#at this point he's also been stuck like that for 8 or so hours

[karikarasuno]

part one | wc: 2.4k | suggestive content

“Please,” Nami pleads, stuffing a shirt into her duffel bag. “It’s just one night and it’s really good money.”

“I don’t know,” you say, shoulders practically up to your ears from how nervous the mere thought makes you. 

“Come on, it’s just a few line dances. The real simple ones, I swear,” she says, hands together in prayer as she turns to face you. It’s hard saying no to her. She knows it. She abuses it. “You know how to line dance, right?”

You do, but you haven’t in years. Since you were a child. “Well yeah.”

“Perfect!” She claps in delight. “Be at Whitebeard’s by eight and ask for Marco.”

“Wait!” But she’s already hopping into the driver’s seat of her car, slamming the door and music blaring so loudly the vehicle begins vibrating. 

“I didn’t actually agree to cover you.” You say to the cloud of dirt that now stands where Nami once stood. “Fucking great.”

You pull into Whitebeard’s before the clock strikes eight. And it’s so busy you fear the sandwich you had for lunch is going to make a less than ideal reappearance. Nami owes you big time for this. You shut the door of your grandpa’s cherry red pickup truck with enough force you’re surprised it doesn’t fall off its rusty hinges– the thing is older than you after all– before making your way into the establishment. 

It’s your standard honky tonk. The music is loud, the dance floor is large, and the bar covers the length of an entire wall. Whitebeard’s tugs at a distant memory in your mind. One that you had long forgotten since it’s been decades since you last stepped foot in this small town. But you don’t have much time to ruminate in nostalgia when you hear your name called out over the music in the direction of the bar. 

“Hi?” You question as you lean against the bartop to better hear the bartender.

“You’re covering for Nami tonight, right?” 

“Unfortunately,” you nod, your gut twisting with anxiety. But he laughs, goodnaturedly. He seems kind, you deduce.

“I’m Marco,” he introduces, holding out a hand for you to shake. “I bartend on Friday nights when I’m free just to help the old man out.”

You shake his hand. And you wonder why the hell everyone in this town speaks to you as if you didn’t just show up a few weeks ago. The town is so small of course everyone knows everyone. And of course everyone knows you. You’re new. Shiny. Interesting. 

“That’s nice of you,” you say, trying your hardest to plaster a friendly smile on your face.

“We do what we can.” Marco smiles in return, much brighter and friendlier than you know yours to be. “Speaking of, first lesson starts at 8:30. If you go to the DJ, he’ll let you know what’s on the setlist for tonight.”

He points to a booth that’s elevated to the right of the dancefloor. You don’t see anyone there, but when you turn around to point that out to Marco his figure has already disappeared behind a swinging door. What is up with these people and their tendency to just vanish?

Either way, you walk up to the booth, climbing the few steps to peer in when you see a familiar head of curly hair kneeling on the ground wrangling some knotted cords. 

“Usopp?” 

His head bangs on the table when he hears his name. The sound table jostles from the impact and he lets out a pathetic yelp before rubbing the sore spot on the back of his head. 

“Oh, hey! What’re you doin’ here?” He’s standing on unsteady feet still clutching the back of his head. 

You were just with Usopp a few hours ago at the dance studio. He teaches hip hop and is also the informal IT guy whenever Robin can’t figure something out. She claims it’s because of her age, but really you know she can’t be bothered to find a solution if it’s not in a book. 

“Nami couldn’t make it,” you shrug, trying not to convey how nervous you really are. But that doesn’t last long when you look at Usopp and his eyes are like saucers and his jaw is dropped. 

“So she stuck the Friday crowd on you?!”

“That bad?” Your heart kicks rapidly in your chest.  

“Nami’s a real piece of work,” he sighs before grabbing a sheet of paper from his bag. It’s the setlist for the evening. “Good luck. Let me know if you need any help.”

And before you can begin to form the question that’s in your head with your lips, he jumps out of the other end of the booth to talk with someone on the far side of the dance floor. You might actually murder someone tonight if they keep this up. 

“And if I did need any help what good would you be,” you mutter under your breath as you scan over the list of songs for the evening. You’re familiar with some of them, especially the early slots but the others don’t ring a bell. You’re officially fucked. 

“You’re not gonna get any help with that attitude.” There’s a playful note to the man’s voice. A man you’re not familiar with. So regardless of the intent, the comment agitates you. But when you look up to convey your irritation with him, the words sort of just die in your throat. You aren’t expecting the man attached to the voice to be so… hot. He’s wearing a cowboy hat with chunky dark curls sticking out around his neck. He’s got freckles sprayed across his cheeks perfectly, like someone drew them on. They make him look almost cute. But the cuteness ends there. He’s broad, built in a way that indicates he works a laborious job. And he’s holding two cases of beer in one arm like it’s nothing. Where the hell did he come from?

“Sorry,” you say, the apology rushing out with an exasperated sigh. “I’ve just never taught line dancing before so…”

“Nami flaked again,” he says with a full laugh, you feel it run down your body. But when his words register your eyes widen.

“What do you mean again?” You ask, making your way down the steps quickly and with urgency. “How often does she do this?!”

“Not often, but enough for it to be a bit of a problem,” he laughs again, somehow fuller than the last one. 

“Right, ok.” You nod to try and cover up the bile that’s threatening to claw its way up your throat. Come Monday you and her are gonna have to have a very serious discussion.

“I’m sure you’ll do great,” he says, very clearly noticing the wreck you are and trying to salvage whatever confidence you might still have. 

“Ace!” His head turns to the bar where Marco is standing and waving a towel at him to get his attention. “Stop flirting with the new girl and bring me those beers. We already got customers.”

Your cheeks start to burn. Heads have turned your way and you feel yourself start to wilt under the attention. Especially since you weren’t flirting. At least, you really don’t think so. 

“Don’t pay him any mind,” Ace says, clapping you on the shoulder. “Just let me know if ya need anything.”

And he, like everyone else, just walks away. Unprompted and without a word from you. And if you’re being completely honest, the southern hospitality is really starting to gnaw at your patience. Not because you think it’s insincere. But because you just don’t believe it. Maybe you’re cynical. 

“Take this,” Usopp says, finally back from wherever he went and he’s tossing you a headset. You catch it sloppily, off guard. 

“What’s this for?”

“Five minutes til show time.” He waves at the growing crowd. “Giddy up.”

You slip the headset on. Feeling very Britney Spears circa 2001 as you step onto the floor. You shove your nerves to the side. You’ve been in front of audiences before. It used to be home to you. Not so much anymore, though. 

“How’s everyone feelin’ tonight?” That’s Usopp yelling into a mic above. And you’re not doing so hot. But everyone else seems to be just fine as screams resonate through the building. “We got a newbie in the house tonight, so y’all take it easy on her.”

You send him a playful glare from your place in front of the crowd. There’s some familiar faces. Robin is here with her husband and she tips her beer bottle at you in greeting as she sends you a reassuring wink. There’s some parents that you recognize as well since you teach their kids twice a week in your jazz class. This is definitely a popular way to spend a Friday night and you quickly realize you're in way over your head. 

“Alright, everybody, we ready?” There is a chorus of yeahs and whistles. The energy is infectious, it’s hard not to feel the rush of adrenaline thrum beneath your skin. “We’re keeping it classic for this first one. How do we feel about the cowboy hustle?” 

The first lesson goes well. It’s a line dance you know well enough to teach, so your confidence surges, even though you’ve never taught such a rowdy bunch before. The lesson only lasts about ten minutes before Usopp moves on and an hour flies by and you find yourself instructing the second lesson of the night. 

You’re not as comfortable. A little shakier and it’s because the crowd practically doubled in size. You don’t know how Nami does this. You can barely hear your own instruction over the noise and you have a mic strapped to your head. 

“Here.” A chilled vodka shot with a lemon wedge slides in front of you. “I had Marco whip this up for you.”

You glance between the shot and Ace. He’s leaning against the bartop with his forearm and his biceps look like they’re about to rip the seams of his white t-shirt. “You look like you need it.”

“Are you saying I’m stiff?” You’re insulted to say the least. If he can tell you’re off your usual game, then everyone else can probably sense it too.

“A little,” he says, a cheeky smile pulling at his lips. “But don’t feel too bad. Nami usually downs about four shots before she even sets foot on that dance floor.”

You groan, contemplating even taking the shot before you grip the small glass and mutter, “ fuck it, fine.” 

It burns on the way down, but the lemon you bite down on helps. You already feel your muscles start to loosen, but it’s not quite enough. 

“One more?” Ace asks, holding up a finger and smirking down at you. Getting drunk around him is probably a bad judgment call on your part. He has a face you can’t really say no to. But you nod, accepting the fact that cowboy is apparently your new type. 

The night escapes you. It’s 12:30am. You’re three more shots deep. And dancing has never been easier. You’re on the final line dance of the night. 

“Ok, I’m thinkin’ we should slow it down for this last one,” you say, pointing at Usopp who sends you an eager thumbs up. The song starts, the melody is languid and sensual. 

“Everyone who knows it to the front.” You gesture to where you were previously standing as you make your way through the crowd. “Everyone else? Behind me.”

This is a popular one. So mostly everyone is familiar with the steps. And if you’re not it’s easy enough to jump in and catch on. Your hips swivel during a forward step as you kick into a turn to face a new direction. You’re lost in the music. And so you’re not expecting to look up and see a pair of eyes dead set on you. They’re burning as they drag over your body, pausing as you roll your hips in the opposite direction. The feeling is clearly mutual with Ace. And for the first time in a while the sticky sensation of desire slithers low in your gut. 

****

“Ya know, you never gave me your name,” Ace calls out to you in the nearly empty parking lot. You flinch in place a bit because you were distracted counting how much you made. Three hundred fucking dollars. For four hours of work. Maybe you forgive Nami just a tiny bit. 

“I’m sure you got it when Usopp yelled it over the speakers several times in a row,” you laugh, leaning your back against your truck as you face him.

“Yeah,” he shrugs, hands in his pockets as he steps closer to you, “but I wanna hear how you say it.”

“Right,” you say sarcastically, barely suppressing your eye roll when you smile at him. He’s good. And it’s working. So you say your name for him. Only because he asked so nicely. 

“Pretty,” he grins. 

“Thanks,” you lick across your teeth, “I got it for my birthday.”

“And funny.” He takes another step closer to you. The toes of your boots nearly touch. “But I was talking about you. Your name is very pretty, though.” 

“Does this usually work for you?” You drop your head back to rest against your truck, it makes it easier to look at him. 

“I don’t know.” He shrugs again, the distance between your shoes closing when he shuffles forward. “You tell me.”

You reach up, brushing your fingers over the silver chain that sits on Ace’s collarbone. Then, still fueled by the last traces of alcohol in your system, you hook your forefinger around the cool metal and tug him down. Until his nose is just a breath away from yours. This isn’t like you. You’ve never done anything like this. You live a regimented life. You don’t decide to hook up with random cowboys you just met. 

But this cowboy is handsome. And charming. And it’s not like you’ll see him all the time considering this is the first time you’ve seen him in the last month and a half that you’ve lived here. So, fuck it. Tonight he’s yours. 

“Maybe a little bit,” you say coyly, rising on your toes so that your nose nuzzles his. 

“Mmm,” he hums, and you notice the way his eyes drift closed. It makes your heart thump heavily against your sternum. “Before I kiss you, though, I have to admit something.”

Your heart drops into your stomach in anticipation. Your mind jumps to conclusions it has no business jumping to. “What?” 

“This never works.” He smiles into the kiss. Sparks light behind your eyes. And tomorrow, you’ll decide if you regret this. For now? You’ll save a horse and ride a cowboy.

[marsixm]

had a string of bad luck tonight then when i went to the store i work at to drop something off i wound up locking my keys in my car so i was stuck there for like an hour and a half. i say hey to my work bestie and tell him abt the situation. WHILE IM THERE like 30 mins later my work bestie then gets locked out of the office upstairs. i find him and im like yooooooo locked out buddies high five. hes so fucking mad and reluctantly high fives me jsdfhglkjsdfgh then my dept managers daughter who also works here comes in with the key to rescue him and they remark how she also always gets locked out of places and im like ME TOO HIGH FIVE and me and her are laughing and high five. it felt like a scene out of a stoner comedy

[masoncantthinkofaname]

Little storytime for you eager souls

But first and foremost. Coffee.

I have so many requests and dms right now, both on tiktok and tumblr, I promise that I will get through all of them, don't be alarmed if it takes me a few days to respond. I'm trying to genuinely put in effort in every piece of advice I give, and sometimes I just need a bit to recharge💚

Things that my mentor, Halt has taught me, and how this has affected me across realities: (but secretly it's also good shifting advice)

So for a little context, most of my and my husband's drs are medieval based, and Halt has been the father figure and mentor that has taught mainly me, but also my husband many things, to the point he is in many of our drs. He has the typical grumpy found father vibes, and he is a ranger. (If anyone recognises where he's originally from, I love you)

Understand what you are doing, this is regarding anything you want to do in life.

One thing he always says is ''Don't practice until you get it right, practice until you don't get it wrong.'' He taught me that doing the same things over and over isn't useful if you have no idea what you are doing. This man has made me train for hundreds of hours, in the hottest weather, in the rain, snow, storms, any circumstances you can think of. He always insisted that I should know why I'm doing it. ''Work gets frustrating if you don't know why you're doing it, or what you're doing it for. If you know why, it's still frustrating, but it's worth it.'' He always said that no one is forcing me, that it doesn't have to be fun, but I need to know what I'm doing it for. I took this advice along with me to so many places, it's useful not only in a physical sense, but also when it comes to shifting, or trying to relate or understand people that you're trying to help.

2. Fresh flowers bring life

Halt is the last person you would expect it from, but whenever there are flowers, he always puts a fresh bunch in every room of his cabin. It's such a subtle and peaceful action. I've never been able to tease him for it, and instead, the habit stuck with me as well. Whenever there are flowers, I pick a few. It's a reminder that, despite the chaos, despite anything going on, the world keeps turning, things keep growing. I still vividly remember the many times he scolded me over my bouquets not being up to his standards. There's gentleness even in the roughest people.

3. Prepare for the worst, don't expect it

I'm a huge overthinker, I had a nasty habit of always expecting the worst outcome in any situation. And although it made me ready to face it, it also clouded my judgement. There have been many situations where I responded too harshly or impulsively to danger, simply because I took insignificant things as a sign that things were going south. ''You have to be ready for it, be prepared, but don't expect it until you have proof. You need to be able to respond accordingly to any outcome, if you only focus on the bad, you don't leave any room for it to go well.'' There have been so many cases where I truly taught I was fucked, but I still kept going with the original plan, and as it turns out, in 8/10 cases it didn't nearly end as badly as I feared, but it probably would have if I gave in to my fears.

4. If you can do it at your best, you can do it at your worst

I already mentioned that I've trained for countless of hours, in any circumstances, but admittedly I can be a bit lazy. Mainly once my skill grew, and I was confident in my abilities. If the weather is horrible, why would I go outside with my bow and knives, to spend hours getting dirty in the mud and feeling like a drowned cat? Halt was quick to correct my thinking, reminding me that, the circumstances not being ideal is not an excuse to slack off. It's not favourable to do something when I don't feel like it, but that doesn't take away by ability to do it regardless. ''If you want to achieve something, you have to be consistent, stop feeling pity for yourself.'' It has caused me to be way more persistent in my goals, but also in doing the things I want to do. In the past I may've told myself or others I'm too lazy when something isn't handed to me on a silver platter, now I take it as a reward to see results, even if I didn't originally feel like doing something. It also helped me see the good side of things, even small aspect. Yes the weather is shit, I'm soaked and miserable, but the rain makes me feel alive, all my arrows landed where I wanted them to, and I saw a cool bird.

5. You're worth the value you give yourself

''Many people in life will not agree with you, they might ridicule you, or not believe in your capabilities. Rather than sulking over this, take it as a chance to prove them wrong.'' Being the overthinker I am, I was often worried about people's opinions on me. Honestly I still kind of am, but I have improved a lot. Someone insulting me is their choice, but it's my choice to pick how I want to respond to it. If I don't let it affect me, it won't harm me either. Halt is quite small. In my drs I'm around 175cm, he's shorter than I am. With the fame he carries, people tend to make fun of his height. They expect a huge warrior, instead they get a small grumpy man. His ability however, to not give a fuck, is admirable. He knows his worth, and he couldn't care less about someone who has no value to him, having their uninformed opinion about what he should be like. It has been a big reminder for me too that the only opinions that should truly matter to me, are those of the people that I look up to myself. I'm really grateful that I have been able to teach this same lesson to my and my husband's children, and always assure them that something only gets meaning when you give it to it.

I'm definitely planning on actual storytimes as well, I just don't really know what people prefer to see (prime example of my overthinking). I have experienced many things that might be considered a little traumatic, even if they make good stories, but I can also definitely keep it sweet or wholesome. For now I hope that these advices that helped me greatly throughout my lives, might be useful to some of you as well! Happy shifting💚

[vampzity]

[ 8:29 pm ]

You stared outside the window, feeling the small amounts of cold radiating from the glass. Snow was falling, and falling fast. You had always loved the snow, especially when it was fresh like this. Though you still felt empty in a way. You shouldn’t be enjoying this snowfall alone but that was quite impossible as your boyfriend was stuck at the studio with his members.

You looked at your phone, the time reading 8:29 pm. It’s been over an hour and you have yet to receive a text from him yet. You didn’t like to bother him when he was working, but he should’ve been home 2 hours ago. It was unusual for him to not update you if he needed to stay longer.

You turned to the dinner table, nicely plated with food in their own dishes just waiting to be dug into. You decided to make his favorites, kimchi stew with rice cakes. You had also made cheesecake brownies as you were slowly getting into baking and knew brownies were his favorite.

Though at this point, everything was just cold.

Cold and unenjoyable.

Sighing heavily you walked over to the couch, turning down the volume on the weather channel. You began to call Felix for the last time, only to receive no answer.

Again.

That was all you needed to understand that he just wasn’t coming anytime soon, that he wasn’t going to reply to you anytime soon. It wasn’t like him, and you’d normally be worried if his location didn’t show him at the company.

You grabbed the folded blanket that sat at the edge of the couch, wrapping it around you as you laid down to watch the tv. A part of you hoped that Felix would just walk through the door at that very moment. That he would be at your knees with a gazillion excuses, practically smothering you in kisses to make you forget his tardiness.

Except you’ve accepted that wasn’t the case.

— ✧⁂✬ —

“y/n?”

Felix closed the door, shivering slightly from the freezing cold. He changed into his slippers, taking off his coat and leaving it on the coat rack. It was odd to catch you sleeping on the couch, especially alone. He walked over to your limp body, frowning slightly remembering the numerous amount of texts and calls he received.

He sat in front of you, rubbing your arm slightly so he wouldn’t startle you. Nothing. Felix glanced to the clock in the kitchen; the time reading 11:23 pm. His eyes fell to the table, catching a glimpse of the untouched food and dishes you set up meticulously. A sudden weight rested on his shoulders, feeling so much guilt for making you wait so long. He felt sorry that you went to sleep on an empty stomach, as you always preferred to eat with him. He kissed your forehead softly, the cold lips awaking you just barely.

“Hey angel.”

A soft deep voice filled your ears, making you open your eyes to see a blonde boy standing in front of you. He smiled at you as his hand came up to caress your face softly.

“I’m sorry I’m late. You must be mad with me, yeah?”

You blushed slightly, rolling your eyes as you tried to remain upset with him. Felix frowned, playing with your hair while he sat in front of you.

“You have every right to be mad with me and I’m okay with that..”

A small smile appeared on his face again. “I wanna show you something.”

You furrow your eyebrows, watching as he unzipped his sweater to see a small head pop out from the inside. It was a kitten, white fur with brown covering her eyes and head like a helmet. Your eyes popped out of your head seeing the little animal, immediately sitting up on the couch.

“Oh my god?! Felix?!”

He placed the cat in your lap, watching as she sniffed you. She rubbed her head against your body, slowly becoming comfortable with you as she laid there. You pet her fur, her warmth seeping into your skin and her purrs vibrating against you.

“The boys and I found her outside the building, no collar, no name tag or anything. So I decided to take her home. It’s too cold to just leave her.”

He looked up at you, watching the way your eyes lit up at the sight of her. He smiled, looking back over to the table.

“Why didn’t you eat?”

You looked up at him, a slight sigh escaping your lips.

“I don’t like to eat without you.” You looked back down at the cat. “You know that.”

Felix took your hand, caressing it with his thumb while giving you a reassuring smile.

“Well I’m here now and I see you made my favorite.” He looked back at the table, eyebrows raised. “Ahh, two of my favorites?”

You gave him a small look, a smirk following behind it. “Be mad at me all you want angel, but I know you’re hungry.”

He got up from where he sat, kissing you on the cheek softly before brushing past your ear.

“Maybe I can make it up to you later, yeah?”

He pulled the cat into his arms, winking at you as he walked over to the kitchen. His deep whisper sent chills down your spine making him laugh at your body’s response. He set the cat down beside him, preparing to heat up the stew so you wouldn’t have to do so again.

“You coming, angel?”

a/n: i wrote this weeks ago when we had our first snowfall here :3

taglist: @rvereri @dvrktvnnel @h4untedgrl @scarfac3 @jjongibears

@sundaybossanova @kittykat-25 @yyaurii @hwasddeongbyeoli @woojirang

@vnessalau @dollywoo @tiredlittlevirgo @roomsofangel @minghaoslatina

@mingtinysworld @joonezra @honeyhwaaa @evidive

[teeskzagain]

Sneak Peek

˚‧‿₊୨୧₊You're Such A Brat₊ ˚‧୧₊︵‧ ˚ ₊

» pairing: arrogant!sunghoon x bratty!reader

» summary: since high school, park sunghoon has been the absolute bane of your existence. you’ve always viewed him as a stuck-up snob, and he has always seen you as a whiny brat. you aren’t sure why your mother still thinks of you two as friends, you can hardly stand being in the same room as each other. while at home from college one night, your mother surprises you with news of a work event she and mrs. park will be attending. the catcher? mrs. park’s nightmare of a son is going to be forced to spend the evening at your house…..

» warnings: college au, lots of arguments- especially in this snippet, no explicit smut: refer to here for smut warnings

» w.c: ~ 830

» a/n: um so let's not talk about how late the release of this fic is....but it is nearly finished. please expect it within the next coming days. in the meantime, enjoy this sneak peek.

» taglist: @indigoez @jakeswifez @aanniikkaa @slut4hee @heeknow @rairaiblog-blog @no1likeneo @d-dilemma @soobingf-blog @shuaxzcake @mingyuslice @heelovesmeknot @mitmit01 @hpnsfwaddict @jooniesbears-blog

Minutes turn into over an hour this movie has been on, and both you and Sunghoon have managed to not get into a single argument. You aren’t sure when the last instance of this was. Elementary, maybe? Regardless, you’re at ease.

Your arm is propping your head up as you watch the characters on screen. The movie, though you never asked for its name, was some romantic comedy. You picked up on this fact a few minutes into watching it. And, wow, were they intense on the romance.

You couldn’t even count the amount of make-outs that has happened since you’ve been watching. You almost want to say 8 so far- oh, make it 9 now.

The lead characters are on their 9th kissing scene, stumbling around and fondling one another in the bathroom at some house party. You watch closely, part of your brain now heightened. The male actor is kissing the female until her ass touches the sink, and then he’s hoisting her up so she can sit on the counter.

Your face contorts unpleasantly. The scene further plays out to where the girl is begging the man for sex, desperate to have him inside of her, and you feel your mouth go dry.

This is beginning to hit a little too close to home for your likings, with a dusted memory you swore to bury attempting to resurface. You push the thoughts aways. Not now.

Trying to ignore the random squeeze your legs do, you tell yourself to ignore the familiarities and simply focus on the movie. However, at the moment the man grips the the women’s throat and she moans intensely, you nearly freeze. Yeah, you can’t watch this anymore.

With an airy voice, you keep your eyes fixed on the T.V to seem passive, “Change it to something else.”

“What?” Sunghoon doesn’t glance over to you, also keeping his gaze forward, “Why?”

You scoff lightly. Why can’t he just listen to you? What’s with the interrogation? “You always ask so many questions. Just change it.”

To that he responds with nothing. You’re not giving him a proper response, so why should he listen to you? He remains engrossed in the movie.

When a few notable beats pass, you crane your neck over to his direction with a scrunched faced, “Yah. Did you hear me? I said put on something else.”

He briskly whips his head to meet your eyes, his dark eyes boring harshly, “I don’t care what you have to say. I’m not changing it.”

Fed up with him, you reach over to grab the remote when he obtains it first. You glare menacingly at Sunghoon while he mocks your expression, then holds the remote high above, taunting you. The way his slender fingers are gripping it tight only fuels your anger.

“Don’t piss me off.” You warn with undertones of a threat, as you climb over him to reach for the device. He extends it further away from your grasp.

“Or what?”

Bobbing the remote over your head, he just knew you were going to lose your cool at some point. That’s what all whiny brats do when they never get their way; they throw tantrums.

“Just fucking put on something else!” You scream, fighting him for the remote.

You don’t care if you can feel your shorts start to ride up into your butt, or if your boobs are being shoved up against Sunghoon’s body. You don’t care that you’re basically on top of him, trying to win this remote, because all rationality has exited your head.

You ask him to do one simple thing, and he fucking couldn’t. Then, he wants to tease you and make fun of you? You tried. You think back to your mother’s message, and in your mind the exchange begins to burn. You really fucking tried, but this…arrogant bastard just always makes it so damn hard.

He backs his head up from your chest, the wrestling now starting to get to him, “What the fuck is your deal? You’re telling me your whore ass can’t handle one god damn sex scene?”

This time you don’t say anything back to him. Instead your intention remains on getting the fucking remote. He takes your lack of response as an opportunity to dig further at you.

“Really? You’re going to act like that?” He spews out more comments while continuously keeping the control from getting in your reach, “I find it hard to believe you’re freaking out-”

“Damn brat. You’ve been needing this fucking for a long time, haven’t you?”

At the line of dialogue, Sunghoon shifts his attention towards the scene being played out, one of which the girl is now bent over the sink with the man pounding roughly into her backside. And with the combination of the man’s words and the stimulating scene, his eyes widen as he finally realizes what the core problem is.

.....and stayed tuned for the rest.

[keikikait]

ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇʀꜱ (ɢᴏᴊᴏ x ꜰ!ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ)

pairing: gojo x f!reader (not au, gojo is 29, reader is early-mid 20’s)

word count: 2.6k

summary: you always wanted to be a teacher, even after discovering the jujutsu world. after graduating from kyoto jujutsu high, you decided to make your dreams a reality and teach at the sister school, tokyo jujutsu high. the only downside (and secret upside), is your teaching mentor, satoru gojo. what started as a few flirtatious glances turned into a full-blown relationship situationship. you were his, and he was yours, until he goes on a date.

warnings: (FOR THIS PART) angst?, plot with basically no porn (i’m sorry), gojo is kind of an asshole & a tease, implied dom!gojo and sub!reader, nickname use [baby, pretty girl], no use of y/n  

a note: been sitting on this bad boy for a while and decided to finish it. more parts to come (eventually). also, the comment about flirty baristas is just for fluff, baristas don’t flirt with customers (source: i am one). also also, they say tokyo jujutsu high is on the outskirts of tokyo, but i wanted everything to be inside of tokyo so i just kinda guessed, whoops.

please reblog and like, it means a lot! let me know what you think!

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ*:･ﾟ✧

You were just his teaching assistant. Nothing more.

At least, that’s what everyone else thinks.

Secretly, you were his. After long hours, he would find solace in your arms as you lay in bed together. 

You weren’t dating by any means, although you wanted to. You understood why, it wouldn’t be a good look for you or Gojo if the higher-ups found out about you, but you both had an understanding. You were exclusive, just not publicly. You followed his rules, turning down dates and avoiding the flirtatious gazes of baristas or waiters.

You thought he would follow his own rules, too.

It was supposed to be a fun trip; a peaceful eight days of relaxing in Nikko before returning to school after the winter break ended. In reality, it was a week and some change stuck in a log cabin hunched over a desk grading papers, freezing from the cold. The gender-segregated cabins didn’t help. It was too cold to venture into Nikko during the day, a thick layer of snow covering the ground at all times no matter how much was shoveled. It was also, as Gojo had pointed out the day before making the trip, suspicious for the two of you to venture into the city alone. It was twice as hard to be away from him at night, you had gotten so accustomed to sleeping in his arms and hearing his soft snores in your ear. You were lonely.

You could see him, though. The men’s cabin was bigger and had a massive irori in the middle that heated the entire place. You sat with him as you graded and planned lessons, and his teasing touches left you aching. You were going on 8 days without his dick, and you were dying.

As you sit hunched over the desk, trying to make out what Yuji had written on his worksheet, Shoko bounds up to the table, sliding into a chair opposite Gojo. 

“Hey, Gojo,” she says. “Are you going to the winter festival when we get back?”

You tried not to react. You had begged him to go with you, but he always gave you the same excuse; it was suspicious.

He stretches his legs out a bit and smirks. “I was planning on stopping by. Why?”

Shoko smiles. “I have this friend, Himiko. She’s new to the city and was looking for a date for the festival. I’ve been telling her all about you, I honestly think you would be an amazing match. What do you say?”

You feel your heart drop to your stomach. Although you and Gojo had agreed to stay exclusive, you couldn’t ignore that he was Satoru Gojo. Everyone wanted him.

Gojo chuckles a little, adjusting his mask. “Sure. I don’t see why not. Is she cute?”

Shoko leans over the table and shows him Himiko’s social media while you keep your head down, staring at the pile of worksheets in front of you.

You keep grading, trying to focus on your work and not the feeling of your heart tearing in two. Gojo continues laughing and talking to Shoko, their conversation drowned out by your heartbeat pounding in your ears. You wish you could ignore your jealousy, but it’s hard to ignore the anxiety creeping up your spine at the thought of Gojo finding someone else, especially if he could go public with them.

You know his reputation; the ladies' man, the bachelor. The guy no one can catch. But you know the real Gojo, the one that stays over at your small apartment even though he has his own, bigger place. The one that cuddles you every morning and whines when you try to get up and get ready.

You don’t know this Gojo. You felt like strangers.

For the rest of the day, you kept to yourself, grading papers and reading books to try to drown out the thoughts. He isn’t even looking at you when you leave the men’s cabin and head back to your own. You and the rest of the staff leave Nikko tonight, and you have one more day of freedom back in Tokyo before the new term begins.

You pack up your stuff and wait outside the bus, shoving your suitcase into the undercarriage. A headcount is done before you all start piling onto the bus. You sit in the back, pressed up against the frost-covered window. Headphones in and music blaring, you only look up from your phone when you feel someone warm sit next to you.

You’re a little surprised when you look up to see Gojo getting comfortable next to you. He didn’t sit next to you on the ride to Nikko, he sat up at the front with Shoko and Akari, claiming it would be suspicious if you sat together. He leans closer, so close that you can almost feel his breath on your neck. Then he grabs your arm, moving your headphones out of your ear.

“Don’t wear these in public,” he says in a low voice, “Someone might grab you from behind and pull you into the crowd.” He leans into you and whispers, “I almost missed you sitting back here.”

You should be mad, but you can’t be. His smell fills your nostrils and you feel yourself succumbing to him. You smile softly. “You didn’t, though.”

"I didn't." He leans back and sighs, resting his hands behind his head and stretching his arms out. You enjoy the warmth coming from him, the way it spreads through you. "What do you want to do when we get back home? We can head out to a bar and grab a drink. Or we could go get some ramen from that place you like. Or we can just go back to your place and we can spend some…quality time together.”

You bite your lip a little. You’re normally a little feral when it comes to Gojo, but going without his touch for eight days has almost sent you into a frenzy. “I like the sound of that last one…”

Gojo laughs and squeezes your hand, running his thumb along your knuckles. "And how bad do you want it?" He leans in closer until his face is inches away from yours. You can feel the heat radiating from his body, the tension in the air. "How badly do you miss me, baby?"

You can hardly think straight. Your mind is telling you to push him off, to stay upset with him for accepting that date with Shoko’s friend, whatever her name was. But your heart, and more importantly your pussy, is telling you differently.

Your mouth feels like cotton, but you manage to say, “So badly, Gojo. I’ve been aching without you. These past eight days have been driving me crazy.”

Gojo chuckles and traces your chin with his fingers, leaning even closer as his face towers over yours. "You missed me, huh? My pretty girl didn’t do so good without me, did she?" He strokes your cheek gently, smiling as you lean into his touch, feeling goosebumps rise on your skin. "Say it. Tell me what you've been wanting to tell me for the last eight days, what you didn't want to say in front of everyone."

The bus suddenly lurches and you remember where you are, on a cramped bus surrounded by your coworkers. You look around, nervous, hoping nobody caught you guys.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Gojo asks. He grabs your chin and turns you to face him. “Look at me.”

You do, nodding softly. You can’t see his eyes, but you can still feel him staring into your soul. “I am looking.”

“Then answer my question.” He says, dragging his thumb across your lips. You can hardly think straight already being this close to him, but the feeling of his thumb on your mouth is mind-numbing. 

“I missed you,” you whimper. It’s been a long eight days since you last felt his touch, since you last felt his breath on your skin. As he continues to stroke your lip with his thumb, you feel your mind melt away into a puddle. His touch is like a drug, and you’re desperate to not end this feeling.

“I know you have.” He coos, moving his hand down as someone up by the front gets up from their seat to change positions. He waits until they sit down before speaking again, “I’ve missed you too.”

You sink further into the seat, hoping no one looks towards the back. The bus ride isn’t super long, only about two and a half hours. Maybe no one would think to check on you two until you made it back to Tokyo.

He reaches over and turns your face towards him again. “But that’s not all, is it?” His thumb glides across your neck, his eyes under his mask flicking between your own and your lips. You can’t look away. You don’t want to. “What else have you been thinking about?”

You gulp, your mouth dry. "It's been so hard without you. It's hard to fall asleep...and I've barely gotten any sleep here because I stay up all night thinking about you."

"You have?" His eyes search your face as his thumb strokes the length of your neck. "I haven't had the best sleep either. I kept thinking about you, about how much I missed you. Thinking about all of the things I wanted to do to you when I got back." He takes a deep breath, his eyes flicking to your lips, his breath coming out in hot puffs of air. "You make it so hard for me to have self-control. Do you know how hard it is to jerk off with Masamichi and Kiyotaka nearby?"

You nod, understanding him completely. You had tried to touch yourself, too, hoping that your fingers would feel the same but it felt weird to do it with Shoko and Akari in the same cabin. “I know. I haven’t cum since we left Tokyo.”

He hears the soft whine in your voice and grins. "You’re so tempting," His breath washes over you as he whispers those words in your ear. His hands trail from your neck to your cheek, his thumb brushing along your jawline. "Do you know what I want to do with you when we get to your place? What I'm thinking about doing to you right now?"

The bus takes a sharp turn going down the mountain and it snaps both of you back to reality for a second. 

You notice his hands still on you. Gojo notices too and grins, removing his hands with a sigh. He leans back into the seat. "Sorry," he says, running his hands through his hair. "I was a little carried away there." He chuckles. "We have a while before the bus arrives. I think maybe I should go to the front before I do anything stupid."

You go to protest but he’s already gone, striding to the front of the bus effortlessly as it rocks side to side, plopping himself next to Akari. You sit there, your body still feeling the heat of his hands, his words still ringing in your ears. You sink deeper into the seat as you try to calm down. You watch him for a while, seeing how he talks and laughs with Akari and Shoko and the way he never glances back toward you. 

You feel like a stranger to him, yet he’s the one who’s supposed to be yours. You were supposed to be together, even though your situation is less than ideal. The bus rocks back and forth, its engines humming quietly. You lean your head back against the seat, letting out a deep sigh. Your mind races, wondering how Gojo acts when you're not around. Did he only accept this date with Himiko to make Shoko happy? Why wasn't it ever you that made him happy?

You sniffle, blinking away the tears as you pull down the food tray and prop your phone up. You put on your favourite movie, hoping the familiar faces of the characters will distract you until you reach Tokyo. Occasionally you look up at him, hoping you’ll catch his eye before he goes back to his conversation but you don’t. He doesn’t look at you once.

The movie sucks you in like it has many times before. You don’t notice how fast time is moving, silver-tipped mountains giving way to serene towns and stretched farmland. It’s late, almost 1 am, and as soon as you feel yourself starting to fall asleep you feel the bus stop and hear the driver announce your arrival, right in front of Tokyo Jujutsu High.

You look over to see him already heading off of the bus with Shoko and Akari, heading in the direction of Kabukicho, laughing about an inside joke you’ll never be a part of. You grab your bag from the undercarriage and head to the train to head back to your apartment in Taito-Ku.

The train is packed full of tired salarymen and high school students, none of whom bother you. Your thoughts drift to Gojo as the train shakes and shudders its way back home. When the train finally reaches Taito-Ku’s station, you exit the train and head down the stairs, stepping out into the frozen city. You walk to your apartment and head inside, shutting the door to your small, solitary room.

You lie awake, hoping he’ll call you, or even show up at your front door drunk. It wouldn’t be the first time. The minutes turn into hours, your eyes shifting rapidly as you glance between your phone and the door. You start to wonder if he’s thinking about you as much as you’re thinking about him right now. And what he’s thinking. You glance at your clock. 2:57 AM.

You shouldn’t feel disappointed, but you do. He could’ve at least texted you and told you he would be out with his friends for the night instead of being curled up with you watching a cooking show. You’re his, but you’re not his girlfriend. He has no obligation to do anything with you, really, but you wish he would. You wish he cared enough to want to.

Your eyes glance back toward your phone and you hesitate. You mumble a curt fuck before picking it up and calling him. The phone is ice cold against your cheek as it rings. You wonder what your contact name is on his phone. Your name? Your name and a heart? Or is it just your number, unsaved?

He answers and you can hear faint music in the background. “Hey, baby.”

You smile a little, biting your lip. “Hi. I just wanted to see if you were coming over tonight.”

You hear him groan a little, but you don’t know if it’s out of annoyance with you or how late it is. “Yeah, I was planning on it. But uh, Shoko brought her friend tonight, Himiko. The one I’m going to the festival with.”

You nearly choke on your spit. The way he was so casual about his date with Himiko made you feel sick. “Oh, did she?”

“Yeah, baby. How are you though-” His words are interrupted by a female voice in the background begging for him to come back inside. “Uh, listen, I gotta go. I’ll be home soon, okay?”

“Okay, I-” The call ends, your phone beeping at you as he hangs up. You set your phone aside, face down, as you lay back on your bed. 

You feel ashamed as you cry. Gojo isn’t your boyfriend, and he has a reputation to uphold with his colleagues. You should be fine with it, but you aren’t, and it kills you. You bury your face in your pillow as you sob, hoping one day you and Gojo can stop being strangers.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ*:･ﾟ✧

part two is here

[razorblade180]

Streamer AU 8

Part 7

Weiss:*concentrating*

Blake:Yooo. Another night, another stream. Where’s she at?

Jaune:Alice in Wonderland. She’s still getting used to the controls.

Blake: Chat should keep count of deaths.

Weiss:Chat, you’ll get timed out. Don’t listen to her.

Blake:Are you at least having fun?

Weiss:Oh definitely! I actually was in a play about Wonderland when I was little. Feels nostalgic.

Sunny Day: “We’re you Tweedle Dee or Dumb?”

Blake:Haha haaaa!

Weiss:Sun stop trying be funny now that Blake is here.

Sunny Day: “I’m always funny.”

Weiss:Wrong.

Ruby:*joins call* How’s our little gamer doing?

Weiss:I wish enemies have health bars.

Ruby:Oh, oh so you don’t know?

Weiss:…What?

Jaune:Remember how you chose a weapon and it affects your stats?

Weiss:Did I cheat myself out of a health bar!?

Ruby:You’ll get it, but you would have it already if you picked the sword. Chat, nobody tell her what level she needs.

Weiss:WHAT!?

xxxxxx

Yang:Sorry I’m late to the-

“DEEP FREEZE!”

Yang watches the Weiss run around enemies blasting blizzard and clearing areas rather proficiently.

Yang:Someone is gaming.

Weiss:Everything changed with this spell.

Yang:I am not surprised.

“Goooo!”

“The spamming begins”

“Literally in her element”

“How she fights in real life”

Jaune:Pfft, Weiss, can you actually shoot ice like this in a fight?

Weiss:Ummm, I don’t see why not.

Ruby:By the end of this game, Weiss is gonna change her entire fight style to be like Sora.

Yang:Honestly that would be a really cool IRL stream! Just a list of abilities that Weiss has to try to do! Weiss! How much money!?

Weiss:*shrugs* I gotta beat the game first.

Ruby:I’m starting a poll in chat.

Blake:For what?

“Who do you think is most worthy of a keyblade?”

Blake:No, don’t do that! I won’t win!

Weiss:This means a lot to you I guess.

Blake:Some people have their dreams of going to Hogwarts; I wanted a keyblade.

Jaune:I wanted to go to Hogwarts.

Lotus Chef: “Just sneak in 👍”

Jaune:Ren!!!!

Yang:Listen, he beat me to it.

Weiss:Ba- *clears throat* Hey how long is every world?

Jaune:Maybe an hour so? Generally speaking.

Weiss:Cool. Maybe we can get two done.

Ruby:Or get stuck on the worst boss in the game.

Weiss:…*looks at Jaune*

Jaune:It’s not the worst boss.

Weiss:*squints*

Jaune:It’s true!!!!

Combat Ready made a prediction poll. Will Weiss beat the boss in 10 or less tries?

Ruby:Oh yeah, betting time! Penny your brain is beautiful!

Weiss:My chat and call are full of enemies.

Sunny Day: “I’m here for you.”

Weiss:Fuck off, Tweedle Dumb.

Blake:Is Neptune Tweedle Dee?

Neptune: *joins call* Neptune has been minding his own business. Sunny Day is acting on his own. *leaves*

Ruby:Leaving your leader like that is crazy work.

Yang:I respect it.

Ruby:Hehe whaaat?

Weiss finally makes it back to the table in the game, spawning Trickmaster.

Weiss:Oh…

Ruby:God, it’s so ugly now. It used to red and black.

Blake:90% voted you’d lose by the way.

Weiss:And just like real life, 10% of people are gonna eat like kings.

xxxxx

5 attempts later, Weiss is staring at the game over screen deeply.

Jaune:…Need a break?

Weiss:I’m just processing.

“You’ll get it in the 11th try”

“Please, I need the points!”

“This is a fucked up boss to have in the beginning.”

“Cheat and use Jaune.”

Weiss:Guys I’m not even mad yet. Also he’s for hints and guiding, not cheating. I beat FFX alone! I can handle this!

Ruby:You’re only level 10, on proud mode. Kinda have to remember that.

Weiss:Yeah…is it cheating if I grind? *hits continue*

Everyone:It’s a JRPG

Weiss:Fair enough. I’ll get a few levels.

Jaune:No more than lvl 14.

Weiss:Oh trust me, I do not plan on being here forever. You guys might have to entertain chat a little bit while I zone out some.

xxxxxxx

Blake:You never did answer who you played as in Wonderland.

Weiss:Cheshire Cat.

Blake:Really!?

Weiss:I was the only one okay with wearing the ears.

Yang:Damn….

Ruby:Are you trying to tell me little kid Weiss was somehow the least racist in her class?

Weiss:Little kid Weiss wasn’t racist.

Cross Hare: “As supposed to grow up Weiss!?”

Weiss:No! I’m not- Velvet we had lunch together today! Look, all I’m going to say is young adolescent Weiss saw a lot of White Fang member incidents and formed opinions…

Blake:That’s fair.

“Sounds suspicious to me.”

Blake:Guys, my parents love Weiss. That might actually be the only approval that matters.

Jaune:Didn’t Weiss amaze all of Menagerie.

Blake:Uuuugghh, why’d you remind meeeeeee.

Weiss:Tell the story.

Blake:Chat? Chat, I love Weiss, but I fucking hate this woman. Historically speaking, she’s a bad cook.

Weiss:“Historically” is insane.

Yang:Blake invited us to Menagerie to meet her parents and take part in what’s essentially an island cookout feast.

Cross Hare: “I REMEMBER THIS DAY!”

Blake:Without telling anyone, Weiss decided she was going to practice cooking this seafood gumbo that’s well known m the island to try and make a good impression.

Ruby:In hindsight, you did invite a Schnee into essentially enemy territory.

Blake:All she had to do was be polite and wave! Instead she asks my own mother if she could use the kitchen and make a traditional cuisine! I was stressed for the first half hour until suddenly…a scent is in the air. Spices. The correct spices. Now there’s an entire community looking around as this petite woman in an apron is swaying to our music and cooking our food.

Yang:I’m going to fucking honest, it’s so easy to forget Weiss is musically trained. Meanwhile Blake has two left feet.

Blake:I could live with that. What I couldn’t live with was when the food- *breathes in mic* When the gumbo was ready, it tasted better than any I ever made. My own mother told me this, and I couldn’t disagree.

Ruby:It was sooooo good!

Blake: Weiss “I had a cake butler” Schnee, showed up to my home island, cooked a dish with my, and danced with my people better than me. She out Faunesed a Faunus and I have sworn I can never let this happen again!!

Weiss:Everyone said bye to me! They were so nice.

Ruby:Weiss I’m letting you know right now if I ever take you back home and I discover you practiced wrangling horses, we are fighting in the dirt.

Yang:You get one time to bake an apple pie for my dad and if it’s better, hands. You don’t see me learning opera.

Weiss:I am an over achiever.

Jaune:Keep in mind, she’s still weak with most dishes.

Weiss:Cooking is hard!

Obtained Ripple Drive

Weiss:Oh, new stuff. *opens menu*

Jaune: *looks*… Weiss? Why isn’t dodge roll equipped?

Weiss:….*covers face*

“Weiss….”

“Girl…..”

“How have you been living?”

“You are throwing!!!!”

Yang:*wheezing* It could be worse. You could’ve beaten the boss first.

Weiss:Alright everyone, back to the boss!

xxxxxx

Attempt number six was practically a joke. She beat the boss in four minutes flat.

Weiss:Are you kidding me!?

Ruby:Shake it off. Now you know to double check. Penny, please pay out the believers.

Ruby:That was half my channel points…

Weiss:YOU BET AGAINST ME!?

Ruby:I hate this boss! I thought it would cause trouble.

Jaune:Imagine if Weiss is better at this game than you?

Ruby:I’d cry.

[libraford]

I've been following you for years, and I leave and come back and you're still trucking along. I know for sure I was following when you were still starting at the flower shop, and I think maybe before (Craft Store may have been before or after, time is not my strong suit). And I'm just feeling really emotional about how all that shit happened over years and now really cool things are happening for you, and you're healing -literally physically-, and maybe I can make it through too. Thank you for sharing along the way.

idk I think it's neat and also it's like 1am so maybe I'm being silly about it.

Shhh nooo, I'm constantly looking back at this and being like... 'holy shit I used to be miserable.'

And its like... there are still parts of my life that suck for sure. There's some stuff that's difficult to navigate. I'm still not getting paid near enough, but the work is not killing me and I have time for my weird hobbies and I have time for friends and family.

I understand feeling stuck, though. Truth be told, one of the tipping points in all of this was that several people in my life died around the same time and gave me enough money to quit my job. And along the way I found MORE shit jobs!

And I thought that parks and rec was going to be a shit job. And it is! But they pay alright and it turns out that picking up trash around the city isn't all that bad. And they make you take your full lunch and they don't want you pushing yourself so hard that you throw out your back. And they let you take a break and there's no customers to yell at you. And sometimes the people on the trails thank you for picking up trash.

And people don't try to steal your flowers and people don't call you a 'flunkie' and people don't try to scam you with fake dollars, and people don't say you could be replaced with a self-scanner and people don't reward you with a scratch-off ticket and people don't blame you for high insurance premiums and people don't make orders you can't fulfill in the time frame they want it and they don't argue colors with you and they don't say that you're being disrespectful and they don't say that your photo make their son look gay and they don't look at your work over your shoulder and they don't say you're difficult to work with and they don't say that they can't allow simple self-started accomodations for your disability and they don't say that you're working too fast and you make the other photographers look bad and they don't yell at you about your body language or put you in a hot gym for 8 hours and then complain that you smell bad and they don't tell you that you're being insubordinate when you ask why you can't work at your own pace and they don't make you teach classes and they don't stalk you on the internet and they don't blame you for their marriage failing and your van doesn't catch fire and maybe you do find someone sleeping in the bushes but its not your coworker this time its just a guy who needs shelter and so you tell him about the shelter down the road and he says thank you and maybe your coworkers say some weird racist shit sometimes but you can just tell them to shut the hell up and sometimes you get to see a creature...

Anyways.

I hope that some good, even if bittersweet, stuff happens to you soon and you have opportunities to change things around, even a little bit.

Life can be good-ish.

[theyhavetakenovermylife]

Hi there! Sorry, I just discovered your blog and gosh I love knowing there are more people like you out there who LOVE the 2014 Ninja Turtles, so I was wondering if I could request something

I love your bayverse kids series, So could you write about Leonardo's children? Where on a patrol Romeo and Marcello argue about something while Gerardo tries to stop them to avoid drawing attention, but the two of them They ignore him and continue fighting, which causes Foot Clan soldiers to discover them and Gerardo ends up very badly injured And take him back to the sewers 👀

What would Leo say in this situation? Seeing one of his sons in such a bad state and how would this affect Romeo and Marcello knowing that Gerardo ended up injured by their fight? Would this finally be Marcello's breaking point and he would realize That he needs to make peace with Romeo?

In The Crossfire (Angst)

Children Series

Bayverse!Leonardo x reader

A/N: This comes after the NYPD Special Task Force, Team 2, which comes after Romeo’s First Patrol, so if you haven’t read those, I’ll recommend that you read them first. Anyway, hope this lives up to the wait and what you were looking for! Hope you’ll enjoy💙

Ages: Romeo - 24. Marcello - 21. Gerardo - 18. Valentina - 8.

Warnings: Marcello saying Romeo has an odachi up his butt, cursing, threats with knives, description of falling from a roof and injury, fear of a family member getting hurt.

“You know, when dad said “watch out for any suspicious activities”, I don’t think he meant “watch every passing stranger like a privacy hating hawk”, Marcello said, mocking his older brother, who sat perched on the edge of the building, watching the human and cars pas on the street below. This made Gerardo let out a stifled chuckle as Romeo shot his brother a glaring look.

“You know exactly what dad meant. Purple Dragons and Foot members have been spotted not too far away, meaning that any person walking down there could be one of them”, Romeo said. “Now, be useful and help me show Gerardo how a patrol actually works.

Marcello let out an annoyed sound, rolling his eyes, before giving Gerardo a well known look. The kind of look Marcello would give his younger brother, to let him know that he found that their brother was acting bitchy. The same look that would make Gerardo smile and chuckle.

Today was a somewhat special day for Gerardo. Having turned 18 not many days ago, today was Gerardo’s first time being on patrol with his brother. Yesterday he had half a patrol with his father and uncles, getting a feel for the radios, the codes and the police radio. He even got to meet the chief inspector. But with that meeting also came some interesting news. With the addition of Gerardo and his cousin Luis, the NYPD Special Task Force, Team 2 was disbanded. Instead there would be three smaller teams; Team Green, being Joan, Galileo and Minerva, Team Small Orange, being Sunny and Luis, who would be tasked with smaller special tasks, and Team Blue, with Romeo, Marcello and Gerardo. The idea was that once their youngest siblings was old enough, Team Green could be split into Red and Purple, making it much easier to cover ground throughout New York City.

That news had been taken differently by the cousins. Joan and Sunny were excited to be leading their own teams, with even Galileo looking forward to the day his sisters were old enough to patrol. Romeo didn’t seem to have anything against it. His position as a team leader didn’t change much, and now he would have a smaller team to look out for, making things much easier. Or so he thought. Because not much to anybody’s surprise, Marcello wasn’t too happy about the news. Sure he had found his brother annoying while he was a leader of Team 2, but at least he had his cousins around to keep them company. But now, he was stuck with both of his brothers for several hours on end. And he would make it absolutely clear how he felt about that.

Reluctantly, Marcello got up from the roof, before taking a seat on the roof edge, in an exaggerated perched position, obviously making fun of Romeo. Gerardo, who had been following, stopped in his tracks when he saw this, staying a few steps away, as he knew exactly what was about to happen. Having lived 18 years with these two, nothing they said or did came as a surprise to Gerardo anymore. But he knew better than get in the way when his older brothers were having a hissy fit.

“Now, watch this Gerardo and listen to your elders as they always know better. Because this is the only way to do a patrol, and if anybody is telling you otherwise, they’re wrong. No debate, just wrong”, Marcello said in a mockingly loud voice, obviously trying to mimic how Romeo spoke when he was “leading”. Of course this got a side eye from Romeo, who knew exactly what Marcello was trying to do. But as Romeo always did, he liked to believe that his annoyance and anger wouldn’t get the better of him, and that he would let Marcello’s words fly with the wind. But somehow, Marcello always managed to say something that would push Romeo’s buttons, just the way Marcello had wanted it to happen.

“You sit like this, feet together, on your toes, ass never touching the seat. We like to say it’s so that we can jump into action immediately when that guy down on the street, suddenly starts throwing people around, yelling that he is in fact a member of the Purple Dragons. In actuality it’s because Romeo can’t sit on his own ass, due to his odachi being rammed so far up his-!”

“Will you shut it and focus for once?!”, Romeo snapped, removing his attention from the street. He heard a small slap, undoubtedly from Gerardo facepalming himself. He just went right into whatever trap Marcello had for him, didn’t he? Not that it mattered much now. Romeo was annoyed and was not willing to let Marcello make a fool of him during Gerardo’s first full patrol.

“I don’t know, ‘Meo, can I?”, Marcello asked, finally sitting fully down on the roof edge. “Or did I touch on something with that odachi? Tell me, how far up does it have to go for you to stay so stuck up all the time? Do you still have part of it in there?”

“Can you just shut up?”, Romeo asked, fighting the urge to push his brother backward and further onto the roof, just to push him. “We have a job to do!”

“We do? I didn’t realize Romeo! I thought we just hung around on a roof in the middle of the night for the fun of it. I wonder what I’ve been doing for the past three years! I thought we were looking at clouds!”

“You are so childish”.

“Me childish?! You are the one that keeps following around dads heels like you’re still four!”

As his brothers continued arguing, Gerardo sighed loudly. He kind of knew this would happen, but he had sort of hoped that they would keep it together, at least for the night. Playful teasing was always fun, but Marcello did have a talent for pushing it too far, and Romeo had still not learned to just let go of what Marcello would say to him.

With his brothers bickering now becoming loud background noise, Gerardo started wandering the rooftop, watching the street below, every once in a while throwing glances up and across the rooftops around them. That was when he spotted something moving a few buildings away. Something - or quite a few of that something - jumping across the roofs like… like ninjas. Ah crap.

“Guys…”, Gerardo called out, not taking his eyes from the black shapes jumping over the roofs, getting closer and closer to them. And the closer they got, the more sure Gerardo was of who they were.

But Gerardo’s brothers did not answer him. At this point their arguing had turned into full all yelling and name calling, only a short distance away from them actually jumping on one another.

Gerardo pulled out his kodachi swords, once he realised that the figures were in fact who he feared them to be - Foot members. “Guys!”

“If you weren’t so annoying all the time, then maybe dad would actually give you some of the responsibility you want so badly!”, Romeo yelled, anger burning within him.

“Or you could stop being such a smart ass and know it all and give some of us a chance every once in a while! But you don’t! Attention hoarder! You can’t take the thought of dad praising someone other than you!”, Marcello yelled, taking a threatening step closer to his older brother.

“That’s not true!”, Romeo yelled, doing the most childish thing he had done in a long time - pushing his brother. Marcello was quick to regain his balance, taking a step further in on the roof.

“You bitch! You just fucking pushed me! And you call me fucking childish!”

“Mind your own fucking business and don’t get in my face!”

“That makes no fucking sense, you fucking-!”

“GUYS!!”, Gerardo yelled, this time cutting directly through his brothers arguing, drawing their attention in his direction. The sight that meet them was shocking. Before them stood a crowd of Foot Ninjas, taking up half of the roof. And before them stood Gerardo with a knife to his throat, his own kodachi swords scattered on the roof, his arms held behind his back, by a person, who’s eyes - the only feature of their face that wasn’t covered by a mask - seemed strangely familiar to the two brothers. Eyes that Marcello recognized instantly. Eyes that had made him stay awake at night with a strange feeling in his stomach. Eyes that had made Romeo rage ever since his first patrol.

“You!”, Romeo exclaimed, reaching for his odachi, only to stop when the woman before then tucked at Gerardo’s arms.

“I wouldn’t do that if I was you”, she said, that familiar voice once again evoking that strange feeling in Marcello’s insides. “I didn’t know you two had another brother. Makes one wonder how many of you are hiding out there”.

“Let him go”, Marcello said, making sure to stare her directly into her eyes, feeling the tension as she stared back.

“You and what army?”, she asked. “Last time I checked it was only the two of you, too busy arguing like children, to notice any of us”.

“What do you want?”, Romeo asked, his mind racing to find a solution to the pickle they found themself in. How on earth was he going to save his brother?

“From you? Not much”, she said. “Just for you guys to look away while we pass through”.

“We can’t do that”, Romeo said.

“That’s not going to board great for your brother”, the woman said, nodding towards the terrorfied Gerardo. “Let us pass through, or he gets the knife”.

“You won’t do that”, Marcello suddenly said, ignoring Romeo’s calls for him to shut up. “Kill him and you will have all of us on your heels”. The woman didn’t answer, however her eyes stayed on Marcello, her hand and knife unmoving. “You know who our father and uncles are, don’t you? As a member of the Foot, you know about the time our family kicked your masters ass, don’t you? You know, before an alien tricked him. Same alien our family also kicked out of the dimension”.

“Shut up”, she snared, her hand shaking ever so slightly, and for the first time ever, Marcello saw something in her eyes. Unsurity. This even seemed to surprise Romeo.

“But you know I’m right. Hollow threats won’t get you far. So let our brother go, and you save yourself a lot of trouble”.

For a moment, the woman fell silent. Marcello was right and she knew it. He and his brothers just seemed to get more and more annoying whenever she ran into them, and it was slowly becoming a thorn in her side.

“You’re right, I can’t kill your brother”, she said, dropping the knife, letting it fall to the surface beneath them, letting Gerardo draw a small sigh of relief. “But I can do this”.

It happened so fast. So fast that neither Romeo or Marcello could react before it happened. The woman and a few of the Foot Ninjas grabbed a hold of Gerardo, before launching him off of the side of the roof, sending him in a fast fall towards the alleyway beneath with a loud scream of terror.

The two brothers let out a row of nos, calling for their brother as they ran to the side of the roof, making their way down to the alleyway in a hurry, giving the Foot Ninjas the free passage they were looking for, as they disappeared over the roofs.

In the alleyway they would Gerardo motionless in a pile of discarded trash bags, that had only provided him with very little cushioning from the fall. Romeo and Marcello were on him in a hurry, calling out his name, only getting small sounds of pain as answers.

“Call dad!”, Romeo yelled as he held Gerardo’s head against him, using his legs to slide under him, in order to prop him up a little. “Call uncle Donnie!” And Marcello did, faster than he had ever done anything else.

—

The tension was thick in the lair, as Romeo and Marcello sat on the couch in silence, head in hands and knees bouncing, as they waited for you, Leo and Donnie to come and tell them how Gerardo was doing. If he was going to make it. The absolute terror on Leo’s face when he and the others came to find Romeo and Marcello holding onto their brother in the trash, and your screams of “what happened?! What happened?!”, was echoing through their heads.

Splinter, their now very old grandfather sat with them in their silence. Though the tension was thick, he was somehow a calming presence in their life. One they very much needed right now. The only thing that could be heard was 8 year old Valentina’s voice in the kitchen, every once in a while asking Raph and Mikey what was going on. Both Romeo and Marcello almost broke down when they heard her ask them what had happened.

Their cousins had retreated with their mothers, giving Leo’s children the space they needed through this horrible waiting time.

It felt like an eternity, before Leo finally came out of the needle room. Romeo and Marcello stood up immediately, watching their father with wide eyes, trying to read his expression as he walked towards them.

“How is he?”, Romeo asked, Marcello almost holding his breath as they waited for an answer.

“He’s okay”, Leo said, his sons immediately deflating onto the couch in relief. “He had a pretty bad head injury along with a few broken bones. Your mother is probably going to stay with him most of the night. She’s pretty shaken up”.

“Is he awake?”, Marcello asked.

“No, he’s pretty exhausted. He was already sleeping when I left”, Leo said, before turning his attention towards his father. “Dad, will you tell Valentina her brother is going to be okay? I… need to talk to my sons”.

Splinter gave his oldest son an understanding smile, before getting up from his seat and making his way towards the kitchen. Leo took a seat on the couch, where he began to rub the bridge of his snout, seeming tired and stressed, as his two oldest sons watched him in silence.

“This has been going on for years”, Leo sighed. “You’re grown men now, but this is still happening. Why do you continue to do these kinds of things?” Marcello and Romeo continued to sit in silence, letting Leo’s words settle in. “You two have always fought, and I’m sorry if I have done something that made you feel unequal, but it cannot continue like this. Your brother just got gravely injured, even after he tried to warn you. A warning you didn’t hear, because you two decided to argue, instead of helping your brother on his first patrol”.

“We’re sorry”, Romeo said, both he and his brother avoiding Leo’s eyes out of shame.

“I know you are”, Leo said. “But this has happened before. I need to be sure that you two can keep it professional out on patrol, and if not for just the two of you, then for your brother. And your sister as well. In 10 years she will be out there with you. And I need you two to look out for them”. The dread of silence fell over Marcello and Romeo once more, letting Leo’s words work on them, just like they were supposed to. And so, Leo decided it would be a good idea to leave his sons for a moment to think and feel. “I’m going to check on your mother and your brother, and when I come back, I hope we are at an agreement to do better”. And so he stood up, before making his way back to the needle room, leaving Romeo and Marcello in thick silence.

The brothers sat on the couch, side by side, neither looking at the other, chewing the insides of their cheeks. It was like being a child again, having been scolded after fighting on the lair floor.

“He’s right, you know”, Romeo’s voice suddenly sounded. “We have to find out a way to make this work”, Romeo said, finally looking his brother’s way. “If not for us, then for Gerardo. He doesn't deserve that kind of stuff to happen to him”.

Marcello bit his lips, staring down on the floor with his arms crossed. He felt horrible. He felt horrible for the things he had said to Romeo, and he felt horrible for the position he had put Gerardo in. He felt horrible for making his mother so scared, and he felt horrible for making his father so disappointed. Though Leo never said those words, it didn’t take much to read it off of his face. Leo was disappointed with both of them. Not just Marcello, but Romeo as well. And worst of all, Marcello still felt horrible for letting that woman’s eyes have such an effect on him. It would undoubtedly bite him in the ass one day.

“You’re right”, Marcello finally sighed, looking Romeo’s way. “We have to do better for him”.

[weirdmageddon]

i got further inspired by these tags on my post-turned-essay, which you should read by the way:

#wish they had more time to get into Hank ik they wanted to #I think Hank was gonna be the end part of vbros no matter what. his story to me felt like that

so here is a playlist i made for it.

it’s supposed to encompass hank’s time in season 6, 7, and filling in for whatever season 8 was going to be, extrapolating from baboon heart.

it’s 3 hours and 4 mins long in order to make up for the loss of season 8 hank content. you just know doc and jackson wanted to do more with him so i bulked it a little, with these songs kind of standing in for hank’s psychological experiences in a narrative way. i’m at least quite happy with it.

headphones recommended 🎧

spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3eClkHEM7JIZTy4iK3iGxe?si=lDwnwuEVSlyobZDEXMBIPw

youtube (alternative):

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCu5XwRLYS0AO_gB_cN6HFIisbotrCY8Z

the picks are very meaningful and deliberate. i pay attention to detail so it’s supposed to be listened to in order since it implies the story. plus i used songs that transition nicely for immersion.

hopefully you can also get some good imaginary mental cinema out of it to make up for season 8 being shrunk. (shouldn’t be too hard since i chose the songs that had something of his personality in them, his core emotions internally, and/or his state at that point in time)

some commentary:

animal collective radiates hank’s psychological core so well, the energy and instrumentation and spirit and lyrics too. this band has been in my life since i was 8 and it’s attached to memories of my own. sometimes avey tare’s voice has this character to it that just fits like a glove and the way he some phonemes roll off the tongue resembles hank’s voice a bit too, for example the long “er” vowel sounds. that’s why there’s so many songs from them on here, there was so much fitting material to draw from. i also thought it added coherence and created a central character/protagonist.

dan deacon’s America was such an obvious choice. adored this album since i first heard it back in 2015. there’s a pitchfork magazine interview with deacon that sits in the back of my mind. the actual album is in itself is partly inspired by him traveling cross-country across the US by train from seattle to new york alone, having gone off-the-grid during the 2006 holiday season to break away and reflect. in hank’s case of course it would be new york to colorado springs. the lyrics are perfect. it fits hank’s surroundings, both his outside environment in this scenario and his psychological environment.

like i said the songs are also fairly personally significant to me too. there many long-time favorites and artists that i’ve been supremely loyal to over the years. you’ve maybe seen some of them on other of my favorites playlists too but this is where they can really truly shine. i realized that hank and a few of these artists overlap in key typologies which explains why i feel like it fits him so well. but also i’ve been listening to them well before i knew hank as a character! (clearly says something about me in particular for being so drawn to hank as a character and the bands featured the most on this playlist who have been serving as my musical “home”, always a safe option no matter my mood for years and strongly stuck with me through those years.)

if you listen i’d love to hear what you think!

what i mean by overlapping typologies is that hank venture is ESE 7w6

and here’s what i’ve analyzed these artists as independently both from lyrics and interviews

animal collective: ESE 7w6 [identity relation]

dan deacon: ESE 6w7 or 7w6 [identity relation]

coil: IEI 5w4 [supervison relation]

durutti column (vini reilly): IEI 9 [supervison relation]

magazine (howard devoto): LII 5 [dual relation]

fun fact 1: on that album America, Dan Deacon got Simon Heyworth to engineer the sound it, who’s also mastered for King Crimson, Nick Cave, Brian Eno

fun fact 2: Doc Hammer owns John McGeoch’s actual guitar (Magazine)

fun fact 3: Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley are both LII like Doc and me

[hitmewithsomebooks]

@jegulus-microfic Jan 29 - fancy

Cowboy James au 🤠

1012 words 🙈

This will be a multi-part :)

~

"Now, I demand that—"

"Whoa there, fancy-pants, what seems t’ be the trouble?" James drawled, placing a hand on the fuming man's chest. He was small, slight, with a head of perfect dark curls and silver eyes, and he shot James a withering look.

"This doesn't concern you." The man snapped, eyeing James before returning to the bartender. "I swear to god, if you don't give it right now, I will knock your fucking lights out—"

"Okay, okay." James intervened again, despite the man's dismissal. Or maybe because of it.

"Now, th’rs no need t’ talk t’ mah friend like that."

The smaller man glared at him.

"Your friend just so happens to be my brother. Who has taken away my fucking phone, because he's a dick." The man spat, directing a glare towards Sirius.

"Well, tha’s not very nice." James admonished, giving him a little pout.

"And who exactly are you?" The man asked James, turning to properly face him, an expression of annoyance and disdain on his face. Here, Sirius cut in.

"Regulus, this is James. My friend. James, this is Regulus, my menace of a little brother." Sirius introduced.

"Regulus." James repeated, grinning, and stuck out a hand. "Lovely t’ meet ya."

"Can't say the same for you, given you're so nosy." Regulus sniffed, but shook his hand anyway. James squeezed his hand a little, then let go.

"Well, since ah’m so nosy, ah’m gonna ask why exactly Sirius took your phone. Cuz ah gotta feelin' he might have a good reason." Regulus opened his mouth to protest, but Sirius cut him off.

"He won't stop texting an arsehole who broke his heart and stole his job." James's eyebrows raised.

"Well that just won' do." He frowned, looking down at Regulus. "Why're you still textin' ‘im ?"

Regulus looked, for just a moment, vulnerable. Then, he put his chin up, and a mask with it.

"He has a really big cock." He replied, granting James and Sirius a sharp, self-satisfied smirk. Sirius rolled his eyes, and James laughed.

"Good to know whatcha like, sugar." James murmured, and Regulus's eyes widened minutely. Sirius, luckily, had been distracted by another customer, and hadn't heard James's remark.

~

James had left the bar only a few minutes after they'd met, needing to help out a friend with something. He promised he'd be back later, and Regulus was anticipating it more than he'd like.

"How come you didn't tell me you'd befriended a tall, smooth, hot-as-fuck cowboy??" Regulus asked Sirius, tone incredulous and annoyed.

"Because I knew you'd jump him, and I didn't want him to be your rebound." Sirius answered, giving him a pointed look.

"Oh, please." Regulus scoffed, downing his shot. "That man doesn't seem like he'd be at all phased by a little rebound." Sirius frowned at him.

"He may seem like a confident, smooth-talking cowboy, but he's also quite kind. Considerate. I don't want you breaking him." Sirius answered, and Regulus scowled.

"In case you don't recall, my last relationship ended with me breaking down sobbing in your arms and sleeping on your couch for a month." Regulus said pointedly.

"I do, thank you. But I also remember how you ended it with Will, who was really decent. Bloke texted me for  weeks asking why you'd done it like that. You fucked him up, Reg."

"He's fine. His fragile masculinity will survive." Regulus waved it off, playing with his glass. "But come on, Sirius, did you see James?? He's exactly my type. I mean, the curls, the eyes, and, lord, those thighs in tight fucking jeans? Send me straight to hell because I. Want. To. Sin." Regulus groaned, pleading to Sirius.

"No." His brother replied shortly, before going to tend to another customer.

*

It was only two hours later when James returned to the bar, but now the place was bustling, as it was 8:30. Music was booming throughout the place, full of happily buzzed people dancing around and on one another. Regulus was sat at the bar, glowering at his phone still in Sirius's back pocket. He didn't even care about Barty anymore, he was just bored. Or so he told himself.

"Hey there, fancy-pants." A voice rumbled in his ear, and Regulus startled. Then, he turned, meeting warm hazel eyes.

"Well hello, nosy." Regulus replied, fondly. He was pleasantly tipsy, just on the edge of drunk, his usual wall-like inhibitions lowered. James flashed him a pleased smile.

"Sirius still got your phone?" James asked, glancing at the busy bartender.

"Yes, the cunt." Regulus groused, his tongue also even sharper when he was tipsy.

"Y'know, fer such a pretty thing, y’ve got a filthy mouth." James commented, but it wasn't an admonishment. A wicked smile played his lips as he said it.

"Yeah? Well, what are you going to do about it, Mr. Morality?" Regular sneered, taking another sip of his drink.

"Ah’m gonna ask you to dance, sugar." James replied, and a pleasant shiver went through Regulus's body at the nickname.

"Sorry, but I don't dance." Regulus hummed, partly to make it harder for the man and partly because he really wasn't too confident in his dance moves.

"Mmm, ah think you do. Jus' has to be with the right person." James smirked. Regulus gave him an amused look.

"And you think that's you, do you?" He asked, swirling his drink around his glass.

“Ah think that you really want that phone back, and if y’ dance with me, I’ll get it for you." James rumbled, and Regulus's eyebrows raised.

"Is that so?"

"Yes sir." James grinned, and Regulus shivered again.

"How will you get it?" He asked, wondering how far he could push this man.

"D'you see him? His attention's on nothin' but the customer's drinks. Ah could easily tell him ah’m slippin' out, pat him on the back, and swipe your phone. He prob'ly wouldn't even hear me." James drawled, and Regulus looked at him contemplatively.

"Okay." He sighed, pulling himself away from the bar. "I'll dance with you."

~

Next part

[cevansbrat0007]

Cross-Country Christmas (Teaser)

Summary: After Ari is left stranded by a surprise winter storm, you find yourself wishing for a little Christmas miracle...

Warnings: Mature Themes, Angst, Ari Being A Menace, Holiday Themes, Smut, Arguments, Spanking (mentioned), Pet Names, Cursing, More Warnings to Come Minors DNI

A/N: This is only a TEASER, the longer fic is coming soon. Part of my Sweet Renegades Series. Semi-proofread, not beta'd. All mistakes are my own. Likes, comments, and reblogs are always appreciated. Thanks for reading!

8:30am on Christmas Day - Bell’s Creek, Texas

“I promise I’ll be fine, Beast.” Drying your tears, you crumble up your tissues in your fist before discarding them in favor of taking a sip of your coffee. “Like you just said, there’ll be other holidays. And certainly other Christmases.”

Ari was still stuck in Omaha. And while you had suspected this call was coming, you hadn’t been prepared for how much the disappointment would affect you.

By all accounts, your Bounty Hunter appeared to be in good spirits, albeit a little tired. He was still on standby, even though all flights were still grounded indefinitely. But you’d at least been happy to hear that he’d somehow managed to catch a few hours of sleep. 

Not only that, but he’d also made a new friend in some guy named Clint. They apparently had a number of things in common, with the most important being that they’d both served overseas. Ari had also alluded to his new buddy being in law enforcement as well. 

But if you were being honest, you’d been so focused on trying to sound positive that you hadn’t quite been able to focus on his words as much as you would’ve liked. Thankfully, Ari seemed keen on having a conversation – even if it felt a bit one-sided.

“The airline keeps offering to put us up for the night. Anyone who accepts will be guaranteed a spot on one of the first flights out.” Ari coughs softly before continuing. “However, if you’re willing to wait a little bit there’s talk about them sweetening the deal with some sort of voucher or somethin’, plus miles and all that shit.” 

“Oh?” Is all you can manage, forcing yourself to take another pull of your now lukewarm coffee.

“Yeah. So, Clint and I were thinking…” He trails off, briefly leaning away from the receiver to comment on something you couldn’t see.

“You two were thinking…what?” Your next sip of coffee tastes surprisingly bitter on your tongue. Maybe you would dump out the pot and brew a fresh one. 

“That we should take ‘em up on their offer and just ride this storm out. We take the points, get the voucher, and then maybe in a month or two, we go on a vacation together somewhere nice.” 

“You and Clint?!” You screech, accidentally knocking over your mug in the process. “Shit!” You scramble out of your chair to grab a dish towel and hurriedly mop up the mess. 

“Hate to break it to ya, baby, but Clint’s not really my type.” The Bounty Hunter chuckles into the phone. “I was talking about me and you, Bird. We can pick a destination and have ourselves a holiday do-over.”

A beat goes by before you respond the only way that makes any real, logical sense. Even though it seems to take every last bit of your resolve.  

“Okay.” Your voice comes out small and resigned. 

“Aw now, don’t fret. I’ll be home soon.” Ari does his best to reassure you. “And once I’m back, we will spend every waking minute making up for lost time. You have my word.”

Well, when he put it like that…

“I guess we can hold off for a little while longer.” You sniff, wishing you could just go back to bed and sleep until tomorrow. “But you had better keep your promise, Beast. Otherwise I’m gonna have to track down Santa and ask him for a new man.” 

Your half-hearted attempt at humor elicits a short bark of laughter from Ari which, in turn, makes you smile as well. It would be hard, but you could make it 

“Try it, sweet Bird, and I’m telling you right now that I’ll have you in my truck and over my knee before you make it outta the next county.” Comes his gruff response, clearly not enjoying the image of you hanging off another fella’s arm. 

You know without asking that he’s probably not kidding – so you decide to leave it alone. If he wanted to thump his chest a little, then you’d let him. 

“It was a joke.” You tell him when the line falls silent. Standing, you pad towards the fridge on bare feet, stopping once you reach the doors. Yanking one open, you survey the contents, silently wondering if you should even be bothered enough to cook today. Granted, you’d already brined the turkey so –

“Joking about my replacement isn’t funny, Bird.” Ari growls, the sound rumbling from somewhere deep in his chest. “Especially when I can’t be there in person to plead my case.”

You blow out a harsh breath at the same time as your eyes roll heavenwards. Why couldn't he understand that you needed to crack wise here and there in order to keep from crying?

END TEASER

[ladykailitha]

Grief (A Friend Indeed) Part 9

Hello, everyone! We are almost to the end. I have all twelve parts completed and will be posting them every Thursday until the story is fully published.

So what's next? With Royal Pain being done as well, I'm going to try and finish Well Met By Moonlight and Find Your Shade By the Moonlight. I will be back working on the soulmate AU Batshit Soulmate and the next book in the Boy with a Bat series called Never Hold Back Your Step for a Moment. I'm also starting that omegaverse story I thought up here.

We meet Steve's family and find out more about why Steve's parents didn't like that side of the family much.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

****

Eddie and Steve wandered around town for a couple of hours, doing a little sightseeing, a little shopping, and a lot just being themselves for a moment or two.

Soon it was getting close to time and they headed to the diner. They pulled up and got a booth.

Eddie and Steve slid into one side and told the waitress that they were waiting for someone and to just grab them a couple of waters.

The waitress nodded and quickly came back with the waters.

They didn’t have to wait long before Percy came through the door, the little bell announcing his arrival.

Steve waved him over and he smiled in return, hurrying over to the table. Once he was settled he told the waitress they were waiting on one more but if they could get a pot of coffee and two cups please. Eddie and Steve both got sodas.

“Who are we waiting for?” Steve asked nervously.

Percy twisted the ring on his ring hand, looking down at the table. “A friend.”

Eddie and Steve shared a glance, wide-eyed.

Eddie wrote something down on a paper napkin and slid it over to Percy.

Percy took the napkin with frown and then he gasped. “Both of you?”

“Both for me,” Steve murmured.

“Just men for me,” Eddie added.

Percy glanced around the diner nervously, but no one was paying any attention to them at all.

“Oh.” He let out a shuddering breath. “Just him.” He pointed to someone walking up to the diner through the window.

He was a tall man, thin. Long black hair, braided to the small of his back. He wore a suit just as nice as Max’s in a beautiful silver color.

He came over when Percy waved at him. He slid next to Percy and looked Steve and Eddie over.

“Who are these boys, Percy?” he asked gravely.

“This my nephew, Steven and his friend...” Percy began.

Eddie stuck out his hand. “Eddie. Eddie Munson. We’re actually in Kentucky because of my own grandma’s funeral. Steve wanted to come visit his grandma’s grave so we took a drive.”

“Where you from?” Percy asked. “I catch a bit of twang to your voice.”

Eddie grinned. “Indiana mostly, but my family’s from Ashland.”

Percy smiled. “Nice town.”

Steve smiled. “It has been so far.”

“This is David Estevez,” Percy said, shyly. “The reason you’re parents haven’t spoken to me in over a decade.”

“Ah,” Steve said. “Yup, Clint Harrington is a lot of things, but tolerant isn’t one of them and of course my mom just went along with it. Even though it’s her money and her family.”

Eddie clicked his tongue against the back of his teeth. “Let’s see, not white, not from here, judging from the accent, and not straight... anything I missed?”

David burst out laughing. “Not the right kind of rich. I’m a self-made man. I worked hard to be where I am today and they hate that. I grew up poor in New Mexico and made my money building computers in my mom’s basement. Now, I’m a multi-millionaire CEO of a major tech company.”

“Dustin would love you,” Steve and Eddie said together.

“Who?” David asked with a chuckle.

“He’s this kid we know,” Eddie explained. “He built a CB tower just so he could talk to his girlfriend in Utah and not rack up his mom’s phone bill.”

“He sounds like fun,” Percy said, rolling his eyes.

David dug his fingers into Percy’s side, causing him to squirm and squeak. “As if you wouldn’t love it if I did that for you.”

Percy blushed. “Maybe.”

He cleared his throat. “How are your parents, Steven? I saw on the news that there was a horrible earthquake last March.”

Steve gulped and Eddie gave his hand a squeeze.

“I really wouldn’t know,” he mumbled, looking down at the table, tucking his hands between legs. “I haven’t seen them in a while.”

David and Percy shared a glance.

“They did come back after the earthquake, right?” Percy pressed. “To see if you were all right if nothing else.”

Steve shook his head. “They didn’t come home when I was caught in the mall fire, why would they come home for something as inconsequential as an earthquake?”

“Mall fire?” Percy asked.

“You remember, darling,” David said, “the one from last year where there were thirty people who died?”

Percy expression cleared as understanding dawned, and then it turned horrified. “They didn’t come home for that?”

Steve shook his head again. “They didn’t come home when I got a concussion so bad I was out for several hours, or anytime I got hurt.” He rubbed a scratch that was in the surface of the table mournfully.

“Mom follows Dad around to make sure he keeps it in his pants. Not that it deters him,” he explained. “I heard him bragging once about how it’s a game to him now to see what he can get away with.”

The waitress appeared with their drinks. “Are you guys ready to order?”

“I’m not hungry,” Steve murmured.

The rest of them ordered, with Eddie ordering a side of cheese fries in addition to his regular side of fries.

Once the waitress had gone, Percy leaned forward. “How long has this been going on?”

“The trips started when I fourteen or so,” he continued. “But the older I got, the longer the trips were, until they just stopped coming home sometime around Christmas of last year.”

“Stevie...” Eddie whined. “Why didn’t you say something?”

Steve shrugged. “I’m an adult. It’s not as though I’m a kid anymore.”

Percy took his hand in his. “No, Steven. That’s not how parenting works. Ever. They’re supposed to care about you enough to at least tell you were they’re going and when they’ll be home.”

Steve looked up and into his uncle’s eyes. “The money changed them. They haven’t been my parents in over a decade. I’ve just been this trophy they pulled out whenever it suited them. Had to be first in everything. I’m surprised they only let me get away three sports instead of making me try everything.”

Eddie looked stricken. “The sports weren’t your idea?”

Steve shook his head. “It was a way that they could legally pawn me off to other adults. Probably the reason for all the piano lessons and the tutoring. How I met Nancy by the way. Gotta have the best grades, until someone puts a plate through my head, then I was just as disappointing as they feared I would be.”

Everyone else at the table let out noises of distress.

“You never should have had to go through that,” David whispered fiercely. “Ever. I’m sorry your parents were awful.”

Steve shrugged. “It wasn’t all bad. I have had adults in my life that cared about me. The Chief of Police always kept an eye on me. Dad stopped hitting me after the second time Hop, Chief Hopper, I mean brought me home after...” he trailed off and looked anywhere but at the people in the booth with him.

He cleared his throat.

Their food arrived and that last sentence was left to dangling in the air like the sword of Damocles over their heads.

Percy watched as Eddie pushed the side of cheese fries between him and Steve, taking a bite periodically, but mostly focusing on the rest of his food.

Steve reached out and took one of the fries, chewing mindlessly. And then another and then another.

David smirked when Percy indicated to what Steve was doing.

Eddie pushed them in front of Steve and he just dug into them like a starving man. He took half of his burger and handed it to Steve, too.

Steve took the half with a blush. “Thanks, Eds,” he said softly.

Eddie just smiled fondly and finished his half of the burger.

David started talking to Percy to help fill the silence and soon the sense of dread dissipated as they fell into easy conversation.

Soon they were done and their plates taken away.

David lifted his chin to indicate to Steve. “Where did you learn that if you got cheese fries Steve would eat?”

Eddie and Steve glanced at each other and Steve blushed.

“Is that what he did?” he muttered.

Eddie laughed. “It’s trick I learned from his best friend. When he’s upset he won’t eat, even when he needs to, but if you put something like cheese fries or onion rings near him, he’ll graze until it kick starts his appetite again.”

Steve looked over at him in shock. “Holy shit, I never realized. Who else does that?”

Eddie smiled at him, that closed mouth, fond smile that he was got around Steve. “Dustin and Max mostly. But El and Will have been known to do it once or twice.”

Steve blinked.

“Sounds like you’ve got a lot of people that care about you, Steven,” Percy said with a grin.

Steve nodded, blushing. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

He looked at his watch and sighed. “How’s this,” he said, “why don’t you use that business card I gave you when you get home and David and me will come out to visit you for a few days?”

Steve lit up. “Yeah? You’d do that?”

Eddie grinned. Steve had just gotten his boyhood wish of having an uncle that cared and he could feel the joy and surprise radiating off his friend.

“I’d love to,” Percy said. “I would love to meet your family.”

Steve grinned. “You’ll love them.”

David smiled, too. “I’m sure we will.”

They got up and hugs were passed around everyone and they said their goodbyes.

“Goodbye Uncle Percy,” Steve said, his voice a little rough with emotion. “Bye, Uncle David. I’ll see you both soon.”

David looked happy and shocked at being called Uncle. Jasper’s daughter would never. But here was this nineteen year old boy whom his partner hadn’t spoken to in literal years being more caring and decent after a single afternoon with him, then Beatrice had her whole life.

So he did the only thing he could, he hugged Steve again, more fiercely this time. “Thank you.”

Steve nodded. He wasn’t sure exactly why David was so grateful, but he understood enough.

As Steve and Eddie walked away, Percy and David watched them get into their car.

“How long do you think it’ll take before those boys realize they’re in love with each other?” David asked.

“I don’t know Eddie very well,” Percy said, thoughtfully, “but I imagine they’ll figure it out before we come visit Hawkins.”

David hummed. If he was a betting man, he would have said the end of the week.

But he just had to wait and see.

****

Pt 10|Pt 11|Pt 12

Tag List: @spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @artiststarme @swimmingbirdrunningrock @gregre369 @pyrohonk ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @chaoticlovingdreamer @messrs-weasley @goodolefashionedloverboi @maya-custodios-dionach @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @danili666 @carlyv @rozzieroos @emly03 @wonderland-girl143-blog @justforthedead89 @bookworm0690 @itsall-taken @bookbinderbitch @redfreckledwolf @vecnuthy @littlewildflowerkitten @scheodingers-muppet @mira-jadeamethyst @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @gutterflower77 @genderless-spoon @hel-spawn @ellietheasexylibrarian @anne-bennett-cosplayer @mamafaithful @yikes-a-bee @dragonmama76 @flaming-reauxster

[nabi-unveiled]

Catching Up: Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo (Ep 8, part 2)

Other Reacts: Ep 1 Ep 2 Ep 3 Ep 4 Ep 5 Ep 6 Ep 7 Ep 8p1

We're now in the home stretch of this show. I have now had time to think about the line I was having difficulty processing in the wee morning hours.

And yeah, I was just overthinking that one. He's basically talking about not wanting to deal with what he had done in the past, and who he feels he is as a person. He was hiding from Ju-yeong. He was hiding from himself. He thinks he's come to terms with himself now, but my man really needs therapy. These dialogue lines are still showing an internalized message about who he "thinks" he is as a human being and person, and they're not positive.

Anyways, we left off on Hyeon-ho wishing Do-hoe a "happy" life in the future. There's really a lot of weight in this wish. You know Hyeon-ho loves Do-hoe in his own way, and he knows what Do-hoe has been through.

I know this line is closure, but I'm not sure where Hyeon-ho sees himself in Do-hoe's life going forward. Will he stay by Do-hoe's side? Will he mostly remove himself? Honestly, I don't think it would matter either way to Do-hoe. That decision will have a huge impact on Hyeon-ho though. I actually can't decide what would be best for him either. There's a lot of history here.

It looks like Hyeon-ho is going to help Do-hoe at least.

I don't think I'd ever use this show as an example when trying to point out writing issues, because it would ruin this show for anyone who hasn't watched it. But this show is such a strong example of excellent writing. This show has employed partial viewpoints superbly. It also takes a good script to get you from "Ugh. I hate you frenemy." to where we are now without it feeling forced or that there was inconsistent characterization along the way. Hyeon-ho hasn't really changed as a person. He's grown and matured certainly. He's realized consequences of his actions. But he's still not Ju-yeong. He's still the one offering to exchange an innocent kid for Do-hoe's well-being. But you feel for him. His morals are still questionable, but you understand and in some ways can support every decision he's made (as an adult). His motivations along each step of his journey are clear. I also find it interesting the comparisons/contrast between Hyeon-ho and Do-hoe. However, that feels like an entire essay, and I really do need to get back to work. There's writing of a different kind to be done.

I love this shot. We just left Hyeon-ho (in black) in his car alone. We now have Ju-yeong (in white) in the cafe watching Do-hoe closely. Do-hoe in grey. These are the same colors they wore earlier when Ju-yeong confronted Do-hoe. Back then, Do-hoe and Hyeon-ho were a team together. Do-hoe stuck by Hyeon-ho's side. I said then that Do-hoe was in the middle. But now he's made his choice. He goes into the cafe, and Ju-yeong is all smiles. I actually love the change of expressions on Ju-yeong's face here.

Do-hoe is smiling, and there is an easy familiarity between the two.

Yes. Please. Let's eat rice. Rice is home. Rice is a great symbolic food. Plus, I just love rice, and it carries a lot of personal meaning for me. That's a story for a different day though. The meaning I derive from rice doesn't really fit this vibe here.

Actually, I take that back. It might actually fit the vibe. Ju-yeong doesn't like rice. Bread works too though. Bread is also a symbolic food. It's nourishment and the basics needed to sustain. More importantly, the chapstick is back!

Whoever picked the book knew their assignment. It's a great choice for Do-hoe in terms of meaning. Figuring out what's important to you and focus on the simple things. It's in some ways about choosing "voluntary poverty" so that you can have a richer life. In a lot of ways, that is what Do-hoe has done at this point. And I am now FULLY on board with the bread. You said PIZZA bread? I'm there. I want. Maybe I should have ate my lunch before watching this show.

I love that they're relearning each other, and we now have this shot of their wallets. Ju-yeong is still using the old one. But it no longer matters. Do-hoe has let go of his pride in some regards. He's no longer trying to pretend to be something he's not. At the least, he's fully accepting Ju-yeong.

I'm glad that they're not overlooking the fact that these were indeed crimes. Do-hoe still has to give up all his money and go to prison, but it's a reduced sentence. I don't really want him in prison, but I do wonder if he needed to be there a bit for his own mental well-being. In some ways, I feel like he's the type that would be upset if he didn't think he had "paid" for his crimes.

Hyeon-ho and Do-hoe are going to go eat together. Ju-yeong is coming right? I mean, I guess I would be fine with y'all eating alone now. 🤔 Let me think on that.

Yay! I don't have to think about it. Ju-yeong is here, Do-hoe has the giddy smile when he sees him, and Hyeon-ho is still rolling his eyes. Ju-yeong still feels muted to me. It's growth and maturity. He doesn't need to be a sunshine all of the time. But I'm going to need his free spirit to shine through some time before the end of this episode.

Hyeon-ho goes and kicks the snow. Because there IS snow on the ground. I'm not sure how I feel about this framing honestly. The snow is dividing Do-hoe and Ju-yeong. Frenemy is in the middle. I love that there's snow. Maybe it's a sign that there's still obstacles to overcome (like prison time), but they're not real obstacles since they're covered in snow? Yeah, it's a stretch. I'm going to go with it though to keep myself happy.

My guess is a job or that Ju-yeong has put his severance pay into some type of venture to help build a life for the two of them. Yay, Ju-yeong is acting a bit playful.

I was wrong. I guess Ju-yeong's severance pay was eaten up by the car after all (unless he'll use it to pay for Do-hoe's school). I do love that Ju-yeong is not letting Do-hoe stop dreaming. He'll be his support no matter what he chooses.

I'm going to cry, but I know it's personal. Some may see this as Ju-yeong pressuring Do-hoe. I don't. Do-hoe needs someone who isn't going to let him give up on himself. (Side note - this is 100% what is scaring me about watching the ThamePo finale. Based on the GIFs I saw, I KNOW I'm not going to see it the same way as most.)

I love that the support is reciprocal here. A simple life together doesn't have to mean sacrificing who you are.

I appreciate that they're not pretending Do-hoe is going to change his mindset overnight. Do-hoe still wants the version of success he saw for himself when he was younger. He still wants to pass the exam.

Sorry. I'm not writing a lot. I'm too busy crying. "No matter what you do, what kind of person you are, and how you turn out - I like it all." The thing is - I believe him here. These lines often come across as naive to me in shows. Most of the time the characters don't have enough experience to back up these statements. This pair does. How am I supposed to focus on work after this?

Do-hoe proposes living separately for a year since he won't be able to help him. Ju-yeong responds "Are you serious?"

Thank you Ju-yeong. I need you to smack (not literally) some sense into your man's head. We're stronger together. We stick together. Let's repeat it - TOGETHER.

Ju-yeong is telling Do-hoe that they need to start over. Don't be greedy. You just need a comfortable place to sleep. Is this the book that Ju-yeong read during the cafe date? It's been too many weeks, I don't remember. I do find it interesting that sleep is coming up again. If I think back on it, sleep was mentioned several times in their teenage years too. I didn't really focus on it, but there's enough evidence to argue it's another connecting thread.

I love the playful way that Do-hoe says this line, but it also shows you what he thinks of Ju-yeong. He really does think he's better because of Ju-yeong. I wish Ju-yeong had responded "you don't need fixing". But that'd probably be too on the nose for this show.

"I'm just a loser with too much pride". Do-hoe is always going to struggle with these things. I'll state again that I'm glad they're not glossing over the fact that his mindset won't have changed.

Do-hoe asks Ju-yeong not to "abandon him". Excuse me Do-hoe. That's Ju-yeong's line.

Girl, I still don't like you. But I do like this exchange. You can also see how much Do-hoe is amused by this in some ways. It's yet another reminder that Ju-yeong did miss him even if he seemed okay. Ju-yeong is dying in embarrassment. If they weren't together, this wouldn't be funny. But it feels okay in this context. Maybe.

After his father's funeral, Hyeon-ho asked Do-hoe this question. He replied something like "I'm not." But the answer has changed.

This conversation is fun. Ju-yeong stumbles when Do-hoe admits that he was his first kiss and first love. I've said it before, but it's those small physical cues in the acting that make things feel natural.

Dang. I'm at 30 images already. Let me go back and edit a bit.

Do-hoe is explaining himself to Ju-yeong.

Ju-yeong reassures him yet again. Honestly, this is the type of exchange they'll probably have 1000s of times going forward. Do-hoe is going to need constant reassurance that he's enough. Ju-yeong is going to need reassurance that Do-hoe won't abandon him again.

Ok. That particular line is a bit much for me. I'm always going to be one for the simple "I love you" over these sweeping declarations though. I'd rather you show, not tell. However, I do feel like words of affirmation are very important to these two. So I'll allow it.

I was just getting ready to type that Ju-yeong was still reading muted to me, but then he came out with this line and you could see a little of that rapscallion energy show through. As adults, we do often become more muted. Honestly, it makes sense that Ju-yeong isn't "happy-go-lucky" after what they've went through. And it's GOOD that he no longer feels like he has to mask. But I still need his mischievous energy to show through a bit more in this last ten minutes. Otherwise, it's going to feel like he's masking/hiding in a different way. He's still healing though. I get that.

They're teasing each other now. That's more like it. Apparently, tones/registers of speech is in play here too. Ju-yeong sneaks a kiss and runs away. There's my rascal. 🥰

We're driving to Seoul together AGAIN. Driving together is now just something we do.

There's a lot in that statement. Do-hoe sees Ju-yeong as family. The thing is...Do-hoe is Ju-yeong's family too. We still haven't seen his parents as a part of his adult life.

I get studying. I really do. If there's one thing I understand in this life, it's studying. There is still time for kisses. But maybe that's me. I'll forego a lot when I need to work/study. Kisses aren't it. That said - I like that Ju-yeong is the one now cooking and taking care of Do-hoe (even if it's a bit burnt looking). As a teen, Do-hoe was the one that cooked.

I WANT THESE PJS! They look so cute, soft and comfy. They're now matching and "happy".

LOL. Do-hoe really doesn't like water dripping in the bathroom. Apparently, that's just a personal peeve. Unlike Hyeon-ho, he's comfortable enough with Ju-yeong to scold him about it though. It's yet another side of himself he shows Ju-yeong that he refused to show Hyeon-ho. Actually, they have shown several other times that Do-hoe really likes things clean. It's a good thing he isn't at my house. I'm a terrible housekeeper.

"Even though we're average people without any so-called success, we're spending our life together..."

They show Ju-yeong's cross necklace in the trash can. I guess that's our confirmation that his adopted parents did indeed abandon him once he reached adulthood. Their duty was done in their eyes. 😒 I'd be angry, but it appears he's better off without them. (Edit: In case someone wants to bring it up. I KNOW this cross is a religious symbol as well. I'm 100%, very well aware of it. In the context of this show and the weekend I just spent, I cannot handle dwelling on that at the moment.)

LOL. I've definitely said this line before 🤣. Glad to know they're actually making time for kisses. The exchanges before were a joke, not a hard truth. I love that they're teasing each other. Ju-yeong getting petulant about "it's been a week". It just feels real and domestic.

Do-hoe finding all of Ju-yeong's past posts feels like a similar scene in You're My Glory. It's the evidence. The evidence of how much Do-hoe has always meant to him, of how much he has always tried to make Do-hoe happy, and of how Do-hoe hurt him.

And we close.

I'm definitely going to struggle to get work done now. It's a real ending. I don't know that I'd classify it as a "happy ending" (note: I don't require happy endings in my shows to be satisfied). I feel like Do-hoe's going to spend the rest of his life trying to make it up to Ju-yeong. And Ju-yeong is going to spend his life trying to convince Do-hoe that he's enough on his own. That's okay. I'm glad they didn't show whether Do-hoe passed the exam or not. Because that's not what's important. I'm also glad that we don't really know how Ju-yeong is earning money or what he's up to. Because it's also not what's important.

They're still broken people. But they're broken people spending their lives together.

I still feel like crying.

@lurkingshan Thank you for the recommendation. It really was a beautiful show. The finale was still my least favorite episode, but it was much better than most finales for me. You could even argue that I got three out of four of my "wishes" even if they weren't in the ways I had intended.

[yanderepuck]

@faust-bite and I were talking about this for a few hours.

But the mansion + the castle is doing secret Santa. Everyone pulls a name. BUT. rather than a gift they have to do a PowerPoint presentation on the person, just going off of what you can find in history books. You cannot talk to the person for information.

Minor rules:

The writers can't do each other

The Frenchies can't do each other

The castle trio have to do someone in the mansion

The brothers can't do each other

Sebastian will obviously not be part of this, but he is enjoying every single moment.

Theo got stuck doing Will. Which he was really upset about, but now he's invested.

Vincent is doing Charles...the lil angel baby is up there talking about ALLLL the shit Charles has done. Faust is covering Charles ears every now and then so he doesn't have to hear.

Leonardo: I hated researching you

Mozart: ...what the hell did you find

Leonardo: WHY would you write to your sister about SCAT

Mozart: ....

Leonardo: AND YOU MEOWED AT PEOPLE. Goddamn catboy

You also have to take a shot every time there is immense trauma.

Theo and Mozart bonding over how much they loved their wives

Arthur and Dazai bonding over being awful to their wives

Theo: you may be into scat.. but at least you were nice to your wife

Mozart: forget everything you've ever known about me.

Vlad is doing Dazai, aka Sebastian is saying half the word because this man can't say a damn thing in Japanese.

Vlad: here's a list of Dazai's drug abuse

Dazai: is it in alphabetical or chronological?

Also take a shot every time Leonardo attempts to say Mozarts full name. Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart

Dazai got Jean and he starts out with "So Jean is a woman."

Mozart is doing Napoleon and the title screen just says "Panty Sniffer". The weirder your title the more points you get

Mozart: so he wrote a self insert love novel

Will: yeah...ARTHUR MADE US READ IT

Dazai: it was the worst thing I read

Oh. The writers pregamed for this. They've been drinking all day just for this.

Theo starts his presentation on Shakespeare and Will sits up like "Shit. I wish I was sober for this one"

Theo: there's not much on his childhood...but he did get married as a minor

Arthur: you WHAT

Theo: he got a woman pregnant and then rushed to get married...she was 8 years older than him or something

Will: what can I say. I'm hot.

Jean got Isaac. That poor boy. He's not able to say anything of these science words.

Faust: ..and in conclusion Vincent killed himself

Theo: THAT'S WHAT THE PUBLIC THINKS??

Napoleon got Vlad and the funny thing is...he isn't in history..so he's searching for Vlad the Impaler

Napoleon: He once ate a meal and watched a kid and the parents slowly slide down wooden stakes and made the rest of the town watch it

Vlad: oh come on! Comte you know I didn't do that

Comte: *still mad at him about something from earlier* I don't know that actually

Leonardo: I said he did it

Comte is now getting everyone therapy for Christmas. That's what everyone truly needs

[midnight-mourning]

RESTART

My submission for an angst event, and I'm gunning for the win /j

For real though, had a lot of fun writing this! It's based on my promptober day 29 response, though you don't have to read it to get the jist, hope you enjoy!

Word count: 2,998

☀️🌙☀️🌙☀️🌙☀️🌙☀️🌙☀️🌙☀️🌙☀️🌙

You double check that there's no one around, and sit back down on the box you were previously moping on. In particular, backstage. Sun wasn't likely to look for you here, not liking to leave the Daycare and all that. Though, he had been getting more comfortable with it lately, which meant you'd have to start finding more hiding places. 

You stare down at your hand, you'd come to accept it as that now. It works just like your original, it flexes, bends, grips just the same. It's just pure white, and completely mechanical now. 

The rest of your body functions relatively similar to how it did before, too. At least, you think it does. You'd like to say it's because you've lost track of time since the incident that you can't tell. In reality, you know it's been seven months, 19 days, 21 hours, and 7, 8, 9-god, you still struggle with getting that to quit. 

No, it's just that you've been like this so long, you don't know what it feels like to be human anymore. Your thoughts are still human, that much you're sure of. Sun doesn't think like you do, from what you understand. He doesn't like to talk about it much, he doesn't like to talk about what happened at all, frankly. 

You get it, he feels ashamed, blames himself for it. But still, you don't think it's fair that you can't even acknowledge how much has changed. Your entire life is here now. You can't never leave the Plex, never go home again. You're stuck here, forever, it seems. 

You want to say that you tried harder to find a way to, fix this? move past it? you don't know. But you didn't. You didn't try to contact your friends, your family, anyone. You just, accepted it. What choice did you have? Besides, as far as you knew, nobody seemed to notice you were missing, so you guess it wouldn't have mattered in the first place.

You sigh, and then laugh at the sound. Your voice is hardly still your own, the metallic ring always noticeable to you despite your best efforts to ignore it. 

To Sun's credit, he had tried his best to make this entire ordeal as comfortable for you as possible. 

No Moon, that much had been established. You think he was also afraid of what the naptime attendant was capable of, if he could so effortlessly kill murder destroy harm you, without a second thought. Though, you were surprised to find that Moon did avoid you when the lights went out from time to time-not nearly as often as before, you're still trying to determine how Sun managed that one-not even sparing a passing glance. 

Additionally, you had your own space, in their room, that is. Still, you treasured the area where you could put a bed, books, and other such items that you no longer had a need for-but they helped. They helped. 

And, while reluctant, Sun allowed you time to yourself when you needed it. You could tell that despite all your reassurances, and the amount of time that had passed, he was still concerned about you potentially, having a glitch, as he called it. You called what happened when you first woke up like this a psychotic break, but you digress. 

Regardless, if you weren't running errands, or helping out in the Daycare, you typically chose to be by yourself. Far away from the place. You could tell it upset him, but to be honest, it was hard to be in there 24/7, you don't know how he did it. 

Besides the obvious fact of the matter that you'd died there, it was just too much. He was just too much. 

The music, the noise, kids running around, screaming, crying. Now that you were a bot, they didn't treat you nearly as nicely. You got beat up on, a lot. More than once having to have Sun patch you up or repair you after a long day. 

And Sun. You, at one point, you think you had loved him. Loved Moon. But that had been a long time ago now. Before this. 

And it wasn't even that you couldn't feel the emotion anymore, or hell, even because of what happened. 

You just, you'd grown hollow. Maybe it was because seeing each other all day every single day got to you. Maybe it was because of his constant attempts to get you to engage, doing crafts together, watching movies together, playing games together. Even a few times where you went out in the Plex on these little 'dates' because that's what they were, no need to pretend. 

Maybe that's what it was, all this, pretending. He always just wanted to move on, have everything okay without putting the effort into making it okay. 

You don't know anymore. But what's new?

You lean back against the wall, eyes closing. Even like this, you still have that damn interface pulled up, unavoidable with its synoptics of your system. 

You see there's a notification in your messages. Opening it, you're unsurprised to find it's one from Sun. 

'Starshine! You've been gone for a bit now, everything alright?'

You answer shortly after reading, 'Fine. Just taking some quiet time.

Doing that meditation thing you suggested.' An obvious lie to you, but he buys it. He always does. 

'Oh! I'll leave you be then. I knew it would be just the thing to help :)'

You scoff, opening your eyes and shaking your head. Resentful. You've grown resentful. And that, that makes you feel ashamed more than anything. 

You send back a quick reply, ':)'

It wasn't his fault. You know it wasn't. You called it 'the incident' but you truly don't believe it had been intentional. Though any attempts at an explanation were shut down immediately. And not in the same, nervous way every other similar discussion was. This was a firm 'No' with no exceptions. 

Whatever had happened to Moon to cause him to act that way, it seemed to scare Sun badly enough that he'd even snapped at you one time. 

"Sunshine, I won't tell you again," Sun warns, "We're not talking about it. It doesn't matter. Moon is fine. Okay?" He shakes his head, "He's just, not feeling so well these days. But I have it under control, do you understand?"

You'd been taken aback by his tone. Too, shocked, and honestly a bit frightened, that he'd lashed out at you like that to say anything. 

He sighs, coming over to where you stand. He hesitates to put his hands on your shoulders when you flinch, and instead clasps them in front of him. 

"I don't mean to sound harsh, Love, but it's for the best if we just drop it. Please."

You find yourself nodding, muttering a quiet "Okay."

"I'm sorry," This time he does initiate contact, pulling you into a tight hug. He doesn't tower over you quite as much now, so it's not as awkward as it used to be. 

"You know I love you, right?" He asks in the quiet, voice low. 

You hum, "I know."

He seems to be waiting. If you still could do so, you'd be biting your cheek to steel yourself. 

"I love you too," You say after a moment or so. 

Sun pulls back, and leans down. Your faces touch and there's a brief, soft, static between the two of you until he stops kissing you. 

"I mean it. I love you. More than you know."

Even though you can't return the feeling, you didn't doubt that he meant it. 

The memory replay is interrupted when you hear voices off in the distance.

That was another thing about this new body of yours, all of your senses were heightened to a degree that was borderline uncomfortable.

You double check your location is undetectable-something Bonnie had taught you early on-and listen in. You weren't a snoop, but sometimes you needed help passing the time. And this was one such example. 

"I just don't know what else to do, Freddy," Sun's voice, you'd know it anywhere, "I've tried everything! I don't know what it will take for things to just..."

Freddy's tone is soft, encouraging, "Just what, Sun?"

"Go back to normal? I, I know it can't be like it was, then, before, but, but surely I can get their old self to shine through again, right?"

You realize they're getting closer to your spot. Shit. You need to hide. 

Quickly, you duck behind another stack of crates, pressing yourself snugly behind them. 

Just in time for Freddy's voice to become clearer as they walk backstage, "I'm afraid it's not that simple, my friend. You still haven't told them the full story, have you?"

You peek just slightly out from your hiding spot, able to just see the two bots standing not far from you.

"N-no. But, I'm going to! I swear I will. I just, I need more time," Sun's hands grip his rays, "I have to win them over again first. That way, that way it won't hurt as much."

Freddy seems to want to say something, but doesn't. 

Instead he puts a hand on the taller bot's shoulder and smiles, "I know you'll do the right thing, Sun. Now, I believe Monty has challenged Roxy to an arm wrestling contest, would you like to join?"

"I would! But, I'm afraid I lack the skills nor the strength to participate myself."

They walk off then, chatting happily, but the conversation sticks with you. What did Freddy mean by full story? What did he know that you didn't about your own, demise. 

A message pops up in the corner of your vison. You expect it to be from Sun, inviting you to watch the match. 

It's from Moon.

You're... more than just surprised. You hesitate, but end up opening it. 

'I can tell you the truth.

If you'd like.'

You panic, you swore your location had been off, you know it had. 

You play dumb, '?

What are you talking about?'

'I wasn't with him, I just happened to notice your signal in the system coincidentally at the same time.

He doesn't know you were there, if you're worried about it.'

'How can you do that?'

'Does it matter?

Do you want to know or not?'

'I shouldn't even be talking to you. I don't want to be talking to you.'

'Aw, still upset are we?

I don't blame you, but I think once you have the full picture, that may change.'

You don't answer, sitting back and looking up to the ceiling. You're debating. You want nothing to do with Moon, especially because he doesn't even seem the least bit remorseful, which, hurts more than you'd care to admit, but still. You do want to know what happened. You want the truth. 

And god do you want someone to talk to. Really talk to. About your death, and just in general.

'Fine. Tell me.'

'Not like this. Later. When he's busy.' 

'He's not busy now?'

'When I'm in control.'

'Why? What's that have to do with anything?'

'It's more fun that way.'

Seems despite everything, he's still got that same cheeky personality. 

'Alright. Give me and time and a place and I'll be there.'

Once that's sorted, you exit your hiding space, going to join in the festivities briefly with the other bots. You'd say it was difficult to pretend everything was fine, but that'd just be lying in and of itself. You try to have fun, at least. Afterall, as far as you can tell it's only Sun and Freddy hiding things from you. 

Right?

When the lights go out in the Daycare, Moon doesn't approach you immediately. Instead, he heads out for his usual patrol. About ten minutes later, you receive a message. 

'Catwalks above Monty Golf.'

You take that as your cue, and head that way. Upon arrival, you spy Moon juggling several golf balls to amuse himself. When he sees you he stops, catching them one by one. 

Something stirs in you, and you clap. He seems surprised at this, but bows anyway. The moment takes you back to-you shake your head, everything is different now, and dwelling on the past won't change that. 

"Alright, let's hear it," You keep your distance, leaning against the railing out of his reach. 

You don't think he'd hurt you, but you'd thought that back then, too. 

Moon notices your choice it seems, and chuckles, "I don't bite, Star."

You stay firm, his eyes narrow at this. 

"It's better to show you than it is to say, and for that, you need to come closer."

"And if I don't?" You cross your arms.

He tsks, "Then you won't get the full story. And that's what you want, isn't it?"

You pause. 

"I won't harm you. Not this time. I promise."

You scoff then, "You've made a lot of promises, Moon-man," You curse yourself for letting the nickname slip, "What proof do I have that you'll keep this one?"

"You don't. But he's also made promises, don't you want to know which one's he's kept?"

If you could, you'd be biting your lip right now. 

"He has everything to gain from lying to you. I do not," He holds out his hand, "What's your choice?"

You consider your options, but you'd already made your choice before showing up here. 

You take his offer, hand resting on top of his, "You break this trust, and you'll regret it."

His hand grips yours and you're suddenly spun around and then lowered into a dip, Moon's other hand on your back to secure you.

"I wouldn't dream of it," He leans in, and as he grows closer you swear there's a flash of purple in his optics, "Now hold still, and watch."

Your vison glitches, and you're no longer on the catwalks. Instead, you're standing in the hallway outside the Attendants' room. Inside, you hear an argument occurring. 

Before you can do anything else, a hand rests on your shoulder. You glance up to see Moon. He puts a finger to his smile, then leans over you and cracks the door slightly. 

Inside, you can see Sun pacing back and forth, and another Moon? Sitting on the dresser. One leg swinging back and forth as he watches the fretting playtime attendant. You take note that there's, an air of static around him. Causing a hazy effect around his entire, otherwise relaxed, form. 

"What do we do, what do we do?" He asks, hands gripping his rays, "They're leaving, they're leaving and they're never going to come back."

Other Moon rests his head in his hand, "They just mentioned potentially moving divisions. It's not for certain, and they'd still be around even if that was the case."

"But they want to go, Moonie. They'd rather a different job than working with us. Do they hate us that much?"

A shrug, "I thought the kisses I got the other night proved otherwise, but maybe I'm misinterpreting."

Sun makes a noise of frustration, "You're no help with anything anymore! Ever since you-"

"Ever since what?" Moon growls, and his visage grows darker, the entire room darkening and glitching.

Sun cowers, putting his hands up and things return to normal, "Since you're, upgrade, you've been, less than supportive, to put it plainly."

Another shrug, Sun goes back to pacing. At that moment, other Moon seems to notice you and waves cheekily, but says nothing. 

His counterpart suddenly stops his movement. 

"What if, what if they, couldn't, leave?"

"You're going to make them stay in a job they hate?" Moon tsks, "How selfish, Sunny."

"Yes, but no, I-" Sun hesitates, really, hesitates. 

This piques other Moon's interest, he sits up a bit, "Go on then, I'm on the edge of my seat."

"What if, what if something happened to them, that made it so they had to stay... Forever?"

Moon pauses, then chuckles, "You're not suggesting what I think you are, are you, Sun?"

"It's for the best," Sun argues, seemingly mostly with himself, "They're not thinking straight. This would, this would help. And then, we'd never have to worry about them leaving ever again."

Moon stands, walking over and putting a hand on the playtime attendant's shoulder, "You can't take this back, you know. There's no do-overs, no fixing things. This is final."

"I know," Sun nods, "And you can, take care of it?"

The edges of the room shift again as Moon snickers, "Can't do your own dirty work, Sunny?"

"You say that as if it doesn't benefit both of us," He mutters. 

"It won't. Not for a while. You can't change their memories, they'll know what happened. It's just the cause that will be, murky."

Sun shakes his head, "They'll never know. I'll make certain of it."

"Are you sure about that?" Other Moon asks, and points to the door where you stand, partially visible. 

Sun's eyes widen, and the world around you starts to crumble. 

With a gasp, you find yourself back on the catwalks, stumbling away from Moon. 

You're shaking, and your system starts sending warning signs of an overload. 

You hear a click. 

Looking up, you see that Moon's reached over to a nearby switch, and the light's start to come on one by one. 

"Good luck~" He snickers, bowing one final time as rays start to pop out from his faceplate. 

Sun's face snaps to yours, immediately starting to walk towards you, hands up, "Starlight, you have to listen to me-"

You can't. You won't. And you don't get a further choice in the matter, either. 

In your haste to get away, you stumble back against the railing. And panicking, trip, and tip backwards. Sun reaches out for you, but it's too late, you're falling. You're about to go through so much pain all over again, and all you can think, the only word you can see, is 'LIAR'.

LIAR. LIAR. LIAR.

☀️🌙☀️🌙☀️🌙☀️🌙☀️🌙☀️🌙☀️🌙☀️🌙

Aw, what a fun twist! Oh, but bummer for you though, yikes, sorry about that one :/ Anywho, thanks for reading!

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