#apparently all star is gonna break me

[crookshanks23]

Anyone else just re-listening to this week's intro over and over again? I'll just be over here in my crazy re-listen corner if anyone wants to join me.

(So, All Star, as cringe as it can be, is legit one of my favorite songs, and I keep singing it non-stop now. The tune is stuck in my head. Both versions. All day.)

[random-autie-fangirl]

I drew another Chara- living with the Dreemurrs edition

"The King and Queen treated the human child as their own. The underground was filled with hope."

I don't like this as much as the last one but oh well... I ended up rambling a huge amount in the tag, so if you want details and headcanons about the actual drawing again, you'll have to look pretty far down this time, sorry (Also, I ran out of tags after a while. Tumblr is tired of me, lol. I might reblog this more tags later if I remember what I was going to say.)

[leashybebes]

If it sparks joy:

Cuddling in a blanket fort for BT ☺️

it sparks so much joy. also for @mediocre-mee, because great minds think alike. warning: remarkably little cuddling, but lots of blanket fort

"You guys are really bad at this," Denny says as the third blanket in a row flutters to the floor. He has his hands on his hips, eyeing them critically.

"Give us a break, kid," Tommy says. "We had sad childhoods."

Buck fights a wince but Denny just rolls his eyes at Tommy, picks up two blankets and starts issuing directions. It was Tommy's idea, when they started talking about fostering, that they should start looking after the 118 kids in larger numbers, kind of a series of trial runs. He called it practice, but apparently he doesn't need practice. Maybe Buck does though - he's starting to think Chris is the exception that proves the rule. Once they get past around five years old, kids think Buck is embarrassing. Tommy, though? Tommy's cool, even if he can't build a blanket fort to save his life, even if he's saying objectively uncool things.

They move furniture around under Denny's watchful eye, repurpose lamps and chairs and picture hooks to build the blanket fort of Jee and Mara's dreams.

"Okay. Not awful," Denny concludes. "I'll go get the girls."

"I'll start the popcorn," Buck says.

Jee and Mara are delighted with their blanket fort, and rightly give Denny most of the credit, the three of them piling into the fort to watch a movie while Buck and Tommy work on dinner. 

When Karen arrives to pick up the kids later, Tommy, Buck and Denny are drinking root beer on the porch, while the girls are sleeping off dinner in the blanket fort. 

"Oh, they have you wrapped around their little fingers," she crows at the sight of their living room. 

"Yeah," Tommy admits, completely unembarrassed. 

"This is why we're the favorite uncles," Buck says, from where he's sorting through backpacks, making sure all three of the kids are leaving with everything they brought with them, apart from the friendship bracelets that had been earnestly delivered - Mara's been on a kick lately and Jee is, as ever, delighted to learn from her.

Once they've waved them off, Buck claps his hands together and says, "Okay. Should we put the room to rights?"

"Absolutely not. C'mon, get in the blanket fort with me, Buckley."

"You're kidding, right? It barely fit Denny and the girls. We'll have a structural collapse within five minutes."

Tommy tugs on Buck's hand, pulling him in for a kiss and then leading him into the living room. It takes a bit of effort, but they manage to crawl through the blanket tunnel Denny had carefully constructed and Buck lets Tommy pull him into his arms without protest. He looks so good in the glow of the string lights Jee had cooed over, so handsome and so big and so steady, smiling happily at Buck.

"You know," Buck says, "I used to think I'd hate anything that promised this level of mess on a regular basis."

"And now?" Tommy asks, smiling like he absolutely already knows the answer.

"I'm going to be a wildly indulgent father," Buck admits. "Stick-on stars on the ceiling, redecorating on a whim, cake for dinner. You're gonna have to hold me back."

"Good luck with that," Tommy says, tucking Buck closer into his arms and kissing the top of his head. "They learn that pout from you and I'm a goner."

"Our kids are gonna be demons," Buck says with a sigh.

Tommy strokes his back. "But they're gonna be happy."

In the cosy warmth of the mismatched blankets, in the endless safety of Tommy's arms, Buck smiles.

[soeyekonic]

— ✩♬ ₊˚. same boat ⭑ M.S

˚⟡˖⋆ synopsis while visiting her hometown, megan is reunited with you, the childhood crush she’s never truly gotten over. as her feelings grow stronger, fear makes her pull away, until a late-night breakdown leads to the confession she never thought she’d say out loud.

disclaimer : fluff 🙌. mutual pinning. megan skiendiel x childhood friend!fem!reader. slight angst (not really..just some overthinking). idk guys… megan js gives me lizzy mcalpine vibes 😣

currently playing same boat - lizzy mcalpine

megan hadn’t been back to honolulu in over a year, and everything felt too familiar and too foreign at once. the breeze still smelled like plumeria and salt. her old bedroom, still full of her childhood posters, felt smaller now. her mom still made spam musubi first thing in the morning, like megan hadn’t grown up and flown across the world.

but this time, she wasn’t alone.

katseye had landed in hawaii for a much-needed break. the girls were staying at a nearby beach resort, all sunburnt smiles and windblown hair, thrilled to finally meet megan’s infamous hometown. and all megan could think about was you.

you, the childhood friend she never got over. you, who she hadn’t seen since she left for los angeles . you, who were apparently also home visiting family.

and now, according to her mom, you were coming over. with your family. for dinner. tonight.

“megan’s gonna freak,” manon said, leaning over the kitchen counter. “you talk about her all the time. i thought she was a myth.”

“i don’t talk about her that much,” megan muttered, trying not to burn the tofu sizzling in the pan.

“megan,” yoonchae deadpanned. “you once wrote a whole verse in a demo about her eyes. we had to cut it because it was too obvious.”

the other girls laughed. megan blushed, hiding her face behind the cabinet door.

“she’s just—important, okay?” megan mumbled. “we grew up together.”

daniela tilted her head. “important like ‘first love’ important or…?”

megan didn’t answer. she didn’t have to. they already knew.

—

you showed up with that same shy smile megan remembered from when you were thirteen, all sun-drenched and soft-voiced. she hadn’t realized she’d missed your voice until she heard it again.

and the rest of katseye? instantly loved you.

“you’re the y/n?” lara asked, eyes wide. “the real y/n?”

you laughed. “depends on what megan’s told you.”

“she said you saved her from drowning once,” sophia chimed in. “but that she jumped in after a beach ball, so maybe it’s not as dramatic as it sounds?”

“she exaggerates,” you teased, nudging megan gently as you passed her a plate. “she was fine.”

the night blurred into stories, grilled fish, and ukulele strings echoing in the background. you sat beside megan on the porch steps, just like you used to when you were kids, watching the stars.

and she was overthinking again.

you looked older now, but still familiar. her heart squeezed when you laughed at something daniela said, when your eyes lingered on hers a little too long. did you know? could you tell?

maybe you were just being polite. maybe you didn’t feel the same. maybe megan had made it all up in her head—again.

—

the days after, you started hanging out with the group. going on hikes, lounging on the beach, late-night snacks at megan’s, karaoke that got too loud. you were a perfect fit. everyone saw it. everyone but megan.

because something was shifting inside her—and she was scared.

the second or third time she caught herself staring at you for a little too long, she panicked. she was used to liking you, sure—but this? this was different. the feelings were louder now, older and sharper. you weren’t just a memory to hold onto—you were right there, laughing in her passenger seat, falling asleep in her mom’s living room, humming along to her favorite songs.

she liked you. bad. and it was terrifying.

so she started pulling back.

by day four, you noticed.

at first, you thought maybe she was just tired. but then it kept happening. she stopped walking beside you on hikes. she avoided eye contact during group dinners. and when you texted her to hang out, her replies got shorter.

“rain check,” she said one evening.

that was it. no smiley face. no promise of tomorrow.

you stared at your phone for a long time, fingers tightening.

had you said something wrong? crossed a line?

that night, you stayed late at megan’s house while everyone else was watching a movie in the back. you wandered into her room, fingers tracing the books on her shelf, the polaroid pictures still hanging above her mirror. then you saw her in the hallway, eyes locking with yours. you smiled. she froze.

then she turned and walked away.

megan ran.

she didn’t mean to. she just… couldn’t be there anymore. the air in the house felt too thick. she couldn’t look at you and pretend she was okay. so she left. quietly, slipping out the back door, sandals in hand, feet hitting the sand without thinking.

the beach was nearly empty, moonlight casting silver shadows across the tide. megan sat down, knees to chest, trying to calm the pounding in her head.

why couldn’t she just be normal about this? why couldn’t she just tell you?

because she was scared. scared that if she confessed and you didn’t feel the same, she’d lose you completely. scared that maybe you were just being nice, and this was all one-sided. scared that her feelings would ruin everything.

“megan?”

she whipped her head around.

you were standing there, barefoot, breathless, your hair falling over your shoulders. you walked toward her slowly, eyes wide and hurt and confused.

“did i… do something wrong?”

megan’s mouth opened, then shut.

you sat beside her, arms crossed tightly over your chest, voice smaller this time. “you’ve been avoiding me.”

“i know,” megan whispered.

you blinked, waiting.

megan looked down at her hands, digging into the sand. “i didn’t mean to. i just… i got overwhelmed.”

“with what?”

“with you,” she snapped, then instantly looked away. “i mean—god. just—everything.”

you didn’t say anything. so she kept going. words spilling too fast, too raw.

“i thought i was okay. i thought i could just be around you and pretend it’s nothing. that it’s just nostalgia or whatever, but it’s not. it’s not. i like you, y/n. i like you and it’s driving me crazy and i didn’t want to ruin anything so i just started acting weird and now i’m ruining it anyway and i hate that i can’t just be normal about this but you’re just—god, you’re you and—”

“megan.”

she stopped.

you leaned in. quiet. sure.

“i like you too.”

megan blinked, stunned. “you—you do?”

“i thought i was being too obvious,” you admitted, smiling faintly. “but you were too busy spiraling.”

megan laughed, hands shaking, face flushed with relief and disbelief. “so i didn’t screw everything up?”

“not yet,” you teased. “but you came close.”

you both laughed then, softly. and when megan looked at you—really looked at you, moonlight in your hair and the ocean whispering behind you—she felt steady for the first time in days.

“i don’t want to lose you,” she said quietly.

“you won’t,” you promised. “you never did.”

so she kissed you. right there on the sand. the kind of kiss that felt like home, like healing, like something that had been waiting for years.

and for the first time since coming back to honolulu, megan wasn’t overthinking.

she was just... finally living it.

—

megan woke up with sand in her hair and sunlight warming her face. the sound of waves still lingered in the background, but softer now, gentler. you were curled up beside her, head resting on her shoulder, arms wrapped around your knees, both of you still in last night’s clothes.

she didn’t want to move.

everything from the night before felt surreal—your voice asking “did i do something wrong?”, the way her panic had spilled out of her, and your calm answer: “i like you too.”

her heart had been on fire, and then you’d touched her hand, and suddenly, she could breathe.

now, with the ocean stretching out in front of you and your fingers loosely laced with hers, she felt it fully. the quiet kind of happy. the kind that settled in your chest and didn’t ask questions.

“hey,” you whispered.

she turned her head. “hi.”

you smiled, lazy and sweet. “we slept on the beach.”

“i know.”

“my back hurts.”

“mine too.”

but neither of you moved.

later that morning, when megan walked into the kitchen of the beach house, barefoot and still sandy, the girls were already awake—half-dressed for a beach day, eating fruit straight out of the fridge. daniela was wearing megan’s hoodie. lara was using a butter knife to aggressively cut a mango.

manon was the first to notice. “she returns,” she said dramatically, bowing. “where have you been, miss skiendiel?”

“yeah,” sophia added, squinting. “we thought you got swept away by the tide or something.”

yoonchae narrowed her eyes. “you didn’t come back last night.”

megan blinked. “i—i was at the beach.”

“with who?” lara asked, tilting her head. then a beat passed. “wait. with who.”

megan looked down, cheeks flushing.

and then the room exploded.

“no. no way,” daniela shrieked, dropping a slice of pineapple. “you kissed her?”

megan tried to say something, but sophia clutched her arm and gasped. “she kissed her. she’s not denying it!”

lara screamed into a towel.

yoonchae smiled softly. “finally.”

megan hid her face in her hands as the girls circled her like sharks who smelled blood—but the good kind. the best kind.

“we’ve been rooting for this for months,” manon said. “honestly, i’m relieved. i was tired of being subtle.”

“you weren’t subtle,” megan muttered.

“details,” she waved off.

then, through the noise, you stepped into the kitchen holding two iced coffees—one for you, one for megan.

everyone went quiet.

“oh,” you said, glancing around. “did i… walk into something?”

megan walked over, took the coffee from your hand, and—before she could think too hard—kissed your cheek.

“nope,” she said softly. “perfect timing.”

the girls screamed again. megan laughed into her drink. and for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t running from anything.

she had everything she needed, right here.

a/n: guys i love this song so much. like u don’t understand

[archangeldyke-all]

hi angel!! how have you been? first request so i’m kinda scared, but do you think you’ll bring back club mom reader? i thought that dynamic was soooo cute, maybe reader and sev go on vacation away from the girls and reader misses them, or anything you’d like!

have the best day ❤️❤️

oh my god i was just thinking about this story!! lets do something sweet and cheesy hehe

men and minors dni

buttercup finds you sulking in the locker room.

"mom, i need a bandaid, one of my blisters just burst-- oh, janna." she groans at the sight of you.

you sniffle, wiping up your tears and throwing your tissue behind your shoulder. "i'm fine!"

"you're so not fine." she coos, wrapping you up in a hug. you sigh and cry against your friend's shoulder. "fuck, you're pathetic. sevika's gonna love hearing about this."

"you can't tell her!" you gasp, scandalized. buttercup pulls away from you with a cackle.

"oh, come on. i bet she's crying on silco's shoulder about you right now, too." she teases. you groan.

"i know it's been less than a week but..."

"you miss her." buttercup says with an understanding nod. she's completely right. you do miss her. you thought you'd be able to make it through ten days with your girlfriend on a buisness trip, but apparently you can't go more than forty eight hours without her now. "you want me to show you my tits to make you feel a bit better?" she offers.

you laugh and open your desk, grabbing a bandaid. "no, that's alright." buttercup raises an eyebrow at you and you laugh. "okay, yeah, show me."

she sits on your desk and takes her pleaser off, before untying the string of her bikini top.

you blink at her tits. they're great tits. buttercup even gives you a bit of a shimmy. but you're horrified to find that it does nothing for you. "'s not workin' buttercup." you whine. "they're just not sevika's tits."

she cackles. "oh janna mom, you've got it bad." she ties her top back up and bandages her blister. "i'm telling her you said that, y'know. you two are just too fuckin' corny, i can't stand it."

"have you taken your break yet?" you ask as buttercup stands. she rolls her eyes.

"yes i've taken my break, that's the third time you've asked tonight. have you taken your break?"

"yeah." you respond sadly, staring down at the framed picture of sevika on your desk-- her one and only mugshot-- gifted to you by ran on your birthday this year. "i spent the whole half hour starin' at this picture of her."

"okay, i need to get out of here before i vomit from all the yearning." buttercup kisses your cheek and pats your back. "she'll be back in five days mom, you can make it! love you!" she calls over her shoulder as she walks back out to the club.

"love you." you grunt, slouching back down in your chair.

most of your girls find your yearning sweet. frosty and crystal are practically running the 'mom-vika' fanclub, always squealing over the two of you together.

mandy, trinity, and star have started calling sevika 'dad', to match your 'mom' title.

but you might actually be driving cherry crazy.

"how is it possible for you to look even worse today than you did yesterday!?" cherry groans as she walks into your tiny office at the start of the evening. you sigh.

"thanks cherry, you're a great friend."

she cackles. "awe, cheer up. she comes home in two days! aren't you excited?!"

"i've been excited for her to come home for eight days now. the excitement is starting to wear off." you pout. cherry groans.

"c'mon mom, you gotta get out of this slump! you think sevika wants to come home to some slimy sad sack!? no!"

"well, whaddya want me to do?"

cherry considers it for a moment, before a smile grows on her face.

"i've got the perfect idea."

forty eight hours, an afternoon of the girls teaching you some dance moves, and one nice long bath later; you're ready for sevika's arrival.

you've got it all planned out. she'll come home and find you in your lingerie (trinity's about your size so she let you look through some of the outfits stored in her locker) you'll push her into her favorite armchair, and you'll give her a little 'welcome home' lap dance.

and then, hopefully, you'll get fucked into next week.

you can hear her heavy boots stomping down the street from the end of the block. you squeak in excitement and light a few candles, before flicking the lights off and playing some music.

sevika stumbles through the door just as you're finished spritzing yourself in your favorite 'sexy' scent.

"welcome home ba--" you freeze. sevika gawks at you. her clothes are tattered, her luggage is missing, and some of the wiring on her mech arm is exposed. "what the fuck!?" you scream, scrambling across the room to cup sevika's face in your hands.

"is this for me?" she asks with a sultry smile. you sputter.

"you're bleeding!" you squeal. "what the fuck happened!?"

sevika shrugs and laughs. "some assshole tried to rob the train we were on. i took care of 'em. to thank me, the trainline lost my fucking luggage."

"wh-- are you okay!?"

"i'm much better now that i'm seeing this." she says with a giggle, snapping the band of your sexy undies against your hip. you snort and then lean into kiss her. sevika sighs against your lips, her arms wrapping around your waist and pulling you tight against her chest. "janna, it's good to see you. i don't think i can go more than two days without you anymore, isn't that fucking insane? you're more essential to me than water."

you laugh and kiss her again. "fuck, i feel the same way. cherry almost strangled me for being so whiny."

"silco threatened to fire me if i kept 'moping.'" she says with air quotes.

you can't stop smiling. your plans for the night are likely ruined-- you'll have to bathe sevika and make sure she's not too injured before you can do any lapdancing, and by then you'll be too tired to be sexy anyways. still though. you can dance for her tomorrow night. you can dance with her for every night from now on, because she's back home. "y' wanna get married?" you ask-- the words slipping off your tongue easily, before you can even think them through.

sevika blinks at you. "wh--what!?"

"i don't have a ring or anything, but..." you trail off, realizing what you've just asked. "fuck, what do you want me to say, sevika? i've got a dozen stripper kids to take care of and you make good money--"

sevika cuts you off with a cackle. "you missed me that bad?" she teases. you grin.

"yeah, i did."

"yeah, me too. i had a ring i picked out for you in my suitcase-- saw it at some jewelry shop we passed."

"are you serious!?"

"why do you think i was so pissed they lost my suitcase?" sevika asks with a laugh.

"oh, janna i love you." you sigh as you lean in for another kiss.

sevika grins. "i love you, too. is this the outfit trinity almost killed that senator in?" you burst into laughter and nod guiltily. you didn't think she'd remember. sevika sighs dreamily. "my beautiful bride."

taglist!

@fyeahnix @lavendersgirl @half-of-a-gay @thesevi0lentdelights @sexysapphicshopowner

@kissyslut @chuucanchuucan @badbye666 @femme-historian @lia-winther

@lavenderbabu @emiliabby @sevikasbeloved @hellorai @my-taintedheart

@glass-apothecary @macaroni676 @artinvain @k3n-dyll @sevsdollette

@ellieslob @xayn-xd @keikuahh @maneskinwh0re @raphaellearp

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@blackgaladriel @nightlyconfusion @dancingqu33n17 @losernb @p1nkearth

[livwritesstuff]

you know that feeling where you’re having a god-awful day and all you really want is a hug but you’re at work so, like, that’s not gonna happen, and you basically just have to stew in all those shitty feelings and wait out the clock? yeah, me too, that’s kind of where this came from.

Eddie had a tough day.

It had started early that morning when the girls missed their school bus – not a huge deal, honestly, he was already gonna be leaving early to go get his car looked at.

But then he got shitty news from the mechanic, and then a meeting with his agent didn’t go the way he’d wanted at all, and then Hazel ended up being a total pain in the ass after he picked her up from kindergarten, and during her relentless haranguing, she knocked one of Eddie’s favorite mugs off the counter. It shattered, obviously, and she cried about it so he’d had to deal with both of those things at once, and it was just a day.

None of it was anything he couldn’t handle – the problem was the compounding nature of it and the way he basically just had to stew in it all until the next obstacle came along and made shit even worse.

All Eddie really wanted was Steve, and how Steve being around made dealing with this stuff so much easier, even if every other circumstance was the same.

He has to share Steve, though, and today he’s sharing him with Steve’s work until four o’clock.

It’s fine.

He can wait until four.

The older two girls got off their bus at half-past three, and, seriously, someone must have put something in the water this morning because they are in rare goddamn form today. If Hazel alone was bad, all three of them together were…well, thrice that. It’s like the universe said I see your bad day and I raise you three elementary schoolers hitting their peak annoyance thresholds simultaneously.

And it’s not like Eddie can even fucking fold, either.

It’s cold and kind of windy outside, which is Eddie’s least favorite weather and he’d thought maybe the girls would want to go right inside, but no. Of course they want to dig out the chalk that got stashed away in the garage last fall, and while Eddie is stuck shivering outside breaking up dumb arguments about who’s allowed to use which colors (he figured the answer was an obvious everyone, but apparently that’s incorrect), Steve leaves a message saying he tacked on an emergency session onto the end of his day and now he’s not out until five.

Eddie doesn’t hear it until he’s back inside, obviously, but when he does it’s like someone ran a whole fucking dagger through his chest.

He’s halfway through making dinner when Steve gets home (he’d actually be done making dinner if the pot of water hadn’t boiled off while he’d dealt with yet another stupid argument), and he drops everything to meet him at the door.

It’s like Steve can tell in an instant the kind of day Eddie had.

“What happened?” he asks as he toes off his shoes.

Eddie shakes his head, “Everything…nothing…I don’t even know. Just…one of those days.”

Steve nods his understanding, and as soon as he’s got his coat hung up he’s pulling Eddie into a hug.

It ends up being kind of a bone-crushing one — that’s on Eddie, though. He’d just fucking needed it. He knows he’d needed it when Steve’s arms tighten around his shoulders and he feels that much better.

“You okay?” Steve asks without letting him go, the breath of his words hitting warm against Eddie’s neck.

“Just tired,” he answers.

Steve pulls away.

“You can take a break, Ed,” he says, and there’s something in his eyes – not concern, exactly, but more like awareness, “I’ll be up in a bit.”

Eddie just nods and heads for the stairs. As he goes, he faintly hears Steve asking, “What the hell did you guys do to Dad today?”, followed by the girls’ defensive protests.

In their room, Eddie makes it through one full rerun of Star Trek and then the first few minutes of a second before Steve joins him.

He notices that it’s quiet downstairs for the first time that evening, and he tries not to take it too personally. He’s always been comfortable in the knowledge that Steve might be better at the whole parenting thing than him (psych degrees and all that), but, shit, if he’s that much better…

“What’d you do, strangle them?” Eddie asks as Steve swaps his jeans out for a pair of faded plaid pajama pants.

“No, I told them that if I hear a single peep in the next hour I’m beheading all their stuffed animals.”

Eddie blinks.

Okay, maybe better isn’t exactly the right word.

“So they’re on verbal lockdown, basically,” Steve finishes.

“Jesus Christ, Steve,” Eddie shakes his head, “You’re kind of crazy.”

“Yeah, well, you were always gonna rub off on me one of these days — don’t.”

And Eddie couldn’t help the way he threw his head back and laughed.

[aizshallnotbefound]

SHE’S GOT A WAY

𓂃 ࣪˖ ཐིཋྀ { jiyong’s pov : series }

You moved on, and someone from your past isnt happy about it

Notes: here is a another part of me and @makeitworse collab special fic in celebration for reaching 150 followers!! Thank you so so much everybody and i appreciate every single one of you so much.

Contains: 2ne1!reader x G-dragon. Smau. Mentions of break up

dispatch.co.kr

[Dispatch Exclusive] June 2023 — Y/N & Taemin Spotted getting intimate Behind the Scenes: Dating Rumors Ignite

June 2023 — After years away from the spotlight, Y/N, the former 2NE1 idol who went into hiatus in 2019, was recently seen in an unexpectedly warm and intimate moment with SHINee’s Taemin. Dispatch has obtained exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from the filming of a high-profile commercial, showing the pair in close, cozy proximity — sparking fresh dating rumors that have fans buzzing.

The two idols, both known for their charismatic stage presence and loyal fanbases, were captured in a series of candid shots that hint at a close relationship beyond just colleagues.

While both agencies have yet to comment on the rumors, the undeniable closeness caught on camera during this shoot has stirred excitement and curiosity. Could this be the beginning of a new high-profile relationship?

Timeline: June 2023 — From Hiatus to Possible New Couple

2019: Y/N quietly steps back from the spotlight after 2NE1’s disbandment, avoiding public romantic speculation.

Early 2023: Rumors circulate about Y/N’s re-emergence in entertainment projects, though details remain sparse.

June 2023: Dispatch captures these exclusive BTS moments between Y/N and Taemin during a commercial shoot, marking the first known public signs of their close relationship.

Industry insiders suggest the pair bonded through overlapping schedules and mutual friends. The intimate yet natural nature of these photos suggests their relationship might have moved beyond just colleagues.

Fans React

Fans and netizens have quickly flooded social media, dissecting these photos for clues. Some speculate that their chemistry goes beyond friendship

Fans quickly noticed these subtle but undeniable signs, igniting waves of speculation online about the possibility of a secret romance. Y/N’s long hiatus had left fans hungry for updates, and seeing her so comfortable and affectionate with Taemin only fuels the excitement.

Dispatch will continue to follow this story as it unfolds.

Reddit.com

r/kpopcelebgossip -

June 25 June 2023

user: Is there something going on between y/n and taemin? 👀

Hey everyone,

I don’t usually jump on these rumors, but I stumbled across some BTS pics from Y/N and taemin’s latest ad shoot, and honestly, the way they’re interacting looks pretty intimate, romantic or whatever. Like, not just friendly co-stars—there’s something definitely more personal going on.

If you remember, y/n was rumored to have been in a long-term relationship with G-dragon for a while (not confirmed but it was super obvious) but that ended around 2018 or 2019. Since then, it’s been radio silent about her love life ever since her hiatus

So seeing her and Taemin so relaxed and cozy—lots of close touches, hugging and even a few moments that seemed super romantic—makes me think there’s more than just friendship here. I haven’t seen any official confirmation or denial yet, but fans are already buzzing.

The vibes are strong and obvious. Apparently she was seen leaving his car together once too. Here are some pics i saw on instagram :

What do you guys think?

Top comments:

User:

GD must be absolutely FUMING. I just know he’s seeing all this and went to his studio to cook something up

User: yeahh gd does not handle jealousy well he’s gonna have a crash out then we will receive a thirst trap. “Look what your missing out on y/n” would be the caption

User: Honestly, y/n has always been pretty private about her relationships, so this is kinda surprising. But taemin is also known to keep things lowkey as well. Idk but she looks really happy with him

user: If they are dating, I’m here for it. Both of them are absolute goals. Just hope it doesn’t affect their careers or how their fans react.

Liked by gossipkpopr & 880,988 others

2NE1newz - Y/N spotted with a man who is allegedly taemin from SHINee in a restaurant

18 July 2023

View comments

user: OH SHE’S GONE okay il stop

user: My gd x yn heart IS CRASHING OUT RN 👀

user: gotta check gd’s page incase he posted any thirst trap in response to this 🙏

User: OH MY FUCKING GOD????

{likes , comments , reposts and a follow and encouraged and appreciated ! <33}

{lmk if you guys want to be in the taglist ><}

𓊆 @sherrayyyyy , @ldydeath , @eru-vande , @tulentiy , @infinetlyforgotten , @gdinthehouseee , @mashtatosworld , @loveesiren @breakmeoff @kwomikailea @heartubeatusalon @sylviavf @flwerangii @wcnderlnds @ttturnitup @ilovethe141 @pinkpunkdynamite @nbjch05 @evangeline3 𓊇

[lillaydee]

Coulda

Asshole/Idiotic Joel Miller / F Reader

You found the perfect man. The man of your dreams. Unfortunately, you were not the only one who thought so.

WARNINGS: Angst, Jealousy, Heartbreak, bff, The Other Woman, Joel Miller is a blind idiot, Joel Miller is an asshole, Alternate Universe - No Cordyceps Outbreak (The Last of Us), Miscarriage.

Tagging those who commented on the Wips I posted before - let me know if you want to be removed k?

@bergamote-catsandbooks @joelalorian @letsgobarbs @jessthebaker

MASTER LIST

You were a temp at the company he was building for, still going through college. He was just a small time contractor. Just starting out. It was him alone then, his brother not yet part of his company. He came to your window to collect his weekly payment. When he smiled at you, you felt as if you were struck by lightning. Your entire body lit up. You even looked around behind you to see if there was any gorgeous woman behind you that he was smiling at. But no, he was smiling at you.

There began the small talk, the subtle flirting, the lingering looks and smiles. He began letting others go ahead of him in the line, wanting to stay back to talk to you. He usually came in on Fridays, one of the three days you worked.

You had exams two Fridays in a row and did not go to work. You wondered if he looked for you, if he flirted with the girls who took over from you. You wondered if he asked them about you. If he thought about you at all.

The Friday you came back, you waited anxiously as the line of contractors walked in for their payments, butterflies filling your stomach as you looked forward to see his gorgeous face again. And then you saw him walk in, eyes down, a serious look on his face. He stood in the queue with a sourpuss on, not realizing you were back, and his face lit up like Christmas came early when he heard your voice greet him and realized it was you at the window, that you had come back.

“I thought I was never gonna see you again,” he had mumbled.

“Oh, I’m just a temp here. I had exams the last couple of weeks. So…”

He nodded, a small smile on his lips. He took his cheque and said a soft good bye – there were people behind him waiting for their payments. So he didn’t linger. He did stop before leaving, as if contemplating, but he left, nonetheless.

You found him in the parking lot, waiting for you. You asked him if there was something he needed, if he had forgotten something? He said yes, he did forget something. He was flustered. Hands in pockets, shoulders up to his ears, head down, asking you if you would want to go out with him.

“Didn’t like not seeing you like that,” he said, a shy smile on his lips, his hand going the back of his neck, absent-mindedly scratching a non-existent itch. “I didn’t want to go weeks without seeing you again.”

God, you were flattered. He was extremely good looking. You knew the other ladies in the office had eyes on him. They all looked forward to Fridays, all clamouring to get your position at the window just to talk to him. They all gave you the evil eye when you came back to work this week. Apparently, both girls who took your spot the last two Fridays had told everyone that all he did beside signing his name on the form was ask if you were coming back.  

He took you out for a drink that night. A movie the next night. Dinner the night after that.

He called you every single day when you went back to your hometown for the break. Drove all the way over to pick you up when your break was over a few weeks later.

When he kissed you for the first time, you saw stars.

And when he made love to you, you swore he took you to heaven and back.

My God, you were stupid in love, and there was nothing anyone could say to snap you out of it.

Your friends were jealous, yet extremely happy for you. His family loved you. His parents introduced you as their new daughter to their friends. His brother Tommy called you the sister he never had. The man himself spoiled the living shit out of you. You were his reason for living, he told you. He was head over heels in love with you. He wanted to marry you. Have babies with you. Grow old with you.

Oh, how blessed your life was.

About two years after the two of you started dating, he finally introduced you to her.

Her.

They had been friends forever. They were BFFs. Best friends forever. But as far as you were aware, they were never a couple. That much was made very clear. Apparently, he was not her kind of man. Her kind of man comes from a certain background, and he was not that kind of a man. He had never been and never will be.

You know, the old money kind. 

His Mama worked for her family. The domestic. She used to bring him along back when they couldn’t afford daycare. They became friends. They went to different schools when school started, but he still went to her house when his Mama worked during the school holidays. The family took him and his Mama along on vacations, let him hang around at parties when his Mama worked, and the two just spent their time entertaining each other during those boring adult parties and vacations. Their lives were vastly different, but they were inseparable.

So they remained friends. He was always a shoulder for her to cry on. Her port in a storm. And boy oh boy was she caught in a slew of them throughout their friendship. Every single time those old money kinda men broke her heart, Joel was there to pick up the pieces and put her together again. And he would be her everything, until she found the next one who was her kind of man.

It was during her haze of being with one such man that he met you.

He introduced you to her when she came back for the holidays. It wasn’t due to his lack of trying that you had never met her, it was just logistics. She lived overseas with her suitor. They only came back for the holidays because they got engaged, so the holidays had a dual purpose.

She shrieked when she realized it was you, the woman her BFF had not been able to shut up about. She hugged you tight and called you sis. She dragged you around to introduce you to her family. Everyone was excited to meet you. So this was the woman who got Joel Miller down on his knees, they teased. Joel stood next to you, red in the face, his hand on yours, fingers entwined, happy that his second family was so accepting and approving of you.

Throughout her stay, she included you in her hangouts. Her friends were very nice, surprisingly not the hoity-toity rich kids you thought they would be at all. They were all married to their high school sweethearts, some of whom were Joel’s former classmates, all working and living a simple life away from their wealthy upbringing.

You were happy. You met the man of your dreams, his family loved you, his friends loved you, and most important of all, he loved you.

Your family adored him. Not only was he a gentleman, but he was also kind, loving, caring, and extremely respectful of your family. Your Mom couldn’t stop gushing about him. Your Dad was over the moon that you had brought home a good, hardworking man to introduce to him. He had no doubt Joel Miller would take good care of his little girl.

When your parents visited during your college graduation, his family invited your family around for dinner. You and Joel sat at the table and watched as your parents talked to each other as if they were lifelong friends, your Moms gossiping about the latest shared favourite soap opera drama at the table as if the characters were someone they both knew, practically squirming with anger at the antagonistic girl that had just spoiled the protagonist’s wedding day. Your Dads talked politics, both moaning about the state of the country, your brother and Tommy shaking their heads at the abysmal performance their favourite team had put forth so far.

Just before they left town, Joel took your Dad and brother out for a drink. They came home to your shared apartment drunk but happy, His Dad and Tommy winking at you as they dropped the three men off.

The morning your family were due to leave town, the two families came together for brunch. Instead of orange juice, you were served mimosas, and Joel got on his knee and asked you to marry him.

Oh, how perfect your life was.

When she was told, she called you, absolutely elated with happiness and excitement that her BFF was getting married. She had gone back to the country she was living in at that point and called you every other week to ask about wedding plans. You and Joel planned to marry soon, a small wedding, just close family and friends. Hers on the other hand was due to take place the year after, a huge celebration on an exotic island. Her fiancé was a prominent figure, small town weddings simply won’t do.

When the date was all set and looming, Joel received news that she had called off her engagement. Typical of a wealthy, good-looking man that her fiancé was, she found out he had other ladies. The ones he had at the ready at every single business locations he had been leaving her at home alone for over the years they had been together. She called your fiancé, her BFF, absolutely broken and shattered, crying into the phone for hours. He stayed online with her, consoling his best friend, telling her he was there for her, that she deserved better, that she could always come back home and start over.

She called you a week before your wedding to apologize for not being able to attend. She was too heartbroken, too sensitive, too fragile to attend an event where love was the centre of attention to go. She didn’t want to take away from your special day, would rather not attend only to take attention away from the beautiful bride by bursting into tears in the corner. To make up for it, she was sending you and Joel away on a dream honeymoon, all paid for, first class everything, only the best for her best friend and the woman of his dreams, she told you.

Joel was understandably disappointed that his best friend wouldn’t be attending his big day, but even he could understand how upsetting it would be for her to attend. You could too, how could one sit there and celebrate someone else’s love when your own had been shattered into smithereens?

The big day arrived. Everything was going perfectly. The ceremony went down without a hitch. Joel cried his eyes out when he saw you walk down the aisle. The two of you practically sobbed your way through the vows, both far too emotional and happy that this day had come.

And when the two of you kissed for the first time as husband and wife, you felt as if you were in a protective bubble, safe and sound, just the two of you, ready to take your next steps into the world as a couple, the start of your own little happy family.

The reception was a dream. The food was wonderful, the music was perfect. Everyone was just happy for the two of you. You couldn’t take your eyes off your new husband, and he, you. He didn’t let go of your hand all night, whispering naughty things to you, getting you all worked up and shy from his teasing, telling you the things he was going to do to you the moment the two of you were alone.

The two of you were lost in each other during the first dance, bodies together, cheek to cheek, both elated to have found each other. Everyone was standing around the dance floor, practically cooing at the sight of the two of you, happy and in love, the beautiful, loving couple.

And then the door to the hall opened with a dramatic bang. So loud the music stopped.

She was standing there, looking drop dead gorgeous, in a white dress.

And not just any white dress either.  

Her beautiful, very-expensive, dripping-in-crystals-and-money, opulent, ballroom-style-wedding-gown, custom-made white dress.

She walked towards the dance floor, her Louboutin stilettos cracking like gunshots as she made her way to you and your new husband. She hugged you, whispering a teary congratulations, asking you if she could cut in.

It was as if you had floated out of your body, watching as your body in the simple white dress, the one that now looked like a worn out hospital gown compared to her grand, intricate, one-of-a-kind Vera Wang, step to the side, allowing her to take your place in your new husband’s arms.

And he, in return, pulled her close, told her how beautiful she looked, turned to the band and told them to continue.

You, along with the rest of your stunned guests and family, watched as he twirled her around the dance floor, on your wedding day, during what should have been your first dance, dancing to the music you had chosen to commemorate this happy occasion for you and him. But here you were, standing at the sideline as he swayed with her instead of you.  

You could have said something, but your tongue was tied. You could have cut back in, but you didn’t want to make a scene. You could have walked out of there, but your feet were glued to the ground.

You coulda.

Woulda

[logz027]

THE NIGHT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING (DINA X READER)

"Hey, Y/N get up! we've got patrol." Dina knocks on the door of the garage you live in. "Oh shit hang on!!" you yell out as you rush your pants on, tripping over yourself and landing on the ground with a loud thud. "FUCK!" Dina opens the door chuckling. "haha easy there tiger, no need to break an ankle." She smirks playfully eyeing your disheveled state. "I've seen you handle infected without batting an eye, but apparently putting on pants is whole nother beast entirely, huh?" she teases gently while leaning against the doorframe. "haha" you say sarcastically. Dina steps inside closing door behind her watching amused as you struggle with your pants, a smirk playing on her lips. "careful now, wouldn't want you flashing the whole of jackson." She steps closer, reaching out to steady you. "here let me help with that." Her hands hands brush against your bare skin as she assists in pulling up your pants, fingers lingering perhaps a moment longer than necessary. "there we go, all dressed and ready to face whatever horrors await us beyond these walls." She grins giving your chest a playful punch before stepping back. "Now c'mon. days a-wastin' and id rather not spend it cooped up in this garage watching you play dress ups." "someone's in a good mood this morning." You giggle. Dina laughs along with you. "Can you blame me? Its a beautiful day, and ive got my favourite person to keep me company on patrol." Dina says stretching languidly, her lithe form accentuated by her fitted leather jacket and cargo pants. "haha i thought jesse was your favourite?" You laugh locking the door behind you as guys leave. Dina just rolls her eyes playfully as she falls into step beside you, matching your pace. "Oh please, Jesse's alright i guess. But you're... special." She nudges you with her elbow, grinning mischievously. "Plus, jesse doesnt nearly appreciate my witty banter like you do." As you two walk through the gates of the settlement, she lowers her voice. "Between you and me though, I think hes just jealous that i prefer your company." You just smile at hearing her say that. 

a little timeskip

"So are you going to the New Year's party tonight?" you ask Dina. "Of course I am! Its gonna be a blast." She says leaning in conspiratorially, lowering her voice. "I heard tommys making his famous BBQ ribs and sarahs whipping up a batch of her famous apple pie. Not to mention the whiskeys flowing freely and everyones letting loose after a tough year." Dina glances at you, a hopeful smile her face. "Youre coming too, right? I mean, its not a real party without you there to keep me in line." Dina winks playfully at you, her competitive nature rearing its head once more. "Yeah I'll be there," You laugh at her.

A FEW HOURS LATER

You realise the time. "We should probably head back. Its getting late and the New Years party starts soon." You say to dina as she glances up at the sky, noting the deepening twilight. "Youre right, Its getting on towards dusk. We should probably wrap up this patrol and head back." Dina says as she turns her horse around to begin the journey back. "Besides, I dont want to risk running into any stragglers or hostile survivors on the way home. With the New Years celebration looming, we dont need any extra stress or drama." Dina smiles reassuringly, her eyes scanning the surrounding woods for any signs of danger. "Lets focus on getting back safetly and then we can enjoy the party with our friends." You say. As you continue your ride back, the rhythmic clip clop of the hooves echoing through out the forest as dina follows closely behind.

"Im really looking forward to tonights festivities. Its been a rough year for all of us. Im greatful to have you by my side Y/N. Whether we're taking down hordes of infected or dancing the night away under the stars. Youre more than just a partner in crime, Youre my best friend." (oof friend zoned hard) "Thanks Dina." You say trying to hide the pain you have just endured from the friend zone.

You guys arrive back to jackson, you and dina dismounting your horses before leading them to the stables. Dina turns to you with a smile, her eyes sparkling in the fading light. "Now, shall we get cleaned up and to the party? Im itching for a drink." she says, walking ahead, her hips swaying gently with each step. "Oh tell me about it. I cant wait to get drunk." you laugh.

You reach your house and have a look through your cupboard for a nice outfit to wear.

You end up wearing this. (obviously you can wear whatever you want and look however you want this is just what i chose)

[widowsistersandfriends]

Free Hugs

Request: Apparently Kathryn does a back tickling thing when she hugs people, could you write something with that with the reader? 🤭

Note: Thank you for this request! I haven't seen a video of it, so I'm not sure how accurately I portrayed it. Hope you enjoy! :)

Word Count: 1052

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You were currently a TV show host, one who interviewed many celebrities to promote their upcoming movies and shows. Today you had Kathryn Hahn on as a guest and were preparing backstage beforehand. 

You were a bit more nervous for this interview. You had interviewed plenty of A-list celebrities, but Kathryn still made you star-struck at times. There was a certain poise and confidence to her that you were in awe of. She knew just exactly what to say while maintaining her composure and always supported the right causes. She was just perfect. 

You snapped out of your daydream when they notified you that Kathryn had arrived. Before interviewing them on TV, you would usually meet with them a few hours before filming to go over boundaries, questions, and which topics they were okay with sharing and which ones you should avoid. 

You walked through the door and saw Kathryn arriving with her team, her hair up in a fancy updo, accompanied by a sleek pant suit that fit her perfectly. For being in her 50s, she didn’t look a day over 30. 

“Hi Kathryn, how are you doing?” You asked, stepping forward to accept her hug. 

“I’m awesome!” Kathryn cheered, hugging you tightly. 

You suddenly felt her nails lightly tickling your back, causing you to quickly pull away from her embrace. 

“What’s wrong dear?” Kathryn asked, genuinely concerned. 

“N-nothing,” you stuttered, turning bright pink.

Kathryn was good at picking up on social cues, and this time she knew right away.

“Did that tickle?” She outright asked, smiling at your lack of eye contact. 

“No!” You insisted.

“It’s okay if you’re ticklish, I just like doing that to people. It breaks the ice and also gives me a secret weapon,” Kathryn teased, wiggling her eyebrows at you.

You were too overwhelmed with embarrassment, so you quickly changed the subject and asked her to sit to talk about the interview. 

Kathryn was there to promote her new show ‘Agatha All Along,’ which was streaming on Disney+. You asked her about how much she could reveal about the plot and for her to provide a little bit of background from WandaVision to help viewers understand when and where this show is taking place.

The two of you chatted more, as Kathryn also gave some insight on her personal life now that she was done filming for the show. 

“Thank you so much for meeting up with me before the shoot! We’re gonna be on in 15 minutes, so if you need to use the restroom or anything go ahead!” You said, as you both got up.

“You’re not going to hug me again, are you?” You asked cautiously.

“What? You afraid I’m gonna tickle you again?” Kathyrn smirked. 

“No…I just wanted to ask…” you trailed off, as Kathryn giggled at your embarrassment. 

“Watch out, I just may embarrass you on live television,” Kathyrn playfully threatened.

Your cheeks burned again, imagining the embarrassment before it even happened. There was no way you could ever show your face again if that happened!

The two of you eventually came out onto the set, where there was a live audience, surrounded by lights and cameras everywhere. 

You introduced Kathyrn to the crowd, and allowed her to answer some questions about the new show. 

“So, what is like bonding with your coven? Were there any difficulties?” You asked her.

“Well, we all got along really well in my opinion, but with any new cast there’s always some ice to break here and there, but by the end of it you’re family,” Kathryn said.

You tensed slightly at the use of the phrase ‘ice to break,’ remembering that she had used that phrase earlier when she tickled you.

Kathryn knew you were gonna quickly change the subject before she could answer how she broke the ice, so she quickly continued before you could answer. 

“There were a lot of little things I would do to break the ice, including giving free hugs,” Kathryn stated confidently. You knew you were trapped and would have to ask her more, or else it would be an abrupt change of subject and would make you look like a bad interviewer.

“I bet your cast members loved your hugs. Personally speaking, I received a hug from Kathryn before this interview and it was wonderful!” You said, as you had turned to the crowd to speak.

“They absolutely love them! Except for Aubrey, she hated them because I would give like a little gentle back tickle when I hug people and it would drive her nuts,” Kathryn said while laughing, as you froze, not expecting the forbidden t word to be dropped like that. 

The audience laughed, and you joined in awkwardly, not knowing what to say next without stumbling over your words.

“Do you guys want a demonstration?” Kathryn asked the audience, as they all shouted in unison. Your eyes widened, as Kathryn got up.

“You want a free hug?” Kathryn asked you. You knew the ratings of your TV show would go up if you went along, but you knew the embarrassment would last forever. Maybe I can just hold my reaction in…you thought to yourself.

You walked into Kathryn’s hug, expecting the tickle to be around the lower part of your back, which she had done earlier. You braced yourself for it, only to be caught off guard by her nails tickling the upper part of your back.

You gasped and jumped away, squirming your shoulders away from the ticklish touch.

The crowd laughed, as Kathryn chuckled in glee.

“Well there’s one thing you and Aubrey have in common. Both ticklish on your backs,” Kathryn teased, giving your side a poke before going back to sit in her chair.

You tried to suppress a yelp and jump by quickly covering it up with a cough.

“Thanks for that demonstration,” you said sarcastically. 

“My pleasure. It’s something Agatha would most definitely do, so I’m trying to give the crowd real authenticity,” Kathryn stated, making the crowd laugh.

You managed to get through the rest of the interview, but your head was still flying around the thought that Kathryn had tickled you in front of everyone. Rest assured, you would be staying off of social media for the next week to avoid the circulating videos. 

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If you enjoyed this fic please consider supporting my writing on my Ko-fi! Commissions and donations are welcome!

[lexicorp]

Transformers Earthspark: Another Place, Another Prison

[screenshot edit thats a bit silly--the maltos are actually generally rather chill even with star being a bit of a lil shit lmao]

This chapter really shoves Starscream into a social gathering with all da peeps for a series of goofy games. Which he roasts the shit out of the majority of the time. He's more into it at the start and gets progressively more drained from it all. It's not as fun if you don't plow the competition after all--XD

just a chap with fun family shenanigans and definitely nothing sus

Previous Chapter: Bee's Good Guy Crash Course

First Chapter: The Need For Read

Next Chapter: Make or Break

Chapter 11: Family Feud

The “Malto Family Game Night”. An intriguing premise. One Bumblebee thought he should drag Starscream into, it seemed, despite the title clearly only set to invite those who are real members of their collective. It even seemed a stretch that the humans and Terrans considered Bumblebee an “honorary” member to begin with. The Terrans, as Earthen cybernetic children, theoretically shared some level of kinship with humans to an extent. As well as apparently being bonded to them on a deeper level. But both he and Bumblebee had no such connection, why should they be roped into human nonsense? 

Why would they allow them to encroach on their little tradition? Perhaps this was some sort of test pertaining to the practice the bug had wanted Starscream to get, after his little lecture. A challenge to see how well Starscream could interact with them. 

Well, for whatever goal the bug had, he certainly could stand a bit of competition. A chance to destroy them at their own ridiculous games? Irresistible. The anticipation of victory, especially one he could lord over the scout later, might just make the growing chaos around him bearable. 

There were too many conversations about too many things being discussed in one room. He’d tried to track a few, but quickly found his audials begin to mute the chatter with a light ringing. If it hadn’t, he wouldn’t have been able to stop himself from calling them all into order himself.

Finally, Hashtag got everyone’s attention and pointed to the whiteboard that now held doodles of all their faceplates, separated into groups. “Alright fam! The teams we’ve decided on are: Me, J.B, and Nightshade with our name NightTagBreaker! Mom and Dad as Purple. Thrash and Mo as Mash–”

“‘Cause we’re gonna MASH the competition!” Thrash cheered as he smacked servos with his human partner.

Hashtag didn’t even seem fazed by the interruption, and scoffed without a hint of disdain. “We’ll see about that! There’s also Robbie and Twitch–”

“Their team’s name is Twobbie.” Mo said with the most dastardly smirk toward her brother, and a mocking tone to the name.

Robbie and Twitch both stood with crossed arms, the human retorting first with an air of superiority. “Uh no. Our name is Twin Blades!” 

Twitch plucked her swords from her back and twirled them as an example with a proud grin. “We’ve got the blades, and we’re basically twins. And way cooler than Mash.” 

Thrash gasped melodramatically with a servo to his chassis, “How dare you!”

“We’ll see who has the cooler name when we beat you!” Mo shot back with a throw of a digit in their direction. Threats so early in the competition? Bold.

Hashtag edited the name on the board discreetly, then turned to ask, “What’d you guys decide on for your name Bee? I was thinking it could be StarBee or Beam for the combo style like ours–” She gestured to her two partners– “Or BugBird, because y’know, Bee is bug coded and Starscream can fly. OR you could be Primary! Because together you have yellow, red, and blue!”

Starscream took his servo from under his faceplate to tip it at the crowd, straightening his posture with a slight tilt of his helm as he offered confidently, “Why not simply call us The Victors?” He wasn’t exactly thrilled that they had just decided that he was paired with the bug, but that wouldn’t change his plans of total domination over this strange event.

Many of them rolled their optics at Starscream’s proclamation, but Hashtag actually had to stop herself from laughing. Not entirely the correct response. Still, at least she was amused, rather than angered by his insinuation.

Bumblebee shook his helm in a way that Starscream couldn’t tell if he actually disapproved or not. “StarBee is fine, Hashtag.” He determined, then mumbled, “Even if it would be nice if my name was first…”

“Well, you always were more of just the backup, rather than a leader, scout.” Starscream pointed out haughtily. “Obviously my piece of the title would come first.” 

Bumblebee glared at him, “I am not your backup! We’re partners and this is friendly competition! And please try to remember what I was telling you yesterday…” He sounded exasperated. 

Starscream dropped his smirk and crossed his arms to align himself with a more professional posture. “Are you going to disclose the rubric, or will your little test be void of any comprehensible scale like all of your Autobot riddles?”

Bumblebee was about to respond, but the Malto matriarch, Dorothy, interrupted. “No tests. We are not making game night about work again. Right Bee?” The bug nodded, looking rather guilty. “We’re here to have fun.”

“Yeah!” Twitch flew up to meet Starscream’s faceplate, “So don’t you ruin it! Family time is sacred!” 

Starscream leaned slightly toward her, thoroughly unamused. “Yes, how dare I encroach on your ridiculous expression of familial bonding.”

“Okay guys!” Hashtag interjected, “This isn’t exactly supposed to be the mood of this scene. Can we rein it in please?” She looked more at Starscream than her sibling, with a pleading look to her optics. Twitch backed down, as did he. 

“Wonderful!” Nightshade collected a set of cards that seemed to be sized for Cybertronians. “The first game Hashtag and I decided upon from the list of requests, is Uno! Three teams will be in one group, and two in another.”

“Then we shuffle it until every team has had a chance to go against each other!” Hashtag added while shuffling the cards and splitting the deck into two stacks. “First group will be NightTagBreaker, Twin Blades, and Mash; then Purple and StarBee.”

“Would it not make more sense to put the team of three into the group with just two teams?” Starscream asked not as much for some level of fairness, but more in the hopes that he could avoid interacting with Megatron’s little spy. He’d much rather attempt their card game with Hashtag and Nightshade. 

“I mean, maybe, but we’ll get there eventually.” Hashtag gave him an awkward smile, then quickly moved on. Scrap. 

They all took to their tables and dealt the cards. Starscream attempted to read the rules from the little box that was cast aside, but Dorothy’s human conjunx told him that it was apparently quite simple. Same color, same number or action, and you could play your card on your turn. The wild card and plus four were clearly above all the other pathetic actions in the roster. Although the skip option was satisfyingly petty. Starscream managed to skip Bumblebee three times in a row, in fact, which he found hilarious. 

The bug however, was less amused, “We’re supposed to be on the same team! Could you maybe not sabotage me and actually try and collaborate?!”

“Only one of us needs to win to get the credit. I don’t need your help to claim victory over these humans at this silly game.”

“I don’t know about that.” Dorothy tauntingly raised her singular card. “Uno.”

“WHAT?” Starscream’s wings flared and he looked over at the bug’s absurdly large set of cards, then slammed a servo on the table to get his attention. “Unleash a counterattack you fool! You must have something in that embarrassing stack in your servos!”

“Oh look who came crawling back for my help.” The scout hoarded his cards with juvenile snark. 

Starscream stuttered and his optic twitched as he growled through gritted dentas. “Excuse me, but if you don’t we both lose you bit-brained idiot!”

“How about not calling your partner names, and actually asking nicely? Or just working with me instead of acting like I’m still your enemy?”

The bug was a stubborn fool. Ask nicely? Did they expect him to phrase orders as optionary as the Prime did? That’s ridiculous! And of course the bug was still his enemy! How stupid was this mech? Bumblebee had been the first to point a blaster at Starscream in the Titan. Just because the Autobots were acting as if something had changed, didn’t mean anything. This was all just another assignment for the scout. 

Wait…who said that Starscream couldn’t simply take the bug’s cards and do it himself? If they were on the same team, then what did it matter who carried out the move? He didn’t know what stupid arrangement of words they wanted from him. It’d be far easier to–

Starscream forcefully snatched the cards from Bumblebee’s servos in a crimson flash, and slapped down a plus two to destroy the Malto’s hope of victory. He made sure to keep his own remaining two cards safe from getting lost amidst his stolen pile. The bug complained and tossed his servos around before attempting to steal his cards back, as Starscream pushed against his faceplate to hold him off.

Then, Dorothy cleared her throat before crossing her arms. “I win.”

“Wha–HOW?!” Starscream shoved the bug aside before pointing a digit at the human. “You lost your turn and were supposed to gain additional cards as the action dictates! You couldn't have possibly won!” 

Her optical ridge rose and she tapped the card plainly placed upon the one he’d taken from Bumblebee. “My last card was a plus two, and I can stack it on yours. Maybe, you should have actually talked it out with your partner.”

Oh, so this fleshling aimed to lecture him now? And since when could actions be placed upon one another as a means of canceling the other out? That made no sense with the rest of the rules! Sure, if you were not at the receiving end and were simply the player that is being skipped towards–but mid-action?? That was ridiculous, she made that up!

Lightning flickered between his wings. He didn’t lose. She’d only crafted some absurd reason to disguise the fact that she was clearly only attempting to prove some point, and make Starscream look like an idiot. That’s what it was. But he couldn’t do anything about it. The human was Megatron’s little agent. Starscream would be scrapped if he did anything against her. 

Starscream’s optics were burning as he wished again that he could set those blasted cards ablaze with only his processor. This game was just another tool for them to mock him. His vents were the same.

“Chill, it’s not like losing one game is the end of the world. Even if I am definitely blaming this loss, on you. I was just the card draw scrapyard–” Bumblebee was attempting to retrieve the scattered cards, and Starscream reflexively grabbed his wrist and pulled the scout up as he rose to his peds. 

“This IS your fault!” Starscream said dangerously, even as the scout transformed out his blaster with his other servo. But as a deafening silence strangled the cavern, and Starscream stared into the bug's startled yet defiant optics…he hated it. He was doing it again. 

His anger attempted to subside, replaced by something else as his grip loosened on the bug. But the curse didn’t seem to approve of that, and it instead tried to channel its power into the servo which mistakenly held Bumblebee. Starscream’s optics widened and he wrenched his servo away. Then yelped as he found Wheeljack’s little device had sent an equal pulse up his ped in some pathetic counterattack to the power. Instead of neutralizing the surge at his servo, all it did was make him fly back clumsily, and hit his helm on the ground. All while the power still felt as if his arm was being ripped apart by scraplets.

“Uh, you guys okay over there??” Twitch called from their own game.

“Ugh…Peachy.” Bumblebee commented dryly as he picked himself up after having apparently fallen back as well. “Someone is just a sore loser.”

Starscream only sat up to grip his violently shaking servo as he glared at it. He wasn’t like Megatron. “Perhaps…It was an overreaction.” He couldn’t apologize. He was too distracted. But he could acknowledge the bug’s point. Maybe that would be enough. 

Bumblebee watched him a moment before a ridiculous grin came to his faceplate. “No kidding.” 

The scout offered Starscream a servo, and he stared at it hesitantly as the lightning slowly died from his frame. He didn’t smack it away, but he didn’t take it either. Instead, he forced his annoyingly numb right ped to cooperate as he pulled himself up. “Besides, with the human’s knack for simply realigning the rules to her whim, how could either of us be at fault? Megatron clearly taught her well.”

“Excuse me?” Dorothy put her servos on her hips. Apparently his comment was somehow offensive. Even the buckethead’s agent detested being compared to him. How poetic.

Starscream paced to give himself enough distance from bot and human alike, before tipping a servo and his hip out in unbridled sass with an innocent vocalizer, “Oh but I’d never blame you for such a thing. In fact, I might have pulled such a stunt myself if we were more acquainted. Although that was a bit of a clumsy rule you constructed in your haste. Perhaps I could give you some advice for–”

Dorothy put her servo up to silence him. “No. I didn’t make it up. Well, not right at that moment–it’s just a common house rule for the game. It makes things a bit more interesting, and can lead to crazy close calls like that.”

“Yes we would never cheat! Especially Dottie!” Her conjunx attested with a protective servo around her shoulder, which she patted with hers. Disgusting.

Starscream’s faceplate scrunched at their show of affection, but willed himself to put on a smile. “I meant no disrespect, truly.” He gave her a half-afted bow, then began assisting the bug in collecting the cards that had fallen to the floor. “So I assume we shall be shuffling the groups now then?”

Not a moment later, there was an obnoxious uproar from the kids as the Twin Blades team celebrated their victory. They had their own argument about how it was achieved, yet it seemed more out of curiosity for their strategy. Of which they happily went into dramatized detail. They all laughed and congratulated them, with playful counters at how close it had been. No one was angry, or accusatory. The only touch they shared was gentle. Starscream stared at them, transfixed. 

Sure, it was not as if he had always fought with his trinemates over such silly things. But still, there had typically been some sort of transition into a wrestling match to settle the true victor. Anything close to that here was meager at best. He wasn’t surprised…only, afflicted with a strange sense of yearning. Which was ridiculous.

“Sounds like it.” Bumblebee remarked as he placed the now reforged stack of cards on their table, then added teasingly, “Are you actually going to be my teammate this time, fly boy?”

“Yes, it seems that might be necessary.” Starscream avoided the bug’s optics as he took his seat again. 

Team NightTagBreaker switched places with Purple. He didn’t quite care for the dinobot, but the other two terrans could be rather pleasant. Although it did seem that “J.B.” was far more focused on the game than attempting to bite his peds this time. 

Starscream and Hashtag shared a glance, and he was the first to break the silence between them, “Do not expect us to go easy on you.” Mimicking her siblings’ manner of playful banter.

“Wouldn’t dream of it!” She responded with a theatrical tone and servo to her chassis. 

“If anyone should be going easy, it is us!” Nightshade added, to which the dinobot seemed to finish the thought.

“Yeah! Because–we are three bots, and you are not.”

“Don’t think that numbers are everything kids.” Bumblebee warned as he fanned out his new selection of cards in his servos. 

This time, Starscream collaborated with the bug as they discreetly disclosed which cards they possessed, and plotted how to best use them. He used his skips to instead protect his unlikely ally from unwanted card draw, until he could change the color again. As well as parrying reverses, or waiting until the other also had a plus two, as to avoid friendly fire. Perhaps that strange rule could be rather useful, when he actually knew to utilize it. Then, he also did not see why they could not stack other actions in such a way as well…

When the scout had called Uno, the dinobot attempted to skip him to postpone their victory. Unbeknownst to them, Bumblebee also had a skip card, but the bug did not place it down. A pause for dramatic effect?

Starscream cast aside his own useless cards and smacked the bug’s shoulder plating. “Reveal your card already you–eh, just what are you waiting for? We won. Cancel their action with yours!”

Bumblebee looked baffled as he stared at his card then back at Starscream. “What?? Jawbreaker skipped me, I can’t cancel that. It’s your turn. Why don’t you use that reverse card you had?”

Starscream’s wings pulled back and he ripped his cards back off the table to hit them with his other servo. “This scrap will do nothing to change it to the correct color! Why on Cybertron can you not just do as that human did before?! Countering an action of equal title mid-attack is perfectly legal in your stupid house rules! We’ve even done it multiple times this round, how is this any different?”

“Stacking only works with the plus two’s and four’s,” Nightshade attempted to explain their absurd standards, “It is not as if you can add onto one skip with another.”

“Uh-huh, you can’t do that Starscream, that’d be cheating.” J.B. insisted like a foolish child. “Right? Because, that’s definitely against the rules.”

Lightning jumped across Starscream’s frame again.

How was he the one cheating? Their “mom” had come up with it first! Noone had cared when she did it. How did it make any less sense to use the skip card in such a way than the other one? Of course the skips could be added onto one another! All they’d need to do is make it a double skip so that–if he and the scout didn’t already win–it’d send the next turn over to Hashtag. How was that concept so hard for them to understand? This game was stupid. 

Bumblebee nudged him, “Hey, we haven’t lost yet!” Starscream didn’t look at him, nor say anything for a long stint of time. “C’moooon, what cards ya got huh?”

Starscream’s optics flickered red and he took in an extended vent, then hiked his wings up with a strained grin and peak to his vocalizer. “Fine, yes, of course! Let's look at what cards I have. Numbers and a single useless reverse action? That will surely lead us to victory. Especially, when as soon as I place something down, those three will no doubt begin a chain of plus two actions of which you would be defenseless against. Or a plus four. Or they could start a reverse chain between one another. Or lock us in a color neither of us have in a plot to instigate the idiotic notion of infinite card draw!”

“You don’t know what cards we have,” Hashtag seemed to be getting frustrated with him, “And besides, it’s just a game. If we outplay you, we win, it’s not that deep!”

“Well, Uno does contain a higher percentage of RNG than skill, but that is a fair point regardless.” Nightshade nodded.

“Um, so, can we just…finish the game now?” J.B asked meekly.

Starscream’s wings swiveled up and down as he forced the stupid power back into the corner of his spark. “Sure.” He could play nice for Hashtag’s sake.

The game proceeded just about as insufferably as he anticipated. He and the bug ended with far too many cards, and Nightshade claimed the win for their team. That was fine. He didn’t care.

Every other match of that accursed Uno left Starscream and Bumblebee once again so close, only for it to be ripped away time and time again. Every instance, more inane than the last. How could they have not even won once?! The last time was entirely the bug’s fault, when he’d blatantly ignored Starscream’s order. He made sure to tell the scout just how stupid that had been, but then the others only seemed to get mad at Starscream for it instead! 

The next game that was chosen attempted to usurp the last in stupidity. The “tic-tac-toe” was near impossible to not end in a tie. It had to be replayed repetitively until a victor was concluded. It was boring, exceedingly plain, and the only viable strategy was far too easily thwarted. In fact, when Starscream was in the midst of cornering their opponent, they instead reversed it back onto him! Bumblebee had obviously ruined the whole thing with his insistence on starting in the middle when it was clearly best to start at a corner. Even when they finally did manage to succeed in one matchup, it was anticlimactic as slag. 

The next was a quite straightforward game titled “Spot-it”. All that needed to be done was match an icon on your own card with the one in the discard. And finally, Starscream was able to dominate. Every single match, he rapidly pinpointed the correct image and practically blazed through his entire stack with only minute lapses in his speed. No one stood in his way! No one even got a chance! It was glorious! 

Starscream laughed maniacally as he gained yet another point without the pathetic aid of the bug. “HAHAH you all are not even TRYING! This game is far too easy. Or perhaps you simply have a slow processor for such things, eh, Bumblebee?” He flicked the bug’s helm and fluttered his wings. Elated that he at long last obtained even a fleeting moment of triumph amongst them. “Good thing you have me to carry your constant lag.”

Bumblebee glared at him, then rolled his optics, “Riiiight. You’re taking this whole thing way too seriously.” 

“Why wouldn’t I?” Starscream stated in a more dismissive than questioning manner with a slight tip of his helm and a shrug. “What’s next then?”

“Pictionary!” Hashtag held up the box with far more excitement than she’d had previously. “Nightshade and I even made more little figurines and an extended board for all of us to play together!” She and her sibling began the setup, while J.B. distributed the items required for each team. “The person who draws whatever it is rotates, then the others on your team need to guess what the person is trying to show them! The color on the board determines what subject it is, and you kinda get a bit of a clue on what it is from that too.”

Simple enough, if the bug could draw a straight line. Starscream claimed the marker first, as he was far more confident in his own artistic ability. The first object he got was a “basketball”. He didn’t know what that was, but he did know how to depict a basket and a ball separately. Surely the scout could comprehend an icon based word puzzle as simple as that. Which he did. But the words only got stranger from there, and that is where their downfall began. 

Items like “Taylor Swift”, “Swan”, or “Cell Phone”, were ridiculous. Was he supposed to have done research before this blasted thing? They had to redraw cards in an attempt to acquire a usable item multiple times. Yet even then, there were many moments where the bug had far too much confidence in his ability to depict whatever it was he’d gotten. His illustrative skill was predictively lacking, and he was lucky Starscream had been able to make out any of it at all. At the very least, Bumblebee was adequate at determining what Starscream was forced to illustrate. 

The worst of it was when there had been the perfect opportunity to draw himself throwing Megatron into the Pit–for the action topic of course–and the blasted timer ran out before he could finish! Apparently there needed to be some sort of middle ground in which to prioritize what details were necessary. He could make sacrifices for the sake of their victory, sure, yet it was still disappointing. How was he to find any sort of satisfaction in this game, if he could not at the bare minimum depict the buckethead getting tossed into a scrapheap?

Although he would admit that this game certainly seemed the most balanced, those with their ridiculous bonds and understanding of one another, inevitably gained some sort of advantage. Which got annoying fast. Every little moment longer the scout took to guess what the item was, or the next incoherent blob he depicted, made the tapping of Starscream’s ped quicken. 

Starscream growled and his wings flicked back, “NOW what is it?” He squinted as the crude image began to take some sort of shape. “The Autobots?” The bug shook his helm and gestured for it to be more general. “Cybertronians?” A gesture for him to elaborate. “What other word is there!?–” His optics flashed red, with a brief moment of his spark feeling as though it were being wrenched out of his intake, as the word came to him–“Transformers.” A disgustingly rudimentary title. Of course that was all that they were reduced to in this human game under the subject of pop culture. 

He was correct. But he still felt distant from the bug’s excitement toward their apparent close call. Starscream hit a servo against his own helm in an effort to knock out whatever had possessed him. This reflex was evidently questionable, but he was easily able to brush it off. He couldn’t have his processor glitching in the midst of this event. It would not only be quite discomfiting, but would also bring more petty disruption to something the Terrans seemed to have put a great deal of effort into. He had to keep it under control.

By the end of it, he and the bug only managed to cross half of the spaces needed to win. Infuriating. Starscream despised losing. They weren’t even able to claim second best. Pathetic. 

By the next game, Starscream was decidedly over it. 

This “Charades” only served to make one dance around like a fool in some absurd hope at expressing the word on their slip of flimsy scrap. It was near identical to the concept of the last, but regressed into something far less tolerable. Perhaps it could be more amusing if it was less about imitating Earth creatures and instead aimed toward mimicking someone else in their group. That had been a favorite amongst his trinemates back in the more tolerable cycles amidst the Decepticons.

Bumblebee flapped his arms around stupidly as he attempted to display what he’d plucked from the pile. He looked utterly ridiculous. Starscream would never catch himself offline doing such a thing. What was the bug even supposed to be? He was acting as though he were attempting to fly, similar to how Nightshade seems to need to operate their alt mode. Clearly some form of Earthen avian, but how was he supposed to know which classification was required?

“Ugh,” Starscream rubbed his optics, “what do you call those tiny avian creatures on this planet?” 

“Birds!” Twitch chirped in an oddly endearing manner.

“Right. That is what he is, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, basically.” Bumblebee halted mid motion to shrug, then whirled his arms around before finding his balance again. “Think we can count that one Alex?”

“Mmm…” Dorothy’s conjunx, Alex, squeaked his uncertainty at the notion. Obviously unsatisfied with such a vague answer.

Dorothy smacked his shoulder, although it looked like it barely connected. “I think we can give it to ‘em. Starscream hasn’t exactly gotten as acquainted with what all our little guys here are called yet.”

“I don’t need your pity points, human.” Starscream muttered in a visceral hiss. When would he have had the time to study such things? Why should he care what all these birds were labeled on this insufferable planet? He had far better things to do! Starscream had a million other exceedingly more important matters that required his brilliant processor, than reverting back to cataloging miscellaneous fauna on some backwater rock!

 “Oh, I suppose it’s alright.” Alex relented, none the wiser to Starscream’s bitter comment. “Why don’t you try another one, Bee?”

Bumblebee chuckled as the timer ran out, “Sorry pal, but I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until next time to witness my famously flawless acting skills. How about you and Dot go next? Gotta show me your moves too!”

Starscream watched the rest of them play out what remained of the game with blank optics. The images he processed paced in a choppy framerate, and the clarity distorted to a lower quality. A moment's glance at the scoreboard told him that there was absolutely no way they would win in the larger scheme of things. It meant nothing. He couldn’t even attempt to sabotage the competition, or challenge the validity of his competitors' victories. He’d surely get caught, and only gain pointless drama that’d get him into trouble. Which he did not need more of.

Had he even passed that scout’s stupid test? Even if Starscream didn’t claim the more favorable glory he sought, it’d be worse if the failure was calculated against whatever new standard Megatron sought from him. Starscream was actually surprised his ever looming Lord hadn’t made further appearance by now. He was sure something was bound to happen soon. Perhaps this was all some sort of means to get him to let his guard down. Or to determine what could be used to force him in line. Megatron might be getting a byte more creative in his time as a traitor. Even if he was attempting some type of psychological approach, surely he’d revel in any excuse to beat the slag out of Starscream for any reason he could pull out his exhaust pipe.

This whole ordeal seemed too calm. Too casual. They all had many moments of clear annoyance towards him, yet constantly held themselves back but only a few meager remarks. It was not as if he held any particular power in this situation to warrant them to fear standing against him. They only seemed unsure, or dismissive. Even occasionally acting as if their apprehension was entirely absent. They were clearly hiding something. 

Starscream had been lost in his own thoughts for so long, that he’d just about missed their little awards ceremony to conclude the night. That was until there was a crack and pop that sent a far too familiar shock through his muddled audials. He flinched and stumbled backwards away from the noise. Nearly trampling one of the Terrans but unable to utter an apology as he barely processed their presence. 

It was only a device to distribute colorful material over the crowd. Their laughter was mocking him. Their celebration over their stupid series of trials that they rigged towards their own success, was disorienting. 

Starscream was done. He’d played their games. He was not about to attempt to decode what they wanted next. 

He stealthily retreated back into his corner of the cavern. It hadn’t been all horrible, he supposed…Regardless, he was tired. They were all too loud in the wrong way. 

The curse flared with thoughts echoing some stupid impulse that’d use its power to blast them into oblivion. Then he wouldn’t have to worry about any of it. Then their threat would be neutralized.

But that wasn’t right.

Lightning flickered and stabbed across his frame as he now sat with his wings to those soaring seekers on the wall. He just wanted to leave. To fly away to a Cybertron where they were waiting for him. Where he too could enjoy such festivities. Where they’d cheer his name for his achievements. Where he could revel in their praise–perhaps even…alongside his trinemates, untainted by his mistakes.

Where…it would all feel real.

[ninikrumbs]

die first

satoru gojo x anxious reader. angst with comfort. fluff. established relationship

The moonlight cascades throught the slightly ajarred window, and it softly shines on your shared bed. Summer air flows through the gaps, engulfing the space with much needed coolness from the heat. The sound of crickets filling the air with a sense of tranquility.

It was a beautiful night. Moon full, stars twinkling brightly. You should be asleep yet here you are with your knees to your chest, sitting against the window sill as you stared delicately at your lover sleeping, albeit a bit restlessly. Nose scrunched, eyebrows furrowed and lips in a adorable pout. Most likey due to the lack of your warm form in his arms.

Its makes you chuckle despite your melancholic state. How his body seems to instinctively search for yours despite its unconscious state. You gently ran your hands through his snow white hair, making his expression relax a little.

Your eyes made the mistake of catching the dark blindfold on the night stand making warms thoughts leave you as your mind once again raced to the harsh reality of the Jujutsu society.

19 days. 19 days without him. 19 days of you going over the every worse possible scenario. What if he never gets unsealed? What if he's hurt?

What if? What if? What if?

Even when you knew he was the strongest and your worries were completely groundless, yet you couldn't help but become irrational when it comes to your blue eyed idiot.

You always prided yourself in being logical and unflappable in the face of danger and uncanny circumstances. But apparently you were a different person when it comes to the matters of the heart.

Even as he sleeps there besides you, so solid and real. Some irrational part of you still thinks that he'll disappear if you blink. Is this what it means to love someone this intesely? Having to live with the knowledge that everyday they have the trigger to break you completely?

Your 3am thoughts are just filled with futures that you want to shield him from.

For instance that Jujutsu society that has always treated him as some sort of weapon, some sort of monster, you doubt they even see him as human. And it scares you to think about the levels they would go through to use him, justifying it to winning a battle with too much bloodshed to ever count as a victory.

And knowing Satoru, he'd likely play his role willingly. Oh so willing to lay down everything for this world, especially when he thinks you're gonna be safe in it. And you both love and hate that about him, his selflessness. Always thinking about others and never himself.

You've seen this happen too many times, you're heard the stories, youve seen the films and you didn't like the ending.

Strongs arms tugged you out of your reverie, as youre quickly pulled into a sturdy chest. He tightened his arms around you possessively, your head placed snugly in crook of his neck. His soft breathing indicates that he was still sleeping, body simply moving on reflex on what he needed.

And it takes everything in you to hold yourself back from fisting his shirt and crying into his neck. Cause if by some twist of cruel fate that this man is cursed to be taken away from you. You would kneel, pray and scream to every God out there to change the curse, that if one of you has to die, you hope you die first.

Suddenly, a thumb wipes a stray tear that you didn't even realize was lining your eyes. A low gravelly voice laced in sleep and confusion made you look up into low lidded eyes.

"What are you talking about, sweets?"

Your eyes widened, you didn't realize you had voiced that last thought outloud. Choosing not to answer, you quickly avoided his questioning gaze.

"I didn't mean to wake you up, Toru."

He pressed a soft kiss on your forehead telling you all was well. "I don't mind, pretty. Now tell me whats on your mind."

"I was just rambling nonsense. It was nothing important." You said, smiling sheepishly.

His cerulean eyes narrowed, clearly not believing your lame excuse. He maneuvers you to your back, hovering on top of you, caging you between his sinewy arms.

"I know somethings bothering you. I also wouldn't call talking about dying - nonsense."

You lips parted to say something before you dropped his gaze, ashamed that you gave in to such selfish thoughts.

You bite your lip. "I was just .. thinking."

"About what?"

"Just 3am thoughts, you know I have an overactive imagination." You try to keep your voice light and pleasant, erasing any underlying traces of sadness.

"Then why are you crying?"

His fingers gently grasp your chin to make you look at him. You're breath hitched the moment your eyes met his, shimmering sky blue eyes that somehow has stars twinkling in them, the moon light shining behind him making them look as if their glowing. His eyes were filled with concern and helpless adoration. "You can tell me anything, y'know that, right?"

You nod, facade breaking, "I know."

He grabs one of yours hands and kisses your palm before nuzzling his cheek into it. the sight making your heart clench, such a soft and tender gaze made solely for you. "Especially when your talking about death, though Id rather you don't think about getting hurt. The thought of you getting hurt makes me wanna die."

Though his voice was light, it had an underlying tone of seriousness. He had no idea that it wasnt your mortality that you pondered about the most.

You press your lips together, "Please dont,"

"Don't what?" he asks, tilting his head.

"Talk about you dying.."

His eyebrows raise, ready to start a debate that you were the one who started the topic, but he was cut short when he saw tears lining your eyes again, lips starting to tremble and breathing shaky.

"Oh, baby." He leaned back in his knees, pulling you him and placing you on his lap. Calloused thumbs wiped your tears away, but they seem to endlessly fall down with no sign of stopping.

"Shh, its okay, Im here." He hushed you gently as you practically sobbed and whimpered in his warm embrace. A hand sank into your hair, pulling you into his chest. The other rubbed smoothing circles on you back.

Somehow having him like this, so close, so sturdy and strong, so undeniably alive, tipped you over the edge, your hands fisting the shirt over his back.

You try speak, but the words stumble over each other, your voice still watery. "I just - Im scared - Im - Toruu, I don't dont wanna - your just -"

"Hey, its okay. You don't have to tell me right away. Just breathe, I got ya."

You nodded, as you try to bury yourself deeper into his chest. A little more, you thought , you let yourself be selfish just a little more.

When your sobs turned into small sniffles, Gojo pulled back to look at your tear stricken face. Even then, it amazes him how beautiful you look with puffy watery eyes and a cute red nose.

Warms hands clasped each side of your face, he kissed your wet cheeks before his thumbs caressed soothing circles on them, "Ready to talk to me, princess?"

You nodded sullenly, but you didn't know where to start, so blurted out the first thing that came into your head.

"I..I don't wanna learn how sl-sleep without you.."

Gojos eyes widened a fraction, "Baby, what do you-"

"I don't wanna wake up one night a realize that you're not there anymore!" You sniffled, voice still shaking," I don't wanna go around town trying new sweets on my own."

"You're not going to-"

"I don't wanna live my entire life learning how to live without you in it."

You're chest heaved as you blurted out the last sentence, crystalline tears once again lining your eyes as you desperately tried to stop them from falling.

Gojos eyes softened, heart aching from how utterly heartbroken you looked, like you already knew when he was gonna die. He hated seeing you like this, especially when it was because of him.

Still sitting on his lap, Gojo pressed a kiss on your nose before leaning his forehead against yours, his voice was unwavering and resolute, "And you'll never have to,"

"How can you be so sure?"

"Have some faith in me will ya?" He said, nuzzling your nose, the gesture offering some sort of comfort.

He pulled back, sky blue eyes meeting yours once again, filled with nothing but sincerity and unfiltered love, "From the moment I met you, you had me in the palm of your hand. Then and there I vowed to always protect you, your body, soul and your heart."

He nuzzled your hand with his cheek once more, unable to even spare a minute without your touch. "So believe me when I say that Im not going anywhere."

Your let out a breath you didn't know you were holding. His assurances making you visibly relax, as they temporarily silenced the negative voices at the back of your head, like he always did.

He always called you the light of his life, but in truth he was the light of your life. You hated it though, that you needed to once again burdened him with something so trivial when he was practically Atlas, carrying the world in his shoulders. You were stronger than this, you knew that and he knew that.

Regardless, he never once made you feel like your feelings were not valid, he was always so soft and patient with you, doting on you. God, you felt ridiculous.

"I know, Toru.. Im sorry." Your gaze focused on your fidgeting hands." I do believe in you, with everything in me. Its just that you being sealed and now the culling games, its made my anxious brain go haywire."

"Hey, don't apologise." He scolded softly, "You have every reason to feel anxious. Just tell me right away when you start feeling these things before you bubble over like this. "

You nodded like a scolded child which made chuckle a little.

"I like comforting you, baby -any reason to have you in my arms is a win- but I really don't want you to carry something this heavy alone."

"But, you already have the world on your shoulders, I do-"

"You are my world." He cuts you off, "Theres nothing else that matters to me as much as you do, you have to know that."

You feel your cheeks laced with dry tears heat up at his confession.

Slemder fingers tilted your chin up, "Promise you'll tell me next time?"

"I promise,Toru."

"Good girl." He praised, "Now come here."

He pulls you flushed against him once more, one hand on your back while the other gives soft pats on your head. "Feel better?"

You silently nodded.

A moment passed, the steady sound of Satorus heartbeat completely calming you down.

Next thing you know, you croaked out three words, words you've told him a hundred times but somehow this time felt more raw, more profound, and more devout than the last few times. Hoping maybe this time these three simple word can convey the magnitude of what you felt for him.

"I love you, Satoru."

At some point, you felt he like stopped breathing. His arms tightened around you, like you could disappear at any moment. Finally, he answered with a shaky gasp, voice filled with so much emotion, "..God, I love you. Not even the King of Curses himself can stop me from coming home to you."

-----

Epilogue :

You can basically feel Satoru pouting from where he was spooning you from behind.

"Whats wrong?"

His childish pout deepened, "Hmmpf, was sealed for 19 days and your girlfriend loses all faith in you."

"Toru...."

[americasass91]

Use Me

Hello there! I know I’ve been M.I.A. for awhile. And literally haven’t written anything in like 8 months. I’ve been going through a shit ton. (Divorce, job change, all kinds of fun stuff) And I really lost my spark to write. And then the Fnaf movie came out. And seeing Josh Hutcherson on screen again lit a fire inside of me! That boy was my original crush (long before Evans). Peeta Mellark will forever have a piece of my heart. That being said, here’s a little something starring Mike Schmidt! I know, I know. It’s not a Chris Evans character? What’s wrong with me? Josh is fucking pretty. That’s what’s wrong with me. Like, I have a problem. Don’t get me wrong, I still think Chris is pretty and hope the best for him. But…he’s not been my muse lately. I said a long time ago that I wanted Josh to fuck me like a screen door in a hurricane. And it apparently still holds true today! So, I hope you enjoy it even though this is not a part of your regularly scheduled programming! Also, this takes place after the events of FNAF. Also, Also. Not sure if the people on my Taglist for Chris’ characters want to be tagged in Josh’s. If so, just let me know!

*DISCLAIMER*, If you’re under 18, this is nothing for you to be reading. Go away.

Words: 3.3k

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Smut, p in v smut, oral(f rec), unprotected sex, language, Mike being good, um I think that’s it

💙💙💙💙💙 

“Listen Y/N, I’m gonna need you to stay and work the next shift.”

You turn around and look at your manager as if she had suddenly grown 3 heads. “Excuse me? I don’t think I heard you right. It sounded like you said you needed me to stay and work the next 8 hour shift.”

She rolls her eyes as she goes back to charting the current patient she’s working on. “You know that’s exactly what I said. Look, I have no other options. Hannah called off.”

“Again? This is like the third day in a row! How is that fair exactly?” You put your patient’s paperwork down and cross your arms over your chest as you stare at her expectantly.

She doesn’t even bother looking at you as she answers. “I don’t know what to tell you Y/N. She says she’s sick. I can’t have her come in if she’s sick.”

Now it’s your turn to roll your eyes. “If by sick you mean hungover! She literally posted on Instagram last night about her night out on the town!”

She glances over at you. “There’s no way to prove if that was from last night or if it's older. Now just get back to work and I’ll let you have an hour and a half break instead of an hour.”

Now you’re pissed. “Yeah, see, that's not going to work for me. I’ve already been here for 16 hours because Kim was late. I’m not working Hannah’s whole ass shift. I have plans. I finally get to see my boyfriend after weeks because our schedules weren’t lining up. I’m not staying.”

“You really don’t have a choice. I wasn’t really asking you, I was telling you. There’s no one else to cover.”

Tears started welling up in your eyes out of frustration, exhaustion, and the possibility of not being able to see Mike again. “There’s a bunch of other people that can cover! What about you? You’ve only been here 8 hours. It would make more sense for you to stay.” 

She turns in her chair to look at you now. “Y/N, I have actual plans. My husband has a work party. And the rest of us have husbands and children to attend to. Not just ‘hanging out with my boyfriend.’

Now you’re seeing red. “So what you’re saying is because I’m the only nurse on this floor not married, I get the shitty end of the deal and have to cover when other people call off?”

“No. If you had legit plans then I’d be more sympathetic. But you haven’t even been with this boy that long. You don’t need to spend every free moment with him.”

“I’m sorry but who do you think you are? My mother? Because I’m a grown ass woman. And if I want to hang with my boyfriend on my time off then I’m going to! I don’t really need your approval for it. I’m not staying.”

You grab your Stanley and start heading towards the locker room to grab your stuff. 

“Y/N! If you don’t stay, then you can forget about this job.”

You turn around just before reaching the end of the hallway. “Well, then I guess you’re going to have to stick around and cover Hannah’s shift. Stick it up your ass, Jan. I quit.”

You don’t even stay to hear what she has to say. You quickly run to your locker and grab all of your stuff out before you start to cry. You can’t believe you just quit. And it’s not just because of your boyfriend. You haven’t been treated right since the first week you started. This was just the last straw. You just hope Mike won’t be disappointed in you.

💙💙💙💙💙

After a quick shower and outfit change at home, you reluctantly find yourself pulling into Mike’s driveway and getting out of the car. You haven’t gotten to see him in about 3 weeks and you know you look like shit from not only your long ass shift but also because you cried on the way over.

You head to the front door and open it up. He always leaves the door unlocked when he knows you’re coming over, and get hit with the aroma of pasta. Mike’s cooking you dinner. That makes you want to start crying all over again. He’s the sweetest.

“Babe? Is that you?” You hear him call from the back of the house. He quickly comes towards the front and sees you. His smile falters when he sees the state you’re in. “Babe, are you okay? What happened?” He quickly wraps you up in a hug. 

You try your best to keep it together but a few tears fall. “I quit today.”

He pulls out of the hug but keeps his arms around you. “You did? Babe, that’s fantastic!” He pulls you back in for another hug and picks you up to twirl you around.

Your mood instantly lifts and you can’t help but laugh. “It is?”

He sets you down and pulls you in for a quick kiss. “Of course it is! That place was treating you like shit! And Jan was a bitch! What finally made you do it?”

He lets go of all but your hand and leads you into the kitchen so he can continue making spaghetti. He sets you down at the table and pours you a nice big glass of wine he bought just for tonight. “I want to hear all about it.”

He goes back to the stove and continues making dinner while you rehash the last 16 hours.

He turns around with the sauce spoon in his hand and his other on his hip. “Hannah called off again? Jesus, how does she still have a job? Didn’t she do this to you last year during Christmas?”

Oh, shit. You had forgotten about that. She did do this last year! You had plans to fly home and see your family for the holidays when Hannah unexpectedly came down with ‘the flu’. Jan had called and needed you to work since nobody else could cover. You felt like since you were still new at the time that you couldn’t say no. Now you’re getting pissy all over again. 

“Oh my god! You’re right! Maybe the bitch has some vendetta out against me. I’ve never done anything to her though! I’ve been nothing but nice!”

Just then your phone dings, alerting you of a text. You quickly check it. It’s from Hannah.

I can’t believe you threw a tantrum and quit just because I wasn’t feeling my best and couldn’t come in. Wow. All so you can hang out with your piece of shit delinquent boyfriend. You sure have your priorities straight.

“Fucking cunt!” You yell as you throw your phone across the table. Then immediately you slap your hands over your mouth just as Mike turns around to see what you’re yelling about.

“What’s wrong? Who was it?”

You remove your hands from your mouth. “Mike, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to curse that loud. I hope Abby didn’t hear me.”

He waves you off. “Babe, she’s not even here. She got invited to a sleepover at Natalie’s house. We’re alone. You’re good.”

You sigh in relief. “Thank god! I don’t want any of my bad habits to rub off on her.”

Mike just chuckles and turns back to the sauce. “If she turns out anything like you, I’d be entirely okay with that.”

You can’t help but feel a blush creep up your neck. He was always saying sweet stuff like that. You get up and hug him from behind and press a kiss to the back of his neck. “You’re too sweet.”

He turns around in your arms and grabs your face and gives you a proper, toe-curling kiss. “I mean it.”

After a few more shared kisses, Mike finishes up dinner and fixes you both a plate and a glass of wine for himself. As you’re sitting there twirling your spaghetti around your fork, you can’t help but think about Hannah’s text again. And then all of the little snide remarks she’s ever made to you come flooding back.

“Babe?”

You snap out of your thoughts and Mike comes back into focus. “Yeah?”

He puts his fork down. “I asked if there was something wrong with the spaghetti? You’ve hardly touched it.”

You look down at your plate and realize you’ve just been twirling it around your fork. “No, it’s fine. Just thinking about what Hannah said and how much it pisses me off. I’m sorry, I’m not meaning to ruin our time together.”

He smiles and grabs both of your plates and gets up and places them on the counter. He comes back over and holds his hand out to you. “Come on.”

You grab his hand with no hesitation and let him pull you out of your chair and let him lead you to his bedroom.

He turns around to face you right before you get to his bed. “First of all, you could never ruin our time together. I love getting to spend time with you no matter what. Second of all, it sounds like you need to let out some anger and need a distraction.”

You can’t help but feel all tingly at the smirk he’s giving you. “What did you have in mind?”

He backs up a little and sits on the bed and looks up at you. “Use me, Y/N.”

You shake your head. “What? What do you mean?”

He reaches out to grab your hands to pull you towards him. “I mean use me. Use me to distract yourself and to take your anger out on. I’ll be a good boy and do whatever you need.”

That almost had your knees buckling. “Oh.” He lifts your shirt up and starts pressing kisses along your stomach while running his hands from your back to your hips and down to your ass. You’ve never been in this position before. Sure, you guys have only been together for like 5 months but anytime you’ve ever been intimate, he’s been the one who’s taken charge.

He pulls back and looks up at you. “Use me, baby. I got you. Tell me what you need.”

You decide to run with it and take control and blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. “I wanna sit on your face.”

He lets out a little whimper as he moves back on the bed. “Fuck, baby. Please sit on my face. I want you to suffocate me.”

He lays back and patiently waits for you to remove your pants and panties. You hesitantly climb up on the bed. You’ve never done this before with anyone but have always wanted to try it. You climb up until you’re straddling his waist and lean down to kiss him. 

He returns the kiss enthusiastically and grinds you down onto him so you can feel how hard he already is for you. It makes you let out a small moan into his mouth. The making out only lasts for a few more minutes before you pull away and start climbing up until you’re hovering right above his mouth.

Before you fully lower yourself onto him you grab his hair and yank so that he has to look at you. He lets out another beautiful whimper. “I’m going to ride your face until I can’t think of anything else but your tongue. You’re going to be good and make me cum as many times as I want, right?”

He nods instantly. “Yes, I promise I’ll be good for you.”

“Good boy.” You tell him, which makes his eyes roll to the back of his head. Hmm. Who knew he had a praise kink?

You let go of his hair and grab onto the headboard with both hands before you slowly lower yourself onto his waiting mouth. 

He immediately grips your thighs and pulls you even harder on him and starts eating you out like a man starved. “Oh, fuck!” You throw your head back and start grinding on his tongue. He gives you a few more licks before he sucks your clit into his mouth and starts lapping his tongue back and forth against it. “Oh, god. Fuck, Mike! You’re so fucking good at that.”

Your praise has him moaning and whimpering into your pussy, heightening the experience that much more. He moves his right hand towards your ass and gives it a nice squeeze before moving towards your pussy and immediately inserting two fingers.  It makes you start grinding faster, feeling yourself already close to the edge.

He starts pumping his fingers in time with your grinding, pushing you even closer to the edge. You can’t believe how quickly he got you there. 

“Mike, please! Gonna cum! Make me cum.”

He pumps his fingers even faster and lightly bites down on your clit, knowing it’ll make you fall over the edge.

You scream his name out and grind on him until it’s too much and you lift yourself away from his mouth. To which he whimpers out, “where’s that pussy going? I wasn’t done yet.”

You let out a breathy laugh. “Jesus. I almost passed out from how hard I came. Give me a minute.”

“So I did good?” He looks up at you with big eyes and his chin glistening with your juices.

You pat his hair. “You did so good, baby. Made me feel so good.”

He smiles and wraps his arms around your thighs and presses soft kisses to the inside of them. You close your eyes and take a minute to enjoy that before you look behind you and see his erection pressing painfully against his jeans. You need that inside of you. Right now.

You remove yourself from his face and he lets out a little whine. “Don’t worry. I’m not done. Need your cock, baby.”

You’ve never seen him undo his belt and slide his jeans down that quickly before. It almost makes you chuckle. “Eager, are we?”

He nods as he pushes his jeans down far enough that his cock springs free and hits your ass. “Need to feel you around me, babe. Please.”

You lean down and pull him into a kiss which he returns generously. You can taste yourself on his tongue. He grabs his cock and hits it against your ass, signaling that he’s ready for you to slide onto him. You take the hint and lift up and back until he catches at your entrance. He’s the first one to break the kiss as you slowly slide down onto him. The little whimpers he lets out as you sit flush against his thighs is music to your ears.

You decide to tease him and just stay resting there for a minute while looking down at him. He has his eyes clenched shut and a death grip on your hips. He opens his eyes after a few moments and looks up at you. He reaches his right hand up and places it on your cheek, caressing it with his thumb. “Go ahead and use me babe. Take what you need from me.”

You slowly start moving your hips back and forth, never really lifting them up and down. The friction against your clit is so delicious. You place both hands on his chest and start moving your hips a little faster. “Oh, fuck baby. You feel so good. You’re so deep.” 

“Yeah? Am I making my girl feel good?”

You smirk down at him. “Oh, yeah. You’re being so good for me.”

He lets out another whimper as he grabs you by the back of your head and pulls you in for a heated kiss. This one sloppy and desperate. His hand that’s still on your hip starts moving you a little harder against him. He pulls away from your mouth and kisses his way up your neck towards your ear. “Come on babe. Cum on my cock. I can feel you clenching around me. Cum for me so I can be good and cum for you.”

This time you’re the one letting out a whimper. “Yeah? Want me to be your good boy and cum for you? Fill you up?”

“Please.” You whine out, moving your hips even faster than before. You can feel your orgasm coming like a freight train. There’s no stopping it. 

“Oh yeah. I can feel it. You’re gonna cum for me. Do it. Make a mess on me babe. Please, I need it.”

“Yeah? You need me to cum for you? Need to feel me cum? Oh, god Mike. I’m almost there. Please don’t stop.”

He continues helping you grind your hips against his. You’re almost there. Just a little something…..

“I love you, Y/N. So fucking much.”

That did it. You’re pitched off the edge and silently scream out. The edges of your vision going white. You can vaguely hear Mike whimpering out your name as he does as promised and fills you up. You slow your hips down until you can’t move them anymore and slump down against him with your face tucking into the crook of his neck. He wraps his arms around you and rubs his hands up and down your back.

You both stay like that until your heartbeats return to normal. You lift up your head just until you can see him, almost nose to nose. He’s the first to speak. “So, did I do good for you?”

You let out a chuckle. “You were so good, baby.” You can feel him twitch inside of you at the praise. “But, we need to talk about what you said.”

Mike scrunches his brows for a few minutes before his eyes go wide and he realizes what he said. “Shit, I did not mean to say that.”

You can’t help the disappointment that crosses your face. “Oh, well that’s okay. It was in the heat of the moment.”

He quickly wraps his arms tighter around you. “No! That’s not what I meant. Shit. I one hundred percent meant it. I just wanted to make it special when I told you. Not in the middle of an orgasm. You deserve better than that.”

You smile and press a kiss to the tip of his nose. “I appreciate the thought. But I really don’t need anything special. I already have you.”

His smile lights up his entire face. “I love you, Y/N.”

This time you press a kiss to his lips. “I love you, too Mike. Like, a lot.”

“I bet not as much as I love you.”

Just as you’re about to retort, Mike’s cell starts vibrating, causing you to jolt with fright since his phone is still in his pocket which your leg is pressed up against.

“Jesus Christ.”

You quickly get up so that he can grab his phone. “Hello?”

You go into the bathroom to clean up. You come back in with a wet cloth to clean Mike up. He just hangs up as you come in the room. “Everything okay?”

He smiles in thanks as you hand him the cloth. He goes about cleaning himself up. “Yeah. That was Natalie’s mom. Apparently Abby has decided she doesn’t wanna stay the night so I have to go get her.” He stands and pulls his jeans back up and smooths his shirt out. “Sorry we won’t be alone anymore.”

You pull him in for a quick kiss. “Nothing to apologize for. I love you Mike. And that means loving all of you. Which includes Abby. Whom you know I just adore. Go get her and we’ll have a movie night or something.”

He shakes his head and pulls you in for another kiss. “I still don’t know what I did to deserve you.”

You just smile in return. “After the past year you’ve been through, you deserve to be happy.”

He chuckles as he heads out the door. “Ain’t that the damn truth!”

[teojira]

On my hands and knees for some general headcannons for Koba, a fragile friendship forged from a hunt gone wrong or just mildly getting along like pissy siblings 😭. Your writings are so memorizing, and it's like eating a 5-star meal. All the kudos and love for you as my favorite pota writer

[General Koba drabble/ headcanons!] [Platonic]

Summary: Koba deals with you because he absolutely has to, not because he actually cares for you.

Warnings: Platonic Koba and Reader, Koba being a dick but that's canon.

A/N: THANK YOU SO SUCH KIND WORDS I TWIRLED MY HAIR??? this literally means so much to me, thank you :( I tried my best to incorporate both ideas you had! I hope this is good, Koba is kinda hard to write for and I am nervous lmfao.

Ohhh my fucking god, will he never let you rest.

Koba doesn't love humans, it is so very very very apparent in everything he does that he DOESN'T like you, he would let you drop dead in front of him without caring.

Imagine his shock and gal when he starts to actually form some kind of attachment to you. How bitter it makes him to think he can even have a somewhat positive thought about you.

It makes him want to claw his fur out, maybe even go blind in his other eye to get some damn sense into him. How dare you, and if he cared to use human curse words, he'd call you every name in the book.

He begrudgingly will help you learn how to hunt, and I mean begrudgingly. Caesar has to damn near hold the bonobo at gun point to get him to stop being so fucking hostile and just give you a chance.

He watches you from a tree as you hunt pitifully, the spear much too large for you to wield like apes do. It's pathetic really, watching you stumble like a baby elk with no sense of balance. You can't spear a single fish.

"Human...stupid." The Bonobo sneers, rolling his eyes after you continuously miss, he can see your face burn with what he's been told is embarrassment. Serves you right.

Koba has no actual plans on helping you, until he starts to see you throw your spear onto the forest floor with a thump, curling into yourself, hiding your face in your knees.

Great, now you're crying and he's gonna have to be the one to deal with it. Just, Great. Just what he wanted to deal with.

Koba is already mentally trying to prepare himself to get down and attempt to soothe those pitiful cries coming from you when he hears footsteps rapidly approaching.

You, being so caught up in your own world, don't realise a mountain lion is stalking you, but Koba does.

It's scary how fast he can move at his age and with his disabilities, he's down the tree and at your side before you even realize.

The growl he lets out startles you enough to break out of whatever trance you find yourself in, watching Koba plunge his own spear at the mountain lion, the large cat yowling when it's hit You can't help but let out a yelp of your own.

Koba puts more force, piercing the jagged rock deeper into its neck, breathing harshly from the extension.

The cat falls silent finally, Koba turning to you, staring down at you with a glower.

"....stupid."

Koba chooses to ignore how you look back at him with appreciation, he didnt do it for you, he did it for Caesar. Doesn't matter if it gives him a pleasant feeling deep in his core.

This starts you both off with a rocky 'friendship' between you and the old Bonobo.

He doesn't like that you seem to keep following him around the colony and very vocally tries to scare you off. Hell, he tries to pawn you off to Stone and Grey, but it's no use.

For some reason, you've decided that you'd make his existence even harder and make it a point to bug him.

He hates it. He hates you even more. But it's akin to having a dog, and he lets you know so.

"Like dog. Follow Koba." "That's rude." "...good."

He's such an asshole it's ridiculous. What do you see in him?

Koba eventually gets used to his new normal, antagonizing you just as much as you do him.

He's learned how to get away with fucking with you so that he doesn't get in trouble with Caesar or the others.

Fucker has pushed you into the lake more times than you can count and it makes him huff out laughter. It's all under the guise of being playful.

Jokes on him because you constantly will try and touch him, saying he has fleas or what not, only for him to growl at you when you pull back and stick up a middle finger towards his face. Peak sibling behavior tbh

Caesar sees you as a good thing for Koba, exposure to a human that isn't out to harm.

No matter what Koba claims, you're harmless. Everyone knows this.

They fight about it, Koba adamantly saying he was no part in caring for you, but when Caesar raises an eyebrow ridge, signing quickly that this isn't a discussion, Koba fumes.

Would rather drop dead than admit he misses your presence. If you decide to spend more time with Maurice or Rocket, he gets so pissy.

Koba will drag you away if you push him hard enough, grabbing you by your waist and dragging you. He doesn't care if you don't want him man handling you, oh well.

I know it in my heart that he yanks your hair to piss you off. He does it to get your attention. It's never for anything of importance, he just likes that it pisses you off.

"You can literally just chatter, and I'll hear it!"

The asshole just shrugs with one shoulder.

He's insufferable, and I hate him.

[lurkerdemon]

Random DP x DC Thought #7:

(More of a long drabble-ish one this time pulling from more fanon AU bits)

(Please let me know if I should edit the tag cause I'm not entirely sure what people label it usually)

Danny Fenton has a secret.

And it's not the one you're thinking.

Danny Fenton has a secret.

And he hopes the risk of telling is enough to save his town.

- - - -

Danny's life is a mess of ghost fights, school, and repressing the terror of many what ifs. Until eventually he thinks he's ready. His friends and Jazz are there and he tells his parents what happened. What happened to him.

And they're devastated. Torn about their work and what it did- at what they did- to their son. What they've been doing. Every word and shot and gadget.

So the afterwards was a little shaky for the Fenton family, but to Danny things finally seemed to be looking up. Weapons around the house were finally removed and dismantled. They listened about what could still be used in a more humane way of catching ghosts. Heck, team Phantom could finally trust that the Drs. Fentons showing up meant that they take a break and while his parents get the ghosts out and safe before the GIW could get them.

(Well, after some more talks about their own property damage and overzealous track record.)

So of course it was just Danny's luck that a new group showed up.

The GIW were incompetent at best and a safety hazard at worst. The new group was decidedly not. They definitely seemed more trained, had a lot more organization, and apparently a lot more sway.

First it just meant ghost fights got a lot more dangerous for Danny again.

Then it meant "random" checks for "hazardous environmental material."

And then it meant days where people didn't show up at school.

His parents were being ignored. And after one too many attempts to talk to the agency they were pretty sure their house was being monitored. They did their best to make sure ghosts stopped coming through while Phantom would catch the stragglers.

But all of them were scared, and they knew it. The whole town was giving knowing looks to each other. But sending calls out just meant having an agent show up at your door the next day. Trying to leave meant hearing your neighbor "went to visit family" or "took a vacation."

And Danny has an idea. One that makes his skin crawl and his throat taste like bile. But he gathers his family and friends anyway, and whiles he's not ready to tell them everything but he does ask one thing.

"Whatever happens, can you trust me?"

- - - -

It's a normal day of patrolling Fawcett city, helping a lady get her cat down from a tree, and just enjoying flying for Captain Marvel when he sees the pair of glowing greens eyes.

And at first Billy thinks he might be seeing things. But it's been following him all day, and Solomon keeps whispering something every time. So when it starts to get dark and the eyes are easier to see, he decides to take a (probably stupid) risk and follow whatever weird magic racoon came to his city this week.

He's guessing that's what it wants because pretty soon they're staying in his field of view and glancing at him every now and again as they move further out from the city. And Billy is just starting to consider calling up the JL when they cross state borders before the eyes start going down to the ground and stop. They're at a pretty dense forest of some hills, stars poking through the clouds and Billy can see an observatory off in the distance.

The two stare at each other.

"Hi. Do you need help?" Cap tries.

The eyes nod.

"Okay. So you brought me here. Is there something you need to show me?"

They nod again, and look down.

"Alright. Is it okay if I come closer?"

No response this time. Just more staring at the ground.

"I'm gonna take that as a yes."

Slowly Marvel touches down next to them. He approaches with his hands open and in view.

"Hey. It's gonna be okay. If you need help then I'm sure-"

They turn to stare at him and Billy feels them bore into his soul. The green light brightens, and he can see the disturbed dirt that has been overgrown but still sticks out compared to the rest of the forest floor. He feels Solomon whisper about the dead and burial. He feels the air freeze in a way that his magic form doesn't feel the normal weather.

And then the eyes are gone, and he is left standing alone.

So after taking many deep breaths (he punches stuff, investigating murder was Batman's thing! Or Flash's!) Billy pulls out his comm and calls the JL.

And then calls again. And again.

And then he flies upward and tries again.

What was with the reception in this place?

- - - -

Danny Fenton was 14 when his parents portal changed him.

Danny Fenton was 14 when his friends saw it spit something.

Danny Fenton was 14 when he transformed back and his friends rushed him to the hospital.

Danny Fenton was 14 when he eventually was discharged back home and accidentally phased through his house.

Danny Fenton was 14 when that sent him into the back wallspace of the lab behind the portal.

Danny Fenton was 14 when he saw his own body there.

Danny Fenton was 14 when he buried it.

Danny Fenton was 14.

And Danny Fenton has a secret no else knows.

[breadandlottery]

I think I'm going to make people upset but let's go Do you think Gi Hun has grown in terms of character development? In my opinion, what bothers me most about round 6 is the lack of significant growth in gi hun because he doesn't seem to have lost several people in the first season he remains naive I expected an improvement or development from a person who has already won the games. I would like you to answer me, I love your analyses.

My dear anon, apologies in advance for what is sure to be a very lengthy response…

I would like to say first that this is a tough question for me to answer with confidence since we haven’t seen season 3 and because it feels a little like a season 2A and season 2B situation. 

I’ve been working through scenes that I’m flagging in my mind for moments that should have raised red flags for Gihun but, from what we’re shown, didn’t. As I often tag ramble about, I do hold out some hope that he had legitimate suspicions of 001 and a loose backup plan. I have also noted that, interestingly, s2 does not have any of the flashback/realization scenes we were given several times in s1 and honestly, that feels very intentional? Like we’re supposed to notice it’s missing (I also have thoughts about ADHD Gihun, but that may just be me projecting because I’m real familiar with the exact kind of lightbulb moments he has, lol). My hunch/hope is that the show has been misdirecting us to make us believe everything you just said about the apparent lack of character development.

Now, I do think there has absolutely been character evolution. I can understand fans not seeing it as “development”, because I think we tend to think of character development as positive growth, but honestly, it doesn’t have to be… like a villain arc is still character development (just an example, I do not think this is a villain arc situation). I think instead of a lack of character development, I’d be more apt to call it a lack of “learning his lesson” or a lack of apotheosis (the point of realization/epiphany).

If we view squid game as monomyth/hero’s journey, he’s kind of not to the point yet where that would have happened (because the end of S2 would be the abyss?). Now, am I certain that the story being told is a hero’s journey? No, although I am somewhat confident.

So— I'm working under the assumption that we have a hero’s journey told in trilogy format. We have a LOT of comparison media out there… the Matrix, Star Wars, LOTR, among the most popular. What does the end of the middle installment of all of these have in common? They’re bleak af. 

Matrix: Neo unconscious, Agent Smith breaking into the real world

Star wars: Luke battles  Vader and loses his hand/almost dies, Han encased in carbonite

LOTR: Gollum’s betrayal, battle of Helm’s Deep (a win but with an ominous warning accompanying it)

The psuedo trilogy structure is where I do feel slightly perturbed at netflix for passing off a split season as 2 separate seasons. With a “real” trilogy, each component should be able to stand alone (like with 3 act structure-- set up-> conflict -> resolution) which is true of the examples above because the primary narrative conflict is actually resolved but super not true of squid game s2. Which means s2 and 3 combined could be the middle of the trilogy, with the mystery future season being the final part, but I don’t know that that’s in the cards. 

As an aside, we could just be totally wrong about the direction this is going in. Narrative arcs that involve the protagonist “learning a lesson” isn’t a universal concept. I always think of James Bond movies (especially the older ones) as an example of a “flat arc” character, because like, if you sleep with her she’s probably gonna die James, didn’t you learn this last time? If you’re too reckless there will be consequences, didn’t you learn this last time James? Like. That guy never learns. Not every character learns from their mistakes. Do I think Gihun is ultimately gonna be a flat arc character? No. Is it possible? I guess, man, look at the world, anything’s possible!!

So, ugh, sorry that’s a ton of speculation and uncertainty that isn’t directly answering your ask, but I do think that any of these possibilities can explain what we’re calling a lack of character development because we’re just not at that point in the story yet.

NOW.

Personally, I do think that Gihun is very perceptive, and I hold out hope that he wasn’t as trusting and oblivious as we’re made to think. I also believe that even if that is the case, he’d still have further to go/more development needed before he could actually reach the end of his journey. The reason for this (and I think one of the reasons people sometimes think of him as not smart) is the narrowness of his worldview. Not narrowmindedness, just literally not having broad knowledge about the world. Like not knowing where Pakistan was. Or not really getting that neither he nor the Frontman have the power to end what's happening because it is a symptom of a much larger, systemic problem. And in complete fairness to this sweet man, lack of perspective and a narrow worldview is an incredibly common flaw in people. 

So a few things that can be interpreted as Stagnation or Lack of Development:

Still a gambler: as seen in Russian Roulette and in going back into the game. Definitely risky, definitely reckless. He is like kinda suicidal though, so I don’t know that the underlying cause of this behavior is the same as it was in s1.

Still just out here trusting everyone: Yeah. That’s what he does, though. He came right out and said it, he doesn’t do it because he thinks people are trustworthy, he does it because what else is he gonna do? Is this a dumb-as-shit approach that should be “character-developed” out of him? Or is it a very important key defining feature of who he is as the hero of the story? I could go either way on that, tbh.

Naïve/easy to fool: I don’t think he ever was all that easy to fool, I think he consciously chose to let a lot of things slide and/or second-guessed his intuition because people called him stupid and slow all the time. 

Things that I think are Character Development

Ability to Focus: Maybe I’m ADHD projecting again, but this guy was all over the place in the beginning of s1, now he’s running a whole ass operation (maybe the medicine Mr Kim brought over was secretly adderall lol).

Leadership: I’ve said all along he just naturally exudes leadership, but he wasn’t really aware of it or comfortable with it in s1. In s2 he’s really embracing decision-making (even if they’re bad decisions) and seems comfortable being the one planning and leading, which is impressive.

So. To sum up a very very long answer:

I do see character development, if not the “hero finally learned his lesson” kind

I do still think it’s possible that Gihun wasn’t quite as clueless as we’re shown, and I’ll cling to this delusion until at least June 27th lol

I think it’s possibly too early in the narrative for his full revelation, anyway, but-

Part of why that feels “off” is because s2 is missing the “last Act” of the story it was telling (like don’t split a sequel in 2 and try to shoehorn it into a trilogy if it’s not an actual trilogy please for the love of god it throws off the balance)