#facility minnie

[plumbus-central]

💙💜BIG REFERENCE POST OF RICK AND MINNIE AUS 💜💙

ive been chipping away at these for a while bc i wanted to get everyone's designs and palettes situated for later referencing. Since most of the time i dont color things in i wanted that all squared away. The first 4 are just designs for different life stages the rest are AUs.

HERES ALSO A BIG LIST OF MY AUS WITH LINKS

[ofmdrecaps]

10/12-14/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; David Jenkins; Rhys Darby; Taika Waititi/Robbie Magasiva; Con O'Neill; Samba Schutte; Vico Ortiz; Nathan Foad; Madeleine Sami; Gypsy Taylor; Alex Sherman; Minnie Driver; New Zealand Award Nominations; Auxiliary Wardrobe Zine; Tiny Boats Update; Fan Spotlight: AndyCWhite; OurFlagMeansFanfiction; More Twitter Fandom Weeks; Love Notes: Featuring Illustory Art;

Hey Crew, things are finally starting to slow down over here (not that you can tell since I'm several days late, lol) but my dad is finally in town again! He's at a rehab facility nearby so I don't have to drive 2 hrs every day to see him! So now things should slow down a bit more and hopefully I can keep up with the recaps again. Thank you to all the kind folks who have sent well wishes and love while all this is going on-- and thanks for all your patience Crew <3

== Cast & Crew Sightings ==

= David Jenkins =

Chaos Dad is back again-- first confirming billionaire's suck.

Source: David Jenkins Twitter

Buuuuut then he did this lovely little confirmation of Gentlebeard / BlackBonnet being each other's first loves <3

Source: David Jenkins Twitter

= Rhys Darby =

Rhys an adorable plushie of his character Monster's at Work! Roger Roger!

He's also feeling a bit nostalgic this Murray Monday!

Source: Rhys Darby's Instagram

And Rhys wishing Team AoNZ good luck with a bunch of other folks!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Peter Burling (@peteburling)

And he's continuing his Daily Doodle stories!

Source: Rhys Darby's Substack

Rhys also posted a fun video of him visiting Halloween Horror Nights on his Substack! It's only for Substack folks-- so if you're signed up, head on over! If you're not-- you can sign up here!

Source: Rhys Darby's Substack

= Taika Waititi =

Themoviedweeb has another episode, this time with Robbie Magasiva talking about growing up with Taika!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Movie Dweeb (@themoviedweeb)

Source: TheMovieDweeb's Instagram

= Con O'Neill =

Con is going to be out at The Alnwick Playhouse on October 25 in Alnwick, England! You can help support local film makers and check out a Q&A with Con and other film makers after the event! You can get tickets here!

Source: Con O'Neill's Instagram

= Samba Schutte =

Alright, it's that time again for me to really push Samba's new movie Advanced Chemistry! Samba's the lead in this film-- and after all he's done for us, what better way to say thank you than to help him out with spreading the word/love!

If you haven't seen it yet, and want to check it out, it's available digitally on these platforms! Amazon Fandango At Home Apple TV Samba and team are asking for folks to review/rate the movie to help boost it, and show off Samba's awesome skills. Once you've watched, please take a few minutes to review about Samba and the film itself on these platforms? (Amazon and Rotten Tomatoes are the two big ones according to the Advanced Chemistry team!)

Amazon Rotten Tomatoes IMDB Letterboxd

In other news - Samba was also on the "You Don't Even Like This Show" Podcast!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Adam Tod Brown (@adamtodbrown)

Source: Samba's instagram

== Vico Ortiz ==

Just Vico being a bit of a Plant Daddy.

Source: Vico's Instagram Also-- if you haven't been on Vico's Patreon lately, there is more OFMD BTS! First, a happy Coming Out Day from Vico and Mads back during the S2 filming! You can check it out on Vico's Patreon.

Next up was some cool BTS re: Jim's s2 outfit featuring our darling Gypsy Taylor! Patreon Video.

And finally - the Izzy leg scene in Season 2! Featuring: Mads, Vico, Con, Joel, and more! Source: Patreon

Source: Vico's Patreon

= Nathan Foad =

Nathan once again posting some Saturday selfies <3

Source: Nathan's IG Stories

= Madeleine Sami =

More Double Parked BTS! Season 2 has come to an end!

Source: Antonia Prebble's Instagram

= Gypsy Taylor =

Gypsy out and serving some HotPink Country action <3

Source: taylahmillerdesign's Instagram

= Minnie Driver =

Our Anne Bonny out looking adorable!

Source: Minnie Driver's Instagram

= Alex Sherman =

One of our crewmate NDKiwi got Ass Forever signed in permanent Ink! Alex loved it! #AssTonight and #AssForever!

Source: Alex Sherman's Twitter

== Nominations ==

= New Zealand Television Awards =

Thank you so our dear friends over at @adoptourcrew for catching this Nomination for the New Zealand Television Awards 2024 for the Pinnacle Post Sound Team!

Source: Adopt Our Crew's Twitter

== Auxiliary Wardrobe Zine ==

The Auxiliary Wardrobe Zine is almost here! You can order it starting 10/16! Keep an eye on the @stedebonnetzine tumblr or Twitter for more info!

Source: Aux Wardrobe Twitter

== Tiny Boats Update! ==

Another update from the Tiny Crew Big Raffle-- @ofmd-buys-boats!

Source: TinyCrewBigRaffle Twitter

== Fan Spotlight ==

== Andy C White ==

Our dearest @mistysblueboxstuff has her latest calendars up for 2025! This year there's a Gentlebeard, OFMD Revenge Crew, Good Omens, and Alan Wake 2 option! All preorders are available on her Ko-Fi! To learn more check out her Linktr.ee and Ko-Fi!

Source: AndyCWhite's Linktr.ee

= Our Flag Means Fanfiction =

New epitizer of Our Flag Means Fanfiction! This time "Big Feels Cnaonverse Fics! Read by Baby Kraken! Listen in on your favorite platforms here! https://linktr.ee/ofmff

Source: Our Flag Means Death Instagram

= More Twitter Fandom Weeks =

Part of the Rhys/Taika Verse-- but there's a new Vianton Week coming up November 5-12! You can follow them on Twitter!

Source: ViantonWeek Twitter

In November we've got a another fantastic OFMD Week-- this time Our Flag Means Lesbians! November 24 - 30! You can follow the event/find out more about participating on their Twitter!

Source: OFMLesbians Twitter

== Love Notes ==

Today's Love Note comes straight from our darling crewmate @illustoryart who continues to create such wonderful affirmation cards of our favorite characters. Remember your potential is limitless lovelies-- I hope the beginning of this week is treating you well! Take care of yourself!

Source: Illustory Art's Instagram

[agendabymooner]

the little schuminis || ms47 fic

dad!mick schumacher x mom!ofc

EXTENSION TO SHE’S EVERYTHING… AND HE’S JUST MICK! (SMAU) + MICK, MULTIPLIED (SNAPSHOT)

Summary: Barbie Schumacher was the best mother there is to Mick’s little carbon copies. OR four times when Mick showed his devotion for his kids, and the one time his devotion paid off.

Content warning: Made this in about an hour— did not proofread this but I love it bc F1 driver with kids, All around fluff, Mick issa good dad, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel being wingmen to their kids (Barbie and Mick), Michael’s clowning his own son, many Schumacher kids

Note: @avaleineandafryingpan I know this isn’t much but I hope you love this request babygorl 😭😭🫶 my heart beats for you fr. Enjoy some dad!Mick content xx

a - n masterlist

o - z masterlist

i. the time with minna schumacher’s late night wake up call

Shrill cries of a newborn love was equal to the agony that Barbie Schumacher — formerly Blanco Vettel — felt as she groaned quietly. 3 AM never felt this awful until her firstborn child reached her teething stage, and all Barbie wanted to do was cry like her daughter was doing in her nursery now. 

Perhaps it wasn’t ideal to have a baby at the age of 27. Many people told her that her spouse wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment— that he was still on the peak of his career as a formula one driver. 

And Mick was in the midst of a season when Minna Elisa Schumacher was born. Being away from her for far TOO long was something he didn’t want, but he was forced to leave as soon as Minna reached her 47th hour of her life. Mick never hated something this much until his career made him choose. 

Barbie grumbled as she reached for her nightgown and slipped it on, only for a large hand to pull her back to the mattress as the German man murmured, “I’ll get her, liebling.” 

“Mick…” Barbie hadn’t really wanted to make him get up, seeing as he just arrived four hours ago after his triple header.

“‘s okay, I’ll get Minna,” he muttered, reaching out to kiss his wife’s forehead. “Just go get settled down and you can feed her here.” 

The blond man had immediately found Minna crying in her crib as he cradled her, heading downstairs to grab some iced teether to help soothe her gums. “Shh,” he shushed her gently, the baby’s cry subsiding immediately as she sucked on the teether. “You hungry, liebe? Or ‘s it just your gums?” 

“We have to stop waking your mom up at such an early time, Minnie baby,” he sighed, rocking her in his arms as they made their way back up to the bedroom. “She’s been awake all the time— she works too hard for us.” 

“She’s amazing, no?” Mick asked his daughter as if she could understand every single word he was saying. 

“Ma…” Minna mumbled regardless, clinging to his arms as Mick grinned tiredly. 

“Yeah, I know,” Mick nodded. “She’s working too hard, Minna. I’m glad she’s here to see you grow like this, liebe.” 

“Talking to Minna again, Schums?” A soft voice reached his ears as Mick looked back at his wife, who had her back against the headboard as she smiled tiredly and extended her arms. 

“Of course, Barbie,” Mick chuckled. “She’s got to learn her words, one of these days.”

“No need to lecture her though,” Barbie told him. But it wasn’t anything that she didn’t appreciate; she always liked it when Mick talked to their child like Minna understood everything. He had been doing this since Barbie fell pregnant with the girl— he’d often crouch down or lay next to her bulging stomach to speak to the growing baby inside of her. 

It showed Barbie that Mick was a committed father. It showed that regardless of his situation as a busy driver, he always saw his family as his number one priority. Perhaps that was why Barbie loved Mick so much. 

ii. the time with gisela schumacher’s first ballet show

Gisela Belle Schumacher’s first little ballerina performance was happening in the program facility and everyone made sure to show up. 

By everyone, I mean Barbie’s family, the Vettels, and Gisela’s (or Gigi) aunt Gina, Pippa Michael and Nina Corinna. The two year old was excited to show everyone what she practiced with Madame Pinault throughout her three months of being at the class. 

She was the tiniest girl out of the group, with her bright blue eyes and blonde hair making her stand out in comparison to her peers’ darker tones of hair. The Schumachers and Vettels knew which one to look out for while they waited at the auditorium.

Barbie peered down at her phone and sighed quietly. Mick wasn’t here yet. Stupid flight of his.

At Gigi’s age, she couldn’t easily grasp the concept of people not being able to make it to certain events at the right time. All she knew was that she was going to show her Dada how she could balance on her tiptoes without a problem. 

And of course, Mick couldn’t find himself to break her heart like that. And so, after the Brazilian GP, he took the fastest flight back to Lausanne. 

And there he was, rushing inside the auditorium with the biggest bouquet for the littlest girl. 

Minna’s announcement led the families to look at him as Mick kissed Barbie’s lips and Minna’s cheeks.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Mick apologized, “the baggage claim took longer than expected.”

“She hasn’t gone out yet,” Barbie laughed quietly, mindlessly caressing Minna’s blonde hair as she continued to speak, “glad to see you back from the race in one piece, though. With the biggest flowers too.”

Later after the performance, Gigi ran around the Schumacher home with the bouquet bragging about the flowers her Dada had given her. Barbie laughed at the sight of the girl— she was too adorable.

Mick laughed along, as he knew that he’d be more than happy to come carrying the biggest flowers for his girl— even after the longest double header he’s had. After all, nothing can stop him from being the best father to his children.

iii. the time with mika schumacher’s birthday party

“Who decided that setting up a pet display should be this fuc—“

“Mick, watch your words.”

“Sorry, Dad.” 

“Stop going crazy,” Michael said with a frown, throwing the small giraffe plushie at the direction of his son, to which Mick reacted with an ‘Ow!’ after being hit in the face. “This isn’t the first birthday party you’ve handled.” 

“Well this is the first one where ‘pet adoptions’ are a thing,” Mick gestured at the safari animal plushies at hand. “I don’t know what came up to Gina thinking it’s easy to find bulk plushies, but this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done— and I have three kids, Dad!”

“Because you can’t control yourself,” Michael mumbled, making Mick glare at him. Michael shrugged, “Am I incorrect?” 

Mick couldn’t even find himself to argue with his dad. Six years into the marriage, and he and Barbie already had three kids under seven. 

“I’m just so used to the girls wanting princesses and all of that,” Mick pouted lightly. 

Michael sighed, “Well, now you have Mika— think of him as you. What did you like when you’re a kid? Put yourself in his shoes. Don’t tell me you’re having an existential crisis three kids into marriage? I’m actually gonna be disappointed if you didn’t think that before you had the kids— you’ve been a driver for years!” 

“How can you find a time to joke about it,” Mick sighed exasperatedly. “I don’t even know why I’m here being an ass about my kid’s birthday party.” 

“Because,” Michael told him with a purse of his lips, “you’ve never had a son before— that’s why you’re stressing out about messing up.” 

“I struggled with you for a good while,” Michael shrugged nonchalantly, “Gina was into princesses and pink ponies. You were a boy— I didn’t know what baby boys liked. But I was a racer, that’s why I didn’t have any questions— I still hesitated though because you might like something else and I have to be aware of it.” 

“From what I can tell, you’re doing an alright job so far,” Michael smiled at Mick, patting him on the shoulder. “Miki’s been a happy child. That’s what matters, no?”

“So pick up your sad face and put those plushies up,” Michael said.

A delighted scream came from inside the house as the year old boy escaped from Kimi Vettel’s chasing, giggling as Mika Sebastian Schumacher ran as much as his little legs could handle. 

Eventually he found himself in the arms of Mick as Mika hid from his Uncle Kimi. 

“Da!” Mika screamed delightfully, kicking his legs when Kimi Vettel began tickling the boy. 

Mick and Michael exchanged grins.

Yeah, Mick would continue to put these plushies up if it meant that he’s making his son happy. 

iv. the time with michael ‘mikey’ schumacher’s introduction to the world

Michael Senna, or Mikey, Schumacher was born sixteen hours ago, his tiny body was proof that he was so much like his mother. Yet despite the smallness of his, his facial features and expressions of contentment showed that he was his father’s son. 

Another Mick Schumacher had been born into the world, and Barbie and Mick (alongside their family in Switzerland) welcomed him with open arms. 

And no one was more than excited than the newborn’s namesake, his Pippa Michael, and Sebastian Vettel when meeting the little boy. In fact, they raced through the hospital as soon as they heard that Barbie, Sebastian’s adoptive daughter, had given birth to Mick’s second son. 

Michael was more than happy to meet the boy— just as he was excited to meet his other grandchildren— but to meet little Mikey Schumacher was a moment to remember for everyone. Because that was also the time when Mick announced that…

“I’m retiring,” both Seb and Michael looked at the man with surprised expressions as if they wondered if they heard him right.

Mick explained, “I feel like I’ve lost a lot of time with the kids because I’ve been racing. The kids obviously don’t know how much time I’ve lost because they’re young but… I do. Barbie does.

“It took me a good while to understand what Mika loved— it took me a while to learn how to keep Gigi from having flyaways in her hair during her ballet classes— or how Minnie managed to handle her equestrian routine without Gina or Mom.

“I’ve lost a lot of time,” he said with a small chuckle and a shake of his head. Mick then gestured at Mikey, who remained peacefully sleeping in Michael’s arms as he said, “And with Mikey, I think I can’t afford to do that anymore. I’m okay with one championship only.”

Sebastian broke the silence after, “I’m proud of you Mick,” he smiled softly before reaching out to hug his in-law. “Look at how far Barbie and you’ve come.”

“Back then we had to goad him to ask Barbie on a date,” Michael chuckled quietly.

“It took us eight years,” Sebastian joked.

“Or nine,” Michael snorted.

“We’re still here,” Barbie mumbled in her sleep, “stop making jokes about it.” 

“Still,” Michael said, “we’re very happy for you and Barbie, son.”

“This is where your life begins,” Sebastian nodded, “all you need to do is to tell everyone about your commitments and devotion for your children and wife.” 

i. the time mick’s devotion paid off

Being a retired driver felt great. It wasn’t everyday Mick got to say that— and now he had every chance to. 

Barbie’s family restaurant in Lausanne, one that she named SV et Blanco, had been built years ago— it was the Vettels and Schumachers’ pride. After she graduated from culinary school, Barbie worked as a chef in nearby restaurants before eventually deciding that she wanted a place where family could start their traditions through countless dishes and desserts to try. 

Needless to say, it became a local and even international favourite. Many tourists in Switzerland would try to stop by Lausanne just to get a taste of Kimi Vettel’s favourite spinach and egg soufflé.

And now, SV et Blanco became a place for the Schumachers to spend their time during the Friday afternoons after Minna and Gigi’s classes. Mick would always pick up his daughters with Mika and ten month old Mikey on their car seats.

And after that, he’d come dropping by the restaurant. With Mika on his pram and Mikey on his back carrier, he led the kids into the restaurant as they found their mother making her rounds around the place. 

“Mama!” Minna exclaimed before she and Gigi ran towards Barbie, hugging her around the legs. 

“Oh, excuse me,” Barbie smiled at the guests before she crouched down to hug her girls. “Gigi, Minnie— hello! How’s school!” 

“School is good, Mama!” Gigi grinned. “I got star for writing!”

“That right? Good job, Gigi,” Barbie grinned. “And you, Minnie? How is your school?”

“Okay! I want soufflé though!” The eldest Schumacher pouted lightly. “I wanna see Pippa and Nina!”

“Pippa and Nina! And Sebby— and Mamma Bel!” Mika shouted from his pram.

Barbie giggled lightly before looking up at her husband, “And…? How’s Dada, kids?”

“Dada’s not that busy,” Mick giggled, “hungry for some soufflé though— Minna’s right.”

“Well,” Barbie clapped her hands before standing up, “it’s a good thing it’s our everyday special.”

“Great,” Mick joked. “Otherwise we traveled to Lausanne for nothing.”

Barbie rolled her eyes playfully.

It was a good thing Mick’s devotion and commitment for his kids were paying off. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be the retired father that he is now— his kids wouldn’t be adoring their mother as much as Mick did back when they were teenagers and secretly in love. 

[imaginejamesandsirius]

Heyyy! here’s a prompt: James and Sirius are tired of constantly turning people down and watching their food for Amortentia or any variation of it so they decide to pretend to be gay and in love. Please make them get together for real in the end :)))

((Note: This fic was written by starlitmusings our newest author! It's ~9k, so you can read below, or on her AO3))

Early morning light filters through the thin curtains of the sixth-year boys’ dormitory, bathing the room with a soft golden hue. James, whose bed is closest to the window, stretches lazily and looks over to the sleeping boy curled next to him.

“Pads,” he whispers. There’s a stray lock of hair falling across his friend’s face, and James has the strange but familiar urge to tuck it in behind his ear and—

And what? Ruin the relationship you have with the most important person in your life?  James dispels the thought with the ease of someone who’s had to do it many times before. “Pads,” he says again, giving him a gentle push. “Wake up, we’ll be late. The others will hog the loo if we don’t get up first.”

Sirius stirs, feels the light on the exposed parts of his body, and promptly locks his legs around James. He blindly finds the crook of James’ neck and buries his face into it with a mumbled, “Don’t want to. ‘M comfy.”

James resists the urge to laugh and instead jams a finger into his shoulder. 

“Ow! Bloody hell, you fucking traitor,” Sirius yelps as he pulls away from James. He sits up slowly and stretches with a yawn, and James finds his gaze drawn to the way the light hits the hard, Quidditch-toned planes of Sirius’ bare chest and arms. 

“I can’t skive off of classes anymore, Sirius, you know that. Besides, you need time to get your hair care routine in or you’ll be a brat all day,” James replies once he wills his eyes to look anywhere but his half-naked friend. The friend that’s half-naked on his bed, his brain promptly supplies, and James mentally kicks himself for the thought.

“Stupid Dumbledore and his stupid decision to make you the stupid Head Boy,” Sirius grumbles. “And I don’t even have a bloody hair care routine, Jamie, you should know that the generational inbreeding took care of that.”

James laughs, trying not to show just how much he agrees with Sirius’ words and heads over to the bathroom with Sirius hot on his heels despite his muttered complaints. Not five minutes, later, Remus and Peter are barging in and kicking them out for taking too long, and James throws Sirius a smug I-told-you-so grin. Sirius rolls his eyes. 

As they’re pulling on their uniforms, Sirius approaches James with an uncharacteristic hesitation. “Prongs,” he begins. “We’re mates, right?”

James nods. “Obviously.” 

“I was thinking, we always share a bed, right?” 

“Right,” James says slowly, unsure of where this is heading.

“And are constantly with each other and want to be near each other, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“So I was thinking—” he’s cut off by the bathroom door slamming open and Remus coming out.

“Morning,” he greets them. “Have you seen my sweater? The one with—”

“In my trunk,” James interrupts. Remus pulls it out with a triumphant grin and pecks James on the cheek. “I need to leave a little early to talk to Minnie about my last essay,” he says as he rushes out the door. “See you at breakfast.” 

There’s silence for a minute before Peter rushes out similarly to Remus just had. Finally free of their dormmates, James turns to Sirius with a raised eyebrow. Go on.  

“Y’know how there’s a Hogsmeade weekend coming up?”

“Sure, so?”

“Well, I was thinking that I’d rather not be accosted by a bunch of people asking for a date when we’re not interested. So let’s pretend we’re dating.”

James blinks, stares, and blinks again. “Come again?”

Sirius sighs, his fingers fiddling with the hems of his sleeves. James thinks he sees the beginning of a light blush on his cheeks, but he also thinks Sirius just said he wants to date him so his mental facilities were clearly malfunctioning. Until Sirius repeats, more slowly this time, “Let’s pretend we’re dating.”

He had heard Sirius loud and clear the first time, but he still can't believe what he’s hearing. He’s not nearly awake or caffeinated enough to handle the love of his life asking him out. Never mind that Sirius wants it to be fake, whatever that means. 

“Um,” he starts. “Wait, what exactly do you—”

“Oh, for Merlin’s sake, Jamie,” Sirius says exasperatedly. “I want you to pretend to be my boyfriend to stop random people from confessing to me. Last week a bloke sent a dwarf to sing me a poem about how he’s going to drink a potion to spontaneously create himself a vagina so I can put babies in him. Like, what the fuck, no thank you.”

“You…didn’t tell me that,” James says, wide-eyed with a mixture of horror and awe. Before he can filter his words — though Merlin knows is his brain is capable of that now — he blurts out, “I’ll do it, obviously, but why me?”

“You know what everyone says, we’re basically a married couple already. Nobody else can make it convincing enough. You’re the best candidate.”

“And Remus can’t because…?”

“You know he’s got his eyes on Regulus.” Sirius scrunches his nose and makes a disgusted sound. “Which is, like, wrong on so many levels I wouldn’t even know where to begin."

James lets out a stangled laugh. “Okay, I get it. But why me, and you know, not someone you actually want to ask out?”

“If I wanted to ask someone out, I wouldn’t be having this problem, now would I?” Sirius retorts. “Besides, you were complaining after Potions the other day about how you caught some girls sneaking Amortentia to slip into our drinks. I was thinking, this way we both benefit and it’s not as awkward as it would be with a stranger.”

This was starting to sound like a horrible idea, but James knew he was going to go through with it regardless as soon as Sirius made his offer. “We’ll need a cover story if we want to get anyone to believe us.”

Sirius nods, pulling James behind him and they make their way down to the Great Hall. “That’s easy since most people think we’re dating already. Let’s just say that we fancied each other for years. It all came to a head this summer when I moved in with you. We’ve actually been dating since summer but we’re only making it official now.”

James hums as he thinks it over. “And Moony and Pete don’t know about this?”

Sirius waves his hand in a careless gesture. “Eh. We’ll tell them the real reason later.” He eyes James carefully, then laces their fingers together. “The rumours will start faster this way,” he says by way of explanation, and James prays on all the gods he doesn’t believe in that Sirius doesn’t notice his racing heartbeat. 

As predicted, whispers and curious glances towards the pair begin as soon as they enter the Great Hall. Sirius turns to James with a gleeful grin and pulls on his hand to press a kiss on his knuckles. There are some squeals and James thinks he sees a third-year pass out, and he’d be lying if he weren’t close to doing the same. 

“What the fuck, you guys,” Remus hisses to them as they sit down. “We were gone for less than ten minutes!”

“We’ll have you know, our darling, precious Moonbeam,” says Sirius, “that James and I are very efficient. Would’ve been a shame if it took longer than that to declare our undying love to each other.”

Remus scoffs. “Would’ve been normal, you mean, considering that your love is neither undying nor existent.”

“How dare you. We are disgustingly in love, I’ll have you know,” Sirius counters, and wraps an arm around James pointedly. James flushes and turns away from Remus’ knowing gaze.

This was going to be a long week.

It doesn’t take long before everyone in Hogwarts is aware of the relationship status of the school’s two most desired students. Most of the upper years congratulate them as they collect their bet winnings and comment on how good they look together, and one fifth-year shyly tells them that their bravery to come out helped them come out to their friends too. 

In hindsight, James realizes that coming out wasn’t even a factor in his decision to fake a relationship. It’s never been a secret that he was bisexual, but it makes sense that a lot of people are surprised since he never publicly announced it. He expects to feel somewhat uneasy, but it’s surprisingly easy to fall into a pattern with his best friend. Sirius was right in that there are hardly any differences in their relationship now that they’re dating — apart from random pecks and hand-holding, which never fail to make James’ stomach explode with butterflies. 

Later that week, when all the sixth-year Gryffindors are lounging on the sofas nearest to the fire, Lily looks at them cheekily. “You boys are remembering to use protection, right?” she asks with a grin. James sputters and throws a pillow at her. Sirius just laughs and reassures her that, yes, darling, of course we are.

James wishes what Sirius said was true. He mostly wishes that he wasn’t in love with his best friend and that he had never agreed to this stupid plan. While he had always pined from afar before, it was much harder to hide his feelings when the object of his desires was now so close.  

“This is the place?” Regulus asks doubtfully, eyeing two little girls in pigtails eating a cloud of pink fluff near the entryway. “The Muggle — uh, park for amusement?”

Remus bounces in excitement, eyes lit up. “Yes! I’m so glad you all agreed to come. This place has been one of my favourite places since I was young.” 

Regulus’ eyes soften as he reaches over to fix his boyfriend’s scarf. “Then I’m glad you brought me here.”

Sirius mimes gagging as the new couple rolls their eyes. James grins and nudges Sirius. 

“ You’re the one who agreed to have a double date instead of eating through our Honeydukes stash together,” he reminds him. 

Sirius huffs. “You can’t expect to resist Reg when he does those eyes on me! And Remus joining in? I was doomed from the start.”

“Says the one who’s actually a dog,” Regulus deadpans. “You of all people should be immune to puppy eyes.”

“I think becoming an Animagus made me less immune, actually,” Sirius muses. “It’s probably to prepare if I ever become a puppy dad.”

Regulus blanches while James and Remus crack up. “I wouldn’t be surprised,” Remus says, laughing. “Remember that lady at the park near Lils’ place with the poodle?”

James bends over with laughter while Sirius shoves them both. “I hate you two! You promised you wouldn’t!”

“Wait, no, I need to know this,” Regulus is grinning evilly, the look worthy of a Black. “Tell me more?”

Remus takes his hand. “With pleasure.”

Sirius puts his nose in the air and huffs again. “That’s my cue to take my leave. James, come with?”

“You look like Mum like that,” Regulus tells him. When Sirius glares at him, he laughs. “That makes the resemblance even better.” Sirius rolls his eyes and turns to James.

“Yeah, okay, but it’s your fault if we get lost,” James replies. He takes a map and bids the other two goodbye, promising to meet them near the food court at lunch. 

“I won’t get lost. I have you, remember?” Sirius says. James raises an eyebrow.

“That would be romantic, but I’m hardly any better than you at navigating this place.”

“At least we’ll have fun?”

“Why are you saying that like a question?”

“My most sincerest apologies. We’ll most definitely have fun!”

“Better.”

“Idiot.”

“Hey, at least I’m your idiot now.”  

Sirius looks over at him with an unreadable expression. “This is fake, Prongs.”

James feels his throat tighten. “Yeah, I know,” he says and tries to ignore the unpleasant clench of his stomach. He thinks he’s successful, but Sirius’ keen gaze seems to read right through the act.

The music playing on a loop as they pass the Tunnel O’ Love overlaps chaotically with excited yells and sounds of carnival games, and sweet, fatty smells mingle with the pine in the air. Sirius leads James along a curling path to a blue-and-gold ticket booth near the entrance, proudly pulling out a stack of Muggle money Remus had given him. 

“I’ll get us two tickets, while you can figure out where you want to go first,” he tells James and hands over a map from the ticket booth. James eyes his arse appreciatively while he flirts with the ticket woman, but quickly averts his gaze when she looks at him knowingly.

James stares at the colourful piece of paper, trying to figure out how to read it. “Does the — uh, does the House of Mirrors sound okay?”

“What, you want to get lost for real? Relying on me, who’s never spoken to a Muggle in my life, to navigate a Muggle wonderland isn’t doing enough for you?”

James shoves him and has to resist a grin when Sirius barks out his laughter. “I’m joking! That sounds fine,” Sirius says, now holding two tickets and a business card with a hastily scrawled number on it. “I’d love to start the day staring at myself from all angles. And you, of course. You’re pretty easy on the eyes.”

“Aww, did my darling Padfoot just say I’m good-looking?” James teases. Sirius rolls his eyes but he can’t hide the smile on his face. 

“Stop fishing for compliments. You know you are."

James’ face flushes. He doesn’t respond while he buys them both churros, some Muggle sweet that tastes like heaven. It’s sweet on his tongue and it helps to distract him a little from the cooler October winds and the sight Sirius makes. He tries not to notice how Sirius moves closer to him for warmth when a large gust hits them, but he can’t ignore the warmth that fills him when he does.

“Is this it?” Sirius asks after a long but comfortable silence. He eyes the pink archway over the entrance of the House of Mirrors distrustfully. 

James nods, face illuminated by the neon lights crisscrossing over the room. “You want to see who can make it out first?”

“Oh, you’re on.” Sirius doesn’t wait a second before taking off to the right. James laughs and takes a left. 

The sound of people hustling through the maze fades as James takes a few steps in. He meets an expected pane of glass and turns right into a new room framed with arches of light. Starting to become more purposeful with his turns, and trying to recall the map of the maze from the entrance, he changes directions but is met with glass. He tries again, with no success.

He’s trying to stay calm, but eventually, the fact that he’s lost and alone and stuck in a glass maze in a Muggle park with no Sirius around starts to become unnerving. His pulse quickens, and he tells himself to keep moving. 

Another glass wall. Keep moving. 

He spins left. Keep moving. 

He’s about to turn right — keep moving — but he slams into someone as he rounds the corner. “Shit,” they gasp, clutching their neck. “Are you okay?”

James nods. He’s feeling a bit dazed so it takes him a moment to realize. “Wait, Sirius? Oh bloody fuck, did I bite you?”

The other person — Sirius — sputters out a laugh. “James? Yeah, you did. It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt.”

“Sirius. I have blood on my teeth, and I don’t think it’s mine.”

Sirius winces. “Yeah, well, I’ve dealt with worse than a bitten collarbone.”

“If it helps, I don’t have rabies.”

“Why would that help? And also, you might have rabies as Prongs.”

A pensive look crosses James’ face. “Wait, you think? Oh shit, let me take a look.”

Sirius stills, then shrugs James’ hand off his shoulder. “I said I’m fine.”

“And I said, let me see.” Without waiting for Sirius’ response, James steps closer to inspect the teeth marks. This close, he can smell Sirius’ peppermint toothpaste and their shared shampoo and something warm and a little earthy, and he can see how the glow of Sirius’ skin under the fluorescent lighting gives him an almost alien-like look. James swallows and wills his blood back up. His best friend’s bleeding, and he’s getting a hard-on. What the fuck?

He distracts himself with healing the small cuts. “There. Good as new,” he says and steps back quickly, only for Sirius to grab his wrist. His grey eyes are dark, reflecting the pink and blue lights overhead. 

“Prongs,” he murmurs. “If you want to—” 

“Yeah,” James breathes out, voice ragged and low. “Anything you want.”

Sirius lets his hand trail up James’ arm, pushing up the sleeve of his sweatshirt and leaving goosebumps in his wake. There’s a split second of hesitation before he’s leaning in, and then James can’t think of anything other than Sirius, his best friend and better half, who smells edible and tastes like the churros they were having earlier and who’s doing something with his tongue that has James gasping and pushing Sirus back against the glass. There’s a crash nearby and some people laughing and they’re springing apart, eyes wide and dark. 

“Why haven’t we been doing this forever?” Sirius breathes. “Fuck, Prongs. That was…”

“Yeah,” James agrees, but he’s unsure what he’s agreeing to. “Wait, what?”

“We should’ve been doing this all along,” Sirius repeats. “I mean, we are dating.”

“Fake,” James automatically says. He thinks he sees disappointment flash across Sirius’ features, but puts it to a trick of the light. 

“Right. Let’s get out of here, yeah? The others will be wondering where we are.”

“Okay,” James says quietly. He’s feeling somewhat off-centre from the kiss and the conversation afterwards, so he leans against Sirius and smiles when he lets him take his hand. 

They seem to walk for hours, and James could swear they went past the same benches a few times, but it feels much easier with Sirius by his side. As soon as the thought forms, as though he can read his mind, Sirius turns to James and gives him a breathtaking smile. “I like it better when you’re with me,” he says softly. 

James stills, heart racing. Between the kiss and now this, he’s feeling rather shaky. “Me too,” he replies quickly, then notices the intensity of the noise here. There’s a barely visible gap between two mirrors facing out, and James grins. 

“Guess what?”

“What?”

“I win,” James says with a laugh, slipping between the glass panes and out into the open air. Sirius comes following, hot on his heels, and whirls to face James. 

“That’s not fair! We were having a moment and I was distracted!”

“Nobody told you to get all sappy on me,” James retorts. “As the winner, I choose the next place we go to.”

“You chose this place too,” Sirius grumbles, but begrudgingly gives James the win. 

“I want to go there.” James points to a large open canopy, under which there seem to be millions of children. “Please?”

“I’m not playing against babies, ” Sirius says. “There’s no way.”

“Your loss. Watch me then, you sore loser.” James grins when Sirius flips him the bird.

“Wait, no, look! Isn’t that Remus?”

James looks around and brightens when he sees him. “Yes! Oh wow, I’m actually hungry. Race you!”

Sirius shakes his head in disbelief then runs off to catch up. 

After lunch, when their stomachs are full of burgers and what Remus calls funnel cakes, James insists on playing until he wins a huge dog plush. He spends the Muggle equivalent of 20 galleons and is about to try again when Remus grabs him by the arm to drag him away. He’s whining and struggling against him when Regulus comes over. 

“Reggie! Tell your boyfriend to let me go!”

Regulus turns to Sirius. “Is this about that toy?”

“I need to win that for Sirius! Think of my dignity, I can’t let toddlers win games that I can’t!”

Sirius pulls James against him. “I don’t need a mediocre representation of my beautiful Animagus form, love. It’s fine if they win.”

“No,” James gasps. “Not you too!”

“It’s not your fault you’re bad at kid games,” Regulus teases. 

“Oi, these machines are rigged against us magical folk anyways,” Sirius consoles, ruffling James’ hair. The three of them have to physically drag his thrashing body away a minute later when a kid no older than four comes up to the machine right after them and manages to win the plush in one go.

“Wha—how in the world—can I steal it from him?”

Remus raises an eyebrow. “You’re not stealing a toy from a four-year-old, James, what happened to your morals?”

“I lost it with my dignity!”

Regulus laughs. “Close your mouth, James, flies are gonna go in.”

“But—But my Padfoot plushie—”

“How dare you insinuate that that crappy fabric monstrosity is me. ”

James sniffles. “It was beautiful. It would’ve kept me so warm at night.”

“What am I for?”

“Your feet are too cold,” James says miserably. “I wanted that!”

Sirius purses his lips. “For that, I’m not sleeping with you tonight.”

James blinks. “You don’t mean that. I can’t get my plushie, and now I won’t get Siri snuggles?”

Regulus and Remus crack up, and Sirius shakes his head with an amused huff. James pouts the entire way home.

“Uh, Sirius? What are you doing?” James asks, surprised to see Sirius waiting for him outside detention. “You’re supposed to be at dinner.”

“I was waiting for you to finish,” Sirius says, smoothing down nonexistent dust from the dark Muggle jeans he’s wearing. “Come on, we’re going out.”

“What?”

“I’m treating you to dinner. Being a proper boyfriend and all that.”

James blinks. “We’re not proper boyfriends.”

Sirius glances up. “Do you want to be?”

What. James has no idea how to respond to that so he busies himself with transfiguring his robes to something more casual. He lets himself get dragged to the Three Broomsticks where they have shepherd’s pie, drink too much Butterbeer, and call it dinner. Between the good food and good company, James can’t bring himself to complain, even though Sirius is acting a lot weirder than usual.

“I was thinking,” Sirius begins. The two of them are curled around each other on a sofa in front of the fire, watching Remus and Regulus play Exploding Snap. It’s a Friday night, and they’re pushing off their homework to Sunday.

“Oh no,” James groans theatrically. “Last time you said that, we had to start dating!”

Sirius shoves him. “Oh, fuck off.” Then, noticing others looking their way with confused glances, Sirius raises his voice. “Yes, and how good did the idea come out to be?”

James catches his drift. “Yeah, it was one of your better ideas for sure.” He leans down to kiss him without thinking and freezes when he realizes what he just did. They’re both still for a second before Sirius flips them over and snogs him so thoroughly that James thinks he probably won’t get the taste of him out for a week.

Regulus throws a cushion at them. “Get a room, you insufferable wankers.”

Sirius flips him off. “Remember that when you’re sucking Moony’s face off, you tosser.”

Remus winces. “Why are you so crude?”

Sirius ignores him, turning back to James. “So I was thinking, we should go see your parents this weekend.”

“Like right now?” James asks, bewildered. 

“Our relationship has been the talk of the school for a few weeks now. I think they’d appreciate hearing it from us before they get it from someone else.”

James sits up quickly, nearly knocking Sirius over. “Fuck, I did not think this would go so far.”

“Why, are you ashamed of me?”

“No! I just don’t want to, you know, lie to my parents about dating my best friend. Who’s basically their son? Is that incest?”

“It doesn’t have to be a lie,” Sirius says quietly. “And ew, what the hell, Prongs, why would this be incest!” 

James stares at him. “Why do you keep saying that when you’re the one who came up with the whole fake part of this?”

Sirius looks away. “Never mind. Do you want to go now? Because Minnie’s probably still awake. We could use her Floo.”

James stares for a moment longer. “Um, okay.”

He heads toward the portrait hole, missing the worried look Remus and Regulus shoot toward Sirius. 

“James! Sirius! What a surprise, I missed you both so much!” Euphemia says happily as she grabs them in a tight hug. “You’ve already grown so much and it’s only been a few months!”

James smiles as he leans down to kiss her head, tension leaving his shoulders at her embrace. “We missed you too, Mum. Where’s Dad?”

“In the office, I presume. Oh, come here, you,” she pulls Sirius over to kiss his cheeks. Sirius smiles, cheeks turning pink, and squeezes her back just as hard.

“What’s this?” Fleamont asks as he walks over. “Well, would you look at that, my sons finally remembered they have parents!”

James watches as Sirius stiffens with a flush before relaxing with a brilliant smile. “I’m sorry I haven’t been keeping in touch as much as I want to. We’re so busy with school.”

Fleamont laughs. “I’m just messing with you.” He grabs James into a headlock, which James resists for half a minute before giving up. Pressing a kiss on his son’s forehead, he turns to Sirius and greets him the same way.

“I can’t say I’m unhappy with this surprise, but why so sudden? I wasn’t expecting either of you two.” Euphemia pulls them over to the living room and calls their house-elf to prepare something for them to eat, despite their insistence of having already eaten dinner.

There’s a few minutes of tense silence. “Well, it’s just that—” James tries to begin, but gets interrupted by the house-elf returning with tea and biscuits.

“We’re dating,” Sirius blurts out. He’s watching Euphemia and Fleamont with a steady glance, face betraying nothing. James stares at him, wishing he could vanish into thin air. He’s gotten used to introducing themselves as boyfriends to the people at school, so it shouldn’t sound so foreign, but in front of his parents, he feels stripped bare. 

Fleamont sets down his teacup and Euphemia pauses. James watches tentatively as their expressions morph into one of surprise before shifting to joy. Fleamont’s smile twitches and Euphemia’s eyes glitter merrily. 

“I can’t say we didn’t expect this,” Euphemia says, tea all but forgotten as she leans forward to take their hands in hers. “When did this start?”

“Over the summer, but we didn’t know how to tell you,” Sirius replies once he realizes that James has lost all ability to function. “We made it official a little bit into the school year.”

Fleamont grins. “No wonder you were so eager to get away this year.”

Sirius laughs. James wants to die. “I can’t help it. I just want James all to myself, even when he’s right next to me.”

Euphemia coos. “I can’t believe Sirius is the first boyfriend you brought home for us to meet, James. You’re getting all grown up, aren’t you?” she says, pinching his cheeks and James pulls away in embarrassment. 

There’s a part of him that wants to confess and tell them that they’re not actually a couple and it was just a silly mistake, but he can’t bring himself to. Not when they’re both looking at them so excited about their relationship. He knows it will hurt them more if — when — they inevitably call this off, but for now, he selfishly doesn’t want to ruin the moment.

James thinks he should feel more guilty about lying to his friends and family about being in a relationship. But strangely, he doesn’t.

Maybe it’s because no matter how much he tries to deny it, the truth isn’t too far off from the lies that he’s telling them.

Later, he comes into the kitchen to help his mum put away the tea. She leans against him when he hugs her from behind and rests her hands on his. They’re wrinkled and rough from age and labour, but they’re just as familiar as James remembered.

Euphemia lets out a deep breath. “I worry for you two sometimes.” 

James frowns. “Why? We’re doing fine, both Sirius and I.”

She closes her eyes and James feels his throat pinch. She looks so fragile in his arms. “Both of you always put each other before yourselves,” she says. “Even if it comes at the cost of your own happiness. I worry that there will be a time where you both think you’re doing what will benefit the other, but will only cause a divide between you two.”

James hums into her hair. “You don’t need to worry about that, Mum. Sirius and I share a brain cell, remember? Nothing can divide us.” 

She laughs and he leans down to kiss her quickly when he hears her whisper, “Jamie, I’m going to tell him this too because you’re both my boys. I love you both to pieces, but if he dares to hurt you, dump him. You deserve only the best.”

He can’t help but laugh, but he feels hollow. Who could be better than Sirius? And why would they want me when my best friend doesn’t?

On Monday morning, James is called into Dumbledore’s office for a Head meeting. As he walks alongside Lily, she gently nudges him to face her.

“I’m so happy for you, James,” she tells him seriously. “Am I a little miffed that you got with Sirius right when we started getting along? A little. But you two are so perfect for each other, it’s hard to be anything but happy for you.”

James tilts his head in confusion. “What do you mean? We’ve always been close, so this is hardly any different from what we were like before.”

She smiles and shakes her head. “Yes, but since you two started dating, both of you seem, I don’t know, lighter.”

“We’ve always been happy together. Even as friends.” James fights the urge to say that they’re still just friends.

“Mhm, sure, but you were less attached.” At James’ disbelieving laugh, she amends, “Like, you two would be together, but both of you obviously wanted more. And now you have that, so you two look less lonely.”

James says nothing. She nudges him again and makes a face, and they both start giggling. It would’ve been so easy to be in love with Lily, James thinks, as he watches her dimples come out as she laughs. Her red hair falls in waves behind her, and James wishes he still wanted to wrap his hands in it as he once did. 

“What if… what if I told you that we’re not in a real relationship?” he asks quietly. As soon as it’s out, he wishes he could take it back.

Lily’s eyes narrow. “I don’t think I heard you correctly.”

“We did this so people wouldn’t make a big deal of asking us out to Hogmeade,” James says in a rush. “We’re just pretending to be dating. We’re not anything more than best mates.”

“Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Are you just pretending to like him?”

James squirms. He feels exposed under Lily’s sharp gaze. “Yes.”

“Really.” Lily’s tone is flat and gives no indication as to what she thinks, but James hears her disbelief loud and clear. He’s just grateful that she masked her surprise well.

“Okay, so maybe I like him a tiny bit more than I let on,” James admits. 

Lily nods. “So obviously, I’m right. So? When are you telling him?”

James makes an indignant squawk. “Why would I risk ruining our friendship like that?”

Lily purses her lips. “How are you so sure that your friendship with him will be ruined? Last I checked, you could kill his entire family and he’d still worship the ground you walk on.”

“He hates his family, save for Regulus. And I’d never kill Regulus so that’s hardly saying anything.”

Lily makes a frustrated noise. “James. Even before this fake dating ruse, neither of you can fall asleep unless you’re cuddling each other. You’re constantly talking to him or about him. If either of you are ever separated, you have a mirror to talk through for the few minutes that you’re not joined at the hip. How much more oblivious can any two people get?”

James huffs. “That’s only because Sirius is comfy and interesting and brilliant and funny and gorgeous and understands me more than anyone else.”

When Lily says nothing, he looks over and sees her staring at him in a McGonagall-esque manner. “Okay,” he concedes. “So maybe I fancy him a lot, and maybe he likes me back. Emphasis on the maybe. If I confess, and he doesn’t feel the same, what then?”

“Then blame it on me. To save you from your misery, I’ll marry you and we’ll have seven babies and start our own Quidditch team,” Lily says, deadpan. James laughs and puts his arm around her.

“Sounds like a plan,” he tells her happily. “I’ll be the best, most doting husband and father ever.”

She smiles indulgently and hugs him back.

Winter holidays come around quickly. Regulus had come by during the day with Remus but they’ve long since gone. To pass the time, James and Sirius nick some Firewhisky stashed in Fleamont’s study and are passing the bottle between them when James decides to ruin his night. 

“Why did you choose to fake a relationship with me when you could’ve gotten into a real one with someone you fancy?” he blurts out. His brain-mouth filter is fuzzy after having too much to drink. 

“I like spending time with you,” Sirius replies matter-of-factly, as though nothing could be more obvious. “Why hang out with some stupid stranger when I could be with you?”

“Not what I meant.” Sirius looks so pretty, James thinks, staring at the pink flush starting to spread across his cheeks as he drinks more alcohol. They were sitting cross-legged on the floor of James’ bedroom when they first took out the bottle, but now they’ve manoeuvred so that their legs are intertwined and they’re heavily leaning on each other.

James can see the flutter of Sirius’ dark eyelashes whenever he turns to face him. Moonlight illuminates his face from the gap between the curtains, turning his eyes silver. His bottom lip is redder than the top from biting down on it. It’s soft and plump and seems to be beckoning James near. 

A siren’s call. That’s what Sirius was — a siren. Tantalizing, perfect, untouchable. Dangerous to get too close to.

“I’m tired of people wanting to have a part of me without taking the time and effort to understand me. They don’t even know me — I mean, they think they do, but all they see is the popular Hogwarts heartthrob, the rule-breaker and prankster. The black sheep of the Black family.” Sirius’ eyes are glassy from the whiskey, but his gaze seems sad and far away for an entirely different reason.

“That’s not true. I see you,” James says, watching Sirius blink up at him. It feels awfully domestic to be sitting here, away from everyone in just their ugly comfort clothes and baggy sweats. Sirius has a flower clip stuck to his hair that’s nearly slipping off of his bangs and all of his earrings have been put away for the night. They’re just them, and James wants to take a picture to capture it forever.

“But that’s ‘cause you’re you, Jamie. I couldn’t keep a part of myself away from you even if I tried.”

“Not the part of yourself that’s saved for your future special person.”

“You’re my special person, Jamie. There’s no one else.” Sirius waves a hand in front of James’ face and James intertwines their hands together instinctively, mindlessly rubbing circles into the back of Sirius’ hands with his thumb. He drops his bottle to trace over his knuckles with his other hand and presses a kiss onto each raised bone. Sirius’ breath hitches.

“You don’t want me like that, Pads.” James has no idea why he says that. He wants to remain in this ignorant bubble they created in his room for a little longer before Sirius inevitably rejects him. There’s a strange tension filling the air and James feels like he’s drowning. The only anchor he has is the weight of Sirius’ hand in his, but that’s not enough, not when Sirius doesn’t feel the same way, not when James wants more than what Sirius can give, not when James is so fucking greedy he’ll take everything Sirius offers and still beg for more. 

He doesn’t realize that they’re both holding their breaths. All of his attention is focused on the warm, reassuring weight of Sirius’ hand in his, the fingers long and thin and callused from Quidditch. James’ hands are slightly larger and wrap around Sirius’ like two puzzle pieces fit together, just like the two of them. Golden brown on paler white, a work of art.

Like a moth to a flame, James scoots over to Sirius. The small rational part of his mind screams at him to pull away before he hurts himself and Sirius and their beautiful, wonderful relationship. It may be the Firewhiskey or it may be the months of pining, but all rationale flies out the window when Sirius beams at him, wide and unburdened and brighter than his namesake, so fucking perfect it hurts.

“You’re wrong, Prongs,” Sirius whispers. Their faces are inches away from each other. James can’t help but trace lines down the side of his jaw, feeling the 5 o'clock shadow there.  “You’re so wrong, bloody hell, I don’t know what I’d even do without you. Burn the world down to get you back, probably, or become the next Dark Lord. I’d do it all, for you.” 

James stills. He can feel Sirius’ breath fan across his face and can almost hear his racing heartbeat. Or maybe that’s his own. His head is spinning, and everything is starting to feel too real. He needs space, needs to get away before he does something he’ll regret.

He pulls away from Sirius, dropping his hand and pushing to his feet. He swallows down the lump in his throat and tries to ignore the way Sirius flinches, a look of hurt marring his face. James is about to reach again, apology at the tip of his tongue, but he reminds himself that it’s for their own good. 

Sirius is drunk, after all, and it won’t mean anything come morning. It hasn’t meant anything so far, and if he makes one mistake, everything they take for granted could come crashing down. Best to stop it before it’s too late.

“It’s getting late,” James forces out. It takes almost all of his effort to plaster an unaffected smile on his face. His hands clench at his sides, longing for Sirius’ warmth. “We should go to bed.”

He stumbles into the loo to wash his face, knees shaking so much that he knocks into the edge of his bed. He refuses to turn around, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to keep himself from giving in upon seeing the expression on Sirius’ face. He promised himself years ago that he would never be the cause of Sirius’ misery, and doing this to both of them makes him feel like the biggest arse in the world.

When he returns, Sirius is on their bed, curled into himself on the very edge. James wants to reach out to hold him close and whisper sweet nothings into his ear to take away his discomfort, but he can’t bring himself to do it. He falls into a restless sleep, wishing for the millionth time that he was a better man. Maybe then he wouldn’t make so many mistakes.

Before long, classes start again. Amidst piling assignments, Quidditch practice, Head duties, and career planning meetings with McGonagall, James barely has time to spend time alone with Sirius. Since that drunken night at home, Sirius has stopped squeezing into his bed every night, leaving James alone with the dark, a strangely cold bed, and racing thoughts.  James doesn’t know whether to consider it a blessing or a curse. If anything, the distance only makes him think about Sirius more. 

If James had any self-control, he’d stop himself from remembering how Sirius had looked that night. But the past few months of stolen kisses and lingering touches had crumbled any control James had over his thoughts, and he often found himself imagining how Sirius’ flushing skin and loose tongue. The slope of his neck as he leaned against him. The cold, gentle slide of his fingers across James’ bare thighs. The painful avoidance in the following days, the awkward silences and betrayed glances. 

It’s that last memory that forces James to face his reality and bury his overwhelming feelings in the recesses of his mind. He knows he wears his heart on his sleeve, that he laughs effortlessly, cries easily, and cares fiercely. But another part of him knows that to keep Sirius from being scared away by the intensity of his love, he must hide those parts of himself. And so he keeps a distance and ignores Sirius’ flinches and sad eyes. 

He’s doing loops over the Quidditch field the afternoon of his birthday, trying to calm his emotions. He’d been ecstatic when he woke up to a surprise birthday breakfast in the common room with students from all houses and his parents calling over the Floo, but that excitement had been damped when he realized Sirius wasn’t there. It wasn’t uncommon lately for Sirius to slip away in the mornings before James woke up, but he’d been hoping to settle the tension between them to enjoy his birthday with his favourite person.

He looks down when a Hufflepuff third-year calls his name from the sidelines. She’s holding a large gift bag and waving to get his attention.

“Sirius told me to give this to you,” the younger girl says while handing him the bag. “I don’t know why he couldn’t just give it to you himself when he saw you this morning. Something about not being able to give it to you because he has some modelling gig. Since when does Sirius model?”

“He doesn’t,” James replies, bewildered. “Why did he say that?”

The girl shrugs. “Don’t ask me. You’re the only one who can make sense of the stuff he says.” With that, she goes back to the castle, leaving James alone.

Inside the bag is a box of Honeydukes’ chocolates — an assortment of hibiscus raspberry and cardamom orange, which meant Sirius had taken the time to custom-order James’ favourite seasonal flavours. James feels a pleasant warmth pooling in his gut, touched at Sirius’ thoughtfulness despite the past few weeks of strained friendship. 

There’s another larger box with a red ribbon wrapped around it. James gasps when he sees what’s in it, before laughing in disbelief. 

It’s a large, black dog plushie wearing a leather jacket and holding a wand. 

There’s a note attached to the ribbon and James instantly recognizes Sirius’ neat, small handwriting. It reads,

Happy birthday Jamie! You may be of age now but know that I am still older and that if you don’t continue to treat me as a respected elder, I will make you regret it. But I guess I’d rather you treat me as a child than have to endure this distance you’ve put between us. It was that night during the hols, wasn’t it? I freaked you out with my feelings. I knew I should’ve kept my distance, but you should’ve seen yourself. Moonlit and dark-lidded and, as usual, breathtaking.  

Anyway, I love you despite your idiotic tendencies to push people away when you think you’re not good enough for them or whatever bullshit your mind spews out. (I can imagine your raised eyebrow as you call me a hypocrite, but let me have this.) Hope we can go back to normal sooner rather than later; it feels strange to not have you with me constantly. 

Xx Your favourite Marauder, Padfoot 

James’ gut churns while his mind scrambles to make sense of the words. Sirius had feelings? For him? He loved him? All this time, he was trying to protect his heart by distancing himself, but he never considered if Sirius had meant what he had said that night. The proof was right there.

And yet, it felt too good to be true.

The dorm is empty when James comes in, but the map is conveniently on Remus’ nightstand. Taking it with him, he finds Sirius seated in a window of an empty corridor on the third floor, resting his elbows on his knees and looking outside. He turns when he hears footsteps. His grey eyes widen for a fraction of a second when he sees James, before setting into a resigned expression.

“Modeling gig?” is the first thing that comes out of James’ mouth. “What the hell, Sirius.”

“Why are you here?” Sirius asks quietly. He looks withdrawn and guarded, and the look sends a pang through James’ chest. 

“I got your note.” James sits next to Sirius on the small seat and purses his lips when Sirius immediately pulls his feet close to himself. “I didn’t know—”

“It doesn’t matter, James,” Sirius bites back. His eyes, blank just moments before, is not bright with anger and hurt. His hands tremble where he’s clutching his knees, and he pauses to glare at them for a moment before continuing. “I know where I stand. You made it plenty clear. I just wanted to get it out of the way so I wouldn’t have to deal with this… this whole uncertainty when it comes to you. I know I won’t get what I want, and you know this too, so can we just pretend we talked about everything we needed to talk about and go back to normal?”

“What if I don’t want to go back to normal?” James retorts. He’s starting to feel a little angry himself. 

In an instant, Sirius deflates, eyes looking lost once again. “I don’t — I don’t understand. I know I messed up, but I didn’t think — I mean, is it such a bad thing for me to love you? I’d change it if I could, but somehow, my heart’s not getting the message.”

Shit, James thinks. He never wanted to make Sirius feel like he was at fault when it was James who ruined everything by catching feelings and panicking as soon as he realised them. 

Taking the silence for a response, Sirius sighs. “Look, I’m sorry it’s making you uncomfortable. Believe me, I’m doing everything I can to stop myself from feeling this way. Just — don’t push me away. If this is about that stupid deal, you can call it off. Dae other people. You’ve done more than enough for me. I honestly wouldn’t blame you if you want it to end.”

“Don’t stop,” James blurts out. “Don’t stop feeling everything you just said.”

“What?”

“It’s just that — I don’t want to pretend anymore.” Words spill out before James can think, and he’s hoping somehow Sirius will be able to understand what he’s trying to get at. “I don’t want to fake a relationship with you, because it’s getting too much.”

Sirius inhales sharply and nods, a little frantic. “Okay, yeah, okay. Totally. I understand. We don’t have to do this anymore. Consider yourself back on the market.”

“That’s not what I meant.” James can feel the frustration simmering under his skin. Unconsciously, his hands reach to grasp at the closest part of Sirius — his ankles — and he uses them to pull Sirius closer. A distant memory flickers into his mind of the night when they had last sat like this, legs intertwined. Mouths millimetres apart, cheeks flushed, breath hot and heavy. 

“I kept a distance from you because I was scared you wouldn’t feel the same way,” James says quietly. “I didn’t want to hurt you or myself, but I guess I failed anyway.”

“Why wouldn’t I feel the same way? Wait, how do you feel—”

“I’m in love with you, okay?” James says. It comes out louder than he meant for it to. There’s shocked silence on Sirius’ end as James’ words hang between them. James takes a deep breath. 

“I’ve been in love with you since fifth year,” he continues at a normal volume. “Lily and I had that Transfiguration project and I learned throughout that I don’t see her as anything more than a friend. The flirting had become a habit by then, I think, so I didn’t see it until we had to work together. It’s nothing like the way we click with each other. So yeah, I guess I love you. Too. Holy shit, you love me back, Si.”

Sirius laughs, a breathless little thing before his lips are on James’ and the rest of the world fades. Before, when Sirius had kissed him, James had felt like he was drowning, so wrapped in the scent and feel of his best friend that the emotions were overwhelming. Now, with the knowledge that his feelings were reciprocated, he feels like he’s floating, safe in Sirius’ embrace.

“I dreamed about this for ages,” Sirius murmurs as he sits back. “That’s the whole reason I started this whole fake dating thing. I didn’t think I’d have much luck asking you out properly, so I pulled this to, ah, test the waters, if you will.”

James snickers. “So all of this was what, a free trial?”

“Yes,” Sirius murmurs against his neck. James’ breathing hitches. “And I’m feeling very satisfied with the service thus far. But I can’t leave a fair review without testing out all the features. It wouldn’t be right.”

“Oh — ah, fuck — what did you have in mind?” James can’t think, can’t breathe, can’t do anything but pant as Sirius works his fingers into his hair and pulls, kissing him hard the whole time. When Sirius trails a hand down to cup James’ arse through his trousers, James feels his heart stop. 

There’s a wicked grin on Sirius’ face. “Now that I’ve tasted you up here, I kind of want to taste you down there too. See if the tastes match. Or something. I don’t know, I just want to blow you right now.”

James squeaks. “Like, right here? Aren’t we going too fast?”

Sirius sombers. “Jamie,” he whispers. “I’ve been wanting you since we were thirteen. If anything, I think we’re going too slow. But if you’re not ready, I can wait. I’ve waited four years for you, and I will wait four million more if that’s what you want.”

James nods quickly. “I want you too. So much. I’ve been going crazy these past few months trying not to jump into your lap and snog you senseless.”

Sirius smiles. It’s a soft, little thing, and James knows it’s meant only for him. “What’s keeping you now?”

James ducks his head with a blush. “I — can we go to our dorms first?”

“Oh, Prongs,” Sirius says with a shake of his head. “One day I’ll introduce you to the high of doing this in public.”

“You’re such an exhibitionist. No wonder you’re starting a modelling gig,” James chides as he links their hands together. It’s such an endearing sight that he can’t help but lift Sirius’ hands to his mouth and shower his fingers and knuckles with kisses. Sirius’ steps stutter and James looks up, delighted. 

“I was put on the spot,” Sirius says defensively. “I didn’t expect her to start asking questions. I just wanted her to give it to you, not interrogate me.”

“You could’ve just given it to me yourself, like a normal person.”

“We’re anything but normal. Anyway, I was too nervous about your reaction.”

“Touché. Still, it would’ve been loads better coming from you.”

“Then allow me to make it up to you.” Sirius tugs on James’ hand until he stops. He reaches up to frame James’ face as he gently presses their lips together. James isn’t sure how much time passes before they pull apart. As they lean their foreheads on each other, Sirius’ lips quirk. 

“Happy birthday, Jamie. I love you.”

James smiles and tucks in a strand of hair coming loose from Sirius’ bun. “I love you too.”

[anonymouspuzzler]

Hey Minnie!! Does Buck let you come along on any missions? If so, what kind??

Buck is, largely against his will, halfway approximating a mildly competent guardian.

[Image IDs/descriptions under the cut!]

[Image 1 ID: Panel one of a black-and-white digital ink comic featuring Puzz's OCs, Minnie and Buck. Minnie is a 13-year-old white girl with a stocky build, buck teeth, freckles, and hair in large braided pigtails; she is wearing a short-sleeved blouse and a sweater tied around her shoulders. Buck is a middle-aged white man with a barrel-chested build, large nose, balding hairstyle and bushy mustache; he is wearing a turtleneck and simple pants. Minnie, glaring over her shoulder at Buck and making air-quote symbols with both fingers, says "'Let' is a strong word." Buck, pulling on a pair of goggles with round lenses, replies, "If I had my way you wouldn't be here at all, let alone on missions". End ID.]

[Image 2 ID: Panel two of a black-and-white digital ink comic featuring Puzz's OCs. Minnie, folding her arms over her chest and glaring, says, "I only get to go on the boring ones. Like, robbing convenience stores and stuff." Buck, turning around behind her to reach for something off-screen, replies, "That's most of what we do here, kid." End ID.]

[Image 3 ID: Panel three of a black-and-white digital ink comic featuring Puzz's OCs. Minnie, still with her arms folded over her chest, looks back at Buck with a frustrated expression and says, "You bust into research facilities sometimes!!" Buck, turning back to her and holding a jacket, also looking frustrated, replies, "Where we get shot at? Yeah, wonder why we don't take you with us." End ID.]

[whichcouldmeannothing]

Iwaizumi should have known something was wrong,  the moment Oikawa skipped practice. 

As annoying as Captain Oikawa was, he was insanely dependable. Iwaizumi watches him when he’s doing his job. He’s loud and authoritative, but is able to speak comfortingly if someone’s having trouble getting their hits just right. In those moments, gone would be the smarmy smirk on his face. It would just be Oikawa, soft and kind, as he gives tips and encouragement. 

As a leader, he’s extremely perceptive on who skips too, and he never shouts. All he knows is that Oikawa will pull them aside when they come back for practice, and ten minutes later, the kid’s as motivated as the rest of them. He tried asking him what exactly he says, but he just sticks his tongue out and goes, “Ahh, do you want to meet me alone too? I can give you proper motivation too~”

Cue ball to the head. 

But on a cloudy day early in the year, Iwaizumi headed to the club room in his jersey and Oikawa trailed in his uniform. 

“Oh, how will the club ever survive without their fearless leader?” He said, hand to his forehead like some damsel in distress. Iwaizumi rolled his eyes, refusing to turn around and hit Oikawa. If he went on his learning journey with a stain on his uniform, he would unleash hell on Iwaizumi. 

“Happily,” he gritted out. He grinned when he heard the familiar squawk behind him. 

They were outside the gym and Iwaizumi turned around to say good-bye. “Don’t do anything stupid.” 

“How can I? All the stupids going with you.” Oikawa replied. “Make sure you do well, Iwa-chan! I’m rooting for you!” He feigned a cheerleader routine, with all the pep and hand movements. Iwaizumi felt the rush of blood to his cheeks, but to categorize them as embarrassment or anger was too difficult to do. 

From a distance away, he could see Matsukawa and Hanamaki walking towards them. To prevent their ruthless jokes, he knocked Oikawa on the shoulder and walked backwards into the gym. “Text me when you’re done, okay?” 

“You’re not my babysitter,” He sang, but Iwaizumi knew he would. Oikawa left, bidding a quick good-bye to his #2 and #3. 

“Where’s he going off to? Practice is starting,” Matsukawa asks. 

“He has some trip to some laboratory,” Iwaizumi says. He’s light on the details, but he does remember all the things Oikawa told him about the place. It was an up-and-coming research facility in Sendai, and they were doing amazing things about genetics and DNA. Iwaizumi cares about biology to the extent he has to, but he really couldn’t care less about animals and their adaptations. . 

(“They have a bunch of experiments about insects, maybe I’ll take photos of the one that looks most like you–”

“Shut your mouth, Trashykawa!”)

As they take a break, Iwaizumi checks his phone.

ooooh minnie is writing a haikyuu fic!! will it ever finish who knowsss

but spiderman!oikawa fic in progress :3

[mrporg]

Today I want to celebrate Minny, a fictional character who I am very fond of despite the fact that they have so few voiced lines. Their perky personality and the way they says "ooookay" always makes me smile.

Here's the entirety of their lines:

"Oookay! Engaging retro-thrusters... now!"

"Lunar transfer station Tacoma. Commercial cargo transit facility."

"Crew... evacuated. Station AI... offline!"

"Breathable air on Tacoma for a crew of one should more than sufficient. Docking now!"

"Docked!"

"Oookay!"

"Ship is ready to depart! Please strap in to the pilot seat!"

"Oookay! Getting ready!"

"Hosted AI... online!"

Together with Amy, I'm sure they make a kickass duo on all their adventures!

Here's my favourite interaction:

Odin is such a bore in comparison.

Just kidding, you're pretty cool too, Odin ;)

[flickynightdarkness]

Incorrect Quotes with my Disney/House Of Mouse OCs Ares and his bed of lambs

Ares: What? Not my lambs. [hugs his lambs] They've always been so loyal to me!

Daisy: But do you want to stay at this club?

Ares: [narrows eyes] Yes

Daisy: Then I'm afraid they'll be no more lambs

Ares: [tears in his eyes] All right, my children. You've got to go. I [sobs] can't keep you anymore!

Unnamed lamb of the bed: Ok Ares sir!

[The children all follow Minnie Mouse]

Ares: No, don't resist. This is how it has to be

[Ares begans crying as he watches his lambs walk away. Mickey, looking awkward and pats him in the shoulder]

[Hades and Dr Facilier get into an elevator, the lamb bed, Pain and Panic attempt to follow but Faciler blocks the flock with his cane]

Hades: Hold it here! [to Pain and Panic] You both are gonna watch those "cheerful cuties" and have em guard the front until i return

[Pain and Panic both salute and the lift ascends]

Unnamed lamb of the bed: Oh look. August is up here [points to the lift which August is inside, pounding on the glass]

Unnamed lamb of the bed: We have names?

[The lift reaches the top and opens, where Hades, Facilier and August walk out. August sees two other villains being Maleficent and Jafar enter. August watches in wonder. Chernabog stomps over her, which makes her move out of his way and falls over to the floor. August follows them in and stands near Hades' seat. Grimhilde, who was sitting next to Maleficent turns to look at August who is staring and waves at her with a smile]

August: [waves at Grimhilde] Your really pretty! By the way, why do you have a crown on your head? Does that make you [gasps] a Queen?

[Grimhilde transforms into an old hag and then cackles at August. August becomes startled, then hides behind Hades' seat]

[As many of the villains leave except for Hook, Smee, Shan Yu, Jafar and Maleficent, who go to an another room. As for August, Hades noticed her walking up to the lift]

Hades: Hey fuzzball. Yeah you, I'm talking to you, c'mere. I got a small job for you.

August: Oh. Yes dear god of the Underland!

Hades: Go follow those villain fellas here and fetch out this gold scarab beetle in here

[August salute and gives chase to the other villains who are in the other room]

[Scene changes to rest of the lamb bed attacking Pain and Panic while their yelling in pain]

[The elevator door opens and Hades is waiting for the lamb August to return after grabbing the gold scarab beetle. She was about to join the others when Hades stops her]

Hades: So, did you get the beetle

August: First, I manage to grab onto it, but they all saw what I was doing so, the pirate grabbed his sword, swiping it at me. Then I jump on top of the pirate's hat and ran fast to the lift, but i was stopped by a staff, but the top of it looked like a snake with red... eyes, and while i stare at the snake's eyes

Hades: And what was the last thing you did

August: ...tried to snap out of it–

Hades: Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah. Let's just keep this whole gold beetle thing [grabs August by the chest] between us. You... and me. Deal? [reaches his hand out]

August: Deal, dear god from the Underland! [reaches her hand out]

[Blue flames rise from Hades' arm, then it surrounds the entire place until it goes out]

[Scene changes to Ares getting ready for bed in his home with his bed of lambs in pyjamas]

Ares: Ah! How was your day with... Hades, my lambs?

August: It was awesome Ares, I went to this meeting and there was a Queen, a pirate and a literal demon!

Ares: Mmm, that's nice!

August: And the pirate grabbed out his sword when I grabbed a golden beetle from the top! And I... was not supposed to talk about it.

[Ares clearly doesn't understand about this]

Ares: Oh. I'm pretty sure that you'll might see the club tomorrow, but now is time for sleep. Goodnight my sheep.~

[The lambs walk to Ares and cuddle together as August yawns to sleep]

[hearted-anon]

i wrote a whole big essay on this and it got DELETED (im sobbing)

but im back on the grind!! here’s what i figured out!

with a quick Google search of “the hadal blacksite” (i should’ve just done this originally???) the fic is based on a Roblox game names pressure! “The Hadal Blacksite is a testing facility constructed by Urbanshade to conduct experiments and testing.”

fits like a glove! so inspiration: ✅

now- 811 and 28 are NOT minsung- so using the power of elimination, i think they’re innie and minnie (their names rhyme so cute) now, ill be honest, its kinda hard for me to decide who’s who- but im gonna take a shot in the dark and say 811 is innie and 28 is minnie.

now…for changbin…

ill be honest, i was kinda avoiding him because i know how much you love him and i didn’t want to be WRONG.

but…149 and 229 are the ones calling out to me for him. YES 229 IS CALLING OUT TO ME BECAUSE HIS ARMS ARE BIG. SUE ME. but i think that would be fitting and really funny. but 149 getting bored easily is also very fitting…but- now that minho and han are back on the table- it could be either of them too.

so…here’s my list. (most is this is probably wrong- but this is a work in progress!! ill get there eventually!)

251: han

811: innie (interchangeable with minnie)

159: felix

149: minho (??)

28: seungmin

203: hyunjin

310: chan

229: binnie

PLEASE let me know if im at least a little close!! this is so fun- and im gonna solve this mystery!!! <3

-🍓

AHHH I love this so much nonnie >0<

yes, this is based off the roblox game: pressure, the game's been on my mind LOTS lately haha

3/8 of those there were right, and it's alright if you get Changbin wrong, I enjoy seeing you come up with all these theories they make my heart flutter so much my gosh

but I will confirm 203 is Hyunjin here! because of you, each subject will be revealed by backstory, stay tuned ;)

[unmeinoakaito]

Cara F.

Voglio ricordarti così: con il tuo sorriso, la tua voglia di essere ancora un'eterna Peter Pan, la tua voglia di stare al fianco delle persone a cui hai amato e sempre pronta ad aiutare chi aveva più bisogno, tra cui me!

Voglio avere un bel ricordo di te.

Voglio ricordarmi di te quando vedrò le serie turche e penserò che anche tu come me amavi guardarle.

Voglio ricordarmi di te, quando guarderò un cartone animato della Disney e pensare al tuo amore per questi film, che ancora oggi ti regalavano la spensieratezza che ti caratterizzava.

Ne abbiamo passate tantissime insieme, ci divertivamo a chiacchierare, forse troppo perché come diceva tuo fratello "avete le lingue come un treno. Non tacete mai.

Mi ricorderò di te quando sarò in camera mia, e vedrò quella Minnie Mouse gigante che mi hai regalato due anni fa per il mio compleanno. È stato uno dei più bei regali che ho ricevuto, lo hai sempre saputo che amo i peluche.

Ricordo quando la domenica mattina ci vedevamo a pranzo, e ti portavo il mio quaderno con i disegni due avevo fatto in settimana e te li mostravo.

Ricordo quando eri così felice, che siamo andati al ristorante di pesce, che tu pazzamente amavi, perché rarissime volte uscivi, per via della depressione degli ultimi tempi. Sembravi una bambina sotto l'albero il giorno di Natale.

Inizialmente non andavamo d'accordo perché io sono fredda caratterialmente e in generale non sopporto il genere umano, e spesso sono scontrosa con le persone nuove, che conosco poco, perché ho sofferto tanto in passato, ed aprirmi non è più stato facile per me.

Ma poi tra noi è scattato quel qualcosa che ci ha reso unite e complici in tutto e per tutto, come fanno due sorelle.

Ciao F. spero che raggiungerai un posto meraviglioso dove portare la tua solarità, anche se ultimamente ti aveva abbandonata, ma che ora riavrai.

Ciao F. ti ricorderò sempre con immenso affetto, proprio come se fossi la mia sorella maggiore.

Un giorno, spero con tutto il cuore che ci rivedremo e so che continueremo le nostre chiacchierate, come se nulla fosse minimamente cambiato.

Ciao.

@unmeinoakaito (Ven 23.08.24 h 11:48) // @unmeinoakaito

[plumbus-central]

doodle dump #5

[cutest-bunny-writings]

The Missing Paper Clause; Chapter 4: Feminine Attachment Hypothesis

Warnings: referring to people as specimens, forced wake up from a comatose state, discussion and suspicions of kidnapping, panic, mentions of PTSD, amnesia, thoughts of the development of emotional attachment through gender bias/preference, some swearing

The Missing Paper Clause Chapter Index

You watch carefully as the newest specimen is roused from his comatose state, he doesn’t seem too thrilled about it, but that’s to be expected in a case like this.

Since they won’t tell you where they got this one, you think it’s safe to assume that he has likely been stolen from a medical facility, likely far away from the compound. Which means transportation could’ve been anything from submarine travel to flight. It’s unlikely he would’ve been in the truck the whole time because that would risk the possibility of them being followed and you noticed the truck didn’t have a super great temperature control for the back.

You notice the wild expression on the guy’s face when he sits up frantically to look around. You try to remain passive in the moment to not accidentally alert anyone to your suspicions of where they might’ve gotten this guy.

You continue to watch as Jimin uses his gentle touch to get the guy to lay back down, so he can start hooking him up to all the machinery and check the vitals.

The heart rate reads as what can only be described as the result of extreme stress only seen in kidnapping victims and people with very severe PTSD. You’ll have to investigate later.

You watch as Jimin goes over to his little station in the room and scribbles something onto a paper before stuffing it in his pocket.

The screening process takes a rather decent amount of time because physical and psychological tests need to be administered, everything needs to be written down. And you’ll be damned if you don’t ever get your hands on the notes from this screening process.

You didn’t mean to do it when you saw the guy turn his head towards the glass, which the specimens can see through, but you made eye contact with him and he seemed to calm down a lot.

I’m the only woman here. Perhaps, he has stronger emotional attachments to those of the female gender or female presenting, likely a result of strong attachment to a mother figure in his life. He seemed to have calmed down a bit when he saw Minnie’s face too, and he has relatively feminine features. I wonder how he will react to Yoongi or Taehyung.

Yoongi is another resident nurse but he has a slightly higher status and thus higher access in certain areas. He’s kind of like Jimin with slightly feminine features and a pleasant face, but he has a little bit of a resting bitch face (and you’ve told him that).

Taehyung is like the absolute one-eighty compared to Jimin and Yoongi. He’s masculine and has that scary ‘I’m gonna whoop your ass if you step out of line face.’ If he and this guy meet, you figure having someone he recognizes in the room with him will at least help him calm down a little. Taehyung’s also scarier because he’s probably the creepiest surgeon you’ve ever met.

The guy doesn’t want to look away once he’s seen you and it gets you wondering if he’s in the process of developing an emotional attachment to you, which he likely is.

You’ve noticed he keeps asking things like “what happened?” and “where am I?” which is a pretty good indicator that he doesn’t know anything else. Which makes it very likely that he doesn’t know simple things like his name and his age or the deeper things like his emotional attachment to femininity.

Previous : Next

[deviltree]

So what cause Morty to join the Faith of SHulpe, and what monster does he want to eat the most?

So, Morton Wells belongs to my GM, @arsarcane , but let me pop the explanations under a readmore because I LOVE this character

So, the campaign is very horror-movie inspired, starting off at a summer camp. The cast was decently extensive, but for this, all you need to know about is Minerva, Morty, Morty's Best Friend/secret hookup Quill, and surprisingly, Minnie's dad Killian, who belongs to my friend @systematic-shark

The camp, of course, had a serial killer aaaall up in it. Also a secret government facility. And one of the formless werewolf creatures from the moon. It was ALSO inescapable. Cool! First night, there's a big argument between several characters; it ended in Quill and Morty storming off in separate directions, and Minerva following Morty due to, uh, a huge crush that they had on him. And that's when Minerva found the body. Quill had been murdered via axe. Fast forward, serial killer shenanigans, we learn it wasn't one of the campers, which was great. Especially because Morton was a suspect due to coming back covered in blood (in his grief, he tried to scoop Quill's intestines back into his body. Didn't work very well.) Quill got resurrected at least two different ways, we got a radio signal out to VASCU, we were saved. Sometimes, though, your parents are sometimes-christians, and only pray in crisis. Morty's family was like that. They promised their boy to god if only he would be returned. He was. He kissed Minerva once before they split for the night, and promised to call in the morning. Minnie never got that call.

Turned out, Morton was shipped to Montana to live with his great uncle--and Minerva, who is VERY psychic for reasons I will explain in a paragraph or so--started having strange erotic/horrifying dreams about Morty Doing An Cannibalism. Minnie being Minnie, these turned out to actually be true. Morty's uncle was the God of a sect of Faithful in Montana. Around this time, Minnie's dad also started acting cagey--he knew something.

They met up at the water tower two weeks later, and Morton confessed everything, along with the line 'your dad has killed and eaten way more people than I have', along with 'i have to go be God now" and a refusal to allow Minnie to give him a promise ring. (Minnie's powers are moooostly due to the fact that her dad ate people. He was part of an Irish sect, the Church of Saint Luke, and, well. A lot of that is Systematic-Shark's to explain but suffice it to say that you are what you eat, and that does breed true.) As to what he wants to eat the most, God I'm hoping the answer is Minnie. I like the drama of that.

[the-jade-jester27]

got some new heros for my collection

(singular intros for HeartBeat, Mimey, and Mimic under cut)

HeartBeat, Aka Irisa Ann'theios , is an alien from the planet Qril who came to earth when she was just a baby. HeartBeat's powers consist of controlling soundwaves, often using her powers to locate enemies, temporarily deafen opponents, and causing tremors by launching a large amount into the ground at once. Irisa is still adjusting to normal human life, having been locked up in a science facility to be studied for most of her life, but thus far she loves experimenting with cooking with the most wild combinations ever

Mimey, Aka Marcel Adams, is a professional dancer turned hero after they unlocked their powers. Mimey's abilities are creating(EX. a wall, hammer, rope) invisible objects, these objects are very durable and only exist as long as she's touching them. Marcel has a wide range of hobbies like jugging, painting, gymnastics, making balloon animals, and party planning

Mimic, Aka Will Wright, was an ordinary person until they found the symbiote Mimic(who he dubs Minnie when heroing). Mimics main abilites beside the basic morphing is that Minnie can fully morph into other people and mimic voices. Will themselves enjoy carving tiny statues of people and building computers.

both Bolt and Viper do not have intro art as of now(Viper does not even have a name rn tbh, suggestions welcome) without much lore but Bolt is a trans speedster I had a dream about that one time and Viper is a mutant who can turn anyone who looks her in the eyes to stone

I will be putting all of these characters on my artfight!

[ranger-rai]

There's More to You pt.4

Rai's whole world was engulfed in bright pink light as he felt the pull into this doorway as though he was freefalling while standing up. He tried to look around for Bliss, Minnie and Tia but there was just too much pink as he saw an even brighter flash of white approaching and the intensity of the doorways pull getting even more powerful as he covered his eyes and let out a yelp in reaction.

*Ding*

Rai heard as he lowered his hands from his face and opened his eyes slowly.

His eyes were met with a far less harsh white light, much more like LED lights, still obnoxious but bearable as he noticed faces staring at him, some even chuckling.

As his eyes adjusted, he identified his surroundings as some kind of elevator that was filled with his friends, the scruffy haired jab worker, and a couple of those masked forces.

Rai heard snickering from somewhere he expected as he looked over to Minnie at his side, getting a kick at his awkward entrance. 

He then heard some muffled snickers and chuckles coming from a few guards, causing him to become a bit annoyed, ready to have some kind of snappy comeback, however his annoyance would turn into embarrassment as even the usually stoic Tia was letting out some giggles. Rai wasn't as annoyed but was feeling a blush cross his face.

“Don't feel too embarrassed. A lot of people don't know how to react to their first portal. It's just a little funny seeing a reaction like that from you of all people.”  The scruffy haired scientist explained.

Rai wondered what he meant by that, however he wouldn't have a lot of time to dwell on this thought as the elevator rose past the blank walls that they had been viewing on their way up, as they now felt like they had been shot upwards into a whole new world.

The Rangers and Athlete stood in awe as they saw what looked like a large, interconnected biosphere-like enclosure more than double, maybe triple the size of any structure they had seen.

Tia had been to her fair share of sporting venues and arenas, while Rai and Minnie had been to many major rehabilitation facilities, natural biomes, and enrichment compounds, but they were far less complex and much smaller in size.

There were mountain ranges that made Mt. Silver and Coronet look pitiful by comparison. 

The different types of environments were perfectly structured, with many different types of pokemon inhabiting them so peacefully.

The mountains could be seen eventually crossing into forested areas, with streams flowing into lakes. Beaches having long strands of sand eventually become deserts and not a single sign of disharmony. 

Every Pokemon seemed to have enough space for roaming, resources, food, and even the weather, which was perfectly centered and balanced to their individual needs.

They were all in amazement, with Rai being the most excited as he pushed himself against the glass, really observing and noting how so many different species of pokemon were able to coexist in such an amazing place.

His surprise grew as the elevator stopped in midair before shifting into horizontal movement, knocking the newcomers off their feet, with Rai and Tia falling into each other and Minnie falling into a guard, getting close enough to make out just barely an eye, with a familiar and haunting look to it.

As everyone regained their footing, Rai and Tia engaging in a rather embarrassing display of awkwardness, they were all once again in awe of the fact that they were moving over the entire facility, able to see pokemon, landscapes and life happening in just a trip in an elevator.

“This is only but a fraction of what we have built here, but you should consider yourselves extremely lucky as very few people get to visit the “The Jar.” The scientist explained as he waved his hand in the air to make a virtual console appear, to which he swiped and pressed a few things before the omni-vator slowed and changed its course.

Minnie had finally gotten over her amazement to finally snap at the scientist, asking what was the point in dragging them here, they seemed like they had everything they needed, and usually people who have a ton of armed guards aren't always up to something good.

He responded that the guards were to protect the valuable assets of the facility. However, they can be a bit gung-ho when visiting new locations, but they mean well.

Minnie looked over the guards, not feeling much better at this explanation.

“As for why we needed you all.” He added.

“We don't.”

Everyone was confused at this statement.

“We only needed him.” The scientist explained as he pointed to Rai.

Rai was pretty shocked at this statement, as he tried to rationalize the whole thing with Minnie trying to get more answers, causing a bit of a ruckus in the small elevator, which had gone dimmer as they had entered a tunnel, leaving behind the light of the beautiful biosphere.

He felt his back against the wall, trying to assess the situation as the omni-vator had slowed to a stop with the door being at his back.

“Ok, I'm not too sure what you mean by all of this, but I'm not that important. I-i’m just a normal ranger from Sinnoh who loves pokemon.” Rai began rambling while Minnie continued to struggle and make the enclosed space more inhospitable. 

“I think everyone would feel a lot better if we talked this out, maybe over a nice cup of-” Rai tried to rationalize and negotiate some level of peace in the chaos, with him slowly backing out of the enclosed area, only for him to collide with another body, causing both it hit the ground with the contents of the other individuals bag spilling all around.

Rai began apologizing profusely, not noticing the comotion dying down as he began shuffling around to pick up papers, pencils, and a pair of glasses that weren't his, as he returned them to their owner, his eyes widening as the owner placed his glasses back on his face.

As he rose to his feet everyone could get a better view at this spectacled individual, aside from a shorter, more tidy haircut, and a more professional dress style, this individual was an exact match for Rai.

[anonymouspuzzler]

Hmmm… what’s the most successful job that they’ve ever had, both before and after Minnie came along? Successful can mean anything

most of their jobs are pretty low-key and unimpressive (think, like, stealing groceries), but every once and a while they steal experimental tech or supplies to keep the mech/Davey's arm/etc running smoothly, which is pretty impressive! probably the best example was the first job they did when they started officially working together - long story short, they had to infiltrate and rob a pretty highly secure facility so Buck could pay off a debt to Dr. Practis. The fact that they were able to pull it off by working together was a major factor in them deciding to partner up long-term (and in turn, them hooking up romantic style).