#anyways ik i still have it but i don't feel like looking for it. just imagine two big black stickman shaped blobs and one has angel wings

[brokenbough]

"I hate you!" You yell at Simon, red faced and regretting the words already.

Simon stops. Halting all movement. His breaths are ragged, face stony, and head blank.

"What?" He asks, eyes dead like when he first met you.

The living room feels cold again, already mourning the loss of Simon's usual warmth.

"...." You don't say anything, unable to take back your words or find the ones you need to rectify the situation. You should've just let him go out, tell him later or way earlier that you felt neglected. It would've been that easy, it should've been.

The two of you stand quietly in the middle of the room. No one bothers to break the silence or fill the space with warmth, cover the cold silence with a warmth embrace. But no, no one does that. Instead of an apology like Simon deserves, you say:

"I'm going to bed."

But you don't. You lay in bed silently, entirely too cold to even think of sleep. You miss him, but you know you fucked up and you can't see him even though you want to, really badly.

So maybe that's how you ended up on the couch, looking at Simon. You don't bother trying to touch him. You can see his set jaw and features that harden with your every breath.

He's staring at the blank tv, a million and no thoughts rushing through his head.

He's angry of course. But not at you. Never you. He did something to make you say that. And you didn't mean it, no matter how much conviction was spoken with those three words. You didn't mean it. And Simon has to tell himself that a million times before Ghost believes it.

He did something. He did something to make you hate him. He's smart enough to know with you it's never the action but the principle.

What did he do to you?

"I don't hate you." You finally say, watching his eyes cloud with a fog you aren't sure how to clear.

"I know." He says after, still staring at the tv.

His voice is cold, distant. You feel worse with each breath, each blink he doesn't take, each second he doesn't say anything else.

"Simon, I mean it." You try again, reaching out. He doesn't reach back and you hesitant.

"I know that." He snaps, feeling worse.

"Si-- never mind." You say getting up. You can't take his silence anymore. It's cold, but you'll make do. You have work in the morning.

"Will you just tell me what I did wrong?!" He snaps, standing as well, grabbing your arm.

"What?" You ask, completely stopping once you've turned to him.

"Don't play dumb, okay? I know I did something to make you feel like that. So, just tell me, please?"

"Simon.... I.. You. You are so fucking broken." You tell him sadly, hugging him tight as if it will put him back together. "I don't hate you, okay? You just keep leaving and I feel alone." You explain with a frown.

He holds you, keeps you close in the late of night. "I didn't mean to make you feel alone." Simon says, holding your face up to meet his.

"I know. And I should've told you. Before... yelling at you and before bottling it all up."

He hums, kissing you softly. "I should've noticed."

"I should've told you." You repeat, refusing to let him take all the blame for your actions. "I don't hate you, and I never will. I'm an idiot for saying that." You reiterate, kissing him again.

He hums again, clearly content. He guides you back to the room, curling closer than ever to you. He doesn't wanna make you feel lonely, and he never wants to hear those words come out of your mouth again. Especially when directed at him.

You curl close too, holding him tight enough that he knows you won't go. That you don't hate him and never will.

His warmth is enough to make you fall asleep, and yours enough to keep him together, even if for one more night.

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

Ik it's shit. I didn't wanna write this but I was so stuck and didn't wanna write anything while also needing to write. Yknow how it is. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this shitshow of attempted angst and comfort :》

[wereh0gz]

OC timeskip doots

[goldensakuma]

i am in. Immense Pain

[clockworksheep2]

...... i literally have a VR headset. i can make this in the art program on it. i do not need to agonize over trying to make a 3D object in 2D space.

[daz4i]

it's so hard being a person who needs to be the best at everything when you are slightly below average at best at any given department

[prismit]

dead cells...... hard

[lyknest]

.

[kitchensinksurrealism]

the genetics felt so bad for what they did to my parents' first kid's looks that they overcompensated massively on the second kid's looks

[keeps-ache]

how are some of y'all finding my sideblogs

[angeltism]

school is pissing me offffff really bad and i am getting overwhelmed reaaaal bad too

[apollonouta]

Gave him the boot

Ended it with my fwb today bc the steady realization i have been in love with my ex best friend who i blocked and ghosted a year ago is too much for me to bear, even tho Johnathan was going to be a lot of fun bc he was into the exact same kinks as me in the exact same way and matched my freak to an eerie degree

So im gonna just kinda settle into maybe becoming one of those professional yeaners who still pine over their homoerotic object of affection like 70 years later. Wish me luck, I might become a published poet in like 5 years if i can channel whatever this is constructively!

[loverboybrightsideghost]

there's a commercial on the local radio station for like at&t or something but it's in collaboration with the wicked movie, so it's a dad basically being like "my whole family is obsessed with wicked, our wifi can barely handle it!" idk it's just. i'm not entirely sure what it is i feel but i just remember how i was obsessed with so many musicals (including wicked) when i was in middle school and it was considered REALLY uncool. like i was a little weirdo for it, and i was always singing and always people were like "ugh shut up already." one time i tried to show my friend "for good" when i graduated eighth grade and her boyfriend (my former friend turned fucking bully asshole) told me "no, don't corrupt her with that!" by showing it to her. which is its own thing but. i don't know it feels weird to hear on the radio someone proudly say their family is obsessed with a musical, even if it is a fake family. it's like ha. in my time i got fucking bullied for that. there is also something strange i feel regarding that specifically as it is an advertisement, which means 1) the point is to advertise the movie (and the wifi) and 2) it's socially acceptable to some level to be obsessed with something that is being hyped up like some big cultural moment.

[ame-to-ame]

love being nd and have the tism wolf Inside me be so drastically uncomfortable with uncertainty that i physically cannot think about school and having to deal w the unknown of that whole situation without losing 5lbs in 2 days

[damselneedssaving]

BATBOYS BUT THEY WITNESS A STRANGER PULL F!READER INTO A HUG AND CLAIM TO BE HER BOYFRIEND. FT. MARK GRAYSON! P.T.1

★ TAGS: older!damian wayne, older!duke thomas, everyone is 18+, mention of death, romance, mark is utterly devoted to you, jealousy, lots and lots of jealousy, little bit of dark!batboys, kind of dark!mark too

★ A/N: yes ik the pic is technically the mark variant who wears a shiesty but that's still mark and it's a hot pic so it's staying. anyway that poll on if y'all would read a mark grayson x reader fic alongside the batboys x reader was almost unanimously yes and i'm so happy because of it 🤭

★ 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 ! ★ | ★ 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 ★

YOU DON'T KNOW HOW YOU ENDED UP HERE—

—trapped in the embrace of a stranger.

One moment, you're in your kitchen, preparing a nice, hot bowl of popcorn for both you and your house guests—the next?—you're at your door, stood rigid and tight and ever-so-still as your arms are pinned to your sides by another pair. A stronger pair.

A stranger's pair.

The embrace is warm, seeping with this longing you've only ever felt from Dick that one time he returned from a mission that lasted way longer than it should've; that one time he hugged you swearing he'd never let go.

But even then... Dick did eventually pull away.

Something about this stranger's tight grip tells you they won't.

Your name is whispered, breathed out on the tongue of whoever it is holding you as he squeezes just that tad bit more, just that tad bit tighter.

It's strange. You're sure you've never met this man in your life, yet something about his embrace feels familiar, intimate in a way no stranger could ever imitate. 

No stranger but this one at least.

You can ponder on it for all but a few more seconds before a new warmth is on your shoulder—this time: a recognisably familiar one—and without being given a moment to even blink, you're yanked out of the embrace of the stranger, vision flooded with the broad back of your dear friend as a click bounces off the walls of your once quiet apartment.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't lodge this bullet between your eyes."

Jason stands before you, finger nestled snug against the trigger of his gun like it's just waiting for the opportunity to pull it, like he's just as eager to give it the command to do so.

The stranger puts his hands up, and it's just then that you realise he's clad in a skin-tight suit. Yellow and blue. With goggles over his eyes. 

"I don't want any trouble."

"Yeah?" scoffs Jason, "Well you shoulda thought of that before pulling up at princess here's door."

"[Name], get behind me," Dick calls from further in your apartment, a hand quick to spread out over your clothed stomach and push you even further back than before.

You know by the way your light starts to flicker that Duke's also on guard, and you can't imagine that Tim or Damian are that far off either.

The tension in the room is thick—heavy in the air and just as swallowing—the boys' muscles all taut. It's as though they're ready to lunge the moment just a strand of hair moves out of place.

You try to swallow, but all that goes down your throat is sandpaper.

He catches it though.

The stranger's head tilts ever so slightly after your gulp, just enough so that you're fully in his field of view again.

From under those goggles, you can't really see his eyes, but the way his brows visibly pinch is enough for you to feel the desperation radiating off his form when he speaks your name again.

Dick moves to cover you further. "I don't think so, buddy."

"Look," the man states simply, head subtly moving back up, "I don't mean any harm, really. I just wanna see her."

"Tt." The slink of a sword slipping out its sheath sounds from behind you. "And what business is it that you have with her?"

The stranger tilts his head again, letting out a frustrated grunt when Dick only moves to counter once more. "[Name] please," he whispers, tone uneven, watery and wavering, "it's me: Mark—"

Then he does something unlike your boys, unlike any vigilante you've ever seen really, and he moves his hand up to his mask, slipping it off with the ease and trust of someone not currently at the door of a stranger's house.

"—Your boyfriend?"

You can't even fully observe his face before a bang bounces off the walls of your home.

Your eyes widen, pupils shaking and hand already pushing Dick to the side as you hiss out a severely pissed, "Jason!" 

But before you can even think of screaming your heart out at him, of having a go at your friend for shooting an innocent person at your door, your mouth falls agape, muscles tensing just as much as the rest of the vigilantes you know as you catch sight of what you're sure should've been a dead man on the ground.

Except he isn't dead. And he's nowhere near the ground.

In fact, he's floating off of it, brows now furrowed and lips pulled tight into a snarl as he yells, "What the hell, man?! You just shot me!"

"And you aren't dead," Jason replies through gritted teeth. "Why the fuck aren't you dead?"

"Not to worry," Damian replies before the stranger—before Mark—can, "I'll fix that."

All it takes is the lights flickering once more and the sound of a staff whirling in the wind for you to snap out of your little stupor, for you to see and hear and feel everything around you once again.

And once you do, your voice rings clear and final.

"Enough."

The boys tense, forms faltering as their eyes finally leave the stranger to fall on you.

You take a step forward.

Duke blocks your way.

"Duke." Your arms fold over your chest, his name stern and heavy on your tongue.

"[Name]"—his brows furrow—"you can't be serious. This is a stranger. A meta too, no less."

"And you aren't?" You quirk a brow. His jaw ticks. "He hasn't done anything. All he did was hug me."

"That doesn't mean he won't do anything," he retorts stubbornly. "That doesn't mean he can't do anything." Then, his tone softens, brows scrunching a little as he regards you with a look all too warm and familiar. "I don't wanna lose you. Not you."

Your arms uncross, one hand gesturing out as you return his gentle look. "And you won't. I promise. Just let me talk to him."

You can tell he's reluctant, can see it in the way his jaw is still tense and his eyes suddenly can't meet your own. But you also know Duke, and you know that he's a hero—one that, if given the chance, will choose the option of peace over all else.

And so, his shoulders fall, and he steps to the side to allow you through, to which you flash him a grateful smile before taking a step forward...

...only to be blocked by yet another wall, one now back to facing the person floating at your door.

"Jason," you call, but he doesn't so much as spare you a glance. "Jason."

His jaw squares, the only sign you have that he's hearing you.

"Put the gun down."

But he doesn't listen. He hears you but he doesn't listen. Because of course he doesn't listen. You're speaking to Jason Peter Todd, when the fuck does he ever listen?

"Jason!"

"I'm not putting the gun down until he's bleeding on the fucking floor."

The meta snarls at Jason's words, and the latter is quick to return it with his own look of disdain, blood boiling enough for heat waves to be visible in the air around him, for even the hottest lava to envy what courses through his veins.

"Then get out of my way so that I can speak to him."

The man lets out a sound halfway between a scoff and a laugh. "And let him feed you another lie to bring down your guard some more? I don't think so."

"I'm not lying," Mark hisses, floating just a tad bit closer.

"Oh yeah?" Jason tilts his head to the side, eyes glinting in that familiar way it does when he mocks a crook. "Why don't you say that to your so-called girlfriend? Because to me, it doesn't look like she even knows who you are at all."

That seemed to have hit a nerve, because the next thing you know, Mark is lunging forward, and Jason is just narrowly dodging his shove, rolling to the side and letting out another bullet in his direction.

You're only able to blink once before your form is engulfed, covered by the oldest brother in the room as he regards you with soft, gentle eyes.

Yours only scrunch in return.

"Dick, let go of me."

He tosses a glance over his shoulder as another bang rings out. "Don't think that's the best idea right now, princess."

"Dick."

He meets your gaze again.

"It's either you let me go so that I can break up the fight, or you let me go so that you can break up the fight. Your pick."

He holds your gaze for a few seconds, eyes wide and disbelieving. "You can't be serious."

You don't say a word, and he blinks owlishly.

"You're serious."

"Deadly."

"Okay, fuck," he curses, head turning to the side as his eyes all but seem to run through a dozen different scenarios at once, acting more like a computer screen than sclera.

Then, after at least two more seconds pass, he turns back to you, shoulders falling in quiet resignation.

"Fine. Stay here. I'll break it up. You're not going anywhere near that fight on my watch."

You feel the way your shoulders fall at his words, a wave of relief crashing over you like a sudden change in tide as you flash Dick a smile much like the one you gave Duke earlier and he starts to slowly get up with a roll of his shoulders.

"Alright you two, break it up."

Mark pauses, and Jason takes the opportunity to lunge, but before his arms can even graze the meta human, Dick hooks them under his own, and you quickly take the opportunity to put yourself between the three men.

You then proceed to waste no time to deliver a mountain of fury to the man who started the fight.

"Really, Jason?"

He pauses his struggling against his brother.

"I mean, seriously"—you throw your arms out in front of you, scoffing the words on your tongue out in disbelief so heavy, it fogs your vision—"you're a grown ass man, starting fights like a child, over something as small as someone claiming to be my boyfriend?"

He opens his mouth to retort, but purses his lips once you send him a narrow look, opting instead to scoff and turn his head to the side.

"Oh, and don't think I didn't notice you two getting ready to join in, Tim, Damian." You turn your stern gaze to the other two currently armed individuals in the room, and they both mirror their brother's reaction to a tee.

It's funny, really, how they react like children being scolded for something like drawing on the walls rather than grown men who were planning on murdering someone in the comfort of your home.

Or at least, Jason was.

Geez, you really thought you had this talk with him already, that he'd changed his previous ways and swapped out his real bullets for rubber ones, that he'd sworn off killing for the rest of his life.

Guess not.

You pinch your nose, taking in a breath and counting up to ten just like your momma taught you when you were little, just like you always do when your veins get a little too heated for your own good.

Each second in your head is a second the heat flushes out your system—and your muscles unscrew themselves from the stiff boards this whole night reduced them to—until eventually, you can feel yourself finally calming down.

Then you open your eyes again and witness the mess that is your living room, and all that effort flushes down the drain.

"Look"—you find yourself sighing, turning to face the still-floating Mark as you address him with heavy eyes—"Mark, was it?"

In an instant, he lowers himself to your height, and now that there's no goggles in the way anymore, you witness the true extent of the way his eyes stare at you, wide, unwavering, like you're the only one they truly see.

It sends a shiver down your spine.

You swallow air. "...I'm sorry, but I think you have the wrong girl. I've never seen or met you in my life. I don't even have a boyfriend."

At that, his shoulders fall, sagging in a way that has you biting your lip and half-contemplating taking it all back if it meant you'd get to see that look on his face again.

Wait... what?

"Right..." Mark starts, his solemn tone enough to pull you straight out of your thoughts. "Different dimension. My bad."

His words, though muttered, couldn't have been louder to your ears, and you raise your head in time with the rest of your friends, eyes wide and trained onto him.

"I'm sorry..."

He glances up at your voice.

"...Did you just say 'different dimension'?"

TAGLIST: @silas-222, @bloofairyfox, @wiseavenuelove, @inkycapps, @velovicy, @mmentallyelsewhere, @verysynical, @1abi, @bluepartywobblernickel

[c4tluver02]

first date

wc: 3.5k

summary: After being dragged to a bar by your friends you end up meeting Steve. It doesn't take long for you to fall head over heels for him whilst sharing fries and milkshakes.

cw: r shorter than Steve, drinking alcohol, r can be picked up by Steve, shy!reader, so cutie fluffy lovey dovey!!!!!

a/n: i have writers block ik i just did a date fic but it is what it is.

The first time you saw Steve was at a small quiet bar, one that wasn't filled to the brim with people. It was the only way your friends could convince you to get out– going to a lame bar that sold boring drinks. You weren't a party girl and that much was obvious the way you hid in the corner. Your friends all spread around the bar somehow finding a guy to take up their attention. Whether it was actual lust or a way to get a free drink you don't know, but you don't get much time to think about it once you feel a pair of eyes on you. 

Turning your head to try and look at who it is watching you. When you finally catch him he is quick to look down, then turning his head back to his group of friends. He has two girls across from him and you think one of them must be his girlfriend, both too pretty to not be taken. Maybe you should tell them how their boyfriend has wandering eyes. You would want to know if your boyfriend was doing that. 

Ignoring his eyes that are back on you, somehow burning through your clothes– a tight dress your friends forced you into. And yeah, maybe you should be going to guys and getting free drinks, but it wasn't something that came easily to you. Without fail your cheeks would burn red and the stuttering that came with it was never attractive. Is it really so hard to believe that you don't want to waste your Friday night trying to mesh with some stranger? Picking them apart to see if they are worth your time but still taking them home even when they're not. 

The chair you're sitting on spins in a circle and it’s honestly doing wonders for your anxious mind, going in a soothing back and forth motion, legs dangling from how high it is to meet the bar. When you accidentally spin yourself too hard you see the guy still looking at you. But this time he lets out a laugh, and it slips out like he couldn't contain himself. It’s great how he hasn't even gotten to talk to you and you're already embarrassed with a red hue to your cheeks. Quickly turning yourself so your back meets his eyes and you stop spinning, yelling at yourself for starting that in the first place. Why do they have seats like this anyways? 

You’re only on your second drink, nursing it a little too long that now the ice has mostly melted ruining the flavor a little bit. When you go to drink it, not wanting to waste your money, you almost choke on the watered down drink when the guy who won't stop staring at you is standing a few chairs away. His arms are resting against the bars counter and you can smell his cologne. 

His presence surprised you but you’re quick to not show it. You might have profiled him wrong, if he was dating one of those girls you doubt he would be so close to you right in front of them. 

“D’you want another drink?” He asks, and this time you can actually look at his face for more than a few seconds. 

“Oh, um, sure. Thank you.” You give a light smile. Not wanting to give an impression that you are willing to give into him so easily. Perhaps that's what your friends were so quick to do, letting any guy who comes near with a nice smile and a paid drink stay to sit and talk. 

“You don't come here often do you?” It’s asked after a quick order to the bartender and a beat of silence. 

“Is it that obvious?” You ask, hoping the stress you get from his question isn't apparent on your face. “My friends dragged me here but I would rather be at home and they would rather be at a better bar.”

You don't know why you told him all of that, a simple yes or no would have sufficed. It might be the fact that your friends all left you so you haven't talked to anyone in a while. Or it could be that he’s really pretty and you actually would like to waste your time with him. 

“Maybe just a little. You’re not having fun?” 

“I appreciate my friend's effort but I am sitting here alone after all.” Your sentence ends with a small shrug. 

His head tilts and it makes you blush, a small strand of hair falling on his forehead from the action. 

“You’re not alone, you're with me.” 

You’re not even sure what to say to that but luckily you don't have to answer, a girl with dark curly hair is walking up to the two of you. 

“Eddie is making us play darts, did you wanna join?” She doesn't bother looking at you when she asks. 

Steve however, is only looking at you. “Do you want to play?” He asks.

Your eyes widen a little at his question. You’ve only just met him and now he's inviting you to his big friend group that stays together at bars. It must be nice to go to a bar and not have anyone be taken away by men. Just sitting together playing darts in your own little bubble. 

“Um, no thank you.” You give a polite smile with your head shake. 

“We're good, thanks though.” He says as he finally turns his head towards the girl. It must be enough of an answer as she walks back to the table. 

“If you want we could go somewhere else if you're not having fun here?” This earns an immediate nose scrunch from you. He doesn't say it in any weird suggestive tone but you've heard enough guys say it that your reaction is quick. 

He must somehow understand your reaction as he explains himself. “Just for a bite to eat or something. Or we could walk around the block?” His hand is tapping along the counter and you think he might be just as nervous as you are. 

After a second of thinking you agree. “Okay, that sounds nice.” 

He laughs as you hop off the stool you were slightly still spinning on. “Which part the food or the walk?” 

“Um, both?” If he wasn't so close to you he might not have heard it. Now that you aren't sitting face to face with him he realizes that you aren't nearly as tall as him. 

“Let’s go then.” His hand goes to the small of your back, letting you go before him and it immediately burns through your dress. 

Before you open the door a loud whistle is heard from his friends. “Look at Steve go, taking a girl home!” Says a guy with long dark hair. 

The guy you now know to be Steve looks back at you with a small flush to his face and a tight lipped smile. One that says ‘let's get out of here quick’. 

Despite being behind you his arm stretches out to push the door open and you both walk out. It’s warmer outside than it was in the bar, not enough hot bodies to fill it up. 

“Let’s go get food first and then see how we feel about that walk yeah?” You nod and begin to follow him. You don’t know where you’re going but the way his feet go towards a direction so confidently makes you think he’s been there before. It’s not lost on you that this may not be your smartest idea to follow some guy around but Steve has a specific type of charm about him. 

Still your countless hours of crime shows tell you to ask. “Where are we going?” Again it comes out so quiet. 

“There's a nice diner on the next block over, it’s got like, everything ever. Thought it would be a good place for us to eat.” He says with a smile. You two are so close and his hand keeps brushing against yours and every few steps your shoulder touches his arm. But nothing happens and before you know it the bright sign of the diner is right in front of you. 

Steve opens the door for you again but this time you thank him for it. When a hostess comes to the front Steve is quick to put up two fingers letting her know how many people. She simply nods her head and sits the two of you at a table. It’s small but you’re not starving so it’s fine. 

Steve orders a milkshake and you get a coke. You’re still feeling a little something from the drinks you had at the bar but nothing to make you incoherent. The short table forces your knees to slot between Steves, every so often touching each other. 

“Can you tie a knot with your tongue?” Steve asks as he eats the cherry from his milkshake. 

“No, I have like, no fun tricks.” 

“C’mon you gotta have something. Can you cross your eyes?” He says it as he sticks the stem into his mouth, working on tying it up. 

“No.” You look so sad that you don't have something fun and before Steve can try to cheer you up your eyes widen. “Oh I can make a taco with my tongue!” You explain and proceed to show him. You can't smile while doing the trick but the way your eyes move shows him you are trying to. 

“There you go! See you do have fun tricks.” He grabs the stem from his mouth and shows you that he tied it. 

“How do you learn to do that?” It happened with his mouth closed so it’s not like he could learn by watching it happen. 

“I dunno, I was just playing with a cherry one day and I did it.” He shrugs. You're leaning your head against your palm as you watch him and Steve wishes he could kiss you. 

“Have I told you yet that you’re really pretty?” 

His question catches you completely off guard. A fuzzy feeling fills you up as you grin. “No, not yet.” You say shaking your head lightly. 

“Well you’re really pretty, and I'm glad you let me drag you out of that bar.” 

The giggle you let out almost stops Steve's heart then and there. It sounds so sweet and gentle, something he could never get tired of hearing. 

“You’re really pretty too and you didn't drag me out, I went with you willingly.” Now your pink pouty lips are on the straw slurping on your coke, are you trying to kill him? 

“Well you’re a way better time than the losers I was hanging out with.” And thank god you stopped drinking your coke because he slipped his hand with yours and that would have been the second time he made you choke on a drink.  

When the waiter comes by to ask about food his thumb is still drawing light circles across your knuckles, unwavering from his position even when handing her the menu. You two decide to share fries, not too hungry mainly wanting somewhere to sit and talk that wasn't the bar. 

The conversation between you stays strong, both of you having something to say barely leaving space for silence. It’s nice and even when you finish the fries he doesn't try to leave. Now you're sitting with one leg over the other, however, your ankle is resting on his leg. He moves his hand from your hand to your ankle and the lazy patterns remain. When he laughs he gives your leg a small squeeze and you can already tell when you leave you're going to miss his hand on you. A comforting weight that feels normal, like something that's been there for forever. 

A lengthy few hours have passed since you first started talking to Steve at the bar which means the diner is closing soon. When you get up from your seat and Steve reaches for the receipt you notice a photobooth in the corner of the restaurant. 

“Steve! Look!” You don't give him any hints on what he should be looking at but he figures it out pretty quickly once you walk towards it. 

He follows only a few steps behind you as you look inside to see if it still works. It has a decent curtain that actually covers the people inside, when you come out the big smile on your face tells him it’s in perfect condition. 

“You wanna take pictures?” If Steve was being honest by the way you said his name he was hooked. Ready to do anything you asked of him. He’ll take 40 pictures with you if that's what you want. 

“Can we?” If this date is going as well as he thinks it is, he can see himself in 10 years still never saying no to you. 

“Yeah, cmon.” When he finally opens the curtains his smile slightly falters. The seat is extremely small and you're quick to notice his mood change. 

“What’s wrong?” The worry you feel is written all over your face and Steve already wants to kick himself for letting you feel that way. 

“No, nothing, it’s just small in here.” He says it as he sits down and you realize he’s right. It really only fits one person unless two small people are okay being squished together. 

“Can I sit on your lap?” 

Steve can feel that he’s not very good at hiding a shocked face. You’ve been so shy all night that your request catches him off guard. 

“Yeah, come sit angel.” He says, patting his lap. 

It’s like he knows that anything he does will get a reaction from you, he plans them at the evilest times. 

When you sit he immediately wraps his arms around you. His body radiates heat and his cologne surrounds you in the best way. You start tapping the screen getting it going, a second longer and you might explode in here with his arms around you. 

“Oh I need a dollar.” When you turn your head to look at him his face is mere inches away from yours. You know you’re not being sneaky when you switch between his eyes and his lips but at this moment you really don't care. 

Steve lifts both of you up slightly, his arm still around you as he pulls his wallet from his pocket. It’s a quick motion but then he hands you his wallet. The intrusive thought of taking it and running flashes through your mind like a horrible idea that would certainly not get you a second date. But he was the one giving his wallet to a stranger. You guess you aren't really strangers anymore but when you leave this restaurant who knows if you will ever see him again. 

You pick a dollar out of his wallet but let's just say you saw a few more bills than a dollar in there. Leaning over to slide it into the machine you hear a noise come out of Steve. But before you can ask if he’s okay the screen yells out numbers.

“Oh shit okay, ready?” He asks with a laugh. Both of you jumped at the loud sound. 

“Not really but maybe smiles first?” Steve didn't even get a second to agree, the clock already counting down to let you know the camera was about the flash. 

The first pose is both of you smiling, the second is you leaning your head on his shoulder, and the third is him kissing your cheek. It’s surprisingly a perfect set of photos despite the lack of communication. You don't give yourself a second to register his kiss on your cheek. The first time he has ever kissed you and it's captured perfectly on camera. 

“Do we like?” You ask as the row of photos show on the screen. 

“We like.” Steve says with a nod. 

Leaning over again you press print on the screen and Steve gives you a light tap on your thigh. All this moving you're doing is not only making your dress ride up but it’s causing Steve issues. He didn't think having a pretty girl on his lap for 2 minutes would give him half a boner but here we are. 

When you jump out of the booth and pick up the pictures Steve can hear your gasp. 

“They look really good! And look, we got two.” You say as you examine the picture closer. 

“Course they look good, we're the hottest people here.” He says as he gives the crown of your head a kiss. Your back is leaning against him and he has to be careful you don't feel anything. 

When you look up and give him a playful eye roll he wishes even more that he would pin you up against the photo booth. The little thoughts of sweet kisses only reserved for the table you were previously sitting at. Each minute that passes your shy behavior fades and Steve is only getting more and more obsessed with you. 

When you hear the loud lock of the kitchen doors you are quickly reminded that the restaurant is closing and they probably are waiting for you two to leave. It also lets you know that your fun night with Steve is nearing its end. 

Both of you get the hint and walk out of the restaurant, hand in hand. It’s almost 12 am and you’re now on the sidewalk with Steve. You have a slight fear that he will ask you to come home with him, ruining the gentleman persona he put on. 

“So, am I able to get your number or do you hate me and never wanna see me again?” Steve asks, pulling you closer into him. 

“Hmm, I guess I could give you my number.” You’re gleaming right now and Steve sees it. It must be spreading to him the way the smile transfers to his face. 

“Oh you guess?” His smile is so nice, everything about him is nice. He’s practically perfect. 

You take a pen from out of your purse and grab the photo booth picture from his hand. Using the window of the restaurant you write your name and number on the back of the photo.  Steve wonders if this is what hitting the lottery must feel like. 

“So you’ll call me?” 

“Yeah if I get bored or something I can give you a call.” This earns Steve a light hit on his arm and you a loud laugh from Steve. One you haven't heard yet but hope to hear more of. You hope to learn everything about him. 

Both of you walk back to the bar, your respective cars still parked there. Unlike the walk to the restaurant your hands are intertwined the whole walk. You wonder if Steve will go home or stay with his friends. Playing a round of darts he didn't get to play earlier because you declined. All your friends left with the guys they picked at the bar which left you alone, there was no reason to stay. Unless Steve asked you to, that is.

Even then your social battery has been long overused, not used to long nights of talking to pretty boys or going to diners at 11pm at night. Steve might be surprised how unusual this night has been for you once he gets to know you more. Your weekend plans mainly consist of baking and reading, basically the complete opposite of this long winded night. 

When you make it back to the parking lot silence finally falls between the two of you. Neither of you want to say goodbye quite yet so you say nothing at all.

“Are you gonna go back to your friends? I kinda stole you from your night out.” 

“Nope, I think half of them left.” His head turns as he looks around for their car that was parked next to his. “And you can steal me anytime you want. I see them way too much anyways.” 

“Okay, well I should probably head home.” You say as you start swinging your hand that's interlocked with his. 

“Yeah, it’s late huh?” He uses his other free hand to grab onto your waist pulling you closer to him. 

You decide to take the extra step of resting your chin against his chest looking up at him. Letting out a small hum in agreement but neither of you move. Steve should earn a million dollars for having the restait to not kiss you then and there. Instead he settles for a small kiss on your forehead.

Both of you have smiles that are stitched to your face and a warm feeling that won't go away even when you get home. A feeling that only comes when meeting someone new. The act of wanting to spend every hour together, learning all the likes and dislikes of the other person. As Steve walks you to your car it’s all you can think about. 

Steve doesn't even get into his car until he sees your own turning at the light. Too stuck in a moment of pure bliss. Already thinking of what your next date will be and what he should say when he calls you tomorrow. Because he already misses your presence and he doesn't know if he can make it another day without seeing you.

[hungrydata]

Ok so, ik I'm busy, but I can't NOT talk about the new episode. So...

SPOILER WARNING FOR EPISODE 5 OF THE AMAZING DIGITAL CIRCUS

I won't write an essay now, but holy gosh moly. This episode was great. And I hate that it ends with a cliffhanger. But it makes sense since Goose said that eps 5&6 were focused on both Jax & Ragatha, so they are very likely tied together (hopefully we don't have to wait another 6 months, but you also can't rush art of course)

I also don't want to break down the episode, there are people who can do that way better than me. I just wanna talk about some fun stuff.

First of all, I tried my best to figure out what everbody's saying here (Only Jax is subtitled in english, however the other two are as well in other languages, so I used them if I had difficulties with what they're saying):

everything I am not 100% sure about or was roughly translated via the different language subtitles, is written in brackets

JAX: I very much did not enjoy that one in the slightest. If we ever do anything even close to that again, I'm getting violent, and I'm going to kill Ragatha.

GANGLE: Uh... I... don't really think it [brought out the best in me], even if it [was the cause of my mask].

RAGATHA: Oh, I really do not think [I was that innocent at] that time, I [did release] (?) some things I normally never say.

I know that some of this is not accurate or something is missing, but it's really difficult to understand what Ragatha and Gangle are saying. Therefore if you know anything, help is very much appreciated!

_______________________________________________

Now I wanna talk about rather obscure stuff. Like Kinger being right handed. I never posted anything about it, but I discussed with my friend about what each circus member's dominant hand was (bc I was bored, can you blame me?) and while I still think that the animators just use whatever looks good and can bring the message across the best (like Gangle sometimes drawing with her left hand and with her right hand, based on what perspective we view her, or how basically most characters use their left and right hand for difficult tasks equally, just so that the viewers can see it better, and it's probably easier to animate as well if you don't have to think about it)

Anyways, Kinger is right handed confirmed to me. (Jax is left handed, tho I need to rewatch all episodes and shorts on Glitch's channel to get more information about that, same with the other chars, tho I'm 98% convinced that both Jax and Gangle are left handed, tho that might just be delusion idk)

Btw the Anime and Intermission section were beautiful. Now we know why it took so long, but it was definitely worth it.

Also RIBBUN AND MAID DRESS HALLELUJAH!

ngl this looks funny

I feel like the shippers are going crazy with this one, especially people who ship Funnybunny (and the Bunnydoll Nation is either in shambles or enjoy it as much as the time Ragatha got deep fried.)

As a Ribbun enjoyer, I am definitely eating the toxic crumbs up like Jax did eat Gangle. Also thank you Goose for giving us so many great catchphrases that I am going to use from now on.

Also, THE LORE. And why can I genuinely relate so much with Jax. Why. Idk how to feel about this. And he actually cares let's gooo!

And I gotta say. Love the beef between Jax and Ragatha, and I also like the friendship between Jax and Pomni that slowly but surely develops. I also like the detail that here, Pomni votes against the maid dress. I could imagine that she just thinks it's childish, but it's also a sign that she knows Jax would hate it and wouldn't want to stir chaos.

ALSO HE SAID THE LINE HE SAID THE LINE!

You detached it yourself, idiot.

Welp I'm outta pictures to post here. There's alot more like Jax having a friend that looks like a frog, and Goose mentioned in one post that the person that abstracted before Kaufmo was called Ribbit (yk, like the sound a frog makes). I thinke there's likely a connection. And considering that Pomni was supposed to be a frog first, maybe that's how Jax and Pomni also will become closer friends. Can't wait for the next episode

And knowing what Goose said, it's not gonna be a wholesome one. After all, even tho 5&6 are split between Ragatha and Jax, this was still the Ragatha episode, and the next one will be "more centered" around Jax. I'm scared.

Also as much as it pains me, I think Gangle will be the one to abstract. The fact that she didn't have an evil doppelganger and with the teaser of her symbol loading, it's too much of a coincidence to not happen. Pls don't Gangle you're my baby ;;-;;.

(so much so to "not an essay" lmao. "Not an essay" my ass)

Also. DaY 172 bc yes