#friends/lovers

[simp-ly-writes]

Here With Me

─────── · · A Smosh Fanfic

Pairing: Ian Hecox x gn!childhood-friend!Reader

─ · · SUMMARY: you could confidently say that you were a fan since practically day one, growing up alongside Anthony and Ian before life has you changing schools, states, and relationships only to come back together and for what? a company that is falling a part as soon as it had grown legs? but maybe there is something or someone that allows you to stand above it all... and you the same for them...

─ · · TAGS: gender-neutral pronouns, light swearing, mutual pining, heartache, friends/lovers, play fighting, possible cringe, angst and fluff.

─ · · MASTERLIST | TAGLIST REQUEST | WORDCOUNT: 2,609

─ · · A/N: sorry, no update for the comments section just yet, university and college have me running laps to keep up but i offer this instead! hope you enjoy! 😊

─────── · ·

You had lived in the same neighbourhood as Ian; rode the same bus in the morning as him, sat through the same repetitive morning math classes and shared notes (but if anyone took a closer look, you both were drawing imaginary cartoons in the corners). Hell, he was even your first "date" to the sixth grade halloween dance, you both dressed up as ghosts, Anthony the ghostbuster chasing you around the gym before being told off by the English teacher.

Ian never failed to make you laugh, you thought him to be one of your greatest friends with his blunt and increasingly dark humour as you both aged and went off to different school districts. Those days of laying in the grass of his backyard as he ranted out various video ideas you failed to understand but choose to actively listen, appreciating his enthusiasm and his mom would come outside warning you to make it back home for in time for dinner. Sitting in his room, watching them scream jokes at one another at the top of their lungs as you did your best to muffle your laughs. Or dipping out of the way as Anthony ran by with a camera to riding your bikes to the corner store to sit on the curb, popsicles dripping down your forearms were soon long gone as you both grew into different people.

You remember missing Ian, Anthony, all your friends you had grown up with dearly. Looking back, you hated to admit how much you felt the need to forget your old self in the new environment... Moving to a new neighbourhood and trying to fit in among the established friend groups. Changing your style, your phone number, your hair, and interests to try and desperately fit in and go out with that one friend you had a crush on.

You fell into that new person, those check in emails you would send over to the boys now long forgotten as the years went by. And by the time graduation came around, that friend you had been dating those past four years, the person you thought to be that high school sweetheart you would somehow spend the rest of your life with became the biggest asshole you had ever met. Dropping your ass just before you walked the stage and into the summer sun.

When you would come home to start packing your bags to university in another state, a familiar voice was echoing down the hall. You swore it to be just in your grief of a failed relationship you spent so much time in rather than discovering who you truly wanted to be. But as you opened your younger siblings door just a creak, you saw Ian and Anthony playing in video across their desktop screen.

The brown cardboard box you were holding dropped on your feet as you cursed out in pain, the door slamming in on your face as you asked for the link only to receive no answer. You cursed, looking down at your phone, cursed at all your decisions as your once friends started blocking your number, and all you wanted in that moment was to be a kid once more...

─────── · ·

Was bringing flowers too cliche, the wrong message, did I remember the house number wrong? You anxious stream of consciousness flooded any sane thoughts as you tapped your foot against the concrete paver and stared into the chipped red-painted door. You could faintly hear footsteps moving behind, a woman yelling and another series of footsteps trailing behind and soon you were met with glasses, a striped shirt, and wide eyes.

"WHAT THE FUCK," Ian ever-so graciously greeted you before stepping aside and letting you in. His mother waved at you from down the hall, her rollers in before the bathroom door closed just as the front door did behind you.

Ian held out his hand as you started to reach out to shake it awkwardly before remembering the flowers in your hand and shoving them into his palm instead. "Here!"

"uh, thank you?" He took them in his hand, eyes shifting around your face before walking out of the entryway and into the kitchen, silently expecting you to follow along as you slowly took the pictures in from along the walls. A small smile with hazy eyes crossing your features in a subtle display as you bump into his front, flowers in water, sat on the counter behind himself.

He holds out his hand once again as you look down at it and against your better judgement, you loop your arms over his shoulders and pull him in for a hug. His brown hair tickles your nose as you let out a soft breath, barely hearing Ians identical response as his arms raise, hands spraying out across your back. "Its good to see you again, Ian... I-I really missed you, so fucking much," you choke out, raising your head slightly to blink away the hot tears as he pulls you in that much tighter before stilling by the sound of a new voice.

"IAN! I have a new idea what if we- how shit, you never told me- oh fuck, well- hi! good to see you again," Anthony staggers to a complete sentence as you and Ian drop each other in an instant and turn to face your other old friend coming in from the screen-door.

You smile, hands extending up and outwards as he rushes over to give you a short hug. You all take that moment to stare at one another before Ian suddenly starts laughing and you and Anthony can't help but do the same in disbelief of the situation.

"Fuck, where did all the time go?" you blurt out and after some pizza order in with a six pack of soda. You were all crowded around the television super mario on the screen as you all sat on top of one another getting noise complaints from the neighbours for hogging the controller.

─────── · ·

You hated how fast summer came and went between being the cameraperson to film their videos to helping Anthony manage the website and to listen to Ians endless stream of ideas while also telling him off of the completely outrageous ones all the which Anthony was forever grateful to have another person to agree with him and have Ian actually listen.

And as you were loading the last boxes into your trunk before slamming the door closed. You felt the cold glass against your palms as warm tears threatened to spill from your tear ducts. A hand was placed gently on your shoulder, twisting you into their front as you gripped the plaid shirt Ian wore.

You looked at him, laughing internally at his foggy glasses for to only come out as sobs. "I'm sorry for having to leave again... i'm sorry Ian that this keep happening, fuck I am a really shitty friend and things were just starting to feel... normal again."

"Nothing is normal with us three," Anthony retorts, walking up the driveway a tray of coffee's in hand as you all cringe and then manage a laugh. You and Ian still hold each other in a side hug as you grab your drinks, your parents stand to the side, observing the moment as you glare at the sudden flash from your peripheral vision.

"You'll thank me in the future," you parent yells from the grass as you shake your head. "Yeah, right!" you retort with a roll of your eyes before smiling at Ian already finding him doing the same. "I'm going to miss you too," Ian speaks softly, giving your side one last squeeze before dropping his arm, allowing you and Anthony you share a moment together.

Anthony placed his drink on the roof of your car as you do the same. Your eyes go wide as he turns you away so that you can no longer see anyone and pulls you into a hug. "I think we almost have something, don't you dare miss out on it this time but also like- have fun or whatever. Just make sure to not loose any of our numbers."

"Never again," you state with conviction as you pull away before walking up to the drivers door and taking your seat. Putting your hands at the top of the wheel, your head on top your flash through images of popsicles, scrapped knees and bikes with soda cans before backing out and onto the road.

A series of curses are thrown as you begin to slowdown and look through the rearview mirror, your back window now hard to see through the brown sludge making its way down from the... roof. Ah fuck.

─────── · ·

You made sure not to make the same mistakes as your younger self and kept in contact with the boys, this time around you were one thousand times more grateful of it too as they offered you a portion of the channel as soon as you graduated from your media studies and production degree.

You moved back to California without a second thought. Sure, you had truly made some good friends and connections but just the thought of roller blading down another hallway, camera in hand had that childhood excitement you had missed ever-so dearly coming back and you just had to follow it.

It made you smile seeing your name return to the credits alongside Ian and Anthonys... in reality you were the only names on that list but it was the sentiment nonetheless. Yet it would only be a matter of time that would change...

─────── · ·

You were now a somewhat figure head to your own... department somehow. You were still unsure of the complete deal as the boys walked you through the new space the company you all had worked together to build as kids and it was a surreal experience touching all that expensive equipment you thought to have left behind at university and to have actual track across the floors and not your roller blade marks was a bittersweet feeling.

You and Ian left Anthony to take a call as you introduced yourselves to the new employees, failing to notice their curious gazes and hushed whispers about the two of you.

The crew loved watching the two of you interact (and soon the fans loved any glimpse of you, it would be the only thing mentioned). You fixing his hair and glasses as he floated a hand on your hip before going in front of camera. Him sending you winks and personalized jokes before going on air. You grabbing and waiting to eat lunch with him in the cafeteria. Always ensuring a seat beside the other or sitting on the same chair.

Yet as HR had once came in and asked, the office becoming silent as you both laughed and waved it off as old friends would before returning to work and as you worked you were more than surprised to learn that people actually recognized you from frames you failed to get out of in old skits and your name at the bottom of descriptions.

─────── · ·

Adulthood had once again touched that childlike innocence you were protecting as you came into your first of a hundred or more meetings sat between Ian and Anthony sharing notes with of course doodles and cartoons before being told off like kids once again by corporate. That word itself left a bitter taste in your mouth as you stared down at your hands wondering just what else did the universe have out for me, for us?

(And you did right to question).

─────── · ·

The channels, yes channels, you would laugh at your past self for not comprehending the sheer scale Smosh was operating at now as you physically ran between sets and stages that hosted dozens of cast and crew alike.

In the energy of it all, you, Ian, and Anthony barely saw one another besides the boardroom or as you watched them in front of camera. It was moments like this as you handled a small handheld camera in the corner that you felt a draft of the old come in from up the floor planks and greet you with a immovable smile upon your face.

You loved all the creatives you worked with, and even dated a few guests on the show. Yet you hated to admit to yourself when dining with them, how much you thought of Ian... and Anthony. You could not remember the last time you spoke in a room alone, went out together, had a drink or even had a sleepover.

You also failed to remember at what point you had started to grow jealous over Anthony for being able to spend so much time with Ian outside of work as they lived and worked alongside one another. You felt stupid for feeling left out but then again, you could not help the way you feel and silently let your emotions brew beneath the surface as months dragged into years only for things all to come to a staggering halt.

─────── · ·

Anthony was leaving was the first bump into what would be a cliff dive face first into a deep unknown for Smosh as you were mercilessly trapped to the wheel, Ian not forced to your passengers side as you observed everything happening for you.

Next was the bankruptcy and that dark little wish you had within you soon became a sickening truth as you allowed Ian and some of your friends, the cast and crew into your two bedroom apartment with cracked ceilings and moldy faucets.

Ian and you shared a room like you had in the past, it was your sleepovers all over again but your backs faced one another. "I... I will understand if you leave too... I don't want to hold you back when you have a degree and your partner to take care of-" Ian begins to speak in a corse tone, his voice strained from the long day as you blink yourself away and catch onto his words with an equally heavy heart.

"I-I promised not to leave again, I can't just leave you here with this Ian. We will find a way... we did it every other time, didn't we?" you reassure in an unsure tone as Ian laughs earnestly onto to let out a pained sigh by the end.

You can hear the bedding shuffle as he turns to face your back, you feel his gaze run over your shoulder before you twist your neck to connect eyes and then your body as you roll into his side, letting out a sigh.

"Thank you... for staying, I really need you in more ways than one, always," Ian's voice now barely above a whisper as you hear the hall bathroom light hum on as you both groan out in frustration to the light peaking out from underneath the door.

"I'll always need you too, Ian. You ain't ever getting rid of me," you joke. Head now tucked underneath his arm.

"Oh fuck, well I guess I'll have to kill you and hire a necromancer later..." Ian mumbles with a yawn, his ankles intertwining with your own.

"Oh shut up, you-" you begin, hand now playing with the loose threads of his shirt.

"Hey! thats my line," Ian closes his eyes as he holds a delicate smile, you are already asleep and fail to reply. Somehow you both knew in that moment that things would be just alright and you both were just fine with that.

─────── · ·

─ · · A/N: opinions, thoughts? 😇

─ · · TAGLIST: @lisiliely

[heterochromatica]

This can be done in a romantic and platonic way (platonic kisses exist, okay) further explanations and a blank sheet under the cut! <3

can cook - because Shoto can't for the sake of his life and he loves people that can cook because he's very food motivated

reliable & honest - Shoto hates nothing more than being lied to, he needs someone he can trust to tell him whats up even if it's uncomfortable

family drama - because that is going to haunt him and it's always easier if you got a partner to rely on when things go south

physical affection - it's easier for him to express affection through touch, gestures and gifts than through words bc words are difficult for him

silly questions - because he likes to ask stuff that some people might categorize as trick questions or silly but oftentimes he has been genuinely wondering about the answer

museum dates - because he loves to learn new things and loves natural history, animals, rocks, plants, stars and space

protective type - because he never had someone to stand up for him and he deserves to feel safe and at home with someone

star gazing - some might think of as boring, it's just something he really likes to do, either in comfortable silence or while talking about everything and nothing

promise keeper - he's been disappointed enough in his life, he would love someone that he can be certain that if something is promised, it will be done

eliminate bugs for him - critters with more than four legs are essentially evil and he needs someone to either politely escort them outside OR smash them, there is no in between

good with his friend - obviously if you want to be with him (romantic or platonic) you gotta get along with the people he values the most

never give up - he likes people who are headstrong and determined, who don't back away from a challenge and can stand their ground

loud and proud - he likes those people because opposites attract and it allows him to remain in the background (which he's comfy with)

decision maker - Shoto sucks at making decisions and it's easier if he's got someone at his side that knows what they want or what options there are, helping him out

clingy - he is clingy, sticking at his friends/partners side, will absolutely follow them around the house like a duckling, listening to whatever you have to say - happily!

being patient - he's been traumatized multiple times, isolated and abused and it shows, the people around him gotta be patient

training partner - because he would love someone he can spar and work out with since maintaining his from is important as a hero

Blank for whoever wants to do this:

[missingmywing]

Borrowing @strangefellows ’s and @redbud-tree’s keykids for this one, Jas and Cherry!

Day 2 of @khoc-week: Friendship!

For a… given definition of the word.

Even with the war in full swing and the Dandelions gone, the daily rote process of lux gathering was something everyone did - even those of them staying as neutral as possible. If nothing else, it powered up their medals and helped them keep somewhat grounded.

Etheria had finished up for the day, but hung around the streets around her favorite fountain plaza, unable to shake the feeling that something was going to happen. An itch beneath her skin that she got sometimes before something bad happened.

The scream that broke the tense silence validated the feeling and she was running almost as soon as it echoed out.

She skidded around the corner and stumbled to a stop at the sight of a small girl with bright pink hair struggling to free herself from the web of a Savage Spider, who was slowly moving towards her with gleaming eyes.

A younger wielder unfamiliar with the heartless had probably broken and egg and summoned the raid boss accidentally, and found herself far out of her league.

Etheria swore beneath her breath and threw herself forward, activating a medal to stun the heartless with a flare of light and heal the other girl. She slashed through the strands of web wrapped around the girl and caught her, leaping back out of immediate range of the heartless or its underlings.

The girl was squirming in her arms, trying to get herself free from the web, and Etheria set her down to help cut the web away. “You need to go-”

“No way!” The girl interrupted, scambling to her feet with a scowl as she summoned her keyblade. “I just managed to summon it! I’m gonna kill it and get all the lux!”

… so not an accident.

“You can’t beat a raid boss all by yourself at your level-” Her keyblade wasn’t even fully upgraded-

“Oh yeah? Watch me!”

“Wait no-”

The girl darted around Etheria, nimbly avoiding her attempt to grab her, and threw herself back at the spider. “You think I’m scared of you, you big ugly creepy? Think again!”

To her credit, she did manage to destroy one of the smaller spiders with a few good hits and a well timed medal activation. But that just made the big one angry, and Etheria barely managed to grab the girl and yank her back in time to avoid a hit.

“Okay, compromise,” Etheria said, arm firmly around the flailing girl’s waist. “You’re going to get yourself killed if you keep flailing around without a plan. If you refuse to run and desperately want to fight it, I’ll help you. But you have to listen, alright? Otherwise you’ll just get us both killed.”

The girl twisted around to scowl up at her, trying to get a good angle to elbow her in the stomach. “I didn’t ask for your help! I’m gonna kill it all by myself! That’ll show Jas that I can take care of myself so he’ll stop nagging all the time!”

Oh, so that’s how it was.

“You can’t prove anything if you’re dead,” Etheria argued, struggling to keep a grip on her. “And you’re not strong enough to fight that thing, no matter how much you want to-”

“Yes I can, put me down!”

Etheria cursed as the girl finally managed to twist around to jab her with a sharp little elbow and escape her grasp. She scrambled after her as the girl leapt at the spider with another screech.

Said screech was cut off with a grunt as the spider lunged at her to attack and a dark shape burst from a nearby alley to grab the small girl and deflect the spider’s manacles. Etheria sent a burst of fire at the smaller ones to fend them off while the new figure made a retreat.

Keeping a wary eye on the giant spider and it’s underling - now down to one after her fireball - she walked over to where the figure had consolidated itself into a boy a couple of years older than her and was growling at the girl in his arms.

“What were y’thinkin’, runnin’ off on your own and tryin’ to take down a godsforsaken raid boss all by yourself-”

The girl was squirming and struggling with a fierce pout. “I can do it! I told you I can, and I can! Lemme go Jas-”

“As if, you’re gonna stay right th’ hell here, Cherry.”

The high pitch of the obnoxious whine she let out in response made Etheria wince. “If you want to take her and get away, I can deal with the spider.”

The boy glanced over with a frown, shaking his head sharply. “Nah, ‘m not gonna do that t’you. No need for you t’clean up our mess just ‘cause someone,” he flashed a sharp glare at the girl, “doesn’t know her own limits.”

Cherry blew a raspberry up at him, crossing her arms with a pout.

Etheria shrugged a little wryly. “I’m used to rescuing new wielders from raid bosses, so it’s no problem on my end.”

“She probably just wants the lux! She’s stealing my kill!”

Etheria felt something tight and cold squeeze in her chest at the accusation, the words echoing the voices of too many others in this whole stupid war, and her hand tightened the slightest bit warily around her Starlight.

The boy sighed. “Shut up, Cherry.”

The girl squawked in offense, but it set Etheria a bit at ease.

“I don’t care about the lux,” she said quietly. “If you want it you can have it. But seven year olds shouldn’t be fighting raid bosses, especially not by themselves.”

“I’M NINE.”

Etheria sent her a very dubious look. She’d been nine when she’d arrived in Daybreak Town, and this girl was definitely younger than she’d been. “… sure. Nine year olds shouldn’t either. That’s how you die.”

“Oh look, someone with actual common sense,” Jas muttered under his breath. “She’s right, Cherry, now shut up and stay here before y’get hurt. Again.” He set her down and she stomped her feet angrily.

“You’re such a jerk! I can take care of myself!” Cherry’s eyes welled up in frustration, making her scrub at them as her shoulders hitched. “I-I can! I can do it! I don’t n-need your he-lp! It’s not fair!”

He sighed, kneeling down in front of her. “That’s not th’ point, Cherry. Yeah, you’re strong, no one’s gonna doubt that. But these things are somethin’ else, y’know that. Plenty o’ people don’t wanna fight ‘em alone, even if they can. I sure as hell don’t. And you gettin’ hurt isn’t gonna make me worry any less, it’s just gonna make me worry more.”

The girl sniffled, glaring at the ground. “But I don’t want you to…”

“Tough luck, you’re stuck with me. kiddo.” He ruffled her hair and pushed himself to his feet as the spider began getting restless behind them. “So, tag team this bastard?”

Etheria sent him a nod, turning back to the spider. “Fine with me. I don’t mind if she helps, but…”

“Yeah. Y’good to take point, Cherry?”

The girl’s lip was still trembling, but she raised her keyblade with a nod. “I’ll listen…”

“Good. Little one first, then th’ big guy?”

“Yeah!”

“Want me to take support, or interference?”

“I’ll handle interference, if y’wanna keep us healed up and buffed.”

Ugh. Support. “Sure, I can do that.” Etheria raised her blade, activating the upright medal with the redhead girl on it. “Go get ‘em.”

A small smirk pulled at the boy’s mouth as he leapt forward just behind Cherry, who flung herself forward with a yell.

Recklessness aside, Cherry was surprisingly strong for her age and with Jas running interference on the Savage Spider Etheria didn’t actually have to offer much support. He was powerful too - enough so that she was really hoping the neutrality of their interaction so far continued and she wouldn’t be forced to fight him - so other than the occasional heal and the regular repeat of buffs on them and debuffs on the spider she… didn’t really have to do much.

Which was partially why she preferred being at the center of the fight. Let Yiskah and Aella do support, they preferred it.

The fight was wrapped up fairly quickly with Jas helping, and Cherry cheered as the spider faded away and the light was drawn into her bangle.

Etheria sent one last healing spell their way to take care of any lingering scrapes and bruises, then dismissed her keyblade. For a long moment she debated slipping away while they were both distracted, but she couldn’t deny her own curiosity. There was something about them that was… familiar. Not in a personal way, but… their magic.

The girl less so - she had strong magic clinging to her that was likely tied to whatever world she was from, but the feel of it was familiar only in that it had a similar shape and feel as that which the humans used in her own world of Enchanted Dominion.

The boy though… he felt like her. Magic seeped into his very essence, a muddy mix of human and unmistakably fae. Different enough that she could tell that he wasn’t from her world, but the base feel of it was the same.

It didn’t really matter, she knew - she’d met several people with fae or fairy lineage here. Had even met a fairy or two from different worlds. But this was the first time she’d met someone who felt quite this similar.

It drew her in, made her feel a likely-misplaced sense of kinship.

“You’re both alright then?” she asked as she approached.

They turned and the boy nodded. “We are, yeah. Thanks for th’ help, and for tryin’ t’keep Cherry out o’ trouble. I would say she’s a magnet for it if the truth wasn’t that she goes lookin’ for it.”

Cherry stuck her tongue out at him.

“I can tell,” Etheria flashed him a wry smile. “I take it this sort of thing happens a lot?”

“You got no idea,” he rolled his eyes. “Pretty sure ‘Cherry, no’ is ingrained in my vocabulary forever now. It’s jus’ reflexive.”

Etheria laughed as the girl protested. “That doesn’t surprise me. I’m Etheria, by the way. What about you?”

He hesitated a moment, something wary flashing in his eyes, before he answered slowly. “I’m… Jas. Jas Tallow.”

Ah, he could sense her fae nature. No wonder he was wary to give his name, and had likely altered it somehow.

She flashed him a smile. “Nice to meet you, Jas. And I’m not fully fae any more than you are, don’t worry. I’ll not be stealing your name. I wouldn’t have anything to do with it here anyway - not in this place.”

Well, that wasn’t necessarily true, she supposed. Not with the war going on - frankly controlling or possessing members of other Unions probably was… something to keep an eye out for.

Judging by his raised brow, he was having similar thoughts.

“Okay fair, I would, but I’m not the type.”

“I’ll jus’ take y’ at your word, shall I?” he asked, crossing his arms. “Still, I do appreciate th’ help.”

“Hmmmm,” Cherry narrowed her eyes and leaned comically far forward. “What Union are you anyway?”

Etheria stiffened as Jasper groaned, “Cherry. It doesn’t matter.”

“But I’m curious!” The girl protested. “If she’s in one of our Unions then it all makes sense!”

Unions, plural. So they weren’t hyper-loyal to their Unions like so many others had become, at least. “Given I don’t even know which Unions you belong to, that logic doesn’t really track, does it?” She pointed out. “I don’t really care much about Union loyalty - if someone is in trouble I help. This whole war is stupid anyway, we don’t even know the real point of it.” She still didn’t know why Aced was so set on killing her - every time they were in proximity they ended up fighting and he wouldn’t even tell her why.

“Hear hear,” Jas agreed with a scoff. “I can’t believe anyone’s takin’ it seriously. Like… it’s so pointless. Collect the most lux t’do what with it?”

She grimaced. What indeed… if everyone knew what it was some of the Union leaders were actually planning…

She didn’t want to know how much worse it would get if Gula’s plan became known. She didn’t think it would work, none of them thought it would work, but…

Etheria nodded crossing her arms. “Yeah. Everything’s gotten so far out of control I don’t think even the Union leaders know what the plans are anymore.”

“Hrmmm.” Cherry puffed out her cheeks. “That’s not what I was asking.”

Such a kid… she shouldn’t be too surprised she supposed. Etheria sighed. “Unicornis, if you’re that worried about it.”

Cherry made a face and nodded. “That makes sense, no wonder you’re so stuffy.”

“Wha- hey!”

“It’s true!!” The girl pointed at her in accusation. “You’re Unicornis so you’re stuffy and no fun, and Jas is Vulpes so he’s a worrywart who’s always nagging!”

… Etheria wasn’t used to being offended at stupid Union stereotypes, but stuffy???

Her party would have a stitch laughing so hard if Cherry had said that to their face. Half the time she was the one they were dragging out of trouble.

Some of her offense must have shown on her face because Jas snorted. “Y’know the stereotypes are bull, Cherry. Even if y’are th’ perfect stereotypical representation of Ursus.”

She stuck her tongue out at him, drawing a huff of laughter from Etheria.

“Maybe I’m boring compared you, then,” she said, “but my friends would beg to differ. Especially given how often I end up fighting Aced…”

They both whipped around to stare at her, Cherry’s expression disbelieving “You’ve fought Master Aced? Multiple times? And you’ve won???”

“I- I never said I won,” Etheria corrected quickly.

“You wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t!”

… alright fair. “Normally yes, but I think he and Master Ira are specifically keeping tabs on each other because Master Ira - or sometimes Master Invi - always shows up not long after the fight starts so I can slip away.” Eventually she might find out why the Union leaders were so interested in her - Ava made sense, and Ira could be rationalized, but the other three? Invi’s was likely a side result of her friendship with Yiskah, but Gula had approached her himself in that house, and Aced was more hostile towards her than anyone else aside from Ira.

Perhaps it was just her connection to the Dandelions.

Jas was looking at her like she was a puzzle, something suspicious in his gaze. She shrugged helplessly at him.

“I don’t know what I did to make him hate me, unless it’s just because Master Ira likes me and I was involved with Master Ava’s… group.”

His eyes widened. “Y’were a Dandelion.”

“No, I… was offered a place, and I had several friends among them, but I… I couldn’t just leave. Not when so many people would be left behind.” She glanced away, twisting her sleeve between her fingers. “My party’s the same. We all turned down the offer, and we’re just… trying to help whoever we still can. Anyone who doesn’t want to fight, or the kids who shouldn’t be on the front lines or aren’t strong enough to protect themselves.”

“Huh. That’s… admirable. There a lot o’ you?”

“There’s only six- five. Five core members.” The memory of Vale’s betrayal still stung nearly as much as the dark scar he’d left across her torso. “There’s around a dozen of active members overall, with about two dozen others under our protection.”

“That’s not a lot,” Cherry said, bouncing on her toes. “Most parties I know are like, a hundred people!”

“There ain’t any hundred person parties, Ursus’ entire Union is less’n five hundred people,” Jas sighed. “I don’t even know if you’ve ever been in a real party. A dozen is on th’ smaller side, though.”

Etheria shrugged. “We were bigger, but the Dandelions left, and we’ve… had casualties.” She tried not to think of many they’d lost, not even bodies left behind to remember them. She shook her head. “Do you guys have a party, or support?”

“We don’t need a party, we can take care of ourselves!” Cherry declared, settling her hands on her hips.

Jas shook his head, hedging, “Not a proper party, no, but we’ve got… friends… who help out here an’ there. S’good enough.”

Ah, true loner types. The offer on the tip of her tongue died, and she nodded. “Well if you need a few more, we’re usually in the area. Ask the Moogle about talking to someone from the Light’s Guard and he’ll let us know that you want to meet up.”

Jas’ expression was startled, brows furrowed. “You… don’t know anything about us.”

“I know you’re loner types, I know you’re going out of your way to protect a kid with a penchant for trouble, and I know you’re they type to fight side by side with a person from another Union, no questions ask, and let them play healer for you.” She flashed him a wry smile, crossing her arms. “As they say, actions speak louder than words, and you’ve a good heart Jas Tallow. I don’t need your full name to read that.” She turned away, tossing a wave over her shoulder. “Send a word our way if you ever need help, or you find someone who does.”

As Etheria walked away she heard Cherry’s loud whisper, “… she was weird.” and snorted to herself.

It was a shame they weren’t interested in joining a party - she would have loved to see their reactions to the others.

This was fun, thanks for letting me borrow your kids! Hopefully I did them justice. Etheria is absolutely nonplussed at Cherry, what is she supposed to do with this child. How is Jas not driven insane.

[paintedcrows]

Whenever Bill sees KingOfNJ's fics through Stan's eyes he just thinks they have the same taste in fanfiction (disgusting. unthinkable) continued

[animentality]

[emilybraydenblogs]

I confuse people. i have a happy personality and a sad soul. i'm bold but shy. i love deeply but sometimes i feel heartless. i'm healing and hurting at the same time. i'm dedicated to growth, but i self sabotage

[canisalbus]

✦ Freshly ordained ✦

[soaked-doors]

baby i fall in love again come every summertime

[specshroom]

⋆˚🐾˖°

Wolf hybrid who is sooooo excited to experience his bunny hybrid partners first heat. So excited that he vastly underestimates just how horny bunnies are in heat.

He's expecting his cute little bunny partner (you) to cry and beg for his knot. Which you do and he knots and cums inside you twice but then right after his knot deflates you look up at him and go "Again?"

He's a little tired but he can't say no to you...

Until it's the sixth fucking round and you're still bouncing on his very overstimulated cock. He knows it's very bad to interrupt a bunny while they're so deep in heat but he might just pass out and you're so lost in the sauce you might just keep going if he does.

He needs to think of a way to satisfy you that won't literally kill him. He gets an idea and reaches for his phone. It's really embarrassing but the best thing he can think of at that moment is to open the group chat, aptly named "The Boys", and hastily text:

[Hey guys can u come over]

[I need sum help with something]

⋆˚🐾˖°

[virtu4l-di4ry]

yeah deancas is cool but you know what else is cool? they gave dean a best friend. dean who never stayed in a school long enough to bond with other boys. he never had inside jokes or slept over at his friend’s house. always an outsider, loner. john even suggested staying away from others in their line of work because no one survives. so they gave him a best friend who’s immortal and who lives with him. someone to have movie nights with and to laugh harder than he has in a while with.

[tremendously-crazy]

Friends to lovers --> boo, basic, everyone's seen it before

Lovers to best friends with an even stronger bond because they both realized they were aromantic -> new, way cooler, yay, i would pay all i have (2 pennies and a button) to see it

[aldecaver]

Transformers One movie novelization is a fever dream

[novelbear]

"maybe you'll feel it, too" -best friends to lovers prompts

a prompt list by @novelbear ᵔᴥᵔ

lingering hugs and stares

"you know i'm always going to be there for you, right? always."

compliments that are borderline (sometimes just blatant) flirting but they cover it up as just being a really supportive friend

^ "you sure this looks fine?" "trust me, you look fine as hell..."

being overly protective of the other (especially when it comes to relationships)

showing displays of affection that might seem questionable to others around them (ex. kissing each other on the cheek/ hands)

hand placement when hugging or guiding them also being a little more on the questionable side

"i'm always thinking about you."

being unable to tear their eyes off of them, especially when watching them excel at something they're best at

sharing clothes

"why are you looking at me like that?"

unconsciously including them in conversation when they're not even around

"there's no one else that makes me laugh the way you do."

noticing them blushing coincidentally after making a comment. but they can't be blushing because of what they said. they wouldn't. would they? no, of course not...right?

holding hands and neither of them knowing when (or wanting to) let go

when that realization hits that they really wouldn't rather spend their time with anyone else the way they do with their "best friend"

rambling on and on and on and wait are they looking at my eyes or my lips?

"if we were dating i'd take you to all the best places.." "what's stopping you?" "excuse me."

"can i kiss you?" "you have no idea how long i've waited to hear you ask that."

the relief that washes over both of them when the feelings are finally out there

"why didn't you tell me?" "the same reason you didn't tell me. i didn't want to lose you."

[bluegiragi]

generous.

early access + nsfw on patreon monster!AU masterpost