#but like. i don't want to be drawing him wrong if it's secretly bothering people

[skepticalcatfrog]

Guys I feel like I am trying to put together a puzzle out of pieces from one million different puzzles where no one full puzzle is present. I was looking at This Foul Murder today and I came across the part where Marshall describes Benedikt's eyes as being "brown-grey" and "ambiguous dark". I was already familiar with this because I am a frequent peruser of Benedikt's fandom wiki page. But I always just assumed it was mistaken on the wiki page, because I was 10000% sure I had read in the books somewhere else that his eyes are light colored/blue.

I absolutely SCOURED TVD for any mention of Benedikt to try to find an answer and I came up with nothing. Did I imagine this?? Have I created an alternate timeline where Benedikt underwent a change of eye color akin to Thalia Grace of the Riordanverse??

[ckret2]

Chapter 25 of human Bill is the Mystery Shack's prisoner and somehow befriended Mabel: in which Bill and Mabel make friendship bracelets. It's heartwarming. Bill is not, I repeat, not secretly up to anything nefarious.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the chapter, Bill is secretly up to something nefarious.

####

"I'll be back in exactly one hour," Ford said. "Be finished showering by then. You've got everything you need, as well as..." He looked disdainfully at a baggie of shampoo and conditioner sample bottles, "your gift from the Northwests."

Bill eyed the Northwests' little care package skeptically. Four entire separate products that were supposed to be used all in one shower. He was drowning in mammal-cleaning slimes. What a waste of his time. "You don't expect me to use allthis junk, do you?"

"Frankly, as long as you aren't bald and don't smell like gnome urine in an hour, I don't care what happens between now and then."

"You're the most merciful warden I've ever had, Stanford."

Ford wasn't sure if that was supposed to be sarcasm or an awkward glimpse into Bill's sordid history, so he just shut the bathroom door. "One hour."

"One hour!" Bill waited until he couldn't hear Ford's footsteps; and then he turned on the shower, fished a crushed cider can and eight candles out of his hoodie, and stood on the wooden crate by the window.

Over the last few days, he'd spent every spare private moment using toothpaste and toilet paper to polish the bottom of the can into a perfect, shining, concave mirror. Now, he held it up to the window with one of the candles, using the mirror to focus the sun into a point on the wick of the candle... and...

It took a couple minutes of agonizing patience, but finally the wick smoked and then ignited. Yes. Moving carefully so he wouldn't douse the flame, he used the burning candle to melt the bottoms of the other candles just enough to stick them to the floor, lit them in turn, and in the middle Bill quickly made a (frankly terrible) drawing of Kryptos by finger painting with a tube of toothpaste.

And then he knelt in front of the candle circle, and—quietly enough that the shower covered the sound—he started chanting.

Some humans called Bill a dream demon. It wasn't exactly wrong, even if calling him a dream demon was kind of like naming the entire human race "the mountain bikers."

Which was to say, if Bill was a "dream demon," then so were the rest of his people. The other surviving shapes could cast themselves like shadows onto the walls and floors of other dimensions, slip through the cracks in reality that were too thin to accommodate the depths of three-dimensional creatures, and wander through the higher dimensions' mindscapes.

It was just that it was only one of their many side hobbies rather than their main pursuit as a species—and not a particularly popular hobby, at that. Most shapes weren't into taking safaris through aliens' dreams.

Out of the shapes Bill still hung out with, Hectorgon wouldn't do it; he appreciated why Bill went on his psychic excursions for the everyone's benefit, but skulking in a higher plane's second dimension made Hectorgon feel voyeuristic—and he'd only gotten more uncomfortable with the idea since his three-dimensional makeover. Bill could wheedle a majority of Amorphous Shape into a sightseeing trip once a millennium or so, but they were just a passive tour group who would be lost without Bill as their tour guide. Kryptos alone had taken enough of an interest in alien mindscapes to make the leap from "occasional tourist" to "frequent traveler." He was the only one other than Bill who spent enough time on Earth to network with the locals; and he was the only one other than Bill who had bothered to set up a summoning ritual, in case an earthbound buddy wanted to ring him up for a party.

Kryptos's party line was going to be Bill's salvation.

Which was a shame, because Bill just knew Kryptos would be annoying about this for the next million years. He'd worry about finding a way to bully Krypt into not lording it over him after he was safely back home in the Quadrangle of Qonfusion.

But when Bill called, nothing happened.

That wasn't right. Nothing wasn't supposed to happen. Even if Krypt didn't pick up, Bill should feel the spell working. The sound of the shower should pause. The air should go still and cool. Everything should be gray.

Bill opened his eyes. Nothing was gray. He checked each candle to make sure they were all lit, checked his drawing to make sure it looked right—it wasn't exactly flattering, but the lines were straight and the angles were correct, and anyway it was recognizable enough to work for the summoning. He remembered the words, he knew he remembered the words.

Try again. He shut his eyes. "Rhombus sapphirinus. Fraternitas, caritas, veritas. Te invoco, te invito." And then, not because it was necessary but because he was getting mad, he tacked on, "Responde mihi, quadrum defututum! Culum tuum calcitrabo!"

Nothing. The world went on un-paused. Bill remained awake. He opened his eyes to the vibrant, colorful, tragically real world around him.

It didn't make sense. Even without his powers, he should be able to reach Kryptos. Any human could do this ritual, and Bill knew a whole lot more than any human. Either Kryptos was dead (unlikely; but without Bill there...), or something was blocking Bill. The block could be inside him—maybe the Axolotl was sealing off even this paltry little magic—or outside, some sort of shield blocking the mindscape. But whatever the source, the result was the same:

He couldn't get a call out. Nobody, not even his oldest friends, could hear him.

He stared at Kryptos's ugly mug for a long moment; then blew out the candles, hid them and the crushed can back in his hoodie, used toilet paper to wipe the toothpaste and wax off the floor, and got in the shower.

If he wanted to get out, he had to make new friends. He'd been making some good progress lately, particularly with Mabel. Perhaps it was time to test just how far her compassion could get him.

####

Prisma the Rainbow Fairy said, "Gee, Sunny Cat, I haven't seen you spending time with Teddy Tender lately. What happened?"

"He's a killjoy," Bill said, sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the TV. "He's a wet blanket."

A sunshine-yellow bipedal cat said, "Teddy's so sad today, and it's making me sad. I don't want to hang out with him when he's like this!"

"That's what I said," Bill said. Heckling the characters helped distract him from the urge to scratch the exposed skin on his arms until he scraped it off his bones. After showering, his hoodie had been confiscated for a round of emergency post-eye-bat-repellant laundry, and he was temporarily back in a reject gift shop t-shirt. He felt exposed.

Prisma said, "Sometimes when our friends are sad, all they need is another friend to give them a hug or tell them they care. It'll help them feel happier."

"I don't know," Sunny said. "When I feel sad, being around other people makes me feel worse."

"Everyone's a little different, Sunny. Why don't you offer to hold his hand and see if that makes him happier?"

"I guess I could try."

"Nah, it's too late for Teddy," Bill told the TV. With some glee, he added, "The most caring thing you could do is put him out of his misery."

Mabel, sitting up on the couch with three colors of embroidery floss tangled around her fingers, lightly kicked the back of Bill's head. He grinned wider. Mabel said, "Bill, I don't think you're taking this seriously."

"Was I supposed to?"

"It's a beautiful June day and I'm inside with you, so you could at least pretend to. I thought you were a good liar."

"I've never told a lie in my life," lied Bill. "But okay, fine. I've seen the error of my ruthless ways. Maybe there's hope for Teddy yet."

Mabel nodded, mollified. She set aside her current project and rummaged through her bag of embroidery floss. "Hey Bill, what's your favorite color?"

"Gold!"

"Why did I ask. What's your next favorite color?"

"Every color simultaneously superimposed over each other, instantly blinding you!"

Mabel tried to picture that. She imagined a rainbow that was also a laser that was also iridescent. Her mental image looked a lot like Prisma's combat magic. "You have such good taste."

"It takes good taste to recognize good taste!" Bill mentally reviewed the last couple minutes of conversation, saw an opportunity to bolster the "reforming monster" image he was trying to sell to Mabel, and added, "By the way—thanks for sticking around just to keep me entertained!" (See: he can say thank you unprompted.) "This sure isn't where I'd want to spend my afternoon," he laughed wryly, "but unlike me, you have a choice in the matter."

"Yeah," Mabel sighed. "It stinks. I wish you could go outside with me."

Bill quietly, smugly filed that statement away for later use.

Mabel pulled a couple fresh rolls of embroidery floss out of her bag and got to work with them. "We can't set off fireworks inside the shack. Or play with Soos's paintball guns."

Bill's smugness vanished, leaving behind only the hollow feeling of missing out on a lot of fun. Fireworks and paintball guns. Those were three of his favorite things: explosions, colors, and interpersonal violence.

Mabel went on, "And Candy's saved up three years of Magic Vision Poster calendars to wallpaper the inside of her closet. She read online that if you cross your eyes just right to make them all look 3D at the same time, you can hallucinate going inside them! We're gonna try it out tomorrow. That seems like something you'd like."

"What!" Bill groaned. "I've always wanted to see an autostereogram poster with two eyes! Now here I am, stuck in a stupid meat body, and I don't even get to enjoy the only thing binocular vision is good for?"

Mabel patted his shoulder.

"Back home I've got a chair with autostereogram detailing. I've never actually seen it work. And where is it when I've got two eyes?"

"I think they've got Magic Vision books in the kids' section at the library," Mabel said. "Do you want me to check one out for you?"

Bill glared at the TV, silently fuming. Then he muttered, "Yeah. I'd like that. Thanks."

The low-stakes drama on Color Critters was resolved when Sunny asked Teddy Tender if he wanted to maybe hug or hold hands until he felt less sad, and Teddy revealed he felt bad because he was lonely when he hadn't had a play date with a friend in a while. Sunny and Teddy went to the playground together, the gray swings and slide and seesaw blooming orange and yellow as they played. Crisis of the day concluded. Prisma watched proudly, before joining in the play herself. Bill was not jealous of their freedom to go to the playground.

As the credits rolled, Mabel said, "There! Give me your hand!"

Bill stuck his right arm straight out to his side. "Why—?"

Mabel wrapped something thin around his wrist, and there was a quick tug as she tied it off. "Bam! You just got��friendshipped!"

"What?" Bill pulled back his wrist to examine Mabel's handiwork. It was a bracelet made out of embroidery floss knotted together into a flat band as wide as his thumb. "What is this?" Stupid question.

"A friendship bracelet!" (Of course it was a friendship bracelet; he was passingly familiar with the art form, he'd seen it centuries before they were called "friendship" bracelets.) "Make a wish."

He wished to get his body back.

"You've gotta wear the bracelet until it breaks, and then the wish'll come true."

And if he believed that, he'd already be chewing through the knot. "And, why am I getting this?"

"Because we're friends!"

"Oh." Well. Yes. Obviously.

He examined the bracelet more closely. The band formed a zig-zag pattern of black and metallic gold triangles; and Mabel had tied glass beads that looked like eyes over several of the gold triangles.

"I didn't have every color simultaneously, but I thought the black would make the gold pop." Mabel pointed at the triangles. "Look! It's you."

"I can see that." She'd used nazar beads for the eyes—a dot of black ringed in blue and white. A little eye-shaped lucky charm humans had been using to ward off the evil eye for millennia. Cute. He laughed, pointing at the beads. "So is this supposed to protect me from the evil eye, or am I the evil eye you're protecting everyone else from?"

Mabel was thirteen. Mabel hadn't put any deeper thought into it than these look like eyes. All the same, Mabel didn't hesitate before replying: "I'm turning your face into a protective charm! Now you've got to keep everyone safe!"

"Oh." And that, too, Bill quietly filed away.

"I expect you to take your new job seriously," Mabel said, pointing at him. "Don't let me down!"

"You give me a gift with my face on it and then tack on a bunch of extra terms and conditions. Very slick, kid." He admired the bracelet. It really was a pretty fine offering. He hadn't been gifted textiles in a while. "But all right! I've never gone back on a deal before," lied Bill.

Though it galled him to get something without a way to pay back the favor. It felt uneven. People don't want a god who grants miracles worth less than the tribute he'd been offered. He ran down his usual list of tricks—he couldn't snap his fingers and summon up a dream gift, he didn't have any useful info he could offer without prompting an interrogation session with his jailers, right now he couldn't even call somebody else to pull some strings on her behalf... His gaze drifted over to Mabel's bag of embroidery threads. He could see beads and a couple more friendship bracelets inside. "How many of these are you making?"

"A bunch! I'm giving one out to each new friend I make this summer."

That'd do. "Teach me."

"You what?"

"Teach me." He turned around to face the couch and pointed toward the bag. "You're making them anyway, right? Just show me as you go."

Mabel stared at him in disbelief. Was he serious? She thought he was serious.

A broad smile stretched across her face. "Okay!" She dug beneath her supplies for a little dog-eared friendship bracelet pattern book. "What kind of jewelry making experience do you have? Especially involving beads or knots."

"I can tie a living creature's blood vessels into quipu knots that spell my name—all without breaking the skin!"

"That's great! Can you do it with embroidery floss instead of blood vessels."

Bill eyed the bundle of floss Mabel held out. "Yes."

"Perfect!" She shoved four thread colors in his hands, a pair of scissors, a jar of pony beads, thought better and quickly took back the scissors, and added a roll of parachute cord. "I'll teach you everything I know. Even my secret trick to keep the edges from going all wobbly! We'll start you on chevrons and then move up to teardrop loops and triangle ends." She put her hands on Bill's shoulders, looked him in his uncovered eye, and said, "I'm gonna make you a friendship bracelet master."

Solemnly, Bill said, "I'm ready."

####

Ford squinted blearily into the living room.

Sitting alone on the far side of the room, Bill was bent over the living room table, fussing with several multicolored strings and a few beads.

Bill glanced at Ford from the corner of his eye, and then—with a faint smirk—turned back to his project without a word. Oh, he wanted Ford to ask. He was dying for Ford to ask.

It was too early for this. Ford wasn't dealing with it before coffee. He shook his head and shuffled onward to the kitchen.

Stan was already up, eating eggs with some unidentified liquid meat poured over them. Over the past year, typically Ford had been the earlier riser; but this summer Stan had gotten used to Ford pulling late nights downstairs as he worked on his research, so he didn't comment on Ford's sleeping in as he poured himself a mug of coffee.

But Stan did look at Ford's face and immediately ask, "Okay. What's the latest Bill bullsh... soup? Bullsoup."

"He's..." Ford tried to figure out what Bill was doing. "Making jewelry in the living room, I think."

Stan grunted and nodded. "Yeah, he was doing that yesterday with Mabel."

"Well, now he's doing it by himself."

Stan raised a brow.

The Stans leaned around the living room doorway to watch Bill. 

Bill was engrossed with picking out a mis-tied knot, frowning deeply in concentration, one eye squeezed shut and the other squinted. He smoothed out the thread, his face relaxed; and then he glanced at the doorway, did a double take, and his shoulders went up around his ears. "What am I, a zoo attraction? Shoo! Scat!" He waved them away. "I'll throw salt at you!"

Ford raised his palms defensively. Stan said, "Okay okay, we're going."

They retreated to the kitchen.

"Well?" Stan pressed. "Is he up to dangerous voodoo stuff?"

"I'm fairy certain Bill doesn't practice Vodou."

"Answer the question, smart aleck."

Ford ran through every form of magic incorporating strings or knots he could think of. It was a pretty short list, and most of it was used for protection or binding separate things together. "Not that I know of," he said dubiously. "But it's more likely he's up to something I don't know about than it is that he's doing arts and crafts. Don't you think?"

Stan considered that. He shrugged. "Eh," he said. "It can wait 'til after coffee."

Eh. Ford was tired. He didn't want to go to red alert over some string and plastic beads. He sat down with his mug.

####

"I'm home!" Mabel called. "Biiill, I couldn't get you a Magic Vision book! The pictures in Candy's closet started moving, and I don't know if we were hallucinating or if we accidentally summoned an invisible holographic horse you can only see when you cross your eyes, so we decided to burn the posters and library books to be safe! Do you know if Magic Vision Posters summon things...?"

"I wish," Bill said. "But hey, I've got something better. Gimme your hand."

Mabel held out her hand, half pulled it back, and said, "Why?"

"Relax." Bill grabbed her wrist, tied on a bracelet, and said, "Make a wish!" He grinned. "You're impressed, admit it. Tell me you're impressed."

Mabel studied the bracelet. "Whoa." Purple, green, and orange threads formed lacy loops around a central thread, forming an endless wave that rolled up and down. The threads passed through several star-shaped pony beads, making the wave look like the tails of shooting stars. "A Peruvian wave with a perfectly straight center cord. That takes crazy precise string tension." She looked at Bill. "I have nothing more to teach you."

"Thank you, teacher."

"Is this supposed to look like my sweater?" Mabel asked, studying the pink in the tassels tying the bracelet on. "The one on your zodiac thing?"

"Sure! You gave me one that looks like me, I gave you one that represents you. Friendship's supposed to go both ways, right?"

"Bill! Is this why you wanted to learn to make friendship bracelets?"

"Am I that obvious?"

"Biiill! You're being so nice!" Mabel flung her arms around him. "I love it!" And then she took off, running laps around the living room, cackling madly and waving her braceleted arm in the air. Abuelita, who'd been watching TV, calmly turned to watch Mabel zoom around.

Oh, this was great. Look at this, Bill was the best at being a friend. Everyone who'd ever ditched him was a moron who didn't know what they were missing out on. They could've gotten personalized friendship bracelets. Maybe he should have offered Ford a friendship bracelet? No, that was stupid, why would Ford prefer a friendship bracelet over unimaginable cosmic power. But then it didn't have to be either-or, did it? Ford's favorite color was red, what went with red?

When Mabel had gotten the enthusiasm out of her system, she trotted back out to the entryway and hugged Bill again. He endured it. "You won't stop making friendship bracelets now that you've made this, will you?" Mabel asked. "You're such a natural at it! And you need more hobbies that are constructive instead of destructive."

"Ouch, kid. I'll have you know I have plenty of constructive hobbies."

"I don't believe it. Name one thing you like creating."

"Weirdness bubbles."

"Name one thing you like creating that doesn't terrify people."

Bill pursed his lips. "Agree to disagree. Anyway, I'm not getting out of the friendship bracelet game just yet. In fact, I've already got another few projects in mind."

####

Bill plopped down at the kitchen table across from Mabel. "Hey star girl. Guess what."

She looked up from her cereal at the dark rings under Bill's eyes. He had one eye squeezed shut; he could usually keep both open when he'd just woken up. "Were you up all night?"

"Doesn't matter. Time is an illusion and I can see the projector. I'm counting that as your guess. Look." Bill tossed two matching bracelets down on the table between them, deep watermelon pink and minty green, shaped like macrame chains with hearts where each link of the chain met.

"Aww, little hearts."

"Thought you'd like the hearts."

Mabel picked up one end of the bracelet and slipped it on—and then noticed the long coil of embroidery floss connecting the end of one bracelet to the other. "Bill? What's this for?"

"Didn't you say a few days ago that you wished we could go outside together? I thought up a perfect solution!"

With a sudden sense of dread, Mabel realized that the chain pattern and the string connecting the bracelets made them look like an extremely long pair of handcuffs; but before she could take off her half, Bill picked up the other bracelet and said, "There's a little magic in these, look. When both ends are being worn—" He slipped on the bracelet, and Mabel felt its matching pair gently tighten around her wrist. The string connecting them vanished into thin air.

Mabel gasped. "What—?"

"Poof! It's like a ghost: still there, but invisible to human eyes. We could even go into separate rooms and it'll connect us through the walls." He demonstrated by waving his hand under the table. "But we can't get farther apart than the length of the thread. I gave it about ten yards." He plucked up something invisible and gave it a tug, and Mabel felt the bracelet go taut against her wrist. There was no force, no matter how hard Bill tugged she didn't feel like the bracelet was pulling her; rather, it felt like the other end of the thread was tied to an immobile boulder preventing her from moving further away, until she moved her hand closer to Bill's to give the thread a little slack. "And..."

Mabel tried to jerk the bracelet off her wrist; it stuck around her hand. "How do I get it off?! Bill—!"

Bill put a finger on her hand, stopping her. He said, "Neither of us can take our end off until we both decide we're ready. Like... now." He winked; and the bracelet suddenly loosened again.

Mabel pulled it off with a sigh of relief.

"Unless one of us dies or something, I guess," Bill said thoughtfully. "That'd deactivate the magic. It'd be pretty gristly to have to keep sharing a friendship bracelet with a corpse!" He laughed. "Anyway—"

Mabel chucked the bracelet in his face. "That was mean!"

Bill blinked in surprise. "What was?"

"You tricked me!" She cradled her wrist against her chest, heart still pounding from the brief unexpected captivity.

"I did not!" He took the bracelets back and started coiling up the thread between them. "You put yours on before I even said anything."

"But you could have warned me before you got us stuck together!"

"Sure, I could have, but would you have kept it on then?"

"No, you jerk. That's the point!" She looked around for something else to chuck at Bill's face, plucked a dry piece of cereal from her bowl, and flicked it at his nose. 

Bill endured his punishment without flinching. "Well, sorry, but I had to demonstrate how they work somehow." He twirled the bracelets around one fingertip. "This solves your whole 'can't let the big scary triangle out unsupervised' problem! Slap these bad boys on, and I've got automatic supervision that I can't escape! Maybe this'll convince the adults that I can be trusted outside, right?" He ate the piece of cereal. "So? What do you think?"

She thought he was still a jerk. All the same, she studied the chain bracelets. "Did you just make me a gift that's actually a gift for yourself?"

He didn't even look a little bit ashamed. "I prefer to think of it as something we'll both benefit from!"

"Bill."

"C'mooon. You know you want me out there." He lowered his voice. "Who else in this town will help you break into the pet shop to dye the dogs' fur?"

Oooh. Mabel should not have told Bill about that ambition. "Well..."

"Or help you grill hamburgers with sprinkles. You know Stanley's never gonna do that for us again," Bill said. "Or what if you need a drive somewhere, huh? The guys with licenses are gonna get tired of trips to the craft store eventually."

"You can't drive!"

"Of course I can drive, didn't you see me during—?" Bill's eyes widened. "Oh no, you didn't see! I can't believe you didn't see my car. You, you would have loved it."

He seemed serious. Maybe he could drive. "You... shouldn't get to drive."

"What if it's an emergency and I'm the only one who can do it. Do you want me in the driver's seat with or without a leash?" He spread his hands in a shrug. "And anyway... think of everything else we could be doing together outside. Purple poodles and pink pugs are just the start, my friend."

Mabel hated when she knew she was being manipulated but Bill still made a good point. She bit her lip and glanced at the clock over the sink. A tour had just started; the gift shop should be empty and the vending machine safe to use.

She got out of her seat, taking her cereal with her. "I'm gonna run this by the household magic expert."

Bill rolled his eye. "Fine. Tell Sixer we're out of apple cider."

####

"Tell Bill we got three packs last time," Ford said. "If that's not enough to hold him one week between grocery trips, then he has a drinking problem."

"Okay, but what about the bracelets?"

Ford set aside the book he'd been reading and studied the bracelets. He slipped one on his wrist.  "Mabel, would you mind putting on the other side?"

"Sure!" She pulled on the bracelet. It tightened around Ford's wrist and the thread between them disappeared. Fascinating.

After a few minutes of experimenting to see how they worked, Ford was fairly sure this was a spell he'd learned about years ago, although he'd lost the details when he tossed his second journal in the bottomless pit. Usually it was done with metal chains—but the spell should make the bracelets nigh on indestructible while the magic was active, so, as promised, it would contain Bill. As long as he didn't murder the person on the other end of the spell.

"So can I take Bill outside?" Mabel asked, hands laced together and eyes wide. "Please please please?"

"You did hear what I just said about murder, right?"

"We'll bring someone else along! Bill wouldn't try to kill me if someone else is standing guard!" (At least she still recognized that there were circumstances where Bill would try to kill her.) "He's been stuck inside for weeks. That's not healthy! He needs to stretch his legs, get some sunshine!" She smacked Ford's desk as a thought occurred to her, "And we need to take him clothes shopping. I can tell he's uncomfortable in gift shop t-shirts and Abuelita's skirts. Does he even like skirts?" She dropped her voice to a whisper. "Does he even have underwear, or is he still wearing Soos's old swim trunks?"

Ford winced. "Melody was kind enough to pick some up a few days ago." But he could admit it had taken them longer than it should have.

"What about the rest of his clothes? Does he have a bra?"

"Wh—" Ford sputtered. "Does he want one?"

"I don't know, I haven't asked. It might be more comfortable. He has a lot of chest."

Lord. Ford closed his eyes. He did not want to think about bras.

"Pleeease?" Mabel said. "I wanna take him clothes shopping. He's probably never explored human fashion before! He's got to find his style. I can be his style consultant."

Aha. So that was what Mabel was getting out of all this: a person-sized dress-up doll.

Truth be told, they probably should take Bill outside. Depending on how Fiddleford's research proceeded, destroying Bill could take weeks, if not months. If there were ever an emergency, they might need to relocate Bill quickly—so it was better to ensure the bracelets worked as advertised before they became necessary.

"Fine. But this won't be a regular thing," Ford said. "Ask Stan when he can go. And your brother—I'd rather Bill know the numbers are stacked against him. And he's not allowed to talk to anybody outside the shack. You, Dipper, and Stan will have to intercept anybody he might speak to."

"Don't worry about that! I've got the perfect solution," Mabel said. "What if Grunkle Stan doesn't want to go?"

"Ask him to talk to me. I think I can convey the importance."

"You don't want to come? Are you too busy figuring out how to kill him?" Mabel's gaze moved to the books Ford had been reading.

Ford suppressed the urge to shut the books and hide the papers beside them. Mabel wouldn't be able to understand the books anyway: it was an ancient Roman historian's description of augury—fortunetelling with birds—and a Latin reference dictionary he was consulting to help him translate. He was more afraid Mabel's gaze would fall on the pages next to the books, where a few vocabulary words from the mystical, mythical language of the birds had been scrawled out in Bill's distinctive chicken scratch.

No, Ford wasn't busy figuring out how to kill Bill. He was still waiting to hear back from Fiddleford about the feasibility of synthesizing or replacing the quantum destabilizer's Dontium; and, in the meantime, he'd allowed himself to believe there was nothing else he could do on his own... and by now, he'd gotten thoroughly distracted. Going through Bill's notes, verifying his claims, following up on the leads he'd subtly slid in. Bill's miniature grimoire was the most dense magical text since the Emerald Tablet. Opening it up was like a cryptography puzzle mixed with a dissertation research project, and each sentence was a fractal flower of information, a bud that bloomed into a dozen more buds that each bloomed into a dozen more.

It was amazing. Enthralling. This was the kind of research Ford was made for. He was the most relaxed he'd been in weeks.

He hadn't told anybody what he was doing while Fiddleford worked.

"No, not that," he told Mabel, "I just don't want to spend time around Bill. Especially on what's essentially a social trip. Stanley can... handle it better."

"Oh," Mabel said. "That makes sense, I guess."

Ford glanced uneasily at Bill's papers, then looked away before Mabel could see.

He was so caught up in his own shame at getting caught toeing at one of Bill's traps, he didn't notice the quick shameful look on Mabel's face for the same reason.

####

(Thanks for reading! Please drop a comment or reblog if you enjoyed, y'all's commentary is what helps keep me writing. ❤️

Also I feel like Google translate can handle the Latin pretty well if you wanna see what Bill's saying at the start, but it's important to me that you know Google is wrong about "quadrum defututum" and it can actually be more accurately translated as "you square slut.")

[milkb0nny]

Heyo! If it's not too much to ask, Could I request Alhaitham with a touch starved reader? That's all! Have a nice day/night! :)

🤍 𝑨𝒍𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒎 ���𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒔/𝒐

note: I waited for a request like this! Gimme more, moreeee!!!

characters: Al Haitham

contents: fluff, gn! reader, cuddling and kisses

warnings: not proofread

🍃... 𝑨𝒍 𝑯𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒎

▫️You can bet on your life that he secretly adores your clingy personality. He feels loved and appreciated whenever you want hugs or want to feel his body.

▫️At first he was overwhelmed with the physical touches you need to feel cherished and it was a little struggle in the beginning. You'd sometimes feel left behind which strained your relationship. Luckily Alhaitham can communicate issues very well with you and since you expressed how much you need him, he's willing to care.

▫️On weekends you'll spend most of the time together. If it is good weather he will pack some lunchboxes and head to a nearby field with you. While he has his books with him, you cuddle in his lap under the sun. On rainy days you stay inside and grab yourselves a blanket.

▫️Alhaitham doesn't mind you laying over him, using him as a mattress or pillow. In fact he is very fond of you being with him. He knows you're safe and you're feeling protected in his presence.

▫️While reading he will sometimes close the book to look at your beautiful face and he'll give you a soft kiss on the cheek.

▫️You're aware he dislikes people who are being too pushy with him so you express your needs in a way to make him feel comfortable with it. You're not mad either when he neglects a hug or kiss after a stressful day. After all you do have these shitty days too and Alhaitham needs some space in a bad mood.

▫️Kaveh often comments on his patience with you. Alhaitham is a preserved man but you twist his mind completely. You can cling on him all day as long as you don't bother him in reading or working you're all good. If Kaveh was you, he'd be dead or thrown out of the house.

▫️At times it happens that the both of you don't see each other for days. It hurts you a lot and you miss him the moment you see him leave. He's you're safe place and it's hard to continue normal housework without him. Surely Alhaitham isn't as cheerful as other people but you always got his back at home.

▫️On reunion you will jump at him, happy to see your beloved man again. Alhaitham missed you as well and this is the time you enjoy a lot: after a period of time not seeing each other he is very touch starved as well.

▫️Imagine you both laying in the bed and he draws circles on your skin with his fingers, while telling you something about his work or businesses. Small gestures like these keep your daily life in tact.

▫️He wraps his arms around you quite often when you are in public to protect you and pull you away from any weird people. No one else except him has the right to touch you.

▫️Alhaitham enjoys cuddling in the morning a lot. When you wake up and your sleepy head just rolls over him he tickles you slightly and then gives you a big hug. On weekends it can take you hours to finally leave the bed since he does enjoy your company so much.

▫️You're glad he's more of an action guy than a man who expresses everything with words. Don't get me wrong he tells you he loves you often but most of his affection comes through touches. You're the right person for him.

▫️Another big positive thing is that he doesn't need to be afraid of making you uncomfortable whenever he seeks your attention.

▫️That you are touch starved is a very nice thing to Alhaitham. Your relationship is balanced and benefits the both of you. You're glad to call yourself his partner and you're grateful for him being so touchy with you as well. Sure, at some days it isn't enough but you two try to communicate your feelings.

[angelsanarchy]

Righteousness of Man: Kappa x Y/N- Mini Series PRT 08

Tagging: @icarus-star @ithinkitstimetonap @kappasbbgirl @chainsawgvtsfvck @luzclarita57 @miniisunshine @romanroyapoligist @madamemaximoff06 @thirtyratsinasuit @ethical-cain-vinnel @blueberrypancakesworld @dumbbitchdelrey @loljustignoreth4t @tvgirlsbluehair @s0ulfulll @mommymilkers0526 @vomiting-blood @ultrakissed @hisemoslut @lustkillers @s-0lar @roryculkinsgf dukesofsp00ks thirtyratsinasuit

Kappa was starting to stew in his feelings. He had been making sure Y/n and him fucked almost three times a day trying to get her pregnant. The amount of pregnancy tests he's had the others steal was starting to draw attention to the locals and the last thing he wanted was for them to be busted for stealing stupid fucking pregnancy tests.

After the latest fucking, Kappa held Y/n on his cock even after he had gone limp.

"Kappa...I need to get up. I can't just sit here-" Y/n chuckled.

"Yes you can. Whatever it takes to get us that baby." Kappa held her firmly and she chuckled shaking her head.

"What? You think this is funny?" Kappa asked concerned.

"You do realize that your plan to birth enough babies to take on the ever growing technicalical world is ridiculous right?" Kappa looked taken aback by her comment.

"Seriously. Every single person, including the men could birth 100 babies and you still wouldn't be able to fight this stupid made up war against humanity." Kappa pushed her off of his lap onto the bed and she continued to laugh.

"What the hell has gotten into you?" He asked putting his cock back in his pants.

"Not a baby, that's for sure." She continued to laugh hysterically and Kappa was now taking offense.

"I don't know what the hell is wrong with you but you're talking pure insanity." Kappa said with disgust as Y/n laid back on the bed.

"Me? I'm talking insanity? You want to wage war against technology. How fucking insane is that?" Y/n challenged.

"I want to do what God's will is. It's unnatural for machines to replace humans." Kappa argued.

"No matter how hard you try, you will never stop the world from progressing Kappa. That's just not how the world works." Y/n put her arms behind her head and Kappa narrowed his gaze at her.

"So why bother trying to have a baby with me if you suddenly feel like my plans are so idiotic? Why waste your time here?" Kappa spat. Y/n paused for a moment thinking about her next move. Kappa could see her thinking and she finally let out a sigh.

"Did you ever think that maybe I can't have a baby? Or maybe something is wrong with you? Maybe you're sterile and don't even know it. You do enough drugs to kill a fucking horse so it's not too strange to suspect it's just not God's will for you to procreate." Kappa hauled off and slapped Y/n across the face.

Y/n didn't react like she had the first time he had put his hands on her. She ate the hit and rolled her eyes at him.

"You will speak to me with respect of not at all. I will cut your tongue out of your head and use your mouth as a fucking glory hole if you continue to speak to me that way, do you understand?" Kappa seethed.

"I can't have children Kappa and I've never been more relieved because if I could, you're the last person I would want to create life with." Y/n lit a cigarette and Kappa fumed.

"Is that right?" He gritted his teeth.

"You're weak. You say all these things, preach to these people and you have no true convictions. You hide behind what you say is God's will and then pretend you don't secretly curse him because you know you could never have the same pull on people as these other bible thumpers. It's quite sad." Y/n stood up and blew her cigarette smoke in his face.

"And you hit like an impotent bitch." She whispered trying to walk past him. Kappa slammed her head into the wooden doorway and she fell to the ground.

"You think I'm weak? You think I can't put my plans into action?" Kappa snatched some cabled from the radio and used it to wrap around her wrists. He hog tied her and then kicked the door to the trailer open yelling for the others.

"Let's just test that theory darlin." Kappa was a pissed off man on a mission and Y/n knew it was all down hill from here as they carried her to the van and sped off out of the canyon.

[byo-fic]

Fanfic | Into You

— Lee Soohyuk x FemReader

syn: A cafe owner secretly in love with his part time staff.

(ii)

Lee Soohyuk looked around the cafe. He didn't see you anywehere.

His forehead starts frowning. "Where's Y/N?" he asked.

"She on leave today."

One of the staff answered.

"On leave?" Lee Soohyuk, frowned.

"I told her to inform you..." Sora chides in.

Lee Soohyuk just nodded.

He knows you are not wrong. Even tho he is the owner, he is not frequently in the cafe as he has another few branches to look after. Sora is the manager, and any staff should inform Sora or get her approval for leave. But he thought you and him are close.

He chose an empty table, at the secluded area and place all the cafe reports on the table. Before he starts working, he pulls out his phone..

You go to the hospital today? - he sends a text to you. He knows you sometime take leave for your hand physiotherapy.

___

You look at your phone. Feeling guilty to not telling Soohyuk about your whereabout.

But thinking back... he is your employer, and you are just his part time employee.

"You move out from your apartment without telling me," - a man sitting across you spoke.

"Why should I tell you?" you asked.

The man sighed. His face mixed with feeling guilty and frustrated. "I know you are mad-"

"I'm not," you cut him off. "I already move on." You give him a small smile.

The man across you is your ex-fiance, Minho. Your engagement with him broke because of his family blame you for the accident happened with his little sister. His little sister hurt her head, but you know his family hates you and use the accident as a proof that you are a reckless woman. They have been showing their bias towards you since the first day Minho introduce you to his family.

"Fine, at least tell me where you live," Minho said in a calm voice.

You chuckled dryly. "I don't want to tell you." You look at your phone and type a simple reply to your boss...

No. I'm meeting an old friend.

Minho look at you. "I thought you said you are not mad, but seems like you still mad-"

"I just don't want you to know where I live," you cut him off again before continuing "There's nothing between us, not even my family know where I live now so why should I tell you."

Your phone vibrates, another text from your boss...

You should tell me. I can drive you there.

You smiled reading his text. Typical Lee Soohyuk, always kind.

It's far. I take bus. - you replied.

Minho across you just watching how you are smiling texting on your phone. "Who is that?" he asked.

You look up at him "My boss. I forgot to tell him I'm on leave today."

"You are working?" Minho asked again. He knows about your hand, and he knows you stopped drawing. He thought you are focusing on healing your hand.

Another text come...

Bus? the nearest bust station is 15 minutes walking distance from your place. Let me know when you finish, I will go fetch you.

You read the text a few times. This is not the first time Lee Soohyuk offer to drive you from one place to another. He always fetching you from the hospital after your physiotherapy session.

"Yeah, just working part time." You replied to Minho. Then you look at the time on the phone. You plan to visit a few stores after meeting with Minho. You calculate the time in your head.

Fine. I want to buy few items after this. I will be at XX shopping mall. - you replied to Soohyuk. You know there's no point refusing his help, he is persistent once he offered you help.

"What kind of work?" Minho asked, he felt bothered looking at you not focus on him.

"Secret." You answered with a smile. You know Minho won't believe it if you tell him you are working at the cafe.

The you that he knew is someone who prefer to work by your own. and with less people. The you that he knew is someone who prefer to work from home. The you that he knew is someone who love drawing a lot.

When you received a reply text from Soohyuk telling you that he will fetch you and telling to wait for him, you decided you should quickly end your meeting with Minho.

"I have somewhere to go after this. Say hello to your sister." You pack your things.

"Where? I can go with you..."

"Please don't, you will make me uncomfortable." You said, honest.

Minho sighed. Already familiar with your straightforwardness. He can only see you leaving the restaurant. One day he hopes you can open up to him again like you used to.

___

Lee Soohyuk noticed the shopping mall you told him in the text is in the same city you live before and it's 1 hour drive from his cafe.

He wonders who you met. He can't help but to know more about you and the people around you. But he also noticed how you hardly talking about your family and friends. The only person you always talking about is your grandfather.

He looks at his wristwatch, then he closed the files on the table.

"I need to go somewhere..." he walks to Sora who busy at the counter with other few staff. "Just email me the sales report like usual," he left the cafe without waiting for answer.

[tasteofgummies]

Hi, I was wondering if the relationships ask are still open if so can I request one with Dio or Jonathan or both if you don't mind 😳

My pronouns are she/her and i'm an Aquarius. My personality is a bit of a mix, between being an angle and a devil. It depends on my mood and the people i'm surrounded with lol. My personality is basically just a mix between Dio and Jonathan. I don't really have any hobby's back in the days i used to draw a lot but i kind of lost interest in it. What i usually do in my free time is collecting manga's and reading it or playing games and watch k-drama's. The drama's i like the most are about crime, somehow I find that genre really interesting. Since i have never had a s/o before i can't really say how I would behave. Maybe i'd just be obedient a simp or yea idk i have no idea 😂

If you need more information lemme know.

Cw: nothing, sfw

Jonathan x you ✨

>I'm going to assume you're not as evil as Dio (in the sense that you wouldn't burn a dog alive 💀)

>Jonathan pretty much assumes the best out of everyone, so he may be surprised with your more devilish tendencies with other people

>But as soon as you're by his side again, you're just such an angel! So he guesses you must have a reason for behaving that way around others

>But if you ever feel like you need protection, you should tell him! He can't call himself a gentleman if he can't even protect his girlfriend!

>Pretty obvious, but Jonathan probably would like shoujo manga, so if you have some of it in your collection, you could lend him a few to get him interested

>He would be interested in seeing your art, but will just wait for you to bring it up

>If you express wanting to retake your hobby, he'll buy you new art supplies and even accommodate a room in the mansion for you, he's a simp, so pretty much anything you want is an ask away

>He's so bad at videogames it's just not even funny

>But he's your personal cheerleader whenever you game <3

>He wouldn't really enjoy scenes of shocking crimes, but he likes the mystery, and likes trying to guess who's the culprit, he's right 50% of the time

>No matter how you act towards him, he loves you, and is happy to have you near

Dio x you ✨

>He probably thought you were easy to manipulate

>So he was polite in case he ever needed something from you

>Boy, was he wrong

>Totally charmed by you when he realized how wicked you could be

>Was flabbergasted that your personality was naturally that contrasting, and that you weren't faking neither of them

>Once he was sure that you weren't some manipulator genius who was there to spoil his plans, he informed you (yes, informed you) that you two were dating

>"I'm sure you're honored to be dating me"

>"Wh-what?"

>He left, mostly to hide the blush creeping in his face at the worst time

>He isn't bad as a partner, but he is kind of a tsundere

>Teases you lovingly while he takes you on picnic dates

>Doesn't let JoJo get close to you, he's very possessive (because he's scared you'd like a gentle loving guy rather than him)

>I think his taste in manga would be seinen, he strikes me as an anime elitist who would secretly watch cheesy mahou shoujo

>He thinks that if you lost interest in something then it isn't as exciting anymore at all, so he wouldn't bug you to try again, and instead introduce you to new hobbies

>He gets super into k dramas, and gets pissed when he his deductions end up being wrong

>"Oh, but that was my second option- no, I'm not a sore loser, of course you need a multitude of options when you're investigating"

>Says your more hero-like side is a bother, but in reality, he likes that you're more noble and trustworthy than him

[asshlyyyy]

Just wanted to say that Dylan with his crush is the vine “hey! I think you’re pretty cool! I like you a lot! Maybe we could…hang out or something” and My mind will not be changed!

Thank you for coming to my Ted talk, I love you 💜

"Hey! I think you're pretty cool!" (Dylan Lenivy x reader)

Thank you so much for pointing this out. When I read this I was immediately like... yes. I changed it up just a little bit in order to work with the one-shot. I hope you still enjoy this. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. I have a love-hate relationship with it.

Masterlist

warnings: mention of sex wc: 2.1k

"Hey, is it okay that I invited over some friends?" Kaitlyn asked as she looked over at you. You peered up from your book and smiled at her.

"Yeah, that's fine," you nodded, "I'll probably just head into my room."

"Come on, you can't just hide away from everyone you meet."

She was right. You basically hid away from everyone you met. You used to be the quirky outgoing person but after the incident... you kind of pulled yourself away. You kind of just didn't trust anyone anymore. All considering Chris was secretly a murdering killing werewolf.

"Just give them a chance... You'll like them," she kind of begged you. You let out a breath. You just sat by yourself most days. You did keep the apartment clean, and you were sure that Kaitlyn loved that.

"Finneeee, you bully," you stuck your tongue at her. She chuckled lightly and shook her head.

"Go change into something that isn't your pajamas," she ordered. You made a whinny face and got up and floundered off to your bedroom.

You should just lock yourself in here in reality. There was nothing Kaitlyn could do about it. You also knew that she would yell at you, and frankly... you didn't like when she got like that. It kind of scared you. If she could, she would easily beat you up. Major girl boss energy if you ask me.

There was nothing wrong with what you were wearing. Sure they were your pajamas but they didn't actually look like pajamas. They were just some shorts and an oversized shirt. Maybe they were dirty? You looked yourself over in the mirror. Sure you looked a bit... disheveled... but it was fine. Your hair was brushed... isn't that all that matters?

Maybe Kaitlyn was right. You haven't really been yourself... maybe it's time to act like it? But then you'd just be fooling yourself. You felt so much weight on your shoulders and for what? nothing... absolutely nothing.

"I don't hear draws and closets opening!" Kaitlyn called from outside the room.

"Oh stop listening!" You yelled back at her and went ahead to find something to change into. You were tearing your whole closet apart. You wanted to make a good impression... but to be fair... your closet turned into sweat pants and oversized shirts. There had to be at least something in there worth wearing.

You pushed your clothes back and forth in the closet. You would take one off the rod, view yourself in the mirror with it, and then put it back. It took you quite a long time, to say the least. You ended up going with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. You put on some actual shoes and then added some accessories. You left your hair as it was, besides a brush through to get rid of some knots.

You walked out of your room and already heard voices that were more than just Kaitlyn's voice. I guess her friends were already here. You let out a breath and shook your hands.

"You'll be okay, y/n... you'll be okay..." you gave yourself a prep talk before heading out into the main area. Your eyes wandered around the people around you before they were turned to look at you. Your eyes widened. She said friends, but couldn't bother to say your camp friends?

"Dyl?" You spoke softly. He smiled back at you and nodded. You ran over to him and wrapped your arms around him. it felt like a magical moment. Like two couples running on the beach towards each other. The one picks up the other and spins them around in a magical hug. That was what was happening.

You haven't seen Dylan since the whole event. You two never really kept in touch. You didn't really keep in touch with anyone besides Kaitlyn of course... Considering she was your roommate and everything. You two got along great when you met at camp.

You two were two peas in a pot. You worked together, the kids enjoyed it when they were with you two... and when the incident happened, Dylan kept you close to him the whole time. Even though he tended to hide behind you at some points... He was still protective over you.

"Oh my god," you chuckled gently as he placed you back on the ground. "i- I can't believe you're here."

"Well, Kaitlyn invited me over so," he shrugged, "figured I'd stop by and see my best friend."

"Ohh, so Dylan gets all the love and Jacob gets none." You turned your head and looked at Jacob and shook your head.

"Stop talking in the third person and maybe I'll give you a hug," you chuckled and went towards him to hug him. Jacob pulled you in a bone-crushing hug.

"It's nice to see you again," he said and pulled away.

"I see you all the time when you're on facetime with Kaitlyn," You pointed out and sat down on the couch.

"Isn't the same thing,"

"Why didn't you tell me it was just Dylan and Jacob?" You asked Kaitlyn and looked over at her.

"Because it's a surprise, see... surprise." she smiled. You shook your head at her.

"You're annoying,"

"Oh, but you love me." She pointed out. You stuck your tongue at her again and rested your back further into the couch as Dylan came and sat next to you.

"So, what are you guys doing here?" You asked Jacob and Dylan.

"Well, we're all friends and haven't seen each other in a long while so," Jacob shrugged. You looked over at Dylan.

"And you?" You asked.

"I missed you of course,"

"Right right, of course." You nodded.

"You did kind of just disappear once the sun came up," Dylan mentioned. You shook your head.

"I- I don't want to talk about it," You mumbled and looked down at your hands.

"Y/n is still kind of recovering from that," Kaitlyn explained to Dylan. It was weird to say considering it had been almost half a year. You were sure Kaitlyn still had nightmares, but she was... pretty much over the whole thing.

"Right right... I- I'm sorry," Dylan apologized. You sent him a kind smile.

"Hey, you didn't know." You shrugged it off.

The day was pretty much amazing. You got to rekindle your friendships with Jacob and Dylan. You actually gave Dylan your phone number for real this time. Yes, you have given him a fake one the first time he asked. Then again... it was like the first day of camp.

You didn't question why the others didn't show up, or even why they didn't. You knew hardly anyone kept in touch with each other. It happened... and no one wanted to remember it. Jacob did in fact get over Emma and was dating a wonderful girl named Amelia. You could tell by the way he talked about her that he was in love.

You guys played a few games. Mostly cards games like cards against humanity and even uno. Things did end up getting chaotic as you would imagine. Dylan did in fact try to cheat and tried to play it off with some jokes, but he was always caught and booted out of the game. You couldn't remember the last time you had this much fun. Well, it was probably at camp funny enough.

"Ah shit, we need to get going," Jacob commented as he looked over at the time. It was well late into the night. Probably two in the morning, or close to in fact.

"Why not just spend the night? You guys could sleep in one of our rooms," Kaitlyn suggested.

"We really shouldn't. I need to get back to Amelia anyways." Jacob said and stood up from sitting on the ground.

"Booo, party pooper," Dylan joked. You laughed gently and shook your head.

"Alright, alright. Make fun of the guy who has a girlfriend," Jacob held his hands up.

"Nah, it's okay. We won't keep you any longer." You spoke up. Jacob sent you a reassuring smile.

"You coming, Dylan?" Jacob asked him.

"Uh, I might just stay here the night. If that's alright?" Dylan looked over at you and Kaitlyn.

"That's fine by me," Kaitlyn said and looked towards you.

"Yeah, of course, you're always welcomed." You nodded.

"Cool," he smiled and nodded.

"Alright, I'll see you guys then. We should make this a thing. Weekly... or monthly. It was fun." Jacob said and started to gather his things up.

"Maybe I'll try to get the others to come," Kaitlyn said and started to tape away on her phone.

"Good luck with that. Some of them are impossible to reach." Dylan pointed out.

"What do you mean?" Kaitlyn asked.

"Yeah? Isn't Emma still posting?" You questioned.

"She is yeah, but not as much. She's kind of here and there with it. Ryan... I don't even know. Can't find him on anything. Nick is living his dream at college. Abi, she's like Ryan." Dylan explained.

"Did Nick and Abi not get together?" You asked. You were really hoping the two of them got together. They really liked each other.

"From what I know, no," he shook his head, "and if they did, Nick doesn't post or say anything about it."

"That's a shame," you said quietly.

"Well, I'm heading out. Talk to you guys later." Jacob waved and left the apartment.

"Byt Jacob," You waved.

"See ya, brat," Kaitlyn said, not bothering to look at him. "Well, with that, I think we should all get some rest. I am drained. I'll clean up tomorrow."

"That's okay, I'll clean up." You smiled and stood up. Kaitlyn shrugged it off and went towards her room.

"I'll help," Dylan offered.

"Oh, that's okay, you can just go to bed." You said and grabbed a garbage bag to pick up all the trash.

"Eh," he shrugged, "I don't sleep much." You nodded and decided to not push it.

The two of you cleaned in silence. It was rather nice. You usually cleaned listening to music, but there was just something different. The silence was peaceful for once. You were always scared that something would jump out if it was too quiet. Thank you Hackett's Quarry.

"Hey," Dylan said as the two of you finished cleaning. You looked over at him.

"Yeah?"

"I- uh... I think you're pretty cool... um, I... I like you a lot. Maybe we could... hang out or something?" Dylan asked. You couldn't believe your ears right now. Was the Dylan Lenivy asking you out on a date? Your face was heating up just at the thought of it.

"I-"

"Oh, shit- I- I'm sorry. Uh- forget I even said any-"

"I would love to," you smiled gently. Dylan returned your smile.

"Really?"

"Yeah... Yeah, I want to go on a date with you, or hang out, whatever you called it."

"Can I kiss you?" Dylan asked. If your face could turn any redder, it definitely just did. Yes, you liked Dylan a lot. Especially when you guys were at camp. He was tall, handsome, funny, and smart. Literally, all the things you looked for in a guy.

You couldn't get any words out so you just nodded. Dylan was extremely overjoyed and pulled you close. He held your face close as his thumbs caressed your cheeks lightly. He had grown some facial hair since you last saw him, but god how did he get so much hotter?

His lips were lip absolutely heaven. That saying of 'butterflies in your stomach' or 'fireworks going off' ... it... was way more perfect. Your hands were on his waist. A smile on your lips, as you guys kissed. It was like your lips were molded perfectly against his. This was everything you wanted, and god you cursed at yourself for not saying anything at camp.

Maybe it was time to go back. To go back to how you were. Be out there. Be your usual outgoing self. The one that Dylan liked... well... no- don't even. Dylan would like you no matter what. In fact,  he waited six months just to ask you out, just to be able to kiss you. This man was committed and god... you were falling fast for him.

The two of you pulled away, but not from each other. You melted into each other's arms. Your head rested on his chest as his hand trailed up and down your back. You don't know how you did it, but you managed to offer him that you two sleep together. Not... you know... in a sexual way. You just felt bad that he had to sleep on the couch.

You were happy you did because you didn't wake up once that night from any nightmares. By some medical, you had a dream instead of a nightmare. A dream where you were happy and not being chased around by murderous werewolves.

[blisschi]

Hello there! I haven't been feeling good (emotionally) lately. I have a request, if you don't mind. Can you make some headcanons of how Xiao and Albedo (they're both really popular but I must say they're my favorite comfort characters) would react to their traveler!s/o who is usually bright and cheerful (but is secretly really good at hiding how she truly feels) suddenly cries when they're both alone and had some privacy? The reason why traveler!s/o is sad is because they're tired of doing many works and people rely on her while she doesn't really have anyone to rely or trust to, and doesn't know what to do next after they met their twin (spoilers!). If you're not comfortable with spoilers then it's okay to ignore the spoilers part. Thank you very much. Have a nice day to you.

Hello!🌷🌿

Ahhh! Anon, Anon, Anon san.. I can totally relate to this request! Everyone can have some bad days from time to time.. and everyone needs comforting! I've been feeling pretty down lately but making you guys happy really brightens up my day!

I hope that with this request, I can make you feel a little better!

🌺s/o suddenly crying in front of them🌺

Pairings: Xiao/Albedo x Traveler! F! Reader!

Warnings: Hm.. none?

Notes: I'm still not used to writing for Albedo.. hehe.. I hope he's not too ooc 🙏🌸

🌿Xiao🌿

You were at the top of Wangshu Inn when Xiao caught you. All alone, near to the railing, staring towards the beautiful sight of the mountains.

He'd step up to you, slowly and carefully not to startle you.

Even if there's not much to say, he enjoys every single minute spent together.

He'd wrap his arm around your waist and pull you closer, carefully. That's when you felt like you couldn't hold it in anymore.

You bursted into tears and pushed your face into the crook of his neck, leaving him speechless.

Did he do something wrong?

He'd cup your cheeks and look at you worriedly, kissing away your tears as he tries to soothe you.

When you calm down a little, you explain to him what bothers you.. that you have too much to handle, that you're very conflicted about what happened and that you feel left all alone.

He exactly knows how it feels though.. doesn't he? And trust me, he never wished for anyone to feel the same.

He'd hold you close and stroke your hair, making sure to give you all the support you deserve.

"Whenever you feel like something's too overwhelming.. speak my name."

He'd assure you, that you can count on him and that he's ready to help you with any little work you have!

He'd even offer you to just stay at Wangshu Inn for a while and let him take care of you.

This day, he wouldn't let go of you even for a moment. He'd spend every single minute with you, making sure you're getting the care you deserve.

This night, he held you in his arms till the moment you fell asleep, not willing to let you go even after.

🌻Albedo🌻

Both of you sit together near the Statue of the Seven at Windrise! Albedo finally got some time off after finishing his recent research, so he decided to take you out on a date.

It was calm evening.. you looked as Albedo sketched something in his sketchbook, your head on his shoulder.

You'd feel totally relaxed, trying to enjoy the time of bliss you're experiencing right now.

Tap

Tap Tap

Tears fell down on the paper and the second he looked at you, Albedo saw your tired and pained expression.

He'd immediately put down the drawings and wrap his arms around you, gently asking what's wrong.

Being an adventurer really can be tiring sometimes, right?

He'd pat your head and wipe your tears with his thumb, smiling ever so calmly.

"I'm here now.. and I will always be."

He lifted up your chin, forcing you to look into his bright eyes.

You knew he wasn't joking.. You trusted him. You'd whisper a quiet 'thank you' and smile sadly, letting him kiss away every new tear falling down your cheeks.

From that day, even though he had to come back to work after a while, he always made sure that you're not overworking yourself.

Maybe it was a little selfish, but he'd ask Sucrose or Timaeus to check on you from time to time. Of course when he wasn't able to do it himself!

He just wanted to make sure you're doing alright. ♡

[apompkwrites]

love in their own way || albedo, childe, xiao, zhongli

masterlist characters: albedo, childe, xiao, zhongli genre: fluff summary: in which their s/o's aren't as forward about their emotions, but still manage to have their little tells that express their love. notes: i hope this meets the request! i had a lot of fun writing this! i just want the boys to be happy :)

albedo -

i like to think albedo is secretly clingy but doesn't allow himself to show it to anyone.

naturally, it's just because he's always holed up with his work.

when he consciously does it... it's because he's nervous.

remember the end of his quest when he's talking to himself at dragonspine?

that's why he's nervous.

anyway!!

he's not too bothered by the fact that you're more reserved.

he has a lot of work so he can't really dwell on the idea for too long.

just you being there when he's working is good enough for him :D

as we all know, this boy is very into experimentation and learning.

so trying to decipher your minuscule facial changes is actually really interesting to him!

he has a bunch of notes just on the little details he can find about you.

and since he's so observant, it doesn't take him long to realize that there are certain signs that only appear around him.

he'll notice them when he's painting you.

whenever he's waiting for results, he'll use the time to draw you <3

because he's done this, he practically has you memorized.

so imagine his surprise when he sees your expression change whenever he leaves your sight.

it takes him a while to actually be able to see this, but i'm sure it's because of timaeus and sucrose.

after all, they're around you a lot whenever albedo is busy.

they probably take a picture to show him something they did while he was gone and that's when he notices.

he doesn't even have to look at a different picture of you.

he can just tell you look different.

the little crinkle next to your eyes was gone.

your lips were more pursed than usual.

you now had a crease in between your brows you didn't have before.

the next time he sees you, he'll hold up the picture next to your face to confirm they're different.

he wants to ask why there's a "clear" difference in your appearance but he already knows why.

he'll ask you just to be sure, though--

your cheeks get a tiny tiny bit darker when you answer wholeheartedly.

it does make him chuckle when he hears that you're so smitten for him in your monotonous voice.

the picture sucrose and timaeus took isn't his favorite of you, so he ends up taking a new one when you two are both exploring dragonspine.

it's a reminder of how much you really love him <3

childe -

out of the four boys here, he's definitely (in my opinion) the most affectionate.

like, this boy will take whatever he can get to just hold you for a second.

especially if you're also from snezhnaya but came all the way to liyue to keep him company.

he's very family-oriented as we've seen, so he treasures these relationships.

now, with an unaffectionate s/o?

honestly, i don't think he'd be too upset about it.

like i said, he really treasures these familial relationships.

because of this, it's his top priority to make sure you feel comfortable in the relationship.

he won't necessarily keep his distance, but he won't be too clingy either.

he'll stand right beside you, enough to where you can almost feel his skin touching yours.

as for your expressionlessness...

it'll take him a bit to really understand how you're feeling.

it's a lot of communication because he doesn't want to mess anything up.

near the beginning of the relationship, he'd ask how you're feeling and if there's anything bothering you.

but once he finally notices the subtle differences in your face, such as a slight eyebrow raise or a tilt of the head, he'll be able to read you easier.

nothing too complex, but just enough for him to tell your emotions.

there is one subtle change that he always looks for, however.

he's realized, with the help of zhongli of course, that there is a specific characteristic that only happens when he's in your line of sight.

your lips are normally pressed in a fine line.

however, around him, the corners lift up ever-so-slightly.

the only reason he's able to see it is that he'll catch himself staring at your lips because he wants a kiss :)

once he sees that, he starts noticing your little quirks whenever you're around him.

you'll lean closer to him as you're walking through liyue harbor.

your eyes start to soften as he talks on and on about his day (and complains about scaramouche--).

he loves the idea that all of these little details about you only happen around him,

it makes him feel... important.

and loved.

even if he holds back from touching you, he'll settle for seeing your cold exterior melt around him.

xiao -

he's not too well versed in affection...

i mean, he's the vigilant yaksha that is known for being stoic just like you are.

you two are basically carbon copies of each other.

no affection and no clear expressions of love.

people (who know both you and xiao) often forget that you two are actually together.

like, they just think you two sit in silence when you're both tired of dealing with people.

they... aren't necessarily wrong.

the two of you are often found sitting at the balcony looking over liyue.

sometimes you bring him almond tofu to share :)

it's very rare for the two of you to actively show your love for each other, mainly because you both know your feelings.

although... xiao does have those moments.

it's not like he's completely oblivious to the whispers about you two.

and on the days where his karma acts up, he gets insecure.

he's... really scared that one day you'll leave just like the others.

it doesn't matter if you're a mortal or an adeptus, he's scared that one day he'll wake up and you'll be gone.

and if that ever comes, he's scared you'll pass on either doubting your feelings or his.

it doesn't help when he notices the difference in your attitude and appearance when he's around.

his first instinct is that he's doing something bad.

either you're angry or upset at his mere existence...

verr goldet's the one who has to explain why you seem different.

she's quite observant on her own, especially because you're the first person that xiao actively enjoys being around.

she'll be the one to tell him that it isn't because you're mad at him.

you have minuscule changes because that's how xiao makes you feel.

you're so soft around him and she can tell just from the small interactions she's seen of you.

for example, when you're talking to the chef downstairs, you have the same expression that xiao has when he's talking to people.

you're annoyed but you know how to handle it.

but when you're around xiao, it's like everything that bothers you disappears.

it's like you're in your own domain whenever he's around.

nothing else matters except for him.

and even if she's relying on small observations and pure intuition, she can tell that the changes are good.

your eyes that seem to look anywhere besides the person you are talking to are completely different from the ones that seem to only focus on xiao.

your normally stiff body relaxes every time you summon xiao at the balcony.

the tiny smile that graces your lips when you disappear to the top of the inn for hours on end.

verr goldet's explanation calms his heart.

his worries seem to disappear and the next time he sees you...

this is the one thing his karma can't take away. he'll be sure of it.

zhongli -

zhongli is also another person who isn't well versed in relationships.

although he isn't as inexperienced as xiao, it'll take some time for him to figure it out.

he's not someone who craves affection like it's the only thing keeping him alive.

he definitely would appreciate it but he completely understands that it isn't something you tend to give.

so instead, he'll show his love in the smaller things.

such as telling you stories, sharing tea, going out on walks, etc.

he's another person who is very observant, especially in people close to him.

his storytelling friends often ask him about your relationship with one another.

they try to bring it to his attention that you may not be as interested as he thinks you are.

of course, he'll simply laugh them off and tell them that they should listen to the person who knows you best.

he'll turn those questions into a big story and explain how they're mistaken about you.

he's never actively told anyone this, save for hu tao who tries to bug him into telling her, but he'll tell them about all of the tiny details that tell him your feelings.

when you're feeling upset, you puff out your cheeks a small bit.

when you're angry, your glare hardens at whatever is making you mad.

when you're happy, your lips part slightly.

when you're in love... well, that's a detail he'll keep for himself.

he's quick to say goodbye to his peers, practically rushing back to your shared home.

he's greeted by you as soon as he opens the door.

your stoic expressions... would be exactly the same to anyone else.

but to him, it's like you've lit up like a small puppy seeing their human parents come home after years.

you don't run up to him, but you turn to look at him and away from the book on the table.

he'll greet you with a quiet nod, pulling out the chair and sitting next to you.

he'll take the book from you, taking in your appearance for a moment.

your shoulders relax by a hair and you move your chair an inch closer to his.

you don't lean your head on his shoulder but you lean towards him as if you were about to.

it's these moments that make everything worth it to zhongli.

here, in your home and in your life, he's simply zhongli.

the man you fell in love with and allowed your reserved self to open up to.

and he would trade anything just to have these moments with you.

[nowayspidey]

Warnings; angst, smut and SMUT, unprotected sex.

Summary; You didn't like Peter, and you liked to humiliate him every time you had a chance to do so.

Authors note; this is the first time i do smut so pls tell me if its good so i can keep doing it ✨

• PETER PARKER X MALE!STARK!READER.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀──────────────

Temperaments heated up every time your father insisted that you train alongside Peter. You didn't hate Peter, but you didn't like him either. You even thought that he was a bit annoying and spoiled. You just felt annoyed with the presence of him near you. Typical Starks temperament.

Peter was not far behind, he knew that he was not to your liking at all, but Parker just did not seem to understand why. He didn't know anything about you, the only thing he knew was what anyone knew about the starks, a reputation for big parties that Tony seemed to have left once you and Morgan were born. But you followed the legacy of parties until you ended up with someone different under your sheets every night.

"Okay guys take a break but not to long." Tony pointed a finger as the sweat fell from their foreheads. “Jarvis monitors everything so if you spend more than the exact time i will know.

"As if that matters." You mumbled, heading towards the locker room that the Avengers base had.

"I heard that (Y/n)" Tony answered raising his voice watching you walk away. You turned around still walking backwards.

"Good, because I wanted you to know."

You wet your hands removing the sweat to wash your face, both would return to combat but you prefer to feel fresh and relaxed for minutes. When you looked up in the mirror reflection you saw Peter standing looking at you directly, he probably was going to do the same as you to wash some parts, but he was standing there looking at you seriously.

You had no problem challenging Tony, much less Peter.

"What do you want Parker." You turned around, leaning your hands on the sink, giving him that stupid little smile that you knew bothered him about you.

"Why do you hate me so much (Y/n)? Or Tony, are you always rude to people who try to be nice to you? "

"What the hell is your problem man?" You said indignantly crossing your arms, highlighting a little your muscles that Peter secretly lowered his gaze towards them. “My father and I is none of your business, or should I call you stepbrother now? I don't even know you and BELIEVE ME, I have no intention of doing so. Mind your own business, will you?

"What else could I expect from someone who wakes up with a different person every morning, because a mature attitude I don't think so." Peter challenged leaving you speechless, you were the one doing that, not him. “I have heard the rumors and stories of the incredible (y/n) stark and his magnificent reputation. But what if he's just an alter ego? And that you pretend to be the tough guy and not show that soft part of… .—

Peter couldn't finish as soon his spider sense warned him too late that danger was approaching. You pushed the boy on his shoulders causing him to bump his back against the metal lockers.

"And what about you Peter Parker." You started out with bitterness. It was your turn, Peter didn't know where he had gotten that guts, you always seemed to have them. “The classic loser who gets teased at school trying to get noticed by the girl he's in love with? C´mon Peter, you are nothing, the only thing that makes you special and why people would see you is because you are Spiderman. What else would make you special? Be a good kisser? A good boyfriend? You don't have any of that because you are alone. You are a lonely virgin.

Right on the guts. You knew it because Peter didn't bother to answer your push, he just stared at you with a combination of feelings, anger, sadness.

"Screw you man." Peter muttered pushing you with his shoulder before walking out of there.

You couldn't feel bad for him, you enjoyed the pain you caused to people you didn't like. You followed in his footsteps and when he had already left the room you heard your father's voice in the microphone of the communicator that was on the wall.

"Where´s he going? You have training. "

"He's a Nerd dad, He probably go back to his room to read a comic or something." You responded by pressing the button. “Now I'm going to do what I do best.

(.....)

You caught the shot glass between your teeth and lifted your head letting the bitter drink enter your throat in a single movement. The others started clapping and praising you like you were a party god. You threw the glass on the floor, breaking it, wiping your lips with the sleeve of your expensive shirt.

"Well? Does anyone want to challenge the leader of the parties or are you all a couple of chickens?"

You said flaunting yourself as the thrusters slowly brought you down from the air.

"I'll do it."

The metal boots hit the ground, your gaze focused on Peter and his new look that hardly made you think he was the same Peter you had humiliated at the base of the avengers. His hair pulled back, black pants, and a stylish short-sleeved shirt. The stark scholarship left money.

"Penis Parker." You said mockingly, the alcohol was starting to rise between your veins. "This is going to be interesting. Come on come up here baby. JARVIS! Serve another round.

The round of drinks increased more and more, neither of you took their eyes off the other. Neither wanted to lose to the other. Peter didn't seem to show any signs of dizziness or being drunk, and you knew why, his blood and spider abilities gave him certain advantages that you didn't have. You could already feel a minor headache.

"St..op.." You said stamping your glass on the bar when Peter was about to finish the drink. "I'm going to ... find--... another bottle.

"Sure Stark, take your time." A random boy replied patting your shoulder.

You went through the people leaving everything behind and climbed the stairs escaping from the embarrassing scene that you were going to happen if you didn't get out of there fast. With one hand on your stomach feeling dizzy you entered the closest room closing the door looking for the closest piece of furniture and contain your urge to vomit, you had to go back, Parker would not ruin your reputation.

"Looks like the legend himself (Y/n) Stark can only hold 10 drinks."

Peter entered the room putting the lock to make fun of you seeing you with your eyes closed barely catching your breath.

"If you want to vomit there is a bathroom, I can hold your hair while you are on your knees."

"Fuck off." You responded to his sarcasm. "Was it necessary to be bitten by another spider for you to bring out this manly behavior?

"Only when someone challenge me." Peter crossed his arms, that's when you realized that his school sweater hid some marked arms. You only raised an eyebrow. "And I came to prove to you how wrong you were in what you said, I wanted to enjoy that you recognized that you were wrong but I think that will not happen, right?

"In what part?"

The two were close enough now, Peter was enjoying it. Peter rubbed his half-open mouth with his lips with yours kissing them in a matter of seconds when you turned your head to the side laughing with your eyes closed. You could swear Peter's fingers were already resting delicately on your waist to draw you closer to him.

"Now are you just trying to seduce me? Please try something better and not when I just had a drinking battle with you."

"Which I won and you can't admit."

"Because of your blood type."

"Yeah, whatever."

You could feel the heat burning inside you when Peter kissed you again. You didn't even know if it was because of the alcohol or because of the sensation that he made you feel. Sensation that you wasn't going to admit that it felt good for someone who was sexually active like you.

The kiss was more and more attempt when Peter's hands were in your hair pulling it towards him with a few force and your hands were on his cheeks squeezing them while their mouths combined into one and your tongues soon found the other and make the kiss wetter than it already was. The pleasure made the surrounding weather turn hotter, Peter pulled your hair back allowing the apple of your throat to be marked and he began to kiss it along with each part of your neck.

Both soon stumbled onto the bed where you desperately sought to get rid of each other's clothes, almost tearing them up to get under the sheets. The erections soon brushed making your lips part and you glanced down with a surprised sigh as both caught your breath with slightly swollen lips.

"I thought that being your room it would be a kind of room with games or something like that."

"How many adult movies have you seen?" You asked dumbfounded, Peter turned out to be the sassy guy.

"Well when we were in Germany and I met your father I ...---"

"Peter I really don't want to know, it was sarcasm." You interrupted before he continued. "And it's not my house so I don't have my things." Peter raised both eyebrows. "What?

"You don't plan on stopping do you?"

"Do you want me to continue?"

Peter got up a bit to place a soft kiss this time on the corner of your lips.

"Okay... uhhmm.... open up."

You said taking your fingers to the mouth of Peter who opened catching them. His gaze was on your hand. His tongue moved between them, internally you bit your lip so as not to moan at the sensation and image you were seeing.

"It's enough." You mumbled after a few seconds. Peter opened his mouth and you pulled your fingers from his red lips. "Do you want to continue?

"Will you take away the honor of being with a Stark?"

You giggled in denial, with your other hand you slid down his entire left leg until he raised them to your waist and had a position. Your free hand took his member massaging it giving him a little pleasure and excitement when Peter closed his eyes leaving his mouth open, if anyone knew how to make someone feel good, it was you.

While you distracted Peter, you continued to set him up. Your fingers sought the entrance where you slowly inserted a finger to which Peter responded with a groan, the first you had heard since he entered the room. You moved it slowly and when you thought it was right, you put the second finger.

"Uh..hh ... this is ... new ..."

You smiled when you heard him trying to speak properly and not moaning. You took your fingers out after being inside it for a while and took your member licking you lip. You got him into position and to push yourself in slowly and carefully, you came face to face with Peter.

"Wow ..."

"Peter shut up." You said in a whisper rubbing your nose with his. "Does it hurt? Tell me how it feels so I can ...

"It feels perfect (Y/n)." Peter opened his eyes to meet yours. For the first time, you felt good about him. "You can...uhhmm... move.

You nodded, hiding your face in his neck, biting it and leaving marks on the points that you knew the human body was weak, you proceeded to bite the lobe of his ear while Parker sank his fingers into your bare back with one hand and with the other he pulled strands of your hair. . It was not difficult to know that taking your hair was Peter's fetish.

At first your movements were slow, you didn't want to hurt him and go fast. Slow was the way the pleasure was distributed, demonstrating it in the kisses both had while you did it. Within minutes you decided to try and go faster trying not to make noise from your skin hitting Peter's.

When you were about to reach your point, the veins were marked in your calves. You got out of Peter and you reached out to your member and started to pull it.

"Wait ..." Peter sat on the bed stopping you after straightening his hair. You let go of your hands and Peter started doing what you were doing.

Your hands were now the ones moving Peter's hair. Peter's hand moved quickly, it didn't take him long to reach your climax and release everything on his abdomen to what Peter looked at for a few seconds when he stopped.

Your heavy breathing made your sweaty chest rise and fall. Peter ran a hand over his abdomen with a surprised smirk.

"Wow. Did I really provoke this to you?"

"Don't flatter yourself, it's natural body reactions." You corrected and Peter wiped his hand with his leg taking your waist turning you now staying on top of you.

"Come on (Y/n), it's not that hard to admit some things from time to time. I want to hear it."

You remained silent, but not because of that, but because you were experiencing the sensation of your being the one that was down for the first time.

"Then I guess I'll make you say it." Peter murmured into your lips, running his fingers between them and repeating the same thing you had done with him. "God this feels so good.

You put your legs behind him arching your toes as well as your back. As soon as you felt Peter inside you, he made slow movements in and out as he bent down to kiss and bite your nipples.

Your eyes went wide than normal as you stroked his hair gently. Peter paused with his mouth still on your left nipple. You stopped your caress feeling the heat in your lower waist, inside you.

"Peter? Did you ... uhmmm ... cum already?"

Peter let go of your nipple looking at you embarrassedly with his cheeks redder than a tomato as he realized that he hadn't lasted at all as soon as he entered you. Peter came out of you slowly draining a bit of what he had released into you.

"They are reactions of the body, aren't they?" Peter mumbled sadly lying next to you where they both covered their bodies.

Peter brought both hands to his face, you turned to see him even with the awkward silence between you.

"Hey it's fine, actually.... aggg I'm going to kill you if you say this to someone." You said shaking your head, Peter slid his hands from his face turning his body towards you. "You're the first time I've ever had someone ... you know ... on top of me doing that.

"Uuuhhh, I feel, flattered I guess." One hand was under your neck and the other rested on your abdomen. Which Peter looked at in detail. "You are my first person.

You were quiet for a few seconds.

"I shouldn't have made that stupid joke that you were a lonely virgin." You spoke with regret in your soft tone. "But I enjoyed it .... and you on top of me too.

"Do you want to go out tomorrow? Like we're starting over."

"That sounds good."

"So I'll see you tomorrow at 8:00 at dellmars. The best sandwiches in Queens." Peter said cheerfully as he searched the floor for his pants. "We should do this more frequently.

"Fight or have sex?" You raised an eyebrow.

"Both."

[red-steampunk]

I'm going to vent out my frustrations on how some of the characters were done dirty or became to over the top for the wrong reason. I'll also list how to improve them.

Spoilers Below

Teruteru Hanamura:

Teruteru's sexual behavior was way too over the top. I don't think there's a single time where interacting with him doesn't earn somebody his perverted way of flirting. I would change him up by making him more of a romantic type of flirt for his character development. I'd at least make him get along(smitten) with Akane,Imposter,Hajime,Nekomaru. Since Akane and Imposter clearly enjoys his foodl. Nekomaru would help him try to break out of his horrible habit bothering his peers after they confront him about. Hajime can also explain the fact that he might not ever get his own restaurant because he sexually harasses other people, and Teruteru comes to realization that Hajime is right. Also Teruteru doesn't drug Hajime during his Free Time Event, there was absolutely no point of that at all. Have characters distrust Teruteru saying they fear that he'll drug their food despite his protests say he has standards and doesn't want to waste food like that. Only for Hajime,Akane and Byakuya defend him and Nekomaru volunteers to monitor him while cooking, if it makes everyone else more comfortable to have a Team Manager to watch. And once he's voted off, he'd apologize to harassing the other students and thank Nekomaru,Chiaki,Hajime ans Akane for being nice to him, before he's excuted.

Hifumi Yamada and Celestia Ludenberg

I'd make Hifumi become the Ultimate Manga Author. Ultimate Fanfic Creator is pretty lame title. His backstory involves him making a 2,000 chapter manga within the span of a month(but his original School peers are still disappointed in him for selling it at his school's events), which became a huge hit with the world. I'd have Hifumi's undying loyalty to Celestia from being the result of her bearing a striking resemblance to his favorite manga character(Princess Piggles in a gothic lolita outfit). Celeste is already secretly into manga in canon so this would pair well with her asking for his manga collection in private and keeping it a secret for her because of his loyalty. Celestia is somewhat nicer to Hifumi when no one else is around since Hifumi would mention this to Makoto. But she still becomes aggressive when it involves her tea. She'll even say to Makoto in private that she'd rank Hifumi from an F to a C.

Miu Iruma

I'd have Miu be a lot less of an asshole towards Shuichi,Gonta and Kiibo. When not talking to her during trials she notices the three of them clearly see her as a friend since she has trust issues. I'd also not have her going around and speaking ill of the dead after she saw how upset Shuichi, like she knows where to draw the line. So she doesn't make incredibly rude remarks about Rantaro,Ryoma and Tenko. She however still remains the same when interacting with Kokichi.

Mahiru Koizumi and Hiyoko Saionji

Mahiru is one of the most obnoxious hypocrites ever. She can still remain the same but only for somebody to call her out on her being bias and hypocrite. I understand she's like this because of her father but that still doesn't excuse her. Mahiru telling the boys they need to take charge and protect the girls. Twogami decides to become the leader and protect everyone, only for Mahiru to complain about him being to forceful (she's just as forceful as him). And then there's Hiyoko, she thrashes Teruteru after his death and saying how she wanted to spit on his body and she constantly takes advantage of Kazuichi and Mikan being easy targets for her bullying. Mahiru doesn't say anything or tell her to stop or to behave herself. But within a minute of her insulting the recently deceased Teruteru, she starts smelling really bad and her classmates complain about that. Mahiru complains about the others bullying her. At this moment Akane and Nekomaru immediately call Mahiru out, after clearly getting irritated earlier by Hiyoko's disrespectful comments. Mahiru tries to defend Hiyoko's bullying only for a annoyed Chiaki to tell her that there's no justifiable reason for her to bully others. Mahiru realizes and has her and Hiyoko apologize for their behavior. Mahiru tells Hiyoko to promise her to stop, which Hiyoko has a hard time doing because of her background of her needing to defend herself by being cruel.

Ryoma Hoshi

Ryoma should've been a survivor if anything. If Ryoma would've learned the truth and came to learn that he wouldn't be sent prison after the Killing Game. This would've sparked him motivation to live and to completely end the killing game and the Mastermind altogether. Ryoma made the most sense to be a survivor. I don't know who should've take him place as the victim however.

[ricaffeine]

𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 | 𝐎𝐧𝐞

an: i'm sad because of hyunji drought and this is helping me cope :( but fr if tvn decides to make hotel blue moon then yeaji needs to be in it!!

also very annoying, i can't reply to comments bc this is a side blog (bruh wtf tumblr, i'm so sad should i make a new one?) reblog if you feel like it and my asks are open if you wanna chat 🖤✨

CHAPTER TWO

Weekdays at Seoul's National art gallery were usually the same. Buzzing curators dealing with hot-tempered clients. One thing or another was typically going not right and art directors cried about their wrong coffee order.

Although today was not the usual as to the crowds of bubbly news reporters and dazzled art critiques swarming up the wide place. As to Munyeong on the other hand, she was not pleased to the slightest.

"Just smile at the cameras, don't forget about the paycheck you're getting today." Sangin repeated himself for the fifth time. "Don't cause a scene, just think about the money."

Ah right. The paycheck.

As to The Nightmare Garden was bid off for over ten-million dollars, all of today's fanciness was dedicated to her, nation's celebrated female illustrator. However in all honesty, Munyeong barely liked her so-called masterpiece, but considering the amount of cash it will make her, she could be appreciative for the sake of it.

Behind her oversized sunglasses, Munyeong glared at her pesky manager– if looks could kill, he'd already be eleven feet under his grave. Sangin shut his mouth.

"Let's just get this over with," she simply responded, hooking off her eyewear then strutted into the hall with her long legs. Eyes whipped at her and cameras started to flash intensely, almost blinding her and Munyeong wondered how much those little pests could afford her if they got her blind.

And so the event played on. More pictures were taken– as if they hadn't blind her enough cheerful compliments flowed along with the spring breeze. The insincere joker smile she mastered whilst she met her million-dollar client– according to Sangin a hotel owner, though the woman did not have the looks for it– and the glass of filthy wine she almost had a chance to taste if Sangin's sixth sense was not so creepily fast.

Another dreadful two hours later as the dusk had set, hitting the edges with its golden flare, everyone had left. They got their articles and Munyeong will certainly be getting her pools of cash.

To her displease Sangin had informed her to wait as he had to take care of some paperworks she doubted he went to bribe the press into censoring her quoted inappropriate words. 

Nevertheless it was not her bother. She gave his plead a second before storming off to the complimentary section of the building.

Luck on her side, for nobody was there and she was able to grab one of the wine bottles with her– as for a fact it definitely was not stealing.

"Don't be shy, I know you want it."

Munyeong stopped within her steps as soon as an obnoxiously familiar voice echoed from the gallery she previously was in. Curiosity taking the lead, she peaked through the corner and had to muffle her own snort. Stood there, nation's art historian with the sharpest tongue– Choi Seojin.

She finds it hard to believe that his articles are highly known around, or even relevant, when his mouth is full of complete shit. However not disregarding the nastiest tea yet– a frightened girl seized under him. Her hands were locked, frightened eyes grew larger as the man spewed out nasty things.

Instantly, she took out her phone to film the disgraceful scene. Munyeong grinned to herself, reminiscing the rage she felt last time when he mentioned about her mother, and how her irritating manager had interrupted her before she could've sent him down the stairs to Satan.

The man reared into the poor girl's cheek when she attempted to fight him off, and Munyeong's smile dropped.

That piece of shit.

Munyeong entered the room, arms crossed, head high. Her wedge heels clicked against the hardwood as she let out an unamused wow.

Mad dog– what she personally thinks he should be called– 's head whipped at her with wide eyes. Like a child getting caught of lying.

"Oh my. Your hobbies are quite interesting Mr. Choi. Talking shit and sexual harassment?" Munyeong spat. "The girl looks like she'd rather kill herself, why are you even trying?"

As if he thought he could get away with what he just did, mad dog released his foul grip on the girl. Munyeong clicked her tongue and tauntingly held out her phone.

"Oh no, don't bother pretending. Judging by the looks, that won't even favor you at this point." She spared a glance at the quivering girl. "Why are you waiting? Go."

Shakingly and with thankful eyes she nodded and left, her footsteps filling void of silence before it coated the air again.

Mad dog snickered, as if there was something to laugh about. "Don't mess with me Ms. Ko. You know me, I won't die alone."

"Certainly I'll drag you and Mr. Lee down with me. Why do you think they call me the suicide bomb?"

Munyeong walked towards him and spreaded a smile, though even dogs could tell you shouldn't push her further. "You mean the bastard you can't fall down without dragging everyone else with him? Why?"

"I can destroy your career with the tip of my pen, I'm sure you know." He gave her a look, panning out his hand. "Now if you hand me your phone, I think we can compromise something."

Munyeong unraveled her arms, eyes hardening at his next sentence. "You think so?"

"Nation's beloved artist turned out to have antisocial personality disorder. What do you think will happen when people find out?" Mad dog sneered. "Her mother who mysteriously commited suicide–"

"Shut up." She warned. His words lit up the flame from their last encounter, adding fuel to her burning fire. Her head pounded, hard. For a moment she had hoped that if he proceeded as she said, then things would not have to get ugly.

"And her father? Spending his last days in the psychiatric hospital."

But men never listen, do they?

Munyeong tightened the hand around her bottle and striked it at him with full force. The bottom part crashed the wall behind him– just above the hung painting- glass shattered as rich burgundy stained its way down, smearing all over. Its taste fused with the air and Munyeong glowered at the creature who dodged her flawless aim.

"You crazy bitch!" He yelled, scrambled on the floor. But Mad dog was quick to lunge at her, they both hit the ground, stumbling as her open purse had been knocked away– and Munyeong's eyes landed on something very specific.

She was quicker, getting on her feet and spared the bastard a strong kick in the groin, leaving him groaning as she reached for her pen.

Her favorite calligraphy pen– its lining was stunning, coated in shiny teal with hints of gold, but most importantly, the dangerously sharp tip. The way it writes like reaping out blood from your hand– hence why it is a favorite.

She hawled back over and he screamed at her, though she didn't hear him. Her head was light as she felt blood rushed through her veins. Munyeong raised her arm and struck it back down.

Die.

Both of them froze. No, not her and mad dog, but him.

Deafening silence had lied between the walls and there they stood, eyes pierced into another's souls. Hers burned like fire, but his were dignified like the deep ocean.

Droplets of blood trickled down his forearm and splattered the floor, staining the rolled up sleeves of his crisp white shirt. What a waste.

"Let go. You can't kill him." The man– still with a bloody pen graved in his palm said.

Munyeong couldn't help but scoff, especially after that fucking bastard had just strangled her. "Don't be dramatic. I was just going to give him a few scratches."

Well maybe that's not entirely true.

Rough scrambling erupted underneath them, but when Munyeong turned to look, the mad dog had just ran off, like a lost puppy. Angrily she bit her lip, close to drawing blood until she felt the man draw his own hand back.

She watched as he did. The way he carefully slid her pen into his jacket and brought out a black silk handkerchief. Very rarely, she'd be astonished by something, and now it's him. Though she found it quite difficult to understand him– since when do you interrupt another's stabbing session by screwing up your own hand instead, and also the audacity to tell her she could not stab somebody?

So lost in her thoughts it took her a few seconds to realize her pulse was not pounding anymore.

"Did anyone not tell you that it is basic etiquette to not pry into someone else's business?" Munyeong said– seized the napkin from him, and began to tie a knot. She shot him a glance.

No reply. The man simply stared at her.

"Hmm?" She raised a brow, amused at his slight flinch when she tugged a little harder.

"Don't stress it too much, my manager will take care of our little incident." Munyeong chuckled as he proceeded to ignore her. "Do you know what? There are a lot of people in this world who deserve to die. And some very thoughtful freaks secretly take care of that, so clueless humans can sleep peacefully at night, completely unaware. Which one do you think I am?"

She dropped his hand, anticipating for his answer. Flares of light shined through the blinds, sharpening at his strong features and she noted his small– yet devilish smile.

"A clueless freak."

He finally responded, leaning towards her. His eyes traced her face, gazing down at her lips for a second too long, before their eyes were locked once again. "And of course you will have to pay, but at what price?"

taglist -> i could not tag some of ya'll :( @anotherdush @callmeashipper @ourcoffeeaddictme @nothingcreativeyet @pancat @hotstuff-benswolo @lookingatthesunset @evielovesfood @waywarm @gloster @hello-79 @ailander

[notanacousticsetcal]

betty - calum hood

summary - a story based off of the song betty by taylor swift -- one of my absolute favorites from folklore and the most beautiful little story :) (y/n) in the role of the icon betty. 

warnings - cheating

word count - 3k ish

mood board

a/n - check out the other 3 installments of the song series too! this piece is kind of out of the blue because I actually started it and finished it today which is extremely rare for me but I actually really like how it turned out. hope you guys do too. :) (def listen to this song -- its amazing). (btw this isnt the calum fic i was referencing in one of my previous posts, that one is still in the works.)

Betty, I won't make assumptions about why you switched your homeroom, but I think it's 'cause of me.

Calum sat in the back row, staring at Missy Grenshaw’s head feeling the hole in his chest grow larger. He glanced at your empty seat and frowned, his eyebrows scrunched together. 

He heard Mrs. Martin start attendance and when she skipped over your name, the hole grew impossibly larger. 

Calum tried to convince himself you switched because Mrs. Martin was a hard grader, but he knew that wasn’t the real reason.

He knew it was because you couldn’t stand to see his face. 

Betty, one time I was riding on my skateboard when I passed your house. It's like I couldn't breathe.

Calum listened to the sound of a distant lawn mower and the rustling leaves and inhaled the smell of someone barbecuing in their backyard, trying to calm himself. He almost turned around and went home, his stomach grumbling at the idea of dinner waiting for him on the dining room table, but he didn’t. 

He was only a block away from your house now. He pretended like he was riding down your street because it had the smoothest road, but Calum couldn’t lie to himself. Just knowing your room was in that house and knowing you might be sitting on your bed was enough to draw Calum near. 

He didn’t let himself stop in front of the brick fronted modest house, but he wanted to. His legs ached as he kept pushing. He secretly hoped the sound of his wheels would draw you to the window. He held his breath in anticipation, but nothing. Not even a subtle shift in the curtains. 

You heard the rumors from Inez. You can't believe a word she says most times, but this time it was true. The worst thing that I ever did was what I did to you.

“(Y/n)!” A familiar voice chirped from behind you. You turned on your heel to face your friend, Inez. She was your source of gossip always, even if it was almost always speculation and barely ever accurate. 

You weren’t expecting her sad features -- it alarmed you. “Are you alright, Inez? What happened?” You linked arms with her as you continued forward, heading for first period.

She nodded softly. “You aren’t going to want to hear this, (y/n).”

But if I just showed up at your party, would you have me? Would you want me? Would you tell me to go fuck myself or lead me to the garden? In the garden would you trust me if I told you it was just a summer thing? I'm only seventeen, I don't know anything but I know I miss you.

Calum tossed the tennis ball up and caught it. He laid on his bed, absentmindedly continuing to toss the ball up and down, his mind plagued with thoughts about you.

Your birthday was a week away. Calum let his mind wander off in endless possibilities. 

He knew how much he had hurt you and the guilt ate at him constantly. A day didn’t go by that he didn’t beat himself up for being so stupid. 

Nothing was worth more to him than your happiness and he knew that now. He would do anything in his power to fix what he broke, if you’d let him.

He wondered how you would react if he showed up on your doorstep that evening, a bundle of flowers in hand and an apologetic smile on his face. 

He wondered if you’d slam the door in his face and ignore his knocks and desperate pleas. 

Or if you’d hesitantly let him come inside, your guard up, and lead him to the garden to talk alone. If you’d let him ramble on about how stupid he was. About how badly he messed up.

About how much he fucking missed you. 

Your soft smile and your positive, bright disposition and your generosity and selflessness. The way your eyes squinted when you laughed and the way your hair smelled. 

Calum really fucking missed you.

But he knew he didn’t really deserve a second chance. And he was asking a lot begging for one. But he thought he at least had to try.

Or this mistake would haunt him for the rest of his life. 

Betty, I know where it all went wrong, your favorite song was playing from the far side of the gym. I was nowhere to be found, I hate the crowds, you know that. Plus, I saw you dance with him.

Calum walked into the school alongside you, your hand in his and a bright smile on your face. You loved dances and seeing all your friends dressed up -- Calum felt claustrophobic, but he would do anything to keep that smile on your face, so he tagged along anyway.

Immediately, you tugged him towards the dance floor and he followed hesitantly. After only a few moments on the dance floor, Calum excused himself to the sidelines. He watched your expression fall, but you understood. You would never pressure him into anything he was uncomfortable with.

Calum felt like he could finally breathe properly from the edges of the gym.

He watched solemnly as the DJ began to play your favorite song. Your features lit up and Calum couldn’t help but smile, too. He wished he could go in there and dance with you but just the thought of being squished in between so many people made his pulse speed up and his palms sweaty.

He watched Dean approach you, clearly nervous, and his hands turned to fists. Calum had half a mind to go over there and punch him square in the face. 

Calum knew he couldn’t do that, but he had fun imagining it.

Dean grabbed your waist, pulling you close, and Calum’s heart practically stopped.

He couldn’t take anymore, so with one last glance at your soft smile, Calum stalked off in an angry blur.

Calum knew if he had just asked, you would’ve reassured him it was only a dance.

Calum knew if he had just asked, everything wouldn’t have gone the way it did. 

I was walking home on broken cobblestones just thinking of you when she pulled up like a figment of my worst intentions. She said "James, get in, let's drive,” those days turned into nights. Slept next to her but I dreamt of you all summer long.

The sun beat down on Calum’s back and he couldn’t wait to get home. He’d run out of water long ago, riding his skateboard in the early summer heat. 

He stumbled home, skipping happily over cracks in the concrete, skateboard in hand. 

He thought about seeing you after dinner. Taking you to your favorite tree and watching the stars. Or… looking at you while you looked at the stars. He thought about the way you danced with Dean. He still hadn’t told you how much it bothered him so he just let the resentment boil up until it stung the back of his throat.

Calum heard tires screech next to him, a familiar face in the driver's seat. Her red lipstick shimmered in the direct sunlight. Her sunglasses reflected Calum’s awestruck face. 

“Calum, get in. Lets drive,” She said. Her lips quirked up into an inviting smile and Calum swayed hesitantly. “Aw, come on. I’ll drive you home.” 

Calum looked around at the neighborhood once more, checking for witnesses, and then finally climbed into the silver convertible. As soon as he got in, his heart fluttered with guilt. His eyes filled with images of you, hurting, and he almost got out. Almost.

There was Dean again, haunting Calum through memories, smiling down at you, holding you. Calum gripped his skateboard harder, his knuckles growing white.

Her voice was so inviting and her car smelled so nice. The air conditioning hit Calum’s warm skin and soothed it instantly. Calum stayed. 

Calum didn’t just stay, though. He could’ve forgiven himself for that. 

Betty, I'm here on your doorstep and I planned it out for weeks now but It's finally sinking in. Betty, right now is the last time I can dream about what happens when you see my face again. The only thing I wanna do is make it up to you. 

Calum tossed and turned in his sleep, getting more and more frustrated with the nerves. He would face you tomorrow. It would determine the outcome of everything he had been wondering and worrying about for weeks. 

Tomorrow meant everything. He had one last night to drift into dreams about how you might react. The forgiveness or resentment. The smile or the tears. The hug or the shove. 

He drifted to sleep with images of you playing in his mind. In your favorite sweater, his hand in yours. 

Calum hoped with everything in him that you could see past his stupid mistake. But he prepared himself for the worst. You didn’t owe him anything. 

So, I showed up at your party. Yeah, I showed up at your party. Yeah, I showed up at your party. Will you have me? Will you love me? Will you kiss me on the porch in front of all your stupid friends? If you kiss me, will it be just like I dreamed it? Will it patch your broken wings? I'm only seventeen. I don't know anything, but I know I miss you.

Calum straightened out his button down and shifted the flowers, watching a few stray petals fall loose and hit the pavement of your porch. He cleared his throat and listened anxiously while his heart pounded ferociously in his ear. 

He could faintly hear commotion from within the confines of your home but he couldn’t make out anything they were saying.

His shaky hand extended towards the dark wood door and he knocked twice.

Cars were parked a block or two down the street -- all of your friends had already arrived.

Calum could lie and say he meant to be the last person, but in reality, he sat in his car for 30 minutes gathering up the nerve to come over there.

He could see multicolored balloons lining the walls inside. He watched as a figure appeared through the window, the tint making the figure only a silhouette. 

The door began to open and Calum thought for a moment about running, but it was too late. Before he knew it, he was face to face with you again. For the first time in 2 months, you were looking at him and he was looking at you.

He watched as confusion and shock filled your eyes, and then disappeared, filling with pure curiosity. He didn’t notice any anger yet. 

“Calum?” Your voice was like sugar. Calum’s knees felt weak.

“Yeah, hi (y/n).” Calum coughed. “Happy birthday.”

There were a million things Calum wanted to say and that wasn’t necessarily at the top of his list. He mentally face palmed. Your eyebrows knit together. “Thank you?” You looked down at the bouquet of flowers in his hand. “Are those for me?” 

Calum looked down at the flower he almost forgot he was holding, too lost in your eyes to care about anything else. “Oh, yes. Yeah.” He stumbled, holding them out to you.

You took them without a word. 

“So um…” Calum started, wringing out his sweaty hands. “I was hoping I could talk to you for a minute.”

You turned around for a moment towards the chatter coming from the kitchen and then turned back to face him with a sigh. “Why should I say yes?” You didn’t look angry… just tired. 

Calum scratched the back of his neck anxiously. “You don’t owe me anything, I know that. I was hoping to apologize, if you’d let me. I know that I’m the biggest idiot on the planet and I broke your heart and there's no way I can go back and undo that, but I owe it to you to at least try to fix what I broke. You don’t have to let me, though. I wouldn’t be mad if you cursed me out or slapped me or slammed the door in my face. I deserve it. I hurt you, and I suck for that.” He took a deep breath staring at the ground.

Your eyes softened and you sighed. “Come on.” You grabbed Calum’s hand and tugged him into the house, shutting the door softly behind him.

Calum followed your lead as you stepped through the back door into the garden.

You’d planted more of the flowers you told him about months ago and Calum thought your vision was really coming to life. You pulled him to a small metal table in the corner and sat down.

Calum looked around again, taking in all you’d accomplished since you two last spoke. “It looks beautiful, (y/n).”

You sighed, proudly admiring the shrubs and greenery that surrounded you. “I needed something to take my mind off things so I kind of poured my soul into it.” You fiddled with your rings.

Calum knew he was what you needed to take your mind off of and that made him feel even worse. “What I did to you… it was unforgivable. It’s the worst thing I’ve ever done. I betrayed your trust and I hurt you in the worst way imaginable. That girl… it was nothing. It meant nothing.”

Calum watched you carefully as you took this in. Again, you didn’t look angry or sad — just emotionally drained. Numb. “I just… I guess I kinda just wanna know why. Was I… was I not enough?” Calum watched the tears well up that threatened to spill over and down your rosy cheeks.

He shook his head instantly. “No, no. Of course not. I spent a lot of time thinking about it because at first I didn’t even know. But I think I was just… jealous.”

You scoffed. “Jealous?” Calum blushed. “But of who?”

Calum inhaled deeply, prepared to completely embarrass himself. If it meant getting back on good terms with you. “Dean,” he muttered.

You couldn’t help but laugh. And not just chuckle — really laugh. “Dean? Dean Marshall. You were jealous of Dean Marshall?” You put a hand over your mouth to stifle the laughter. It felt nice to laugh after so many weeks of pain. 

Calum rolled his eyes playfully. “Yes, Dean Marshall. When he danced with you at the formal I was pissed.”

You stopped laughing, seeing the hurt in Calum’s soft features.

“You didn’t really think I was interested in him?... Did you?” You asked.

Calum looked down, playing with a loose thread on his trousers.

You let out a heavy sigh. “Oh, Cal. I never had any feelings for Dean.”

“Deep down, I did know that. It was some petty revenge thing in my head. I should’ve just voiced my pain and I know you would’ve reassured me. I was so dumb. I’ve never regretted anything so much in my life.” Calum finished with an exasperated breath and you smiled at his passion.

“Do you want to come in for cake, Cal?” 

Calum’s eyes shot up to read your face. You couldn’t be serious. You laughed at his eagerness and joy. “I would love to come in for cake,” Calum said easily.

You grabbed his hand, guiding him towards the back door and inside.

You ignored the series of gasps from your unsuspecting friends and found Calum a seat around the table. Nobody asked questions. They just smiled. If you were happy and safe, then they were happy too.

After some time, the sun was nearing the horizon and friends were bidding their goodbyes.

Calum hadn’t taken his eyes off you all night.

Your stomach tingled in anticipation whenever you caught his gaze.

Calum got a text from his mom saying she needed him home, so he begrudgingly headed for the door, his hand in yours.

“Happy birthday, again,” he whispered in your ear. 

“Thank you for coming today. It must’ve taken a lot of guts.” You laughed at Calum’s expression.

“You have no idea. But I'm so glad I did it.” He looked down at you fondly and you felt as if your knees might give out.

Before you could stop and think about the consequences, you were leaning closer and so was he.

Your noses barely brushed and the air around you was heating. It felt like everything between you two was leading up to this very moment — this very kiss. 

He stooped down a little lower, pressing his lips gently onto yours. You felt a rush of emotions. You had missed him all this time. You felt ready to try again - slowly building a mutual trust between you two again.

His lips folded over yours at a steady pace. It was soft and not rushed. It was perfect.

When he pulled away, your lips tingled at the absence of his. 

You were startled by the sudden applause.

You friends had gathered in the hall and watched the entire thing. You hid your face in Calum’s shoulder.

Standing in your cardigan. Kissing in my car again. Stopped at a streetlight, you know I miss you.

You slipped into Calum’s car and he smiled fondly. He hadn’t been this happy in so long.

You grabbed his sweater -- the one that had once been yours -- and felt it between your fingers. “You still have this old thing?” 

He smiled, his cheeks glowing a faint pink. He looked adorable with his curls tumbling down across his forehead. “It smells like you.”

You planted a gentle kiss on his cheek.

He had missed you. But he didn’t have to anymore.

[callumilott-archive]

Hi! As someone who had actually spoken to some of the drivers, what's your opinion on shipping & RPF? A few years back I told myself I would never ship real people again and yet here I am, shipping real people again, and sometimes I'm just worrying that I'm doing something wrong. If you don't want o answer, that's obviously fine, I just thought I'd ask for some advice from you. 💜

good morning anon! to be honest, i have had some conflicting opinions on this but i’ll try to clarify what exactly my thoughts are and what i mean. mainly, i don’t really see the harm in it as long as it’s kept in mainly fandom spaces (like tumblr, ao3) where it’s pretty unlikely they’ll ever see it. of course, it’s all public space and they can find it if they know where to look. but there’s an important distinction for me personally between keeping shipping in fandom spaces, and doing it very openly and tagging them in it on twitter/instagram. i’ve seen a lot of mallum accounts popping up on instagram and while i suspect the boys just have a good laugh about it, i do think that’s a step too far. speaking from personal experience, it can change the way you view a friend if people insist constantly that you must be dating or you must secretly be in love.

there’s imo also an important distinction between ‘these two people have a cool dynamic and i’d be interested to explore that in a fictional setting’ and ‘they’re secretly dating irl but they can’t come out publicly’ if u get what i mean. there’s also a whole other side to the shipping which i’ve seen a bit more recently, namely only caring about/supporting a driver in the setting of a ship. i’ve seen a lot of people take that story callum told/posted about having to borrow mick’s clothes for the ceremony and just running with that ‘ship’ without considering either of them as a driver. i think there’s also something to be said for the fact that not everything needs to be shipped. often a close (male) friendship is really just that and that dynamic should also be considered as it is without being turned into something romantic. personally i find it very refreshing that the boys are all pretty open about caring for each other (taking callum talking about juan in CTD for example & the way they all came together to support each other after spa) and from what i’ve seen/heard via twitch/instagram/twitter they do genuinely care about each other.

obviously i don’t know any of them personally, i’ve only spoken to callum and dmed with juan about twitch, nothing else, so i don’t know what their views on it are (and i don’t intend on ever asking them). callum does strike me as the type to just plainly say it if it’s bothering him in any way. as with everything, nothing is just black and white (shipping bad/shipping fun) and it’s very nuanced on how far you take the shipping. i don’t see any harm in reading/writing fanfics considering we all know it’s fictional, but i personally draw the line at taking it to a platform where they’re likely to see it.

as long as we all just remember they’re just people like us, boys in their teens/twenties, and act accordingly to that. i hope this makes sense at all because i’m still very much in the middle of the shipping opinions i’ve seen on here. i stay away from it for the most part, any posts i tag as ‘r: tag’ are dynamics i find very interesting (juri, christian, please enlighten us i wanna know how u 2 know each other) and i’ve only written general fics about friendship dynamics. you do you, but keep in mind they’re real people and it can have real consequences to take it to a public platform is all i’ll say!

[liaswritesrobots]

Hi, I am requesting another TFA matchup. This time a decepticon one. I am a non binary asexual queer person that uses they/them pronouns. (It's hard for some people to use them) I wear usually androgynous or masculine clothing. I usually am an outsider in school and don't talk to other students. I love sneks and I like to draw them! I also like to just scroll on social media. I want to become a ball python breeder and want more sneks to take care of. I like colder seasons since I get to cover up my disgusting and "wrong" body. I like other reptiles too. I like math and science. I am sensitive to loud sounds and I can't really focus sometimes. I dislike certain cheese, young children, english, history, P.E., other people (especially working with them), the sun's UV rays, school, hot weather, feminine clothing, LGBTQphobics, racists, etc. I am stubborn, a bit rigid, I can't handle people acting like babies, I like surreal, dark, and edgy humor. I can't handle people making fun of me, I have a quiet voice (not when I yell, my yelling is VERY loud), I am sympathetic and can be a bit kind, I socially isolate from others, and can be a bit controlling. I am also short tempered. I am also heard that I am really funny. I can also throw a sandal very hard at people that piss me off. If you want more of my personality, please let me know. Please and thanks in advance

I match you with...

Cyclonus!

He's also a bit of an outsider, even among his fellow Decepticons, and tends to self isolate as well, so he secretly finds it nice to have someone to relate to. He likes your sense of humor, and even if he doesn't always smile or laugh he is rather amused when you make a joke. He finds the reptiles you like interesting, especially after you tell him most people are afraid of them. He likes to see your art and if you ever drew him something he'd keep it in his subspace. He likes that you don't like to be around people much, it just means you won't drag him into a crowd, and also doesn't mind that you don't like the sun either because the darkness is quite nice in his opinion. Your temper and stubborness doesn't bother him because he's used to working with people much worse, plus he finds it rather cute how angry someone so much smaller than him can get, he is a little thrown off once he hears you yell for the first time though since your voice is normally so quiet. He does think it's rather funny when you throw a sandal at someone, it's one of the rare times you'll see a smile on his face. He also likes how clever you are, especially when it comes to math and science.

Other possible matches: Blackarachnia, Blitzwing, Soundwave, Shockwave

[endlessdream7]

Kill That Man

Chapter 63 The Ambush of Wang Yijie

After painting the charm paper she bought, Yu Qing Yao came out and bought more charm paper, then closed the door to paint more charms.

After five days had passed, she has saved more than 600 second-level charms.

As soon as Yu Qing Yao came out, she went straight to the Royal Treasure Pavilion in the city.

She bought a white dress with a lotus pattern and a turquoise dress with an orchid pattern. She can’t wear one all year around, right?

The two magic skirts were both woven from spirit silkworms, and cost a total of seventy second-grade charms, or seven thousand dao dollars.

In fact, Yu Qing Yao herself knows how to refine weaponry, but she just doesn’t have the materials, nor the drawings, nor has she tried it herself.

Then, she bought a superb magic weapon, Purple Cloud Ruyi. This Ruyi is made of purple millennium lightning wood, and it is extremely helpful for casting lightning spells. Three Heavenly Lightning spells are stored at each end of the Purple Cloud Ruyi. The power is comparable to the spells of the Jindan realm.

This magic weapon was much more expensive, and it took Yu Qing Yao three hundred second grade charms to buy it.

She bought the book "The Royal Demon Ban" with 100 second level charms, and 120 second level charms for the "Five Elements of Thunder" book.

The Royal Demon Ban features a spell that can ban a Nascent Soul Demon King, but of course, first you have to capture the Demon King and beat him half to death before you can have a chance to cast this spell.

After learning it, Yu Qing Yao can only ban Foundation realm demons.

The "Five Elements of Thunder", is about the method of practicing the five elements of thunder. This type of thunder method is very powerful, ten times more powerful than ordinary thunder, and the difficulty of practicing is dozens of times greater. The first is that it is difficult to find the materials for practicing it. You have to find treasures with lightning properties in the five elements, and refine them into the five internal organs.

Five elemental treasures are easy to find, but it's one in a million if they have the thunder attribute. To gather the five elemental treasures, it may not be possible to succeed even if you search for hundreds of years.

During the practice, the slightest mistake can cause the internal organs to collapse and die.

Lightning spells are inherently powerful, and difficult to control, introducing them into the fragile five organs is a very dangerous thing to do.

98 of the 100 who practice are going to die, leaving one crippled, and the last one’s fate is in the hands of God. If it wasn't so difficult to cultivate, the Royal Treasure Pavilion wouldn't have taken it out, and sold it so cheaply. This is a treasure that can be cultivated all the way to the Nascent Soul realm.

In this world, the Nascent Soul stage is already the ultimate master.

However, Yu Qing Yao has a system, so once shes learned it, just add points. Finding treasures are unnecessary.

The heart law she majored in became the Five Lightning Heart Sutra.

Yu Qing Yao only has 10 charms left, so she has no choice but to use 5 charms to buy another large stack of charm paper to go back, ready to close the door for another three days to paint more charms.

Three days later, Yu Qing Yao had once again saved up 300 charms, she pushed open the door and came out, surprised to see Zhou Xinyang and Shu Chang Yue arrive.

On the sixth day after the ranking battle ended, Shu Chang Yue brought his senior brother and teamed up with people from Golden Top Sect, to ambush Feiyun Sect’s team in a mountain.

Rushed up, killed 20 or so people, discovered that the person they wanted to kill was not there.

Shu Chang Yue and Zhou Xinyang were dying of depression.

Halfway through the ambush, kill Wang Yijie. Everything can be pushed to Golden Top.

But now, Wang Yijie has fled back to Feiyun Sect, which is not easy to handle.

Its not necessarily possible for these people to kill up Yuntai Mountain alone. Even if you gathered all the Daoists of Golden Top Sect, it would still be a bitter battle. On Mount Yuntai, Feiyun Sect has operated for hundreds of years, and there are countless magic formations on it.

And to assassinate Wang Yijie, I don’t know how long they would have wait in Baishan City before the opportunity came. They can't wait that long.

Although the people of Golden Top regret that Wang Yijie is not in, they still cheerfully chased down the people of Feiyun Sect.

Feiyun suffered heavy losses this time, and only two elders escaped.

Lord Wang spent seven days traveling day and night to get back to Mount Yuntai.

The first thing he did was find his eldest disciple, Qi Kaitai, and ask, "Where is Qing Yao?"

Qi Kaitai smiles, "Master, Junior Sister Yu is out traveling."

Lord Wang is anxious and harshly shouts, "Why did you let her out? When did she leave and who did she go with?"

Bewildered, Qi Kaitai replies, "Half a month ago, my Junior sister succeeded in building her Foundation and said she wanted to go out for a walk, so she went down the mountain by herself."

Sect Master Wang asks in amazement: "She has succeeded in building her Foundation?"

Qi Kaitai said cheerfully: "Yes! Junior Sister is so gifted that she succeeded in building a Foundation in half a month. I had personally protected her, and held a celebratory feast for her afterwards."

After a speechless moment, Lord Wang said, "Did she say where she was going?"

Qi Kaitai said: "Junior Sister said that she would just walk around Baishan. I don't know where she went."

"Has anyone come from Yunhai Sect?"

"No! What are they doing here?"

Lord Wang didn't bother to talk to his eldest apprentice, he burned incense and sent a letter to Yu Qing Yao to ask about it, but there was no response after the incense was burned.

He understands that Yu Qing Yao is not in Baishan and is thousands of miles away.

His heart sank, Qing Yao wouldn't have discovered something and secretly ran away when I wasn't around, would she?

Now Lord Wang is angry, he says "I asked you to watch her, why did you let her run away?"

Qi Kaitai is surprised and says, "Junior Sister has successfully built her Foundation and wants to go out for a walk, how can you say she ran away?"

Without answering, Lord Wang asked with a gloomy face, "Did she say when she would be back?"

Qi Kaitai replies, "Junior Sister promised to hurry back in a year."

Lord Wang turns away depressed, he can only hope that Yu Qing Yao is really out to play, and would remember to make it back for the New Year.

Qi Kaitai sensed that something was wrong with Master’s attitude towards Junior sister.

He can’t help but wonder why.

After a few days, the team that had gone to Hua Mountain did not return. Lord Wang became anxious again, burning incense and sending letters, he received a reply from two elders.

They replied that the team that went to Hua Mountain was ambushed by Golden Top Sect, and was wiped out, they were seriously wounded and hid out to recover.

When Lord Wang knew about it, he was so grief-stricken, and angry that he almost vomited blood.

This group of people died, three years later, what about the challenge?

“Old man Chen, you and I are enemies till death!” Wang Yijie looks at the sky, roaring.

When the news came out, there was mourning on Yuntai Mountain.

Lord Wang didn't expect Lord Chen to do what he wanted to do. He also wanted to kill all the Golden Top people who competed in the challenge, but he didn't get in touch with his ally.

Three of the most capable elders are dead, and nearly 30 of the most elite disciples are dead, this is a huge loss to Feiyun Sect.

The death of the Taishang elder hit Feiyun Sect the hardest.

Without this group, there's no certainty of winning the challenge in three years, and two, there's no longer any advantage against Golden Top Sect.

Lord Wang regretted that he had left alone first. He always felt that if he had been there, he would have been able to spot the ambush beforehand, and they would not have been so badly killed or wounded.

He did not know that the main purpose of the ambush was him.

This kind of hatred can only be quelled by war.

Lord Wang instructed the army of Baishan City to wage war against Wuzhou again.

At that moment, Golden Top’s team returned, and Lord Chen unceremoniously organized a counterattack.

The two sides are fighting again.

Yu Qing Yao didn't know there was a war on that side again, she was playing with Zhou Xinyang in Han City.

Everyday go on a scenic tour, eat, drink and be merry, playing till her heart’s content.

Terms:

Purple Cloud Ruyi- A scepter or a wand. Like this...

太上 - Taishang- Title of respect for Daoist; A great elder; A powerful elder usually in atleast Jindan realm.

Cultivation ranks:

Nourishing Qi

Foundation

Jindan

Nascent Soul (I referred to it as Yuan Ying earlier, its also known as Meta-baby, but I’m gonna go with Nascent Soul)