#but we're not ready for that conversation

[sirhamburrger]

havin' deep and uncomfortable conversations around the christmas tree (rin itoshi x gn!reader)

(a continuation of this more ryusae-centric drabble) being unexpectedly vulnerable with you wasn't really on rin itoshi's christmas wishlist. but he does want to ask you something else, and it would really make his christmas if you said yes. you will get a sentimental feelin' when you hear voices singin', "let's be jolly, deck the halls with boughs of holly" || wc: 861 || tags/cw: hurt/comfort, background ryusae, itoshi brother drama (but they're working on it), rin is bad at telling people how he feels (he's working on that too) series m.list

you watch the video ryusei just sent you. it’s... of him slapping sae’s ass really hard, but after months of being stuck with them as your roommates, your humor is broken. you whip your head around, giggling, ready to show it to rin, but your smile fades when you see the crease between his eyebrows. that only happens when he realises he's forgotten to buy groceries, or…

or when sae texts him.

you set down the box of baubles tucked under your arm and take his hands in yours, brushing his hair out of his eyes so you can look at him properly. even so, he doesn't look you in the eye.

“everything okay?” you ask softly.

he blinks. you feel his hands clench into fists within yours. 

“yeah. everything's fine.”

“what did he say?”

"he wants to have lunch with me tomorrow.”

you furrow your brows slightly. “well, then you should go. i know we have plans, but we could always go another day.”

he nods, but he's got his brooding face on, still. there's something he's not telling you, and you're determined to get it out of him on this not-very-eventful saturday afternoon.

so you flop onto the ground by the christmas tree - the christmas tree the two of you are in the midst of decorating. wiggling your way into the shade of the lower leaves, you tug on his pant leg.

“well? join me!”

looking slightly bemused, he lays down on the floor and positions himself opposite you. admiring his beautiful eyelashes up close, you twirl a lock of his hair around your finger. he smiles at this, his breath fanning over your face.

you ask him point-blank, then, when he might least expect it.

“what are you afraid of?”

“nothing.”

“liar.”

you stare at him as seriously as you can, and he stares back with double the intensity. you’re locked in, you could say - it’s a shared tradition of yours that whenever you have a staring contest, winner takes all. the last cookie. choice of date location. or something you want to know.

seconds creep by. thirty. forty-five. a minute. a minute and fifteen. tears start to pool in your dehydrated eyes.

rin's gaze softens some.

"are we about to kiss?" you mutter weakly.

"give up, darling," he advises gently.

a tear runs down your cheek. "no."

he makes a tsking noise at your stubbornness, and slowly - very, very slowly - he closes his eyes.

"i'm scared that sae is going to treat me differently now that we're both grown up and he knows we can't ever go back to what we were before."

you blink.

damn, that's...

he opens his eyes. "happy?"

it’s like a punch to the gut when he says it like that.

"of course not," you mumble. "i'm sorry. i shouldn't have pressured you to say anything at all."

rin sighs heavily. "i think a part of me kind of wanted to tell you anyway, so."

"do you want to tell me more?"

he nods.

"when we were kids, it was all so easy. i looked up to him - i still do. we were together 24/7. we did everything together. and then he left for spain. came back a changed person. and okay, i get that he wants to reconcile and all, but it's just weird. he's really trying his best, and i am too. but we'll never be how we were in the past. it's too late for that."

"oh, honey..."

you want to reach over and hug him until he can't breathe, but then you remember you're lying on the floor. you scoot over to lie by his side.

"the important thing is that you're both trying really hard. you're talking to him more often, meeting him for meals - and sae really does want to make things right. i literally live with the man! he lets ryusei check his spelling in the texts he sends you."

"really?"

"yes, really. so you don't have to be worried. not at all."

“okay.”

you see the crease between his eyebrows has disappeared, and peck him on the nose. his lips twitch, and you see him open his mouth –

“move in with me.”

what?

“i want you in my life,” rin murmurs, abrupt, blunt, but that's how he does things, after all. “because i love you, and i want to be with you all the time.”

you're temporarily frozen in place, utterly surprised. but that quickly gives way to a rush of affection for your boyfriend, and you pepper his face with little kisses as he chuckles.

“i'll take that as a yes, then,” he says dryly, and you give him another kiss for his troubles.

you think of sae and ryusei, and pout. “i'm going to miss having them as roommates, though.”

“but would they make you breakfast pancakes every day?”

you pretend to collapse in his arms. “i’m going to wife you up one day, itoshi.”

he reaches for the switch on the christmas lights strung along the tree branches, and you look up, and your vision is filled with sparks of colour.

and in your little world, all is perfect.

this is what's happening btw (it probably wasn't very clear)

a/n: i never thought i would write for rin because for some weird reason i didn't like him when i watched his anime debut but like?? is he not so much like todoroki? (if todoroki was more edgy ig) but yeah i was prepared to write him as a sweetheart in this one

taglist: @anglefish3008, @standcom (open, leave a comment on any post in this series to be added!)

bllk masterlist || general masterlist

© sirhamburrger 2024

[vestedwithquips]

@ofcleversway

Women eying me like candy? [I made a face hearing her words. A look of shock and confusion plastered all over my face] You do remember it's me, Chandler, right? I can assure you, women aren't checking me out unless it's to comment on my dorky clothing attire, something stupid I just did or said, or the fact that I clumsily fell or tripped over something, maybe. [I joked even though that was the truth. Nah, Joey was the one who had women checking him out and eying him up like a piece of candy. That's definitely not something I was accustomed to though] Honestly though, you're the only woman I'd even want checking me out... [I said with a charming, yet goofy sort of smile. It was true though. I was crazy about Monica, so as long as she found me attractive, I'd be perfectly content] Sandwiches it is... If I'm not mistaken, Joey's favorite sandwich shop is speed dial eight. [I said as I leaned slightly to the side; fishing in my pocket for my wallet and then pulled some cash out and placed it on the small side table beside my recliner] Would you mind ordering me the turkey and cheese wrap with extra pickles? And please, order whatever you want for yourself... Dinner is on me. [Not exactly the romantic meal Monica deserves, but given the time of night and the fact that my mobility is very limited at the moment because of my injury, this meal of sandwiches will need to work for tonight] Do you have plans tomorrow night? If not, any interest in having dinner with me? [Of course she and I were keeping our relationship a secret for now... At least until we figured out if things would work out between us, but that didn't mean I still wouldn't want to woo Monica with romantic dinner dates. The way I saw it, as long as we didn't run into one of the others at one of those places, we could be ourselves on a date and nobody will find out about us until we're ready for them to] I heard that new Italian restaurant off of Bleeker is really good, so if you're interested, I could book us a dinner reservation? I promise to do my best not to fall and break any other bones while we're out to dinner... Key words, "do my best" because let's be honest, it's me... Me on crutches, at that, so it's hard to say if I'll make it home alive. [I chuckled even if there was sadly a lot of truth to just how clumsy and awkward I could be at times. Either way, my point in saying it now was in hopes of putting a smile on Monica's face. I knew the commitment conversation didn't go the way she wanted it to, so I hoped to cheer her up now... Wanting her to know too though that I was all in. No, I wasn't preparing to propose or have babies with her anytime soon, but still, I wasn't planning to go anywhere either. I was crazy about Monica and I wanted this to work out between us]

Continued

@vestedwithquips

Monica was at her end for the day. If it wasn’t for Chandler pissing her off earlier she would’ve sulked her way to the exit doors and left and forgot about this so called meeting with the guys Rachel had wanted to set her up with. But the competitive nature inside of her barked out. She wanted to prove a point to the man that made it so clear he was only ever interested in sex, no feelings her bad; that was all in her head it appeared. But Monica followed her hearing the supply closet door, and it wasn’t all that surprising to find the man that consumed her thoughts to be in here making the commotion. 

Sitting on the floor, buckets that made the sound, rags hitting his leg, His head had good drop of what looked like a scratch or blood? Was he hurt? Her heart sank realizing he was probably hiding. From what or who remained to be seen. Monica was more concerned about his well being despite the idiot he was. She had inched the door open farther shedding the good portion of light into the room, as she got a better look at him. 

What an idiot she said to herself, as he tried to defend himself on why he found himself inside the supply closet. I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him. Which was forgotten when I heard his quip about one of the men Rachel and I were talking to. Was that jealousy I detached? I was almost surprised seeing as Chandler was a man of few words especially about how he felt. He definitely told me it was okay to see other people. Implying what we had was only causal. Did I want to hate other people? No of course not. But Chandler had insisted and how he had the audacity to be jealous assuming that was the emotion I had detached. 

Moving my hand to my hips, I had uttered a “ You don’t get to do that, not after you..” I almost finished my sentence with pushed me to date, it’s lucky I heard the footsteps that creeped up behind me which was only confirmed when I heard the guy’s voice, and in which he seemed to shut Chandler up. I glanced over my shoulder with a smile, an impressed smile. Was everything okay here? No because I was seconds from giving the man I had fallen for a piece of my mind, instead i was forcing myself to play nice, I was worried about that head lack with the formed redness I was surprised Chandler hadn’t reached to check the wound yet. 

Forcing a flirtatious smile to the male behind me, I had pressed a lingering hand to his chest as I aired out my words. “ we’re fine, but can you please take a look at Chandler, it seems like he hit his head pretty hard.” I was worried but I also was displaying the dig towards the man that did hurt me, and my wounded heart; kinda served him right for landing in this position. 

The female stepped aside letting the male nurse; enter, under his arm was coming around Chandler’s back to help lift him up to his feet, “ We’ll have you looked at in no time.” This guy was perfect, it was a shame, my heart was spoken for; despite all the arrows pointed at me to leave and cut my losses.

[flyingfish-in-a-boat]

just watched a video about oscar potentially challenging norris in the near future and what that would mean for mclaren, and they mentioned how mark, as oscars manager would likely be very protective of him when it comes to team orders and I genuinely can't wait for mclaren team orders to favor norris in some way and mark to absolutely flip out

what i imagine (pray for):

[amiscreations]

So I'm conducting some research purely just because I'm curious: why do you think people in the classic rock community prefer male vocalists to female vocalists? It's happened multiple times now where I've been talking about my current favourite bands, and I suggest Halestorm (a female fronted rock/metal band) to people, and they say something like "oh no I'm really not into female vocalists." I want to know why that is. I'm not judging at all, and I'm not here to call anyone out. I'm genuinely curious. And I'll be the first to admit, most of the bands I like are all male, but that's just because I happen to discover them and enjoy them. Personally, I don't care whether a band is fronted by a man, woman or non-binary person, as long as they make music that I enjoy.

Even if you are someone who enjoys music made by all genders, I want to know why YOU think others might think differently.

[manichewitz]

my hottest of hot supernatural hot takes is that i don't even consider cas's love confession canon because in my mind dean and cas have been canonically and lovingly suckin and fuckin since at least season 5. it was just happening offscreen

[charlie-fabray]

Charlie felt himself blushing. "Well, they're like contacts in plant nurseries so I don't think you need to be so impressed. I can't get you a record deal for your boy band with my contacts." He smiled. "I know it seems like I live under a rock, but I do know some pop culture stuff."

"For me, yeah it's a good thing. I like being at an eleven, but even for someone into pain like me you just have to be careful. So it's not that it's a bad thing. It's that lack of communication can be a bad thing. If you and your partner do all the work of finding out your limits, kinks, and safewords you can just have your fun. You can surprise someone who's into humiliation or anything else because you know that you have enthusiastic consent. You'll know you have a partner in making an amazing sexual experience for both of you." He blushed again. "Oh.. well, one of my hard limits is being called by humiliating terms like slut or whore or things like that. Part of me wishes I could try some humiliation stuff, but I think if I have such a strong reaction to just words probably not a good idea to explore that just yet." He was surprised to find that they were having such deep, frank conversations about sex and scenes. It was better than in class really because it felt more real and genuine. "Oh, I love the masquerade. It's a little different. Maybe because we're all being anonymous." He shrugged never having thought about it. "Yeah? I love masquerade stories. They're always awesome. Tell me yours and then I'll tell you about the time I thought I was going to get expelled because of the masquerade." He laughed. "You'll know when you're ready and you'll also know if that kind of thing is for you."

Charlie let himself be pulled up feeling excited and like he was floating. He was also happy to let Kyle take over following him up the hill. Mostly up until then he'd sort of taking the lead mostly because of their relative ages, but it was inevitable that his submissive natures would rise to the top. He doesn't realize it at the time, but it was probably because in this moment of play and fun, Kyle was his most confident and sure of himself. He took the front of the sled for the next one and eventually they moved to going down on separate sleds. After a while he was a exhausted, happy heap in the snow after falling off the sled near the bottom and rolling the rest of the way.

“I love that you’re someone that can say ‘I have contacts…’.” Kyle complimented with a grin. “And that you know what GOAT means.” Letting out a small giggle. “I do agree, though. Vanilla is already great on its own, and it goes good with any toppings. Yeah, it’s super easy and super fun.” Even if he didn’t remember the recipe by memory, all he had to do was look it up.

“Okay, when you say dialed up, it sounds like a good thing… but then you said sometimes it’s not?” The confusion was clear on his face. Maybe it was just one of those things that he’d need to try to understand. Kyle smiled, wondering if he’d ever be like one of those sexually confident people. The classmates he saw online that had people fawning over them. Those people weren’t born confident, so maybe it was entirely possible that he too could grow into that. Kyle nodded in realization. “Okay, I guess that makes sense. Like they like when it catches them by surprise.” He understood how that would be more exciting than something expected. “What’s the pretty basic part of humiliation?” Kyle asked curiously. “Oh, I guess that makes sense. Do you feel differently about doing anonymous kinds of stuff in a setting like the masquerade? By the way, how was the masquerade for you?” He asked. “I have a funny story to tell you about that night.” Kyle mentioned. “I’ve never tried them. I actually was there my first week on campus, just looking around. Maybe, I’ll try them one day.” 

“It was great!” Kyle quickly jumped to his feet, pulling the other up with ease. Mostly fueled by the excitement of the ride. “Now we go again!” He moved to make their way back to the top, dragging the sled on the snow. He was happy to continue going down on the same sled until Charlie was comfortable enough to ride solo. “This time, you go in front!"

[heyitsphoenixx]

evan i see you asking sam if she's dating someone, carrying her bridal style, being real sweet, "i don't see you like the others see you," okayyyy

[edge-oftheworld]

real talk though how much of their success was facilitated by the fact liz hemmings sees 'child with adhd' and thinks 'future world renowned musician' and just invested so much love and time and money into nurturing not only her own child's ambitions but also these two kids he brought home from school and the table drummer from her year 9 math class of 2009

[percildanz]

im sorry that Percival de Rolo is a repressed gay man to me and his relationship with Vex'ahlia is nothing but comphet TO ME

and im sorry that im right

[chicalepidopterareblogs]

"Show!Nicolas will never be likeable cause he said a racist slur in his first 5 words of dialogue" this, "the writers mischaracterised Nicolas by making him use a racist slur" that. My guys, the writers also made Daniel Molloy call his most important paramour, trafficked/former s*x slave/grooming victim Armand "rent boy".

Are we still trying to cancel a character for being morally reprehensible in the show about morally reprehensible characters? Have we learned nothing from Madeleine and her depiction in the show?

[hauntedkeys]

I might be wrong but tbh I've noticed that a lot of people in the queer community like to be mean to trans men for no reason

[turkicgods]

"And if I did? If followed in my dear brother's footsteps? If we all did, my father would simply replace us, create a new batch of Karaoğlanlar and Karakızlar to carry out his demands." It was a sad fact of their entire existence, they weren't made out of love or because Erlik wanted a family after being cast out of his own. They were simply pawns, just as the younger god had said, mere tools in the Turkic god of death's plan, objects of spite, bitterness, physical slaps in the face to the gods above and everything they created and nurtured in the world. That was all they were, all Temir was and he knew it. If they walked away, if they all abandoned him, he'd simply make more and forget all about those who had served him for the last three hundred thousand years.

"We're little more than stock, after all. Once you run out or your current goods are no longer feasible, you simply replace them. Usually, with something better, stronger, more durable, more... palpable. Then what? What becomes of the old wares, hm? Cast out, thrown to curb with the rest of the garbage?" He should be able to see it, that neither side was ideal but at least if he abandoned his father's ideals, he'd have a life of his own, a chance to make his own decisions, even if there would be consequences.

Which was better? To remain in his father's shadow, do his bidding, torment humanity to satisfy a bitter god's spite, or leave and become the tormented?

The truth was, it terrified him. To no longer have a purpose, to need to make his own way, knowing that at any moment, one of his siblings would appear and make everything difficult. Or, one day, new siblings would come to take his place.

"What do you possibly get out of this? This little crusade of yours? Trying to turn my father's children against him? What do you gain from it?" Temir didn't understand the notion of just doing something because it was the right thing to do. His entire existence, all he'd seen were acts being done as part of a transaction, nothing was ever free, not really. Do something kind? There was a reason behind it, not just out of kindness, but something else, something tangible. That was always the case -- - right? "An army of your own? Favour in Zeus' eyes? What is it?"

He began to walk again, this time at a quicker pace, his heartbeat hammering against the inside of his chest. "I don't need your protection." An outright lie and he knew it. If Erlik ever found out about their conversation, about his doubts, he would need protection, just like Shyngay. But as he stopped again, pausing momentarily as he listened, as Karthisius stood straight, closing the distance between them, the older god tensed, staring him down as if readying himself. "Let me ask you something. What do you do? What is your purpose, moon god, oh, mighty god of beasts? Your existence, your responsibilities, your duties? And what would happen if you refused them, hm? What would your precious king do if you told him 'no more'? What would your pantheon do?"

HE WATCHES QUIETLY, stalwart guardian of the Moon Isles, and as it would seem, GOD OF THE HAVEN in which many of Erlik's children might find peace. He has a sinking suspicion that THIS is going to become a recurring thing for him. The admission from Temir has him WONDERING just how many of Erlik's children felt the same way? MATYR was obvious, and Shyngay was FAR EASIER to get to open up than Temir, but the very IDEA that many of them feel the same way has him WONDERING if perhaps there was HOPE for them yet. He couldn't tell, and while perhaps it wasn't his DUTY, he'd likely do it anyway.

"I didn't say it was simple–I said it was possible. Make no mistake it is LIKELY to be a terrifying experience. Removing yourself FROM BENEATH the IRON FIST of a tyrant..."

HE LEANS back finally standing upright once more from his otherwise relaxed position on the railing of his cabin. HE CAN'T sit idly by and let this continue. DESPITE notions of frustration it's AGONIZING to watch deities cower from the prospect of a HATEFUL parent. It makes him ANGRY. It reminds him of memories of a parent who FAILED him as Erlik has failed his own children.

"When I was a mortal I studied history & mythology. It consumed much of my life–if there's one thing that BOTH of those subjects taught it's that TYRANTS only maintain their power when their subjects are split apart. When they DO NOT realize the power they possess. I've seen MANY of you & your siblings show up in my domain, yet your father himself IS just a shadow hiding in the dark. His influence is strong on all of you–but not indefinite."

The more Temir speaks, the more inclined he is to TRY HARDER. A fervid drive igniting within him as he draws in a QUIET breath, hands resting in his pockets once more as he watches the other god. THERE'S A SORT OF BREAK–like the facade can no longer be held up. His admission of FEAR followed by the CACKLE that comes at the idea that his SIBLING who should by all accounts be able to know ALL has been DECEIVED leads Karthisius to believe there's MUCH more to this than he is being led to believe.

"I told your brother as much and I am a MAN of my word above all else. While you tread on these lands, YOU ARE UNDER MY PROTECTION. No god from any other pantheon can step foot in this place without me knowing and ONLY if I allow it. At any point I can easily remove UNWANTED guests."

DID. Past tense, yet still somehow Karthisius isn't entirely sure he BUYS into that. Seeds of doubt remain, otherwise this conversation wouldn't have even been happening, but he ELECTS not to share that thought.

"Your father is a BULLY. Exactly. Bullies get power over the masses with fear–have you not wondered why he is SO intent on dragging your brother back into the fold? Why he insists that you & your siblings continue to chase and torment him?"

HE WAITS A MOMENT before finally closing a bit of space between them, stepping off the porch and approaching with a QUIET hum.

"He's afraid–just like you are–I would wager that the more you & your siblings allow yourselves to think about taking charge of your own existence, the more afraid he'll get––and like your brother I will extend the same off to you. This place is SAFE from prying eyes. Should you need a PLACE to...THINK and process those...DOUBTS you had, this place can be a sanctuary for you."

[iam93percentstardust]

it is always so funny to me to see youtube videos that are titled things like "actual regency fashion (what bridgerton got wrong)" as though bridgerton has ever once, in its entire existence, strived for anything even approaching historical accuracy

[no-longer-in-the-laboratory]

"You just dislike clannibal because you can't handle dark themes or toxic relationships in literature" actually I dislike it because it's dogwater.

[callibones]

i like stories where someone good becomes corrupted by evil or someone evil slowly becomes some definition of good or whatever as much as the next stories girlie but i dont think id be who i am without playing through the fundamentally life-changing experience of a story about a mario villain who's unapologetically evil getting to be the protagonist of his own game, going through some wildly fucked up cosmic horror kirby type shit, experiencing some transcendent beauty and understanding the world a little better, and then coming out the other side genuinely unable to even conceptualize the building blocks necessary to process and communicate about what he's just experienced so he just goes back to living his hedonistic unapologetically evil lifestyle even though he cant help but feel the slightest bit different because unknowingly hes been utterly changed by the situation at his core. TWICE.

wario land 4 and bowser's inside story are holding hands and kissing. i love you tales of Big Strong Villains having genuine emotional experiences and understanding their relationship to the world better WITHOUT letting go of their unapologetic and sometimes wholly unearned confidence in themselves. how do i say that bowser and wario are role models to me as a trans girl without sounding unhinged

[hantaslittlearsonist]

It's a fundamental "something's wrong" feeling. It aches in his chest, weighing him down as though his bones were made of lead. It makes him sluggish, tired, feeling like he's wading through mud every waking moment. It's always been with him, he thinks. Something's always been wrong. He's always been uncomfortable, to a certain degree.

The sun hurts his eyes like it has a personal vendetta against him. It burns. Sometimes his friends burn him too. They're just too bright, he prefers to stick to his shadows, where it's safe. Not comfortable, but safe. Because this feeling, as heavy as it is, it's always been there. Even though it weighs him down and stops him from taking true full breaths.

"This is my fault", he often thinks, "no one else has lead in place of a heart". And the "something's wrong" becomes "something's wrong with me", "I am doing something wrong." "How could I possibly be worth anything?" "No one wants me."

He folds in on himself, pulling away from his friends. "They won't notice."

And they don't, not until it's too late.

GETO SUGURU, Dabi, GREGORY VIOLET, Izuku Midoriya, Lawrence Blewer, Kozume Kenma