#double fist bump of friendship

[fallensnowfan]

I reached the halfway point of season 3 in my meandering joyous watch through of Yuru Camp. Been watching 1-2 episodes per week and it's been a good pace.

Nadeshiko's puppy dog energy is absolutely infectious, and her adventures with Aya and Rin thoroughly wonderful.

[black-suns-rim]

Days of color IAP commissions

Prices, available items and what it will get you

$2.99 - chibi

rainbow earrings

$9.99 - headshot render

rainbow hat

Double rainbow pack

Rainbow headphones

Dark rainbow pack

$14.99 - halfbody render

Dark rainbow tunic

Color bubble machine

$19.99 - fullbody render

Dark rainbow loafers

Art examples

Rules and regulations

i will help with unlocking the friendship tree to fist-bump (ascended/eden candle)

DM me with what item you want to pay for, a friendship code and preferred name. we can discuss further what art you want done

i will not start working on a piece until it has been paid

provide me an email if you want your finished piece to be sent to it (optional)

I WILL NOT draw depictions of SA, SH, suicide, fetishes, pro-shipping or abuse

you can see my commission list here (trello)

you can find my other commission information and more examples here (carrd)

if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask me!

[nerdgatehobbit]

A bully called Heavy C realizes he has aerokinesis in "Winds of Change" and becomes the villain Slipstream as a result. It is a little weird this episode has a focus on a water park as a place with plenty of attendees, they've just all been scared away by the time of the first screencap, given how the previous episode was snowy. I don't know if there isn't really meant to be a consistent timeline or if there's been an unmentioned time skip. Richie tries to intervene in the fight, but is more trouble than help at this point. I suspect there's an element of envy going on here, where Richie is convinced he'd be more dedicated than Virgil currently is to improving as a superhero.

As Static, Virgil does manage to safely land a journalism helicopter targeted by Slipstream. Richie is annoyed- I'm not sure if by Virgil succeeding without him, or if he feels Virgil could have done better.

I appreciate that the animators put effort to depict multiple ethnicities in this crowd, but it is mildly irritating that Daisy is the only female onlooker here.

Richie's next effort to get involved goes poorly, but it does result in him and Virgil being friends again. I do think this episode is meant to highlight Richie's frustrations with being ineffective in the fights. By using the last of Richie's Zap-caps to recharge his powers, Static is then able to defeat Slipstream.

There is a consequence to Richie's actions, as he ends up in a sling. They tell Daisy a fib about how Richie got hurt when they're back at school. Daisy's comment about them being into superheroes (as in comics) gets them to do an amused "you might say that" as they fist-bump.

I get that this episode is meant to highlight Richie already feeling confined by being a 'sidekick' and further hint at Virgil having a somewhat laidback attitude about being a superhero. Should Virgil be doing regular training- sure! But I think Richie's double-whammy of being upset at not being a superhero himself and at Virgil wanting to spend free time with Daisy instead of him led to his insistence on extra training rather than an objective assessment that Virgil needed more training to be a better superhero. Though I do appreciate the show having spent several episodes showing Virgil and Richie being friends to give some weigh to this fight, since a few years earlier the only time Ashley and Cassie's friendship in Power Rangers got the spotlight was when it was on the rocks.

[ekleipsi]

tunes were already banging and reaching the ear before club has even been so much entered. attention is turned and centered, upon companions that have been so.. insisting almost, on dragging the steed of conquest along. ‘ - did I really look that desperate that you two needed to drag me along to your date? ’ steed of famine all but nudges taller shape, fist bumps him into the side, which bigger stallion has zero reaction to. one arm kept secured, snaked around girlfriend's shoulders lazily. ‘ desperate? not at all, big guy. it's just a fun outing, relax. ’ ‘ I am relaxed, thank you. ’ both sides huff, though amusement seemed present within their proximity.

ciphor is to let go off partner's shoulders, all but pecking her very cheek, before strides already carry him along to his destination in getting them drinks. ‘ - the usual, rai? ’ inquiry passes, before cobalt orb caught gaze of fellow steed, who raises his hand in a dismissive gesture. yet the grin, tugs wide.

‘ no offense ciphor, but I really don't trust you with drinks after hearing about your recent escapades. ’‘ oh wow, I got snitched on it seems. ’

/ ( kurai&ciphor&lykos ! )

--- Kurai had not had too many interactions with Lykos; Conquest's steed was not quite so inherently tied into their...clique, given the tension between him and Oleander. Or so she'd heard. That said, Kurai had very much also heard that Lykos was rather high energy and his partners...were not. To that end, she and Ciphor both had proposed the equine come out with them on a usual outing to the club. Music was already blaring by the time they drew close, clothing choices fairly standard for the night life.

--- Tengu was in little more than dynamic, neon splattered bra and a pair of short shorts, perfect for dancing with the high top Converse upon feet. A grin paints features at the others nearly huff of a query. ' Don't listen to him. You definitely looked desperate- like you needed some excitement! To let loose! ' she beamed, one arm curled around Ciphor's waist, jerked just slightly as the taller bumped into...taller, yet. Eyes rolled with a wide grin before they entered the club, boisterous and filled with people.

--- Partner is quick to press affection to cheek until sauntering off, leaving her with the taller for a moment. ' Yeah, free of poison, hm? Don't think I don't remember the Esyn business... ' she wrinkled her nose playfully before laughing at Lykos' own response to the offer. Laughter bursts forth, before she's half doubled over and clutching at her stomach after a moment, waving the other off. ' You can't blame him! You have a petty streak, baby girl~. ' she teases the other with a hum.

--- The moment Ciphor is gone from sight though to obtain the alcohol, she spins to face first coming's steed with an eager grin. ' Well, party boy? Wanna dance while he's off flirting at the bar? ' she hummed out affectionately. Naturally flirtatious and easygoing, there was nothing but genuine friendship to be extended to the other- despite the fact that dancing close would likely look like more to the untrained, unknowing eye.

--- Pulling at darker flesh, tangled fingers, she's bringing Lykos to the dance floor and leaning close to companion. Close, but not too close. ' Get a couple drinks in you, stop being such a stiff, golden boy. Maybe Ciphor really will spit in it, just so you loosen up. You can put on the serious pants when you go back home. ' she teased, reaching up to flick him on the forehead before spinning around and leaning her shoulders against the others chest, invitingly beckoning Ciphor over as well before sipping at the drink while swaying.

[wayward-dreamer]

Away From The Public

Pairing: Jensen x Female!Publicist!Reader

Word count: 3,366

Summary: Lingering looks and touches between Jensen and Y/N at The Boys premiere could put their friendship and working relationship on the line as they can't fight their feelings anymore.

Warnings: Swearing, mild angst, smut: dirty talk, oral sex (female receiving), brief handjob, multiple orgasms, unprotected sex (wrap it up people), fluff

A/N: As soon as I saw this photo from The Boys premiere, I knew what I wanted to do with it, and I really like how this turned out, so I hope you all do too! As always, happy reading and enjoy! :) beta’d by my love @evergreencowboy​.

Cheers came from the crowd behind the barriers as Y/N stepped out of the black SUV. She buttoned up the blazer of her completely black ensemble, apart from her red patent leather heels, standing beside the open car door, waiting for the next person to get out. She saw several fans moving back and forth, trying to see who was about to step onto the carpet,  giggling to herself. She always loved this part.

Jensen stepped out of the car, waving as the cheers and screams grew, causing her smile to widen. There it was. She closed the door behind him and flashed her badge to the security guards, thanking them as they were let through. Jensen slipped his sunglasses on before buttoning his black, double-breasted, pinstripe jacket, looking down the carpet as he sighed heavily.

“That’s a lot of cameras,” he remarked, glancing back at her.

“You’re gonna be fine,” she reassured him, patting his arm lightly before she gestured behind her at the rest of the cast. “Chace and Tomer are right behind you, so you’re good.”

Jensen smirked as he raised his fist, allowing her to bump her own into it, giving him a light pat on his back. He walked onto the blue carpet, thanking fans that were there as he signed merch, before waving at them and continuing down the line. Photos were taken first, as Y/N guided him to each spot, simultaneously looking at the schedule on her phone of the outlets that wanted interviews.

“Not as bad as you were thinking, huh?” she asked as she walked past him, pointing out the next stop on the press line.

“Never said it was bad, sweetheart,” he replied, chuckling, “just a lot more than I’m used to.”

“Well, if I do my job right, things are only getting bigger from here,” she stated, flashing him a smile.

“Pretty sure you’ve never done your job wrong, darlin’,” he jested, his usual drawl slipping out slightly as he walked over to the next set up.

Jensen’s hand brushed across hers as he moved past her, glancing back and flashing her that smirk she had come to fall for over the years, before he focused his attention on the interview. They had been friends for years, since the middle of Supernatural’s run when his management changed, and she oversaw his publicity. She always kept things professional, but somewhere along the way he had become a really good friend, and eventually for her at least, he became a lot more in her heart. Still, she had never crossed the line, and she didn’t plan to.

“Hey, you okay?” she heard a voice ask behind her.

Shaking her head, she came back to reality. She smiled at Karen as she stood next to her, giving her a small nod. “Yeah, sorry, I totally spaced for a second.”

“You’ve been busy, I totally get it,” Karen said, smiling softly at her. “At least you don’t have to worry about him after the premiere and get the rest of the night off.”

“Yep, I got a hot date with the hotel bathtub,” Y/N quipped, chuckling lightly as she stepped back and let the other woman pass.

The press line continued until the end of the carpet. The cast stood together as Y/N kept to the side, feeling her heart skip a beat as she watched Jensen interact with the rest of them. They had all welcomed him in so easily, and he fit in with them like he had always been there. She was glad he had such an incredible experience with them, and she hoped that would continue.

Once inside the theatre, Y/N stood close to the doors as the cast and Eric took the stage, answering a few more questions from the host of the evening before the room darkened, ready to air the first episode of the season. She continued to work on her phone, catching glimpses of what was happening and laughing to herself at the crowd’s reaction. She made her way backstage before the episode was over, ready for them to walk back to the cars.

“You know, if you’re not doing anything, you should come to dinner,” Jensen suggested, glancing down at her as they took the back exit of the theatre.

“Really?” she asked, frowning.

“Yeah,” he replied, casually as he shrugged his shoulders. “We haven’t gotten a chance to hang out, might be nice.”

“No, uh… it’s okay, I got a lot of emails to reply to and then I’m gonna soak in the tub,” she declined, a faint smile playing at her lips. “But you guys have fun.”

Jensen guided Karen and Claudia down the carpet, letting them get into the car first before he turned back to Y/N. “Put work away for one night and come out with us. With me.”

She sighed, huffing a small laugh before she looked back at him. “Okay.”

“Awesome.”

Y/N had a hard time deciding what to wear for dinner, considering all that she had brought with her was business attire. Luckily, the black dress she had could be substituted for any occasion and paired with her red heels and small black purse, she had managed to make it work. She joined everyone downstairs, laughing happily as they cheered when they saw her, relieved that they wanted her to come along as well. She and Jensen met eyes, and she noticed his slowly drift down her body before he turned away, walking beside Chace.

She tried not to overthink what just happened.

They had an incredible time at dinner, with great food, great drinks and even better company. Jensen busted out a few stories from Supernatural days, causing Y/N to hold her stomach as she snickered uncontrollably, reminiscing on the early days of their friendship, as everyone else joined in as well. Every now and then, he would look over at her, holding her gaze for a few seconds before someone grabbed his attention, making butterflies flutter within her with each glance. She wasn’t sure what was going on now, but it was dangerous territory.

It was close to midnight when everyone decided to call it a night, with promises to catch up for breakfast before the day’s press junket. Jensen and Y/N said their goodbyes and hung back, grabbing their own cab back to the hotel.

“Night cap?” he asked, pointing behind him to the hotel bar as they walked into the lobby.

Biting her lip, she was about to say no, go up to her room and forget about any of the looks they had shared throughout the night, but she couldn’t do it. “Sure.”

They ordered a tumbler of whiskey and a vodka martini, taking a seat in a booth towards the back of the room. She sipped on her cocktail slowly, turning away from him as she felt his eyes lingering on her. Briefly glancing at him, she took a deep breath as he leaned closer to her, trying to catch her gaze with his.

“You’ve been quiet since dessert,” he observed, taking a sip of the amber liquid.

“I guess I’m just… not really sure what’s going on here,” she admitted, gesturing between them, finally looking up into his green eyes. “I know how I feel about you. How I’ve always felt about you, since the start… but I don’t want to risk our friendship and our working relationship. So, this… whatever this is, it’s a bad idea.”

He smirked, his tongue lightly running over his plump lips as he thought about what she said. “That may be so, but… I know what I want. What I’ve always wanted, but never said anything because of work. I want you. It’s as simple as that.”

“Jensen,” she sighed, shaking her head as she closed her eyes. She suddenly gasped as she felt his fingers lifting her chin, her eyes fluttering open to stare up at him.

“Whatever you want from me, you got it,” he stated, shrugging his shoulders. “I just think we’ve wasted enough time and we can figure everything else out. But it’s your call. Whatever you decide, I’ll respect that.”

Y/N knew it would be difficult to navigate work if they mixed it with pleasure, but everything he just said told her he was willing to go through the hard work with turning their friendship into something more. She beamed up at him as she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her lips to his instantly in a passionate kiss. It became heated quicker than they anticipated, a groan escaping him as she briefly pulled away, their faces an inch apart.

“My room,” she told him, shifting back on the circular couch, tugging on his hand.

They rushed towards the elevators, relieved that the doors shut with only them inside. Y/N pressed the button for her floor, wasting no time in pushing herself into him, their lips fused together in a rough kiss. Her hands pulled at his white shirt that he had changed into for dinner, just as his hands roamed over her figure, caressing the curve of her hips. One moved up her back, finding the zipper on her dress, making her reach up and pull it away.

“Not in here,” she breathed against his mouth, nipping lightly at the bottom lip.

“Fuck, I-” he gritted out between his teeth, his jaw clenched as he leaned his forehead against hers.

“Patience, Ackles,” she teased, a grin spreading across her face. “All in due time.”

The elevator dinged as the doors opened on Y/N’s floor. Jensen’s impatience got the better of him as he pulled Y/N out by her hand, both practically running towards her room. He pulled her in front of him as she took out the key card, his hands wrapping around her waist and his lips nipping at the flesh of her neck as she slid the card through. They stumbled in, laughing as she dropped the card and her purse on the carpeted floor, his foot kicking the door closed. He pressed her back up against the wall, the fervent kiss not breaking as their hands explored each other’s bodies. He reached for the zipper again, groaning against her lips as it stalled a few times before it finally got to the end. He peeled her dress off slowly as he pulled away from the kiss, his eyes roaming over the exposed skin as it was revealed to him.

“Fuck,” he breathed, leaning down and kissing over her breasts covered by black lace, moving up to her neck.

Y/N’s hands shook as she unbuttoned his white shirt, more from being unable to concentrate as his lips nipped at her flesh rather than any nerves. He moved back long enough for her to shove the sleeves down his arms and throw it on the floor, his breath hitching as her fingers nimbly danced across his torso. Her arms wrapped around his neck as his body pressed against hers, pushing her dress down completely, the fabric pooling around her heels. Looking deep into her eyes, his green orbs darkened as he smirked, causing her to squeeze her thighs together. She was completely aroused already, and they had barely done anything.

“Spread your legs,” he ordered, his voice deep and husky as he stared down at her.

Her legs trembled as she moved them apart, a gasp leaving her as his hand dropped down and pulled her panties aside, his fingers lightly running through her folds. A breathy chuckle left him as he moved them back and forth, slowly, causing her to throw her head back, her moan covering the soft thud against the wall.

“So wet already, and it’s all for me,” he whispered, his face close to hers as he gazed at her. “So fucking perfect…”

“Jensen,” she whimpered, her hands pressing into his shoulders as she held onto him, “I need, please- I need-”

He clicked his tongue as he shook his head, brushing his nose against hers before he shifted lower, pecking her lips as he drifted across her jaw, her neck and chest, lightly biting her skin. His teeth pulled down the right cup of her bra, his tongue moving in slow circles around the stiff bud, as his hand moved to her clit. She closed her eyes, breathing heavily as his mouth released the hardened nub with a soft pop and he continued to descend her body, his knees against the carpet as he lifted her leg, covered by her thigh-high stocking. His lips kissed along the nylon before meeting skin, her hands combing into his hair as his head moved between her legs.

“Oh fuck…”

Jensen licked a long stripe against her folds, a soft growl escaping him at the taste of her, repeating the motion. His tongue moved over her swollen nub in tight circles, causing her to moan loudly, her fingers tightening in his short locks.

“Jay, oh my god,” she gasped, glancing down through hooded eyes. “Right there…”

He shifted closer to her, his head tilted as he alternated between paying attention with his skilled muscle to the bundle of nerves and her folds, teasing over her entrance. She cried out as he continued his ministrations, her hips grinding into him as he held onto her leg to keep her balanced. He pulled away slightly, smirking up at her as she tried to move closer to him.

“Taste so good, darlin’,” he whispered, kissing her inner thigh. “Can’t wait for you cum on my tongue…”

“Feels so good, Jensen,” she whimpered, biting her lip as he kissed her flesh again, “so fucking good.”

“Love the way you say my name,” he groaned, nuzzling against her skin, smirking as she jumped slightly at the feel of his beard against her.

Y/N practically screamed as he pressed his tongue to her sex, his motions faster than before, causing her walls to clench as the coil within her tightened in anticipation of her release. She held onto him, her hands pulling at his hair as her head scraped against the wall, her thighs quivering as he continued to bring her to the edge. With one last flick of the skilled muscle, a long rasping moan fell from her lips as the dam broke, her wetness coating his tongue and lips. She breathed heavily as she came down from her high, a soft smile on her face as he lapped at folds.

“Shit,” she hissed, giggling softly. “I can’t feel my legs.”

He smiled as he pulled back, carefully standing up as he continued to hold her leg, afraid she’d fall. He let it rest against his hip as he unbuckled his dark jeans and pulled down the zip, pushing the denim and his boxers down to his knees. Y/N bit her lip as she saw how hard he was, her hand instantly wrapping around his shaft, stroking him gently. He hung his head as he watched her, a low grunt leaving him as her thumb flicked over the head when her hand moved up.

“Gotta be inside you, sweetheart,” he said, slowly pulling her hand away.

Y/N’s arms wrapped around Jensen’s neck, her legs around his waist as he picked her up and pressed her flush against the wall. He took hold of his cock, lining up to her entrance, a strangled moan falling from her lips as he sank into her, their foreheads touching as they breathed heavily. He was buried deep within her, her walls tight around his shaft as he thrusted slowly, pulling out briefly before he moved back in, his hips rolling against her in sensual pace.

“Jay, please,” she pleaded, looking into his eyes with desperation. “More…”

“You want it hard, darlin’?” he asked, a wicked glint in his eyes as he smirked. “Want me to fuck you hard and fast, fuck you so deep you feel it for days?”

“Yes, y-yes, want it hard, please,” she moaned, digging her fingers into his shoulders.

Without delay, Jensen’s thrusts picked up pace, moving harder and faster just the way she wanted. A loud squeal left her as he pounded into her, his hands gripping her thighs tight enough to leave bruises in the morning, their breath fanning against each other’s faces. It was better than anything she had dreamt or pictured in the past.

“Feel so fucking good, so perfect around my cock,” he groaned, gazing at her. “So tight, take me so fucking good…”

“Fuck, right there,” she whimpered, her thighs squeezing around him.

“You close, darlin’?” he asked, softly, nuzzling his nose against hers, the sweet gesture a complete contrast to the way he was pleasuring her.

Looking deep into his green orbs, she nodded frantically. It was the only way she could tell him in that moment, overwhelmed by everything he was making her feel.

“Tell me,” he demanded, his hips rolling against hers, a low growl falling from his lips.

“Fuck, yeah, I wanna cum, make me cum” she pleaded, as her walls clenched around him again, the clear sign that she was close to her release.

He thrusted harder, her back shifting against the wall and sharp moans escaping her with each motion. She felt the familiar heat in her core, the coil winding tighter once more as she held onto him. His cock throbbed as he continued to move within her, his own orgasm looming.

“Cum for me, sweetheart. Cum for me,” he panted, nipping at her jaw.

Y/N’s eyes fluttered closed, his name on her lips as she let the euphoric bliss wash over her. “Fuck, fuck, fuck! Jensen!”

Jensen felt her walls contract around his shaft as her wetness covered him, but he was nowhere close to the edge just yet. As she started to come down, he pounded his hips harder, her fading pleasure building up again as her eyes widened. She moaned wantonly as she felt another orgasm approaching, her nails leaving deep lines in his shoulders as she shook against him.

“Oh god, I-” she whimpered, shaking her head, unable to think straight.

“Come on, darlin’, want you to cum again, I know you got one more in you…” he growled, smirking.

Y/N’s head turned away from him as her eyes squeezed shut, her walls clenching tight once more as her vision was blinding white, a long, loud moan falling from her lips as her slick covered his cock. Small moans continued to leave her as her release triggered his, his neck straining back as a deep grunt escaped him, spurts of his seed coating her walls.

“Oh my god,” she huffed out, breathing heavily as a chuckle bubbled up in her chest. She laughed lightly as she leaned further into him, laying her head against his shoulder.

“That was uh… that was something,” he stated, pushing the words out between breaths.

“Sure was,” she agreed, lifting her head to look deep into those eyes she loved so much.

“So… we’re gonna do that again, right?” he asked, smirking as she cupped his face in her hand. “Cause I’m not ready to give you up just yet.”

“Yeah, that’s definitely happening again… and again… and again,” she replied, pecking his lips softly between her words. “But for now… shower.”

Jensen gently let Y/N’s legs unfold from around his body, a brief hiss from between her teeth as he pulled out of her, the smile on her face reassuring him she was okay. A small grin pulled at his lips as he saw her legs shake while she removed the lingerie that he was too busy to rid her of. He stripped down completely before he took her hand and guided her towards the bathroom.

They had plenty to talk about when it came to how they would handle a relationship along with their working one, but that was something that they could talk about back home.

For the rest of the night, they had other plans for each other that definitely couldn’t wait.

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Forevers: @evergreencowboy​ // @treat-winchesterswith-kindness​ // @writercole​ // @flamencodiva​ // @that-one-gay-girl​ // @440mxs-wife​ // @lassie-bird​ // @defenderrosetyler​ // @lunarmoon8​ // @foxyjwls007​ // @weepingwillowphoenix​ // @sexyvixen7​ // @prettyboyswow​ // @babypink224221​ // @vicmc624​ // @redbarn1995​ // @stoneyggirl​ // @stoneyggirl2​ //

Supernatural: @creatively-analytical​ // @winchest09​ // @deanwanddamons​ // @jensengirl83​ // @watermelonlipstick​ // @thinkinghardhardlythinking​ // @deans-baby-momma​ // @idreamofdeanie​ // @krazykelly​ // @emoryhemsworth​ // @tatted-trina6​ // @whiskey-infused-dreams​ // @chaoticpersonasploural​ // @unfortunate-brat​ // @smellingofpoetry​ // @kyjey​ // @snowlovespie​ // @hobby27​ // @stixnstripesworld​ // @pixie88​ // @kazsrm67 // @wickedinspirations​ // @dean-winchester-lover99​ // @desimarie12​ //

Dean/Jensen: @whatareyousearchingfordean​ // @jerkbitchidjitassbutt​ // @perpetualabsurdity​ // @siospins2​ // @roonyxx​ // @pink-sparkly-witch​ // @supernatural-love14​ // @michellethetvaddict​ // @akshi8278​ // @deanswaywardgirl​ // @verytoadpapersoul​ // @waynes-multiverse​ // @teresa-67​ // @sexysirius​ // @dean-winchesters-gardian-angel​ //

[kakashiislut]

Drinks?~ Ghost X F!Reader

Warnings: Alcohol Use, Platonic use of “I like you” drunk reader is confusing, ghost kinda likes it, ghosty boy becoming a bit more lenient with drinks in him.

Authors Note: A couple drinks with ghost ends off with some sort of friendship…?

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Heya! I’d appreciate some MWII Requests! I’ve been thinking about drinking with this man! Soo yah hope ya like it! Also I’m very hungry! 💕💕🔮🔮

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“Oh, he’s crazy” You mumbled, eyes twitching at the sight of soap letting some girls shake their asses on him. He had his arms thrown up into the air, wildly shaking his hips and the drink he held, almost spilled.

“He’s an idiot” Ghost snapped, half of his face inside the cup of his drink. “Why’d we have to come ‘ere”

‘Ere’ referring to the “Bar&Club” Soap chose to celebrate a victory. He took down the most bastards, meant he got to pick a place. Usually, you guys drink in the safety of a bar the base provided, but soap was an idiot who liked to have…fun. Which isn’t bad of course, it just made a certain someone uncomfortable.

Ghost sat besides you, drowning away guilt and horrors in glasses and glasses of bourbon. You’ve never seen so much of his face at once. His mask stopped at the first bump of his nose. Hell, you could almost see his nose hairs.

You on the other hand? You where being treated not only by the bar-tender who seemed to fancy you a bit, but by random drunk men who passed drinks your way.

You where downing all sorts of drinks, shots of tequila, fruity martinis, beers (which you respectfully passed along to Gaz and price) even a Shirley temple. It made you giggle.

“Ignore him” you stated, eyes widening as the bar tender came over with another drink, “bloke over there” he pointed, you followed his finger with your eyes and it landed on a boy who seemed way too young to be drinking. But never-the-less, you sent him a thumbs up, before slouching back down next to ghost.

It was a fancy cup of…scotch? It had a giant circle ice cube in the middle that twirled when you moved the cup a bit.

“Pretty boy” you spoke, slurring on your words a bit “I don’t fuckin- like scotch” you shoved the cup at ghost, hitting his hand with a bit “take it.”

“Don’t call me pretty” he protested, yet he accepted the first drink you offered him that night. His stomach churned a little at the nickname. Easy! He was gonna be sick…that’s why his stomach hurt…totally not because the thought of a girl like you telling him he’s pretty…was…nice. At least that’s what he told himself. Or tried to at least.

He double fisted his cups, finishing off the rest of his bourbon, he traded glasses after, A bar tender coming to pluck his glass off the table. While you and L.T. sat at the bar, Gaz, Price and Soap picked up a spot right by you guys in a booth. Lucky for you and ghost, you guys sat near the edge.

“Why not? Guys like it when I call them pretty.”

“Well I’m not guys” he looked down at you, mostly because you where slouching horrendously.

“What? You a monster then?” You showed him your teeth, reaching up to touch your canines. “You got fangs?”

Letting out a laugh, you reached up and motioned at his scruffy beard. “You get all those scars, cause ya suck at shaving? Boom! Roasted”

Feeling proud of your little insult towards the Lieutenant, you chuckled softly.

“No, my father used to cut me” he said casually.

“W-what? You better be joking” Your lips turned to a full pout. You kinda felt like an ass for a moment, before you seen the way the corner of his lip curled up. Just a bit. The smallest bit.

“Ya fucking Ass” Ghost chugged the rest of his drink at your reaction, “that’s so mean to joke about” You lifted your fist a bit and nudged his shoulder with it. He let his body sway at the force, but you pulled it away quickly. Awkwardness settled in the air.

Of course you knew where he got those scars. Years and years in battle harbors a lot of them. You even had one that split your eyebrow in half.

“Hey L.T.” Calling out to him, he turned to look at you. “Hm?” He hummed, leaning his head closer to you. His eyes where different this time. Ya, sure, he was only wearing a balaclava this time, and some of his black war paint was rubbed off, but his eyes…looked relaxed.

You could smell him, he didn’t smell bad…he smelled so good. A mix of alcohol, cigarettes and fire wood. A hint of mint lingered. “Ya like me?” You questioned, watching how his eyes contorted. “Like as a friend, you’re not my type” you spoke a proud LIE. With your hands on your hips, you awaited his answer. “…you’re not half as bad as I thought you would be…” he mumbled into his glass…though it was filled with NOTHING.

“Well, I like you, thank you very much” you let your hand gently flap in the air, waiting for a bar tender to see it and come. “Thought I wasn’t your type?” He finally let go of his glass.

“I ain’t say that?” Your eyes stayed trained on trying to pick up a bartenders attention, one seen you and came rushing by. “What? You just did-“

“Two shots of tequila, please! Oh! And one of those fruity martinis!” She gave you a curt nod, before getting to work. “I don’t drink tequila”

“Who said it was for you?” You gave him a poise smile.

“Fucking hell…” Ghost could feel his face burn, it was just the alcohol. He told himself. Over and over again.

She slid two shots your way, you picked up both and handed one to ghost. “I’m a liar” you laughed out loud, using his arm to turn yourself to look at him.

You shouldn’t be this touchy with your superior.

“You’re quite the handful when you’re drunk, Sergeant”

“It’s, ‘cause I like you!” You nudged your Tiny shot glass his way, waiting for him to clink it.

“…me too, sarge” *Clink*

[obetrolncocktails]

When It Hurts You | Josh Kiszka X Reader Part 1

Warnings: Fluff in the chapter, heavy mention of alcohol and drunken behavior. The next chapter will have lots of angst.

Word Count: 4K+

A/N: I had a lot of fun writing this one and I am so excited to share this with you.

Summary: Josh has always been there, but you have done everything in your power to fight the ache to risk everything for more of him...what if it's too late? And what if your best intentions have lead to the worst consequences?

The house blares with loud music and it was anyone’s guess as to why the cops hadn’t shown up to shut the party down. It was a late night rager that the boys had organized to celebrate the end of their latest tour. Fittingly, the tour ended at home in Michigan. They strategically chose a gigantic cabin, planted in the middle of the woods for the party; that way, sound ordinances would be outside of county jurisdiction. It was a bit of a journey, driving through a series of pitch-black, winding gravel roads in the middle of the night. Perfectly in Kiszka fashion, they always maintained a level of playful mystery and adventure in almost every aspect of their social lives. As you finally pull up to the house, your dash lights up with Josh’s contact picture, pausing your music. “Y/N, you must drive two miles an hour, where are you?” His tone is playful and cocky, most definitely a result of pre-gaming shots of tequila with the boys. “Open the front door asshole, I’m outside.” You can hear him chuckling from the other side of the phone before hanging up. You had been a long-time friend of the boys, connected through mutual acts around the inception of their career. You were now their Social Media Manager; it was a fun job that came with the friendship. When Josh had originally asked you to take the position, you turned the band down, concerned of a possible conflict of interest. In truth, you found yourself struggling to push down feelings for Josh. At times it became crippling. To this day, it was something that you never spoke of, but something that never went away either. These days, you are just better at keeping it under control.

Finally finding a parking spot, you wedge yourself in between two large vehicles. You have to suck in and flatten your body as much as possible to get out of your car without scraping the other vehicle with your car door. “I was worried you’d never show, Bug.” Bug. It was Josh’s pet name for you–one that made your heart leap almost painfully every time. To this day, you weren’t sure where the nickname came from, but you never questioned it; It made you feel special to him, and gave you the opportunity to daydream about being his–how much you ached for that name to signify so much more than a close friendship. Snapping yourself out of your intrusive thoughts, you watch as  Josh appears behind your car, wearing his usual white and khaki ensemble, complete with the fitted yellow jacket that was always your favorite. You eye him with a quizzical expression, noticing that he is double fisting margaritas. He tilts one of the drinks forward, spilling most of its contents into the gravel. “H-hand crafted, jussst for you.” His words come out in a slur, proof of his obvious intoxication. You chuckle as you sidle out from the tight space, reaching for the drink. “I think the earth got more than I will.” Josh slings a lazy arm around your shoulder as you both walk up to the house. “Where there’s a party, there’s alcohol. Sam and Danny raided two liquor stores before the show, so there’s some of everything.” You eye him from the side, feeling his dead weight causing your body to fight equilibrium. “What’s been the drink of choice so far–it’s definitely got you leaning.” With a smirk, he meets your gaze. “Isopropyl.” You scoff and bump him with your shoulder. “You’re a real jackass, you know.” Without missing a beat, he throws his drink in the air, shouting “Bajabule, Bug! Live a little.” He ascends the stairs nimbly, albeit quite wobbly. “Not the “bajabule” bit,” you tease, hovering your hands over his body in case he trips. “Y/N, loosen up. Finish your drink and relax. I’m just blowing off some steam. Nothing’s gonna happen.” Famous last words you think. Literally. “Okay, Josh, just please don’t make me be a parent tonight.” A quick moment passes before he bumps you with his shoulder, shooting back a smug response. “Wow, Bug. Trying to be my mama? Already?” Your cheeks flame as you avert his gaze. He turns to his drink, tipping to cup all the way back, draining the rest of the liquor easily. You watch as the ice from the cup tumbles towards his face and out of the cup, sending drink dribbling down his beard, chin and onto his t-shirt. Placing a guiding hand on his back, you usher him into the house. “Okay, Josh, let’s get some water.” As you walk together, you take small sips of your drink, nodding and smiling at the party-goers, most of which you knew one way or another.

Josh mumbles incoherent phrases to people as he passes, most of which turns out to be a conversation with himself. Luckily, you can see Danny’s curls peeping over most people’s heads as he wades through the crowd. “Welcome to the circus,” He smiles, bringing his arms up to hug you. “I see you’ve found the wandering vagrant. He was just with us, and the next thing you know, he was gone. Glad he found you and not some other poor, unsuspecting soul. “You know Danny, they really don’t give you enough credit. You’re funny and you know how to babysit. ” He lets out a belly laugh, throwing his curls behind his head. “What can I say, I’m the wild card.” You watch as Josh wanders back from the bar with a bottle of water and another cocktail. “Before you say anything, I brought water, see?” He points to the unopened bottle. You take a moment to playfully scrutinize his selections. “Seeing and drinking water are two different things. Let me have a sip,” You say, cleverly taking the cocktail as he hands it to you. “Thanks, now you can enjoy your delicious spring water with no distraction.” The drink was absurdly bitter; it was a surprise to you that anyone in their right mind would drink something so disgusting. “Danny, I’ll be right back, don’t let him do anything stupid.” Danny steps forward, joining Josh. “No promises.” You eye him from the side, giving him the “I’m watching you” gesture.

Walking back to the bar, you dump the drink into the sink before throwing the cup in the nearest trash can. It was true what Josh had said; there was alcohol of all types, strengths and tastes, and many of them were expensive. You peruse the choices until you finally land on a bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon, deciding to make yourself a stiff whiskey sour. “I assume you’ve already seen Josh.” Jake appears in the kitchen, leaning against the granite counter with his arms crossed. Taking a sip of your mixed drink, you scoff through your nose. “Seen? Jake–he’s absolutely trashed.” Though it was a night for celebration and the boys had every right to be proud of themselves and of their hard work, you hadn’t seen Josh this drunk–maybe ever. Jake brings an absent hand to his face, stroking his chin as he listens. “He didn’t eat much today–I think he let the alcohol take over. Nothing happened, I don’t think. We’ll just keep a close eye on him and it’ll be okay. A good night’s sleep and he will be fine.” Jake takes a beer from out of the fridge, opening it against the stone of the counter. “I was supposed to take pics tonight, to post on instagram–Tiktok. Jake, this is not a good look for the band.” You were wound tightly and tonight was no different. “Y/N. Stop worrying about work. Just have some fun with us. Put your work brain to bed.” He grabs the nearest bottle of tequila, uncapping it. “Do a shot with me.” You pull your nose and lips into a grimace as you watch him grab two shot glasses. Jake stops to gawk at you. “Seriously? It’s a party for fuck’s sake. Don’t make me call you Mother Theresa for the rest of your life.” You concede, smiling at his comment. “Fine–you win.” He hands the shot glass to you. “Hold on, it needs one more thing.” Reaching over the myriad of bottles, he grabs two lime slices from a bowl of garnishes. “A chaser.” You smile, lifting the shot glass in the air. “Bajabule!” You say, cracking a wicked grin as you clink your glass against his. “Nothing is sacred anymore, it is, Y/N? He’s tainting you.” You blush as you knock the shot back, feeling it warm the back of your throat. Simultaneously, you both bite at the lime slices, your faces puckering at its bitterness. “A damn good tour, a bitchin’ record, an amazing team…I can’t think of a better way to celebrate.” You nod, admitting the truth in his words. “Very fair.”

After another shot, you wind your way through the house, sipping at your half-finished whiskey sour. The music was far too loud for your taste; your head was beginning to throb in a dull rhythm. Moving to the back porch, you notice Sammy sitting in an adirondack chair, strumming mindlessly on his bass, surrounded by eager giggling girls. “That was amazing, Sammy. That must be like…so hard to do, you know? What else can you play?” An airheaded brunette asks him the question, coquettishly stroking his arm with the tips of her fingers. Not surprised in the slightest, you think as you pass. “Hey, Y/N!” he shouts, throwing a hand up in a loose acknowledging wave. “Hey Sammy.” You walk outside briefly, making a show of draping your body over his when you give him a hug. You wink at him before speaking. “Hey um, remember that song you wrote for me? I’d like to hear it later. In private.” The joke, although spontaneous, was immediately picked up by Sammy. “Yeah, I’ve been trying to get it right all week, I just can’t find the words to express the way I feel.” You lean in, kissing him on the temple before saying, “Call me when it’s done. I can’t wait to show you how much I like it.” you leave the porch promptly, entering the party once more, fully aware of each girl’s slack jaw as your heels click against the floor.

“Oh shit–they have a Wii!” You bring your gaze up as you see Josh searching through the entertainment console in the living room. “This used to be my favorite–” He throws up the game case, showing it to everyone. Guitar Hero. You decide to flirt with him. “Hmm, so tell me why you didn’t end up being the lead guitarist then, Josh?” He grins when he sees you,  causing a swarm of butterflies to erupt deep within your core. You think you catch a glimpse of extra brightness in his eyes–something more than mere fondness; then again, you know the likelihood of it just being you reaching for some unobtainable piece of him. “Well, Y/N, being able to smash five buttons on a fake guitar doesn’t really translate very well in the real world. I found that out the hard way. But–” He throws his finger up in the air, “That doesn’t discount the fact that I am the true guitar guru–at least in this game.” You take the last open seat at the couch, watching as he untangles cables and plugs. “Care to show us your moves, then?” You bring your hands out in front of you, gesturing to your friends surrounding the TV. Jake arrives behind the couch, watching Josh set up the video game. “Josh sucks at video games–he’s just trying to impress you.” You tilt your head backwards to look up at him. “Impress me? With Guitar Hero?” He shakes his head and tosses off a casual shrug, throwing potato chips in his mouth. “He’s never been good at talking to the girls he likes.” You adjust in your seat so that you can see him better. “Wait, Jake–what are you ta-” Josh’s voice cuts you off as he addresses the group of people. “Found the guitars, aha!” He raises them both above his head. “I need a worthy competitor–Y/N, do you think you could beat me at a modest round of “Through the Fires and Flames?” You shake your head no. “Josh, I’m shit at this game, I’ll embarrass myself.” He smiles, setting one of the guitar controllers on the coffee table before coming to take your hand. Josh will not take “no” for an answer. He murmurs in your ear, “Bug, nothing could be more embarrassing than how drunk I am right now. Play with me. Please.” His tone is whiny and insistent. He playfully tugs and pulls on your arm for you to get up, which you finally do when you become too annoyed to ignore him. “Fine, Josh–but you’re going to win by default anyway.” He rejoices and hands you the guitar, helping you pull the strap behind your head. “You owe me,”  you tell him through dark lashes as you take your stance in front of the coffee table.

“If I win, you knock back two shots,” Josh says with a smug grin. “ If you win, then I will be the one doing the drinking.” Fuck it, you think. It was time to take Jake’s advice and loosen up. “What’s the drink of choice?” Jake lifts a large bottle from the open-concept kitchen. “Good ole’ Casamigos,” he shouts. “Tequila–dangerous choice.” Sammy exclaims, appearing on the edge of the couch, his fingers buried in his hair, tousling his waves. “Okay, I am the referee. Josh, no cheating.” Josh spins as Jake climbs over the back of the couch, coming to sit on the upper frame with his legs hanging down in front of him. “We will take this round by round. Danny, if you see something that I didn’t, be sure to tell me.” Danny nods, coming around the couch to sit in the open spot in front of Jake. Turning your attention to Josh, you watch as he sits on the edge of the coffee table, fussing with the wiimote and sensor bar. He looks up suddenly, meeting your gaze, chuckling. “Um–it’s not working. You’re smarter than me, come here and mess with it.” You come beside him, reaching for the accessories. His hands graze yours softly, sending alarms buzzing through your system. You fight the urge to overanalyze like girls do with their crushes in middle school. A few moments pass before you are able to fix the issue. “Josh–you didn’t have it on the right HDMI input.” He stands above you with his arms crossed. “Who knew I had a genius in my back pocket all along.” He brings an arm to the small of  your back, leaning in to see what you were doing. You wave the wiimote in front of the TV, bringing the screen to life, all the while tracking Josh’s movement along your skin.. “Okay, are you sober enough to play?” you ask Josh as you place the wiimote into the guitar controller. “Y/N, the name of the game is to win–not to be sober.” He flashes you his white teeth, turned up in a smile that is far too large for his face. “Alright then, let’s make people’s ears bleed, shall we?” He eyes you, grinning as he chooses the track–”Through the Fire and Flames” by DragonForce. He selects the intermediate difficulty as murmurs that he will “take it easy on you.”

Before you know it, the game is well under way and you find yourself completely overwhelmed by the game. You try your best to synchronize your movements to the colored notes flying across the screen–a feat that was impossible for you to keep up with. Your fingers fumble at the buttons organized at the neck of the fake guitar. Your grip slips, accidentally mashing down multiple buttons at the same time, causing the game to start booing you. Looking over, it doesn’t look like Josh is holding up much better. His eyebrows knit together as he watches the screen–hypnotized by the fast paced gameplay. His technique is sloppy; he strums with no rhythm, his tongue lolling out of his mouth in an active struggle to focus. You can hear the click-clack of the buttons from your side, noticing that the amount of red X’s on his side of the screen are almost equal to yours.

The fury of fighting for your lives ends just as quickly as it began, the entire screen going black and white. The in-game crowd boos you as the game ends, asking you if you want a rematch. “Well, uh. That was fast.” Jake smirks, his hands clasped together. “You both lost, so you both drink. At this rate, don’t expect to be driving anywhere tonight.” Jake hops off of the couch with the bottle of Casamigos in tow, making his way to the coffee table. He pours four shots and hands two to you and the others to Josh. “Bottoms up, losers.” A thin smile meets your lips as you grab the glasses, brightening when you meet Josh’s gaze, realizing that he is watching you. “Cheers, Bug.” He says, his effervescent smile boring holes straight through your heart. You clear your throat in an attempt to disperse the intruding thoughts, bringing your glasses to clink against his. He eyes you as you both bring the shots to your mouths, knocking them back in quick succession. “Alright you two, let the actual guitar player show you how it’s done.” Jake sits the bottle on the table as he reaches for Josh’s guitar controller. Josh holds a hesitant grimace on his face, but gives in when he notices you watching him. “Take it easy on me, Jakey.” Reaching behind his head, he raises the guitar, handing it over to his brother before giving him a firm pat on the back. “Put us all to shame.”

You smile at Jake and lift the guitar off of your shoulders, placing it on the coffee table, returning to your previous seat at the couch. The room is filled with a cacophony of conversation; people mill in and out of the room freely, discussing cheating boyfriends, work gossip, hushed titters about the boys…you can’t help but find yourself aware of the buzz rippling through your body. You weren’t a lightweight–in fact, it usually took quite a lot of alcohol to make you feel any level of tipsiness. Tonight, however, was different; the movement around you was beginning to slow, leaving you dissociating within your own thoughts. Despite your strongest attempts, it is impossible for you to stop thinking about the giggling boy standing in front of you. You sit, absently scrolling through your phone, which ends up being mostly useless from the shitty service connection. “Bug.” You look up to see Josh looking at you. “Everything okay?” He seems to have sobered somewhat–an ironic thought, considering how much alcohol you know is in his system. “I’m okay, Josh. Just feeling a little floaty.” You brush off his concern with a smile. He shakes his head and joins you on the couch, placing an arm around your shoulder. “You’re a shitty liar, Bug. You can’t bullshit a bullshitter. We were just having fun and then something changed, and I am not sure why. I know you–something is bothering you.” You break your anxious habit of picking at your cuticles to look up, meeting his gaze. His eyes are softly cast in sienna, like a nostalgic vignette from an old-time film–one that fills you with comfort and longing. “Josh. I am having fun, I promise.” Your tone was growing more insistent–annoyed. How can he say he knows me but is absolutely clueless to the secret that I have been hiding all along? “You don’t seem like it to the looks of it.” His matter-of-fact response throws you into an angry spiral, sending you upward from the couch. “Well, I don’t know how you could possibly suggest how I look, nonetheless how I feel, when you have spent the entire night drunk off of your ass.” The words fall from your mouth like a pot of water left to boil over on the stove. “Josh–I’m sorry.” You catch yourself from unloading on him. He didn’t deserve your selfishness, especially not tonight. “This is your party–pretend I didn’t say anything. Go celebrate. I think I need to go get some air.” Your words are clipped and terse.  Josh can only manage to utter your name, but you are already moving from the living room, fighting your way through the crowd to reach the back porch.

Shutting the sliding door behind you as you arrive on the back deck, you manage to muffle most of the noises coming from the house. Outside, the cool wind whips your hair upon your face, spraying goosebumps about your exposed skin. The stars scatter the night sky in loose patterns. How could these celestial objects appear so close to one another, yet one could never travel from between the two in the spanse of a human lifetime? How can you feel so close to someone yet so far from them at the same time? The breeze carries your thoughts between the trees as they rustle against beaten branches. A few idle moments pass before you hear the door open behind you. “Josh, I’m okay–I just drank too much.” You turn your head to see him. “You got the twin this time.” It was Jake, arriving outside with a bottle of water to offer you. “Thanks,” you say, reaching for the beverage. “I take it you saw that.” He nods, moving to rest his arms on the banister. “Heard it, moreover. Wanted to come make sure you were alright.” You take a sip of your water before joining him, placing your head on your crossed arms, returning your gaze to the landscape in front of you. “How did you know, Jake?”

He turns his head to you in response to your question. “Know what?” You scoff, trying to avoid being the one to answer the question. “How do you know that Josh likes me?” Your tone softens and you feel your confidence fading. “Y/N, it’s obvious. Do you know how often he talks about you? It’s actually annoying. Before you got to the party, all he could talk about was you. He wanted you there tonight–even if he had to use work as an excuse to get you here.” He meets your gaze before looking back out into the night. “When it comes to relationships, Josh has always been private. You know how he talks about universal love, world peace–the big picture? Well, he’s the type of person to never want to ruin a good thing. I think he is scared to go there with you. Doesn’t want to lose you.” You lift your head from the banister, attempting to stand up straight, which is becoming a difficult task considering your inebriated state. “Jake–he’s a natural flirt. You’re kind, but I know I’m the pining best friend, who will just end up being embarrassed and hurt. You don’t have to try so hard to make me feel better.” You can’t help the tears from slipping down the apples of your cheeks as you confess to Jake. “Y/N. Take a deep breath. Look at me.” Jake turns, pushing himself off of the banister, moving closer to you. With the tips of his fingers, he swipes the tears from your cheeks, caressing the fullness of your face. “You are a brilliant woman–you’re drop dead gorgeous, funny, charismatic, loyal…responsible…terrible at playing guitar hero…” You chuckle through your nose at his response. Wrapping your arms around him, you pull him into an embrace, laying your cheek on his chest. “Thank you, Jake.” He hugs you tightly, rubbing reassuring circles into your back. Parting from the hug, you meet his eyes; they seem to glitter in the moonlight, the reflection of a million stars painted upon his familiar irises.

Your head swims drunkenly, your emotions and judgment tossed in a spiral. A few silent seconds drift between the two of you before your lips find one other. He cups your face using his thumbs to gently stroke your cheeks. The moment is tender, but it isn’t right. His kiss feels sympathetic; a drunken effort to heal your woes. He parts from the kiss lightly, releasing you from his touch. You take a small step backward, trying your best to ground yourself. You bring your eyes up to glance into the house and immediately  find Josh, frozen mid-stride towards you. Your heart breaks as you witness his hopeful expression plummet. He is gone before you can enter the house.

End of Part 1.

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[leorawright]

May I request a platonic matchup with Overwatch?

I dont have any preferred pronouns, and I am abrosexual.

I tend to look for a friend who knows how to joke around but will always be there for me, even when we can’t take things seriously. I don’t mind if they talk a lot or not, I can manage to make conversation regardless of who’s talking. I’d also like a friend who knows how to handle basic injuries so they can help me patch up, and perhaps a slightly ‘mom’ friend because I need guidance from someone trustworthy.

As for my personality, I’m usually on the calm and positive side however I can be chaotic cause of boredom or whatever. Protectiveness is also one cause I cherish my friends dearly. Also I seem like a quiet person at first glance, but once you get to know me hell is gonna go lose with chaos at it’s command. I don’t really like large crowds and avoid them at all cost unless I need to interact with them. I also tend to switch moods whenever something/someone triggers it.

Some of my hobbies are reading, writing, playing games, trying to entertain myself or playing the piano or double string bass when I can. Sometimes I get so caught up with reading that I forget to eat, on top of that I don’t really eat on a scheduled time and eat when I’m hungry, and even then i don’t eat cause of thoughts that prevent me from consuming anything but water. I have a fear of heights even though I wanna be a pilot, and a fear of disappointing people. I’m down to try new things and will probably cling with my friend till I’m comfortable with everyone else. I’m also a huge sucker for physical affection.

Hopefully this is enough and you’re haven’t a great day/night!

friend who knows how to joke around but is also trustworthy hmmm

Honestly I think I'd pick...

Cassidy!

Just like you he's very protective over his friends

If you forget to eat expect Cassidy to barge in with food and demand you eat

He's was on his own for a while so he knows how to patch up small wounds

He considers trust and understanding to be a big part of good friendships and he can find those qualities in you

He can definitely vibe with your calm side or your chaotic side

He's almost never serious unless he has to be so don't worry about him being super serious

You like physical affection? What a coincidence so does he!

Expect head pats, fist bumps, hugs, and he will pick you up

And most importantly, just like you, he cherishes his friends deeply and when he considers you a best friend it's the highest honor you can receive from him and he's glowing if you call him your best friend

[qvid-pro-qvo]

lake day

pairings: friendship fic, though there is established harvard/yale, payback/fanboy, and implied payback/fanboy/bob and rooster/hangman/phoenix.

rating: teen, because with a lake day, anything goes. with alcohol consumption and food mentions!

jake invites all of dagger to a day at the lake, a celebration of sorts after surviving The Mission. various shenanigans ensue, and jake learns the meaning of friendship along the way.

link to ao3.

-

Jake’s sunglasses slide down his nose, as his arms get thrown up and out at the sight of the group walking towards him. He’s already down a shirt, and if any of them were the betting kind, probably a drink or two in, too. 

“Welcome to my humble abode!” he calls out. “Grab a beer, grab a chair!” 

“When has anything about him ever been humble?” Rooster murmurs to Phoenix. She snorts and slides her own sunglasses on. 

“C’mon, y’all, we all know he loves the attention,” Bob sighs, glancing between the both of them before pulling back to walk in line with Fanboy. 

“And the company, even if he denies it,” Coyote says, glancing over the group. His voice gets low. Conspiratorial. “He’s been talking about this for months.” 

Everyone had been subject to the texts and the chatter. The repeat invitations after the final Mission debriefs went through. A celebration, Jake had insisted, loudy, until every single pilot said yes. 

Payback tosses his backpack into a chair, claiming another one to slump into. “We are in the middle of fucking nowhere, huh?”

“I think that’s just Texas,” Halo shoots back, glancing around. “Your parents own this place?” she asks Hangman. 

“Family home,” Jake confirms, gesturing to the massive house. “Feel free to change now, if you haven’t. The boat’s down at the dock —“

“You have your own boat?” Fritz says, mouth open a little as he pushes through the glass doors. The place opens up, a blast of perfect air conditioning hitting them all in the face. 

“You have your own dock?” Harvard laughs, peeking inside the grill before turning to the rest of them. “I spy a rich boy.” 

“Says the Ivy,” Fanboy retorts, reaching into Payback’s backpack to rummage around for his trunks. “I need a bathroom, Hangman!” 

“Seresin’s been holding out,” Yale murmurs to Omaha, who glances around the place with a matching smirk. “Bet the snacks are nice, too.” 

Jake lets out a sharp whistle, drawing eyes back toward him. He pushes his sunglasses up and out of his eyes, before giving a bright grin. “Ladies, gentlemen, everything will get settled. For now, grab a beer, grab a snack, and get comfy. Pick out a lifejacket while you’re on it. The S.S. Seresin launches in half an hour!”

—

“I’m king of the world!” Fanboy yells. Again. 

Payback laughs. Again. 

“Please don’t encourage him,” Coyote sighs. “He’s gonna fall off the damn boat.” 

“And he won’t even be the first,” Phoenix agrees, glancing back towards Yale, who has a towel draped limply over his shoulders, Harvard covering his face to hide his laughter. “We’re in the Navy , guys.” 

“Hangman made the boat rock on purpose,” Omaha says pointedly. “After Yale ate one of the Oreos.” 

“Everyone wants double-stuffed,” Bob says, flipping his clip-on shades down. Payback gives him a thumbs-up, and Bob grins before reclining a bit. “I understand the reasoning.” 

Jake smirks back at the two of them. “And I plead the fifth.” 

“We haven’t even left the dock,” Rooster points out, looking around at the group. “At this rate, someone’s blacking out.” 

Payback glances back toward the house. “With Fritz making the drinks later? Absolutely.” 

Halo looks to Harvard with a pout. “No one heard my that's-what-he-said joke.” He gives her a sympathetic fist bump. 

—

There’s a begrudging acceptance among the squad that Jake knows how to work a boat. Barely any rough patches, and no one else can match his maneuvers. But there’s another reason they hit the tides early — by the time they make it to where they’re planning on camping out, the place is just starting to get busy. They have it almost all to themselves. 

“How we doin’, kids?” Jake calls out from the captain’s chair, and there’s a chorus of “good” and “great” and only one “slow the fuck down, Jake” from Javy with a glare that makes him put his foot on the gas in answer.

But they all survive. They make it. Cheap beers get popped open, the sun gets real high. Sunscreen gets shared and passed around. Smiles and cheers and stories passed around. It’s a while before someone braves the lake water, but then soon they’re all lounging around on floating tubes and life-jackets.

“It’s not the ocean –” Rooster starts, peeking over his sunglasses. 

“Of course it’s not the ocean,” Fritz says, raising a brow. “There was barely a beach .” 

“Right,” Rooster agrees, sipping on his beer. “It’s not the ocean –” 

“It’s not Fightertown, either,” Omaha hums, sunglasses perched on his nose. “Middle of nowhere.”

Rooster nods, smirking as he glances toward Jake. Maybe he can see the way steam is slowly starting to leak out of his ears. “Like I was saying, it’s not the ocean, or Fightertown, or even California, the greatest place on Earth –”

“Is there a but somewhere?” Jake asks, glaring at the three of them. 

“Oh, so Hangman’s an ass man,” Phoenix says with a smirk on the other side of the group, glancing toward him. “Who would’ve thought?” 

“Anyone who knows him. He’s not exactly subtle, ” Coyote chuckles. He gets a high-five from Payback for the joke. Jake flips them off. 

“ But ,” Rooster continues, finally, with another wink up at the captain, “this is pretty fun.” 

“Cheers to that,” Fanboy calls out. 

“Cheers to us,” Omaha calls out. “To Dagger!” 

The drinks lift. “To Dagger!” 

It’s their rallying cry.

—

“I’m gonna have water in my ear for weeks,” Halo bemoans, tossing her head back one more time. “How was that only fifteen seconds?” 

“Time is different out there on the skis,” Fritz murmurs, eyes wide. “Very different.” 

Halo frowns, then reaches out, waves her hand in front of his face. “Concussion protocol?” she asks the group. 

“He’s fine,” Jake insists. “The impact’ll wear off. Who’s next?” 

Rooster looks determined. Pulls on his lifejacket. “If I die, Maverick gets the Bronco,” he grimly tells the team. He gives a sharp salute. Deep breath in. “It’s been an honor serving with you.” 

Phoenix’s leg goes out and kicks, and then Rooster’s yelling and in the water with a sputter. 

“Don’t think, just do!” Fanboy yells to him. 

Rooster scowls, curls flat on his head. “I think I’m gonna kick your ass, Fanboy.” 

"Why me?" 

"Because he's scared of me," Phoenix says with a smirk, lifting her drink. "Have a good ride!" 

—

The sun starts to sink in the sky, no longer lingering at the highest point. Jake’s shoulders are a bright shade of pink. But he grins at the group around him, sprawled on seats and on the floor of the boat, lazing back and taking in the sun. 

“Mickey’s gonna burn,” Jake hears Bob says to Payback. He glances over, watching as he starts nudging the other man with his foot. Payback smirks at the snoozing Fanboy, before nodding to the deck.

“I’ve got aloe in my pack.”

“I left mine on shore — can I share with y’all?” 

“Don’t even need to ask.” 

Rooster and Phoenix lift from their seats, move toward the captain’s chair before sitting down beside Jake. He smiles at the sight of them behind his shades, then starts the process of taking them back in. 

“You still good with grilling?” he asks Rooster, looking back toward the bow. Halo and Yale sit huddled over his phone, while Omaha and Coyote duel Harvard and Fritz in rock, paper, scissors over the last can of beer. 

“Sure,” Rooster says, taking a long swig from his can. “As long as I can pick the movie.” 

“We’ll throw some options into a hat,” Jake says, “but I promised Phoenix she’d get final say before the fireworks start.” 

“You think there’ll be fireworks?” she asks him, brow raised. Her leg crosses over Bradley’s to catch the ray of sunshine beating down on them. “Isn’t there a rule against them?”

“Someone always shoots off fireworks,” he tells them. “It’s summer in Texas. Someone smuggled them in.” 

There’s a beat. Jake smirks as he starts up the engine.

“Did you smuggle them in?” Phoenix suddenly says. 

“Is it smuggling when they’re already here?” 

—

There’s a roar of flame, and Jake winces at the sight of it flaring up through the gaps of the grill. Rooster’s eyes are bright, from more than the drink in his hand. 

“Please, please , be careful,” Jake sighs, before speaking through gritted teeth. “That grill is worth more than your rent.” 

“What’s that?” Rooster says. Another poke, and some more fire flares up. 

Jake grimaces. Takes a step back before shaking his head. “All we need are the burgers to be cooked . So if your eyebrows burn, that’s on you .” 

There’s no verbal response, but Rooster winks. What is with him and winking today? Jake scowls before turning away, glancing around the deck as the others mill around. 

Phoenix and Halo murmur to each other, mixed drinks dangling precariously from their fingers. Phoenix glances over to Jake, gives him a smirk before murmuring something to Halo. 

“Ladies,” he calls out, wanting to put a stop to any gossip that he doesn’t get to partake in. “Having a good time?” 

“You’re a good host, Hangman,” Halo tells, lifting her drink. “Thank your mom for us.” 

“But don’t let it go to your head,” Phoenix tacks on, pushing her sunglasses up into her hair before tapping her glass. “And tell Fritz to keep ‘em coming!” 

Jake bows, deep and dramatic, making the girls chuckle again, before he smirks and moves on. 

Coyote, Harvard, and Yale rope him into a game of darts, because they like losing, he supposes. He throws his darts, they throw pieces of fruit at him when he hits the mark every time, and by the end of a round Coyote is waving him away and telling him to go show off for someone else, before turning back to Harvard and Yale and showing off for them himself. 

Jake smirks and rolls his eyes before moving to the bar. 

Coyote hits a bullseye. 

Fritz and Fanboy move in tandem around the makeshift bar as Jake moves up to them. Omaha, Payback, and Bob watch them work, and the television above their heads airs something with a gratuitous shirtless beach volleyball scene. He doesn’t ask where the little umbrellas come from, or what the movie is, instead taking a sip of a drink that looks already made. 

“Wait, Hangman -” Payback tries, but it’s too late. Already down the hatch. 

“Holy shit,” he gasps out. Chokes a little on the hit of alcohol. Well. More like the gut punch. “Is there any mixer in that?” 

“Not yet,” Fanboy says with a smirk. “Fritz puts it in. But I don’t really think it needs it.” 

“It needs it,” the three men on the stools say at the same time. 

Fritz frowns. “You said my drinks were good!” 

“Yours are fine,” Omaha said, nodding toward the backseater. “Fanboy’s taste like gasoline.” 

“But good gasoline,” Fanboy retorts, lifting his own drink with a grin. “That high ethanol shit.” 

“You’re gonna go blind,” Payback tells him, bringing his hand down so that Fritz can pour some orange juice in his concoction. “Then who’s gonna watch my six?” 

“You’ve got two other WSOs,” Fanboy says, laughing before nodding to Omaha and Bob. “Right here, at your leisure. Let me get trashed.” 

“You can get trashed and still not burn off all your taste buds,” Bob tells him, and nods to Fritz again. 

“Let us treat you right,” Fritz teases. Taking Fanboy’s drink and adding a splash of grenadine, something else that looks like orange juice. Where the fuck did they get grenadine? “Let us help you treat yourself right.” 

“You’re all too kind,” Fanboy says, and wipes away a fake tear. “Taking care of me.” 

Jake leans down to murmur in Payback’s ear. “Make sure he doesn’t black out too early.”

Payback slaps him on the back. “We’ve got him. Relax. Grab a drink. Sit down.” 

“Yeah, your pacing is making me tense,” Omaha tells him, sliding a beer over. “We’re not on the water. We’re grownups. Take off the host hat for a bit. Relax.”

Jake concedes that point. Everyone has eyes on them. Everyone has a buddy. They’re all adults and can manage a few hours of drinking without him keeping watch. And if not, well. His mama made sure the place had nice bathrooms. 

“I’m gonna make sure Rooster isn’t burning anything to the ground,” he says, taking the beer. 

“Phoenix’ll help you out, I’m sure,” Bob says mildly, smirking. 

“What?” Jake asks, brow raised. 

“What?” Bob replies. Still smirking. 

—

Everyone has full bellies, eventually. Once Rooster stops fucking around and gets some burgers on the grill, everyone is satisfied. Dessert consists of a new drink menu concocted by the self-proclaimed bartenders, and tiny Blue Bell ice creams that everyone takes at least three of. 

Everyone is tipsy. Everyone is smiling. Everyone is… here.

Mission accomplished. 

“I’ll trade you a chocolate for one of your vanilla,” Harvard says to Yale, who raises a brow. 

“I fought hard for this vanilla. Halo almost didn’t let me have it.” 

“Just one,” Harvard pleads. “I’ll do the dishes this whole week, for it.” 

“… okay. Deal.” 

At the bar, Omaha drools a little as his head falls forward, a short nap to regain any energy the sun sucked away. Fritz takes a moment to lazily dab at his mouth, which startles the WSO awake. 

He blinks at Fritz. “Wha’sat?” 

Fritz snorts. “You drool when you sleep. Just helping you out.” 

Omaha blinks. “I’m cute when I sleep?” 

“Never mind, you're delirious. Go back to snoozing.” 

By this point the sun is almost completely set, but the lights on the deck give them plenty of shine. Jake still has his sunglasses on, perched on his nose as he claims one of the deck chairs and takes another swig of a beer that might be someone else’s. 

Suddenly Phoenix seems to materialize beside him. She pokes him on the shoulder. “Hey. That yours?” 

When he realizes she’s pointing at the beer, he offers it over without hesitation. She quickly takes a drink, then two before perching on the arm of the chair, her legs warm against his. Hands the beer back. 

“You havin’ fun?” he asks, giving a grin. The drink makes his words a little slurred, which just means any G he planned on adding to the end of a word is long gone. 

“I can admit when I’m having a good time,” she concedes. He blinks up at her, smiling as she hands him his beer back, almost empty. “Even when it’s your fault.” 

“Especially when,” Jake retorts. He gets flipped off for his efforts. 

Suddenly Rooster is there, too. On his other side, close enough he can feel heat radiating from his body. “That’s my beer,” he says plainly, and Jake chuckles as he feels Phoenix’s glare. 

“You said it was —“

“I said no such thing,” he laughs, and then holds the beer out to Rooster. “Here, take it. I’ve gotta set up the light show.” He starts to stand, but then Phoenix has a hand on his arm. 

The beer is removed from his fingers. “Hangman,” Phoenix says, “while I do love a good show, no way we’re letting you around explosives right now.” 

“I’m fine,” Jake tells them. “It’s part of the day.” 

“The day’s been great,” she retorts. “Trust, people had a good time.” 

“Forget the fireworks,” Rooster agrees, nodding around to everyone scattered outside. “Let’s get everyone changed, get settled. It’s winding down, we could do a movie or something inside.” Definitely close enough to nudge Jake with his hip, he does so, gesturing toward the door. “C’mon.” 

“But, I said I would,” he tells them, glancing back and forth between them. “Go inside if you want, but there’s so much night left.” 

He starts to walk across the deck, bare feet slapping on the wood. 

“Jake,” Phoenix shouts, and it makes his neck tingle. He looks up, sees her nod inside. “You did good. We had fun. We’re having fun. Relax. Let’s all… relax.” 

He sees everyone, then. Omaha and Fritz chuckling at the bar, tasting a drink back and forth as Fritz adds more insane mixers to it; Payback, Bob, and Fanboy talking around the fire pit, Fanboy’s arms gesturing wildly as the others smile at him; Harvard and Yale splitting their ice creams, half and half and half and half and half; Javy and Halo taking turns throwing darts at a picture of Cyclone. 

Rooster and Phoenix, eyes on him, both smiling, both certain.

Everyone is having fun. 

“Okay,” he finally says. Hands up in surrender. “Movie night, then. I can dig it. What movie?” 

“Cabin in the Woods,” Phoenix says immediately. Rooster recoils. 

“You’re insane.” 

“Just a suggestion.” 

“It’s not even October!” 

“We’ll figure somethin’ out,'' Jake interrupts, lifting his hands. “Let’s corral everyone, get ‘em in.” 

—

The next morning, as the sun just barely peeks over the horizon, Jake wakes up with a headache, some dry mouth, and a fuzzy recollection. 

He doesn’t remember much of the tail end. Remembers agreeing on a movie, remembers popcorn and candy and throwing things at the screen. Remembers laughter and warmth, and then sleep. Hard, hard sleep. 

He blinks. Glances around. No one ended up making it to a bed, he realizes, as he takes account of all around him. Payback, Bob, and Fanboy snooze on a few blankets on the floor, cushioned by couch pillows. Javy snores on the loveseat with Harvard and Yale, legs tangled with theirs and his head so far back it looks painful. Halo, Fritz, and Omaha all curl around and on the recliner, secured in place with sheets and well-placed pillows. 

And he, somehow, snagged the couch, with Rooster and Phoenix beside him. Rooster’s long frame takes up a good chunk of one side, but his arm stays curled around Phoenix on his left , and Jake realizes that their thighs and tangled legs are serving as his pillow and mattress, hand lightly gripping Phoenix’s calf as his legs take the rest of the cushions. 

Her hand is still in Jake’s hair. Rooster’s fingers are on his side. 

He looks to the kitchen. Blinks as he remembers his plan. Full breakfast, cooked to perfection, to impress and awe and service the Dagger squadron. To prove something to them, he supposes. To apologize, to show him what he can do. 

And then Rooster’s hand squeezes his side as he tries to move. Phoenix whispers something in her sleep. 

Everyone else seems comfortable, seems cozy. God forbid Jake disturbs that in a world where good sleep and good friends are hard to come by. 

“Relax,” they had said. “You did good.” 

He thinks he believes it. 

He thinks he can sleep a few hours more. 

Then breakfast.

[eri-cheri]

Now that we have reached the last chapter of the year. It is time to do a 2020 roll call of what I like to call, “State of the Shippers”:

1. IzuOcha. Status: Placated.

-IzuOcha’s could celebrate several cute tidbits throughout the year. Mini moments as they say.

Anime Highlights: The OVA’s came in clutch with moments for shippers all around and IzuOcha is no exception. We got a cute tidbit where Izuku and Ochako bumped into each other and were flustered.

Manga Highlights: Christmas kept on giving to this fandom as the AM doll Izuku gave Ochako made many appearances. A cute fist bump between the two was also exchanged and Mina was right there bouncing with y’all.

Heroes Rising: Izuku super man carried Ochako to safety. And was Angy she was injured. Fans could enjoy the small Lois Lane moment.

Troubling Signs?: Ochako said “I would like to be excluded from this narrative” when it comes to her feelings for Deku. She’s a hero damnit! So if they are in for something, probably won’t be while they are still in school.

II. DabiHawks. Status: Yikes.

- Dabi and Hawk’s very public breakup set this fandom in disarray but also kind of disayay?

Anime Highlights: None yet. This fandom was cruelly cock blocked by Bones. Sorry DabiHawks stans.

Manga Highlights: Where to begin, my goodness. With these fans, I guess the good and the bad is a plus in this homoerotic double agent relationship. We have the notion that Dabi may have known Hawks when they were kids, which may be a positive? Hori sure loves his childhood friends. Other than that. The GIRLS WERE FIGHTIN’. Hawks is now permanently scarred by Dabi and I don’t think it was kinky folks. Tokoyami inserted himself in the middle to White Knight Hawks, Dabi broke up with him via YT expose and overall, shippers could anguish in the absolute MESS that this ship endured this year. But I’m sure that’s part of the appeal. So...yay?

Heroes Rising: They were both in it.

Troubling Signs?: The entire relationship is a troubling sign which again, is part of the appeal. Maybe Hawks will cuddle up with Dabi’s father after the war. That’s troubling! Speaking of...

III. EndHawks. Status: Yearning and Burning.

-If there’s one thing Endeavor couldn’t stop worrying about, it was his hot (in more ways than one) new side piece who probably should have looked at the fine print when signing a contract to be a recurring guest star on “Keeping up with the Todoroki’s”.

Anime Highlights: A fateful meeting finally in high definition for all our eyes to see! Hawks’s unwavering support of his biggest hero was endearing to watch and their shenanigans together spurred the anime onlies to finally jump on the biggest May-December ship in the series.

Manga Highlights: Endeavor’s admiration and concern for Hawks seeped through the pages as we entered our most exciting arc in the manga yet. Fate split these two up yet entwined their downfall together. And that Fate’s name was Dabi...or should I say ⚫️⚫️⚫️⚫️⚫️ or should I just say Touya!

Heroes Rising: “Don’t bite my head off, Endeavor.” Geez, can you flirt a little less loud Hawks?

Troubling Signs?: They say never meet your heroes and Hawks is in for a rude awakening. We shall see just how deep his admiration runs or if Endeavor’s past will split our dynamic duo up for good.

IV: TodoDeku. Status: “Precious”

-Shoto’s “Midoriya is in Danger” radar was highlighted in both manga and anime. 4th User’s quirk, who?

Anime Highlights: “Midoriya hasn’t returned yet.” “Where’s Midoriya?” “Midoriya! Grab my hand!” “Have some of my Soba Midoriya.” Shoto gets it. His emotional support friend is a danger magnet. TodoDeku’s also enjoyed tiny tidbits in the OVA such as a hand grabbing scene. Gotta hold tight to those crumbs.

Manga Highlights: Two Words. “Precious Friend.” Deku comes in w/o arms or legs fighting for Shoto and Shoto’s honor. These two spent the entire year worried sick about each other, and going against all odds to save each other. Precious Friends indeed. TDDK fans ate.

Heroes Rising: Shoto kicks some dog ass and then faints thinking of Deku (and Bakugo but shh. Let the shippers rejoice.) On the bright side, we have a 3rd movie coming featuring “The Three Musketeers” so shippers of TdDk can HOLD TIGHT to what’s to come.

Troubling Signs?: Shoto still doesn’t know about OFA and he’s gonna have LOTS of questions after this arc. Will Deku finally tell him? If not, it could make or break the ship.

V. TodoBaku. Status: “Shining through the city with a little funk and soul.”

-Who knew the greatest comedy duo we needed was Shoto and his hot headed “friend” or not friend? It still remains unclear to Shoto. Regardless, these two had a fun year.

Anime Highlights: “I wanna see your cute face”, disco dancing, and more fun in the provisional license training. Plus the OVA added some cute moments between the two such as Bakugo staying behind to save Todoroki during a dangerous excercise and his adorable plan neatly animated for us. I’d say TodoBaku’s really were resurgent and energized this year!

Manga Highlights: Shoto, that is not how you properly Catch a Kacchan, I’m sorry. But at least you did it you mad lad. As with Deku, Shoto spent the year worried sick about Bakugo. While the anime let us have our fun, these two were suffering in the manga.

Heroes Rising: Again, Shoto put a dog down and then fainted with Bakugo on his mind (and Deku but we ignore that. Shush.) TodoBaku’s have the 3rd movie to look forward to which is bound to have some amazing content!

Troubling Signs?: They have a lot of trauma to deal with. And a lot of Deku to worry about. I also imagine Shoto will be hurt about being left out of the OFA secret. We shall see what 2021 has to offer.

VI. KiriMina. Status: Unbreakable.

-Changing your hairstyle to match the gal who inspired you in middle school? Sorry y’all but if Mina were a guy, I’d say that’s gay af.

Anime Highlights: We got that backstory Bois. Red Riot’s origin might as well make him be called Pink Riot. Again with Hori and the childhood friends though I wouldn’t exactly call them friends. They just went to the same middle school but Kirishima was highly influenced by Mina’s Chivalrous spirit! A ship is born!

Manga Highlights: The influence is mutual! Mina creates a move based on Kirishima’s unbreakable and we all let out a collective “awwww”. Also in the war arc, we got Kirishima making sure Mina’s chivalrous spirit shines through right into Gigantomachia’s mouth! KiriMina may just be the unsung MVP’s of this arc.

Heroes Rising: They were in it.

Troubling Signs?: I can’t think of a single one. KiriMina’s can enjoy a peaceful sailing.

VII: KiriBaku. Status: Crumb Collectors.

-2020 was an uneventful year for KiriBaku but Bones made sure there were crumbs aplenty! Thank God for OVA’s!

Anime Highlights: KiriBaku’s did thrive in one episode! Kirishima reflects on the sludge incident and evolves his quirk based on inspiring words from Bakugo! Hooray! KiriBaku’s can thrive in their blossoming friendship. The OVA also has Kirishima (and Kaminari but shh) once again following Bakugo’s lead when it comes to the training excercise. How can you not? He’s so manly!

Manga Highlights: Not gonna lie. There is nothing much here this year. I did find a teeny tiny flake in Aizawa’s flashback. Kirishima and Bakugo are sitting next to each other. Oh! And at the hot pot gathering, Bakugo sits next to Kirishima! Eat your crumbs KiriBaku’s! There’s always next year!

Heroes Rising: Kirishima hangs with a lazy Bakugo and delivers the most hilarious line in the whole movie. “Silly Bakugo, there won’t be villains here!” Hahah... Silly Bakugo. Oh you~ KiriBaku’s can inhale the fact that those two sure love to hover around each other!

Troubling Signs?: With great crumbs come little responsiblity. No trouble if there’s no content! 🤔

VIII: KamiJirou. Status: Singing their hearts out 🎶

-If there’s any ship that’s coming close to canonization, I think this is it, folks! “Think of the person most important to you!” Can’t argue with Midnight!

Anime Highlights: Kaminari does non stop encouraging of Jirou and her hobbies! He works super hard to learn guitar for her sake! We love a king who can encourage his queen!

Manga Highlights: Kaminari thinks of the most important person to him and surprise! It’s Jirou! All of the feels can commence.

Heroes Rising: They were in it!

Troubling Signs?: Kaminari does love his women. And men. Kaminari overall is a huge flirt. But Jirou appears to have his heart strings. ❤️

IX: BakuDeku. Status: Rising. 👑

-Alternative Statuses include Winning, Thriving, Soaring. It’s just been non stop content this year. 2020 is truly the year for BakuDeku. The shippers can rejoice.

Anime Highlights: Three words. Be. My. Cane. The OVA’s helped fan the flames of the BkDk hearts with a surprise! Deku tops! Not only that, we got a lovely shoulder tap of encouragement in the canon material. While in season 4, Deku’s primary focus was Eri. Bakugo and Deku still had their moments to be hella gay.

Manga Highlights: Where do I even begin? I guess we’ll just cut to the chase with Bakugo Katsuki: Rising. We finally saw Bakugo’s true feelings manifest for Deku and if getting stabbed for him isn’t the ultimate showing of love, then idk what is. BakuDeku’s rounded out the year with the Volume 29 cover AND the volume 29 cover drafts to eat at our heart strings. Overall, their relationship got the spotlight in the manga this year. And we’re bound to start 2021 with a dramatic confrontation. Hand holding seems to be the key with these two and it didn’t stop with Heroes Rising...speaking of.

Heroes Rising: The entire movie. Like....yeah. That’s it. [OP, your bias is showing. You have to be SPECIFIC.] {But random criticizer in my head, if I lay out the entire plot of the movie, my post will be too long} [OP....] UGHHHH Okay okay. The POPSICLE MELTING. THE HAND HOLDING. THE CHARACTER DESIGNS OF WHAT MIGHT AS WELL BE THEIR LOVE CHILDREN. Did I mention? “It’s fine if it’s you?” CAUSE YEAH. Oh and All Might randomly officiating their wedding in their heads like idk. Isn’t it just simpler if I say the whole movie??!

Troubling Signs?: Well these two’s relationship is extremely delicate and while it has non stop soared this year, Deku might not take too kindly to Bakugo almost dying for him. Will they stop pushing each other away? Time will tell.

That’s all for this year folks! Happy Shipping and good luck to everyone next year!

[angryinternetduck]

Bet On It

HELLO i’m back again with not only another fic but another friends to lovers!!! here’s 5.9k on hotel mishaps, long-term bets, and falling in love. featuring harry styles x reader with just a few warnings of explicit language and alcohol consumption.

enjoy!!!

masterlist | ask

***

Five Years Ago

If you hadn’t met him an hour before in the bar of the hotel, you would’ve said no. Share a hotel room with a stranger just because the hotel fucked up and double booked a room? No. Absolutely not.

Except -

His name was Harry. He was very cute. And sweet. He complimented your shoes in the bar, dimpling at you all cutely before holding out his hand and introducing himself. He let you prattle on for way too long, laughing at all your jokes and nodding gravely when you started getting serious.

And surprisingly, when you said you had to go, he didn’t ask you out or try to kiss you. He just told you it was nice to meet you with a smile. Problem was that that wasn’t the last you saw of him; when you went up to the desk to get your key card, the receptionist informed you of the mistake.

“We’ve double booked it. You’ll have to work it out amongst yourselves,” they said. “We can suggest other places to stay, or you can sleep in the lobby. Or - of course, you can always share. He’s over there. Guy in the pink shirt.”

You looked over, and lo and behold…

“Harry.”

“We meet again.”

“Was this your doing?” you joked. “All that to get me in a room with you?”

Harry grinned. “I wish I were that smart.”

“So just coincidence?”

“Or perhaps fate,” Harry replied with a shrug.

“Did you know?” you asked. “When you, uh - introduced yourself?”

He shook his head and said, “Not that it was you.”

“Well, now that you do, what do you say? Share the room?”

Harry tilted his head from side to side, pondering. “Let’s prove it was fate,” he decided, meeting your gaze with a grin. Your brows furrowed, and he clarified. “Rock, paper, scissors. I win, we’ll share. You win, I’ll find somewhere else to stay.” He held out his fist.

“Won’t make me find somewhere else?” you asked, smiling a bit. “Would rather share?”

He shrugged.

“Alright, then.”

Both of you counted silently, in your heads -

Rock, paper, scissors…

Harry grinned, and you made a fist from your scissors to bump his rock.

“Fate it is,” you said.

Fate proved to be in your favor; that night, you had the most fun you’d ever had in your life. To your surprise, however, the fun didn’t involve sex. Just talking. You sat on the bed drinking booze from the minifridge and talking until dawn with this Harry Styles.

It came up at one point, sex - or at least kissing did - but neither ever happened.

It was around three, when the exhaustion had set in, when you were lying down, gazing into each other’s eyes, half asleep. “Why haven’t you kissed me yet?” he’d whispered, and you grinned at him. “I should be asking you that, don’t you think?”

He looked confused. “Why’s that?”

“You’re the one in love with me,” you told him.

He giggled, rubbing his eyes. “And what makes you say that?”

“You wanted to share!” you exclaimed, like it was obvious, because it was.

“Sharing is caring.”

You bounced your brows. “Caring. Loving.”

Harry laughed and insisted, “Not the same!”

“I’d bet a million bucks you’re in love with me,” you murmured, tapping his nose.

“Then a million bucks you’d lose.”

“You will be,” you said, nodding slightly.

“Yeah?” Harry asked, a smile growing on his lips.

“Yeah.”

“Do you have a million bucks to give me on my deathbed when I still only care?” he said.

“Do you have a million bucks to give me when you confess?” you said back.

He stared at you for a second. His eyes were very green, his smile very wistful. “A kiss.”

“A kiss?” you echoed.

Harry nodded. “I will bet you one kiss that I will never fall in love with you.”

“You’re gonna want a lot more than one kiss when you inevitably do,” you whispered.

“At least one kiss,” he amended.

“At least one kiss,” you agreed.

“Shake on it?”

You both shifted around in the bed so you could shake hands without sitting up.

“It’s a bet,” Harry said.

And so it was.

***

Present Day

“Give it to me straight, Styles,” you greet Harry, plopping down at your table with a sigh.

He hesitates for a moment, drawing out the suspense, and then breathes, “Care.”

You shake your head disappointedly. “Unbelievable, how bad you are at lying, you -”

Harry interrupts, “What’s really unbelievable is your tardiness -”

Then you do: “Your annoyingness -”

He pouts and fires back, “Your vocabulary -”

“Your lack thereof -”

“That’s not proper English.”

You stick your tongue out at him. “You’re not proper English.”

“I promise you I am,” he replies with a smirk.

“I’ve always thought the accent was fake.”

“If it were, I’d be the greatest impersonator to walk the earth.”

“Impersonator?” you repeat. “And tell me, what is an impersonator but a talented liar?”

He gives you a grin. “I’ll take the compliment of talented, thank you.”

Leveling his gaze, you smile back and take a sip of your drink. “You know, I think that actually was proper English,” you muse. “Lack thereof. Your vocabulary - or lack thereof.” Harry bites his lip, eyes narrowed, staring at you, and you’re tempted to joke that his focus is lust when he replies, “It’s still wrong. I was saying your vocabulary is naive, and by saying I have none, you’re fundamentally saying the same. It’s redundant.”

Clearly satisfied with himself, he sits back, smiles smugly, and takes a sip of his coffee.

“Harry Styles,” you say, “I’m going to smack that smirk right off your pretty face.”

“Second compliment in a day!” Harry exclaims. “Someone alert the press.”

You roll your eyes, taking a sip of your own drink. “Why, they’d have a field day.”

The little cafe you’re in is absolutely adorable. It’s midway between your place and Harry’s, and after that fateful night in the hotel (during which you learned you live so close to each other), you began a tradition of meeting here once a week.

Tradition doesn’t end with just the location and time. Each meeting is almost exactly the same. You’re always late, and you always greet him the same way: some variation of “Have you fallen in love with me yet?”

And his reply is always the same: negative.

From there, the conversation wanders as much as it ever does, with one asking about the other’s week and the response being long and filled with complaints and woes and lamentations. The question is echoed back, and the response is - again - long, filled with complaints, woes, etc.

Despite the moaning and groaning, the mood never falls too low. It’s impossible to feel down around Harry Styles; just one look at those dimples makes a smile of your own appear on your face.

Your friendship with him has certainly blossomed. It’s a wonder he hasn’t fallen in love yet (or maybe he has, you’ll never know unless he says), and a greater wonder still that he hasn’t turned the question around on you.

Because the answer would be yes. You have, in fact, fallen in love with him.

Deeply, madly, in love.

But he’ll never know, because you’ll never say.

***

“I love you,” you tell Harry breathlessly, looking up at him lovingly. “Most ardently.”

Harry shakes his head. “No, no - I’m just a girl! I’m just a girl, standing in front of -”

“I’ll always be there for you!” you cut in excitedly. “All the love in my heart, Llo -”

“Michael, I love you!” Harry gushes. “Choose me, marry me, let me make you happy!”

You jump up and jut a finger at him dramatically. “We live in a cynical world!” you exclaim. “A cynical world, and we work in a business of tough competitors. I love you! You - you complete me!”

Harry jumps up to match you and begins, “I hate that -” then shakes his head and restarts, “I hate the way you’re always right, I hate it when you lie - I hate it when you make me laugh and - and - and even worse when you make me cry - I hate the way - I hate it when” - he’s grinning big now, jumping with excitement and passion - “you’re not around and the fact you didn’t call - but - but mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you, not even a little bit, not even at all!”

It all came out in a rush of jumbled words and you’re so impressed you can’t help but sit back down and clap for him. Bright red, Harry takes a bow and collapses onto his couch next to you. “That took way too much effort,” he says, out of breath.

“It was worth it,” you tell him. “That was dazzling, really. You should go on the road.”

Harry nods. “One man show. Shakespeare. All of his long monologues, then bam - a poem better than all the others combined.” You giggle and fall into him, leaning against his chest with a sigh. “I’ll come with you,” you say. “Follow you to the ends of the earth and hold my breath to Pluto.”

“What’s that from?” Harry asks.

“That’s all me, baby.”

“Maybe the poem better than all the others combined could be yours.”

“Impossible,” you say immediately. “Nothing will ever beat Kat Stratford.”

“I’ll manage.”

You scoff. “You?”

“We.”

You shake your head. “There’s no ‘we’ in genius, Styles, but there is an I.”

“And a U!” Harry replies.

You look up at him.

“Wait.”

Snickering, you sit up and stretch your arms towards the ceiling. “Stick to memorization, maybe. Leave the heavy lifting to me. You need some practice on that speech, anyway - I counted at least three errors, not to mention the stuttering.”

“Practice makes perfect,” Harry sings. “What do you say, can I confess my love to you every night for the sake of practice?” You shake your head, standing up again and grabbing an empty container of food to throw away. “Not without losing the bet.”

Harry follows you, cleaning up as he goes. “Just for the one man show!”

“No exceptions.” You grin at him, grabbing your stuff and heading for the door. “Thanks for the food, Styles. I’ll see you Sunday?” Harry nods and blows you a kiss, which you catch and put in your pocket. “I’ll save that for when you lose the bet,” you tell him.

“Get outta here,” Harry laughs.

You stick your tongue out at him and stick a post it note on the door frame as you leave.

***

Harry usually wakes up to a few texts. Maybe a call every so often. Notifications from social media aren’t uncommon. The only days he wakes up to nearly a hundred texts are the nights you decide to go to the outlook.

Whether or not you like staying up late normally, you stay up until the wee hours of the morning to go to this place you found about three hours outside of the city. It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s completely worth it.

There’s a little woods out there, and a while ago you went a bit off path and found an outcropping of rocks that look out over the city. At night, stars are visible. There’s nothing you love more than lying for hours on the cool stone, gazing up at the heavens above.

The first time you took Harry to the outlook, you asked a question, and Harry’s answer to that question was one of the only lies he’s ever told you. You’d asked, “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?”

And Harry had said, “Of course not!” when in reality, he’d been looking for an opening to mention that very fear for the twenty minutes before, while you’d been climbing steadily uphill through the trees.

In his defense, there was no way he could’ve said anything different. You were just so happy, glowing with excitement and practically buzzing with energy. Plus, you’d grabbed his hand at the moment you asked to pull him up the last ridge and he was still a bit startled.

He never came to regret that lie. He grew out of the fear, anyway, so it wasn’t a huge deal. In fact, he’s almost come to love heights. He loves the thrill, the burst of happiness, the insane phenomenon of a racing heart and the feeling of being totally at peace all at the same time.

Incidentally, he also feels that way around you, whether the two of you are a hundred feet up or not. He’s always enjoyed spending time with you, and even just seeing you makes him happy. It’s what makes you a good friend.

Harry’s gone with you a few times to the outlook, but it’s usually pretty late by the time you want to go. Sometimes you’ll call him and he’ll pick up, and you’ll talk on the phone until one of you falls asleep.

You went last night, apparently, because Harry scrolls through seventy-two text messages this morning. It takes a while, since he reads all of them and then replies, but he woke up early anyway so it’s fine.

It’s Sunday, so he’s headed to the cafe to meet you. He has a cup of coffee even though he’ll get one at the cafe, too. There’s a sticky note on the coffee maker - Note to self: tell Harry there’s a snickers bar in his sweatshirt pocket - which you probably left a few days ago.

Harry smiles at the note, then frowns, sticking his hand in his pocket. There is, in fact, a Snickers bar in there, and Harry throws it out. It’s from almost a month ago, when you and him had an August Halloween. The sun is just a little too bright. Harry listens to music in the car, humming along and tapping his hands against the wheel in time.

You’re late, of course, so he orders his second cup of coffee and reads a newspaper on the shelf while he waits. Today it’s five minutes until you arrive, which is actually more on time than usual, and Harry throws you a large brimmed hat he found in his closet when you approach the table.

“What say you, Harry Styles,” you greet him, catching the hat and placing it on your head. “Make a jester laugh” - you form a heart with your fingers - “or make a jester cry?” Your heart cracks in two as you pout at him.

Breaking a finger-heart of his own, Harry grins. “Laughing clowns were always creepier to me,” he tells you. You trace a finger down your cheek like a tear and sit down across from him, sliding a menu from its place on the wall and beginning to read it over.

You look up at him, half smiling, a joke on your lips, and then -

Harry blinks.

Just like that, something’s changed.

You snap in front of his face. “Hello? Anything? You could at least pretend to laugh.”

“Christ, sorry,” Harry breathes. “What’d you say?”

Raising a brow, you lean forward and inspect him. “You alright, there, Styles?”

“If I were any better and it’d be obscene,” Harry answers easily, tapping your nose.

Grinning, you sit back. “Fantastic. Tell me, then, how it’s been. Fill me in.”

“It’s a lot better seeing you in that hat.”

“Oh, I forgot!” you exclaim, looking up at it.

Harry giggles and asks, “You wanna know what one hat said to the other?”

“Oh, boy.”

“I’ll see you on a-head!”

Groaning dramatically, you throw the hat at him and bury your face in your hands.

***

"This is getting embarrassing, Styles,” you say as you walk up to Harry.

He turns around, a smile already on his face, and begins, “What’s -”

He stops when he sees you, because you’re all dressed up. You look absolutely stunning, which was on purpose, because of course you want to see his reaction, whether he loves you or not. And it’s very satisfactory, this reaction.

“You look fantastic,” Harry says softly.

You clear your throat, a little put off by how serious he’s being. “That was the goal.”

His eyes float back up to meet yours, a small smile on his face. “Thank you for coming.”

“You’re welcome,” you chirp. “But don’t let your head get too big - I only came for the free food and movie.” Finally, the glaze over his eyes fades, and he grins at you. He takes your arm, and as you walk, he asks, “You started a thought, you know, about something embarrass-”

You scoff. “You asked me on a date, Styles!”

“I did not!” Harry insists. He shakes his head. “My date ducked out at the last second -”

Smirking, you cut in, “Wonder why, Mr. Pink Suit.”

“- we were going to match, thank you - but really, she ducked out, and I wasn’t about to waste two perfectly good tickets. Thus… here we are.” He nods, like he’s pleased with his answer, but you raise a brow at him. “That’s a terrible excuse. You can just say you love me. I’ll accept.”

You arrive at his car. “Not yet,” he says, and then he gets in.

He starts the car, and for a moment, you gaze out the window.

Then, breaking the silence, you say, “I like the suit.”

“I like the look.”

“Thanks, I came up with it all by myself.”

“Impressive.”

You wait a moment, and then ask, “What inspired the pink?”

“She said she wanted a pink rose.”

Frowning, you begin, “I thought you said pink roses are -”

“Yeah, they’re not my favorite,” he mumbles.

You snicker a little. “Oh, what a bad date in high school can get you…”

“Hey, don’t tease,” Harry whines with a pout.

“Sorry, sorry,” you murmur. “You’re nice to dress up anyway. No rose, though?”

Sheepishly, he tells you, “I… forgot.”

“You forgot?” you laugh.

“Yeah…”

“Well, um… well, it’s the thought that counts.”

Harry pulls into the parking lot and parks the car, then unlocks the doors. “Come on,” he says, but you frown at him, confused. “You know you pulled in the wrong way?” you ask, but he just beckons with his hand and opens the trunk.

You hadn’t even looked - there’s pillows back there, and candy, and blankets, and he flicks on little fairy lights. “Harry Styles, you romantic!” you gasp, enthralled. “Wow, I gotta meet this girl, if you’re doing all this for her…”

He sits down and pats the space next to him, then grabs a pack of candy - your favorite. He hands it to you, which you take with a slow smile. “Her favorite too?” you ask. “Nope,” Harry replies, shaking his head as he opens his own pack of candy. “Forgot to ask her, but when I called her in the store she wouldn’t pick up so I just… got yours.” He clears his throat and hands you a bag of popcorn. “There’s this, too.”

“Thanks, Styles.”

On the huge screen in front of you, the movie begins to roll. You take a risk, sliding a little on the seat so you’re leaning against Harry, head against his chest. You can feel him breathing, his heart beating, his arm around your waist, thumb gently moving back and forth over the fabric of your clothes.

You fall asleep for most of the movie.

When you wake up, you’re leaned against a pillow, not Harry. Frowning and out of sorts, you sit up and rub your eyes. He’s leaned against the car outside, on the phone, and you can just barely make out what he’s saying.

“... I know, it’s… Yeah, I - I’m sorry you couldn’t make it, love. I missed you…”

The familiar feeling of tears building behind your eyes horrifies you, and you have to turn your back to him as tears start slipping down your cheeks. You’d somehow managed to convince yourself that it was all a ruse, that he’d meant it to be you from the start, that there was no other girl, that all along it was -

“Hey,” Harry says.

You cough, palming away the tears on your face and yawning like you’d just woken up. “Oh, hey… How’s, um - how’s she doing? Or - whoever - I mean -” You squeeze your eyes shut, shaking your head. “Sorry,” you whisper.

“She’s fine,” Harry tells you. “How are you? Took a pretty long nap there…”

“Yeah,” you murmur. “I was… I’m tired.”

“C’mon, then, let’s get you home.” He smiles at you, dimpling adorably, and holds out his hand. You take it and slide off the back of his car. “Thanks,” you say. He nods and shuts the trunk while you get into the passenger seat.

You don’t say anything as he starts the car, as he backs out and heads for your place. He glances over at you, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel, and eventually turns on the radio. You fold up a sticky note and covertly slide it into the center console.

“I’ll see you Sunday,” you tell him when he stops the car.

He nods. “See you then.”

You hold his gaze for a second, and then get out of the car. As you’re shutting the door, Harry says, “Hey!” and you stop. “Hey, er - thank you. For coming tonight. I know it was a little… It was a bit much.”

“Not too much at all,” you say softly. “Bye, Harry.”

You shut the door.

***

The sticky note business began about a year after Harry met you. He’d mentioned something about refrigerator magnets being the most charming form of communication ever invented, and the next day he found a sticky note on his mirror that said, Note to self: find a more charming form of communication than refrigerator magnets.

Harry doesn’t find the sticky note in his console until the next night, when he’s driving home after working late and he’s trying to find his phone. It’s ringing, and it’s your ringtone, which is really, really annoying because you set it to the worst song you could think of so he’d be motivated to pick it up fast.

It’s not in the center console. It’s actually in his pocket. He picks it up.

“Harry, you gotta tell me now,” you say immediately. “Do you love me?”

“I -”

“Love or care, Styles.” You sound breathless. “L or C. Lover or Cunt. Tell me now.”

“Cunt,” Harry says reflexively, and then shakes his head. “I mean -”

“You don’t love me.” You don’t sound upset at all. You’re just clarifying.

Harry frowns. “I… What’s going on?”

“Well, I think I love this guy, Styles, and I’m about to fuck him, so I’ll talk to you later.”

And then you hang up.

Harry stares at his phone for a moment. Then he puts it down, frowning at the street in front of him, and thinks for a while until he gets home. When he does, he’s shutting the center console, which he’d left open, and he sees the little post it note.

Note to self: buy a pink rose for h to make him like them bc they’re pretty

Sitting in his car, staring at the note, Harry can’t help but think he’s messed it all up.

***

Sunday. You don’t show up.

***

Another Sunday. Harry orders a coffee and reads the newspaper.

You don’t show up.

***

You answer a text.

He asks if you’re okay, and you say, Yup!

***

You send a text.

Hey, Styles? Can you bring me a flower?

***

He should’ve gone to your place first, Harry’s thinking. He should’ve checked there, and then gone here. But it’s too late now. He’s stepping out of his car, trekking through the forest, and he’s finally here, and -

You’re on your back, staring at the stars.

“You know, I really thought he was the one.”

Harry bites on his lip and fiddles with the flower in his hands. “Did you?”

There’s a beat of silence. Then you sigh and sit up. “No.”

“He didn’t - you’re not… You’re okay, right?”

“Nothing’s broken but my heart,” you murmur. “Physically, I’m fine, emotionally, I’m…”

You fade off, and Harry sits next to you and hands you the flower.

“Yellow,” you whisper. You look up at him, eyes wide in the moonlight. “Why yellow?”

“Color of your shirt the first time I met you.”

Smiling, you murmur, “Memory of an elephant.”

“I couldn’t remember her favorite candy,” Harry says impulsively. He shuts his eyes, exhaling softly. “Sorry. Wrong thing to say.” You shake your head, looking forward again. “It’s fine. How’s she doing?”

“Wouldn’t know.”

Surprised, you glance at him again. “You mean you -?”

Harry shrugs. “She said my priorities weren’t right. Then she said goodbye.”

“We’re just a coupla broken hearted fools, aren’t we?” you say quietly.

“Broken hearted, yes,” Harry replies, “but I’m not a fool. Don’t know about you.”

You scoff, hitting his chest with the back of your hand. “We’re having a moment here!”

“Sorry, sorry,” Harry says, but he’s laughing so the apology is moot.

There’s a beat of silence, and then you say, “I would’ve known about her if I hadn’t missed all our Sundays. I’m sorry.” Harry shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it. Did you have fun, at least? With Mr. Heartbreak?”

You giggle. “So much fun.”

“Well… that’s good, at least.”

He looks at you, really looks, and for a moment, he forgets himself.

You’re looking up at the stars, your head tilted up, your lips curved upwards in a smile.

Harry’s expression matches yours. It’s one of quiet awe, of happiness and joy and adoration. He’s smiling, too, but it’s not as conscious. It’s more reflexive, something he can’t help but do whenever he catches sight of this view. He’s not looking at the stars, though - his gaze is focused on you.

“Come on!” you exclaim suddenly, jumping up. “This is the perfect excuse to watch The Notebook again.” Harry blinks, standing up and following you back to his car. “You took the words right out of my mouth,” he says.

***

Ideally, on the anniversary of your meeting Harry, you’d both rent a hotel room and get drunk on the minibar, talking nonsense until morning, to properly reenact that first night together. Problem with that is that hotel rooms cost money.

So instead, you have a sleepover. Last year it was at your place, so this year it’s at his. The good thing about not being in a hotel is that you can buy normal size bottles of booze, rather than the teeny ones from the minibar.

He’s grabbing everything from the kitchen while you’re queueing up the movie on the TV in his room. It’s not cooperating, though, and you’re rooting through all the wires in the back to try and find something that’s supposed to be connected.

“Harry, if you don’t get in here this second!” you shout at him.

“Did you get the other remote?” he shouts back.

You groan and whine, “Just come in here!”

“I haven’t gotten everything yet! Look for the second remote. It’s in one of the drawers.”

“Which drawers?” you yell.

He doesn’t reply.

So you ruffle through the drawers closest to the TV. Books, papers, chargers. No remotes. You go further and find his record collection. A few photo albums. You stick a sticky note on the top one that says, Note to self: go through these. There’s more books. A few DVDs.

And then - a folder. It has a yellow flower on it.

Frowning, you glance at the door behind you and then flip it open. What must be a hundred post it notes fall out. Your jaw drops, just slightly, because they’re all from you. Every sticky note you’ve ever left him is in this folder. He kept them all.

“Did you find it?” Harry shouts.

You ask, “Find what?” but your voice is too soft and he doesn’t hear you.

He shouts your name again, and you quickly shove the folder back where you got it. You clear your throat, then yell, “Harry, I can’t find it!” Finally, he comes in, arms full of food and drink, and tugs open the top drawer on his bedside table with his foot.

And there it is.

“Have I got to do everything around here or what?” he jokes.

You give him a laugh and set up the TV, which works just fine now that you have the right tools. Harry sets everything down and puts his hands on his hips, raising a brow at you. “You alright?” he asks.

“Yeah, fine,” you tell him. “Just grew a few white hairs waiting for you to come back.”

He sticks his tongue out and tosses a bag of chips at you. “Ha, ha, very funny.”

Finally, the movie’s set up, and you lean against his bed, sighing in contentment as the opening credits start to play. Harry hands you a glass and holds his own out, which you knock against your own. “Cheers, Styles,” you say. “To five years.”

“And counting.”

Grinning, you drink up and then settle back to watch the film.

***

His voice is thick.

Like honey.

It drips off his tongue, catches on his lips, slides down the column of his throat and glistens in the dim light. It’s rich. Deep. It turns to crystal in the cool air around you as his words fade off. You want to reach out and feel it on your fingers, want to taste it on your tongue, want to feel it slide over your lips, down your throat…

“... and then, suddenly, I was flying out the window with the worst pain I’ve ever -”

“Harry,” you interrupt with a giggle, “this is the third time you’ve told this story tonight.”

“It’s a good story!”

“Lemme see,” you say, crawling forward, and you’re on his lap now but you can’t really bring yourself to care because this is for scientific purposes. Harry grins and puts his hands on your waist and you giggle again and put your fingers on his jaw. “Lemme see your tongue.”

“Wanna see it or touch it?”

You smirk and reply, “How ‘bout lick it?”

“That’s gross!” Harry exclaims with a delighted laugh.

“I know!” you exclaim back, equally delighted.

“It’s broken,” Harry says, but he’s opening his mouth so it comes out all warbled. “I’m broken, you know -” You peer at his tongue, but it doesn’t look very broken. “No, you’re not,” you tell him.

“On the inside,” Harry says, pouting at you.

You laugh and wrap your arms around his neck, nestling your head on his shoulder in a hug. “You’re warm,” you say, “that’s what you are.” Harry nods against you, running his hands up and down your back. “You fix me,” he slurs into your neck.

“That’s so romantic!” you giggle.

You sit there for a second, breathing him in, feeling happy, and then suddenly -

“I’m roasting,” Harry says, and it’s morning.

“I’m so hot,” you groan, “and my head hurts so bad…”

Harry grunts and pushes against you. “Get off me.”

You open your eyes, squinting in the sunlight, and fall off of him and onto the floor.

He stands up, moaning and groaning, and walks out. You may have fallen asleep again because when he comes back in and hands you a glass of water and some medicine you’re blinking back awake. “Thanks,” you mumble, downing both.

“That was something,” Harry says.

“Something for sure,” you say.

“I can’t move,” Harry says.

“Me neither.”

So you don’t. The day drags on, and when you’re both coherent enough for food you go to the kitchen. Harry cooks something up, and you eat it, sitting next to him at the kitchen island. You feel his foot against yours, and you play a half-delirious game of footsie as you finish eating.

Once you’re all done, Harry stands up and starts to wash the dishes. You watch him, watch his back and his arms and the way he moves, and stand up and stand next to him, grabbing a dish towel and holding out your hand. He hands you the plate, and you dry it.

It’s comfortable, the silence, and it’s more than peaceful, standing there drying dishes with Harry in the early afternoon. There aren’t many dishes, but you both take your time, and eventually he breaks the silence and the productivity to put on some music.

And then, suddenly, you’re dancing, a smile on your face that you can’t seem to get rid of curving your lips as you float around the kitchen with him. He’s bopping along to the song, hand in yours, dish towel over his shoulder after he stole it from you.

The dancing carries you to the living room, where he twirls you out so you can collapse onto the couch. He does the same, and you put your feet on his lap, head on the armrest, looking at him.

“You’re staring,” he says.

“You’re in front of me.”

“Excuses, excuses.”

You raise a brow, smiling and still holding his gaze, and then sit up. “Staring contest, go.”

Instantly, he blinks, and you laugh, “Fuck’s sake.”

“No, no, again,” he demands, grinning, and he blinks quickly a few times before declaring, “Go.” The staring begins. Your eyes begin to sting, and you bite your lip, trying to keep your eyes open.

“We should watch Bird Box,” Harry whispers.

“Saw it last week.”

“I saw it,” he corrects. “You hid behind your hands the entire time.”

“You were the one screaming like a baby.”

“I prefer rom-coms, you know that.”

“Sometimes you need a little variety in life.”

“I lost the bet.”

You blink.

“Victory,” Harry says, a bit weakly, blinking too.

Your brows furrow. “What?”

“Victory,” Harry repeats, smiling sheepishly.

“No, no, before that,” you insist, shaking your head.

“I lost the bet,” Harry repeats softly.

You swallow thickly. “What bet?”

Harry bites his lip, concentrating, and then stands up and walks away. You scoff, following him, and ask again. “What bet?” He shakes his head, quiet, and opens his refrigerator, looking for something.

“Harry, for the love of -”

He holds out a kiss. A chocolate kiss.

Your eyes widen.

He steps closer, holding the kiss out on his palm. “I lost the bet,” he says. “I fell in love with you.” Your breath catches in your throat. “I don’t know if you feel the same,” he goes on, “so I… I don’t want to kiss you. I mean - I do, but -”

He holds the kiss closer to you. “I lost,” he finishes quietly.

You can’t find the right words.

So instead, you close the distance and kiss him.

The chocolate kiss falls to the floor, and fireworks erupt behind your eyelids.

After a moment, the words come.

And then, when you pull away for a moment, you both speak at the same time -

“I love you.”

Laughter bubbles from your lips, and Harry grins, kissing you again.

“So I guess I didn’t lose after all,” he murmurs.

You smile against his lips. “Let’s call it a tie.”

***

AHHHH there it is!!!! i actually did write this in like . two days . which was ! great haha but i hope u liked it!!!! if u did, feedback and a reblog would be much appreciated 💜

thanks for reading!

masterlist | ask

[jack-kellys]

Going for a double whammy because I'm feeling quirky

Crutchie for ■ ☆

and Kath for ★ ∇

you’re so right for this

send me a vibe and i’ll give you a headcanon!

crutchie my boy

◽️: idk why but……. mans has so many shelves in his room. they are not clean and orderly shelves they simply exist so things won’t be on the ground LMAO like this guy has so many little “organizing gadgets” that are THE MOST disorganized shit in the world…♥️

☆: he squeezes his hands when he stims so he’ll make excited little fists or ofc grab someone’s hand. fists bumps are so personal wait omg bc then the other person is excited too and it’s represented via a little fist…. yeah. happy charlie hand stims.

kath‼️

★: sad kath headcanon? i like to think she’s disregarded any family ties, but that’s also sad because like… she does not talk to her family. at all. and the pulitzers were jewish im 70% sure in canon (but also fuck canon they r JEWISH bc i said so) so this impacts her faith as well, being further from traditions she did growing up. this is remedied by her friendship with the Jacobs family eventually when she lets herself embrace it again, but it leaves her… lost, for a while.

∇: she opens a school. she opens a GODDAMN school. for sure. a million percent sure. and it’s funny because i don’t think she’d teach but education had been so important in her life and she wanted to give that to others. yeah

[krispytidalwavesheep]

a Natasha x fem!reader where Nat has been distant and reader thinks shes cheating, but in actuality she lost the engagement ring she got for reader (maybe because of another team member 👀) and is trying not to let her find out

My lovely anon, thanks for the prompt! I added a lot of backstory, I hope you still like it!

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You and Natasha have been together for the better part of three years and you always thought you two were happy. When you joined the team 4 years back, and you got along like a house on fire, since your pasts were quite similar. Natasha was a victim of the red room and you were a victim of Hydra. They ripped you away from your family when you were still a child and trained you to become one of the best assassins they ever had. They took everything from you, broke you into pieces, and put you together just the way they needed you. But you were very stubborn, waiting for a chance to escape their clutches.

And 6 years ago, your chance came. Some Shield Agents were infiltrating one of your bases and as luck would have it, you were right in the middle of it, taking Hydra Agents out left and right. That's where you met Clint, after the worst of the fighting was over he held you at gunpoint, demanding answers. You couldn't help yourself, all your pent up emotions broke free and you broke down crying, telling him everything. Maybe it was the relief that came with the realization that it was finally over and that you were finally free. Or so you thought.

Even though Clint pitied you and stood up for you, they still took you in for questioning. But you weren't bothered all that much by that, since you understood where they were coming from. You have been with Hydra for almost twenty years, of course, they wouldn't trust you, just because you broke down in front of one of their best agents. Still, you were afraid. What would they do to you? Would they torture you for information and kill you, cast you away once you outlived your usefulness?

They put you in chains and you went willingly. Agent Hill got the job of questioning you and you gave them everything you've got. Locations, double agents, everything you thought would keep you alive for just a little while longer. Your cell wasn't all that bad, and sometimes Clint would come over to check up on you, asking about what they did to you. That was the hard part. You knew they sent him to test if you would be trustworthy, or if you would betray them, just like you betrayed Hydra.

It wasn't easy to tell them everything. You were scared that Hydra would get back to you and it would all be over. They would torture you, kill you in the worst possible way. Hydra didn't like loose ends.

“I know someone who is quite like you... Less open though. We couldn't get any information out of her for months. But then again, her circumstances were a bit different than yours” Clint told you one day, and you got curious.

“Her name is Natasha, but don't tell anyone that I told you that. Especially her, if you're ever gonna meet her” he said and scratched his neck.

“So I am still not trustworthy?” You asked bitterly, getting tired of all the questioning. It has been months and you already gave them all you got, including your sad backstory.

“Don't give up just yet y/n... I think you won't be a prisoner for that much longer” Clint smirked and winked. And he was right. Two weeks later you were set free, under one condition: You had to join shield as a special agent. Of course, you agreed, since it would keep you safe from Hydra too. But they wanted to test you and test you they did. That was when you first met Natasha and the second you saw her, you knew you were done for. You seduced many men and women when you were with Hydra, and a lot of those people were stunning. But you never met someone so beautiful.

“So you are the Hydra-Girl?” she asked matter of factly when she entered your cell. You didn't know what to say to that, still mesmerized by her. Later you would say that it was love at first sight, just to mess with her.

“Uhm... yeah? Unless you took other stray Hydra-Girls in, that is” you stuttered. She smiled at that and said, “They want me to test your combat abilities.”

You already thought that that was the reason why they sent her and you followed her eagerly, happy to be out of your cell for once. She took you to the basement of the building, where they had the biggest training room you have ever seen. Clint was there too.

“Look what the cat dragged in!” he smiled and to your utter surprise, fist-bumped you. You hadn't much time to talk though, since Natasha motioned for you to get into position.

“Don't hold back. I won't either” she said and crouched. You smiled and got into position too. It was a surprisingly long fight since you hadn't had much time to work out in your cell and with all that questioning. But what after felt like hours you had Natasha pinned down to the ground.

“Wow... I don't think anyone ever managed that!” Clint whooped from the sidelines and you grinned, helping Natasha up.

“Nice work Rookie. My name is Natasha Romanoff and Clint and I will keep an eye on you from now on. I'll bring you back to your room, where you can get settled. After that, we will show you around the facility.”

And that's where your life finally truly began. Most people were still cautious with you, but Natasha, Clint and you developed a fast friendship. You soon became the resident Hacker for Shield, since they didn't want to risk losing you to Hydra on field missions. You were the gal in the chair and you were content. And soon enough, Fury trusted you enough to make you a part of the Avengers. Right about the same time you confessed to Natasha that you fell in love with her and to your utter surprise, she felt the same way. You two were happy, sure, not everything was sunshine and rainbows, mostly because the two of you suffered such huge traumas. But at the end of the day, everything was worth it and you finally felt like you belong.

That is why you were upset right now. Natasha was acting weird, distancing herself from you. Most nights she even slept in her room, which only happened if you had a huge fight and never for more than one night. You were barely talking anymore, not for a lack of trying on your part though. She just slipped away more and more and you wondered where you went wrong. You tried talking to her on more than one occasion, but she would always have another excuse as to why she couldn't talk right now.

The worst was yet to come, though. You finally managed to corner her and you were pretty sure she couldn't slip away that easily now, but of course, she didn't. She just mumbled some excuse of going on an overnight mission with Clint, but that she would talk to you when she got back. Funny enough, when you wandered to the compound kitchen later that night, Clint sat beside Peter, happily talking about some archery tricks.

“Oh, I thought you were on an overnight mission with Natasha?” you frowned as you entered the kitchen and Clint looked... guilty? What was going on? And then it hit you. Natasha was cheating on you, she must have found someone else and that was the reason she was behaving so weirdly.

“List y/n I can explain-” Clint tried but you just growled at him and went back to your room. You couldn't believe it. You thought you and Natasha were happy, that you loved each other and were faithful. But somewhere along the way, she must have tired of you and someone else took your place. Anger overwhelmed you at that thought. How could she do that to you? And why didn't she tell you that she wasn't loving you anymore?

There was a small knock at your door, but you just shouted for them to go away. It was probably Clint with some shit-ass excuse and you didn't want to hear it. It was the ultimate betrayal. He knew that something was going on, but just like Nat, he choose to not tell you. Some friend he was... Tears were streaming down your face again and you collapsed onto your and Nat's shared bed. What did you do that everything went downhill? Were you just not enough anymore?

Self Doubt and guilt wracked you until the early morning sun shone into your room. You felt disgusting but you didn't care for one bit. There was another knock on your door different this time.

“Whoever it is, go away or I will break your fucking legs!” you shouted, but the door opened anyway. Natasha stood in the doorway, looking like a guilty puppy and soaking wet.

“Oh no, get your ass outta here. No wait, explain yourself first! Why would you do that to me? Why not just tell me that you don't love me anymore!” you sobbed and tried to get up, but your legs got tangled in the bedsheets.

“Y/n let me explain, please!” Natasha begged desperately and walked into the room.

“Explain what? That you are fucking cheating on me? I got that all by myself since Clint wasn't a part of your suspicious overnight mission!” you growled and gave up on getting on your feet.

“It's not like that! Please, just give me five minutes to explain myself, okay?”

You hated yourself for nodding, but you wanted answers more than anything.

“I'm not cheating on you babe, I love you too much to hurt you like this. This is all Clint's fault.” You scoffed at that. “Shit, I know this sounds horrible. Okay, listen, I was acting so weird because I was nervous. No, not nervous, terrified. Baby, I love you more than anything in this universe, never doubt that. I... I wanted to ask you something. But I didn't know how, because I've never done anything like that before. I had this big plan, that's why I was so distant because I was preparing. But then Clint had to go and lose the fucking ring I got for you-”

“Hang on. What ring? What the hell are you talking about?” you asked, slight panic and confusion evident in your voice. It couldn't be, could it?

“Okay, then we are doing it this way... I want to ask you to marry me, y/n. But when I showed Clint the ring he just had to stumble and drown it in the river. That's why I told you I had an overnight mission, I wanted to go and find the ring.”

“Are you stupid?” you choked and Nat looked at you, jaw-dropping. “Excuse me?” she asked but you started giggling. Nat was such a fucking idiot.

“Are you telling me, that you went out of your way, to search for the lost ring, in the middle of the night, where it is dark as fucking hell out there?” you started cry laughing now. You were so relieved.

“Oh just great, you are laughing your ass off, while I stand here, soaking wet, mind you, opening my heart up to you,” Nat pouted but you finally managed to break free from the bedsheets. You collapsed into her arms, sniffling and hugging her tight, rubbing her arms.

“You are the biggest idiot on this planet love. But you are my idiot. I love you more than anything too, and since you lost your ring, maybe we could use the one that I bought for you,” you whispered and kissed Nat's nose...

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I am still taking prompts, so hit me up if you have something for me!

[purrincess-chat]

Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s Spite Playlist: Remix CH22

And we’re back! Chapters will resume posting on Fridays both here on tumblr and on AO3 (linked below). I hope you’re ready for the second half of this story. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that are different from last time, so I hope you all enjoy it!

Previous     First     Next      AO3

Chapter 22: Mean

Marinette chewed her lip, picking at the hem of her shirt. She’d been too nervous to sleep, and the coffee she drank on the way to the hotel made her jittery. Clara and her manager flipped through her designs, the silence eating away at Marinette’s composure. Did Clara like them? Hate them? Had Marinette let her down? Why wasn’t she saying anything?

Clara glanced up at Marinette, a smile curling on her lips. She stood up with an amused giggle and took Marinette’s hands. “Oh, Marinette, you can chill. These designs really fit the bill. Choosing you was in good taste. Eloise, send these to my tailor, posthaste.” Clara winked, and Marinette breathed a sigh of relief. “Truly, great work, Marinette. I love them.”

“I’m glad. Thank you so much for this opportunity.” Marinette bowed.

“Although your formality is rather cutesy, there’s no need since you and I are friends, you see.” She spun Marinette around and pulled her in for a hug. “I felt a connection with you right away. If you ever need anything, you just have to say.”

Marinette’s chest swelled as Clara pulled away and brushed her nose with a finger.

“Eloise, write a check for her beautiful mind.” Clara ordered, pacing over to the piano. “I’ve got an idea for a new song that will be simply divine!”

Clara’s manager tore a check from her book and handed it to Marinette as Clara began to pluck at the piano. Marinette did a double-take to make sure the decimal was in the right place, but before she could protest, Clara’s security guard ushered her out.

“Goodbye, my dearest friend. I’ll miss you until we meet again!” Clara blew a kiss.

As the door closed behind her, Marinette glanced down at the check, heart pounding. Clara liked her designs! She considered Marinette a friend! Oh, she’d love to see the look on Lila’s face the day Clara walked the red carpet in Marinette’s dress.

“I’m so proud of you, Marinette!” Tikki said as Marinette tapped the button for the elevator. “You worked really hard, and it paid off.”

“I’m just happy that Clara liked my designs. It’s not about the money for me. I want to design clothes that make people feel good,” she said, stepping onto the elevator. “I can’t wait to tell everyone over tea this afternoon!”

“Will there be cookies at the tea party?” Tikki asked.

Marinette shot her a knowing smile and brushed her kwami’s nose with one finger. “Control that sweet tooth of yours.”

“I want to celebrate your accomplishments!” Tikki shot back indignantly. “If there happens to be cookies there, then so be it.”

“Tell you what,” Marinette said as the elevator dinged on the first floor. “I told everyone to come over at 2. Why don’t you and I celebrate now? Let’s go get some ice cream.”

Tikki perked up, ducking down into her purse. Marinette shut the clasp as she paced out the front doors of the hotel. Pulling out her phone to see where Andre was stationed today, she failed to look up as she rounded the corner and collided with another person.

“Sorry!” she gasped as they both stumbled backward, but upon seeing the face of her victim, her face hardened.

“Finally apologizing for trying to upstage me? It’s about time,” Lila said.

“I’m sorry for bumping into you. Nothing else.” Marinette rolled her eyes and stepped around her.

“So, you’re not sorry for abandoning all of your friends then? For turning your back on Alya?” Lila asked.

Marinette’s hands balled into fists, but she didn’t stop. “Alya made her choice.”

“And she chose me over you.” Lila smirked. “She even got us matching bff necklaces. She’s so sweet.”

“Congratulations. I’m sure your genuine friendship built on honesty and trust will last a lifetime.” Marinette retorted.

“I’m just glad she finally deleted her blog dedicated to that insect. She has so much more time on her hands to do all of my work,” Lila said. “You know, I’m class representative now since you deserted your post.”

Marinette bit her lip hard. Lila was taunting her, and she knew it. How could anyone be this vindictive? Marinette had always known Lila was evil, but she really had a way of one-upping herself. Marinette made a promise with Adrien to stay out of it, but no matter how far she ran, Lila was always right behind her.

Marinette spun around with a sharp retort on her tongue, but a silver limo pulling up to the curb cut her off. She half expected blond hair to pop out, but to her surprise, it was Martin who appeared.

“Hey, Marinette. I saw you walking, so I had my driver pull over.” He flicked his gaze between them. “Do you and your friend need a ride?”

“Ha! She and I will never be friends. I have much better taste,” Lila said.

Martin eyed Marinette, eyebrows knitting together when she shifted her weight.

“Then if you don’t mind, please leave her alone. She’s my friend,” he requested.

“You don’t want to be friends with a loser like her. I’m the great-granddaughter of world-famous piano player, Victor Laurent,” she said, fluffing her hair. Her sinister smile said that she’d taken all of Marinette’s friends once, and she’d do it again.

“Victor Laurent didn’t have any children. He died alone at the age of 72 from pneumonia…” Martin tilted his head to one side. “And anyway, Marinette’s great-uncle is a world-famous chef with his own brand of cookware—my mom loves his knives. Not to mention she knows Jagged Stone and is good friends with Adrien Agreste. She has a lot of connections.”

Marinette stifled a laugh as Lila gasped in offense. Martin blinked in confusion as Lila stalked off with a huff, glaring over her shoulder at them.

“Who was that girl?” he asked.

“One of the worst human beings you’ll ever meet,” Marinette replied. When Martin seemed confused, she added, “It’s a long story. I was actually on my way to get some ice cream. Wanna come?”

“Sure.”

Andre was in Marinette’s favorite spot in the Trocadero—a fitting compensation for the unpleasant encounter they’d just had. They found a bench, ice cream cones in hand, and Marinette flopped onto it with a sigh. Lila was insufferable, but Marinette wasn’t going to let it spoil her day. Clara liked her designs. Nothing else mattered.

“So, that’s the girl who turned all of your friends against you?” Martin asked, and Marinette nodded. “Wow. No wonder you changed schools. I would have changed cities.”

“I thought about it.” Marinette took a spoonful of ice cream. “She’s super manipulative, and if you side against her, she does everything in her power to ruin your life.”

“She sounds like Gabrielle just without the muscle, but at least we don’t have to put up with her now that her family’s bankrupt,” Martin said.

“Yeah…” Marinette lowered her gaze. “I bet you were really happy when you found out about Gabrielle.”

Martin shrugged. “I’m glad she doesn’t pick on everyone anymore, but I can’t imagine losing everything. I feel kinda bad for her… Is that weird?”

“I don’t think so,” Marinette said. “Actually, I feel the same way. No one deserves to go through that.” She pursed her lips, jabbing her ice cream with the spoon. “I’m surprised you of all people don’t hate her. She was the worst to you.”

“I try not to hate anyone,” Martin said around a bite. “I think everyone has good inside them deep down, and with the right influence, anyone can change if they want to.”

“So, you think Gabrielle could be a good person?” she asked.

“Well, sure. Why not?” Martin quirked a brow.

Marinette eyed him, a small smile curling on her lips. She sat up and turned to face him.

“Can I tell you something?”

“Uh, sure. What’s up?” he asked.

“It’s a long story, but Gabrielle and I are kind of friends now. I think…” Marinette admitted. “I haven’t told anyone because of everything, but I think you’re right. Anyone can be nice if they want to be, even Gabrielle.” When Martin seemed stunned, she curled her shoulders and added, “Do you hate me?”

Martin’s face softened, and he shook his head. “Of course not! I could never hate you.” He assured her. “I think it’s good. If anyone can help Gabrielle find the light inside of her, it’s you, Marinette.”

She leaned back on the bench with a smile, the spring sun warming her cheeks. Winter was over, leaving the cold and dreary behind. Nature was turning over new leaves. A fresh start, just like Marinette wanted. She took a deep breath, picturing all of the good things in her life. Adrien, Macy, Eliott, Martin, Gabrielle. Chloe, weirdly. Her parents, Tikki, Master Fu, Chat Noir, Clara. New opportunities. New beginnings.

She exhaled, letting all of the negative flow out with her breath. Lila had no power over her anymore, and after two months of running, Marinette was finally free.

♪♫♪ Cruel Summer ♪♫♪

Marinette hummed jovially, the heat from the tea kettle on the stove warming her arms. Her friends would be over soon to celebrate her presentation. After her run-in with Lila earlier, Martin dropped her off at home, where her dad made special macarons for their celebration. Talking to Martin eased her nerves, and Lila’s empty threats were far from her mind. Today she was celebrating.

It was the first time her new friends were coming to hang out at her house. After seeing all of their extravagant homes, Marinette might have felt self-conscious about her family’s tiny apartment, but her friends never gave her reason to worry. If only Adrien were joining them, but he was busy with a photoshoot. He promised to make it up to her, which had her head swimming with possibilities. Oh, she hoped whatever he had in mind involved kissing. Three almosts was driving her wild. Would she ever get to kiss those perfect lips?

And what were they now? Were they dating? Marinette didn’t know for sure, but they had to be pretty close, right? Adrien was so bold with her lately, complimenting her, touching her face, her hair, her hands… One of these days she’d snatch those lips down to hers if he didn’t kiss her soon. Kissing Adrien—the thought alone made her melt.

She wanted to hear his voice, but did she dare call him? He probably wouldn’t answer since he never brought his phone to photoshoots—always so professional. Then again, she could listen to his really cute voicemail… And she still hadn’t told him how her presentation went. Maybe she’d leave him a message. Girlfriends were allowed to do that, right? Oh god, Adrien’s girlfriend! She’d have to get used to calling herself that. Okay, no more stalling. New beginnings. Marinette wasn’t going to second-guess herself anymore. She was going to charge forward with confidence!

Pressing the call button, she chewed her lip with a giggle. This was really happening! One cute voicemail, then the next time they saw each other, she was going to kiss Adrien on the lips. Then they’d become boyfriend and girlfriend, date throughout the rest of collége and lycée, go off to university and get married, have 3 kids, and a hamster named-

Wait!

What was she going to say in the voicemail? She didn’t know how to be cute and flirty! Every time she tried, she ended up rambling about her toothbrush or falling down stairs. She needed to write a script. Abort! Abort!

“Missing me already?”

Marinette’s heart skipped at Adrien’s flirtatious lilt.

“Adrien! You answered,” she gasped.

“You called me, and you’re surprised I picked up?” he chuckled.

“Well, I thought you had a photoshoot, I was just going to leave a message,” Marinette said.

“I just got done with makeup, so I have a few minutes. I was actually thinking of calling you,” he said. “I’m sorry I can’t be there.”

“No worries. I understand.” She assured him.

“I take it your presentation went well?”

“Yeah! That’s what I was calling to tell you. Clara loved my designs! I’ve never been so happy.” Marinette paced the length of her living room, biting back a smile. “I ran into Lila as I was leaving, but not even she could ruin my mood.”

“Whoa, wait! You ran into Lila?” Adrien asked.

“Ugh, yeah, but it was fine. Martin swooped in before she got me too riled up. She even tried to lie him out of backing me up, but he totally called her out. I’ve never seen her pout so hard.” When Adrien remained quiet on the other end, she added, “I’m fine, really. I’m not going to let her bother me anymore. This thing with Clara could open up a lot of opportunities for me.”

“I guess you’re right. Lila only wishes she were half as talented as you. You’re amazing, Marinette,” Adrien said, bringing a familiar warmth to her cheeks. “They’re ready for me on set, so I have to go.”

Marinette tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah, sorry for interrupting. I just wanted to tell you the good news, and…talk for a minute.”

“You can interrupt me anytime. I’m always happy to hear your voice,” he said. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Okay.” Marinette bit back a smile.

“Oh, and congratulations! You deserve it, Marinette.”

Marinette hung up with a dreamy sigh, hugging her phone to her chest. She was going to replay that conversation in her head for the rest of the evening. Before she could get lost in her lovestruck daydreams, the doorbell rang.

“Congratulations!” Macy hugged Marinette’s neck the moment she opened the door. “Oh, I knew she was going to love them!”

“Uh, I think you’re choking her.” Martin pointed out, and Macy let go.

“Sorry! But you did it! A major celebrity is going to wear your designs to an official awards show. That’s huge!” Macy squealed. “Oh! Is this your living room? It’s so cozy!”

As Macy pushed past Marinette into the apartment, Martin presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

“We picked these up for you on the way.”

“Thanks! That’s so sweet.” Marinette gestured him in, moving to find a vase in the kitchen. “Where’s Eliott?”

“He’ll be here soon. He was auditioning for another play today, so he’s running late,” Macy explained. “Your house is so cute! Did you make these pillows?”

“Uh, yeah. They were one of the first things I learned how to sew,” Marinette said, filling a vase in the sink. “My dad made macarons, and I’m making tea if you want any.”

Martin helped himself, taking a seat at the table, but Macy moved over to the bookcase to look at their family photos. Marinette set the vase in the middle of the table and grabbed the cups from the cupboard.

“Are you feeling better now?” Martin asked while she set the table. “I mean, after running into that girl earlier?”

“Yeah,” Marinette said, surprised by how much she meant it. “I’m not worried about her anymore. I’m fine.”

Martin relaxed. “Good. You seem happier now than when you first came to school,” he said. “I could tell how sad you were, even when you were smiling.”

Marinette grabbed the kettle from the stove and pursed her lips.

“I guess I’m not as good at hiding as I thought.” She laughed bitterly. “It’s been hard, but I’m really lucky to have people that support me. I have you all to thank for that.”

“That’s what friends are for, right?” Martin smiled, an expression Marinette returned.

“Right.”

“Marinette? Is this you?” Macy held up a baby picture. “You were so cute!”

Marinette’s cheeks burned, but before she could snatch the photo away from her, the front door flew open. Eliott burst in, hair disheveled and eyes wide with panic.

“Eliott? What’s-” Macy started.

“I need help!”

[keyofjetwolf]

Oh boo-hoo, darkness, get over yourself, or, Rei Hino: Comfort Lesbian

We’ve been building to this for the past several episodes now, this moment where we finally get confirmation of all the turmoil Ami is feeling, about Usagi and about Naru and, especially, about herself. All of which is delicious and complex and everything I wanted but could hardly believe they’d give us. It’s not a good look for Ami! It’s angry and lonely and uncertain!

Ami especially, I think moreso than any other character across Sailor Moon iterations (character who actually gets screen/page time, anyway) is boiled until she’s lost most of her flavour. I think the anime tries hardest, but often replaces “the smart one” stereotypes for “the nice one” and calls it a day. For whatever reason, it’s like Ami’s an action figure they’re afraid to take out of the box because they might get her dirty and diminish her value.

Not PGSM, though. PGSM is just “AW YEAH LET’S PLAY” and pitched everyone in a mud puddle.

I AM ALIVE

I’ve talked about this again and again, how much SENSE this makes for Ami. Completely ostracized for her entire life, she’s got her first taste of what it means to not be alone, and she’s hooked. Usagi is like a drug for Ami, she’s the entire focal point for everything positive Ami’s feeling, and she’s terrified that without Usagi, she’ll go back to the way things used to be, and she CAN’T, she just can’t.

And she needn’t be! PGSM has gone out of its way throughout the series so far in showing us how much Ami has already grown and changed for the better. Fuck, look at just this scene! There’s something wonderful and precious about the bond between Ami and Rei. They’re each other’s first friend that they made THEMSELVES, using the things that they learned through their friendship with Usagi. Ami has reached out to Rei more than once, able to see through her stoicism and bluster and navigate through it (versus, say, Usagi just flat out ignoring it). She allows Rei to keep those defenses while still reaching for her, making Rei that much more willing to reach back.

Rei also sees Ami. She’s never been smitten a day in her life, and Rei isn’t inclined to throw every little questionable thing into the spin cycle until it comes out gleaming and perfect. Ami’s weird and awkward, but so what? She’s a good person, and she tries. Every single time Rei would rather deal with someone who tries too hard rather than not enough.

They can do this. AMI can do this. She HAS. Even in this scene, where she’s confessing to Rei, it’s abundantly clear how much stock she puts in Rei’s opinion. Particularly BECAUSE it’s Rei (really, it had to be Rei), who wouldn’t even know where to start trying to give someone an insincere platitude, Ami trusts what she says, and at no point in any of this, even at her lowest and most intense self-hating, does Ami think Rei isn’t her friend. The problem is that Ami has pinned so much on Usagi, and so little on herself. Usagi is the keystone; pull her out, and it all collapses.

Again, all of my love to PGSM for going here. For looking at Ami, really thinking about how broken her life would have made her, and being willing to follow that thread. She confirmed -- directly, in the text, by her own words -- everything I hoped we were building to.

INCLUDING THIS SORRY BRB HAVE TO RUN AROUND THE OFFICE SCREAMING AGAIN

There’s so much going on, Ami is having a fuck of a day, but this is perhaps the thing she’s most upset about: the realization that she might just be kind of a shitty person. There’s been nothing in Ami’s life that would have even hinted she could be like this. Hell, there’s basically BEEN nothing in Ami’s life before now. But here it is, she finally gets something worthwhile, and this is how she acts? No wonder she went without friends this long, if this is who she is. Usagi was just wonderful enough to try and see past it, that’s all, which only makes Ami feel even worse for “deceiving her”. God, what a beautiful inescapable spiral Ami’s built for herself, I’m almost impressed.

REI HINO IS NOT IMPRESSED

HHHHRNRNNNRRNGGGHHHGNNNNGHHHRR

SHE’S SO NOT HERE FOR ANY OF AMI’S BULLSHIT. Not the deep dark confession, not Ami eating herself up over it all. Ami’s barely started, and Rei’s already had enough.

Sidebar to say how much I fucking LOVE how they shoot all this. Rei’s angry stomp slicing across the camera, interrupting Ami’s efforts to drown herself in all this. Her angry clenched fist (A REI HINO FAVOURITE), the way the camera rises as it follow’s Rei’s towering presence. She carries so much authority in this scene, you can FEEL her and how little she is going to put up with all this. The way Ami gazes up at her, too, once again giving Rei all the power between them. It remains to be seen how much of this will stick, but what’s clear is that Ami will listen to Rei, and believe her, even if just for this moment.

The way Rei completely brushes all of Ami’s angst away though, AAAAAHHHHH I DIDN’T KNOW I COULD LOVE HER MORE BUT SHE ALWAYS MANAGES TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE ME. Ami’s completely undone by this, and Rei’s just “Psshh, whatever, this is entry level ‘dark’, get over yourself.”

But she also makes it an invitation. “Congrats! You’re human.” Ami’s sin here, if she could be said to have one, is in not dealing with it all very well, and she’s basically an emotional newborn, so even there, it’s understandable.

One of the best things about this, though, is how Rei is meeting Ami on much the same level Ami connected with Rei. Not ignoring how they feel, nor dismissing it, just accepting it and moving forward. We STILL don’t know why Rei was so bothered about going to that guy’s house to protect his not-the-ginzuishou, but Ami didn’t chase down the why or convince Rei it wasn’t a problem, she simply offered to go in her stead. Here, Rei doesn’t insist Ami is the purest pure snowflake gumdrop who would never think a bad thought in her life, she just says “Bitch, you ain’t special.” Usagi’s all-inclusive love is wonderful, and I don’t doubt the power of its constant dopamine hit, but it’s also in so many ways unrealistic and impractical (much like Usagi herself), and once again, I tip my hat to PGSM for being the ONLY Sailor Moon incarnation willing to go there for its main character, too.

(I don’t know if PGSM had a mission statement, but you could tell me it was “Each and every one of these girls is fascinating and wonderful AND DEEPLY FLAWED” and I would just nod in emphatic agreement.)

What about Rei’s darkness? I don’t know! THANK YOU FOR ADDING IN A BARELY RELATED MYSTERY. The specifics aren’t important right now, and maybe never will be. It’s Rei, she’s a constant bubbling cauldron of stewing rage, even here in PGSM where she’s able to keep it to a low simmer. It could be about her mother’s death, all the gossipy assholes, her father’s everything. It could be Usagi bumping into her this morning, IT COULD BE ALL OF THESE.

The point is, Rei knows all about thinking and feeling some negative shit at someone, but she also knows there’s a difference between what you feel and what you DO. You can’t truly be part of life and never fuck up, it’s just not possible.

AND NOW HERE’S WHERE REI SHOWS HOW MUCH SHE’S CHANGING TOO. Her point made, her lecture done, Rei peers down at Ami and sees that it’s just not working the way she wants. Rather than lose her temper, or double down, or wash her hands and walk away, she instead CHANGES TACTICS.

She doesn’t demand Ami immediately bounce to her feet, instead she drops down to Ami. She stops lecturing and tries comforting. NONE of this is natural for Rei, all of it goes against the kind of person she is and always strives to be. Slowly but surely though, Rei’s learning that her way is not the only way, and to temper her impulses.

WHO KNEW WE WOULD GET SUCH JUICY DEVELOPMENT FOR REI IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THIS AMI GOODNESS WHO AMONG US COULD HAVE PREPARED FOR THE BOUNTY

Still though, Rei is Rei is my beautiful ridiculous marmoset Rei.

Blessed, friends. I am blessed this day.

[cunningambitousdetermined]

I Loved You (young!Sirius x Reader)

um ok so i've never written anything and posted it somewhere before but i saw @vogueweasley's 1k writing challenge and i decided why not. actually there are many reasons not to but i hope that someone will have some form of constructive criticism. so yeah, worst case if you hate it um sorry. and thanks @vogueweasley for giving me an oppurtunity. i decided to do sirius x reader (even though i ship wolfstar sorry) here it goes with the prompt: "Did it mean anything to you?" Did I mean anything to you?"

Sirius Black was in love. That was the fact of the matter. Anyone who knew him from Hogwarts would have said that it was a lie. It would pass. Sirius Black, in love? The playboy of Hogwarts, breaker of all hearts? He was in love? It was a phase, they said, she wouldn’t last. If Y/N was being honest, she hadn’t thought it would last either. She was right. 

It had all started when Remus Lupin had introduced them on the train their first year. Y/N was Remus’s best friend and had ever since he could remember. Growing up, they read books, drew pictures and did everything together. She was there after every full moon. She would read books to Remus and bring silly old movies. She was a muggleborn so it had been quite a shock to her and her parents when they found out about Remus’s family. But Y/N had been there when he’d been bitten. They had been sleeping in a tent in the basement of Remus’s house when Greyback had tore threw the window and attacked. She remember every part of that night. The breaking of the short windows, glass shattering, the growling, the tearing of flesh. Greyback’s face was what haunted Remus’s nightmares but his screams haunted hers. When Y/N received her letter, her parents were thrilled, not to mention Remus, who was ecstatic at the prospect of spending all their time in school together. Y/N had left to go change when Sirius Black and James Potter slipped into Remus’s compartment. From what Remus gathered, they had bumped into each other after Sirius pranked his family and James helped him escape. Y/N proudly straightened her tie, she was a witch. She was going to Hogwarts, with Rem. Her giddy smile hadn’t left her face since she had gotten the letter. Diagon Alley was even better. Her mum and dad hadn’t come but Hope and Lyall had taken her with pleasure. They took her to all the shops and helped her buy everything. Remus had laughed at her star struck face when she proclaimed loudly “I love magic!”. She never wanted to leave. 

She walked briskly back to Remus with a bounce in her step. Only an hour or so and they would be there. She heard voices and laughter coming from the compartment and wondered if Remus had already made new friends. She smiled at the thought, he had been so scared to come. Being the first werewolf he was afraid of anyone knowing. She had assured him that nothing would happen and he would make lots of friends, and looked like she was right. She slid the door open, a proud smirk gracing her features. 

“Y/N!” Remus leaped up and pulled her to the seat next to him. Next to her sat a boy with dark brown unruly hair and glasses perched on his nose. His smile scrunched up his blue eyes and brought out his rather large dimples. The boy across from them was what really caught her eye. He had chin length black hair and the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. When he smiled, his whole face lit up. “Y/N, meet Sirius Black”

That was the start of a friendship that rivaled her and Remus. Despite being a Hufflepuff, she was an honorary Marauder. In her second year, she learned to become an Animagus to help Remus. Remus had been furious and terrified but he would be forever grateful for her sacrifice. In her third year, the rest of the Marauders found out and became Animagus themselves. James, a stag. Peter, a rat. Sirius and her were dogs. Except she was golden where he was black. They were inseparable. And it was no secret that no matter how many girls Sirius slept with, there was only one that was on his mind. 

Sirius Black had been in love in like with Y/N for years. He had found her stunning on the train but he was young and naive then. He had since grown up and become someone new. They were the best of friends. Sirius and her were both Beaters on their quidditch teams leading to a never ending rivalry. But, it was the way she listened that set her apart from the rest. There had been one particular night when he had just gotten a letter from home. The letter was all sorts of cruel and no matter how hard he tried to keep his bad boy façade up, all he wanted to do was cry. Remus and Y/N were reading to each other, as they did often in an armchair in the common room when Sirius had sped by, tears in his eyes. Y/N had barely glanced at Remus before she quickly followed him. Sirius burst into his dorm and threw himself on the bed. He then proceeded to punch the wall. Again, and again, and again. Suddenly, a soft hand pulled his back from the wall. “Siri, Siri stop...” It was Y/N. Dimly aware of the tears streaming down his face, he had let her drag him to his bed and wipe his tears. She had bundled him up in her arms, his head in her lap as he sobbed and sobbed for at least 30 minutes. When all his tears had run out and he was finally aware of himself again. His cheeks flamed as he realized how he had let Y/N see him. Crying and angry. He made to get up but your hand that was running through his hair stilled and she pulled it away but kept him on the bed with a firm pull. 

“Y/N- I- Let’s just forget this. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to have you see that” he muttered as he again tried to pull away. He hated himself. A disgrace. Embarrassment. Right now the only thing he wanted to do was cave. Fall asleep and never wake up. Ever. He hated himself and for her to see him as himself without any mask, she was sure to hate him too. “Just go” he mumbled. She silenced him with a stern look. Then she softened and pressed her hand to his cheek, thumbing over his tear stains. 

“Siri, let me help you. You need to let someone help you. What’s going on?” Maybe it was something about her eyes, so deep and pleading. Or maybe it was her soft smile or her thumb running over his cheekbone that made him spill it all to her. He told her everything. His parents, the shunning, the yelling. She had listened, flinching along the way. And when he was done, she had told him things that no one had said to him before. She had promised that she would always be there. Her soft voice and words eased him and slowly his tears stopped. And she had held him for the rest of the night, rocking him until he fell asleep, her words ringing in his head. “You are perfect, Sirius Orion Black, and to hell with anyone who thinks you’re not”

 That wasn’t the last time that he had cried to her, spilled his secrets. He found himself going to her, letting his guard down. When he was happy and, most of the time, in trouble, she was there to help him plan his next prank. And when he was sad, most of all then, she was there to help him. She tore up his letters and comforted him. Her soft nature at those times was such a soothing presence in contrast to his anger and self loathing. He had never let himself be so vulnerable with anyone. And maybe that was why he found himself falling harder and harder for her every day. 

“REMUS LUPIN!” Y/N cried, “YOU LET ME GO THIS INSTANT!” She was laughing as Remus continued to run through Hogsmeade with Y/N thrown over his shoulder. Sirius couldn’t deny that it made a little bit of green tinge the ends of his vision. “Ya know, Moony, I never realized you had such a nice arse...” she remarked with a chuckle. Remus threw her down into the soft snow and stuck his tongue out at her. She laughed and reached a hand out for Remus to help her up. Sirius could see the look in her eye from here, Remus was done for. Remus grabbed her hand but she dug her feet into the snow and yanked him down with her. He yelped and crashed down, half on top of her. Sirius laughed but couldn’t help the pit in his stomach as she leaned in and whispered something in Moony’s ear. He looked away, he didn’t want to see it. Moony burst out laughing but Sirius didn’t take his eyes off of James, who was enthralled at the new Cleansweep broom. 

Thunk. Something cold and wet had hit Sirius’s hair. He whipped around, snow dripping down his cheek and that’s why Y/N erupted in laughter. She was doubled over, cheeks red and hand clapped over her mouth as she lost it. Something about the shock on Sirius’s face with the snow falling off his hair and Y/N’s contagious laughter made Remus join in. The pair rolled around in the snow, cackling. Sirius grinned, so this was how they wanted to play it. While they laughed at him, he balled up his fist with snow and prepared to throw. Y/N squealed, her smile still lighting up her whole face. “No, no, SIRIUS, NO!!:” Sirius and Remus exchanged a look and Remus dove out of the way as Sirius launched his first snowball. “TRAITOR!” she yelled at Remus, “Traitor!” Her heart was light and her smile wide as she watched the joy on Sirius’s face. It had been a while since she’d really seen him just let go. She was so caught up, she didn’t see Remus aiming until a snowball hit her scarf and slid down her sweater. Remus widened his eyes, that was not good. “Oh really, Moony, I don’t think so...” she narrowed her eyes at him. James had turned around and not one to miss out, ran to help her. “Thank you James,” she smiled sweetly, “At least some of you are decent,” she teased, looking back at Sirius and Remus. 

James smirked, he was a man on a mission. Make Sirius jealous. “Of course love. Anytime” he winked and wrapped his arm around her waist. He saw the muscles in Sirius’s hand flex at the movement and smirked. This was too easy. Y/N had already begun collected all her snowballs and started to pummel the boys with them. Remus was running back and forth, screaming, trying to avoid James’s deadly aim. Y/N was laughing so hard her jaw hurt as she attacked Sirius with snowballs. Her whole body felt warm and fuzzy, this was a Patronus worthy moment. 

As the Marauders trudged back to Hogwarts, sopping wet and drunk on happiness, James kept his arm around Y/N and let her take his scarf. Sirius refused to look at them. His stomach clenched at the sight of James’s hand on her waist. When they had made it back to the boy’s dorm, Y/N rifled through James’s things until she came back from the bathroom, clean and warm, in James’s quidditch jumper and an old pair of leggings she’d left a while ago. His heart fell when he saw her leap onto James’s bed and put her head on his shoulder. His happy mood vanished as she laughed at something James was saying. He plopped on his bed, it was supposed to be his bed she was getting warm in, his jokes she was laughing at and his clothes she was wearing! He grabbed the map and watched the people float around, just having a good time. The weather was perfect for sledding and ice skating and that seemed to be where most kids were. 

Unfortunately, he was still subject to Y/N and James laughing and talking. The closer James leaned in to her, the more his anger bubbled. James knew! The prat knew he was in love with her! And he was still doing it! Yes, he knew he wasn’t good enough for her, but come on! Right in front of him? His anger reached it’s peak when James leaned in to her ear and pulling away, pressed a feather light kiss to her cheek. Whatever James had said had made her laugh lightly and her already pink cheeks to flush brilliant red. Then with a last wink, James hopped up and left the room. No bye or anything, it was a bit odd actually. Remus gave Sirius a meaningful look as he crossed the room and followed James out, Peter scurrying after them. 

Sirius shot her a confused look only to find that she wasn’t looking at him. Her eyes were trained on James’s jumper sleeves as she pulled and twisted it. His anger rose again as he remembered who’s jumper you were wearing and the kiss that had come along with it. “Well why don’t you go after your boyfriend, Y/N?” he sneered.  Her head jerked up in confusion. The way he said boyfriend had been with such disgust. Even the way he said her name. He sounded like Malfoy and those pureblood snobs. 

“He’s not my boyfriend!” She shot back, James and his stupid plan. Why had she done this? He claimed that he had made Sirius jealous but she knew that the boy didn’t have feelings her. All she’d done was make him angry. She was going to murder James if Sirius wasn’t her friend anymore after watching James disgustingly flirt with her all afternoon. 

“Well, you sure looked pretty cozy!” Sirius yelled, he was furious, all his pent up emotions leading to one big explosion. He leapt up from his bed and stormed over to where Y/N sat, her legs dangling over the edge of James’s bed, and planted himself between her legs. 

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Y/N whispered, he was so close, his grey eyes swirling with emotion. Anger, sadness, and maybe something more, she didn’t know. She inhaled and his scent of sugar and campfire filled her nose. Sirius looked down at her, his eyes flicking to her lips, the lips that he had been tortured by for years. And he kissed her. His hands cupped her cheeks and he ran his thumbs across her face. She stilled, shocked, was this real? But she didn’t think on it as she kissed him back, hands threading through his dark locks, pulling him down. Sirius groaned and pulled away, looking at this wonderful girl. She smiled shyly and tucked a piece of his hair behind his ear. Yeah, he was a goner. 

That was the start of probably the happiest time in Sirius’s life. And Y/N’s. Sirius was the best boyfriend anyone could ask for. They had been best friends before so they slipped very easily into the relationship. Y/N started spending less time in her dorm and more time asleep in Sirius’s bed. She had been the first to say ‘I love you’ because she did. She really did. And when she had, Sirius had been shocked. She loved him? His body had gone into overdrive and he just started crying. He was so goddamn lucky. Unbeknownst to Y/N, he watched her every minute of every day. He admired her. And she was his world. Without her, he didn’t know what he would do. His whole being ached for her when he was at the Potters. When they left school that summer and he went home to that desolate place that held no meaning to him, he was miserable. His muscles felt to weak to do anything and his mind just told him to go to sleep and never wake up. 2 weeks in, he hadn’t even gotten up the courage to open Y/N’s letters. It made his heart hurt just to see her owl drop them off. So naturally when she showed up at his house while his parents were at the Malfoy Gala, he was shocked. His summer turned from his worst to his best. When no one was around, she crept back in and they spent the summer playing quidditch and cuddling by the fire. Sleepy kisses on tired eyes, quiet ‘I love you’s’. Sirius would watch her as she slept in his arms, his clothes, in his bed and he would cry. Softly and not out of pain, but out of happiness. This girl, she had brought him back to Earth, gave him a reason to live. She was his home. His silk sheets would tangle her legs and his old muggle shirts would fall to her knees and he couldn’t have been happier. He had been drowning and she had saved him. She had brought him back to life. 

They were blissfully unaware that they had made a fatal mistake. Regulus. Regulus saw her come in and out and saw them fly around, laughing and loving each other like no one else could see them. But he could and when his mother asked him questions, he didn’t lie. 

“I love you” Sirius whispered into Y/N’s hair, “I love you, I love you, I love you.” She was wrapped in his covers as they just sat, enjoying being with each other. He relaxed against her and she sighed happily. 

“I love you too Siri”

Their sixth year at Hogwarts had come. They were closer then ever after the summer they had spent together. Classes were the same but something had changed. Y/N was just so so happy. She felt invincible. But, she wasn’t. She was mortal and she could still feel pain. 

She walked down the corridor after Charms, parting with Sirius and headed back to her dorm to change out of her uniform. She was cheerily walking, book in hand as she skimmed the pages, making sure she didn’t run into anyone. When she glanced up next, a group of Slytherins stood at the end of the hall, just where she needed to turn to get to the common room. It was Regulus, Sirius’s brother, and some of Sirius’s cousins. She pasted on a smile and made to pass them, not wanting any trouble. You’re fine, she reassured herself but her racing heartbeat said otherwise. She strode past them and gave Regulus a small nod. Just as she thought she was home free, a hand flipped out and grabbed her arm. Her whole body froze and she swallowed a scream. Regulus had her by the arm and marched her down the opposite corridor to an empty corner.

“Regulus! Let me go!” Y/N whispered, “Sirius will hurt you, and I don’t want that.” Even though he had trapped her here, she still felt the urge to protect him. He was Sirius’s family after all. 

“I’m just trying to help you Y/N” he replied, “I won’t beat around the bush. You can’t see Sirius.” The frustration in Y/N spiked into anger, fire licking at her insides. 

“You cannot tell me what to do! Sirius is my boyfriend, who are you to say differently?” She spat at him, disgusted. Stop seeing Sirius, he must be insane. 

“Please, it’s for your own good.” he said and handed her a stack of papers. She looked down at them in confusion. “I found them in his room,” Regulus dropped his voice “My mum found out too, and she wrote you a letter as well,” He dropped another letter into her hand. This one was sealed in an envelope. She made to turn away but Regulus was looking at her expectantly. 

“You want me to open them here?” She asked, incredulous. “What do they say?” Regulus just shook his head and slid down to sit on the floor. He patted the spot next to him. Y/N sighed and sat down and opened the first letter. 

Dear Miss Y/N,

It was recently brought to our attention that our Sirius was in a relationship with you. Now, as we are sure you are aware, we cannot have someone like you sullying the name Black. We hope this letter finds you in good health and able to fulfill our wishes. I, Walburga Black, command you to break off all relations with my son, Sirius Orion Black.  You are not and never will be good enough for this house. You are nothing, nothing but a filthy mudblood. You ruin my son and you will only further his destruction. If you do not comply, I do hope that you understand that we will do everything in our power to stop this. But, I believe you are a smart child, for a mudblood, and I hope that I will not have to waste anymore time or breath on you. 

The Noble House of Black

“Your joking, right?” Y/N laughed, “I couldn’t do that to him, I wouldn’t! I don’t care about some Noble House of Black!” She again went to get up but Regulus caught her wrist. 

“Y/N, I don’t want you to have to do this either, but I think you should. Look at the notes from Sirius. He wrote those this summer. I found them and then my mum gave me the letter. I don’t want my mum to be the reason you break it off but there’s more to the story. I just don’t want you getting hurt in the end.” Anyone else would’ve told her that there was no way he really cared, but Y/N insisted upon seeing the good in everyone so she sat down again and opened the notes.

June 28

Y/N came to see me. Dear god, that women is going to be the death of me. Y/N smiled, remembering the day she had snuck in. I can’t wait to tell Mum all about how I had her, in the bed she bought for me. The filthy mudblood tangled in her sheets that she bought. Y/N’s face fell along with her heart. Mudblood? He would never. Y/N, so naïve, really thinks I’d be into her. That’s what makes it perfect. She would never guess that her only purpose is to spite my mother. Like I really care. It doesn’t help that I get sex. I mean I could have any girl but damn, she gave herself to me to fast. Even I didn’t know I was that good. Either way, she has to find out eventually. I mean I can’t marry her. Mudblood. Imagine that. She’s not even pretty. Kind of fat actually. More hips then I normally see...

The notes went on and on and on. Y/N felt her heart crack and shatter. Tears streamed down her face. She was just a mudblood that he had used. She felt dumb and most of all, betrayed.

“I’m so sorry, Y/N” Regulus said, “I just wanted to make sure you knew.” She turned away in an a

She didn’t respond just gathered the letters and fled. In her dorm, she flopped on to her bed and just cried. She cried for the boy who she thought loved her, who she still loved. She cried because she wasn’t good enough, because she nothing at all. The girls in her dorm had soon filed in and tried to pry the story out of her. She just tossed the letters at them and continued crying. Jane, one of the girls, held her as she shook and sobbed until she fell asleep. She refused to go to any classes the next day, or the next week. She didn’t eat, she didn’t sleep. All she wanted do to was die. Dark circles lived under eyes and her bones began to show through. There was nothing the girls could do, she had shut herself inside the curtains of her bed. Her heart had been broken and she was pretty sure there was no putting it back together. 

The Marauders were worried. Y/N hadn’t been in class in weeks and many teachers were getting suspicious. Remus had tried to visit her but the Hufflepuff girls had barred his way through. Sirius was going mad without her. He couldn’t focus in class, his eyes were always on her empty seat. He laughed and joked with the Marauders but his smiles didn’t reach his eyes. His dreams were filled of her. Her. Her laugher, her smile, her hands, her lips on his. Finally, he’d had enough. James mentioned missing Y/N to Remus and him in the common room and that was it. “I’m going to get her” He said and he stormed out. Remus could feel the anger radiating off of him and knew he would need to be there to put the fire out. He ran off behind him and trailed him to the dorms. The Hufflepuff dorms were one of the hardest to get into so they waited until a boy came out and Sirius stormed in. Remus tried to grab Sirius and calm him down but it was to no avail. He was already charming the stairs and starting up. 

“Sirius! Please! Just calm down!” Remus cried, desperately trying to pull him back. Knowing him, he might say something he would regret.

“No Remus.” Sirius’s voice was colder then Remus had ever heard it. “My girlfriend is ignoring me and I intend to figure out why.” Sirius ripped the door open and found Y/N’s curtains drawn shut. Before Remus could say anything, Sirius had flung the curtains open. Remus watched Sirius freeze, his whole body tense. He stepped forward to look past Sirius and was shocked. Y/N was curled on the bed, eyes wide. She had bags and purple circles under each eye. Her cheeks were sunken in, and her shirt hung off of her in a odd way. She looked like shit. 

“Si-Sirius?” she whimpered, and her eyes filled with tears. Remus looked at the bed and found pictures shattered and things thrown everywhere. She was a mess.

“Yes.” Sirius snapped, “You know, your BOYFRIEND!” Y/N flinched and her face hardened. 

“Oh really? OH REALLY? MY BOYFRIEND?!” she yelled, fury edging in her tone.

“YES YOUR BOYFRIEND!” he screamed back, his face red and his hands gesturing wildly. 

“ARE YOU SURE? I THOUGHT I WAS JUST A MUDBLOOD, TOO NAIVE, TOO UGLY FOR YOU! I LOVED YOU AND LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO THAT! I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU!” She was out of bed now and standing chest to chest with Sirius. On the last word she shoved him back and caught off guard he stumbled into Remus. Remus was in shock, what had happened? “Did it mean anything to you? Did I mean anything to you?” With that you turned on your heel and ran out of the dorm. Sirius stood and watched as you got smaller and smaller and with step she took, his anger ebbed a little. And then she was gone, leaving behind the boy who loved her.