#anyways it was very nice of you to come into my ask and look out for me

[darkmatilda]

𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 | 𝐬.𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐝

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: your relationship is still very new, and you're getting ready to tell the rest of the team about it. in the meantime, you find yourselves again in another unusual hotel...where suddenly spencer starts acting very strangely?

𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬/𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐰: glasses spencer reid x newbau!female!reader, fluff, intimacy conversation, spender being adorably shy

𝐚/𝐧: 'matilda how many more times are you gonna write that one bed trope' AS MUCH AS I CAN TILL I DIE btw i wrote this fic over a pretty long period of time, had a main idea (supposedly), but in the end i'm not happy with how it turned out—kinda all over the place. anyway, enjoy

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 4.8k

"My five dollars"

Spencer sighed and reached into his jacket pocket to pull out the slightly crumpled bill. You closed it in your hand, a triumphant smile on your face.

"Let's make bets more often, darling," you suggested.

When you used that nickname, his gaze briefly flickered over your face, as if studying whether it had been said purely in jest.

"You’re puffing up like you just invented the wheel," he said, gently shaking his head from side to side. "And just to remind you, all you did was park parallel."

"Parked parallel, indeed. And my coffee?"

He also handed you the paper cup he’d been holding while you performed those incredibly complicated car maneuvers that the bet was about. It was morning, the first day back at work. January, the first days of the new year. You had just arrived at the office parking lot in your car, after spending the night at your place. Everything around you still seemed to smell of that melancholic blend of the past mixed with the fresh scent of the coming months. And coffee, bought at the café on the way.

You took a tiny sip of the hot drink. Spencer, it seemed, hadn’t touched his even once. Both of you, consciously or not, were stretching out the moment just a little longer. And, truth be told, you could afford to. The parking lot around you was only beginning to fill with cars, suggesting the early hour. It was nice to sit there together, sharing the quiet without any discomfort.

You realized this was supposed to be your first day at work as a couple.

A warm, pleasant feeling spread through you at the sound of that word, even though you hadn’t said it out loud. It still felt a little unreal. You had grown closer during the New Year’s Eve party at your place. It was only after that shared—and not just one—kiss that a new perspective dawned on you about the past months of your relationship, revealing some undefined emotions.

"I was wondering..." Spender suddenly began, his brows furrowed slightly, pulling you out of your thoughts.

His gaze suddenly fell on his watch.

"We still have some time," you reassured him calmly. "Let me guess. You've been wondering what would happen if we crossed the DNA of a jellyfish that can reverse its life cycle with the human genome?"

A small smile flickered across his face, a touch of affection despite the rather serious expression on the rest of his face.

"That too," he admitted, nodding. Then he opened his mouth, with some visible hesitation, as if a particular question was troubling him. You shifted in the driver's seat, preparing for whatever he wanted to discuss, whatever he wanted to ask. "How...how are we supposed to act...you know, towards each other? At work?"

For a moment, your brain didn’t understand what he meant. But then, a fleeting oh escaped you as the meaning of his words sank in, and you realized that it was indeed something worth considering. Somehow, over the past few days, neither of you had brought it up. You had just gone back to work, without any reflection on the fact that none of your colleagues knew about the progress in your relationship. About how it had suddenly taken a step to a completely different level.

Spencer studied your face in silence, waiting for a response. As he looked at you, coming up with a logical solution became incredibly difficult. Before you finally said anything, you let out two half-intelligent mutters, like a fish thrown onto the surface.

"We have to tell them," you finally said, stating the obvious. "Somehow. Maybe...we can meet at my place this weekend. All of us. Or we could go out somewhere, and then tell them calmly."

"This weekend?" Spencer repeated cautiously.

It was Monday.

Suddenly, it became incredibly hard to read the expression on his face. He was facing you, his brows slightly furrowed, a look of uncertainty, almost withdrawal. The air inside your car thickened, making the silence even more palpable. He seemed almost concerned, downcast. You froze, wondering if you had really said something wrong.

"So until then," he started more quietly, "are we just supposed to hide it from them?"

“I'm not sure hide is the right word," you replied with a grimace. "I just...I meant, maybe we should wait. For a better moment, you know? Instead of walking into the office on the first Monday of the year, when half the people are still nursing hangovers, and saying hey, guess what? we hooked up!”

His expression hadn't changed, despite your pretty honest explanation.

"You don't like the idea," you stated, rather than asking. You made sure your voice sounded gentle, adjusting it to the situation. "I can see that, Spencer."

"Okay, you're right, I don't like it," he admitted with a sudden coolness, his lips tightening slightly between sentences. "Because...I don't get your reasoning. Or, maybe I just don’t know if this is really what you mean."

Slightly surprised, you shook your head.

"What else could I—"

"I don’t know if it's really about that, or maybe..." he cut off, looking into your eyes as if hoping you'd understand by now. But you didn't have the skill to read his mind, no matter how remarkable it was—it was also incredibly complex. "Or maybe...I don’t know, you just don’t take it seriously. That's why you don't want to tell anyone about it."

You gasped, finally understanding his behavior. Realizing the hidden concern.

"You’re worried I don't take us seriously?"

Spencer shrugged briefly.

"You know, if that's really the case, I'd rather know now..."

You leaned in to catch one of his hands, which had been clasped over his chest. You broke his defensive stance, pulling him toward you by his long fingers, simply holding it for a moment before speaking again. With a smile. A slightly amused smile.

"Of course, I take us seriously, you idiot," you snorted. A sense of relief washed over you. Earlier, he’d seemed genuinely worried, and you’d been expecting far worse things than the fact that your guy literally paled with anxiety over worrying you weren’t as invested in your fresh relationship as he was. Well, out of context, it sounded like a very serious concern. But the context was, you took it seriously, and you were incredibly happy he did too. "You know what? Maybe you're right. Why should we make idiots out of ourselves for the next week? Let’s just walk in like this."

You motioned toward your intertwined fingers, raising them as if they were a trophy earned through sweat and tears. Spencer followed their movement with his gaze, initially surprised, but then the corner of his mouth twitched, and he tilted his head with a quiet chuckle.

"We can do it your way," he said, taking control of your hands, clasping them with both of his. He looked relieved; your reassurance and the sincerity in your voice clearly calmed him. You smiled too, finally seeing that peace on his face. "I really don't mind waiting a few days. It might even be… interesting. One of us might not hold out and accidentally slip up."

You raised an eyebrow in a teasing manner.

"Another bet, Reid?" you clicked your tongue. You kept eye contact with him, feeling his thumb gently tracing circles on the back of your hand. He seemed so unaffected, as if he didn’t realize he was doing it. "You already lost five bucks about…ten minutes ago. At this rate, you'll be broke within a month, and we'll have to skip that overpriced coffee downtown. Now that would be a real horror story, speaking as a citizen of the first world."

"Didn't say anything about another bet!”

"Too late," you shot back, turning his hand and taking it in a more formal handshake. "Handshakes sealed the deal."

He rolled his eyes, but a half-smile lingered on his face. He still hadn’t let go of your hand.

"I think we should get going," he said reluctantly.

You sighed with the same enthusiasm. You really felt stuck to that seat, right next to him.

"You know, being late on the first day of the new year should be fully justified..."

"We really need to go."

He was right. But before either of you could move to get out of the car, he leaned forward. Gently cupping your cheek, he drew you in, his lips meeting yours in a soft, lingering kiss. You closed your eyes, feeling the warmth of his touch, and for a brief moment, the world outside seemed to vanish—just the two of you, in that quiet, perfect stillness.

His face suddenly turned to the side, noticing something through the windshield. You frowned and looked in the same direction.

"That's Gideon," you remarked out loud, even though both of you had already spotted the silhouette of your coworker stepping out of a car that had just parked a short distance ahead. He wasn’t looking your way yet, but he could at any moment. "Quick, hide!"

Okay, you were completely honest with yourself. It wasn’t about being afraid of getting caught. After all, there was nothing strange about two coworkers arriving at work together in the same car—it was even very eco-friendly. You just liked the idea of shoving Reid under the seat. And the poor thing, so thrown off by the mock authority in your voice and the situation itself, did it without a second thought.

When Gideon finally noticed you, you cheerfully waved at him.

"Fuck," you muttered suddenly.

"What is it?" Spencer returned to his seat, adjusting his glasses on his nose. "Do you think he saw me?"

You shook your head.

"I just realized…this is your car."

*

"Okay, draw a straw."

"Morgan, how old are you?" You shook your head in disbelief, staring at the man standing across from you in the motel lobby. The place where you were spending the night this time was very tidy, with subdued colors, but, as tradition demanded, there had to be some sort of problem. You had one room for two, but one of them only had a double bed. So, you had to decide which two lucky people would share it. "Five?"

"And a half. Listen, we have to decide somehow. Let fate do it. The two who pull the shortest will sleep together. Simple as that."

Before you could say anything else, Garcia approached, weighed down by her bags. Yes, her—rarely did any case require her to be on-site, but it wasn’t completely unheard of.

"Oh, come on, Sweetie," she muttered to you, setting her luggage down and hunching slightly to catch her breath. "Let him feel like a kid again for a moment. He doesn’t get the chance often."

You sighed in resignation, but before you could pull one of the purple straws (how did he even get them?) that Morgan was holding in such a way that their lengths were hidden, you glanced around briefly. Sometimes you arrived at hotels at different times, some getting there faster, others later. Spencer and JJ had just walked in, both wearing coats to shield them from the cold January air. You couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him and his fogged-up glasses, which he quietly cursed under his breath—judging by the movement of his lips. However, you quickly composed yourself, returning to a neutral expression. It had only been two days since your agreement to keep the details of your relationship hidden, and so far, neither of you had slipped or forgotten to keep quiet around the others. Well, out of the two of you, you were probably struggling with it more—being a bit of a clinger, sometimes even your body would naturally gravitate towards his when standing next to him.

“Why are you standing here?” Spencer asked, approaching you. “Is there a problem with the rooms?”

“Is there ever not a problem with the rooms?” you responded, laughing. “Some poor souls are going to have to share a bed,” you explained, making brief eye contact with him. You were sure only he could catch the emphasis you placed on poor souls.

Of course, you wouldn't mind ending up in the same room. It wasn't about the fact that you were together—before, you’d shared rooms and even beds, and you were used to it by now. You would've probably offered it yourself, if it weren’t for the potential suspicion and that silly bet, which was starting to lose its point in your eyes. Maybe you should’ve just told them a few days ago?

“Oh,” he said shortly, crossing his arms with a bit of stiffness. His brown bag hung from his shoulder. He held your gaze for a moment, but his expression wasn’t as amused as yours. His brows furrowed slightly as he cleared his throat. “Poor them. Who’s it going to be?”

You slightly puffed out your lips slightly, watching him with a sharp look. What was it that made him so uneasy—the fact that you might not be in the same room this time?

“We were just about to decide,” Penelope replied, glancing at her friend with a teasing smile. “Morgan’s going to show us a game he learned today in kindergarten."

 JJ couldn't help but snort.

 “Just draw a straw…!”

You couldn’t recall another moment when all of you, every single one, rolled your eyes in perfect unison. But that’s exactly what happened when Derek once again enthusiastically explained the rules, as though they weren’t already ridiculously simple. In the end, each of you reached for one of the straws he was holding.

JJ went first. She pulled hers quickly, and it was of regular length, so it was immediately clear she wasn’t one of the poor souls. She raised her hand in a mock display of triumph, earning a few amused chuckles from the group.

Your turn came next. You approached the task with a certain gravity, as though the fate of the night depended entirely on the straw you chose. You studied each one carefully, as if their lengths could somehow be deciphered from the way they were arranged.

You wouldn’t have minded drawing the shortest straw. But only on one condition. 

Morgan looked at you with mock sympathy. Your straw wasn’t even half as long as JJ’s, which seemed to settle things. Now, it was just a matter of figuring out which of the remaining two—Reid or Garcia—would end up joining you.

Spencer reached out with a calculated, deliberate motion, his eyes immediately darting to yours when his straw turned out to be...one of the longer ones.

You shot him a look of bitter disappointment before your gaze shifted to your soon-to-be roommate. Penelope didn’t seem disheartened—on the contrary, an enthusiastic smile lit up her face. She opened her mouth to say something, but you caught the fleeting shift in her expression and the subtle flicker of her eyes.

“Oh no,” she suddenly gasped, her voice filled with exaggerated horror, even though she’d just seemed perfectly content, or at least not displeased, at the idea of sharing a room with you. “No, absolutely not. There’s no way I’m sleeping in the same room with her. Do you guys even know how loud she snores?”

Lies! You wanted to yell, but stopped yourself as realization dawned. Garcia was a good actress—you had to give her that—but her flair for dramatics always bordered on overkill, making it far too easy to catch her in a lie.

“I’m not used to traveling as often as you guys are,” Penelope continued in the same over-the-top tone. “I barely get a wink of sleep in a new place when it’s quiet, let alone with someone next to me snoring like a steam engine…”

“Love you too, Pen,” you muttered dryly.

“Someone has to switch with me, please,” she concluded, clasping her fingers together in a dramatic plea and pulling off the best puppy-dog eyes you’d seen in a long time. Well, at least since the time Reid had tried to coax you into reciting one of your old, cringe-worthy high school poems—the existence of which you’d only ever confessed to him.

“JJ?” Penelope turned her hopeful gaze toward her.

“Not a chance. My straw was the longest,” JJ replied, smug and immovable.

“Don’t even think about asking me,” Morgan chimed in before anyone could so much as glance in his direction.

And so, all eyes inevitably fell on Reid.

He awkwardly scratched the back of his ear, not looking directly at you.

“Well, I always carry earplugs with me…”

“Then it’s settled!” Garcia declared, hoisting her luggage with sudden determination. One of her heavy bags was thrust into Morgan’s arms so abruptly that he staggered backward under its weight. “Sweet dreams, everyone! Don’t let the bedbugs bite, and may the sheep you count tonight be extra fluffy and adorable. Goodnight!”

Just before she fully turned to leave, she sent you a quick, knowing wink.

You shook your head in disbelief, but the faintest smile danced on your lips. You didn’t even bother questioning how she knew. Only one conclusion circled your mind. Penelope could be really impossible. Thankfully, being impossible didn’t disqualify her from also being the best friend under this vast, sprawling sky. Period.

*

"What do you think about starting a tier list for all the hotels we stay in?” you remarked as both of you crossed the threshold of the room. Your eyes immediately landed on its unexpected feature. “Or at least the weirdest ones. Like the one with walls the color of cat pee where the power went out in the middle of the night. That one’s definitely at the top..."

"I don’t really get the point of a mirror on the ceiling," Reid said after a pause, looking over his shoulder at you. He was standing a few steps away, near the bed in the glaring white room with birchwood floors. "Who wants to look at themselves while trying to fall asleep?”

You raised an eyebrow, unsure if he was joking or not. He raised an eyebrow too, not understanding why you did that. Okay, he wasn’t joking.

"You know, the main point isn’t really to look at yourself while falling asleep," you explained, with a bit of amused pity. Your gaze also briefly lingered on the glass surface above the bed, designed to reflect the bodies of people lying in bed. You thought it was a surprising addition but weren’t planning on spending too much time on it for now. You just wanted to get your shoes off—shoes you’d been wearing since sunrise—and finally lie down on something soft. "By the way, I’m taking a shower first."

Spencer only muttered something under his breath in response. Before disappearing behind the bathroom door, you cast one last glance at him. He seemed quiet—strangely quiet. Not that you were expecting his usual chatter after a long day of work; it could weigh on anyone and leave them feeling subdued. Maybe he just needed an extra moment to unwind, and that’s where his restraint came from.

Anyway, you took a quick shower. The pressure of the hot water nearly scalded your skin, which meant you’d be spared the bitter complaints, grumbling, and dramatic resignation threats from Morgan the next day. You felt too tired to linger under the stream for long. After a few minutes, you stepped out of the shower, changed into your sleepwear, and gathered the clothes you’d worn all day from the floor.

You and Spencer passed each other in the doorway without a word.

Glancing back over your shoulder, you frowned. The bathroom door shut behind him, and some concerned question froze on your lips. For a moment, you stood still, debating whether you should ask it. But then the sound of running water reached your ears, and you figured he probably wouldn’t hear you anyway.

Instead, you decided to climb into bed, wait for him, and ask about it then. Whatever it was clearly weighed on him, and the fact that something was bothering him bothered you. Funny how that worked, right?

You spent that moment lying on your back, eyes wide open, afraid you might accidentally fall asleep if you closed them. A comfortable bed during a case—it felt like pure luxury. You were waiting for Spencer to finally emerge from the bathroom so you could curl up next to him, fall asleep to the fresh post-shower scent of him, and the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.

Just like you had spent half the day after the New Year’s party at your place—wrapped around each other, arguing over who would get up to make coffee and whether you should start cleaning up the mess from the night before.

You tucked your arm beneath your head, gazing at your fully-covered form reflected in the ceiling mirror.

“Did you find a portal to another galaxy in there or what?” you finally called out, impatient. He’d been in there way too long. And coming from you—a known lover of long, indulgent baths—that was saying something.

“Sorry,” he murmured as he finally emerged from the bathroom, wearing a gray t-shirt instead of his usual neat work attire and tie perfectly knotted at his neck. He still had his glasses on, which he might’ve forgotten to remove, judging by the way he slid into bed to your left without taking them off.

You watched him closely, rubbing at your tired eye. The shower had managed to wash away about half of the tension from Spencer’s face, but the other half stubbornly remained.

“You didn’t have to wait for me,” he said softly.

“I didn’t have to,” you admitted simply, watching as he carefully adjusted himself, finding the right position. The lamp on his side of the bed cast a warm glow over his skin. You were both half-sitting, you comfortably propped up against the soft pillows, and him barely leaning back against them. “But I wanted to. We really lucked out with this room, huh? Penelope is one of a kind.”

"Did you tell her about us?"

"I didn’t say a word. She's just more observant than the rest”

He nodded, agreeing with you. You thought he might say something else about it, maybe make a joke about the bet, but he didn’t. You yawned.

"You seem tired.”

“How did you figure that out, Sherlock?” you asked, your sarcasm light, without a hint of malice. “You too, by the way. Although, it’s not just that you seem tired—you are tired, at first glance. Or maybe something’s bothering you. Or maybe both. Am I right?”

He shrugged slowly.

“No, as far as I know.”

“Oh, come on,” you muttered, rolling your eyes. You pulled your knees closer to your chest, shifting into a full sitting position with slightly bent legs. You leaned forward just enough to gently take his glasses off and fold them, your fingers brushing briefly against his cheek. He didn’t look at what you were doing, his gaze fixed on your face under the soft fall of his lashes. The wonderful color of his eyes, the slight hesitation in your movements as you moved a little closer to kiss him—a fleeting, tender press of lips.

“Something’s going on, and you can tell me about it.”

“Or we could just go to sleep,” he suggested quietly. “It’s been a long day. You must be tired, I mean, you yawned a little while ago.”

You tilted your head, studying him thoughtfully. Was he really trying this hard to dodge the topic? How could you get him to open up?

“I know blackmail isn’t exactly healthy for relationships,” you started finally, turning his glasses over in your hands, “but I’m not giving these back until you tell me.”

Both corners of his mouth twitched at once.

“Oh no, what am I going to do now?” he replied with feigned concern, gently shaking his head. Then he lowered his voice.  “This is exactly what I’d say if I didn’t also have contacts with me.”

"Sometimes I just want to…ugh."

"Violence isn't too healthy for relationships either."

"Just like not opening up. Remember what we talked about a few days ago in the car? You were worried I don't take you seriously. How else am I supposed to prove I'm serious if I don’t ask what’s wrong when I can tell something’s off?"

Your explanation sounded a bit jumbled, but he had to get the general idea. The reference to that specific conversation and his own words seemed to hit a sensitive spot.

"I didn’t want you to feel like you have to prove anything to me," he quickly corrected, swallowing hard. His chest fell, and the sigh felt like surrender. "I'm sorry. I just don't want you to worry about it. It's nothing serious. I’m just tired...and a little stressed."

"Stressed?" you repeated, surprised. "You're stressed? But about what?"

He hesitated for a moment.

"Just... about this," he said vaguely, his gaze shifting from you to your reflection in the glass ceiling. "Us, I mean."

"What do you mean?" you asked quietly, still confused, gently shaking your head. "We've shared rooms before, so if it’s about that, I really don’t get it."

"Yeah, but never like this. In a room with a king-sized bed and a huge mirror right above us," he explained, his voice tinged with embarrassment, clearly wishing he could just stop talking. "Okay, I know this sounds dumb, I know it does, but I don’t know why it’s messing with my head like this. I just...I kinda thought maybe you'd want to..."

"Spencer," you interrupted, saving him from going any further. You saw a flicker of relief in his eyes. You weren’t sure what emotion was bubbling up inside you now—whether it was still confusion or just pure amusement. "You were worried I’d want to have sex with you?” 

You didn’t even need to wait for his answer to know you’d hit the nail on the head. Considering how your relationship had grown out of friendship, slowly evolving over time and shared experiences instead of a sudden burst of passion, you weren’t surprised you hadn’t yet taken that step together. It was something special in its own way—there had never been any pressure, and you hadn’t expected that he might feel the exact opposite.

So when you finally figured out what had been bothering him all this time, you couldn’t help but laugh, the sound light and genuine.

"You were right, you know. It does sound kind of dumb," you said, unable to keep the smile from your face. His expression remained unreadable, his posture betraying a hint of anticipation as he waited for the rest of your reaction. "But also…I don’t know, kind of adorable? But seriously, Spencer, we don’t have to do anything if you’re not ready."

"It’s not that I don’t want to at all," he clarified quickly, almost too firmly. "I mean...it’d be our first time. Together. That’s what I mean. And I guess I just didn’t expect it to...happen tonight, here, of all places."

"I didn’t either," you admitted truthfully, the smile still lingering on your face. Unlike him, you didn’t feel even a hint of embarrassment. "I figured we’d just go to sleep, especially since we both already admitted we’re exhausted."

"Fair point," he mumbled.

"Honestly, this has to be the biggest example of overthinking I’ve ever seen anyone put themselves through, Spencer," you teased lightly, shaking your head.

For a moment, he stayed silent, but it felt like he was letting out a breath he’d been holding.

“You’re gonna have to get used to that,” he admitted finally, his voice soft. But then, you caught the faint glimmer of a smile tugging at his lips.

He even started to laugh, a quiet chuckle filled with a sort of amused self-awareness. Meanwhile, you leaned out of the bed to place his glasses on the nightstand on your side. If he wanted them in the morning, he’d have no choice but to reach right over you.

“But just for the record,” he began after a moment, as you reached for the edge of the blanket that had slipped off you earlier, pulling it back up to wrap around yourself. Your head was only inches from the pillow now. You gave him a questioning nod. He, too, was getting ready to lie down, finally looking genuinely relaxed. “How pathetic do you think that was, on a scale from one to ten?”

You just rolled your eyes, not even dignifying the question with an answer.

“In the interest of science,” he pressed, “one to ten?”

“Pathetic enough that you’ll need to redeem yourself a little in my eyes,” you sighed dramatically. “Go on, I’m waiting for your ideas.”

“I think I might have a few,” he replied with a soft chuckle.

You prolonged the kiss, savoring the deep sense of comfort it brought you. The two of you lay face to face, and you gently brushed a few still-damp strands of hair from Spencer's forehead, though they stubbornly fell back into place. Eventually, you gave up with a soft sigh against his lips. Spencer kept his eyes closed, lost in a quiet bliss, even as you pulled back just slightly, leaving only an inch of space between you.

"Can I turn off the light now?" you asked, as always. The question had become a tradition since you'd learned about his complicated relationship with darkness.

He hummed in agreement, nodding faintly. Leaning over him, you reached for the bedside lamp on his side. The room was instantly bathed in darkness, your reflections in the mirror above fading into obscurity.

You didn’t fully return to your original spot. Instead, you shifted closer, resting your head comfortably against his chest. The hotel pillows were unbelievably plush, you had to admit, but that night, you chose this over anything else.

"You’re not asleep," he noted gently after about fifteen minutes. He cleared his throat. "During sleep, a person’s breathing becomes slower and more regular. You know, if you’re uncomfortable here, you don’t have to…"

"I’m listening to your heartbeat," it slipped out of you. Though it was true, you hadn’t planned on admitting it out loud. "Nothing sinister, just to be clear. I’m not planning to rip it out of your chest or anything like that. It just works for me."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Like those videos that imitate the sound of a crackling fireplace. Pretty calming."

"My heartbeat reminds you of the sound of a fireplace?" he said, a glint of confusion in his softly hoarse voice.

You sighed, in the darkness, he couldn’t see the faint smile painting itself on your face, pressed against his chest.

"Sweet dreams, silly."

tag list: @she-wont-miss @mggslover @nyeddleblog @dylanobrienswife0420 @wmoony

@heddgie @khxna @marauder-exe-old @yujyujj @charleyreid @kitty-kai @sp3ncelle @pleasantwitchgarden @beesin03 @misserabella @re1dsb1xch @trulymadlydarling @cynbx @penelopegarciaismygf @awordsmith

[d3v1ls4dvocat3]

Doomed

James “Bucky” Barnes x Fem! Reader Smut

Summary: When Bucky notices the new neighbor, he can’t seem to get her out of his head! Whatever will he do?

W.C: 1600

Tags: Smut!, pervert! Bucky, panty thief! bucky, guilty bucky?, mentions of lingerie, AFAB! Reader, age gap but it’s not specified, male masturbation, breast fixation, nipple fixation, p in v? kinda? it doesn’t actually happen, Bucky POV, mentions of steve, mentions of war and Buck being the Winter Solider

MDNI!! Let me know if I missed anything!!

He remembers the exact day you moved into the apartment across the hall.

It was only a few days before the new year. Everyone on the floor had seemingly left to be with family, not that he bothered to keep track of his neighbors whereabouts, but he had noticed the overall lack of people when he made the unfortunate trip out of his apartment to see his therapist every other day.

That made your appearance even more noticeable.

Bucky liked to keep track of everyone he saw day-to-day anyway, it helped calm his nerves (rather he told himself it calmed his nerves) and luckily enough for him, you didn’t want to stop and introduce yourself.

Over the next few weeks, he only saw you a handful of times. You both never said anything, barely even looked at each other. It was nice.

Of course, nothing lasts forever. His therapist was sure to tell him that, much to his distain. Strangely enough, it was on one of his trips coming back from another session with Dr. Raynor that he found you cursing to yourself standing outside your apartment.

A part of him wanted to just walk by, and avoid the headache altogether. But he could hear a quiet voice in his mind that sounded a lot like Steve telling him to man up and help a poor lady in need. He sighed mentally and cleared his throat to grab your attention.

You looked up with slight shock and embarrassment. “Oh.. uhm, I’m not in your way am I?” You asked.

He frowned. “No, sorry. You look like you’re having some trouble there?”

Your eyes seemed to light up. “Is it that obvious?”

Bucky chuckled lightly and stepped closer to you, offering a hand of assistance. You gladly handed him your key.

“This building is old. These keys get stuck all the time. You’ve gotta know how to turn it to get it to unlock,” Bucky said as he fidgeted with your lock.

You watched him with unwavering eyes. Unknowingly to you, he was watching you out of the corner of his eye. This was the first time he’d really gotten a good look at your face. You were young, way younger than anyone he’d talked to recently. Most likely a college student. You held yourself with confidence but not in a way that made you seem cocky. You just had a sense of determination he hadn’t seen in a long time.

It was refreshing. Reminded him of sunlight.

He immediately frowned at that thought and focused his attention on your lock. Within a moment a quiet ‘click’ sounded through the small hallway. Your face lit up with a smile so bright he almost had to look away.

“Oh my god, thank you! I seriously thought I was fucked there,” You exclaimed.

He nodded and stepped back. “No problem. You can come get me if it does it again. I’m pretty much always home.”

You smiled again, gentler this time. “I will. Seriously, thank you. I really appreciate it.”

He watched you escape into the comfort of your home. He smiled, unbeknownst to himself and turned to his own apartment.

Cute.

_____

The next time he saw you was only a few weeks later.

Since the door fiasco, Bucky couldn’t get you out of his head. He wasn’t sure why, but something about you was like a breath of fresh air. He felt almost addicted to it, to how he felt at that moment.

So when he opened the door to the laundry room he was understandably surprised to see you. He was also even more surprised to see you in nothing but pajama pants and a very very small tank top.

And no bra.

He was going to turn around. Laundry could wait. Just as soon as his hand hit the door knob, he heard an intake of breath.

“It’s you!”

He sighed.

Bucky turned back around and smiled. “It’s me.”

You were smiling that same damn smile. He felt weak in his knees.

“I haven’t seen you in forever!” You said happily.

He nodded. “I don’t get out much.”

You hummed in understanding. “I get that. I’m still getting used to the city myself.”

It was quiet for only a moment, before you noticed Bucky’s small basket of laundry. You quietly moved over and motioned to the washing machine.

“I’m almost done with the dryer,” You said. Bucky muttered a quiet ‘thanks’ and began throwing his clothes into the washer. Once he was finished you both sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes.

“I don’t think I ever got your name…?”

Bucky himself was surprised at the question that came from his mouth. You also seemed surprised for a second before grinning.

As you said your name, he watched your lips form the word. Your name fit you, he thought. He whispered it to himself, trying to commit it to memory. Although, he was sure just like everything else about you, he wouldn’t forget it.

“James,” He said in return.

“Nice to officially meet you, James,” You practically purred. He felt his knees go weak again. He feared that might be a common occurrence around you.

As the silence fell over you again, Bucky began to struggle with his most recent thoughts. He questioned why he was acting like a teenager with a crush again?

Bucky had been through more than twenty men combined. He’d done things so horrible he couldn’t even speak about it. He’d seen things that would make anyone want to commit suicide. So why, out of all things, was a girl making him feel so weak?

He quietly looked over at you again. He traced the outline of your figure. Your hair down to your eyelashes. His eyes moved to your lips, plump and wet from where you’d licked them while talking.

He continued trailing down until his eyes stopped on your breasts. He felt guilt wash over him immediately at the practically sinful sight before him. He could perfectly make out your tits. The cold air in the room had made your nipples perk up just enough to poke through the already thin tank top.

Bucky glanced away quickly as the buzzer from the dryer sounded. He turned slightly to hide his tightening pants. You bent over to grab your clothes and he practically called out to god to strike him dead right there before he made a fool of himself.

It felt like years before you were up again and leaving the room. Before you closed the door, you waved bye to him. Bucky had to force every once of what he’d learned as an assassin just to seem normal enough to wave back.

Once the door closed behind you, he groaned and put his face in his hands. He tried to calm his breathing, using some of the techniques Dr. Raynor had taught him in one of their very first sessions. It was probably close to ten minutes before he felt okay enough to remove his hands from his face.

Bucky needed to calm down. You were just a girl. There was absolutely no reason to be feeling like this.

He repeated that to himself as he took his clothes out of the washing machine. As he went to throw them into the dryer, a small bright red thing caught his eye.

He grabbed it before he could even process what it was. He held up the laced piece of clothing he wasn’t sure would cover anything and knew he was doomed.

“Fucking dirty girl…”

_________

He was a pervert.

He knew he was a pervert. He felt guilty and ashamed and terrible.

However,

The thought of you wearing nothing but those red laced panties and a matching bra had been plaguing Buck’s mind. He couldn’t stop. He’d tried. He’d done everything he could think of.

He’d taken a cold shower.

He’d gone for a run.

He even tried to watch some of the movies that Steve had written down in his journal of things he “absolutely needs to watch and listen to” or whatever the blond had said.

Nothing could get that image out of his head.

It was three in the morning when he was fed up and aching and he needed release. He hadn’t meant to grab them. He was simply caught up in the moment. His hand stroking up and down his cock. He moaned and stroked faster.

Once the soft fabric touched his tip, he had to stop himself from instantly cumming.

“Oh fuck…” He moaned. Bucky wrapped the thong tightly around his hand. In his mind, he imagined your hips rubbing up and down his hard on. Teasing him in every way you knew would rile him up.

“Something wrong, Barnes?”

He groaned. He was fucking up into his fist now. He imagined flipping you over, grabbing your hands with his metal one and using his other one to squeeze your breasts.

He imagined kissing down your stomach until he got to those red panties and slowly, sensually kissing down them until you were begging to feel him. Begging him to touch you.

“Say my fucking name, doll,” He moaned.

He imagined your hands wrapped around his back and he mercilessly pounded into you. He imagined your soft lips wrapped around his full length, with your bright eyes filled with tears as you looked up at him.

He cursed.

“Nice to officially meet you, James.”

Suddenly he was cumming into his fist. He continued to stroke his cock until he was spent. As he calmed down, he looked down to see the mess he’d made with your undergarments.

“Fuck.”

He was seriously doomed.

[mscherub]

Right, so…you’re transported to a new world, and me being the science geek I am, I can’t help but think of all the bacteria you wouldn’t be accustomed to in Twisted Wonderland…so imagine how bad flu season would be, or just the spreading of sicknesses around the school in general

You better have a good immune system cause oml would it be put into overdrive. Anyways…here’s my twist on what the Diasomnia boys would do in order to be helpful in your recovery ❤️‍🩹

Heartslabyul, Savanaclaw, Octavinelle, Scarabia, Pomefiore, Ignihyde, Diasomnia

Warnings!:

Sickness, obviously

Mentions of vomiting, snot, etc

To start us off…

It’s flu season in Twisted Wonderland, well you call it the flu, they call it something else you don’t even bother to learn. With you’re immune so shot and not used to the illnesses that spread around, getting sick more often that you honestly should, you woke up with a headache. Ok…nothing too serious, but you thought it to be a good idea to just take some ibuprofen equivalent in their world and “thug it out,” which ultimately lead to your current situation. Currently, you’re in the infirmary, having passed out from a raging fever and a disgustingly congested respiratory system during PE and you’re bed ridden back at ramshackle, at least until your fever goes down. Sevens bless Grim and the ghosts as they try and get you things to feel better, but you need some sort of intervention, and here comes you’re favorite person at the right time. How do they help you out?

Malleus 🐉:

For one, he’s surprised you called upon him of all people, but hey, he’s not complaining. He’s been training for this day somewhat because Gao-Gao Drakon-kun has taught him how to take care of things and keep them alive, though, granted it’s a lot different in this case…but he can get an A for effort, at least. The thought that counts

He’ll sit by your side and ask you what exactly are your ailments, how he can help, all just to gauge what he should do…your very different from a tamagotchi—

Pillows, blankets, anything else? He’ll magic it right your way, probably casting some spell on it, possibly a relaxation one, which would be nice for your predicament

Of course he’ll also have food covered as well, what do you want? Eat it or don’t depending on how you feel, he won’t be mad at all, he’ll just be confused as to why you won’t eat, he's pretty sure humans need to eat to get better quickly, but he won’t pry

He’ll scoff at the medicines your assigned to take and he’ll go make you ancient and passed down remedies from Briar Valley, claiming they work better…and awkwardly enough they do perform a lot better than what you were taking before, so that’s a win because maybe you’ll get better even faster

He’ll let his magic do the work for cleaning.

He’s also not afraid to get sick, he’ll sit with you, he’s more than happy to. No being grossed out here, if anything, it’s quite peculiar how differently illnesses affect humans

He’ll be smug about taking care of you. This is the first time he's done this for a friend, especially as one as good as you.

Lilia 🧚‍♀️:

Bros gonna fuck around with you as soon as he sees you, sorry. But yet again, he does have that paternal side to him, and you just look so…helpless, and he’s not cold hearted, so of course he’ll stay and take care of you

Don’t let him cook, don’t if you wanna live!

If you refuse to eat what he makes you he’ll start getting snippy and uncharacteristically strict, saying how you need to eat to keep up your energy so your body can fight away this illness. Just keep refusing his food, if you’re not hungry then that should be fine and rather easy, but if you are, have him go buy you a little snack. Better than you not eating at all he’ll finally conclude to

He’s also a little iffy with the medicines, again with the cooking, he'll try to make a medicinal item out of herbs and stuff…probably toxic instead of the intended purpose, so don’t take it, trust me. “Oh? My, my…I didn’t realize it would turn out to be a poison! Silly me. Good thing you didn’t have any beastie.” he will laugh it off.

But, he’d still give you the medicines you need, don’t worry. He’s serious when he needs to be, and you’re recovery is important to him right now

He’ll mess around with Grim and the ghosts as you lie in bed, having a little fun himself, but if you need anything, he’ll change up quick and be by your side

Blankets, water, pillows, he’s got it under cover

He’s not scared to get sick himself so he’ll stay close to your side, most likely gently cooing at you and relishing in how you’re just so cute like this

Be warned he will randomly disappear at times, but if you call him he’ll pop up in front of you, upside down as usual. But, he’ll make sure Ramshackle is quiet while you rest, don’t worry

Silver ⚔️:

He’s honored to help you out, so he’ll do so without complaint

When it comes to those he holds dear, he’ll become more protective and do what he can to help them, and you just so happen to be in that group of people, and especially with your state, you’ll be pampered. Since Silver is tasked with watching over Malleus, he’ll do the same for you

What do you need? Well, he’s already on it, actually, so don’t worry.

Food he has under control definitely, man has to save himself from Lilia’s cooking all the time and he’s learned from a young age, so whatever you want he’ll conjure up real quick. Eat it or don’t, if you’re not hungry he’ll understand and save it for later

Do be patient with him, however, he has his sleepy spells and make sure Grim is with Silver if he’s cooking at that moment, though trusting Grim to take over if Silver does fall asleep isn’t really a great option, either-

Oh! He’s awake again, ok, medications, yea, right. If he doesn’t forget to give them to you after he falls asleep, then you’ll be fine. If he does forget, remind him, he’ll apologize and be right on it

When he’s not tending to you he’ll do stuff around Ramshackle, his pet peeve is idleness, so…

He’ll clean up and make sure the rest of the inhabitants are ok

After that, he’ll go back to your room and sit in the armchair, he’s not afraid to get sick, and he’ll doze off along with you

Sebek ⚡️:

Well…he’s going to chastise you severely while he helps you. He’ll say he’s only doing it because you’re Wakasama’s good friend, and that’s the only reason why, not that he’s actually doing this because he wants to and he feels bad, no, definitely not that. “Human! I shall only provide assistance on Wakasama’s behalf!”

He’ll belittle you every time he speaks, and if you have a headache already, just get good at ignoring him yap

Again just like with Silver, his duty is to watch over Malleus, so he’ll evidently do the same with you in a sense since that’s what he’s learned. He'll wait in your room, sitting in the arm chair, most likely reading.

He’s learned to cook well enough for himself, obviously, due to Lilia’s cooking, so he’ll provide you with more nutrient dense meals if you ask him to. He won’t do it unless you ask, he doesn’t wasn’t to assume

Sebek will make sure you take your medications religiously until you're better, it’s your duty, and he always follows his duties, you should, too.

He’ll clean up here and there, make sure Grim and the ghosts are in line, and he’ll grab you anything else you could possibly want, again, not without some complaint. “Humans are weak creatures!” He doesn’t really mean it in a mean way…he’s just being honest 🤷‍♀️

He’ll try and be quiet while you sleep, but forgive him if he yells at Grim at all and wakes you up-

Afterwards he’ll probably get sick himself, feel free to make fun of him then, KARMA

IM DONEEEE! Sorry I took my sweet ass time with Diasomnia, oh lord…

Also, I realized I made each one progressively longer for each character as I progressed through the dorms, so…whoops 🧍‍♀️(I yap too fucking much-)

But hey, now I can start on a new series, just gotta come up with one- or, someone could suggest one if anyone has any ideas!

Btw, requests and asks are open!!! ପ(๑•ᴗ•๑)ଓ

Master list

Please don’t steal or copy any of my work! You may, however, reblog if you’d want to!

Pictures belong to Disney Twisted Wonderland but are edited by me :)

[kyunniebuns]

˗ˏˋ Entry : 057 - Lover! Sung Jinwoo x Fem! Reader: Drabbles ◛⑅·˚ ♡ ˎˊ˗

ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚ 𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕘 𝕁𝕚𝕟𝕨𝕠𝕠 ˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ

╰┈➤ ❝ [ Every Little Thing You Are ] ¡! ❞

[ Why are you still awake? ] [ I don't have my online status on how'd u know:0? ] [ Instinct. ] [ Lmfao what is that supposed to mean? ] [ Get off the game. ] [ DD:] [ I'm picking you up in five minutes, we're taking a walk ]

Why does your boyfriend suddenly sound like a mom out of nowhere, hahah? No wonder Jin-ah occasionally complains to you, her brother is basically an annoying mama hen habitually.

So, you awkwardly dress for the cold outside on top of your pajamas and wait for Jinwoo to arrive on your front door.

You really only waited for three minutes and he's already there, pressing the doorbell.

"You are such a handful"— Was the first thing Jinwoo said when you opened the door for him. "You stay up until late at night and then complain the next day that you feel drowsy and tired."

"...Okay, mom" You pout, earning a flick on the forehead from your own lover before intertwining your fingers together.

"I'm your boyfriend" He corrects,

"Well, it's not my fault you appear more like a mom sometimes" You quip back and he could only sigh at your stubborness

꒰ .... ꒱

Midnight walks was Jinwoo's preferred method of easing you into the night. He knew you had trouble sleeping on most nights due to stress and anxiety. He wasn't the kind of boyfriend who would bug you to tell him about your day, he lets you vent to him when he knows you're ready to start explaining how your day is comptely terrible.

When you're agitated, he doesn't enjoy it.

Not that you take your anger out on your beloved.

Of course not, neither of you will ever land a hand on one another. Well, to be frank, even if you do hit Jinwoo— he wouldn't really care.

But tonight? The priority is to tire you out for an instant knockout.

The only thing that broke the serene silence between the both of you is the crunching of grass and gravel underneath the both of you as the chilly breeze whistles on the air.

You could feel Jinwoo squeeze your hand more, as if reminding you that you aren't alone at the moment and you don't have to be so stiff in the face of such the cast darkness of the park you're both taking your walk in.

"Hey, take a look" Jinwoo peers behind a bush where a frog is croaking.

"Eek!" You squeak, backing up immeadiately.

"???" Your lover blinks, "It's just a frog"

Well it's a slimy little thing but it's not bad compared to the horrors he had gone through with the gates before regressing through time.

"Sung Jinwoo, put that down right now!" You cry out as Jinwoo picked up the frog with his gloved left hand.

"Come on, it's a bit cute actually" Jinwoo smiles, as if he was brewing evil in that stupidly fluffy head of his.

And just like you expected, he started chasing you around with the frog croaking (maybe crying). While you sob for mercy, Jinwoo is laughing in bliss at messing around.

"What are you, five?!"

"Nah, it's just cute at how scared you are"

"I'm breaking up with you!"

"Hahah, nice try"

You were about to ball out of the park until Jinwoo yanked you back by your waist.

"Ew, ew, ew!" You squirm, "Don't hold me with your slimy hand!"

He mused, "I removed the glove, why are you still so cranky?"

"No!"

You whine and attempt to free yourself but his hold on you is as steady and unmoving as a mountain.

"Done?" Jinwoo asks, rubbing your stomach affectionately when you finally stopped struggling against him.

"You just brought me out here to make fun of me" You glare at him,

Jinwoo chuckles, pecking your lips briefly. "Maybe?"

"I'm really breaking up with you"

"Very funny."

He knows you'll never leave him anyway, just as he is in too deep in this whirlwind of love— So are you.

Only that Jinwoo is willing to do so much more in the name of his affections for you.

But that's a story for another day and another time, right now— He just wants to indulge in you underneath this moonlit evening.

꒰ 🪼 A/N: I'm very burnt out atm, I'll rest up for a bit before I start doing more fics and such. I have a lot of things in mind to do including lads and hsr. I'm very tired atm for no reason ahahahsa I jst wanna sleep. So please excuse me for this terrible short fluff ꒱

ʚ(੭´͈ ᐜ `͈)੭ .｡✧: ~ —! stories written by kyunnie; translations, reposts, plagiarism are strictly forbidden.

[eclectic-sassycoweyes]

WIP Wednesday

Thank you for the tags @paperstorm @heartstringsduet @everlastingday @henrygrass @nisbanisba @whatsintheboxmh @alrightbuckaroo @carlossreaders

An idea for a future/Jonah fic merged with Ranch Fic which I believed I've shared a bit of before. It won't leave my head. Here is a snippet from a chapter in which Jonah starts preschool and brings home a gift in the form a stomach bug they all get to take their turn with. Look how happy the little guy is with himself.

Thus this snippet is also me jumping aboard the Carlos Sickfic train whoo Niz you're still the captain and the driver I'm just joining the ride for a bit! Warnings for descriptions of nausea and a mention of throwing up but no more than those exact words.

He kind of wants to check in on Jonah and TK, wants to say goodbye to Jonah before he leaves for half the day but his eyelids are already drooping and the nausea still sits on the edge of his consciousness. He feels like he has a small window of time wherein if he just moves very little and goes to sleep soon he might be able to skip the next bout of nausea.

His wish is granted anyway as the bedroom door opens, Jonah entering first along with TK’s voice reminding him to be gentle, TK himself emerging last.

“He wanted to show you the dragon he chose,” TK says as Jonah climbs carefully up the bed to sit next to Carlos.

“Hey Jonah," Carlos says, fighting to keep his eyes open as he pushes Jonah’s bangs away from his forehead. He’s gonna need a haircut again soon. “Did you choose a good one?”

“Look!” Jonah says, pulling at the hem of his shirt and puffing his chest out, proudly showcasing the pink dragon on the front.

“Wow, mijo, that’s a really good choice,” Carlos says, making Jonah beam up at TK at the confirmation that they chose right.

“Are you gonna wear your pajamas to work, Carlos?” Jonah parrots TK from earlier. He does that a lot these days. Sometimes it makes him say weirdly wise things that sound way too adult coming from his four year old voice which always makes Carlos laugh.

“Carlos gets to stay home and sleep some more, because he’s sick, remember? Just like you stayed home when you were sick.”

“Did you throw up?” Jonah asks, turning to Carlos with wide eyes. He looks a mix between concerned and intrigued.

“Yeah, but just like you I’ll feel better again in no time,” Carlos reassures with a out upon smile. He hopes he's right.

“Do you want an ice pop?” Jonah asks, remembering that had made him feel better.

“Maybe later,” Carlos smiles at him. “But that was a nice thought, mijo. Thank you.”

Jonah looks like he’s thinking hard trying to come up with something else that will magically heal Carlos. He’s so sweet and caring, just like his brother. TK interrupts him before he can suggest any more remedies, heartwarming as they are.

“Okay, buddy,” TK says. “Time for breakfast I think, so we can get to preschool on time.”

“Can we make omelets?” Jonah asks, sufficiently distracted. Carlos usually lets him ‘help’ when he makes omelets in the morning and Jonah loves being delegated with small but very important tasks.

TK chuckles. “Sure. I don’t know if I can make them as good as Carlos though,” he says. “You’ll have to ask him for the secret ingredient.”

“What’s the secret ingredient Carlos?” 

Another time Carlos will tell Jonah how to make his favorite omelet, but right now Carlos can’t bear the thought of pronouncing the word of any food related item. “Love,” he says instead, ruffling Jonah’s hair, trying not to show that even the act of lifting his arm feels like a tremendous effort. Jonah frowns for a moment before he giggles like Carlos just said a super silly thing.

“Love? You can’t put love in an omelet Carlos!”

“Sure you can,” Carlos says. “You just have to make the omelet for someone you love and that’s how you put love into it.” He doesn’t know where the spontaneous pocket philosophy comes from and he hopes he hasn’t made a mistake in case the omelet TK and Jonah whip up for some reason isn’t to Jonah’s liking.

Kids don’t think that deep, he tells himself. Jonah will probably have forgotten about it in the time it takes them to go from the bedroom to the kitchen. And besides he fully trusts TK’s abilities when it comes to cooking. 

His jumbled overthinking is interrupted by Jonah making his heart grow two sizes and do a little dance in his chest. “Then we have to make some for Carlos too TK! So we can put love in it!”

Unfortunately his stomach seems inspired by his heart to start matching its little dance routine. Thinking anymore about omelets, let alone one being made for him that he has to eat, isn’t helping. He feels his little window of time starting to close as the nausea begins tauntingly closing back in on him. Luckily TK seems to read it on his face. Or maybe he’s just turning visibly green.

“We’ll make some for him to save for later,” he says. Planting a soft kiss to Carlos forehead he tells him “You should try to finish that glass of water though, if you can. I’ll bring you a new one before we leave.”

Turning back to Jonah he says more loudly, "Now, can you say bye to Carlos so we can let him sleep?” to Carlos he says softly “You look ready to, baby.” 

Carlos only hums in response.

Jonah rises up from his knees on the bed, putting him at eye level with Carlos as he wraps his little arms around his neck. “Bye, Carlos. Feel better,” he says before turning back to TK, putting his arms in the air to be lifted off the bed.

Carlos musters his last energy for a sincere “Bye Jonah. I love you,” But Jonah has apparently already moved on, or rather back to discussing what to put into the omelet, beside love.

“And ham,” he says as TK lifts him under the armpits and sets him back on the floor.

“And cheese!” he says, “And eggs and pepper and-” 

“Okay buddy,” TK interrupts quickly, sending Carlos an apologetic wince before quickly ushering Jonah out of the bedroom, as he keeps listing ingredients. 

Once the door is closed behind them, Carlos takes a few steadying breaths, the nausea thankfully retreating back to the peripherals. Having learned to listen to TK when it comes to medical advice, he sips the water until the glass is almost empty before he gingerly lays down, foregoing his own freshly clean pillowcase in favor of TK’s, and pulling their shared blanket up and over his body. He shifts a little to make himself as comfortable as he can and then closes his eyes.

He doesn’t hear when TK creeps in half an hour later to replace the near empty glass of water, or the front door opening and closing as they leave to drop Jonah off at preschool.

OPEN TAG

And tagging @herefortarlos @emsprovisions @paperstorm @heartstringsduet @ironheartwriter

@bonheur-cafe @ladytessa74 @sapphic--kiwi @literateowl @lemonlyman-dotcom

@rangersoup @theghostofashton @everlastingday @henrygrass

@freneticfloetry @liminalmemories21 @carlossreaders @chicgeekgirl89

@the-126-family @goodways @carlos-in-glasses @whatsintheboxmh @tailoredshirt

@nisbanisba @nancys-braids @your-catfish-friend @rmd-writes @goldenskykaysani

@captain-gillian @reyesstrand @strandnreyes @alrightbuckaroo @tellmegoodbye

@carlos-tk @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @pimento-playing-hopscotch @firstprince-history-huh @thisbuildinghasfeelings

@never-blooms @lightningboltreader @welcometololaland

I finally made a taglist so lmk if you want to be removed from it or added to it!:)

[paxaz535]

Brothers Best Friend

♡pairing ♡

paige x black!oc

chapter v

series here

——————

When Makayla, Emma, Daveli, David and Paige all arrived to the very nice hotel, it was already four. They really didn’t expect anyone to be there because, let’s be honest, who’s really on time for real? if anything, Eli was quite relieved, she wanted to get herself situated before she had to greet anyone anyways.

“Who all did you really invite, David?” Paige asked her best friend as they all stood on the elevator. David chuckled nervously as everyone looked at him. “Oh you know.. just Derek, Lonzo, jayden and his homies.” Eli squinted her eyes. “That’s it?” She questioned. She had a feeling he had more people sliding. David waved her off, “Don’t worry about all that.. just know we gon be lit.” Emma, Makayla and Eli shared a look, they had a feeling something was gonna go down.

As the group of 5 made it to the 4th floor, they all stepped out the elevator. Eli looked down the hall to see pink decorations around her door. She squealed, already getting excited. Makayla and Emma giggled while David and Paige just grinned. “Guys..”

When they made it to the door, Makayla handed her the key card. Eli was cheesing, happily taking the card and unlocking the door. When she walked in, she let out a big gasp. It was pink and black balloons all around the living area, she picked one up and walked further in. She looked towards the kitchen to see a huge ass cake sitting on the counter with her picture on it. It was chips, candy and just a whole bunch of goodies sitting around. Eli couldn’t help but cover her mouth, she was getting emotional.

“Yall didn’t..” She spoke out of shock. Emma stood by the bed room door. “In here is all the good stuff.” She spoke as she opened it. Eli turned around and before she could even step inside, she saw a mini pile of presents. She quickly walked in to see a big pink sign in balloons on the window that said ‘Happy Birthday Daveli’ and more balloons on the ceiling. it was a number 18 right next to the bed with pink pebbles on the bed.

She saw a led light ball in a corner meaning when it got darker, they’d display it and make the room look pretty. It was heart balloons by the bathroom, she noticed mini portraits of her around the room, some with David, some with Paige and some with Makayla in it. It was one with her and Emma on the tv stand and she noticed every one of them.

She was crying by now, they put so much thought into the room and she couldn’t have ask for better friends. She quickly turned towards them and hugged everyone one by one. “Thank you, thank you. this is too cute. I love yall so much.” She spoke, tears still coming down. They all chuckled, seeing the girls reaction.

Paige then remembered, “I have one more thing for you.” She spoke and ran out the room. Daveli was confused and looked at David. He shrugged, “Imma go get myself situated in my room. my peoples should be here soon.” The girls just nodded, eli going back to gawking at the room.

She quickly took a picture and automatically posted it on her story.

daveli.lili added to their story !

(pretend it’s still light out)

When Paige came back with the flowers, she stayed outside the door, texting Eli to come out. When Daveli got the message, she was even more confused. “Paige just texted me to come out.” She told the two girls in the room. Makayla and Emma looked at each other, then back at the 18 year old.

“Then go!” Eli widened her eyes and nodded, quickly leaving the bedroom. When she opened the door, she saw Paige with a huge bouquet of flowers. They were pink, just like her favorite color. Her eyes went wide again and a gasp left her. “Happy Birthday, Eli.” The blonde spoke softly as she gave the flowers to the girl.

“Paige..” Eli looked at them and back at the blonde. She quickly gave her a hug, squeezing the girl tightly. When Paige gave her a squeeze back, Eli smiled big. Hugging Paige has always been the best feeling Eli could endure, paige was always warm and smelled so good. “Thank you, p. I love you.” She spoke softly and leaned into her until she couldn’t.

“I love you too, D.” But not in the way she wanted her to. Hearing Paige say that was music to her ears, but she knew p didn’t mean it in the way she longed for. The girls were so busy wrapped around each other, they didn’t see Azzi, Carol and Jaida walk up. Jaida was the one to disturb the moment, clearing her throat.

The two separated, not knowing the three was standing there. “Hi there.” Azzi spoke in a teasing tone, making Paige blush out of embarrassment and Daveli look away, trying to hide her smile. “Wassup, yall.” Paige spoke as she gave Carol and Azzi a hug. She dapped up Jaida and smacked her back.

Azzi and Carol approached Eli, teasing smiles on their faces. “Hi, birthday girl.” Azzi spoke and gave her a hug. “Hey, Azzi.” She cheesed and turned towards Caroline. “You’re carol, right?” The brunette nodded, a shy smile on her face. “It’s nice to meet you, happy birthday!” The two went in for a hug, making Eli smile wider. She loves hugs, if you couldn’t tell.

“Thank you!” Paige and Jaida then walked up, looking at the 18 year old. “Eli, this is Jaida. I told you about her.” Eli nodded, giving the brownskin girl a quick look up and down. She had on baggie jeans with a pink hoodie. Her hair was in a slick back ponytail with a puff in the back. She had a grey and pink beanie on, the girl was screaming gay. She was a stud, Eli’s type.

“Nice to meet you, jaida.” She spoke as they hugged, “You too, eli. Happy birthday, pretty.” Daveli smiled, leading them towards the room. Paige gave Jaida a discreet look before turning towards Eli. “Oh, they showed out. It’s nice in here.” Azzi spoke as they all walked in the hotel room.

“Keep that door open!” Jaida turned around to see a light skin girl, she had stitch braids with a pink juicy couture outfit and a black travel bag. “Who’s that?” Paige whispered. Jaida shrugged, she was intrigued on who this girl was… until a man came jogging after her. Paige stilled a laugh, seeing Jaida’s face drop. The brown skin turned towards the blonde and flicked her forehead, Paige rubbed it and walked into the room fully.

“Thank you. Derek, hurry up.” She called as Derek was still two doors away from them. Derek just smacked his lips, speed walking towards his girlfriend. She let out a big sigh, keeping the door open for him, Jaida was already inside, going towards everyone else.

The couple walked in, taking in the environment. “You seem excited as fuck to be at your opp’s party.” Derek spoke as he and Nai sat on the couch. She turned towards him, “I only came here because of you, don’t piss me off.” She spoke as she smacked on her gum, leaning back and getting on her phone.

Inside the room everyone was chilling, Emma and Makayla already changed into their swim suits. “Yo.. it’s some light skin girl and her nigga out there.” Jaida spoke as she sat next to Azzi. Daveli froze, slowly turning towards Makayla. Makayla had the same look on her face, then they both looked at the rest of the girls.

“Woah.. what happened?” Carol asked as she noticed their whole demeanor’s changed. “That’s Nai.” Emma spoke. Daveli gagged just hearing her name, making Paige eyes go wide. “That was Nai?” She asked, she never really paid attention to the girl before but now putting a name on her face made her realize. Emma went on to explain what happened so the girls could be caught up.

Daveli just sighed, looking at Makayla. “Whatever, it’s my day. No bad energy.” Makayla nodded, a smile on her face. Daveli then went to the bathroom to change into her two piece, taking paige’s flowers with her. She took a picture before she changed and posted it.

Daveli added to their story !

She then changed into her pink two piece and put a black cover up on. She came out and everyone was either getting their stuff out of their bags or just lounging around. “Yo!” David voice rung out. “What’s up, David?” Derek spoke, dabbing him up. “Hi, david.” Nai’s voice could be heard, making Eli make a mug look on her face. Emma and Azzi laughed and David heard, busting inside the room.

“Ayeeee, What’s up yall!?” Everyone spoke back, Jaida getting up to dap the curly head up. “This might not be my actual room but that still doesn’t give you a reason to bust in, David.” Eli spoke as she put her clothes away. David looked at her, a bored look on his face. Eli shot her eyes out at him, popping her neck.

There was a knock at the front. “I got it!” Derek spoke. When he opened the door, he saw Lonzo, Jayden, Mj, and 3 more girls. “Wassup?” He greeted and let them in. “Hey, Nai!!” A girl yelled as she ran towards her. She had strawberry blonde hair and hazel eyes. Nai shot up, seeing her friend. “Hey, Mia!!” They hugged and began talking. The other two girls were looking for Daveli, actually wanting to speak to her.

Derek lead them to the room to see everyone laughing at something Eli was talking about. “Is that Daveli Corjay Robertson?” Daveli eyes widen, looking at her two friends. “Yall are feds!” She smiled and walked towards them, hugging them tightly.

When they pulled away, Eli faced everyone. “This is Connie and Caniya. Yes, they are twins.” She spoke, the two sisters already had their swimsuits on so they just sat their bags down and waved at everyone.

“Yall are pretty as hell.” Carol complimented. The twins smiled, thanking the brunette and giving her a compliment as well. “Alright, I think everyone’s here, yea?” David spoke as he stood up. Eli looked around, nodding her head. As much as she disliked Nai, she didn’t want the girl to be clueless on what’s going on. She noticed the gift corner got bigger, making her internally smile.

“Yo, can you tell them to come by the door so I don’t have to repeat myself?” She asked as she wiped off her make up from earlier. Derek nodded and poked his head out. “Yall, come here.” Nai and Mia stopped mid conversation and stood up, standing by the door.

“Okay! First of all, I wanna say thank you for coming to this, i was lowkey stressing but we here.” Everyone cheered, the girl hearing happy birthday’s. She just smiled and continued. “Secondly, I just wanna let everyone know the plans, alright? I rented out the pool from 6 to 10 but you’re free to leave and come up to get comfortable whenever. I’mma probably leave early because dinner won’t be here till like 9. David has his own room so his peoples can stay with him.” Everyone nodded, understanding what was going on.

Eli looked at her phone. “Well, it’s almost 6 so whoever needs to get changed, go ahead. Where’s the speaker?” She asked as she slid on her slides. “I got it.” Jaida spoke as she picked it up. Eli smiled, winking at the girl. Daveli started to get everything she needed and she started making her way downstairs. Makayla, Emma, Paige, Azzi, Carol and Jaida was behind her, them already being ready.

When the girls were on the elevator, the blonde decided to talk. “Yo, who was that girl with Nai?” Paige asked. Eli side eyed her secretly, why is she worried about it? Emma, being the bright one she is, answered happily. “Oh, that’s Mia. They be attached to the hip.” Paige nodded her head, looking over at Jaida.

Jaida shook her head, smirking in the process. Daveli peeped the whole thing, looking over at Makayla to see her face. Makayla lips went into a straight line, knowing exactly what her best friend was thinking. Azzi and Carol also shared a look, silently watching the interaction. The two gays didn’t seem to notice the slight shift, going on their phones.

Daveli couldn’t— wouldn’t let that ruin her night, it’s her birthday. Fuck everything else. The elevator finally got to the first floor and everyone emptied out, walking towards the pool.

When they reached it, they were shocked to see how big it was, this hotel was expensive and the pool probably proved that. “Holy shit, eli.” Carol muttered, everyone was surprised. Daveli giggled, speed walking towards a lounging chair. “Well, come on let’s get wet.”

“Ayo?”

next chapter will be based off a flash back

i’m excited for that

taglist - @melpthatsme @prettygirl-gabi @rebecca-woso @starfulani @avvwritesstufff @evry1luvzzae

[masterjedilenawrites]

Hi!!! I listening to the Florence and the Machine song “girl with one eye” and it got me in a super angsty mood, and I had this idea that what if reader saves Rex from being tortured like a heroine and does the dramatic bridal carry and everything, instead of the usual reader being saved like a lot of fics end up writing in terms of super angst (absolutely no hate, I love those too) I just think it would be nice to see the reader being extremely capable!

You obviously do not have to write anything like this, I just had the idea and you are by far one of my favorite writers (my dyslexic ass cant write for shit)

Anyways, hope you have a wonderful day!

Saving Rex

Rex x reader | 4.4k words

Content: torture (not shown but discussed), injuries, general angst, reader with some physical strength/stamina, friends to lovers, hope and love prevail

Note: I'd really like to believe I could carry Rex down a flight of stairs if I needed to. Maybe I'll use that for motivation during my next workout 😝 (Also this got really emotional in some places, please don't hate me)

To say you were panicking was an understatement. Rex had never been this late to a rendezvous. And with comms jammed, there weren't many options to figure out what could be keeping him. It was one of your only nightmares coming true. Something happening to that noble, wonderful man you called a friend.

You paced restlessly between the walls of the bunker, an eye on the door at all times. Any noise, any howl of the wind or scrape of someone's boot on the concrete floor, made you twitch in alarm. You had never experienced the seconds ticking by so slowly. Kriff, where was he?

"You should get some rest."

While you watched the door, Anakin watched you. Normally he would tease over any emotion you showed for his Captain; no matter how much you tried to keep such feelings under wraps, the Jedi always seemed to sense the truth anyway. But now he put jokes aside and did what he could to quell your anxieties.

You only shook your head in response and continued your pacing.

Anakin sighed and fell back in his chair. The other men in the bunker were anxious, too. Even if he couldn't feel it, he could see it all around. Bouncing knees. Fiddling with random objects. Untouched food and unspoken words. No one was going to sleep, even though everyone needed it. It was going to be a long night. Unless Rex found his way back.

Anakin could admit he was worried for the clone, too. They had fought alongside each other for so long now, it didn't seem possible that there'd be a day where one of them was no longer standing. But what he couldn't admit, at least not to anyone else, was that he had a very bad feeling this time. He kept trying to reach out in the Force, find some trace of his comrade out there, and he kept coming back with an even worse feeling than before.

A sudden sound at the door caused everyone to sit up, tense and hopeful. Three knocks with a very specific rhythm. Someone from your team. You could barely breathe as you waited for Anakin to open the door.

Ahsoka hurried through, along with a gust of wind that fluttered some of the more lightweight objects around the room. Anakin quickly shut it behind her. You'd almost forgotten she had been out, too. Gone to look for Rex, help him get back. But she hadn't brought anyone back with her. Now you really couldn't breathe.

"What'd you find?" asked Anakin, noting the urgent expression on the young girl's face.

"They've taken him to the fortress across the south bridge. I followed a... trail," she quickly glanced over at you, omitting what the trail was composed of for your sake, though you could make an educated guess if you had to. "They have him in a tower. I couldn't get eyes on him, but... Well, I could hear him."

Her face screwed up in distress at the memory and everyone in the room knew exactly what she meant.

"Any way we can carry out an extraction?" asked Anakin.

"If not now, then when?" You marched forward, determined and resolute. You could breathe again, though just barely. "Nighttime. Storm. Now is the only time."

Anakin still looked to his padawan for confirmation. She'd seen the fortress and would know whether it was a risk worth taking, even for someone as dear to them as Rex.

To your satisfaction, Ahsoka didn't hesitate to nod quickly. "That's why I hurried back as fast as I could. I couldn't get to him on my own, but with a small team...."

"It'll have to be really small. We can't risk blowing our cover here," Anakin agreed and finally uncrossed his arms. He hadn't realized how tense he'd been holding himself this whole time. But now there was some hope, and all that was needed to reach it was a bit of daring action. Something he was never in short supply of, and something hew knew Rex wouldn't hesitate to do for him if the roles were reversed.

"You, me," you motioned to yourself and Anakin. "Ahsoka can keep guard here."

"And me," came a clone's voice by your side. All of them were intently listening to the conversation, and while any one of them would have been eager to volunteer to save their Captain, one knew he was needed more than any other. Kix.

"There may not be time to administer first aid on sight," Anakin cautioned.

Kix puffed himself up a bit. "I'll do what I can. You two focus on getting us out without a fuss."

Anakin smirked and you cast him a grateful smile of your own. This was not an ideal outcome, learning that Rex was in distress. But at least he wasn't dead yet, and you could work with that. Now his fate was in your hands. And with a burning fire in your heart, you knew you would save him.

- - -

Rex waited until the echoing of their footsteps was gone before allowing himself to collapse. His knees hit cold stone but the jolt was barely felt amongst the rest of the pain radiating throughout his body. He curled in on himself, arms gently folding around the worst of the injuries in his middle, and his head hung low in exhaustion.

He wasn't sure how much more he could take of this. He hated the thought, but it was true. An entire day of torment and torture, relentless and unforgiving. Even with all his training, this situation was proving difficult to bear.

There was only one thing keeping him alive, he was sure of it. You. The memories of your smile, your laughter, all the lovely things you somehow said at just the right times. The thought of you continuing on without ever knowing how he felt. You were strong and capable in your own right, but he still wanted to be there for you. To protect you. To love you.

Gods, how he loved you.

He couldn't be broken in this place. No, not before seeing you one more time. He would give you his heart, and then he could finally let go.

- - -

Your feet thunked against each step of the spiraling stone stairs. Anakin's and Kix's were not far behind. Only a few guards and droids had had to be taken care of thus far, done swiftly and discretely by the two soldiers while you focused on navigating through the labyrinth of the fortress to the tower that held Rex. But as soon as you'd reached the door leading upward, Anakin had voiced his unease. Worse was coming, he insisted. And if they proceeded, they'd be just as trapped in that tower as their Captain was.

You pushed forward without a second thought.

And they reluctantly followed.

You weren't dumb. You knew it was foolish to rush into an enemy's territory with no plan and no backup. You knew you could be condemning Rex with your impulsive actions rather than saving him. But somehow, those sensible thoughts were overwhelmed by a deep and desperate need to find him at any cost. If you could just see him, then everything would be okay.

Thunk, thunk, thunk. One step and then another and another. Your lungs heaved and your thighs burned but you kept climbing. You weren't sensitive to the Force, but you swear you could feel yourself getting closer to him.

The sudden sound of a lightsaber igniting behind you finally gave you pause. You stumbled on the next step as you slowed and turned. Anakin had stopped several steps below and was staring downward, waiting for something.

"What is it, sir?" Kix huffed beside him.

Anakin only held up a finger as if he were trying to listen. You were panting, too, and tried to hold in a breath so you could hear whatever he could. There was only the hum of a lightsaber and the wailing of the wind from the other side of stone walls.

And then suddenly there was pounding. The whole tower seemed to shake with the thunderous footsteps of soldiers making their way upward, blocking your only way back out. Anakin jerked his head toward you.

"Go. Find him. I'll push them back."

As Anakin rushed downward, Kix wavered in between. Rex would need his aid, but his aid would be worthless if they couldn't escape. He finally looked back at you, too.

"You've got this," he stated before raising his blaster and following General Skywalker.

You resumed your trek upward, your attention slipping back to its previous singular focus of finding Rex. Of seeing him again. Alive.

You finally reached the top of the tower and were met with a simple wooden door. Again, you knew you should slow down and think through a strategy. What if there were guards on the other side? What if their blades slipped because you startled them? But you couldn't help yourself. You'd come too far to not burst right through.

There were no guards. There were no blades. But there was, thankfully, distressingly, Rex.

He was slumped against the far wall. Motionless. You crossed the room with a few bounding strides and gently pulled him away from the wall.

You'd anticipated him being in bad shape, but not to this extent. His armor was stripped and the tattered clothes they had him in instead did nothing to hide his condition. Bruises along his arms. A sickly pallor to his skin. Dark circles beneath his eyes and cracks along his lips. His head swung toward you listlessly as you turned him. You quickly positioned his body against yours and your hand cradled his head in support.

"Rex," you coaxed, willing your voice to remain strong. Panic wouldn't help him like this. "Rex, it's okay. We're going to get you out of here. Okay?"

His eyelids fluttered but couldn't seem to stay open. He did turn toward your voice, and through a series of near-unintelligible mutters, you managed to make out your name.

"Yes," you smiled, moving your hand to cup the side of his head so you could run a soothing thumb along his cheek. "Yes, it's me. I'm here. I've got you. You're okay now."

He shifted his arms, and at first you thought he was ready to try standing. You made to move, too, but then noticed he was doing something else. He held his hand over his chest, on the side of his heart. And then slowly, his other hand reached out to rest onto your chest.

You shook your head at him, not understanding. Was he hurt there? Did they do something to his heart?

Then Rex's worn face contorted into what could only be a smile. A small but serene smile, like he'd finally found peace. The smile slowly slipped away and his body started to feel heavier in your arms.

Now you couldn't keep the panic at bay. It came out in full force, along with tears and desperate squeezing. 

"No no no. Rex. Wake up, Rex. Please. You can rest soon but we have to leave first. Okay? We have to go now. Please."

You didn't know what to do beyond pleading and shaking him. He couldn't slip away now, not when you'd just gotten here. A part of you had hoped that maybe, just by seeing you, his spirits would lift. That you would be that little kickstart to his heart that'd help him keep going. But sadly, it seemed your fantasies of him returning your affections were only that. In reality, you could have been anybody coming to his rescue, and you'd be too late either way.

No. You shook yourself now. No, it didn't matter how he felt or didn't feel. You loved him. That fire in your heart was still burning, and you were going to get him out of here alive.

You carefully but swiftly got your legs back under you, still keeping Rex's body supported as you maneuvered each other into the right position. You weren't a soldier. You didn't have the same build as the clones. But damn if you weren't just as determined and capable. So with a deep, steadying breath, you heaved his body across your back. One of your arms wrapped around his closest leg, keeping it tight against your side as you reached across to grab at his arm. He was heavy, but secure, and you knew you could carry him this way for as long as it'd take to escape. And as an added bonus, you'd heard a soft grunt from him as he'd bent over your shoulders. He was still alive.

You wasted no time standing around with the extra weight. You were back out the door and heading down the stairs faster than you could register. One hand running along the wall for balance and the other firmly grasped on Rex's forearm. Your thighs had done the most work to get you up the stairs; now it was your knees taking the brunt of effort going down. In your mind you alternated between prayers for your joints and prayers for Rex's life.

The sounds of your steps were drowned by the reverberating sounds of combat. The echoes made it hard to tell their distance away as you continued your descent. You braced yourself for the inevitable, feeling more and more grateful the further you went without sight of any blaster fire. You estimated only a quarter of the way left by the time you met some of the carnage on the stairs. Sizzling metal and blaster marks on the walls. It was another several of floors of picking your way between it all before you then came across Kix and Anakin. They'd made good progress pushing the onslaught back.

You hovered just beyond their reach so as to keep Rex away from the crossfire. Anakin's lightsaber did most of the work to keep the enemy at a distance, though occasionally a shot would ricochet onto the wall by your head. But slowly and surely, you were all able to make it down to the next step. Lower and lower. Closer and closer to the end.

Eventually Kix was able to pause in his help and scurry up to check on Rex. He nodded at you when he confirmed a pulse but was just as unsuccessful as you in his efforts to get the Captain to wake.

"Dehydration, possible blood loss from these wounds here," the medic chattered, more to himself than anyone, as he dug through his pack. He tore open a bacta patch and slapped it across an oozing mess of scabs on Rex's shoulder and then handed you a stim while he continued to rummage.

You jabbed the stim into the back of Rex's thigh, thrilled that you managed to elicit another groan from him. Any sign of life was a good one at this point.

"Need me to take over?" Kix asked once he'd found a breathing mask and stood back up. You shook your head, already heading back down the stairs. Anakin had managed to get through a good amount more of the droids. Kix shrugged and then rushed ahead to continue laying down blaster fire.

The fight to escape took far longer than anyone would have wanted. Even once you'd made it out of the stuffy tower, there was the maze of hallways to run back through, and more enemies to fight along the way. All hopes of a stealthy rescue were long gone. It made you nervous, wondering if you'd be able to make it out at all, at this point. The further you moved into the open, the harder it was to keep fighting. If you were lucky enough to make it outside the fortress of droids, then you'd be surrounded by a storm. You were but a Jedi, a medic, and a civilian staff member carrying a near-unconscious soldier. The path forward was looking rather grim.

You eventually got yourselves into what seemed to be a supply closet. You knew there was a service door leading outside down one end of the hall, and the front entrance to the fortress itself was only around another corner as well. But you were flanked by droids on either side. Anakin kept the door to the closet open so he could continue to pick off the droids, while you were finally able to take a break from carrying Rex as Kix more properly tended to some of his injuries.

"How's he looking?" Anakin asked over his shoulder. He wasn't sure what he wanted the answer to be. He was glad Rex was alive, but they were all running out of options. From his estimates, they'd either need to surrender and think through a better escape plan later, or barrel forward with a Hail Mary and hope for the best. Either option would be difficult with Rex in this state. If he was getting worse... if he wasn't going to make it... Anakin shuddered at the thought of having to make that call.

Kix didn't immediately answer. He'd removed the breathing mask which seemed to have sparked some energy back into Rex. He was groaning and huffing, clutching at his midsection and rolling his head back and forth restlessly. Kix tried getting his attention but the Captain only continued to fidget and groan.

"Was he like this when you found him?" Kix asked you.

"No, he was quieter. He knew who I was, though."

Kix motioned for you to come closer. "See if he'll respond to you again."

"Rex." You quickly saddled up by his side, ignoring the pain in your back and legs from crouching. "Rex, look at me. It's okay. Just breathe. You'll be okay."

Surprisingly, your voice seemed to work. Rex stilled, turning his head toward the sound. That weird little smile crept back on his face.

"Rex?"

He responded with your name, small and rasping, but clear all the same. You couldn't help but smile in return.

"Oh good, you are awake enough."

With lightning speed, Kix was back in view with a vial of... something. He tipped it into Rex's mouth and held his hand over to keep the Captain from spitting it back out. Rex sputtered and writhed against Kix's hand but eventually swallowed the liquid down with a hard, painful gulp. Rex's eyes had shot open in the process. They were red, but alert.

"It's okay," you tried soothing again. Rex relaxed against the wall he was propped against and locked his eyes with yours.

"You... came... for me?" he croaked out.

You nodded. For a second, you could have sworn tears were brimming in Rex's eyes. Maybe it was only the medicine.

"Hate to ruin the moment," Anakin called back out. The blaster fire from the hall had grown louder, closer. "But we're out of time here. Kix, anything in this closet we can fashion into a grenade?"

The medic scrambled up to look amongst the shelves.

"Rex, you able to stand? I need you both shooting blasters if you can manage it."

"I will try."

Rex was already trying to push himself off the wall. You wrapped an arm around his back and help hoist him up. His legs shook wildly from the sudden weight. You kept him leaning against you, one arm over your shoulder.

"It's okay, I've got you."

Rex smiled down at you, far too softly for what the situation allowed. You held his gaze with surprise.

Kix was pouring random bottles into each other, hoping they'd make the desired effect. Anakin was cursing as the droids drew nearer. Rex seemed to be trying to tell you something with his eyes. And just when you were about to suggest looking into the air vent situation of this place, there came a large and reverberating kaboom.

You all froze. Including the droids, who then appeared to have been given new orders as they neatly turned in the opposite direction and marched away. Something had happened by the entrance. After a few moments, you could hear their blasters firing again, along with the sounds of other weapons. Familiar weapons. Anakin grinned.

"Obi-Wan," he said before running after them.

You could've cried. Instead, you looked back up at Rex and smiled.

"Ready to go home?"

- - -

You hadn't left Rex's side for a second, much to Kix's chagrin. It was that much harder to heal a battered brother with a stubborn civvy sitting in the way. But, despite his many grumbling complaints, he still let you stay. He knew your heart. And Rex's. It'd be best for both of you to keep close, until you knew each other's.

Though when Rex did wake, you could barely get out one tearfully happy hello before seemingly everyone else on base came to his side, too.

"Thank the gods you're alive!"

"Glad you're okay, brother."

"Good to have you back."

"Can't keep a good man down."

Rex appreciated their words, he really did. He tried not to notice how silent you'd fallen amongst them. It was your words he wanted to hear most.

"How did we get out of there?" he instead asked Anakin. He remembered waking in a dark room, Kix shoving something down his throat, your voice as you sweetly called his name. Beyond that was a blur. He was pretty sure he'd passed out once he tried walking.

"I kept think about the storm," Ahsoka was the one to answer instead. "And how it would give them cover getting to the fortress. And then I thought if they happened to get caught, that'd provide just enough distraction for us to start with a good attack."

"And by us, she of course means the 212th," smirked Cody. Obi-Wan was busy sending word back to Coruscant on the mission, though they all owed it to the Jedi's decision to go looking for General Skywalker and the missing 501st. Without the added reinforcements, Ahsoka's plan wouldn't have stood a chance.

"We're just really glad you're alive, Rex," Ahsoka said softly.

"Yeah, we don't know what we would have done without you," said Anakin, though he was looking toward you as he said it. Everyone else followed his gaze, causing you to blush at the sudden attention.

"They carried you the whole way, you know," Anakin added, now directed toward Rex.

Rex's eyes grew wide, impressed.

"Don't you remember?" prompted Kix.

"I... remember you finding me," Rex told you. "In that cell. I remember feeling hope again."

Your ears were still hot from Anakin's obvious insinuations of your feelings, and now everyone was giving each other looks at Rex's words. You decided to deflect with some humor.

"Right before you tried to cop a feel," you smirked.

That did the trick. A chorus of salacious oohs and laughter rang through the rank of clones gathered. Fives went up and clapped Rex's shoulder, his bad one. Rex's wincing caused Kix to hastily shoo away Fives and everyone else making a ruckus. You remained, noticing that through it all, Rex had a blush rivaling your own.

"I... I didn't..." he stammered once most of his visitors had disappeared. Anakin gave you one last look before then coaxing Ahsoka to leave as well.

"It's okay," you reassured. "You were out of it."

"No, I wasn't, I... I was..." Rex huffed. He was having a hard time finding the right words. "Never mind, it's silly."

He fell back against the pillows with a sigh. You scooted your stool forward and rested your hands on the bedside.

"Please tell me, Rex. I feel like you've been trying to tell me something ever since I found you. But I was so focused on trying to keep you alive, I didn't understand. I'm sorry."

Rex smiled back at you, encouraged. "It's alright. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I would make it out alive. But I... well... I didn't want to let go without..." He paused, embarrassed again. This was going to sound ridiculous if you didn't feel the same.

"Without...?"

"Without giving you my heart first."

He looked at you hesitantly to find your lips had parted in surprise.

"I know. It was a silly thought--"

"No," you breathed. Your hands now slid from the blanket onto his. The memory of him in your arms, beaten and bruised, using what strength he had left to gesture between his heart and yours... you wished you'd understood then. You'd thought he hadn't cared for you in that way at all.

Rex's eyes watered along with yours as your hands clasped together and a newfound understanding settled in between.

"You can't ever disappear on me like that again," you said with a wobble in your voice. "Anakin's right, I don't know what I would have done without you. I... I love you too much to even think of it."

Rex brought your hands up to meet his lips. He kissed your knuckles softly.

"I love you, too. And... I think I'm going to need to reconsider some things, knowing that you love me back."

He gazed over your clasped hands and met the eyes of Anakin, on the other side of the medbay looking in on the other patients. He wasn't the only injured soldier from the mission. General Skywalker was a good man for checking on them, just as he would do once he could stand on his own feet again. The look he now shared with the Jedi was one of agreement. A lot had changed from this mission, and a lot would need to still change. Love, sometimes, took priority even in war. Anakin knew that better than most.

"I don't want you to--" you started to say as realization dawned. But Rex quickly shook his head.

"We have time to discuss it. Right now, just let me hold you."

You didn't need to be asked twice. Helping him carefully scoot over, you then slipped under the hospital blanket and tucked yourself in at his side. It felt right, like where you were always meant to be.

Your worst nightmare had played out in a harrowing day of panic and fear. And now your greatest dream was nestled at your side, safe and sound and alive. It had been a frightening price to pay, one you hoped you'd never have to spend again, but the heart you now held was surely a worthy reward.

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[ad1isajellyf1sh]

"But 'just friends' don't look at each other like that." A quote I found on Pinterest..(づ￣ ³￣)づ

a short fluff snufmin fic!

genre: light fluff, possibly mutual pining, fluff, idiots in love but are dumb

warnings: none

author's note: first post... sweats.. cookie moomin divider by @fishgills

Giddy is a feeling that Moomintroll was very familiar with. It's a bright summer day, and the refreshing breeze is a nice change to the unrelenting heat of Moominvalley's sun. Resting in a field of summer daisies and peonies swaying in the summer breeze, the shining sun radiates down onto Moomin's white fur. Lying back on the soft grass, he stretches with spread arms. A tranquil peace surrounds Moomin, that and the sound of a familiar tune. A harmonica plays a soft tune, one that Moomin came to both love and admire. Repetitive perhaps, but its relaxing tune is all Moomin needs to truly feel at home. As the harmonica's song comes to a slow end, Moomin is first to jump up from his laid-back position.

It was just a few moments ago when Snufkin had once again wandered off to a remote location to explore. it was then did Moomin had to find and catch his traveling companion so he could invite Snufkin on an adventure in Moominvalley! But, it seems that Moomin had fallen into a deep trace to Snufkin's harmonica. Maybe something a little more, but who knows?

"This is where you have been, Snufkin?" Moomin asks, looking out to the rows of summer flowers that seem to bathe Moominvalley in a sea of vibrant colors.

"Of course, I couldn't resist the urge to explore further ahead. Mr. Hemulen told me about this place, isn't it beautiful?" Snufkin sets down his harmonica only to push off the large rock he had been resting on. Gazing out into the fields, Moomin turns his head to Snufkin's, a smile plays on Snufkin's face as he looks out into the colorful flowers to lush plants. Moomin continues to gaze up at Snufkin, and an unfamiliar feeling settles in Moomin's stomach. A faint breeze rustles through Snufkin's brown hair, his signature green hat wavering ever so slightly. Snufkin places a hand on his hat, keeping it from flying away. Moomin's face turns the slightest bit of pink, and a bubbly feeling tickles Moomin's throat.

"It is beautiful," Moomin mutters under his breath. Blue eyes soften at the Snufkin's content expression. Adornment in the troll's eyes as he smiles faintly.

"What was that Moomin?" Snufkin's curious voice snaps Moomin from his daze. Snufkin turns his head to face Moomin only to see him face anyway quickly. Moomin snaps his head back right back towards the field, a light redness betraying his pale fur. A quickened heart rate makes Moomin a bit too flustered.

"Nothing! Ow." Moomin starts, rubbing the sore spot. Unbeknownst to the troll, a great blush covers his cheeks! Embarrassed at nearly being caught gawking at Snufkin, Moomin grabs Snufkin's hands in a rush, tugging his dear companion to the distant forest line up ahead. Flowers brushing against their legs, tickling their sides.

"Come on, we have an adventure to go to!" Moomin blurts out, his stomach filled with flowers and butterflies. Snufkin's brown eyes widen as Moomin takes his hand. A fleeting pinkness arrives on Snufkin's cheeks, a warm feeling in his chest. Snufkin keeps a good grip on his hat as Moomin leads them into another adventure. The flustered look on Moomin's face catches Snufkin off guard, and yet a smile creeps onto Snufkin's face. Laughing quietly, Snufkin shakes his head before falling into a rhythm beside Moomin. Slyly, Snufkin intertwines their fingers. Moomin feels his heart skip a beat, buzzing in his ears.

"Okay, Moomin." Snufkin chuckles affectionately.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed!! This is my first post.. i hope to upload more soon (^▽^)👍

word count: 581

[soxcietyy]

Trouble

Yuta x reader 18+

forbidden romance, enemy’s to lovers

You are now an instructor at Jujutsu tech because of your protective older brother Megumi. He’s seen your bad luck with romance so he sets one rule in place. "No dating sorcerers, especially the ones who are heads of clans." Sounded easy enough until one comes into your class. Yuta Okkotsu.

Part 2

Hours pass, and Yuta slowly regains consciousness, his eyelids fluttering open. He glances around the room, confused, before his gaze settles on you sitting next to him. His eyes suddenly falling on you.

When they did his eyes grew wide but suddenly relaxed. He must of remember what had happened.

"You're really taking this caretaker role seriously, huh?" He tries to wiggle his fingers but still feels no response. "How long until I'm moving again?"

"Couple hours."

He stares at you for a real response.

"Maybe 8 hours…"

His eyebrows furrow slightly, his frustration clear.

"Eight hours?! You expect me to lie here like a invalid for eight more hours?!" He tries to sit up but his body remains unresponsive. "This is torture..."

"Shouldn’t have underestimated me Yuta." You point at his chest.

He glares at you as your finger touches his chest. Who knows what he would have done if he wernt paralyzed. You guys had a mutual dislike for each other so you wernt going to be surprised if he gets you back later on.

"Right, maybe next time no weapons and then we’ll see who is the better one." Yuta smiles.

You shrug and begin your walk to the bathroom. You pull out a few things from a closet and bring it back to the room where Yuta was resting.

"I need to get you out of here before my brother shows up." You say as you open a bottle. You put the liquid onto a Cotten ball and wipe it of a cut he has on his cheek.

You watch as he scrunches his face from the sudden stinging. Surprisingly he didn’t complain about the pain. You would have done this earlier but you didn’t want to wake him up from his sleep.

"You have a brother?" He asks.

You looked at him shocked. Megumi had asked him to help with funding your class. He didn’t tell him you guys were related. Which was weird…

"Yes I do. He’s very overprotective and isn’t fond of men the men in introduce him to or the ones I bring to my home."

You doubted he would show up today though. He was very busy with his duties that he usually only called one a month to check up on you. What was the chances of him showing up today?

"Hungry?" You ask him.

"Well, if you insist on winning my affection through food, better make it delicious." He smirks.

You roll your eyes at his response but decide to be nice to him since you manage to get him into this predicament.

"Can you make curry? And a side of tonkatsu. Crispy breaded pork cutlet. Don't forget the miso soup too. And maybe some gyoza on the side." He says with a straight face.

You let out a laugh. "Do I look like your personal chef? Not like you could afford one anyways. You’re lucky if you even get noodles from the convenient store."

His brow raises at what you just said. He didn’t bother to say anything else but decided to close his eyes.

You sigh before getting up to the kitchen. You’re only making it because this is your fault. After today no more being nice, no more being pushed around. This was only a one time thing and then you ain’t have to see him around anymore. You just needed to deal with him until the poison ware’s off.

After a few hours you come into the room with a tray full of food. When you walked in he was resting peacefully with the sun shinning on him. He almost looked like a nice guy.

"Wake up, lunch is here." You say placing it on his lap.

He glances up at you, a hint of frustration mingled with appreciation in his eyes. "Yep, still paralyzed. So... unless you want me starving amidst this feast, you might have to help." Despite the inconvenience, a playful smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth.

You take a seat next to him on your bed. Reaching over him you grab the spoon and scoop up a full spoon of curry. You lift it up towards him but quickly redirects it into your mouth.

He watches in disbelief as you eat the bite meant for him, his eyes wide and slightly hurt. "Hey! You’re here to feed me not yourself."

You laugh and got another spoonful of food for him this time. He chews slowly, savoring the rich flavor before swallowing. "It's really good..." He admits reluctantly, his gaze flicking between your face and the spoon in your hand.

You kept on feeding him until the bowls of food were cleaned off. He mentioned being full a while ago but you didn’t cook all of this for it to just be discarded at the end.

You gently wipe his face with the napkin, Yuta blushes slightly, unused to such intimate gestures. He watches you with a curious gaze. You ignored him and pulled your hand away once you finished cleaning his mouth.

You quickly pick everything up and put it on the tray. Removing it from his lap and taking it to the dinning table. You wernt sure what you were supposed to do now. It’s not like he would fall asleep anytime soon.

As you thought about something to do you hear a loud knock startling you. You quickly stand and face the door to see a shadow standing there.

You didn’t invite anyone over, nor would anyone find voluntarily unless…

"Who is it?" You yell.

You wait for a few second until you heard a loud sigh from the other side of the door.

"It’s me, now open the door."

You recognized the voice anywhere. It was your one and only brother Megumi.

You run to your room and reach for the handle. Yuta looked at you confused but you had no time to explain, you slam the door shut and run to the front door to see him standing inside already.

"What took you so long?" He asks.

"I uh, was ironing my slacks! Didn’t want to leave flat iron out like that. Anyways what brings you here?! Arnt you busy?! Since you know, you’re the head of the Zenin clan?!" You say.

He gives you a small smile, "I was just nervous for you. It’s your first day and all."

"No need to worry Megumi it went by smoothly." You grab his arm and direct him towards the exit.

You had to get him to leave immediately. If Yuta somehow managed to leave the room these two boys would meet each other and you would never hear the end of it.

"That’s not what I heard." He gives you a hard look.

Uh oh what did he hear? Did one of the workers see you dragging a boy home? You knew you should have been more careful. These women have nothing better to do than gossip around.

"What are you talking about?" You ask nervously.

Megumi walked away from you towards the kitchen. He opened the fridge and pulled out some dumplings you were saving for later. Normally you would of snatched them out of his hand but maybe that wasn’t the right thing to do right now.

"You got into a fight."

You stared at him stunned. You didn’t know whether to sigh in relief or still be scared. He knew about Yuta but not that he was currently 20ft away.

You didn’t say anything scared that something might slip out. Images you watched him warm the dumpling up and how he walk to the pantry to pull out a sauce.

"With Yuta Okkotsu, do you know who he is? he-"

"He’s the one who funded my class I know already and it was a mistake. Not really." You mumbled the last part under your breath.

"He’s more than just that actually." Megumi sighs and takes a dumpling. He blows on it to cool it down before taking a bite out of it.

"I actually don’t care who that asshole is." You sit next to your brother.

Your stomach rumbled as you watched him eat. Right you haven’t gotten to eat all day because your busy playing caretaker. You were planning on eating before your brother had shown up though.

You look down and see that your brother pushed the plate towards you. You couldn’t help but look at him with a guilty expression. He wanted you to not involved with sorcerers but here you are betraying him.

Were you though? There was nothing romantic going on. You were just paying for what happened.

You take the chopsticks from his hand and took a dumpling. It was the best thing you’ve eaten all day.

"Before I go, I wanted to ask one more thing." He says standing up.

You were too busy eating to ask him what it was but there was no need. He asked the question immediately not giving you time to swallow the food in your mouth.

"Who else is here?"

You froze. Eyes slowly averting to meet your brother’s gaze.

How the hell dod he know?!

"How could it be possible for you to be hungry when I see a tray full of empty dishes on the counter? Not only that but two pairs of shoes in the entrance, one clearly belonging to a male."

You curse yourself for being so stupid.

"Megumi, please don’t embarrass in front of him. I know that you dragged me here to get away from men and romance for a bit but I couldn’t help it. I met him when I stopped by a breakfast bar. It was just meant to be." You had no idea what you were saying.

He glared at you before turning around and walking to the door. He didn’t bother looking back at you as you called out his name.

He quickly slipped his shoes on and kicked Yutas shoes to the side.

It wasn’t long before he was out of your sight.

"Fuck" you run your hands over your face.

What now? He was clearly mad about the situation. He would have been furious if he found out he wasn’t a normal person.

He couldn’t be mad forever. You just had to give him time.

"I can’t believe it. Your Megumis little sister."

You turn around so quickly that you almost fell. That voice… there’s no way it’s-

"Yuta, how? What?!" You looked at him confused.

"I see it though, you guys have the same facial features and expressions." He steps closer and cups your face in his big hands.

How was he here right now?! He should be incapable of doing any movements.

"My body is pretty good at flushing out toxins. Not saying that they don’t work but it takes half the time for me to get over the symptoms. Now what here you saying? Something about us meeting being meant to be?"

You slap his hands away from you and walked passed him. He didn’t seem hurt by it seeing he had a smirk on his face.

"I was just saying things so he would leave. Me and you? Pft don’t make me laugh." You slide back into your seat to finish the dumplings on the table.

Yuta followed right behind you. Watching your every move. If he was feeling fine he should leave soon before your bother decides to come back.

"What’s wrong with us being a thing?" He steps closer and puts his hand on the back of your chair.

You don’t bother to look at him, instead you put your full attention to the food in front of you. "I’m not allowed to date sorcerers." You state.

"Is that right?" You hear a slight hint of amusement in his voice.

"I also don’t date assholes." You smile at him.

Yuta puts his other hand on the table. Trapping you into your seat. He was so close you could practically smell his cologne. Tobacco with a hint of wood.

A smirk forms on his lips, finding your rejection amusing rather than offensive "Strong words from someone who hasn't even given me a chance. You know what your problem is? You're too used to being treated like a precious doll. Let me guess - your brother wrapped you in cotton wool, right?"

His hand finds a place to rest on your thigh making you shudder. You guys were bickering not too long ago so what changed?

"I thought we had a mutual disdain for each other." You look at him trying to figure out if this was some sort of sick joke

He sighs, running a hand through his messy hair "I don't know, maybe it's because you're siting there, looking at me like you hate my guts, when all I can think about is proving to you that I'm not as bad as you think I am."

"so how are you going to prove that your not a bad person?"

Without warning, he reaches out and takes your hand, his touch warm and surprisingly gentle "By starting over. I wasn’t so nice when we met today but after all of this… I see your not such a bad person after all. your a really kind person and it’s hard to find someone like that in the Jujutsu world."

He sighs fusterated," what I’m trying to say is that I want you to get to know the better me. the kind person I was before I became…" He stops talking and looks at you with a small smile.

Maybe he wasn’t such a bad person. Maybe he just needed someone by his side? You wernt sure if you were going to regret this. Dating someone you hardly knew. You just met him today too! But he’s somehow different.

"Fine, let’s start over."

Smiles genuinely, his eyes lighting up with relief and a hint of excitement "Good." He drops your hand but stays close, his tone softer now, "So, since we're starting over, let me ask you this - do you always cook and let strangers into your house?"

@lysaray

[wizzard890]

Hi Emily! Just a fair warning, this ask is gonna include eating disorder talk so feel free to skip over it and come back when you feel prepared to read it!

Anyways, I've seen on Twitter that you've gone vegetarian because of your objections to the meat industry and honestly, I agree, and I want to do that too, but I have a history of very disordered eating patterns (I've never been formally diagnosed with anything so I don't like to label myself with anything like that which is why I use that wording), and I'm scared that if I restrict myself like that it could lead to a spiral. I know you've struggled with eating disorders in the past, so was this something you faced too? I've thought about slowly transitioning to being a pescatarian before going vegetarian to get used to it, but a part of me is still scared. Do you have any words of advice? I hope you have a nice day and that things continue to go well for you and your wife!

This is a super thoughtful question, and one which also gave me a bit of concern when I went vegetarian. As someone who has dealt with eating disorders in the past, I really didn't want to Count Anything, or focus on things I was cutting out of my diet. But I've landed on an approach that works for me, and I think it'll help you too.

First of all, don't think of it as restricting anything. For me, vegetarianism is a moral choice, and that means I'm intentionally laying something aside, not punishing myself. This is for your ethics, it has nothing to do with your body or your self esteem.

Second, infuse what you're doing with a sense of exploration! I cooked and ate meat for many years, and going vegetarian was an opportunity to branch out into new flavors and foods I'd never really tried before. If you feel at a loss, get some new cookbooks to inspire you - I'm currently enjoying these ones. Disordered eating can make you fixate on lack; so don't let yourself lack. You're exchanging one type of food for another, an absolutely neutral act. Vegetables are really good for you and we all could probably stand to eat more of them anyway.

I think going pescatarian for a while is a great starting point, especially as you get your bearings with a new kind of cooking. Zero in on what kinds of vegetarian proteins sound the most enticing, and find a few starter recipes that look good; focus on those, so you have them in your back pocket if the rest is intimidating. Above all, we want to keep you fed.

You sound self-aware, and that's a good thing to be when embarking on a change like this. Remember why you're doing it, and be at least as kind to yourself as you would be to the humble cow that you're choosing not to eat.

[obvithe-bestsoph]

No. 76 | "I know I'm now who you wanted to spend the night with, but I am here." PG8 masterlist requests prompt list (if you request a prompt, please request a player for it as well!)

So far, nothing about tonight has gone the way you planned it to nor wanted it to. Your date had stood you up, meaning you didn’t have a ride home, and had to walk home in the rain, umbrella less, and then when you got home, you realised that you had no idea where your key was. So you went to Pedri’s, ever the reliable best friend. You knew he had a spare key, but also a warm apartment, nice hugs and good advice.

Pedri opened the door, revealing a very drenched-looking you, both his eyebrows raising. “Woah. What happened to you?” He asks, almost looking concerned.

“Too much,” you say with a long exhale, “can I come in? I’ve left my keys god-knows-where and you’ve got a spare.” Of course, Pedri is immediately rushing you in, taking your sopping-wet coat and hanging it up, like that would do anything to help its current drowned state, not just make a puddle on his floor.  You sit down on one of the barstools at his kitchen island and just sit for a moment or two, and then eventually, you can feel Pedri’s presence beside you again. “So… you gonna talk about it now?” he asked slowly, as if afraid you’d snap at him. You sigh again and gesture for him to sit next to you on the other barstool. “It’s been a long day, is all.” “¿En realidad? Tell me.”

“Well, you know that date I had with that guy, Luis?” Pedri nods. “He stood me up. Ghosted me. And he was meant to drop me home later, so I was stuck without a ride, and I had to walk home in the rain.” “You should’ve called me, I would’ve come and picked you up.” the brunette cuts in. “I- I was going to… but I didn’t want to bother you, and at the time it was like… embarrassing,” you say, your tone a little quieter than before. Pedri opens his mouth to argue, but you cut him off by speaking again. “Anyway, then I eventually got home, went to get my key from my pocket, and realised it wasn’t there, so now I’m here. But what about you? How’s your day been?” As Pedri talks, you start to realise just how cold your soaked clothes are making you, sending a visible shiver down your spine. Pedri stops talking and immediately insists that you go and take a warm shower and borrow some of his clothes to just stay the night.

And so, reluctantly, you do. And 15 minutes later when you come out again, you feel cleaner, less-cold and even comfier as you’re now being hugged by the warm and familiar smell of one of Pedri’s hoodies. You two curl up on the couch together and turn on a movie, just relaxing and focusing on something fairly mindless for a bit, but finally the credits roll, and Pedri turns to face you again, wrapping his arm around your waist and pulling you into his side.

"I know I'm not who you wanted to spend the night with, but I am here." he says softly. Your eyes flutter shut for a second as he kisses the top of your head. “Lo sé, Pedro. Lo sé.” you murmur back contentedly, slowly dozing off in the comfort of his hoodie and the safety of his arms.

[puckpocketed]

At @neonfretra ‘s request, a closer look at the stickers :

More ID and trivia under the cut!! :D

(1) ID: Sticker in the shape of an arched window. The design is a parody of Atlas holding the world on his shoulders. Instead of a globe he holds a sparkling disco ball. Text following the disco ball’s arch reads: “Make Disco…” and below Atlas, “Popular Again. We can dance all night long. Sancho’s Dirty Laundry.” On either side of Atlas text reads: “[Established] 2009.” /. End ID.

Sancho’s is a printmaker/spray paint/merch store that i love to frequent. Many of the stickers here are from Sancho’s. I have many more pasted into my notebooks. Sancho is one of those people who’s like… effortlessly cool and you wanna impress her sooo bad and she’s extremely out of your league. Does this make sense??

Anyways this sticker was a collaboration from a guest artist apparently!! She does these sometimes and sells the designs as stickers.

I wish i had my nice notebook on me because i cut out a stamped design from one of her paper bags she gives out to customers who buy things, it’s this giant rat-boy-man-guy dressed like a greaser?? God. She’s so cool. Did i mention that.

(2) ID: Die cut cartoon duck sticker looking rotund and angry and carrying a knife in its wing. Text over its head reads: “Peace was never an option.” /. End ID

Sticker from Sancho’s <3 She has this big fuck off box just sitting on the counter filled with stickers, a completely disorganised pile of them <3 each sticker is like?? $2-3??? $7 for 3 deal if memory serves.

I love this duckie sooo bad. It’s very Quentin-Musty-trade-request to me <3

(3) ID: Sticker of a cartoon dog DJ’ing, the art style is a pastiche of Keith Haring, with bold lines and simple representations of shapes and limited colours. /. End ID.

Sancho’s sticker!! I think I was with a friend the day I found this one + the other Haring-style sticker. That was a really good day. Not to be sappy but i really love being in community with artists and taking walks in the city and browsing for little treats and chattering away. I feel so warm thinking about days like those. <3

(4) ID: Sticker of a bathroom scene in a very simple cartoon art style. A person in floaties and a naval captain’s hat takes a bath with a flamingo and holds out a can of soda to the viewer. The soda can reads, “Vacation” in tiled, diagonal text. The shower curtain text reads “Isolation”. /. End ID.

Sancho’s!! Another guest artist print I believe.. man i love these… I should ask her about the lore behind them. I love hoarding stories.

I kept the ID short but there’s so much to say about this little sticker. I look at it and see something new every time. The little faces on the cactus and the sun. The cactus holding a tiny umbrella. MAN!!!! Just very aspirational for me as someone who overworks and overthinks their art. This kind of absurdist (???) stuff is soooo <333

(5) ID: Die cut sticker of a hand. The thumb and forefinger are almost touching, the pinky finger sticks out, curled away from the rest of the fingers. /. End ID.

This one is from a sticker book!! I loved this gesture sooo much.

Someone once said my hands resembled the kinds of hands they painted in fancy old portraits and I still think about that to this day

(6) ID: Die cut sticker of a rabbit playing cello. /. End ID.

(7) ID: Square sticker of a skull encircled by a wreath of vines and wands/rods in a triangle. It resembles a postage stamp. /. End ID.

(8) ID: Die cut sticker of a maple leaf. /. End ID.

(9) ID: Circle sticker depicting a tram coming towards the viewer. It has huge cartoon eyes and a smiling mouth. Text reads: “I rode the light rail.”

Not much to say about 6-8 except i thought they were cute… yes the skull included i think the eye holes shaped like that look like downturned brows. Like the skull is making pleading eyes at me <3 i think theyre all from a sticker book.

LIGHT RAIL STICKER MY BELOVED!!! My tiny little tram line… so happy she exists <3 I used to bike past it in blistering heat for the couple years it was being built…. I longed for a day i could dodge fares and escape the heat in air conditioned bliss <3

Our government has kinda been faffing about with promises of extending the line further and im mad about it !! Give my girl her 8x12M contract extension NEEOW

(10) ID: Die cut sticker of a black cat holding a knife in it’s mouth. Its ears and tail are up in excitement, it stares with big round eyes. /. End ID.

The animal + knife thing comes up twice, whatever they say about nickels !! <3

I think ?? This is a Sancho’s sticker? Not like, one of hers but one of the many loose stickers in the Sticker Lucky Dip Box <3 i like taking my very cultured friends there and rummaging around in the sticker box while i let them go at the imported Japanese clothes and the fuckoff-huge coffee table artbooks/fashion tomes/cocktail bibles

(11) ID: Die cut sticker of a branch of wattles, an Australian acacia characterised by its golden puff ball clusters. The sticker’s gold foil is faded slightly from wear. /. End ID.

Got this one as well as (15) from a Christmas bonbon a while back and unearthed the stickers in a desk clean out shortly after I started decorating this case!! :3

Not a Christmas guy tbh but that year i got together with some friends and played a couple card games.. it was a good day <3 my stickers are filled with memories waaaahhhh

(12) ID: Die cut sticker of a chick in a pink bonnet holding up an umbrella made out of an eggshell. /. End ID.

(13) ID: Die cut sticker of a corked medicine bottle labelled “Effervescent Brain Salt.” It claims, “Cures headaches and indigestion,” at the neck of the bottle. In finer print on the main label, “Brain troubles, headaches, sea sickness, nervous debility, sleeplessness, excessive study mania, over brainwork.” /. End ID.

What else is there to say about this… the jokes tell themselves… hilarious sticker no notes <3

(14) ID: Die cut sticker of a black pansy flower in bloom. /. End ID.

(15) ID: Die cut sticker of a red-flowering gum on a branch. It is an Australian eucalyptus tree characterised by bright red flowers. /. End ID.

(16) ID: Square sticker of two people dancing in a pastiche of Kieth Haring’s art style. Instead of separate heads, they are joined into one with a red heart at the center. /. End ID.

I knowww the commercialisation of his art is kinda shit and bad but i am NOT immune to it… sowwie… i think most queer merch is unbearably tacky PLEASE let me have these $3 stickers…. Wauhghhh…

As you can see the protective film is lifting </3 I gotta glue that shit down soon

(17) ID: Die cut sticker, a pastiche of Gosōtei Hirosada’s 1855 print Kasa Ippon-ashi. It depicts a kabuki actor dressed as the Japanese yokai Kasa-obake, which takes the form of a one-legged umbrella creature. The art is done in the style of a traditional tattoo. /. End ID.

I got this one digging through a bowl of stickers at a tattoo parlour while I was waiting for my artist!!

The tattoo i got that day was a huge trad dagger piercing through skin + a crescent moon. I chatted up the receptionist and she said she just prints them in her spare time and i could take one free <3 i love womun… <3

I take semi regular buses for day-trips to go trawling through the cafe scene in a city about 3 hours away im silly like that and also we dont have nice cross country trains </3 and I sat next to a guy who he remarked upon the sticker and we got to chatting about our tattoos

He was a tattoo artist travelling back home!! He gave me so many recommendations for places to try and i feel so bad i barely remember them all but it was just. Y’know. One of those wonderful experiences from out of a movie where the person you sat next to is cool as hell and human connection wins over zoning out for 3 hours to podcasts LMAO

I need to write about him in one of my artsy diary pieces… the memory is already a bit of a smudge i fearrr….

Anyway i dooo oscillate between lookin like an unassuming preppy uni student -> greasy gothdyke-fag depending on how long my shirt sleeves are… eughg long winded way of saying people make a lot of assumptions about my character . Anyways this sticker is a great icebreaker for letting people know they can talk to me about tattoos <3

Im really sad that there’s bits that have lifted and i was forced to cut them off for fear of further lifting… but it’s ok!! Theres some poetry to the impermanence of it.. if i squint and tilt my head…..

(18) ID: Die cut sticker of a ladybug. /. End ID.

(19) ID: Die cut sticker of a colourful feather. It is green, red, yellow, and off-white, and very fluffy. /. End ID.

IF YOU MADE IT THIS FAR. HI. This took a fair bit longer than i thought it would <3 I love over-explaining and telling stories you will never catch me shutting up ever… i hope you enjoyed show-and-tell with puckpocketed… pastpocketed had no idea what he signed up for when he said an ID was comin LOL

QUITE late but. hockeyblr coffee playdate? working on transcripts today while scoreboard watching the habs game

[acquiescest]

irt the lrb what would you say if i said liam & noel spent new years 2023 together in paris

what would you say if i said liam bought the house in france (the one with noel's name carved into the walls) in march 2023 and that month noel talked about wanting to spend several months in paris

which could mean nothing

[girlivealwaysbean]

i just came out to a real life person and i think im having a heart attack

[space929]

So this ask is genuinely unreadable so forgive me if I struggle with the following translation. I will mention here that, while I can go looking for sources on a lot of what I'm about to say, that would take a lot of time and effort that my dyslexic ass does not want to do. Feel free to look it up yourself. I'm already taking more time than I need to with this. Sorry about that. Hope it's all good that I did this.

TW: politics, gun violence (including schools), and I'm sure you can tell the rest from the above ask.

First off, I am an American citizen, so you, gloomwalkers, can't claim that I don't know because I'm not from the US. I learned the way you did, I just took it upon myself to listen to someone other than right-wingers who have everything to gain from my ignorance and stupidity.

Point one: I believe you're trying to say that Elon did not do the Sieg Heil? And also that our previous leaders have done the same - which was not a Sieg Heil but was worse than what Elon did because it makes you look better. I must say that I have no idea as to the context of the other photos (I guess you only wanted to provide Elon's?) And I would go searching for it but I do not know where to start with that and I don't feel like it so we're going to leave those accusations untouched as I am not doing my proper research.

The second one, however, we are going to talk about. Elon, at the very least, did an act that looked close to a Sieg Heil and then attempted to scrub it from the internet, not address it directly, and agree with multiple posts about how we should not be labeling people as Nazis, while having supported things that have been labeled akin to Nazism for years.

So I'm sure we can make a guess here. Not to mention that your context literally supports the claim you're arguing against. I suppose I should thank you for that. Makes my life easier.

And just to mention the "But he has autism" claims - so do I. And y'know what I do when my autism creates a situation in which I accidentally respond in a very bigoted manner? I apologize. I acknowledge my mistake and carry that around with me so I don't make it again. I do not go online and get mad about the fact that people are calling me out on my bullshit. I understand that all autistic people are different, but we are not incapable of learning or self-reflection and implying that we are is infantilizing and ableist.

Point two: do you... do you think that's a good thing? Do you think it's good that we allow hatred that will very likely end in violence fester and grow until it seeps into our laws and comes out as the situation we're dealing with now? Are you kidding me? Hate speech kills people. You realize that, right? You're good with that? Okay.

But onto our proof otherwise. A lot of people have been jailed for words. I know this is an old one, but the Sedition Act of 1918 literally made it so you could be jailed for up to twenty years for so much as denouncing a war. Also, for a more recent example, Briana Boston is currently jailed for telling a healthcare company "Delay, Deny, Depose, you people are next." Despite there being no proof that she would've done anything.

There are others, however I can't remember them and don't feel like research as I mentioned earlier so. Sorry.

Point three: did you like... get worse? With the grammar? Are you good? Do you need a doctor? That was genuinely concerning to read. Anyway, I guess I'll stop being condescending and respond. I'm trans. Hi! It's nice to meet you. That means that I Know Things. For example, I know that I have never been pressured to be trans. I have, however, been pressured to be cis. Do you care as much about that? I've had teachers ignore my pronouns - I'd say that is pushing an agenda. I've had a teacher tell me - to my face - that I should not be allowed in bathroom or sports - is that not pushing an agenda? Do you care about those?

The only agenda people using my correct pronouns are pushing is something called basic human respect and decency. It's a wonderful concept that you should look into. One of my favorites.

You would be correct. I can't force people to use my correct name or pronouns. It's not practical. But I believe that you're missing the part where this isn't a disliked nickname - something that is harmful and if you think that disregarding someone's wishes isn't a bad thing then, once again, are you good? Because this is concerning. Have you heard of empathy? I urge you to look into the basic human respect and decency I mentioned earlier. But more than that, this is that other concept that you don't believe in. Hate speech. That thing that literally kills people.

"[N]ext part of this is [you] wanting tax payers to fund trans medical issues that are not life threatening[. That] is not our way[,] not because they [are] trans but because they have no right to my money."

So we shouldn't pay for yearly check ups. Or X-rays, if we aren't positive the person will die without it. Also ear infections and appointments from them - that probably won't kill anyone. Dentistry. No one needs mental health help - yeah, my res stay was life-saving but we can't be sure that's the case with everyone and we need to run it by you, specifically, before we can be. Obviously those surgeries that greatly increase quality of life are useless. Our tax money is not to help the American people! Obviously. (/S, if it wasn't clear.)

"[A]lso th[re's] proof [that] this has been forced on kids ie people under 18 which is[,] in fact[,] grounds to remove and sue a teacher for forcing their views on kids at school."

So... I notice that you didn't source this? I actually did look this up (not in great length, I will admit) and I found two of ten articles discussing this point. One of them was from the POV of a mother, and the other was from known transphobic site Transgender Trend from the POV of a fourteen year old. This supports everything that I have both heard and experienced during my time at ten different schools. Four of them being on the west coast, tyvm. This also lines up with what my friends from different schools in different areas have experienced.

I'm trans because I'm trans, not because my teacher forced me to shave my head and do man things. In fact, I was a very feminine child. And yet... I'm still trans. Interesting.

I'm also confused as to the 180. I thought, at the beginning, you were talking about medical procedures - something that is almost exclusively done when it is abundantly clear that it will vastly improve quality of life for the minor. And if we're talking about that, then we must talk about how some people have joint surgeries or brain surgeries "forced on them" so we should definitely ban the use in children for those. Some children get their ears pierced without their permission! We need to stop this madness!

Or maybe you only care about trans people. Maybe you're just transphobic. Would you care to admit to that? It would make this conversation much shorter.

Point four:

"[Y]ou clearly listen to USA media[. W,]ell d[id] you know that ABC[,] NBC, CNN[, and] MSNBC all paid out 100s of millions of dollars in just 3 lawsuits for openly [lying] about the story and people in it. ABC even had pay Trump 15 million for a lie they told about Trump. [S]o frankly trusting them is not really an option[. E]ven [] liberals have had to admit they [were] wrong[.]"

I didn't even have to quote this one. I just needed to rewrite it because I physically could not understand it without doing so. I don't like to judge or shame people for literacy, it does nothing but make people feel bad, and this is genuinely painful. There are free grammar checkers online. The grammar makes this feel like a troll.

Anyway, you realize that there are more news sites than these? Again, I don't know anything about this besides that the lawsuits existed at some point. I do, however, know that Fox News has had lawsuits of the same caliber.

On a different note, allow me to just put this right here (https://app.adfontesmedia.com/chart/interactive - imbed wasn't working) for all your validity and bias checking needs.

Point five: Are we being legit right now? My right to my body without having to go through a legislature is a right. My right to my body without having to go through you is a right. My right to my body not being used as a political ploy is a right. And before you say shit about religion: I'm not religious. Keep religion off of my body when I am not religious. Okay? I have a right to religious freedom and taking away my rights based on someone else's religion isn't religious freedom.

And for your gun control point: Please, I beg you, set foot in a school the day after a child brought a firearm in his backpack. Set foot in a school the day after a child has been murdered. Set foot in a school and know that that could be you. That's not even mentioning mass murders by firearm or murders by firearm or the amount of children who accidentally shoot themselves or others because people can't be bothered to lock up their firearms.

When I was in in-person school, I had at least one threat to my school from first grade onwards. I had teachers stand at the front of my class and tell us their plan for if someone broke in. I had them tell us to shove books in our backpacks to protect ourselves if it ever happened.

I had a person literally come to school with a firearm in his bag.

Please. Tell me why we need more of these. Tell me why you won't listen to the easiest solution to our biggest problem. Tell me why I had to go to school, scared out of my mind, day after day, because you wanted your rights so badly while denying us ours'.

It is my right to go to school and come home in the afternoon. If your right to owning a literal death machine is invaded because of that, then maybe you shouldn't have had it in the first place.

This is proven to work. This would work. And yet you people act like it would never work and so you just send us your thoughts and prayers while we get to sit in our schools and wonder if we won't come home that night because we all know that fence and those locks won't protect us.

You were nothing but disrespectful that entire ask. I am not OP and I cannot speak on that part of it, but I can say that I understand your takes. The picture really showed where they come from.

You think that you are the center of the universe. Everyone outside of Texas doesn't need to be acknowledged or known or respected.

Your love of the country does not negate the hate you just spewed. You say no hate and yet you sent this. You read this. You think this. You say no hate and yet you just spoke against so many people.

No hate doesn't dispute this. You realize that, right? You can't say no offense and have something not be offensive.

I hope this helped you understand the points. No hate.

Thank you for your time.

Howdy, let me start off with no hate for you just here trying to help clear up a few things it seems from your post you dont know which is normal since you no a US citizen. again just trying to help you understand not an attack just trying help. 1 on the whole nazi wave https://www.tumblr.com/busterballsblog/773398848248987648?source=share also post is not the full clip here https://youtu.be/5e5Dz2EvuOY?si=NPvB0sq5Qjk2NHDK these should help you better see the whole story and facts. 2 UK, CA, GR,FR all have hate speech as a legal thing in the USA its already been ruled by highest court and even liberal judges agreed no such thing as hate speech in this USA. where each of the nations i listed have jailed people based on their words some where even jokes on stage. but in USA we have the right to say anything but a DIRECT call to action. but just as we each have the right of free speech means all sides have a voice to say as they wish. something that very different our rights listed out in black and white cant be taken away by government for any reason where yours and UK, FR and GR can and have been in name of "Greater Good". in USA its about the 1 not the Greater Good when it comes to rights. 3 on whole trans topic here the the issue its illegal to force someone to talk a set way in the usa. just as your name is Erica you cant force people to call you that they can say HEY YOU or they can call you E all they want and no law is broken in the USA. next part of this is wanting tax payers to fund trans medical issues that are not life threatening is not our way not because they trans but because they have no right to my money. also their proof this has been forced on kids ie people under 18 which is in fact grounds to remove and sue a teacher for forcing their views on kids at school. 4 you clearly listen to USA media well do you know that ABC , NBC, CNN , MSNBC all paid out 100s of millions of dollars in just 3 lawsuits for openly lied about the story and people in it. ABC even had pay Trump 15 million for a lie they told about Trump. so frankly trusting them is not really an option even for liberals have had to admit they wrong. 5 you bring up removing of rights https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript please take a look at our rights and can you link abortions to any right you see listed. ( i am assuming this is right you talking about due to your words. mind you while your looking at our rights look at 2A and then notice how liberals seek to remove rights on guns. i use this as example of how the very view that the right seeks to take away rights is not based in any logic and in fact the left is seeking to remove a right openly. again i hope this helps you understand our system in a fair and balanced way. btw i been from quebec to toronto i will say being that im Texan i understand qubec people the best in CA i have a number of pals up their and yea. to give you idea why people like me love your snow is my city just got 3 inches of snow that all the snow we gotten since 2018 and my summers are 110 F or in the 40s C in the shade with 100% humidity. anyway hope this helps you understand better again no hate just trying to help and i will leave you with how Texans see the rest of north America LOL hope you enjoy the fun joke again no hate just trying help you smile. and if you have any question here or DM me is fine just trying share some help.

^^ I give you, the American education system

Look, I disagree with everything you are saying.

If you want to talk about taking rights away, I'll give you this. A lot of pregnant women have died recently because the hospitals are not able to perform abortions. Today, there was a school shooting in Nashville that killed a 17 year old and injured another. If abortions were legal, and you have gun laws in place that weren't written in the 17th century, many people would still be alive. This isn't opinion, this is fact.

Deaths in Canada caused by guns in 2023: less than 300

Deaths in USA caused by guns in 2023: over 43,000

There's honestly too much wrong with your entire message. I don't think I'm the right person to respond so I will leave it to everyone else.

Also, just so you are aware, your "map" did not make me laugh. It offends me. Canada is my home and I would much rather live here (with free healthcare, gun laws that weren't written over 200 years ago, the right for me to make a decision on my own body, and a place where my transgender friends are free to be who they are) than live in fucking texas.

[douubles]

context for what "maybe" means in the tags