#dont ask me to title anything bc i will title it after something stupid

[cromerhearts]

NSFW BELOW - MDNI!!!!!!!

yunho x f!reader

summary: you have a very nice surprise for yuyu after your shower.

genre: smut, slight fluff (?), established relationship. idk it’s just horny

wc: ~950-1000

content and/or warnings: nothing too crazy, kind of domestic?, fingering, implied light overstimulation, cum play if you squint, pet names (baby, slut, princess), dirty talk, reader has a vagina, once again came to me in a vision, may or may not be loosely based on real life, whoops!

likes and reblogs encouraged— thank you for reading!!

NSFW below the cut!!!! — MDNI!!

———

Hopping out of the shower on legs wobblier than a newborn deer, you bid farewell to the shower head after being in there longer than you intended. If you had remembered how strong the water pressure was, maybe you wouldn’t have gotten too lost in the sauce. Cold air slipped in from under the bathroom door, fueling your urgency to move quicker so you could hop into your warm bed.

You made quick work of drying yourself off and mentally patted your own back for bringing pajamas into the bathroom instead of forcing yourself to walk naked through the chilly hallway. Not too much later, you were finally able to throw yourself into bed, landing on top of your boyfriend, who was already half asleep himself.

“Finally,” Yunho huffed, groaning dramatically as he gently rolled you off of him, turning both of you on your sides to spoon you. He was nice and warm, a contrast to the air outside of your shared bed. You couldn’t help but twitch as he wrapped an arm around your torso to pull you closer; if Yunho noticed, he didn’t acknowledge it. “You took forever in there.”

“Sorry,” you choked out, your apology punctuated by the sound of you clearing your throat. “I didn’t think I would.”

Warm breath fanned over the back of your neck, while any conversation Yunho was trying to have with you was no longer processing in your brain. Pressing your thighs together proved to be unhelpful since it only made you slightly jumpy and there was no avoiding the trembling in your sore hips from your shower. You had no idea why you were being so shy right now, but after your date with the detachable shower head you felt like you had accidentally fucked yourself dumb.

Yunho drew lazy circles on your tummy with his fingertips, as every fiber in your being kept you from spasming with every inch his finger slid lower. A gasp tore from your throat as the tip of his middle finger crossed the threshold of your sleep shorts, your legs tensing. Your boyfriend paused.

“Do you want me to stop?” Yunho’s voice was soft, hand slowly retreating and his large palm coming to a stop on your tummy.

“No,” your voice was even softer, and you weren’t sure if Yunho heard you at first. “no. Don’t stop.”

Yunho made a noise of satisfaction, pushing his hand back down your shorts and nudging your thighs wider apart. He wasted no time, not even daring to deny you what you clearly want. When his middle finger finally found the very slippery lips of your cunt, you whimpered.

“Oh? What is this?” You couldn’t see Yunho, but you could hear the teasing smirk in his voice upon noticing your lack of underwear. To make things worse, he wasted zero time sliding his finger around, spreading your cum around your swollen clit. “Is this what took you so long, princess?”

What annoyed you the most was that your boyfriend acted like this was the most common occurrence in the world while you twitched in his arms, panting like a bitch in heat.

Yunho scooted back on the bed, rolling you onto your back to lay next to him. You let him manhandle you, one of your hands pulling him closer by the front of his t-shirt. Hoping to close the gap between you two, you tried to crane your neck up for a kiss. The attempt was futile as Yunho snaked his arm under your back, hand hooking around to wrap around your neck, holding you just out of reach from his lips.

“My pretty little slut,” Yunho gave your throat a small squeeze, finally leaning in just close enough that his lips just brushed against yours as he spoke. His middle and ring fingers were relentless now, swiping your clit back and forth at an antagonizing slow pace. You moaned into his mouth, your other hand gripping the forearm of the arm down your bottoms. “Couldn’t even wait till you got to bed, huh? You’re so fucking wet, fuck.”

Full sentences were suddenly out of your skillset as you shivered and jerked at his ministrations, drool beginning to pool at the corners of your mouth. You could swear that your whole pussy was pulsing at this point.

“Yeah, yeah,” nodding feverishly and whining your boyfriend’s name in a tone slightly more desperate than you intended, your hips weakly bucking up into his palm. “P-please, Yunho.”

“How many times did you cum, princess?” Yunho propped himself up on his elbow and readjusted you in his arms. You keened at the way he inserted his fingers to the first knuckle, seemingly playing around in the wetness of your pussy. His hand squeezed your throat just slightly, mimicking the squeeze around his fingers. “I know you can’t have just one. Tight, slutty pussy. My pretty baby.”

“I-“ your breath quickened, only thinking about the feeling of his fingers against your bare cunt. The memory of using the shower head to rip orgasm after orgasm from your body made you moan. Yunho squeezed your throat in warning, this time a bit tighter. “M-more than five.”

In the dim light, you could see and feel his lips curling up into a teasing grin. Yunho pressed a soft kiss to your lips, then the corner of your mouth. He pulled his fingers from your cunt, moving to your clit to rub the swollen nub tight circles and he swore he could see the moment every single thought in your head slipped away.

Yunho giggled at the way you began to paw at the waistband of your shorts, legs desperately spreading wider for him. A warm, toe-curling feeling began to pool in your stomach, a sign of your approaching orgasm.

“Yeah? Think you can give me one more, princess?”

[kiwiparfait]

The Power of a Name

waiting on making an account on ao3 so i’m posting this here sorry. spoilers for toh.

little thing i wrote about hunter choosing a new name. this is important to me bc i feel like his arc can be interpreted as being an allegory for transness and i feel like a good conclusion to that is for him to change his name. this is an idea i’ve been playing with for a bit but i literally was having trouble myself deciding on his new name. i hope people like what i ended up going with :]

also i dont write much im sorry if this is bad LOL + i sped run the first 2 paragraphs bc they were an after thought but i felt like it needed. a context to exist in

Luz, Hunter, Amity, Willow, Gus, and V were all hanging out in the basement. They were chatting about this and that for a while, mostly lighthearted talk. But eventually conversation took a turn and Hunter’s situation was brought up. How he was doing after everything that had happened. It was something he had avoided talking about. Even after all this time, he had trouble opening up to others and expressing his emotions. It was something he was trying to work on, but it was still difficult. Talking about emotions or showing any emotions was strictly prohibited in the emperor’s coven because it was seen as a hindrance. But he could tell they all asked out of concern for him, and he really didn’t want to worry them more than he probably already did.

He fought the voices in his head telling him to keep it to himself and began to open up about the things he had been internalizing for so long. About the brutal training he endured, the violent outbursts of the emperor, and the nights he’d spend just crying curled up in his bed. And then about coming to realize who, or what he was.

“I used to wear my name proudly like some sort of badge. Before Belos, I didn’t have a family, didn’t have a name. He took me in and raised me. He gave me a name, a purpose. But everything I remember from my past or thought I remembered was all lies. I never had a mom or a dad,” Hunter admitted. “‘Hunter’ wasn’t a name lovingly given to me, it was just some title. A method to dehumanize me. Some role in his sick game in which his brother did everything he wanted. ‘Hunter’ is just one more thing that connects me back to him. I want to move on, but I don’t think I can like this,” he muttered, staring down at his feet.

“Do you…want to go by something else?” Luz offered gently. Hunter looked up and blinked at her in surprise.

“Yeah… I think so. If it isn’t too much trouble. It’s probably stupid, I’m sorry,” Hunter mumbled.

“No, no. Not at all. Whatever name you end up choosing, we’ll respect it! We support you,” Luz reassured, and everyone nodded in agreement. “Thank you for trusting us with this.”

“...Thanks guys, I really appreciate that,” he replied with a small smile.

.

.

Hunter spent the next week contemplating what his name should be. It was a strange feeling. A name is such a strong part of one’s identity, he thought. He’d spent so long being “Hunter” and the Golden Guard, he didn’t know anything else. He was slowly starting to figure out who he was outside of those identities, but it was hard to let them go nonetheless. Change, even for the better, is frightening.

The first name he kept coming back to was Caleb. Of course. The first name that wasn’t Hunter he had briefly gone by. There was a familiarity to the name. It suited him. But that thought made him itch, because it wasn’t his name to bear. That name belonged to someone who he felt he wasn’t, deep down. Going by Caleb would mean accepting that he was nothing more than a shadow of a dead man. He was his own person now, and he wanted his name to reflect that.

With the help of Luz, he searched through various lists of names online trying to find one he liked. He began a list of his own to keep track of ones he thought he might use. He spent a couple of days trying out a few of the names on his list to feel them out, and everyone tried their best to use them when referring to him. None of the names stuck, however. They didn’t feel like him.

After wasting so much time on it, Hunter almost gave up on finding a new name. He figured he’d just try to make Hunter work; after all, it was the name he was so used to. It was a name that belonged to him. But he finally had an idea. He knew what his name would be. He gathered everyone in the living room, telling them that he had got it, after all these weeks. He stood in front of them, flustered but excited, as they sat with anticipation.

“I’d like to go by Jack from now on. To honor Flapjack. Y’know, cause he’ll always be a part of me. And I owe him so much. He was my first friend, and really, my first real family,” he said warmly, with a hand on his chest.

Everyone looked a little stunned for a moment before grinning at him. “I love that. And Jack suits you perfectly,” Luz beamed. Camila stood and wrapped her arms around him in a tender embrace. 

“Thank you guys for being so accepting of all of this. Really,” Jack confided. For once in his life he truly felt confident that he was his own person, and he was ready to begin life as Jack.

[iampikachuhearmeroar]

already reblogged this in my queue..... but also as a trainee, the host company actively telling you NOT to apply for their job openings when they're actively hiring. like last year, during my cadetship, the receptionist that I became close with applied for the maintenance officer role, and got it, so the role of receptionist opened up. I ran it by the people who were running the cadetship course, and they said "yes! apply! we want you to stay in this field!"

but once I asked my first original manager "hey can I apply for the receptionist position?" she asked me "im sorry, but what makes you think you can apply for that? under my management, you're not quite there yet anyway. so I'd advise you not to apply." like.... she was right, in a sense, in hindsight that I didn't have enough experience really to apply for the receptionist position, since I'd only had like 3 weeks training at that point on phones on front reception.

but still. that was SO fucking deflating, telling your cadet/trainee NOT to apply, as if your goal is to NOT give them an ongoing job. so when it came to the end of my contract back in march this year, and another lady was leaving with me..... I considered applying for her job (community housing worker/social housing tenancy worker), all bc that's what I was SUPPOSED to be by the end of this program. but I knew if I asked about applying or just applied for the sake of it, they'd instantly tell me to either NOT apply or to immediately rescind my application to the position.... or ask why I'd even applied in the first place, despite their constant suggestions that I go into support work. just. it was fucking awful and draining, and im glad I left.

like to be fair, I did have performance meetings there after the month (nov 2022) of NEVER being off the phones... and them eventually near the end ALWAYS scheduling me out of meetings and training, sometimes at the very last minute (despite their lectures that YOU NEED TO LEARN TO MANAGE YOUR WORKLOAD AND TIME BETTER!!!! cassy, you can't manage for SHIT. love that hypocrisy you're wearing on the daily).... but then just coating it in "DO BETTER SELF CARE!!! LEARN TO JOURNAL!!!! GET HOBBIES!!!"

finally, from the other side, the people running the course demanding WHY ARENT YOU FIGHTING FOR YOUR CAREER???? WHY DONT YOU CARE!!!!???? FIGHT FOR IT AND STAY IN THIS FIELD!!!!" no. if I'm treated like shit and guilted from ALL sides.... it's utterly pointless fighting for ANYTHING at this stupid ass place; or in this field. im fucking leaving this toxic ass field... even though I know the modern workplace is toxic no matter where you work... and that you can get shit management and guilting managers everywhere as well. and plus guys, you know in a way, that im transient anyway. I'm here solely to get office work experience. stop harassing and guilting me to stay in it, by saying I have "the incorrect personality for admin". go fuck yourselves.

and you know, companies are lazy with interviewing, too!!! I read an article the other day from harvard business review, that said some companies average at least 3 to 5 interviews per a hiring process..... they obvs say that "oh it's make sure we get the candidates from EVERY angle possible to get the right fit". but one of the women that they interviewed or quoted for the article (since she'd made a tiktok about the NIGHTMARE hiring processes for one company she'd applied for) had like 4-6 months of interviewing and hiring tests.... until she'd ultimately got another better paying job with fewer bullshit hiring hoops to jump through. or when companies give shit title promotions without pay rises (a jump to team leader/manager or something) or purposely demote you when you have kids etc. like it's fucked.

[vveakfish]

re: tags on lrb

thinking abt the journey and a half my DC hyperfixation has been.

I was a DCAU only girlie for so long. (BTAS, Batman Beyond, Teen Titans, YJtv, GLtv). I enjoyed the DCEU too, but i was WAY too wrapped up in MCU brain-rot to dive too deeply into those. But that was it. Zero interest in comics themselves as a lil squirt.

Eventually I stopped caring abt the DCEU entirely. (around WW’84, tho it had nothing to do with that movie, i just never saw it — and didnt see any of the movies that came after). And got WAY into Marvel™. And i kinda just rode that wave.

When Marvel started branching out into shows i was HYPED — esp since they started that shit off with WandVision. I’d always loved Wanda, and the fact that they brought Billy and Tommy in was all i needed to push me into reading comics

i tore through the young avengers (UGH i miss them <;/3), and other titles associated with them, and was having a blast. At some point around the season finale of Loki (good show, this was just also how the cookie crumbled) I just fell off Marvel in general. A lot of this probably had to do with school ramping up around this time — but i stopped reading comics & watching their shows and movies almost entirely.

Around this time tho, bc i Missed reading comics — i started reading webcomics. And as much as i enjoyed reading Marvel comics for that short period of time, webcomics were what made me fall in love with Comics™ as a medium.

6th semester ended, i was elbows deep in world building for my own webcomic project, and started watching anime while working on it. Again, anime was always one of those things i enjoyed (Digimon, Sailor Moon, and Pokémon were some of the most influential pieces of media in my entire childhood), but my love for it as an art form was really solidified during this time

[side note: can you Tell i was dealing with art school shit during all of this? couldn’t turn the critique brain off literally Ever, so anything i enjoyed got put under the art student lens]

But my interest in anime stayed entirely on the animated side of things for a Long Ass Time. It wasn’t until Jujutsu Kaisen that i got shoved headlong into manga. God that stupid fucking anime changed my life, ANYWAY.

I finished the anime (umm maybe like. 5 times), and then HAD to know what happened next. So i devoured the manga. Every spare moment i had was spent reading it, until i was Done. then i was like orz. what do u do now ??

The answer was do the exact same thing with Demon Slayer. which was ALSO a life changing experience. read 鬼滅の刃 pls pls pls

Now. When i finished KNY, i was also like *head in hands* how do i even keep on living?? But this was also while working on my thesis project, and still doing a lot of work on the side as far as my own comic was concerned. (like… 60k words worth of world building & drafting scripts + designing characters), so its not like i had all that much free time.

anyway — i finished up my 8th semester, and barely gave myself a chance to breathe before i threw myself into working on my comic practically full time.

I was working on a one shot to submit to a contest for Webtoon, and they were asking for a pretty substantial amount of content (60+ panel Action comic one shot. and I, as always, love to make things harder on myself, so i think in one of the later drafts it ended up having over 100 panels).

needless to say, i Did Not finish the oneshot in time (its still not done to this day T~T i’ll come back for you forge, dont worry). But, toward the end of that… 3 month span of feverishly working on this project, i found myself falling in love with DC all over again.

I mentioned YJtv before, but that show was Also something that changed my life as a 10 year old.

(its really funny to think about that show now & how it’s release date lines up with the beginning of the N52 continuity, and how both the show & that particular reboot are so strongly disliked by a vast majority of DC’s fanbase — but thats a post for another day)

I’ve rewatched the show at least once a year since my roommate let me start using their HBOMax login. I know seasons 1 and 2 like the back of my hand bc of how much i watched them growing up, and i like season three well enough. But the thing was that on this unsuspecting summer night, i was about to discover that there were New Episodes.

Dude i was hyped, i was losing my shit. I had resigned myself to the knowledge that this show was never coming back. I was okay with it too. But here it was, alive and kicking after what felt like forever.

Heres the thing tho. They killed off Kon.

okay not really, but at the Time boy boy was Dead, and i was devastated. Thats My Boy. He had been my favorite character from the jump, and i did not know how to process him being gone. So i took a break from the show, and turned to ao3 instead.

At this point i was Not an avid fic reader. I wasn’t an avid reader period – outside of manga – but i had read a few really good fics recommended to my by some of my JJK pals. So i looked at the Kon-El | Conner Kent character tag on ao3 and just scrolled until i found something interesting.

In this case: a Timkon fic (this one in particular).

I knew who Tim was before this (He shows up in YJtv. He's there in BTAS), but I had never thought about him and Kon as... anything really. In the versions of them i was familiar with, they don't interact all that much. They're from different generations of heroes, but i was like, hey, what the hell this sounds cute. And man oh man, it was all down hill from there.

I read more TimKon fic, and just fell in love with them. But i was also... confused. Like... why do these two guys have such a robust fanbase... wheres the link.

THAT is what pushed me to start reading Detective Comics Comics for the first time. I wanted to get to know these guys For Real, and the only way to do that was by digging into the source material.

This post is So long oh shit. I have thoughts about How I got to know the kiddos & how the comics i read (as well as the order i read them in) have influenced my understandings of these little guys. But i think thats a post for another day. I have other things to do than write out a post about my media consumption habits

o7 signing off.

[sillysnack]

in this together

a/n: Is it really a study date if the two of you end up sleeping? edit There is now a title

tagging @justanothercamilofan bcs i said i would tag iya (my confidence was 📈 at the time pls dont ask)

word count: 872 i got lazy sorry

— — — — —

“We are definitely failing this quiz,” You throw an eraser at Camilo, “Don’t say that! We are going to - at least - pass this quiz. We won’t get anything done if all we do is complain.” You turn to your notebook, which was filled with nonsense conversations you and Camilo have during class.

“Ay Dios mío, we are going to fail.”

Camilo looks over your shoulder and frowns. “Is that my handwriting?” You nod. “Damn.” He flips through his notebook as well. “I’ve got... a few notes. But I don’t know which topics.” You ask for his notebook and flip through both of your notes, trying to piece the little tidbits of information scattered. “Do you think Mirabel has notes?” Camilo shrugs. “Probably a few. I’ll ask her tomorrow.”

“What do you mean tomorrow? We’re taking the quiz tomorrow, hello? Te volviste estúpido?” (Did you become stupid?) Camilo holds your hand. “Don’t worry, I know you’ll do well.” He looks around for a pen and some paper.

We could just cheat in the exam, amor ;)

“¡¿Has perdido la cabeza?!” (Have you lost your mind?!) Of course, you considered that as well, but only as a last resort. The teacher of the subject you and Camilo are studying for is a particularly strict person; the “no nonsense” kind. The class was obedient under their presence. “Crees demasiado bajo de mí, mi amor.,” (You think too low of me, my love.) Camilo chuckles, “I suggested it as a joke. Don’t worry.” He grabs a book from under his table. “I borrowed it from Mirabel.”

Camilo quickly shapeshifts into Mirabel and mimics her voice, “Remember, Cami. Don’t damage the book,” ‘Mirabel’ scoffs, “Stop laughing! I’m serious!”

A thud on the door. “I can hear you! I hope you fail tomorrow’s quiz!” Mirabel enters the room with a smile, “Not you, though, Y/N. Goodluck! I’m sure you’ll get a great score.” She walks towards you two and flips through the pages of her book. “I’ve highlighted what parts are going to appear on the quiz. If you need any help, Y/N,” Mirabel glares at Camilo, “I’ll be in the kitchen!”

“How are you going to study though?” Mirabel flaunts her bag, “I’ve got my notes here! I’ll be fine! Plus, I studied yesterday so I think I’m good. Worry about your boyfriend.” You look at Camilo, then Mirabel. “We’ll be fine! Thanks, Mirabel!”

The door closes and Camilo turns to you. “We could skip classes tomorrow. I do it all the time.”

“Camilo. You are on to something. We’ll study first.” You rewrite some of Mirabel’s notes onto a piece of paper.

“I could go ask people from other classes how the test was, and if a lot of them say it’s hard then we could just say we’re sick-”

Without looking up from the book, you reply, “The teacher knows you’re a Madrigal, he’ll just tell you to eat one of your Tia’s arepas that’s in the room. Isn’t Dolores hearing this?” You turn to Camilo and hand him the book. “We should quiz each other after reading.” Camilo yarns. “Boring!”

“For every correct answer, you get a kiss..?.”

Camilo shifts on the spot: you, then the teacher, then himself once again.

“Stop disturbing me! I need to study!”

“I wasn’t saying anything…” You laugh before going back to your notes.

— — — — —

“Alright… I think I’m done reading, amor!” You squint your eyes at him, “That was quick. I guess I’ll have to test you now.” Camilo stretches his arms. “This’ll be easy. It’s like hiding Mirabel’s glasses.”

“You what?”

Camilo winks at you. “Nothing! Ask away!”

You shrug and look through your notes. With that, you could ask Camilo around twenty questions. “Are you ready?” Camilo grins. “Bring it on.”

You ask Camilo the first question, he gets it correct.

“Where’s my kiss?”

“You’re dead to me.” You say as you plant a kiss on the back of his hand. “Next questio-”

“I want to ask you a question!” You aren’t sure where the sudden energy came from, but you reply. “Alright.”

“Okay, I have two questions: one, why not on the lips?” You try to answer, but are shushed by Camilo, the second question he gives you is a math equation.

“You may answer.”

You purse your lips. “Well, I wanted to save the kiss on the lips for the hardest question? And… we aren’t even studying math?”

Camilo pulls you to his side and the two of you are laying down on the bed. “Correct! Now we must take a well-deserved break!”

“But I haven’t even quizzed you? Plus, you looked quite excited for the ‘one correct answer, one kiss’ thing.” Camilo shrugs. “I am. But I feel like you deserve a break. Just close your eyes.” He kisses your cheek. You sigh at him, “Fine. You better remind me that we’re quizzing each other when we wake up.”

Camilo smiles without replying.

“I’m serious! I don’t want to fail this!”

Camilo chuckles at you before giving you a short kiss on your lips. “I’ll remember that, mi amor. For now, sleep to your heart’s delight.” You merely hum in response, wrapping your arms around Camilo. “Goodnight.”

“Y/N, it’s 4PM.”

“Goodnight.”

[writingonsaturn]

Better Unsaid

a/n okay this has been all over the place!! it was originally going to be a blurb and darker and closer to smutty (so keep your eyes out for that??? lol), but then I made it softer and the concept got away from me and it got soooo much longer than expected lmao and i still dont love where it ended so maybe part 2?? i have the idea i just dont know lol 

summary: Reader is a princess and Anakin has been her guard during the most public season for the past two years (not the most logical thing but just go with it lol, it gets explained better in the fic) and after a near death experience the two are conveniently forced into a....

ONE BED TROPE ONE BED TROPE *cough cough* ONE BED TROPE WITH ONE PERSON HAVING TO WAKE UP THE OTHER BC THEYRE HAVING A NIGHTMARE,, :)))))))

  --

His smugness is the only thing about him I can consider ‘ugly’. And because I am so desperate to not have feeling for Anakin, the Jedi who has been assigned to protect me through coronation season (which lasts for most of winter), for the last two coronation seasons, I hold onto my distaste for that side of him. Which is why I suppress my laugh as he waits for my reaction with that confident smile. 

“Come on, that was funny.” 

Rolling my eyes, I let myself sit on my bed. I can’t tell if he’s actually funny or if my evening has been so boring that his sense of humor has started to become appealing to me due to comparison. In short, the suitor I was forced to spend an entire evening with lacked personality so much I’m starting to find Anakin funny.

“You’re much more entertaining than this evening’s suitor.” 

Anakin’s expression shifts slightly, his assured grin dropping slightly. “Another miss?” 

“You have no idea.” I relax slightly, taking a moment to be glad that I completed my father’s request and now I can just enjoy the time I have with Anakin. “I know my father’s desperate to make sure my marriage is useful for our people and that he worries about this selection process because he always thought my mother would be here to help, but sometimes I wish he wouldn’t rush it so much. It feels like all he wants me for is to marry me off in exchange of finance or weaponry or something diplomatic.” 

“You’re more than that.” His response is so soft I think I might have missed it if I needed it less. I curse myself for feeling so validated by him. His words shouldn’t mean anything to me. After all, he could easily just be saying that because agreeing with my father will just make me more unpleasant to be around. 

I smile politely while avoiding his eyes. I keep my hands on either side of me, fighting the urge to fidget. “Thank you, Anakin.” My words sound weak in my own ears, so I’m sure he notices my shift in mood. “I’m tired today, I think I’m going to go to bed early.” Normally, I’d be able to shrug off these kinds of things, but the beginning of Coronation Season makes me irritable. The anniversary of my mother’s death hits me harder each year. 

“Y/n.” My name comes out so velvety I can’t find it in myself to interrupt him. “You are more than someone meant to be used as some kind of royal currency, and I mean that as more than just a...friend.” 

I let his last word linger. We’ve tried so many titles that never seem to fit right. He’s the chosen one, one of the most powerful Jedi to exist, and the Jedi assigned to protect me each Coronation Season because that’s when my mother was assassinated. He’s my guard, but we’ve spent too many nights laughing together and talking about everything and anything. And I guess now he’s my friend, even though sometimes when he looks at me in a certain way or sits too close to me or reaches for my hand to guide me somewhere I can’t breathe right. 

“Anakin, you know I love when you’re here, even though sometimes you drive me insane. And I appreciate your kindness, but your words can’t change the truth. That’s how my father sees me and he’s not exactly wrong. I’m not a son, I haven’t been raised to lead an army or lead much, and--” 

“I’ve seen you in meeting after meeting, convention after convention. I’ve witnessed the way you handle real problems and I know how you care about your people. You’d make a great leader, you don’t need a husband to be valuable.” 

My chest swells, feelings I never let myself think about mixing with thoughts of Anakin that I’ve spent so long trying to avoid. “That settles it, you’re my favorite person.” 

He grins, the look warm enough to melt the odd lump in my throat. I fight down a smile as he steps forward. “And I wasn’t before?” 

“I take it back--your head’s big enough without the additional praise.” 

Rolling my eyes, I lean back slightly in order to recreate the distance he so easily destroyed. “And I thought you had finally warmed up to me, princess.” 

The use of my title makes me skeptical. The last time Anakin used it was when he was trying to ease me so that I’d walk around the palace garden so he had an excuse to do the same. It was beyond late and I was half asleep, but he had os much energy he was desperate and just needed to do one more thing. I felt bad that his schedule revolved so heavily around mine (and when he softens his eyes and says please, I’m left incapable of saying the word ‘no’) so I agreed. 

“What do you want?” 

Anakin dramatically clutches a hand over his heart. He throws his head back slightly as if he’s just taken a fatal blow. “When did you turn so cynical? I’ve been back for three days and I’m starting to believe you’re a different person now.” 

Yeah...he’s definitely getting ready to ask for something that’s more trouble than it’s worth. Then again, everything with him seems to be worth it in some capacity. Even if it’s just that one smile he gets when he’s truly content and doesn’t think anyone’s looking. 

“Mhm,” I mumble, still fighting a grin, “so you’re not going to ask me anything?” 

His lips part slightly as he exhales. I watch the way his eyes narrow at my victorious expression. “I don’t have anything to ask of you, but I do have a small request. A request so small you won’t have to do anything but say yes.”

Suspicious. Too easy. “You’re unbelievable.” 

“You just said I was your favorite person. Remember that.” 

I’m too tired for his coyness. I’d rather him make his ridiculous request now so that I can be in bed within the hour. Though I can’t pretend I don’t normally feel better after letting him drag me along on whatever ‘adventure’ he just needed to complete while also not letting me out of his sight. I used to tell him that I wouldn’t tell anyone if I wasn’t under supervision for an hour or two a day, but he dismissed the idea immediately. That’s been the cornerstone of everything. 

“What is it?” 

He sighs once, tilting his head slightly. The way his eyes soften tells me he’s already won at least half the battle. “They still haven’t caught the attempted--” Anakin pauses, something behind his eyes darkening. I know what he’s remembering. Last night, an assassin had gotten closer than they ever had. I had almost been shot in the garden, Anakin had barely pushed me to the ground in time. A fact he’s been beating himself up for since, especially considering that no one has been able to find my attempted killer yet. “They were so close to you. They were within palace limits and they disappeared like they never existed. Who’s to say they don’t work here and are waiting for the next moment you’re exposed? Who’s to say they aren’t here tonight, waiting for me to retire for the night?” 

I didn’t realize how my near death experience had been so personal to him. He, like everyone else, was beyond frantic after it happened. But my father put an end to verbal worry before it could truly begin. He said the best thing we could do was act like everything was fine as the assailant was searched for. Anakin hadn’t been particularly cheery after my father instructed the guards to focus their search on known enemies instead of prioritizing venting the staff closest to me. I comforted him as best as I could, but he didn’t feel like speaking about it and I had to worry about the suitor meeting my father wouldn’t let me cancel. 

“Anakin, you’re right next door to me.” I have to fight the urge to reach for him. “I was fine because of you, and I will be fine because of you.” 

He sighs once, his expression not easing. “And if the person is silent? The attacker could easily work in the palace, but no one wanted to direct the search inwards.” His words are more strained than I’ve ever heard them be. “I think it’d be smart for me to stay in here. I know you’ve refused having a guard stay in your room or outside your door, but...” Anakin sighs. “Your safety would be more assured.” 

Him staying in my room? The only line I’ve ever been allowed to draw, and I’m actually considering letting that go. If he seemed even slightly less sad, I wouldn’t even consider it. It’s not a good idea. I’m already too attached to him. “Anakin--” 

“I’d feel more assured.” 

Damn him. Stupid, extremely sweet Anakin who makes saying no to him impossible. I stretch my arm forward, letting my hand squeezes his forearm gently. “There’s no reason to not feel assured.” He doesn’t ease, the cloudiness behind his eyes remains stubborn. “You’re still worried.” No reaction, the haze that’s taken him isn’t letting go. “Fine--but tell no one or my father is going to take to posting guards at my door every night.” 

...I guess there are worse ways to spend a night. Which is kind of a problem since I’m trying to...enjoy Anakin less. Ugh, I even sound dumb in my head. “I promise, princess.” 

Ugh, he’s adorable. “You’re intolerable.” I stand from he foot of my bed and pull back the covers on my bed. He doesn’t reply, something dark still playing for him. I watch him move to face the door. Wait--is he doing what I think he’s doing? “No, you’re not going to stand there all night. You need sleep.” He has the audacity to give me an annoyed look. “I already didn’t want to do this so now you have to listen to my conditions.” 

He raises an eyebrow, his lips pressing together oddly. He’s trying to gauge something from my expression, perhaps he’s looking for buttons to press to get his way. I guess I look as stubborn as I feel because instead of arguing he just sits on the floor. What? I watch him cautiously, trying to figure out if this is some weird argument trick. 

“What are you doing?” 

“What you asked.”

And just like that I’ve put myself in a position that I will no doubt regret terribly the second common sense returns to me. There’s no way to deny that Anakin and I are closer than we probably should be. We’ve felt like friends first since the day we first met. I can’t think of any reason to not offer to let him sleep in my bed except those stupid budding feelings I refuse to label. 

It’s not like I actually like him. I can’t--I’m going to be married to some nobleman and he’s prohibited from ever forming attachments. I’m not even sure if we’re allowed to be friends. Having actual feelings for him would be so, so pointless. It would just lead to heartache and the ruining of the one genuine relationship I have. I’m just a tiny bit confused right now because he’s objectively really attractive and he’s always there for me. Always there to make a joke after a particularly rough meeting. Always there to offer me a supportive smile. Always there to humble me when I teeter on acting like my father. 

Anyone’s heart would flutter at that, so it doesn’t mean anything. And if it does, I need to squash any budding feelings now before I mess things up. Which is why I should keep him at arm’s length until I get it together. But is that fair to him? And what if doing that is making things worse? What if it’s just reinforcing the idea of having feelings? 

This is ridiculous. I’m going to get over this if it kills me. It’s just a bed and it’s only sleeping. I’m meant to be able to lead an entire union and I can’t sleep next to someone and act normal?” “You don’t have to sleep on the floor.” 

The second the words leave my mouth I regret it all. What’s wrong with me? Did I seriously think I’d be okay?

I hear his soft exhale, “I’ll be fine. I’ve slept in worse places than on your marble floor.” 

His voice sounds so weighted I can’t help but feel bad for not noticing that he’s still bothered. Whether he’s upset about his near miss or the fact that my father didn’t take his advice, I don’t know. But something’s wrong. The easy thing to do would be to just let him sleep it off. The smart thing to do would be to leave him alone until tomorrow. 

I think of all the times that I’ve been upset and Anakin had refused to let me go to sleep angry or sad or overwhelmed. “I know, but it’s really not a big deal. It’s not like we don’t know each other. I mean, last Coronation Season you buttoned me into more gowns than my handmaid. And I owe you for saving me from one of the worst suitors I’ve ever had.” 

“I’m starting to think we need to develop some kind of signal.” 

The tiny bit of lightness that’s returned to his voice makes all of my internal struggle feel worth it. “You always seem to know.” 

“That’s because when you’re reaching your limit, that one line appears between your eyebrows.”

I didn’t realize I had such a tell. I try to remember the way that the suitor drawled on and on about how amazing he was and how he couldn’t wait for the day he had a bride to bear his children and plan (tedious) social events. My hand moves to my forehead, trying to feel the crease Anakin mentioned. Can everyone tell when I’m growing tired? Am I that transparent? 

Anakin’s slight laugh steals my attention. He’s facing me again, his elbow holding his head up on the foot of my bed. “What are you doing?” 

“I don’t--I don’t think i get a crease between my eyebrows when I’m irritated.” 

I hear him stand. I don’t realize he’s approaching me until he’s so close I could touch him without even needing. to stretch. “No, when you’re irritated you raise your eyebrows slightly, because that’s when you’re at your most sarcastic.” 

“Really?” 

The corner of his mouth tugs upwards. “Just like that.” I force myself to keep my expression blank. “When you’re reaching your limit, your eyebrows crease here.” His finger taps the space between my brows so gently I almost don’t realize what he’s doing. “And when you’re trying not to laugh--which is often, because you refuse to admit that I’m funny--you press your lips together in a way that forms a dimple here.” The knuckle of his pointer finger brushes against the bottom of my cheek. 

I bite my tongue to fight the warmth spreading across my face. “I didn’t realize i was so transparent.”

“I can’t always tell what you’re thinking.” 

“I’ll take it.” Maybe if I was less tired, I’d argue a little more. “You know you’re not that difficult to read either.” 

“Really?” 

“Yes, I can tell when you’re just being stubborn for the sake of it. I can see it in your eyes and you’re doing it right now.” 

His expression harshens slightly before softening. “Y/n--” 

“I’m not wrong.” 

He sighs once, stepping back. I watch him pace around my bed before taking a seat on the edge of my other side of the bed. “Are you happy now?” 

“Happy that I won? Absolutely.” 

Anakin halfheartedly glares at me. “Careful, add a crown and a robe that trails down a throne and I’d feel like I was speaking to your father.” 

“Careful, another side comment like that and I’ll ‘accidentally’ kick you off the bed in the middle of the night.” 

“Not if I kick you off the bed first.” 

I trace a thoughtless pattern on the fabric of my bedsheets. “What are you? Twelve?” 

“I’m older than you.” 

“Barely.” I continue the thoughtless pattern tracing as I fight the sleep from my eyes. “Your comebacks are usually more creative than that.” 

He exhales, relaxing slightly as he rests his back against a pillow. “I’m tired, like you claimed to be.” His eyes flutter slightly, a bit of his exhaustion showing. “Go to sleep.” 

I should. I’m too old to think I can put off a tomorrow I don’t want by just staying up. This is stupid. I’m too old to think I can put off the anniversary of my mother’s death by going to bed. She had been taken from us on castle grounds, killed by a revolutionist who viewed my mother as a class traitor. I still remember the way she slumped to the ground, her blood staining the snow beneath her. I remember the way the guards were so busy chasing her killer no one thought to keep me away from the body. 

“Y/n?” 

I scratch the back of my arm in hopes of banishing my thoughts. “Yes?” 

“You’re being quiet.” 

“You said to go to sleep, that tends to be a quiet thing.” 

I can feel his eyes on me. “Since when do you listen to me?” Not trusting myself to actually reply, I only offer him a hum of acknowledgement. “I know you’re not half asleep.” 

Folding my hands on my lap, I avoid his gaze. “It’s tomorrow.” 

I don’t know why I trust him to understand my vague response, but I do. His silence stretches over us like a thin blanket on a cold night. Maybe he doesn’t understand what I’m implying. I can always correct him tomorrow, when my eyelids are no longer as heavy as my heart. The more seconds that pass in total silence, the more I think that maybe he’s fallen asleep. 

I wouldn’t be surprised, Anakin has seemed tired recently, like some additional weight he won’t share with anyone has been thrust onto his shoulders. A small part of me rolls in guilt. I need to be a better friend, just because I’m suddenly a little too aware of him doesn’t mean I can shrug him off and ignore him. 

My hand almost flinches away from the feeling of something surprisingly warm touching my pinky. When I realize that it’s just Anakin and that the contact was probably accidental, I force myself to ease. It’s not like we’ve never touched before, I don’t understand why I’m making it weird. Sitting in my bed in the dark doesn’t change anything. His hand turns slightly, pressing into mine a little more assuredly. Biting my tongue, I turn my hand slightly, exposing my palm. And just like that, our fingers intertwine. 

“She would have been proud of you.” His voice comes out so low I barely register the words. 

The words shouldn’t mean much to me--he never knew my mother and has no way to know what she wanted me to be.--and yet I find comfort in them. I smile, turning my head towards him. “You didn’t even know her.” 

He rolls his eyes slightly, relaxing further before squeezing my hand once. “Who wouldn’t be proud of you? You’re kind and smart and decent to be around when you’re not telling me what to do.” 

My heart swells in my chest so much I’m surprised it doesn’t burst. Could he be cuter? “Yeah...now I’m sure you’re my favorite person.” 

“Now you’re sure?” 

The smugness in his voice has me rolling my eyes. “Don’t make me regret saying that.” 

“Maybe in the morning,” he says easily, “now go to sleep. There’s nothing worse than escorting you from meeting to meeting while you’re tired.” 

“I’m not that bad.” Even in this darkness, I can make out the way he raises an eyebrow. “Shut up--I’m going to sleep, but not because of you.” 

He lets out a slight huff. “You’re impossible.” 

The desire to respond to his comment is not enough for me to win the fight against the weight of my eyelids. The moment my eyes shut, I feel powerless to anything that isn’t sleep. I let myself fall into a weightless sleep, my only tether being the Anakin’s fingers around mine. 

--

A distant noise yanks me from my sleep. I’m too drowsy to do anything but register the sound. I hear another similar...whine? cry? I can’t tell and I’m too asleep to figure it out. I almost fall asleep again, but a third distressed sound keeps me from it. I wipe my eyes lazily with the back of my hand as I try to sit up. 

Squinting, I make out a figure on my bed. It takes me a moment to remember Anakin and how I fell asleep. Our hands are still together and no light is peering through my window so it can’t be that long since I fell asleep. Another disgruntled sound carries itself throughout the room. I shift slightly, leaning over Anakin cautiously. 

Golden brown curls are beginning to stick to his forehead and his eyebrows are drawn together sharply. He’s having a nightmare.  I shift even further forward before cautiously placing a hand on his shoulder before squeezing him gently. 

“Anakin,” I whisper, “it’s not--it’s not real.” His eyebrows draw together even more harshly. I shake him a little more stubbornly. “Anakin, wake up--you’re having a ni--”

 My forearm is grabbed so suddenly I barely register it before I feel my back shoved into my mattress. I blink twice. His dark eyes are frantic and the look on his face is far from the gentle, easygoing expression I’m used to. He’s breathing deeply, his chest rising and falling from above me. I swallow a slight panic and something I don’t understand as I try to keep my eyes on his face and my thoughts away from how close he is. Anakin pries his fingers from my forearm one by one until only his palm is touching me. 

“Y/n, I--” 

“It’s okay.” Honestly, I’m more worried about his uneven breathing than the way he grabbed me. I can’t imagine everything he’s been through or how justified his nightmares are. Anakin moves his hand away from me. I don’t sit up until he’s off of me and sitting with his back against my headboard. “It’s okay--I just--you were having a nightmare and I thought I should wake you.” He doesn’t react. I turn my body further, keeping my back straight. Anakin doesn’t move, and the longer he stays still, the more I feel like I should say something else. “Do you want talk about it? Or do--do you want to talk about something else? Or go to sleep? Or get some water? Or--” The far off look behind his eyes silences me. I scoot forward slightly. “You’re okay, Anakin, I promise.” 

His head turns at that, his eyes searching mine for something I don’t understand. “I thought...” He cuts himself off by swallowing once. 

I shift a little more, trying to find anything normal in his expression. “Thought what?” 

Anakin’s hand is on my arm so quickly I don’t even register his movement. I let his fingers press into my skin. He’s holding onto me like I’m a figment of a dream and he’s beginning to wake up. “I thought I’d failed.” He exhales, the sound heavy. “Failed you and that you’d--I  thought I had lost you.” 

A lump rises in my throat, thick and unmoving. Cautiously, I place my hand over the one still gripping my shoulder like a lifeline. “You didn’t. Nothing happened, it was just a dream.” 

His gaze falls to the ground before he repeats the last of my words. “Just a dream.” There’s a hollowness to his voice I don’t understand. 

I exhale, carefully running my thumb over his knuckles. “Yes.” He doesn’t say anything but his expression hardens again. I let us sit there like that for a long minute. “I promise.” 

“You can’t promise things like that.”

I sigh, unsure of where to go from here. “Bad dreams are only bad dreams.” He doesn’t reply. “I think you should try to get some more sleep.” 

Anakin is unresponsive. I shift back, but before I can transition from almost being on top of him to just sitting next to him, he pulls on my arm to keep in place. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.” 

“Nothing’s going to happen to me.” 

“You almost died today, y/n. I was right there and if I had been a second later--” 

“But you weren’t.” He doesn’t ease. “You were there and I was fine. Don’t torment yourself over what could have been. You’ll drive yourself crazy.” 

“If anything ever happened to y--” 

“It’s not going to,” I whisper, ignoring the way his hold on my arm tightens even further, “Especially this time a year when I have a pretty good gau--” 

He tilts his head slightly, eyebrows drawing together and a ghost of a smile on his lips. “Pretty good? Really?” 

“Someone needs to watch your ego, chosen one.” This time when he tries for a smile, the look has some strength behind it. Relief pools in my stomach. “Now get some sleep, tomorrow’s a busy day and when you’re sleepy you’re beyond irritable.”  

Anakin lets me pull away enough to lay down, but he doesn’t follow. Not for a long second. When he does, his movements are impossibly rigid. I watch him out of the corner of my eye as carefully as I can manage. 

“Y/n?” 

I regret turning my head immediately. I didn’t realize how close he was. It would take no effort from me to make our lips meet. Wait--why am I thinking of that? I’m not allowed to think of stuff like that...especially not about him. 

“Yes?”

He lets out a breath before moving his hand. I don’t understand his hesitation until I feel his hand cupping my cheek gently. “What if next time I’m not enough? What if next time I lose you because I’m not strong enough?” 

I never thought my death would be such a personal thing to him. Sure, I knew that we had some kind of bond, some kind of friendship, and that my death would bring sadness. But I never imagined I’d matter enough to him that thoughts of my death would be frightening enough to slip into his subconscious and become a thing of nightmares. 

“You are enough. Nothing is going to happen to me and if it does it’s not going to be because of you.” Anakin’s lips press together in a way that implies serious uncertainty. His thumb brushes across my cheek so unexpectedly I almost ask him what he’s doing. The intensity behind his eyes is enough to burn me. “Was your dream really that bad?” 

He lets out an uncertain breath as his eyebrows draw together. I don’t miss the way his jaw clenches. “It’s more than the dream. I...y/n, princess,” he tacts on, a hint of humor returning to him, “you’re more than a mission to me.” 

The admission is so soft I can’t help but smile. “I know, Anakin, we’re--” 

“You’re more than a friend to me.” I don’t know if my blood freezes in my veins or if my lungs don’t contract when they should or if my heart literally skips a beat, but I know something in me completely stops at his words. “I--” 

“Don’t say it.” I don’t know how I managed to cut him off so sharply and I’m a little disappointed when I do, but it’s the right thing to do. Thought of the code that’s so important to him have clouded half the immense shock and joy swelling in my chest. “What you’re trying to say...I um, I want to say the same.” I try to drop my gaze but he tilts my head up slightly with his hand. “But we shouldn’t, you know that.” 

"You want to us to pretend that nothing’s different? You want me to escort you from meetings with one suitor to the next every Coronation Season until you’re married off?” 

“No, I’m not saying that. The point is that I’m not saying anything.” His eyebrows draw together in uncertainty. “Isn’t it enough for now, for both of us to just know? If we say it...that could mean bad things for you. And I don’t want to be a bad thing for you.” 

“You could never be.”

It’d be so easy to believe him. To believe him and to let him say what I never imagined I’d be able to hear and damn the consequences of tomorrow. “Can we just refrain from verbally saying anything until you’re sure?” 

“I’m sure right now. I’ve been sure since the first time we ever walked in the garden together. The night after the first Coronation Ball I escorted you to.” 

I remember that night well. The way he hadn’t scolded me for needing air or taking off my uncomfortably high heels to walk in the grass. “If you mean it, you won’t say it yet. I refuse to get in the way of what you’re meant for.”

His thumb runs my cheek entirely, stopping at the corner of my mouth. “Are you capable of not disagreeing with me?” 

Rolling my eyes slightly, I place my hand over his. “Probably not.” 

Anakin exhales, his playful irritation clear in the sound. “You’re impossible when you’re tired.” 

“I am not tired.” 

“I can see the sleep in your eyes.” 

“I can see it in yours too.” 

He pauses, eyebrows drawn together cautiously. “I’ll go to sleep if you do.”

He must be more tired than I thought if he’s compromising with me so quickly. “Deal.” 

Neither of us close our eyes for a long second, we just watch each other with wide eyes. It still doesn’t feel like he’s eased, but he’s come back to me so much more than he was earlier. I’ll make sure to check how he’s feeling in the morning. The first morning after we’ve...I don’t know. 

I’m trying really hard not to get excited because anything that’s been not said could be taken back so easily. That’s the point--but it’s hard not to let my heart get ahead of my rationality. I’ll just take the good for what it is for now and tomorrow we can figure out the rest. Even though he’s not allowed to form attachments and my father really wants to marry me off to foreign royalty.

Tomorrow. This can begin to be solved tomorrow. My eyes shut and I let myself roll fully onto my back. The second I’m comfortably settled, I feel Anakin shift against the bed. I’m too tired to open my eyes until I feel a weight placed against my chest. 

I open my eyes on instinct, less surprised than I should be when I see Anakin’s head resting against my chest. Before I can speak, I feel his arm rest against my side. “Anakin,” I breathe, my hand moving to smooth his hair out of his face the way I’ve wanted to for so long. “What did we just talk about?” 

“You said not to say anything,” he mumbles comfortably, “I’m not saying anything.” ...It is kind of the ideal compromise. Especially since I’m too tired to find reason and he feels so warm. “I can feel you overthinking. Go back to smoothing my hair before I have to rise and stand at your door so that your handmaid comes to wake you. Something tells me she’d be glad for the excuse to get rid of me.” 

That might be the most dramatic thing I’ve ever heard him say. Selma is the most patient woman in the palace. “Selma would never report anything involving me, I can’t believe you don’t like her. She’s the sweetest woman I’ve ever met.”  

“She’s the one that doesn’t like me,” he says, “she always watches me like she’s trying to figure out if I’m planning on stealing you away.” 

Too tired to fight my smile, I go back to smoothing his hair out with my fingers. After a moment, he lets out an exhale that relaxes his entire body. “Goodnight, princess.” 

“Goodnight.” The word is barely a mumble as I feel sleep tug against me for the second time tonight. 

It’s strange, but my excitement doesn’t diminish my tiredness, it just makes the prospect of rest feel so much fuller. Safer. Because there’s so much to sort out and grieve but it’s okay, because we have the time and everything feels okay because Anakin is here, right beneath my fingertips. 

[whomst-art-thou-whomst-whomst]

Texts from the Lost Tomb, part 5.4

I swear folks once I get this and the last part up I’m gonna condense it all

But yeah couldn’t resist some <3

Zhang and Wu Chat

Wu Xie: Um. I’m all done with the shower if you want a turn.

Zhang Qiling: I’m alright without one.

Wu Xie: sooo are you pissed at me still?

Zhang Qiling: ? I have not been angry with you since the ladder incident.

Wu Xie: you’ve barely said anything since the necklace thingy

Zhang Qiling: I believe it is a long-running joke amongst my friend group that I do not, in fact, say much.

Wu Xie: okay but there are multiple gouges in the tea house walls that would suggest you had somewhat strong feelings today

and I kinda caused the events that sparked said feelings

so just checking in you know

Zhang Qiling: I was not angry so much as I was afraid. More afraid than I’ve been in a long time.

Wu Xie: ??? But it has worked out fine??? Everyone made it out alive and Uncle Erbai gets to feel morally superior to the Zhang family for a while so today was a win overall

Zhang Qiling: I heard you scream. I didn’t know what had happened. I couldn’t get to you right away. Therefore, I was afraid.

Wu Xie: ohhhhh. oh, Xiao Ge. It’s alright now—hey the necklace was actually helping u look out for me:) It’s not like those ppl were actually trying to hurt me, really. Your family isn’t so bad, at least you don’t have any uncles you know of

today was just some big misunderstandings wrapped in some poor life choices. Tbh my memoir title

I feel kind of stupid for screaming but when a glowing necklace wraps itself around your neck it’s a little uhoh moment lol

I did like the design tho def my aesthetic.

Zhang Qiling: I am pleased that it was able to protect you when I was not.

Wu Xie: Uh no you are not allowed to get all emo abt this it’s only like 3pm

damn time flies when it’s flashing before your eyes lol

Are you on the roof? You’re def on the roof. I thought I heard the tiles moving over my head. Come down or I’m coming up.

Zhang Qiling: I will be down in a moment. Do not come outside, it’s cold and raining.

Wu Xie: you know, Zhang Rishan said he thinks the necklace might be linked to you, somehow

something from long ago, even though you wouldn’t remember it.

It’s lucky that it liked me, huh:)

Zhang Qiling: Yes. Quite lucky.

Babysitters Club Chat

Wang Pangzi: AWW LOOK AT HIM NAPPING ON YOUR SHOULDER SO CUTE. BEBES HAD A BIG DAY. YOU TWO ARE PRECIOUS. BE GOOD AND POSE FOR THE PICTURE NOW.

Zhang Qiling: No. Also, I am considering what steps I should take with Zhang Rishan. Regardless of his concern for the Zhang family line, his actions were unacceptable.

Wang Pangzi: HES DROOLING A LITTLE ON YOU WHICH IS LESS CUTE BUT I CAN CROP THAT PART

LOOK I KNOW YOURE STILL PISSED. IM NOT EXACTLY CALM MYSELF, I JUST HAVE WAYS TO SKIRT AROUND TIANZHENS BULLSHIT FILTER THAT YOU LACK

GET ON MY LEVEL

WU ERBAI WILL HANDLE IT, THINGS HAVE SETTLED I THINK

BUT ABOUT THAT NECKLACE

SO INTERESTING HMMM

Zhang Qiling: I am the patriarch of my family. The necklace behaved as I would, apparently, to protect a vulnerable family member. Wu Xie’s bad cold last week activated it, and it responded to a perceived danger to him today. Simple enough.

Wang Pangzi: UH HUH

A FAMILY MEMBER

THE NECKLACE REALLY SAID LOVE WINS

TOLKIEN COULD NEVER

Zhang Qiling: It protected him on a technicality. But I will not allow him to bear the burdens of my family ever again. It has taken so much from him already.

Wang Pangzi: YEAH SURE BLAH BLAH DESTINY BLAH BLAH ANGST

“A TECHNICALITY” WOW WHO SAID ROMANCE WAS DEAD

ANYHOO IM SCREENSHOTTING THIS FOR UR WEDDING RECEPTION SLIDESHOW

YA KNOW DURING MY SPEECH

Friends of Wu Xie Support Group Chat

Hei Yangjing: you’re welcome for everything today<3 I accept PayPal, although of course it is always my honor to assist my friends:)

Wang Pangzi: WE ARENT PAYING YOU SHIT

Zhang Qiling: You did absolutely nothing.

Hei Yangjing: whoa whoa maybe I wasn’t threatening family members or busting up load-bearing walls like some undying divas I could name but I totes helped

or at least I was there for moral support maybe?

Zhang Qiling: The only reason I knew you were there at all was that as I lowered my blade from Zhang Rishan’s neck, I heard the camera click and saw you were taking a selfie making a peace sign, angled to have the two of us in the background.

Xie Yuchen: I saw it on social media just now. The caption is “#greatdaycatchingupwiththelads #blessed”

Wang Pangzi: TBH KIND OF JEALOUS I DIDNT THINK TO DO THAT

Hei Hangjing: okay yeah you see Xiao Ge that is a modern kind of help I should’ve known you wouldn’t be aware

It’s called performance, you wouldn’t understand

it’s a ‘Gram thing

Also it means I’m a great person

Bc letting you handle the situation was my gift to you

Zhang Qiling: Wu Xie mentioned there is something called “blocking ppl” that gets them out of my phone.

Hei Yangjing: nah

Can’t trust that Wu Xie, bae can’t tell a coffin from an urn amirite

it’s not a thing, blocking

Xie Yuchen: It is a thing. I’ll show you later, Zhang Qiling.

Wang Pangzi: YOU BOYS GO GET CLEANED UP AND COME BY AROUND 9 I SNAGGED SOME OF ZHANG RISHANS BOOZE ON THE WAY OUT

Bonnie and Clyde Chat

Hei Yangjing: you looked pretty comfortable in those handcuffs earlier ;););)

Xie Yuchen: Go to sleep, idiot.

Hei Yangjing: You’d have to do something to tire me out ;););)

Xie Yuchen: Are you like this around Wu Xie? Not that I care, I’m just asking.

Hei Yangjing: uh that’s a big nope

First off all Idk when I’ll die but Id prefer it to be on my terms and not at the hands of those other two

Secondly there is a part of me that remembers how adorable he was when he was younger and that makes it weird

(No offense but u were not adorable. He was bebe luke skywalker, you were bebe princess leia I am obvs Han Solo 4lyfe)

Also I’m a little scared that if i flirted with him and he flirted back he’d be better at it.

Xie Yuchen: All valid concerns.

Hei Yangjing: as cute as he is I don’t really wanna tap that.

Xie Yuchen: I see.

Hei Yangjing: do you tho

Main Chat

Wu Xie: okay folks who wants cocoa to top the evening off? I picked some up today:D

Wang Pangzi: UH YOU SPENT YOUR DAY BEING KIDNAPPED AND PLACATING A SENTIENT NECKLACE WHEN DID YOU HAVE TIME TO GET GROCERIES

FRANKLY THATS INTIMIDATING

Wu Xie: the tea house gift shop:)

Wang Pangzi: …YOU BOUGHT COCOA FROM YOUR KIDNAPPERS. FROM THEIR GIFT SHOP. DURING YOUR KIDNAPPING.

WU XIE

WU XIE WHY

Wu Xie: I mean we were there the whole day, it felt impolite not to buy anything.

Wang Pangzi: OH RIGHT GREAT POINT ID HATE TO BE RUDE TO THEM AFTER THEY WENT TO THE TROUBLE OF ABDUCTING US

LISTEN WHEN PPL STEAL YOU IT BECOMES FREE REIGN ON THEIR SHIT

UGH YOU PROBABLY GOT A RECEIPT AND EVERYTHING

WAS UR LITTLE SHOPPING TRIP BEFORE OR AFTER THEY STUCK U IN A DUNGEON TO EXPERIMENT ON YOU

WAIT NVM I DONT WANT TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT

Wu Xie: look, let’s focus on the positives/ we are all okay, and we learned something new, that necklace is still active! It’s really quite nice-looking when it isn’t moving of its own volition.

Wang Pangzi: YOU AND YOUR RELENTLESS DUCKING OPTIMISM

ZHANG QILING ARE YOU SEEING THIS

Zhang Qiling: I would love some cocoa. I’ll come to the kitchen.

Wu Xie: I have special marshmallows for you!!

Wang Pangzi: I SEE

WE ARE SUBSCRIBING TO THE PRESTIGIOUS “FUCK IT WHY NOT” SCHOOL OF THOT TONIGHT

LOL SURE LETS GO COCOA IT UP

IVE GOT SOMETHING STRONG TO POP IN IT

Wu Xie: Still thinking about that design… I’d love another chance to examine that necklace under less Zhangy circumstances.

Kinda sad we couldn’t borrow it to use for illnesses and dangerous missions :/

ah well it’s for the best, a family heirloom should be treasured, preserved and protected<3

Zhang Qiling: I put it on your dresser.

Wu Xie: ???????

Wang Pangzi: AND THATS WHY YOU AND I ARE FRIENDS, XIAOGE <3

Wu Xie: I—

Zhang Qiling: Are those bunny-shaped marshmallows for me?

[carcinized]

skipping records and eternity

~1k words | ao3

first of a series if people like it? i'd love to write more limbos...

please reblog if you like this it helps me a lot :DD

Tubbo stared into the unforgiving blizzard outside the cave. This was normal. A part of his morning routine, in fact. Staring out at the storm, wishing it would go away but knowing that would never happen; at least, not as long as he was in Limbo. But no one escaped Limbo. He’d thought Tommy had once, but Tommy was beside him now, so that couldn’t be true.

To his back was a hearth, wisps of people gathered around it. Tubbo had tried to reach them hundreds of thousands of times, probably, and he knew by now he couldn’t. It was like being in a dream, trying to reach the people around the fire. Either he was so slow he stopped moving or all of a sudden he was back where he started in a flawless loop.

Sometimes the figures huddled together, whispering, and occasionally looking back at Tubbo with glowing eyes, making Tubbo’s skin crawl. Sometimes the shadows shaped themselves into a certain tall enderman Tubbo knew all too well, or a regal figure with familiar sunglasses, or a happy, flailing child, or a tall figure with a barely distinguishable red and blue uniform. But despite it all, trying wasn’t worth the pain of not making it back, not even for family. Not anymore.

Tubbo sighed and internally scoffed, neverendingly surprised to be unable to hear his own sigh. Even after all this time, he hadn’t adjusted to being deaf. Or maybe he wasn’t deaf; maybe his Limbo just had no sound. It would make sense, after all. A world without sound, and especially music, was hell, in Tubbo’s opinion.

He shook his head to clear himself of the depressing thoughts. It was time to start his day. Tubbo got to his feet, taking a deep breath and steeling his nerves. Just another day in hell. Could be worse, right?

The light of the fire behind him flickered and a shadow of a figure with horns passed through it before disappearing eerily from the light of the flame. Tubbo spun around to look back at it, unwelcome hope flooding his limbs, but the shadow had already merged back with the others. He didn’t try to follow.

The next part of Tubbo’s repetitive morning was underway. The days were so similar Tubbo could no longer distinguish his memories of yesterday from that of today, or even what he thought might have been years ago. It seemed Tommy had spotted someone he wanted to see in the flames, because he was currently sprinting in an infinite route towards the fire, reappearing back to the edge of the cave still with his momentum.

“You idiot! It’s never going to work!” Tubbo called out pointlessly. “You’re never going to get in! …You’re never going to get in.”

Tommy attempted to get through one more time before he finally slowed, sitting down on the floor, visibly upset, mouth moving quickly. Tubbo couldn’t hear what he was saying, but, knowing Tommy, he was probably cussing more than a sailor could ever dream of.

Sighing, Tubbo sat down cross-legged beside Tommy. There was no point in talking, so he wrapped an arm around Tommy’s shoulders to try and comfort him. Them against the world, always.

“Come on, it’s that time of day,” Tubbo said, mostly to himself. He stood and offered Tommy a hand, which Tommy refused, opting to stand up on his own.

Tubbo moved on without comment, walking towards the other end of the cave, where he’d set up a workstation with an anvil. He had the infamous discs in his inventory, and always had since appearing in Limbo. However, every day when he played them in the jukebox they had been miraculously gifted, Tommy shook his head vehemently. And every day, Tubbo attempted to fix them.

He was handy, right? He was able to create nukes without so much as a blueprint. He should be able to repair two simple discs if he kept trying, even if he couldn’t hear them to check his progress. It seemed Tommy could, at least, considering he would always shake his head.

Sometimes Tommy tried to stop Tubbo from trying to fix them at all, probably to spare his time. But there was nothing better to do in Limbo, and maybe while trying to fix the discs Tubbo had fucked them up, but if he ever stopped trying he might never make them correctly. And he wanted to fix them, to fix them for Tommy, even if it seemed he never would. And, well, he needed to do something while he was stuck here for all eternity. Why not try and make it better with some music?

Tubbo made some finishing touches to the disc before picking it back up and walking towards the jukebox, ignoring Tommy’s protests. If Tubbo could do this, it would all be okay. They could sit together, shoulder to shoulder, and listen to the discs, and everything would be okay. Even if Tubbo wouldn’t be able to hear the music, that wasn’t what he really wanted, anyways.

Tubbo slipped the disc into the slot on top of the jukebox and turned to Tommy, whose violent headshakes had slowed down, more melancholy now than anything else. He met Tubbo’s eyes and shook his head once more.

Tubbo wanted to cry, but crying was stupid, so he simply took the irritating disc out of the jukebox. “Well, we still have another one to try to fix,” he mumbled around the burning in his throat. “Right, Tommy?”

Tommy didn’t look at him, hands reaching up to cover his ears instead.

Tubbo turned away once more, picking up the other disc.

Maybe, deep down, Tubbo knew it was fruitless. Maybe, deep down, he knew he’d never be able to fix them for Tommy. He couldn’t mend an attachment that didn’t exist. After all, these weren’t the discs, only emotionless carbon copies created specifically for this perfect little hell. But Tubbo would never stop trying to mend them, and mend things with his best friend, and trying to prove that he was worth it, that he could do something worthwhile. He would never stop; he knew that much. He supposed that was why they called it Limbo.

ty to @platytheplatypode for beta reading and helping with the title otherwise this would have not been titled </3

also literally tubbo is an unreliable narrator in this to some extent ask me what really happens here (or the symbolism i included bc its cool :]). thank you to @everydaybabbles for helping me figure out the limbo way back when (if you even remember?), i hope you dont mind being tagged but tysm youre literally the only reason this exists DFJDSLF

[lovelyfaustus]

(I would much rather be on anon, instead of flaunting my art account, but ...)

Hello! If you have time, could I request a matchup from you? If you’re currently busy or do not have the time, I understand and I thank you for reading this much anyway.

Im a 22 year old, 5'4" gay (trans) guy with very wavy brown hair I like to dye bright blue or have faded blonde tips, I'm average-ly sized, and I wear glasses. I am mostly very polite, quiet, and "charming" around new people, though that's mostly just a default reaction. Towards friends, I am more snarky and quick-witted, and to crushes ... I am extremely tsundere and deny my emotions, until I fully trust the person I like (which can take a while). I'm relatively smart (above average), and my hobbies consist of Writing and Composing Music (I can play upwards of 11 instruments, and sing), Drawing/painting, and collecting facts on familiar birds or exotic bugs. I even have a hand written journal dedicated to flora and fauna I've found interesting facts for. I'm extremely determined and very rarely give up on anything once I've set my mind to it, I just rarely want anything.

Thank you for your time, I'm sorry about the length of this ask. Once again if it's too disinteresting, long, or you have enough on your plate, then focus on you! I wish you the best and hope you enjoy your day.

u sound cool af !! ty for requesting aa ur too sweet ! D,:

hmm,,,, after reading your request a couple times i cant help but wanna pair you with Sebastian :0 (pls dont hate me if you didnt want seb aaaa)

i feel like, upon first meeting you, sebastian would right off the hook fall for your charm. in fact i think he would try to “out charm” you lol. He would also internally compliment your manners when he meets you for the first time! like >;0? Your politeness is impeccable!

after gaining the honorable title of your friend, Sebastian would probably be taken back by your wit. For some reason he didn’t expect human behavior to be so ??? inconsistent????? if you like, walk away from him after some witty banter the reaction you’d probably get is just

🧍‍♂️❓

HE FINDS IT VERY ENTICING THO!!!

if you were ever comfortable enough or in a situation where you wanted to tell him that you’re trans, he would accept it ofc !! He likes you a whole lot, you’re a very interesting human! nothing is going to change that :) He may ask you questions about it though, like maybe when you realized or what kinda things make you comfy/uncomfy. tbh if he found out abt someone personally being against u for being trans, that person would end up dead somewhere in like a ditch or something

HE !! WANTS !! TO HEAR YOUR MUSIC !!!!!!!!

SHOW HIM NOW!!!!!! hes like , MESMERIZED at how well it sounds, how put together and organized it is. his human did this !!!!!!!! he feels like the coolest man in the world bc hes so honored to know you >:0!

I feel like Sebastian would find secret stashes of your writing and read it behind your back (not in like a bad way tho¿ like if u asked where ur writing went he’d be like “oh i found it and i wanted to read it. its really good btw”)

you and him paint together !! he likes watching over your shoulder when you draw. Also!! when he finds your journals about florals he’ll probably ask to let finnian borrow them and the scenario is just like

seb: Finny! the lovely (ur name) has given me this book to lend to you. Please read over it and return it in mint condition. *tosses finnian into a dead rosebush*

he likes that youre a very strong willed person! he thinks your compassion is really charming!

-

aaaa IM SORRY if this is like. ugly bad and stupid D: i have never done matchups before nd im kinda scared im accidentally gonna give someone a character they hate :C

[mrfutureboy]

(bttf wip anon) what about talking about the ones with titles? Cute redhead, I waited up all night, jukebox heroes, and who is the man I see?

hi anon welcome back! i want to of course give the disclaimer that these are wips, so any snippets i share are very unlikely to be perfectly worked out haha. but thank you so much for the interest! ^_^

cute redhead:

yeahhh, so this one is definitely one of the crackiest of all the wips on my list. and it's a bttf: the game fic! basically, it's the part in the first episode (iirc) where doc's in jail and gives marty the idea to recruit doc's younger self to help him...except marty meets young emmett and is infatuated bc goddammit marty's got a weakness for red heads. honestly, i cant remember if that idea is based off something said in the games or if i read it in a fic and then was like "yep that tracks" lmfaoo.

anyway. it's so stupid but it's funny to me cuz marty says what he says and then doc goes into panic mode like "marty! you can't fuck my past self!" and starts going on and on about the ramifications to the spacetime continuum and marty's like "welp i dont really have much of a choice here do i". i haven't solidified how i want doc's rant to go so right now i have 2 versions of it. this is only like a 300 word fic (or at least it will be if i finish it)

here's a peek at the beginning, before doc has his rant i havent fully committed to yet:

“Psst, Doc!”

Doc popped up behind the bars of his jail cell. “Marty! Have you found my younger self yet?”

“Yeah, Doc, but ah, jeez,” Marty trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. “You never told me you were a cute redhead.”

“If I had known I was one, I surely would’ve told you,” Doc assured him with a slight upturn of his lips.

Marty chuckled nervously. “I wish you had, because this poses a, uh, unforeseen problem.”

“I’m sure whatever it is, we can figure out how to bypass it!” Doc waved his hand around. “What is it, Marty?”

“I have to fuck you, Doc. Younger you, that is.”

i waited up all night but i never saw the light:

the title (bc this is likely to be the actual title: as you could tell from my wip list, i have a lot of placeholders lol) is a lyric from "spiralling" by keane. it's a very marty song imo!

the premise of the fic is that the marty we follow in the movie returns to 1985 an hour or so earlier and heads to his house to sneakily do...something, honestly i dunno yet, and in the process ends up accidentally waking up the version of himself thats asleep in bed. twin pine marty finds out that life is different for lone pine marty and he ends up asking a lot of questions. it's actually told form the perspective of lone pine marty atm but idk i've thought about making it the other way around.

originally, it was going to be a songfic of sorts, with direct quotations from the song. i could potentially still do that but as i worked on it i kinda got away from that. with that original idea, twin pine marty was going to be a bit of an egomaniac when he realized he could bend things to his will via time travel (even tho he totally did it on accident). here's a snippet of that part atm that quotes/slightly paraphrases the song lyrics (the "other Marty" is twin pine marty bc pov):

“I made you. Fashioned you from jewels and stone, as it were. Made you in the image of myself. I gave you…everything you wanted, so you’d never know anything else,” the other Marty [verb], hands reaching out towards Marty’s face. The teen recoiled from the gesture. “Tell me, Marty, did you wanna be a winner? An icon? You wanna be famous? The president? Hell, you wanna start a war? You wanna have a family? Did you wanna be in love?”

“Do I wanna be in love?”

“Did you wanna be in love!”

Also, as noted in the original wip masterlist, this wip has a companion called "i fashioned you from jewels and stone" (which you can see from the snippet above that it's also titled after a lyric from spiralling). At the moment, the only real difference is that it has some dialogue w twin pine marty asking about george and lorraine, while this wip hasn't really gotten past marty getting caught by lone pine marty. and then that bit of dialogue up there, and the very ending, which i will also share here:

“Don’t bother going back to sleep,” Marty chuffed, standing with one leg out of the window. “Doc’s about to call you. He forgot his camera.”

The other Marty blinked in confusion, and before he could say anything, the phone started to ring. Both Marties stared at each other as the one in bed slowly picked up the phone. “H-hello?”

“Marty!” Doc’s voice boomed in the receiver. “You didn’t fall asleep did you?”

“…No, of course not,” he answered, his eyes wide.

The Marty in the window climbed the rest of the way out. He stood and waited for his counterpart to finish up on the phone, then finally said, “I’ll just leave this open for you, then. See you in the future,” he said cheekily, offering a short wave before heading off.

jukebox heroes:

this is just a silly little thing that's not very fleshed out, but the idea is that doc and marty are just chillin at doc's place (post trilogy i guess or maybe post bttf1 but 2&3 didnt happen? post bttf game? doesn't matter; doc's there) and "johnny b. goode" comes on the jukebox and marty's like "oh hey this is the song i played at the enchantment under the sea dance" and doc's like "what u were on stage?" and then marty basically explains what happened bc i imagine doc doesnt actually know the story lol. i will share a little snippet as a treat even tho there's not much to share:

“After they kissed? Marty, you were supposed to get out of there as soon as they kissed and you and your siblings’ fates were sealed!”

“Doc, you gotta understand, they were begging for an encore! I couldn’t just leave em’ hanging!”

Doc shook his head fondly. “No wonder you were late for our rendezvous. You’re just lucky you weren’t too late!”

who is the man i see where i'm supposed to be:

this is that fic i would keep referring to as my "big project" two summers ago but is probably going to end up being fewer words than "deal with god" which i basically wrote the entirety of in one night. and ive been working on THIS fic for HOW long?? yikes

the title is from "crystal ball" by keane bc it is my #1 marty song. there is also a companion thing in my notes app called "FOR CRYSTAL BALL (maybe)" which is basically just some ideas of dialogue for this fic that i havent added in yet. also this fic used to be called crystal ball.

the premise is that it's been about a week since marty returned from 1885 and he's been having constant nightmares. it's another one of those nights, so he goes to the bathroom to splash his face with cold water and take some painkillers, but when he lifts his head, his reflection isn't himself, but stoltz!marty ! whoa! maybe it's just a figment of our poor kid's imagination but the reflection is talking to him about how marty stole his life and blah blah blah. ends with george and lorraine finding marty on the floor in the bathroom (ALIVE DONT WORRY) and marty incessantly apologizing. imma be honest that scene rips my cold little heart right out of my chest lmao i'd love to share it but i will refrain atm. just cuz ideally i want y'all to suffer through the whole of the fic before getting to that punch in the gut :D

the reason this fic has been taking me so long is that i have the WORST time trying to write the dialogue between marty and his reflection! the whole beginning and end are done but the middle, the MEAT, is just never up to my standards when i try to write it.

even tho it's not finished and at this point i'll never fucking finish it to my liking, this fic is my baby. here's marty first meeting the man in the mirror:

He thought to lift his head before he accidentally drowned himself in the sink. He blindly reached for the hand towel to pat his face dry, letting out a heaving sigh into the soft fabric. Much softer than the towels we used to have, he remarked to himself. Jesus Christ, was life really that disappointing before, if the damn towels are an improvement? The towel fell into the sink alongside the pill bottle, and he yelped in surprise when he looked back in the mirror.

The face that stared back at him wasn’t his own. The reflection towered over him, piercing blue eyes boring into Marty’s own. There was no life behind these eyes, and they stared down at him like they could see right through him. A sudden shiver racked him; he could feel the cold gaze piercing his body, turning all of his blood to ice. Its eyebrows suddenly knit together, and it frowned deeply in contempt, eyes flitting about as it took in the sight of Marty. Marty could feel himself trembling under the reflection’s scrutiny.

as much as i kinda want to, i don't just want to post the entire beginning of the fic, so here's some of their first bits of dialogue, cuz i like the thing with the pills:

“How did you…I didn’t say that out loud.”

“You didn’t have to. I’m in your head, Marty. I can hear everything you’re thinking.”

Marty’s hand trembled as he reached for the pill bottle in the sink. His internal monologue was running a mile a minute as he frantically searched for the expiration date. No, you can’t. You can’t hear what I’m thinking because you’re not real. I’m just having a bad reaction to the pills. They have to be expired; they just have to. Where’s the damn expiration date? Good ‘til 1988…What year is it now? No, there has to be a mistake. This isn’t real. You’re not real, you don’t know what I’m thinking, you don’t know my name—Wait. You know my name; how do you know my name?

The reflection cut off Marty’s train of thought. “It’s because I’m you, Marty. The you that doesn’t exist anymore.”

this got long as hell but thank you again SO MUCH, anon, for showing interest in my wips!! let me know if there's any others you'd like to hear about! i didnt want to overwhelm you in the first ask by talking about EVERYTHING lol but i'm very willing to talk about the others as well

[voidcat]

– “Friend” is a four letter word

Characters: Kuroo Tetsurou / gn! reader

requested by anon, prompt 1

wc & genre: 2k - mostly fluff, a bit angst by the end

a/n: the title is literally a 1 trait danger song title, pls dont come @ me, i just thought it was nice to use bc “love” is a four letter word so yea,, also pls dont ship ppl irl or ask them too many Qs abt their relationshio even if they look so good together n should date bc it is rlly rlly annoying (speaking from experience)

The first you meet Kuroo Tetsurou, you don’t even notice.

It’s not surprising, he’s quiet and doesn’t gather attention. You don’t go looking around and keeping an eye on everyone either. The most is you’re just two fish in the vast sea, unaware of one another, too tangled with your own lives.

Then comes a moment, nothing special, almost out-of-a-movie type. It begins with a joke, if it can be considered that. It’s bad, awfully bad, a horrible pun in the middle of chemistry and from the volume of the voice you can tell they hoped no one would hear. But you do, so does few who sit next to him and your giggles dance around in the air. You don’t notice it’s him at that time but you grow to recognize his jokes in the following time.

Kuroo Tetsurou feels like a mystery when your eyes lie on him one afternoon. He’s not bad looking, a part of a sports team, a key member even. And yet compared to all the other jocks he doesn’t bask in the attention, in fact, he doesn’t receive any. Others like to brag and talk smug, as if they’ve discovered life in an inhabitable area and then there’s him. You can’t even tell he plays in the team if it’s not for the uniform and tracksuit he’s in after classes.

You think to yourself, if only jocks were like him. Still, you take no step and neither does he.

Maybe neither of you need to because the universe is more than happy to provide the nudge you both seem to need.

Funny enough it’s a science project that starts it.

He’s too quiet to your liking, speaking only when absolutely necessary. As you desperately try to kill the silence that hangs in the air, he avoids it as hard, making so little sound.

An idea comes as fast the lights are on and you speak before you even get to think ‘what’s there to lose?’

“No science puns for me? What happened, cat got your tongue?”

To say he is baffled, is the understatement of the year. You’re not sure if he’s surprised you’ve heard him joke or want to hear more of them; but either way, he looks cute, with his guard down, at a loss of reaction, mouth slightly open and – is that a hint of blush on his cheeks?

It only goes upwards from then on.

Awkward conversations is how it begins, seeking each other out in close environments is where you’re leaded.

You find yourself enjoying the way he talks, listening to what he has to say, the way his face brightens up when he starts talking out of pure interest. You only hope he feels the same way about you, and from the way he often discreetly directs you to take the lead and pick the topic, he does.

In a short span of time, you two are attached from the hip. Inseparable, always doing something, going somewhere, discussing a thing or just laughing. Shy smiles replaced with a Cheshire-like grin, almost ironic considering your school’s name, that’s only a new expression on him that you like to see.

It feels freeing, natural; as the sea sighs, the rain drops hit the surface and the sun shines. Two peas in a pod, thick as thieves, inseparable…

This goes beyond high school and throughout university too, which you’re grateful for. Because times come when you wonder where would you be without him, what would you do without his support; so you thank the stars once again, for having him in your life even today.

Then comes the times you wish you didn’t spend as much time together because the people around are being insufferable. All you want is to hang out with your best friend but half that time is stolen away by the never changing questions. Those who keep asking if you’re together, as an item. As if it doesn’t rub the salt in the already existing wound, it sure makes things unbearable. Getting approached by people you never saw before is no fun, neither is dealing with those who have the audacity to think you owe an explanation about your love life.

“But why? The two of you spend all the time together! Sure you must be in love!”

As if platonic relationships do not exist, surely do you have to love someone in that way to care for them? Loving Tetsu is a case that matters to only you, you’re happy knowing he cares for you, maybe not in the way as you but at the end of the day, the bond is there in plain sight, on your sleeve.

“But you guys would look so good together! Have you given dating a try? I’m sure it’d work out! I understand if you want to keep things a secret but come on, you must have had something going on-“

Stop, stop, stop…

It gets exhausting after a while, showing its signs on you, the irritation high and your nerves are at the edge, he notices it not long after.

After a little persuasion, you spill it all out, ranting about the pent up anger you had bottled all week –month maybe. You don’t notice the way his shoulders slump as you talk and go on about the stupidity of the people. It misses your attention how he talks less than usual that day, even after the mini ranting session. You do, however, notice how he starts to act strange around you. More preserved, and not as chatty as much. Holding his touch and avoiding contact, not going out of his way to approach you any longer. This drives you crazy, hurts a part of you and you worry –what if he has grown bored of me? Did I do something to hurt his feelings? Does he like someone and avoids me to get in their eye? What has happened, what did I do wrong? And goes and goes and goes the worries and the dynamics shift in your friendship.

So with the change of dynamics, you try desperately to hold onto what you once shared. Soon enough it’s you who invites the other to outings.

When your coffee offers are denied, you bring up walks, after that study dates, as he tries to ignore one attempt of alone time, you come up with another and one evening you find yourself asking to go to a party.

Campus parties with him, are interesting, to say the least. It stings when you’re separated, a punch to the stomach when he’s awfully close to those who were flirting with him, a new kind of torture when he keeps his talks with you short at the scene but at the end of the day you always leave, together, and you settle with this too, as you settled with all his love you could get years ago.

Some nights with booze apparent in the air, you don’t bug him with questions but each party gets worse somehow, only makes the distance between the two harder.

One night you snap and let it all out, unlike that afternoon it wasn’t an asked question but an aftereffect of him pushing your nerves and once you begin, you don’t stop, letting the storm out and he just looks at you.

You stop and his gaze stays, face devoid of any emotion and you worry, all the words you’ve said dawning on you and with one last attempt you whisper “Aren’t we friends?”

Voice calm and stern, colder than that icy cocktail you had: We’re not just friends and you fucking know it.

Holding back the tears by the corner of your eyes, you blink once and turn your back, steps set on your way. You can’t recall the last time you’ve walked home alone, without him.

Some time passes, days begin to blur and you try not to dwell on things too much or think about him that much. But the brain is a traitor as much as your heart and you find yourself thinking about him too much to your liking. Not sure whether you want him to find you, you keep an eye out; maybe plan to get out of the eye sight when you spot that messy hair but there’s not much need as he’s never around.

At the same time you’re unaware that this is his way of giving you a break, providing the alone time you needed away from him; as Tetsu tries his best to gather his thoughts and shape the sentences to show how he truly feels, what he actually thinks, he keeps an eye out for you. Even the smallest of smiles on you making his racing heart worse but what lands the final blow is how rarely you smile these days. Knowing he is the reason behind, knowing he causes the weight on your shoulders and the ache in his heart, he wishes more than anything to change this as soon as he can but he is at a loss of words and actions and he hates himself for that.

When the two of you are brought together once again, as fate pushes you from behind like it did years ago, you’re not sure who looks up first. But it is Tetsu who speaks first, not giving you a chance to say anything back, call him names or yell him insults. And as he talks, eyes focused on you, locked into yours, his gaze warmer than ever, his voice nothing like that disastrous night.

“I know I fucked up and ruined the best thing I’ve ever had in my life. I have nothing to blame but myself, I know, but please. Even though it’s selfish of me to ask this… Would you give me a second chance?”

Letting go of the breath you were holding, you prepare to answer him. He doesn’t let you.

“One last chance… To start over? Because that one sentence, as cold as it sounded, had a truth to it. And I- I just can’t do it anymore. I can’t go on and pretend like I don’t have- like I don’t have all these feelings in me. I can’t nod along to your rants about how much you hate the people perceiving the two of us as more than friends. ‘Cause you got to admit. They have a point. Maybe at the beginning, yes... But we’ve not been friends, not for a long while. And you know it too whether you want to say it or not.”

As if spoken without breathing once, considering this is Tetsu that was definitely the case ,he gulps and takes a step forward.

“Will you give me a last chance and let me show you how much I can love you? Free of this ‘just friends’ title. Would you let me take you on dates and make you laugh wide and loud? Not just as your friend but as your boyfriend? As your partner in crime and in life, as Persephone is the pastel queen of hell in the realm of Hades, the sun to my Icarus, the Sodium to my Chlorine?..”

His speech was getting to you until the last sentence, your softened body goes stone cold, hands hanging in the air, Tetsu’s last pleads of “would you let me?”s falling deaf to your ears.

The gears turn quick and he realizes exactly which one of his words could leave an effect like this, be so ridiculous and bring you to a halt.

One of those smug smiles you saw on his face often, he says “What happened, cat got your tongue?”

And your mouse hanging open, all you can do is smack him on the arm, as hard as you can, for that awful salt simile and for using your words on you.

Before you know it, both of you are laughing and the air feels warm once again.

tags: @celosiiaa​ @boosyboo9206

[jcfoxington]

@sambambucky​ : “pls... Pastels, Peaches and Pain??? among us first draft??? marvel meets warframe meets a bunch of tumblr posts (it’s not an au!?!??!)

hi jo !!! Pastels, Peaches, and Pain is one of those sambucky wips i have mostly fully fleshed out in my head because of one (1) extreme moment of clarity after a rogue ‘what if’ tangent thought but havent written anything of yet out of restraint / knowing i need to finish at least one of my current sambucky wips before i start it or none of them will get done

this was the rogue tangent thought: “what if Sam is haunted by Figaro’s ghost and has been since he was a kid?”. i’ve changed the ghost cat to not be Figaro but that’s the premise !

i refer to the fic as the cat fic ‘cause the whole plot is based around sam’s ghost cat companion insisting he adopts nat’s cat Liho after endgame and then Figaro later and then [insert redacted because plot spoilers but just know it relates to Alpine]. no im not projecting my feelings about cats idk what youre talking about 

here’s some note snippets just for you:

the cat, inexplicably, takes a liking to bucky, which is really annoying bc sam doesnt know how to explain to him that all the oddly soft gusts of wind are actually sam's dead cat insisting on getting pats

bucky getting shade thrown at him by said ghost cat during all of tfatws + them making up (and not out. yet)

starts when sam's a kid & follows him as he grows up w/ a ghost kitty as a companion only he can see & interact with + angst with an undertone of comedy + getting together

he whispers to ghost kitty, who simply mmrrs happily

for the among us first draft thing, what basically happened is i saw this tweet and this video and my brain latched onto these dynamics so hard i had to write about them. 

here’s a sketch of my two main imposters, Black (left) and Cyan (right):

and here’s a snippet:

The thing having Cyan pause and stare out at the asteroid field is how the colors stretch to family. When they and Black came aboard, they had thought every crewmember was an adult working on the planet-change project. That the patch of off-white with a black something-pattern-or-shape signified status. In a way, Cyan supposes it does, but just not the way they expected. They had expected it to show what rank an individual held within the hierarchy of the crew, from deckhand to division leader to captain, not to show that you're family of the crew and not actually part of the crew itself. 

There are innocents on this ship. Children. It was not something any of them had anticipated, and not something Cyan had been prepared to deal with. They and Black boarded this horrible place to eradicate a threat, believing each and single one of the humans were accomplishes and dedicated to the goal of destroying Cyan and Black's species, and their planet. But, now?

marvel meets warframe meets a bunch of tumblr posts... doesn’t have a wip title or seperate document for itself yet cause it’s been stuck in my ‘story ideas’ document since its creation. so ‘marvel meets warframe meets a bunch of tumblr posts’ is literally just me describing the vibe of an original world gjkerfkds

the world came to be for two reasons. firstly, i want to do make take on a superhero universe because the plot and complete lack of communication in both the dcu and mcu piss me the fuck off. secondly, needed a place to dump ocs with elaborate backstories or fantasy / sci-fi abilities that dont fit into any of my existing worlds

which sounds super competent but trust me, it isn’t. it didn’t gain any solidity at all until i decided to do a personal ‘how different can i make spn castiel look & still retain the same vibe?’ challenge. i have my own cas now

however, the reason i said ‘marvel meets...’ is because i’ve snagged a couple of different things from the mcu, most notably: enemies to reluctant coworkers to lovers, yes our best friend have the same name. no they’re not the same person, secret evil org is controlling the government, and the assassin that tried to kill you several times is now your best friend

warframe was added to the world because i got attached to my Volt build, gave them a name, and have some headcanons idk what to do with because i refuse to interact with that fandom. also because the friend i made through discussing warframe lore + plot dicked me over so it feels Bad to create for

the glue to this whole mess is that one “in every friend group there’s a mean bisexual, an even meaner lesbian, a she/they, a he/they, a himbo, an astrology bitch, a short king, and a token straight�� tumblr post. my main group of superheroes ala the avengers consist of these people. the token straight is the only one i havent figured out who is yet

ever since i figured that out ive been throwing story / character ideas and weirdly specific aesthetics from popular tumblr posts into this world’s notes. here’s some examples:

sword grandmas

that trope where someone’s really nice and acts super well-adjusted to society but then they do something super whack and dangerous and you realize ‘oh they’re secretly a little bit insane, actually’

anti-gay group’s leader’s wife leaves him for another woman

superhero who swore to be the best hero [city / planet / solar system / continent / ????] has ever seen ever since he lost his wife. not because she’s dead but divorce just sucks & the hero-to-be is terrible at coping

dishevelled swamp witch

that one person who runs around with an amulet all the time & isn’t aware it’s cursed

an exasperated, tired superhuman assassin running after their husband and their husband's best friend. their husband and said husband's best friend both have wings. chaos ensues (yes, this one is a sambucky post)

ask me about my WIPs!

BONUS:

@sambambucky​​ : #i want to have a coffee and listen to synopses of all of these.... #i miss the discord wow #WRITING TAG #waitttt time jumping dream movie? lmao I'VE READ THIS LIST FORTY TIMES and every time i rediscover something i wanna know about #outfit doodlesss ugh i need to go

couldnt not respond to your tags because they make me go ghrkjfnerknf but in the good way. we miss you too jo !!

the time jumping dream movie was one of the first vivid dreams i had and the whole thing was so stupidly coherent and whacky i had to write it down. it grew plot, a queer love dynamic, weird sci-fi apocalypse elements, anti-military propaganda, questionable science, and a sequel while i wasnt looking and now i just. have to make it a real movie or i’ll combust

outfit djoodlles.png is only on there because my best friend sent me a ‘draw this outfit’ meme and space kitty, my current character brainrot, stole all the outfits for himself. otherwise, that file just sits there until im feeling like designing an outfit or wanna see how a stupid thing looks on my oc patrick

here’s one of the two poses-to-doodle-outfits-on of space kitty ive made so far:

and here’s one of those stupid things on patrick (that then turned into an actual outfit of his because i have no self control):

[kalemakar]

Plz dont read this its pure crack that i wrote at 1am 

Senne x Coffee (three times bc that park one was weird af senne and coffee were in love and then one time coffee died rip [omfg its 1 am go to sleep norah]) 1377 words of crack

1. 

     Senne stretched his limbs, cracking his joints and yawned loudly. He opened his eyes slowly and rubbed his eyes harshly in order to wake up. He looked over to Zoe sleeping peacefully beside him. He wanted to stay with her, he really did; but he really, really needed his wonderful, amazing, coffee. A bright grin lighted Senne’s face and he softly shoved Zoe’s head off his arm and jumped out of bed. He lightly jogged over the kitchen, still having his stupid giddy smile on his face. 

    He sees his beloved coffee maker and his cup all nice and clean. He makes his coffee as quickly as he can, excited for his morning cuppa. After 5 really really long minutes, his coffee was finally ready. He brings the coffee up to his mouth and eagerly sips it. The coffee had a crisp, bright flavor, with subtle hints of citrus and rich chocolates. The air is thick with the scent  of his coffee and it hits his nose harshly but Senne drinks in the aroma as he sips his beloved coffee. He plops down at the kitchen table and looks out the flatshare window. It was perfect; it was perfect scenery. Him with his coffee, looking out at the skyline of Antwerp, looking at the bustling street below him. He gives a small little smile and looks down at his partner in crime, the one who was always there for him; coffee. His brown, delicious, sweet, smooth, wonderful tasting coffee. 

    He hears the soft footsteps of Zoe coming up behind him. She looked at him and titled her lips, softly smiling. She sat on Senne’s lap, cuddling him, as they both looked out at the streets of Antwerp with his coffee in one hand and Senne thought, “I don’t need anything else.”

2. 

    Senne slammed his head against the kitchen table in frustration after reading a passage from his physics book once more (mi in physics that bitch). He groaned, both in mental and physical pain and felt like tearing his hair out because of how confused he was. The afternoon light came through the windows, lighting up his physics assignment, reminding him that he had to finish all of it today. 

    “Frick it” he thought as he got up and went to the coffee machine. If he was going to suffer through his physics assignment, then he should have some company of some sort. As he makes his coffee he looks at his physics in contemplation. He had an idea of what he was supposed to do, but whatever he did, it just didn't make sense. 

    His coffee was made and he slipped in delicately. He sighed happily and closed his eyes. ‘Yes this was he needed.’

    Just then, he heard Robbe and Sander crashing through the flat and making their way to the kitchen. The two were exchanging kisses and dragging the other along. They finally reached the fridge where Sander put Robbe on the counter and opened the fridge to get some snacks. The two were giggling and cuddling and kissing the other every five seconds. 

    Senne put the coffee down with tight pursed lips. “Oh my fricking god these gay biotches are ruining my coffee and me time”

    Senne loves his adopted son, he really does. But right now he was interrupting Senne’s and his coffee me time. He cleared his throat, causing both Sander and Robbe to jump and whip their heads over to the noise. Both had eyes towards him and were surprised to see him. 

    Senne asked, “Do you two mind, I’m trying to study” [and drink my fricking coffee]

    Robbe nervously giggled, “Of course Senne” and hopped off the counter and dragged Sander, who carried all of their snacks, by the sleeve of his hoodie. 

    He smiled at the two and returned to his delicious af coffee.

3.

    Zoe and Senne were cuddling and lazily making out on Zoe’s and Senne’s bed in the flatshare. The two trading kisses, cuddled up in blankets and through the silence of the flat. Both were so relaxed and happy lying peacefully together.

    That is, until Senne’s alarm went off. The loud “ring, ring” noise started Zoe so much that she flew right off the bed and the ground loudy. She groaned in pain and looked up at Senne in confusion.

    “Senne… why is your phone alarm going off”

    But Senne wasnt answering her. Instead he was getting off the bed and quickly throwing on his shirt. He looked determined; as if he had somewhere or someone or something important to get to. Senne bolts out of the room, sliding and almost crashing into the wall because of his socks on the hardwood floor. Zoe quickly gets up as well and chases after Senne to see what the big fuss was about. 

    “Senne! Where the heck are you going? Senne-”

    Zoe slows down to find Senne, making coffee. He interrupted their time together… to make coffee. Zoe clenched her fists and blew her hair out of her face all while having an angry death glare on her face. She looked back at Senne to see him with a giddy smile on his face towards the coffee maker and muttering something about his coffee. 

    Zoe rolled her eyes, but a small smile grew against her will, “Senne, did you leave our warm, comfy, bed to make coffee, that you apparently scheduled”

    Senne was startled and jumped after hearing Zoe speak. He looked sheepishly at her while rubbing the back of his head and replied “Yeah, I have to have my coffee at least five times a day or else we wouldn’t have our tight bond”

    Zoe stared. And stared. And stared. 

    “Our.. bond..?” She asked, confused. 

    Senne smiled, “Our bond”

    Zoe once again stared; but then decided, she didn't need to know more and slowly and quietly tiptoed back into her room. 

4. Oops 

    Milan, Zoe, Robbe, Sander, and Senne were having a small flat share party to celebrate everyone finishing their year of school. Sander and Senne have finished another year of college and Robbe and Zoe finished their last year of high school. They were having a few drinks and lively music playing in the background. Sander was twirling Robbe, both were looking happily at each other. Milan was jamming out to the song while swinging violently all over the kitchen. Zoe was hugging Senne and trying to convince him to put his cup of coffee down. After Zoe pulls at him and smiles and gives him convincing kisses he finally puts his coffee down on the table and puts his arms around Zoe and they sway around together with their foreheads touching. Everyone was ecstatic, joyful, and overall were having a wonderful time. 

    That changed in seconds. 

    Milan swung too much in one direction and became extremely dizzy. He bounced around the kitchen with everyone laughing. However; he landed on the counter that held Senne’s precious coffee maker and coffee. As Milan was getting up, he swiped his hands across the counter, bringing down the coffee maker and the coffee cup. 

    It was like a slow motion video. Everyone’s jaw dropped and a look of terror crossed Senne’s face. He ran after the coffee maker but it was all vain. Both the coffee cup and coffee maker smashed into the ground and shattered into a million pieces. Senne dropped onto his knees and his hands hovered shakily over the mess. He cut off a gasp by putting his hands over his mouth. Tears came to his eyes and he stared at his beloved coffee maker and the cup spilled all over the floor. He glares up at Milan, opening his mouth but nothing comes out of it. He stares back at the mess. 

    Behind Senne, Sander looked concerned and asked Robbe, “Is he okay? Should we do something?”

    “...I don't know,” Robbe replied, looking concerned for Senne as well. 

    Milan looked terrified, not really knowing what to do but slowly running out of the room away from Senne. 

    Zoe however, looked over at Senne with purse lips and a slight sympathetic look in her eyes and said, “Oh my god, Senne we can buy a new one”

    Senne tensed and then whipped his head over his shoulder and yelled, “IT'S NOT THE SAME”

In conclusion i'm a dramatic bitc 

[lannisterdaddyissues]

Jaime Lannister and Uhtred 👀🙌

AAAAAAA @softestark​ you always come through <3 you’re so dependable <3 thank you for the ask!!

Jaime Lannister:

How I feel about this character: his character development kicks the entire show up to 11. his circumstances really do humble him in some ways, even if he still makes some of the same mistakes (jaime why the FUCK do you keep going back to cersei what happened to your character development wait where are you going-) there’s such a momentous change in him. he learns to care more about others, and i don’t just mean he starts to pay his employees more than the minimum wage, he goes back to rescue brienne and he saves tyrion from being executed (though he would’ve done this anyway bc he’s a good bro) and he makes sure that he doesn’t leave dorne without bronn. he’s a man of honor, regardless of what the rest of the people of westeros say (kingslayer, oathbreaker). and speaking of his titles can we please talk about this man’s backstory because it’s so fucking juicy ok?

All the people I ship romantically with this character: BRIENNE. BRIENNE BRIENNE BRIENNE BRIENNE BRIENNE. i have never had such a visceral reaction to a ship as i did to braime. when they first met in season 2 they had some good lines, i thought they were kind of funny together though they didn’t really make sense at all because they are a very mismatched duo. but then they got captured and they suffered through so many trials and endured so much hardship together and as trust began to build between them you could tell that their relationship had changed. they weren’t just a captor and prisoner anymore. they saved each other. jaime saved brienne twice, first from being raped and then from being killed, and tbh brienne saved jaime too, though in a more spiritual way. when he trusted her with the truth and opened up about his past i felt something i’d never felt before and i’m sure everyone else felt it too. and then she named the sword he gave to her oathkeeper as proof of her faith in him. by naming it oathkeeper she said, “the man who gave this to me is a man of honor and integrity. you were wrong to judge him.” and thEN CERSEI GOT BRIENNE TO ADMIT THAT SHE LOVED HIM AS FAR BACK AS SEASON 4 WHAT THE FUCK???? I ALMOST CRIED BRO IT’S REAL

My non-romantic OTP for this character: tyrion omg he and tyrion are sibling. goals. jaime is the only one tyrion trusts with his life and he’s always the first name tyrion drops when he’s in trouble. jaime would do anything for tyrion and he even committed treason to save him from being executed, and right after cersei had asked jaime to choose between her and tyrion? he never answered her but you know jaime chose tyrion without a moment’s hesitation.

My unpopular opinion about this character: im not in the fandom so idk i dont really have any yet but ig i lowkey wished he would look like a hobo forever LMAOO

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: im not there yet and i know it’s coming but when will he fucking reunite with brienne because i’m DYING waiting for them to reunite!!!!!! also i want him to cut things off with cersei already like jesus christ man she is evil incarnate ok

Uhtred of Bebbanburg:

How I feel about this character: he is pure of heart, dumb of ass, and i would totally kiss him and braid his hair <3

All the people I ship romantically with this character: alfred and gisela (can’t believe they’re both fucking dead :))

My non-romantic OTP for this character: also alfred, but besides that, i love his relationship with hild. friend goals <3

My unpopular opinion about this character: i liked him better in the earlier seasons even though he was stupider then

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: i wish gisela had lived, fuck his cock for killing every woman he mates with

GIVE ME A CHARACTER!

[sparklingpax]

Where the Trees Grow

Summary: Just testing out the characters of my two TFP OCs, so I thought I’d write this instead of doing the long list of assignments for school I need to do tonight to show you what they’re kind of like--at least with each other. And just putting this out there: They’re friends. Nothing more. Soooooooo............enjoy, I guess. 

O///O 

Dont,,dont ask about that title. Idk what it is either,,

NOTE ABOUT THE PLANET: I mentioned “Athenia” bc I legit could not remember if in the TFP canon there were any parts of cybertron that had trees and,,,and dirt. So in my panic I remembered the name of the planet the Autobots and their base exist on in “Headmasters” (dont start with me I know this isnt the same universe as that but leave me alone idk what I’m doing either rn) and it had trees and stuff!! So...it fit the bill......Sharpflint is patrolling another nearby planet for,,,reasons. In Transformers canon, that planet does exist so,,,that’s enough on that ^^’’ Just wanted to make the note in case someone is bothered by this,,

uhhh,,,,yeep this is supposed to take place after the war, since Paxie was from one of the first generations after the war; Sharpflint fought in the war as an Autobot so,,,theres that. This isn’t part of anything, it’s just this random thing I wrote,,,because. 

Anyway ok I’ll shut up this was a dumb drabble I apologize I’m sorry what is this hh

By the time Sharpflint raised his eyes to the trees towering over him, it was too late. That rustling sound he’d been hearing all afternoon while on patrol? 

“Woah-woOAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!”

It smacked him right in the face with a resounding ‘CLANG!!’

Actually, she smacked him in the face. 

And knocked him to the ground. 

For a few moments, the two bots laid still in the dirt, trying to process what had just happened. Then, Sharpflint snapped to full consciousness. 

“Get off me,” he snarled, glaring at the figure on top of his. “I’ll throw your tiny body across this clearing, punk.”  

“Oh sure you will. Make me,” came the confident, snarky response. The white-purple femme shut her eyes and went limp, pretending to start snoring. The corners of her lips twitched with the beginnings of a smile. 

Sharpflint was not very amused. 

“Alright then.” 

The red and green mech hefted himself upright, and with startling ease, picked up and tossed his mystery assailant across the small, grassy clearing. Her optics widened the instant he touched her, but she slammed into a tree and slid to the ground before she had a chance to yelp in surprise. 

He smirked slightly, rising to his feet and stalking towards the now-unconscious femme. She made no sound, slumped over against the tree but still breathing. Sharpflint instantly felt just a little guilty. 

That was rough and mean. Maybe a little too mean. He rubbed the side of his face frustratedly. 

You idiot. You don’t throw people. Oh Primus, Ratchet won’t be happy about this, that’s for sure. 

He huffed a long sigh and opened his comm.

“Hey, doc. It’s ‘Flint. Paxie left the premises. Are you aware of this fact?”

A groan from the other end gave him his answer. 

“Again? But I told her she--”

“Well, enough of that. Somehow she followed me to Athenia and now she’s unconscious. Help, I guess?”

“....what did you do to her?”

Oh, Ratchet. The old bot really does know everything, doesn’t he? 

Sharpflint fought the urge to chuckle in surprise and instead cleared his throat, touching the back of his helm a little awkwardly. 

“I--well, she fell out of a tree and....no, you know what? I get it. I was too rough. Sorry. I’m sending coordinates so you can bridge her back,” He paused, seeing her twitch slightly. “Hurry, doc-bot. She’s not staying for long.”

“Sharpflint,” Ratchet said, his tone seeming to weigh more than one single word. There was a long silence. Then, he simply sighed again. “Never mind, you know what I’m going to say, don’t you?.”

“You’re a good bot, Ratchet. I’ll tell her when she wakes up.” 

“W...when who...aHK--” Paxie winced, slouching over and gripping her midsection. “Pain pain pain pain pain pain owww....” She murmured in a tiny voice, squeezing her optics shut and rocking back and forth. 

Sharpflint raised an eyebrow, then hung up on Ratchet. As he stepped closer to her to help her up, a groundbridge portal tore into the air next to them. Paxie cracked open her eyes a little as the pain subsided, eyeing first the bridge, then the red-green mech, currently holding out his servo. She pouted, gritting her teeth and pushing off the ground by herself.

“Jerk.” 

“Hey, you know, that was pretty reckless!!” He snapped. Paxie rolled her eyes and pretended to ignore him. 

“You know--” He fumbled for the right words. “You’re lucky the war’s over and this patrol was just an innocent outing!” He blurted a little clumsily, quickly starting to feel slightly annoyed again. Paxie suppressed her urge to laugh out loud for the sake of her old and new injuries. 

“And what the scrap does that have to do with anything, you jerk? Why’d you throw me against a fragging tree?!” 

“I’m just SAYING--” the mech bit his tongue and cut himself off, sighing. Too loud, too angry, definitely too rude a tone to be using with her. He chided himself internally for being so rough and for...being a jerk. “Look, you hurt yourself falling off the top of a ladder you weren’t supposed to be climbing in that library! I’ve seen bots lose their lives going for a refuel.”

“Which is terrible and I’m sorry. But why are you bringing this up, Flint?” She narrowed her eyes, letting her arms fall to the side. 

“Because if you had followed me out here during the War, you’d have been at risk of dying.”

Paxie went quiet. Not because she felt guilty or that she understood. But something about the calm finality of his words made her insides shift around. Relenting, the white-purple femme sighed and started into the bridge. 

“I’ll stay with Ratchet,” she mumbled. “Sorry.”

Sharpflint felt a brief pang of guilt. 

“Hey, Paxie?” 

She turned, looking a little subdued. “I know it was stupid, I’m sorr--”

“No, don’t apologize. I was a jerk. I’m sorry.”  

Paxie folded her arms. “And?”

“And...I need to get my head out of the past. The war’s over. I shouldn’t be so aggressive.” She nodded at his words and straightened, heading into the bridge. In turn, the red and green-plated bot swiveled and headed back to his patrol post--

“Silicon’s.” 

Sharpflint jolted at the sound of her voice. What? What does she want now? 

Paxie scampered back to the edge of the glowing green portal, a mischevious twinkle in her eyes, grinning. 

“Silicon’s. Tonight at moonrise. You’re paying!” 

Sharpflint whipped around and opened his mouth to make a retort at her and assert that he was not--

And then the bridge came to a close with a sharp whooshing noise.   

“For frag’s sake, Paxie,” he raised his wrist and pulled up his balance. 

You’re lucky I got my paycheck last week.

But while he stared at the sky, the inklings of a smile played at his lips. 

Sharpflint, you big, dumb, dork. 

///

[mousehole5000]

wow i made this draft on november 1st i really took a break from this huh anyway tgcf chapters 121 - 142

i realize now this coffin scene was inevitable. feel kinda weird about hua cheng  back and forth from Teen to Big Man but it is very funny that theyre having their “dude dont look at my boner” moment while in the jaws of a water dragon

pei ming: why didnt you guys make a bigger coffin so you didnt have to squish together like that? xie lian: haha yep!! anyways what brings you here?

“In the grand, spacious centre of the entrance hall sat a person. And this person, dressed in all black, its face snow-white—was a corpse! Instantly Xie Lian shut the doors soundly.” - king of minding his own business.

okay this is where i stopped putting notes here for a while but i did save some in my e-reader so here’s some of the highlights

“Guzi used to have a good sleeping form, but perhaps with his cheap dad’s bad influence, now he was also spread out on top of Qi Rong’s stomach like a dead fish. Lang Ying himself was curled neatly in the corner, and was covered by a few shirts. Xie Lian lifted the blanket covering Qi Rong, suppressed the urge to smother his face, and covered the two small children.” - xie lian funny moments. also it would be really funny if qi rong redeems himself by learning love through these misfit chiildren and it might actually endear me to him but i hope that doesnt happen

Every heavenly official was yelling, and even Ling Wen was throwing a fit. “DON’T THROW EVERY BIT OF USELESS INFORMATION MY WAY, HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK I HAVE TO GO THROUGH EVERY DAY? DON’T YOU ALL KNOW TO USE YOUR BRAINS A LITTLE BEFORE ASKING ME?!” - ling wen marry me right now

“An expression like “seen a ghost” that only mortals experienced was now showing on his face for the first time. Shi Wudu’s pupils shrank to the smallest they could, and he blurted, “You’re still alive?!” “I’m dead!” He Xuan said coldly.” - okay everythings going tits up rn but i did laugh

i did see spoilers re: ming yi/he xuan reveal + shi wudu’s fate beforehand so i dont have a genuine reaction other than oh shit

“He slowly enunciated each word. “I won’t touch your fate. But, here in this place, chop off your brother’s head for me.”  CLANG! He threw a rusty blade onto the ground. Shi Qingxuan stared at that blade, his eyes wide. He Xuan continued, “Then, never show yourself before me again, and I will pretend you’ve never existed in this world.” - okay idk what else is going to happen but rn im concerned that this is like the 2nd biggest ship. i guess we’ll see?? i mean i am really curious whats going to happen to them. shi qingxuan keeps calling he xuan “ming-xiong” and i... sad

shi wudu im not really invested in you as a character but these next two bits... interesting

“If I don’t die but have nothing, then that’s truly a fate worse than death. If I’m not the Water God, I can’t take care of you. I won’t even be able to protect myself. I’m scared that we won’t even last two days…TAKE IT!” - damn. something about the wealthy losing everything and not knowing how to live without it bc thats their entire life and identity

“EVERYTHING I HAVE TODAY, I FOUGHT FOR MYSELF. I WILL FIGHT FOR WHAT I DON’T HAVE. I WILL CHANGE FATE I DON’T POSSESS. MY FATE IS UP TO ME AND NOT THE HEAVENS!” - okay so the whole committing spiritual fraud by tormenting a man and his family to get your brother a cushy title thing aside this was kind of badass. heretical? possibly. but still. also is he intentionally riling up he xuan so sqx doesnt have to kill him? if so damn...

also okay as long as im here im just gonna say it. the choice that he xuan gives shi qingxuan is fucking brutal but i actually think its probably as fair as it could be. sqx didnt know about or participate in what happened to hx but they did benefit from it greatly while hx lost EVERYTHING and i can understand he xuan’s thinking of “if you really feel bad for what happened to me then you have to make a sacrifice and understand the suffering and this is as clean as its going to get” and theres a bit where sqx is trying to beg for mercy but cant get the words out which im guessing is bc theres no good argument!! what happened was fucked up!!

“When Pei Ming saw that reinforcements had arrived, he didn’t appear particularly delighted; instead he threw the sword into the ground, then rubbed his nose and said, sounding grim, “You all just had to come just as I finished making these, what the heck.” - pei ming making coffins chopping down trees with his sword i love it #wastehistime2k17

“Xie Lian brought that basket of eggs along, and gave them away as souvenirs from the mortal realm. Many who received the eggs were overjoyed; some deciding to eat it along with their own blood, and some proclaiming they would hatch an eight-foot monster.” - GHOST CITY GHOST CITY

“Placing the brush down, he blew lightly at the ink and smiled. “If I like something, then my heart will not have room for any other, and I’ll always treasure it. A thousand times, a million times, no matter how many years, this will not change. This poem is the same." - thats nice and all but king... get therapy. i actually have further thoughts but tbh i dont want to put them into words bc they are simply too personal! moving on

didnt take any notes but somewhere in here was the bit with mount tong’lu opening and hua cheng losing it and kind of um. hm. that scene. thats another trope i really hate tbh i dont care for it as a way of including physical intimacy between characters and idk if it really ever adds anything but whatever moving on

The Half-Maquillage Woman - kind of interesting monster idea bc women and aging…. yeah. however i think this would be a lot stronger if there were a) more girls and this was b) discussed or illustrated at all prior to this moment. still interesting that its included knowing the author is a woman tho and there’s been comments on how ling wen is perceived vs pei ming. this book does keep giving me hope for interesting female character arcs i really want it to deliver something

quan yizhen..... i get u

lmao i have a note on a bit with lang ying that says “please dont be hc in disguise” and..... my clown nose was on but at least i knew that. for real this is bothering me how much he’s just. always. there. i know he’s a lead but we didn’t really need him around for a lot of this. oh well.  okay now to my current notes

“Yet it was precisely because it wasn’t cooked that it had to be eaten quickly. Once Xie Lian cooked it, it wouldn’t be edible anymore” - fucking fantastic

“Xie Lian hugged his belly. “Of course! Only after having met you did I rediscover that it’s such a simple thing to be happy, hahaha…” Hearing this, Hua Cheng blinked. Xie Lian’s laughter quieted a bit, realizing what he just said was a little too revealing.” - okay i know i said what i said about being tired of hua cheng being everywhere but... the line…. the fact that theyre laughing together…. :pleading:

“It’s not,” Ling Wen said. “At least, I believe, there will definitely not be another in history who can create a dish called ‘Incorruptible Chastity Meatballs’” - and truer words were never spoken

“I, DO NOT WORSHIP GODS. “I, AM GOD!” - this was every bit as badass as i hoped but no one told me it was immediately followed up by a little bit of the ol dinner theater fjalkdsfjsd. also puqi shrine noooooooooo

“Xie Lian sighed as he thought, “Qi Rong has taken Guzi away, who knows if the poor child was eaten or abandoned. Wind Master...... ..... who knows if Black Water took him away. Pray they’re both safe.” yeah hey are we going to fucknig. find out what happened to the child???

and yeah i dooooont really care for the age regression? thing thats going on. i just dont like that trope tbh. but tiny hua cheng whipping out his fat ghost king wallet in the store was funny tho. it is really funny that hualian are just like wandering around some random towns while the heavens are in an uproar. i guess theres not much else to do but its funny

“Me too, me too. You all know of my shixiong, right? Talented, with an infinite future! He only had one small vice: he loved playing women. Decades ago, a little prostitute ghost seduced my shixiong and sucked him dry into human jerky, and that Hua, Hua, Hua, that ghost king dared shelter her.” - yes omg give me the forbidden hua cheng lore i love this for him for real it goes along nicely with xie lian’s principles about giving another cup. god i love shared values

“Hua Cheng poked again, and a small hole appeared on the wall, as if the wall was made of tofu.” - how’d he do that. why is this a ghost king power. its useful tho

*me shaking qi rong when he pops up* WHERE IS THE CHILD

mu qing fu yao is here okay im happy now. once again no one has a good grasp on their secret identity and i love that. this inn has descended into chaos and im delighted and im glad lan chang is back

“The good ol’ kitchen was suddenly squished and crowded, loud and noisy. Fu Yao was chasing that fetus spirit leaping up and down, Lan Chang was chasing after Fu Yao like she had gone mad. Half of Qi Rong’s face changed shape by the way Xie Lian was pressing him down on the chopping board, his back turning into a target for those yellow talismans Fu Yao hurled while being observed by a crowd, and Lan Chang would step on him from time to time.” - this is pure chaos. i love that mu qing was in that room when the mob checked and he didnt say a word didnt open the door just sent out a talisman as a warning. king your disguise is transparent

“Xie Lian remembered the way Feng Xin laughed until he was hoarse when he first heard that verbal password all those years back, and couldn’t help but feel nostalgic, even though it wasn’t the right time.” - awwwww omg im emotional about this... faithful friend feng xin laughing at xie lian’s stupid joke password and remembering it!!! ;_;

“They have, but they’re not effective,” Feng Xin said. “Usually they’re the most diligent in scorning the Palace of Ling Wen, like they could do the job way better if they had the position. Now that we need them to take up the task, not a single one can do even half of what she does.” - typical... typical typical typical

also emotional about the fact that feng xin contacted xie lian at all.....

also!! emotional about lan chang as a mom and wanting to help out sick lil guzi.....

xie lian forcing “fu yao” to let him help “his general” is making me.... what is friendship if not playing along with your buddies little shenanigans while also making them accept your help

“Someone like Mu Qing, even though he’s narrow-minded, petty, sensitive and skeptical, has a bad personality, constantly guessing, doesn’t say nice things, likes to nag, always offending people and has a lot of people who dislike him, has no friends, can remember small, unimportant details for a long period of time…” ”Xie Lian went on in one breath with a straight face, but in the end he concluded with, “...But I’ve known him since we were kids, after all, he’s still got principles.” - XIE LIAN PLEASE AFJDLKSFJDL omg ive seen this quote before but i figured he was talking to someone else not actually to mu qing himself fgjasdkfjsl. god thats amazing. hey im gonna help you out because i care but i will roast you first <3

waaaaaait so is lan chang aka jian lan that girl from book 2 we took a page to talk about and then disappeared? that has to be it why else would we have stopped to discuss her

“Jian Lan spat on his face, then choking his neck, she slapped him twice again. “WHAT SHITTY SUPREME! YOU SURE KNOW HOW TO BLOW YOURSELF UP! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, THINK YOU’RE EVEN WORTH TO BE THOUGHT OF AS EQUALS WITH THE OTHER THREE SUPREMES? WHAT ARE YOU EVEN GOOD AT? YOUR THICK SKIN? OF COURSE I DARE HIT YOU!” - oh this feels so good i cant lie. YES GET HIM!! CHOMPING AND VIOLENCE YES!!!!

okay this description of cuocuo.... im... that sure the hell is a creature

this book is so entertaining bc i already saw spoilers for the feng xin/jian lan/cuo cuo reveal and yet i could never have predicted the circumstances that brought it about. imagine being feng xin. the heavens are in an uproar and your only friend/enemy has been jailed for possible fetus spirit-related crimes but he escapes along with this female ghost who keeps causing problems. you figure “fuck it lets see if dianxia kept his old phone number” and he has but then he hangs up on you. you’ve got fuckall else to do so you go find him. mu qing is there but he’s in his disguise the two of you were using so you could watch over his highness while staying aloof. you think you see hua cheng only he’s a chiild for some goddamn reason but who knows at this point. the female ghost is also there and theres a fetus spirit climbing trees and biting your arrows in half. you realize the female ghost is your ex and the little demon is your son. it bites you. what do you do

amazing that despite everything going on everyone is still playing along with the “fu yao” persona when it would probably be easier to drop pretenses at this point. then again tbh if i could explain my actions to my friends while pretending to be a third party.... i probably would so.. carry on

“With all his devotees gone, only Feng Xin still treated him like the Flower-Crowned Martial God and His Highness the Crown Prince. ” “...his protection charms were all seen as trash. However, Feng Xin was still determined and tireless in handing them out; telling Xie Lian, look, you still have devotees.” “After all, he was the darling of the heavens since birth, high and mighty. Feng Xin so naturally spun around him like he was the world, so how could he possibly have his own life, his own heart” “Whether or not that fetus spirit was Feng Xin’s son, if it was that period of poverty that made Feng Xin lose the girl he loved, Xie Lian wouldn’t be able to forgive himself no matter what." ohhhh my god this relationship i. im...

oh my god i still have 30 more chapters until book 4............ its naptime now i think