#ford is probably out of character but he’s nervous people will recognize him

[starpaw0007]

AT THE DINER!

Stan realizes that the kids deserve to know their grunkle.

Ford isn’t ready to trust.

[powertothefan]

Coffee

A Stanford Pines x Original Character Fic

Hazel DeForest belongs to @evaroze

Stanford Pines is property of  Alex Hirsch

This was something tossed together after discovering the adorable OC known as Hazel, she’s so cute and I love the design of her~ So, I did a little dabble of when both her and Stanford were in college and their first official conversation. I hope I wrote her write, as I have been a little rusty in my writing, Far too long since I posted something here that was worth the read. Anyway, please share any thoughts or feelings you have as long as it’s constructive. 

Hazel was wandering the commons of the college that morning, a little on the early side. She left the door early that morning to do some research at the library for one of her papers. Just because Backupsmore wasn’t her first college pick didn’t mean that she wasn’t going to put in the effort! She wasn’t as dressed up as she usually would be, just a simple blouse and shorts. She had pulled on a pair of flats as well before herring her hair up in a big ponytail and tossing on her bright pink glasses. With her messenger bag full of notebooks and pens, she was ready to go anywhere

Glancing to her watch, Hazel checked the time. Her first class of the day wasn’t until mid morning, so she’d have plenty of time to get some work done before classes that day. Most of her dorm mates were sleeping in from yet another party. She honestly couldn’t believe it. Just because they were at Backupsmore University didn’t mean they could party the semester away. Who did that anyway? Not her! No, definitely not. 

Hazel was terrible with social interaction. In truth, she would have probably never gained any friends unless they proactively were the ones to speak with her first. She knew a few other people, mostly from those forced social circles they did as an ice breaker during the first weeks in the dorms. Otherwise, her friend group was very, very small. She was fine with that though, most of the people she did know the names of were not people she would actively spend time with. They drank and partied and blew off their classes as if they could afford to do it. Hazel didn’t have that luxury. Every penny counted! Still, a very itty bitty part of her wished that she didn’t have such terrible social anxiety. 

It would have made trying to introduce herself to a certain someone easier. 

Huffing to herself, she let her thoughts pass on as she got to the library door. Stepping inside, it was calm and quiet. It was a massive place too. For a second choice college, it had an outstanding collection of literature. Likely because they didn’t have much of a sports team to spend money on. Either way, the ability to have such a vast collection of books at her disposal made her studies all the easier. Especially with her focus on mythology. She never would run out of resource material for her papers. 

As she walked further into the library, she realized that it was very empty. In fact, there was really no one around at all, save for the librarian. Then again, it was a Monday. No one ever got up before classes on Monday, unless they were someone like her and super focused on their studies. It was all the better really, she’d have the whole place to herself. Wandering further into the library, she hurried to the folklore and mythology section. It was her element, her one true oasis. No one and nothing could take it away from her-

“Oof!” Hazel sounded as she smacked right into something. She hadn’t been looking where she was going, instead skilling the shelves as she walked past them. Just as she was stepping back out into the open areas beyond the shelves, she collided with someone, and hard. Books were flying, paper scattered by the ceiling fans, and the two moving forces pushed off the courses and onto the thin and worn carpet. Laying there, Hazel had to take a moment to breath, that impact hurt! Carefully, she groaned while sitting up, rubbing her side where he was sure she was charged into an elbow. 

“Oh, gosh. I”m so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going!” A deep voice said, A shadow overcoming her as a hand was offered up. “I was carrying too many books, and couldn't see a thing. I shouldn’t have assumed I was the only one here.”

The tone was upset, clearly more so at themselves than her. There was some obvious disappointment in their own carelessness. However, it was also very familiar...too familiar. 

Not really thinking as she grabbed the hand, she was dizzy and shaken still, she was easily pulled right back up to her feet. With the bright ceiling lights no longer glaring down right into her eyes, Hazel could focus on the man who helped her up. As she locked her gaze on their face, about to give them a stern talking to for being so reckless in such a sacred place, her throat swelled and her heart stopped. 

Stanford Pines... It was like an arrow to the heart, struck by a cupid with a sniper rifle. So accurate that it fried her brain. Stanford Pines was everything Hazel had ever wanted since high school! Originally, he was supposed to get a scholarship of some kind and head off to some amazing college. Instead, he ended up going to her only affordable pick. She had wanted to try and be good and say hello. He had been her obsession throughout all of high school after all, not that he even knew she existed back then...Hazel never had the heart to speak. Now, as an adult, and independent, she had told herself she’d try.

And boy, did she try. 

They had gotten classes together, unknowingly of course because she hadn’t realized that he had any interest in the fields of mythology or folklore. They were English heavy studies after all, not the wonderful sciences that he seemed to be skilled in. Part of her knew that he was aware that she existed, he often waved at her with that handsome smile. However, every time that she saw him, with that grin and cute sweater vest, the ability to talk was replaced with the need to nervously vomit. In all cases since the semester began, she flat out ran away before she could lose her lunch to her anxiety. Not exactly the best way to say hello. 

Now, here he was, his glasses skewed off a bit from the impact and his large hand wrapped firmly around her’s. Only a foot apart, both a little shaken from the impact but still breathing...or at least Ford was. Hazel couldn’t get her body to continue their usually automatic functions. As Ford seemed to get himself resettled by fixing his glasses, Hazel felt herself just melt at his touch. They were rough, but not painful, Just worn from all his tinkering and building. They were so large too, and not just because of the extra finger which she had always found to be an adorable addition to an adorable man. 

Ford had really grown up, a lot more than she was prepared for. 

“Oh! It’s you!” He said suddenly, bringing hazel back down from the second hand high of his existence. Breathing in suddenly, she blinked, her mind rushing forward to catch up to the conversation. “M-Me?” She weakly said, her voice still a little breathless from the lack of air in her lungs. 

Stanford turned a slight shade of pink, giving a nervous smile of sorts as he tried to correct himself. “I mean, I recognize you from the folklore seminar class. ‘Folklore and Its Effects on Modern Development.’ You..ah, You sit in the row behind mine.”

His tone had gotten a little meek, almost as if the man was becoming uncertain of himself as he addressed her. Why was he getting nervous? She was the one having an internal battle between heart and brain!

Wait.

He was talking to her...Stanford Pines was physically talking to her! He knew she existed! The man she had been obsessed with for years knew they were in the same class. Holy crap! She needed to speak, to say something, anything. For the love of god open your mouth Hazel DeForest! 

“Ah- RIGHT!” She said very loudly, her face going bright pink as her mind finally caught up to current events. “Rightrightrightrightrightright. I remember! You did the opening argument statement about how folklore was only lore until people could collect it! It lost the folklore touch when people found out it was all fact.” She blurted out, saying just about anything to show that she wasn’t a brainless zombie. 

“Ah, well, it's true! Once something is discovered to truly exist, it isn’t lore. It’s Science. That in turn means it can’t be categorized as lore but as a truly existing species. The professor was not really impressed with my reports for that debate session but he didn’t flunk my report either so I guess my point was valid enough!” Stanford said, seeming to pick his tone back up while in a subject he could work on. “Anyway, sorry for running you down. I was walking to my table with more books and...clearly got over zealous.” It was then that Ford looked around, causing Hazel to pause and do the same thing. Oh, they had made a bit of a mess...The books were scattered all over, some having flown far enough to land on top of the shelves! His notebook was crumpled nder a couple and the pages from it seemed to have scattered to the winds, still being carried off by the breezes of the fan. 

“H-here, I’ll help clean up.” Hazel said, pausing a moment as she then looked down at their hands, which were still tightly held together. Ford noticed this too, and quickly let go with a nervous chuckle before roughly clearing his throat. “Yeah, thanks. I’ll start over here.” 

The pair turned away from each other, Ford kneeling down to grab and gently fix the books near his feet. Hazel did the same, grabbing a couple and fixing the pages before gently setting them on a nearby table. She then also started to snatch up the flying papers, trying to keep them from wrinkling any further as they continued to flutter at her feet. It took a minute, but with the two of them collecting they were able to get it cleaned up easily. The last book was picked up by Hazel, her eyes a little dazed until she read the title. Instantly, she was back to her usual self for a second. 

“Ah, It’s here!” She said suddenly, causing ford to look up as he grabbed the last few books from their places on top of the selves. “Hmm? Something catch your eye?” “This book, I’ve been trying to get it for ages but every single time I get here it’s pulled off the shelves! I need it for my report on the correlations of folklore creatures and their real life potential counterparts. It has a segment on how folklore creatures and mythological monsters are created based on a person seeing something for the first time and using other animals to describe it! I wanted to read it for my paper and reference some of it’s points on how artistic interpretation cannot be trusted unless done while actually in front of the creature.” She rattled, her tone serious and smooth as her intellectual side kicked in, a finger moving up to adjust her glasses for a second. “Oh, You’re referencing it as well?” Ford asked, coming closer and putting the last of the books on the table. “I originally grabbed it because I’ve been trying to get it as well. Whoever has been hoarding it just got it back over the weekend. I’m using to further my argument that just because we depict creatures in a certain way does not diminish their potential existence. The author has a wonderful part about the statues of medusa actually and how they believe that medusa is a real being, but her hair was misinterpreted.” “I came here this morning to borrow it...Looks like you beat me.” Hazel said, suddenly feeling herself getting shy again. 

Damn it, Hazel. This was your first real conversation with Ford and you were going to blow it because you couldn’t keep the talk going! What was worse, she had gotten up for nothing. Ford got the book first. Even if she wanted to, she didn’t have the heart to try and ask him to let her borrow it first. So much for getting a head start on that report. 

“Do you wanna borrow it?” Ford asked suddenly. 

“What?” Hazel squaked, not prepared for that statement. 

“Well, I don’t have classes until mid-morning. That’s our Folklore course. If you don’t mind just using it this morning, you’re more than welcome to take whatever notes you need from it while I’m referencing other books. I technically already checked it out but if you need it now you can keep it until after classes. Then meet up later to give it back?” Ford asked, his tone strangely hopeful. 

Was he- Nooooo, naw he couldn’t be...maybe? 

“Um, well...I really do need the book for a few other things besides just the research. If it's not an issue I guess we could meet at the coffee shop off campus? The one with the big tables? It’s very dead in the afternoon on Mondays, so we could meet up after all our classes for the day and I’ll try to quickly get the notes I need before giving back the book. The library gets too busy later in the day anyway for me to focus.”

“Heh, yeah, I have to move my work back and forth from the dorm to here because the afternoon library people. However, I can get coffee later! I’ll need it anyway for my second wind of research. So coffee, after the day's classes?” 

“Yeah, coffee!” Hazel said, suddenly finding herself smiling as her cheeks turned a bright pink. 

Ford seemed to also, his own lopsided grin making Hazel’s heart flutter harshly in her chest. Stanford quickly stacked his books back up again, still grinning a little before carefully turning so he could see Hazel beyond the still massive stack of literature. “Alright then, I’ll get back to my work. I’ll see you for coffee.”

With that, Ford smiled again and headed off, hurrying back to his work table but making sure to take the time to check each eye before moving past. Hazel stood there, clutching the book to her chest as the gears in her head turned, trying to comprehend what just happened.Coffee, she was going to get coffee with Stanford Pines. A cute cafe~ Where people sat together close and chatted over lattes and teas. So, she didn’t actually drink coffee, as she preferred tea, but that didn’t matter! She was getting coffee with Stanford Pines!

Slowly, she took a few steps into a shelf area so that she wouldn’t risk being seen, before falling to her knees in giddy delight, covering her mouth to make sure her excited giggles and squeals did not echo throughout the whole place. Looking back to the book that she set down, she snatched it up again before darting out of the place with a high skip in her step. She had to get as much note taking done as she could, as she knew that she probably wouldn’t be able to focus on her work if she was sitting across from Stanford...But that was a problem for future Hazel, current Hazel had work to do!

[just-some-random-blogger]

One Million In One Day | 7

 GOT7 SugarDaddy!Jackson Wang x Reader + Park Jinyoung x Reader | Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ? Characters: GOT7 Summary: His mother’s final wish is to see him be happy in a relationship, knowing that Jackson would be fine when she left him. But, damn, he didn’t have time for relationships, especially not since he was busy running his father’s billion dollar empire, thus the compromise: you. Word Count: 1k+ Warnings: Temper tantrums, stalking, TYPOS, etc.

Preview | Alternate Moodboard | Chapter 8 Teaser

A/N: I’m back after 2049 years. thank you for hanging in there uhm HAHHA

You’ll never believe it, but it was a success.

I blew a million in twenty four hours, and it was mostly used up on buying unnecessarily expensive clothing for my family and friends, and family friends, and friend’s family, and family friend’s family, and friend’s family friends, and paying off debt.

Needless to say I have acquired many expensive things and bought so many things I’ve always wanted to buy. I ended up donating all the clothes I did not really particularly care for to a charity, and a few couple bucks as well.

Another needless thing to mention is that I have never thought impulse buying would be so stressful, yet oddly relaxing at the same time.

Today I drove to school with Mark, whose car I payed off by the way.

It was no big deal. It wasn’t like it was a Ferrari. It was a Ford he had initially bought anyway. Unrelated note, I even bought his dog a Gucci cape.

Nari also knows about my engagement because of how many things I brought home at once. I thought it would be bad if I told her, but oh my goodness she was probably too supportive over everything that was going on.]

The funny thing about today is that I don’t have pocket money.

Mark and I laughed about it so hard.

I’m not worried though. I bought food at home anyway, and can walk back from school or hitch another ride with Mark.

Mark and I walked to class together, and on our way I saw Jinyoung.

I called for him and waved my hands, ready to run up to him. When he didn’t react, I figured he couldn’t hear me, so I just jogged up to him, knowing Mark would follow anyway.

“Jinyoung-ah,” I called once I was in front of him. I was taken aback when he grunt and pushed past me. I knit my brows and went in front of him once more, raising my hands to my sides to block his path. “Jinyoung.”

He scoffed and rolled his eyes, placing his hand on my shoulder, pushing me away, “Don’t talk to me.”

I felt my stomach drop at his words. By then Mark was here, pulling a face out of confusion. “Ya, what’s up?”

Jinyoung whips his head back and snaps, “What’s up?! What’s up is that I can’t trust my friends because they lie to me and go behind my back.”

I pull my head back, “What? We don’t lie to you Jinyoung!”

“Ha!” Jinyoung heaves in annoyance, “That’s another lie!”

At this point, he’s practically fuming red with anger. Mark tries to make him calm down by placing a hand on his shoulder but this only makes Jinyoung snap and shove Mark off. “Don’t you two dare talk to me in class.”

I huffed and let him walk away. Mark and I turn to each other, “He couldn’t be talking about... the money, right?”

Mark knits his brows deeply and shakes his head, “I don’t think Jinyoung would be upset about something like that.” He turns to me, “What’d you do?”

I pull my head back, “What’d I do? What’d you do?”

“I don’t do anything, remember? I literally sleep all day everyday. You on the other hand have a sugar daddy,” Mark says, whispering the last words.

I give him a look and slap his arm, “Shut up, there is no way he knows about that.”

Mark shakes his head, “Whatever you say, darling.”

Gosh, I hate it when Mark starts making sense.

All throughout the class, I couldn’t focus on Mr. Choi talk about truth. Instead my eyes were basically burning a hole behind Jinyoung’s head. It didn’t mean he turned back at all however.

STFU TUAN: he’s ignoring my texts

I huff and turn to Mark who was across the room due to the fact we arrived late and there were no longer any seats.

I try to text Jinyoung as well.

My heart skips a beat when my phone vibrates, but alas, it’s only Mark sending me a picture of myself from across the room.

STFU TUAN: u are so whipped

STFU TUAN: i feel so bad

I roll my eyes and ignore his text.

STFU TUAN: don’T VISIBLY IGNORE ME TOO!!!

At this point, Mark is blowing up my phone with keyboard smash. I huff and roll my eyes. I should not have paid for his phone bill.

Once it gets too much, I decide to finally reply too him. I open my phone only to see that I received a text from another contact.

Jackson Wang: Are you available today for a date?

I turn to Jinyoung, and suddenly, everyone in the room is standing up as apparently class was over. I scramble to my feet and look to see if Jinyoung was still there, but knowing how he gets when he’s upset, I catch him when he’s almost bolted out of the door.

I huff and find Mark walking towards me.

“So what’s the plan?” Mark asks once he’s in front of me. I huff and turn to my phone when it vibrates again.

Jackson Wang: Are you busy?

“Who’s that?” Mark asks and I ignore him to reply.

Me: i still have classes

“Oh my gosh, is that sugar da--” “I told you just call him sugar!”

Mark’s eyes widen and then he gets all smug, “You slick.”

I roll my eyes.

Jackson Wang: What time to you finish?

Me: about two hours from now

Jackson Wang: ALright.

Jackson Wang: Meet me here *photo attached*

Jackson Wang: Or should  i pick you up?

Me: Its fine ill go by myself.

---

“Over here,” I hear a voice say when I enter the restaurant. Upon seeing a sharply dressed Jackson Wang smiling, I couldn’t help but smile back as I walked over to him. He stands from his seat by the window and greets me when I get close enough.

But the hug I was expecting, turned out to be a kiss on my cheek. I feel my cheeks burn slightly.

Jackson pulls away and smiles, “Sorry.” He speaks in a low voice, “I think there are a few people hanging out here, trying to make sure you’re my real girlfriend.”

I raise my brows and move my head slightly to turn back, but Jackson cuts me off my saying, “Dior looks good on you.”

I freeze upon hearing that and stutter, “How-how’d you--”

“You get used to it. Also, there’s a subtle logo around here?” Jackson says, rubbing his chest, which makes me mimic and realize he’s been looking at my-- “Have you eaten yet?” he asks, breaking my train of thought.

I look at him and expect him to speak again, but find myself trailing off a “No,” instead.”

“Oh you haven’t eaten lunch yet?”

He then escorts me to the counter side and we stand to look at the menu... I guess. Jackson has his arm over my shoulder. He leans in. I feel goose bumps form around me when I feel his breath against my neck. “Don’t be concerned about them though, they’re just sent by some nosy relatives or friends.”

Once he pulls away, I clear my throat and find myself turning to him. Once his eyes meet mine, thinking of him seeing my probably flushed face made me panic and hide it... on his chest.

Jackson chuckles, and decides to embrace me and coo, “So sweet.”

He sounds like a natural. He must’ve had tonnes of girlfriends... or tonnes of fake ones. I can’t help but feel all sour over that, which is why I pull back and turn to him, “I want some chicken.”

He nods, “Then chicken you shall have.”

After ordering, we go back to our seats and I get a picture of just how pretty this restaurant is. Jackson notices me looking around, and so he asks, “You like it?”

“Yeah, it’s so instagram aesthetic.”

He laughs a little too amused at that, and so I turn to him with a questioning look. Jackson smiles, “I’m glad you think so, because I’m just about to take millions of photos of you and post them on instagram.” With that said, he pulls out his phone, “Of course, it you don’t mind.”

I hesitate to answer but find myself thinking I probably don’t have a choice. I then nod and do a peace sign, which makes Jackson squeal in pleasure, “AH CUTE!”

Jackson then pulls out his phone and takes rapid-fire photos of me. The shutter on his phone goes off so many times, I got all flustered as I was only striking one pose.

“Should I...” I say, changing poses.

“You’re doing great, sweetheart.”

I turn to Jackson behind his phone and give a dumbfounded look, “You’re not helping.”

Jackson doesn’t care and continues taking photos. I purse my lips and raise my hands, “M’kay, that’s enough photos for now.”

Jackson chuckles then begins to shake his head with a pout, “Nuh-uh, we have to take a selca first.”

I raise my brows at him and he begins to walk over. He then bends down and puts his forehead against mine, free hand going to my neck. He gives a smile to the camera and says “selca!” I turn to his phone and find myself visibly uncomfortable.

I try to give a smile, but I end up screwing my eyes shut and breaking away with a nervous laugh.

Jackson straightens up at that and chuckles at my reaction, “Alright. That’s enough for now. Don’t want you turning into a tomato on me.”

After eating, Jackson and I decided to walk around, arm linked together.

“How did you get here?”

I turn to him to see him looking down on me. “Taxi,” I quickly reply and turn away.

Jackson nods, “You should buy a car after this.”

All at once, the anxiety of spending money comes back, and then I find myself thinking of Jinyoung. I sigh, “I can’t drive.”

Jackson nudges me slightly and gives an amused face, “I’ll teach you.”

I can’t help but smile at him and shrug, “Alright.”

Jackson feels victorious and agrees, “It’s a date.”

At this point, we end up in this pretty neighborhood with pretty front yards and pretty porches. I couldn’t help but audibly note on this, “Look at that pretty house!”

“You’re prettier.”

I snort and shove Jackson when he says this. He chuckles and sidesteps due to impact. And because we’ve broken away, I got to look back behind us. I noticed that there were a bunch of guys who I recognized where from the restaurant.

I tense and move back close to Jackson, “They’re following us.”

He shakes his head, “Don’t mind them. We’re not doing anything wrong, except probably being young and in loooove.”

I cringe at Jackson and pinch his side. Yet again he seems awfully amused with himself. “If this is what it’s like dating you, I’m glad I’m not.”

Jackson pouts out in a frown, “Meanie! Also too bad because we are dating.”

I narrow my eyes at him, “Yeah, yeah, only until you’re tired of me though.”

The man’s demeanor visibly shifts, “That’s... not a nice thing to say.”

For a moment we look at each other and stop our walking. I suddenly feel bad for saying such a thing, though it may be true. “I...” but Jackson’s screech of a laugh cuts me off short, “Your face!”

I let out a breath and contort into annoyance, “well harty-har-har.”

Jackson is still catching his breath when I start walking again.

“Hey hold on.” 

Once he catches up with me, he places his hand on my shoulder again, “So tell me about your day? Has it been good, I mean, beside going out on a date with me.”

I want to give a sassy reply, but when I think back at what happened with Jinyoung, I end up saying something else, “It’s bleh.”

The man frowns, “Why is that? Is business math killing you.”

I can’t help but chuckle, “No... it’s fine.”

“NOOO TELL ME!”

“Jackson, it really isn’t.”

“Tell me!” Jackson exclaims in a screamo voice and I turn to him with an annoyed expression, “Geez, fine. I had a fight with my best friend.”

“Hmmmm, is it... the Jinyoung guy.” Jackson says warily.

My heart skips for multiple reasons at the thought that he remembers that. I nod in reply.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Honestly, he’s probably just being a drama queen. It’s his specialty. Doesn’t mean I’m not concerned though. He just as an awful way of coping, and his temper doesn’t help with it.”

Jackson nods upon hearing this, “Well, don’t worry too much about him then. You said he does this a lot so I’m sure he’ll come around.”

I nod at his words and he give me another pout, “hey, don’t go frowning on me.”

I proceed to force a smile. Jackson coos at this and pinches my cheeks, “Aw sooooo cute!” He then looks far off behind me, “Hey, you want some ice cream.”

I perk up like a child on Christmas morning. He laughs as I nod with enthusiasm. I proceed to run off to the stand. Jackson takes an opportunity to take a photo of the incident. When I turn back and see what he is doing, I cover my face and yell behind my hands, “Stop it!”

Jackson laughs lowly and says to himself, “I really can’t.”

Support me on ko-fi

Wanna see a teaser for chapter 8 cos i write v slow thank u for understanding that i just cannot do this on the regular lol asddffhekel

[smokedstorybara]

everyone seems to describe writing fanfic, and their motives for doing so, as “fixing canon”

which is totally valid

it’s just not how it is for me

(I make a lot of long introspective posts like this on my main, like one every couple months, but since this one is about writing I figured I’d put it here instead; I’m gonna put a readmore here so y’all can skip over it all if you want)

for me writing fanfiction is almost like an experiment, an exploration of variables - circumstance, setting, choices - and how they affect the characters trajectories and the outcome of the story as a whole (though tbh I tend approach writing in general as an exploration of tropes and structure and psychology so I guess it’s just how I am)

(I’m gonna use some fanfics I’m working on, as well as the couple I’ve actually posted, as examples to help me explain what I mean, so if you don’t want spoilers maybe don’t read)

first: exploration of circumstance (then setting, choices, and ending with all three together)

my two examples for this are my published Dear Evan Hansen fic (Apprentice) Park Ranger Handsome and a role-reversal Arrowverse au I’m working on

(A)PRH started with the thought “what would’ve happened if Evan and Connor had first interacted over the summer, at the park Evan worked at?”

my first answer was a simple “their first meeting would likely have gone much smoother - the environment and circumstances of it being much more relaxed”

this led to “they both would’ve latched on to that; this conversation is going well lets try to keep it going as long as possible I’m starved for positive interaction turning into if I talk to him again maybe it’ll go as well as last time it hasn’t gone wrong yet keep coming back keep talking to him maybe this can be good”

which leads to them becoming friends (and likely developing crushes on each other) and then opening up to each other >> relying on each other >> supporting each other >> each realizing that if they want to support the other they need a more stable support themself >> Evan likely being the first to actively reach out for outside support since he already has a therapist and relatively better relationship with his mother >> Evan doesn’t fall from that tree and Connor doesn’t commit suicide >> the entire plot of the play no longer happens but the boys are happy and their families are at least on their ways to healing

the Coldflash role-reversal (which does not have a name yet) actually started with the question “what element would I need to change for Barry to still be a CSI for the CCPD but also use his superspeed to become a criminal?”

the element I went with was him not being allowed access to the file on his mother’s murder

the cause-effect diagram so far is as follows: Barry isn’t allowed access to the file and thus can’t investigate >> he’s upset about this fact >> in a better mental state to be aware of corruption and laziness in the police force (as well as other factors that lead to the wrong person getting arrested) >> becomes bitter and disillusioned but hides it because he still wants to do what he can to prevent innocent people from going to jail >> when he gets superpowers he decides to use it to bring light to the failings of the city’s law enforcement >> becomes a thief >> tries to steal the Khandaq Dynasty Diamond at the same time as Leonard Snart does >> Leonard Snart gets a hold of the cold gun >> they both try again at the same time but because Flash is faster the public see him as a thief and “Captain Cold” as a hero >> because Snart is a giant nerd and also because he’s frustrated with all the chaos in his city from the metas, he decides to go along with it and becomes a superhero

second: exploration of setting

my only example for this is a fantasy au I recently started for Pacific Rim

so the variable I changed was “instead of a war between humans and beings from another world, it’s a war between the two fae courts”

and where changing a circumstance leads to a cause and effect of characters choices, changing setting leads to a map of what that changes in the characters circumstances and identities

some examples from this au:

Hannibal Chau is a human who uses deals with what I’ve been calling “J Court” in my outline to boost his black market business - instead of just being a shady black market dealer with ties to the PPDC, he’s one of the few humans who even knows the fae exist

Stacker Pentecost is either the king of the J Court or the leader of it’s army, giving him much more power than he had in canon

Raleigh left the Court after Yancy’s death, separating himself from his people and instead immersing himself in humanity, but somehow Stacker convinced him to return

(on the flip side: Newt is still an expert on Kaiju biology and just as obsessed with studying them as he is in canon)

third: exploration of choices

this exploration is where I look at one choice made in canon and ask myself “how would everything change if a different choice was made here?”

two examples again; an Umbrella Academy fic (tentatively named “The One Where He Stayed” in my drive) and a Check Please fic currently titled Moving On

the choice in TOWHS is Klaus going back to 2019 after Dave dies - instead he stays, serves a full tour in Vietnam and then returns to the US with his surviving war buddies

this changes his circumstances, setting, and leads to a cause-effect chain of decisions

he’s now a veteran in early seventies USA, he has friends who respect him and care about him; he still decides to go sober to see Dave again but there’s more behind the decision; he makes himself a home and a family - even if a good portion of them are dead soldiers, some of them are the spouses of his brothers-in-arms, their children and siblings; he learns to control his powers, all of them; and when he finally ends up back in 2019 - either the long way or from accidentally opening the briefcase - he still has this family waiting for him to show back up, willing to help, he’s powerful and knows it, and there’s no way he’s going to let the apocalypse happen

Moving On is less changing a choice made in canon and more answering the question of “what would happen if this choice that wasn’t made was?”

or, more specifically, “what if Bitty and Jack broke up before the Stanley Cup win? how would that affect Bitty’s friendships, his life?”

because many of Bitty’s friends are also friends with Jack, or at least look up to him, and in fact several were friends with Jack first

this one is mostly about exploring the psychology of the comic’s characters and how they all would react

I was happy to realize there would likely not be too much side taking, but there would be awkwardness for most of them; Bitty would likely gravitate more towards spending time with Tango, Whiskey, and Ford who would be the three most likely to not make a big deal out of it or make things awkward; also Bitty would be unable to tell his mother, which would eat at him

then there was the question “if Kent found out would he sympathize? would they become friends?” (slightly harder to answer, since Kent is a tiny bit of an enigma, but I chose to be optimistic there)

and the most important question: “how would I want to end this story? would it be a more satisfying conclusion for Bitty to find a new boyfriend and be happy with him, or to decide he doesn’t need a man to be happy? should Jack end the story single, or in a new relationship?”

the answers I decided on were: while Bitty doesn’t need a man to be happy, he was closeted his entire teens and at this point has only had one relationship and he deserves to get another chance at romance; and on the other side, Jack’s personal story is more about his hockey and becoming comfortable being himself and really all he needs is to win the Stanley Cup or something

fourth: all three at once - or in other words: The Soulmate AU

soulmate AUs are the best way to cover all three at once because the very existence of soulmates changes the circumstances of the story and how the world works, and affects what choices the characters would make

once again, I have two examples: my published Moomins fic Perchance To Dream, and an Arrowverse one-shot series titled Dream A Little Dream

Perchance To Dream was started by the question “in what way could I make Moomin and Snufkin soulmates without them immediately knowing upon meeting? which soulmate trope would I have to use?”

my tentative answer was soul dreams

which was quickly followed by the acknowledgement that if young Snufkin had started having soul dreams he’d likely be unhappy >> if Moomin knew his soulmate was unhappy with their soul bond and he had a way to cut off the bond - say, an herb that you take every night to stop your soul dreams - he’d do that for them, even if it would make him very sad >> time passes and they meet how they do in canon and they’ve both grown enough that they don’t immediately recognize each other >> Snufkin would figure it out first, but exactly when and how would depend on Moomin >> Snufkin would keep it a secret, nervous about telling Moomin >> Moomin would find himself drawn (and attracted) to Snufkin and would have very conflicting feelings over it >> they’d both spend an awfully long time feeling conflicted and guilty before Moomin decides he wants to be with Snufkin, soulmate or not, and Snufkin decides to tell Moomin the truth - probably around the same time

Dream A Little Dream exists entirely as an exploration of the soulmate trope and the different possibilities within

instead of being a romance focusing on one or two ships, it’s a non-linear web showing both how the existence of soulmates affects all the characters and how the events of canon affect the relationships of all the soulmate pairs

(I tried to separate it into primary pairs, secondary pairs, and tertiary pairs to make it easier on myself but all the pairings were too important to the whole idea behind the story to limit their chapters(literally I have, like, nine endgame ships and two of those are polyam(as in I’m counting a four person polyam chain as one ship, even if it might technically count as three, and the other is three people: one relationship); and around fifteen soul pairs(yes there are more soul pairs than endgame ships, there’s a reason for that)))

because of the way I’m exploring the trope there’s fairly little, aside from romantic relationships, that changes from canon (at least up to season four of the Flash, cause that’s as far as I’ve seen)

mostly it’s things like Leonard Snart returning to life because him and Barry are one of the soul pairs I plan on having end up together - after a very long process of Len spending nine months thinking his soulmate died >> then several months of Barry knowing Len’s his soulmate but Len being in the dark >> a period of Len trying to win Barry over but failing a bit >> Len dying and Barry mourning him >> Barry marrying and then divorcing Iris >> Len coming back to life >> Barry and him finally getting together

which is a parallel(in that they both have the “good guy is soulmated to bad guy” dynamic) and contrast to Cisco and Hartley who don’t realize they’re soulmates when they first meet and totally hate each other >> when they can no longer deny it, they start to work together and accept each other >> end up together

Iris’s soulmate is Eddie, and she, Caitlin, and Ray are explorations of moving on after the loss of your soulmate and the different forms that takes - Iris and Caitlin ending up together(along with Shawna, who was left behind by her soulmate) and Ray trying to fill Anna’s spot with other romantic relationships before finally realizing that that isn’t actually helping and finally properly coming to terms with the loss

and I’m gonna stop here instead of going any further into this one, since it’s got so many moving parts and also it’s a little harder to separate from canon than the others

[aquaticalay]

Two Hours (Alden Ehrenreich X reader)

Summary: Paul Bettany introduces you, a marvel actress, to Alden Ehrenreich.

You play a superhero in the marvel cinematic universe

(s/n): superhero name

Anon requested this

13. "I kinda –Y'know… Like… You..?"

Make up?

Check.

Dress?

Flawless.

That's what you tell yourself. Well, at least try to tell yourself. You can't help but feel, at the very least, a little insecure with yourself.

You were going to a party Disney threw for their actors and actresses at one of the most famous bars in Hollywood.

You, being a marvel actress, of course got an invite. But you were a nervous wreck. You always are. Before every gala, before every red carpet, before every party, your heart rate always escalated. You never got used to stardom, and you probably never will, but you loved it. You took a deep breath and looked at your hair. Your hairstylist had it done into a beautiful bun, but you had originally wanted to let your hair flow off your shoulders. You had finally gone with the bun, naturally, because you figured your stylist knows best.

You sigh and put on your heels, your navy blue dress flowing behind you.

You got into the car the people from Disney had sent for you. The chauffeur greeted you formally and showed you inside the car, a lovely Mercedes, and you stayed put. The driver wasn't chatty, but he did his job well. He dropped you off the club, and as soon as you stepped out of the car, cameras flashed like thunderstorms and you managed a smile for the camera. After striking a few poses, you entered the club.

And boy, was it a party.

Dim red lights lit up the floor like a haze, the smell of alcoholic beverages thick in the air, as if it was raining on you. Your eyes scanned the room and you saw Zoe Saldana on the bar, alone.

You went up to her. She was one of your best friends, and you were happy to see her. You tapped her on on the shoulders, and she looked back, happy to see you. She hugged you and you both ordered drinks, catching up on what had happened in your lives. After what seemed like a lifetime of chatting, somebody caught the attention of your striking eyes.

You recognized him as Alden Ehrenreich.

You always had a crush on Han Solo. As a kid, you fell in love with Harrison Ford's character, and very recently, you started developing a crush on Alden's portrayal of the brilliant character.

He was talking to Donald Glover, and boy, did he look incredible, a black suit on him and it did match him.

Zoe coughed, snapping you out of your thoughts. "Are you going to make a move, or are you just going to stare at him like a hawk?" Zoe smirked, following your stare to Alden.

You blushed, but laughed it out, "you know he's out of my league!"

"He's not," said a playful voice from behind, and when you looked over your shoulder, you saw Paul Bettany standing before you, a knowing grin at his face, "In fact, I'll introduce you to him," he started to drag you to Alden mercilessly despite you complaining and being embarrassed, trying to get his grip off your arms, but his wrist was locked on yours.

When you got to Alden's table, he was alone, no longer talking to Donald Glover. Paul greeted him in a friendly manner and he held your back, introducing you to Alden, "this is (Y/n), and (Y/n), this is Alden." He smiled. Alden nervously raised an eyebrow and shook your hand. He looked... star-struck, almost as star-struck as you.

"H-hi," he managed a smile, and you smiled back at him, sincerely.

"Hey," Paul interjected, "since you two are getting along so well—" Paul said with an exaggerated tone, "—I am going to leave you here."

You tugged on Paul's sleeves under the table, secretly not wanting him to go and leave you with your celebrity crush, but he left nonetheless, not even batting an eyelash at you.

"Wow," you laughed, breaking the silence, "I'm face to face with Han Solo."

"Me?" He said incredulously, "you have no idea how many times I've dreamt of meeting (S/n)!" He exclaimed, and got taken aback by his own words, "but— y'know, not the creepy kind of dream, it was a normal dream, uh—"

You laughed at his nervousness. He was very happy to see you, you could see in his eyes, and you felt the same.

"Let me buy you a drink, yeah?" He asked, a smile on his face.

-

You laughed and talked for hours, buying rounds of drinks together. You were barely drunk, just a little tipsy, while Alden was the same. He whispered in your ear, pushing your hair behind your earlobe, "can I tell you something?"

"Yeah?"

"You should let your hair down, it makes you look more beautiful," he paused, "not that you're not beautiful— I mean it would make you look better than you already are, if it was possible— umm..." He trailed off nervously, looking at his drink.

"Really?" You asked him, and he nodded.

With one swift move, you let go of your bun, letting your hair flow off your shoulders.

"Wow," he said, before looking down. “I mean—I kinda –Y'know… Like… You..? W-will you go on, uh— a date with me?" He said with adorably rosy cheeks.

"It only took you two hours," you giggled, kissing his red cheeks, "pick me up at seven tomorrow."

And Alden looked like the happiest man alive.

-

Prompts

Request

[maksylmyheart]

Olympic ice dance champion Charlie White posted a screenshot on Twitter on Jan. 17 of something he'd written "from the heart.'' It began, "Words matter. Action matters. The role we play in society matters. These are lessons I learned as an athlete, and they are the words I live by as an Olympian.''

The micro-essay was a signal that things were about to change on White's social media portal for his fans and followers, where his profile invites them to "Join me here for an important conversation.''

Since then, amid personal snapshots and promotional tidbits for the ice shows he does with partner and co-gold medalist Meryl Davis, White, whose Twitter handle is @CharlieaWhite, has posted a steady stream of strong opinions about national politics. Many of his Tweets have pointedly criticized the Trump administration, but White keeps returning to a more general theme he felt keenly as an international athlete: the image and example his country presents to the world.

White also engages in lengthy, patient, but firm reply threads with those who disagree with him. It's a huge departure from his sanitized competitive persona where, as he admits, "I wasn't a good interview. I didn't say interesting things.''

Taking such a public stance is unusual in the Olympic sports realm, where active athletes often refrain or are discouraged from making political statements by their sponsors and governing bodies, and are formally barred from doing so on the field of play at the Games themselves. (One outspoken exception is six-time Olympic shooting medalist and gun-rights advocate Kim Rhode, who addressed the 2012 GOP convention and last summer openly backed then-candidate Donald Trump.) White, who is married to 2006 Olympic ice dance silver medalist Tanith Belbin White, says he has felt no external pressure to censor himself. He and Davis have not competed since the 2013-14 season that culminated with their gold medal at the Sochi Games, but they have not ruled out a comeback. "[Tanith and Meryl] are both supportive," he says. "They know 100 percent that when I feel strongly about something, I can't stay silent. We're on the same page in terms of what is important in the world, and there are things worth standing up for."

White, 29, has been chipping away at a degree in political science at the University of Michigan for many years. He still makes his living in the figure skating realm as a performer, commentator and occasional choreographer.

He realizes some may think he's on thin ice, whether or not he and Davis ever compete again. But White says he is driven by a sense of obligation. "Post-election, I had to look at myself in the mirror and say, 'What are you really disappointed with here?' And unfortunately the answer was 'myself,''' he said in a recent interview. The following are excerpts from that conversation.

Ford:  Was [commenting on politics] something that you had to ponder for a while, or did it happen organically?

White: It's very interesting to be doing an interview of this nature [laughs]. I've gotten so comfortable with my go-to answers regarding sport and figure skating. I'm a bit nervous to take this on publicly, both in this interview and via social media. I've long been interested in politics, but I never expected myself to become a political commentator, objector or relatively outspoken person one way or the other. It had less to do with being an athlete and more to do just with the fact that I really have worked hard for people to like me. And I have always enjoyed being able to make people happy. Unfortunately, it's always seemed to be that when you step into the political realm, you don't get the benefit of the doubt any more. That's weighed on me.

Following the election, I wasn't happy with the result. I understand the way politics work, as a living, breathing organism in our society, and that so often, change is revered for the sake of change. I got it. But I did, at that moment, recognize that being upset with the way the election turned out, I could really only hold myself accountable, as I hadn't participated as a vocal, active citizen in the process. I determined that if I want to be able to be at peace with myself, I have to take a larger role. I'm almost as surprised as some of my skating fans that follow me on Twitter.

Ford:  I don't know what percentage of your replies [on Twitter] you're responding to, but it seems like a lot. What's that like?

White:  That's an important part of it for me. Being able to engage with people is ultimately what will allow us to coalesce as a nation. I understand the deep divide and I understand partisan politics -- it doesn't seem there's an easy way out. So I think beyond being able to engage people with different kinds of ideological beliefs, and set a baseline for expectations that could be universally applied to our political system, that's a way in which you can start to heal what has been a grueling process that started with the campaigning for this last election.

We're all coming at this from very different life experiences. To be a good citizen, you have to be able to come to the table with an open mind and a respect for the diversity of the people you'll be dealing with, to learn something as well as contribute. On Twitter, it can be difficult. You're stuck with 140 characters, but that doesn't mean you can't give people an opportunity to listen to something they might not have heard before, in a respectful way. Being able to listen to people, even via social media, and make them feel they've been heard and understood, even if you disagree vehemently, I think that's something they can take with them and allow them a better way to enter into the next conversation they have with someone. It's been very important for me to engage with those who raise objections -- but also those who agree with me -- but do so in a way that I don't think is conducive to a healthy conversation. I have taken stands against people who, you know, they're trying to be funny, they're trying to be witty, I get that. So much of dealing with things that scare you is to trying to make it funny. But when that "funny" is at the expense of someone else, you put them in a defensive posture, and it's certainly not going to solve any problems.

Ford:  Has it been hard to be restrained? Are there times when you draft a tweet and say, "No, I'm gonna trash that one.''

White:  Yeah, of course. I'm fallible. I don't expect that all my interactions have been perfect or will be perfect. But I do have very high expectations for myself because I recognize that what's at stake is much bigger than being petty. It's so easy to be petty when you think there's no hope you'll be able to even have a respectful conversation. That's how it can often devolve. Online, when you're not face to face with someone, you can ignore they're a real person. Lately I have gotten some of those messages where it's like, 'OK, this person clearly isn't trying to add anything or take away anything. They might not even believe what they're saying, they just get a kick out of being mean.' You have to be aware of what you're dealing with. I generally try not to block people. You deserve more than one opportunity to bring something constructive to the table. Who knows what epiphany someone could have?

Ford:  Skating can be a very snarky, subjective environment. But I've got to believe the worst of what you experienced then is nothing compared to what you could experience now.

White:  As an athlete, I always had a very stoic approach. I want to apologize, but it was probably the right way of handling myself when we were competing -- I wasn't a good interview. I didn't say interesting things. I probably said about the same thing in 90 percent of my interviews for about eight years. But for me, it was always a matter of show, don't tell.   If I had something to say, I did it by practicing hard, being consistent, keeping a level head and going out and doing my best. I think that allowed me to stay away from making critical mistakes at the wrong times. I feel the same way now. As long as you take an intelligent and measured approach to the things that matter to you, and you do so with an open mind and a kind heart, thinking about more than just yourself, then you can't be disappointed with the outcome. I feel that way about Twitter, and I feel that way about politics, and I feel that way about life. I think it's served me well so far. If through my actions and my words I can give strength, or courage, or a new take on the same information to 10 percent of the people who hear me or listen to me or care about what I say, then I think that will have been worth it. Even if zero percent are interested in what I have to say, I can't be disappointed in my own effort. That's certainly something I've taken from what I had to go through in skating.

Ford:  You're still in that skating world, making a living in a different way, and I assume will do so indefinitely. Your sponsors, your agent -- have there been any uncomfortable conversations?

White:  I haven't had a direct conversation with anyone about it. I know my parents are proud, which means a lot to me. Taking my tone and my approach into account, I don't think there's much to be worried about. Ultimately, when you feel as strongly as I do about questions of morality and ethics, you can't sell yourself short on that. There is a balancing act, of course. But I feel a great sense of duty to the country that allowed me the opportunity to have such a fantastic life, to represent them at the Olympics. I guess if there's an issue that ever arises, I'll have to deal with that. Right now, I feel fortunate that I haven't had any pressure to stay quiet.

Ford: Is it possible we would see you out marching?

White:  Yes, absolutely. It's been exciting to see the way the public has responded. It's not easy to go out and take a stand for something you believe in. But that's how we started this country. It's a way of getting people -- not to think the same way, but to really think hard about what it is our country should be representative of.