#good things about bigger projects: makes me get out of my comfort zone - makes me practise skills i don't use often - very satisfying

[benevolenterrancy]

no rest for the wicked

(part of a larger project i'm working on, but i liked how this one looked on its own)

[hotdaemondtargaryen]

TOM GLYNN-CARNEY INTERVIEWED FOR VESTAL MAGAZINE.

REFLECTING ON YOUR JOURNEY IN THE ACTING INDUSTRY, DO YOU REMEMBER THE MOMENT YOU REALIZED YOU REALIZED YOU WANTED TO PURSUE ACTING?

"The moment I realized I wanted to pursue acting was probably when I was around 12 years old, in high school."

"I was performing in a production of Shakespeare's Macbeth at the Royal Exchange in Manchester."

"I saw older actors and wondered what their "proper" jobs were outside of the theater."

'When I asked one of them, they said': — "No, this is my proper job. This is what I do."

"I didn’t know people could do that."

"From that moment on, I knew that this is what I wanted to do as a career."

YOU'VE DONE MULTIPLE SHOWS AND MOVIES IN THE DRAMATIC GENRE. WOULD YOU EVER BE OPEN TO DOING OTHER GENRES?

"Absolutely, I'd love to explore new genres in the future."

"I'd love to give comedy a go."

"I think that would be a good challenge."

"It’s difficult because timing is crucial delivering a joke at the right time can feel almost mathematical."

"But I think that good comedy actors don't see it that way at all."

"It just comes naturally to them."

"I'd love to give it a shot."

"I'm also interested in doing biopics, bringing real-life stories to life."

"Chet Baker and Gene Kelly, in particular, would be fascinating characters to portray."

"But I'm open to any interesting projects that come my way."

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE ROLES YOU TAKE ON? ARE YOU DRAWN TO A PARTICULAR TYPE OF CHARACTER OR STORY?

"Honestly, I'm drawn to anything that makes me feel uncomfortable and pushes me out of my comfort zone."

"I seek out roles where the character feels distant and challenging."

"I like to test myself and see if I can bring such characters to life."

"If a role feels like something I might struggle with, that's exactly what I want to tackle."

"I often joke that these challenging roles might be my downfall someday." [laughs]

CAN YOU SHARE ANY INSIGHTS INTO HOW YOUR CHARACTER, AEGON II TARGARYEN, ENVOLVES IN THE UPCOMING SEASON?

"I found it fascinating to delve deeper into Aegon this season because there's so much more to uncover about him."

"In the first season, we saw quite a two-dimensional view of Aegon—not due to Ty Tennant's portrayal, which I thought was fantastic, bringing a lot of vulnerability and teenage angst to the character."

"When I took over, the time frame was too short to really explore Aegon's complexities."

"This time, I've had an extended period to sit with the character and dig into his deeper layers."

"Playing a character experiencing profound grief is always a challenge."

"I'm lucky enough that I've never gone through anything like that myself, so I had to imagine it as vividly as possible."

"This season, Aegon is shown as more of an empath than a psychopath."

"It becomes clear that he has the capacity to love, feel, and grieve."

"There are so many comparisons between Aegon and Richard II."

"People are saying Aegon is cold, calculated, and evil, and while he's certainly done horrible things—I'm not justifying any of those—it's important to note that, rather than being a straightforward villain, he's a crumbling tragedy."

HOW HAS YOUR APPROACH TO PORTRAYING AEGON II CHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS SEASON TO THE NEW ONE?

"There’s definitely a continuation of the drama and theatricality from season one."

"It's huge, rousing, and intense."

"I've seen episodes one to four, and they are just unbelievable, especially the battle scenes — you can't get any bigger than that."

"This season, though, there’s also an element of humor."

"At some point, they called Aegon 'the Magnanimous,' and it was important to bring some levity to his character."

"Aegon has just stepped into the role of King and is trying to figure it all out."

"We're at a point where he’s found a spring in his step, enjoying this new responsibility and purpose."

"He’s also got a lot of power now."

"Power can go to people's heads and make them crazy."

"It was nice to explore his boyishness and playfulness, as it gives his character more depth and leaves room for growth."

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL PEOPLE TO GET THEM ON TEAM GREEN?

"I don’t think I need to persuade them—obviously, we’re the best."

"But if you really want to see why, this season is packed with surprises that will make it clear."

SINCE THE SHOW IS BASED ORIGINALLY ON BOOKS, IS THERE A SPECIFIC BOOK YOU'D LIKE TO SEE BROUGHT TO THE SCREEN AND FOR YOU TO BE A PART OF?

"I'd love to see a film adaptation of Douglas Stuart's book Shuggie Bain."

"Another great choice would be The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell."

"It’s a collection of beautiful and heart-wrenching short stories, and each one could make a compelling film."

"Looking at my bookshelf now, I see a lot of books on Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Paul McCartney—mostly singer-songwriters."

"I also have a lot of poetry. I'd love to see a biopic of Patti Smith."

"That would be incredible."

YOUR CAREER HAS TAKEN YOU TO VARIOUS FILMING LOCATIONS AROUND THE WORLD. IS THERE A SPECIFIC LOCATION YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO YET AND WOULD LOVE TO BE THE BACKDROP FOR A POTENTIAL FUTURE PROYECT?

"Oh, that's a good question."

"I think somewhere that’s a hybrid between beautiful rolling countryside and the coast."

"A place that offers both stunning landscapes and the sea."

"On your days off, you could go for a swim or hike through the mountains."

"I’d love to work in a scenic and peaceful location like that."

SOMETIMES, ACTORS WHO PLAY 'VILLAINS' CAN GET AN ADVERSE REACTION FROM SOME FANS OF A SHOW. WHAT HAVE YOUR INTERACTIONS BEEN LIKE?

"I've been very lucky."

"Many people have approached me with kind words about my portrayal of Aegon."

"It's a challenging task to humanize someone so seemingly poisonous."

"Fortunately, I haven't had negative encounters with fans who can't differentiate between the character and the actor."

"I think we're in a different phase in society now."

"When Jack Gleeson played Joffrey, there was less social media presence, making it harder for audiences to separate the actor from the character."

"Today I think we are a more technologically advanced community, with more behind-the-scenes and a better understanding of the distinction between actor and character."

"I think people have copped on. I hope that's the case, anyway."

YOU'VE COLLABORATED WITH RENOWNED DIRECTORS LIKE CHRISTOPHER NOLAN. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THESE EXPERIENCES?

"Doing Dunkirk was my first significant experience on a film set."

"I really didn't know where to start."

"The canvas was completely blank."

"And it was just such a gift, a pinch me moment that I was able to learn from some of, if not the best filmmaker in the world."

"It was overwhelming."

"And I had to remind myself to be present and soak in everything like a sponge."

"Chris's patience and the support from the rest of the cast were invaluable throughout."

"We were all in it together, especially us young lads who were new to such a big production."

"We learned and grew together during that incredible experience."

IN THE KING, YOU PORTRAYED A HISTORICAL FIGURE. HOW DID YOU APPROACH BRINGING THIS CHARACTER TO LIFE?

"When portraying a fictional character, there's often more freedom because there's no definitive blueprint to follow—even if they're written in a book, they're still fictional."

"You can infuse your own understanding and personality into the role."

"However, there’s added pressure when it comes to a historical figure because you're portraying someone real."

"I never let that pressure overwhelm or hinder the process."

"Instead, I took the character as presented and focused on doing my best with the role."

A NEW HUNGER GAMES MOVIE WAS JUST ANNOUNCED, SPECIFICALLY A PREQUEL FOCUSING ON HAYMITCH'S STORY, AND MANY FANS ARE EAGER TO SEE YOU IN THAT ROLE. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

"No way, that’s the first I’ve heard of it! But I'm incredibly flattered that people would like to see me on screen again."

"If all goes well, I'll fight for my life in the Hunger Games!" [laugh]

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SHOWS DURING YOUR DOWNTIME?

"One show I watch repeatedly, and it never gets old for me, is the UK version of The Office."

"The humor is very relatable and comforting to me."

"I even laugh just thinking about it. It's one of those TV shows when it finishes, you're like: — “Oh no! What do I do with my life? I miss the characters already.” [laugh]

"I also enjoy the US version of The Office."

"Besides that, I'm fascinated by farming documentaries."

"Shows like This Farming Life on BBC are incredibly calming for me."

"And I have to mention The Great Pottery Throwdown — I'm a bit of a pottery nerd, and that show is brilliant!

WHO ARE SOME CREATIVES YOU WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH IN THE FUTURE?

"The list is long."

"Firstly, there are directors I'd love to collaborate with again, like Chris Nolan and Sam Mendes, with whom I've had some of my best experiences and whom I consider friends."

"I'm eager to work with them again."

"Then there are filmmakers like Andrea Arnold, Yorgos Lanthimos, Greta Gerwig, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Ruben Ostlund, all of whom I admire and would love to collaborate with."

"When it comes to actors, there are many I admire as well."

"I plan to work with individuals who challenge me, from whom I can learn, and who are dedicated to their craft."

"I appreciate those who find joy and humor in their work because life is short, and it’s important to enjoy what you do."

LASTLY, WHERE DO YOU HOPE YOUR CAREER WILL HEAD INTO THE FUTURE?

"It’s more of a feeling than a checklist of achievements that I aim for."

"I understand that feeling because I can almost sense it in advance."

"It’s difficult to articulate—it’s a mix of happiness, creative fulfillment, diversity in roles, consistent challenge, and pushing boundaries."

"I aspire to transform and lose myself in characters."

"Equally important to me is collaborating with inspiring individuals whom I can learn from and grow with."

"I also value the freedom to select projects that resonate with me personally."

[breadstick237]

Ladies and gentleman, its time for........

what did i learn this month?

in other words, monthly recap of my journey!

08.11-10.12

(a little over a month, but who cares)

I think I made progress with painting, got more confident and messy on a canvas, figured that the less I care the better it turns out

this is a good example of it:

the first one may look nice but I didn't even finish it, it's way too clean and I just hated working on it, tried way too hard

the second one I finished in 5 hours and it's got a messy charm to it, plus if I wanted I could easily clean it up

this month I tried out different techniques - pastels, charcoal, stuff I didn't wanna touch before

also I had a big realization about what do I need to work on, I have to improve backgrounds after avoiding them all of my life

oh and I finally started making things I could put in my portfolio, I've got a plan and I'm willing to go through with it

well, I won't put them in the portfolio, but I have to start with something so I can progress, I can't just study forever without putting my skills to proper use

I did a traditional animation (that looks awful but it exists)

unfinished comic (the one that made me realize I could do a good and structured background to save my life)

came up with a simple story that I can use as a small project, for character design, comics, storyboard, maybe even a small animation, stuff like that

For now I didn't really go outside of my comfort zone with this one but I've got a base, with an idea in mind I can jump straight to work next month!

Other than that I feel I got more consistent with drawing, I don't have force myself to do something every day. And I'm doing it with... more of a purpose? when I have to take pictures of it the next day I don't just do low effort and unfinished sketch of something easy, I try to challenge myself!

Either way, it was a good month. it's wasn't perfect, but nothing is. now I know what can I improve!

So, what do I need to do next month?

more portfolio focused work - even if it's really bad because I lack the skill, it's the only way I can get better

more backgrounds - when doodling don't draw people or objects but the environment

bigger format! it's time to go B1, 100x70cm, you can handle it champ

consistent posts, make them part of my morning routine insted of "once a day"

every Monday sit down with a timer set for 4 hours and try to get one project done - can feel unfinished, unpolished, straight up bad - just do it, more preparation means less work done

that's all folks! I really am doing this mostly for myself lmao but I really enjoye posting it online - if I don't then I feel a bit guilty about letting down my imaginary audience

my top 3 things i created this month

painting of my mom, this one telling-a-story-with-one-frame thing and ugly unfinished comic.

why? the first one is just pretty and my mom likes it, the other two were me going way beyond my comfort zone and actually trying ti tell a story, create something of my own. these ones, even tho ugly, did give me a lot

wow, I wrote a lot in here. I know I'm the only person that'll ever read this and I'm kinda late to school because of it but it was worth it. I did do good, and I'm gonna do even better

see you soon, mwah

[thestudentfarmer]

Feb 20, 2023

Hey everyone! I hope you've all had as great a week as possible and been able to work on your gardens, homesteading skills and sustainable methods this week :)

We've had a little bit of everything this week for all the above here in our little plot.

Today's post is going to include an update on the lentils and then some info and caretaking stuff for ducks 🦆

So first up! The lentil experiment!

This is a pic as of today, there's clear spotting in the grow pattern. But I kind of expected that. I didn't have a lot for even coverage (and just tossed it out). It had a late grow period and the front gets a weird double micro- climate/grow zone in the winter.

A lil close up of what's come up. They are a bit darker stemmed and darker leaved than it looks. But those that sprouted are doing amazing!

I'm thinking about letting a section grow entirely to produce more pods and seeds just to see how well it'll do now and just doing a half row of till in.

🦆🦆🦆Now onwards to the ducks! 🦆🦆🦆🦆

If you've ever thought about getting ducks, please do your research on them.

Despite sis having done extensive research there's still things we don't know, didn't know until it happened and we're continually learning as we go.

As a quick mention our ducks are kept primarily as pets, for pest control and because we wanted their eggs. Sis and my Hubby love them, though only Hubby can eat them. (I don't overly enjoy the taste personally, but I can eat them)

Meet Nugget (the back left), Pie (back right) and some of you may recognize the handsome fellow in the front middle, Cheese! (Aka, Poppa Cheese).

These are our ducks. While we don't know for sure what Pie (we believe is a magpie) and Nugget (we believe is a magpie mix ) are, we are certain Cheese is a silver Appleyard.

Awhile back I noticed we weren't finding any duck eggs, well Miss Pie it turns out hid a nest. I believe I posted it awhile ago with a few eggs in it by the time it was discovered. We figured we would let her sit on them and gave them the hatch time plus a week to be sure. Sadly no eggs hatched. We will not be allowing large nesting again. And the next hatch will be done with an incubator. ( a fun experiment and share for later!)

This is what the nest ended up looking like on "pull date" (today actually)

I think one broke yesterday morning as there was that unforgettable rotten egg smell. For the comfort of us and our neighbours (as well as Pie.) It was time to remove it.

Found the broke one(s?) They were not rolemovable by hand. So a shovel was needed to remove them.

All empty. I did fully remove, trim and am planning to block this spot so she may not nest here again.

The hidden bounty was way bigger than expected and I have a feeling she wasn't really nesting now :( there was almost 60 eggs hidden here!)

The lesson this student learned? At this time natural incubation is a no for our homestead. Any found nests from now on, sadly will have to be removed. We have tried nesting a handful of times now and it just hasn't panned out.

As well a note to share with those thinking of ducks~

They need ponds and if you get filtration get the darn best filtration you can.

In addition to the nest removal and cleanout It was pond clean day happens every 2-3 days so long as it doesn't rain.

This is a pond washed out and refilled 3 days ago. (It rained, we don't do pond wash on rainy days.)

Dumped, be sure to rinse em well, this is why if u get filtration make sure it's heavy duty. This sludge probably could be watered down heavily and used for soil fertilization. For me tho, I'm only doing that in the duck area. Too many weed seeds for the garden to be a viable use for that and not a good filter system planned yet.

The lucky ducks enjoying the fresh cleaned pond (for now lol)

Their area is under some redesign as well. Projects I will be sharing later as they are done~

Thank you all for joining me today! What project or ideas are you looking forward to this week on your own gardening, homesteading, learning journey?

🌱🦆Happy Homesteading and Animal Husbandry!🦆🌱

[vivaciouscynner]

An Update on Divinity and Her Flaws Progress

Decided to make an official post since I sort of sprinkled details here and there.

So, yeah. I have been exhaustively, very busy over the past 6 months.

The first thing I want to point out is that This fic is NOT abandoned. I WILL finish it.

About Chapter 12: Cute things. embarrassing things. Sad things? Lovely things?

The chapter is going to be a big one because I'm covering quite a lot. I'm basically going to make Catra confront Mara about Adora's mortality.

I'm trying to not spoil anything here - you'll need to wait just a little bit longer.

I'm also going to be answering some things that were mentioned in chapter 10.

Some hurdles I've been going through: As usual, it's work and schooling that's been taking my time, but more than that, I haven't had time to read, relax, do anything that wasn't taking 100% of my attention away from doing something creative. It's been really tough.

Even my vacations are kinda not relaxing because it's a lot of "we're only here for x amount time, so do all the things that you can do at y location you can.

Here's a detail about me. I am so awesome at not having an interest in activities, y'know? Like, sure, some activities are fun. But I can do like 1 activity a month as a max and preferably a lot less frequent than that. So on vacations, it's multiple activities per day and OOF I am WAY out of my comfort zone.

What's left: So a month ago or so, I did a poll if readers wanted to see if I should include a fluffy wedding chapter or just continue the story and get it done, well wedding chapter won.

If I don't end up splitting chapter 12. Chapter 13 is the wedding. After that it's 2 more chapters left for the ending and then I have a 2 chapter epilogue after that (it's possible I could merge it into one) and then it's done done.

Remaining Estimated Timeline: Chapter 12 - target release date is sometime at the end of June. I'm wrapping up finals and I'm pretty much free of school until fall (I'm in a certificate program and will be enrolling into a masters degree)

Chapter 13 - realistically speaking, I'm hoping to get done before the end of August. With school out of the way, I do have my evenings back (so long as work doesn't take advantage of that).

Chapter 14 - we're dipping into hopes and dreams again. I'm giving myself some padding. Before the end of the year.

Chapter 15 - keep in mind, I'm back in school and my evenings are complicated. Could be 6-8 months of nothing again

Epilogue Chapter 01 - Fall of 2024

Epilogue Chapter 02 - Spring 2025

All of this could be sooner.... could be later. Life is legit hard.

After I'm done this fic, I'll likely do little catradora one-shots here and there while I focus on a bigger project where I try my hand at writing original work with the intent to publish. So, it'd be really good to love and critique my work lol.

If you want to know more about my catradora work, feel free to reach out.

[adpapciakprocessandproduction]

Process and production Damian Papciak BA 23/24 Evaluation

Critical evaluation of my progress during process and production self directed project.

For my brief I have chosen to follow ideas from critical practice classes, in this case It was Post Modernism. I didn’t entirely based my project from that but used it as a heavy inspiration and it is at the core of my practice. 

My studio participation could still improve more, I am attending all the classes though could make more work instead of socialising with fellow artists, however my project was taking place mostly outside studio time and I did a lot of work there, but could still improve and work more there. 

For my future submissions I could make this project bigger and better by working harder and doing my work accordingly to the time line instead of leaving work to the last moment. I keep promising myself I stop doing this but it gets worse and worse with each project next year is the final year so its time to work to the highest of my capabilities so I can achieve what my ambitions are calling for. 

Most valuable thing I learned during this project is the use and possibilities of spray paint and that with a long stick and brush I could paint massive works of art. 

What did I learned about CAP? I learned about constructed reality and how I can transform space. Also I’ve learned a lot about street art and graffiti culture and how they are opposing sides of same area of art. 

I wish to develop process of painting high up with a long stick. I found great pleasure doing that and I would like to try it with even longer stick and a brush instead of roller. 

I definitely didn’t use my time to the fullest I could have done so much more.

I think I did good development all though could develop some ideas further like orange and black pipes, paint more things in that fashion. I think I did ok research could be greater but I feel like best form of research and learning for me is watching documentary videos, I learned a lot about street art from YT. 

Time management could be better but I’ve managed to finish project on time. 

I love going to art exhibitions but I don’t have many friends that would like to do that with me and I feel awkward going alone. 

I think my development is quite original and it still looks like art that I did which is good, could work on variety though use other mediums and print more pictures on larger scale. 

My willingness to try new things and go out of my comfort zone is huge, I didn’t practice graffiti art before it was my first time and I really enjoyed it, now I need to figure out how I can use it to improve my studio practice. 

 Overall I think project ended up well but I felt lost at times. 

[thecpdiary]

Arnold Schwarzenegger on Mental Health

In his own words:

“Wow. This is a big one. I first want to acknowledge the psychologist that commented asking me to remind my audience that there is nothing wrong with therapy. I agree 100 percent. I talked about this in a previous newsletter, but you should treat your mind no differently than your body. You have to train both. If your knee was holding you back and making you limp everywhere, you’d go see a physical therapist. There is no shame at all in admitting you need help with your mind. None. In fact, if you’re thinking about giving money to some guru who promises to make your life perfect, spend it on a therapist instead. Let’s train those minds.

Mental Health Crisis

So… back to the question. I don’t know what’s going on with men’s mental health. I see articles about a mental health crisis among men. But I also see articles about a mental health crisis among young women and girls. It seems like we might just have a human crisis.

I’m not an expert. You’d be better off asking the psychologist who asked me to make a comment about therapy. But you want my opinion, and so did she. So, I’ll share it.

Social Media and Mental Health

I am simple, so I ask myself what changed. Here is what I see: social media. People spend all day online, and there are a lot of bullshit artists and charlatans and outrage salespeople on the internet; the “influencers” who tell you that you have to wear this or you’re worthless, the people who tell you the world is falling apart even though by most measures it is better than ever, or the shysters who sell you some bogus class about how to be a man. I’ll give you guys a hint: nobody needs a class on that. And nobody who is a real leader goes around calling themselves an “alpha.” It’s absurd. If anybody did that in Gold’s Gym we would have laughed until they stopped.

Building up confidence

Social media has caused a crisis of confidence because people lose their sense of purpose scrolling feeds all day. They’re told to be scared, and they’re told they aren’t good enough. We need to sign off and build up confidence in the real world, which I talked about earlier this week as something you do by taking a small step to do the thing that makes you uncomfortable and then taking a bigger step and on and on. You don’t need to project this crap on the internet. That’s fake confidence. The real kind takes work and constant reps and feeling uncomfortable, and too many people shy away from all of those things. I think people aren’t willing to feel a little out of their comfort zone for even a minute, but life isn’t going to be comfortable all the time, so it throws them out of whack when they hit the crappy parts.

Limit your 'social media' presence

If I could tell these men and women anything, it would be to turn off the social media, think about your biggest insecurity, and go start working on it out in the real world. Go outside, exercise, talk to real people. Stop listening to these influencers and what they think you need. They are selling you. And before anyone says I’m “throwing shade” at someone specific, I just learned about all this how to be a man stuff recently when a reporter said to me that I was the antithesis of a few of these shysters I hadn’t heard of, and I couldn’t believe it is happening. But I am happy to be here to provide a positive voice on social media and the internet.

And again, I’m not an expert. If you’re struggling, get help. That takes real strength.” (Source: Medium)

Conclusion

Personally, I've been writing on my 'mental health' blog for 13 years now. In May, I'll be into my 14th year. It's great to see Arnold Schwarzenegger adding his weight to mental health talking about the fact that men, women and children alike, need to be proactive, to deal with their mental health, or perhaps it's less of a discussion, because people are generally slow on the uptake, not much is happening around mental health. If you are struggling to get help that takes strength, but it's well worth the effort.

As the saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink." We all have the opportunity to deal with mental health, and while we're not being forced to act on mental health, dealing with mental health staves off illness and untimely deaths, therefore it is important to be proactive. Don’t ignore mental health, talk about it, read the book, act on it, be proactive for mental health. The onus is on you, it's on me, it's on all of us to deal with mental health.

For anyone talking about mental health, we don't get a good press, primarily because we're asking others to think about and become proactive on something they should already be proactive on. But like Arnold Schwarzenegger highlights in his piece, it's important to be proactive, not something we should ignore. Ignoring it is usually at our own cost.

As an independent author I rely on goodwill and people kindly spreading the word. Please help support me. If you are interested in dealing with your mental health and you fancy grabbing copies of my books, they are available to purchase on my website https://www.thecpdiary.com/my-books/

For more inspirational, life-changing blogs, please check out my site https://www.thecpdiary.com

[biaswreckme]

how to care for your hybrid | jjk

Pairing: hybrid!Jungkook/Reader

Member: Jungkook

Length: 5253 words

Genre: smut, fluff, angst, 5+1

Rating: 18+

Triggers/Warnings: smut, hybrid smut, oral (f receiving), fingering (f receiving), insinuation of past abuse (but nothing explicit or even saying what happened), mention of abandonment 

Project: @btscreatorscorner​ March workshop with the theme push the limits

Summary: how to care for your hybrid, or 5 times you cared for bunny hybrid!Jungkook and one time he took care of you

A/N: So this was supposed to be a drabble and it turned out to be a 5k fic. Alright. This was written for this month’s workshop for BTS Creators’ Corner network, and the theme was to push the limits. I had never written a hybrid fic before, so I interpret the theme as coming out of my writing comfort zone (even though it’s still smut...) Thankssss to my lobely lobely betas, @heejinnien​ for beta-reading the sfw parts of this fic, and to @taegularities​​ for beta-reading the nsfw bit :3 I love you girls ♥

You can find the sequel here.

1. Provide them with a comfortable home

You still remembered the day you had brought Jungkook home from the shelter. You had gone with a friend, just as a companion, not intending nor really wanting to adopt a hybrid. Sure, you’d feel lonely sometimes, living by yourself and in a foreign country, but the thought of adopting a hybrid had never crossed your mind. Adopting a plant? Sure. Adopting a cat? Maybe. Adopting a hybrid? Never. Until you saw him, that is.

The shelter was legit, your friend had said, having done her research. But the place still made you uncomfortable; the creatures, those people, inside the divisions - you refuse to think of them as cages - waiting for someone to help. You had to bite your lip to keep from crying upon seeing them, knowing it was a rescue shelter, and then your eyes crossed with his.

There was some magnetic energy in the air that had pulled you closer to his unit until you could read the informational pamphlet: he was named Jungkook, a rescue bunny hybrid. Your gaze had immediately shifted to the man again; he was only a couple of years younger than you, but there had been something about his gaze that almost hypnotized you. He had such wide, expressive, and round eyes glistening with moisture and paired with his ears drooping low on the back of his head, you could not resist it.

There would be a home inspection and you would need to get some provisions to fulfill all the exigencies, but you rushed to get everything together. They had provided you with a list of items to make the bunny hybrid comfortable and ease the transition, and you did not hesitate, deciding to worry about the credit card bills later.

And so you took him home. He had clung to you entering the apartment, slowly exploring the space and showing where he would be sleeping. At the shelter, they had told you the hybrid would need an appropriate bed, but you hadn’t felt comfortable just getting a bunny bed at the store, so you got him a real and human bed, wanting him to feel at ease enough to not need to shift into a full bunny to sleep - they had also told you he tended to do that, sleeping as a bunny because he did not feel comfortable in his hybrid human-like body.

You had gotten the basics necessary for the approval of the adoption, and then you took him to the store, letting him choose his own things. It would be a while until that wide-eyed, surprised look would leave his expression, even when you were alone at the apartment and just hanging out on the couch on a Sunday night. That first night, giving him the blankets and tucking him in, you promised to take care of him, and you could barely hear his voice in reply, so small and shy, even though he was much taller - and more muscly - than you. It did not feel right that he had to make himself so quiet and small if that was even possible, so you swore to yourself that you would do everything to help him come out of his shell.

And soon you would find yourself in the company of a very loud and boisterous bunny, no shame about singing, his love for gaming until late hours, and working out. And you could not avoid falling in love with him.

2. Make sure they are getting appropriate food

It was a Friday night, you got home tired after a long day at work, and you smiled to yourself, biting your own lip upon the sight that greeted you upon entering the apartment. A shirtless Jungkook, towel haphazardly thrown over his shoulders, his torso glistening with sweat from working out in your living room. He lifted his head upon hearing you enter, a big smile lighting up his face and his long ears pointed up. He got up and made a movement to hug you.

“Hi, noona!”

“Oh no, you don’t,” you barely ducked out of the day. “Jungkook, you’re sweaty…”

He was faster than you, predicting where you were going to dodge his new attempt at enveloping you with his arms, something he had been picking up whenever you joined him in a boxing workout. His arms quickly went around your body, pressing you against him, your forearms up in the failed endeavor of avoiding getting his sweat all over you. He hugged you tight, his chin resting on your shoulder and you felt one of his ears on your head as his entire body seemed to tremble, and as you looked down you saw his tail wiggle from side to side rapidly.

“You’re finally home,” he sighed, swaying you softly from side to side.

“Is everything okay, bun? I’m sorry I’m late, they had me stay…”

“I’m so hungry,” you could almost see the pout, knowing the small lisp that came out whenever he pursed his lips and whined.

You looked around the living room, seeing the empty protein shaker bottle on the coffee table, narrowing your eyes.

“Didn’t you have your shake? You were working out.”

“Well, I did…” he started.

“We went grocery shopping and there are still some veggies and fruit cut up from our weekend meal prep, bun,” you felt him hiding his face even more on your shoulder, squeezing your body. “What’s going on? Am I forgetting something?” There was a slightly teasing tone in your voice, knowing what he wanted.

“You promised…” his voice was a mumble, muffled by the way his pouty lips were pressing on your body, but before you could ask him to repeat, “You promised pizza night, noona.”

“I know, bun, I haven’t forgotten it,” you stepped away from him, looking into his eyes and seeing his demeanor change completely.

“Oh?”

“I made the order when I was stuck at a red light. I got your favorite,” you were about to continue, but was interrupted by his sweaty hug again, this time accompanied by a chuckle.

“Ok, we have just enough time to shower before it arrives, so let’s run and get ready.”

You were right and there was just enough time to quickly wash the day - and Jungkook’s sweat - away. You set up the coffee table while he went to get the pizza, knowing it would be hot and he would almost drop it entering the apartment as usual. You sat side by side on the floor in front of the small table, turning the television on to the show you have been binging, your backs propped up against the sofa.

Jungkook was usually very strict with his diet, being mindful of the food he ingested to maintain his physique and try to lower his body fat percentage - which was crazy to you, his muscles were already prominent and he seemed to get only bigger… how were you supposed to leave the house to work when you had your bun looking like that, especially early mornings, his hooded half-open eyes almost smiling at you wishing you a good day at work. Your fridge was always full of fresh and cut-up vegetables, fruit, and greens, catering to his diet (and you had to admit you have been eating much better since he entered your life). Sometimes you thought it was all his difficulties from before, his time spent in the shelter, that he had such a love for a cheesy hot pizza every once in a while during the weekend.

And how could you say no to him when he purposefully lowered his ears, pouted, and widened his big round eyes even more to convince you?

3. Explore new things together

“Come on baby, you said you wanted to try this. It’s just us now.”

“Y… yes, noona. It’s just so… big.” Jungkook’s eyes were wide open, looking at the size of the pool in the club. For as much of a muscle bunny he was, the sheer magnitude of the pool seemed to scare him.

He first brought up the idea when you were watching tv a few days ago, some random program late at night showing people on a beach, and Jungkook had seemed to be fixated on the screen. He wanted to visit the sea, for he had never been there before. You agreed to it, but you had to admit that you were scared too, so you compromised: you would start your water adventures at a pool, so he could test things out, see if he truly enjoyed being in the water and swimming.

A few calls later there you were, standing by the water. You picked a time when they said people weren’t usually in - it even involved getting a day off work so you could go this early, but you would do everything for Jungkook. You looked at him, observant, watching his reactions carefully. His ears were down the back of his head, his hands clenched together in front of his shirtless torso, his front teeth worrying into his bottom lip. You took one of his hands into yours and started taking him in the direction of the small ladder to enter the pool. For a moment you wanted to jump in, but you didn’t want to make him even more nervous.

“It’s okay, bun, we’re going into the shallower part so most of your body will be above the water, ok?”

He nodded, but still seemed hesitant to get in, waiting for you to do it first. You stepped down the small ladder, showing him that almost half of your body was above the water, that he would be safe and didn’t need to worry about this part. The water was on the warmer side; you thought going for the hot pool was the best idea to help him feel comfortable at first. He stepped in feet by feet, slowly, his nose scrunched, but the moment he felt the warmth on his feet it was like magic: his ears shot up and his eyes widened in surprise, his mouth coming into a small circle.

You smiled encouragingly and stepped back, giving him some space, seeing him put one of his feet to the bottom and then the other, grounding himself. He was taller than you and he noticed the difference in the level of the water surrounding you. You lowered your body, telling him you were doing it first so as not to frighten him and submerged yourself to get your hair wet. When you emerged, you saw his eyes were wide again, but his ears were not down as before. There was a glint of curiosity in his expression and you nodded in encouragement for him to try it out.

“It’s just like when you wet your hair in the tube, bun. Here, hold on to my hands and remember to hold your breath.”

He did so, holding them tightly in his fists as he bent his knees and lowered his body. You chuckled slightly when you saw that half of his ears were still out of the water, so you quickly untangled one of your hands from his and lightly pressed on them so they were submerged too. He got up and shook his head, water droplets flying everywhere. He started laughing when he saw you put your hands in your eyes, and you couldn’t help but laugh along with him.

“Good?”

“Yes, noona, it’s good.”

“Are you ready to go a bit deeper?” His long ears perked up at your question, but his face seemed apprehensive. “Not much, we’re not swimming today, just going a bit more so you can maybe try floating.” His head moved up and down, agreeing to the idea, and you couldn’t help but think it was so cute the way his ears moved too.

You grabbed both his hands again so you were looking at each other as you slowly started to step back further into the deeper part of the pool. You didn’t rush, letting him adjust to the increasing level of the water, and only moved when he seemed comfortable. Jungkook always loved to have baths, so you figured he would love going to the pool too, especially a hot one. His smile got wider with each step, feeling more confident and safe with you. When the water hit your shoulders, you stopped and let his hands go.

“Bun, let’s try floating, ok? We’re starting small today, so you can just come closer and put your arms around my shoulders.” You said as you turned your back to him, and almost immediately you felt his arms around you. “Good! Now try letting your feet rise from the floor, let your body float a little.”

He tentatively lifted his feet, clinging to you harder as his body moved with the slow slushing of the water.

“I’ve got you, Kook,” you said as you pressed your hands to his. “I’m not letting go. Trust me, bun. Kick your feet back and put your weight on me.”

You felt him kick the water behind you, his strong arms flexing as he let his weight fall onto you. You knew the moment he started to float and enjoyed it; he pressed his face against your neck and started giggling, and when you looked at him, his nose was scrunched with happiness. His long ears were slightly facing backward, his eyes half-closed, and his little tail wiggling. You walked around the same area of the pool while he kicked his feet behind him, laughing freely as he enjoyed himself. As soon as you taught him to swim you would be taking a small holiday on the beach; you wanted to see this joy in him forever.

This moment was worth everything.

4. Make sure they are getting enough attention

“Morning, noona.”

You heard his voice, so gentle and still thick from sleep, waking up to the sound and the small kisses, his lips softly pressing against the back of your neck, his nose smelling your hair, his warm chest pressed against your back. You made an attempt to move your body but he tightened his arms around you.

“No moving yet, noona.”

“Morning, bun. What are you doing?”

“Just making sure you’re not going to leave my arms today,” he started, and you noticed his voice was heavy with emotion.

“Bun?”

He stayed quiet, hiding his face on your shoulder blades, and you did not say anything else until you felt it, until you felt them. There were small droplets of tears falling on your skin, and you turned around quickly to look at him fighting his embrace. Your hands immediately went to his face, wiping his cheeks, seeing him close his eyes and just quietly crying. Whenever he got like this, he would usually be quieter, needing to talk in his own time, so you did not ask him anything else, giving him space to let his feelings out. All you did was press your forehead against his and wipe his tears with your thumbs, and when you saw he would not stop so soon, you hugged him, letting your shirt dampen without caring about it. The moment you cradled his head against your chest, sobs started to wreck his body, making him shake and you could feel tears gathering in your own eyes. You had no idea how long you were like that, slowly caressing his hair, minding his long ears, but all that mattered was Jungkook. Slowly you felt his body starting to shake less, his hard sobs turning into small hiccups as he almost clawed at your back, needing to be closer to you.

“You’re… you’re not leaving me, right, noona?” His voice was quiet, but his question was too loud in the silence of the bedroom on a Saturday morning.

“Jungkook… no, love, I’m not leaving you,” your heart started to crackle with this question, and you pressed him against you even more. “Why, why do you think that, bun?”

He sniffled, pressing his nose against you and inhaling deeply, then said, his tone still small, “I’m feeling lonely… this past week…”

“Oh, Kook…” it seemed impossible, but you held him even closer to you, “I’ve been just too busy and exhausted from work, I know I got here yesterday and you were already in bed… I’m sorry, I’m sorry...”

He sniffled again and you felt a new wave of fresh tears wetting your clothes.

“I thought…” he started, but his voice faltered. “I thought I made you mad. I thought you were angry at me… and that…” there was a small sob that shook his entire body, “I was scared, noona, I was scared you were going to take me back.”

You could not stop your own tears from falling on top of his head; you had no idea he had felt that way. You had tried texting him during the day whenever you could have a moment for yourself at work throughout this insane week, but again and again, they demanded more hours from you and you did not have the chance to say no. Jungkook was still finding his freedom and footing in the world, and it had worried you that you had to leave him to spend more time by himself than usual. But you never expected this reaction, and you made up your mind. They could ask someone else at work, why did it always have to be you?

“No, Kook… Listen, bun,” your voice trembled, so you paused to be more stable when talking to him. “I’m so sorry you were alone this week, this is not going to happen again, I promise. And the day you came home with me I made a promise, remember? I’m never taking you back unless you want to go.”

He shook his head quickly, signaling his opposition to the idea.

“I don’t want you to go either, bun. I love you, and I’m sorry again.”

He finally looked at you, murmuring I love you too, a small smile gracing his lips. Your chest was starting to feel lighter, starting to relax after being so worried at his crying. You had never seen him like this, and you never wanted to see it again.

“What do you need from me, bun?” you said and kissed his forehead, letting your lips linger for a brief second.

“Can we just… stay in bed today? I want to stay like this in your arms, I missed you too much, noona.”

“Whatever you want, love, I’m yours.”

“I never want to leave this bed,” he whined, burrowing closer to you, and you noticed that even though his face was swollen from the tears and his voice was hoarse, his ears were more relaxed than they were before; they were tense in a way that was new to you.

“What about food? And I’m sorry, you’re not using this bed as a toilet, ok?” you tried to lighten the mood and it worked, the sound of his delightful chuckle filling the room, and you laughed along. But you understood and agreed. You never wanted to leave this bed. And at least for the day, you would only leave when necessary, needing to feel him in your embrace and carefully observe as he truly started to believe in you, leaving his worries in the past.

5. Love them unconditionally

The first time it happened was purely accidental. You were cuddling on the sofa, watching television, your hand caressing his hair when you felt his entire body tremble with such force that you stopped and looked at him, your hands away from him.

“Jungkook, bun, what… did I hurt you?”

You were worried; his arms were crossed in front of his body and his hands clasped together tightly on his lap. His doe-like eyes were more expressive than ever, open wide, his long ears were down, and he seemed to still be shivering. What had you done? You noticed there was a pink hue starting to tint his cheeks and neck and when you kept staring at him, you saw that he tried to make himself smaller. You felt tears start to gather in the corners of your eyes, fearful that you had done something to remind him of his life before, as he usually referred to the time that preceded the shelter.

“I’m sorry, Jungkook. I’m so sorry, just tell me what I did so I don’t do it again.”

“You didn’t…” he started, his voice slightly higher-pitched than usual. He cleared his throat and continued, his eyes wandering around the living room,  “you… I…”

You nodded, trying to encourage him to speak, needing to know what went wrong.

“Noona… my ears… my bunny ears, they’re, hm, too sensitive,” he said, blushing harder, and he shuddered.

Oh.

Oh. Your gaze shifted downwards, and you could see his hands were trying to conceal his erection. You licked your lips unconsciously, and his eyes seemed to get even bigger.

“Bad sensitive or good sensitive?”

He looked down at your question, clenching his hands and pressing them on his crotch, but said “Good sensitive, I think?”

You scooted a little closer to him on the couch but still did not touch him. “Talk to me, bun,” you said softly, feeling that the subject was delicate, but you wanted to know whether or not to bring it up again, whether or not you could touch him like that.

“Noona… no one ever touched them like this before, like you,” he seemed hesitant, but continued nonetheless, “you don’t hurt me. You like it, you like me, right?”

You did not think twice before enveloping him into a hug, pressing him tight against you, overwhelmed with emotions at his question.

“I love you, Jungkook. Every part of you.” You had a feeling that this was what he needed to hear. It was not often that you saw him being insecure anymore, and it tugged on your heart uncomfortably. “You don’t ever have to feel bad with me, ok? I love you,” you repeated, emphasizing, trying to comfort him.

“I love you too, Y/n,” his voice continued soft, but he looked a tiny percentage more confident. “I think… at some point… maybe…” he looked at you, and you nodded again for him to continue. “I think I might want you to touch them when we’re, you know,” he wiggled his eyebrows up and down, chuckling, and there he was, getting back to you.

You laughed with him. It was unusual seeing him this shy in talking about sex, as he was definitely not shy at all performing it or even talking about it most of the time, but you understood this was a different issue.

“Only if it will make you feel good, bun, you know I don’t want to hurt you or make you uncomfortable,” you took his hand and held it, caressing the back of it with your thumb, and he nodded.

The next time it happened was not accidental at all, and it caught you by surprise.

You were already in bed, whispering sweet nothings as sleep didn’t reach you. The kiss started innocent enough, his lips pressing softly against yours while his hands stopped at your lower back, pulling you towards his body. His tongue caressed your lower lip and you opened your mouth, deepening the kiss as you pressed your body closer to his. His leg nudged its way between yours, and shortly after he rolled over you, his underwear not able to conceal his erection and you felt it directly where you needed it as he grabbed your leg and wrapped it around his waist.

His kisses moved down to your neck, nipping and sucking, his hips subtly moving, stimulating you. You grabbed his hair as he descended, lifting your tank top, softly sucking on your nipples as his hands started to lower your panties. He wasted no time, licking your slit from bottom to top, pausing to circle your clit before putting his lips around it and sucking rhythmically as one of his fingers teased your opening, slowly moving in and out. It wasn’t long until you felt your orgasm building that your hands grabbed his hair, pulling him up and towards you.

“I want you in me,” you whispered against his lips, tasting yourself, you needed to feel him.

He nodded and quickly removed his underwear, throwing it haphazardly behind him. He moved back between your legs, lowering his body on top of yours as you crossed your legs on his waist, helping the angle. His cock started to press into you and you felt the delicious stretch, inch by inch. His thickness filled you perfectly; you could almost feel the veiny lines that adorned the underside of his cock pressed on your walls, and whenever his hips made those small sharp trusts, the upwards curve of his erection put some pressure just right where your sweet spot was.

It was sweet and slow, your mouths connected in a seemingly never-ending kiss, his hips moving without rush, the pleasure building unhurriedly and constantly, his weight on top of you heightening the feelings. You started canting your hips with his, your languid movements following his rhythm, and his hand reached to yours, intertwined your fingers. He broke the kiss, looking into your eyes as he directed your hand to his hair. You immediately entangled your fingers on his dark strands, tugging on it and he moaned, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them again and stopping the movements of his hips. Before you could ask what happened, he pushed your fingers from his hair, shaking his head softly and smiling. Still staring, he lowered his head and made your fingertips graze against one of his long ears, almost a ghost-like touch. You opened your mouth in surprise and let out a loud moan at the same time, as your first touch on that sensitive part of his made him snap his hips hard once against yours.

A shiver perpassed his body, probably due to the intensity of the touch, but he looked at you and nodded, and so you did not hesitate. Your other hand went to his head too, so you could gently caress his bunny ears; he trembled again but started moving his hips, this time with more urgency and small whines came out of his mouth in between kisses on your neck. One of his hands sneaked between your bodies, his thumb circling your clit, pressing on it, needing you to get closer, the intensity of his orgasm starting to overwhelm him. You were already close, so close to it, but you wanted him to reach his peak with you.

“Can I…” you pause to moan, feeling the edge approaching, “can I touch your tail too?”

He seemed so lost in the moment that you had to repeat the question, the need clear in your voice, and upon hearing it again, he did not hesitate in moaning out an affirmation, curious to see what it would feel like. You waited until you were at the brink of the precipice, your right hand going down his body, his back. And just as a sharp snap of hips hit you just right, snapping the coil of your orgasm, your fingers reached the fluffy tail. Feeling your touch, Jungkook let out a loud shout and stopped his hips, his cock deep inside you as you felt him pulse and his entire body trembled. He fell on top of you as aftershocks still ran through his figure, little high-pitched moans leaving his lips. You were not sure how long you were like that, legs entangled, your fingers caressing his back soothingly as your own body calmed down from the intense orgasm.

“Jungkook?”

“I’m…” he moaned out, “good. We’re doing this again as soon as I have control over my body, okay?”

You chuckled and he moaned for you to stop, the tiniest of movements overwhelming his senses. The next time you giggled at a comment he made, he turned you over, pushing your upper body into the bed and hoisting your hips up, and you certainly did not laugh anymore that night.

+1: Expect to be surprised by them

You heard the commotion outside on the street and you ran out of the apartment to the front door of the small building to see what it was about, and you opened it just in time to see Jungkook stepping out of the cause of the noise.

“Bun, what’s all this?”

“Oh hi noona! Surprise!”

It was indeed a surprise. This morning you had woken up and could not find Jungkook anywhere so you assumed he had gone for a run, but apparently not. There he was standing and waving at you in front of a camper van, a huge smile on his face, his long ears perked up. You could see your neighbors, Taehyung and his cat hybrid Jimin next to him, a sheepish expression on Taehyung’s face and a smile as big as Jungkook’s on Jimin’s lips.

“We’re going camping, noona!” Jungkook said as he approached you, enveloping you into his arms. “You’ve been so tired from work and now that you have a break, I thought we could go camping and have some fun…”

“Right now?” You asked, a little overwhelmed, but starting to get excited about the idea.

“Yes! Taehyung-hyung called up this place and rented the van, we got groceries, and Jimin even helped me pick a new coat for you, noona, I know you needed one.”

You felt your eyes tear up. You were so used to taking care of Jungkook and putting him in the first place that it was strange having someone take care of you like this. But this was Jungkook, you should have expected that. The day you brought him home from the shelter, he had said he would take care of you just as much as you would take care of him. You kissed him softly, pressing him against your body, and you whispered a thank you low in his ear.

“I love you, noona. Now let’s get your things ready, we have to get going, or else Tae-hyung said he is going to play all his old records in this player he brought the entire trip,” he stated wide-eyed and clearly hinting that he definitely did not want that.

You chuckled, knowing how picky Jungkook was with everything - his food, his clothes, his music. You took his hand and pulled him into the house, waving to the other boys at the front, signaling you would be out in a minute. You quickly packed a bag with Jungkook’s help and you waited as he got his camera and equipment bag, not forgetting the aux cord, set on not letting the other boys have control over the music.

What you would find only later on that evening is that for the first night, Taehyung and Jimin would set their tent a little far from the camp, giving you two some space for the date Jungkook had planned. A bottle of your favorite wine, Jungkook cooking a simple dinner by the fire camp, the bun’s eyes shining brightly as he scrunched his nose, and his small tail wagging slowly to the rhythm of a Frank Sinatra record under the moonlight.

--

Hope you enjoyed it and if you want to read more, how about finding out about the first time bun!Jungkook went to the beach?

[five-rivers]

@lucifer-is-a-bag-of-dicks came up with this op!Danny/Marvel AU!

BTW I need help naming this newest proof that I can't keep anything to a short little one-shot.

.

Loki was not, and never had been, a good man. For that matter, whether or not he’d ever been a good boy was debatable. His mother would argue that he had, but she would very likely be the only one. Well, except for Thor, perhaps, but that was because he was an idiot who could drown in three inches of nostalgia. Like he didn’t remember every time Loki had humiliated him. Maybe he didn’t, for all that he kept falling for the same trick over and over again.

It made Loki’s late nights studying the arts of illusion, misdirection, and lying seem redundant. Almost. Not everyone was as dense as his big brother.

No. Loki had never been a good man. He had, however, been a free man.

Free to run or hide. Free to explore the nooks and crannies of Asgard, to uncover her secrets in ways few cared to do. Free to walk hidden paths between the Nine Realms and even farther flung territories, where his people did not and had never ruled, to play games, make deals, have adventures, take risks. To be. To exist as his own creature.

He had been free. He had.

But on one of those little secret excursions, he had discovered something that had made even his flippant, slippery heart clench with fear. A ravening plague, spreading across the stars. The death of half of everything on the horizon.

Loki was not a good man. What cause did he have to care for all the sundry others in the universe? There were too many. It was too much to ask.

But Asgard—His home, even though the had long ago realized the blood in his veins originated on very different soil. That was different.

Asgard, he could help. Asgard could survive.

But it had to be strong. It had to have strong allies. None of this barely-held peace, this enemy eternally at their gates. It needed strong leadership. Not his brother’s simplistic view and longing for the glory of war.

Loki was not a good man. But he was one who could get things done.

Before he knew it, he had burned all his bridges behind him. In one case, a literal bridge that was literally broken.

And he fell.

And he fell.

And he fell right into the hands of the one he had feared enough to do this. Broken enough for poison to drip into the cracks. No one knew where he was, no one could know where he was, except, perhaps, Heimdal, and Loki sincerely doubted Heimdal cared. No one was coming for him. No one was looking for him. No rescue was forthcoming.

He was alone.

Asgardians were considered gods for a reason. Their bodies and minds were much more resilient than the average mortal’s. But Thanos’s people had been titans, and there was a reason for that, too.

Thanos enjoyed breaking him.

And Loki turned his lies on himself. A skilled master of games always had one gifted opponent, even alone. Hadn’t he wanted to rule? To command? To see a world, any world, prostrate at his feet? To be given the recognition and praise of which he was so worth?

To pull something, anything, out of the fire?

(If he had spent less time learning how to spin lies and more on how to see the truth, he might not have believed it. A better, wiser, man would have. But Loki was not a good man. And he was very skilled in his craft.)

So, his new master put a weapon in his hands, and he went off to conquer a world.

.

Danny was used to rude awakenings. He was used to those rude awakenings being full body chills and ghosts, not someone knocking on his door.

Blearily, he pulled himself out from under the blankets. Quasi-military government facility or not, the beds were comfortable. Maybe Mom or Dad had gotten themselves locked out of their room? Or Jazz—No, not Jazz, she hadn’t come with them. She was at college, not being flown places by Mom and Dad’s suspiciously generous new consulting job.

At least it wasn’t the GIW.

He stood on tiptoe (curse his perpetually short body) to peer out the peephole. His parents’ buff, one-eyed, and incredibly imposing new boss stood in front of the door, hands on his hips, slightly sweeping back his long dark coat. If Danny listened carefully, he could hear two other people near the door, and… was that an alarm? Yes. Faint, but present, was a warning klaxon.

Okay. Danny would bet his right arm that something had gone horribly wrong with whatever his parents were consulting on. Didn’t explain why the boss was in front of his door.

Unless they’d gotten the rooms mixed up, somehow?

Ugh. Danny wasn’t paid enough to deal with this.

He opened the door. “What-?”

“Phantom,” intoned eyepatch guy with great solemnity.

Danny immediately tried to close the door. The guy stuck his foot in the jamb, and, sure, Danny could have crushed it, but that would be a jerk move. He didn’t think this guy was going for a pirate look, after all.

“We need your help.”

.

“I’m not sure what you think I can help you with,” yelled Danny over the beating of the helicopter blades. He’d remained stubbornly in human form. “My parents are the scientists. This sounds like a science thing. Not a punching-people thing.”

“We spoke to them earlier,” said Fury, “and we have plenty of scientists working on the theories they brought up. You’re the one with practical experience.”

“Practical experience in what?”

“Interdimensional portals,” said the woman, who had yet to introduce herself.

As if this whole thing wasn’t already giving him a bad feeling. “My parents built an interdimensional portal. Again, you should be talking to them. They’re the ones you’re paying.”

“We could pay you, too,” said Fury, “but we assumed you would want to avoid letting your parents know about this, as you’re still a minor and they have control of your bank accounts.”

Danny stared flatly. “This is blackmail.”

“We aren’t threatening you,” pointed out the woman.

“Emotional blackmail,” said Danny, glaring, daring her to challenge him on whether or not he actually knew what blackmail was.

In the meantime, the helicopter landed. Danny unbuckled and hopped out, trailing slightly awkwardly behind Fury and the woman. He didn’t want to stand out, but he suspected that, being the only kid here and being in the general vicinity of Fury, who radiated authority, that was a lost cause.

“This is Agent Coulson. Coulson, this is Phantom.”

Danny’s mouth went dry(er) at how casual the introduction was. His eyes went nervously to all the other people running around the field. With all the noise, it was unlikely anyone had heard, but still…

“Can you not? Secret identity and all? Unless you’ve told everyone herealready, which, rude.”

Fury sighed. “How bad is it?” he asked Coulson.

“We’re not sure,” said Coulson. “That’s the problem. Big fan of your work, by the way,” he added as an aside to Danny. He glanced at the woman. “Agent Hill.”

“Background?” asked Fury as he led the way into the building.

“The first energy surge was four hours ago. Dr. Selvig’s equipment picked it up – He’s the head scientist on this project.”

“Dr. Selvig isn’t authorized to test,” said Fury. “We wanted to run his plans by the Fentons.”

“He wasn’t testing. He wasn’t even in the room. He called it ‘spontaneous advancement.’”

“It turned itself on?”

“What are the energy levels?” asked Fury before Hill’s question could be answered.

“Climbing,” said Coulson.

“Mr. Fenton,” said Fury, “any comments?”

“Look, I don’t even know what this thing that you built looks like or what it’s a door to.” Danny frowned as a thought occurred to him. “You’re not expecting me to fight whatever comes out of it, are you? Because, unless you’ve got a ghost portal down there, I can’t make guarantees.”

“It’s called the Tesseract,” said Coulson. “It’s supposed to be a connection to the other side of space. A source of unlimited energy. At least,” there was a note of humor in his voice despite the evacuation taking place around them, “that’s what the scientists say.”

“A door to space?” asked Danny, firmly shoving down his excitement at the prospect. “Like, a Stargate?” It was no good, he could practically feel himself sparkling. He took a firm grip of his core and reminded himself he might need to fight before the end of the day.

“Well, no,” said Coulson. “It’s this little… cube… thing.” He made a shape with his hands.

“Oh,” said Danny, mind still whirring. “You know, if it’s really a tesseract, it isn’t a cube in just three dimensions, so bigger things could come out of it than you’d think.” He’d seen some weird portals in the Ghost Zone.

“Well, right now, we’re just getting energy.” They entered a large room with an extremely sci-fi setup. It looked like they were planning to shoot some kind of laser across the room onto a platform surrounded by strange-looking panels. There were men with guns scattered around in what was probably a well thought out formation Danny couldn’t see. There was also a dude with a bow sitting up in the rafters. He frowned down at Danny as he noticed Danny noticing him.

“Dr. Selvig!”

“Director!”

“What do we know?”

Danny allowed himself to be distracted by the centerpiece of the room, a piece of machinery built around what was indeed a little cube thing. He tilted his head and approached, trying to get a better view of it around the people in lab coats and protective gear currently swarming it. He caught mention of radiation a grimaced.

It was unlikely to kill him, but, really, everyone here should probably be wearing more PPE. You never knew what was going to come out of an interdimensional portal, after all. Except trouble. Trouble was a pretty safe bet.

It was pretty. Blue. Reminded him a little of a blue raspberry ice pop. Part of him wanted to lick it. Which was stupid. He didn’t want to wind up half what-ever-lived-on-the-other-side on top of his regular ghost nonsense.

“Mr. Fenton?”

Danny jumped and turned, refocusing on the adults, who had multiplied while he’d been daydreaming. The guy with the bow had joined them.

“Mr. Fenton? Like the Doctors Fenton I spoke to earlier?” asked Selvig.

“Yeah, it’s—”

This, of course, was when everything decided to explode. Sort of.

The blue cube shot out a beam of energy that had more than a little in common with the Fenton Bazooka’s portal setting. The beam terminated on the platform, a portal rapidly forming.

Danny slid into a fighting stance, and barely even noticed as blue energy washed over the room, throwing many less-prepared people back.

Something shaped like a man stepped through the portal.

Danny did not break his stance. Still. “An alien,” he whispered, eyes wide. If they were friendly, maybe they’d answer his questions about space. If they weren’t friendly, maybe they’d answer his questions about space after Danny beat them up.

(Danny did not go ghost. Did not even think about going ghost. There were too many people here, and the space was too open.)

Fury attempted to negotiate. Danny approved. Not everything that came through an interdimensional portal was necessarily evil.

Except this guy apparently was. Go figure. He could also deflect bullets and was very good with throwing knives, which led to Danny having to pull several of the gun guys out of their own line of fire as well as the alien’s line of knife. Who would have thought an alien’s weapon of choice would be throwing knives? The energy-blasting spear was much more in line with his expectations.

The bow guy proved to be more competent than the gun guys. This didn’t really surprise Danny. Bow guy sort of had to be competent. Otherwise, no way would they let him go around with a bow. Like, seriously. A bow.

Even so, bow guy was fighting an alien and—

“You have heart,” said the alien, raising the spear.

Danny pushed bow guy out of the way, and his mind fuzzed out.

(The human part of it, anyway.)

.

Loki didn’t know what a child was doing here, and he didn’t particularly care. The boy would do for a hostage, at least. He had a mission he had to fulfil, or else…

Or else.

“Please don’t,” he said turning with a shadow of his usual lazy affect, vaguely insulted that the human thought he could be sneaker that him, “I still need that.”

The human went on and on, apparently burdened with the delusion that he was on the same level as Loki.

Loki was burdened with other things. A glorious purpose. Glad tidings. Freedom. What could be better than freedom?

“A world free from what?” asked the human.

“From freedom,” said Loki, and wasn’t that what he believed, now? Wasn’t that what he’d been shown? “Freedom is life’s great lie.” He would know. He was an excellent liar. “Once you accept that, in your heart—” He batted away an arrow and tsked. “Shield me, boy,” he demanded. Had Thanos misrepresented the scepter’s powers? Or was the boy merely—

A dome of green surrounded him and the boy, thrumming with magic the likes of which he had only seen once, in a tome thrice forbidden.

“Oh,” said Loki, almost purring. “You are interesting. What are you?”

“Half human, half ghost,” replied the boy, tersely.

Loki had never heard of such a creature. No matter. He’d be sure to make good use of him.

“Grab the scientist,” he said, nodding at the balding man who had been with his brother when he’d fought the Destroyer in the desert.

Loki wanted the archer. He seemed interesting. Useful.

.

Fenton was under thrall. Phantom knew what that felt like. A hundred feet under red water, trying not to drown, whispers everywhere. Pulling. Pushing. Prodding.

This was different, but the principle was the same.

Neither half of him could truly ‘fight’ the other. Fenton and Phantom were a single entity. Not two in lockstep. Even so.

Fenton grabbed onto Dr. Selvig, as ordered. Phantom made sure that was all they did.

“What are you doing, boy?” snapped Loki. “Follow me! Bring the scientist.”

And so, they followed.

.

Loki breathed. Acquiring Barton had been the right choice. The boy was powerful, but, perhaps because of his unique biology, did not have Barton’s presence of mind, and couldn’t have led him to such wonderful allies.

Allies.

These weren’t truly his allies. Nor were they subjects. They were…

Loki forced himself to breathe. He just had to follow the mission. Follow the mission, let Thanos’s army through. He’d been promised this world. He would have this world.

And then he could be… His mind stuttered over the next word, and he shook his head, trying to drive out the painful buzz of Thanos’s herald and mouthpiece trying to contact him.

He looked up at the drones bustling around, all according to his will. Except the boy, who stared at him, somehow managing to be both utterly blank and challenging at the same time.

He was alone, here.

He was alone.

But what did it matter? Bad men always wound up alone, and Loki… Loki could never be a good man.

[stolen-pen-name23]

hiii idk if u still take prompts but "i’m never going to let [her/him/them] hurt you again" for Obitine?

Ahhh thank you for the prompt! This is actually the last prompt in my inbox! I'll open up prompts again soon, but for now, I'm going to try and focus on a few bigger projects.

This one got away from me, so you can read the whole thing under the cut, or read on Ao3!

---

When he is brought to her, it is like he isn’t even there.

“What’s wrong with him?” Satine asks when Anakin stumbles down the ramp of his ship, Obi-Wan slung over his shoulders. His eyes are open but vacant, almost as though in death.

“He was drugged,” Anakin growls.

“What did they give him?” she asks.

Anakin’s eyes are dark with rage. “I don’t know. But I can assure you, Duchess, that the ones who did this to him are dead.”

Satine bristles.

“Self-defense, my lady,” Anakin says before she can say anything about fair trials or neutral zones.

“Uh-huh,” Satine accepts mildly, paying more attention to Obi-Wan and his current state.

“Is there a medical facility here?” Anakin asks.

“I sent for healers as soon as you called,” Satine says. “They’re awaiting him in my quarters.”

“Thank you, Duchess,” Anakin says, the tight line of his jaw softening ever so slightly. “Lead the way.”

Satine leads Anakin through the palace entrance and down the long and winding corridors that lead to her quarters. Guards flank them on either side, though Satine thinks their presence to be unnecessary with Anakin there — even if he is carrying another Jedi with him.

By the time they reach her rooms, Anakin is panting. Despite his obvious exhaustion, he sets Obi-Wan down with gentle care.

Obi-Wan is fully unconscious now — a fact Satine is grateful for. The vacant staring was unsettling, especially coming from Obi-Wan whose eyes were always so full of life and curiosity. Conversely, a wild look still lingers in Anakin’s eyes, and it flashes as healers descend upon them.

“Can you tell us what happened?” one of the healers asks Anakin.

“He was captured by some Separatist scum. I found him, but he was drugged. I… I can barely feel him,” Anakin says, panic finding its way back into his voice.

The healer whips her head up and looks at him more closely. “Are you okay? Were you drugged too?”

“What?” Anakin asks. “No, I was never—”

“These two are Jedi,” Satine interrupts. “They share a mental bond. They can sense each other through it.”

“Ah,” the healer says. Whether the healer feels any ill-will towards the Jedi, as many Mandalorians do, she does not give it away. She continues to work dutifully on her charge.

“What are you doing to him?” Anakin asks as the healer begins drawing blood and waving scanners over Obi-Wan’s body.

“We’re just running some tests. We need to figure out what he was drugged with. I don’t want to give him anything that might mix poorly with what he was given.”

Anakin nods, but Satine can still see the way he clenches his fist and jaw.

“We need you two to give us some room,” the healer says, before she seemingly remembers who she is speaking to. “Respectfully, Duchess,” she adds.

“Of course,” Satine says graciously. She takes a step back, but sees Anakin frozen in place. Gently, she grabs his elbow and nudges him along. He follows her to the edge of the room, where they wait for the healers to help Obi-Wan.

Satine doesn’t know how long they stand there, hovering awkwardly from afar, when a scanner goes off.

The healer picks up the scanner and examines it. “Good,” she says to herself.

“What was that? Anakin asks.

“The results from his blood test. The drug they gave him was a pretty heavy-duty sedative. Not the type we use in med centers and certainly not comfortable, but it won’t kill him. He’s going to be groggy and confused when he wakes up, but he’ll be fine.”

Satine and Anakin let out a breath at the same time.

“You two can stay here with him if you wish. We’ll check up on him in a few hours, but do send for us if he wakes up or appears to need medical attention.

“Thank you,” Satine says, bowing her head.

Satine sits on a chair beside the bed and Anakin paces around.

“Anakin,” Satine says calmly. “You heard the healer as well as I did. He’s going to be alright.”

Anakin pauses in his pacing and moves to stand next to where Satine is sitting. “I know. I just… I can barely feel him,” he repeats. “I was… when they first drugged him, I thought…”

“I’m sorry, Anakin,” Satine said sympathetically, standing to meet his gaze. “But he’s alright.”

Anakin offers a small nod and takes a shaky breath. Satine notices the dark circles under his eyes and the unusual pallor of his skin. “You should rest.”

“I’m not leaving him,” Anakin says stubbornly.

“He’ll be just fine right here. Anakin, you’re exhausted. I don’t need to be bonded to you to see that,” Satine says.

“Why are you…”

She nods her head at Obi-Wan. “He would want me to make sure you’re okay. And I care about your well-being too.”

Anakin blinks his eyes a few times. Whether he’s trying to wake himself up or fight back tears, Satine isn’t sure.

“But, I—”

“Go, Anakin,” she says softly. “You are dead on your feet. Go get something to eat and a couple of hours of sleep. I’ll watch over him while you’re gone, alright?”

Satine watches Anakin’s reluctant gaze fall on Obi-Wan.

“You’ve done enough for him, Anakin,” she insists.

Anakin stares at Obi-Wan for a moment longer.

“You’ll send for me if he wakes up? Or if anything changes?”

“Of course,” Satine says. She turns to a guard. “Take him to the guest quarters, please. Make sure some food is brought to him.”

“Yes, Duchess,” the guard says.

Anakin looks taken aback by the accommodations—unused to such opulence—but he goes along with it easily enough. A guard leads him away, but another guard remains in the room.

“You may leave us,” Satine says.

“Yes, Duchess,” the guard says, though she can see the hesitation in his eyes.

She sits on the bed and leans back against the headboard. She looks down at Obi-Wan where he lays, still asleep.

“What am I going to do with you,” she murmurs, running a hand through his hair.

The hours march on like so many dutiful soldiers and Satine feels them weighing heavily on her. She is about to submit to sleep when Obi-Wan stirs beside her.

“Obi?” she whispers hopefully.

He lets out a quiet whimper, and it is then that Satine notices the sweat coating his brow.

“Hey,” she says quietly. “Obi, wake up.”

If Obi-Wan hears her, he is ignoring her. He tosses his head to the side and a sliver of light from the high windows rests on his face, revealing a tear track. His chest rises and falls rapidly.

“Wake up, Obi-Wan,” she says again, more forcefully this time. His eyes flash open and he blinks at her.

“Are you with me?” Satine asks.

Cloudy eyes look right through her, unfocused and unsure. I guess not, then.

“Come on, snap out of it,” Satine says. “You’re okay.”

“No,” he murmurs weakly. “Stop, stop.”

Satine yanks her hands away from him.

“Obi, please,” Satine says. “Obi-Wan, it’s me.”

Obi-Wan turns his head to her. The fog lifts from his eyes. “Satine?” Obi-Wan asks, confusion still evident in his tone.

“It’s alright now,” Satine soothes. “It was just a nightmare, you’re safe.”

“No, I—”

“Yes. You’re safe,” she reaffirms.

“Where…?”

“You’re in the palace,” she says.

“Palace?”

“My palace. On Mandalore.”

“Why…?”

“You and Anakin were far from Coruscant and you needed medical attention. Mandalore was the closest stopping point to your location. Anakin called me in a bit of a panic. I told him to come.”

“I was with the Separatists,” Obi-Wan says, his fingers clenching around the blankets. “They had me, they…”

“Shhh. It’s alright now. I’m never going to let them hurt you again,” she murmurs, knowing she has no real power to actually keep him safe from the Separatists, but she is willing to say anything to calm the Jedi lying in her bed. “Besides, if I can’t keep you safe, Anakin will surely protect you from them.”

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan says, his eyes flashing with a mix of concern and fondness. “Anakin was here. Where…?”

“I sent him to the guest quarters to get some sleep. He asked me to wake him if you woke up, but I’ll give you a few more minutes to wake up.”

Obi-Wan shakes his head and looks at her incredulously. “You asked him to sleep and he just went?”

“I don’t know what to tell you, my dear. People have a hard time saying no to me. Even your supposedly bull-headed Padawan.”

“There is nothing ‘supposed’ about it,” Obi-Wan says in indignation, becoming more coherent by the minute. “He is bull-headed.”

“Oh, so he does take after you then,” Satine smirks.

Obi-Wan scoffs. “Hardly.”

“Mmhmm.”

Obi-Wan glares at her but tilts his head back, his energy fading once more.

“You should get some more rest.”

“I don’t want to. I’ve been resting.”

“You’ve been drugged. That is not the same as resting.”

“Ah yes,” Obi-Wan says quietly, rubbing his eyes. “That explains a few things.”

Dust dances in the beams of light cascading through the windows. The sweet melody of a bird welcoming the morning permeates the silence that stretches between the Jedi and the Mandalorian. Satine grabs Obi-Wan’s hand and caresses his knuckles with her thumb. He doesn’t shrink away from the touch.

“You know,” she says, breaking the silence, “it seems that every time we are together, one or both of us is always in some form of mortal danger.”

“Yes, well, it certainly keeps our relationship interesting,” Obi-Wan replies. He chuckles lightly to himself.

Satine scoffs and rolls her eyes at him. “That doesn’t make me feel better about it.”

“Well, if it does make you feel better, I’m not in mortal danger anymore.”

“No,” Satine replies, continuing to circle his knuckles with her thumb. “No, you’re safe now.”

Satine hopes it will stay that way, even for just a little bit longer.

[ginanosakka]

We Were Kids

Masterlist

We’re Older Now | Next

“You’re going to make her disappear again, Bakugou!” Mina said, frustration breaking through the tone of her voice as they patrolled the streets together once again.

Ever since Y/N had made her grand appearance back into their lives, Mina and Katsuki talked more than ever. Katsuki needed help taking care of Ryu since this was obviously brand new to him so he’d ask Mina for help on how to handle him, and Mina wanted to be kept updated to make sure he didn’t screw anything up. They were both so unsure on how to help you, especially when you were so closed off about your side of the story. Being around eachother wasn’t as bad as either of them thought though, and they could thank you for making them find that out.

It was talk to Mina about Y/N or Kirishima and something about that didn’t sit right with him.

“She’s not that stupid,” Katsuki grunted in his defense. “I was trying to be fucking nice to her, she knows that.”

That was only kind of a lie, he was trying to be kinder, softer for her. That immense guilt that weighed down his chest everyday since you came back into his life only got heavier the more he chipped away at the walls you put up, because he was beginning to realize that he should have never been your hero. Every memory he had where he thought you were acting spoiled and trying to buy him like your father was, he was able to reevaluate it and see that you were genuinely naive and trying to love him. How the hell could he blame you for being spoiled when that’s how you were raised?

He did almost exactly what he did to Deku to you: project his insecurities.

“What did she say? Did she yell at you?” Mina pressed the topic.

The smile completely washed off your face, replaced with that cold expression he had been given before. Katsuki knew now that it wasn’t who you were — you weren’t cold hearted and ruthless like your father, but you were smart enough to pick up on his mannerisms and use them — but it didn’t fail to bring him back to the bigger picture.

The relationship between you two was severed, he was a thick branch on the root of your trauma, and you were strong enough to pretend it was okay, but you refused to forget.

“Yours? Don’t get ahead of yourself, Dynamight. I can build an empire from ashes, and I can easily turn this life you love so much into a personal hell. I don’t belong to anyone, and I owe nothing to anyone. You on the other hand, owe me your respect and your loyalty if you want to be in your son’s life. If anything you are mine, and from what I’ve been told, that’s not something to be proud of.”

He felt that sharp pain hit his chest again and his lungs tighten, “don’t worry about it.”

Mina rolled her eyes and threw her hands up as they walked. “Did you tell her about the press conference today? She hasn’t even considered staying at your place yet.” Katsuki stopped in his tracks as her sentence finished, his whole body frozen in step and Mina face-palmed.

“She’s totally going to kill you.”

The noise from the television playing Ryu’s favorite channel broadcasting hero events was barely audible over the sounds of him stomping and imitating noises of guns and his explosions going off. You expected that your wooden coffee table would once again have his footprints on them, and some of his toys would be scattered on the floor mimicking hurt heroes. Hopefully your couches would still be brown and without burn marks when you went back out there, but that concern was easily put to rest by the one who currently had his eyes on your son while you made them snacks in the kitchen.

You finished platting the carrots and grapes — Ryu would refuse to eat any snack if grapes weren’t included in the mix — and grabbed the two plates with varying portions of the snack you threw together before walking back out into the “war zone”. The moment you were in view with a plate Ryu was at your legs, hopping up and down in anticipation for his afternoon snack he probably desperately needed from all the constant running he did. You put his plate on the coffee table for him to sit on the floor and eat, hopefully without playing around with it, and took a few more steps to the couch where your unexpected guest sat.

“Thank, Y/N! You didn’t have to make me one too,” Kirishima grinned, flashing you all of his sharp teeth in appreciation.

You smiled softly, “it’s really no problem. You’re the only visitor I have that doesn’t cause me unwanted stress, so feel free to make yourself comfortable.”

Kirishima watched you take a seat on the floor next to your child, the one that looked nothing like you, but like the boy that broke your heart. He watched as you smiled at him eating, picking up the pieces of food he’d drop onto the tables, and running your hands through his hair and fixing it to your liking. It was so clear what your priority was — what your life centered around. It was nostalgic because he had seen that look on your face before; with Katsuki.

He couldn’t shake the realization now; you had always been a decent person. When Katsuki would talk down about you as if you were less than, it had nothing to do with who you really were, and had everything to do with the image he had projected on you. What made him feel worse is how he saw how much you loved Bakugou — not only Bakugou, but Mina too — and he still somehow believed what Katsuki was saying. He was the only one of his friends that didn’t feel right using you like that. He watched them all, Kaminari, Sero, Uraraka, and even Momo, but never voiced a single concern.

“I’m sorry.” He gasped as he tried to contain the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. He had to close his eyes and clutch his knees, but even that couldn’t stop the waterfall from pouring down his eyes. “I can’t imagine what you must have felt when. . how lonely you must have been. . “

“Red Rio-“ Kirishima cut Ryu off.

“I don’t deserve that hero name when I did something so unmanly!”

“Kirishima!” You scolded, standing up and guiding Ryu to go into the kitchen, giving him a look that told him to just stay put and you’ll speak to him later.

Going back into the living room, you shook your head at the crying man on your couch. This wasn’t something you expected from him, but then again he had more emotional awareness than any of the people involved at a young age. You couldn’t help but wonder what he uses to think of you, what Katsuki told him you were truly like when you two were alone. Seeing him cry and apologize in a fit of obvious guilt didn’t make you feel good, and the thought of it being Katsuki doing the apologizing didn’t bring you any kind of comfort either.

But why?

You took a seat next to Kirishima with your hands cupped together on your lap. “Growing up, I wanted to be just like my dad. . He was this amazing business man that was good at everything, and no one could tell him anything, you know? He made it seem like the only way to succeed was to crush someone else, to have more money than everyone else, and that shaped who I was.” You recalled, going back through your memory as best as you could the same way you did when you sat alone in a hotel room with nothing but pain and resentment.

“All of you saw me like I wanted to be seen, whether I want to admit that or not, it’s true. They did exactly what anyone would have done to me as soon as I stepped into my father’s shoes if I had stayed naive and believed that money and love were the same thing. If you think Katsuki could have done what he did in a lot better way, I agree, but if you think that I should have you all eternally in my debt like my father would have, then you still see me as the man I’ve been running from for a long time now. So. . whatever you’re apologizing for, thanks but that isn’t what I’m looking for.”

Kirishima had stopped crying midway through your life story, finding himself immersed in your point of view. It was absolutely flooring that you weren’t looking for revenge or even apology. Especially from Katsuki after hearing what he had told you all those years ago. He couldn’t help but wonder if you were the girl he knew that only wore name brand dresses and worried more about why her mother bought her ugly shoes than the world around her — the answer was both yes and no.

You were that girl, but now you weren’t mirroring someone else’s views.

His heartbeat picked up and he felt his cheeks grow red as he stared at you. It was wrong how his entire body seemed to steam up when you were sitting there in your lounge wear that wasn’t even close to you looking done-up. You were the mother of his best friend’s kid, it was so much more than just being off limits.

Kirishima turned away from you when you looked at him, and you chuckled. “Don’t start getting all sappy on me now. I may not want to bury Bakugou and Ashido like you guys think, but I still don’t trust their friendship, and certainly not a relationship with the blonde bombshell.”

Suddenly, Kirishima remembered why he came here in the first place, and the whole reason Mina had given him your address. He whipped his head to the television that had been playing the entire time in the background, to see the very thing that he was meant to prepare you for. You followed his gaze in confusion, but that quickly changed to dread when you saw that explosive blonde hair and red eyes looking back at you on your TV. . along with a picture of you and Ryu.

“They are my family, and there is no story for any of you. Where they are isn’t any of your concern, and because of recent events where their lives were threatened they will be relocating to a safe location. There isn’t any need to worry, because I’ll kill anyone who tries to hurt them.” Katsuki said, and immediately you could hear the press at the meeting talking and attempting to question him, but he walked off the stage with the same strict expression he had spoken with.

“Kirishima.”

“. . . You’re really pretty.”

“How pretty will I be with my hands around your neck?”

(A/N: Big thanks to @xwackk and @misssugarless for their help <3! I hope you guys enjoy, and I really can’t show how much I really appreciate all the kindness you guys show me on this book! ❤️❤️❤️)

Taglist <3 : @fandomgirllover @cloudsgathering @that-bipolar-renegade-romantic @jazzylove @that-chick212 @bonbonthedragon @misssugarless @insomniac-nerd-posts-things @bakugous-bakahoe @pinkykookie17 @animexholic @arielting @samkysnks @simpforeveryone @damnirina @deneuves @tsumuuumiyaaaa @ladybeautiful18 @vintage-teddyxo @regalmigraine @samvmgh @iamagalaxy @officialtrashbusiness @xwackk @videogameboiwhowins @marajillana @ellasdilemma @plutoneu @saucey-kneecapzz42020 @thestarsanctuary @dewdropwifu @star-light-imagines @kritiiiii @bakugosbottombitch @the2ndl @candybabey @simply-not-the-same @sam-i-am-1025 @mes-bisous @eternallyvenus @peppytine @chaelysian @definitely-yours @oikawarc @suneaterofthebig3 @m0na-l0ver @nkb0048 @losertsukki

[legionofpotatoes]

I love your art, it is very detailed in a neat way. Was wondering how you got started making it as a source of income? How did you get your first paid work, I'd love some advice on how to get started, if that's ok

Thank you. Of course it's okay, although I doubt I have enough work experience in art to really delve into this. I only went full freelance this year, and had been juggling art as a side hobby until then. If you're still interested in my somewhat narrow perspective, and are okay with my long-winded rambles, I'll give it a shot:

So to answer your question fully, I'll describe how I started and move into personal advice and learnings later on. As a disclaimer, I am a white cishet dude in my late twenties with a moderate cocktail of mental illnesses, but overall I can pass for a functioning adult so a lot I have to say may come laced with privilege I cannot fully identify.

So uhh I began drawing in around 2012? I think? Maybe halfway through 2011? And I mostly made fanart for things I enjoyed and tried to branch out in communities that felt nourishing to my style and interests (I caught a bug for alt posters and enjoyed mainstream movies so I spent a long time on posterspy early on). There were a handful of opportunities that came from there but I could only accept a couple because of primary workplace commitments. Still, it showed that networking in a focused community was definitely a good place to start; I myself have huge trouble committing to social networks and really staying socially active, but I knew it was an essential ingredient in succeeding so I tried to make myself be involved in challenges and art support trains etc. as much as I could.

In parallel to all that I also ran a few third party online stores (redbubble, teepublic) for disposable income and would sometimes, if rarely, hit around $100-150 a month from those sources combined. It is a sort of thing that requires helper accounts on other social media sites to promote it on, because the stores themselves have a huge volume of content that translates into low organic discoverability. Obviously it was never gonna be the way towards financial independence through art, and with community projects being few and far between, I opened private commissions in around uhhh 2017 I think, focusing on offering a few styles I knew I could do well, and sometimes operating in individual fandoms (it was mostly a bioware thing to be frank). But I had to close them back down after a year or so, again because of work-life conflict and how badly it was burning me out. The reason I kept trying to monetize this hobby is because I honestly hated what I did for my main job and wanted to see a way out in some shape or form in the future.

And then in 2020 I had to quit my main job altogether because of *gestures at pandemic* and deal with a mental breakdown from all the wonderful things it did to us and me specifically. I took a short break and decided to give art a shot full-time, and that was around May this year. I was planning on opening up commissions again (and I still am), but a few sudden opportunities that fell in my lap moved that timetable down and now I'm grateful to even be doing something I am getting adequately paid for.

So, with that somewhat limited perspective, here's what I've learned that I'd tell myself if I was just starting out:

1. Being a fan of something can be a shortcut towards effective networking kickoffs. Which are important evidently. If you love something and enjoy making content for it, join communities, settle into a combination of social media websites that feel right for those interests + your body of work + your inner rhythm, and try to play to content discovery as much as your mental health allows you to. Like I said, I know that I myself am incredibly bad at self-motivating to talk to people, so I found that synergizing common interests into fanart - which I enjoyed making anyway - could be a way to give myself a gentle nudge forward and build those bridges leading to community activities, which then net experience and coverage. Sometimes even freelance projects from official avenues. Again; picking the right spaces for what you're after is key. Companies roam twitter, concept art recruiters scour artstation or linkedin etc, instagram can land you private commissions and collab opportunities, so on and so forth. Find your niche and try to kick up dust. However...

2. I do not believe that any social profile can replace a good portfolio. The thing that made an immediate difference to me this year was building a coherent, simple website with my best work front and center and a contact form on top. Every single opportunity I got came from that form (maybe via twitter or instagram initially, but always sealing the decision after going through the website), so I firmly believe that showcasing your skills and portfolio in a visually arresting and user-friendly way is a big priority. I had some reservations about tackling that task but fortunately I had help from a savvy life partner and we slapped it together via wordpress in less than a day. Twitter/whatever social media is prevalent in your target groups is definitely important to get the right eyes on your shit, yes, but those eyes will then look for a second stop where your work and rates are more clear and concise. Simplicity is key imo, I cannot overstate this. So make a cute, simple portfolio!

3. Your skills and rates will grow and change as you do. Let them. Over the years I built several lasting professional relationships from my obsession over mass effect and kept getting opportunities both from bioware and their partner companies, some small and some a bit bigger. A one-off job earlier this year opened an unexpected door to another much larger commitment, and then the work I did there brought some attention from small businesses looking for commercial commissions. These were all incredibly different projects in terms of scope and budget, and I've been tackling them all on a case-by-case basis and slowly coming into my own irt my needs, rates, and SOW thresholds. It is still a work in progress (and a LOT of literal work as well), and very much a thing I struggle with in publicly marketing, which is why I felt a tad underqualified to answer your question in the first place (obviously I did not let that stop me). But what it means for me now is that I am rapidly developing into whatever my "version" of a functioning freelance artist is, and when the conditions for that guy are met, I need to be able to confidently plant myself and operate from that space despite past precedents. Do not let anyone bully you into downpricing what you yourself perceive as legitimate products of personal growth and development. Speaking of which...

4. The shitty challenge of turning envy into inspiration, and paddling outside your comfort zones in full riot gear. it is hard, but realizing that being a miserable, self-hating artist in my early days got me nothing but more misery back was the first real step I took and what truly blew the hinges off. I was just not pleasant to be around, I would badmouth my work all the time, and it all somehow made sense in my broken mind because the validation I sought was purely external and the way I sought it was through eliciting sympathy via self-victimization (even when I made something objectively nice). It all led fucking nowhere. Except perhaps to my own narcissism that I one day managed to identify and start managing. So I started looking at things that made me seethe with envy and calmly deconstruct and figure out their inner workings instead, do studies, and find nuggets of inspiration or discover new ways to approach rendering or building up specific elements. It was an application of analytical diligence to what I wanted to be a purely emotional, esoteric workflow, but that I deep down knew wasn't. Art is a discipline and a skill, and maybe it isn't a straight line, but you gotta find some line to thread nevertheless. Being self-hating was almost an identity I had to break out of, and despite it still being like, 4-5% there? I realize its cause and effect on me, my work, and those around me, so it is with a conscious choice that I gently set it aside when I work and especially when I learn. It won't always stay quiet, but the effort is the difference. Your doors towards accepting true growth and venturing into uncharted territories, art styles, and networking will really open from there. But there's a huge caveat...

5. Toolsets, accessibility, privilege, and all the good things that enable artistic expression and profitability are not given equal to all. you might do all the mental work I mentioned to be ready to rock and roll and learn and draw your way out of anything, but digital art is a fucking money pit that asks almost too much at times. I don't got a good case study here but identifying and ensuring accessibility to the tools you need to do your best work is, like, super important. The ergonomics can improve as you make money and settle into the job, but the basics have to be made available to you. And some of that might not even be under your direct control. That can be anything from pen tablets to software subscriptions to opportunities in hiring sullied by sexism or what have you. You gotta navigate all that through careful networking and money/time management. I don't do a good job of devoting specific slices of time to work/study, and my primary clutch is iPad software which went from a good deal to a nightmare scenario over the years. So all I can say here is do what I didn't; network, invest in a PC/tablet, and pick a software you'll learn that won't burn a hole in your pocket.

6. Be nice to work with? This one is hard to articulate and has landed my own ass in hot water in my early years because of how socially inept I am, but nothing is more worthwhile than being.. like. a good person to work with. That can be anything like meeting deadlines, or sometimes missing them but eloquently articulating why, being generous in early stages, being communicable and not too wordy in your emails, having a good grasp on abstract artistic concepts and how to describe them in simple terms, having a clear, laid out framework of your working rates in commercial and non-commercial projects and sticking to those guns with grace, understanding when you need to say no and saying it well, the works. Just being nice. Sometimes that might mean going headstrong with something you believe in, or simmering down and sucking up to the big man, all relative and adaptive. Part and parcel of the service provision dance that we all have to do in order to make bank. Know your lines here, obviously, and don't like. work for nazis. or uh.. *shudders* exposure. but be nice and empathetic and communicable and word will travel eventually. Skill may be in abundance these days, but good people are most certainly not, and capitalism has a way of bubbling up scarcity. Grim, but uh, them's the breaks.

I know I'm ultimately telling you to like. Have a body of work, make a portfolio, grow, and network. But that's really how I see it for now. And being nice can be a cherry on top that sets you apart, along with the inherent irreplaceable voice of your artwork. I think I rambled on enough, but if there is something specific you need my help with, even if you want to come off anon and talk in private, please feel free.

[vanillann]

5 star conversation (r.p)

a/n: since it’s valentine’s day i thought i should update my softest series to date

word count: 3.3k

reggie peters x gender neutral!reader

5 star conversation masterlist

place three: a 1 star fair

“Flynn, just trust me okay?”

Flynn said nothing as she fell back on the tour bus's couch, for a single second the tiniest smirk was painted across her lips.

“Who are you doing this for exactly?” She got cozy, looking at me from where I stood against the kitchen tops.

“The band,” I nodded, trying my best to keep my voice natural as I lie through my teeth.

“Maybe a bassist in particular?” Flynn laughed when I rolled my eyes, turning back to the open cupboard and looking through the never ending rows of snacks.

“Just thought-”

“I’ll give the driver the address,” Flynn pushed off the cushions and walked behind me, placing her chin on my shoulder for a second, “just hurry up and tell him before the tour is over.”

I smiled slightly at Flynn, the address of the fair pulled up on her phone as she skipped to tell the driver. I played with one of the boxes in front of me, completely zoned out as I watched her back.

How would I just tell him?

The truth was Reggie deserved more than a simple confession, he deserved something crazy you would only hear about in a romcom or even bigger. I didn’t know what I was thinking, maybe I was hoping to see if confessing was even a good idea.

“Whatcha thinking?”

I jumped at how close the voice was, spinning around to find myself face to face with the boy in question. He had a goofy smile on his face and held his hands behind his back while rocking back and front.

“Reg,” I let his name roll off the tongue, letting my breathing return to normal as I calmed my nerves from the little jump scare.

“Sorry, you zoned out I got worried.”

I can have a delicate smile, trying my best. best to remind me he was only a boy. A really cute boy.

“I’m fine, trying to work on some new designs for merchandise,” I shrugged, his smile soft as his eyes seemed to roam my face. I tried not to think much of it, maybe it was nothing, but he always looked at me like I meant something.

“Any good ideas?” He didn’t say anything else as he reached over me, looking at the snacks behind me while trapping me to the counter. His soft scent of lavender and cedarwood was odd but comforting as he had started using my perfume when he would go on stage, claiming it was lucky.

“I-uhm- '' my brain refused to use words, the idea of novelty items barely on the tip of my tongue as I rambled. I didn’t even know what I was saying to be honest, but Reggie smiled and nodded like I had done something right and that was enough for me.

“People will have flannels with my face on it? That’s awesome!” He jumped on his feet slightly, smiling like a puppy dog at the idea.

“I thought you’d like it, and your face would only be on the pocket,” I pointed at him, making sure this didn’t get to his head.

“I don’t even care, if you had told me this in 95 I wouldn't have believed you!”

He spun slightly, moving to the couch Flynn was laying on a little while ago, a Poptart held in between his fingers as he swung around slightly.

“I’m proud of how far you’ve come,” I shrugged. I didn’t think much of my words but when Reggie spun to look at me thought it over.

He looked so emotional, his eyes searching my face as if I told him he won the Nobel Peace Prize. I took the time to take him in, the look he was giving me was something I would never want to forget.

“You’re proud of me?”

“Of course, you’ve come so far and-” my words were cut off, arms around my frame in seconds and all I could smell was Reggie. All I could think was Reggie. I was all Reggie.

I lifted my fingers, playing with the black shirt he wore while he drew shapes on my arm.

“Thank you,” he muttered softly, his voice sounded far away as we stood in the kitchen.

“Anytime Reg.”

The silence that followed was nice, something I enjoyed deeply as I felt his arm grow tired around me.

“I need to say something,” Reggie pulled back just enough for me to see his face, the hard light from outside made his look like he was glowing almost.

“What-”

“Is that the last Poptrat?”

I push off Reggie, my hands find the countertop behind me as I tried my best to not look so caught. I frowned when I noticed Luke’s smirk, his eyes looking between Reggie and I while his finger pointed to the Poptrat that Reggie held in his hand.

“I-uhm- it’s the last Strawberry-” Reggie tripped over his words, suddenly letting the Poptrat fall from his finger before he reached out to grab it.

“You gonna eat it?” Luke slowly crossed his arms, his muscle tee making his arm look large and intimidating as he looked between us both.

“Oh uhm-” Without another word Reggie crammed the Poptrat into his mouth, a nervous laugh fell from his lips and he smiled at Luke. I covered my mouth, doing my best to hide my little giggles as the two bickers, something we had all grown to use too.

“Well, guess we have to get some when we stop,” Luke snapped, his smirk only growing when he saw me glide my thumb over my neck, begging him to shut up just for once.

“When are we stopping?” I was in shock to see Reggie and pretty much already finished the Poptrat but said nothing about it.

“A few minutes, (Y/N) here had a plan.”

I suddenly felt stuck and Reggie turned to look at me, his eyes scanning my own for answers as my brain broke. I forgot everything, what even was my name anymore?

“I need to find Alex and Julie,” the words came out rushed, I didn’t even wait for Luke or Reggie to answer before I was slipping out of the tension filled room to the back where we slept.

My feet were working faster than my brain, carrying me away from Luke’s cursed situation. Why did he always have to do that?

I really was starting to hate Luke Patterson.

“(Y/N)!”

I jumped, my hand over my heart again and I swear I was going to put cow bells on everyone before the last venue in a few weeks.

“Julie!” I did my best to match her excitement but I could tell she saw right through me.

“Where is this place you taking us?”

“Surprise?” I did my best jazz hands, an awkward smile on my lips as I tried to escape everyone for a minute. This whole crush thing was so overwhelming.

“Spill,” she grabbed my upper arm, not thinking twice as we slipped into the nearby bathroom and shut the door. Julie leaned against the door, the small space only has so much room as I sat on the top of the toilet.

“It was a surprise for Reg,” I shrugged, trying not to make eye contact with Julie as I played with one of the rings on my fingers. Flynn got it for me at a cheap store that was supposed to be a mood ring but it never moved from the deep blue.

“Is it his birthday? Did I forget again?” Julie started to panic but I grabbed the end of her sweater to stop her.

“No, it’s this one star fair I found on the internet.”

“A one star fair?”

“I know I was shocked when I found it, apparently it just open so it doesn’t have a lot of reviews-”

“How are you both so in love?” Julie almost laughed at my rambling, her smile bright as she looked at me and talked with my hand.

“Don’t use the “L” words, but yeah I have a crush on him. I just thought it would be funny,” I held my headrest on the wall behind me.

I shouldn’t have thought of this plan. This might be the worst idea I’ve had in a while.

“It’s cute,” Julie smiled sweetly at me, something I was grateful for.

“It’s not stupid?” I looked up at her, my knee almost knocking her as we seemed to draw closer with each word.

“Of course not!” Julie reached out for my hand, which I obviously let her take. She gave the slightest smile, my own smile meeting my lips before a loud banging on the bathroom door took our moment.

“I have to pee!” Alex’s voice echoed through the crowded bathroom.

*

Reggie almost fell from the tour bus, a little death glare over his shoulder at Flynn who didn’t look to feel bad for her little shove. He was stalling and it was starting to send me in a panic, as I rocked on my heels in front of the fair with a nervous smile.

Once Reggie stopped looking at Flynn to me, his face fell for a second. I did awkward jazz hands, hoping I didn’t blow this joke out of the water and I now looked stupid. Reggie read the sign above my head, his head tilted but a little smile was now painted on his lips.

“What’s this?”

“A one-star fair?” It came out as more of a question and I hoped I wasn’t digging this hole even deeper. The smile that once painted his face grew, his feet took off until he was in front of me and wrapping his head around me.

I fell back slightly at the force but smiled nonetheless, happy that I had chosen the right place for our break. I let my arms wrap around the back of his next, playing with the hair on the nape of his neck and I couldn’t imagine a world without him in it.

I looked over his shoulder, rolling my eyes and Alex and Luke made kissy faces and Flynn turned and rubbed her hand over her back as if she was kissing someone. My friends were middle schoolers.

“I love it,” Reggie whispered in my ear before he pulled back, his eyes going back to the sign above my head before he grabbed my hand and turned over his shoulder.

“Race ya to the bumper cars!”

Without another word, Reggie was almost pulling me behind me as we raced into the fair. My legs were slightly burning and my throat felt sore from laughing but I couldn’t bring myself to care as Reggie rushed around different obstacles. The workers looked annoyed at us as we rushed around them, our laugh probably way too loud for this time in the evening but I couldn't care as I looked over my shoulder to find Alex and Flynn holding hands and pracing like they belonged in the Sound of Music. Reggie came to a stop, my body colliding into his back.

“We won!”

He jumped around, I tried my best to ignore the feeling of his fingers wrapped in mine. It felt so normal, like it was meant to be glued together for an art project.

“Because you ran like Lighting McQueen,” Flynn commented, giving Reggie while squeezing my arm.

“Who’s that again?” Reggie turned to me, his eyebrows raised as he waited for my answer but it never came. Instead a laugh bubbled out the back of my throat, looking at his confused face was making it worse.

“I thought you were on my team!”

“I am,” I did my best to defend myself but my laughing only grew louder the longer we stood there.

“Where’s Julie and Luke?”

“Getting passes,” Alex pointed over his shoulder, his eyes looking at me and he quickly sent a wink. Did everyone know about my plan?

“Until then, (Y/N) and I will walk around.”

I nodded, smiling at Reggie while I waved at Flynn and Alex. The two gave me a thumbs up and I was grateful Reggie didn’t decide to turn around in that moment.

“You didn’t have to do this, you know?”

I looked back at him, smiling as I still felt our hands together. He hadn’t let go yet.

“I wanted to, since you planned the diner,” I shrugged, as if I didn’t seem almost a week planning and searching to find a place that was five star that I didn’t think would kill us.

“Well thank you, the bus was starting to get stuffy with everyone.”

I nodded, understanding exactly what he meant. I loved the band, they were everything to me, but it’s hard living on a bus with them. Flynn and I lived in a studio apartment together and that became a lot at times, although the fans loved the content they got because of us living together.

I spotted Julie waving at us, I excused myself from Reggie and walked to her. She smiled at me, holding passes in her hand that were obviously made for some cheap car-stock paper, which I felt add to the vibe of the entire park. It had a few basic rides and a bunch of rigged games, with the oldest looking Ferris Wheel in the world.

“Does he look happy?” I asked Julie as soon as I got close enough, taking the passes from her out of reach and looking over my shoulder. As soon as I did he waved at me, going back to looking at the sky.

“Yes, very. He’d be happy if you dug him a hole with nothing in it,” Julie shrugged, squeezing my shoulder.

“I think I’m gonna tell him,” I spoke, a little smile playing on my lips as Julie smirked.

“I would hope you didn’t drag us out here for nothing to happen.”

I rolled my eyes, walking backwards to Reggie as I stuck my tongue out at her, which she returned. Once I knew I was growing closer I turned around, handing Reggie one of the passes with a smile.

“What’s first on the agenda?” I looked up at him, smiling when he gave me that look. The same look from the hotel and the diner, like I meant something.

“I have to win you a stuffed animal, I’d be a horrible person if I didn’t!”

He didn’t wait for me this time, walking to the nearest rigged game and flashing the pass at the guy. The boy behind the counter seemed bored, barely giving us a glance before handing Reggie the darts.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Totally,” he brushed me off, closing his left eye and sticking his tough out the side of his mouth. I watched him and admired him more so.

The sun was about to set behind him, casting the prettiest glow across his hair and his features. He looked so consistent and his eyebrows raised to his hairline. He looked like something out of a romcom, where the girl realizes it has always been the boy in front of her.

He threw the dart, completely missing the board and falling to the grow. I watched the boy cover his mouth, hiding a laugh and I frown. I didn’t waste time, reaching for one of Reggie’s darts and quickly aiming at the dart board. I toned out all the noise, quickly throwing the dart and making it in the center. I smirked, looking at the boy with an innocent smile.

“I win, right?”

“Uhm, yeah,” he turned around and took the dart out of the board, taking the other dart from in front of Reggie and turning back to me. I looked over the stuffed animals, my eyes landing on one of a small brown horse. I pointed at that one, not saying a word as I watched him pull it down without hesitation.

As soon as the horse was placed in my palm the boy went back to his phone, ignoring Reggie and I. I finally looked at Reggie, his eyes still trained on the dart board with his jaw hanging. He turned back to me, his smile reaching his lips again as he jumped up and down.

“That was amazing!”

I grabbed one of his wrists, his hand held open in front of me as I placed the horse in the center of his hand.

“Now you have a horse,” I shrugged, thinking back to the conversation from the diner with a little smile. He looked between the horse and I, the smile only kept growing and I felt myself jump within myself.

I was going to tell him. I was going to tell him that I was completely whipped for him no matter the place or time. No matter if it was a one star or five star hotel, I wanted Reggie Peters at my side.

As my mouth opened to speak I heard loud screaming, turning around to find the front of the gate was full of girls and boys alike, each had shirts with Julie and the Phantom plaster on the front.

“Crap,” I grabbed Reggie’s wrist, ducking behind a display as I looked around for everyone else. I saw Luke wave at us, everyone climbing onto the Ferrie’s Wheel. I pointed to him, Reggie getting my idea as we jumped from display to display.

We got caught.

Once we got close enough to the Ferris Wheel we made a dart for it, smiling when Luke held an empty container for us, both of us jumping in and sitting on the floor instead of the seats. Luke quickly joined the other, waving the worker to start the machine. I smiled when I heard the loud creek, now this was definitely an adventure.

“Taylor didn’t like that,” Reggie held up the horse for me slightly, laughing when I rolled my eyes.

“Did you name your horse after Taylor Swift?”

“I plead the fifth!”

I laughed harder but my laughs were replaced with yelps as the machine started rocking, not in a fun way either. I leaned into Reggie's side without thinking but he said nothing, letting his arm wrap around my shoulder to keep me at his side. I felt myself chew at my bottom, wondering what would have happened if the fan didn’t come.

“Thank you, I know we didn’t get to hang out before we got busted but it means alot.”

I nodded against his chest, looking up at the cotton candy pink skies above us as the machine started up again. I felt Reggie’s head move, most likely looking up at what I was looking at.

“It was nothing.”

“It was everything (Y/N), you are everything,” his words were soft against my ear, this breath hot over the cool breeze that washed over my face. I didn’t want to look him in the eye, I didn’t think I could handle it but his finger grabbed my chin and I didn’t have a choice.

His nose brushed against mine, his face so close I couldn’t imagine this would ever happen. He looked so innocent and perfect and I just felt myself leaning in until the container door was ripped open, one of the bodyguards from the bus stood above us.

Reggie and I broke from each other, his horse falling between us as my side rushed into the metal seat. I felt the embarrassment overtake my body, this body guard looked sorry but also told us he would be escorting us from the fair.

I nodded, letting Reggie get out first as I sat in self-pity for a second while rubbing my hand over my face.

Maybe I shouldn’t sign up for any more one-star events.

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[justimagaine]

Well... /Chris Evans

  Chris has always been a very private person. He liked to keep his private life a secret. Not telling people he was dating someone wasn’t unusual. He’d sometime keep it a secret from some of his friends, mostly because he wasn’t sure if the new relationship was going to last. Those kind of doubts were usually the reason the didn't last. Chris would doubt himself and his part in the relationship, so a lot of times he’d end things before they could even get serious. In the end he’d be hurting himself, with all the fear and doubt.

  That wasn’t the case with you. From the moment Chris met you at a family event, he knew you were like no other. He quickly realized you weren’t going to take anyone bullshit, even if they were THE Chris Evans. Scott was your friend so he had invited you, most of his family knew you. Especially Lisa, their mother, she loved you and a lot of times you two would have lunch. The only person who really didn’t know you was Chris. So when you arrived at the house and he opened the door, he wasn’t the nicest person. He immediately assumed you were a fan and asked you to leave without even really trying to find out if what you were saying was true. So he shut the door leaving you outside. After few seconds of shock you called Lisa to tell her what just happened. The little devil in you was happy to see Chris get scolded by his mother, for being rude.

At first your friendship was a bit rocky but that turned out to be just an act from the both of you. You didn’t hold back, when you talked to him, you were real and when ever Chris would talk to you, he felt free, calm and found himself making comment to you just to get your reaction, just to get you to look at him, talk to him. It didn’t take too long for you two to get together and being a couple was even better. Becoming a couple took down a wall that was placed there while being friends and now you two were even more comfortable and open with each other. 

  You were still the same person you always were, no matter where you two went. It could have been a party with some friends or a fancy award show he took you too, you were still you. Chris loved that about you and felt himself change, become more open and relaxed as long as you were around. You motivate him to do new things, go to new places. Even though he’d hive you a big eye roll before doing anything new, he’d love it and talk about the newest adventure for weeks after. You were his muse, his saver, his safe place, his everything. 

  Chris started to become more open about your relationship, he’d post pictures of you and him or you and Dodger playing. Chris found himself feeling like a regular guy in a relationship, sharing his amazing moment online. The small doubts sometimes still found their way in his mind, but soon you made them all go away. From the start you told Chris you were in it of the long haul, no bullshitting and no quieting over silly reasons. You knew how he could get and knew the moment some anxiety was coming on and when he was starting to doubt things. Doing your best you talked to him before things could get out of hand and soon Chris was coming to you and talking about hings that he felt were coming on, before you even noticed things. He loved you too much to lose you over something silly, lose you because he was just a little bit afraid to open up. 

  Even though he felt as if he was just a regular guy, he still wasn’t as regular as he wished. He was an actor and with that came times where he’d have to give interviews. Since he recently started a new project that luckily was being filled just an hour drive away from home, away from you. To Chris that still was too far, but knowing at the end of that long drive, he’d be home, laying in your arms and covered with soft kisses and light head scratches. He wished he could stay like that with you forever, so it was hard for him to be sitting in a dressing room looking at the couch were you sat, hoping he could just plop down with his head in your lap and do nothing.

  “I love you” he said in a low voice and loud enough fro you to hear him. You looked up from your phone, slightly surprised by the sudden words. With a smile you go up and walked to him. Chris turned in his chair letting you stand between his legs. 

  “I love you too” reaching behind him you gave his head a light scratch and then a light kiss. He hummed and then grunted at the loss of your lips. He wanted more , so much more. You giggled at his reaction. “I’ll give you all the kisses and love when we get home” his eyes shined from your words, Chris held you by your hips, smiled and just looked in your eyes. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was, and usually when he’d have that thought the next one would be, that the luck could fade and he’d lose you soon. Not this time, not anymore. His next thought was how he wanted to make you just as happy as he was, Chris waned to do everything to see you smile all the time, hear your laugh.

  “Excuse me, their waiting for you” an assistant came in calling Chris. You hear him let out a heavy sigh, but it was quickly replaced with smile and a nod. Still holding on to you, he got up, kissed your cheek, lingering a bit longer, holding you tight.

  “You’ll do great. I’m proud of you. I love you” you whispered just for him to hear. Those were words you always told him before an interview or a movie premier or anything that might give him anxiety. Chris took in a deep breath, gave you a proper kiss and walked out. You stayed back and watched his interview on the tv.

  As usual the interview started with exchanged pleasantries. Jimmy complimented and thanked Chris, and he did the same back. Soon they were talking about his new project and what’s coming up. Chris was doing a great job, you smiled as he talking. You really were proud of him and everything he’d done. Everything he’d reached.

  “So I’ve noticed you’ve become more active online. Not only that but you’ve also started to do a lot of adventures things. Like...” Jimmy stop for a moment, lifting up photos “kayaking, 3 day hiking trip in the mountains, then you seemed to have calm down and went pottery making“ Chris laughed looking at the pictures. “What got you to do all this, ticking off things off our bucket list” Jimmy asked making Chris laugh

  “Well...” Chris started, thinking only about you. “I have a girlfriend that loves trying new things and loved to drag me with” you let out a huff and a laugh, since a lot of times he himself finds something adventures for you two to do. “actually that  kayaking thing was my idea, (Y/N) was afraid to do it, but (Y/N) is my brave, cute solder.” Chris talked making people aww and laugh. He wasn’t usually talking about you, especially if not asked. Most of the time he avoided saying your name, to keep you as private as possible, but Chris was so damn happy he wanted everyone to know the person who was responsible for it

  “Looks like you’re very happy” Jimmy said being surprised by how open Chris was about his relationship. Chris nodded 

“Very much so. (Y/N) keeps me grounded and if by any chance my head started to get near to clouds she’ll be the first one to knock me down saying what do you think you’re doing” he said laughing “ and then kiss and hug me to make it all better. Love that crazy, love filled women” as Chris talked his smile grew bigger, he looked at Jimmy who also was smiling. They just smiled and started to laugh, Chris had never had a moment like that on any interview. He was happy, open, excited. He was in a state that if he was asked any question no matter the topic he’d answer.

  Chris knew what being happy felt like, but when he was you Chris could explode with happiness. He knew that in life if you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives, if you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies and sometimes the good you do today will be forgotten the next day, but none of those things were true when it came to you. You always knew all the good Chris did came from his golden heart and you always talked about all the great things he did. Always made sure his family knew his great accomplishments even if he thought they were small and meaningless you didn’t think that, ever. 

  With you he was appreciated, loved and you never gave up on him, no matter how stubborn he could sometimes get, no matter how much he would doubt him. You believed in him so much you could share the believe between the two of you. Having yo support him like that and be there no matter the fights, he woke up every day and thought of new ways to show you how much he loved you. Chris would think of ways to make you smile and feel the same love you gave him, sometimes it would mean doing something that was out of his comfort zone, but in the end he was happy he did it. Anything was worth it to him, when seeing you smile and your eyes shine. There was one thing he wanted to do, but hadn’t found the right way to do it, the right time, the right place. He wanted everything to be perfect for you, but he also remembered you’re words 

   “Nothing in life is perfect.  Flaws are interesting and mistakes or mess ups are the reasons a memory stays with you forever”

So he knew he had to jump over the fear and over planing and let things turn out the way they will. All he had to do was in the end ask the right 4 words and see what happens. 

---

Tag: @chris-butt​ ; @denisemarieangelina

[justalokifanaccount]

Episode 2-Play by Play Reactions (Spoilers)

Ooooooh mysterious...

Oh so this variant can (at least briefly) cont people with a simple touch? No need for a scepter?

I NEED A HEROOO!

Oh this variant is taking that lady away? I wonder why

Miss Minutes is gonna move me to violence

Loki is me studying

Hahahahaha get her Loki!

Loki, leave Mobius’ magazines alone

Wow he got into the work force rather fast huh? Bit of a whiplash type scenario considering the end of episode one

No, YOU’RE a cosmic mistake! 😤 my boy looks hot regardless

Sooooo Loki is the most common variant? Why does this not surprise me?

Is... is he a football cup champion??? Omg 😂

Smart boy. Illusion projecting is different than duplication casting. Neato. LISTEN TO MY SMART BOY. RESPECT HIM.

Dude loves wheeling

Yea Loki. Work on getting to the time keepers. Overthrow the government.

Dude is smart with these questions.

Propaganda is INDEED exhausting so that’s fair

Fist hostage... maybe he’s (or she?) gonna use her as a body transfer like Loki in the comics with Sif?

Oh please let this be a genuine smart Loki moment and not just setting him up as a joke and embarrassment...

“Where there are wolf’s ears, wolf’s teeth are near.” Good to know basic mammalian anatomy is still applicable to Asgardian wolves...

Cmon Loki do something cool. Please. Please Loki. Please.

Preach my man, but please, do something cool. My anxiety that you’ll be turned into a joke is spiking.

Is he actually waiting outside or is Loki really just trying to mess with them and throw them off? Or is he just being too cocky for his own good and it’s gonna mess him up? Please please please don’t disappoint me. I have merch for this show already that I can’t return

Bargain baby, bar again. Do it.

Is he actually concerned for the time keepers orrrrrr

Dangit Mobius

Does... being reset... hurt?

Bye C-20 I guess... for now? We’ll see

Of course it’s a friggin theremin that’s playing

Mobius x Judge Renslayer? Oooooooh. Tsundere Renslayer.

Use a coaster my man

Oh her first name is Ravonna

Controversy is the best thing though

You can never understand this Loki. As soon as you begin to understand, he changes. He’s unpredictable.

“I know you have a soft spot for broken things.” Ah, so this entire fandom then?

“But Loki is an evil, lying scourge.” YOU TAKE THAT BACK YOU WENCH!

“That is the part he plays in the sacred timeline.” Well you clearly haven’t been paying enough attention to the files then, hm? Here, let me redirect you to one of the many character analyses I’ve written. Now if you read here........

He doesn’t need to change. He’s already not evil

I don’t trust Renslayer or the time keepers... or Renslayer WITH the time keepers... I think she plays a bigger, antagonistic role than I thought.

You just TRY and delete him Mobius... just... TRY... I will find a way to break the fourth wall and no time keepers can keep you safe from the rage of a million fan girls. Nothing... we don’t need magic...

Omg Loki just sitting there in a chair outside the office like a kid while their parent is talking with the teacher about their “recent behavior”.

Cmon Loki, you don’t need to make excuses or impress him.

My poor boy is SOOO out of his zone.

Tbf mobius, you ASKED. You asked what makes him tick.

Hey hey hey, let’s not gaslight my boy...

The Loki is... uhhh something... gotta keep my hopes up. Trust in Tom Hiddleston...

Mobius showing his true colors...

Please Loki... be badass... not just a joke... please please please... PLEASE!

Mobius, play nice.

I hope this “superior” Loki thing, if it is a female, isn’t a desperate attempt at feminism pandering, chocking up her “superiority” to being female. Please give the characters real stories. Flesh them out.

Juice box time?

No?

More homework?

Bugger...

The sass is off the charts

Librarian lady gonna get killed

Oh boy

Pffffft—

I miss Casey.

Hey don’t ignore Loki. That’s rude.

Bell is the answer?

Poor Loki. Stop trying to fit in. You are best when you are genuinely yourself.

What’s to stop Loki from grabbing the other files?

Homework... I thought I escaped this when I graduated...

Whatcha seeing there?

Oh...

Bye bye Asgard...

Cmon... not more feels.

AGGHHHHHHHH

Please allow him confirmation of Thor’s survival and beating of Thanos!!! He needs that confirmation! He needs that reassurance.

Hear him out Mobius.

“He’s hiding in apocalypses.” Sooooo is that why they go to presumably Mount Vesuvius? I assume?

Mobius, let Loki have your salad.

Rip salad

CASEY

Casey’s juice box

Poor Casey and mobius salad...

Loki, your logic astounds me.

Well, pushing Hulk off of the bridge WOULD have an effect...

VESUVIUS HERE WE COME

He hasn’t really stabbed anyone in the back... except Thor... but not 50 times

Pompeii, here we come!

Ooooooh we gonna see Loki dance with a lady? 😏 get ittttt

Well, if you do cause a branch, can’t you just reset the timeline?

CAUSE SOME CHAOS MY LOVELY MAN

OMG IM HEARING THE LOVE OF MY LIFE SPEAK ITALIAN

I can die happy now

Loki... you look insane.

Uhhh run

Okay you’re good

Sleepy Loki

Let him sleep!

Soooo, I mean, technically, Loki’s actions would still cause the timeline to change, but said change wouldn’t have an impact on the future, just the current moment... so shouldn’t it still be detected by the TVA? At least as a little fleck?

Jet skis?

Omg I just snorted at Loki begrudgingly agreeing with Mobius that jet skis are awesome

Mobius offending my History Teachers for 50 minutes straight... that’s it. That’s the episode.

Mobius really in love with jet skis for some reason

We better get to see Mobius on a jet ski

Fighting for jet skis?

Lol mobius has a point about the magical Asgardians and Jötunns

Glorious purpose

Cmon Loki, destroy this man’s beliefs.

OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT

DO IT

TEAM UP AND THROW THE TIMELINE INTO CHAOS

How would you know what the time keepers are doing when you’ve never met them?

How can you meet in peace at the end of time with no chaos?

“You see, I know something children don’t. That no one bad is ever truly bad. And no one good is ever truly good.”

Mobius, don’t patronize my boy. Go jet skiing.

“I know.” Oh good, that point in the trailer was edited.

No candy on Asgard? Poor Loki.

May the best man win? Well that automatically means Loki.

Getting National Treasure vibes

Love you

Alabama will still exist in 2050? That’s disappointing.

Roxxcart.

Loki is very smart. Thank you show.

Renslayer, if you claim Mobius is your friend, trust him.

Kachow!

“For all time.” “Always.” TVA is definitely a cult.

Weapon?

WEAPON!

...weapon???

no weapon...

Meanie...

Are we gonna see what this Loki variant looks like?

I have a feeling this variant is gonna be the female, blonde (I’m so sorry, at the moment I forget her name) in those pictures we saw. Guessing because 1) she was wearing a Loki outfit. 2) her and tom Hiddleston were wet in that picture as if rained on 3) the scene when they enter Roxxcart occurs when it starts to rain due to the upcoming massive storm. So I’m placing all of my money on the table the Loki variant is Lady Loki. Blonde, for some reason. (Or maybe she just didn’t have a wig on in the picture of her we saw?)

Yea please don’t prune this Loki.

Storms a brewing

Good to know Alabama, at some point, does get destroyed. That’s comforting. (Btw this is a joke. I have nothing against Alabama lol. Idk why my brain thought this was funny lol.)

All wet and rainy.

HAHAHAHA USE THAT MAGIC BABY

LET MOBIUS STICK WITH LOKI

Ooh ooh! Is Loki gonna use powers to yoink the roomba here?

Uh oh. Forgot to take into consideration that most big businesses, especially stores, have security cameras, huh?

Times ticking...

Wait was that a reset charge?

Awkward silence

Spookyyyy

Poor dude lol

Or not

Hmmm

Oh???

I RECOGNIZE THAT MAGIC!!! ITS HER!!!

HUNTER (forget her number) IS THE LOKI VARIANT!!! When was she replaced? Or was she always the variant?

That or the other Loki is projecting herself into the hunter? Maybe used the shopping dude as a conduit?

Moment of realization

Smiling contest

No no, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki is superior. I don’t care who else tries to play Loki, Tom IS Loki.

Oh no

Baby crying?

These poor people...

No need to be rough

Is Mobius genuinely caring

Oh... poor C-20

Team up please? Please?

Ah so they really can just send themself into any body they wish, huh? Just by touch?

Loki, learn that trick please.

Sooo, is the other variant Loki’s body tangible? Do they project their conscience into other bodies via touch, or do they not have a corporeal body and rely on others to exist?

Doctor Who vibes

TEAM UP PLEASE

YES

Please

Please?

Offended by Loki name?

Haha sympathy for Thor

Go randy.

Soooo what are you interested in if not ruling the TVA?

Who’s that planting charges? The real body of the other variant Loki?

You okay C-20? (Off topic her actress reminds me of the actress who played Ava Star aka Ghost in Ant-Man and the Wasp) what is real and what about it is so mind capturing for you?

Oh no

Poor girl

Cmon B-15

Hello?

Reset charge

Oh? Bye bye?

HEY!

That’s rude

I miss Randy too

Cmon Loki fight like the badass I know you are

Please

HAHA! TELEKINESIS

Cartwheel WEEEEE

Oooh he swore

Lokis have a pattern of swearing only while taking other peoples forms

Cmon Loki. Go back to mobius. Help them. Prove your goodness. Please.

Poor trucker man

Hello?

Hello!

Fave reveal?

I KNEW IT

Oh????

Flashlights?

RUN!

Is this actually a Loki variant or just sylvie? Or Amora?

Uh oh...

What’s happening

Is she absolutely destroying the timeline?

Poor Doctor Strange. I wonder if he knows about the TVA?

Loki is all alone? Why is he standing still?

Where is she going?

Cmon Loki... help them please...

Loki...

CLIFF HANGER

NOOOOO I CANT WAIT ANOTHER WEEK AGHHHHHHHH

Are they gonna be okay?

How is the variant traveling?

What is her goal?

Why is Loki going after her?

Why is Loki leaning towards the apparent evil side?

Is this actually lady Loki or sylvie or amora since her hair is blonde?

WHAT IS HAPPENING???

So much just happened in so little time. It’s like Marvel wants to slowly spoon feed us with the first 3/4 of the episode and then in the last 1/4, they waterboard us.

Why is this female Loki variant so much more powerful?

So Loki DID know what was going on at the Renaissance fair and was intentionally stalling for her... why?

Her horned helmet is similar to the one kid(?) Loki wears in the comics. One horn broken. How did that happen? Why does she still wear it, especially if she doesn’t want to be called Loki?

No end credit scene yet.

[royallyprincesslilly]

Title: Kismet {6}

Henry Cavill x Famous OFC Aliya Taylor

Warning: Plot Heavy, Slow Burn, Mild Cursing, Flirtation

Words: 4.5k

Summary: Aliya is a singer turned model turned actress. Since she was fifteen, she’s been creating her empire in the entertainment world. As the daughter of a famous fashion model/designer and Hollywood director, you’d think life is easy for her, but her past has been anything but easy. Due to past trauma, she’s forever changed and no longer trusts any man that is not in her family and a select few in her team. She’s sworn off love and serious relationships and has planned never to fall again, but love isn’t something that can be planned. It just happens when it’s meant to. Can Aliya outrun a love that seems hellbent on holding tight to her, a love that is Kismet?

If you enjoyed this please LIKE, COMMENT, REBLOG!! 😘  

As always, thank you so much for reading. ❤️❤️

***Loosely Edited/Proofread***

***Interactive***

Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

-Henry-

He couldn’t believe you had this effect on him. He hadn’t been able to think of anything else but you since bumping into you now more than three weeks ago. He thought the weeks you were in England and him in LA would have lessened how he was beginning to feel, but it hadn’t. Then he expected after a few dates that he would have realized that he was working himself up, but one date turned into two and another.

 Every time you opened your mouth, he found something else to mesmerize him. If it wasn’t the way you spoke about your friends and family, it was your intellect. If it wasn’t that, it was your sense of humor or your cynical side. There was nothing about you that he tired of. You were fascinating, and he wanted to be around you more and more. That was what took him off guard. He tired quickly, and usually, after a few dates, he usually found characteristics that had him fading into the night.

He knew it was only a matter of time since meeting to exchange phones before you kissed. Every second he was tempted to claim your lips; every minute, he found himself either staring at them or inching closer. He was surprised you hadn’t been able to tell. He felt so transparent and open. It wasn’t a familiar feeling for him. He liked to be cautious of those he spent his time with because no one was ever who they said they were. Everyone had a hidden agenda. He didn’t feel that way about you.

 The minute you kissed him, he had no idea how he remained in control. Every internal instinct told him to push you against those cave walls and rip your dress off of you. His palms itched to feel your skin underneath, but he wanted far more than your body. He knew that the minute the first “goodbye Henry” came out of your mouth. He wanted so much more that he didn’t dare voice or confront—not yet at least.

 “What in the world has got your attention?”

 Turning, he found Halley, Nik’s wife approaching him with a bright smile on her face. Once she plopped down beside him, he returned it. “Nothing—work,” he lied.

 “You should have told me that you were coming by earlier. I would have had Kal bathed and nice for you.”

 He looked out to see Kal speeding through the dog park and the obstacles that were laid out. He may be a bear of a dog, but he was agile as the most athletic pup.

 “It’s okay. I stopped by the house; Nik said you were here. I don’t mind.”

 “How long you in town for?”

 He shrugged. When he considered work, it could be weeks or days, but now there was you. Right?

 “Uh--,” he began rubbing the back of his neck. “Not sure. I left LA a few days ago and had to fly to Prague.”

 Halley observed him for several long moments. When his eyes met hers, she gave a contrite grin before she looked down. “You look tired, Hen.”

 Sighing, he nodded. He felt tired.

 “Yeah. I just have to push on for a few more weeks then a holiday.”

 She nodded, and like a mack truck in came Kal crashing into him, knocking the wind out of his lungs to lick all over his face.

 “Hey, buddy. How are you? I missed you too, yes I did.” Kal kept licking at his face and nipping him on his excited state. He couldn’t keep his laughter back any longer.

 For the next several minutes, he sat on the bench, embracing his best friend that he hadn’t seen in a few weeks. He hated traveling without Kal. He truly was one of the only comforts he had in his busy life.

 “You think you want to come over for dinner tonight? I have a friend I’d love to introduce you to,” Halley mentioned.

 Scoffing, he shook his head. Nik, Halley, Piers, and Amee had tried several times to hook him up with one of their friends, and none of them had ever been a success. It all came back to those hidden motives he couldn’t trust. Plus, none of them ever seemed to get past the celebrity thing. It was really a thing of fascination for many.

 “No, I think I’m just going to lounge with Kal tonight.”

 Halley nodded and stood just as he did after harnessing Kal back onto his leash.

 “Thank you, Halley, I appreciate you guys looking after him.”

 “You’re kidding; we’re family, Hen. Plus, the boys love Kal. He’s such a good boy,” she said as she scratched behind his ear. Like the good boy he was, Kal sat there happily accepting the affection.

 After a quick hug, he was on his way to gather some groceries for a quick dinner. London was his town, and unlike America, he was left alone for the majority of the time. The only time he was approached was when he had some project looming for release, and the press had been rampant with promotion. Otherwise, he would walk down the street and have people recognize him but let him carry on with his day. Celebrity was handled differently by the Brits.

When he made it home, he began Kal’s grooming routine, which went on for almost two hours. Once that was complete, he worried about his own hygiene then began cooking dinner as he had the TV on in the background. When he was home, things were relatively quiet. He was a simple kind of man. He wasn’t into the extravagant thing many celebrities were. The most he’d splurged on was probably tech products. If it was a six thousand dollar gaming computer, he had to have it, or a collector’s building item, he owned it within days, or if it were a motorcycle, he’d splurge. The fancy clothes and everything else didn’t appeal to him, as did extravagant women.

 That was before you. He could tell you were as extravagant as they came, but he could also feel that there was more to you than that. There had to be; he couldn’t be wrong there. Grabbing his phone, he scrolled to your contact and paused. This would be the fourth time he’d called you in the last two days. The fourth time he’d called with no answer. The first two times, he didn’t worry about optics because he knew just as he was busy you were probably even more so. The third time a nagging feeling took over that you were dodging his calls.

 The first few days after he left LA, you answered. You’d talk for hours as if neither of you had anything better to do. When your conversations ended, you’d text throughout the day with only short lags between due to time zones. That went on for three days. By day four, the legs stretched. You didn’t call back as much until you’d stopped picking up altogether. Today was day six. He didn’t know what he’d done wrong.

 Tapping your number, he left it on speakerphone as he stirred the mushroom gravy for his pot roast dinner. It rang once, twice, and a third before it went to voicemail. Sighing, he dropped his head back. He’d left you two messages already. He wasn’t inclined to leave another. Once he ended the call, he focused on the meal before him and not the feeling of rejection beginning to settle in the pit of his stomach.

 ~~~~~~~~~

 -Aliya-

-Two Days Later-

It was unseasonably warm for April in New York. It was pushing seventy degrees and had been for the last three days. It wasn’t something you were mad at or even complaining about because you’d rather warm weather to model in the rain and snow. Thanks to the weather, your shoots had gone down without any problems or delays for the last three days. That meant you had a little time to yourself. Tonight you found yourself enjoying that time.

 “So you need to tell us what’s going on with hunka hunka fine man,” Amaya began.

 Rolling your eyes, you sighed then finished your glass of wine before filling it again. “Nothing, god.”

 “What do you mean? Last we talked, you went to exchange phones, and Leece said you stayed for dinner, and we found out about how it was. What then?”

 Debating in your head if you should even go down this route, you took a mouthful of your wine. You couldn’t even stop your smile when you thought of him. “He asked me out again, and I went. We ate, talked, then he took me to the beach to this—amazing cave and then he took me home,” you cliffs noted.

 Amaya didn’t look convinced at all. “Wait. He took you home? He saw your house?” Her eyes were bugged to match the shock on her face.

 “It’s no big deal. He didn’t go in or to the door,” you lied again while pushing to the side that it was, in fact, a big deal.

 “Oh my god! You broke a rule,” she accused.

 Rolling your eyes again, you tried to push down the anxiety that the accusation brought on.

 “I guess I shouldn’t tell you I broke the no kissing on the second date rule, huh.”

 The loudness of their gasps had so many eyes drifting to your table. Both Amaya and Alicia sat there, stunned and speechless. You didn’t blame them. This was unheard of.

 “Who did it?” Placing your glass down, you looked to Alicia to answer her question. “He went for it, and I stopped him, then—I let him.”

 No one spoke. You just knew they were about to make this an even bigger deal. “It’s not a big deal,” you anxiously lied again as your anxiety continued to rise. “We won’t be seeing each other anymore.”

 “What! Why?”

 “Because he has drama. He’s juggling two women. I will not be the third.”

 “Oh god,” Amaya lamented as she rolled her eyes in unison with you.

 As you rolled your eyes to the right, they landed on Henry, who was approaching your table.

 “Oh holy mother of Christ,” you muttered just as he made it to the table.

“I thought I saw you,” Henry started.

 Recovering like the pro you were, you plastered a smile on your face. “Hi.”

 “How are you?” Henry bent to kiss your cheek, allowing you to smell him and have all the memories you’d tried to push down resurface. A moan escaped you before you could stop it. You were sure he heard it. When he pulled back, the look on his face confirmed it.

 “Good, good—busy, so busy.”

 He smirked and nodded. “I figured. I’ve been calling and texting. No response,” he threw out. You were impressed at his candor. Usually, people would keep pleasantries or even not let it be known. You liked that he called you out on it, but you didn’t like the position it put you in.

 “Work. It’s been so crazy,” you weakly lied.

 Thankfully Amaya clearing her throat brought the attention from you, giving you a needed reprieve.

 “Eh-em!” Shaking your head, you took several breaths and looked him over. He looked good.

 “Introduce us to your friend, Aliya,” Amaya badgered in her sweet voice.

 “Of course. Amaya, Alicia meet Henry, a friend of mine. Henry, these are my best friends.”

 For an inkling of a second, you saw a disappointed look on his face before it was gone and replaced with a pleasant smile.

 “Henry,” Alicia began.

 “Everyone usually calls me Hen or Henners,” he informed.

 “Oh, Henners. Interesting,” Amaya gently teased with a smile.

 “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ladies,” Henry said, slightly bowing his head in that respectful, charmingly British way.

 “Join us,” Amaya insisted, jarring you completely.

 “Uh—I’m sure Henners has other things to do than sit with a couple of chicks,” you averted. The way Henry looked at you had you closing your mouth instantly.

 “Actually, I was coming in for take-out, but I can stay.”

 “Great,” Amaya elated as she raised her hand at a nearby waiter.

 As the waiter brought a chair over, you finished your glass of wine, a sinking feeling settling in your belly. Just like your luck, the chair was set between you and Amaya, leaving Alicia across the table, the perfect location to observe you and Henry.

 “Are you ready to order?”

 “Henners just joined us, maybe a few more minutes,” Amaya informed the waiter.

 “It’s alright. I know what I want,” Henry announced.

 “Great. I’ll have the sriracha shrimp with mashed potatoes, please,” you nervously began.

 “Any appetizer?”

 “Chicken Samosas, please. Also, can you bring another bottle of Moscato? I’m sure this will be gone in no time,” I requested as I poured myself another glass.

 The waiter took Amaya’s and Alicia’s order leaving Henry’s for last due to his insistence that the ladies went first. Damn his charm, you thought. Once he’d ordered his food and the waiter left to put it in, Amaya wasted no time beginning the conversation.

 “I saw the first trailers for The Witcher and the teaser trailer for the next era in Superman and Justice League. I am looking forward to both of them.”

 His smile was soft. “Really? Thank you. I appreciate that.”

 “Are you in New York for business or pleasure?” As she said, “pleasure,” she raised her eyebrows.

 Oh, dear God, you thought, beginning to toy with your wine glass.

 “Business and promo. I left my pleasure in LA,” Henry stated, slipping a glance your way. Your belly fluttered.

 “Oh no. I’m sorry. Maybe you can find some in New York,” Amaya added.

 Henry took a sip of his wine and shrugged. “I wasn’t optimistic about that, but here I stand corrected bumping into you ladies.”

 Alicia and Amaya giggled like love-struck schoolgirls. You wanted to laugh. You were able to not laugh outright, but you couldn’t stifle the snort that escaped.

 “Guys watch out, Henners here is British. The capital of charm,” you teased.

 Henry smiled again. “Not my fault the British were bred somewhat different than the rest of the world. We appreciate simpler things, charm being one of them and beautiful women.”

 “Cocky,” Alicia slid in.

 “Not at all. I prefer confident,” he finished raising his glass to her. Smirking, you took a mouthful of wine.

 “How can you stand to work for so long and so frequently away from family and friends?”

 Henry looked to Amaya before he answered. You liked one thing; he paid attention to who he spoke to, ensuring they felt seen. “It used to be tough. I dealt with loneliness a lot but not so much anymore. I’ve learned how to handle it.”

 After another sip of wine, you butted in. “Plus, there are a slew of beautiful women dying to aid you with your loneliness. It helps, I bet.”

 The look he gave you was a questioning one, but he didn’t speak. He just shrugged with a smirk.

 “I don’t notice the women. They all tend to blend together, same attitudes, same motives, same antics. Finding someone original in the sea is rare, and I have better things to do than vet.”

 “So, you’re not looking for love?”

 It was a bold question, but it was right up Amaya’s alley.

 “Never looking,” Henry answered.

 “That’s good. When you’re not looking is usually when it finds you,” Alicia added.

 “Or something finds you. Love, lust, whichever,” you argued before you took another sip of wine.

 “Don’t mind cynical Cathy over there,” Amaya taunted.

 “It’s all right. Usually, those who are cynics just need something to believe in or to be showed they can believe in something—or someone,” Henry said as he stared at you.

 No one spoke or moved for quite a while. You were the one to look away and knock back the rest of your wine.

 The remainder of dinner was interesting. Henry continued to charm your friends with almost every word out of his mouth. It didn’t take long for you to see how much they liked him. Part of you was happy because who didn’t want their friends to like someone that was showing attention. The other part of you hated it. They were typically a lot more difficult to melt than this.

 You found yourself watching him, and his body langued for the rest of the night. If he moved his hands as he spoke, your eyes were focused there, noting how large and strong they looked. If Henry took a sip of wine or a bite of his steak, you focused on his mouth. From there, your mind always went back to the feel of his lips on yours. You were still attracted to him.

 The week had done nothing. There was a reason why you’d created distance and space from him. It was supposed to serve a purpose, and you thought it had, but this dinner proved nothing had changed. You wanted him, and it was driving you crazy.

 By the time the three of you left the restaurant after Henry paid, the night air was cool but not cold. It was pleasant. When you turned, he was there, and your friends had mysteriously wandered off. Henry took a few steps closer to you, leaving only a few inches between you.

 “How are you?”

 “I’m good. You?”

 Henry took a deep breath and stuffed his hands into his pocket. You remembered that move. Biting your bottom lip, you glanced at his lips.

 “Feeling the burn out coming.”

 Nodding, you answered, “I understand.”

 “I’ll be in town for one more day. I fly out tomorrow night. Would you want to do breakfast tomorrow?”

 There it was. You sighed, looked down, and shuffled your feet. “Okay.”

 “Pick a restaurant. This is your stomping ground,” Henry said with a smile that made you smile.

 “You remember.”

 He leaned in softly, bumping you. “I remember everything you’ve told me.”

 One simple sentence took your breath away. You watched Henry lean into you to place a sweet kiss on your cheek.

 “Good night, Aliya.”

 Taking a breath to slow your racing heart, you replied. “Goodbye, Henry.”

 He scoffed before he walked off down the street, leaving you to watch as he walked. Groaning, you bit your bottom lip. “Damn.”

 ~~~~~~~~

 -The Next Day-

With plenty of debate about canceling or keeping the breakfast plans, you gave in and kept it. After putting in way too much effort into your hair, makeup and outfit, you found yourself rolling up to the designated meet spot—Sarabeth’s twenty minutes late. Once you approached the restaurant, you saw him sitting by one of the windows with a newspaper in one hand and his phone in the other. Once he saw you, his smile widened, showing you his sharpened canines that were longer than his other teeth and slightly poked out. It was an endearing quality.

 As you approached, he stood to greet you, then kissed your cheek.

 “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

 “I’m pretty sure from now on I’ll be waiting for you happily,” he joked.

 Once both of you had settled, you looked at him, almost losing your train of thought.

 “Have you ordered?”

 “Just some tea,” he informed, motioning to his white ceramic teacup.

 “Tea? You’re not a coffee drinker?”

 “I am British,” was all he said.

 Snorting, you laughed at his serious expression.

 “Let me guess, Earl Grey?”

 “Now, I’m just cliché, aren’t I?”

 Giggling, you shrugged, pleased with yourself for guessing correctly.

 “Welcome to Sarabeth’s. Can I start you guys off with something to drink?”

 Glancing to Henry, he motioned to you to go first.

 “I’ll have an Earl Grey tea, please.”

 Henry snorted, making you smile.

 “Coming right up.”

 When the two of you were alone again, his smile widened. “You too, huh.”

 “I start my day with Earl Grey. Guess it comes from the British part of me.”

 “Must be,” he replied.

 “I saw the trailer last night. Amaya is right. It’s amazing,” you elated.

 His smile was adorable, but he looked embarrassed. “You think so?”

 Nodding, you placed your hand over his as reassurance. “I promise.”

 Henry looked down at your hand, bringing your eyes to it as well. Pulling back, you cleared your throat.

 “I’m excited. I’ve been doing this for the last year. I’ve put a lot into it, blood, sweat—everything.”

 His passion shone through, and it pulled you closer to him. “I can imagine,” you responded before you flipped through the menu.

 “I take it you’ve been here before?”

 “Yes, one of my favorites. The food is fresh and organic,” you answered.

 “So you’re health-conscious,” Henry filled in.

 “Not at all. I just like good food.” His laugher echoed around the small restaurant. You had to shrug off the shiver that ran through you.

 Hoping to change the subject, you inquired, “Ready? I’m hungry.”

 Henry nodded and waved the waiter over. Again, he allowed you to order first before he went ahead. Once the waiter got your orders, the conversation turned to work. He told you about the plans for season two of The Witcher and even gave some tidbits about the new Superman project. It was clear he enjoyed what he did and took pride in it. Many actors saw acting merely as a means for millions and fame—that was until you got that intrusive fame.

 “Your friends are great.”

 “Ha. That’s because you just met them,” you teased. “Over time, you’d be whistling a different tune.”

 “Sound like my friends and family if I’m honest.”

 You laughed together. “Mine too. Aren’t they the best?”

 Picking up on the sarcasm in your voice, he nodded, giving you a quirky face.

 The connection between you was evident, as was the attraction. It was something challenging to repress or pretend wasn’t happening. When you spoke, you noticed he watched your mouth and even picked up how his body swayed to you. It was similar to what happened to you. As you explained to him how you enjoyed traveling when you were promoting an album, his phone rang. Seeing as it could have been important business, you insisted he answer to his protests. Before he did, he promised it would be quick.

 “Hello?”

 The look on his face was instant shock.

 “Um—It’s—it’s not a good time. I will call you later,” Henry rushed out lower than he’d began.

 Thanks to the lowness of his tone, you could hear a woman’s voice from the call. That was all you needed to be slapped to reality.

 “Tomorrow. I’ll be home, and then we have to talk,” Henry stated. Your jaw clenched before he ended the call to look at you.

 “Everything all right?”

 After clearing his throat, he nodded. “Yes.”

 His smile was forced, but he forged on with the conversation. A conversation you were ready to check out of entirely. Pushing through the remainder of the meal, your only goal was the end. Once breakfast was finished and the bill settled, this time by you, the two of you found yourself outside together.

 “If I call you in the next few weeks, will you pick up?”

 Another bold question. Too bold, considering you’d just heard a woman on the phone. Sighing out, you tied your trench again.

 “Henry--.”

 Henry moaned then sighed out. “Chris, my name on your lips sounds so much more different than anyone else saying it. I like it.”

 He truly spoke what he thought, no concealing. Shrugging it off and pushing through your stupor, you stepped back and continued. “This has been fun. You seem like a really good person on top of being uber-talented. I wish you nothing but continued success in your career and life, but—for anything here—I don’t think it’s going to happen,” you said surprisingly steadily.

 His confusion was apparent. Tilting his head to the side, Henry’s brows knitted. “Why?”

 Quickly you searched for a reason deciding on the plainest answer. “Because it won’t work.”

 “Give me a reason,” Henry pressed but not in a disrespectful way.

 Feeling cornered, you straightened your back. “Why do you need a reason?”

 “I’m a man. I need to know the reason why I’m being rejected. I thought we were progressing on the same page,” he honestly revealed. You could see the confusion and hurt increasing in his eyes.

 Fuck it, you thought. “I don’t do drama or messy, and your situation screams drama and mess,” you blurted out.

 “My situation?”

 “Henry, I had your phone for two weeks. I saw the messages and calls from Francesca and Abby. That is messy and the potential for more drama than I have the energy for. I don’t do three ways. I don’t share. I’m not a juggling ball. I will not be juggled.”

 “How do you know you’re being juggled?”

 “That call in there. Was that Francesca or Abby? I’m going to guess it was Abby since you said you’d be home, and she’s sent messages asking about you coming home before,” you deduced. Henry nodded and looked down.

 “Downside to a woman having your phone for a long period of time,” you mumbled.

 “Have you been juggling me with Jesse and Liam? I’ve seen the messages and calls too,” Henry countered.

 “I don’t juggle. Juggling means one or both do not know about each other. Jesse and Liam know about each other. I don’t juggle,” you finished.

 Henry sighed and nodded.

 “So, you’ve been seeing the three of us.”

 “I haven’t, and that is my honest answer.”

 Henry glanced down the street. His whole disposition changed. Where he was warm and inviting, he was now cold and rigid.

 “So that’s just it?”

 Shrugging, you nodded. “Pretty much.”

 “Even though we both felt it.”

 Keeping a straight face, you proceeded. “I don’t know what you mean. The bottom line is I’ve broken three rules already when it comes to you, and I will not break this one.”

 With that, Henry nodded.

 “Have a safe flight. Goodbye, Henry.”

 Staring at each other for a few moments, neither of you moved. Henry nodded, and you took that as your out. Walking down the street away from him, you did your best to keep your head up and your back straight. You’d talked the talk, and now you had to walk the walk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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