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moon-like-u · 3 years ago

Text

the art of photography

pairing: joshua hong/reader (third pov)

genre: fluff, rivals to lovers i guess, photographer!au

word count: 3,729

based on the prompt: our mutual friend has been talking us up to the other and when we finally meet, we have to tell them that we’ve been in a feud for the last six years (and I can’t stop thinking of all the nice things our friend has said about you) [#23, © foundyourheart on tumblr]

synopsis: joshua and y/n are both photographers who despise each other, until they don't.

a/n: this was awfully long ^____^ don't know what to feel about it. kinda rushed the end. wanted to try third pov for a change. posted on mobile, idk if it looks fine on laptop yet. also, the outfit described is inspired by 190809 joshua <3 happy new year to the people who will come across this! <3

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Joshua Hong. A name Y/N wishes they’d never hear again.

You’d say, oh you’re so dramatic. But, that is the point; Joshua Hong is of flawless theatrics, he is the details of a meticulous oil painting, he is written in a classic romance novel, he is the calm of the sea.

To everybody, he sounds like a living breathing perfect man, but to them, he is the perfect man to despise.

Photography has been part of y/n’s life ever since they can remember. It is calming, comforting, and all at the same time challenging; the art of photography takes precision, artistry, and most importantly, the right moment—and it took one man to ruin all three.

They still remember the exact moment of when they missed a perfectly timed and potentially beautiful photograph, because the view of their camera was blocked by an arm. More specifically, Joshua’s arm. It didn’t help that he was attempting to take a picture of the exact moment they were trying to capture and the successful click of his camera was enough to piss them off.

Joshua, on the other hand, couldn’t know exactly why this person just went up to him suddenly accusing him of things relentlessly. He would’ve listened and apologized if it wasn’t for the stressful week he just had; he had hoped to relax while taking pictures and not engage in an argument. Photography has been calming, serene, and happy-inducing. Y/N is the opposite of that. They are a scorching fire, an unceasing force, like a hypnotizing performance—dangerous yet, amusing.

Consequently, both parties have tried to one-up the other, even in leisure photography, ever since. Both of them have clashed in competitions countless of times—this just further added insult to injury. Needless to say, it was the start of the blossoming of their silent rivalry.

It has been a little over four years and the unspoken competition is still going on, partly because of pride, and partly because of pettiness. Living in the same neighborhood became convenient for their rivalry to last all these years. They find themselves having conversations that always end up in squabbles, clipped tones, and a long-forgotten, tired third party.

—

It is an understatement to say that y/n’s friend, Yuri, has been promoting her other friend to them like a challenged entrepreneur. Here’s what they know about her friend so far: he is tall, said to like photography as much as they do, likes to create bracelets, plays the guitar, has a heavenly and calming voice, and they quote, “so kind that it seems unreal.”

And it does seem unreal. They think that mystery man, the nickname they coined for him, couldn’t exist. It left them an impression that everything Yuri has said is just extra-romanticized, mixed with the right pizazz.

Yuri is convinced that her so-called friend and y/n would be perfect together; she thinks that they would get along personality-wise and that the common hobbies are only a bonus. Yuri is the type who loves fairytales, romance novels, and any cliché tropes that it didn’t come to y/n as a surprise when she didn’t want to tell them his name for “first introductions should always feel special,” she said. Y/N personally thinks it’s pointless considering she tells them everything about him but his name. Usually, they wouldn't mind her gushing about different sappy things she finds interest in, but they wished it wasn't directed to them.

They’re not gonna lie, right now, they’re more interested in what kind of pictures they’re going to take next and how it will beat Joshua Hong. It’s all planned, they would try new techniques, it should exactly be the moment when the sun goes down—

“Are you even listening?” Yuri exclaimed.

Y/N looked at her with wide eyes. “You were talking about mystery man?”

She rolled her eyes, “I’m setting you up on a date, I already told him and he seems to be down for it!” Yuri held their hand, “All I need is your answer.”

They were getting ready to reject the offer because why would they trust a man over word of mouth?

“Wait! Before you answer, I told him about the band you love so much and he said he’s a fan.” Y/N was, again, about to interject when Yuri cut them off.

“I told him you recommended them to me and even made him sing the lyrics and he genuinely does know them before you doubt him,” she narrowed her eyes.

Rockets is an underground band they discovered after being bored on the internet for hours. It wasn’t long when they found themself playing their songs on repeat for weeks. Y/N always thinks they should be more known with the kind of music they’re releasing and recommended them to many friends.

Y/N doesn’t know who they are or what they look like, but they do know how much their songs have comforted them through a lot. Finding out that mystery man is also a fan piqued their interest.

Yuri smiled at their change of expression and knew she finally got them. They nodded, “Okay, I’m in.”

—

The place Yuri had reserved was an old simple restaurant with different bands coming in to play every Friday night. It’s called the Sixth Night, in reference to the special Fridays they always have. It has a bar where people who opt for casual drinking and dining can go to. It is the perfect place for hang-outs or dates that do not seek anything too fancy. Y/N was thankful that they brought their camera with them for the place is beautiful; It has a decorative and maximalist interior, most of the furniture being wood, completed with a dim warm lighting. The band of the night is currently playing a familiar pop ballad, bringing a slight brush of nostalgia.

While drinking in the atmosphere and finding the right angles, y/n thought about how they’ll approach the mystery man. The only information Yuri gave them about him was what he’ll be wearing tonight – a punch pink cardigan with a white undershirt, paired with simple jeans. They tried not to think about how silly this whole set-up is, maybe if Yuri just introduced them like a normal person, they wouldn’t be worrying about finding their date-but-not-really-a-date for tonight.

They let their thoughts wander to mystery man while taking photos. Besides the fact that he knows the band Rockets, he sounded like a pretty nice man from Yuri’s endless stories. They recalled the time she told her about how mystery man shouldered one of her groupmate’s work and ended up spending an all-nighter because Yuri was close to breaking down. Or how he’s a volunteer for his university’s children’s organization. Everything about this man just sounds surreal.

Y/N was in the middle of reminiscing while scrolling through her photos when they felt a tap on their shoulder. “Hey, are you Yuri’s–” he cuts off when he sees their face.

“Joshua?” they said incredulously, while looking at the exact description of the outfit of mystery man.

“–friend. Y/N?” he trailed off.

“No way,” they shook their head.

Joshua and Y/N stared, in disbelief. The gears in their heads turning as they connect the dots in Yuri’s description of the other.

Y/N realized that Yuri has never been in the same room as them and Joshua. Still, they’re thinking whether she really doesn’t know they hate each other or if they pissed her off and this is some form of her revenge.

It isn’t the first time somebody told them both that they would match well if they get rid of whatever they had going on and they violently disagreed every time, because it’s just impossible. It’s the first time, however, that someone has managed to be successful in making them interested in each other, without knowing. And suddenly, it is not impossible, it is real.

“I can’t believe Yuri managed to convince us to dive in head first into a date,” he said, breaking the silence.

Y/N agreed, “Who would’ve thought that the Joshua I know likes making bracelets?”

He narrowed his eyes, “Who would’ve thought that you like crocheting?”

“Crocheting is actually much more interesting than making bracelets, thank you very much,” they responded.

“Knowing you, I thought photography is the only thing your world revolves around,” he scoffed.

“I could say the same about you.”

He chuckled at that. They indulged in the atmosphere of the restaurant, another acoustic pop music filling in their ears. Y/N decided to take more pictures to distract themself in the current situation they can’t quite place a finger in.

“It’s a nice place, I wish I had brought my camera with me too,” he said as y/n took more pictures, conveniently not looking at Joshua and how the lighting highlights his features.

“I think your skills would not do this justice.” Joshua didn’t have to look at their face behind the camera to know they’re smirking.

He raised an eyebrow, amused. “Oh? And yours would?”

“It would definitely suffice,” they took a glance at him smiling, raising an eyebrow themself.

Joshua looked like he wanted to disagree but decided to say nothing. Unable to resist the ambience of the surroundings, he gingerly took out his phone and began taking pictures. He tried not to dwell on the fact that it would have been perfect if he had brought his camera with him.

Y/N took pity on him as soon as they noticed that Joshua’s only taking pictures with his phone camera. Genuinely, they asked him if he wants borrow their camera, bringing it up to his vision.

Joshua gasped dramatically, “The Y/N, allowing me to hold and use their beloved camera? Am I dreaming?”

“If you don’t want it, then don’t use it,” they said narrowing their eyes.

“No, no. Let me savor this moment,” he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

“Oh shut it and just take your pictures,” they grumbled. Joshua shushed them with his hand and kept his eyes closed.

“Okay, moment taken,” he finally opened his eyes and smiled cheekily, y/n looked at him incredulously. Joshua laughed in response but accepted their camera nonetheless.

Y/N can’t help but observe him while he takes pictures of the surroundings. They are still piecing together the pieces of the Joshua they know and of mystery man. They will never admit it out loud, but they have always found Joshua attractive, something they failed to overlook but managed to disregard in the course of their rivalry. Knowing all this additional information Yuri has provided, it was getting a little harder to ignore it, or more precisely him. All this thinking made their brain go into overdrive.

Contrastingly, Joshua is having fun. He had always found teasing and competing with y/n fun, no matter what situation. He had no problem with the whole date set-up, in fact, he wants to go through with it. It will definitely be interesting, there was no dull moment with them; he wondered what they thought of this whole thing.

Y/N chalked it up to the atmosphere of the restaurant, or the soft tune of the piano, or the acoustic love song filling their ears that led them to decide to enjoy the night, why not? he had asked. And enjoy the night, they did. They talked about hundreds of things before settling down for their meal; their academics, other interests besides photography, a game of would you rather that sparked debates, and many more.

They soon fell into silence as they indulged in their food. Years of being exposed to each other’s presence didn’t make it awkward.

“So, I heard you like the Rockets band?” Joshua broke the silence.

Their eyes lit up, before clearing their throat. “I love them! I’m surprised you listen to them too. I mean, not that they’re not worth listening to. But like, they’re very lowkey, you know? Which I don’t understand, because their songs are good and they shouldn’t hide it! Although, I understand they might want privacy or something but—God, I’m rambling. Sorry,” they covered their face, blushing.

Joshua only watched and listened, with fondness evident in his eyes. “No, it’s okay! I– my friends had told me they’re really good. I like their lyrics the most, I could relate to them.”

If y/n squinted, they would have noticed the light pink that tinged his cheeks. “I agree! I don’t want to sound all cheesy, but their songs bring a lot of comfort to me. I wish they know that they have people like us who support them.”

“They probably would like that,” Joshua smiled. “I actually have a confession to make,” he said after a moment.

“What is it?” they replied.

“I know one of the Rockets’ band members.”

“No way! Who– I mean– wow, okay. I’m totally not curious at all.”

Joshua laughed, “They mentioned something about performing live and finally promoting the band, you’ll be the first to know when I find out.”

“That’d be really great! We can watch them live together,” they exclaimed, and then blushing when they realize what they just implied. They cleared their throat, “if you want.”

“Of course,” he smiled.

After talking a bit more about the band, asking about their favorite songs and the like, they resumed to other topics, venturing to their common friend, Yuri, and, unsurprisingly, photography. They’ve managed to have a conversation about their favorite hobby without arguing like two children, a very challenging feat to overcome. The night ended unexpectedly well. More than well, in fact. Joshua and Y/N both went home quite satisfied, maybe even a little giddy.

—

It’s been three days since their date-not-so-date night. Yuri and Y/N met in the cafeteria when she asked them about the night; they had to explain that they already knew each other and they have a little rivalry in photography going on. Y/N narrowed their eyes at her and asked if she already knew about that.

“Oh no! I swear, I didn’t,” Yuri exclaimed, wincing. “I take it that the night didn’t go well, then?”

Y/N raised their eyebrows, and much to their friend’s satisfaction, blushed. “It went okay.”

“By the look on your face, it went more than okay,” she said teasingly.

“Well, we did enjoy the night. The restaurant was a nice place, they had great food.”

“Sure, the restaurant. This will mark the end of your rivalry and the beginning of something more,” she giggled. “Oh, you guys will so thank me later for this.”

Y/N shook their head and continued eating their food. They hadn’t considered thinking about what this would mean with their ongoing rivalry, are they friends now? Will they stop competing with each other? Thinking of remaining to be “enemies” tugged at their heart, but the thought of stopping their competition with their photography crushed their heart altogether. When did they look forward to their little skirmishes?

As if sensing that he’s being thought about, Joshua suddenly texted. Yuri glanced at the sudden sound. “Oh my god, you’re textmates now?”

“No, he had just asked for my number to make sure I got home safe that night.”

The text read:

Joshua Hong: Hey Y/N! You’ll be glad to know Rockets is performing their first gig on Friday, at Sixth Night. I’m wondering if you’re free to come?

Y/N: Hey! Yes, I am!!!

Joshua Hong: Alright, I’ll see you there. :)

“That’s totally a date,” Yuri said, looking over their shoulder.

“It is not, we just happen to like Rockets very much,” they replied.

“Okay, whatever you say.”

—

When Friday arrived, Y/N found themself at the entrance of Sixth Night. The restaurant was still as atmospheric as the last time they visited. The only difference is that there were expectedly more people inside, many were lounging around the bar and different corners. It didn’t take long for people to find out that Rockets will be performing, and a new band was always anticipated among their peers. It is noticeably more than the usual crowd whenever there's a new band playing, knowing Rockets already has quite the number of listeners even underground.

Y/N quickly texted Joshua, asking his whereabouts. It was already nearing 9 PM and Rockets was scheduled to perform then, they can’t help but wonder if they’ve been ditched. They tried to look for Yuri, but the little crowds were not dispersing. They finally settled in a corner with a good view of the little platform of the band, they will not let being stood up will not get in the way of them enjoying their favorite band.

Checking their phone one last time, a text popped up from Joshua:

Joshua Hong: I’m here! Just a heads up, it’s you.

Confused is an understatement, what does he mean it’s me? They glanced around the place to look for him, failing to see him. They shook their head and decided to think about it later, they couldn’t miss the Rockets’ performance.

An announcer came up on the little platform for the bands, announcing the next act. “For the closing performance, it has come to my attention that this special band has been anticipated tonight. This will be their first ever stage live! Give it up for, Rockets!”

The lights around the restaurant became dimmer, leaving the soft yellow spotlight on stage. The silhouettes of the Rockets’ band members were noticeable, Y/N’s heart beating out of their chest with anticipation. One of the members started playing the first tunes of one of their songs repeatedly on an electric guitar, while the other stepped into the microphone stand, the light illuminating his face.

Shocked, surprised were both an understatement. Standing on stage were none other than their rival for more than four years, their newly found Rockets “fan,” their date for tonight, Joshua Hong. Y/N’s heart still felt like it’s beating out of their chest, but now, for a different reason. They felt themself blush furiously, trying to recall their conversation last week; they realized he didn’t exactly lie outright, but he did lie by omission. Oh, you sneaky, devious little— they covered their face with their hands, their brain coiled.

Of all the things that had happened the past week, including tonight, what surprised them the most is that they’re not even mad. In fact, they feel ridiculously exhilarated; because, of course, it just had to be Joshua — my mystery man, my favorite band, my rival. It seems like our paths are too intertwined, they thought.

“I would like to say good evening to everyone here,” Joshua started. “It is an honor to play here live at Sixth Night, I hope everybody will enjoy the show,” he said, looking around the crowd. “My name is Joshua and my bandmate over here playing the guitar is Vernon.” Vernon glanced up to flash a smile.

“I would like to dedicate this first song to this wonderful person I’ve known for a long time, who has been occupying my thoughts more than I’d like to admit,” he continued. Joshua’s text echoed through their mind, Just a heads up, it’s you.

It’s you.

Y/N instantly recognized the song, it was the song that they mentioned to be their favorite the last time they were here. Joshua started singing, and they couldn’t help but join in with some of the people who were singing too. It was good, amazing, surreal. It didn’t take long for Joshua to find their eyes and make eye contact. Their eyes seemed to have conversation of their own as Joshua sang and Y/N mouthing the words back.

Rockets band played three more songs afterwards, before ending the night. Many people came up to them to congratulate and even take a few pictures. But, the person who Joshua wanted to see hasn’t gone to them yet. He looked at every person calling them with hopeful eyes, only to be disappointed.

Vernon noticed this and said, “Don’t worry, man. They’re probably just waiting for the crowd to disperse.”

It was not until he was exiting the Sixth Night that he saw Y/N waiting by the door. He grimaced inside as he recalled his text, Just a heads up, it’s you. He thought it was thoughtful and cool when he typed it, but now, it just sounded ridiculous.

“Hey,” Joshua called quietly. “Are you mad?”

Y/N looked up, surprised. “No, I’m not mad! I was just waiting for you, I–” they brushed their hair, “I didn’t want to bother you.”

“You wouldn’t be a bother to me,” Joshua smiled. “I was waiting for you too.”

Y/N smiled in response, but remembering that they had been lied to by omission, narrowed their eyes and crossed their arms. “You just conveniently forgot to tell me that you are the vocalist of Rockets?”

“Well, I might’ve forgotten to tell you that part,” Joshua scrunched his nose, acting to be in thought.

“You just wanted me to tell you all those compliments and my favorite song,” they continued, their eyes filled with mirth.

Joshua took a step closer. “Yeah, it was very flattering. Especially coming from you,” Joshua agreed, eyes twinkling. “I wanted to ask you your favorite song for the dedication, and maybe that will persuade you to agree to a dinner with me next week,” he said, offering his hand.

“Unbelievable,” they shook their head, smiling and accepting his hand. “You definitely owe me one, Joshua Hong.”

—

It was after many dates, banters, and continued competitions— less hateful from now on — for photography to change for Joshua and Y/N. It was not long before they became each other’s favorite subject to capture; Joshua used to turn to photography for a place of serenity, but now, it also became a place for Y/N— exciting, warm, full of love.

For Y/N, what matters now is to simply capture the moment. When it came to him, all the angles, the blurring of lights, and everything in between did not matter as long as it was him. The art of photography takes precision, artistry, and most importantly, the right moment—and it took one man to ruin all three.

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starcuffedjeans · 2 years ago

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hi, by any chance do you know foundyourheart’s tumblr? ive been trying to find it but i can’t

THERE ISN’T ONE BUT I GUESS WE CAN ALL PEER PRESSURE V INTO MAKINT ONE

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wheredidhiseyebrowsgo · 4 years ago

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can you maybe give recommendations for good wlw fanfictions, i would owe you my life (⌒▽⌒)☆

Yeah. I love something different!

hope makes the world go round by foundyourheart

(1/1 I 828 I General I Allison/Kira)

allison/kira + holding hands for the first time

Tranference by 1001cranes

(1/1 I 1,139 I Teen I Laura/Lydia)

When the dust settles - after Jackson comes back to life and decides to leave town, Porsche screaming - those left behind spend a lot of time squirming, and apologizing, and sending gestures of support that mean very little far too late. Lydia is rarely forgiving of bad results based on good intentions.

Later, they try to make her pick sides. As if either have anything to offer. As if Lydia has ever needed anyone but herself.

Hideaway by ThiamHarpy

(1/1 I 1,246 I Explicit I Malia/Kira)

Malia + Kira + Cabin in the woods = A good time. A getaway, a hideaway..

&I can't pretend (that I'm not in love with my best friend) by melbopo

(1/1 I 1,633 I Teen I Allydia)

Allison and Lydia just have to pretend to date for a couple of weeks to reap 80% of the profits from the betting pool the pack has on them. All it is, is hanging out and holding hands, what could possibly go wrong?

simmer down and pucker up by theocrains

(1/1 I 2,131 I Explicit I Allydia)

Seventeen year-old Allison gets sent to the principal, Ms. Martin’s, office and receives a punishment she neither expects nor regrets.

there are rows & rows & rows by magneticwave

(1/1 I 4,621 I Teen I Sterek)

There are at least fourteen things Danny would much rather be doing right now, including sawing off his own arm and stabbing puppies with knives, and yet he’s still here, around the corner from their Econ lecture hall, coaching Stiles through asking their TA out for coffee.

Break Me In by wishingonalightningbolt

(1/1 I 10,425 I Explicit I Sterek)

Dara Hale has one epic grievance with her current life, and it is her inability to get off like the hot-blooded American female she is. There's also her epic crush on Stiles Stilinski, who is probably straight and too attractive for her own good, and that's not really helping matters.

-0-

She likes to think of Stiles pressing her up against the tile wall of the girl’s bathroom during lunch, kissing her fiercely, quickly, because she wants to do it but she doesn’t want to get caught. She likes to think of Stiles slipping a hand into her jeans, into her underwear, and—

You Must Like Me For Me by allyasavestheday

(11/35 I 98,680 I Mature I Cora/Lydia)

“You don’t have to pretend,” Cora says, and if it comes out a little more aggressively than she intends, she doesn’t care.

Lydia pulls back, pen stilling. “What?”

“You don’t have to pretend to like me just because we have to work on this project together.”

“I’m not,” Lydia says. Her tone is neutral. She sniffs. “I don’t have an opinion of you either way.”

Cora zeroes in on the uptick in her voice, the little tremor that gives away her lie. “Yeah, sure. I know girls like you.” _____

Lydia Martin has never paid much attention to Cora Hale. That is, until Cora, rising star of the girls soccer team, quits days before regionals, killing any chance they had of winning state for the fifth season in a row, and becoming the most hated junior at Beacon Hills.

Our two lives are God's love story by puppybusby

(100/100 I 262,973 I Teen I Allydia)

"I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you."

(Or; All of the times Allison and Lydia fell in love)

#teen wolf #sterek #stiles stilinski #derek hale #allydia #girl!stiles #allison argent #lydia martin #femslash

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kiara--carreras · 3 years ago

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whatacoolkid -> kiara--carreras

hey!! i think this was looong overdue and i really miss my best girl (she’s coming back!!) so here we are :)) i guess i’ve reached my true blog potential now lol (don’t mind me just tagging some mutuals <3)

@ladyinrosso @darwinquark @foundyourheart @oldschoolkiddo @veronica-jones @merevide @jabitha @docmcfly @finalfrontierpioneer @kindnessinpain2000 @fangstomysweetpea @reggiephantom @circlemidnight @thefudge @serendipitee @pvperplxnes

#url change #mine #EXCITED BOUT THIS ACTUALLY #sbs are appreciated :)))#sdjhsjkghjk me acting like i'm a big blog lmao #jk jk not true anyone can do this

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bitchloveskcbaseball · 3 years ago

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Grab a Seat

Pairing: none officially ... but also sort of Bryce Lahela x mystery girl

Series: None at least for now

Summary: A packed subway. One free seat. Two people determined to get it. (I suck at summaries lmao)

Word Count: 1107

Warnings: Swearing

Disclaimer: Bryce Lahela belongs to Pixelberry (mystery girl is all mine though) Also... I was too terrified that I might delete this if I went back and read it, so there has been no editing done. I apologize for any and all mistakes that have happened here. Also I have no idea how subways actually work, so sorry if it’s all messed up lol

A/N #1: All of the credit for this belongs to @burnsoslow (unless it sucks, then it’s allllll on me lmao) If not for your patience and support, your words of wisdom and your brilliant advice, I know I wouldn’t have been able to find my way back to writing.

A/N #2: Part of her amazing advice was to find a prompt that inspired me. The one that I sparked an idea came from this list by @foundyourheart and is: We make contact before trying to steal the last seat on the subway/bus/train and I end up in your lap and fuck you, I’m going to stay here because I’ve had a really long day and this seat was mine. I didn’t quite use it in exactly as written, but it is the inspiration and it is fairly close...

A/N #3: I also managed to sneak in @wackydrabbles prompt #98 and it is bolded.

Smirking up at the woman that had, quite literally, stumbled into his lap, Bryce couldn’t help but smirk as he asked, “You do realize that the phrase ‘falling all over you’ is only an expression, right?”

Long, chestnut-brown hair whipped him in the face as she swung around so her glare was focused fully on him. “Seriously? That’s how you want to play off stealing my fucking seat?”

“Your seat? How do you figure?”

“I’ve been on this damn train for six freaking stops and this is the first seat to have opened up!”

Not bothering to hide his laughter, Bryce tossed back, “I fail to see how that automatically makes this seat yours.”

“Because I’ve been waiting for it longer!”

That caught his attention. Because that meant that mystery girl had noticed when he had gotten on the subway three stops ago. And judging by the glimpse of the flush peeking through the light tan on her cheeks that he got before she ducked her head, he figured that was a piece of information she hadn’t meant to let slip.

Surprisingly, she recovered her wits faster than he did, cutting off any remark he might have made by spouting off, “Don’t flatter yourself. I only noticed when you got on because I was practically standing in the doorway.”

Letting one eyebrow arch in disbelief, Bryce asked, “Then why are you still sitting on my lap?”

Her grey eyes that were filled with sparks of green snapped back up to meet his own, sparking with indignation. “Because it’s my fucking seat and you won’t get out of it!”

“How am I supposed to do that if you won’t get up?”

“So you admit that it was rightfully mine?”

“Not at all. Just pointing out the flaws in your argument. Besides, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been waiting for someone to vacate a seat. Subway seats are first come, first serve, and since I clearly got here first, it’s my seat.”

For just a brief moment, he could feel her deflate as her eyebrows drew together and her mouth pinched into a pout. Guilt washed over him in waves as he realized he had pushed his teasing too far, especially with someone whose name he still didn’t know. It had just felt so natural to banter back and forth with her that he had simply forgotten that they were still strangers.

But before he even had a chance to open his mouth to apologize for overstepping, she had slipped her mask back into place, from the eyebrow she had cocked up into the piece of hair swooping across her forehead to the sassy tilt to her smirk. The sudden transformation practically stole his breath away, even if he could still see small hints of the weariness that was weighing her down.

“If that’s how you want to do this? Then fine. Let’s do it.” Bryce’s hand slipped from around her waist -- I didn’t even realize I’d left it there -- down to rest on her thigh as she scooted further back on his lap, making it clear that she had no intentions of getting up. “Since I got to this seat first, I guess that makes it mine.”

Forgetting his intention to keep his comments to himself after she gave him such a perfect opening with her own smartass comment, he fired back, “That’s an awfully bold claim to make this early in the relationship. I mean, we haven’t even gone to dinner yet.”

When her only response was some soft spluttering, Bryce was tempted to mess with her a little more to see just how much he could fluster her. But then he remembered the flash of exhaustion he’d seen in her only moments before. He couldn’t ignore the pang of empathy he felt at the thought of her being so worn down before the sun had even risen.

So, instead, he made a show of glancing out the window at the approaching station and then lightly poked at her side. “Hey, if you hop up for just a sec, you can have the actual seat.”

“Like hell I will! No chance I’m falling for that!”

“No, I’m serious. This is my stop we’re coming up to.”

After briefly studying him from over her shoulder, his mystery girl -- when did I start thinking of her as mine? -- stood up and turned to face him as the train started to slow. Her left eyebrow pulled down over her eye while the right shot back up under her hair, silently daring him to try to keep the spot on the bench. So, with hands raised in surrender, Bryce got up and stepped out of her way with a flourish.

Almost immediately after she had settled into the seat, she pulled her phone out of her pocket and practically buried her nose in the screen. He knew he ought to take that as a sign that his time with her was up, but he was filled with an inexplicable concern for her that prompted him to nudge her foot with his own. When her attention was back on his face, he asked, “Do me one favor?”

There was only a slight hesitation before she answered, “Um ... maybe? Depends on what it is.”

“Whatever has you so stressed out? Try not to let it totally weigh you down.”

While the scoff she let out was full of frustration, it was thankfully free of anger. “I really wish I could. I just honestly don’t know that I can.”

“Maybe just try thinking about the time that you sat on a stranger’s lap and declared it to be yours.” Lifting his shoulders in a shrug, he added, “That’s what I’m going to do the next time I’m feeling overwhelmed.”

Without waiting to hear what, if anything, her response would be, Bryce turned to head towards the now open doors of the subway car. Instead of exiting, however, he maneuvered his way through the crowd to an empty spot where he could still see her while he waited for his stop that was still three stations away.

When his eyes landed on her once again, a single unexpected thought popped into his mind: I wish we could do this all the time. Shaking his head, he forced himself to clear his head of the thought and the equally-unexpected disappointment he felt over the realization that he might never see her again. Instead, Dr. Bryce Lahela put his focus on mentally running through the operations he just might get to witness on this, his first day of surgical residency.

Tag List: @darley1101 @lahellacute @anotherbeingsworld @burnsoslow @mvalentine

#bryce lahela #bryce x mc #bryce lahela x mc #choices open heart #choices oh #the ending is super awkward #but i literally could not figure out what to do with it #and if i thought about it anymore i was going to start pulling hair out #so anyway...here it is #lol

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tea-and-la · 3 years ago

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Drabble/ficlet asks?

(credit: @foundyourheart. picked from this and this):

1. we’re strangers who meet at a bar, get drunk, and wake up to announcements of our new engagement all over our social media - what did we do???

2. I’m working at the cash and when I ask you how your day is going, you tell me that it’s the anniversary of [something horrible] and I don’t know what to do with that information so I accidentally blurt “well hope it’s a good one!” when saying goodbye

3. we make contact before trying to steal the last seat on the subway/bus/train and I end up in your lap and fuck you, I’m going to stay here because I’ve had a really long day and this seat was mine

4. we were just introduced at a party by our mutual friend and when my partner comes to join us, you freak out because you were just outside making out with them and you pull me aside to tell me

5. you’re in the middle of giving me your phone number when the cops show up to arrest you and wait! wait! I didn’t hear the last two numbers!

6. I hire you to be the stripper at my friend’s bachelor/ette party and you’re the T.A. for my favourite class

7. we’re both on a reality show (like the queer bachelor) where we’re told to be friends but thefirst time we met, you were incredibly rude and judgmental and I don’t know if I can do this for the damn cameras

8. sometimes I steal flowers from your garden on my way to the cemetery, but today you’ve caught me and have demanded to come with me to make sure the “[person] is [attractive] enough to warrant flower theft” and I’m trying to figure out how to break it to you that we’re on our way to a graveyard

9. you’re famous and you want to hide out in my bookstore which is fine except the stupid paparazzi won’t leave and now there’s a photo of us in the tabloids and they’re printing misinformation and why the fuck won’t you clear this up on your twitter account

10. I’m getting progressively more annoyed at the people you bring back to our apartment and it’s not until a friend jokingly asks if I’m jealous that I realize I’ve developed feelings for you

11. frustrated with my latest essay, I write ‘fuck this’ on the desk I always sit at and the next time I go there, you’ve written ‘MOOD’ so now we leave each other notes on the desk in pencil and I really want to know who you are

12. I run the college’s queer club and you’ve been walking past our door for the last three days, did you want to talk?

13. I don’t drink so when you offer to buy me something at the college bar my friend has dragged me out to, I ask for something non-alcoholic and you change your drink order to be non-alcoholic too

14. I catch you yelling at the printer in the library for not working and I don’t mean to alarm you since you’re clearly stressed, but I think you accidentally unplugged it

15. we did a project together once in first year and I thought you were cute but we haven’t talked since and now we’ve matched on tinder/grindr/etc.

#send me numbers maybe?#for any of my atla ships but mainly zutara mailee and/or taang #i'll do jetkka too #or anything really #i just want a challenge :)#and the world doesn't have enough modern zk so yeah #meet ugly au #college au

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banshee-cheekbones · 4 years ago

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The Game: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favourite opening line. Then tag some authors!

I was tagged by @elasticella (thank you! <3)

tagging: @poiregourmande, @foundyourheart, @sleepy-skittles, and anyone else who might be interested!

1. As Barry comes to a stop on the dock that extends out from Bruce’s mansion (it may not be as large as stately Wayne Manor, but it’s definitely not a mere house), they tilt their head back and take a deep inhale. (I watched the Snyder cut of Justice League and got feelings about nonbinary Barry Allen, so this happened! also, snuck in a ref to 1966 Batman, because I love that goofy show.)

2. It’s only by closing her eyes and counting backwards that Beverly is able to keep from losing control. (from a Beverly/Freddie drabble with werewolf!Beverly. getting back into writing short drabbles has been a lot of fun.)

3. Helena may be tough as hell, but she still bruises easily. (from a Dinah/Helena drabble. with these little drabbles, the first line of the fic ends up being my summary.)

4. “So, do you know anything about this woman?” (more Dinah/Helena! I think I used to start fics with dialogue a lot more than I used to, but we'll see how the next 16 fics go).

5. "There is literally sand inside of me." (From my very first Finn/Poe fic, and oops, there's another fic starting with dialogue.)

6. The following is a transcript of a holorecording that was discovered on the flight recorder of the Raddus, which was recovered in the Crait System after the cruiser's destruction. (Amilyn/Leia, written for the epistolary prompt, and this was so hard to write. It's not a format I see myself returning to anytime soon)

7. It starts off as a fairly normal night (or, as normal as can be expected in Beacon Hills). (Ah, Braeden/Melissa, the rarepair otp of my heart. I am noticing that I tend to start my fics with a single punchy line, rather than a paragraph).

8. This isn’t the first time that Pam has been in jail. (A Jessica Jones fic that's more of a case study of Pam than anything. I'm actually not a huge fan of this opener, but oh well.)

9. Ella isn’t stupid. (and the winner of the shortest opening line goes to! this is from an Ella/Maze fic that probably would have been better as actual smut, but I wasn't feeling it the day I wrote it, and so it ended up as fade to black.)

10. Helena is on her second (or maybe it’s her third) margarita, and between the unfamiliar feeling of alcohol slinking heavily into her blood and the exhaustion surely but steadily triumphing over the adrenaline still coursing through her veins, she’s feeling… strange. (from my first Dinah/Helena fic! this one is definitely an outlier lengthwise, but I like that it sets the scene.)

11. “Karen? Are you still with me?” (from a Claire/Karen fic, because we're rewatching Daredevil and I caught Feelings)

12. Camille has never met Olivia Godfrey. (from the most self-indulgent thing i've ever written, aka a Hemlock Grove/Shadowhunters crossover.)

13. Frosta knows how to be calm in the face of adversity. (another punchy sentence to start! from a gen Frosta & Glimmer fic. I've written a number of gen/platonic stuff lately, and it's been a lot of fun)

14. For weeks, Mabel has been acting suspicious. (speaking of gen fic! I fell in love with Gravity Falls in the early stage of lockdown and this was a lot of fun to write.)

15. From what Gideon has gathered from watching the rest of the cavaliers interact with their necromancers, combined with what little information she actually retained from Aiglamene, being a cavalier is nothing like what the porno magazines led her to believe. (oof, that's a long one. probably should have trimmed it. from a Dulcinea/Gideon fic.)

16. The thing is, Dani’s room looked a lot closer to the ground when she was standing outside looking up at it. (from the only fluffy Bly Manor fic I've written to date, oops. I used to start a lot of fics with 'The thing is', so I've been trying to move away from that tendency.)

17. “Are you sure that this is a good idea?” Lilith asks from where she’s kneeling between Moxxi’s legs, turning over the bright pink gun in her hands. (one of these day, I'll find someone else who appreciates this pairing as much as I do.)

18. Perfuma thinks that she may have just destroyed a Horde bot for the last time. (Perfuma/Scorpia. this sentence is a bit awkward. oops.)

19. It’s been nearly a month since they left the ocean behind, but Jaxx is still getting used to waking up to the sound of birdsong. (ah yes, the fic I wrote for The Meg, a movie I didn't even enjoy. I do like this opening line though.)

20. Despite everything, Dani didn’t think that it would end this way. (some angsty Bly Manor fic, and that opening certainly telegraphs that it's a Sad one.)

Patterns: I think I've been experimenting with some new structures lately, but my go-to is still starting a fic with a single, standalone line, that tries to set up the mood and hook the reader. I try to keep that sentence short. also, I write almost exclusively in present tense. a lot of the lines kind of open the story in the present moment, and then in the following paragraphs, I backtrack to how we got there.

Favorite: Probably number 10! It's definitely longer than most of my openers, but because of that, I think it's most effective at setting the scene! I also just really love writing Dinah/Helena.

#tag meme #mine

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