#getting published is not a school assignment you can half ass and still get an A fucking revise that shit

[desert-dyke]

as an author trying to get published I am frustrated by the lack of publishers that will accept unagented submissions. As an editor reading slush for a publication that accepts unagented submissions...I understand why

[jaesvelvet]

jealousy jealousy — kim junkyu

words: 1.7k words

warning: grammartical errors,idk what i write does it make sense? reader being insecure!

pairing: junkyu+fem reader

notes: i want to publish my jihoon's ff but i haven't finish it yet since my school is starting soon😭 anyway this ff inspired by olvia rodrigo's song, jealousy jealousy (remember you're beautiful just like the way you are!!!🤍)

you couldn't help but grinned as you step into the famous YG building. it feels like a dream come true. you used to be a trainee in a small company for 5 months before decided to left, you realized that you didn't have the talent to be an idol, you're just average on everything, that's all. you gasped when you saw a huge screen in front of the escalator playing blackpink's mv on the screen. YG is that rich exactly like the news said.

"y/n!"

you turn, grinning widely at junkyu, who from the convenience store with some snacks on both of his hands. you waved at him and junkyu laugh in response

"i'm sorry for being late," he said, handing some bread to you

"no it's okay i just got here," you said

you and junkyu are best friends since high school, you're the one who supported junkyu's journey to debut, and junkyu was grateful to have a friend like you, junkyu always convince you to audition at YG but you refused since you now want to focus on your studies. but after junkyu accidentally saw a book full of lyrics song at your desk, he forced you to record one of the songs in his studio and release it on soundcloud so junkyu could promote the song to his fans.

of course, you reject the offer saying you can't sing and you don't want any attention in the university. a medical science student releases a song on a soundcloud, out of the blue, and treasure junkyu promoted her music?? no way!

however junkyu being junkyu, he didn't give up and keep encouraging you to record one of your songs, you didn't need to prepare anything just bring the lyrics and yourself, and the rest, he will work on it. after weeks tried to convince the you, you finally agreed with one term; which is junkyu need to buy you food. a lot of food.

"okay so here it's my studio, um it isn't something to brag about since half of the members have their studio," he said, opening the door of his studio showing his messy studio with a big portrait of treasure on the wall.

"you should clean your studio if you want to impress a girl kyu" you joked, getting a whine from junkyu mumbling that he would never see the world again if he brings a 'girlfriend' over.

junkyu pressed something on his keyboard and bass sound came out, making you flinch, the instrument that junkyu creates is mellow and kinda strident? as soon as you heard the instrument you know which lyrics from your lyrics book would go along and make a perfect song

"i have a perfect song for this" you excited, taking out your black notebook and turn to a back page—clearly the lyrics are fresh from the oven.

"okay i'm gonna play it and you sing the lyrics okay?"

you nodded and sing a little bit of the lyrics

"i kinda wanna throw

my phone across the room

'cause all i see are girls

too good to be true"

"woah! it's perfect" junkyu gasped, amazed at how the instrument he made suits perfectly with your lyrics. you smile, you didn't suprised much since you know how much passion junkyu has in music.

"okay now you eat first, i'm gonna rearrange the lyrics to suit with the melody," he said and get a nod from you. you eat the bread that junkyu bought for you, you also eyeing the studio, it's kinda cold in here cause the space not too big and they put a big ass aircond on top of you.

junkyu notice your quiver, he rolled his eye when you only wearing a thin black shirt material, he scoffs before handing you his pink hoodie that he left in the studio yesterday.

"i won't turn off the aircond so you must wear this hoodie, it's been a week since i wash it," he said in a teasing voice, you frown yet you have no choice to wear the pink treasure hoodie or else, you're gonna die in this cold studio.

you sigh in relief when the hoodie warms your cold body, you side-eyeing junkyu who looks so serious rearrange the lyrics, you then click on the instagram icon, you felt blue as you saw haeri post on your feed— haeri is a popular rich girl in your university, you and her once assigned in a group for an assignment and she is very kind and open about her opinions, she also very serious when it comes to study/work and she is pretty, to your eyes she is like a goddess. she is so pretty, kind, and selfless, and you really lying if you didn't jealous of her. she has a perfect life and you still struggling to get a diploma.

you slowly pressed the screen twice, liking a picture of haeri; wearing a beanie and a mask in a cafe without posing too much, getting 2 thousand likes within 1 hour. you wonder how is it to be like a rich popular pretty girl in university? well, damn sure you will get all of the pretty privileges in your life. you sighed as you realized you're comparing yourself again with haeri. you always remind yourself not to compare yourself to anyone since you're beautiful enough but you can't. the funniest thing is you and haeri didn't even know each other, yet you being so jealous of her life. sometimes you just feel small, you want to be like them.

"y/n!" junkyu shakes your body making you slap his hand

"what!?"

"i called you for like thousand times! you didn't hear me?" junkyu said, stroking his hand that got slapped by you

"oh i'm sorry, im zoning out, you're done rearranging?"

junkyu nodded

"you can listen to the instrument and practice your lyric with it," he said

"okay"

an hour passed, you finally get the tempo, beat, and rhythm right, you grin excitedly as junkyu put the headphones on your head and directing the microphone to you

"you ready?" junkyu asked

"yes i am" with that, junkyu clicked on something and you could hear the instrument, you begin to sing the verse of your song choice.

i kinda wanna throw my phone across the room

'cause all i see are girls too good to be true

with paper-white teeth and perfect bodies

wish i didn't care

you stop singing and look at junkyu curiously making junkyu paused the song and look back at you with a confused look

"why?"

"doesn't singer usually stop singing for producers fix their mistakes?" you asked making junkyu giggle

"yes that's true but you didn't have any mistake, you're doing good, i will pause the music if i have something to fix" he explained, getting an 'oh' from you. you continue singing the song.

i know their beauty's not my lack

but it feels like that weight is on my back

and i can't let it go

com-comparison is killin' me slowly

i think i think too much

'bout kids who don't know me

i'm so sick of myself

i'd rather be, rather be

anyone, anyone else

my jealousy, jealousy started followin' me

started followin' me

as you singing the song that you wrote, junkyu couldn't help but wonder who is the person, you dedicated to? or how you inspired to write this song? this song is obviously about your insecurities about some girl, and you don't even know her! junkyu pout when you felt like this, he knew how insecurities could kill you, back then when he was a trainee he felt insecure with all of the trainees that beat him to debut, he felt he doesn't belong in here but with you and his members on his side, he gained confidence and prove to the world that he is himself and nothing can change that.

all your friends are so cool, you go out every night

in your daddy's nice car, yeah, you're livin' the life

got a pretty face, a pretty boyfriend, too

i wanna be you so bad and i don't even know you

all i see is what u should be

happier, prettier, jealousy, jealousy

all i see is what i should be

i'm losin' it, all i get's jealousy, jealousy

you remove the headphone as soon as the instrument stop playing, you handing the headphone without noticing junkyu's face, chaeyul grabbed the water bottle and drink, her throat felt dry after singing a whole song which you have never done in your life, making you wonder how did singer voice so stable when singing live?

"kyu—oh my god why are you looking at me like that?" you take one step back as you saw junkyu looking at you with frowns on his face, you bit her lips was your singing that terrible?

"sit down here" he ordered, you quickly took a seat beside him without saying anything

junkyu grab your hand and rubs it softly while looking at you with his brown eyes.

"what you see is all fake y/n. she living her best life is what you see what you want, but you didn't see her pain, how hard she must through a day in her life, we didn't know if she struggles behind, you also know you can't compare yourself to others right? you're beautiful" he said

"but, i don't know kyu. i couldn't help but felt all jealous of her, i feel like a total loser" you said

“no y/n, you're not a loser! hear me out, you do great, you beautiful and an amazing person, so why do you need to be insecure to a person you never know? everyone is beautiful on their own, you're an original version of yourself and no one else could be you. you are special and unique, you wouldn't know if someone is jealous of your life, a successful medical student who has a great voice. you need to love yourself more, let yourself shine in your spotlight. trust me popular life wouldn't great as you think" he said

you smile at his words

"thank you kyu, honestly, you're right.i didn't appreciate myself enough this past week, hearing you said that making me feel great about myself, i am me, there's nothing anyone could change about me"

junkyu smile and pat your head

"that's my girl"

[scorpiwrites]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 | 𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑢𝑠 𝐿𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑛

(post Hallow's Eve 1981 Non magical au)

Warnings : none? It's kinda weird me thinks, bcs I kinda struggled twisting it here and there bcs there's no magic in this au ( my half-assed assignment hUh). Mentions of death, grief, it's in 3rd pov but Remus centric.

Enjoy <3

Oh, and...

Happy Halloween, to those who cosplays as the Potters I do hope that you get enough hugs, love u all!

Still lingers on his mind, that day he and his friends had finally finished their responsibilities they had to their school and graduated.

The place where he felt safe, a place to lean on when everything was too heavy for him. The voices of cheering and elation still rang in his ears if he focused enough on the memories of that day.

He still remembered how happy and proud his friends were when they managed to turn the little hut they found into a secret place for them when they were at the end of their third year at school. He still remember all the dreams and hopes that he and his friends put in that small hut, and how they finally bought the hut from the school because they wanted their memories to still be there even though they had left the school.

He still remembers the happy years where he watched his best friend build a family, the years when they all pursued their respective careers in their precarious situation, the years when they could still feel the warmth of friendship and kinship in the midst of a war that is taking place in their country.

Yes, 

He thought. 

James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and Lily Evans were a family to Remus Lupin. Even though they were not blood related, he felt so much closer to them compared to his family who isolated him in the past due to an illness he had since childhood.

James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and Lily Evans are each other's home. A home where they can be themselves, a home where they can feel safe, a home where they can express all their feelings, and a home where they can feel the warmth and love that they don't get from their family.

But now,

all was lost. 

Everything's gone. 

All laughter, hope and joy are gone.

And the house they had built with blood, sweat, and tears for years slowly crumbled under their feet. Crushed by the jealousy, seduction of power, and despair of a man. And when it was all over, when all the remains of the ruins of the house had been cleaned up,

There was only one person left.

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November 1, 1981 (flashback)

Remus Lupin was annoyed, his body aches after the exhausting hours of the infiltration mission Dumbledore gave him. To be honest he couldn't even contact his family during the entirety of the mission which lasted for 3 freezing weeks on the Irish soil. He couldn't help but smile with satisfaction on the way home, imagining that he would be huddled with his family in front of the fireplace with the endless supply of hot chocolate that Lily seemed to have prepared for him in no time.

Along the way home he was confused when he saw many people who were cheering happily while holding the newspaper that had just been published that morning. He couldn't stop himself from thinking that the war was finally over, but he didn't want to linger on the road because he still had to go to Dumbledore to file his mission report before he was allowed to go home.

Remus could not wait for a confirmation of the truth of the news from Dumbledore, but he was not at all prepared when he heard that the war ended with his friends. Lily and James had been betrayed by Sirius Black who was indeed the only person they trusted to know the location of Lily and James' residence, which resulted in an attack on their residence which ended in the deaths of Lily, James, Peter and also Tom Riddle, the head of their enemy's side. 

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December 24, 1981 (present)

Remus sat quietly in front of the fireplace at his house. He sat there trying to cope with the loss of his family. Tomorrow was the first Christmas he would celebrate without them, and it hurts him to see other families out there gathering and making new memories in their lives, he hates being a pessimist but the pain of Sirius' betrayal is still in his chest, a pain that he couldn't get rid of even though he had tried dozens of things. But amongst the pain of the betrayal there were doubts that still haunts him. Sirius was James' first friend, James is the first person to know that Sirius' family, The Blacks, is a family with a dark past and very strong connection to the Death Eaters, the opposing group in the war, and Sirius just wanted to escape from the shadows of his family. James was the one who opened his arms and his home to Sirius when he ran away from his childhood house after his mother beat him because he didn't want to follow his family on the wrong path, Remus and everyone who knew The Marauders knew that Sirius really loved James.

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In hindsight, Remus knew that he really shouldn't have trusted the government workers or the officials that easily. It was just a couple of days after the Yuletide that Remus was able to finally deal with the pain and anguish, that he started to realize that  there were some things that were 'missing' from the report he received from Sirius's arrest. First, the absence of eyewitnesses is very disturbing in this regard. Secondly, due to the explosion allegedly triggered by Sirius, Peter's body is very unidentifiable, which makes Remus skeptical because he is a true believer in the motto ' No body, No crime '. And lastly, there is no further investigation into Sirius's connection with this mass murder. All based on Sirius' presence at the crime scene, and also his family background. 

Remus realized for a long time that the government in his country was corrupt, and this was also not helped by the ongoing war from 5 decades ago, which caused chaos in the inner works of the ministry itself and if Remus was being honest, a little bit of old money was going on in  politics. But things like this really made him doubt the authorities because the reports he got were proof that these 'authorities' were very incompetent in carrying out their duties. Of course, Remus knew that he couldn't simply protest against them, he doubted that they would believe him and feared that they would just imprison him for believing that he was cooperating with Sirius. He realized that if he wanted to uncover the truth, he had to investigate this himself and tread it carefully. Remus is also aware that this has the potential to lead him to the real spies among them.

Oh, and a little bonus on the good side he also came to the conclusion that he couldn't trust Dumbledore to do his job right this time round. 

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October 31, 1982

One year.

He had spent a year alone. A year filled with sorrow, a year filled with doubts, and a year filled with new realizations for him. Since last Christmas Remus decided to investigate the case of betrayal and the death of his friends because he decided that the reports he received from the authorities were very unreliable and somewhat covered up. Day after day he passed by tracing back the traces of his friends in the days before their deaths, day after day he held back his emotions and forced himself to compartmentalize his thoughts because he realized that only he cared about this case, only he tried to thoroughly investigate the case. So he had to tread this seriously.

And all that paid off with results that are quite satisfactory. 

For him, anyways. 

He still remembered, one month ago when he was infiltrating Riddle's old bunker and he had seen and heard clearly the evidence he had been looking for…

“… yes! And he stupidly believed Dumbledore was telling him the truth! All those months of sending him away, thought he would've noticed it sooner, HAHAHA I never thought it would be that easy!” 

Remus, who was trying to infiltrate the file room suddenly stopped. He recognized that voice.

“Didn't you say that he is one of the best spies in the Order?” sneered his interlocutor. 

Remus tried to contain his anger as he successfully peeked through the cracks on the door, there sat Peter Pettigrew and Severus Snape sitting on the sofa holding a glass of Whiskey in their hands. Then he listened intently as Peter, the traitor, told in detail how he had worked to trick them all since the day of their graduation. His hand that gripped a Recorder was also very white, he was surprised that the Recorder could still be used and functioned properly. And there he promised that now was the time to leave this investigation to the Aurors, and that it was time to stop trusting Dumbledore and the rest of the Order.

And here he is now, standing on the edge of the rock that has become the separate island where Azkaban is. It was surrounded by a choppy sea and no nearby island could be seen as far as his eyes could see. Here he is now, at the end of his journey of the investigation that he started.

Here he is now, waiting for the return of a piece of the home he longs for.

And when the electric door opened, he finally saw the pair of gray eyes he had been waiting for all this time.

“Humph, did you have to wait a year for this? Sure took your sweet...sweet time didn't cha? Don't you know that they don't serve good food inside?? You owe me debt, Moony! Free food for me for 1 month! Or fuck that, make it a year!!” 

And Remus could only laugh freely at the shouts emitted from one Sirius Black.

Yes, maybe he can't get them all back,

Maybe he won't be able to get all of the broken pieces of his home back to his grasp again. But now, right in this moment, when he finally, finally collides with the last remaining piece of his home and wept, he promised then. He promised in his little heart, whispering to the gods above that listens, that he would never let go of his home again. 

And they would move forward, together. It would hurt, it would take time and time again. Trials and tribulations. But right then, he knew. Remus knew that together, they would go through it all. 

One moment at a time. 

☼︎𝒇𝒊𝒏☼︎

[devil-in-those-eyes]

Temper- Mat Barzal

Hi, guys! Okay, so it isn’t what I had in mind, but i’m hoping you guys like it and maybe even want a part two? But, anyways!

** Gif creds to @miroheyskanen​ !

~~

           Athletes could get really testy, they all had some sort of angry streak when it came to losing. They had problems with losing because they were all insanely competitive, it was exceptionally hard when it was a significantly bad loss.

You were pretty new to this team, only been assigned to the Islanders for a few months now after being switched from the Rangers, but you were pretty sure you had never seen athletes talk to you the way Mat Barzal just snapped at you.

           The whole thing kind of came out of left field, like a bitch slap and made your head spin. It made you confused for two reasons. The first because all you did was ask if Mat felt like the loss had to do with them going from playing a game a little over twenty four hours ago to playing Tampa, while Tampa had a few days off to recover. You figured Mat would be testy anyways, I mean he slammed his hockey stick into the glass multiple times before breaking it, but the way he snapped at you was over the top.

           Second reason was because you and Mat had become more than the typical athlete journalist relationship, if you’d even call it that. You had gotten to the point of having personal conversations, he stopped you outside of the locker room and walked you to your car. He even asked you to come out for drinks with him and Anthony, but after this, it kind of seemed stupid.

           You knew forming relationships with athletes was like a huge no-no. The sports world for journalism was mainly men and you had proved yourself and worked up the ladder, getting to the Rangers and now the Islanders. You never wanted to be one of those girls ruled by your emotions in all aspects of life, and your job was the one place where you could kick ass and show the men that you could compete with them.

           Except now, you felt like a moron. Wounded by Mat’s words laced with anger, your jaw clenched and eyes narrowed at him. Embarrassment flooded you and you tried to keep your cheeks from filling with a rosy color as you realized everyone else heard the tone because all the reporters fell silent and slowly looked at you.

           Mat called on a different reporter and he stumbled over his words, struggling to sound like he hadn’t heard it while you looked to your left to find the eyes of Anthony, who stood with his captain, Anders Lee, while both of them watched you. Their eyes were wide, eyebrows lifted and the conversation paused.

           Okay, so it wasn’t just in your head.

           You managed to take notes through your annoyance, getting just barely enough to write your column tomorrow, and walked away from Mat without another glance.

           “Someone was angry, wasn’t he?” A man whispered to you as you walked out of the locker room.

           You hummed, not offering anything more. The other journalists walked away while you felt your phone vibrate in your purse. For a few fleeting milliseconds, while you reached in your purse to grab your phone, you wondered if it was Mat texting you but you scoffed at yourself and pulled your phone out.

           It was just your best friend, wondering what time you’d be home and if you wanted to order some late night dinner while you worked on your article and sent it in to work. You texted her, saying you’d be home soon and to order whatever.

           “Y/N, wait up.” Anthony appeared out of the locker room, you turned to see him jogging towards you in just his compression shorts and a clean shirt.

           “Hey,” you breathed through a smile. “Great game, Tito.”

           “He’s just angry,” Anthony blurted out, nodding his head at a teammate that passed you guys.

You wanted to forget it even happened, you just wanted to get back to your job where athletes were just that, not friends. So, your eyebrows pulled together, ready to play coy but Anthony licked his bottom lip.

           “Barzy, he’s just angry. I mean, we all are. We thought we were prepared and we just got our asses handed to us,” Anthony cut you off from saying anything. He grimaced, “don’t take it personally, okay?”

           Anthony was sweet, a total dork and could make you smile without even really trying and you knew he was just trying to keep the waters calm. Your phone buzzed in your hands, reminding you that your best friend was waiting at home for you, so you touched his arm and squeezed it.

           “Great game, Tito. See you next game.” You smiled.

           “We’re gonna go for drinks after the next game,” Anthony said, trying to keep you there. You weren’t sure why because you both knew Mat wouldn’t be talking to you any time soon, not that you really felt like talking to him either. “I know Mat asked you to come, I just wanna make sure you’re gonna come.”

           “I don’t know,” you said, stepping away from him and waving your phone. “I gotta head out.”

           Anthony’s shoulders sagged, “Alright, Bye, Y/N.”

           By the time you got home, you had sit and stewed in your annoyance and felt it grow into more of a type of anger. You never asked Mat, or Anthony, for special treatment. You never talked their performance or games outside of the post game interviews, so why did Mat have to snap at you? It was a simple question, basically asking if them being exhausted from their prior series against the Canucks had anything to do with it. Jesus, it was a yes or no question.

           You got your article done with a glass of wine and take out. It was published the next morning and you went to work forgetting about how Mat looked at you like you were just an annoying journalist who was wasting his time, until your friend sent you a video of said postgame interview.

           Good. GOD. Moody, much?

           You thumbs upped her message and went on with your day.

           When your day ended, you were surprised to see text messages from Anthony and Mat. Anthony asked if you wanted to grab coffee tomorrow morning after his morning skate, while Mat asked if you wanted to come over for a movie night with him and Anthony.

           Huh, must be over his temper tantrum.

           You left him on read and told Anthony you might be able to slip out of work for an hour.

           You figured it was best if you went back to just being the journalist for your company, maybe everyone was right when they told you to not form personal relationships. You squashed those butterflies that you used to get whenever Mat smiled at you, or texted you a funny meme, or a snapchat you got when he went to your favorite café. You didn’t want to think about how you started fantasizing about him as more than an athlete because then that implied you got feelings when you promised yourself it wouldn’t happen.

           By the end of the game the next night, the boys had recovered and seemed to be in better spirits as you stood in the locker room. They had just come off of 2 goal lead and the locker room was bursting with smiles, congratulatory hand shakes and laughs.

           Tonight, you decided to be apart of Anthony’s interview, who continually cracked jokes and seemed be unfocused on the interview. As you asked Anthony a question, you could help the burning in the back of your head, the feeling like someone was watching you, so after you finished recording Anthony’s answer you turned your head to see Mat’s eyes.

           Mat had his own group of reporters asking him questions, but when you finally looked at him, he smiled gently, like he always did when he was trying to be polite inside the locker room and not let on that secretly, you were his favorite.

           Mat would never admit it to you, because it had taken you this long to agree to even meeting him and Anthony for a late night drink, but he always looked forward to post-games just because he got to stare at you. You always looked pretty in your favorite jeans and shirt, hair either pulled back and off your face or falling naturally and tucked back behind your ears. His hand always itched to push the strands off of your neck, always wishing for the day he could stand close to you without you second guessing and stepping away.

           As your lips twitched into a half smile, he realized it wasn’t meeting your eyes like it usually does, but the second you turned back to Anthony, you wore a bright smile. He felt a pang in his chest, something resembling jealousy but he quickly squashed it because he knew his best friend didn’t see you like that, like how Mat saw you.

           Mat managed to get through the interviews without staring at you too hard, and by the time Anthony and Anders let you go, the other reporters and journalists had walked out so Mat easily grabbed your wrists and pulled you to a stop.

           “Hey, you,” Mat breathed, smiling softly.

           “Hey, good game.” You answered.

           Your smile was… too professional. It was small and tight and how you used to smile when you first started here a few months ago. It took Mat weeks to pull a real smile out of you, one where your eyes twinkled and his heart clenched inside his chest. You always told him good game, even if it was a shit game, but tonight was just different somehow.

           “I, uh,” Mat stumbled over his words as you pulled your wrist from his grasp. He felt like he was sixteen again, talking to his crush after school. “Can you come out tonight? Tito said he asked you.”

           “Can’t,” you answered, stepping away. “Have a good night, Mat.”

           Another pang inside his chest as your words went cold, this time it was disappointment and hurt. Confused, Mat just stood there was you walked away from him, not even looking back over your shoulder to give Mat some sort of sign that all he needed to do was push for you to come out.

           He felt like he was back to square one with you.

           “Not so much fun when it’s you, eh?” Matt Martin asked him as he still stood there, watching your figure walk away.

           “What’re you talking about?” Mat asked, turning to face his teammate.

           Matt smirked and shrugged, heading into the showers. Annoyed, Mat went up to Tito. “Why is Y/N so pissed at me?”

           “Dude,” Tito’s eyes glanced to his left, at Anders, before looking back at him. “Where were you two days ago?”

           Clueless, Mat shook his head.

           “Maybe you should watch your interview.” Tito said, sighing and turning to grab his clothes out of his bag.

[supernaturallyobsessedchic]

Imagine...Breaking Dean’s Nose

Brother!Dean x Sister!Reader; Brother!Sam x Sister!Reader

Warnings: Mild Angst, some fluff (I think), minor back story, first fic written since [spoilers] Dean’s Death in 15x20 (spn finale)[spoiler].

Summary: The siblings have a minor disagreement that leads to a fist fight. And ends with Dean getting a broken nose and a realization, he has to let her grow.

Mobile Masterlist

a/n: I write and edit all my works, hope you enjoy. This is my first time back writing Dean since the Finale.

~

Y/N sat in the back seat of the impala as they drove back to the bunker from the hospital. Sam driving his brother in the passenger seat, his nose swollen, a black eye swelling his eye.

The two siblings were at a disagreement.

Ever since she joined the brothers, it was after she lost her family. Nothing weird about their deaths. But state officials did DNA tests to find any family relatives. Turns out she’s related to Sam and Dean, as their half-sister.

The pair disagreed on something simple. Going out, but their sister was always careful. But since there was a project due soon and it was a group project. She had to sneak out, without Dean or Sam knowing. And came back to a pissed off Dean. Dean then got on her nerves, hovering over her, always concerned about her over the simplest of things. But she was still 13 years old.

Sam pulled into the garage, parking it and killing the engine, they weren’t as fast as Y/N to get out of the car. She had walked quickly to her room, locking her door.

The next morning, Y/N got up early to shower, and make Dean a big breakfast, Sam too for putting up with their crap. She may not have any idea how to cook, but to anyone’s famous last words before burning down a kitchen, how hard can it be?

She began making the pancake batter, cracking some eggs, adding some oil, and she began cooking them. Flipping them was a whole other story, some looked perfect circular, golden pancakes. But others would look over done or under done. The under done ones, she played the safe card and threw them away. Next were the eggs. She cracked some eggs in the skillet, flipping them once the whites were solid enough, making them over easy. Giving each brother 3 pancakes, 2 eggs over easy. Next was bacon for Dean. Dishing up their plates, giving Dean and Sam their morning coffee’s, and Sam some O.J, she put them on trays and sat them in their rooms just moments before their alarms went off.

Dean woke up to the smell of food in his room, Sam woke to his alarm with the combo of good smelling food. Both with notes from their sister. 

Sorry for being a pain. Was written for Sam.

And the other note, reading, Sorry for breaking your nose. For Dean.

She cleaned up the bunkers kitchen, cleaning the dishes, and then bolting to hide in her room for the rest of the day.

Dean knew she wasn’t backing down, not really. Not entirely.

Their argument, he knew he was stopping her from getting a homework assignment for school and getting it done. But he didn’t want her out where he couldn’t protect her.

“You can’t always protect her Dean.” Sam says. Knowing full well about their argument. Well, he practically, unwillingly, had front row seats to the screaming match and fist fight.

“Just watch me.” Dean challenged.

“Dean.” Sam says in a knowing tone. “She’s got a school project, due Monday, it's Saturday. And she’s going to fail it if you don’t let her go.” Sam explains.

“But what if something happens?” Dean asks. “Like, what if one of the kids is a shifter trying to get at us. Or a werewolf, or a vamp kid, or even--”

“Dean, just stop. We taught her everything she needs to know about hunting. And she knows what to do.” Sam says.

Dean just sat back in his chair, with folded arms, grumbling to himself. But after about five minutes of thinking. Sam’s right. Dean doesn’t want to get in the way of his sister's education. She’s 13, about to go into high school next year. Those next four years are going to be important to her. And she has shown she'll kick his ass if he gets in her way. 

He lets out a heavy sigh. “Fine.”

“Let me go talk to her.”

“Yeah, talk. No yelling. Okay Dean.”

Dean simply waves him off.

He walks to her room, farthest from either of them. And gives it a few knocks. But gets no response. He tries to open it, it’s unlocked. So there’s something. He pokes his head in her room.

She's on her bed, with her wireless headphones on, playing some loud rock music but one ear piece is off her ear and sitting behind it. Doing her homework on her laptop.

“Guys, I gotta go.” She says to the laptop.

“Okay, but thanks for your help on the project. We’ll let you know if we need more info.” Her classmate says from the laptop.

“And, Y/N, go easy. I live with my older brothers too. And he’s just trying to protect you. He’s doing the best he can.” said another one of her classmates. Seeing her nod at them.

“You can do it girl, see you in class on Monday." They said. She gives a small friendly wave, and ends their video call. Taking off her headphones, she gets off of the bed.

“I’m sorry, I really had to get my portion of the project done and to the rest of my team.” she said to Dean, casting her gaze down. Waiting for him to yell at her.

“It’s okay, that’s what I was coming in here to talk to you about.” He says.

She looks up at him, not saying a word.

“I can’t protect you from everything out there. Not even life or the supernatural itself. Deep down, I sure as hell don’t want you hunting.” He explains.

That’s why he doesn’t let me out on hunts. She thought.

“I want you to live the normal life. I want you to get an education, a job, a life you are happy with to call your own.” He continues.

“But what if you guys need help?” she asks.

“Cas can always lend a hand. Same for Jack. but you are off limits. You’re 13, you have a long life ahead of you. And I want you to live it.” he says.

She nods.

“Are you almost done?” he asks.

“Almost, I just have to write my research down so we’re ready to present it on Monday.”  

“Well, finish up. I say, you deserve some you time in the Dean Cave.” He says. She smiles, he never lets her do whatever she wants in the Dean Cave. She has the same gadget and tech know-how like Sam. And with her XBox One, she always wanted to play it on his big screen TV in the Dean Cave.

“Just, put everything back the way you found it. You know how I am with technology.” he says. Making her giggle.

“Sure Dean.”

“Oh, and Uh, thanks for breakfast. The eggs were a bit over hard, and the bacon wasn’t quite done. Maybe one of these days I’ll teach you how to cook.” Dean tells her.

“Okay.” she smiles.

She went back to writing her research essay and he went to his room to chill out. And once she was done she hooked up her console to his TV in the Dean Cave and binge played Fallout 4.

Sam was just happy there was some peace in the bunker, not just that day, but the days throughout.

~

Did you like it? How’d I do? Comment, Like, send an ask, feedback is fuel that keeps me going!

Dean Tags:

@luci-in-trenchcoats​, @supernatural-jackles​, @becs-bunker​, @winchesters-favorite-girl​, @mlovesstories​, @winchest09​

~

Copying and reposting someone else’s content is plagiarism and illegal. This work is property of supernaturallyobsessedchic. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. These works contain material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of these works may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher. An electronic reference link to the original posted work may be provided for purposes of promotion or assistance of publication by the readers discretion, if proper credits are given to the author in the re-post. 11/28/2020

[chris-evans-indian-fanfic]

Lifetimes

Chapter 2

Description - Detective Okoye finds out more about King Steven's past as you are subjected to further torture

Warning - Horror, mutilation, torture, Dark!Steve

PROCEED ONLY IF YOU ARE 18+!

Chapter 1

My Main Masterlist

I don’t consent to have any of my work published or featured on any third party app, website or translated. If you are seeing this fanfiction anywhere but Tumblr and AO3, it has been reposted without my permission. In that case, please do share the link and let me know.

…

Detective Okoye sipped coffee as she examined the crime scene report on her desk. It had been more than 2 months since you had been the victim of the heinous crime. She narrowed her eyes as she read the report for probably the millionth time. The case was littered with problems.

First of all, they couldn't find your dead body. They had searched across the city and the state and had turned up empty handed. 

Secondly, the forensic team had secured two different sets of fingerprints from the crime scene atop the cliff. One set belonged to you, the other, your killer. However, their database couldn't match the fingerprints with any US citizen and known terrorists. Even the CIA, FBI and even the Interpol turned up empty-handed. 

The team also found paper-thin scraps of ash scattered across the cliff and the road. Their scientists could not make sense of that either. 

Lastly, they had absolutely no leads to chase down your attacker. The security cameras hadn't caught anything. There were no witnesses, except the one statement from Chris Evans, who continuously rambled on about the deep scar on the attacker's face. 

"You need to stop reading that file Oko. You are not a part of the investigation anymore," Detective Natasha's voice broke through Okoye's thoughts.

"I can't let it go Nat," Okoye responded, rubbing her forehead, "I keep thinking that I have missed something."

Nat closed the file and sat on the desk, "Look, I know it's frustrating to break your perfect record. But sometimes there are cases which you just can't solve."

Okoye sighed, "10 years Nat. I have solved every single case in the last decade. No matter if it was a simple house robbery or taking down a drug cartel, I have always cracked all of my cases. And now this?" Okoye slammed down her coffee mug in disgust, "I have been assigned desk duty because I couldn't solve this case."

"You know it's temporary till things dial down a bit," Nat tried to reason, "When the girlfriend of an international superstar goes missing, his fans and the media tend to erupt," Nat placed a hand on her shoulder, "You will be back soon Oko."

"Evans hasn't received a call for ransom?" Okoye inquired.

Nat shook her head, "I don't think she is alive Oko."

🌑

You opened your eyes, the whispers in the dark playing on a loop in your head, "What does he want?" , "Ya no puedo soportar esto" , "Who is she?" , "Quiero ir a casa" , "I make my most humble apology" ,"Nobis auxilium Dominus!" You only recognized English, the rest of the few languages alien to your ears. Besides you, you could see the terrified figures of ancient women who resembled your features.

You tried to speak to them, but no sound escaped your orifice. You were frozen, but were yet somehow still moving. The edge of your skin, along with others, shed like thin layers of ash, only to be replenished by the wind. 

It's this what death felt like? Were you a ghost?

The voices in your head suddenly went silent as everyone heard the despicable cackle of the man who commanded all of you.

🌑

It was dusk when Okoye walked towards the National History museum with her 5-year-old daughter in tow. She waved when she saw Carol with her son.

"Thank you so much for coming along!" Carol grinned as they hugged, "David was dying to look at the new exhibit."

Okoye brushed her off, "Please there's no need to thank me. Aurelia is just as much of a history enthusiast as David."

They joined the long line of people, mostly parents with their kids, waiting for their turn to enter. "I had no idea this exhibit was so popular," Okoye admitted as she took in the crowd. 

"Yeah. Ever since the discovery of the Aveninfin kingdom, suddenly everyone is a history nerd," Carol commented, "Still, I think it's cool that they found the remnants of an entire kingdom underneath the Texan desert." 

As they entered the museum, both the kids ran off towards the children's section of the exhibit where the tour guide was handing out pamphlets.

Okoye sucked in a deep breath, "Umm Carol, I wanted to talk about the bake sale this Saturday-"

"Yes Maria and I are going to bake lemon squares, chocolate cupcakes and vanilla-strawberry cookie spirals," Carol interrupted her, "I was thinking Maria will present the lemon squares from your end? We will say you are currently caught up with work and handed over your goodies to us," she knowingly winked at Okoye.

Her eyes filled with tears at Carol's kind words, "I am sorry," Okoye barely whispered.

"Oko, you have nothing to apologise for. It's difficult being a single mother and an awesome ass-kicking detective at the same time. Don't be harsh on yourself," Carol tried to console her by rubbing her back, "We love Aurelia. And we love you! It also helps that you gang up with me to prank my wife," Carol beamed.

They strolled in the museum, always keeping an eye on the kids as their activities continued. After about an hour or so, the kids dispersed. "Mommy," Aurelia called out, "did you see the handprint painting?" 

"No baby I didn't," Okoye replied. Her daughter led her by taking two of Okoye's fingers in her small hands. "You should see this mommy! You are a defective. This is also like defective work."

Okoye couldn't help but laugh at her daughter's innocence, "That's right baby, I am a defective."

She picked her up when they reached the fingerprint portion of the exhibit. Aurelia pointed out to one set of fingerprints, "See? Just like you explained," she clapped her hands once for impact. 

Okoye chuckled, kissing her daughter's forehead. She looked at the various sets of fingerprints. Most of them were unnamed, except three. One belonged to the King's right hand man called Buchanan, the other to the Queen named Luna and finally, the King himself, Steven Grant. 

Okoye stared at Steve's fingerprints. There was something eerily familiar about them. She stared harder, trying to identify them when suddenly, realisation hit her like an iceberg. 

Could it be? No it was impossible. But the intricate pattern of the fingerprints undoubtedly matched the ones in her file! 

She immediately unlocked her phone and compared the two images. They were identical! Okoye dialled Natashas's number, informing her of the development. "I will be there in 20 minutes," she replied.

🌑

Detectives Okoye and Natasha sat across the table from Dr Bruce Banner, the archeologist behind the discovery of the Aveninfin kingdom. It had been three days since Okoye's lead, and now, it seemed they were back to square one. 

It seemed that nobody on Bruce's staff had used the fingerprints to commit the crime. Everybody had airtight alibis, even the doctor himself. 

"I don't know what I can tell you ladies anymore-" Bruce started saying. But Natasha swiftly interrupted him, "Detectives," she spat with authority.

He held up his hands in resignation, "Sorry. Detectives. I have nothing new to share. You guys have been to my house, my lab and my office. You have interrogated my staff and colleagues. I really don't know how can-," he was interrupted again.

"A heinous crime was committed, and," Okoye pointed a finger at him, "fingerprints of your King Steven were found at the crime scene. So you really expect us to believe that he came back from the dead just to murder Chris Evans' girlfriend?"

"Legends share that King Steven never died," Bruce half-smiled at his pathetic joke. "Look, you guys are the detectives. Isn't it your job to," he gestured in a random direction, "detect this?"

"What was the need to even obtain fingerprints from an archeological site?" Okoye inquired.

Bruce looked squarely at her, "Fingerprints help us study human evolution Detective. We were lucky to have found their fingerprints painted on the wall and imprinted in the mudcakes."

"Mudcakes?" Nat cocked an eyebrow.

Bruce took a deep breath, "The people of Aveninfin believed that the dead would find a way back in case the living ever needed them. However, the dead spirits would need to identify their graves and their loved ones. So after the death of any citizen, they would press the deceased palms onto a patch of damp mud, which would then solidify, leaving behind an imprint."

Okoye bit her cheek, "But you just said that King Steven isn't believed to be dead."

Bruce shook his head, "I said legends claimed that. Folk-lore, fairy tales, ancient myth. There's no way to actually verify this."

Natasha checked her watch, "Well, we still have about an hour or so left for this interrogation to end. So why don't you indulge us Doctor?" she requested in her sweet venomous voice.

Rubbing his eyes, Bruce took a deep breath. "Okay," he said, "How much do you remember about the history of Aveninfin from school?" 

Both the women looked at each other. "Wasn't it a kingdom ruined by greed and ambition?" Okoye guessed.

Bruce nodded in response, "The king, Steven Grant, wanted to conquer the entire world just like Alexander had once set out to. In the 17th century, when the kingdom of Aveninfin was at its peak, King Steven married a Sorceress by the name of Luna. It is believed that Queen Luna gained her powers from the moon. A bit Luna-tic, amirite?" Bruce's another lame attempt at a joke was met with stony silence.

He cleared his throat, "So anyways, Queen Luna saw how the kingdom and it's citizens suffered in poverty while the King, his aid Buchanan and the corrupt traders and officers enjoyed the riches. She knew of his ambition to conquer the world and so, she killed him by poisoning him. But, here is where things get interesting."

Bruce shifted in his seat, the  excitement in his voice mirroring in his body language, "The Queen didn't account for Buchanan's loyalty. You see, in some iterations of the legend, it is said that the King and Buchanan were lovers, in others, they were mentioned as close comrades. Buchanan was said to be raised by witches, and so, when he realised that the King had been poisoned, he went and dug open his grave to revive the King."

Natasha looked disinterested and Okoye managed to keep a passive expression as Bruce rambled on. "Buchanan apparently gave half of his soul to the King, so that King Steven can live. But this only made matters worse. Now both, the King and Buchanan, existed in the world of the living, and also in the realm of the dead. This place… this-this sweet nexus of two dimensions cursed the beings with unimaginable power, and pain."

Okoye gave Natasha half a smile as the latter yawned, "Let me guess the next part Doctor," Natasha offered, "The King laid waste to the entire kingdom and buried it within the ground where the sun doesn't shine?" 

Deflated, Bruce sank back in his chair, "Yeah."

🌑

You were passing through buildings, cars, houses, trees and God knows what. Suddenly, you came to a stop. You were surprised when you saw King Steve, or "Conqueror of the Paranormal, Leader of the Occult Study and Summoner of Death, His Majesty King Steven Grant" as he liked to call himself, converse with another man. 

This stranger's hair was tied in a small ponytail. His physique was just as massive and looked just as strong as Steve's.  

His magic command wore off just a bit as he was speaking with the stranger. You were able to move your face and a little portion of your limbs. You gasped in your head as you finally took in the condition of the women around you. Some women were missing their palms, feet, or even entire hands and legs. A few had their entire torsos cut so that you could only see their spine connecting their head with their hips. While the face of one woman was absent of her eyeballs, the other one's neck had been chopped off in a gruesome manner.

Steve's power over you started weaning further as he became more agitated in his conversation. Your eyesight became a bit clearer, the shades of black and grey slowly shifting into focus.

You had to find a way out of this prison. By now, you understood that all the women in King Steven's harem had been murdered and kept captive. This could not be death. You didn't want it to be.

Looking downwards at your feet, you noticed the faint wisps of ash detaching from your body and collecting on the ground below. It could easily be confused as dust in a small quantity, but when shed in a larger amount, it could form a trail of sorts...

🌑

A FEW DAYS later saw Okoye sitting at her desk with her head in her hands. "Oko," Natasha approached her gently.

"You know, if I had any hair on my head I would be pulling them out right now," Okoye joked miserably. 

"I told you before Oko. Some cases are too twisted to be solved. Do you know how many cases in the US go unsolved? Probably-"

"Wait," Okoye interrupted Natasha, "What did you just say?" 

Natasha looked a bit surprised, "Ummm… Do you know how many cases go unsolved?"

"That's it!" exclaimed Okoye. She rushed towards the Records room of the precinct, with Natasha hot on her heels. "What's 'it'?" she asked.

"We need to check whether these fingerprints have come up in the last 6 months in the unsolvable crimes committed," Okoye explained, "Think about it Nat. Dr Banner told us that they retrieved the prints 6 months ago right? So there has to be-"

Natasha sighed, "Well it is a lead. But…" "But what?" Okoye responded. 

"You are grasping at straws Oko. Don't you think it would have been in the news if a murder went unsolved heart because the prints couldn't be traced? Look I…," Natasha hesitated, "I know you are desperate. Frustrated even. But this has started to affect your health and work and I can't just stand by and be a silent spectator."

"Then don't be one. Join me and help me in solving this," Okoye urged.

Natasha just shook her head, "If… if you don't give up this case Okoye then-"

"Then what Natasha?" Okoye almost spat her name.

"I will have to report you," Natasha's threat sounded like a plea.

Okoye squared her shoulders, "After everything we have gone through?"

Natasha looked at her with a painful expression, "Yes. Especially after everything we have gone through. I just cannot let you destroy your career behind one case. You weren't even supposed to interrogate Dr Banner! This… this stops now."

Both the women stared at one another, refusing to back down. Finally, Natasha muttered something under her breath and left the Records room as Okoye kept glaring at her back.

36 HOURS LATER, Okoye found a nondescript manila envelope on her desk, buried under her pile of unprocessed files with a note, "Hope this helps! - Peter P." She casually angled her body in a way which hid the contents of the envelope as she opened it. Her eyes widened at the information displayed in front of her.

King Steven's fingerprints were found at crime scenes that dated back all the way to 1915, almost around the time when the police started using science and technology to obtain and analyse fingerprints. 

As she flipped through the pages, she noted the years of the crimes committed. 1915, 1933, 1954, 1974, 1997 and lastly, 2020. A quick mental calculation made her realise that the average number of years between these murders were approximately between 20-22.

But nothing prepared her for what she saw next.

The photographs of all the female victims closely resembled your face. Sure, there was a difference in the colour of their skin, languages and backgrounds. But their facial features were identical. 

Moreover, there was a striking similarity in the way the crime was committed. The women were kidnapped and then disappeared without a trace. 

Okoye sat back in her chair as realisation struck her like a thunderbolt. Could it be? Was there really an undead entity hunting these women? And for what?

🌑

You were moving again. Every part of you was frozen, except the tips of your thumb and forefinger, thanks to King Steve still seething in anger. Rubbing them together furiously, you tried to communicate with others through your mind, urging them to do the same.

It continued for a while when suddenly, you felt yourself freeze completely. 

That disdainful cackle was back in your head, "Hehehehe. Honey wants to shed her skin? HER SKIN!!! Wants to be rescued. RESCUED! Don't like me? ME! Doesn't want skin? SKIN? SKIN! Then I will take it. TAKE IT!"

You felt his shadow push into you with force as your now solid forms collided with the ground. His blade, now shining brighter than the sun, cut into your sides as you silently screamed in agony. 

Pain seared through you as he started peeling the skin from your entire body, only to reveal the ghastly organs beneath. Muscle, bones, veins and all were now on display. Nobody could hear your blood-curdling screams except the women surrounding you, their howls of horror joining yours as once again, you were reminded about who was in charge.

"Need skin," Steve muttered as he kept cutting into you, "Have hands, legs, face, torso, everything. EVERYTHING! Need skin to put her back together. To bring her back. She will breathe. She will be alive. ALIVE!"

__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__

Permanent tag: @donutloverxo

Taglist for this series: @buckysteveloki-me @cheeseburgersstuff @ninefuckingoneone @keenmarvellover (I tagged you guys because you had requested to be tagged if I ever write a part 2. If you guys don't want to be tagged in this, just let me know. No hard feelings 😊)

Taglist open! Just comment, send an ask or message!

[baegarrick]

ZUKKA ADVICE COLUMNIST AU! EITHER sokka as the columnist with a large readership/listenership bc of his elaborate plans to address typical relationship/work problems & zuko asking questions about social situations/making new friends when you've had a troubled childhood & your best friend is your uncle. OR: zuko as the thoroughly unqualified advice columnist (THAT'S ROUGH BUDDY)

yes 👏🏻

idk if it was inspired by this post or not, but if you haven’t seen it you should

finally got this done I'm the slowest actually

as much as I love “thoroughly unqualified zuko” (he’s my favorite dummy), I’m kinda so here for a “sokka’s elaborate plans” au

I’m thinking a little “you’ve got mail” and that post mixed in

so: Sokka is an advice columnist in the college paper. (this is a college au now sorry)

Zuko is one of his roommates (with like, Aang and Haru or something)

Sokka’s column is one of those “ask auntie” anonymous columns, and the name he’s forced to pen under is.... Aunt Wu. Katara and Aang both know he writes for the paper in the column, bc Katara’s his sister and Aang is their oldest friend and he figured it out (the kid is smart), but most of their friends don’t know, mostly bc the paper wants to keep it as anonymous as possible, and also he really didn't plan on staying this long. it was supposed to be one of those easy jobs for a semester until he got an internship in the robotics department, but it’s three semesters and one robotics internship later and he still!! has a job!! (partially because they told him if he quit they would do something unspeakably horrible to him, and also bc he’s..... popular??)

it started out as just a job, but Sokka’s an overthinker. he’s bright as hell, and maybe it’s his engineering brain, but he sometimes misses the obvious sometimes. Half his plans for “how do I deal with this guy who I’m dating who says either the fish goes or he does?” start out “dump him!!!” and then end with “.... actually wait, first of all it’s really shitty he wants you to get rid of a fish??? its a FISH???? it doesn’t even do anything????” and then three paragraphs of both a personal experience (sokka surprisingly has a lot of personal stories that Relate) and an elaborate plan for dumping this guy and then signing him up for like 12 free fish magazines.

He gets really popular, and while some of the questions he gets are weird and kinda over the top (”aunt wu, I’m blind but want to join the wrestling team, how do i tell my parents I’m both gay and stronger than them?”) some are just kinda sad (”aunt wu, my uncle is my best friend, how do I make friends?”). They’re all asked anonymously, sometimes with funny names attached. The latter is from a guy calling himself, “Blue Spirit.”

Anyway. Three semesters into writing this column, he lives with Aang, Zuko, and Haru. He picked Aang, the other two just came with the place (Suki, Katara, Yue, and Toph said “under absolutely no circumstances will we be splitting up so good LUCK boys we’re out.”)

He starts getting questions like, “How do I break the ice with my roommates?”, from the “Blue Spirit” guy, which prompts Sokka to get his roommates involved. He’s not against crowdsourcing. (only aang knows about the job, he tells the others its for school.) Sokka doesn’t really know Haru and Zuko, but like, this is a great way to get to know them, right?

Haru’s chill off the bat, but Zuko’s awkward and fumbling, and a little shy (though Sokka has heard him getting in a shouting match with the TV on more than one occasion), but after they get into it, throwing out ideas, Sokka thinks, you know, this was a good way to make friends with roommates. (he doesn’t write that, exactly, he’s got a reputation to uphold, but he includes “tricking them into hanging out with you by asking about a homework assignment” in the article) Zuko’s in the living room a lot more often after that, and even asked for Sokka’s help on a physics assignment once (ya know, bc Sokka’s super smart), so he thinks the method is tried and true.

A couple weeks of other mundane questions, he gets one that makes him pause. “What do I do if I have a crush on my roommate?” (Blue Spirit). and he thinks, “oh no, the ice breaker worked TOO WELL.” (but, of course, he doesn’t know what to do about this. He’s never had a crush on a roommate before. Aang’s like his little brother, Jet was a creep, and Hahn was the WORST. So he outsources again.)

[”Hey Aang,” Sokka says, hanging half upside down off the couch, “would you date your roommate?”

“Sorry Sokka, I’m flattered, but you know that Katara has captured my heart-- hey!” Sokka throws the remote at him.

“Not me! Just like, in general. Would you date someone you’re living with?”

“Oh, is this advice for your...... thing?” His eyes twinkle, “Or.... do you have a crush on someone I should know about????” (Aang is wildly unhelpful. He says he would date his roommate, no questions asked, but Sokka thinks he’s just thinking about Katara.)

He asks Zuko, next, the first person to come through the door.

“Would you date your roommate, Zuko?” Sokka asks. Zuko looks like he’s a deer caught in the headlights. “I’m asking for a friend,” Sokka says, whenever they ask. This was what had gotten him in trouble with Aang, but so far no one else had noticed Aunt Wu answering the same questions in the paper a week later.

Zuko relaxes, but he doesn’t look much better. “Uhhhh.”

“I mean, not like, us,” Sokka said, “I don’t know if you’re into dudes--”

“Definitely into dudes,” Zuko rushes to say, his cheeks pink all over again, and it’s cute. Sokka can see why dating him might be appealing. Oh no. That’s a thought for later. “Definitely gay.” And then, “I mean.... would you?”

“I don’t know,” Sokka says thoughtfully, looking Zuko over. Before he can think over it, Haru comes out of the bathroom, freshly showered.

Haru just shrugs. “I mean, isn’t your spouse just like your permanent roommate? It’s just like making a commitment really really early.”]

He publishes this in the paper: “What do you want to do about it?”

When he’s typing it up, he thinks about it. There are really two options for having a crush on your roommate. One, you can tell them you like them, or two, suffer in silence. He thinks about it. If he had a crush on someone-- his thoughts wandering to Zuko far more often than he likes-- he would probably do something about it. That’s what he did with Yue, that’s what Suki did with him. He details an elaborate plan with anecdotes about what he did with Yue, leaving out the part that they broke up. Giving her gifts, making her laugh, showing up at her workplace just to hang out for a little while. He details a 12-step plan that involves defeating your rival in hand-to-hand combat.

Of course, none of that would work with Zuko. They once got into an argument over how loud the TV was when neither of them were watching it, so he definitely wouldn’t want Sokka fighting his battles for him.

And then, oh no.

(He publishes the article. He tries not to feel like a hypocrite when he doesn’t immediately ask Zuko out, thinking about what Haru says. It’s a lot of commitment for an early relationship. He’s always the responsible one. For once in his life, he doesn’t go after what he wants.)

A couple months of this, living with these dudes, one of whim he now has a crush on!! thanks ANONYMOUS BLUE SPIRIT, the girl running the horoscopes segment of the paper quits and leaves that segment without an author. cue Sokka, reluctant horoscope writer. (He doesn’t even believe in this stuff!! but does he really believe half the stuff he writes in Aunt Wu?)

He half-asses it the first week. He looks up some bullshit guide to what everything means, listens to Toph describe what she thinks they mean over drinks at the tea place, and then sends it off to be published. He finds Zuko sulking in the living room two days later.

[”My horoscope said I’m going to make everyone around me miserable this week!” Zuko falls back on the couch, dramatically, like it’s a fainting sofa. “With my physics exam next week, I know it’s because I’m going to fail and drag you all down with me!”

“Oh,” Sokka says, stopping in the doorway. “You read those? ...and believe them?”

“Yes?” Zuko says, face a flushed red.

“Oh,” Sokka says, mind going a million miles per hour. “I have to, uh, go do my homework now.”]

The next week, Scorpio gets a nice horoscope about how everything is going to go right in the world and all that other sappy bullshit. Zuko looks better before his exam, and he’s happier. Sokka keeps that in mind whenever he seems Zuko looking a little down.

It’s not until the week before Winter Break that Sokka is forced to confront his feelings, in the dumbest of ways. His laptop breaks, and he asks Zuko to borrow his so he can finish the second-to-final Aunt Wu column. Zuko tosses his laptop over without thinking, from the other side of the couch, and he goes to open a document when he sees one already open.

It’s an early draft of a letter addressed to Aunt Wu, and it’s signed off with, “Blue Spirit.” He looks over at Zuko, who seems to realize what he left open at the same time, and suddenly--

[Zuko pounces, practically leaping into Sokka’s lap to slam the laptop shut. Sokka looks down at him, surprised. The only thing he can think of saying is, “You’re the Blue Spirit?”

Zuko looks more like he’s ready to die than ever, cheeks a furious red, “You read Aunt Wu?”

“Of course not,” Sokka says without thinking. “I write it.”

“Oh,” Zuko says, “that’s so much worse.”

Finally the implication catches up to Sokka, and this time, he feels his face heat, Zuko still sprawled across his lap. “You.... have a crush on your roommate?” Zuko doesn’t say anything. For once, Sokka’s mouth works properly. “Dude, I really hope your crush is on me because otherwise this is gonna be really awkward.”

“Wha--” Zuko tries to say, but Sokka’s leaning down to kiss him. When he pulls back, Zuko looks a little starstruck. “Oh. Yeah. It was definitely on you.”]

(Sokka doesn’t tell him about the horoscopes. He’ll tell him when he graduates, but for now, he likes making Zuko smile.)

[ficswithrimi]

Golden (Final Chapter Pt. 2)

First Chapter: Chapter 1

Last Chapter: Final Chapter Pt. 1

Wanna listen to the official Golden soundtrack? Click here!

A/N: My notes will be at the end of this chapter. Please watch this and listen to this. (For FEELS listen to the song on REPEAT in the last section of the chapter.) Thank you and enjoy the final chapter.

                                                             ~!~

Your POV

           “Golden revealed himself! Jeon Jungkook!”

           “Golden is Jungkook?”

           “He’s that Jeon kid?”

           All around you, people were shouting, screaming, applauding, and some crying – for who knows what reason – as they watched Jungkook reveal himself as Golden from their cellphones. You were too focused on trying to enter the auditorium to pull out your cell to watch. Besides, you were supposed to be there in person – not watching him from a tiny ass screen. You couldn’t hear anything from the phones that surrounded you as everyone were too busy screaming over one another about Golden revealing himself. Whatever his reveal was, it must’ve been epic.

           “Ah, you can enter now,” the guy officer said as he stood up to open the door. The applause heard from the inside intensified when the doors open. You immediately ran inside and saw the scene from outside looked like the inside. Students were standing, shouting, applauding, and crowding the stage. Your eyes tried to see if you could spot Chloe or Taehyung within the crowd of students, however, it was a loss cause. Slowly, your eyes focused in on the perplexed man on stage. He seemed to be in shock from all the attention he was getting but you could tell something was off with him. His own eyes eventually looked towards the entrance – towards you – as he stood on stage. Just him looking over to you caused a smile to grace your lips as you felt your heart beat intensely. You were happy he finally was able to reveal his agonizing secret to the school.

           “Thank you, Mr. Jeon. Students, please clear the aisle so we can continue our exam,” The professor tried to sound stern, but everyone could hear the elatedness in her voice. She was beyond impressed with Jungkook’s reveal. You watched as Jungkook slowly climbed down from the stage, giving out timid high-fives and handshakes to the students he passed by. Trying to keep an eye on him and his green sweater, you began to squeeze in between and push through the students as everyone tried to return to their seats or move closer to see Jungkook. As you continue to shove your way through, you heard the professor trying to regain order of the class by threatening to take points off everyone’s grade if they didn’t settle down. Finally, you were able to reach the near front of the auditorium – where you knew Jungkook and Taehyung usually sat. Your eyes widened in excitement as you spotted Taehyung and Chloe grinning at Jungkook as he shyly socialized with some of the surrounding students. Chloe looked away briefly and over to you before shooting up from her seat and yelling for you to come over.

           “Y/N!” Chloe waved you over. Suddenly, you could feel eyes burning into your skin. Golden’s identity was a secret when it came to the blog, but yours, however? Everyone knew who you were thanks to Jungkook’s public publishing of your messages to him. Of course, it was sort of your fault, as well. You could’ve messaged him on anonymous like others, however, you wanted to stand out to him. And you did. Of course, with all great things, came drawbacks. You could hear people whispering about you as you got closer to your friends. You didn’t have to look around the room to know you were receiving judgmental glares and scoffs from the people around you. It made you a bit self-conscious as you hurried over to the seat.

           “You’re late! Where the hell were you?” Chloe frowned at you as stood at the end of the row, waiting for Taehyung to move so you could claim your seat in between Chloe and… Jungkook.

           “Sorry…” You mumbled while Taehyung grinned at you as you slid past him. Before you could ask Jungkook to let you by, he stood up in the tight space, towering over you as your head met his chest. You glanced up slightly at him, half expecting to look into his dark brown eyes, however, he seemed to be avoiding your gaze. Moving onwards, you plopped into the seat Chloe had reserved for you by using her bag. You watched as Jungkook sat back down in his seat and shyly waved at some girls who kept turning back in their seats to giggle and whisper about the man. This irritated you a bit but also saddened you. Was Jungkook upset with you because you missed his reveal? You already knew he was Golden. Of course, he didn’t know that, but still. Why would he be upset?

           “Do you have something? She’s going in random order,” Chloe said. “I already went and obviously Golden here has gone…”

           You saw Jungkook flinch a little as Chloe casually mentioned his blog to you. “I have… something…”

           “What is it? Tell me,” Chloe grabbed your arm and shook it. You tuned her out as you glanced at Jungkook. He hadn’t said anything to you and, honestly, you were a bit scared to say anything to him. Not just because you missed his reveal and – let’s face it – he was obviously upset about that. But also, this was your first time facing him while you both knew he was Golden. All your mind could think about was that time on the bench where you admitted your feelings for Golden and even kissed Jungkook’s cheek. Was he also remembering what you had said about wishing to never have talking to him? Of course, you didn’t know Jungkook was Golden at the time. Maybe he thought you were upset because he was under the impression you didn’t know? But… he saw you smile at him. He had to know you weren’t upset. Shaking your arm from Chloe’s grasp, you turned to Jungkook.

           “Jungkook-“

           “Y/L/N Y/N!” You turned your head to the front of the auditorium as you heard the professor call your name. “You’re up… if you’re here.”

           “This ought to be good” Chloe smiled mischievously as your eyes shifted back to Jungkook. He glanced briefly at you before nodding his head at you. Letting out a heavy sigh, you stood up and made your way to the end of the aisle. Taehyung gave you a saddened smile as your eyes met his, causing your heart to pang at the sight. You haven’t spoken or seen the junior since he revealed he wasn’t Golden to you. This just wasn’t your day.

           Again, you could feel the cold, hard stares – along with some curious ones – as you made your way to the stage. You could feel the nervous lump growing in the back of your throat as you shakily climbed the stairs to the stage. Nervously, you removed your phone from your back pocket and connected it to the screen. Immediately, your blog popped up on the screen above. It was plain – a simple white background with a pastel pink border. There wasn’t a blog description and the only thing on it was a video posted about 53 minutes ago. Swallowing hard to get rid of the lump in your throat, you turned on your heel to investigate the audience. Nearly all eyes were on you as they awaited to see what you, the girl Golden gave the most attention to, would do. Even the camera crews in the back were focused on you. It wasn’t until this moment that you realized you were also well-known on your campus as DancerCookies.

           “Uh… hi… so um….” You eyed your professor who rested her chin on her laced fingers. “My old blog, DancerCookies, was just your normal blog. I just reposted recipes, food pics, and videos of people dancing. Um, because of an incident, I had to delete my blog and it led me to create this one…”

           The professor seemed to arch a brow as you said this which caused your heart to beat faster than it already was. You just knew you had already failed the assignment before even beginning.

           “Um, I think this blog assignment helped me figure out who I am. My old blog showed how I was torn between two things, indecisive about who I wanted to be. I think a lot of us go through that, especially us underclassmen. We’re forced to choose what we want to be right out of high school and that can make or break us. It almost broke me but, thanks to some friends – to a certain person… I was able to see who I really am and realize who I want to be. My new blog isn’t that great… but I think with this one post, everyone can feel the emotion I put into this Especially,” You paused as your eyes found and landed on Jungkook’s in the crowd. “You… Golden.”

           With that, you inhaled deeply and pressed the ‘play’ button on your phone, starting the video behind you. Tori Kelly’s Paper Hearts immediately began to play. You stood off to the side as the video of you gracefully dancing to the song played on the screen. Biting your lip nervously, you looked towards your professor who held a soft smile on her face as she watched the clip. Looking away, you looked towards who you could see in the room of students. Everyone seemed to be entranced by your dance. It made your heart swell at the sight. If this last-minute choregraphed dance could hold the attention of people, imagine the effect you’d have in the future when you perform, hopefully, live for audiences and them falling in love you’re your moves. It was a dream. Finally, you looked to Jungkook. Your elated heart sunk at being unable to read his facial expression. You had worked so hard on the dance and wanted to use this reveal as a silent reveal of your feelings towards him. You knew he’d be the only one to understand the reference.

           As the video ended, you managed to give out a wavered smile before removing your phone. The applause and cheers from your classmates meant nothing as none of them were from the person you wanted it to be from. You bowed slightly to the professor as you got off the stage and made your way back to your seat. You smiled at Taehyung as he congratulated you for your blog and slid past him. Jungkook still didn’t seem to notice your presence entirely as he let you by him, however, you did manage to see a slight blush on his face.

           “Hey!! Cookie girl! That was sweet!” A guy in front of you turned around in his seat and grinned at you. Your face flushed at his comment and nodded your head at him in response.

           “Her name is Y/N and she’s gonna be a famous choreographer. Remember her,” Chloe frowned at the guy as he just rolled his eyes at her and turned back in his seat. You tuned Chloe out as she started rambling about people giving you the respect you deserved and not linking you to Golden all the time. Her mentioning Golden caused you to glance towards Jungkook again. His attention was still on the stage. Gulping quietly, you eyed his arm that rested on the armrest of his chair. After a moment of internally arguing with yourself, you decided to get the man’s attention. Sighing, you gently tapped his arm. Your heart leapt to your throat as you visibly saw him jump from your sudden touch and turn towards you, his brow arched. You were used to a smiley Jungkook who showed his bunny-like smile whenever he saw you. Not this serious Jungkook. He really was upset…

           “Jungkook, I-“

           “We’ll talk later…” He said under his breath so only you could hear. “Everyone… is watching…”

           You blinked at his words as you turned from him and looked around. Sure enough, people were still gawking at him. It felt like you were near a celebrity. Jungkook didn’t handle loads of attention well do to him being shy. That’s why he had kept Golden a secret for so long. Maybe he wasn’t mad at you. Maybe he was just overwhelmed. This was only the beginning, too. Who knew what would happen after the final was over?

 ~!~

           You were surprised to see the area in front of the language arts building had been cleared out by the time the CW final ended – three hours later. Apparently, the school president threatened academic suspension for the disruption of a final. You thought it was kind of funny considering he allowed the final to be recorded live by the news reporters. Either way, you were  grateful the only people you’d have to worry about obsessing over Jungkook were your classmates and the reporters demanding an onsite interview. Even though you wanted your chance to speak with the freshman, you were kind of glad everyone was crowding him. Your nerves were eating you from the inside out as you wondered just what would be said in your talk between Jungkook and you. The more the crowd held him up, the better. Chloe, Taehyung, and you waited off to the side as you watched Jungkook shyly smile and high-five and shake the hands of numerous students. Your lips would tremble downwards in worry whenever you saw a woman smile flirtatiously at Jungkook while flipping their hair just a little too much. You knew some of those relationship – marriage – requests were being serious but Jungkook always brushed them off.

           “Look at them leeches-“

           “Chloe!” You shot her a look. “Insulting them is like insulting me… I’m just like them…”

           Chloe turned to you with her hands on her hips, an incredulous look plastered on my face. “Are you being serious? You’re way different from them. You’re not throwing yourself all over him like these girls. And based on what? His music taste?”

           “That is how I started…”

           “Exactly! Started. You liked Jungkook before you even found out he was Golden!”

           “She’s right…” Taehyung spoke up. You both turned to him as the man had been silent for most of the morning. “You’re not like them. I wouldn’t call them leeches either…”

           Chloe shrugged as she turned away from the two of you and went back to impatiently waiting for Jungkook to break free.

           “Don’t worry about them,” Taehyung placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder. Your heart ached a bit as you stared into his brown eyes. He was still hurt over you rejecting him. You didn’t mean to hurt him, but you didn’t want to lead him on. “I’m gonna head back to my dorm. I’ll see you later?”

           You nodded your head at him as you gave him a small smile. He briefly flashed his boxy grin – not as bright as usual, however – before squeezing your shoulder and letting it fall. You watched as he retreated away before hearing someone suck their teeth from behind you. You stumbled a bit as the same person gently pushed themselves between you and Chloe.

           “I’m not scared of catching a charge. You know that, right?” Chloe gritted her teeth at the intruder. You just glared at the woman.

           “What, Seulgi?” You spat.

           “Nice performance. What was that? Your love confession to Jungkook? Ha. If I were the professor, I’d fail you for plagiarism.”

           “Excuse me?” You arched a brow at her.

           “I knew you guys were friends beforehand. Do you think he’s still going to like you after you stole his presentation?”

           “Her presentation was nothing like Jungkook’s-“

           “I don’t even know how he revealed himself-“

           “Sure. Point is, give up. I told you before I was going to be the one to date Golden, didn’t I?” Seulgi flipped her brown locks. You followed her eyes as she smirked towards Jungkook who seemed to finally have a chance to break free as the crowd was starting to disperse thanks to the guards from earlier. Feeling anger rise in you, you snapped your head to Seulgi. You were tired of her shit. The entire semester she talked down to you and even tried to ruin your friendship with Chloe. Hell, you were positive she was the main culprit for the harassing anons you got on your blog. Now, here she was thinking she could easily snatch Jungkook away from you like he was some prize to be won. Did she even see him as Jungkook? From all you could tell, he was just Golden to her. And if she knew Jungkook like you did, she’d know that, yeah, Golden was in there somewhere, but for the most part, she’d get this sweet 18-year-old guy who’s face turned into a tomato when put into social situations, or sketched random things he’d seen throughout the day in his notebook, or encouraged his friends to follow their dreams while assuring his undying support, or how he worked hard in whatever he did – whether it be dancing, singing, or school. Seulgi only knew the sarcastic – sometimes an asshole – guy online. She didn’t know the real Jungkook… like you did.

           “Look, Seulgi, I’m tired of your shit. You think you’re the best match for Jungkook when literally two months ago, at Junmyeon’s party, you told him off for being a freshman. You’ve been sending me shit online on anonymous because you don’t have the balls to say it to my face. And all because I got an ounce of attention from Jungkook. I don’t even know how you found out about Chloe’s blog but to run off and tell Namjoon? How the hell did that effect you in any way? Just because you knew I knew who she was referring to in her blog, so you knew she’d think it was me? So, to ruin me not only online, you tried to destroy my relationships in real life as well? You’re pathetic. Oh, and stop calling Jungkook Golden. Golden is a blog. Not the person.”

           Your chest heaved as you glared at her. She looked offended while Chloe was dying of laughter. You saw Seulgi glance beside her at Chloe in disgust and was about to say something in response to you but stopped mid-inhale, causing your eyes to arch. Turning from her, you saw Jungkook standing in front of you guys, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. His face was red. Your anger immediately began to dissipate at the sight. He was just so cute. However, not knowing if he had heard what you said or not, your own face began to turn red.

           “Ah!” Seulgi’s face immediately lit up from excitement and embarrassment. “Jungkook! I wanted to congratulate you on your blog. Never thought you’d be Golden.”

           “Thanks…” Jungkook nonchalantly said as he looked at you. Your eyes widened at him before you averted them towards the ground. “Y/N, can we go talk now-“

           “I mean!” Seulgi quickly interrupted Jungkook and stepped closer to the man, gently placing her hand on his arm. “Who would’ve thought such a… shy person was the mastermind behind such a popular blog. How does it feel-“

           “I told the reporters and my fans that I’d like to be left alone to talk to my friends now. So…” Jungkook shook her hand off him and looked back towards you. “Y/N?”

           Your heart leapt as he addressed you again. His tone was firm, and it sent chills down your spine. You heard Chloe whisper an “oh shit” under her breath before she began to chuckle. Though you were nervous, you glanced up at Jungkook. His face was emotionless. Why couldn’t you read him like normal? You jumped from your thoughts as you felt Chloe nudge your arm to go towards Jungkook. You just shot her a frightened look that she returned with a smirk.

           “F-fan? I’m more than that. We’re friends, right-“

           “Give it up, Kang,” Chloe laughed as she walked beside Seulgi and wrapped her arm around the woman’s neck and began to drag her away from Jungkook and you. “Let’s chat. Heard you told Namjoon some things that was none of your fucking business…”

           You watched as Chloe walked off with Seulgi. Silently, you screamed for her to come back in your head. You knew you’d have to face Jungkook sooner or later but you’d rather it be later. Like, after winter break later. It was funny. Inside the auditorium, you were ready to talk to him then and there. Was that because there were so many people around? Were you still on your high from your presentation and confession? Did Jungkook even see it as a confession? He had to of have, right? That was why he wanted to talk to you. Alone. You’ve confessed your feelings to guys before. You weren’t that shy. However, it was always the confession that you dreaded the most. You never knew what answer you’d receive. At least you could read the past guys’ facial expressions. You haven’t been able to tell how Jungkook was feeling since the final. He only smiled slightly when the reporters and his followers from the class were all in his face. You guess it was now or never. You just hoped whatever he had to say to you, you guys could still be friends afterwards. Losing Jungkook as a friend terrified you the most.

           “L-let’s go…” You cleared your throat to hide the quiver in your voice. He nodded at you as he began to walk in the direction of the dorms. Inhaling deeply, you sped up to walk beside him.

 ~!~

           You were absolutely mute on your walk towards the dorms. One, because you didn’t know what to say to the man who was also quiet as a mouse. And two, because you were confused as you were walking the direction of his dorms and not somewhere else. Why was he taking you to his dorms? You couldn’t go inside. He lived in the underclassmen dorms where the opposite gender wasn’t allowed inside. However, you didn’t question him as you silently followed. Occasionally, you’d notice how his hand would sway a bit towards yours and you thought he wanted to hold your hand. However, this thought quickly vanished each time as he still held a solid expression. You tried to tell yourself that maybe he was emotionless because during the walk, you both were stopped several times so people – both students and faculty – could fawn over him being Golden. You accidentally let out a depressed sigh at one of the times that Jungkook – and his fans – heard. It was like everyone had seen his reveal except you. You had no clue as to how he could’ve gone about it. You wanted to pull out your phone and look it up online, however, it’d have to wait until later.

           Eventually, you both arrived at a bench that sat outside of his dorm. Your face reddened as you instantly remembered the bench.

           A sudden feeling of boldness coming over you – and an urge that you seemingly couldn’t resist – you leaned down and pressed a small kiss on the boy’s cheek.

           This was the same bench that you, just a couple of weeks ago, confessed to Jungkook how much Golden stressed you out because of your feelings for him. Then, you proceeded to thank the boy for listening to you by kissing him on his cheek. God, if you only knew then he was Golden, you would’ve told yourself to shut the hell up. You gulped nervously as Jungkook plopped himself down on the bench and eyed you before looking at the spot beside him. Taking it as a sign to sit, you nervously sat beside him.

           Taking in a deep breath, you clenched the edge of your jacket. “What did you want to-“

           “You missed my presentation, right?” Jungkook immediately asked. You bit your bottom lip nervously as you just nodded your head. Was he… upset about that? It wasn’t like you purposely missed it.

           “I’m sor-“

           “You also know who I am by now… right?” He chuckled. You couldn’t tell if it was sarcastic or genuine which made your stomach flip.

           “You’re Golden…” You whispered out just loudly enough for him to hear you. He didn’t say anything after you said that which made your become frantic. What was he thinking? Was he remembering the time you told him how much Golden stressed you out? How you wish you never got involved with him? All of that was said in this exact spot, after all. You tensed up as he suddenly leaned forward on the bench, scrolling on his phone that you didn’t notice he had pulled out. You glanced down at his screen out of curiosity but couldn’t see anything as his thumb hovered over something.

           “You know, your presentation wasn’t the first time you told me you liked me…” Jungkook suddenly said, catching you off guard. You had tried to forget it. “It was here. On this bench around 5am? You were so frustrated with me… with Golden. I felt horrible for ruining your friendship and my followers harassing you. But… I couldn’t tell you who I was yet… because I wanted to surprise you. It was cute how you were so sure it was Taehyung. I was jealous at first but then you told me how much you liked Golden…”

           Your face reddened as you remembered how you practically told Jungkook you were in love with Golden. You had hoped the boy would’ve forgotten about it but obviously he hadn’t. Before you could respond to him, Jungkook suddenly stood up and in front of you. You looked up at him confusedly and saw his cheeks were colored in a crimson red. You were almost positive your cheeks resembled his. This had to have been out of Jungkook’s comfort zone – whatever it was he was doing. A confrontation? A confession? You weren’t too sure.

           Suddenly, he handed you his phone and pressed a button on it. Immediately it began to play a video. “Out of everyone who saw my presentation, I wanted you to see it the most…”

           You blinked at him before shifting your eyes down to the screen. The video showed Jungkook standing awkwardly in the middle of the stage. He shuffled on his feet a bit before he softly began to sing the first verse to Tori Kelly’s Paper Hearts. Your stomach leapt at the sound of his voice. Though you had already known he was Golden, putting the singing voice to his face made you giddy with excitement. Golden was Jungkook. You unknowingly smiled warmly at the screen as Jungkook stopped singing and sent out a message to his blog that revealed him. You weren’t following anyone on your new blog, so you had missed out on that notification. Your smiled widened as you heard Jungkook nervously, but still with a hint of cockiness, recite his blog description. Immediately afterwards, his version of ‘Paper Hearts’ played in the background. So, this was why Seulgi had said you copied Jungkook’s presentation idea. As you stared lovingly at the screen, you didn’t notice Jungkook had squatted down in front of you, watching your reaction to the video. As the video finished, you glanced up at him and jumped slightly at how close he was to you.

           “Paper Hearts is my favorite song…” You broke the silence that had began to grow between the two of you. “I never told Golden that…”

           “I know,” Jungkook smiled gently at you. You blushed as he stared at you. Jungkook’s shyness was fading away but yours was still growing. Okay, so he showed you how he revealed himself – how he personally recorded a song that he knew you loved. What did that mean…?

           “So…”

           “I like you, too,” Jungkook immediately said. Before you could fully comprehend his words, you felt his soft lips press against your cheek as his arms rested on your lap for balance. Just as quickly as it happened, though, it ended. You blinked as Jungkook swiftly stood up and turned away from you. Your hand instinctively went up to the spot where he kissed as you stared at him in shock. You could feel the spot where his lips just were still tingling as the heat from your face radiated off onto your fingertips. Coming back to your senses – and mustering up courage – you stood up from the bench and walked over to the 18-year-old who was still turned away from you. No doubt the shy boy was reverting into his shell as he probably regretted what he just did. Giggling, you stood in front of  Jungkook. Sure enough, his face was flushed, and his eyes tried to look anywhere but at you. You saw him glance at towards his dorm building and immediately knew he was thinking of fleeing. Just as he was about to dash off, you grabbed onto his coat sleeve and pulled him back towards you. You heard him gulp nervously as he looked nervously down at you. You just grinned at him. This was the shy boy you had fallen for. Not the cocky guy online.

           “I’m glad…” You grazed your free hand across his forehead to brush away his fringe to reveal his forehead some. You had always loved to see him with his hair up, after all. “That it’s Jungkook that likes me because he’s the one I like best.”

           You shot him a gentle grin before letting go of his sleeve and burying yourself inside of his warm arms. He stiffened for a bit before eventually wrapping his arms around you. You felt dizzy from the smell of his light cologne, but you couldn’t get enough as you closed your eyes and took in the moment. Finally, after a semester of confused feelings, harassment, indecisiveness, and hurt, you felt at peace.

 ~!~

 One Semester Later (Spring)

           “What makes you think you’re the first person he wants to see after his family, Choi?”

           “Because I’m his girlfriend, Park.”

           “He’s known me longer.”

           “So what?”

           “I have priority.”

           “He may have known you longer but trust me. He knows me on the outside and insid-“

           “Chloe, can’t we just go one day where you keep things rated PG?” Taehyung groaned as he looked at the bickering best friends. Chloe let out a simple ‘hmph’ before flipping her blonde locks and went back to standing on her tiptoes to look for her giant boyfriend and his friends. Jimin frowned at the woman before also trying to see if he could spot his friends through the crowd of newly graduates and their family and friends.

           “Oh! Look! There he is!” Chloe jumped excitedly as she spotted her boyfriend of five months. He was with Seokjin, Yoongi, and Hoseok as they, too, seemed to be searching the crowd for their friends. Seokjin spotted the jumping Chloe and tapped Namjoon on his shoulder and pointed towards the woman. He turned towards her and grinned as he pushed his way through people to get towards her. As soon as he was in the clearing, Chloe ran straight towards him and jumped in his arms and kissed him. Jimin stuck out his tongue in disgust as Taehyung laughed his deep laugh beside him.

           “Congrats, baby!” Chloe smiled at Namjoon before looking behind him at the other guys. “And you guys, too! I’m so proud!”

           “Thanks, Chloe!” Hoseok smiled at her. Yoongi just nodded at her while Seokjin also gave her a smile. However, his fell as he looked around. He only saw Jimin, Chloe, and Taehyung waiting for them. Two people from the friend group seemed to be missing.

           “Hey, where’s Jungkook and Y/N?” Seokjin arched a brow.

           “Now that you mention, I haven’t seen them…” Chloe said as she glanced around the crowded stadium field. “She did have that dance audition today…”

           “Probably makin’ out somewhere,” Jimin laughed only to earn a glare from Chloe and Seokjin.

           “More action than you get, Park,” Chloe frowned.

           “Can’t you take her with you to Seoul, Namjoon? Like… you’re really going to leave her here with me?” Jimin pouted at the older man only to get a laugh in response.

           “You’ll be okay.”

           “Sorry we’re late!” Your filled everyone’s ears. Everyone turned to see you speed walking towards the group with Jungkook trailing close behind her. Chloe smiled at the sight of you approaching with her other friend. You had on a simple black dress with a slit going up your right thigh and black open-toed heels. A gold chain with ballet slippers – that was recently given to you by someone – hung loosely around your neck as an array of bracelets and rings accompanied your wrists and fingers. Your hair bounced wildly around your shoulders as the wind blew around you. In the past couple of months, you had grown to be more beautiful, if that was even possible. Ever since declaring your major and doing something you truly loved, your entire demeanor seemed to be brighter. You were such a talented dancer that your dance professor wanted you to audition for local competitions that involved you choreographing dances. You had successfully won three competitions throughout the spring semester. When you weren’t focusing on school and your future career, your attention was on the man that was trailing behind you.

           Jungkook had grown a lot over the semester. The almost 19-year-old had been working out in the gym more and became muscular. Something Chloe often teased you about. He had grown his hair out and gotten his first tattoo that he designed himself and several more ear piercings. You nearly fell out when you saw him return to school over spring break. Though it had been months, he was still popular on campus. He didn’t keep up with his blog from Creative Writing as much anymore, however, he was asked to host his own radio show under his alias, Golden, every Wednesday night. So, the campus and nearby residents could tune into the university’s radio station to listen to Jungkook’s recommendations and to make requests.

           “Did ya’ll plan this couple look on purpose?” Yoongi arched a brow as he pointed between you and Jungkook. You both were, in fact, matching. Jungkook wore black slacks and a fitted black dress-shirt with gold buttons. The sleeves were rolled up to reveal his gold watch and rings. One thing that didn’t change about the two of you was your shyness as Chloe visibly saw the redness crawl up your neck to your face.

           “N-no! Shut up,” you mumbled quietly. “Anyways, congrats, you guys! I’m so proud of you!”

           “Thanks!” Seokjin and Hoseok said in unison as they grinned at you.

           “How’d your audition go?” Namjoon asked as he rested his arm around Chloe’s waist.

           You shrugged as a smile tried to dance upon your lips. You didn’t want to seem too confident. “Eh, it went okay! I may make it… may not…”

           “She was amazing,” Jungkook said suddenly, causing your face to heat up in embarrassment. You turned to frown at him in response only for him to flash you his bunny grin that you had fallen in love with.

           “We’re going to that sandwich café for the last time to celebrate before our families take us away. You guys comin’?” Namjoon asked you and Jungkook.

           “We’ll meet you guys there,” Jungkook said. You turned to Jungkook confusedly as you felt his hand find its way into yours and interlock fingers. What did he have planned that he didn’t tell you about?

           “You guys are so cute it’s gross but alright,” Chloe smiled. “Let’s go!”

           You and Jungkook stood there as everyone waved bye to you guys and began to leave the field. Still confused as to why you weren’t leaving with your friends, you turned to Jungkook who was holding onto his phone in his other hand.

           “What’s up?” You arched a brow at the taller man. He just smiled at you before dragging you off to a more seclusive area.

           “I wanted you to be here when I do this,” Jungkook said as he looked around to make sure no one was around. You blinked confusedly at him as your heart sped up. Was this it? Was he finally going to kiss you after three months of dating? Not that you had any complaints. You guys took everything really slow in your relationship. Hell, you guys confessed your feelings in December to one another, but he didn’t officially ask you out until February. Chloe died a little on the inside along with you when you’d return home from dates and tell her you only got a kiss on the cheek or a hug. Jungkook was shy, you understood that, but you were dying to kiss the boy and if he didn’t make a move soon, you were gonna have to do it. So, you hoped today would be the day he’d finally kiss you. Though, you wish it would happen after you hung out with your friends.

           “I wanted you here when I make my final post…”

           “Final post?” You asked confusedly as you saw Jungkook type away on his phone.

           “Yeah… on my blog…”

           “On Golden? I thought your last post was in December before the final…”

           “Yeah… but today is my last day as a freshman… I feel like the blog summed up my freshman year and I kinda wanna say a proper farewell with a last post…”

           “So… this is goodbye to Golden?” You asked. “Forever?”

           Jungkook just grinned at you as he hit a button on his phone and put it away. You just took this as confirmation and gave him a soft smile. It was a bittersweet feeling. It was because of creative writing and his blog that you were with him today. But was it…? Would you still have fallen for Jungkook even if Golden didn’t exist? You stared at him momentarily, remembering the previous semester where you got to know him as Jungkook, and immediately knew your answer.

           “Okay, babe, can we go now?” You took his hand in yours again and tried to drag him away from the area. However, he didn’t budge as he pulled you back towards him, causing you to be even more confused and getting a bit irritated. “Jungkook-“

           “I promised myself that I wouldn’t do this until I officially got rid of Golden…”

           “Do what-“

           Immediately, you were cut off as he tilted your head up by your chin with his free hand. Your palms immediately became sweaty from nerves as he smiled gently at you. This was it. The kiss you had been dying to receive from the guy for months. Hell, you wanted to kiss him way before you admitted your feelings to him. Your eyes crossed as you tried to look at him and his face – his lips – that were slowly inching closer to your own. Finally, as if time decided to now catch up to the both of you, you felt his lips carefully graze across your own. It only took you a few seconds to adjust to the feeling and ultimately decide you liked it enough to continue. Just as you freed your hand from his grip to wrap your arms around his neck – his arms around your waist – a simple ding was heard coming from your phone. However, it went ignored as you both knew what it meant.

 GoldenRecs: It’s Graduation Day! Congrats to my best friends Namjoon, Yoongi, Seokjin, and Hoseok on your life achievement! As I enter my sophomore year, I won’t forgot everything you guys taught me as a freshman. I hope to continue to learn new things from Jimin and Taehyung as they enter their senior year. This week’s recommendation is in dedication to my friends and serves as my last post. This journey may be over, but it’ll never be forgotten.

  – Golden

                                                         The End

A/N: Thank you so very much to everyone who has stuck with me for the past five years it took me to finish the story. I started this in December 2015 and what was supposed to be a one-shot or drabble, turned into a 14-chapter popular story. I appreciate you all so very much for following me along this journey. I know I’ve lost and gained readers along the way and I appreciate everyone so much. This story meant so much to me. To see it finally end, I teared up. I’d like to personally thank @ninetynine-dreams​ for giving me the courage I needed to continue writing it and help me out on parts I got stuck on. This won’t be my last BTS fanfic. Eventually, I’ll start another one haha. Thank you all again and I really look forward to reading your thoughts about the overall story! Bye~ 

[comingofagefilm]

Kindness | Wong Yukhei/Lucas

Synopsis: this one’s about being friends with a boy whose heart is bigger than his appetite (sometimes)

Genre(s): angst, coming-of-age, friendship, highschool au, college au

Warnings: uhh some minor swearing, brief mention of counselling + a cheesy ending.

♡ Author’s Notes: honestly, this is an apology letter to my friend back in 2018. I wrote this during that time of conflict and am only publishing it a year later oop

PRESENT

     You’re watching Lucas with such fondness in your eyes; there is also amusement but that’s because everything is amusing when it comes to Lucas. The boy is loud and big in everything he does and right now his big mouth has moved from the pantry to inhaling the contents of your fridge.

“Hey, don’t you have a date tonight?” You ask Lucas, watching as he rips open a box of oreos.

Lucas nods his head vehemently in response, grinning all the while he stuffs an oreo into his mouth.

“Then why are you eating now?” You deadpan.

“I don’t know man,” Lucas mumbles in between bites. “You know I get hungry when I’m nervous.”

It’s true, you snort. Lucas was all words and false bravado but when it came to actually following through with his flirtations, he became more or less a nervous wreck.

“Well it is always fun to see you nervous around cute girls”. You make your way to your couch pretending like you didn’t see Lucas pout at you before shoving another two oreos into his mouth.

“Ooh, can I eat this ice-cream?” Lucas asks even though he’s already opening the lid of the ice-cream tub.

“Yeah but don’t eat all of it again or else my sister’s going to kick my ass,” you mutter with some distaste. Your warning is met with obnoxious laughter.

“Your sister loves me,” he proclaims and you can’t help but agree. Your little sister absolutely adores Lucas as much as you do but you don’t say anything. Instead, you peer over your shoulder at Lucas, who you see has taken the liberty of using a soup ladle as a spoon, and smirk at his childishness.

“Wow, you’re such an idiot,” you say in a tone laced with nothing but endearment.

“Oh come on man, you love me!” Lucas grins. As he leaps over the couch, his foot nearly knocks you square in the jaw.

“Ugh,” you groan, shoving his foot out of the way, “how is it summer already?”

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” he replies, grinning widely.

You snort; as if having to attend compulsory night classes in your final week was considered fun.

“Take that back,” you say half-heartedly. Lucas just giggles at your demise. He’s already finished with his classes and only has one exam to prepare for while you‘re suffering through classes and assignments that you probably shouldn’t have put off until now.

“Why was everything much easier back when we were kids?” You ask, a bit dramatically.

Lucas gulps down a spoonful of ice-cream and wags his soup ladle around in what you assumed was disagreement. You raise an eyebrow at him. “Care to elaborate?”

Lucas looks at you with a playful gleam in his eye that makes you sit up straighter.

“Well, do you remember when it took you until halfway through fourth grade to invite me to play with you?”

You glare at him dead in the eye, fully aware of this conversation’s direction, and mutter your next few words with a little bit more bitterness than intended.

“Oh please, you were the one with that group of kids, remember? The ones who hated my group for ‘taking you away from them’ — like they weren’t the ones who brought this upon themselves for talking shit behind your back.” You pause to exhale loudly through your nose and somewhat recollect yourself. Thinking about the past just made you automatically defensive for some reason (oh you knew the reasons), even though it had been over a decade since the incident happened.

“You have to admit though, we had the absolute cliché kind of mean kids at our school.”

Lucas’ face suddenly changes into a sombre expression and you wonder if you went too far by bringing up the past.

“Yeah, elementary school was a nightmare,” he says grimly as he stares off into the distance.

Then he’s turning his head back towards you with a goofy smile and you consider throwing a cushion at him when he breaks into his comically high-pitched, wheezy laughter.

*

It was easier to make friends back in elementary school. But for Lucas, well, it was super easy to the point where it was laughable.

Lucas was always big in everything he did and so with his big heart and even bigger personality, it was nearly close to impossible for anyone not to find him endearing. Not to say that you weren’t friendly; you were just very selective of who you wanted to share your precious recesses and lunchtimes with. Unfortunately, this also meant that you sometimes ignored other children who were interested in playing with you. And Lucas was right; it wasn’t until halfway through the year when you and your friends agreed that he should join your group effective-immediately.

     It just so happened that you were quite the observant student. Although teachers would say that your class participation and grades were average, you were always complimented on your keen observation skills.

“Always looks out for others” was a sentence you often heard throughout your childhood years and it didn’t mean much to you then because that’s what you thought everybody else did. That is, until you were proven wrong by a group of gossipy 10-year-olds.

     A few weeks back, you overheard these boys talking about Lucas and didn’t like what they were saying about him. Afterwards, you found out that these gossipy 10-year-olds turned out to be Lucas’ so-called friends and so, being the one to “always looks out for others”, as your teachers would say, you took matters into your own hands. His family life was, after all, his own personal business. You weren’t just about to let these kids believe that they were better than Lucas and therefore could say mean things about him just because they had two parents and he no longer did.

     It was during English class when one of the notes you passed to your friends slid down to the very end of your row where Lucas sat. “Do you want to play with us at lunch?” The note had read in half-cursive, half-print handwriting. Lucas had turned to look at your group, who were all leaning over their desks and eagerly awaiting his answer, and then back at the note. He gave a quick thumbs up as he mouthed a “hell yeah!” and with that simple exchange, the beautiful friendship between you two had begun.

*

When Lucas’ voice first cracked, you could hardly hold in your laughter. It happened when you were on the way to school. Lucas had offered you oreos when you told him that you only had a banana for breakfast and you scoffed at him before pointing out that oreos were not a staple breakfast food.

“Don’t worry man” became one of Lucas’ favourite things to say and when he said it to you this time around, his voice cracked. You had stopped in your tracks, not believing what you had just heard, and burst into laughter. Lucas had started whining for you to stop but his voice cracked again, and you laughed even harder. He tried crossing his arms to make himself look sterner, but the corners of his lips had already begun quirking upwards and next thing you knew you were both laughing wildly on the footpath.

     During your time in high school, Lucas was considered odd but charming by majority of the school, staff included. Sometimes his ability to be amused or distracted by the smallest things was questionable and it had gained him the nickname ‘One Brain Cell’ from Jungwoo two year-levels ahead. Of course, Lucas had embraced this nickname, like many other things in his life, with bright eyes and an unshakeable grin.

     Voice-cracking aside, Lucas did undergo more obvious physical changes. You fully noticed this over the summer before your last year of high school when he surpassed many other boys in both height and build. You found it odd, but unsurprising, that Lucas had garnered a reputation for himself as a ‘playboy’. The boy did love attention and by now you were well acquainted with his flirtatious behaviour. But when this school year came around, the number of students who observed his every move had surprised even you.

There were rumours that followed you into every class; some of which, left you wondering why people had so much free time. It felt like you were kids again but instead of the kids gossiping about Lucas’ recently divorced parents, these students were spreading rumours that were exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness and convincing themselves that at least SOME part of it was true.

It didn’t occur to you that Lucas didn’t need protecting.

Lucas, being — well, Lucas, just wanted to breeze through high school without worrying about what other people thought he did during his spare time. To you, his patience was admirable; his obliviousness, not so much.

     Jungwoo, who always seemed to witness Lucas’ most eccentric moments, once asked you if Lucas really was a player; if he really did sleep with those college girls and broke the hearts of the younger ones.

Look at him, you said and gestured towards Lucas. Lucas was busy giggling behind a slightly terrified Mark, waiting to scare underclassman, Chenle, from behind a classroom door. He just wants to be loved, you told Jungwoo. Jungwoo rolled his eyes at you but his lips quirked into a small, knowing smile.

Before you knew it, the younger boy let out a high-pitched screech that you swear you could still hear ringing in your ears even now.

     Although you hate to admit it, Lucas tended to be right about a lot of things while you were growing up. So when he told you that you were too nice for your own good, you shoved your books into your locker way harder than necessary.

“Is this about those boys I reported? Because they had it coming.” You scoffed while Lucas’ hand went to the back of his neck.

He rubbed the spot anxiously. “It wasn’t a big deal,” Lucas had said. At this, you gritted your teeth and made a few hand movements that you hoped conveyed some sort of message that said no, it wasn’t right at all. Lucas shrugged as if he had mentally heard your message.

“You’re always looking out for others but sometimes I’m afraid that you’re not looking after yourself,” he added quietly. This gave you pause. Lucas was hardly ever quiet, nor was he the type to openly admit that he was afraid of anything. If he was afraid, he would’ve masked it with humour or even something slightly self-deprecating. This was different and your face softened when you met his slightly worried eyes.

“I’ll be fine,” you reassured him. But when you went home that night, you couldn’t fall asleep as Lucas’ words replayed in your head.

Maybe you were too nice for your own good.

You lifted the blanket over your head and curled into yourself all the while the words “nice”, “gentle” and “kind” morphed into something darker in your mind, something more self-sacrificial. Did it become an obligation for you to be compassionate towards others? Or was it always that way? You felt like a fraud and that everything you had done for other people in the past was to soothe your own twisted ego.

The pain of having these thoughts taking over your mind and your body made you want to cry so badly. At this point, you knew that you needed an explanation or validation of some sort from somebody that you trusted. And you loathed yourself for it.

It took whatever little energy you had left to push the blanket down enough for you to reach out to your phone and message Lucas. None of your friends really had the best sleeping patterns and this was one of those times you were glad that Lucas was awake at this ungodly time.

[2:18AM] dude it’s 2am and i’m having an identity crisis… did you really mean what you said about me being a people-pleaser?

You had messaged Lucas in a private chat where he replied a few minutes later.

[2:18AM] Lucas: uhh ye. u love people and people love u. u have a good heart man. y r u up?

But?

Lucas: But I can look after myself sometimes ya know?

I know… I just really hate it when people are assholes for no reason. Like, why do they have to be like that? And to someone they don’t even know as well.

Lucas: Hahaha. People can be assholes sometimes but life goes on, even after high school.

I know.

Lucas: Do you??

You stared at your phone incredulously. There he was again, implying that you were too worried about the opinions of others.

Hey just because I like to see the good in people doesn’t mean that I am THAT naïve. Like I told you before, those guys deserved what they got. I was saving you a semester of being the main topic of their gossipy asses.

Lucas: Uhh

Okay that came out worse than I expected. I can see that now. I’m sorry. Fuck. What’s wrong with me!?

Lucas: No one’s telling you to let go of your bubbly personality.

I was never bubbly, you take that back.

Lucas: You know what I mean. Anyway, it’s not bad that you believe that there’s still good in the world. It’s just – well it’s just a part of who you are man.

Can I tell you something? It’s going to be really childish and maybe it is naïve of me to still be thinking this way but I think I’m going to type it out anyway because I feel like I’m going to explode if I don’t haha.

Lucas: Dude of course. Go ahead.

Okay so I sort of had an epiphany before. First, I thought about all those losers that have made your life harder. Now I know you say that it’s okay and that it doesn’t affect you but I just want you to know that it affects me a lot. And I know that you’re probably sick of me trying to protect you all the time too… I don’t know why I always do it but I feel like I’m just dumping whatever issues I have onto you and that’s definitely not fair. Lucas, honestly, you always seem to look like nothing affects you from the outside. I know it does though. But it just messes me up that I get defensive all the fucking time. I hate how not everyone is kind, that not everyone has other people’s best interests at heart. I hate how the actions between other people affect me so much even though it’s not about me. But then I thought about it for longer and realised that, well, all these thoughts are a part of growing up right? Soon I’ll learn that I can’t help everyone and that not everything is about me. But it’s just so hard sometimes. I hope this make some sense…

It’s hard for you to express your concerns. Lucas knew this, didn’t comment on it then, and only read patiently as you continued to open up.

Your hands were shaking as you were about to type out the next few words for the very first time.

Anyways what I’m trying to say is that I think I need to go to the school counsellor or something because I’m literally about to explode.

You shut your eyes tightly in fear of what response you would get. But when you opened them again, Lucas had sent you a small paragraph of his own.

Lucas: Hey, I feel so stupid for not knowing that you probably felt that way. I’m sorry but you know how spacey I am sometimes. But it’s not your fault. I guess I’m just not used to accepting or even responding to people’s concerns towards me, even when they mean well. But uhh… my therapist is helping me with that. Yeah I have one of those. If you want, I can help you call the place that I go to IF you’re not comfortable with going to the school one? And like you said, you’re always looking out for me and I really do appreciate it but just know that I always have your back too.  

There was a brief silence, tersely broken by Lucas.

Lucas: Uhh, where’d you go? Hello? So this is what happens when I express myself.  

You had to pause and swipe away at your eyes before you could type back.

Wait a second, I’m crying.

Lucas: Oh… :(

Sorry that I suggested that you were a robot with no feelings.

Lucas: Look, I love you and I trust you. I knew that you were going to be there for me back then when I needed someone to talk to but I also knew, and my dad knew, that I also needed professional help. Back then I was even more closed up than I am now.

Back then? How long have you been going?

Lucas: Since we first became friends.

Oh crap. Alright, I need you to knock me out when I start acting like a therapist instead of your friend okay?

Lucas: Don’t worry, you’re not my therapist. My therapist is actually double your age and a lot taller. In fact she’s almost as tall as me and I haven’t told her yet, even though I’m meant to tell her everything, but her tallness makes me feel like I’m losing my individuality because I’m so used to always being the tallest person in the room… like always.

I’m serious, Lucas. I don’t ever want to be your therapist. :(

Lucas: It’s like… without my height… who am I?

It was just like Lucas to make any situation more funnier than it actually was and you tried your best not to grin at your phone with tears streaming down your face.

Shut up I’m serious.

Lucas: So you don’t think I should wear high-heels to assert my dominance?

Lucas.

Lucas: Okay!! HAHAHA. Seriously though, I’m happy that you can trust me more. We’re practically young adults now and we can have these conversations because we’re all in this together man!!

Says the one who eats Oreos for breakfast.

Lucas: And that is my choice as a young adult.

You know you’re actually really smart, Lucas. Like that thing we learned in Psych – emotionally intelligent? Anyway, I’m glad we had this convo.  

Lucas: Thanks boo. Seems like I suddenly have the energy to cram for tomorrow’s test. OMG… is this the power of friendship?

Good luck dumbass. 

 *

     There was this one incident that happened not too long ago that tested Lucas’ seemingly endless amount of energy. Lucas had entered the library hoping to study with you but as soon as you saw his heavy eyebags and slumped shoulders, you told him to go to sleep to which he responded by immediately passing out on the thick textbook in front of him. Luckily, it didn’t disturb anyone else, besides you of course. 

     Nowadays, you keep a close eye on each other. Lucas is still the literal big mouth who clears your fridge and/or pantry every time he comes over to your house but some things are different. Now you’re using your own money instead of the money your parents would give you specifically for grocery shopping, even though you always got just breakfast food and snacks. When you got your part-time job, you started stocking up on actual food but it was hard to find the time to prepare meals in between your schedules. Usually, you didn’t like to skip meals so you usually snacked on something in between your breaks but recently you haven’t found the time to do even that.  

     So now you have evening classes and Lucas has a date with a cute girl he met through Mark. Lucas is eating the rest of your snacks and wondering why you’re rejecting his offer of your food. And when you let it slip that you haven’t eaten anything since 7AM, Lucas’ jaw drops in the most dramatic way that it does and you pray to god he doesn’t yell at you. But he does, in the loudest and most loving way he knows. 

“WHAT IF YOUR BLOOD SUGAR GOES DOWN AND YOU FAINT BECAUSE YOU ONLY HAD HALF A BAO?” Lucas drags his fingers down his face in horror at the prospect of not being able to finish food and more importantly, of you not being able to finish your food. 

You close the door behind you before turning around and fixing him a big smile. Lucas just continues to stare at you in horror and confusion.

“This isn’t something to be happy about man!!”

The fondness in your eyes return and you reach forward to ruffle his hair.

“Oh my god, don’t worry I’ll eat something else on the way to class.” You grin widely before adding in your best impersonation of him: “Don’t worry man”. Lucas sighs exasperatedly but can’t help but grin back at you.

“You better show me video proof or else you’re dead.”

“Jokes on you, I’m already dead inside.”

Now it’s Lucas’ turn to ruffle your hair and instead of feigning irritation, the gesture makes your heart swell up with tenderness; for you loved your big-hearted, big-mouthed, big-stomached friend.

[sebeth]

Young Justice: Denial, Cold Case, Hot Case

Episode 7: “Denial”

July 27th: Kent Nelson enters the parlor of Madame Xanadu. Madame offers to make contact with Kent’s deceased wife, Inza, if “fate be so kind”.

Kent responds: “But he so rarely is.”

Kent laughs at Xanadu’s attempt to contact his wife: “That was supposed to be my wife? Heck, my little spitfire would have kicked my can for throwing away good money on you.”

Kent criticizes Madame Xanadu for her fakery: “A shame, too.  You have the perfect aura for the work.”

An interesting choice on the writers’ parts to make Madame Xanadu a charlatan.  She would be tied with Dream Girl as the most famous pre-cog in the DC Universe.  They did allow themselves room to re-introduce her as a genuine pre-cog with the “you have the perfect aura for the work” comment.

Kent is kidnapped from the parlor.

We return to the comic book series for the 9th and 10th issue, “Cold Case” and “Hot Case”, a spotlight on the origin of Captain Atom.

August 13:

School is in session for the team as Captain Atom gives a lecture on subterfuge and infiltration. Kaldur is the only member actively taking notes.  Robin’s rolling his eyes, Superboy’s yawning and stretching, Wally’s stuffing his face, and the girls are polite in their expressions of boredom.

The team’s reactions ring true.  Conner and Wally are self-aware enough to realize subterfuge will never be one of their strengths.  Dick’s heard the same lecture a million times from the Batman. Kaldur is serious and a former military man – he knows the value of training and intel.  M’gann is most likely thinking to herself “telepathing, shape-shifting, can turn invisible Martian here – we wrote the book on subterfuge”, and Artemis is wondering why she signed up for the team if it involves more schoolwork.

Captain Atom, a man encased in shiny metal, may seem like an odd choice for a lecture on subterfuge and infiltration, until you realize his pre-hero background in military intelligence.

Atom stops his lecture: “This is boring, isn’t it?”

Megan attempts to reassure the Captain but the always blunt Conner interrupts with “Yeah, boring”.

Captain Atom proposes a field exercise: “This is a cold case. Vietnam era. Captain Nathaniel Adams, United States Air Force. Convicted in 1968 of murdering Air Force General Clement Lemar. Adams died in prison. But I’ve received a reliable tip he was framed. Your assignment: investigate. Prove Adams’ innocence or reconfirm his guilt and report back to me.”

Conner interjects: “Really? You need super-powered operatives for this?”

Atom offers to resume the lecture but the team decides on the field exercise.

The team doesn’t realize it but Captain Atom has revealed his secret identity and part of his origin story.  Nathaniel Adam was part of a secret experiment that transformed him into Captain Atom and catapulted him decades into the future.  The frame-up/died in prison was used as a way to explain Nathanial’s presumed death.

DC Comics purchased several comic book publishers during the 1970s and 1980s.  The most famous companies were Fawcett, Charlatan, and Quality. The purchases caused DC cast of characters to rapidly expand.  Notable characters from the purchases included the Captain Marvel Family, Plastic Man, Blue Beetle, the Blackhawks, the Question, and many others.

DC assigned the various companies’ characters their own earths in the multiverse: Earth-F, etc. Their villains, supporting characters, and continuing adventures each happened on their own earth.  The new to the DC Universe characters would occasionally interact with the mainstream DC earth.

DC decided the DC multiverse had become too complex by the mid-1980s.  I’m not sure why as I was between 6 to 8 years old during this time and I had no trouble following along with the various worlds. Sorry, reboots make me bitter.  We lose more than we gain in every time.  Any characters created in the reboots – Tim, Conner, Bart, Kyle – could have still been created without half-assed reboots.

Back on point, DC created the “Crisis On Infinite Earths”. Despite my dislike of reboots, “Crisis” is an excellent story and a must read for any DC fan.  Great writing, gorgeous art, and fabulous character moments.  

Post-Crisis, there was only one earth.  Captain Atom was re-launched into his own solo title.  He had notable romances with Nightshade and Plastique. Atom’s main foe was Major Force whose later actions would later name the “Women in Refrigerators” trope.  Captain Atom also served as the long-suffering leader of Justice League Europe. Atom was the inspiration for the “Doctor Manhattan” character in the Watchmen

Atom’s downfall would be known as “Armageddon”. He was intended to be the villain behind it. The plot reveal was leaked and the writers hastily changed the villain’s identity to Hawk (Hank Hall) – which made less sense than the choice of Captain Atom.

I dislike “hero goes bad” or “villain goes good” stories.  They are rarely done well.  In hero cases, the writers go to extremes – downfall of Hal Jordan, anyone? In villain cases, the bad guy has become popular, so the writers change him into a good guy and ignore the atrocities they’ve committed – I’m looking at you, Harley Quinn. Particularly the Harley in the Injustice universe.

Captain Atom never recovered from the “Armageddon” debacle.  He would make sporadic appearances but nothing too memorable until the “Captain Atom: Armageddon” mini-series that led to the decimation of the Wildstorm universe.

A disguised Megan enters the Pentagon to interview General Wade Eiling, the judge at Nathanial’s court martial. Wade sums up Adams as a “malcontent” who blamed his “victim Lemar for a Viet Cong ambush” and Adams “was caught in the act by an M.P. Sergeant Polk”. Eiling, a Colonel at the time, found Adams guilty and sentenced him to life in prison.  Adams “took his own life before a year was out”.

Robin easedrops from the ceiling.

Wally and Conner pose as journalism students in order to interview a Lieutenant Yarrow at a casino in Las Vegas.  Conner clearly doesn’t care about subterfuge – at all – as he is still wearing the Superboy shirt.  Wally is in his civilian attire.

The dealer reminds the boys “no one under twenty-one” is allowed in the casino.  Conner questions if “under 21” counts “in weeks or months”.

Wally’s excited by the “$4.95 all-you-can-eat buffet”: “My kind of town!”  Buffets are a true blessing for speedsters, their metabolisms, and their budgets.  Not so much for the owners of said buffets.

Lt. Yarrow was Adams’ defense council: “His friend too. Served together in ‘Nam. The only survivors of Hill 409.”

Yarrow continues “Nate worked Air Force Intelligence. He suspected a weapons smuggling ring and confided as much to General Lemar. Lemar claimed to have heard rumors too. Ordered Nate to take a squad to Hill 409. It was an ambush. Nate saved my life. The rest of Nate’s men weren’t so lucky. Nate became convinced Lemar was part of the smuggling ring and had sent us into the ambush. I tried to talk him out of it but Nate insisted on confronting Lemar only to black out moments later. Later, Nate would insist he had been drugged. And I believed him. Cuz there’s no way the Nathianel Adams I knew would murder a man in cold blood!”

“I took on Nate’s defense but the prosecutor Lieutenant Kevin Blankly proved Nate’s service knife was the murder weapon.  And the medical examiner, Major Shirley Mason testified there were no drugs in Nate’s system. So the judge found Nate guilty and sentenced him to life in prison. And that’s where Nate died. But get this…that judge, Colonel Wade Eiling, he married Nate’s widow and raised Nate’s two kids as his own!”

Wade Eiling would be a thorn in Nathaniel’s side throughout the Captain Atom series.  Wade didn’t transform into a full-fledged villain until the Morrison Era JLA where he merged with the Shaggy Man and ran amuck as the “General”.

Robin decides the next step is to interview Shirley Mason. Dick and Megan arrive at the Arlington home of Mason only to discover her corpse.

Dick notes: “She’s got something in her hand. I don’t want to disturb the crime scene, but we need to see what it is.”

Trained protégé of Batman speaking!

Megan levitates the corpse so Robin can view the picture in Mason’s hand. The photo is a group shot of military personnel.

Kaldur and Artemis meet with Nathaniel’s children in Honolulu.

Peggy firmly believes in her father’s innocence, as did her mother, but Randy does not: “Wade Eiling is our father. He raised us. Adams gave up any parental rights the day he betrayed our country and murdered his superior officer.”

It should be noted Randy has joined a military branch – possibly the Air Force.

Peggy was born after her father’s death so she must have learned her firm belief in her father’s innocence from her mother.

Angela Adams, Nathaniel’s wife, firmly believed in Nathaniel’s innocence but went on to marry the man that sentenced him to prison? Weird.

Artemis doesn’t empathize with Peggy’s belief in her father: “Biology hardly guarantees parental skills or even basic honesty.”

Kaldur tells Artemis of his parents: “My mother, Sha’lain’a, is a native of the Atlantean city-state of Shayeris. Her skin is nearly as golden as her hair and her gills are quite large and gorgeous. My father, Calvin Durham, is a surface-worlder like you, genetically altered by Black Manta to infiltrate Atlantis as a water-breather.”

“Your dad works for Black Manta?”

“He did. But his love for my mother caused him to switch sides.”

Kaldur doesn’t realize it but there are a few important details he hasn’t been told about his parents’ romance.

If you only watched the cartoon and never read the comic books, you missed the foreshadowing that justified Kaldur’s villainous role in season two.

Dick, Megan, Wally, and Conner are in Annapolis.

Dick has identified the people in the photo.

Megan has a question: “I know my grasp of Earth history is largely based on Earth sitcoms but why would a North Vietnamese General be in a 1968 photograph with U.S. personnel?”

Someone needs to hand Megan some history books!

The group is outside General Tang’s mansion. Conner realizes another man is in the mansion and he is carrying a sword.

Conner and Wally are ready to rush in but Dick holds the duo back: “This is a covert op. We keep to the shadows. We don’t take the offensive. Like in Captain Atom’s lecture.”

Wally is shocked that Dick was actually listening to the lecture.

An invisible Megan enters the home.

Trang converses with the man: “I know why you are here. I still have my sources. I know about Mason, and I know your work. But I am disappointed, Rako. I have protected you since you were a child. Have you no loyalty?”

Rako goes for the kill but is stopped by Megan.

Conner storms in and is shocked when Rako’s sword cuts him: “I’m…I’m bleeding?”

The group battle Rako but are unable to prevent Trang’s murder. Rako escapes in the confusion.

August 14, Metropolis: The reunited team meet in a Metropolis diner.

Superboy is still shocked over his wound but insists “It’s a scratch. I’m fine. Move on.”

Facial recognition software has identified the individuals in the photograph:

1)      Lt. Kevin Blankly, USAF

2)      Lt. Henry Yarrow, USAF

3)      Alec Rois, CIA

4)      General Clement Lemar, USAF

5)      Major Shirley Mason, USAF

6)      General Duk Trang, NVA

7)      Sgt. Ends Polk, USAF

8)      Unknown child

The group theorizes the “unknown child” is Rako and that’s he been sent to tie up the “loose ends” in the Adams case.

Kaldur divides the team in half – Dick, Conner, and Wally will head to Las Vegas to protect Yarrow while the rest remain in Metropolis to investigate Polk.

The trio arrive in Las Vegas only to witness Yarrow’s house explode. Yarrow was killed in the explosion. The boys identify Yarrow by a tattoo on his arm.

The team reunites in St. George to confront the trio behind the recent deaths: Rois, Rako, and a not dead Henry Yarrow. The team quickly captures the trio. Yarrow dies – for real this time – in the fight.

The team returns to Mount Justice to report their findings: The accusations and resulting frame-up of Admas was to cover a weapons smuggling ring. Wade Eiling was the only one involved in the trial who wasn’t a member of the smuggling ring.

Kaldur and Artemis fly to Honolulu to inform the Adams kids of their father’s innocence.

Nathan and Wade mend fences over their preconceived notions of the other’s guilt. Wade informs Nathan: “Let me reintroduce you to your kids”.

The issue ends with Rois and Rako escaping from prison and meeting up with Wade. Turns out, Wade was in charge of the entire smuggling ring. He wasn’t in the picture because he took the picture!

Wade: “Captain Atom is my new best friend. Which should serve us well in the days ahead.”

An intriguing plotline that never received any follow up.

We return to “Denial”:

August 19th: The team participates in combat training.  More to the point, Kaldur and a shirtless Conner spar.  Artemis tries to persuade M’gann to ask Kaldur out.  Good Luck, Artemis, Megan has her obsession locked in and she is not veering from the course.

Megan attempts to veer Artemis towards Wally: “You’re so full of passion, and he’s so full of..”

Artemis interjects with “It?”

I enjoy the competition between the girls over Conner and mostly for the fact that the ladies don’t let it interfere with their friendship.  

Why is Conner shirtless? Is he showing off for the ladies? Kaldur kept his shirt on!

Poor Dick, as the youngest, is left out of the hormone competition.  Don’t worry, Dick, you will grow up to become DC’s premier knockout.

Conner wins the round: “Black Canary taught me that.” Conner must be taking his training seriously as Kaldur would be one of the more experienced members in hand-to-hand combat due to his Atlantean military background.

Red Tornado enters. Wally wants a mission assignment. He mentions that Robin and Batman are in Gotham City doing the “Dynamic Duo thing”.

We’ll put “Denial” on pause as the next two issues of the Young Justice comic start at this point.

Up next: Batman, Robin, Ras’s al Ghul, Clayface and the most multi-faceted portrayal of Talia ever!

[theonewiththefanfics]

Reciprocated (one-shot)

Summary: College!AU

After being bothered by Brock Rumlow’s incessant pestering of asking the Reader out, she agrees but obviously regrets it. She has a ginormous crush on the star quarterback Bucky Barnes, who unbeknownst to her is absolutely head over heels for the girl and when she needs help getting rid of Brock, he turns into her knight in shining armour.

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Warnings: legit none

Genre: tiny bit angst; fluuuuufffff

Word count: 2894

   Y/N Y/L/N was the typical college nerd. Her head always stuck in a book, parties never being her scene, but the difference between high-school where she was teased for things like that was that here no one cared. Everyone was too engrossed in their own struggles with keeping up with assignments, having a social life and extra activities. Y/N was even great friends with the captain of their football team ‘The Howling Commandos" Steve Rogers.    They had bonded over their mutual hatred for their non-fiction teacher. Y/N was studying Creative Writing in hopes of becoming a full-fledged novelist one day while Steve wanted to be a sports reporter/ journalist.    “God, her voice is just so annoying,” he’d muttered underneath his breath one time while the teacher had droned on about something. Y/N couldn’t even remember what the lesson had consisted of.    “You should see her in publishing. She doesn’t even know how half the websites we’re supposed to use works.” The girl had muttered back, not really expecting an answer, but Steve immediately whipped his head towards her, a pained expression on his face.    “You have her for publishing!? Oh, you poor thing! I’m so sorry!”    A snort escaped Y/N, while she extended a hand towards the guy. “Y/N Y/L/N.”    “I know. You’re in the top three of every class,” Y/N’s cheeks heated up at the statement, but she wasn’t embarrassed by her accomplishments more so that others noticed it. “Steve Rogers,” he replied shaking her hand.    Y/N smirked, jotting down a few useless notes, knowing that she’ll have to go to the library to find the information herself to actually understand what the teacher had said. “I know. Your face is plastered all over campus. Running for Student President’s seat.”    Now Steve was the one blushing. “Uh, yeah,” he stammered, “thought it might look good on my CV. And I do think that I could improve things,” he quickly added, “at least I hope so. Don’t wanna idly sit around these four years, well now three and not do anything.”

   “Well,” Y/N smiled at him seeing his face flushed from the corner of her eye, “you’ve got a vote from me them.”    And that is how their friendship started. Steve introduced her to his friends and to her surprise all of them were really nice. The football team was completely opposite of what one would imagine, given the movie stereotypes that are seen in movies, especially when communicating with such a hermit like Y/N.    Being in their second year of studying was a lot of fun, except for certain lectures, of course. But what was even worse than a nasal teacher droning on and on about proofreading and editing was Y/N’s social life more specifically- her love life.    It’s not that she hadn’t had boyfriends before, but right now her main concern was her career and her studies. That’s why she found herself slamming Steve’s door open and rushing in, the eyes of his girlfriend Natasha- the head cheerleader and an incredibly nice, let alone attractive girl-, Sam- the vice president of the student union- and Bucky- quarterback of the football team and Y/N’s longtime secret crush- all staring at her with wide eyes.    “Sorry guys,” she heaved out, looking through the peeping hole, “sorry.” She crouched down as if the person or people the girl was hiding from could see her through the wooden door.    “You okay there, doll?” it was Bucky who took away her attention. The guy had started calling Y/N the little nickname the second they’d met. She thought that it’s how he referred to every girl, but little did Y/N know that it was only her.    “Fine,” she slowly slid up to look through the tiny glass hole and seeing that the coast was clear, she let out a breath the girl didn’t even know she was holding. Y/N gently placed down her laptop on the mantelpiece, while sliding her backpack off. Bucky had stood up from the couch and approached the girl taking her jacket off and hanging it.    “Such a gentleman,” she teased while ruffling through her Y/H/C. They were good friends, quickly hitting it off with their mutual love for everything space and science, yet she always kept her distance, afraid to let her true feelings slip. And even though Steve had told the girl many times Bucky couldn’t stop talking about her and that the man was head over heels for the girl, she didn’t believe him.    “Well not helping out such a pretty dame would be a sin.” There it was- that cocky smile, yet at the same time oddly affectionate as he looked down at Y/N. Her heart skipped a beat, but before anything could happen, Steve, pulled her out of the daydream.    “So you wanna tell us what happened or do we have to go beat someone up?”    “What, no! God, Steve stop!” Y/N flopped down onto the couch between Nat and Sam, where Bucky’s place had been. “Remember that guy Brock?”    “Rumlow?” Bucky was leaning on the back of the sofa right behind Y/N his palms clasped on her shoulders.    “Yeah. He’s been pestering me for a while to go out on a date and I just got so fed up with it, and his inability to take a hint, I just…. gave in.”    “And?” Nat was nudging Y/N, while rubbing soothing circles on her thigh, clearly seeing in how much distress the girl was in.    “And he was an asshole! A boring one at that. And now,” she emphasised the word feeling Bucky’s grip on her shoulders tighten, “he wants to go on another date.”    Sam’s eyes almost popped out of his head “You can’t be seriously thinking about going?”    “I may joke about wanting to die and not having a soul, but I’m not a masochist,” she deadpanned while keeping a completely straight face. “I just don’t know what to do! I keep telling him that I’m busy and I can’t but he just won’t stop.”    The room fell silent for a second. Everyone was pondering over what Y/N had said and what she should do before Bucky broke the tension. “Was he the one you were running away from?    “Mhm,” she nodded, feeling the man’s fingers scrape her skull as he massaged her head. Y/N almost moaned in pleasure but kept it to a deep sight. And let’s just not mention the butterflies in a hurricane rolling around her stomach. “I pretended to have my headphones in and to not to hear him, but I can’t do it every time and I just…. wanna die!” Y/N whined pressing her scalp in Bucky’s hands who cradled her head and put a little bit of pressure on her temples, rubbing them in a soothing motion.    He kept on doing his movements more so because the quarterback had fallen for the shy girl way too hard and this could be the only time he got to console her like this, let alone hold her. Then an idea popped into his head. It involved some pretty selfish things as he didn’t think Y/N reciprocated his feelings, but it would definitely get Rumlow off of her back and just the simple thought of Y/N on a date with that ass made bile rise up to his throat.    “I have a plan, but we can do this only,” he looked deep into Y/N’s eyes, getting lost for a second with how the evening sun made them sparkle, “only if you trust me.”    “Buck, you know I do. We've been friends for more than a year now and besides, you're Steve's best friend.”    There came a sound of protest from Sam, but neither took it to heart.    “Tomorrow morning, when you see Brock at any point in time, just come and find me. We’ll probably be by the main campus door; an early practice.”    Y/N squinted not really sure what cogs had started to turn under those long brown locks she just wanted to rake her hands through. “What’s your play here, Barnes?”    “Trust me,” he lent down whispering in a conspiratory tone, sending a shiver down Y/N’s spine, while his own heart threatened to hammer out of his chest, “it’ll get Rumlow off of your back forever.”

***

   It was 8:20 in the morning and Y/N was already on campus. She hadn’t really slept throughout the night, too excited for what was about to happen. Her first lecture started at nine, so the girl still had plenty of time to kill. She’d gone on a coffee run, given the fact that Steve and Bucky would be almost dead, after having to get up at 5 AM for their practice. Barnes’s black coffee still sent tendrils of steam through the plastic lid, while Steve’s latte and Natasha’s mocha had already gone down from scalding hot to ‘just-the-way-I-like-it’.    Ten minutes later and she could hear the roaring laughter of the Commandoes as they made their way across campus, coincidentally enough coming from the other side of the field was Brock, having spotted Y/N.    But it would seem that Bucky truly was a knight in shining armour.    “Doll!” he exclaimed opening up his arms as if awaiting a hug. “If this ain’t the prettiest sight on an early morning, then cut out my eyes and leave me blind. And you brought coffee! Truly you are amazing!” He whisked up Y/N eliciting a genuine squeal more from surprise rather than happiness.    Her Y/E/C eyes saw the two top lawyer students Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson walk by and her jaw dropped open when Matt laughed out loud at the blind joke. “So true, Buck. You’re one lucky guy.”    “What is going on?” Y/N hissed into Bucky’s ear.    “Relax, doll. Just roll with it.”    Y/N almost wanted to ask ‘roll with what’ when her brain caught up to his shtick. He was pretending they were together. It sent a mix of emotions through the girl- happiness, sadness, bitterness, that this was all a ploy to get Rumlow off of her back and not real, relief that she had such amazing friends and even a wave of jealousy as she realised after this, he’d probably go back to pining after other girls.    Brock’s eyebrows scrunched up in confusion yet he still made his way towards the pair, or rather their group as Steve, Nat, Sam and their friends Tony and Bruce- literal geniuses- had also joined. Y/N handed out the respective coffees trying not to acknowledge Brock’s appearance, but his voice didn’t give her much chance of that.    “Y/L/N. You look lovely this morning. Though what would be lovelier is if you would ditch the loser bunch and come hang out with me.”    Bucky’s grip around her shoulders tightened, the metal plates whirring as they positioned themselves. He’d lost his left arm in a car accident, but Tony’s father- owner of Stark Industries- had specifically designed a new one for him, the two families of Barnes and Stark being close friends. Still, even without an arm, he was the hottest guy in the school. At least in Y/N’s opinion.    “Sorry, we have to head to class,” he shot back giving Brock a mocking smile that was still nothing short of dazzling.    “Hey, hey wait! I think the lady can speak for herself and if you could take your arrogant head out of your ass, Barnes, you’d realise we have a thing going on here and she’d most definitely want to spend her time with me.”    Y/N couldn’t contain the sigh that escaped her as she rolled her eyes and head simultaneously. “There is nothing going on between us Rumlow. I went out with you just because you couldn’t take a hint. And as you might see,” she pointed with one finger, the rest still holding her coffee cup, “I am with someone.”    God, did Bucky love the way it sounded when she said she was with him.    God, how right did it feel for Y/N to say she was with Bucky.    They turned to leave but Brock was relentless. “Come on Y/L/N. I know what you’re doing.”    Y/N quirked up an eyebrow also noting that they were causing quite the scene as more and more students started to pile in for their 9AMs and decided to stop to see how the situation would get resolved.    “You’re playing hard to get. Trust me, I know tons of girls like you, but you don’t have to do that with me sweet-cheeks. Just drop the act and let’s go.”    “The fact that you have the audacity to think Y/N would even give you the time of day to play such games, after so many times she has told you ‘no’, really baffles my mind,” being a surprise to everyone it was Bruce who spoke up. The usually very quiet and scientific boy really looked at Brock as if he had suddenly sprouted an elephant’s trunk.    Bucky knew he had to act fast or this could turn ugly because he could see Brock’s friends from “Hydra”, the local motorcycle gang, approaching real fast.    “Do you trust me?” he mumbled into Y/N’s hair getting a whiff of her shampoo and almost just staying there like that- engrossed in her smell.    The girl’s only reply was a tiny nod of her head. She felt Bucky’s fingers underneath her chin as he lifted it up and for second there existed no one but the two of them. His ice-blue eyes bore into her Y/E/C and she could see, she could swear on everything that she held dear, there was true love in them. And before she could do anything they were closed and his lips were on hers.    A pleasant shiver ran down her spine as Bucky’s hand snaked around to hold the small of her back. And even though the kiss lasted barely a few seconds it felt like an eternity. His lips were softer than she could’ve ever imagined, barely pressing against hers, but as she didn’t pull away a small smirk appeared on Bucky’s face that Y/N couldn’t help but mirror.    When the two separated bashful smiles graced the lips of both the girl and the man. Suddenly a thunderous noise of applause invaded their ears, popping the bubble. Everyone was clapping, some of Bucky’s teammates were hollering ‘finally Barnes’ and ‘took you long enough’ and ‘we thought we might have to go and tell her ourselves’.    “Tell me what?” she looked up at Bucky, once again in that safe bubble, she always felt when around him.    He replied without any hesitation, still holding on to Y/N’s waist as if to reassure him, she was there, they had just kissed and hopefully, she won’t run away. “That I’m absolutely, irrevocably and utterly head over heels for you, doll. Have been since the second Steve introduced me to you and, good grief, have I been dying to kiss you.”    Time slowed down for them. There was no Brock, no “Hydra” or “Howling Commandoes”, no Steve, with a grin stretched across his face so tightly Nat was afraid it would actually split his cheeks open. Nor did they see quite a few people exchange money as pretty much the whole school had bets going on when Barnes would muster up the courage and ask Y/N out or how long it would take the quiet girl to realise that everyone could see her longing gazes that she threw at Bucky, but could not open her eyes to see the same coming from Bucky.    “Well then,” she cleared her throat dropping Bucky’s gaze just to tease him a bit as her lips pulled into a thin line. The man’s face turned into a horrified grimace that he’d overstepped a line and more so than anything, he felt his heart shatter with the fact that Y/N didn't feel the same. “It’s a good thing I’m in love with you too, otherwise all of this would be really awkward.”    “You- what?” he was so confused.    “I said,” she leaned in closer, Bucky’s nostrils filling with her scent as a hopeful look appeared in his eyes, “that I love you too. And that means you’ll be able to get to do this more often.”    “Do what more often?” he was now teasing the girl the same way she was him.    “This,” and Y/N pressed their lips together. Only this time, neither let go.

A/N: I’m a literal mess.. but thank you so much for showing such love to my Bucky one-shot Perfect. It blows my mind how many of you liked it, really from the bottom of my heart, a giant thank you!  ;****

P.S. have any requests or wanna be tagged? drop a message

P.S.S. please tell me what you think

P.S.S.S. please don’t repost without credit :)

[brihana25]

What got you into writing?

WARNING: Long boring-ass answer about my nerdy kid self ahead

In third grade, our teacher gave us all one-sentence story prompts and told us to write a paragraph or two from them. There were three prompts split between the 21 of us, so 7 of us all had the same one. I don’t remember what the other two were. The one I got was, “I was standing in line, waiting for my ice cream cone, when suddenly an arrow flew into the wall.”

I’d never written anything before. It was the first creative writing exercise I can remember being given. I was a crazy reader already, though.All the other kids griped about having to come up with a paragraph or two, but I didn’t. I dove right in. It was the most incredible thing I’d ever done, and I just assumed everyone else was having as much fun with it as I was. 

They weren’t.

But, anyway. I was the only one to ask what we should do if our story was longer than the paper she gave us. She told me to turn it over and finish it. So I turned it over and kept writing. 

I was the only one to ask what we should do if our story was longer than both sides of the paper she gave us. I will never forget the look on her face. I was pretty sure no one had ever asked her that before. She said, “Well, I guess you should get another piece and keep writing.” So I did. 

The next day, we all read our stories to the class. And she called on everyone but me. While they were all reading, I just kept sinking lower and lower in my chair. Everyone had written one or two paragraphs. That’s what the assignment was, after all. And I kept looking down at mine, and thinking, “I did it wrong. I did it all wrong. This is going to be awful.”

She had me read mine last. I didn’t want to stand up. I told her I left it at home (it was sitting right there on my desk). I just kept looking around, and everyone was looking at me, and they’d all just read their short little stories, and here I was, sitting there, staring at my four pages, back and front, with my handwriting half the size it was supposed to be (it was that double-lined grade school paper, so i could write more if I did it that way), with sentences written in the top and bottom and side margins, feeling like a complete idiot.

I finally gave up and just started reading it. No one said anything. And I remember by the end, my voice was so quiet that I couldn’t even hear me. I was horrified. Because my “short little story” about the arrow in the ice cream stand became this huge, monster of a murder mystery/Bonnie and Clyde romance (written as only an 8-year-old can) that spanned 40+ years, a marriage, two kids, and a funeral. 

And I finished reading, and I sat down, convinced that I’d just completely screwed everything up and done the dumbest, nerdiest, loserest thing I’d ever done in my life. 

And then the teacher started clapping. And then the other kids did, too. And they stopped calling me all the stupid names they usually called me, and they told me my story was good, and they liked it, and they all wanted to know how I even thought of half that stuff. 

And ... that was pretty well that. I’ve been chasing that same feeling ever since. I’ve gotten close a few times. When my sixth-grade Halloween horror story got published in the local paper. When our priest asked me to write the script for our catechism Christmas program my freshman year. Like when I finished writing a novel when I was in 8th grade (which, yes, I still have but which, no, no one will ever see because SE Hinton I ain’t) and the whole grade found out about it. 

But I’ve never quite felt anything like that since. 

[theoddcatlady]

Transformation

I suppose it all started with my mother, although it wasn’t entirely her fault. But I can truthfully say it started with her.

She wasn’t a good mother. Perhaps not the worst, she didn’t leave me to die on the side of the road or attempted to drown me in the bathtub, but she was not a good mother. My self esteem was shattered the moment I showed her a picture I drew of her while at kindergarten. She took one look at it and sneered.

‘You made me fat!’

Her ridicule was hurled at me at every waking moment. If I forgot to make my bed, she screamed at how I was turning her house into a pig sty. If I remembered, she’d yell at me for half assing it. If I made sure it was made like a hotel’s, she’d scold me for not cleaning up my toys.

I never brought friends over, not after she’d judge each and every one.

‘She dresses like a slut.’

‘He looks like a troublemaker.’

‘She’s such a bitch to you, stop letting her boss you around!’

‘Can’t you find someone else to be friends with?’

I tried. I did. Not a single one could meet her impeccably high standards, so I stopped trying.

The second one to ruin me was a teacher in high school, Mr. Frye. He was the English teacher. In my spare time, I managed to pick up a habit for poetry. I thought I was getting rather good at it, mostly because I didn’t let my mother read any of it.

A poetry assignment came up in his class, which I was excited for. I spent hours working on the poem, working out every little detail. I turned it in with a smile on my face and I dreamed about being published.

D.

I got a D. Barely a D, actually. It wiped the smile off my face faster than I thought possible. The red ink glared up at my from the page, with a note telling me to meet with Mr. Frye after school. I was desperate to find out what I did wrong. What I could do to improve, so I could follow my dreams.

“Caterpillars? Butterflies?” I recognized the sneer on Mr. Frye’s face. I’d seen it so many times on the face of my mother. “What is this, first grade, Jamison?”

My ears burned red hot as I tried to explain the metaphor behind it all, but Mr. Frye cut me off.

“Grow up or get out of my class. You write like a kid. This isn’t a classroom for kids. Get out.”

I fled from the room, my eyes burning with tears. It all came down to him disliking the subject matter, I realized that night. Not the quality. He didn’t like caterpillars transforming into butterflies. The next day I burned my journals, every little poem. Just the idea of writing one made my stomach crawl.

The third and final nail in the coffin that made me what I am was my girlfriend Alyssa.

Alyssa was from a similar situation. Awful mom. Nonexistent father. She always came to school late because her mom kept her up late by all the ‘suitors’ she brought home with her. She usually slept through first period. I made a habit of taking notes for her to help her pass.

And she repaid me by taking me on dates and being my first… everything. First kiss. First girlfriend. First, well… time.

It was that first time that things went wrong. She’d insisted she was on the pill, and I was naive. But birth control can fail. More precautions should’ve been taken.

And my senior year I dropped out of highschool to get a job at a local gas station to take care of Alyssa and our future child. It was a necessity, and something I was fully devoted to. I was going to be the father I never had, that Alyssa never had. I’d go to night school once Alyssa could work again. Get a degree. Make a home that was welcoming and kind.

I didn’t think about miscarriage. I didn’t think that the baby wouldn’t live. It would’ve been a girl.

Alyssa was destroyed by this. She couldn’t get out of bed, leaving me to make ends meet at the gas station. I’d come home exhausted and collapse in bed, only to wake up the next morning, eat a bagel,  and repeat the cycle. I’d make sure to bring home food for Alyssa, which I was thankful she’d have the strength to get out of bed to eat.

Being so tired though, I made mistakes. The drawer came up short one too many times, and the manager pulled me aside.

“I’m sorry but we’re going to have to let you go, Jamison. I won’t mention this to any of your future employers, just clock out and don’t raise a scene about it.”

I walked home, unable to feel anything. I was unable to process this. How was I supposed to care for my depressed girlfriend if I didn’t have a job?

When I walked in the door, I heard something I hadn’t for months. Laughter. Overjoyed that Alyssa had finally pulled through her funk, I started hurrying to the bedroom, only to hear the thing that broke me.

“Yeah. He still has no idea the baby wasn’t his. I’m kinda relieved I lost it. It would’ve been kinda obvious since Josiah’s black… he just goes to work and makes us money and comes home while I chill all day. I never have to work again, isn’t it great?”

I walked out of the apartment and threw up on the sidewalk.

I’ve been destroyed by these people in my life. Unmade. A cruel mother, a cold teacher, and a lying lover. But I’ve decided I shall remake myself.

I love the thought of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. To transform from something fat and hideous to something graceful and colorful. Rebirth. I craved that, and I decided now I should remake myself. Start from scratch. And for that, I needed a time of dormancy. Time away from the world, somewhere quiet, warm, and safe.

I made my cocoon out of the people who made me what I was. First, my mother. She was asleep when I got home, and it took no effort to take the gun from her safe and put one between her eyes. She never even knew it was me. A regret I’ll probably have in the future.

Mr. Frye always worked late on Fridays, finishing up ruining his student’s dreams by using that red pen to destroy their hearts. I caught him by his car and put two bullets in his chest. He was an old man, he couldn’t have put up much of a fight, but I didn’t want to take the chance.

The final part was Alyssa. She took advantage of my nature. Of my love for her.

I strangled her until the light left her eyes.

With the parts gathered, I started to work and put my cocoon together. Their skin was more than enough to sew it together. Their meat I placed in tupperwares to join me, so I would have plenty of nourishment. I put the heat on high in my apartment, so I’d be plenty warm.

I stripped my clothes off and folded them, setting them on top of my dresser.. I’d redress once my transformation was complete. The cocoon looked almost like a womb, quite fitting for what I was doing. Completely nude, ready to be born again. I pushed myself through the hole I’d left, the heat of the skin feeling as comfortable as a warm blanket.

In minutes, I was completely encased. Folded up like a fetus. I smiled and closed my eyes.

Soon I’d become the butterfly.

[cksiren]

Truly, Madly, Deeply - Chapter 1

Hey! So this was written wayyy back in, like, 2012 I think. I first published it here as CaptainKellic, but it was taken down (long story) a few years ago. Anyways, it’s back again. If you read it back then, thanks so much - you were a really big inspiration. If you haven’t read it yet - well, thank you for your interest, and I hope you enjoy!  “Fuentes and Quinn.” That's it. That is exactly how all of this started, in the middle of their senior year. A simple fragment of a sentence. Three words, two of which are not even found in the English dictionary. However, those three words absolutely and maybe accidentally changed the lives of two boys; and had a huge impact on the ones around them. 

Vic groaned inwardly when he first heard whom he had been paired with. He shot a nervous glance up at Kellin, whose top lip twitched with clear displeasure. One of his friends wearing a varsity jacket chuckled at him, warranting the toss of a mechanical pencil in his direction.

"Shut up", he heard Kellin mutter as his buddies all elbowed him, picking on their friend for being paired with the skinny, Mexican loser that never really said much. Kellin was a LOT more popular than Vic was. He had been since as long as Vic could remember. They had gone to school together since elementary.

Sighing, Vic organized a few of his papers, figuring that Kellin was going to have to come and talk to him if he wanted to get this stupid lab done, because Vic wasn't moving. The clock ticked away though and other groups were getting started, so Vic began getting the materials they would need for the assigned experiment. He was not going to try to get Kellin's help if the popular boy wasn't going to do anything. Vic wanted to 'fly under the radar' as much as possible, not wanting to attract attention to himself.

The assignment was hard with only one person though, and salvation came in the form of a man with a degree and a snappy attitude."Kellin, why aren't you doing anything? I know your friends are simply 'fabulous', but really, get your butt in gear." Their teacher jerked his head towards Vic, not waiting for some sarcastic reply from Kellin who shrugged and sauntered his way over to where Vic was standing. A hot plate situated in front of him with some sort of solution on it that Kellin wouldn't know anything about.

"What are you like, doing?" he asked half-heartedly and without even looking at the lab set-up.

Vic shot him an exasperated glance before answering his question. "The hotter the solution solvent gets, the more solute will dissolve in it. That's why we're boiling it until all of this powdery stuff is dissolved."

"I don't speak Chemistry, sorry," said Kellin, pulling up a chair.

"Well we'd be a lot further along if I didn't have to set this fucking thing up myself, then you could have gone and done nothing since once I get this dissolved it's mostly just writing down the actual data...", Vic muttered quietly.

"Gee, you're pleasant," teased Kellin.

Vic did not justify his words with a response, just dumped a little more of the powder that they had to dissolve into the mix. Chemistry with Kellin was like physical torture to Vic. He was so ridiculously popular and so ridiculously good looking that everyone adored him when there was utterly nothing special about him whatsoever. Nothing that made him stand out; except for his looks and asshole-ish personality.

"So like, what do we have to write down for data?"

Vic considered explaining the whole lab to him, but he really could not be bothered today and instead pushed the paper containing the printed directions towards his partner. Kellin's eyes scanned over the text for only a few minutes. Vic thought that maybe he was actually trying to understand it and he gave him credit for that, but the face he made as he pushed the paper away told him he was going to have to explain it anyways.

"All right... You should have the lab part of this done by now," said Mr. Sheehan in what felt like no time at all, which was something Vic was dreading since the lab had been assigned. "Spend the rest of the class putting this all away, tomorrow you can do the written part."

Vic looked down at his work and bit his lip, nerves stirring up inside him. "We aren't even close to being done," he said quietly.

Around him, other groups that had started in on clean up were clogging the sinks and counter tops with beakers and hot plates that made frequent, loud clanking noises.

"The fuck do we do then?" Asked Kellin, picking at a hangnail.

It was obvious he honestly did not care what happened, or about his grade and for a moment Vic wondered if he would be able to just finish it himself after school; until their teacher spoke again.

"Vic, Kellin, if you can you should stay after today to figure that out."

"I can't", Kellin spoke up. "I have...things to do," he said.

"Too bad,” said their teacher without a second thought.

Kellin frowned and crossed his arms. Chemistry was their last class of the day. There wasn't even the opportunity to skip a class; no, this came out of their personal time. The shame was that Vic should not have been required to stay after seeing the whole situation was Kellin's fault.

The bell rang a little while after as Vic and Kellin kept working. Well, mostly Vic. Kellin did not really seem to be able to sit still until after everyone had left the room, including their teacher. Then he finally sat down and looked into whatever it was that Vic was doing.

The Hispanic teenager put in the last of the powder, stirring it in as much as he could as Kellin watched, his blue eyes sparkling. He didn't say anything until Vic pulled out his phone and unlocked it.

"Who're you texting?" he asked curiously, a little smirk on his face.

Vic had absolutely no idea why Kellin would care except to make fun of him, so a part of him did not want to answer the random question.

"My mom and my brother," he answered bluntly.

"Aw, you're a momma's boy!" Kellin snickered.

"No, she just likes to know that I haven't been hit by a car or something."

Vic was getting impatient with him now. "Why'd you even stay? You're not helping; you can just go if you want."

"Can't cause Sheehan will kill me, and I am so helping, just think how bored you'd be without me here," said Kellin, sticking his tongue out.

Vic rolled his eyes and checked the directions to see which step was next, wishing that Mr. Sheehan might come back so that Kellin could bug him instead.

"At least I give you something pretty to look at, right?" Kellin winked.

"Sorry, I'm not gay, but if you are, that's cool,” said Vic.

He turned away, knowing that that might earn him a trip into a dumpster or something. Vic was a smart-ass, that's why he kept his mouth shut most of the time. Bullying had not been too much of a problem in his life, and he did not need it to start to be one now that he was half way through his last year of high school. When he turned around though, Kellin was just staring at him, no trace of a smile or a laugh on his face.

"You think I'm gay?" he asked.

It wasn't sarcastic; it was a serious question as if Kellin was actually interested in Vic's answer. It was as if he had totally dismissed the fact that Vic was trying to find a way to insult him. Vic looked at him, his eyes wide, unsure of what to say.

"Uh, well, I mean..." he started awkwardly. "I guess that would be something for you to find out.”

Kellin smiled at him, resting his chin on his hand, "Aww, I was almost expecting another wise-ass response.”

"If you're that offended I could still come up with one," said Vic, turning off the burner and swishing around whatever it was he was mixing to examine the different colors it was starting to turn. He wrote something down in his lab notebook, wishing Kellin would say something to kill the awkward silence.

Kellin's mouth did not open to speak though; he was just staring off into space for a moment.

"Find out myself?" he said quietly, standing up and stepping towards the window.

Vic looked up to watch him move, starting to feel a little in awe of the boy. Maybe, just maybe there was a weird side to Kellin or at least, more to him than he actually let on.

"Hmm."

Vic frowned at him, not sure of what to say. "Well... uh...that's how it's... supposed to work I guess.”

"Is that how you find out you're straight?" he asked, staring up at the sky.

The sun was hitting his eyes just right, practically making them light up, and Vic was feeling the anxiety that came with questions about sexuality that he was constantly asking himself.

"Don't you have like, four hookups a minute and three thousand ex-girlfriends or something?" asked Vic, turning back to the lab.

"Doesn't mean anything," said Kellin, turning towards Vic.

Suddenly and without warning, he stood next to Vic, watching his hands at work. He handed him something he had begun to reach for, maybe making an attempt to be helpful. Vic didn’t really know or care. He couldn’t actually remember much from that part because of what happened next

Kellin stared at him, straight into his eyes, practically right into his soul.

Vic stared back, his face nearly expressionless.

"You've had girlfriends in the past too, and you're not moving away. Maybe you don't actually know?"

Vic bit his lip. Kellin had struck a nerve. His eyes still stared back at him, and Vic wasn't sure of what to do now accept curse himself for being born so goddamn awkward and shy and bad with words.

Kellin smirked a little and placed a hand on Vic's shoulder, trailing down to his chest and gripping his shirt.

Fear seeped into Vic's stomach as he wondered if Kellin was actually doing what he thought he was doing. Just as he felt the pull of Kellin's hand on his shirt, however, the door of the classroom opened and in popped Mr. Sheehan, his face buried in papers he'd gone to retrieve.

"Almost done, boys?" he asked.

"Y-yeah, I think I gotta go though", said Kellin.

The boy who was normally so confident and cool, practically fled from the classroom, leaving Vic to just stand there, barely able to finish the lab in his own confused state.

[columbuscomicscorner-blog]

The Wonderful World of Tank Girl: Tank Girl Strikes Again #1 Review **Spoilers**

Written by: Alan Martin Art & Letters by: Brett Parson Cover Artist: Brett Parson Publisher: @titancomics NCBD: 11/8/17 Review by: Ryan Douglas

Bartholomew Anchor, Booga's good friend just got released from prison after serving a two-year sentence. Grabbing some fish and chips at Port Peachy, a hive for criminals, the gang is catching up with Booga's friend. Bartholomew informs the characters of his plans post-prison and that includes ripping off Ronnie Dosmond, a local rip-off artist, is sitting on a mountain of money at his home. This perks up Tank Girl's ears, not cause she wants a hefty payload, she has a debt to settle with Ronnie from when tells a tale of Ronnie embarrassing her in high school. The deal is made, Ronnie will provide the blueprints and location of Ronnie's cache of money.

Back at Jet Girl's timeshare, Tank Girl maps out their strategic plan. Ronnie's hauled up at his beach house and this will call for a full-on assault. Tank Girl, Booga, Barney, Sub Girl, and Mr. Precocious "The Shakespearean Mutant", a character who I believe is brand new to this world. But the team provide a full force strike by surfing in machine guns blazing, with Sub Girl and Jet Girl riding in with Sub Girl's armored sub with a plethora of rocket launchers and assault rifles. Truly an action-packed splash page, showing new readers this Brett Parson and characters bring their "A" game with gruesome force. When the team makes contact with the beach, Tank Girl takes lead to enter Ronnie's home, but she's spooked when she enters and is clocked out cold. Outside, Barney and Booga give Tank Girl cover, taking on the next wave of Ronnie's security detail. It's becoming a losing battle as all their ammo is spent. Booga heads inside to grab Tank Girl to make their retreat. But to their surprise, a helicopter containing Tank Girl lifts off and fly away. Realizing it was a set up by Bartholomew, the gang has to retreat to hash out their rescue mission.

After regrouping at Jet Girl's home, the team has found a way to track their good friend. In Alan Martin fashion, he provides a convenient solution to find her. Everything turns up Millhouse, Tank Girl happen to eat an entire box of Cornflakes, which contained a special prize inside and that is a tracking device. It won't be easy for the team but Booga assigns everyone the task of gathering milk and several boxes of Cornflakes. Multiple boxes later, we have a winner and the location of Tank Girl, which will lead to a classic montage preparing to storm Ronnie Dusmonds, Trump-like tower.

While the team preps, we head over to see Tank Girl being tortured by Ronnie and boy the creative team doesn't hold back. Ronnie has taken it upon himself to pull teeth and take a buzz saw to her face. But Tank Girl is tough and eggs on Ronnie, she won't let her believed bully get the best of her.

Hauling ass through the streets, the gang barrels their tank through the front door and from there spreads out, leaving Mr. Precocious at the bar to relax. Booga and Barney make their way to Tank Girl's location, only to be shot at by Ronnie. While he's distracted, Tank Girl is able to get free and haul ass through the vent, Die-Hard style. When Booga and Barney decided to hide out inside a supply closet. Surrounded by the pipes that go throughout the building, Barney uses her "degree" in Advance Plumbing to reroute the sewage to spew through the vents causing a smelly mess. That'll also give Tank Girl the extra push she'll need to escape the vents. The writer hasn't forgotten about the backstabber Bartholomew and he gets sliced in half by Jet Girl. When Mr. Precocious comes to the rescue, he's able to fit the tank into the elevator shaft to pick up Tank Girl, Booga, and Barney from a fesses flooded tower.

Once on the outside, we learn Mr. Precocious's purpose wasn't only to have a few cocktails. But his task was to strap C4 to the ground floor of the tower and flip the switch to destroy the entire tower. Now all that stands is a few bricks and the body of Ronnie, who tell us what really happen back in the day. That being Tank Girl was the true bully. Which scared Ronnie for life, leading him to turn into a villain. Those are his last words before he dies in the rubble, poor guy.

Overall:

Regardless of delays, I can always count on Tank Girl to provide a raunchy, action-packed, and comedic story. This issue felt more contained than the previous World War Tank Girl arc, where that story was fast paced and never a dull moment. That sorta progression is spread out on this issue. Since reading this serious, I've come to come to terms with the sort of convenient plots to push the story along. While its an easy cop out, in a way only ramps up with an adventure feel to the Tank Girl comic. The laws of physic don't make sense. But this isn't your average superhero comic, where you expect everything to sewn together overtime and make logical sense. There's no time for that when Tank Girl's life is on the line. Plus at points, I was truly concerned for her safety.

Every character is still balanced and play a big role in the final solution. Being able to juggle each character and giving them a purpose relevant to the overall story, is a true feat of strength. Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

While I was able to catch on this was a set up from the start. The twist in the end, I had no idea was coming and appreciated that surprise. Previously, the four-issue arcs have provided an overarching story. In this case, this issue seemed to be a one and done. It left me ecstatic to watch on and see what odd ventures the team will tackle next.

What more can I say about the art, it's freaking gorgeous and I hope to never see Brett Parson depart this title. While it's a very cartooned style, that doesn't take away from the gruesomeness when things get hairy for the team. Every panel could be turned into a sticker, button or poster and I'd collect them all. Alan Martin and Brett Parson are one of the best duo's in the comic book game right now. Why this book isn't talked about more, I'll never understand. If you're in the camp of, the movie didn't work for you, so you'll skip the comic series. If you like the current portrayal of Deadpool and Harley Quinn, Tank Girl has been providing that sorta gross humor long before them and do it better.  

8.8/10

[princesspripri]

I have a biology degree, does that make me an expert too? 😂 If that person really has a Bachelor’s degree, it doesn’t really mean shit because you are basically getting the most basic, broad education in biological sciences. I started out going to school for a biochemistry degree and had to switch to biology half way through my junior year because the dean of my dept wouldn’t accept my capstone research. Luckily, I was cool with the dean of biology because I had several classes with her and she counted my upper divs toward my degree. Regardless, I still had to take additional biology courses to qualify for graduation, and let me tell you. In order to get a biology degree, when you take your upper div courses, you can go all over the place. You can take plant biology, anatomy, molecular biology, microbiology, but these are just crash courses and does not make anyone “all knowing” by any means because you’re only learning the basics and honestly, if you’re good at reading text books, it’s not that much different lol. Plus, if they had good professors, they would know that a lot of studies that are published are formatted (tables, wording, etc) in a way to make their data look significant and to support their evidence because why would you want to post data that doesn’t support your hypothesis. I had multiple assignments that required us to break down different published scientific articles and understand how they were manipulated and if the data actually supports the author’s hypothesis. Sooooo yeah, anyone calling themselves a “biologist” and only has a BS is full of shit and is just barely more knowledgable than someone without a degree. Lmao like I could call myself a “biologist” I guess because I have a biology degree, but I don’t, because I’m not an arrogant asshole 😂😂😂

FYI, I got a biology degree because it was easier than doing some other lame ass project for my capstone, otherwise I would have gotten a biochem degree. It didn’t matter because I was just trying to graduate and I do like science and it was fun for me. But basically, my degree was just my way to get my foot in the door to get a damn job. I’m not special, and neither is anyone else with a Bachelor’s degree 🤷🏽‍♀️

No one is going to listen to the experts and we are going to see a horrifying spike in cases after thanksgiving. Many will die.

And those same people don’t even care.

Disgusting