#flourish moon you make my heart flourish

[lv-iceprince]

Wake up new kpop group just dropped called NOMAD.

I like their aesthetic its giving early 2000s nsync but also 2000s final fantasy characters idk.

https://youtube.com/shorts/U-MPxQPektA?si=seuzQd5goR2xjJhT

After a few months of getting into kpop fr fr, I need some girl groups to latch onto. Any recs? You know my taste in music like the back of your hand at this point

Oh hey boo, legit just saw this 😭😭😭

ALSO I just had a look at NOMAD after I found this other group that debuted like literally just now XLOV man I love both groups so much. Thank you so much for telling me about NOMAD they really are so magical I can't explain it at all besides what you said.

But you came to the right person, because man I have some good ones.

I'll split it into 3 categories:

Cute n Lovesick:

FIFTY FIFTY- Everyone knows them for Cupid but SOS is so beautiful and its so modern cottage core fairy

Weeekly- They are so so adorable and again they just scream you

STAYC- Modestly cute? Like there is something so reserved about the cute that again is just you. Very elegant.

IZ*ONE- Legends, they disbanded but still so cool, they are an experience to listen to

ALICE- They debuted as ELRIS and they are so sweet, they did have a new song last year so I think they're still going. The members are genuinely cool in this group.

Sporty Spice:

MADEIN- Like your chill cool cousins in group aesthetic and member personalities

fromis_9- Whenever I talk to you I hear a fromis_9 song in my mind

LOONA- I don't listen to them that much but they do have some brilliant songs, they're also slightly mythical baddie but the sportiness is so vivid

izna- Basically if Nerissa wasn't in Enhypen she would be in izna 100%

Mythically Baddie:

XG- Definitely rap centric but they are a treat and a half they've got culture and music for sure- They're a Japanese group formed by a kpop company.

GFRIEND- More fairy mythical than baddie but in my heart these are the og cool girls- they disbanded but still such a genuinely good group. They did have a mini comeback with a new song Season of Memories but I think they are still disbanded

PURPLE KISS- I don't mention them that much but the consistency in their vocals and themes are underrated and god tier Zombie was my personality when it came out. And I know you'd appreciate them too.

f5ve- There is something so nostalgic about them almost like music that would feature on some old anime. It's such a fun time they are jpop so not kpop but they are so quirky and cool and I think you'd appreciate it since you also get it you know.

Dreamcatcher- If SKZ and ATEEZ had a gg baby.

Saur I think this is it buddy but I'll 100% let you know if I think of others!

[lv-iceprince]

AHHHH THIS IS IT YOU'RE SO MAGICAL FR

Couple Exploring City aesthetic for @lv-iceprince

[logansdoll]

jim beam

navigating life in a new universe was already a bit of a struggle for Logan... and Wade just had to make it worse (or far, far, far better) by giving him a "house-warming gift".

CW: suggestive, profanity, takes place after the events of Deadpool 3, Wade is actually really hard to write for, Logan deserves the world, comfort, angst if you squint, etc.

"Honey, I'm home!" Wade loudly sang, kicking open the door to Logan's apartment with a dramatic flourish.

"Fuck me," Logan groaned from his spot on the couch, closing his eyes and allowing his head to lull back with annoyance.

This defeated the entire purpose of why he got his own apartment in the first place.

To avoid these types of interactions with the most persistently, consistently annoying asshole in the entire multiverse.

"Now, now, is that any way to talk to the friend who's about to bring your long lost lover back from the dead?" Wade tutted, skipping into the living room, taking notice of the bottle of liquor resting in Logan's hand.

'So it's that kinda morning...'

"Jim Beam at 10 am on a Tuesday?" he noted, "Well, I guess it's five o'clock nowhere... so have at it."

"What did you just say?" Logan sat up straight, brows furrowed as he focused on Wade's previous statement.

"Alcoholics everywhere salute you for taking your liver where no organ has gone before."

"Wade."

"I'm honestly starting to believe you do it for the love of the game rather than the expositional, look how sad he is plot device the author is currently using... I mean, seriously? Can we skip past all this bullshit and get to the—"

Quickly, Logan grabbed him by the front of his suit, yanking him closer with an angrily confused expression.

"If anything besides a goddamn answer comes out of your mouth... I will stab you in the face," he growled, spelling out each syllable to further his point. "What the hell do you mean bring her back from the dead?"

To Logan, you were everything

The sun. The moon. The air. The clouds.

Despite seeing all the horrible thing he'd done, and knowing firsthand just how much of an asshole he could be, you still smiled at him.

No matter how many times he pushed you away, you were relentless.

Keeping his room together while he was away finding himself.

Making him meals when you noticed he he'd gone without eating.

Forcing him to take breathers after intense sessions in the Danger Room.

For the longest, he couldn't wrap his head around someone like you caring about a jackass like him.

Until he got fed up and just outright asked.

But, as if nothing, you answered:

"Your past makes think you don't deserve love, Logan," you started, crossing your arms over your chest as you leaned up against the counter. "You storm around here with a rude ass attitude and a smart mouth hoping to convince me of that... but if anything, you're only making it worse for yourself."

You smiled, looking up at him with a glint in your eye that sent shocks running down his spine.

"Because in my heart of hearts I know you're a man who wants care and attention, just like everybody else."

With a chuckle, you rested a hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"And I'll keep shovin' dinners down your throat until you realize that."

Despite having everyone else fooled, you saw right through him, and true to your word, you didn't give up.

With every made bed, every meal, every conversation, Logan felt himself falling deeper into your charm, and over a glass of Jim Beam did he finally realize that he was in love with you.

But, like everything else he cared about in this world, you were taken away from him.

Unable to find your body in the rubble of the mansion, he looked high and low, quite literally going to the ends of the Earth to find you.

But after years of searching with nothing to show for it, he returned to the bottle, drowning himself in sorrow and regret.

Or, at least... until now.

"Well, according to the manual, she's not exactly dead, but she is unconscious," Wade answered, matter-of-factly.

"Unconscious?" Logan's brows furrowed, still quite confused.

Freeing himself from the man's grip, Wade stood up, going back around the couch and pulling out a small tablet from his pocket.

"See, I've noticed your humble abode could use a little sprucing, so I went back to our buddies at the TVA and kindly reminded them that you saved the multiverse and, godammnit, you deserve a reward."

"Get to the fuckin' point, jackass," Logan spat, turning to face him.

"So they sent some men back to your universe and found your girl!" Wade cheered, opening up a portal and reaching his hand in, pulling out a cryo-chamber with you inside.

The moment Logan's eyes met your sleeping face, all color and vibrancy seemed to return to the world.

He was at a loss for words.

You were here... not some dream or hallucination of guilt... but actually, truly, physically here.

"Apparently, some science fuckers were keeping her in a black site and testing to see how long she could go without aging. I won't bore you with the details," Wade explained, pulling out a small knife from his boot. "Now, let's break this bad boy open and meet the future Mrs. Wolverine!"

Before Logan could stop him, Wade stabbed the keypad at the side of the chamber, opening the door and sending you falling forward.

In an instant, Logan dropped his bottle and leaped over the couch, catching you just before you could face-plant on the hardwood floor.

"Watch it!" Logan roared, less than happy that you'd only been there for about three minutes and Wade had already almost broken your nose.

"I am so sorry!" Wade gasped, his hands slapping his cheeks in shock. "I didn't think she'd actually fall out the chamber when they told me she'd fall out the chamber... Nice save, though, Romeo."

Turning you over, Logan cupped your cheek, the chill of your skin already beginning to warm.

But you were still out cold, limp in his grasp as he held you close to his chest.

"She's not waking up..." Logan noticed, brows furrowed. "Why the hell isn't she waking up?"

"Easy there, tiger. They told me how long it takes varies from person to person," Wade assured, shutting the portal. "Some take minutes, others hours. It could be a couple of days before she even opens her eyes."

An expression of solemnity slid over Logan's face as he gazed over yours, your skin still so flesh colored, it looked as if you were sleeping.

Just as soft and tender as he remembered.

And he had full intentions on keeping it that way.

Tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, he ghosted his hand over your cheek.

In that moment, he swore to himself that he'd never leave you again.

He'd be a friend, a bodyguard, a lover, whatever you wanted, but no matter his title, anything that wanted to harm you would have to do so over his dead body.

And even then he'd force himself to get back up and fight.

This world was giving him a second chance at life, a second chance at a life with you, and he'd be damned if he let anything ruin it.

Suddenly, you took in an aggressive gasp, scaring the shit out of Wade as your eyes snapped open.

"Holy fucking shit nuggets!" he jolted, jumping from his spot across he room as Logan allowed his shoulders to sink, mumbling a quiet thanks to whatever god or deity brought you back to him.

Feeling a strong set of arms cradling you, you looked up, solace setting into your bones at the sight of the familiar man before you, who was unable to stop the few joyful tears escaping his eyes.

"Logan—"

Without a moment's hesitation, his lips were on yours, making up for what felt like a lifetime of loss by dumping all of his passion, all of his love, all of his devotion into one Earth shattering kiss.

You melted into it seamlessly, your hand finding home in his scruffy hair as he pulled you flush against him, clutching you with a death grip.

Donning a cheeky smile under his mask, Wade turned away to give you both a moment, thought not without making a crude sex gesture behind his back.

'I don't think Miss (Y/N)/Girl Sitting At Home Reading This is gonna be able to walk tomorrow...'

With a gasp, the two of you separated, Logan's hand raising to cup your cheek, relishing how easily you leaned into him.

"(y/n)... I thought I lost you," he panted, his eyes scouring over your face, committing every detail to memory.

"For a while, you did," you sighed with a grin, carding a hand through the few gray strands in his hair, before comparing them to your own. "Time looks good on you."

He chuckled, quietly relieved you still found him attractive after all these years.

Sitting up, you wrapped your arms around him and pulled the man into a bone crushing hug, nuzzling your face into the crook of his neck.

"I'm not really sure what happened... or how I'm alive..." you weakly laughed, starting to get choked up. "But I know that if you go out drinking without me ever again, I'm putting your head on a spike."

Instantly, Logan's arms wrapped around your waist, holding you reverently as if he let go for one moment, the powers that be would part him from you.

"I swear on my life... I'll never let anyone hurt you again."

[n0cturn4]

Character: Adult!Damian Wayne x Reader Summary: “I offer you my heart,” he murmured, his voice now an intimate whisper. “And the freedom to do with it as you will.” Word Count: 1185 Music: Habibi

It was a night of scorching heat in the infinite desert, where the sky, dotted with stars, reflected the glow of a fate written long before the birth of kingdoms. In the palace of Al-Nadir, grand and carved in marble and gold, Prince Damian Wayne, now a grown man, wandered silently through its vast corridors. His firm steps echoed like a whisper of responsibility and power. Damian, the prince who carried the weight of two legacies within him, had always been an enigma, a man made of shadows and steel. But that night, something beyond the throne unsettled him. He felt an emptiness, an absence that neither gold nor glory could fill.

The festival of Al-Nadir pulsed like a living heart in the city below, where the people celebrated, and the arts flourished under the desert heat. On that special night, dancers from all corners came to showcase their talents, but there was one in particular, a presence that stood out among all, like a rare flower in the sands of destiny.

And then he saw her.

You, a dancer whose movements seemed to defy the very stars. Your feet glided across the stage like a gentle breeze over the dunes, and your eyes, burning and mysterious, revealed stories that words could never contain. Your body, adorned with veils and jewels that shimmered in the torchlight, moved with a grace that did not belong to this world. Every gesture, every curve of your body was silent poetry, a promise of freedom and power.

Damian, a man accustomed to hiding his emotions, felt his heart waver. The serenity he always carried like armor shattered before your dance. He, a prince of steel, was captivated by a flame he did not understand but could not ignore.

When the music ceased and the applause echoed, Damian knew he had to meet you. He ordered to be taken to you, not with the arrogance of a prince, but with the curiosity of a man before a mystery he longed to unravel. In the palace’s private gardens, beneath the shadows of exotic trees, he waited. The sound of water running through the fountains was the only noise besides his own heartbeat.

You arrived, your eyes raised, firm and fearless, as enigmatic as your dance. There was no fear in your posture, only calm curiosity, as if you knew this encounter was inevitable.

“You called for me, Your Highness?” your voice was a thread of silk, as soft as the night breeze.

Damian tilted his head, his green eyes analyzing you as if he could read your soul through every subtle movement.

“There is something in your dance,” he said, his voice deep and controlled, “something that goes beyond art. There’s a story behind every one of your movements. A battle... a freedom.”

Your lips curved into a slight smile, something enigmatic, like a moon partially veiled by clouds. You observed him with the same care, surprised by his insight.

“Every gesture I make carries the weight of my own story,” you replied. “Dancing is the only freedom I truly have.”

Damian stepped closer, his words like veiled promises in the warm night air. “What if I could offer you more than just that fleeting freedom? What if I could give you something greater?”

You raised an eyebrow, your eyes sparkling with curiosity. “What exactly would you offer me, Your Highness?”

He did not hesitate, his words were precise, like the arrows he so skillfully wielded. “A choice. Stay by my side. Not as a prisoner of my will, but as an equal. Someone who challenges my spirit and shares the burden of power with me. I see in you what few would—strength that deserves to be honored, not tamed.”

The night seemed suspended between you, the wind carrying only the echoes of something forming, something neither of you had anticipated.

“And if I accept this offer,” you asked, your tone low but filled with meaning, “what do I get in return, besides power and your wealth?”

Damian took another step closer, until his eyes, intense as the desert itself, penetrated yours.

“I offer you my heart,” he murmured, his voice now an intimate whisper. “And the freedom to do with it as you will.”

You stepped forward, reducing the distance that still remained between you. Your eyes, deep and mysterious, met his with firmness. It was like looking into a distorted mirror—you, the free dancer, and he, the chained prince. Two worlds so different, yet drawn to each other as if the universe had conspired for this moment.

“And what would you do, Prince,” you began, your voice flowing like a soft melody, “if I took your heart and turned it into my own dance? If I made it part of who I am?”

Damian smiled, a rare smile, almost imperceptible, carrying both melancholy and hope. There was something vulnerable in his stance, a man who had always been a fortress now lowering his defenses before a stranger, yet still, a soul he seemed to have known forever.

“Then,” he replied, with a soft gleam in his eyes, “I would become part of your freedom. Because in the end, there is no greater power than being in the hands of someone you trust.”

For a moment, the world around you seemed to stop. The sounds of the festival in the distance, the murmuring fountains, even the soft breeze among the leaves, all silenced in the intensity of that moment. The moon poured its silver light over the garden, as if the heavens were watching and approving of what was unfolding.

You stepped even closer, until you were so near that you could feel the heat emanating from his body, his presence strong and solid. Your fingers, delicate and skilled like in your dance, gently touched Damian's chest, right over where his heart beat. The touch was light, almost like a breeze, but the connection that formed was deep, instantaneous.

“Your freedom and mine are like two stars dancing in the sky, Prince,” you said softly. “I accept what you offer, but know that I will not be a silent companion. My soul is not meant to be contained.”

Damian breathed deeply, as if your words had the power to ignite something deep within him. His eyes never left yours for a moment.

“That is exactly why I chose you,” he murmured, his voice dense, full of promise. “I don’t want someone who bows, but someone who walks beside me. I want someone who challenges me, who makes me question the world as it is.”

You tilted your head slightly, studying him, as if deciphering the final secret hidden in his soul.

“Then, Prince Damian,” you said, a light smile on your lips, “we will dance together.”

And so, under the stars that silently watched, the bond between you was formed. The Prince of Al-Nadir, with his heart in the hands of a dancer, and you, with the promise of a love that could not be contained by borders or duties. The night, a silent witness, became the stage for the first act of a story that would defy fate and time.

And in that dance of souls and hearts entwined, Damian Wayne's world began to change, one step at a time.

[aurynsia]

Unrequited, Terrifying Chapter 2

James Potter x Reader

Summary: After receiving a mysterious letter left under your door, you begin to search for the culprit…

Warnings: Extremely fluffy, nervous!james x shy!reader, some subtle wolfstar action in the background, reader plays hard to get without intending to, idiots in love, potentially a slow burn, oc!friends, lovesick!james x salty!reader, no use of Y/N, reader is referred to with she/her pronouns, NOT EDITED!

Word count: 1.7K

Series Masterlist

Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

——————— ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ ———————

“Has anyone got any better ideas?” James asked, slumping against the wall of his dorm room with desperation plastered across his face. An hour into the school year and the Marauders were already failing in their attempts to woo James’ crush.

“I don’t know, Prongs. We’ve established that you can’t just approach the poor thing and ask her to marry you, THAT would be a horrible attempt at a relationship. You also can’t stalk her the entire year, that’s illegal.” Peter pondered, looking concentrated in thought. “James,” Remus broke his silence, “You’re a smart boy under that flirty exterior. You get good grades and you know how to write. Why don’t you just write down how you feel and pass it along?”

“Remus…you genius.” James replied with complete sincerity, dashing to hug the boy who might have just saved his chances with you. “That’s perfect! She won’t feel expected to respond, I can say all I need to say without tensing up around her, and I don’t even have to expose myself if she doesn’t like me back! It can be anonymous, yes!” James rambled as he searched his desk for a spare sheet of paper and a quill, ignoring the silent glances his friends gave to one another, teasing him mentally.

A sweet baby blue envelope was retrieved from his stack of correspondence material, lined on his desk as he began to write. “Looks like we don’t need to tell you what to say then, Prongsie?” Sirius commented to the quiet room as all four of them attended to their own business. James hummed in reply, tongue sticking out from his lips in concentration as his eyebrows dipped together. “Just have…to get this…right…” he murmured, pouring his heart out onto the paper.

Not too subtle, but refined, like a gentleman. Not too pushy, but still explicit in his feelings. Anonymous, but hinting at who your new secret admirer could possibly be. A flourish of shifting paper filled the quiet air as James tucked his note into the envelope, finally scribbling your name on the surface.

Stood in front of your dorm room, James shifted his weight from his left foot to his right as he weighed his options. Your uncharacteristic chatter could be heard from behind the wood, though all he could make out were his friends’ names and an unmistakably annoyed tone hung on your words.

“James” you continued, and his heart began to swim laps around his chest. You sounded confused and frustrated as you rambled on, allowing James to take a beat as he collected himself.

Your voice softened, and he took this as his call to action. He slipped the note beneath the door and pursued the safety of his own dorm before he could get caught.

——————— ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ ———————

“EHEM! ‘To the only creature I could ever admire,’” Charlie began her dramatic reading of the mysterious note left under your dorm room door. “I have the greatest honour in being met with your stunning eyes, soft skin and quiet personality everyday when I pass you in the hall. The classes I share with you are moments in which my heart flutters at the sound of your gentle voice. The intelligence you hold and your refined sensibility could never be matched by a boy like me-’ ooh it’s a boy!! Ehem, sorry…‘but this is my best effort at showing that I am worthy of your love. I’ve seen the beauty you hold behind those guarded walls and I would sell my soul to bathe in its light. Make me yours, and I’ll give you the moon, the sun, and the stars in the sky.’ Oh! And it’s signed, ‘Forever yours…’”

You were stunned into an impression of a statue, barely showing the rise and fall of your chest. Hope smirked at the deep blush hovering over your cheeks while Charlie caught her breath from her award-winning performance. The room was still, a curiosity lingering in the air as all three of you began to silently ponder, who could this mysterious suitor be?

“Well, it says here that he thinks you’re out of his league- oh, damn! That doesn’t narrow it down…” Charlie joked to ease the tension and a fit of giggles erupted from the surface of your bed. “If it were up to me, dear, I’d start crossing names off of a list!” Hope laughed, though her smile fell as you and Charlie looked at her with faces of realisation.

“That’s what we’ll do.” You spoke for the first time since the note arrived, “We’ll write down every boy who could fit this description and narrow down the options!” You said with a glint of determination in your eye.

“So you’re interested in this secret admirer?” Charlie smirked, though her face emitted a sense of hope. “If he can speak so honestly about all of this,” you gestured to the note, “then I believe his maturity might just be worth it.”

——————— ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ ———————

Four pairs of eyes locked on you as you entered the Great Hall for breakfast. James was visibly more flustered than the others, but the rest of them were equally as invested in your reaction to the note.

You and your friends sat down with quiet whispers and glances down the table. As your eyes passed over the group of trouble makers they immediately paid special interest to their plates of food. Sirius began to pick at his eggs, Peter at his fruit and Remus stole quick sips from his juice. James gulped around nothing as he stared at his reflection in his plate, willing the bright flare of red occupying his face to fade away.

Once the three of you had moved your focus to a small huddle around your breakfast, the selection of Gryffindor boys immediately returned to ogling. “Can any of you see what they’re doing? Is that a quill in her hand?” Peter questioned. You shared quick giggles with your friends that disrupted the secrecy of your activity. The Marauders couldn’t quite place what you were doing, but they knew it would have something to do with the letter.

“An eye for mischief that one has, Prongs, what a cheeky couple you’d make- Ouch!” Sirius was interrupted by a sharp kick from his best friend under the table, though James’ eyes never left your frame.

Suddenly, your group took on faces of empathy, severity and concern, glancing at each other from your hunched positions. You trained your gaze on the boys who were discussing you, once again causing them to occupy themselves with the activities of breakfast.

After a lingering stare, you shifted back to the safety of your team and resumed your actions with a resolved expression.

“What do you think that was all about- Ow Prongs, what the bloody hell did I do?”

——————— ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ ———————

You gently opened the doors to the Great Hall, quill and notebook tucked behind your back. Charlie and Hope accompanied you to seats by the Gryffindor table, glancing over the potential perpetrators of last night’s events.

With a final look over your eligible bachelors, you sat down and began to work, sheltered by your friends. “I think this is pretty much the entire male cohort of Gryffindor…” you giggled breathlessly, pondering the dense list of names placed in front of you. Charlie and Hope joined in on your humour, scanning the list to double check your memory, then glancing around once more.

“Oh…um, w-well,” Charlie started, “there is one group we haven’t quite considered yet…” You and Hope turned towards the girl, who glared at you with an uncharacteristically subtle, mental comment. All three of you turned to face the Marauders, who were busy devouring their plates full of breakfast.

Your gaze lingered on each one. Sirius was no match for your intelligence and humility. You were certainly out of Peter’s league. Remus could convey that quiet poeticism that made you blush when the note was read out. James was always unpredictable. He did succeed in classes and he could potentially feel intimidated by your presence, or he could just be a dickhead. Either way, all four boys were, unfortunately, eligible suspects.

You returned to your coven of secrecy, hunched forms plotting over your notebook. You listed the boys below the pre-existing list of Gryffindor inhabitants that you shared classes with. ‘Sirius, Peter, Remus, James.’

——————— ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ ———————

Potions class finally arrived as the sun threatened to set in the faded sky. James rushed to his seat, close enough to you to feel sickeningly sweet without making it too weird. He wasn’t being too weird about all of this, right? No, the note was the right approach.

You drifted airily to your seat a few minutes later, resting on the chair as you retrieved your equipment. James felt his heart fight against his chest, pushing to be released from his lovesick body. A goofy smile captured his expression as he gazed at the back of your head in a daze, eventually interrupted by the beginning of class.

Potions came and went, with James struggling to keep his good grades with you just grazing the edges of his eye line. As the class began to fizzle away, and books found themselves tucked in bags or hugged towards chests, James decided this was his chance. Making his way to the front of the class, he smirked with confidence as he attempted to ask for his grade on the most recent assignment.

As he approached the teacher’s desk, he quickly dropped a folded note on your desk as you leaned into your bag on the opposite side. He promptly began his banter as you returned upright, watching as you curiously discovered the note in his peripheral vision.

“…Potter, you’ll get the grade at the same time as the rest of your class. Have some consideration for my free-time the next time you think to ask.” The professor’s words draw his attention back to their discussion, excusing himself with “Apologies, Professor! Have a good evening!” unusually happy for someone who just discovered they wouldn’t know their grade for at least another week.

As he swiftly moved towards his own belongings, a little bit too cocky for his own good and high on the success of his plan, he met a classmate’s back with a thump.

“Oh Merlin, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to…” He realised who he had run into, your sweet fingers pinching the note you had yet to open as you swivelled around to face him, curiously. “Um, I- I’m sorry!” He rambled as he inched past you, scooping up his belongings and dashing out of the classroom.

Bollocks.

——————— ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ ———————

A/N: TYSM for all the support on the first part! This chapter should hopefully move the story along so we can get to the real fluff >:3 As always, likes and reblogs are immensely appreciated! Comment for part 3 <3

[superficialdomina]

Down Under - Part 4

Word count: 2.9k

Part 2 Warnings: 18+; minors DNI. SMUT! Smutty smut! Masturbating (F). Orgasms (F). Thigh riding. Effects of sex-infection (and the inherent dub-con). If you want to avoid any of this, stop reading when we go to bed 😅

Part 3

Series masterlist

Image credit

Part 4

There wasn’t much to do, since you didn’t have much in the way of gear. You gathered a pile of firewood, then pulled large armfuls of bracken out of the bush to fashion a makeshift bed. It would hardly be comfortable, but it might be an improvement on the hard ground. While Loki arranged wood and stones into a campfire shape, you began collecting handfuls of dry leaf and twig.

“What are you doing, Agent?”

“Um… Just getting some kindling? I think I have a flint in my pack…”

Loki gave a low chuckle. He mimed the two-handed motion of pulling back a slingshot, and aimed it at the teepee-shaped pile. As he released the invisible draw, a small fireball materialised; it flew through the air and crashed into the logs, which generously burst into flames.

“Satisfactory, yes?”

More than that, you thought lustily. Your mouth twitched as you stared after him, skin warmed by more than just the fire. That shouldn’t have been so arousing. Right?

Twilight was fully settled by now, the sun well-and-truly below the tree line. Urgent tasks complete, the two of you seated yourselves on one side of the campfire, watching the dancing yellow-and-orange that licked up into the darkening sky.

“Are you hungry?” Loki asked.

Starving, you realised. “I already ate everything I was carrying.”

“Mmm,” he said, feigning consternation. With another graceful flourish of sparks, he produced a small loaf of dark, dense bread, and some hard cheese. You immediately began to salivate.

“Loki, you’re brilliant!”

His mouth curled, then he cleared his throat. “It is nothing. If we were better equipped,” he continued, as he hacked off chunks of bread and cheese with his dagger, “I would make us some lefse. But it is only truly delicious when fresh off the griddle.”

“Lefse. That’s – that’s bread, right?” you asked through a mouthful of the delicious, chewy rye.

“Tch. Is it bread.” He closed his eyes in fond memory. “If it is mere bread, it is the most soulful, delicate bread you have ever tasted; indeed, its grace and tenderness is tempered only by its humility.”

You stared at him for a moment, then burst out laughing. “That was very poetic, Loki.”

Loki opened his eyes to scowl at you, but his irises twinkled provocatively. “What can I say? I miss my homeland, and I am a romantic at heart.” He paused, light echoing off the semicircle of exposed skin at his neckline. “That is your second compliment to me in as many minutes.”

“I guess so.”

“Be careful, Agent – I might start to believe I am winning you over.” He chewed and swallowed another bite of cheese, and you were distracted, imagining his pretty mouth latched filthily to your nipple. “I have a small confession,” he said, settling down to gaze again at the fire. “I have visited your continent once before.”

You sat up. “What? When?”

He chuckled again. “A few hundred years ago, before the Europeans came. My mother insisted that I needed a vacation. I was interested in your wildlife… So I spent a few moons exploring it.”

“Where? Here?”

“The plains, mostly.” He smiled into the distance as he remembered. “The Wiradjuri people welcomed me to their Country; shared with me their dance and music. It was the season of ‘fat fish’; I recall we ate very well.”

You briefly hid your face in your hands. “So when I was spouting all that shit about the southern stars…”

“As I said – I am familiar.”

 “And you’ve never said anything to me?”

“I don’t believe we have ever conversed at length.”

You paused. It was true; in the time you’d known him, you’d never gone out of your way to speak to him. He was someone important, you’d always told yourself, and you were no-one. But it’s more than that, you thought, a little ashamed. You’d found him arrogant, and cold, and standoffish. Now, you thought of the way he had led you safely through each squeeze in that tunnel; he’d seen the fear on your face, and hadn’t hesitated to find a way to make it as tolerable for you as possible. And just now - I would make us some lefse…

“I… No, I suppose not.” You felt you owed him something honest in return. Or maybe it just seemed like a moment for truth-telling. “I – I didn’t want to come back. Home, I mean.”

“Oh?”

“I just… I guess I didn’t want to face some things I thought I’d left behind for good.”

His eyes narrowed knowingly. “I see. An old lover, perhaps?”

“Worse,” you made a face, “family. Family… differences.”

“Ah. I can relate.” He swallowed his last piece of cheese, then brushed his hands together to clear way the crumbs. “What was the nature of disagreement?”

 “My Dad and I… We never got along.” You paused. That was the euphemism you always used – ‘we didn’t get along’. You let go of a deep breath. “He – he hated me, I think. Hated all women, maybe. But he especially hated that I wanted more from life than his shitty fishing village. That I went to university, wanted a career. That it wasn’t my life’s ambition to just… sit around fetching his beer and cleaning up after him.”

His face was almost impassive; only a hint of sadness in his eyes betrayed his pity.

Your eyes were stinging. “The last Christmas I went home, he was on at me, worse than usual. Ungrateful, failure, ruining my life, blah blah. My mum made, like, a token effort to pacify him, but I think she resented me, too. And I just realised – I’d had enough of him. Fuck him. And I - I left. And I didn’t really think I’d ever come back.”

“And now?” he asked quietly. “How does it feel to be home?”

“Complicated,” you said, reluctant. When he waited for more, you added, “I’d forgotten how much it’s a… a part of me.”

You caught his eye, then quickly looked away. It was all too alluring; the firelight, the secrets shared. The carved lines of his Adonis belt above those Goddamned moleskins, which were revealed each time he raised his arms…

You had wanted to ask him if he would repeat his trick from a few nights ago; to cast his illusion and open the sky for you again. But it felt too vulnerable. Too intimate, now that he knew what it meant to you. Too tempting.

So instead, you stood, brushing the grass from your pants. “Thank you for the meal, Loki. And for… listening. I’m going to get some sleep.”

“Good night, Agent.”

“Night.”

The scene was vague, as though watched through a dense fog. Your skin was hot with desire. There were hands… mouth… And him. Nothing more or less than shadows and touch, but you knew he was there. Loki, his name appeared on your lips. Loki. And then, crystal clear, a vision of his perfect, pale ass sinking beneath the surface of the water…

“Ngguuuh,” you groaned, waking just as you were about to cross the precipice into an inevitable wet dream. You quickly slipped a hand into your underwear, chasing release. A few circles of your swollen clit were enough to push you over the edge; with a muffled cry, you came hard into your hand.

You lay back, breathing as heavily as if you’d just run to the summit. A twinge of shame rattled you. Loki. You should’ve nipped those lusty thoughts of him in the bud. The imaginary Cosmo headline flashed through your mind: ‘So you had a sex dream about a teammate?’

The thought made you chuckle out loud, then quickly clamp your free hand over your mouth. Oh God, I hope he didn’t hear… Anything. You listened carefully for a few moments, but Loki didn’t stir; relieved, you rolled over to let sleep reclaim you.

But it didn’t. Squirming a little, you noticed the ache still tugging at your sex. Am I still up for it? That was surprising. Usually in the case of such a dream, one quick orgasm was enough to put you straight back to sleep. Sometimes you didn’t even wake up for them.

You slid your hand back down into your underwear, legs falling open as though in invitation to yourself. You moved more slowly this time. Your fingers traced the sensitive skin at the crease of your thigh, drawing random patterns that tickled and warmed and excited. They crept inward, fingertips running over the moistened lips, collecting slippery arousal and carrying it up to ghost over your clit once more. Again, repeating the circling pattern: thigh, dip, slick, clit. Each time a little deeper, a little firmer, a little more.

The warm night carried the scent of your arousal to your nostrils, and you brought your free hand up under your shirt to palm your breast. Your nipple hardened at the faintest graze; you spread your fingers, catching the stiff, peaked skin between them. You gasped softly at the instant pleasure, electricity zipping from this newly activated erogenous zone straight to your parted thighs. Your two hands worked in symphony, strumming your nipple and clit in perfect time, and your hips circled and bucked of their own accord.

The dull ache became an urgent summons, and you moved your hand from your breast to sink your fingers into your own needy cunt. So wet, you thought hotly, the realisation spurring you on. You spread and curled your fingers; felt them fill you, seeking that soft, precious place of pleasure within. You began to pump them, slowly at first, then faster, in perfect, filthy rhythm. Your dominant hand still rubbed at your clit; still dipped inside you again and again to bring up hot, liquid pleasure, allowing your fingers to glide and slip, faster and harder, over that swollen little bud. You were slick and sticky with your own generous arousal.

“Ngguuuuuuuaah,” you moaned aloud. So close. Your eyes were closed, mouth open and panting as your hips jerked up into your hand. You were beyond caring if Loki heard you, if anyone heard you. “Just a little… more…”

And as though the thought of his name had summoned him, Loki’s long, lean body appeared in your imagination once again. Loki wading out into the pool, his dark hair fanned out across the water. Loki’s pretty, pale face in your hands, your legs around him under the surface, the invitation clear in his mischievous, twinkling eyes. Loki, beneath you, sinking into you as you sat astride him, riding his infamous cock, which twitched as he unloaded into you –

“Fff-uh… oh, ffuhhck-k,” you gasped at last, your body seizing up and trembling as you pushed yourself into a strong, extended climax. Ten, twenty, thirty seconds, wave after powerful wave pulsed through you, abs and teeth and toes clenched in pleasure. Until finally, spent, your hands fell heavily away, flopping boneless to the ground, and you could shakily draw breath again.

And in that moment of post-orgasm clarity, you remembered. The crash of breaking glass. Spattered aerosols of ugly, pink fluid. A rush of stale air as the mask slipped from your mouth. Is that what’s happening to me?

The sheen of sweat was still fresh on your skin when you felt the soft pulse of desire again - and you knew for certain what was going on.

Fuck, you thought. Fuck. I have to tell Banner his antifungals don’t work.

You were floating on your back in the plunge pool, your naked skin lit by a sliver of late-risen moon and soothed by the cool water. You concentrated hard on each breath: inhale, 2, 3, 4… exhale, 2, 3, 4...

Your body felt as though it were humming; an ebb and flow of desire that sang in your blood. You’d lost count of the number of times you’d rubbed and fingered yourself to orgasm; each climax brought temporary relief, but every time the thrumming need returned, stronger than before. Maybe if you could put it off as long as possible… But you knew there was no resisting it forever.

You heard the splash Loki made as he waded in to you, but you didn’t raise your head. It was only once he reached you that you opened your eyes to see his beautiful face, etched with concern. The water reached his waist; the milky skin of his bare, muscular torso glowed faintly in the moonlight.

You concentrated harder on breathing.

“Agent? What’s wrong?”

Inhale. “I think I’ve… been infected.”

Loki was calm. “Have you alerted the others?”

“Yes.” Exhale. “I called and called until I woke them. I had to tell them that the antifungals don’t work. They – they found a sample. They’ve got an idea for a treatment.” You steeled yourself for what you had to say next; it was made all the harder by the proximity of his long, lean body.  “Loki, you should go. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me, but I don’t think you’re safe here… with me.”

He chuckled shortly. “I believe I can fend you off, mortal.”

“I’m serious, Loki. It’s taking all my concentration now to not grab you and… and…” Even in your current state of arousal, you had to pull that thought back. You tried again. “We don’t know how it spreads. What if I infect you?”

“Our good Doctor believes I am immune.”

“Yeah, but he thought those pills would work.”

“Agent, I am not leaving you,” he said with finality. “You heard the outcome for the people of the village; lives lost through malnourishment. Not to mention your obvious inability in this state to defend yourself from enemy attack.” He softened. “If I must force you to drink in order to remain hydrated, I will; but I will not leave you alone here.”

You took another deep, shaky breath. “I… OK. Thank you, Loki. I’ll – I’ll try to keep it together.” I hope, you added silently.

 “Are you in pain?”

“No… it doesn’t hurt.” The thrumming in your sex rose another notch, screaming for attention; each sentence was more difficult than the last. “Just this… urge. Like this deep hunger, or - something. And then I – come – and there’s relief for a bit, but… Then it starts building again… And it’s so… strong… Nngaah.” You gave in to it, hands moving of their own accord, the need to touch yourself overpowering. But the movement disrupted your star-float, and you found yourself thrashing wildly in the water instead.

“Shhh, it’s OK. I’ve got you.” Loki’s hands were on your bare skin, pulling you towards him in the dark water, stilling you against his broad chest. He was wet and slippery, but firm; your fingers pressed into his shoulders hard in desperation. You were almost sobbing with need.

You felt his knee pry your legs apart below the water. With his hands on your waist, he skilfully manoeuvred you, setting you down on his thigh. You felt the wet satin of his boxers against your naked skin, the thin fabric doing nothing to disguise the solid ridge of femur that now slotted between your legs.

“Is that better?”

You couldn’t make words. Stop it! you screamed silently at yourself. He’s the fucking Prince of Asgard! But the temptation was too great; you could only gasp with relief as the hard muscle met your bare pussy, involuntarily squeezing his thigh between yours. His strong hands held your hips steady, keeping you frozen in place, until you whimpered pathetically.

“Loki… I’m sorry…”

He softened his grip, his shoulders flexing gently, guiding you as you rolled your hips to move against him. The friction, the pressure; it was better in that moment than any touch you could have given yourself. You ground down against him, greedily rubbing your clit across the length of his endless thigh. More, please more. Even in the water of the pool, you could feel the slick arousal that you were trailing over him.

The world around you faded. Your eyes were closed now, the better to concentrate on the bliss of his hard quadriceps muscle against your desperate cunt. Faster. Harder. You moaned aloud when his hand, no longer needed at your hip, moved to roughly palm your breast. You arched your back, pressing into his hand as he caught your air-hardened nipple between the soft pads of his fingers. He pinched and tweaked, sending little bolts of pleasure to your sex, where he continued to meet each of your rolling thrusts against his rock-hard thigh.

You could feel your next climax building like a rising tide; slow, steady, relentless. You whimpered again.

“Please… More…”

And with a surge of arousal, you felt his lips close around your nipple. You opened your eyes to watch as his tongue generously swirled and strummed. His own eyes were closed, his dark eyelashes fanned against his pale skin, his cheeks hollowed as he sucked hard, drawing you further into his mouth, as though he would never have enough. It was utterly beautiful.

The thrum in your sex rose to a deafening crescendo. Wild, messy, you ground down hard against the mass of his thigh; he pressed back against you, thick and taut and powerful, his pretty mouth still coaxing sparks of pleasure from your nipple. You threw back your head as you came, crying out into the night.

Then you collapsed into his arms.

Part 5

Tags in comments xx

[aventurineswife]

Hi! Another beloved parenting request (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)

Basically the reader and the character(Aventurine, Sampo, Childe And dr.Ratio) have a 4 year old son who one night has a nightmare and asks both of them if they can sleep with them in the middle, In short the child sleeps with both parents. Take all the time you want with this, I mean it all! (⁠＾⁠∇⁠＾⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♪

-💤🩵 anon

Safe Between Us

Tags: Aventurine x Reader, Ratio x Reader, Sampo x Reader, Childe x Reader, Fluff, Domestic Life, Parenting, Comfort/Wholesome Moments, Nightmare Comfort, Soft Relationships, Family Bonding, Established Relationship.

Warnings: Mentions of Nightmares (non-graphic), Mild Emotional Vulnerability, References to Past Trauma.

A/N: Someone's a bit obsessed with a certain hydro character here ahem ahem, can't blame you if I'm obsessed with a certain gambler here ahem ahem 🧍‍♀️ also Renny is used for gender neutral term of parent since it would've been weird if the child called you parent

The quiet hum of the city outside your window was a faint backdrop to the stillness of the room. You were beginning to drift off to sleep when you heard the sound of small, hurried footsteps padding down the hall. Moments later, a little voice called out, trembling with fear.

“Papa? Mama/Dada/Renny?”

You sat up immediately, your heart clenching. Your four-year-old son stood at the doorway, his hair sticking up in all directions, his eyes brimming with tears. Clutching a small stuffed peacock—Aventurine's ironic gift—he sniffled.

“I had a bad dream,” he whispered. “Can I sleep with you and Papa?”

Aventurine, who had been lounging on the bed, glanced at the child. His ever-present enigmatic smile softened. “A nightmare, hmm? Well, dreams are just gambles in our sleep, aren’t they? Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t. But tonight,” he said, patting the bed, “you’ve hit the jackpot, little man.”

You rolled your eyes at his theatrical explanation but moved aside to make room. Your son climbed into the bed, nestling himself between the two of you. Aventurine adjusted the covers with an exaggerated flourish, ensuring his boy was snug and warm.

“Tell me what scared you,” Aventurine said softly, his voice losing its usual playful edge. He reached out, brushing a few stray locks from your son’s forehead.

“There were… monsters,” your son murmured, curling against your side. “And they wanted to take me away.”

Aventurine’s smile grew tight for a moment—a rare crack in his facade. “No one’s taking you anywhere,” he promised, his tone firmer now. “Not while your parents are here.”

You leaned over, pressing a kiss to your son’s temple. Aventurine mirrored your gesture, his gaze meeting yours briefly. It was in these quiet, vulnerable moments that his guarded mask slipped entirely, revealing the man beneath.

As the three of you lay there, the child’s breathing grew steady, his fears banished by the warmth and love surrounding him. Aventurine murmured a soft, “Goodnight,” his hand lingering protectively on your son’s back. For once, there was no gamble, no risk—just family.

The air was cool, and the soft glow of the moon filtered through the curtains as you and Sampo settled into bed. His mischievous grin, as usual, hadn’t faltered even after a long day. But the peace of the evening was soon interrupted by the sound of your son crying out from his room.

Both you and Sampo bolted upright, exchanging a quick glance before hurrying down the hall. You found your four-year-old sitting up in his bed, his eyes wide with fear and tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Hey there, champ,” Sampo said, crouching beside him. “What’s got you so spooked?”

“I—I had a bad dream,” your son stammered, his small hands clutching the blanket. “Can I sleep with you and Mama/Papa/Renny?”

Sampo’s playful grin softened. “Of course you can. What kind of dad would I be if I said no to my favorite little guy?”

Carrying your son back to your bedroom, Sampo made a show of fluffing the pillows and tucking him in. “Alright, bud,” he said as your son settled between the two of you, “you’re in the safest spot in the world now—between two top-tier protectors.”

“Papa,” your son whispered as he clung to your arm, “are you sure the monsters can’t find me here?”

“Monsters?” Sampo chuckled, ruffling the boy’s hair. “Not a chance. Besides, if they tried, I’d outsmart them in a heartbeat. You’ve got a merchant dad, remember? I’d sell them some fake monster repellent and send them running!”

You couldn’t help but laugh, shaking your head at his antics. But it worked—your son giggled, the fear melting from his face. Soon, he was fast asleep, snuggled between you and Sampo.

Sampo leaned over, pressing a kiss to your temple. “See? Problem solved. My charms work on everyone.”

The house was silent save for the rhythmic sound of waves crashing on the shore outside. You were just drifting off to sleep when a tiny knock came at the bedroom door.

“Come in,” Childe called, sitting up immediately. The door creaked open to reveal your four-year-old son, clutching his blanket tightly.

“Papa… Mama/Dada/Renny… I had a bad dream,” he said, his voice shaky. “Can I sleep with you?”

Childe was out of bed in an instant, kneeling to scoop the boy into his arms. “Of course, little one,” he said, his tone soft and reassuring. “Nightmares can’t hurt you when we’re here.”

Your son nestled against Childe’s chest as he carried him back to the bed. As the child crawled into the space between you, Childe tucked the blankets securely around him. “What was the dream about?” he asked, brushing his fingers through your son’s hair.

“There were… shadows,” your son whispered. “And they tried to take me away.”

Childe’s jaw tightened briefly, but his voice remained calm. “Shadows, huh? Well, they don’t stand a chance against us. Your parent and I are the strongest team there is.”

He glanced at you, his eyes softening as he reached over to take your hand. “We’ve got him, right?”

You nodded, smiling. “Always.”

Your son’s breathing slowed as he relaxed, lulled by the warmth and safety of your embrace. Childe watched him for a moment, his hand resting protectively on the boy’s back. “I’ll never let anything happen to him,” he whispered, more to himself than to you.

The soft glow of the night lamp illuminated your room when the faint sound of sniffles reached your ears. Moments later, your four-year-old son appeared at the doorway, his small frame trembling.

“Mommy/Daddy/Renny… Daddy… I had a bad dream,” he said, clutching his blanket. “Can I sleep with you?”

Ratio adjusted his glasses, his intense eyes softening as he looked at the child. “A nightmare?” he murmured, rising to kneel before him. “Dreams are merely the mind’s way of sorting chaos. Let’s bring some order to this, shall we?”

You smiled as Ratio scooped the boy into his arms, his scholarly tone transforming into something gentle and warm. “Come,” he said, settling the child between you. “There is no safer place than here.”

As your son curled up, Ratio placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Tell me what frightened you,” he urged.

“There were big, scary shapes,” your son whispered, his voice muffled against your chest. “And they were chasing me.”

Ratio nodded thoughtfully. “Ah, shadows. A product of fear and imagination,” he explained. “But fear loses its power in the presence of love and knowledge.”

Your son’s eyes fluttered closed as you and Ratio soothed him with quiet reassurances. “Sleep now, my little prodigy,” Ratio whispered, his hand lingering protectively on the boy’s back. “Your dreams will find clarity, and we will always be here to guide you.”

[solxamber]

At first, I like and support the most of your work. It's well written and in a style I like. But of course, I have a little request. Diasomnia, 4, Fluff (Comedy)

You can pick on your own, if it has to be Fluff or Comedy. I am fine with the both of them.

thank you so much!

You: 1, Gargoyles: 0 || Malleus Draconia

For the Holiday Event! || Prompt: "I'm NOT jealous" ; Genre: Comedy

You loved Malleus. Truly. But there was only so much gargoyle trivia a person could endure before losing their mind.

Currently, he was waxing poetic about the symmetry of a gargoyle he'd seen in the Valley of Thorns, his eyes sparkling like he was confessing his first love.

“…and the way its wings curve? Utterly sublime. A craftsmanship that transcends time. Wouldn’t you agree?”

So then, in a fit of mischief, you said it. The words that would send your entire week spiraling into chaos:

“Sometimes I think you love gargoyles more than me.”

Silence.

The air grew thick. The moon dimmed. Somewhere, Sebek probably sneezed dramatically in the distance.

Malleus turned to you slowly, his expression one of deep betrayal. “What did you just say?”

“It’s a joke, Malleus,” you said, already regretting everything.

But he ignored you, his brows furrowing in the way that meant your next week was about to get very strange. “You think I love gargoyles more than you?”

“I don’t! That’s why it’s a joke!” you said quickly, waving your hands for emphasis.

But he wasn’t listening. Oh no, the great Prince of the Briar Valley had entered “dramatic spiral” mode.

“This cannot stand,” he said, already pacing like he was strategizing for war. “You must understand the depth of my affection. Gargoyles are… significant, yes. But you… you are far more important.”

“That’s nice, Malleus, but—”

“No! You must be convinced.”

The next morning, you woke up to chaos. Your dorm was… infested.

Stone gargoyles. Everywhere.

On your desk. Perched on your windowsill. One was even sitting in your chair, looking smug.

“MALLEUS!” you screeched, running out into the hallway only to find him waiting there, arms crossed, looking far too pleased with himself.

“Do you see?” he said, gesturing proudly at the invasion. “I have brought my gargoyle collection to you. I share my deepest loves only with those who matter most. Surely now you understand your place in my heart.”

You pointed wildly at the stone monstrosities. “HOW DOES THIS PROVE ANYTHING?!”

Malleus blinked, tilting his head. “You said I love gargoyles more than you, so I have shared them with you. This is logical."

“This is UNHINGED.”

“And yet,” he countered smoothly, “you are still more radiant than they.”

You were so stunned by his sincerity that you almost forgot you were still yelling. Almost.

It got worse.

Malleus started comparing you to gargoyles.

“Your posture rivals that of the Archguard Protector in Thornmere Castle,” he mused as you sat at lunch.

“I don’t even know what that means!”

“And your smile,” he continued dreamily, “could put the Stone Warden’s eternal vigil to shame.”

You buried your face in your hands, debating your life choices.

The next day, you walked into Ramshackle dorm only to find your living room covered in… gargoyle carvings?

“Malleus, what—”

“These,” he announced grandly, stepping forward with a flourish, “are gifts. I carved them myself to show you how much I cherish you. Each one represents a moment that I value in our time together.”

You stared at the gargoyle army invading your living space, unsure whether to laugh, cry, or faint. “You realize this still doesn’t actually prove anything, right?”

He frowned. “But you said—”

“I was joking!”

Malleus tilted his head, confused. “So… you are not jealous of the gargoyles?”

You groaned, dragging a hand down your face. “No, I’m not jealous of the gargoyles! I was making a joke!”

His eyes narrowed slightly, as if he wasn’t entirely convinced. “You seemed very sincere.”

“I wasn’t!”

“But you—”

“I wasn’t!”

Malleus sighed, looking truly distressed. “Then how am I to express my feelings for you if not through grand gestures? Do you not like the gargoyles I made?”

Your heart softened at his genuine concern, but you couldn’t let this go on. “Malleus, I don’t need you to prove anything. I know you like me. You could have just said so.”

“But actions speak louder than words,” he replied solemnly.

You burst out laughing, and Malleus looked at you as if you’d grown a second head.

“You are losing your mind,” he muttered, crossing his arms.

“Oh, I’m the one losing my mind?” you said through giggles.

Malleus nodded. “Clearly. Perhaps you have spent too much time with Lilia.”

That only made you laugh harder, and eventually, Malleus joined in, though he still looked confused about what, exactly, was so funny.

In the end, you kept one of the gargoyle carvings—the smallest one—as a memento. The rest? They mysteriously vanished overnight. You didn’t ask questions.

But the next time Malleus started talking about gargoyles, you kept your jokes to yourself.

Masterlist

[lohotine]

Hiii can i please request a yandere elder farie where reader escapes and she gets far but not far enough from the farie kingdom and she’s try’s to make it out of the farie forest.

I swear I almost say butterfly kingdom every time 😭 please and thank you

AN: Alright, bet. Btw time is set to before beast yeast arc but after white lily leaves for the banquet

Yan! Elder Faerie x Reader

Oneshot

Warnings: Yandere, slight guilt tripping

-Snared Lily-

At last, you have finally attained freedom.

Leaves ruslte as you tussle through the forest. It's dark aside from the feint light of the moon. For the first time in a long time, all is silent. There are no birds calling, and there is no wind. The only thing you can hear are your own steps, echoing emptily through the dark forest.

He, who you dare not name, is nowhere to be seen.

After such a long time of being stuck in a cage, you may now flourish among the rest.

"Ah, there you are my little fae," said a voice from behind you.

You began to run just a bit faster, feeling your freedom the closest it's ever been since he began isolating you.

Today may finally be joyous.

You froze, feeling your heart beat just a bit faster.

"You worried me so much when you just disappeared like that! I looked everywhere for you, dearest." He grabbed your wrist and spun you around so you were facing him.

Elder Faerie's eyes were soft, just as his voice was, but you could tell he wasn't pleased. Behind those serene eyes was a glint of silent fury.

Instinctively, you pulled away from him. Your foot landed onto the ground behind you, the leaves rustling with the abrupt landing.

"Why do you run, little fae, when all I do is to protect you?" His hands geaped around yours and he pulled you close to him.

So, is this it? You're just going to go back with him and leave behind your freedom?

"No no no no no! Let me go!" You struggled against his grasp, yet to no avail. You fighting against him was quite pathetic and insignificant.

Elder Faerie was unmoving, and he let out a small sigh. "Come on my love, there are many dangers in the nighttime forest. Let's return to the kingdom."

"No! I'm not going back!" You shouted, still attempting to escape him.

Then, he'd look to with a peculiar look in his eyes. They seemed quiet sullen, yet there was something dark about it.

"I can't let you leave, or you may wither away, just as she once did. I simply cannot allow another one that I hold dear to me to become harmed."

He'd gaze absent mindedly to the side.

"Even if you do not understand it now, know that everything I do is to keep you safe. So please, let me protect you." He tucked a stray strand of your hair behind your ear with gentle fingers and began to lead you back to the kingdom again.

You had almost tasted freedom. You could almost have been carried away by the wind, yet you were returning to that golden cage.

You understood it well; that if you were to leave just as she once did, it would ruin him.

He loved you very dearly, and though you hated to admit it, you also loved him deep down.

So here you were, now returning to become a snared Lily.

Nothing but a beautiful object that yearns to return to the soil.

[nhlclover]

CHRISTMAS PJ’S ARBER XHEKAJ

— event masterlist !

pairing: fem!reader x arber xhekaj

summary: never one to cave to your antics, arber finally does when you buy matching christmas pyjamas for the two of you.

warnings: none!

wc: 1.29k

notes: sixth piece of my 12 days of xmas celly! i can just imagine trying to coax arber into little self care activities and him having none of it

The first time you tried to coax Arber into wearing a facemask, he stared at you as though you'd just suggested he should sprout wings and fly to the moon. He leaned against the doorway, his solid frame eclipsing the light from the hallway, arms folded across his broad chest in a posture of amused resistance. You were perched on the edge of the bathroom sink, a strip of mint-green clay smeared across your cheeks, grinning at him.

“I’m not putting that on my face,” he said, his voice rumbling with a finality that allowed no argument.

You’d argued anyway, of course.

“It’s not just about skincare — it’s fun!” you’d said, lifting the pot of face mask. “You can be a part of the experience. Bonding time! Come on, what’s the harm?”

Arber’s jaw tightened, though the corner of his mouth twitched as if fighting a reluctant smile. “Hard pass. Thanks, though.”

It became a routine, this back-and-forth between you—your bubbling excitement meeting his steady practicality. When you tried to pluck his eyebrows, telling him they were getting out of hand, he had held your hand in his for a long moment, his eyes meeting yours with an intensity that made your stomach flip, and simply said, “No.”

And yet, despite his stubbornness, you never doubted that Arber loved you. He loved you in the way he always pulled you closer when you snuggled on the couch, his large hands gentle on your shoulders. He loved you in the way he always remembered your coffee order, down to the extra shot of espresso you always got. He loved you in the way he kissed your forehead before heading out the door, as though sealing a promise that he’d always come back.

But love, you knew, didn’t mean unreserved compliance with your whims.

So when December rolled around and you unveiled the matching Christmas pyjamas, you braced yourself for another rejection. They were kitschy in the best way — white flannel pyjamas with Christmas trees scattered across the fabric. You presented them with a flourish, holding them up against your chest and grinning.

“Absolutely not,” was Arber’s immediate response, though his tone lacked the conviction it usually carried.

You pouted, clutching your own pyjamas to your chest. “Come on, Arber. It’s Christmas! It’s festive! Plus, I already sent a teaser to our moms.”

His brow furrowed. “You did what?”

“Teased a surprise. If I don’t send them photos of us wearing them, people will riot,” you said, only half-joking.

Arber sighed deeply, the kind of sigh that spoke of a man resigning himself to fate. “This is blackmail,” he muttered, though the spark in his eyes betrayed his amusement.

That evening, as you flitted around the kitchen making a batch of shortbread cookies, you heard the sound of the bedroom door creaking open. You turned to find him standing there, his expression half-sheepish, half-defiant.

He was wearing the pyjamas.

The fabric clung awkwardly to his muscular frame, the sleeves stretched just a bit too tight around his biceps. The ridiculous reindeer pattern seemed incongruous on a man as solid and stoic as Arber, and yet—your heart swelled with affection at the sight.

The ridiculous pattern seemed out of place on a man as solid and stoic as Arber, and yet — your heart swelled with affection at the sight.

“You look amazing,” you declared, bounding over to him and beaming up at his slightly embarrassed face. “Look at us! We’re adorable!”

Arber glanced down at himself, then at you, your matching pyjamas fitting far more comfortably. Slowly, the tension in his shoulders eased.

“You’re happy?” he asked, his voice quieter now, as though your answer mattered more than he wanted to admit.

“Ridiculously so,” you replied, and you weren’t exaggerating. The sight of him — this man who so often resisted your playful schemes, now standing here in absurdly festive attire — made your chest ache with a warm, almost unbearable fondness.

“Okay,” he said simply, his lips curving into a small, genuine smile. “Then I guess this isn’t so bad.”

You threw your arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his cheek before pulling him toward the couch. The two of you sat there for hours, watching a Christmas movie of Arber’s choosing (giving him a small win that evening). The twinkling lights of the Christmas tree cast a soft glow over the room. Arber held you close, the faint smell of pine mingling with the warmth of his skin.

And later, when you sent a photo of the two of you in your matching pyjamas to your mothers — Arber grinning despite himself, his arm draped protectively around your shoulders — their swooning comments soon poured in.

Your phone buzzed incessantly on the coffee table, lighting up with a flurry of messages. You reached for it, laughing as Arber tried to discreetly peer over your shoulder. He wasn’t fooling anyone; his curiosity was evident in the slight tilt of his head and the way his arm remained snugly around you, holding you close.

The first message came from your mom.

Mom: Oh my gosh! Look at my babies! Arber, you look so handsome in those PJs! The little reindeer is so cute!

You snorted, showing him the text. “See? My mom thinks you’re pulling them off.”

Arber grumbled something incoherent, though his lips quirked up in the faintest of smirks. He was trying hard to act unaffected, but the faint flush creeping up his neck betrayed him.

More messages followed quickly.

Simona: Sweetheart, you two are the CUTEST. Arber, I never thought I'd see the day. Don’t worry, I saved this picture for future family gatherings 😉

You couldn’t contain your laugh, clutching your stomach as Arber groaned beside you, his hand covering his eyes

“She’s never letting me live this down, is she?” he muttered, but the corners of his eyes crinkled with quiet amusement.

“Oh, absolutely not,” you teased. “She’s probably already planning the scrapbook spread.”

You could feel Arber’s chest vibrating against your back as he chuckled, finally breaking down under the avalanche of love and teasing. His amusement was contagious, and you couldn’t stop grinning.

“Okay, okay, enough,” he said, trying to sound gruff but failing miserably as his laughter slipped through. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Oh, absolutely,” you agreed without hesitation, shifting so you could look up at him. His expression had softened entirely now, his eyes warm as they met yours. “But admit it. You’re enjoying it a little too.”

He didn’t respond right away. Instead, he reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair from your face, his touch gentle and lingering.

“I’ll admit something,” he said after a beat, his voice low. “Seeing you like this—happy, excited—makes it worth it. Even if it means looking like an overgrown Christmas elf.”

You blinked up at him, caught off guard by the rare candidness of his words. His lips twitched upward, and you could tell he was trying to play it cool, but the sincerity in his eyes was undeniable.

“You’re such a sap,” you murmured, though your voice wavered with emotion.

“Only for you,” he countered, leaning in to press a soft kiss to your forehead.

You sat there in a comfortable silence for a moment, letting the warmth of his presence settle around you. His arm tightened slightly, pulling you closer.

And though you knew he’d never admit it out loud, you caught him glancing at the reflection of the two of you in the darkened window, his lips quirking in a satisfied smile.

In his mind, Arber was already making a note to indulge you more often. Sure, your antics were often ridiculous and sometimes exasperating, but they lit you up in a way that made every second worth it.

[lv-iceprince]

mood board 1

나 ͏ ͏⠀❀ ͏ ͏⠀🍓 ℋey 𝓝ana !!

🎀 ₊˚⊹💖୨୧

mood board 2

playlist

💗 round and around ~ jo yuri

💗 touch ~ katseye

💗 lion heart ~ girls' generation

💗 weekend ~ taeyeon

💗heart ~ sinae

💗 white day (idol: the coup) ~ cotton candy

💗 ah-choo ~ lovelyz

💗 cherries jubiles ~ yukika

sincerely for, @flourishmoon

[chaos-chloe]

A Night of Laughter

Summary: A Clooless Sleepover

TW: Flirting, kisses, sexual innuendo, lmk if i missed anything <3

11.8k

“Welcome to the Sleepover Stream.” Puffer said switching the computer screen over to the camera. Show the setup of the couch, Grizzy all the way over to the left, then Puffer and Droid in the middle, then Pezzy on the end on the right side of the couch.

“Goodnight””Yeah goodnight” was heard from all the boys around. “Now, we will have ___ join u later, she is just at work at the moment, you know saving lives and shit” Puffer says with a lovey-dovey smile while looking at his phone, most likely the text message between them.

“Also, we are stating this now and it is a command in chat, !____, she is a cuddler, she is always cold, she is a friend to all of us, we are NOT dating. You will see that she will pick someone when she joins us, to start off the stream and could change within the night.” Puffer explains to the stream so no will start anything crazy. “Yeah, it will be like we pass her around, but not like that dudes.” Droid pops in laughing  at his statement and everyone else joins in.

“She texted me about 5 minutes ago, that she is on her way home now with food, possibly if the restaurant is open, if not she will call one of us.” Grizzy pipes in as he is checking his phone, to inform the guys and chat.

“Alright now that is out of the way, mods you know what to do with messy chatters, anyway I don't have anything else to say but “goodnight”; but yeah, no one looks at my ass I gotta lay down.” Puffer walks over to his assigned spot to get comfy and try to sleep. 

“It is a full moon ladies and gents.” Droid talks into his blue mic, and then everyone starts talking over each other to make sure that the stream could hear everyone.

“I was not joking, 4 dudes, 1 girl, later on, one couch made into one bed. We are all snuggly and cuddling.” Puffer says. “You know the whole deal-uh-mods, can you update the ‘!media’, it is a $10 deal. You know the whole deal-uhh-we will be here ‘till 6a.m, probably, that's probably the whole deal.”

“Your monthly prices are increasing, Netflix, NOOO!” Droid screams as a joke. “Oh, it's fine ___ pays for it.” Pezzy shrugs it off with a laugh.

Outside, the full moon cast a soft glow through the curtains, illuminating the laughter-filled space where the four boys now prepared for a night of friendly chaos. Just as whispers turned to the soft crackling of a bag of chips,a notification chimed on Puffer’s phone.

“Hold on, boys! Looks like she’s here,” Puffer exclaimed, sitting straight up on the couch. “Let’s welcome our special guest!”

Moments later, the door swung open, revealing you, their friend with your arms happily burdened by takeout bags. You had warm, bright energy, and though you were tired from saving lives during your shift, your excitement about the sleepover helped wipe the exhaustion from the majority of your face. 

“Hey, everyone! You guys better have saved me some snacks!” you teased, setting the bags down with a flourish. 

“Never! We starved ourselves for you!” Grizzy said dramatically, clutching his stomach in an exaggerated manner.

With playful nudges and laughter filling the air, they welcomed you to the couch as everyone settled in with their food. Soon enough, the stream chat exploded with welcomes and requests for their own food critiques, and you happily obliged, sharing your favorites while making the occasional snarky comment about how these guys lived on junk food alone

“Okay, I need a quick shower and a change of clothes, I need my pajamas.” You say walking out of the frame, going upstairs towards the bathroom with the nicer shower.

As you made your way upstairs, the sound of laughter and lighthearted banter drifted up from the living room, filling your heart with warmth. Your friends had transformed their cozy, cluttered house into a makeshift living room entertainment hub, complete with gray cushions piled on an oversized couch, and takeout in the background spread all over the counter in the kitchen.

You chuckled to yourself, thinking about the chaos that had unfolded earlier. The reactors—your friends—were skilled at creating a sensational atmosphere, drawing in viewers from all corners of the internet. But you need a moment of solitude before diving back into the social whirlwind, and you relish the thought of slipping into your most comfortable pajamas.

The bathroom reflected your style—a blend of cozy warmth and cold decor. The walls were adorned with different towels, and a collection of rubber ducks lined the back edge of the sink, each representing a different inside joke shared among friends. After a quick shower, you wrapped yourself in a fluffy robe but your heart raced with excitement at reminiscing about the delightful chaos downstairs. 

Once dressed in your pajamas—a vibrant silk pair decorated with a cherry blossom print—you took a moment to look in the mirror. “Alright, showtime,” you whispered to yourself, towel drying your hair. With all the anticipation bubbling up inside, you made your way back down the stairs.

As you were coming around the corner, you ran into a green fluffy chest. It was Droid in his lucky charm care bear onesie that he was matching Pezzy. You grabbed his left arm so you wouldn't fall back on the stairs. He grabbed your elbow that was holding onto his arm, and his other arm quickly grabbed your left hip to give you extra support.

“Well, well don't you look gorgeous in those pajamas, babes.” Droid flirts with you, as your face turns into a tomato. 

“Oh, stop it. These pj’s are nothing, this is my favorite set though” You say with a silly slap on his arm as you let him go. You walk past him, to head back into the living room, to be met with the rest of the guys just chilling.

The living room was filled with the atmosphere of friendly chaos, laughter bubbling up like a fizzy soda. The vibrant lights of the TV flickered energetically as Buzz Lightyear's theatrics continued to blast from the speakers. You shot a sideways glance at the trio that surrounded you, their faces oscillating between amusement and mischief.

“BUZZ LIGHTYEAR- THE WORLD'S GREATEST SUPERHERO! THE WORLD'S GREATEST TOY!!”

“Jesus, what the hell was that?!” I yelled after almost dying from a heart attack, my heart still beating out of sync.

“Oh, ___ that is the cursed Buzz Lightyear that Puffer talks about.” Pezzy says, still looking at the TV screen. “Ooh look at __-she looks so pretty-love that set- what are yall on about” Pezzy, Puffer and Grizzy all turned their heads to look at me looking at the screen, not wanting to make eye contact with any of them.

Droid, ever the smooth talker, walked back into the living room, his green fluffy onesie puffing out in all the right places. “Cursed or not, that Buzz has got nothing on your designer sleepwear,” he quipped, his eyes glinting with playful mischief with a wink as he climbed over the couch in between Puffer and Pezzy.

“Designer?” you shot back with a smile, retrieving your phone from your pocket, half-expecting to land a lighthearted jab at him. “I think you meant ‘Off Brand-Tik Tok Shop pajamas’.”

“Oh, come on, don’t sell yourself short!” Grizzy chimed in, his wide grin nearly splitting his face. “That set is practically a fashion statement. I mean, who else could pull it off quite like you?” Grizzy was eye googling you as if he was in a trance. 

You rolled your eyes but couldn't help cracking a smile. As the banter flew, you stepped further into the living room, trying to escape the fiery blush that was still coloring your cheeks.

“Just for that compliment, you are getting the cuddles first Grizz, move over Puffer.” You say, walking in front of the camera, so you can get comfy. Grizzy opens his arms and pats his chest so you lay your head on him. 

As you settled into the inviting embrace of Grizzy, the warmth of his heavy blanket enveloped you like a soft bed. The moment felt both cozy and slightly silly, especially with the anticipation of the next loud notification or media share to go off on stream. 

“Hey, that’s not fair!” Puffer protested, dramatically crossing his arms and pretending to pout. “I was totally first to claim the first cuddle!”

“Welp, Grizzy was the first one to compliment me, so you should have spoken faster.” I say giggling, while snuggling into Grizzy’s side, he wrapped his arm around me where his arm was resting down my back and my leg was propped up on his legs.

“That's gonna be a long ass outro-” “Why is there special?” Grizzy interrupted me as the next media share popped up on screen. “Aye-ya-ya” Grizzy shook his head in disappointment, but then enjoyed the vibes that the song brings. He started banging or shaking his head left to right while he picked up my arm to join him. 

Puffer than exclaims, “Bro can you get comfy!?” as he throws up his right hand in offendness. “I got a lot of things.”Droid responds, not giving two-shitsas he was grabbing his stuffed animals and pillow pet, Jerry/Jeffery.

 “Why do you have so much shit?” Puffer asked in a tone of “what the hell my guy” “This motherfucker got too much shit.” “You have 1,2,3 toys with you” Puffer counts as he picks up the bear wearing blue and throws it at the end of the couch. 

“NO, that’s tippers, no tippers.” Droid yells in shock retrieving tippers, “That one is personal bro.” Grizzy jumps into Droid’s aid. “Yeah dont hurt tippers again puff.” I say reaching over to Droid, unfurling from Grizzy. 

“That one is not from Target, that one is from family memories-Whoa, whoa whatcha doin?” Grizzy says being caught off guard from Puffer lifting up the blanket, revealing that Grizzy’s hand migrated down from my back to my ass.

“I was testing it but what are you two doing?” Puffer says slightly offended Grizzy, making playful assumptions. “Cuddling.” Grizzy said while tucking the blanket underneath me since Puffer made me cold while lifting the blanket. “Hey now, I was cuddling with my teddy bear so shush it.” You say with a big smile on our faces as Grizzy was laughing at my innocent play on his name.

 “When's the orgy? We could do it right now.” Pezzy read a comment in the chat and answered like his life depended on it. “Huh?” “Nah, that's for a different stream, different shoot.” Droid says calmly shutting that comment down. Grizzy tilted his head down to whisper in your ear, “You know he ain't wrong.” He looked at you, like you are a five star meal. Your face lit up like the night sky, after you fully comprehended what he was talking about. “You are right, but who got us caught in the first place?” playing snipping back at him with a small wink. 

“Chat, it's 8:30 p.m we are not going to bed yet.” Puffer sniped at chat,  “Mmm who's not going to bed?” Grizzy asked into his microphone. “Damn i had my head lean back, eyes closed, ___ laying on me, I’m ready even though i woke up 3 hours ago.” You shook your head and closed your eyes, snuggled closer to Grizzy.As the soft glow of the screen illuminated the room, you drifted deeper into slumber, feeling Grizzy’s gentle presence wrap around you like an additional layer of comfort. The cozy kingdom was alive with voices, jokes, and the occasional burst of laughter, but the soothing hum of camaraderie worked its magic, and your eyelids feel heavy .Grizzy lifted the blanket up blocking his face and yours, he did it to make sure you were all tucked in and to give you a kiss on your head.

“Who’s gonna fall asleep first?” Pezzy read off a chat

“Looks like we have a winner already,” Puffer said with a theatrical sigh, his voice teasing and light. “We should've made a pool for money instead of sleep cycles.” 

“Can you imagine the chaos? We might as well place bets on who’ll bring the snacks next!” Pezzy chuckled, glancing over at Grizzy, who was still keeping you tucked in together. “But seriously, was anyone expecting ___ to be the first to crash? She's practically a professional napper!”

Grizzy couldn’t help but beam at that remark, glancing down at you with a smile that made his eyes twinkle. “I don’t think it’s her fault at all,” he replied softly, brushing a stray hair away from your forehead, “Work this week has been brutal, and I think she deserves every peaceful moment she can snag.”

“Oh, we see what you’re doing, Grizzy! Trying to earn some brownie points, huh?” Pezzy snapped back, tapping the table dramatically, earning a round of chuckles from the others. 

“Not brownie points, but maybe brownie treats later?” Grizzy leaned back into the couch, aware that the usual dynamic of friendly banter was in full swing. He felt proud to be part of the group, though mostly for the reason that they charged the room with laughter and silliness. 

“You’re kind of the poster child for cozy tonight, my friend,” Droid chimed in, adjusting his position to lean forward a bit. “I mean, look at you! Snuggling a human burrito over there while the rest of us are…you know…hustlin’ for superiority with snacks.”

In that instant, the atmosphere shifted slightly. Everyone turned their attention to you, your face partially concealed behind Grizzy’s blanket fort. Laughter morphed into softer, gentle smiles as the affection grew palpable. 

“Look at her—no care in the world,” Droid said, the hint of admiration framing his tone. “That’s what we’re all running toward, I think—a moment of peace amidst the chaos.” 

“Exactly! So let’s make sure that they don’t fully ruin it until she wakes up from a jumpscare.” Grizzy asserted, his voice gentle yet firm, maintaining the protective energy that had become a part of your evening slumber.

“Aye mods, that was a $3 one, nuh uh we ain't doing that.” Puffer disciplined mods, “Wait, did i not save the changes, did it save at $3?” Puffer was talking out loud, while scooting forward to look at the laptop setup settings. As he was scooting forward, ___ fell into the space in between her and Puffer, which ultimately made her snuggle into Puffer’s warm spot. Then a media share went off, sent Puffer back in shock and he ended up landing on ____. 

A startled gasp escaped your lips as Puffer’s unexpected weight landed on you, the warmth of the cozy blanket now doubling in heat. The sudden shift jolted you awake, eyes blinking rapidly as you took in the comical chaos that had just unfolded.

“Whoa! Puffer! What in the world?” you half-laughed, half-yelped, your heart racing. You felt like a caught fish, sandwiched between Puffer’s vibrant laughter and the remnants of your dream.

Puffer leaned more onto you as a joke, a wide grin stretching across his face, “I swear, that was not part of the plan! It was the mods’ fault—totally their fault!” He gestured dramatically, as though blaming an invisible foe for the mishap.

Still groggy, you rubbed your eyes, trying to reorient yourself to the dim light of the cozy spot. Grizzy chuckled beside you, the warmth of his arm still lingering, “Looks like you officially lost your first round of the Cuddle. Puffer just shrekted you!” Puffer got off of you and fixed the media share cost on the settings. After he saved the changes, he saw his new dilemma of you now being his cuddle buddy. He got situated in a new spot, and dragged you over into his left side, got you into the same position as earlier but with Grizzy. 

Pezzy standing up from his cozy spot and striking a pose like a game show host. “And for our next enchanting act, we have ‘Puffer and ____ vs. the Legendary Media Share’! How many times can they be surprised before bedtime?”

“That’s a highly questionable title!” you protested, your eyes still adjusting to the light. “Shouldn’t we call it ‘Sleeping Beauty vs. Puffer’s Clumsiness’ instead?” “He gets scared more than anyone else, I wouldn't be surprised if I move within 10 minutes.” You say groggily, trying not to yawn.Yet, the moment his attention turned to adjusting his position, you felt the heat rising. Puffer, with a swift motion, had adjusted you perfectly into his space. You were now practically sprawled on top of him, the cozy blanket shrouding both of you in softness. 

The cozy ambiance suffused the space, wrapping each of you in the warmth of friendship—and a tinge of something deeper. As Puffer’s lips brushed your forehead, his soft whisper hung in the air, “We could just stay like this forever and not move.” With those words, everything felt suspended in a perfect moment—a bubble that seemed to hide you both from the outside world.

But soon, reality crept back in, whimsical in its way. You giggled softly, “I agree, but I know within the next five media shares, you will jump multiple times and I will get annoyed.” With a playful spirit, you leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

Every few moments, the cozy fort filled with the soft background noise of laughter and chatter, punctuated by the hum of technology. You found yourself drifting in and out of sleep, half-awake and still enveloped in that delicious warmth, lulled by Puffer’s presence.

Then, as if on cue, the next media share began: an old video that had seemingly become a legend among your group—the classic AAA battery scare. You barely had enough awareness to brace yourself. Just as the video intensified, the chilling build-up reached its climax, and in true comedic fashion, an abrupt and bass-boosted scream blasted from the speakers, shaking you from your slumber.

Puffer’s reaction was instantaneous. It was like watching a startled kitten; he flinched fiercely, his body jerking from the shock. His hips shot up from the couch—directly colliding with yours. You hadn’t seen that coming, and the unexpected shift made you gasp, which unexpectedly slipped into a moan before you could catch it.

“Oh! Uhm… I mean—” you scrambled to cover yourself up, attempting to transform the sound into a groan of dissatisfaction. “Why does this always happen?!”

Puffer’s eyes were wide, shock mixing with something else as he stammered, “I—uh—wow! That was unexpected!” His cheeks had taken on a deep shade of crimson, a comical juxtaposition to his otherwise bold nature.

Grizzy, catching the situation, erupted into laughter, nearly doubling over, “Did that just happen? Puffer, you’ve officially shrekted ____ again!”

“Shrekted" is NOT a verb! Stop that!” you protested, though your own laughter bubbled to the surface, unable to resist the charm of the moment. You pushed lightly against Puffer’s chest, movement still affectionate even as your heart raced. “I’m fine, really!”

Puffer chuckled, leaning back slightly, a teasing glimmer in his eye. "Sure, you are! If by 'fine' you mean completely flustered and unable to string together a coherent sentence," he shot back playfully, enjoying the light banter between you. The corners of his lips quirked up as he regarded you, his chest still buzzing from the scare, but now accompanied by a distinctly different kind of adrenaline.

“Okay, okay, maybe that’s true,” you admitted, the heat rising in your cheeks as you tried to dodge his playful gaze. Your heart raced not just from the shock of the video but from the fuzzy warmth of being so close to him. “But you have to admit that was a shocking surprise!”

“Oh, I’ll definitely admit that,” he replied, a mock-serious tone underscoring his words. “But can we just appreciate the real surprise? It’s not every day you accidentally fuse cuddling with an accidental collision of our hips!”

Your heart was racing and your face was heating up with fire, “You know what, Imma call it here. Imma rolls over and claims Droid as my next victim to cuddle with.” 

Puffer burst into laughter, his dark curls bouncing as he tilted back, clearly entertained by your dramatic declaration. “Oh no! Not Droid! Anything but that!” He feigned horror, clutching his chest. As you shifted your position and draped yourself onto Droid, pulling him into a warm hug, Puffer’s laughter echoed behind you.

Droid grinned, looking between you and Puffer. “You just made the right choice. I have unlimited cuddles available, and I promise they come with complimentary warmth and safety!” His tone was light-hearted, and the comfort radiated from him as you nestled deeper into his side.

“Don’t worry, Puffer,” Droid assured him, placing a reassuring hand on your back. “I can share my cuddle time! There’s plenty of warmth to go around. Besides, I’ll make sure to wrap you in soft blankets if you get too scared again.”

With laughter bubbling in the air, the atmosphere morphed into one of joy and connection. Your playful exchange transitioned effortlessly into a comfortable mellow where you found joy in just being close, knowing that this was the somewhat perfect evening.

“Friends with benefits, am I right?” Droid talked softly into your ear, glancing your way, his eyes sparkling with glimmer.  “Now we’re really getting into dangerous territory!” you shot back with a gentle smile, feeling a rush of warmth wash over you again. Cuddles were one thing—implied ‘benefits’ was a whole other ball game.  “I mean, we could go to that territory, I heard what Grizzy said to you when Pezzy mentioned a group orgy.” Droid sighed, his body sagging at tenison releasing from holding information in for so long. 

“I mean, I was joking around with Grizzy. Do you all feel that way?” You questioned scaredly, almost wanting to run away, with innocence just dripping from your figure.

Droid chuckled, the playful glimmer in his eyes intensifying as he leaned in a little closer. “You know we’re just teasing you, right? Or…maybe we’ve all been too comfortable tonight.” His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, making your heart race with the implications. “Let’s just say, when it comes to cuddles, the lines can blur, and sometimes the jokes take on a life of their own.”

You furrowed your brow, both curious and slightly apprehensive. “But it’s all in fun, right? Like, we’re just friends, just cuddling. Right?” The question lingered in the warm air, inviting exploration while the cozy glow of the room danced with laughter around you.

“Sure! Friends with some cuddly benefits!” Droid replied playfully, spinning the phrase into something almost whimsical. “But there’s a difference between joking around and actually having feelings. Trust me, no one wants things to get complicated tonight.” He shot a quick glance towards Puffer and Grizzy, who were currently locked in a mock argument over the significant merits of their favorite childhood cartoon characters.

Your heart beat faster at the thought of complicating the easy relationship you had fostered within your circle. The cuddles, the laughter, the ridiculous moments—they formed a harmonious rhythm that you cherished deeply. “I don’t want to ruin anything by taking it further. What if we get tangled up and something happens?”

Droid surprisingly relaxed, a sincere expression resting on his features. “You’re not ruining anything. We all care about each other, and this is all part of exploring what those feelings mean. Just know that at the end of the day, I think we’re all here to make memories together.” 

You studied his eyes, a mixture of warmth and concern glimmering back at you. It felt comforting, grounding you amidst the whirlwinds of banter and blissful chaos. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I just don’t want to make things awkward.”

“Awkward?” Droid laughed lightly, ruffling his hair, which somehow made him look even more adorable than he already was. “Have you met this group? Come on now, look at us doing a sleepover stream on twitch.” 

Pezzy, overhearing your conversation, wiggled his eyebrows comically. “Oh yeah, the king of awkward moments is right here! Remember when Grizzy attempted to serenade ___ with that old love song? Classic!” He let out a loud laugh, prompting everyone else to remember and join in, sharing their own favorite embarrassing stories.

Soon, the atmosphere shifted again as shared experiences and playful anecdotes piled one on top of the other, and the earlier tension fizzled out like a quickly deflating balloon. You felt lighter with each laugh, the worries that had clouded your mind slipping away like mist under the morning sun.

But as the laughter echoed, a small thought flickered in your mind. You noticed Droid’s teasing smirk when you turned to him, the light in his eyes hinting that maybe—just maybe—there was something more beneath the surface. Something neither of you had fully explored yet.

You snuggled back against Droid’s shoulder and allowed the comforting chaos to swirl around you, grateful for the journey ahead while keeping the precious moments close enough to hold. As the soft, ambient sounds of Minecraft lo-fi music filled the room, a calm veil descended over the group. The chill vibes wrapped around each of you like a cozy embrace, and everyone instinctively shifted closer, creating a warm cocoon on the couch. The flickering glow of the screen cast gentle shadows, enhancing the magical atmosphere of the moment.

You felt relaxed as you leaned more into Droid, the corners of your mouth turning up into a smile as you listened to the soothing beats that lingered in the air. "Welcome to our little sanctuary of peace and cozy adventures!" he declared dramatically, causing everyone to chuckle as they settled deeper into the comfort.

Pezzy, with his signature non-mischief, grabbed his Yoshi plushie and shut his eyes, enjoying the peace that the lo-fi music sung into the living room. “Lo-fi vibes—no chaos allowed!” he whispered playfully into the mic, everyone shook their heads in agreement. You rolled over to the left, the area right in between Pezzy and Droid; but still snuggled into Droid.

Not long into the mellow playlist, another media share kicked in,ocean waves to fall asleep too. As the soothing sounds of ocean waves rippled through the room, an air of tranquility settled. Soft whispers echoed with quiet laughter as eyelids grew heavy, and people nestled deeper into the comfort of each other. Just as you began to drift away to thoughts of sandy beaches and the gentle hush of the sea, the peaceful moment was abruptly shattered by the unmistakable opening chords of a familiar song.  The sudden shift from tranquility to chaos was jarring, and you couldn’t help but erupt into laughter as the upbeat rhythm filled the space, shaking everyone out of their mellow zones.

"Never gonna give you up! Never gonna let you down!" rang out, the classic Rick Astley hit blasting full volume like an air horn in the serene atmosphere. The shock of the sudden upbeat energy threw everyone into disarray, pulling laughter and startled reactions from every corner.

“Thanks Chat, now I’m limp as fuck,” Droid blurted out amidst the chaos, a cheeky grin plastered on his face. He tried to maintain an air of nonchalance, but you could feel the playfulness bubbling beneath the surface, igniting a cheerful atmosphere that was impossible to resist.

“Droid, don’t lie now! You have __ laying on you. Ain’t no way your limp,” Grizzy shot back, incredulity mixed with mirth in his voice. He nudged Droid with exaggerated gestures, making a scene as he pointed accusingly at the two of you.

Droid turned to you, his eyes dancing with humor as he leaned a bit closer. "Hey, what can I say? The presence of such cuteness takes all the energy out of a guy!" The banter filled the space with warmth, but the comment sent a delightful thrill racing through you. 

You chuckled softly, trying to play it cool but feeling your cheeks warm at his words. “Well, if I’m causing cosmic energy depletion, maybe it’s time I step back.” You pretended to shift away, feigning an exaggerated pout, but the playful glimmer in your eyes revealed your true intention—staying right where you were.

The playful atmosphere was abruptly hijacked as the voice of Buzz Lightyear boomed through the speakers with a theatrical flourish, bursting forth like a cannonball into a calm pool. “BUZZ LIGHTYEAR—THE WORLD’S GREATEST SUPERHERO! THE WORLD’S GREATEST TOY!!” The announcement crashed over everyone like a wave, and panic ensued as hearts raced and laughter erupted in equal measure.

Everyone leaped from their spots, startled out of their cozy moments like startled deer, eyes wide and pulses quickening. Droid shot upwards and nearly knocked over the bowl of chips that had been sitting precariously close. “What was that?!” he exclaimed, gripping his chest as if to stop the rapidly beating heart within. 

“WHY DOES BUZZ HAVE TO YELL LIKE THAT?!” Grizzy cried out, half-laughing and half-mocking, as he waved his arms dramatically, trying to rein in his own thumping heart. “I almost forgot I wasn’t in a horror movie!” 

“Seriously, that’s not a greeting! It’s an announcement of doom!” Pezzy followed up, gripping the edge of the couch, eyes darting as if expecting something to jump out at him. “I thought I was going to get drafted for a secret mission or something!”

You couldn’t help but burst out laughing, your laughter mingling with theirs as you tried to regain composure from the unexpected jump scare. “Who knew Buzz was such an adrenaline booster? Maybe he truly is a superhero!”

“Yeah, the kind of superhero who gives you a heart attack,” Droid managed to joke, his breath still hitching as he tried to steady himself. “What’s next? Is Lightning McQueen going to come racing in at full speed?”

Grizzy, feigning an air of deliberation, responded dramatically, “Lightning McQueen would totally give me a heart attack too! Someone, please—bring back the calming ocean waves!” 

Pezzy, still trying to catch his breath, planted his hands on his hips and pretended to give an impassioned speech to the ceiling. “I demand a safe space! A tranquil zone where no animated characters can yell at me suddenly. Buzz Lightyear is not invited! Also, I need to pee, so I'm going to pee. I’ll be back.” Pezzy says storming off to the ground level bathroom.

As the remnants of laughter began to dissolve and the soothing notes of a tranquil song from Avatar: The Last Airbender filled the room, a comforting atmosphere settled back in. The peaceful melody wrapped around you like a warm embrace, restoring serenity after the chaos of the earlier jump scare.

Just then, Pezzy emerged from the bathroom, still adjusting to the calm that had enveloped the gathering. He approached his designated spot only to discover a blanket of fluff and warmth—___ had claimed his territory, your form curled up comfortably in his absence on the couch. You could see a flicker of faux outrage cross his face.

With an exaggerated sigh of mock dismay, he declared, “Oh, the betrayal! My very own spot has been hijacked!” As if on cue, he flung his beloved Yoshi plushie down to the floor in a dramatized act of protest. The plushie landed with a soft thump, as though it understood his anguish.

Not one to let a minor setback get him down, Pezzy then decided to take matters into his own hands. He sidestepped the occupied space, hopping over the back of the couch with surprising agility. It was like watching an acrobat perform a daring maneuver, a mix of calculated confidence and carefree spirit.

With one foot landing just beside you, the warmth of his body pressed against yours as he gracefully settled down. You immediately found comfort in this new arrangement, body half awake, half asleep—a cozy blend of tranquility created by the soft music and the warmth radiating from Pezzy’s presence.

“Ahh, this is much better,” he sighed contentedly, sinking into the cushions beside you. The slight weight of him made the rest of the world fade away—a perfect addition to the relaxed ambiance. It was as if you both were enveloped in a personal bubble of calm.

“Mmm, this isn’t bad at all,” you murmured sleepily, shifting just enough to nestle against him. It felt effortless, as if you’d both found your own comfortable spots within the vastness of the couch. 

Moments naturally drifted by as you both closed your eyes slightly, letting the music wash over you. Pezzy’s warm presence kept you grounded, a gentle reminder that amidst laughter, chaos, and unpredictability, tranquility could also bloom.

As the peaceful ambiance enveloped you, the soothing notes of Avatar gradually faded, replaced by a sudden jarring bass that erupted through the speakers. The iconic Jellyfish Jam from SpongeBob SquarePants kicked in, amplified to a degree that could send a shiver down one’s spine, bass boosted to the point where it felt like a mini earthquake had struck the living room.

Pezzy jolted upright, eyes wide with incredulity. “What is happening?!” he exclaimed, smirking at the absurdity of the situation. The infectious rhythm thumped through the walls, drowning out your shared cocoon of tranquility. “This is definitely not the calming wave we signed up for!”

You burst out laughing, the previous serene atmosphere getting hijacked yet again by the wild energy of SpongeBob's carefree tune. There was something about the slapstick charm of the yellow sponge and his jellyfishing escapades that ignited an avalanche of laughter among your friends, who were just beginning to wake up from their own cozy states.

You were the first to join the riot, your smiles turning into giggles as you bounced slightly in your area “This is fantastic! Nothing like the Jellyfish Jam to get your heart pumping!” you exclaimed, adjusting your position to dance a little, all while draping the blanket like a party shawl.

feeling Pezzy’s laughter resonate beside you. “I’m not ready to dance!” he joked, throwing his hands up,moving his  body slightly to the beat. “We can’t just let the jellyfish groove without us?” 

The magnetic rhythm had lured everyone in, and before long, Grizzy and Droid had jumped up, imitating the jellyfish’s animated movements, arms flopping as they wiggled about like they were swimming through an imaginary ocean. “Look at me! I’m a jellyfish!” Grizzy declared with mocking grandeur, causing even more laughter among the crowd.

As the frantic jellyfish antics faded away into memory, you found your spot back on the couch, a soft cocoon of warmth and laughter. Pezzy's presence, wrapped around you like a gentle hug, cradled your senses, balancing the previous chaos with a serene comfort. The ambient sound of giggles and breathy whispers settled in as everyone slipped under their blankets, a colorful patchwork of fabric draped over the entire group like a whimsical safety net.

The next hour unfolded as a series of delightful segments filled with ridiculous videos and infectious laughter that punctuated the air like confetti. Each new media share was a surprise, an unexpected gem of comedic gold that pulled everyone’s attention back to the screen with wide eyes and stifled snickers. Until Puffer saw one of his Mods in chat spamming that the media share was broken.

As the last video came to an end, the screen suddenly froze, leaving everyone in a momentary state of confusion. The room was filled with a buzz of idle chatter, punctuating the silence as everyone wondered what went wrong. Puffer, who had been seated near the laptop, squinted at the screen, gauging the situation with an air of determination.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got this!” he declared, rising with confidence, though there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice. “Someone get the popcorn; it’s time for Puffer to troubleshoot!” 

With a playful roll of your eyes, you knew this was going to be an adventure. Puffer leaned over the laptop, clicking and typing excitedly as if he were about to save the world from a digital catastrophe. He manipulated the mouse wildly, attempting various approaches with a combination of trial and error. “Okay, let’s try refreshing… or maybe it wants a new video input?” he muttered to himself, his hands moving swiftly.

A few awkward clicks later, he turned to the group, expression both focused and slightly sheepish. “If anyone has a higher power, now would be a good time to channel it!” The laughter that erupted was unanimous—everyone loved Puffer’s relentless optimism even as the digital drama continued.

Finally, after some tinkering and a few dead-end attempts, Puffer’s face lit up with triumph as the media share screen flickered back to life. “Aha! I knew my infinite wisdom would prevail!” he proclaimed dramatically, arms raised like a conquering hero. 

The moment quickly shifted back to the screen, but then Puffer paused mid-victory to take notice of something on his screen. His brow furrowed for a second before a mischievous grin spread across his face, and he leaned back slightly. “Um, you guys might want to check this out,” he teased, his voice dripping with playful suspicion.

Curious, everyone turned to see what Puffer was pointing at on the couch,  to reveal glimpses of cozy moments between you and Pezzy. Much to your embarrassment, there you were, all snuggled up against him with a look that spoke volumes of comfort and warmth. His arm was draped casually around your shoulder, and the camera had captured that innocent moment of intimacy as Pezzy's hand rested underneath your shirt, resting lightly on your stomach.

You felt heat rush to your cheeks like a rushing tide, suddenly hyper-aware of the playful gaze of your friends. Laughter echoed around the room, some playful teasing notes rising above the joyful cacophony. 

“Oh come on, look at that! That’s beyond cuddly!” Droid added with a mocking shake of his head, clearly enjoying the fun of this unexpected exposure.

Pezzy chuckled, apparently somewhat unfazed by the scrutiny, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he nudged you playfully. “What can I say? Sometimes you just need a snack and some comfort,” he declared with a faux-seriousness that made the room erupt in laughter again.

“Yeah, snacks being you!” Puffer added, delighting in the playful atmosphere he’d inadvertently highlighted.

The embarrassment lingered lightly like a blush on your cheeks, but amidst the teasing, you couldn’t help but smile. There was something genuinely nice about the moment, about being comfortable with friends who accepted you exactly as you were, flaws and all.

You decided to embrace the light-hearted banter. “Hey, cuddling is a vital part of survival! Everybody knows that!” you retorted defiantly. “How else can one survive a full hour of media sharing without strong cuddle support?”

The laughter that rippled through the group felt like a warm embrace, transforming what could have been an awkward moment into another cherished memory. You snuggled further into Pezzy’s side, joining in on the fun. After all, this was all in good spirit, and the camaraderie within the group only seemed to deepen that night.

As the media share slid from clips of fluffy puppies tumbling in a garden to cheeky cat videos performing their own brand of shenanigans, the mood escalated into a riot of laughter and squeals. Pezzy often set the tone—his laughter was contagious, his presence an anchor of joy. Everyone felt at home, and as you snuggled further into Pezzy’s side, a warm serenity washed over you—this was your tribe, your family.

Puffer, ever the leader, had finally solved the media share app's quirks, and the next clip was ready to roll. The mischievous glint in his eye hinted at the good-spirited chaos to come. He pressed play, and instantly, the room filled with the unexpected sound of thumping music that matched every beat of your twerking exploits, captured gleefully from your social media.

"Whoa! Who knew you had those moves?" Grizzy exclaimed, his voice a mix of disbelief and lust, which earned a round of jeers from the others.

As the video played, each rhythmic sway drew exaggerated gasps and groans from Pezzy and Puffer, while Grizzy’s playful taunting escalated into outright praise. Each twist and turn had surfed a wave of shock and delight, and Droid, now wide awake, stood frozen, mouth agape. You caught a glimpse of his expression, a mixture of awe and amusement, like a child seeing fireworks for the first time.

The atmosphere in the room shifted to a vibrant blend of energy and frisky as the video showcased your surprise dance moves, each beat pulsating with a life of its own. With every sway, Pezzy dramatically clutched his heart, feigning restraint from bursting into wild applause, while Puffer leaned in, eyes wide, caught somewhere between admiration and mischief. Grizzy,

could hardly contain himself, erupting into laughter as he chanted compliments and exaggerated reactions. 

It was in this whirl of laughter and gaiety that Droid’s inspiration struck. In an impulsive moment, he turned to you, caught under the mesmerizing spell of your dance, and before you could react, he smacked your butt with a playful burst of confidence. The surprise hung in the air, time seeming to freeze momentarily as the room erupted into a mixture of gasps and laughter. The mix of shock and giggles was contagious, with each friend rooting for more daring antics.

But as the reality of action dawned on Droid, his face flushed a shade of crimson. “Oh, no! I-I didn’t mean to—” he stammered, eyes wide in shock, realizing the unexpected boldness of his move. 

As his embarrassment peaked, he turned away, only to find himself snuggling next to you in an almost childlike manner, muttering apologies as if hoping to melt into the couch. ��I’m so sorry! That was so out of line, I wasn’t thinking, just—”

“Relax, Droid!” you replied, chuckling as you nudged him playfully. “We’re all ‘friends’ here! Just consider it a compliment.”

The laughter echoed through the room, a symphony of amusement bubbling up like soda pop shaken too vigorously. Puffer, leaning back in his chair, couldn’t suppress his chuckles, and Grizzy dramatically wiped away tears of laughter. Pezzy was red in the face, torn between embarrassment and bemusement; it wasn’t every day he found himself among such a raucous crowd.

“Okay, okay, let’s not get too carried away!” you exclaimed, playfully nudging Droid away, who was still buried in a sea of regrets and apologies, mumbling about how he didn’t mean to be so bold. You couldn’t help but smile at this unexpected turn of events; it was just too entertaining.

“Don’t worry, Droid. Just don’t make it a habit,” you winked, turning the situation into a lighthearted joke. The room erupted again with raucous laughter, and it felt like a bubble of joy had enveloped all of you. It was one of those rare moments, where ridiculousness united friends in a blend of laughter and mischief, an unbreakable bond of camaraderie.

“But seriously, how did you even manage to pull off those moves and why haven't you done them on me yet?” Grizzy smirked, leaning in closer as if hoping to uncover the secrets behind your seemingly spontaneous dancing prowess.

Grizzy’s footsteps creaked across the floor as he ambled out of the cozy living room, his mission to find his elusive hair tie and sleep mask. “I’ll be right back! Don’t eat all the snacks without me!” he called, but everyone knew this was a challenge rather than a warning. As soon as he left, an excited buzz encircled the room; media share had started to stutter and glitch, like a wayward satellite trying to connect with the right signal.

Puffer, the tech whiz of the group, grabbed his trusty laptop. The screen flickered in protest as he muttered under his breath, “What’s going on with you now?” His fingers danced skillfully across the keys, eyes narrowed in concentration. Every now and then, he glanced up to catch the stream of chaotic energy that filled the room, almost like a buzz of electric excitement electrifying everyone’s laughter and chatter.

“Just think of it as character-building for the media share,” Pezzy jokes, reclining back into the couch with his water bottle or coke bottle in his lap.

You chuckled, feeling utterly at ease, nestled snugly between Droid and Pezzy. Your friends provided an amusing buffer, eliciting warmth and joy from the light banter that occurred around you. Grabbing your phone for a moment, you scrolled through your socials’ endless chatter, pausing occasionally to catch a snippet of a lively conversation or a meme that made you smile.

Just then, Grizzy re-entered the room, arms laden with snacks — a bag of cheese cubes that you brought home earlier cradled in one hand, while the other sported an enormous chocolate bar that seemed almost to shine in the dim light. “I feel liberated! And guess what I found?” he exclaimed triumphantly, yanking off the sleep mask that was dangling from his neck. “The ultimate sleep accessory!” 

You burst into laughter at his silly antics, while Grizzy graciously gave you a handful of your favorite type of cheese, his delightful obsession with snacks evident as he plopped down, a grin plastered on his face.

“Thanks, Grizzy! Best snacks ever,” you said, your smile wide as you ate a cube from the pile. 

With perfect timing, Puffer triumphantly declared, “It lives!” as the media share flickered back to life. He beaconed for everyone’s attention, “Who’s ready to see some legendary content?” He playfully pointed at you, knowing you were usually the most enthusiastic about the wildest videos.

“Mildly legendary, at least!” you joked back, as a wave of giggles swept through the room. 

Puffer then bounded up to the fridge, grabbing two chilled water bottles. As Puffer theatrically waved the water bottle before handing it to you, the room erupted in giggles. A playful warmth enveloped you as he flashed that signature, quirky flirty smile, saying, “Stay hydrated, my love! We need some of our energy for tonight’s stream!” It felt like a scene plucked straight out of a romantic comedy, and you couldn’t help but smile back, feeling lighthearted and surrounded by good vibes.

Just as everyone settled onto the couch, shifting legs and rearranging pillows for comfort, the atmosphere was interrupted by a cheerful, chime-like notification. The screen flickered with a bright message announcing a fresh donation—a moment of sweet, dramatic déjà vu. 

“Grizzy daddy sorry… Pezzy daddy sorry… Puffer daddy sorry… Oh Hi Droid...” The words echoed through the room as everyone burst into an uproar of laughter, breaking the blissful moment of quiet anticipation.

The moment the words echoed through the room, the atmosphere swelled with laughter that spilled into every corner of the cozy space. Each of the boys reacted with exaggerated flair, their personalities blossoming in the face of absurdity.

Pezzy quickly flicked off the camera with a theatrical motion, a bemused expression splashed across his face. “Well, that’s one way to get kicked off the stream!” he quipped, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation while trying to suppress the giggles bursting forth. The playful banter had taken a wild turn, and he was all too eager to jokingly step back.

Puffer, ever the mastermind of theatrics, raised one eyebrow in a perfectly timed reaction. He peered intently into the lens as if assessing the situation. “I don’t recall signing up for this, people! What a betrayal!” he exclaimed, his tone dramatic and over-the-top, eliciting more laughter from the group. 

Grizzy, on the other hand, took the insults with a smirk, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement. “What?” he hummed into the mic, his deadpan delivery contrasting hilariously with the chaos of the moment. It was his quintessential lazy nonchalance that often played out in the most joyful of ways, and the sight left everyone chuckling.

Droid, embodying his role as the steady yet quirky dad-type of the group, opted for the classic dad wave, a somewhat exaggerated waving gesture that left the others in stitches. “Oh hi there, everyone! Just checking in, no big deal!” he said, a grin growing wide across his face. His tone was comically casual, adding a delightful layer to the already jovial atmosphere. You cuddled into his side giving him extra love since chat was not loving him. 

Droid’s dad wave came off as wonderfully charming, but what drew attention next was the sweet moment you shared. As you cuddled into his side, he turned slightly, a mix of surprise and delight flashing across his face. The laughter around you faded into a soft backdrop as you leaned in closer, your whisper brushing against his ear like a teasing breeze.

“You know we can blur those lines, like you said earlier, daddy,” you said, your voice low and playful, accompanied by a subtle bite of your lip that sent a ripple of warmth through the air. Your sultry gaze met his, and in that moment, a spark seemed to dance between the two of you, igniting a playful tension that even the jubilant noise of your friends couldn’t extinguish.

Droid’s cheeks flushed a shade deeper than usual, a mix of comical embarrassment and sincerity painting his expression. “Whoa now,” he chuckled nervously, adjusting his glasses with an endearingly awkward gesture. His grin, however, widened, eyes sparkling with mischief. “We’ve got an audience here, and they’re expecting some dad jokes, not... whatever this is.” The thrill in his voice hinted at how much he was enjoying this unexpected turn of events, the way it turned the night from merely entertaining into something tantalizingly complex.

The laughter around you surged back, with Pezzy and Puffer barely containing their amusement. “Look at you two! What is happening?” Pezzy exclaimed, nudging Puffer playfully. “Someone’s getting scandalous!”

With everyone now grinning conspiratorially, Droid leaned in closer, brushing his shoulder against yours as he whispered back, “You’re really going to make it hard for me to stick to my dad persona like this.” There was a hint of challenge in his voice, the playful spark beckoning him to dive into the quirky chemistry crackling between you two.

“Oh, that’s the point,” you replied smoothly, throwing in an exaggerated wink for dramatic flair, prompting more laughter from the guys. “A little chaos never hurts anyone, right?”

Droid glanced over at the camera, then back at you, his expression a mix of affection and mischief. He was clearly torn between maintaining his wholesome charm and embracing the funny spur-of-the-moment vibes that had overtaken the stream. “Guess we’ll have to see how much chaos we can get away with tonight!” he ultimately declared, laughter spilling from his lips.

The laughter that erupted after Droid’s declaration was quickly eclipsed by the sudden and loud “ACHOO!” from Grizzy, echoing through the room like a fire alarm. Everyone turned their attention to him, eyes wide and ready for whatever playful chaos might ensue next. 

“Bless you, daddy!” you chimed in, your voice a playful melody that added to the humor of the moment. It was a lighthearted jest, one that only you seemed to notice was met with a hint of surprise from Grizzy.

“Thank you, kitten,” Grizzy replied absentmindedly, a sheepish grin dancing on his face, completely missing the undertones of misplaced affection behind your playful greeting. 

At that instant, everyone froze in a state of disbelief, their expressions oscillating between shock and hilarity. Droid’s mouth dropped open slightly, eyes darting back and forth between you and Grizzy. “Wait, what?” he stammered, confused as if he had just stumbled into the wrong dimension. 

Pezzy nearly fell off the couch, clutching his stomach. “Did you just get called ‘kitten’ by Grizzy?!” he hooted, pointing an accusatory finger as if he’d just discovered the greatest scandal in streaming history.

Puffer leaned back, arms crossed and a mock-serious expression plastered on his face. “This is a plot twist nobody saw coming! I feel like I just got upgraded to a new season of ‘Reality: The Chronicles of the Clooless Boys’!”

Grizzy’s face turned a shade darker, embarrassment washing over his features like the tide. “I thought that was Pezzy blessing me!” he exclaimed, his voice rising a bit as the realization dawned on him. The laughter only escalated, everyone seizing the chance to poke fun at the blushing dad figure.

“Surprise! It wasn’t Pezzy, it was me!” you teased, leaning back with a satisfied grin as Grizzy squirmed in his seat. 

“Seriously though!” Puffer interjected, “Do we need a ‘Grizzy Kittens’ merch line now? I can see the T-shirt designs already!” He threw in an exaggerated hand gesture like he was revealing the ultimate scoop, and laughter erupted once again.

Grizzy couldn’t escape the playful wave of banter that washed in; it pushed and pulled at him, the boys relentlessly teasing. “I’m just being nice; you know, wholesome and all!” he defended, though the humor of the moment was too strong. 

“Well, we all need a little kitten magic in our lives!” you added with a wink, the room howling in gleeful laughter once more, Grizzy helplessly caught in the storm of camaraderie and jovial embarrassment. 

As the chaos continued, Droid settled back into his role, smirking at the series of events. “What a stream this has turned out to be! I take back what I said earlier. The only chaos happening tonight is right here!”

As the laughter mellowed into a happy buzz, Pezzy announced in his signature boisterous tone, “Alright, I’m off to the restroom!” With a dramatic flourish, he hopped up from the couch, waving exaggeratedly as he made his exit. The moment his absence created a void, you felt yourself unintentionally slipping into the couch's crevice. The plush cushions seemed to invite you in, but instead of comfort, it was more akin to a gentle but insistent trap, gradually making you feel like you were disappearing into the furniture.

Wriggling to escape the unexpected embrace of the couch, you quickly realized you were getting uncomfortably confined. “Okay, this is not how couch-sinking was supposed to work,” you muttered to yourself, muscles tensing as you tried to re-adjust. Even worse, an unwanted chill crept over you as the air surged in, and your body's instinct kicked in—time for a sweatshirt.

You slipped free from the couch's clutches with a huff, making your way to the kitchen table where one of the boys had left a cozy sweatshirt lounging. As you stretched to grab it, you felt the energy buzzing behind you. Grizzy's voice broke through the casual chatter that filled the room.

“Anyone want food? I’m thinking we could get some takeout!” he called out, glancing around but pausing when you walked behind him on the couch. 

You turned to respond but caught his eye just at the right moment. He looked up at you with a cheeky grin that held a mischievous glint. “I could eat you for dinner,” he said smoothly, holding your gaze with a confidence that sent your heart racing. The playful stretch of his words and the way he carried his charm had a sudden and powerful effect, leaving you blushing furiously.

Your cheeks warmed like a furnace, and thankfully for you, the microphone didn’t pick up his playful flirtation, but the live chat didn’t miss a beat. A flood of messages began popping up, teasing you with playful jabs like “Is Grizzy flirting?” and “Someone's blushing!” Streams of giggles erupted in the background, a chorus of playful mockery, while you tried to muster up a witty comeback, desperately suppressing a giddy smile.

“I—uh, well, you know, I’m more of a snack, really!” you finally managed to stutter out, your voice coming out in a rush as you hastily pulled the sweatshirt on, grateful for the added warmth and cover it provided against the teasing glances and chortles filling the room. 

As you settled into your sweatshirt—a snug cocoon that shielded you from the playful teasing—Puffer patted the couch next to him, a cheeky glimmer in his eye. “Hey, come here! There’s a perfect spot right here between Grizzy and me. It’s the best seat in the house,” he said, his tone light and inviting, but with an undercurrent of mischief.

With nowhere else to go and the irresistible allure of friendly companionship pulling at you, you slid back onto the couch, positioning yourself between the two guys. The warmth of the sweatshirt contrasted with the cozy closeness of your friends, making the entire setting feel simultaneously comforting and just the right amount of chaotic.

“Now we’re all together again!” Puffer said, grinning as he leaned closer, speaking in a low voice, just for your ears. “You know, snacks are supposed to be shared,” he quipped playfully, nudging your shoulder. “Are you okay with that? Because I could totally go for some midnight munchies.” 

Grizzy caught the exchange, and with impeccable timing, he threw in, still maintaining eye contact, “Yeah, if you’re one of our late-night snacks, we’d better make sure you’re well taken care of.” His expression was equal parts playful, equal parts serious, and it sent tingles of mischief running up your spine.

You bit your lip to stifle the giggle rising within you. The room was buzzing with laughter and chaos, yet it felt like you were in a little bubble, cozied up between two of your friends who were determined to shower you with attention and silliness. 

Pezzy turned his focus on the stream again, casually adjusting the camera to capture the moment. “Wow, look how quickly things get spicy whenever I step away!” he teased, eliciting another round of laughter from the group. His voice interjected into your light-hearted exchanges, making the moment all the more dynamic. 

Puffer leaned closer, lowering his voice further, still playing his part in the low-key flirtation. “Just be prepared; if Grizzy decides you’re a snack, we might need to set some boundaries. I don’t want to lose my favorite couch companion!” He threw an exaggerated wink your way, clearly enjoying himself.

A tranquil blanket of tiredness began to settle over the group. With the warmth of the moment wrapping around you like a cozy hug, you found yourself sprawled out comfortably between Puffer and Grizzy, sipping the last bits of energy from the night. Puffer’s arm encircled your shoulders, creating a subtle but comforting presence against the backdrop of friendly chaos, while Grizzy settled in closer, an easy smile resting on his face.

Across the couch, Droid had positioned himself, half splayed over Puffer while balancing precariously in his own little kingdom of cushions. Pezzy, in his corner, had curled up like a content cat, the remnants of a lively evening wrapped softly around him like a well-worn blanket. The jovial energy had morphed into a lazy but delightful stillness.

Just as you began to float into a comfortable haze, a sudden jolt of sound erupted through the room. The unmistakable PlayStation 2 intro music blasted through the speakers, bass boosted to an almost ridiculous level. It reverberated across the walls, shaking the very air around you like a sonic tidal wave.  

“Whoa! What is that?” Grizzy exclaimed, suddenly jerking awake, his eyes wide as he tried to make sense of what was happening. 

Puffer groaned dramatically, “You’ve just made my comfy couch nap a dangerous mission.” 

Droid, ever the instigator, snickered from his sprawled position. “Who doesn’t love a bit of classic nostalgia, especially when it’s had a little too much to drink?” His laughter echoed through the room, amplifying the joyful chaos as Pezzy popped up with a laugh, eyes sparkling with mischief.

you nestled back against Puffer, the warmth and security of the couch embraced you like a gentle wave, lulling you into a blissful sleep. The laughter and teasing faded into a soft murmur of voices, mingling with the pulsating bass of the music still lingering in the background. You drifted off, wrapped in the cozy camaraderie of your friends and the chaotic energy of the night.

You had no idea how much time passed, but the soothing rhythm of sleep was abruptly interrupted by a loud and thunderous roar that echoed through the room. The media share had taken a sudden turn—an audio clip of a rocket taking off filled the space, its intensity jolting you out of your slumber. 

“3… 2… 1… lift-off!” the announcer declared, the excitement crackling in the air as if the whole world was about to be launched into a new dimension. You immediately scrubbed the sleep from your eyes and shot up in a daze.

Droid, still sprawled out on the couch, burst into laughter, his voice bright and teasing. “Welcome back to planet earth! Did you see the launch? It was epic!” His teasing made the room feel lively again, as Grizzy stirred and let out a groggy chuckle, trying to process what had just happened.

“Oh man, I thought I was dreaming of a space adventure,” Grizzy mumbled, rubbing at his eyes. “Next thing I know, I’m being blasted back to reality by NASA!” 

Pezzy’s corner became a flurry of movement as he sat up, brows raised in surprise. “Did we just launch a rocket, or did I miss the memo about attending a space party?!” he joked, laughter spilling from him like confetti—a feel-good ambiance that swept through the group.

You blinked repeatedly, glancing between your friends as confusion mixed with the remnants of sleep. “I just wanted to see what the cosmos looked like while peacefully napping!”

The lively chatter of your friends snapped your attention back to the present. The idea of breakfast hung in the air like a sweet aroma, and soon enough, everyone started weighing their options between the two iconic breakfast spots—IHOP, the haven of fluffy pancakes and syrup-filled wonders, and Waffle House, known for its crispy, golden waffles and hearty home-cooked meals.

“IHOP has those amazing stuffed pancakes,” Droid argued, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. “Plus, can you imagine diving into a warm, maple syrup waterfall this early in the day? Pure bliss!” 

Grizzy, ever the candid commentator, chimed in, “But Waffle House has that greasy charm, you know? There’s something about their hash browns smothered and covered that feels like a big, warm hug!”

Pezzy, fueled by his undeniable love for breakfast, flailed his arms playfully. “But can’t you see? At IHOP, we’ll have all those crazy pancake flavors! You can't beat the strawberry banana or the chocolate chip! Can you imagine the pancake tower we could build?” His eyes gleamed with the sweetness of delicious possibilities.

You couldn’t help but chuckle at the sheer enthusiasm bubbling around you, the debate energizing the air. “I love pancakes, but I also can’t say no to that crispy goodness from Waffle House,” you admitted, feeling the flavors of both places dancing on your taste buds. 

“That’s true, but IHOP wins on atmosphere!” Puffer interjected, reclining in a way that suggested a fierce dedication to the cause. “I mean, it’s like entering a pancake paradise!” He gestured dramatically, as if the diners themselves were the grandest of attractions.

The excitement in the room shifted as Pezzy’s sudden pizza craving sparked new energy among the group. Everyone rallied at the idea of a late-night pizza party, the atmosphere buzzing with anticipation. The conversation swirled, mixing dreams of classic cheese slices with a sprinkle of spontaneity.

“Okay, so we’re going plain cheese, but we can’t forget the breadsticks!” you added, feeling the warmth of your friends’ camaraderie washing over you. “Dipping those in marinara sauce is a must!”

“Exactly! Those cheesy, garlicky breadsticks are the real MVPs of the meal!” Puffer nodded enthusiastically, his eyes alight with the prospect of it all. “But while we’re at it, how about we throw in some toppings for an extra dimension? We need to elevate this pizza experience!”

Grizzy shrugged, leaning back with a thoughtful expression. “I mean, if we’re playing with toppings, we could go wild. What about a little pepperoni or mushrooms?” 

Pezzy’s fingers danced over his phone screen, frantically typing the order as the conversation snowballed. “Alright, so we’ve got cheese and breadsticks… what do you think about adding some pepperoni?” 

“Okay, pepperoni can work,” you said, your mind flashing images of gooey cheese and spicy slices melding together. “But if we go that route, let’s be bold and sprinkle on some jalapeños too, for a little kick!”

“Now we’re talking!” Puffer exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious. “Yup, I’m in for the heat!”

With your decision solidifying, Pezzy hit the ‘order now’ button on the pizza app, sending your late-night cravings into action. The deliciousness you anticipated made your mouth water, and soon, you would all be sinking into cheesy bliss, sharing slices and stories as the night pushed on.

As the minutes passed in delightful anticipation, your friends shifted the conversation back to the topic of breakfast, discussing the point at which IHOP became the undeniable champion of pancake paradise. It was a cacophony of voices, laughter, and the occasional sleepy mumble as you settled back into the couch.

“I’ve been thinking about toppings all wrong,” Droid pondered aloud. “We could have designed the ultimate breakfast pizza, now that I think about it! Bacon, eggs, cheese… to start the day right!”

“That may be the best idea I’ve heard all night!” Pezzzy chuckled. “Wait, do you think breakfast pizza could ever work at IHOP?”

“Why not?” you said, sliding back into the playful banter that danced built upon each suggestion. “I mean, if we add a bit of syrup on top, it could be the wildest food fusion ever!”

Bursting into laughter, the idea took root in your collective imagination—an absurdly wonderful breakfast pizza that could be adorned with pancakes, bacon, and maple syrup. 

“Listen, all I know is that when we hit IHOP, we might as well throw in an experimental breakfast pizza for good measure,” Grizzy proclaimed, and everyone around formed an enthusiastic cheer.

With the pizza order confirmed and the atmosphere filled with warmth and laughter, the anticipation for your dinner grew.Time passed quickly, wrapping up as the doorbell suddenly rang, heralding the arrival of your cheesy feast.

As the doorbell rang, a media share popped up of them being rick rolled. It seems like it's the 5th time tonight, and they rick rolled the pizza delivery man. Puffer, with a triumphant grin plastered on his face, returned from the door to the bustling living room, his arms a precarious tower of pizza boxes and the enticing aroma of freshly baked breadsticks wafting through the air. “Look what I have! The feast has arrived!” he announced, his belly rumbling in sync with his excitement.

As he carefully set the boxes on the coffee table, the group erupted in cheers. “And look who decided to add a little fizz to the party!” he chuckled, revealing the two-liter bottle of Sprite perched between the boxes, a secret that had remained hidden in Pezzy’s planning.

“Did you really just sneak a soda?!” Droid asked, a mix of mock indignation and amusement lighting up his face. “You know that just adds to the calories of the pizza we are about to destroy, right?”

“Exactly!” Puffer laughed, popping the lid off the soda and pouring it into cups for everyone. “More sugar and cheese equals more fun!”

With a round of cheers and an impromptu toast to indulgence, the pizza was displaced, boxes flopped open, and everyone eagerly reached for their favorite slices. Laughter bubbled over as you all revealed in the moment, recounting the hilarity of the night’s earlier rick-rolls. The latest one had been particularly epic, as you all watched your pizza delivery man, caught off guard by the iconic tune blasting from your phone.

After feasting on cheesy deliciousness and munching crispy breadsticks, you felt a gentle lull settling over the group, each of you stuffed and satisfied. It was in this peaceful atmosphere, snuggled between Droid and Puffer on the couch, that your phone buzzed, breaking the cozy ambience.

Curious, but unwilling to move from your snug position, you let it ring a few times until the buzz faded into silence. When it buzzed again, you reluctantly peeled open your eyes just enough to see your boss’s name flashing on the screen. You swiped to answer, the warmth of your friends at your side making the weight of the call feel far away.

“We need someone to cover a quick shift at the ER until morning,” your boss’s voice came, calm yet urgent. You bit your lip, contemplating. The thought of leaving this cozy gathering, the happiness thick in the air, sent a shiver of reluctance down your spine.

“No, I can’t do it tonight,” you finally said, feeling a wave of relief wash over you as you declined the request. You had a soft spot for emergencies, of course, but the memories being created tonight were just as important to you. After a brief exchange, you hung up, content in your decision.

With a little stretch, you snagged one last crust and sighed with satisfaction. There was no going back after that—your stomach was full, the laughter surrounding you was intoxicating, and the couch was simply too inviting. 

As the conversation continued around you, the night drifted on, feeling heavier with warmth and comfort. You took one last bite of the delicious pizza, savoring the gooey cheese as it melted in your mouth. With a satisfied sigh, the pizza platter was polished off, and the glow of laughter filled the air as stories turned into gentle banter.

Before long, the energy of the group began to fade, little by little, until it felt like a soft blanket of peace covered the space. Unable to resist the overwhelming comfort, slumping back into the comfy cushions, you snuggled deeper between Droid and Puffer, who instinctively wrapped an arm around you. The day’s exhaustion hit you hard, drawing you into a comforting blanket of slumber. 

With the sounds of laughter in the background gradually transforming into a soft murmur, your eyelids grow heavy. You surrendered to the irresistible allure of sleep, letting it pull you into a cozy oblivion, ensconced in the happiness of cherished friendships.

As your eyelids fluttered closed, the muted noise of laughter and conversations blurred into a comforting hum. You could feel the warmth radiating from your friends, each breath lulling you into a deeper calm.

In your dreams, you danced through bright halls of pancake paradise and celebrated pizza feasts with friends who understood the magic of spontaneous adventures. Just as you drifted away, you could faintly hear Puffer delivering a rendition of “Never Gonna Give You Up,” the echo of laughter blending harmoniously with the peace of your slumber.

[pallastrology]

observations on aquarius

artwork by jules pierre van biesbroek

aquarius moons, like other air moons, can treat their emotions kind of like a puzzle; they turn them over in their hands and really break down and analyse their thoughts and feelings. aquarius moons in particular tend to be very focused on the wider impact of their actions and emotions, which, while a testament to their kind and caring nature, can get in the way of them experiencing their full emotional range and the insight that comes with that.

a lot of people with aquarius dominance can go through life feeling dreadfully lonely. though (depending on individual placements) they often pride themselves on being different, or not needing to follow the crowd, deep down they can feel they don't belong, or aren't 'normal'. really, their uniqueness is what makes them beautiful, and while their journey isn't always predictable, they generally find their tribe along the way, and become people with a strong sense of self and steady values that guide them and their relationships.

aquarius on the ascendant tends to have a reputation for looking 'alien-like' or asymmetric, and while the second one especially can be true, my opinion is that a lot of aquarius risings have a doll-like beauty, with very fine and neat features, not unlike virgo risings actually. what sets them apart is that they are more expressive with their style, more congruent and more open to showing their true selves through their clothing. they are prouder and stronger that way, almost more dramatic.

mars in aquarius is a placement that has a strange relationship with anger and assertiveness. they tend to be very cool people, in that they're stoic, relaxed, grounded and pragmatic; they aren't as controlling or fearful as a fixed mars tends to be. but they can be quite detached from their anger and agency, and so if they aren't self-reflective, they don't see how it can affect those around them when they are angry. they are prone to anger at the state of the world and are sensitive to justice - or injustice, rather - but can be erratic in how they display this, at times seeming uncaring.

jupiter in aquarius is a placement that brings a lot of kindness, a lot of generosity, but a strict will and a clear vision. they are dreamers at heart, like a lot of aquarian placements, but if it's channeled properly, jupiter in aquarius gives the native the power and confidence to succeed. the other interesting thing about this placement is that the native tends to love to work; as long as the work means something to them, as long as it does good. they absolutely cannot work just to make money, it's bad for their souls.

aquarius in the sixth house can bring health issues that appear suddenly, are hard to diagnose or treat, or come and go. they may have unusual symptoms or reactions to things, and the phrase 'when you hear hoofbeats, think horses' doesn't tend to apply so well to them. somewhat nervous individuals, aquarius in the sixth house natives can be sensitive to lifestyle factors that help or hinder their health, and so they need a solid (if maybe a little unconventional) routine to really flourish.

aquarius suns are some of the funniest people i've ever met. they have a real deadpan, dry sense of humour and their serious delivery just makes the joke land better. although they may have unconventional taste in material, they don't tend towards the inappropriate and in fact are very even and fair in their roasts. maybe for this reason, they aren't the best roasters, but at least you know you won't be traumatised if an aquarius roasts you...

venus in aquarius gets a reputation for being distant, 'away with the fairies', even unromantic, but i don't think that's true at all. while they are a more grounded and cerebral placement for venus to be in, these natives are incredibly sweet. when they love someone, they will tell them so in a thousand tiny ways. they're the type to take their time getting to know every part of you, down to your microexpressions and innermost worries and favourites.

[juukai]

DCAtober day 6: Hue

moon/sun x reader, ~3k words, fluff

plz be kind I haven't posted my writing in years

The question was innocent enough and asked extremely casually. Somehow it still threw you off just enough to have you looking up from tying Jamie's shoes for her so that she could leave.

"Huh?"

"Your favorite color, star! Somehow we don't have that information yet. Which is weird, I could have sworn we would have asked as part of your first introduction day..." Sun tapped his chin and gave the impression that he wasn't quite looking at you, though without pupils it was hard to tell. He seemed to be muttering that last part to himself- or to the both of them in there- at any rate.

You shrugged and tightened the last of the bows for Jamie and sent her off to her waiting guardian. An early pick-up today, it hadn't even been nap time yet. You hoped that she was going to get to do something fun at home with her family.

"Well, I suppose if you ask again reeeally nicely this time, I'll let you in on the secret."

Sun huffed in obvious play outrage. "I asked you nicely the first time! My manners are impeccable!" You grinned at the lack of the plural there- it was no secret that Sun thought Moon was slacking on manners. The two of you watched each other for a few moments before his shoulders dropped and he gave you a simulated sigh.

Ha! Point to you.

He must have seen the smugness creeping in, because just as suddenly he had his hand clasped to his chest and another outstretched in your direction as he swept into a bow. Point lost, now he was going into full thespian mode.

It was really hard to not either push at him to get him to stop or to start laughing before he could even speak.

"Please, my dearest and most precious friend!" Oh, he was really leaning into it. He had a little accent going and everything. "We cannot continue like this. Will you not gift us with the knowledge of the hue held closest, the most cherished, in your heart?"

You were doing a terrible job of not laughing at him. Some of the children were giving the two of you strange looks, while a couple others were giggling at the theatrics.

"Oh my god, please stop."

His grin hadn't changed and yet somehow it looked so self-satisfied. If there weren't a bunch of kids around to set a good example for, you'd definitely be pushing him now. It was still very tempting anyways.

He rolled his wrist, reminding you that he was waiting for you to answer him. Between chuckles you finally gave him the response that he was waiting for and dipped lower in his bow before standing up straight with a flourish.

"You're so dramatic." You didn't give him a shove, but you did purposely bump into him once he was completely upright again. He let you and swayed with the motion to give you the effect that you were looking for, and probably also to soften your thunk against his hard frame a little for your benefit.

His rays spun merrily as he looked out over the daycare to get a beat on what the kids were all doing, then returned his attention to you. "Why thank you! We do try our best."

For a while the two of you just stood near one another, the both of you watching different zones to make sure that everyone was following the rules and playing nice. Sun didn't always seem to prefer when there wasn't a guided activity going, but naptime was coming up before too long and you knew Moon harped in their headspace that the kids needed a little wearing out before they were expected to sleep. There was only so much the moondrops could do to help them get to sleep, and the kids always settled for a story better if they were tuckered out.

"Why'd you want to know my favorite color, anyway?" you asked after a while.

"Hmm?" Sun perked up at your question, though he kept looking out across the room. "Oh, one of the little ones wanted to give you a star sticker earlier, for being such a good helper and since we usually call you star! But it seems like they might have forgotten now. I can still give you a sticker, though, if you'd like."

You laughed and waved one hand vaguely. "No, that's okay. Now you know for next time. I guess that got missed somewhere in our introductions." You looked at him and then thought about it for a moment. "... Y'know, I don't know yours either. What's your favorite color, Sunny?"

"Yellow!" He answered so quickly that you had to wonder if that was what he legitimately preferred or if it was a scripted like- sometimes the animatronics, for all that you forgot that they were programmed to be the way that they were sometimes and that they weren't just really weird looking people, couldn't escape a coded response.

"Uh huh. Not sure if I expected that or not." It seemed like too obvious an answer, since he was yellow. But then, it still would have been fitting, you supposed.

The two of you went your separate ways for a while a little later, Sun going to return to taking a hands-on approach to playtime when one of the kids came up and asked to go to the bathroom. It wasn't too long once you came back that it was time to start clearing the softer area of toys and foam shapes to drag out the nap mats and blankets, You helped to get them all set up with the children while Sun made his way to the light switch.

The music shifted to a version of the normal song that was much calmer and quieter, and lacked the goofy sound effects sprinkled in, as the lights dimmed. You stayed off to the side as Moon came back to the area and passed out little wrapped candies to everyone who sat nicely for story time. He gave you a rather impish little look as he made a big show of skipping over you with the distribution of the drops, which earned an echo of amused little giggles. You didn't really want one anyway but you still put one hand on your hip and wagged a chastising finger at him.

You collected all of the wrappers from the candies while Moon took a poll on what story everyone wanted to hear and then started to recite from his internal library. Sometimes he used physical books just so that he would have pictures to share with the kiddos, but today he recited it without one while the kids hunkered down. Most of them were asleep before the story ended and you watched from a good distance away as Moon checked on the remaining few stragglers to make sure that they didn't need anything, then he left their immediate area so as not to disturb them.

You knew that his sensors had picked up that they'd fallen asleep when he approached you. He only put so much distance between him and them when everyone was out and he wouldn't be needed for a while.

"Finished hovering?"

His chuckled softly. "Brat. Are you going to go take your break?"

You shrugged. "In a bit. Thought I'd keep you company first, I'm sure Sun won't mind if my break bleeds over into his time a little."

Moon's faceplate ticked to the side once, twice, and then a full spin in delight. "Oh, he minds. But Mr. Manners needs to learn to share." You laughed, though you were mindful of your volume. You'd gotten plenty of scolding in the past from the naptime attendant, who took his job of making sure sleep happened very seriously. It and security were about the only things he seemed to take seriously.

"You two bickering again? Over lil' ol' me?" You snickered. "You see me almost every day, I don't believe for a minute that either of you actually mind me going on break."

Without having pupils to make it visible, Moon was forced to roll his eyes with his whole head. "Of course we don't, we want you to take your breaks." You could see him pause to give his programming time to work through not needing to tell you to rest. It was a process, he had explained once, bypassing certain triggers to his protocols since adults weren't people that he was in charge of unless it was for security. "That doesn't mean," he continued, "that we like missing time with you."

You were not getting flustered by the robot. "Aw, shucks," you joked as a distraction. "You two are going to make me blush."

He made an amused sound before a comfortable silence settled between the two of you for a couple moments. He watched the children for some of that time, on the look out for any signs that someone was stirring, but luckily most naptimes went very smoothly and stayed dull. You made your way over to one of the craft tables after a while and Moon shadowed you all too quietly for a tall animatronic covered in bells.

You started to clear the table and get things organized again when you came across a sheet of stickers that reminded you of earlier. "Hey, Moon Man?"

"Yes, Starling," he answered in a sickly-sweet tone. You might have deserved that teasing, you know that he doesn't like 'Moon Man', you just used it anyway to annoy him.

"What's your favorite color?"

He hesitated, tilting his head at you before he looked down at the stickers in your hand. You saw the lightbulb in his brain go on. "I am obligated to tell you blue or purple."

You wrinkled your nose at that. "Okay, gross. They really don't let you guys pick your own favorites? Is Sun's actually yellow?"

He stared at you for a moment that felt like it stretched on a little too long. Was he trying to think of something to say? Was he talking to Sun? There couldn't have been something in his programming that kept him from talking bad about the rest of his programming, right?

You only noticed that he'd been slowly leaning in close to you when he stopped. "No."

"No..?"

He didn't move back at all. "No, it's not his favorite."

"Oh." The atmosphere between the two of you was starting to feel slightly heavy but at the same time you didn't move to put any extra space there. "What... are your actual favorite colors? Can you even answer that?" Hopefully they could.

It took some time for Moon to respond but this time you really did get the feeling that he was having some sort of communication with his counterpart. It was a loaded silence.

"Yours."

Huh? "Mine? What, you both like my favorite one?"

He shook his head slightly and the bell on the end of his nightcap jingled softly. "No." He seemed to hesitate and you let him have time to give you an actual answer, just like you'd let him have time to get around the knee-jerk reaction to tell you to nap. "Your color is our favorite."

You started to open your mouth to express your confusion about that, but stopped short when his cool, clawed fingers met your cheek with extremely gentle tenderness. "The color of your skin, your hair, your eyes." His hand cupped your face and tilted it a little further up towards his. "The colors of the clothes you wear aside from your uniform, the ones you pick the most often during crafts time, the one of your phone case."

You were pretty sure that your brain was short circuiting. Was he really saying these things, holding onto you like this? Sure, you and the both of them had gotten pretty close over the time that you'd been working inside the daycare, especially recently, but nothing like this. Was he joking? This wasn't the way that he had ever messed with you before, you had no reason to believe that he would be now, but him being serious made just about as little sense. Your lips parted like you were going to say something, though you had no idea what it could have been. Nothing actually came out.

"The color of your lips," he continued as if your floundering had drawn his attention there and you felt the pointed tip of his thumb just barely brush underneath your bottom lip, which made you squeak. "Your blush."

And now you could feel that you were blushing. Your cheek felt hot against the contrasting temperature of his hand.

"I..." You didn't actually know what to say. You stared up at him, still pole-axed, for a moment before his intensity came down by a few degrees. The way that he held you and looked at you was still achingly gentle, but the pressure of it lessened enough that you could feel some of your higher thought processes rebooting. "You... You both?"

His free hand came up to hold your other cheek and he used that to hold you still as he pressed the teeth of his faceplate against your forehead. "Both of us, I assure you, starlight." He stayed there for a moment before pulling back with a soft chuckle. "Did you not notice?"

You shook your head, dumbfounded and wide-eyed.

"Sun thought he was being so obvious. He's losing his mind that I was right and we just needed to be a little more... forward." He practically purred the word and you felt your face heat even further.

"Was he? Being obvious?" You didn't have any idea that this was coming. Were there signs that you had missed? You thought that he was just being friendly! That they were both just friendly! For as much as you found yourself forgetting that they weren't actually just sentient and independent beings also performing a job every day it had never once occurred to you that they could develop feelings like this. That felt like it was doing them a massive disservice now while Moon held you in place and stared at you.

Another chuckle. "A little, but obviously not enough." He backed a little more out of your space, and took in the look of surprise still on your face. A hesitation came over him then, though he didn't release you. "Is this okay? Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"No, no! It's okay!" You reached up and held onto his wrists over the ribbons and bells on each. "I just... can't believe..."

He snickered and you could see the way that his constant smile strained at the edges into something so mischievous and smug but with the hold that you had on him and him on you, you could also feel the way that he seemed to be nearly vibrating with energy. He didn't look it, he always outwardly seemed so much calmer and nonchalant than Sun, but you could feel the slight tremor against your skin and you could hear the muffled way that his internal cooling system was working hard to keep his temperature even.

"Then we have your permission to pursue this?"

The answer was out of your mouth before you even had a chance to think about it. "Yes. Both of you." It didn't strike you as something strange until after you'd said it. You had never really considered how logistics with one of the highly advanced animatronics would go, let alone with two separate AI. But this didn't seem strange to them, or at least to Moon. And Sun had never brought anything up before, though he had obviously spoken with Moon about it if there had been this supposed conversation about the tactic that they should take for their approach. He'd chastised Sun teasingly to you for needing to learn to share, but it seemed like there must have already been some sort of discussion about doing just that.

Moon's expression was downright devilish. "Good. In that case, would you mind staying a little late tonight? I think I might need some help once the daycare's closed..." He laughed at your spluttered response and leaned to press his mouth against your forehead one more time before letting you go with visible reluctance. "Don't worry, I'll put in a note to your manager for an overtime request. Now, naptime's over."

You felt very much like a mouse being cornered by a cat as he looked at you for another few seconds before he took a couple steps backwards. "Have fun with Sun, little star."

Oh. He was making his way to the light switch. "Wait-!"

He cackled at you before he lunged for the light and slapped the button.

You missed the change between the naptime and the daytime appearance as you blinked to adjust your eyes to the light. There was a moment where no one made a sound while Sun completely took over and the standard daycare music started back up. A couple of the children started to rouse but there'd still be a small window of peace until you went and got them up for lunchtime and whatever other activities Sun had on the docket for the day.

That quiet was shattered when Sun's eyes landed on you just before he started marching your way. "Moon got to kiss you first?!"

Oh, so that was what he'd been doing to your forehead? "Oh boy," you breathed as seven feet of excited and agitated robot burst your personal bubble.

[dem0batz]

The Ice Dragon and the Prince of Freaks

Eddie Munson x Reader

Author's Note: Fluffy unedited little post-season 4 one-shot I just wrote inspired by this post. I yearn for this sweet playful little freak.

Content Warnings: implied difficult home life, weed ~1200 words

The trailer park is silent, save for the soft crunch of fresh snow beneath my boots as I trudge toward the busted up playground equipment. Forrest Hills hasn’t bothered replacing any of the equipment, probably since the park was initially built. The rusty swing chains look unreliable at best so you opt for the squeaking merry-go-round, brushing off a layer of snow to clear a spot.

You hiss when the cold metal seeps right through my jeans, sending a shiver up you spine. Pulling your threadbare coat tighter, you hug your body, huddling into yourself to produce warmth. It doesn’t do much, but it’s better than being stuck alone in the trailer with your dad. It was hard enough living with him on a normal day, let alone being snowed in with him and a bottle of whiskey.

Just as your eyes find the moon, blurry from the stormy sky but still shining brightly through the haze, movement catches the corner of your eye. The figure is in black head to toe from the halo of dark wavy hair down to the dark jeans stuffed into worn leather boots. The black beanie on his head is folded over his forehead, shortening the length and revealing a small tear near the crease. His clothing was just as worn as your own, something a lot of the folks around here had in common.

“Busted,” he says an unlit joint hanging from the corner of his mouth.

“Mind if I join you?”

“I don’t know,” you frown, eying him wearily. Your finger swirls through the layer of snow to your right, finishing the design off with a curling flourish. “That sign says ‘Freaks Only’.”

“Don’t you know that I’m the King of Freaks in this town, sweetheart?”

Eddie’s lip twitches as he tries to keep a straight face before the infectious smile breaks free, dimple creasing his cheek in a way that always made your heart patter against your ribcage. He closes the distance between the two of you, careful to pick the side to your left so as not to disturb your sign. After dusting off a spot, you watch him drop to sit next to you, hissing the same way you did when his ass makes contact with the freezing cold metal. You resist the urge to laugh as he adjusts to the cold.

“What are you doing out here so late, Munson? Don’t you know there’s a snow storm tonight?”

“Do you?” he challenges with a lift of his dark eyebrow, lighting up the joint and passing it to you.

You accept, taking a long inhale. Ignoring his retort, not wanting to delve into why you’re sitting alone in a snowstorm in the middle of the night, you blow it out in his direction, creating a dramatic steaming cloud against the blistering cold that swirls around him.

“When I was a kid, I loved going out when it was cold and seeing my breath on the cold wind. It made me feel like a mighty dragon. I used to wish for it so hard that sometimes I was convinced I would sprout wings at any moment and fly away from home.”

Pinching the joint between his fingers, he takes a hit of his own.

“Understandable as that may be, I’m glad you didn’t fly off without me. This place is more bearable with you around. Plus, what’s a dragon without a prince to kidnap and whisk off to her lair?”

“Aren’t princesses the ones who usually get kidnapped in these scenarios?”

“If you’re the dragon kidnapping me, you can call me whatever you want, sweetheart. Dragons don’t discriminate. Trust me."

“You play too much D&D,” you snort at his comment, swiping out to grab the joint.

Eddie pulls it just out of reach with a pout pulling down his lips before you can snatch it. You know the frown isn’t sincere, Eddie just likes to play around.

“No such thing and you would know that if you accepted my offer to play.”

“No way. There’s way too much of a learning curve, Eddie, and it’s intimidating as fuck.”

You make another lunge for the joint but he rises it high above his head with a gleeful smile as you crash into his chest. His arm snakes around your waist, holding you close while still keeping the weed out of reach.

“I’ll give it to you if you agree to play. Just one night. I promise I can change your mind with a single one-shot adventure. What do you say, pretty girl?”

Big brown eyes sparkle down at you with mirth. Another shiver wracks down your body, but you tell yourself it’s from the cold despite the sudden heat climbing up your neck toward your cheeks. This is not the first time Eddie has crossed into flirtatious banter with you— flirting was practically a second language for him. With all of his natural charm, it baffled you that he had been labeled the freak of Hawkins, even long before the incident in the woods where he was attacked by wild animals and left scarred.

The two of you had never spoken about it, but this was a small town and word got around. From what you’ve heard, he was lucky to have survived. You would think after an incident like that, people would be more compassionate but everyone mostly still eyed him with uncertainty. The only ones who didn’t seem to be afraid of him were a few students still attending Hawkins High and a few who already graduated but moved away for college. He was just as much of an outcast as you, maybe more, though you didn’t understand it.

“I’ll think about it.”

You reach for the joint again, letting out a frustrated steaming sigh when he jerks the glowing paper away once more. He lifts an expectant eyebrow, waiting.

“Fine,” you hiss, “I’ll play some freaking D&D now will you please give it to me, Eddie?”

He hums with a triumphant grin, “Such a polite girl, too. I’ll give you anything you want if you keep asking like that, baby.”

Eddie laughs when you swat playfully at him, but he finally passes the joint back to you, though he doesn’t release you from his hold. His arm circles around your shoulders, pulling you close to his side as you take another hit to try to warm yourself up. The heat radiating from his side helps as you pass the joint back and forth a few times. By the time Eddie carefully stubs out what remains on the merry-go-round handle and tucks it away in his jacket, you feel much warmer and lighter than you did when you first came out here.

Even the moon looks brighter.

Warm lips press against your cold cheek, pulling your attention from the sky and back to the prettiest brown eyes you’ve ever seen, more glassy and shiny than they usually are due to the weed.

“What was that for?” you whisper, not wanting to break the fragile peace of the quiet snowy night.

“Just felt like it,” he whispers back, his voice low and warm. “Are you still thinking about flying away?”

You shake your head, eyes flicking down to his lips, all pink and dusty from the cold.

“Good. You’re not allowed to go without me.”

“Deal,” you agree, something cementing between the two of you like an oath.

With a soft smile, he leans forward to capture your lips, sealing it with a kiss as cold snowflakes blanket the two of you in.

[lil-quinnie]

She's Thunderstorm | Best Friend!Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

WC ~ 1690k

Warnings ~ drug use, idiots in love

　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆　 　˚　　Maybe there's another part, I really enjoyed writing their dynamic, .   　　˚　✭　 　they're such idiots. Let me know if you like <3 　.   　　˚　✭　 　　*　　 　　✦　　　.　　.　　　✦　˚ 　　　　 ˚　.˚　　　　　　　　 　　 　　　　

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It was normal for Eddie to arrive at night in a dark trailer; Wayne had already left for work, leaving behind only a wisp of smoke from his red Marlboro.

On days like this, when everything that could go wrong absolutely did, he was grateful for the darkness and silence that surrounded him.

First of all, the assholes from the basketball team made a big deal out of tearing up the notebook with the freak's notes on campaigns and new songs, and he could only look on in horror from the floor as he was kicked and punched. He managed to grab a few pages while running from his inquisitors at least.

Of his pack of cigarettes, which usually saved him in moments of rage like that, only nostalgia remained.

Rick hadn't yet called him to replenish the week's stash, so the devil's lettuce was also out of his reach. “Fuck... my... life,” he whispered to himself.

The trailer park was so quiet on that freezing full-moon night that Eddie swore the sound of his tired body banging against the old sofa cushions echoed throughout the whole neighborhood.

He lay there, staring at the peeling roof of the trailer, imagining a thousand different scenarios of a normal life when the sound of breaking glass snapped him out of his trance.

He couldn't understand what was being shouted from the trailer next to his. He could hear you trying to defend yourself from the daggers escaping your relatives' mouths, a loud knock from your front door, and then—silence again.

He took a deep breath and jumped up from the sofa, rummaging through Wayne's things until he found the older man's spare pack of cigarettes.

He put on his sneakers, fished out two jackets from the pile of clothes waiting to be folded, and went to look for his best friend.

Eddie walked through the woods, the crunch of frozen leaves under his boots sounding louder in the eerie silence. Doubts plagued him with every step. What if she wants to be alone? What if I make things worse? But the thought of you sitting out there in the cold, trying to piece yourself together after yet another fight, wouldn’t let him stay behind.

And then, as if guided by instinct, he found you.

The forest opened up, and the moonlight painted your silhouette with silver. You were sitting at a rickety picnic table, your face lit by the faint glow of a cigarette. Eddie stopped in his tracks, momentarily struck dumb. She’s gorgeous, he thought before he could stop himself.

You looked up at the sound of footsteps, your voice breaking the tension. “Couldn't sleep either?”

He smirked, lighting his cigarette as he approached. “Nah, you know me. I'm a night crawler,” he replied, flicking the lighter closed with a dramatic flourish.

You laughed, the sound cutting through the stillness. “I'm sorry if they woke you up. I hope you didn’t hear too much.” Your tone was sheepish, your gaze darting away as you spoke.

“Hey, sweetie, with all due respect, shut up, okay?” he teased, pulling a cigarette from the pack and placing it between your lips. His fingers brushed against your chin as he lit it for you. “Courtesy of Wayne Munson.”

You smiled despite yourself, but your amusement faded when you noticed the bruise blooming on his jaw and the split in his lip. “Who did this?” you asked, reaching out before you could stop yourself. Your fingers gently tilted his face toward the moonlight, inspecting the damage.

Eddie froze under your touch, his heart pounding in his chest. For a moment, he thought about telling you everything��about the basketball team, about the humiliation—but he didn’t want to see pity in your eyes. “It’s nothing,” he muttered, pulling back. “Don’t make that face. I’m fine.”

you suddenly stood up, grabbed his hand firmly and pulled him towards the baby-blue trailer.

The walk was short and silent. Eddie didn't say anything, and you didn't know if he was frightened by your sudden determination or annoyed at having lost his cigarette. Maybe both.

Back at your trailer, the silence between you grew heavier. Eddie sat on the counter, watching as you rummaged through the medicine cabinet. He tried to distract himself, cracking jokes and throwing exaggerated sighs every time you found another item to clean his cuts.

Eddie stared at you, his mouth opening slightly as if he wanted to say something, but the words caught in his throat. He wanted to tell you everything—how your laugh made even the worst days bearable, how your kindness felt like warmth in his cold, chaotic world, how much he wanted this moment to never end.

But instead, he said, “Thanks, nurse. You really have a way with first-aid kits.”

You rolled your eyes, but the corner of your lips tugged upward. “Don’t flatter yourself, Munson. I’ve patched up worse.” Your tone was teasing, but there was a softness in your expression that betrayed your words.

Eddie chuckled, the sound low and rough. “Well, aren’t I lucky to be part of the VIP patient list?”

You shook your head and put the first-aid kit back in the cabinet, trying to ignore the way your heart was pounding. He always had this effect on you—his jokes, his crooked smiles, the way he seemed to care without ever saying it outright. But it didn’t matter, you told yourself. 

You rolled your eyes, your hands steady as you dabbed alcohol on his split lip. “You’re such a baby,” you teased.

“And you’re a perfectionist,” he shot back, but there was no bite in his words. He was too focused on the way your fingers felt against his skin, too distracted by the concentration etched on your face.

“There,” you said, stepping back to admire your work. “Good as new. Well… almost.”

Eddie hopped off the counter, smirking. “Thanks, Doc. I’ll try not to get my ass kicked again anytime soon.”

You chuckled, but the sound didn’t quite reach your eyes. “Eddie… you don’t always have to fight back. You know that, right?”

He stiffened, the joking demeanor slipping for just a moment. “Yeah, well… it’s not that simple.”

“I know,” you said softly, and the weight in your voice made him look at you. For a fleeting second, he wondered if you saw right through him—if you knew how much he cared about you, how much he hated seeing you hurt. But then you smiled, and the moment passed.

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Eddie was leaning against his van in the school parking lot, fiddling with his guitar pick, when one of the cheerleaders—Amy—approached him. She was all high ponytail and glossy lips, her smile sharp as she tilted her head, laughing a little too hard at whatever joke Eddie had just made.

You were walking toward the van, lunch tray in hand, when you saw her. She rested a hand on his arm, her long nails lightly tapping against the leather sleeve of his jacket, and leaned in closer to whisper something. Eddie’s face was amused, but not exactly warm—not in the way you knew him.

Your steps faltered. What was this? Since when did cheerleaders talk to Eddie "The Freak" Munson? And why the hell was he letting her stand so close?

Eddie caught sight of you just as you crossed your arms and raised an eyebrow. His posture immediately changed; he straightened up like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Hey, sweetheart!” he called, his voice loud enough to cut through the chatter of the lot. He stepped away from Amy, who turned to look at you with narrowed eyes, her perfectly glossed lips pursed.

“Didn’t mean to interrupt... whatever that was,” you said coolly, though your stomach twisted at the way she had been standing so close.

Amy smirked but didn’t linger. “See you later, Eddie,” she said with a wink, brushing past you as she flounced off toward the school.

Eddie rubbed the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly. “She was just asking about the band. Nothing serious.”

“Oh, sure,” you said, sarcasm dripping from every syllable. You knew your voice was too sharp, but you couldn’t help it. “She looked really interested in your music. Probably wanted to discuss song lyrics while clinging to your arm.”

“Are you jealous, sweetie?” Eddie teased, his tone light, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—hope, maybe?

You rolled your eyes so hard it almost hurt. “In your dreams, Munson.” You pushed past him, heading toward the van.

Eddie followed closely behind, quickening his pace. “C’mon, don’t be like that,” he said, his voice softening. “You know you’re my favorite.”

That stopped you in your tracks. You turned, your heart betraying you with a sharp jolt at his words. “Your favorite what, Eddie?”

He froze for a moment, his eyes darting between yours like he was searching for the right answer. But the tension broke when he gave you his signature grin, playful and infuriating. “My favorite pain in the ass, obviously.”

You groaned, shaking your head, but you couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at your lips. “Idiot.”

Eddie opened the van door for you, bowing dramatically as he gestured for you to climb in. “After you, my lady.”

As you got in, you stole a glance at him. He was leaning casually against the doorframe, his messy curls framing his face, that ever-present mischievous spark in his eyes. For all his teasing, there was something genuine in the way he looked at you, something that made your stomach flip.

And for a fleeting moment, you wondered if maybe—just maybe—there was something more behind his antics. But you pushed the thought aside, as you always did, not wanting to risk ruining the delicate balance of whatever this was.

Eddie hopped into the driver’s seat, cranking up the volume on his mixtape as the van roared to life. The two of you fell into your usual rhythm of banter and laughter, but the echo of his words—“you’re my favorite”—lingered in your mind longer than you wanted to admit.