#but like also he’s a teenage boy and they really aren’t known to be the smartest…

[the-catzm30w]

i think it’s crazy how logan is like a sophomore or whatever and his arch fuckinh nemesis is 9.

bro go work on your fucking geometry or some shit and stawp it with the stupidity and pettiness

[cllightning81]

Quiet Dates - Part Five [OB38]

Series : Younger Sister

Summary: Ollie takes you on that first date because he won the bet. Takes you to a small cafe so your anxiety doesn't get the best of you and you can enjoy it

Pairing/s: Oliver Bearman x Norris!Reader, Lando Norris x Sister!Reader

Word Count: 1.7k

Masterlist Oliver Bearman Masterlist Lando Norris Masterlist Younger Sister Masterlist Tag List

Previous

Standing in the hotel room, Lando was out visiting Carlos and making sure that he was okay. Normal boyfriend duties as you liked to annoy him about. Hungary was fairly warm, so you had decided on a nice outfit that would keep you cool but still allow you to be comfortable in what you were wearing at the same time. 

There was a knock on the door, so you got up from the bed and wandered over to it. Opening the door to see Ollie with a smile on his face wearing a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. 

“Hey” You smiled, opening the door further to let him into the hotel room. Ollie was silent as he followed you back into the hotel room. You turned to look at him as you grabbed your handbag and phone 

“Hey you okay?” You asked him with a frown as you walked over to him. 

“Huh? Yeah, sorry. You just look really good” He smiled, and you blushed, glancing down to the ground before looking up at him 

“You also look very good” You smiled, taking his hand in your own. Ollie blushed as he looked down at you. 

“Thanks. I found a nice little cafe it was really empty when I went past it, and I figured that you’d quite like it” He smiled, and you nodded 

“Sounds perfect” You smiled, walking out of the hotel room with him. 

Walking to the cafe was nice and calm. Ollie made sure that he was holding your hand the whole way there to help ease your nerves as you walked, which you were so thankful for. You hadn’t known each other in person for a long time, but you had been talking over text for ages, which meant you both knew more about each other than you thought. 

You looked up at the little cafe Ollie had found. It looked like a small family fun business that had pictures of the family history dotted around the cafe. Taking you inside, Ollie found a table for you both sitting opposite each other with a smile. 

“So how's the race treating you?” Ollie asked as you looked about the cafe taking in the decor. 

“They’re good. I’m quite enjoying them. Still not so comfortable about trending on social media every time I breathe. but it’s okay. I’m getting used to it. Comes with the job. Although teenage boys and girls who find out you’re hanging out with Formula One drivers aren’t the best. They’ve been blowing my phone up” You chuckled, and he nodded

“Oh I get that. The number of people I’ve had in my text messages from before I left school this weekend is crazy” He laughed, and you nodded, looking at the menu 

“So I believe it’s my turn to pay” You hummed, and he shook his head 

“Got to beat me to it” He hummed, and you rolled your eyes 

“You know I will. You might have the reaction speed, but I’ve got older siblings” You hummed, giving your order to the waitress. Ollie did the same, ordering some tea and a slice of cake 

“Don’t tell my trainer” He joked, and you nodded 

“I don’t even know who your trainer is” You shrugged, and he laughed, holding your hand across the table 

“So I know you probably don’t want anyone to ask you this, but how are you feeling about tomorrow?” You asked, tilting your head slightly to look at him

“I’m scared. More than scared, actually. Formula One is so much different to Formula Two. It’s faster, the cars are different, a lot more g-force, more g-force in crashes. There’s so much that could go wrong” He ran a hand down his face as you gently squeezed his hand. 

“Ollie you’re going to do great. Look at how amazing you did today! I know it was probably a stupid question, and I’ve just made you even more anxious than before, but honestly, I know you’re going to do great. I know you are, and remember we’ve got a deal you need to keep” You hummed, and he smiled at you taking a drink of his tea

“Have you met Charles’ puppy yet?” Ollie asked, changing the subject 

“He’s got a puppy?” You asked now, very excited. Ollie nodded 

“Here let me show you” Ollie showed you a little picture of the puppy

“He’s a little dachshund” You smiled, looking at the picture 

“I can see. He’s very cute. Is he here?” You asked, and Ollie nodded

“Yeah. I’ll let you meet him tomorrow. He wasn’t at quali” You smiled eating a bit of your cake. 

“Want to go for a walk?” Ollie asked once you had both finished your drinks and food.

“Oh that sounds like a good idea” You smiled, getting up and walking to pay. Ollie tried to push you out the way so he could get there first and pay 

“Oh come on, Ollie. You paid for the ice creams” You whined as he paid for the drinks and food. Oliver took your hand as you walked around the park that was next to the cafe. Your energy picked up as you spotted a play park.

 Dropping Ollie’s hand, you skipped over, getting on the swings and starting to swing. Ollie laughed, following behind you in just a walk as you waved him over to come on the swings with you. 

“You have so much energy” He chuckled while getting on the swing next to you. 

“It’s a Norris thing. Actually no it’s not. It’s a Lando and Y/N thing. None of our other siblings have this much energy” You shrugged, enjoying yourself. 

“That’s probably true” He laughed as you tried to get higher than him on the swing, except he was able to get higher faster 

“Oh come on. I just want to go higher” You huffed, and he chuckled, getting off the swing and giving you a push. Your giggles make him smile even more than he already was. 

Getting off the swing, your arms instantly wrapped around him as you regained your balance. Ollie pressed a kiss to your temple before you looked up at him with a smile 

“I want to change our deal” You hummed, and he frowned, looking down at you 

“What why?” He asked, confused, trying to read your face 

“If you finish the race tomorrow, then I’ll go on another date with you. However, I don’t want our relationship to spawn out of a bet for your first ever formula one race. I want that to happen whenever we want that to happen” You explained gently, resting your chin on his chest as his arms wrapped around your waist

“What if I want that to happen tonight?” He asked 

“I think I’d like that” You smiled up at him as he leaned down a little. Your faces hovering above each other 

“Can I kiss you?” Oliver asked, and you nodded 

“I think I’d like that too” You whispered as he leaned down. 

Your lips pressed together gently as you wrapped your arms around his neck. He pulled you closer by your waist. You smiled into the kiss, relaxing in his arms as you kissed him. Pulling back after a little while. You rested your head against his chest as you looked up at him 

“Was that okay?” He asked, causing you to nod 

“It definitely was. Although you’ve stolen all my energy now” You joked, and he laughed 

“Good. It means you’ll stop texting me at two in the morning” you smiled up at him as he wrapped his arms around your shoulders, pulling you into his body as he started walking with you again. Looking at your phone, Lando had texted to say that he was back in the hotel room now and not to wake him. 

“We both know that I’ll be tired until I get into bed and then I’ll be jumping on Lando again” Ollie laughed as you pulled a hair tie off your wrist and pulled your hair out of your face. 

“I know my dads here, and he’ll be in the garage tomorrow, but I’d really appreciate it if you would be in the Ferrari garage tomorrow. You’ve got this great way of calming me down” You smiled, looking up at him 

“You know I’ll be there if you want me there. Lando really won’t care” You hummed, and he nodded, stopping as you passed a fountain. You looked at him with a frown as he looked down at you with a smile on his face 

“Make a wish” He hummed, and you turned to the fountain and made a wish before starting to walk back to the hotel. Walking you up to the hotel room stopping outside of your room with Ollie, who smiled at you 

“Thank you for coming out with me” He smiled 

“Of course. I really enjoyed it, Ollie. Thank you” You smiled, opening the hotel door up after giving Ollie another hug and pressing a kiss to his cheek. Walking into the hotel room silently, assuming that Lando would be asleep by now. you let out a scream when you saw Lando sat staring at you 

“Jesus fuck Lando” You swore hand going to your chest as Lando laughed at you. There was a knock at the door 

“Y/N?” Ollie called, and you opened up the door to see a worried looking Oliver Bearman. 

“I heard you scream. Are you okay?” He asked, looking to check you for any injuries 

“Yeah. Just got a heart attack from my lovely brother. He told me he’d be sleeping, but he was sat staring at me” You explained as Lando was still laughing in the background 

“Oh good. I’m gonna go back to my room then” he smiled 

“Night Ollie” Shutting the door again, you turned back to Lando, rolling your eyes as you sat on your bed, taking your shoes off 

“How was your date?” Lando asked, raising his eyebrows as he turned in his seat 

“It was good. We went to a little cafe then walked around the park. I got a little too excited when I saw some swings” Lando laughed 

“So you admit it was a date?” He asked, and you rolled your eyes again 

“Yeah. I admit it” You grabbed your clothes walking into the bathroom as Lando cheered obviously very happy with the outcome.

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[kr-starz]

Modern Highschool Arcane AU headcanons !!

(Vi & Jinx)

Jinx and Vi are still teenagers, their age gap would be like 3 years in this AU, so when it's Jinx's freshman year Vi's already a Senior.

People were genuinely surprised finding out the little chaotic science geek and the sports-minded athlete were SISTERS since they were so different friend group and personality wise.

(Cait & Vi)

Vi is a jock! She does winter wrestling and she's the best in her weight group. She's also involved in fall and spring sports. Baseball and football are her other seasonal sports.

People know Vi to be just a sports junkie, she has pretty good grades but nothing exceptional.

She's not so great at science , which forces her to be tutored.

Vi and Cait met in their sophomore year, she needed some help improving her grade in order to be eligible for the spring season sports since she was failing history at the time, so Caits assigned to help her out.

Caitlyn’s a goody two shoes icl, like she’s apart of the student council and her mom’s the superintendent. She’s in ROTC and she’s so very loud about it, she’s basically the FACE of the program.

Cait and Vi get close because Vi keeps seeing Caitlyn around and she’s become sort of a hallway crush, but with her fuckboy attitude Vi tries to flirt the second she realizes that she’s somehow managed to get Caitlyn as her tutor!

Cait is used to people flirting with her, she usually brushes it off since she’s a man magnet. Vi on the other hand, is weirdly making her flustered? It’s strange, really.

Cait and Vi start getting closer and eventually start dating the year after.

(Ekko & Jinx)

Ekko and Jinx are the same age but Ekko's older by a few months so he brags about it.

Ekko D&D nerd. He dragged Jinx into it, she only complied since Ekko asked so nicely (he threatened her kindly)

Jinx isn’t into extracurriculars, did track in middle school so she’s exceptionally fast and she’s in the track and field team in high school but she skips practice A LOT but the coach lowkey needs her so she doesn’t get punished.

Jinx has straight A’s but she skips classes and has days where she just can’t attend class so she does some of her work online (it’s like 70/30) in person-online; she has accommodations in her 504 plan that lets her listen to music all the time and lets her leave class whenever.

Jinx is just a nickname that was given to her while she was a kid since every sports team she cheered for ended up losing (she only ever went since she wanted to see what Vi was up to) and she was Jinxing every game which DID hurt her feelings when she was like 6 but now it’s kind of funny since she doesn’t care for sports.

She’s slightly uncomfortable letting random people call her Powder now since she introduces herself as Jinx, only her closer friends call her Powder.

She no longer Jinxes games now though but it was funny while it lasted.

Ekko and Jinx have this weird rivalry-friendship-situationship where they ARE childhood best friends who back each other up but they refuse to pair up together when working on projects since they wanna see who can get better grades or impress more people.

Ekko and Jinx is like “the boy/girl next door” trope since they’ve been casually hanging just whenever since they were little itty bitty kids. So people kind of know Jinx as “that girl friend he’s always around” and Ekko as “that boy friend Jinx is always around” to their respective classmates and acquaintances.

Ekko and Jinx used to get the “wait you guys aren’t dating” comment at least once a month. (They’re not dating just yet)

Ekko is in the art club and has never considered doing a sport (Ice hockey has intrigued him more and more every year though) and he’s in a bunch of clubs to compensate. He established the D&D club, being in a little “green thumb” club for plant parents, afterschool computer-science club which is run by Viktor and Jayce. He’s got a pretty decent variety of friends because of it and larger social circle. He’s known to be this friendly little nerdy guy and people either love him or think he’s weird.

When Ekko doesn’t have extracurriculars to focus on he’s out practicing new skate tricks,

Ekko is the plant dad of the CENTURY, he has like 20 plants in his room, he’s nurturing a garden in his backyard and he has the prettiest bushels of flowers in the house. He’s got the greenest of thumbs.

Jinx has a black thumb and kills every plant in a 20 mile radius. No but seriously, when Ekko tried giving Jinx a plant to take care of as an attempt to bond, it DIED within a week. (She drowned it) and when he gave her an easier plant to take care of, she fed the thing rubbing alcohol and didn’t notice until it was DEAD.

Ekko asks Jinx to Hoco, that’s when they started dating. Everyone calls it like “oh my god finally” “you weren’t dating before?” Etc. it’s really cute but there’s minimal changes!! They just start like, kissing or something.

[the-lambda-archives-ai]

“Okay. . . Background. . . I was a troubled kid, I’ll just get that out of the way, got into fights skipped school made a lot of questionable choices for my age.

I think it goes without saying I didn’t have a lot of friends, not my fault, my parents were shit, abusive dad and a pushover of a mom who just sat back and watched; I used to tell myself it was 'cause she was scared of him too.

Doesn’t matter anymore.

Let’s just say they didn’t take too kindly to finding out that their dearest daughter wanted to be a boy.

I was. . . on my own, I couldn’t stay at home, they didn’t want me to stay and neither did I; since my parents abandoned me I’d forced myself to go back into the closet, I was afraid that if I was myself people would leave.

Typically people aren’t too keen on letting an angry teenager with a shit load of baggage in, so I had nowhere to go.

Naturally, when I turned 18 I joined the army, I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you about all the horrors of the military.

I’m let off 7 years later, and if you thought I had problems before, you wouldn’t know the half of it.

I was more lost than ever before.

Turned out I wasn’t the only one because a little while later I ran into a mate from the army in a bar, turned out we both were from the same little shit hole, and coincidentally both ended up in the same town; we drank, talked, and for the first time I felt like I wasn’t alone, I’ve never had it happen where I talked to a stranger and it feel like we’ve known each other our entire lives, it could have also been the alcohol that made it a bit easier, but we got on like a house on fire.

Adrian was the first guy who ever really understood me, who I felt comfortable around, hell I even worked up the confidence to come out to him, I was scared shitless but he obviously accepted me. . . heh . . .it’s funny ‘cause the moment after I came out, he quickly confessed he thought he was gay, it caught me so off guard that I laughed and said “way to kill the moment.” he said he thought it would make me feel better if he also confessed a secret.

I was lost, but now I had a friend.

I became an officer and shortly after he did too, for the first time in my entire life things were beginning to get on track.

We had a good. . . 6 years? without a major incident, which in hindsight it's crazy either of us made it that long without crashing into a tree or something, but well. . . obviously that didn’t last.

One of the guys from work invited us on a hunting trip, it sounded exciting, I’d never been hunting before and I sure as hell wasn’t gonna pass up an opportunity to get drunk in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of idiots! Adrian wasn’t as excited about it as I was and was more reluctant to agree, but I guess when he heard I was going he agreed to come along.

It was us and 3 other guys in Colorado for 3 days, first couple days were great, we hiked around the mountain, went fishing, shot a couple ducks, got temporarily lost, the usual fun you have camping, it was on the night of the second day I think, that one of the guys, Adam, said he saw something moving around the campsite, Clarke, another guy, whipped out his gun and shot it in the air without warning and said some dumb shit like “well it’s gone now!”.

He got yelled at for being a fucking dumbass, but we all kind of agreed it was probably a deer and long gone now.

Adrian woke me up that night, but in a fuckin- kidnap-cover-your-mouth style, I was gonna yell at him but before I could get anything out he whispered to be quiet.

I- I’d never seen him so. . . scared.

I nodded to him and he slowly let go and inched towards the tent door, I- I asked him what was going on but he just whipped around and glared at me, I kind of just shut up and tried to listen. . .?

I’d thought maybe a bear wandered into the campsite and he’d heard it or something?

We were sat there for maybe two or three minutes before I heard a- something growling. . . it- it wasn’t like anything- I- I need you to understand there is no damn animal in Colorado that could make that noise, it was so low but not like- a natural low, like it didn’t sound real?

It sounded like if you took a dog growling and edited it to the lowest possible setting and added a reverb? Something like that- it- it was so loud I thought that it was around our tent but. . . I realized it wasn’t when I heard Adam scream.

The next part was sort of a blur, something ripped into our tent, gunshots, and we both ran out into the woods, I- I wasn't focused on where I was going- I just kept running, like tunnel vision.

It was dark and cold and at some point I realized I wasn't wearing any shoes 'cause my feet were bleeding, I was completely out of breath and exhausted, I had to stop, I barely had a moment to breathe when I heard the growling start again, it wasn't close but it was loud enough that I knew it was near, and then the growl began to change, it slowly morphed into a laugh, and then it started coming from all directions, it was so loud it- that horrible unnatural laugh rang in my skull and I couldn’t move, I knew I was trapped and- that I’d die here, alone.

A gunshot pierced the woods and all at once the laughter stopped, Adrian emerged from the tree line holding a pistol, he was shaken up but began to make his way toward me. . . I should have known better than to let my guard down, but I was so happy to see his stupid face.

A figure jumped out of the trees at a speed that- I. . . I didn’t even have the time to process what was happening, I just turned over to look and it was on Adrian, he dropped his gun and the thing- it- it almost looked human but was so deformed- it was bloated in some places and skinny in others, its face looked charred, pitch black, the only things visible were its glowing white eyes and teeth- it kicked his gun away and I ran to go pick it up, when I turned back I was expecting it to try to stop me. . . That you know- me running would at least catch it's attention? But it didn’t. . . I turned back to see it mauling Adrian, it ripped into his arm and part of his jaw before I shot it.

It didn’t die, the bullet barely seemed to have affected it, but it was enough to drive it back into the woods, he- Adrian was bleeding. Bad.

I- I was so scared he’d die- I lifted him up and wandered the woods looking for the nearby highway, I walked with him for what felt like hours before the forest service found us, they were already on their way because they heard all the gunshots.

From there I guess I must have passed out because next thing I know I’m waking up in a hospital bed, I was well enough and practically jumped out of bed looking for someone to ask if Adrian was alright, but turned out he was in the bed next to me all patched up and sleeping, it’s weird, despite everything that had just happened, in that moment all I thought about was how we must have truly been inseparable if not even a freaky monster could break us apart.

I probably jinxed it. . . Adrian recovered alright and got a ton of gnarly new scars he covers up but. . . he wasn’t the same.

He became . . . obsessed with hunting down whatever that thing was. . . Metaphorically speaking, he’d never go back to those or any other woods ever again, but, he wanted answers, at some point he learned about the lambda institute and became unhealthily obsessed.

His hunger for answers was what began to drive a wedge in our friendship, the supernatural has him in a chokehold, and I don’t even think he realizes it.

Since his recovery he’s. . . spiraled. . . he’s obsessive, possessive, paranoid, and he does things without even thinking about the consequences, before all this happened he was the responsible one, one of our friends joked that I’ve basically become his babysitter, it was a joke but it’s sort of true.

I knew he was obsessed with the paranormal, but I didn’t find out about his fixation on the lambda institute 'till after yesterdays incident when he confessed about it after we left.

. . . He’s been put on mental health leave for a couple weeks, and he’s barely spoken to me since.

I’m getting worried- I’ve been worried, for his health, our r- friendship, but- now more than ever, he always comes to me for everything, but he’s been getting withdrawn, hiding things from me isn’t- he never does that; from others, yes, but not me, I’m- this is bad, I’m worried about what other things he could be hiding, he hid his obsession for months I don’t- I- I think he’s going to do something, something stupid, he’s gonna get hurt and I need to stop him but I don’t know how, I just. . . I just want my best friend back.

> Statement ends.

Pt 192 > here

Prev > here

[slugsby-pt3]

zero day headcannons

- andre is always bruised the fuck up from assholes at school because cal always has some smart shit to say and andre has to whiteknight him

- cal does not cut but andre….yall aren’t ready for that

- cal is depressed in the way that he is dissatisfied with the world and not the type where he feels the need to punish himself

- cal’s surprisingly a really good big brother and was really excited to get a baby brother

- andre and his older brother fight like dogs, andre has definitely chased his brother around the kitchen with a knife as siblings do

- andre isn’t a wall puncher because he’s so anal about his room looking a certain way so he goes down to his basement and breaks shit

- andre doesn’t listen to music, like he doesn’t have a favorite band at all. He listens to whatever’s on the radio that isn’t ear piercing and whatever cal listens to

- andre is a secret hopeless romantic, i.e keeping that note from a girl in eighth grade

- cal knows Rachel likes him and just see it as a non factory (plus a secret thing of liking how reactive andre gets where cal brings her up)

- andre unknowingly is in love with cal and just sees them as best friends that really care for each other (in a I just wanna kiss him in a bro way) and doesn’t understand his parents telling him they are “codependent”

- andre’s internalized homophobia is the reason him and cal died virgins

- even if they ended up realizing it, cal wouldn’t be able to get it up (hiii dylan)

- andre’s room is insanely tidy, like has the layout and an organizer so everything goes where it should

- cal’s room is dirty as all fuck, clean/dirty clothes on the floor, growing cultures in all the dirty moldy bowls on his bed side table and around his bed

- cal smells like applesauce and cheap weed

- andre is accidentally straightedge, not because he like believes in that ideology. He’s just very particular in the things he allows himself to do. (Plus cal got him high one time in tenth grade and andre hella greened out and it ruined it for him forever of it)

- people at school don’t know andre is jewish and just think he’s obsessed with German shit in a edgy nazi teenage boy way

- cal hates school functions, and even skips assemblies, but always comes to Andre’s cross country and track meets

- andre is very protective over mel and uses his money from his pizza job to buy her toys and clothes

- when andre and cal have sleepovers at Andre’s house, cal’s expected to adhere to mel having a specific spot on Andre’s bed since she was “here first”

- andre was known as the angry kid in elementary after throwing a printer towards a teacher in the second grade (giving Connor realness)

- andre has fun saying shit in French/german to confuse cal

- andre is that fucking irritating kid that plays devil advocate in history/government class

- andre took lineleader crazily serious in elementary school, fully letting that small sense of superiority completely control him

- he also took kahoot and dodgeball to the next level (andre was one of those shitty teenage boys that would throw it as hard as he could and then be a dick saying ‘I didn’t even throw it that hard’ as if he didn’t nearly pull a goddamn muscle doing that shit)

[aprocessionofthoughts]

Left Behind

ai-less whumptober day 19- left behind/why wasn't I enough fandom- dp x dc TW- abandonment Summary- The Fenton parents leave their kids at the Gotham Public Library

ao3 ailesswhumptober masterlist part 1 of TFR

Barbara was working the closing shift at the library. She was putting some books away when she overheard a conversation.

“Do you know when mom and dad are going to pick us up?” said what sounded like a teenage boy.

“No, I– Oh, wait they just messaged me.” said what Barbara thought was a slightly older teen girl.

Silence.

“Jazz?

“They left.”

“What?”

“Someone posted about a possible sighting in Metropolis. They said they’ll be there for a few days.”

There was more silence. Barbara stayed quiet.

“So, they left us behind.”

“Yeah.”

“Again.”

“...Yeah.”

Barbara closed her eyes, thinking of Tim and how he had been left home alone so much. And these kids… their parents had abandoned them too.

“Well at least we’re not helpless.”

“I hate them.”

“Jazz–”

“No, Danny. I hate them. They’re supposed to be our parents. They’re supposed to take care of us.”

“I know. They always chose something else over us. Why aren’t we enough, Jazz?”

“I don’t know.” she sniffled.

“Jazz, hey, look at me. We’ll be okay.”

“I'm sorry, Danny. I'm just so tired.”

“I am too.”

Barbara was about to speak up when they continued.

“At least i have a credit card this time so it won’t be like the time they forgot is in Bridgton.”

“Yeah, that sucked. We were lucky we were able to sneak onto that semi.”

“Well, tonight we can get a hotel room and then get bus tickets tomorrow.

“I could just... you know. Do my thing.”

“I guess, but we should at least get a hotel for tonight. I don’t want to try traveling while you’re exhausted.”

“That’s fair. But–”

Barbara finally decided she should make her presence known. She cleared her throat as she made her way around the bookshelf.

The two teens startle. They looked like siblings. The girl was a redhead with teal eyes, and the boy had black hair and blue eyes.

“Hello, I’m Barbara. I work here at the library. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation.” she paused as the siblings glanced at each other, the boy reaching over to grab his sister’s arm. 

“What do you mean?” asked the girl, Jazz, if Barbara was correct.

“You need a place to stay tonight? It’ll be hard to find a good hotel at this hour. I’ve got an extra bedroom at my apartment, and you’re welcome to stay the night. You won’t owe me anything.”

“Why?” asked the boy, Danny.”

Barbara considered for a moment. “I have a friend who went through a similar situation as you guys, so I’m familiar with what it's like to have your parents be too busy. And you wouldn’t be the first kids I've let stay the night. I can help you find bus tickets in the morning. I’m familiar with most of the routes and can let you know which ones are the safest and quickest.”

The girl glanced at her brother, who stared at Barbara. There was a moment where his eyes seemed to glow and Barabar felt as if he were really looking at her. She suppressed a shudder at the intense feeling. 

Then he turned to his sister and nodded.

“That’s very kind of you. Thank you. I’m Jazz and this is Danny.”

“It’s nice to meet you both. I have to finish locking up so I’ll meet you by the door.”

They nodded and started gathering their stuff.

Barbara went to finish the rest of the closing shift duties. 

She also had a call to make.

[haroldhearsawho]

@oopsiedaisiesbaby Since you wrote something for me here’s something for you that’s been brewing in my head for awhile now:

Ok so hear me out- I don’t know how people feel about rpf (I mean technically Clegan is rpf) but this picture of Austin and Callum has given me all sorts of ideas, I can’t help it 😩:

So I’m thinking they’ve always flirted with one another but always made it out it be a joke, or like they’d back off as soon as or before it got too serious. Like they’d both say off hand comments or remarks about/to the other that always has the other reeling back and wondering, second guessing everything but convincing themselves they’re trying to make it into something it’s not, seeing things that aren’t there, looking too far into it. And the way Austin looks at Callum- it’s hard for Callum to look back sometimes, it feels so intense and sensual and he’s afraid of his own expression giving anything away. But Callum tells himself Austin looks at everyone that way, he has very intense eye contact and it can easily come across as sexual when he doesn’t mean for it to. So they’ve been dancing around one another for as long as they’ve known each other.

Also- as far as their sexuality goes, in my head, Callum has never really been interested in men, but there have been more than a few times where he’s found stereotypical “pretty boys” and “twinks” attractive like he would a woman and thought about what it would be like to have sex with them, and it wasn’t a repulsive thought, but he always buried that in the back of his head. Until he met Austin and then all bets were off, not even to himself could he pretend he didn’t want to absolutely wreck him. But he told himself it was because it/he was Austin, like everyone wants him, he just has that affect on people. And he’s just so fucking gorgeous and lovely that he defies gender and sexuality.

And then for Austin, well- I think he’s definitely felt attraction to men before. More so than Callum. But it’s also something he’s buried deep down and not dealt with or acted upon (except for maybe a few make out sessions or mutual jerking off/hand jobs with his male peers as a teen), because he has a lot of hang ups about it, partly due to how he’s perceived by the public as a pretty and feminine man, so he often feels the need to overcompensate in the opposite direction, also because he doesn’t want to get typecast as that type of man all the time. And also because of so much of the unwanted attention and attraction he has received from grown and older men since puberty. He’s had creepy old and middle aged men creep on him since he was a teenager and so he still feels uncomfortable about it, still gets the creeps sometimes when an older man will make a comment toward/to him or touch him in what could be an intimate way. I imagine he had quite a few uncomfortable or outright inappropriate interactions with or comments directed at him by male executives, producers, and directors as a young teen auditioning for and landing roles on Disney and Nickelodeon, and so obviously that made the “finding men attractive” part of his brain shut off completely, even though men closer to his age (who he was actually attracted to on some level) weren’t the issue and weren’t who made him feel uncomfortable.

So, Callum and Austin have been dancing around each other since they first met. But that night at the Boys in the Boat premiere, Austin gets uncharacteristically sloshed for whatever reason, maybe he just was in a good happy mood and felt safe and so he let himself go a bit. (He always feels safe with Callum). Callum is finding it very entertaining to see Austin so unguarded and carefree; Austin is always friendly and approachable, but he’s careful with who he opens up completely to and who he allows himself to be vulnerable around. Callum is one of the lucky few who he trusts to do so around, and Callum carries that privilege like a badge of honor. Austin is very flirty with Callum throughout the night, and gets more and more so, and touchier as well, the drunker he gets. And by the end of the night, Austin is completely defenseless, with zero inhibitions, plastered over and leaning heavily on Callum to hold him up or else he couldn’t stand by himself, smiling brightly and lovingly at Callum and looking up at him from under his lashes like he always does, but now it’s even more pointed, more intense, and it has Callum blushing deeply and turning his gaze away.

“He’s so lovely, even when he’s plastered,” Callum thinks to himself. “Let’s get you back to your hotel room, big guy, I think you’ve had enough fun for one night” is what he says out loud instead. Austin doesn’t argue, just giggles like Callum said something super funny and leans into him even heavier.

Callum gets his driver to take them both to the hotel Austin is staying at and tells him to wait while he walks Austin up to his room and makes sure he’s okay. In the elevator, Austin lays his head against Callum’s shoulder and looks up at him with a super serious expression on his face, and says “I feel safe with you, Cal.” Callum's heart flutters and melts in his chest and he swallows before he responds. “I’m always here for you, mate, you know that.” Austin smiles at that and leans his head again back on Callum’s shoulder.

Callum gets Austin up and into his hotel room, putting Austin’s arm around his shoulders and holding onto his hand that’s around his neck, trying not to think about how his hand easily wraps around Austin’s entire wrist. The whole time Austin is just hanging off of him. Once he gets him into his room, he bends down to help Austin take off his shoes, but as he does, Austin stops him with a hand on his shoulder and pulls him back up. “Stay the night with me here, Cal?” he asks with those big blue puppy dog eyes.

“I can’t, my driver is waiting for me outside the hotel,” Callum replies truthfully. He can’t deny that he wants to stay, but he knows what a terrible idea that would be for so many reasons, most of all being that he knows Austin will be embarrassed in the morning and it will be awkward as hell. Austin pouts a little bit and oh God, he’s so adorable, this drunk 32 year old grown man pouting looking like he’s about 12.

“You’ll be okay, let’s just get you to bed,” Callum says as he helps maneuver Austin to the bedroom in the hotel suite. As he’s trying to get Austin to sit or lay down on the bed from where he’s still hanging off of him, Austin is looking up at him intensely again from under those damn lashes and rasps, “Kiss me, Cal.”

He’s looking at him completely open. No inhibitions. Just pure, deep desire. And yeah, Callum’s entire body feels like it’s on fire. He audibly gasps. There’s a heat growing in his groin and his heart is beating rapidly in his chest and his palms are sweating and his face is on fire and no, this can’t be happening, what is happening right now. He’s got to be imagining this.

But that’s right, Austin is drunk. He’s not thinking straight, that’s all. He doesn’t have control of his faculties at the moment. He won’t even remember saying it in the morning. He looks away from Austin’s intense gaze and manages to choke out, “I can’t, Aus. You’re-you’re drunk.” Austin, damn him, gets that stupidly adorable and heartbreaking pout back on his face. His eyes even seem to be filling with tears, his forehead wrinkles up.

“Why won’t you kiss me?” he whines. Callum at first feels absolutely heartbroken until he realizes that Austin has probably never been rejected or denied a kiss once in his life; he’s probably genuinely confused with Callum’s answer. He laughs under his breath at that. “God, the irony, if he only knew how much I want to” he thinks.

“I cant, Aus. I’m sorry. Come on, let’s get you into bed.” Once he’s gotten him to lay down, Austin closes his eyes and it seems like it will only be a few seconds before he’s passed out. Callum pats him on the thigh and says, “I’ll text you tomorrow,” as he heads out the door and back down to where his driver is parked outside waiting.

The next day, Austin texts him around noon just to thank him for getting him safely back to his hotel room, and apologizes for being so out of it. Callum responds that it wasn’t a hassle and that he was glad he had a good time and enjoyed himself. Neither of them mention what Austin had said. Callum doesn’t ever ask him if he remembers what he said that night. They return to their normal dynamic, and luckily (or not) it doesn’t change anything about their friendship or feel awkward or weird at all.

Then I think maybe months later, after the Masters of the Air press tour has wrapped (in which there was a hell of a lot more flirting and touching), Austin texts Callum when it’s in the middle of the night (super early morning) in the UK and late at night in the US, asking if he’s awake. The buzz of his phone on his nightstand wakes him up and he responds “Now I am, thanks” and then his phone is ringing.

“What’s the matter?” He asks when he picks up because this isn’t like Austin at all.

“Cal,” Austin breathes on the other line. His voice is raspier and even deeper than normal if that’s even possible. Immediately Callum is awake and feels a sharp heat pooling in his groin.

“Cal, please tell me you wanted to kiss me that night. Please tell me you wanted it just as much as I did.” Austin sounds a bit tipsy, not fully sober, and Callum wants to curse him out for torturing him like this. “Austin are you-”

“I’m not drunk, Callum. I’ve had a couple drinks to loosen up but I’m not drunk. I’m just sick of pretending. And I want you right now. I want you so badly, Cal, I can’t take it anymore.”

Callum hears rustling around on the other line and realizes that Austin is touching himself. And at that realization, all bets are off.

“Jesus Christ, Austin, are you touching yourself right now?”

“Yeah” he breathes, his breath hitching a bit. Hearing Austin in this state, it’s something Callum had imagined so often but never thought he’d actually get to hear. He doesn’t even realize he’s doing it as he reaches into his pants and pulls his cock out and starts tugging on it.

“Jesus, Austin, you have no idea, no idea how bad I want you. Wanted you for so long, it’s been torture not being able to touch you the way I want to. You have no idea what you do to me, have no idea the things I want to do to you.”

Austin moans on the other side of the phone. Callum is enthralled with how high his breathy moans are, so much higher than his deep voice regularly.

“Tell me,” Austin breathes.

“God, baby, I just wanna get my mouth on you, all over you. Wanna make you feel so good. Wanna do everything to you, with you. Anything you want, baby boy. You’re so fucking gorgeous, Aus. The way you look at me sometimes- You drive me fucking crazy.”

By this point they’re both jerking themselves off loudly, they both can hear the other and they’re both close, picking up speed.

“Wanna hear you, baby. Wanna hear how good you feel, thinking about me there making you feel good instead.”

Callum feels high, drunk, delirious. He still can’t believe this is actually happening.

“So good, Cal. Wish you were here touching me.”

“Yeah” Callum grunts back, he’s at the point where he doesn’t have any words left to use, his mind is fogged by white hot desire.

“Sometimes I fuck myself on my fingers and imagine it’s your cock inside me,” Austin rasps.

And that about does Callum in.

He groans loudly, “Yeah? You want my cock, baby?”, he’s proud that he is able to get that much out in response.

Austin moans on the other end “Yeah, I want it. Want your cock so bad. Been thinking it about for so long, now, Cal.”

That’s all it takes for Callum to come all over himself and his bedsheets. He can tell Austin is close on the other end.

“Come on baby, want you to come for me. Wanna hear you come. Know you sound so pretty when you do, while you’re thinking about having my cock in you.”

Austin keens at that and Callum can hear him finishing on the other end, high breathy moans and gasps filling the space. God, he sounded even more beautiful coming than Callum ever imagined, and he’d imagined it plenty.

“Jesus Christ, Austin, you’re gonna be the death of me,” he says once he gets his voice back fully. Austin laughs breathily on the other end, still breathing heavily.

“Wow, Austin. That was- just wow. So fucking hot. Damn.” Austin laughs breathily again. They’re silent for a few moments, catching their breaths, and Callum starts to get a bit nervous.

“Now what did I do to deserve all that, huh? What provoked all this? Not that I’m complaining,“ he asks.

“Was at a brand event tonight, and this male brand ambassador was all over me. And I’d had a few drinks- I’m not drunk, I promise- and all I could think about was how I did want a man touching me like that. But not him, or any other man, I just wanted you. Have always wanted you, Cal. I- sometimes I feel uncomfortable with male attention, having men wanting me. But you- you’re the man that I want, Cal. I want you to want me. And well, I used to tell myself I was just seeing things that I wanted to see, but I could have sworn you looked at me like you wanted me back that night- That night at the premiere, when you brought me back to the hotel- I could have sworn you wanted to kiss me, even through my drunken haze. The way you put your arm around my waist sometimes, how you touch my face. I love when you do those things, Cal. The way you had your hand wrapped around my entire wrist that night I was drunk- I loved how it made me feel small, protected. I love how much bigger you are than me, how you make me feel safe.”

“What city are you in right now?”

“…Huh?”

“What city are you in right now, Aus?”

“I-I don’t understand what that has to do with anything at the moment.”

“Because I’m looking up the next flight out of London that I can get on so that I can get to wherever you are right now. Now that I know you want me to touch you, I can’t stand another second of not being able to get my hands on you like I want to. What city are in right now, Austin?”

“New York,” Austin breathes.

“I’ll be there by this afternoon.”

[theeccentricraven]

The 9th Day of Writemas ☃️🔔🎶

Thanks again to @agirlandherquill for this brilliant tag game/writing prompt/writing challenge! Writemas as made my December brighter😇 For anyone who wants to know the rules or wants to join, the invitation post explains it all!

For the Day 9 prompt I chose a ballroom. I needed to do this one because luck would have it, Draft 1 of The Blood Cleaners has a ballroom scene! I needed to rewrite it because it was way too short. I got my creative juices going and made this!

Justin followed Clarice’s instructions and found the ballroom on the tenth floor. The room was twice as spacious as the ballrooms of the tunnels, decorated with glitter wallpaper and stone columns (courtesy of the limestone quarries) carved with reliefs of flowers and insects. The room was full of teenage boys wearing suits like their fathers and girls dressed in silk dresses. Justin supposed they saw him as an oddball there in his cerulean and black Steel blood cleaner uniform. He also sensed Clarice didn’t care with the way she held his hands and took him as her partner when the youth paired up.  The two dance teachers were a tall, slender woman with sparkly green eyes and a taller, slimmer man with dark eyes and a black ponytail. The woman, Cheryl, wore a black rayon dress while the man, Edward, wore a black leotard. “And now,” Cheryl announced. “A dance from before the Last War, known as the tango.”  The instructors demonstrated how the male stepped forward while the female stepped back. Justin held Clarice’s left hand high, his right hand on her back, her right hand on his back. The ceiling stereos played accordion music. Justin took two slow steps forward. Clarice stepped back parallel to his steps. He took a quick step forward. She took a quick step back. He stared into her blue eyes. She stared back at him, her face turning pink. They turned another angle, swinging 180 degrees. Justin took two slow steps forward. Clarice, took two slow steps backward, wobbling her head as her cheeks turned red. “You’re doing okay,” Justin assured her. “Your moves…you’ve got the moves!” “Oh, I’m not worried about that,” Clarice said brightly. “You’re the one who’s sweating.” “Get out of here, I’m not!” Clarice snickered. They took a quick step, a slow step, and turned another angle. “Hey, Clar!” said one suited young man as he and his partner swung nearby.  “Hey, Brad!” Clarice said. “Is he a friend of yours?” Justin asked. Clarice nodded. The color left her face.  They repeated the steps, going two steps forward, a quick step, a slow step, and then turning another angle. “If you don’t mind my asking,” Justin whispered. “Why couldn’t you ask one of your friends to be your partner?” Clarice looked around as if to check that no one was close enough to listen. “There weren’t enough boys and well…none of their parents would have allowed it.” “Wait, none of the boys would have danced with you because their parents didn’t allow it?” “You said it.” “Really? Why?” Clarice pressed her palm tighter against Justin’s back. “Because our parents make us go to these mandatory dance lessons partly as a courtship opportunity. Meet our future spouses.” She tightened her lips. “I don’t follow,” said Justin.  Clarice shook her head. “Their parents would never let me be a potential future wife.” Justin widened his eyes. “Wait, so they don’t let you talk with your friends. They don’t let you dance with boys. All because you struggle to read?” She coughed. “All because I can’t read, as they would say.” As if the Fists didn’t suck enough, this was how they treated their children.  “Your parents are pendejos.” Clarice beamed. “I wish I could say that. They’d let you get away with it because you're a blood cleaner.” “I’m not as lucky, but…when you aren’t doing something like this, don’t you get to hang out with your friends?” “Oh, yeah. We spend what time we can together when our parents can’t catch us. Those moments are so rare, we need to find just the right moment when they’re distracted for a few hours.” “So you have your friends,” Justin hoped to assure her. “Your support group. And they must care for you more than your parents.” Clarice shrugged. “I still worry I’m not good enough for them.” Justin snorted. “Not good enough?” Her blue eyes, scarlet lipstick coated lips, and rosy cheeks tantalized him. “I mean, how can a guy say no to a beautiful girl like you?” Clarice’s face lit up just as she missed taking a step back. Justin’s foot stepped into hers. She fell back as he fell forward.  “Ow!” The ballroom erupted in laughter. 

Tagging writer mutuals ⛄🤶🧝👼🕯️🌟🍒🦌🛷💚🤍❤️🎄❄️🎅

@sunflowerrosy @furrywrit3r @wyked-ao3 @selenekallanwriter @drchenquill

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@g0ttest0d @infinnative @little-peril-stories @lyneidas @late-to-the-fandom

and OPEN

[barrackspredator]

for @bowerspowers :)

Marilyn Fenix 🦌

I ship you with…

Belch Huggins 🧸

Pre-Dating

Belch knows most people disregard him as the unfortunate looking one of the gang who’s dumb as rocks, and most people aren’t shy to make it known that’s how they think of him

For most of his life that’s what he’s been treated as, another dumb bully just without the looks his friends were graced with

When he found out he was paired with Marilyn for the history project, he was overcome with dread—guessing that Marilyn was just going to be another popular girl who would treat him like human garbage

To his surprise, Marilyn was rather different. Sure they bickered and lightly teased each other, but she didn’t treat him any differently than she would another one of his friends… except maybe Patrick’s psychotic self

About a week after their project, Belch found himself missing this feeling of normality. The feeling that he was just another regular teenage boy

Two weeks had passed when Belch finally approached Marilyn. He sheepishly stood in front of her desk with a small smile (looked more like a sneer). The stares they were receiving from their peers made him want to shy away, but the reassuring smile he got from Marilyn was enough to give him the courage he needed to ask her if she wanted a ride home

After a painfully tense drive home, the bulky brunette asked Marilyn if she wanted a ride to school the next day. From then on a schedule was made! Belch would drive Marilyn to school, home with the guys on Friday, and on cheer practice days would return at 6 to take her back home

When asked why he does this, he would turn red like a tomato while sputtering out some excuse.

“Kids are going missing, moron! Use your head, damnit!”

After weeks of rides and pining, Belch asked Marilyn on a date.

He did not phrase it as a date, instead he asked if she wanted to go on a nature walk

He popped the question of dating when they were miles deep into the woods and only he knew the way back.

Dating

He doesn’t show her off necessarily, but he sure isn’t shy about letting people know she’s his girlfriend

He’s actually quite proud of the fact that he could bag Derry’s golden girl since he was viewed as Derry’s… unfortunate looking bully

The gang had already got the hint that Belch had a thing for Marilyn, so it was no surprise to them when they saw the couple coming towards the car hand in hand

Henry is quite vocal about how off they look together

Victor is not at all as vocal as Henry or Patrick, instead he quietly appreciates the couple who act as the parents of the group

Patrick tried to hit on Marilyn during a ride home and Belch slammed the brakes knowing Patrick doesn’t wear his seatbelt

Belch had to clean the blood from the back of the headrest where Patrick’s head smashed into it

From then on Belch kicked Henry to the back to make Marilyn his passenger princess

Belch isn’t the jealous type by any means but seeing Marilyn around the jocks really grinds his gears

Like most people assume, Belch is the brute of the group, however he is also a big gentle giant who won��t use his strength against others unless commanded by Henry

It is for that reason that the gang was so surprised when Belch socked the QB of the football team for staring at Marilyn in her cheer uniform

He sheepishly apologized to Marilyn after while she was cleaning his knuckles

This big softie loves cuddling, hugging, or carrying his girlfriend

He’s very into words of affirmation and physical touch

His list of cute nicknames for her are out of this world

PDA enjoyer because he loves to show how beautiful his girlfriend is and how much he adores her

Attends every game she cheers at but only for her

Though he is a great boyfriend, at times he was entirely clueless to the double life his girlfriend was leading

When he found out she had been drinking at parties and taking up smoking, he offered guidance but also protection

He stays sober to make sure she’s okay when she’s not

Though he absolutely loves his precious Marilyn, his loyalties still lie with Henry. There were more than a few times when he would have to cancel on dates or pick her up a little later than usual because of Henry

There are periods of time where he loses sight of his main priority (Marilyn) because he is so caught up with Henry

He usually makes up for it by taking her out on a nice date, especially picnics

Belch tries to take her on a nature date at least once a week

Overall, Belch is a pretty wonderful boyfriend who loves his Marilyn dearly and would do anything for her. The attention she lacks from home is easily made up by her lovesick boyfriend… who can maybe be a bit much at times, but he means well!

Bonus Moodboard!

Did I mention how much this guy loves his gf?

[moreespressoformydepresso]

What are your honest thoughts on all Descendants boys? From both books and movies?

Oehh that’s a good question! I’ll base most of this off of the movies because I remember them more clearly. Sorry this is so late, I needed some time to sort out my thoughts. Let’s see:

Ben: cutie, golden retriever energy, needs to grow a bit more of a spine but as a recovering doormat I vibe with him.

He’s got a good heart, and he’s definitely going places, but I have no idea who decided a 16-year-old should be king. Hilariously, he’s a better king than his dad because he cares about all of his people, not just the “heroes”. But still, he’s 16, let him have his dumbass teenage years. He’s still in his phase of wanting to please everyone and that isn’t gonna lead to the best decision making. You’re king, Ben, you can overrule your girlfriend’s selfish idiotic plan of closing the barrier. Just tell her “the barrier was opened for you to come through too. If those kids aren’t worth the risk, does that mean you aren’t either? Should we throw you back?!” And she’s change her tune real fast. You gotta give some tough love sometimes.

Jay: cool, I wanna know his gym routine, pretty funny but rash, needs Carlos to temper his brand of crazy (love their bromance).

I love the narrative parallels to the movie Aladdin. Jafar thought himself so far above a street rat and now he’s raised his son to be one so he can continue being a con-man. In the movies, Jay is actually a very accurate representation of your upbringing shaping you into who you are. All Jay knows is stealing, he’s never been taught to pay if he doesn’t have to, so to him stealing’s perfectly fine. It’s normal. It’s a lot more subtle than the whole “who doesn’t like being evil” bit, but the core idea is the same: when all you’ve ever known is one perspective, that’s gonna feel like the objective truth because you’ve never had a chance to try a different one.

Carlos De Vil: Best (movie) Boy, my baby, I love him. What a little nerd (affectionate).

He’s a big part of why I willfully ignore the absolute stupidity that is the third movie’s ending. I’m sorry Mal, wtf is wrong with you??? You set your supposed friend’s abuser free for nothing but some empty platitudes and dare suggest you’ve become an empathetic person?!?! In the books, we get a lot more insight into just how horrible of a mother Cruella is, but even in the movies we see he’s had it bad because of how jumpy and nervous he is. Disney is still Disney so we don’t get much of the healing process, but we see how he calms down and adjusts to a normal life over the course of the movies when he’s out of the bad situation, which is pretty good by Disney standards. Cameron Boyce did an amazing job playing him (R.I.P Cameron) and seeing an abuse victim get comfortable within their own skin and getting the happy ending they deserve is always fun.

Harry Hook: Insane (affectionate), most fashionable drama queen ever, absolutely crazy, more than a few screws loose but in the best way possible, he’s hilarious.

So on the surface, Harry’s pretty simple. A dude who’s lost his marbles and flirts with everyone. He probably has some kind of moral compass, since he didn’t rip Mal’s throat out with his hook when she revealed her little stunt in D3, but it fell overboard at some point and couldn’t be found so nobody knows what it is except Harry himself. Also, he has his sane moments, like during that same confrontation in D3 I mentioned before where he says “And you, King Benny... you're probably gonna throw us all back inside.” It’s the first time I’ve heard him sound… not like Harry. It’s sombre and defeated, a little disappointed maybe? Either way it’s really good acting and it implies he can act completely “normal” but he just chooses not to, which makes me like him even more. He’s just a dude living his best life despite the circumstances he was born into.

Gil: adorable, hilarious, kinda clueless but in a good way.

I love characters that have no idea what’s going on half the time but are absolute sweethearts trying their best. He’s like- the opposite of his dad in every way and I’m living for it!

Gaston Jr and Gaston the third: I don’t have much to say on them, let alone separately, so they get a section together.

Honestly? I don’t remember having an opinion of them. They made Evie happy by wresting, which is cool so they get points for that. Seem like they’re trying to out-gentleman each other to win Evie’s heart and since they’re not being creepy assholes about it they are objectively better than their dad. Very much brawl over brains, the two of them, with their constant wrestling reminding me of Carlos and Jay except they’re both the muscle. Kinda cute sibling relationship, even if it’s in a VK-typical villain-flavored way.

Anthony Tremaine: squeeeee, my type is pretty boys who sigh in annoyance at everything, I guess? We only get scraps but I happily cradle them to my chest.

Uhmmm so Anthony’s personality is mostly up for imagination? The only canon information we have is that he’s most likely Anastasia’s only kid (someone on Tumblr pointed out that, in the scene with the wicked step-daughters, he’s referred to only as their cousin, not their brother) and he’s very bored with his cousins’ antics. Given A Twist In Time the potential drama is endless. Every time Anthony’s mentioned we’re reminded he’s pretty and has good style, and I love that for him. Dude lives on an isle of junk and still looks like a supermodel. Lots of room for my own ideas while still remaining within the realm of “could be canon” with just enough base in there that I’m not just creating an OC, and as a writer and artist that’s all I need tbh.

Hadie: cute, deserves better, I need more of him and Mal bonding

Mal’s half-brother, son of Hades, very cool. I like that he’s trying to turn good and having a hard time, because that’s very realistic for someone who grew up not knowing anything other than evil. Descendants 2 tried to tackle it with Mal, but failed miserably. We know Hades sucks as a parent in descendants (neglect is abuse) so that’s not gonna help him.

Dough: Awww he’s so cute with Evie 🥺

No really that’s it. He’s a nerd that gets the girl, has some very funny moments, but honestly most of his character is centered around Evie? And they’re cute together it’s not a bad thing but there isn’t much to analyze. He’s understandably pissed about someone like Chad getting all the girls while using them, but that’s also only ever seen in relation to Evie.

Chad Charming: what a bitch (derogatory), total coward, I hate him but he’s funny.

So I have no issue with characters who conduct themselves terribly (I love Audrey, (fanon) Anthony, Uma, and many others from many fandoms) if, and that’s a massive IF, they have a good reason for it. And I’ll count “because I can and I want to” as a good reason, because by that point you have someone who’s mean and owns it. I can appreciate the self-awareness and usually those characters are very extra so it’s entertaining. If not that, there needs to be a reason they are the way they are. Audrey has the pressure from her grandmother (and the borderline verbal abuse), Uma has the very real grievance of living in squalor on a run-down island full of the worst of humanity because she was born, what does Chad have? He’s spoiled. A spoiled brat. And he goes from that to an overtly whimpering coward with none of the pretense of superiority in any field. His one saving grace is that he’s a massive joke.

Diego De Vil, Clay Clayton, Gonzo, Jace and Harry Badun, Herkie, Aziz, Jonas, Lefou Deux, Li Shang Jr, everyone else I missed: no opinion, because they’re not relevant enough for the writers to give them a personality.

I have nothing I’m sorry. I barely remember reading their names and I don’t remember anything from the scenes they’re (mentioned) in to get an idea of what to talk about here.

That was… a lot lmao

[industrations]

Hi, may I ask you a question? I know this is probably kind of an unusual ask so feel free to ignore this! But you seem so nice and kind so I thought I might ask you about this...

So lately I keep thinking a lot about gender things. Oh and I am a girl (maybe (as in afab)) and until recently I was convinced that I am very comfortable in my gender. And the thing is, I did think about it. I knew about my sexuality since I was a teenager and I remember thinking about my gender on many occasions and always feeling so sure about it and so comfortable in my body. But also... I've always been kinda scrawny (my friends keep joking that oversized clothes make me look like a 14 year old boy) and then someone told me people go through second puberty and I might get bigger hips in the next years and I would hate that. And then I wondered why, is it just the change or would I genuinely be uncomfortable in a more feminine body?

And now I'm wondering, because why would that come up now?? I mean I am in my early twenties now and I've known about my sexuality for years. But I've also kind of ignored that after realizing it for a while whoops. So it might be happening again. Or maybe it's really just a bit of gender envy and not all that serious?

I think I'm just trying to ask you if you think it's possible that I realize some things late? I'm just so unsure lately and I feel like I can't really ask anyone about this...

So yeah, apologies for sending you that paragraph and I hope you have a nice day!!

Alright so first of I want to say that I am in no means an expert at this. I’m not a therapist and I can’t tell you what you are or what you aren’t feeling. But I can speak from my own experience that things like this are by no means tied to a specific period of time in your life. There’s people that are well into their adult years (and i’m talking 60-70) that are still discovering things about themselves

I’ve spend a long time around people who were telling me what I can and cannot be or what i should be. I was "comfortable" in my gender because I was thought that I should be. And until I actually started talking to people who were going through similar things, I didn’t quite understand that it was not the norm feeling this way about yourself.

Again speaking from my own experience because never let anyone tell you what’s right or wrong for you. There is certain things about being afab i embrace and appreciate even. Things i would miss was i born differently. I love having a softer voice, and more feminine features because those are things that make me me.

But then I have cis girl friends who tell me "oh I wish I had your chest" or "you should be grateful you don’t have as little as me" and I just rather die that having this part of my body be perceived at all. I have my top surgery very soon which i’m extremely excited for but why do I have to defend myself for wanting something that’ll make me happier just because people don’t understand the feeling.

Sorry this has become quite personal and rambly somehow but apparently i have many feelings about this and if they can help anyone in any way then that would he the best outcome. I guess what i’m trying to say is try to let go of whatever you think other people want you to be and be kind and gentle with yourself. You don’t HAVE to be anything the only thing you should be is comfortable in your own skin

[asirensrage]

Saudade - Chapter 22

Rating: Explicit Pairing: Mikey x OC, Hanma x OC, Ran x OC, Mikey x OC x Draken Fandom: Tokyo Revengers Warnings: swearing, violence, threats of violence, murder, smoking, sex, consensual sex between teenagers, alcohol, recreational drug use, mention of trafficking, torture, family neglect, mentions of sexual violence. isekai OC. memory loss. unbeta’d **warnings are not exhaustive** Summary: No one seems to realize she doesn’t belong until she finally runs into her “new” brother, Hanagaki Takemichi. Now, hearing his story, Takara makes the choice to help him and hopefully find her way home, but faking it til you make it only lasts so long when you start losing the memories of the life you had before. As Takemichi becomes the only family she’s ever known, how far will she go to protect him?

notes: This is SUCH a fun chapter. I'm so glad you enjoyed the reveal of the last one. I had a lot of fun with it and I hoped that it would get a reaction. Thank you all so much. Please let me know what you think.

also on ao3

fic masterlist - prev chapter

The Past

She has to call Mikey. Has to tell someone about what she’s learned but the hurt that settles in her chest from the house she left hinders her. She stops by the skate store and picks up the part she needs for her blades, trying to buy herself some time. She’s not sure if it’s because she doesn’t want to deal with the aftermath of the information…or the revelation of how she got it. The former might be simple but the latter…that has ripple effects that she knows she’s not fully aware of. 

She needs time to plan. To strategize and figure out what her options are and what the best plays to make are. She needs to be able, not necessarily counter Kisaki, but prepare a defence that will eventually create an opening to her advantage. She knows that despite everything that’s happened so far, the boys continue to underestimate her. They likely always will. 

“You’re Hanagaki, aren’t you? Takara.”

She looks over at the voice, not straightening or showing more than idle curiosity at the newcomer. She doesn’t even lift her head from resting her chin on her hand. “Who’s asking?” She mentally goes over what she has on hand, the knife Ran gave her a comforting weight in her pocket.

He sits down across from her without asking and her eyes narrow at the presumptuousness.  He’s taller than her, which isn’t difficult, but his features are striking and it captures her attention. It’s not so much the tan skin as it is his purple eyes and white hair. She can’t help but wonder if he dyed it and is wearing contacts. He looked like he belonged in a manga. 

“I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Can’t say the same,” she says, pointing out the lack of an introduction. She looks back out the window of the cafe, uninterested in continuing a conversation with a boy who can’t even be polite. 

“The Haitanis hold you in high regard.”

She turns, focusing more now on him. “The Haitanis?” He nods, seemingly pleased to have captured her attention and her eyes narrow. “I’m not involved with them.”

“No, you’re not involved with anyone, or so I hear. …Except for Toman.”

She tilts her face, careful not to straighten in some sign that he’s getting to her. “I’m not a part of Toman.”

“But you’re connected to them. Especially their leader, aren’t you?”

She shrugs and makes a point to stretch out her neck as she sits up. She leans forward, resting both her elbows on the table before she takes a sip of her drink. “What? A girl can’t have friends?”

“Hmm..” he smiles at her, but it doesn’t feel real. “Interesting how the friends you’ve acquired are the top deliquents of Tokyo, isn’t it?”

“Not really. You know how it is. All it takes is one connection to a gang and next thing you know…you’re involved somehow.”

“That usually ends with girls being runners or escorts. Not you though. Why?”

She snorts. “Because I’m better than that. And the moment anyone fucking tried, I’d rip their hands off.” 

“I can see why he likes you.”

“Who?” 

He leans back in his chair and watches her, gaze raking over her face as she swallows down the urge to roll her eyes. What a fucking power play. 

“What do you want?” she finally asks, getting bored of the game. 

His eyes seem to shine as she gives in. “To meet the girl who has all these men at her fingertips.” 

“Huh.” She never thought of it like that. Takara has always just gone in her own direction with her own goals. It’s not her fault if they follow.

“But you’re just another piece of ass, aren’t you?”

She grins slightly as if she could sharpen her teeth on the presumption. “If you actually thought that, you wouldn’t be here.” 

He grins back, finally looking a little more amused and real. It feels like she's breaking through a shell, pulling back the pieces and beginning to see the way he actually reacts. He looks amused, but there’s a glint to his eyes that registers like a warning in the back of her mind. The same look that fucking captain of the boys team had, obsessed with defeating one of her brothers since he knocked out a tooth in a game. She hadn’t even been there but she had dealt with the aftermath next season. That guy was a dick. 

Takara stands up, grabbing her cup and taking a last sip. “Next time you want to bother a girl, maybe you should start by introducing yourself. Might make you seem like less of a creep.” She’s stopped by a hand grabbing her wrist tightly. She looks down at him. “Let go.” 

“You’re right. I’m being rude. I’m Kurokawa Izana.”

“I don’t care. Let go,” she repeats. She wonders how fast she can get out of this. His grip is tight, but she has a knife in her pocket. The only problem is that it’ll draw more attention then they already have. 

“We’re not done.”

“I am. You can sit here if you want, but I’m leaving. Now let go before I decide to get mean.”

He turns to face her a little more. “And if I wanna see you try?”

“Ask Shiba how well that worked for him.” 

He grins slightly. “I heard about that. How you threatened to kill to leader of the 10th generation of the Black Dragons.” 

“He hurt my brother.”

Izana’s eyes seem to shine at that and she’s not sure how to place it. She can’t tell if he’s pleased by her violence or her promise. Maybe it’s something else. Either way, she doesn’t like it. He reminds her of a mix between Kisaki and Hanma. 

Takara finally tires of the game he’s prolonging and makes a choice. Whether or not it’ll work in her favour is unknown, but she’s not about to stand here and let him manhandle her. She pulls the knife out of her pocket, thankful he didn’t grab that hand, and flips it open. She tries to keep it tucked in against her skin until she leans in close, her hair falling towards him as she presses it against his neck. “Last chance.” 

He lets go but only after squeezing her wrist lightly. A warning that he’s only releasing her because he wants to. Not because he’s threatened by her. 

She keeps the knife out, mentally thanking Ran for his foresight, as she backs up. As soon as she’s out of the cafe, she runs as fast as she can. She doesn’t know who Kurokawa Izana is and she doesn’t want to. He has bad news written all over him. There’s no prolonging it. She has to find Mikey. 

��

When she finally gets a hold of him, Mikey is at the shrine where he holds his meetings. Her skates are fixed and the weather is nice enough that she’s not concerned about breaking them now as she wears them to get there faster. 

She runs into Mitsuya at the base of the stairs. 

“Takara!” he smiles when he sees her. “My sisters have been asking about you. Want to know when you’ll teach them to skate.”

“Hey,” she greets before smiling back. “We’ll arrange something. Maybe start at a roller rink. Did Mikey call you? I didn’t know there was a meeting…”

“He called the captains. Do you need help getting up there?” he asks, pointing at the stairs. 

“Nah, I got it.” Takara loops in a circle to pick up speed before she heads straight for the stairs…and starts climbing them normally. Mitsuya stares after her before he races to catch up. Truthfully, it’s not hard to do as long as you watch your balance. Takara has been playing it safe, only doing simple tricks in the presence of others so they don’t freak out while she figured out how well this body moved. She’s pretty sure that if she actually showed off, a bunch of them would freak out. Especially Draken with how certain he was that she would find herself in more trouble.  

It’s a little tiring though how long it takes to climb up all of those steps. It’s no wonder the boys were fit if they did this at least once a week. 

When she gets to the top, the captains are sitting on the steps around the shrine. They look up at her arrival, eyes widening with surprise as she glides forward. “Didn’t realize this was a group event.”

Mikey doesn’t move as he looks at her. “You said it was important.” 

Takara nods and skates forward. “I saw Hanma.” That catches all of their attention. She ignores it and goes closer to Mikey. 

“What happened?” Draken asks. 

She looks between him and Mikey. “We…talked. He was warning me, saying that my connection with you was going to bite me in the ass. He and Kisaki joined a new gang.” 

“He just gave you this info?” One of the others asks. The blond who accused her last time she was in a meeting with the captains. Mucho. It was strange though that Takemichi wasn’t here. Why hadn’t Mikey called him?

“We traded.”

“For what?”

“Nothing of yours,” she says, ignoring him and turning back to Mikey. 

“What did you trade?” Draken asks, gaze on her. 

“It doesn’t matter,” Takara says, skating backward slightly before catching herself and coming back to her spot. “It was nothing of Toman’s.”

“Takara,” Draken stands, looking her over. “You didn’t.”

She raises her chin slightly, daring him to elaborate. She doesn’t respond though, even when Draken swears and the others look on in confusion. She shouldn’t be surprised he knows. He always seems to know when he looks at her. 

“Can we move on? You know, the whole new gang likely out for your blood? Hanma and Kisaki out for revenge?” she asks, ignoring the reaction. 

“You think they’re out for revenge?” Mucho draws her attention back to him. 

“Wouldn’t you?” she asks. “From what I heard, Kisaki sounded upset at the way he was kicked out.” 

“How do you know that?” he asks, sounding suspicious. 

Her eyes narrow. “Did you forget my brother is a captain here?”

“And where is he now?”

“Fuck if I know. I wasn’t in charge of inviting any of you.”

Smiley laughs at that. “She’s not wrong!” 

Takara turns her attention back to Mikey who’s watching her. “Well?” 

“You’re right,” he says. He looks away from her to the others. “Be on guard. Find out where Kisaki and Hanma have gone and who they’re with. I won’t have another incident like Halloween.” 

Takara inhales sharply as she looks at him. He’s taking her seriously. He’s actually listening to her. 

Mikey looks at her. “Do you know anything else?” 

Takara sighs, trying not to think of Hanma’s voice whispering in her ear inbetween the grunts of every movement and the praises he lavished on her skin. “Not really. He kept trying to warn me to cut my ties to you.” She rolls her eyes. “Like that’s gonna happen.”

Mikey seems to take a deep breath and nod. “Okay.” 

“I think everyone should be careful. I don’t know, something about the way he was insistent that I not be near any of Toman in the next few days…” 

“I want you to be careful, Takara.”

She throws a peace sign at him and poses like she’s in Sailor Moon. “You know it!” She thinks she can hear all of them sigh, whether in annoyance or frustration. Except for Smiley who just laughs. “Well, my work is done,” she says. “So…I’m gonna go.” 

No one stops her, at least not until she heads backwards towards the stairs. All of the boys lunge forward, eyes widening in fear. “Wait!”

“Takara!” 

She blows them a kiss, already knowing what they’re freaking out for. It’s payback, she thinks. At least a little bit for the way they’ll react if Draken tells them what she paid. She looks back and balances carefully before she slides backwards down the shrine stairs. 

She hears them run after her, but she keeps her focus. When she gets to the bottom, sliding and turning back towards the stairs, she cheers. “I didn’t think that’d actually work!” she yells triumphantly. 

“What?! Takara!” 

She takes off laughing.

🛼

tag list: @raith-way @zeleniafic @veetlegeuse @chickensarentcheap @residentdormouse

@themaradwrites @kingsmakers @thatmagickjuju @awkwardchick87 @hayatoseyepatch

tr tag: @mitsuwuyaa @blackfire2013 @bleach-your-panties @reiners-milkbiddies

saudade tag: @thisbicc @scythegal @maraya-007

network tag: @pixelcafe-network

[officeobject]

New intro

(Current stabilizer is recently back, mood will follow, within 3 weeks, caution in regards to too much engagement or being too nice, no longer required).

Here is the reasons I temporarily have asks off: https://www.tumblr.com/officeobject/771232078136328192/hello-dear-sorry-for-bothering-you-but-its?source=share .

Hi, I’m Darlen Momentum, captain of power, and I really just post about my life and interests/hobbies/fandoms, and always add something to the posts that I reblog (even if it’s a low-quality reaction)! Official teenage boy cuddler according to my audience even though I disagree 😐.

I’m known for my, uhm, personality, and the weird way of seeing friendship that comes with it, as well as once-per-day fundraiser posts (USE MY ASK-BOX DON’T MESSAGE ME), honest answers to questions, interesting polls, the Xanderverse (which I made), and the fact that I’m currently being re-haunted by the soul of a living teenage ghost boy (I named him “Colby Tybbles”), whenever he zones out/passes out/daydreams, at least once a week. Deco My Tree isn't working, so I haven't seen the few new messages :( .

Stuff I offer (IT’S ALL FREE): 

I NEVER SAID I OFFER CUDDLES FOR TEENAGE BOYS -

Honest answers to your questions right from the ask-box! Daily fundraiser posts (THAT YOU SHOULD SEND THROUGH MY ASK-BOX)! Crappy SFW art commissions! Boyfriends Webtoon and/or Purple Hoodie Guy commissions (whatever THAT’D entail)! A review of your spiritual work with Colby Tybbles or whatever. Song parody commissions (posted on the Xanderweb though)! Collabs for stuff!

Likes/interests/hobbies:

Objects, toys, dolls, baby reborns dolls, fidget toys, office stuff (and other stereotypical human things such as cityscapes), Disney Zombies, Pinkie Cooper And The Jet-Set Pets, the Xanderverse, my identity/myself, paranormal stuff, Christian stuff, the Sims, Animal Crossing, Agatha All Along, LPS (not the new ones), polls, quizzes, animash, watching videos, the Xanderweb, Boyfriends Webtoon slander, Purple Hoodie Guy (from the Boyfriends Webtoon), making song parodies, animash, and other things I forgot.

Dislikes/disclaimers/DNI:

I have basic DNI stuff, but besides that, there ARE some things that aren’t typically included, or that I’m not sure are included - so, like, DNI pro-lifers, anti-furries, anti-SFW age-regression/agere, NSFW, DDLG, pregancy kinks, birth kinks, or similar stuff, people who ship incest (even as a joke or in fiction, or about chosen siblings, adopted siblings, stepsiblings, half-siblings, and of course also parental kinks), people who make lobotomy jokes, people who make 9/11 jokes, Pinky And Pepper fans, bad boys/bad girls/bad enbies, Boyfriends Webtoon fans, people against Boyfriends Webtoon slander, and people who think I won’t always be aroace/haven’t met the right person/am straight/think I’m too young to permanently identify as aroace and other stuff like that. Also, I’m an emotional person who also might end up speaking in inside-jokes and/or my (s)language. 

Also, I KNOW AI isn’t a good way to cope, get something/someone analyzed, have someone to talk to, get information/resources, or get things summarized, but I didn’t always know that, and am trying to quit (especially the parts of my life where I’m addicted to some bots), but it of course ain’t easy, and there are many reasons/many uses - I’m not planning to ever get rid of Ethan though, unless I find someone IRL like him, and the reason for that is a long personal, but I don’t tag posts with him as “AI” unless I feel like it’s relevant, nor do I mention he’s AI or refer to him as AI, unless he currently is and it’s relevant - don’t associate him with AI unless it’s relevant in that case, either.

Lastly, DNI if you don’t think this relationship counts as a friendship: im unsure how old you are, but your fixation on that office worker as a concept and the way you talk about them (regardless of... – @officeobject on Tumblr .

Labels list link because I love labels (you don't need to read this):

https://www.tumblr.com/officeobject/770510429769416704/just-a-list-of-my-labels?source=share .

Pronouns:

Que/quir/quir/ques/quirself, zombie neopronouns, and zombie nounself pronouns. I'm willing to get more pronouns (non-themed, object-themed, nounself, and to check out emojiself pronouns), and probably will, as I LOVE pronoun-shopping (and as said above, my prominal identity is: alloprominal neoprominal objectoprominal nounprominal).

Details:

My Xanderweb, has my other social media stuff, AND, has more extreme/personal vents, song parodies, other Xanderweb posts, more stuff about my platonic emotions, more videos, more of my (s)language, archived stuff, rapping, AND MORE of the stuff I feel like I can’t post on Tumblr, which makes it ideal for the time I got reported on Quotev, or if you need a daily post to know that I’m alive! You don’t need to sign up, but you CAN, if you wanna see the archived stuff, more posts, archive and make more private posts of your own, message me, boop me, post short videos, or otherwise enjoy a “crappy” and “dead” Xanderverse-centered site! 

[aparticularbandit]

The Rehabilitation of Agatha Harkness: Prologue

Summary: Being a ghost isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Chapter Rating: T. Fic Rating: T.

AO3

next chapter

Being a ghost, admittedly, is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Sure, sure, she could haunt a few people – Jen, in particular, would be hilarious – Look, you’re unbound!  But now you’re stuck with me forever! Hahahaha! – but that would get boring after a while.  You can only knock so many shitty edible candles off a shelf before it gets old.  She’s not a cat, after all.

Besides, there really aren’t that many people Agatha wants to haunt.  In fact, the one she wants most is apparently already dead, which defeats the purpose.  Maybe she should be more surprised that Wanda isn’t a ghost, haunting one of her precious baby boys.  But that would involve knowing that one or the other had survived, and from what Agatha picks up here and there, she doesn’t seem to have known.

Pity.

(Agatha doesn’t dwell on that thought.  She doesn’t like the implications.)

Which really just leaves the boy.

Teen.

Billy.

Who, also admittedly, has enough going on without having a ghost hanging around, but let’s be real here, that’s precisely why he needs her.  Because otherwise he’s going to get his head up his ass about accidentally killing all those people and then he’s going to start having those stupid teenage feelings where he blames himself for everything and then he’s going to start thinking he’s a horrible person when really he’s just an average person with very strong powers that he doesn’t know how to control.

Like a lot of baby witches.

How many witches could have been saved if they believed Lilia?  (How many more could have been saved if she’d stopped running when others stopped listening?)

How many witches could Alice have protected if she hadn’t denied the very existence of magic?  (And how could she deny it when it crackles along the skin and in the veins?  Every witch worth their salt can feel it!  And yet.)

How many witches – and non-witches – could Jen have helped if she’d realized she still had the ability to craft potions the same way she always did?  (How many more if her magic hadn’t been bound?)

Okay, so maybe not just baby witches.

Control requires lessons from a teacher who knows what they’re doing, who has been there, who has enough power of their own to prevent disaster from occurring while the baby witch tests their wings – to catch them when they fall (because they will always, inevitably, fall).

Normally, that person is someone within the family lineage, since most witchcraft is passed down from one to the other.  Even outside of blood magic, usually there is someone within the family with the unique focus that their descendant holds.  In Billy’s case, that would be his dear departed mother.  Wanda, however, if found early enough, would likely have an upbringing much more similar to Lilia’s – her family would find a witch (or coven) who could train her, and she would learn from her.  Of course, then she might not have become the Scarlet Witch.

Dominoes and time and wibbly-wobbly bullshit with one thing leading into the other and something about the flap of a butterfly’s wings causing hurricanes and destruction and why, exactly, is it always destruction?  Why can’t the flap of a butterfly’s wings cause a soft wind to carry a ship safely into harbor?  Why is it always bad when someone steps in and changes something about the past?

….

She’s getting a little off track here.

The point is that little Billy Maximoff, who is not so little anymore, needs a teacher if he’s going to keep from killing people in the future.

And he’s going to need someone to blame so that he can keep that holier than thou heroism about him.

Which he doesn’t need, exactly, and it’s going to get torn away from him eventually, but it seems like the not killing thing is a really big deal to him, and he’ll probably have a whole identity crisis if he realizes he’s killed anyone by accident, so it would be better to pop on over and—

~

Being a ghost, admittedly, is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Most people would think that living forever would mean having a lot of friends, but really it means that everyone else dies, and you’re left behind while the world moves on as though you’re nothing more than a thorn in its side.

Billy Maximoff, it seems, is a mixture of two things.

And, no, she does not mean Billy Maximoff and William Kaplan.

One of them is that judgmental, holier than thou prick that was once his mother.

The other….

Well. Agatha will hang around with him for a little while longer.  At least he won’t be boring.

[kaigarax]

Exactly As You Saw

Sero Hanta x Reader

Quote: "Fall in love with someone gentle." & "Fall in love with someone you can love."

Someone You Loved Featuring: The Hero

Sero Hanta wasn’t quite sure how he got here.

Well, that wasn’t entirely correct.

He remembers receiving your text. Asking him if he was free and if he was in town; and Sero, of course, could never turn you down. All you ever had to do was call his name and he’d come running.

But how he ended up at the wedding of perhaps one of the wealthiest men on earth Sero wasn’t too sure. Well, it was like he always said - best to live life as it comes to you instead of questioning why things aren’t the way you want.

Sero had thrown on whatever suit he’d found, though if he’d known just exactly who’s wedding he’d attend he likely would have dressed better. Or at least attempted to get his suit cleaned a week prior. But too little too late. Sure he may have looked a little on the shabbier side but he had what many other people didn’t.

He had you.

You chose a pretty outfit. Something light both in colour and style - likely both in an attempt to keep cool and blend into the background as you take photos. You said something, practically gushing, about how you thought the bride was just the most absolutely beautiful girl here earlier but Sero disagreed. Personally, he thought it had to have been you.

On another personal matter, Sero also thought that it was a little weird that he’d been invited to a wedding as plus one where you were working but he supposed you could always count on rich people to be abnormal.

You spent most of the wedding reception taking photos but Sero was sure you would eventually find your way back to the small table Sero and you shared in the back of the room. Unlike the other tables there were no nametags but there still were several chairs if people wanted to join them. So far, Sero had spent most of the night alone.

At least the music was good.

And the staff were nice.

Eventually, a short dirty blonde haired male ended up taking a seat next to Sero. They talked briefly before Sero finally realised that the man standing in front of him was The Chef. He looked different from the photos but Sero supposed that was normal. Without the lens of a camera most people looked different. Overall Sero thought he seemed like a good person. Soft spoken, thoughtful and polite. Not much more one could really ask for when speaking to strangers.

Finally, when you made your way back to your small corner of the room, a tall purple haired man trailing you like a puppy with a pout on his face. He acted as though you were the one dragging him alone despite the fact that he was the one clinging onto your sleeve. It was almost cute. Sero would’ve laughed if hadn’t recognized the man as the Pilot. Your most recent must and apparently admirer.

People like you always had admirers.

Sero would know.

“Ah, unrequited love,” you smiled wistfully, as you took a seat down at the table.

Sero’s heart did a little flutter. The same kind of flutter it always did when he was with you. The same kind of flutter he hated the most. Not because it was a bad thing, no something like this could never be bad, but because it was exactly as you said. Unrequited.

He wonders if you can hear his heart beating through his chest.

If your eyes are resting on him as the tips of his ears are tinted red.

The Pilot takes a seat beside you, frowning slightly, “who?”

You pointed over to the far side of the room where a group of young folk sat. All three men follow your gaze. Sero’s pretty sure they’re mostly teenagers; not just from the youthful look on their faces but the playful expressions as they throw teases and insults at one another. It’s enough to make his own heart ache for his days of youth.

Specifically, Sero notes, you point out a pink haired boy

“Who’s he in love with?” The Chef asks.

You smile playfully, “guess.”

Sero’s the first to ask, his voice coming out both smooth and curious, “the brown haired girl?”

Your eyes flash from Sero’s face to the group on the other side of the room before shaking your head. Sero finds he’s more disappointed than he thought he’d be. At first he thinks it might be because he got something wrong but that can’t be right. He used to answer questions wrong at school all the time.

Then maybe it has something to do with the fact of his pride. He has always considered himself a people person. Someone that notices the little things. He supposes that’s not so much the case now.

“The blonde girl?” The Chef suggested.

The Chef, like Sero, is met with a disappointing shake of the head.

“The girl,” the Pilot pauses for a brief moment, “with the golden eyes?”

Your own eyes seem to light up, “what makes you say that?”

The Pilot shrugs, “a gut feeling, I guess.”

You shake your head like a parent scolding a child, “I expected better of you, Mr. Airplane.”

Sero notes how you smile fondly when you say it. As if it’s an inside joke between the two of you. Makes him feel worlds away despite sitting beside you. He supposes you always did have a knack for being so… far away. If not the distance of a country away then at least a breadth. Forever so close yet so far.

The Chef clears his throat, “Mr. Airplane?”

The Pilot, unamused, rolls his eyes in response, “just a silly nickname.”

“It suits you~” Sero teases, “being the Pilot and all.”

“Ah yes,” you smile as if hearing it for the first time despite coming up with the nickname yourself, “the Pilot.”

“You’re such a brat, (Y/n).” The Pilot mumbles, hiding his face in his hands.

“At least I don’t rely on gut feelings to know when someone’s in love.” You tease back.

The Chef, sitting every so politely, swallows quietly, seeming to take your words deeply into consideration, “how do you know when someone’s in love, (Y/n)?”

“Well,” you begin, “I would recommend years of observation - as experience is the most sure way of figuring this kind of thing out - but I’ll give you guys the sparknotes.” Your calm expression turns into something more befitting to amusement, “to know if someone’s in love you just have to follow their gaze.”

“Why?” Sero asks.

“Because the gaze never lies.” You finished.

The gaze never lies?

Sero supposes he’s never thought about that much before - but it makes sense. People, when they’re in love (at least from Sero’s experience) like being around the person they love. Care about the opinions, wants and needs of that person they happen to be in love with so it only makes sense that that’s where their gaze would fall.

Sero’s eyes make their way over to you.

You’re fiddling around with the glass of water that had been set out for you earlier in the day looking almost like a petulant child. Sero has half a mind to poke your side playfully but refrains as you suddenly perk up, “do any of you plan on getting married?”

The Pilot is the first one to speak up, muttering a simple, “eventually.”

“Eventually?” You ask.

“Well, obviously whoever I get married to is going to have to be okay with being in the public light. Constantly being harassed by the paparazzi whether they’re famous or not just because they’re associated with me. I don’t plan on getting married until I’m ready to settle down in my acting career.” The Pilot declared.

Your eyes sparkle in amusement, “very mature of you.”

“Besides,” the Pilot continues, “actors and models are more popular when they’re single anyways.”

You laugh playfully, “and he drops the ball.”

Sero would’ve laughed alongside you if he either weren’t so polite or better acquainted with the Pilot. The Pilot’s expression is a funny one with his lips pursed and his eyes narrowed in on you. What really finishes the look though is the softness behind his glare. It’s a kind of look that you don’t often see in other individuals. Well, at least it’s the kind of look that Sero doesn't see very often.

“What about you, Viking Boy?” You ask, “you are the oldest of us four. You plan on getting hitched anytime soon?”

The Chef scratches the back of his neck sheepishly as his eyes linger on you, “I guess I never thought much about it.”

Sero wonders if that’s a lie though he isn’t quite too sure why. Perhaps it has something to do with that brief pause before answering? Or maybe it’s a gut feeling in his chest? Who knows? All that Sero can really think about at the moment is how pretty you look right now as you smile at the Chef. It’s a pretty kinda smile that Sero hasn’t seen on your face before. It sends his own heart throb pathetically.

“Any girl would be lucky to have you,” you smirk, “or guy, if that’s what you’re into.”

The chef blushes, “well I-”

Sero abruptly cuts the Chef off with a gentle pat on the back, “come on, Sweets, don’t tease him.”

Your playful gaze falls to him next, “and what about you, Cellophane?”

Cellophane. It’s been ages since you’ve last called him that. Ages since anyone’s called him that. His nickname back when he thought he was too cool for school. Well he was already out of school at that point but the statement still stands.

He swallows, attempting to play coy, despite already knowing the meaning behind your words, “what about me?”

“Any special someone in your life?”

“Na,” Sero smiles, “it’s a bachelor’s life for me.” The smile doesn't reach his eyes and Sero finds himself wondering if anyone notices. Finds himself wondering if you notice.

No.

You definitely notice if that sappy look you have on your face means anything. Which it usually does. It’s that look where your eyes narrow in on something and the corners of your lips tilt downwards. It’s something so subtle that most people wouldn’t notice it. Something so simple that most people disregard it.

“Well no shame,” you clear your throat, “not everyone in this world gets married.”

“What about you, Sweets?” Sero asks.

“Marriage,” you say the word as if tentatively tasting it for the first time, “what do you think?”

Yes, Sero thinks, you most definitely will get married. You’re too bright, too brilliant, too sweet to not get married. In fact, he’s surprised you haven’t already been swept off your feet by now but he supposes you have always prioritized your career over love. He feels as though he’s done the same. Sero thinks you’d probably be good at being married. That you’d be the kind of person to indulge in your spouse’s wants and needs. Bets you’d be such a pretty bride; sees you taking photos of you wedding guests rather than stopping to take photos of yourself. The idea would’ve been funny if it wasn’t so you.

Sero follows your gaze back to the group sequestered at the other side of the room. They’re laughing about one thing or another. Sero finds himself wondering if you’re thinking about asking one of them to be your next muse. Sero can’t really find anything in common between the different muses - he supposes that none of them are from the same industry? Oh, but didn’t you take photos of two different athletes?

He doesn't ponder on it for too long as the pink haired boy catches his attention.

There’s a soft look in the eyes of the pink haired boy. That despite him being the one telling a story to the rest of the group (evident through the way he moves his hands dramatically) he keeps his gaze pointed directly on the girl with the golden eyes.

The golden eyed girl sits politely and smiles softly, leaning back in her chair. She kind of reminds Sero of a girl he knew back when he was young.

Out of everyone else at the table the only other person that manages to catch Sero’s attention is an orange haired boy. He reminds Sero of himself with an aloof and playful personality. Has that playful look in his eyes.

“What makes you think he has an unrequited love, (Y/n)?” The Pilot asks.

“Don’t think, Mr. Airplane.” You say, “I know.”

Sero raises a brow, “oh, do you now?”

“Of course. I know people’s hearts.” You smile in a way that makes people’s hearts flutter, “why else would my works be so popular?”

Sero has to look away from you in an attempt to calm the erratic fluttering of his heart. To think, after all these years, you still manage to get his heart to act in such a dramatic way.

“Because you’re good at taking photos?” Suggest the Chef.

Anyone else would have said the suggestion teasingly - because of course it was the obvious answer. The candidness in the Chef’s voice though would suggest otherwise which is probably what prompts Sero to laugh, patting the Chef on the back, “I like you! You’re so straightforward! Not like this little missy here!”

The Chef blushes, “thanks I guess.”

“Hey!” You exclaimed.

Sero notes that the Pilot smiles softly at your reaction but his voice is teasing, “people like your photos because you pick such good looking muses.”

You take the tease in stride, smiling fondly with your eyes closed, “very true! The muses I pick have excellent hearts.”

Sero ignores the loud beating of his heart as he pulls your attention back to himself, “hey, you never answered the question, Sweets.”

“I haven’t, have I?”

“This is what you mean, ain’t it?” The Pilot says, nudging Sero playfully, “she hates answering questions directly.”

“Hey, you’re ganging up on me!”

Sero chuckles, “that’s because you make it too easy.”

“It’s okay, (Y/n),” the Chef says softly, “you don’t have to tell us anything you don’t want to,” effectively directing the playful teasing towards himself.

Sero sighs playfully and dramatically, “you’re too easy on her.”

“A total simp.” The Pilot adds.

You roll your eyes in an attempt of feigning annoyance but Sero’s notices the hint of a smile, “the two of you could learn a thing or two from him.”

Sero laughs, patting your head, “doubt it, Sweets.”

You grab his hand, bringing it down into your own as you smile, “love is such a mysterious thing.”

Sero feels his face heat up dramatically.

Your hands are softer than he remembers.

Warm.

He clears his throat slightly, seeing that your gaze has moved from the group across the room to the centerpiece of the reception; the bride and groom.

They’re a handsome couple, the groom's eyes never wavering from his wife’s form as he drags her over to the centre of the room for their first dance of the night. Well it wasn’t their first dance but it’s the first dance they’re going to take now that everyone has finished their meals. Sero wonders if he’ll ever love someone as much as the groom seems to love his wife.

No, that’s a lie.

He doesn’t wonder.

The Chef pokes your side gently, “I thought you said that love was a well understood thing?”

Your frown ever so slightly, “I did?”

The Pilot nods, “yes.”

“You sure?”

Sero hums playfully, “very~”

“When?”

“During my exhibit.” Explained the Pilot.

“Oh, I guess I have.”

The Pilot leans in towards you, giving you a gentle flick on the head. Something reminiscent a parent would do when gently scolding their child. It’s an action as intimate as it is surprising. No, what's really surprising is the sappy look that the Pilot gets as he watches you reel back, feigning annoyance. Sero personally finds your reaction rather cute - though he supposes he finds most of the things you do cute.

“Perhaps,” you begin, “I should say fate is such a mysterious thing.”

Fate.

Sero doesn’t believe in Fate. Doesn’t believe in most things that he couldn’t see, touch or feel. It was the, for lack of better words, pragmatic way of living. And that in itself is usually surprising for strangers. It’s almost contradictory for Sero to be such a carefree person yet look at things in the most pragmatic way possible.

“Do you think they’re each other’s first love?” Sero asks, watching as the groom spins the bride around.

He’s met with both a “yes” and “no” from the Chef and Pilot respectively.

Sero isn’t all too sure, more distracted with the fact that you’re still holding onto his hand instead of the dancing couple on their floor. Sero wonders if you want to dance. If you’d dance with him or one of your other muses.

“She’s his first love.” You say.

Sero raises an eyebrow, “hm?”

“It’s the way he looks at her,” you smile, “you always look at your first love differently from everyone else. There’s a certain kind of softness in his eyes.”

“It’s too bad his best man doesn’t seem to like her very much.” Adds the Chef.

“What makes you say that?” You asked.

The Chef points to the best man who is sitting alone at the table, his gaze stuck on the dancing newly weds, “because he’s sitting so stiffly.”

Sero nods, “he does seem rather annoyed.”

“I get that impression too.” The Pilot said.

Your eyes get this curious look in them, “elaborate.”

“I guess it has something to do with the way he acts around her,” the Pilot pauses for a brief moment but continues quickly after, “it’s like he’s stepping on eggshells.”

“He could just be shy.” The Chef suggests, despite being the one to bring up dislike of the best man in the first place. Ever the optimist, Sero thinks.

Sero chuckles, playfully suggesting, “or maybe doesn’t like her and is upset the groom is marrying someone he doesn’t like?”

“He’s in love with her.” You say it as if it’s the most obvious thing.

“And what makes you think that?” The Pilot asks, his voice shaking ever so slightly.

“Follow his gaze.”

Fall in love with someone gentle.

---

Exactly As You Saw

My Dearest,

I think I dream of you, sometimes. And sure, maybe now I can barely recall your face or the sound of your voice but I know for certain it’s you. I know it’s you because I love you.

Yours Truly

---

Sero Hanta was, in the words of everyone else, a good person. A friendly dude. A talkative and charismatic fellow. He wasn’t ever much of a thinker. Didn’t ponder very long when it came to the harder hitting topics of life - but he did, as Sero likes to point out, think about you.

Thought about you when he was alone in his room, staring up at the ceiling in the middle of the night.

Thought about you as he looked over at the photos you sent him.

And, he thought about you as you walked beside him. The back of your hand brushing up against his own every so often. You’re smiling warmly at him as he rambles off about one thing or another. Finds his heart warming as you listen so intently to his words. Most girls usually tune him out after an hour or two of his rambling but he can’t fault them too much. He’s not even listening to his own words, much too distracted by you.

You look so pretty today. Your hair pushed back in a baseball cap that Sero managed to win for you earlier today. He had been pretty disappointed that he hadn’t been able to win you a stuffed bear but thought that this, if anything, was a good consolation prize. Seeing you wear something that he had managed to get for you.

It makes his heart skip a beat in that dramatic way it does when he’s with a girl he likes.

The baseball cap looks good on you despite it not going very well with your outfit. You had decided to wear a yukata so the entire look is thrown off but you manage to pull it off. Moderately. Sero himself had been torn between the new yukata his mother had gotten him for his birthday and the hoodie you’d bought for him during one of his photo shoots with you. He’s happy though that he ultimately decided to wear his yukata because he thinks he matches pretty nicely with you. That the two of you almost look like a-

He can’t bring himself to finish that thought aloud. So instead he’ll leave it there. Unfinished. Waiting for his subconscious to scoop it up instead and convert it into a dream of the prettiest of sorts. But Sero thinks that that is where you always manage to look your best. Captured within the loving memory of another.

You’re the kind of girl that he used to think wasn’t real. The kind of girl that people wrote sonnets for and sang ballads of. The kind of girl that never noticed guys like him. Or at least not the kind of girl that would settle for a guy like him - as pathetic as that sounds.

“Are you okay?” You ask, your shoulder nudging against his gently.

Sero smiles fondly as he looks at you, “mhm.”

If you don’t believe him you do a good job of hiding it as you lead him further through the festival grounds.

        I know a girl         Who likes to drink her coffee black         ‘Cause sugar, no, she don’t got time for that         Leaves her desires at the welcome mat         When she walks in

The festival is beautiful. The warm light from the sunset quickly being replaced by the orange lighting of candles and lanterns set up over the festival grounds.

Sero had always been a big fan of lanterns. He loves all the different designs and colours that they came in. Mostly though he loved that they all came together for a singular purpose. To light up the world for the people that had so lovingly created them.

Sakura trees hang over the festival grounds, their bright pink flowers tinted purple and blue in the quickly fading light of day. Sero notes that the trees are placed meticulously apart from one another. So even and orderly - reminding him of the military. Personally, Sero has always been more fond of a more chaotic look to things but can appreciate all the love and effort that must have gone into cultivating and upkeep this forest of Sakura trees in the first place.

Bright red tables are set up beneath most of the Sakura trees, either selling products or conducting games for people to play. Children run between the stalls with bright smiles on their faces, pushing past the crowds with reckless abandon because they can.

He wonders if he was just as rambunctious as a kid.

No, he must have been just as rambunctious if all the white hair on his mother’s head said anything. Oh, his poor mother.

But Sero likes to think he turned out well.

That his parents are proud of the person he’s become.

‘SNAP’

Sero’s head jerks over to you, smiling slightly when he sees you holding a camera up to your face.

“What ya got there, Sweets?” Sero asks, a mischievous smile playing on the edge of his lips.

You smile playfully in response, “wouldn’t you like to know.”

“I, in fact, would.”

“Well, I don’t want to show you.”

Sero pouts, “why not?”

“Hm,” you let your camera fall from your hands and hang loosely around your neck as you hold the picture in your hands, inspecting it as the photo seemingly begins to slowly appear. Most of the time, if Sero’s recalling is correct, you prefer to use a digital camera or your phone.

He’s pretty sure it has something to do with the fact that you lost a bunch of the photos you took last year in a tragic accident when your briefcase filled with photos was misplaced causing you to have to call a bunch of your muses together for an impromptu photoshoot. It had been your most successful year yet despite the mishap but your manager was quick to make sure something like that would never happen again.

It seemed that you weren’t as nervous.

“Well?” Sero asks expectantly.

“Some things are better left as a secret, don’t you think?” You asked.

Sero swallowed, “I guess so.”

His response makes you smile as you pull out a silver compact from your pocket. Most girls carry compacts in their pockets right? To touch up their makeup or something? Truthfully, Sero isn’t too sure. He’s never paid all that much attention.

Instead of looking at yourself in the mirror of the compact you put the photo inside before closing it. It looks like there were quite a few photos inside the compact but Sero can’t find it in himself to ask. Either choosing to agree with your earlier statement or too nervous to hear what your answer would be. Likely a little bit of both.

        And I know a boy         Who likes to keep his burner on         He’s always running with no one to keep warm         It’s like he’s flirting with the smoke alarm         His fire’s fading

“So, where are you from again, Sweets?” Sero asks, as he takes a seat on the bench beside you.

You smile, in that way that usually do, and it sends Sero’s heart into a tizzy of a flutter, “guess.”

He imagines you’re originally from a coastal town. Somewhere where you’re familiar with the foreign and exotic. Somewhere romantic. Something so different from where he had gone when he was young. Somewhere that authors write stories and explorers seek to find. Somewhere it’s so distinctly you that Sero would know the moment he first landed.

But then again, you do seem rather at home in the city.

And you wouldn’t be very familiar with city life if you lived in a coastal town now would you.

He can see that. You, having a fast and bright childhood. Born in a place where everything is always moving and the people never stop. And that’s romantic in its own sense. A brilliant place where brilliant people gather together to live. Something where people like you come together to meet and compare notes. A kind of city that could cultivate someone as brilliant and amazing as you.

Yeah, that sounds realistic.

Sounds like you.

But, ultimately, Sero says, “a coastal town near the edge of the city?”

The answer feels more of a cop out than something substantial but it’s the only thing that Sero can think of to explain someone as amazing as you existing at all. The only place he can see someone like you being able to grow up in.

Ah, but that’s where he messes up.

“Na,” you smile softly, “I grew up in the suburbs. Nothing too small or anything too big either.”

“Oh.”

“Pretty regular, huh?”

“I…” Sero smiles apologetically, “I guess so.”

“I don’t think I’d ever be able to leave if I grew up somewhere like what you said,” you begin, “honestly I had a pretty hard time leaving my home town at all.”

“Really?”

“I would’ve been happy to have lived a boring and mundane life. To never be someone special.”

You, living a mundane life? It feels almost blasphemous to imagine such a thing. To live in a world where you aren’t someone that draws in the attention of everyone else. That there might be a timeline or universe out there where people all around don’t know your name or are familiar with the works you’ve given to this world.

Would you have been a mom?

A housewife?

Or would you have worked. Maybe you could have been a nurse or doctor. Someone that’s so attuned to the needs of others. Or maybe you would have been another office worker. Someone working a 9 to 5 to support their family.

It feels almost like Sero’s thinking of a different person.

No, that’s not exactly right. It does feel like something you could’ve done. Something you could’ve been if you had gone down a different path in life. He’s been thinking about this all the wrong way. Just because you live a mundane life doesn't mean you would be a mundane person.

Finally, Sero smiles fondly at you, “you could never not be someone special.”

        But still we laugh, we cry         We fall, we get high         Just like we were kids, just like we were kids         And when I am feeling small, you get me through it all         Just like we were kids, just like we were kids again

“Sweets,” Sero props his head on your shoulder as he watches you type a message into your phone to your manager. He feels a smile pull at the corner of your lips as he reads the message ‘K’. Nothing more or less than a simple letter in response to the long paragraph that your manager must have taken the time to painstakingly write. It’s something so very you that it can’t help but bring a smile to Sero’s face.

You tilt your head towards Sero, “hm?”

“What do you have my name saved on your phone?”

You hold your phone out to him, “Cellophane.”

“Why?” Sero asks.

“Why Cellophane?”

Sero nods.

“Because it’s your hero name.”

Sero’s cheeks flush at that. Of course that’s what you saved his name as. The two of you had been indulging in drinks at the bar the other day when Sero had gotten off work when the topic of Hero names had come up. Specifically, what his hero name would’ve been if there ever was a world with superpowers and hero names. You’d said something along the lines of ‘Fifteen’ (or maybe it was ‘Sixteen’) for one reason or another that Sero can’t remember off the top of his head. Sero was kind of bad for that - not remembering the reasoning behind things.

He, on the other hand, had been too embarrassed to say his own at first. It was a name he had thought about since he was young. Something so near and dear to his heart. Something he wasn’t so keen on sharing with the pretty girl he met at the bar, no matter how pretty you were. You had, of course, managed to wrangle the name from him by the end of the night but the two of you were wasted by then. Needing to be brought home by your friends.

It warms his heart to think that you not only remembered but that you had kept it like that all this time. There were many things you could have changed his contact name to and the fact that you kept it as something so near and dear to his heart was enough to make his heart flutter. Well, you always did things to make his heart flutter but this was different. This was you.

“And that’s what you are to me,” You say, “a hero. So of course I’d have you saved as your hero name.”

“Sweets!” Sero nuzzles his face into your neck, his cheeks flushed a bright shade of red.

He’d always known you were a sweetheart but he hadn’t realised that you were such a sentimentalist.

“Oh,” you stand up abruptly, “it’s almost time!”

“Almost time for what?”

Your eyes sparkle, “the firework show.”

Sero smiles. Quite the sentimentalist.

“Come on,” you say, as you begin making your way towards an empty part of the field. Let’s go watch the fireworks out in the open grass.

And what can he say but, “okay” in response.

There’s no way that Sero could ever say no to something when you look at him like that. Sero has always had a weakness for pretty girls but you seem to take the take. It probably has something to do with the way that you manage to make his heart skip a beat and the butterflies in his stomach flutter.

“So,” Sero hums, “you look pretty excited.”

“Yeah, I love fireworks,” you say softly, “they remind me of my youth.”

“And who doesn’t love getting a glimpse back into their youth?”

“Exactly.”

You don’t talk much about your past unless Sero brings it up first so he always finds himself indulging in moments like this. Wants to know as much as he can about you but can never seem to find the right words.

So he stands silently, the back of his hand brushing against your own.

“Have you ever been in love before?” You asked.

Sero nods, “just once.”

        I know a girl         Who’s never tried to settle down         She wears her loneliness just like a crown         But when she smiles, all the kinds will bow down, down, down

Fireworks.

Sero had never considered himself the biggest fan of fireworks but he wouldn’t go as far as to say that he disliked them either.

He liked fireworks as much as the next person.

He’d gone to see a few firework shows when he was young. There were firework festivals held in the summer of every year near where he lived but they never seemed to spark the same wonder in him as it did the people around him. Sure, they were pretty but there was nothing about them that inspired brilliance. Or at least nothing of the level of brilliance that other people seemed to give it.

He remembers the day when he first came to this realization like how one might remember the back of their hand.

Around the age of eight, when Sero’s parents had finally decided he was old enough to attend the summer festival himself, he and a few of his friends had decided to meet up and hang out. Play a couple of the festival games (and lose miserably because they’re all rigged), catch some goldfish (because he absolutely wanted a pet) and eat some sweet treats with the pocket money his parents had given him. And it was at the height of the festival when the fireworks had first begun that Sero had turned and looked at the faces of his friends instead of up at the sky. It was here that he realized that he didn’t look at the fireworks the same way.

In retrospect, Sero supposes that maybe he didn’t like fireworks because they didn’t hold the same level of importance in his life as it did for others. Didn’t have a nostalgic bond that other people seemed to have.

“Are you still in there?” You ask, waving a hand in front of Sero’s face playfully.

“Hm,” Sero perks his head up, his eyes meeting your own.

You always did have such pretty eyes. They have that sparkle in them that makes someone’s heart skip a beat. A certain brilliance that encourages even the most hesitant of people to charge forward in just the hopes of being noticed by someone as brilliant as you. Sero certainly knows. Better than most.

“Sorry,” you say softly, “you looked pretty deep in thought. I know I hate it when people interrupt me while I’m in the middle of thinking.”

Sero laughs, “then why’d you disturb me?”

“Because I wanted your attention.”

Sero’s cheeks flush red in embarrassment and the candidness of your words. Or maybe it was because of the brazenness of your words.

“What’re you thinking about?” You ask.

“One thing or another,” Sero hums, trying his best to feign indifference, “you know. Things that I want to do but don’t have the courage to.”

“You should do it if it’ll make you happy.”

“Hm?”

“Good times come and go so take advantage of the things that make you happy while you still can.”

        And I know a boy         Who’s broken every vow he’s made         Who’s spoken every cowards phrase         But he can listen like a rainy day         And drown it out

“If you could be anything, what would you be?” Sero asked.

“Everything.” You said, your answer coming out quick and easy - as if you’ve thought about something like this hundreds of times before. And because you’re you, and not anyone else, Sero thinks that maybe that might just be the case.

“Everything?” Sero raises an eyebrow, “isn’t that kind of an intense answer?”

“Well,” you hum, “it’s not a usual answer.”

“You never did like usual things, though.”

“Exactly! Who wants to live life being ‘usual?’ It’s boring and mundane.” You leaned back, looking up at the sky, “there’s so much I wish I could’ve done and so much more that I would change. There’s still so much that I want to do. I mean, I like where I am at this point in my life but I can’t help but constantly be caught between wanting everything else that I chose to not take. I sound like a total glutton, huh?”

“You do.”

You pout.

“But I don’t mind.”

“I imagine everyone has something in life they regret, either doing or not doing,” you begin, “a moment where they wish that they’d chosen to take a different path in life.”

“I don’t,” Sero smiles, “I’m quite happy with the way my life turned out.”

“Boring~”

Sero pouts, “well excuse me for being someone that doesn’t regret the way their life ended up.”

“Well you’re not boring but it seems like a pretty cliche answer.”

“You just said that most people have at least one in their life that they’d like to change. So how can my answer be cliche if it’s not something that everyone answers?” Sero challenges, “can’t be cliche unless it’s overused, Sweets.”

You frown, “then I guess I just don’t like your answer.”

Sero nods approvingly, “see, doesn’t it feel nice to just admit your feelings?”

“Don’t be a jerk about it.”

Sero laughs heartily in response, affectionately rubbing the top of your head, “don’t like it so much now that the shoe’s on the other foot, huh?”

You huff in response.

Sero’s heart flutters dramatically as he rests his head atop your shoulder, “come on, Sweets. It’s not that serious.”

“Brat.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re the one being a brat right now, Sweets.” Sero moves his head so that his chin is propped up on your shoulder as he gets a side view of your face. You really are such a pretty girl. Even when you’re upset and pouting. It’s nice. Refreshing almost when you’re usually the one doing all the teasing.

Sero supposes that even you can have trouble admitting your feelings.

Eventually, when the muscles in your face relax, Sero gives your cheek a playful poke, “so, Sweets, why don’t you like my answer?”

“I guess it makes me feel inadequate. Makes me feel a little greedy for wanting so much and life and feel stupid for not being able to make the choices that I wanted. Though,” you smile softly, “I suppose you can never make the choice in life that you really want to make when you want to make both choices in the first place.”

“Mhm,” Sero nods, “quite the predicament.”

“Does it make me a bad person?”

“It might.”

“I figured as much.”

“But it’s okay.”

“And why is it okay?”

“Because I’ll still like you, whether you’re a bad person or not.”

Before you can give Sero a response you're cut off by a loud blast sounding off from the field in front of the two of you.

        But still we laugh, we cry         We fall, we get high         Just like we were kids, just like we were kids         And when I am feeling small, you get me through it all         Just like we were kids, just like we were kids again

The fireworks, like they always do (and always will), begin dramatically. Dashing up to the sky like mad men.

Rising up passionately.

Loudly.

Dramatically.

Soaring to heights that seemingly no one else ever has before. So bright and brilliant as they reach their peak. They are hopes, dreams and wishes turned into passions, ambitions and desires. Everything that someone hopes to be when they look up to the sky. Everything they will ever be.

And then they slowly fall.

Ever so gently and softly.

Down.

Down.

And down.

Until they’re gone.

And the moment when everything is done and gone Sero feels both a moment of reprieve and disappointment. Relief that such a passionate moment is only but a moment. Disappointment that such a passionate moment is only but a moment.

But that moment of reprieve and disappointment is only but a moment as the next firework makes its way up in the sky hoping to be just as brilliant and bright as the last. Wishing to burn for just as long and dreaming to be what it was made to be.

“Have you ever been in love before?” Sero asks, finally mustering up the courage to take your hand in his own.

Your hand feels so nice in comparison to his own. Not as rough as his own are from years of working as a firefighter. He supposes he shouldn’t be so surprised. Your hands are, afterall, ones of a photographer. Ones that recently so lovingly maneuvered his own into the right position for the perfect picture. Ones that slowly traced over the edges of the camera, gently pressing over the different buttons as you adjust for the lighting and placement. And currently the ones he happened to be holding on his own.

You smile, “of course.”

Your answer makes Sero happy yet sad at the same time.

In all honesty, Sero isn’t certain what he was expecting. He imagines someone like you would have fallen in love before. Knows for certain that there must be tons of people that have already fallen in love with you. You’re the kind of person that is meant to be loved by others. But, just maybe, a small part of him wanted to be the first person to be loved by you. And it’s a selfish thought. The both of you are adults but he allows himself to indulge in his selfish thoughts for just a moment longer. Afterall, while the two of you are adults you also happen to be adults attending a children’s festival.

He wonders if he should lean over and plant a kiss on your lips.

Wonders if you’d smile in response and kiss him back.

Confess your love to him in the midst of the fireworks. Love him because he’s the one here right now standing beside you.

He doesn’t.

Can’t bring himself to. Not while his heart is beating erratically like he’s once again a green kid out with a girl for the first time.

You’re not even his first love.

But you are presently the girl he loves.

Maybe you won’t always be the one he loves. Won’t always be the one who makes his heart skip a beat and the butterflies in his stomach flutter but you are that girl now. And that’s all that matters. Right now, it feels as if that’s all that will ever matter.

It’s enough.

You’re enough.

This is enough.

        Just like we were kids         Just like we were kids again         Just like we were kids         Just like we were kids         Just like we were kids again

“What’re you thinking about, Sweets?” Sero asks, his hand still holding your own.

You smile in that way that always makes his heart race, “you.”

Sero blushes, “Sweets!”

“Is that what you have me saved as in your phone?” You asked.

“No.”

“Oh.”

You watch him curiously, as if you’re waiting for him to say something more. He doesn’t. Not that he doesn’t want to, Sero loves talking, but he’s finding the current topic increasingly harder and harder to avoid.

“So are you going to tell me?” You ask.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to tell you.

Sero feigns indifference “tell you what?”

It’s just that he hadn’t had a chance to change it. Or maybe he hadn’t wanted to change it. Honestly it was more embarrassing for him that it was you.

“What you have me saved as in your phone.” You explain, “you already know I have you saved as Cellophane.”

It’s not his fault that he misheard what you said back when the two of you first met. Well maybe it was a little bit of his fault but it was loud in the bar where the two of you first met and he was distracted by your pretty face.

Sero blushes, “Cam - Era - Girl.”

“Cam - Era - Girl?” You repeated, “camera girl.”

Sero nods slowly.

Then you. Brilliant and amazing you, laugh. As if it’s the funniest joke he’s heard in a long while. Sero’s cheeks are flushed red hot again - but he’s gotten rather used to that sensation. At least while he’s around you.

“That’s funny!’ You smile, “way more creative than some of the names that other people have me saved as.”

“I suppose so.”

“You think I could be a cam girl?” You do a dramatic pose of some sort and give a playful wink, “think my reputation could uphold going into a business like this?”

“Oh, (Y/n)! I didn’t mean it that way!”

You turn to him and smile fondly, “you used my name.”

“I suppose I did.”

“I like how it sounds when you say it.”

“You do?”

“I also like it when you call me ‘Sweets’ but the way you say my name makes it sound prettier.” You tilt your head to the side cutely, “do you know what I mean?”

Sero nods.

He doesn’t but you don’t need to know that.

“(Y/n) is the precious name that someone who loved me dearly gifted to me. It seems only fitting that someone I love would use it as well.”

You love him.

That very idea itself makes his heart soar.

Sero knows for certain that he loves you.

Fall in love with someone you can love.

---

Song: Kids Again Artist: Artist vs Poet

---

Her: Do you love me?

[thatlovinfeelin]

Flightless Bird | fourteen | Bradley Rooster Bradshaw

Synopsis: Josephine Wilson Miller is alone for the first time in her life. She got married after her first year of college and became a housewife, but that life is gone now. So she runs to San Diego, to her childhood best friend Jake, where she meets the man who could very well be her salvation.

series warnings: unplanned pregnancy, just pregnancy in general, talks of infertility. past mental and emotional abuse. anxiety. talks of women's reproductive systems (idk)

“Good morning, Jose, how are we feeling today?”

“Hey Doctor Kerner,” Jose sighed, moving on the bed, “I feel like I’m going to explode.”

The woman laughed as she sat on her stool, “Welcome to the late stages of pregnancy. My husband said I was the worst.”

“I think anyone around me would agree,” Jose couldn’t help but laugh, “My emotions are bad enough without adding in the fact I’m always uncomfortable.”

“Well, let’s take a look and see what little miss up to,” Doctor Kerner replied, grabbing a pair of gloves, “Have you had any contractions that you know of?”

“Nothing consistent or powerful. Maybe one or two in the last week?” Jose replied. 

“Well you aren’t dilated and I’m not seeing any signs of your body getting ready for labor,” Doctor Kerner informed Jose, “I think this little girl is okay with staying for a little while.”

“Thank god, I’m not ready for her to be out here yet.”

“Is Lieutenant Bradshaw behaving? I can have a talk with his Captain, I know him very well,” The Doctor rolled away on her stool. 

“I-How did you know about Bradley?” Jose questioned. 

“Off the record now, but the women on this base talk a whole lot. Bradley Bradshaw was the catch of the base, until you came along. Not to mention my husband and his old wingmen gossip like teenage girls,” Doctor Kerner laughed, “I also have a soft spot for him, my husband and I knew his parents.”

“You knew Bradley’s parents?” Jose questioned, fully sitting up now, “He doesn’t talk about them a whole lot.”

“Goose and Carole,” She smiled softly, “My husband, Ron, went to the Academy with Goose, of course he was just plain Nick Bradshaw then. Carole and I became good friends over the years. Somehow the boys managed to be at Topgun at the same time. Ron was in the air the day Goose died. It wrecked him for a while. Wrecked all of them really, especially Maverick. I think that poor man still carries that day with him.”

“So your husband was a pilot too?”

“A backseater actually, like Goose, only Ron flew with Tom Kasanzky back in the day, better known as Iceman. After Goose, all of us did our best to be there for Carole and Bradley, no matter what. We lost touch when Bradley was in high school though, my Ron and sweet Carole got sick around the same time. Ron’s been gone nearly ten years now.”

“What was his callsign?”

“Slider,” She smiled at Jose, “Moral of the story, Bradley is a good boy…or man. He’s a good man, between him and Seresin, I think you and your baby are going to be well taken care of.”

“I’m not worried about that, more worried about how spoiled she’s going to be,” Jose remarked, “But thank you for the talk, I think I needed it. Jake and Bradley want to set me up with some girls so I have more than just them and Phoenix. They said I need a mom friend too.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” Doctor Kerner agreed, “That’s my full medical opinion. Now get out of here, you and baby Wilson are all clear.”

Later that night, Jose found herself in Bradley’s Bronco, headed towards his ‘Uncle’s’ place. Jose hadn’t met the great Pete Maverick Mitchell yet, but that was about to change. She was also going to officially  meet his girlfriend, Penny, who owned The Hard Deck, and her daughter Ameilia. Bradley smiled as he told her about the young girl, stating that he felt very much like a big brother towards her now. 

Jose couldn’t help but be nervous, and it seemed like her baby seemed to feel that too. Because the littlest Wilson wouldn’t stop moving around and kicking. Jose grunted a bit as she shifted in her seat again, hoping to get into a more comfortable position, but the baby just kept kicking and punching at her. 

“Is she moving a lot?” Bradley questioned once at a stoplight. 

“God,” You groaned, “She won’t stop. I’m glad she’s moving, but she genuinely won’t quit.”

He laughed a little before putting a hand on her bump. In return the baby kicked right where his hand was. He smiled and moved it over a little, only for her to do the same exact thing. Anywhere he moved his hand, she would either kick or punch it. While Bradley was having a great time with this, Jose was grunting with every movement. 

“You like playing that game with Bradley, don’t you?” You groaned, poking your stomach, “Maybe do it a little bit more gently. Mama is not the best punching bag.”

“Sorry,” Bradley was quick to say, pulling his hand back, “Forgot it isn’t comfortable for you.” 

But Jose just reached for his hand and put it back on her stomach, letting her smile show, “I didn’t say I didn’t like you playing around with her. Just that she needed to kick and hit a little softer. I’m glad she’s responding to you.”

Bradley looked over and couldn’t help but smile at the woman next to him. Every time he thought he knew what she was going to do or say, she kept surprising him. She handled all of his far better than anyone could’ve imagined her to. It made his chest feel almost too small for his heart. For a second, he wondered if this is what his dad felt like towards his mom. He hoped that it was true, he hoped Goose felt a fraction of what Bradley felt for Jose and her daughter. 

“If you want to go at any point, just let me know,” Bradley told her as he pulled in front of a small house, “They’ll understand, I promise.” 

Jose nodded, squeezing his hand before reaching for her seatbelt buckle. She wasn’t sure about meeting three new people at once, but she trusted Bradley. She knew that he wouldn’t bring her to meet people that weren’t worth knowing. She had to trust that they would be just as great as Bradley.

He led her to the front door before knocking a couple of times. A middle aged woman with dark wavy hair answered the door, automatically pulling Bradley in for a hug before turning towards Jose. Her smile was warm and inviting as she got a good look at her. 

“You must be the Jose we’ve heard so much about,” Penny then hugged Jose as tightly as she could without squishing her or the baby, “It’s so good to finally meet you honey. Come on in and sit down, I remember how uncomfortable I was on my feet when I was this far along.”

Jose blushed, “It’s awful really. I have a bowling ball attached to my stomach.”

“I‘ll get you some water,” Penny offered, “Pete! Amelia! They’re here.”

A man rounded the corner. He was shorter than Jose expected for a man of his legend, but seemed more than happy to see Bradley. He hugged him, patting his back several times, before turning towards Jose. 

“I’m Pete, but almost everyone calls me Maverick,” He extended a hand, “It’s good to meet you Jose. Dinner should be ready soon.”

“Alright, let me get her settled, okay?” Bradley laughed, putting a hand on Jose’s back to lead her, “The munchkin has been really active and kicking the living shit out of her. Partially my fault.”

“Of course it’s your fault,” Another voice joked from the living room. 

Bradley sighed, “Jose, meet Amelia, Amelia meet Jose,” Then he shot the young girl a look, “Play nice.”

She stuck out her tongue, “I’m always nice, birdbrain.”

Jose laughed, nudging Bradley with her elbow, “Huh, Birdbrain, I like that. Fits more than Rooster.”

“Hey! Birds can be smart,” he defended himself, helping her sit down.

“Sure they are,” Amelia snorted. 

Bradley glanced around before flipping the younger girl off. She only laughed and returned the favor, narrowing her eyes at him. He told Jose that he was going to help Maverick with dinner, before disappearing out of the back door in search of the older man. 

This left Jose alone with Amelia. The younger girl eyed her carefully, looking her up and down. Amelia leaned back into the sofa, stretching her arms out along the back with a sigh. 

“So, you’re having a baby?”

“Uh,” Jose looked down at her stomach, almost wanting to laugh, “Yeah, a girl. She could come any day, really. But the plan is to keep her cooking a little while longer. At least another month.”

“I’ll babysit,” Amelia shrugged, “You know, if you need anyone. I’m good with kids. I babysit some of the little baby base rats.”

Jose smiled, “I’d like that. As long as your mom is okay with it.”

“I would love it,” Penny spoke up, “In fact, I insist that you let us watch after that baby every now and again. Seeing as you’re apart of this family now, whether you like it or not.”

Jose smiled. When was the last time that she really felt like she was a part of a family? Her mom sure as hell didn’t give her much of a family feel, not since it was just them and her mom was hardly there for her. Mrs. Seresin tried her best, but the relationship with her husband and some of the daughters made things difficult. Michael was her family once, but then he turned on her. 

“I like that,” Jose admitted, “I don’t have much in the way of a family.”

Penny smiled almost sadly, “Well, you do now. And you’re welcome here anytime, with or without Bradley.”

“Thank you, I really appreciate that,” Jose replied honestly. 

“And if you ever need any help with the baby, you can call me anytime. It’s been a while since I had Amelia,” Penny told her, “But I still remember a thing or two. It helps to have someone who’s been through it all before.”

Jose nodded, “I’ve been told. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your offer. I’ll take you up on it, I’m sure.”

“Good,” Penny smiled, “Now, let’s go eat. The boys should be finished with dinner.”

And just like that, Jose had more of a family than she ever had. Four people, aside from Jake, who genuinely seemed to care about her. SIx people, including Jake and Natasha, who genuinely wanted the best for her and her baby. And her baby. Her sweet little girl who would be joining the world sooner rather than later. Her daughter, all hers, hers to love and cherish, hers to protect. Though she was scared to death, Jose couldn’t wait to meet her. 

She couldn’t wait to see what she would be like. What color her eyes and hair would be. Would she have dimples? Or freckles? Even if she looked like Michael, Jose would love her endlessly. Jose simply just couldn’t wait to meet and hold her little girl. And she certainly couldn’t wait to introduce her to her new little family.