#but anyway. i’m fine and put a normal amount of thought into things

[daisychainsandbowties]

the sheer mental gymnastics i had to go through to have ava describe rockruff in pokemon au as anything other than “a puppy but. rocks”

i mean look at that little guy but also yeah he’s beatrice’s first pokemon they live like peter pan’s lost boys together and it makes me feel a bit insane

[calico-kiwi]

gave my number out to someone (god i wish i’d come up with a good reason to say no) and reeeaaaaaalllllllyyy wish i hadn’t but wouldn’t dare make the social faux pas of ghosting them because that’s mean and also i see him almost every day of the week

[joosthead]

SMUT PROMPT 2 PLZZZ

just too soft for all of it || j.k. f!reader

₊˚⊹⋆ prompt(s): 2S) crying crying during sex that leads to a pause or early end to comfort and take care of whatever emotions bubbled over & 3F)  gently pushing their hair behind their ear to see their face better

₊˚⊹⋆ reader: f!reader, no pronouns, reader gets referred to as his “favourite girl” one time. notfamous!reader lol also does not speak dutch

₊˚⊹⋆ word count: 4.4k

₊˚⊹⋆ cw: smut (fingering, piv), a good amount of negative self thought (i may have gone overboard—feeling inadequate as a partner, reader is very hard on themself and quite sensitive), mentions of anxiety/stress/being overwhelmed, a very fluffy and healthy joost :( aur i love him anyways, pls heed the prompt cuz that in itself is a content warning teehee, 🧀🧀🧀alert i can’t lie!!, a variety of dutch terms of endearment i'm not sure i’m using right but it’s for the sake of no y/n

₊˚⊹⋆ track of the fic: "sweet nothing" by taylor swift

₊˚⊹⋆ junote: i resonate heavy with this 🙃🙃 had the worst last few weeks of this uni year but i’m FREE!!!! thanks for requesting this, i combined this with a few other asks stated above! happy first juno joost fic to meee yippeee

rpf ahead—don't like it, don't read it!! you've been warned. please do not repost this on any other platform.

18+ only — explicit rpf content ahead, minors dni.

To say the utter least—it had been a hard few weeks for you. 

The whims of life carried you away like a tsunami to your normal routine—work and classes and friends and family and life, life that you couldn’t ignore or get away from like you wanted to do, nothing to do except doing it. And you’d been doing it, just fine for the most part, but one thing led to another, and the last week was a whirlwind of commitments, obligations, your procrastinating on all of them, somehow. You got yourself into a mess of your own making. 

It certainly didn’t help that your boyfriend, Joost, was away for his own life: a festival performance in Canada, one in Belgium, one in the Netherlands but not one you could attend easily with all of the work you had for yourself. After that, he worked on the new album in Germany, putting the final touches on his 9th project, filming new content and preparing for his upcoming tour. 

He left around the beginning of when your life started getting busier. If you added it up—23 days you hadn’t seen him in person, but it’s not like you were counting (you were counting, and sad the entire time about his absence.). It felt like the same amount of time you hadn’t even seen or talked to him, through the phone, on Facetime, even texting each other.

Voice memos in the bathroom at work, always apologizing for how rushed you had to be; leaving him on delivered for hours as you studied, or had an event you needed to be at, or had a person you needed to talk to, someone else who needed your time more than Joost needed yours, and it was too much. All of it was too much. Too much for you to handle easily, every second taken by someone else. 

You felt like a terrible partner, not being able to speak to him as much as you wanted. Seeing all of his messages, the reassurance that he understands how busy you are and that in the end, you'll always make time for each other…his ability to be such a good partner held up next to your perceived inadequacy made you even more stressed. 

In the end, it’ll all work out—today, Joost flew back home, though you still had a number of commitments and assignments to get to and couldn’t pick him up from the airport. Your mutual friend picked him up, and you bit your nails at every update given; willing the time to go slower so you could tidy up more, work on that one last piece of paperwork so you wouldn’t have to worry about it, make sure everything is perfect so Joost can have a good welcome back.

In the nick of time, you were able to get everything done, but it still felt as if there was something missing, like you'd be hit with a missed deadline in the midst of your time back together, and it would all come crumbling down. 

As you opened the door, right as your friend pulled up to your street, you tried to put it aside, and you did—for now. Late afternoon and you stand at the top of your townhouse steps, watching in nervous excitement as Joost unloads his luggage from the trunk. Your friend closes the trunk and waves at you.

You wave back, but your eyes are on Joost as he gathers the two suitcases and starts rolling them to you in a sort of disorganized frenzy, just as excited as you are; you would come forward and help, but it’s cute to watch him, clumsy and stumbling over his long pants and tote bag and everything—your Joost, finally back with you. 

He wears a heavy black jacket, sunglasses, a black cap that he takes off and shakes his hair out of; the sun shines off him, and you can't help but smile at the sight. His hair grew out a little, the darker blonde roots growing in. Those jeans are ones you’ve never seen before, new glasses, new clunky boots that look greatly uncomfortable but perfectly his style. Evidence of the time passed, and for some strange reason, it brings a pang to your chest that you try to ignore as you come down the steps of your house. 

“Come here, come here, come here, baby, I missed you,” Joost exclaims, arms open and leaving his bags behind him to come meet you halfway, laughing. 

You say as you hug him around his neck, his arms around your waist and squeezing you tight, “I’m so sorry I couldn’t pick—” 

“Don’t worry about it, I know you were busy.” 

You nod as he moves his arms around your neck and you go around his waist, Joost pecking your cheek several times and making you laugh. “I still feel bad I couldn’t pick you up.”

“Never feel bad, you’d still be the best even if you left me on the side of the road.” You give him and his compliment a weak smile as you pull away. 

—

The first time you get a moment to yourself in a month: Joost’s head lays in your lap as you both watch some cartoon on the couch together after eating. 

You cleaned most of yesterday and some of today; you cooked most of last night since you knew you had more time, preparing Joost’s favorite meal—it was the best you could reasonably do, considering all of the other obligations you had in these last two days. 

As he ate, you pushed around your own food; would’ve made it fresh, could've had a nice table setting for dinner, should’ve prepared more for all of this. You still gave him a sheepish smile as you watched him happily eat the microwaved meal you warmed up for him, no indication at all that he’s disappointed or unhappy like you are with yourself. You shouldn’t feel like this, but you do. It’s getting increasingly difficult to shake. 

The colors and lines dance across the TV, spouting raunchy jokes that you can half understand with the few years of Dutch you have under your belt; the air conditioner is on, and you can finally rest. Joost is changed out of his airport outfit and into some shorts and a shirt. He’s home, and you did the best you could do, and now he’s in your arms again. 

You don’t even mean to, but you sigh, perhaps louder than usual, because Joost looks up at you from your lap, brushes a lock of your hair out of your eyes, says, “You’re the best, you know?” 

It catches you off guard enough that you shake your head almost instinctively, not fast enough to hide…whatever feeling this is you’re feeling. “I don’t feel like it, Joosty.” 

“You don’t?” He gets up from your lap, sitting next to you, and brings his face close to yours. “You should, because you are.” 

Your noses are brushing, and even in the midst of your racing thoughts, you can't help but smile at him. His face grows into a smile, and you come forward and kiss him, deeply; you know it takes him by surprise, how he takes a little to kiss back, like trying to learn each other again. Nonetheless, he kisses back, holding your face in his hands, grinning into it—he's so pleased, so content, you know it by how sweetly he holds you. 

The TV becomes background noise to you, the air conditioner no use with how hot you feel when you move to sit atop him in his lap, one of his hands on the small of your back, the other on your ass as you grind down on him, licking into his mouth. 

“You're so tense,” Joost says when you pull away, thumbs rubbing into your back where there are sure to be knots in your muscles. 

You roll your eyes. “Can you blame me?” you snicker and he smiles. 

“I’ll relieve some tension for you, then.” 

Nothing but a few layers of clothes separate you—he smells so good, tastes so good, feels so good that you pull away, run your hands underneath his shirt, feeling his warm body, his stomach. You move to take it off of him, and he’s a step ahead of you, taking it off himself and attaching his lips to yours again, like a magnet. 

“You’re not wasting any time,” he says as you rest your hands on his chest and kiss down his stubble covered jaw to his neck, on top of Lola Bunny and back up again. 

“I need you, Joost,” you breathe in between kisses, and he pulls back and groans which makes you giggle, “What is that supposed to mean?” 

“You can't just say that, oh my god,” Joost whines, looking up at you pathetically, pupils blown and lips swollen from yours. “That’s so hot,” he laughs, and it makes you laugh too, how ridiculous he is. “Fuck, I love you.” He comes back in for one more kiss before he shifts so you can lay down on the couch, and he's on top of you, kissing again. He helps you shimmy down your shorts, your underwear, and in no time—his hand is between your legs.

“I would have taken it slow but—I’m too excited,” he breathes. You palm his hard cock through his shorts, coaxing a sigh out of him. Joost hovers above, leaning on one elbow and using the other hand to run his fingers through your slit, wetting them with how aroused you are. Involuntarily, your legs twitch, your breath catches in your mouth, and Joost gives you a soft laugh. “You’re so sensitive, schat.” Fingers still touching you so gently, he noses at your cheek—you’re a hairpin trigger, how reactive you are to him. “Has it been that long?” 

Breathless, you nod as he presses his thumb to your clit, petting at it. “Too long, I was waiting for you.”

“I could say the same for you.” 

You sit up, pushing up against him, still kissing like you can’t bear to be separated from him, but he pulls back from you—brings two fingers to his mouth, wetting them with his spit, and the sight brings your heart to your stomach with how arousing it is. 

Sure, Joost sends videos; yes, you have…homemade…videos of your own between the two of you; his deep voice through the speaker in your late night Facetimes, talking you through it or his incessant compliments when you send him some pictures of your own. 

Nothing compares to the real thing—the smell of his cologne on his collar even after he’s taken a shower; his blonde hair in your eyes as he kisses you; holding onto his strong arms as he fingers you, the wet sound music to your ears though normally, it would make you sheepish at how filthy this all is.  

Sometimes it makes you laugh that the random guy you met with a Crazy Frog tattoo on his forearm is now your boyfriend, but it feels so serious now more than ever. You realize now how much you’ve missed him, and how much you’ve pushed down that feeling in favor of everything else. 

Joost crooks his fingers inside of you and you moan into his mouth, which he smiles at. “You like it?” he asks, both of you knowing the answer. He knows you so well, inside and out. Knows that spot inside of you that renders you unable to speak, how to hit it just right like it’s muscle memory to fuck you with his fingers. He rubs your clit at the same time, using his spit and your wetness to do so, and God—you wish never leaving this spot was an option. 

Your climax fast approaches you; Joost kissing at the side of your lips, your chin because you’re too lost in your pleasure to kiss back. With a few more pumps of his fingers, he brings you there, a choked moan tumbling from your mouth as you cum, almost falling into him as he takes you through the last waves of your orgasm. “Thank you,” you breathe, pressing a deep kiss to his lips again now that you have the ability to. 

“Thanking me? Nothing to thank me for,” he says, but you shake your head.

“I disagree,” you say quietly, palming over his erection once more now that you’ve gathered yourself. “I have everything to thank you for,” you think, but can’t say out loud. You move so you can be on your knees on the ground in between his legs. It’s been quite a bit, enough so that the program on the TV is completely different now, the AC has turned off—he’s still so hard, still hasn’t been taken care of.

You're about to lower his shorts, take him into your mouth, but Joost takes your hand and says, “Can we skip it? I wanna be inside of you, lieverd.” 

Almost a whisper, you reply, “Whatever you want,” nodding, and he cocks his head to the side in confusion.

“You’re so quiet today. Is anything wrong?” He can read you like a book, the furrowing of your brow at his suggestion an easy giveaway. 

“Nothing’s the matter,” you lie, but he still looks disbelieving. “I just wanted to give you something back.”

“This is something back and more, baby. Lie down.” 

You do, too tired to argue for your side—the side that wants to give Joost everything you have and more, pay him back for the time you’ve been so absent, so distracted from your relationship and all the things Joost had been doing in the time away. It’s not as if you don’t want to lie down and have him fuck you—it’s just that you feel that you haven’t earned it yet. 

Your body language gives you away—“Still so tense, lieverd,” he says, squeezing your shoulder as you adjust, legs on either side of his thighs. “You sure you want to do this?” 

“Of course I do,” you purr, because of course you do, reaching into his briefs—Joost Klein branded, of course—and pulling his cock out, jerking it a few times and making him groan with the sensation. “You're so sensitive,” you quote him from earlier. “Has it been that long, schat?” 

The pet name makes his cock twitch; a month away, hard work on his album and music videos, content and marketing, coming back home to his favourite girl gazing at him starry-eyed with a hand around his dick and ready to take him inside. If you peered into his mind, this is what he’d be thinking. No thoughts match your worried thinking about how you may or may not have let him down—you didn’t. That would be impossible, at least to him. 

“Much too long.” 

You rest your head on a throw pillow that Joost has laid for you, and he lines himself up with your entrance. Fingertips on his stomach, you stop him for a few seconds from coming forward, and you wrap your hand around his shaft, swiping it through your slit a few times, collecting your wetness and his pre-cum on the head of his cock.

Loudly, he swears in Dutch, and the latter half sounds more like a strangled whisper than any real word. “You…fuck, my god…you are evil,” he laughs, even though he’s now rubbing the head of it against your clit, making you mewl. 

“You ready for me?” he asks, and you nod, licking your lips, trying to control your breathing. Your initial apprehension is long gone, though it could creep back every second—who cares? You’re finally together again. “You’re so wet,” Joost breathes as he eases the head of his cock into you. The stretch is something to get used to after so long away, but he gives time for you to adjust—seems like he might need it more than you do, how he sucks a breath in through gritted teeth, the snail’s pace he's going at. “I might cum right now.” 

“You promise?” you tease, watching the slow slide of his cock inside of you, watching just like he is. 

“I might have to promise with how this is going.” 

“You can do it,” you giggle and then moan because he's managed to fit half of his length into you. “I believe in you.” 

“Yay,” Joost smiles as he bottoms out in you, then gives you a kiss. “We did it!”

He holds his hand up for a high-five and you laugh—”I’m not high-fiving you while you're inside me.” 

“When has that ever stopped you before?”  

Rolling your eyes, you give him the high-five he so desperately wants and he beams at you with a toothy grin. “Never, I guess.” 

“Never,” Joost repeats, and then straightens up. You look up at him through your eyelashes—his mullet is mussed from the tangles of your fingers through his hair, his chest moving steadily up and down with the exertion of this all.  He moves your legs so your left ankle rests on his shoulder, the right wrapped around his hips. 

His hand creeps up your shirt, and you do the rest, exposing your tits to him. Joost is normally so clumsy, so heavy-handed—what a contrast that he can be so calm dragging his fingertips around your nipple, making it pebble in the cold.

He cups your cheek after you moan, then runs his tattooed knuckles down it, slips his thumb between your lips and hooks it on your teeth momentarily—you chase  it, but he continues down your chest and to your belly until his thumb is finally back on your clit and circling it slowly. 

The drag of his cock out of you is wonderful, so wonderful it makes you shudder when he does it, combined with his terribly slow treatment of your clit.

“My baby, did you miss me?” Joost says softly, kissing at your calf, your ankle as he sinks back into you. The sensation robs you of a response, a sigh tumbling out of your mouth before you can stop it, but he takes it as a response enough.  The smile on his face—the beauty mark under his lip, those deep dimples so prominent—you could never tire of it. “I missed you more, schatje.”

It feels so good, it feels like heaven being with him again. He comes back from such a busy time in his life, where you’ve done little, and all he has is praise and warmth and affection for you—fingers you within an inch of your life and doesn’t even ask for anything in return, just takes care of you in the way you need most. 

You know that he benefits from this just as much as you do—this isn’t so one-sided. But your brain is so frazzled from this last month, the nerve endings fried and in want of a fuck up to cling to like they have been whenever you’ve made a mistake at work, in class, in your relationship. 

Joost interrupts your thoughts: “I was so happy to see you on the steps, I could’ve sprinted to you if I wasn’t wearing those damn shoes.”

All of the times that you forgot to reply to Joost, getting a text saying your name and a sad face right after; the times where you were too distracted to give him your full attention and could only hum your acknowledgement to him, having to be reminded about what he said later; that one time just a few days ago you fell asleep on call with him in the middle of him excitedly speaking about a breakthrough with a bridge on the most important song of the album. 

The pleasure you felt earlier is now overshadowed by your racing thoughts. 

“I wrote a song about you, you know?” Joost says, his voice so gentle. I was only going to let you know when the album came out, but I can’t keep a secret.” Rocking against you, his pelvis rubs against your clit and it makes you cling to his shoulders. “The voice memo I sent you earlier—it was my first draft, just me. Did you like it?” 

“You…you wrote a song about me?” 

Only now do you remember the voice memo Joost sent you in the morning when you were still cleaning, the one that you saw and made a fleeting mental note to reply to later on, which you promptly forgot as you vacuumed, dusted, folded. 

Such misplaced priorities, and now you're paying the sad price.

“Joost,” you say, eyebrows screwing up, that all too familiar pulling feeling behind your nose and eyes—you realize quickly that all of the emotions bottled up inside of you from the past month have come out with vengeance at the new knowledge of Joost’s song about you. The knowledge wouldn’t have been new if you just paid more attention. 

You try to hold it back, pushing down the feelings again, but it just won’t work. All of it spilling over at the worst possible time, tears streaming down your face before you even know it. You fail to wipe the wetness from your cheeks—Joost stops his movements, asks in a panicked and concerned voice, “Oh my—are you crying, schat?”

Attempting to pull it together once more, you cover your face with your hands and shake your head silently, but your already sniffly nose sells you out. Your shoulders shake with your crying. Too far gone now. 

“I wanted—“ you sniffle, and he hands you a tissue from the side table for you to blow your nose into as he stumbles out and off of you. “I wanted to be with you tonight, but I just—so much—I never—I never listened to your memo, I couldn’t, I had to finish so much before you got here and I couldn’t and I feel so bad, like, you wrote a song about me and I didn’t even have the time to listen—” 

“Shh, shh, shh, shh,” Joost coos, brushing your hair out of your eyes as you sob. “Baby, please.” His expression is so concerned, eyebrows furrowed as he pats your back. “Wait, shit,” he says, getting up from the couch and looking down at his still bare bottom half. “Let me put everything back on, I’m sorry schatje, give me—“ In a hurry, he puts his underwear and shorts back on, tripping over himself and almost falling over. “I just can’t do this naked, I’m sorry.” 

That brings a laugh out of you and a laugh out of him, and you start explaining as he sits back down next to you, rubbing your arm. “I don’t—I don’t deserve you.” You shake your head, wiping your eyes with the backs of your hands. “I should’ve listened to what you sent me, I should’ve been there more.” 

“Bro,” he deadpans, beckoning you to come and sit on his lap. 

You do, still trying to get the tears out of your eyes as you settle into his arms. “Shut up, don’t call me bro while I’m crying,” you laugh, voice weak but lighthearted.

“Bro. I will do it again.” Joost gives you a second to let it out more, to breathe as he smooths his hands back and forth on your back. “You did everything perfectly, lieverd. Perfectly. We were both so busy, and you still made time to call me and text me. I would have been lost without you, I know for certain.” 

You shake your head. “I forgot to reply and pick up your texts so many times, Joost, I felt like such a bad person for doing so.” 

“You did? I didn’t notice. All I cared about was that you replied.  You’re not a bad person at all,” Joost says, and the sweetness of his words just make you want to cry more. “I appreciate more from you the effort that you put into everything, into what we have. Not what you couldn’t or didn’t do.” 

“You’re so nice,” you whisper, sniffling. You can’t think of a better compliment with how overwhelmed you are, so you kiss him, instead, and he kisses back. Even with this, you can tell how gentle Joost is holding your cracked pieces back together. 

“I’m nice?” he asks, smiling. “Best compliment I’ve ever gotten.” For a little, you both sit there in the silence together. “How about this—tomorrow, we can have a day to ourselves. You can lounge and study by the pool, and I’ll be your little butler or whoever and we can just relax for a bit, hm? Order food, drink, smoke, whatever.” Pausing, he grins. “We can even listen to the whole album, if you want.”

“You finished it?” you ask, sitting up more and incredulous. That’s complete news to you.

“This morning, right before I flew back here,” Joost says, nodding proudly. “I also texted you, but duty calls, no?” 

“You texted me?” He texted you? And you missed it?!?!? Again, the new information makes you cry, and he holds you tight as you do. “You should be mad that I didn’t see it,” you say in between dry heaves into his shoulder. “I’m so proud of you.” 

“I could never be mad at you, lieverd, and I’m sorry I made you cry again,” he says, rubbing your back, petting your hair. “I just wanted to let you know when I did it—it was just a timestamp, that doesn’t mean you needed to know right that second.” 

“But I wanted to know.” 

“You know now, and I know how proud you are of me. That’s enough, that’s even more than what I wanted.” You trust him and his words so fully, every passing second with him is another way to help you feel better. “I love you,” Joost says your name so seriously, a punctuation to his love letter. “I mean it.” 

“I love you too.” You kiss him, deeply, moments passing that you use to thank everything you can that he’s so good with your worries, your anxieties. “I’ll take you up on that offer for tomorrow, Joost,” you say, finally calmed down enough. Your eyes are incredibly bleary—you didn’t know that was possible. But at least you aren’t actively crying anymore. “Thank you for everything.” 

“Thank you for giving me something more to look forward to, schat. Now—let’s go run a bath together and listen to my song for you.” 

[a-dauntless-daffodil]

Vaggie: “Charlie. You know I love you, right?”

Charlie: “….”

Charlie: “…before I answer, can I ask YOU a question?”

Vaggie: “Sure, babe. Fire away.”

Charlie: “Okay.”

Charlie: “Is this about the singing cannibal quartet love song turned massacre in the hotel lobby?”

Vaggie: “No.”

Charlie: “Is it about the supposedly non-man eating flowers that tried eating Angel Dust, which Niffty won’t let us get rid of now because she wants to train them to hunt cockroaches with her?”

Vaggie: “No.”

Charlie: “Is it about the alleged cookies Husk is still in bed recovering from taste testing?”

Vaggie: “Those were cookies?”

Charlie: “Allegedly. In a previous life maybe.”

Vaggie: “Huh. They weren’t bad.”

Charlie: “They- Vaggie, you didn’t actually EAT-”

Vaggie: “After wrestling Angel Dust out of the third flower in a row? I was hungry. The kitchen was on fire earlier so I knew you’d made something. And they were sitting in a common area, unclaimed and unlabeled.”

Charlie: “I put CAUTION TAPE around them!!”

Vaggie: “We don’t have anyone staying here named Caution or Hazardous Waste. Not yet, anyway.”

Charlie: “ARE YOU FEELING OKAY!?”

Vaggie: “Fine. This isn’t about the uh, ‘alleged cookies’.”

Charlie: “Well then what is it about? Am I forgetting something else?”

Vaggie: “Maybe. Are you gonna answer my question now?”

Charlie: “Of course I know you love me, Vaggie. Absolutely."

Vaggie: "Then-"

Charlie: "A dangerous amount, even- you sure you’re feeling alright? Those cookies... poor Husk…”

Vaggie: “Husk is on average 40% alcohol and not used to solid foods. This was a good learning experience for him, trust me.”

Charlie: “I do! I do I do, I just, also really hope Angel Dust knows how to BE an actual bedside nurse as well as DRESS like one. A. Sexy one.”

Vaggie: “We’ll save Husk from medical malpractice in a minute. Right now though…”

Vaggie: (smooch the tol gf)

Charlie: “?”

Vaggie: “You don’t have to do extra things like this, sweetie.”

Charlie: “Oh.”

Vaggie: “Not that I didn’t love the thought behind it.”

Charlie: “There were no thoughts. Just, wow I love my girlfriend, wow I really hope she knows I love her.”

Vaggie: “I do. You’re amazing, and doing normal hotel crisis things with you is already amazing enough.”

Charlie: (droops) “I know, I know…”

Vaggie: “So?”

Charlie: “Well that’s the THING though! We’ve only been doing hotel stuff!”

Vaggie: “It’s a pretty wide range of activities you gotta admit.”

Charlie: “Oh sure right, sooo varied- stop a murder, fight to stop a murder, try not to do a murder, replace THIS fix THAT organize another group talk and go into red alert whenever the things get suspiciously quiet- go collect the bodies, probably reassemble them, pay the bills, supervised arts and crafts and Cherri still makes a BOMB somehow-”

Vaggie: “Everyone getting together to blow it up outside was kinda sweet.”

Charlie: “And that’s great! We’re doing great, things are going good, it’s just- WE don’t do anything that’s just for US.”

Vaggie: “That what’s bothering you?”

Charlie: “Bothering me? BOTHERING ME?? Vaggie our last outing together was dragging you back up to HEAVEN where the people who left you in hell also BLAKMAILED YOU!"

Vaggie: "Could've been worse."

Charlie: "IT WAS HORRIBLE! A NEGATIVE TIME TOGTHER! I’m gonna explode- I haven’t taken you on an actual date in MONTHS!!!”

Vaggie: “So let’s go then.”

Charlie: “I know we can’t just leave the hotel, but that doesn’t stop-”

Charlie: “…”

Charlie: “Huh?”

Vaggie: “Let’s go. We can take the rest of the night off.”

Charlie: “….can we?”

Vaggie: “Sure. Niffty’s busy with her new murder plant buddies, Husk’s busy being sick, Angel Dust’s busy with Husk, and Cherri Bomb… well. If the singing cannibal duo wants to keep playing exploding volleyball with her out back then that’s their problem, not ours.”

Charlie: “It’ll be our problem REAL quick if anyone spikes the bomb at the hotel!”

Vaggie: “It’ll be just another Tuesday, another hole in the wall, and a chance for Cherri to learn about the wonders of vacuum cleaners and wall plaster.”

Charlie: “Which you won’t be able to sleep knowing about until you’ve redone the whole thing yourself.”

Vaggie: “That’s still just another Tuesday.”

Charlie: “What about Husk being sick? AND suffering under Angel Dust’s dubiously sexy medical care?”

Vaggie: “If they’re bothering each other they can’t be getting into trouble with anyone else. Win-win.”

Charlie: “Niffty is building an army.”

Vaggie: “Good for her.”

Charlie: “She might be planning on wiping out all life in the hotel???”

Vaggie: “Hell forbid the cleaning ladies do anything.”

Charlie: “Why are you suddenly so okay with mess and chaos? You HATE messes and chaos! You patrol the hotel just to check everyone’s doing what you thought they’d be doing, based on all the little schedules you keep making on them!”

Vaggie: “Which they didn’t need to hear you yelling about but sure.”

Charlie: “You refold all my laundry so the creases line up just right! Why- oh no.”

Charlie: (gasp) “Vaggie, don’t panic, but I think the evil fail cookies are affecting you-”

Vaggie: “Charlie-” (laughing) “-no, they’re not. Maybe I’m fine with a little extra mess and chaos, if it means spending time with you.”

Charlie: “….”

Charlie: “How many fingers am I holding up?”

Vaggie: “Triangle. Wanna go on a date with me?”

Charlie: “YE- wait, you’re sure though?”

Vaggie: “I’m sure.”

Charlie: “Really sure?”

Vaggie: “Very.”

Charlie: “It’s not a fun date if it makes you super stressed afterwards.”

Vaggie: “I’m always stressed. It’d be nice if I could at least get some uninterrupted ‘stare at my beautiful girlfriend’ time while I’m at it.”

Charlie: “The hotel’s gonna be in RUINS when we get back. Our friends might be on fire by then.”

Vaggie: “C’mon, they’re not our kids. They’re all responsible adults….”

Chaggie: “…..”

Vaggie: “….they’re all adults…”

Charlie: “Who we’re kinda responsible for…?”

Vaggie: “Not for tonight.”

Charlie: (sighing) “That WOULD be nice.”

Vaggie: “So let’s make it happen. Date night?”

Charlie: “-ES YES YES YES YES-”

Vaggie: “That a yes?”

Charlie: “YES!!! I- Hold on, wait wait, I’ve got-”

Charlie: (pulls out several papers covered in writing and diagrams)

Charlie: “…I’ve got, let’s see here-”

Vaggie: “Notes?”

Charlie: “-seven quick pick up date ideas that don’t need ANY preparation-”

Vaggie: “You made plans for dates you didn’t even think we’d go on?”

Charlie: “Well it never hurts to dream about something, right? That way you get to have fun either way, and you’ll be ready if it does happen!”

Vaggie: “I love you.”

Charlie: (grinning) “You love that you’ve infected me with note cards and organizing thoughts and things~”

Vaggie: “That too.”

Charlie: “Well according to my wonderful notes, the least stressful date option is…. Cannibal Town!”

Vaggie: “They have that dress code don’t they.”

Charlie: “Unless you wanna get your cute butt chased for all the wrong reasons, yep! They do!”

Vaggie: “Is this you wanting to see me in a fancy-ass dress?”

Charlie: “And to stroll down the nicely kept streets arm-in-arm with you, enjoyed the quiet atmosphere not filled with random agonized screams, stopping to admire the beautiful and very well composted flower beds…”

Vaggie: “I’d stroll with you anywhere, so count me in.”

Charlie: “YES! Oh I already LOVE THIS- and Vaggie?”

Vaggie: “Yeah?”

Charlie: “I love you too.”

Vaggie: “Wow really. Had no idea.”

Charlie: “Heheh.”

Vaggie: “Honestly there’ve been like, zero hints about that all day.”

Charlie: “I promise I really was trying to be subtle.”

Vaggie: “There’s a lot of words for you, but subtle’s probably not one of them.”

Charlie: “I tried. I tried for youuuuuuu~ For the sake of my girlfriend, I was willing to go against my baser and more dramatic nature!”

Vaggie: “What’s more dramatic than man eating flowers, that’s what I’d like to know.”

Charlie: “A garden.”

Vaggie: “A g- a whole garden?”

Charlie: (shrug) “We’ve got plenty of empty rooms…”

Vaggie: “A garden, sweetie.”

Charlie: “I was thinking of putting a lot of trees and bushes in. Lots of stuff to hide behind.”

Vaggie: “Our own little patch of private picnic paradise, huh?”

Charlie: “Hm-hmm! Or for makeouts. Or both?”

Vaggie: (chuckling) “Not to spoil the mood but… speaking of plants and compost, on our date, should we bring the other half of the cannibal quartet over to Rosie’s while we’re headed there? Or, what’s left of them?”

Charlie: “Mmmmm NAAAH. I wanna have all hands free on the way over.”

Vaggie: “Hands free for what?”

Charlie: “Nothing~”

Vaggie: “Your hands are already on my ass, Charlie.”

Charlie: “Oh whoops!”

Vaggie: “I didn’t say you could move them.”

Charlie: “That’s why I’m not~”

Vaggie: “You’re in a mood tonight, aren’t you.” (muttering) “I’m not even the one off playing with carnivorous plants, so why's it suddenly feel like I’m in danger...”

Charlie: “Beecaaaause you look dangerously cute in a fancy dress.”

Vaggie: “Says the woman walking around in THAT suit.”

Charlie: “I have to dress sharp! I need to match with my girlfriend!”

Vaggie: “You’ve been wearing that exact same kind of suit since long before you even met me.”

Charlie: “Only through YEARS of unfulfilled potential!”

Vaggie: “Uh huh.”

Charlie: “Tragic, wasted beauty!”

Vaggie: “Hardly wasted with you in it.”

Charlie: “But it was! A jacket crying out for the one woman who’ll finally borrow and wear it the way it was always meant to be worn!”

Vaggie: “With the sleeves falling over my hands?”

Charlie: “With that adorable little blush when you snuggle down into it… Also, the way it falls to almost mid-thigh on you, and how you like wearing it with nothing el-”

Vaggie: “Is this a date night or a do not disturb night?”

Charlie: “Date night!”

Vaggie: “Then stop biting your lip at me.”

Charlie: “Aww.”

Vaggie: “And come help me pick out a fancy dress.”

Charlie: “!!! THE ONE FROM THE COMMERCIAL MAYBE???”

Vaggie: “Oh you liked that look, huh?” (snickering) “Aw babe- is THAT why you stay up replaying the commercial some nights?”

Charlie: “That’s… public image analysis…”

Vaggie: “Whatever you say. Now you now know how I feel every day.”

Charlie: (muttering) “lucky you.”

Vaggie: “You wanna switch things up for the date, or keep the suit?”

Charlie: “Keep, probably..? You like me in the suit~”

Vaggie: “I like you in a lot of things.”

Charlie: “R-right.”

Vaggie: “And nothing.”

Charlie: “I- same.” (horns start popping out) “Um.” (pushes them back in) “Could we also. Wear matching hats?”

Vaggie: “Of course we’re wearing matching hats. This is supposed to be a fancy date right?”

Charlie: “Very. Very fancy.”

Vaggie: “Well nothing’s fancier than hats."

Charlie: "WHEEE! With flowers on them, yeah!?"

Vaggie: "Have I ever let you down?”

Charlie: “Never.”

Vaggie: “And do you promise not to bring me anymore demonic flowers or singing quartets?”

Charlie: “… I’ll do my best.”

Vaggie: “Perfect.”

Vaggie: “…”

Vaggie: “I wouldn’t say no to a few more of those cookies though-”

Charlie: “NO.”

Vaggie: “Sweetie, they were good.”

Charlie: “No. Absolutely no, I am NOT poisoning you on purpose. Not even if you ask me nicely and pout about it like that.”

Vaggie: “You deny the cookies?”

Charlie: “Don’t even start-”

Vaggie: “Girlfriend abuse. Toxic relationship alert.”

Charlie: “Those 'cookies' were the MOST TOXIC THING that our relationship has EVER seen!”

Vaggie: “They were made with love.”

Charlie: “And likely heavy metals? The fact that you willingly ate them is maybe the most WORRYING thing our relationship has ever seen…”

Vaggie: “Cough exorcist lie cough cough.”

Charlie: “Totally different. That didn’t put you in active danger-”

Niffty: “SPEAKING OF DANGER!”

Chaggie: (screaming)

Niffty: “My murder plant babies are in danger.”

Vaggie: “HOW can- how can those things BE in danger?”

Charlie: “NIFFTY PLEASE! The knocking?? The not dropping from air vents???”

Niffty: “Only in emergencies, I remember! This is an emergency. Husk is feeding himself to my murder plan babies.”

Vaggie: “Why.”

Niffty: “Escaping nurse Angel Dust and unnecessary CPR.”

Charlie: “Oh for-”

Vaggie: “Let him. They won’t kill him. Permanently, anyway.”

Charlie: “…. Hm.”

Niffty: “What if my murder babies get food poisoning from second hand bad cookies?”

Vaggie: “Seek revenge for them or something?”

Niffty: “OoooOOOH!”

Niffty: (scuttles away cackling)

Charlie: “Oh noooo, you’ve given her an idea-”

Vaggie: “Too late to stop her now. C’mon.” (grabbing charlie’s hand) “Make a break for our room before anyone else-”

Cherri Bomb: “Hey girls! Uh, you were planning on making a pit for a hotel swimming pool, right? Like, one already kinda full of blood? Right out back? Right???”

Chaggie: “….”

Charlie: “… Hello~! Charlie and Vaggie can’t be reached at the moment!”

Vaggie: “We’ll be out all night.”

Cherri Bomb: “And the pool of blood-?”

Charlie: “So please leave a message at the sound of the beep!”

Vaggie: “Beeeeep.” (at charlie) “Run.”  

Charlie: (scooping up vaggie) “My legs are longer-”

Vaggie: “Brilliant thinking sweetie now GO GO GO!!!”

Chaggie: (flees)

Cherri Bomb: “…..”

Cherri Bomb: “They take the u-haul thing seriously, huh.”

-their room-

Charlie: “….Vaggie.”

Vaggie: “Yeah?”

Charlie: “Stop it.”

Vaggie: “Stop what?”

Charlie: “Vaggie.”

Vaggie: “Mmm?”

Charlie: “…..”

Charlie: “…..fine, FINE!” (groaning) “I’ll see about salvaging the burnt remains of the evil cursed cookie recipe when we get back. Now will you PLEASE stop messing with your flawless hair and put the dress on? Or anything!? Anything being put on would be good now too!”

Vaggie: (smiling) “No idea what you mean babe, but alright.” (quietly to herself) “Mission success.”

Charlie: “I heard that.”

-exiting hotel-

Vaggie: “Almost there.”

Charlie: “Oh please my dad who’s probably in a pile of duckies, please just let us make it out the d-”

(horrific screaming from deeper inside hotel)

Charlie: “…..”

Vaggie: “….”

Charlie: “We didn’t hear that.”

Vaggie: “We kinda already did, sweetie.”

Charlie: “No.” (pouting) “No. We can hear it when we get back.”

Vaggie: “Fine by me.”

Charlie: (SIGHING) “Even though we’re gonna hear allllll about not hearing it when we get back...”

Vaggie: “Worth it.”

Charlie: (grinning) “Think so?”

Vaggie: “Do you?”

Charlie: (already tugging them out the door by their entwined hands) “More than worth it.” (lifts and twirls vaggie down the hotel steps) “Whooosh!”

Vaggie: “Oh is THIS why you really wanted me in a fancy dress? For the ‘whoosh’?”

Charlie: “That, and for the way you smile when I whoosh you~”

[ghostofskywalker]

No Such Thing As A Perfect Moment

Commander Cody/Fem!Reader

Words: 2,059

Summary: It was embarrassing really, how everyone Cody interacted with could tell how he felt about you. All that was left for him to do was just admit it, but not everything goes according to plan.

Prompt: "is it cool that i said all that?" (Delicate, Taylor Swift)

Note: this is my contribution to @cloneficgiftexchange's song lyric exchange, which i ran! this fic is for @winniethewife, and when presented with the choice i had to pick the taylor swift song :) i thought the vibes of the prompt lended itself really well to a confession of love, so i hope you enjoy!!

Clone Troopers Masterlist

Cody was the marshal commander of the GAR, he was genetically engineered to be a powerful soldier and talented leader, and he had spent countless hours on the front lines of the war. Some of the situations he had found himself and his troops were nothing short of horrific, and he had a reputation for running headfirst at battle droids, both with and without a weapon. Point being, he could do anything he put his mind to. 

Except apparently, ask you out on a date. 

Waxer and Boil, at this point well aware of how their commander felt about the 212th’s auxiliary intelligence officer, tried their best to help, even if it sometimes felt like they were getting a little too much enjoyment at the sight of Cody’s lovestruck stuttering. But no matter how many times they tried to reassure him that you felt the same way, he never believed a word. 

Now, with the war over and many of the regular dangers they faced each day a distant memory, Cody had made up his mind. There was no excuse anymore, he had to own his feelings and finally speak them out loud. If you didn’t return them, then he could put the matter to bed, but he had to say something. 

The music in 79’s blared louder than usual, and the place was packed. Cheerful whoops and drunken laughter filled the space, with clones of all battalions celebrating the victory of the republic and their newfound freedom. There was still much work to be done to secure the best futures possible, but the bills already before the Galactic Senate were promising, and no one really wanted to worry about all that right now anyway. 

You were squeezed in at the end of the 212th’s booth, your leg resting against Cody’s as you sipped on a brightly colored drink and listened to the story being told across the table. His men had been adamant that he sit next to you, and Cody was really starting to feel the effects of his little crush, likely due to the amount of liquor he had already consumed that night and the fact that the clothes you were wearing were a far cry from the simple and practical GAR-issued uniform he was used to seeing you in. As he stared intently at a burn mark on the table, the rest of the world faded out from Cody’s view, until he felt a soft tap to his leg. 

“Is everything okay?” you asked, and he turned to see a concerned expression on your face. “Do you want to go somewhere quieter?” 

His brain stopped for a moment. Was this really the chance he had to ask you out? Half drunk and sweatier than usual, he would not have chosen this out of all the times in the galaxy. He stared at you for longer than what might seem normal before snapping out of the trance and realizing that you probably expected an answer to your question. “No, I’m fine,” he said. “You don’t need to worry about me.” 

That last part was meant to be reassuring, but he could see your face flicker with worry before you nodded in response. You didn’t push him any more, but he could have sworn he caught you glancing at him more often as the night progressed. 

You left earlier than the rest of the squad that night, wanting to get some rest before a meeting you had the next morning, but Cody could almost still feel the way your leg rested against his as he and the rest of his troops stumbled back to the barracks hours later. 

***

The next time he saw you, they were at a gala and you were wearing a dress, and Cody was genuinely worried that he had forgotten how to breathe. This dress was long, with a skirt that just barely grazed the floor as you moved, and it was a conscious effort on his part to keep his mouth closed. As much as he felt the true sacrifices made during the war could never truly be acknowledged in a Nabooian ballroom and that this was nothing more a useless show of frivolity, he was certainly enjoying the way you looked. 

“Are you ever going to actually say something?” a voice cut into Cody’s thoughts, and he turned to see his general standing there with a judgemental expression on his face. “Or are you going to just stare at her forever and hope she develops the ability to telepathically communicate?” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cody said, trying desperately to save face. Was it that obvious how he felt about you? 

“Come on Cody,” Obi-Wan said as he took a sip of his drink, a smile on his face as he watched his friend shift nervously. “If Anakin’s men can tell how smitted you are from halfway across the dance floor, then I think the secret is out. I honestly have no idea how she hasn’t noticed yet.” 

“I’m just nervous,” Cody said, not wanting to play this game anymore with Rex. “Everyone keeps telling me that she feels the same, but what if they’re wrong? I made up my mind to say something, but no time ever feels like the right one, you know?” 

Obi-Wan smiled. “I don’t think there will ever be the perfect time to say something,” he said kindly. “If by some stroke of unluck she doesn’t return your feelings, nothing bad is going to happen. But waiting forever thinking that the ‘right time’ is going to fall from the sky may only ensure your place on the sideline if she believes you are not interested.” 

Cody sighed. His general was right. The last thing he would want is for you to move on because he wasn’t brave enough to ever tell you how he felt. There may never be a perfect time to do something like this, but he supposed there would be worse times than right now. 

After finishing the drink in his hand, Cody walked across the ballroom and approached you as you spoke to a few senators. A smile immediately crossed your face as he caught your eye, and you had closed the distance between you and him moments later. “I’m so glad you’re here,” you said, wrapping your arms around him in a hug he never wanted to let go of. “Most senators are very nice, but their default topics of conversation are far from interesting.” 

Cody laughed. “I’m glad I could be a help,” he said, as the wheels in his brain turned. Bolder than he usually would have been, he reached a hand out to you. “Would you like to dance with me?” 

After you accepted his hand and allowed him to lead you to the floor, Cody concentrated heavily on his steps. The music guided his movement and you were an excellent dancer, so the last thing he wanted was to step on your feet. You must have been able to tell that he was unsure of himself, because you began to guide him as you danced. 

This is your chance, the voice in his head proclaimed, and for once, he agreed. Maybe it was Obi-Wan’s words before, maybe it was the way you smiled as you twirled across the dancefloor, but Cody was never more ready to finally say something. 

“Is everything okay?” you asked, pulling Cody once more from his own head. 

But unlike last time you had asked him this, he found the words a few seconds later. “Of course,” he said. “I was actually-” 

But before he could finish his sentence, another senator walked up to the two of you, and you could only shoot Cody an apologetic look as you were gently pulled away from him. So much for that moment, he thought sadly as he left the dance floor in search of something to drink. 

***

Cody had abandoned the gala half an hour ago, and it was only an accident that he managed to stumble across a garden. The air was cool as he wandered, taking note of all the beautiful trees and flowers, some in full bloom now that it was dark outside. It was quiet and secluded, the perfect place for him to sit down and mull over every choice he made this evening. He expected that eventually others would find this place and ruin his solitude, but his plan was to head back to where they had been staying soon anyway. 

He didn’t expect the person who found him to be you, but in hindsight he should have. “Do you mind if I sit here?” 

“Finally got a chance to escape, huh?” He asked as you plopped down next to him, a teasing tone to his voice. 

“Maker, they’re so boring,” you said. “But I guess I should be grateful that so many people are interested in what I have to say.” 

Cody’s expression shifted, his curiosity piqued. “Why?” 

“Oh right, you don’t know,” you responded. “I’ve been working with Senator Amidala on the new bill that has to do with you guys. My testimonies and stories from working with you all will hopefully allow us to provide consistent stipends and free housing for all the troops of the GAR.” 

“That’s amazing.” 

You smiled bashfully. “I wish I didn’t have to fight this hard for it though. Padmé thinks we’re close, and hopefully the number of senators who have sought me out this evening to talk about it means she’s right.” 

“Well, if it means anything right now, I couldn’t be more grateful that you’re willing to fight for us, and I know every single of the men I work with feel the same way.” 

“Thanks,” you said softly, leaning your head on his shoulder with a yawn. Cody’s breath hitched, and he desperately hoped you didn’t notice. 

After a few beats of comfortable silence, you spoke again. “What did you want to tell me earlier?” 

Without wasting another moment, Cody just spoke. No warmup, no preparation, he just couldn’t hold it in any longer. “How much you mean to me. Working with you was an experience that I won’t ever forget, but now that the war is over I don’t want to stop seeing you. I understand if you don’t feel the same way, but when I saw you in that dress tonight I forgot how to function for a moment, and my men have been bugging me about this for longer than I want to admit. I always wanted the perfect moment, but maybe that isn’t possible when you’re the only perfect thing in the entire galaxy.” 

There. He had said it, bared his soul to you and finally admitted that the feelings he had were more than just ones of friendship. He took in a shaky breath after he finished speaking, and he watched your face change, hoping for some sign that things would be okay.

“Cody,” you said softly, hand reaching out to his. 

But before you could speak the rest of your thoughts, it began to rain. 

A few droplets quickly turned to a deluge, and the two of you turned towards the sky in shock. Your hand tightened around Cody’s as laughter bubbled from your lips and pulled him towards building. The sound of your shoes on the stone paths was drowned out by the rain, and you were still laughing when you finally made it to an awning. 

The door back to the gala was right there, but neither of you made the move to go back inside. And when you leaned in to kiss him, Cody certainly didn’t complain. 

No more words were spoken, but the communication was effortless. His hands rested on your hips as yours wrapped around his neck, and it didn’t matter that some of the rainwater was making it through the gaps in the awning and still falling on your heads. 

When you finally broke apart, your face remained close to his. “I couldn’t think of a more eloquent answer, I hope that’s alright.” 

“Cyare, I think that was the best possible answer you could have given,” he responded, laughing as he leaned in to kiss you once more. 

Maybe there was no such thing as a perfect moment, but this was pretty damn near close.

- the end -

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[zombieunicorngamerzu]

Jackie Taylor x fem reader

(Jackie Taylor x fem reader - reader with body dysmorphia)

[Warnings - Talk of eating disorders and body dysmorphia, closeted lesbians, love confession, first times, body worship, praise, gentle soft-top Jackie, fingering, oral, vibrator, thigh riding]

You were checking yourself in the locker room mirror for the fifth time, frowning with focus as you pulled down on your shirt, sucking in. You had always been a curvier girl, always comparing yourself to every other girl you saw and thinking in your mind, “That’s what a normal body looks like, skinny, toned, pretty, while you were just curvy, thick, chubby as every single guy you spoke to would say. That’s one of the reasons you were now a closeted lesbian, I mean, it was 1996, lesbians weren’t really excepted and the only open lesbian you knew was Van, she was a really good friend to you and she had close to the same body type as you, but she had confidence and you just didn’t, you wished you could be as non-caring as her.

Jackie frowned from the corner as she did Shauna’s paint for the field, she always kept an eye on you, as the leader of the team and one of your friends she had to, but also it may be because she feels a little something more… But anyways, she kept seeing you tug at your uniform. Jackie kinda knew you always had problems with body confidence and eating, you always denied snacks or food when offered and only ever ate an apple or a granola bar for lunch. She tried multiple times to offer you food but you always said you liked eating the same thing every day, that it gave you routine and structure. The way you said it made Jackie worry, she always worried about you because she knows of your family life. Your parents, whom she met on occasions were super overprotective, Christian, conservative, republican people who sheltered you way too much, you were actually homeschooled only until this year when you finally got your parents to let you go to school just so you could play soccer.

At first your parents didn’t agree, saying how they didn’t want you to wear the uniforms that were too short, but you were able to get a custom uniform online with sleeves that went down to your elbows and shorts that went down to your knees and you promised them that you would excel and you’d get amazing grades. It put a extreme amount of pressure on you to be perfect all the time, sometimes you forgot to eat, or you’d skip lunch and go to study hall instead. Everybody on the team really worried about you because of this, especially Jackie, Lottie, and Van. Luckily this year at school you had kept up with the perfect image, getting straight A’s, behaving good at home and school, and doing your absolute grueling best at soccer and practice so you could show your parents that you were the best, even your coach told you that you needed to relax at some point, but you always just said you liked to work and move, it keeps you distracted.

“Hey, Y/N, are you okay? Jackie spoke with concern as she walked over to you, pulling you out of your thoughts, giving her a quick smile which she saw straight through as you spoke, “Yeah, I’m fine, just fixing my shirt.” She only nodded and crossed her arms, giving you a gentle look, “That’s the sixth time you’ve fixed your shirt Y/N, look, you look gorgeous, okay?” She smiled brighter as she turned you to face yourself in the mirror, making you blush simply from her hands on your shoulders as she looked at you through the mirror, “Even with this baggy conservative ass uniform, your one of the very few that can pull it off and make it look sexy.” She finished, making your heart speed up, (Did Jackie really think you were sexy?) “I’m not really going for sexy, I don’t like when people notice me like that.” You mumbled out, you really liked to just be invisible. You loved to be the best at things, but you never wanted to be noticed for your efforts.

“Well then, sorry toots but you are, your pretty and so sexy that even with this uniform that covers up all your good bits, you have the boys always drooling after you like dogs with a bone.” She complimented you, Jackie was tying to hype you up, to be the team leader and give you a pep talk, but really all it did was make you embarrassed and shy, blushing, you didn’t really believe her, every time you got compliments you thought they were out of pity, of coarse Jackie would give you compliments, she’s perfect. “Isn’t that right girls, Y/N is absolutely beautiful?” She yelled out with a smile, getting rounds of playful wolf-whistled, noises, “Damn straight!” Van called out with a smile while whipping Taissa with a towel, making her jump and nod. “Yeah, Y/N, you have no idea how pretty you are, I wish I had your curves honestly.” Lottie just smiled and walked up to you with that little head tilt she does, her eyes soft as she reached for your hands, looking you in the eyes, “Y/N, you shouldn’t even waste time worrying about your looks, your absolutely adorable and one of our best players, we all see how hard you work yourself, your beautiful and you shouldn’t ever think otherwise.” You smiled tenderly at Lottie’s little pep talk, but Jackie, Jackie honestly felt a wave of jealousy watching Lottie with you, a quick frown crossing her face, (Why did Lotties pep talk comfort you but hers didn’t, what’s so special about Lottie?” She thought, unconsciously dropping her hands from your shoulders to your waist to hug you from behind and nuzzle your shoulder with a smile, pretending to playfully pull you back against her in a “friendly” hug and totally not just doing that to get you away from Lottie.

You just laughed a little with a pink blush from all the attention, compliments, and Jackie’s hug, your heart was pattering so fast you were terrified Jackie would feel it or somehow see how you had this overwhelming crush on her. Jackie finally pulled back from the hug, calling the girls so you could head out onto the field and start practice, “Alright, let’s go Yellowjackets!” She cheered with a jump before you were all jogging out onto the field for another day of grueling practice. You worked your ass off like usual, only today you were driven by anger, or self-hatred, you were running and sweating, trying to mentally burn off as many calories as possible, really pushing yourself today, and it didn’t help that the softball boys were practicing right on the open field beside the team, shouting wolf-whistles and gross compliments. It only spurred you on more, which the team seemed to notice your attitude, getting some worried glances from the girls and coach, but Jackie was paying the most attention, coming over to you after practice as you were sitting on the grass, panting heavily while tying your shoes, sitting down next to you, “Hey, Y/N, nice footwork out there, what’s got you so pumped?” She tried to seem like she was teasing, her smile as she nudged your shoulder with hers, nodding over towards the boys, “You trying to make a good show for the boys?”

She just teased lightheartedly, Jackie really hoped that you didn’t like any of the boys, but she just wanted to use that as an excuse. She didn’t know if you were interested in her the way she was into you, and really, Jackie herself was severely confused about her sexuality but after so many nights fantasizing about what it would be like to be with a girl, only being able to masterbate and cum to the thought of girls, she assumed she was definitely lesbian. Even when she was dating Jeff she had to fake so many orgasms, she was only with him to try to convince herself to be straight, but eventually she just knew it would never work so she broke it off. You frowned at her question, you always got so worked up when Jackie would tease you about being interested In boys, that’s one of the reasons why Jackie did it, she thought you were adorable when you got flustered, your scoff as you looked up at her, “What? Of coarse not, they disgust me just from their stares.” You grumbled out, that was the truth, men just disgusted you, even from a young age while girls were fawning and gushing over boys you never got that attraction, you forced yourself to “date” like three boys in your lifetime and every single time all they ever said was, (They liked that you were thicker than other girls.) It just made you feel disgusted by your own body, knowing that was all you were seen for was… heartbreaking for you, and you grew a hated towards men instead. “You were just really working yourself out there, even Lottie couldn’t keep up with you.” Jackie chuckled with a worried look, but you were too busy looking down at your shoes, sighing, “Look Jackie, I’m fine, I just wanted to do my best.”

“Oh that was definitely your best, I’m proud of you.” Jackie smiled, putting her hand on your back in soothing rubs, making you soften a little bit and blush, looking up at her with a more sullen look of defeat, you were really tired and it was hard to keep hiding your feelings, Jackie’s expression softened too at your look, silently giving you a look of understanding as she spoke gently, “Hey, it’s Friday, how about you text your parents and ask if you can spend the night for a sleepover at my place?” You immediately smiled a little at the idea, your parents met Jackie already and they got the best impression from her and met her parents, they thought Jackie was the perfect little princess, (due to Jackie’s amazing acting skills) she won your parents trust and favor. So when you texted your parents while getting dressed in the locker room after practice, you got a yes as long as you were home by Sunday for church. Smiling at your phone before shutting your locker, you looked over at Jackie with excitement and relief, “They said I could-“ Jackie cut you off with a teasing smile and tone with her hands on her hips, “As long as your home by Sunday, yeah, yeah.” You giggled at Jackie which made her only smile more, she loved it when she got to make you smile or laugh, you rarely ever did due to your constant state of stress, so she treasured those moments.

“Come on, let’s go.” Jackie smiled as she jingled her keys, giving you a playful look as she wiggled her brows, you just smiled gently with a nod, grabbing your duffel bag before heading out with her to the parking lot. You got stopped by Jeff and some of his boys in a truck next to Jackie’s car, you could practically predict some sexual remarks as soon as you saw their smiles and stares, like predators with their prey, Jackie grabbed your hand immediately with a confident look on her face, leaning closer to you to speak gently, “Hey, don’t worry, their just assholes, ignore them.” She gave you a gentle squeeze with your hand in hers, you always felt so protected by Jackie, it made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, your heart was pounding as she led you to her car, one of the boys shouting out from the trunk of the truck, “Hey, church mouse, show us your tits!” Jackie glared burning holes into the guys, that was your name at school, church mouse, it was derogatory because you were quiet, more private, and just a good girl overall. “Fuck off pervs, you wish!” Jackie spat back at them with a roll of her eyes, guiding you into her car before she got in on the other side, slamming the door and putting a tape in to turn on some music and drown out the guys before pulling out of the parking lot. “Hey, I’m sorry about those assholes, men only think one thing, sex, my mom always told me that.” Jackie gives you a gentle smile which you were grateful for. “It’s fine, thanks for standing up for me.” Jackie just nodded, her expression was so caring, reaching her hand over to place on your knee with a gentle squeeze, “Always.”

You got to Jackie’s house in about 30 minutes, she didn’t live too far, getting out of the car with your bag as she led you inside her house. Jackie’s parents were on vacation, which you didn’t know about, having the huge house all to yourselves which Jackie was practically jumping with excitement about as she led you up to her bedroom to settle in. “Are you hungry?” Jackie asked as soon as you both settled in, sitting down on her bed beside you, “I can order pizza or something while you take a shower.” She spoke with a hopeful tone that you’d say yes, she hadn’t seen you eat for the past couple of days and she noticed you’d lost some weight, your uniform shorts getting baggier than usual. You frowned at her words, you didn’t wanna say no and have her be suspicious, but also you didn’t wanna eat pizza, terrified of gaining weight. Jackie must have seen the worry and stress on your face, sitting up more in her bed to sit on her knees and take your hands, smiling reassuringly as she shook her head, “Or I can go downstairs and make us both fruit salads, Dad just got some fruit at the market the other day.” She tried to find to find someway to get you to relax and eat, “Because I’m starving, how does that sound.” You felt a wave of relief at her alternative suggestion, fruit wouldn’t hurt you as long as you didn’t overdue it, nodding with a small smile, “Yeah, sure, if it’s not too much trouble for you, I’m sorry to make you do that for me.” You apologized before she shook her head, “No, no, Y/N, i love doing things for you, go take a shower and I’ll come back up with a bowl for us and we can watch movies and just relax.” She smiled affectionately, getting out of bed swiftly.

You just nodded and headed to Jackie’s bathroom, she had one attached to her bedroom. You decided to take a quick hot shower, getting out once you were done before realizing you forgot to grab a change of clothes from your bag, cursing as you walked back into Jackie’s room, she wasn’t back yet so you just thought to drop your towel and get dressed, but unlucky or lucky for you Jackie was literally right at the door, holding two bowls, stopped with a burning blush and her mouth open as she caught a glimpse of your beautiful body through a wide crack in the door, since it was just you two, neither of you thought to close doors really. Jackie blinked a couple of times just in shock, you were so gorgeous, she just wanted to walk in and do unholy things to you, but she had to keep her secret until she was sure you weren’t straight. She decided to do a alternative, pretending to walk in with a loud. “OH! Sorry, Y/N, I thought you’d be done already.” She spoke quickly as she turned around quickly, you jumped with a burning blush on your cheeks at her having seen you naked, quickly pulling your shirt and shorts on, “God, I’m sorry Jackie- I didn’t even think.” She cut you off with a shake of her head before turning around once you were dressed with a blush, “No, hey- it’s okay, we’re both girls.” She chuckled out nervously, trying to hide the fact that she is blushing so hard not from embarrassment but from attraction to you, handing you a bowl of fruit which you took before sitting back in a beanbag chair in her room, there was a couple moments of awkward silence as you took a few hesitant bites while Jackie met your eyes a few times, “Y/N, you know your beautiful, right?” Her sudden words caught you off guard, rolling your eyes with a sigh which Jackie caught, “Hey, I’m serious Y/N, you are.” You just shook your head, speaking out mid-chew,

“Of coarse you’d say that, your literally perfect Jackie.” Your words made her blush with a soft smile as she stared over at you with a affectionate look. “I’m not perfect, but thank you.” She spoke shyer, shrugging before speaking again as she sat down her bowl, watching you eat while biting her lip, she was trying to be careful with what she said. “Y/N, can I tell you something?” You looked up at the hesitancy In her tone, nodding as you gave her your full attention as she stood up to sit closer to you in her bed, “I have a crush, on this person… and I’m not sure they feel the same way I do.” You felt your heart shatter at her words, at seeing your brief expression because she felt her heart flutter with hope, just a friend wouldn’t look so devastated at her best friends confession, you didn’t really know what to say except, “Oh, um, well- why don’t you just tell them, be blunt, the worst they can do is say no.” You shrugged, you were always a no none sense, blunt kinda person, you hated wasting time and beating around the bush. Jackie just smiled and chuckled at your advice, she always admired your advice, looking down as she spoke, “It’s not that easy, their a friend of mine and I don’t wanna ruin our friendship.” You shifted in your spot with empathy for her, it felt super awkward to give her relationship advice while your heart was breaking at the thought of Jackie being with anyone, “If they make you happy and it’s torture not being with them, isn’t it worth the risk instead of suffering?” You spoke from your heart, realizing how close you and Jackie were when you saw her nod, her eyes briefly flickering down to your lips, god- you were such a hypocrite, and fuck- why is she so pretty?

“She’s too important for me to loose.” Jackie spoke out softly before her eyes widened, realizing what she just confessed when she saw your expression change, it wasn’t hard to click the pieces together just the, she meant you, Jackie liked you? You knew it was you as soon as she said, she. Jackie quickly just took in your shocked expression before catching you copy her, your eyes flickering down to her lips, making her swallow and slowly lean in closer, her heart racing when you didn’t pull away, her hand reaching up to your cheek before she pressed her lips against yours in a slow, passionate, deep kiss, sighing out against your lips in pure relief when you started to kiss her back. You were so happy you couldn’t help but smile against her lips, making her smile too, pulling away with such a bright smile it made your heart flutter, the both of you catching your breath as you stared into each others eyes, her voice was a little raspier than normal, making you flush, “I’ve wanted to do that for so long.” Her words shocked you, you were so sure Jackie was straight, you’d trained yourself to be heartbroken and miserable your whole friendship with Jackie while watching her with Jeff, but now she was confessing she liked you? It felt like a dream. You just stared at her with this look in your eyes that made Jackie heat up, you looked so adorable to her, leaning back closer as she sat up on her knees, cupping your cheek with a soft tone,

“Your so beautiful… please, let me show you how beautiful I think you are.” Jackie husked out while slowly pushing you down on her bed, carefully straddling your lap with a shutter when she felt how hot you were against her core through the thin fabric of both of yours sleep shorts, god she was embarrassingly wet already, sighing out as her eyes fluttered, looking down at you as she gently slid her hands under your shirt to your hips, rasping out, “Is this okay, Y/N?” She asked you gently, watching your expression for any signs of discomfort. You just nodded with a breathy, “Yes, Jackie…” She smiled down at you so sexy, rolling her tongue against her teeth before leaning down to kiss you slow and deep, nibbling on your bottom lip a few times as she rolled her hips for the first time, the noise you made against Jackie’s lips made her groan, pulling back with a nuzzle to your nose, tugging your shirt off over your head, “Your so fucking perfect, Y/N, I swear to god…” she spoke with such passion and adoration as she squirmed in your lap to sit back and kiss down your neck to your chest, her hand sliding behind your back for your bra clasp, making you shutter as she spoke again for consent, her breath against your ear as she pushed down against you, “Can I?” You were hesitant this time which she noticed immediately, skipping your bra to rub your back and pepper more kisses across your gave this time which made you giggle, “Jackie…”

She smiled at your giggles, “What? I’m just appreciating the beautiful baby girl I have under me.” Her words made you blush, rolling your eyes before Jackie cupped your chin and guided your eyes back to hers with a more sensual tone, “I mean it, Y/N, I mean it when I say your beautiful and perfect and sweet and gorgeous…” The more she spoke the more embarrassed you got, so you decided to change the roles, pushing up your hips before grabbing Jackie’s waist to flip the two of you, getting a surprised squeal from her as her head hit the pillows, the bed squeaking as you threw your leg over her waist to straddle her instead, you had a tendency to get defensive or controlling when embarrassed or vulnerable, leaning down to husk against her hips with a lustful look,

“I think the beautiful one here is you, why don’t I show you instead?” Jackie just blushed, biting her lip, she wanted to worship you, to show you that you were gorgeous and that she wanted to take care of you, but also she didn’t wanna deny you the pleasure of getting to take control either if that’s what you needed, she’d be happy to receive.

“H-hey um- I have a vibrator in my dresser if-“ You were already reaching for her nightstand before she finished, making Jackie smile as she sat up on her elbows, laughing as you almost fell out of bed, you were just too eager and excited to see how Jackie would respond to pleasure, I mean you thought about, fantasized about it, but to get the real thing? Oh god… You were quick to crawl back to her side, and oh god, the smile on Jackie’s face was so adorable, like she only had eyes for you, leaning down to kiss her delicately before clicking on the tiny pink vibrator, deepening the kiss as you spread her thighs open more, making her sigh out against your lips, her eyes fluttering as you pressed the vibrator to her clit, moaning into your mouth with a shaky gasp, “Y-Y/N, O-Oh fuck- baby…” she was already panting against your lips, laying back in a arch as you circled the vibrator around her clit.

You bit your lip with a soft moan at watching her, making Jackie get louder. Jackie was panting, trembling, and squirming as she gripped at her sheets. When she heard your soft breathes and moans it only spurred her on, her voice getting higher and shakier before screaming slightly as you turned the vibe on a higher pace with a smile, “Y/N!” You only giggled out innocently, sliding your free hand up her torso to her cheek, caressing it while pressing the vibe harder against her clit, wiggling it as you leant down to nuzzle her cheek with a kiss, husking out the words that sent her over the edge, “Cum for me, Jackie…”

As soon as Jackie heard those words and locked eyes with you, she was gasping quickly and tensing, her face twisting into a pained-pleasurable expression while her mouth dropped open in a breathy-whiney moan while trying to maintain eye contact, she came harder than she ever had, screaming out at the intensity of her orgasm and the stimulation on her clit, crying as she lurched up, kissing you roughly so you could swallow her whimpers, slowly calming down into breathy pants, you watched as she slowly started to slump back down in a flushed mess, taking the vibrator off her clit before laying next to her, kissing her cheek, “Your so beautiful Jackie…” she chuckled out breathlessly before whining, her face scrunching up, “I was supposed to make you feel cared for, not the other way around…” You just giggled, you feel alot more comfortable at Jackie’s side after making her cum.

Suddenly after a couple minutes of snuggling and silence, Jackie sat up with a soft look before reaching for your shorts with a experimental tug while locking eyes with you, asking for permission, “A-Are you okay with me- you know… using my mouth on you?” Jackie spoke out so softly, a timid look on her face as she bit her lip with such a pouty look like a puppy, “Please? I wanna taste you, Y/N…” she practically whined out, making you whine at her cuteness, feeling a little embarrassed and self conscious about what she’s going to think about seeing you but Jackie just tapped your thigh, she saw you overthinking so she kissed your inner thigh, “Baby? Hey, i mean it when i say your beautiful. Every. Single. Fucking. Part. Of. You.” She spoke out between kisses as she slowly pulled off your shorts and panties, she looked completely in awe at the sight of your soaked pussy, her breath quickening as you saw her pupils dilate, her lips twitching into a smile, she looked disheveled, wild, primal, she looked like she wanted to devour you.

And devour you, she did.

Jackie immediately got to work at the first nod of permission, she didn’t use her vibrator, she didn’t need it, she was determined to pleasure you and she damn well was gonna show you how much she meant she cared about you, crawling up into her knees as she bent down into a arch, spreading your thighs open while rubbing her hands up and down your inner thighs soothingly, she thought your thighs were so soft and squishy, mumbling out to you, “I can’t wait to have you squeeze your thighs around my head baby.” Her words made your jaw drop, blushing so red as you let out a noise you didn’t know you could make, Jackie just smiled wildly, pushing your thighs up to your chest and holding them there before burying her face between your thighs. She went wild, pushing her tongue straight through your folds like she was starved, sucking on your clit before darting her tongue inside you, making you gasp out a moan, jerking with such surprise at the intensity of her actions. (Fuck, you really didn’t know Jackie was so good at this) Jackie ate you out like a starved woman, moaning and sighing out against your clit, every roll of her tongue and suck made you make noises you didn’t even know existed and Jackie was so fucking proud of herself, when Jackie pushed a finger inside you, you were surprised at how different hers felt from your own, it was different, but Jackie’s fingers were almost as experienced as yours, she knew exactly where to curl and pump, suckling on your clit while she flicked her tongue over your bud all while pumping her fingers at a quicker pace, it wasn’t long before you were trembling and tensing with a loud cry, clamping down on Jackie’s fingers so tight it made her moan as you came, covering her fingers in cum which she licked up every drop, her voice was so husky and hot when she spoke, you were recovering from your earth shattering orgasm, vision still back with muffled hearing as you heard her,

“Good girl, baby.”

You just smiled lazily, panting heavily as Jackie squirmed to lay down beside you, wrapping her arms around your waist to spoon you and kiss your shoulder, “Im so proud of you baby, your so fucking pretty when you cum.” You just rolled your eyes, making Jackie frown a little, tightening her arms around your waist, “Y/N, do I need to fuck you in front of my mirror and make you watch yourself until you believe it?” You choked on nothing at her words, eyes widening with your mouth open in shock at her words.

You had no idea how serious she was to do it either.

(Worked all fucking day on this masterpiece, nobody can convince me Jackie was straight, sorry not sorry)

[millenialfanfictionaddiction]

Being Seijoh’s Manager

Bookworm Manager

Seijoh x GN! Manager (they/them pronouns)

Warnings: swearing (probably, actually idk)

AN: this is an anon request.

Honestly I think this team is a perfect fit for a manager who loves to read!

They give a certain vibe of class and distinction 😌

And idk if you read romance, action, manga, smut, fantasy, non-fiction, etc

Readers have a certain amount of grace to me

And of course, our precious Yn is the number #1 most graceful 💅

You attend Seijoh and you just happen to be a first year

You never really bothered anyone, never really stood out but you had friends and were a typical student

Perks of being a wallflower 😏

Prepare for book puns and I won’t apologize!

Anyways, you were a typical student who just happened to have class with our favorite aloof wing spiker, Kunimi

Kunimi actually really enjoyed you because you were nice, sweet and pleasant

You never caused drama and while you did have you noise in a book a lot, he’d rather have that than someone gushing over his Senpai 🙄

I totally feel like Kunimi would like reading too so he would probably ask you about your reads, which you happily share

You probably were constantly tired, like him, only you were tired because you stayed up all night reading 😅

During a normal practice, Mattsun and Makki were again teasing Oikawa for being the reason they couldn’t have nice things

Aka a manager

“I can’t help that everyone likes me!” Oikawa whines

“Shut up Shittykawa nobody likes you!” Iwaizumi shouts

Suddenly Kunimi looks over and you appear in the doorway of the gym, eyes locked in a book and holding his math book

He looks at you questionably, which prompts Kindaichi, Yahaba, Watari and Kyotani to do the same thing

He runs past his arguing seniors towards you and greets you kindly

“Hello Yn, did you bring this for me?” He asks as you snap from you book, a wide, adorable smile greeting him

“Yes! I was headed out and I noticed you forgot it so I figured I’d swing by!”

By now, the seniors have noticed you and annoyingkawa is on the move 🙄

“Well hello there and who might you be?” He says but you say nothing

Oikawa clears his throat and tries again, “hello there cutie-chan!”

Again, nothing

Kunimi is holding it together by a thread, Makki and Mattsun are too stunned to speak and Iwaizumi is hella impressed!

“You know it’s rude to ignore you seniors!” Oikawa growled

You snap from your book, eyes locking with his, “oh I’m sorry, this is just a really interesting part, nothing against you personally but it’s kind of important so I’ll be on my way.”

Makki and Mattsun BUST out laughing

Kindaichi, Yahaba, and Watari just stare

Kyotani and Iwa are in awe of your ability to ignore THE Oikawa

“I’ll see you in class tomorrow Akira,” you say, waving at him and walking away

Immediately, Iwa runs up to Kunimi and asks, “does Yn need a club??”

And that, my dear, is how you became the Seijoh’s new manager 🥰

Now at first, you weren’t really super excited about volleyball

I mean, you originally said yes because you needed a club and well, Kunimi was your friend

However you found one perk to the sport

In the form of reading Sports Mangas 😍

Surprisingly it was an excellent way to learn the sport as well as combine it with your love of reading

Even if Manga wasn’t your first choice, you definitely found it easier to learn thought reading gs alternative means

Mainly loserkawa 🙄 who took it upon himself to try and educate you on the sport

It’s literally Lord of the Flies up in here!

“Shittykawa leave Yn alone!!” Iwa shouts as you stand next to Kunimi and Kindaichi

“I’m teaching Yn-Chan the fine art of serving!” Oikawa shouted back

“Umm thanks Oikawa but I think I got it. I read a manga last night and I got the basics down,” you says as Oikawa puts up his hand

“Why read Yn-Chan when you can learn from the greatest?!” He says, tossing up the balls

And slamming it right into the net

You 👉🏻😐

Kunimi and Kindaichi 👉🏻🙄

Makki and Mattsun 👉🏻🤣🤣

Iwaizumi 👉🏻🧑🏻‍🦱🤛🏻

Oikawa 👉🏻 💀

Thankfully your knowledge of volleyball, from reading, you were able to help the boys come up with new skills and tactics to win!

Unfortunately, the skills and tactics didn’t match up against Karasuno, who apparently had developed their own skills

The third years were broken, the second years so upset and the first years disappointed

You couldn’t help but feel awful, like you failed them

On the bus ride home, everyone was quiet as you sat

You wanted to cheer them up but you didn’t know how

Then it came to you, you pulled out your book from your bag

Let’s just say it was one of your new favorites and you began to read out loud to the bus

The boys slowly looked up, listening to your soothing voice as you recited lines perfectly

The entire bus seemed to calm down, the tension disappearing as you continued to read

Once back at school, you stopped reading and prepared to get off the bus

“Wait Yn what happens next?” Kindaichi asks as Kunimi nods

“Come on YN, you can’t really just leave us hanging with that!” Yahaba groaned

“Anyone can see the hero is going to end up victorious as always!” Oikawa chimes in as Iwa smacks him in the back of the head

“Shittykawa shit up!” Iwa said as Mattsun and Makki helped you unload the gear

“You’ll finish reading the story right Yn?” Makki asks as you smile

Of course you will 🥰

[smokingtomas]

An Indecent Encounter

A/N: Please tell me you’re also thirstrapped by Kenshi’s new design for MK1. This fic is written so I can get it out of my system hoping I can think about him a normal amount lol. Thank you @cryinginthebackseat for the moral support/beta. Love you 4everrr!

Pairing: Kenshi Takahashi x female reader

Warning: light smut

AO3

Read part 2 here!

You casually leaned onto the wooden bar, ignoring the apple martini a stranger bought for you earlier. That sleaze bag should’ve known better–  a scotch with a side of courage to actually talk could go a long way. This right here, was a hard, hard pass.

But what caught your eye next was too hard to miss. This man had intensity drawn across his perfectly sculpted jawline. His brown eyes hunted around the room, seemingly searching for someone and ending up at the bar before standing next to you.

Up close, you noticed how his hand was covered with intricate tattoos down to a part of his fingers. You assumed the rest of it was hidden under his gray suit, which you wouldn’t mind taking off to see what’s like underneath. To have those drawn hands hovering all over your body, oh you would kill. The mere thought of it got you biting down your lower lip.

“Do you need something?”

Fuck– you’d been staring way too long. The gentleman’s voice awakened you on your spiritual journey to Dirtyville.

Thankfully, you were an expert when it comes to getting under a man’s pants. So you fetched the most charming, friendliest smile you could now and slowly leaned towards his ear while secretly hoping it didn't come out awkwardly.

“Just placing a bet with myself which one of those lovely ladies on the corner would be the first to get under you.” You were thankful that those were honest truth– geez, those girls could not be more obvious. “I’m guessing you didn’t notice.”

“Not that I care much about it.” He shrugged before he fully averted his gaze to you, “On the other hand, you… I wouldn't mind.”

Of course you'd boast about his interest in you to yourself, but you scoffed at the remark to seem nonchalant, “Excuse me, I don’t sleep with strangers like you.”

“Strangers like me?”

“Well, a stranger in LA who actually hates the city but you’re in town for some inescapable family business?” You guessed wildly, “And you probably ended up in this bar because you’re alone and in need of validation that you’re intimidating when you’re actually a vulnerable being who’s a bad kisser.”

The man smiled for the first time– you swore that smile could make those girls sitting in the corner quiver so hard they could come.

"For a stranger, those wild accusations only covered a speck of the truth." He replied, "I'm Kenshi."

"Telling me your name doesn't make you less of a stranger."

"I'd buy you a drink, but I can see that you already have one."

"Are you underestimating my ability to drink?"

"Fine, I'll take it as a yes." Kenshi gested, "I wouldn't take you as one who drinks apple martini, anyway."

Boom. Jackpot .

"What do I drink, then?" Your tone was challenging.

He thought for a second, brown eyes scanning you from the top to the bottom before gesturing to the bartender, "Two scotch neat. With a twist."

Double. Fucking. Jackpot.

He did everything right– It was time to change gears.

"Cheers," you said, clinking your glass to his once the bartender fetched your drinks, "to strangers."

"I believe it's to uh, not-so-strangers."

"You just want to speed things up, don't you?"

"Can you blame me if I tried?"

You smirked at him before taking a sip of your drink, and kept eye contact even after you put down the empty glass.

And so one scotch turned to three, digested alongside some more heavily flirtatious banter and oh-so-innocent grazes– at this point, you were sober enough to know you wanted to fuck him, but tipsy enough to not give a fuck about the consequences of getting it on with a complete stranger.

"I bet I was right before," This time, you dangled your hand on his broad shoulder, "When I said that you’re in town for business."

He snickered, "I might as well tell you that I'm here to take back a family heirloom."

"Like a ring?"

"A sword… An ancient katana ."

Hearing him saying a Japanese word made you want to tear off everything he wore, but something about an ancient sword really tickled your brain, "Ah, a big sword for a big shot."

"As I was saying, it's a family heirloom."

You were tipsy, but it finally clicked, "I know a guy who collected one of those."

You expected a surprised response– hell, it should've been something that jumped him off and followed by more inquisitiveness.

It might have been the alcohol, but his actual reaction had him grinning, pulling himself closer to you. His fit physique towered over you and you could care less about your expectation when God had something better off his sleeve.

"Oh, you do know a guy, don't you?"

"Oh, I do," You welcomed his gesture with both hands caressing his stubble, "But right now, I guess you only want one thing, do ya?"

It didn't take you by surprise when Kenshi's lips touched yours. Instead, you welcomed him with both of your arms around his neck to taste the whisky off his mouth.

His soft lips tasted like malt you found yourself melting within each brush. The last thing you wanted this time was for him to stop kissing you, but of course he had to.

"Remember when you said earlier," He murmured against your ear, his breath gently teasing the tip of it, "that I probably am a bad kisser?"

You did. Only to provoke him. Even before those godly lips were on yours, you were certain if those lips ended up anywhere near you, you would turn into a mess of a puddle.

“You want me to say it?” You purred, your fingers gently teased his abs, riding up to his chest, “But I’m more of a… shower.”

In this position where you were nicely trapped between him and the bar, once again, both of your lips meld into pure bliss. Yes, it was a quiet night at the place and people could easily spot your little action, but you didn't care and neither did he seem to with how eager his mouth was to explore yours. You darted out a tongue before you felt his mouth formed a satisfied smirk.

What started off as soft and sensual soon turned into something carnal. Kiss was getting deeper, both your tongue were satiated with lust. He teased your skin so deliciously but he never touched you where you wanted him the most, and the fabric covering you had started to bother you.

You wanted him, and it was obvious that he wanted you too. So out of curiosity, a hand of yours reached down his pants before finding him hot and hard against your palm.

"Oh, you naughty little… what would I do to you." He growled, but with that wolfish grin on his stupidly gorgeous face, you knew he liked it.

Biting your lip in response, you looked up to your surroundings– initially for some air, but instead you found a few pairs of eyes in your direction. You couldn't exactly blame them for looking– you just heavily made out and groped a man in a public place. Being the center of attention had never been your problem and you could certainly continue this little quarrel where you were, but Kenshi was looking like a piece of meat and you had other plans in mind.

"Meet me in the bathroom in five minutes." You hushed with an implied promise a man would know too well.

"Oh, I thought you don't sleep with strangers like me." His tone tinged with cockiness.

You grin devilishly, "Who says anything about sleeping?"

Leaving one last, teaseful peck on his cheek before fleeing to the bathroom and making sure you smelled minty fresh.

Kenshi arrived three minutes later when you were spraying some perfume on yourself.

“Someone’s early. You’re not supposed to be here until–”

The last thing you saw was Kenshi locking the door hastily before slamming you against the nearest wall. With a fistful of your hair in his grip, his hungry lips were on yours once again and he had seemed to ditch the teasing game plan he had outside. This time, you found his hands rode up your skirt and cupped your curves, teeth had traveled to the junction of your neck and sent you writhing in pleasure.

There wasn’t much room to maneuver, but Kenshi got hold of both of your thighs so effortlessly that you let out a gasp when you found yourself on the countertop. Didn’t take long for him to break off the kiss to loosen up the buttons of your shirt. Soon enough, his suit touched the floor as well.

With Kenshi worshiping your newly exposed skin ever so religiously, every wet trail he left had set you ablaze, and the fire burned even more when his teeth found your lace-covered nipple.

"Oh, f-fuck me, Jesus." You moaned.

"That's… not my name, but I'll take his place."

His cheeky remark made you giggle– he totally deserved that little shove on his shoulder.

But when he kissed you again, overwhelming you with a mouthfeel of alcohol, the flame was still there burning. It pooled into your stomach and as he tugged down your underwear, you saw him licked his lips. Maybe he'd found you… too eager.

He put your lacy garment in his pocket before zipping down his pants just enough to free himself. It was really bound to happen, and all the haziness almost made you forget something.

"Wait, wait!," You hurriedly roam through your purse, "Here."

You handed him a rubber and without hesitation, he ripped open the foil before rolling it onto himself. Yes, you wanted Kenshi to relentlessly screw you, but you just met this guy– who knows who or what kind of shit he'd done with that dick.

But when Kenshi sunk himself into you in one effortless move, my, my– it felt sensational you had to bite back a groan. Though the attempt seemed useless the minute he immediately started thrusting his hips back and forth in a pace that felt monstrous for your senses.

You couldn't speak, let alone think. Only letting out a whimper each time his pelvic bones hit yours. You were dying to kiss him. To dig your fingers in his broad back, especially when his tattooed hands held down your thighs and effectively changed his angle.

But you couldn't really complain when that lustful face of his was yours to look at in the moment– eyes tense yet drowsy, bottom lips popped open. Still, you wanted more. So you mustered a strength strong enough to pull him onto you, but gentle enough so you could sit up and continue kissing him intensely.

"I want you to fuck me senseless against the wall." You demanded.

"I thought you'd never ask."

Complying with your request, he crashed your back onto the wall once again, this time supporting both of your thighs and proceeding to penetrate you deeply, repeatedly. Hands entangled behind his neck, red swollen lips dueling, throaty moans echoed in the heat of the moment. It was like the satan himself came up to bless this indecent encounter.

You didn't want him to stop. You were so, so close that you tightened your circling legs around his torso. You wanted him to keep going even when a knock on the door was heard along with an attempted turn of the doorknob.

Really, what rang through your ears were the squelching sound of your arousal, and the tempo picked up as Kenshi's pounding got a little too hard for you to keep it hushed– you knew he was close too with the way he cursed repeatedly.

That was the final stroke for your body to explode as your vision finally faded to black. You cried out his name, and Kenshi's raspy groan followed soon. It took a few seconds for both of you to finally catch a breath, sealing off an out-of-this-world sex with a sloppy kiss before finding yourself melting onto the floor in his cradle.

/

"You know it's illegal to smoke in California, right?" You stated as Kenshi flickered his lighter for the cigarette pressed to your lips.

"Laws don't scare me," He inhaled his own stick as if it was the source of oxygen, "Besides, you were the one citizen dragging me out here to have one."

It was true– you thought cigarettes were necessary to sober up. So here you were with Kenshi at the quiet parking lot at the back of the bar.

"I think laws only exist if you choose them to be. Isn't that why you're in LA as well? To steal someone's belongings?"

"That sword is rightfully mine."

His voice turned deep and possessive, but you sneered at his remark, "Man, you really are a Takahashi. You sound just as I imagine them to be."

"Well, I–" You really had seemed to stun him to a state of shock. Took him a few seconds before he gathered himself together. "So you were serious before. You do know someone."

"To be fair, there's really not a lot of Japanese running around LA looking for an ancestral sword either." You shrugged as you took another hit of nicotine, "All I did was connect the dots."

"Tell me what you know." His tone was on the edge of threatening, but you couldn't give two shits about what was going on inside his head.

"Sento, isn't it? Supposedly belonged to one of your ancestors, now it's mounted nicely at Johnny Cage's penthouse who got it through some petty auction for a few million dollars."

"What else?"

You paused for a second, contemplating if you should share the following, "I've seen it glow. Once. But Johnny didn't seem to know."

"It can't be…" He expressed disbelief, "How could you know so much about it?"

"I guess the glow intrigued me as I am a martial artist trained with swords. So I did more digging about your lineage. Honestly, I thought Takahashi had gone extinct."

Those revealed information got Kenshi thinking for a moment longer than expected, but you realized it wasn't your problem to force him to talk. This was his affair, anyway.

Then, he put out his cigarette, stood up and commanded, "Take me to Johnny Cage."

"What? I can't. We don't have any sort of relationship anymore."

"But you do know where he lives. It should be enough."

The nerve on this guy . "He lives in a pretentious household in Beverly Hills. Top-of-its-class security system. You can't possibly gain entry just by walking through."

"Are you underestimating my ability to hack a security system?"

"Say you got in, are you prepared to fight him? Because he wouldn't just hand out Sento like a piece of cookie."

Kenshi smiled pompously at your attempt to convince him to back down, "I am skilled. I can take him down."

This could be interesting– you breathe, live, drink danger like it was your oasis. The possibility of ruining a jerk of an ex's life would be a cherry on top too.

But of course, you wouldn't easily accept Kenshi's offer without some negotiations– this whole thing could get sketchy pretty quick.

"So what's in it for me?"

Kenshi fished something out of his pocket and smirked as he displayed a black lace you had known so well, "I think you'll need this back."

Oh, he was going to be insufferable after this.

"You know, I wanted you to keep it, but I see that you can't get enough of me."

"I didn't hear you complain about my performance earlier either."

Well, so much for a dine-and-dash situation you've always had a sense of familiarity with. A little more adventure wouldn't hurt, you supposed.

"Fine. You twisted my arm." You threw your hands in the air, "We gotta use my car, though. The guards would let me in."

"Seems fair." He agreed.

"It would be, once you've done something I have in mind in the backseat of my car."

"Care to elaborate?"

You thought Kenshi knew the meaning behind your secretive smile his way. You could swear you saw a mischievous grin as you turned away to unlock your car.

"A Thai bull never tells."

A/N: I’M BACKKK! Yes, I haven’t written anything for the past 3.5 years (and my last few fics were for Shokugeki no Soma) but Kenshi’s looking yummy these days. Anw, apologize if I seem rusty. Constructive criticisms are sooo welcomed!

[frozenjokes]

If I Thought About It A Little Longer, I Probably Wouldn’t Have Thrown Glitter In A Known Supervillain’s Face, However, I Did And It Felt Great And I Will Do It Again

“Cub, I just want you to know that you have nothing to worry about. I’ve got this under control.” Scar said to him over the phone, a little too much strength behind the words, overcompensating for his own concern.

“I’m not worried.”

“Everything is going to be fine, alright? Nothing bad is going to happen and Grian will come home safe and sound, I promise. You can count on me! I’ll make sure of it!”

A harsh breath left Cub’s nose. “I know. I’m not-“

“I have to go now! I’m leaving right away! I just wanted to call you so you heard the news from me first. He’s going to be okay, Cub. Really, you don’t have to fret.”

“Yeah. Bye, Scar.”

“Bye, Cub! I will see you in an hour or two with Grian in hand, and you can hold me to that! The Goat will have to get through me if he wants to harm a hair on Grian’s lovely little head, and even without my legs I’m no pushover! Not to mention that Grian’s pretty tough himself; with the two of us fighting together, The Goat won’t stand a chance! I promise you he’ll be right home, safe, sane and- and unharmed! The Goat promised not to hurt him, not as long as I was the only man who showed. Which I will be. You have nothing to worry-“

At this point Cub just hung up, rolling his eyes as he flipped back to Scar’s texts and pulled up the ransom note plus attached photos. Probably the most staged pictures he’d ever seen, really, not that he was the person meant to be fooled here. That man was already on his way to The Goat’s mansion-fortress or whatever it was, likely walking into some sort of trap. Had Scar even looked at the pictures? Cub had looked at them. A normal amount of times of course. They were baffling, nothing more, nothing less.

There were a lot to start, and in half of them Grian was making the exact face he always made when he was trying not to smile or laugh, and while his eyes were obscured by the mask in the pictures, Cub could imagine just as clearly how they would have crinkled at the edges, shining in a stark betrayal of his true feelings. But even not knowing Grian as well as Cub did, the contents were too ridiculous to be real, The Goat and ‘CuteGuy’ posing like they were in a movie, vaguely threatening in a distinctly suggestive way, not subtle in the slightest. The Goat looked nearly the same in every image, which is to say, a bit bored, but even he put on a bit of a face sometimes, like he probably wouldn’t have let this go on for so long if he hadn’t been enjoying it.

There were no heroes or villains without a performance, not really. They all loved a show.

The Goat was always holding Grian in one way or another, sometimes close, nearly face to face with Grian’s head in the crook of The Goat’s neck, his face cupped in a clawed hand (again, not subtle), or just holding Grian by the ankle, the other swooning in the most performative look of not-even-distress Cub had ever seen on his face. Cub wasn’t so sure that pose in particular didn’t hurt. Grian didn’t weigh very much, no, but that feels excessive. Did Grian like to be carried and held like that? Would he want Cub to do that, or did he just want to take fun pictures? Christ, he wouldn’t be able to keep up with this. Scar was bad enough.

For the record, these pictures made Cub feel nothing at all, however, it seemed like Scar would be getting himself into trouble, and who knows what Grian was getting up to unsupervised without him- that was no good, no no. Wasn’t The Goat’s house public information anyway? Did he have a gate? Well.

That line of thought left him at The Goat’s doorstep, probably a very stupid thing, but Cub never spent much time considering his every whim, not caring to think over whether or not whatever he was about to do was actually a good idea because usually the answer was no, and then he’d be stressing instead of having a good time. No need to worry about consequences that hadn’t happened to him yet.

This taxi was, quite frankly, a frivolous waste of money, but buses were slow and Grian had a crazy job now so Cub didn’t feel too bad about it. There was in fact a gate, but it must have already been opened for HotGuy, so Cub didn’t end up having to use the bolt cutters he brought (unfortunate). Anyone within a mile’s radius could probably hear Scar’s scandalized yell from inside, so Cub felt vindicated in his decision to follow him here. Clearly HotGuy needed the help! The front door wasn’t even closed, the action apparently taking place just inside.

Scar’s chair had been left behind in the doorway, the hero letting arrows fly from a place on the ground instead, one chinking against the right knee of his apparent assailant; ah, Cub got it. Scar’s legs seemed to have gained a mind of their own, shrugging off the arrow with only a slight limp to regain their balance before continuing in their sprint across the hall toward the grounded hero.

“Have you been hit there before, HotGuy?” The Goat’s booming sneer echoed through the hall, though Cub couldn’t quite locate the source of the sound, “Is that how they stop you nowadays, jamming your joints until you stop trailing after villains like a whiny dog? Is that why your knees click and pop every time they bend? I’d be careful, you wouldn’t want to damage them beyond repair.”

“I’m sure you’re very amused with yourself!” Scar shot back, though he also didn’t seem to know where to look. Another arrow bounced uselessly off the legs, still barreling down the hall.

“My knees also make all sorts of horrible noises, so I’m not sure how big of a deal that is,” Cub mumbled, wondering if maybe he should have waited before speaking up when Scar screamed, losing his balance and falling backwards.

“Cub!?” Scar yelped, but Cub heard Grian’s voice over the speaker as well, the two of them yelling in tandem. Oh! Good! With a little more confidence, Cub stepped inside, hoping to get a better look.

“Who the fuck is that.” The Goat spoke again over the speaker, but his voice was drowned out by Scar’s screech as his legs closed the rest of the distance, beginning a cartoonishly vicious assault against their former body. Scar dropped his bow, lunging to grapple them and stop himself from being kicked, but they thrashed violently in his arms, hero and machine rolling across the floor of the massive lobby. Well it seemed like Scar had that covered!

Cub wandered past him, curiosity pulling him forward. This place was massive, but also intricately beautiful, far nicer than Cub had expected from such an industrial looking exterior. And themed! Goats, of course. The walls were decorated in monochrome carvings and murals that seemed to tell some sort of story; maybe an account of The Goat’s species history? Cub didn’t know very much about centaurs(?)… The Goat was German, wasn’t he? Maybe the focus of the artistry was on mythology; plenty of humanoid creatures had vast religious histories from a more ancient time, and these carvings definitely looked like they were depicting divine figures. Cub never would have guessed someone like The Goat had an interest in this stuff, but in all fairness, Cub didn’t know very much beyond surface level information.

“Cub. Cub. CUB!” After some time of ignoring Grian over the speaker, Cub turned around, looking and still failing to find the source of the noise. Scar was still flailing on the ground with his legs, but Cub paid him little mind.

“What.” he replied somewhat blandly, Grian groaning in response.

The Goat cut in instead, predictably not too happy sounding, “Remove yourself from the premises. This is not a building for the traipsing around of civilians. When you get lost, perish, and start to smell, I do not wish to clean your body from the rafters.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I don’t think I’d even be able to get up that high.”

“Cub!” Someone, probably Grian, battered the mic, pushing to be heard, “I’m not- I’m fine, okay? I’m not being held against my will or anything, this was just a setup for HotGuy.”

“WHAT?” Scar’s scandalized cry echoed through the hall, and Cub heard The Goat’s grainy chuckle through the speaker as the foot of Scar’s prosthetic pushed against his face.

Cub shrugged, “If you couldn’t tell Grian was in on this before you came, I’m afraid that’s on you, man.”

“You-“ but Scar was distracted by a violent thrashing of his legs, rolling over them in an attempt to make them still. Cub started to continue his walking in the other direction, but was stopped when Grian called his name again, distress filling every letter.

“Why are you here then?” Fair question. Not that Cub had thought too much about it before coming. Ah right, the pictures. The pictures that made him feel no way at all.

“I guess I just wanted to see you.” Silence over the intercom, the only sound being Scar’s grunts and shuffling from behind him. “Now that I’m here though, I kinda want to keep looking at these walls. Did you see them? How far do all the carvings and things go? Did you ask about them, I’m curious. These must have taken years to construct, I wonder how many artists worked on them.”

“I- I didn’t-“ Grian stuttered before a soft thump came through over the speaker, presumably his head hitting a desk, “That’s.. so stupid.”

“The foyer is not a museum,” The Goat growled, though that didn’t stop Cub from walking onward. “The novelty of this event is gone. I am tired of you all. Get out of my house.” Grian mumbled something that Cub didn’t catch over the sounds of shuffling, but Doc only snorted, “Fine. I’ll escort you then.”

Scar groaned from somewhere behind him, heaving the now-limp prosthetics off of him with a soft clatter. “Cub!”

Cub didn’t acknowledge him with much more than a grunt, still walking as he looked at the displayed art, but Scar was not one to be ignored, hands slapping against the marble floors as he made his way to Cub’s side, locking his arms around his legs.

“You’re not going anywhere mister! You’re going to answer to me! You knew this was a trap? I mean- obviously it was a trap, but you knew it was staged and you didn’t say a word!”

Cub huffed a laugh, struggling a little around Scar’s grip. As much as Scar didn’t look very threatening where he stood now, Cub was still relatively certain Scar could fold him without effort, so no point in resisting. “Couldn’t have warned you if I tried. You don’t listen.”

“I listen! I’m a great listener!” Scar squeezed his legs in his passion, nearly knocking Cub over.

“I told you I wasn’t worried.”

“You were just saying that.”

“You were worried.”

“I was worried!”

“I was not. Did you look at the pictures?”

“Of course I did! Grian was greatly distressed! Did you look at the pictures? The Goat was holding him by the ankle!”

Cub snorted, pulling his phone from his pocket and holding it for Scar to see. (The pictures may or may not have already been pulled up when he unlocked his phone, but that was neither here nor there). “You don’t see anything wrong with this photo.”

“I-“ Scar screwed up his face, unsuccessfully trying to hide his embarrassment, “The Goat is holding him there! Pushing him against his neck I- Look at the distress!”

“Grian is smiling.”

“He is not smiling!”

“He is literally smiling in this picture. You can see the corner of his mouth.”

“He-“ Scar squinted, removing an arm from Cub’s legs to take his phone closer, “Well clearly he’s nervous. People smile when they’re nervous, Cub! Happens all the time!”

“I do that sometimes.”

“No you don’t.”

Cub rolled his eyes with a short laugh, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Everyone gets nervous around celebrities! I bet your heart was just pumping during our first few encounters! And you weren’t smiling!” Scar swooned against his legs, clearly not going to come to any other conclusion here. As if meeting a celebrity is more nerve wracking than customer service.

“You do not listen. When I don’t listen it’s on purpose. When you don’t listen you don’t even know you’re not listening.”

Scar pursed his lips, looking very much like the minuscule amount of self awareness he held was waging a vicious war with his overwhelming desire to talk over everyone all of the time. “I get excited.”

“So if you miss something, it’s your fault.”

“I could be persuaded.”

“That’s annoying, Scar.”

“Ah! No!” Cub rolled his eyes as Scar fell against his legs, so he gently pushed the other away with his foot. Scar flopped to the ground, mortally wounded.

“Go on. Get yourself back to your chair.”

“Cub.”

“What?”

“I don’t have any legs.”

Cub snorted despite himself, “No, you don’t. Do you want me to bring you your chair?”

“I mean, that’s one way to solve my problem.”

“If you want someone to carry you then you can wait for Grian.”

Scar laughed, splaying out completely on the floor. “As great of an idea as that is, I have words to say to him, and I feel like saying those words in his arms would lessen the effect. Chair would be helpful though. Don’t touch the legs, they might still be dangerous.”

Cub nodded, meandering over to Scar’s chair, wheeling it back over (not without some difficulty due to the knives, which, he supposed was the intention), and holding it still as Scar dragged himself back into it. Despite the energy in his voice, he was clearly tired, arms shaking in a way that made Cub feel a little bad he hadn’t tried to help further, though, given his own abysmally weak arms and little motivation to do anything about it, he probably would have ended up damaging Scar’s chair. Either way, Scar didn’t look like he minded, going on to collect his discarded bow and legs with some trouble (he couldn’t exactly lean over to get them, could he). Despite Scar’s warning, Cub did end up helping him out with those. He wanted a better look at what The Goat had done to his prosthetics, but alas, Scar took them back far too quickly.

Speaking of the devil, it wasn’t too long before he and Scar could hear The Goat’s hooves booming down the hall, the clicks of Grian’s talons on the marble equally audible. Cub found himself eager to meet them, walking back through the foyer despite Scar’s protest, though he had no idea what to do with himself when the two of them actually came into view, The Goat and CuteGuy, not..

Well, CuteGuy hadn’t been exactly the man Cub had wanted to see. Not that Cub should have been expecting anyone else.

“Why is your pest still here,” The Goat grunted, bumping Grian’s side with one of his massive legs only to be swatted away by Grian’s wing.

“He was just waiting for me, you can cool it,” Grian huffed, and Cub felt at least a little vindicated, “I know you don’t have any friends, but they miss you when you’re held for ransom. Don’t they?” Grian smiled, something teasing, but the light, silly kind, the kind that doesn’t make you feel bad, the kind that says ‘I’m happy to see you too.’ The kind that makes your heart beat a little faster. Cub wished he could see Grian’s eyes.

“I did,” he said, a little quietly, but that seemed to have some sort of effect on Grian, wings folding in on his back in a shier motion.

“I was in on it, Cub, I’m fine.”

“Hey! Yeah! What was that about anyway!” Scar cut in and he continued to yap on, but Cub wasn’t listening, choosing to approach Grian instead, taking his hand in a brief hello, then turning his attention to The Goat who towered over both of them. He wasn’t paying very much attention to Cub, focus aligned more on Scar, a crease of amusement playing across his brow. Cub’s thoughts wandered to the pictures; they’d be everywhere, wouldn’t they? They weren’t public yet as far as Cub knew, but they would be soon. This would be a big story.

Cub was not a jealous man. (And that’s all he had to say on the matter.)

A small part of him tuned back in when Grian spoke, “Hey, The Goat wouldn’t feel the need to be so petty toward you if you just thanked him for making your prosthetics all those years ago.”

“CuteGuy-“ The Goat hissed, only to be cut off entirely by Scar’s startled cry.

“WHAT?”

Cub stopped paying attention. Really, it was safe to say he wasn’t thinking at all. His hand was in his pocket.

“CUBGUY!”

In a spectacular show of surprise and fear, The Goat bleated, the instinctive noise turning into more of a yelp as his eyes were assaulted with a fistful of glitter. Cub caught Grian’s look of utter horror before Scar yelled in tandem, almost louder than The Goat’s own distress. Cub smirked.

“Time to go!” Grian shrieked, grabbing Cub’s hand and booking it toward the front gate, entirely leaving Scar behind, the other hero releasing a frightening gasp before Cub heard the squeak of his wheels on a harsh turn. Though Cub seemed to have a harder time keeping up than Scar did, the other shooting past both of them once he gained enough momentum, but The Goat’s strangled, furious yell behind them threw Cub’s ass into gear, running faster than he had in his entire life. Perhaps now was the time for regret, but the consequences were not yet severe enough to go that far.

The Goat did not follow them. Still, the three of them ran like they were being chased until Cub physically couldn’t continue, stopping, then stumbling forward when Grian continued to pull on his arm.

“Cub-“ Grian hissed, and Scar stopped immediately, swiveling his chair around so quickly it nearly tipped over. His eyes were still so wide and frightened- Cub bet Grian’s were too; oh boy, he was getting far more out of this than he had anticipated. He still couldn’t breathe though, so there was that. Forcibly, he sat down.

“I’ll call a cab.” Scar said, voice strained to the breaking point. Yeah. That would be better.

Whatever rich person and/or superhero contact Scar had, it was damn fast, a taxi arriving only a couple minutes after the call. The driver seemed to know Scar, helping him into the passenger seat and fitting his wheelchair into the back nearly as quickly as Cub and Grian could climb into the backseat. Scar told the driver Cub and Grian’s home address, and Cub was briefly amused that Scar had it memorized, but he didn’t get a chance to linger before Scar whipped around, every muscle tensed.

“Why. Why. Why did you do that. Cub. Why did you do that. Cub. Cub. I need you to come closer so I can Shake You. Why did you do that?”

Cub looked at Grian, but he looked just as stressed. Cub shrugged. One of Scar’s eyes twitched under the mask.

“That’s not an answer.”

“I just wanted to.”

Scar stared. Cub stared back. Scar put his head in his hands. Similarly, Grian let his head fall limp against the seat with a grunt. Well! This was a good time to change the subject

“I’m glad we’re all here, actually. I think you two have a couple things to work out and you’re not doing a very good job of talking on your own. I’m not looking for a forgiveness party or anything, I just think we should all say what we have to say. I’ll go first. I want us all to be friends.”

“Wait a minute, Cub-“ Grian started sharply, but Scar cut him off with a wail.

“I want to be friends!”

“Great. Continue.” Cub spoke before Grian could, and Scar didn’t have to be fast, loud enough to drown the both of them out.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you, er- CuteGuy- I didn’t want to! I didn’t know what to do when you met Micah and I just wanted to make it better and I wanted you to feel safe, but we also got along so well and you were goofy and fun and you liked me, but you didn’t like HotGuy and I didn’t want to lose that, I just wanted you to- I don’t know! I wanted you to know I wasn’t bad. I don’t want to be bad. But I was selfish and I took it way too far- I just didn’t know how to tell you without hurting you.”

Grian sighed harshly, “You want Cub. I’m in your way.”

“Maybe- I mean, you weren’t the easiest person to get along with, but if that was ever true, it isn’t anymore. I don’t see it that way. I like you, CuteGuy. You. I really liked getting to know you personally, I just hated that you couldn’t know me. That the me I wanted you to see was just- impossible. I want to be friends. I want to get to know you better, and I would be happy to do so as partners, and I’m not just saying that. We don’t have to be perfect friends first to go on a date, we can do whatever we want. And if you want to make out with Cub or whatever, I don’t care! I’d just like to know about it. We don’t have to throw labels around if you don’t want to.”

“For the record, I also don’t care,” Cub waved a lazy hand. Grian frowned. Cub once again wished he could see his eyes, hand inching toward Grian’s side, but he stopped himself. Not with a stranger around. “It’s not a trap, Grian. You don’t have to commit to anything. And if you want to commit and change your mind, that’s okay too. God knows I don’t know exactly what I want.”

Grian hunched his shoulders, and Cub could see the places where his feathers were puffing out under the cover. “I don’t. Know.” He turned a fiery gaze toward Scar, “I like you. But you suck. And I can’t just. Get over it.”

“You don’t have to have anything to do with me at the start. If you want.”

Cub shrugged. “I don’t know if I want that. Not just a complete shut out I mean. That would be awkward. I’d feel bad.”

“I need to get out of this car.” The sound of Grian’s winded voice tightened Cub’s chest, but Grian was already grasping at the car door, feeling for the handle in an unfamiliar place.

“Grian, wait- we don’t have to talk about this anymore. You can stay.”

“I need to go back to work.”

“Pull over.” Scar spoke before Cub could, more somber, quiet. The driver did as he was told. Grian did not say goodbye. Cub wasn’t even sure if he touched the curb before shooting off into the sky.

The car was silent for a long while after that. The apartment was painfully far away. This wasn’t.. This wasn’t what he wanted. He just wanted this to work.

“I just want this to work.”

Scar turned around, features soft. Sympathetic. “It might not. Either way.. I don’t know. We’ll figure it out.” He sighed, turning back to face the road. “We’ll figure it out.”

[mamirhodessxox]

The Hang over

Death Island!Leon x Reader

Currently watching The Hangover movie right now and I thought “This would be funny if it were Leon & Y/N’s position!”

Content: Fluff????, Drinking, Smoking, Based off of the hangover movie, Tattoos, unintentional marriage, bad life choices that you shouldn’t make unlike y/n & leon!

{~I'm very serious with you guys interacting with my writing!!!! it would make me so happy & excited, the more comments & reposts the more inspiration i have to write :) Votes and comments are strongly appreciated so please COMMENT COMMENT COMMENT COMMEENNTTT the more comments the more content <3!!!~}

Originally you went on a Vegas Trip to celebrate your bestfriends 26th birthday but that turned into a shit show, You drank ALL night, smoked heavy amounts of weed found yourself in a strip club & then running to a very attractive older guy on the Las Vegas strip & after that you couldn’t remember a thing. So when you woke up everything was a hot mess. Including you. The next day you woke up in a large bed luckily wearing some clothes, You still had your underwear and skirt on but your top & bra was missing. You were barely waking so when you were rubbing your eyes you assumed you were alone in your hotel room.

Wrong. Very very fucking wrong.

You turned around to grab your phone but you felt a warm broad chest on your hand causing you to snatch your arm away and cover your breasts and jump out of bed“WHAT THE FUCK?!” Your loud scream startled the man in your bed that he jumped up in a panic as much as you “where the hell am i!?” “How the fuck did you get in my room!? Who even are you!?” The man looked at you with tired but confused eyes, fuck he was ho- NO. Not right now. “Oh my god please please tell me we didn’t-“ “be both have our pants on your just missing a bra and a shirt I think we’re fine doll.” Doll? DOLL!? And then your best-friend Casey stumbled in with slurred words “awhh lo-*hiccup*look at the newllyy wedded couplle!! Anyways th-theres a fucking baby in the b-bath tub” what. “I’m sorry? Newly weds what the fuck are you talking about?” Your friend giggled and smiled “you & leon got married last night at the chapel remember? Probably not last night was fucking crazy, anyways put on a top dumbass” fuck. You staggered around with this man named Leon following around helping you look for one and successfully you did so both of you put on shirts, all 3 of you walked into the main room of the suite & saw a mess.

You groaned as you held your head from the hangover & saw another one of your friends Jessica fall over “THERE’S A BABY IN THE FUCKING BATHROOM” Leon scrunched his face and so did you, “Alright chill out let me go check everything’s fine-“ he walked in the bathroom and you heard him shriek “THERES A BABY IN THE BATH TUB?” Your jaw dropped as you stared at Casey and quickly ran in the bathroom “oh my gosh there’s actually a fucking baby.” You quickly picked up “I don’t think you should curse around a child” You glared down Leon “Really? Cus I think you’re a stranger that shouldn’t be around a baby.” He glared back at you as you held the baby close before walking into the main room “Jesus christ what did we do last night??” You heard the older man grumble out while Case giggled “You don’t remember? You guys got married by Elvis Fucking Presley.”

Pardon?? You & Leon starred at each other in disbelief and quickly ran out of the hotel room, down to the lobby & outside still holding the baby “We need to find that goddamn chapel & get a divorce.” You nodded your head in agreement and luckily a cop car pulled up “For you officers” you tilted your guys’ head as some random guy just gave you a fucking cop car “just act normal and get in the fucking car.” So you obliged but as you were about to get in- “FREEZE!” You immediately stopped in your tracks and saw Leon get tazed in the literal nuts. “Your under arrest for attempting to steal a cop car!” You both were handcuffed together.

Amazing. As if this day couldn’t get any worse. 30 minutes later you both wound up in the Metro Police Department & sat there for 20 more minutes trying to be let off which was successful but on your way out you, you guys were uncuffed but you realized you couldn’t just keep caring for some random baby so you gave it to a police officer in hopes they would find the childs parents. You two ended up walking out of the station behind Leon where you saw a tramp stamp. “Uhm…You know you have a tramp stamp right? i just wanna like- double check.” Leon immediately stopped in his tracks slowly turning towards you & had his jaw dropped “What the fuck did you say? I have a TRAMP STAMP??” You covered your mouth and tried not to laugh at his reaction but unfortunately you failed “Your a fucking asshole you know that?” You apologized profusely but all you got was the hard core middle finger. Today was going to be a LONG. Day.

For most of the day you two looked around Vegas for the chapel you two got ‘married’ in and eventually you got lucky. When you both found the chapel you guys walked inside and let Leon do the talking. “Hey uhm- Me & this young woman came here last night & um- got married by some Elvis impersonator? Is there any way we can get a divorce here?” The receptionist scoffed snd set down her cigarette “Y’know we hate tourists like you- always bein’ indecisive and blamin us. We stopped doin divorced here years ago. You gotta bring that to a legitimate court honey. Run along now.”

You & Leon stood there dumbfounded “But- shit..” You both looked at each other & huffed. You pulled out your phone and called casey and once she picked up you sighed “Yeah listen- we fucked up, we didn’t read over the contract I assume and we’re being told in order to get this bullshit divorce we have to go to a legitimate court” Casey laughed at your predicament over the phone that it became annoying so you hung up while Leon mustered the courage to talk “I guess we have to deal with being newlywed’s doll face.” You frowned shaking your head and running your hands down your face “This cannot be fucking real right now.” “Hey Hey hey, I’m sure it’s gonna be fine sweetheart, we can either get to know each other, get dinner or..just completely ignore each other for the rest of our lives snd go our separate ways. But i’m more heavy on getting dinner because I would REALLY..like to know who you are.” You smiled softly at his reassurance and nodded “Yeah..I uh- I really like that idea.” “Alright well then, We should head out of this chapel, find a little restaurant or something, & just talk.” Leon said before grabbing your hand and guiding you out of the lobby of the Vegas Chapel.

Maybe making poor life choices wasn’t so bad after all.

xtripleiiix’s masterlist

🏷️ list: @ginswife @coolpastelartshoe @greatkoalawizard @cokolin044 @kotoriarlert @alicerosejensen

[usedtobeguest123]

...He raised his eyebrows in surprise at that. Favorite people? Was he included on that list? Julieta just smiled and turned back to the dishes. It took Bruno a moment, but he also slowly resumed his duties, finding he couldn't put away the little smile on his own face that had arrived at the thought that he might be someone's favorite.

I drew from my fic La Traes again for @encantober-official Day 2 - siblings. This scene is a little exchange that happens between the triplets--the OG siblings. You can find the whole thing below the cut.

“You need to get out of the house, hermanito,” Julieta had said to him gently one evening after dinner as they washed dishes together. “It’s…been a while, sí?”

“Eso se queda corto,” Pepa had mumbled as she dumped some more dishes into the soapy water, earning a glare from both of her siblings. [ That's an understatement.] She widened her eyes at them as if to say What? Am I wrong?

“I’m just saying ,” Julieta continued, pointedly moving past Pepa’s comment, “that it might do you some good, to have a little more change of scenery.”

“I-I think I’m doing just fine,” he replied a bit defensively. And he did. He went for walks with Dolores around the perimeter of Casita, down to the river where it ran past the southwest edge of the grassy lawn. Sometimes he’d wander out back behind the house, napping in the afternoon sun before it disappeared behind the mountainous wall that guarded the back of their home. Compared to the previous ten years, he was a veritable expeditionist now. 

“Of course you are,” Pepa said, putting an arm around his shoulders. He hunched them in response, glancing at her suspiciously. 

“Y-yeah?”

“Yeah! You’ve made it to the edge of the grass! That’s like, what, un kilómetro cuadrado, yeah? A completely normal amount of space for a person to exist in.” 

[One square kilometer.] Bruno’s frown deepened. “You’re mocking me.” 

Pepa winked at him. 

“A-alright, alright,” he said, waving his hands in the air beside his head in surrender. “I’ll, uh, I'll go to the banana fields tomorrow. As long as it’s not a harvest day,” he added, pointing a finger at Julieta, who rolled her eyes good-naturedly at him. “Or an irrigation day. Or you know…a-a day with other, um, other people there.” 

The busyness of rebuilding Casita last year had given him enough social interaction outside his immediate family to last him quite a while…a very long while. Thankfully, he’d been able to largely lose himself in the organized chaos of it all, and Mirabel had been particularly helpful, working as a liaison between him and anyone he’d had to interact with, smoothing the awkwardness away with her easy conversation and joyful presence. And he had managed to largely ignore the curious stares that came from, well, from pretty much everyone until the novelty of his return had worn off. Well…at least he had pretended to ignore them. 

“I don’t want to pressure you, arenoso,” Julieta said gently, putting a slightly soapy hand on his shoulder. “I just don’t want…”

…don’t want you to get lost again. She’d let her sentence trail off, but the unspoken ending hung awkwardly in the air anyway. They’d both turned back to their dishes, with Pepa standing stiffly beside them, hugging a freshly dried plate to her stomach. The cloud above her head darkened just a little. Bruno winced down at the soapy water as the silence surrounding them grew painful.

“H-hey, maybe you can spend the day with Antonio tomorrow?" Pepa offered nervously, popping the tension like a soap bubble. "He needs a…a break …from routine, too."

Bruno and Julieta looked at their sister with matching frowns, both narrowing their eyebrows in concern. It would have been comical or even sweet to see the same expression mirrored between her two siblings again…if she didn’t feel the weight of the very same concern pulling down the corners of her own mouth. 

Antonio had been struggling to find a place for himself in the Madrigal visits to town. Before his gift, he might have shyly clung to Mirabel’s skirts or played in the dirt while Pepa rained on the fields, never quite brave enough to venture out to play with the other children on his own, refusing to speak to the adults that smiled down at him. Pepa worried about his shyness.

But now a different problem had presented itself. Antonio was now more than happy to engage with anyone and everyone, possessing a newfound courage with his animal friends by his side, but his animal friends were also decidedly wild, and even Antonio could not control every move they made. Just last week, some monkeys that had trailed him into the town had wandered away and found some storage crates of fruit, working together to drop them from the roof of a nearby house until the crates smashed open and spilled out a feast that was then fit only for them. The owner of the crates had not been happy.

Most of the jungle animals had largely maintained a healthy, fearful distance from the bustling, busy streets of the Encanto for the fifty years it had occupied the valley, but Antonio’s warmth and friendship seemed to have blurred that boundary, and Abuela was struggling to find a balance between loving encouragement and civic order. And when Abuela struggled with something, all the Madrigals struggled with her, in one way or another. 

“...Mamá suggested that maybe Antonio might spend some time in the forest paths, playing with his gift,” Pepa explained, putting away the plate so she could pull at her braid. A knowing glance between all three siblings conveyed the underlying meaning of the word play—learn to get it under control. “Félix was going to take him, but you two get along so well, Bruno. Maybe you could spend some time with him, and you both could enjoy the fresh air. You know. Bonding?”

Bruno blew out an exaggerated breath, his cheeks puffing and his shoulders dropping dramatically. He pulled his mouth to the side and looked at Pepa with an expression of reluctant concession. How could he say no to a whole day with his sobrino? He loved the kid. And the very fact that Abuela had been the one to suggest the break from town…well. He knew what that felt like. No matter how nicely she put it, how lovingly she intended it, he knew it would feel like a punishment to Antonio. That thought…well that thought broke his heart a little. 

“...F-fine,” he mustered in response. “We’ll go for a walk in the–- ” he swallowed dryly“ –- i-in the forest.” 

A bit of sunlight broke through from behind the cloud above Pepa’s head, and Bruno couldn’t help but flash a small, crooked smile up at it. She pulled him sideways by his collar and planted a kiss on his cheek, which he winced at but accepted gratefully. Julieta nudged him with her hip. 

“There you go! That will be fun,” she said happily, clearly convinced this was a fantastic solution for all parties. Bruno was not so sure. “Take Mirabel with you, too, if you want. You know she’d love to join her two favorite people for the day.” 

Bruno had raised his eyebrows in surprise at that. Favorite people? Was he included in that list? Julieta had just smiled and turned back to the dishes. It had taken Bruno a moment, but he also slowly resumed his duties, finding he couldn’t put away the little smile on his own face that had arrived at the thought that he might be someone’s favorite. 

So here he was now, sharing a picnic blanket with a sloth and a capybara—among other crawling, flittering things—nursing a bruised ego after having been tackled by a six year old on a jaguar, all because he was a pushover who couldn’t say no to time with his sobrinos. 

Caray. The things I get myself into…

--La Traes, Chapter 1

[wondermacaroni]

Happy 4/13!! Since I’ve been posting group doodles lately, it was obligatory that we draw something to celebrate. Mine is in green (except for the shading, lol). Some thoughts on my history with Homestuck and my reread of the comic with friends are under the cut.

I’ll say preemptively, forgive me if the paragraph spacing is wonky. I don’t post a lot of big text posts, if any at all, so I have no idea if this will show up in a bearable to read format or not. Anyways.

I first read Homestuck on an early morning in April, soon before that year’s 4/13 and a little ways out from my 14th birthday in late May. I hadn’t slept at all that night, and my normal internet circles had slowed to a crawl as the sun began to rise. Bored out of my mind and too energized to sleep, I decided it was finally time to check out that one webcomic that I had seen some people post cool art for.

To keep it simple, I had a pretty big scare in the family that same day I started reading. Everything ended up and has been just fine regarding that, but I think it cemented Homestuck in my mind as a way to process things somehow. Now that I’m about to graduate college, I’ve returned to needing to process things, and of course, my way to process it.

So, one night a month or two ago, I’m looking into some Homestuck browser game (shoutouts to Wigglersim) when my friend asks what it’s about. I get a little clammy, but I do mention the game, Homestuck and all. Imagine my surprise when they ask for a link to check it out as well.

I could hear the interest egging me on like the Green Goblin mask at that point.

Over the next few days, we went from the browser game, to the doll maker, to installing the collection, to almost-nightly streams of our read-along with the comic. It has been a BLAST so far. Sure, we probably could have blazed through on our own much faster. But having someone there to break things down and engage with, especially for a work like Homestuck, has made the whole ordeal even more enjoyable overall.

To be honest with you, I could never really get myself to reread Homestuck before then. I had the collection installed on my laptop but I could never get past some feeling of shame that came with opening it, or even looking at it for too long. Even when I had finally forced myself to get comfortable with Homestuck Posting or die trying, the thought of fully reengaging and not dwelling in the bliss of memories was a little too much.

Having a friend there, one who has been willing to engage despite it all, has made the reread much less daunting. Despite all of my warnings of the future like a frenzied oracle, I’ve been able to expose that long-hidden soft spot after all these years. It’s like unclenching your jaw, in a way.

The time we’ve spent taking it all in has REALLY spurred us to put something out lately as well. Every turn of the New Year, my friends and I boot up a group canvas and collaborate on one big slab of doodles. Lately though, I’ve been wanting to do that a lot more, and so have my friends. With the reread, I finally decided to rip off the bandage and do something I hadn’t really done as a teen first reading through Homestuck— I decided to make some fanart.

It felt like uncorking champagne. Though it was probably more akin to uncorking sparkling grape juice. Whatever. I hadn’t done it, I did it, and it felt GOOD to do it. You get it. If nothing else, waiting to draw that fanart for eight some odd years meant that I didn’t have any old drawings to painfully reflect on, for better or for worse.

I don’t like doing much other than lurking. However, with all of the drawings we had made, it’d be a shame not to share them beyond like ten people. My friend started posting some, to some really surprising amounts of engagement, at least for us. I followed in suit for support, and I’ve seen much of the same myself. It’s intimidating to be perceived, but it has been nice to shake hands with the community from the other side of my normal lurking perspective. Thank you meowrails fans for your support, maybe I’ll cook again soon, who knows?

We’ve now gotten to the point in the comic where this reread just becomes a read, and right before 4/13. I never finished the comic past the second Alterniabound flash, though I’ve picked up on little spoiler things here and there. I’m excited, I’m nervous, I can’t wait to see what horrible ick I’ll get next.

With streaming this to my friend, I have accidentally convinced more friends to look into Homestuck as well. The network slowly grows, and with it, another ticket is reserved for a group movie night of Con Air. I can’t wait to see how it goes.

Anyways, that’s all for my yapping. Have a happy 4/13, consider a reread with friends, and thank you for your interest in my lecture if you’re reading or skimming through this.

[mallardmonster]

Ok so I think Crystal is haunted. Or something. Um.

I got the N64 set up and working, I booted it on and both the console and Stadium 2 worked all fine, everything’s gucci, so I slapped Crystal into the controller to see if it worked anymore. My save was gone, nbd I was expecting that anyway, and I went into the Gameboy Tower and booted up the game, got through the intro etc

And then it starts me in the fucking Goldenrod Department Store

Like idk my first thought was omg it’s a romhack but I’m. On a cartridge. The fucking cartridge I’ve had since I was a kid?? That’s a perfectly legit copy????? So maybe the rom is like fucked somehow and the map connections are fucked or something I don’t know, maybe I spilled water on it at some point and now it’s gonna do the same shit as that rom of Sapphire that had too much water. I kept playing tho like I wanted to see what else I could break if the cartridge is bricked anyway or whatever

Here’s a list of things that are fucked up

All NPCs speak gibberish

There's no music just sound effects

The menu is missing options including the save menu

Goldenrod loops horizontally now???

The gate up north warps me back to the daycare route when entering it, and the gate to Ilex forest warps me into the Goldenrod gate

I can’t enter the underground tunnels, the doors just don’t warp me there

There’s a guy blocking off the radio tower who I can't talk to

No trainers on the daycare route

I have a weird amount of badges??

Some pics I took:

I walked around for a while to see if I could fuck around and break shit when I came across this

So you know. He’s obviously not supposed to be here. So of course I talked to it. And then it got weird

I didn’t get a pic because it closed the first box so fast, but at first it asked if anyone was out here. After that it asked what year it was and gave me this screen

Idk what this menu was supposed to do in the mobile menu but it lets me input numbers so I put the year in. This is what it said after that

It said it needed some time alone and that it’d call me, I guess with the Pokegear, it better be with the Pokegear that doesn't even exist in my start menu because if this thing calls my actual phone and starts beeping chiptunes at me I think I’m gonna go fucking balllistic or some shit. Like this is not normal dialogue idk where it’s coming from or why and I’m like lowkey freaking out about it? I talked to it again and it asked me to not turn off the console, I guess because the battery is dead

I kinda wanted to turn it off but. Idk I think I’m morbidly curious about this. So like if I never post again I probably got mauled by a ghost or something lmao fuck

[insanitybl00m]

Tales From Under The Wisteria Tree

Chapter 11 - Dancing and the Dreaming

Phil woke up to a light humming coming from above him. “Good morning querido.” Missa brushed a hand through Phil’s hair. 

“Mhm morning.” Missa shifted like he expected Phil to move and pull away but he didn’t want that. He wanted to stay warm cuddling his husband. 

“Tallulah is taking a shower like you said she’d have to last night.”

“She’s already up?” 

“Mhm, you slept in, I wanted to give you time to rest.” He moved so he could stare up at Missa. “You ready to get up now?”

“No.” 

“The festival should be starting in a bit.”

“I know but I want to stay here.” Phil murmured. 

“Ok, until Tallulah is done, then I promised to do her hair.”

Phil pouted a bit but Missa ran his hands through the feathers of his wings and Phil was left speechless. His wings were still tender, not only from being burnt but also from carrying double the normal amount of weight while flying. However Missa made sure to be nothing but gentle, soothing the soft aches that Phil hadn’t even noticed were there. 

Phil was softly cooing. He didn’t seem to realize it but Missa loved it. Every time he seemed to find a tense spot on Phil’s wing he seemed to lean into Missa more, continuing to make the little noises that brought a smile to Missa’s face.

“Apa!”

“Yes mija?”

“I put the curl product in my hair, now I need it braided.”

“This means it’s time for you to get up.” Missa said.

“No…” Phil murmured. 

“Tallulah I give you my full permission to jump on the bed to wake up your dad.”

“Yes!” She ran and started jumping, her wings flapped a little bit as Phil rolled over, trying to stop the child from jumping on him by accident. 

“I’m up.” Phil said. He stretched and Tallulah sat down in the spot he was laying in. 

“Braid time!” Tallulah handed over the ribbons she had packed. Purple and Magenta. Phil stared at the two of them and smiled as they started talking about their plans for the festival.

“You and papa are going on a date right?”

“That’s the plan.”

“What am I going to do?”

“There should be an area where you can play with other kids, we’ll give you a spare key and you can always go back to our room at the inn if you get bored.”

“We’re going to go around the festival together first though right?”

“Of course, we’ll get food and have fun for a bit and then you can go have fun with the other kiddos.”

“Ok!” Tallulah stood up and looked out the window, “Papa, people are wearing bird masks, like crows!”

“Really?”

“It’s to ward off the birds who try to eat the crops. By claiming the crops as theirs, the crows go to other lands to feed.” Missa explained. 

“Is that really a tradition?”

“At least in this particular area, my kingdom did the same thing.”

“So papa you can show off your feathers! All the humans are showing off theirs!”

“Tallulah they’re wearing crow masks, not removing the glamor.”

“Glamor?” Missa asked, confused. 

Phil sighed before closing the window. “I’ve got wings right?”

Missa nodded.

“I have feathers spread across my face, part of what helps me see while I fly, the feathers catch most of the wind so it’s not blowing in my eyes. I use glamor to cover it.”

“I thought only fae could use glamor?”

“I helped him figure it out!” Tallulah quickly said. 

“Oh.”

“Anyway, papa you should show Apa Missa your feathers, they’re pretty! He knows about your wings!”

Phil sighed. “Fine.” Missa watched as Phil softly murmured something before feathers started appearing. Trailing from under his eyes to his ears.

“Woah.” Missa had an awestruck expression on his face and Phil felt a little too seen. He stepped closer to Phil and tentatively raised his hands up. “Can I feel them?”

“The feathers aren’t different from the ones on my back, where they meet the skin.” Missa still looked hesitant and Phil realized he didn’t answer the question. “Yeah, you can.” 

Missa’s hands were soft. And they tickled a little bit. 

“They’re so pretty.” Missa whispered.

“Papa the festival is starting!”

“Grab the money out of my bag and go grab yourself and your Apa Missa two crow masks.”

“Ok!” She took off and quickly left the two of them alone. 

“Cuervo really was the perfect nickname for you.”

“I wondered if you had found out but you never said anything.”

“Nope, I only found out about this when you showed me.” Missa ran his thumb over the feathers and Phil shivered slightly at the delicate way Missa held his head in his hands. “Can I kiss you again?”

“You don’t have to ask Missa. You’ve never had to ask. Besides you weren’t asking yesterday, when—“

“Don’t ruin this moment, querido.” Missa said before kissing Phil. He wrapped his arms around Missa’s waist. Missa stopped kissing him for a second leaving room for the two of them to catch their breath. Missa then started kissing Phil’s feathers on his face. It tickled a little bit but Phil was too busy trying to control his brain from blurting out something stupid like ‘I love you’.

“Apa! I got us masks!”

Missa pulled away from Phil, and quickly turned to Tallulah. “Awesome!” Phil sat down on the edge of the bed as the other two were putting on their masks. 

“Ready cuervito?” Missa asked.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” Phil grabbed his cloak and put it over his wings. The three of them left their room and headed into the center of the festival.

“Look Apa, they’re handing out food!”

“They’re different types of pie, do you want some Lullah?”

The girl nodded and Missa made his way to the woman handing out slices of pie. 

“Hello, can I have a slice?”

“Apple or blueberry?”

“Um…” Missa turned to Tallulah. Philza picked her up and they headed towards Missa. “What flavor would you like?”

“I have apple and blueberry, and there's actually a story depending on which one you choose.”

“I choose apple?”

“And what about you two sirs?”

“Can I have a slice of apple?”

“I’ll have a slice of apple as well.” Missa said, turning to Phil.

“I’ll be a rebel and go with blueberry.” He said. 

The woman handed each of them a slice of pie. “The reason these are the only two types of pie is because these two are the fruits that are harvested this time of year. It’s said that if you prefer apple pie that you are looking towards a relationship with someone loving and wise and if you prefer blueberry pie you are looking towards a new beginning and trying to grow as a person.”

“What type of relationship?” Phil asked, carefully lowering Tallulah’s fork.

“It can be any type of relationship. For her it can be a familial relationship or a platonic relationship; however for him it probably symbolizes a romantic relationship.”

Missa blushed and continued chewing on his bite of pie. The apple was sweet and he enjoyed it.

“Ok Tallulah you can eat it.” 

The woman laughed. “It won’t poison her. Besides, she already made her choice.”

“Are there any other traditions we should be aware of?” Missa asked.

“A few. Namely the dancing, the bonfire, and the tree.”

“The tree?”

“An older tradition. It’s said that if you pin the names of you and your partner to a tree the relationship is said to last as long as the tree. The bonfire is a collection of scarecrows and symbols of relationships you want to let go of. A past romantic relationship is typical. When it’s burned then you are said to be unburdened of that past relationship. And the burning of the scarecrows is meant to be a prayer to the stars that our town may be blessed with a fruitful harvest without pests eating the crops. When the fire is burning couples dance around the bonfire, celebrating the start of harvest season.”

“Those are beautiful traditions.” Phil said. 

“There’s fun things for the kiddos to do as well. At three there's a bell that will ring and the children will all have fun playing with some of our best caretakers so that their parents can participate in the traditions.”

“Really?” Missa asked. He didn’t necessarily want to just leave Tallulah with strangers but it would give him and Phil some time to actually go on a date like he suggested.

“Don’t worry. She’ll be plenty safe. You make a good dad, always worried about your kid. I could see it all over your face the second I mentioned it.”

Missa let out a little laugh. “Thank you.”

“Are you sure she’ll be safe?” Phil asked. 

“Perfectly. All the caretakers have dealt with my grandchildren and you can trust that if they can deal with my little ones then they are more than capable.”

“I wanna hang out with the other kids my age Papa! I’m a big girl!”

“You are, but you can’t blame us for being cautious.” 

“She’ll be fine. It gives you two time to enjoy the festival, I’m going to help watch them anyway.”

“Apa, you agreed to go on a date with Papa! I’ll be with kids my age! You two can go on your date!”

The woman laughed. “She’s right, you know, she’ll be fine.”

Missa sighed. “I know, I just worry.”

“We’ll drop her off, three you said?”

“Three. The bells will ring.”

“That gives us roughly an hour and a half to see the rest of the festival, we should get going Missa.”

“Thank you so much for the pie!”

“Of course!”

Tallulah hopped out of Phil’s arms and ran towards a different stall that caught her eye. “Look apa!”

“Stuffed animals, do you want one?” Tallulah nodded. 

“Ok, I’ll–” He flipped over the tag of the purple butterfly closest to him. 25 gold? Are you joking? Missa looked towards the other ones. All were more expensive. He didn’t have 25 gold to spend on a stuffed animal. As it was he felt bad that Phil was paying for their room at the inn and everything else they had bought on the trip. He wasn’t going to ask for money to buy Tallulah a gift.

Then he noticed a small black bird in the corner. It seemed a little worn but he made his way over to it.

“Hello, is this for sale?” He pointed to the stuffed animal.

“Oh that? That’s an old product, I didn't plan to sell it, it’s just going to go into the bonfire today. Do you want it? It needs some love.”

“How much?”

“Free, it’s not going to be bought, you’re the first one to even ask about it. I genuinely planned to use it as kindling for the bonfire.”

“Are you sure?”

“No please, take it, your daughter seems so excited.”

Missa sighed. “Thank you.” He picked up the stuffed animal and looked if there was anything he needed to repair before giving it to Tallulah. The eye was a little loose but other than that it seemed perfectly fine, just a little worn.

“I can always return it if you don’t like it but it’s a crow, like your papa’s wings. It needed some love.” Tallulah squeezed it.

“I love it Apa! It’s just like Papa, she’s a pretty birdie!”

“What are you going to name her?” Phil asked. He took Missa’s hand. 

“Esperanza!” Phil gave Missa a confused look.

“It means hope in spanish.”

“She had hope that I’d find her one day! She wasn’t loved by another kid because she was waiting for me!”

Missa had to look away from the sweetness before he started crying.

“Is there anything you want to do before you go play with the other kids?”

“Can we just look around?” 

“Sure thing.” Tallulah took Missa’s hand, Esperanza the crow was still clutched in her other hand.

Philza was enjoying the day. Missa said he had to go to the bathroom and as soon as he left Tallulah decided to confront him about the glamor conversation that they had had earlier. “Why haven’t you told him Papa?”

“Told him what?”

“That you’re a fae.” She hissed the last part, careful to not say it too loud, not to gather the attention of the crowd nearby. 

“I don’t want him to be scared off.”

“He isn’t going to be scared off, Papa. And I’m not covering for you again. I had to lie. You know how that feels.”

“Like glass shards in your mouth, cutting your tongue open.”

“Exactly. I’m not lying to cover for you again. Tell Apa Missa. He won’t run from you. If anything he’ll ask what fae traditions are.”

“If you know I haven’t told Missa then why are you calling him Apa?”

“Because I know it’s going to happen eventually. Also it’s fun to see you squirm a little Papa.”

“You little shi–”

“Ok we ready to go?” Missa said, he adjusted the crow mask he had on. 

“Yeah, we’re ready Apa! We should head back to the center of town, it will be three soon and I don’t want to run, I might drop Esperanza!”

“Good idea Lullah.”

“I have the bestest of ideas!”

Missa was amazing, he instantly took care of Tallulah and– Phil needed to stop. He was head over heels for a human who didn’t even know he was fae. That was a recipe for disaster. Tallulah was right, he really did need to tell Missa.

But couldn’t he just wait a little longer before he ruined everything? 

He’d tell Missa eventually but right now he was going to try his hardest to be the perfect person for Missa. Missa deserved perfection. 

“The bell should ring in–” Missa was cut off by the bell. Ironic? “Now.”

“All kids joining us in our harvest festival celebration come to the center.”

“Bye Apa, Bye Papa; I love you!” 

“Love you too, stay safe!” Meanwhile Missa was nearly sobbing at the sweetness. Tallulah loved him. “You ok?”

“She said she loves me.”

“Aw,” Phil wrapped him in a hug. “Of course she does, you’re treating her so well and it melts my heart whenever I see the two of you like that.” Phil gave him a kiss before rubbing away the few tears that had managed to fall. 

“Thank you.”

“I’m always here for you, always.”

Missa was the perfect balance to Phil. He was a bleeding heart whereas Phil kept his emotions close to his chest. A soft light in every room. 

Phil was used to observing and being left alone, by choice. Missa was forced to be an observer for so long that now he jumped at the chance to be a part of the conversation.

Phil made sure that Missa was no longer crying before he pulled out of the hug. 

“What do you want to do?”

“I’m still hungry, the apple pie was delicious but I need more food.”

“I saw a place that was selling stew, it looked really good.”

“Where?”

“Down the street a bit, shouldn’t be too far.”

“That sounds great querido.”

He might have teased Missa about the nickname earlier but he just smiled and led the way.

The smell from the food stalls was delicious. Warmth came from the stew, the pleasant smell of fresh bread, and the smell of dried fruits made Missa even hungrier.

“What type of stew is that?” Phil questioned the shop owner.

“Pork, got the meat from the butcher over there.” He pointed to a guy roasting a pig over an open fire. 

“What’s in the stew?” Missa asked.

“Carrots, onions, a bit of mushrooms, and spices.”

“Two bowls please?” Phil carefully took the bowls and set them down on a table. “You mind watching the table, I’m going to go get some bread from the bakery, trust me it tastes really good together.”

“Yeah of course.” Missa sat down. He blew on his stew hoping it would cool down from the boiling temperature.

“Bread,” Phil handed Missa a small loaf.

“Thank you.” Missa quickly started eating. He finished over half of his stew before Phil had even taken more than three bites.

“Hungry?”

“I feel like I haven’t eaten in ages.”

“Time flies by quick.”

“Yeah I know, it's just crazy to me that I ate so recently and I still feel hungry.”

“So what do you want to do with the rest of the day?”

“You mean for our date?” Missa looked up and saw Phil’s face turn bright red. His feathers even fluffed up a bit. 

He coughed before letting out a strangled “Yes.”

“What about the traditions that the lady mentioned, the dancing, the bonfire, the tree thing.”

Missa locked eyes with Phil. “The tradition of writing your names and pinning it to a tree?”

“Yeah.”

“I’d rather not right now…” oh. Missa was fine with that. It was soon. He could see where Phil was coming from. That was a thing for serious couples. They were just— “it’s not that I don’t want to! I just would rather it be at a place that has significance. A random tree in a town we might never visit again? I actually have the perfect tree in mind.”

Missa smiled. “What tree?”

“There’s a wisteria tree near my house, you know, because of the—“ 

“Wisteria tree? You love that little nickname huh.” Missa smiled as he got up and gave Phil a kiss before giving his empty bowl back to the store clerk. 

“The bonfire is at sundown, that should be in about an hour give or take. Dancing is after that so what do you want to do in the meantime?”

“Well, finish my food for starters.” Phil joked. 

“Yeah but after.” 

“There was a fortune teller, they claimed they could read the stars.”

“Ooh! Yes! Let's go there!” Missa said excitedly. He had never been to a fortune teller.

“Are you sure? Most of the time it’s a scam.”

“It’s just for fun, cmon cuervito.”

Missa really wanted to go to the fortune teller’s. He hid it with jokes but Phil could see the glimmer of truth behind the dramatics. Missa’s eyes shone when Phil inevitably agreed.

“Fine.”

“Let’s go!” Missa took off only to stop in the middle of the street. “I don’t know where it is.”

“You’re sure about this?” Phil took Missa’s hand and started leading him towards the fortune teller's shop.

“Positive.” 

“Okay…” 

Phil took a deep breath before he followed Missa into the shop.

“Hello!” Called a voice. Phil hated every second of this. His skin was crawling. Missa wanted to be here. Missa.

Two steps ahead of him, following the voice. Ok. Missa was safe. His ears were ringing. This place was filled with fae repellents. Probably something from the underdark.

It wasn’t actively harming him, just annoying. Giving him a headache. Dulling his senses.

“Missa do you want to—“

“Hiya! I’m Jaiden! Fortune teller!”

Where the hell did she come from? Phil never was snuck up on. Never.

“Hi, we’re here to—“ Missa started.

“Get your fortunes read, don’t worry, I know. Come sit down!” She pointed to two chairs, and sat in a third across the table.

Jaiden squinted at Phil. “Those are actual feathers.”

“You can see past the glamor?” Philza asked. Damn ringing in his ears. He needed to think. To think before he spoke. A human finding out about the glamor was a sure fire sign to get killed. Especially one that had access to things from the underdark.

“I can read fortunes, if I couldn’t see past the glamor I wouldn’t be able to see the messages left from the stars.” She paused for a beat. “Oh! I should turn off the moth-bat sounds!” She quickly ran off.

“Moth bats?”

“Underdark, they’re at a higher pitched frequency than most people can sense. I was getting a huge headache.”

“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

“I didn’t tell you. You’re fine Missa.”

“Sorry about that! My son can’t sleep without the noise.”

“It’s fine.” Phil said. 

“Well, who wanted their fortune read?”

“Him.” Phil pointed to Missa.

“What? I thought we were both getting ours read.”

“I can do a palm reading for him and a tarot reading for the two of you, that way you each get a reading but he won’t have to get a personal reading. Some people aren’t as comfortable.”

Missa turned to Phil. Holy shit. Missa was looking at him like a puppy. Puppy eyes. That’s what they were called. He paired it with a slight pout that made Phil just want to kiss—

Focus. 

Tarot reading. 

Missa wanted to do a tarot reading with him. 

“I don’t see why not…” 

“Awesome, I’ll do his palm reading first. Can you put both your hands face up on the table?” Missa did as she instructed. “Now which is your dominant hand?”

“Left.”

“Oh.” Jaiden said. “So you’ve been treated as an outsider for most of your life then.”

“Uhm, yeah I guess so.”

“Let's start with your life line.” She ran her finger over the crease nearest to Missa’s thumb. “It’s relatively deep, however it’s not as deep as your love line. You tend to have a lot of energy for those around you that you care about, however you might give a little too much and leave yourself with less energy.”

“Yeah, I’d say that's true.” Missa murmured.

“Your head line,” She pointed to a line in the center of his hand. “Is very curved. You aren’t confined to the rules that others might think of. You aren’t limited by the facts, you are open to more abstract concepts.” She moved her hand towards the top of his hand. The deepest line. “Your love line. It starts under your index-finger. You’re happy with the relationships you’re in. Romantic, Platonic, and Familial. It’s a long, deep line. You should have a long, successful relationship with those around you.” She pulled away from his hands and started looking between the two of them. “You tend to hide your emotions in practice though. Your left hand is much straighter, there's a practiced wall you put up between your true emotions and how you present them.”

“Oh.”

“That’s it! Palm readings are much shorter than tarot readings!”

“So it’s my turn now?” Phil asked. 

“Don’t be nervous! It’s just the stars presenting themselves to you. They’re trying to help!”

“I thought you said we’d do a reading for the two of us?” Missa asked.

“Oh, right. Tarot is typically a singular person asking a question to the stars. The stars reveal their message in the cards. The way I planned to do it was by having him ask a question about the two of you, that way it is technically focused on your relationship but it still is his reading.”

“So I have to ask them a question?”

“I typically advise to leave it vague. Like how should I navigate the difficulties I’m experiencing?”

“So would a good question be what does our future look like in terms of our relationship?”

“Yeah that works, is that the question you want to ask?” Jaiden took out the cards and started shuffling. 

“Yeah.”

“Ok can you cut the deck for me?” She placed the deck down in the center of the table. Philza took the deck and cut it in half.

“Perfect.” She then started laying out the cards. “Celtic cross spread, six cards making up the cross and four cards making up a staff. This first card represents you in the situation, so you in your relationship.” She flipped over the first card. “Ace of cups upright.” 

“So I am the ace of cups?”

“Cups are often seen as emotions, closest to the element of water. Ace of cups symbolizes you, so a new relationship. New love. I’m guessing you two being together is a recent thing?”

Missa shrugged and leaned into Phil, resting his head on Phil’s shoulder. 

“Yeah, you could say so.”

“Next is the conflict, what could affect your future.” She flipped over the– “Hanged man reversed.”

A pause went throughout the room.

“That’s not a bad card actually. I mean it sucks that you got it on your obstacle. Major arcana are typically representative of major character traits. Or in this trait a character flaw.”

“Great.” Phil sighed. “So it means?”

“It means you’re stubborn. You are refusing to look at things from a new perspective. You’re resisting change and it’s holding you back in your relationship.”

“Great.”

“So, look at the signs the universe has been giving you to change. Anyway, card three is your past conflict. What are you still holding onto that is affecting your relationship now? That would be the ten of swords.”

Ten of swords. A guy laying face down with ten swords stabbed in his back. This was going great. 

“In your past you’ve faced betrayal and painful endings. It’s affecting your relationship now.”

“Betrayal, that's ludicrous.”

“And that's the stubbornness. Just look at what the stars are saying, don’t judge them just yet.”

“Fine.”

“Next is the recent past. Six of wands. Exhaustion, overwhelm and giving up. You’ve been feeling hopeless recently. Probably been working yourself so hard that now you are just tired. You aren’t able to give all of yourself because parts of yourself need to rest.”

Phil sighed. He couldn’t bear to look down and see the pitying look Missa was giving him. He knew Missa would feel bad for him. And he didn’t need that.

“Ok so, that might be negative but if you overcome those struggles you should be… happier! Two of cups! That’s a good one, it represents partnership, union, and love! So that’s good, if you’re able to be more open to change your relationship should work out for the better!”

“So, I need to change.”

“Yeah, pretty much but if you don’t then you’ll be…” She flipped over the next card. “Disappointed, regretful and feel like you failed.”

“So that’s a great reading.”

“We’re only halfway done, things could change for the better. But this one represents your self image. Eight of swords reversed. Your thoughts are self-limiting. Your inner-critic only feeds you negative thoughts and you look down upon yourself.”

“So I need to help him change that.” Missa said.

“You can, but so far his reading has urged self-discovery. You should just stay by his side. Now there’s still a bit more. This is what he needs to rely on. Strength. Major arcana.” She stopped and looked carefully at Missa.

“How would you describe him?” She asked Phil. “Three words.”

“Honest. Brave. Charming.”

She paused for a second. “Yeah ignore what I said earlier, you two need to rely on each other. Strength card is representative of courage, compassion and inner strength. Based on his palm reading and your reading so far you two need each other for the journey ahead.”

“Rely on inner strength?” Phil asked.

“Based on your reading so far you’ve got shit emotional control, you’re good at repressing your emotions. Not dealing with them. The stars aren’t telling you to rely on yourself rather someone around you who is good at those things. Which would be him.”

“So rely on Missa?”

“Yep. He should help you, after all most relationships require trust and effort from both sides. It makes sense he would need to help you. Moving onto your hopes or fears. Typically I see your fears in this part of the reading but occasionally you get shown your hopes. And you got five of cups. Yeah that's a fear alright.”

“What does it mean?”

“Regret, failure and disappointment. You fear that the journey will leave you feeling regretful. You fear the relationship failing.” When both Missa and Phil were silent she continued. “Last is the overall journey. This can change everything so far, so it might be a bit different in actuality, but you got the lovers! That’s great! Especially for a love reading. You should look for your love, harmony and a strong bond should be present.”

 “So overall the journey will be good.” Missa said.

“As long as you can overcome your obstacles, yeah! You two should make it through. Just listen to the stars. They told you what to look out for.”

“How much do we owe you?”

“It’s the festival, nonsense. The stars want people to look to them for guidance. It’s free.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course! I love giving readings! But it’s almost sunset. I need to go wake up my son, he loves the bonfire.”

“The bonfire!” Missa grabbed onto Phil’s arm and pulled him out of the shop. “Thank you again!” The door closed before she could answer.

The bonfire was sky high by the time Missa and Phil got there. Missa was happy to spend time with Phil, despite him being silent almost the whole time they walked over to the bonfire. That tarot reading must have been hard for him, Missa felt a little bad. Afterall he did push Phil to get a reading. 

“Are you ok?”

“I’m always okay when I’m with you handsome.” Phil kissed Missa and stared back at the flames.

“What’s the tradition again?”

“Burn something that represents what you want to get rid of. And then dancing, celebrating the harvest.” 

“So we just dance?”

“I assume we’ll know when to dance. Right now it seems everyone is burning things though.”

“So we just wait?”

“We watch the fire Wisteria, patience Love.”

“Fine.” Phil hugged Missa as he complained. “I don’t like being patient.”

“You want to dance with me that badly, huh?”

“Yes.” Missa answered honestly. “I can’t remember the last time I danced with someone. I always felt like I missed my chance. I adopted my son. I accepted the fact that most people wouldn’t want to be with a guy who had a kid. And then you showed up.”

“Missa, I know how it is to be a single dad. Trust me, I understand the looks. Especially because Tallulah doesn’t look like me, everyone is always judging.”

“I know and I’m just glad I have you.” 

“You’re pretty.” Phil murmured, he was playing with the emerald necklace.

“Me or the necklace?”

“I meant you but the necklace is pretty too.”

“Did the tarot reading affect you? I’m sorry for pushing you to get one, you seemed uncomfortable.”

Phil sighed. “I don’t like someone else reading the stars. They interpret them rather than me and once the words are spoken you can’t unhear them. It’s different to know your past is full of betrayal and exhaustion then it is to have someone just say it. I know I’m stubborn and I know I need to learn to be more honest but hearing it spoken into existence stings.”

“I thought it would be nice, someone could tell you what to look for rather than you having to look for it yourself and constantly doubting whether or not you interpreted the signs right.” 

“I guess that’s true. I want to learn to trust more, I’ve just never had a person that I know will be by my side through my bad days and my good.”

“Do you think I’m that person?”

“I really hope so.”

Phil was warm, after all he was hugging Missa. The bonfire helped too but he chose to believe that it was Missa who was helping keep him warm. 

“Ok Querido, it’s dancing time.”

“The first notes literally just started, what do you mean it’s time to dance?”

“Please, I’ve wanted to dance with you all day.”

“Fine.” Phil let himself be taken by Missa and pulled into the forming circle of couples dancing. 

Missa started humming as the band started playing, spinning Phil around in circles until he got dizzy.

“Cmon cuervito, you know how to dance right?” Missa teased, his words were warm. “There’s a traditional dance we do at festivals like this, do you know it?”

“No.”

“It’s easy just follow my lead.” Missa raised his arm and pulled Phil’s arm to match his. Their forearms were touching as Missa slowly moved in a circle, Phil was careful not to fall behind and let Missa lead him. 

Then Missa spun around the other way, switching his arms. Phil mimicked him as Missa started to sing along with the rest of the crowd. 

“If you will promise me your heart and love—“

Phil remembered the lyrics. “And love me for eternity. My dearest one, my darling dear, your mighty words astound me. But I’ve no need of mighty deeds. When I feel your arms around me!”

Missa smiled. The two kept on dancing, going in a circle. Missa then sang the next verse. “But I would bring you rings of gold. I’d even sing you poetry. And I would keep you from all harm! If you would stay beside me!” Missa then took both of Phil’s hands, interlacing his with Phil’s before he started the next part of the dance. Push and pull, push away then pulled back to each other. Like beating hearts.

Phil laughed. “I have no use for rings of gold, I care not for your poetry! I only want your hands to hold—“

“I only want you near me!”

Missa spun Phil and started leading him in a square dance. The two of them joined in singing, their voices blending together. 

“To love and kiss. To sweetly hold! For the dancing and the dreaming! Through all life’s sorrows and delights, I’ll keep your laugh inside of me! I’ll swim and sail a savage sea. With ne’er a fear of drowning. And gladly ride the waves of life! And you will marry me!”

Phil was suddenly spun and pulled back. Before he could catch his breath Missa dipped him. Missa was stronger than he looked. And soon Missa was kissing him. Missa was still holding up Phil and managed to kiss him without falling over.

“Missa—“ Phil managed to say, he was still catching his breath. “Holy shit you’re an awesome dancer. And singer!”

Missa blushed at the compliment. “Gracias Querido, you’re a fast learner.”

The laughing and cheering of the crowd created a nice atmosphere as the two continued dancing. 

Before long Phil was yawning and the bonfire was dying down. Missa was getting tired as well.

“Let’s go pick up Tallulah and then get some sleep, sound good amor?”

“Yep. And I heard that new nickname, just because I’m tired doesn’t mean you can slip in a new nickname and think I won’t notice.”

“Ok amor,” he said, rolling the ‘r’ before leaning down to kiss Phil’s cheek.

“Apa! How was your date?”

“Good Tallulah, I’m surprised you’re still awake! Your papa is falling asleep over here.”

“Am not!” Phil said, blinking his eyes open in a desperate attempt to not seem tired. The two laughed at him. 

“It’s okay papa, I’m sleepy but I wanted to see you! Now we can go to sleep.”

“That sounds like a good plan tallulah, let’s head back to the inn.” Missa picked up the girl and walked with Phil to the inn. 

“Ok Tallulah bedtime routine.” Phil said, before walking over to the bed and flopping face first onto it.

“Scooch.” Missa said, nudging Phil. Phil got up and took off his cloak, unfurling his wings and stretching them out.

“Papa, I want to be tucked into bed!” 

“Yes Lullah.” He stretched out his wings and placed a kiss on her head before smoothing out her blankets.

“Esperanza needs a kiss goodnight as well!” She said, holding up the stuffed crow. Phil heard Missa stifle a laugh as he bent down to kiss the stuffed crow on its head.

“Esperanza can go to sleep safe now too! Goodnight papa! Goodnight apa!”

“Goodnight.” They echoed.

“Hey wisteria.” Phil murmured as he rested on Missa’s chest.

“Hola querido.” He whispered and Missa placed a light kiss on the top of his head. “Let’s go to sleep, huh?”

“Yeah, goodnight sweetheart.” Phil wrapped his wings around Missa, a protective embrace that Missa never wanted to leave.

“Buenas noches amor.” He said before drifting off into dreamland which was filled with dreams of dates the two could go on, Phil being his angel in all of them.

[dragon-queen21]

Regressor Pavitr + CG Noir fic

Tw: Implied self harm & depression

Summary Pav realizes Noir is in pain, even when he insists to the regressor that everything is fine. Pav decides to make it his mission to take care of and cheer up his caregiver.

ao3 link

Pav had been excited at the idea of having Noir watch over him regressed. He enjoyed the older spiderman’s company and while he preferred one of his closer friends, he understood that sometimes there were other things that got in the way.

He didn’t expect Noir to play with him, not like Gwen or Miles would have. After all, the black and white spider wasn’t either of his friends so it would be foolish to believe he would have the same type of manner when babysitting him.

Still, Pav isn’t dumb. He can tell that Noir isn’t doing the best. His caregiver seems, simply put, soggy, lying on the living room’s couch, staring up at nothing. Sure, Noir’s still his usual self, and Pav doubts that he would have taken up Hobie’s request at babysitting if he truly wasn’t doing alright. That doesn’t change the fact that something seems off about him. Noir seemed almost detached from the world around him.

Pav doesn’t get it completely. Maybe if he was in a normal headspace he would, but currently he’s five, confused, and wishing that one of his friends were here to help him figure out how to make the bad, nagging feeling go away.

The caregiver only hoists himself to a sitting position when the regressor comes over to him and stares for a very long moment. “Hey bud, what’s the matter?” Noir asks as Pavitr approaches him, stuffed bear in hand.

“You otay?” Pav asks. “Something hurt?”

Noir makes a sound of confusion at the seemingly random question. “I’m not hurt.” He defends himself, trying to figure out where this sudden line of questioning came from. Up until a moment ago Pavitr was happily playing by himself. At least, Noir’s pretty certain that he was. He did let his thoughts wander for quite some time…

“Sure? You seem soggy.”

“What made you think that?”

“Cause you’re laying there all ‘bleh!’” Pav sticks his tongue out in an over exaggerated re-enactment of the older spider.

Noir chuckles and the little’s dramatics. “That’s because I don’t have the endless amounts of energy that you have kiddo.” He ruffle’s Pavitr’s hair.

“Nooo, that’s not it. You feel bad, I can tell.” He gasps suddenly. “Oh no! You has the big sad don’t you?!”

Noir can’t help but laugh at this declaration. “The what now?”

“You know! Deh-dell-deep-depur-” Pav pouts at a momentary loss of words. Curse his fuzzy brain for not working right.

“Depression?” Noir supplies after listening to a full minute of the little trying and struggling to find the correct word.

“Yes! The big sad! See you do to know it!”

Noir chuckles, though Pav hears him curse under his breath. “I’ve been informed. You’re too young to be inconvenienced about such matters like this anyways. Everything is fine. Don’t worry about it.”

He ruffles Pav’s hair once again, while the regressor frowns. ‘Everything’s fine’ and ‘Don’t worry about it’ are two very different answers.

While it might be true that nothing did hurt on the outside, he’s sure that the hurt is on the inside, and that just might be worse. Pavitr doesn’t know how to fix either one. He’s not sure that he would even if he wasn’t regressed. That’s not going to stop him from attempting to anyhow.

“Can I do somethins?” He asks, just in case there is an easy solution.

“I’m doing just fine, you don’t have to do anything for me.” Noir tries to again convince the regressor that nothing is wrong. It’s obvious that Pav is not going to stop asking if, he finally tells the regressor a half truth. “Just a bit tired right now.”

He does look tired. Pavitr’s frown only deepens. He can’t help but feel a bit bad for being small and taking up the other’s precious time. Remembering that Noir had insisted that he could watch over him doesn’t help all that much in making him feel better.

“Need nap time?” The regressed spider asks. Usually, he can’t stand when any of his friends insists that he needs a nap, always wound up with too much energy. He’s willing to sleep if it will make Noir feel better.

The mentally older shakes his head no. “I don’t need a nap; I doubt you want one either.”

This time Pav shakes his head in agreement alongside the other.

“Besides, I should probably make you something to eat.”

“Not hungry.” He protests, not wanting the subject to be changed. He’s going to get to the bottom of how to help he swears.

“Kid...” Noir does sound tired. He sighs, again. “Fine. I’m not going to force you, that would be plain hypocritical. Something to drink then?”

The two make there way into the kitchen where Pav promptly takes a seat at the table. Drumming his fingers along the smooth wood as he watches his caregiver rummage around for a cup.

He’s given a sippy cup full of orange juice, which Pav happily sips from along with being handed a box of colored crayons and some sheets of blank paper. “Thought you’d like to color.” Noir says, taking a seat across from the little.

Pav beams, suddenly struck with inspiration. He’s going to make a drawing to give to Noir that will be so amazing his caregiver won’t be able to do anything other than cheer up!

The two sit drawing together. Enjoying one another’s presence.

“Can you grab me a blue crayon kiddo?”

Pavitr nods, selecting a navy blue from the box and handing it over the older spider man. Noir frowns.

“I asked for a blue one silly, not red.”

Pav giggles. “Dat is blue.”

“No. No I’m sure that it’s not.”

“Yeah it is.”

“No this one’s blue.” Noir grabs a green crayon, causing Pav to start laughing all over again.

He grabs ahold of Noir’s arm in order to take back the incorrect crayon and replace it with the right color when he notices something odd.

Dark lines scattered across the other’s skin. Some more faded ones run along Noir’s wrists, hidden beneath the sleeves of the older spider’s shirt, other’s that take on a silvery grey against the monotone skin.

Pav sees the scars and gasps. “You are hurt!” Pav exclaims. He feels like crying, whether from the betrayal or from the familiar implication of what scars like that mean, he doesn’t know.

“No sunshine. These are from a long, long time ago.” Noir insists.

His words fall on deaf ears as Pav leaps from his seat, running out of the room.

“Pav?!” Noir curses once more and gets up to follow Pav.

He comes to the bathroom, the door isn’t closed, and Pav is sitting on the floor struggling with something in his hands. Noir is about to apologize for upsetting him when the mentally younger looks up at him and holds out what looks to be a small slip of paper.

“Stupid-” Pav seems frustrated, shaking one of the items in his grasp. “Open?” he holds it out toward his caregiver.

Noir takes the item confused.

Pavitr, doesn’t offer any type of explanation, hands quickly occupied with trying to get the paper off another one. This time he manages to get it opened.

“Noir! Look!” The regressor exclaims, placing the band-aid over already healed scars. It’s bright blue. The color is shockingly vibrant against Noir’s skin.

Pav grabs the one Noir was opening, places it on his caregiver’s other hand.

Then another, this one wrapped around one of his fingers. There’s one soon after that is placed on his palm.

The regressor gets to the fifth bandage before Noir finally finds his voice.

“What are you doing?”

Pav notes that he sounds baffled. Which is silly, because it’s should be clean what he’s doing. “Hobie does when I get ouchie. Makes all better.”

“Oh darling… That’s sweet bu-” he doesn’t get to finish.

“Oh! I ‘most forgot.” Pav grabs Noir’s now colorfully bandages hands and drags the caregiver back towards the kitchen.

He retrieves the drawing that he had been working on during his lunch. “Tada! Is for you.” He holds up the drawing.

A very childlike doodle of what appears to be the Pav and Noir standing together outside with a bunch of flowers. The regressor seemed to use every bright, neon color, that was available in the box of crayons in order to color in the background.

Noir isn’t sure what to say. Pav’s no artist, even less of one in headspace, yet Noir can’t recall the last time he had gotten something so sweet. He ruffles the boy’s hair, genuinely smiling as he takes the paper from the boy’s hands. “It’s gorgeous. You did a wonderful job.”

“Wan’ to make you happy.”

“Oh kid, you already make me happy.”

~~~

Finally wrote an agere fic with Noir in it. I’ve been wanting to do a fic with a kinda role reversal, where it’s the caregiver getting ‘taken care of’ by a regressor. And with that idea in mind I couldn’t not do something with Noir. He’s honestly the perfect character for this + I love him and I will take any excuses to write about him. Let me know what you think <3

[ceilingfan5]

@taznovembercelebration "sticky" because it is 5 am and i am not srorry (nsfw text, sort of?)

“So Ren and I were talking-”

“Uhuh,” Kravitz says, leaning on the food truck’s stupid little food window. He can’t stop making eyes at Taako. He thinks it might be chronic. Doctor’s appointment on Wednesday. Fingers crossed. 

“You know, aboust trains, of thought or otherwise, and getting derailed,” Taako grins at him as he avoids doing any Actual work at the fair, because it is hot, and he doesn’t want to, because he has served up truly four hundred billion thousand infinity sixfinity customers, probably.

“Uhuh.” He should be doing so many other things. One of them being helping his mama out, and another of them being existing anywhere, anywhere at all he won’t be getting a sunburn. But you know what’s more important? Flirting, probably. 

“And she was going on about the forlorn toot toot of a derailed train-” Taako splits into giggles, and Kravitz can’t help but fall apart too, hearing Ren fully lose it in the back at the fryer. 

“You can’t toot toot and keep a straight face,” her disembodied voice insists. 

“Toot toot-” Kravitz tries, in the saddest voice he can muster, and he can barely voice the second toot.

“Toot t-” Taako wails, and then cracks up.

“Toooooooooooot t- t- t- Christ-” Ren tries. And fails. 

“Toot toot,” Kravitz musters, barely, if at all, and then splits into wheezing. They’re lucky no one wants to buy pretzels and/or sundry. Except maybe they should be worrying about that so Taako gets more money? What’s the reasonable amount of worry? Kravitz would deeply like to know, so he can adjust his concern accordingly. 

“And, anyway,” Taako tries valiantly, with one more private toot toot, “We’re rebranding.”

“Are you?” Kravitz says, like he’s deeply invested in pretzel predetermination. Taako looks pleased to elaborate, though, so he wins. 

“Definitely,” he announces, serious, formal, intense, and also flirting. “So we’ve tried Knotty and Delicious,”

“For sure,” Kravitz says, cheeks burning.

“And we’ve tried Twisted Treats, Knotty Puffs, Salt and Spice,”

“Yeah, definitely. You’ve super, absolutely, tried all of those names, while trying to earn money.

“And how!” Taako says. “I’ve been earning more on the Only Fans than I have for the actual pretzels. I-” He waits for Kravitz to finish choking. “I think I need to rebrand Pretzel Palace to something a little less horny and separate the two.”

“So,” Kravitz says, desperately attempting to be a good sport, and not loudly admire the fact that Taako is not wearing a shirt under his apron, because it is sweltering, truly, punishlingly hot in the Augustestness of it all. He would like to lodge a complaint with the fair board. Yes, he will wait for bickering. “You want something tame? And…gentle?”

“Tame and gentle,” Taako agrees, very amused. “Just, you know, in control. Just really leashed in.”

“YEP,” Kravitz says. Regularly. “Super normal pretzel names. Just regular, fine, typical-”

“So that’s why,” Taako says, with generous aplomb, enthusiasm, and a shit-eating grin, “I’ve decided to change our business name one final time.”

“To?” Kravitz says, trying not to wince out loud, where he can be witnessed. 

“All Tied Up!” Taako announces, so pleased with himself he looks like he’s going to fall over. 

“All Tied Up?” Kravits repeats, out loud, with his mouth? His real actual life mouth?? What he puts pretzels in??? 

“All Tied Up!” Taako enthuses. “A normal name for a normal business, with normal pretzels.”

“For sure,” Kravitz says, high pitched, delirious. 

“You know, like our knots and cream special,” Taako looks like he’s developing some kind of lung emergency, “OR, of course, our salty treat package.”

“So salty,” Kravitz agrees, absolutely not losing it. 

“Or the full load burst,” Taako says, making direct eye contact.

“I’m not sure about that one,” Kravitz says, looking at the menu and not Taako’s intense stare. “Which pretzel is that?”

“That’s just a whole bunch of whipped cream,” Taako says, “Right in your mouth.” 

“Not from the nozzle?”

“Directly from the source,” Taako confirms. “Secret menu, for the fans.” 

“What’s your subscription fee?” Kravitz says, not operating from a place of logic, or fisca responsibility, or attachment to his legal name, or maybe, uh, pride. 

“You wanna find out?” Taako leans out of the stupid little food truck window, making serious eyes at him. 

“I’M GONNA GO GET MORE WHIPPED CREAM,” Ren announces, and the door of the food truck slams behind her. Loudly. With enthusiasm.

[gameboard, space themed, with 1-7 covered with stickers: white cat, fish, good worker, door, dragon, kapow! and pretzel with "oh knots"]