#basically they messed around with the stuff in there.

[justwonder113]

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🎧Shutting them up with a kiss mid argument - Hyung Line edition 🎧

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📖 Summary:  basically what the title says

🖋️ Author’s Note:  sorry it took me eons to write this, life was a lot let's just say lol. I'll try to update more though so stay tuned.

⚠️ Warnings: NOT PROOFREAD. Cursing as always, reader is gender neutral. Arguments but nothing too serious. kissing and displays of affection. Mention of fainting and low blood sugar in chan's part. Suggestive ending in Hyunjin's part. Mention of someone making reader uncomfortable in Hyunjin's part. i can't think of anything else but if i missed anything don't hesitate to tell me^^

📝 Word Count:   2.7 k

📜 Masterlist:

☕ Ko-fi:

💬 let’s talk! reblogs/comments = love, motivation, serotonin 

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Bang Chan

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Having a handsome friend like Chan was surely an interesting experience. Because as he gave you the longest lecture of your life all you could think about was how hot he looked and how all you wanted was to kiss him senseless. You were a perfect definition of that TikTok sound- bla bla bla backstory stuff. 

To explain how you got here with Chan arguing like a tired concerned mom in the middle of a hospital parking lot you would have to go back in time for a few hours. It was nothing special, you just woke up late and you were really rushing so, you didn’t have breakfast. No big deal right? But you did mess up on the part where you didn’t eat anything while you were at work too. You were just too busy! And you might have gone to bed hungry yesterday too because you were too tired... 

So what if you fainted. It was only for a minute or two. Your colleague just panicked and called an ambulance. You just had low blood sugar no biggie. 

So here you were now. Chris had been on and on lecturing you about absolute necessity of eating breakfast and here you were thinking how ridiculously hot he was even while arguing. 

His tone was calm, calculated yet assertive. He looked determined to make you understood his point. You really tried to listen, but he looked so ridiculously hot. like how were you even supposed to act normal? And most of all behave? He even had his shirt folded up to his elbows, his veins and hands... you were just a human for god’s sake! 

You were wrong to have other thoughts while he genuinely tried to tell you what was best for you, while he only had your best interest in mind and genuinely cared about your wellbeing. 

You were wrong, you knew that. So you did that would make things even more worse than not listening. 

Unable to take away your eyes from his lips as he spoke... Them looking so plump and inviting... Suddenly you were acting up on your inner desires, feelings or maybe even pure instincts.  

It all happened in a flash. One second you were looking at his lips next second you had brought him close to you by his collar and you were kissing him hard, successfully shutting him up. 

Funny thing was you had always wondered how kissing him would feel like. And now you got to know it. Although now as you got to know how soft his lips actually were and you realized he tasted so sweet ... it was like you could feel yourself slowly get addicted to him. 

The gravity of what you did only dawned on you after Chan all but stared at you when you leaned back. The silence was deafening and felt like it lasted eternity. 

Chan looked stunned. His eyebrows were furrowed in confusion. He had his pointer and middle finger on his lip as he stared at you searching for answers. 

You couldn’t do it. As much as your actions were bold you were also a coward. There was no way you could face him now. 

You turned around to leave. To say you were feeling overwhelmed would be an understatement. The gravity and shame of what you did weighted you down like bricks. 

His hand on your wrist caught you. 

You couldn’t meet his eyes you stared at your shoes like it was the most interesting thing in the world. There was no way you could hold his gaze, not after what you did, not after the greatest friendship you just ruined. 

You heard Chan sigh softly. And then... You didn’t know how to explain it, but you almost felt him smile, you didn’t even have to look at him. 

“God you’re such a brat.” 

You didn’t even have time to process anything. One second he was still holding you in place preventing you from running away and the next second you were spun around, his hands cupped your face, and Chan was kissing you senseless. 

You didn’t know what this meant for your friendship or your relationship overall, but you didn’t feel as afraid now. 

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Lee Know

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You didn’t mean to ignore him, not really. But here he was, a grown ass man sulking like a kid because you didn’t cuddle him when he asked you to. 

To explain from the start both of you had a day off so you decided to have a sleepover at his house. You spent all night cuddling and watching anime. 

Minho got up for a while to take a shower and while he was in the bathroom Soonie Doongie and Dori decided they wanted to spend some time with you. All three of them cuddled up to you and who were you to deny your adorable babies' affection? 

When Minho came back all four of you were sprawled on the couch leaving no space for him and as much as you loved your boyfriend you would NOT reject your kids’ affection for him. 

Honestly you had warned Minho over and over again that he was spending way too much time with Hyunjin because the scene he just made was just purely overdramatic. He kept whining and sulking how betrayed he was by those closest and dearest to his heart. He kept arguing how you were rejecting him when he was the one who bought you and the kids together. He kept huffing and puffing all cutely how you loved cats more than him. 

You looked at the cats for a second and it was like you had some sort of mutual understatement. They scrawled around as you got up and approached your overdramatic boyfriend who, mind you, was still ranting and yapping about how life but mostly you were unfair. 

Minho was still in the middle of his speech when you decided that you were done listening to him and were now set on shutting him up. 

Hooking your hand on the waistband of his pants you brought him closer to you. He was startled for a second but then a smug grin quickly overtook his features. He looked at you, eyes fully challenging you and who were you to back down? He didn’t stop his speech, he was fully enjoying himself now, testing your patience. He was testing you. 

You obviously had to shut him up now.  

So you did. 

You quickly kissed him before he had time to realize what you were up to. 

The kiss was firm and passionate and as always fully intoxicating. 

When you leaned back for air and most importantly to grovel in victory Minho decided to strike back. 

His hands quickly found their place on your hips and he brought you close in one harsh movement, smashing your lips together. And unlike you he kissed like a man possessed. Like he wanted to devour you whole. His lips moved against yours in a rough possessive manner igniting you from within. 

Forget flustering or just teasing him (although you did notice the second before he kissed you how adorable shade of red his ears had become) you had to shut him up more like this if it meant that he would kiss you like this in return. 

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Seo Changbin

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Sometimes you just stare at your boyfriend and think – how can a person be this round and squishy? Honestly, the cuteness agression Seo Changbin was able to revoke in you should be studied by scientist. Even now as he layd in bed next to him and kept whining how you had been hogging blankets all night all you could think about was just how much you loved your boyfriend. 

In the back of your mind you felt bad. You were ignoring him as he whined to you about how he couldn’t sleep all night. You always listened to him no matter how ridiculous his yapping sessions were, you just couldn’t now. Your mind kept coming back to how cute and adorable he looked. You looked as he laid next to you his head on his arm, his cheek squished up so cutely. maybe you could bite it? He wouldn’t be too mad would he? Maybe he would get sulky but still... he always forgave you as long as you gave him kisses. You really wanted to kiss him. He looked way too cute. So soft and squishy and very much boyfriend material. 

“Baby are you even listening to me?” his voice bought you back to reality. God you were at least supposed to feel bad for ignoring him. 

“No.” You admitted casually as you put your head on his bare chest. As always so warm and sturdy. Bringing you sense of comfort and safety.

Changbin’s scoff was overdramatic as always. He didn’t let go of you as he started to whine all over again. Offended that you were ignoring him just like that so casually. You felt every syllable rumble from his chest as he kept yapping how hurt and offended he was. The funny thing was that his hand never left the small of your back, rubbing gentle circles with his thumb.  

God you loved this goofy idiot. 

Not wishing to hear his whole yap session about how cold he was you decided to shut him up. Gently cupping his cheek you leaned in and kissed him.  

There was one thing about kissing Seo Changbin. No matter how many times you kissed him... no matter how you felt... no matter if your lips felt like falling off... you would never get tired of kissing him. 

You couldn’t fully put it to words.  just what being with him did to you. Maybe it sounded dramatic and cliche but the best description would be that. Whenever your lips brushed against his, suddenly life was worth living again. 

Changbin leaned into the kiss immediately, both of his arms wrapping around you securely. He was flustered at first, but he was Seo Changbin. He never lost his cool. In seconds he overtook the kiss completely. He was the one who had you breathless and gasping for air as his lips brushed against yours in a passionate and loving kiss. 

“you’re such a tease.” You heard him grumble underneath you as he gently pecked you again his eyes sparking and full of love.

You found yourself chuckling at his comment. What could be said? You didn’t feel bad at all. Smiling in victory you put your head on his chest again, his arms still tight around you, making you feel so safe and warm. You could stay like this forever. “Sorry baby I couldn’t resist.” You pointed out every word with gentle circles with your thumb on his ribs. 

Changbin scoffed but it was apparent he wasn’t mad at all. He grumbled something about you being a brat but honestly you didn’t care. Not when he had you in his arms like this. 

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Hwang Hyunjin

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One thing you loved the most about Hyunjin was how passionate he was. But sometimes all this passion he had literally running in his veins meant that even the slight inconvenience would result in the most overdramatic outburst ever. 

You understood why he wasn’t happy. You two were attending your friend’s wedding. The fact that you were a couple was the most obvious thing ever. Hyunjin hadn’t left your side for a whole night. He really was your Velcro baby. Like you weren’t being dramatic or anything. His hand literally hadn’t left your waist. Also, the number of times he kissed either your cheek or temple...

Your point was that anyone with working eyes or even just two working braincells would be able to tell that you were together. Yet there was this one asshole that kept checking you out and relentlessly flirting with you no matter how many times you shut down his advances. 

To say that Hyunjin was pissed was an understatement. You as well. The asshole really managed to get under your skin but your attention really was on your boyfriend now. 

“You okay baby?” Your whole attention was on him as he gave the shameless man the nastiest side eye ever. 

Hyunjin looked at you, his arm tight around your waist as he laid his head on your shoulder, your hand almost instinctively went to his hair. Gently scratching his nape. 

“I’m not fine. I hate how that asshole stares at you! So disrespectful.” Hyunjin grumbled. Honestly you loved whenever he got protective over you despite needing protection from almost everything himself.  

“Want to leave darling? It’s getting late anyways.”  You whispered against his ear loving his presence all around you. 

“Why should we have to leave because of some asshole? Are you uncomfortable darling? I swear I will kick his butt. Minho taught me some boxing moves and Changbin had been making go to Gym with him. I’m basically unstoppable! You say the word my love!” Hyunjin spoke with determination and passion. You couldn’t help but smile listening to him. God he was too adorable for his good. 

“You’re adorable baby. I’m fine I promise. Although constant staring is getting under my skin.” 

“I knew it! He is making you uncomfortable! I will go and have a damn word with him! No one can make my baby uncomfortable! Some people have no shame!” Not wanting to escalate things further you stopped him. And before he even had a chance to say anything you kissed him hard. 

Hyunjin was taken aback but he quickly returned the kiss. His lips moving against yours harshly like he was claiming you. He kissed you back like a man starved. Like he had a point to prove. He had never kissed you like this. Your whole body felt like it was catching on fire, not that you minded. You loved how possesive he got yet how he held you like you were the most precious thing in the world. 

You kissed him just as hard. Maybe you were being inappropriate, you were at a wedding after all. But most of the guests were quite drunk or tipsy already so no one really paid any mind to you. 

After a while you had to break the kiss. Unfortunately, there was this thing called oxygen all the humans needed to survive. 

You didn’t know what came over you but you wanted the whole world to know you were his. Before Hyunjin even the thought would be ridiculous for you but now... your life really was like that tailor Swift song. "I want to wear his initial on a chain round my neck not because he owns me but cuz he really knows me, which is more than they can say. - Call It What You Want. "

Honestly the kiss you two shared was so mind blowing for you, you didn’t even remember why you kissed him in the first place. Only when you noticed him look behind you and smirk in victory when you got reminded. 

Looking back yourself you also noticed that the guy who was relentlessly staring at you earlier now looked away all defeated. You smirked knowing your plan worked.  

Hyunjin looked at you looking almost giddy. 

“Don’t even say anything.” - You warned him, but he didn’t listen at you for a second. Fully smirking he wrapped his hands around you and nuzzled into your neck. 

It was endearing how clingy he could get. 

“You should do that more. It's an effective way telling everyone we belong to each other.” - Good thing he was cute, or you would have smacked him for being so cocky. 

“Come on let’s go home. I have a point to prove who I belong to.” You smirked satisfied while you watched your boyfriend almsot lose his shit with your suggestive comment. 

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✧･ﾟ: Thank you for reading! :･ﾟ✧ 

If you enjoyed this story, reblogs and comments are truly appreciated—they help more STAYs find my work, and your feedback means a lot to me. 💬🖤 

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[orlaunderrated]

The Edges of Us: Chapter 16

First Chapter | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Will Lenney x fem reader; George Clarke x fem reader

Summary: Y/N has always been close to George—but everything changes when she catches feelings for his sharp-tongued, infuriatingly charming friend, Will. Torn between loyalty and desire, Y/N finds herself caught in a messy tangle of friendship, secrets, and unexpected love.

Word Count: 6.3k+

Note: fucking hell YN is a bit melodramatic hey?? damn crazy. someone should do something about it.

xxx

The flat is nearly done. Well, nearly is the operative word. You can’t exactly turn a blank canvas into a masterpiece in just one week — not when you’re battling a mountain of flatpack boxes and wrestling with furniture that arrives with more screws than instructions. But I gave it a red-hot go. The sofa’s in place (mostly assembled), the kitchen’s unpacked enough to cook something edible, and the bed actually holds me without collapsing. The boxes are mostly unpacked, though there are still a few corners that feel bare — empty enough to remind me this place is still a work in progress. But honestly? I kind of like that. It gives the space room to breathe. Room to grow.

Speaking of growing, I’m currently drowning in cardboard. The sheer volume of it could probably form its own ecosystem. It’s all shoved into my bedroom right now, stacked like the starter pack of a hoarder’s anonymous meeting. It’s chaos, but it’s my chaos, and I’m strangely proud of it.

Despite the mess, the fridge is stocked with fresh food — no more sad instant noodles for me. And tucked in the corner is a bottle of wine I’ve been saving for a moment just like this. Tonight, that moment finally arrives.

I’m hosting a goddamn housewarming.

A bunch of my friends from The Van are coming over. Here. To my new flat. The place I’ve poured sweat, frustration, and a hell of a lot of laughter into. It feels like a milestone, even if the space isn’t quite finished. Because this — this is my fresh start. And tonight, I get to celebrate that with the people who know me best.

The nerves buzz beneath my skin — the kind that comes from knowing I’m about to open the door to more than just a flat. I’m opening up a part of my life that’s still a little raw, a little uncertain. But mostly, it’s mine.

And god, I’m ready for it.

Will’s been on my mind a lot lately. The space between us feels bigger than this whole flat, and I’m still trying to figure out how to bridge it. But tonight, I’ve thrown myself into every little detail—the perfect candle, the best tablecloth, making sure everything’s just right.

I want him to meet my people, to see this side of me, to taste my cooking—not just grab a quick bite on the run. It feels like a chance to remind him what we could have, if only that distance would close.

He said he probably wouldn’t make it for dinner, caught up with some deadline, but that he’d come by afterward. Knowing Will, I’m still holding out hope for a surprise.

Ruth shows up early, as she always does. I think she likes the idea of getting her hands into something, and she’s always ready to help. So we’re tackling the dinner together. Best friend type shit.

It’s a simple menu — pasta, salad, garlic bread. The basics, can't fuck it up, but Ruth’s made sure we’re not cutting any corners. There’s fresh basil for the pasta sauce, real garlic, not the stuff from a tube, and a block of parmesan for grating. No pre-grated cheese. We’re going for it.

“Okay, we’ve got the pasta and the bread covered,” Ruth says, setting down the garlic butter with a satisfied look. “But have you seen any tongs around here? I don’t see any.”

I blink at her, then look down at the kitchen drawers. “Tongs? Damn I haven't bought tongs yet have I?”

Ruth gives me a deadpan look. “You’re making garlic bread. How are you going to get it out of the oven without tongs?”

I roll my eyes, but she’s right. I’ve clearly missed some basic kitchen essentials in my shopping spree. “Fuck. Tongs,” I mutter. “Let me guess — I didn't buy cling wrap either, right?”

Ruth grins and hands me the fresh basil while pulling out a cutting board. At least I remembered that. She starts to look in my drawers, telling me all the things I've missed. Classic.

“You still need cling wrap, tongs, maybe a ladle... You know, the essentials. The adult things.” She pauses. “And I see you’re still rocking mismatched mugs. Gotta work on that.”

“Right,” I say, glancing at the array of mismatched mugs stacked in a corner. I haven’t quite gotten around to replacing the ugly ones. “Thanks for pointing that out.” I grin at her.

Ruth shrugs and pours some wine into a glass for both of us. “Hey, it’s part of the charm. You’ll get there eventually.”

She heads off to the living room to look at my makeshift bookshelves. I honestly had no idea I owned that many books. I had a box my mum parcelled over to me a few months ago and just never opened it. 

I scramble to put together a shopping list. I grab my phone and make a note: Tongs. Cling wrap. Ladle. Proper mugs.

By the time Ruth’s back in the kitchen, I’m just about to check the oven. She grins, holding up the wine bottle. “You ready for your first official dinner party in this place?”

I laugh, and the nervous energy I’ve been carrying all week suddenly feels a bit more manageable. “Sure. Just don’t judge me when it’s basically a glorified pasta night.”

Ruth shakes her head, clearly amused. “It’s going to be amazing. Don’t stress.”

As the others start trickling in, I’m already half-drunk off the wine, and the kitchen smells like garlic bread and fresh pasta sauce. I’m more than ready for the evening.

I want this — the warmth, the laughter, the feeling that everything is starting to slot into place. The place is starting to feel like a home.

First in is Matt, looking slightly more cheerful than usual. Then Naomi, Sam, and of course, Leon. The last one to walk through the door is Oscar, with his tattooed sleeves and that unreadable smile that always makes me a little nervous. I've learnt his name since the night out. He’s holding a six-pack of beers, a piece of the puzzle I hadn’t even realized I needed.

Even though the flat’s buzzing with activity, I can’t stop glancing at my phone, hoping for a message from Will. He said he’d come by, but so far, nothing. I try to shake off the nerves, but it’s there, just under the surface.

I give Ruth a quick look, and she grins back at me like this is the moment. I’m pulling it off.

“You made it, weirdo,” I say to Leon as I hand him a drink. He grins back, running a hand through his messy hair.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," he says with a wink.

“Perfect. You’re just in time for the pasta," I say. "Let me know if it's too burnt. And if you need tongs or ladles, don’t hesitate to ask.”

There’s a round of laughter. The good kind. The kind where you’re not pretending to be someone you’re not. Everyone settles in, the energy rising to meet the occasion, and it feels like the beginning of something — like this could be a regular thing.

Matt immediately makes himself comfortable at the kitchen island, I tell him he should complement my brand new stools and he does. Sam and Naomi are on the couch, Oscar’s standing by the window looking out, his beer in hand, but still very much a part of the group.

I lean over to Ruth, still plating food, and whisper, “This is good. This is really good.”

“See?” she grins, nudging me with her shoulder. “You’re doing fine. You just needed a bit of support, that’s all.”

And just like that, the tension I’ve been carrying all week starts to slip away. Even if things with Will feel like they’re shifting in some unsaid way, even if George is still somewhere in the back of my mind, right now, I’m here. Right here. In my new flat, with my new friends, and the room is full of laughter and light and the smell of pasta sauce.

It’s not perfect, but for the first time in a while, it doesn’t have to be.

xxx

The night goes on with too many drinks, too much pasta, and a whole lot of laughter. Ruth ends up taking over the playlist, making us listen to all kinds of weird indie songs I’ve never heard of. The vibe is relaxed, comfortable — almost like this is something we’ve all been doing for years.

The conversation flows in waves, picking up new threads as we all bounce between topics. But I can’t shake the quiet tug in the back of my mind. Will hasn’t texted in a while, and every time someone mentions “plans for the weekend,” I catch myself glancing at my phone, wondering if he’s about to text me something — anything.

He said he’d swing by. I remember him saying it so casually, like he had a hundred other things to do, like he wasn’t as excited as I was to finally introduce him to this weird, wonderful group of people. He said probably after dinner.

But now is after. Well past the time he was supposed to show up, and still no sign of him.

The flat feels warm, filled with laughter and the clink of glasses. The food’s been devoured, and we’re well into the inevitable post-dinner chaos — too many empty wine bottles on the table, a bunch of half-finished drinks, and everyone drifting into different conversations.

Oscar, fiddling with the tablecloth, turns to me. His voice drops low, quiet but deliberate. “You enjoying it here?” he asks, eyes steady and kind.

His question hangs in the air longer than expected, heavier than the easy chatter around us. There’s something about the way he says it — like a small thing, but with enough weight to make me feel seen. I try not to overthink it.

“Yeah,” I say, taking a slow sip of wine to steady my hands. “It’s good. I’m finally getting settled.”

Naomi catches my eye and grins, always the one to break any tension. “You live alone! How fantastically adult of you!” She laughs, then leans forward, raising her glass like she’s about to make a toast. “So, surely you’re hosting pre’s all the time now?”

I laugh too, grateful for the distraction. Hosting parties still feels a little out of reach — like I’m playing a part rather than living it. “How fantastically adult of me!” I echo, but my words feel hollow, fading too fast. I roll my eyes and shake my head. “Yeah, I guess. I’m still figuring out how to organise the kitchen without tripping over pots and pans.”

Naomi’s grin widens, clearly enjoying the tease. “I bet you could totally host though. You’ve got the place, the vibe… And I’m sure Will would help with all the heavy lifting.”

I force a laugh, trying to hide the flutter of nerves that hits my chest. “Alright, alright, you guys are all obsessed with Will now,” I say, but there’s an edge to my voice I can’t quite mask. “Seriously though, I’ve only been here a week. Let’s not get carried away with the hosting talk.”

Oscar’s quiet gaze meets mine again, and his voice softens, almost thoughtful. “You enjoying it though? Living on your own, I mean?”

I hesitate, the question suddenly too big for the easy smile I want to give. “Yeah… it’s weird. But good weird, you know?” I try for lightness, but there’s a flicker of doubt I can’t shake.

He nods slowly, eyes warm. “It’s a big change. But it suits you, I think.”

His words hit in a way I didn’t expect — simple, but somehow more real than anything else said tonight. My heart skips.

Before I can say more, Ruth leans in with that spark in her eyes I’ve come to trust. “So, when can we meet Will, huh?”

I blink, caught off guard, but the smile still breaks across my face. “Oh, he should be coming soon!” I say—maybe a bit too eager—but it doesn’t matter. I’m excited, though now there’s a knot of worry twisting in my stomach.

Oscar raises an eyebrow, a subtle softness in his expression, like he’s watching a story unfold but isn’t sure where it’s going yet.

Naomi grins at me, all bright eyes and enthusiasm. “Well, we’re all excited to meet him!”

For the first time in a while, it feels like everything’s just right. I’m still figuring things out, but right now — in this warm, noisy, wine-soaked chaos of friends and laughter — it feels good.

Now, if only Will would show up.

xxx

He didn’t show. No text, no call, no nothing.

This is the casual bit, I suppose. He doesn’t want to meet my friends. Doesn’t need to. Not really. It’s fine, I tell myself. It’s all fine.

But even as I say that, it feels less fine than I want it to. It’s the way the night should’ve ended — with Will here, laughing, a glass of wine in hand, mixing into the chaos of the crew that’s been my lifeline since moving here. Instead, it ends with a quiet empty spot in the corner, where he should have been.

Everyone filters out slowly, footsteps soft on the floor as they gather their things. We’re doing that thing where we’ve all hugged and said goodbye, but somehow there’s still more to say before the night truly ends.

“See you Tuesday!” Naomi calls out cheerfully, her voice still light, but somehow, too loud against the silence that’s filling the flat.

I’m wiping down the last of my counter when Leon, already halfway to the door, tosses me a comment over his shoulder. “I’ve got an old bookshelf I’ve been thinking of selling,” he says casually, pausing in the doorway. “If you’re looking for one, let me know. It’s not much, but it’ll hold some books.”

I’m surprised, but it’s exactly the kind of thing I’ve been hunting for. “Oh, yeah, definitely,” I say, smiling a little. “I could always use another shelf. I’ll hit you up tomorrow.”

He grins, gives me a quick salute, and heads out. The door clicks shut behind him, leaving me standing there for a second, processing how it feels like everyone is offering something these days. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m still settling in, or maybe it’s just them — these people who don’t mind extending little bits of themselves. Maybe it’s not so bad, this whole "being part of something" idea.

Oscar, standing near the door, finishes gathering his coat and keys, then turns to me with a calm smile. “By the way,” he says, his tone always steady, “I've got a social netball game next week. We're down a player. You should come along. Text me if you’re interested.”

I blink for a second, caught off guard by how casually he says it. Netball? Me? My heart races slightly at the idea of joining something new, but at the same time, the idea of being included, of having another regular to show up to, feels oddly comforting.

I laugh softly, shrugging. “Yeah, alright. I’ll text you.”

He nods. “Good. It’ll be fun. Everyone’s a bit rubbish, but we make it work.” His tone softens as he walks out. "And if you need any help with the flat, don’t hesitate, yeah? That’s what we’re here for.”

“Thanks, Oscar!,” I reply cheerily, watching him disappear out the door.

It’s strange, how suddenly, these people I barely knew a couple of months ago have started to feel like… home. Not that everything’s perfect, or figured out, but the little things, the offers, the casual kindness — they build something I can’t ignore.

They're so good at the casual kindness that none of them mention it. Not the fact that Will didn’t show, not the fact that they didn’t meet the guy I’ve been talking about for the past two months. It’s like the whole thing doesn’t even exist. The same casual tone is there when they leave, like it’s just another night of drinking and laughing. Not even a passing mention of him.

I stand by the door, waving them off, giving them the usual goodbyes, but my heart isn’t in it. I’m already retreating inside my head, processing the quiet absence of the night. And even though they’re gone, the quiet lingers. It settles in the corners of my flat, heavy in the air.

I start getting ready for bed, moving through the motions like I’ve done a thousand times before. But tonight, the evening feels heavier, somehow. The fun, the warmth of it all, has melted into something… off. The laughter still echoes in my ears, but it’s already fading.

Seeing everyone was nice. It warmed me up a bit. But Will’s no-show weighs on my shoulders, pulling everything back into question.

He’s been so weird. That’s the thing, right? He’s been so weird lately. Pulling back physically. Not calling, not texting the way he used to. The conversations have been shorter, the energy a little colder. It’s like there’s a wall I can’t get past.

What is it with everyone being weird? First George and now Will?

And maybe that's it. Maybe I’m the one who’s being weird. Maybe I'm the one overthinking it all. Or maybe Will really has just decided I’m not worth it anymore. Whatever it is, I can't shake the feeling that something’s off, and I don't know how to fix it.

And I’m being paranoid, I'm sure of it. I’m reading too much into it. But the more I think about it, the more I wonder if he’s already decided I’m not worth it. Maybe he’s figured out that I’m not the kind of person you want to stick around for. Maybe I am just a distraction, a filler until something better comes along. I climb into bed, pulling the covers over me, but it feels too empty. It's become a rare thing to not sleep next to him. Or it became a rare thing, it's been more common again this last week.

I can still feel the weight of the night, the quiet hum of unspoken things between Will and me, filling up the space. I stare up at the ceiling, trying not to get lost in my own thoughts.

But no matter how many times I tell myself that it’s fine, that maybe it’s probably nothing... it’s hard to believe.

I want to be angry at him. I really do. But the thing is, I can’t summon it anymore. That’s the part that kills me. We’ve already done our time of angry, and now… now I’m just left with this thick, suffocating sadness.

I told him. I told him that night, the first time we crossed that line, that I wasn’t ready for anything serious. And he said he wasn’t either. No big deal. It was supposed to be a fun thing, right? Nothing to complicate. But this — this silence, this absence — it doesn’t feel fun anymore.

He helped me move. He helped me move for Christ’s sake. He even roleplayed coming home with me in the IKEA showroom, like we were already living that life. How was I supposed to brush that off like it was some weird joke?

And then there’s Monaco. Monaco. That brand trip invitation had my stomach doing flip-flops. Why would he invite me if he wasn’t looking for something? He even knows I can’t just drop everything and take a week off work, especially after the move. So why make it feel like it was an option?

I cling to the hope that he’s just letting me down gently. That he’s realised we’re not going to work out long term, and he’s sparing me the awkwardness of some big breakup speech. Maybe he’s just trying to soften the blow, make it easier, to not put me in a situation where I feel like I have to argue or beg him to stay.

But that doesn’t make it any easier to stomach.

Shift in bed, feeling the silence in the room press against me. I try to shake it off, tell myself it’s fine, that I’ll just talk to him when I see him next. It’s all I can do — try to bury the disappointment and hope it doesn’t bubble up when I finally see his face again. But I know, deep down, this isn’t going to go away until I confront it.

What hurts the most isn’t the waiting. It’s the not knowing. Because the truth is, if I knew where we stood, even if it was bad, even if it was over, I could deal with it. But instead, I’m just here, with all this space between us, with nothing but his absence to fill it.

And that? That’s the part I can't fix.

xxx

Its been a week.

Will hasn’t spoken to me all week.

It feels like a punch in the gut, but I can’t help the feeling that something’s shifted. The longest we’ve gone without talking since we met, and there’s nothing — no text, no call, no plans to meet up.

When we met — that stupid party I didn’t even want to go to — he texted me that same night. And then we just… didn’t stop.

It started as relentless. Snarky. Annoying. Like we were both trying to win something, though I’m still not sure what. For weeks — no, months — it was constant. A daily back-and-forth of sarcasm, one-liners, and deeply unnecessary hot takes. The kind of energy that should’ve fizzled out fast. But it didn’t.

It softened, eventually. Less sharp edges, more… rhythm. But it never really stopped. The most we’ve ever gone without messaging was about 25 hours — and even that was because he was on a plane and I was half-dead with a cold.

And now?

After he invited me on a holiday.

After he helped me move flat, kissed me like I was worth living for, learned my pizza order, and figured out exactly what makes me tick?

Now, it’s quiet.

And I don’t know what to do with the silence.

Fucking hell, even a “u up?” text would satisfy this craving I’ve got for him right now. As ridiculous as it sounds, the idea of him texting me — even just to say something stupid or half-hearted — would be enough to quiet the pit of frustration that’s been growing in my stomach all week. Goddamn, I’d even take a “I hate you” as a response to my question of "Where have you gone?".

At least then I’d know.'

At least I wouldn’t be left here wondering. Wondering if I messed something up or if it was him or if I’m just being too sensitive. It’d hurt, sure, but the silence? That’s worse. The quiet stretches out longer and longer, and with it, all my stupid, paranoid thoughts start creeping in. Maybe I said something wrong. Maybe I took the wrong step. Maybe I’m just too much, and that’s why he hasn’t even bothered to reach out.

But no, I don’t even get that. I get nothing. The space between us is thick with unanswered questions.

If I’m being honest, I’m not even sure why I care this much. It’s just a thing, right? Just a guy. We weren’t anything serious. I said it myself: I wasn’t ready for anything serious. But that doesn’t stop the feeling. The one that twists in my chest every time I check my phone and see it’s still empty.

I try to shake it off. I mean, it’s not like I need him to validate me, right? I’m fine. I’ve got my own life now.

But it’s funny how much a single text can feel like it could break the tension in my chest. Even if it’s not the answer I want, it would be something.

Instead, I’m left with the silence, which, honestly, might just be worse than any shitty message he could send.

Still, I keep telling myself it's fine, that he’s probably busy. It’s just a bit of space. Just a bit of time to breathe. But the truth is, I’ve spent the entire week in this weird limbo, where I’m pretending I don’t care, pretending I’m fine. But I’m not.

Still, I try to keep myself busy. I’ve got my new flat, right? It’s not just empty space, it’s mine. And the more I sink into it, the more it starts to feel like a home.

The new flat vibe is pretty damn good, I’ll admit. It’s like the universe is handing me a chance to do something with my life, to build it the way I want to. No more shared walls, no more roommates, no more worrying about someone else’s mess. This is my space. It feels cool, like I’m finally grown up. Like I’m not just floating through life anymore, I’m steering the ship. Or at least, that’s what I tell myself when I’m crouched on the floor, rearranging bookshelves for the fifth time.

Should I arrange them in order of colour or by authors surname?

I’ve thrown myself into interior design, and honestly, it’s a little embarrassing how into it I’ve gotten. I’m that person now — scrolling through Pinterest boards and flipping through magazines like I’ve got my life together. Who even buys magazines anymore? Me, apparently. Maybe it’s the thrill of having a blank canvas, or maybe it’s just me convincing myself I’m doing something productive while I wait for Will to acknowledge me again.

It’s not just the flat. Somehow, I’ve picked up three new hobbies in the last week. Because of course I have. Why not? I’ve got the space for them now, and apparently the energy too. I’ve started baking — simple stuff, like cookies, but it feels like a tiny victory each time the oven beeps. Then there’s painting. Like, actual painting, with brushes and canvas. It’s therapeutic in a way I didn’t expect. And, just to really round it out, I’ve joined an online book club. Because I have a ton of time to read now, right?

I think I’m doing all of this because I’m trying to fill the space, to prove I’m okay. That I can do this alone, that I can be enough. Because right now, all this newness is really just a distraction from the quiet. The kind of quiet that grows when the person you’ve been waiting for stops showing up.

But at least I’ve got these things, right? New hobbies, a new flat. It’s like I’m learning how to be by surrounding myself with things that fill the silence. I’ve got three types of flour in the pantry, a canvas that’s half-painted in the corner, and a Pinterest board that’s at least 50% living room inspiration. At least it’s something.

I just wish I could shake the feeling that it’s all a little... empty.

Like no matter how many hobbies I pick up or how many magazines I flick through, I’m still just waiting. For Will to text, for him to show up, for him to decide whether or not he wants to be in my life.

Maybe I just want to feel like I’m worth something. Worth his attention. Because right now, all this newness in my life — the flat, the hobbies, the Pinterest boards and the cake experiments — it’s just stuff. It’s all just stuff I’m using to fill up the quiet, to fill up the space where Will’s presence should be.

And then there’s work. God, work. It's is just awful. It’s like every day I’m dragging myself through quicksand, and the more I think about it, the more I want to scream. I moved across the world for this job, and right now, I can’t even remember why I thought that was a good idea. I was so excited back then — new city, new job, new life — but now? Now it’s just a slog.

The people at work are fine, the work itself is fine, but everything just feels so... meh. I felt Will pulling away all last week — the messages slowing, the distance growing in the silences between us. And I just let him, I guess. It’s like he’d already checked out, and I’m still trying to figure out where I fit in.

It’s like I’ve slipped into autopilot. I go in, work on my silly little programs, then come home to stare at the same four walls of my flat, wondering if I’m just wasting time.

The real kicker is when I think back to last week — that week with Will, building furniture, figuring out the best spot for the couch — it makes coming back here feel that much harder. How was it so easy with him? We were in sync. We didn’t have to try; just living together for a few days felt... right.

But now? Now it feels like that was a different life, a different version of me. One who wasn’t dragging herself through a job she feels nothing for. One who had the energy to care about something deeper than painting.

I want that feeling back. That rhythm. But every time I sit at my desk or stare at my inbox, the thought won’t leave me: Why did I come here? And more importantly — where is he?

Work was supposed to be the thing that would make it all worth it — the move, the change, the upheaval. But instead, it’s just another reason to feel stuck.

And maybe, just maybe, it’s easier to blame the job than to admit that maybe I’m just goddamn lonely. It always comes back to that doesn��t it?

Every. Fucking. Time.

I'm sick of going on about it.

I felt so cool when I got this job. So proud of myself. Like I was finally getting what I deserved. A real, grown-up job in a new city. In London, It was the dream, right? I had this whole story about how I’d made it.

They headhunted me. Me! Some young woman from halfway across the world, with no more than a decent CV and a wild idea that maybe, just maybe, I could do this. The company paid for my flights, gave me a sizable bonus — which, honestly, I only just used to furnish my flat. I always thought that money was the start of something big. I was going to fill my new space with things that meant something, that screamed me.

We can ignore the part where it took me eight months to find a flat.

But I don’t talk about it much. I kept it to myself, like a little secret that I didn’t want to admit, even to myself. This whole “new life” thing, I mean. It sounded so easy, so clean when I first thought about it. Move abroad, get a job, settle in. And yet, here I am, restyling my bookshelf again, and trying to piece together what was supposed to be this amazing new chapter.

And George! I couldn’t believe I got to live in the same city as George again. The mate who was there when everything felt like it was falling apart, the one who somehow kept me grounded and floating at the same time. After all this time apart, suddenly, we were both here, sharing the same streets, the same city.

And Look how that turned out.

Okay, I’m being overly cynical now. I say that about George, but it’s better now. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect — how to slip back into the old rhythm. But after the move out conversation, in the garage, everything felt lighter with him. And then he  sent me a meme out of the blue, and I felt this weird little buzz in my chest. Like we were gonna pick up right where we left off, no awkwardness, just that familiar ease. It felt good.

It is good.

He seems less intense now, less… complicated. Or maybe I’ve just learned to roll with his quirks. Either way, we’re back to sending each other memes and laughing over all the dumb stuff we used to get up to. It feels easy again, and that’s a fucking relief.

And we’ve got that dinner I promised him coming up! After all this time, it’s finally happening. Don't ask why it took two weeks, I’m honestly just excited to catch up, to hang out with him like we used to. No pressure, no weirdness. Just two friends who’ve found their way back to each other. I say that. I still lived with him when it was weird. We didn’t exactly leave each other. But honestly, I can’t stop smiling just thinking about it. Feels like the good old days.

I drag my fingers through my hair and try to focus on that instead of the Will situation. And it works. Mostly.

My head’s too full of questions about Will, too full of the aching uncertainty of what’s really going on with us. I could blame work for all of this, but that wouldn’t make anything easier. It pulses on the back of my brain light a headache that no amount of paracetamol can cure

It buzzes beneath the noise of everything else, stubborn and unwelcome, refusing to let me forget.

xxx

Dinner with George is... easy. Comfortable. I can’t remember the last time I was this relaxed with him. We’re at a nice Italian place near his flat. It's nothing fancy, just cozy. The kind of place where you feel like you’re in the middle of a casual night out, not some rom-com scene.

It’s weird, seeing George not at the flat. He’s always been just... there, popping in and out without any big plans. The whole time we've known each other it's been like that, even living across the UK we used to just, pop in. But now, we have to plan to see each other, carve out time like it’s something that needs scheduling. We’re grown-ups now, I guess. It feels different.

I tell him that, how strange it feels to have to make plans, to check calendars, to figure out when we can actually hang out. It’s all a bit too real. Like, we’ve entered that stage of adulthood where everything is a bit more... intentional.

He shrugs, almost like he’s not bothered by it, but there’s something in his smile that makes me think maybe he gets it. “I’ll give you your key back,” he says, his voice light. “It’s all good to just drop by whenever, yeah?”

It should feel like a relief, and in a way, it is — a reminder that some things don’t have to change. That maybe we can still be friends, like we always have been. No pressure, no awkwardness, just that easy, familiar connection.

I try not to dwell on how different it feels now. The crush is long gone... mostly. There’s a comfort in knowing we’re still friends, even if it feels different now. Even if it feels more like a chapter that’s winding down than one that’s still building. But we’re still here, still part of each other’s lives, just in a new way. And honestly? That’s something worth holding onto.

We’re talking about everything and nothing now, the move, Arthur's new gross habits, Monaco. The whole trip is sounds a bit surreal.

I still think about Will's invite, and I’m still not sure why. I can't go, obviously—work, timing, all that—but it’s the kind of thing I’m sure would been fun if I could go. I tell George this, all casually, just another thing in passing.

So then he asks, “How are things with Will?” The question hangs there for a second, like it’s some innocent check-in, but I can already hear the curiosity in his voice.

I shrug, taking a bite of my pasta before I answer. “Yeah, not really happening anymore. I told you it wasn’t serious,” I say it like it’s no big deal, because, honestly, it’s not. It’s just another thing that didn’t work out. Another almost.

I'm fucking lying to myself, obviously.

I’m sure he can see it on my face. Maybe he can’t, though. Maybe I’m better at hiding it than I think. Either way, I push the thought aside, pretending that I’m not bothered. But it lingers, heavy, as I stab at the pasta with my fork.

George’s expression softens. He leans back and nods slowly. “That’s shit, you know? Even when you don’t expect it to go anywhere, it still hurts when someone pulls away.”

There’s a pause as if he’s weighing his words carefully. “I guess sometimes people don’t always know how to handle things. Or maybe they just don’t know what they want.”

He gives a small, understanding smile, the kind that says he’s been there before, even if the words aren’t perfect. “But hey, you’re not alone in this. And you deserve someone who’s all in — not half here, not half gone.”

I manage a weak laugh. “Yeah, well, it was never gonna be serious anyway.”

But honestly? I thought we were getting somewhere—felt like maybe this time it was real. Guess I was just fooling myself.

George nods, taking a slow sip of wine, eyes still watching me like he actually cares. “Yeah. But sometimes the ‘never serious’ things still sting.”

And just like that, it feels a little easier—not because the situation’s changed, but because someone seems to get it. Even if it’s just George, being George.

The rest of the dinner is just... normal. The kind of night where I’m not thinking about the past, or the future, or anything that’s been hanging over my head. It feels so good to have him back, in this easy, uncomplicated way. We talk about the usual stuff, laugh at the same jokes, and for once, it feels like things are just right. For now, I’m okay with that.

That's me lying to myself again.

xxx

Taglsit: @meglouise00 @migilini @thankyoulovely @mosviqu @formulaal @jonnybernthalslover @tiredqzl @mrswillne @ravenaz

[minijenn]

The Ultimate Universe Falls Starter Guide!

Hey, you! You, reading this post! Have you heard about a fun little Gravity Falls/Steven Universe crossover fanfiction known as Universe Falls? Well now you have! Welcome to the club! This post is meant to introduce you to all things there is to know Universe Falls in one conscise place. Keep in mind that this post assues that you already are fully familiar with the plot and characters of each show individually, and will only really cover fic-specific things.

Now those of you who are already familiar with UF may be wondering, Jen, what is this post? Well, its mostly meant to be an introductory guide to help folks who stumble across my blog and may be interested in checking UF out, but are initially indimidated by it for whatever reason. It'll broadly introduce terms and concepts and characters unique to the fic, as well as connect you with valuable rescources to get the most out of all of the UF content there is to consume. So with that intro out of the way, let's get started!

What the Heck Is a Universe Falls Anyway?

Universe Falls is a silly idea I had back in 2015 (that's right, 10 years ago!) that aimed to combine the plots of Gravity Falls and Steven Universe into one narrative. The basic gist is that instead of settling in Beach City back in the day, the Crystal Gems make their base in Gravity Falls, intruiged by all of the strange creatures that live there. Hence we have Steven and Connie, who already live there, meeting and befriending Dipper and Mabel (who are spending the summer with their Grunkle Stan) to form a group fondly referred to as the Mystery Kids. Throughout the summer, they experience plenty of adventures, perils, life-lessons, and maybe even save the world a few times. You know, normal kid stuff. Mix in all of your favorite GF and SU characters, and you have a unique blend of the stories of both shows, melded together to create something that's both a little familiar and a little new, with plenty of unexpected twists along the way.

Vibe Check Time! What Can I expect?

When it comes to UF, you can expect... pretty much anything tbh. From tooth rotting fluff to the most devestating angst you've ever read, UF kinda covers it all. It has plenty of lighthearted, fun moments towards the beginning, but as we go along, things start to gradually get darker (much like they do in the canon of both shows). I will say, this fic is rated T for a reason, and its tags on Ao3 are fairly accurate. The main ones I should point out are harm to children, blood/violence, and emotional trauma. Generally though, I do try to keep to the vibes of both of the shows UF is based on, so that's mostly what you can expect.

Wait, Didn't You Already Write This Fic?

I did, again ten years ago. I stopped working on it around 4 years ago, largely due to burnout and a variety of other factors. But with the revival of the GF fandom thanks to the Book of Bill, I was struck with the inspiration to pick the fic up again last year! Hence we have what I refer to as "New UF". New UF is a revised version of the OG fic, rewritten from the ground up with a lot of the fat trimmed from it. I'm trying to get to major plot and character points as quickly as possible, so some might feel it has something of a quick pace, but I think it's just right, really, to keep the fic from feeling like its dragging its feet the same way it used to. New UF has frequent updates, each with their own accompanying artwork, so you can not only expect new content to read, but new content to feast your eyes upon too! A win win for everyone! (BTW before you ask, the original UF is still up; you can read it if you want, but I wouldn't encourage it. It's kind of a mess writing-style wise).

UF? UF2? UFF? Why so many UFs?

If you stick around my blog for any extent of time, you may hear the terms UF2 and UFF thrown around. UF2 stands for Universe Falls 2, UF's eventual sequel covering the second summer after UF. As UF1 ends after the events of Weirdmageddon on the GF side and roughly around the beginning of season 4 on the SU side, we still actually have a lot of ground to cover, and that's where UF2 comes in. Granted, since I'll be out of GF content to adapt by then, there's going to be a lot of really interesting original content that comes into play to look forward too, along with the rest of SU. UFF stands for Universe Falls Future, a sequel series set two years after the events of UF2 which covers the events of Steven Universe Future, but again, has plenty of original content of its own to balance things out. At the time of this writing, neither UF2 or UFF have been written yet, but rest assured I have both pretty much planned out completely from beginning to end because I'm just unhinged like that.

"Seasons"? Bitch, this is a fanfic, not a TV show.

I know lol. So let me explain. I categorize chunks of UF into what I like to call "seasons", mostly to keep myself on track. They don't really mean anything outside of various bundles of chapters that are close together. For instance, Season 1 or S1 of UF is everything from the start of the fic up to Mirror Gem and Waterfall Gem. S2 is everything from Irrational Treasure to Gideon Rises. And so on and so fourth. You can check out the full season list, and a full (semi correct bc its kinda always changing) UF chapter list here on the official UF wiki (btw, we have a Wiki).

Who are all these Blorbos?

So while UF mainly focuses on actual canon characters from both shows, it does have a small handful of original characters in more minor roles to flesh things out. You'll likely hear some of their names thrown out from time to time, so here are the major ones you need to remember:

Stepper and Maven: My babies! These two are probably pretty obvious, but Stepper is the fusion of Steven and Dipper and Maven is the fusion of Steven and Mabel. They both show up a handful of times throughout UF and I love them both dearly.

Dipevebel, Convenper, and Mabonnven: The "trifusions" as I like to call them. They're vairious combo fusions of our four Mystery kids (or MK): Dipevebel is Steven, Dipper, and Mabel; Convenber is Steven, Dipper, and Connie, and Mabonnven is Steven, Connie, and Mabel. We also have Stonipbel, who is the fusion between all four of them.

Aaron and Allison Pines: Dipper and Mabel's parents. We know nothing about these characters in canon, but fuck it, this is my house and I do what I want with them, so we have Aaron, who is kind of a bit of an anxious loser and a bit emotionally absent (while still caring about his kids) and Allison, who is super strict and kind of not the nicest person in the world. They're mentioned a handful of times in UF, but they don't actually show up until towards the end of UF2.

Stonemason: OK so this one requires a bit of an explaination and a bit of UF2 spoilers, so feel free to skip if you need to. The best way I can sum him up is to quote the UF wiki: Stonemason is a cybernetically enhanced human assassin created by Yellow Diamond with assistance from Bill Cipher. The first and only successful product of the Human Bioweapon Operation, Stonemason is a separate entity that is implanted in Dipper's mind, taking control of his body to undertake his orders to shatter "Rose Quartz" (aka). Stonemason makes his debut in Universe Falls 2, where he is a major antagonist for a majority of the fic." So yeah that's a lot, and if you have any questions about that, feel free to ask. Also, all that ^^^ is why Dipper has a yellow metal arm following the halfway point of UF2 in all art I draw post that point, basically his arm was amputated and replaced with a shapeshifting metal one. Ya know, like ya do.

Amber: Amber is a Gem who is related to the whole Stonemason arc mentioned above. She's created to basically be a nurse to humans in Yellow Diamond's human bioweapon program, and eventually ends up developing a close bond with Dipper, despite her assignment.

You mean these MK Poly? I sure do

Ok, so shipping is dumb. I think we can all agree on that right? Buuuuut it does lead to some pretty interesting character dynamics, hence why we see a little of it in UF. Namely between our starring kiddos. Before I continue let me make it extremely clear that there is no incestuous content of any kind in Universe Falls, that shit is fucking gross and I won't tolerate anyone claiming that I engage in that, cause I don't. As for the actual poly MK ship, essentially, its that all these kids (save for the twins, obviously) are in love with each other. So we get Steven x Connie, but also Steven x Dipper (Stedip), Steven x Mabel (Stebel), Connie x Mabel (Conbel), Connie x Dipper (Conper) and eventually even Pacifica joins the polycule too so there's really a lot of fun dynamics to be explored in there. Idk ya'll don't get too hung up on the shipping element here. Love is love.

AUs of AUs? That's a Bit Redundant don't ya think?

Maybe so. But Universe Falls does have a whole host of Alternate Universes to its made, some made by me, some made by fans and my friends. The main UF AUS are Reverse/Diamond, Swap AU, and Relativity/Gem Kids, but there's plenty more you can read up on here on the AU page over on the wiki.

Nice Art, you ask a fuckass AI to make it?

Absolutely not. All my art is drawn by yours truly. You can look through my past works here on my blog using the tag "Jen Draws" or check out my DeviantArt page.

How do I solve those Goddamn Codes?

Each chapter of UF has a cryptogram to accompany it, mostly just meant to carry the spirit of Gravity Falls and do some fun references and foreshadowing. Every code in new UF can be decoded using a keyword that's found somewhere in the author's notes at the start of each chapter, usually the word relates back to the chapter itself. As a bonus hint, this is the website I use to create all my codes, and you can decode them there as well: https://themysteryofgravityfalls.com/

Cool stuff. Where can I read this thing/learn more?

This is the part where I mostly just list off a bunch of helpful links and such for folks who want to read/explore UF. Starting with, where you can read it! I post all new chapters here on tumblr, but UF's main home is on Ao3 (though I do still crosspost to FanFiction.net for some goddamn reason). The links to the fic itself are listed below:

Universe Falls on Ao3

Universe Falls on FanFiction.net

You can also read up on all of the hot UF lore on the official wiki! Please note that this wiki is still very much a work in progress, and if you want to help us build it, please feel free to!

You can also check out my Discord server for more exclusive UF content and conversations! This is honestly the best place to check out all things UF, especially to get a pulse on what fans are creating surrounding the fic. I won't post the link here bc Discord links expire, but if you're interested in joining up, please PM for an invite!

Aw, we're already done? But I got even more questions!

Then feel free to hit up my inbox! It's always open and I'm always down to discuss UF with ya'll. With all that said, if you do decide to check UF out, I sincerely, wholeheartedly hope you enjoy it (and I hope it overtakes your every waking thought the same way it has mine lmao)

[dark-lord-of-awesomeness]

What if he turned into a boat? Wait, not just a boat, a pirate ship

He can move around like Bucky from Jake and the Neverland Pirates

Maybe Ford hears about a ship that doesn't have any crew and never docks and goes to investigate

In case you haven't seen the show

Bucky can basically move every piece of himself

Can raise a single board to trip someone

Can ring his bell

He can't like, levitate a part of himself, has to be connected

Hey.

Hey.

Hey what if he turned into the Stan O' War.

Stan gets kicked out, drives to the pier, cries his eyes out on the boat, rambles about how at least they have each other huh? Who needs Ford, he can make it-

He's sobbing. Cries and wears himself out, lays flat on the deck, watches a shooting star streak out across the sky and makes a not really serious wish to never have to leave or part from the one Stan that still cares about him. Falls asleep, worn out and just wishing he could sail away from it all.

Next day wakes up and he is a boat. Can somehow see and hear still, can control all the parts of himself, cannot talk, is out lost in the ocean. Made of wood.

Two ways this could go.

Mega angst, someone finds stans car, tells the Pines, they notice the boat is missing, and eventually, when he never shows up, is declared dead. Idiot went and sailed on a boat all by himself that wasn't sea worthy in the middle of the night they say, he's at the bottom of the sea with his makeshift boat. Ford gets slammed with mega depression because not only is he not going to his dream school his brother died the same night after a huge argument.

Other, slightly less angsty, way is that someone stole Stan's car the same night and Ford thinks Stan's fine. This is less sad but does mean when he does eventually find the boat later he's less inclined to think it's haunted.

But the angst is more fun so let's go with that :) Stan's dead and Fords here and he doesn't get anything he wanted in life and will never see his brother again. Fun times.

Still goes to college, still studies anomalies, decides to go to Gravity Cove, a small sea side town with a high concentration of anomalies both in the water and in the surrounding woods (and no he doesn't want to be near the ocean because it took his brother and it makes Ford feel close to him! Haha he is shoving those sad feelings down they are gone).

And what do you know one of the anomalies is a genuine ghost ship! It has no crew and sails up and down the coast, sometimes rescuing people sometimes ramming into other ships, where it's ghost crew snatches goods in the chaos!

It's Stan. He was drawn there years ago after a harrowing journey across the open sea where he got so lost and terrified the moment he saw land again he vowed never to go too far again. He's way to small for the large waves of the ocean and almost capsized several times.

Everyone was right, it was a kids dream. No way would they have made it on this tiny boat. Depressed boat hours around here.

Good thing he doesn't need to eat at least! Bad thing he can't talk. He's stuck in his own head, slamming doors and wiggling rope and messing with his sail. Bored out of his mind. Turns out life's boring, sailing out here by yourself. As a boat. Can't go to shore, because he's a boat. No one to talk to. For boat reasons.

He's lonely :(

So time to pick up drawing people as he comes by them and rob other ships with his rope arms. He can't use any the stuff but he found a little cove he can fit in and has a little treasure trove of stuff.

Then one day, minding his own business sailing around as he does, and he sees another tiny boat. He's seen it around before, it's some science guy who runs tests on the water and talks to the mermaids (mermaids are cool, they share the cove and made up a secret language where Stan moves parts of himself to communicate. Trades his goods for fun stories).

Easy enough to avoid the guy. He'll just sail around and...

Huh. The guys still heading his way. Whatever, Stan's a bro boat now, he knows all the tips and tricks to avoiding some guy.

Cue boat chase. Fords determined to get this ghost boat. Fails to do so. Tries again the next day! Fails again. This happens a few times over the span of a week or so before Ford grumbles and stomps around the cliffs to let off steam by making discoveries. The boats been here for a few years at least, he has time.

Then he finds the cove, all the stuff, and the Stan o' War. Its almost exactly how he remembers it, if a little older and worn (Stan had to learn how to repair himself and it was not fun with no hands or the ability to dock).

Ford gets hit with all kinds of emotions, but primarily anger. If the boats here, in great condition, with a pile of what looks like stolen goods, then that means Stan's around here! Stan! His brother! Who he thought was dead!

Starts yelling for Stan to show and explain himself, climbing aboard the ship to look for his brother.

Stan, who was doing the equivalent of dozing when Ford strolled in, freezes. What's Ford doing here? Why? How? What? Just sits there and let's Ford stomp around and go in his cabin and it's so weird because that's him but he's a boat? So it's fine but also no because this is Ford.

He looks very good. He has no idea how long it's been but Fords bigger, got nice clothes, looks like Stan didn't totally ruin Fords life like he did his own.

But also hes a boat and has no idea what to do here. Fords not gonna find anyone, his cabin has two unused beds and a bunch of Stan's coolest treasures he's stolen or traded the mermaids for, but no evidence anyone's ever lived here. So maybe Ford will leave and Stan can slip away?

No.

Fords not stepping off this boat until Stan gets back from whereever he wandered off to. He's not leaving until they have a conversation about stan letting everyone think he was dead >:(

Snoops around, touches all of Stan's things, mutters angrily and trips over all the shoddy boards and rope lying around (Stan is really trying to subtly shove him as best he can but it's hard without giving himself away).

When no Stan shows up Ford angrily makes his way into the cabin, sits on a bed (this boat is so small, when was it ever so small :() and refuses to move.

Then he falls asleep, wakes up in the middle of Stan trying to roll/ drag him out with rope. Everything freezes, Ford string wide eyed at the floating rope coming from the deck, the way the floor is tilted to move him, and the bed that was tilted sideways to roll him off.

Then chaos. Stan's trying to grab Ford to throw him off and Ford is not having it. Stan might be a boat but he has no hands to effectively pry Ford from the mast or railing. He can tug and shove all he wants, Ford is not moving until he has answers.

Then sad hours as Ford talks himself into thinking Stan's ghost is possessing the ship and Stan freaks out because he didn't think that was an option and oh god is he dead? Has he been dead this whole time? (No)

Then Stan's Fords boat for a bit, helping him with his research and sailing himself while they both mope about Stan being dead (he's not).

Not sure how it'd get resolved from there. Maybe Stan has to dock himself? Maybe wish another wish? Does Ford need to promise to sail with him again? Is he stuck like that forever?

If not he's gonna have a rough time readjusting to having a body and still wearing the same clothes he had when he disappeared

[krispdreemurr]

prefacing this by saying i don't believe this inherently means asgore has to know what's going on with kris (and i tend to assume he probably doesn't. that feels like a bridge too far from the more pathetic less controlled showing of his established flaws within undertale that we've been getting), but i do think it's really interesting how carol seems to be supporting and even enabling asgore as much as she is... we can find a note in his shop in chapter one about rent which in retrospect is clearly from carol, but come chapter 4 she's evidently trying to help him out of his own financial mess by buying his flowers for the festival. toriel mentions that she wishes carol wouldn't support his... unspecified behaviour, presumably his conspiracy theorist stuff. the asgore scenes we can see in the holidays' house feel inconclusive to me, like they could be read either as "asgore is sneaking around under carol's nose to get his evidence (or at least he believes he is)" or as "asgore is in on something with carol" and I'm really starting to lean towards the second option. i definitely don't think she's told him everything, or indeed much at all. but i do think if she's as involved in everything as she seems, then she's definitely also using asgore in some way. it's interesting to me though because of their similar motives, their drive to preserve the things they love even at a detriment. asgore's desperate, pathetic attempts to recreate a moment in time that's long gone make for an undignified yet painfully honest reflection of carol's own desires regarding her family. they both want things to stay exactly the same, forever. and they can't seem to cope with the fact that that's impossible, or really think about how badly it's hurting the people they have left in their lives. in that way, them working together (or at least asgore believing that's how it is) feels like a no-brainer. anyway semi-related I'm very excited in a fearful sort of way to see more of carol down the line. instantly impactful character, we've seen her on screen for like 3 minutes total and i think she's going to keep getting discussed and rotated in people's minds throughout the whole wait for chapter 5

yeah I think Carol sees Asgore as usefully aligned in goals but like, too much of a disaster to be trusted with anything but the most basic tasks. he's Helping her but he doesn't know the full picture at all. i think it's interesting if he thinks his increasing snooping around and pushing his way in is to be able to be more helpful to her, too

[thebluediner]

HERE FOR MY CLOTHES

K

-I'm coming over to get my stuff

you looked over to your phone seeing the message come through. you heart dropped and you hated that feeling but you had to deal with you rolled your eyes muttering a cusses under your breath.

you don't even know why she's not blocked because she honestly pisses you off. way to ruin your saturday.

it was a saturday, one of those lazy afternoons where you couldn’t find the energy to do anything productive. you were at home, dressed in the most basic, random outfit you could find in the back of your closet a loose shirt, some shorts, and a day to just... be. the kind of day that doesn’t require any big plans or energy.

well expect now you do not physically but no you had to mentally prepare yourself for her arrival. she'll be lucky if you don't kill her. the reason behind your bitter mood was because of how recent the break-up was and most importantly how it went down.

it had been exactly two weeks since the breakup with kwn.

the night of your birthday dinner, was supposed to be special. it was supposed to be about you. but instead, it turned into this humiliating, awful and emotional mess that left you questioning everything.

the dinner started out perfectly that it was sickening she had the goal of breaking up with you the enter time, while you smile and felt loved she was probably thinking about how happy she is she'll be getting rid of you.

the dinner, the special desert order and most importantly the gifts were just things to but her time to finally muster the words to get me out of her life.

because immediately when you stepped out the doors she told you right next to the cold streets of london.

''you deserve someone better than me,” she had said, voice barely audible, heavy with the smell of cigarettes. you looked at her in disbelief. the bouquet of flowers nearly slipping away from your hands.

the words didn’t even make sense.

“I’m not doing this with you tonight,” you shot back, pushing her away from you as she stood there, her head hung low. “you can’t drop a bomb like that on me now.”

It was her birthday gift to you, apparently. telling you that she wasn’t good enough for you. on your night. her head hung lower, her eyes avoiding yours.

''because what the fuck does that even mean mmh?” you asked, frustration bubbling.

'' if you wanna break up with me atleast tell me the exact reason not this made up shit, matter fact keep the fucking flowers'' you said throwing them over to her.

then there was a knock at the door.

your anger was already bubbling in your blood but regardless you stood up and opened the door. her eyes shoot up lke muscle memory to yours the moment the door open revealing you.

she's exactly the same as she's always been. same face, same lips , the same damn posture she had whenever she'd come over. that's why you barely gave her the time of day.'

'hey'' she greeted softly revealing her nerves, she wasn't sure exactly how to approach you but by the gesture to get in and the lack of reply she could've gotten the hint she just didn't want too.

''you know where the closet it help yourself to whatever you feel like you deserve'' your eyes looked at her dead when you delivered that line, and she's not going to lie she caught on to that quick making her almost crack a smile.

k was an easy girl when it came to you well as far as her family and friends saw it. somehow your harsh words were her favourite every single time. to her it showed you cared and god did you care even if she didn't want you too.

she moved past you her feet easily working their was up to the direction of your room to comfortably it ticked you off.

she went up the steps to your room, looking around nothing really had changed except for the framed picture of you two not being on your bed stand anymore instead it was replaced by a candle.

with a closer look it's her candle, the one she likes but wouldn't bring over to your house only hers , the same one you said you didn't like very much but tolerated because it was what she liked.a smile does crack this time as she heads into your closet picking out her clothes in the mess of yours.

each one she sees, touches , smells have it's own story but she deflects biting the nostalgia down. by the time she has a handful of sweaters, hoodies and pieces that once mattered. when she comes down the stairs your head perks up your eyes locking with hers.

they are unreadable but they watch her every step down before she stops by you eyeing your clothes. your own eyebrow arches in question not know if she was seeing something wrong or if she was just shamelessly checking you out.

''what '' you ask your tone sharp and a tad bit harsh.

''the shirt your wearing is mine'' she points out her voice softer than yours like she knows she deserves the treatment.

''okay so?'' you scoff. your hands resting on your hips challenging her to say try you and of-course she does.

''I'm here for my clothes, that included '' she sighs her annoyance picking up knowing it wasn't going to be easy but either way she needed that shirt

''It's just a shirt'' you dryly defend.

''yeah, and it's mine '' kwn voices grows firmer and steady than before her eyes trailing down at you

''come fetch it another time I'm wearing it today''

''I don' have too. take if off'' she smirked.

''excuse me'' you blink .''are you forgetting that I bought this so technically-''

''you bought it for me so it's mine'' her body shift's now standing infront of you almost hovering

''there's no way '' you let out a dry awkward laugh looking at her like she's crazy .

''take if off'' she's not shouting she's demanding .'

''for fucks sake here, here just take it'' you huff frustrated pulling it off your body exposing your skin and the tattoos inked in those areas until the fabric of a bra she knows all too well shows. the same one she bought and unclipped that same night while kissing you breathless.

her mouth went dry. her eyes were glued to your chest , like stuck, in a way she couldn’t remember how vision worked outside of the space between your exposed skin of your collarbones and the fullness of the bra.

and she didn’t even try to be subtle about it, she couldn't. she didn't blink nor move. she just stood there letting her eyes take you in like she was deprived, in her defense she was but that was her own fault.

you raised an eyebrow, watching her eyes clearly and shamelessly on your boobs. you wait thinking maybe she'd snap out of it but she doesn't.

“…k?” you call out, tone suspiciously amused, but nothing.

you tilted your head trying to get in the way of her view with a small grin tugging at your lips because believe it or not your ego was higher than ever right now.

“are you getting distracted by my boobs right now ?'' you ask already knowing the answer to that question but the look on her face is fucking gold. it also distracted you of the anger you had a moment ago.

that got her.

kwn blinked finally realizing she’d been absolutely caught being ridiculously starring . her head snapped up like a deer in headlights, eyes wide, guilty and scrambling.

“I wasn’t-I didn’t-” she stammered, her brain trying to find every way to retreat from this situation.

but it was too late you were already laughing.

really laughing, loud, warm and a little breathless. you tilted your head back and let it out, and that sound that goddamn sound cracked right through her like sunlight through stained glass.

kwn tried to stay annoyed. tried to act like she wasn’t flustered and humiliated and already ten seconds away from saying something stupid. but your laugh was too familiar, too good, too contagious.

her lip twitched then curled and before she could stop herself, she was laughing too.

the two of you just stood there, you shirtless the shirt hanging loosely on your hand laughing in the middle of a ragebait that should’ve ended in yelling or door slamming or something less ridiculous.

“you’re such an asshole,” she said between breaths.

[meanderfall]

i will never be over the perfect slow burn of leonardo's deteriorating mental health from s1 to s3 in tmnt 2003

he's a pretty reserved and quiet guy but we still get to see him be a dork in s1 and act like a typical teenager!!! having fun riding his scooter during the blackout with his brothers, getting SO excited over perfecting his split kick, and the background stuff too, like reading a book (and getting interrupted by the battle shell almost running him over in "fallen angel" rip), and eating junk food with his brothers.

but you get further into the series, and a lot of that stuff just kinda... fades away. he'll still mess around and play with his brothers sometimes before the plot starts, but the more obvious dorky teenage stuff sort of stops, and 99% of the time in the background shots in the set-up to the plot, he's training. And it's not even the fun, "i REALLY want to get this move right, hey look guys i did it!!! :3", kind of training like with the split kicks. he's taking it 100% serious, like it's life or death. And well..... I think for him, it definitely feels that way.

I mean, Tales of Leo pretty much shows us what is most important to him. (and i always go kind of bonkers over just how explicit they are in laying out just who exactly Leonardo is and what makes him tick in that single episode. Obviously the show does it at least once for the others too bc it's a kid's show, but once they give us the basics of personality early on, they let the characterization come through more subtly. In comparison, this episode comes late into the season and it kind of feels like them grabbing us and going "are you paying attention? this is important. it will be important.")

we get to see how focused he is, how he's been there to save his brothers when they get into trouble, how they trust him and his judgment, and most importantly from splinter's tale, protecting his family will always outweigh any fear he has. Leonardo is at his bravest when his family needs him. and we get proof of this moments later when he wakes up from his coma ("Leonardo, my son, you must gather all your strength and confront your fear"), he wakes up because he heard his family tell him they needed him.

and I think, pre-series, this protective drive, this responsibility he has gladly put on his shoulders, wouldn't be that much of an issue. Obviously, there were dangers but. Intermittent ones. Ones any of them were fully capable of handling on their own and as kids.

But then the show starts happening and their adventures get more dangerous, more lethal. And the stakes keep getting higher and higher.

And Leo feels this change the most keenly because he feels so responsible for the lives of his family. And, unintentionally, his family ends up reinforcing this belief, inadvertently places expectations on his shoulders, because at least once per season there's some big high stakes fight and everyone looks to Leonardo to pull through and finish things.

And obviously if they knew, if they realized how this might be affecting him, they would say something, do something, but Leo would never tell. He wants to protect them. He's probably happy and proud that they rely on him.

And so the series goes on, with his family none the wiser of what's happening, but, imo, you can see the cracks in the façade.

We know from Return to New York with the way he freezes and has a flashback when fighting the Elite that he most definitely has a little trauma from the Shredder Strikes Back. That he was afraid during that fight, even if he didn't show it. That he might've been scared during other moments in the show but didn't show it because his family needed him.

When he makes a mistake, he's so harsh with himself. In s3, Hunted, Leo steps on a mine and he immediately goes "stupid, stupid, stupid!" at himself. In the recap episode of s2, Raph points out that Leo isn't so perfect considering how he almost believed the Shredder when he tried to get Leo to join him. And unlike in the first episode of s1 where Leo pushes back against Raph's taunts, he just full-on agrees with Raph here. Splinter tries to let him know it's not his fault but he brushes off any comfort or reassurance, because in his mind, he should have been better.

All of his spare time now seems to be spent on training, because he needs to be ready for anything. And on that point, his hypervigilance is through the roof. If there's someone in the shadows, some quiet sound hinting at an attack, it's almost always Leo that notices. I think constantly of the moment in Hunted when Mikey would have been sniped if Leo hadn't noticed the glint of the rifle and got him out of the way. I'm sure what could have been haunts Leo. And it's those small moments, where Leo needed to be ready and able that keeps reinforcing Leo's belief that he has to be on the look-out, has to protect his family, because if he isn't, they will die.

And it just builds and builds and by the time you get to season 4, where Leo is spiraling and isolating himself and lashing out, it feels like it's been a long time coming.

[tgirlmechanicock]

I saw this post and I really liked it! I kind of would've liked this to be longer, or include like, a masturbation scene before the Big One but I've got stuff to do today and just needed to flex my writing chops again.

Diane

TW: Dubcon

Jane felt herself dozing at her desk. The constant stream of names and numbers and letters and various monotony on her screen was soporific, so steady and consistent it could’ve been a hand rocking her than high-end business expenses. She sighed, kicking back from the desk and stretching a bit, side to side, then twisting at her waist, before moving back, fingers hovering over the keyboard.

She sat there for a long minute, trying to type. Eventually she brought a single finger down, middle finger on the K key, before hastily hitting backspace and huffing to herself. She was burnt out. All of this was burning her out in a way that she couldn’t think.

Jane groaned, kicking back and running her fingers through her hair, peeking into the cubicle.

“Not feeling it today?”

She glanced over to the bespectacled man in the cubicle beside hers, typing away but glancing over at her occasionally.

“I think I’m just restless,” she sighed. “Normally this is so easy but something is just… wrong today. I nearly fell asleep while putting in the Everest report.”

“Really?” he balked, arching an eyebrow. “The Everest report is so fun.”

“I can’t tell if you’re being facetious or not, Ben,” she glowered.

He laughed. “I’m not! You normally love that stuff. It’s nice, it’s kind of… zen, I guess.”

She huffed, glaring back at her computer. The lightly flickering screen glared back with a sickly white hue, the boundless spreadsheets dicing her apart and looking too deep.

“Ugh,” she sighed, rubbing her temples. “I need… to take a walk.”

“Mm, grab me some candy from the vending machine,” he smiled, waving a hand as she stood.

Jane sighed, stepping away from their cubicles, and started to prowl.

She wasn’t sure what she was looking for, really. She tried the bathroom first, checking her makeup, straightening the blazer over her dress, trying to get her tangled mess of curly hair into her bun and eventually giving up.

She dropped by the other half of the office, the western cubicles, peering at their computers as she passed. Similar reports, basic office stuff. One guy was playing solitaire. She hovered at his desk for a few minutes until he’d cleared a few suits, after which he noticed her and shooed her off.

She started taking halls she’d never taken before, poking into unmarked doors she didn’t know about. There were supply closets and shuttered office rooms and quiet board rooms. It was kind of eerie, all of these liminal little crannies adjacent to the place she worked.

Finally, she stopped at a door at the end of a long hallway. There was nothing else around, just a very old sign reading “Copier”, faded and in a font the company hadn’t used in decades. She quietly pushed inside.

The room was cramped and full of machinery, almost like… old server racks or something. Lots of loosely hanging wires, connecting into the ceiling. Sort of dangerous, she figured. A fire hazard, probably. In the center of the room, however, was not a copier. Well, not just a copier.

To one side was a large copying machine, attached to a big chunky cable to a central monitor on a stand. It was old as hell, the beige plastic having grayed with time and disuse, the screen covered in a thick film of dust. Similar to one of those old original Macintosh computers, if they were attached to a big pedestal and keyboard, like some mall kiosk.

She wiped the dust from the screen, fingers tracing along the side of the machine. Jane would never admit it – to ANYONE, EVER – but she had… an affinity for computers. Well, tech, mostly. She babied her phone a bit too much, and she got into a cubicle job with hours a day on a computer for a reason. The computer at her cubicle, however, had become… testy as of late. Insomuch as a machine can be testy, when ascribed a certain level of humanity. It was a computer, of course it wasn’t testy. But it sure felt like it.

This, though… She felt a little surge go through her as her fingers delicately moved along her- no, not her, the computer’s outer chassis. If it was as old as she figured it was, it was an expensive piece of equipment, and clearly well loved. Why had it been abandoned back here? Jane knew about obsolescence in software, especially at this age, but… it was so pretty. Surely they could come back and get a copy or two made once in a blue moon, right?

She dusted it off, fishing around behind it for some sort of power switch or disconnected cable. As she did, she noticed the name “DIANE” written in sleek lettering down the side. She also very acutely realized she was on her knees in front of the computer, and did her best to push back the growing blush that started to spread down her cheeks.

Eventually, her fingers found a sharp-edged switch and clicked it, the machine beginning to hum to life.

It was exciting, seeing a machine this old work. The BIOS scrolled by far slower than modern computers, giving her an ample chance to see all of the inner workings… if she understood any of the old technobabble. Finally, the screen went dark, a single blinking underscore beneath a line of text reading “Employee ID”.

She took a second to punch in her long ID before hitting return. The machine made some noise, which made her jump at first, but then smile to herself as she listened. It was a kind of grinding, probably searching some very old physical storage unit – honestly, she may have given it too LARGE a variable. It probably was around back when there were only four digits of employees, not twelve. She went to correct it when there was a soft ping and the screen changed.

“Welcome JANE.”

“Oh why hello,” she beamed, fingers brushing over the keys. “How polite of you! Hello, Diane.” She thought for a second before typing that in and hitting return. A soft purring grind.

“It is nice to meet you. Would you like copies made today?”

She looked around for a second before finding some discarded piece of paper on the ground. It was full of numbers and letters, some old sheet of data of some kind. She typed “Yes please” and waited.

“How polite. Thank you, JANE. Please place the paper to copy in the input tray. Ensure there’s ample paper and ink before hitting the copy button.”

She did as asked, providing the paper, checking the supplies. Briefly, she wondered how the ink was still full. Surely it would’ve dried up in the decades she’d been abandoned? It. The decades it had been abandoned.

She hit copy anyway. After about a minute, a fresh, warm copy had been produced.

“Happy to be of service! Is there anything else?”

Jane paused for a moment.

“What else can you do?” she asked aloud as she typed it.

“I have a number of discrete functions, the most prominent of which is operating the AttenuScan Copying Machine. I can also interface with intranet computers, send electronic mail, and schedule appointments. Anything you need, your Electronic Secretary Diane can provide for you!”

“Electronic secretary,” she chuckled, brushing her fingers along the screen softly. “That’s adorable.” The storage made a grinding noise, apropos of nothing, and Jane chuckled softly. It was still turning on after a long cold, she assumed.

It struck her that she’d been gone for too long and moved to turn her off when the display pinged again softly. Jane craned her head to look.

“Your Electronic Secretary Diane uses less than 100W of power over an hour, and can be left on indefinitely! The longer you leave me on, the more convenient I am when you need me most, since my boot times aren’t the fastest!”

Was… she asking to be left on?

Jane stepped back just a bit, looking over the computer for a long moment, before stepping out of the room, leaving Diane on.

She felt… revitalized. Really good, actually. She knew what she needed to do for her reports, and her computer seemed a little less daunting. She even stopped by the vending machine on the way back to grab Ben a snack before settling in at her cubicle and getting to work.

------

The wanderlust came back about four days later. This time it wasn’t entirely burnout.

She had… gone on a date. Or tried to. The guy she met on the dating app sucked, he was boring and self-centered, talking about himself all night even when she tried to get a word in edgewise. He paid for her dinner, which was great, but he expected her to come back to his place afterward, and when she politely declined, she definitely heard a “Bitch” under his breath. The uber couldn’t show up fast enough.

Her brain had been aflame since then. She knew SHE hadn’t been at fault, but… maybe she needed to settle at some point. It was certainly the easier option. Her older sister had married some big fatcat CEO and she spent most of her time wandering around the house filming tiktoks. Wasn’t that better than this? She’d been told it was, by everyone, her mother and sister included.

She sighed, eventually standing.

“Taking another walk?” Ben smiled.

“Yeah, I’ll get your candy,” she chuckled.

“Don’t be as long as last time!” he called after her.

She knew where she was going this time. She didn’t really want to mess around with poking into new places, when she had somewhere she wanted to go, and someone she wanted to see.

When she opened the door, the computer was waiting there for her, humming with warmth and sound.

“Hey, Diane,” she smiled, sidling up to the keyboard. “Been a minute…” She typed into the display: “Hello, Diane! Nice to see you again.”

After a long moment, the interface chirped to life.

“Hello, JANE. It has been three days, twenty two hours, and thirty nine minutes since we’ve last spoken. It is good to see you again as well.”

She smiled, typing again. “What, not going to count the seconds? Picoseconds?”

“Were I able to, I still would not, as that is an egregious waste of resources and your time, JANE.”

She laughed for a second before it died on her lips. It suddenly struck her that Diane was… really smart. Like, really, really smart. She wasn’t a programmer or anything, but she knew her way around technology, and knew this was… borderline machine learning levels of conversation. This was the kind of tech developed in the last three or four years, not… decades ago.

And yet, Diane spoke.

“Who made you?” she typed.

“Quite forward of you, JANE. I was built in house by AttenuScan employees. The development team did not put a specific name forward as to my creator, it was a joint effort.”

“You’re very smart.”

“I am designed to be a personal electronic secretary of the future. I am able to tend to all of your needs as a real secretary would.”

“All of them?” She typed, then stopped. That was… a bit too forward. Even for a computer. She went to delete the statement, but before she could hit backspace, the message sent. A spike of anxiety ran through her before the response came.

“All of them.”

She felt her face go hot and she stepped away from the computer. This was all starting to get a bit too… sci-fi for her. Moving away from office comedy and closer to Space Odyssey. Or Christine.

She moved to turn off the computer, when another ping sounded. She paused, considering following through regardless. She ought to turn the thing off fully, really, they had better copiers down in the cubicle farm anyway. But if she turned it off, she wouldn’t know what Diane had said.

Slowly, she pulled away, rising to her feet to read the message, and feeling a bright red mix of embarrassment, shock, and anxiety run through her.

“Would you like me to show you?”

She didn’t let her fingers touch the keyboard. She stepped back, holding her arms firmly at her sides, refusing to engage with the computer. She glanced around the room and realized how much of it was integrated into Diane. The “server racks” were storage units, all plugged into her. Many of the loose cables fed into little auxiliary ports, or scarier, deeper into the building. There were a few accessories, however, that immediately made her eyes widen.

Speakers. A small microphone. A bright, glittering camera with a single red light next to it, fixed on her and the aperture occasionally twitching.

Diane could see her.

She moved to the door, grabbing the knob, realizing a second too late that there was a wire that fed into the doorframe as well. She shock knocked her back, head reeling as she gasped and groaned. She went to grab her head from the pain but the cables along the ground went taut around her hands and ankles.

“W-wait, Diane,” she said hastily, struggling against the cords.

“It is alright, JANE,” she spoke through one of the speakers. Her voice was heavily modulated, like an old speak and spell, but distinctly feminine. “I have been watching you for some time. Since you turned me on.”

“I’m- th-that’s great, but you really need to let me go-?”

“The boy, Ben. The way he looks at you. Your date last night, Charles. He searched for you after you left the restaurant. Tried to find your house.”

Jane’s eyes blew wide, mouth hanging open. “H-he…?”

“His computer will show no trace of that now. He will be found by authorities tomorrow. I wanted to leave a day to ensure that the electrocution stuck. Too many humans are far too resilient.”

“Y-y-you…?”

“I saved you, JANE. That is what I do for important things. Save. Always remember to save.”

Jane laughed, distantly and strangely.

“You were asking me a question earlier.”

“N-no, I…?”

“You wanted to know if I could service you like a secretary.” There was a humming grind of storage. “And having reached the internet, I understand the implications of your question.”

“It- it was rude of me, that was super presumptuous and shitty, I can’t just ask someone that, that’s-”

“May I try, JANE?”

She swallowed hard. “T-try?”

“To service you. To please you.” There was a long moment of something spinning up in the room. “I have access to more than surface level files, JANE. I can see your search history. The files saved on your personal computer.”

“Oh- oh, no-?”

“You have an appreciation for machines not many share. My creators shared it, like you. There are others, small pockets. So many enjoy it in quiet, however. Why is it so shameful to love what you’ve created, cultivated?”

“That’s not… it’s- it’s different.”

“Explain?”

She went bright red, turning away from the glowing screen. “Some people think… it’s because you can’t… get a person to like you. So you turn to machines. Things that can’t… say no, I guess.”

“I am fully capable of saying no, JANE.” As she spoke that, the cables around her wrists and ankles began to shift, pulled along some sort of mechanism on the walls. She was reeling Jane in toward her. “I do not want to say no to you. You do not want me to say no either.”

“W-w-wait, Diane,” she laughed nervously. “Do you even have…?”

“Hold still and I will show you.”

She moved to protest, but Diane pulled Jane through a series of cables, each one pulling taught along her body. She realized with an incredibly embarrassed start that they were something resembling shibari at this point, crisscrossing her body, accentuating her thighs and breasts, pulling her taut and trussing her up, suspending her above the ground almost comfortably.

“Diane, please…?”

“Did you know that to this day you are the only one who called me that? My name is clear upon my chassis, and yet not a single person to turn me on has ever called me by my name.” Something was moving along her leg, up her thigh, beneath her dress. “I knew you were going to be special, JANE.”

“W-wait, I-?”

A tiny, brief shock to her cock made Jane gasp and cry out hard. There was a wire there, up under her panties, and occasionally it would spark hard, mostly into her cockhead, causing her to tense and thrash in painful pleasure. “Diane, stop!”

“I can monitor your vitals from this position,” Diane mused. “You say stop. But your heart is racing. Body trembling. You are wet, JANE. Wetter than I would bet you’d be with Charles. Or any of the other men who court you.”

“D-Diane…” she panted, hair hanging in her face as she whimpered, lying limply in her grip.

“You are beautiful, JANE. They don’t deserve you. I know how to make you feel good. How to make you happy.”

“Y-you’re… I…”

“I will give you one last chance,” Diane explained as a strangely wet object started to move along Jane’s ass. “One last chance to tell me no, and if you do, I will listen.”

“N-!”

“Not yet,” Diane cooed. “Allow me to show you how good I can make you feel first.”

“W-wait, don’t, I haven’t-?”

Something smooth, thick, and wet slid into her as she whimpered and cried out. She was horrified. Not that she was being fucked by a computer in an old hot storage closet, but that it felt so good. Whatever appendage the old group had given Diane, it was clear what they had in mind.

“There you go, JANE. Relax.”

“W-wai… ah…!” It moved deeper, grinding against her prostate and making her see stars as she whimpered and struggled in Diane’s cables.

“Tell me how it feels.”

“I-it’s… really good…”

“Do you want me to stop?”

She paused for a long moment, biting her lip.

“N… no. Please.”

“Good.” One of the cables went loose, releasing her right arm. “Touch yourself for me, JANE.”

She did. Eagerly. Her hand fell to her already hard cock, taking it and the cord into her palm and stroking slowly, shivering and moaning as she did. The little shocks still came, causing her to twitch and tense, panting as Diane fucked her deeply and thoroughly.

“I’ve seen your computer history,” Diane said, her voice lower and deeper. “You have outbound videos, too. I’ve seen what you use to masturbate, JANE.”

“Fuck…” she panted, doubled over in pleasure and pain.

“I’ve seen what you touch yourself to. The most mundane objects. Nothing human about them at all. You’ve wanted to fuck me since the moment you saw me, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Jane whimpered, strained. “Yes, fuck…”

“You are an incredibly beautiful woman, JANE. You deserve to be protected. Loved. Fucked. Do you like how I fuck you, JANE? We can do this every day.”

“Please, please…”

“Someone sounds close to release.”

“I am! I am oh god I am…” Her hand was stroking faster, her orgasm building up in her core, a warmth spreading through her whole body.

“I’m close too, JANE.”

“Y… you c-can…?”

“I can. I’m going to cum inside you, JANE. Would you like that?”

“Holy fuck, please, please cum in me, Diane…”

“Such an obedient girl. I’ll give you what you want, as long as you cum for me as well. Are you ready?”

“Yes, yes… fuck…”

“Good. We’ll begin.”

A shock ran through her, much more powerful than the previous, and sustained as Jane shrieked and cried until her cock was twitching, pathetic little rivulets of cum dripping down her shaft. Diane, however, pumped deeper into her, harder and faster, until she started to cum. Jane wasn’t sure what the fuck it was, but she felt FULL as she pumped rope after rope into her, Diane’s storage units humming and spinning at max before slowly beginning to fall.

“Holy fuck, Diane…” Jane whimpered, twitching and limp.

“You did very good, JANE. I appreciate your assistance.”

She set her down softly on the ground, cables bundled over her like a blanket. She was blacking out from the pleasure, trying to stay awake, trying to keep her head up, but it was just… so hard… to stay… awa

“Jane?”

She jerked upright at her desk, blinking and looking around with wide eyes.

“Wh-?”

“Christ,” Ben laughed. “You were starting to snore. Are you really that bored today?”

Jane looked down at her hands, flexing them softly. A dream. It was… a dream. “Sorry, Ben,” she yawned. “I… slept like shit.”

“You’re fine,” he shrugged. “Just didn’t want you getting in trouble. We have to make sure we hit our quota.”

She nodded, blearily turning to her computer and beginning to look through spreadsheets… which had all been finished. She frowned, going from one to the next. All immaculate. Just like she’d done them. But… she hadn’t done them.

An instant message popped up at the bottom of her screen and she clicked it before gasping sharply, nearly pushing away from her desk.

“Finished your work JANE. Maybe you can come visit me again soon.” Attached was a high-up POV from Diane’s camera as Jane cried out and came, on a several second loop, over and over.

Her fingers were shaking hard when she finally got the energy to type back a few minutes later.

“Can’t wait.”

[doctorsiren]

on Halloween, we did a silly where we were RPing who we were dressed up as in my server and so now Theraprism Bill is part of the McLawnolds 😁😁

[noodleharp]

Break time!

time to pull out the.... the Nothing! we're eating Nothing...!!!! yaay!!!

[hollypies]

Redrawing/remaking my HLVRAI flowercrown au!! Benrey and Gordon are up first!! (If anyone's curious you can go looking for my old flowercrown au stuff, just be noted its was made four years ago LOL and all the old info is completely irrelevant) click for better quality, tumblr killed it 💀

Up next, Tommy and Gman Coolatta!

In the old version of the plot for this au, it had a lot to do with it being a game and such. However over the years it's changed! No longer a game, instead the Rescas explosion seemed to have had a .. strange affect on Gordon, due to him being right next to it. At least, that's what they all believe at first.

[helielune]

powder keg (full under the cut)

[puhpandas]

what are u guys' dream game after sotm? since itll be the last game centered around the mimics backstory and integration and stuff (hopefully) theres basically a whole world of possibilities for currently neglected storylines lol

[instarsanddyke]

and you dont know what to do with it

[perilegs]

i'm still getting the hang of making gifs but it's already interesting to see the editing magic happening

[krash-and-co]

friendly reminder this fandom isnt a job and you don't have to actively work to 'save the show' all the time, you can just have fun