#everyone: that's cool too lila :)

[sissytobitch10seconds]

I don't think that the majority of people being mad on the internet actually hate s4. I think that they're grieving something that they held very close to their hearts and are in the anger stage of the process. It'll be interesting to see in the next few months what the attitude around the season comes to be.

[missconchshell]

I loved this new episode of Miraculous! Oh my gosh, I didn't even realize it was coming out, but I'm so happy it did!

I've never been too too attached to either Marc or Nathaniel, but this episode really won me over! It was neat getting to see both of their parents, and show just how much of a difference unconditional support can make. It really reminded of just how lucky I am that my own parents are so accepting.

I also love the contrast in the setting as well, with Nathaniel's family physically further apart, while Marc and his parents are all bunched together on the same couch. I feel like the show has been putting in a lot more care into framing and the setup of scenes this season, and I'm all for it!

Also, this is one of the first times I've seen their new designs up close, and I'm a huge fan! Love all the little details, like Marc's eye makeup, Nathaniel's self-painted shoes and his wavy little hairclip. Just look at the happy boy!

Now, onto the meat of the episode. Nathaniel's passions (and by association himself) being rejected by his parents did get me to tear up. It hurt and felt so real, I'm amazed to see this sorta thing in a show like Miraculous.

I felt so bad watching him destroy his work and try and force himself to conform to his parents' expectations. It was a very realistic picture of this type of struggle, and is definitely something I and I'm sure many others have struggled with before. And I was shocked at how blunt the writers got with the implied homophobia with lines from his mom about making Nathaniel "go straight."

Then once it got onto the mom being named Ruler, I just kinda started laughing, like, oh, they weren't gonna be subtle at all!

And dang Lila, willing to even use homophobia to get those miraculous. Tsk tsk.

The Akuma's power was definitely pretty creepy, like I hate these eyes so much, but Lila got really dang close to getting those miraculous this time, far more than any of Gabe's minion-based akumas! And despite this being the billionth time Chat Noir's been controlled, the physicality of the animation and voice acting did a decent job of making it funny.

It was also neat that the Akuma's powers got to be used against them, with Nathaniel finally stepping forth and taking back control from his mother (side note: I loved his transformation literally having him come out of the closet, the animators knew exactly what they were doing).

I know I've ignored them most of the episode, but I will say that Marinette and Adrien were adorable as usual! And I love that he feels comfortable enough with her to tease!

Then there was the ending. I'm so glad Nathaniel's parents came to accept his love of comics (and Marc). It was a sweet moment of acceptance that not everyone is lucky enough to have, so I'm glad we at least got a happy ending here.

I also really appreciate that little serious moment at the very end. I was expecting more Lila dialogue when the ominous music started playing, but having a serious moment where they discuss how they're attacked simply living their lives was a sad but pleasant surprise. It's cool that they're acknowledging a reality that so many people face every day. But I'm so glad these boys have each other in this!

And even if I know for a fact that the identity reveal is going to blow up in their faces one day based on the show's history, it still was so adorable and I loved the scene! Just the joy on each of their faces, knowing they're not alone, was so sweet!

Overall, I'm just really impressed with the writers this season! They're tackling a lot more serious topics in these one-off episodes, and honestly doing it far better than I ever expected from this silly love-square show. So many of these stories have resonated with me, and it's been really neat getting to see so much representation of different struggles. And it's especially cool to think about how these episodes could meaningfully impact the show's younger audience as well! These are the sorts of things I wish I saw more of growing up, it would have changed little miss shell's world for the better. So, keep up the good work Miraculous Team!

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

Wait, I was reading your posts and came across something I've found confusing. How is Adrien asking Ladybug wth she is doing in Volpina a bad thing? From Adrien's perspective, Ladybug's a celebrity tracking down a middle schooler with zero clout and humiliating her for lying about meeting her before. That's, uh yeah? Imagine if that happened irl lmao. Millions of teenage girls would perish at 1D's hands. My middle school would be a horror story. And it's made clear multiple times in the episode that her motivation is jealousy. It's one of the few episodes where the lesson Marinette gets makes sense I think, because she was genuinely spiteful in shitting on this random girl in front of her crush. That's significantly different than Ladybug just asking for a retraction from the Ladyblog. It's also one of the few times when Adrien's celebrity background actually affects how he acts, and it makes sense that Marinette doesn't make the connection between superhero=celebrity=not allowed to scream at middleschoolers in public. If half the kids in her school didn't lie about meeting Ladybug before, my suspension of disbelief is gone.

I've seen this argument before and it makes no sense to me, especially in the context of the lie that Lila actually told and the way the Lila confrontation actually goes down. A lot of people who have this take seem to think that Lila's lie was, "Ladybug saved me," and that Ladybug made a big public confrontation which is not what canon actually gave us. The confrontation was done in a mostly private setting and, while we never see Lila's full Ladyblog interview, this is how Ladybug sums up the interview in Volpina:

Ladybug:(sarcastically) Well hey Lila! How's it going? Long time no see. I saw your interview on the Ladyblog, awesome job. Oh sure! I remember our instant connection when I saved your life and we've been really good friends ever since! Practically BFF's! Uh actually, when did I save your life again, Lila? I don't recall. Oh yes! Of course, now I remember. Never! And we're not friends either! Miss Show-Off here was trying to impress you and everyone around her.

Lila didn't just lie about meeting Ladybug, she lied about having an ongoing, close relationship with Ladybug, two very different things. And Ladybug isn't just a celebrity, she's a superhero who is fighting an active terrorist. If I had to rewrite this confrontation, I'd keep it pretty much the same and just change the "Miss Show-Off" line to something like:

Miss Show-Off here was trying to impress you and everyone around her, putting herself and all of you at major risk! You know that Hawkmoth would do anything to get these, right? (gestures at her earrings) Did you even stop to think about what he'd do if he learned the identity of my supposed best friend? Of course not. You were too busy trying to look cool to stop and think things through like an actual superhero! We keep our identities and relationships secret for a reason!

Is this the kindest, most gentle way to confront someone like Lila? No, but it's very in character for Marinette to be filled with righteous fury when she sees someone using her name for their own personal gain. I really can't blame her for getting incredibly angry at this total stranger presenting herself as a Ladybug authority and using that authority to manipulate Marinette's friends. As I've said before, take away the crush complication and Marinette's actions still make total sense to me.

I'm not a huge proponent of virtue ethics. That's the idea that you need proper motivation for an act to be morally justified. If you do the right thing for the wrong reason, then the act is bad no matter how good the results and vice versa. If you view the world that way, then sure, you could possibly argue that Marinette's actions were wrong just like you can also argue that Gabriel's actions were totally fine, but I don't view the world that way. Switch Marinette's motivation from jealousy and a little righteous fury to pure righteous fury and almost nothing changes. She'd still need to confront Lila, the words would just be a little different.

It's not like this confrontation stops Lila, either. Chameleon gives us this:

Lila: (in flashback) Not only did Ladybug save my life, we've become very close friends. Marinette: She lies with every breath. Nino: Wait. You eavesdropped on Lila and Adrien? That's not cool. Alya: A good reporter always verifies her sources. Can you prove she doesn't actually know Ladybug?

Quick mini rant before I give the next Chameleon quote: this isn't how verifying your sources works, Alya! You should be verifying that Lila does know Ladybug, not the other way around! Right now, Marinette and Lila have equal authority on the topic as far as you know and there is no evidence to support either claim, so you should be looking for proof that Lila isn't lying! Proof isn't a first come, first serve problem even though a lot of people fall into that trap. This is especially true since Lila goes on to make claims like this:

Lila: Of course Ladybug saved my life. She never misses an opportunity to rescue her best friends. Max: Didn't your tinnitus give you vertigo when you went up the Eiffel Tower? Lila: Oh no. Ladybug knows me so well that she brought me an earplug to stick in my right ear.

So Lila keeps right on lying about her relationship with Ladybug, presenting them as close friends, making it even harder for me to get on the "Marinette was in the wrong for privately confronting Lila" train. If anything, Marinette was too tame! She needed to go full scorched earth and have Alya post a public retraction that included a message about the dangers of claiming to be personal friends with someone you don't actually know.

If the show went that route and had Ladybug give an equally furious smack-down and Alya posted it without a second thought, THEN I'd probably be on team "Marinette needed to tone herself down because she went too far" because that isn't a heat-of-the-moment reaction. It's something Marinette would have time to think through. But Volpina didn't go there. Instead, we just get Marinette reacting live to someone using her name to flirt with her crush. Remember, this is the setup to Marinette transforming and jumping in to stop Lila:

Lila: Not only did Ladybug save my life, we've become very close friends because we have something very special in common- it's what I wanted to tell you about. I'm the descendant of a vixen superheroine myself, Volpina. Adrien: Volpina? Marinette: Volpina? Adrien: Wait a minute! I think I read about her in my book. Lila:(stopping him from grabbing the book) Of course she's in your book. She's one of the most important superheroes. More powerful and more celebrated than Ladybug. Between you and me Ladybug doesn't even make the top ten. My grandma gave me this necklace. [Marinette runs off to transform] Adrien: (holding Lila's necklace) Are you telling me this is a Miraculous?! (Ladybug lands in front of them)

This wasn't a planned confrontation. It was Marinette reacting live to some pretty massive lies. If Ladybug had been swinging by and just overhead this, then the scene once again wouldn't change much. That's why blaming Marinette for confronting Lila in the "wrong way" feels so victim blame-y to me. "How dare Ladybug not be perfectly poised at all times and react with grace when someone lies about being her close friend and teammate!" is not a take I'm ever going to agree with. And if you want to use the middle schooler defense? Then it applies to Marinette, too. She and Lila are the same age. Why the different standards just because Marinette has fame that she never asked for or sought out?

I've never been much of a fan of holding celebrities to an "always on" standard where their every interaction needs to be done with poise and grace even if the interaction happens out in the wild and not at a planned even where the celebrity can be mentally prepared for dealing with fans. That's extra true for accidental celebrities like Ladybug. Marinette didn't take up the earrings for fame and they certainly haven't brought her fortune, plus she has no PR training. Expecting her to be a PR master who knows how to handle her accidental fame is, once again, a little too victim blame-y for my tastes. Ladybug is here to save the world, not sign autographs. You can hold her to politician standards when you start paying her for risking her life on the daily.

There's a version of Lila where I would have a different take. A version where the lie really is minor and Marinette really did "overreact", but even there my lesson wouldn't be "Marinette was totally in the wrong" because I genuinely think that sends the wrong message to kids and kids are the show's target audience. Think about what you're actually saying here, "Because Marinette is famous, she needs to accept that people will lie about her and just ignore them even if people believe the lie."

While that isn't exactly a wrong take, it's still really messed up. It's not okay for people to use Marinette's name like that just because she's famous. The reason she needs to learn to let it go is because that's what's best for her mental health, not because her fame makes her lesser than others when it comes to things like personal privacy. The lies are not magically okay just because she's well known.

Remember, Marinette is a fictional character, but the kids watching this show are very real and they're way more likely to be Lilas than Marinettes. And the kids that do relate to Marinette in this episode? They'll be kids who have dealt with the rumor mill spreading lies about them or their friends without the celebrity complication. The show should not be telling either set of kids that Marinette is the one in the wrong here. That is the wrong moral and why I hate this episode so much. I might feel differently if the intended audience was teens and if this plot was allowed to be more complex, but none of that is true. The show is aimed at kids ages 5 to 12 and every episode is supposed to teach its own moral with Volpina's moral being "Marinette was explicitly and totally in the wrong here."

This is the age of internet personalities where there are more easily-accessible celebrities than ever and where many of them do not have the wealth needed to protect themselves from fans nor the PR training to know how to handle extreme fans if there even is PR training for that! That means that it's honestly really important for kids to learn to view these individuals as people who it's wrong to lie about and who deserve the same respect as non-famous people. Treating celebrities as public commodities is how we get things like the Kit Connor scandal where an 18-year-old actor felt forced to publicly come out because the internet wouldn't shut up about his sexuality. Oh, and since you brought up one direction, I'll also note that the band members have publicly stated that online shipping discourse has negatively impacted their relationships. So, yeah, I'm never going to agree that kids should be told that it's okay to lie about celebrities or treat them as fictional characters to play with and that the celebrities are the ones who are wrong if they get upset about that behavior. That shit is toxic.

If we go the "minor" lie route, then my version of this episode would be a very sad one where Marinette learns that people are going to ignore her boundaries and lie about her and there's nothing she can do about it. A lesson in mental health training that will hopefully help kids who are dealing with bullies, but that does not present Marinette as totally in the wrong. It just teaches her when to pick a fight and when to let it go, which is a very important skill to learn even outside of lies about your own person. There will be many times when you hear people say something that you vehemently disagree with and it's important to learn when to pick a fight and when to just let it go, knowing that no good will come from speaking up even if you're 100% in the right. It's a very sad, but also very necessary skill.

I think Adrien has a place in that story. A place where he still tells Ladybug to let it go, but it should NOT have been played the way it was in canon where he acted like Ladybug was totally out of line. He needed to be way more compassionate and understanding of her very justified anger. I've written Adrien giving advice on this topic before and it's always presented as, "people are going to be assholes and you have to learn to ignore them for your own well being," not as, "you are wrong to be upset about strangers telling lies about you. You agreed to deal with this when you decided to be a hero" because what kind of asinine lesson is that?

You could also keep Adrien's canon reaction and have the lesson be him learning that it's okay to have boundaries. That his fame doesn't negate his bodily autonomy and right to be treated with dignity. That people chasing him down, invading his personal space, and otherwise preventing him from living a normal life is wrong. I love it when fanfics take this approach to Adrien's part in the Lila conflict. It's very cathartic to see his friends supporting him and protecting him from Lila.

I really have tried to see Volpina from the "Marinette was totally in the wrong" perspective because I've come across it several times, but I just can't wrap my head around it. If you've got a counter argument, then feel free to try to change my mind because I've given you my full thoughts here, but know that I'm probably not budging on this one. You'd have to make some pretty dramatic changes to canon for me to feel like this take has a point. I think the only way that I'd be on Lila's side is if it was very clear that no one believed Lila and Marinette still had the same reaction that we see in canon as that does feel like going too far. But everyone believed Lila so that's not a solid argument and I'm just never going to agree that people have to be cool with others lying about them just because they're famous. I honestly despise celebrity culture so much and hate that people are basically forced to deal with that bullshit if they want to be successful in certain artistic fields.

[thepencilnerd]

Hi! No pressure at all, but I was wondering if I could make a highly self-indulgent Dr. Robby request in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week?

I’m a middle school special ed teacher and I would love to see Robby with a Teacher!Reader. I just know he would be so supportive and encouraging, especially on the really hard days 🍎

Thank you! 🫶🏻

first of all—THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO!!!! i cannot tell you what an impact my earliest academic mentors have had on me in my life inside and outside of the classroom, and my appreciation for educators knows no bounds. thank you for everything you do and the difference you make ❤️

—

The door clicked shut behind you, muffling the noise of the world outside, and still—somehow—it felt too loud. Your bag slipped from your shoulder with a thud, your shoes kicked off in two graceless arcs as you stumbled forward and dropped to your knees. Then you let gravity take the rest, folding down until your cheek met the cool surface of the hardwood floor. You didn’t even make it to the couch.

It grounded you—just enough to stop shaking, not enough to hold back the sting behind your eyes. Your limbs ached, not from anything as simple as strain, but from the slow erosion of a day spent holding space for everyone but yourself. A hundred tiny heartbreaks you couldn’t fix, piling up behind your ribs.

From the kitchen came the soft clink of a mug, the rustle of fabric. Footsteps padded toward you, quiet but certain. You didn’t lift your head.

“Hey,” came Robby’s voice—low, rough-edged with tenderness. The kind of softness meant only for you. "I promise you the couch is exponentially much more comfortable." 

You barely had time to brace before you felt him kneel beside you, his fingers combing gently through your hair. That was all it took. Your throat closed, and tears welled up, slipping silently down your cheek, soaking into the floor.

“Bad one?” he asked, his hand settling at the nape of your neck, thumb stroking slow, grounding circles.

Your voice came out raw, muffled. “I couldn’t reach her. Lila. She just… shut down. Wouldn’t speak, wouldn’t move, and I tried everything, Robby. Everything I know. But nothing got through. And then Jason melted down in the cafeteria, Liam bolted out the classroom door again, and—”

You hiccuped, voice breaking.

“I don’t know if I’m helping. I don’t know if I’m making any kind of difference at all. Why am I even trying?”

There was a pause—not hesitation, but soft and thoughtful. Then his arms slid beneath yours, lifting you up gently, carefully, until you collapsed against him. Your knees still anchored you to the floor, but your weight sank into his chest, your face pressed into his hoodie that smelled faintly of hospital soap and burnt coffee.

He kissed your temple, breath warm. “You do help. You do make a difference. You don’t have to do everything perfectly. You don’t have to be okay every day.”

“I just wanted to be the safe place,” you whispered. “I wanted to be what they needed.”

“You are,” he said. “Even when they can’t say it. Even when it doesn’t feel like it. You’re the one they come back to. The one who stays. That matters more than they’ll ever know how to say. They see it. And I see it. I see you.”

The words broke something loose. You cried harder then, but didn’t pull away. Because Robby held you like he never would. Because with him, falling apart didn’t feel like failure. It felt like trust.

Later, after he murmured a soft, "Come on, let's get you off the floor," and guided you gently to the couch, tucking a blanket around you with practiced care, he disappeared into the kitchen. When he returned, it was with a plate in hand and a small, shy smile playing on his lips.

A grilled cheese sandwich—golden, crisp, and sliced diagonally, just how you liked it. And an apple, shiny red, with a tiny heart carefully cut out in the center.

“For my favorite teacher,” he said.

You laughed through your sniffles, voice thick. “You’re such a sap.”

He leaned in, brushing your nose with his. “Only for you.”

And when he settled in behind you, arms circling your waist as you curled into his warmth, the ache in your chest began to ease.

Because Robby never asked you to be perfect. Because he knew the weight you carried, and never once made you feel like it was too much.

Because he loved you—fully, gently, exactly as you were.

And that was more than enough.

[badkitty3000]

One Bed

Five Hargreeves x Female Reader, One-shot, 7.4k words, request

Summary: You are the lead singer in Lila's band, touring with the other Hargreeves and spending nights in run-down roadside motels. One night you and Five are forced to share a room... and you guessed it... there was only one bed!

A/N: @voteforevilthoughts this one's for you, babe! 😽

Warnings: Smut, explicit sex, oral sex (giving and receiving)

One Bed

The tour seemed to be going ok. It wasn’t the greatest thing in the world, having to share a shitty bus with six other people while you drove from the venues to an equally shitty motel night after night. But, hey, this is what you wanted and you were finally getting to show off your amazing vocal talents. Your bandmates were cool for the most part. Lila was fucking nuts, but you liked her, and you thought she and Diego made a cute pair. Viktor was a talented musician and easy to talk to. 

You were also traveling with the other Hargreeves siblings. Allison was the band manager and was the one that booked all of the gigs and made sure everyone got paid accordingly. If anyone tried to stiff them, she rumored them into paying what they were owed, and then some. Luther was basically a roadie, helping to carry amps and other heavy equipment. He also served as security if the crowd started getting a little too rowdy. Klaus tagged along, mostly for the fun of it, and because he liked listening to the band play. He also drove the bus and usually picked the motels for the night, which was why they were usually sketchy at best.

Then there was Number Five.

You weren’t really sure why Five was there, other than to make everyone’s life less enjoyable. Mostly he just scowled and made snarky remarks, and sometimes took over driving when Klaus got too tired. On those occasions, no one was allowed to stop for bathroom breaks or detours, because he was “making good time”. Although you noticed he had no problem stopping to see the World’s Largest Spatula that took you twenty minutes out of your way.

The band was technically Lila’s, even though she was the drummer. The Prime 8’s was a punk band and hadn’t really made it big yet, but you were hoping that since you signed on you could change that. 

Back in Lila’s Commission days, and when The Handler was training her to use her own powers, she would use the Infinite Switchboard to search for other superpowered kids to try and mimic. Her mother would bring her within the vicinity of another child’s powers so she could learn how to use her own. When Lila had found you, she saw that you were also a little off-kilter and liked loud, punk music. You wore short skirts with black boots and dyed your hair whatever color you were feeling at that moment. As a teenager, you rebelled against your parents and got several tattoos and piercings in various places that they wouldn’t find. 

Lila was drawn to your fun personality and you and she became friends and kept in touch. When the last lead singer had quit to go off with another band, Lila immediately contacted you. As it so happened, you had been looking for a band to join, so it worked out perfectly. Plus, you would be amongst others that had powers, so you wouldn’t have to feel weird being the odd man out.

Your power was temperature manipulation. Growing up, you had never thought of it as a particularly useful power, but over the years you had come to appreciate it. And it always came in handy on super hot days or freezing cold ones. Your body was always the perfect temperature.

*********************************

“Move your feet,” Five demanded in that ultra-superior tone of his.

He was standing in the aisle of the bus, glaring down at you in the seat that you had just plopped into. You were headed to another crappy roadside motel for the night, after finishing a show, and you were exhausted. Your feet were resting on the seat next to yours so that you could sprawl out and maybe take a nap.

“Why should I move?” you asked in annoyance. “There’s like six other seats to choose from.”

“Correct. There are six other seats you can choose to sit in.”

“What is your problem?”

“My problem is that your feet are in my seat. That’s where I was sitting on the way to the venue and now I would like my seat back.”

“Five!” you cried, bunching your hands into fists and hitting your thighs with them in a tiny temper tantrum. “Is it possible for you to not be a total dick all the time?”

Five paused, as if he were considering the question. “Feet. Off.”

You made a loud growling noise, but ended up moving your feet and letting him sit down. You knew he wasn’t going to let it drop, so you might as well just give in. You huffed quietly and crossed your arms over your chest, leaning against the cold window. To make it a little more comfortable to rest your head on, you placed your palm to the glass and warmed it a few degrees. 

“Everybody good?” Klaus yelled back from the driver’s seat.

There was a chorus of tired-sounding responses and Klaus pulled out onto the highway. It was dark out and the bus interior lights were dimmed. Next to you, Five crossed one leg over the other, his knee brushing against your bare thigh that was exposed under your skirt. You felt a little shiver as the fine wool of his pants met your smooth skin. If Five noticed, he pretended not to. Instead he took a sip of the coffee he had and then leaned his head back against the headrest, closing his eyes.

You took the opportunity to study his face while he wasn’t looking. You were pretty sure the guy didn’t have one soft curve anywhere on his body. He was all sharp angles; chiseled like a Greek statue and just as beautiful. 

You found yourself wondering just what exactly he had going on under those suits he wore all the time. They were definitely tailored to show off his trim physique, but you had never seen him in anything else. You had a feeling he was a lot stronger than he looked. People that carry themselves the way he did knew they had something good. Big dick energy; and Five certainly had that.

As you ruminated on whether or not it was just the energy he had or the real deal, your eyes traveled slowly up his legs and abdomen. Your top teeth caught on your bottom lip as you stared. When your eyes drifted back up to his face again, his eyes were open.

He turned his head just slightly in your direction, a tiny smirk on his face. “Can I help you with something?”

Your face heated up and it had nothing to do with your powers. You quickly looked away. “Not really, no.”

Five picked his head up from the back of the seat, clearly amused that he caught you checking him out. “Want me to stand up, honey? Give you the full view?”

Your cheeks burned even hotter. He could have spared you the embarrassment and pretended not to have noticed. But no. He had to be a giant asshole about it.

“Fuck off,” you spat out.

Five just gave you that dickish grin of his and settled back into his seat, uncrossing his legs. He spread them just enough for his knee to touch yours again. The super smug look on his face had you opening your mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

Since you were at a loss for words, you retaliated by grabbing his coffee cup out of his hands. 

“Hey!” he yelled.

You said nothing, just stared him in the eyes as your hand that held the coffee turned a bright white and small ice crystals formed on the outside of the cup. When you were satisfied that it had been long enough, you handed it back to Five with an overly-sweet smile.

He snatched it from your hand and removed the top, peering inside. As suspected, it had been transformed into a solid lump of black ice.

“Enjoy that, honey,” you cooed, before turning back to the window with a satisfied smile.

“Fuck,” you heard Five grumble under his breath before tossing the entire thing into the trash can that was sitting a few feet away. You smiled even bigger and closed your eyes.

The Forest View motel had neither a forest nor a view in its vicinity, but it did have cheap rooms and beds that did not appear to contain any vermin, so it was deemed passable for one night’s stay. After checking in, everyone split up into their normal pairs of roommates. Lila and Diego. Luther and Viktor. Klaus and Five. And you and Allison.

After stepping into your room, Allison claimed the bed nearest the door, as always, and turned back the bedspread before climbing in. 

“I’m exhausted,” she breathed out, closing her eyes as her head hit the pillow.

“Don’t you want to shower?” you asked.

She waved a hand in the air. “I’ll do it in the morning. You go ahead.”

You gathered your toiletries and pajamas up and headed to the bathroom. You thought Allison was being a bit dramatic considering she wasn’t the one that had been dancing and wailing at the top of her lungs for two hours, but whatever. A nice hot shower was calling your name.

As you turned the water on and let it run for a while, you brushed your teeth and washed your face. While you were mid-way through flossing, you started to hear voices drifting through the paper-thin walls between your room and the next one. The voices were muffled, and some of the words were cut off, but you could still make out most of what they were saying. You could tell that it was Klaus and Five.

“I saw you snuggled up with… the bus,” Klaus said.

“Was NOT snuggled… wouldn’t move her stupid feet!” Five argued.

“Uh huh… that’s what it looked like.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m just saying… the way you look at her.”

“And how do I look at her?”

“Like you… starving… haven’t… ten years… Las Vegas buffet.”

You heard incoherent grumblings from Five. “ … an idiot!”

“I’m not blind, Fivey. Admit… she’s cute.”

More angry muttering was heard and you could picture Five over there, all tense and wound tight.

“I can tell by… face… you do,” Klaus said with a laugh.

“So what if I do? … means nothing.”

“Make a move. You… want to.”

“Klaus… shut… fuck up.”

“Ok, but… saying… I see her… you too. It’s… obvious… crush on you.”

“Drop it.”

After that, you didn’t hear anymore, but you stood there with a piece of dental floss hanging out of your mouth while you stared wide-eyed at the wall in front of you.

Klaus thinks I have a crush on Five? And Five thinks I’m cute?

As you got into the luke-warm shower that you warmed up a couple of degrees with your powers, you had a lot to think about. Did you have a crush on Five? He was a no-fun asshole, but he was actually pretty funny with his sarcastic comments and dry wit. And he was obviously very smart. He also made you feel weird little fluttery sensations in your stomach when he looked at you. You shook your head as you rinsed the shampoo out of your hair. You must be crazy.

******************************

The next day, you kept thinking back on the conversation you had heard the night before. Since then, you were much more observant of Five’s actions around you. While you were on stage, blasting out song after song and dancing around like a maniac, you caught him watching you. 

Maybe he had always watched you while you sang, but you had never noticed. Now you could see that those deep green eyes of his looked you over like he was studying you. Like you were a wild creature he was observing for his scientific research. When you jumped up and down, fluttering your short skirt and giving the audience a tiny glimpse of your red panties underneath, you saw a flicker of a smile on his face.

Interesting. So the old man has a pulse after all. 

After the show, instead of getting on the bus with everyone, Allison went her separate way. Claire had a volleyball tournament the next day and she didn’t want to miss it. She said she would catch up with everyone next week. With Allison gone, you realized that made your little traveling group an odd number. You wondered how that was going to work once you got to the motel. You got excited thinking you may be getting your own room.

When you arrived, Five blinked off the bus while you and the others filed out and joined him, Klaus headed off in the direction of the office to check in and get the keys. Luther started unloading the bags.

After a minute, Klaus returned, holding up the room keys and passing them out. “Here you go,” he said as he dangled a key over your waiting hand. “By the way, I should mention, since there was an opportunity for someone to get their own room, I volunteered.”

“What?” you cried. “Klaus, that’s not fair! I’m the only girl here!”

“Sorry, babe, but you snooze you lose. You should have thought of that earlier and put in your request. I already invited a guest over and I need the solo arrangements, if you know what I mean.”

You put your hands on your hips. “So I have to share a room just because you want to hook up with someone?”

“Uh… yeah,” he said, as if that was the most obvious answer in the world.

“Great,” you murmured, looking around at the rest. “Ok, well who am I with then?”

“Not us,” Lila said as she pulled Diego close to her by his belt loop. “Mommy and Daddy need some alone time.”

“Sorry,” Viktor said. “But Luther takes up an entire double bed on his own and I have a major aversion to sleeping with anyone next to me.” He looked at you guiltily. “It’s not you, it’s me.”

You realized with absolute horror that meant only one person was left. You turned to Five with wide eyes as the realization hit him at the same time.

“Shit,” you both said in unison.

As the rest of the group walked away to their respective rooms, giggling to themselves, you and Five regarded one another.

You sighed. “Well, come on. Let’s get this over with.”

Five picked up his bag off the ground and started following you towards the room you had been assigned. “You better not snore. I’ve been known to strangle a person in their sleep for less.”

“I do not snore,” you said, offended, as you unlocked the door.

When you stepped inside, you stopped in your tracks. Five followed behind you, almost plowing right into you before he saw what you saw. There was only one bed.

“Oh fuck no,” he said with a groan, dropping his bag heavily on the floor.

You let out a loud, disbelieving cackle. “This is a joke right? Something Klaus set up? This can’t be real.”

Five ran a hand through his hair and then spun slowly around, surveying the tiny room as if another bed were going to spontaneously appear. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he breathed out.

You and he stared at one another for several seconds, neither of you knowing what to say or do, until Five suddenly disappeared without a word, leaving you alone in the quiet of the crappy room.

******************************

Five’s first stop was Klaus’s room, which was right next door. He banged on the door with his fist. “Klaus! Open up!”

“Who is it?” came a sweet, sing-songy voice from inside.

“You know damn well who it is! Open up!” Five yelled through the door.

“No turn down service tonight, thank you! But a bottle of sparkling would be lovely,” Klaus called back.

Five blinked inside, surprising Klaus as he lounged on his back on one of the two beds in the room. A cigarette hung casually out of the corner of his mouth as he smirked at his brother.

“Oh, hey Fivey… something wrong?”

“Klaus I’m going to…. “ he started, balling up his fists in a rage. “Did you do this on purpose?”

“Do what?” Klaus asked with feigned innocence.

“You know fucking what! Now let me stay in here with you so she can have the other room.”

“No can do, Fiverino… I got some company headed over as we speak. And while I don’t really object to you being here, I doubt you’re going to want to bear witness to all the freaky shit that’s about to go down. I mean… unless you are?”

“God Klaus… can you stop being such a slut for five fucking seconds?”

“No. No, not really.”

“Then switch rooms with us at least! There’s only one bed over there.”

Klaus bolted upright in the bed with a giant, shit-eating grin on his face. “What do you mean there’s only one bed?”

Five sighed, barely restraining the urge to strangle his brother. “I mean there’s only one… “ He held up his index finger in the air for emphasis. “ONE… fucking bed!”

Klaus started to laugh obnoxiously and he clapped his hands together. “Oh holy shit, I had no idea about the bed! This worked out even better than I thought!”

Five leaned in dangerously close and Klaus realized what he let slip out. “What was that?” Five ground out between tightly clenched teeth.

Klaus giggled nervously and gingerly pushed Five out of his personal bubble with a single finger to the middle of his chest. “Nothing.”

“Klaus… I swear to god, you better switch rooms right now or… “

“Or what? Hmmm, Fivey? You going to go all full psycho mode and slash me to bits? Leave my corpse here to bleed into the cheap carpet and stink up the place worse than it is?” Klaus shook his head sadly. “Not very nice to the poor cleaning woman that will surely find me.”

“You’ll be back again before anyone will find you dead,” Five spat out.

Klaus took a drag off his cigarette and settled back against the headboard again, putting his hands behind his head. “Well then, looks like either way I’m not leaving this room.”

Five’s mouth dropped open but no words came out. Instead, he made a desperate, hilariously loud growling noise of immense frustration before blinking away, leaving Klaus chuckling quietly and congratulating himself on a job well done.

Five’s portal opened in the motel office, surprising a very depressed-looking desk clerk that had been scrolling through his phone for job openings in the area. The clerk screamed as Five appeared directly in front of the desk, eyes blazing with anger.

“I need… “ Five breathed out, his words measured and slow. “A new… room.”

The clerk stared up at him, blinking in confusion, until Five slammed the palm of his hand flat on the desk. “Now!”

“I… I’m sorry… we’re all full,” the clerk stuttered.

Five closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He tried again, this time attempting a cordial smile. Unfortunately all that accomplished was to make him appear even more deadly and deranged.

“I have no doubt that this lovely establishment is just packed full with eager guests at the moment. After all, it is the prime season for shitty roadside motels that haven’t seen a remodel since the Eisenhower administration. However, I really REALLY need a new room. Pronto.”

The clerk slid his chair back a few inches, his eyes wide. “Really, I’m not kidding. We had a pipe burst a few weeks back and half the rooms were flooded. The only ones we have are the ones you and your party are staying in.”

Five glanced down on the desk, noticing the letter opener that was lying conveniently unattended. The satisfactory image of the clerk gasping for breath as blood gurgled out of his mouth after Five plunged the opener into the side of his neck surfaced for a moment, but then disappeared. Just like with Klaus, the aftermath would be too messy.

“Fine,” Five hissed angrily. He was just about to blink off to his room again when he stopped and turned to the clerk, stabbing a finger in the air towards him. “Just so you know, I will be leaving a scathing review online.” Then he was gone in a flash of blue.

You were sitting on the edge of the bed when he materialized again, breathing fast and hard and looking like a crazy man. He tried to smooth his hair down and straighten his tie in an attempt to look pulled together. It wasn’t convincing.

“So,” he began. “It looks like there are no other rooms and Klaus is being a giant dickhead, so I think we are stuck here.”

“Ok… well, really it’s–”

“It’s alright. I can sleep on the floor, it’s no big deal.”

You and he both looked at the faded, thin carpeting under your feet. The pea-green color was spotted with various shades of brown stains. In the middle was a large, suspiciously dark red splotch.

“Five… you’re not going to sleep on the floor –”

“Or the bathtub!” he interjected, suddenly blinking into the bathroom. He came back almost immediately. “Ok, so there appears to be a bit of a mold problem in the bathroom. But that’s alright, I’ll just sleep on the bus,” he prattled on, reaching down to grab his bag off the floor.

“The bus has no heat. You’ll freeze to death.”

“Ok…” Five began again, searching the room frantically as if he was considering crawling into the ducts and sleeping in there.

“Five! Will you calm down for two seconds? It’s not THAT big of a deal!”

Five stared at you, the look on his face clearly pained. “It’s kind of a big deal.”

You sighed heavily. “We are both adults. I think we can handle sleeping next to one another for one night.”

There was a long pause as Five took this in. He finally dropped his bag again and ran a hand through his hair for the fiftieth time. “Yeah… ok, you’re right. I can handle it if you can.”

You nodded. “I can handle it just fine.” A grin crept slowly over your face. “You’re not that irresistible you know.”

Five rolled his eyes, but then he smiled. “Yeah well, neither are you.”

You laughed. “Ok, it’s settled. But I need to take a shower because I was really working up a sweat on the stage earlier, so do you mind if I go first?”

“Not at all,” Five said, gesturing to the bathroom. “Take your time. I’ll just be here, enjoying our luxury accommodations.” He picked up his bag and threw it on the bed. Then he unzipped it, pulling out a half-full bottle of whiskey. “And maybe some of this. Care for one?”

“Absolutely!”

He blinked away, returning with two cellophane-wrapped plastic cups from the bathroom. He unwrapped them and poured the whiskey into each one. He handed you one and kept the other for himself. 

You held your cup out in a toast. “Here’s to shitty motels with only one bed!”

“To only one bed. Cheers,” Five said with a small smirk before taking a sip.

You brought the cup of whiskey into the shower with you and you sipped it slowly while the hot water ran over your body. The booze was starting to make your brain a little loopy and you smiled to yourself thinking about Five sitting out there, just mere feet away, while you were naked and wet in there. 

He probably wouldn’t even know what to do with a naked woman, you thought to yourself. But then again… he said he knows how to do everything.

When you stepped out of the shower, grabbing one of the flimsy pieces of fabric they considered towels, you wrapped it around you. You left your hair wet, but you brushed it out so it wasn’t matted together. Then you noticed the door to the bathroom was slightly ajar.

************************

Five didn’t mean to look. Not really. It wasn’t his fault that the cheap ass bathroom door hadn’t latched right. And it certainly wasn’t his fault that the bed he was lying on faced directly into said bathroom. It was, maybe, his fault for not looking away.

The shower curtain offered some privacy, but he could still see your silhouette as you tipped your head back to wash your hair, stretching your arms up and pushing out your chest as if you knew he was watching. Five felt bad for thinking such things but not that bad. He was stoic but he wasn’t dead.

As he laid there, propped up against the headboard, leisurely drinking his precious whiskey, he enjoyed the little show you were unknowingly giving him. He still had on his full suit, so he shed his jacket and vest. He pulled off his tie. He would have loved to strip out of his pants, too, but he wouldn’t dare with you around. Plus it might be a little too obvious how he felt about your situation if he didn’t have his tailored pants covering up his growing hard-on.

****************************

If you hadn’t been tipsy already, you probably wouldn’t have done it. But at that moment the urge was just too strong. You let the towel drop from your body onto the floor.

You made a show of running your fingers through your hair and dropping your head back seductively. When you bent over to get your underwear and pajamas, you made sure to move extra slowly and bent over so your ass faced the door. You pulled your panties on slowly. Then you slipped your t-shirt over your head, pulling it down so that it stopped half way down your thighs. You had shorts that went with it, but you kicked those to the side. You opened the door and stepped out in a cloud of steam.

******************************

You had to have been doing it on purpose, Five was certain of it. In the shower, he knew you hadn’t realized the door was ajar. But now… fuck… now, you absolutely knew. And you were killing him.

When you emerged, he almost choked on the whiskey and he coughed, sputtering and stammering.

“Damn it… ,” he said in between wheezes. “Went down… the wrong pipe,” he coughed out.

You laughed, walking over to the bed and standing in front of him, wearing just your white Prime-8’s t-shirt, with your wet hair dripping onto the front.

“You ok?”

Five nodded, still letting out a few lingering coughs. “Yeah, all good.”

“Your turn,” you said with a smile as you walked to the other side of the bed and slid under the covers. Five’s eyes followed your every move.

Five spent a long time in the shower, drinking his whiskey, and trying to get his head on straight. He was trying to prolong the time before he would be forced to crawl into that bed next to you. The fact that you had decided to torture him by only wearing a t-shirt and panties was driving him crazy. Did you want him to not be able to sleep tonight? It was beginning to look that way. 

Five thought about jerking himself off while in the shower, just to get things a little more under control and to try and prevent any embarrassing mishaps in bed. But the thought of beating off while you were just a few feet away in the other room was even more humiliating. 

He had admitted to Klaus that he thought you were cute, which was true. He liked your funky tattoos and crazy colored hair. He liked how confident you were on stage and the sound of your voice. And when he had caught a glimpse of the little silver ball that pierced through the middle of your tongue, he thought about what that would feel like if you dragged it over his dick.

But he didn’t need to be acting on any of these feelings. It wasn’t a good idea to get involved with someone you had to spend that much time with. And he also didn’t need his annoying siblings inserting themselves into his love life, which they undoubtedly would do. Klaus already was.

“Stupid Klaus,” Five muttered angrily before shutting off the water. 

He dried off before pulling on a pair of clean black boxer briefs. He was about to put on a pair of pants, too, but then decided to give you a taste of your own medicine. Five had already caught you staring at his body the other day, and you weren’t the only one that could be a tease.

Back in the room, you tried your best to pretend to be asleep. But when Five came waltzing over wearing nothing but his underwear, your eyes refused to close. His hair was still damp and hanging over his forehead. His chest and stomach were hard, with toned shoulders and biceps that rippled with each movement. He looked like a goddamn underwear model.

“You’re wearing that?” you asked, partly horrified.

Five looked down at himself, as if he hadn’t even considered there to be anything out of the usual. “What’s wrong?”

You cleared your throat and then shrugged, snuggling down deeper into the covers and closing your eyes with indifference. “Nothing. Just figured you might be cold, that’s all. It’s drafty in here.”

“I’ll be fine,” he answered. “But thank you for your concern.”

After that, he shut off the light and crawled into bed next to you. You felt his weight on the mattress and the heat from his body radiating outwards. You shifted around on your side, suddenly not able to get comfortable. He smelled so good it wasn’t fair. You flipped over so that your butt was facing him, which wasn’t much better. But at least you didn’t have to look at his perfect profile silhouetted in the moonlight.

He made no move to get closer to you, and neither did you. It was silent except for the sound of your breathing. You both laid awake, blinking into the darkness, before finally falling asleep.

It was the middle of the night when you both woke up again. The room was noticeably colder and while your body temperature had regulated itself even in your sleep, you felt Five shivering next to you. You sat up in bed, looking around. The internal temperature had dropped so low you could already see your breath in a faint cloud in front of you.

You looked over at Five, who was huddled under the covers and obviously freezing.

“The heat is out,” you said in his direction.

“Yeah, no shit,” he said angrily through chattering teeth. “I already checked, the radiator died. Probably because it was built sometime in the late 1800s.”

You laughed. “Bet you wish you had some actual clothes on now, huh?”

Five grumbled. “Shut up. Go back to sleep.”

You huffed at his irritability and closed your eyes to try and fall back asleep. The fact that Five was lying a foot away from you, practically naked, and shivering so hard you could hear his teeth rattling together made it a little hard. After a few minutes you let out a loud sigh.

“Five?”

“What?” he snapped.

“I can help you, you know. I can warm you up.”

There was a full ten seconds of silence. “No thank you,” he answered, a little softer than before.

“God you are the most stubborn person I have ever met!” you exclaimed. “Believe it or not, I’m not trying to hit on you. I’m just trying to be nice so that you won’t freeze to death.”

As Five laid there in silence for another minute, you waited. Finally, you heard him exhale slowly through his nose. 

“Fine,” he said.

“Good. Now give me your hand,” you told him.

Five slid the hand closest to you over the mattress and you grasped it in yours. The red light from your powers created a soft glow from under the covers.

“How’s that?” you asked.

“Good. Thanks.”

“I know it’s not just your hands, though. If you want… “ you hesitated. “I can warm up the rest of your body.”

Five audibly swallowed. “Uh… I’m not sure… “

You made a huffing noise again. “You are such a baby!” Without asking again, you wiggled your way over to his side and hugged him around his chest. Then you threw a leg over his thighs, trapping him in a bear hug. Your entire body gave off a faint red glow as you worked on warming him up.

As your powers started to take their effect and Five stopped shivering, you rested your head on his shoulder. His intoxicating scent was invading your senses and you closed your eyes. It wasn’t long before you were both breathing just a little heavier, your chests rising and falling faster. Five placed his hand over the top of yours, resting on his stomach. 

“I think I’m good now,” he whispered.

You didn’t say anything at first, but you let your powers die down. Without even thinking about it, you tucked your face into the crook of his neck, brushing your lips and nose against him.

“Ok,” you purred into his warm skin.

Five made a quiet moaning noise, and when you started to pull away his hand tightened on yours. 

“Wait,” he said. “I need you to help with one more thing.”

Your voice was shaky as it came out. “What’s that?”

Five slowly moved your hand down his hard abdomen and over his boxers until he reached the problem he needed help with. He pressed your hand firmly against the prominent bulge between his legs. “This,” he said, and his voice cracked.

“Oh shit, Five,” you moaned. “You didn’t have to wait so long.”

The following minutes were a dizzying blurr of mouths colliding and teeth gnashing; limbs intertwined and hands desperately searching; hearts racing and lungs gasping. You had climbed on top of him, straddling his waist and grinding down onto his hardened cock. He had already ripped your shirt off and he grabbed roughly at your breasts. You leaned down to kiss him again, and his tongue flicked across the silver stud in yours.

Five groaned as the tip of his tongue explored the cool metal. “I’ve been dying to get a feel of this tongue ring,” he told you breathlessly.

“Yeah?” you questioned, as you moved to his jaw and neck, and then his collarbone.

“Yes.” He pulled your hair, making you whine. “I want to see what you can do with it.”

You pulled back, looking down on him with a sexy grin before clicking the stud against your teeth. “How about I show you?”

“I won’t object to that,” Five breathed out as you started to slither down his body.

When you were kneeling between his legs, you pulled the waistband of his underwear down, revealing the hard cock you had been grinding against. It was perfect, just like the rest of his body, with smooth taut skin and long veins that ran from the girthy base to the suckable head. You made a little moan of approval as you removed his boxers the rest of the way.

Five sucked in a loud, sharp breath when the flat of your tongue met the underside of his dick. His hips jerked up as he let out a low moan. You worked your tongue up and down the shaft, running the stud along the vein and up to the tip, where you licked it slowly and traced it in a circle with the metal ball. 

“Holy… ff–ffuuuuck,” Five groaned, throwing an arm over his face.

“Do you like it?” you asked coyly, knowing full well what the answer was.

Five was panting. “Fuck yes… yes, I really like it… keep going… please.”

You continued sucking and lapping at his dick, drawing patterns over it with your tongue ring and making him whine and hiss through his teeth. You tapped it against the underside of the swollen and leaking head, feeling Five’s muscles tighten in his thighs as he tried to contain himself. When you took him completely into your mouth and you slid your hot mouth over him a few times, making sure the stud was in play, he grabbed your hair in his fist.

“Stop,” he ground out, trying not to sound as desperate as he was. “You have to stop.”

Knowing that meant he was about two seconds away from blowing his load down your throat, you relented and pulled away. You looked up at him as you knelt between his legs, his wet shaft in your hand, and your eyelashes fluttering innocently.

“Fuck,” he growled, his jaw clenched tight. “Take those panties off.” You did as he said and threw your underwear onto the floor. “Sit on my face,” he told you in between heaving breaths.

Just hearing him say that had the wetness pouring out of you and you maneuvered your way up until your thighs were on either side of his head. He grabbed your ass with both hands and immediately went to work.

You had never received oral sex quite like this before. Five ate you out ravenously, like he couldn’t get enough. He was rough and sloppy and relentless, and you had to hold onto the top of the dusty headboard just to keep your balance.

“Oh my god!” you cried out, automatically starting to rock your hips against his face. “Shhiiitttt… Five!”

Five didn’t slow down or change his tactic; he just dug his fingers harder into your ass cheeks and shoved his tongue inside you, drinking up the river that was gushing out of you. The light scruff on his chin and upper lip scratched against your thighs and clit, creating even more friction to drive you insane. 

His mouth was warm and wet as it engulfed your entire pussy, sucking and licking at all of your most sensitive parts. You were riding his face, even as he tried to keep you in line by holding you still. But you couldn’t help it, you just wanted more.

“Yes yes… please!” you screamed as you started to feel the beginnings of an orgasm building.

In one blinding blue flash, you found yourself kneeling over nothing, holding onto the headboard as you panted heavily.

“What the hell–”

Five grabbed you from behind, his hands on your tits and his hard cock sliding between your legs as he knelt behind you. His warm mouth was on your neck and you tipped your head back against his shoulder.

“I’m going to fuck you,” he whispered harshly near your ear as he squeezed your breasts harder.

It wasn’t a question, but you nodded anyway. “Yes… do it.”

You pushed your backside out a little to allow him better access and Five guided the head of his cock inside of you with his hand. He didn’t push it all of the way in, instead he stopped and waited.

“Does that feel ok?” he asked gently as he kissed your shoulder.

“Feels so good,” you moaned. “Keep going.”

He filled you up slowly until he was completely buried inside you. He rested his forehead on your shoulder with a long groan. “God… you feel even better than I imagined.”

With a breathy laugh, you pushed your hips backwards. “So you’ve been imagining this?”

Five grasped your hips tightly and slammed his dick harder and deeper with a forceful thrust. He smiled when you cried out. “This and a lot more.”

“Tell me,” you whimpered as he continued to fuck you hard from behind.

“I imagined fucking you in those short little skirts you wear,” he groaned. “Fucking you on the bus with the lights out and you riding my cock.” His voice came out in clipped grunts as he railed into you. “Fucking you on stage in front of everyone.”

“Oh fuck… Five.” You gasped in a lungful of air while your entire body was shoved back and forth and the headboard rhythmically slammed against the wall. “I would let you.”

“You’d let me fuck you in front of hundreds of people?”

You nodded desperately, trying to talk through moans and whines. “I want everyone to see what they’re missing out on.”

Five chuckled softly before suddenly pulling out. Before you could ask him why, he was flipping you onto your back and crawling on top of you. You automatically opened your legs for him and he slipped his entire length inside again. Five gazed down on you, a small smile on his lips. 

“On second thought,” he said before lowering himself to kiss you. “I don’t think I want to share.”

With your legs wrapped tightly around him, he continued to kiss you, deep and long, swirling his tongue around yours. His pace started to quicken and your nails dug into the muscles of his back. Five brought his hand up to the side of your face, sliding his thumb into your mouth and onto the flat of your tongue. You closed your lips around it.

After a few more fast and hard pumps, you felt your climax come on strong and sudden. You clamped down around him as your body shuddered helplessly. Your tongue ring pressed against his thumb as you made high-pitched mewling noises and shaky sobs.

As soon as Five saw you lose yourself, he followed, stilling against you and groaning low in his chest while his eyes squeezed shut and he held your chin with his hand, his thumb still in your mouth. 

“Ah… fuuuckk,” he breathed out, collapsing onto you and burying his face in the crook of your neck.

He removed his thumb from your mouth as you caught your breath. Your hand came to rest in his hair, raking your fingers slowly through it as he laid against your chest. Neither of you said anything, and after a minute he pulled out and adjusted himself so that he wasn’t lying directly on top of you anymore. You turned to face him and he pulled you in with an arm tightly around your waist. He gave you a lingering kiss and smiled.

You kissed his chest and he hugged you even tighter. “You’re going to crush me,” you said with a laugh.

“I’m cold again, I need you to warm me up.”

“Well, I’m not a glow stick! I don’t work by cracking me in half!”

Five laughed and loosened his hold on you. “Sorry.”

You used your powers to warm both of you up and Five sighed. “I could get used to that.”

“Are you saying you might not mind sharing a bed with me again?”

He tilted your face up by your chin and kissed you softly on the lips. “Honey, if you suck my cock with that magical tongue of yours again, I will sleep anywhere you want me to.”

You hummed quietly and traced the outline of his lips with your fingertip. “I think you’re the one with the magical tongue.”

He kissed you again. “Just my tongue?”

“Maybe some other body parts, as well.”

“That’s what I thought,” he said quietly before rolling you onto your back. He continued kissing you, his hand stroking your hair and face while his body pressed against yours. You could feel him hardening against your thigh.

“Even though this worked in my favor,” Five murmured in between heated kisses. “I’m still going to kill Klaus.”

You nodded before tipping your head back so he could attack your neck. “Oh absolutely. I’m going to freeze all of his underwear and burn all of his socks.”

Five made a growling noise in his throat as he rubbed his dick between your legs. “Yes, do that. Then I’m going to kill him.”

Your laugh was cut short as Five entered you again, his mouth on yours while he thrusted lazily into you. 

Five paused for a moment to look down on you with one eyebrow raised and a crooked smile. “I don’t care if there are a hundred beds or zero beds going forward. You’re sleeping with me from now on.”

He continued his rhythmic, perfect fucking and you laid a hand on the side of his face. “I think I can deal with that.”

[madeofstardust17]

So what really bothers me about this season was how they reducer every single character to their most basic cliches, when in previous seasons they were so much more than that. Hear me out:

Luther was made into this happy-go-lucky, dumb himbo, when in reality, he's a guy who takes stuff seriously, who does his best to take care of everyone, and has emotional depth. They took that away from him. He's smart, even if they try to make it out like he isn't. They reduced him to just endless positivity and a pretty body (and even that they turned into a joke, giving him an ape body again and ignoring all his trauma related to that).

Diego was reduced to this useless, bitter, suburban dad, who thinks he's owed more than he has. In reality, he was so excited to be a dad. He's a good detective, he's empathetic, he has this sensitivity that he tries to hide but shines when he talks to others. More than anything, he's a provider, he thrives when he has someone to protect, to care for.

Allison has always been a badass, and a good mom. They made that shine, but she was so much more than that. She was complex, and endlessly optimistic, fighting for what was right. She was a good sister, and they made her bitter about that too.

Klaus was reduced to just humor, and not even well done. His little adventures used to mean something for him, and to the plot. They just made him a whore and did nothing for him. The only good thing I will say was that they took his addiction seriously for once. Still, he was useless to the plot, when once he was the key they were all missing.

Five. Oh my fucking God. They did him the most dirty. He would come off as aloof and uncaring, but underneath it, we all understood he loved his family more than anything, that he did everything in his power to protect them. They reduced him to that facade, they made him cold and selfish, willing to hurt his sibling just for his own personal gain.

With Ben, they spent the entire past season making him into this guy who was really rubbish at being the bad guy, who wanted a real family deep down. They reduced him to this asshole who spent the entire season swearing up and down that the umbrellas where not his family.

With Viktor, they tried to make him this cool, confident, independent (apparently womanizer?) dude who gave zero shits about his family. WHEN ALL HE EVER WANTED WAS HIS SIBLINGS' RESPECT. HE WANTED TO BE PART OF THE TEAM. And then they proceeded to make him work??? With his abusive dad???? Who suddenly cared???? And he ignored the rest of his siblings until the last possible minute.

Lila was always the cool, independent, secure woman, who didn't really need a man. They spent two seasons assuring us that she could be on her own just fine, but Diego completed her. He was the perfect person for her, bc he could give her what she craved, a family, people she could rely on. Instead on continuing that, finding a way to balance her family and a job (or something) to let her be something more than just a bored suburban mom, they made her into this insecure woman in her marriage, who just tosses it all aside for FIVE. Who is so incompatible with her that is not even funny.

If you've read this entire rant, congrats, you have my respect.

[loki-hargreeves]

I agree that the Umbrella Academy should've ended with them killing Reggie.

In addition, they should've gone to the academy together and there should've been a montage of them destroying the furniture and stuff they don't like while having fun and dancing for all that I care. Then it should've faded into a scene of the newly renovated academy, a family dinner where everyone's around the table together. Happily. All the siblings, and their loved ones. Everyone.

Five would finally get a decent cup of coffee. Klaus and Dave would be together. Diego and Lila would be happy and their kids would be there, as should Ray and Claire be with Allison. Luther should be with Sloane. Ben would accept both the Sparrow and Umbrella Academy (maybe he saw the original Ben's memories somehow), and Viktor would be happy and be the cool uncle he deserves to be... they should all be happy.

Hell they could've brought original Ben back as a ghost because Klaus would finally control his powers (I could accept ghost Ben visiting them from time to time despite what happened to him in season 2)

✨Bonus points✨ if the song that plays when they kill their dad and destroy the house is Welcome to the Black Parade.

Can you imagine the irony of them killing Reggie while this plays in the background?

"Son, when you grow up Would you be the savior of the broken The beaten and the damned?" He said, "Will you defeat them? Your demons, and all the non-believers The plans that they have made?"

and actually, this is so fitting too for a scene of them kicking Reggie's abusive ass

"Do or die, you'll never make me Because the world will never take my heart Go and try, you'll never break me We want it all, we wanna play this part

...

Just a man, I'm not a hero Just a boy, who had to sing this song"

because the answer to saving everything is for them to kill Reggie together and heal, not to die and disappear from existence forever.

[theconstantsidekick]

I have so many questions for season 4

Reginald was an alien. They knew that and then they came back to life after he tried to murder them and just… never asked him about it? They were like ‘yeah cool wtv’?

How does Claire know that Klaus is immortal? Is she aware of everyone’s powers? Did Alison tell her all about her dysfunctional super family?

WHY DOES LUTHER GO SEMI APE MODE FROM THE MARIGOLD? It wasn’t a part of his original powers!

Why is the marigold they take this season janky? Like why do they get sick? Did Reginald’s wife spike it? Or was it simply that they consumed it as fully grown adults instead of being born with it?

How did Reginald control so much of the US of A?? Like his people are literally leading the charge against Jean and Gene? How?

Why did that girl break up with Viktor? What do you mean he knows? I wanna know too!

What was up with the hotel in season 3? Why did have that samurai thing? Idk I’m lost

WHO THE FUCK BUILT THE SUBWAY STATION THAT FIVE BLINKED TO? THERE WAS A MAP SO CLEARLY SOMEONE BUILT IT, right? RIGHT?

How did Five and Lila spend 7 years on that fucking train and never run across another version of Five?

Why is there a Five Doppelgänger Owned Deli in that subway station? Are we meant to understand that in several other timelines he loses his powers, ingests “janky” Marigold and then gets this specific power? Or was this part of his original power set and he just never discovered it? If so, then why was the colour his blinking aura changed to purple from his usual blue? What is happening?

How did Claire and Lila and Diego’s kids survive without ALISON, DIEGO AND LILA NEVER HAVING EXISTED? I don’t think that’s how genetics work???

Why do we only see a fucking field of the original timeline… is there nothing else in that world or…?

Does Klaus know how Ben died? Seeing as he could talk to, you know, BEN?? Did he ever tell his siblings? If not? If he too were brainwashed, did og Ben never tell him the truth?

WHO THE FUCK WAS THAT BEN ON THE SUBWAY, READING A BOOK AND WEARING GLASSES? Who was that? What was the point of seeing him in the post credit scene for season3 and then NEVER EVER AGAIN?

Why are any of them so invested in saving Sparrow Ben? He’s mostly a dick? Did they get some development off screen????

How did one version of Five establish the Commission and never hire any other version of Five than the one we saw? If he did, did he keep track of all the Fives under his employment? To make sure to avoid any paradoxes?

There is a 6 year time jump but when Viktor asks Alison if she’s double crossing them again by teaming up with Reginald, Alison categorically says, “I haven’t met the man in 5 years”…. Does that mean she used to go over to the mansion for brunch every Sunday for a year?

Where the fuck did that man with a goldfish for his head come from? Why did he have an entire body?

Why did Lila get a family but no one else did?

WHY DID JENNIFER COME OUT OF A FUCKING SQUID?

Why does Diego not have all the skills he should from all the training he was put through? Also why is he called fat the entire season only to be shown to have WASHBOARD ABS!!?

I’m sure there are logical answers to some of these but I don’t know any.

[mortal-song]

the problem with tua's ending is that it was IMPOSSIBLE to do without retconning and defacing the themes and characterizations that have been central to the story since the very first episode. if you had to end it that way, if it really was "the plan all along," then fine. there ARE good ways to do that -- so the execution should have been much different here if that was the case. take a look at "the good place," for example. everyone ceased to exist at the end of that story as well, but it was beautifully done because it ADDED to the show's core themes rather than take away from them. tua's ending was hollow and unavailing. at some point i have to commend the precision with which someone can desecrate an entire series and certain characters (looking at five, diego and lila especially) like this.

it made no sense. diego and lila formed a beautiful (albeit chaotic) relationship built upon mutual trust and authentic love that neither of them had ever experienced before. it was something they were teaching each other and learning together. that was a new beginning to them, and it was painted as such by the narrative. at no point were there hints that things would go sideways, no build up. every time they stumbled in the past it was still right back into each other's arms. at no point did their chaos look like an ending until it was shoved in our faces for... shock value? to shake things up? i fail to understand where it came from. they were relentlessly devoted to each other and the only two people who could stand each other for long. and so what became of them was very jarring. very messy.

five's ENTIRE character has been focused on and motivated by one thing: saving the people he loves. to the point that he was willing to let his own humanity become a forgone ideal, a renounced concept, as many times as it took. to the point that he essentially INVENTED TIME TRAVEL and INVENTED THE COMMISSION TO REGULATE IT. five's stoic exterior only barely concealed the claw-grip he had on every single family member, so why forget it now? why choose to go back on that? and in what world would five hargreeves willingly wait MONTHS to return to his family? because he was SUDDENLY in love with lila, no less? forgetting the very apparent fact that his age and body are not in alignment, five had never shown any interest in romance. especially not towards lila. but they do have very similar backgrounds, and so this was a chance to enrich the mutual understanding five and lila have with each other, expand the familial connections they have, especially seeing as how both of them -- in their own ways -- spent most of their life without that sort of connection.

ben's entire arc felt so, so out of place. completely and very ironically isolated from the entire rest of the series. nothing about it was fulfilling, nothing about it offered any sense of closure or even development. jennifer made no sense even as a plot device, much less as her own character. these two brought out nothing in each other.

klaus had the foundations of a good arc, but too much was introduced in too small an amount of time and none of it really went anywhere. i can say roughly the same for allison and viktor. THAT being said, of most of the scenes i did find myself genuinely enjoying this season, THOSE three were usually at the center! in fact, i really did love the scenes with klaus, allison, and claire. so that's cool. i guess. luther? he was just kind of... there?

and ray just fucked off with no explanation? okay. and reginald? until this point he had all the qualities of a potentially VERY GOOD and nuanced villain. his arc fell flat. and let's not forget all the other loose ends, but, you know, we've been here long enough. so. onto the next point.

none of these characters got to heal. none of them ever got to revel in anything meaningful, or, rather, the things that WERE meaningful across the whole series were rendered worthless because... none of it exists anymore! none of it ever existed! this is like an "it was all a dream" ending but much worse. and these characters are so, so incredible. i can only name a few other stories that have had characters i've connected to this deeply. and despite everything i could never really stop loving them. that makes it hurt more though tbh

anyways. i know i'm about to sound incredibly dramatic but the ending made me sob my lungs out. this show was really important to me. it led me to incredible people, other incredible stories, helped me live, etc. but i honestly found myself wishing i'd just never watched this series at all. the ending was eviscerating and Just Fucking Pointless. i don't think i'm ever going to be able to rewatch it. it's still hard for me to conceptualize that it was even real, that this is all we get. there's a lot more i could say about everything, but again, i've said a lot already and i'm not trying to write a fucking novel. i'll say more of what i want to in sporadic bursts i guess.

[danandfuckingjonlmao]

ok some things i LIKED about tua 4 since we all have talked exclusively about what we hated (SPOILERS AHEAD):

idc what anyone says the baby shark bit was iconic every time it came on i jammed

klaus had a comic book storyline from hotel oblivion!! let’s go source material!!

diego and luther being himbos

allison and klaus friendship

the entire birthday party scene was hilarious and fun and so THEM ok

the road trip scene that was in the trailer such iconic sibling goofy clownery they’re fucking idiots

klaus. he was in it. any time i get to see my little freak is time well spent.

incredibly unpopular opinion but i liked the ending i think they need an end from the cycle of apocalypses and suffering like they deserve a rest they’ve earned it and it was sweet that they all went together and the “i love you guys………but you’re all such fucking assholes” and then “fuck you” and everyone laughing and crying and THEN AND THEN ALL THE CHARACTERS FROM THE VARIOUS SEASONS BEING AT THE END i was SOBBING

klaus having a podcast of himself giving himself affirmations like that’s so funny

they actually gave somewhat of a shit about each other like diego was so DAD my babies have grown up but not too much they’re still fucking toddlers

lila is so pretty and funny and hot and unhinged she means so much to me

lila and klaus friendship!! lila and allison!! bonding!!

gene and jean were SUCH classic umbrella academy characters. loved them.

viktor gets all the pussy

i cannot stress how much all of the group scenes were so fucking sibling i love them ok

NO LUTHER AND ALLISON INCEST THANK FUCK

THUNDERBOLT THE GHOST DOG <3<3<3

klaus and claire oh my god i love uncle klaus so much and he loves her so much

seeing sober klaus and how hard he tried and then the heartbreak when that went away because he’s KLAUS he’s gerard way’s trauma self insert. as much as i want klaus to be safe and content and free from all this bullshit it was just so consistent and i can appreciate that. and i cried like a little bitch it was truly devastating but it was just sooooo klaus. also getting to see him make it incredibly clear that he didn’t want his powers back—him being the ONLY ONE who didn’t want his powers back—was important to me idk. and he was LOVED like he has a family!! he is cared for!! ahhHHHHHH!! love it

claire was great and getting to see her and allison and their tumultuous relationship and their love for each other after all of these seasons of allison looking for her and just wanting to be with her daughter

klaus got dave’s dog tags <3

more flashbacks to brellie kids!!

getting answers to some series-long mysteries

the underground subway system between timelines was so fucking cool and mindfucky 100/10

klaus’s look being reminiscent of s1 sorry that was my favourite klaus look ok

their sort of evolved powers when they got them back

so many good one liners and comedic scenes

ben being a crypto bro is SO FUNNY

will add stuff as i think of it. this is incredibly out of character for me i am an eternal pessimist but i did enjoy s4 (mostly because, as an eternal pessimist, my expectations are always low) so here we are.

[air--so--sweet]

So, Aidan Gallagher was the last cast member to wrap on season 4, and he wrapped several days after everyone else which I've been presuming means we're getting some apocalypse flashbacks but I've just had another idea.

We see Lila and Five travelling to what looks like the original apocalypse, what if they see young Five in the apocalypse? I think it could be really interesting as I don't think any of the other characters fully appreciate what he went through (well, Luther appreciates what it feels like to live in total solitude). Especially when he came back looking exactly like he did when he ran away, but with an adult consciousness instead of a teenage one. It makes it very easy to forget he got stranded and had to learn how to survive in an apocalyptic wasteland as a literal child. While grieving everyone and everything he has ever known.

And I think for Lila to be the character to witness that, as someone who has quite an antagonistic, but also incredibly loving relationship with Five (I was going to say though neither would admit it, but actually I feel both of them had dropped almost all pretense of hating each other at the end of season 3. I don't know if either would verbally express love for each other but in the same way I don't know if either would verbally express love for anyone) would be incredibly affecting. Especially as, unlike his siblings, she never knew teenage Five, she has always known him as an adult who looks like a teenager. I feel like for Lila to witness firsthand the brutality Five experienced alone in the apocalypse, and to realise he was really just a child, especially now that she has a child herself...well I think it would be truly upsetting for her but also giver he a deeper understanding of Five and just how important his family is to him (and family is what Lila desires and values most in the world too).

But also, it will make her realise how similar Five's experience was to her own. Because both were caused to suffer at a young age by the Handler, Lila by having her parents murdered, Five by being left in the apocalypse for 45 years when she could have plucked him out at any point, and then exploited for her own gains with little to no care given to how it sould affect them. Five says The Handler made it so he couldn't belong anywhere, that she made him a killer; she more or less did the same thing to Lila.

Most theories I write are just 'Oh this would be cool if it happened' or 'Look at this ridiculous idea I had', but, now I've imagined it, I'll be really disappointed if we don't see Lila and Five witness younger Five in the apocalypse. Damn...

Also, while writing this it occurred to me that, if the scene where Lila is crying is in the subway, which is looks like it is, maybe she isn't crying because something happened her daughter or Diego (as most of us presumed), maybe it's related to her seeing something The Handler did in another timeline. Or maybe it's just the emotional impact of seeing The Handler in the flesh again, knowing Lila loved her and saw her as her mother, and The Handler was happy to murder Lila in cold blood when she realised she couldn't manipulate her anymore. That's bound to fuck you up. (To be be clear, because I think how I phrased this suggests we'll definitely see The Handler again, I have no idea if we will or won't but with the hopping of timelines it's a possibility.)

Or maybe Lila sees what The Handler took from her, what life would have been like if she grew up with her parents. Or again, the effect of just getting to see her parents alive and in the flesh. A train always stops in the same places, it can't just change course or route like any other vehicle. Maybe the subway allows you to move between timelines/time travel but only as an observer. You can't change or effect any events and therefore can't interact with anyone as a result. Imagine the pain of seeing your parents you thought you'd never see alive again and not bring able to interact with them in any way. Or maybe she has to witness their murder again knowing she can't do anything to stop it. It would be a really interesting parallel from their relationship in season 2 to have Five comforting Lila over the death of her parents.

[andy-15-07]

Hello! Will you write a paulmescalxactress fic where Paul is on an interview/meeting and his daughter come in and wants to be in the video?!

When Family Steals the Spotlight

PAIRING:Paul Mescal x reader

WORD COUNT: 1927 | requests are open (send requests, I will gladly answer them all)

Paul Mescal Masterlist

Paul’s voice resonated with a calm confidence as he answered the interviewer’s latest question from the sleek, modern conference room. You sat beside him, your hand warm and reassuring on his arm, sharing quiet smiles as the camera captured his thoughtful expressions. The room buzzed with quiet professionalism—a backdrop of subtle lighting, neatly arranged chairs, and the gentle hum of equipment in use. Today’s interview was important; it wasn’t just about Paul’s latest project but also a rare opportunity to show a glimpse of the man behind the headlines.

“So, Paul,” the interviewer began, leaning forward with genuine curiosity, “what do you think has been the most transformative experience in your career so far?”

Paul’s eyes softened as he glanced at you before he answered. “I’d say every experience has its own place, but recently, balancing work and family has shown me a whole new perspective. It reminds me that no matter how high-profile our projects are, it’s the moments at home that ground me.”

A brief smile played on your lips as you exchanged a look with him—a silent acknowledgment of the life you both cherished. Just then, as the camera zoomed in to capture the sincerity in Paul’s eyes, the conference room door swung open unexpectedly.

“Daddy!” a small, gleeful voice rang out, and before anyone could react, a little girl with bright, inquisitive eyes and wild, curly hair darted into the frame. She wore a pastel jacket and clutched a small stuffed bear tightly against her chest.

Paul’s eyes widened, a mix of surprise and delight flooding his expression. “Lila!” he exclaimed, his tone shifting from professional to tender as he reached out. The interviewer paused, clearly taken aback but intrigued by the sudden interruption.

Lila bounced on her toes, her voice exuberant and determined. “I want to be in the video, Daddy! Please, let me be in the video!” she chirped, waving her arms excitedly as if she were on a mission.

You couldn’t help but laugh softly, your eyes sparkling as you watched the heartwarming scene unfold. “She certainly knows how to make an entrance,” you whispered to Paul, who was now leaning down to gather his daughter into a gentle hug.

The interviewer, recovering from the surprise, smiled warmly. “Well, it looks like we have a special guest. How about we take a short break so little Lila can have her moment?” he suggested, his tone friendly and accommodating.

Paul looked over his shoulder, his eyes meeting yours with a silent question, and you nodded encouragingly. “Of course,” you said softly, leaning in to add, “Family comes first.”

With a graceful chuckle, Paul addressed the camera, “I’m really sorry about that interruption, but I think it’s important you get to see the other side of my life, the one that means the world to me.” He patted Lila’s head affectionately. “This is Lila, my little star.”

Lila grinned, her cheeks dimpled with excitement. “Hi everyone! I’m Lila! I wanna say hi to all the people watching!” she announced in a loud, cheerful voice, her words tumbling over each other with the exuberance only a child could muster.

The interviewer’s smile broadened as he adjusted his microphone slightly. “Well, hello, Lila. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Do you know why Daddy is here today?” he asked, engaging her in a tone that was both playful and kind.

Lila’s eyes sparkled as she nodded vigorously. “Because Daddy makes movies and he’s super cool!” she declared, then paused, tilting her head as if pondering something important. “But I want to make movies too, Daddy! Can I make a movie with you?” she asked, looking up at him with hopeful intensity.

Paul’s laughter, warm and full of love, filled the room. “Maybe one day, kiddo. Maybe you’ll be the director or the star. But for now, how about you tell everyone one of your big ideas?” he said, his voice soft yet encouraging.

You listened, admiring the effortless bond they shared. “Lila, darling, why don’t you tell them what movie you’d like to make?” you prompted, your tone both playful and tender.

Lila’s little face lit up as she thought for a moment. “I want to make a movie about magic and adventures, where people can fly and talk to animals! And there’s a princess who saves the day!” she explained, her words tumbling out in an excited rush.

The interviewer clapped his hands together, clearly charmed by the impromptu performance. “That sounds absolutely fantastic, Lila. I can see you’re very creative! Paul, does your little director inspire you?” he asked, glancing at Paul with a twinkle in his eye.

Paul’s gaze softened as he looked at his daughter, then back to the camera. “Absolutely. Every day, she reminds me that there’s a world of wonder and possibility, even in the smallest moments. In fact,” he said, his tone playful, “she’s my biggest muse.”

You reached over and squeezed his hand, proud of the warmth and authenticity that shone through in his every word. “We all have a little muse inside us, don’t we?” you added, smiling at Lila, who now seemed to consider that notion with the seriousness only a child can manage.

Lila nodded earnestly. “I’m always your muse, Daddy!” she declared, and Paul’s smile widened into one that was as radiant as the morning sun. “Thank you, Lila,” he said softly, pulling her close as he whispered something in her ear that made her giggle.

After a moment of playful banter, the interviewer leaned forward, clearly eager to get back to the original subject. “Shall we resume, then?” he asked. “Paul, you were telling us about balancing your career and family.”

Paul straightened up slightly, still holding Lila’s hand as she reluctantly let go, her eyes still bright with excitement. “Yes,” he continued, “I was saying that every day is a balancing act. My work is a huge part of who I am, but it’s moments like these that truly define me—reminding me of the simple joys of life.” His voice carried a sincere warmth that resonated even with the unexpected twist of the interview.

Lila, not quite ready to step aside, interjected in her most authoritative tone, “Daddy, can I ask a question too?” she said, glancing between her father and the interviewer. The room fell into a brief, amused silence as everyone recognized the earnest determination in her small voice.

The interviewer, chuckling, nodded. “Of course, Lila. What would you like to ask?” he replied, directing his attention to the little girl.

Lila stepped forward, her posture surprisingly confident for her age. “Why do grown-ups always have to work so much? And can I work with Daddy when I grow up?” she asked, her voice both curious and candid.

Paul exchanged a fond look with you before answering, “Work is important, sweetheart, because it lets us do the things we love. But it’s also important to take time to enjoy life, to play, and to dream. And yes, you can work with me when you grow up, if that’s what you want.” His answer was tender, yet carried the wisdom of a man who had seen the highs and lows of a busy life.

The interviewer smiled broadly, clearly moved by the candidness of the exchange. “That’s a wonderful perspective, Paul. And Lila, you have a bright future ahead of you—full of dreams, adventures, and maybe even a bit of movie magic,” he said, eliciting another round of delighted giggles from the little one.

You leaned in close to Paul as the conversation resumed its rhythm. “It’s these unscripted moments that make life so beautiful,” you whispered, your eyes reflecting the pride and love you felt for both of them.

Paul nodded, his gaze lingering on you before returning to the camera. “Absolutely. I believe that every day holds a little magic if we just allow ourselves to embrace it—whether it’s a heartfelt conversation during an interview or an unexpected interruption from someone you love.”

The camera captured every nuance of the moment—the spontaneous laughter, the loving glances, and the gentle interplay between professional poise and familial warmth. The interviewer wrapped up the segment with a remark that acknowledged the delightful disruption. “Thank you, Paul—and thank you, Lila, for reminding us all that sometimes the best parts of life are the unplanned, joyful moments.”

As the filming concluded, the atmosphere in the room shifted to one of relaxed contentment. Paul set aside his papers and walked over to where Lila was now playfully chasing you around the room. “I think she just might have stolen the show today,” he murmured, his voice soft with amusement and affection.

You laughed, reaching out to ruffle Lila’s hair. “It seems she’s already a natural on camera,” you replied. “Maybe we should consider making a short film just with her in it.”

Lila’s eyes widened with excitement at the suggestion. “Really? Can we make a movie about flying, magic, and adventures? With a princess, and animals that talk?” she asked breathlessly, her imagination clearly set alight by the prospect.

Paul knelt down to her level, smiling. “Anything is possible, sweetheart. We can create a world where every dream comes true,” he said, his voice filled with the promise of endless possibilities.

The interviewer’s earlier professionalism had given way to a more personal connection by now, and even as the crew began to pack up, a few lingering cameras captured moments of laughter, hugs, and whispered plans for future projects. One crew member remarked softly, “You two make such a lovely family. It’s inspiring to see that balance between work and life.”

Paul smiled, his eyes warm and grateful. “It’s not always easy,” he admitted, “but it’s moments like these that remind me why I do what I do. The love, the laughter, the unexpected joy—it all fuels my passion for storytelling.”

As the room gradually emptied, you and Paul found a quiet moment to stand together by the door. “I’m so glad she came in today,” you said softly, leaning against him. “It was a reminder that sometimes life has a way of surprising us in the best possible ways.”

Paul wrapped an arm around your shoulders, his gaze lingering on the spot where Lila had danced into view. “She’s a constant reminder of everything that matters,” he said, his voice gentle. “Her energy, her creativity—they inspire me to keep pushing forward, to make every day count.”

Outside, the late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the building, and you both stepped into the cool air, your hearts light and filled with a renewed sense of purpose. “Maybe we should celebrate with a little family picnic,” you suggested, your eyes twinkling with anticipation.

Paul grinned. “I think that sounds perfect. Let’s go home, grab some sandwiches, and enjoy the rest of the day—just us and our little star,” he said.

As you walked together down the corridor, hand in hand, the lingering echoes of the interview—filled with laughter, unexpected interruptions, and heartfelt dialogue—reminded you that the best stories in life are often the ones that aren’t planned at all. In that unguarded moment, you realized that love, family, and the willingness to embrace life’s delightful surprises were the true ingredients of happiness.

And as you both stepped out into the fading light of the day, you knew that no matter how many interviews, meetings, or camera flashes came your way, it was these unspoken moments—the ones filled with genuine connection and boundless love—that would always remain at the heart of your story.

[skywxikers]

here’s a rapid fire list of things i disliked about the season as well as questions i have

- five x lila (made a whole post about this btw)

- why diego said lila hates bracelets when she wore the one he made her in s3

- why luther got his simian physique again.. when that wasn’t his power, just a side effect from the old timeline to make sure he survived

- similarly, why diego didn’t do something with his fighting skills for a job (like the boxing from the previous season) instead of being a mailman. he retained those abilities as they aren’t his powers either

- why five joined the cia when he was so ready to retire in s3

- how jennifer ended up in a giant squid

- literally no mention of what happened to sloane

- no explanation why ray left allison and claire

- klaus’ arc, i loved seeing him more but it didn’t offer anything for the main plot of the cleanse

- allison being forgiven quickly and without explanation, especially when she committed sa last season and bargained with reggie

- the introduction of a plothole, the commission never got created in the future because the cleanse restored one timeline

- on that note, we never learned reason for the tattoo and the fact that old five only had one arm?

- no explanation on how the book got planted in the subway? was probably a different five but still

- also i wish the subway was used more as a potential solution for the cleanse, it’s such a cool idea. the writers just made it into a plot device for five x lila

- this subplot was also a missed opportunity to show five having ptsd and struggling to go through a second apocalypse-like situation

- why none of the diner fives had paradox psychosis

- the way allison heard ben still alive in the cleanse and around that time, lila asked if there was a different way without everyone dying but that route wasn’t explored. even though i don’t mind the idea of the ending (execution wasn’t well done) i still am a sucker for happy endings

- very little character development for diego

- no mr pennycrumb ☹️

to contrast, i will be doing a list of things i liked bc im trying to not be too much of a hater lmaoo

[number-8-thewriter]

In a post yesterday I mentioned what if the marigold is unique to the person so then I thought..what if when Ben spiked all drinks it mixed up their powers instead.

Imagine the chaos that would ensue.

Diego gets Klaus’ powers and becomes way more reckless so Klaus has to babysit him. Like a reverse season 1. Diego also comes to understand why Klaus was so destructive. Though, he argues a lot more with the ghosts than Klaus did. Everything’s quiet and then Diego just “WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT ME?!” And everyone just “what”

Klaus has Diego’s. He thinks it’s cool and starts gambling. Basically like “I bet you a 100 bucks I can throw this bottle onto the top of this light post”

Allison gets Viktor’s powers. She’s still angry and bitter but Vik’s powers are all about emotion so she has to learn to regulate herself. She’d also come to understand Viktor better and they could have an actual sibling relationship again.

Vik has Allison’s. I don’t think he’d go too crazy with it but he would definitely accidently activate at the wrong time. Would also be funny if Five got Allison’s powers, only because he would enjoy having everyone actually listen to him for once.

Ben has Luther’s. He’s got a hard time regulating the strength and now he’s exactly like his brother Marcus. Luther tries to offer him advice but he’s like “I GOT IT”..then he accidently destroys a car cause he hit it too hard.

Luther has Ben’s. He’s questioning his reality because now he’s a monkey octopus. “Why do I always have to be the animal?!”

Five has Lila’s so he just copies from whoever has his og power. Except when he wants someone to do something, then he copies Allison’s.

No matter who Lila would get, she would be fine. She’s like “what’s the problem, just USE it?” And she’s the one everyone turns to in order to learn how to use new powers.

⬆️ basically everyone if they were to get into a battle

[lilanette]

My designs for Reverse!Lilanette, drawn by the wonderful vercilla!

While I get what they were going for, the whole emo aesthetic just felt a bit too on-the-nose, so I repurposed the skirt and striped socks design from Marietta instead. I did keep the thorn design from OG Reverse!Marinette's jacket, but I ended up adding it to Marinette's usual flower motif.

Redesigning Lila is always a bit of a challenge, mostly because I actually really like her original design and colour palette. In the end I went for an opposite colour palette for her, green instead of red, and dressed her down so she looked a bit more casual instead of "cool".

Lore rambles under the cut :D

Marinette's characterisation doesn't change much from canon, I like to headcanon that her family is a lot more successful (ofc, canon already states they're renowned in Paris, but in this case it's more akin to the Agreste family's success), and unlike for our Marinette, Tom and Sabine were not as loving of parents and think Marinette's fashion aspirations aren't worth pursuing, so she dresses a lot more boldly to defy their demands of a respectable daughter, especially after the Supreme chose her.

I think, in this AU, Marinette isn't very sociable and doesn't have any friends, though it's mostly through her own choice. Initially, Chloe isolated her, but after Marinette gained the Ladybug Miraculous, she fought back, and due to the Supreme's favour and connections, got away with it. As a result, people are mostly scared of crossing her, and she has a lot more arrogance than our Marinette, because she thinks the power she wields and her favour with the Supreme means she's above everyone else. She's initially very loyal to the Supreme for giving her power, magical and mundane, but will eventually realise the cost of abusing her Miraculous.

Lila in this world I think was already exposed for her lies before coming to Paris, so she's a lot more humble and just trying to stay on everyone's good side. I think she'd be a lot more like the fanon Lila people thought about during the S2 hiatus. She hides a lot of herself in order to be liked and avoid getting into trouble, but a part of her still wants attention and to be accepted, so she doesn't have much of her own opinions on anything.

Lila admires Marinette for being so fearless, and initially tries to cozy up to her in order to win her over as a friend. Marinette isn't having any of this though, but eventually recognises the facade Lila is putting on in order to be liked and feels a tiny bit of kinship for someone who's also putting on a front, and that eventually spirals into something bigger.

I'm still working out exactly how Toxinelle and Griffe Noire operate in their world, so I haven't thought too much about the identity dynamics at play here. I do see Lila eventually joining the Resistance though. Maybe I could make a kamikotised design for her.

[ilikekidsshows]

https://www.tumblr.com/ilikekidsshows/785158731231100928/something-that-really-annoys-me-about-the?source=share

Funny enough, this is the exact same thing they did with Lila - At the start, she was just this new girl who made up a bunch of stories to make herself look cool to her classmates, and Marinette only took it personally because Adrien was among her targets and basically created her own civilian antagonist for Ladybug by going out her way to humiliate Lila via transforming and publicly calling her out for lying to “protect” Adrien (which was unnecessary since Adrien already knew and was handling it) and gave a pretty halfhearted apology afterwards, causing her to shut herself in at home, and then later had her manipulated and used by Gabriel during Heroes Day. She could have honestly gone either way in terms of her role.

But because acknowledging any of that would no longer make precious Marinette the victim, they instead made Lila out to be this horrible composite liar (with multiple identities and women she’s somehow brainwashed into believing that she’s their daughter) that only Marinette could see through who’s going out of her way to destroy her life because…um, evil I guess?

---

Exactly. I’ve repeatedly said that Marinette made her own villain in Lila because she has a habit of bullying any new girl who's too close to Adrien. She did it to Lila, she did it to Kagami and she did it to Sublime. Except Lila, the one Marinette harassment the most severely, has been made more and more evil which each appearance to retroactively justify Marinette's treatment of her. The fandom treats the Marinette versus Lila situation as Marinette alone understanding what a threat Lila is to everyone and how harmful her lies supposedly are, when the inciting incident is still that Marinette hated Lila on sight for getting close to Adrien and just wanted to uncover her lies to publicly humiliate her in retaliation.

That's what actually happens in ‘Volpina’; Marinette bullying the new girl for having a crush on the boy she's claimed. But we can't have Marinette be in the wrong, so Lila lashes out in retaliation, which supposedly makes it okay Marinette bullied and harassed her. Miraculous often leans into the idea of perfect victims, that only victims who silently suffer in dignity and never truly get angry and resentful at the people harming them are deserving of sympathy, and any type of lashing out makes you actually worse than the person harming you. Lashing out is only okay when someone else is being harmed, because then you're seeking justice. Try not to get a headache from this.

However, you can't actually use someone's reaction to getting bullied as a justification for said bullying, and I think the writers realized that when they suddenly made Lila into a secret supervillain who's been brainwashing people long before she met Marinette. But, like, anyone can go watch ‘Volpina’ and ‘Chameleon’ and see that everything Lila does to Marinette in those episodes is a retaliation, and the worst she really does is get Akumatized on purpose (something Marinette herself was going to let happen to get Cat Noir to kiss her) and threaten Marinette with her actions having consequences (ala, if she kept publically bullying Lila, their classmates wouldn't think she's cool anymore). It doesn't matter how long Lila has been secretly evil, Marinette didn't know any of this stuff when she decided to hate her on sight.