#do the three in front have names we know???

[ellecdc]

Love that you’ve opened requests for Finnick!

Would you write for finnick x reader established relationship? but Peeta and Katniss think it’s all for show (kind of how Finnick saw them originally)

during the 75th games overnight as the poison fog comes through reader gets swallowed up and they loose sight of her, but have to keep moving. Of course they loose Mags, and maybe the canon goes off (for another tribute) and finnick is tangibly heartbroken thinking it’s her.

The next day she wanders onto the beach with Johanna and the rest, having survived by hiding in the waterways.

Lovely happy ending lovers reunion moment💘

thanks for your request! I've had this more or less done for a few days but I'm not sure how I feel about it...hopefully I did an okay job, but I figured I might as well post it. thanks to @unstablereader for parsing this out with me <3

Finnick Odair x victor!reader during the 75th Hunger Games [1.4k words]

CW: fem!reader, blood rain, mention of death, reader goes into a bit of shock, Finnick handles it expertly, Johanna being the problematic queen that she is

Finnick tried really hard not to act as petulant as he felt, but between his stress, his grief, and the fucking heat, he was sure he was failing in his feat. 

“She’s probably fine, yeah?” Peeta (stupidly) tried, shooting a nervous glance between Finnick who was brooding near the water's edge and Katniss who was pouting near the tree line. “She won her own games; she can hold her own.” 

“I just don’t understand what the point of having a look-out was if you were going to lose an entire woman.” Finnick finally shouts then, holding his hands out in front of him helplessly. 

“The point of a look-out was to look out for threats, not babysit your girlfriend.” Katniss all but sneered in return.

“Oh? And what exactly do you call what I’ve been doing for you and your husband these past few days then, hm?” 

“I don’t need nor did I ask to be babysat!” 

“Well, someone smarter than you begged to differ, yeah? I’m inclined to agree.” Finnick spat before making to stand. 

“...nanny of the year award after this…”  Finnick muttered to himself as he stalked back up to the tree line to get another drink of water. He’d been sick with worry after hearing a second canon after they lost Mags in the fog, and there’d been no signs of you since. He thought he might actually call the whole plan off if your face lit up the sky tonight.

The sound of trees rustling and a grunt had all three tributes standing at the ready with their weapons drawn, watching the tree line and waiting for the cause of the noise to show itself. 

“Oh Johanna…” the unmistakable sound of your (rather disappointed) voice rang out. “Be nice to her.” 

Johanna let out a frustrated shriek as they watched her appear from the trees and all but shove what looked to be Wiress towards the water. 

“Yes! Yes! We all know, Nuts! Tick tock, tick tock. Get to the water!” 

“Johanna!” You barked.

Finnick’s lips formed your name before he was rushing across the beach to you; barely sparing a moment to look you over before his trident was dropped into the sand, freeing his arms to loop around your middle and lift you into the air. 

“Fucking finally,” Johanna sighed in obvious relief as she finally pushed Wiress into the saltwater, “someone with a vocabulary of more than four words.”

“Beetee and I have a vocabulary of more than five words…” You replied, though your argument was someone lost in Finnick’s chest where he had your face shielded. 

“Unless you plan on offing her, Odair, you might want to let your girlfriend breathe.” Johanna called.

“Babe what the fuck?” He hissed as he pulled you away from him, only then registering the fact that you were covered head to toe in…blood? “What the fuck!?”

“Before you get mad; it’s not my blood, and look who I found!” You placated quickly, gesturing to the three tributes you’d shown up with.

“What were you thinking, Y/N!?” He asked you then, shaking you gently by the shoulders. “What happened!?”

“I’m sorry!” You nearly keened, looking very contrite. “I was just so thirsty and so I figured while everyone slept I’d go look for water. I heard what sounded like rain so I went running, and the next thing I knew I couldn’t see a damn thing!”

“She didn’t so much as find us as she actually slammed directly into Nuts over here.” Johanna translated for Finnick. 

“Sorry Wiress.” You offered the woman sheepishly who simply waved as she continued her little clock song in turn.

“What happened to all of you?” Peeta asked then, suddenly directly behind Finnick and alerting him to the fact that all of you were covered in the crimson mess.

“What happened, Mellark,” Johanna hissed as she made to stalk over, completely ignoring the way Katniss’ bow was locked and loaded and pointing at her in the very next second, “was that your darling wife wanted Nuts and Bolts over here, so what did I do? I got her Nuts and Bolts! Then this one had the brilliant idea of wandering off when she was supposed to be with you idiots, and the three of you - fearsome victors that you are - let her! And where’s my thanks, huh? Who’s running through the sand to come find me?”

Finnick had the decency to offer her a guilty look, but she offered him an unimpressed smirk and fluttered her eyes in a half eye roll before she turned her glare back towards District Twelve’s lovebirds. 

“Couldn’t even celebrate the rain and finally having access to water because it was fucking blood!” She continued, now directing her ire to the sky.

“It rained blood?” Peeta murmured quietly then.

“So much blood...” You answered solemnly; hair cracking when you nodded due to the semi-dried substance coating it as you stared unseeingly at the trees with a haunted expression on your face. 

“Let’s get you washed off then, hm?” Finnick asked as he directed you towards the waters edge, though he kept Johanna’s eye contact as he said it. 

“Oh, I’m sure you’re just dying to see what I look like underneath all of this, Odair.” 

“Nothing we haven’t already seen, right Peeta?” Finnick tried for levity as he shot the kid a wink, only for Katniss to scowl and elbow him in the ribs. 

Finnick didn’t miss the way you shivered as you got into the water which concerned him seeing as the water was hardly cool enough to be of any relief in this scorching heat. 

“Peeta! Can you bring us water, please?”

“You guys have water!?” Johanna screeched.

“Katniss, can you bring some water to Johanna?” Finnick heard Peeta ask, earning him a petulant “do I have to?” in return.

“She brought you Wiress and Beetee.” Peeta countered, causing his girlfriend - wife? - to glower before doing what she was asked. 

“You doing okay, lovely girl?” Finnick asked as he massaged some of the dried blood from your body, keeping his voice calm even though your sluggish movements and the lack of colour in your lips was causing him great concern. 

“I’m kind of cold, Finn.” You slurred. 

“Cold?” Peeta asked incredulously as he showed up with one of Mags’ woven baskets filled with water.

Finnick hummed in response as he accepted the water from him, holding it up to your lips as he helped you take a drink. “I think she might be in shock.” He explained evenly. 

“She’s in shock? What do we do?” He started, words speeding up as he directed his concern at you.

“Well, we’re going to start with not doing that.” Finnick muttered in reference to his quickly mounting panic. “She’s alright, right honey?”

You hummed in agreement, though you were looking at Finnick with a furrow in your brows. 

“You’re alright.” He repeated, both for your benefit and his own. “I’ve got you now, yeah? We’re okay when we’re together.”

Tears quickly pooled in your eyes before they escaped the corners of your eyes, painting a rather macabre picture through the blood still stuck to your face. 

“M’sorry, Finn.” 

“Don’t be sorry, Y/N.” Finnick murmured, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “Just stay with me, okay? No more wandering off; I need you here with me.”

“I’m here.” You murmured, arm rising slowly to trail a finger over the bridge of his nose. “I’m here.” 

“Told you it was real.” Peeta muttered to Katniss then, an inelegant snort from Johanna startling both of them when they realized she was out of the water and standing at their side. 

“The two of you really are dumber than you look.” She taunted.

“I’ll take the first watch.” Finnick shouted before any infighting could start, shooting Katniss a halfhearted glare. “Everybody else rest up.” 

“Can I stay up with you, Finnick?” You murmured, still looking rather dazed as you half floated in the salty water in Finnick’s arms. 

You’d probably be the first to fall asleep, but Finnick didn’t bother telling you that. He simply agreed, pressing another kiss to your head before he continued washing you off.

[myalgicpierrot]

Plain text: They run away from moose like girls. they think a sheet of glass is adequate protection from being shot in the face by gang bangers and their recipes include fresh urine. What the hell is up with New Jersey's finest punk metallers? roars: Cardinal Doran. Snapping fingers: Brother Naki. "The Spanish Inquisition: You ask, they squirm" My Chemical Romance.

Why are you guys soooooo cool?? - Thomas, via email

Gerard: "We can answer this question. (Massive pause.) Er, shit. Let me answer this with a question, "Why is Brody Dalle from The Distillers so hot?" (Another massive pause.) I guess we're cool because we're just like Thomas. Unless he's a serial killer or something. We're just the kids who didn't fit in at school and that's how we found each other. We were always on the outside looking in and it depends on whether you think that's cool or not." Hammer: Off stage though and outside of music, who is the coolest, the most goddamn suave when chatting to the ladies? All bar Mikey in unison: "Mikey." Hammer: Is it your uncanny Jarvis Cocker impersonation? Mikey: "Yeah dude, it gets them every time. No it's Bob; the ladies are suckers for his beard." Hammer: They suck his beard? He must have some good lines.

Gerard, have you any plans to do any more artwork for future albums and how much would it cost to get you to play in my front room? - Name taken, via Hammer message board

Gerard: "Yes and 20 bucks." Hammer: I suppose there may be people who don't know that you do all the artwork. Gerard: "I did the art for both of the records. The first one - '1 Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love' - because I didn't want photographic artwork, so we got the picture, photocopied it, put some Ajax on it and put some cellophane on that. It's not actually a digital image like most people think. Then the second album - 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge was all done in watercolours and paint. And, yes, I want to do all of our album covers. I don't get chance to do half as much artwork as I'd like." Hammer: Talking of front rooms, what's the smallest gig you've ever played since you've been releasing records? Ray: "We played a basement in Philly in front of five people, a major record label rep and a homeless person." Frank: "The homeless guy had a tape recorder tied on a string round his neck; he bootlegged the gig and then tried to sell it back to us afterwards. It was very enterprising of him."

Have you ever thought of doing a cover? - The Drifter, via Hammer message board

Gerard: "Well we did. We played 'Jack The Ripper', a Morrissey b-side, at the same time the first record was out because we just didn't have enough songs. We did that for years cos we only had five songs and our sets would have been over too quickly." Hammer: We tend to hate it when bands do either exact copies of songs or when they do really obvious songs; what rules do you think apply to cover versions? Ray: "The band you cover have got to be over and done with or at least on their 10th album or whatever." Frank: "Yeah, so like it doesn't matter if it's Aerosmith - not that you should try to do an Aerosmith cover anyway - but how are you going to improve that?" Mikey: "Johnny And Mary' by Placebo (originally by now deceased suave ladies man, Robert Palmer - OAP Ed) is an interesting cover." Ray: "Just don't do anything obvious. Not covering a hit should be another rule. Placebo also covered 'Where Is My Mind' by The Pixies (American rock heroes that influenced Nirvana) and you can't do that. How many bands do that song? Too many."

Gerard, how do you feel about the comment that you look like Drew Barrymore in ET? - Ant, Birmingham

Gerard: "Where does this come from?" Hammer: I think it was originally from a Hammer live review ages ago. Gerard: "I always get compared to some Hollywood starlet or other. Especially Christina Ricci." Hammer: I'm never going to be able to watch the bit where she does that really sexy tap dance, wearing that amazingly short skirt in Buffalo 66 ever again.

What do you feel about the claim that you are goths? - Ali, from Reading

Gerard (who is dressed entirely in black, has long black hair and loads of make up on to appear like he has the three day dead eyes of a ghoul): "It doesn't really bother us. I think it comes from our song 'Vampires Will Never Hurt You'. I mean, I always dress in black; the whole of the band always dress in black but that isn't really goth to me. Bauhaus were goth; the Sisters of Mercy are goth. I think it has more to do with the sound of the music and our sound is more punk rock. All that goth music is good stuff though; I just don't think we sound like that."

Why not play a show in Iceland? It's not a bad idea. - Icelandic name, Iceland

Gerard: "I would love to." Frank: "I've heard it's fucking beautiful." Gerard: "We're always up for doing stuff like that in different countries and what I always say is 'If you can find a promoter who is willing to bring us over then we'll do it."

Hey guys, sorry to ask the obvious but what happened to Matt (the band's dour and slightly older ex-drummer)? - Alexandra Rose, via Hammer message board

Gerard: "We'd rather not talk about this because we're not a shit-talking band." Frank: "It's just not anyone's business. We don't feel we need to talk about stuff like this." Hammer: Well, I'll turn the question around: Can you tell us about the background of your new member Bob, who's replaced him? (The entire band turn round to Bob, who is dozing in the corner with his hoody pulled up, and laugh.) All: "Bob, what's your background!" Bob (groggily): "I started playing drums when I was three and then after school, I worked my way into the music business, working in music stores and record shops. I started doing drum tech stuff and I always ended up hanging around with My Chemical Romance whenever I worked with them.”

(splash quote) "I just rolled the window up. I couldn't think of anything else to do. 'Phew. I'm safe from the .375 gun now that I've rolled the fucking window up.’”

What are MCR's favourite sandwich fillings? - Your biggest fan, Northern Ireland

Rae: "Turkey and Gruyere." Frank: "Eggplant (Aubergine – American Ed) and parmesan." Mikey: "Grilled cheese and tomato." Hammer: Ah, poor man's pizza. Bob: "Tuna mayonnaise." Hammer: While we're on the subject, who is the best cook in the band? Ray: "Well, I know that Bob can actually cook. Bob, how do you cook them steaks?" Bob: "I get some steak and some vinegar and some other shit. I could tell you but I'd have to kill you. Shit, I don't know, I can cook really good if I've got a book in front of me." Gerard: "Next time I'm over I'm going to cook all of Metal Hammer's readers a chick pea curry, It tastes really good." Frank: "If you are making a chicken Caesar salad you should put powdered onions into the dressing and it tastes really nice. Hammer: Onions? In powder form? Really? What kind of insanity is that? Frank: "You guys don't have powdered onions? You are so BC. Hammer: Goddamnit. You can't speak to a member of Her Majesty's Metal Press like that. But let me know where we can get this shit, we're thinking of launching a sister title Metal And Modern Cookery Hammer All: "Awesome!

To the guy with the big hair (Ray), do you actually Iron Maiden or are you just being cool? - Insane Angel, via Hammer message board Ray:… Gerard: "Woah!" Bob: "Ha! Ha! Ha! Ray:… (starts shaking) Frank: "Oh my God!" Ray:… (smoke starts pouring from his ears) Mikey: "What a fucking question" Ray (with barely controlled anger, through gritted teeth): "No. I hate them. They're fucking shit. That's a fucked up question you shit head!" Gerard: "To be fair it's a valid question. You do see a lot of young chicks wearing Maiden t-shirts who are just doing it because it is a fashion thing to do." Hammer: So we can safely assume you are all Maiden fans? All: "Dude! Of course!" Hammer: In that case can you all give me a surprising Bruce Dickinson fact? Mikey: "He was an Olympic fencer." Ray: "He wrote books on how to get on in the music biz." Gerard: "He is a trained pilot dude!" Frank: "Do you know how in the 70s Bowie started thinking he was Ziggy Stardust? Well, I think Bruce Dickinson is the same with Lord Iffy Boot Race (Main character from Dicko's comedy novels)."

How do you feel about the criticism you receive from the metal community? - Chris, via email

Gerard: "I'm not sure what he's talking about. If he means about the people who remember us from being in a hardcore band who call us faggots on the internet then we're not really bothered. We get called faggots a lot but, you know, so what? Generally we tend not to read about ourselves. Live reviews are handy because you can learn stuff from them but generally not."

(splash quote) "There were five people and a homeless guy at the gig. The homeless guy bootlegged the gig and tried to sell it to us afterwards." (close-up photo captioned "Gerard knows the Way. To wear makeup.")

Do you consider yourselves a metal band? - Grace, London Gerard: "Metal is a big influence. If you think about the power, the screaming, the guitars etc then it is quite metal but it sounds like punk to me." Mikey: "We're also metal in the sense that we've a lot of metal on our instruments and I have quite a lot on my belt buckle as well." Gerard: "If we're metal then we're very traditionally metal. Iron Maiden are an influence as are Helloween, don't ever forget Helloween!" Hammer: In that case, is your song 'Thank You For The Venom' an ABBA style tribute to the large haired black metal poodle rockers from Newcastle, England? Gerard: "Eh?" Hammer: It doesn't matter. Gerard: "That song is a sarcastic statement, a bit like saying 'Thanks for ruining my life'. It was something I had written on my t-shirt the first ever gig we played."

What would you do if you ever encountered a moose? Would you run like a girl or stand and face it like a man? - Goldfinger, via Hammer message board Frank: "Has Goldfinger ever seen any mooses?" Mikey: "That isn't the plural of moose. It's moosi." Gerard: "Fuck off, it's meese." Frank: "Has Goldfinger ever seen a flock of meese advancing on him? It's a terrifying sight. They aren't small creatures. You would just run off like a girl or a boy. What does running like a girl mean anyway?" Mikey: "I've seen one. I'd run like a girl for sure. They're massive. If you run over one you're fucked. They come in through your windscreen kicking." Bob: "People think that moose are really gentle and goofy but they aren't; they're fucking animals." Hammer: What is the most exotic piece of wildlife you've ever encountered on tour? Gerard: "I saw some grizzly bears in Canada." Ray: "I saw a coyote." Bob: "Ray saw this girl in Chicago. She was fucking exotic." Ray: "Oh shit. She pelted me with chicken-flavoured crackers. Do you remember the homeless lady as well? She was this really old lady with this faint voice that I found when I was getting on the tour bus one night. She said, 'Can I sleep here tonight?' and I was like, 'No way lady, get the hell off the bus.' And then I realised that she had wrenched the window off the side of the bus to get in." Hammer: You have more stories about homeless people than any other band that we've met. Gerard: "That's because they are our core audience." Mikey: "We're very attractive to them because we dress like homeless people." Hammer: I saw a moose once. It was bearing down on me with a semi-on and a heart full of hatred. Gerard: "You're making this up aren't you?" Hammer: Er, yes.

Do you like the French? - Paul, Kingston Upon Thames Gerard: "Oh. That is such a loaded question." Frank: "Well, I'm going to say no because when we've toured there they've never been anything but mean to us." Hammer: Well, you're in good company. I know Andrew Eldritch, from the Sisters Of Mercy, said if he had one wish he would make France sink into the sea except for all of the pretty girls aged between 18 and 26, who he would levitate to safety." All, cracking up: "Awesome!" Hammer: Yeah, they are an easy target. Wasn't it Donald Rumsfeld who said that going to war in Iraq without the French was like going hunting without an accordion? Frank: "Brilliant."

Can you clear this up for us once and for all; which one of the Village People was actually gay? - Iron Monkey, via Hammer message board Gerard (without pause): "The Construction Worker."

You guys rule live. What British band would you like to play with in the future? - Hollow Man, via Hammer message board Frank: "Muse." Mikey: "Muse." Ray: "Funeral For A Friend." Gerard: "Yeah, Funeral For A Friend again."

Have any of you ever been shot and/or stabbed? - Andy, Bristol Ray: "We nearly got shot recently. We were stuck in a traffic jam and our manager got into this argument with these Puerto Rican guys and told them to go fuck themselves. They pulled up next to us and got a gun out. Our manager was trying to grab the gun. I thought we were fucked for sure." Bob: "I just rolled the window up. I couldn't think of anything else to do. 'Phew. I'm safe from the .375 gun now that I've rolled the fucking window up.'" Hammer: Were you scared? Bob: "Nah, I'm full of piss and vinegar." Hammer: Ah ha! So that's what's in your secret steak marinade! Bob: "Shit yeah! I piss on my steak. Now I'm gonna have to kill you."

Rock journalists suck big dogs' cocks. And they smell. Really bad. Like burning ammonia. Take over by asking the questions that matter to you. See www.metalhammer.co.uk/spanish for who the Inquisition are gonna be quizzing in the coming months and how to ask your questions. Arriverderch.

MCR for Metal Hammer, Issue 133, December 2004 🩸 #Revenge20

📸 via Naki

[kairos-polaris]

Does Harrow even love Gideon? I mean Harrow and Alecto have this weird vibe going on with them that basically shaped Harrow's being, and it definitely led to Gideon being resolute that Harrow holds deep affection for The Body.

I wanted to joke if we've read the same books because Harrow the Ninth made Harrow's priorities exceedingly clear but I do need to ask if you have read the books so I wouldn't spoiler things. But I also wanted to yap about griddlehark and Alecto anyway

I strongly believe that Harrow loves Gideon in every way she knows how to, traumatized and repressed as she is. I am not a fan of the implications that just because Harrow has affections for Alecto doesn't mean she doesn't love Gideon. They are both important to her and both are the centers of her universe in different ways.

Harrow and Gideon are extremely traumatised, the only example of healthy romantic love they had were Magnus and Abigail. But just because Gideon interpreted Harrow's love for the Body as romantic doesn't mean it actually is romantic. Gideon has very limited experience with love in general and the only person she is devoted to is Harrow herself. And she loves Harrow romantically so it makes sense she would assume that since Harrow is devoted to the Body, she is in love with her. Does it make sense?

Alecto is Harrow's idol, an unreachable ideal, something to strive for, the reason to keep going. The Body is her idol, her god, she is devoted to Alecto. She makes the Body her life's purpose. She is deeply devoted to her and she loves her but it's different from the way she loves Gideon.

No matter how much Harrow loves the Body, Gideon will forever be her priority. We see it in the way she dies with her name on her lips (“But your idiot dying mouth rounded out three totally different syllables, and they were three syllables you did not even understand.”) We see it during the fight with Cytherea when Harrow absolutely refuses to ascend despite how she worked for it just for the chance of seeing the Body awaken. Harrow carries so much guilt over the sin of her parents, committed just to continue Anastasia's line, but she is ready to discard it if it means Gideon survives. Gideon's life matters more to her than the chance of seeing the Body, than the burden of being the Tombkeeper.

And we see how dedicated Harrow is to keeping Gideon alive. She begs God for Gideon's soul, she says “How dare you ask me to live with it?”. She creates an elaborate plan to prevent herself from absorbing Gideon's soul with a method that could have left her brain dead. And she was catatonic for a while after that! She performed the lobotomy on herself knowing all the risks, because Gideon's life is that important to her. There are probably details of her plan that we don't know yet, something to actually resurrect Gideon.

There are countless moments in the books that show how obsessed Harrow is with Gideon and how much she means to her. She stays up all night burying bones just to show off in front of Gideon; she doesn't believe that Harrow would be willing to let go of her. Harrow is plainly jealous of Dulcinea/Cytherea in Canaan house and that's why she was even suspicious of her.

The entirety of the pool scene! Especially when Harrow says “Strike me down. You’ve won. I’ve lived my whole wretched life at your mercy, yours alone, and God knows I deserve to die at your hand. You are my only friend. I am undone without you.” and then they spend the whole night talking with Gideon sleeping in the cav bed as it was intended, perpendicular to Harrow. When they fight Cytherea not only does she refuse to ascend but she calls Gideon “the first flower of my house”. Harrow is half catatonic as she talks to Gideon after eating her, she says “I cannot conceive of a universe without you in it.”, she says “Don't leave me” as Gideon recites biblical wedding vows (“The Lord do so and so to me, and add more also, if aught but death part me and thee.”)

In the dream bubble, everything is influenced by Gideon despite Harrow not remembering her. She misses something, someone and doesn't understand what. When she finally has her memories back she says: “If I forget you, let my right hand be forgotten,” her mouth was saying. “Add more also, if aught but death part me and thee.” She repeats Gideon's last words, she says the wedding vows back. Magnus later says Harrow is “keeping her [Gideon's] things like a lover keeping old notes” and “You’re not waiting for her resurrection; you’ve made yourself her mausoleum.” in direct parallel to Ianthe's earlier “I have loved plenty—true love is acquisitive. You keep anything … strands of hair … an envelope they might’ve licked … a note saying, Good morning, simply because they wrote it to you. Love is a revenant, Gideon Nav.” In my eyes it pretty obviously means Harrow loves Gideon.

Whether Harrow loves Gideon or not depends on how you define love, to me that her devotion is love and I do think she loves Gideon with everything she has. Doesn't matter if it's romantic or platonic. However! I will not be convinced that her love for Alecto is romantic. Harrow loves the Body, the image of Alecto she invented in her head. Pyrrha loves Alecto, Anastasia loves Alecto. But Harrow loves the Body, she loves the idea of her. But she knows Gideon, they are each other's first friend and enemy. Gideon says the point of me is you and I believe Harrow sees it the same, the point of her is Gideon.

AND THIS IS WHY GRIDDLEHARK IS THE SHIP EVER. The only reason I don't write fics for them is because my brain is so in awe of their canonical relationship it doesn't feel the need to add anything else. Everything I love is already in there

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

So for new year cards...

Jack SSR is actually so cool; I like it. Malleus SSR is beautiful and all, but he really reminds me of a bride in forced marriage tropes. 😭

[Referencing the Twst JP Jan 2025 schedule!]

Finally, some good fucking food for Jack stans 😭 Port Fest feels like so long ago… fbjssbdjjs I feel like I can’t appreciate his design as much as others can. I’m not into the skintight undershirt on a character as buff as Jack is, and I'm confused as to why his gloves are... like that??? But!! I do like his fluffly little boa thing and how enthusiastic his pose is. You can tell he’s really putting his all into the New Year Sale~!

Malleus got another new hairstyle (any hairstyle that's different than his default one is a win in my book www)!! I think it's a well-liked look among his fans; I already saw so many people commenting that he looks like a love interest in a reborn as a villainess isekai or something to that effect.

I also saw some chatter around the thin fabric that Malleus seems to have over himself. A common joke is that it's a "wedding veil", but given the traditional Japanese clothes everyone is wearing for the new year, it's more likely also a Japanese article of clothing. A friend theorized that it's a 被衣 (kazuki/katsugi), a garment worn over the head that fully covers the body. These are mostly donned by noblewomen to cover their faces when they go out--and that sort of makes sense, given that Malleus himself is a noble. How demure and mindful... I thought the veil could also be a frost blanket (you know, to protect the budding flowers from the cold)?? But I'm not entirely sure right now; maybe the vignettes will give us more context!

A friend and I were speculating as to what flowers might be featured in the initial card art and the conclusion we came to was ume (plum) blossoms. The color and shape are similar, and they're a classic flower in winter anime. Something else I noticed was that the same flowers seem to appear in Sebek's New Year Attire from two years ago! If you compare Malleus and Sebek, you'll notice that the lighting is much warmer in Sebek's too. In fact, all previous SSR cards are pretty much like that, save for maybe Trey but at least Trey is shown to be in front of the shop. It really makes Malleus's card "stick out", since he's the only one that appears to be in a lonely and isolated location, just him and the plum blossoms.

On the subject of clothing worn by Japanese women! The same friend and I talked about Jamil's New Year Attire too. (Figured I'd throw this in here since I'm already talking about the other three 2025 New Year boys. Don't wanna leave him out, y'know??)

You can see that he has his hood up in the initial card artwork; my friend joked that Jamil's a newlywed. Why? Brides that choose to dress traditionally for their wedding days wear a wide white headdress/hood called a 角隠し (tsunokakushi), which covers an elaborate hairstyle like Jamils'/j. The "tsuno" (horns, as I'm sure you're all familiar with) in the name refers to the "horns of jealousy"; the tsunokakushi is meant to blanket the jealousy so she can enter her new married life at peace.

Of course, the shape, color, and context of the tsunokakushi is very different than what Jamil's got going on and the Twst team most likely did not intend for this comparison to be drawn, but I thought that this was interesting to share ^^ (*feeds Jamuil yumes this delulu cultural trivia*)

Aaaand let's close out with Floyd! The answer to his question is simple, actually. To put one's arm inside the kimono is just a very casual or relaxed way to pose. It suits Floyd and his attitude, doesn't it?

[flwrkid14]

Ghosts of Gotham: Tim Drake is a Halfa

Danny wasn’t exactly sure what he expected when he met Gotham’s infamous vigilantes, but “Red Hood smells like death and swamp water had a baby” definitely wasn’t on the list. The moment he stepped into the room, Danny gagged so hard he nearly fell out of the air.

“Holy Ancients,” he wheezed, covering his nose. “What in the name of all things unholy is that?”

Jason, already not thrilled about the random glowing stranger showing up, tilted his helmeted head. “What’s what?”

“That! You! You smell like—oh, man. I can’t even describe it.” Danny waved his hand in front of his face like it might help. “It’s like if ectoplasm went rancid and then you rolled in it for three days straight. Dude, do you know what’s going on with your ecto-situation?”

Jason took a threatening step forward. “You wanna say that again?”

Danny floated higher, clearly not intimidated. “Oh, I’ll say it again. You stink. And not just like regular stink. Like ghost stink. Like, ‘this is a health code violation, and the Ghost Zone is going to fine you’ stink. How are you even standing there right now? Anyone from Amity Park would be side-eyeing you so hard you’d feel it in your soul—what’s left of it, anyway.”

Jason stared, his body language radiating murderous intent. “You are two seconds away from eating pavement, Casper.”

Danny, unbothered, pointed at his own chest. “Excuse me, Phantom. Casper wishes he could pull this look off.”

“Phantom,” Dick interrupted, trying and failing not to laugh, “maybe we could focus on the introductions first?”

Danny gave Jason one last look of pity and floated down. “Fine, fine. But seriously, Big Red, we’re going to have to talk about that. I’ll fix it later. No need to thank me.”

Jason looked ready to commit murder, but Bruce’s glare cut him off before he could say anything.

Once the chaos settled, introductions were exchanged, and things calmed down—relatively speaking. Danny, as it turned out, was impossible to fully calm down. He buzzed around the room like he had endless energy, chatting and throwing out quips that seemed to simultaneously amuse and irritate everyone.

Then Danny’s gaze landed on Red Robin, and everything shifted.

Danny tilted his head, his glowing green eyes narrowing slightly. For a moment, his usual chaos quieted, curiosity taking over. “Huh,” he said softly, almost to himself.

Tim stiffened, his body going taut as though preparing for impact.

Danny floated closer, peering at him with an unnervingly intense expression. “You’re like me.”

Tim’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately stepped back, his movements sharp and jerky. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do,” Danny said, and his tone was too soft for the others to hear the shift in it. “You’re like me. You’re—”

Tim’s hand twitched at his side, as though debating whether to reach for something or retreat entirely. “Don’t,” he said sharply, his voice low.

Danny blinked, then realization dawned on his face. “Wait… they don’t know, do they?”

“What don’t we know?” Bruce cut in, his voice sharp with suspicion.

Danny ignored him, his gaze locked on Tim. “Oh, man. I’m sorry. I didn’t—”

Tim’s eyes darted toward Danny, his frown deepening as uncertainty clouded his features. He shifted his weight, his fingers twitching at his sides as if fighting the urge to bolt.

He took a step back, then another, his movements slow and almost imperceptible. His breathing quickened, shallow and uneven, as though the air itself had grown heavier. The space around him seemed to shimmer faintly, a distortion that matched the anxiety rippling across his face.

Danny reached out, concern etched in his expression, but Tim flinched. His lips parted as if to say something, but no words came. Instead, the shimmering intensified, and with each passing second, Tim grew more translucent, his form fading like a mirage under the moon.

By the time Danny blinked, Tim was gone, leaving only a faint disturbance in the air where he had been.

The bats froze, their eyes darting around the room.

“What the hell just happened?” Jason demanded, reaching for his guns. “Where’d he go?”

“Did you do something?” Damian snapped at Danny, his hand already on his katana.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Danny held up his hands, his eyes wide with excitement. “Not me! That was all him! Holy Ancients—he can turn invisible?!” A grin split his face as he practically vibrated in place. “This is awesome! Wait—does he shoot ecto-beams too? Or, oh, what if he’s got some crazy transformation I’ve never even seen before? This just keeps getting better!”

Bruce’s expression darkened. “You need to explain. Now.”

Danny sighed, his excitement fading as realization set in. “Okay, but first, I need to go find him. Because if he’s anything like me, he’s probably freaking out right now. So… bye!”

He phased through the floor before anyone could stop him.

———

Danny found Tim perched on the edge of Wayne Industries, staring out at the Gotham skyline. He floated over cautiously, his boots touching down softly on the rooftop.

“Hey,” Danny said, his voice quiet. “Mind if I sit?”

Tim didn’t respond, but he didn’t tell him to leave either, so Danny took that as permission. He sat down cross-legged, giving Tim some space.

They stayed like that for a while, the silence heavy but not unbearable.

Finally, Danny broke it. “Okay, so… not to ruin the moment, but can we talk about how you've had to endure Jason’s ecto-stench this entire time? Because seriously, that’s gotta be a health violation. I mean, I'm half-dead, and even I think it’s concerning. Someone needs to dunk him in a pool of purified ectoplasm or something. I’m gonna file a complaint with—”

Tim laughed. It was soft and brief, but it was real.

Danny grinned, leaning back on his hands. “There it is. I knew you had a laugh in there somewhere.”

Tim sighed, his shoulders loosening slightly. “You’re… a lot,” he admitted.

“I know,” Danny said proudly. “But I grow on people. Like mold. Or fungus.”

Tim huffed another laugh, shaking his head. For a moment, the tension eased, and Danny let the silence settle again before speaking more seriously.

“Look,” Danny said, his voice softer, “I’m sorry I outed you like that. I didn’t know. And if they give you crap about it, I’ll personally make their lives miserable. But… you’re not alone in this, okay? I mean, yeah, it sucks. A lot. But you’ve got me now, because there’s no way we’re not becoming best friends now, and I get it.”

Tim looked at him, his eyes glassy but steady. “Thanks,” he said quietly. He hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. “Do you really get it? I mean, you know what it’s like to…” His voice trailed off, thick with hesitation.

Danny tilted his head, his tone softer now. “Yeah. I know what it’s like.”

Tim let out a breath, shaky but determined. “I died.. a few months ago.”

Danny blinked but didn’t say anything, giving Tim space to continue.

“Harley—she caught me. Took me, actually. I was gone for weeks. They—she—handed me over to Joker. It was like a… gift. She thought it’d fix their relationship or something, I don’t know.” Tim’s voice faltered, his gaze flickering to the floor as if the memories were too much to hold. “I held out as long as I could. I kept fighting, kept trying to survive, but…”

He shook his head, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. “Weeks of it. Beatings. Electrocutions. I don’t even remember the exact moment my heart stopped. I just… wasn’t there anymore.”

Danny stayed quiet, his face a mix of empathy and understanding.

“Harley panicked,” Tim continued, his words tumbling out like a confession. “She thought she’d gone too far, that Joker would kill her next. So she tried shocking me back. Guess she half-suceeded? I only came back halfway.” He gestured at himself vaguely, his hands trembling. “I’m not the same. I’m not… whole.”

Danny nodded slowly. "You’re stuck between," he said, offering the words with quiet reassurance.

Tim nodded, biting his lip. “Yeah. Between.” He paused, looking up at Danny. “I haven’t told anyone because… how do you tell them something like that? How do you tell your family you’re not really alive? That their search was all in vain? That I still died, even though they looked so hard for me? I can’t make them think they failed.” His voice wavered. “They were so scared when they found me…”

Danny stayed with him in the silence, his presence a steady comfort.

Tim exhaled slowly, rubbing his face. “I thought I was weak. I thought if I told them what really happened, they’d think I was broken. And I didn’t want to be a burden.” He looked up at Danny. “I’m still not used to this. Not used to being… like this. I don’t even know how to control it—sometimes I phase through walls, other times I get stuck halfway. And the invisibility thing… I can’t even make it work without disappearing when I get too emotional.”

Danny’s gaze softened with understanding as he leaned in slightly, his voice steady but gentle. He hummed thoughtfully, “It’s a lot to handle all at once.”

Tim's shoulders slumped as he leaned closer to Danny, “I’ve been trying to figure out how to control it, but every time I get close, something goes wrong. And I didn’t want anyone to think I was weak or… freakish, so I kept pretending everything was fine. It was easier that way. Easier than explaining… all this.” He exhaled slowly, the exhaustion in his voice evident. “At least it was… until you showed up.”

Danny reached out, resting a hand on Tim’s arm in a quiet gesture of comfort. “I don’t think you’re a freak. You’re just different, like me. But that doesn’t make you broken. You’re still you.” He paused, meeting Tim’s gaze. “I know what it’s like.. to feel different, freakish, the whole nine yards. For what it’s worth? You're handling it a lot better than I did.”

Tim gave him a tight smile, the first real one in a while. “Thanks. It helps. More than you know.”

———

When they returned to the Batcave, Tim sat down with the others, Danny sticking close by his side. Tim took a deep breath and told them everything—about being captured by Harley, the weeks of torture at the Joker’s hands, the electrocutions that had stopped his heart. About how Harley had panicked and shocked him back to life, halfway. How he wasn’t entirely human anymore.

The family listened, their expressions ranging from horror to guilt to anger. Jason looked ready to kill someone, and Bruce’s usually stoic face betrayed a crack of regret. Tim hesitated as he explained why he hadn’t told them sooner, his voice faltering but honest.

Tim’s voice cracked slightly as he spoke, “I didn’t want you to think you failed… that you searched for me for nothing,"

Danny stayed quiet but stayed close, resting a hand on Tim’s shoulder. “For the record,” he said, glaring at the others, “if any of you give him crap about this, you’re gonna have to deal with me. And trust me, I will make your lives miserable.”

Tim gave him a small, grateful smile. For the first time, he didn’t feel quite so alone.

[elizabeth-holland24]

Snowed In at the Country Inn-Chapter 1

New York City glistened like a snow globe in motion, every corner of the bustling metropolis sparkling under the glow of twinkling Christmas lights. It was the kind of scene that made postcards look dull, but to her, it was just another day in the endless chaos of December. She sprinted through the slushy pavement, her breath puffing in clouds as she muttered a string of apologies and excuses to the strangers she bumped into. Clutching her oversized planner in one hand and a precariously balanced coffee cup in the other, she came to a stop at the curb, waving frantically at an approaching taxi.

“For a woman who plans every detail of her life to the second,” she muttered under her breath, “you really have a knack for running late.”

The taxi whizzed by, splashing her boots with icy water. With a resigned groan, she adjusted her scarf and glanced at her phone. The glowing screen reminded her of the looming flight she could not afford to miss. A dozen notifications blinked across the screen: frantic texts from her assistant, a last-minute change to a corporate party she’d been organizing for weeks, and, of course, the message she was avoiding—a cheerful reminder from her father about her plans to spend Christmas with him.

She sighed, her grip tightening on her phone. “Merry chaos,” she muttered, stepping back onto the pavement.

Her phone buzzed again, this time with a call. She swiped to answer, keeping her voice light despite the irritation bubbling under the surface.

“Claire, I swear, if this is about the Henderson wedding—”

“It’s about your flight,” Claire interrupted. “Check your email. There’s been a mix-up.”

Her stomach dropped. “What kind of mix-up?”

“The kind where your seat doesn’t exist any more. The airline overbooked, and now you’re waitlisted.”

She closed her eyes and counted to three, inhaling deeply through her nose. “You’re telling me I’m stranded in New York one week before Christmas?”

“I’m so sorry! I’ve already called to see if there’s anything we can do, but the earliest rebooking is the day after Christmas.”

“Fantastic,” she said tightly. “Because that’s exactly when I planned to travel.”

She ended the call, ignoring Claire’s flurry of apologies, she'll apologize for her rudeness later. She stood frozen for a moment on the crowded pavement. Around her, shoppers hurried by with their bags and holiday cheer, oblivious to her growing panic. She stared down at the planner in her hands, her lifeline in the storm of her hectic career, now rendered useless by one simple change. Her gaze fell to a photograph tucked between the pages—a faded snapshot of her and her mother, laughing in front of a snow-dusted gazebo.

Her fingers brushed the edge of the photo, a sudden ache blooming in her chest. She remembered this moment vividly, though it felt like a lifetime ago. Her mum had loved Christmas, the magic of it, the traditions. It had been their thing, once upon a time. But those memories belonged to another world, one she’d locked away years ago.

A booming laugh interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see a man dressed as Santa ringing a bell beside a donation bucket. He was smiling warmly at passers-by, his laughter echoing through the chilly air. Something about him drew her in.

“Rough day?” he asked, his voice kind.

She managed a small smile. “You could say that.”

He glanced at the photo in her hand. “Sometimes, people lose their way. All they need is a little help to look back at where it all started.”

Her chest tightened. “That’s what my mum used to say.”

“She sounds like a wise woman,” he said. “You know, I couldn't help but overhear your predicament. If you want a place to escape for the holidays, I used to visit a little town called Sweetwater around Christmas. Magical place. Feels like stepping into another world.” He winked. “Might be just what you need.”

She hesitated, then typed the name into her phone. Sweetwater. Her heart raced as she found a flight and booked it.

“Sweetwater,” she whispered to herself. “Here’s hoping you live up to your name.”

The plane touched down in Texas under a heavy gray sky that promised snow, the kind of weather that seemed out of place this far south. She bundled herself against the cold as she stepped into the small airport, her breath curling in the air as she dragged her suitcase toward the exit. The town’s name, Sweetwater, greeted her from a modest wooden sign outside. It was quaint, the kind of place where time seemed to slow down.

The cab ride was quiet, the driver a friendly older man who chatted about the approaching snowstorm. “You picked an interesting time to visit,” he said with a chuckle. “Storm’s coming in strong. Could be a while before the roads clear.”

She looked out the window at the swirling snowflakes, a mix of nerves and curiosity stirring inside her. This was a far cry from the meticulously planned holidays she usually orchestrated. She felt free in a way that was both unsettling and thrilling.

The cab stopped in front of the inn, a charmingly rustic building with a wraparound porch draped in Christmas lights. She stepped out, her boots crunching on the fresh snow as she took in the scene. It was straight out of a holiday card: a roaring fireplace visible through the window, wreaths hanging on every door, and the faint sound of carols drifting through the air.

She was halfway to the entrance when the door burst open, and a tall figure stepped out, lugging a suitcase. Before she could react, they collided—her heel catching on an icy patch. She flailed, teetering backward, only to find herself caught firmly in his arms.

“Whoa there,” he said, steadying her with ease.

She looked up, her breath hitching as she took in his sharp features. Tousled hair framed a face that was rugged yet annoyingly attractive. He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a grin.

“You okay?”

“I—uh, yeah,” she stammered, pulling herself upright.

It wasn’t until she dusted herself off and glanced down that the horror-struck. Her beloved planner—her lifeline—was dripping with hot chocolate, the brown liquid seeping into the carefully organized pages.

Her gaze darted to his other hand, now empty. The Styrofoam cup that had once contained the drink was lying crushed in the snow.

“You let go of your drink to catch me,” she said, her tone caught between disbelief and irritation.

“Seemed like the right thing to do,” he replied, unapologetic.

She held up the planner, its ruined state glaringly obvious. “This is my life. Do you know how long it’ll take to fix this?”

He shrugged, that infuriating grin still in place. “Could’ve been worse. You could’ve ended up face-first in the snow.”

Her glare could’ve melted the frost under their feet. “Thanks for the silver lining,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Anytime,” he quipped, brushing past her and heading toward the door.

Inside, the warmth of the inn wrapped around her like a hug. Penny, the innkeeper, greeted her with a wide smile and a steaming cup of cider. “Welcome to Sweetwater! You got here just in time—the storm’s rolling in fast.”

“I noticed,” she said, glancing out the window at the thickening snow.

“Good news is we’ve got plenty of space,” Penny continued. “Well, almost. Looks like you’ll be sharing the last suite with one of our other guests.”

Her jaw tightened. “Sharing? With a stranger?”

“Only option left, I’m afraid,” Penny said, her tone apologetic but firm.

Before she could protest further, the door opened again, and the man from earlier strolled in, brushing snow from his shoulders. His eyes widened slightly when he saw her, then narrowed as Penny handed them the key.

“Wait, we’re sharing a room?” he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

“It’s a suite,” Penny corrected, her smile never wavering. “Plenty of space for the two of you. And with the storm coming in, it’s better than being stuck out there.”

They exchanged a look, equal parts wary and exasperated. Finally, she sighed. “Fine. But just for the record, I’m not thrilled about this.”

“Noted,” he said, his tone matching hers.

Penny clapped her hands together. “Great! Now, let’s get you two settled.”

A/N: So the first chapter is up, I hope you guys like it and live up to your expectations. I'll probably update after I update a chapter on my other story. But yeah, I this one might be shorter than The Beast Within, but well see. Love you all, don't forget to like and reblog. Also, this chapter is dedicated to @bellaireland1981. Happy Holidays <3

[belovedhoon]

mr. grinch

pairing: jeno x f! reader fandom: nct dream

a/n: sorry this is late for christmas...i'm just glad its up in decemeber! i hope you guys enjoyed! i think it's crazy how jeno is my ult bias, yet this is my first fic for him...oops...anyways enjoy y'all! merry Christmas to those who celebrate! and happy holidays to those who don't!

wc: 2.4k contains: smut, fluff at the end, jealous jeno, husband jeno (I NEED him) taglist: @shypen @st1llm0nster @squoxle

synopsis: you and your husband jeno are over at your friends house for a christmas party and at first jeno is having a great time but then he starts to act like a grinch and you can’t help but wonder why, as soon as you get home jeno lets you know just exactly why he’s being a grinch so you decide to try to get him back in the christmas spirit and you know just the way to do so.

fic under cut >>>>>>>

You placed the red lipstick down and looked in the mirror one last time to check over your appearance and smiled softly at yourself. You got up from the vanity table to look for your husband Jeno to see if he was ready, he tends to take awhile…even longer than you sometimes…

You head towards your bedroom to see if Jeno is in there but don’t see him so you call out his name so that he could hear you. You hear a quick “I’m in the living room love.” before Jeno pops his head out from around the corner. You smiled as you saw your husband and walked towards the living room. 

“Jeno are you ready? We should be leaving soon.” You said softly smiling up at him. Jeno just nodded his head with a bright smile, his eyes scrunching up cutely. Jeno gave you a once-over and smirked.

“Maybe we should skip the party, you look so good, babe…” Jeno said winking. You just laughed and swatted at his muscular chest. You shook your head no at his words.

“Be serious Jen, you know we can’t skip the party, Renjun would be so upset with us!” You scolded your husband playfully. He just laughed and shook his head. He gave you a quick kiss before announcing that the two of you could head out now. You both grabbed the gifts for your friends before walking out of the house and to your car. Jeno placed the presents in the trunk of the car before opening the passenger side for you and then hopping in the front seat to start the car so that you could be on your way to Renjun’s house for the party. 

When you got to Renjun’s house, Jeno parked the car in Renjun’s large driveway and shut off the car before jumping out and opening the door on your side like the gentleman he always is. The both of you grabbed the gifts, walked up to Renjun’s front door, and rang the doorbell. About a minute later, Mark opened the door smiling at the both of you, before ushering you two inside. 

“Hey guys! Come in, it’s cold outside!” Mark said welcoming the two of you inside. You smiled gratefully at Mark and walked inside, Mark closing the door behind you and Jeno. “The rest of us are in the dining room! Come in whenever you get situated.” Mark said again before walking away to the dining room where he was before you two got there. Jeno and you took off your shoes leaving them on the rack by the door and putting your coats on the coat rack beside it before you two made your way to the dining room where everyone was. 

“Hey, lovebirds! You made it just in time! Jaemin just got here a few minutes before you two! So everyone is here now!” You heard Renjun say cheerily. You smiled and nodded gratefully at the information. Jeno and you exchanged hugs with everyone and Jeno couldn’t help but vaguely notice that Jaemin held you for a tad too long for his liking but shrugged it off. “All the gifts are over on that table if you want to go put them over there! We’re gonna be starting some Christmas-themed games afterward!” Renjun announced. Jeno nodded at his words, walked over to the table, and placed the gifts you both had gotten on the table with the other gifts. 

For the games, you all were paired off in groups of three people. You were paired off with Jaemin and Renjun, Jeno was paired with Mark and Haechan, and Chenle and Jisung were paired off. The first game you had to do was try to pop as many Christmas balloons by throwing darts at them as you could in 5 minutes. To say you were bad at it was an understatement…Your aim was so bad, so Jaemin stepped up to you and helped you aim correctly so that you could hit the balloons properly. Jeno’s eyes narrowed as his eyes zeroed in on Jaemin’s hands on your waist and hands to help you but he didn’t say anything…in fact, he didn’t say anything, not when you turned around and hugged jaemin tightly when you finally made a dart through the balloon, not when on the next game, he watched as Jaemin whispered in your ear and not even when through most of the night your attention was in fact on Jaemin. No, Jeno just sat there fuming, a nasty glare on his face as he watched the two of you interact. The fact that you were so oblivious to Jaemin’s shameless flirting and Jeno’s very obvious anger just made Jeno even more angry. 

It was time to open presents so you were sitting beside your husband, who you could tell seemed to be in a sour mood but couldn’t place why he was. You looked over at Jeno, a look of concern on your face but he just looked forward not paying you any mind, so you just shrugged annoyed. If he was going to act like a Christmas Grinch then you weren’t going to let him ruin your fun night. Everyone handed out the gifts they got for everyone and then everyone proceeded to open them one by one. When you got to the gift that Jaemin got you, you opened it and gassed when you saw the sweater you’ve been wanting for a while. You thanked him graciously and hugged him. Jeno just scoffed at the interaction quietly but you heard him. Then it dawned on you…Jeno was being a Grinch because he was jealous. You smirked internally at the thought. You knew just how you would get him back in the Christmas spirit…

As soon as you got back home, you went straight to your room and changed into the red and green lingerie you got as a gift for Christmas tomorrow to surprise Jeno and hopefully get him feeling jolly once more. You heard footsteps coming up the stairs and heading towards yours and Jeno’s shared bedroom, so you put on the matching silky Santa robe and stood in the middle of the room. Jeno opened the bedroom door and saw you standing there but didn’t say anything, he just stared at you. You smirked sultrily at him before sauntering over until you stood before him. 

“I noticed you were upset earlier…So I wanted to give you an early Christmas gift…get you back in the Christmas spirit…” You said your tone was seductive and light. Jeno’s eyes darkened and he watched as you ran your hands up and down his chest, shivering at your touch. “Don’t you want to open up your present Mr. Grinch?” You whispered to your husband. Jeno nodded his head as if he was in a trance but he reached out and untied the pretty bow you tied in the front of the robe and groaned at the sight of you dressed up so prettily for him. 

As soon as Jeno saw the lingerie sat so gracefully on your body he sprung into action, running his big hands up and down your lace-covered torso taking in the beautiful sight in front of him. Jeno brought his hands to your back and skillfully unclipped your bra, letting the offending article fall to the ground. Jeno groaned at the sight of your bare chest and then brought his hands up to your breasts which looked so inviting to him that he couldn’t help but squeeze them gently. He bent his head until he was eye-level with your chest before taking an erect nipple into his mouth and sucking at it just right, which caused you to let out a whimper. Jeno used his hand to tweak the other nipple before switching between the two and doing the same. Jeno took his mouth off of your nipple before he gently led you to your shared bed and pushed you atop it. 

Jeno climbed on top of your half-naked body, after he stripped his button-down shirt off, he was so impatient that he hadn’t even undid the buttons, he just tore the shirt open, the buttons springing everywhere but Jeno couldn’t care less about the expensive materials…not when his stunning wife was layed so beautifully on the bed looking up at him with hooded eyes. As soon as he was on top of you he leaned down capturing your lips in a heated kiss. Jeno let his hands wander down your torso and towards your lace-covered heat and to his surprise found that there was an opening in the bottom of the pretty red panties. His eyes shot down to look at what his hands had just discovered and he moaned loudly…your panties were crotchless… Jeno’s thick fingers spread your folds and instantly started to rub circles into your swollen clit. You whined out at the feeling of Jeno touching you in your most sensitive area.

“Jeez love, you just keep on surprising me, don’t you darling?” Jeno all but groaned out, loving the fact that you just kept on blowing his mind. You’re just so sexy to him. You just smiled up at your husband innocently contradicting the way you were rolling your hips into his hands sluttily. Jeno slipped a thick finger into your dripping entrance and started to move his digit into your gummy walls causing you to moan out at the feeling of his fingers digging into your spongey walls. Jeno could feel his cock twitching in his pants at every pretty sound you let out from his doing. 

“Jen…o.. please…I need your cock…please..!” You whimpered out, barely getting the words out because of the way Jeno now had two fingers pounding into you. The sloppy sounds coming from you caused the tips of your ears to redden at the vulgarity of it but how could you be embarrassed when he made you feel so good? Jeno grinned down at you, cooing at you in a mocking tone at how desperate you already were. 

“This is my gift, remember? Let me enjoy it yeah?” Jeno said smugly when your eyes rolled back as your high ran through you unexpectedly. Jeno groaned as your walls clamped down even more tightly than before as the heat spread throughout your body like wildfire. Jeno slid his fingers slowly out of you when he was sure the aftershocks of your high were over. He brought his fingers to his mouth sucking your juices off his fingers seductively groaning at the taste all while making intense eye contact with you. You felt shivers run through your body at his heavy gaze and from the nastiness of what he had just done. 

You thought that since he had just made you cum on his fingers that he would finally give you his cock, but Jeno had other plans. You didn’t think you could just tease him with just a taste of your sweet slick without him getting a proper taste, did you? Jeno slowly made his way down your body, sucking marks into your skin until he was face level with your dripping center. He brought his face closer to your core, inhaling your scent deeply, causing you to scold out “Jeno” in disdain though he knew you secretly loved when he acted this way. Jeno pressed his face into your folds, and then sucked your clit into his mouth, alternating between sucking and flicking his tongue against the nub. Jeno slid his tongue through your folds and brought it to your entrance and slipping it inside thrusting it at a slow but steady pace, trying to catch any bit of essence that would drip out, moaning into you at the taste. Your hands were in Jeno’s hair tugging whenever something felt particularly good, leading him to groan into you again. 

Just as you were about to cum again, Jeno stopped and pulled away abruptly, stepping away from you to pull his pants and boxers off, his big cock springing out and hitting his abs. The protest you were about to let out dying in your throat at the glorious sight of your husband completely naked. Jeno quickly made his way back on top of you and gave you a deep kiss. You could Jeno bring his hand to his cock and tease the tip against your slick folds before positioning his head at your soaked entrance and pushing in slowly. The two of you let out twin moans at the feeling of finally, finally being one with the other. As soon as Jeno bottomed out, he stopped his movements to let you adjust to his impressively thick size. 

Jeno began to move at a quickly fastening pace when you whined out for him to ‘please move Jen, I need you’. Jeno kept up his fast pace as he grabbed your hands and brought them above your head, holding them there. You both couldn’t stop the sounds coming out of you even if you tried, the pleasure the two of you were feeling was so inexplicably intense. You could tell Jeno was getting close from the way he was starting to move more sloppily than before and his grunts were getting higher in pitch with every movement from him.

“Doll, please tell me your close…please…” Jeno whined out, his thrusts getting quicker and more uncoordinated. You nodded your head frantically at his words, the fact that he tore your orgasm away from you earlier combined with his frantic thrusts had you right on the peak. Sensing this, Jeno brought his hand down to your sensitive clit and started to rub at it harshly. This brought you over the edge, causing you to tighten over Jeno’s cock as you came. Jeno cursed out with a long groan as his warm sticky cum coated your walls in strong spurts, his cock throbbing as you milked him for all he had. Jeno let out one last groan before falling on top of you, careful to not put all his weight on you. 

“I can’t believe you called me Mr. Grinch!” Jeno said laughing. You just snorted at his words, looking over at him.

“Maybe if you weren’t acting like you were about to murder Jaemin, I wouldn’t have called you one. Btw Jaemin was doing it on purpose to see what you would do.” You said laughing at Jeno’s shocked expression.

“That sneaky bastard!”

[thelarriefics]

HOLIDAY FIC REC, PART V: Below you’ll find 25 fics that have to do with the holiday season.

📖 Larry Xmas Countdown 2024 by @28goldens (133k)

Different fic prompts posted across 25 days

📖 Twinkling Lights, Fated Nights by @darling-28 (87k)

A story about healing, love and finding home in each other.

📖 Home For The Holiday by @larrysmomfics (86k)

Harry needs to run away. In an attempt to get out of his own routine and his own life for a while and get over his extremely toxic ex, he decides on an emotionally fueled whim to do a house swap with someone in LA who's itching to get out of his own routine and get away from his best friend and business partner for a bit. In a quirky turn of events the best friend Liam was so desperate to get away from happens to be the most lovely, kind, and beautiful man Harry's ever met. What ensues is a self healing journey with the help of a found family, a wonderful man who becomes his home, and above all love. A "The Holiday" inspired AU where Harry meets Louis after agreeing to swap houses with a stranger on the internet for three weeks over the holidays.

📖 Secrets in Winter by @softfonds (82k)

If Harry Styles thought he was going to have a peaceful winter while staying far away from the rake who lived across the street, he was sorely wrong on two fronts. A Victorian AU.

📖 2024 Advent Calendar by @the-larry-way (40k)

25 independent one-shots with wintery/Christmas themes centering Larry Stylinson

📖 Heart Beat by @allwaswell16 (35k)

Hideaway Haven is the place that Louis has always called home. It's also the place that Harry had tried to leave behind him. When Harry returns to start a music academy in his hometown, he finds himself face to face with his high school crush—and his charming daughter who wants to learn to play the drums.

📖 You Should Be Here With Me by @lululawrence (34k)

The festive period is a traditionally hectic one in the world of Premier League football, and this year is no different. A lot is riding on how Manchester United is able to come through the fixtures in the coming weeks. Louis and his teammates know all too well the pressure that is on their shoulders. They need to prove, not just to fans of the club but the entire league, that they still have what it takes to be a team worthy of fighting for the top of the table. Throw in the fact that Louis is all too aware that he's not getting any younger in a profession that demands your peak physical fitness year round and the incredibly fit Harry Styles, who is part of the club's social media team, and this year's festive period might just be the most important one yet.

📖 I Guess I'll Surrender by @bravetemptation (29k)

A lad’s Christmas holiday provides the perfect opportunity for Louis and Harry to prank their friends. They decide to fake date. Feelings kind of get in the way

📖 We Can Roll in the Darkness by @letthemusicmoveyou28 (29k)

Or the one where Louis and his best mate Niall decide to take the plunge and open a pub. The goal is to open Christmas Day, but the building renovations are proving trickier than expected. Insert: a construction company with a questionable name, a certain curly haired builder who catches Louis’ attention, and a little festive chaos along the way.

📖 Your Reign is Free (to give along to Santa) by @londonfoginacup (28k)

It’s Christmas Eve. It’s a totally normal Christmas Eve. Harry and Louis have some friends coming by, and some totally normal birthday and Christmas plans. It’s a totally typical totally normal Christmas Eve. A fic that takes place over 24 (+1) hours where surely everything will go totally to plan. Happy Christmas, here’s to many more.

📖 One for the Books by @neondiamond (25k)

Or the one where there’s a bookshop, a cat, OT5 friendship, a budding romance, and all the festive vibes.

📖 Lonely Cards Club by @hellolovers13 (25k)

Harry's life in Cardiff is rather uneventful. Until he receives a strange Christmas postcard. It gets even stranger when he finds another one the next day. 💌 An Advent story about missed opportunities and second chances.

📖 light me up, put me on top by @larrydoinglaundry (24k)

Harry takes Louis back to Northern Europe to experience his first Nordic Christmas in their beloved cabin, surrounded by nothing but peace and snow. So much snow. Short "spin-off" to 'Love is a word, you gave it a name' universe. Takes place after the second part of the main story, but before the final epilogue.

📖 Secrets, Santa? by @indiaalphawhiskey (19k)

Right, okay, so Harry had confessed his deepest, darkest, dirtiest secrets to a stranger who turned out to be his boss. No big deal. This was probably just the beginning of Harry’s own hilariously heartwarming, wildly romantic Hallmark Christmas movie, come to life, right? …Right? -- very loosely inspired by Sophie Kinsella's Can You Keep A Secret?

📖 You Are The Fever (What A Lovely Way To Burn!) by @yoursolosong (18k)

Harry is an alpha who realizes he’s also into alphas and wants to be submissive. He battles between his instincts and what he wants.

📖 Christmas At Cedar Farm by @babyhoneyheslt (17k)

Inheriting a derelict farm with no knowledge on how to look after the land and a farmhouse in dire need of renovations, Harry’s stuck with two options; sell it, or do it up for himself. With the help of his friends and the cute farmer next door, Harry sees the potential and creates a Winter Wonderland at Cedar Farm.

📖 Santa, Baby by @hazzabeeforlou (16k)

Nothing in Harry’s life has gone to plan. From giving up his art dreams in favor of a stable 9-5, to singleness, to a bought with cancer that left him infertile, Harry finds himself wishing for a Christmas miracle. When one seemingly occurs, Harry meets the sperm donor of his dreams and begin to imagine the impossible. But not everything with Louis is as it seems, and soon an elusive art agent is adding to the chaos of Harry’s very unexpected holiday season. Set against the backdrop of New York City, this hallmark-style rom com is filled with a bit of drama, a drop of angst, and a touch of Christmas magic.

📖 knowing you're in love with me is the greatest gift of all by @dreamersdivin-headfirst (6k)

Harry just wants to fall back to sleep in his husband’s arms, wanting to treasure the quietness of Christmas morning before their kids wake up and realize what day it is. That dream is short lived when there’s a small shriek of joy from downstairs.

📖 I'll Show You How Good It Could Be by @lovingstheantidote (6k)

Harry makes Santa a drink and Louis gets naughty.

📖 me without you is like a present without a bow by @wecantalktomorrow (5k)

The reassurance from Louis had Harry grinning and running his hands down his husband’s sides. “I think you’re going to like it,” he murmured confidently, starting to play with the hem of his own jumper when he sat back against his husband’s bent knees. “Sorry you don’t get to unwrap it, though. Knew you’d be more reluctant to be tied up if you saw it first.”

📖 Mistletoe and Eggsnogging by @parmahamlarrie (5k)

Harry has a plan. It involves mistletoe, a night out at a club, and the hope that perhaps he might pull a nice boy tonight. The night does not go in any way like he had planned, but it all works out in the end.

📖 A Man After Midnight by @galacticlarry (4k)

Harry thought kissing Louis on New Year’s Eve would be a one-time thing, but they keep running into each other and it becomes a tradition. What happens when feelings start getting involved? Or the five times Harry kisses Louis on New Year’s Eve and the one time he kisses his boyfriend.

📖 Santa Baby (one little thing I really need) by @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed (3k)

When Louis himself had first heard those words - all the nurses at the A&E have a secret line to Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve-, not nearly long enough ago to be considered a child himself, but long enough that he hadn't really felt like an adult all the time, he’d laughed them off. Thought they were sweet, of course, but just a line, something said to appease the kids who ended up having to stay overnight. Something to explain the presents that parents brought to the hospital on Christmas morning, or that were waiting for them at home, if they were lucky not to have to stay any longer. Something that would allow a little bit of Christmas spirit in the sometimes sterile rooms of the hospital. But that was before he’d met him.

📖 Have yourself a larry little christmas by @enchantedlandcoffee (2k)

A plan to exchange presents lead to more than both Harry and Louis bargained for.

📖 Too Many Beds - A Christmas Tale by @silverstuff50 (2k)

Louis was fine to share a room with any of the lads on their Christmas weekend away. Anyone, except the one lad he hates. He definitely hates him. He's annoying and big and gorgeous and, yeah, annoying.

[mindless-existence1]

A Fluff bakugo x fem!Reader fic where reader spills the beans about their relationship during a girls night.

Authors note: It's based on that one audio from that one show I can't remember the name of.

"No offense dude but what do you know about relationships?"

"Actually smart guy-"

"What?"

"I can't say."

"What?"

"____ and I are dating!"

"What?!"

"We have been for 3 months!"

"What!"

"We have matching brackets!"

Mina's small dormitory was filled with laughter and chatter as the girls gathered for their long-awaited girls' night. Pillows and blankets were strewn everywhere, snacks covered the teens desk and bed, and the scent of popcorn lingered in the air.

Mina was busy applying glittery nail polish to Jirou’s nails, while you sat cross-legged on the floor, trying to focus on the card game you and Uraraka were playing.

Mina, never one to shy away from a juicy topic, suddenly broke the relative calm. “Okay, ladies, let’s spill some tea. Who here has a crush?”

Jirou groaned. “Why do you always ask stuff like this?” “Because it’s fun!” Mina said, winking. “C’mon, spill!”

“I’m too busy focusing on my hero training to think about that,” Tsuyu said matter-of-factly, sipping her juice.

“Same,” Uraraka said, but the way she avoided eye contact suggested otherwise. Hagakure elbows her side playfully making the girls face shine red.Mina glances at the girl infront of her who was drying her nails with a playful look.

"I see the way you look at Kaminari and it's no secret the way he feels." The purple haired girl's face flushes a deep shade of red at Mina's implications.

"I don't know what your talking about." Jirou defends herself weakly making the other girls in the room playfully "oooohhhh". Jirou shove Mina's face away when the pink girl begins to make a kiss face.

"I think you guy's would be cute, and Kaminari's nice. When he's not hanging with Mineta." You visibly shake at the boys name and simultaneously make the other girl cringe. Hagakure going as far as pretending to throw up.

"Oh you can't talk y/n, what do you know about relationships?" Jirou lightheartedly snaps but her red ears give away how flustered she really is. You set your cards down and raised an eyebrow. “Well, smart guy, I actually—”

“What?” Mina’s eyes lock on you, they sparkle with anticipation. “I can’t say,” you mumbled quicklycatching yourself, feeling your face heat up.

“What!?” Uraraka gasped, nearly knocking over her drink. Jirou leaned forward, intrigued now.

“Wait, wait, wait. Are you saying there’s something to say?”You bit your lip, debating whether or not to come clean. Finally, you sighed, knowing there was no way out.

“Fine. Katsuki and I are dating.” The room went silent.All at once, the girls erupted. “You and Bakugo are what?!” Mina practically screamed, dropping the nail polish.

“We have been for three months,” you said quickly, bracing yourself for the inevitable chaos.“Three months?!” Mina’s voice rose an octave. “And you didn’t tell us?!”

Momo's jaw dropped. “Wait, Bakugo? Like our Bakugo? Explosive, angry Bakugo?”"He’s not as scary as everyone thinks.” you say matter-a-factly, "he's like if you gave a big teddy bear explosives." The girls laugh.

"Yeah but he still has explosives. And he's so angry." Hagakure says making the other girls nod. "Not all the time, it's more like a front he puts up. Don't get me wrong he's still... grumpy just nicer. Plus he cares."

Mina clutched her chest dramatically. “I can’t believe it. Y/N, you tamed the beast!” "It wasn't very hard." You joke making the other girls chuckle, "does anyone know?" Uraraka asks expectantly.

"No, we were going to keep it a secret a while, per his request, but cats out of the bag now." Shrugging your shoulders you reach for a snack next to Momo. "I'm still supried." The girl says. Tsuyu tilts her head slightly, "looking back i think I can see it."

This makes the other girls think back to seeing you and him interact. Mina gasps, "How did we not see it sooner!" You laugh, covering your mouth still full with food. "Well suprise!"

[darkpuppysuit]

CHAPTER TWO

Pairing: Hybrid!BTSxReader

Words: 8.6k

WARNINGS: Smoking, Cursing, once again Hybrid puffy-fluffy clouds for the most part.

The night had remained peaceful, the first peaceful night I've had in my entire life actually. I slowly open my eyes with the morning sun and a death grip on my calf and soft snoring behind me, a blonde tail wrapped around my thigh. I don't remember much of anything that happened last night maybe that was a blessing in disguise. I slowly unfurl the fist entangled in my shirt and the grip on my calf tightens.

"Kitten?" Yoongi groans absently and turns over on his side looking at me through heavily lidded eyes as the sun shines on his ever so delicate and pale skin. "I need to get up, there's chores to be done Yoongi." I grumble. "If I stay in this bed any longer nothing's gonna get done." 

I rub my face and slip my leg from his loosened grasp when my phone rings loudly. Jimin bolts upright with a messy head of hair and his eyes still closed. "What the hell is that annoying noise?" I scoff as I reach into my drawer beside me. "It's called rock and roll, oh my gods." I bring out my cell phone to see Emily's name on screen.

"Hello?" I mumble as she screams on the other end. "Y/n M/n L/n! Get your ass out here you got three hot looking mother fuckers having a standoff with me on your front fucking porch!" I wince at her loud voice and she hangs up as quickly as she called. 

I lay back down on the bed and rest my arm over my eyes before I jolt upright smacking my forehead against Yoongi's chin. "Fuck! Why did you move! You were perfectly fine at the edge of the bed!" I rub the area on my forehead that was just assaulted by his chin.

"What do you mean! I heard yelling from the other end of the phone, I was concerned!" He growls the last of his sentence. "That doesn't mean get all up in my business jackass! Are you okay?" I stop rubbing my forehead to take his face into my hands so I can look him over, only when our eyes meet does he stop mumbling curses under his breath.

If I didn't know any better with how wide his eyes are I'd think I was looking at a canine hybrid and not a feline, I could get lost in his caramel colored eyes for the rest of my life and I wouldn't mind. 

Jimin yawns beside me stretching his arms over his head. "You two argue like an old married couple." We break eye contact at his comment and Yoongi was fast to sprint towards the door before turning back to Jimin with a scowl. "Say something like that again I dare you mutt." Yoongi growls his empty threat that turns into a purr almost when he looks to me for a moment, (he doesn't mind being seen like an old married couple, it actually makes his heart flutter a little when he thinks about it) then he trips over the rug in the hallway when he shuffles out. "I guess I better go save her."

Walking out the front door in my pajamas to find not only Namjoon (It was a given he'd be one of the three hybrids outside) but also Jungkook and Taehyung, who are standing the closest to my best friend with their arms crossed and a semi permanent scowl on their face. Taehyung turns around and his whole demeanor changes so quick it almost gives me whiplash.

"Y/n! This one claims to know you." He pouts pointing at Emily who is openly gawking at Jungkook and Namjoon, the wolf hybrid keeping his arms crossed as he looks down to meet my eyes before looking back at the stranger ion my lawn. "Everyone I would like you to meet Emily." I step down from the porch and over to Emily, standing behind her and gently rubbing her forearm to hopefully comfort her. 

"She's been my best friend for fifteen years now and I would appreciate it if you will treat her with the same respect you have for me." I smile as the hybrids that have gathered outside relax a little bit and I look at my best friend. "What the fuck are you doing over here so damn early? Ya stupid bitch."

I push her shoulder and she stumbles only to come back and envelope me into a bone crushing hug. "I haven't had the chance to come over for so long asshole so, I thought I'd surprise you! I didn't expect to get jumped by three very attractive hybrids." My cheeks begin to burn as I look at the three who have turned away from the conversation looking anywhere but me. "I guess I should have told you that I have guests staying here, my bad. You should have called anyways what if I was still sleeping? You would've been stuck out in the heat, dumb cunt."

I bring everyone inside and do some more introductions before Emily follows me upstairs to my bedroom, closing the door behind her she looks at me with her round eyes. "Bitch, when were you going to tell me there is seven of them? Not to mention they're all hot as fuck, I swear give me five minutes with that white tiger and I'll be happy." She exclaims and throws herself onto my bed daydreaming.

"Shut the hell up they can hear you, stupid! Hybrid hearing remember?" I take off my shorts and shirt after I slap her shoulder. "Plus they've only barely been here a day.  I'm supposed to take them to the store for new clothes, I can't have them walking around the farm looking homeless, what if someone calls hybrid control?" 

I button my flannel by the middle button on my chest with a black tank top underneath and my normal blue jeans and socks. "Did they come in before the storm?" She rolls over my bed trying to keep up with my steps around the room. "No, I saw them run into the barn out back during the storm. I was scared they were gonna ransack the damn place, all I saw were like three bodies make it inside before I booked it out there." Emily bursts out laughing at what I thought was going to happen had I not stepped in.

"Wow Y/n, I didn't think you were that into your grandparents old vintage stuff!" I throw a pillow at her face but she quickly snatches it mid-air laughing at my expense. "Hey it's not my fault okay? I hadn't seen any hybrid in weeks and the storm was blowing shit everywhere! Nobody should've been out in all that!" I whisper shout at her putting some perfume and deodorant on. I open my mouth again but it's quickly shut by the doorbell. Emily and I share a wide eyed glance before we're rushing out of the room and down the stairs to the foyer.

Clambering down the stairs with Emily in tow Hoseok was just about to open the door before I push my body against it to swiftly shut the door. "Until the neighbors know you guys are here leave it to me to answer the door. Less bullshit happier Y/n, okay?" Hobi shakes his head and scurries back to the living room with his tail tucked between his legs and I take a deep breath before opening the door again.

"Hi, oh it's just you! How ya doin' John?" I give him an apologetic smile and all the hybrids heads perk up at the mention of another mans name, their ears flick around to the conversation at the door, growling at the masculine scent coming inside. "Hey Y/n, what happened? The door barely opened before it was slammed in my face." John chuckles flashing his charming smile as I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and slip my hand into my back pocket biting my bottom lip. 

"Uhm, well funny story actually-" I nervously laugh and was just about to explain to him how I have seven hybrids currently in my house oh and lets not forget they're all men. "Y/n has seven hybrids living with her!" I spin around to face Emily quicker than the speed of light scowling at her whispering bitch I'm gonna fucking kill you in your sleep.

"Seven? That's no big deal. I'm assuming they're all cats or are they dogs? Those are the species you normally deal with aren't they?" I wince and scrunch my nose at him. "Well, not exactly John, just come in and you'll see what I mean." I pull him into the house and close the door behind him. 

When I stand next to him all of the hybrids have stood and are in a line in front of the stairs. Jungkook looks like he's about to charge poor John meanwhile Namjoon and Yoongi are glowering at him with such a thick fuck around and find out aura around them my breath hitches in my throat.

"U-uhm, John these are the hybrids I was talking about." He looks between my short stature then back at the seven men standing in front of him. "You didn't tell me they were all guys." Surprisingly it's Jin who scoffs at him followed by an irritated eye roll.

"I don't think she has to mention that to anyone." I tilt my head at him as our eyes meet for a moment and his stern look falters for a second before he returns to scowling at the man next to me. "Right, anyways let me introduce you."

Once introductions are out of the way I drag Emily to the kitchen and John follows behind her. "Fuck that was intense. You could cut the tension with a fucking chainsaw." I slump in my chair and rub my temples a deep sigh leaving my lips. "No joke, what was up with that?" I lean back in my chair and let my head hang over the back when John chimes in.

"They're territorial, especially that wolf hybrid. Have you even talked to them about staying or going yet?" I snap my head up and look across the table at him with tired eyes. I haven't thought to ask them, they've spent one day here and I'm already almost completely attached to them.

"No, I just assumed they would eat, rest and move on like all the others in the past. But they did help me move the fallen branches to the burn pile. Dove absolutely loves Jimin, Hoseok, and Taehyung, she seems so much happier with them around."

I run my hands down my face and through my hair finally calming down from the adrenaline rush from earlier. "You need to ask them because from the intense vibe from earlier I think their less rational animalistic side sees this as their home already but the rational human part of them is waiting to be told to get the hell out of dodge." 

Emily takes my hands in hers and looks me directly in my eyes. "Just talk to them babes, I'm sure you can figure something out, besides if you don't keep them here- I'll happily take that fluffy haired tiger with me." I roll my eyes and push her hard enough to knock her down and out of her chair (Pretty sure she rolled off though).

"There's no need for violence!" She shouts and I laugh hysterically and point at her before I turn my attention back to John. "Hey John did you need something? You don't usually come over unless it's about your grandfather's horses or cattle."

Poor John is a city boy but was the only one willing to help his grandfather out with his own, smaller farm just up the road. Bless this mans heart. "Oh yeah that's right my grandad was hoping you'd take this mustang he got at the auction a couple nights ago, says she knows how to break horses real good. His words not mine." He raises his hands up and leans back in the chair.

"He's probably kicking up a storm in your front yard in the horse trailer right about now." I stare at him for a moment as Emily sits in the chair next to him throwing me a shady look. "A mustang? Here, as in right now? Ugh, let me get my boots on." I roll my eyes and stomp to the nook in front of the door. Before we even step outside I can hear whining and the trailer banging around outside.

When we do step outside the trailer is moving side to side. "How did you even get him in the trailer?" I look up to John who stands next to me with his hands in his pockets and his brows furrowed. "Lots of pulling and staying the fuck out of his way once he was in." Nodding I cautiously walk forward to the trailer and the mustang inside stops for a moment. I open the door to grab the rope around his jaw so I can pull him forward- he was a beautiful ash grey and the socks on his feet were black along with his mane and tail of course.

"Easy now sweetheart, I'm gonna get you all settled in the stables alright?" The horse stamps the trailer floor a few times nodding his head up and down and I start to lead him when he suddenly lurches forward taking me with him, letting out a blood curdling scream that has everyone flying outside yelling at me to let go of the rope but I can't hear them over the stomping hooves so close to my ear.

"Son of a bitch!" I manage to swing my feet out in front of me and dig my heels into the mud, using the upcoming mound of rocks to help me jump onto the bareback of the horse. I quickly let go of the rope and tangle my fingers in its long black mane pulling hard.

I grit my teeth hard as he instantly starts bucking in the air trying with all his might to buck me off onto the grass of my backyard but I hold on for dear life while digging my spurs into his sides. "Goddammit! Just go down already you bastard!" I speak through gritted teeth as Jungkook watches on, loving the way I bark curse words and grunts at the horse. 

"That's so hot." He mumbles under his breath- hoping nobody heard him, having not so holy thoughts. He quickly shakes the porn-like images from his head before looking up again and smiling. Namjoon looks worried for a change as he pulls at the ends of his hair in anticipation waiting for the worst to happen, beside him is Jin who's worked up in a similar fashion only softly biting his nails.

Hoseok and Yoongi have to hold back both Taehyung and Jimin from running out into harms way just to try and help, Yoongi keeps repeating. "This is what she does for a living guys, calm down." Like a broken record and it's not until a few grueling minutes later of practically wrestling with the horse that could easily fall to the side and break my leg or worse, the mustang slows down significantly with his head hung low panting against the dirt underneath him.

I reach down and pat his neck then gently rubbing it trying to catch my own breath so I talk between gasps of air. "See? I told y-you would lose." I tilt my head down and take a deep breath letting out a tired sigh before I lead him over to the stable shouting back at John. "I'll keep him for a few days to make sure he's completely broke in!" I give him a thumbs up and a tip of my hat that he quickly returns with a smile.

I walk inside toeing off my boots a little more worse for wear than when my day first started and I slump onto the couch resting my head on the back of it. I take a deep breath and I close my eyes for a few minutes before they shoot open again raising my hands out in front of me while quickly sitting up taking another deep breath through my nose.

"Y/n-ie? Are you okay?" Jimin asks shuffling his feet to stand next to me, I look up at him from the couch. "Yeah, I'm okay bub. I want to take you guys to the store so you don't look so, homeless? I'm sure there's a better word for it but yeah." I rub my face before looking back at him with his holy shirt, tattered jeans and shredded dress shoes.

"You want to get us new clothes?" He asks shyly wrapping his tail around his middle, which seems to be a nervous tic of his- like Hoseok does when he tucks his tail between his legs. I smile at him and pat the spot next to me for him to sit and I ruffle his hair, his cheeks change to that cute pink color I like so much. 

"Of course I do, and shoes and hygiene supplies or whatever else you guys want." I start rubbing his back when Hoseok walks in with a sandwich in hand munching away. "I hope you don't mind I helped myself to the fridge." He takes another bite, sitting next to me he offers me some. "N-no I'm okay." I put my hand up and shake my head but he doesn't take no for an answer and insists I take at least one bite before we run out the door again.

I roll my eyes and take a bite from the fox hybrid just to appease him as he stares at me intently. Standing up I call for the rest of the guys to meet me in the living room. Better time than never for that awkward conversation to take place before I take them to the store. That might just be my nerves talking though...

Yoongi is the last to show up as he shuffles his feet across the rug half asleep to sit in the easy chair across from me and I take a look around the room to make sure I have every body counting their heads, they're spread out in the living room and I stand in the archway to look at all of them. "Okay, this is an important conversation we should've had the night you came in, I know you've only been here a day and I know some of us didn't get off on the right foot."

I glance in Namjoon's direction barely making eye contact before he quickly looks at a random painting on the wall to his left rubbing the back of his head. "But I would be forever grateful if you guys would stay." I look up from gazing at the wolf and their heads have snapped in my direction staring, I take a deep breath before continuing. "This ain't easy for me to admit that I need help with the chores this place demands of me. It's a total of eighty acres for fuck sake, it stretches from the dirt road out front all the way to the creek in the back. Now, you don't h-have to stay here if you don't want to and I'm okay with that too. When you're here you can do whatever you want." 

Looking around the room my heart swells a little more to see them thinking about it so intently with hushed whispers but it also makes me nervous because they could possibly walk out of this house and never return once they walk out that door.

My heart is hoping maybe, just maybe, they'll stay not only to help out around the farm but to also stay with me, keep me company. I've been alone for so long not only physically but mentally as well, drained from mundane interactions with other people and hybrids alike. 

But it isn't like that with them for some reason I feel a constant tugging on my heart strings to shower them with anything  I can, especially affection. I have to come back to reality more often than not when I get lost in my thoughts. "You don't have to answer right now because I still need to figure out how to get all of you into the truck so we can get you some new, clean clothes and whatever else you guys want."

Hoseok and Jimin's tails are going a mile a minute and their shining smiles are wider than I've ever seen before. "You mean you want us to stay here? With you and Dove?" Their matched energy levels have leaped through the ceiling so much that I have to raise a hand up to get them to calm down. "I do Hoseok, but it's your decision not mine. I won't make you stay here against your will or work you to the bone either. Being here you will be treated like any human being would be treated, fairly and with respect. It's the southern way after all."  

After getting my boots back on, pulling the keys out of my pocket and some arguing from a few of the hybrids that have now all piled in the truck. Jimin is sitting next to me on the bench seat holding my hand his fingers laced with mine, nuzzling into my side meanwhile Jin is riding in the passenger space, stating he has seniority because he's the eldest.

He sits close to the door but still has his arm draped over the back of the bench seat playing with the ends of my hair. Meanwhile Namjoon, Taehyung, Hoseok and Yoongi are sitting in the back trying to make room for Jungkook. After a few minutes of struggling with his antlers hitting the ceiling repeatedly he decides he's just going to sit in the bed of the truck and we are off towards town with good music blaring down the old dirt road. 

I put the truck in park and turn it off, taking a deep breath I open the door and everyone follows me to the bed of the truck. "How was it?" I ask Jungkook as he jumps from the tailgate. "You need to take those fucking turns slower- was thrown to the side of the truck more than a few times." He chuckles scratching behind his halo antlers and my eyes look him over as I grab his face down to his shoulders.

"Fuck I'm sorry are you alright?" I keep looking him over while his smile turns into a smirk. "Damn Y/n if you wanted to feel me up this bad all you had to do was ask." I swiftly retract my hands blush creeping in from my ears down to my cheeks and neck as I playfully punch his arm.

"That's not what I was doing! There's equipment in the back, it could've hurt you, cocky little shit." I turn around and roll my eyes at nobody in particular and guide them into the hybrid outfitters. Upon entering the retail store the staring is endless, everywhere I look there's somebody and their hybrid or little kid staring. If looks could kill I'd be dead and buried six feet under.

Soon two shopping carts are being filled to the brim with clothes, toys and bathroom supplies, just as I turn the corner into the collar aisle to keep myself busy while the rest of them shop with Taehyung and Jin on either side of me.

A lady who by her appearance didn't belong in this small town hybrid shop, she was in a dress that came down to her knees and it sparkled like the sun with every step she took with heels on her feet clicking against the tile and jewelry I would never be able to afford on my own hanging from her ears and neck. 

"Hi young lady I'm sorry to disturb your shopping but, how much for your snow tiger hybrid?" I look up from the silver collar that looked more like a chain necklace than a collar, slowly turning my head towards Miss money with my eyebrows knitted together.

"What makes you think he's for sale in the first place?" I snap at her grimacing, burning holes into the side of her head as she openly ogles at both Taehyung and Jin who look very uncomfortable shuffling their feet around like the bitch talks about them like they're not even here, completely ignoring me.

"Oh why don't I just take both of them off of your hands? By the looks of it you have enough problems to worry about, please money is no issue." She looks me up and down, my clothes still partially covered by mud and dirt with a disgusted look on her face before she reaches for her pocket book to write me a check.

"How much do you want?" With her pen at the ready to write down whatever amount I decided. I snatch the pen from her hand and chuck it across the aisle, pointing at her getting a little too close for her comfort. I couldn't help it I was seeing red pissed at her ignorance and blatant disrespect for both me and the boys.

"Listen lady I know how your kind works. You buy hybrids have fun with them around for a few days then treat them like cow shit on the bottom of your boot and throw them out when you're done with them. They are not a problem nor will they ever be a fucking problem." Fire burned in my eyes as I stared her down down like predator and prey, her eyes were blown wide and she almost looked offended as she scoffed. "So take your checkbook and get the fuck out of my face." I scoff and turn around the fury still boiling within my veins. 

Once out of the aisle and out of earshot I stop to take a deep breath and let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose I pat Taehyung and Jin on the back giving them a small squeeze with my hands on the side of their waists.

"I'm sorry for going off like that she just, ugh, people like her piss me off. She's obviously never worked a day in her life and thinks money makes everything so much easier to get what she wants. I mean it does but that's not my point." I completely wrap my arms around each of their waist in a side hug before they share a glance and quickly envelope me in a warm almost bone crushing embrace. 

Taehyung and Jin rub their noses against either side of my neck sending shivers down my spine and I can't but smile "Thank you Y/n for protecting us like that. You have no idea how much it means to us." Jin purrs and Taehyung nods in agreement, a soft chuff leaving his throat before pulling back their pupils slightly blown out from the scenting they just did.

"One of these days you guys are gonna have to tell me how your needs as a hybrid work, besides the basics of course." I giggle, a sound they haven't heard slip past my lips before and they decide from then and there they need to hear it more often. 

Moving forward to the electronic section of the store Jimin comes running towards the cart with a pile of clothes mixed with a few odds and ends. "Y/n-ie! Can I have this? Please?" he dumps the clothes into the cart holding up a duck toy for me to see and I smile at him, my eyes shining at his childish pout.

"Of course get whatever you want, I'm gonna get you guys some phones that way you can call me if you need something and I'm not around." I rub the top of his head the smile on his face makes my cheeks hurt for him with how wide it is. "Okay! I'm gonna go find Hobi and show him my duck!" He runs off towards the shoe section at the speed of light as I get their phones squared away.

Soon it's time to check out, I don't pay much attention to the way the clerk is ogling over the seven hybrids around the checkout lane, especially Jungkook. I count their heads to make sure I have everyone. "You seem to have your hands full huh? I bet they're a lot of fun at home especially that elk of yours."

It seems today is the day to test my short fuse of patience and anger for a second time, Taehyung looks over trying to gauge my reaction, the aroma of burnt leather and ashy cedar filling everyone's noses and he is quick to slither his tail around my waist I take a deep breath trying to calm myself down. 

The guys can plainly smell the burnt leather and ashy cedarwood stinging their noses like a forest fire by now when I turn to look at her like an insect that had to be gotten rid of as soon as possible. I open my mouth to speak but she's quick to cut me off with a gross smirk on her face. "I mean if he's too much to handle in the bedroom, I'll take him home with me." I look back to Jungkook whose eyes are as wide as saucers making him look as innocent as a little bunny, had it not been for the tattoos, piercings, and cocky ass attitude I would've believed those eyes.

She scans the duck last because Jimin just would not let it go to save his life, once his duckie was scanned I'm quick to pluck it out of the plastic bag and hand it back to him with a smile before turning my attention back to the woman in front of me, stoned face and pissed off, leaning over the counter a little, pointing my finger in her face, my words laced with venom.

"Listen bitch first of all he's a Yukon moose anyone with two perfectly good eyeballs can see that much. Secondly, I've already had to deal with one of you sick fucks today and if you want to keep your job I suggest you keep your horny comments to your motherfucking self. Okay? Sweetheart." I growl and lean back barely touching Taehyungs chest with my back and put on a fake smile then take a wad of cash out of my back pocket and hand it to her gritting my teeth.

I haul my ass up into the truck slamming the door shut, we managed to make room for Jungkook in the front next to Jin who has traded spots with Jimin, currently too entranced by his new toy to pay attention to much of anything.

Jin rubs my shoulder in an attempt to calm my frayed nerves. "That shit, is exactly why I don't leave the farm as much anymore. Gods, the filth that walks this world thinking hybrids are anything less than human are an abomination." I growl out causing Taehyung to sit forward on the bench seat behind me to play with my hair in an attempt to soothe me.

"Don't worry about it too much Y/n, we're used to getting those kind of comments." Namjoon sighs pulling his tail out from under him as he climbs into the truck and sits down followed by Yoongi and Hoseok. "I don't care if it's the most normal thing on the planet! It grinds my gears that they can say or do anything they want and get away with it especially miss money in the collar aisle." I let out another low grunt that has the whole truck go silent the entire way back to the house.

I sit in the lazy chair flipping through the channels on the TV while the boys are upstairs getting their things sorted. I stop on the local news channel and stare at the headline "Local man let out of prison two years early for good behavior." I can't believe my eyes when he shows up on screen, his fugly smile and crooked teeth grossing me out and if it wasn't for the way he stared into the camera when he talked like he was staring directly into my soul I would have heard Namjoon trying to talk to me- asking me something about a spare room or maybe books?

"Earth to Y/n, return from orbit." Waving his hand in front of my face I look up at him with wide mentally absent eyes and my bottom lip quivering, the tears collecting in my eyes threaten to spill as he swiftly sits down and wraps his large arms around me.

"What's wrong pup?" He holds me close rubbing my bicep and scenting the top of my head with his chin as I stare at the floor. After a few minutes and Yoongi sitting down next to me nuzzling his nose into my neck scenting just like Namjoon is on my other side do I start to become lucid again. 

"Kit, you need to tell us what you're thinking about. We don't want another episode." Yoongi's purr is low and I take a peek at the TV again and it's changed to something else entirely so I shut it off. "It's nothing, don't worry about it okay?" I break out of their grasp with a fake smile only to be pulled sideways onto Namjoons lap with a small yelp.

"You don't have to tell us right now but you're not moving until your scent dies down a little." Namjoon can still smell the forest fire coming off of me in waves, he gently circles his arms around my waist and I set my hands awkwardly around his shoulders and on his broad chest as he pulls my body close. His nose meets my neck gently rubbing against it which causes me to shiver and close my eyes trying not to start crying in front of them.

Yoongi joins the scenting by pressing his chest to my back and rubbing his cheek against the nape of my neck laying an arm over my opposite shoulder while the other slips through Namjoons grip to rest his hand on my thigh and I tense up at the close contact with the wolf and panther hybrid purring loud enough for the whole house to hear.

_________

"Hey look at that." Jungkook slaps Jins shoulder and he turns away from the sink long enough to see Y/n resting on Namjoon's lap with Yoongi pressed against her back, the two alpha hybrids completely lost in scenting and soothing her. "She looks like she's about to pass out. If they don't stop soon they're alphas are going to snap. Last thing we need is a feral fight in the living room with Y/n caught in the middle." Jin worriedly goes back to washing the few dishes in the sink trying to think of a good way to get them off of her without one of them ripping his throat out. 

"Yeah you're right, as entertaining as that would be the last thing we need to do is scare her away or for her to change her mind completely, kicking us out." Jungkook pats new his dirt-less pants looking around the room waiting when he glances back at the jaguar hybrid who's already staring at him with an are you serious expression on his face before rolling his eyes. "What? I didn't do anything." He shrugs his shoulders as Jin turns the faucet off and dries his hands. 

"Exactly, why does it always have to be me?" He complains aggressively throwing the towel onto the stovetop before putting it where it actually belongs. "Because Namjoon actually likes you, he tolerates me and you're older than literally everyone in the house." Now, Jungkook wasn't wrong very often and he did have a few good annoying little points.

"Fine but if I lose a limb you're taking me to the hospital. You know how their alphas could react, especially Yoongi's when it comes to someone as broken as her. All they want to do is fix her the best way they know how to." Jin whispers, ever so slowly making his way into the living room across the foyer where Y/n and the other two have been for the last hour. 

Standing in front of the small cuddle puddle he lightly taps the wolf hybrids shoulder repeatedly. "Joon. Hey, Joonie. Namjoon!" Jin shouts his name smacking his shoulder with a crisp slap and Namjoon's head shoots upright from where it was nuzzled into Y/n's neck.

His eyes are completely blown out and a deep rumble coming from his chest pulling her sleeping form closer to his body making Yoongi growl softly from the other side. "I'm sorry but you two are scenting up the entire house we can hardly breathe. Do you want me to ta-" 

Jins voice is cut off by not one but two low almost guttural snarls which causes him to take a step or two back raising his hands level with his shoulders. "Or, you two can take her to her room yourself I don't care, I just want to be able to breath again without my nose being assaulted." He shoots back noting how the two of them refuse to remove themselves and go somewhere else.

"Come on Joon we all talked about this at the store, promised to share her no matter what." There's a small pause in both of their movements only now remembering the promise they made as a pack of mismatched hybrids if they were to stay in this house. "The fact that you two aren't responding coherently is making my skin itch. At least carry her up to her room that way we have a door to shut."

Namjoon carries Y/n to her bedroom briefly coming back to reality when she shifts in his arms tightening her grip on his shoulders and around his waist where he holds her by the back of her thighs when he reached her door.

Yoongi opens the small double doors to her room and saunters in like he owns the place claiming his spot under the covers on the far side of her bed making room for Y/n. 

He could care less if Namjoon was to join, his only priority at the moment is to keep alpha's kitten safe and far away from harm, whatever had caused that horrid burnt leather and wet cedar smell to attack his nose earlier he'd be sure to correct it as soon as possible.

Laying her onto the bed she shifts a little when her hot skin meets the cold sheets below, the two men freeze and she quickly finds Yoongi, her personal heater, rolling into him with a small smile on her face as she cuddles in close encasing his torso with her arm laying her other hand on his chest then she stills once again. 

Namjoon slowly and gently slides against her back putting his arm underneath her head and his other arm wraps around her belly, rubbing it in short strokes his alpha wondering how round she would become, filled with his pups and raising them like the father he always dreamed of being.

Yoongi is thinking along those same lines pulling her leg onto his hip and slotting his leg between hers so he could be in some way closer to her. His alpha scratching at the door demanding him to take her right now but he manages to fend him off just enough because he knew if he let his alpha win he could hurt her in more ways than one and that's the last thing he wanted, not when this was all still so new but not quite foreign, not just for him but for everyone involved.

___________

A few hours later, downstairs in the kitchen Seokjin is desperately trying to fix something for them to eat. "This is fucking stupid, how does she find anything in this mess?" He grumbles to nobody in particular as he stands inside the pantry with his arms crossed over his chest, tapping his foot impatiently on the tile below while biting his bottom lip in concentration. The pantry was indeed all over the place and nothing was organized which made Seokjin's ears twitch and his tail flick in frustration. 

"Simple, it's her house." Jungkook snickers from the open sliding glass door to the back porch with a lit cigarette from the pack Y/n had bought him earlier poised between his lips taking a long drag. Seokjin rolls his eyes then saunters out of the pantry with a baking pan, a can of butter biscuits and two pounds of sausage and some bacon too.

He sets the items in his hands on the counter putting his hands on his hips staring at the pile in front of him. Hoseok and Taehyung run down the stairs towards the back porch when Hoseok stops mid jog to tap Seokjin on the shoulder. 

"Hey, what are you going to cook with all of that?" He asks curiously as he looks over the jaguar hybrid's broad shoulders. "I was thinking biscuits and gravy for dinner but I'm not good at making any type of gravy, the gravy is always way too thin to be considered a gravy."

Seokjin sighs in frustration while rubbing his face with both hands meanwhile Hoseok is running some scalding hot water in the sink to thaw the frozen meat. "That's a lot of gravy for one sentence, also, why don't you ask Y/n for help? Where is she anyways?" 

Hoseok asks as he turns the water off and sets the two pounds of meat into the sink. "Oh hell no, I'm not getting involved in all that, I like to keep all limbs inside the cart at all times thank you. Those two alphas would tear me apart if I even so much as stepped anywhere near her bedroom right now. I honestly thought they were going to rip my head off when I offered to take her upstairs from their puddle in the living room." Seokjin sputters his words out and takes a deep much needed breath before turning to the stove with the can of biscuits in hand trying to read the small print on the side. 

"Oh shit, really? Both of them have her? Tha- I don't know Jinnie is it honestly a good idea to let them get attached to her this quick? Anything could happen." Hoseok's cautious nature stems from his previous owners' many empty promises and lies, he couldn't trust a lot of hybrids that weren't the six of them much less humans. "They're not going to do anything unless she asks them personally, we talked about this at the store when you were testing out your new running shoes." He takes a look at the fox hybrid's new multi-colored shoes then up to meet his eyes with a playful yet sarcastic smile. "Also, don't call me that ever again." 

________________

Y/n's eyes slowly flutter open when she smells the biscuits wafting their delicious aroma through her nearby air vent from the kitchen below her room. She tries to sit up but her movements are restricted by a pair of arms. Wait, no, two pairs of arms, and legs?

Her breathing picks up and her eyes dart upwards to see a serenely sleeping Yoongi and her body starts to relax just a bit when the other pair of arms starts rubbing her soft belly followed by a sickly sweet soft purr vibrating her back and she turns her head to look behind her the best she can and spies a grey ear with a puff of ivory white at the tip knowing the only one with those colored ears is Namjoon her heartbeat completely relaxes to a calm thump. 

Her eyes remain open though, her mind racing trying to think about how she got to her room but by the two hybrids sleeping peacefully and purring in her bed that question was already answered for her and she shifts so she could lay on her back between the two.

She looks up at Namjoon again, the soft orange glow of her bedside lamp making his features look darker than they already were with his tanned skin. Taking a small breath caught in his glow of tranquility as he snores softly, like a light low hum with his lips slightly parted showing the faintest hint of his canines. 

She reaches her hand up ever so slowly and ghosts her fingers across what she thought was a soft jawline until he closed his mouth, setting his jaw, leaning into her touch absently. His jawline is sharp but even so, his face is still as soft as the portion of his heart that he always swore to keep anyone from hurting again. 

"Hey pup." His voice is dangerously low and gruff like he had been sleeping for years before he coughs, opening his dragon-like eyes tilting his chin downwards to look into her shining orbs only vaguely noticing a few letters to a tattoo on her collarbone. "Something smells good, huh?" The smile he flashes is almost blinding as he begins to stretch his stiff muscles from holding onto Y/n so tightly for who knew how long. "H-hi, u-uhm." Y/n can hardly form a coherent sentence when the panther hybrid next to her begins to stir from his heavy slumber. 

"I hope whoever's cooking doesn't set your kitchen on fire." Yoongi grunts as he slithers his arm around her hips and hooks his thumb into her belt loop on her pants, signaling that he isn't ready to let go much less physically get up right now. Namjoon's eyes have almost gone back to normal thankfully, he nudges her nose with his absently laying his large hand back onto her squishy belly.

"It's probably Jin, whatever he's cooking smells good, also, I wouldn't worry too much unless I was the one in the kitchen cooking." Namjoon jokes chuckling to himself as Yoongi just huffs, Y/n returns her attention from the hand looped in her jeans back to the wolf hybrid, noticing the dimples on his cheeks that poke out when he smiles. If she could see those everyday life could, possibly, be peaceful. 

Then there's a sudden loud crash from downstairs Y/n jolts upwards on pure instinct, fumbling out of their hold and over Namjoons long ass legs, possibly kneeing him in the groin on the way over. Falling onto the floor unceremoniously with a hard thud as her knees hit the floor first practically throwing her bedroom doors open and running at what felt like the speed of light into the kitchen.

____________

"What happened? Who's hurt?  Who needs their heads knocked together?" She shouts as she slides into the archway between the kitchen and foyer to see Hoseok and Jimin covered in what she could only think was a sad attempt at gravy with Jimin's duck at Jins fallen form and she's quick to ignore the fox and retriever for a moment, falling next to Seokjin to check on the jaguar hybrid. "Oh my god Jinnie, are you alright? You look a complete mess darlin'." 

Y/n smiles empathetically towards the hybrid with her sweet accent like a tooth rotting melody to everyone's ears, she tilts his chin up for him to look at her so she could check for injuries but what Seokjin saw was something completely different. 

What Seokjin saw was a human, someone other than his mismatched packmates, worried about him and to make things even more difficult, her hair was draped over her shoulder ever so delicately and her plush pink lips sucked between her teeth as she smiles, like some other force was trying to make his knees buckle had they not already done so when he had slipped on Jimin's toy and the pot had fallen from his grasp. She looked other worldly her eyes shining against the fluorescent light of the kitchen showing just a flash of beautiful golden brown surrounding her pupil.

"Earth to Jin? Are you there honey?" Y/n snaps her fingers in front of his face and only then did Seokjin realize there was a crowd in the kitchen staring at him waiting for an answer and he chuckles softly then shakes his head a bright red blush stemming down from his ears down to his cheeks.

"Yeah I'm alright, perfect actually." His cheeks are a rosy pink and Y/n giggles lightly and stands to her feet, holding a hand out to help him stand up with her which he took happily as Yoongi finally came downstairs dragging his feet along the hardwood floor. 

"What the hell happened and what's dripping from the ceiling?" He asks surveying the area with squinted eyes, index finger pointing upwards and Y/n's shoulders start shaking as she tries to hold back her laugh with all three "gravy" covered hybrid's forming a small half circle around her. "Y/N? You're not mad are you? It was my fault I swear, I-I threw the duck too far and-" Jimin's words are cut off when Y/n bursts into shameless laughter covering her mouth from view as she grabs her stomach from laughing so hard. 

After a few more seconds of laughter and tears from Y/n she lets out a huff of air wiping a happy tear from her face. "I'm sorry, guys." She holds back a giggle that hums in her throat as she replays previous events screwing her eyes closed for a moment before she looks up at the ceiling again. "You just- you got it all the way up there? That's amazing." This time her laugh is  softer keeping her smile from view with the back of her hand. 

After everyone that was involved in the gravy accident, a memory that will stay with all of them for the rest of their lives was done taking a shower, Y/n stands in front of the stove with the same pot from earlier (Yes they washed it) with Jin standing half next to her half looming over her shoulder. "Now, I'm going to whisk the liquid while you sift some flower into the pot. The sifter is in the top shelf of the cabinet to your right." 

Y/n instructs Seokjin and he is able to find the sifter rather quickly, bringing it over to her and gently placing a small amount of flour onto the screen below. Turning the small handle the bar inside begins to sift the flour into the pot. "Good job Jinnie." She praises him as she keeps the soon to be actual gravy from clumping together, once the flour was gone and the liquid began to thicken Y/n steps to the side turning the heat to low before putting some salt and pepper to taste.

"And that my dear is how gravy is done!" Seokjin looks at the pot below in awe, he knew he had a few things to work on if he was going to be able to keep up with her,  especially outside. Soon dinner was served with freshly baked flakey butter biscuits, sausage, bacon, and eggs.

Y/n wipes her hands off on the apron she had put on just in case there was another accident,  turning her back to the hybrids that had gathered around once the plate of fried eggs was sat onto the table, getting a head start on cleaning the kitchen when the low moan of a chair made her jump a little before a set of large hands found their perch on both of her shoulders.

"I think that can wait, don't you?" A low chuff and a warm chest meets her back and she stiffens, why are they sticking to me like glue? She asked herself, turning around to face him while taking the apron off and pushing on his chest to get him to backup a little, the heat radiating off his body causing her to blush at his close proximity. 

Taehyung takes this opportunity to look into her eyes, the blue hue of them so faint they almost look silver with an enchanting golden ring dancing around her pupils. Compared to his own boring milk chocolate orbs staring into hers, it was like a galaxy trapped for eternity within her gaze.

"I-I need a cigarette, or five. E-excuse m-me." Stumbling over her words and practically bolting outside, accidently slamming the sliding glass door shut so hard they swear the glass was going to shatter. The snow tiger hybrid stands in the middle of the kitchen her apron in hand staring at the door Y/n disappeared through blinking slowly. "Way to go Casanova." Jimin scoffs rolling his eyes, meanwhile Y/n is pacing back and forth on the porch with her second cigarette halfway gone already. 

[strange-anni]

I forgot this one. When Max and El are ordering ice cream it's Max who gets the strawberry at first and El the vanilla ice cream. But that's not right so they need to trade.

Fusing is exactly what happens at the Steel factory

and before that there is the fusion of two men in a hospital

So yes, I think it fits very well. A factory for construction and fusion

I'm not surprised that out of all the three Fred is the one with the address on Cherry Street. He's also the supposed murderer with Survivor's guilt. It's likely another hint towards Will

And Chrissy lives on Popular Tree Road. That can't be real right? I mean I don't live in the US and I don't know the naming convention for streets over there but "Popular Tree Road" sounds just entirely made up. (by Will most likely)

I agree with Hawkins lab being a prison because it's entirely inside Will mind and it would not surprise me if Mike unbeknownst to him had something to do with it's creation.

Just trust me! (and Will most likely did)

It's Mike who brings up the fact that there is a military base under the Department of Energy. Mike is also a liar. (Credit for finding this out to @/thefirstlioveyou) I highly doubt it's true and I also do not think Ted ever said that. It's conspiracy stuff and Ted is not into that.

But Mike just thinks it's cool like he is fascinated by superpowers, Star Wars and supernatural things. I know this also speaks a ton of Mikes own issues here but it would not surprise me if Will believed him when he said that and incorporated it into his own mindspace. (at an earlier date as I don't think Mike said it all for the first time in S1)

There are also a lot more connections. Like the fact that the lab is an underground basement and the most prominent basement we see in the show is Mike's basement. Then there is the fact that the lab people use Polaroids while out of all the Moms/brothers we see making photos of the kids, it's Karen Wheeler who uses a Polaroid camera

It's not malicious. Not really. I think Will tried to create a place where he could hide or get help from and used Mike and the Wheelers as inspiration because he likes them a lot and feels safe when he's with them.

This post by @threemanoperation also has interesting things to say about the military facility being connected to the shed

I completely agree on the last part. El did exist before but only in Wills mind and took over to front the body whenever there was a need for it. She was there when the CSA happened and I don't think she understood entirely what was going on but she understood enough to know something was wrong.

There is also another layer to it. El can barely speak when she steps into the world making it unlikely for her to ever speak of all the a*use she suffered because she just doesn't have the words for it. (It's why I think age appropriate sex ed even for kids is so important. Give them the language to describe what happened to them and they will have an easier time speaking about it)

Yeah when Will vanished in 1983 Eleven stepped out of the lab for real and became real like some of the other alters. It's also possible that Will didn't need her for quite some time prior to that as Lonnie has been gone from his life. And then one day he didn't want to lie to Mike, told him the truth and suddenly there was need again as the Demogorgeon stepped out of Wills mindscape scaring Will into believing his father is father is back. So El and her superpowers were needed once again. She steps into the world and becomes real.

The bomb explodes

Btw do you have any idea on the ice part? Why "he likes it cold"? I've thought about it for a while and it just doesn't make any sense to me. At first I thought it might be related to Lonnies drugs. The best storage temperature for coke is 0-10°C (32-50°F) but I'm not sure if this is it. Like it's better to store coke in a cool environment but if it's too cold it can damage the drug as well. So I don't think that's it.

This is the source El finds in the void and it's twofold. It's the father. In this case it's Neil but he's just a stand-in for Lonnie.

The other source is the Steel Works warehouse BRIMBORN but that's not how it is presented to us throughout season 3.

It reads more like BRIMBORN as a shadow covers up the B pretty consistently, making us unable to read it

Warning for discussions of CSA under the cut

We also get the full address of the steelworks warehouse and it's

Brimborn Steelworks 6522 Cherry Oak Drive

This is how where the MF possessed Billy. Cherry Oak Drive

Lonnie also means oak tree

Max also tells us Billys full address

Billy Hargrove 4819 Cherry Lane

Billy lives on Cherry Lane but he lost himself and got possessed by the father at Cherry Oak Drive. A lane to drive on...

Source

Billy was a Cherry Lane at first until he got corrupted in the Cheery Oak Drive

Billy is short for William and a stand-in for Will

We also learn more about cherries and their availability

Hopper says there is no cherry in the 7-Eleven. Apparently they had only strawberry

That's not entirely true tough as we see with Alexei here. In fact it seems like they have only cherry and cola. But Hopper still drove there even though it was way out of his way. So I'm sure he would have gotten cherry if it were there, right?

Well, maybe it's more like an either/or situation with the Seven and the Eleven in which one number is the cherry and the other is the strawberry . Maybe they are mutually exclusive

As we've already seen though, it's Will who is already associated with cherries via association of Billy which in turn can only mean one thing

Eleven is the strawberry

But

In the end there is no difference. Cherry and strawberry taste the same. They are the same. Just sugar on ice

But what's a strawberry anyway?

Source

First of all of this goes with the Will Byers has DID theory.

For the longest time I was convinced that Will created Eleven on the day he vanished in the woods but I don't think that's what has happened any longer. I think she was there long before. Ready to take over whenever Will needed her to use her superpowers to absorb what he couldn't face.

That's why Eleven is a strawberry. She was there ready to save Will whenever Lonnie sold off his son to buy dr*gs. It's why there is still a cola next the cherry in the 7-Eleven. Coca-Cola or just coke. Other sources also say that a Strawberry is a woman who willingly sells se*ual favors to buy dr*gs. (although willingly is hardly the word I would use here)

In the beginning of the first season El could barely speak and was more like a child who didn't understand anything. This was also done for her protection throughout the years I think. The less she understood what happened, the better it is for her (or so the reasoning goes)

But she still understood the most important part

[runawaycarouselhorse]

Okay, but with all of the adults losing energy and motivation, we now have an airship full of people who approach their craft being hit with Bashou-level apathy.

(Gozu's taken his foot down, at least, compared to earlier.)

Wait, did he slide his other foot out of the boot, I didn't notice until just now, PFFT.

If they didn't get their motivation back by the end of this scene, we could've gotten a Matori-Matrix-at-the-beach scene, PFFT.

[driftwooddestiel]

I DID MY COMEDY PERFORMANCE TODAY!!! in front of like 200 people!!! and i didnt stutter or forget what to say!!! and people laughed!!!

[dbphantom]

maybe i should have gone into practical effects instead of computer science...

[designernishiki]

finished yakuza 6. but at what cost

[kn11ves]

idk what it is with me and women but they just flock to me in my time of need. 5 seconds ive been in a room and they want to tie my shoelaces for me they wanna help me do things they want to give me advice and make sure im okay i what