#edit 2: nope I had it right the first time!

[stampedestring]

S1E2 Incident at Alabaster Plain

"Mr. Favor, I don't think you're as smart as I think you are!" is my favorite Rowdy quote.

[yougavemeyourheartyouknow]

Childs play (Miguel O’Hara x fem! Reader [ex-Childhood best friend turned Fwb AU]) Part 1

Hiiiii! I’m so freaking excited for y’all to read this I’m literally shaking! This will only be 1 part. (Edit: I’ve changed my mind it will get a second part but it won’t be put right away) Shout out to @chickenshit03 for beta reading the one shot. Absolute sweetheart 🫶🏼. Not proofread, enjoy!!

(Y/N)-Your name.

NSFW!! SMUT!! MDNI!! Cursing, light choking during the deed , protecting PinV, Miguel being a big meanie near the end, Comfort/Hurt, lmk if I can’t think of anymore

Word count: 4.6k

Part 2

Masterlist

—

Knock knock…

“Hello, I’m sorry if I’m intruding but I wanted to introduce myself, me and my family just moved in next door and I wanted to introduce ourselves.” Your mother said as she stood at her neighbors door, you hid timidly behind her leg as she spoke to a Hispanic woman with curly dark hair. Your eyes wandered around her living room, or at least as much as you could catch from your spot. Not paying any mind to the conversation they were having when your eyes spotted a young boy around your age, about five or so walking past with a few legos in hand.

Your shyness was quickly overtaken with curiosity as you went to pull on your mother’s hand, she must have been watching you stare at the brunette, because before you could even turn up to ask her if you could go play, she was already shooing you in the direction of him as her and the other lady went to go talk over coffee in the kitchen.

He didn’t glance up at you as you sat down in front of his spot on the living room floor, being too preoccupied on the Star Wars set he was working on.

“Hi.”

“Hi.”

“My name’s (Y/N).”

“Cool.”

“What’s your name?”

“Miguel.”

You paused, shifting to sit down better before speaking again.

“Can I help? I love legos.”

He stayed quiet, and for a second you think he’ll say no, until he shrugged and moved the instruction book so you both could read it, making your lips come up in a smile.

“Sure.”

—

“You can teach me to play street fighter a million times and I will never understand it.” You huffed as you dropped the controller on your lap and leaned back on the couch, the tv in his living room sounded out a “finish her” as Miguel’s character killed yours, you couldn’t even be bothered to remember the names, peeved off that’d he beat you for the upteenth time, him not even having the courtesy to let you win one round.

“I’m not gonna be sorry for you being bad.” He retorted in a teasing tone, sticking out his tongue at you, and blew a raspberry. Your arms quickly crossover your chest as you puff your cheeks out with a pout.

“You’re so mean to me Miguel, I hate you.” You mumbled the half-lie to the other ten year old, looking away as you felt your cheeks heat with embarrassment, you didn’t even notice his movements until you felt him grab for your hand, turning your head to realize he was now standing in front of your spot on the couch.

“You don’t hate me, I’m your best friend.” He states, making you nod your head in confirmation after a beat, “Good. Because you’re my best friend too.” You smiled.

“Can we play something else then?”

“Nope.”

“Ughhh.”

—

“(Y/N), it’s your turn to spin the bottle.” Mj’s voice snapped you out of your head, suddenly aware of all the other fourteen years olds turning to stare at you. Was it a bit embarrassing you were about to lose your first kiss in a game of spin the bottle?

Half-dried nail-polished fingers gently grabbed the base of the empty Coke bottle, praying to god no one saw the way your hand trembled slightly, as you gave it a good twist. As your eyes tracked the blur of clear glass, you got your lower lip, silently hoping it was someone who you wouldn’t fluster up in embarrassment when you had to tell them who was your first kiss in the four walls of the lunch room. Like Kyle, or Ben or-

“Oooo- you got Miguel!” One of the other girls giggled as your eyes shot up to where the tip was pointing and surely, there he sat in front of you. Miguel was good…yeah, great even! You trusted him, he was your best friend since you were practically in dippers…So with a fine silent look of confirmation, you crossed the circle, closing your eyes as your lips connected for the first time.

Is it normal for your heart to skip a beat during a kiss? God how red is my face right now? Have I been holding it for too long? I wonder if he’s enjoying it, he hasn’t pulled away so that’s a good sign right? I should probably stop now. It's been like four seconds.

You finally pull away, sitting down on your knees as you bring a hand up to wipe some excess saliva away from the cover of your mouth. The sound of the next person going to spin the bottle muffles out around you as you focus on the weird flutter in your stomach.

—

“SLOW DOWN MIG-YOU’RE DRIVING LIKE A MANIAC!” You yelled as your left hand flew to grab at your seat belt, right hand gripping the overhead handle so hard your knuckles were turning white, pushing yourself as much as you could into the passenger seat at you could while he just let out an eye roll and chuckle as you were being dramatic (you weren’t).

“I’m not taking driving advice from someone who doesn’t have their license yet.”

“You got your license yesterday! I don’t turn sixteen for another four months!”

“Don’t care, you could ever shut up or take the bus.”

You couldn’t respond right away because another scream came from your throat as he turned a corner.

“If I die in this stupid car, I’m going to haunt the shit out of you O’Hara!”

“I’m not gonna let you die, stop being dramatic.” He scoffed, finally pulling up to the school parking lot, finally slowing down as he looked for a place to park. His arm comes around the back of your car seat as he goes to backwards park in an empty spot. “See I didn’t let you die.”

“I’m actually traumatized…” You muttered, eyes still wide as you kept still in your seat. Miguel let out a huff and he goes to take your seatbelt off once the car was shut off.

“If I buy you some subway during lunch will you stop complaining?”

“…yes.”

—

“Maybe I could just take a gap year-or-or go to the community college nearby, just until I can transfer, then I can try for Columbia again?” You kept fumbling your words, looking at the rejection letter in your hands. If you tried to focus on it enough, you’d be able to hear the paper shaking lightly in your hands. Glossy eyes trying to rapidly blink away tears before they fell on the paper. Miguel quickly shook his head as he placed his coffee cup down on the table of the cafe you two would frequent.

“No. Not happening, I’ll just reject my application and we can go to Stanford together in California.” He told you, making you copy his actions as you placed the paper down next to your other University letters.

“Are you crazy? That’s your dream school! I am not letting you do that for me. I’d never forgive myself for that.” You admitted, looking at him in those familiar brown eyes, praying to god yours weren’t growing bloodshot from the emotional moment between you both. Miguel letting out a heavy sigh, his hand going to run through his pushed back brown locks as he looked down at his letters again. The silence that grew over you two was almost suffocating, a thing it never felt like around him. It made your heart ache, trying to keep back a whine and some tears as you closed your eyes and took in a shaky breath before opening them again and finally breaking the silence between you both. “I mean…FaceTime is a thing right?” Miguel raised a brow at your sentence, before it clicked in his mind what you were implying. Quickly shaking his head, his hand coming up to stop you.

“No. No. I can’t even go a week without seeing you, I’ve lived next door to you for thirteen years and you expect me to be okay with us being two thousand miles away from each other!?” You glanced around you when Miguel raised his voice slightly, luckily other than you and the owner the place was practically barren.

“Mig, we’ll figure it out! We’ll call and text, FaceTime, and I’ll come back for breaks! And besides, you don’t strike me as a type to enjoy California.” You attempted to lighten the mood, thankfully being met with an amused grunt and his lip twitching up slightly.

“Fine… just, promise we aren’t going to end up like all those friends who stop talking because we’re going to separate college’s alright?”

Your smile grew. “I promise.”

—

Ring…

Ring…

Rin- “Hey it’s Miguel,” your ears perked up, quickly scrambling up from your position on your bunk bed, where you were laying on your stomach, “I can’t come to the phone right now, leave me a message.” Beep.

“Hey Miguel… just wanted to see how you were, I finished my exams for the semester, and I’m going back to Neuva York tomorrow. I wanted to see if you’d want to hang out during the break, let me know… bye…” You mumbled before you hung up the call, tossing your phone on the other side of your bed. Running your hands through your head, letting out a heavy sigh. Closing your eyes to keep any forming tears of frustration from spilling out.

You and Miguel weren’t as close as you’d like to be anymore. How did a few months apart completely unwind the tight knit threat that had kept you both close for years? It had started out well, you did good at keeping your side of the promise and he did as well. Texting every hour, FaceTiming him every weekend, calling every night while you both studied, it almost felt like nothing had changed.

Then, classes became harder, you’d both start to develop new friends, new routines. The text became less frequent, now lagging to every few days, FaceTime sessions were now non-existent and your daily calls now became monthly, never lasting more than half an hour. You hated how you two were growing apart, and it hurt to see that Miguel didn’t seem to care. You didn’t have to see him in person to notice his new friend group was starting to change his personality. He was starting to seem more stoic, dry, it almost seemed like he was constantly agitated or something of the sort when you finally would get a hold of him. Still… despite the gradual change he seemed to be going through you still had hope that deep down he was still the same old Miguel you had grown to love and cherish. And that spark of hope only grew when you heard the faint buzz of your phone from the foot of your bed, quickly grabbing it to read a new message.

Text me when you get in tomorrow.

—

This was not what you had in mind.

Somehow Miguel had convinced you to go to some random bar that didn’t ID with him and his college buddies. “I’ll be fun” he said, “you’ll love them” he said. Now here you were forced to listen to some snobby trust fund kid bitch and moan about how he had to inherit his father’s company and blah blah blah. You weren’t even paying attention anyways, his words were going into one ear and flying out the other, opting to sip on your mixed drink to help keep you from banging your head into the bar counter. Tonight had simply e been the worst. Not to mention Miguel had been acting… different.

Maybe he just wasn’t good with distance, but it still struck you as odd how the second you were both finally in close proximity it was almost as if nothing had happened, like your friendship with each other wasnt badly strained for weeks on end. It didn’t stop there though, no no no. Because now that you were with him in front of his new friends and all dolled up he had been more… touchy, and not in a way he had been before.

A hand on your thigh, an arm around your waist, a finger idly twisting and twirling your hair. It was so… intimate… like he wanted them to think there was something there that was more than just a childhood friend. You couldn’t say that you hated it, it was just unexpected.

“Hey… let’s get out of here?” Miguel’s whisper snapped you out from your thoughts. The way his voice murmured lowly against your shoulder as he all but rubbed against it like a cat making your cheeks flare up and a shiver ran down your back. Quickly ignoring the feeling of the spike in your heart rate and the wetness growing in your panties, nodding as you go to stand up, not wanting to be in the over cramped bar any longer and just waiting to head back to Miguel’s place since you were staying there for a week. Feeling like your knees were going to give out from underneath you when he slid his large hand from between your shoulder blades and upwards to squeeze your right shoulder.

Not sure if your hazy mind was from the alcohol or from his actions anymore. Not sure if things would go back to how they were before you’d left when he went to leave sloppy wet kisses on your neck as soon as his apartment door was closed and locked. Not sure if you could look at him the same way after he made you see stars from the comfort of his sheets. Still you couldn’t stop. It felt too good, he felt too good.

“Fuck- felt so fucking good…” He hissed as he pulled out from between your legs, taking a moment to let himself to catch his breath before rolling the condom off and tossing it in the trash can. You didn’t respond, still out of it from the aftermath of experiencing nirvana in the form of drunk sex. Letting out a sigh as you turned to your side and closed your eyes as drowsiness starts to seep into your bones. Feeling the other side of the bed dip before a strong arm came around to hug your waist.

“…Miguel?”

“Yeah?”

“This… was a one time thing right?”

A pause, a heavy sigh before you felt his soft lips kiss the nape of your neck.

“… of course.”

—

A flash of light shined through the darkness of your studio apartment. You didn’t even need to check the notification screen in order to know who it was. Only one person would text you at two in the morning.

Come over?

If you told your high school self that the only time you ever saw Miguel was in the deeps of night while you were tangled in his sheets, she would have thought you were lying. The most fucked up part was that it was starting to affect you mentally, how your best friend had turned into a booty call because of one night from a drunk fuck seven years ago, it was painfully obvious you’d never get to the point where you’d be able to go back to the way you both once were. You couldn’t help but cling to the last broken bits he was willing to give you though. So every time he calls or texts you at random hours of the night since you’ve moved back to Nueva York, you’d show up at his doorstep like you are now.

“I know it’s late, I'm sorry, these Master exams are kicking my ass.” He apologized while letting you in after a few seconds. Closing and locking the front door before gently pushing you against it, his lips already finding their usual spot against the crook of your neck. Calloused hands began to slip underneath the baggy material of your hoodie, his large fingers gently grazing the exposed skin, you’ve learned to stop wearing shirts to these sessions a long time ago. “Need to blow off some steam…”

“Miguel…”The way you’d breathe out his name always made him feel like he had died and gone to heaven, your hands wandering upwards against the black fabric of his tank top. His lips separated from the blossoming red and purple mark they left in their wake so he can pull your jacket off before stripping off his own shirt. Your arms quickly wrap around his neck, any guilt that had been lingering in your mind quickly melted away when his hands ran down to your hips underneath your waistband, thumb fidgeting with the thin fabric of your panties. “Need you-“

“Need you too Cariño.” He muttered before going to place a gentle peck against the edge of your lips, you couldn’t help but let out a small whimper at the movement. You’ve noticed he never kisses you directly on your lips, always on the edge, on your neck or cheek. You would have felt your heart ache if the feeling of your core throbbing when his hand dragged your bottoms down to squeeze your ass wasn’t more overwhelming, lifting you up to wrap your legs around his waist.

Half of the time you two didn’t even make it to the bedroom, finding a spot on the hallway wall or against the kitchen counter. This was one of those times, he stumbled over to the couch, too distracted on leaving hickies all over your chest and dipping his fingers into your wet cunt. You let out a gasp when you landed on the brown leather rather harshly, making the couch move a few inches from its original spot due to the weight of both of your bodies hastily climbing on top of it. He made quick work to strip the rest of your clothes from both of your bodies once he made sure you hadn’t accidentally hit your head. Quickly slipping a condom before lining himself up.

“Fuuuuck-fuck…” He groaned, as he pushed the tip of his cock between your folds. Your mouth falls open in a silent scream from the deliciously painful stretch that he always provides. Giving you a second to adjust to his length and girth before pulling out and slamming his hips against yours, each thrust making your silent whimpers and whines turn into pornographic moans and incoherent babblings. “Love filling you up. You love this cock don’t you?” He taunts, it was so cruel the way the words fell from his mouth but you loved it nonetheless. Nodding rapidly as you gushed around him for the first time tonight.

“Nah uh… need to heard you say it. Use your words.” He smirks, enjoying the plop plop sound that started to quietly reverberate off the walls of his living room. Glancing down momentarily to watch a thin layer of cum that was forming a ring around the base of his cock. “Tell me how much you love it.” He urged.

“Fuck-fuck… love it so much.” You moaned, overstimulated from your orgasm, squirming underneath him just the way he liked. He couldn’t help the way his ego swells at the way you feel apart for him.

“Don’t know what I’d do without you.” He cooed as he propped your leg over his shoulder to get a better angle, his sweet words always messed with your foggy mind. “Such a sweet little thing, all for me.”

“Don’t-don’t say that Mig.” You whined, head turning to the side, as your hand dropped from his chest to drop off the couch. His right hand quickly leaves your hip and runs up to your neck, keeping his grip light as he props your head back to face him with his index finger.

“Aww poor baby, can’t handle when I talk all sweet to her, huh?” He let out an airy half chuckle. Despite the honey-like toned he’d use, the underlying taunt was always present. “Let me make it up to you baby.”

Your eyes rolled to the back of your head as he thrust deeper into your core, making your hips subconsciously jump up to meet his.

“Mig-Miguel, I’m so-so close.” You whimpered and whined, clenching around his length, his hips stuttering slightly as you felt the heat building in your lower belly start to grow with each thrust.

“Cum with me baby… Cum all over this cock.” He groaned.

“Fuck-Fuck.” With one final thrust, you finally came undone around him, his name falling from your lips over and over like a mantra. Miguel followed suit, stopping his thrust while fully inside your cunt, letting out a deep groan as he came.

“Shit… You okay?” He asked once he was able to collect himself enough, climbing off top of you before rolling the used condom off his softing member, picking up his forgotten boxers and placing them back on.

“Mhm…” You nodded, trying to stabilize yourself on shaky arms and legs. Miguel seemed to have noticed, picking up your clothes from the floor and making his way over to hand them to you.

“Let me get you some water.” He said before retreating to his kitchen. The only sound in the air now was the faint noises of him rustling around his cabinets, and the quiet shuffling of clothes. Hating the feeling of putting your legging and hoodie back on due to the thin layer of sweat still on your skin. Once you were decent enough Miguel came back with a glass of water and handed it to you. Mumbling a “thank you” before taking a sip. Miguel cleared his throat as he sat down on the other edge of the couch, eyes cast down, hands rubbing anxiously together, finally deciding to break the steadily growing awkward silence. “Look, (Y/N), I wanted to talk to you about something… something kinda important.”

You raised a brow, noticing the sudden change in his behavior, taking another quick sip before placing the half empty glass on his coffee table. “What’s up?”

He released a heavy sigh as he brought a hand up to scratch the back of his neck, still not making eye contact as he continued. “I’m not sure how to say this, so I’ll just put it out there…” He finally brought his gaze up to meet yours, “We need to stop seeing each other.”

Huh?

“I’m sorry what?” The words came out of your mouth before you could stop, your face quickly filling up with confusion and a bit of disbelief as you stood up. Miguel follows your actions as he puts his hands up in defense, but you continue before he could try explaining. “You can’t just fuck me on your couch then tell me afterwards we need to stop. You know how much of an asshole you sound?”

“I know, I know it makes me sound like an asshole.” He tried to reason with you, going to finally put on his shorts and tank top that were still on the floor. Not feeling like being half-naked during this conversation. “Look, there’s this girl I’ve been seeing and it’s getting pretty serious-“

“A girl you’ve been seeing?” You repeated in disbelief. “You can’t be for real.”

“Well, we never agreed to be exclusive. It’s not like we were going to start dating or anything.”

Ouch.

You had to turn away so they didn’t see the tears building in the corner of your eyes, but even with your face hidden your body language gave you away.

“I know we weren’t exclusive but fuck Miguel.” You shake your head, going to make your way to the door. “I’ve known you since we were five and you’re just gonna throw me away like some old toy?!”

“Hey-no. That’s not-that’s not what I mean, you know that.” He takes a step forward, grabbing your arm before you could get too far. “We can’t sleep together anymore, but we can still be friends.” You couldn’t help the scoff that left your lips, finally gathering yourself enough to pull your arm away and face him again, not caring if he saw the tears cascading down your cheeks. He’s made you cry one too many times, it’s about time he saw what he did to you. “We can still be friends! You’re still my best friend (Y/N)!” He couldn’t help but let his voice come out in more of a panic, a bit more rushed. You quickly shook your head.

“No. No, we aren’t best friends anymore Miguel, we haven’t been in a long, long time. I know that, you know that. So don’t pretend like we are just because your afraid of losing your emotional support fuck buddy.” You finally head toward the door and towards your car in the driveway, not turning to face him as you hear him call your name. “Don’t call me, don’t text me. If you're as serious about this girl as you say you are, you’d do the right thing and block me. Because I’m so tired of waiting around and pretending like one day you’ll wake up and realize I’m in love with you.”

You froze once the words came out, hand still on the car door handle as you came to the realization you finally admitted the secret you’ve been holding for the past ten years. Your free hand going to cover your mouth as you finally turn to look at Miguel, the look of shock from the confession was evident. You shook your head as you attempted to back track.

“Wait, Miguel I didn’t mean to tell you that-it just happened-“

“… You should leave.” His voice suddenly became stoic, his face hardening so it was hard to read his emotions. “This is just helping my case. Leave.” The tears flowed harder down your face as he slammed the front door shut. Leaving you to sob into the emptiness of the night as you finally let all the pain from the last seven years catch up to you.

You weren’t surprised to see your text bubbles turn green the next morning.

—

“I really think this one is it.”

“Me too!”

“He’ll love you in that dress.”

“Aww I can already see the waterworks.”

All you could do was smile, your hands repeatedly smooth non-existent wrinkles as you looked at yourself in the mirror, you looked like a real life princess. After what felt like hours you finally found the wedding dress. You couldn’t be happier.

“Alright Miss future Osborn.” Your maid of honor squealed, finally getting your attention, “You need to get out of that dress, you need to meet up Harry to look over the venue.”

You sighed, as you turned back to admire the white wedding dress one more time. “You’re right, I don’t wanna keep him waiting just cause I can’t stop staring at myself.” You giggled, before heaving to the back.

You and Harry have been dating for four years now, and he had proposed last month during your anniversary. You couldn’t be happier, he treats you like a queen, better than any other Man you’ve ever been in romantic contact with.

Once you had finally finished changing out of your regular clothes, you grabbed your phone out of your purse. Sending a quick text telling him that you found a dress, before doing a quick check on insta, wanting to look at the engagement pictures you posted on your page last week. But the soft smile on your face quickly dropped, like your heart did to your stomach when you checked your activity page.

Miguel.Ohara.99 and 4 others liked your post.

Miguel.Ohara.99 started following you.

1 message request from Miguel.Ohara.99

Fuck.

—

Taglist: @famouscattale @strawberryjuice9 @loser-alert @maomaimao @franceseca-the-1st @scaryplanetdestroyer @miguels-aranita @beezusvreeland @raginghomo62 @miguelbaby @thedevax @vera4luv @alialucille

[bloomyeu]

with or without you

pairing: bang chan x female reader

summary: bottling you're feelings for so long, it begins to hurt. until you mention it.

word count: 1.3k

warnings: angst, (no) comfort, not edited

a/n: first fic :p lmk if u liked it hehe

part 2 | masterlist | requests

Love was something you always chased, yearning to feel what people experienced in the movies —the flowers, the kisses, the gifts, that meaningful connection that seems to exist only for a lucky few. 

So when you met Chan, it was as if everything blossomed like flowers in spring.

It had started with little things, when chan would mention how much he missed you he on tour

ynnieeee haiiiii

hi channie! 

hiiheyyy imithu smmsmsm

bfrjjd i do 2

ur back next week right?

yaya i am, we need to meet up once im back

movie night?

movie night. 

You clung to these exchanges, even as you realized they might mean more to you than they did to him.

☄. *. ⋆

there were the times when you both were together, physically close yet emotionally worlds apart. You would catch glimpses of his smile, and your heart would race, but he never noticed the way your gaze lingered a little too long. He would tell you stories from concerts, his voice animated and bright, while you hung onto every word, even the ones that hinted at someone else who made him smile that way.

"You know, you always manage to pull me out of a slump," Chan said with a yawn, his voice laced with gratitude.

"Well, I'm glad I can help. You could basically call me your muse," you replied with a light chuckle, the words teasing yet sincere.

"Yeah, you're definitely my muse," he agreed, a soft smile playing on his lips before he turned back to work. You watched him for a moment longer, feeling a warmth spread through you, knowing that he was your muse too.

As the days went by, your feelings only deepened, even as you tried to push them away.

You would lie awake at night, replaying every conversation, every laugh, every moment, searching for signs that maybe, just maybe, he felt the same.

But each time, you were met with the cold realization that his affection was platonic, kind, and distant, while yours was anything but.

“Chan, have you ever fallen in love?”

“Um, once, but it was a while back. Why?”

“No reason. I’v just always wondered what it feels like to be in that state of mind.”

“Well, it feels like…” He hesitated, searching for the right words. “It feels like everything else fades away, and all that matters is that person. Like you’re finally complete, you know?”

“Must be nice,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah, it is,” he replied softly.

“So… no one on your mind right now?”

“Nope. You?”

You stared at him for a moment, heart pounding as you fought the urge to tell him the truth.

“Um, no… but maybe one day,” you said, forcing a smile.

☄. *. ⋆

As the months passed by, you found yourself lost in thoughts of him—his smile, his kindness, and all the love he had to give. The ache of missing him became a constant companion, a reminder of the feelings you harbored in silence.

With lunch in hand and a hopeful heart, you made your way to his studio. The anticipation of seeing him again sparked a mix of excitement and anxiety. You approached the studio’s entrance, eager to surprise him, when you nearly bumped into Felix, who was just leaving. “Hey, Lix! I haven’t seen you in forever!” you greeted, trying to mask your anxiety with a bright smile. “Hi, Yn! What are you doing here?” he asked, his curiosity piqued. “Oh, I’m just dropping off lunch for Chan. I haven’t seen him in so long and thought, why not surprise him, you know?” you replied, your excitement tinged with a hint of nervousness. Felix’s expression shifted subtly, his smile fading into a more thoughtful look. “Ah… maybe it’s better to save the surprise for another time,” he suggested gently. “Can you believe it? He finally has a girl in the studio! I’m actually happy for him—he’s really opening up and putting himself first for the first time since iv met him ahaha”

The words hit you like a cold wave. You tried to keep your composure, but inside, a mixture of confusion and heartache swirled. “A girl?” you echoed, struggling to keep your voice steady. “I didn’t realize…”

Felix nodded, his eyes soft with understanding. “Yeah, it’s new. But I think it’s a good thing. Chan’s been so focused on work and producing, and now he’s letting someone in. It’s nice to see him happy.”

You forced a smile, your heart sinking. “That’s… really good to hear. I’m happy for him, too.”

Felix gave you a sympathetic look. “If you want to talk or need anything, I’m here. You know we all are.”

You nodded, grateful for the kindness but feeling a profound sadness. “Thanks, Felix. I appreciate that.”

With a heavy heart, you turned and left the studio, the weight of Felix’s words settling over you. The lunch you’d brought now felt like a symbol of a hope that had been dashed. As you walked away, you tried to focus on the positive—on Chan’s happiness—but the realization that your feelings might never be reciprocated made the day feel heavier than it had before.

☄. *. ⋆

Although the two couldn't have been more apart, your feelings had just continued to grow. 

Winter had finally rolled around, bringing with it the warmth of the annual Christmas party Minho would host. The past few months had felt like a fever dream, with your feelings for Chan growing ever more consuming. The holidays, usually a time of cheer, now felt tinged with an undercurrent of longing.

As you walked into the party, the festive lights and laughter offered a brief distraction. You scanned the room until you spotted Chan across the crowded space. With a deep breath, you approached him, your heart racing with anticipation.

“Hiya, Channie! It’s been so long, hasn’t it?” you greeted, trying to keep your voice light despite the fluttering in your chest.

“Yeah, it has. My god, I’ve missed you,” he replied, pulling you into a warm hug. As you nestled against him, you felt your heart clench, overwhelmed by a mixture of joy and sadness.

“I’ve actually been meaning to tell you something,” you began, hesitating as you tried to steady your nerves.

“Me too, actually,” Chan said with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. “I hope it’s good news.”

“It always is,” you replied with a nervous laugh. “Well, tell me first.”

“No, you go first,” he insisted, a playful glint in his eye.

“Okay” you said with a soft smile. “Well I finally got tickets to the Wave to Earth concert in Seoul—that band I’ve been hooked on.”

Chan’s eyes widened in surprise and delight. “Oh, that sounds amazing! I’d love to. But… there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you too.”

You felt a slight tightening in your chest, hoping for a revelation that might mirror your own feelings. “What is it?”

“Well, I finally have a girlfriend,” Chan said, his voice softening with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. “Or, well, I’m planning to ask her soon. I’m really excited about it.”

The words hit you like a cold wave, and you struggled to maintain your smile. “Oh,” was all you could manage, your heart sinking as you tried to process the news.

“What were you going to say before I interrupted you?” Chan asked, his gaze gentle.

“Oh, um, just that you should go to the concert with me, I know much you love music” you replied, forcing enthusiasm into your voice despite the ache in your heart. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Chan’s smile was warm but distant. “That sounds great. I’m looking forward to it too.”

As the conversation shifted and Chan’s attention drifted to others, you found yourself standing on the periphery, the failed attempt at asking him out now overshadowed by the quiet sting of rejection. The realization that Chan’s heart was set on someone else cast a shadow over the festive atmosphere, leaving you to navigate the mingling feelings of friendship and unspoken longing. The party’s warmth felt like a cruel contrast to the cold emptiness you felt inside.

fin.

part 2 | masterlist | requests

[melbatron5000]

The Big Damn Kiss

Buckle up, my fellow Good Omens Ineffable Mystery Puzzlers, Crackpotters, and Assorted Brainrotters, because I learned something HUGE yesterday.

This will be a bit of a long post, because I want to show you exactly how I got where I am. I want you to understand. I want to put all the naysayers to bed (ha! But I'm still gonna try), and settle this once and for all.

I know (almost) exactly what Crowley gave to Aziraphale during the kiss.

DO NOT TAKE ANY OF MY THEORIES TO NEIL! PLEASE!

Okay? Okay. Thanks. Shall we begin?

Ahem.

Firstly, whether you believe me or not, I am 100% certain that Crowley did, indeed, give something to Aziraphale in his mouth during The Kiss. I've covered that in the link previous. Okay? Okay.

I did not know what it was. I've now heard theories that it was a bullet (nope), a ball bearing (nope), hellfire (nope), and no one, NO ONE has suggested what I see. (If you have, hello! Talk to me!)

Here's our first foreshadowing Clue:

And here's our next foreshadowing Clue:

And the next:

And our last Clue:

With me so far? Well, that first GIF is a bit off, I couldn't find one of Crowley actually spitting out the flies. But he does. When Beelzebub first drags him to Hell, he actually goes "Pleaugh!" and spits out four or five flies. Edit: Found it!

Moving right along, we come to Crowley in Heaven with Muriel, looking at the trial. We learn two important things here:

One, Gabriel doesn't have a desk.

Two, Muriel does. Where they keep the records. And it's a bit lonely. Every few hundred years, someone comes and asks for something. Muriel can't access the sensitive ones, you have to be pretty high up. A throne, dominion, or higher. Like, maybe Supreme Archangel?

So if Gabriel doesn't have a desk, whose desk is he at when he's getting ready to leave Heaven? Of course I can't find a damn picture of Gabriel at the desk, but it's Muriel's. Where they keep the RECORDS.

Gabriel puts his memory into the fly, then gets on the elevator to go to Earth.

Now, when Gabriel opens the fly with his memories inside, we find out that it's a container. Bigger on the inside. You can put thing(S) in it. The bit we see of him remembering is shot in two parts, one where he's flying down a red tunnel, one where he's flying down a blue. If you slow this scene down and watch, you can see that he is NOT looking at just his own memories. There is more going on here, more that he was not present for. @embracing-the-ineffable put up a great meta about that here. Go look!

Now I figured Gabriel must have taken something else. Something important. Something useful. Something he meant to give to Aziraphale, except he forgot.

I also figured he must have left whatever it was in the fly when he took his memories out. Crowley must have realized while watching the trial footage that Gabriel also grabbed something else. I don't know when Crowley grabs the fly, but he does. And that is what he gives to Aziraphale in the kiss. Why? Well.

I had no idea what Gabriel took until I started working on the chiastic structure of season 2. I'm not done with that analysis yet, but let me show you one thing that I have found so far:

(The numbers are just to try and help me navigate the story and its events without time stamps)

My note #357 of what happens isn't quite right, but when I saw the only two times Aziraphale says "I forgive you" are towards the beginning of Season 2 and towards the end, I realized I had something.

Rephrase line 357: Crowley's kiss is forgiven IN EXCHANGE FOR RECORDS.

(Not that I think Crowley's kiss needs to be forgiven. It's just what Aziraphale says, and had to say at that moment, because the Metatron was listening in.)

What does Heaven in Good Omens remind us of most of all?

A big corporate entity. And what do powerful people do when they get fired from a big corporate entity? They download all their emails while they're cleaning out their desks. Damning emails. Emails that can be used to black mail or even destroy big corporate entities. Or, ya know, maybe they swipe some sensitive RECORDS?

Oh yes.

Records that Gabriel meant to give to Aziraphale, but he forgot. Records that Crowley realized Gabriel had put in the fly. The fly that Crowley grabbed once Gabriel had his memory out. The fly that he gave to Aziraphale when he kissed him. The fly that no longer held Gabriel's memory, but did still contain those damning records.

Here's Aziraphale reading the records:

Here's Aziraphale being horrified and outraged by what he's reading:

And here's Aziraphale realizing he has got some GOOD DIRT on Heaven. Maybe enough to bring them down:

That's it folks. I have no idea what the records actually say, and maybe we're not meant to know until season 3, but whatever it is, it's GOOD.

That's my story, and by God Herself, I'm sticking to it.

[morgana-larkin]

Ok for the next prompt, the person asked for me to post it separately instead of with the prompt to not spoil anything, so I’ll post the fic and I’ll post the prompt a few minutes after. So pretty much the summary is: The Abbott crew tries to set you up on dates with men, Melissa finds someone to set you up with around the same time she catches feelings for you. Unfortunately for Melissa, you seem to actually like your date she set you up with. But maybe there’s something that Melissa doesn’t know about you and your date…

I have no clue about the title, that was what my brain came up with on 2 hours of sleep. I may or may not post a part 2 with jealous smut. Not edited in the slightest and I hope you like it!

On another note: so this got the most votes in the poll. I literally started writing this, Mine part 5 and my first Marilyn x reader fic and didn’t know which one to finish lol. My ADD got the best of me. So I’m almost done Mine and the Marilyn x reader fic so keep an eye out! Also for the Marilyn x reader fic, anyway want to be added to the taglist? My current one is my Melissa and Chessy taglist that I will not put with my other character fics.

I Feel A Rainbow In You

Warnings: jealous Mel, very clueless reader, angst

Words: 4.1k

“No women? Nobody else? Ever?” Melissa says.

After a bit more questioning, Janine gets a bit upset and walks out. Before Gregory follows her out, you pipe up.

“I don’t get what the big deal is? She has someone, I’ve never been in a relationship.” You say and they all turn to look at you in shock.

Gregory follows Janine out and everyone stares at you in shock.

“Girl you’ve never been in a relationship? Like ever?” Ava says and you sigh.

“Nope, never.” You say and you see Melissa raise her eyebrows.

“Dear, is there a reason you haven’t had a relationship?” Barb asks and that’s when Janine and Gregory walk back in. Gregory told Janine what you said and how everyone looked at you in shock.

“I just haven’t had someone interested in me to date me.” You tell her and you see Melissa looking at you with sympathy.

“What if we helped?” Ava pipes up and you whip your head at her. “We can set you on dates and help you find Mr right or at least someone to start your dating path.” Ava adds and you sigh, finding no way out of this, you agree.

So everyone seems to find a nice man to set you up with and you’re not even remotely interested in them. Then Melissa says that one of her sisters has a friend who agreed to go on a date with you. You put your forehead on the table and slam it a few times. Melissa looks at you and she thinks it’s cute and she giggles. She catches your forehead and brings your head back up.

“Hon, if this date doesn’t go well then we’ll give you a break alright?” She says to comfort you as you’ve been on 5 dates this month. You nod your head at her and she rubs your shoulder. You blush a little bit at her touch and go back to eating.

Melissa has been starting to develop a tiny crush on you. She realised it when you went on your last date a few days ago and she got a little jealous. When you texted her after the date saying there wasn’t going to be a second, she breathed a sigh of relief. You and Melissa became friends rather quickly, you were part of one the people that started with Janine and Jacob and part of the few that remained. When you saw Melissa take an interest in you and no one else that was new, it made you feel really special. Instead of forming a friendship with Janine and Jacob and others that were new, you formed one with Melissa and Barb, mostly Melissa.

On Saturday, you went out with the man that Melissa set you up with, Thomas.

Melissa gets a text from you after the date saying there’s a second one and she feels a stab in her stomach. She obviously was the supportive friend and told you that that’s great.

On Monday, everyone was asking how it went and then there was more questions once you said that you and Thomas were going out again on Friday right after school. Melissa stayed quiet throughout the entire conversation, just kept stabbing her meal and taking angry bites. Everyone noticed this and didn’t say anything, the only one who didn’t notice was you. You were either talking and turned away from her or on your phone texting Thomas. You and Thomas exchanged numbers on your date so that you can keep in contact during the week.

During the week, you and Thomas kept texting and it was driving Melissa up the wall. Not only did you find someone to keep going on dates with, but it was taking her time with you away.

On Wednesday during lunch, you and Melissa were talking. Melissa was giving you her full attention and taking in your every word, and smiling at you as you were talking about your favourite tv show. You then get a text notification from your phone and you pause and look at it.

“Oh sorry, it’s Thomas.” You tell Melissa and her smile drops. She silently stews as she sees you smiling while texting Thomas. You then laugh at something he says and Melissa can’t handle it. She quickly packs her things up and storms out of there.

You watch her walk out of there and you look at Barb for an answer for Melissa’s behaviour and she just shrugs. Everyone feels bad for Melissa, she has a crush on you and it’s at the same time you start dating someone.

On Thursday morning, you burst in to tell Melissa about the newest episode of your favourite show. A smile makes it way to her face and like always, gives you her full attention, even if she hasn’t taken a sip of her coffee yet. She puts her elbow on the table and her head in her hand and stares at you, almost with heart eyes. You then get a text and sees it’s from Thomas.

“It’s from Thomas, he hasn’t said where he’s taking me but says to dress kinda fancy but not like rich fancy.” You say to them and you have no idea what he means.

“Oh girl, he might be taking you to a club.” Ava says, interested in the conversation.

“Oh, well I did mention that I like dancing so it could be.” You say and you don’t notice Melissa hiding her anger while she taps a big sip of coffee. You turn to Melissa and tilt your head. “Melissa, what do you think I should wear? You’ve seen my wardrobe.” You ask her and she turns to look at you and her mind comes up blank.

“I think just wear what you want, you look beautiful no matter what you wear.” She responds with and you blush.

“You’re very sweet.” You tell her and she smiles at you.

“So tell me more about the episode.” Melissa tells you, wanting your attention back on her. She goes back to watching you with a smile as you continue talking. Barb looks at Melissa and prays that this ends well. She knows how Melissa can get when jealous and doesn’t want you or her getting hurt.

In the break room on Friday morning, Barb and Melissa were talking before you got there.

“Melissa dear, you should tell her how you feel, who knows she could be into women as well.” Barb tells her and the trio hears it and agrees.

“And what if she’s not? I’m not going to risk ruining the friendship over my feelings for her.” Melissa says with a pout.

“But Melissa, it’s hurting you. Everytime she gets a text from Thomas, you get jealous. And at some point she’s gonna notice.” Barb says and Melissa is about to say something when you walk in. Her jaw drops as she takes in your appearance. You come in with a black wavy skirt on that stops mid thigh and a dark purple crop top that clings to your body in the best way. The crop top isn’t too short that it’s inappropriate for school but can still see some skin from your belly. You finish the look with some black heels and black tights. You get a whistle from Jacob and Ava and you do a little spin.

“Daaammmn girl, you got that body working for you!” Ava exclaims as she dumps a bunch of sugar in her coffee.

“Thanks! Thomas is picking me up right after school so this is my outfit.” You say as you sit at the table with Barb and Melissa.

“You look wonderful y/n! Thomas will think so too!” Janine says and everyone else but Melissa agrees.

Melissa was shamelessly checking you out until you mentioned Thomas. When you did the little spin, she licked her lips.

“What do you think Melissa? You think it’s good?” You ask her, you value her opinion the most.

“Ya, like I said yesterday, you look beautiful no matter what.” She says and you blush.

“Thank you.” You tell her with a smile.

After school on Friday, you and Melissa are walking out while in conversation. Melissa nudges your shoulders softly as a response to what you said as you walk out of the building. You then see Thomas there to pick you up and you wave at him.

“Hey Thomas!” You say and make your way over to him. “Oh this is Melissa.”

“Hey! There’s the girl of the hour!” He says to you. “Wow you look amazing!” He says as he takes in your appearance. “Hi Melissa, it’s nice to finally meet you. Your sister and y/n here have talked about you.” He says to her.

“Nice to meet you too.” Melissa says with the best smile she can force out of herself. She wasn’t going to ruin this for you, she was going to be as supportive as she can, even if she has to fake a bunch of smiles. Inside she was seething though and it may have come out a little bit in her tone. She didn’t realise it but she was glaring at him every time she looked at him. You didn’t notice it but Thomas sure did and inside he was smirking.

“So y/n, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out on Sunday?” Melissa says and turns to you. “I’ve been forgetting to ask you.” In reality, she didn’t forget, she wasn’t originally going to hang out with you but after meeting Thomas, she feels like she has too. She wants to spend more time with you while she can.

“Oh sure, I’m not doing anything on Sunday. What time?” You say with a smile and she smiles back at you.

“Is noon ok with you?” She asks and you nod.

“Noon sounds perfect.” You tell her and she blushes.

“Alright well I’ll see you then.” She says and waves to you then goes to her car. While she turns to go to her car, she spares a glare at Thomas. You get into Thomas’s car and he drives out of the parking lot:

“Girl, she was jealous!” He tells you and you look at him and scoff.

“How would you know that? You barely even know her.” You tell him.

“You might not have seen it but she was glaring at me the entire time. Do you know how much control it took me to not jump up and down for you?” He says and you roll your eyes. “Come on, you like her and she obviously had feelings for you.” He says to you.

“What if you’re wrong?” You tell him.

“Well how about we keep up this pretend dating situation going on for a bit longer. Maybe she’ll actually confess.” He tells you.

“I don’t know.” You tell him.

On your first date with him, you guys were talking and confessed that you only went on it because of coworkers. You both also confessed that you’re both gay and haven’t come out to your coworkers yet. The entire week you’ve both been texting about your crushes, you about Melissa and Thomas about a guy named Bobby.

“Just a bit longer ok. And besides, I don’t think she was forgetting to tell you about wanting to hang out on Sunday. I think she thought of it after seeing me.” He tells you and you look at him. “I’m just saying.” He tells you and you snort.

He brings you both to a gay bar and you watch a drag show there. You both end up having a really good time. You may not have a relationship yet but you got a new friend out of this that you can be yourself with.

On Sunday you video chat Thomas around 10, you’re wondering what to wear to see Melissa.

“Just go with something similar to what you wore on Friday. Girl, she was checking you out hard.” He tells you dramatically and you roll your eyes with a smile. “Although if you want to be a little spicy, wear a shorter skirt and shorter crop top. Flash her some cleavage, she’ll go crazy.” He tells you and you smile. It wasn’t a bad idea, maybe you’ll see if she’s actually interested in you.

You end up wearing a pleather skirt and red crop top where it shows some cleavage. You see her wearing leather pants and red a lot so maybe if she sees you in something similar then it’ll catch her eye. You top it up with tights and heels that stop just below your knee. You show Thomas the final product and do a little spin. He claps at how you look with a big smile and does a little cat call whistle.

“Womaniser here, you go get your girl.” He says to you. You see the time and say goodbye to Thomas and go to Melissa’s house. You stopped to get her her favourite donuts from her place and then arrive at her place a couple minutes before noon. You grabbed the donuts and your purse and then go and knock on her door. Melissa opens it and she goes to say hi but then sees your outfit and she freezes. You look sexy to her and she unconsciously licks her lips. The action isn’t lost on you but still not enough proof that she likes you. She lets you in and you give her the box of donuts and she opens it and lights up.

“Omg! You got me my favourite donuts! Thanks hon.” She says and gives you a hug. You lean into her touch a little bit during the hug and you feel all warm inside and you have a smile on your face.

You two spend the day talking about anything and you munch on some snacks after you both finish the donuts, she of course offered you half. Melissa is having a great time listening to you talk and she never asks once how your date on Friday went, she doesn’t want to know.

She talks to you at some point about which one of her siblings has annoyed her during the week. It seems her second youngest sibling Toni has annoyed her the most this week. You giggle when she goes on about it and she blushes at you giggling and smiles. She finds you so adorable and she wishes you were hers and not with Thomas. She likes to think that the fact that you haven’t brought him up is a good sign. Melissa invites you to stay for dinner and you always accept.

“Hell ya, I would never miss an opportunity to eat your food.” You tell her and she beams.

She makes you your favourite Italian meal and you have a huge smile when you realise it. She went out and got the ingredients for it this morning, hoping to make it for you since it’ll make you happy. She gets butterflies in her stomach when she sees your big smile and how happy you were and she wants to do this more often. She wants to spend days like this with you more, and she wants to be able to lean in and kiss you when you’re this happy.

You watch a movie while you eat dinner and you let her choose the movie. She ends up choosing a horror film, knowing you like to cuddle into her during them as you get scared. You groan at her movie choice and she smirks at you.

“I’m sure it won’t be as bad as the last one.” She tells you, the last time you hid your face in her neck as you got really scared. Melissa knows it’s as scary as the last one but wants to be able to hold you again and have your face hiding in her neck. When you both finish dinner, it got to the point where the scary scenes were starting and you curl up beside her and she puts an arm around your shoulders. She sighs in content and rubs your arm a bit.

You whine a bit at a scary part and she brings you closer to her and you let her. At another point you jump and hide your face in her neck and she smiles while stroking your hair.

“It’s alright, I got you. You’re safe.” She tells you when you whimper in her neck. When the movie is over you don’t bother to move from your head on her neck and she doesn’t say anything. She just continues stroking your hair and you end up falling asleep on her. She hears your soft snores and she tucks the hair in your face behind your ear. She puts both her arms around you in a hug and sighs.

“Oh how I wish you were mine y/n.” She tells your sleeping form. She ends up putting a blanket on you two and manoeuvres you both so that you can both fall asleep on the couch. She doesn’t want to let you go and she falls asleep with you curled up in her arms, she kisses your head before she falls asleep and then has one of the best sleeps in her life.

Her happiness crashes down on her on Monday during lunch. You and Melissa are talking when Thomas comes in to surprise you and attempts to make Melissa jealous to get her to admit her feelings.

“Hey y/n!” He tells you and you turn around to look at him in shock.

You mouth ‘what the hell are you doing here?’ To him and he just comes over to you.

“I wanted to see you today and got the opportunity so I came to surprise you.” He says with a big smile.

Melissa feels her rage increase by the second. Thomas spares a glance at Melissa and sees the anger radiating off of her. Everyone tries to keep Melissa from doing anything by talking to Thomas to keep his attention off of you. Janine ends up doing most of the talking with him. His attention however turns to you and includes you in the conversation. Melissa finally snaps and storms over to put her lunch in the fridge and slams the door, then she storms out of the break room without saying a word.

Thomas turns to you with a smirk and you give him a glare. “What are you waiting for? Go and get your girl and calm her down before she retrieves her bat and hits my deeply moisturised face.” He says to you and everyone looks at you guys in shock. You hide your face in your hands before Barb pipes up.

“What’s going on here?” She asks and you sigh before turning to everyone.

“I’m gay alright.” You say and everyone gasps.

“So am I.” Thomas admits after you.

“We haven’t been dating, we’re friends and he took me to go see a drag show on Friday.” You tell them all. “Also, what the hell are you doing here?” You turn to him.

“Melissa got jealous, I told you she was jealous when she saw me on Friday.” He tells you and you sigh and cross your arms, he puts his hand up in surrender. “Hey, you wanted to know if she liked you back and girl, she got the feels for you.” He tells you and you miss everyone’s grin when he admits you like Melissa.

You go to find Melissa and when you get to her classroom, you find it locked and you go and knock on it. “Melissa, you in there?” You knock a couple of times and no one opens it so you assume Melissa isn’t in there and you go and check other places she could be.

Melissa was inside her classroom but chooses to ignore your knocking and just stews in anger in her classroom. She realises she can’t be around now if she reacts like that whenever Thomas is around. She doesn’t want to admit her feelings either so she chooses to do everything to avoid and ignore you, starting immediately.

You don’t get the chance to talk to her for the rest of the day, and at the end of the day you go to her classroom only to discover she’s already gone, she always waits for you. You run into Barb and she tells you to just give Melissa some space as she’s dealing with something. The something is her feelings for you but Barb doesn’t tell you that.

You take Barb’s advice and give Melissa space. You don’t try to start conversations with her, you sit with the trio at lunch instead, and you don’t bother to go see her at her classroom after school. This goes on for almost 2 weeks and you’ve had enough.

After school on Friday you go to her house, you knock on the door and she doesn’t answer. You then do insist knocking until she answers,

“Ok I’m coming I’m coming!” You hear from inside and then the door opens. Melissa sees you standing there and she’s shocked, you were the last person she expected to see. “Y/n.” She says softly and surprised.

“What the hell is going on with you?!?” You ask, a bit angry and upset with her. You see Melissa looks stunned at your mini outburst but she doesn’t say anything. “I mean we’re really good friends and all of a sudden you start ignoring me like I’m a fucking plague and I don’t even know why. You act the same with everyone else though, everyone except me! So what the fuck Melissa?” You add and she looks down for a few seconds.

“I’m sorry.” Is all she says.

“You’re sorry? I don’t want an apology Melissa, I want an explanation.” You tell her and cross your arms. She steps aside and lets you in, she’d rather do this inside instead of at her door where people could watch. You go inside and stand beside her couch. “So? What’s going on with you?” You ask her and she cautiously steps closer to you.

“I’m jealous ok.” She says and you look at her with wide eyes.

“Jealous? Of who?” You ask her.

“Thomas.” Is all she says and looks at your reaction and you’re surprised.

“Of Thomas? Why would you be jealous of Thomas?” You ask her. You know that Thomas thinks Melissa likes you and you have the idea that maybe she is but don’t want to get your hopes up.

“Because I have feelings for you and you’re dating him.” She says like it’s obvious and you gasp.

“You have feelings for me?” You ask her and she nods. “Melissa, Thomas and I aren’t dating, we’re both gay.” You tell her and she looks at you stunned.

“What?”

“Ya, we’re both gay. Wait, Barb didn’t tell you? The day that Thomas came, we told everyone we’re both gay after you stormed out.” You tell her.

“She didn’t tell me. She did try and push me to talk to you though for these past 2 weeks.” She says with a small smile.

“Melissa, I have feelings for you too. When I hang out with Thomas or text him, I mostly talk about you, and he talks about his crush on this guy named Bobby.” You tell her and she sucks in a breath.

“You like me?” She asks and you nod.

“How could I not like you? I mean you’re the whole package. You’re short tempered, big heart, amazing cook, you’re ginger, into women, and also drop dead gorgeous.” You say and walk closer with every word until you’re right in front of her.

You can see her blush at your words and looks down at the ground for a second then looks back up at you, with a smile on her face. “You forgot one.” She tells you and you tilt your head at her. “You forgot that I’m crazy about you.” She tells you and you smile. “You know I’m surprised that you’ve never had a relationship before.”

“Oh ya? And why’s that?” You ask and she takes your hands in hers.

“Because, you’re kind, gentle, stubborn, into women as well, stunning, and you love cuddles when watching a horror movie which is cute.” She tells you.

“Hmm, did you pick horror movies just to cuddle with me?” You ask her and she nods proudly. “I should have known.” You say and lean into her and cup her cheek. “You forgot one as well.” You tell her as she leans into you. “I’m crazy about you.” You tell her and she blushes then she closes the gap.

Taglist: @esposadejoyhuerta

@imaginesmultifandoms

@idonothingalldays-blog

@sexysapphicshopowner

@dvrkhcld

@lilfartbox1

@ricejucie

@unicorniusfallapatorius

@a-queen-and-her-throne

@sleep-deprived-athlete

@og-kxsh-420

Let me know if you want to be added!

[ladykailitha]

Not All That Glitters is Gold Part 17

This is the last chapter of this story. I do have the sequel halfway written and it will be most of the way, if not all the way done before I post the first chapter.

It's called "Everything I Ever Wanted" and will be four chapters, each based on a part of Steve's new life I wanted to highlight. Retirement, Steve's charity, the bonding and mating, and the birth of their first child and the fallout with his parents.

I will still keep the Glitters tag list for the sequel. I wouldn't normally, but it's such a little thing, it's just easier that way. If you want to be taken off the list for the sequel, let me know.

Here is Steve's happily ever after. As it should be.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16

****

Steve hated his heats before, but he loathed them now. Now he had an alpha he wanted to share it with, only they weren’t allowed to.

It was only a mini heat to clear out a minor faux bond and would barely last twenty four hours, but they would be the most miserable twenty four hours of his life and that included the twenty four hours after he learned he was infertile.

But Robin was the best handler in the business for a reason. The second his body temperature spiked, Xander and her got Eddie out and into her apartment, still in rut as he was.

Then she rebuilt Steve’s nest from scratch to perfection with the minor edition of Eddie’s handkerchief under his pillow.

The handkerchief plus, Eddie’s scent still sending out waves toward Steve’s apartment would help mitigate the absolute misery he would be in, but he still hated it.

Once all traces of the heat were out of his system, and his temperature going back to normal was Steve allowed visitors. Not even Robin was allowed inside his bedroom during his heats.

Though that was mainly because the poor omega was so pitiful and crying that a lot of handlers would be emotional wrecks afterwards.

Robin had made the mistake once when a heat came a week early due to some stress that was happening in Steve’s life and she was a sobbing mess the whole time he was in heat.

No one knew why the sight of an omega in heat drove betas to such an extreme emotional response, but the prevailing theory was that it was an evolutionary throw back to the pre-historic era so that betas would be moved to not take advantage of the omega in their most vulnerable time.

He showered and stepped out to his front room and smiled. Robin and Eddie were on the sofa waiting for him.

“Hey, princess,” Eddie murmured. “How are you feeling?”

Steve groaned and flopped down on the seat between the two of them. “Like I’ve been run over. The mini heats are the worst. Because you can’t prepare for them.”

“Especially since that was his first mini heat,” Robin commented dryly, “that automatically makes it worse.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “You don’t usually get mini heats?”

“Nope!” Steve said, popping the P. “Robin carefully curates my clients so that it’s never happened. I’ve experienced faux bonds before, the chemical bonding of scents instead of an actual bite bond. Those are common enough. But no, no mini heats for me.”

Eddie looked over at Robin who looked smug.

“Well that’s good then,” he said.

Steve nodded. He chewed on his lower lip and sighed. “I think we need to talk about the golden omega thing. It’s not possible, right?”

Robin and Eddie raised their eyebrows.

“Stevie,” Eddie said gently, “not only is it possible, it’s highly probable.”

Steve looked over at Robin and she nodded.

“Wait, what?”

“You don’t have to do anything about it now,” Robin said. ��As long as you are a Starcourt escort you’ll spend your heats alone. And then if you want to get bonded to Eddie and have pups with him, walk away from the job and then mate.”

Steve went stock still as he mulled it over in his mind. Eddie and Robin exchanged concerned glances but stayed silent as Steve’s entire world view was shifted on its axis.

Starcourt had always treated Steve like he was special. It was one of the reasons his cherry popping was such a major event. His parents had sneered at the whole experience, but the agency had gone out of their way to make Steve feel safe in the process.

But to be a golden omega for real? And not just because Eddie wanted him to be special. Not that Eddie didn’t already think he was special, but this would cement how special Steve actually was.

He knew his parents would immediately come out of the woodwork to claim more money for being a golden omega, but it would also be the sweetest justice imaginable.

Because they could have gotten more from Steve’s omegahood and chose to throw him away like he didn’t matter. Only coming back when they needed more money.

“Explain it to me,” he whispered.

And they did. Robin leading the way with Eddie filling in spots where he thought Steve needed more clarity. When they were done Steve looked at Robin and said with tears in his eyes, “If I retire do I lose you?”

Robin’s lip quivered and she got up on her knees. She gently took Steve’s face in her hands. “No. Absolutely not. Yes, an omega escort has to be a handler’s top priority, but you are my best friend. My platonic soulmate, you’d have to murder me to get me to leave you. Do you understand?”

Steve nodded and then threw himself into her arms. Having to choose between the love of his life and his best friend would have been the hardest thing he would have ever had to do. But this made it easy.

They talked about it for a bit and ultimately it was decided Steve would retire when he turned thirty. It would give him a couple more years do a job he loved, but still give Eddie and him plenty of time to have pups.

“That’s a perfect solution,” Eddie agreed. “And I think the band will agree to a couple years break making music so we can all focus on our family lives.”

Steve’s omega chirped happily. Eddie chuckled and pulled him onto his lap. He nuzzled Steve’s scent gland and the omega chirped again.

“Look at you,” Robin said happily. “All content and comfortable. You just got every thing you could ever want, you lucky bastard.”

Steve grinned at her. “I am so blessed.”

Eddie blew a raspberry under Steve’s ear causing him to giggle.

“Eddie!” he protested, trying to push the alpha away, but Eddie did it again, this time on his cheek.

Soon they were wrestling and Steve ended up on the floor, looking up at a surprised Eddie.

“Rude,” Steve huffed as he got to his feet.

“Oops!”

Robin shook her head.

Eddie brought out Steve’s silly side and Steve let Eddie be himself. Apparently the universe knew what it was doing after all with these two.

****

The next three years passed by in a blur.

Chrissy had become the star Steve always knew she was. But of course, that meant her ex-boyfriend and her mother found out about her leaving the convent.

Steve was actually there to witness their faces, purple with rage showing up at some event she was at. The alpha actress she was with had to call security to get them removed.

Chrissy released a statement through the agency that spoke of her love of the job, the religious abuse her mother had put her through, and the love she thought was eternal with Jason turning to ash when she found out she couldn’t bear his children.

She spoke of the love that the sisters had shown her when her mother had dropped her off at the convent against the wishes of her father and her own. About how half of her cherry price went to those same sisters who had protected her from the wrath of her mother for years.

She spoke about how she found her people with Starcourt Services. How she had good friends, made good money, and how her father had supported her every step of the way. And how the other half of her cherry price would always be waiting for her if she ever wanted to leave. Something that after some serious soul searching she knew would not be for a long, long time.

Chrissy’s story burst open a scandal that had been the Church’s best kept secret, that a third of the omegas that came to them after learning they were infertile were brought there against their will by religious extremist parents not wanting their omega child to live their own lives.

Max and Lucas finally announced they were bonding after Lucas played his first game in the NBA as the first omega point guard for the Indiana Pacers, having won their law suit.

With Steve retiring, Robin was going to be Chrissy’s handler. Robin hadn’t lasted with Vickie due to them wanting different things out of life. Robin loved her job, but Vickie wanted more of her time to be focused just on her, something Robin wasn’t willing to do.

Tommy had been kicked out of the agency after he had a very public fight with his ex-girlfriend, Carol. He was supposed to be escorting Billy Hargrove but had found him in a bathroom with known omega starlet, Heather Holloway, his dick in her.

Carol had thrown it in his face that he couldn’t even get wandering Billy Hargrove to stay still long enough. Tommy had thrown hands and Starcourt had thrown him out.

Last Steve heard he was working as a pre-school teacher, barely making a tenth the amount he was at Starcourt. But he had found an alpha and they were happy together, satisfied for the first time in his life.

Jonathan was pregnant with Nancy and his second child. Steve was actually happy for them when they announced it.

Eddie’s band was topping the charts and had done a couple of tours. Steve had missed him, but with work keeping him busy, they were able to keep up a healthy communication.

Elinor and Gareth had decided to bond. Elinor knew that she would never reach the heights of Steve or Chrissy so when the last of her cherry price had been paid, she left the agency to be a rockstar’s wife.

Steve couldn’t wait to spend his first heat with Eddie. What was even better was the fact that Eddie’s rut had synced up with Steve’s heat and everyone knew to stay away for that week.

Their bonding and wedding ceremony was the talk of the town, Steve and Eddie surrounded by all their friends and loved ones. The whole Party was there.

Steve had taken preemptive measures against his parents, knowing that they would try and get more money from him, once Eddie and Steve announced that they had gotten pregnant.

He had a protective order ready to spring into affect the moment they tried anything. Lawyers on speed dial, and security on standby.

He had the life he had always dreamed of. A soulmate who would bond him and give him the pups he so desperately desired, who loved and cared for him like no one in his life could match. Robin came close. Because of course she did. Maybe not more or less than Eddie, but different.

And when that first little one came to loving and adoring parents, Steve knew that regardless if Dustin was omega, alpha, beta, or infertile Eddie and Steve would love him and support him no matter where he chose to go in life.

And that was the perfect ending to Steve’s story, he thought. Eddie couldn’t help but agree.

****

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[she-whatshername]

Tyrrish Men Headcanons I made you vote for

Prompt: travel edition

Garrick:

When we getting to the airport: 3 hours ahead, the man is the son of aide of a duke. He is prompt

And yes, he does have a folder of everyone’s passports and flight information

He 100% owns TSA precheck/global entry

Is he holding your bags: Yes. You won’t touch a thing on your journey.

Will drop you off at check in and then go park through car so you don’t have to walk

Where are you sitting? Okay, I know he’s wealthy but are the aides of dukes aristocrats themselves or just well off people? I’m guessing you’ll do economy premium, maybe first class.

Honestly this man is a social butterfly and will just chat with the gate attendants and you’ll be bumped to first class. And yeah, he’s probably sweet talking with all the flight attendants.

Snacks and drinks: will order for you and be polite about it like “you wanted a whisky, right baby?”

He’d probably be that guy to clap when the plane lands. Idk why I just feel it lolol

Bodhi:

When we getting to the airport: maybe 2 hours before you take off.

Let’s be real, Bodhi is easy going by nature and Xaden forced him to be prompt and on top of things due to the revolution

Bodhi probably snoozes his alarm at least 4 times and takes awhile to actually get out of bed. So showing up to the airport early, meh.

Also let’s be real, you’re flying first class so you literally breeze through security and get to hang out in a lounge before take off

This man takes care of you. Literally everything is booked and you just have to show up.

Is he holding your bags: of course. Not only that, he packed all your stuff in his carry on so you could have more room to pack

Will hold your hand the entire way to the gate, on the flight, he’s got you

Where are you sitting: first class bb. Like the fancy fancy first class. You board the plane first and the attendants are like “welcome Mr. Durran.” lol

Snacks and drinks: duh. Champagne. Fancy snacks. Also he packed your favorite snacks in his bag for you.

He’s also checking in on you often, “comfortable, love? Why don’t you take a nap and I’ll wake you up when food gets here.”

An Angel this man is

Also if you’re napping he is 100% gushing to the flight crew about you.

Xaden:

Lolol

When we getting to the airport: whenever the fuck you want

You think this man is flying commercial.

Baby

You are in a car rolling up to the runway to a private jet. Crew waiting for your arrival

Is he holding your bag: nope. But neither are you. He’s got staff to take care of that.

You have the whole private jet to yourselves. You can sit wherever.

Snacks and drinks: your favorite drinks, snacks and foods are on board waiting for you. He’s got it all taken care of.

He will also ask the flight crew to take scenic routes to your destination, avoid paths where it could be bumpy, and basically treat you like the royalty you are

NSFW: Mile high club?? Skies the limit, BB.

His plane. His seats. His woman/man/partner

Also I feel like he’d be the guy to just get up and hop in the pilot seat like, “let me fly my girl to our destination”. And the flight crew is like, 👍🏽

If he had to fly commercial I think he’d be a wreck honestly lol. His trust issues would never

The Marked ones would draw straws/fight over who has to sit next to him lolol

Garrick is like “I usually handle him every day, it’s my vacation too. Bodhi, you get him on the way there and Im, you sit next to him when we go back.”

Liam:

I don’t think this man flies. He’s more of a roadtrip type.

Loves the joy of the journey with you, it’s part of the trip

And that suites you just fine

And he will absolutely drive the whole way unless you want to.

[dangermousie]

2023 End of Year Post - kdrama edition

Yes, we have a some of December left, and I want to check out Death's Game but whatever. I got time for this now and not sure if I will have later so here goes.

This is only going to cover kdramas that aired in 2023; if I watched it but it was made in a different year, it’s not on the list. This was an excellent kdrama year, the likes of which we hadn't had in a long time.

DRAMAS WATCHED

In order of liking from least to most as opposed to pure quality so pls don't come for me, fans of some popular dramas that are on my nope list. Also, I am including if I’ve seen enough to make up my mind; yes I realize that’s inaccurate, but that’s my list.

33. The Escape of the Seven - this is so aggressively stupid and mean that it feels like the makers are playing a practical joke seeing how much their audience will take. This has a season 2 coming, so the answer is a lot.

32. Behind Your Touch - the FL gets superpowers by touching people's and animals' butts. Yes, you read this right. Do I really need to add anything?

31. King the Land - yes, it was a hit. Yes, it stars popular actors. I HATED IT LIKE IT TOUCHED MY BUTT TO GET SUPERPOWERS!!! Plastic people in paint by the numbers story, with about as much genuineness or retability as a barbie aisle in walmart. I never expect much from Yoona so whatever, but to have LJH go from The Red Sleeve to this boggles the mind.

30. Mrs Durian - this is so dumb that I think I lost a few IQ points watching this, but its insanity becomes entertaining - I mean what kdrama can you name where a daughter in law declares her love and lust for her mother in law at a family dinner?

29. The Matchmakers - there is nothing offensive about this drama at all. But there is nothing in the least interesting either. If elevator music took drama shape, it would be this show.

28. Destined with You - sorry, Rowoon, I am still fond of you, but you are two for two in drama duds department this year. This is a drama where I loved ep 1, liked ep 2, was indifferent to 3 and...you get the point. Each ep was worse than the one before, and I bailed before I was dragged into a cosmic singularity.

27. Oasis - great first two episodes. Unfortunately it was not a two ep show. The performances are solid but the story is just not there - the effect is like a fancy chef making an amazing sauce to put on pig slop.

26. Boyhood - it's not you, it's me in action. I can see why people would like it but a 34-year old playing a high schooler in a Weak Hero Class 1 Slapstick Edition is no go for me.

25. Castaway Diva - it's so precious and kooky in the most annoying ways, with the most well-adjusted abused castaway in history. I like magic realism when done by Jorge Amado, but this ain't Amado.

24. Island - it had a good concept, good cast and fun visuals but the execution deserved one of ML's swords through the neck.

23. The Worst of Evil - if I wanted an American show, I'd watch one. Very solid performances though.

22. Song of the Bandits - period edition of what I said about The Worst of Evil.

21. Welcome to Samdalri - and goodbye to any hope of emotional involvement.

20. Joseon Attorney - I have yet to like a single sageuk centered around a profession and this was not an exception. I guess it could be worse but it also could have been so much better.

19. Twinkling Watermelon - everyone loved this drama. Everyone except for me. It's the kind of precious that sets my teeth on edge and I couldn't stand half the main characters we were supposed to root for. I guess I like my fruits to shine steadily.

18. Our Blooming Youth - probably the biggest disappointment on this list. This is not a bad drama by any means, but with that cast and that story (I loved the novel), I was hoping for a memorable sageuk not merely all right.

17. Vigilante - it has the emotional complexity and nuance of a punch to the throat but it gives us quasi-gay openly-murderous dudes going after psychos and Yoo Ji Tae holding feral Nam Joo Hyuk by his hoodie at his feet.

16. The Forbidden Marriage - expected nothing but it was a surprisingly enjoyable trifle of a costume drama that was also quite pretty.

15. Arthdal Chronicles: Sword of Aramun - a hot mess but such an entertaining epic one. And it gave us TWO Lee Jun Kis in period gear and who am I to cavil at the bounty of God?

14. The Story of Park's Marriage - it's a trifle, a souffle, so light it might blow away, but it keeps my attention and is so fun and sweet.

13. My Lovely Liar - a huge surprise, that manages to mix a murder mystery and a romcom, and shocked me by showing Hwang Minhyun can act.

12. Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 - the original ToNT was my fave drama of its year and I did not think it needed a sequel. But this is not a sequel but more of a side-quel and is such a total delight with brotherly love, adventures, romance and hijinks. It's a joy.

11. Perfect Marriage Revenge - it's actually very hard to do a soap right but this slim 12 ep drama managed. So fun, so crazy, such a good ship!

10. My Lovely Boxer - not really about sports, but about two broken people finding salvation because of and in each other. Also, if you like age gap romances, this is delicious. Sort of loses steam by the end but c’est la vie.

9. The Secret Romantic Guesthouse - this was a sageuk that was not on my radar with a bunch of actors I was not familiar with but it took my heart away. A good plot that was perfectly paced, characters and ships I adored, a logical ending. This is one of the biggest positive surprises of the year for me.

8. Tell Me That You Love Me - a slice of life remake (sort of, it's more "inspired by") of my favorite jdrama of all time. It's not as good as the jdrama because nothing could be, but it's an aching lovely story with some incredible performances.

7. See You In My 19th Life - funny and romantic and haunting and hopeful and odd. This was one of my favorites of the year.

6. Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow - it's rare for me to like a (1) sequel (2) with FL actress change (3) that is a Hong Sisters drama. But this was such a gorgeous, surprisingly achy story of love and loss and love regained with some cool monster fighting in the middle. Between the two seasons, this is the first Hong Sisters' drama I enjoyed from beginning to end in well over a decade.

5. My Demon - so tropey (chaebols, supernaturals) but it proves that these tropes are popular for a reason. The chemistry is fire, the story is unpredictable and the whole thing is an addictive delight. A rare drama where I like each new ep more than the last one.

4. Goryeo Khitan War - an old school sageuk in every meaning of the term (no romance, no eye candy, lots of bearded men, battles and politics), this feels like watching an epic movie more than a drama. The vast cast all earns their place and the performances (mainly from character actors given a chance to shine) are incredible.

3. Call It Love - two very very damaged people finding love and healing with each other. This is a narrative very hard to do to my satisfaction but when it's done well, as here, there are few things that can hold a candle to it.

2. My Dearest - a masterpiece of cinematography, narrative, performances. This is an old-school epic romance in the best sense of the term. If it doesn't make you swoon or break your heart, there is something wrong with you. A story of two untraditional, strong-willed, flawed people who fall in love in the middle of the horrifying Qing invasion of Korea and have to deal with all that the world throws at them, this is a bona fide masterpiece.

1 - Moon in the Day - who knew my favorite kdrama of the year will star a store brand Domyoji from Extraordinary You and an actress I was never familiar with. But this part period/part modern fantasy tale of doomed cursed lovers is everything I knew I wanted and everything I didn't know I wanted but did. Two lovers where their love did not save them and in modern day it might not again, has got me obsessed the way I haven't been in years.

FAVORITE DRAMA

Moon in the Day - if there is such a thing as a drama made perfectly for me, this gorgeous, emotionally haunting, utterly romantic, twisty tale is it.

WORST DRAMA

The Escape of the Seven. This drama is proof that demons exist and not sexy ones like Song Kang but horrible nasty ones who delight in the torment this hot mess inflicted on its viewers.

FAVORITE MALE CHARACTER

Do Ha, Moon in the Day - a Silla general and a consummate killer who committed atrocities on the orders of his monster father and yearned to die for them, who found the meaning in life in loving his enemy but it did not make him better, a man so obsessed he literally was around for 1500 years of horrifying ghostly existence and still went "worth it" for a woman who killed him as long as he knew she loved him while she did it. He's intense and competent and beyond fucked up and has never had a normal day and I love him so so so very much from a safe distance.

FAVORITE FEMALE CHARACTER

Gil Chae, My Dearest - she starts out as vain and spoiled but the horrors that break so many others bring out all her fierce survivor potential and she becomes such a force of nature - capable of incredible love but also sacrifice and strength and compassion.

Runner Up: Shin Hye Sun's reincarnator in See You In My 19th Life - quirky, damaged, strong, so odd and so vulnerable at once.

NEEDS TO BE MURDERED

There are a lot of characters who fit that category (King Injo in My Dearest? My God) but the crown belongs to So Ri Bu from Moon in the Day. You think you've seen abusive parents but until you've seen a man abuse his son his whole life and then continue for 1500 years after his death, you ain't seen nothing!

FAVORITE SHIP

The doomed by the narrative OTP of Moon in The Day. Only thing that's better than enemies to lovers is enemies while lovers and their impossible relationship where her killing him is a supreme act of love and his refusing to let go is so strong that he stays around for 1500 years watching her, helpless as she dies over and over again, is everything you ever want.

Runner up: Jang Hyun/Gil Chae, My Dearest. They are so strong and so damaged and it takes them so long to figure out what they feel and what the other person feels but their love and sacrifice and complexities are perfect.

FAVORITE SECONDARY OTP

Kim Shi Yeol/Hong Joo, The Secret Romantic Guesthouse - an assassin bodyguard pretending to be a carefree scholar and a widow of the man he killed to protect his king (and whose life was destroyed as a result.) I enjoyed the main OTP of this drama but I was utterly and completely unhinged for the secondary couple.

I'd have probably picked Rang and his mermaid from TotNT 1938 even over them, but they really were the main OTP of that drama.

NOTP

King the Land couple seems like an easy target but honestly, they are both so terribly bland and antiseptic and marketing by committee, they kinda deserve each other. So I am gonna go with Destined with You, one half of which thinks supernaturally roofying someone into loving them is cute and the other half thinks dating one woman while wooing another is totally a-ok. Ugh.

FAVORITE SCENE

There is no competition for the scene in the slave market in My Dearest, where Jang Hyun finds Gil Chae - the way he screams and tries to clutch the hem of her skirt will live in my head forever.

And the scene where he 'wins' that horrifying bet, or the scene where she finds him in a pile of bodies - they are as good also. Or when he fights off a squad to protect her even though he's sick. That whole drama is perfect.

Runner up: the scene of Do Ha executing Ri Ta's family, covered in blood, as she looks at him from the crowd in Moon in the Day.

Or the scene where he talks about how he cannot live as a person but at least maybe she will kill him and he will die as one. Or when her confession in the past intercuts with his walking in the present, or when he comes home in his bloodied armor and she finds he has a fever and it's the first tender touch he's probably ever known. Her murdering So Ri Bu saying she knows she's going against filial piety in loving her parents' murderer, the way they hug, both bloody, as he says "let's live." The way she says she can't go on as she's hit rock bottom and he replies she cannot quit because she must accompany him to his rock bottom now. Honestly, the drama is a font of amazingness.

Also, the opening scene of Goryeo Khitan War or the scene of Yang Gyu ordering to shoot the captives and having to do so himself.

The OTP meeting again at the intersection at the end of ep 1 of Tell Me That You Love Me. SHS comforting ABH as he's having a traumatic breakdown in 19th Life. The love-making scene in Call It Love. There were a lot of great scenes this year.

BIGGEST CRUSH

Lee Jang Hyun, My Dearest - is that even a competition? He's flawed - vain, often emotionally closed off, not great at processing emotions, lashing out when hurt. He is also incredibly heroic in a real, knows the cost but bears it, kind of way. Whatever he does, he commits utterly but it's never without understanding the cost. He felt both larger than life and utterly real. He went through hell and maintained his soul and the way he loved Gil Chae was breath-taking to behold.

Runner Up: Yang Gyu, Goryeo Khitan War - an experienced military commander who wins an impossible victory even as it ravages his soul. Competence is sexy as fuck.

BEST SCENE STEALER CHARACTER

Rang, Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 - 1938 really was Rang's chance to shine and he took it. For a character I started out disliking in the original, he really stole my entire heart in this drama. I am so glad he got his happy ending with his brother and his girl.

Runner Up: Crown Prince, My Dearest. He started out as a sheltered, spoiled aristocrat, convinced the world owed him for existing. He grew up slowly and painfully into an amazing man. And then was murdered for it and I cried.

NEEDS A SEQUEL

Arthdal - it leaves the story at a good stopping point but it's very much a "world in flux, adventures and conflicts continue" ending and I would love to see more of these characters. I know we won't but it would have been nice.

NEEDS SCISSORS TAKEN TO IT

Behind Your Touch - should have been snipped at birth.

TOO MANY SCISSORS TAKEN TO IT

Vigilante - I don't mean it had scissors taken to it because it's not cdrama and there is no NRTA, but this drama would have benefitted from being longer. I mean, I love fights and gay polycules as much as the next tumblr person but a bit more character development would not have come amiss. (ahaha - I said come. Leave me alone.)

TROPE THAT NEEDS TO DIE

I don't care about cops/doctors/trash collectors/whoever - workplace drama centering on their "cases" needs to die. I hate procedurals from any country and Korea is no exception.

FAVORITE TROPE WE’VE SEEN A LOT OF

Supernatural critter devoted to their OTP with all the power of their long life.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Our Blooming Youth - it was far from terrible but it was a giant meh. I was so excited to see Park Hyung Sik in a sageuk (that wasn't the hot mess that was Hwarang) and I adored the source novel. It actually started well and then...it's like Revenge of the Beige!

BIGGEST GOOD SURPRISE

I want to say Moon in the Day but to be honest, I was excited by posters and trailers so it wasn't wholly a surprise despite not having much of an opinion on the actors before I saw them. So I am going to say My Demon. I was bored by the trailers, I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a Kim Yoo Jung drama and before this year I would have said Song Kang was an incredibly limited actor in everything I've seen him in and not appealing to me at all. And here I am rabidly rabiding for this drama!

If I am not limiting myself to dramas but can use this for actors - Hwang Minhyun in My Lovely Liar. I genuinely did not think the man could act and then he gave such a pitch-perfect, nuanced performance out of nowhere!

2023 DRAMAS I HAVEN’T SEEN THAT I MOST WANT TO WATCH

I have actually watched all the kdramas that aired this year that I wanted to check out except for Evilive. I am saving this for when I have time.

BEST NON-2023 DRAMA I’VE WATCHED IN 2023

I don't know if I'd say it's the best but Say You Love Me (2004) with Kim Rae Won as a quasi monk seduced away from his true love by an evil older woman was a hell of a ride.

MOST ANTICIPATED

Love Song for Illusion (Lady assassin falls for her royal target who has two personalities), Captivating the King (lady spy falls for her royal target who is tormented) - notice a theme? Also Flower that Blooms at Night because Honey Lee in a sageuk, The Life of Mrs Ock (Lim Ji Yeon in a sageuk), The Love Story of Chun Hwa (an "erotic" sageuk, hmmmm, what?!), Hong Rang (Lee Jae Wook in a super angst sageuk), Queen Woo (that cast and set in Goguryeo!), Wong Kyung (about Lee Bang Won's wife and I love the cast.) Basically, if it's period, I am there with bells on.

[royallyprincesslilly]

Title: Wasted Love {Part II}

Lewis Hamilton x Reader

Warning: Language, High Angst

Words: 6.3k

Summary: Nope.

Note: Posted the first part of this months back and finally getting around to part 2. I hope you like it. Look out for the final part.

As always, thank you for reading. I appreciate it!

As you enjoyed this, please, LIKE, COMMENT, REBLOG!!! ❤️❤️

***NOT Edited/Proofread***

Previous: Wasted Time |

-Lewis-

"For fuck's sake!” He threw the controller across the room.  When it collided with the floor it shattered sending pieces everywhere. "Woah. Woah! What the hell?!” Andrew, Miles, and Daniel all looked at him with varying expressions of confusion, shock, and concern. "Yo, what the fuck is your problem? It’s just an L in MK," Andrew said. He sighed then rubbed his face, pressing a little harder than necessary. "Like we can go again, and I'll let you win if it's that serious," Miles said. He sighed again, his head miles, leaps, and bounds away from the video game, the living room, or his friends. His mind was still in that penthouse suite with you standing in front of him as you argued going back and forth both pushing and neither relenting even a little. His head was still there picking apart every word, every expression, every shuddered breath, every pupil dilation. "Yo, Lewis," Daniel called bringing his attention back to them. "Nah, this can't be about the game. Even you're not that petty," Miles said putting his controller down. "What's up?" He rolled his head around cracking each joint in his neck and shoulders. He hadn't realized until now how wound up he'd been over the last 2 and a half weeks. He also hadn’t realized how steadily his anger and frustrations were climbing too. What was him being in disbelief for the first few days after the confrontation turned into anger then annoyance. Right now he was festering and stewing in all three. He couldn’t believe that after everything you'd been through, everything you'd shared, the lengthy conversations, the trips to and from each of your homes, the late-night phone and video calls that lasted for hours and hours, the dates, the trips, the interactions with his family and him yours, all of it, you were here.

While he had thought you were building and strengthening and growing toward each other despite his insane schedule and lack of free time, that wasn't the case at all. If you had then there was no way you could have said the shit you did or believed he would do some shit like that. "Dude," Andrew began. "It's nothing," he lied. "Bullshit. It's not racing that's been going good, it's not the other hustles either. What, is it Y/N?" His entire body tensed at the mention of your name. That was different. Before, your name brought him peace, a smile and so much more. "Bingo. What is it? Haven't seen her in a few weeks, she too busy for your ass and you salty for it?" He was used to Daniel’s teasing, and usually, he would laugh it up and allow them to bust his chops, but right now Daniel was rubbing on a sensitive topic. Before he realized it he'd kissed his teeth. That action made all three of them perk up. "What's wrong?" "We're done," he blurted out as if the words were acrid acid on his tongue. They were quiet for a few moments, then Miles broke it. "Done? Fuck outta here. You're lying." "I'm for real,” he replied with a touch of exasperation in his voice. "What? What happened?" He sighed again then told them the whole story not leaving out anything. He wanted to hear their thoughts mainly because he felt they would take his side. As he went through the whole thing again he had to admit to himself that there were some things he shouldn't have said, things that he recognized fueled your ruthlessness, things he now regretted. When he'd said his piece he waited for them to tune in, however, a good minute passed before any of them said a word. They just exchanged looks as if speaking nonverbally and trying to come to a consensus. "She fucked up right." Daniel made a face. "IIIIIIII mean," he stretched out in that high-pitched tone that said even more.

"Hold on,” Andrew interrupted, “Has something changed? I thought you were all about her these last months. I thought since she finally gave you the time you were being real.”

“I was—am—was. Shit.”

“You slipped up?”

“No! It was nothing, it was work.”

They all gave him the look as if he was full of shit. Kissing his teeth again he rolled his eyes. “I’m telling the truth. It was work, nothing more. Hell I even told them that when they tried to tag team off each other to spit game. I told them I was seeing someone, and it was getting serious, and I wasn’t bout that life anymore.”

“That’s what I thought,” Miles said.

“I didn’t even know she was there. She showed me some fucked picture and she ran with that shit.”

“What picture?”

He opened his messages, found the picture then showed it to them. You’d sent it to him a few hours after you’d left when he texted you that, “You were fucking things up”, your reply was the picture and a simple reply, “Naw bruh you did that shit all on your own. Own it!” It was the last message you’d sent him. It was now almost 3 weeks later, and you were still radio silent.

“Woah, yeah. That looks bad,” Andrew spat out.

Daniel took his phone and studied the picture closer. “Is she kissing your neck?”

“No.”

Miles now snatched the phone and studied it. “And her hand--.”

“No. Nothing happened. The wild shit is this was a backroom photoshoot for the brand. We were posing for the designer for their social marketing.”

“Does she know that?”

“I don’t know. I shit you not, she blew in like a hurricane and within 10 minutes she was gone. She didn’t let me explain. Nothing. Someone sent her that picture.”

“Someone wanted to start shit and she took the bait.”

“9 months. 9 fucking months I’ve been bending backward trying to erase my past for her. 9 months I’ve been putting in wild effort to show her, prove to her I’m not the same dude I used to be, 9 months I’ve been going hard trying to show her what she meant to me and that I’m not fucking around when it comes to her, but 10 minutes and it all blew the fuck up. Now I’m angry, what the fuck was I doing this whole time? Why?”

They didn’t bother replying because there was nothing else to say. They knew everything he was saying was true. He’d cut out all the extra shit months ago because he wanted to get closer to you. He’d decided to be the committing type and he was happy to do it, happy to show you he was more than his reputation. He’d turned on plenty of trips, parties, and things of the kind with his boys because it would have backfired. He’d worked hard to earn your trust but in truth, he hadn’t earned anything. You still saw him as he used to be. And that was the hard pill for him to swallow.

~~~~~~~

-1 Week Later-

“Uncle Lewis let’s go in the pool.”

Snapping out of it, he smiled at his niece then nodded. “Of course princess, let’s go.”

He walked to the edge of the pool and stood beside her. As they prepared his nephew approached and began doing the same thing. As they counted down from three he jumped at 2.

“Aw, Uncle Lewis you cheated!”

He shrugged and watched them leap into the water creating massive miniature splashes of the one he’d just created. When they emerged they came after him trying to attack him like little baby sharks. Each of their attempts was blocked and turned around on them. When one failed he grabbed the other and tossed them across the pool then did the same for the other. Soon there was almost just as much water outside the pool as there was inside.

By the time he got out of the pool the sun was setting and he was exhausted. Dropping himself into one of the lounge chairs, he sighed and allowed himself to relax. However, relaxation wasn’t in the cards for him. Though the activity from before worked to distract him from his heavy thoughts, now with the absence of said activity it all came flooding back. With an exasperated grunt, he grabbed his phone off of the side table and then went to his socials.

As he aimlessly scrolled through the posts he liked a few and kept swiping. Some of the posts he registered others he didn’t. Within a few short minutes, he somehow found himself on yours. He didn’t even notice until he was staring at one of your recent posts, a picture of yourself staring deeply into the camera. It looked like something shot for a brand or a photoshoot rather than a natural selfie.

For several moments all he thought of was how fucking gorgeous you were. The saying ‘the eyes are the windows to the soul’ rang true for you because every time he gazed into them he was always pulled into their depths to drown in their beauty. Fuck, he missed you he thought to himself. On the 4th post he’d landed on he sighed seeing you laughing uncontrollably with your best friend. You looked like you hadn’t a care in the world; like you were blissfully happy. The thought hit him then that you looked like you didn’t miss him one bit.

Acknowledging that made his heart thud painfully then his annoyance was back. It was just like you to leave him to fall apart while you escaped with carefreeness. He’d always suspected that he felt more for you than you felt for him. He guessed that this was his proof. He tapped the tag in the photo of your best friend and found even more videos and pictures of you. The backdrop said you were either on an island or some European seaside town and you were enjoying yourself. He pressed his finger to the screen, freezing the video on your smiling face. Drinking wasn’t really his thing, but fuck did he want a drink or three right now.

“You’re messing yourself up.”

Snapping his head up, he found his mother sitting beside him.

“Mum.”

“Not only are you messing yourself up with everything you’re keeping in but you’re trying to use everything you possibly can as an escape, case in point this last-minute trip,” she finished.

“Mum, it’s not like--.”

“And according to Miles and Daniel, you’re spiraling inside, and it’s not a little.”

“I’m fine, mum, I promise,” he half lied placing his phone on the side table face up.

“You’re not. How could you be fine? The first woman you’ve allowed yourself to fall in love with in years has done a flip and turn because of your actions.”

His brow rose, “What?”

“Acceptance of one’s actions is important, Lewis. I have always taught you that.”

“Naw. Nope, I didn’t do this. I didn’t make this happen. She is a distrustful person.” He sat up straighter then, “I worked my butt off to show her she could trust me, to show her that I wanted her and only her.”

His mother shook her head about that. “If you’re still doing the things you know are triggers for her, how are you proving anything?”

He looked at her incredulously. He knew she liked you a lot and had grown closer to you over the past months, but he didn’t know when she’d completely jumped on your ship while abandoning his.

“Mum, I can’t control half the things she thinks,” he pleaded.

“The pictures Lewis. The pictures and your choice of words.”

He sighed then because he knew that she’d talked to you already. He was tempted to ask his mother for the play-by-play, but he decided against it knowing she probably wouldn’t go for it.

“It was innocent. It was work.”

“Did you tell her that? You know someone sent her those pictures? Someone wanted to start problems and it was too easy because you helped them along.”

“I tried to tell her, but she basically called me a liar. She looked me in my eyes and decided not to believe me. Plus it’s a lot more than she ever afforded me. She’s photographed with a lot of guys all the time; some work, some not, she doesn’t explain any of it to me, yet I trust her enough to believe it’s not something wild or disrespectful. Yet when it comes to me, I’m automatically the knob.”

“Lewis,” she warned.

He raised his hand, sighed out then leaned back in the chair.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Sorry.”

They sat in silence for a few moments before he continued. “She treats me like an option mum--a bloody option. This whole year, the 9 we’ve been together and the 3 it took to claim her, I’ve treated her like my only choice.”

The truth to those words was a truth he’d buried deep. His mother reached over and took his hand.

“Sweetie,” she began.

He knew what was coming, knew she was either going to defend you or try to soothe the pain he felt. He didn’t want either.

“She acts like I never said the words.”

Another truth he’d buried. “I said them, I meant them and she--she never said them back, never even acknowledged them.”

That night was still fresh in his mind. The night when his body and heart felt matched perfectly, it was the night he’d said the words he’d felt for weeks and weeks before. He’d stared deeply into your eyes and said them. ‘I love you.’ He’d meant them. He didn’t know he could still truly feel that way about anyone or feel enough to say the words. You’d proven him wrong, and he was cut up because of it.

 “Lewis, I’m thrilled that you’ve finally found someone that you want in your life for more than a few months. It makes me so happy that you have found someone to love. She is a wonderful woman, but, who cares what she does? If this is how you feel how you truly feel, if she is who you choose and wholeheartedly want beside you then you are supposed to be with it be about her no matter what.”

“Seriously!? No.”

“That my love, is the difference between a boy and a grown man. A grown man is one hundred percent true to what’s in here,” she reached over then pat his chest just over his heart. “He is about it, and nothing changes it because it does not matter.”

“How—H--how do I do that? How in the world do I put myself out there--,” he voiced before she cut him off.

“--And invite her to break your heart? Is she worth the risk?”

He didn’t want to open his mouth to even answer this. If you weren’t worth it, he wouldn’t have spent so much time perusing you. He never would have made so much of an effort to include you in his world and life, he wouldn’t have waited 6 fucking months to sleep with you so both of you were sure where your hearts were, he wouldn’t have ever told you he loved you. Of course, you were worth it but the memory of the look in your eyes as you spoke to him, the last thing you’d said to him held part of him back.

“I have always been and will always be that bitch with or without you.”

That coupled with the way you looked at him just before the elevator doors closed held him back.

“Lewis!”

“I—I don’t—I don’t know anymore.”

He rubbed his forehead. “I thought I knew, thought I was so sure, I was sure, but--I don’t.”

This was fucked, he thought as he felt his mother’s eyes boring into him. When she stood she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him as she did when he was a child after a spill. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out while he relished this comforting embrace.  It was in his mother’s loving and judgment-free arms he finally broke letting it all go.

Hours seemed to pass this way, or perhaps it had been just mere minutes. When his sister approached he felt heaps better but his heart was still heavy. A notification from his phone drew his attention as his sister sat on the floor before him. As he checked it, his sister gave her best attempt at a pep talk. Some words he caught others he missed but the sentiment was sometimes time helped people see the error of their ways and come up with ways to fix the errors. He didn’t know if she meant his errors or yours.

He went into his socials DMs and found a message from your best friend. After hesitating for a few moments he tapped into it and found a video. It took him to a recent video that was only available to her close friends. Your face came into view, and he instantly noticed the tears on your cheeks. You held your hand up to block the camera view, but the angle only changed.

“When bestie is tired of frontin' for the gram with the having the time of my life posts and allows herself to be sad and you gotta cheer her up,” your best friend said.

“Stop. You can’t record me like this. I’m not sad,” you protested.

“No?”

You were quiet for a few seconds. “No.”

Your voice was clouded as if your throat was tight words struggled to make it through. “Not sad—really, really sad,” you said voice a sobbing whine.

Fuck, he thought. He hated seeing you cry.

“What—what do I—do I do now?”

“Allow yourself to feel it,” your friend suggested.

You sobbed some more, and he watched your friend hug you before the video ended. So many things flew through his mind but the two things that kept coming around. The first was how much he missed you.

The second, you were worth it.

~~~~~~

-Y/N-

Everyone said that the first month of a breakup was always the hardest and those words were proving true. Since those elevator doors had closed you’d done everything to keep yourself moving. You piled on work to make sure you had no free time to sit and think. However, that didn’t quite work because wherever you went, something reminded you of him. Either it was a café or a location you went to for a shoot, or even something you ate. You nearly threw yourself into the ocean when one of the set interns brought you a glass of Almave.

When work didn’t prove successful, you picked yourself and your friends up for a girls’ trip to a faraway island. You drank, partied, and posted it all on your socials hoping you could fake it till you made it, but the faking became too much. By nightfall every night, you wallowed with a bottle or two of wine.

While you were beyond pissed at Lewis you also knew that picture was sent to you on purpose. You weren’t an idiot and had dealt with plenty of conniving, duplicitous bitches in your days. You knew someone was trying to fuck with you and start shit and you were giving them what they wanted. That didn’t matter because none of that changed the content of the photo.

Every time you came back to that no matter how much of your anger had dissipated, it all came back with that one nugget of fact. It was straight-up disrespect. If the tables had been turned and it was you, Lewis would have made a huge fuss over it by being extra petty. You refused to believe you were in the wrong, but several bits of your interaction tried to come through to show you had been in the wrong for a few things.

You were a passionate person and usually when arguing that passion shines through and oftentimes you get reckless at the mouth not caring how your words are thrown together or the force of those words. You knew you fought dirty; it was the only way you knew how. You blamed it on the years of living a single and independent life after one of the worst breakups of your life. It had caused more damage than good. You’d had no one to answer to, no one to consider or consult and you oftentimes still lived there in your head. It was a major switch to flip and a switch you failed, more times than you liked to admit, to flip.

You knew that night you’d said whatever came to mind and didn’t care if the words hurt. In fact, you said some things to cause pain and that was the source of your regret. Lewis had often told you throughout your 9-month relationship that your mouth would get you in trouble in more ways than one. He’d warned you about your recklessness and told you he wouldn’t stand for it because if he really wanted he could get just as reckless as you.

That was one of the things you loved about him. He wasn’t afraid to call you out on your bullshit and put you in your place when you got into your bad girlfriend mode.

Sighing, you raised the glass of wine to your lips and guzzled until it was empty. Your eyes fell to the now empty wine bottle, and you debated with yourself over getting another. It was the 2nd bottle of the night, and you knew if you got a 3rd you’d have entered lush territory, but you didn’t care enough to resist. So you slinked across the kitchen to the wine fridge and grabbed another bottle of wine, but before you closed it you grabbed one more just in case.

After you’d popped the cork and filled your glass to the brim your phone went off with a security notification. Checking the application, you reviewed the notice of someone entering your code into your security gate.

“What the hell?”

Another notification came in informing you a car was pulling up the drive. You went over the registered movements watching the videos to figure out if you had a security breach or if someone was just showing up unannounced. On the 3rd video, you realized who it was.

“No fucking way.”

You walked out of the kitchen, through your home, and to your front door. Before you got there, the bell rang. Once you turned the corner you saw who it was through the intricately decorated glass doors. Lewis Hamilton. Neither of you moved. You stood there staring at each other. You couldn’t read the expression in his brown eyes, but you could read the dark circles underneath them and his lackluster complexion. He looked slightly sick but also indifferent. You couldn’t help but wonder if he was having as hard a time as you were. You’d purposely stayed off his and his friends' accounts to avoid any excessive thoughts of him.

Lewis didn’t move a muscle, he patiently waited for you to make your move. It was a move you didn’t know how to make. You’d be a liar if you said you hadn’t wanted him to run after you and fight some more, but you also didn’t want to see him again. So one hand itched to grab the knob and open the door for him but the other hand wanted to override the security system and shutter down your house.

You closed your eyes and took several deep breaths giving your body control to see which side won. When your hand wrapped around the knob you wanted to break it. Once you opened the door, you snapped your eyes open.

“What the hell are you doing here? How did you get past my gate?”

Lewis scoffed and slightly shook his head before speaking, “Let me in, Y/N.”

You scrunched your face and doubled down on your annoyance. “What? Not a chance in hell. Answer me. How?”

When your best friend's name came out of his mouth your eyes bugged. There was no way.

“Bullshit! There is no way my best friend would give you my security code for my gate without letting me know. There is no way!”

He looked unamused now.

“Yet she did.”

You studied him still shocked.

“Let me in.”

“No. Why would I do that? We have nothing to talk about.”

“I think we have a lot to talk about.”

You scoffed. “Five weeks too late. Anything I had to say was said already. We’ve both said enough. You should go 44.”

Lewis took a sharp breath in and released it. As it came out it sounded like a hiss. “Oh boy. Y/N, stop talking! For real just stop—fucking talking and let me in!”

“What the fuck?! Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to? Do I fucking look like one of your side bitches, or your groupies?!”

From the heat rushing through you, you could tell that your anger was beginning to really boil now. With quick moves, Lewis moved from his side of the door to close the space between you. Before you knew it, he had one of his hands cupping your skull and his lips pressed to yours. Like magic as if on command you stopped moving and any thought of protest faded, hell any thought at all faded.

Lewis’ lips moved against yours in a way you’d found yourself missing the last five weeks. He kissed you like a starved man, like a man who’d come back to claim what was his and your body reacted in the only way it had ever reacted—eager acceptance.

A small whimper escaped you and that was when Lewis backed off. You kept your eyes closed relishing the feelings that had now bubbled up within you, feelings you’d been working overtime to suppress and ignore. One kiss was all it took for the geyser to erupt.

“You talk to fucking much for your own good,” Lewis whispered.

You could feel the whisps of his breath against your face and picked up the scent of mint, and some form of berry. You tried to control your breathing so he wouldn’t see how much he still affected you. Opening your eyes, you peered into his glossy doe ones.

“You’ve said more than enough. I still have shit to say. So listen.”

Lewis then squeezed your hip bringing you back to the present. It was then you realized your body was pressed to his and his hand was gripping you holding you against him controlling your body like he always did. Shit, you thought. You loved when he took control, loved how he always knew how to shut you up when you got into one of your what he would call Y/N fits. Lewis squeezed your hip once more while biting his bottom lip and you wanted to knee him in the balls because of how easy it still was for him to turn you on.

As if he knew it too, Lewis released you as quickly as he’d grabbed you and walked into your house. A shiver rushed through you making you shudder. Asshole, you thought while you closed and locked your door. When turned around he was standing there waiting for you. Rolling your eyes, you led the way back to the kitchen. Once there you grabbed your glass and finished it.

“Speak.”

Lewis scoffed. “Don’t test me, Y/N.”

Clenching your jaw you refilled your glass then watched him with slightly narrowed eyes. You were not going to make any of this easy for him.

“I’m tired of these subs you keep throwing my way. So fucking tired of it. It’s like you enjoy being cold and evil to me and that’s not even cool. I’ve never taken joy in being cold to you.”

Shaking your head you took another sip from your glass.

“I’ve known you for years. Yeah, it wasn’t like we were in the same friend group, but we were cordial. I’ve wanted you the entire time I’ve known you. Yeah, yeah, I was messing with other women throughout that time.”

“Messing? Just say fucking. Call a spade a spade and move the fuck on,” you blurted out.

“Again, stop talking!”

His voice bounced around the kitchen, but you didn’t feel fear. You’d never feared him. You knew he wasn’t one of those men who hit women. That had never and would never be him. Narrowing your eyes, you took a large gulp of your wine, your conflicting feelings wreaking havoc on you.

“You act like you don’t have a past or even things from your past you’re ashamed of. Shit Y/N! I’ve told you I am not that man anymore, I’ve changed.”

“I don’t believe you.”

The silence stretched and you kept your eyes on him. He looked hurt but also frustrated. “I get that, and I’ve been killing myself by doing what I can to prove it to you, to show you I deserve your time.”

Shaking your head you scoffed. “You don’t have to prove shit else, Lewis. I have all the proof I need; I saw it all in that picture!”

“The picture was bullshit. Tell me you don’t get someone is fucking with you.”

“Again why do they want to do that Lewis? Huh! Is it because of your thot ass!”

“Oh my god, here we go again! Stop throwing my past in my face. I’ve owned it and have walked away from it. That picture was bullshit. I was working. What that picture doesn’t show--.”

You grabbed the wine bottle and began walking away. “I don’t give a shit anymore!”

Lewis’ hand wrapped around your wrist stopping your movement. “It was a photoshoot, Y/N. Someone took a picture of an impromptu photoshoot and sent it to you out of context.”

You scanned his eyes for any sign of a lie.

“You’re lying.”

“I have never lied to you. I swear it. You can even go to the brand owner and find out, it’s easy to do.”

You couldn’t believe that. “You’re lying Lewis.”

“I’m not. I told you I would never do some shit like that to you.”

You kept scanning his eyes unable to wrap your head around what he was saying. He had to be lying. Right?

“Look--,” he began dropping his hand and releasing you. With a sigh, he continued, “I came here to give you this.”

He then pulled something from his back pocket and held it out to you. The large brown envelope in his hand looked like doom in the form of an office supply.

“This is the last goddamn time I’m going to have you throw my past in my face. The last fucking time, Y/N. It’s not fair and I shouldn’t have to explain shit to you because this was before you and has nothing to do with us, here or now, but for some fucking reason I feel like I have to, and it irks the shit out of me especially since you don’t give me the same courtesy.”

His words felt like dull blades whipping against your skin. That flared your anger.

“You don’t have to explain shit to me.”

“Shut up!”

That was it. Though you liked it when he stood up to you, you hated feeling this backed into a corner, especially with the truths he’d just dropped.

“Listen, you’re not gonna be--.”

That was all you got out before Lewis’ lips were pressed to yours once again and again everything stopped. His lips manipulated you making you slump back against the wall you hadn’t realized you were pressed to. Lewis’ large hand squeezed your hip once again and you’d never wanted to strip someone more than him right now. When he pulled his lips from yours he kept his forehead to yours.

“You’ve never fucked with a guy like me. I told you that 9 months ago and it’s still true. I’m not going to just let you talk to me any old way. Those other fools were weak as fuck. I’m not weak. I can handle your ass,” Lewis said.

He didn’t need to say shit else because you were now turned the fuck on. Your eyes locked and it took everything in you to remain composed though his lips looked more and more tempting with each passing second.

“Are you listening now?”

You had no words.

“I’m done with that life. It’s boring, it’s old and to be honest it weighs me the fuck down. I want you and it goes past sex, it goes past claiming you or getting a notch, or even letting the world know I got you. None of that matters to me, it never has. I want you. I want Y/N. I’ve been real this entire time.”

Again he pushed out the envelope to you.

“After I give you this it’s all in your hands, your court, your decision. I’ll chase you but I’ll only chase you so far. This is how far.”

Your eyes dropped to the envelope between your bodies, but you didn’t reach for it. You couldn’t. You were actually scared of it and what it may hold. Glancing back at him, you studied his face.

“Your decision, make it. If it’s not me then cool. No hard feelings, we’re still friends and I’ll wish you nothing but the best but,” Lewis paused then cupped your chin as he pressed himself against you more. With his face mere centimeters from yours, he finished, “My lips will not touch yours until you come to me for it.”

Holy shit, you thought to yourself.

“Our next kiss if it’s in the cards will be done by you, not me.”

From the look in his eyes, you could tell he was serious. You could tell he meant this with everything. He was done chasing you, done giving and giving only to have you keep him at a distance. Fuckity, fuck, you thought.

“Are you gonna take it?”

You wanted to shake your head, but you couldn’t move. It was like he was the headlights, and you were the deer. You recognized the fear you felt. You knew it was do or die and you knew this was the moment of truth for your relationship. With what he’d told you about the picture being a set up you were more confused than ever. Rightfully, he shouldn’t even be here right now, not after your conversation before and how it all went down. He was still here trying to get you back.

You slowly took the envelope with a shaky hand, the only tell of your fear. Lewis slowly backed away from you while keeping his eyes on yours. When he was a few feet away he turned and began walking out of the kitchen.

“So that’s it?”

Lewis stopped then looked back at you. His expression was different now. You could tell how hurt he was now, how much you’d hurt him.

“You tell me, Y/N.”

You didn’t know what to tell him, so you didn’t say anything. Lewis nodded, the disappointment filling his eyes before he turned from you and walked away. You stood there listening to him walk through your house, his footsteps getting further and further away. When you heard the door close you released breath you didn’t know you were holding. The notification sounds from your phone told you that he’d driven down the drive and left the property.

It was then you put the envelope on the kitchen counter and took several deep breaths trying to calm yourself. No matter how many breathing exercises you did you still couldn’t calm down. Your mind raced replaying the conversation, dissecting every move, word, and glance, and analyzing it against every other conversation over the last 9 months. When your legs gave way from the weight of it all, you dropped to the floor. One question kept screaming in your head.

Had it all truly been wasted love or was there still hope?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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[drewsbuzzcut]

Midnight Kisses

mat barzal x model!fem!reader

a visceral in doses fic

warnings: mentions sex, alcohol consumption and I think that’s all (this is lightly edited)

this takes place during their first year of dating!

“I’m stealing my girlfriend for a minute,” Mat pulls you away from your girl talk with Sydney and Alexa. You reach out for them over your boyfriend’s shoulder, feigning sadness but you’re happy to be in his arms.

“I missed you, pretty girl,” he tucks your hair behind your ear before whispering to you in the secluded corner you now reside in.

The million disco balls cast a shine on the boy of you despite the moody lighting.

Your hands travel the large expanse of his back until they come down to rest on his waist.

“I’ve been here the whole time,” you whisper back, looking up at him through your mascara covered eyelashes.

You move his hands to rest on the small of your back, and his skin is cold on your bare skin. Despite all the fancy champagne and cocktails you’ve had, you still can’t stop the shivers moving through your body.

“How many drinks have you had?” Mat asks, a quizzical look on his face.

“2 maybe 6,” you jest, looking down to hide your smirk.

“How many have you had?” You ask in return.

“2 maybe 6,” he playfully mocks you.

You hook your fingers through the loops of his jeans, pulling his body closer to yours. He looks at you with a devilish grin and you just want his body on yours, preferably in a bed.

“It’s almost midnight. We should just leave right now. We can continue this party at your place, have a little champagne and some hot sex,” your voice is low and sultry, your lips attacking the skin of Mat’s neck in between each word.

His hands squeeze at your ass before they move to rest on the backs of your thighs. Your cheeks grow even more red as his fingers trail up under your tiny skirt.

“Wish I could take you right here, right now. This little skirt is driving me insane and these heels,” Mat lets out a groan, his head tilting back and Adam's apple bobbing.

“Kiss me,” you whine, tugging on his button up and throwing a leg over his hip. Your pointed heel rubs at his pants.

“I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait until the clock strikes 12,” he responds, nosing at the pulse point of your neck.

He’s teasing you, but you’ll allow him to get away with it. This time.

“Fine then, hotshot. I guess I’ll just go back to the girls,” you pat his chest and pull out of his hold.

“Nope, you’re mine for the rest of the night. The girls will just have to wait until your next scheduled brunch,” he comes up behind you, pulling your back into his chest.

He kisses at your neck, sucking your skin into his mouth and making you gasp. Your body melts into his, enjoying his warmth during the freezing cold temperature.

“This year was a great one,” you break the momentary silence.

“The best. I met the love of my life,” he says so simply and it makes you giddy.

“What do you think this next year will be like?” You turn in his arms, hands locked behind his neck as you search his eyes for the answers to all your questions.

“Perfect as long as you’re by my side,” he states confidently.

“Mat, be serious,” you groan.

“I am being serious. It doesn’t matter what happens next year, because we’ll have each other. I love you and you’re it for me,” he wraps his arms around your neck, not giving you space to second guess his words.

“I love you,” you lean up to kiss his cheek.

“Countdown is starting,” Sydney pokes her head around the corner you both are hiding, so she can gather everyone inside.

Mat pulls your body to his, his arm wrapping around your waist. That’s one thing that surprised him this year. He loves touching. Well at least when it comes to you. He can never not be touching you.

“Here you go, baby,” he passes you a flute of champagne.

You turn into him, an arm being tossed over his shoulder as you hold your drink at your side.

“Do you think we’ll get married next year?” It’s a teasing question paired with an even more teasing smile, but you do want to know how he’ll respond.

“If we were getting married next year, you wouldn’t know,” he laughs.

“Fine,” you pretend to be disappointed, but you can’t hold back your laugh.

“Will you let me drive your sports car next year?” It’s Mat’s turn to ask his questions. He’s referring to the brand new car you just purchased. It’s a black BMW convertible.

“In your dreams, barzal. I’m not letting you anywhere near the driver’s seat of my baby,” you answer, half in truth and half in joking.

“I let you drive my car, but I can’t drive yours?”

“I’m a superb driver, sorry hotshot. You can be my sexy ass passenger princess, though,” you pull him flush against you. The ridges of his abs feel lovely.

Everyone starts counting down around you, making you realize just how easy it is to lose yourself around Mat.

FIVE

“Will you still love me next year?” Mat looks at you with a goofy grin and his question has you rolling your eyes.

FOUR

“Of course. My love for you knows no end,” you answer.

THREE

He smiles, looking down before meeting your eyes once again. It’s cliche but everything around you slows down. You can hear your blood pumping in your ears, and your heart is definitely about to jump out of your chest.

TWO

You look away, watching everyone around you. Mat watches you. Your eyes are bright and your skin is glowing. You smile just as bright as the sparklers. He feels himself fall in love all over again.

ONE

He cups your cheek, turning your face to his. His forehead resting on your own. Your hand goes to the nape of his neck, fiddling with the hair there.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

You both pull each other in, lips connecting in a fiery passion. His tongue curls around yours and if you hadn’t been drinking, you probably would’ve become bashful. The taste of expensive alcohol is very present, but that mixed with the scent of Mat’s cologne and sweat drives you crazy.

You pull away, holding up your flute to his mouth so he can get a drink. The sparkling bubbles end up spilling, dripping down his chin and you can’t hold yourself back. Your lips connect to his chin, sucking up all of the champagne before you suck his bottom lip into your mouth.

“Fuck,” he moans and you give him your best doe eyes.

His hands go to your waist, hauling your body on top of his shoulder. He forgoes bidding goodbye to everyone. He’s only focused on getting you in his bed where your moans and cries will be silenced by all the fireworks.

a/n: Happy New Year to everyone. Thank you for making this year so fun and filled with writing! I appreciate every single one of you!🫶

[jerzwriter]

Kaycee has had an exceptionally rough week and is nearing the end of her rope. That's when her secret boyfriend, Ethan, comes up with a plan to help them both recoup. But will their cover be blown? Book: Open Heart (Late Book 2 Timeline) Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kaycee MacClennan) Rating: Teen Words: 2,300 Trope: Hurt/Comfort; Secret Romance Summary: Above A/N: Participating in @choicesaugustchallenge - Day 2 - Beach Date; also sundress & fireworks. I did not have time to edit much, so be kind :)

It had been the week from hell. Kaycee glanced at her watch and grimaced. Slumping against the nurses’ station, she rubbed her temples with a sigh as Sienna looked on sympathetically.

“I’m never going to make it,” Kaycee groaned. “Five more hours? Nope. I’m not going to make it.”

“You’ll make it just fine,” Sienna said with a reassuring smile. "But what’s going on?”

“It’s been a very tough week.  Two double shifts, code after code, too many accidents, several difficult patient losses... I’m just... I'm burnt out. I need a break."

At that moment, Ethan approached the nurses’ station. Deeply involved in a conversation with Harper, he hadn’t noticed Kaycee at first, but he raised his eyes with concern when he heard the tail-end of her conversation.

“That’s a lot,” Sienna replied. “We've all had those weeks, and they're hard. So, besides the batch of Snickerdoodle cookies that I'll be making for you, is there anything I can do to help you?”

“I'll be fine,” Kaycee half-smiled, angry at herself for the tears rising in her eyes...she should be stronger than this. “But I could really use a hug.”

That’s all she had to say. Sienna jumped up from her chair and wrapped Kaycee in a warm embrace. “Hey,” Sienna whispered. “When’s your next break? Why don’t we take a walk to Derry’s? The change of scenery might help.”

“I’d like that,” Kaycee smiled softly. She wiped a tear that threatened to fall from the corner of her eye and turned back to the station. That’s when her eyes met Ethan’s.

His heart had been clenching in his chest as he watched the situation unfold. He understood her more than most, and with just a glance, he could see her pain and self-doubt forming.  All he wanted to do was hold her, but he couldn’t. Not here. The rumor mill was already abuzz with gossip about the two of them, but they decided to keep their relationship under wraps. It was best for everyone, but at times like this, it didn’t feel ‘best’ at all.

All he could do was nod sympathetically in her direction, aware that this act alone could raise brows. After all, in the past, catching a resident in Kaycee's condition would have launched him into a tirade advising them to reconsider their career choices... now... he no longer felt that way, and it wasn’t only with Kaycee. He had to admit, she had brought a level of humanity back to him, one he thought for sure had been lost for good. Kaycee had changed his world for the better in so many ways, and here she was suffering, and he had to pretend he didn't see.

“Harper,” Ethan interrupted. “Would you mind if we scheduled sometime later to discuss this? I just remembered I have to tend to something right now.”

He headed to his private office and texted Kaycee to meet him there. In case prying eyes were around her, he made it professional but included a code they had created.

“Dr. MacTavish, can you please come to my office? I’m questioning your judgment on her treatment plan for the patient in 215."

“I’m questioning your judgment.” Kaycee hid her smile when she read those words. That’s what he told her the first time she told him that she loved him. “I question your judgment, Rookie,” he grinned. Now, when they sent those words to each other, it was code for "I need you."  

Kaycee rushed to his office, assuming he needed help. When she stepped in, he greeted her with a stern gaze and gruffly instructed her to close the door. She complied at once, and by the time she turned around, he was already there – wrapping her in a warm embrace.  

“What’s going on, Kaycee,” he said with a kiss atop her head. “I can tell you’re having a hard day.”

“I am,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder and clutching the lapels of his lab coat. "Don't worry. I’ll get through. Sometimes, it’s just... hard."

He led her to the sofa, where he watched intently as she talked. “It’s not one thing; it’s a myriad of things that all add up. I’m working more than usual this week, so I'm exhausted. I’ve had a bunch of difficult cases. I haven’t been eating or sleeping right, and...” she hesitated.

“And?”

“And sometimes all I want is my boyfriend to squeeze my hand as I pass him in the hall to reassure me that everything will be OK, but we can’t even do that.”

“Kaycee, you know I want to. It's just...”

“Shhh,” she smiled sadly, silencing him with a kiss. “I know why we can’t, and I agree with our decision. But that doesn’t make it easier.”

“It’s not forever,” he reminded as she nuzzled closer, her arms pulling her tight.

In an attempt at levity, he chuckled. “Hey, at least you didn’t catch anyone flirting with me today.”

Kaycee’s hand was already on the doorknob when she turned around and smirked. "Fifth floor, by the elevator. That damn nurse from peds that still thinks she has a chance with you.”

“You caught that?” Ethan winced.

“Don’t worry,” Kaycee winked. “You handled it like a pro.” She mouthed I love you, as she opened the door, and he did the same. The situation wasn’t ideal, but Kaycee had to admit she felt much better.

Unfortunately, Ethan did not. He loved and admired her more than he could express. He needed to offer her more than five minutes of support hidden in the shadows as if they were doing something wrong when nothing could be further from the truth.

He immediately checked their schedules; they were both off this weekend, and his wheels began to spin.

~~~~~

Saturday morning, Kaycee was waiting on the front steps when Ethan pulled up to her home. He smiled as she approached the car wearing his favorite sundress, a pair of sunglasses covering too much of her beautiful face, and a big floppy hat perched precariously atop her head. She was adorable, but he hoped this was just her style and not an attempt to disguise herself. After all, that’s exactly what he hoped to avoid this weekend. She slid into the passenger seat and squeezed his hand, giving him a surreptitious kiss on his cheek.

“You look adorable,” he smiled.

Kaycee lowered her sunglasses and shot him a look. “I’ll take it... though usually for hot with you... not adorable."

“You’re always hot,” he growled. Kaycee went to put her sunglasses back on, but he stopped her. “Nah-ah-ah. Take those off.”

“Why?”

Ethan reached into the glove compartment and retrieved a black blindfold. Kaycee raised a brow. “What’s that for?”

“I don’t want you to know where I’m taking you. It’s a surprise,” he held the blindfold up. “May I.”

“Fine. As long as this isn’t something kinky,” she smirked.

“It’s not,” he laughed. “At least not now.”

The ride was longer than expected, and at times, the blindfold became a bit annoying. But the constant conversation and Ethan not letting go of her hand helped. Then, he even put on her playlist, and she had to ask what he was up to. But all he did was chuckle and kiss her hand.

When the car finally stopped, and he opened her door, a smile crept onto Kaycee’s face. She could smell the salty air and knew they were at the beach at once. It had become a special place for him, though this summer hadn’t afforded them many chances to go. He helped her to her feet and untied the blindfold. She couldn't stop smiling when she saw where they were. The little cabin they had rented on the Cape once before was right in front of her.

“I thought this place was rented straight through next summer!” she beamed.

“It is,” he said, grabbing a bag from the trunk. “I’m not going to tell you what I had to do in order to get this.”

“Hey, as long as it has nothing to do with that hot nurse in peds, I’m OK with it,” she winked.

He took her hand and led her toward the front door. “It’s only for one night,” he said. “I’ll be sure to have you back for your evening shift tomorrow. But, I thought we could use some time away from Boston. I wanted to be someplace we can be ourselves and where we don’t have to hide. Here, I’m not Dr. Ramsey, and you’re not Dr. MacTavish – we’re just a couple – enjoying our time together.”

Kaycee’s face lit up. “God, Ethan... I love you,” she beamed. “But I didn’t pack. You didn’t say it was an overnighter.”

He lifted the bag at his side with a smile. “I packed for you. Besides, once we return here tonight, clothing will be optional.”

“I like the way you think,” she purred.

They spent the day strolling the beach, splashing in the surf, and stopping at quaint shops in town. Ethan took her to a little café that he used to visit with his parents years before and was delighted to see they still served old-fashioned egg creams, and he ordered two right away. He held her hand as they watched children flying kites, and he had to smile at how Kaycee stopped to make friends with every single dog they passed along the way.

“If medicine doesn’t walk out for you, I think a doggie daycare is the way for you to go,” he laughed.

“Please! Don’t tempt me!”

They sat on a dock as the sun began to set, their feet dangling over the side as they worked quickly to lick their ice cream cones to prevent the melted ice cream from falling onto their hands.

“What’s next?” Kaycee asked.

“Fireworks,” he grinned. “They’ll be starting as soon as the sun sets.”

Kaycee nuzzled her head into his shoulder, and his hand looped around her waist.

“This has been the perfect day, Ethan. This is exactly what I needed.”

It was what he needed, too. A day when they put their professional lives behind them. A day away from prying eyes and gossiping lips. He was just Ethan. She was just Kaycee. Just a couple lost in each other on a beautiful beach.... and they didn’t have to hide!

They were basking in the glow as the sun descended, and the fireworks were about to start. Kaycee giggled with anticipation as she held Ethan’s hand when...

“Ethan? Ethan Ramsey? Is that you?”

Ethan's body stiffened, and Kaycee’s heart skipped a beat. “Is that?” she asked, immediately dropping her hand from his.

“It is,” he sighed.

Peter Blumenthal, from Edenbrook’s Board of Directors. With him are his wife, Eugenia, and their daughter, Kimmie, whom Peter had been trying to push Ethan for years.

“Don’t leave me,” he winced, though he knew she had no choice. Adjusting her hat to conceal her identity, she managed to tell Ethan she’d meet him back at the cabin, and then she disappeared into the crowd that had assembled on the pier.

From a distance, Kaycee heard them exchanging pleasantries. She could sense Ethan’s discomfort in his voice, and she wished she could swoop in and save him, but she couldn't. Her hat bopped on her head as she moved along, apologizing as she bumped into people as she pushed her way through the crowd. She reached their little cabin and shut the door behind her just as the fireworks began, her face faltering when she realized they’d have to be missed.

She sat on the couch and waited for him to return. With each passing moment, she missed him, but in this instance, she got the better end of the deal. She knew how much he hated dealing with Board Members at work; she could only imagine how irritated he was having to do it now. Her heart fluttered with delight when she heard him at the door.

“Hey,” she beamed. “Are we safe? They didn’t see me, did they?”

Ethan sat beside her, wrapping her in a tight embrace. “If they did, they didn’t let on. They were too busy trying to marry me off to Kimmie.”

“Oh, hell no!” Kaycee laughed. “Sorry, Kimmie, but this man is all mine!”

"You better believe it!" Ethan looked at her with sympathetic eyes. “I’m so sorry it's like this, Kaycee. We shouldn't have to be a secret and I know how hard this is."

Kaycee waived her hand, easing his concern. “Baby, it’s OK. I don’t like it either, but we know why we’re doing it. In the end, we’re protecting me most of all. I worked too damn hard to get to where I am for anyone to suggest I slept my way to the top.”

“Well, on an up note, Edenbrook and Boston are rather progressive. If we were caught, there would be at least as many people who believed I was a vile man preying on an innocent young resident. So...” he grinned cheesily. “Both of our careers would be ruined.”

“Good,” Kaycee laughed, “That makes me feel so much better.”

Ethan pulled her closer, and they kissed passionately as the boom of pyrotechnics exploded in the distance.

Kaycee pulled away, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “It was a perfect day, Ethan. But I hate that we have to miss the fireworks!”

Ethan cupped her cheek, and she knew that look in his eyes. “I wouldn’t say we’re missing the firework,” he said, pushing her sundress strap off her shoulder and gently kissing the bare skin left behind. “We’re going to have fireworks right here, just not the kind that blow up in the sky.”

"Oooh," Kaycee groaned with delight. “I like that kind so much better."

"As do I," he replied, scooping her up and rushing to the bedroom.

While tourists and locals spent the night watching the spectacular show in the sky, Ethan and Kaycee spent it lost in their own world, lost in each other. While they wished they didn't have to hide at all, tonight, they had to admit, they wanted nothing more than to hide away—together.

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Tagging others separately.

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

So now we have all the behinds and the show in it’s entirety, nobody can convince me this wasn’t a vehicle in which to establish themselves as a duo and to show their bond.  

The first episode and the behinds cemented this for me, along with the 3rd episode. 

I also want to clearly state I mean this in a positive way, as in the why of their decision to make the show, and it is not in any way negative. If we go back to Jimin saying he mentioned it a while back, doing a travel vlog, it was obviously an idea they knew they both liked and felt comfortable with. It’s something they had also done with the group and by themselves. They know they can travel together and it works.

So then comes the idea of a duo show, just them in theory. However as filmed content it was never going to be just them, let alone the guest, and although they are used to staff and cameras, it’s still invasive to a point, and they know this. I’m sure there is footage that will never see the light of day, the staff said they were worried about editing it, but there is trust there obviously they knew they were in good hands, and they did let their guard down somewhat, at times. 

The behinds actually show more of the staff than the show itself, you can see they are ever present in reality, while they are eating whilst camping they are wandering around, while Jimin films the firefly there is a woman right next to him, whilst they are packing up in Japan, packing in NY, you can clearly see staff wandering and sat around. 

So back to my point, they weren’t ever truly alone alone at times, but this was and is for content, for fans. Let that sink in. Although it was a chicken and egg, as in they wanted to probably travel alone but couldn’t leave SK without a permit for work, because of MS approaching, so this became work. A trade off. So yes, whilst it was a way to spend time together being free (and it’s a testament to them they felt that despite the staff and cameras), it was still agreed content. And truly what I mean by that is there was a reason why, a deeper reason, why they wanted to do this just them. A blogger said it the other day on here but it’s to establish themselves as Jimin x Jungkook. A duo within a band. It had to be them, no one else. It’s about showing the world at large, or really those willing to see and listen, them. 

Less, making up for something gone wrong. Nope, this became a plot device of sorts, one I personally expected, one that fit the narrative they had largely created themselves during chapter 2, especially in early 2023. This wasn’t about fixing a divide, because Jimin would never do that on camera anyway, that’s not his mo. This was a long awaited way to be in content just them. I also say this because I read on twitter an op ot7 who visited the kayak place, and the owner told her that location scouts came out three months prior to filming, that’s around April, this was not last minute, this was planned. They knew extremely what they were doing, and again the last minute narrative became a plot device to explain the show, friends catching up. This is also clear in them mentioning the members a lot in ep1 especially, keeping the ot7 connections. What aired was Jimin saying he missed V, then calling Yoongi, but the behinds have him saying he missed Namjoon, and Hobi. Jin was also mentioned a bit and also JK said he missed the members. Aside from the guest in jeju, the members weren’t mentioned again in such a way. 

In episode 3, Jimin said he was speaking about having a meal all three of them for something to say for the show. This gave a glimpse into the reality, and an understandable one, that they tailored their conversations for the cameras, found that’s interesting/acceptable to talk about. That absolutely makes sense, they aren’t going to talk how they usually would when together in front of us. That goes for the band as a whole really. 

All in all, these things all added together supports my theory that this was about us seeing them, and by that I mean them as a duo, not necessary making amends, or anything so dramatic. The other piles of evidence to support this is the fact that they don’t seem distant in terms of their behaviours, they seem to loose grasp of that in ep2, and never heard of again. Then the fact that they’re inside jokes and the way they know each other so so well is off the charts, that doesn’t come from spending time apart, that’s married behaviour. The way they prioritised each other is evident in all that they did, the activities and food they picked out, they did for each other. They were really out there living their best life, travelling under the guise of work. Love that for them and I for one see them

Hi, anon! I've been meaning to answer this earlier, but as this is a longer ask that touches on a lot of points, it took me a while. Anyway, you mentioned some things that I don't see going around much in terms of jikook "narratives" made by shippers, which is basically the only reason why this ask stood out to me.

The short version, I agree with mostly everything, but I want to address individually some of the points you made.

1. Jimin x Jungkook establishing themselves as a duo. Yes, that certainly became clear with AYS?!, although they had already did that in terms of performing as idols. But with this show, they took one step further. A bold decision, but I see it contextually. And I'm a glass half empty kind of person, so you or others might not agree with me. I think that AYS?! could only be made in the context of this small window of solo projects before enlistment. It was part of Jimin's projects in which Jungkook was brought on board and both of them decided together what to make of it. And the wish had been granted. Do I think jikook as a duo is something that will exist post-military in the context of a bts reunion and subsequent solo paths? Not really. At least not from what I can see now from this position. Once they are all together, the company might suggest to replicate the success of AYS?! with the entire group, or turning it into some dumb ot7 army dream and have the guest gimmick become a regular thing. Have other duos be established. Wasn't their group leader enthusiastic about the idea of units with the most predictable and fanservice-y combinations? I don't trust BH/Hybe and never will. I want and hope to be proven wrong.

2. Anyone who believes that AYS?! was something spontanous that could have been planned in a month or a couple weeks is naive. There's no need to have any sort of industry knowledge to just think a little bit and you can image the amount of work that goes into pre-production. From preliminary talks which would involve getting the idea out and presenting it to the company and the producers, deciding how it's going to pann out, how will it work in the context of jikook's schedules (no, Jimin did not ambush JK in NY, in case a nutcase is reading my blog). Scouting the locations takes a while. Deciding the most suitable place, if it's available during the period in which JM and JK are also available and so on. And from everything we know, both of them were involved (there's even that interview with the show's director?) throughout the process. And what you said about scouting that place 3 months in advance? It tracks, obviously. If it's the type of production that has a substantial budget that will be streamed on Disney+, you bet your ass they didn't do anything last minute.

3. This last point is connected to the second one. I don't subscribe (never did) to this idea that this is truly some show in which the idea of spending time together for a short while, away from album work, is somehow a way to compensate for some perceived distance or not seeing each other and all the implications (read "fiction") that some have come up. I won't go into too much detail because I find it pointless*, but I guess Jimin watching and commenting on Jungkook's wlives as early aa Feb 2023, saying stuff like "my baby eat well" or "I want to tie your hair neatly" or all that ridiculous flirting that happened each time, was basically a big red neon sign that said in capital letters BREAKUP! Such a distance, such an abyss, worse than Mariana's Trench!

Don't get me started on the amount of talks and planning that most likely went into applying for the buddy system. I thought that would shut people's mouths, but I guess it's a case of short memory and some lack of logic (common sense?) Hopefully this doesn't come out as a surprise, but you don't do that with a person with whom your relationship is a bit rocky or has been through a recent rough patch. Unless jikook are masochists and decided to spend 18 months together in an isolated unit near the border. Fun, right?

*This is for everyone else who will read this post. DO NOT take it as an invitation to use my inbox to share your opinions about break ups, breaks, distance, nature of relationship, timelines, etc. Your opinion over an uncofirmed relationship between JM and JK is not better than mine, nor is mine better than yours. Until jikook do a tell-all interview or they give a tour of their home, I don't care. I've heard everything. All the theories. Save yourself the time you'd spend on typing 300 words and then find yourself blocked. It's not worth it.

[glitteringcrab]

Nip this in the bud (2)

Okay, I think I finally figured out what Rick Prime was hoping to accomplish with this:

Because I was all "WTF" during that scene.

First things first:

It's clear that Rick Prime has been monitoring Rick C-137 during this whole time. Maybe not continually monitoring him, but monitoring him often enough that he knows:

Rick lived in the Prime Dimension

Rick is hanging out with Morty Prime

Rick has two Beths now (LOL) "echoes" of Prime's daughter since C-137 Beth never grew up

Likewise, he knew Rick C-137 was accompanied by Morty Prime, and could tell (without actually checking nor monitoring this, because then he wouldn't have fallen for Evil Morty's trick) that one of the Mortys Rick C-137 showed up with was Morty Prime, his original grandson.

In a similar vein, it's theoretically possible that he has some inkling of Evil Morty's identity. I mean, otherwise why tell him "you're like an evil Morty, a clever one". Um, excuse me? Evil Morty didn't do a single "evil" thing during the Prime fight. Why the heck call him "evil"? Just because he's wearing an eyepatch? WEAK. Call him clever, sure. But evil? Nope.

UNLESS... Rick Prime has also sporadically been monitoring the happenings in the Citadel of Ricks. News of Evil Rick's killing spree might have reached him, he might have read witness accounts and known that Evil Rick was accompanied by an eye-patched Morty who disappeared (although I seriously doubt anyone would bother to write more than a single sentence on Evil Morty in any report). Or he may have noticed (you know, after he was teleported in the Prime dimension right after Evil Morty contaminated EVERYONE'S portal travel) that the Citadel blew up, that there was a breach in the Central Finite Curve, and he might have investigated the ruins out of curiosity. He might have found out Stuff.

(Edit: nah, the name "Evil Morty" was mentioned a couple of times in the box, so Rick Prime using it only means that he was paying attention to what was happening in the Box)

In any case, even if all that isn't true, even if Rick Prime had originally no clue that there ever was any animosity between Rick C-137 and Evil Morty, and him calling Evil Morty "Evil" was just a lucky guess, Prick Prime was definitely able to tell that was no love between Evil Morty and Rick C-137 during this scene:

...in which he uses Evil Morty as a literal human shield and Rick C-137 shoots without hesitation (on a different note, I'd like to say how sad is that when strangled Evil Morty doesn't have the presence of mind to try and use any of his implants; he's just a 14 year old boy against an grown-up man at that moment. Forget shooting him with plasma guns; you can literally just strangle him).

And so we come to this scene:

Okay, Rick Prime could already tell that Evil Morty and Rick C-137 weren't family, but the suggestion of "nip this in the bud" was still absurd!

(I've written a similar post in the past while venting, but this one is actually getting somewhere, so please bear with me)

Because Evil Morty and Rick C-137 were, at worst, temporary allies. Rick C-137 owned to Evil Morty:

his freaking life (Evil Morty revived him)

his revenge (Evil Morty let him kill Rick Prime)

and (depending on to what degree Rick Prime was monitoring his clones and the killing box) he might have also known that Evil Morty helped Rick C-137 track Rick Prime down and helped him to escape the box.

That's a huge debt. And I know that Evil Morty helped Rick C-137 to save his own skin from getting Omega-ed if/when Rick C-137 failed to win, and to get the weapon plans, but he wasn't at all obligated to save Rick C-137's life nor to hand him his nemesis on a plate.

Arguably, Evil Morty did this precisely so that he'd have an Omega-enslaved and morally indebted Rick to come to his aid in a hypothetical future hour of need. However, the truth is that Evil Morty and Rick C-137 worked well with each other since the beginning of the episode, before any Omega Device threat (nor carrot!) dangled in front of Evil Morty to influence his decisions (he had just wanted to... talk) and Rick had trusted him enough to leave Morty Prime alone with him.

Like, under normal circumstances, Evil Morty honoring their alliance during the Prime Fight could have been the beginning of a friendship (or at least a more honest and permanent alliance) between Rick C-137 and Evil Morty. Evil Morty is insecure and traumatized enough to need the failsafe of the Omega Device backing him up, but Rick C-137 was game...!

Rick Prime instead puts in Rick C-137's head the idea that Evil Morty might kill him in a tantrum. Not because their interests might clash in the future. Not because Evil Morty may get power-hungry when he grows up. But because he's young and emotional. (Mind you, this is about a boy whose whole characterization revolves around being extremely cautious and calculating; not someone who'd kill another person in a fit of fury.)

Of course, the first idea that pops up in our minds (at least... it was in mine) is that Rick Prime said this hoping that Rick C-137 will drop everything to go stop Evil Morty, and so Rick Prime would get a chance to escape.

...But that doesn't make any sense, either!

Rick C-137 isn't so stupid as to give Rick Prime that chance of survival. Even if he took Rick Prime's warning seriously, he'd hurriedly shoot him in the face before running out to deal with Evil Morty. Rick Prime was toast, and he knew that. This wasn't about his own survival.

Rick C-137 wasn't about to take his worst enemy's advice to turn against his temporary ally. Like, what the heck? Since when Rick Prime fancied himself trustworthy? He could have easily lied, made this up. Rick C-137 couldn't have actually known if Evil Morty really had the weapon plans at that moment, and he'd have to take Rick Prime's word for it. No way he'd drop everything at his worst enemy's word.

Rick Prime saw that Evil Morty downloaded the weapon plans straight on his person. There was no external device that you can just snatch away (like the cone thing Evil Morty used when scanning Rick C-137's brain). So Rick Prime knew that the only way to "nip this in the bud" would be for Rick C-137 to run outside, confront Evil Morty, find out that there was no external device to forcefully take from him, and promptly attack him with lethal intent. But, come on, Rick C-137 was not going to do that, because of the aforementioned debt. Even Rick C-137 isn't so ruthless as to have his own life saved one minute, and him returning the favor with a murder attempt. This was never going to work.

Even if Rick C-137 took Rick Prime's warning seriously, even he trusted his advice, even if he was willing to murder a version of his grandson (to whom his owned his life) in cold blood, I doubt he could do it. He was a mess physically, while Evil Morty was perfectly fine. If they did clash at that moment, I think Evil Morty could have escaped easily with a portal. So this was never going to work.

And don't even get me started on what a joke it is for the Rick who wanted to murder Rick C-137's whole family, one by one, to express Rick-to-Rick camaraderie. As if...!

So what was all this for? This would never work, Rick C-137 would not try to kill Evil Morty at that moment...

...but he can do it in the future.

Any seeds of trust or appreciation that were planted that day were promptly poisoned by Rick Prime's "well-meaning" warning.

Evil Morty himself did trample said seeds further by warning Rick C-137 he could kill him any time he wanted as of now, but he also said that "using a weapon like this doesn't get you. Left. Alone." His whole speech would have hit very differently without Rick Prime's warning. We would have trusted him, we would have trusted that he did all this with the single goal of being left alone and that this is going to be the end of it. Worse case scenario, we would have thought Evil Morty might demand Rick C-137's support for A Thing (like a slave) if he had no other choice, but we still wouldn't have thought Evil Morty would murder him in a flight of rage during a disagreement. Now, the idea that Evil Morty might become unhinged in the future has been planted in our heads, by Rick Prime!

We fans were discussing on how the narrative seems to be setting Evil Morty as the final villain, but it's not the narrative, not really! It's Rick Prime manipulating Rick C-137, hoping he'll attack Evil Morty sometime in the future, so they can kill each other.

He fueled Rick C-137' paranoia on purpose, so as to get delayed revenge on the Rick who dared to think himself better than him... and on the one person who actually bested him.

[divine0rdainment]

Adamsapple Week 

Day 2: After the Fall And Jealousy

(Pt. 2 of Taking What's Forbidden)

A/N: Hey! He's part two, again I didn't have time to edit but I don't plan to write anything tomorrow so maybe I can casually edit in my break time. Please do tell me what you think!

Tw: there is mention of Lucifers fall which contains suffering, burning, bleeding, and loosing teeth, there is also mention of Sex but I don't really show any of it! But it that bothers you please skip this part!

Falling From High

Lucifer truly did care for Adam. More then he physically understood. He would look at Adam and see Hope for a future. All that humanity could be and achieve if given the right tools and proper care. Adam was smart. He was good at learning and memorizing things he liked. 

He memorized every animal with ease and would copy their mannerisms and habits to help improve his own experience in Eden, such as swimming like the frog and climbing like a monkey, and even using rocks to break things like Otters. He was so clever! And Lucifer loved that about him. He loved when he could take breaks to watch Adam run around Eden at random with the glowing spheres that could show what is happening in other areas. It was his favorite pastime. 

Well, actually his second favorite. His first favorite were the moments he could sneak away to go to Eden and speak with Adam he's even layed next to him some tights to keep the human warm, held his hand, washed his hair, and showed him how to play the Lyre. Adam was so eager to learn anything Lucifer could teach and it filled the angel with more joy then he could muster to express without just exploding into stardust. 

But after Lilith, he had been busy. Very busy. Deep down he thinks Michael knows what he's been doing and that's why his twin has been bringing him more paperwork and tasks to complete. He had no proof of it being the case, but it was such a Michael thing to do to try and prevent Lucifer from doing anything ‘unnecessary’  or, god forbid, against the rules! Ugh! He adored his brother but his passive aggressive attempts to keep Lucifer in line were obnoxious. 

So the day he was free to visit, without Michael knowing, he teleported down to Eden faster then a blink, shooting out and looking for Adam in his usual places. The willow trees? No. The grove? Nope, the lake? No Adam. The valley of flowers? Nah. The forest? No- oh…

He was distracted from his search for Adam by the sound of crying. Lucifer frowned and flys his way through the trees until he sees not Adam, but Lilith, sitting curled up on a bed of wild flowers  in a clearing, looking up at the moon with sad beautiful eyes. And she was beautiful, Lucifer knew that. He had helped design her of course. Suggested the hair and eye color as well as how tall she was, assuming Adam would appreciate the difference in their looks. 

He soon lands by her and kneels down. “Be not afraid Lilith, I am an angel of the- AH?" Lilith yelped at the sudden voice and throws a tick at Lucifer, knocking the angels hat off and making the angel look at her in shock. 

After a moment of her green eyes watching his own she stuttered out. “An…an angel?” She asked " I'm…I'm sorry Angel, I did not mean to offend or…or harm you, you simply surprised me.” She smiled softly, rubbing her eyes of tears. Lucifer takes his hat and dusts it off. “It's alright, I should have made my presence known sooner…” he assured her. Then slowly gets closer and sits beside her. 

“Now please, what upsets you so sweet Lilith and why are you not with you husband?" 

She frowned and the tears returned as she looks away. “He doesn't like me. From the moment I was created I noticed his lack of interest in speaking to me…I thought perhaps he needed space to get used to me, but every time i try to come to him after giving him time, he avoids me…” she brings her knees to her chedt and lays her head on them, looking sadly at the flowers. 

Lucifer frowned and then gently reached to her, offering her comfort.  

“It's ok Lilith. I'm sure if you just try and bond with him, he will come to like you.” He pulls her in to a hug and sighs as the woman snuggled in closer. 

" You are his wife." He insisted.“I know Adam. He is kind and sweet and a bit silly, but underneith it all, he's GOOD. Just like you." And he takes a flower, and placed it in Lilith's hair.  The blue almost glowing in the moonlight as she looked up at him and smiles. 

“You are very nice Angel…do you really think he can come to like me…if I try harder.” 

" I do. You are beautiful and sweet. He will learn he's Mostlikly just not used to sharing Eden yet. He is young. He is learning. And you are too, so sometimes, it will lead to fights, but of you try and understand each other, to talk it out, you both will figure it out. Soon I know he will offer some kindness to you. Please take it. He is doing his best as you are…” 

She smiles and nodded "Yes Angel!" 

“Lucifer…uh, my name is Lucifer.”

She frowned thinking about it. " L-lucifer…the name is longer then mine and Adams…are all angels like that?” 

He chuckled " a few but not all…" 

The two sat quietly, enjoying the night sky together, watching as fireflies glow in the trees and grass. Magical and peaceful. For a second, Lucifer thought he heard something moving in the grass, but when he looked over he saw nothing. So he pretends to have heard nothing. 

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It was only a few weeks later that Lucifer was interrupted in his work by the sound of a scream. And every angel heard it. No angel has ever heard such a sound come from any of them before. Never heard anything like it, but they knew it was bad. And Lucifer knew it had to have come from Eden. So he teleported there, then flashes around quickly looking for the source until he comes to the river and sees Lilith going over the side. He instantly flew the fastest he ever has to reach her, grabbing her arm and then pulling her in to himself to help her hold on to him. 

“Lilith! Lilith are you harmed?! “ He asked looking her over. But she was far too upset, clinging to him and sobbing in to his kneck as she tried to calm herself. He heard sera speak up next. “How did this happen!?" Sera said “They were to stay away from the river!" 

Lucifer shushed the woman as he slowly flies down to the nearest land and settled Lilith down on the grass. . "She is upset. Let's help heal her and calm her down and we can ask. She has been through enough…” 

Sera and a few others follow. Michael, his twin with longer hair than himself, was the first to speak up after. “Where is Adam. He should have told her to be carful near the river. It was part of his knowledge. That it was dangerous…”

" H-he…" Lilith started pulling away and looking at Michael. “He p-pushed me!" She declared “A-and watched the river take me! He SMILED!" she said as she held herself, letting sera use her angelic power to heal her as she spoke. 

Lucifer looked horrified. No…no Adam would never. Adam was adorable and sweet. He's never hurt any animal in the garden, never even tried, so why would he hurt Lilith? She has done nothing!

He looked at the angels. “I'm sure there is a misunderstanding…I'll find him and inquire as to the events…perhaps it was an accident…” he said before flying high and looking around. Where did he go…where was his human?

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Lucifer spent hours flying around the garden. The place was big after all, and all the angels helping him try to find Adam had also had no luck. It was driving Lucifer in to a Field of worry. His human was missing, his sweet Adam was being accused of something so horrible! He couldn't even imagine it. He soon went twords the Apple orchard, where many many apple trees sat, he landed and looked around. “A-Adam!" He called, he could see the trees of Knowledge and Life not far from him.  Towering magesticly over the rest of the trees here. One with glowing red apples and the other with pure golden. Both beautiful and foreboding sites. 

Lucifer wandered the trees, calling out to Adam loudly with every step. “Adam please! You aren't in trouble! I'm just worried! Please come out! It's me! It's Lucif-”

" Lucifer…" 

Lucifer stops and turns to see Adam leaning against a tree, casually eating an apple, a regular red one, and looking at Lucifer with…a different kind of look in his eye. They almost seemed red in this light. But that didn't matter. Lucifer smiles and runs forward. “Adam! Oh Adam you are ok!" He runs and hugged the human, his head resting on Adams chest as he hugged him. Adam didn't hesitate to hug him back with the arm that didn't hold the apple. 

“" Never better honestly…" he said with a smile, his hand rubbing up Lucifers back and through his wings, making Lucifer shutter for a second…weird, Adams never messed with his wings without permission. Eh, it was probebly an accident. He looked up at Adam and spoke. “Adam! Lilith said you pushed her in the river! Now all the other angels are very upset, but I want to help you! Tell me what really happened and I'll explain it to them! I know you would never-" 

 “I did push her." He said simply with a shrug. “But she deserved it. Like, actually deserved it. She wasn't a good wife so I had no use for her…” his eyes looked to the ground as he spoke. Talking casually, as if what he said was the most basic knowledge in the universe. Like clouds are white and fire is hot. 

Lucifer froze and slowly lets go of him. “Oh…oh Adam you can't do that! She could have been badly hurt!” 

"I don't really care…" he said simply and suddenly dropped the apple and gripped Lucifers sides. “You know, you are so cute…” he said softly. " So utterly cute and sweet…" he leans down, distracting Lucifer as the angel blushed at the sudden complements. “I…that's not important right now! Adam I'm being serious-” 

Adams nose touched Lucifers and his Red eyes looked into Lucifers. "I don't need Lilith…" he pushed Lucifer into a tree, making the angel squeek in surprise, Lucifer looked up confused. “Adam…Adam your acting different…why…why are your eyes red…” 

"Who cares about that…" he kneels down In Front of Lucifer and tilts his head down. “I don't wanna talk about Lilith anymore. I want…well, why don't I just show you?” He leans up and warmth covers Lucifer's lips.

The angel squeeks and pulled back, but Adam followed him, holding him against the tree so he wouldn't run. Lucifer didn't understand what the Adam was doing. Yes he had seen some angels kiss, but him and Adam kissing? He wasn't supposed to kiss Lucifer. He was supposed to kiss Lilith! Be with Lilith! Why…why did he like it so much that Adam wanted him instead tho? 

His hands move to Adams kneck suddenly and wrap around his hair and shoulder, kissing back before he could even try to stop himself. This was wrong. This was against God's rules! This was bad!!! And yet, the second Adam deepened the kiss and pushed something warm inside his mouth, Lucifer was unable to resist even if he wanted to. He clung to Adam like a koala clung to a tree. Desperate to not lose Adam’s heat and touch. He even followed Adam as the human pulled away this time. Whining at the loss of contact only to blush when he realizes the noise he made. 

It only caused a chuckle from Adam who nuzzles his nose against the angels kneck. “Shhh it's ok, we aren't done…” he soon wrapped his arms around Lucifer and picked him up so it was easier to kiss him with the height difference. Lucifer Squeaks and looks at the other, blushing at being so easily manhandled by the human, his eyes lingered on Adams, still mesmerized by the Amber eyes turning a deep garnet. Almost seeming to turn more red the longer he looked at them. 

“Not done? What…what do you-” then he feels Adam kiss his neck, and the noise Licifer makes causes him to bring a hand to his mouth in horror. Oh by his father what is Adam doing?!

“Adam! W-wait! You can't do that! We are already in enough trouble!" He said struggling a bit despite how he longed for what Adam was giving him. A part of him wanting to save what they had before and bother desperately craving the new and foreign feelings. He feels the other touch him more and more and after a bit, he stopped fighting, and gave in to Adams touch. He never really could resist Adam…could he? 

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Lucifer layed against the grass, eyes dazed. What has he done…by his father what had he DONE? Well, he knew what it was, but he could not believe he gave in so easily to Adam. He felt like he had taken advantage in a way, Adam was naive! Young and didn't understand why it was bad! He should have resisted. Lucifer was the angel, and now they were both in deeper trouble than they knew. Beside him laying Adam, quiet and watching Lucifer with a smirk, one that Lucifer avoided looking at for fear of a repeat of the last hour of events. Yes. An hour. They had committed such a crime together for AN HOUR! And realizing that sent Lucifer in to a blushing mess. He soon reached for his robe and covered himself, wanting to hide the bites and scratches and bruises he had sustained from their activities. But Adam gripped his waist. “Stay…” he ordered, making Lucifer shiver. 

“We…we have to find the other angels Adam…we have to tell them what happened…” he said softly, but Adam just turned lucifer to look at him, the smirk gone and replaced with pleading eyes. "Lucifer…please don't go again…" he sits up and pulled LUCIFERS back into his chest. 

“I don't care if what we did was wrong. Or if god and all of heaven wants me to vanish for this…I need you. I wanted you from the moment I met you.” He nuzzles him. "And I know pushing Lilith in the river was…was bad. Or at least I know it was bad now, but…but I dont care!” He nuzzles his head in to Lucifers hair. " You hugged her! You called her beautiful! You treated her like you treated me! It wasn't fair! You are MY angel! Not hers! She can have any other angel in heaven but…but not you. I didn't like it! I wanted her GONE!!!!” he declared aggressively, holding Lucifer so much tighter than before.

If Lucifer wasn't an angel, the grip would have hurt. And it did leave the angel feeling a bit uncomfortable. He looked up at Adam as best he could from the backwards hug and sighed. “I'm not yours to have. I am god's angel…heavens angel. And I'm not an object either. I have my own thoughts and feelings-”

" I know…I know that while your an angel, I can't have you …” his hands move down to Lucifers stomach. "So…I had to make you do something that would make you no longer an angel. Angels are pure.. “ Adam leans down and whispers in his ear. "and now…now you are anything but…" 

Lucifer is quiet, looking more and more worried as he tries to understand what Adam just said, but was soon interrupted by the sound of wings. He gasped and tried to get free of Adams grip to get the robe but it was far too late. 

Standing Infront of him was Michael, looking absolutely infuriated. “Lucifer….” His voice was low and crisp, riddled with barely contained rage. 

" Lucifer, what did you do…." 

Lucifer stuttered and looked at Michael, tears coming to his beautiful blue eyes. “I…Michael I'm sorry I didn't ..I'm not….it was!” He struggled for words and soon pushed Adam away and got on to his knees. " Michael please! Please dont be mad at Adam! I- it was my my fault, he didn't understand what he'd done! I did! Please-” 

"YOU GAVE HIM THE APPLE?!” 

Lucifer goes quiet. " W-what? No..I..I didn't…ah!!" 

Michael slapped Lucifer, hard, sending the angel to the ground hard enough to cause golden blood to leak to the ground from the angels mouth. 

“YOU LYING PIECE OF WASTED SPACE! I trusted you! I gave you time and space! I let you be close with him thinking it would cause no damage! And then you do this?! You give him an apple and then you FORNICATED with him?! Do you understand the gravity of what you have done?! Do you even care?!” he raised his hand to slap Lucifer again till Adam pulled Lucifer to his chest. Growling at the Arch angel in warning. 

" DON'T YOU TOUCH HIM!!!" 

Lucifer coward as Michael faltered in his strike. He clenched he hand in to a fist and punched a tree, knocking it a few miles away from the deer impact. “Lucifer! You are to be punished immediately! And then a trial will be given to decide your fate! You will answer for this transgression!” 

Lucifer shakes, confused and scared for the first time in his life truly scared. He knows he did wrong, he does, but this…this was too much. What did Michael mean about giving him an apple…then slowly he looked up at Adam, and then behind him to see the tree of knowledge. The red apples glowing bright. Oh no…no did Adam…he couldn't have. He wouldn't! And yet …Adams eyes changed ging color. The change in his misdemeanor. The things he did with him that he shouldn't know how to do…

He looked at Adam in horror for a few seconds till suddenly lifer feels a hand on his arm, yanking him roughly from Adams hold and on to his feet. Then a snap is heard and golden chains wrap around Lucifers arms and knock, keeping him attacked to Michael. The taller angel glairing at Adam. “And you will be having a trial as well, for eating the apple and for trying to harm your fellow human…” he growled, but adam looked at him woth no fear. Just pure determination. " And you will be punished along with Lucifer for your actions…” 

Adam slowly smiles. " Can't wait…" he said, challenging Michael in some way.  Lucifer is stuck there, confused and in shock. He had no idea what would happen next. 

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The trial took multiple days to complete, Lucifer explaining everything from the begining. Telling the truth. But the truth sadly did not gain him much favor, even if he was not the one to give Adam the apple. He still committed a great sin with Adam. He defiled himself and Adam, and the ways they described it made Lucifer feel gross. Like his body was a disgusting tool used to harm Adam. He hated every second of the angels judging and yelling at him. Demanding answers, to know if Lucifer planned it. He hadn't…but it was clear Adam had, somehow. The way he spoke about it with facts and no emotion. Not even giving any explanations as why, just that “he wanted to" and " Lilith deserved it.” 

The trial ended predictably. Both were found guilty. And this both would be punished. Sera sat on a pedestal looking down at the chained angel and human with contempt, Michael beside her. 

“As punishment for your Sins, you will both be banished from Heaven, Eden, and Earth, to wander the desolate lands of hell!" She declared. “God has shown me this is the only place you can be sent where the evil you have released will not spread farther than it already has. And Becuse of the actions you have taken, all humans who dare to commit to sin as you have will be dropped to there after their death instead of being graced with the holy light of heaven! 

Lucifer looked horrified and shook his head, but Adam only smiled as he looked at his prize before him. His sweet angel and him being stuck together in a land without anyone else? Sounded like heaven to him. 

Then suddenly, the chains where gone, but just as quickly, he felt himself falling. Through the floor and clouds, Adam beside him yelpingin insuprise at the loss of footing. They see the clouds of heaven fade from veiw and darkness surrounds them both. Adam reached out as Lucifer tried to use his wings only to scream on utter pain as they started to catch fire. His eyes widening and tears flowing. How felt his teeth loosen in his mouth and be pushed out, causing golden blood to leak, 

The angel was in pain as his hands and legs started to feel as on fire as his wings. Even as Adam gripped on to him, red blood dripping from his forehead as he felt so ethi g push past his skull, somthing he was too busy to care about as he held on to his angel. His poor screaming angel as his nails are pushed out by claws, as his feet morphed into hooves slowly, the bones in his knees breaking before reforming into the right shape. And the wings burned up, all the feathers seemed to practically melt under the heat, leaving bone in their place as Lucifer screams filled the air. Adam knew that he could hear what they were doing to them. And all Adam could do was cling to him, hold him close and whisper that it was ok, and they were going to be ok. He felt LUCIFER'S hands on his back and felt the sharp claws digging into his body, trying to grip onto anything, Adam bleeds out more, but doesn't care. All he cared about was his Lucifer. His sweet Lucifer. 

“I'm sorry…” he whispers " I'm so sorry Lucifer this is all my fault…” he whispered " i'm so sorry my sweet sweet angel…" he started to cry himself as he continued to hear how much pain Lucifer was in. 

And then, he looked down over Lucifers shoulder and saw red ground. They were going to crash it and there wasn't a damn thing he could do to stop it. So he closed his eyes and whispers “I love you…” and then the pain crashed through both of them as they created an explosive mushroom cloud of red dust in the area. The impact took out anything nearby and blew it far away. 

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When Lucifer awoke, he felt like death, or the closest thing to it. Everything ached. His head, his back, his teeth and hands, he felt like something was poking out of his spine that was never there before and it felt damaged…

He looked around to see he was laying on a crater like the ones on the moon. For a moment, he didn't know where he was, or why he was here. He didn't know why it all hurt to just breath. Then he managed to move his head enough to see…a pair of large horns? Like a goat…brown hair was under the horns and under that…a face? Was…was that…red blood? Adam? Oh no, ADAM!

He reached up despite his bodies protests and gently gripped the others cheek “a-ad-ad-dam…” he choked out, his throat hurt from screaming so much, he'd never felt pain like this. But he pushed through it as he tried to wake Adam up and make sure he was ok. His sweet human needed to be ok…

After a few seconds, Adam groaned and curled in on himself, clearly in pain too. Lucifer sighed in relief but the good feeling was gone as he looked at the sky and saw…heaven…

The white and cloud covered orb in the sky. His home. His and Adams. They were never allowed to go back…tears fell down Lucifer's dust covered face, his hands shaking as he still struggled to breath. “...no…oh father why…why did this happen…” he called out in a scratchy voice. " Was…was this your plan? From the start? Why…why did this happen? What was the p-point!!!” He demanded only to start coughing up dust from his lungs that he breathed in while passed out. If he was a human he would have died from the amount of dust in the air. 

Adam groaned and slowly sat up, his eyes blinking and he coughed some as well, dust inside his lungs now too as he looked over at Lucifer, seeing his angel and gasped “l…Lucifer…your…head…” 

Lucifer didn't know what he meant, his hand moved up and he felt pain as he touched something hard…horns. He had horns like Adam that had pushed their way past his skin. He moved down to touch the sides of them, sensitive as they were. His helo was gone as well, Adam had noticed. And his teeth…sharp like lions. Or a shark even. When Lucifer licked his lips, he cut his tongue on his teeth and cursed as his sticks his tongue out and let Adam see it was longer than before and replaced it with a cut in the center of it, dividing it into two parts. Like a snake tongue. Oh no…what has happened to them. 

Lucifer touched his face more and noticed his hands were black and covered in claws instead of regular nails, and they looked black and sharp, dangerous. He looked at Adam and guled as his wings shifted. The feathers are still badly burnt and slowly regrowing new ones. But they were red…not the pure white they once were. 

Adam examined every part of him and sighed, touching the man's cheek. “My angel, you…you are hurt…we should find some water and clean up…then…then find a place to rest…” he whispered. "We can go from there…then decide what we should do.” 

After a bit, Lucifer agreed and slowly went to move, his legs hurt the worst as he looked down and saw…hooves. Red and black hooves like a sheep…fuck he hated this. Is this part of the punishment? Was this to Nick him by taking away his angelic beauty? Why?!

He is helped up by Adam who looked mostly human except the horns and now golden and red eyes. Red sclera and golden pupils. Lucifer's eyes were the opposite color. Not that Adam minded…it was still his angel. And they were still together. And they would figure out where to go from here…even if it took some time. 

He glanced up at heaven, and smiled. One day…one day they would pay for the pain they caused. But for now, he'd let them be, and focus on his beloved. 

“Come Lucifer…I will take care of you…” 

[morgana-larkin]

Alright, after much research and knowing absolutely nothing about what I’m writing, I finally finished the fic. I’ll admit that I’m like the reader in this case and have absolutely no idea how the fuck to flirt. The fact that I’ve had 2 relationships is a miracle in itself. Not edited in the slightest and I hope you like it!

On another note: I’ll be doing your prompts next as I have just under 20 in my inbox. They’re mostly Melissa prompts but I do have a couple Chessy ones and 1 Agatha prompt.

The Art Of Flirting

Warnings: small amount of swearing

Words: 6k

You walk into the break room looking for Melissa. You walk a couple steps in and look around for the redhead only to realise she’s not there.

“Hey Barb, have you seen Melissa?” You ask her.

“Not since this morning dear. She might just be running late.” Barb tells you and you sigh and turn around to leave. As soon as you turn around you run right into the redhead herself and she places her hands on your waist to stabilise both of you.

“Hey hon, sorry, didn’t mean to bump into you.” She tells you and you just stare at her, frozen in fear and nervousness.

“Oh, uh, um, it’s-it’s alright. I- I got to go, see you later.” You tell her and bolt out of there.

Melissa watches you leave in confusion before she goes to sit down at the table with Barb.

You enter your classroom and immediately close the door. You put your hands over your eyes in embarrassment and sigh. You just made a complete fool out of yourself in front of Melissa as usual. But honestly, how could anyone act normal around her with how beautiful she is? It’s impossible. You developed a crush on her when you started as the new art teacher 5 months ago.

You go and sit at your desk and start another drawing of Melissa in your sketchbook, a sketchbook that’s full of drawings of her. Is it an obsession to have 100 different sketches of Melissa in different positions and places? Maybe borderline obsession.

After you finish the sketch of Melissa on her phone at the table in the break room, you put your sketchbook away and sit back in your seat. You really want to flirt with her to try and see if she’s interested in you or to let her know that you’re interested in her but there’s one problem with that plan, how the fuck do you flirt?

You get your phone out and decide to google it. It comes up with a bunch of different suggestions and you write down all the ones that come up the most on each website. You just conveniently scroll past the part where it says confidence is very attractive on women, it’s already been established that you have none in front of her. Alright now to put some of these to the test.

First thing on the list: make eye contact.

Watch out Melissa, I’m gonna eye contact the fuck out of you. You then cringe at your own thoughts and sigh.

After school you try and book it quickly to get to the other side of the school in time to walk with Melissa to your cars. You see her locking up her classroom by the time you get there and you walk up to her.

“H-hey Melissa.” You stutter out and she turns around and smiles when she sees it’s you.

“Hey Y/N. How was your day today?” She asks you as you both start walking to the parking lot.

“It-it was alright. How was yours?” You manage to get out.

“It was good, the students actually listened and they all behaved today.” She says and you can’t help but stare at her as she smiles. The point is to make eye contact but you stare at all of her. “Why are you staring?” She asks you.

“What? Me? Staring? Never.” You say with a small laugh and she looks at you confused for a second then just continues the walk to your cars.

“So any weekend plans?” She asks you.

“Umm, nope. I have a pretty boring life. A good weekend for me is curled up on the couch with a good book or a nice tv show or movie to watch.” You tell her while occasionally looking away.

“Hey, I find a night on the couch to be a pretty awesome night.” She says and you just stare at her the entire time.

‘Try to make eye contact, try to keep eye contact.’ Is constantly in your head.

“You’re staring again.” She says.

“I’m not staring… I’m just looking at you while you talk.”

“Hon, that’s called staring.” She states.

“No, it’s called listening while you talk.” You counter and she shakes her head at you with a smile.

“Whatever you say, hon.” She says as you both reach her car and she unlocks it. “See you tomorrow, good night.” She says and then goes to get in her car.

“Good night, Melissa.” You tell her before she closes her car door. You then walk to your car with a smile on your face. ‘I think that went pretty well.’

The next morning you walk into the break room and get your coffee ready. You then go to sit on the couch like you normally do but Melissa stops you.

“Hon, how about you sit with us this morning?” She asks and you look at her in shock. The Melissa Schemmenti, the woman who barely tolerates newbies, just asked you, a newbie, to sit at her table. You almost couldn’t believe it and you smile at her.

“Are you sure?” You ask her and she nods. “Alright, since you’re offering then sure.” You say and go sit on the chair next to her.

“Dear, the project you did with my class yesterday was amazing! My students couldn’t stop talking about it.” Barb told you and you smiled.

“Really? I’m so happy they loved it. And your kindergarteners are adorable.” You told her and Melissa was looking at you with a soft smile the entire time.

“My little eagles love your class as well. They always can’t wait and never want to come back.” Melissa joked with you and you both laughed.

When you both look up from laughing you lock eyes with each other and your breath hitches. Melissa goes back on her phone and you just keep staring at her, she was so beautiful.

“You’re staring again, hon.” Melissa suddenly says as she looks at you and you lock eyes with her again.

“I- I wasn’t staring at you.” You say, voice a bit higher than you intended and Melissa quirks an eyebrow at you.

You pull your phone out and take a look at the list. You think eye contact failed and should try the next thing.

Second thing on the list: compliment her.

‘Ok, I can do that. I always think she looks beautiful. Just have to vocalise it.’ You think and smile as you look up at her. You open your mouth to speak but at the same moment she looks at you and all words left your brain and you quickly shut your mouth.

“Were you gonna say something hon?” Melissa asks you.

“I was but then I literally blanked and forgot.” You say a little shyly and Melissa smiles and shakes her head.

2 hours later there’s a knock on your classroom door and you get up to go open it. You know exactly who’s there, it’s Melissa and her class.

“Hey Melissa!” You say cheerfully and she smiles at you.

“Hey hon, here to drop off the little eagles.” She says and you signal for her students to walk in the classroom. While the students walk in your classroom, you take a look at Melissa. She’s wearing the leather pants that you love on her, a red low cut top and her beautiful ginger locks flowing down to her chest.

“You look really good today.” You tell her and she looks up at you with a smile.

“Ya?” She asks and you nod. “You’ve seen me in this outfit before and you didn’t say anything then.” She tells you with a head tilt.

“Oh…uh, we-well you looked good then but I just didn’t say anything and-”

“Hon, I’m just teasing you, relax. Thank you for the compliment.” She tells you with a chuckle and your cheeks turn red from embarrassment.

The next day, Melissa walks in as you’re on the couch sketching a picture of her. You were really into the sketch that you didn’t register her entering or walking towards you.

“That’s a nice sketch of me.” She says and you jump at her being close to you and quickly close the sketchbook.

“MELISSA! Oh hi!” You say with a higher pitched voice and she giggles at your reaction.

“Can I see the sketch?” She asks as she sits down beside you. You nervously nod your head and then turn it to the correct page of the sketch, carefully to not let her see the other sketches of her, the 100 other sketches of her. You don’t want her to think you’re a stalker. You showed her the sketch and she looks at it with a smile for a few seconds. “This is really good, no wonder you’re an art teacher.” She tells you.

“Tha-thanks. It’s not finished and I didn’t have you posing, although neither did I ask your permission. I’m sorry.” You tell her and she waves you off.

“Don’t be sorry, I’m flattered you’d rather sketch me then someone else. And I’d be happy to pose for you.”

“Really?” You say, shocked.

“Yep, but I’d like to keep the sketch after.” She says and you immediately nod.

“Alright, deal.” You say and then you both shake on it. You should have thought through the idea of shaking hands with her cause as soon as your hands touched, you immediately don’t want to let go. Her hand was so soft and you like the way it feels in yours.

“Come to my place after school today if you’re free and you can sketch me then.” She offers and you immediately nod with a smile.

“I’m definitely free, I’ll be there.” You say and she smiles then gets up.

“Great, I’ll text you my address.” She says and then leans down and lowers her voice so no one else hears. “Oh and btw, you look really cute when you’re concentrating on your work.” She says with a wink, then goes to sit with Barb.

‘What the fuck just happened?’ You think and you might as well have error 404 written across your face cause you don’t move at all for a few seconds.

After school you’re heading to the parking lot when you get a text. It’s from Melissa and you can’t help the smile that formed on your face.

Melissa: Hey Y/N, here’s the address of my castle! Feel free to show up anytime between now and 6 😉

You: I’ll be there in an hour! Why between now and 6?

Melissa: to feed you dinner of course!

You: oh, you don’t need to do that

Melissa: I insist, and I gotta do something to pay you back for sketching me

You: you not being angry at me for sketching you without your permission is good enough for me

Melissa: any dietary restrictions?

You: I’m not getting out of this am I?

Melissa: nope 😉

You: no restrictions

You check the list on your phone for another flirting technique.

Third on the list: light touching

You show up at Melissa’s place an hour later and she opens the door and smiles when she sees it’s you.

“Hey hon.” She says and moves to the side to let you in.

“Hi Melissa.” You say and then take your shoes off before Melissa is guiding you to her couch with one hand on your back. When she put one hand on your back you froze for half a second and you hope she didn’t notice. “So what kind of sketch of yourself do you want?” You ask her once you both sit on the couch.

“Hm, how about me posing on the couch?” She says and you quirk an eyebrow as you flip to an empty page in your sketchbook.

“You’re not talking like titanic style are you?” You ask her and she chuckles.

“No, although maybe I’ll consider that in the future, I do have a great body.” She says and then winks at you. You sit there staring at her like a deer in the headlights, not knowing what to say. “You finished the sketch from earlier.” She says as you were on the page from your last sketch. You nod and then show her how it looks as it’s done. “Wow, you’re an amazing artist.” She says as she looks at it with a smile.

“Thank you.” You say as you look at her with a smile.

“Have you sketched any other teachers?” She suddenly asks as she looks up at you.

“Not in a while.” You say and she looks confused at you. “When I first started I sketched everything and everyone. I like sketching different things and people, and everything was new. I haven’t sketched the other teachers since Halloween.” You tell her and she smiles at you.

“Did you sketch everyone in their costumes?” She asks and you nod. “Can I see it?”

“It’s in another sketchbook.” You tell her and she gives you a little pout. “I can bring it in on Monday if you want.” You say quickly and a smile forms back on her face.

“I’d like that.” She says and you smile and nod at her.

“What other sketches do you have in this one?” She asks you and you suddenly feel nervous. You brought the sketchbook that’s full of sketches of her, a mistake on your part.

“I- I, it’s private.” You say and she looks at you confused but she lets it go.

“Alright, so what do you want to sketch? The one for me.” She says and you think about it.

“Well what do you normally do when you’re at home?” You ask her.

“I cook, grade stuff if I need to catch up, eat, watch tv. On the weekends though it’s different.” She says and you tilt your head. “Other than cooking, I do chores, visit family members, occasionally do something with Barb.” She says and you smile softly at her. Then you suddenly get an idea as you see how she’s sitting right now. She’s sitting on the couch with her body towards you, her left leg on the couch tucked under her body, with her left arm on the back of the couch and head resting on her hand.

“You know, how you are right now is perfect. It looks natural for you.” You tell her and she looks down at herself then back at you.

“You want me to stay as I am and just look at you?” She says and quirks an eyebrow.

“Well that’s if you want the drawing to be of you on the couch.” You say as you flip to an empty page in your sketchbook.

“That’s alright with me.” She says as you get one of the pencils you brought.

“Do you want to be smiling or just a natural look?” You ask her and she thinks about it for a second.

“Smiling.” She says.

“Do you mind smiling then? I’ll be doing your face first.” You tell her and she nods then does a smile.

You take a deep breath and then begin your sketch. In all your sketches of Melissa, you never have one where she’s posing for you. Having her look at you as you’re drawing her is very different.

“You can stop smiling now if you want.” You tell her as you finish her face. Melissa does stop smiling and just has a natural look now and starts a conversation with you as you continue the sketch.

“When did you start doing sketches?” She asks as you do the outline of her body.

“For as long as I remember. I was a shy kid and it was hard for me to make friends so I drew instead.” You tell her as you move to the side of the couch to sketch her full body. You get to the part where you’re sketching her chest and you can’t help but blush as you look at her chest.

“Why are you blushing?” She asks you.

“No reason, just um, not used to having someone look at me as I sketch them. Only my family ever did.” You tell her and she smiles at you.

“Well you’re beautiful when you blush.” She tells you and you immediately snap your head up at her and she winks at you. You blush even more but you go back to the sketch and try to calm your blush down. After half an hour, you finish the sketch and turn it around to show her.

“What do you think?” You ask her as she looks at it.

“It’s perfect.” She says and then you carefully ripe the page out and hand it to her. She reaches out and takes it and your hands brush together briefly and your breath hitches slightly as you feel her soft skin. She examines it more closely with a smile before she gets up. You put your stuff away as she hangs the drawing up on her fridge. You get up and follow her to the kitchen just as she’s putting food from a container on two plates. “I hope you like lasagna cause that’s the leftovers that I have.” She says and you smile at her.

“I’m positive I’ll love it. I’ve heard nothing but great things about your cooking.” You tell her and she smiles as she puts one of the plates in the microwave. “I really like your house, it’s very homey.” You tell her as you look around her kitchen.

“Thank you.” She says and puts the second plate in the microwave after taking the first one out.

“You’re the first person I’ve seen to have plastic on the couch though.” You tell her and she giggles a bit.

“My family is Italian and love wine. So when they come over I don’t want them to spill on the couch.” She says and you nod in understanding. “Come and eat.” She says as she takes the two plates over to her dining table. You take the first bite and the flavours explode in your mouth and you let out a small moan.

“Omg Melissa this is incredible.” You tell her with a smile.

“Thanks hon.” She says and then you both continue on with normal chatter until you leave. “I’ll see you on Monday, and don’t forget the sketchbook.” She says as you’re at her door, ready to leave.

“Don’t worry, I won’t forget, see you on Monday Melissa.” You tell her and then you leave. Once you get home you take a deep breath and sit on the couch. You didn’t really flirt with her but you got to spend a lot of time with her alone and without interruptions. You smile at that thought and then go to find your filled sketchbooks and grab the one that you’re looking for to show her on Monday.

When Monday rolls around, you grab all your things and make your way to school. You walk into the break room and make a coffee. Melissa looks at you as you make a coffee and then invites you to sit next to her when you’re done.

“As promised, the sketchbook I used when I first got here.” You tell her and she smiles as you hand it to her. She gets you to scoot closer to her and you do it immediately and then she looks at the sketches you did. You have drawings in there of Abbott mostly, of the break room, some classrooms, the gym, the playground. Then she sees some of the teachers making their way into the drawings. She sees herself in a few of them, especially in the break room ones. You decide to put your flirting into action as she’s distracted and move your leg slightly so that your thigh is touching hers. You keep it there and she doesn’t say anything, she just asks you about some of your drawings and you happily explain them to her.

She then flips the page and she sees a drawing of a few kids in costumes and realises that she’s at Halloween. She looks at a few drawings and then gets one of just her in the break room, on her phone with a lollipop in her mouth. She looks at it with a smile and flips the page. She sees that it’s another sketch of her in her costume. It was after haunting baby Thanos and you were all sitting in the gym as the kids tired themselves out. You were all there but she sees that you only drew her. She flips the page and sees a picture of Draemond, the owner of charter schools, there with devil horns and she giggles.

She flips a few more pages and sees herself and Barb at their table in their Christmas clothing. She flips to the next page and it’s her with the read-a-thon medal and a huge smile on her face. She then gets to the end of the sketchbook and she hands it back to you. “Your sketches are amazing, hon.” She tells you and you take the sketchbook back with a blush. Melissa then goes to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear and you look at her. “There, it was getting in the way.” She says with a smile then goes to her phone. You go on your phone to check the list again as you don’t have a lot of reasons to touch her. Then it hits you, you never moved your thigh away from hers and she didn’t either. You glance down and sure enough your thighs are still touching and Melissa doesn’t seem to mind. You now look at the list to try and flirt some more with her.

Fourth on the list: Get her to talk about herself.

Ok this one seems easy, you can do this. “So Melissa.” You start and she looks at you with a smile. “What are you doing today with your students? Any activities or something fun?” You ask her and she thinks about it for a second before her eyes widen and she starts collecting her things.

“You just reminded me that I gotta get the classroom ready for a science project.” She says quickly and quickly walks out of the room. You sigh with a pout and Barb looks at you with a gentle smile.

“Don’t worry dear, one day she’ll notice your advances.” She tells you and your eyes widen as you look at her.

“Wha?” You ask her and she shakes her head with a smile.

“I know you like her, it’s no mystery.” She tells you and you put your head in your hands.

You pull your phone out for something to do and it’s still on the list and you’re about to close it when you read the next thing.

Fifth on the list: Go out of your way to be nice.

You have a perfect opportunity, you can help her set up her classroom. You say goodbye to Barb and then you head to Melissa’s classroom. Once you get there you see her frantically setting things up and you knock on the door. She looks up at you and she smiles at you before continuing setting up.

“Hey hon, I’m sorry that I left so quickly.” She tells you and you walk in.

“That’s alright, I just came over to see if I could help you.” You tell her and she looks at you.

“Really?” She asks and you nod. “That would be great, hon.” She tells you and you walk over to grab some of the paper out of her hand. You think you have the perfect opportunity to double flirt, help her and get her to talk about herself.

“So what experiment are they doing today?” You ask her and she smiles.

“Volcanos. We’ve been learning about them so today we’re doing the baking soda and vinegar volcano.” She tells you excitedly.

“You seem more excited than the kids.” You joke with her and she giggles.

“It’s the most fun experiment of the year.” She says.

You shake your head at her before an idea pops in your head. “Hey, I got an idea but you can always say no.” You tell her and she looks at you and tilts her head. “Well you know how I have your class second period today?” You start and she nods her head. “How about we combine them. We can even decorate the volcanoes. I get bring over some art supplies and make a whole 2 hour experiment!” You tell her and you calm down when you finish the idea.

“That’s actually an amazing idea and I’d love to do that.” She says and you quirk your eyebrows.

“But…” You say and she shakes her head at you with a smile.

“No but, it sounds amazing and we should do it.” She tells you and you jump up and down.

“Omg! Ok, I’ll go grab some supplies and l’ll be right back!” You say excitedly and run out.

You return 5 minutes later, a few minutes before the bell rings with some painting supplies. You both continue setting up, including the art supplies and finish right as the bell rings. Melissa goes to greet her students as you stand at the front of the classroom and the students look around at the materials.

“Ms. Y/L/N, what are you doing here?” One of her students ask you.

“Me and Ms. Schemmenti will explain everything when everyone is settled in.” You tell them and they nod their head and take a seat.

“Alright my little eagles!” Melissa says and you shake your head at that, of course she includes the eagles in her teaching. “Today is volcano experiment day!” She says and the students begin to cheer. “And Ms. Y/L/N here is helping us with it. We’re combining our classes so we’ll have 2 hours to build and decorate our volcanoes.” She explains and all the students begin side chatter with someone beside them.

“And we can do a competition! The group with the best looking and best working volcano will have bragging rights for the day.” You tell them and they all cheer again. One of the students raise their hand and looks at you. “Yes Makayla?” You ask her.

“Does the best looking means that they have to look like a volcano?” She asks and you think about it.

“Hm, good question. I’m gonna say no. Just go crazy and make it look however you want it to look. And if you need any specific art supplies then let me know and I’ll go get it for you.” You tell everyone and they all have a big smile. “Anything to add Ms. Schemmenti?” You ask her as you look at her.

“Nope, I think it’s time we split into groups.” She tells them. You split the class into groups and they all get started on their volcanoes. “You know there’s extra supplies if you want to make a volcano together?” She asks you as you smile and then you both start constructing one. You both work on it and also help the students with theirs if they ask.

“So how should we decorate it?” You ask as you add some paper to the volcano but it didn’t stick.

“Here you didn’t add enough glue.” She says and stands behind you. She takes the piece of paper and dips it into the glue and then passes it to you and both stick the piece onto the volcano successfully. “I think it should be a black volcano with pink lava.” She says with a big smile and you shake your head and smile as well.

“I think we can make that happen.” You tell her and she beams. Once the paper dries then you set up the paint and you take turns painting parts of it. When Melissa finishes painting it completely black then you get the pink paint and a smaller paint brush. You begin painting lines on the volcano while she paints the top of it. Melissa gets the lava ready with extra baking soda as you’re using paint instead of food colouring which is heavier. Once everyone is done then you all test the volcanoes. The last one to test was yours and Melissa’s and it worked and started pouring out pink lava to which the whole class was in awe.

After they all get tested then you and Melissa quickly discuss who wins and then announce the best group. They all clap for the winning team and then you get everyone to help clean up.

“Thank you for today.” Melissa says as you both clean up your area. “This was a really fun idea.”

“It’s not a problem Melissa, and I had a lot of fun today as well.”

“We should combine our classes together more often.” She says and you smile at her.

“I would love that.” You tell her and then continue cleaning up before you had to leave for your third period class. You’re lucky you had a spare at the beginning of the day so you could do this project with her and her class.

At lunch you bump into her on the way to the break room and she starts laughing at how you look. “Did you get paint shot at you?” She asks through giggles.

“Something like that. The kids and I were having fun with the paint and they decided to attack me with paint. This is why I only use washable paint.” You say.

“Come here.” She tells you and she brings you to the sink in the break room. She gets paper towels and begins cleaning the paint off of your face. The rest of the crew walks in while Melissa is wiping the paint off your face and they all start laughing at your state.

“Dear, what on earth happened to you?” Barb asks as she tries not to laugh.

“Third graders wanted to have fun today with paint.” You tell everyone.

“And it seems you were their main target.” Melissa says and she starts giggling again while wiping near your mouth. She then starts wiping your mouth and you both freeze for a second and Melissa looks up into your eyes before looking back at your mouth and then goes back to wiping your mouth. “If it’s any consolation, you look like an art teacher.” She jokes with you and you both start laughing at the joke. Melissa finally gets all the paint off your face and neck and then you both start to have lunch.

“Thanks for getting all the paint off my face.” You tell her and she smiles at you.

“Not a problem, hon.” She says and then goes and explains to Barb the volcano project.

“Wow, it seems you two had a fun morning.” Barb tells you both and you both nod and Meliss turns to look at you.

“We did ya. I was already looking forward to the volcano project but you made it even better.” She tells you and you blush.

Once lunch ends then all the teachers go and collect their class, you on the other hand have a spare right now so you walk to your classroom and start to get it ready for Janine’s class that are coming next period. While getting it ready you begin to think of your plan of flirting with Melissa, it seems to be going well except that you’re barely doing anything. And then it hits you, Melissa is doing the flirting and you’ve been flirting back with her. She’s the one making eye contact with you, complimenting you, lightly touching you, getting you to talk about yourself and even helping you out. You facepalm as you didn’t even notice before, how oblivious are you?

At the end of the day, you’re sitting on the couch in the break room, finishing up a sketch. Teachers walk in and out quickly to get their lunch and then go home. Melissa walks in with Barb but then notices you on the couch, she says goodbye to Barb and then walks over to you and looks at your drawing. It’s another sketch of her, only it’s her painting the volcano.

“That sure was fun today.” She says from behind you and scares the shit out of you.

“OMG! MELISSA! Why do you keep scaring me like that?” You ask her and she starts laughing.

“Sorry hon, but it is funny.” She says as you pout. “Btw, that’s another sketch of me, I seem to be your favourite subject to sketch.” She tells you and you blush.

“Really? I didn’t even notice but I guess so.” You tell her, trying to cover up the fact that the sketchbook is full of sketches of her. You both start walking out when your book slips out of your hands and falls in front of her. The curiosity gets the better of Melissa as she looks at the sketches after picking it up. She’s able to get away from your attempts at getting the book back as you don’t want her to think you’re some sort of freak or stalker.

“I guess I really am your favourite subject.” She says as she flips through all the sketches, you’ve already given up your attempts and just lets her look. She finishes looking at them after a few minutes and gives it back to you. “I wouldn’t mind keeping some of those.” She says and you clutch the book close to you.

“Of-of course, you can keep a-any sketch you want.” You stutter out and she smiles at you.

“Why didn’t you want to show me your sketchbook before?” She asks you and you sigh.

“Because if you found out I have a sketchbook of just sketches of you then you might think I’m a freak or something.” You admit to her.

“Hon I don’t think you’re a freak for it. Many artists have something or someone that they love to sketch. I have a few artists in my family and they all tell me that.” She says and you look at her. You then remember your discovery a couple hours ago and you surge forward and kiss her. You could feel her being stunned at first and as you go to pull away she starts kissing you back. You both pull apart when air is needed and then you look at each other as you catch your breath. “Thank god, I was wondering if you liked me back for a month now. Which is why I started flirting with you.” She tells you and your jaw drops.

“You’ve been flirting with me for a month?” You ask her, completely stunned and she nods.

“How long do you think I’ve been flirting with you for?” She asks.

“For like a week. I mean that’s when I started flirting with you.” You tell her.

“You’ve been flirting with me?” She asks and looks taken aback.

“Ya, I guess unsuccessfully if your reaction is anything to go by.” You tell her and you both start giggling.

“You suck at flirting hon.” She tells you with a smile.

“I know, I literally googled how to flirt with women as a woman cause I have no idea how to flirt.” You admit and she laughs at that.

“You’re adorable but you're right, you have no idea how to flirt.” She tells you and you pout. She then kisses you again and this time you melt into the kiss, unaware of the trio and Barb watching you both from down the hall, all of them with a smile on their face.

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[acaplaya-musings]

Voiceplay Visuals - Be Prepared

Voiceplay's full-length cover of Be Prepared was released on the 28th of September (or the 27th depending on your timezone, same deal as always), and in fact it's still the 28th for me as I type this! Yes, I'm getting this ready at least a couple of days in advance of when I plan to post it, 1 because I've waited long enough already, and 2 because VoicePlay's next release (their Halloween video) is meant to drop on Patreon before the end of September and I wanna get this done before it happens!

Anyway, this features Mykal Kilgore, who's an OG member, not technically of VoicePlay, but of "4 The Love", which consisted of Mykal, Geoff, Layne, and Earl, back when they were about 17 I believe? Then at some point they added Scott Porter as a beatbooxer and became 4:2:Five. Mykal appeared a little bit in Just Sing, but otherwise this is the first time he's properly reunited with Geoff and Layne and gotten to meet Eli and Cesar! He was definitely a great contribution to this video.

There's a lot to unpack visually in this video, and again, I've been dying to make this post, so let's! get! into this!!!

Honestly I can't even think of much to say about the overall set design right now other than yoooooo look how cool this is!!

They absolutely nailed the vibe/aesthetic of the original scene, while still keeping the set "simple" enough for plenty of movement and use of space!

Layne was in charge of the arrangement, creative direction, and video editing for this video, shocker to no one (a Disney song cover that places Geoff front and centre? Gotta be Layne's doing 😂 (and we love him for it!))

Oh yeah also I'm pretty sure the aspect ratio is a bit "narrower" than it often is for most VP videos? (Like the screen is more noticeably wider than it is tall.)

There he is!!! (It was at this point on my first watch-through that I had to take a moment to steel myself because I was like "nope nope nope hang on wait I don't think I'm actually prepared for this" 😅

As to be expected, Eli is credited with lighting, but he also helped out with the fog machine things shown here in this image (the one on the left is more visible here). VoicePlay hadn't worked with these things before, but they worked amazingly, and it's another thing to give the video similarities to the original movie scene. However, these things were actually Quite Loud

Not the clearest image but look at Layne and Cesar being all sneaky/creepy here! (Layne does a little skip-step thing in this shot here that's brief but kinda reminds me just a touch of his little run in This Is Halloween)

Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Rick Underwood the man that you are, please, let me shake your hand, I love you (whether I'll still love him after the Halloween video remains to be determined, but anyway)

I mean honestly this is a Whole Look and I adore every part of it. The "facial scruff", the eyeliner, the freaking awesome jacket, the hair... I'm gonna stop myself from rambling too much too early ^^;

"I know that your powers of retention... are as wet as a warthog's backside."

A couple of things here:

1, You would probably expect Layne to just be another hyena (after all, there's many more than just Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed in the original scene), but it's possible that he might have intended to be a warthog, given this moment here (and also at the end of the BTS there's a clip of Layne messing around with one of the smoke/fog machines in a very Pumbaa-esque manner, lol).

And 2, credit to @ambular-d who first noticed this and pointed it out in the Discord server: Layne dips his shoulder here, "like Geoff's casual disdainful little swipe has some strength behind it." (directly quoting them here)

Okay now let's pay attention (ayyy) to our "main hyena trio" for a moment

There is no real style coordination here and yet somehow it works (well they're all in black/dark grey so they've got that in common). But like Cesar's got a grey leopard-print jumper/sweater (kinda cute ngl), Mykal's got a black fluffy (fringed?) shirt/sweater thing, and Eli's got a black leather jacket on (he looks very cool in it though - definitely suits him)

Mykal's the only one of the total five who isn't wearing some sort of necklace, but I guess he makes up for it with the bones hanging from the top of his head (and for all I know that actually might be a necklace that he just wrapped around the base of his hairbun)

ALSO I just went to go check my post for Friends On The Other Side because I was wondering if Cesar's necklace here was one of the ones worn by Geoff or Layne in that video, and I don't think it is (too short), but I'm 90% certain that Eli's necklace here is one of the same ones that Geoff was wearing!

Dramatic lighting flash! Low-key similar to Hoist The Colours (another video featuring scruff, guyliner, and heavily colour-tinted lighting), and also Geoff's recent Song Of Durin video!

(Also man I'm gonna hit image limit aren't I, lol rip)

"It's clear from your vacant expressions, the lights are not all on upstairs"

It's a blurry image, but I couldn't help but be tempted to do a Screenshot Comparison for this moment (plus another one a bit later in the song) because Layne absolutely understood the assignment and I was quite pleased that this bit got recreated!

(Also yes, Cesar is Ed, lol)

This moment in the video with Geoff and Cesar (including the second half of the line) got turned into a meme gif on the Patrons Discord server to represent VoicePlay and the audio distributors that they've been having issues with 😂

"And where do we feature?" "Just listen to teacher"

I don't remember it looking like that in the original scene! 😝 (but seriously, I love how Geoff and Cesar can't help but be cute together here - you should see their dynamic in some of the BTS videos, it's the best)

Pfft, this moment also got memed in the Discord server XD ("ask me to sing a G-1 one more time!" (credit again to @ambular-d) or alternatively "I said there are ants in the coffee again!" (that one's a reference to one of the BTS videos))

I'm honestly a little jealous of how cool Geoff looks while doing the sort of lifting motion he does in this moment here

Oh yeah that's definitely one of the Friends On The Other Side necklaces that Eli's got on

Also it took me an embarassingly-large amount of watches to realize that Cesar had painted nails for this one (in my defence, I was very distracted 😂)

Sure go ahead Eli, have your moment, stare into my soul, go on (affectionate)

"Of course quid pro quo you're expected, to take Certain Duties on board"

Again, not a great screenshot, but again, another moment recreated (at least in a general sense) from the original scene!

This is also a good place to point out how the lighting has changed from green to yellow, just as it does in the original scene, and it changed at the same spot as well (right on or just before the "it's great that we'll soon be connected..." line)

Oh rip it is tough to get good screencaps for this one (probably at least partially due to all the fog)

Anyway I wanted to point out that Layne's a little over an inch taller than Geoff (possibly two inches if you count the hair, lol), but in this one he mostly stays at least a little hunched, at least when Geoff's next to him, making Geoff look equal height if not taller (and from a storytelling perspective, it's great!)

"YOU WON'T GET A SNIFF WITHOUT ME!"

A quick shift to red colouring, again just as the movie scene (and also now the video looks crystal clear as well!)

(Also goddamn Geoff is really working the crazy evil villain look... like man 👀)

Mykal and Eli vibing, I love it

Cesar, Mykal, and Eli's reaction to the growl/roar 😂

Cesar is shook! Literally! XD

Nothing much to say here, just that Geoff looks amazing and is amazing

(Also shoutout to his white-grey hair, which was looking wonderfully-prominent in this video and I adore it)

(woof) HELLO THERE GOOD SIR 😳👉👈

This is a rare case of me not having a "he's so pretty" moment with Geoff in a video, but that's because for this one, it's more a case of "he's so hot" 👀

*insert evil laughter here*

And that's Be Prepared! Man, what a video!

Next on the list is of course VoicePlay's Halloween release for 2024, whatever that turns out to be. I'm both excited and nervous (or scared, even), but hey, I have no doubt it will give me plenty to talk about! Until next time!