiss. It occurred to me that people were watching and we'd probably have to suffer through the ordeal of it being in the papers but I found I didn't care all that much. Getting to finally kiss the guy I'd fallen in love with was more than worth it.

*

Tag Lists: (send an ask if you want to be added!)

Everything: @wonderfilledness

[seven-oomen]

Oh, I have many feelings, of many varieties, about Infinity War/Endgame.  And for added fun, I saw both films with a group that included a hardcore Steggy shipper who kept going on and on and on about how angry she would be if all the little hints they’d been dropping about them seeing each other again and/or getting to be together again led to nothing, particularly with time travel on the table, and how dare Marvel do that if they didn’t plan to follow through.  And I just kept thinking “the sheer audacity…  you’ve had multiple openly romantic moments including a kiss, and something approaching closure already.  do you know how happy I am when some of my rarer ships just get to be in the same scene together at all?  not even interacting, just in the same scene?  and don’t even talk to me about ship-baiting, you haven’t even the faintest idea"  There was a lot of tongue biting not to be THAT BITCH about it that happened, especially after what Endgame did.

Also, all I’ve really gotten from that whole wolf discourse thing is a reminder how sad I am that no one has brought a Tibetan Mastiff into our store.  (Isn’t there some kind of Russian Bear Dog that’s also supposed to be freaking ginormous?)  The two biggest I can think of that I’ve seen at work are that Akita who’s around 180-190lbs, and probably around 70-75cm at the shoulder (based off about where I remember him hitting along my leg the time his owner asked me to hold his lead while he ran back to his car for something.  I was very glad he’s probably also the most chill dog I’ve ever met), and this Great Dane I haven’t seen come in in a while the top of whose head probably cleared 5ft when he was standing on all fours.  Tbf, he was a Harlequin Dane, and I think they tend to be the biggest (I think his owner had like, 3 of them, too.)  It does make it funny when people will see someone’s 70lb Lab and be like "wow that dog is huge”, and in my head I’m just like “oh you have no idea…"  We did once have both a Leonberger puppy and a French Mastiff puppy come in, both of them at least 40lb and both only about 4 months old, but they never did come back by, so I don’t know how big they finally got.  I do remember that the French Mastiff was getting carried around like a baby.  Like paws over the shoulders, cradled in their arms, head resting against the side of theirs carried.  It was made you both want to coo at the adorableness while also warning the person "oh, you’re gonna regret that in a few months…”

And yeah, one of the things I loved best about some of Stiles and Jackson’s scenes were when Stiles would put up with exactly zero of Jax’s bullshit.  Because he sometimes needs reminding that there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance.  (Sometimes he’d remind me a little too much of a bully I had to deal with in elementary school, it was cathartic.  It was kinda “I like you, but you’re workin’ my last good nerve.”)  Although I feel like in this version Malia or Allison would actually be much better at it, because he wouldn’t expect it from either of them (though frankly he grew up with Allie and should really know better.)  I feel like eventually he and Stiles will develop that whole “only I’m allowed to give him shit, if you try it I’ll fuck you up” thing, but it’ll take a while.  And I’m happy with whatever questions you decide fit with the flow of the story.  If most have to wait, or even not ever get totally answered, that’s more than okay.

Well, I’m glad I didn’t interfere with your productivity this time. XD  I’d actually occasionally had the thought, but then just decide that there was no way I was gonna actually go there.  Then I had to listen to 20 minutes of her telling me about how she’d tried to pack things as discreetly as possible and now couldn’t figure out which box it was and how she hoped it wasn’t one that one of her kids would end up opening at some point, and I was just like, “oh why the hell not, I’m thinking about it again now, anyway."  Speaking of such things, can you imagine if any of the current twins made that unfortunate discovery at any point?  Like, which ones would it be?  Would they tell/show their sibling?  Would their respective dads know they did, or would they manage to keep it a secret?  Also, ngl, when you mentioned magic wand massagers my brain immediately dove back to Harry Potter for a minute and I laughed so hard I almost cried.  Ha, there’s an idea: magically enhanced sex toys.  (Noah hasn’t let Stiles see that particular spellbook yet.)   And I can’t remember the exact wording but there’s a polyship post I see pop up on tumblr occasionally and one of the last things is something like "Person A and B are home alone and just start casually making out, then things get a bit more hot and heavy, but they know Person C will be home from work soon, so they try to hold out.  Person C finally gets home, sees the look on their faces and just sighs in (faux) disappointment and starts taking off their clothes”, and I really feel like that could not be more accurate to those three (any of whom could be A, B, or C at any given time).

In an attempt to salvage something more wholesome from my random musings, I’d like to introduce the idea of Christmas traditions and fluff.  (Yes, I know it’s June, but I’ve been hearing radio ads about some Christmas in July thing the Hallmark Channel’s doing next month for days, and have hit some of the Santa episodes in the Futurama rewatch I’ve been doing.  So.)  Just imagine.  Craft Dad Peter making ornaments with his kids.  Them pulling out the ones the older kids made in school to make new ones with their younger siblings.  Glitter-covered pine cones, construction paper picture frames, crudely painted faux stained glass shapes, popsicle stick snowflakes, craft foam and pom pom snowmen.  (They’re gonna end up needing multiple trees.)  Making strands of popcorn garland and yelling at Stiles and Jackson because they won’t stop eating the popcorn instead of threading it.  Fake mistletoe bunches suddenly festooning every doorway even though no one will admit to hanging it (it was totally Noah.)  All the dads breaking out their special seasonal cookie/cake/pie/etc recipes.  Chris coordinating with Malia to get all the pictures for their family Christmas card every year because he has the most flexible hours, and always getting an oversize print of the final version to put on the mantle for the season.  Allison (and eventually Lydia) transforming the inside of the house into an elegant, homey, wonderland (Ooh, maybe she/they find a box or two of decorations in the Hale vault and surprise Peter and Derek by adding them in one year.)   Everybody attempting to pitch in on decorating the outside of the house only for it to descend into a prolonged snowball fight (shhh, I know Cali probably doesn’t see that much snow, just go with it.)  Then when they all finally troop in, cold and soaking, Derek makes them the most frankly AMAZING hot chocolate using the recipe he learned from his dad.  MATCHING SWEATERS.  Ugly sweaters.  Matching ugly sweaters.  Sing-a-longs and caroling.  Trying to implement a Secret Santa system (because jeez that’s a lot of gifts to get), but failing at it every time because “I just couldn’t help myself, I kept finding things that were perfect."  Peter buying his husbands the fancy expensive shit they won’t normally let him get away with.  Him going way overboard with the kids’ gifts the first few years to make up for lost time.  And speaking of Peter pulling either or both Omegas into his lap, you know he can’t resist doing it just to make a "Have you been a good boy this year?/Why don’t you sit on my lap and tell me what you want?” joke at LEAST once a season.  At least.  Can they even fit everyone’s stockings on the mantle, or do they have to do some creative placement?  Do Stiles and Jackson ever stop getting each other little coal-themed gag gifts?  Do they get real trees from the Preserve or do they opt for fake trees because no one can remember to water them?  (Or would Chris volunteer to do it?)  Curling up on the couch under the assorted memory quilts and fluffy blankets to watch Christmas movies and holiday specials, or just watch the lights dancing on the tree (multi-colored on the one in the living room/den, because that’s more cozy, no I’m not taking arguments) and enjoy finally being able to be together (peacefully).  Just.  All the warm domestic holiday goodness.  Uh, presuming of course they celebrate Christmas.  If not, please adapt the above to the nearest appropriate, equivalent holiday.  I just happened to be feeling inspired, and went the “write what you know” route.

General mood when seeing one of these <3

[crescendohowell]

Your Name and Kiss Belong in the Same Sentence

Summary: Neither Dan or Phil has ever had a boyfriend before and they think that part of the reason might be because nobody even realises they like boys.  So, as best friends do, they decide to pretend to date each other, that way at least it’s obvious they aren’t straight.  And with an agreed upon set of boundaries, nothing can go wrong.  Right?

Word Count: 9k

Warnings: swearing, anxiety attack, underage drinking/alcohol

A/N: me actually finishing a fic?? who knew this was even possible anymore lmao (although i found 6k of this already done in my drafts from october so?? does this even count).  also tysm to leah for letting me scream at her about this and for editing it for me, you’re the best <33

read on ao3 instead

Dan and Phil had been best friends for what felt like forever.  They had grown up together, in houses only a few blocks away and couldn’t remember a time where they hadn’t known each other.  They had always been Dan and Phil, their names never separated.

Everyone had warned them that friends often grow apart over time, especially as they moved from middle school to high school.  For some reason people seemed to think that there was no way that the two boys could stay as close friends as they were forever.

Luckily, that wasn’t true at all.  Because now it was their senior year of high school and if anything they were closer friends than they had ever been before.  Sure, they talked to their other friends at school and hung out with them occasionally, but nine times out of ten it was just the two of them watching movies at each other’s houses or playing videos games or doing homework.  It wasn’t that they didn’t like their other friends, but they didn’t really feel any need to hang out with them outside of school.  When it was just the two of them there was never any drama.  

It was one of those nights that they were hanging out with just the two of them at Phil’s house that Dan brought up something they didn’t talk about much.  But that was later in the night.  For now they were just throwing away the remains of the pizza they had for dinner and settling in on the couch to watch a movie.  

“What do you wanna watch?” Phil asked as they sat in the same spots on the couch that they always did, Dan on the right of Phil.  Neither of them really knew when those positions had been established but now they were completely natural and any time they didn’t sit in the same spots something felt off.

“I don’t know, you pick,” Dan didn’t look up from scrolling through his phone until suddenly a pillow hit him in the face.  “Hey!” He exclaimed.

“You say that every time!” Phil, the pillow thrower, complained.

“I’m being flexible.” Dan argued.

“Yeah, and it’s so helpful,” Phil said sarcastically.

“I trust you to always pick out the good movies.” It was true, they did have very similar movie taste and Dan almost always liked the same ones as Phil.

“Fine,” Phil sighed, “Maybe I’ll just pick a bad one to annoy you.”

“You do that,” Dan laughed, knowing that Phil hated sitting through bad movies even more than him.

They did eventually settle on rewatching the first Star Wars movie.  It had been a while since they had watched it and it was always a good time to laugh at the old fashioned special effects.  They would have to go see the new one in theaters when it came out.

After the movie they decided to head to bed as they were both plenty tired from waking up way too early for school all week.  Besides, they both knew that they would end up spending hours scrolling on their phones and talking before they actually went to bed.

They had done this so many times by now that everything was practically already set up for Dan to spend the night.  Phil had a big bed so they could both sleep there and Dan had a drawer in Phil’s closet where he kept a couple pairs of pajamas and other clothes.  After they brushed their teeth (Dan’s toothbrush already sitting in the cup next to the sink along with Phil’s) they closed Phil’s bedroom door and turned off the lights, diving under the covers and laughing because it was late and they were tired and at a certain point in the night everything always becomes funny.

It was even later, when their phones had been plugged into chargers next to each other, and they were laying in the dark, talking sometimes and sometimes not, that Dan brought up an idea that he had been thinking about for a long time.

“So you know how I really want a boyfriend?” He began.

Phil laughed.  “Yeah, same.  Or a girlfriend honestly.  Somehow living that bisexual life has still got me zero dates.”

“True,” Dan laughed too.  “But nobody even knows that we want boyfriends.  Or in your case a girlfriend I guess, but that’s already assumed so it’s really only the boyfriend thing that’s a problem.”

“Yeah,” Phil agreed.  “It’s dumb.”

“I agree.” Dan replied.  They had came out to each years ago now but had never really bothered telling anyone else.  “So I was thinking, and feel free to tell me that this is a dumb idea, but what if we pretended to date so that we didn’t have to do that whole Coming Out thing and then once people realise we like boys then we can break up?  At least then any guys will know that we’re interested in their gender.  Maybe we’d have at least slightly more of a chance of getting a date then.”

“I mean, I’m not opposed to it,” Phil said carefully; he had actually thought about something similar many times.

“It’ll be like Josh and Nathan last year,” Dan added.  “Everybody thought that Josh was straight but when they started going out nobody questioned it.”

“True,” Phil did remember that.  

“We don’t have to, or anything,” Dan repeated, making sure that Phil didn’t feel forced into it.  “I just thought that it might be easier.  I mean, we’re practically dating already.  I’m not even sure what we’d have to do differently.”

“We’d have to hold hands I’d imagine.”  Phil had been going over what they’d do as a couple in his head ever since Dan had first mentioned the idea.  “Maybe kiss a couple times.”  Phil almost stuttered on the word kiss.  Kiss and Dan had never been in the same vicinity.  They weren’t supposed to be.  Phil didn’t know how he felt now that they were possibly going to be very connected.  All he knew was that the idea made his heart jump up into his throat and his hands warm.

“That wouldn’t mess up our friendship though,” Dan interrupted Phil’s thoughts. “We’d be fine, even if we had to kiss, right?”

“After all these years I’d sure hope so,” Phil joked to hide how unsure he really was. He really liked the idea of pretending to be a couple, he just wasn’t convinced that things would be able to stay the same.  But now that Dan was offering, Phil really wanted to say yes.  So he did.  “I say we go for it.”

“Really?” Dan hadn’t really been expecting Phil to agree.

“Really.” Phil couldn’t believe he was saying yes.  

They didn’t jump into it or anything.  Actually, neither of the boys brought it up for a couple days.  Phil had begun to think that maybe it was nothing more than late night rambling and making plans that they followed through on.  But then, the following Wednesday, when he was over at Dan’s house doing homework, Dan brought the topic back up.

“So do you wanna go on a date or something?” Dan asked, half joking.  He was sat on his bed, working on his computer while Phil sat as his desk.

“Um-m,” Phil stuttered, taken completely off guard as one moment he was struggling over calculus and then next Dan was saying that.

“Kidding,” Dan clarified.  “I guess,” he gave a crooked smile as Phil turned around his chair to face him.  

“Yeah, I don’t really know how to start this whole thing either,” Phil felt nervous for some reason, but he didn’t quite know why.

“Maybe we should set some boundaries?” Dan suggested.  “That way we both know what we’re getting into.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea,” Phil agreed.  He always liked planning things out.  “So, where do we start.”

Homework was pretty much forgotten after that, as instead the two boys came up with and actually wrote down a list of all the things they could and couldn’t do.  

Hand holding and other casual touching was allowed.  So was kissing, so long as it didn’t involve any tongue.

“But what if our friends are there and we need to convince them we’re properly dating?” Dan asked.

“Fine, maybe tongue is okay then,” Phil agreed.  It felt odd to talk about this sort of thing so casually.  It was as if they were planning out their romance.  Which really was what was happening.

Phil requested that ‘nothing too sexual’ be a boundary, to which Dan argued that was too unclear but it got added anyway. There would be no telling their parents about their plan, coming out to them would have to be done separately.

“Are we going to be one of those gross couples that posts about each other constantly on social media?” Phil wondered.

“I mean we kinda already do that babe,” Dan laughed.

“Shut up,” Phil blushed.  “No calling each other babe, I’m adding it to the list.”

“How about sunshine?” Dan countered.  “Honey?  Love?”

“I hate you,” Phil groaned.

“Now that’s not the way to talk to your boyfriend.” Dan teased.

“Oh my god, why did I agree to this?”  Phil leaned back, covering his face with his hands.

“It’s cuz’ you love me!” Dan said, still teasing.

“Yeah, as friends,” Phil peeked through his fingers at him.  “What if this goes wrong somehow?”  he got serious for a moment.  “What do we do then?”

“The second one of us wants out we say so,” Dan stopped making fun.  “Even if it’s in the middle of all our friends.  If you’re ever uncomfortable we’ll stop.”

“Yeah, okay,” That made Phil feel better.  “Like a safe word or something.”

“True,” Dan smiled.  It was a little different from an ordinary safeword but in some ways it was really the same.  “What do you want it to be?”

“How about I just call you Daniel?  Or you call me Philip if you want to call it off.  We never do that so there shouldn’t be any times that comes up unless we want it to.” Phil suggested.  “And that way if we’re around other people it won’t be hard to work into the conversation or anything.”

“Sounds perfect.” Dan was fairly certain things wouldn’t end badly, but having a way to get out of everything made him feel even more confident about the whole thing.  “Now back to the kissing…”

“God, I hate you.”

The spent the rest of that afternoon figuring out the final things and adding to the list.  Phil considering making both of them sign it to make it some sort of formal agreement but Dan managed to convince him that their trust was enough to guarantee they would follow what they had written down.  All they really had to remember was to make things believable but not go further than that.  

However, it turned out that writing things down on paper was a lot easier than actually going through with any of it.

The first issue was that neither of them quite knew how to annouce they were dating.  They were already such close friends that if they just hinted at it people probably wouldn’t even notice.  So they needed to do something that clearly showed how they were a couple.  Something that their friends could see but that that didn’t make to of big of a deal out of everything.

“What if we start holding hand at lunch?” Dan suggested as they were driving to school together two days later.  Or more accurately Dan was driving like he always did and Phil was getting distracted staring out the window and trying not to get motion sick.

“But that could be considered friendly.” Phil pointed out.

“But really?  I feel like our friend group wouldn’t think that.  I mean none of our friends now hold hands.”

“But none of them are as close as we are.”

“True,” Dan sighed.  “Goddamn, if we weren’t already such a married couple this would be so much easier.”

Eventually, the boys decided that holding hands was a good start.  Hopefully one of their friends would ask or make a joke about it and then they could say that they were dating.  It seemed simple enough.

But that didn’t explain, when it came time for lunch, why Phil’s heart was suddenly beating out of his chest and his palms were sweating just at the thought of walking into the cafeteria holding hands with Dan.  Right now he was walking to meet Dan outside his history class, so it was giving Phil plenty of time to overthink what they were about to do (though really he had been overthinking ever since they decided that today was the day on the car ride to school).  Phil just really hoped that this went well.  He wasn’t sure why he cared so much, but he really wanted it to.

“Ready?” Dan interrupted Phil’s thoughts as he emerged from the classroom, quick to stand right at Phil’s side.  “We can still back out.” Dan added when Phil hesitated.

“No, no, I’m fine,” Phil insisted.  “Let’s go.”  He took Dan’s hand in his.

It felt much more natural than they both expected.

In fact, by the time that they got to the table they always sat at with their other friends at lunch, Dan and Phil had both forgotten that they were even holding hands in the first place.

“Oh my god,” Louise’s exclamation made them suddenly remember.  “Did you guys finally get your act together and start dating?”

“What do you mean get our act together and-” Dan started.

“Yes,” Phil interrupted, elbowing Dan slightly.  “We did.” He smiled as he looked fondly at Dan.  Phil was trying really hard to make this whole dating thing believable.

“I’m so happy for you,” Louise beamed.  “Lord knows it took long enough.”

“True,” Phil agreed, as him and Dan both sat down at the table and began to get their lunches out.

“So how exactly did you guys do the whole shift from friends to dating thing?”  She asked.

“We were just talking one night,” Dan finally spoke up.  “And we realised that we were basically already dating, just without the kissing bit I mean, and we figured that maybe adding that bit wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”  

“You guys are basically a married couple,” PJ chimed in.

“We were just talking about that this morning.” Phil laughed.

“Well I’m glad you guys figured it out.  We were beginning to think that you were both so dense there was no chance you would ever realise how you’ve been mutually crushing on each other forever.”  Louise said.

“Yeah,” PJ added, “We were beginning to think that you guys didn’t even realise that you had a crush at all.”

“True,” Louise laughed.  “Okay, but now can we talk about the math test because I have that next period and I need some math facts fast if I’m going to have any hope of passing.”

So telling their friends that they were dating went well.  Actually, maybe it went too well.  Because both of them couldn’t stop thinking about how their friends had assumed it was real easily because they figured they had had crushed on each other for ages.  And that wasn’t true.  Of course not.

Besides, this whole plan wasn’t really about their friends.  Dan and Phil had both figured that their friends would not be surprised about the whole not straight thing.  But the goal of this whole plan was to make it known around the school about this whole not straight thing.  That way there would be more of a chance of them getting dates.  So even though they had told their friends they were dating, that was only the beginning.  And somehow they needed to come up with a plan to spread it beyond that.

Luckily none of that needed to happen right away and they were able to spend the rest of the school days as they always did (in classes that were painfully never together and texting the whole time to make up for it).  After school they drove home together and decided to hang out at Phil’s house from that afternoon.  It wasn’t so much of a question of if they would hang out or not, but rather where.

They ended up settled back in their spots on the couch, this time playing video games instead of watching a movie, and the afternoon flew by.  Afternoons like this, Fridays when it was just autumn enough to justify not going outside, were some of Phil’s favourite in the world.  He figured that video games and comfy sofas and sitting just close enough to have their knees brushing together was the best type of happiness in the world.  And Dan would be inclined to agree.

“Dan, what are we doing?” Phil asked.  It was much later now, bedtime actually.  They were both under the covers in Phil’s bed, just as they had been when they first came up with this plan.  Late night conversations were always the easiest place to talk about things.

“What do you mean?” Dan stared at the ceiling, his eyes wide open even though there was nothing to take in as the room was drowned in darkness.

“I just…” Phil started before trailing off.  “I can’t help but feel like this isn’t going to end how we’re planning.  It seems like things like this never do.”

“We’ll be fine.”  Dan quickly assured (even though neither of them quite knew what he was reassuring about).  “We’ve been friends far too long for one failed plan to ruin us.  Besides, how many of our plans have failed in the past?”

“A lot of them!” Phil protested.

“But we’re still here.” Dan proved his point.  “None of those have ended our friendship, so I don’t see how this one would.”

“Yeah,” Phil agreed.  “That does actually make sense.”

“Of course it does, I am very smart, you know,” Dan joked.

“And that’s why you have a C in English right now,” Phil replied back.

“That’s just because Mr. R doesn’t appreciate my sense of humor or writing style!” Dan tried to defend himself.

“Sure,” Phil said sarcastically, grinning since Dan couldn’t see him.  Really, he did agree with Dan - he should have an A in the class - but it was much more fun teasing him about it than saying that.

“We should probably go to bed,” Dan mentioned after glancing over at the clock.  “It’s getting late.”

“Yeah,” Phil had noticed the clock a couple of minutes ago but he hadn’t said anything.  He always hated having to stop talking and going to bed instead.  He was getting really sleepy though, so maybe it was time.  “You’ll still be here in the morning, right?” He asked.  That was something he said every night that they were sleeping over at either of their houses.  Because when they had just started being friends, when they were little kids, Dan had left a sleepover in the middle of the night, and Phil had been really confused when he wasn’t there in the morning.  So now it was their joke that he always asked.

“Yeah,” Dan replied, smiling to himself.  Now he would never leave in a million years. He felt way more at home here, in Phil’s bed with him, than he did back alone at his house.  “I hope you don’t snore.”  That was Dan’s part of the bit because that was the reason he went home when he was little, he had been scared of Phil’s soft snoring (if it could even be called that as Dan now knew it was more of a slightly heavy breathing - a breathing that he had come to memorize).

“I would never.” Phil replied, smiling to himself.  “Goodnight Dan.”  He added softly.

“Night,” Dan turned so he wasn’t looking at the ceiling any longer and closed his eyes.  “Love you.”

“Love you too.”

So yeah, maybe the dating was a little confusing, at least for now, but this was easy.  This was when they both felt most at home.  There was no way that they would ever break it.  Not when Dan curled closer only a few moments after saying goodnight and neither of them moved away.

They continued to keep up the dating thing around their friends and when they walked between classes together sometimes they held hands.  It was just enough that slowly but surely the word began to spread around the school that they were dating.  It was just like they had planned.  Everything was working without any problems.

After about two weeks went by Phil began to think about if it was was time for them to “break up” yet.  Because they had achieved their goal - people knew they were dating and given that information, were no longer straight - but for some reason Phil didn’t feel like it was time for them to be done with this fake relationship.  He reckoned that people probably didn’t really think of them as couple, some probably still thought they were friends.  They still needed to do something to cement their non-platonic status (or at least their fake non-platonic status).  Besides, they had to wait a least a couple more weeks before breaking up if this was going to seem like any sort of real relationship at all.

Of course Phil didn’t really have any idea for what they should do for this whole confirming they were a couple thing so he decided to ask Dan about it.

“True, we do need to do something,” Dan agreed.  “But I don’t know what.”

“Same,” Phil sighed. They were in Dan’s room, and Phil was laying on the bed while Dan sat at his desk attempting to do homework (at least that’s what he had been trying to do before Phil distracted him with this much more interesting topic).

“What’s something that normal couples do?” Dan wondered aloud.

“Kiss.” Phil shocked himself by saying it aloud, but that had been what they were both thinking.

“Yeah, they kiss,” Dan repeated back.  He was glad he was facing the wall opposite his desk because he didn’t want Phil to see the way his face grew warm at even the mention of kissing.

“I mean we’ve both kissed girls before,” Phil tried to make it seem like less of a big deal.  “How different can it be really?”

“But you’re attracted to girls too,” Dan pointed out.  “I’ve never kissed anyone I actually like that way.”

“But you don’t l-like me that way,” Phil stuttered slightly on the words for some reason.  “So it should be pretty much the same.”

“I don’t know if that’s quite how it works Phil,” Dan almost felt like laughing.

“Yeah,” Phil admitted.  “I know.”

There was a moment of silence then as they both thought about what to do.

“What if we practised first?” Phil suggested.  “That way we’ll know what to expect going into it.  And you can pretend that this doesn’t count.  Your first kiss with a guy can be the next guy.”

“Or it could just be that my first kiss with a guy is with my best friend.  It’s that whole your first kiss should be with someone who really cares about you shit.” Dan’s cheeks were really red now as they continued to talk so casually about kissing.  But the more that they talked about it, the more than Dan became certain that for some reason, he really wanted to kiss Phil.

“Yeah, or that,” Phil agreed.  He really wanted to know what it would feel like to finally kiss a boy too.  He had always thought that Dan had nice lips (even if they were always ridiculously chapped).

“We should still do that whole practice thing though,” Dan added. “And then we can just casually make out at a party or something.” He joked.  Thought really it didn't sound like as much of a joke as he intended.

“Did you wanna practice now?” Phil asked.  He felt like his heart was jumping into his throat.

“I-I guess,” Dan finally turned around to look at Phil.  “Might as well.”

“Might as well,” Phil repeated before starting to giggle.  “What a great reason to kiss someone.  Might as well.”

“Shut up,” Dan started giggling too.  Really the conversation had been much too serious and suddenly neither of them could stop laughing.  “God, maybe the real reason we can’t get dates is cuz’ we’re too big of dorks.” Dan said once he could finally stop enough to talk.

“True,” Phil agreed.  “None of the boys will ever want to date us.”

“The only date we’ll ever be able to get is each other.” Dan joked.

“Yeah, maybe we’ll just have to date.” Phil smiled (though a universe in which him and Dan were dating kept becoming easier to imagine).

“But, actually,” Dan brought the conversation back to the topic at hand, “Should we practise now?”

“Sure,” Phil tried to sound more confident than he felt, his nerves from before instantly returning.

“I’ll come over there?” Dan said, it coming out as more of a question than a statement.

“Oh, yeah,” Phil sat up and scooted over so that there was room for Dan to sit on the bed next to him.

When Dan sat down the mattress sank slightly, and they ended up sitting closer than intended, but neither of them made any effort to move away because at this point that seemed rather pointless.  Their arms brushed together and Phil felt like his arm was tingling there.  Meanwhile Dan could barely breath, half from the nerves and half from the smell that sitting so close to Phil brought.  Because Phil always smelled indescribably good, like warm and strawberries and the scent of boy (in the good way) and they were both silent as these thoughts raced through their heads, thinking about what they were about to do.

Realistically, the both knew that one kiss wasn’t going to ruin their friendship or anything.  Plenty of friends had probably kissed before.  But for some reason it felt like this was more than that.  Only it couldn’t be.  Because they were just kissing for practise for their fake relationship.  It couldn’t mean anything because if that was true it would mean that at least one of them was falling for the other and unlike a simple kiss between two friends, that was something that could likely ruin a friendship.  So this couldn’t mean anything.  It wouldn’t.

But Phil’s skin was already tingling and he was thinking about how nice it would be to hold Dan close, his hand tangled lightly in his hair.  Or maybe his hands would be on Dan’s back, pulling him closer.

Dan was thinking about how Phil was probably really good at kissing, as Phil was really good as most things.  He thought about how it would feel to finally kiss a boy.  He had been waiting for this for so long.  He had never expected that it would be with Phil, but for some reason, it didn’t feel wrong that it was.

“So,” Phil broke the silence that felt like it had been going on forever when it had really only been a few moments as all the thoughts flew through their brains. “Should we just go for it?”

“Sure,” Dan internally swore because he wasn’t ready at all, but this was as close as he was going to ever be.  And even though the thought of kissing was terrifying, Dan knew that he wanted, needed, to kiss Phil.

So one of them, later they would never be able to remember who it was that finally did it, leaned in slightly and their lips were pressed together.  And it didn’t feel wrong at all.

Phil ended up putting his hands on Dan’s back, his fingers curling as they gripped onto his shirt.  And Dan loved the way that felt, but not nearly as much as the actual kissing because holy fuck he was kissing a boy and it felt so much better than he had ever imagined and all the things he had been worrying about for years were validated.

Their lips moved together softly until they absolutely had to break apart to take a breath.  Both of them couldn’t stop smiling afterwards and Dan was so cute Phil couldn’t resist giving him one more quick kiss.

“Well,” Dan started before stopping because he was smiling so much and his heart felt like it might burst so he couldn’t quite get the words out.

“Yeah,” Phil agreed, equally as breathless.  “Maybe we should do a little more practise?”  He said, only half joking.

“Just a little friendly kissing.” Dan teased back, but he was mostly serious too.

“Why not?” Phil smirked.

“Why not.” Dan echoed back before leaning in to kiss Phil again.  

And somehow it was even better than the first.

Luckily, it was only a couple days later that a perfect opportunity came up for Dan and Phil to put this new practice into action.  The girl that Dan sat next to in english was having a party and somehow during one of their conversations about it, Dan got him and Phil invited.  Most everyone from their grade was welcome, so it wasn’t the invitation itself that was a big deal but rather that it would be the perfect chance to be seen as a couple by people that they didn’t necessarily sit with at lunch.

The party was set to be the following friday (when the girl’s mom was out of town) so they still had a little time to wait.  Neither of the boys minded much though as that meant they weren’t moving closer to the inevitable “breakup”, which both of them were beginning to dread for some reason.  Also, it gave them more time to practise.  After all, practise makes perfect.

Yet, soon enough it was the night of the party and Dan was arriving at Phil’s house to pick him up so that they could drive there.  He tried to text Phil to get him to meet him in the car, but Phil texted back frantically that he still didn’t know what to wear so Dan reluctantly got out his car and made his way to Phil’s front door.

He walked in without knocking as that’s what they always did whenever they were at each other’s house - as long as the front door was unlocked they could walk right in.

“Phil,” Dan called out, as he wandered down the hallway towards Phil’s room.  “Come on.”  He complained.  “Just pick out goddamn shirt, it’s not that hard.”

“Oh says you,” Phil swung his bedroom door open to let Dan in.  “I’m sure you’ve had that outfit picked out for a week.”  He wasn’t wearing a shirt yet, only his black jeans, and it seemed like all the shirts he owned were scattered on the floor.

Dan didn’t really notice the stuff on the floor though.  He was too busy trying not to stare at Phil’s bare chest (and miserably failing) to really see anything else.  “You’re giving me far too much credit for advance planning.”  He managed to respond to Phil’s comment about his clothes.

“Oh yeah,” Phil mused, “I forgot.  You’re the type of person who can do everything last minute and still manage to somehow be both flawless and on time.”

“Just barely on time,” Dan countered.

“True,” Phil smiled.  Normally he had to be the one stressing out and pushing Dan along to make sure they got out the door at the right time.  “What should I wear though?” Phil brought the conversation back to his predicament.

“I don’t know,” Dan shrugged, “You look good in literally anything, I don’t think you need to put this much thought into it.”  He said without really thinking.  “Besides, if everything goes how we want it to people will be concentrating on the fact that we’re dating more than whatever clothes you finally put on.”

“Okay, fine, if it’s that easy why don’t you just pick a shirt out for me.”  Phil replied.

“Sure,” Dan looked around on the floor at all the clothes scattered there for the first time since he had walked through Phil’s bedroom door.  “Wear this one.” He handed Phil a black jumper with constellations on the back.

“Of course you pick the black one,” Phil pointed out as he took it from Dan’s hands.

“You look good in black.” Dan felt almost disappointed that Phil was putting on a shirt at all, but he always looked stunning in black so that made it at least slightly better.

“I thought you said I looked good in all colours,” Phil teased, his voice muffled as he was midway putting the jumper on.

“Shut up,” Even Dan would admit that his friendly flirting was a bit more obvious tonight.  “Are you ready to go now?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Phil grabbed his phone off his bed and put it in his pocket before roughly slipping on some vans that he could tie in the car.  “Let’s go.” He walked out into the hallway with Dan following closely behind.  “Oh and Dan,” Phil turned around so quickly that Dan almost ran into him.  “For the record, you always look good in black too.”

“T-thanks.” Dan managed in reply.

“You’re welcome,” Phil smiled his normal goofy smile before turning back around and continuing towards the door.  

The drive to the party didn’t take long, especially with them blasting music and singing along the whole way there.  Before going in they decided that Phil would be the designated driver considering he hated the taste of beer to begin with so he wouldn’t mind the not drinking as much.  They also decided that they would just do the whole kissing thing when it felt right.  That was why they had practised after all, so that it would look natural when they had to do it in front of other people.

The party was full of people that they recognized from school but most of them were already more drunk than either of the boys planned on getting.  There were plenty of couples making out too, so at least they wouldn’t be out of place later.

Neither of them really knew what to do but the loud music was pretty good and soon enough someone offered them drinks that they both accepted (even though Phil knew he wasn’t going to drink it, the person offering seemed excited enough that he hadn’t wanted to offend them by saying no).  On the other hand, Dan was glad for the surprisingly cool beer that actually tasted pretty decent after a few sips.  The taste wasn’t even important though as it helped with his nerves and that was what really mattered.

Dan wasn’t even sure why he was nervous.  He didn’t have a problem with people knowing they were dating or really even with the fact that he was going to have to kiss his friend again.  In fact, he was kinda looking forward to it, Phil was quite a good kisser.  So why was he nervous?

“Shit” Dan muttered when he realised it.

“What?” Phil heard him even over the loud music because they had never moved more than a few inches apart since they had gotten there.

“Nothing.” Dan quickly replied.

But really everything was wrong.  Because Dan wasn’t nervous.  He was excited.  The feeling in his stomach wasn’t one of anxiety, but rather anticipation.  Dan was looking forward to being able to kiss Phil again because yeah, Phil was a fucking great kisser, but also because Dan wanted to be kissing Phil all the time, like you would do with your boyfriend.  And they were boyfriends.  Only none of it was real.  And Dan had fucked it all up by catching feelings.  Shit.

It made more sense the more he thought about it.  Their friends had been right all along, Dan had been too oblvious to even notice his own feelings.  God, Dan began to realise that he had had a crush on Phil forever.

But if their friends were right about him, maybe they were right about Phil too.  Maybe they were right about their mutual attraction.

But Dan couldn’t let himself think that.  He couldn’t give himself that shred of hope because if it turned out to be wrong he knew that he would be destroyed.

Yet Dan couldn’t bring any of these revelations up know.  They were still at the party with the loud music and the now empty beer gripped in his hand.  Phil was still standing next to him, their arms brushing and wait, they were holding hands?  Dan didn’t remember that starting.  Suddenly the room felt too hot and Phil was too close and Dan felt like the world was spinning around him.

“You alright?” Phil asked again, concern in his eyes.

“Yeah,” Dan leaned in even closer to talk to him.  “Just thinking.”

“Thinking is where you run into all your problems,” Phil teased fondly, referencing the many occasions in which he had to talk Dan out of the crises he thought himself into.

“You’re right,” Dan felt like laughing.  Phil was always right when it came to him.  Besides, there was nothing Dan could do now and he had just discovered that he had huge crush on the person that he was supposed to be kissing soon.  And for now, maybe that wasn’t a problem, because at least for now, Phil wanted to kiss him back.  “Do you wanna do the thing?” He asked.

“The thing,” Phil smiled.  “Yeah, I’d love to do the whole kissing thing.”  His eyes crinkled around the edges.

“You’re so cute when you do that,” Dan said as he set the beer down and his hand made it’s way to the side of Phil’s face, his thumb brushing gently next to Phil’s eye, where it was lined with happiness.

“You’re just cute all the time,” Phil replied, leaning in to kiss Dan before he could respond and any words Dan might have come up with were caught in between their lips.

Dan’s eyes fluttered shut as he leaned into Phil.  The loud party around them that had been making him light headed only a moment ago quickly faded away and doon Dan was feeling dizzy for a completely different reason.  Because now Phil’s lips were moving against his like they had been doing this for years and fuck they should have been doing this for years.  Kissing Phil felt better than anything else Dan had even done and if he could, he would kiss him for the rest of his life.  Dan would stay in that crowded party with Phil’s arms wrapped around his waist with their lips moving against each other, and he could be content forever.

Unfortunately they did break apart (though it was mostly so that they could breathe).  When they leaned away from each other Phil noticed how Dan’s lips were a darker shade of red than normal.  He liked the way it looked.  He liked the way that it was from them kissing.  Knowing that it was from him felt almost better than the kissing itself.

“You’re good at this,” Phil said, not making any motion to move away from Dan.  They were still close enough that he could feel Dan pressed up all against him. Phil’s hands gripped the fabric on the back of Dan’s shirt, low enough that they were practically at his jeans.

Dan wished Phil’s hands were on his jeans.  “So are you.” Dan replied, tried to joke but really he couldn’t stop thinking about how fucked he was.  The one beer wasn’t doing anything to calm his nerves and the realisation that everything was going to shit.  And it was all because of him.

“Your lips look pretty like this,” Phil kissed him again, biting ever so gently.

Dan felt like he couldn’t breath.  Everything felt like it was happening at full force and there was none of the fuzzy tinge that came from being tipsy that he desperately needed to take the edge off.  Instead Phil was acting like the one with lowered inhibitions when he hadn’t touched a drink all night.

“Why do you keep flirting with me like that?” Dan asked, much more serious than made sense for being in the middle of a party where they could barely hear each other.

“Because you’re my boyfriend.” Phil smiled.  

He didn’t get it.  Of course he didn’t.  He hadn’t caught feelings.

And instead of letting that hurt like Dan knew it would if he even processed the words at all, Dan pulled him closer and kissed him hard.  Then Dan drank Phil’s beer.  And they kissed some more.  The no tongue allowed rule seemed like a distant memory.  And after a couple more drinks everything finally seemed fuzzy.  Dan stopped thinking at all.

He stopped remembering too, because when Dan woke up the next morning with the sunlight much too bright around him, the last thing he could remember doing was taking Phil’s drink.

“Oh my god, it’s so bright,” He groaned, rolling over to shove his face under the pillow.

“Good morning to you too. Glad I was already awake otherwise that would have been even more amazing to hear,” Phil pulled the pillow of Dan’s head, his voice way too happy for so early in the morning.

“No, give it back,” Dan half heartedly tried to grab it.  “I need it to mute the headache.” He closed his eyes again, the aching behind his forehead seemed to be impossibly strong.

“I can get you an aspirin,” Phil was already half out of bed before Dan pulled him back.

“No,” Dan said hurriedly, “I’m sure you already took care of me enough last night.  You don't need to do anything more.”

“It’s fine,” Phil had ended up almost on top Dan when he had been so quickly pulled back into the bed.  “I don’t mind,” Phil gently brushed some of Dan’s curls off his forehead.

“You’re too good to me,” Dan reached up to run his thumb over Phil’s cheek.  There was stubble there, and it was unfairly hot.  Actually, Phil always looked like a god in the morning, and Dan was completely aware of how he must look like he crawled through a garbage heap.  That wasn’t even mentioning the whole issue of how Phil was so close while looking so hot, and Dan was desperately hoping that Phil didn’t shift at all because if he did, Dan had no idea how it would explain the fact that his morning boner hadn’t gone away and in fact, had only gotten worse.

“Hey, I get some pretty good entertainment out of taking care of you when you’re drunk so there are benefits to the job,” Phil giggled, evidently remembering something that Dan didn’t.

“Oh god, I don’t even want to know.” As long as Phil was still talking to him that was enough for Dan to not worry about it too much, at least for now.  “Can you get off me now?  I need to go shower.”

“That’s not what you were asking me to do last night,” Phil couldn’t resist joking as he got up and moved to the other side of the bed.

“Fucking hell,” Dan shook his head as he got up.  “I’m just gonna pretend you never said that.”

“Technically you were the one who said it.” Phil pointed out.

Dan just flipped him off in response as he walked out of the room.

“Love you too babe,” Phil called after him, laughing.

Two showers later (one cold: dan and one warm: phil) they decided to eat some cereal.  By some miracle Dan actually wasn’t nauseous and once the aspirin kicked in he felt fine.  Phil said it was all due to his impeccable skills when he took care of him but Dan quickly made him stop talking about anything to do with the night before.

“So, did you want to do anything today?” Phil asked as they were putting away dishes after breakfast.

“Mm, nothing in particular?  Why, did you have something in mind?”  It was only Saturday so Dan figured that any homework could be put off another day.

“No not really, maybe just some video games?” Phil suggested.

“Yeah, sure, that sounds perfect.” Dan agreed.

Truthfully Phil didn’t care what they did at all, as long it didn’t involve Dan going home.  Video games were also perfect for casually banter where they didn’t have to think too much about what they said because they both knew not to take anything too seriously.  Even though Dan was somehow better at most of the games, Phil didn’t mind losing.  Dan’s wide smile when he teased Phil about losing was enough for him.

“Oh Phil, look who’s gonna win again,” Dan taunted.  They were playing some shooting game that Dan had brought over a couple days ago, and Phil had still barely figured out the controls.

“Shut up,” Phil didn’t even glance over, concentrating on only the screen.

“Make me,” Dan looked at Phil when he said it.

But Phil was still looking forward.  “You’d like that wouldn’t you.” He replied easily.  It was ambiguous enough but both of them knew what was implied.

“It’s the only way you’d ever have any chance at winning.”  Dan watched Phil’s face for a reaction.

“Mm, I feel like kissing would distract me just as much as you so really it doesn’t seem like much of a plan at all.” Phil didn’t even flinch when he talked about them kissing anymore.  “This seems to be working much better to be honest.”

Dan looked back at the screen to see that Phil had somehow gotten more points.  “Fucking hell,” he exclaimed, immediately beginning to concentrate on the game again.

So the distraction technique of kissing was forgotten, talking about it ended up being enough because Phil won that round easily.

“I deserve a celebration kiss,” Phil joked afterwards.

“Fuck no,” Dan was always a sore loser.  “Rematch.  That didn’t count.”

“Alright,” Phil agreed smiling.  Maybe he’d let Dan win this game, at least to make him stop whining.

They continued playing video games for a while longer.  After that Phil forced Dan to started on some of their weekend homework and before they knew it, it was dinner time and Dan’s phone was ringing with his mom asking him to come home for once instead of staying at the Lesters.  Dan reluctantly agreed and said goodbye to Phil with a promise to be back over later if he could get away again.  It was almost weird sitting his quiet room alone once Dan left, Phil had become so used to there being the two of them there.

After eating dinner with his parents, Phil decided it would be a good time to just listen to music and chill a little.  It had been a long time since he had a chance to just sit and maybe doodle or something else litter while listening to some of his favourite instrumental music.  Dan used to always make fun of him for not listening to songs with lyrics but overtime Phil had convinced him that they were just as good.  They both especially loved songs with good piano and cello parts.

Tonight, though, Phil chose to listen to Moonlight Sonata because it was one of his favourites.  Of course that was mostly because Dan would play it on the piano for him sometimes when they were over at Dan’s house.  Dan would always insist that he was no good, and Phil would try to make him see how amazing he really was.  Phil wanted to tell him how the chord progression made the hair on the back of his neck stand up and his chest tingle, but that seemed a little weird to say so instead Phil just said that it was beautiful, that he would listen to Dan play piano forever.  And Dan would blush and turn back to playing so that he could hide it, and the playing would be the most beautiful thing that Phil had ever heard.

This song reminded him of Dan the most though, out of all the ones that Dan played.  But as Phil sat doodling a little but mostly listening, he was struck by how everything reminded him of Dan.  Video games, pancakes, the colour black, kissing.  And no matter how much time Phil tried to spend not thinking about what the last thing on the list meant, he couldn’t seem to escape it and the “breakup” that should have a happened a long time ago.

And no matter how much he avoided it, Phil was sure that he didn’t want the breakup to happen.  He had known that from practically the moment he had agreed to do this whole thing, he had just kept it buried deep enough that he didn’t have to think about what that meant.  Only now without even spending any time on the matter, Phil was suddenly certain that he loved Dan as more than a friend.  

With that realisation Phil could feel his mind begin to get staticy and his chest start to constrict because fuck, that wasn’t allowed to happen.  The walls were crumbling around him.  All the sleepovers with a bed casually shared and bowls of cereal at midnight and driving to school with the music blaring.  All the close to cuddling during movies and the accidental hands brushing as the walked.  It would all be gone if he messed this up.  

He couldn’t mess it up.

He couldn’t breath.  

Radio static.  Everything was crumbling.

Breathe.

“Phil, oh Phil,” There was somebody taking his hands into theirs, undoing the fists that Phil had clenched them into.  “Breathe, just breathe.”  They said softly, counting along to the breathes.

And when Phil could finally think again, he saw that it was Dan, and he felt like he might cry.

“I told you I would be back over if I could,” Dan saw Phil’s confusion as to why he was there.  “And I just walked in like normal, I hope that’s okay.”

Of course, Phil wanted to say, but he couldn’t quite form words yet.  Instead, he offered a shaky half smile.

“God, I leave you alone for a couple hours and this happens,” Dan smiled back sadly, alternating their fingers together as he held Phil’s hand.  He hated seeing Phil hurt like this.  “How about I tell you a story?” He offered.  “Maybe it will be a good distraction?”

Phil nodded.  He desperately needed to think about something else.  Dan was so good to him.

“Once upon a time,” Dan began smiling as that was kind of unnecessary but once Phil had told him that all good stories start with those four words, so Dan figured it was a good way to start.  “There were two boys who were the best of friends.

They had known each other since they were so little they couldn’t even remember first meeting.  Their moms told them that they had met at the park when they were babies.  Or maybe they had just been born already knowing each other.  Maybe they had come from the same star.

Whatever the case, they had been best friends forever.  They knew each other better than they knew themselves in almost every way.  

But there was one thing.  It started so gradually at first that neither of them noticed.  Until eventually, when they were in high school, it became hard to ignore.

Because you see, the two boys had fallen in love with each other.  They were both quite dense so they didn’t realise it at first, but it had always been there.  In the goodbye hugs, brushing hands, late night cuddling, and in the first time they kissed.

Once they did realise it though, everything made so much more sense and once they told each other nothing much changed but they were so much happier.  They finally allowed themselves to be in love.  And they lived happily ever after.”  Dan looked right at Phil as he said the last part.  He knew that this wasn’t really a calming down story but Dan knew Phil better than he new himself sometimes, and Dan guessed that it was exactly what Phil needed to hear.

“Do we get that ending too?” Phil asked quietly.  He desperately hoped that Dan really felt that way.

“If you want.” Dan could feel his heartbeat pounding in his head as he waited for Phil to respond.

“Yeah,” Phil smiled.  “I’d like that a lot.”

“Yeah?”  Dan grinned, “Are you sure because-”

“I’m sure,” Phil cut him off quickly, laughing as he pulled Dan into a hug.  Even though the shaking hadn’t quite gone away yet, Phil had never been more sure of anything in his entire life.

“God, I love you,” Dan said, his voice warm.  It was different from all the times he had said it before but it so many ways it was still the exact same.

“Dan will you be my boyfriend? For real this time?” Phil had to ask.

“Of course.”  The breakup wouldn’t have to happen now.  “Would it be alright if I kissed my boyfriend?” Dan leaned back to look at Phil when he asked.

And instead of responding, Phil just pulled him closer and kissed him hard.  

Dan and Phil had always been best friends, but this was undoubtedly even better.

[luxuriant-starlight]

I Won’t Say I’m In Love (Ch. 1)

I finally did it kids. I’m finally writing a multi-chapter Miraculous fic. I plan for this to be 15 chapters or so. Here’s Chapter 1. 

Words: 1.8k

Summary: Marinette Dupain-Cheng is madly in love with Adrien Agreste who is Chat Noir who is madly in love with Ladybug who is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. After a sudden burst of confidence, the two decide to confess to their individual crushes, and both get rejected. Now Marinette and Chat Noir turn to each other for comfort- but soon realize they may be getting a little TOO close for comfort, and just end up trying to deny it, like the ridiculous losers they are. 

This is based on an animatic by @pepper-bottom. This is the post, which you should DEFINITELY check out: http://pepper-bottom.tumblr.com/post/157630245482/this-whole-thing-started-after-i-rewatched#_=_ [AO3] [FFN]

Chapter 1

Adrien was determined.

Like. SERIOUSLY determined.

He’d made up his mind. What he felt for Ladybug had gone on long enough. It had been 3 years already for God’s sake. He’d loved her since he was 15 years old, and he was 10000% convinced he’d love her till the day he’d die.

Which could be any day now, considering his rotten luck.

Adrien had been thinking about doing this for a while. He’d contemplated every scenario in which he’d confess his love. Every possible outcome. He’d even practiced a couple times on the huge Ladybug poster on his bedroom wall (that no one was allowed to see, ever).

Well, a few times.

Maybe 5 or 6. Or 100.

Honestly, he’d lost count.

But that’s beside the point!

The point is that now, Adrien had finally, FINALLY- after months of research and contemplation- cooked up the perfect algorithm to determine what the best possible way to confess to his darling Ladybug was.

Tonight, while on their bi-weekly patrol, Adrien Agreste will finally confess his undying love for His Lady. 

Hopefully, some of her good luck’ll rub off on him.

Hopefully. --------- “Are you sure about this, kid?” Plagg asked, munching on a piece of Camembert while Adrien took his phone out of his pocket so he could take it with him after he transformed and slid on his shoes. “What if she rejects you?”

Adrien rolled his eyes and sighed. “A little faith in me would be appreciated.”

“I’m literally the god of bad luck. Forgive me for being a little pessimistic.” Plagg responded,  “Plus, I’m thousands of years old. I’ve seen some shit, kid. Just tryna be realistic here.”

Adrien furrowed his brow, slightly pouting, and opened the window. “I’ll deal with it. Now get in the ring.”

Plagg harumphed. “Fine.”

“Plagg! Transforme Moi!”

As soon as the transformation rolled down Adrien’s body, he leapt out the open window, kicking it shut as he bounded off to see his Lady at their rendezvous point. He was a big boy. He knew the risks of what he was about to do.

But...what if she does reject him?

What if-

It’ll be fine, he quickly reassured himself. Ladybug loves you- romantically or otherwise- and that’s all you really need anyways.

Besides, he reasoned. We’re destined for each other. 

Leaping over rooftops with practically lightning fast speed, he arrived at the their meeting spot on the roof of Notre Dam in no time. There, his Lady was waiting for him, eyes trained on the starry horizon, seemingly deep in thought.

She was beautiful. Like, stunningly so. Sky blue eyes, ebony hair. A lean and obviously muscular form- yet still soft and almost chubby in certain places. Her beauty was just...captivating. He could spend hours counting every freckle on every inch of her skin- though he was unfortunately restricted to just the skin on her face and neck by that spandex suit she always wore- starting with the spray of them across her cheeks.

He stood and stared for a moment.

No matter how sure he was this morning that he could do this, nothing could’ve possibly prepared him for the way his heart skipped a beat and leapt into his throat. The way his stomach sank. The way his legs seemed to get heavier with every step.

No. His brain screamed. You can do this. You made pie charts.

He forced his heart back down into his chest, and stuck that characteristic smirk back on his face.

I made pie charts. I have an algorithm.

Chat stepped forward, and steadied a shaky hand to place on her shoulder, breaking her concentration and making her whip her head around to look at him.

“My Lady.” He bowed, and kissed her hand.

“Chat!” Ladybug pouted, furrowing her brow. “Where have you been? You’re 30 minutes late.”

Cute. All these years, and she still made his cheeks warm. He praised God- or, err, Kwami?- for the mask on his face. He could’ve melted right there.

The pie charts! His brain nagged.

Right. Instead of melting, he stood straight back up and grinned that Chat-like grin.

“My a-paw-logies, My Lady.” Adrien leaned in closer and raised his eyebrows. “Did I make you miss me?”

Ladybug, in typical Ladybug fashion, simply rolled those baby blue eyes. “This may be fun, but this is also our job. Our responsibility. You know that.”

“‘M sorry. I won’t be late next time.” He told her, sincerely.

She pursed her lips. “It’s okay. Just don’t let it happen again, please, Kitty.”

“Of course, My Lady.” Adrien extended a leather-clad hand, gesturing towards the Parisian skyline. “Shall we?”

She smiled. His heart skipped another beat. “We shall.”

---------

 The patrol went as the majority of them do- uneventfully.  There was no crime in Paris that night- unless you count a rowdy teenage party they had to crash. After a young woman with a crying baby had complained to the superhero duo about the noise, informing them that she had already knocked on the door three times to ask them to keep it down, they walked over and tried their own hand at the teens.

The look on that kid’s face when he opened the door and saw Ladybug standing there, with her hands on her hips, not amused- with Chat Noir and the young woman with the baby standing behind her- was priceless. Adrien almost wishes Alya had been here to film it.

The boy quickly apologized and lowered the music- much to the gratitude of the young mother.

Aside from that, Paris seemed to be having a chill Friday night- which Adrien was grateful for, because, had an akuma victim appeared, he wouldn’t have the chance to let his Lady know what was on his mind.

By midnight, their patrol was done. He and Ladybug were perched back onto the rooftop of the Notre Dam, just silently enjoying each other’s company, Ladybug leaning on his shoulder, eyes trained on the horizon again.

It should’ve been serene- but Adrien was restless. He’d been anxiously bouncing his legs for the better part of 15 minutes, waiting for the right moment to enact his plan into motion.

He was beginning to have some doubts.

How could he do this? How can he even go about doing this? He can’t just confess to her! She’s Ladybug! She’s smart and funny and brave and sweet and kind and determined and heroic and confident and powerful and-

But you’re Chat Noir! His brain chastised him. And you have those pie charts!

To hell with pie charts! Graphs are not how you win a girl’s affection! Especially not a girl as amazing as Ladybug.

Who was he kidding? What if Plagg was right? What if-

Ladybug sighed, and stood up straight.

“Alright, Chat. What’s up?”

“My Lady?” He turned to her, surprised.

“You’ve been bouncing your leg for leg for 20 minutes now. What has you so restless?” She seemed worried. “You’re usually so happy to spend time together after patrol.”

“It’s nothing.” He assured her.

She didn’t look convinced. “I’m your best friend. You know you can tell me.”

He sighed, standing up before her and taking her hands, pulling her a bit closer. “Ladybug....I…”

“Chat?” She pouted and blinked, batting those long eyelashes at him.

“I...I’ll race you to the Eiffel Tower!” He shouted, grabbing his baton and extending it, already bounding towards the landmark.

Adrien heard her groan and call for him, clearly annoyed, but he just laughed, and kept going. She tried to keep up, swinging across lampposts, but couldn’t beat him after that head start.

He quickly perched on the top of the Tower, standing triumphantly, awaiting Ladybug’s arrival.

“Chat!” She panted. “Why’d you run? Can you please just tell me what’s wrong?”

 He sighed, his stomach dropping again. No turning back now.

 “My Lady,” Adrien stepped forward and took her hands in his again. “There’s something I have to tell you.”

She looked up at him expectantly, those soft, pink lips parted ever-so-slightly. God, she was NOT helping to still his beating heart right now.

“...Becoming Chat Noir was the best thing that ever happened to me.” Adrien started. “I’m freer, now. You don’t know much about it, but you know I don’t exactly have the...easiest home situation-”

Ladybug gently squeezed his hands, comfortingly.

“But being Chat Noir allows me to do so many of the things that I’d never be allowed to do as Ad- as my civilian self. I fight bad guys. I do good things. I get to run and jump and make friends and...be myself. For the first time in forever.

“But...the best thing about being Chat Noir isn’t the freedom. Or the glory. Or all the food that civilians give me for free. Or all the endless cat puns.”

 He chuckled at that. She rolled her eyes, but retained that small smile. He carressed her cheek.

“The best thing about being Chat Noir...is being able to be your partner, Ladybug. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can’t stop thinking about you. And lately...I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I can’t do...anything. Because…”

“Chat…”

“Because I need you to know. I love you, Ladybug. Like. Really love you.”

Ladybug gasped, softly, and stepped back a bit, releasing her hands from his. She, instead, placed them on herself- one over her open mouth, the other on her chest. 

There was a pregnant pause while he let her take it all in.

“All this time...all that flirting…?” She asked, after a moment.

He nodded, earnestly.

She sighed, shakily, tears swelling in her eyes. “Oh, Chat...I...I’m sorry-”

His stomach sank. He stepped back. 

“But…my heart already belongs to someone else.”

“Someone...else?”

Oh.

“Yeah…I’m really sorry. If- if things were different. If there wasn’t another guy-”

“No.” Chat responded, shakily. “I get it.”

She placed a gloved hand on his cheek, a tear running down her own. “I’m sorry.”

He pressed himself into her hand, clutching it, but gently returned it to her.

“You can’t help how you feel, I guess.” He laughed, emptily.

“But I’m-”

“Don’t be.” He reassured her, gripping her hand again, and wiping the tear from her soft, freckled cheek. “There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

She looked devastated for him. He felt a twinge of guilt.

“I shouldn’t have...done this.”

“No. It’s okay.”

He turned away, readying his baton. “I should go.”

“...Are we still friends?”

He didn’t look at her. He couldn’t meet her eyes. Not right now.

“Best friends. Always.”

Before she could formulate a response, he was already gone.

And a total idiot.

And once Adrien was sure he was out her eyeshot, he ran. He ran home. He opened his window and, once he was inside, de-transformed, removed his shoes and coat, and dropped himself on his bed.

“Kid…” Plagg started, actually feeling pity for him, for once.

“Don’t.” Adrien responded, numbly.

Plagg placed a tiny, velvet paw on Adrien’s cheek, sympathetically- comforting him the best he knew how. 

Adrien sobbed himself to sleep that night.

Yeah. Very angsty right now, but I promise it does get fluffier very soon. I have a whole plan for this fic. I’ll most likely post chapter two within a few days because I’m feeling a very strong urge to write right now.  I think maybe it’ll be done within like?? a month or two, give or take.

As always, if you wanna request a one-shot or something, go ahead and shoot a request in my inbox/messages and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. If you have a question of some sort, the same applies!

I hope you liked it :-)