#but i doubt they’ll be clear enough so this would still be so lovely of someone to do

[wanderingmausoleum]

would anyone who has access to the elden ring character models be willing to do me a huuuge favor and get me some images of the stormveil banner/tapestry godrick wears across his back at the start of his cutscene? or even better, grab the texture used for it/the banners hanging around stormveil?

it’s hard to see the full pattern and i’d love to get a clearer picture of it for cosplay purposes!

edit: thank you tarnussy for providing these great screenshots 🫶🫶

[mrsriddlenott]

~Teach Me, Please~

Bsf!JJ Maybank x Innocent!Reader

Warnings: oral(m&f receiving), bit of a handjob, praise kink, spit kink, innocent reader but she’s lowkey in control, reader kinda gets bullied in the beginning but not directly. Not proofread.

{masterlist} • {PART TWO)

————

“She’s like their little sister,” you heard the kook girl you didn’t recognize laugh as she spoke about you, “She follows them around like a groupie, JJ most of all. It’s like she doesn’t know what to do with what she has. I would be flirting non-stop if I were with him as much as she is. JJ is absolutely delicious.”

“I think they’ll always be just friends,” her equally annoying friend giggles, the pair clearly not noticing you behind them or simply not caring, “I mean, look at how innocent she is, I doubt she would know how to please him if she had the chance. She has literally never had a boyfriend, she probably has never given head in her life, and JJ gets around a lot; he has plenty of better options. Hell, he probably doesn’t pay enough attention to even notice her raging crush on him anyway. You should definitely go for it tonight, I’ve heard he’s good.”

You huffed, stomping off back towards the couch you had left JJ on. What annoyed you the most wasn’t the shit talking, you knew people talked, especially kooks who somehow had nothing better to do. What hurt was the accuracy. Despite being the same age as your fellow Pogues and knowing JJ and JB since the third grade, you were still very much innocent. Especially when compared to your ragtag group of friends.

You knew they didn’t mind; they all loved you no matter what. Kie helped you as much as she could, but it was pointless; you just didn’t know how to be as laid back as they were. You had fun and loved to party as much as they did, but you still preferred a nice night in with a movie. And while part of you used to worry you held them back, they made sure you knew you could always come to them. So when you saw JJ wave you back over with a questioning look in his eyes, you knew you could ask him to help you with anything.

And your crush on him had totally and absolutely nothing to do with that decision.

“Will you teach me how to give a blowjob?” You blurt out, dropping onto the couch in front of JJ’s outstretched arm as though everything was normal. He gagged on the gulp of beer he’d just taken before looking to you with wide eyes, trying to decipher if he had heard you properly.

“What’d you jus’ say?” His voice was breathless as he wiped his face of spilled beer, your eyes tracing the droplets that escaped down his neck.

“I want you to teach me how to give good head.” You stated, stretching the words to make your intentions clear. You watched JJ’s eyes bounce between your eyes and lips, the gears in his brain working overtime to decide if you were joking or not.

“Like- uh.” JJ starts, his voice strained while he needlessly wipes his mouth again, spreading his legs on the coach and making room for himself and letting his knee touch yours, “Like on what though.” He arches his eyebrow to look at you, not wanting to be presumptuous but wanting nothing more than to help you directly.

JJ would be lying if he said he hadn’t thought about you like that a million times. He wanted you, he just never admitted it out loud because he thought you deserved better. He messed around and acted out while you and John B cleaned up after him, but over the years, he started to notice a distinct difference in his feelings for John B compared to those he had for you. However, he decided long ago he wouldn’t act on any of them unless you did first; he couldn’t risk ruining you because you were just so good.

“On you, Jay, come on, don’t make me feel weird about it.” The whining tone of your voice makes JJ bite his lip, unsure if this is ethical. JB would surely frown upon this, and Kie would probably kill him for corrupting you. But he was having a hard time fighting the urge now as you looked up to him with pleading eyes.

“Well, I don’t wanna take advantage of you or anything, y’know?” He stutters over his words slightly as he fumbles to find anything to say, making you giggle in that way he loves so much. You had never once seen JJ flustered or worried about a girl asking to suck him off and you honestly couldn’t believe it was you who got that honor.

“But I asked you to show me, I want you to teach me.” You beg him, turning your body on the couch to face him fully, placing a hand on his exposed bicep.

And his resolve snapped.

He tossed his half-full beer can aside as he stood, not caring where it landed. His hand took your own hand, gently but assertively pulling you up with him. He held onto you tightly, not wanting to lose you while weaving through the crowd in the Chateau, making his way to the bedroom he had made his. You caught sight of the first kook girl in passing, noticing the way she tried to catch JJ’s eyes, only to be ignored. Her face contorted in surprise and disgust while you laughed softly before JJ was yanking you into his room and locking the door behind you both.

“C’mere,” JJ instructed, waving two fingers towards him. When you turn to him, he’s facing away from you, grabbing a pillow from the top of his bed and tossing it on the floor at his feet. The bed creeks from his weight flopping onto it, manspreading while watching your slightly shocked and confused face, unable to hide his smile. “Come on, y’wanna learn or not?”

Your legs carry you to him, anxiously messing with the hem of your dress now that you can make out the bulge in his shorts. “Are you sure you want to do this?” His voice draws your gaze back to his and you can see the excitement whirling behind his blue eyes dropping you to your knees carefully, leaning into the comfort of his pillow.

“Thanks for the pillow,” You whisper, locking eyes with him from between his legs, “I didn’t know guys did that, I’ve never seen it in the porn I watch.”

“You watch porn?! Oh my god this keeps gettin’ better.” JJ groans with a smile, knocking his head back and letting you watch his adam’s apple bob, “I’ve never done it before, I just didn’t want you to bruise your knees.”

“Good to know I’m special.” You laugh awkwardly, wiggling with excited and nervous energy where you leant before him. He released an airy laugh above you, looking down at you again, his pupils dilated.

“You have no idea,” JJ’s voice was breathless and his words caught in his throat slightly, “Do you wanna get started on our lesson Princess?” JJ asked teasingly, running his fingers down your warm cheek, stopping to lift your head up by your chin. You nodded, shell shocked as you stare up at him unable to force your mouth to form words.

“I need you to tell me,” He whispered, leaning forward slowly until his lips ghost against yours, “If I’m going to finally corrupt you I need you to ask Cupcake.” Your eyes fluttered shut, taking in his scent as your heart rapped against your ribcage.

“I want you Jay….T-to teach me, please.” Your eyes flick open just in time to catch a wicked grin spread across his face before your cheeks were cupped in his warm palms, tugging your lips into his in a heated kiss. Your sighs mingle together, finally exploring what you both silently desired for so long. His tongue danced across your bottom lip asking for entrance as you gasped letting his tongue fight yours, forcing a moan from you that vibrated against his lips. He pulled away slowly, spit connecting you for a second before you’re licking your lips subconsciously. JJ observes your furrowed eyebrows and the redness flooding over your skin as your eyes stay closed in obvious pleasure.

“Still with me Gorgeous?” JJ asks, tapping your cheeks lightly, smiling excitedly as he watches you look up at him. His painfully hard erection rubbed against the zipper of his shorts as he adjusts his hips. Leaning back and resting his weight on his forearms, his crotch looming in front of you, your wide eyes telling him you have no clue how to start this. “Put your hands on my knees,” He instructs, shivering under your touch when you listen immediately, your cool hands resting against his steadily warming skin, “Good girl, now I want you to slowly move them up, like you’re not sure you want to take my pants off yet, tease me y’know?”

Your breath hitches at his praise, and he notices. You whimper as you try and follow his instructions drifting your hands across his broad thighs and letting your fingers tease under the fabric of his shorts, “You like being my good girl don’t you?” He asks, his voice teasing only slightly, his breathy voice making your thighs clench, rubbing them together desperate for friction.

“Yes, I do,” His eyes immediately catch onto the movement of your thighs, biting his lip while he watches you wiggle in front of him. He twitches in his shorts at the thought of you getting off to his pleasure, moaning loudly when he takes your hand in his pressing your palm directly into his bulge. Using his larger hand to move yours to perfectly cup around him and uses your palm moving it against his shaft as he swallows, desperately trying to collect himself.

“K-keep doing that until you’re ready,” He sighs, letting you continue at your own pace, moving his hand up to your hair to fix it, not wanting it to fall into your face as he watched your features for signs of distress, “When you want to unbuckle my belt and-“ He gasps cutting off his sentence when your fingers immediately jump to hastily undo his belt. Your shaking hands struggle for a few awkward seconds before you’re tugging his shorts down his thighs exposing his black boxers. JJ lifts his hips to let you discard his shorts fully, tossing them aside as you stare into his eyes triumphantly, “Good girl.”

Your wide smile as your hands tease their way back up his naked thighs just as he taught you has him reeling, practically shaking with excitement. “You like being praised, don’t you Mama?” He asks, tugging his lip between his teeth when your fingers find his cock again. He tugs your hand upward, moaning when he presses your hand into his tip, stopping your movements entirely until you respond.

“Yes Jay.” You whine, your tone impatient as you wiggle your hand under his, making him release a breathy moan laced with a laugh as he releases your hand, letting it continue it’s excited exploration of him. Your free hand started to sneak it’s way up his body, making him jolt forward as your cold hand found it’s way into his shirt.

“Who do you wanna learn this for?” JJ blurts out, not entirely wanting to hear the answer as he tugs his shirt over his head impatiently. Closing his eyes as your nails dig their way back down his chest, part of him wondering how you knew he’d like that.

“Myself.” JJ feels the smile grow back on his face, relief flooding his body as he opens his eyes, locking onto your wide gaze looking up to him expectantly. You want his instructions, and he wants to draw this out.

“So there’s no one in that precious mind of yours right now?” He asks, letting his eyes fall down your face, gazing at your wet lips before eyeing your cleavage and wiggling hips. Trying to suppress that part of him that wants you to stay here like this forever.

“Well,” You giggle, palming him through his boxers just over his tip, loving the way his head falls back with a moan when you apply more pressure, “Right now I have you on my mind Jay.”

“Fuck, you have no idea what that does to me,” He smiles towards the ceiling, imagining all the times he came in his hand to this exact scenario, “I thought you were too good for me, why’d ya ask me?”

“Some girls at the party were talking about me, calling me your groupie and saying I wouldn’t know what to do with you if you ever gave me the chance, and I really wanted a chance.” You sigh, drifting your hand down his toned abs to tease the elastic of his underwear, letting it snap against his skin as your excited eyes find his again.

“Oh Princess,” he cooed caressing your cheek, “You have always had the chance. You were the first girl I ever imagined doing this for me.” His eyes went wide when he realized what he had said, almost backtracking before you interrupted him to speak.

“Good, because I can’t imagine anyone else teaching me, I trust you, I want it to be you.” You state simply, locking your eyes in his gaze and taking not of the hitch in his breath. In a spurt of confidence you’re tugging his boxers down his thighs, eyeing his thick, throbbing cock as it bounces free, eyes meeting his again in a beg, “Tell me what to do Jay.”

“First give the tip a kiss Baby,” You do as your told, touching your lips against his hot, red tip as it leaks precum onto your lips, “Mmm, fuck now get your tongue nice and wet and lick up the middle, when it feels right slide my tip against your tongue n’suck on it like those Cherry suckers you’re always begin’ me for.”

You laugh, suddenly feeling more and more confident as you watch him come undone above you. “Is that what you want Jay? Or are you goin’ easy on me?”

“If you think you can take me in one go do it Princess, but don’t think I’m pressuring you,” He sighed, watching your tongue wet the side of his pulsing cock, “I want you to go at the pace you’re comfortable with.”

You smile up at him as you separate from him, letting spit coat your tongue before moving to lick up the prominent vein popping out of the other side of his cock. He groans above you, subconsciously moving his hips closer to your mouth in uncontrollable excitement. As your lips caress against his red, leaking tip you slowly let spit drip from your lips onto him, watching as it drips down him and pools in the bit of trimmed hair at his base. His eyes pop from his head when you bring your hand up to spread your saliva over him, pumping your hand slowly and twisting it like you’d seen in videos. You watched his furrowed eyebrows, buying yourself time to work up enough spit in your mouth to take him fully. His lips tug into his teeth as his hips stutter upward into your hand.

“Where did you learn to do that?” JJ gasps, stuttering and twitching in your wet hand.

“Porn.” Your sickly sweet voice has him moaning and tugging at your hair, forcing you’re eyes up to his.

“You’re so fucking perfect.” He states before slamming his lips into yours, moving you back by your hair wrapped around his fist. You gape up at him wide mouthed, your hand speeding up when his eyes bounce between your open, drooling mouth and your blown out eyes as though asking for permission. You nod your head to him, not sure what he wanted to do but okay with it nonetheless. His free hand jumped to your chin, tugging your mouth open wider before leaning down and spitting directly onto your tongue. Rolling your eyes into the back of your head as you moan you shiver in front of him at the feeling of his spit mixing with yours, unknowingly helping you in your previous goal.

JJ chuckles at your reaction, moaning slightly when your hand speeds up again. You savior the feeling of his spit in your mouth for a second, your eyes latching onto his as you smile wickedly. JJ only takes a second’s pause before his eyed widen watching your mouth dip lower, his fingers subconsciously tightening in your hair, moving his other to grip the bed and ground himself. Breath fills your lungs from your nose, prepping yourself before teasing his tip with your tongue for only a second before you slowly slide him into your mouth. His hips jolt forward subconsciously, shuddering breathlessly when your eyes meet his over your lashes again. JJ curses under his breath, watching you take almost every inch of him in one go, sliding your head down his shaft, resting your hand at his base when you can’t fit anymore.

JJ moans loudly when you swallow around him, jerking his hips into you desperately trying to control himself, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” you cut him off quickly, shoving your head as far down as you can go, feeling his tip twitching in the back of your throat as you gag around him. You pop your head up, dragging your tongue against the underside of his shaft, moaning at his taste and sending vibrations through him. You suckle on his tip, preparing yourself as you gasp for breath around him. You start to bob your head up and down him, swirling your tongue as you go dropping low enough to feel his pubes tickle your cheeks, his hands moving to the back of your head to tug your hair into his fingers.

“You’re a natural,” JJ sighs, “Feel like imma cum already Gorgeous, fuck.” Gazing up at him you watch his eyes try and stay open, try to maintain eye contact until they flutter shut when the tip of your tongue grazes his ballsack unintentionally. JJ subconsciously pushes your head down, pulling a moan from you as he groans into his bitten lip, hooded eyes watching you intently now as he tugs you off of him with a pop. His hand stays in your hair, his eyes watching the way your spit dribbles down your chin, mixing with your lipstick and contrasting the black mascara running down you cheeks.

“I want you to try something, but only if you’re comfortable okay?” You nod to him desperately, ignoring the fact that your hair’s probably a mess in his hand, “Flatten out your tongue f’me,” His voice was demanding but soft still, a side of him you had never seen before beginning to come forward, “Yea, good girl just like that,” He says as he watches you stick your tongue out for him, spit dripping down the middle and directly onto is erect cock, “Now lean down and suck on my balls Sweetheart.” Your eyes went wide watching how he bobbed infront of your face. “If you don’t want to that-“

A shiver runs down his spine and directly into his rock hard cock when your warm tongue drags against his heavy sack before you suck one into your mouth, his hand tugs into your hair harder instinctively as he shudders. His shaft twitches against your face, your tongue swirlly against his salty flesh, tugging off him with a pop. You look up to him, makeup dyed spit dripping off your chin and down your chest, “Like that?”

“Yes yes just like that,” He gasps, desperation laced in his tone, immediately making you drop your head back. Sucking his other tight ball into your mouth, swirling your tongue while he shakes you slowly move your hand that was supporting your weight on his knee under your dress, circling your clothed clit with two fingers. Moaning around him as your eyes flutter shut feeling the wet patch seeping through your underwear.

“Open your eyes and look at me,” JJ growls when he catches your hands movement, his hand caress your face gently contrasting his hard tone. Despite wanting to listen your eyes stay shut as you speed up your fingers movement, “Thought you said you liked being a good girl, now listen to me.”

Letting your eyes flicker open you feel your cheeks heating up even more when you catch his gaze. His blue eyes only egg you on further, your fingers speeding up subconsciously while he stares at you with a smile. Breathing through your nose you continue your mouths exploration of him, popping your mouth off of his flesh only to immediately suck his tip into your mouth again. JJ’s hand tugs your hair into a ponytail as you bob your mouth on him, his tip hitting your throat each time making you gag and moan on him. The vibrations of your noises make his hips jolt uncontrollably, his body and dick twitching together as your spit pools on his groin and slips down his thighs.

He releases a loud needy groan when you force your mouth off him, his hand falling from your hair and clutching the blanket below him, mumbling incoherently while trying to ask why you stopped. He whines loudly gasping and gripping the bed so hard his knuckles turn white when you drag your wet tongue from the middle of his ballsack directly to his tip. Moaning when he twitched against your face, sucking him into your mouth while you eye his adam’s apple bobbing. Sensing he was close you stop your fingers with a whine around him, moving in order to move your hands to support yourself on his knees as you suck your cheeks in. You drag your mouth down his shaft and JJ whimpers, shoving his hand into your hair and tugging as he cums down your throat, filling your mouth as you moan.

“Fuck I’m so sorry, I didn’t have time to warn you, do you need’ta spit?” He asks, trying to ignore the tingle running down his spine at the sight of his cum dribbling past your lips.

“It’s okay,” You state simply licking your lips clean, the sweet tone in your voice not changing despite the more than inappropriate circumstances, “Your cum tastes so good Jay, look I swallowed it already.” You stick your tongue out to him, showing what little residue remains as he groans above you again.

“If you need anymore lessons, you can always, and i mean always, come to Papa Jay.” His breathless voice makes you laugh as you hop up to sit next to him on the bed.

“Do you wanna take my virginity too.” The burst of confidence making him cum gave you almost wears off at the look of shock that grows onto JJ’s face.

“Damn Mama, you are so fucking bold tonight, you have no clue how many times I have imagined you asking me that.” He smiles at you, his large ring clad hand gripping your thigh as it sits beside him, “Wanna tell me how long you have been fantasizing about your best friend poppin’ your cherry?”

“Forever.”

“Mmmhmm, that’s what I wanted to hear.” JJ groans, pulling your thighs apart and shoving you backwards letting your dress ride up. He rolls over you, settling over you where you lay on his bed, framing your face with his arms. “I think it’s your turn right now though don’t you?” Shivers run down your spine at his tone, subconsciously trying to rub your thighs together earning a teasing laugh from JJ. You brace yourself on his waste, tugging him closer to you as his lips crash into yours, tongues immediately starting to fight for dominance only for him to win with a groan.

“We should save your first time until there’s not a dozen people right outside the door.” Lowering his voice to a whisper as he lightly digs his hips into you, “And I think we need to have a conversation before we….move forward.” Letting his lips graze your neck as he keeps going he smiles at your gasps of appreciation, “But don’t think I don’t really, really want to right now.”

JJ’s teeth tug at the spaghetti strap string of your dress as he crawls lower down your body, letting it snap back against your skin with a sigh, “You’re so fucking gorgeous, so perfect I can’t even look at you sometimes.” The warm feeling of his tongue against your collar bone has you bucking against him desperately, hissing when his teeth nip at the exposed flesh of your breast.

“I love when you wear this dress,” JJ moans against your skin, his head falling low enough to push his face into your chest for a few seconds, wiggling it around dramatically, making you laugh before be continues his decent, “I don’t wanna take it off.” He groans, biting at your flesh through the fabric.

“Then don’t.” You say breathlessly, smiling down to him as you tangle your fingers into his hair. He smiles back to you, quickly pushing himself down the bed the rest of the way so he was face to face with your exposed thighs. With a quick flick of his wrists he flips the hem of your dress up, exposing your damp matching underwear.

“You matched your underwear to your outfit? That’s so cute.” JJ groans, dipping his head to bite at the flesh of your thigh as his hands slowly work their way up your thighs. He pulls back, watching intently as he slips his fingers past the lace hem of your underwear, tugging them down as you lift your hips to help. You watch him as he tosses your underwear behind him, his eyes meeting yours for a second seeking consent as he shoves your thighs further apart, putting you completely on display for him. JJ licks his lips as he eyes you, moving his hands slowly under and around your thighs resting them on his shoulders before shoving your hips down with his large palms. He groans loudly as he bites into the flesh of your thigh beside him, slowly licking his way to your center and leaving a wet trail behind.

His hands hold your hips down hard as they jolt upward with your moan and laughs into you happily. Eyeing the way your head falls back, your chest rising and fallen he quickly speeds up his tongues pursuit of your clit. Watching you as one hand hangs above your head and the other plays with his hair, JJ can’t think of anything that looks better.

“Oh my god,” You yell, the feeling of his tongue flattening against you, slowly licking back and forth over your clit before quickly sucking it into his mouth. You scream a moan at the sensation, tugging at JJ’s hair aggressively not caring if anyone outside the door can hear your pleasure. “Do that again Jay.” JJ’s lips pop off of you into a smile, his lips glistening with your release before he drops his head back into you. Flicking his tongue aggressively against you as he licks up your slit, groaning at the feeling of your nails against his scalp when he sucks your clit into his mouth again. JJ can feel himself growing hard against the blanket at your taste, your shaking legs egging him on as your release quickly approaches.

The feeling of JJ’s tongue prodding at your entrance as you clench on nothing has the tightening feeling in your abdomen worsening, making you whine and wiggle your hips subconsciously. The grip of JJ’s hands on your hip tightens, his nails digging into your flesh as he grinds himself into the mattress at your excitement. He plunges his tongue into you, collecting your juices on his tongue with a desperate groan, his eyes flickering shut as he moves to flick his tongue against your puffy clit again. JJ pulls back quickly making you whine and tug at his hair, trying to shove him back into you and forcing a wicked laugh from him as he spits directly onto you and dives back in. You shudder when he starts to lap against you wildly, your hips jolting and your back arching, your hands tugs on his hair harder as you cum, the almost painful band in your abdomen breaking in a euphoric release. Moaning so loudly you know for sure anyone close enough to the door could hear but you didn’t care as you came undone on your best friend’s tongue, breath shaking as your body twitches.

JJ’s tongue slows, pushing himself up to get a better look at your post orgasm face, your eyes unfocused and your mouth open in gasping breaths. He slowly crawls up your body, smiling in your face and you smile back at him the best your can, he groans at the sight of your sweaty cheeks, your hair sticking to your forehead as he smash his lips into you. The taste of yourself lingers on his tongue as you both moan into each other.

——————

I might wanna do a part 2 of this for their first time, would anyone be interested in that?

PART TWO: Another Lesson?

[aliesbienish]

A study of wolves

Paul Lahote x Reader

Part two (part one here)

“It’s lovely to meet you all, and thank you for being so welcoming.”

Paul’s mind was racing a hundred miles a minute. Here you were, the supposed perfect woman for him. And he never had wanted this. He had deemed imprinting as an anchor. Another knock to his freedom. Yet even the idea of walking away seemed to make him physically sick.

Paul caught Sam’s questioning gaze and gave a quick shake of his head. He may not be able to walk away but her certainly wasn’t ready to bare his soul to this virtual stranger, however her smile made him feel.

“So [y/n], what’s first for the study,” Emily questioned, breaking the silence that had fallen over the group.

“The wolf population in the area isn’t well documented, so first thing will be exploring the area and trying to find signs of their territory. From there I can set up motion activated cameras to try to work population and observe behaviours,”

“Oh, we weren’t aware of cameras, how exactly do the work?” Sam almost sounded a little nervous.

“I’ll set them up facing areas that look like frequented wolf paths. They’ll then capture photos and videos whenever they detect significant motion, including during the evening. Obviously they’ll be a lot of other animals or even false shots due to the wind but hopefully we’ll see some gray wolves.”

“Will you let us know where they’ll be set up so we don’t disturb them?”

“Don’t stress too much, they’ll likely be far away from the village so I doubt you’ll come into contact with them. But I can definitely let you know the coordinates, and I’m sure one of you guys will be with me when I set them up otherwise I’ll never find my way back.”

“Coordinates would be great. You mentioned starting heading out of Monday, is that still the case?” Emily questioned.

“Absolutely. Sam agreed to be my guide for the day so all going well no rescue team will be needed,”

“Actually [y/n] I completely forgot that I have other work to do Monday, but Paul here has agreed to be your guide. Isn’t that right Paul?”

You looked up to the man beside you and caught him shaking his head at Sam. Noticing you caught him it was quickly changed to a nod paired with a guilty smile.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Monday came around quickly. Your first two days were spent unpacking your relatively few belongings and exploring the small reservation town. You’d need to head into the nearby town of Forks soon to stock on groceries as the shop on the reservation only held the basics. But for the mean time sandwiches and toast would at least keep you going.

This morning you were woken by your alarm just before sunrise. The air was fresh and getting out of bed was a mental battle, but you couldn’t help feel excited. Today was officially the first day of your adult life. What you had been working on throughout college, even throughout school.

Your backpack was packed full with equipment and layers of clothes. Enough fore mentioned sandwiches for both yourself and Paul were also stuffed in. Maps were also tucked in just in case your phone, and the two battery packs you were also bringing, didn’t hold out. Turns out you had an inner Girl Scout after all.

Your phone ticked over to 7:30am just as there was a rap on the cabin door. Opening it revealed Paul. The man was impressively pulling off the cargo pants and green polo combo; the official but sparingly used uniform of the Quilliete Tribe. Blinking back into focus, the smirk on Paul’s face was a clear indicator that you had been caught.

“Morning,” he laughed. “Here” he thrusted a coffee into your hand. You almost hugged him in appreciation, before remembering the man is practically a stranger. The cabin had been only equipped with the basics, no kettle or coffee machine in sight, another necessity to find in Forks or even further afield.

“My hero! Where did you even get this?” You sighed appreciatively.

“Sue’s cafe. One and only on the Res. It’s hidden behind the school and not on maps so I’m not surprised you haven’t found it yet,”

“Damn, can’t believe I missed it on my walk yesterday, went right passed the school and everything. I thought I was a blood hound when it comes to coffee, how disappointing”

“Calm down Lassie, im sure you were just having an off day. Ready to get this show on the road?”

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Paul’s truck was a comfortable ride as you headed out of town. You debated taking your car but after it’s cross country marathon you’d declared that it needed a little rest. That and you’d wanted to get used to the gravel roads before you chauffeured around attractive men on them. Plus then you wouldn’t a) get the pleasure of teasing Paul on his lack of manners when you paid for petrol on your work card later and b) see how his muscles flex every time he shifted gear. If the wolves fell through you’d happily spend six months studying the path of his tendons across his biceps.

Your first site wasn’t too far from La Push. An area of cliffs along the ocean was the last known sighting of a gray wolf in the area so it seemed like a good place to start your survey. You didn’t expect to cover too much ground, especially as you got the hang of it. Instead you wanted to be meticulous, examine the ground for wolf tracks, excrement and remains of prey.

You were going over the mental list of what to be on the look out for when the car pulled to a halt.

“Alright boss lady we’re here. You ready for this?”

“Absolutely.”

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Next chapter

Am I getting a little caught up in the idea of doing an ecological study like this…absolutely. So I had no real intention going in about making a long multi chapter story but that feels like where this is head. Is that something people are interested in, or do you prefer short and sweet??

[deadpcnned]

Sealed by the Storm (jj.m)

chapter one

pairing: jj maybank x reader; marriage of convenience

content warning(s): none, just angst

author's note: first chapter! i didn't expect it all to be in jj's pov lol. PLEASE read the author's note here, but i want to reiterate that this fic is canon-compliant up until season 4, ep. 5. for example, in this chapter we learn there are still a few days before the court hearing regarding the maybank property. this story will not be canon-compliant from this chapter onwards!

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JJ can feel the air in his lungs running out, and the pressure from the wind and rain around him only speeds up the process. He’ll have to stop running soon; his endurance can only last so long, but until then, he needs to run. Run away from the lighthouse that Luke is maybe still shouting from. Run away from the lies. Run away from his remaining hope for the man who raised him — if you can call it that. 

JJ’s on autopilot, not having to think about where he’ll go. He’s always known where his feet take him in these moments of desperation. The place has changed, ironically from the Chateau to the place he used to run from, but the reason has stayed the same. The people have stayed the same. Still, he can’t think straight. The pinching feeling in his chest is growing, and he knows what’s next. The pinch will get tighter until it feels like his weight has collapsed on itself, landing right on his weak heart. Usually, the pressure builds quickly. Right now, though, it’s a slow build. Those are always the worst. Sometimes, when the build is slow and sneaky, the pain doesn’t go away until the next day. 

He can’t let it stop him right now, though. Not until he’s back at the shop with the other Pogues. It’s probably not much longer before he’ll reach the boat that will take him where he wants to be, needs to be. It doesn’t ease the pressure in his chest, but it clears his mind a bit. It lets him think just a little longer about what’s next. He’ll drive it as quickly as he can and head straight to the Pogues, then tell them what happened. They’ll help him. He knows they will. 

As he steps onto the boat and starts to undock, the rain still falling steadily, he thinks of what the Pogues are probably doing right now. Wait. No, no, no. 

They’re not home, not all of them, at least. The Pogues had gone to follow the clues left behind regarding Blackbeard’s treasure, but Kiara was home. She was there alone, waiting just for him, to make sure he didn’t get in any trouble he couldn’t get out of. That should’ve been enough. Knowing Kiara would be there should’ve made his path clearer, like the break of dawn in the dark, rainy night surrounding him. Yet, it is as if his hands move without permission, turning him away from his intended path. JJ turns the boat around, buying himself time before he eventually makes it back to the surf shop. For now, he just needed to think. The solitude would do him some good, let him think about the lies Luke had just tried to sell him. JJ could handle this.

He hadn’t expected to return the next day, but whenever JJ thought he was closer to driving the boat home, he’d start to reel again. He didn’t want to go back to the Pogues at the height of his emotional turmoil, especially when what Luke said was no doubt bullshit. His friends don’t have parents who are in the running for some Parent of the Year award — well, maybe Pope— but they also don’t have Luke Maybank as a parent. Their parents could be murderers and treasure hunt junkies, but they loved their children. The worst of them still took his last breaths for his daughter. Forget loving him; Luke’s only thoughts regarding JJ were about how he could get his next crash gab. He was willing to give away his title as JJ’s dad at the first opportunity of something better. It’s embarrassing– humiliating to let them see just how unloved he is by his father. 

“JJ, where have you been?” JJ’s eyes meet Kiara’s as she stands up from where she is crouching in her garden. JJ looks away, training his gaze on the crops surrounding them. He can still remember how excited Kie was when she started the garden. She had spent an entire smoke sesh sprouting predictions about how far each crop would come within a three-year timeline. Now, he doesn’t even know if she’d be able to see the results of her hard work or if some Kooks would bulldoze the whole thing in a few weeks. JJ cringes, looking back to Kie. It’s easier to look at her than their withering dreams. 

“Long story,” He mumbles. “Where are the others?” 

“Almost here, why? What happened?” JJ suppresses his groan at her questioning. He knew his lies never got past her, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t still try. 

“Nothing, Kie,” His insistence is met with a deadpan look. 

“Don’t lie to me.”

“It…” JJ runs his hand through his hair, jaw clenching. This is the part of the conversation he was dreading most, admitting that Luke was back and he never even told him. Somehow, the fact that Luke didn’t find it worth telling JJ he was back on the island was worse than the lies he had spun. “Doesn’t matter. It’s just my dad.” Dad. 

“Oh shit. He’s back?”

“Yep,” JJ does his best to hide how badly this affects him. Whether it’s believable or not, he doesn’t know. “He’s been holding up at Barracuda Mike’s, I guess.”

“JJ…” 

“Don’t,” JJ says, putting a hand up. “I don’t wanna talk about it.” 

JJ lets the silence stretch between them, debating his next words. How can he say this without sounding like he’s gone too far off the rails this time?

“He…uh…” Kie moves closer, watching her step as she approaches JJ.

“Yeah?”

“He… told me he wasn’t my real dad,” Kiara looks at JJ for a second, which feels much too long before she smirks at him.

“You wish,” It does feel like a cruel joke, but even if it’s a lie, Luke wasn’t trying to be humorous. 

“Kie, it wasn’t a joke. Like, he was being…I don’t know what he was being, but,” JJ trails off, reaching into his pocket. He pulls out the crumpled letter he has been turning over in his hands every couple of hours since he received it. 

“I got this,” JJ mumbles, waving the letter in his trembling hands. Unfolding the letter haphazardly, JJ extends it for Kiara to take. Kiara wipes her hands against her shorts again before taking the letter.

The sound of grass crunching underfoot pulls both their gazes toward an approaching figure. You step into view, your expression calm but with the slightest arch of a brow. You hold an apple in one hand, idly passing it to the other.

“What’s that?” You ask, your gaze trained on the letter Kie has yet to read. JJ reaches out and snatches the letter back from Kie’s hands, stuffing it in his pocket again.

“Nothin’,” JJ replies, his tone clipped. Your gaze lingers on JJ’s pocket as you take a bite of your apple. In response, you simply hum and let your gaze trail back to JJ’s. Looking between the two girls,  JJ searches for a way to avoid any more discussion. “You two didn’t go with the others?” He directs the question to Kiara even though he knows she stayed behind.

“Kie said she was gonna wait for you, so I decided to stay back with her. In case she needed backup,” You shrug. 

“Backup for sitting in a garden?” 

“Backup for whatever trouble you’d inevitably bring back. Guess I called that one.” You nod your head at JJ’s pocket, your tone sharp but not necessarily unkind. Still, it’s a sharp contrast to the usual warmth you show the others. JJ feels that familiar itch of irritation crawl up his spine, igniting something raw within him. It always seems to happen when you are around him lately, like you merely exist to remind him of every single one of his shortcomings. 

 “You figure out whatever was more important than helping us?” you add. 

Two years ago, JJ couldn’t have imagined he’d feel this way about you. This tension hadn’t always existed between the two of you, not until a few months ago. You had been with Cleo and their ship captain, Terrance since you were 14, which meant that you’d been with Cleo when helping John B and Sarah try to retrieve the Royal Merchant gold in the Bahamas. When it came time to decide if their alliance would shift to something more, you’d turned to Cleo for guidance. It was Cleo who decided that you two would join the Pogues from that point onwards.  

When you and Cleo had first joined them on Poguelandia, it had been a wonder how effortlessly you fit in with their unconventional family. You and JJ may not have had the same heartfelt bond that was cultivated over years of knowing one another, but you and he had shared many laughs, just the two of you. Those laughs didn’t feel like they meant much at the time, but he would find himself clinging to those memories like a lifeline– a reminder that you didn’t always look at him with such disfavor. 

JJ always thought you were funny in a way that went under the radar – a quiet, cutting kind of humor. You’d let out a sarcastic comment under your breath or give a look that had impeccable comedic timing. JJ was often the only person to catch these little moments, and in return, he’d get a small smirk. You were still funny, still fun, but it was like any time JJ was near you, you lost the ability to pretend you didn’t hate him. Your smile would disappear when he’d try to make a joke or suggest an activity for the group to do, albeit those suggestions were usually a little reckless.  He understood that he wasn’t anyone’s favorite person right now, but he didn’t understand why it seemed like you had a personal grudge against him. Now, every look you give him feels like judgment he can’t escape, and every word seems calculated to remind him of how much he’s messed up. Can’t a man make a few mistakes without being chased with metaphorical pitchforks? Jesus. 

Since Terrance’s death, you had been reeling. Your version of reeling, at least. Turning in on yourself, withdrawing from everyone else. You had seemed like a shell of the person he had come to know. At this moment, you seem to be doing better, and JJ is relieved to see it. It didn’t matter what was happening between them; if a Pogue was in pain, JJ felt it. But he isn’t relieved enough to be glad he is at the receiving end of the anger that had started to become far too familiar. 

“Yeah,” JJ rolled his eyes, turning away from you. “Something like that.” If you were going to say something, you never got the chance because just then, the Pogues are pulling in with the Twinkie. JJ looks towards Kiara, widening his eyes as if to say ‘Keep this a secret, please?” Kiara furrows her brows, clearly not receiving the message, and looks to you to see if you understand. JJ groans and looks back at you. Seeming to get the message, you snort and roll your eyes.

“Relax. I’m going,” You say before walking towards the other Pogues as they get out of the Twinkie. 

“Can we, uh…not tell them,” JJ sighs, looking back to see if the Pogues would be able to hear him from where they are gathered. “I mean, I just don’t want them to know how far Luke would actually go. You know, to get some cash.” Kiara nods, giving him a small smile.

“Another one of our little secrets?” JJ smirks, nodding in agreement. He takes one more glance behind him before stepping closer to whisper his next words.

“A secret for the streets and a secret for the sheets,” JJ winks, causing Kiara to groan at the cliche and JJ to burst out laughing. Suddenly, a blur of blonde hair speeds past JJ and Kiara, knocking JJ’s shoulder as it goes.

“What’s wrong with Sarah?” JJ asks, turning to find Pope walking closer to him.

“Rat swarm,” Pope says, a dazed look in his eyes as he follows Sarah inside. 

Rat swarm?

“The weirdest part is other people were looking for the same thing we were looking for,” Pope’s movements are animated and his voice passionate as he recalls what he and Sarah saw in the catacomb. JJ’s trying his best to push the past twenty-four hours out of his thoughts and focus on his friends, but he keeps catching himself thinking, ‘What next?’ on a never-ending loop. 

“I hate that I missed that,” He hears Kie say, but he’s not sure what she’s referring to exactly. His absentmindedness is why he takes a minute too long to respond when John B directs a question to him. 

“Where’d you ghost off to, big guy?” John B asks, his expression a mix between expectant and worried. JJ stands up from where he’s slumped against the railing, turning to look at Kiara to make sure she’s not about to give anything away. But as he turns to look at Kie, he catches you staring at him. You’ve been looking at him oddly for the past twenty minutes that you’ve all been gathered on the patio, but he figured you were just at your wit's ends with him again. Now, your expression is suddenly intensified, and you look at him like you know something. But that’s impossible. 

Looking at you, he replies, “Oh, I was, uh… just trying to help out the team. Quick cash grab. Yeah.” His voice seems a bit lost as he explains, but he shrugs and clears his throat. “But the plan fell through ‘cause it was Barracuda Mike.” 

“As much as I’d hate to hear JJ tell us that story,” He hears you cut in, not a trace of your previous insight left for anyone to see. “We need to talk about the zoning hearing. It’s in a few days.” Was your frustration real, or were you covering for him?

“Anyone got any ideas?” Cleo asks, walking to sit next to Pope. 

“Oh, yeah, let me just study up on real estate–” Pope’s quip is silenced by a single look shot at him by Cleo. “Sorry.” 

JJ hears you chuckle at that, and he smiles as he looks at you. You’re generous with your laughs as long as JJ isn’t involved, but they’re always genuine when you’re watching Cleo and Pope interact. He remembers you once told him something was healing about watching Cleo and Pope together, but he’d never gotten the chance to ask you what that meant. 

“How about we call people,” John B suggests, ever the leader. “The whole island’s pissed about what they’ve been doing. We get everybody over there, pack the house, and rally the troops.” 

“More the merrier,” JJ nods. “I could get the surf squad out there. From the beach.” 

And just like that, the Pogues are all brainstorming how they can help and who they can call. JJ hears Kiara mention something about Rafe Cameron, but he still feels a swell of hope as he thinks about all the Pogues on the island showing up to fight for the shop. He’s mistrusting of hope because of what it inevitably leads to, but he always falls for it. That low thrum seems to course through his veins and grows with each passing moment. That feeling is like the antithesis of when he feels his heart pinch. It’s better than any drugs or alcohol that he usually uses as a mask for his darkest thoughts. It also has a worse crash down to reality than both combined. 

Unfortunately, it seems he won’t be experiencing the full high of hope because as the group disperses to handle their individual tasks, the last person he’d expect to willingly talk to him is standing in front of him.

“Um, yes?” JJ tilts his head at you, who’s bouncing slightly on your feet. That’s odd. You're a very collected person, more in control of your emotions than the average person. You’re so much like Cleo in that way which makes sense considering the upbringing you’ve had. So, to see you in obvious distress about something is far from normal. “You okay?”

“Yeah…” You nod, but as JJ makes a move to sidestep you, you step backward, blocking his exit. “JJ, I made a mistake.” Okay… but why are you coming to him?

“What happened?” You lift your hand, which he didn’t notice you were holding behind your back until now, and reveal a crumpled piece of paper. A very familiar crumpled piece of paper. JJ’s hand flies to his left pocket where he thought Wes Genrette’s letter was safely tucked away. 

“How…?” 

“Are you really asking me that?” Your eyebrow arches because everyone knows you’re neck and neck with Cleo for best pickpocket. It’s almost funny, but really it’s not. JJ clenches his jaw, snatching the letter from you. He needs to leave. 

“JJ, wait,” You block his exit again, and JJ huffs, taking multiple steps away from you. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was personal.”

“You didn’t know a letter I clearly did not want you to read was personal? Really?” JJ’s just grateful that no one else is at the shop right now, and he can be as pissed as he wants. “How dare you take this from me?”

“I had to make sure.” JJ doesn’t have to ask you what you mean by that. You had to make sure it wasn’t something else he’d drop on all of your heads when they were already so far under the water. 

“Huh,” JJ gives a mirthless chuckle, shaking his head. “You had to make sure I didn’t fuck up.” You look away, but you don’t attempt to convince him otherwise. You take a moment before straightening your posture and facing him head-on. 

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have read it, and I should’ve trusted you enough to know what was worth sharing and what wasn’t.” He knows you mean it, that you truly are sorry. 

“Whatever,” JJ never claimed to be a mature guy. 

“Okay…” 

“Alright.” JJ waits a minute, and when he hopes the conversation is finally over, he starts to leave. But what’d he say about hope? You inevitably crash down.

“For what it’s worth,” JJ sighs, looking over his shoulder at you. “I think you should talk to him.” When JJ doesn’t respond, you clarify, “To Groff.”

JJ turns towards you, a chill running down his spine. “You do?” JJ’s compass for good ideas is in dire need of calibration, but even he feels that is obviously not a good idea.

“Yeah. You deserve to know if he’s your… or if Genrette was off base.” 

“I think we both know that he’s way off base.” JJ’s arms cross with an air of nonchalance that doesn’t suit him. “Why bother asking?” 

You purse your lips in thought like you’re debating whether to say what she’s thinking. He’s not sure what you decide because all you say before patting him on the shoulder and leaving is:

“Maybe. But whatever you decide, don’t do it alone.”

[alexanderlightweight]

I know I sent another ask in earlier but if you would like to write more I would love some soft Malec. Just something where they’re in love and soft to each other (from their perspective at least lol) nsfw/sfw either works! Whatever strikes your fancy! ❤️

here is something with them very soft teasing and falling in love and realizing that the weight of the world is easier to bear around each other even just in small ways

i hope you enjoy

<3 lumine

the precipice of duty

Alec stretches and feels not the weight of exhaustion but the weight of another body. Of Magnus, stretched out and solid and warm and Alec burrows closer. Lets sleep cling to him rather than shaking it off to go and train and work, instead letting himself relax and enjoy.

If Magnus isn't awake yet, then there's still time and so Alec luxuriates in an embrace he never thought he’d be allowed. By the will of others or the fact that he didn’t feel safe being this selfish. 

Because laying here in Magnus' arms rather than dealing with the Institute is the most selfish thing Alec’s done.

It also feels like the best thing he’s ever done.

For once, Alec’s made a choice that isn’t tearing him up from the inside out and he settles closer and breathes Magnus in.

Time drifts and Alec dreams — not of anything special beyond more moments just like this one — and slowly he falls back asleep.

—-

Magnus wakes with drool on his neck and legs tangled so closely with his own that trying to stretch drags Alexander closer against him. It’s a beautiful way to wake up after the constant rejections Magnus was getting.

Though considering how strongly his boy is clinging to him, Magnus doubts they’ll have too many repeats of Alexander canceling on him. Not with how content he’s been since they portalled away from his Institute.

Alexander grumbles against his skin and when Magnus starts to move — because his closet is calling him — bites him.  It’s not hard, but it is clearly a punishment for trying to leave.

“Really sweetheart, you couldn’t just use your words?” 

Magnus is teasing and it’s clear that Alexander knows it — from the way he’s sleepily glaring at Magnus. 

And then he bites again.

Harder, nearly enough to leave a mark and Magnus wishes he’d be a bit more daring.

Alas, Alexander’s teeth leave his skin and his boy looks so pleased that Magnus doesn’t have the heart to tell him ‘try harder’ just yet.

Next time he’ll ensure Alexander bites hard enough to leave a mark, but for now he has a sleep-dazed shadowhunter in his bed.

Which would normally be temptation incarnate but Magnus has a limited amount of time before Alexander will need to head back, ward around the Institute or not.

“I’m going to give you two potions to take and two choices for a destination, how does that sound?”

Alexander looks anything but pleased, but it’s not the potions that bother him as he’s already sitting up and reaching out for the vials Magnus has summoned.

“Tell me the destinations and if it doesn’t make a difference to me, then you’re picking.”

That’s more than reasonable and Magnus summons a mug of coffee that he offers after Alexander has downed both a nutrient and an energy potion. 

“Get the taste out of your mouth with that and tell me if you want something busy or something quiet.”

The look that earns him is accompanied by a snort that makes it clear Alexander isn’t going to deign giving Magnus an answer. 

Which means a wicked thought teases Magnus' brain and he smirks at Alexander before letting his voice go earnest and delighted, “something busy and crowded and incredibly popular it is.”

“Magnus—” Alexander is looking at him with betrayal, eyes wide and reproachful over his coffee, “somewhere quiet instead, please.”

“Forgive me, Alexander. You’re too delightful when you sulk.” 

The distrusting look his comment earns only makes him laugh harder, because even as he pouts, Alexander is leaning his weight onto Magnus and standing closer and closer. 

As if personal space no longer exists between them but is shared.

[sometimesoliloquy]

hey it’s the “see you later” anon back again to say 1 more thing. june also says i don’t know you i don’t know anything about you and nick responds “my name is nick blaine and i’m from michigan” i think we’re aware that june learns something in season 6 about nick and spirals from that (or we’re assuming that’s what happens?) and i think it comes back to that moment in season 1. who is nick? and is who he says he is/who june knows him to be enough?

Hello again!

Yes, I agree it does seem like we are in for an immanent “who is Nick” reckoning. The show likes to do this periodically: the s1 “I don’t know anything about you” scene eventually playing into/escalating to the infamous s3 Swiss meeting: “I don’t think you know who Mr. Blaine is, or was. Our research indicates he’s not to be trusted”—Side note: I watched Casablanca last night and it’s well-documented that the name “Nick Blaine” (the writers choosing the last name of Blaine for the show that is, "Nick" is canon from the book of course), is a nod to the “Rick Blaine” of that movie but I never realized just how heavy the parallels are, including repeated references to a “shady”, mysterious past and a consistent thread of just how little the two love interests really know about each others’ lives (largely by design). Anyway I thought this was really interesting, I may do a longer post on it later, idk.

Anyway, I do think that Nick must have opened up to June a lot more after that s1 scene but clearly there’s still a lot of details she doesn’t know, either by design or just the fact of how little time they have together. And unfortunately the full question of why Mr. Blaine was “not to be trusted” has never been satisfactorily answered. The “resolution” we were given, insofar as June’s feelings anyway, seems to be that she decided it didn’t matter. That she chose to trust what she knew of him, based on his words and actions and her gut, rather than what she’s been told by strangers (and Serena). And she knows shit is complicated in Gilead, she certainly knows he’s no angel (as she says to Esther in s4: “Gilead makes it really hard to be good”).

Whatever it is June learns in the upcoming episode that causes her to spiral, or to doubt him, I think it will ultimately echo this same pattern, though in a bigger way and ultimately with a more distinct resolution. Whatever she learns about his past or present (if that is indeed the “shocking revelation”), I think she’ll eventually come back to the conclusion that the core of what she knows of Nick is true—that he’s a good man (who loves her) even if it is very complicated.

I do have to think that this time they’ll have to talk about it and have a real reckoning though. They didn’t exactly have that chance in s3/4 but they need to now. And I don’t think June would ever just toss Nick aside for good without letting him explain himself. I think if they are to really be together, to ever truly have a relationship grounded in the “real world”, with a potential future—not just the cumulative amalgamation of fleeting, stolen moments they’ve had so far, where the details and the past were shoved aside by necessity—they need to finally have it out, let it all come to a head and decide where they stand: what can and can’t be forgiven, and what’s most important to them. (@withallthingslove wrote about this really thoughtfully a few weeks back when the press kit came out, I think it's here in this this post). 

June has recently been having these crucial moments of clearing the the air with her loved ones, finally saying things that long needed to be said —first with Luke, then Moira, so maybe the biggest one yet is now on the horizon, with Nick. And we will see where they land.

[kingkatsuki]

He just wants to be good enough for you always🥺

Warnings: fluff, reader has a mum and dad.

Pairing: Bakugou Katsuki x f!reader.

Word Count: 1.1k.

You know how he feels.

It was the same feeling that bubbled inside your tummy when you were meeting his parents for the first time. Feeling silly for being so nervous the minute you stepped through the door as you were welcomed into a fierce hug by Mitsuki. A large photo album strewn over both your laps as Masaru offered you some homemade dorayaki.

“It ain’t the same thing,” He scoffs, staring at his reflection in the mirror as he pulls his tie out of its loop to start all over.

“How is it not the same?” You laugh from your position at your vanity, stroking your clear gloss against your lips as you watch him struggle with his tie again.

“They need to know that I can take care of ya,” He pushes, cursing under his breath when he looped the tie.

There’s something that convinces him that he’ll somehow never be good enough for you. The self-doubt and insecurity that’s plagued him since childhood rears its ugly head for situations like these— situations that have your usually strong and confident boyfriend reduced to that same terrified little boy.

“They know you take care of me, baby.” You turn in your chair to face him.

“I ain’t even number one yet, and they need to believe I’m good enough to look after their little girl?” He drops his tie in exasperation as it sits around his neck.

Standing up from your position at his vanity as you make your way over to him. Cupping his hands in your smaller ones as you lace your fingers together at your sides. Squeezing reassuringly as you practically feel his heart pounding against his ribcage, brows furrowed as you smile up at him.

“They won’t care about any of that, Katsuki.” You coo, feeling how sweaty his palms have become from preparing to meet your parents, “All they’ll care about is that you’re treating me well, and that you’re a good man.”

“A good man that leaves you for weeks at a time.” He scoffs.

It’s always a sore spot in your relationship when Bakugou has to leave for work. The best missions always seem to be the ones that take him further away from home than either of you would like. The biggest boosts to his hero ranking always seem to mean the longer trips, phone calls and FaceTimes at unsociable hours the things that keep you both close. But he always keeps his promise to return back to you safely, little gifts from the destination that reminded you of him.

“You do what you have to do, and I understand so they will too.” You reach your hands up to his forgotten tie. Slowly wrapping the fabric around to begin to loop it, pulling it through as he keeps his crimson gaze on you, “There’s no one else for me, Katsuki. Never will be.”

Bakugou would steal the sun in the sky for you if he could, submerge the entire world into darkness if it meant that only you could see it’s glow. There isn’t a single thing he wouldn’t do for you, and if only everyone could see that. The scrutinising tabloid articles and online posts still attack his character, wondering how a man as bold and brash as Dynamight could ever love anyone. But he proves it to you daily, through his words and actions.

You’d found a good one in Bakugou Katsuki, the perfect man. And you’d spend every day fighting his corner if you had to.

“Do you think I should bring that award I got last week? I think it might show your parents that—”

“Katsuki,” You cut off his rambling, shaking your head, “They don’t need to see that to know you’re successful. And I’m pretty sure my mum’s shown an article about that to all of her friends already.”

“I just want them to know that I can look all after ya,” He continues, “Even though my last mission ran over.”

A three week mission had turned into six after Bakugou had discovered the villain he had been tracking down was at the centre of a huge drug ring, the extra three weeks had meant taking down the entire operation but it had meant leaving you alone for Christmas— when he was first supposed to meet them.

“They understood, Kats.”

“I think your ma was pissed.” He scoffs.

“Not as pissed as yours,” You laughed, “She spent the entire evening complaining about it when I dropped off our gifts for them.”

“That old hag,” He shook his head, “She still goes on about that, you know. Doesn’t matter that I jumped up fifty points because of it.”

“No matter what happens— I love you, so they will too.” You smooth your palm along his chest to lay his neatly tied tie down flat against his dress shirt. His hand reaching up to try and tug at the uncomfortable collar as you grin up at him. Standing up on tiptoes to steal a kiss before wiping your gloss from his lips with your thumb, an action that’s halted by him licking his lips to taste the sticky sweetness as he pulls his head back.

“You’re such a dork.” You laugh, shaking your head as you turn around to check your face in the full length mirror.

“Yeah, but I’m your dork.” He hums, wrapping his arms around your waist as he settles his chin against your shoulder.

“Yeah, you are.” You smile, resting your hands on his arms as he sways you side to side, “But I hope you’re ready for my mum to grill you about when we’re having kids.”

“Our ma’s together are gonna be a fuckin’ nightmare.” Bakugou groans, hiding his eyes in the curve of your neck as you start laughing.

“I’d expect nothing less for our relationship.” You smiled, “I’m still recovering from your proposal.”

“Oi,” Bakugou’s arms tightened around your waist, “It ain’t my fault that villain ruined the perfect fuckin’ proposal.”

[akookminsupporter]

ARE YOU SURE?!: MY THOUGHTS ON THE EIGHTH EPISODE AND THE SHOW IN GENERAL

I know I might be sounding a bit repetitive, but I seriously can’t believe AYS is over. When it was announced and we saw it would last for weeks, it felt like such a crazy long time, but now it seems way too short. It’s just not fair! I want more!

The last episode was the perfect depiction of that final day of your holiday—one you don’t want to end for a million reasons. For Jimin and Jungkook, that last day was their last ‘Freedom Day’ (dramatic, I know!), so it makes sense that it felt a bit melancholic.

I have no doubt that Jimin and Jungkook are just like they were in AYS in their private lives. Even with cameras around, they felt more natural, more themselves. AYS didn’t feel like a show made for us; it felt like they were entertaining themselves and just decided to share it with us.

I loved the last episode because, as I’ve said non-stop these past weeks, I adore how relaxed it was. The slow pace of everything they did, the lovely domesticity—it’s honestly the main reason I love AYS so much. In this last episode, they seemed more laid-back, and Jimin appeared a bit more melancholic, which is totally understandable. I loved that they got to watch the first episode of the show and laughed as much as we did watching them have fun together.

They really tried all sorts of food on the show, and honestly, I hope they paid for it all with the agency's card, haha!

Jimin and Jungkook are incredibly similar in so many ways, yet also different—they’re uniquely the same if that makes sense. They get each other’s jokes, meme references, video clips, and songs. They understand each other's looks and unspoken words; it’s amazing to see. AYS showed us why they never get bored of each other and why they often say they spend hours talking. While others take a break or rest, they’re off playing, chatting, and laughing together. That’s why AYS didn’t feel forced or like just another job for them. It explains why they obviously enjoyed making the show and why they decided to keep filming after they wrapped in the US, even though that wasn’t the original plan. It also explains their comments about wanting to do something similar in the future—12 more seasons, according to Jungkook!

AYS didn’t confirm that they’re a couple or that they’ve been married for 40 years with 30 kids, but it definitely reaffirmed just how close Jimin and Jungkook are. It showcased how different their dynamic is compared to their relationships with other members, especially when Tae was around. If there’s one thing that should be clear after this, it’s that. The fact that they chose to enlist together should be the biggest confirmation of all, but I know for many, that’s still not enough.

AYS was perfect in every sense, from start to finish. I would’ve loved for them to talk a bit more about their decision to enlist together and even about making the show, but then again, it’s Jimin and Jungkook, and there are things they’ll never discuss. It’s frustrating, understandable, and a bit funny all at once.

I’m really going to miss waiting every Thursday for a new episode. I’m going to miss seeing all the different reactions to the same clips on my timeline. I’ll miss the comments on everything new they did and the joy of discovering another layer of Jimin and Jungkook’s relationship. But most of all, I’m going to miss Jimin and Jungkook. I reckon unless they’ve got more things planned, we won’t see them until June 2025. Sure, there are the behind-the-scenes bits and the concert DVD from Seoul, but…

The last clip we saw in the episode, the day they enlisted in the army, was a bit of a shock, and I felt it was a bit cruel of the editors to do that, haha! But at the same time, it was a realistic way to end the show because that was the conclusion of it all, right? The final destination for Jimin and Jungkook. The lovely thing is, they made that journey together, and even after that ending, they’re still together.

I can’t wait to see Jimin and Jungkook in 2025. I’m so curious to see how their dynamic changes after military service. I feel like if they were unbearable together before, they’ll be even more so after!

All I can say is thank you. Thank you, Jimin and Jungkook, for such a beautiful gift. AYS confirmed that seeing you happy makes me happy, and while that just highlights the parasocial relationship I have with you, I also know I’m in this for life.

I can’t wait for 2025!

Note: Here's my list of favourite episodes with links to the posts with each reaction and conclusion:

Second Episode

Sixth Episode

First Episode

Eighth Episode

Fourth Episode

Seventh Episode

Fifth Episode

Third Episode

[lemotmo]

To be honest, I think Bobby will return in episode 8.18, or they’ll give a hint that he’s alive—maybe being held captive—and the season will end there. That would leave us anxious during the hiatus. Season 9 could start with Bobby being rescued from captivity, making his rescue the big emergency at the beginning of the season.

If Bobby is dead, I’m almost certain they’ll bring in a big-name actor to attract attention from the general audience and the fandom. Not to replace Bobby or to be a love interest for Athena, but just to add to the cast—maybe an old friend of Athena’s and Hen’s.

The fandom is angry and wants the show canceled. Still, I think even if Bobby is dead, we’ll have at least three more seasons without issue. Many general audience viewers will continue watching because of Athena’s and Jennifer’s storylines. Just look at Grey’s Anatomy and other ABC shows—sometimes the live ratings aren’t great, but they perform well on streaming.

I doubt Angela would want to leave, especially since she and her husband are executive producers of 9-1-1 Nashville. His production company is credited alongside Ryan Murphy Productions.

I'm combining both of your posts Nonnies, because they elevate each other.

I've also thought about it being revealed that Bobby is alive at the end of 8, just to keep people talking during hiatus and eager to watch season 9 again. It is definitely a possibility and I could see it happening.

But part of me still thinks they will want to end this season on a happy note, so that's why I'm leaning into the direction of Bobby being revealed alive in 8x17 and coming back in 8x18.

Let's just hope that it's either of the above, because otherwise it means Bobby is really dead and I'll have to deal with that during hiatus. 😭

I don't follow you with the whole 'bringing in a big name actor' if Bobby is really dead. I think by now the show is well-established and the actors are all very popular. They still have enough star power to keep going without Peter/Bobby. They might promote Ravi to a main character though. We have seen a lot of him lately.

Yeah, I'll be honest with you. I don't get the fans that actually want the show to be cancelled or that are talking about how 'deserving' it will be for Tim when the show gets cancelled.

Personally, I didn't care for 8x14, hated 8x15 and felt 'meh' about 8x16, but that doesn't mean that I would want the show to get cancelled because of three bad episodes. Quite the contrary. I want the show to pull itself together and keep going strong for a few more seasons. I love it too much to see it get cancelled so soon.

(Now, I do think that ABC needs to sit Tim Minear down and have a looong chat with him about his vision for season 9. They also need to make sure that he stays focused and doesn't deviate too much from the path he set out in the beginning of the season. That man needs to realise that structure is important when you make a TV-show.)

Also, 911 is a big TV show that employs a lot of people. Anyone wishing for it to get cancelled is basically saying that they would be okay with so many people losing their job. And over what? The death of a fictional character? I'm sorry, but that is an insanely selfish thing to wish for. 🤷‍♀️

I'm a big fan of people having their own opinions and talking about these opinions. It's okay to love, like, dislike or even hate an episode or a TV-show. Talk about it, share your opinions and look for others who think the same or who think the opposite. That's all great. But stay respectful when it comes to the people whose jobs would be on the line if the show would come to an end.

Now, looking at the numbers the second Nonny provided and the ratings of the latest episode, it is crystal clear that things like IMDB ratings or even a few less views won't affect this show in any major way. So I agree that 911 is not going anywhere anytime soon. I'm also thinking about 2 or 3 more seasons at this point. Who knows? Maybe even more. 🤷‍♀️

I had no idea that Angela is producing 911 Nashville. Thanks for the info Nonny. I can see how that would definitely keep her in the 911 universe. Interesting.

[youreallyshouldtalkmore]

Kiss from a Rose_Part 3

A.N: A three part series featuring Neuvillette x Reader! 

Genshin Impact MasterList

------

When you woke up the next morning, you did what you always did since Neuvillette turned into an otter, you headed to the bathroom to check on him….

….to find the tub empty. 

The last visage of sleepiness faded away as you stared at the tub, completely empty of water. 

And the last thread that you had trying to hold everything together in such a tumultuous time, snapped.  A sense of panic overcame you. You twisted quite violently, intending on calling for Neuvillette when you bump into something. 

Hard…

You were dimly aware of the soft yet sturdy hands grasping your shoulders. It took you a moment to realize someone was speaking. You blinked dumbly as you looked up, to see your husband Neuvillette gazing down at you, his eyebrows pinched slightly. 

“Y/N, please calm yourself. Breathe, my love. Everything is alright. I am here.” Neuvillette murmured, reaching down to bring your hand up to rest over his heart. 

Neuvillette had been quite surprised when he woke up back in his human form. The water was stone-cold, not exactly ideal, so he stood gracefully, easing the creaks from his newly reformed body before turning and letting the water out. 

As he waited for the water to drain, he eased the door open. He knew you were long since asleep. He should have time to get a shower and dress before you awoke. But he didn’t want to go too far, nor did he want to disturb your rest. However, despite his good intentions, you still managed to start descending into panic anyway. As such, he only managed to slip into his pants before you woke up. 

It took a moment, as you stared at Neuvillette. Then: “Neuvillette?” 

“I’m right here.” 

Your gaze dropped to your hand over his chest. You curled your hand slightly as if you could cup his heart. You could feel the steady beat of his heart, proof that he was okay.  Then you looked back up and with trembling fingers reached up to cup his face. His lavender eyes gazed steadily down at you. 

“Are you…really okay?” You gave him a once over glance before returning back to his face. 

A small quirk tugged at his lips, “Indeed. I am well.” 

“H-h-how?” 

“Perhaps Mr. Lyney wasn’t far off the mark yesterday.” 

You stared a moment before furrowing your eyebrows, “I always kissed your head every night since you've become an otter. I highly doubt that was it.” 

Neuvillette raised an eyebrow, “Oh? Then perhaps it was time gated the entire time? Either way, your guess is as good as mine. I’m only thankful at this point in time, but we have other matters to attend to. Forgive me, Y/N. I know this is moving entirely too fast.” 

“No, no, it’s fine.” You dropped your hands from his face, “The pressing matter is reintroducing you back into society with a story they’ll believe and looking into what turned you into an otter in the first place.” 

“Thank you for caring for the Melsuines while I was…shall we say, incapacitated.” 

You looked at him sharply, “You weren’t dead, Hydro Dragon. You were just an otter. But no gratitude is necessary. I think of the Melsuines as my own as well.” 

At this, Neuvillette gave a fond, soft smile. You were a little taken aback. It’s been a minute since you seen his face, much less when he decided to emote. You cleared your throat and turned away from him. More for his sake than yours. If you had your way, you would be selfish enough to keep Neuvillette to yourself until tomorrow as the latest. But others has been kept in suspense long enough. 

“I’ll tell Traveler and Navia to come over. Between the four of us, we can come up with something. You can finish getting dressed.” 

Before you could step away, two arms wrapped around you from behind.

“I promise. We’ll have time to ourselves soon enough, my love. We deserve that after all this unnecessary drama.” 

“Hm.” You nodded once. 

Instead of letting go, Neuvillette’s hug became a little firmer as he dropped is head to the crook of your shoulder.  He really wanted to forsake the world, if only to prolong this for a moment longer.

Would another day really hurt?

Yet, he had a duty to the people of Fontaine. The ludex of Fontaine going missing was too big of a headline to ignore. But he also had a duty as a husband. He wanted nothing more than to take you further into his arms. Both duties conflicted with one another. 

You reached up with both hands to grasp his arm as you spoke quietly, “Keep this up, and you’ll tempt me.” 

Neuvillette rose his head, “You are mistaken, Y/N. You are the temptation. One that I wish nothing more right now to drown in.” 

“Neuvillette please….” 

He reached over with one hand and tilted your chin. His lavender eyes were smoldering, “I’m at your mercy. Please be kind to me.” 

You snatched away from him with a laugh, “Neuvillette, please! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you need to control yourself. Now, I won’t tell you again! Get dressed!” 

You all but ran out of the room. You needed to keep it together for a while longer. First, let’s alert the Traveler and Navia. 

Yes, let’s do that. 

—

If the absence of the ludex of Fontaine was a spectacle, the return was nothing less than a circus. At this point, you were happy to let the others do clean-up work, you didn’t really care much for the finer points. You were just satisfied to have Neuvillette back. You knew that Neuvillette and the Traveler had looked into what turned him into an otter, but there wasn’t much to go on.

Strangely, he didn’t really remember how it happened, other than it was in that area. He seemed to remember smelling something weird but nothing else. Traveler did a thorough inspection but found nothing as well. 

It seemed it would remain a mystery to all… 

The first day back, Neuvillette went back to Mersua Village and you went with him. You laughed as the younger Melsuines all crawled over Neuvillette. It was a wonder he wasn’t sitting in a flood of tears. 

Neuvillette took it in stride, perfectly composed as he gave his assurances and hugged and kissed as many wanted it. It was hours before the village could begin to return to some semblance of normal. That was the last time you would see Neuvillette for a long period of time. 

For the next three weeks, Neuvillette had paperwork and trials that had been put on hold, backed up, that he needed to catch up on. You insisted on bringing him lunch and dinner and ate with him, to have a little bit of time together. He even slept in his office to make up for lost time. He was always apologetic, but you should just shook your head with a warm smile. You wanted to make his life as painless as possible. 

Now that Neuvillette was back to normal, you could return to your work at a flower shop. The work kept your mind occupied as the days passed. 

Then one day, just as you were finishing the preparations for dinner, the door open. You furrowed your eyebrows. Who the-?

You peeked out of the kitchen, suspicious, only to be dumbfounded. “Neuvillette?”

“I hope I’m not too late for dinner?” 

“Uh, I was just going to start making my way there.” You had already put everything in their proper containers for the would have been on the go meal. 

Neuvillette gave a small bow, “Forgive me. I would have sent word, but I wanted it to be a surprised, and truly I didn’t know until almost the last minute. Would it be troubling to change the to-go order?” 

“Uh, no problem. No problem at all!” You stated before pulling back into the kitchen to plate everything. 

Neuvillette had disappeared into the bathroom to freshen up before returning, just as you placed the plate of steaming hot food on the table. 

“I managed to get the rest of the evening off. I had hoped to spend the evening with my wife.” 

“You caught up to everything?” You asked as you sat down with your own plate. 

“Define caught up? There is always trials and paperwork I could be doing, but me and my capable staff has managed to get it back to a semblance of normal. Besides, the Melsuines have been antsy….” 

“Oh, what for? Are they alright?” you asked as you both tucked into your food. 

“Oh, yes, they are well. Sedene and the others are concerned that I have been neglecting you. Sedene all but pushed me out the door.”

You laughed once, “Hardly. I understand your work. This was an unfortunately unseen incident that needed to be addressed.” 

“While that was true, it is no longer. The incident has been contained, and we have since come through on the other side. There is time for….other things.” 

You choked and coughed once. 

Neuvillette reached out and touched his hand over yours, “You alright?” 

“Yes, I’m fine. Wrong pipe.” 

“Hm…” 

Comfortable silence lingered as you ate the rest of your food. Once you were almost done, you asked, “I take it you aren’t due back until tomorrow morning?” 

“Tomorrow afternoon. After lunch, actually.” 

“Really?” 

“Hm. Sedene put her hands on her hips and said if she saw me before then, bad things would happen.” 

“Bad things?” 

“I suppose that was her way of trying to coerce me not to show up before the appropriate time.” 

You chuckled. It was a cute rendition of trying to be a threat. “I suppose we don’t want a Melusine revolt.” 

“Indeed not. I shall endeavor to heed her wish…this time.” 

“A good deal.” You stated as you stood and collected the plates before walking over to the washer. You were going to absently start cleaning up with two arms wrapped around you. 

“Those can keep until tomorrow.” 

“Says the one that doesn’t have to do it.” You murmured, but you leaned back into his chest anyway. It didn’t seem like you needed much convincing. 

Neuvillette wordlessly turned you around before grasping your hand. You followed him to the couch before sitting down. He sat only after you did. 

Then he raised his hand and cupped your cheek, “I hadn’t the time to properly thank you for your assistance during this incident. You did admirable to keep everything together and keep it moving. Even in these last three weeks, I hadn’t heard a word of complaint. I know all of this has been hard on you. Please don’t lock yourself away anymore. I’m here now.” 

You shook your head as you lowered your gaze. You blinked. Ahh, now your eyes were becoming wet. You absently shook your head to clear it away. 

Neuvillette lifted your chin, “Cry if you want to cry. I’ve finished my duty to Fontaine for the moment. Now I must see to my duty to my wife.” 

You gave a breathless sob coupled with a laugh, “I don’t…” 

“Hush. You don’t have to keep it together anymore. Not right now.” He leaned his forehead on yours, “I’m here to catch you, my love.” 

Then you were sobbing. All the stress since the start of this incident pouring out. Neuvillette gathered you in his arms, holding you close. One hand stroked your back soothingly while the other held the back of your head. He could feel you shudder in his arms, as you held tight onto him. He wouldn’t dare let go before you did. 

When your sobs died down, you rested in his arms, head on his shoulder. One hand reached up and began playing with his hair. Now you were feeling tired. You hummed as you felt him kiss your forehead. 

“Thank you…” you finally murmured. 

“Such a thing is unnecessary.” Neuvillette returned, using the hand of the arm wrapped around you to tilt your chin. With his other hand, he began to carefully wipe away the tears. He was being so gentle, it made you want to cry all over again. 

“Take as much as you need, hm?” Neuvillette murmured, “As long as you don’t hide yourself. We are on your time now.” 

You couldn’t seem to check your emotions, even though it was clear you didn't’ not have to. You duck your head into Neuvillette’s shoulder, hiding your face from him. Did he know what you felt when he looked at you like that? 

“Perhaps…there is something you want?” Neuvillette asked. 

You shook your head, “I’m just grateful for your return.” 

“Yes, something else, perhaps?” 

“Your good health.” 

“Hm. And?” 

“Your happiness?” 

“Just I want your happiness as well, but right now, if you excuse my being presumptuous, I think there is something else you want above all of that. And lest you are mistaken, it is something I’d want just as well.” 

“Oh?” This time, a smile teased as your lips as you let out a giggle. 

“Hm.” 

Neuvillette tilted your head once again, forcing you to meet his gaze. His lavender eyes had gotten a shade deeper, and your breath caught. You couldn’t break away from his gaze, even if you wanted to. His leaned forward, the mere inch that separated you, lips hovering over yours. Your eyes fluttered. It felt you had kept your emotions in check for so long, that even now you feared letting go. 

“My love, let you catch you.” 

At his whisper, you closed the space, surging forward to capture his lips. 

FIN.

[password-door-lock]

Mystictober Day 27-- Haunted House

Saeran comes with you to a haunted house (1k words).

“You can wait outside, if you want,” you assure Saeran, looping your arm through his nevertheless as the pair of you approach your very favorite haunted house. “I won’t be mad. I’ve been in here alone plenty of times before, you know.” You’re well aware that he knows this already, but you just want to be absolutely certain that you’re not unfairly pressuring him to leave his comfort zone.

But Saeran only shakes his head no before setting his chin with stubborn resolve. “No, my love,” he replies, “I want to get to know the things you like.” You can’t help but admire how lovely he looks in the late afternoon sun, with the October breeze ruffling his hair. 

“I can walk in front if you want,” you offer, “That way, things will jump out at me instead of you. Well, I guess, except for the werewolf. I don’t know if it’s the same actor as the past couple of years, but if it is, he likes to jump out at the people in the middle. I know the girl who plays the mummy— she used to go to my gym— and she told me she goes after people who seem like they would scream, so sorry, but I don’t think you’ll be able to avoid her.” 

“I see,” Saeran is already gripping the back of your shirt, fully prepared to follow you into the house as soon as the attendant gives the go-ahead. “Then I guess I should get prepared to meet with her. Do you have any tips for… how to handle that?”

“She’s not that scary,” you point out, “She doesn’t even have any kind of weapon. At least, not unless they got more money in the props budget this year.” You doubt that this is the case, though. One of the things that you love about this haunted house is the fact that it never changes. It’s impressive that the actors still find ways to scare repeat visitors, and you enjoy returning at least annually to see how they’ll manage to surprise you each time. 

“Is that how mummies usually fight?” Leave it to Saeran to find room for curiosity even in a situation like this. You can’t help but giggle at the idea of a mummy attempting hand-to-hand combat, and evidently, your amusement is contagious, because Saeran cracks a smile as well. 

“Um… depends on the mummy?” You do your best to recall as much as you know about the Ancient Egyptian afterlife as relates to the weapons that the dead might wield. As one would expect, you find yourself coming up a bit short. “I think they get, like, a spellbook called the Book of the Dead? But I think those spells are pretty specific to the journey to the afterlife itself. I don’t know if they have anything that would work against a living human. Maybe, though? Because I know they wrote spells on the walls of the tomb to ward off grave robbers.”

“Darling,” Saeran reaches for your hand and squeezes it, though he’s still clinging to your shirt with his other hand. “You’re so wise. Oh!” The last bit is probably a reaction to the Haunted House attendant ushering the pair of you inside. “Thank you.” Although it’s clear that he’s a bit nervous, he still has impeccable manners. 

Saeran does surprisingly well inside the haunted house. He only screams once (when confronted by the werewolf, who does, indeed, seem to be played by the same actor who portrayed the character in previous years) and that happens far enough away from the mummy that she doesn’t hear, and therefore leaves him alone. Otherwise, he seems to pay very little attention to the monsters that jump out at the pair of you— although, being in front of him, you can’t see the expressions on his face. For your part, you spend the entire trip through the house giggling and laughing, especially when the monsters jump out. 

When the pair of you get out of the house, you and Saeran settle onto a bench to regroup and debrief. “What did you think?” You ask. You were a little bit worried that your partner might not enjoy your favorite haunted house— or haunted houses in general, for that matter. They don’t exactly seem like something that’d be up his alley, but you know how much it means to him that he’s now able to experience a variety of things. It was his decision to accompany you here, after all. 

“I’m happy that I had a new experience,” Saeran decides eventually, “And I’m glad you had fun in there, my love. I liked the way the rooms were designed, too.” He’s choosing his words with care, which makes you suspect that his thoughts are a bit more nuanced than he’s letting on. 

“But?” You prompt. You know that Saeran is well aware that he’s safe to voice opinions with you, but you just want to make it abundantly clear that you’re receptive to feedback from him, even about your favorite activities. 

“But next time, I’ll just get a snack or go meet some ducks instead while you go inside on your own,” Saeran decides with a smile. “I don’t think haunted houses are for me.”

“That sounds good. But… There’s ducks?” Naturally, you are distracted by this revelation. You’ve always come here with a single-minded focus on the haunted house, which, apparently, means that you have missed out on vital aspects of the surrounding area.

Saeran nods, gently patting your hand. “I noticed a couple of them swimming in a pond on the way over here. Did you want to go and see?”

“Okay.” You give his hand a gentle squeeze. “New plan. Let’s get some cotton candy, and then we should go look at the ducks. Did you see what kind they are?” Not that it matters very much— you’d be happy to look at any kind of ducks, and even happier to spend more time with the love of your life.

“I have no idea,” Saeran grins. “But that sounds wonderful, my love. Let’s go.”

[just-dreaming-marvel]

SNEAK PEEKS!

So many exciting things coming!

Please send in any ideas, excitements, etc!

OUT OF TIME ~ I'M FROM BROOKLYN, TOO ~ 165

Y/N stayed with Bucky until lunchtime, when he decides it’s time to go back to being a mother. 

“I need to head out too,” Bucky admitted. “I need to go talk to Sam. He’s back down in Louisiana. Someone’s got to convince him that Steve made the correct choice in choosing him as Captain America.”

“You would have been a good choice too, you know?” Y/N told him.

Bucky shook his head. “No. I still have a lot I’m making up for.” He reached out and took one of her hands in his metal one.

“Well, then I have something you can give to him.” With a wave of her fingers, the shield appeared on the floor beside them. “It belongs to him. Steve wanted him to have it. Return it to him and kick his ass into gear. We need a Captain right now more than ever… A Captain like Sam.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He pulled Y/N into a hug. “I’ll keep you updated.”

“You better.”

A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT ~ PART 4 (THE FINAL PART)

You watched from your med-bay room, Steve and Bucky pack up for Wakanda. Despite the vibranium cuffs on his wrists and the clear weight of his mind, Bucky was helping with ease. Your eyes kept tracking him as your heart pounded in your chest. The dark part of your mind was screaming at you to not blink. To make sure that he wouldn’t come near you. You absolutely hated that. You knew that there was a difference between Bucky and The Winter Soldier. Yet your brain was having a hard time remembering that. 

“They’ll be gone soon,” Sam stated, coming up from behind you.

You nodded, keeping your eyes on Bucky. Sam watched you, noticing how you hugged yourself tightly and how tense your body still was.

“He won’t hurt you,” Sam tried.

“I know…” you whispered. “Though… I doubt it at the same time… and I hate it.” You looked over at Sam with tear-filled eyes. “I hate everything about this…”

“I know.” 

Sam stood beside you silent for a moment as he watched the two men finish packing up. Bucky looked up and caught your gaze. You tensed and turned away. Bucky’s head hung as he disappeared into the quinjet. Sam sighed, sharing a look with Steve before Steve closed the quinjet doors.

A PRINCESS & HER KNIGHT ~ 6

Your father immediately put someone at the entrance of your passageway the moment you returned home. Anna Marie had gone straight to the King once Logan and Bobby had gone to fetch you. 

“Y/N has got to understand that her actions have consequences, especially at a time like this,” Charles stated, Logan and Scott standing in front of his desk. “I am doing my best to lessen the consequences, but the court is instant that she be reminded of what a true princess is to act like. Starting tomorrow, Jean will be teaching Y/N how to act like a Princess and a Queen.”

“The Princess will not like that,” Logan commented.

“You will make sure that she is to every lesson on time.”

CRIMSON TIES ~ 9

“Where is she?” Natasha asked as she burst into the house with her sister right behind her. “Is she alright?”

Steve was there to greet them. “She’s fine. She’s in her studio,” he told them. “It’s nice to see you Yelena.”

“You too, Rogers,” Yelena replied.

“I can take you to Y/N.”

“We can handle ourselves,” Natasha said. “You boys have done enough for one day.”

“Hey! I didn’t do anything.”

“That’s just as bad.”

LOVE THAT BURNS ~ ENDING 1 ~ MOVING ON

“I want to check in with you, Howlett,” Scott said, catching Logan in the hallway.

“What is there to check in about?” Logan questioned, confused.

“Your wife. Y/N hasn’t been on a mission since the pregnancy. Do you feel like she’s alright to be put back on the roster?”

Logan took in a sharp breath. Personally, he would never let you on a mission again. That had little to nothing to do with the pregnancy, but his overwhelming need to protect you. He thought to how you were doing. Yes, he could still see the pain dwindle in your eyes at times, especially when you saw Jean and Scott with Rachel. But it was getting better. You were getting better. Despite that, everything in him was screaming at him to say no. To tell Scott that you weren’t ready yet. So that’s exactly what he did.

“No,” Logan’s response was firm, with no room for argument. “Y/N’s not ready to be put back on the roster.”

LOVE THAT BURNS ~ ENDING 2 ~ VERSION 2 ~ DAD

Logan came home from work the next day at lunch. The two of you teased each other as you worked together to clean the apartment and work on dinner. It was almost five and you were mixing a salad while Logan finished up setting the table. He looked over at you and smirked before coming up behind you. He slid his arms around you to hold you and buried his face in your neck.

You giggled. “Needy much?” 

“Can’t help myself, baby,” he mumbled against your skin. “You’re just so—“

Then, there was a knock at the door.

“Oh! She’s here!” You exclaimed. You turned your head and kissed his cheek. “Finish this, please Lo.” 

Then you hurried off to the door. Logan chuckled with a shake of his head as he finished putting together the salad. You threw open the door as fast as you could to see Laura. She stood on the other side, holding the hand of another young woman. 

“Mom,” Laura smiled as you, dropping the girl’s hand to hug you.

HARMONY OF THE HEARTS ~ THINK OF ME

Sherlock knew it wasn’t proper, showing up, driving his own carriage. Especially while standing. But he didn’t care much for formalities. He was on his way to the Opera House, where his friend, John Watson was now the owner and Sherlock was bound to be one of his patrons. John was at the stables waiting for him, along with his business partner G Lestrade.

“Ah, old friend,” John greeted with a smile a Sherlock jumped from the carriage. “How great it is to see you.”

“Same it had to be like this, Watson,” Sherlock commented. “Embrace me.”

John rolled his eyes as he hugged the man. “Same old you, Holmes.” He pulled away, patting Sherlock’s arm. “And this is G Lestrade, my business partner.”

“Nice to meet you, Viscount,” Lestrade said, offering his hand.

LESSONS IN LOVE ~ 9

“Sorry for pushing you away… it’s all I know how to do to protect myself.”

“You don’t have to worry about protecting yourself with me. I will protect you.”

The doubts were still there. The shame and guilt from previous relationships. “Don’t… don’t get my hopes up… That you’ll stay. That I won’t be too much.”

“Stardust, is breaks my heart to hear such things come out of your mouth. I don’t know who hurt you in the past, but I am not them and I will be here for you. Okay?”

“I can’t promise the doubts will die immediately.”

He pressed a kiss to your forehead. “I know, darling. I’m not expecting them to. No matter what. I’m here.”

I'M NOT THAT GIRL ~ BUCKY'S VERSION ~ PART 2

Dot insisted that you come with her to the train to pick Bucky up. He was returning from the war. The war was over and he was coming home. You were grateful that he survived and was coming home. But your heart ached. He wasn’t coming home to you, his supposed best girl. He was coming home to Dot, who he had promised to marry just a few years ago.

Dot had stuck to you like glue in the years Bucky was gone. You had tried to shake her, but she was hard to shake. She came to you about everything, including on the nights when it was hard for her because she missed Bucky so much. You couldn’t hate her completely because she had helped you get a well paying job, which was hard for women to find, allowing you to keep living on your own. Dot had tried to be a good friend in other ways, like getting you to go on blind dates with the few men that were left. Nothing worked out, because you wouldn’t allow it.

KISS THE GIRL ~ TONY'S VERSION

“Close your mouth, Stark,” Natasha said, “you’re drooling everywhere.”

“I am not!” Tony argued.

Natasha rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” She took another sip of her drink as she watched Tony watch you. You had just found your way to the pool, where all the other team members were already. “Why don’t you just make a move already? Everyone can see that you are head over heels for her. Well… everyone but her.”

“I’m not head over heels. I’m… barely head.”

Natasha laughed. “You’re ridiculous, Stark. Truly ridiculous. Where did that confident, playboy man go?”

“He’s right here.”

“Then go talk to her.”

[freewayshark]

do you think interpreting things with a shipper lens is only ok if the ship is going canon? it’s like you only liked buddie because you thought it might go canon someday, and now that it’s not you just disavow all your previous feelings about it, like there was never anything there. i know this sounds combative and i’m honestly not trying to be, i just really don’t get your perspective sometimes.

Of course not. I’m gonna try to explain all my complicated thoughts and feelings on this. It’s probably going to get long and unwieldy, and I’ll probably inevitably skip around and/or be redundant, and I’ll likely overshare. So brace yourself.

The quick and dirty answer? Of course it’s ok to interpret things with a shipper lens regardless of canon. I have ships that were not and never had a chance of being canon, and varying degrees of feelings on that depending on the source material. My issue is not people interpreting things with a buddie lens, it’s the way that, even before bucktommy came around a big swath of the buddie fandom has always been extremely hostile towards anyone that interpreted anything differently, or just didn’t believe hard enough in buddie canon.

I definitely did not like buddie because of its canon potential. I’ve shipped buddie at least in a lowkey way since Eddie Diaz showed up on my screen

And then actually joined the fandom after the shooting. And the thing was, before I joined the fandom, I had no expectations that buddie would ever be canon, and I shipped it anyway.

But then joining the fandom, especially post 4.14, I started seeing so much talk about slow burns and comparisons to Bones and Castle (shows I had not watched at that point in time) and long, well-written, highly convincing meta all telling me what I wanted to hear: that Buck and Eddie were in love, not just in fanfiction and daydreams, but on the show, and it was just a matter of time before it happened.

Now, this is not me trying to blame the fandom for convincing me. I let myself be convinced. This was 2021, the pandemic was still raging—in fact that summer my dad got covid and was very sick, as well as other things happening in my personal life that had me in a very bad place, but buddie, and the idea of both this ship I love becoming canon and queer people actually getting the kind of slowburn network television love story we have been denied at nearly every turn was the thing I clung to. Is that healthy? Of course not. But it’s what I did.

And, from that point on, it clouded the way I saw everything on the show. It didn’t matter what was going on with Buck or Eddie, someone on tumblr would always have a way to spin it to explain how actually it’s just more proof and another step towards buddie canon! The fandom accepted narrative would be set up, “buddie canon in 5.01” “buddie canon in 5.04” “they’ll have to talk about the shooting and the will after 5.06!” And so on and so forth. Which to be clear! Is normal. I’m not going to pretend like making theories and having hopes is weird or bad because of course it’s not.

But again, this is where the toxicity that is rampant would come to play. If anyone voiced any kind of dissent to whatever the popular narrative was, well they just didn’t have media literacy. They don’t understand long form storytelling. They just want to be a hater, a negative Nancy.

And well, I have media literacy! I understand long form storytelling! I didn’t want to be a hater or a negative Nancy! So when doubts crept in I’d just read more meta. If I read enough I’d be back on that buddie canon 2k21234 wagon soon enough, because, to be fair, once upon a time believing in buddie canon did make a lot of sense. The well, the shooting, the will, Buck breaking down Eddie’s door, fucking couch theory which I will remind some bucktommy fans that shit on it now as being a ridiculous fandom thing, was a real thing based both on Buck’s ideas in canon and based on interviews with Oliver and Kristen Reidel. Buddie canon was easy to believe back then because it really did seem like what the show was selling.

But then, season 5 ends with no Eddie sexuality arc. 6a sees Buck and Eddie largely doing their own things and not really having anything particularly noteworthy to go on.

6b hits and we get the lightning strike. We finally get Eddie’s version of the well collapse. We get, “Do more!” And it’s great

And then Eddie isn’t even in the coma dream.

And the fandom spins it, of course, “absence is presence” and all that. And then we get the poker episode which is incredible! We’re so back and all that!

Followed by. Well, the rest of 6b.

And the thing is…that’s when it all really kind of started to crumble for me. Not my love for buddie, but the idea that for me it would ever be canon. I kind of turned around on that with the lead up to season 7, because we could all tell something was going to happen, and we were getting interviews where Ryan was saying shit like “this goes beyond friendship, I love you to the core.” Of course the potential for buddie canon was something to get excited about again! Even once the rumors that Tommy was returning to incite Buck’s discovery of bisexuality, well! That just felt like even more of a confirmation that buddie would eventually be canon, right?

And then it actually happened. And, for the first time, I actually really, really liked one of their relationships. And that was fine, because I’ve always been a multishipper, so I’ll just ship both!

Except, as we all know, that shit didn’t go over well in the fandom. I’ll not rehash the next few months because we were all there, we all remember.

But the results were that I took a big step away from buddie. At the time, I still loved it, even still thought it was probably going to be canon. But I stopped interacting with buddie content almost entirely, with the exception of a small handful of trusted buddie and multishipper mutuals that hadn’t decided to become raging homophobes or harassers. But otherwise? I couldn’t bring myself to interact with things when for all I knew I could be interacting with the people that were saying godawful things to me and my friends.

And stepping away from it meant I started to look at it differently. I’d always been able to look at things for myself, but I won’t pretend other peoples’ opinions didn’t influence me. So not seeing it anymore? Coupled with the fact that there was something else I actually saw as a viable, non buddie path forward for the show? Yeah, I stopped believing in buddie canon, and then slowly lost interest in buddie as a ship.

But it wasn’t actually because I didn’t believe in it becoming canon anymore. It was because I wasn’t immersing myself in it anymore. It was because there was something else I was actually happy with. It was because I looked at the things Ryan was saying, about examining seeing men being vulnerable with each other and thinking that must mean they’re gay, and I took that into Buck and Eddie scenes and started questioning if that’s what I was doing. I started to see the friendship more than I could see a romance.

I haven’t rewatched the show since before season 7, but if I rewatched it now I think I would still see what I used to see but also see what I see now. So I’m not disavowing anything or acting like there was never anything there. I doubt now that the intention to make it canon was ever there, but not that there wasn’t chemistry, or the makings of a good ship.

So ultimately it’s not that I stopped being interested in buddie because I stopped thinking it would become canon, it’s just that both things happened around the same time and with some of the same causation. But one did not happen because of the other.

Editing to add: I brought up the Bones and Castle comparisons early on this and then never circled back around to it, so I’ll say on that subject that I have since watched both shows, and I think the fact that so much of this fandom swears up and down that buddie is a slowburn just like those shows is…flabbergasting and misguided. From moment one of both shows you know those two couples are inevitable, because they’re the male and female leads and that’s what shows like that do. And sure, you can argue that it’s not fair for me to say that because I watched both after they ended when I already knew they get together, but in that case I’ll point you to High Potential, a show very much in the vein of those two shows. I have exactly zero doubts that, unless it gets the axe with no warning, Morgan and Karadec will end up together. Because it’s the formula. That…is not Buck and Eddie even if they do end up canon. If they actually made it canon? The more fair comparison to make would be Chenford on the Rookie, in my opinion.

[whitherwanderer]

memento - pt. 1

// 1028 words. Pyrite takes an offer from a ghost in the machine. Part 1 of 3. CW: Implied death of a loved one.

Earthen Sky was a haven for more than the few that reported to the remote outpost. Every so often, critters would find their way into the caverns and decide the same thing that previous agents had: it was an ideal place to hide. And as a former hunter, it fell to Pyrite to decide how to best deal with whatever was scratching around their hiding spot.

Six eyes in the dark reflected her light back at her, all growls and hisses and hair standing on end. Pyrite kept her face to them and her rifle aimed at the ground as she backed away to make her report.

“Cauahepya den. Mother and pups. They’ll move on in the next few weeks once they’re old enough,” she said as she swiped the inside of a cup with a loose rag and let it plonk under the coffee dispenser.

“No sense in displacing them,” the fuzzy voice of her colleague came over the speaker of a small display— A small display that was making a comically serious expression for something that appeared to be designed to look as friendly and harmless as possible. Pyrite had gotten used to it. Mostly.

“Aye, they’ll leave on their own. Just send a memo about it an’ post a warning at the exit. Leave quickly, quietly, an’ avoid th’ western tunnel,” she agreed.

“One less thing to worry about,” the little robot trilled. And then the silence fell over them both like a blanket, interrupted only by the hum of the coffee machine filling Pyrite’s cup.

"...You know," The little robot started up, engine whirring behind the hyune as she pressed a cap onto her cup and settled down on a seat at the hideout’s planning table. "You remind me of my son, sometimes.”

The hyune’s chin perched on her palm. The robot’s display had switched over to a dumb grin she often wore, as if the woman's real smile wasn't still fully present in every distorted word. It was a comfort that such things as voice and personality could be preserved, even if she didn't remember the shetona in the flesh.

"...Can't imagine you havin' a dour child," Pyrite joked.

“No, not dour!” She protested warmly. “Observant. Sharp as a tack and hiding a wealth of knowledge. Stubborn, maybe—" she laughed. Pyrite didn't. "—but careful. With others, with yourselves. I think that's why I knew you'd be a good fit here. I had already known you, in a way."

Pyrite didn’t respond immediately, still trying to decide if she was flattered or offended by being compared to what had in previous conversations been referred to as a particularly “fussy” kid. She’d heard plenty of glowing praise too, of course. Of his world-trekking occupation, of his studious nature, his genuine care for creatures great and small. No doubt owed to her influence, to a large extent. A mother’s pride, indeed.

In a momentary lapse of restraint, she felt a lance of envy. She’d known that feeling once, she was sure. It was only after the fact that she’d joined Oblivion, and even without regulators, they had no way of knowing her family. Galena’s fellows in the reforgers who also declined the regulators were kind but reticent, unsure if it was wise to offer any of the few hints they had and risk a breakdown on a job considered dangerous for even the sunniest of folk.

The ushers had long since cleared their apartment and expunged the records, but if she ever managed to hear a recording of that laughter that haunted her dreams, or saw that smile that flickered behind her closed eyes, would she even recognize it? The thought was shut away before she could even begin to fathom an answer. A practiced routine of finding herself in that empty room for reasons she couldn’t explain except habit, only to flick off the light again and let it close behind her. Back to baseline in the span of a breath.

“I’d like to meet tha’ kid one day.” Pyrite put on the smallest of smiles to at least try to indicate she wasn't distracted with her own thoughts, but her lengthy silence hadn’t escaped the robot’s notice.

"Oh," The robot's expression turned superficially panicked, then a dizzy frown dimmed her display. Hard to take it seriously, even if the voice behind it was earnest. "Pyrite, I didn't mean to—"

Pyrite shook her head. "An' you didn't, Cahciua. Honest."

“…If you insist," The robot resigned, little eyebrows pinching above dotted eyes. "But…” She hesitated. Unusual. “...If you wanted to, I could tell you things, you know. A name. Age. Personality. Just about anything."

"I know. Don't," came a sharp round fired back, not a beat missed.

The robot's head bobbed up and down within its glassy case, wearing a face unsuited for the moment. Cartoonishly sober. "And I won’t, of course. Not unless you ask. Just know the offer is open. You have a right to know."

Pyrite put her coffee to her lips again, speaking into it. "Don't your boy have a right to know, too?"

A pause.

“Ha! Point taken." The robot put that overly friendly grin back on. Unshakable, she was. Never to be caught on the back foot. "If he's even half as clever as I think he is, I'll have no choice but to tell him the truth. One day."

"One day." Pyrite repeated.

There was a somber symmetry to the two of them, she realized. They danced around it for the sake of their work, but it was never far from her mind. Cahciua must have felt the same for how delicately she tread around their shared hurts. Surely she burned with the same question: would there be catharsis at the end of their mirrored paths? Would knowing hurt any less? It wasn’t like there was anything left to lose in that empty room.

Pyrite released a stiff breath. "...An', maybe, when tha' day comes, I'll accept yer offer."

"Oh?" Cahciua said, her display blinking into an excessively happy grin. Her voice, however distorted, was warm with pride. "I can't wait for you to meet him."

[baronessblixen]

O Holy No (4/10)

Today's prompt: Christmas carolers

Summary: Will Mulder and Scully finally kiss? (wc: 1,208)

Tagging @today-in-fic

Mulder is in heaven. Or something very similar to it. He and Scully are running through the deserted Hoover building, giggling like children. Her hand is in his and it doesn’t matter where they’re going because they’re together. And after last night, he couldn’t have known it would turn out this way. As much as he’d hoped for it.

He wasn’t lying when he said he didn’t have a great night. At first, he considered sleeping in his car. It seemed reasonable. There was no way he was going back to his apartment. In case Diana hadn’t listened and was still there. Eventually, he went to the Gunmen who took him in without question and let him sleep on their couch. Except he didn’t sleep. He thought about Scully all night long. Trying to come up with ways to make her see what he was feeling. Just like he had been trying for months.

After their baseball date that one starry night, he was convinced he had succeeded. That was before someone decided to crack his skull open and play hide and seek with his brain. They got through that, too. Once again it was Diana who almost broke them. He doesn’t know what – or who – convinced Scully last night, but he’s thanking every deity in the sky for his luck.

He arrived at the Christmas party with the simplest of plans: find her in the crowd, confess his love for her and hope for the best. The best has happened without him having to lift a finger. He grins, letting Scully lead. That has always been the way to her heart.

“Where are we going?” he asks her.

“I don’t know,” she admits. “Just- away.”

That’s enough for him. They’re standing in front of the elevator, waiting. Their hands till entwined, they turn to each other. They’re both slightly out of breath, but breathing in sync. The smile on Scully’s face is carefree and reckless. He doesn’t know what he looks like, can’t even begin to guess, but he knows he’s full of love for her.

She said she’s scared and he’s taking it to heart. He won’t confess his love for her now, or here. The words want out, but he can keep them inside a while longer. Until she’s ready to hear them and not give him another “Oh, brother”. He knows what she’s feeling. He knows it’s love. He’s seen it in bright colors, has heard it loud and clear when he could read her mind. For now, that’s all he needs.

“Away sounds good,” he says, stepping closer to her. The elevator is taking its time. Standing here in a hallway isn’t the most romantic setting for a first kiss. Her only stipulation though was for them to get away from their ex-partners. What were the chances of Diana and Ethan being there? They could have avoided this if only they’d talked beforehand. But they’ll never learn.

“Why are you smiling?” she asks, sporting a smile herself.

“You,” he says simply. “You make me smile.” She blushes furiously and it makes him hold her closer. Anyone could see them here but so far, she doesn’t seem to mind. He, of course, couldn’t care less who sees them.

“Where is that damn elevator?” she mumbles, slipping from his embrace and pressing the button a few more times. He follows her, needing to be close.

“Hey you,” he says quietly and it sounds loud here with no one around. She turns to him and tips up her face. He’s been reading her expressions for years. He knows this one; it’s impatience. She, too, wants this. Their first kiss. All they have to do is take that last step. But Mulder hesitates. Should he just plunge in or resist and wait until they’re out of here?

“Mulder?” He’s been thinking so hard, analyzing this to death, that he hasn’t noticed how close they’ve come. Like magnets, they’ve drawn close. Their bodies have no doubts or tribulations. They know exactly what they want. Their heads are the problems.

“I can’t wait,” he says, his eyes fluttering shut. Their heads move closer and there she is; he can smell her. Her breath comes fast, and so does his. Their noses bump together in their blind approach and they both giggle. Mulder cracks one eye open to see hers closed, and her mouth open slightly. An invitation. She, too, doesn’t want to wait any longer.

“Ready?” he asks.

“Yes,” she breathes and he can taste the word on his lips. This is the moment. This is it. His heart is hammering against his chest and his whole body buzzes. There’s music somewhere in his head, growing louder and louder. Their lips brush for the first time and then, in that same instance, the elevator dings and the doors open. They jump apart flustered and come face to face with the smiling faces of a group of Christmas carolers dressed as elves and reindeer.

“Silver Bells,” one of them sings, and the others join in, “It’s Christmas time in the city. Ring-a-ling, hear them ring.” Mulder stares at the carolers, dressed in green and red before his eyes find Scully. She’s biting her lip, her cheeks red as ripe tomatoes, and her eyes full of glee. He smiles, touching his lips absent-mindedly. They tingle in anticipation of what’s to come. But first, he takes a deep breath, and when the carolers are back on the chorus, he joins in.

“Ring-a-ling,” the carolers sing and Mulder answers with a slightly out-of-tune “ring-a-ling" of his own. He grins at Scully all the while, and she looks at him as if he’s hung the moon. They may not be kissing yet, but this moment is theirs all the same.

“Hey, you should join us.” One of the carolers shakes his hand after the song. “We’re here for the Christmas party.”

“Maybe next year,” Mulder says. “I have a date.” The whole group turns to look at Scully, who’s slipping away into the elevator, barely waiting for Mulder to join her.

“We need to get out of here,” she says.

“I will follow wherever you go,” Mulder says. The elevator takes them downstairs, and then, a few glorious moments later, they’re outside. “I took a cab here.”

“So did I,” Scully says.

“Should we-” He doesn’t get to ask his question because just then, a snowflake lands on his nose. Then another, and another, and another. Scully lifts her face to the sky, snowflakes catching in her lashes. He’s been waiting for the perfect moment, and he doesn’t know who he has to thank, but he knows he won’t wait another second.

He touches her arm and she turns to him, her mouth turned upwards. He pulls her close and she crashes into his chest. He lowers his head, their mouths meeting halfway. Finally. Their lips moving against each other, their tongues getting acquainted, he thinks he hears music again. But he only smiles, kissing her until they’re both out of breath.

“I’d ask to take you home,” Mulder says, not letting her out of his arms, “but-”

“I’m taking you home with me,” Scully says and it’s settled.

He’s going home with Scully.

[absandersons]

I’ve been kinda thinking about the finale (as if I ever do anything else) and I have a sort of theory on how it could all play out.

Most of this is spec, some of it is my writer brain, so with that what you will lmao.

With what the 911 on ABC posted on Instagram today, I think it’s fair enough to assume that the councilwoman who was the mother to that guy is about to get involved. That whole thing was kind of just brushed off, and the idea of revenge is being repeatedly being brought up (Amir, even the idea of Doug sort of enacting revenge on Chim while he’s hallucinating), along with the theme of loss and grief (Eddie’s current mess, Amir…again).

I’ve seen several theories saying that she would try to stop Hen and Karen from adopting Mara, and while I can see what they’re saying, I actually think it’s more along the lines of her preventing Hen from being interim captain.

We know something is going to happen to Bobby, with all the stills and bts in the hospital, including the one with the whiteboard that says “R. Nash” on it. And if Bobby can’t act as captain, the usual replacement is Hen, but if Hen is in the midst of this, and the entire 118 is caught up I think it’s plausible (especially with Ryan talking about how Eddie is “isolated” next season) that the councilwoman will basically fight to split them up, citing past cases and insinuating they are dangerous or unfit as a unit. The LAFD brass won’t want to get in a fight with city council and will separate them but won’t fire them. (A compromise they’ll think is good, but we know is terrible).

I personally think that Buck will be left at the 118. With Captain Gerrard. I really get the feeling that the councilwoman may know him and put him back in place there even in spite of his past.

If we think about Buck’s worst nightmare (being abandoned by those he loves) it fits perfectly. Being by himself in his house but without his family, with a new captain that he knows Hen, Chim, and Tommy hated. That’s the worst possibility for him. Throw in a potential fight with Eddie and you have the perfect storm for Buck, something that would be untenable for him long term.

Relationship-wise, I have a couple different thoughts. Either Gerrard being at the 118 brings Tommy and Buck closer together, because Tommy understands what an awful captain Gerrard is and is a shoulder to lean on for him while he has to deal with it (this is preferable and what I want lol).

Or, as much as I hate to say it, it could lead to a distance between him and Tommy, because Tommy doesn’t want to be around Gerrard (don’t blame him) and he can’t be there for Buck because he’s afraid of turning back into the person he tried so hard to escape.

And I don’t think we’d start season 8 with everyone back together. With 18 episodes (bless) they have time to draw out plotlines that they haven’t been able to this season.

If, as I fervently hope, Bobby makes a recovery from whatever happens to him, he’ll have to go through the same retraining that Buck did when he was crushed by the ladder, which would be an interesting contrast for him to be put in those shoes, maybe desperate to get back out to the field but not being cleared, Athena being worried about him the same way he was worried about her after she was attacked, all that.

I think Hen’s big conflict would be that she feels like them being separated his her fault, since she didn’t force the guy to get care. She would be okay in another house, but potentially feel like she’s starting over, just like with medical school.

For Chim, I think his biggest thing would be taken out of the 118, maybe he would be assigned to the 133 as an extra gut punch since it was Kevin’s house? I think there’s something interesting there.

And Eddie. Eddie, who is taking doppelgänger Kim out in public, while bringing his girlfriend to the medal ceremony. Something is coming here, this situation is precarious at best. I highly doubt he will still be with Marisol by the end of the season. At the same time, I don’t think he’s going to be with Kim either. With this photo, it could be that Chris finds out about Kim or something like that. If I had to guess, I would say that Eddie and Marisol are done by the end of 7x09.

I could also potentially see Eddie being left at the 118 and Buck transferring to air support with Tommy, which could be interesting since Eddie was the one to leave last time. But for angst points, I think leaving Buck alone in his house which is suddenly no longer home, but hostile? I would eat that up.

Overall, with all those happy stills we got today, juxtaposed by the way press is talking about the screeners, I would say we’re in for a rough couple of episodes and a rough hiatus too.