#football team captain tries to do a good job and accidentally makes his team fall in love with him

[lazaruspiss]

this isnt about anything in particular but the world needs more sports gay harem. esp american football. that shit should be gayer.

[mypimpademia]

Shinso x reader, Mina x reader, Kaminari x reader, Kirishima x reader

TW: Swearing

Note: another part of my high school AU! I've been wanting to write for some characters that I dont write too often, and I thought this would be the best way, enjoy!

Thank you to @katsuflossy for helping me w shinso and Kaminaris soccer parts😭

Taglist: @myhoodacademia @katsuflossy @iiminibattlehero @ecao @nnnoya @hawklmaoo @strawberry-ice @mixfi @wolfkid22 @mythiccheroacademia @myfandemons @lilsparkyswife @her-majesty-kiara @mindofess @kqtsukisgf @1-800-s1mping @angiebug101 @mads-fairy @solar3lunar

SHINSO.

He's one of the people that genuinely perfers being alone most of the time

And hes very intimidating to most people, but most realize that he's pretty chill and cool if you just talk to him

Hitoshi would be on the soccer team too

Number 12 baby (Ronaldinho's number)

Hed play midfield, and have insane control over the ball

Hes calm on the field just like he is off it

But he gets a little competitive sometimes, might have to sit down and take a breather for a second

He sometimes ends up talking shit about his opponents, and he is NOT quiet about it

Will look the exact player he's talking about dead in the eye and say that shit

"I'll knock your knees out if you push me again."

And he plays a little dirty, might kick the ball around in away that'll make people fall on their ass just to get a laugh out of it

He steps on and kicks shins too

Hes really the soccer teams MVP, they went one game without him an lost and realized just how much of a key he was to them

Hitoshi sees you as his good luck charm during games, if you're not there he feels like he can't play his absolute best

Good luck kisses before he goes on the field are mandatory, if you dont give him one or forget, youre gonna get a very sweaty hug after the game

Hitoshi has only ever come to school in sweatpants and hoodies, and only wears jeans or something other than his usual once a week just so he can switch it up

He probably comes in with major bags under his eyes and smelling like coffee

And just a little bit late

He normally goes out to eat during lunch, and always takes you with him and let's you choose

You're honestly the most underrated couple in school

The loner boy and his gorgeous s/o, it's basically a real life wattpad story

When people try flirting with you, he tries getting his soccer cleats out on them and you have to stop him before someone gets hurt

Hitoshi is just underrated overall and no one but you and his friens realize, give him more recognition </3

MINA.

The really nice popular girl of course

But one of the popular people whose popularity actually means something for once

Gets along with basically the whole school

And she makes sure everyone knows she belongs to you and you belong to her

"Mhm, I've got a pretty s/o, and I love them soo much."

Probably posts you on all her socials (that the whole school follows) everyday

Mina has been in pretty much every club and team, which is exactly how she got popular

She joins as many as she can every year, but her favorites are dance and volleyball, maybe soccer too

For dance she likes to show you her routines, and maybe even teach you how to do them if you're down for it

"How was that?!"

"You wanna learn it too, babe? I could teach you!"

She's the captain of every team she's been on

It honestly just comes from her being so charismatic and the way she can get along with people and bring everyone together

Mina is 100% best dressed

Best everything honestly

Best dressed, Best hair, all that

She's cool with all the staff members, so sometimes the turn a blind eye if she decides to head out at random even when she's not supposed to

The two of you are Thee School Couple

Everyone wishes they were you guys or at least had a relationship like the one you had

Everyone would be in tears if yall so much as fought

So 10/10 for both of you

KAMINARI.

Certified pretty play boy

Hes a flirt, and friendly, and super popular

But the playboy act dropped once the two of you got together, because that's when everyone saw how much of a simp he was for you

Denki would just constantly fawn and gush over you, it would be annoying if it were anyone else, but it was just so cute to see him be so crazy for someone after he was basically known for never being tied down

Hes on the soccer team with Shinso!

Number 5 <3

Who did you think was calming Shinso down when he got mad??? Definitely not their other teammates

Hes the teams striker, and him an Shinso are so coordinated on the field together it leaves their own teammates in shock everytime

Hes a good sport (unlike Shinso), and is very friendly with his opponents

Wishes them luck before the game, helps them up if they fall, even says 'My bad!' If he accidentally trips someone, and tells the good job if they lose

Like Shinso, good luck kisses are a must

They're more like good luck make outs with him, and he usually ends up getting so wrapped up in them that he only makes it to the field by the skin of his teeth (he gets yelled at by the coach a lot)

He gets so god damn DIRTY on the field

And it doesn't even make sense because he really doesn't slide around or fall too much

He just manages to come out covered in dirt, and the sweat doesn't make it better

Oh, and even if you give him a good luck kiss, he still hugs you after the game

He doesn't do it to be mean, he just gets excited when he's on the field and has a bunch of energy left when games are over

Denki takes you to get ice cream after games. Shinso third wheels sometimes, but it's cool and not awkward at all because you're all besties

Denki is the most popular guy in school, and he'd be most popular overall if it weren't for Mina

You guys get rated cutest couple by all the students because no one had seen Denki simp till you came along and it was just too cute

Everyone wishes they could be yall </3

And half the school has beef with you because you're dating Denki and they're jealous

But you guys are still an adorable and amazing couple so who cares

KIRISHIMA.

The super sweet and popular jock!

Hes the older sibling to all the people younger than him and in lower grades

Hes on the football team of course

The quarterback too

Number 44

Hes that player that the coach is really trying to get a scholarship for

The one the coach pulls off to the side and says "son, let me talk to you..." and then tells him how far he'll go

Colleges are already scouting him

Most of the school is crushing on him honestly

But they all know that he's all for you and only you

Eiji gives you kisses before games, after games and sometimes when there's a long enough break he'll run and kiss you really quick

Hes a vv good sport, always wishes players good luck and says nice job after games, and separates any of his teammates that try to fight w their opponents then say sorry

It's usually Bakugo hes separating because hes on the football team with Eiji when he's not in Boxing

Everyone that's younger than you sees you and kiri as big siblings, and those older see you as cousins

Yall are just that couple that everyone loves

The whole school basically gushes when you walk in wearing his letterman jacket or one of his football jerseys

You're the couple the doesn't disgust everyone when you kiss in the halls <3

[praphit]

WandaVision: When you can’t let go of that robo-lovin.

So, I just finished watching "WandaVision", and I must say, right off the bat 

- I LOVED IT!

Disney Plus is finally paying off. I'm in the group of peeps who got DP, not for the mouse, but for the ones whom the mouse is in bed with, and most recently on Mickey's playtime Marvel List - Wanda Maximoff and her robo-boy toy VISION... or is that “THE Vision”? - that seems kinda ostentatious, but whatever.

When I first heard that Wanda was getting a series, I said "Who cares?" I don't care bout no Wanda! What has she been other than a weird pest?

Let's review:

She tried to kill the Avengers, she accidentally injures and kills innocent people, she was getting in the way, so Tony Stark had to get his CPU (Vision) to babysit her, she falls in love with the CPU - can we talk about how strange this is? I didn't say wrong, just different, cuz honestly, we may be headed there soon. That movie "Her" might be a reality with how tech is going these days.

But, imagine I come to your home and fall in love with your laptop (which messes everything up for you with all your devices and your social media), THEN (as Wanda did with Vision), I run off on some romantic journey with all of your devices. Imagine how Tony would have felt, if he was still with us.

She had one job when it came to Thanos, and it ended up not mattering.

Then, went full rage on the wrong Thanos.

Idk if that’s a look (Thanos) pain, release, of he’s listening to his jam. Kinda looks like he’s saying “JESUS”. But, Wanda is pissed.

Wanda: "You took everything from me!"

Thanos: "Lady, I don't even know you!"

I didn't care about Wanda. But, damn, Marvel is so good that in one episode they made me care; one trailer, really.

If you had not seen the trailer for this series, you might be confused by the first episode. 

You might even ask yourself - "What the bleep is this nonsense?!" We want heroes vs villains. We want super-powered explosions. We want capes, ridiculously tight clothes, bulky armor, and anything else that makes no sense to fight in.

You're giving me "Bewitched"?

I DID see the trailer, so I knew going in that it would be a slow burn with some nostalgia, some quirks, and some eeriness; right up my alley.

The change in Tv decade styles btw *chef kiss*

I figured that they'd be trapped in some mysterious, magical world - which they are...

Unless you're super geeky with the funny books, there's no way you'll see what's coming in this mystery.

And it IS a mystery, not only to the audience, but for the characters involved in this show. Don't nobody know what the hell is going on.

But, LaWanda and Vishawn 

(sorry, I just wanted to use this pic - Ha! Y'all are crazy.)had help figuring things out:

Rambo

Yeah, it's actually Monica Rambeau, 

but... admit it, some of you kept thinking about Rambo too, right?? No offense to this actress, but I'd rather see old man Sly play Rambo, and HIM be in this mysterious WandaVision town. Let's get Disney a lil bloody. Wishful thinking, I suppose.

Marvel WILL BE venturing into multiple universes soon, so perhaps Rambo finds his way to team up with The Punisher? Huh?? YEAH!

But, no... Rambeau (meh No personality, but whatever).

Randall Park - 

He's that person we all know who has made us laugh so much in life, that they don't even need to say anything anymore; you look at them and laugh. I love this dude!

Kat Dennings - 

I remember liking her more in the Thor movies.  I found her annoying, this time around.   She joins the mystery to figure tech stuff out, and she's a doctor or something (don't you forget it!). She also asks the team she just meets to get her some coffee, and acts like they're disrespecting HER, by their lack of response. I know she's a doctor and all, but damn! Imagine some electrician comes to your place to serve YOU, they're condescending to you, and then  they ask you for some coffee. Get the hell outta here!

Oh, and there's a dude named “Director Dick”. That's my name for him, but the name fits.

The people in this town are acting out as if they've been scripted for some show. And all of these characters, AND US, get to figure it out together - through antics from different times in Tv culture. 

Times sure were different back in the day:

No social justice issues implanted or cursing or sex or drugs... now, I'm not saying it was a better time, just a different one :) A time when dad jokes ruled! Simple times! Ignorance was bliss. But, it kinda wasn't - not really.

It's like having an animal die on your property somewhere, and it starts to stink. You COULD find the truth of the stench... or light candles everywhere. Some really strong candles - maybe some of those Gwyneth Paltrow candles.

Though the stench might get covered up, the problem is still there. At some point, your kids could find the dead rotting animal... maybe start playing with it... you get the point.

In this show, the townspeople's minds have been taken over by someone or something, and it's torturous for them. So... bliss on the surface, but... not so much, going deeper. I tell you all of this, plus great production in each epi, a good slow-burn mystery, and fun with comic characters in a way we haven't seen before on screen, and hell yeah - Grade: A series.

Now... spoilers.

You might want to leave now.

People, Wanda is the villain here. I'm not sure if that's the message the writers are trying to convey or not, but I don't care; she is the clear villain here.

Here’s Wanda reading some Hell book, conjuring some dark spirits - nbd.

We are rooting for her throughout this show; even after we find out that she has been (even if not maliciously) controlling every one, we still root for her.

I'm not saying that's bad, but we can't forget about what she has done! Remember, I said that the mind control was torturous for the townspeople.

There's a very emotional moment at the end of this series between Wanda and Vision, and between them and their kids (yeah, they have kids... that's a whole other thing). This moment is well done and touching. There's even a bad ass fight between Wanda and the "true... villain"? - of this story. I'll get to her in a sec (There’s a badass Vision fight scene as well).

I loved all of that! But, at the end of the day...

I know Wanda is grieving and all, we all grieve, but we all don't, in our grief, take a whole town hostage, torture the people, all while playing house with our family. That's kinda sick, no??

Are we doing a girl-power thing? or a “witches are people too” thing? or “but she’s doing it all for her family” thing (yeah, they’re not actually real, but whatever)? I don’t know.

I'm not sure that we know what a villain is anymore. It used to be clear - the guy with the beard was the bad guy, or the guy wearing the black outfit was the bad guy, or the people who aren't Americans are the bad guys :)

But, movies like "Joker" and "Deadpool" and Harley's joint have confused some.

Who else would be the villain? There's a character, the villain (i guess), a witch named Agatha Harkness, played by Kathryn Hahn

Here she is saying “I’m the villain? Really? What about her?!!”

   - she's excellent btw; def the highlight of this show; her and Paul Bettany's hair game.

But, let's compare:

Agatha: 

betrays her coven back in the day, sure, but why you bringing up old shit? 

She allows Wanda to play out this fantasy for a while, and even played along. She could have just killed her when she was ignorant; that's what I would have done. She eventually shows Wanda the truth (granted, she then wants Wanda's power, but hey, everything has a price. And for all we know, she would have used all of that power to... cure the worlds diseases or something... though prob not:). Annnd maybe she killed an imaginary puppy. Convo for another time: if you kill something that's not real, does it matter??

That's it!

She didn't (like Wanda): abduct a town, torture its people, bring Vision back from the dead (kinda), endanger soldiers who were just doing their jobs, create weird fantasies (And did she have sexy time with previously dead, fake Vision? This thing gets even weirder if she did. But, let's not go down that path.) Oh, and she magically punted a black woman (Rambo) the length of a football field just for her asking Wanda some questions.

When the townspeople finally regain their minds (Lord knows how long it's been), they look at her with disdain, and I don't blame them.  And what does Wanda do?? - shrug, put on a hoodie, and fly off - to break into somebody's home and read some devil book.

Where’s cancel culture in this universe? 

I know she made us feel, but I ask again, who's the villain here?

Still Grade A stuff for me (again, I loved this!), but c'mon, people.

We get a glimpse of Captain Marvel 2 as well. My fingers are crossed. I actually liked the first movie. But, many others did not, and one of the reasons - Captain Marvel doesn't have much of a personality, and another - she's too powerful (no risk).

So, to answer the critics, we have Monica Rambeau - another ridiculously super-powered hero, with no personality. So, two unrelatable characters flying around in space, as Sam L Jackson tries not to curse. But, if Marvel can make me care about evil ass Wanda, I'll still hold out hope for Capt Marvel 2.

[hidden-behind-the-fourth-wall]

Nothings ever what it seems

Bucky Barnes x Reader AU

Summary: Sometimes how we see things by our own eyes are not how things really are. This a journey of how you should never judge people by what you see.

Warnings: Swearing, bullies, parent’s death, mention of death, depression, lots of angst, but a happy ending.

A/N: This is my little entry for @mermaidxatxheart​ 500 followers challenge, but I’m pretty sure it doubled by now ;) It’s really emotional and kind of triggering stuff so if you do not feel like reading PLEASE DON’T. But I am very happy about this piece as I always wanted to write something about bullies, as it’s a personal thing for me. I hope you will enjoy it <3

oh and let me tag @idjitmonkey​, I hope you don’t mind, but you wanted to have a read at that, so here it is <3

Word Count: 4300+ (wow, sorry)

There are people who loved high school. All the sports teams, cheerleading, friendships that would pathetically last forever. First ‘real’ relationships, sex drive and partying. Oh, and the prom, homecoming and all the shitty things all the girl were so happy about. All those people loved High School. But you were not one of them. 

You hated it so much. Every memory you had about this time of your life was filled with sadness, anger or anxiety. You hated everything associated with High School. You never went to any sports events, didn’t care about cheerleading or who is dating who. You couldn’t give less of a shit about fashion, make-up or the parties. Those years were a nightmare for you. 

As a shy girl that focused her attention on studying, books and all the ‘lame’ clubs (like history and literature) you were one of the first to be bullied. You tried your best not to show that it affected you, hoping that they would give up eventually. Of course, being a poor kid in a school fool of rich assholes wasn’t helping. You weren’t dressing like them, weren’t talking the same language. You never went out, not to mention that you never had a taste of alcohol or went on a date. 

All you ever cared about was your education and all those part-time jobs you started to get when you finally turned 16. You needed the money more than all those stupid parties. Despite having a full-paid scholarship for your school there were still expenses that needed to be covered. Like your dad chemotherapy. Despite him trying to hide all the expenses from you, you knew how much money went into that and how little savings he had. All the money went on you, and you decided that as soon as you turn 16 you will work for yourself. And so you did. After the first year of high school, you gave up on all the clubs and took three part-time jobs. You slept around 4 hours with an extra two on Sundays, but you managed somehow. 

Your dad was pissed when he found out that you gave up your young, high school life for him, but he was never more proud of you. You cherished those little moments you had with him. You always gave him the stories you wrote and he gave you the best feedback. You told him some made-up stories of your amazing highschool and friends you had. He didn’t need to know how lonely you were. Nor about the bullies, that seemed to love making your life even a more of a living hell. 

HYDRA. That’s what they called themselves. Bunch of guys (and girls) that would start their life by taking all the lunch money from the kids. When they found out you had no actual money they made sure to destroy you mentally. During lunches they would always accidentally tipped their drinks on you, leaving you with dirty and soaked clothes until the end of the day. 

But this you could survive. From time to time Steve Rogers and his gang would step up and defend the weak. A captain of the football team and the smartest guy in school has never looked down on you. But he was also from a rich family, that should ‘keep their level’ which means he would never even consider being friends with someone like you. 

But there was him. James Buchanan ‘call me Bucky’ Barnes. From what the rumours said he was friends with Rumlow - the head of HYDRA gang - since primary school, but before high school they got into a huge fight. And now became the biggest enemies. 

“You ok?” He once asked you, those grey-ish eyes that would hunt you till your last breath - gazed at you. He was the first person that treated you like a human being in this school and your stupid teenage heart decided to fall for him. For someone, you could never have. Someone that was from an entire world. A place where he could happily be a high schooler, a playboy and the most charming boy you ever met. All he needed was just a simple smile and all the girls would give themselves to him. The bad boy looks mixed with a kind heart. 

If you wouldn’t be so tired and focused on school and work, you would probably be apart of this group of girls secretly hoping he would ask them out. But you weren’t. So despite trying to make things better, you - the world's biggest disaster - just growled, took your backpack and left with no words spoken to anyone. 

The Avengers, as HYDRA called them, weren’t too happy about how you treated their kindness. Natasha Romanoff, a daughter of ahead of the police, cornered you in the bathroom once and made very clear that next time someone saves your sorry ass you thank them. 

And that’s how you went on with your life. Having two biggest, most influential gangs in high school hating you. Sometimes you would catch Barnes (you would never call him any other than his last name) glancing at you, smirk under his nose. 

So your life continued. It was cruel and tiring but a least you had your dad to make it work. It was him to beg you to go to at least your prom if you missed the homecoming. (you told him you weren’t feeling good). He even bought you a dress online. So when the day came you got yourself ready and was about to head to show yourself all fancy looking to your dad, when you got a phone call from a doctor to come to the hospital as your father was feeling worse. 

And this was when your life changed completely. There you were in this ridiculously beautiful dress, watching your dad’s heart stop beating before you were able to show yourself to him. Your world ended that day. At the age of 18, you were left alone in this world. With an enormous bill to pay and an acceptance letter for the NY University. On this day, you closed yourself even more. You didn’t even care about all those mean words from Rumlow or the little smirks and looks from Barnes. You focused completely on studying and surviving. You sold the house your dad still had hoped to keep and with the money you had from it you rented a small apartment outside of NY. An hour and a half drive altogether, but at least something you were able to afford. 

When you got that acceptance letter, you promised yourself that your life will change. You will be a better person and actually enjoy uni, even if you would have to work twice as much. You wanted to do it for him. Your dad. But now that he was gone, you had no reason. So before the Uni started you were able to find yourself two surprisingly well-paid jobs.

**

Journalism was always something you wanted to do. A little dream in the back of your head. Something your dad always encouraged you to do. And now that you were finally about to start your year at your dream Uni, there was nothing that would stop you. At least that’s what you thought. Until your first introduction class to WW2 you decided to take, as you always loved history. 

“Well isn’t this Mrs Trouble-maker?” You froze hearing the familiar voice of the man who once helped you. You looked up from the book you were reading while waiting for the class to start. “Of course front table.” He chuckled and smirked at you. The same damn smirk that was hunting you since that day. His hair was a bit longer and he seemed to spend a bit of time at the gym during summer. His eyes, however, were as beautiful as they have always been. 

“Barnes…” You whispered, closing your book and looking up at him. “I didn’t know you were going to NY.” 

“She speaks!” He laughed, turning towards Steve who just walked in. He nodded his head as a way to say hi and sighed at his best friend. “Year of having classes together and you never spoke to me directly.”  

“Buck”, Rogers growled, when the room started to fill. 

“You ok, if I sit here?” Your frowned, when he showed to the seat next to you. You shrugged and turned towards the front of the class when the professor walked in. You tried to focus on the class, ignoring the little glances Barnes was sending towards you. 

*

You were more than relieved not to see him in any of your journalism classes. Apparently, it was just this one you both shared. Through the whole summer, you hoped you will never see the people from high school ever again. You hoped this part of your life was over. You could move on. As pathetically as you do it, just move on. 

“Miss Trouble-maker!” You cursed under your nose, wondering why gods hate you. “I didn’t know you work here.” A small cafe place was paying quite good money as it was normally visited by rich folks that didn’t mind spending 24 dollars on a stupid latte. 

“What can I get you?” You asked trying to stay as professional as possible. You even gave him one of your fake smiles. 

“Oi, Stevie, Natasha, look who I found!” You felt shivers down your spine hearing her name. Oh, Barnes was annoying, while Romanoff was just frightening. And of course, she looked even more beautiful after summer. Her always short hair grew longer. And not to mention that she has probably lost some kilos as well. If that was even physically possible. 

“Y/L/N”, she greeted you with a grin and you welcomed them as they would be every other customer. “I heard you got into NYU…” Oh, how you hated small talk, especially when there was a line of customers started to appear. 

“I’m sorry but the line is getting bigger. Can I help you with your choice today?” You really tried to sound as nice and polite as possible. 

“It’s not very polite to not answer someone’s question”, she hissed and narrowed her eyes at you. 

“Is something wrong.” You froze hearing the voice of your boss. The biggest chauvinistic, rich boy of an asshole you ever met. He was not much older than you, but because he got rich daddy he became a manager of his own coffee place right after uni. “Y/N the line is getting bigger.” He growled at you angrily. Oh, and of course he hated you. Especially after you declined his offer for a date about four times already. He was just waiting for an excuse to hire you. 

“You should teach your workers to answer questions, Jack.” Your widened hearing Romanoffs remark. 

“Natasha! It’s so good to see you.” He smiled and went there to give her a hug. 

“Come on Nat, it’s our fault!” Bucky chimed in, giving you an apologetic look, which you tried to ignore. “Sorry, man. I was trying to catch up with a friend from school.” You did everything you could not roll your eyes at it. A friend from school. That was a good one. 

“Doesn’t justify why the line is getting bigger.”

“Maybe if you helped your workers a bit, it wouldn’t be that bad?” Bucky hissed. Apparently, they both didn’t like each other much. 

“I’m the manager, Barnes. I hire people to do their damn job and if someone can’t they probably shouldn’t be here…” As you were about to just ignore them and take another customer in, you froze hearing his words. “Sorry guys for the inconvenience your coffee on me.” He then smiled and turned towards you. “Well on her, as she seems not to be able to do her job!” Your eyes widen. No, no, that was not happening. Why did the world hate you so much? 

“Sorry doll, I...:” 

“Have you decided on your choice of beverage, sir?” You asked, trying to stop the angry tears from flowing. You were sure that when the day is over you will lose that job. And what’s worse getting a job in the middle of the academic year was a nightmare. Almost impossible. 

“Come on, Buck…” Steve murmured and ordered three cappuccinos for himself and his friends. “And we’ll pay.” He smiled and took his card from the pocket of his jacket. “Sorry about it, Y/N.” You nodded and turned around, preparing yourself for the end of the day. 

*

It was supposed to be your time. Journalism was what you loved since you were a kid. An idea of telling someone’s story was so appealing to you. So beautiful and romantic. But now when the end of the year came and you got a yearly reminder of how much you own to different institutions you were sick. The bill for your dad’s treatment wasn’t getting any better. not to mention the still growing rates of your student loan and all the postponed bill were growing as well. You were completely broke and after losing the job at the cafe you didn’t get to find another one. Not a part-time, who would expect students or something which was remotely near uni or your flat. Not to mention that your landlord needed to raise the rent, which only made you realise how fucked up you were. You were able to get extra shifts at the shop but it still didn’t pay the expenses. You needed to make life decisions and this one, to end your childhood dream was one of it. 

A year of expenses from University was still better than a future 5 years (mixed Master course)  and as much as it pained you to send the letter to the dean you needed to do it. You cried the whole week prior to this decision. You felt even worse when the amazing guy tried to make you stay, promising to try and help you with the loan. But even with the extra scholarship, you wouldn’t be able to make it. So with as much spirit and power you had in you, you thanked him and left his office ending your student career. 

“Miss Trouble-maker!” You have got to be fucking me! Since the cafe incident, he tried to talk to you. Even invited to a 4th of July (and Steve’s birthday) frill and theirs. But you ignored him. You didn’t care you were impolite but you hated him. And as much as you knew he wasn’t really at fault for your shitty situation but now you really needed to put a blame on someone. “I missed you at the hist…” He got quiet when he noticed the tears that you had enough of hiding. “What happened?” His voice serious, and there some softness in his feature. 

“Leave me alone, Barnes!” You hissed, and walked past him, to the end of the building, really not wanting to make a scene at the corridor. “Just once in your life, leave me the fuck alone”, he was taken back by the curse. For all the years he’s been observing you, you never once cursed. Never. You were a goodie girl. 

“No. You’re crying. Come on, tell me what’s happening? Did someone hurt you?” The sincerity in his voice was so annoying. Why was he so nice to you. Why did he even care? 

“Why would you care heh?” You growled, not caring about making a scene anymore. He wanted to know. Then fuck it. He will know. “Why would someone like you care? Your whole life is nothing but open doors waiting for you to cross. Why would you give a fluffing fuck about someone like me? You never cared about making my high school life a living hell beside that damn Romanoff and Rumflow. The never leaving smirk on your face haunts me till this day. The way you look down at people who weren’t so lucky to be born rich.” You sniffed and pushed him away from you when he tried to take a step closer. “And when I thought I was finally free from this damn school, you and Romanoff happened again. You walked into my life, making it a living hell again. This one time after this damn prom night, I wanted to start living again, but no, you were always there, with this annoying smirk of yours!” You didn't care that there were people watching the two of you. You were sure you heard Rogers and Romanoff from the crowd, but Barnes stopped them with a shove of his hand. “But I didn’t care. I learned to have my life a living hell, but then you had to come to my work and destroy all of it, with your damn friends!” You shouted, showing at surprised Natasha. “You with your high status, rich kids behaviour cost me my job!” His eyes widen and when he was about to open his mouth to speak, you stopped him. “You have no clue about my life. No idea how hard it is for me to survive every passing hour. Not to break down and just fucking give up.” You shook your head, wiped the tears with your sleeve and turned around. “It doesn’t matter anymore. Whatever game you were playing, you won, Bucky. Congratulations.” It was the first time you called him that and it burnt your lips. “Damn it, everyone is watching… At least I will never come back to this place…”

“What are you talking about, Y/N?”

“I quit. Are you happy now? huh? DOES THIS MAKE YOU HAPPY?!” You shouted, turning back to him. “Life isn’t always as happy and under control, as yours is. Life is shit, Barnes. I hope you will never have to find it out!” And with no words left you run towards the exit, pumping at Romanoff, who had the decency to look sad. 

*

“I miss you, daddy!” You whispered, putting a simple sunflower on his grave. “I… I can’t do this any longer. My life is a mess, really. I'm a mess. You know… I left uni…” it was a month after you shouted at Barnes and left NYU and the first time you came to your dad’s grave. “I could not afford it. All the expenses. The bills, the loans… Everything just kept crashing down. But hey I got two jobs back. Damn it, daddy… I don’t blame you don’t get me wrong, it’s just. It’s hard. And I made a fool of myself and blamed a poor guy for all my problems. He didn't deserve my bitchy attitude, but… It was Barnes.” you chuckled remembering the time you told your dad about a guy you had a crush on. “He really didn’t deserve it. Now that I think about it, he was always nice to me. A bit cheeky and annoying but nice. Well, I guess it was harder not to have a crush on him, right?” You chuckled through the tears. “I think I will leave NY. I may go and live in a small town. You would be so disappointed at me, daddy. I really wanted you to see me happy. I was ready to come to the hospital and show you this damn prom dress, but… I’m sorry daddy.” You sat on the ground and hid your face in your knees. 

“I’m sorry.” You jumped on your feet hearing a familiar voice behind you. There was Barnes, with tears in his eyes, and a flower bouquet in his hand. “I didn’t know… No one knew…” 

“What are you doing here?” You asked, pretending to start cleaning, the already cleaned grave. 

“Please don’t hate me for that.” You frowned hearing his defeated voice. “Nat looked you up using her dad’s access.” You froze, but then you shrugged. No, you didn't care anymore. “Jesus, Y/N, did anyone from school knew? Teachers? Anyone?” 

“It doesn’t matter, Barnes.” You shook your head and put your small backpack on, and got yourself ready to leave. “Thank you for the flowers. If you wish you can put them next to mine. He would be happy.” 

“Y/N, please.” He cried, stopping you by your wrist. “Please… I… I really didn’t know about your situation. I didn’t know your dad was sick, not that he died… Please.”

“What do you wanna know Barnes? What’s more important, why do you need to know? It won’t change anything.”

“I always looked at you.” He smiled softly. “You were this smart, quiet, beautiful girl who caught my eyes. Damn, I was obsessed with you. I was hoping to see you at the prom, I wanted to ask you out. But you never came, now I know why...“ His gaze shifted at the grave behind you. “I cannot even imagine what you went through… But maybe we can start from the start and I can take you out for a coffee or something?” You looked at him and there was something shifting in your heart. This always confident guy was now all shy and nervous, all because of you. You put your hand on his cheek and smiled. 

“I will start everything from the beginning. This is why I’m leaving. Have a great life, Bucky.” He wanted to stop you, convince you to not leave but he knew that he was being selfish. So he watched you go. He left the flowers on the grave and promised to come here every year from now on. And maybe he would be able to see you again. 

*

It has been years since you came to this place. Ten years since you moved away and started a new, better life. You moved to Carlisle and worked in the little library there with some extra job in the small coffee shop. You got your degree in teaching and not journalism and you schooled kids in the little military school there, while you found yourself writing books, one after the other and before you were able to blink you were one of the most established writers. Your books were selling quicker than the freshly baked bread and you were finally happy. You were sending flowers to your dads grave unable to come back there. Until this year. After years you decided to move back to NY. A city you found yourself to actually love. You bought an actual flat in Brooklyn and got a small teaching job at the school there. Despite not having to work, thanks to your books, you still loved doing it. 

And when the anniversary of his death came, you finally went there, only to be met with a figure cleaning the grave. You frowned, knowing that you have cancelled the yearly grave caring. 

“Hello?” You froze when the man turned around. Despite those ten years, he hasn’t changed much. He has cut his hair from what he had in college. He has become a bit bigger, especially around shoulders. His jaw seemed sharper than before. He changed. From a boy, he transformed to even a more handsome man. But his eyes stayed the same. Beautiful greyish once that always melted your heart. You didn’t remember him being so tall, but when he straightened up he was a good head taller than you. “Barnes?” 

“Y/N?” His expression softened, hearing your voice. It was visible on his face that he had not recognized you. Of course not. You weren’t this poor kid anymore. You were good clothes and a bit of makeup. Your hair was well done, and not kept in a loose ponytail. Just like he has become a man, you have become a woman. “Wow… You... “ He coughed awkwardly, which made you giggle quietly. “You look great, Y/n.” He finally said, his voice a bit distant, almost unsure what this compliment would make you do. 

“You don’t look bad yourself.” You complimented himself, and you swore you could see a faint blush on his cheeks. “What are you doing here?” You asked, softer now. You noticed the already cleaned grave and some fresh flowers. 

“I…” He hanged his head and took a deep breath. “Don’t be mad at me, ok?” You frowned and nodded, letting him continue. “I… Since you left I came here every year and took care of your father’s grave. I felt so bad for how I treated you, and everything, and… Well when you left, this was the only reminder of you.” You felt your heartache at this shy, lost man standing opposite you. He was this confident, smirking and annoying kid anymore. You could see it in his eyes. He went through ups and downs in his life, which made him a different man. “I… Can stop if you want. I’m sorry, now that I think about it, it was invasion of your privacy… Shit, I…” You stopped him putting an arm on his forearm, to stop him from mumbling. 

“Thank you, Bucky.” His eyes widen, when his nickname sounded so soft. He swallowed and smiled shyly. “It means a lot to me, really. I… I think I should apologise to you as well. I was unfair to put all my failures on you. you were always nice to me, and I… I think it all just was just too much for me. I’m sorry Bucky for being such a bitch.” He chuckled and you couldn’t help but admit that this made him look even more handsome. So you decided to be a bit bolt. “What do you do after this?” 

“Nothing planned, why?” He asked, brows raised, when you smirked at him, trying to mimic his smirk from high school. 

“How about I go apologise and say hi to my dad and then we can grab that coffee you promised me those ten years ago?” He gaped at you like you were crazy for a second, but then his face lit up and the most beautiful smile appeared on his face. 

“I’d love that doll.”

[puckinghell]

Wanna Bet | Travis Konecny

Summary Request: Omg Lou can you write something with the ”am I just a bet to you” storyline?! Word count: 4.2k Note: You guys asked for something with TK so here we are!

----

It’s kinda funny, how just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, hearing the wrong thing, can cause your entire world to fall to pieces. 

You weren’t meant to walk past the locker rooms. Being in the analytics department, you don’t have to actually be in the arena much, and when you do, you’re in the stands, watching players on the ice to access if the data you have on them is correct. 

A guy’s plus minus really only makes sense when you’ve seen the way he carries the puck, seen the way his legs pump as he skates. 

No, you never have to be in the locker rooms for your job, but today you decided to take the long way from your office to the ice. Just so you could walk past him. Just so maybe, you could accidentally bump into him, sneak a kiss before the game, wish him good luck.

Now all you wish is to disappear. 

The voices are a little far away but not muffled, as the door is slightly opened. It’s Ghost’s voice, that you hear first.

“I can’t believe you’re actually dating her, TK. And all because of some stupid bet!” 

Dating her. You. Travis is dating you, so they must be talking about you. Laughter fills the hallways; laughing about you. 

“I never lose a bet.” The voice is familiar, too familiar. Just last night that voice was soft in your ear, whispering all kinds of things he clearly had not meant.

A bet. 

There’s a heavy feeling in your stomach, like a rock settled in your intestines. The thing is, well, you’d known it was too good to be true. Why would a guy like Travis Konecny be interested in you? 

You weren’t WAG material. Weren’t even puck bunny material, really. You work in the analytics department, for God’s sake; you’re as nerdy as they get, love math and numbers, you even wear glasses, just to completely fit the stereotype. 

And you’re not skinny. Never have been; no matter how many times you used to skip dessert, there has always been a little soft pudge on your stomach, your thighs have always rubbed together when you walk. You don’t do that anymore, now, skip dessert; you deserve some chocolate every now and then, and you deserve a guy who doesn’t care.

You hadn’t expected to find that guy in the Philadelphia Flyers locker room, but then Travis had shown up and you’d thought, stupidly, maybe...

The very first time you’d shown up at practice, when someone was showing you around after having just been hired, it had been Claude who first said hi. Captain’s duty, and all that. But it had been Travis that made you feel a little less nervous about all these big, bulky dudes, who seemed to slide on the dangerous knife shoes like they’d never walked before; he skated up to you, softly bumped into your shoulder and said: “Don’t let my numbers fool you. I’m an important locker room guy” before dumping his water bottle over Oskar Lindblom’s head.

Ever since then, he’d always been sure to make a little small talk when you were around. Sometimes, his comments had been borderline flirty: “Saw that goal? That was for you” and “Can you believe I missed that pass? Totally your fault for distracting me” but most of the time you talked about mundane things like the never ending snow and what restaurants were good for steak. 

You never expected anything to come of it, though. Perhaps Travis was just one of those kinda guys that couldn’t talk to anyone without flirting. Or maybe he was just taking pity on you. He couldn’t mean it; not when you were you, and he was him. You might as well be from a different planet. 

But then, one day, he’d skated over to the boards where you were standing, sent you a wide grin and asked; “Will you go to dinner with me? On a date?” 

You’d nearly dropped your clipboard and you’d definitely dropped your jaw, but then you’d stumbled a “yes” and stared after him as he skated away. For a solid hour, you figured it must’ve been a joke or maybe Travis had taken a puck to the head and was so concussed he mistook you for someone else, but then he’d texted you a time and date and suddenly it was all very real.

It was so easy, then, to fall in love with him. Between lame jokes and broad grins and the way his hand was always resting on your back, you couldn’t stop yourself from falling for him, even though you tried to convince yourself that was a bad idea. It was so easy to forget it was doomed to end badly when all Travis ever did was say the right thing.

It was a bit like walking on a bridge you know is gonna collapse, and now, it’s collapsed. 

I never lose a bet.

“I’m just a bet.” You don’t mean to say the words out loud but they fall from your lips before you can stop them, and apparently they’re louder than they sound to your own ears because suddenly the locker room goes very quiet.

You don’t get drunk a lot, but you know what it’s like to be very, very drunk; it’s like the world is a bit fuzzy, sounds are a bit muffled, and all you can focus on is the feeling of your heart beating, the way your tongue lays in your mouth, how heavy your feet feel against the earth. 

All you’ve had to drink today is coffee but you feel like that, now.

“Y/N?” The voice is familiar but it’s not Travis; you’re met with Carter, a worried look on his face as he sticks his head out the door. 

Beside Travis, Carter is the only guy on the team who really ever takes the time to talk to you. At first it was all just polite small talk, but then you found out you both liked the same TV shows and now you talk all the time. Carter is a complete sweetheart, would never hurt a fly, and that’s why it’s so hard for you to believe he knew this.

But you know, when you catch his eyes and there’s nothing but pity in them. He knew it was all a lie. 

Carter steps aside, then, and Travis comes flying out the door, his eyes wide and mouth slightly slack. 

“I’m just a bet.” You say it more forcefully because that’s the only way you can think of to make this make more sense. It doesn’t feel true, especially when Travis looks at you with clear panic written across his features.

If he didn’t care, why would he panic?

“Babe,” he starts, his voice a little scratchy, but he doesn’t say anything else and so you do the only thing you can think of doing. 

“Are we dating cause you want to win a bet?” 

Travis stares at you, swallows heavily. 

Please say no. Please don’t let these last three months of my life be a waste of time. Please don’t make a fool out of me. Please say no. 

“Yes, but...” 

That’s all you need to hear; you need to get out of here before the tears that are threatening to well up in your eyes find their way out, before you lose that last sliver of dignity you might still have left. 

“I don’t ever want to see you again,” you choke out, and then you’re pushing past Carter and out of the hallway, out of the arena, until the cold wind hits you in the face as you fumble with the lock of your car. 

You should’ve known better. Should’ve learned from the last time.

---

You were 14 years old, an awkward teenager with few friends and no sense of self-preservation. You were sitting in the canteen on your own, eating lunch, because your only friend at the time had called in sick that day. 

If she was there, you don’t think David would’ve approached you.

David was the cutest guy in school, and not just because he was the tallest. He had nice dark curls and sharp green eyes, and he was the captain of the football team. He always walked around with a bunch of guys following him around like lost puppies, and he was endlessly cool.

You, were not. You were part of the drama club, you excelled in math and the braces you had hadn’t managed to make your teeth look any smaller so far, and you were used to people snickering behind your back when you walked past. 

Of course you had a crush on David. Everyone had a crush on David. And the fact that he’d never actually made fun of you made that you allowed yourself that crush; it was just to look, just from afar. 

Until he came up to you, that day, his posse of friends in tow, and smiled.

“Hey, Y/N, you wanna maybe go watch a movie with me on Friday?” 

Everything inside you screamed ‘danger’, wanted to say no and run away. But something, just a little sliver of hope, stopped you from doing that. The part of you that watched too many romcoms and read too many Nicolas Sparks books wondered if maybe miracles still happened. That part of you said yes.

As soon as you said the word, David’s friends had started laughing.

“Dude, she actually believed you!” one of them laughed. “I guess I owe you 20 bucks, man.” 

“Thanks, Y/N,” David said, shrugging his shoulders. “Matt said you wouldn’t believe me if I asked, he thought you would know that guys like me don’t date girls like you. Guess he’s even dumber than he looks and you just made me 20 bucks!” 

He left and you ran off to cry in the bathroom, but you learned one thing that day.

Guys like that didn’t date girls like you. And that part of you that still believed in fairytales needed to be locked up in a box somewhere and never let out, because that part of you would kill you, if you let it.

---

You tried, to lock that part away, and you’d managed. Until Travis had looked at you with honest brown eyes and a little smile and you’d thrown away everything you had worked so hard for.

What good had that done. 

When you were 14 you locked yourself up in the bathroom until your mom came to pick you up from school. This time you lock yourself in your apartment and eat an entire box of cookies while you watch Property Brothers and cry yourself to sleep at night. The next day, you call in sick to work and watch Gilmore Girls and order Chinese.

It’s maybe not the healthiest way to deal with things but it’s a way, and it works. Well, not really; you still feel like shit, but it works enough that you find the strength to ignore your phone buzzing and eventually shut it off without looking at it.

You turn it back on in the evening and don’t respond to all the missed messages and calls - mostly from Travis, but a few from Carter too - and fall asleep listening to Adele. 

It’s not easy but you’ve gone through a lot in your life and you won’t let yourself be miserable over something like this for too long. If anything, this has just taught you that same lesson you learned when you were 14.

Guys like that, girls like you, etcetera etcetera. This time, you’re gonna remember. This time, you’re gonna know better. 

Every now and then you think of Travis, wonder what he got out of this bet and what exactly he bet on.

Did he bet on getting you to believe a guy like him could be interested in you, like David? Or was it more? How many dates was he obliged to go on to win the bet? Was the sex part of the bet or was that just because you were there and it was easy? Why had he been so nice, if it was part of the bet?

You try not to think about it. It gets easier when Travis stops texting and calling you. You haven’t read any of his texts, or listened to his voicemails. In fact, you barely touch your phone, nowadays. 

When you go to work, you avoid the guys on the team at all costs, and it’s easier than you thought it would be. You sit high in the stands and write in your notebook and try to not feel your heart sink in your chest when you see Konecny on your paper. 

It’s fine, you can manage. You’re an adult and you will move on with life and forget about these three months ever happening. You promise yourself you will and you seem to do okay.

Until one day you come home and you find Nolan Patrick sitting on the floor in front of your apartment door, two take away cups in his hands.

“What are you doing here?” you ask, crossing your arms. You know Nolan hasn’t technically done anything to you but he’s Travis’ best friend and therefor he is guilty by association. Also, he’s always been nice to you and that was clearly all fake, so fuck him for that, too. 

“Oh, hi!” Nolan scrambles up when he spots you, extends one cup towards you. “I brought coffee. Hazelnut latte, one sugar and some cinnamon.” 

You frown, and he seems to understand your question, cause he shrugs.

“Teeks remembered your coffee order.” 

You almost ask him why; why would Travis remember your coffee order if he clearly didn’t care about you at all, but you don’t ask him that because why would he tell you the truth? Instead you take the coffee, open your apartment door and step inside without saying anything.

You let the door fall behind you, but before it can click into the lock Nolan has put his foot in front of it, and then he slips into your apartment.

“Nice place,” he says, as if it’s not super weird that he’s here, and then he flops down onto the couch.

“Right, sit down, make yourself at home,” you snap sarcastically; you grab your mail and start sorting through it, more because you don’t know what else to do than because you actually wanna know what mail you have.

Why is Nolan here?

“You must wanna know why I’m here,” Nolan speaks, as if he can read your mind.

You don’t remind him that’s the first question you asked. 

“I’m here,” Nolan continues, seemingly unbothered by your cold shoulder, “because you deserve to know the truth, and you won’t answer the phone so Teeks can tell you himself. Which I don’t blame you for, cause, you know, if he did what you think he did I would’ve kicked his ass myself.”

What you think he did?

“But,” Nolan crosses his arms now, seems genuinely offended, “you’re mad at Hartsy, really? You can’t be mad at Hartsy. That’s like being mad at a puppy. Or a bunny. Or anything else that’s super cute and impossible to be mad at.” 

“He knew and he didn’t tell me.” You didn’t mean to break your silence but you’ve got a soft spot for Carter and, to be honest, it’s almost been harder to ignore him than it has been to ignore Travis.

At least with Travis, you know what happened. He thought you were pathetic and it would be funny to turn you into a joke.

With Carter, it’s not so clear. Did he actually like you? Did he think Travis’ bet was funny? Or did he secretly disapprove but just not find it important enough to stand up for you? Or, maybe, did he try to stand up for you, but Travis didn’t listen?

You know you shouldn’t allow yourself to hope for that last option but you can’t help it.

Nolan rolls his eyes. “Hartsy didn’t know shit, all he knows is that Teeks is stupidly in love with you and that you’re good for him. He said that once, you know. That Teeks should never let you go because you’re good for him.” Nolan looks a bit sad as he said it, his face pulled into a pained expression.

It might be because of the way your face drops at his words.

Teeks is stupidly in love with you.

“He’s not,” you manage to bring out. “In... into me. It was all just a joke.” 

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.” Nolan shakes his head, then takes a sip of his coffee. “Y/N, can I be honest? I don’t know you very well. I think you’re a great girl, but I don’t know you enough to care about your feelings.” 

Well, ouch. The truth hurts.

“I have no reason to be here and lie to you.” 

You have to admit he has a point there. If Travis genuinely doesn’t care, why would Nolan be here? It’s not like you’ve ever even held a proper conversation with Nolan. He’s always just been Travis’ roommate, Travis’ best friend, Travis’ teammate.

“So why are you here?” you dare ask him, and he smiles, a little smugly.

“Cause I have a story about a bet, and I think you’d like to hear it.” 

---

It’s weird, to be back at Travis’ apartment. Nolan’s footsteps are heavy in the empty hallway; he’s walking a good meter in front of you and you don’t try to catch up to him because with every step you take it’s like you sink deeper into the floor.

“Come on,” Nolan says, impatiently. He takes his keys out of his pocket and opens the door to their apartment.

Your heart is beating so fast you can feel it all the way in your throat.

“Ooooh Teeks!” he calls out, annoyingly chipper. “TK! I have a surprise for you!” 

“Is it Thai? If it’s not Thai I don’t want it.” 

Travis sounds tired but he sounds so familiar, so like Travis, and it washes over you like a comfort blanket, fills you with warmth from the inside out. 

“You’re really gonna regret saying that,” Nolan answers, and then he suddenly steps behind you and pushes you into the living room.

The second Travis’ eyes meet yours, all the blood drains from his face and his eyes widen almost comically. Within a second he’s standing up, the xBox controller falling onto the floor; his hands are in the air like he’s going to reach out for you, but then they drop to his sides and his jaw clenches.

“Y/N,” he says softly. “Are you here to get your stuff?” 

Nolan has made himself scarce very discreetly and now that it’s just you and Travis, you suddenly don’t remember how to talk. 

It’s silent, for a solid five seconds - but it feels like 50 years - before your brain starts working again. It’s Nolan’s voice, that you hear in the back of your head, and then your own, as if one voice is fighting with the other. 

Teeks is stupidly in love with you. 

I’m just a bet.

Stupidly in love with you.

Just a bet. 

“What was the bet?” you burst out. It might not be the right way, might be too sudden or too harsh, and there’s not really a reason for you to ask; Nolan has already told you.

But you wanna hear Travis say it. You need to hear Travis say it. 

Travis’ face crumples, his eyebrows knot together and his eyes drop to the floor. It looks as if it pains him to speak, but he speaks.

“It was so dumb, Y/N. You have to believe me, I never meant... I didn’t want this to happen. I’m sorry.” 

You swallow; there’s a lump in your throat that seems to be stuck there, that’s in the way of your vocal chords, but you just manage to repeat the words.

“What was the bet you made, Travis?” 

Travis inhales sharply, and then looks up. His eyes are staring intently into yours when he answers. 

“Ghosty bet me I wouldn’t dare to ask you out.” 

“Why?” you ask. “Why would he think that?” 

There’s a lot of answers you’re expecting, all of which allude to the same thing; you’re not good enough for him. 

You’re not pretty enough. Not fun enough. Not thin enough. Not charming enough. 

“Because you’re way out of my league and I would’ve looked stupid if I asked and you said no.” 

It’s like everything inside you deflates, at that point; your shoulders sag and you release a breath you didn’t know you were holding. 

“Oh.” 

“Yeah,” says Travis. “Oh.” He sighs and then takes a step closer, a little one, very tentatively; as if he’s afraid you’re gonna turn around and run, if he moves too much. “I know it’s stupid, but I hate losing bets and the boys know that, so whenever they want me to do something I don’t wanna do, or in this case, am too afraid to do, they tell me that I can’t and I bet them that I can. They were all getting a bit sick of me pining after you so Ghosty thought, if he just said I couldn’t ask you out...” 

“Then you would bet that you could,” you finish his sentence.

Oh God. You’d gotten it so wrong.

“So,” you continue, softly, “they didn’t bet you to ask me out as a joke. Because they thought it would be funny if a guy like you asked out a girl like me.” 

The skin around Travis’ eyes crinkles as he frowns. “What does that even mean?” he asks. 

“Because you’re really hot, and really great, and I’m really nerdy, and not very pretty. And I’m not good enough for you.” 

Travis’ breath stutters as he hears you speak. “That’s.... insane,” he brings out, stammering. “Y/N, if anything, I’m not good enough for you. You’re so gorgeous, and so smart, and you look at numbers and see a Stanley Cup winning team and I struggle to hit a piece of rubber with a big stick. I couldn’t keep up with you even if I tried.” 

He takes a bigger step towards you, now, your words seemingly giving him a bit of courage. 

“I’m sorry for making you think all of this was based on a lie,” he mumbles, and he carefully takes your hand in his, lacing his fingers through yours as his thumb traces lines across your knuckles. “But I promise you, it’s not like that. None of this was fake to me. I wanted to ask you out long before I got the guts to do it and I’ve been happy about taking that bet ever since.” He takes a deep breath. “I love you. And that has nothing to do with any dumb bet.” 

Your heart leaps; he’s never said that before, and neither have you. You’ve felt it, sure, but there was always something inside you wondering if it was too soon, if you were just asking for trouble by saying it. 

But there’s nothing but honest truth in Travis’ brown eyes, now, and suddenly you’re not afraid anymore. 

“I love you too,” you say, and the words aren’t out of your mouth yet or Travis’ lips are on yours.

His hands are firm on your waist as he tugs you closer, and it’s like you can’t feel anything but him, everywhere, and it’s like everything that happened before has been forgotten.

Until he pulls away, both of you gasping for air, and you remember something else.

“Oh my God, I have to call Carter back,” you mumble against Travis’ shirt; he’s pulled you flat against him and nestled his face in your shoulder, meaning you’re now being smothered by his chest.

There are worse ways to go.

Travis laughs lightly, his breath hot against your neck. 

“Really?” he says. “I kiss you for the first time in two weeks and you think of Hartsy?” 

“I’ve been ignoring him, and that’s not fair, cause he, oh...” you break off as Travis presses a kiss to the sensitive skin on your neck, “cause he’s a great friend and... Trav!” The last part comes out as more of a whine and Travis chuckles.

“Hartsy can wait another hour, babe.” He starts pressing kisses along your jaw and you groan, lightly shoving against his shoulder.

“Trav, I gotta call Carter and...” You bite your lip to stop yourself from moaning as his teeth scrape across your skin “and I don’t know what you think you’re doing but you’re not getting me naked within the first hour of getting back together!” 

“No?” Travis pulls away, one eyebrow raised, and there’s a smug look on his face. His hands slowly travel to your back, fingers sliding below your shirt, and despite your best efforts, you can’t stop yourself from shivering. 

“Hmm,” Travis hums, right before he kisses you again. 

“Wanna bet?” 

[adoredontour]

every fic that left a lasting impression with me this year. sorted in order of when i read them!! 

buckle up lads, it’s a long one

nicotine by krisstylinson 32k

"We're two different types of people, Liam. He likes sex and drugs, I like theater and tea. Trust me, we'd never date." Except they would, they do, and neither of them plans on letting go anytime soon.

"Just because you can get me hard doesn't mean I like you," Louis whispered. The fact was, he didn't like Harry right now, not at all. Not even a bit.

"Yeah, yeah," Harry murmured, his breath fanning over Louis' cock as he spoke. "You done telling me how much you hate me so I can suck you off?"

like candy in my veins by littlelouishiccups 31k @littlelouishiccups

Basically the A/B/O, enemies to lovers, fake relationship, Christmas AU that nobody asked for

worth dying for by whoknows

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Louis says, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. In the center of the table, a set of three glossy photos stares up at him, mocking him.

“A security detail is non-negotiable, Louis, you know this,” his mum reminds him, tapping the middle photo with two fingers.

Louis doesn’t look back down at the pictures, gesturing towards them wildly, over-dramatically. “This is not a security detail!” he protests. “This is a lanky college student. In what world do you hire someone like this kid to protect me?”

damn your love, damn your lies by ifthat

“Of course you’d use your free time to go to the gym.”

“Your idea of the best way to spend your free time is annoying your neighbors,” he laughs, dimples carved into his cheeks like marble.

No, Louis likes to annoy Harry. Everyone else on this floor is just an unfortunate casualty.

“No one has complained except for you,” Louis informs him smartly. Which is actually a good thing. If someone other than Harry had complained to him long ago, he would have unfortunately had to stop.

you came into my life by disgruntledkittenface @disgruntledkittenface

When the Queer Eye cast and crew sweep into Louis’ small town and fire station to make over his best friend and coworker Liam, Louis’ carefully constructed walls start to fall down and he has to face his fears – and the only guy he’s ever been able to see a future with.

a thousand miles from comfort by littlelouishiccups 

In which Louis is a closeted gay actor and a recovering addict with a troubled past. Harry is the personal trainer who helps him get his life back in shape.

smaller than me by checkthemargins 

Harry's just finished his first year of uni on his way to becoming Dr. Harry Styles, Neurosurgeon. He's young, he has endless potential, three amazing best mates, a new love and the world at his fingertips. The fact that his new boyfriend may or may not be a sex-worker, of course, throws a wrench into the works. But it's not true. Really.

Probably.

It most definitely might not be entirely true. And that's all Harry needs to know.

escapade (i was late to the game shut up) by dolce_piccante

In the grand scheme of things, finding a date for a wedding should be no problem for Louis Tomlinson. He's rich. He's handsome. He's reasonably well behaved. But when the wedding is for his lifelong best friend (and former boyfriend), and is happening in under a month, finding a date for the ceremony and accompanying festivities becomes more of an adventure than he ever could have planned for.

soft hands, fast feet, can’t lose by dolce_piccante

American Uni AU. Harry Styles is a frat boy football star from the wealthy Styles Family athletic dynasty. A celebrity among football fans, he knows how to play, he knows how to party, and he knows how to fuck (all of which is well known among his legion of admirers).

Louis Tomlinson is a student and an athlete, but his similarities to Harry end there. Intelligent, focused, independent, and completely uninterested in Harry’s charms, Louis is an anomaly in a world ruled by football.

A bet about the pair, who might be more similar than they originally thought, brings them together. Shakespeare, ballet, Disney, football, library chats, running, accidental spooning, Daredevil and Domino’s Pizza all blend into one big friendship Frappucino, but who will win in the end?

oh glory by alivingfire @alivingfire

Harry Styles is Team Great Britain's newest swimmer, and has spent his whole life training for this moment, a chance at the gold medal in the Rio 2016 Olympics. All his training, hard work, and dedication to no distractions is tested when he's assigned to the same Rio apartment as Louis Tomlinson, British gymnast and Harry's childhood crush.

it’s all brand new because of you by supernope

AKA, Louis starts a new job as a summer camp counselor at the local aquarium and Harry is a biologist who really likes teaching people about the ocean.

this wicked game by cherrystreet @cherrystreet

An AU in which The Bachelor is gay, Louis is a contestant, Harry is the bachelor, everyone drinks a lot of champagne, the entire world gets to watch them fall in love, and no one plays by the rules.

do not go gentle by afirethatcannotdie @afirethatcannotdie

When Harry Styles starts his first day as a surgical intern, he expects a lot of things: to treat patients, to observe a surgery, to feel a bit overwhelmed. What he definitely doesn't expect, however, is that the handsome guy he kicked out of his bed this morning is also an intern.

A Grey’s Anatomy AU where tensions are high, Harry and Louis are hooking up in secret, and no one has time for love. Or do they?

to brim with fright by hereforlou @hereforlou

The only reason he’s here is because it’s tradition. And also, Harry said it’d be fun to make Liam wet himself in fear and Louis agreed. It’ll be hilarious. He’s not an insecure new transfer anymore, thank you very much. It took him no more than a week to insert himself into a group, to get invited to his first party, and to start crushing on someone—he’s not what anyone would call socially impaired. He doesn’t need validation.

have you coming back again by whoknows

It’s five o’clock in the morning. Louis has a lecture at half eight. He could be using this time to study or to do his readings or to go to the gym, but - well. He doesn’t have any exams coming up, he’s not going to his seminar today anyway and he hates the gym.

Instead he’s using this time to fuck with Harry Styles’ poor little brain.

Louis jogs across the street and jabs the key into the car door. It opens easily, not that he was expecting anything else. He copied the key for a reason, after all.

He’s got Harry’s schedule memorized, more because the guy keeps following him around than anything, so he doesn’t bother looking around before climbing behind the wheel and setting his bag on the passenger seat. It’s a Monday, which means that Harry doesn’t even get out of bed before noon unless he’s planning on harassing Louis.

i put a spell on you by bethaboo @bethaboolou

A BBC/Secret Santa mashup featuring Captain Niall, our intrepid weatherman/amateur matchmaker, rather clueless sports reporter Liam, charming political analyst Zayn, and cheeky entertainment reporter Louis. Harry is the new fashion correspondent who prefers to dress like a flamingo. And pining. There’s a lot of pining.

naked & proud by kiwikero 

In which Harry runs an organic store, not a nudist colony, and Louis doesn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed.

take me under the blue by objectlesson

Louis hasn’t even seen his legs yet. He doesn’t know how they work or how long they’ll be. Maybe they won’t suit the rest of Harry at all, and he’ll have to grow into them or something. It doesn’t matter; Louis has loved Harry for a year with scales, so he can’t imagine wonky legs putting a damper on his attraction.

He supposes he’ll just have to find out. In the meantime, he wonders how the fuck he got here, in his squelching wellies about to save the love of his life from the sea and take him to bed and bang him for the very first time.

It’s sort of a long story.

paint the sky with stars by kiwikero

the historically accurate Titanic AU with a happy ending.

truth be told i never was yours by justfortommo

(or the one where Louis and Harry have a complicated past, Louis is getting married to someone that’s not Harry, and the universe has decided to have a laugh and make Harry the wedding planner.) 

into the badlands

Louis is Q. Harry is a double-oh agent who thinks that making knock-knock jokes around foreign embassy delegates mid-mission is a good idea.

swim in the smoke by whoknows

“What about this, Captain?” Liam asks, nudging the boy kneeling between their feet with the toe of his boot. The boy hisses and swipes at him, slurring out something unintelligible around the makeshift gag Niall had to stuff in his mouth. He misses by a mile and tries again, just as ineffectively.

Harry looks down at him, at the way the sun streams over his face and shoulders, at the way the gag stretches his mouth, lips pink and chapped. He’s lithe and pretty, smudged all over with dirt. They had found him tied up below deck, mostly unconscious, next to a barrel full of gold. He’s clearly a prisoner, but there’s something familiar about him, something that niggles at Harry’s brain. Something he can’t quite put his finger on.

“Put him in my cabin,” Harry decides, turning back to deal with the rest of the loot. The boys screams out jumbled curse words at Harry’s back, muffled by the gag, and Harry can’t understand any of it.

resist everything except temptation by domesticharry @domestic-harry

The one where Louis is the commodore's son who is forced to become a part of Harry's crew when he is captured.

pray till i go blind by el_em_en_oh_pee 

Louis is (kind of) a preacher. Harry is (probably) a demon. Of course, nothing's as simple as that.

This is not a love story.

(your heartbeat) rang true inside my bones by flimsy @flimsi

Harry goes as Louis' date for a weekend wedding. He ends up taking the role a bit too seriously.

i love your demons (like devils can) by ariadne_odair

Harry didn’t plan to join the football team. She didn’t plan to sleep with the captain of the football team. She definitely didn’t plan to sleep with the closeted captain of the football team, who promptly acted as if nothing happened and left Harry a pathetic, pining mess.

alien roadtrip! by helloamhere @helloamhere

roadtrip with desert feelings, too much snack food, and empty motels. Harry is definitely absolutely not an alien. That would be ridiculous.

treat mothman with kindness by flowercrownfemme @lesbianiconharrystyles

In which Louis, Liam, Niall and Zayn are amateur cryptozoologists and Harry is the creature they find in the woods of a small north-western town. ft. lots of glitter and shrieking and a whole shed full of lesbian cats.

just me, you, and this box of matches by tomlinsunshine

Louis is fairly sure that his new neighbour is going to destroy him. And also their apartment building, and the dumpsters outside, and all the forests within a thirty mile radius. But. Mostly him.

close to nowhere by angelichl @angelichl

Louis and Harry are psychics who kind of hate each other. They go to Tennessee to investigate a haunting. 

magical soup by gloria_andrews

Slytherin prefect Louis Tomlinson's seventh year at Hogwarts takes an immediate turn for the worse when he's made to be potions partners with Harry Styles, Hufflepuff's resident heartthrob and class clown. Louis has always considered Styles to be a terrible show-off who coasts by on his charm and good looks, but the more they work together, the more he questions that idea. As term goes on, will Louis be able to admit to himself that he might actually like Harry Styles after all... and maybe, just maybe, as more than a friend?

sainted taints and velvet vices by toomanytears

A self-fulfilling Hogwarts AU in which Louis is new to seventh year and Harry is the resident devil-may-care Slytherin set to make his entire experience a living misery. Due to less than favourable circumstances they're forced to forge an unwilling, tentative relationship for their own survival. Repressed emotions, decidedly unromantic ballroom dancing, Triwizard Tournament tasks, creative jinxes and twilight flying above the Forbidden Forest ensue.

run like the devil by benzos

Supernatural AU. Louis hunts demons; Harry's the strangest demon he's ever met, and he keeps fucking meeting him.

be with me so happily by briamaria

[aka Louis is the director of the Styles Elephant Sanctuary and really doesn't want to babysit his funder's spoiled lay-about son for two months]

come together by bottomlinsons @bottomlinsons

Harry and Louis slept together three weeks ago, and haven't talked.

Their coming group project is gonna change that.

what this world is about by isntrio @bloubird

An eighties American high school AU; there are first times, football games, and feelings.

Alternatively titled: the beginning.

once upon a dream by thedeathchamber

Louis is psychic and gets caught in the middle of a murder investigation led by FBI Special Agent Harry Styles.

aka. the Medium/Criminal Minds-inspired AU no one ever asked for.

led by your beating heart by missandrogyny @missandrogyny

(Or: AU where Harry's in One Direction, Louis isn't, and they reconnect over a game of 'Call or Delete'.)

forever and always by jacaranda_bloom @jacaranda-bloom (again, thank you!!!!!!!)

OR the one where Harry’s neighbour is a crotchety old witch who hates vampires, Niall is the unsuspecting human who ends up inhabiting Harry’s body, and Louis is the caseworker who is assigned to swap them back. How it ends up a love story is anyone’s guess.

sail your sea, meet your storm by kiwikero

The strangers to enemies to friends to pining to lovers fic where Louis is cynical, Harry is charming, and they have seven days to get their shit together.

tangled up in you by missandrogyny

Harry blinks once. And blinks again. And says, his voice dangerous: “Niall, did you get me a mail-order bride?”

Because what the actual fuck. It kind of looks like Niall’s just purchased a person. For Harry.

Niall blinks back at him for a few moments, before throwing his head back and howling with laughter. Harry throws a pillow at him. Hard. “No, what the fuck, Harry.”

“A prostitute then?” Harry also doesn't want a prostitute.

“Of course not!”

“A stripper?”

“No!”

Damn, he’s running out of ideas. He settles for launching another pillow at Niall’s head. Niall bats it away easily, still laughing. “Stop!”

“What did you get me, then?!” Niall must hear the tinge of hysteria in his voice, because he’s pulling himself together, trying to stop himself from laughing.

There’s still a big grin on his face, though, when he says, “I got you a professional cuddler.”

A professional…what. “What?”

i’d burn this city down to show you the light by you_explode 

Harry's a sheltered rich kid and Louis's a punk with a heart of gold. They meet when Louis breaks into Harry's house, Harry obtains an instant and all-encompassing crush, and they spend the summer falling into a whirlwind romance.

sail your sea, meet your storm by kiwikero

Louis is thirty, single, and a bit of a workaholic. He's happy with his life, but then his mother decides to buy him tickets for a Singles Cruise. Appalled that his family thinks he can't handle his own love life, he steps aboard the ship determined to have a terrible time.

That is, of course, until a persistent brunet keeps offering him drinks.

The strangers to enemies to friends to pining to lovers fic where Louis is cynical, Harry is charming, and they have seven days to get their shit together.

bring out feelings in me i never show

“I really think you should stop reading,” Liam says, having moved to hover behind Louis’ back at some point. “I can already see the cogs turning in your head, Louis, and I don’t like this.”

“Shut up,” Louis waves him off and continues reading.

I can do these things, at your request: openly hit on other female guests while you act like you don’t notice; start instigative discussions about politics and/or religion; propose to you in front of everyone; pretend to be really drunk as the evening goes on (sorry I don’t drink, but I used to); start an actual, physical fight with a family member, either inside or on the front lawn for all the neighbors to see.

remember you well by fondleeds @fondleeds

“Um,” Harry starts. He looks out of place. Louis can’t really believe he’s seeing Harry like this, so unsettled, so unlike himself. He holds out his hands. “Should we–. Should I, um. Did you wanna, like, cuff me to the bed or something?”

Louis raises his eyebrows. “I don’t know. Do I need to?”

i love you most by stylinsoncity

friends with benefits has always been enough for louis. until, of course, it isn't.

ready to fall by whoknows

“Ninety and rising,” Nick says triumphantly, as though making Harry’s heartbeat pick up by thrusting an obscenely attractive person in front of his face is any kind of success. “Louis Tomlinson has just walked into our control room and suddenly our dear Harry Styles has lost all ability to speak. Could this be some kind of strange coincidence?”

“I hate you,” Harry hisses, forcing his eyes back into Nick’s direction, uncaring that the mic must have picked it up. “I thought we agreed that you were going to play fair.”

“I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Nick denies, except he’s holding up a picture of Louis’ face now, sharp cheekbones prominent, soft lashes nearly sweeping against his cheeks as he looks down, and his fucking mouth –

“A hundred and two!” Nick crows, all but clapping his hands together in glee. “The highest it’s ever been!”

“To be fair, I did bend over the desk on purpose,” Louis’ voice comes crackling in the headphones. Harry practically breaks his neck whipping his head around at the sound of it, gaping at him through the glass panel. “You can’t really blame him for getting a little excited about that, can you?”

[blouisparadise]

Upon request, here is a rec list of fics where Harry and Louis fight or argue over the course of the fic. While there is at least a small argument between them in the vast majority of fics, we tried to narrow this list down to include fics where there’s either a larger fight or a bunch of smaller ones. Happy reading!

1) Forever, Uninterrupted | Explicit | 8578 words

Harry finds a mysterious picture in Louis' bag one night and drives himself crazy over it. It's definitely not what he thinks. An excuse to write Harry in rut, because there's already so many heat fics out there.

2) Poppies In May | Explicit | 9457 words

And maybe he deserves it, Louis thinks bitterly. His hand curls around the fence tightly, and he feels like if he lets go he’ll slid onto the cold ground and never fucking get up again. Maybe standing here, staring at Harry’s hunched over, retreating back is what he deserves.

3) 3B Neighbor | Explicit | 10407 words

A mysterious neighbour keeps slipping the worst sort of notes under Harry's door.

4) Rather This Than Live Without You | Explicit | 10715 words

Harry decides to give it all up. Louis refuses to be left behind.

5) We Should Get Jerseys | Mature | 12147 words

Harry is a hockey player, and Louis is his slightly melodramatic boyfriend.

6) No Bleeding Hearts | Explicit | 12651 words

“I’m going to come out,” Louis says abruptly. His grip on the controller is tight, knuckles whitening. He doesn’t look at Harry when he says it.

“What?” Harry says. Louis sucks in a breath through his teeth.

“When we re-negotiate our contracts. I’m going to come out.” Harry fumbles with the controller and manages to set it down on coffee table without cracking it in half.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Harry says. Louis is still pointedly not looking at him.

“I’m not having this argument with you again, Harry,” Louis tells him. He leans forward and deposits his own controller on the table beside Harry’s before standing up. “I’m gonna go to the hotel.”

7) Know You Got That Thing (That I Like) | Explicit | 15798 words

Note: This fic has a BH mention.

In all the ways he thought about their reunion going, watching Louis finger himself open was not on the list.

8) Wait For Me (To Come Home) | Explicit |  16066 words

A future fic of time stamps where Louis finally comes to grips with a love he'd denied for too long.

9) My English Love Affair | Explicit | 19198 words

The thing about sleeping with a member of a famous indie band is that the inevitability of having a song written about you is most likely a hundred percent. The second thing is that in the end, nobody's supposed to find out it's about you.

The one where Harry writes a song about his English love affair and Louis sleeps with someone in White Eskimo and all he gets is a stupid song written about him.

10) Dance Like Warriors On A Battlefield | Explicit | 20083 words

Down in the arena, the triumphant gladiator places his foot on the back of the loser, holding him there as he waits for instruction on his next move. Kill or let live. It’s barbaric, really, the bloodlust involved in this sport. Louis is pretty sure that if it wasn’t for his distaste for the killing there would be a lot more blood soaking that sand.

As it is, his father rarely gives the kill order anymore. He gives the order to let the loser live. Louis rolls his eyes, turning away. He doesn’t miss the way the gladiator’s eyes linger on him.

11) Up To No Good | Explicit | 26525 words | Sequel #1 | Sequel #2

Harry doesn’t think of himself as a womanizer, not at all. Sure, he enjoys sex, enjoys how women feel underneath him, and by some people’s standards he has sex with quite a lot of people, but that’s no reason to tell him that he can’t have a female PA anymore.

It’s especially no excuse for giving him a male PA who’s possibly the most gorgeous boy in the world who won’t even let Harry look at him for too long.

Sometimes Harry hates his life.

12) All The Lights are Full Of Colour | Explicit | 26727 words

So, fast-forwarding eight years from the day Harry met Louis, he is now a twenty-seven year old owner of one of the most up-and-coming eating establishments on the London restaurant scene, father of two wonderful boys and… separated from his husband. Now, that last part definitely was never a part of the original plan.

13) Time Out | Explicit | 27539 words

Harry and Louis are perfect for each other.

Everybody knows it.

They know it, their friends know it, everybody knows it.

That's why Zayn, Liam and Niall won't let them get away with breaking up.

No chance in hell.

14) Carnelian | Explicit | 30631 words

Louis finds himself donating blood to the most beautiful being he’s ever seen.

15) Where The Lights Are Beautiful | Mature | 31170 words | Sequel

The accidental bonding a/b/o fic. 

16) Close To Nowhere | Explicit | 34589 words

Louis and Harry are psychics who kind of hate each other. They go to Tennessee to investigate a haunting.

17) No Matter Where You Are (No Matter How Far) | Explicit | 35799 words

An Everest AU where Louis sets out to climb the tallest mountain on the world and meets a curly-haired guy named Harry who worms his way into Louis’s life. It’s not long before reaching the summit becomes the least of Louis’s worries. 

18) The Things I’d Do To Wake Up Next To You | Mature | 36019 words

AU. Harry wakes up to a pregnant Louis Tomlinson and a wedding band on his finger.

19) Bloodsport | Explicit | 40283 words

“You know how our next game is against the Cardinals, right? You remember how vicious those guys can get. I wanted us to come up with some plays, maybe work on a block from the left--” Louis stops when he hears a chuckle. He doesn’t think he’s said anything particularly funny, so he turns to Harry, waiting for an explanation. "‘S funny, ‘s all.” Harry throws his finished bottle somewhere near the other discarded ones. “This is the first time you’re talking to me in eight months, and it’s still about football.”

20) The Sweetest Incantation | Explicit | 40598 words

Harry is a witch who's still working on developing his powers and Louis is a werecat who falls into his life and turns it upside down. 

21) Falling Into Place | Explicit | 40754 words

Louis and Harry spend nine years apart but inevitably find their way back to each other.                        

22) Another Hazy May | Explicit | 41043 words

Louis is a terrible poet and Harry lives in the now and they have six weeks to fall in love but, really, it only takes six seconds. Bookshop meets military meets summer romance AU ft. Malboros, the Backstreet Boys, and underrated literary devices.

23) Show Me Life Like I’ve Never Seen | Mature | 42953 words

Louis never expected to leave the small art studio three blocks down from his job with anything besides the painting he caught a glimpse of and simply couldn't forget.

24) Can I Not Like You For A While? | Explicit | 43346 words

Louis Tomlinson is awful. Harry is just as difficult, and they’re both terrible to each other. It makes being in the same acapella group together quite complicated. 

25) Just A Feeling | Explicit | 43977 words

Note: This fic is a sequel to this fic.

The first time that Harry thinks about marriage in relation to Louis, he’s eighteen years old, standing in the middle of a crowded frat house, six drinks down and another in his hand.

It’s not the first time that he’s laid eyes on Louis. It’s not even the second time, or the third time, but Harry doesn’t believe in denying what his brain is trying to tell him, and his brain has been telling him that Louis might be the prettiest person in the world ever since that first fateful meeting, when Harry hadn’t been able to stop looking and Louis had ‘accidentally’ spilled his tea all over Harry’s lap in retaliation.

26) Love's Truest Language | Explicit | 48193 words

“I don't want your flowers.” Louis chided before directing all of his attention to the arrangement in front of him. Harry laughed under his breath as he stood to his full height, “Who said anything about them being for you, love?”

27) Tug-Of-War | Explicit | 55475 words

Louis' husband dies suddenly and he is left with nothing. Well, not really nothing. He has Harry. And a St. Bernard puppy named Link, whom his late husband left behind for him. Louis takes care of Link and Harry takes care of Louis. Everything is okay until suddenly, it isn't. 

28) Into The Midnight Sun | Explicit | 63523 words

It's 1983, Harry embarks on his first world tour and Louis is a budding actor in LA. Life spent apart isn't easily adjustable, but somehow they make it work.

29) Why Can't It Be Like That | Explicit | 63567 words

A fashion AU with a royal twist, where Louis doesn't need a stylist, Harry's thrilled to have a real life Barbie doll, and they're both very wrong about each other.

30) Perfect Storm | Explicit | 80230 words

What do you do when your best friend asks you and your (now) ex to be the best men at his destination wedding? You can either tell him the truth, tell him you’re not together anymore, and deal with the consequences, or you can pretend you’re still together and roll with it, just pray you don’t spiral. Fake it ‘til you make it. You know, for the sake of the wedding. Harry and Louis choose the latter.   

31) Pinkies Never Lie | Explicit | 83615 words | Sequel

AU in which Louis hates his job and loves Harry, Harry just wants a distraction, everyone else wants them to get their shit together, and Louis learns the hard way that new beginnings are only possible when something ends.

32) I Want You So Much (But I Hate Your Guts) | Mature | 83648 words

AU in which Louis gets accepted to play for the Manchester University Alpha-Beta Football Team. The only problem: Louis is actually an Omega. He is determined to make it big in the football world, though, and he can't do that bound to an Omega team. With the help of a faked doctor's certificate and some pretty strong suppressants he is ready to fight for his dream. That Harry Styles (Alpha, second year and youngest football captain of the A-B team in ages) doesn't seem to like him complicates matters, though.

33) Electing Strange Perfections | Explicit | 84757 words

Back for the summer from university, 19-year-old Louis is faced with a massive problem: their new gardener is quite possibly the most gorgeous man he's ever met. Over the course of the summer, Louis and a 25-year-old Harry will learn that love can be found where you least expect it.

34) For Reasons Wretched and Divine | Explicit | 94655 words

Ten years ago, Harry Styles was just a nerdy kid with one friend and a debilitating crush on the captain of his school’s football team. He thought the stars were smiling down on him the day he and Louis Tomlinson were paired for their end-of-term Literature project. But because Harry’s life is decidedly not a fairytale, the budding friendship quickly leads to the least happy ending of all time. Now, Harry Styles is a household name. Barely twenty-seven with two Grammy nominations to his name, the singer-songwriter is poised to take the music industry by storm with his highly anticipated third album. So, what happens when the best producer in the business is also the only person Harry’s vowed never to speak to again?    

35) Blue Ice | Mature | 102967 words

An AU where Louis finds himself in a marriage he didn't bargain for. 

36) A Taste Of Desire | Explicit | 104414 words

A Victorian ABO where Harry is the owner of the most successful cotton mill in Manchester, and Louis is an opinionated social activist about to disrupt Harry’s world.

37) Tainted Saints And Velvet Vices | Mature | 126056 words

A self-fulfilling Hogwarts AU in which Louis is new to seventh year and Harry is the resident devil-may-care Slytherin set to make his entire experience a living misery. Due to less than favourable circumstances they're forced to forge an unwilling, tentative relationship for their own survival. Repressed emotions, decidedly unromantic ballroom dancing, Triwizard Tournament tasks, creative jinxes and twilight flying above the Forbidden Forest ensue.

38) All I Want | Mature | 289307 words

When Harry and Louis got together it wasn’t under the best circumstances. Louis was taken by another. But go figure that the way they ended up together is the very same way it ended. And Harry left Louis. He left him with a lot more than he thought. A story about how people’s misconceptions almost destroyed a love that went beyond measure.

Check out our other fic rec lists by category here and by title here.

[thelarriefics]

ANGST FIC REC: Below you’ll find a collection of angst fics. Since some deal with heavy topics, please be sure to read the tags!

📖 Cocaine for Breakfast by @harryeatsburger​ (291k)

Louis Tomlinson is a drug addict, sent away from his beloved party-scene to recover. There, he discovers that small towns have just as much access to drugs as London did, plus something even better that he just can’t get enough of. That something is a boy with green eyes and bouncy curls named Harry Styles.

📖 Take My Breath Away by @realitybetterthanfiction (153k)

A Top Gun AU. 

📖 Own the Scars by @crinkle-eyed-boo (144k)

Louis has never felt like he was good enough: for his stepdad, for his life-long best friend, for the life he’s supposed to want. After an accident that nearly costs him his life, Louis’ parents send him to rehab where he’s forced to face his demons. On the long and difficult road to recovery, Louis must confront the truths he’s been avoiding about his future, his relationships, and his sense of self-worth. Because before he can love anyone else, he’s got to learn how to love himself first.

📖 Unbelievers by @isthatyoularry (136k)

It’s Louis’ senior year, and he’s dead set on doing it right. However, along with his pair of cleats, a healthy dose of sarcasm and his ridiculous best friend, he’s also got a complicated family, a terrifyingly uncertain future, and a mortal enemy making his life just that much worse. Mortal enemies “with benefits” was not exactly the plan.

Or: The one where Louis and Harry definitely aren’t friends, and football is everything.

📖 red hands by @dystopianharry (132k)

a dystopian au in which harry, an ex-soldier who’s escaped from his government run camp, accidentally stumbles across the biggest rebel movement in the country, and louis, one of the rebellion’s mysterious leaders who appears to hate him, seems to simultaneously have an obsession with keeping him alive. or: harry is wanted for treason, niall hasn’t changed in four years, liam is always smiling, and louis is angry. like, really angry.

📖 For As Long As I Can Remember (It’s Been December) by @greenfeelings (128k)

After recovering from a severe accident that causes Harry to lose his memory of three years, he moves to London to start his life over as a star chef. Little does he know that when he falls in love with Louis at first sight, it’s not the first time they meet.

Featuring an unintentional game of hot and cold, Harry chasing memories that won’t come back, Louis burying himself in work to try and forget what he can’t forget, Liam being torn between two of his best friends, Zayn as a moral compass and Niall saving the day with good music and brutal honesty.

📖 got the sunshine on my shoulders by @hattalove (124k)

five years ago, harry styles left his tiny home town to make it big as a recording artist. he didn’t have much regard for what he left behind - a life, a family, and a husband, who woke up one morning to find him gone.

now, harry has everything he could possibly want: he’s rich, famous, and adored by everyone he meets, including his boyfriend. but when said boyfriend proposes to him, he’s forced to face the uncomfortable facts of his past - and louis, who’s spent the last five years returning every set of divorce papers harry sent him.

(or, an au based on the movie sweet home alabama.)

📖 Promise in the Sky by @hazzabeeforlou ​(99k)

AU in which Harry Styles, a naïve, repressed, socially awkward Midwestern highschooler tries to navigate his fundamentalist evangelical parents and radically progressive older sister. He’s doing an okay job of this until the Tomlinson family starts attending Lakeside Baptist Church and a boy named Louis changes everything. Harry is forced to come to grips with his true self when Louis becomes more than just his best friend; but their relationship opens a can of worms and sends them on the most painful, heartbreaking journey of their young lives. They risk everything and nearly lose, and Harry learns that perhaps only one Bible verse is true: that perfect love casteth out fear.

📖 The Road Less Travelled By by @freetheankles (98k)

Louis is a widowed lumberjack, and Harry isn’t someone he needs to fall in love with. 

📖 For Reasons Wretched and Divine by @indiaalphawhiskey (94k)

Ten years ago, Harry Styles was just a nerdy kid with one friend and a debilitating crush on the captain of his school’s football team. He thought the stars were smiling down on him the day he and Louis Tomlinson were paired for their end-of-term Literature project. But because Harry’s life is decidedly not a fairytale, the budding friendship quickly leads to the least happy ending of all time.

Now, Harry Styles is a household name. Barely twenty-seven with two Grammy nominations to his name, the singer-songwriter is poised to take the music industry by storm with his highly anticipated third album. So, what happens when the best producer in the business is also the only person Harry’s vowed never to speak to again?

📖 (Take Me Home) Country Roads by @a-writerwrites (86k)

a Northern Exposure AU featuring Louis as the big city doctor, Harry as a natural healer, Niall as a secretive barkeep, Liam and Zayn head over heels for each other but they don’t know it and a lot of hurt, comfort and moonshine in between.

📖 Yellow by @13ways-of-looking (84k)

The city of Gotham turns blood red with a new, mysterious criminal element, a beautiful woman named the Blind Cupid. She threatens to tear the fabric of the city apart, aided by her deadly protégé, the Cat. Can Batman stop them? Will he resist the bewitching allures of the Cat? A Batman/ Catwoman AU.

📖 Chasing Empty Spaces by @domestic-harry (79k)

The year is 1934 and Harry Styles was to inherent the largest tobacco firm in the south. His parents have picked out the “perfect” girl for him to marry and he has the privilege of receiving the highest education possible. The problem was, Harry hadn’t realized he didn’t actually want any part of that future until he met a mechanic named, Louis Tomlinson.

📖 Far Away. by @dimpled-halo​ (57k)

Harry returns to London after five years. Stuck in the past with “what ifs” and “what might have beens”, he sees that his friends and ex (and possible love of his life) Louis have all moved on with their lives while he finds himself questioning his own life choices, past and present.

📖 The Second Hand Unwinds by @fullonlarrie (51k)

Louis Tomlinson is one of the first members of NASA’s top secret Chrono Exploration Program. When things go wrong and he’s sent further back in time than planned, he has no other option than to show up on his ex-boyfriend’s doorstep.

📖 Looking Through You by @allwaswell16 (41k)

Just as Louis and Liam were starting out in the music industry, writing and producing for up and coming artists, a fateful meeting with new pop singer Harry Styles changes everything. Four years later, just as Harry is set to embark on his next world tour, a drunken confession causes a rift between once inseparable friends. As Harry tries to make sense of his feelings for Louis, he begins writing his next album to express them as it may be the only way to break through the walls that Louis has built between them.

📖 Gracious Goes the Ghost of You by @haloeverlasting (25k)

Harry is a ghost who comes to visit. Louis feels like a ghost, himself. In forgiveness, they find their way back to life.

📖 We’ll Rise Up by @suddenclarityharry (18k)

Louis is a Pastor with no church and a heart filled with uncertainty. Pastor Payne is more than willing to give Louis a new place to work, but it’s Music Director Harry that helps him rebuild his faith.

📖 Escape (The Piña Colada AU) by @avocadolouie (10k)

Louis writes to escape. Harry answers to join him.

📖 A Year (and then some) by @bringmetheharry (6k)

Harry breaks and it takes a year of ups and downs for he and Louis to put themselves back together.

[takaraphoenix]

Protective! possessive! Buck Barnes meets Reckless! Oblivious! Tony Stark and wants nothing more than to protect him from the world and grabby hands because "Steve you may be my best friend but if you try and touch Tony's ass one more time, you gonna get a beating"

Writer’s Month: Day 7 - Sports

“It is the fight of the century. The showdown theworld has feared. Avengers versus Avengers. On the side, Team IronMan, with the leader Tony Stark. At his side, War Machine, the Visionand the Black Widow. Their enemy, Team Cap – with Captain America,the Winter Soldier, the Falcon and Hawkeye. Who will be the superiorAvengers team?”

“…Seriously, Stark, tell your AI to stop narratingthe game”, commented Clint and rolled his eyes.

“Why? We need a commentator”, huffed Tony where heand his team were warming up. “With Thor off-world and Bruce justrolling his eyes at us and walking away, Fry is stepping in.”

“We’re going to win”, declared Nat with a vicioussmile, balancing a ball on her knee.

A game of soccer. Avengers versus Avengers. Bucky wasn’tentirely sure how he had gotten himself into this – any of this,all of this. He had just…followed Steve Rogers home, because he had wanted to learn who thehell Bucky was. He did. Steve brought him to a tower, to a man namedTony Stark who was a genius and had the technology to help Buckydeactivate the trigger-words and with that technology, coupled withsome actual therapy, Bucky had slowly started to find himself againand now, two years later, he had an understanding of his self again.He wasn’t the same man he used to be back in the day, but he hadfound himself again and that was more than he had thought possible.

So now he was here, living in New York, in the towertogether with the Avengers – the Avengers who had only really cometogether when Steve, Bucky, Sam, and then also Clint and Natasha hadknocked on Tony’s door, homeless and hunted. And now Bucky was anAvenger – after he had passed the psych-evaluations, after hehimself was happy with his recovery.

His life really hadchanged a lot in the past two years. Two years ago, he had faced theAvengers as an assassin working for HYDRA, now he was playing a gameof soccer with them. It was ridiculous but in an exciting, relievingway. Bucky was… a normal human being again. He had a home, he hadfriends, he had hobbies, he had a job, he had fun.He even had a someone he might like.

It was just a littleproblematic who Buckyliked. Because the person Bucky was slowly, with every single day,falling more and more in love with was Tony Stark. The man with thekindest, largest heart possible. The man who had opened his doorswith a look of bewilderment for only a split moment, before smilingbrightly and inviting them all to stay ‘as long as you need’. Twoyears later, none of them were even thinking about leaving, becausethey were at home at the tower. Tony Stark, who had helped fixBucky’s brain, fix the conditioning that had turned him into a weaponto be controlled by others, instead he was his own person now.  TonyStark, who had built Bucky a new arm – one that didn’t hurt, onethat was so much lighter than the old one, one that could actuallyfeel. And Tony had no obligation to do anyof those things, yet he had done allof those things just… out of the goodness of his heart. And Buckycouldn’t help but fall in love.

The problem was thatTony Stark was, well –Tony Stark. He was awealthy businessman who could have anything and anyone he wanted. Hewas a genius too. What would someone like him want with a formerassassin with so much blood on his hands…?

“Come on, Buck. Let’s win this game”, declared Stevewith his All American Grin.

He slapped Bucky on the shoulder, brimming withoptimism. It was incredibly contagious and Bucky knew it affected allthe Avengers just the same. Sam was puffing out his chest next toSteve.

“How about we make this more interesting, Barnes?”,asked Sam. “Put a bit money on it? Whoever scores more gets it?Just you and me?”

“It’s on, Wilson”, agreed Bucky with a smirk.

“Oh, can I join that bet?”, asked Clint eagerly.

“You’re the goal-keeper”, stated Sam slowly.

“Yeah. I’m betting against both of you. Because theirgoal-keeper is Nat”, smirked Clint.

He motioned over to Team Iron Man, where Natasha wasstanding in the goal already. The redhead smirked fiercely at them.Rhodey, Vision and Tony were warming up in front of her.

“Okay, people. Timeto play ball. Actualball”, called Natasha out.

“No digs against American football”, called Samback.

“You don’t play itwith your foot, or with a ball. Why call it football when a game thatis played with yourfeet and with a ball,and without a damn armorlike a coward,exists?”, asked Natasha.

“Don’t let the mean Russian lady bait you, Wilson”,warned Clint delighted.

Natasha just smirked viciously. There was a reason theyhad put Clint and Nat on different teams. It was safer for everyoneinvolved. For the next half hour, the eight Avengers ran around andplayed soccer with each other, before Friday called a break.

“Good game so far, right, Tony?”, laughed Steve andslapped Tony’s ass in passing.

“You’re just happy no one has scored yet”, chuckledTony amused.

While the two leaders were laughing and joking around,Bucky glowered. His eyes grew darker and expression more sour andwhen Tony and Steve parted, Bucky cornered his best friend, wrappinga rather painful arm (the strong metal one) around Steve’s shoulders,squeezing.

“Steve, you may be my best friend but if you try andtouch Tony’s ass one more time, you gonna get a beating”, hissedBucky lowly.

“It was just a friendly slap, Buck”, laughed Stevemischievously. “And it’s not like Tony complained. Or like you havea right to complain for him, do you? It’s not like you ever actuallymanned up and confessed to him, right?”

Steve smiled lightly ashe escaped from Bucky’s grasp. For the rest of the game, Buckycontinued glaring dangerously to the point that everybody seemed totry and avoid him. And then ithappened. In the fight for the ball, Tony got an elbow into the ribsand went down flying, scratching his knee and arm on the ground,bleeding and holding his side. Before anyone else could even react,Bucky had already picked Tony up bridal style, cradling himprotectively to the chest.

“Uh, Winter Wonderland, I… can… walk”, offeredTony surprised.

“No. You’re hurt”, grunted Bucky gruffly and carriedTony off.

“Oh, come on. Put a bandaid on it and we can continueplaying!”, called Rhodey out. “Where-”

“Forget it, Rhodes”, sighed Steve, patting Rhodey onthe back. “Let fate unfold.”

“What does fate have to do with Mister Stark’sinjury?”, inquired Vision confused.

/break\

Vision was not the only one confused. So was Tony, whenhe was being placed on a bed in the med bay. Bucky kept glaringirritated as he rummaged through the cabinets and got everything totake care of Tony’s “injuries”. Really, they were nothing. He hadhad worse scrapped knees as a kid.

“Buckster?”, asked Tony gently. “I’m alright. Youknow that, right? I’m not actually injured. This is nothing. Youdon’t need to be angry with Clint for it. It was all just in thegame.”

“You’re bleeding.Barton will bleed for that”, growled Bucky.

And okay, Tony could literally see before his inner eyehow Clint, somewhere, jumped a meter high without knowing why andhopefully, he was going to hide somewhere. The one thing Tonycouldn’t figure out however was why Bucky was reacting this way?

“Hey. We’re a team. No maiming team-members,Snowflake”, chuckled Tony teasingly.

He nudged Bucky a little, but Bucky still looked veryserious as he, with very gentle hands, cleaned Tony’s wounds,disinfected them and then wrapped them. Tony couldn’t help but blushat just how gentle and careful Bucky was with him. He smiled softlyat it.

“Thank you, Buckaroo”, whispered Tony.

“I don’t… like whenyou’re hurt”, muttered Bucky frustrated while putting everythingaway, effectively avoiding Tony. “I don’t like it during missionswhen you get hurt. I don’t like when you accidentally hurt yourselfin your workshop. I don’t like… this…either.”

“I…”, started Tony, unsure what to say to that.“It’s okay? Everyone on the team gets hurt every now and again. Theimportant thing is that we’re all there for each other, right?”

“No. Not theteam. You”,grunted Bucky, frustrated that Tony didn’t get it.”I don’t likewhen you get hurt,Tony. Or… Or when people just… flirt with you and you flirt back,because you’re charming and nice and I just stand there and watchand-”

“…That… nearly sounds like you’re jealous”,laughed Tony amused.

His laughter died whenhe saw the hurt puppy-dog look on Bucky’s face. Oh. Oh.

“I… I get that you don’t-”, grumbled Bucky,running his fingers through his hair. “…want me.”

“Huh?”, grunted Tony with furrowed brows. “Whywould you get that? You’re amazing. Anyone would be an idiot not towant you. Look at you! You’re literally a super hot super soldier andhave you tried your baking because that enough would be enough tomake me want to marry you!”

Bucky’s head snapped up and he stared wide-eyed at Tony,tilting his head.  “What?”

Huffing, Tony got off the bed and walked over to Bucky,cupping his face. “You’re amazing. And I… like you a lot. I’mjust very busy and inter-team relationships can ruin everything and Ididn’t want to make things awkward by telling you and ruin the teamso, you know.”

“Okay. And if we… don’t ruin the team… do youthink we could… go on a date?”, asked Bucky.

He looked worried andunsure, which looked decidedly too adorable on Bucky, so Tony leanedin to kiss him very gently on the lips. The smile Bucky offered himafterward was simply blinding.

/break\

“Damn. I didn’t think your plan would work”, gruntedClint, stuffing his face with popcorn.

“Buck’s a naturally jealous fella”, chuckled Steveand shrugged.

“But couldn’t there have been a better way thansmacking Tony’s ass?”, snorted Rhodey.

“The flirting hadn’t been enough to push him”,shrugged Natasha thoughtfully.

“And something hadto happen about their sexual tension”, grunted Sam seriously.

The Avengers weresitting in the living room together, watching the live-feed from themedical center, where Bucky and Tony were currently kissing. Stevesmiled, very proud of himself for helping his two best friends gettogether, finally,after all these months of pining.

[1d-fics]

What I’m Reading April-June

Sorry for the long delay, I’ve really been lacking the motivation these past few months - but I am still reading fic! Here’s what I’ve been reading lately:

Re-Reads:

1. We’ll Be Seamless (dinosaursmate) - Louis spends all his spare time scrolling arty nude blogs on Tumblr but amongst them all, Green is his favourite.

2. Responsible Forever for What You Have Tamed (leighbot) - Harry runs away to escape his past and Louis has nowhere else to go to have a future.

3. Just Lay with Me (givemesumaurgravy) - Louis is the coach of Harry’s daughter’s football team and Harry likes Louis’ bum. One day there’s a parent football game and Louis, just maybe, starts hitting on Harry and, just maybe, Harry gives in.

4. For Better, Worse, and Mischief (I’m All Yours) (redorchid) - The One Direction PR management team decides that Harry needs to get married. Harry doesn't want to. Louis comes up with the perfect solution to the problem.

5. I’d Burn This City Down to Show You the Light (you_explode) - Harry’s a sheltered rich kid and Louis’ a punk with a heart of gold. They meet when Louis breaks into Harry’s house, Harry obtains an instant and all-encompassing crush, and they spend the summer falling into a whirlwind romance.

6. Hold My Breath (zarah5) - It's possible — possible — that his three-week ban from the football pitch makes Louis just a tad antsy. Surely it's not so bad that it warrants punishment in the form of his friends signing him up for a yoga class? Either way, Louis is determined to hate every second of it.He didn't count on a yoga instructor who wears flower-patterned headscarves and smiles like summer won't end.

7. In Dreams (dolce_piccante) - When Harry moves to a new city, his new flat come with a number of sweet, anonymous gifts and surprises that brighten his days. Could it be a friendly ghost? Another friendly presence in his new building is his tattooed neighbor, Louis, who seems determined to put a smile back on his face.

8. I Love You More (shoulderbone) - Boys like Harry can't fall in love. But then he meets Louis. A love story in two parts.

9. Standing on the Edge of Forever (ellao) - Harry Styles is a single father, just trying to keep his life organized after losing his husband four years earlier. Between his daughter, Liam's hellion twins, and Sophia throwing him into any romantic tangle she can think of, life gets a little crazy. Of course, everything changes the moment Lo and the twins get interested in their school musical, The Wizard of Oz. Because the new director, Louis Tomlinson, is just about the most attractive man that Harry has ever seen.

10. Cupid’s Chokehold (bluelemur) - Louis is a Cupid who tries to match up Niall and Harry. It doesn't work out as planned.

11. Hold Onto Your Stars (vashtaneradas) - Harry's in the army, Louis' back home, and ninety days is a lifetime.

12. Bring Out Feelings in Me I Never Show (orphan_account) - Louis accidentally hires a felon to be his fake boyfriend for Thanksgiving.

13. (Your Heartbeat) Rang True Inside My Bones (flimsy) - Harry goes as Louis' date for a weekend wedding. He ends up taking the role a bit too seriously.

14. Life at Shutter Speed (zarah5) - Having landed a job modelling for an outdoor clothing catalogue, Harry certainly wouldn’t mind doing some extracurricular work for photographer Louis Tomlinson. Say, a private photo session? Yes, please? Good thing that Harry has ten days and three beautiful locations -- Morocco, Indonesia and the Swiss Alps -- to make Louis see just how good they could be.

15. Three French Hems (100percentsassy, gloria_andrews) - In which Louis is a designer at Burberry and Harry spends December wearing Lanvin… and Lanvin… and Lanvin.

New Reads:

1. We are Timeless (star_henderson) - Louis and Harry meet as teenagers and have a sweet encounter in Ibiza. Years later they meet up again...

2. Tightrope (sadaveniren) - Louis gets pregnant from "one last time" sex and he and Harry somehow think they'll be able co-parent without it being weird for anyone (most especially their new boyfriends).

3. Ten Million Ways to Love Somebody (slashter) - Louis and Omega!Louis switch places and there's basically a lot of confusion and feelings and sex.

4. A Perfect Reason (chelsea frew) - During a visit to a charity he'd like to support, Prince Louis--next in line to the throne of the United Kingdom--meets Harry, the man of his dreams. Trouble is, Louis is not out, and the law says his heirs can only be born of a woman. Louis is determined not to let that stop his pursuit of Harry. His determination doubles when Harry accidentally becomes pregnant. He and Harry will have their little family--and change the monarchy while they're at it.

5. Building Castles in the Sky (sexyasswoman) - Louis has a four year old with a stuttering problem. Harry is always there to help.

6. You Cured My January Blues (Yeah You Made it All Right) (writtensoul) - Louis is a lonely old soul with nothing to keep him company but his wild, albeit dry humor - and maybe the pretty boy who works at the pet store down the road.

7. Nobody Shines the Way You Do (wildestdreams) - Louis pretends to be Harry’s boyfriend to help him win back his douchebag ex-boyfriend, but things don’t go according to plan.

8. Monsters at Home (theteapirate) - Everyone's eyes are on Harry, the beautiful, charming new student. Harry's only got eyes for the school golden boy: football captain Louis Tomlinson, whose homophobic father complicates matters a bit.

9. Stuck in the Middle with You (green_feelings) - When Harry starts university, he finally gets to spend every day with Louis again. They have been friends since forever, and would do anything for each other. Given that, Harry doesn't hesitate to pose as Louis' boyfriend once he finds out that his new roommate is no other than Louis' crush.

10. ZIAM I Breathe You in, but Honey I Don’t Know (sweetdisaster) - Liam's a new solo artist who's had a crush on Zayn for ages and Zayn's in One Direction and doesn't think it's a good idea.

11. That Lace Shirt (missandrogyny) - "Nope," Louis answers. "I demand compensation for the hurt and trouble I underwent."

12. Battle Cry (velvetoscar) - Harry's got a heart, a soul, and a band. And with that, obviously, comes a future paved in great success, right? So all he has to do is win the Battle of the Bands, right? Simple. What's not so simple is the fact that Louis Tomlinson is his biggest competition. And also happens to be made of everything that Harry's ever wanted.  

[larryfanfiction]

ABO 

Alpha Harry / Omega Louis

🌕 Where You Lay by HamPalpert (86k)

When Louis’s upcoming heat threatens his success at his new dream job, he asks the best (and only) person he can think of to help him through it: his best mates’ best mate, Harry Styles. Harry reluctantly accepts, and together the two navigate a strange friends with benefits relationship that quickly turns complicated.

🌕 Like Candy In My Veins by littlelouishiccups (31k)

“Um…” Harry said slowly after a moment. “Okay. That’s… this is… Let me get this straight.” He lifted up a hand and swallowed. “You told your family that you have a boyfriend… and my name was the first one you thought of?”

“Harry Potter was on TV, alright? It wasn’t that much of a stretch.” Louis pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn’t believe he was explaining himself to Harry fucking Styles. He couldn’t believe he was stooping this low. “Forget it. I’m sorry I even thought about bringing you into this.”

Harry snorted. “What? Did you want me to pretend to be your boyfriend or something?” (Basically the A/B/O, enemies to lovers, fake relationship, Christmas AU that nobody asked for.)

🌕 falling into you by stylinsoncity (143k)

In the grand scheme of adolescence and boyhood, Harry was still working himself out, so far with little luck. But four things he could say for certain: 1) he'd been at the top of his class all through primary and secondary school, 2) he was the shittiest alpha to ever walk the earth, 3) Liam Payne never let him forget it, and 4) he’d been in love with this boy, Louis Tomlinson, ever since he was fifteen years old.

🌕 i want you so much (but i hate your guts) by becauselarry (83k)

AU in which Louis gets accepted to play for the Manchester University Alpha-Beta Football Team. The only problem: Louis is actually an Omega. He is determined to make it big in the football world, though, and he can't do that bound to an Omega team. With the help of a faked doctor's certificate and some pretty strong suppressants he is ready to fight for his dream.

That Harry Styles (Alpha, second year and youngest football captain of the A-B team in ages) doesn't seem to like him complicates matters, though.

🌕 Strawberries & Cigarettes by dimpled_halo (74k)

Harry looks up and immediately freezes. Next to Ms. Archie stands the boy from just the other day. The boy with the leather jacket and chipped black nails, that might or might not be sketched in the very book Harry has just placed on the table in front of him. The leather jacket is missing today, probably because they aren’t allowed as part of their required uniform attire, but Harry can still see the fading black nail polish on his nails, and eyeliner around his eyes. Harry’s mouth goes a little dry. This boy is so intriguing to him.

“Ye-yes, Ms. Archie?” Harry tries to play it cool, but he’s almost positive that his cheeks are burning red, and he’s relieved neither of them can tell how fast his heart is beating in his chest.

The boy seems to also recognize Harry, because his lips curve into a knowing smirk.

“Harry is at the top of his class. He’s your best bet at getting familiar with things around here.” She explains.

Louis nods, his smirk still very prominent on his face. “Thank you Ms. Archie. I’ll be sure to take advantage of young Harold here.”

*

Summary: Two stories, eleven years, and the two boys that never stopped loving each other.

🌕 Love is like this; not a heartbeat, but a moan by angelichl (13k)

"He hates this, more than anything in the world he hates this. His title, his rank, his DNA. Unchangeable. Fated.

And then there’s Harry, born to be unobjectively superior to Louis and all other O’s. Unlike other A’s, Harry doesn’t wear his alpha-ness very well. He’s clumsy with it, like walking around in a pair of shoes a size too big. His life is defined by uncertainty and tentativeness, and those are definitely not qualities alphas should have.

Sometimes, when Louis ponders it for too long, he thinks that maybe Harry resents being an A just as much as Louis resents being an O."

In which Harry loves Louis, but Louis has been cold to him ever since he presented as an omega at age fifteen. Eight years later, Louis approaches Harry with a request, and who is Harry to deny him?

🌕 Cold Little Heart by seducedbycurls (194k)

Louis is a soft omega with an abusive past and an alpha child A few months after getting a divorce, Louis meets Harry, an ex-military alpha wolf that offers him something -odd.

In exchange for teaching him how to cook, Harry will babysit his son, Abraham Louis really could use the help.

🌕 Symphony Hall Series by HelloAmHere @helloamhere  (137k)

“I think I have an idea,” Louis said. Slowly, and reluctantly, but with a growing sense of the inevitable. “God damnit, I think I have a really good idea.”

“Oh christ, that’s the problem-solving face,” Babs said. “Last time we saw that face, he sold a company.”

“Wait, what?” Zayn asked.“Right place, right time,” Louis said. “Also, fuck my life,”

“What?” Zayn repeated. Niall patted his hand.“I usually just roll with whatever Louis is about to do,” he said. “It’s better for us all.”

“That’s the attitude,” said Louis, “I’ll tell you tomorrow. Tonight, I need to do some research. Zayn, give me your number. I’m gonna save our symphony.”

🌕 Pray for some Sweet Simplicity by delsicle (237k)

Louis is the only omega to ever make it in the cut-throat world of competitive motorcycle racing—that is, he would be if anyone actually knew about his identity. Now, his sights are set towards competing in—and winning—the European Grand Prix, the biggest and most difficult race of the entire year, so he can disappear underground for good. He’s close enough, too, until an alpha sports journalist is assigned to follow Louis’s every move as he prepares for the event of his career.

Or, an AU where motorcycle racing is the biggest sport in a heavily divided world, Louis is trying to take control of his own destiny, and Harry is in for more than he bargained for.

🌕 As Deep as the Sky by swallowsmateforlife (12k)

A passed-out omega on the bathroom floor isn’t exactly what Harry had in mind when he thought about taking a cute boy home. The idea of leaving Louis there, vulnerable and unresponsive, weighs guiltily at Harry’s conscience. Turns out it’s the best decision he’ll ever make.

🌕 You Burn With the Brightest Flame by sarcasticfluentry (34k)

Harry frowns, thinking that he shouldn’t have to be glad about what gender he is, just like omegas shouldn’t have to be scared and nervous that anyone they meet might want to hurt them. He wonders why none of this occurred to him before, how he possibly could’ve just sailed through life before this without realizing how fortunate he was being born a beta. That seems a bit too serious of a conversation for Simon Cowell’s waiting room, though, so Harry puts an arm around Louis’s shoulders and teases, “You say that like you’re old or something. Two years isn’t that big of a difference!”

“Tell me that when you’re eighteen and looking back on this conversation,” Louis says.

“Well that’s - that’s different, isn’t it? We could be anywhere in two years, we could be famous.

”Louis’s eyes light up, his smile widening. “You think so?”

…or, the X-Factor Era A/B/O fic.

🌕 Swim In The Smoke by whoknows (101k)

 “What about this, Captain?” Liam asks, nudging the boy kneeling between their feet with the toe of his boot. The boy hisses and swipes at him, slurring out something unintelligible around the makeshift gag Niall had to stuff in his mouth. He misses by a mile and tries again, just as ineffectively. Harry looks down at him, at the way the sun streams over his face and shoulders, at the way the gag stretches his mouth, lips pink and chapped. He’s lithe and pretty, smudged all over with dirt. They had found him tied up below deck, mostly unconscious, next to a barrel full of gold. He’s clearly a prisoner, but there’s something familiar about him, something that niggles at Harry’s brain. Something he can’t quite put his finger on. “Put him in my cabin,” Harry decides, turning back to deal with the rest of the loot. The boys screams out jumbled curse words at Harry’s back, muffled by the gag, and Harry can’t understand any of it.

🌕 With Love Comes Strange Currencies by mediaville (16k) 

One day One Direction will be over and Louis won’t be around Harry every waking moment. He’ll be able to finally get some space, let their bond dissipate as it’s bound to do, if they don’t mess up again. He can move to Costa Rica and forget that Harry Styles popped his first knot inside him. Until then, he’s going to have to deal with this. or, They’re Accidentally Mated and Dealing With It Rather Badly.

🌕 Mr. Tomlinson by iwillpaintasongforlou (4k)

Louis is a billionaire CEO who makes grown men cry and rival companies crumble. He’s also an omega. Harry is the quiet cupcake of a man he calls his alpha and the only one who gets to see Louis as anything less than fearsome.

🌕 If Anyone Knew by StarFar (50k)

Harry’s a young alpha who’s strangely gentle. Louis’ an omega who’s strangely protective. Being the only ones in the band who aren’t betas they automatically empathise with each other and decide that it’s their job to look after each other.

Or Harry and Louis through the early One Direction years in an a/b/o universe.

🌕 Settle Down With Me by ItsLivvvy (12k)

I have always loved him, Louis. I will always love him. From childhood till the day we part.

OR

When Louis and Harry slowly fall in love from childhood forward and build their dream together.

🌕 Cameras Flashing by juliusschmidt (81k)

With his breakout single platinum three times over and his second album still selling out in stores around the world, Louis Tomlinson has made it to the top. However, his position as Pop Heartthrob of the Decade is threatened by the edgier, more artistic Zayn, who happens to be releasing an album a week after Louis’ upcoming third. Louis needs something groundbreaking- scandalous, even- to push past him in the charts. Much to Louis’ dismay, his PR team calls in The Sexpert.

Consulting with PR firm Shady, Lane and Associates pays the bills so that Harry Styles can spend his down time doing what he really loves: poring over data. On weekends and late into the evenings, he researches gender, presentation, and sexual orientation, analysing the longitudinal study that is his father’s life’s work. That is, until his newest client, the popstar with the fascinating secret, drags him off his couch and frighteningly close to the spotlight.

As the album’s release date approaches, will Tomlinson and Styles be able to pull off the most risky PR scheme of the millennium and beat Zayn in sales or will the heat of their feelings for each other compromise everything?

🌕  Didn’t Fall For You (You Fucking Tripped Me) by @allwaswell16 (15k)

These days Louis tends to steer clear of dating alphas. He’s dated too many knotheads in his time, and he’s ready to just focus on school and his friends and his pet monitor lizard, of course.

Too bad the alpha next door won’t take a hint and stop using the worst pick up lines of all time on him. He’s really got to stop laughing with him–and talking to him and walking to class with him and letting him bring him coffee and tea and gifts for his lizard and watching Netflix together and…

Alpha Louis / Omega Harry

🌕 Stars Will Align For Us by 2tiedships2 (15k)

"The serial monogamist is single," Niall said by way of introduction when he sat down across from Harry in the canteen.

Harry sipped his chocolate milk. "What are you going on about?"

"Your alpha dream boat," Niall said. "That tiny little footie player? I heard from Hannah that he's broken it off with his boyfriend so he’s single and ready to flamingle. Now's the time to make your move."

Harry sipped his chocolate milk harder to keep himself from replying.

Or the one where Harry is an omega at a loss of how to get past his pining and gain the attention of Louis...especially considering the alpha is always in a relationship.

🌕 But Please, Don't Bite by shyserious (122k)

"Melodic little jingle sounded from a bell hanging over the doorframe and warm indoor air curled heavily around his shivering body for the first time in months. Harry suddenly felt a sting in the corners of his eyes and had to force down a broken sob. Fuck, he was a mess. Such a mess. He had to focus."

🌕 wanna taste your heart, don't interfere by (orphan_account) (16k)

Harry still remembers how unsure he felt when he first told Louis, how self-conscious he was. Louis had been nothing but understanding and kind, though, reassuring him that nothing’s going to change between them, that they’re still best friends regardless of sex. Harry had been mostly relieved at that, because he really doesn’t want to lose Louis as a friend over this, but another part of him had been a bit sad because… well, because nothing changed between them. Or rather, there is change, but it’s completely one-sided as far as Harry can tell.

This change being him not getting enough of the way Louis smells. He just can’t help it, is the thing, unable to stop himself from trying to subtly press his nose against the fabric of Louis’ shirt by his shoulders. He still smells like faint cologne and sweat, which is enough to make Harry start feeling slightly dizzy.

(harry presents as an omega, louis is his alpha best friend, and there are hidden feelings that just get harder to control.)

🌕 lemon eyes by turnyourankle (50k)

It's not proper for omegas to mess around with alphas before finding their bondmate. But Harry doesn't give a damn what's proper and fully intends on getting as much experience as he can before even trying to find one. As far as he's concerned, the right alpha won't care, and he'll have some fun on the way.

And who better to start with than Louis Tomlinson, the alpha with the worst reputation on campus?

🌕 hard to confess by hereforlou (24k)

One, they only did it without a condom once (and a half) and not during his heat. Never during his heat. Two, he never once forgot to take his birth control (he’s almost sure). Three, his plan is to be married for a year before he even starts trying for a baby, and not only is he very, very single, him and Louis aren’t even sleeping together anymore. Which brings him to reason number four why this can’t be happening: Louis. Louis doesn’t want a baby with Harry. (Or, the one where Harry knows he messed up and Louis knows nothing.)

🌕 Drunk on Rose Water by brainwaves (9k)

It’s the first time in a few years that Harry has a strong desire to risk everything for something he loves.The last time, it was being a fashion model. This time, it’s Louis.

🌕 The Beast You’ve Made of Me by ashtarok/ orphan_account (4k)

The bell tinkled, and Harry froze as an overpowering scent, musky and thick, crisp and slightly sweet, yet utterly masculine, delightfully tickled his senses. Harry’s eyes slowly slid up to see the source of this wonderful scent, and his breath was taken away at the sex god before him, all muscled and compact and utterly screaming of Alpha. Icy blue eyes stared him down, set off by sharp cheekbones, a stubbled jaw that looked yummy enough to nibble on, and caramel hair, which was lazily gelled, a few pieces falling over his forehead. His skin was tan, his hands strong and steady, his biceps still clearly visible even through his jacket. Every fiber of Harry’s being stood at full alert. The one where Harry’s a vanilla-sweet Omega and Louis walks into his bakery one day.

🌕 The Bond That Can't Be Broken by louisgrindsonharry (10k)

Louis’ an alpha and Harry’s an omega. They never really stood a chance.

🌕 Between the Shadow and the Soul by MiniMangaFan/ orphan_account (6k)

“It’s just easier to stay in Donny and train, Haz,” Louis says quietly. “Two transatlantic flights in less than a week right before a big match is a terrible idea. We should have known that before, but...”

Harry nods. It’s reasonable. It’s totally, completely reasonable and Harry can support that. Another five or six days of not being able to hold Louis’ hand and kiss him sweetly is killing Harry, but he can handle it. “Okay, so that’s, what, the 20th that you’ll be coming over here?”

Louis hesitates, and Harry has to bite back a frustrated growl. “I’ve got writing sessions and time in the studio scheduled as of yesterday, plus I’m supposed to get papped clubbing in London again and just… it’s shit but there’s no time to make the trip until early May, at the least.”

Or, Harry and Louis spend a month apart.

🌕 Let’s Embrace The Point Of No Return by sweaterpawstyles (6k)

Louis was a whole new scale of beautiful, he was richer than Harry could've ever imagined, and he was the most powerful, dominant alpha that Harry had ever come in contact with. The only problem now is that Louis is also Harry's boss.

Louis believed Harry was an alpha, and had no idea about how he had lied about his status just to get an interview with Louis. He was in too deep now and he couldn't look back.

Or

Harry is an omega intern at an all alpha company. Louis is his boss. There's some complications.

🌕 All These Lights by MediaWhore (34k)

“People vote for alphas because they’re strong and they’re not only beautiful but also mesmerizing. They make you want to give them all of your attention, make you want to beg for some of theirs back. They’re shiny, oozing sex appeal and a commanding presence, and people always want more and more. Omegas are enticing too for sure, but it’s not the same. It makes people uncomfortable. It doesn’t make them want to root for you.”the canon fic where Harry is an omega and dreams come with a price.

🌕 resolutions and lovers in the kitchen by MarchieTheHare/orphan_account (10k)

Their dinner’s probably going cold, but this feels monumental. So instead of sitting them down on the table and talking about it face to face over chicken and pasta, Harry just puts his hands over Louis’ where they’re settled on his lower stomach, not letting the moment slip past them. He takes a deep breath, carefully arranging his thoughts. “She looks really lovely, Louis. Positively glowing. Her bump’s so big, and…” he trails off, breath hitching slightly when Louis lifts his hand higher, settling it right over Harry’s stomach, and that’s—

“And what, baby?” Louis asks, voice now dropped to a whisper, and Harry has to take a moment to collect his thoughts.

“She, um. She knows about you, of course, and she asked me when we’re—when we’re having a baby of our own.”

(harry teaches little kids and louis writes sports articles. they're trying for a baby.)

🌕 i’ll be hurt from the heat (running from the heat) by itiswhatitisbutterfly (11k)

It’s engrained into him, nothing else matters, protecting Harry at all costs is what pumps his heart and floods his veins. It’s just, he didn’t count on the one thing Harry would need protecting from would be himself.

(Harry and Louis are in love, and they are probably soul mates. They just can’t be bond mates because despite the undeniable pull, it’s them against the world.) 

Alpha Harry / Alpha Louis

🌕 No Easy Love (Could Make Me Feel This Way) by allwaswell16 (17k)

There’s never been anyone for Harry but Louis. He had always thought their love would last forever, despite society’s pressures on an alpha/alpha relationship. When Louis breaks up with him and moves to Chicago, he’s suddenly left behind to pick up the pieces of the life they once shared. Instead of moving on, he finds reasons to keep Louis in his life and in the process begins to piece together what went wrong.

Or an Alpha Louis/Alpha Harry au where they get a second chance to make things right with the love of their life.

🌕 Alpha Seeking Alpha by jaerie (3k)

Maybe it's taboo, but Louis can't stop thinking about a strong alpha holding him down and filling him with a knot. Louis may be alpha himself yet there's a corner of the internet where he can get what he wants. He finally has the courage to do it.

🌕 Cancel your reservations, no more hesitations by 14hrflight (22k)

Louis still has his eyes on the bill when he barges into Harry’s room without knocking because he doesn’t want to get evicted and the smell hits him first.

It’s overly sweet and unnatural, and his stomach drops because it smells like an omega. Louis eyes widen and he looks up and - Harry’s on his hands and knees, a half spilled bottle of synthetic omega slick next to him and a huge, knotted dildo pressing into his hole. Harry’s face is flushed and he looks fucked-out and -

“I’m sorry!” Louis squeaks out and quickly backtracks, face red, because he wasn’t supposed to see that and Harry’s an alpha but he - Louis isn’t going to judge him.

--

Louis is an alpha and so is Harry, but Louis helps him through his rut anyway.

🌕 swimming in a champagne sea by delsicle (16k)

Louis is a supermodel. Harry is a celebrity photographer known for capturing the brightest up and comers in their most candid moments. They meet at London’s most exclusive New Year’s Eve party.

An alpha/alpha fic filled with confusion, banter, Ubers, and glitter

Omega Harry / Omega Louis

🌕 A Firm Believer and a Warm Receiver by objectlesson (10k) @horsegirlharry

a few months ago, Louis had his first heat. It was no big deal, aside from it being awkward and weird and all the other things it was supposed to be. He figured he would present as an omega, so he wasn’t exactly surprised or anything.

But then, last week, Harry had his first heat, too.Or, the omega/omega sleepover fic no one asked for but y'all really, really need.

🌕 Even Your Honey Dew by objectlesson (9k)

It probably says something about Harry that he’s so obsessed with another omega’s arse.

[eternalsterekrecs]

any new sterek highschool au?

Well, our absolute favs are under our High School AU tag but, because we don’t want you to lack anything, here is a rec of doom (there’s more than 30 fics here) with all the other fics I’ve read in the last few months/years! - C

HIGH SCHOOL AU

Just Pretend by dragon_temeraire

Stiles tells his dad he has a boyfriend. The problem is, he doesn’t actually have one.

Something New Is Going to Happen by dragon_temeraire

Stiles accidentally discovers that their school mascot is super cute.

All the broken hearts in the world still beat by dragon_temeraire

Stiles totally needs to make Lydia Martin jealous. Yeah. And his best chance is to convince star lacrosse player Derek Hale to (fake) date him.

Smile On The Sidelines by clotpolesonly

Derek was not pining.

Not to say that he didn’t miss Stiles, didn’t want to be with him at that moment (or literally any moment, to be quite honest), but he wasn’t one of those obnoxious clingy people who lost track of the world as soon his boyfriend was out of his sight.

It was just a basketball game anyway.

“Five Days in Detention” (A Future Song by Stiles Stilinski) by alisvolatpropiis

It’s still preseason, sure, but he needs to be practicing. He led the team to the State semifinals last year, and he’s determined to not only make it to the finals this year, but to win the title. He should be on the field right now, practicing his play calls and prepping for next week’s season opener against Saint Pius.

And he can’t do that if he’s wasting his time in detention with these losers. There are a couple of burnouts lazing over some seats by the window, one kid with his face on a desk, hood over his head, and a few Goth kids are sitting in the back corner, looking surly and morose. Maybe you wouldn’t be so miserable if you didn’t listen to such shitty music, he thinks, turning towards his usual seat in the back of the room.

He pauses for the briefest of moments when he sees who’s already sitting there, in the second-to-last row, black-clad limbs spread out, acoustic guitar in his lap, long fingers casually plucking at the strings.

Stiles Stilinski.

How to Woo Your Local Omega by alocalband

Stiles knows a pity gift when he sees one. Mostly because that’s all he’s ever gotten from anyone since the moment he hit puberty.

Five Times Derek Literally Falls for Stiles (and One Time… They Both Fall) by myhomeboy_stilinski

Five times Derek is a failwolf and literally falls for Stiles Stilinski.And one time they fall together.

Warning: A little bit cracky and contains meddling.

Try Again by dragon_temeraire

Derek has to egg a house to be part of the popular group. Too bad the house ends up being the Sheriff’s.

Sleeping Next To You Is Like Magic by LadyDrace

Stiles and Derek meet the summer before senior year. Stiles can’t sleep, Derek helps with that, and there’s a lot less cuddling and a lot more emotional crises than you’d think.

Or:

Stiles’ feelings happen so much, and learning how to deal with them takes him a little while. Good thing Derek is happy to wait.

Shut Up And Dance With Me by maiNuoire

Stiles has been in love with Derek forever. Senior Prom feels like his last chance to do something about it, but he’s a bundle of nerves. And then, inspiration strikes.

made from the heart by bleep0bleep

Derek has been crushing on Stiles for awhile, and thinks maybe this Christmas season he’ll tell him how he feels. He’s got a great present too, except when Stiles gives him a thoughtful handmade present, Derek is pretty much screwed.

~

Stiles smiles at Derek. “It was just a nice thought, you know? I just think gifts that people take their time to make are just so sweet.”“Handmade,” Derek says faintly.

Like James Dean, Only Sadder by 42hrb

The star of the Beacon Hills High School baseball team and Beacon Hills resident bad boy probably have nothing in common, right?

atom to atom by jadore_hale

“So, you’re telling me that you hate Derek so much that you wouldn’t leap at the chance to jump his bones?”

“That’s different!” Stiles cried.

“How exactly?”

“Because unfortunately for me, Derek’s hotter than the Earth’s mantle. All we need is one rough hate-fuck— Preferably in the chem lab, role-playing sexy chemist while he bends me over one of the tables—and I’ll get him out of my system. That’s as far as our relationship will ever go.”

Stiles glanced across the cafeteria to where Derek was still fail-eating his lunch and sighed so put out.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go make fun of Derek eating organic baby carrots.”

don’t go breakin’ my heart [i couldn’t if i tried] by crossroadswrite

Contrary to popular belief, Derek Hale – co-captain of the basketball team and AP student who volunteers in the library – isn’t actually as smooth as people might think.

In a Straight Line Down by standinginanicedress

“So you want to go to Prom with me just so you can get a plastic crown and a fifty dollar gift card to Outback Steakhouse.”

Stiles sets his jaw. He wants to go to prom with Derek because he wants to go to prom with Derek. But, of course, he’s stubborn and prideful and can’t admit to Derek how it’s barely been twelve hours since they officially broke up and he’s already barely handling it as it is, so he just raises his chin in the air and says, “yes.”

we should just kiss (like real people do) by i_am_girlfriday

Stiles is the social zero of the sophomore class. Derek is the much cooler junior who befriends Stiles anyway.

Shut Me Down by lazykisses

Even when Derek’s an asshole, which is 75% of the time (90% on a rainy day), with his deadpan humor and cocky eyebrows and his annoyingly vague text messages (like that one time Stiles asked him if he’d studied for Chemistry and Derek replied with “hn”. What the hell does ‘hn’ even mean?), Stiles doesn’t mind. And that kinda scares him.

It’s Too Early For This by thepsychicclam

Derek loves his job at the coffee shop, especially because Stiles comes in for coffee before early Saturday morning lacrosse practices. The problem is that Derek is too shy to do anything about his crush, and the situation is not helped by the rivalry between the basketball and lacrosse teams.

Hotsky to Trotsky by paintedrecs

Derek had his future mapped out: there’d be graduation, followed by college, followed by (he hoped) a good grad school, then a career as a professor whose students didn’t spend their time flicking paper footballs at each other and obsessing over their dating lives. He had good friends, a good family, and no time to focus on distractions like high school gossip or relationships.

He hadn’t factored Stiles Stilinski - lacrosse player, class clown, part of the popular crowd, currently spending his entire day staring at Derek and smiling - into his plans.

more by bibliosexual

It starts when Derek is sitting in study hall and the guy ahead of him–-Stiles something, the Polish kid with all the moles–-mutters, “Ugh, what’s sixty percent of fifty-five?”

“Thirty-three,” Derek says without having to think about it. He’s always been good at math.

“Oh, thanks, dude,” Stiles says. “I forgot my calculator, and Mr. Harris is a dick who won’t let me go get it.”

“No problem,” Derek says.

He assumes that’s it, that’s the end of the conversation, but Stiles catches up to him in the hall after class, scuffs his sneaker against the floor and says, “Hey, so, you’re really good at math. Like, you solved that in your head, right? No calculator?“

"Yeah,” Derek says, and Stiles bites his lip, asks, “Do you maybe wanna study with me later, in the library?”

Derek does.

i wanna dance with somebody (who loves me) by bleep0bleep

Derek gets in an accident and loses a few years of his memory; suddenly everything is different— he’s not a freshman loser anymore, but a popular senior, captain of the basketball team, a shoo-in for prom king, too, and he should have everything he’s ever wanted— except he doesn’t seem to be friends with Stiles anymore.

Bro-lentine’s Day by WhoNatural

It’s actually pretty cool that Derek came back to school after a summer eating spinach and lifting small trains or whatever to become a guardian angel to the easy targets of BHHS.

Don’t Judge a Derek By His Cover by captaintinymite

Stiles doesn’t care about the rumors surrounding Beacon Hills High School’s resident bad boy, Derek Hale. In fact, he thinks the rumors are total crap. Of course, being secretly in love with someone has a way of clouding one’s judgment.

However, he knew for a fact that Derek liked books. So when the two paired up for a final English project, he was excited (but also a little terrified).

But you know what they say…never judge a book by its cover. The same goes for people.

Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon by secondstar

Being a teenager sucks. Being a werewolf teenager sucks even more. With a life full of holding back who he really is, not having any privacy whatsoever, and the seemingly sudden appearance of one Stiles Stilinski, Derek Hale’s life just got a whole lot harder.

(I Hate to Be) The One to Ruin the Night by wishingonalightningbolt

High school senior Derek Hale only has one goal for the rest of his time left at BHHS: avoid Stiles Stilinski. He’s wreaked enough havoc as it is, having spent all summer breaking Derek’s heart. Everything would be better for both of them if they just never saw each other again.

-0-

Derek doesn’t plan on ever getting mixed up with Scott McCall and his little gang of idiot friends. In fact, if he knew to avoid it, he would, but he guesses he just isn’t smart enough. Unfortunate, considering the consequences.

John Hughes Did Not Direct My Life by nascentgalaxies

Stiles and Derek are childhood friends who drifted apart. When Stiles joins the lacrosse team against his will, the universe (with a little help from Laura and Lydia) chooses to push them back together.

But Then What... by Stoney

Senior year is almost over, and all Stiles needs to do is keep his head down to survive. A teacher calls in a favor, leaving him stuck tutoring Derek Hale, one of the most popular jocks in school and a member of a group of douchecanoes who have bullied Stiles for years. He's someone Stiles totally hates. Totally. Like, doesn't like him even a little bit. DEFINITELY isn't attracted to him.

Except that is a total lie. Fuck his life, seriously.

I know you love and hate me too by trilliastra

“Right.” Derek coughs and Stiles knows he realized his mistake. Good – he thinks, maybe next time he'll learn not to make Stiles fall in love with him. “Hum – we are almost finishing here, John.”

“I'll be in my bedroom.” Stiles says. “And his first name is Sheriff!”

Fucking Derek Hale.

Wait For It by otatop

Funny, how you can exist adjacent to someone through elementary, middle, and high school and not really know them. Funny, how Stiles had always had some strange crush on Derek without actually being his friend.

It’s like he’s all that by MemeKon

Stiles is different. Stiles is not nice under any definition of the word, he’s such an asshole. Sure, he’s a good guy deep down, he punched Jackson square in the jaw when he mocked the McCall kid for an asthma attack that one time, and Derek knows he helped Erica Reyes get that video of her seizure taken down, but he’s so—

"Fuck off, Derek." Stiles tells him without sparing him a glance when Derek sits next to him on chemistry. "I’m not up to play She’s All That with you, dude."

-yeah.

(School crushes are so complicated.)

The Scheming Rhymes of Romance by sofonisba_found

Stiles currently was, and had been, Derek's poetic muse for years. Not that Stiles was really all that aware of that fact.

But when Stiles does find out about it their senior year of high school, he's pretty okay with it.

Alright, so he is definitely a lot more than okay with it.

A story in which Derek writes copious amounts of poetry, Stiles is very appreciative of said poetry as well as Derek's smile, and all of their friends are oddly and extremely invested in seeing these two get their act together.

Easy Alpha by interropunct

Easy A/Teen Wolf AU. Wherein, Derek Hale is the high school hussy, Jackson and Scott really need to learn to use their inside voices. And, contrary to popular belief, everyone is still a virgin.

[onceuponaprincessworld]

CaptainSwan Fic Rec p.2

This is my second fic rec which contains some of my favorites cs fics, most of them are au. Hope you enjoy! 

MULTICHAPTER

A Thin Line,  curiousconstellations , Complete

http://archiveofourown.org/works/4245585/chapters/9607032

Killian Jones and Emma Swan have at least one thing in common: their mutual hatred for each other. When a work assignment forces them to be around each other they discover that perhaps the lines between emotions are sometimes difficult to distinguish. (Modern CS AU)

A Million Shores and Bays,  piratesails, Complete

http://archiveofourown.org/works/5815825/chapters/13402480

It isn’t exactly her fault she’s come to trust a man she’s never met over, well, any other man she’s actually met. It’s what makes all of it safer, easier even, knowing that there’s no way she can actually fuck it all up by running away when she’s already away to begin with. Pen Pals AU.

Accidentally in Love,  CaptainSwanLuver, Complete

http://archiveofourown.org/works/4201977/chapters/9493005

Emma Swan needs to be married by 30 in order to receive the money from her trust fund and save her failing business. Killian Jones is the thief who just tried to rob her store. The two strike a deal: Killian will pretend to marry Emma and she won’t send him to jail.

Across the Sea,  thejollypirate, Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11268999/1/Across-the-Sea

The unintentional, unpleasant run-in Killian Jones, lead singer and guitarist of The Ruthless Pirates, makes with the blonde stranger who is apparently his manager's friend doesn't stop him from starting a special bond with her while he has the chance. Long distance relationship AU.                                      

Alone with You, totheendoftheworldortime79, Complete

  https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10696977/1/        

Captain Swan Modern AU. Star investigative journalist Emma Swan needs nothing and no one, except her job. What happens when she meets her new boss's brother, Killian Jones?     

Body Language,  effulgentcolors, Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9835782/1/

Killian is the captain of the football team and Emma is your 'nerdy girl'. They also happen to be Ruby's brother and best friend and she is frustrated with them both.

Burning in the fire of a thousand smiles,  qqueenofhades, Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11442201/1/

Modern British Royalty AU. HRH The Princess of Wales, Emma Windsor, rather literally runs into her bodyguard's little brother, shy librarian Killian Jones, at a benefit gala, and sparks unexpectedly fly. But can they make a relationship work in the glare of the spotlight, and with Captain Liam Jones' own dark past? 

Caught Inside,  amagicalship, Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11660023/1/

Captain Swan/Point Break AU. FBI Agent Emma Swan goes undercover to determine if a gang of surfers is responsible for a recent string of priceless art heists. What she doesn't expect is to get in too deep with one of the suspects. Can she keep her head above the water as the stakes get higher? Or will the waves of danger leave her caught inside? 

Cause I'm Broken (When I'm Open), bisexual-killian-jones (aelover867), Complete

 http://archiveofourown.org/works/2461034

Emma hated her brother's new best friend, Killian Jones. But who said that she had to hate fucking him?

Guilty, Your Honor,  shipping-goggles , Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12137813/1/Guilty-Your-Honor

Modern!AU Captain Swan. "It was a one-time thing," is definitely one of the last things you want to say to your new boss on your first day at work. For lawyer Emma Swan, this case is open-and-shut. The verdict? Completely hopeless. 

Heart by Heart,  totheendoftheworldortime79, Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10924345/1/

Emma Nolan, rich, famous, heiress to Nolan Tech, frustrated by her life, unable to get anyone to take her seriously as a businesswoman, flees to her New York life for Hawaii. A chance meeting with grad student-turned-mechanic Killian Jones might change her life forever. If she lets it. 

Hepless,  the-lady-of-mist-haven, Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11258417/1/Helpless

Killian Jones is a single dad, working for a better life for himself and his son Liam. He does not feel like he needs a woman in his life. Until one night he ends up in ER with his son and meets a gorgeous pediatrician, who may flip his world around.

Halfway,  charmedtomeetyou, Complete

http://archiveofourown.org/works/4103200

It's been years since they've seen each other, but former best friends Killian Jones and Emma Swan meet up for lunch one day and end up spending the afternoon and evening together at the annual Miners' Festival. Much has happened to them since they were close - and none of it very happy. Can they go back to being easy friends, or has it turned to something else entirely? A modern AU (no curse).

I Lied,  dashingswan, Complete

http://archiveofourown.org/works/5307518/chapters/12253859

CS + we broke up months ago, but you’re in the hospital after getting seriously injured today and oh i am still your emergency contact (angstier then it sounds)

I See The Light (Now That I See You),  bisexual-killian-jones, Wip

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10872039/1/  

Emma was twenty-six when she could finally see colors, after she had lost faith in it ever happening to her. She just wasn't quite expecting it to be him. AU where you only see black and white until you meet your soulmate.

Icing on the Cake,  startswithhope, Complete

http://archiveofourown.org/works/3280049/chapters/7155497

"is that REALLY what you want us to write on your custom-order cake?" Modern AU / Killian and Emma meet over the phone and enter into an unlikely partnership.

Instantly in Love,  haleigh91, Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10364024/1/

Captain Swan AU. Emma Swan is the co-owner and manager of a popular bar in New York where her star bartender is the cocky Killian Jones. In their public lives, they hate each other. Little do they know that in their personal, online lives, the person that they've been chatting with for weeks (the one they've so desperately somehow fallen for) just so happen to be each other.

Lethologica,  Lifeinahole, Complete

http://archiveofourown.org/works/6559507

Maybe if they could find the right word to describe their friendship, everything else would fall into place.

Make You Feel My Love, XerxesRises , Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11080890/1/

Emma Swan is trying to make her way in the world with her young son, Henry, and failing miserably. Enter Killian Jones, a damaged soul himself, and his young son, Liam. Can these two broken people build a life and a family together? Modern AU.

More Than A Memory,  alwaysbeenapirate, Complete

http://archiveofourown.org/works/3529019

He didn't remember much - and he didn't remember her. The accident changed their lives and sent Emma into a tailspin, desperately waiting for Killian to come back to her. But when he finally wakes up from his coma, the past six years are gone. Despite him having no recollection of their love, a broken yet determined Emma refuses to give up on them. She's got her work cut out for her, but some memories are definitely worth fighting for.

No Way In Hell,  effulgentcolors, Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10560389/1/

Heartthrob Killian Jones and Hollywood's ice queen Emma Swan are chasing their dreams, hating each other since before their first meeting and thinking they will just have to tolerate the other while the shooting of their latest movie lasts. But there's some fine print on their contracts and it seems that they don't know quite what they have signed up for, both on and off set.

Not a romcom movie,  paradisdesbilles, Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10586775/1/

Modern Lieutenant Duckling. "I'm not interested in being made the butt monkey of the school, or being some social experiment where you're trying to have me elected prom king or what have you, until we realise we've been falling in love all along and have our first kiss on an Adele song. Not interested. Savvy?" "I – I'm not planning to fall in love with you." "Good. Neither am I." 

Oh, Brother...,  the-captains-ayebrows (EscapistFiction317704), Complete

http://download.archiveofourown.org/works/6849493

FAKE DATING AU!!!! Emma's roommate Liam is still recovering from a nasty breakup, but his brother Killian is constantly trying to get him back into the dating scene. When Emma finds out that Killian is coming to visit for the weekend, she offers to pretend to be Liam's girlfriend to get his brother off his back. It's just for a couple of days after all. What could go wrong?

Read All About It,  Kymbersmith90, Complete

http://archiveofourown.org/works/7924948

Using Twitter to ask an actual princess on a date may not have been Killian's best idea... until it was.

Search and Rescue,  onceuponajollyroger , Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11255395/1/

When Killian Jones, a rescue swimmer for the US Coast Guard, pulled Emma Swan from the unforgiving sea he had no idea she would end up rescuing him right back.

Separate Lives,  lenfaz, Complete

http://archiveofourown.org/works/3259703

Set after 3x20 "Kansas". After saving the town one more time, Emma decided to return to New York, leaving her past behind. Three years later, she realizes that might be not have been the best decision.

Sharing Space,  singingisfun, Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10994250/1/

After two years, Emma comes for visit and Killian offers to let her use his room while she's there.

Sign of Attraction,  headoverhook, Complete

http://archiveofourown.org/works/3172678

Some day she was going to find a way to kill him without leaving a trace. Hopefully it would happen before he drove her insane. Neighbors AU.

Sometimes It Hurts,  captain_k_jones, Complete

 http://archiveofourown.org/works/4238109

After 8 years of marriage, Killian and Emma Jones are in the middle of a very public divorce. Clueless to why Emma is ready to end their marriage, the truth is a greater hardship than Killian could ever imagine.

The Pirate Next Door,  the-captains-ayebrows , Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11203013/1/

Captain Swan Modern AU: A handsome stranger moves into the apartment right next to Emma Swan's. Emma isn't ready for romance, but what harm could come of making friends with the charming self-proclaimed "pirate" whose bedroom shares a wall with hers?

The Reformed Scoundrel, headoverhook, Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11408528/1/

Emma's dire situation calls for desperate measures, proposing marriage to a duke seems to be the only way to protect her son, and there is just one nobleman who might consider such an outrageous offer - Killian Jones, the Duke of Hillsborough, the most notorious rake the ton has ever seen.

The Trouble with Faking It,  nowforruin, Complete

http://archiveofourown.org/works/3878953

Killian Jones is one drunken mistake from never setting foot on a movie set again. Enter Emma Swan, the woman his manager has paid to pretend to date him and clean up his image. It seems straightforward enough...but there's always trouble with faking it..

Wildest Dreams, swanssong, Complete

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11307323/1/

When rising star Emma Swan has a one night stand with a gorgeous man she picked up at her manager's engagement party, she doesn't expect to see him ever again. But of course her life is not that easy.

Kentledge Hall,  dassala, Wip

http://archiveofourown.org/works/9553691/chapters/21601586

A penniless dock worker inherits a title and his family's destitute estate. In order to save the house and grounds, he puts an ad in the paper for a wealthy wife from the United States. The damaged Emma Swan is desperate for a new start anywhere but New York. Together, will they save Kentledge Hall?

Perched a Few Feet Above the Water,  IrishSwan, Wip

http://archiveofourown.org/works/9560882/chapters/21617297

Based on my own prompt #28: Killian is a single father. He and his 2 year old child are lounging by a public pool when his child accidentally falls in the water. Emma is the lifeguard that saves the kid's life.

Knock, Knock,  charmedtomeetyou, Wip

http://archiveofourown.org/works/5747773/chapters/13243978

Emma Swan has made the best of her crappy apartment ever since she became best friends with her neighbor, Ruby. But when Ruby moves out and a loud Brit takes her place, the thin walls and lack of space are suddenly not so endearing. After a particularly stressful day, Emma decides to confront the nightmare next door, and entirely against her better judgment, she might just be making a friend.

Love, Kindness, and Other Useless Things,  joneskillian, Wip

http://archiveofourown.org/works/6615556/chapters/15137278

CS AU, set in 1815.

Lord Killian Jones is haunted by the demons of his past which makes him nowhere near the man he once was, so he can't be the father he wants to be. And above all, he believes he is undeserving of love. Perhaps with Emma that is all about to change. But falling in love is never easy, that's just how it is.

FindEmmaSwanAFriend,  randomsquare, Wip

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12350310/1/FindEmmaSwanAFriend

Feeling left behind by her more successful, settled friends, Emma Swan moves to Scotland on a whim. Sure, she's winning at Instagram, but something is still missing from her new life. Fortunately, her friends back home are on it. #FindEmmaSwanAFriend goes viral. Enter Killian Jones, reluctant columnist, who is on the hunt for his newest subject, and may just have found her. CS AU

[bbcky-barnes]

Destiel Fanfics RecList

(Reminder that these are not in any specific order!!)

1. Painted Angels

Words: 105K 

Summary: Author Castiel Novak has finally hit the big time, with a book based on his failed college relationship with a brilliant painter. He's put all his pain behind him, but at a book signing, he comes face to face with Dean Winchester for the first time in twelve years, and the reunion doesn't go like Cas hoped. Dean's a broken man, with a lot of scars and secrets, shoulders weighed down by his demons and self loathing. Cas sees a second chance with the man he's never stopped loving, but Dean's moved on, and is about to get married. Sam launches a "brilliant" plan to reunite his brother and his best friend, but Cas is worried it will all blow up in their faces, and he'll go through the agony of losing Dean a second time.

2. Easy Now, With My Heart

Words: 50K

Summary:  Dean Winchester is a kindergarten teacher. Castiel Milton is a writer slash works-in-a-coffee-shop. He also happens to be the extremely hot one-night stand that Dean never intended to see again other than in his own fantasies (he’s classy like that). But suddenly Cas is everywhere and Dean is convinced that Fate is out to get him. And maybe they do this thing backwards, but that doesn’t have to mean they can’t make it in the end, right?

3. Sweaters & Cigarettes

Words: 150K

Summary: Dean Winchester is in high school, crushing hard on Castiel Novak, the unbelievably hot goth who Dean does his very best to convince himself he hates, despite the fact that he can’t really stop staring at him. Dean tries, but when the two of them finally cross paths, their first conversation takes a surprising turn. And suddenly, they both find themselves falling harder and faster than they ever could have expected.

4. Freefall

Words: 129K

Summary: Kindergarten teacher Dean Winchester spends his days elbow deep in play doh; the most exciting his life gets is when he plays mechanic in his uncle Bobby's shop on the weekends. That is until a birthday party goes tequila-nova and he trips into a one-night stand with an incredibly hot firefighter named Castiel.Dean's life gets a lot more exciting after that.

5. California Waiting

Words: 173K

Summary: Dean and Castiel's relationship has evolved over time- from strangers to roommates, roommates to friends, friends to best friends. The most troublesome evolution came to pass when they went from being best friends to "We're just friends."

6. Appoggiatura

Words: 121K

Summary: Castiel leaves the religious commune of Heaven Farms to study classical piano after winning a full scholarship paid for by the Deanna Campbell Memorial Foundation, and answers an ad in the campus newspaper: 1 bedroom to let. Meals provided. 50mb wifi, quiet odd music student preferred.

7. Heaven & Hell Escort Service

Words: 124K

Summary: Loosely based on the film 'The Wedding Date'. Castiel Novak is a high class escort, and an expensive one at that. He likes to help people, and being an escort allows him to do that... barely. Dean Winchester is a mechanic/waiter who may have accidentally told his father he has a long-term boyfriend to bring along to Sam's wedding. Desperate times call for desperate measures... an escort service might not be what he wants, but it could be exactly what he needs.

8. Cursed or Not

Words: 115K

Summary: While experimenting with magic when he was a kid, Sam accidentally cursed Dean. Now, Dean is forced to wear a spelled amulet constantly, or he'll turn into a random animal. For a little over a decade, he's learned to live with the curse, and has even found it useful in some cases, but he sure would be happier without it.When he meets a witch named Castiel, he's offered a deal. Instead of assuming all witches are bad, Dean can spend a season getting to know him. If at the end of the season, Dean still thinks he's evil Castiel will send him away with his memory wiped of the whole experience. But if he learns that Castiel is not the monster Dean assumes he is, he'll lift Dean's curse.It's an offer Dean can't bring himself to pass up.

9. Satin and Sawdust

Words: 160K

Summary: When Castiel moves out of Jimmy's house and into his own place for the first time, he saves money on buying a home by investing in a Fixer-Upper. He knows nothing about how to fix the many problems the house has, but he figures he's smart enough to figure it out. Unfortunately it's not too long before he learns that he's way in over his head.Thankfully his new neighbor Dean is a handyman, and agrees to help him out. He knows Dean has a bit of a crush on him, but he's not taking advantage of it, really. Dean's a great guy, and quickly becomes a good friend.But a flash of satin under Dean's toolbelt changes everything.

10. Muscle Memory

Words: 20K

Summary: Dear Castiel, Hello – it’s Castiel. This must all seem very confusing, and I’m sorry for that. Dean says to tell you that this isn’t some kind of ‘time-travel stunt’, although I’m sure that won’t be your first thought. I know it wasn’t mine. I’ve told Dean to leave now, as this is my notebook and I want everything in it to come from me – or rather, from you. I know you think it's the fifteenth of January, 2010, but it isn't. At the time of my writing this, the date is the fourth of October, 2013. Dean Winchester is your boyfriend of a year and a half, and you no longer work at the library, and in early 2010 you were hit by a car and hospitalised. I’m sorry.

a.k.a the 50 First Dates Dean/Cas AU where Castiel wakes up on a day just like any other, except that three years have passed without his knowing, and Dean Winchester is in the kitchen wanting to marry him.

11. Morning, Teach

Words: 174K

Summary: Art teacher Castiel Novak has just turned 29 when he meets Dean Winchester at a gay club. After sleeping with the boy, he leaves in a hurry, trying to cope with the guilt over betraying his girlfriend and his overly conservative parents. But forgetting Dean becomes close to impossible, when Castiel's new job at a High School in San Francisco reveals Dean to be a most troublesome student.

12. Hot Water

Words: 151K

Summary: Castiel hated public showers. In which Castiel is forced to use the company shower after hours and ends up doing unspeakable things he never thought himself capable of...

13. Waves  

Words: 55K

Summary: Dean Winchester is the average guy: football, college, kid brother, nice car, girls and beer; his life is black and white, that is until he meets Castiel Collins: pretentious, slutty, sweater-wearing genius, who won't even take the time to look up at him from his obscure novel while he insults him. And then everything is shades of gray and Dean is drowning.

15. Soft Touch Raw Nerve

Words: 152K

Summary: Due to a hunt gone wrong, Dean has an injured leg; he has to stay in a rehab-center for the next six weeks, while Sam continues the hunter's life on his own. The only glimmer of light is Castiel, Dean's physiotherapist, and how they come closer to each other as time goes by.

16. How To Save a Life

Words: 48K

Summary: Having lost both of his parents in a terrible car accident, Dean Winchester lives a life filled with guilt and self-hate. That is until he calls a suicide hotline and the soothing voice of 'Cas' turns his life upside down...

17. Porcelain

Words: 73K 

Summary: High School AU ~ Dean Winchester has it all. He's captain of the football team, a self-confessed ladies' man and one of the most popular guys in school. But, is all of that about to change when he meets the mysterious Castiel Novak in an online chat-room?

Side note: do NOT read this if you’re looking for fluff and no angst at all bc even though this shit is amazing, it’s also sad as fuck :)

18. The Open Sky (Is Mine Tonight)

Words: 22K

Summary: Castiel Novak is a wedding planner in San Francisco who doesn’t have the time or the energy for a relationship right now. After an accident introduces him to the charming pediatrician Dean Winchester, he thinks that might change. Unfortunately, Dean is engaged to Castiel’s new favorite client, Anna Milton, and it’s suddenly a game of tug-o-war between what Castiel wants and what Castiel needs — but as he comes to find out, often times those things are exactly the same.

19. Peace And Good Luck To All Men

Words: 32K

Summary: Christmas in the Milton household was difficult enough without the added complication of guests- and if Luke and Gabriel placing bets on who can get with Sam first wasn’t bad enough, then Cas developing a ridiculous crush on his sister’s boyfriend definitely is.

20. Danger Danger

Words: 101K

Summary: Life turns upside down for Detective Castiel Novak, when his partner and lover Balthazar is shot by a member of a crime syndicate. Life gets even weirder with rookie Dean Winchester showing up as his new partner and somewhere in between revenge and grief the explosive duo becomes closer than they thought they would…

21. Small Town Charmer

Words: 82K

Summary: By ten a.m. Dean had seen his dream of expanding the hardware store dashed. By one, his baby had been impounded off the street. By midnight, Dean's personal space had been invaded by an angry, wet bookseller with hot blue eyes and an armful of natty first editions. There was also a cat. Maybe we should start at the beginning..

22. The Breath Of All Things

Words: 66K

Summary: Dean Winchester was twenty-six years old when a car accident killed his father and left him paralysed from the waist down. A year and a half later, Dean is in a wheelchair and lives in a care home in Kansas, where he spends his days waiting to die. It's only when Castiel Novak starts volunteering at the care home that Dean starts to wonder if a changed life always equals a ruined one.

23. Kiss The Baker

Words: 113K

Summary: Jo is pregnant and craving something a little bit unusual. When she sends Dean on a mission to find her some chocolate cake donuts with bacon sprinkles, he's sure that he'll fail. Luckily his partner Benny comes to his rescue and introduces him to a quirky little bakery that sells all kinds of weird (and delicious!) baked goods. And they do special orders!Dean finds excuses to keep going back, and Castiel finds excuses to keep giving him special treats.

24. Like Real People

Words: 135K

Summary: Dean Winchester is a respected literature teacher at Lawrence's best private school, yet he feels like he's still a complete and utter travesty of a human being. Months after his father's death, he's yet to come to terms with the negative impact John Winchester had on his life. Though he's determined never to admit it, the only thing Dean's ever wanted was an Apple Pie Life: it's something that's been dangled in front of his face, though he's certain he could never deserve it.While Dean struggles to come to terms with the isolated, lonely life he's made for himself, a disruption comes in the form of Castiel Novak, Lawrence Private's newest faculty member. Those blue eyes and raspy voice are things Dean can't ignore for long, and when he's forced to stop fighting his affections, Dean finds his lonely life turned upside down.Is it possible he could deserve an Apple Pie Life after all?

[livingwithashipname-blog]

Ermanda's Inner Sanctum: Scorpion 3.17 "Dirty Seeds, Done Dirt Cheap"

This is a really great episode!  It is all about the cyclone.  Ray comes back to troll Cabe in his hallucination.  Happy keeps breaking our hearts.  Toby kills us with his fluffy, romantic self.  Young Happy and Toby will be with us forever!  Ralph is a darling!  Walter and Paige amuse me to no end.  Callie makes me smile!  And Sly makes me wish I lived in West Altadenia so I could vote for him.  He throws down the gauntlet and I am so proud him!  As great as the episode is, it is a victim of “too many elements” and some great dialogue is cut that would have melted us even more if we weren’t at that point already!  There are so many things to discuss!  It all centers around the episode’s core message on the relationship between logic and fear.  Let’s get to it!

Waige: Toby and Ralph

The episode’s theme is first explained through Ralph’s conversation to Toby about Walter and his mother in the midst of his history lesson.  Ralph sounds like hallucinatory Walter from 3.03 It Isn’t the Fall that Kills You.  He knows the logical plan is for Walter to ask Paige out, but that didn’t happen.  He hopes that Walter’s ability to use logic to beat a fear of snakes can extend to his fear to romantically pursue Paige.  Toby explains that this is a possibility, but concludes that Walter and Paige are likely going to remain friends.  I suspect Toby comes to this conclusion given everything that has happened between Walter and Paige since she started dating Tim.  Walter would need a bold, respectable move to change the course of events.  Even Veronica, with her wacky plan, tells Walter that he has to think of something because Tim is “planting roots.”  Toby is doubtful that Walter is capable of working past that fear and coming out successful.  The last time Walter tried he hurt Paige in the process.  Toby is also aware that this is in addition to a series of opportunities that we’ve seen as the audience since season 1.  So his statements to Ralph are likely said to protect him.  This is unfortunate but understandable.  

So Ralph seems to be the only person actively captaining the Waige ship right now because they feel like Toby or are busy invested in their personal relationships.  Let’s all give a collective “Aw!”  On another note, I am laughing out loud at the visual in my head thinking about this because I am a Deadliest Catch fan.  I have this vision of Ralph driving one of those crab boats, named Waige, in inclement weather! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Paige’s Internal Conflict

The secret is out!  Walter is on an apology tour.  The team is all like, “say what now?”  Kudos are given to Paige for getting Walter to do something that, in Happy’s words, is a sign of the apocalypse.  Lol!  This is good news since Walter and Paige have renewed their friendship.  They are spending time together like they have in the past.  And it seems as if this has inspired Walter to jump onto an accelerated path to improvement.  

Paige is in mother mode when it comes to the froyo.  No desserts before lunch children! 😂😂😂😂  As she places the items in the fridge, Toby approaches, or shall I say scares her, to commend her on the adjustments she has made with Walter.  But before he speaks, she assumes that Toby is coming to tell her something about Walter and her spending more time together.  She is mildly surprised when he doesn’t say that.  Yet, we all can see that Toby is also trying to butter her up to get his froyo!  😂😂😂😂

This exchange with Toby is another depiction of Paige’s hesitations that started in season 2 but are more apparent in season 3.  The most notable examples are 3.01 Civil War with Tim, 3.05 Plight at the Museum with Toby, 3.14 The Hole Truth with her mother, Veronica Dineen, and this episode with her own mind’s manifestations.  These moments highlight the episode’s theme, but the main component of that message is choice.  Walter has his emotional struggles, but some of his difficulties this season stem from his choice to ignore that which he already knows (e.g., episode 3.14).  Paige’s hesitations expose an internal conflict with her own choices.

I think it is interesting that Paige’s short hallucination is an image of Walter with another woman.  Isn’t this the first reason why she starts a relationship with Tim?!  Allow me to recall events that lead  into the Walter/Linda and Paige/Tim rooftop scenes of 2.22 Hard Knox.  Walter takes Paige’s advice to put himself out there and make new friends.  This manifests into speed dating as a social experiment and eventually dating Linda.  Paige doesn’t anticipate that Walter would take her advice in this manner.  Tim comes as a Homeland trainee assigned to Scorpion detail.  Paige spends time with him, but their relationship does not become official until that moment on the roof.  Walter breaks up with Linda after Toby reveals to him that her infatuation with him is a result of “damsel-in-distress syndrome.”  At the same time, Tim asks Paige out on an official date.  Before Paige answers, she looks at Walter and sees him sharing a laugh with Linda, which doesn’t look like a amicable breakup to her even though the audience knows otherwise.  The disappointment is shown in her facial expression.  She turns to Tim and accepts his request.  This link is about to come full circle.  If you have been following my reviews, then you are aware of the pattern that is unfolding.  If this episode on its own doesn’t give you a big hint about what is next for Waige, you must be sleeping!  THE WAIGE FLIP IS ON FIRE!!! 🔥🔥🔥 THESE ASSOCIATIONS GIVE ME LIFE! 🙌🏾🙌🏾 WAIGE IS ENDGAME YO! 💙💙💙💙

Immediately thought of this song!  I think it is fitting! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Logic vs. Fear feat. The Cyclone

Cabe/Callie

Cabe: I don’t want to play this game.  Ray: Well, nobody does, but we all have to play it eventually, even badass, ex-football-playing Marines.

Cabe enjoys Allie’s company.  Their relationship is getting off to a great start, but he still feels uneasy about their age difference.  In addition, he really feels his age when he considers that he uses reading glasses.  He’s so insecure about these things that they mostly have dinner dates at places that match her vegan interests, Cabe supplements the loss of meat with beef jerky, and he accidentally orders unfavorable meals because he can not read the menu without his glasses.  (Side note: I am glad that Allie’s veganism is pushing Cabe to eat better because he was inching himself close to an MI with those meat-filled sandwiches he would make for Happy. Lol!)  So it is no surprise that his hallucination is a short version of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. 😂😂😂😂 He fears that his age will make him unwanted because he can’t keep up with the younger generation.  He is already a father figure to the team and multiple times the team has reminded him of his age when he drops pre-1980s pop culture references.  He has already felt the pressures of his age with Tim as a younger version of him and Walter’s speech in 3.12 Ice Ca-Cabes on how everyone is replaceable.

During his hallucination, Walter manages to get his attention by reminding him that his fear is not aging.  He fears weakness.  His age gives him a unique advantage and his headstrong personality pushes him to do anything he desires!  In result, Cabe mobilizes himself, drops the white hair and the age spots, puts on his signature glasses and flips the breaker!  The glasses bit is GOLD!!!  Reminds me of Horatio Cane from CSI: Miami and his sunglasses.

His path to enlightenment doesn’t stop in the vault.  When he sees Allie again at Sly’s debate, he asks her to accept him as he is.  Allie confirms that she is all in.  What a great win for Cabe! 

Sylvester & the W. Altadenia Alderman Election 

Patel: The matter at hand is taking private property to help, not the populace, but a big box store.  The kind of store grown-ups go to.  Sly: Yes.  I patronize the Warlock’s Chest.  I had a tough childhood, I was picked on.  Make-believe was my refuge.  I found solace amongst the fantasy and I would gather up my courage to face another day.  And trust me, when I was a kid, I needed courage just to show up at school.  And I need it now for my job.  But the difference is, with Scorpion, I have a team to help me remember that I can be brave.  And if the Warlock’s Chest will provide refuge for more kids who don’t know they’re brave yet, well… I want it to stick around.

Sylvester is really coming into his own as a politician looking to achieve the greater good for his county.  The chickens in his hallucination are both literal and metaphorical representations of a childhood memory.  Sly is a world class ornithologist, but he is terrified of birds (mentioned in 2.24 Toby or Not Toby).  This is why he asks Cabe to handle to falcon during the mission in 3.05 Plight at the Museum.  Sly is also a germaphobe and chickens have been known to spread disease.  Furthermore, the label “chicken” is thrown at those who fear confrontation.  Sly was bullied as a child and relives the fear of that moment when Bucky Hanson and other jocks locked him in a chicken pen.  But Sly is a man of facts.  Facts are his life!  When Paige reminds him of all the brave things he has accomplished with Team Scorpion, he comes out of hiding, moves his bully to the side, and moves a chicken out of the way to pull the lever.  Go Sly go!!!  The way he screams from the time he lifts the chicken to when he drops it is HILARIOUS!!!  At the debate, he applies the same lesson and creams Patel!  Sly is getting more people on his side each time he shows his courage.  His courage is giving him a voice and I love that we are seeing this unfold in Sly’s story this season! 

Walter & the Emotional Conundrum 

Walter: I don’t know how to talk someone out of being scared.  I can’t relate to that kind of emotion.  Paige: Really?  'Cause you seem pretty scared now.  Your biggest fear isn’t snakes, was it?  It’s problems you can’t solve.  Now do what you did with the yogurt guy, and put yourself in Cabe’s shoes.

This episodes features another moment where Walter uses what he knows in order to find a way to relate to emotions.  He just needs a push.  Holy character development!  As I have said in past reviews, he has the tools.  He just needs to unlock them when the time comes.  Therefore, it is possible that Walter can independently do this in some instances, gaining more experience each time he does it.  This links to what he says to Cabe about his age giving him knowledge, wisdom, and experience.  In that moment, he uses the feeling of powerless in encountering problems he can not solve with Cabe’s fear of weakness.  He has done the same in previous episodes (e.g., episode 3.14).  

His doubt in this moment also parallels Happy and her judgment of her own emotional capabilities and expectations.  One can say that this extends to Sly and Cabe too (when they’re not hallucinating), but here’s the difference.  When Cabe and Sly finally do something they thought they couldn’t, they do not doubt it later.  They recognize the change and use it to their benefit.  For example, Sly jumps off a boat in 1.16 Love Boat, which is something he never anticipated doing in his lifetime.  He was fearful, but he mobilizes himself and succeeds.  He does this again in 3.04 Little Boy Lost when he climbs over the silo’s railing to jump on canisters to pull Walter and Daniel to safety.  In the second scenario, Sly doesn’t say that he can’t do it.  He just whines a little about it and puts himself into action to save the day.  

Walter and Happy’s doubt have caused them to question pivotal moments in their lives.  This has affected their romances.  Walter walks away from the Tahoe situation, but Cabe gives him hope that self-improvement will give him a fighting chance if the opportunity to win Paige arises again.  He has struggled in this endeavor, but he is now gaining new ground.  For Happy, doubt is evident in her hallucination, which continues off of her development arc from 3.15 Sharknerdo and 3.16 Keep It in Check, Mate.

Happy & the Abandonment Saga

Dr. Curtis: I’m not sure about this.  You know, if I commit to her, I’m stuck with her for the rest of my life?  There’s got to be something wrong with her if she’s here, right?  Hallucinatory Happy: I try hard.  I’m just a little bit different from the other kids.  Dr. C: Well, I’m not so sure this will be the right fit.  HH: No, you promised to be with me for life.  You proposed to me.  Dr. C: Quick to anger.  Volatile.  I think I’d regret this decision.  Sorry, I… I don’t want her.  Not for me. […] HH: But I’m perfect for you.

This version of Toby is rigid and noncommittal.  Happy is envisioning Toby as a man who uses psychological logic to reject her for her differences.  THIS IS THE ANTITHESIS OF THEIR ENTIRE RELATIONSHIP!!!  Happy has experienced a lot of rejection.  Her father’s recent imprisonment feels like another wave of abandonment.  Yet, she finds happiness in her relationship with Toby.  When he accidentally flakes on a promise, Toby asks for second chance.  Happy gives it to him even though it took some time.  He consistently loves her despite her faults.  Happy notices that Toby is a chance at family and marrying him represents stability which he has never experienced with others.  She may be the world’s unfunniest person, but she makes Toby want to be a better man.  And she acknowledges that they are perfect for one another!  In essence, her doubts are like pre-wedding jitters that are projected onto Toby in this hallucination.  The realities of their relationship continue to manifest in Toby’s words to her through young Toby.  In the end, her dreams match reality.  Just… just call the morgue already!  I AM DEAD OVER ALL THE FEELS!!! 💕💚💚😍😍😍💀

Dannii (aka. @tobiasmquinn​) questioned Dr. Curtis’ outfit in Happy’s hallucination.  I first get Dr. Rizzuto vibes from the wardrobe, but the mannerisms of these two men do not correlate.  Dr. Rizzuto is witty and charismatic.  So I think the wardrobe is fashioned after Sigmund Freud who has several images of himself holding a cigar.  Plus, Toby dresses as a famous psychiatrist from the past each Halloween.

Drabbles…

Callie is killing me with their cuteness!

Can we take a moment to freak out over the open Quintis PDA in front of the team?! Happy has her legs crossed over Toby’s leg and Toby is resting his arm on them! 😍😍😍😍🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Scorpion trivia: The words “not good” are said by Happy in every episode.  Now Toby is the one to deliver it… love it!!!  More Toby being Happy! 🙌🏾

Happy (to Cabe): You don’t need to warn me about getting lost in a blizzard.  Been there, done that. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Sly: Back away, hens.  I will deep-fry the lot of you. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

I died with Ray’s appearance in Cabe’s hallucination! That was perfect!

Have you seen the titles on the game show wheel from Cabe’s hallucination?!  They are hilarious!  Kudos to the art department!

Young Toby/Toby: You know who I am, and my biggest regret in life is that we really didn’t meet when we were eight because I would’ve fallen in love with you from that moment.  The truth is you’ve never been alone.  My love for you has always been there.  It just took a while for our paths to cross so I could share it with you.  And under all those neurotoxins in your head, you know I’m right.  You have nothing to be scared of, ever. 💚💚💚💚💚💚😍😍😍😍😍😍 *swoons forever*

The mother/son moments between Ralph and Paige in this episode are so sweet!  I love them! 💜💜💜💜

Walter: You are a military man, a government agent, someone who is strong for their friends, but when you fear weakness, you feel that you’ll lose your identity because of it, and the people that you care about, like Allie.  Is that right?  Cabe?  Cabe: God?  Is that you? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Walter: That’s because I’m worried about you, but I shouldn’t be because getting old is not a detriment.  It is a strength.  Now, with age, comes experience, knowledge, and wisdom.  What you’ve forgotten, others will never know.  Now what you’ve lived, others will only read about.  What you can do, others can only dream about.  Cabe Gallo is stopped by nothing.  Me: I’m not crying, you are! 😭😭😭😭😭👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Paige using her phone to grind the seeds… 😂😂😂 Total “make it work” moment! 👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

That fire is really pretty!  Excuse me, I was a chem major!  Lol!  But let’s clear up something here.  Oxygen is not flammable!  It’s not a fuel.  Toby states this as a potential danger in the episode.  The process that creates the fire is described correctly, but the designation is incorrect.  It’s a misnomer.  Probably done to save time considering that this moment is happening close to the 50 minute mark.  Plus, it is easier to communicate the danger of adding oxygen to a flame by making such a statement to a general audience who may not know this.  I know, I know… kinda weird for a show about geniuses, but everyone who watches this show isn’t.  

My only disappointments: 1) We didn’t see Riley Go as Young Happy in the middle of Happy’s hallucination.  2) Funky age moment… if Happy is technically 29 going on 30 now, then she should be 12 going on 13 in the year 2000.  However, she says she is 8 and Toby doesn’t make that adjustment because it’s not insinuated by his statement, “we just exited the 90s.”  The year (1996) was right in the sides.  Maybe this is done to save time or Toby made his statements to account for all the years Happy had been rejected for adoption.  3) I wish young Toby moved more in the scene to be a little more animated like adult Toby.  4) The line, “I know you’ll never let go,” was cut from the end scene.  I thought it was perfect and I am disappointed it ended up on the cutting room floor.  Maybe it was taken out because of time or because of what’s to come for Quintis in the season finale storyline.

Last edited: February 22, 2017

[magnuscagney]

Kaep

Mike Glennon: In 2013 he started for the TB Bucs GM 4 when the team was 0-3. They finished the season 4-12. He won one game. He finished with an 84% rating 59% completion pct, 2608 yds and 19 tds 9 ints The Bucs then sign McCown but still claim Glennon is the "QB of the future" 2014 Glennon starts wk 3 I think? Bucs go 2-14. 2015 they draft Winston and Glennon?...he goes to the Bears and inks a 3 yr $45 Milly deal. I establish In short, Glennon's trajectory or lack thereof because I think that it doesn't establish worth but does indicate the market. So if that's the market (and I think most of us agree it's disproportionate) then we have to look at Kaep's career carefully to see if his resume commands the same contract (or at least similar) that Glennon got. To be clear about my opinion of Glennon's contract I think the Bears org seriously screwed up the economics of signing a FA QB as now you've put Kaep in a situation where to ask him to accept anything less than $9 milly per is to either price himself out, or short change himself. I agree with Carlos Singer that $9 Mill is excessive. But the market says we are both wrong. So let's take a little closer look at Kaeps resume. 2011 Kaep, if memory serves, plays in week 4, the 9ers finish 13-3, meet the NYG in the NFC Championship game and come up short. Sidebar: it's worth noting that the NYG would go on to win the SB 2012: Kaep gets his first NFL start on MNF against a good Bears D and goes 16-23 for 246 yds and 2 TDs. Now we have a QB controversy. At this point Alex Smith has a career of-104 rating, 70% Comp pct and a record of 19-5-1 Hey, that's pretty damn good. But Kaep was a semi-wild, dynamic scrambling QB with a big arm and potentially high ceiling. I felt like Smith was the guy. Harbaugh felt differently and the 9ers had very good momentum and he wanted to keep it. I was wrong yet again and Harbaugh (in hindsight for me) was right. Kaep helps take his team to the SB where they fall short 31-34. It's also worth noting that Kaep threw for a TD and ran for one in that SB. Outstanding SB performance? Maybe not. Did he give his team a chance to win putting up 14 pts? Absolutely. 2013: Kaep returns and in his first game against GB he puts up 412 yds passing and three TDs. Q Boldin had 208 yds receiving. Kaep goes back to the NFC Championship game against the Seahawks (one of the best Ds to ever step on the field) and he doesn't exactly blow anyone's mind but he does rush for 130yds and pass for 153 and lead his team on their last drive down the field where his pass is deflected by who was arguably the best CB in the league at that time. I was impressed at what I saw in that game. He never gave up and if it's a different playcall? Who knows what happens (I do agree with Sherman that targeting him in the end zone was a foolish call) not sure but I believe that was the play drawn up? I'm sure Deon Harvey knows for sure. So please bare with me again as I move for just a minute In a direction which at first may seem off course but it's necessary before I reach Colin's 2014,2015,& 2016 seasons which will be a much shorter synopsis for obvious reasons. I believe and understand (as I think most of us do) the importance of the chain of: Owner GM HC QB This chain, when dialed, creates the cohesive unit that establishes a winning locker room and culture and if you look across the league all of our current winning franchises have that in place. Patriots (Belichick is both GM & HC cutting out the middle man) Steelers Seahawks GB Just to name a few and that tree of executives and coaches if held together can make or break an organization that can take yrs to recover from. Ok, back to Kaep. 2014: Kaep gets a 6 yr extension worth up to $126 mill Frequent reports surface of strain and tension between Harbaugh and the 9ers front office and its close to being beyond repair. This is the beginning of the end. The 9ers go 8-8. Exit Harbaugh and several other pro-bowl/team captains and locker room glue leaving Kaep with a new coach, new locker room, new playbook and vastly diminished team in talent on both sides of the ball. Kaeps total for 2014? 3,369 yds passing 18 TDs, 10 ints rushes for 639 yds and 1 TD Not great, but certainly not terrible. 2015: Kaep struggles with the new HC and system (which I think is to be expected) loses the starting gig at week 9. Kaep injures shoulder (and honestly I think the majority of people thought he was bluffing) turns out he's not bluffing, goes in for surgery. Tomsula is fired 2016: Kaep again has a new HC, new playbook (and a radical one at that) and new locker room culture (that's two HCs two play books and still diminished team talent for anyone keeping track...it's a lot. Apologies. I'm almost finished. In a ridiculous back and forth between Kaep and Gabbert for the starting gig, neither QB is allowed continuity or growth under the new system resulting in struggles and instability in arguably the most important and complicated role on offense. Here are a few things Kaep did in 2016. Against Buffalo his numbers were 13-29 187 yds passing 1 passing TD and 66 yds rushing in a loss. In a loss against Miami he put up 296 yds passing, 3 passing TDs and rushed for 113 yds. To put these numbers in proper perspective the only other players to achieve 3 passing TDs and 100 yds rushing in a game: Michael Vick Cam Newton Randall Cunningham Marcus Mariota. In a career low Kaep passes for 4 yds and is benched again for Gabbert. If anyone's argument is Kaeps inconsistency I'd have a hard time arguing against that and could only counter with I think he needs more time to build. But yeah, there are certainly arguments to be made about his consistency. But the potential is their in my humble opinion and it's unquestionable for me. So having now looked at his overall resume, and comparing his asking price (which I wholeheartedly agree with Peter Mann and the article he shared here is premature at this point) how does he stack up in your opinion to QBs that have been signed so far which...well obviously Glennon, and Geno Smith and whomever I may be missing ? I'd say before Glennon and Smith got signed he's the best FA QB available and a better pick up than any 2017 NFL draft QB prospect (mostly because we have a resume to review at the pro level) But in that resume I see a SB appearance, playoff wins and 2 NFC Championship appearances. Again, it's worth noting that the NFC Ship loss to the Seahawks? Hawks went on to win its first Ship. A special team indeed in my opinion. So if you are of the same mind as myself, can remove yourself from any bias as to your feelings about Kaep and are just looking at resumes then you may be asking the same question as Deon Harvey asked and I am also wondering myself. Why doesn't Kaep have a job? Now Peter Mann has shared and backed up both in the article posted here and Peter and myself have what we believe to be an irrefutable, collective opinion that black balling has to be ruled out if for no other reason than the definition of the term itself. But if Kaep has a stronger resume than any other FA QB or QB in the upcoming draft....well..then I have to assume that he is not signed because of a non-football related issue. And I'm inclined to believe that issue is his decision to sit first and then kneel to raise awareness to the insanely accelerated and unpunished murders (be it accidental or otherwise) of inner city black citizens in several cities across the US and in our penal system. The outrageous proportion of black prisoners and that ratio of proportion to white citizens. Now there are some I am seeing that are criticizing his new stance and have claimed that it is because he is now looking for a new job. He is still very active in the community and raising money and awareness. Some will say he doesn't want to be a distraction to his new team. I fail to see that as a negative. You can go to his website at www.kaepernick7.com to see the activity and magnitude of his position. I've tried here not to discount the article, it's author, or Peter Mann. Instead I wanted to contribute to what Peter has shared, for that to be looked at as a whole , and for you to draw your own conclusions but in that drawing, you have as much information as possible. But for me, until proven otherwise which I am certainly open to, this is still about race. And I'm wrestling with a concept that I cannot understand, in fact infuriates me that a man stood up and used his voice to speak about the injustices that are happening in the communities that are the very same ones that provide a majority of the athletes that we all gather around our TV sets with our families and friends every Sunday to watch. I hope you are all right about him getting another gig. I will never wear any others teams jersey but if and when Kaep does get signed I will purchase his jersey, frame it, and mount it on the wall of the room I watch every game with my family. The reasons for which will be multiple. I will have followed Kaeps example of putting my money where my heart and mouth is. I will have not forgotten a man who refused to forget us. Epilogue: I have either coached or attended all of my daughters elementary school teams/GMs and middle school. This year was her freshman year of high school and when I attended her Volleyball game I took a knee during the anthem and pledge. I was the only one who did. Cheers. -MC