#fluffier than cotton candy

[allagogtoreblog]

Sugar is truly an appropriate title for this because it is, honestly, one of the sweetest things I've ever read.

Sugar

Part 1 of a two part Valentine's series: Sugar and Spice.

Warnings: slight suggestive tones in parts, but other than that it's just fluff! Part 2 will have more warnings.

Summary: You're the new girl at Hawkins High and you've caught the gaze of a certain metalhead this Valentine's Day. Little does he know that he's caught your gaze, too. Thanks to some good natured meddling from Dustin, you're poised to attend the Valentine's Day dance together! (No use of Y/N)

Word Count: 3k

Valentine's Day. For most people, it was the day you expressed your feelings to your loved ones. You could do this in the form of flowers, candy, jewelry, stuffed animals, or any other number of ways. Walking through the halls of Hawkins High, it was obvious. Love was in the air. Unless, of course, you were in the group that the rest of the student body had deigned "the freaks." Then, Valentine's Day this year was better known as "Thursday." Eddie, being King of the Freaks, wouldn't have even known what day it was if not for the barrage of teens in the hallway professing their undying love to their fourth partner since the beginning of the school year. He rolled his eyes at the performative nature of it all. He slammed his locker door and continued the rant he'd been on since the moment he'd walked in the door.

"It's just a made-up holiday, man. It doesn't even mean anything. It's just an excuse for companies to sell stuff to poor saps who think that love is measured in dollar signs. It's sick!"

Dustin nodded in mock agreement; regretting having mentioned sending Suzie flowers.

"And another thing!" Eddie began, but stopped abruptly, staring off in the distance. His gaze had locked on to the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. She was wearing a baby pink pinafore dress over a white sweater with big, red hearts all over it. Frilly pink socks peaked out over the top of her white sneakers. Even the clips holding her hair back from her face were shaped like hearts. She was a walking billboard for everything Eddie hated, but damn did she look good.

Eddie didn't think he'd ever seen you around before. He was sure he would have noticed you. In fact, it was your first week at Hawkins High, and someone had given you a tip that the school was really big into Valentine's Day, hence the outfit you were currently wearing. It wasn't too far out of your normal fashion tastes, but you threw in a few extra heart-shaped accessories for good measure. No one wants to be the new kid that sticks out like a sore thumb.

"Eddie! Earth to Eddie!" Dustin waved his hand in front of Eddie's face, snapping him out of his trance, "Where'd you go, man?"

"Who's that?" Eddie asked nodding towards you.

"Oh. That's the new girl. We have Chem Lab together. She's nice." He shrugged.

"I've never seen her around."

"Really? I think she's in Mrs. O'Donnell class with you."

"Ahh... I haven't been to her class all week." Eddie grimaced.

"Why are you asking about her, anyway? Do you liiikeee heeerrr?" Dustin teased.

"No!" Eddie was defensive, "I don't even know her!" He paused before adding, "She is really pretty, though."

Just then the bell rang and students began shuffling off to their respective classes. Eddie considered going to Mrs. O'Donnell's class today, just to talk to you, but you looked like a Hawkins High Princess in the making, so he doubted if you'd even give him the time of day.

By the time lunch came, Eddie had made up his mind. No way a girl like you would ever be interested in a guy like him, so best not even to waste his time. Imagine his surprise when Dustin came walking into the cafeteria with you following close behind. He had a shit-eating grin on his face as he approached the Hellfire table.

He doled out quick introductions between the two of you and added, “Since she's new here, I figured I'd offer for her to eat lunch with us."

That wannabe Cupid little shit!

When Eddie didn't respond right away, you chimed in, "I hope that's okay! I don't play Dungeons and Dragons or anything, but I haven't really made any friends, so..." You trailed off, hating how pathetic you sounded.

Eddie thought you sounded angelic. "Oh, uh, of course! Here!" He stammered as he stood and pulled out the chair closest to him for you to sit down, shooting Dustin a quick glare. Dustin's grin grew wider as he gave Eddie a dramatic double thumbs up behind your back.

"So…" Eddie cleared his throat, "If you don't play DND, what do you do for fun?" He hoped the question came across like casual conversation and not like he was fishing for information, which he was.

"Well," You grinned and Eddie swore the room got brighter, "At my old school, I was in the drama club. I was involved in every production they put on last year, either cast or crew. I love it!"

Eddie put on a posh accent, "Ah, a fan of the theater, I see."

You giggled, "Very much so."

He smiled and took a moment to take you in, "You know, I bet you'd like DND. It's very theatrical."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah. We're meeting after school in the drama room tomorrow. You should come."

"Okay." You agreed with a grin.

You knew among this group of metalheads and DND nerds you stood out like a sore thumb, which is exactly what you'd been trying to avoid, but you couldn't help but want to be around Eddie. He was magnetic, and you’d be lying if you said he hadn’t caught your eye.

You spent the rest of lunch getting to know his friends who were very excitedly trying to explain Dungeons and Dragons to you. Their enthusiasm was infectious and you found yourself genuinely looking forward to sitting in on their session.

"So, um..." You felt almost embarrassed about what you were about to ask, "Are any of you going to the Valentine's dance tonight?"

"Are you going?" Dustin asked you as he glanced over at Eddie and wiggled his eyebrows.

"I was thinking about it, but I don't really know anyone here yet, and I don't want to go by myself."

"I'm going." Eddie said a little too quickly.

"You are?" You were surprised. He was the one you least expected to be going, and you felt your cheeks heating up at the prospect of going to a Valentine’s Day dance with Eddie.

"Mmhmm... Yep... I love... school dances." He said unconvincingly.

"Me too! I mean, they can be a little cheesy, but it's fun to go dance and hang out with your friends."

"I can give you a ride if you want." Eddie offered.

"That would be awesome!" You pulled a pen from your bag and scribbled your address on a napkin that you handed to him, "Can you pick me up at six?"

Eddie placed his hand holding the napkin solemnly over his heart, and reverted back to his posh voice, "Your wish is my command."

Eddie ended up skipping Mrs. O'Donnell's class. He had never in his life been to a school dance, and he had no idea what you were supposed to wear to one. He was cursing himself for telling you he was going. Why did he do that? Was he really that smitten with you after a single conversation? The answer was, obviously, yes. Of course, he was. How could he not be when you smiled so sweetly, and laughed at his lame attempts at jokes, and that laugh harmonized perfectly with the pluck he felt on his heartstrings, and you got along with his unruly-band-of-misfits friends, and you smelled faintly like vanilla and strawberries, and… and… Okay, so yes. After one conversation, he was willing to forgo all his ideas about conventionalism if it meant he got to spend a few minutes alone with you. Sue him.

 He went straight home to rummage through his closet. He found one of the few pairs of jeans he owned without holes in them and a burgundy button up shirt Wayne had gotten him for his birthday a few years ago, insisting every young man needed a nice shirt. Eddie had never worn it, but he was grateful for Wayne's foresight now. The only problem was that Eddie was a bit taller now than he was when Wayne bought the shirt and his arms were a bit longer. The sleeves didn't reach all the way to his wrists. He unbuttoned the cuffs and rolled the sleeves up a few times, revealing the tattoos on his forearms. Looking in the mirror he ruffled his hair and toyed with the idea of pulling it back in a bun. He gathered all the hair to the nape of his neck and turned his head scanning his reflection. Then, he dropped his hair and shook it out and shifted uncomfortably, biting his lip in concentration as he wrestled with this very important decision. Then, he repeated this process a few more times before deciding just to leave it down. He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans and surveyed the final look. He had no idea if this was too formal, or too casual, but it was the best he could do. Before he walked out the door, he went into the bathroom and dabbed a bit of Wayne's Old Spice cologne on his neck, hoping it wasn't overkill, but desperate to impress you. He had one more stop to make before picking you up.

Eddie was a naturally fidgety person, but the whole drive to your house he drummed his fingers restlessly against the steering wheel and his knee didn't stop bouncing once. He was so nervous. He told himself not to get so worked up. This probably wasn't even a date. You just didn't want to go to the dance by yourself, so you asked your new friends. You didn't even ask Eddie specifically. So, this wasn't a date. So, he shouldn't be so nervous. He was so nervous.

He pulled into your driveway and took a deep breath, building up the courage to go knock on your door. No sooner had he made it to the porch and raised his fist to knock, you swung the door wide and greeted him.

"Hey!" You grinned, "I saw you walking up."

Eddie's jaw dropped. You were wearing a red, lace dress that fell just above your knees. The neckline was curved to look like a heart, which unintentionally (or maybe intentionally) accented the shape of your breasts, at which he was struggling not to stare. Your hair was swept back in a loose updo with a few tendrils framing your face. You were wearing lipstick that matched your dress and a pair of patent white kitten heels. 

"You..." Eddie cleared his throat, "You look... wow..." He trailed off shaking his head in awe.

You swung your hips back and forth so your dress swished around your knees.

"Thank you, kind sir." You mimicked his accent from earlier, "Might I say you look quite dapper as well."

Eddie laughed, "Thanks."

"Are you ready to go?" you smiled.

"Your chariot awaits, m'lady." He gestured toward his van and extended his elbow which you looped both your arms around. He opened the passenger door for you and helped you in before climbing in to the driver's seat.

"Thank you for taking me to the dance." You leaned your head back against the seat and turned to face him.

"My pleasure. Before we go, I got you something."

You sat up straight, "You did?"

Eddie rummaged around behind his seat for a moment, looking for what he had stopped to buy earlier, before pulling out a heart-shaped box. He never in his life thought he would be buying someone a heart-shaped anything, but somehow, he was already wrapped around your finger and committed to doing anything he thought might make you smile.            

"Happy Valentine's Day." He said as he handed it to you.

You grinned ear to ear, "You got me chocolate?! Thank you!"

"You're welcome." He chuckled at your enthusiasm as he pulled out of your driveway.

You took the lid of the box and looked thoughtfully at the roulette in front of you. "Hmm..." You selected one and took a cautious bite, "Ugh! Raspberry!" Your face twisted up in disgust.

"What? Raspberry is the best!" Eddie argued.

"Well, here. It's all yours." You held the half-eaten chocolate to Eddie's mouth, still wet with your spit. He suppressed a soft moan and felt his heart racing as he parted his lips and you dropped the candy in before returning to the box in your lap. His lower lip tickled from where your finger had brushed it and he subconsciously nibbled the spot and tried to keep his eyes on the road and not on the dream-come-to-life in the passenger seat.

You selected another one and took a bite, "Caramel! Now that's more like it!"

Eddie made a silent mental note that you hated raspberry, but liked caramel. Just in case he ever needed to know that. He hoped someday he’d need to know that.

When you got to the school, you could hear the music from the parking lot and see the lights flashing in the windows. Eddie almost backed out until he saw how excited you looked. You smiled, and he knew he was a goner.

"Wait right there!" He said as you unbuckled your seat belt.

He jumped out of the van and rushed around to the passenger side to open your door for you.

"I never would have guessed you were such a gentleman." You smiled and raised your eyebrow in a way that suggested you were only teasing.

'Me either.'  Eddie thought.

You led the way to the gym half walking, half skipping.

"Oh! I love this song!" You exclaimed as soon as you were closed enough to discern lyrics from the loud thumping, grabbing Eddie's hand and pulling him toward the dance floor.

You began swaying your hips and twirling to the beat. Eddie stood and watched you, awkwardly nodding his head along to the song he was only vaguely familiar with. You sighed and rolled your eyes with a grin.

"Come on, Munson! I know you've got better moves than that!"

You grabbed his hands in yours and began shaking his arms back and forth as if to loosen him up. Keeping his right hand in yours, you raised his arm up and spun underneath it, twirling back to grab his left hand again. Eddie watched you in adoration. You really were beautiful and watching you dance in front of him was just what he needed to lighten up and enjoy himself. He began moving to the music and before too long was swinging his arms and kicking his legs out erratically in an intentionally overexaggerated way that made you laugh. He had told you that he loved school dances, but you guessed the closest thing he'd ever done to "dancing" was probably in a mosh pit. It was endearing how he was putting himself out there so you wouldn't have to be at the dance alone. The song ended and you collapsed breathless and giggling into his chest.

"I knew you had the moves!"

He smiled at you and tried to think of something clever to say. His train of thought was interrupted by the next song starting. A slow one.

"Uh...um..." His cheeks flushed, "I'm gonna go get us some punch."

He turned to walk away, but you caught his wrist.

"Not so fast! You're not going to leave me alone in the middle of the dance floor during a slow song. You can get punch later. Come here."

You pulled him back into you and draped your arms across his shoulders, linking your fingers behind his neck. He slowly, nervously lowered his hands to your waist and you stepped in closer to him. Looking up at him with earnest eyes you asked,

"You don't go to a lot of school dances, do you?

He winced, "That obvious?"

You smiled, "I was surprised when you said that you did, and you just don't seem like you're in your element."

"This is actually the first school dance I've ever been to. They're... not really my scene." He admitted.

"So why did you tell me you were going tonight?"

"Well, because you said you wanted to go… and telling you I was going seemed less scary than actually asking you on a date." He finished softly.

You pondered this for a moment.

"Can I tell you something?"

He looked at you expectantly.

"I've practically been begging Dustin to introduce me to you. He kept telling me that I wasn't "your type." But, then today he invited me to have lunch with you guys. I have no idea what changed his mind, but I’m so glad he did. Honestly, I only brought up the dance because I was too afraid to ask you out.”

Eddie blinked slowly as he considered that you had noticed him before he noticed you, and that you had wanted to get to know him.

"First of all, sweetheart," He began, "Dustin doesn't know shit about "my type." Second, I was just telling Dustin this morning how pretty you are and the little shit got it in his mind to play matchmaker."

"Really?"

“Yeah, that kid really thinks he knows what’s best for everyone. I mean, he’s usually right, but still. He gets this tone and –”

“No,” you cut off his rambling, “I mean, you really think I’m pretty?” You blushed, feeling silly.

"What are you even talking about?" He stepped back and held you at an arm’s length looking over you from head to toe, "Look at you! You’re fuckin' gorgeous."

Your blush deepened to a warm crimson, "You're gorgeous." You whispered shyly.

Eddie looked at you like you hung the moon.

“Do… do you…” He trailed off.

“Do I…?” You prompted.

“Can I…”

“Can you…?”

“Can I kiss you?” He blurted.

You grinned and stepped in close to him, tilting your head up to meet his gaze.

“I was hoping that was what you were trying to ask.”

Eddie breathed a sigh of relief and closed the gap between your lips. His lips were surprisingly soft as they moved against yours slowly and tenderly. You melted into him with your hands planted against his chest, and Eddie decided then and there that Valentine’s Day was his favorite holiday.

[wooahaes]

svt- coming out as bisexual [maknae line]

pairing: non-idol!svt maknae line x fem!bisexual!reader

genre: some are angstier and lean toward hurt/comfort (mingyu + minghao), others are fluffier.

warnings: reader mentioned to have exes that aren't men (just women in seokmin's drabble, reader has dated both women and a non-binary person in seungkwan's). vague food mentions in mingyu's, minghao's, and vernon's drabbles (implied something fried in mingyu's due to the usage of cooking oil, mentions of tea in minghao's, vague dinner reference in vernon's). reader getting defensive in mingyu and minghao's drabbles. reader no longer speaks to her parents in mingyu's drabble due to biphobia from her parents. reader's ex in minghao's drabble is biphobic, but left ambiguous what he said to her. angry hao (not directed at reader). extremely casual coming out (seungkwan). joking reference to joshua beating up seungkwan if he didn't react well. reader being cheesy as fuck (vernon). questioning leading to realization (vernon). reader refers to herself as a bisexual mess. chan being kind of a mess (clueless but trying his best).

daisy's notes: happy pride! a continuation of these for the maknae line :) again, no taglist purely bc i don't know who will and won't be interested in this since it is a bit more exclusive.

lee seokmin

"if there's something you want to say, you can say it." seokmin's touch was feather-light as he cupped your cheeks. "i'm listening."

sometimes you wondered how you struck out with meeting seokmin, let alone dating him. he was one of the kindest souls you'd had the pleasure of knowing, let alone loving, and now was no different. tears brimmed your eyes as you replayed the past few minutes over and over in your head. you hadn't meant to come out like this. you wanted to have it be something more... official, in an odd way. something you had control over. but all it took was you ranting about one of your exes to seokmin for you to slip up and say that magic "she" that gave you away entirely.

seokmin hadn't meant to pry or force you out of the closet. but you saw the way he looked up, clearly caught up on that word. "she?" he'd said, soft enough that you thought it was just him musing aloud.

meanwhile, you swore all of the blood drained from your face right t hen and there. "i... uh..." you stammered out. every time you tried to come up with an excuse, the words seemed to dissipate on your tongue, melting away like cotton candy. you wanted to say something, anything. that it was a slip of the tongue. that he heard you correctly and, yes, one of your exes was a woman. that if he had a problem with it, you'd gather your belongings from around his apartment and leave right now.

that was what led to seokmin taking your face into his hands. he looked at you now with this softness in his eyes, ever so loving, and you were sure that he knew you were something other than straight. did you really have to say it? wasn't him knowing, even vaguely, enough? you averted your gaze, and seokmin dropped his hands from your cheeks down to your shoulders, slowly running down your arms until he met your hands.

"you don't have to," he said a moment later. "but if you want to, i'm listening."

you met his gaze. the words died on your tongue again. "you aren't mad i didn't tell you?"

he shook his head. "should i be?" he teased lightly, but dropped the tone when he saw the way you stiffened up over it. "sorry. it's not the time for jokes," he squeezed your hands. "if you don't want to say it, that's okay. whatever you are," he paused, "and whoever you are... i'll still love you. okay? i fell in love with you."

your face grew warmer at just how tender seokmin could be. "so it's really not a problem that i'm bisexual and just... didn't tell you? i mean, it's not like i don't take care of myself, so if you're worried that i'm not cle—"

"it's your identity," he firmly said, stopping you before you could spiral any further. "but... thank you for telling me," he leaned in to press a soft kiss against your forehead. "i love you."

you just smiled, a rosy warm feeling blossoming in your chest. "i love you, too, sunshine."

kim mingyu

"i was thinking..." mingyu was stretched out on your couch, listening to the clamor of pots and pans as you focused on making an elaborate dinner. "we've been dating for a while..."

"mhm?"

"and you've met my family..."

your stomach immediately dropped. oh no. even though you knew where this was going, you had to play dumb. maybe he'd catch your drift and go along with it. "uh-huh? well, kim, if this is a marriage proposal, i think we're still a little too early into a relationship for that—"

he didn't hesitate to ask. "when can i meet yours?"

shit. the spatula slipped from your grasp, clattering against the stove-top far too loudly for your liking. a glance over your shoulder was enough to tell you that mingyu had leaned up to look, watching you carefully. you waved him off, cleaning up where you'd splattered a little bit of oil onto the countertop with your clumsy action. it gave you a moment to think. people were sometimes weird about the fact you'd gone no-contact with your parents as soon as you could stand on your own two feet. a curt never, haha, sorry! would unfortunately never work. but...

"i... i don't think that's exactly gonna happen, mingyu." you didn't turn to look at him. the conversation would be easier if you didn't.

but you heard the sound of him getting up off of the couch, making his way over. "is there a reason?" he crossed his arms, leaning against the nearby counter. "or is it me?"

"it's not you," you didn't hesitate. the last thing you wanted him thinking was that you didn't like him. with a deep breath, you turned to face mingyu. "i don't talk to my parents anymore because they never accepted that i'm bisexual."

he said nothing at first, just staring at you as everything sank in. not that you blamed him: if someone unloaded all of that onto you, you'd probably need a couple minutes to process. all you heard from him was a soft "oh."

"is that going to be a problem?" you crossed your arms. "because if it is, you can leave my apartment right fucking now—"

he shook his head. "honey, i'd never have a problem with any of that," he said as calmly as he could, a steady stream in contrast to the way you were already starting to burn. "i won't bring it up again, though. i'm sorry."

you let out a long sigh, head dropping down for a minute. shit. you knew you had the tendency to get defensive too quickly over this shit. "sorry, mingyu—"

"don't," he said. "it's okay." he stepped closer to you. "i shouldn't have pushed. i think most people don't cut off contact from their parents unless they have a reason."

"no," you pressed a hand to his chest, "it's a fair question. i just..." with a heavy sigh, you shook your head. "i came out to them when i was a teenager, and they basically told me i was desperate for love. and once i could afford to live on my own... i cut contact." you met his gaze a moment later. "some people get weird about it and tell me that i should reach out because they're my parents, i wouldn't be here without them, but... it's not their decision."

he took your hand in his own, drawing it up so that he could kiss your knuckles. "it's not," he affirmed. "but... you're not desperate," mingyu said softly, "i know you know that, but you're just you. and i love you," he smiled, so giddy and in love with you as he leaned in to kiss your cheek.

you found yourself smiling as you pecked his cheek in return. "and i love you, silly," you giggled. "thank you, though. for understanding."

he stepped behind you once you turned back to the meal you were almost finished cooking, wrapping his arms around you. "it's my job," he chuckled. "but you're welcome. and if it means anything..." he shut his eyes, resting against you now. "my family loves you. and so do all of my friends," he giggled. "and so do your friends. so... i think you already have a better family now."

"i know." you smiled to yourself. you'd picked this family out for yourself, after all. but the reminder helped.

xu minghao

there were only so many situations that would lead to what you were dealing with now: minghao, face burning with anger, as he was forcibly dragged out of a restaurant by you. you hadn't let go of him at all, dragging him up the street despite the way he struggled against you once, then twice, before giving in. he was being irrational and he knew it, and you just needed to get him out of there before something bad happened.

"can you stop and tell me what just happened?!" he finally snapped at you, ripping his wrist from your grasp. "who was that and why was he disrespecting you?"

of course that was what he zeroed in on. not the fact your ex-boyfriend was right about to out you to minghao before you'd even ordered drinks, but the fact the guy was being a dick to you. not that it was a surprise: the guy had been disgusting toward you when you came out to him. of course he'd try to "warn" minghao about what he was getting into now.

"that," you said, "was my ex. and we're not having this conversation here."

minghao balled his fists, standing his ground. "he was being horrible to you. you should have let me shut him down. i'm your boyfriend," he said, "if you're scared to stand up for you, then let me do it for you. no one should treat you like that."

"which is why he's my ex," you pointed out. "i don't need you to fight my battles for me."

"that's not what i—"

you shook your head. "if you want to talk, we're going back to my place. i don't want to talk about it here."

that seemed to finally register with minghao, who had slowly been coming back down from that burst of anger. he looked around, realizing that, while the two of you weren't attracting attention, there were other people around. so he nodded, and took your hand as you guided him home. and he didn't let go: not on the taxi ride there, not in the elevator, and not until you needed to let yourself into your apartment.

you excused yourself to make yourself a cup of tea, offering to make him one as well. minghao accepted the offer before looking around your apartment. it'd been a bit since he'd made it over here again. he'd been busy, and most of the time, you were meeting him out or going to his place to hang out for cozy at-home dates.

soon enough, you'd settled down next to him. "i'm only going to explain this once," you said, "okay? i don't want to think about him too often, so..."

minghao immediately stopped you. "you don't have to tell me," he said, voice softer now. "i'm sorry. i shouldn't have snapped--"

you shook your head. "you're right, you shouldn't have, but i'm still going to tell you so you know." with a deep breath, you set down the cup of tea. "i'm bisexual. i figured it out during college. that," you vaguely nodded in a direction, "was my ex-boyfriend. i came out to him, and he said... some things," your voice was dripping with venom at even the vague memory, "and i ended it with him right then and there. so when we ran into him tonight, he was trying to warn you about my sexuality."

minghao grimaced. "that's not his place."

"which is why i dragged you out of there," you said. "before he could out me."

all at once, you saw the realization hit minghao like a truck. he hadn't considered that part of it all. his lips parted for a moment, and then he closed his mouth again, shaking his head. "i'm sorry," he said again, voice softer now. "i should have realized—"

you clasped your hand over his mouth, minghao's eyes widening in surprise. "don't. i don't want to think about it. you already apologized for getting angry, so let's just leave it at that. okay?"

he slowly nodded, pushing your hand away from his mouth. "thank you for trusting me with this, by the way," his voice was still soft, gentle enough to truly mean it. then he frowned. "i hate that he ruined our night now," he said. he'd been wanting to show you that restaurant for a while now. "you deserve better than that."

"i know," you reached forward, pinching his cheek lightly. "because i have you."

he met your gaze and smiled. "thank you," he giggled, hand resting over your own. "i'm glad i have you in my life, too."

boo seungkwan

"you know i've kissed girls, right?"

seungkwan shot up from where he'd been reclined on the couch, scrolling through social media. his phone clattered to the floor, and he turned to watch where you continued to idly work on a cross-stitch project. it was as if you hadn't said anything. but he heard you, right? you said something, right? should he say something in response...? he just sat there, watching you, hoping you'd give something up. after a moment, you glanced up from your project to see the way seungkwan was just staring at you, at a loss for words.

"well?" you set your project down, turning to face him. "jeez, dude, you kinda suck at this whole 'coming out' thing--"

wait, what? "you're...?"

"bisexual," you grinned at him, resting your head in one hand. "i've been trying to decide on the best way to come out to you for a while now. and... i dunno, one of my friends just said to tell you i've dated women before." for a moment, you paused. "and one non-binary person, actually. they were cool, even though it didn't last that long."

seungkwan still had no idea what the hell to say to this. he almost wished that this had been more emotional. he could deal with emotional, with holding you and telling you he loved you and accepted you no matter what. what he was struggling to deal with was how you seemed to be taking joy out of how at a loss for words he was right now.

"well?" you watched him, smiling that evil smile of yours. no wonder joshua and jeonghan had been so eager to introduce "a friend of theirs" to seungkwan forever ago. you fit right in with them. "should i have bought you a lemon square? or cuffed my jeans? or—"

seungkwan finally stood up, crossing the room. "you're so mean to me," he said, squishing your cheeks. "always teasing me..." then his gaze softened a little, although his voice never wavered from that playful tone, "is this really how you're coming out to me?"

it earned a delighted snort of joy from you. "do you have a problem with it?" even with your smushed face, you were hellbent on teasing him. "joshua said he'd come beat you up if you reacted badly."

seungkwan rolled his eyes, leaning down to kiss your lips before drawing back. "i love youuuu," he said, drawing the word out to tease you back. he drew his hand away from your face, watching the way you stretched your jaw a little now that you were free. "but if i'm being serious... then thank you for telling me," he said, voice growing softer. "i know you're enjoying teasing me, but i know this is a big step for you."

your smile fell for just a few seconds. seungkwan had seen through your bravado, and you mouthed a soft thanks. and then you returned to smiling, burning brighter than ever. "you live another day, my sweet boo."

he rolled his eyes, kissing your forehead. "i could take joshua," he said. "i could."

with a delighted giggle, you wrapped your arms around him, bringing him closer to you. "i know you could."

vernon chwe

"the moon's beautiful tonight," you mused aloud, holding onto vernon's arm. the two of you had opted for a walk by the river after dinner. "you know what else is beautiful?"

vernon looked over at you with a soft hum. he knew where you were going with this, but... if you wanted to be cheesy and romantic, then who was he to stop you? "who?"

"you," you giggled. and then you squeezed his arm. you had averted your gaze, chewing on your bottom lip for a moment as you suddenly seemed a little more distant from him. "and, uh... a lot of people, actually."

it earned a snort from him. "oh, yeah?" he turned to you, ready to tease you. "and who are these other guys?"

"not just guys, silly," you said, drifting from his side a little. "i think women are kinda hot, too. actually... everyone's just kind of hot and i think i'm just a big mess because of it."

vernon watched you curiously for a moment. he followed after you. "so... like... in what way?"

"i've been thinking a lot lately," you admitted. "and... i dunno. i think when i started googling quizzes to figure out my sexuality, that should have been a really big sign that i'm bisexual, y'know?" you glanced at him. "and... i dunno, i really wanted to tell you. so... i'm telling you."

vernon just slowly nodded along. "i see..."

you slowed to a stop. "i don't know why i'm bringing this up tonight. i just..." you rested a hand over your heart for a moment. "it's like i've had this big secret stuck inside of me for so long, and... you're the first person i want to tell because i know you won't react badly. because you've always been a really sweet guy, you know?"

the heat traveled to his face at that. this was your moment, and still you found it within yourself to compliment him. he just stood before you, unsure of what to say. should he wait until you were finished? he wanted to tell you that he loved you, that he'd always accept you, that he supported you. all the things you deserved to hear.

"i think that's why i've felt so safe exploring this part of myself, too." you reached forward, taking his hands in yours. "because i knew that if i am bisexual... then you'll be right there to support me. because you're you. and... i'm me." you met his gaze, a soft smile on your face. "and i'm bisexual and... i really, really like knowing that now. i'm just this big bisexual mess sometimes, but it's who i am, you know?"

he squeezed your hands tight for a moment. "i'm glad you feel safe with me," he said, voice soft. he leaned forward to kiss you gently. "so, uh. thanks for telling me," he chuckled. "sorry—i'm not good at this, am i?"

"you're perfect as you are, silly," you giggled. "but, uh, now you know why i get flustered whenever the pretty barista compliments me."

"nah," he pulled you forward, "i've known compliments fluster you. remember when we first started dating—"

immediately, you let out a groan. "don't remind me."

"you still get all cute when i call you pretty now," he chuckled, swaying with you. "but it's cool. you're my cute, bisexual mess of a girlfriend." he squeezed you a little tighter. "and i love you."

you snuggled into his embrace. "yeah, yeah..." you wrapped your arms around him. "i love you, too, you big dork."

lee chan

"sorry, you're what?"

you genuinely have no idea how to respond right now. you'd ended up blurting out the whole "hey, by the way, i'm bisexual!" thing to chan impulsively, and now... he was just staring at you, completely perplexed now. how were you supposed to answer this? by giving him a definition...? by asking what he didn't understand? hell, did he even hear you correctly?

"bisexual," you answered after a moment. "you know... like... i like more than just guys?"

"no, i—" he shook his head. "i get that. i just... i didn't hear you the first time." he nodded slowly. "so, um... how long have you known?"

you tapped your toes against the floor, suddenly growing more nervous. shit, was this going to be it for the two of you? maybe you should message your housemate to get the ice cream out now. "since i was... sixteen, i think?" you frowned a little. "i dunno. around sixteen. i just..." you took a deep breath. "it's weird to describe, i guess. there was a girl i was crushing on in high school. one day, she hugged me and it all just kinda clicked in my head, and... yeah." you shrugged. "i'm bisexual. is that a problem?"

immediately, he went wide eyed and shook his head. "no! no, no, no—it's not a problem at all!" he set aside his coffee cup. "i was just curious—genuinely! i mean, i didn't know if i should be supporting you questioning and figuring yourself out right now, or if you knew and i should just be supportive and happy for you, or—uh, i—"

something about how flustered you'd made him made you laugh. he grew quieter, cheeks rosy as he watched you giggle to yourself for a moment.

"it's not a problem," he reaffirmed one last time. "you're still you. you're still my girlfriend," he reached across the table, interlocking his fingers with your own. "and i love you. thank you for trusting me with this." he paused for a moment. "does anyone know?"

"my parents, for one," you said, counting off on your fingers. "a lot of my really close friends know. uh, your friend vernon knows, but that's because he somehow knows my ex-girlfriend and he just put two and two together when we started dating. and, uh, seungcheol—but that's because i told him forever ago before he ever introduced us. i'm, like, out, but it's not something i just go around saying, y'know?"

he nodded along. "okay. good to know." he ran his thumb over your knuckles. "i mean it, though. thank you for telling me." he paused once more, looking up at you. "can... can i ask you questions about it? or is that too much?"

something about the soft look in chan's eyes endeared you to him more than before. he seemed so shy now. a little clueless as to how to go forward, but he did seem like he genuinely cared. "questions like...?"

"how you knew," he said softly, "and if there's anything i can do to not mess this up with you. i've, um," his faced was flushed, "i don't think i've dated a bisexual before and i don't want to say accidentally something stupid that hurts you. i've, um—i've heard about people doing that, you know?"

"i think you're already overthinking it a little," you said softly. "just keep treating me like me, and if you do say something without thinking, we'll talk about it. okay?"

his shoulders slumped a little, whatever pressure he was putting himself under having been lifted. "right! right," he ran his thumb over your knuckles once more, face burning red now. "right. i... i'm sorry," he laughed nervously, meeting your gaze again after a moment. "i'm a mess."

"you're a cute mess," you giggled. you reached out, brushing a strand of hair back from his eyes. "but i am, too."

his eyes twinkled a little as he looked at you like you were his world. "a cuter mess," he said. "but... really. thank you for telling me and—and trusting me. i'm really glad you do."

[wulfgaang]

Beautiful (PG13)

pairing: hwang hyunjin x f!bodied muse rating: pg-13 genre: romance; pining; angst during the time skip wc: 1.7k warnings: minimally edited, artistic nudity mentioned, sensual touching, soft boy hyunjin being so in love he's absolutely floored at he got that lucky, ANGST BELOW THE TIME SKIP. Feel free to end the story before if you want something a little fluffier :3 a/n: well hey it's been a second! Here's my second fic, this time with the lovely Hyunjin! It's a little short one but that's ok with me :) for the third time, please be aware there's some angst in the time skip so if you aren't ready for it... feel free to end it before then ^^; I just couldn't help myself; i love pain :')

Inspiration. "You're beautiful... I know but... You were everything..."

Disclaimer. This is a work of fiction that does not intend to portray the true feelings, actions, nature and emotions of the Stray Kids members. Please not redistribute this piece of fiction in any form. Copyright @ wulfgaang / callsign-marlie (tumblr; 2024)

--

Hyunjin was enraptured.

It was a different feeling than of the others he had before when he saw you like this. His brain was fuzzy and covered in cotton candy while his gaze slipped over every pore, stretch mark and mole on your skin. How soft it all looked, draped in the shimmering gossamer fabric that barely covered the shading of the peaks and valleys of your hips! You were a feast indeed.

Hyunjin saw you as effervescent; a star in the nighttime, glimmering and glowing, a constant flicker of ephemeral gorgeousness under his single bay window. The afternoon light had dimmed to dusk and left more shadows than he had originally started with. You were the perfect model as per usual, holding your expression at the same point for hours with just a giggled “I’m fine, my love, go back to work” whenever he came to give you sips of water or drop grapes into your mouth. He wished the juice that dribbled down your chin onto your chest stayed long enough for him to paint it.

A Cleopatrean idol, you are; a person worth every luxury, every greatness he could ever give. The way his heart soared for you at every glance, jumped at every touch, melted with the sound of your voice! Oh, he would have moved mountains if you asked him to just to ensure a frown never creased your lips. He would make sure that sweat never fell from your brow if he could help it, if you weren’t ever so stubborn to allow him the pleasure to serve your beck and call.

You were a salve on burns left behind by a world that didn’t care about him. That didn’t care about anyone other than itself. You gave him a soft place to land when life was too true to believe. You gave him comfort when pins and needles pricked under his eyes. You deserved to be memorialized over and over again as the subject of all grace, humility and rapture for everyone to witness. Mine. Aren’t you jealous? They’re mine, all mine, and all you can do is praise them as I do. Give your everything to them; you’ll see it too.

He was focused now, his eyebrows pinching slightly together with his stern gaze peaking over the top of the canvas. He memorized the trace of the curve of your hip and translated it to his paint. His brush moved the acrylic languidly, flicking at the ends to taper the lines to nothingness of shadow. He had been the epitome of a professional for each and every session, guiding your movements with a soft voice and gentle fingertips to make minor adjustments. The angle needed to be just where he wanted it; just where he wanted you.

He would ghost his paint covered fingers over the top of your skin, feeling the electrical shock of his touch bring the hairs of your arms to attention. Butterfly light touches of his lips to the spot under your jaw unlocked the hummingbird caged in his heart, the ghost of your breath like a memory from ages past; sweet and delicate. You smiled at him with sparkling eyes in the amber of sunset. Sunset.

“You must be exhausted, my muse,” Hyunjin murmured, kneeling against the side of your seat to tuck a stray hair behind your ear. You smiled and preened, the arch of your back high against the velveteen chaise lounge. “You’ve done so well for me today.”

You attempted to playfully press your face closer to his, but Hyunjin was fast to move backwards from you as a coy smile graced his lips. You pouted with furrowed brows. “I can’t even receive payment for all of my hard work, monsieur l’artiste?”

His eyes twinkled mischievously before he let his mouth crash to yours, the softness of flesh pulled a light moan from the bottom of his chest. Kissing you was sinful; the way he perfectly meshed with you felt like blasphemy. There was no way that whatever gods existed created someone so perfect, so lovely, and happened to place them right in his path to love and cherish forever. The way your hands carded through his hair was biblical. The way you moved against his chest required reconciliation. For what? He didn’t know. Forgive me Father, for I have sinned… He would rather be sent to hell than be one day apart from you a single moment.

As the air was pulled from his lungs, he broke the passionate connection to let his lips dance to the tip of your nose, tapping them to each of your eyelids, and finally, let them linger on the crest of your forehead. “A tip,” he muttered. “For making my most favorite model think she wasn’t even worth payment. Who do you think I am, a con?”

Your giggle was soft, a blush of heat draped across the bridge of your nose. He wished he didn’t call it quits already: it would have gone perfect with the warm color palette he had chosen for this scene. He would have to add it later in post editing. Hyunjin wondered if the more rosy tone was suited for the color palette or should he darken it to match the shadows of the background? But then again, the blue of the sky hit just a point- 

“You’re beautiful, Hyunjin.”

Your voice pulled him from his thoughts. He blinked owlishly. “Hm?”

“You’re beautiful,” you said again, moving the gauzed sheet from your lap to stand. Your bones and ligaments groaned for a moment as you unfurled from your position on the couch with a sigh. Your peaked nipples stood up against the cold while you languidly reached for the silk robe on the side table. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Hyunjin tsked quietly, his drying palette suddenly more interesting than the flames licking at his cheeks. “That, my love, is where you’ve got the whole picture backwards. You’re the beauty here.”

“I don’t think so,” you harped, slinking around the side of his easel to face him again. You pushed the palette down gently, your fingers stuck in the cold terracotta paste left behind. “You may paint the picture, sweetheart, but the audience are the ones to appreciate and interpret it, aren’t they?”

“I suppose, but-”

Your lips had found him this time as your sullied hands wrapped around his shoulders. Your chest was pressed to his, your hips rocking perfectly against his groin. His palette scattered to the floor while the excess paint Pollocked the draping sheet beneath his canvas. His hands didn’t know where to hold as you let your lips cascade lower and lower, down the throbbing pulse of his neck, to the tips of his collarbone and finally placing a harsh bruise over his heart.

He moaned.

“Let me show you what I see.”

3 years later… (Angst time)

Felix was enraptured.

The way the ring lights of the gallery bounced off of the texture of the oil paint of this particular piece fascinated him in the most peculiar way. He didn’t think that Hyunjin had the ability to make something so soft and fragile in his repertoire! From the details of the gauze over the model’s lap to the soft flick of charcoal at the inner corner of her glimmering eye left him speechless. Every stroke was cared for and thoughtfully placed; so unlike the rough textures of the charcoal his friend was so known for dabbling in. Each shadow had a highlight that balanced it. The composition of the woman’s figure was simply spectacular. He wondered how much time he devoted to this one; it was clearly the centerpiece of the exhibit.

“So?”

Felix jumped a moment at the velvet voice behind him. The man of the hour, Hwang Hyunjin himself, had crept up behind him silent as the graves themselves. His friend was dapper in a black suit and tie while his hair was slicked back, fringe airly framing his face. He looked the part of the artist well enough and if Felix didn’t know better, he would say he looked like he was having fun. The earthy smell of tobacco followed him, however: a telltale sign of the evening’s stress and his friend’s discomfort.

“This one in particular’s stunning,” Felix mused, turning back to the painting. “She would have loved it, seeing it up close like this.”

“I invited her. I texted her, but she never responded,” Hyunjin whispered. He paused, the champagne flute in his hands suddenly more interesting than his closest friend. “I would have thought she would have wanted to see them.”

Felix’s gaze ran around the wall of the gallery. Each painting held a familiar curve, a similar wave of femininity that would pass the common viewer��s eye if they didn’t focus closely enough. He knew that this gallery was for you; that Hyunjin’s work was for you. When you left him two years ago without a trace, the hole in his friend’s chest festered into a sinkhole of obsession. It was as if the more he drew you, the more he painted your moles, your scars, and your curves, that he might be able to summon you back from the depths that you ran to, like Orpheus singing to free Euridice. That you would be in his arms again and all would be right. He could stop worshiping for just a moment and finally celebrate that his heart was whole again.

But Felix knew better. You were in the arms of someone else now.

“The night’s still young, Jinnie, she may come still,” he responded, rapping Hyunjin on the shoulder. “Don’t give up hope just yet.”

“I never will, Felix,” Hyunjin said. He gazed up at the painting with tears on his lashes threatening to fall. “I can’t. I won’t. Not until she knows I’m still here for her. Wherever she is, wherever she goes… I’ll always be thinking about her. She’ll always be a part of me.”

Felix gave a sad smile and hugged his friend tight to his chest. “I’ll let you finish up here for the night then. Get home safe, lover boy. Call me in the morning and I’ll help you pack everything up with Chan.”

Hyunjin nodded dumbly. His eyes never left his painting. 

—-

Felix traipsed down the steps of the gallery, his phone pinging as soon as service was restored.

>> How’d it go?

He smiled softly as his thumbs tapped away at the glass screen. > You were everything, my love. Just everything.

[biscutlovingbitch]

♡Opposites attract like magnets♡

Eddie Munson X reader, use of she/her prounouns, no use of y/n, fluffier than cotton candy, Billy Hargrove makes a guest appearance, mean!Billy, pushy!Billy, very emotional I got a little carried away 😬. Somewhat proofread, but I was tired when I did, so if there's any spelling mistakes, ignore them 🙏😭, no warnings.

Brief explanation: Eddie and you have English together, you love reading and English but the class it's self is boring until you have to pair up with Eddie Munson since your usual partner wasnt there, one thing leads to another and you both end up falling In love ❤️.

Eddie knew you from school, you were in his English class. The English class that he was failing, but that was all he knew about you. He knew that you liked art and even that your idea of fun was reading, but that all changed one day.

You had to do a partner assignment for a new book that the class was reading, some old Shakespeare it was always interesting for you to see how far literature had come, so you didn't mind it. This day, in particular, your usual partner was sick and out of school, so you had no other choice but to pair up with the one and only dreadful and full of hate Eddie Munson.

It was no surprise that the supposed "devil worshipper" who wore leather jackets and played dungeons and dragons was failing practicly every class. You didn't want to pair up with him but if anything you could help him try to graduate, although that's a bit of a stretch you wouldn't mind.

"Hey can I be your partner?" Eddie said reaching out to tap you on your shoulder. "Oh uh yeah that would be fine, there's not really anyone else so... yeah" you say turning around in your seat to look at him smiling a little. You know for being called evil his whole life he sure had some kind eyes.

You took the whole class period to sit and talk about the book, which he had no recollection of, probably because he dozed off every time the class read it. "I can't help it. It's just so boring with all the old-timy words. What do they even mean?" He said, trying to defend himself. "Well, if you paid attention, maybe you'd know what they meant," you said with a bit of a snarky remark. "I just don't know if I can force myself to read this trash," he said, tossing the book across the desk at you. "It's not trash! It's an important piece of English literature, which then again you'd know if you didn't constantly doze off!" You raised your voice slightly so he'd get the point that you weren't messing around. "Jeze princess, I didn't know this was something you were so passionate about," he said, putting his hands up in defense. "Well, it's not... it's just... never mind, forget it, " you said, crossing your arms a little mad still.

Later that day, you heard of an after-school art club that you wanted to see. You walked down the empty hallways, and it was silent until you herd "HA YOU REALLY THOUGHT YOU COULD KILL ME?!" In a sort of gremlinish voice, although it didn't sound normal, you knew of only one person that could have sounded like that. As you rounded the corner and slightly cracked the door to the drama and theater room, you saw him. Sitting on a throne looking down at a table and surrounded by what looked like lowerclassmen, Eddie was grinning from ear to ear. "Nobody can kill Vecna," he whispered lowly, almost to the point where you couldn't hear him.

Oh my god you where staring "oh I've got to get out of here" you said to yourself as you walked quickly out the exit, maybe you'll check out the art club some other time. On your walk home it started to rain, of course you were only wearing a T-shirt, jeans and some sneakers. "Oh shit of course this happens today" you say as your on the verge of tears, if you would have known it was going to rain you would have at least brought an umbrella or maybe even had worn something waterproof. Not even 10 minutes later, you hear tires screeching down the road towards you, but before you were able to turn around, you heard an unfamiliar voice. "Hey there, beautiful need a ride?" Who could that be Eddie? Or Steve?, but as you went to turn around, it was neither. Oh my, it was even worse than you thought. It wasn't Eddie or Steve but Billy?

"No, I'm perfectly fine walking, thank you," you said as you started to walk away and shiver. "Oh, c'mon, your hairs a mess and your makeups running just let me take you home?" He says as he slowly speeds up to talk with you. "No, I said I was fine. Besides, I don't have any money to pay you with," you say, trying to sneak him off your tail a little bit, but he didn't take the bait. "Oh don't worry about that, I'm sure we can work out another form of payment" that jerk was smiling, after suggesting that he was smiling even though he knew how you felt about that. "No really Billy I'm good." You're walking a little faster now as his car speeds up. "This isn't over!" He said as he was speeding down the road.

When you arrived home nobody else was there, there was never anybody else there. You lived in a small neighborhood close to an even smaller trailer park. Your parents both worked graveyard shifts and your little brother had soccer practice so for a good 2 hours it was just you. You usaly would just go up to your room and start studying but since you where soaking wet from the rain you decided that it might be best to take a bath before.

You had grabbed some tea from the kitchen and a book from your room, you lit some candles and put some bath pearls in the tub. It was decadent it almost felt like you where in luxury spa enjoying a day of relaxation.

Although your day had been bad, there was always a turnaround. After you got out, you went to your room, where you glanced at the tiny white figurines on your desk. The imperfect details on a perfectly blank slate. You got your supplies out and started to paint. You could do this for hours. Taking time to do every little brush stroke with your paintbrush that was only a few fine hairs sculpted into a flexible point. You had started with two little interlocking angels. They had magnets in the arms to whenever they got close to each other, they'd snap together. Although you were having fun, something was on your mind, and you'd wished you had another. As you sat down the angles for the night, you heard your brother get back. Swiping off the tears on your face, you walked down the hall to greet him.

"I'm so hungry..." he groaned out, acting like he was keeling over. "Oh boo hoo, get up. You're not dyeing," you said, walking past him and kicking him slightly. "And what if I was, you would have just kicked a dead person feel good about that hmm?..." he said as he got up. "Yeah, yeah, what do you want? We got a hungry man meal, some leftover steak from last night, or some spaghettio's?" You said as you scoured the cupboards and fridge. "I would be okay with some spaghettio's, I guess," he said with a bit of a grossed out look on his face. "Alright dude thats all we got, so you either man up and eat what we have or starve it's your choice, "shrugging your shoulders and taking a drink of your tea. "I guess I could eat that steak, but only if it doesn't have like worms in it," he said, shivering like the temperature had suddenly dropped to below freezing. "I promise it only had like one worm in it, you'll love it," you say, smiling as you start to cook dinner.

As the night started to unwind your brother fast asleep in his room and you finishing the page you where on in your book your mind started to wander. You didn't want to think about a boy this late at night but you couldn't help it. Eddie really wasn't that bad was he? I mean I've always seen him be so nice to everyone why does he get such a bad rep? You thought to yourself. Well if he's not a bad guy how would I find out? What if he's just tricking everyone? I'm not going to get any sleep if I keep thinking about this. You thought as you turned off your lamp and drifted off to sleep...

It was 7:00 the next day and you had approximately half an hour to get ready. You had accidently slept through your alarm and jumped out of bed. You just through on some old clothes that where hanging up in your closet and rushed to the bathroom. "Goodmorning dad!" You said rushing through the kitchen. "Morning sweetie" he said groggy and tired. "Can I barrow the car today?" You say as you stop at the door and turn to face him. "Sorry your mom picked up a double shift" he said walking towards his bedroom. "It's okay love you dad!" You said running out of the house. Your backpack hitting you with every step landing on the pavement. "Why do I do this to myself" you said as you ran though the short cut in the woods. As you where running through the parking lot of the trailer park you almost got hit by a loud obnoxious van. Heavy metal at 7 in the morning what's wrong with you. You think to yourself as you try to catch your breath. "Oh my god I'm so sorry I didn't hit you did i?!" You recognized that voice, when you looked up you saw a very tired looking metal head running full speed towards you. "Ahhh" you scream and put your hands in front of you. "Jesus I didn't mean to scare you" putting his hand on your shoulder. "Well you should really watch where your going next time, thanks to you I'm going to be late!" You say storming off. "I can give you a ride y'know as like a ticket of your forgiveness?" He said trying to convince you, you where about to say no but you smelt that all too fimular sent of rain and saw the overcast sky's above you. You didn't want to but your body worked against your mind, turning and walking back to his van.

"After you" he said after he ran to the passenger side door just to open it for you. "You know I usaly don't get in vans with strangers" you said crossing your arms and looking out the windows as rain droplets started to form. "Yeah, i dont think most people do" he said looking over at you and laughing. With tired eyes he looked almost even more kind, this damn guy wouldn't even hurt a fly if he had to, what was all the talk about him being the spawn of satin? You thought, "psh yeah whatever" you scof and turn away from him.

The drive to school was quiet, other than the music that was blaring through the speakers. "Can you turn it down?" You yelled over the music, but he was too content on the guitar solo to even bother listening to you. "EDDIE!" You yelled, now that got his attention. "What?" He said turning down the volume only after the solo. "Nothing just wanted you to turn it down a little. Thanks" you said looking at him as he was driving. You know you never realized just how handsome he really was. Nope nope that's not happening, you didn't like him he was just your partner for a week and that's all. You had to talk yourself out of it.

"Hey um thanks for the ride I appreciate it" you said as you sat there in the van, with a few minutes to spare you decided to go to class. "Yeah don't mention it, I can take you to school more often if you'd like, or I guess if you'd need me too" he said smiling at you and taking off his seat belt. Even though you really wanted to not be late ever again you didnt even know if you could trust him. "I'll think about it" you said smiling and walking to the doors.

As you reached for the door handle you saw someone jogging towards the door behind you. "After you" he said opening the door and almost bowing. "Thanks" you said smiling, of course it was Eddie who else would it be? Not that you where mad, infact you where even a little happy to see him again. You think to yourself as if you didnt just show up to school with him. "Mind if I walk you to class?" He said looking as you with that little smile he always did. "Not at all" you replied trying to mimic the smile.

There wasn't hardly anyone in the halls or the classrooms, but you didnt mind. You got to your class and waited outside the door, you still had about 5 minutes to spare before the bell rang. "Thanks for driving me to school and walking me to class" you said looking down at your fingers and twisting your rings. "Yeah no problem anytime". You thought that he was just going to walk away but he didn't he just kept staring at you with those kind eyes of his.

The first half of school was fine until you got to English. Your usual partner was back and although you had already chose Eddie to be your partner you felt bad. You didn't want to abandon either of them, but even if your other partner didn't like that you where working with Eddie instead of her you kept working with him.

"Hey do you want to eat lunch at my table?" He said looking at you. You didn't eat in the lunch room you much preferred outside, not as much people and refreshing. "Well as tempting as that offer is I don't eat in the lunch room" you said putting the book down and quickly jotting down some notes, he hadn't taken any this whole time so you where trying to manage extra. "Oh that's alright, where do you sit if you don't mind me asking?" He said really not budging. "I sit outside, I like to look at nature and have a break from reality every once and a while" you say smiling a little bit. "That sounds peaceful, not my thing but still peaceful" he says starting to get up.

The bell rang and you walked outside to enjoy your lunch. You where just about to enjoy the fall breeze when all of the sudden you saw him, Billy again? This seems too strange twice in one week? You tried not to think much of it as you went to walk past him. "That is one he'll of an outfit you got on there bebe, smokin'" he said whistling at you as he leaned on his car in the parking lot. You tried to ignore him but his pestering just kept getting louder and louder. "Jeze what do you want from me?" You say turning around to see him about a foot away from you. "Nothing just want to take you out to dinner that's all" he said walking towards you and putting his hands on your waist. "Billy stop it, I already told you I don't like you like that now please leave me alone" you say trying to get out of his grip but he was strong. "Now now is that any way to talk to your prince charming?" He said leaning down to whisper in your ear. You kept trying to push him away but you where struggling, that was until you herd a voice "Hey get off of her man!" That fimulair voice yet again. "Eddie?" You bairly spoke loud enough for even yourself to hear but he herd. "Hey if you don't get off of her man I share to God I'll beat your ass!" He yelled out towards Billy and the rest of the parking lot herd it. "Oh yeah, is that so Munson?" Billy said letting you go and pulling you to his side as you desperately tried to get away. "Yeah right here right now!" Eddie yelled as he started walking towards Billy. Billy shoved you away from him and started walking towards Eddie, but before he got to him the principal walked out and was able to stop the fight before it even happened. "You'd dead the next time I see you Munson!" Billy yelled as he walked back tward his car and sped off.

The bell rang shortly after and you sat the rest of the day in silence. Every class you went to afterward you just sat in silence. Why would he do that, I mean why out of all people would he stick up for you? I'm glad he did but why? Did he like you...? No no he doesn't, he was probably just trying to save his ass because if it wasn't for you he wouldn't have a English partner right? You tried to convince yourself that that was the reason and nothing else, but that thought kept lingering in the back of your mind for the rest of the day.

As the last bell rang you started walking down the hall way to the art class that you had wanted to go to yesterday. You didn't know if there was another d&d meeting today but then again why did you care that much? "Hi hi welcome to the Art-teasinal, it's a name in the making" the leader of the group said smiling and kind of embarrassed. "Oh I see" you said trying to force a laugh but it was just to uncomfortable to do so. You stayed there for about an hour talking about all the late, great and up and coming artists. You enjoyed the class alot and even thought about coming back tomorrow but if you did then you wouldn't have bairly any time to paint your figurines. You would have to walk home which was almost 20 minutes away and then cook for your bother. You didn't want to but you did consider asking Eddie if he could drive you home after since all the clubs tend to end at the same time. You didn't want to be a burden though so you just decided to sleep on it and pick tomorrow what you wanted to do.

As you walked out in the parking lot, already getting dark because of the autumn season you looked at the sunset for just a moment. It was beautiful the shades oranges and yellows and the hues of blues and pinks all mixed together. It was ethereal to see, it felt like you had never even seen the sky before and it was hard to pry your eyes away. "Hey uh... do you need a ride home?" You herd that voice once again, it was Eddie. "Oh uh I wouldn't mind that if your okay with it" you said smiling at him.

God, she looked so beautiful, the way her features complimented the already beautiful sky. He thought to himself, it was hard to look away from you, but if he kept staring, it would get awkward, and he would never want to creep you out. "Yeah, no, it's not problem really" he said, smiling and laughing a little.

As you got in and buckled yourself you starred off into the distance at the sunset again, the sun now a small sliver peaking out from behind the mountains. It reminded you fo someone, someone who you've been getting a little to close to lately. "So why where you here so late?" He asked. "Why do you want to know?" You said smiling at him a little trying to rile him up. "Oh i-i just have never seen you here that late that's all" he said trying to hide the creeping embarrassment. "Well I was at an after school club" you said looking at the now dark sky above you. "Oh really that's rad" he said doing the devil horn that you had seen on the covers of magazines titled "devil worshippers living among us!". "So I have to ask you, what was the club?" He said seeming a little intrigued. "It was an art club" you said smiling at him and looking over to see his eyes staring back at you. "Nice I always knew that you where in to art" he said smiling only dropping the smile after he realized what he just said. "Oh really?" You said smiling. Oh shit what has he done, where you embarrassed? Uncomfortable? Grossed out by him? "Y-yeah I mean I always see you doing little doodles in your notebook in English so I just figured..." Oh god he was so screwed. "Oh I didn't know you payed that much attention to me" Oh shit he was done for. "Heh yeah I guess so..."

When he pulled into your driveway as suspected nobody was home yet. You thought about letting him in and getting to know him a little bit but before you could ask he asked. "Hey would you mind if I used your bathroom, I really have to take a piss?" He said turning off his van and shutting the door behind him. "Oh yeah no problem let me get the door for you" you said unlocking it and letting him inside. You should have cleaned, your little brothers dirty shoes where on the ground along with some sports equipment. "Sorry about the mess, I'm usaly the only one who cleans" you said feeling a little embarrassed. "What mess? If you think this house is messy never come over to my house" he said laughing. "Why?" You didn't get the joke. "It will kill you, probably give you a heart attack or something" he said laughing. "So the bathroom..." he said looking around the house. "Oh shit I forgot, it's the first door on the left". "Wow never herd you cus before, someone's got a bit of a sailors mouth on her doesn't she" he said laughing and shutting the door.

For the next minute you just starred at the wall thinking about how you could get him to stay a little longer just so you could have some company. Oh! you've got it you could ask him to study with you, I mean he was your study partner right? It wouldn't be that out of pocket.

"Hey thanks by the way, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it down that bumpy ass road back to my house with out pissing myself" he said walking out and laughing while zipping up his pants. You don't know why but thay made you feel a little flustered and you almost forgot what you where going to say before he was already right in front of you. "D-do you want to study?" You said yelling a bit on accident. "Uh didn't we already do that at school?" He said seeming a little confused. Oh shit of course it want going to work, you should have never even asked him. "Haha yeah never-ending just forget about it bye!" You said trying to walk past him to your room. "Well thay doesn't mean that we can't I just didn't know if you wanted to" je said walking towards you as you opened the door to your bedroom. "Why would I have suggested it if I didn't want to?" You said as you walked in, him fallowing after you. As you looked for your book you had forgotten that you left your figurines of the angles on your desk, painted and exposed for the whole world to see. As you tried to distract him from looking over on your desk it was no use, he saw them. "Woah what are these?" He said as he went to pick one up. Oh my god what was he going to tell everyone, that I'm some sort of loaner who paints figurines for a living because I'm not capable of love? That was a little much but for thr time it seemed right.

"T-those are my angles... well not mine I didn't make them but I- painted them" you said so embarrassed that you felt like you where almost on the verge of tears. "That's sick, you think you could paint something for me?" He said looking at you and smiling. He wasn't going to make fun of you? "Um s-sure I guess what is it?" You said walking over to him and looking at the angels in his hand. "So I play dungeons and dragons right, and so like we have these little figurines that we play with some time and I'm no painter like I literally have no skill, other than the guitar, but I would really appreciate it if you could" he said smiling even bigger and getting an ego boost just thinking about his guitar. "Oh sure that seems... ok" you said taking the figures from his hand and pulling them apart just to put them back together. "Woah really that's so nice of you, here I'll pay you" he said as he reached for his wallet. "N-no need, how about this. If you agree to take me to school in the mornings and take me home I'll do ti for free" you said smiling at your proposition. "Yeah that will work, I'll pick you up tomorrow at 7:30?" He said looking down at you. "Yeah that would be great"

And there you where smiling again, over a boy who was probably just being nice to you. You couldn't help but feel your heart beat a little faster when he would talk to you or even look at you. You knew that this was destined to be a great friendship weather or not it would last was the shitty part. "Oh um it's getting late I should probably go huh, I mean I don't want your parents to get the wrong idea" he said laughing and heading towards the door, still holding one of the angles, while you had the other, you walked him out and even said goodnight to him, you where falling quick.

The next morning as promised he was at your door step at 7:30 sharp. You where happy to see him but not so much your dad. "Who's this boy at our door?" He said trying to sound awake. "He's just a friend daddy nothing to worry about" you said as you kissed your father's cheak and walked out the door and got into his van. "Hey so um I accidentally stole this from you last night" he said holding the other angel. "I must have not realized that I had it still in my hand and I took it home" he said trying to give it back to you. "Eh you can keep it, to be honest I have so many others giving you one won't hurt the collection" you said smiling.

You where able to actually have time to get ready this morning so you put on a long black skirt and a matching top to pair with it. It was darker than your usual outfits but something made you feel giddy to wear it and see what Eddie thought. "D-do you like my outfit?" You said quietly to him. "Yeah looks metal" he said smiling at you. "Thanks I thought you'd like it" Oh shit. You didn't mean to say that out loud. "Oh y-you did" he said looking at the road again, he wasn't even smiling anymore he looked almost like he was concentrating on something. "I-i didn't mean to say that" you said looking out the windows and shielding you face from him, you wanted to cry but it would ruin your make up so you tried your hardest not too. But he saw you "Hey it's alright, I think you look really cute today" he said smiling again, his fave Turing bright red as he said it. You couldn't help but laugh at the situation and neither could he. "Y'knowschools stupid" you said which shocked Eddie he would never expect something like that to come out of your mouth. "Really I thought you liked school?" He said seeming confused. "Well I do but there's just so much you could do other than sit in a classroom for 8 hours a day" you said being able to look at him again. "But what is there in Hawkins to do though" you said sounding sad. "Well I know this pretty chill place in the woods if your up for it?" He said. "Well I mean I'd usaly say no to a stranger taking me into the woods" you laughed "Well I'm not just some stranger am i?" He said. "No, no your not."

You both decided that you where going to hang out at lunch and skip 5th period. The first part of the day was boring as always other than some stairs from your outfit change. All classes other than english, you used to be bored in that class too but with a newfound friend it wasnt that bad anymore.

You both sat at your desk and "talked about the book" when in all reality you where just talking about random stuff. It was the first day you hadn't read the book and it actually felt kind good, plus it was just a few pages that you would definitely catch up on later tonight. As the bell rang your stomach dropped and your heart started to flutter. You fallowed Eddie out into the woods near your houses and sat at a little dingy old picnic table. "Howed you know about this place, I've lived here all my life and I didnt even know?" You said looking up at the trees with the brown and amber colored leaves falling with every slight breeze. "Well, I dont usaly take pretty girls here, it's more of a trading type of place for me" he said smirking at you. What did he mean by that? Trading? Like trading what? You thought to yourself. "Oh that's interesting" you say laughing a little, you just realized that he called you a pretty girl. Your heart stopped a little then you thought did he actually like you or was he just saying that?. "So um are you usaly home alone after school?" He said sounding a little hurt. "Oh um yeah I-I am my parents work graveyard shifts and my brother has practice then sometimes he goes and plays with his friends" you said smiling. "Well if your ever bored I live right over there, he pointed to the trailer park and you could make out a trailer that had Eddie written all over it. "I live with my uncle and he works graveyard shift too so alone of the time it's just me" he said putting his hands out across the table and looking at you. "So I guess where in the same boat then" you said laughing and putting your hands next to his. "Yeah I guess so" he took this time to put his hands over yours slowly trying not to startle you. You didn't know if you could say something or take your hands back. As much as you could have tried it felt nice, his hands where warm in contrast to your cold ones. "So um did you want to go back to school after lunch?" He said. "Well not really now" you said laughing. "Good because if so were late" he said laughing.

You had never felt this close to someone before it was almost scary. You really liked him but you didn't want to say something you might regret so you stayed silent just looking into his kind eyes. "So um you can say no but I don't have d&d tonight and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to Benny's?" He said looking as you bracing himself for if or when you said no. "Yeah, I'd like that" you said. "Really!" He said jumping up out of his seat and into the pile of leaves behind him. You laughed, you had never seen him this happy before and you had never felt this happy for someone before let alone yourself. You had completely forgotten about school and by now it would have been 6th period anyway so you just decided to keep sitting there and talking to him.

After you where dropped off you got ready, replying some of your makeup and putting on a dress instead of a skirt this time. It was a black silky type dress and it had rhinestones on the neckline, you loked beautiful. As you where finishing up on your hair, which you brushed and teased to make it more fluffy you herd a knock at your door. You raced to the door and opened it, it was Eddie and it looked like he even combed through his hair a little bit he smelt nice too mist have taken a shower. "Wow your beautiful" he said as he heald up some daisy's out towards you. "I-I didn't have time to go to the store and buy some flowers for you so I had to pick some I hope you don't mind" he sounded a little self conscious. "I love them" you said turning around to put them in a vase.

As you walked out the door you realized that it was maybe a little too cold to be wearing a dress. And maybe you where a little over dressed for a crummy little dinner. "You smell nice" you said quick and staring at the road. "M-me Thanks" he said sounding surprised even though before he had left he put one some of his uncles cologne, he thought as he fist pumped to himself. "Yeah no problem" you said smiling. As you got to the dinner you realized that you where overdressed but you dint care, as long as you had Eddie that was all you cared about. You had both sat at a booth and ordered your meals. Talking about your own lives and even about where your fascination with painting figurines came from, and you also learned lot about him. He had talked about his guitar before but you never really knew just how much he did like playing before now. He was cute when he talked about it, his eyes lighting up every time he said something he was passionate about.

"I really hope you had a good tike tonight, I sure know I did" he said smiling as he walked you to your front door. "I did, I think this has quite possibly been the best night of my life" you said turning towards him before your front door. "I liked it, I liked you" you said, it felt like the earth quit spinning for a moment. Like everyone else in the world had somehow mysteriously disappeared and it was just you too, as if you where floating alone in the universe with him and only him. He looked as if he felt the same. "This might sound a little weird but can I kiss you?" He said as he started to put one of his hands on your waist and the other on your cheek. "That doesn't sound weird at all" you said as you leaned in to close the gap.

The feeling that you felt was unimaginable. It felt like all of what you had previously described was just a tiny fraction of what you were actually feeling. You had never had your first kiss before, but it felt euphoric. It felt as if you and him were the only beings in the universe. "T-that was... wow, " you said, laughing a little bit, and so did he. He placed his forehead on yours and just heald you there for a while. You could have stepped away, but you didn't want to. It wasn't until you saw the porch light turn on that you realized that your little brother had already been home. "Whos there?" He said, opening the door only to see you and Eddie standing side by side. "Jeze dude, go back to bed," you said, cursing him for ruining the moment. "I should probably get going," Eddie said, turning towards you. "I'll see you tomorrow okay princess" you smiled and nodded at him as you went inside. You thought about him all night, and he thought about you too, your angle was sitting on your nightstand, and his was also. You could feel that he was staring at it when you were. But that's the one thing about opposites, they attract like magnets.

[lady-morrigen]

Could I perhaps request Cassian Andor fluff with reader going through a particularly difficult bout of winter depression and him having the patience of a saint? Much love ❤️

Daylily

pairing: cassian andor x gn!reader (it was accidentally gn, so let me know if i missed anything)

a/n: so first, i'm sorry i take a million years to fill requests! idk what drew me to this one, but i guess because i'm army crawling towards the end of winter myself. i'm not sure if this is what you were going for, but my current work stress sorta worked its way in here... my apologies lol i can write something fluffier when i don't feel endless rage

rating: g

warnings: seasonal depression angst, job stress, brief mention of parental death (nothing graphic)

You’ve always hated it, the way the sun dropped beyond the horizon before you had a chance to feel it thaw the frozen contours of your face. It hardly seemed fair. A hint of a cotton candy sky peeking through the slats of the window over your bunk was as close as you came to seeing the sun all day. 

Day in and day out, you were surrounded by the damp, clay walls of the base, working yourself to the exhaustion to ensure data collected by the Rebellion’s Intelligence Officers was properly decoded. Lukewarm cups of caf and nutrition bars weren’t exactly a balanced or healthy diet, but they got you through more often than not. Each passing day, as your vitamin D stores depleted and the hunger pains grew stronger, your irritability wedged itself permanently at the front of your personality. 

When the doors of the tech bay slid open with a hiss, you had to fight the urge to roll your eyes. The man headed toward you was a particular thorn in your side, always one to meet your icy tone with an edge of his own, taunting you, pushing you, like a thumb to a bruise. Captain Andor had never met a spat he didn’t absolutely savor and you seemed to be the most recent object of his ire. 

He approached the desk, smug smile in place as he braced his arms on the top, crossing over the desktop, crowding your space to an annoying degree. With a huff, you sat down your data pad, steeling your gaze and facing him head-on.

“Captain Andor,” you said plainly, disdain evident in your tone. 

“Always so happy to see me, Lieutenant.” His smile didn’t quite meet his eyes. Truthfully, he looked just as exhausted as you felt. His brown eyes no longer held the sparkle, the hope that you were sure once shone in them.  

He could have been lovely once, you thought. Before the Empire crushed our spirits and the cold leeched out what little happiness we had left.

“What can I do for you, Captain?” 

Your already thin patience was waning, desperate to move the conversation along so you could get back to work. He tapped a finger against the screen of your data pad insistently. 

“Did you decrypt those Coruscant messages yet?” His lips set into a thin line, his features twisting into something much more serious, all traces of playfulness drained from his expression. 

You scrubbed a hand over your face, the feeling of being impossibly overwhelmed bubbled up in your chest, creeping up your throat and threatening to suffocate you. You fought back against the tears welling in your eyes. You knew well that Captain Andor wasn’t one to miss things like that, no matter how well controlled, and showing him any sign of weakness was out of the question. 

“Like I told you yesterday, Sir, we are very behind. It’s going to take me at least two more days.” 

You turned to the table behind you, taking a deep breath to regulate yourself, looking anywhere but at the disappointment on the face of the man behind you. When you turned to him again, his arms were crossed over his chest, and he was eyeing you quizzically, as if trying to figure out your deepest secret. A few silent moments passed when you suddenly realized he was waiting for you to continue.

“I’m sorry,” you started to speak, the sound breaking in your throat in traitorous defiance to your control. You felt your shoulders droop, the fight leaving your body in place of defeat. “I’m doing the best I can.”

The energy in the room changed then. Captain Andor’s body softened, his eyes held a kindness and understanding that hadn’t been there before. He looked almost sad for you, as if he could empathize with you. And you supposed maybe he could. 

“Hey,” he said, leaning forward once more. “How much of the key have you completed?”

“Captain Andor, I sai-” He held up a hand to cut you off. 

“I was only wondering if there was enough for me to try the decryption on my own. I want to help you.”

The look on your face must have been a comical mixture of confusion and shock because the corners of his eyes crinkled and he chuckled, throwing his mask of confidence back on and leaning into an elbow. 

“Don’t look so surprised.” In any other situation, the way he grinned at you would have made you weak in the knees. “I can be a nice guy when the situation calls for it. I am a spy, afterall.”

You nodded, dumbly, grabbing the data pad and bringing up the partially completed decryption key, handing it to him. 

“So far, this is all I could make out. If you could apply what we have to the messages, maybe we can get a headstart on figuring out what it all means.” 

His brows knit together in concentration as he poured over the symbols, picking up on the pattern, analyzing your skill. He moved around to the back of the console, pulling a stool up beside you and got to work. As you focused on a special project for General Draven, the two of you began to work in relative silence, punctuated every now and then by Captain Andor asking questions about specific sequential symbols.

It was comfortable, you thought, working with him like that. You never knew that he could be anything other than the ornery man you’ve always met, worn down by the weight of the responsibility resting on his shoulders. As if reading your mind, he spoke, pulling you out of your thoughts with a jolt. 

“You weren’t always like this,” he said. You whipped your head toward him, shooting him a glare as deadly as blaster fire. “When you first got here, I mean.”

“What exactly am I like?” You groused, setting down your data pad to face him fully. He shrugged noncommittally. 

“Stressed. Angry. Argumentative.”

You laughed, something humorless and cruel. How dare he?

“That’s rich coming from you, Captain Andor. This very well may be the first time we’ve spent more than two minutes in a room together and I haven’t wanted to rip your head off. If I’m any of those things, I am only mirroring your own temperament.”

For a long moment, he stared, his dark eyes flitting back and forth over your own, searching for… something. With a sigh, he relented. 

“You’re right.”

“I’m… what?” The fight drained from you all at once. You could tell he was sincere, and maybe even slightly remorseful. 

“You’re right. I am all of those things and I have been for a very long time. That’s why it bothers me to see them in you. I wanted better for you.” 

“What do you mean?”

“Before, you had kindness in your eyes. You believed in what we’re doing here. You knew it was something good. You had hope.” 

“I still believe in what we’re doing, I just…”

“Thought it would be easier than this? That we would have won by now? Me too.” 

He turned his attention back to his data pad and the weight of his words lay heavy between you. 

“Captain Andor, I’m so-”

“Cassian.”

“What?”

“That’s my name. ‘Captain Andor’ is so formal. You can call me Cassian.”

“Cassian Andor… it’s nice.” And it was nice. Knowing his full name made the miles of distance between you feel like feet. Made this intimidating man feel more like a tangible person. Someone you could grow to understand, maybe even like. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Go for it.”

“Why did Mothma decide to build a base on the coldest planet in the galaxy?” That earned you a chuckle, low and warm. 

“Hoth is the coldest planet in the galaxy. We’ll soon have a base there too. We’re headed there once we’re done here.”

“How convenient,” you rolled your eyes. “But you know what I mean. Is this not a better fit for the soulless many of the Empire? I swear, I can feel it leeching the happiness from my body the longer we stay here.”

“Is that what the problem is?” He looked at you, curiosity once again twisting his brow. “Where are you from?” 

“Alderaan. My father was a farmer.” 

“Was?”

“The Empire’s destruction extends far beyond Coruscant. They wanted to use our land to build a base and they were… unhappy with him when he refused. My older brother and I were able to escape, but just barely. My mother was a childhood friend of the Organas. They provided us with shelter and sent us to Mon Mothma when we refused to sit on our hands and watch the chaos unfold.” He was staring at you. Taking in every word with silent contemplation. You nervously rubbed your palms against the rough fabric of your uniformed thighs. “And yeah so anyway… Now I’m here.”

“I��m sorry.” He was quiet for a moment. “Do you think you’ll go back? When we win?”

“I like to think so. I have so much to thank the Organas for. They saved us. If it weren’t for them…” 

“I get it. I’ve been there.” You didn’t pry. You got the feeling he wasn’t particularly happy to speak of his past.

“Yeah,” you said. “It would all feel worth it if I could just see the sunshine again, feel the warmth of it on my face. Something other than constant, dreadful cold and blank walls.”

Cassian glanced back to the data pad, making note of the time. 

“Hey, we’ve been at this for a while,” he said. “It’s almost morning. You should get some rest.”

“Morning is the only time I get to see the sun shine all day. I’d just end up sleeping through it if I went to bed now.”

“I see,” he said. “I have an idea.”

He took the data pad from your hand, setting onto the console beside his and grabbing you gently by the wrist, pulling you toward the door. He grabbed your coat from a nearby stool and handed it to you. 

“You’ll need this.”

As you followed him through the hallways, your curiosity continued to grow. You stopped by his workstation so that he could grab his own coat, a long, navy parka with a furry hood. When he slipped it on, he seemed to transform into a different person. He looked soft, small in comparison to the bulk of the coat, and incredibly warm. 

He tossed a pair of gloves to you, slipping on a pair of his own, before extending his hand. Hesitantly, you grabbed it, eyeing him suspiciously. 

“Where are we going?” You asked. 

“First, we’re going to get some caf,” he pulled you toward the mezzanine impatiently, as if he was racing against an imaginary clock. “The second part is a surprise.”

“Cassian, I really don’t like surprises.” You tried to stop, to pull your hand from his, but he held tight. He turned, placing a cup of caf in your free hand and you could have cried from the warmth as it slowly seeped through your glove.

“You’ll like this one,” he said, a smile threatening to crack at the corners of his mouth. He tugged your joined hands again, impatiently, leading you toward the exit. 

“Please, Cassian, it’s freezing.” You were whining, you knew it, but you were already so cold and the thought of going outside, into the frosted darkness of Tokmia, was enough to make you want to throw a full-blown tantrum. 

He said nothing as he led you through the forest, making his way to a steep hill and motioning for you to walk ahead of him. You glared at him once more for dramatic effect, huffing as you made your way up the steep embankment. When you reached the top, you stopped short, gasping in surprise. 

The hill overlooked a pristine snow field, sparkling in the waning moonlight, breathtakingly beautiful in its serenity. You turned to face Cassian, huffing slightly as he crested the hill. He offered up a shy smile, rubbing the back of his neck as he walked toward you. 

“It’s nice, right?” He took a sip of his caf, an effort to disguise a smile, you thought. “I found it once when I needed to escape K’s blabbering. I come here when I need a reminder of what we’re fighting for.”

“It’s beautiful." Your voice was barely more than a whisper, breathless as you noticed the pinky blue light of the sunrise begin to peek through the darkness. You inhaled sharply, the sound getting caught in your throat as you realized why he had been in such a rush.

“Looks like we made it just in time,” he said, taking another sip of caf. 

You closed your eyes as the sun crested over the horizon, reveling in the way the light pushed past your eyelids. When you were younger, you caught as many Alderaanean sunrises as you could. There was some kind of magic tied to being the first person to catch sight of the sun as she rose from her slumber. You hadn’t realized how much you missed that feeling. 

You glanced at Cassian, interested to see if he was enjoying the sunrise as well and found that he was already looking at you. His smile was genuine, satisfied, and dazzling. 

Maybe he is lovely afterall, you thought. He just needed a little warmth.

[john-bear-jr]

Bye Bye

✨ Becoming Her ✨

It’s happening, isn’t it? 💖 You can feel it—soft, warm, and oh-so-sparkly. ✨ Your thoughts getting lighter, fluffier, sweeter. Like cotton candy spinning in your mind. 🍭

Your lips? Poutier 💋. Your lashes? Longer and fluttering 🩷. Your body? So soft, so curvy, so perfect. 💕 You don’t even have to try anymore—everything’s just... easy. ☁️

You’re slipping into it now, aren’t you? Letting go of all that heavy, boring stuff. 😌 No more overthinking. No more stress. Just glitter ✨, gloss 💄, and a world where everything’s cute and pink 💖.

You’re so close. You can feel it—your giggle bubbling up 🩷, your hips swaying without even thinking 💃, your heart glowing brighter than ever 🌟.

Let it happen. Say yes to the sparkle, the bows, the softness. 🎀 Say yes to her. She’s waiting for you, all dolled up and dazzling. 💕 And she’s you. 💖✨

[marinerainbow]

//OMG OMG the movie is awesome it's so dramatically romantic and really funny and adorable and quotable AND it's the reason Bugs Bunny loves carrots. Gable holds one and eats it while suavely talking and in Bugs Bunny's introduction to audiences he did the same as a reference to that film. It's a reference lost in time now but audiences in the 1930s/40s would have gotten it. Today everybody is just like "Oh I guess rabbits must like carrots" even though carrots should only be given to real bunnies sometimes as a treat!

And awwwwwwww

Poppy: I was doing just swell on my own Mister!

Smarty: You? *laughs* You're shortah than a bar stool and fluffier than cotton candy. If I hadn't whacked him one you'd be tied up in some basement by now!

Poppy: Well...I did manage to give him a good hit.

Smarty: Oh I'm suuuure he was quakin' at ya little doll fists. Lay one on me baby, *offers his cheek* go on, knock me out!

THATS why Bugs chews on a carrot? That's a cool fact! I really gotta watch this movie now ^^

Ohhhhh... I look calm on the outside, but really I'm screaming and going crazy over this dynamic for Smarty-Pop! Poppy is so dang frustrated by Smartass treating her like she's so weak (she knows she's not the strongest toon. But still). She'd want to prove to him that there is strength in being patient. And Smartass is just as frustrated too! He can't keep covering this dames tail. Granted, it's not like she's looking for trouble. She just seems to be a magnet for it.

(You have noooo idea how much I want to write for this!)

[sunflowersandsapphires]

A small sneak peek of the vibes of the next chapter of Wake Up because I’m very proud of it. (It’s fluffier than cotton candy so prepare yourselves.)

Matt *kissing your cheeks*: We aren’t dating.

You *sitting in Matt’s lap*: This is all just for show.

You and Matt *constantly flirting*: We are just keeping up appearances!!

Foggy/Marci/Karen/anyone with eyes:

I really hope you all continue to enjoy the series! I love hearing your feedback :)

[kayssweetdreams]

Nightmaren Babies Ch 18

Meanwhile, Back on Attilio's Stage...

When it came to NiGHTS, and having sugar, it never ended well. Ever. Add the fact that they were now a baby, and you had a recipe for disaster. Knowing this, the group had prepared accordingly, various nets, baby carriers, warm milk, and calming music to try and calm NiGHTS down. However, the group also were a bit afraid, given that NiGHTS could pop out at any given moment.

"N-NiGHTS?" Emma called out. "C-C'mon NiGHTS...It's naptime..." Trisha Jane added. But the kids didn't see the purple maren anywhere. Suddenly, a small sound was heard...something that sounded like a small voice in a hunting voice saying 'Cotton Candy...'

And all of a sudden...

GROWL!! HISS!!!

A flash of purple jumped onto Kaylo's head and tried to rip her pink hair right off her head "AHH! NO!! BAD NiGHTS!! DOWN!!" She shouted in pain and terror, trying to wrench the purple maren from her head. The others looked in horror before they went to help wrangle the small jester, only to have them scramble their way down the rest of the pink haired girl, prompting the others to give chase.

When NiGHTS finally DID get off of Kaylo, they had taken a small chunk of Kaylo's hair along with it. The kids looked in shock at what happened "Well...at least we found NiGHTS..." Emma said, panting from the earlier ordeal. "Yes...but they're like a sugar crazed gremlin now! How on EARTH are we going to keep them under control long enough to calm them down?!" Kaylo asked, still shook from her little 'Attack'

"Well it seems that NiGHTS will come out for a while. But only with the same treats that makes children smile." Balan said. That's when Trisha Jane had an idea. "I think I know how to lure NiGHTS out. But Kaylo's gonna have to be the bait." She said. The pink haired girl stared in horror. "M-Me?! Did you not just see what Happened?!" She asked shakily "Yes. NiGHTS thought your hair was cotton candy, which means if you stand out in the open long enough, with a lot of sugar on your body, NiGHTS will come out again." Trisha Jane said.

Kaylo still was against the idea "Yeah. And what am I supposed to do? Stand out in the open wearing an outfit completely made out of sugar?" She asked sarcastically. However, she failed to see Balan raising his hands, and snapping his fingers, causing her entire appearance to change. True to her words, now she had on an entire outfit made out of sugar. She now donned a dress decked out in dozens of candies and deserts, her boots now made of rainbow cake, and dipped in icing while her hair was even longer and fluffier than before, while a big candy crown sat on her head.

The pink haired girl looked at her new look with horror "NO! NO NO NO!! I REFUSE to be the bait!" She protested. Mei placed a hand on her shoulder "It'll be alright. As soon as NiGHTS jumps out, we'll be ready. We'll keep NiGHTS down long enough for you to play the flute and lull them to sleep." She said. Kaylo still didn't like the plan, but NiGHTS wouldn't come out any other way, so she begrudgingly nodded her head before the others hid inside of the stands that were destroyed by the sugar high jester, waiting for them to strike...

Mei belongs to @sundove88

Trisha Jane belongs to @lovelyteng

[scout-company]

Dead or Alive—Chapter 6

They reach the proper base of the mountains by nightfall. 

Once the sun’s light finally fades behind the mountains, Scout becomes their light walking forward. Her orange light illuminates for several yards, but there’s only so far it can shine up the steep slope they find at. The top of the mountains are mere ghosts against the starry sky.

It takes them some time to find a slope that they can all hike up. Most of the slope is close to vertical, and the soil in the parts that are not crumbles easily. Eventually they find a stable slope, parallel to some sort of landslide. Part of it looks like it had caved in at one point; now it’s a mass of boulders and rubble stacked until it merges with the longer-lasting soil. But it’s stable enough for the three of them to start hiking without too much worry.

The three of them make their way up the slope, cutting across roughly diagonally and stepping carefully when the soil underneath softens and tries to give underfoot. And when larger critters start to come out of their distant dens for the night, filling the air with their territorial grunts and howls instead of the day’s birdsong. 

Semyon pulls out a flashlight from his bag eventually, shining a more focused light directly on the path ahead while Scout illuminates the broader area around them. 

About halfway up the slope, the trees change. So far they have all been conical, with needles instead of leaves in a fashion that Alice compared at one point to mountain pines found back on Earth. But up here, even as the grass starts to thin a bit, the bushes get broader and the trees get fluffier. Scout can’t even tell if they’re covered in leaves or bright-colored cotton. 

Her light tints the trees warmer shades, but when Semyon shines his flashlight up at—or rather though—the trees, their true colors of candy pink and blue reveal themselves. 

“They look like cotton candy,” Alice giggles at one point, while they pause their hike long enough for her and Semyon to grab a bite to eat from Semyon’s stash. 

The mountain somewhat levels out briefly, giving the “cotton candy” trees more room to spread and bloom, but not far past that the slope shoots back up again. From here the snow atop the mountain peaks is visible in the star-lit night, but it only emphasizes how much they look like ghosts against the stars. 

Eventually, after Scout tries and fails to scramble up the now-vertical slope ahead of them, the three of them cut more horizontally around the mountain peaks, aiming for a smaller gap between the nearest ones to the south. The air up at this altitude is noticeably drier than the air down in the valley. But the pulsing energy in the air is stronger than ever. It tugs ever so slightly at the core of Scout’s brand, urging her to come. Come.

The planet doesn’t have any moons to speak of, so the only sign of how far into the local night it is are the stars and how far across the sky the arc of the galaxy is. By the time the three of them cross the gap between the peaks, the streak of multicolored light that is the galaxy is almost directly overhead. But it’s largely obscured by clouds looming overhead. 

The cotton candy trees continue to thrive on the other side of the mountain peaks, dotting the gentler slope Scout, Alice, and Semyon find themselves at the top of. It dips into a bit of a valley quickly, then descends into the rest of the valley further below. 

The upper valley is dotted with more of those signs of past civilization. Hints of ruins are scattered between the fluffy trees. And roughly in the middle of it all is an actual hut, still standing despite the weight of the vines trying to merge it with the soil. It’s a wooden structure, its corner pillars rotting in some places, but its doors are still standing and its roof is still intact enough to provide a bit of shelter when the clouds overhead decide to rain. So they duck inside for a breather.

There’s no signs of recent inhabitation inside the hut. A single bed is tucked in the corner, but its red sheets are wrinkled and dotted with animal prints and scuffs of dirt, like critters have made this their home in the daytime instead of any sapient being. It’s better than nothing, though, and it’s certainly more stable than the chair just outside one of the doors, so Scout sits.

Alice joins Scout on the bed after swiping at the red sheets and peeking under the bed for something. Semyon opts to sit on the wood floor instead. 

Scout doesn’t manage to prompt much idle conversation while they rest—Alice looks like she wants to fall backwards onto the bed and sleep—but she doesn’t get much of a chance to. As soon as she stops trying to start conversation and starts staring out the open window at the drizzle, her translator pings with an alert from S.A.I.L.

“Incoming message,” it announces.

“Eh?”

Her translator’s microphone clicks, and after a crackle of static, Bronzemarch’s voice sounds through. “Urgent. Scout, can you hear me?”

Scout hops to her feet as she answers, “Yeah I hear ya. What’s up?”

“Concerned. Have you found that structure yet?”

“No…? Why?” Scout’s feet take her back outside at Bronzemarch’s urgent tone. It’s still drizzling, but now streaks of light have joined the rain like dozens of miniature falling stars every second.

Distant sounds of shuffling are muffled by static from Bronzemarch’s end for a second as he reports, “Serious. Riku thinks those bandits stole something after all.”

Scout vaguely hears Devon snap in the background, “They stole my—”

“Wait, how’d they do that?” Scout pops, “I thought we chased ‘em off!”

“Worried. I don’t know. Best I can tell is they had an extra member that snuck in the back window. All Riku found was the box damaged. Demanding. How close are you to finding the structure?” 

Scout shakes her head as her feet follow the pulse in the air towards the edge of the small valley. “Ain’t sure, but I reckon we’re mighty…close…” she drifts off into a static buzz, stunned by the sight below.

The valley below is barren of trees. Only short grasses dare to cover the slope. Because down at the bottom is a massive, octagonal platform. 

It raises in three levels of concentric steps, channeling towards the center. Six massive obelisks light the platform with the warm light of stars, two on each level. Scout could swear she’s seen those obelisks before, even from this distance.

And in the center of the highest step is a huge, empty gate. Illuminated from the bottom by the nearest obelisks, and illuminated in flashes higher up by the flickering glowing rain, the gate stands as an imposing figure in the middle of the valley, like an arch missing its keystone. The faintest blue lines run up the middle of each face of the two sides of the gate. Something is engraved in each face near the base of each side, but from this high up Scout can’t quite tell what they are. But near the top of the gate, flanking where a giant keystone would otherwise be, are twisting engravings that, from here, look like vines. But they’re too symmetric for that.

The pulse in the air tugs at Scout stronger than ever. And it’s coming from the gate.

Alice and Semyon have caught up with her at the edge of the upper valley by now, gawking at the sight below with her. “What the…” Semyon mutters under his breath.

Static crackles from Scout’s microphone until Bronzemarch speaks up again. His audio distorts with every pulse of energy from the gate. “Concerned. Scout?”

“Well we found the structure,” she fizzles, keeping her voice down for reasons she doesn’t know. 

“Surprised. Just now?” Bronzemarch says, echoing in his tone the wide-eyed double-take Semyon shoots Scout. “Interrogative. Have you—”

Suddenly Alice hisses, “Scout, get down!” and drops down herself.

Scout drops to the ground on instinct, with Semyon scrambling to follow. She almost asks why, but then a bullet whizzes through the air where her head just was. 

“What in tarnation?!” she crackles.

Alice just shushes her with a sharp hiss. Then she wiggles her arms out from under herself, sets her broom aside, and points down the slope at the base of the gate. “Look.”

It takes Scout a moment, but in the faint light of the obelisks and the fainter light of the glowing rain, she sees movement around the base of the gate. Four figures manifest from the shadows behind the furthest side of the arch, two wielding guns augmented with flashlights. And gauging by the way they keep shining those flashlights about, they’re looking for something.

Bronzemarch’s voice sounds through her translator’s microphone again, muffled by the grass and distorted by the gate’s energy. “Worried. Scout, what happened?”

“I…think we jus’ found folk down there,” she reports in a quiet bubble, “Talk to ya later.”

Bronzemarch starts to say something, but Scout taps her translator to turn off the microphone for now. Then she carefully scoots back from the edge of the slope, fizzling to the others, “Let’s go check ‘em out.”

Alice scrambles back from the slope to grab Scout by the arm before she can stand up. “W-wait a sec,” she hisses, “Scout, you glow; how’re you gonna sneak down there?”

“Who says we’re gonna sneak?”

Semyon’s expression squishes sideways as he offers, “Uh, the guns?” while scooting back from the edge himself.

“I’ve got a gun,” Scout retorts, pulling her pistol out for emphasis.

‘That’s one against four,” Alice points out, “At least. Bad idea.”

“I’ve only got so much emergency supplies in my bag,” Semyon adds, “Besides, a gunfight down there might damage…whatever that buzzing thing is.”

Scout turns to Semyon. “I thought ya couldn’t feel the buzz?”

Semyon shrugs helplessly. “I-I’m feeling something from here. It’s making my fur tingle.” But then he shakes his head and agrees, “But I’m with Alice on this one. I don’t think we want to be spotted down there.”

“Y’all got any ideas, then?”

Alice and Semyon share a glance for a moment, but then Semyon starts fussing with his bag and his jacket. “I…think I might have one.”

~~~~~

<< Previous || Next >>

[cometiny]

On the other side: I love it when people draw pinkie pie with hair that's even fluffier and curlier than it is in canon. Just drowning in puff, shaped like cotton candy

She IS a cotton candy!!!

[nordictwin]

🎃🍄💢

Hi Carra!

🎃: Do you plan on writing any seasonal fics?

Working on writing a belated holiday fic right now! In which there is much quoting of Baby It's Cold Outside as a way of flirting.

🍄: Are there any fandoms you've never written for but want to try?

Good question. There are a lot of fandoms I've tried writing for, but never finished. Amongst them Naruto, Bakugan Battle Brawlers, and several Legend of Zelda fics.

I've been rolling an idea for Xenoblade 2 around in my head all day, actually. And I've had another idea rolling for longer. One is fluffier than cotton candy, the other is dark, bitter, and unhealthy.

💢: sorry, I couldn't locate this on the list, so I picked the one where I talk about a scene I'm excited to write! 💥: Is there a chapter, scene, or WIP you're most excited to write? Share a snippet or tell us about it!

So coming up at the end of Something Else, there's going to be a final confrontation between Raye and the King and Queen of the Winter Court. It's her alone against this massive group of very powerful fae, so she's naturally donned what will be her signature armor.

It's the final test too see if Raye's grown into her role as Goblin Queen and the decks are stacked. But in whose favor? Who's better at Deals and wordplay? You'll just have to wait and see.

BONUS EDIT:

🫘: Spill the beans. What's a new project you're doing this year?

I really, really want to write a pilot chapter for my own original story. It's tentatively titled Soul-Bound/Shadow-Bound, and it's set in a magic-steampunk world. Two sisters burdened by a curse, Sola and Luna, travel from city to city in search for answers and a solution to their problem. But how will their experiences change them, and will they grow together or grow apart? That's the story I hope to tell.

[queerlyautisms]

okay, so. My teacher had me do an essay for school, about any topic I wanted. But. It had to include comic diction, incongruity, and hyperbole. I chose to do it about the man vs bear hypothetical. What do you think? I also want to preface I’m not making a joke or light of victims of sexual violence or bear attacks etc. this is just a school assignment.

TW: Mentions of rape, bear attacks, inappropriate interactions with/from men, and other things similar. Do not interact below the cut if these make you uncomfortable!

Thank you lovelies!! ❤️

The viral hypothetical "Would you rather be stranded in a forest with a man or a bear?" has swept through TikTok and beyond like a hurricane made of confetti and bacon. Originally birthed in a street interview, it's now a staple question for women, igniting more controversy than pineapple on pizza.

Men have been flummoxed by the responses, as women seem to prefer the cuddly embrace of a bear over the potential dangers of a man. Sure, bears are predators, but their mauling habits are statistically rarer than a unicorn sighting in downtown New York. Bears kill for food, not for sport or some bizarre power trip.

Let's break it down: according to Bearvault.com, there have been a whopping 180 fatal human/bear skirmishes in North America since 1784. That's fewer than the number of shoes in a Kardashian's closet. Meanwhile, according to rainn.org, about 1 in 6 women have faced attempted or completed attacks of a sexual nature. It's like comparing a sprinkle of hot sauce to a fire-breathing dragon.

Sure, not all men are out to make your life a living sitcom, but with about 6% of North American men potentially moonlighting as harassers or worse (thanks, amptoons.com), the odds start to stack like pancakes at a Dwayne Johnson breakfast.

Imagine showing up at a party with a bowl of M&Ms where some are laced with nuclear waste. Would you gamble? Every interaction with a man becomes a cosmic lottery with terrifying prizes.

The responses from the male gallery have only poured gasoline on this bear-versus-man bonfire. Some have threatened bodily harm or worse, making Ted Bundy seem like a gentleman caller. Others went full creeper on a 14-year-old who dared choose a human over Ursus Major, forcing her to delete accounts faster than a politician's tweet after midnight.

In the grand scheme, this hypothetical is just fluffier than a cloud made of cotton candy. The answers themselves are as relevant as an inflatable dartboard. But the reasons behind them? That's the elephant in the room tap-dancing to ABBA.

So next time someone pops the question, remember: it's not about the bear or the man. It's about choosing between a fluffy carnivore and a potential nightmare, a bit like choosing between unicorns and man-eating daisies.

[sqtorux]

ᯓ★ TO BE LOVED IS TO BE KNOWN — NANAMI KENTO ༉‧₊˚.

cw. fem!reader. fluffier than cotton candy clouds!

kento knows you. he knows how grumpy you can get in the morning. he also knows that you need your daily coffee and just how you like it, which is why he has two cups ready every morning without fail.

he knows how you become more cheery after he feeds you breakfast he made himself, although you stubbornly disagree.

he knows how you like your clothes— perfectly even without wrinkles; so don't be surprised when you find them neatly folded and arranged even though you could swear you threw them directly onto your bed after washing them.

he knows how uncomfortable you can get when public transport becomes a little too public so he takes it to himself to drive you everyday even after the numerous bouts of refusals you gave him. he also knows how secretly thankful you are for that.

he knows that you sometimes forget to eat lunch during your breaks so he makes sure to call or send a text to remind you. he would bring you lunch himself but that too, he knows you'd feel too apologetic about him taking time out of his own lunch break. he'd do it willingly though.

he knows when your day ends and just how much you love him waiting outside for you even after the whole speech you gave him about how you're a big girl and that you can find yourself home.

from the way you fiddle with your fingers and dig sharp nails into your palms when you're anxious to the way your smile reaches your eyes when you talk about something you're passionate in, he knows it all.

if to be loved is to be known, kento knows you even better than you know yourself.

[tuulikki]

Again: “Chose Not to Use” does not guarantee that the fic is full of lots of violence and darker content. It could be fluffier and sweeter than a cotton candy cloud. Could be all of the above.

Some audiences enjoy not knowing where a story will go beyond what they can glean from the summary—that’s how many people read books.

This is a Moving Forward PSA for everyone using AO3. I am witnessing the results of a culture clash and communication failure. Not a lack of communication, but a misunderstanding caused by changes in fandom culture.

Before fic tagging was common, fics weren’t tagged. You had a pairing, if applicable, an author’s note about genre or general content, and if they were feeling charitable, a vague content warning. There are even a few genres of fic where even vaguely tagging literally spoils the plot and impact (such as horror, psyche thriller, in which the likely content is implicit to the genre). As a result, there is a basic category tag that permits this, as a courtesy to “old-fashioned” writers.

“No Archive Warnings Apply” means the fic is PG13 at worst, probably fluff, totally safe.

“Choose Not to Use Archive Warnings” is the polar opposite. It’s a glaring Enter at Your Own Risk billboard. It means: a shitload of warnings apply but I ain’t telling because this story requires shock value. It’s very important to read the author’s notes for those fics because they might be using that older format from above.

But without the context of fandom culture that generated AO3, it’s understandably easy to conflate the two categories, given their similar wording.