#but like wouldn’t it be a little bit fun

[shiftyfly]

[interview with fantasy author Sir Terry Pratchett]

O: You’re quite a writer. You’ve a gift for language, you’re a deft hand at plotting, and your books seem to have an enormous amount of attention to detail put into them. You’re so good you could write anything. Why write fantasy?

Pratchett: I had a decent lunch, and I’m feeling quite amiable. That’s why you’re still alive. I think you’d have to explain to me why you’ve asked that question.

O: It’s a rather ghettoized genre.

P: This is true. I cannot speak for the US, where I merely sort of sell okay. But in the UK I think every book— I think I’ve done twenty in the series— since the fourth book, every one has been one the top ten national bestsellers, either as hardcover or paperback, and quite often as both. Twelve or thirteen have been number one. I’ve done six juveniles, all of those have nevertheless crossed over to the adult bestseller list. On one occasion I had the adult best seller, the paperback best-seller in a different title, and a third book on the juvenile bestseller list. Now tell me again that this is a ghettoized genre.

O: It’s certainly regarded as less than serious fiction.

P: (Sighs) Without a shadow of a doubt, the first fiction ever recounted was fantasy. Guys sitting around the campfire— Was it you who wrote the review? I thought I recognized it— Guys sitting around the campfire telling each other stories about the gods who made lightning, and stuff like that. They did not tell one another literary stories. They did not complain about difficulties of male menopause while being a junior lecturer on some midwestern college campus. Fantasy is without a shadow of a doubt the ur-literature, the spring from which all other literature has flown. Up to a few hundred years ago no one would have disagreed with this, because most stories were, in some sense, fantasy. Back in the middle ages, people wouldn’t have thought twice about bringing in Death as a character who would have a role to play in the story. Echoes of this can be seen in Pilgrim’s Progress, for example, which hark back to a much earlier type of storytelling. The epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest works of literature, and by the standard we would apply now— a big muscular guys with swords and certain godlike connections— That’s fantasy. The national literature of Finland, the Kalevala. Beowulf in England. I cannot pronounce Bahaghvad-Gita but the Indian one, you know what I mean. The national literature, the one that underpins everything else, is by the standards that we apply now, a work of fantasy.

Now I don’t know what you’d consider the national literature of America, but if the words Moby Dick are inching their way towards this conversation, whatever else it was, it was also a work of fantasy. Fantasy is kind of a plasma in which other things can be carried. I don’t think this is a ghetto. This is, fantasy is, almost a sea in which other genres swim. Now it may be that there has developed in the last couple of hundred years a subset of fantasy which merely uses a different icongraphy, and that is, if you like, the serious literature, the Booker Prize contender. Fantasy can be serious literature. Fantasy has often been serious literature. You have to fairly dense to think that Gulliver’s Travels is only a story about a guy having a real fun time among big people and little people and horses and stuff like that. What the book was about was something else. Fantasy can carry quite a serious burden, and so can humor. So what you’re saying is, strip away the trolls and the dwarves and things and put everyone into modern dress, get them to agonize a bit, mention Virginia Woolf a few times, and there! Hey! I’ve got a serious novel. But you don’t actually have to do that.

(Pauses) That was a bloody good answer, though I say it myself.

my creative writing prof also HATES fantasy. as in if she asks for an example of symbolism in a book, and you give something from a fantasy novel, she’ll ask for an example from a “non-commercial book” instead.

I dunno man, people can have preferences, but the second you discount the artistic merit of sci fi and fantasy I stop taking your opinion seriously. and there’s such a big culture in Canada of only valuing literary fiction, to the point where one of our biggest authors, Margaret Atwood, refused for a while to classify her books as sci fi or fantasy. she said they were “speculative fiction”, which is entirely separate and very highbrow (sarcasm).

and I could go on about how Octavia Butler and Ursula Le Guin wrote books every bit as intellectual (and honestly, even more so) than their literary counterparts, but I am also an enjoyer of schlock!! I think there’s artistic merit in animorphs, and in isekais where a japanese schoolgirl reincarnates into a magical spider who has to level up like it’s a video game! it’s like with everything, you can’t draw a clean line that separates ‘art’ from ‘non-art’ or even ‘lesser art’, and pretending you can do so just makes you look ignorant and goofy. in my opinion.

[bbrissonn]

𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐝 - 𝐥𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋ in which your agent forces you into a relationship for PR, but when you find yourself developping feelings for the boy, everything goes to shit

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋ disclaimer: english is not my first language and this is not proofread so please excuse any errors and if any words are missing add them in your head :) also this is a work of fiction, this doesn’t reflect how these boys act in real life, and it isn’t how i imagine them acting 

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋ warnings: angst angst angst, no happy ending cause bitch does the song sound like a happy ending 😭, mention of sex but no nsfw content, swearing

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋ pairing: luke hughes x reader

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋ wc: 8.7k (including lyrics)

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋ guts masterlist

Want it, so i got it, did it, so it’s done Another thing i ruined i used to do for fun Another piece of plastic i could just throw away Another conversation with nothing good to say

You were currently sitting in your manager’s, Chris, office alone, two other chairs next to you as you waited for him to return with his “special guests”. You truly had no idea what this was about, you never had meeting with guests, or whatever he meant. Your confusion only grew as you heard your manager’s laugh as he walked back into his office, another man in a suit next to him as he too laughed out loud, and a boy who looked about your age walking in behind them. 

“Y/N, this is my friend, Mike, and his client, Luke, he plays for the New Jersey Devils.” 

“Hi.” You answer looking briefly at the two before looking back in front of you. The last thing you wanted to do at the moment was have a social party with two strangers. 

“Excuse her behaviour, she’s been a little one edge lately. You two make yourselves comfortable.” Chris said as he walked to his desk chair, pulling out some papers from one of his drawers. Meanwhile, Luke took a seat next to you, sending you a small smile, which you didn’t bother to return, and Mike sat on the last chair. “Ah, don’t you just love a freshly printed contract!” Chris added, looking at his friend before the two shared a small laugh. 

“Contract?” You and Luke both ask at the same, looking at your respective managers. The two stayed silent for a couple of seconds, before Chris cleared his throat. 

“Mike and I have been talking for a bit, and we’ve both come to the conclusion that this is an excellent step for to the two of you to take to help your careers.”

“Career? I’m doing just fine, thank you very much.” You sassed as Luke shifted awkwardly in his seat. He knew who you are, how could he not. Your first big time movie had released only a couple of weeks ago, it was all he would see whenever he watched TV. But the movie had not been doing has good has your manager had hoped, no brands or magazine really reaching out to work with you. 

“Luke’s an uprising star in the NHL, Y/N, big prospect here, lots of attention on him. It wouldn’t hurt for you to get some of it.” 

“Well if he’s so beloved, what’s he need me for?” You asked, pretty much ignoring the two other men present in the room. At that, Mike stepped him, coughing slightly to bring the attention to him. 

“Luke’s been involved in some… worrying headlines lately. Being seen with you, seemingly in a committed relationship would do him some good.”

“Relationship?”

“Commited?” The two of you exclaimed once again. The last thing on your mind at the moment was being in a relationship, you had to focus on your career. 

“I’m not dating a stranger!” You said, drifting your gaze from Mike over to Chris, who was already looking at you with a pleading smile. 

“You two don’t need to actually date, as long as the media believes you do, what you do in your private time is none of our business.” He explained, his words almost sending you off of yout chair. 

“This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever head!” 

It took almost an hour for Chris to convince you to sign the contract, which somehow had crazier terms than the idea itself. Your “relationship” would last for 8 months, meaning during the length of Luke’s season. To make it even worse, no one outside of this room could know about the contract, meaning you would have to pretend to both your families and friends. Thankfully, the boy who would be your fake boyfriend was not as ugly as other men you’ve seen, sure he was far from your usual type, but he had some positive traits as well. His height being the first thing to catch your eye when he first walked in. Plus, he was an athlete, and it was hard to ignore his muscles showing throught his thigh polo shirt. He didn’t seem like an asshole either, so maybe there was a chance the two of you could somewhat get along. 

“So, what’s your favourite colour?” Luke asked as both of your managers left the small room for a couple of minutes, insisting the two of you got to know each other a bit. You looked over at him as his words hit, was this really the first thing he was going to ask you? You just rolled your eyes as you looked down at your lap. “Look, I’m just as happy as you are about this. And if I’m being honest, I’m not really interested in knowing more than needed about you.” He added, shifting slightly in his seat to have a better look at you. 

“Green.”

“Green?” He scoffed, making you send him a look, almost challenging him. 

“Yeah, green.” You sassed, making the boy smirk slightly.

“Like a- like a bright green or-”

“Are you mocking me right now?” You questioned, not finding the smile on his face amusing.

“No, no, just… interested, you know. There’s lots of greens out there.”

“Forest green.” You answered, keeping it short in simple before looking away and back down at your lap. 

“Not gonna ask mine?”

“Not interested.”

“Dark red, for sure. Although, you can never go wrong with maize and blue.” 

“Maize and blue?” You quipped. It was now Luke’s turn to give you a look. 

“Maize and blue. Michigan, baby!” He said with enthusiasm, earning himself a look once again. You took a second to look at him, really look at him. He  looked like a baby. 

“Michigan?”

“Michigan.” He repeated with a grin. 

“You from there?”

“Sorta.” He responded. You raised your brows at him, clearly indicated for him to expanded his answer. “Born in New Hampshire, moved to Toronto for like 10 years, then we moved to Detroit, been living there ever since.”

“And maize and blue, that’s…?” You trailed off.

“University of Michigan! Maize and blue, wolverines.”

“And I’m guess you went there.”

“Sure, did. My eldest brother too.”

“Cute.” You said, your voice filled with sarcasm. “When you’d graduate?” This was your way of finding out how old he was, without directly asking. 

“Didn’t.” Great, a college dropout. 

“You dropped out?”

“Yeah, to come here. If it makes you feel any better, I did attend all my classes, got good grades. I’m not some idiot.” He explained, you could tell he was feeling a little annoyed by your question. 

“Okay, well when would you of had graduated?”

“2025.” If you had a drink in your mouth, you would’ve spat it right out. This guy, this college dropout guy, was 2 years away from his graduation. You were right, he looked like a kid because he is one. 

“Gosh, how old are you?”

“Turned 20 last month. Why?” His words made you stand up, ready to storm out of the room and hunt down Chris. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not doing this. Gosh, you’re a kid. I can’t pretend to be in a relationship with a kid!” You exclaimed as you went to push the door open, only to realize it was locked. Great. “You have got to be kidding me.”

“Well, how old are you?”

“Don’t asked a women her age!” You snapped as you still tried to push the door open. “24.” You whispered as you realized there was no way this door was going to open, at least not thanks to you. “25 in January.” 

“You’re like… the same age as my brother.” Luke whispered to himself, his face turning into a grimace at the thought. 

“See, even you find it weird! Let’s just tell them it makes us uncomfortable. You’re too young for me, and I’m too old for you.”

“Never said you were too old for me. What if I like older?” He smirked as he made himself more comfortable in his chair. There was no denying his attraction towards you. Your instagram had popped up tons of times on his explorer page, and he never shied away from liking your posts. 

“You just said I am your brother’s age. Do you not find that weird?”

“Well, if we’re getting technical, he’s born in 1999, and from what I understand, you’re born in 2000. So you’re not his age, you’re just like 3 months younger than him.” He explained, his smirk still plastered on his face as you dropped down on your chair with a sigh. This was going to be the longest 8 months of your life.

I thought it, so i said it, took it ‘cause i can Another day pretending im older than i am Another perfect moment that doesn’t feel like mine Another thing i forced to be a sign

“So, what do I do exactly?” Luke asked from besides you. The two of you were currently on your way to some award show, meaning you would have to walk a red carpet. A red carpet with Luke. 

It had been about three weeks since you had sign the contracts, you and Luke had spent some time trying to get to know each other. He tried to put in some effort, ask you question as simple as your favourite food, and some more complexe, like what made you move from North Carolina to New York. You barely put in any efforts to answer his questions, simply because you weren’t interested in him getting to know you, and vice-versa. The two of you had been spotted a couple of times by fans, but you never held hands, or displayed affection towards each other in public, not like you did in private, but no one really knew what to take away from the pictures. 

“Just, stand there and smile. There’s gonna be like a thousand cameras, so just keep your eyes moving, ignore their questions and yells. When the workers tell you to move, you move.” You explained, your eyes looking outside the window. The red thigh dress hugging your skin perfectly, your heels the same colour, you looked gorgeous. Luke was wearing a black suit with a red tie matching your dress. 

“You gonna pretend like you at least enjoy being within 5 feets of me.”

“Aha. You’re so funny, I’m dying of laughter.” You responded, you voice in the same monotone voice you always used with him. “You make a fool of yourself, or me, and I will rip your eyes out with my own hands.” 

“Kinky.” Luke smirked as the car came a stop. The boy looked over at you, your eyes were closed as you took a deep breath. You hated this things, you hated walking down that carpet, papparazies with cameras in your face like wild animals. You hated it. Your eyes snapped open, and a giant smile appeared on your face.

“Let’s go.” 

Luke stepped out of the car first, everyone around holding their breathes as they waited to see who else was going to come out of the car. The boy stretched his hand towards you, a small nod of his head as you slowly made your way out of the car. The cameras were flashing around you everywhere, and you could tell Luke was getting a little overwhelmed. 

“Ignore them, just walk with a smile on your face, nod a bit.” You whispered to him as you leaned in close. Then, the two of you made your way to the door, you fingers intertwining with Luke’s without you even noticing. As you crossed the door, Luke let out a small “woah”, his eyes rooming around the entrance. He had been to his fair share of events for the NHL, but none of them were like this. Everything look expensive, everyone looked expensive. He was completely starstruck. So much he didn’t even noticed a worker coming over to the two of you and giving you instructions. 

“Luke?” You asked, making the boy snap out of hi trance. “We gotta go, come on.” You whispered before guiding the boy to where the worker had gone. “You okay?” Your voice was so low the boy wasn’t even sure if it was real of his imagination playing a trick on him. 

“Yeah, it’s just…”

“A lot.” 

“Yeah.” He answered as you looked over at him. The boy could’ve sworn he had seen the corner of your mouth lifts slightly, before your head snapped back to the worker. 

“Alright, you too, once she’s done, you two can go. Remember to smile, you both look perfect, enjoy the night!” She said with excitement as the girl in front of you moved to the next area of photographers. Luke heard you take another deep breath before slowly making your way onto the carpet. 

“Put your hand on my waist.” You whispered, a smile on your face, as you let go of his hands, that you hadn’t even realized you were still holding. Your hand landed near the top of his shoulder as you put one of your foot out and bent your leg. The slit of your dress riding up you thigh as flashed surrounded you. You felt Luke’s hand glide across your lower back before settling on your waist and pulling you a little closer to him. You instinctively leaned your head on his shoulder as you plastered your best smile. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

“This is exhausting.” The boy sighed as the two of you finally sat down at your table. 

“Welcome to my world.” Thankfully, the two of you were able to avoid any interviews, and once you were done with the carpet, you were free for the rest of the night. 

“You nominated for anything?” Luke asked as he reached down to the menu on the table. You had warned him that he wouldn’t be able to pick was he ate, everyone was getting the same thing, besides of course people with allergies and such. Chicken. Not his favourite, but not the worse. 

“Me, no. The movie is, but I doubt we’re gonna win.” You answered, only two of your co-stars could attend, the other one being busy with a new project. Sadly, you were seated a couple of tables away from them. 

“Why not?”

“Because when you go up against movies like Avatar, it’s hard to win.” Luke didn’t asked any other question about the awards after that. 

“For what it’s worth, I think you should’ve won.” Luke whispered to you as the cast of Avatar made their way onto the stage. You looked over at him, the two of you hadn’t spoken since before the show started. 

“Really?”

“Yeah, I mean Avatar’s good you know, classic. You’re movie was great.” 

“You watched it?”

“Before the whole… you know. My brother, Jack, we were looking for something to do and he made us go. You look hot in black.” He mentioned, clearly referreing to the long black silky dress you had worn in the movie. 

“Are you flirting with me?” 

“Is it working?” He asked with a smirk, only making you roll your eyes. 

“No.” Silence. One minute, two minutes. “You didn’t mention you knew who I was.” This was probably the first time you had been the one who made the effort to keep a conversation going. Luke smiled as he shifted in his seat slightly. 

“To be fair, you don’t really like when I talk, and when I do, I doubt you listen.” He answered. You couldn’t tell if he was taking a jab at you or not. He probably was. 

“Just because I am not interested in what you have to say, doesn’t mean I don’t listen.” You said, almost like you were defending yourself. 

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah.” You sassed. “We’re at every different points in our lives, we have different interest, our brains don’t think the same way. I mean you’re pretty much a college frat boy, and I am about to be 25. You play hockey, which I know nothing about, and I act and model. Totally different.”

“I modeled for American Eagle once.” He stated, and you couldn’t tell if he was joking or not. But as you looked over at him, the deep shade of red on his cheek answered your question. 

“You modeled for American Eagle.” You repeated softly, trying your best to hold in a laugh. 

“Just… laugh. You wouldn’t be the first one.” He mumbled with a small smile on his face. You let out a small giggle.

“That’s interesting. See, we could talk about that.” 

“It was… like two years ago. It was like with the school or whatever. My buddies were, like ruthless. It was horrible.” He explained, making you giggle even more. 

“They at least pay you well?”

“Yeah, yeah, it was good.” 

“Good on you.” The rest of the night, you and Luke surprisingly talked a lot. You hated to admit it, but you were warming up to him. He was sweet, there was no denying that, and you did feel bad for how you had acted before. 

“Y/N!” Chris exclaimed as you answered his phone call. You and Luke were now back in the car, on your way to your apartment. 

“Hi.” 

“How was your night?” You looked over at Luke, his eyes focused on his phone as he texted his brothers, who were apparently freaking out about his outing with you.

“Better than I expected.” You answered honestly. 

“Good, good. Have you been looking online? They love the two of you together, you’re all the media is talking about right now…” The man kept going but you paid no attention to his words. You eyes fixated on Luke. He had a soft smile on his face as he typed away on his phone, chuckling every now and then. You hated to admit it, but this night had gone far better than you had imagined. Luke was… well he was something. Maybe these next couple of months wouldn’t be so bad after all. 

Well, sometimes i feel like i don’t wanna be where i am Gettin’ drunk at a club wuth fair-weather friends Push away all the people who know me the best But it’s me who’s been making the bed

“I mean, it’s been great! Just, so proud of her, and excited for her. She’s been working really hard for years, and I mean, yeah, just, she deserves this.” Luke answered the reporter, the lie slipping so easily from his mouth. You were now two months into this fake relationship, and your friendship with Luke had grown. You two actually spent time together now, enjoying the other’s company. You had been quite present in public with him, and fans were quickly growing for your relationship. 

The lies came out so easily about your relationship. How you had met, how long the two of you had been together, all of it. It almost worried you how good he was at it, of course for you, it was just acting, but this was totally new to him. Gosh, he was so good at it that sometimes it almost felt real. Like right now, his hand on your waist, holding you close to his side as he spoke with a large grin. 

“Think they like me more than you, now.” The boy joked as the two of you sat down. You were now at a movie premiere, your movie premiere. This project had been completed long before you ever met Luke, yet it was still so easy for him to lie about how proud he was, and how hard you worked. He didn’t know. He didn’t know how much effort and passion you put into this job because he wasn’t there, yet the lie sounded so natural. 

“Yeah might have to let you come alone next time.” You joked with a fake smile on your face, one that Luke knew too well by now. 

“What’s wrong?”

“You do it so easily.”

“What?”

“The lying. Just, I don’t kno- nevermind, it’s stupid.”

“No, no, hey, talk to me.” Luke whispered, his hand reaching for yours. His touch felt so natural, so right, that you had to remind yourself why he was doing it in the first place. You were surrounded by people. 

“I just, you’re a really nice guy, Luke, and this industry it can… can do stuff do stuff to you, bad stuff. Stuff that changes a person, and I’d hate for that to happen to you, and for me to be the reason.” You admitted, looking down at your lap. You almost felt pathetic. 

“I am not gonna lose myself. Trust me, I’ve got 2 older brothers and a bunch of guys that keep me very humble on a daily bases. They keep my grounded, my whole family does. Even with hockey. And I am tougher than I look, you know.” He joked at the end, elbowing you slightly. You smiled softly at him, nodding your head slightly. 

“You promise?”

“I promise.” He whispered back, his pinky connecting with yours. “My parents are always asking about you, you know. Jack and Quinn, too. Well, pretty much everyone in my life.” The boy added after a couple of seconds of silence. His words made your body stiffen. 

“Oh.”

“Do you, uhm, wanna meet them? That way you can see for yourself how humble I’m being kept.” The boy added. 

“Sure, yeah.” You answered, your voice shaky as you looked around the room. 

“We can just start with Jack, he’s the worse one though, but he’s the only on that lives here, so. But we do play Quinn in like 3 weeks, so my parents are gonna be in town…” 

“Jack first works.” 

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 

“Can’t believe my brother actually convinced you to date him. I mean little Lukey, with you.” Jack said with a teasing smile on his face. By the ton in his voice, you understand he meant the “with you” part as a compliment, almost saying you were too good to be with his brother. 

“Jack-”

“I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised. I taught you well, Lukey.” The older boy added with a proud smile. You looked over at Luke, who smile at you apologically. You had spent your evening at the brother’s apartment, Jack had tried his best to cook a meal for the two of you, but you ended ordering instead. 

“It’s getting late, I should get going.” You stated, peaking quickly at the time at your phone. 

“I’ll walk you to your car.” Luke said, standing up quickly from the couch and you were fast to follow his move.

“You can stay over if you want. Its getting pretty late.” Jack said nonchalantly, making you look over at Luke. The two of you had never spent the night over at the other’s place. Well, actually, Luke did sleep over most of the times after events, but he always slept in your spare room. You knew they didn’t have a spare room, and sleeping on the couch was too risky as it could be seen form the kitchen. 

You and Luke shared a quick conversation with your eyes, refusing to stay over would probably wave form red flag. 

“I’ll leave the two of you alone, don’t worry. Just, please remember that I do sleep in the room next to yours, Luke.” Jack said with a smirked as he stood up from the couch, joining the two of you. He ruffled Luke’s hair slightly, before giving you a smile. 

“Good night.” He said before turning around and making his way to his room. After his doors closed, silence took over the whole apartment with you and Luke standing in the middle of the living room. 

“So…” 

“You really don’t have to if you don’t want.”

“No, no, it’s okay, I’ll stay. He seems really happy about it, so.”

“Right, yeah. Uhm, I’ll get you some clothes.” Luke said before guiding the two of you over to his room. Ten minutes later, you were laying next to him on his bed, wearing a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie of his. 

“He’s not as bad as you said, you know.” 

“That’s ‘cause he just met you. He’s an ass, really. Once you get to know, like really know him, he’s gonna be the most annoying person you’ve ever met.” Luke said with a scoff, making you smile slightly. Luke’s bed wasn’t exactly the biggest, meaning the two of you were laying shoulder to shoulder. 

You looked over at him, only to find him already looking at you. And then before you knew it, he was pulling you on top of him, your lips connected as his hands roamed your body. 

There was no denying the the two of you felt quite attracted to the other, and as you got to know him more and more, you attraction only grew and grew until you felt like you didn’t even have to pretend anymore. This was turning into something real for you, and you could only hope that the boy felt the same. 

The next morning, you woke up alone in the bed, wearing nothing but Luke’s hoodie. The first notification on your phone being from him. Hey, had to leave for practice, didn’t wanna wake you. Left a key on the counter, i’ll call you tn :).

Only he didn’t call, didn’t text either. And when he showed up at your place the day after, it was like nothing had happened. You wanted to talk about it, you needed to talk about it, but he had quickly made it very clear that he had no interest in that conversation. So, you stayed quiet and pretended it didn’t happen, that nothing happened. 

I’m so tired of bein’ the girl that i am Every good thing had turned into something i dread And i’m playin’ the victim so well in my head But it’s me who’s been making the bed

“It was so nice to meet you, sweetheart. You should come visit this summer.” Ellen gushed as she hugged you tightly. 

“I will.” You lied with a smile. Your 8 months would end right when summer would start, and you honestly had no clue what would happen after that. 

“Maybe we’ll see Luke a little more if you do.” Jim joked as he and Ellen waved at you as they left the apartment. Jack had offered to drive them to the airport, meaning it was only you and Luke in the apartment. His apartment. You hadn’t been over since that night, a night that almost felt like a secret. Like if you were to talk about it, or mention it, the world would explose. Like you were walking on breaking glass, and bringing it up would be that extra pressure that would make it snap for good. 

“You stayin’?” Luke asked as the two of you stood by door. 

“I don’t wanna be a bother.” 

“You won’t.” Luke said softly, his hand reaching for yours. “I want you to stay.” 

Those words, those 5 small innocent words, somehow lead to you once again waking up in nothing but his hoodie. You were alone once again, but you could head the two brothers arguing about something stupid in the living room. You quickly found your underwear and a pair of sweatpants before making you’re way to the two boys. 

“Y/N!” Jack exclaimed as he saw you slowly walking down the hallway. The older boy was sitting on the couch, while Luke stood behind him. But the younger boy quickly made his way over to you, wrapping his arms around. 

“Morning, baby.” The boy said softly, making your eyes grow wide. Baby. Luke had just called you baby. You never used nickname, never had and never even talked about it. 

“Hi.” You mumbled against his chest. 

“Y/N, tell your boyfriend that you always brush your teeth before you eat, not after!”

“Gosh, Jack, leave her alone.”

“Why would you brush your teeth before you eat? You’re just making them dirty again.” You answered Jack, making the boy’s smile drop, while Luke just let out a chuckle. 

“I made pancakes.” The boy mumbled, guiding towards the kitchen and away from Jack. 

“You trying to poisson me?”

“Not yet.” Luke chuckled as he placed a cup of coffee in front of you. The boy leaned against the counter as he watched you slowly started eating the pancakes in front of you. 

“Are we gonna talk about it?”

“Talk about what?” The boy mumbled as he walked past you, pressing a small kiss to your head before heading towards the bathroom. His reaction and action to your questions made his answer quite clear. 

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

“What’s up with you?” 

“Mm?”

“What’s up with you?” Luke repeated, making you look up from your phone. The two of you were currently sitting on your couch, a hockey game playing on your tv. 

“Nothing’s wrong with me.”

“That’s bullshit. You’ve been on your phone the whole night.”

“I’m busy, Luke.” You mumbled. It was a lie, you weren’t busy, you were just not interested in having a conversation with him after what had happened last week. Thankfully, he had left for a roadtrip with the team that same night, meaning you had one full week where you could just not think about him. The two of you texted a bit, but nothing more than seeing how the other was doing. The second the team’s plane had landed, the boy was quick to make his way over to your apartment, catching you completely off guard. 

“Yeah? Busy doing what? Scrolling on Tiktok?” The boy mumbled as he stood up from the couch. His action made you look up at him. “If you didn’t want me here, you should’ve just said so.” He added before walking away towards the front door. 

“You could’ve just texted, ask if you could come, not just show up at my door with no warnings!” You said as you followed him, making him scoff as he finished putting his two shoes on.

“That’s what this is about? I didn’t ask if I could come see you? We haven’t seen each other in a week, Y/N, sue me for thinking you’d want to hangout. For thinking you’d want to talk, catch up, see how I am doing-”

“Talk? You want to talk? Where was that attitude last week Luke?”

“What are you talking about?” The boy asked, making you scoff at him. He couldn’t be serious right now. 

“Why do you refuse to acknowledge the fact that we’ve had sex, twice now. Every time I even try to bring it up, you shut me out. So, I am sorry if I am not in the mood to talk to you when you please, Luke.” You snapped back, your voice filled with annoyance. Luke rolled his eyes at your words, making you bit your lip out of anger. 

“I can’t deal with this right now.” He said as he threw on his jacket. 

“See, you’re doing it again!”

“What is there to talk about, Y/N? We had sex, so what? Don’t be making a big deal out of this. Don’t act like this is something real, okay? We’re friends.” Luke said harshly, making your body freeze. The boy was gone before you even realized he was moving. Was this not real? Was all those nights spent doing nothing but talking about life nothing? Or how easily his lies would slip out of his mouth, were they really lies? 

Gosh, you felt like an idiot. Luke’s sole problem with this whole fake relationship thing was the commitment, he didn’t want that. He was a 20 year old just starting off his life, he didn’t want to be tied down right now. He didn’t have the time to be truly committed to someone right now, and you felt stupid for thinking he did. Stupid for thinking that those sweet comments he would make in front of camera were anything but sweet comment for the camera. Stupid for thinking some stupid contract would actually change Luke’s playboy attitude. I mean, that was the reason his manager wanted this relationship; clean up his image. That’s all you were, someone to clean up his image, to let other people know that Luke Hughes wasn’t just some guy going around fucking every girl he met. That’s all you were. 

You stood in front of you door for what felt like hour, praying and hoping that the boy would walk back in and tell you it was just a joke. That he didn’t mean those things and you meant more to him than he let on. That you weren’t just his friend, or his fake girlfriend. But he never came back. Never said the words you wanted to hear the most. Never. 

The next morning, you texted him asking if the two of you could talk. Nothing. No answer, no reaction, just silence. He had seen your message, and you couldn’t help but tear up at the sight of your message thread. Seen. 1 hour. 2 hours. 3 hours. The sun was starting to set and the word seen was still plastered on your screen. You felt even more stupid than you did the previous night. Laying awake in your bed, waiting for something, anything. Any sign of life that let you know that he was out there thinking about you. 

And a sign of life you were given. Of course, it wasn’t the one you wanted, if anything it was the opposite. You cursed yourself as the first tear fell down your cheek, and then even more as the tears kept falling. No way. There was no way this was real. He wouldn’t… he wouldn’t do that to you, right? 

But he did. On your phone screen, staring back at your tear stained face, were photos of Luke in a bar, his hands all over a girl as his lips danced with hers. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Of course he did, the contract didn’t mean anything to him, it was just to keep his manager happy. 

You knew he knew this would get out. That people would see and it would reach you in only minutes, but he didn’t care. You were the last thing on his mind as he walked into that bar, his eyes roaming the room to find someone, anyone, who could help take his mind off of you and the stupid contract. People knew who he was now, he gained followers like crazy as the public became more and more in love with your relationship. And here he was, blatantly cheating on his fake girlfriend simply because he could and he wanted. 

There was no way Chris would make you keep your promise of 8 months. No way he would make you look like the stupid girl who went back to her cheating boyfriend. Right? No, no, Chris wouldn’t do that you. Although you weren’t so sure anymore, you thought Luke wouldn’t do something like this, and he did. 

And every night, i wake up from this one recurrin’ dream Where i’m drivin’ through the city and the brakes go out on me I can’t stop at the red light, i can’t swerve off the road I read somewhere it’s ‘cause my life feels so out of control

The next morning you woke up with your phone blowing up, which made you quite confused since you had made sure to put it on do not disturb last night, meaning the only one who could be reaching you right now was Chris. You had fallen asleep in the early hours of the morning. You hated this. You hated that you let your guard down with the boy, hated that you let him, gave him the power, put him in a position to hurt you. You hated what you actually felt for him. You wouldn’t call it love, but your heart was his and only his. It was stupid, I mean you had only known him for barely 3 months. 

“What the hell happened?” Chris asked as soon as you answered his call. You tried your hardest not to let the tears fall again. Sitting up in your bed as you looked over at your clock, 10 a.m. 

“I don’t wanna talk about it.” You whispered, your voice breaking slightly. 

“I’m outside your door.” The man said before hanging out the call. You slowly made your way out of bed, walking to your door and letting the older man in. Chris tried his best to hold in a gasp as his eyes met you. Your hair was a mess, but that’s not what caught his attention, you face did. It was red, really red, so were your eyes. Left over mascare from the previous day lingering around your eyes. 

“Y/N/N…” He said softly as he followed you to the couch, where you threw your body down before wrapping yourself in a blanket. “Are you okay?”

“Please… please tell me the contract’s done.” You begged, your eyes tearing up as you watched Chris looked down at the floor. 

“He won’t… he won’t let us. I asked, I mean this looks bad for him, but Mark he’s… he’s not letting up.” Chris explained, his voice low and soft as tears started falling out of your eyes. “Talk to me.”

“We argued. We did… we hooked up, twice. And it meant more to me than it did to him. He got mad, stormed out, and I haven’t heard for him in almost two days, so.” You explained, trying your best to keep your voice stable. Chris let out a deep sigh at your words, his fingers rubbing the bridge of his nose. 

“I’ll talk to Mark, again. See if we can find a middle ground.”

There was no middle ground. You had signed the contract. Luke had sign the contract. And although Mark was not happy with his client, you had signed the papers. Which led to you sitting in Chris’ office, Mark next to you and Luke on the other side, later that day. The last time the four of you had been in the same room, you never would’ve guess what the next couple of months were going to be like for you. Never in a million years did you think you would grow to actually enjoy the younger boy’s presence, and you certainly never believed you would actually have feelings for him. 

“All right, so, papers were sign-”

“Can’t we just sign other papers to say we agree to end it or whatever.” You quickly cut Mark off, making the three men look over at. 

“Y/N…”

“No. I am not gonna be painted as the dumb girl who goes back to a cheater! This was supposed to be good for my image!” You said looking at Chris. He knew you were right, so did Mark and Luke. This was supposed to be a good thing. 

“Y/N-”

“No! I am turning 25 in a week, Chris, I am too old for this stupid high school drama. I don’t care about the stupid contract! I am done with this.” You said sternly before standing out and leaving the room. Of course, Luke was quick to follow you. 

“Y/N!”

“Fuck off, Luke.” You called out, not even bothering to turn back around. Of course, just to your luck, the elevator took forever to come up, giving Luke the chance to catch up to you. 

“Please, just hear me out.” The boy begged as he stood besides you. His words made you scoff, crossing your arms over your chest. Thankfully, the doors opened and you were quick to enter and press the button to close to door. Unfortunately, Luke was quick to place in hand in the way, joining you inside. 

“Hear you out? What is there to hear out, Luke? You’ve made yourself very clear, so, please, just leave me alone.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No!” The boy said before pushing the emergency button, making the elevator stop. 

“What are you doing?”

“Let me talk.” 

“I don’t want to hear what you have to say, Luke. I get it, okay? You’re young, and you wanna enjoy your life. You don’t want to be tied down, I get it. I can’t give you what you want, and you sure as hell can’t give me what I want, so just back off.” You whispered before pushing the button. Thankfully, you weren’t far away from the first floor, meaning about 3 seconds later Luke was standing in the elevator all alone. His eyes fixated on you as he watched you made your way out of the building. 

He was such an idiot. 

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

Every year was the same. You’d go to sleep the night before your birthday, expecting to feel completely different the next morning. But then you’d wake up and feel the exact same. 

25 was no different. If anything, you felt even more pathetic this year. You were 25 crying over a 20 year old who only thinks with his dick. Everyone always looked like they had their lives figured out by that age, relationships with someone they were convinced they were going to marry, or kids on the way, a stable work income, dreams they wanted to fufill. You had none of those. Well, since your fake relationship with Luke, producers were a lot more interested in what you could bring to their movie. But that attraction only came once you were by a man’s side. 

This 20 year old little boy had brought more success to your career than you ever did before. Pathetic. Even more pathetic that the same 20 year old could not give two shits about you. Pitiful. Yeah, that works better. 

You had no plans for the day, ever since the whole “cheating” drama went down, you had stayed inside. You didn’t go on social media, there hadn’t been a single sign of life from you, and honestly you didn’t have the energy to give you. You couldn’t be bothered to give you because you were too busy mourning the lost of a relationship that didn’t even exist. 

You spent your morning on the couch watching some stupid reality dramas, trying to make yourself feel better. Hoping that maybe there were some bigger idiots out there. And as you watched the same girl cry over the same guy for cheating on her for about the tenth time, you realized maybe you weren’t so pathetic. You had made it clear to everyone you wanted to be alone today, you didn’t have the energy to socialize right now. The only people you were planing on seeing were your food deliveries guys. 

So, when the sound of your doorbell echoed through your apartment, your brows furred. It couldn’t be food, no you were currently eating it. You were left even more confused as you opened the door to see no one. Looking down, your eyes met with a large basket filled with flowers, treats, stuffed animals and much more. A larged card with your name written on it with a handwriting that you could recognized all too well. You could see him out of the corner of your eyes. Granted all you could see was the top of his head as he had stopped halfway down the staircase as he heard your door open. But he was there. You weren’t sure what you should do. Do you look at him? Keep pretending you don’t? Do you even take his gift? 

Your head was telling you to go back in, take the gift, throw the card away and just fill yourself with sweets. But your heart had the better of you. You missed him. You hated that you missed him, but you did. Luke almost let out a yelp as your eyes met his. He didn’t know you could see him. The two of you stared at each other before you softly nodded towards your door. 

The next thing you knew, the two of you were sitting on your couch, Luke’s gift basket on your coffee table as you stared at the wall. Luke’s gaze was fixed on you, you knew it was. You could feel it. 

“I miss you.” He whispered so lowly you could barely hear it, but you did. You didn’t know if you should believe him or not. You let out a small scoff at his words. You weren’t falling for it. “I’m being serious, Y/N.”

“You don’t miss me, Luke. You miss the attention I gave you.”

“That’s not true.”

“Yes, it is. Because the second that attention was gone, you went to someone else to give it to you.”

“I want to be with you, Y/N, and I am so fucking sorry for what I did. And I know sorry is never going to make it to you, but please-”

“You want to be with me? You want to really be with me?”

“Yes! The only reason I never mentioned the fact that we had sex was because I was afraid you wouldn’t feel the same way I did about it.”

“But I did! And when I finally told you, you pretty much told me to go fuck myself and that it meant nothing to you! And now you really wanna sit here and tell me it meant more to you than a quick fuck? Please, Luke, I wasn’t born yesterday.” You snapped, looking over at him. “You embarrassed me. You made me feel stupid for thinking you would ever want something more than a quick fuck. And that wasn’t enought, that you had to go and hookup with some random chick in a public place, knowing people would find out, that I would find out about it. Now I look like the idiot who got cheated on by some kid.” 

“Look, I messed up, I know I did. I freaked out and ran away, when I should’ve just been honest with you. But, please, let me even try to make it up to you. I want to be your boyfriend, Y/N, I really do.” 

“I turned 25 today, and when you turn 25 it makes you realize that you have no clue what’s going on in your life. I mean I’ve got about 15 to 20 years until I can’t have babies anymore. I want to get married and have kids soon, Luke. And you’re no where near wanting that in your life. Maybe you are being honest, maybe you do really want to be with me. But I mean what I said in the elevator, you can’t give me what I want. I don’t want to wait another 5-6 years for you to be ready to settle down. I need someone who’s ready right now.” You explained. Luke knew you were right, his older brother had gone throught the same realization last summer. 

“We’re at different points in our lives.” Luke mumbled the same words you had told him during your first real outing in public together. Gosh, you wish you could go back and do so many different things that night. You wished you hadn’t let your guard down, maybe this whole thing would’ve never happened and you’d be out celebrating your birthday with your friends and fake boyfriend. Maybe. 

“Yeah… and if I’m being honest, I don’t think I could ever forgive you. You made me look like a fool to everyone, Luke. And maybe I was just being stupid with my feelings or whatever but I atleast thought we were friends, and you’d never humiliate me publicly like that.” You said harshly, making the boy look down at his lap. “I deserve better.” 

“I’m sorry I can’t be better.”

“You should leave.”

And i tell someone i love them just as a distraction They tell me that they love me like i’m so tourist attraction They’re changin’ my machinery and i just let it happen I got the things i wanted it’s just not what i imagined I’m so tired of bein’ the girl that i am Every good thing has turned into something i dread And i’m playin’ the victim so well in my head But it’s me who’s been making the bed

The next day, you were freed. The whole contract thing was done. Chris had told you the reason it hadn’t been before was because Luke didn’t want it to be done. But that something in him had changed last night and he had agreed to end it. It felt odd really, you never guessed you could miss something that never really existed so much, but you did. You cut all public ties with Luke and his world, making it quite obvious to the public that your relationship was over. 

You went back to your old life, pretending none of it had happened. Pretending that Luke Hughes hadn’t walked into your life three months ago and flipped your wold upside down. You didn’t talk about it, you refused to talk about it because you weren’t sure you’d be able to answer any questions without crying. You felt even more pathetic about that. You and Luke had never officially been together, neither of you ever flat out say you liked the other. So why were you so hung up on him? Maybe it was the way he always knew how to boost your confidence before a red carpet. Or maybe how attention he paid to details. You didn’t know, and you didn’t like it one bit. 

What made it even harder was that Luke was went back to how his life was before. A different girl in his bed almost every night, and now since he was linked to you, even more attention was brought to it. It was hard, seeing the boy you were so hungup on kissing all these girls. But all the negative attention that came with it almost made you feel better. This whole situation was supposed to do some good for both your images. 

Now a month later after your “break up”, you were the girl who go cheated on, but was thriving in the industry, while Luke was a cheating whore. It made you feel good. Good to see that people on the internet stil hadn’t lost their minds and sense of logic completely. Good that maybe you did come out of this stronger and more liked than before. Good that you were about to start working on the biggest project of your career so far, and Luke would be stuck being reminded of his actions every time he opened his phone. 

But you still felt pathetic. You weren’t sure you’d ever stop feeling pathetic. Pathetic for lying to all your friends and family, lying to his family. Pathetic for not answering any of Jack, or Quinn or even his parent’s messages. But you couldn’t. What were you supposed to say? Oh, I am actually not that sad because we never really dated, it was just a contract. I mean, that would be a lie, but part of it would also be the truth. It was just a contract. You both messed up, and you needed to stop acting like this was all Luke’s fault. 

You shouldn’t have slept with him, you shouldn’t of had let him ignore the fact that you slept together for so long. You did this to yourself in a way. You knew going in about Luke’s behaviour, you knew the second the contract was over, he’d go back to his old ways. You knew. But you still let yourself fall for it. You could even say you were to blame for it. You kissed him first. You kissed him. Both times, you iniciated it. So, who was really to blame here? 

Somethings i feel like i don’t wanna be where i am Countin’ all of the beautiful things i regret But it’s me who’s been making the bedMe who’s been making the bedPull the sheets over my headMaking a bed, oh-oh

[benz12313]

🥺👉👈 ridoc who falls head over heels in love with violets twin who is autistic and he's an absolute sweetheart to her, and helps her when she needs something and protects her.

Also their dragons are mated and aotrom is very over protective of her.

I had so much fun writing this. I hope this was written well. As a parent of an autistic child (diagnosed) and as someone who suspects herself and her other child are AuDHD but in the process of getting diagnosed, I really tried to represent this well. I also think in the Fourth Wing universe, at least in Basgaith, many mental differences are shunned or looked down upon, so I went that angle with this fic. Please give me feedback on how I did with this request. I also have some ideas for a part two so let me know if you'd like that! Thank you for your request though! I had a lot of fun working on it. :)

Own Worst Enemy - Ridoc x Sorrengail!Reader

Warnings: violence, death, dragon mate possessive behaviour

Word Count: 4,274

I sat quietly next to Violet, as she interacted with her- our friends. As much as they assured me that I was just as included as her, I’d never really felt that way. I wasn’t like her. I didn’t know what to say, what to do? Always feeling a little bit lost when the group was together, like I was one step behind, too busy analyzing everyone to add my own input into conversations. Sometimes it felt like they only put up with me because I was Violet’s twin, and not nearly as breakable as her. 

I was good with schoolwork and okay with challenges, at least good enough to hold my own and take minimal injuries; and my joints are stronger than hers, not popping and breaking under pressure. Perks of being a fraternal twin I guess. Our DNA isn’t identical. No, something else in me feels broken. Something deeper. More substantial. Something I never talked about with anyone, ever. 

Violet has asked before, in my moments of weakness, when everything is too much and I can’t hide. But I always am able to reign it back in then, hide it all behind a smile and recite lines I know will appease her worry. After all, the mask I wear protects me, especially growing up in a family where weakness isn’t tolerated. Even Dad, who saw straight through me. He expected me to reign it in too. Taught me in his own ways how to know what to say, how to make people look away, how to breathe when it was too much. Yet he still expected me to conform, to act like everything was okay. Like I wasn’t broken and weak minded. 

I was a good actress at least. Everyone just thought I was quiet and reserved. And they never looked too hard at me, letting me fall into the background. I preferred it that way, it was much easier.

Everyone, except Ridoc Gamlyn, of course. He was always right there. In my space, but somehow, I never minded it. Maybe because with Ridoc, it didn’t matter what I said, he just accepted it. When I missed an unwritten social rule, he just smiled and responded, somehow getting what I was trying to say instead of harping on how I said it. He was annoying at times, always a bit loud, but he could say or do whatever he felt like with no reservations, easily breaking through my walls like no other could. Not even my own sister. I was honestly a bit jealous. 

Ridoc wouldn’t let me fade either, prodding me to talk with him while the others were occupied in their own conversations. His voice usually quieter in those moments when he was trying to get me to reconnect, asking the oddest questions about whatever I was working on. It worked though, making my mind settle as I answered whatever he’d asked me, the casual back and forth grounding me, easing my anxiety over messing up. 

He could see me. Really see me, like nobody ever had. It didn’t take me long to understand though, as I quickly became interested in trying to figure him out. Nobody really saw him either. Seeing what he wanted them to see. The loud, boisterous, sexually overconfident man he let everyone see wasn’t all of him. He didn’t let them see his worry over schoolwork, or over whatever current obstacle we were being thrown as new riders (currently the gauntlet) or his disappointment when a night of fun never became anything more, even if his conquest came back, it was never more than for another round. It was such a carefully crafted act that nobody thought to ask questions, nobody seeing that there was even an act to catch. 

Nobody could see. But I could. And he knew I could, giving me a knowing smile in his moments of weakness, but I never knew what to say to make it better. I don’t really think he wanted any sympathy, hence the mask that mirrored my own. He interested me though, so completely different than the others. Even though that’s what he wanted, I could never truly look away. Not when he’d become my biggest source of safety in this death college. 

Always pushing me on the mat, giving me pointers on how to improve. Walking with me when I needed a moment, my body feeling restless. Talk about my books, even the smutty ones, maybe especially the smutty ones. He’d grin and let me talk for hours, sitting on his bed in the men’s dormitory as we talked quietly. He’d glare at any of the other men who looked at us too long, daring them to say something. To make one move towards me. None ever did. And he always listened, asking questions that actually made me think, or that would lead me to another tangent.

Ridoc Gamlyn was an enigma I could barely understand, so I too hung around. Maybe it was the same for him. Maybe we were both just trying to figure the other out, never quite getting there. Never quite understanding. But accepting. Always accepting. 

“I think, maybe you could bounce back and forth up the chimney. Your joints aren’t as weak as Violet’s so if you get enough speed and momentum…” He trailed off, as he watched me nudge my sausage across my plate. “Y/N?”

I met his warm brown eyes for a moment before my eyes quickly returned to my plate, torturing my sausage again. “I get what you’re saying. It’s worth a try.” It was presentation day, and this was my last try after all. Violet had told me her plan, but it wouldn’t work for me. If both of us pushed the rules like that, then one of us would definitely be disqualified. It was her plan, so I told her I’d already found another way. Lied through my teeth, but she’d let it go so it must’ve been convincing enough. 

“C’mon, you’ll make it.” He assured, like there was no possibility I wouldn’t. “After all, my best friend isn’t a weakling.”

The twisting in my gut wasn’t unfamiliar, it happened every time he mentioned us as being friends. Why? I wasn’t quite sure, and it was one of the few things I refused to ruminate on. I refused any negative emotion when it came to Ridoc, too afraid to let anything take hold and then let the emotions push away my only solace in this place. 

“Yeah.” I sighed. Then forced a smile as I met his gaze again, holding it this time. “Just want it to be over with.” 

He smiled, moving some hair out of my face, the annoying strand of hair that always refused to stay in my crown of braids. “I know you do. And you’re gonna kick ass, and then in two days, we’re gonna get dragons and be certified badasses.” He sent me a big grin and I sighed, looking away to hide the smile blooming on my lips. I speared the sausage on my fork and plopped it in my mouth, finishing my breakfast. 

“Yeah, yeah. Can’t get rid of me that easy.” I joked and with a quick glance from the corner of my gaze I saw his smile widen. 

“Exactly Sorrengail. You’re stuck with me. Forever.” I laughed, before standing, Ridoc quickly following me. “Besides, I haven’t heard about the end of that dark romance you’ve been reading. It’s just started getting good. And I won’t have the patience to read it myself if you go and die on me.”

“Glad to see I have some use.” I snorted at him, my body relaxing the moment we’d gotten to the hall. The noise of the cafeteria fading the further we got from it. Finally, I could actually hear myself think now. 

“Oh don’t be like that! You’re smarter than Violet, and that’s saying something.” He said and I rolled my eyes. 

“No, I just watch more than she does. It’s easier to put things together when I don’t have to worry about holding a conversation at the same time.” I countered and he chuckled, pinching my side and making me squirm away. I still giggled against my will though. “Plus the photographic memory helps.” I snorted out another laugh when he poked me again. “Stop that!” 

“Okay. Okay.” He relented, giving me a goofy grin and shoving his hands in his pockets. I knew that was the only way he’d be able to not touch me as he tried to honor my wishes. Ridoc never really could seem to keep his hands to himself when he was near me. Especially when he was nervous. “Don’t discount yourself though. You’re brilliant. Own it.”

“Shut it Gamlyn. I’ve got enough to worry about.” I sighed, taking in his expression before bumping his shoulder with my own. “Don’t need to worry about me okay? I won’t die today.” 

The anxiety in his eyes faded, replaced with all consuming warmth as I was stuck in his gaze. He opened the door ahead of us, not saying a thing. 

Ridoc’s POV

I held the door for her, warmth pulling at me as her gaze never faltered. I believed her, after all, it wasn’t often that she lied to me. In fact, she was usually unabashedly honest with me. A fact I was grateful for. She hid herself from the rest of our friends, her sister, but couldn’t hide from me. 

Her brilliant mind fascinated me, she was amazing in her own unique ways. How the others couldn’t see it was beyond me. She was definitely the strongest, and smartest of us. I just wish they could see that, that she could see that, just once. She finally rolled her eyes, moving through the door as her cheeks went pink and my chest swelled with pride. 

She was beautiful, in every way, and I'd been hopelessly pining after her since that first night when we’d been assigned to the same squad. When she’d finally met my gaze with those pretty y/e/c eyes of hers, catching me in a trance as she looked through me. Past my confident facade, straight to my core, past all the bullshit I wore like armor. But then she didn’t call me out like most would have, just cocked an eyebrow at me, and looked away. Like it was some secret that she was electing to keep for me. 

I’d been practically begging for her attention since, especially after I’d figured out that she was pretending too. That she hid herself, afraid of the inevitable rejection too. But she didn’t play pranks, pretend to be stupid and refuse any feelings too painful to address. No she refused everyone, never letting anybody too close to be able to hurt her. Only letting the rest of our friends close enough to see what she deemed the useful parts of herself, but never close enough for them to really see her. But she let me. And I knew it was because she saw our similarities. 

I was broken from my thoughts when we made it to the gauntlet, and fear seized my heart. As quickly as it’d taken over, it was gone because Y/N shoved my shoulder with hers again, sending me a bright smile. 

“We’ve got this Ridoc.” It was simple, yet wholly convincing. 

“We’ve got this.” I repeated, squeezing my hands into fists in my pockets to keep them still. To keep them from pulling her into my arms, and never letting go. 

Y/N’s POV

I made it. I fucking made it! Shock seized me as Ridoc’s bellows rang in my ears, not quite hearing it even though his words echoed through me. His arms were wrapped tightly around me, spinning me around as he held me in a bone crushing grip. He set me back on the ground but didn’t let go, burying his head in my shoulder. 

“You made it.” He whispered, and I nodded, tears pricking in the corner of my eyes as emotion flooded through me. Everything was suddenly too much as I hid my face in his chest. Breathe in. Out. In. Out. In. Out.

“I made it.” I whispered back, squeezing him from where my arms were wrapped around his neck. 

We made it through presentation as well. Though several of the less savory of our squad couldn’t say the same for themselves. None of the dragons really stood out to me, a hollow feeling in my chest as I walked off the flight field. I won’t be chosen. I knew none of those dragons would choose me, deep in my soul. I didn’t say anything though, not until I was sitting criss-cross with my back leaning on his pillows and headboard as I watched him sharpening his sword, talking about needing to be ready for threshing. 

“Did you-“ I paused when he quieted and glanced up at me, “Did you feel any of their approval?” I asked, voice barely above a whisper. 

“The dragons?” He asked, putting down the stone in his hand and setting the sword to the side. Damn him, he must’ve noticed my shift in mood, deciding to focus on me completely now. I nodded. He thought a moment, his face shifting into contemplation, a look I couldn’t help but find so handsome. “Not really. There was those greens that crowded your sister. But I was terrified of them. Maybe that brown one, towards the end, that was annoying the others? Rolling all around them. He was funny. But I don’t know, none of them really jumped out at me.”

He hadn’t been able to take his eyes off that brown. I remember following behind him, watching him as he had softly chuckled at the dragons antics. For him to have brought it up again…maybe he was just lying to me, or himself, but he’d definitely had a connection to that dragon. My heart dropped. 

He must’ve seen it too because he sighed, before crawling over and wrapping his arms around me as he pulled me into his side, and I leaned my head on his chest. “You are gonna get a dragon tomorrow. I just know it. Maybe your dragon just isn’t sure about you yet.”

“Comforting.” I snorted, voice devoid of emotion.

“Look, I know I haven’t convinced you, and you’ll be thinking some awful things about yourself now.” He paused, sighing and looking unsure of himself as he tried to find the right words to soothe me. Failing, but he’s cute, trying like that. “Just trust that I know, more than I’ve known anything that you will get a dragon tomorrow. If any of us deserves one, it’s you.”

The raw honesty in his voice made my heart race, and despite myself, his words gave me an inkling of hope. Hope that he was right. That there really was a dragon out there who could accept me, despite my shortcomings. Hope that a dragon would find me worthy. 

“Thanks Ridoc.” I mumbled, and hoped that he’d hold me just a little longer as I worked to pull myself back together. 

He did. 

Ridoc’s POV

I wandered the woods, my mind occupied with Y/N and her show of weakness last night. She never let the facade fall that completely before, she was scared. More scared than she’d been for the gauntlet. Afraid a dragon wouldn’t want her. I frowned as I hid behind a tree as a red passed by. I knew that one wasn’t mine, but luckily it either hadn’t noticed me or decided to spare me instead. 

I’d felt a tug all afternoon as I wandered the forest, coaxing me further and further inwards, where I knew that brown was waiting. I’d meant what I said last night, it’d only been once I’d left my friends that I felt the tug. But Y/N had caught what I hadn’t last night, in that way that only she does, already knowing the brown had intended on choosing me. 

I finally started moving again, lost thinking about Y/N. Too lost to notice the forest shifting in front of me, until a deep male voice rang through my head, ‘Oh come on! You didn’t even notice me!” 

I jumped back two feet, suddenly seeing two large golden eyes staring at me from a large brown swordtail that was hanging from a particularly large tree. A tree that still looked like it was about to buckle under the weight of him. 

“S-sorry.” I stuttered out. 

The brown jumped from the tree, landing on the ground and sending me staggering from the shockwaves. ‘I suppose I’ll forgive you. Only cause you’re so worried about her. Call me Aotrom, I’ll give you my full name later. You’re mine now.’ He sniffed at me as he circled me, before settling in front of me again, looking proud of himself. 

“You mean Sorrengail? Y/N?” I specified, remembering Violet was out here too. 

The dragon made a sound, that sounded suspiciously like a snort. ‘Who else? Your mate of course.’ 

My body froze as my mouth fell open in shock. “She’s not! We’re not-“ I shook my head. “She’s my friend.”

He tilted his head, looking confused. ‘Oh? I thought…’ He sounded confused too, thinking, before his face lit up again, tail wagging back and forth. ‘I see! Eve did say she thought you two hadn’t acted on it yet when I shared my memories with her. I guess she’s right!’

My mind was swimming. This-my dragon, Aotrom, was unlike any other dragon we’d learned about. That was for sure. And he thought me and Y/N were mates??? “Who’s Eve?” I finally let the words out and the dragon puffed his chest out as he straightened with obvious pride. 

‘My mate of course.’

Y/N POV

I kept a hand over my mouth as an orange slinked by, sniffing the air. I willed my traitorous heart to slow, afraid that the nasty looking dragon would hear my heartbeats and try to eat me. Eventually he slinked out of view, and I let out a small breath as I continued on my way.

I still felt that hollowness. No pull anywhere as I wandered around aimlessly. I’d run into a dozen different dragons now, and felt nothing from any of them. 

I silently wondered if Ridoc had found that brown swordtail. I wondered if Rhi and Violet had found theirs too. If Sawyer would finally get his own. If I would be forced to repeat the year as well, and start over next year. 

I paused when I heard a rustling in the bushes, but before I could hide, one of the other cadets strode out. It was one that hung by Barlow, not in his inner circle but itching to move his way in and appease the cruel man. He was tall and fit, definitely a foot taller than me. I palmed my daggers as he stared at me, cruel grin forming as he looked me up and down. 

“The quiet Sorrengail twin.” He hissed and I glared. 

“Won’t earn you any points with Barlow killing me.” By sheer will my voice was strong. 

“Oh, but it will weaken her, and Barlow will approve of that if he hasn’t killed her by the end of the day.” My heart raced at his words as I steeled myself for the fight ahead of me. He wasn’t backing down now. 

He ran four steps raising his sword and was about to swing when air rushed around me, and then suddenly he was lifted off the ground, a giant scorpion tail sticking out his back and through his chest. With a flick of the tail his body flew behind me. 

But I was frozen in fear. Standing in front of me was a dragon, with navy blue scales and bright green eyes narrowed on me, assessing. Waiting for what my response would be. It’s tail moved slowly now, curling around its body, which gave me some hope that this dragon didn’t plan on killing me. Yet at least. 

“Thank you.” I whispered, lowering my gaze as my thoughts went wild. There weren’t supposed to be any blues out here today. 

‘I came because my mate wished to take a rider, that’s all.’ Her voice was majestic, beautiful and commanding, filling my head and making my eyes snap back to hers. She was talking to me…but that meant… ‘Yes, Strategist, I agree with my mate’s assessment. You are worthy of being mine, despite your worries. He may have been selfish, having chosen his own already, but he had assured me that you would do me proud young warrior. Now, climb on, before I change my mind.’

She chuffed out a puff of air in my face and I chose not to argue and climb atop the small blue dragon. She wasn’t the smallest of the ones we’d seen during presentation, but she definitely wasn’t the largest, I noted as I climbed on top of her. 

She grumbled. ‘I am only 21!’ She hissed out the words irritated with my…thoughts. Great she can read my mind. ‘I will grow with time! I’ll be bigger than Aunt Sgaeyl even! Just you watch!’

So don’t mention her size. Noted. Wait, Sgaeyl? Riorson’s dragon??? 

‘My name is Eventhasil, but you may refer to me as Eve.” Then she was launching into the air not a second after I had thoroughly settled into the seat, ignoring my mental question of her lineage. I gripped her tightly with my thighs, hanging on for dear life. Once she leveled out, not jostling me at all anymore, I was able to actually enjoy the wind flowing through my hair. Joy flooded me and tears welled up again. I was actually chosen. 

‘That is a habit we will have to kill with prejudice. Your doubt in yourself is sickening.’ Though her words were harsh, I think that was supposed to be encouraging. 

‘What about your mate?’ I asked, changing the subject. ‘What’s he like? Who has he chosen?’ It would be nice to know exactly which cadet I’m now tied to for the rest of my life.

‘He approaches.’ She says simply, her voice going quiet as she speeds up, forcing me to hold tighter as a brown tried to catch up. Were they…racing? ‘Yes, and if Aotrom wins he’ll be insufferable. Hold tight.’ Determination laced her tone as she tightened her movements racing towards the flight field at top speed, easily outflying the brown as she flung her wings out at the last minute, landing quickly. I was nearly flung from my seat with the maneuver, but with luck and my muscles locking, I was able to hold on. The brown landed thirty seconds later, towering over Eve as he snapped at her face playfully. She snapped back at him, narrowly missing his neck as her tail swung behind us. 

But then another dragon landed on her other side and the brown lurched forward, growling low in his throat as he eyed the other male, his swordtail curling around Eve protectively.

She, however, sat calmly amidst his display of possessiveness. Almost…bored? 

‘Overpossessive male.’ She explained, irritation lacing her tone. ‘Male dragons are known to be volatile towards any potential threats in the first few years of establishing a mate bond. And Aotrom is very…determined to keep me as his.’ An obvious affection was laced in her last words. The other male backed away, submitting to Aotrom’s dominance and claim, eyes and head down as he moved out of range. Only when the male had moved a sufficient distance away and Aotrom relaxed, turning to his mate again did I see his rider. Ridoc. Holy shit! Ridoc!

Happiness bubbled within me. There was no one better to be tied to! Holy shit. And he looked unharmed, thank the gods. 

‘Go speak with him.’ Eve somehow sounded…teasing? ‘He’s relieved that Aotrom had told the truth when he told him that you were safe. As if I’d ever let harm come to what’s mine.’ She snorted at the last sentence and I laughed. 

‘I’m glad he’s okay too.’ I sent her way as I climbed down. 

The moment my feet hit the ground they lifted again, as Ridoc’s arms wrapped around me and swung me around. “We both got dragons! We’re both riders!” His voice was full of joy as he put me on my feet again. “We made it Y/N! We made it!” His hands moved to my cheeks, and I was frozen as euphoria took over his gaze, and then in a split second, his mouth was on mine. 

Moving, kissing, me. I slowly moved back holding onto the moment as my heart burst. My crush was kissing me. Tongue slipping into my mouth as he pulled me to him, pine and male and Ridoc taking over my senses completely as I lost myself in him. 

This moment was perfection. 

And then it was ruined, by Sawyer calling our names, obviously not able to really see us yet. Ridoc jumped back, looking panicked and my heart lurched. Did he not mean to do that? His eyes scanned mine as he backed up. 

“Talk later?” He asked, and I froze. He froze too, hands hovering over my waist. “Y/N? Talk later yeah?” 

I nodded, words catching in my throat as Eve growled in my mind. But she said nothing. 

“Yeah.” I whispered, putting on a smile as our friend greeted us. 

~ I'm taking requests as well, just submit them to my inbox and I'll get to them when I have time.

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@xadenswhore @littlemissmelodie @jobroho @worldsanna @uneducatedraccoon @nicksolemnlyswears @binksbrewcrew

[elodieunderglass]

this feels like a strange question but in light of your info about how jockeys don't usually know or train with the horses they race on - what are jockeys..... for? what is the jockey doing that the horse couldn't be trained to do independently? does a good or bad jockey make a significant difference to how well a given horse does in a race?

Right?!

In a way, asking what the jockey’s for also asks the question of “why race horses?” Why do it at all, and why horses?

We sort of do it because horses are fast and exciting, and because they do what we tell them, even though it’s not in their nature. Because it’s not their nature, they have a jockey.

I’ve put this under a “Keep Reading” to save your dash.

Horses could be trained to race by themselves to some extent, but it wouldn’t be like greyhound racing - greyhounds are sighthounds, running perfectly reasonable dog software on top of ancient and serviceable dog hardware, practicing a variation of hunting behaviour. Horses wouldn’t do this; they have little desire to chase a mechanical rabbit. they have even less plan than a greyhound about what they’d do if they caught it. (Also, in terms of animal welfare, greyhound racing isn’t widely celebrated; loose animals running around aren’t better off than controlled ones.)

Racing-to-find-a-winner is not herding behaviour, even though some horses do seem to possess a natural interest in the topic. You could train some of them to understand better, and that’s what racehorse training is, but the way we have of training that is to put someone on their back to explain to them what their job is, so it all becomes circular anyway. Why do it? Why not? Why do humans race horses? Why race horses? We could just race snails; it’d be cheaper!

One answer is that when horses just Go, it isn’t super Fun. They mostly Go to pieces.

The jockey is the pilot, or software, who understands the situation and has a goal to achieve. The horse is not an engine, but a thinking animal; they have their own goals and interests, which are often satisfied by just running around in a predator-confusing fashion with their friends for 2 minutes, and then crashing into a car, eating hot chips and lying. Most of them do not really care how long 3 minutes is, what a mile means, what “pacing” is, or what “winning” is. They just have Go, and so they do that for a bit, and then fuck off.

I guess another metaphor would be Mario Kart. There are various combinations of automated and human players in a game of Mario Kart, and if racing was just about going fast, the fastest vehicle should always win. But a decent human player can beat the NPCs even if the human hasn’t bothered min/maxxing a vehicle, just because they can be moderately smart about how to race. An adult can often beat a child at Mario Kart, even if the adult takes a much worse vehicle, because in theory, brains/experience/strategy/planning factor into “who wins a race,” and we LIKE that.

Same with car racing. Why not just race autonomous vehicles? In F1, where they build their own cars, why not include the driving software in the design? Or why not remote-control them? Why bother strapping a poor driver into a flameproof suit? Fans will tell you it’s strategy. The human driver uses tactics and responsiveness and skill - but, below all this, the dark red thread of the human is risking their life and we like that.

In theory, jockeys are more intelligent than thoroughbreds, and have more of a plan: setting pace, knowing what time is, changing strategy, evaluating stamina, conducting the horse safely through traffic and over jumps, and adding a complicating element of human interest. In practice, it’s believed that they have relatively little influence on race outcomes - a bad jockey on a good horse can win or lose a race; a good jockey on a bad horse usually just loses; oh, what the hell, let’s just race snails instead - but without the jockeys, you’d have to change the name of the sport to Horses Wandering Around A Carpark Kicking Lumps Off Each Other.

Here is a bunch of baby steeplechasers practicing the concept of Go in such a way that nobody gets to Go at all. After the un-mounted Snow Dragon wipes out most of the other horses and jockeys, all of the loose horses go faster without the weight of their riders, but after an initial show of interest in the concept, the loose horses all lose interest and focus.

It was funny (because nobody was hurt) but it wasn’t what anyone really wanted. In theory, that’s what the jockey is for: they’re supposed to be the adult, in a game where you can win by doing that.

But none of it has to be happening, any more than Investments need to be Managed, you know? It would also be fine if we didn’t! Michael O’Sullivan, an Irish jockey, just died racing this very week and there’s the dark red thread again: the human is risking their life.

The consumption of animal and human in an ancient sport is fascinating and visceral and compelling; but you’re right to question it; none of it has to be that way.

As for the second half of your question: a bad jockey can make a good horse lose. A good jockey cannot make a bad horse win. But most people and most horses are not particularly exceptional, or particularly anything at all; they are just workers running in a circle.

Top jockeys on average horses win more often than other people on average horses. Top jockeys and champions exist, with year-on-year records and recorded material evidence of their decision-making and risks paying off, indicating that there’s consistency of winning across skill and experience that makes their success better-than/random; it would be worth doing a study controlling for the fact that top people are offered the best mounts.

It’s a test of horsemanship, too. Achieving flow - nonverbal command of an animal and fellow athlete, and sympathy together, such that they respect and trust you - having just met the animal - is an achievement of many skills, and if you broke a jockey’s skills down into different types, most ordinary people couldn’t do any of them. No core strength, no balance, bad hands, bad posture, no sense of body positioning, no internal timer, no ability to psychically mind-meld with an unhinged animal you don’t know personally… they’re all fairly rare, and it’s something else to make it complex and interesting for people who like that sort of thing.

Personally, I just like Killie’s little problems and the drama around them. The racing industry itself could collapse tomorrow, rendering Killie’s story historical fiction, and I’d be just as happy.

[potatoplace]

Game Night

💖 Valentine's Collection 2025: Monopoly 💖

Nessian x Reader | Azris x Reader | Cazriel x Reader

Summary: Game night with your partners means three things: chaos, anger, and sexual tension.

Warnings: daddy kink oops, don't think there's anything else tho

Words: 1,224

Author's Note: this was soooo soo sOoo much fun omg. I loved Nessian's the most, cause they're the ones I had in mind when I made the poll 😂 and uhhh the Azris one... got uh. More daddy-y than I'd planned but I'm not mad. I hope you guys like it!! Read it on AO3!

18+ only pls

🤍🩶🤍❤️🤍

“No, no, NO!” Cassian yelled as the dice stopped on doubles sixes, moving him from your hotel on Marvin’s Garden to Nesta’s hotel on Boardwalk.

“Yes!” Nesta cheered, a fist pumping into the air. “You’re going down, pretty boy!”

Cassian rifled through his stack of money that had already been cut into heftily from his last turn, leaving him with just ones and fives, his cheeks red. “I swear, Nes, you’re going to land on Illinois and then Pennsylvania Avenue and give me everything back.”

“Fat chance, Cassie, I’m going to bleed. You. Dry,” Nesta hissed, her hands clawing at the edges of the table.

“Okay, let’s cool it a little bit, guys,” you interjected, hoping to alleviate some of the tension that was quickly building to an unstoppable point.

As usual.

“Yeah, Nes, take you turn,” Cassian sneered at her, and you shot him a dirty look. He at least had the decency to look ashamed for five seconds, that’s more than he normally would.

Nesta rolled the dice, Cassian chanting for her to get a seven under his breath, only to yell when she rolled an eight, skipping right past his hotel on Illinois in favor of one of her railroads. “Would you look at that, Cassian, I seem to owe no money to anyone at this table.”

You sighed and scooped up the dice, hoping that your turn would help distract them from each other. Your hands shook the dice and loosed them, landing on a solid four - leaving you on free parking, which currently held over $1000 in Nesta’s income tax landings.

“Oh, you bitch!” Nesta yelled at you, though her hand landed on your arm gently, reassuring you that she may be loud, but she’s not truly angry with you.

You giggled at her as you raked in your new stack of bills, your wealth nearly equal with hers now.

“Oh, fuck me,” Cassian groaned. He never liked when the two of you were on top, as you rarely made someone go bankrupt, and Nesta would loan you money if you needed some - you are her princess are all. Meaning Cassian would have mercy from you, but all of Nesta’s mercy had been given to you.

“I can certainly arrange that, if you can’t pay for Boardwalk the next time you land on it,” Nesta said with a smirk, her eyes promising that she would offer such a trade.

“Over my dead body,” Cassian said, grabbing the dice again and rolling a ten, landing him at Nesta’s hotel on Connecticut Avenue. “FUCK!”

🤍💙🤍🧡🤍

“That will be $1000, Y/N,” Eris said from across the table, his amber eyes glinting as he watched you fidget in your seat.

You bit your lip as you looked from him to your stack of money, knowing that you had less than half of what you needed, and you’d already traded away most of your properties. “Can I owe you one?” You asked, knowing the limited likelihood that he would agree.

“No, that isn’t the rule of the game, bunny. You either pay up or go bankrupt, I’m sorry to say,” he said, though his smirk told you he wouldn’t be sorry. After all, whenever you went bankrupt you chose one of them to cuddle with until they finished battling it out.

You turned your gaze to Azriel, his hazel eyes already trained on you.

“How much do you need, bunny?”

You smiled and bit your lip before counting the money that you had left. “Uhm… $637?” Azriel counted out $700 for you and held his hand out, taking it back before you could take it. You rolled your eyes and stood up, going over by him to give him a long kiss, your mouths only separating when Eris coughed, annoyed. “Thank you, Azzie,” you said, giving him another kiss, on his cheek this time. “Here you go, Eris,” You said brightly, handing him the money.

“You know, it’s against the spiritual rules of the game to bail someone out, Azriel,” Eris said as he grabbed the dice.

“But she’s so adorable Eris, especially after you’ve rejected her offer of paying you back later. I mean,” he grabbed your cheeks and turned your head so you were facing him. “Could you say no to that face?”

Eris opened his mouth, but you slid your lip into a pout and squinted your eyes like you were going to cry.

He sighed. “No, I can’t. Come on, Y/N, just give up and come sit on daddy’s lap, hmm?” The request sent heat straight to your core, and your cheeks that Azriel was still holding onto.

“Or you could come sit on my lap, babygirl,” Azriel said, turning your face back to him. “I did just save you from bankruptcy.”

Your eyes flicked between the two of them.

“No, I think I’m fine for now, after all, I’m not bankrupt thanks to you, daddy,” you said softly, relishing in the light blush that dusted Azriel’s cheeks.

“See, Az? She does it every time!” Eris insisted, finally shaking the dice in his hands. “Just wait, you’ll be in my lap in no time, bunny.”

🤍❤️🤍💙🤍

“Ah, shit,” Cassian groaned as you landed on Pennsylvania Avenue, where Azriel had just put up a hotel. “Do you have enough money to pay for that, baby?”

You rolled your eyes at him. You were doing far better than he was this game, having slightly tricked him and Azriel into giving you all of their pieces of lower-priced property, leaving you owning two sides of the board, utilities and railroads included.

“I think I do, Cassie, thank you though,” you smiled at him, pulling out the money that you owed Azriel.

“Thank you,” Azriel said quietly as he put the money away in the proper order, both of you sharing the vast majority of the money. “Time for you to go, Cassian. And you should be asking if you have enough money,” he pointed out, waving at the part of the board he was on: your territory.

“Oh, I’ll be just fine, I’m going to skate by on chance and community chest, brother,” Cassian boasted as he picked up the dice and rolled them.

You couldn’t help but giggle at him landing on one of your hotels a moment later, biting your lip to keep your joy from being too obvious. You’d always found it funny how confident Cassian was, even when he sucked at the game like he did with monopoly.

“Pay up, big guy,” you said, extending a hand.

“I don’t-“ he sighed loudly. “Fuck you, Azriel!”

“What did I do?” Azriel asked with a brow raised.

“Well, I can’t say that to Y/N, now can I?! So fuck you!”

Az rolled his eyes at him. “Can you pay her, or not?”

“Yeah, Cassie, it’s only right to pay your debts,” you teased as he began counting out money, coming up a couple hundred short. He grumbled as he picked off a few houses from his monopoly, and pushed the money into your hands.

“Thank you, Cass,” you said, catching his eyes. “You know I love you, no matter how poor you are in monopoly, right?”

He let out an amused huff, and grinned. “If you love me so much, will you give me one of your monopolies?”

“Not a chance.”

🧡💙🤍❤️🩶

General Taglist: @daughterofthemoons-stuff @lilah-asteria @meritxellao @twismare @wrenisrad

[urmom3001]

How to Lose a Guy in Ten Seven Days G.W x Reader One Shot

Summary: Y/n proves to her best friends, Cho Chang, and Angelina Johnson that she can lose a guy in ten days. WC: 6.3k

Warnings: Ravenclaw! Reader, Fem! Reader, swearing, underaged drinking ,mentions of sex nothing graphic, yes like the movie, I have writer's block so I’m writing a one shot, set in Order of the Phoenix, Reader is a sixth-year. NOT PROOF READ bc I got lazy.

Day 1 “I just don’t understand where it all went wrong!” Cho dramatically fell back onto Y/n’s bed. Cho had brought up her horrible date at Madam Paddifoot’s Tea Shop with Harry Potter…again.

“Well…” Y/n wasn’t sure how to come about her words. With the recent passing of her friend’s late boyfriend last year, Y/n had been very careful with her choice of words around her friend. Who wouldn’t have been? “You did leave him at the shop, maybe you just need a bit of time before you get into the dating scene again, Cho.” Y/n sat down next to her friend, who was now sitting up. She put an arm around Cho’s shoulders, and rubbed her upper arm. “Any guy would’ve run for the hills like Harry. I mean– do you remember your first kiss with the boy?” 

Cho had told Y/n everything from the mistletoe, to her crying into her ‘make out session’ with Harry Potter in the room of requirement. Cho snickered a bit, “Easy for you to say. No boy would ever run away from you, you’re too much of a catch.” 

“You flatter me, Miss Chang.” Y/n rolled her eyes, and pulled her friend up. “Come on, I’ve been invited to the Gryffindor postseason  Quidditch party, and you’re my plus one.” 

Cho groaned. “Do we have to? Why couldn’t it have been Hufflepuff?” She whined as Y/n dragged her to the closet. 

“Because.” She shrugged. Plus, Gryffindor throws the best parties, and I promised Angie I’d be at the next one after I bailed on her last time.” Y/n reasoned. “It’ll be fun~” 

“Alright, alright. Only because it’s Friday night.”  Cho reluctantly agreed. 

By the time the girls had gotten to the Gryffindor common room, the party was in full swing. They had a long table of food, and drinks, and there were students from all houses enjoying themselves.

Angelina Johnson quickly spotted Y/n after she’d stepped into the common room a couple of minutes ago. “Y/n! You came! And you brought Cho!” She hugged Y/n tightly before pulling away. “Well don’t you two look nice?” Angelina smirked, and she twirled Y/n around. 

“You look beautiful tonight, Angie.” Y/n giggled, and kissed Angelina on the cheek.

Angelina giggled too. “Come on, come on! Let’s get you two a drink in those hands!” She whooped over the chatter, taking a sip from her own red cup. 

Across the room, unbeknownst to the girls, were five boys talking, Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Lee Jordan, Fred Weasley, and George Weasley. “You’re delusional, mate!” Fred roared with laughter. “You couldn’t make anyone fall in love with you. Let alone in ten days!” 

“I would beg to differ, ladies love me.” George slumped back into his chair. 

“Correction, they love me.” Fred smuggly said, taking a sip from his cup. 

“You’re barking!” Ron howled. “I believe in George, Fred might get the ladies, but Georgie can make a girl swoon.” 

“Thanks, Ronald.” George cheered to him with his cup, before drinking a sip. 

“Alright.” Fred grinned as a lightbulb appeared over his head. “I bet you can’t make a girl fall in love with you in ten days.” Harry was now tuned into this conversation, he’d been distracted ever since Cho walked into the common room. 

“Ten days? Why so specific?” Lee asked, he too was intrigued by this wager. 

“Seven days is too little, that’s only a week.” Fred explained. “But fifteen days is too much, then it gets too serious.” 

“Alright deal.” George took up the bet, he loved a good challenge. 

“Ah there’s a catch, brother.” Fred carefully warned. 

“Lay it on me.” George challenged, whatever it was didn’t matter, George had loads of girl’s just like his twin brother at his beck and call. 

“I get to pick the girl.” Fred shrugged, taking a sip out of his cup. “Do we have a bet?” 

George had already gone and said he’d do it, he couldn’t back down– not with his dignity on the line. Even though the circumstances were less than ideal, he agreed. “Alright, who’s the girl?” 

“You see that girl with Angie?” Fred pointed over at the entrance of the common room, all five boys instinctively looked, especially Harry Potter, who realised Cho was also with the group of girls. He hoped Fred wasn’t about to pick her. “The Ravenclaw girl that’s always with Chang? Pretty smile, being twirled by Angie?” Harry let out a sigh of relief. Fred had picked Cho’s friend: Y/n L/n

Fred had side knowledge about this girl to make it harder for George. He knew that in all of her six years at Hogwarts, she’d only had one boyfriend, Adrian Pucey. They were only together for about two weeks before she called it quits. She never wanted to date him in the first place, it was only because it was a double date with her, and Cho. The other boy Y/n couldn’t even remember the name of. 

George knew who she was. Y/n was a sixth-year, he’d heard many things about her, and knew she was a fair chaser on the Ravenclaw team, but they’d never actually spoken before. “Y/n?” Said George. 

“Bingo.” Fred raised his eyebrows. “We still got a bet, or are you too chicken?” 

“You’re on, Freddie.” George chuckled, downing the rest of his drink. “I’ll have this girl liking me in one night.” 

“Mmm,” Fred tried to speak, but he had a sip of his drink in his mouth, he only spoke once the burning liquor was down his throat. “Like, and love are two very different things, my dear brother.” 

On the way to get their own drinks, somehow they’d gotten on the topic of Y/n’s love life. “Oh come on, Y/n! I never see you out and about with a fling!” Angelina urged. “There’s got to be someone.” 

Y/n smiled, and shook her head. “Oh please. Boys are a waste of time. Especially Hogwarts boys.” Y/n giggled. 

“Trust me, Angelina. I’ve tried.” Cho rolled her eyes. 

“If I dated a boy, I’d lose him in ten days. I swear! They’d leave running!” Y/n sipped on her drink, she didn’t like drinking, but occasionally she would let loose with a cup of whatever sweetest liquor the party had to offer. “I bet my life on it.” 

“No boy in their right mind would ever run away from you.” Angelina scoffed with a snicker, and drank from her cup. 

“It’s true!” Y/n argued. 

“Then do it.” Angelina smirked. “I don’t think a boy would go running away from you in ten days.” 

“Is that a bet, Johnson?” Y/n tilted her head with a wicked smile. She loved wagers. 

“You bet your ass it is, L/n. Find a boy tonight!” Angelina began to walk away to mingle with some other people. “I’m counting on it!”

“I won’t disappoint, Angie!” Y/n laughed as she walked into the crowd of people. 

Y/n and Cho sat on a couch, talking to some of their other Ravenclaw friends, Maria Glossup, and Pamela Alton. “Y/n?” Maria smiled. 

“Yes, Maria?” Y/n smiled back.

“Would you do me the biggest, fattest, favor ever, and please refill my cup?” Y/n was closer to the drinks table. Y/n laughed at her small yet long request. 

“Of course, love.” She smiled, standing up, and grabbing her friend’s cup. “Anyone else?” 

The other two girls shook their heads. “I’m all tapped out, Y/n.” Pamela slurred. 

“Alright. I’m glad you know your limits, Pam.” Y/n laughed, before walking over to the drinks table. In Pamela’s defense, she’d arrived a lot earlier to the party than Cho, and Y/n did. 

Y/n was minding her business pouring her friend a drink, she noticed a presence beside her. She ignored the person, thinking they were just waiting to also refill their cup, until he spoke. 

“What’s a Ravenclaw like yourself doing at a party like this?” He smoothly asked. Y/n looked up to see one of the Weasley twins at her side. She almost let out a snarky remark, until she remembered Angelina’s words. Find someone tonight. Ten days, that's all it was, of course, George Weasley was thinking the same thing. 

“The same as you.” She turned her body fully toward him. They stared at each other for a moment, it was as if they were both unsure of what they were doing. “Hi…” Y/n finally broke the silence, and put out a hand towards him. Y/n had never actually spoken to any of the Weasley’s, even in Dumbledore’s Army meetings. Y/n was half-way sure the twin she was talking to was George. 

“Hi.” George smiled back, taking her hand. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but he wasn’t expecting her hand to be so soft against his rough ones. Especially since she’d been so proficient in Quidditch. He expected at least a callus or two. 

“Y/n L/n.” She introduced herself. 

“George Weasley.” Y/n had never actually said this though out loud but she thought the last name Weasley was cute, it was close to Weasel, which were one of Y/n’s favorite animals. 

“Cute.” Said Y/n. She hadn’t flirted with a boy since probably her fourth year. 

“Thank you.” George smiled, he had thought Y/n was talking about him. 

“I was talking about your name.” Y/n informed the boy. 

George looked to the side sheepishly, before looking back at the girl in front of him. “Thank you two times.” George laughed, and she let out a small one too. 

“Single?” Y/n asked, she knew far too well about the Weasley twins romantic endeavors, there were far too many to keep track. 

“Currently.” George answered. 

“Likewise.” Y/n smiled, leaning in just enough to tease him. 

“Surprising.” George leaned down a bit, and tilted his head. 

“Psycho?” Y/n questioned, now she was just joshing. 

“Rarely.” George truthfully answered. Y/n remembered his beat down on Draco Malfoy just three months ago on the Quidditch Pitch, and striked his answer as truthful. 

“Mmm.” Y/n acted like she was thinking about giving the boy a chance.

“Interested?” George tried his luck. 

Y/n paused. “Perhaps.” 

“Hungry?” George asked. 

“Starving.” Y/n admitted, by the time her, and Cho had arrived at the party, all of the good food options had been taken by one student or another. 

“Leaving.” Said George, he knew she would catch on, she was smart. 

“Now?” Y/n questioned, like he was a mad man. 

“Mhm.” George hummed. He couldn’t believe it was actually working, likewise for Y/n. 

Y/n paused again, before agreeing. “Okay.” She softly said. 

“Okay.” He agreed, and watched as she slipped away. 

“Give me one second.” She smiled, holding up her pointer finger. 

“I’ll meet you at the portrait!” He said to her now distant figure. 

Y/n walked up to her friends, and pushed Maria’s cup into her hands. “Don’t look, but George Weasley is waiting for me at the portrait hole. He’s taking me somewhere.” Y/n watched as her friend’s eyes widened, and Pamela sobered up. 

“The day has come!” Pamela cried, and she sat up. 

“Don’t look! –” She tried to say but it was useless, Three three girls were all looking at George Weasley, and he was staring back at them. He smirked at Y/n’s back. She groaned. “I’ll be back at the dorm. I’ll see you guys later tonight.” 

“Have fun!” Maria said as Y/n walked to George’s standing figure. The two walked out of the portrait hole, leaving the loud party behind them. 

“I can’t believe he actually just did that.” Ron shook his head in disbelief.

“I thought you believed in him?” Fred snickered, although he was slightly nervous that he had already lost his bet. 

“I do, but c’mon? Y/n L/n? No one’s had a chance with her like– ever.” Ron reasoned. 

“So where are you taking me, Weasley?” Y/n asked as they walked through the dim castle. It was only about half past eight in the evening, although it felt like ten at night. 

“You’ll see.” George only grabbed her hand, and dragged her with him at a faster pace. “If you don’t put a pep in your step, we’ll be caught by Filch, and Norris. Come on.” 

Y/n appreciated the humor, she slightly laughed. “Alright.” 

George led her to the fruit bowl painting. “I told you I was starving, so you take me to a painting of fruits?” She furrowed her eyebrows. “How thoughtful.” She deadpanned, this would be the longest ten days of her life. 

“Do you really think I’m that daft?” George asked in a fake offended tone. 

Y/n shrugged. “You Gryffindors are daring, not the brightest bulbs in the bunch.” She teased. 

George laughed sarcastically, but he did acknowledge that it was a pretty good jab. “Very funny. If you're so clever, did you know this?” George tickled the pear, and the portrait popped open, Y/n almost gasped. “After you.” 

Y/n climbed into the portrait, and was spit out into the grand kitchens of Hogwarts. “I’d always heard rumors, but I never dared to try it myself.” 

“That’s what I’m here for. To be daring.” George played on her words from a couple of seconds ago. 

Both George and Y/n had barely realised that this was basically their first time talking. Of course they’d seen each other in the halls, and had been against each other in Quidditch matches more times than they could count, but they’d never spoken. 

Throughout dinner in the kitchens, they’d gotten to know each other exceptionally well. Birthdays, favorite colors, the works. What Y/n hadn’t expected was the conversation getting deep. “What do you want to do after school?” George suddenly asked her. 

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that? I still have a year left to go, you’ve got a couple of months.” Although Y/n knew it most likely would do with the business he, and his twin had now. 

George shrugged. “Just trying to uncover the secrets of you. You’re so mysterious, Y/n.” 

Y/n chuckled. “Do you want the real answer? Or the one I tell my parents to make them happy?” 

“What do you want to do?” George confirmed. 

“If it were up to me, I’d be writing spell books, and creating spells– charms, if we want to get specific.” Y/n answered. 

“What do you tell your parents?” He asked, the house elves were now clearing away their dishes. 

“My parents want me to get a Ministry job. Likely an unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries.” She shrugged, and muttered a small ‘thank you’ to the elf who took her plate. “It doesn’t sound all too bad, until you realise that you can’t speak about your job to anyone– a secret! I want to be able to go home, and rant to my husband about my day, you know?” Y/n ranted. It was probably the longest response George had gotten out of her all night. 

“Yeah, I get it.” George nodded, he glanced towards the clock in the kitchens. “It’s getting pretty late. Do you want to head back to your dorm?” He asked. 

Y/n thought for a moment, her dorm was empty. “Sure.” Y/n grabbed his hand, and led him out of the kitchens, headed straight for Ravenclaw Tower. 

They approached the grand wooden door with a bronze eagle on the front of it with a large knocker. As soon as they approached, the eye of the eagle glowed red. “A man in a carriage saw three doors, one bronze, one silver, and one gold. Which door did he open first?” 

Y/n had thought for a second, George was in awe, he’d hate to have to answer a conundrum every time he’d wished to get to his dorm. If it were him answering, he would’ve said gold, because gold meant first, but he allowed Y/n to answer. After a couple more seconds she chuckled. 

“The man opened the carriage door first.” The Eagle’s eye dimmed, and the door opened. Y/n smiled proudly, she liked the daily challenge of the conundrum password. 

Y/n walked into the common room entrance, George stayed back. “You coming? My dorm mates are all at the party.” George wasted no time in following the girl. He’d never been in the Ravenclaw common room, but it was huge. There were constellations plastered on the walls, and ceilings, telescopes on the balcony, it was a lot different than Gryfinndor tower. “I’ll warn you now, it’s a ton of stairs.” She giggled. 

Finally making it to her dorm, Y/n let him settle in, while she used the bathroom. She knew from the start she would not give him anything of herself. Especially on day one of ten. 

George on the other hand was scrambling to take off his shirt once the bathroom door closed behind her back. Until he remembered, this was a one night stand like he was used to, his goal was to make her fall in love. He quickly put his shirt back on just in time for her arrival back into her dorm. 

George was sitting at her desk, he knew it was hers because of the framed picture of her, and her family on the right corner of the wood. “So, which one’s yours?” he motioned to the beds with his head. 

“The bottom on the left.” Y/n sat on her desk next to him. The Ravenclaw dorms had bunk beds, Y/n wasn’t too keen on climbing up and down a ladder in the morning, and nights. 

George grabbed the framed picture on her desk. “These are the parents that want you to work in the Ministry?” George asked in confirmation. Y/n nodded, leaning in a bit closer to look at the picture with him. “I think they don’t have a single clue what they’re talking about. I think you’d be an amazing Charms creator. I never in a million years would’ve been able to answer that riddle that quickly.” He chuckled, making her laugh too. 

“Trust me, it took a lot of time to be able to get it at that speed. One time in first year, I had to sleep outside of the common room, because Cho, and I couldn’t figure out the riddle.” She laughed at the memory. 

George laughed with his chest. “Did you really?” 

“We did!” She laughed even harder. “We slept in the hospital wing, thank goodness it was a weekend.” Y/n sighed as she, and George's laughter cooled down. 

George put the picture frame down. The two sat in silence, before catching each other’s gazes. Y/n wasn’t sure what it was, but she had the strong urge to kiss the boy. It wasn’t the alcohol acting as liquid courage, her drunk had been long gone, and sure, George Weasley wasn’t the worst to look at.

She leaned in, and he did too, meeting her in the middle. They both tasted of alcohol, however Y/n’s fruity drink clashed with George’s firewhisky. She hated firewhiskey, but it’d never tasted so good. Her arms went to his neck, and his hands to her waist. They pulled away to breath, and when Y/n leaned into him for more, he stopped her. “I think we should take this slow.” He whispered, surprising Y/n, but she obliged, not wanting to cross any boundaries. 

“Right…” Y/n said breathlessly. “Slow.” They’d stayed in their position, eyes still on one another's. 

George wanted to make her fall in love, but he also wanted nothing more than to kiss her, he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t heavily attracted to her. Who wouldn’t be? He was kissing the untouchable of Hogwarts. Fuck it. 

In an instant George’s lips were on hers again. Y/n happily accepted the kiss, and even let him lift her up from the desk, she wrapped her legs around his waist, and he carried her to her bed. He broke the kiss only to let her down gently, before going back to kiss her again, they’d kissed for another good minute before they needed air. George dipped back down for more once he’d caught his breath, but Y/n stopped him. “I think we’re going too fast, Weasley.” She whispered with a dopey grin on her face. “I don’t want to be just another one of your girls.” 

George chuckled. “Right.” He slowly stood up from under her cramped bed. “I should probably get going. I suspect your dorm mates will be back soon.” 

“Right,” Y/n said, getting up. “I’ll walk you down.” 

George denied. “Whoa, no.” He said. You’re already here, why would I make you walk down, and up those stairs again twice?” He laughed. 

“You’re right.” She smiled, she hadn’t even thought about the stairs. She opened her dorm door for him. “Good night, Weasley.” 

“Good night, darling.” He flirted, walking through the open door. 

“Oh, nick-names already?” She tilted her head as she leaned on her door, and door frame, her dorm door now only open just enough to see just her from the outside. “That’s twice now.” 

“Just how I work.” George shrugged. 

“So you call all girls nicknames like that?” Y/n raised an eyebrow. 

“No.” George shook his head seriously. “Just the pretty Ravenclaw ones that want to be an author one day.” 

Y/n almost broke into a full fledged smile, as her cheeks burned. “Good night, George.” She’d managed to maintain herself. 

“ ‘Night, Y/n.” He said, almost walking away, but Y/n grabbed his hand, before using it as leverage to kiss his cheek. 

George’s own cheeks began to burn. He turned around taking his long flight down the stairs. When he got to the bottom of the spiral staircase, he noticed Y/n’s head peeping down at him from the top. He looked up, and waved before whispering to himself under his breath. “Oh god, you’re in love with me already. 

Little did he know, she was muttering things to herself too. “I’m going to make you wish you were dead.” She muttered, waving too before blowing a kiss down the staircase. 

Day 2 “So you guys didn’t–?” Y/n cut Maria off, as she stabbed a strawberry on her plate.

“No! We didn't. You know me, I am not an easy girl.” Y/n scoffed, shoving the fruit in her mouth. “Besides, this is just to prove a point.” 

“I think there’s a part of you that actually likes him.” Pamela teased. “I mean, you didn’t fuck, but you did make out. Which in my books is so much more intimate than sex.” 

“Pamela!” Y/n exclaimed, before whispering. “You are so loud!” 

“It’s alright Y/n, don’t get your wand in a knot. It’s not like the whole party didn’t see the two of you leaving the party last night.” Cho joined in on the teasing. 

Y/n was about to open her mouth to say something in her defense, when a group of twelve first-years approached her, all with their hands behind their backs. Y/n was stunned. “I’m sorry, can I help you?” She asked in her nicest voice, as they all stared at her. 

One by one, each first-year gave her a red rose, garnering the attention of the students of Ravenclaw table and others. The twelfth first-year had the biggest rose, and a message. “From Mr. George Weasley, Miss!” He quickly said, before running off with the other first-years. 

“And you said he was going to leave you in…how many days?” Maria teased. 

Y/n could feel her face getting hot. “Shut it.” She got up, determined to give George the biggest turn off of his life, she was finished with her breakfast anyways. She walked up to him, and made her voice a bit higher than usual. “Oh!” She dramatically exclaimed as she walked up behind him. “Georgie-bear! That was so sweet of you! How romantic.” 

George’s eyes furrowed at her change in demeanor from last night, but caught one glimpse of Fred’s gaze before pushing down his suspicion. “Of course, a dozen roses is a sign of love. To show you’re not just another one of ‘my girls’” 

The use of the word Love scared Y/n, so much so that she almost broke character. But she continued. “Well, aren’t you just the sweetest?” She pinched his cheek, and kissed the other, before going back to her friends. Angelina could see right through her, it was obvious Y/n was going an overly clingy, sweet girlfriend route to drive George away. 

“Well aren’t you just the sweetest?” Fred teased his little brother, and looked at his friends, before they all completed the sentence. 

“Georgie-bear!” Fred, Ron, Ginny, Harry, and Lee said together, making George roll his eyes. 

“Have the same energy when I win.” George warned his brother. 

“Win, win what?” Angelina asked. 

“Freddie here has bet that I can’t make a girl fall in love with me in ten days.” George informed her. Angelina’s jaw almost dropped at the coincidence. 

“You’re going to break her heart.” Angelina shook her head and looked down at her breakfast. While Y/n was essentially also using George, it wasn’t half as bad as making someone fall in love with her. 

Day 4

Y/n was surprised that George still hung around her. She had done numerous things to drive him away, she had acted super clingy, and then super distant, she’d even dragged him away from a prank he and Fred were doing to study with her in the library. Of course George had to oblige because his goal was to have her fall in love with him. 

“How much longer are we going to be here for?” George complained for the second time in the hour. 

“We’ve only been here for an hour, George.” One thing George really admired about Y/n, was her determination to telling he, and his brother apart. She’d been pretty good at it so far. 

“An hour too long.” He groaned, putting his head down on the table. 

Y/n groaned too. “Fine then!” She wasn’t actually angry, but she was actually trying to drive him away. “Just leave, since you want to go so bad.” 

“What?” George’s head shot up. “Who said I’m leaving?” 

“You. If you don’t want to spend time with me, that’s fine!” She whispered as they were in the library. 

“No, no.” George grabbed her hands. “I want to spend all of my time with you. Even if it is in the most boring place at Hogwarts. Okay? Keep studying, I’ll stay quiet. I promised” He promised, hugging onto her waist. 

Y/n gulped. She thought for surely he would’ve walked off, and they could call it quits. “Okay.” She whispered, going back to her book. 

Day 5 Y/n had been doing everything in her power to drive George away, and he’d been doing everything in his power to make her fall for him. It was Tuesday after classes, and George invited Y/n to the Gryffindor common room.

The common room was much different from when there were parties. It was cozier, and it looked nice when there weren't so many people crowded around. George led Y/n to the couches, where his twin brother, little brother, little sister, Harry, and Hermione sat. 

They seemed to be in an intense card game, however it wasn’t like any card game Y/n had seen before. “Hello.” She greeted timidly, it was intimidating being surrounded by people she’d never spoken to before.

George grabbed her shoulders. “You all know my girlfriend, Y/n. Y/n, Ginny, Ron, Fred, Hermione, and Harry.” He pointed them all out.Ginny turned around, and waved with a smile, and the others gave a nod or a wave. Y/n was stuck on the fact that George had just referred to her as his girlfriend. “Are you guys playing bluff?” Harry nodded. “I want in.” 

“Next round!” Harry exclaimed. “I’m about to win.” It was his turn as well. “I’ve got two jacks.” Harry announced, putting his last two cards down. 

Ginny’s eyebrows furrowed, two jacks would’ve been impossible, she had three. “Bluff!” She shouted. 

“Damn.” Harry said, grabbing the cards in the middle. 

“You catching on?” George asked, pulling her to sit in front of the fire with them. 

“I think so.” Y/n nodded. 

“It’s all about…reading people.” George told her, as they sat down. 

After a couple of rounds, of just spectating, Y/n finally took up the offer of being in one game. “Georgie’s got the family record!” Ginny excitedly told Y/n, who was to her right. “You should see it when it’s the whole family playing, it’s vicious.” Ginny talked as Fred finished dealing the cards. 

“Alright, Newbies first.” Fred said, looking at Y/n. George jokingly tried to peep at her cards, making Y/n push him back before deciding to play it safe. She took her ace of diamonds. 

“I’ve got one ace.” She announced. 

As the game progressed Y/n had come to find that she had been really good at bluffing…or really good at cheating. Y/n had the least amount of cards right now, George with the most. Ginny snickered. “I think this is the worst I’ve seen George lose at bluff.” She laughed as George thought about his move. 

“I’ve got three kings.” George said, putting his three cards face down in the pile. Y/n looked at her hand, she had one king, which made George’s move possible, but then she caught Ron’s eye after he’d furrowed his eyebrows, he shook his head at her. 

“Bluff.” Y/n called instantly. 

“Lift those cards up, Georgie.” Fred suppressed a smile. 

George lifted his three cards, it was two kings, and one joker. He rolled his eyes, and picked up the cards in the middle before adding it to his own growing deck. He then suddenly turned to Y/n, and wrapped an arm around her neck. “You’re doing something. I know it.” He pulled her into him, making her laugh. 

“You’re mad I’m better at this game than you are.” She pushed him off of her jokingly. “You see… it’s all about…reading, people.” She mocked his words. 

In the next round, George put down four cards. “I have four queens.” Y/n looked at the others, some were shaking their heads, and some were nodding. 

“Bluff..?” Y/n said, but she sounded like she was unsure. It was only then that George had caught on to their work against him. 

He gasped. “You…cheaters! All of you. My own blood! My own family! And you!” He pointed to Y/n dramatically.   “You’re supposed to help me! Not them!” It was obvious that his dramatics was to make the people around him laugh, and he did. 

Y/n laughed with his family. A part of her felt like she didn’t want to drive him away anymore. 

Day 7 By day seven her feelings had only grown worse. She’d fallen for George Weasley, but she couldn’t admit that, however in potions, she had been partnered up with Angelina, they were both in the same N.E.W.T.S class. Angelina had a knack for making people speak about their feelings, she was a good therapist. “I don’t know Angie.” Y/n shrugged as she stirred her cauldron. “He’s not too bad, everything I do, it’s like– he won’t leave me alone, and– I think I’m starting to really like him.” 

Now Angelina felt bad. “Y/n I’d be a bad friend if I didn’t tell you this.” 

“What?” Y/n asked, brows furrowing together. “What’s wrong?” 

Angelina sighed. “The night us girls made the bet, the twins made a bet too.”

Y/n’s shoulders dropped. “What…what was the bet?” 

“The boy’s bet that George couldn’t make a girl fall in love with him in ten days.” Angelina told her, making Y/n’s heart drop, that was much worse than trying to drive the boy away. 

“Oh.” Y/n said. Suddenly she didn’t want to speak anymore. 

George was in a similar situation. He almost couldn’t believe his ears when he heard the voices of Y/n’s dorm mates. “Do you think Weasley’s going to leave her soon?” Pamela asked Maria. 

“I don’t know, but she better think of something quick.” Maria snickered. “She’s got three more days to lose a guy in ten days.” 

After Potions, Y/n found George waiting outside of her class. They stayed in the corridor until it was empty. “Lose a guy in ten days?” He questioned, and Y/n’s heart sank even further. “So that’s what I was. A guinea pig, something to test your theories on.” He seemed genuinely hurt, but Y/n was hurt too. 

“Right, and I was a girl that was picked out at a party, just another one of your girls.” She scoffed. 

“You aren’t just– you know what, Y/n. You did your job.” George sighed. 

“Yes, I did.” Y/n stood her ground. 

“You wanted to lose a guy in ten days, well you just, did.” George turned around to walk away, but Y/n wanted to get her last word in. 

“No I didn’t, George.” She said, making him turn around. “You can’t lose something you never had.” She turned around, and began to walk towards the Ravenclaw tower. The moment she turned her back she let the tears fall. 

When she got to her dorm, thank goodness only Cho was in there. “Y/n–” Cho took in her state. “Y/n…what happened?” 

“Everything was fake, all of it.” Y/n hugged her friend. “Just when I was starting to actually like him.” She laughed sarcastically through her tears. “I hate boys.” 

Cho had a bright idea. “Write to your mother. Tell her everything. I promise it’ll help to write it out. And I know how much you love to write.” 

Y/n sniffled, it didn’t sound like a bad idea. Y/n stood up grabbing a piece of parchment and a quill. She wrote to her mother, and told her everything, start to end. Of course excluding the partying, and drinking. 

She folded up the paper, and stuffed it in her bag. Cho gave her space, so she was alone in the dorm. Y/n splashed her face with water, and made her way to the Owlery. 

She was walking pretty fast, she wanted to be back in her dorm as soon as possible. Of course in her flurry she bumped into someone. She looked up “I'm sorry–” She had to do a double take. Of course. “Fred.” 

“Y/n, hey about the party–” Fred noticed how much George genuinely liked Y/n. 

“You know what, I really need to get going. But we’re all good. No problems here.” She rambled before turning her heel, and dashing to the Owlery. So fast she hadn’t noticed the slip of parchment that flew out of her bag. The wind was so intense that it was left open. 

Fred grabbed the letter, thinking it was just a piece of parchment he could throw away. He skimmed through the letter. He couldn’t have been more wrong. 

“George! Georgie!” He exclaimed running from the portrait hole, and into the couches, where he sat spending time with Ginny, who was also upset that he, and Y/n broke up.

“George, you've got to see this.” Fred said out of breath. 

George skimmed through the paper. “Where did you get this?” He whispered. 

“Fell out of her bag. What are you doing? Go find her!” Fred encouraged his brother who was frozen in place. 

George seemed to snap back. “Right! Where was she headed?” George asked. 

“Towards the Owlery.” Fred said, as George ran out of the common room. 

“Do you think she’s going to take him back? You two are gits.” Ginny asked. 

“You should’ve seen that letter.” Fred raised his eyebrows with a shrug.

When Y/n got to the Owlery, and her letter was nowhere to be found, she panicked. If someone found the letter just out, and about she would be embarrassed for her entire life. The whole letter was pretty much Y/n explaining to her mother how she’d driven away the only boy she’d ever loved. 

She ran down the steps of the Owlery, and back into the castle. She retraced her steps but paused when she saw George Weasley down the hall, holding her letter. She approached him quickly. “How did you get that–?” 

“Is it true?” George asked. 

“What?” Y/n breathed out. “George–” 

“Is it true, or were you just writing empty words?” George asked again. 

Y/n rolled her eyes to prevent the tears from falling. “I meant every word.” She admitted. 

George walked up to her, and pulled her by the nape of her neck for a kiss. She happily accepted. “You were never just another girl.” He whispered. She smiled, and looked up at him. 

“I guess I can’t lose a guy in ten days.” 

[ushkoo]

TF2 MERCS BAKING 🧁

Scout:

Don’t let this man trick you into thinking he knows what he’s doing. He’ll insist that he knows recipes off by heart and that he has baked cakes for peoples weddings but he is LYING. he’ll leave the kitchen with a pained smirk and a tray of burn cupcakes which have been drowned in frosting in an attempt to make them look edible.

Soldier:

Much like Scout, Soldier insists that he’s a true baker at heart. He’s wrong, of course. He’ll make an attempt at reading some recipe book but it won’t take him long to decide to just try and figure it out on his own. He’ll end up with some weird hybrid of food and a messy kitchen. Is it a cake? Is it soup? Nobody is willing to find out.

Pyro:

Pyro is an absolute ANGEL in the kitchen! They love baking and regularly do it in their spare time. They follow the recipes, maybe even adding their own spins to them as well! They do need to be supervised with the oven, the fire is too tempting. Usually one of the other mercs will just sit in the kitchen and make sire they don’t turn up the temperature too high. In the end, the base is fed with beautifully decorated cupcakes and cookies!

Demo:

Demo is either really good or really bad. Sometimes he’ll be careful and follow the instructions closely to create some average but tasty cakes. On the other hand, some days he’ll just do what he wants. Did the recipe need salt? It does now! Sugar? Add the entire packet! He’ll also add in whatever alcohol he’s drinking at the time, just for fun. Usually, his baking skills are pretty decent, just don’t let him get too drunk.

Heavy:

This man can bake decently. No nonsense, he won’t waste his time with pretty decorations. He just makes some cupcakes (following the recipe, of course), lets them cool and dumps some sprinkles on them. There, cupcakes made, back to business. He does admire Pyros decorating skills but feels no need to replicate them. Heavy cares more about the taste than the appearance.

Engineer:

He’s pretty responsible in the kitchen, he makes sure to keep it tidy and clean throughout the whole baking process. Engie is similar to heavy, he’s not too bothered about making them pretty. He will add some extra steps though! Like adding buttercream to the centre or maybe even adding some flavours. If Pyros there, he might try and decorate them a bit more, just to show that he totally could if he wanted to. He also just doesn’t want Pyro side eyeing him.

Medic:

Baking isn’t just baking to Medic, it’s an experiment. He’s not just making cupcakes, he’s making SPECIMENS. he wouldn’t bother following a recipe, he’ll just make it up and see what happens. He would, of course, add meat into the cupcakes. Why? He’s weird, thats why. However, if there was a special occasion (someone’s birthday, for example) he might just make regular cupcakes. He’d even decorate them a bit!

Sniper:

Make. Bake. Cake. He doesn’t care to make them perfect. He just loosely follows the recipe, shoves them in the oven and eyeballs it until they look about done. If he’s baking in his van, you might get a surprise bug in your cupcake too! If you’re lucky, he MIGHT put a little bit of frosting on them, only if he can spare a few minutes in his very busy day of sitting and waiting for something to happen. They’ll taste alright at best but he doesn’t really care.

Spy:

If he decides to actually bake instead of just making someone else do it, he’ll do a decent job! He will be complaining the entire time but thats not the point! He’ll grumpily follow the recipe (he’d pick the recipe himself, he has high standards) and angrily wait for them to bake whilst tapping his foot. He’d totally make red velvet cupcakes then spitefully decorate them with fancy frosting. They’d taste really good as well! Scout isn’t allowed one though, his hands are too dirty to even go near them. Sniper is also on thin ice.

🍰——————————————————————🍰

aaaa I had fun making this! (/•w•)/

Feel free to request stuff!

[tmrwsuns]

(𐙚⋆.˚) birthday curse

✶⋆.˚꩜ .ᐟ [hirota riki x reader] ...୨♡୧... wc. 1.9k w. curse words! fluff ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ

maki was scared.

scared, and anxious, and every single feeling that resembled the absolute dread in the pit of his stomach.

he had always disliked his birthday. not because he dreaded getting old, nor because he didn’t like to be the center of attention, but because it was a disaster. every. single. year. when he was young, something always happened to ruin whatever plan his parent’s had come up with, either it was the car breaking down in the middle of nowhere on the way to the dino park or the clown quite literally deciding to quit his career during his birthday party and lecturing a bunch of nine year olds about how awful life as an adult was. so as he grew, he began letting go of the idea of ever having a fun birthday, choosing to stay at home alone and celebrate it some other day once the curse had decided the time limit was passed. 

but this year had been different, and he was terrified. see, he planned on doing the same thing he did every year, maybe risking an unfortunate event by asking you to come over to keep him company. but you wouldn’t have that, of course. because curses weren’t real, and you couldn’t understand how someone could ever give up on his own birthday. 

“baby, please,” you asked with pleading eyes as you sat next to maki on his bed. “maybe this year will be different.”

your boyfriend let out a sigh at your words, feeling his heart shrink in adoration like every time he looked at you. “it hasn’t been the past 18 years, why would it be different now?”

“because, this year you have me as your girlfriend,” you pressed, scooching closer to his body. “and i love you so much, so i want to celebrate the day you were born, how it deserves to be celebrated.”

maki studied your face for a couple seconds, as if he was analyzing what to say next. “okay, alright.” he sighed, smiling softly once he heard you cheer. “but promise me you won’t be sad if it goes badly.”

“sure, whatever you want,” you smiled, climbing over to peck his lips repeatedly.

“i love you” he muttered in between kisses “thank you for always looking out for me.”

“i love you more.” you assured, breaking away just to give him a soft smile. “thank you for letting me.”

and so, the boy was scared. not because he feared being disappointed for yet another year, he was too used to that to even bring himself up to care. but this year, your disappointment was the one at stake. he didn’t want everything you had worked so hard for to be ruined by the curse, because he couldn’t stand seeing you down. so he prayed to every god and every star to just excuse him this one time; to let you have this win and make you the happiest girl in the world for just one day.

that would be the perfect birthday gift.

you had spent so much time planning a fun day for him. made reservations at his favorite places, booked activities you knew he loved and invited all of your friends to come over for a little get together at night, just in time to sing for him all together.

still, the world hated him and had to remind him of it every february 17th.

just a day before, it had started snowing. you didn’t let it face you, maki loved the snow.  however, it didn’t stop snowing, and it began to worry you just a little bit. it never snowed so much in tokyo this time a year.

fuck global warming.

on february 17th at 00:36 am it was declared that everyone should stay home until the snow melted. and maki swore he would some day find whoever cursed him and choke them with his bare hands for making you upset. to his surprise, you didn’t let it face you; swearing that you believed the snow would melt overnight.

the snow did not, in fact, melt overnight.

“it’s fine, my love, we can just stay here like we planned,” maki mumbled as he hugged you tight to his chest, caressing your hair.

“but that’s not fair,” you whined, and he chuckled at how cute you sounded.

“i promise there isn’t anything i would rather do than spend the day with you,” he spoke, leaving a kiss on your forehead.

you let out a sigh and looked up at him, searching for his eyes and staring at him softly before a lightbulb seemed to turn on in your brain. you left a quick kiss before jumping out of his arms and the bed, leaving the tall boy confused. 

“i’m going to do something, and if you little but try to get out of this room before i call you i’ll break up with you.” you warned, pointing at him with a look he knew was supposed to be threatening.

“sure, babe…” he said, knowing better than to question you and sending a quick thanks to the sky for the door that led directly to the bathroom.

time passed and maki was getting impatient. he had already grown bored of answering the messages that were basically blowing up his phone, and he was getting touch starved from being far away from you for so long.

just like you read his mind, your frame appeared from the other side of the door. a huge smile decorated your face, and you seemed to be bouncing with excitement. “hey, birthday boy”

“hey, cutie” he smiled, opening his arms as a plea for your touch. 

you didn’t waste time jumping into his arms, tackling him on the bed and peppering kisses all along his handsome face and plump lips.

“wanna tell me what you were doing out there?” he asked, his lips hovering over yours like putting more distance between you would kill him.

“why don’t i show you?” you asked right back, stealing another quick kiss from him.

“does it include having to be more than five centimetres away from you? because i don’t want it if it does” he mumbled, kissing you again as if it was the air he breathed.

“unfortunately, it does” you chuckled as you broke away from him, pushing his chest lightly as he let out a small whine. “but it’ll be worth it, okay?”

maki groaned and nodded, smiling at the last kiss you gave him before climbing down from his lap and held his hand to pull him up.

“close your eyes and don’t open them until i tell you to,” you asked, leading him to the living room and letting go of his hand to stand in front of him. “okay, go.”

your boyfriend opened his eyes and let out a small breath of surprise, his eyes roaming around the room you had decorated with fairy lights and the most amazing pillow fort he had ever seen in his life.

“what do you think?” you asked as you played with your fingers, almost nervously.

“it’s perfect” he breathed out, taking a couple seconds before barreling towards you, scooping you up into a hug. “thank you so much, i love it.”

you smiled and hugged him back equally as tight. “you deserve everything, maki, all the good things in the world.”

“that’s why i have you.” he smiled, finally setting you down.

“and also your favorite movie and instant ramen, come on.” you said excitedly, interlacing your fingers again to take him inside the fort where everything was set up.

the movie was spent between laughs and cuddles, the ramen recipients discarded to the side as you got as close as you could to each other. maki’s hand wrapped around your thigh as his head laid on your chest, his back to your stomach while he enjoyed the gentle caresses you left in his hair. 

once the credits began playing, the boy moved to his side and moved you closer so he could face you as you tried to ignore the butterflies that swarmed around your stomach at how easily he could move you around.

“best birthday ever” he smiled, leaving a kiss on the tip of your nose.

“it’s not even over yet” you smiled and copied his actions, sitting up while staying as close as you could to his body.

maki propped up on his side, watching you intently as you looked for something under one of the pillows. once you finally reached what you wanted, you turned to see him again. 

“i want you to know that the rest of your gifts are at my house because that was supposed to be the last stop of the tour” you began, and he nodded. “but i wanted to have this one on me just in case.” you concluded, handing him a small notebook.

he sat up so he could take it from your hands, leaving a silent kiss on your cheek before opening it. words filled the pages endlessly, numbered all the way to a beautiful 365 on the last two pages.

“i was meant to give you the first one last year, but you stayed at home and i lost courage,” you commented, watching him as he skimmed through the pages. “but then you told me about your curse and i decided i would prove you wrong this year.”

maki felt like crying. his eyes filled with tears as he looked up to you again before enveloping you in his arms suddenly.

you yelped in surprise but hugged him back immediately, enjoying the warmth of his body as he nuzzled his face to your neck.

“i take it you liked it?” you asked after a couple seconds.

“i loved it” he answered, parting from your neck a couple seconds later. “i love you.”

“and i love you more” you leaned in to leave a small kiss on his lips. “now, one last thing. could you stand up for me?”

he listened quickly and stood up next to you, waiting for more directions like the eager puppy he was.

“give me a second,” you smiled, pulling out your phone and typing away. a couple seconds later, a too familiar tune began resonating through the house. your boyfriend smiled and offered you a hand to take, pulling you closer once you did. you wrapped your hands around his shoulders as he placed his on your waist, beginning to sway around softly.

“i’m sorry we couldn’t go out today” you apologized as your eyes connected to his.

“don’t be, this is perfect” he shook his head. “i would even say the curse has been lifted.”

you smiled widely and tiptoed to kiss his lips deeply. “i’m glad you think so.”

“hmh,” he hummed, “now let me show you how grateful i am.”

hours later, you found yourselves back on the floor of the pillow fort, cuddled up again.

“i have just a tiny question.” he broke the silence, and you hummed in response. “where the fuck did you get the fairy lights?”

★ blue's corner ;; happy birthday to the love of my life ! ★ taglist ;; @tiramisumin @astrasng @hyukabean ★ back to the masterlist. ★ please do not copy, adapt or steal any of the content !!! ★ divider by @plutism

© tmrwsuns, 2025

[puzzledprose]

I would love more Ronin nsfw if you have the time. I desire him carnally.

I apologise for this freak-fest I have revealed far too much about my tastes in this but it is far too late to go back now. Let’s just hope you match my freak ♥️😼

Ronin NSFW for the 𝒻𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓀𝓈

Minors please DNI

Okay so jumping right off into the deep end with some nasty shit.

I know I’ve said this before but knife play 🤤. Ronin probably likes scaring you a little. He says it’s “more intimate that way”. This usually involves him (consensually) bringing out his trusty pocket knife. Ronin would never want to give you any permanent scarring, for all the grotesque and filth he represents even he would never stoop that low. He definitely likes the idea of marking you up. Small inconsequential cuts in places people wouldn’t notice usually. Probably also carves in some on-brand satanic symbols too. It’s like he’s claimed you properly now.

“Look at you, all blissed out and bleeding for me.”

The more you like it the more he does. The idea of you hating what he gives you is deeply unappealing. What’s the fun in insanity of it isn’t mutual!?

On a similar note Ronin’s sexual energy triples after a murder. The adrenaline is pumping through his body and that buzzing behind his eyes send him to heaven.

Definitely has a fantasy about fucking you in purgatory. Having you pushed right up against a blood splattered wall while he’s knuckle deep inside you, watching as you eyes roll back. Sounds perfect.

Also this man has a tongue piercing, aka THE SLUTTIEST THING A MAN CAN DO!!! So you just KNOW his head game is like none other. The cool feeling of the metal has you cumming in MINUTES!!!

Sexual blasphemy!?!?! Any mention of god will be met with something like “no god here darlin’, just me.”

Sorry if this is a little all over the place it was just a bit of a very horny brain dump! Needless to say I love this absolute case study of a human ♥️

[chickenkurage]

DAY 5: MOTION SICKNESS

Duck Alan AU

Summary: Alan never really told everyone he is still experiencing motion sickness. And everyone is slightly–careless. Thank goodness he has Second to back him up.

Tag/s: Hurt/Comfort, Vomiting and Nausea, Comedy

As much as Alan loves his little goobers—AKA Second, The Gang, a bit of Dark, and of course Chosen—they aren’t exactly careful when he's around. It’s Alan’s fault, really, for not telling them that his VR is still a bit buggy after Dark’s initial tampering. A slight movement can send his vision spinning like he’s the goddamn sun orbiting the earth on a sugar high.

Now, it’s his fault for not mentioning it, but that doesn’t mean they should—

“Catch!” Red giggles, throwing Alan toward Blue, who jumps over a slime block and hugs Alan to his chest before tossing him to Yellow, who then passes him to Green. “Guys,” Alan protests, the AFK symbol above his head flickering away as his vision swirls, still getting thrown around.

“Green, catch this!” Blue laughs, slamming Alan into Green, who lets out a loud ‘oof’ as feathers scatter in the air while he falls on his back with Alan on his face. “Jesus Christ,” Alan moans, covering his eyes with a wing. His VR is still malfunctioning, even after he tried to fix it.

He hears Red and Blue giggling as a yellow blur helps a green blur up to his feet. “You alright, Alan?” Blue asks, crouching in front of the duck, who only lets out a small groan and waves a wing. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. What the hell are you four doing?” Alan asks calmly—he has to stay calm; he can’t just blow up at these kids.

“We were just playing around,” Red says, lifting Alan into his arms. Alan suppresses a groan as his vision spins again, feeling nauseous. “With my body?” he swallows hard, his stomach churning. For a moment, Red says something, and Blue laughs again as Alan squeezes his eyes shut, trying to push down the nausea. His skin feels clammy, and he rocks his legs to quell the urge to vomit. He manages to slip off the VR and stumbles to the bathroom, where—well, he vomits.

Red turns to Alan, the large AFK symbol still hovering above his head. “You think he’s annoyed at us?” Blue asks, just as Green leans on Blue’s shoulder. “No way, we were just having fun. He’s probably just upset we didn’t ask him for permission,” Green sighs, and Blue gasps.

“Damn it, you’re right!” Blue exclaims as Yellow approaches, spinning a purple feather between his fingers. “Alan?” He taps the duck’s head, but the AFK symbol remains.

“Maybe he’s angry,” Blue’s teeth chatter in fear as Yellow taps a fist on his head. “Don’t be stupid.” Finally, the AFK symbol above Alan disappears. “Guys, never do that again,” Alan says, his voice low as he trudges off.

“So he is angry,” Red whispers to Yellow, who just sighs.

. . . .

It’s safe to say it’s not easy to shake off the nausea from being tossed around. After walking away, Alan had to rush to the bathroom again and vomit his guts out.

“I thought I fixed that already,” Alan groans, tempted to lay his head on the rim of the toilet bowl, rolling his lips in disgust at the thought.

As he cleans the bathroom almost religiously, he can’t help but remember this is the same toilet he uses for… well, you know. Naturally, that makes him feel even more nauseous.

It’s time to tell them to be more careful, or he’ll never touch the VR again.

Of course, he wouldn’t do that—he can’t leave his kids—er, the teens—by themselves. With them switching between the Outernet and his PC, who knows what they’re up to?

It’s terrifying to think there’s a whole civilization in the internet—or outernet, whatever! Alan is still getting used to all that.

But he knows Second and the Color Gang are incredibly careless. While he trusts Chosen to look after them, he knows Chosen is busy with his own life.

And Dark, despite being newly fixed, doesn’t inspire confidence in watching over the kids. Alan doubts whether fixing Dark’s code even mattered since his personality hasn’t changed.

“Are you okay?” Second asks as Alan finally slips his VR on after taking an anti-nausea pill. He usually avoids medication, but this time, he’d swallow his pride to avoid feeling nauseous until he falls asleep.

“I’m fine, but they need to be careful,” Alan says, flailing his wings in frustration. Second chuckles nervously, wringing his hands. “Did they—play ball with you again?” he giggles.

Alan almost glares—if he weren’t a duck, he might look scary. Second giggles at that. “Worse, I AM the ball,” Alan clenches his wing into a fist as Second stifles laughter. “I can tell them off if you’d like,” Second offers, but Alan sighs.

“Who am I to make you do that? I’m an adult, a working adult. I can talk to them myself,” Alan grumbles, knowing he wouldn’t actually scold them, despite the discomfort they caused.

Second crosses his arms, worry etched on his face as he taps his chin. He knows about Alan’s issue with being picked up and moved around without warning.

There’s a bug in the VR system that makes Alan’s vision go haywire, leading to the worst nausea imaginable. He’s never had motion sickness before; it started after Dark tampered with the system and caused a seizure.

Suddenly, Second huffs, surprising Alan. If he had brows, they’d be raised in confusion. But alas, ducks lack eyebrows.

“Then I’m telling them myself! If you have another seizure, you can’t use the VR!” Second scolds, and Alan gasps in offense, wing over his chest, bill agape in shock.

“A teen talking back to an adult?!”

“Excuse me?!” Alan exclaims as Second stomps off, rolling up his sleeves as if ready to throw punches. “No! Wait!” Alan calls, chasing after the teen.

[magix-winx-club]

A Collection of Daryl Dixon Date Ideas: Paint Party

Daryl Dixon x reader

Summary: Just fluff guys. Reader and Daryl go on a date. It is not what he expected.

It was a couple days later when Daryl had a bit more time now that the run was finally over and done with that he remembered the jar he had put under his bed. He was laying in bed, thinking about you, as he would so often do. It was still weird to him, to know what it was that he was feeling when he was around you. He always thought you were just really good friends until Carol had to practically sit down with him to explain the difference. He rubbed at his face, feeling his cheeks flame up at the awkward mess he had been with you after Carol’s talk. But now that you and him were together he couldn’t really complain. Well, besides one other thing he never got to do. Add no real dates to the list of things from the old world he never had, like no gifts from Santa Claus, no pet pony, never eating frozen yoghurt. Maybe it was silly of him but the thought made him sad. 

The candle on his nightstand swayed gently in the wind. The window close to his bed was open, for once the stink of the world did not seem to reach his room. He went straight to the shower when he got home, the cramped bathroom not much to look at, but it was all Daryl’s so he did not mind. Even so, he could do with the showerhead being a bit higher up, so he wouldn’t keep bonking his forehead against it, or bending at the knee to clean the top of his head. Either way, he couldn’t complain too much. Daryl adjusted the fluffy pillow Eric insisted on him having, together with the navy blue bed sheets, and a throw over blanket, or whatever they were called. He let his hand fall off to the side, his fingertips just gracing something cold. Involuntarily his lips twitched into  a slight grin. Quickly he leaned more to the side, his hands grasping the cold surface and pulling it out, where it was slightly hidden underneath the bed. He turned the jar around in his hand for a bit, his hands steady but his heart skipping a beat. Grunting he sat up, pulling the candle on the old no vintage as Eric called it, nightstand a bit closer. With a resounding pop, he opened the lid. Not sure if he should just pick the first one or, dump em all out, he just reached in as if it was a big bowl of bingo balls, trying to grasps one of them little fuckers in his hands. 

With a triumphant smirk he had a folded up piece of paper in his hand. Now he could feel his hands sweat a bit. He knew, you would never know if he just took another one if he did not like the date idea, and technically rules did not really exist anymore but something made him want to follow them all the same. He just really hoped he liked whatever he drew. 

Like ripping a bandaid off he unfolded the paper quickly, what he saw made his brow furrow, his head title to the side, and automatically his thumb came up to his mouth. What the hell was a paint party? 

Daryl had pondered over your note for the last two days, you had noticed, along with the rest of Alexandria that his mood was not the greatest. He had that searching lookin in his eyes surveying yours. Daryl knew he should just come right out and ask but he did not want to ruin the surprise, if it was supposed to be a surprise, he had no idea how these things worked. Finally, his shoulders slumped and with his head down he went to Eric and Aaron. “Any of ya’s know wha’ the hell a Paint Party supposed to be?” He grounded out in one big breath, knowing that if he did not do it now he never would. Eric’s eyes lit up, Aaron just rolled his. “Yeah, why? Is someone throwing one?” He asked eager. “Nah, ‘s just wondering.” Daryl’s thumb found its way to his mouth again, his stance half turned from the two, so Aaron took pity on him. “It is when you get some painting stuff and friends, family, whoever can get together and paint. You usually drink wine. It is mostly about having fun, not about actually being good at painting. You know?” Daryl nodded in contemplation. Not a date he would have gone for. “Food and the movies out before the world went to shit?” He was so far out of his comfort zone with this one, why would you think it was a good idea? Eric and Aaron shared a look obviously picking up on the nerves of the archer. Eric just nodded at Aaron, the latter going to their cabinet, he pulled out a dark bottle with some fancy label. “Here, take wine. Get the table cleared of everything, get some paints, cook some food,” “Finger food, like mini Pizza or something, should have a recipe for it without ,you know, all the stuff we do not have.” Eric interjected. “And I think in storage there are some small canvases to paint on. Found an art supply a while back but no one has used them as far as I know.” Daryl was not looking at the two but they could tell he was listening with rapt attention. “Thanks.” He turned around wanting to get out of this conversation but before he could get too far Eric yelled. “And if you two wanna do one again we are always free.” “Oh hush, Eric.” Aaron nudged his husband to be quiet. 

It took another couple days for Daryl to wrap his mind around this whole idea. But he had done everything Aaron and Eric told him to. He even managed to not burn the Pizza’s currently held warm in the oven. A resounding knock brought Daryl out of his mental checklist. Taking a deep breath, he tried to get his hair out of his face. In two long strides he was by the door and there you were, a big smile on your face. He thought at once that he should probably have picked you up, but he was too stressed about these damn mini pizzas. What was the point of eating if all was one bite size? And to top everything off, Aaron had given him fresh bed sheets, with the biggest grin on his face. He should have punched him for that, Daryl thought. 

But none of that mattered now, now that you were here, looking like you did. It was not that you dressed up much, just made sure your clothes were clean and maybe a bit nicer than usual. Clearing his throat he stepped aside, letting you in his small one bedroom apartment. You gasped, spinning around with stars in your eyes. His table in the middle of the room had two small canvases, some paint he scoured up and the bottle of wine from Aaron and Eric. At once you began to laugh. “Oh to be a fly on the wall when this is the paper you picked,” you could not help but giggle, trying to stifle it by biting on your lips. Daryl just rolled his eyes, hiding his own grin, yeah he was a bit confused at the idea. 

He made his way to the oven pulling out the pizzas. “You’s just gonna stand there?” Promptly you snatched one of the pizzas, “nope.” before he could take it back you spun around planting yourself at one end of a canvas. “Wanna make a bet?” a mischievous twinkle in your eyes. You knew Daryl could not resist a good bet. “‘m listenin’.” You picked up a paint brush and began twirling it, a sure grin on your face. “Whoever can paint the other better gets one free wish.” You were so sure you would win, you did not even care about the next part. “And the other cannot refuse.” You wiggled your eyebrows at him. He just smirked “You on.” 

The night was filled with laughter, paint splatter everywhere and Pizza crumbs on your clothes. But the one thing you did not expect from the evening, the one you cursed yourself at: Who knew Daryl Dixon could paint like this? Not you were eating your words. 

[soobrat]

siren v

genre; AAANGST

warnings; heavy slut shaming, insecurity

preface; I just peeped a plot hole... I have a reasonable explanation why the live feed wouldn't have caught any of the sex stuff I promise </3

siren masterlist

The car ride back is a quiet one. Not in an awkward way, which is surprising since you’re involved. Jaemin just holds your hand and gazes out the window, glancing over occasionally to smirk at you like a child who got away with something naughty.

He quietly slips his hand back into yours as you two walk back into the beach house. It’s early, so there are only two people downstairs. You see Yizhuo nursing a cup of coffee as she exits the kitchen. 

“Lookie who’s back first!” She lets out a suppressed squeal so as to not awake the others. She glances at the two of you holding hands as she approaches. Her wiggling brows make you break eye contact.

“Chaeyeon’s not back yet?” Jaemin asks. You push it aside. This is not a big deal. He’s allowed to be interested in other people. It’s only been three days.

“Nope! Did they wake you guys up?” Plus, they probably spoke to each other when you weren’t around. Maybe he just clicks with everyone like he clicks with you. You swallow the nasty taste in your mouth.

“Yeah, I was sleeping good, too.” Maybe he gets along with her better. Makes sense he would seek her out and get to know her. Makes sense that he would click better with someone like her.

The person you heard fumbling around in the kitchen calls your name. You look up to see that Yizhuo and Jaemin had already retreated to the couch, then over at Taehyun who had called your name. 

“Hm?” Is the only thing you can muster up with the melon-sized lump in your throat.

Taehyun gives you his signature stare that doesn’t clue you into fuck all he’s thinking. “Nothin’.”

You can’t pinpoint why, but you’re suddenly bristling. You think back to the idiotic notion that Taehyun is into you. Fucking Jaemin probably isn’t into you. Who do you even like? Are you gonna be crushed by Jaemin picking Chaeyeon all because you guys have an inside joke and he fucked you? That’s a fuck buddy at best and a guy who successfully swindled his way into your pants at worst. Your mom was right.

And why are your eyes trailing down to Taehyun’s exposed arms? Are you really that excited by some muscles? Your mind flickers back to the feeling of falling back on him. Fuck!

You storm upstairs, unable to respond to the three confused expressions aimed at you. 

Once you open the door to two women looking up to see who swung the door open, it hits you that you’re on television. Not only that, but your little meltdown was all caught on camera. There’s no way the producers wouldn’t use that in the final edit, or that at least one live audience member didn’t catch that. You sit on your bed, struggling to stabilize your breath.

“Either your night with Jaemin was very steamy or it was horrible.” Roseanne chuckles, taking off her reading glasses. You gape at both women who were clearly all ears before forcing a smile.

“It was really nice, I miss the food already.” You’re not lying, yet you can’t relax to save your life.

“Oh, I didn’t even think about the food!” Roseanne gasps, sitting her lap desk to the side and turning toward you. “What type do they have? Pasta? Burgers? Tteokbokki?”

You shrug, feeling warm once you remember how much fun you had ordering your food. “They had a little bit of everything, well, a fancy version of everything.”

Roseanne perks up, pushing back her shoulders and tilting up her chin. “I only ask because I have a feeling I’ll be going this time.”

Both you and Somi sit up in intrigue. “Why do you say that?”

“I’m wondering the same thing. Isn’t Yunho your guy? I’m pretty sure he’s one of the guys whipped for Chaeyeon.” Somi says her name mockingly.

‘Maybe I don’t have to be worried about being hated afterall’ You think to yourself as you watch the scowl warp Somi’s features, quickly burying the thought. 

“You noticed that too?” You try.

“Everyone saw him and Mingyu basically fighting to talk to her.” Somi looks annoyed she even had to bring that up again.

“It doesn’t matter because I’m not talking about Yunho.” 

If you’re going to be the resident people watcher, now’s your chance.

“It’s Jake, isn’t it?”

“Yes… how did you know?”

“He has his heart set on you, and I can’t see you picking anyone else.”

Suddenly you feel like a mystic who just delivered Roseanne’s fortune. “I mean… yeah. He admitted to me yesterday that I’m the only one he’s looking at. I think he’s charming and we have a birth place in common, so I think I’m gonna give him a chance.” Roseanne nods, sounding like she just set that plan in motion.

“Damn, you noticed that? I don’t pay attention to any man under 182.88 cm.” Somi drives each number into her lap desk with a slam of her finger. “The only reason I noticed Taehyun staring at you was because I followed your eye line.”

“Taehyun just stares at everyone.” You say with conviction, losing that once there’s silence. “... Doesn’t he?”

“He doesn’t stare at me, but maybe I’m not paying attention.” Roseanne shrugs.

“Again. We’re basically eye to eye and that’s all I need to know.”

“Plus,” Roseanne winces. “I think Taehyun has taken interest in Yizhuo. They’ve been together a lot recently, and I think they’re even downstairs together right now.”

The smile you attempt just pinches your entire face, looking more like a wince. “There goes my back up.” You say with a pitiful chuckle. You want to spit the sour taste out of your mouth, lingering after admitting you wanted Taehyun’s interest. To yourself, Roseanne, Somi, and god knows how many others.

“You don’t need a damn back up. You have Jaemin, Roseanne has Jake, Chaeyeon has the universe, and now Yizhuo has Taehyun. Who the hell do I have?” Somi shouts, throwing her hands into the air.

“I don’t know, but then again I’m not the observant one here.” Their eyes both lock onto you. Fuck, maybe being the people watcher is a bad thing. The guys here might actually be avoiding her because she’s so intense.

“Umm…”

A knock sounds on the door, followed by it being opened. A knock means it’s most likely not a girl. You’re proven right once Taehyun’s large, labyrinthian eyes peek from around the door.

“Can I hang with you guys? I’m sick of my roommates grilling me about my pick.” Taehyun says, already closing the door behind him.

“You won’t like it here either, then.” Somi says, head angled upward staring at nothing. 

“Why isn’t she looking at me.” He asks you and Roseanne, casting a puzzled look at Somi. You snort, wondering if this will finally make him tick.

“She says she doesn’t look at guys under 182 cm.”

“182.88” She corrects, still looking toward the ceiling. 

“Right.”

Taehyun sighs with faux wistfulness. “Do your thing, I guess.”

Your smile drops in annoyance.

“If you guys insist on hounding me too, I’ll just tell you off the bat. It’s not Chaeyeon.”

“Why do you say that?” You ask, desperately curious about people not being watched.

“They all kept going on and on about her and why it’s crazy that I’m not pursuing her.” Taehyun’s eyes flutter shut as he leans back on Yizhuo’s bed.

“Who was going on and on about her?” Somi perks up.

“You already know who.” You and Roseanne say in unison. Roseanne in confusion and you in annoyance. You wish she’d stick to a trait. Is she cool and aloof or desperate. She’s even staring at Taehyun, who she just said was too short to look at.

“It was the first thing Mingyu talked about when he got back, so he started it. He was like a teenager with a crush, but Yunho was like a scorned lover watching his wife cheat from the shadows. And Jaemin–”

“Jaemin?!” It was Somi and Roseanne’s turn to share an exclamation. Your thoughts are still frustratingly cluttered from earlier. You can’t pinpoint how you truly feel. Well, you can, but you can’t pinpoint why you’re like this.

“He said something about Mingyu being lucky a girl like her gave him a chance.” He says dryly. No emotion or empathy. You bite down on your cheek, feeling your eyes sting. That sizzling rage is building again. It’s happened both times Taehyun has intruded on your difficult feelings about Jaemin. You glare at him, holding the blank stare he gives back.

“You happy now Somi?” You laugh, looking down at the covers you pulled over your legs and begging yourself not to cry. “I have no first choice or back up.”

“Do you want me to be honest? Yeah, I feel less alone.” She says cautiously, eyes darting from person to person to see if she crossed a line. 

“I don’t think that’s true. There’s no way Chaeyeon’s looking at anyone but Mingyu. Even if she did, you and Jaemin get along more than anyone else.”

Right. She’s right. Why is self deprecation so easy for you? And look at you, sulking like a baby in front of these strangers and possibly a lot more through the cameras.

A tone sounds.

“Singles! Did the two lucky couples have fun on their date? Are those who didn’t go ready for a chance? Head down to the backyard for further instruction.”

The people hanging out in the living room must’ve been sent upstairs, judging by them awkwardly standing outside the bedrooms. It’s Jaemin, Yizhuo, and Chaeyeon. You only noticed now that she never came upstairs.

All ten of you trickle down the stairs, gasping at what’s set up. The entrance to the backyard is propped open to reveal another lit platform. Atop it is a privacy booth. They lined rose petals and candles all the way to the entrance. To the left is a large board with all the faces of the male contestants.

Employees direct you where to stand, separating the women from the men. You’re all put in a straight line on either side of the booth.

“Ladies, this show is all about you. It’s time you take charge. Each woman will go into the booth and pick their guy. However, once she emerges, the other female contestants will have to guess who she chose. Guess correctly, you get to jump the line. Tie or guess incorrectly, the order will continue based on audience popularity. Also, TWO strikes, you don’t go at all.”

Only a few people have the energy to react in shock. Others are too consumed by anxiety. You, however, untense. Thankfully, you were popular previously. You hope you didn’t plummet that fast.

“The first girl with overwhelming love from netizens tuning into the live feed from across the globe is…”

People start to look around anxiously, you can see it from the corner of your eye. You don’t dare to look. You’d be embarrassed if they were looking at you for winning previously, and you’d be devastated if they were looking at the obvious choice.

“Chaeyeon! Make your way to the booth.”

Technically this is great news for you, horrible news for Somi. That would really suck if she got last again. You look over, eyes narrowed from the bright sun and brows furrowed in worry. Except, Somi isn’t angry or annoyed like she usually is. She looks sad.

“It looks like Chaeyeon made her choice! Ladies, make your way to the board and make your choices.”

Each girl had a column with all five boys velcroed to the board.

“Once you’ve made your choice, make your way back to your spot.”

You stand there awkwardly with a pretty large picture of Mingyu in your hands.

“The choices go as follows:

Yizhuo: Jaemin,”

Your head snaps toward her. You hadn’t even looked at their choices. You just assumed everyone would pick Mingyu.

“Somi: Mingyu,

Roseanne: Jaemin,”

Your heart sinks. Wasn’t she just trying to comfort you? Saying that Jaemin only clicked with you?

“___: Mingyu.

Chaeyeon, please reveal who you chose.”

No way she’d choose Jaemin. They couldn’t have had that much time to chat. Except… 

Your mind flickers back to the three who had been sent upstairs from the living room. That’s why Yizhuo chose Jaemin. She saw it happening. Did Roseanne see something too?

“Jaemin.”

Audible shock echoes all around you. 

“Chaeyeon and Jaemin, please hold hands as you make your way to your car out front. Chaeyeon smiles, it’s like one a princess dons when she’s being observed. Jasmin’s is wide, like the one he had pointing to the coasters he wanted to ride with you. Them holding hands to top it all off felt like a punchline at your expense. Sure, they were instructed to but your treacherous stomach doesn’t care. It just keeps turning.

You couldn’t keep your eyes off of them until they disappeared, which means you got to see him not looking at you once.

“Yizhuo and Roseanne tied, which means the order will go according to popularity. Roseanne is up next.”

Yizhuo is pretty much screwed here. This competition is ruthless. She watches Roseanne enter the booth like a hurt puppy. She most likely noticed Roseanne giving Jake a chance.

The three of you immediately go to the board, ripping Jake’s face off the board in unison. It would be funny if any of you were in the mood to laugh.

“It looks like all three contestants chose Jake! Roseanne, reveal who you chose.”

You’ll at least get to choose Taehyun and see what his deal is. That is, if Yizhuo isn’t more popular than you. Your brain goes back to you stomping up the steps after Jaemin simply says Chaeyeon’s name. You probably seemed like a possessive weirdo. God… were you last place?

You look up at Roseanne who hasn’t answered fast enough for your liking. You receive an apologetic look in return. 

No. 

“Yunho.”

Audible shock, yet again. Now you’ll never know if you were dead last after all.

“Somi and ___ are disqualified! That means Yizhuo is the last to pick her guy!”

Was this some sick plan by Roseanne? She knew Jaemin would get picked so she misled you guys? Twice?? 

You don’t get another apologetic look as she leaves for her car. Her eyes are glued to Yunho.

Yizhuo picks Jake, which leaves You, Somi, Taehyun, and for some reason Mingyu at the house. You can’t help staring at him as you all drink on the couch. He’s perfect. Even now, where Yunho would be unattractively bitter, he’s in high spirits. Trying and failing to lift the mood. 

“Come on, guys! The show isn’t over yet. And who says they’ll enjoy the date? If anything this could be a good thing. It could show them the actual right choice.”

Mingyu has a right to be that blindly confident. He looks like a Ken doll. Unfortunately your date is off with someone who puts Barbies to shame.

-🖊️⇝

“Pile it on. That’s right.” Somi deadpans as she watches the marshmallows pour into the bowl.

“This much? Are you sure we’ll eat all these-” Somi snatches the bag from your hand, a couple mallows tumbling to the floor.

“I will.”

You wait for her to walk out the back door to rub your nose bridge. What an unfortunate group to be left behind with. Roseanne is at least easy to talk to, and even if Jaemin doesn’t like you romantically, you definitely feel comfortable talking to him. That thought soothes you a bit. You and Jaemin could make great friends. You grab the bags of chocolate bars and head toward the fire Mingyu started.

Despite this scenario being perfect for Somi, the last few hours of effort seem to have gotten her nowhere. Mingyu just about pats her on the head in response to every flirt.

Mingyu looks pretty conflicted as you all roast marshmallows. Maybe the last few hours have gotten to him, too. You nearly jump when he calls your name.

“Who’s your other pick? Like, if Jaemin and Chae stay together?”

You’re struck by the question for multiple reasons. You’re surprised he cares, for one. But this is also a strange change of character. The whiplash is reminiscent of Somi. And he already has a nickname for her? Such a harsh game.

“I actually don’t know. I guess I should start getting to know more of the guys. How ‘bout you?”

You don’t expect Mingyu to throw his head back and yell out in exasperation at that question.

“I don’t know what I’m gonna do.” 

You watch your marshmallow as the flame engulfing it slowly shrinks until it’s nothing. It’s not even awkward sitting here anymore. It’s just pitiful. The way things are turning out, the four of you may go home alone. You shudder thinking of those humiliating shots of the contestants who go home alone. How they try to force a smile so as to not look hurt. 

You really didn’t want to be that person. You only mustered up the courage by telling yourself you’d be missing out on something if you didn’t. But you’re not, you’re the same loser you always are. Now with an audience to witness it.

“Don’t tell me you guys are that upset about not ending up with someone. It’s not like we’re losing anything if that happens. There’s no prize money, and you can meet people outside of the show.” Taehyun pipes up with his wisdom no one asked for.

“I do have something to lose. My dignity.” It seems that Mingyu is just burning his marshmallow to a crisp.

“If you’re worried about that then just… pair up with someone who’s also alone. I mean, the four of us are sitting here. It’s the perfect opportunity since the four of us haven’t really talked.” Taehyun is the only person actually assembling s’mores. Somi is just eating her marshmallow right off the stick.

“…Wanna pair up, Taehyun?” Mingyu chuckles at his own joke. You’re glad Taehyun doesn’t laugh as well. That would make the sour taste in your mouth (and undoubtedly Somi’s) stronger.

“What about Somi?” Taehyun widens his eyes and speaks slowly like Mingyu’s a child. Mingyu still squints in confusion.

“What?? Who’s your choice?” Mingyu turns to Somi who’s toasting up her sixth marshmallow. She scoffs, tossing the entire stick into the fire before storming back into the house.

You and Taehyun have no choice but to face palm. It’s the only way to quell the overwhelming frustration.

“Well. I’m gonna hit the hay now.” Mingyu grunts as he stands from his chair. 

The words spill from your mouth as soon as he’s out of earshot.

“He’s so goddamn stubborn, and she needs to be more direct! God! I hate watching this.” You toss your stick, hoping it landed on the table but not caring enough to check. You rest your face in your hands.

“I don’t know why you’re acting like you’re not just as frustrating.”

You shoot back up, both due to shock and the audacity of this man. Is he finally going to show his true colors after everyone else left? 

“What are you talking about?”

“You saw all these hints that Jaemin was interested in Chaeyeon. I even gave you a big one and what did you do? Run away, sulk, and be shocked that he’s happy to be with her. You could’ve been more direct, too. But no, you sat on your bed and lamented about a relationship that wasn’t even ruined yet. Still isn’t by the way.”

You roll your eyes, wanting to stand up and start cleaning so you can get out of there.

“There’s no indication that you’re romantically interested in him. You need to let him know upfront.” Taehyun scoots closer after seeing that you haven’t blown him off yet.

“Well we did… um… at the hotel we had sex.” You whisper the word like a child. 

“They won’t put that in, you know that right?”

“You read the contract too?”

“You didn’t?” 

You clench your jaw, not wanting to admit it. “I skimmed.”

“Doesn’t matter. He was horny so he fucked you. He probably assumes you have the same mindset.” 

The truth of what he’s saying mixed with the hint of smugness makes you want to punch him in the face.

“What’s your deal? You clearly don’t care about the show.” The words feel like they’re breaking out from your lips, the ones you’ve been wanting to say for a while now.

“Who says I don’t care about the show?” Just then you see it. The defensive look in his face is the achilles heel you’ve been waiting for.

“Every person, every single contestant has someone they’re making eyes at. Meanwhile you just sit in the corner and judge everybody. Why are you here?” You jump at the opportunity, hunger undoubtedly oozing from your eyes. Not that kind, you’ve been avoiding looking at his arms.

Taehyun looks taken aback, almost impressed.

“I wanted to see if I was missing out on something special.” He shrugs, seemingly back to his normal demeanor.

Your face softens against your will. 

“I get that.”

Taehyun chuckles as he reflects. “That and my friend urged me to come. He said I’m always acting like I’m too good for shit.”

“My friend did something similar. I almost chickened out at the last minute and she yelled at me.” You laugh even though you weren’t laughing at the time. “‘You do this every time and then complain that nothing’s going for you!’ I was pissed, but I turned that application in before the deadline.”

After you both settle from laughing, you feel more comfortable.

“Feel better after you got that off your chest?”

You snap your eyes at him, ready to sass him, but you decide against it.

“Yes. Yes I do.”

-🖊️⇝

The sound of your name being called is like a jolt of electricity on your normally peaceful walk to class.

“Look at this invitation I got.” Your friend says breathlessly as you both huddle against the wall. Her eyes are blown wide and she’s whispering, there’s clearly something else to her telling you this, but all you can focus on is that she got invited to a party.

“Look!” She says again at your lack of reaction. Her slim fingers slide against the thick paper before tapping her manicured nail on the acronym “B.Y.O.B”.

“Isn’t that crazy?!” She squawks a laugh and slaps your back, demanding you match her shock.

“What? You think teenagers don’t drink?”

Of course she doesn’t, because she hangs with people like you who don’t party. You hate how condescending you sound right now. You also hate that you can’t express how her getting an invite while you get picked on makes you embarrassed and jealous.

You thought maybe you’d get one by the time you graduated, but that’s more than wishful thinking. It’s denial.

-🖊️⇝

It’s the morning of. They’ll be home any minute now. Maybe Jaemin and Chaeyeon will be last because they’re dragging their feet to leave. Did they…

No, Chaeyeon doesn’t seem like the type. But then again, you never noticed Chaeyeon making googly eyes at Mingyu. Everyone just immediately assumed they’d be together because they’re both at the top of the food chain. And you’ve only gotten hints from Jaemin about them getting together, not her. You can’t read her at all. 

They fucked didn’t they.

“Stop.” Taehyun casts an annoyed look at you after leaving his room with his hair pointing in every direction. Knowing he’s referring to chewing on your nails and looking anxious as all get out, you wave him away.

“Look, let’s pair up.”

You unlatch your teeth from the raw skin around your nails to look up at him. “Why?”

“Will it make you feel better about seeing Jaemin again? You know, in case him and Chaeyeon are cuddled up.”

The thought of standing there like a deer in the headlights and getting pity stares from everyone sounds like a nightmare. Taehyun could at least distract you, he could even make it look like there’s nothing to pity since you’ve moved on. The only thing that worries you is this ruining your chances completely with Jaemin. If there’s anyone you want to leave this house with, it’s him.

“Yeah. Let’s do it.” You answer cautiously. The door opens downstairs and you hear voices. You grab Taehyun’s hand and rush down to see who it is.

It’s the two people you only wanted to see while on Taehyun’s arm. Chaeyeon looks over at you with a genuine smile. Her eyes crinkle, but it catches you off guard. She’s sneering. Not only that, but her smile falls once she sees Taehyun holding your hand.

She makes her way over, and while you’re a little scared of what she’s about to do, you kind of want to confront her. Why is the only smile that didn’t seem phony from her one that seems to be at your expense? You’ve gotten clarity on Taehyun’s deal, what’s hers?

“So two guys really did like you like Roseanne said.” Chaeyeon says with the subdued cuteness she’s been using this whole time. Her wide eyes sparkle as she grabs both your hands.

“Three guys.” Taehyun adds in. You feel dread creeping up as you look at him. Is he crafting lies to make you feel better? Because it’s not. “I see Jake watching you while you talk sometimes.” Since Chaeyeon is holding your hands, Taehyun goes for your waist instead.

“Okay, now that’s a lie.” You’re distracted from the embarrassment when incredulity overpowers it.

“Pursuing Jake is useless, anyway.” Chaeyeon says, her tone is straightforward.

“Oh, are you getting uses out of these men, Chaeyeon?” Taehyun’s tone is light, but Chaeyeon just stares blankly.

Jaemin interrupts by greeting you. You greet him back, laughing at yourself for taking so long to do so.

“How was your hot date?” You attempt your usual tone with him, but the air feels strained.

“It was good.”

The two of you stand there awkwardly. Jaemin isn’t picking at you and you’re too scared to try again. You slip your hands from Chaeyeon’s.

“Welcome back! Were the two other cars behind you guys?” You try instead. If you just walked away, you know the editor is going to play up the tension.

“Why? You waiting for Yunho?” Chaeyeon nudges you. For a second your view of her being phony falters. Maybe she doesn’t emote like other people. What’s wrong with that? She seems friendly right now. You try to hide the smirk that twitches onto your face.

“Maybe I am! And what about it.” You shrug feeling bold in the face of her.

“You should.”

“Wh-”

“We’re baaack!” Roseanne announces excitedly as she and Yunho push through the door. She seems to be dragging him a little more than she realizes, and he perks up when he sees Chaeyeon.

“We had soooo much fun! We-”

“Chaeyeon, can we talk?” Yunho slips his hand from Roseanne’s, pushing toward Chaeyeon. Chaeyeon’s shock looks weak.

“Sure!”

And with that, Yunho leads her to the backyard. Chaeyeon glances back very briefly, sneering at you once more. When all of you look back, Jaemin is already retreating upstairs. Your throat tightens up as you clench your fist. Then your eyes catch Roseanne’s, who is trying desperately to peek at Chaeyeon and Yunho without being obvious. Finally her eyes meet yours. You shouldn’t feel content in light of her disappointment, and you shouldn’t be meeting her guilty eyes with stubbornness. 

“Hey, can we talk as well?” Roseanne moves closer, grabbing one of your hands. She smiles awkwardly, but it’s contagious somehow. You roll your eyes as you both laugh before she leads you upstairs. 

“Um, could you guys give us a second?” You ask Yizhou and Somi politely but Roseanne stops you.

“No, I’ll just say this in front of everyone.” She clears her throat, her eyes unsteady for the first time since you met her. “I don’t want this show to make me ugly, and whether other people noticed or not, I was being ugly. And even if I didn’t externalize it, I knew it in my soul. So I just wanted to stop myself before anything got out of hand.” 

She turns to you. 

“___, I’m sorry for not being honest about Jaemin. We don’t owe each other anything by any means, but I’m a stickler for girl code.” Roseanne speaks about this like she’s bound by hippocratic oath and not girl code. Not that you’re knocking her for it.

“Thanks, but I was being an asshole.” You sigh, “You shouldn’t have to apologize.”

“It just wouldn’t sit right with me otherwise.” Roseanne smiles softly. 

“Speaking of which… me and Yizhou were talking…”

“Somi, no!” Yizhou tries to stop Somi but the courage has already been built up. 

“Did you know that Jaemin was flirting it up with Chaeyeon right after he got off his date with you?! I mean, fuck! What an asshole. Yizhou told me it wasn’t subtle either-”

“Okay.” You laugh inappropriately before looking at the ceiling. “That’s e-fucking-nough Somi.”

“What?! I’m trying to look out for you?”

She’s right. This is what you wanted. God! Why do you only stick up for yourself against the wrong people? No, as a matter of fact? There’s only one person who slept with you and immediately ditched you the next day. Right, you think as you march out of the room and down the hallway. You and Jaemin are the ones who need to talk. He’s the one who needs to be told that you’ve had e-fucking-nough. But as you walk, your mother’s words stain your mind.

“Who was that? Chris?” Your mom immediately grills you upon you re-entering the house. By the sound of it, your first boyfriend had only just pulled away. You scoff, confused about her aggression. “Or was that some stranger you just met?”

“M-mom?” You can’t help your bite immediately leaving you at her harsh words. 

“Where were you all night? And you better say Crystal’s house.”

“I’m nineteen, mom.” Is all you could muster amongst your incredulity and hurt.

“I don’t give a fuck, ___. Tell me you didn’t sully your body with that man?!” Your mother only ever curses in situations she thinks are dire, and it cuts through you like a knife. She grabs your shoulders and shakes you? “Did you?!?”

You want to scream and assure her that NO, you did not do what you absolutely did. But your eyes betray you. She lets go of your shoulders and her arms slam against her sides. The incredulity switches to her as her eyes bore into you until you get it. Not the way you think she wants you to. No, she wants this shame to last your lifetime. She finally relents, seeming to give up on the lost cause that is her daughter.

“You know,” she starts just as she was walking away, “that will never earn you a man’s affection.” She cuts her eyes at you.

“They can smell trash.”

And in that hallway, you stop your pursuit of Jaemin and hold your breath, afraid you’ll smell it too. 

Girls like Chaeyeon didn’t need to put out to get guys to like them. And the only two guys who have shown interest in you prove you’re exactly the opposite.

“I hope you aren’t… hey, are you okay?” Taehyun’s usual snarky tone fades in favor of concern. You can’t hold anymore. Becoming ten times more pathetic, you break down.

“Oh sh-” Taehyun draws out the beginning of the expletive as he wraps an arm around you and urges you into the nearest bathroom. It just so happens to be that one. Are you gonna put out for yet another guy? You turn away, annoyed at your raucous sobbing. 

“W-what… is… wrong with me?!” You manage between sobs, anger constricting your breathing you desperately need with all the crying. Why are you doing this in front of him? “What is wrong with me?!”

“What do you think is wrong with you?”

Taehyun starts his unsolicited therapy schtick. You laugh bitterly, humoring him, daring him to try and talk you out of your pathetic state. 

“I let him fuck me the second he made me laugh. He didn’t have to try to get into my pants. And Chaeyeon didn’t need to try to pluck him away from me.”

Taehyun laughs and you shoot daggers at him with your glare. You charge at him but he holds his arms up. 

“Woah, woah, woah. Chaeyeon tries. She tries reeeaally hard. I know from experience.”

You chut. “As if she’d pay attention to you.” 

“Right. I’m under 182 or whatever Somi said. People think I’m cold and I don’t make enough of an effort. So why did she pull me to the side and ask how close I was to you just now?”

You inhale lightly. “What’d you say?”

“I said very very close, you’re my end game.”

You roll your eyes again and he snorts.

“Be serious.”

“I am! That’s exactly what I said.”

“You told her that?!”

“And then she told me that she was sorry to hear that because she wanted to get to know me.”

Bitterness grows until it manifests in a scowl. “Why don’t you humor her? You think she’s pretty don’t you?”

He just smirks and you scowl deeper. He holds his stare for a moment.

“You’re really angry at me. Why?”

“Because you’re a fucking jerk. Has that ever occurred to you?” You answer breezily. He doesn’t even flinch. 

“I don’t mean in general, I mean just now.”

You furrow your eyebrows and shake your head, but you’re considering it.

“You’re not mad at me. You’re not even mad at Jaemin or even Chaeyeon. You’re mad at yourself.”

“D’you see what I mean.” You point out tiredly. “Asshole.” You sniff, suddenly aware of the snot on your upper lip. You quickly hide it. He sighs and grabs some toilet paper off the roll before handing it to you. 

“You shouldn’t want a guy who could be swayed from his feelings for you by something as shallow as the beauty standard.”

“You think I’m choosing to feel this way?” You ask incredulously after wiping your face. 

“Not at all. It’s not the emotion you should be critiquing anyway. Clock what’s making you feel you didn’t dodge a bullet.” Taehyun turns then, starting toward the door. He turns back one last time.

“Just some food for thought.”

[methinmycoffee]

*Spoilers for The Simpsons and Family Guy*

Simpsons: Who shot Mr. Burns?

Family Guy: And Then There Were Fewer

South Park needs to do a murder mystery episode. Many shows do them, but I’m just going to use The Simpsons and Family Guy for examples.

The Simpsons has the ever-famous “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” Duology, ending season 6 and beginning season 7 with two episodes centered around the mystery. While not technically a “Murder Mystery” it’s still an iconic whodunnit that sees the entire town turn against each other as the try and figure out the culprit. The ending is kind of a cop-out, when the shooter is revealed to be Maggie Simpson and she is not charged with a crime. (Originally the shooter was going to be Barney, and he was actually going to go to jail for a season or so). It’s still full of a lot of genuinely good clues, such as every clock reading 3:00 to hint at how the sun dial is supposed to be read.

Family Guy has “And Then There Were Fewer” which was the premiere for season 9. This 50 minute episode of the show contains no cutaway gags, and is a true to form murder mystery. We see the actual deaths of a few characters, including a character that was introduced in the episode (Stephanie), James Woods (who was later brought back, which is lame), Muriel Goldman, Derek Wilcox, Pricilla, and finally the killer, Diane Simmons, is shot after a showdown with Lois Griffin. This is my favorite episode of the show, honestly. Even though they brought back James Woods, every other character named remains dead throughout the show, and there are even a couple mentions of their deaths throughout, especially for Muriel and Diane. Diane Simmons was an especially prominent character throughout the first eight seasons, appearing as the co-anchor to Tom Tucker (yes that’s his name) every time the news was played, which is frequently. They give her character motivations for wanting to kill James Woods and frame Tom Tucker for it, which she reveals to Lois in a very dramatic scene towards the end of the episode. Honestly even if you don’t like Family Guy this is a pretty solid episode, aside from a few really lame jokes.

South Park, ever starved for ideas, could totally do something like this. It’s not like it doesn’t fit the tone of the show, and it’s not like we don’t have any side character to spare. It could also work fairly well as a weird dream episode or something, and then they could do it with the main class of 4th graders. I would hope they leaned more towards the Family Guy episode, and it seems like that would fit the show more. The one problem is that the cast of South Park is mostly children, but there are definitely side adults that we could lose, and they’ve never been above killing some kids.

Maybe we could drop some characters we haven’t seen in awhile, like Ned, and then move up to character we see often but wouldn’t really be missed. Someone irl (@unoficial-trader-joes) suggested the mayor and I think that could work. We could also drop some less-popular 4th grade characters, like Annie Knitts, Red McArthur, and if we’re feeling really wild maybe Scott Malkinson or DogPoo Petuski. It would be a fun time, I think.

(Also the Killer should be Kenny, and he’s killed in a final showdown like in the Family Guy episode, but then he just comes back because he’s Kenny)

[edwinisms]

you ever think about how edwin got like. no warning, no time time to process, nothing, when he reappeared on earth faced with the fact that virtually everyone he knew in life is dead. his parents? probably died in the 1950s or so (at best) almost forty years prior to edwin’s return. if any of his classmates were still around, they’d have been elderly, possibly senile, and in a few years they’d all be gone– except, of course, edwin. nothing looks the same, cars look like spaceships, there actually are spaceships, he can no longer see the stars, and everyone he knew is dead.

[zehl0w]

Very messy scribble of a comic because they were on my mind (I doubt I’ll ever clean it up so I’m just posting it now so it doesn’t rot in my procreate files LOL)

[ebonytails]

Hey everyone! this is where the zebra is currently with the design.

It has knee braces!! I will most probably be drawing the zebra usually with them on, but it’s no requirement, for example if anyone else wants to draw the zebra :-]. I always like to make sure an animal design has official colors underneath any clothing and accessory anyway. I think this will be final! thank you everyone for your feedback!

As a reminder, aside from why the zebra was requested for this flag, this is also just a zebra with the disability pride flag on it. It’s just a deisgn to fit the flag, with input from other disabled people in our community. It doesn’t mean other animals can’t have designs with these colors, too! I don’t mean this design to be the only mascot for all disabled people. It’s just a silly series i do of pride animals, and at the time, during disability pride month, I wanted to see what everyone wanted me to start off with for this flag!

the goal with my pride animals is to take requests and make people feel happy and seen.. that’s all <:-)