#had lots of fun making these actually so thanks shinee for once again making me a little less mentally ill

[seungcheorry]

the uncertainty hansol feels equal the thrill under his skin. he keeps hearing you talk but he doesn't actually listen- wait, maybe he should.

"so, yeah, i'm excited to see her", you nod. who's her? your friend who's moving out of the city and who you're gonna see tomorrow night?

"yeah, of course", he nods too. "make sure to have some fun with her, i bet you'll miss her."

your tiny 'i will' almost go unnoticed as the subway gets closer to you two. people start to walk to its door, patiently waiting for the train to stop and accommodate all of them.

it's the fourth that goes by, you shouldn't miss this one.

"i have to go..."

"um, yeah, okay", hansol says. "thank you so much for the night, i had a lot of fun."

"thank you, so did i."

you hug hansol, feeling how his body reacts to the way you're snaking your arms around his torso. he sighs, a tiny smile stamped on his lips.

but as you're about to let go, you can't help but think that... that's not what you actually want to do to him.

so you take your shot, pushing him off you a bit and hoping you won't mess your first date when you say-

"come here", you whisper, cupping his cheek and pulling him close again just so you can peck his lips.

hansol could explode in that very moment. his arms bring you even closer, the subway way long forgotten, and he also takes his shot when he deepens the kiss, sucking your bottom lip and pecking your lips again - and then your cheek, and then your jaw.

"i really have to go~", you giggle, and hansol groans.

"okay, sorry", he lets you go - after pecking your lips again -, and watches as your eyes shine at him. "can i text you later?"

you nod once again, maybe a little too eagerly, as you wave him goodbye and finally step into your train, door closing behind you.

oh, well. isn't hansol over the moon now?

have you considered giving me a tip? | ko-fi

[littlefridayhoney]

shinee pets as movie posters: kkoong and daeng in parasite (2019) // comme des in everything everywhere all at once (2022) (insp. by x) // byul roo in her (2013)

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Can't Have One Without the Other 2

Warnings: non/dubcon, marital troubles, body insecurity, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Characters: Bucky Barnes

Summary: your marriage is on the rocks.

Note: I asked about husbands and all your hoes said Bucky (with a few Sy’s in the middle). I wasn’t intending on a whole series but I thnk it would be fun to have husband!Bucky turn a bit desperate.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️

The desolation lingers, even with Bucky's return. You shuffle down the hall to your office and set your bag on your desk. He fills the doorway as he watches you unpack your tablet and place it on its tripod.

"Some homecoming," he growls.

You look up, eyebrows rising, unready for his confrontation. As unprepared as you are for him to be there. You're so used to being alone. He feels like a stranger.

"I'm sorry, Bucky, the issue is due at the editor tonight. And Janine sent me the draft ages ago," you avert your eyes guiltily. "It should be too much longer..."

"She sent it a while ago. Meaning, you're the one who slacked," he sniffs.

You nod and sit, "sorry. I messed up. Again."

You swivel to face the tablet and take the pen off the side. You unlock it and pinch with your fingers to zoom. He clucks and marches off as you struggle not to show your discomfort.

You lean in and focus on the work. It's so natural to you, it's soothing. To know exactly what you're doing. Not like this. Not like living. Not like marriage.

He comes back through the open door and smacks his hand down on the desk. You reel back with the pen in hand as he uncovers your rings, leaving them next to your monitor. You glance at him, "thanks. I... thanks."

Your lips twitch and your cheek ticks. You can't stop moving your mouth. That old nervous habit is back.

"Oh, and these might help," he sets down your glasses next to the rings. "Probably more important to you."

You hesitate and take the rings first. You slip them on and admire the shine. The teardrop is just as sparkling as the day he gave it to you. You reach for your glasses and he catches your hand.

"I didn't want to go," he says. "So I'd appreciate if you stop acting like I abandoned you."

You shake your head and shrug. "I don't think that--"

"I saw the Kelly's bag on the counter," he scoffs. "The soda cup next to the bed..."

"I've been busy. I forgot to tidy up."

"And cook," he challenges.

You wiggle free of him. Because he lets you. He could easily keep you in his grasp. He rescinds his hand and exhales heavily.

"Yep," you put your glasses on and turn back to your tablet, overly aware of how much room your ass takes up in that chair. "I'll cook tonight. I have a steak for you."

He clicks his tongue, "I'm concerned, not a tyrant."

"I know, Buck, alright? I'm sorry, I have a lot going on--"

"You do, yeah. Me too," he crosses his arms. "Like spending a month away from my wife. Getting my head knocked half-off. Sleeping on concrete--"

You drop the pen. You can stay up. You had that coffee, it will help.

"I better marinate that steak, make sure that flavour sticks," you move out from behind the desk. He moves to meet you, blocking you.

"I don't want you to fucking act like some trapped housewife. You haven't even kissed me," he sneers.

Your heart drops. You hadn't even thought of it. You look at his belt. It's as if he plunged that knife there between your ribs.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, okay?" You flutter your fingers nervously. "Oh, I..." your lips slant back and forth.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?" He shakes his head. 

"Please, I..." you step closer and reach for him, "I'll give you a kiss--"

He stops you by your shoulders and moves you away from him. It's like he's slapped you. He puts you at arms' length. He grits his teeth as his nostrils flare.

"Kiss me because you want to," he shoves you just a little. "I'll order a fucking cheeseburger. Finish your work." He pokes his tongue in his cheek and spins away. "You don't need to let anyone else down."

He stomps out and you stagger, leaning on the desk to steady yourself. What the hell? You tried. You did. Didn't you?

You swallow and blow out a long, dry breath. You close your eyes and gather up what's left of your strength. You sit and stare at the tablet. The pen sits in front of the stand. You should cry. You want to. Your eyes are barren. Nothing.

You grab the pen and roll close. You focus on the line work for the next panel. You have to stop and ease the tremble in your hand. Your frustration mounts as you can't keep the pixels from wobbling.

You hear a soft thump. You sit up and look toward the door. You hear the clatter of something else. More things tossed around. You get up and leave the pen behind.

You step into the open door and listen. He's upstairs. You go up, a step at a time, following the noise with baited breath. He's in the bedroom.

As you peer inside, he's pillaging your top drawer. He grips your vibrator and gnashes his teeth. It crunches in hand before he hurls it away. Your books are on the floor before the bookshelf, your nightstand is on its side. He continues to tear apart your things.

"Bucky, what are you doing?" You near him and touch his arm.

"Looking for evidence," he opens your jewelry box and spins the hooks that hold your necklaces.

"Evidence? Of what?"

"Him."

"Him?" You echo in confusion.

"The other guy."

"Other... Bucky? How can you say that?"

"There has to be someone else," he grabs the jewelry box and flings it with a crash. He turns to face you. "You're icing me out."

"I'm not. Bucky, I-- I--" You can't find a single fucking drop of moisture in your head. It stings for him to accuse you and yet it's all locked inside you. "I waited for you. I've been waiting. And I would never-- How could you even think--" You stammer through your anger and hurt. "You-- I thought you knew me."

"I thought I fucking did too," he snorts.

He sidesteps you and you turn to watch him storm out. You step on a book and hear the spine break. You look down as his footfalls hammer downstairs. You bend and pick up the journal you forgot. The one with all the postcards he used to send you while on missions. You thought it was cute back then how old-fashioned he was. He hated texting, but he sent you these cards he found in local shops. They just feel like reminders of what you've lost. It's gone, isn't it?

[cinhomi]

Can you write about a female reader giving Han a blowjob under a desk and then ALMOST getting caught by changbin? (Make han spit in her mouth too😍) I’ve read something like this before and I can’t find it anymore so can you write it? 😭 I will literally love you forever if u write this😭💕

I debated with myself for a few days about writing this or not because I actually don't take requests but... you asked nicely and the idea is hot, so I'll elaborate a bit, yeah? (spoiler: I got carried away) maybe try to pone it differently next time!! 🩷 you could start with "imagine giving Han a blowjob under a desk and..." nonetheless, thank you for thinking of me when asking for this delicious scenario, I had a lot of fun!! now you have to love me forever :)

He can't stop thinking about it... from the way creamy toothpaste was all around your lips this morning, how they delicately rested on your mug to sip your preferred beverage for breakfast, how they pronounced his name and pursed to kiss him when he left to work... Jisung does try to wrap a hand around his cock when he's finally alone but he specifically needs your mouth to do it today.

And it was so frustrating having people continuously asking him if he was alright all morning, with his face flushed, sweating, adjusting his clothes every two seconds, and the day goes on and he can't stop the patting and tugging between his legs as if to shoo away his rock hard erection.

So he just... calls you, in the end. He doesn't know what else to do. And he kind of fools you into thinking that he's his not so uncommon soft and pleading kind of needy self, making you feel guilty for not being there with him, taking care of the little problem that poor clueless you caused, so you decide to help. There's nothing more important than your sweet boyfriend, right? It's just that when you get there and knock on the door of his studio he rushes to forcefully grab your arm to pull you onto him, while he shuts the door with a hard slam. Where is the cutie you left behind the phone few minutes before?

Jisung reaches your hand and directs it to his crotch, making you feel him, guiding you in a up-and-down motion as he hisses and buries his face in the crook of your neck.

"Where the fuck were you?" he whispers near your ear, hot breath making your skin rise with goosebumps, light grazing of his teeth accompanying his smooth tongue, cause of the gasp coming from you. He starts to move against your hand, grinding on it as you squeeze a little bit, fingers playing around there and tugging at his waistband.

"Sorry baby... I'm here to help now," you kiss his cheek and stop yourself from moaning when he returns his sharp gaze to you. "What do you need?" you ask him in a whisper.

"On your knees." and you start to go down, but he stops you and takes your chin to guide your head dowards the desk, "Under there, baby. Go under there."

It's a little tight and uncomfy at first, but when you adjust your knees on the fluffy carpet and he spreads his legs once sitted you magically fit perfectly. Jisung has his sweats lowered just enough for his hard, leaky lenght to be exposed, and your mouth waters at the sight, just like always. His breath is heavy and his eyes can't stay open for too long because your pretty face with the shadow of his cock across it could make him cum on the spot.

Jisung carefully spreads precum on his tip trying to not jump from how sensitive he is. For as much as he's excited, it's not enough to reach the base yet, so he detaches from the back of the expensive work chair and spits on himself, saliva lingering on his plump bottom lip, making it shine like when he wears gloss. You whimper. He notices.

He spits again, it lands on his dark bush and it slides down slowly. You shift in place to close your thighs as much as you can, afraid of your wetness seeping through your panties. Jisung notices that too. The gears in his head start to move... and his thought sounds just right. His light touch makes you lean against his hand as he delicately tucks some stray hair behind your ears, before slowly gripping the ones on your nape to pull you a bit closer, mere centimeters away from where he wanted you for hours.

With the other hand he makes his thumb travel over your lips, parting them until he's holding your jaw open, and without a warning his spit lands inside your mouth, making you flinch from the surprise. When you look at him again his tongue is still lolled out and he's smiling. Oh, you're clenching. And it just comes so natural to swallow it, the action making him hiss and throw his head back while he chuckles, "I'm so glad that you're as disgusting as me."

That's how you spend a good amount of time taking his saliva in your mouth, patienty waiting for him to gather some to give to you, being scolded because you let it slide from the corners of your mouth, having to collect some more because Jisung smears it all over your face. He did spurt a bit while watching you like this, doing something so gross... but he called you for a reason after all, no?

And god, the way the shiny trasparent fluid overflows and drips on the floor when you take his cock, some going down him too staining his sweats, he has to hold the armrests to gather enough strenght to not immediately cum and possibly appear like a poor virgin boy. Who needs lube when you can spit into your girlfriend's mouth? This is his new obsession, this might be the best blowjob of his life.

Your hands grip his clothed thighs, holding the fabric of his pants as you try to take him whole, nose nuzzling against his wet hair as you feel the tip hitting the back of your throat. He loves the way you squeeze around him when you choke, Jisung fucking loves how you swirl your tongue, how you hold him up and leave long licks from his balls to his frenulum where you pay sweet attention. Little things that his hand can't do.

"God you're so fucking perfect baby," he wipes some tears from your eyes before one hand gently closes around your throat and the other leaves little pats at the top of your head, "keep going like that, yeah..."

The sound of his notification makes him groan in annoyance. Jisung leaves you without his touch and you whine around him lacking the opportunity to pout, vibrations making him moan, but he still hushes you while he tries to adjust to the brightness of the screen.

His eyes winden. A hand is back on top of your head and if you're happy at first, you get confused a second after when you feel him push you away.

"Babe we gotta stop, Bin is coming here."

But you don't move. He tries to make you, but you look up at him with your big beautiful eyes and you feel him twitch.

"He's down the fucking isle- for- for fuck's sake move from- here!" he tries to keep his voice in a whisper but it cracks with a moan when you start sucking him harder. He's close, he's so fucking close. The idea of getting caught by one of his best friends is making you dizzy... so risky and wrong and embarassing but oh if it's tempting, letting Changbin see how you're so pretty for Jisung and take all of him even if you gag and your knees burn... and he thinks the same. His belly starts to contract and his breath is frantic and panicked. What if Changbin enters now? What if he sees him about to cum on the chair everyone uses? Jisung's cheeks become so hot and red and he can imagine his head exploding before he feels your smooth fingers trace his abs with featherlight touches, then taking all of him once again.

He lets out a strangled moan, knuckles whitening from how hard he's holding the backrest above his head, thick white cum all down your throat and you start to swallow even before him finishing his release.

The doorknob clicks. His cock is still inside your mouth but he's quick to reach for the jacket near him and place it on his lap, moving a bit closer to the desk to cover you too.

"Ji? Are you alright?" Changbin's voice isn't as loud as always, probably worried about his friend that was grumpy and easily irritable all day, and obviously physically unwell.

Jisung is still coming down from his high and it doesn't help that you keep on licking him clean, making him jolt and soak in sweat.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm alright Bin, 's all good." he tries to ressure him to make him leave faster.

"You're... so red Ji, and you're sweating and panting, I don't think you're alright..." he approaches, and Jisung adjusts the jacket before an idea comes to mind.

"Can you do me a favor?" he asks, Changbin immediately listening and ready to help his friend, "Can you go ask if I can leave early? And maybe ask for a fever thermometer too, I might have a flu, to be honest."

Changbin nods, finally satisfied with his sincerity. If only he knew the real reason why he's like this...

"You have to stop being a workaholic Ji, I say it because I care!"

"Bin just... I know. Thank you. Can you please go now?"

"And y/n? Where did she go?"

Oh, shit.

"She went to the bathroom."

There's a bit of tension that fills the air for a few seconds, while you try to stay as silent as possible, not really resisting the urge to kiss Jisung's tip.

"Oh, okay. Hope I'll be able to say goodbye later, haven't seen her in a while." and with that Changbin exits the room without a suspect.

You two make sure he's far enaugh before you come out of the crampled space and he adjusts his pants to let you sit on his lap. Laughter spontaneously comes from both of you and he hugs you tight, your chest flat on his. Jisung kisses you and he can still feel a bit of saltiness in your mouth, but he doesn't care.

"It was,"

"So hot." he finishes. "Risky. We never did something so risky..." his hands wander until they find the soft curves of your ass and rest there. You nod and clutch your arms around his neck and get comfy, as close as possible.

"Thank you, I really needed this baby." another tender kiss is set on your forehead now, while he caresses your back, "But I guess I'll have to punish you at home, hm? Bin could have seen us, and you didn't listen to me. Bad girl, bad bad girl..." dirty smile spreading on his lips, plans of what he wants to do to you playing in his head nonstop like a creative flow.

[lemonflavoreddishsoap]

Hello there!! Idk if I have already sent something in, but if I haven’t, I would love to request! May I please have the LS members’ (separate) reactions to a new member with “soulless” or “dead” eyes (basically like the anime eyes that have no shine in them), who always seems rather closed off, but at some point the members do something nice to them, and the reader blushes and their eyes just light up like the brightest stars? Sorry if this request is a lot! If it is you can ignore! But thank you so much! (I loved the housewife s/o HCs you wrote btw, they were lovely!) ❤️❤️

Ghiaccio pfp twinsies...woag- also i like this idea a lot!! this reader sounds absolutely wonderful <33 fair warning I wrote most of these while incredibly sleepy so if they're ooc that's probably why im so sorry-

------------------------------------------------------------

La Squadra with a reader who has soulless eyes (that light up when they're happy/flustered)

Formaggio

When he first saw you, he wasn't sure exactly how alive you were.

I mean, those empty eyes and the way you barely talked to anyone definitely had him raising an eyebrow at first.

But he quickly got used to it. Nothing was wrong with responding to a joke with a tiny smile instead of a hearty laugh.

In fact, with enough time, he grows rather comfortable around that blank stare of yours. He gives you your space, but whenever you do talk to him, he's more than happy to get the chance to hear your voice and chat.

One day, before you went out for a mission, Formaggio noticed you nearly forgot to bring something vital. He managed to catch up to you and give you the item before you left, but before he could say anything, he noticed your expression.

The color spread across your cheeks, and your eyes -Oh god, your EYES. It was like someone finally flipped on a light switch in them. They were full of life for once, and the sight had him speechless.

But- shit, right, you had to leave. With an absent-minded nod and pat on the shoulder, he began to walk away.

"No need to thank me," he shouted to you before he was out of sight - and it was true. The look on your face had been thanks enough.

Illuso

Definitely made fun of your empty eyes often. Like Formaggio he probably compares you to a zombie, but he is willing to say it out loud.

He tries to guess what your thinking and feeling all the time if you tend to not show emotion. Like he'd say things like "I bet you're pissed about that too, you just don't wanna show it."

But like. In an annoying way if that makes sense.

I'll be honest I can't think of what kind of nice thing he would do for you. This dude's section has haunted me for days, y'all.

But in the event of him doing nice for you, he notices your expression right away. boy is he surprised by it. and boy is he LOUD about it.

"Holy SHIT! You're actually alive! I managed to break that moody façade of yours?"

You might wanna walk away or hide your face before he calls the rest of the gang over to look.

Afterwards he's weirdly a bit nicer to you? He obviously wants to see your adorable expression again, but his exact intentions are unknown...

Prosciutto

Doesn't care in much of a usual way. If anything I think he would comment on how your hard to read expressions and closed off nature makes you good for the job.

So he never really bothers to think you may be any other way.

The two of you were set to go on a mission together, and he insisted you work on a concrete plan beforehand. It turns out his idea for the plan relies VERY heavily on your abilities/stand.

When you ask about it, he begins to talk about how strong your abilities are, and how perfect you would be for the job, how he has faith that you can pull it all off.

Your heart flutters at his words and with every compliment you feel heat rush to your face.

When he stops talking and notices how your eyes lit up, he's....genuinely unsure what to think.

It was all true, you were strong and the right person for the job, but we all know how he gets when he's working with someone he feels is a bit too vulnerable cough cough pesci

He doesn't worry about it for the time being - it's a one time thing after all - but he keeps an eye out for if it happens again.

Pesci

I think he is used to people thinking he looks strange/creepy, so even it might creep him out a bit, he tries to be nice about your soulless face.

Gives you your space, but this boy is sweet, it won't take long for him to do something that makes the darkness in your eyes fade away.

idk why my first thought for the moment is him baking something new and asking you to try it. You have a taste and quickly nod in approval, it's delicious.

Relieved, Pesci proceeds to let you know he made it because he remembered you mentioning [insert flavor here] was your favorite flavor. Yep, that'll do it.

He's incredibly caught off guard, seeing your eyes twinkle with appreciation - for a second he thinks you're about to cry! He stands there, unsure what to do, until either the interaction ends or you say something to him.

Is so overwhelmed afterwards no matter what happens - was that really the real you? That sweet face was really yours?

Melone

It literally doesn't matter to him - he can see right through your dead look. It's uncanny.

You could be completely stone-faced and he would find some way to be able to tell exactly how you feel about something. He'll tell you his predictions too to see if their right.

I imagine it's one of these moments that actually leads to him seeing that cute expression of yours.

It started with "you found that hilarious, didn't you?"

He was playing his guessing game again, and like every time before, he was right. You didn't even have to answer.

"You know, you're so interesting to read. You have all these little tells for every small thought, and I think you subconsciously change them a bit every time I take notice of them!" He suddenly began explaining to you.

But it didn't stop there, he began to tell you all about how he picked apart your body language, how he noticed changes in your emotions over the entire time he's known you. "You're.... fascinating to watch."

It's not until he finishes talking that you both realize you've been staring at him with a completely uncharacteristically bright look of wonder. Then it's his turn for his face to light up, pointing at the blush on your cheeks.

"So you do like how I watch you! I knew it."

Ghiaccio

"The hell are you giving me that look for!?"

Of COURSE he takes it personally a lot - especially if you're supposed to be listening to his rambling. He isn't exactly thinking straight, so he just thinks your blank stare is some kind of insult.

But beyond that, it's rare he'll get on your ass about it.

Over time, I think he might even find you a reliable person to spew all his ranting at, if you don't complain at him or cause a fuss.

Maybe even at some point, perhaps if you've been getting picked on especially hard by Illuso, he'll ask if you have any ranting to do.

"What!? That prick has got to be getting on your nerves, doesn't that make you- WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU GIVING ME THAT FACE FOR!?"

You're gonna have to end up explaining yourself or else he won't stop asking you. When you do, he'll scoff, saying he barely did anything. At least you won't have him blabbing about it to the others, you both know it would get real annoying real quick.

If you specifically ask him to keep it secret, he'll nod, and you swear you see him smile at you.

Risotto

This man also looks pretty damn unapproachable (love him tho <3). He has the least amount of problems with how you are.

Like Prosciutto, he thinks your closed off nature is good for the job. But he never brings up that sometimes he wishes you were a little more open.

One day you return from a mission. It went smoothly. Enough. Okay, you had managed to get the deed done, but you had gotten injured in the process. In order to not endure lecturing from any of your teammates, you quickly dismissed everyone's questions about the mission and looked for things to treat your wound with, hiding it from everyone else.

In the middle of hastily wrapping up the bloody injury, you felt a hand on your shoulder, and soon after you head Risotto's voice. He warned you that you weren't treating the wound carefully enough.

He didn't scold you- a scolding wasn't going to help the sting and the crimson staining your skin. No, he asked if he could take care of the wound for you.

You felt your face heat up as he helped you, but although you were sure he noticed the look on your face, he made no mention of it. Just tended to your wound, and told you to tell him about any issues with a mission next time.

Afterwards you two agreed you would give him specifics later. You thanked him and that was that.

Walking away from you, Risotto replayed your expression in his mind....how cute.

[sadieshairbrush]

Stranger Things: Clementine

A/N: This is so scary to me as I’ve been working on this for a crazy long time! Unfortunately, I understand that a lot of people aren’t fans of Original characters but I just find the concept of it a lot more inclusive, and I can take more inclusive liberties with my character! No mentions of hair, skin, eye colour etc, just a name. As a Scottish girl imagining myself casually in Hawkins is strange and I usually find it better to envision myself playing a character I can become attached to. I love this character, and I hope she becomes as close to your heart and she is to mine. Steve slow burn.

Summary: Clementine Chase, a classic high school girl in Hawkins is suddenly faced with the mystery surrounding a missing boy.

Chapter 1: The Vanishing of Will Byers

“Thanks again for helping me out here, Clementine. I really appreciate this.”

“I don’t mind,” I smiled, dragging a cloth over the surface of the kitchen counter. “Its all my mess anyways.”

Normally this mess was created while trying to entertain the group of 12 year olds I’ve babysat a couple of times but tonight, they were playing some nerdy board game the last ten hours. They’d begun this far before I’d arrived, so the mess tonight was my own.

I’d attempted to make the boys some sandwiches near 2PM. I’d been there for an hour and not once had any of the kids come up from the basement yet. Serves me right since I didn’t actually need to be there until it got dark.

It was around 6PM when Nancy had walked through the front door, more than surprised to see me. She’d froze half way through the door, and I looked at her with a daring smirk.

“Have fun today, Nancy?”

“Just… a little.”

I knew what that meant. Her tiny grin told me all I needed to know. Steve was in my circle of friends, after all. How could I not know what was going on behind the scenes?

The story had gone that Steve Harrington, King Steve had taken a shine to Perfect Nancy Wheeler. How long would it last, would everyone know if they were to go all the way?

It had been about two weeks. Everyone knew about it. Still, I wasn’t quite sure what the official story was. Is this a silly little thing or are they genuinely interested in one another?

I was only let in on this before the weekend, and had only decided to let my bitterness go so I had a ride to school tomorrow.

Seeing her come home while I was babysitting her brother wasn’t so awkard, not as awkward as it could be anyway. But I could always sense she wasn’t quite as relaxed as I’d like her to be around me. We didn’t generally run in the same circles, but who was I to care?

By 8PM when Mr and Mrs Wheeler came home with Holly, Nancy was clearing her snacks off the kitchen counter we’d been leaning against, unwilling to let her parents into the gossip we’d been sharing.

“I’m going to study before bed, so I’ll see you in school tomorrow, Clementine.”

“She’s got Kaminskys test,” I cleared up as Ted made a bee-line for the TV. Karen nodded, heading out to take Holly to her bed.

When she was back, I’d already had my coat on, clearing the mess I’d made with a damp rag.

The last time I was here ended the same.

Clearing up the days mess while Karen practically pried me away from the cloth with a, “you’ve done enough, I’ll handle the mess.”

Though I’ve not listened yet.

I smile cheekily as the kids loud voices upstairs as they yell tensely from the basement. I meet Karen’s eyes, and . “Those kids will be wanted home about now. I could walk them out before I overstay my welcome.”

She looked down at her own watch, noting the time. It was already reaching eight fifteen.

“Mike! …Mike!” She yelled, coming back to the kitchen area. She waits patiently with a hand on her hip, but the boys voices just get louder as they chat on top of one another.

“Mike!”

She walked towards the basement door, and swings it open without an other seconds thought.

And from there, I can just slightly hear Mikes voice over the others.

“Mom! We’re in the middle of a campaign!”

“You mean the end.” She taps her watch, meaningfully. “Fifteen after.”

Mike runs up the stairs, and catches my eye when he sees me, a look of confusion.

“How long have you been here?”

I could have choked on my own scoff. That basement is playing with his head.

“Uhh, all day? I made you guys your lunch? Ordered pizza and brought it down for you like an hour ago for dinner?”

He shook his head, probably an attempt to clear his already empty brain.

“Mom, just 20 more minutes!”

“It’s a school night, Michael, and I just put Holly to bed. You can finish next weekend.”

“That’ll ruin the flow–

“Michael–

“I’m serious, mom! It took two weeks to plan! How was I supposed to know it’d take ten hours?”

“Oh, no, it’s the end of the world as we know it!” I teased, ignoring his furious look.

“You can continue it later.”

Mike regards us with an ignorant look and rounds the corner to where Ted is attempting to watch the TV, which is still mostly static.

The storm from earlier on really had to have done a number on the electronics.

“Dad, don’t you think that–

“I think you should listen to your mother,” he interrupted, lazily, moving to hit the top of the TV. “Piece of junk…”

I bite back a laugh, and move to ring out the dish towel. I should have called Steve in advance. Though, I should count my blessings; I’d rather take the short walk down a few blocks than sit in a smoke filled car in the company of two of the biggest bullies I’ve ever known, Tommy and Carol, who would invite themselves along again.

“It was great to have you. But you don’t have to stay to clean up after we’re home, you know,” said Karen as I shrug my coat on.

“I know I don’t have to. I just feel a lot better about it. It’s a thousand times better than sitting in my dads house with no one to talk to or nothing to do,” I admit, matching Dustins wide grin as he approaches, pizza box in hand as the kids all fan out into the kitchen.

“Clementine! Want one?” He opens the box to show two decent sized slices of pizza left. “Was sausage and pepperoni your idea?”

“Sure was. And it looks amazing, but have you offered anything to Nancy?”

“I did, but she just shut the door in my face. There’s been something seriously wrong with her ever since she started dating that… douchebag, Steve.” He looked over his shoulder, making sure Mikes parents were out of ear shot, and once he was in the clear, he brought his voice back up. “Plus you’ve been stuck with us all day.”

“Yeah, he can be a douche,” I laugh, taking a slice from the box and taking a huge bite.

“She used to be cool...”

“She’s just a teenager. Trust me, I’d know,” I settled with a firm nod.

Teenagers can be mean to kids, but I’ve seen Nancy in school, as innocent as can be. Like a tiny, smart fish in a big, stupid pond.

We cut the conversation short when the rest of the boys begin to gather around with their jackets and bags, ready to turn in to their own beds.

“Alright, come on.” I nod them along and open the front door, and they race out towards their bikes. “Thanks for having me.”

“Thanks for watching the boys,” says Karen as I close the front door behind us.

It wasn’t the coldest of nights, but there were still small puffs of condensation with every exhale of the November night. I patted Mike on the shoulder as he stood to see all his friends off.

“Get home safe, guys, no detours,” I half-joked.

These kids were good, but they were still kids.

They waved me off as they picked up and adjusted their bikes, and I made my way back home, more than ready to turn in.

I savoured my nights at the Wheelers. Really, I did. Whether I was there to look after Mike (sometimes all his friends too), or just there for dinner as a thank you for doing so.

For my house was just empty.

I mean it was empty all the time. When I wasn’t home I was at Steve’s, but ever since he’d begun to pursue Nancy, I’d always wait until there was a group of us, just out of respect. Same went for calling him up in the morning or at night just to talk about whatever had been going on in life.

So, really my options this morning were to watch TV with breakfast until my ride came, or to rush breakfast and walk.

I sighed, turning off the waffle maker just in time for the phone to ring.

My father had already left, so I picked up the landline in the kitchen, and held the phone between my ear and shoulder as I put my breakfast together.

“Chase residence,” I sing-songed in practiced tones. “Dad has already left for the office, can I take a message for you?”

“Hi, Clementine.”

I quirked my brow the minute I heard the voice. Joyce Byers whose son I had watched over just last night. Except this morning she sounded particularly anxious. “Will didn’t stay with you and your dad last night, did he?”

Why on earth would we have a 12 year old stay the night without letting his mother know? “No… Joyce, he left with the boys last night. He lives pretty close to Dustin, I know they ride the same way. I could call his house?”

“I-I’ll call. Thank you. Really, I think he just left early for school…”

I certainly wasn’t convinced. But I let her go anyway, and continued my morning as normal, not thinking much of the call. I had my fair share of surprise sleepovers at Wills age.

I’d already switched off the TV and washed my dishes by the time I heard the BMWs beeping horn outside.

I rushed out, locking the door behind me.

Tommy, the infamous dick of Hawkins was already yelling out the window towards me, lit cigarette hanging from his lips.

“Move your ass, Clementine!”

“Tommy, put that shit out! I told you a million times that I’m not going to be hotboxed by your smoke.”

If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times, but it always came back to the same argument.

“Those are the rules,” Steve defended with a shrug as I slid into the back beside Carol who offered me a stick of gum. “She doesn’t like smoke, you can manage the length of a car ride.”

“So prudish, Clementine~”

Carol teased.

I rolled my eyes and adjusted my seatbelt with a huff. “What’s the point on spending some amount of money on perfume just to smell of cigarettes before I’m even in first period?”

“Like money’s an issue,” Carol continued.

Fine, it wasn’t. But I’d still like to smell like the Love’s Baby Soft perfume I’d paid for. “Whatever.”

“Your perfume’s way too sweet anyways. And you’re still alright for coming over tomorrow, right? My old man’s out of town on a conference, and…”

“Yeah, yeah. The beers are on me, don’t worry. I’ve got it covered, you dick.”

“See, you drink but you won’t smoke,” Tommy scoffed. “The hell’s that about?”

I could waste my time bickering or I could simply shut up. But that wouldn’t be fun in the slightest.

“If you want to get sick and die, do it on your own time. You already look sallow and sunken, just don’t inflict that on me.”

“I look what?” He shot back, neck strained to look back at me. “Say that again, Clementine.”

“Oh, I’m just teasing!”

“You know you just piss me off when you start this shit!” He was seething. Best way to piss a guy like him off was to bruise his ego, that much was clear. And not to brag but I had years of practice under my best. It had yet to get old.

“If you don’t like my teasing, why are you moaning so much?”

“Listen to me, you little bitch-“

“Hey!” Steve yelled. “Don’t talk to her like that, alright? How you’re still friends at all is beyond me. Just shut up, and enjoy the ride.” He switched on his radio where Michael Jackson instantly blasted, and suddenly the ride was somewhat enjoyable.

Our daily procedure for the past two weeks was for me to give Steve an out to meet with Nancy. Sometimes that involved guarding the girls bathroom by standing outside, making up excuses.

“I told you, it’s a mess in there! There’s literally a tapeworm climbing up the wall, I swear…”

And of course people knew I was guarding a hookup. Probably even that it was Steves, but everything I knew about Nancy Wheeler told me the last thing she’d want is to be walked in on making out with a boy against the wall of the ladies toilets, even if stories of their dating life was floating around the school.

The other two didn’t quite get it. They couldn’t understand why he’d waste all his time chasing after a complete square who probably doesn’t even put out.

I mean that’s all he’s usually after, and they’ve all been okay with it.

But Steve was a friend. I was just happy he was finally after a girl worth his time. Nancy was nice, smart, and it made for a pleasant change.

Steve has dated tonnes of girls. They never lasted, and he never cared. He was a man of pure sexuality. But something was different about Nancy Wheeler… I could tell.

I knew her well enough what with being at her house every month or so.

What do you think our topic of discussion last week when I was paid to appear twice?

It’s the reason she’d offer a small, secretive smile as she exits the bathroom, and i’d return it with a sly nod.

Just like any normal day.

A normal school day also includes suffering through Steve and Tommy playing basketball until they knackered themselves out. Though, the athletes they are, it took them a while every time, so we would always keep ourselves occupied on the bleachers. It was a routine, one that I was about to invite disruption to as I held open the doors to the gym.

Nancy walked with her books against her chest as she talks with her friend, an almost ethereal floating opposed to stepping as she heads for the buildings exit.

“Hey, Nancy, c’mere!” I yelled out before I stopped to think that I might startle her.

She freezes and finds my eyes, startled as expected. “Hurry! Coming, Barb?”

Barbara was a tall girl. She towered above the rest of us, but she was hardly given a second of notice. I hadn’t paid much attention to her myself until Nancy took this position in the group. At the call of her name she looks shocked. It’s not that I didn’t usually try to involve Barbara, she’s Nancys best friend after all, and since Nancy was invited into the social group it only made sense to include Barbara too.

Except Nancy had always been popular in the subtle kind of way. Her trademarks were being pretty, smart and kind, and everyone wants that even if girls like Carol gave her a hard time. They liked her anyways, at least a little.

“Hurry where?” Nancy gave an unsure smile, still standing what felt like a mile away.

“To watch your boyfriend play basketball, duh!” I teased, pushing the door open as the pair approached. “You can sit with us, we’ll go out to Bennys after?”

The two turn to each other, but whatever Barbara was trying to get across to Nancy wasn’t delivered to me. Nancy then turns to me with an enthused smile.

“Sure! Sounds fun.”

With a grin, I lead them to our spot on the bleachers, trying to stay aware of how different these two were to the girls who watch us approach with weary looks on their faces.

“Are you lost?” Sneers Becky with a cruel laugh. As if I’m unaware that I had two girls trailing behind me.

Carol turns to push her, playfully. “She’s our friend!”

I motion for the pair to sit wherever they felt comfortable, and they sat a little far for my liking, huddled together as though I wouldn’t have their back if someone were to be snide.

“Yeah, be nice, you dick. You know Nancy, Steve’s girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?” Nancy spoke wearily, but she went ignored. It wasn’t my intention to push her, but Steve generally rolled that way, and I saw it as an inevitability.

“Oh, Nancy! I heard about that. Must be really different for you, huh?” Becky started.

She was one of three of Steve’s exes that were currently present. None of them truly seemed to mind when the boy moved on. They all had their turns and they all had their shot in the limelight.

Nancy doesn’t seem to understand the workings of this, appearing more shy than usual, eying the tonnes of magazines, packets of gum and cigarettes splayed across the bleachers.

“She’s doing fine,” I said, picking up the Just Seventeen magazine that caught my eye. “Did you catch this? It only launched for the first time last month, look at its first issue!”

I tilted the magazine towards Nancy and Barb, pointing out the ad for Tri-Ac.

“I’m breaking in on my chin something nightmarish, but they say Madonna uses it.”

“No!” Said Nancy, kindly, analysing my face. “No, I don’t see anything.”

“It’s because she’s wearing so much makeup,” Laurie spoke up.

I rolled my eyes, unable to deny this fact.

“Shut up, Laurie,” Carol sighed. “Barb, you’d look so cute in these!” She yelled, pointing out the latest male fashion trends down the side of one page. “It shouldn’t be too far out of your comfort zone.”

I turn to look at the girl in question. She looks at a loss of what to say, and Nancy is no better.

“Go polish your reebok, Carol,” I remarked.

“Go, Steve!” Becky whistled, watching his bare chest rise and fall as he sweats, actually drawing our attention to the game we barely paid much attention to anyways.

“Put that shirt back on!” I yelled.

The game went on for another painful hour, and by the time they were done my stomach had begun to growl.

After a short-lived argument over who won, the boys hopped into the (well needed) showers, and we left.

“I’m going to get the biggest burger you’ve ever seen, I could eat a horse,” I groaned, mouth watering at the very thought.

Bennys hadn’t been much of a tradition, but rather a routine. Steve had made a point that it’d only been him, myself, Carol, Tommy and Nancy. And Barbara as I’d gently remind him. He thought that inviting the likes of the other girls in the group would be disrespectful, and I clapped his back for it.

Usually though, we’d have brought as many of our friends that we could fit over two booths. I think I prefer what we’ve had going in lately if I’m honest.

As we walked towards the parking lot, ready to pile into Steve’s car, Nancys voice cut through all the jeering.

“Hey, you know, my mom will be wanting me home around now. She puts a dinner out every night and-“

“You’re not coming?” Steve interrupts, stalking close towards her.

He ducks his head so his face is closer, and brings his voice down. “Come on, we won’t be there long, promise.”

She looked rather awkward, eyes on Steve’s hand that rested on her arm.

“I shouldn’t.”

“It’s fine, they can join us another time!” Carol smiled, voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Yeah, for now, I think we’ll survive without them,” Tommy adds.

“Not sure that I will,” I muttered. Though I know it’s best that the pair go home. Why should they make themselves uncomfortable? Plus, Carol and Tommy weren’t exactly solid company. “Guys, it’s fine. Seriously, we have plenty of time to hang out. Go on home,” I told.

Nancy watched me, unsure at first, then she looks back to Steve.

“I’m sorry.”

He nods, then pulls her in for a kiss. It was soft, tender.

I wasn’t too sure where they stood, whether they were meant to be a secret or not. This little moment between them cleared that up for me, and I smirked to myself.

Nancy appeared to feel the same, a shocked grin she tried to hide.

“Want us to puke? Come on, Romeo!”

Tommy blanched.

“Shut up, stupid. Let’s go, lover boy,” I butted in just as Nancys embarrassed gaze fell to the ground of the parking lot. “See you guys tomorrow.”

“Wait,” Steve interrupts, pulling Nancys stare back to him with his hands evidently magnetic eyes. “I’ll still see you later tonight, won’t I? Alone?”

I note Barbara’s shocked expression.

Clearly, Nancy didn’t let her in on this little plan. We, on the other hand, heard about their little meet up as soon as we were in Steve’s company.

“Yeah,” she smiled. “To study.”

I truly didn’t know Nancy well enough to understand whether she meant this or not. Knowing Steve, even if she did mean this, he might just try and sway her to do a little more than studying.

“To study,” I echo with a nod. “Let’s move it!”

And with reluctance, the pair were able to part ways.

We could have still had fun at Bennys like we normally did. But my mind slipped into somewhere I hadn’t expected. Something I didn’t remember until about halfway through taking my seat next to Carol.

“We should invite Nancy to yours tomorrow, right?” I asked, still rationing the contents of my burger around the table. Benny once reminded me I could order it without the pickle or the onion but why waste food when I could feed annoying teenage boys?

Steve perks up with a huge sigh of relief.

“Yes, Clementine. Absolutely, we should! And you know why?”

“So you can have sex and find out if she has a vagina?” Tommy remarked, earning a chuckle from Carol followed by an obnoxious wink.

“What, it’s weird for a girl who’s barely 16 to be a virgin now?” Steve challenged, flinging the spare pickles into his burger. “Not everyone’s been banging since they were 12.”

“I know that, douche bag,” Tommy retorts, an embarrassed flush on his cheeks. I’ve come to learn that he’s rather proud of his sex life. So it’s easy to figure that his shamefaced defensiveness was more about Steve shutting him down. “I’m just saying every other girl has at least kissed someone. She’s not kissed anyone besides you. Either she’s a wasteland or… just a tease.”

I shudder annoyingly at the slow grin that pulls at his lips, turning to Carol.

“How do you let him near you with that mouth?”

“That’s for me to know,” she laughs, sending him a wink across the table.

“You guys are disgusting.”

“Okay, little miss perfect. Lost your touch or something? When was the last time you even had a boyfriend?” Carol jabs, eyeing me up with a playful malice.

“Can’t lose your touch if you’ve never been in the game,” I countered, having never actually had a boyfriend. I crossed my arms feeling pleased with myself and hopeful that Carol would be off my back as suddenly as she was on it.

“You dated Reed!”

Steve started, suddenly on me too.

“Yeah, for like two weeks! He wasn’t my boyfriend,” I squeaked. Although being that intimate with someone in the same group wouldn’t be too strange. I mean just look at Steve and his exes.

“But you got with him at my party.”

“You had sex on Carols bed, didn’t you?” Steve smirked.

“Oh, my God!” I groaned, gripping my hair dramatically. “That was Kieran, and there was no bed sex!”

“Nah, come on now, that was actually pretty bad.” Steve attempted to come to my aid, waving off the others as if he didn’t bring it up. “Don’t you remember what he did?”

“No, wait, shut up. I thought you guys dated for a while,” Carol drawled in thought.

“Oh my God!” Tommy laughs so loud that it startles Carol. “That was all fake, to made Kieran jealous. No one told you?”

“No!”

I’d have felt guiltier, but I couldn’t hold back the bubbling giggles even with a hand pressed against my mouth. All this time, and my best friend thought I’d had a whole relationship that never existed.

“Why do you think we’re still friends after he ‘dumped me’ for Laurie? Thanks for that, by the way,” I jabbed, still a little bitter about the situation.

I was so close, he was back in my clutches. But Steve just had to see what Laurie had to offer instead of helping a friend in need. Not only did he not help like he promised, but now it looks like I was dumped for another girl, and that I’m still friends with the dude who did it.

It’s hard to see the situation in a negative light now after all this time. Especially since I lost interest in Kieran a whole while ago.

“I can’t believe you never knew!” Tommy guffawed, shaking Carols arm to tease her. Her face remained stony, showing no interest in making this a laughing matter.

“Well, no one told me!”

“Whatever,” he shrugs with a mouth full of food. “We’ve been here ages, it’s getting dark soon.”

Steve stuffed the last of his fries into his already full mouth.

With a united murmuring (Carols being a little too sharp) we begin to clear our table, all of us picking up the shakes we’d left aside to bring home, a habit we shared between us due to the distraction we caused each other.

Except when we piled into Steve’s car that night, everything was suddenly far from normal, and we hadn’t had a clue.

I was driven home, said goodbye to my friends, and walked into to a quiet house.

Only my dad was there, worrying his hands at his place on the couch. That was until he saw me at the door. He was on his feet in a flash, bee lining his way towards me.

He still wore his dress trousers and a smart purple shirt.

His brief case had been abandoned by the coffee table.

“Dad? Shouldn’t you be at work still?”

I wracked my brain, trying to make sense of his presence, checking my watch, making sure I had the date right.

“Clementine! I came home as soon as I heard, I just wanted to make sure you got home safe, and when I saw you weren’t here, I got worried.”

I’d never seen him in such distress. I’d kept my gaze on him as I dumped my school bag on the floor. “We got some milkshakes after school… but, dad, what are you talking about? You came home as soon as you heard what?”

He froze for a second, his gaze suddenly sympathetic. “I thought you would have heard by now? The Byers kid… he’s missing.”

And just like that, my heart wrenched.

I watched him the night before, he went home alone, and his mother called me only just this morning.

“Missing? He can’t be missing, dad. He didn’t just stay at Dustins?”

I don’t know why it was hard to believe. I’d just never heard of someone I knew disappearing before. Will was always quiet, very rarely said a word to me besides a Please or a Thank you. But I knew him, I knew that little boy.

“Afraid not, sweetie. Nobody knows what’s happened quite yet, but until we do, you’ve to get a lift to school and back, alright, and no detours. Straight home, no adventures, no outings, no grabbing milkshakes.”

“Yeah, yeah, okay, fine,” I nodded.

Tomorrow he’d be back to work the hours he usually was, and wouldn’t care less where I was as long as I was with friends. But I wouldn’t risk bringing it up now.

“That’s my girl. What do you say we put two nice mugs of hot chocolate on? I’m sure we can figure it out.” He whisks himself away to the kitchen and I just blink to myself.

“Yeah! Yeah, should be fun…”

Steve calls the house just as the cops settle into the livingroom that night. They’d come by to question me under my father’s watch.

They waited patiently as I promised I’d be off the phone in two seconds, taking the call in the hallway where they could see me incase I raised any suspicions.

“What do you want?” I said flatly.

I could practically see Steve as he scoffed, hand pulling away from his hair he was probably fixing in the mirror.

“Nice to talk to you too, Jesus.”

“Sorry, but seriously, what do you want?”

He exhaled loudly on the other side of the phone, voice becoming whiny.

“Nancy called. She says she’s under house arrest ‘cause of that missing kid.”

I turn to look over my shoulder towards the room my dad kept the cops company. But I couldn’t bring myself to tell Steve that they were here. Though I wasn’t worried. He didn’t even care enough to ask why I was basically whispering.

“Okay? What do you want me to do?”

“Convince me to do something stupid? I want to see her.”

Shit, that’s sweet.

I screw my eyes shut, knowing I’m about to give some stupid advice, just like he knows I will. I could be more stupid about it, so let’s cut me a break.

“Then see her. You’re not new to sneaking into bedrooms,” I shrugged, as if he could see me doing it. “Just don’t make her uncomfortable.”

“Why would I make her uncomfortable?”

He sounds offended, but he’s now heard exactly what he wanted to hear,

“If she wasn’t planning to have sex with you in the first place tonight, being in her personal space and trying to screw her is even worse.”

“I know, I know! Kaminskys test is coming up for her, I’ll help her study.”

The smile in his voice made my heart flutter. It’s like reading a romantic novel. But I know if I tell him how amazing it is to see him learning about what’s going on in Nancys life he’d take the huff and hang up the phone.

“You’re the devil, Steve Harrington,” I sigh.

“You’re the best, Clementine Chase!”

Then the dial tone.

It takes a good hour to let the cops know everything that went on that night. And then I found I was just repeating myself over and over again.

“I told you everything I know, already.”

It stands to reason I’d be questioned a little more intensely since I was one of the last to see Will. It was all unwinding just a little too quickly for me, and I felt as though I could never settle. Just a few hours ago I was enjoying shakes with my friends, laughing and making jokes about anything and everything.

Now here I was being interrogated in my own living room.

“We just want to make sure you’re not missing anything,” spoke the cop with the moustache. “You were one of the last to see him.”

I sighed, and the other, slightly more competent cop cut in. “I know it’s a little frustrating Miss. Chase. We’d just like to make sure we’ve not missed anything. Did he ever show signs of being unhappy? He fit in okay?”

I stopped to think for a second, feeling the pressure of the two looking down at me from my place on the couch.

Will was the quietest of Mikes friends, mostly timid.

“He’s really close to Mike Wheeler. He looks out for him since his friends are… you know, they always kinda picked on him.”

“They pick on him?” The second cop took to writing in his notes.

“I guess. They’re great kids but the Byers boy is sort of the runt. They kinda comment of his shoes, mimic things he says… he’s a little more… sensitive, you know?”

Thinking back on every interaction with Will, he was definitely the peewee, laughed at and teased. He wasn’t like the other boys. But what these cops were getting at wasn’t sitting right with me.

“But he’d never run away. He trusts them, his family loves him. When it comes down to it, they all have his back.”

He considers this for a moment, eventually nods and closes his note pad.

He folds his arms with a deep breath.

“We haven’t come to a near conclusion yet. Let us know if you remember anything else. Thank you, sir,” he says, nodding towards my dad who stands up to lead the pair out the door.

They need to find that boy in one piece.

He was just so small, a mouse among cats. He’d barely ever spoken a word to me, just always a polite smile, and an excited nod to whatever story the boys were telling me that night.

How could this all happen so fast? I thought, head buried in my hands as my dads weight sank into the couch beside me.

I felt his hand on my back. He was unsure how to break the silence, that much was for sure.

I lift my head to look at him, and he stills, waiting.

“I really hope he’s alive, dad.”

He leans over, planting a kiss on my forehead, grunting when the phone rings again. “If that’s one of your friends, tell them to make it quick. You’re in no headspace to be gossiping.”

I nod, knowing full well I wouldn’t be able to bring myself to chat away as if I wasn’t feeling sick to my stomach anyways.

I pick the phone up, not bothering to take the call in the hallway for privacy. Prepared to hear Carol, maybe even Tina or Steve, I froze at Mike Wheelers voice on the other end.

“What do you think happened to Will?”

What the hell is going on on this night?

I risk a glance at my dad to find he’s watching me with worry.

“I’m-“

“Did anything weird happen when you watched him ride off?”

“Umm, no.” I stand up, and walk a little further from my dad’s listening ears. “I’m sorry, I don’t know anything.”

“Meet us in ten.”

“What? Where?”

I should have asked why. Said no. Convinced him not to go anywhere. Why didn’t I?

“Mirkwood”

“What the hell is that?”

“Where Cornwallis meets Kerley!” He stressed, quickly. “Just meet us there!”

“No! Are you stupid?” I argued, not bothering to control my voice in front of my dad.

Who knows what’s out there right now.

“We’re going with or without you, Clementine. So suit yourself.”

Then that was it. He’d slammed the phone down, and left me helpless.

I turned to my dad, weighing my options.

I could tell him, then he’d involve the police and intervene with the kids plans to endanger themselves. Or I could accompany them myself, and have them still like me by the end of it.

I know what I should do.

Why don’t I tell him?

Because I’m feeling stupidly loyal to the group of boys who probably just want someone to talk to after hearing about their best friend disappearing.

“What on earth was that about?”

I don’t move for a long moment, blinking stupidly.

“Just Tommy! Carols birthday is coming up and his gift ideas are just shocking. But It’s his problem, so I’m gunna turn in.”

I yawn loudly and stretch a little more dramatically than I should have, hoping that would be enough

Luckily for me, I was allowed to make it upstairs without him following behind me.

What the hell was I doing?

I pushed all my thoughts from my head as I shrugged on my closest corduroy coat.

This is crazy, Clementine!

I cuss myself out when I open bedroom window, all too familiar. Except tonight I wasn’t climbing out to talk to a boy, or go to a party, or stay at Carols. Tonight I was meeting a bunch of kids in hopes they wouldn’t get themselves lost when I really should be telling someone about the whole situation.

But all they want is to feel like they’re doing something to help find Will…

“Oh, hell.”

By the time I reach the location they’d asked to meet at, all of them had arrived, bikes in tow. The tree line was covered with police tape. I felt my stomach drop as all four kids turned at my approach.

“What’s this all about?” I asked, arms folded lowly on my chest. “You know it’s a bad idea to be out here.”

“Exactly, yet Will is stumbling around here somewhere.”

Jesus Christ. As harsh as it is, there’s not a lot of land in Hawkins. It’s incredibly difficult to try and imagine that he’s not so far away right now.

With a sigh, I lean in close to Mike.

“So you think this is the answer? What if-“

What if he’s not out there? What if he was kidnapped?

But I couldn’t bring myself to say that to them. Mike blinks back, eyes doe-like and innocent. Mismatched with his occasional bite.

“What if nothing, Clementine. All I know is that we have to find him.”

“He’s a vital part of the party!” Lucas chipped in. I half expected Dustin to join, but he hadn’t made a peep. “We can’t let him down.”

“He’d do it for any one of us,” Mike finished.

“But if you don’t want to come, you don’t have to.”

He’s challenging me, I know it.

I hold his gaze, narrowing my eyes. If he’s bluffing about going ahead without me, his expression doesn’t betray him.

“What makes you think I won’t just go to your parents? Or the cops?”

“You’d have done it already!” Told Lucas, waving an arm to make his point.

“And you want to help Will nearly as much as we do.”

Except that’s not the reason. The best way to help Will is by letting the police do their jobs. The real reason is that I just can’t bring myself to let them down.

“Ugh, fine!” I groan, pushing myself to stand upright. “But only this one time. And that goes for all of you.”

Without a nod of confirmation from Mike he turns on his flash light, paying no heed to the on-going storm.

Dustin, on the other hand, speaks for the first time since I arrived.

“Hey, guys. You feel that?”

His head is tilted towards the sky, and he’s soon wiping his cheeks. Sure enough, it’s begun to spit with rain. The last couple of nights had all been the same. So I let myself wonder how I could be stupid enough to have worn a jacket with no hood.

“I think maybe we should go back.”

“No.” Mike told, a demanding tone to his voice. “We’re not going back. Just stay close. Come on!” Then two two were off, leaving Dustin and I behind, staring at the treeline.

I look towards Dustin, who looks nearly frozen in fear.

“Stay on channel six,” Mike instructs. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“This whole thing is stupid, Mike.” Making a last attempt to appeal, I eventually follow behind the pair, scared they’d wander a little too far away from my sight. When Dustin doesn’t take a step forward, I catch his eyes over my shoulder. “Come on, Dustin, stay close.”

And he scurries forward, dropping his bike among the rest. Then he ducks under the police tape, jogging to catch up.

God in Heaven above, we’re in so much trouble. No, I’m in so much trouble. I’m the oldest, I’m supposed to be the responsible one. But here I am, trailing along as the kids put themselves in harms way.

“You know there’s always time to turn back, don’t you? We could wait ‘til morning,” I tried, looking straight at Mike knowing he’ll answer for everyone.

He usually does.

“He could be hurt by morning!”

Mike marched ahead, flashlight shone in every direction.

I couldn’t argue. If he was safe, which I doubt, leaving it any longer would only increase the chances of him running into danger. Again, I didn’t voice these thoughts. it’s not like they’re stupid, they know as much as I do the possibilities deriving from Wills disappearance.

“And what am i supposed to do if someone jumps out from behind a tree and attacks one of you?” The scenario runs over and over in my head as the rain begins to fall heavier.

A masked kidnapper scooping one of the kids up, a crazed murderer chasing me away.

The heavier the rain became, the less sure I knew what I was hearing around me. The snap of every twig, the kicking of every rock under the kids feet, any of it could be danger in disguise.

I swallowed down the lump in my throat, speaking to Dustin between the shouting of Wills name.

“This is bad, you know. This could go so wrong, so fast.”

But instead of a reply from Dustin, I’m with with a dangerous glare from over Mikes shoulder.

He yells out for Will whose name echoes ominously around us.

“Byers!”

“I’ve got your X-men 134!” Dustin called out, letting out a shaky breath. “Guys, I really think we should turn back.”

Me and him both.

“Seriously, Dustin! You wanna be a baby, then go home already!” Lucas argues, and I don’t like the sound of it.

“Hey, no! If we’re doing something this stupid we’re staying together. We’re not sending each other off alone,” I warned.

“So no one leaves!”

This kid! Their will is greater than mine. I have no choice.

“I’m just trying to be realistic, Lucas!”

“No. You’re just being a big sissy!”

“Shut up!” I yelled above the pair. “I’ve been trying not to scare you, but have you got any idea what are you could be in these woods? And you’re attracting all this attention.”

“Case. In. Point.” Dustin continued, flashlight now beaming from tree to tree. “Did you ever think Will went missing because he ran into something bad?”

Like a bear, or a kidnapper or a murderer. Or a Martian.

“And now we’re following in those footsteps,” I agreed. “With only me to protect your asses!”

“Clementine, shut up!”

I look at Mike with wide eyes. “Wow!”

“Shut up, shut up…” he says now more softly.

He’s listening for something. “Do you guys hear that?”

I freeze, heart suddenly in my throat.

What are the chances it was Will Byers scuttling through the trees towards us, to safety?

The rustling is from our left!

Then our right!

And every flashlight in the group is being shone is every direction with every shake of every leaf.

But then it’s just a little too loud, and a little too close.

Four flashlights illuminate a person, and for a millisecond, I was scared.

But this wasn’t a threat.

This was a kid.

[taeraeszn]

im v hao deprived☹️ sooo i was wondering if you would be able to write a zhang hao fluffy fic😭? i was thinking smthin like idolxidolreader or idolxtraineereader stuff like that but it could rlly be ab anything you want js yk fluff:)) tysm!!

enchanted to meet you - zhang hao

characters: idol!zhang hao x gn!idolreader

description: after you two meet during an interview at a music show, you couldn't help but notice the boy standing in the centre of his group.

genre: fluff

word count: 954

warnings: may include some spelling/grammar errors but i don't think there is any but pls lmk if there is!!!!

a/n: hi anon! i decided to use what you suggested, hopefully your okay with that and how i wrote the story :) and honestly just writing this i'm getting more and more excited for their actual debut hehe <3

also i had so much fun writing this especially the interview part lol. this is the first time i've ever finished writing someone in one sitting!! i was so into this <3

being an idol was something you always wanted to become after seeing celebrities on tv sing and dance. you were luckily to be accepted as a trainee in a company and trained for a good 2 years before officially making your debut as the lead vocalist. you were very loved by your fans for being both talented and having a warm personality.

right after you debuted, your first music show appearance would be on music bank. your group was one of two groups chosen to be interviewed by the mc's eunchae and chaemin. needless to say that you were thrilled.

when your group members were all done getting ready with their styling, you were then escorted to the room where your interview was going to be held. that is where you met zerobaseone, the group who was joining you for that particular interview.

one of the boys signalled for the other members to be prepared to introduce themselves. "1, 2...d1, be the one! hello, we are zerobaseone!" they all exclaimed then bowed afterwards.

your group followed by your own introduction and the moment you looked up from bowing, you made eye contact with the guy standing in the centre. you had no idea what his name was or who he even was but you felt your heart start beating.

"we recently debuted with the album youth in the shade, we hope you have lots of interest in it!" the boy in the centre said. you nodded and thanked them as they handed their album to you that was signed.

your manager took the album aside and you did the same exchange with them by handing them your debut album. that's when you were called for the interview and you all stood there, excited but nervous at being able to promote your group on tv.

as they counted down from ten, the interview began and eunchae began speaking. "chaemin! did you hear? there's two new groups in town who are making a big splash in the hot month of july!"

chaemin then nodded, "of course! their hot debut is definitely a hit, let's meet them! welcome, zerobaseone and (group name)!"

once again your group introduced themselves to the viewers and zerobaseone did the same. the cheers you both received were such a indescribable feeling, seeing all the fans with banners and lightsticks really made it seem like your dream came true.

afterwards the interview went excellent! your leader took over most of the talking and you all made a great impression. but even throughout the interview, you couldn't stop thinking of the boy standing in the centre. he shined so bright even with his other eight members surrounding him.

your group headed back to your waiting room and you were the last member trailing behind everyone. but just as you were about to head in, you felt a presence linger behind you.

"um, excuse me?" you turned to see that boy you noticed from earlier behind you. his face looked so...perfect. like everything was sculpted to perfection. his downwards smile when you noticed him made your cheeks heat up. keep your calm (name)!

"oh! hello!" you bowed. he did the same and did the honours of introducing himself first, "my name is zhang hao! i'm the centre of zerobaseone. i just wanted to say that i really liked your debut song." oh so that's what his name was, zhang hao. it sounds pretty just like him.

"oh wow, thank you! my name is (name). i watched your debut as well and i was very impressed!"

he then shyly looked to his other member standing behind him before turning back to you, "is it okay if we can shoot a tiktok video together?" was this really happening?! the cute centre boy of his group asked you to film a tiktok with him?! you couldn't say no and followed him to the iconic pair of staircases that nearly every idol danced in front of for collabs at music bank.

"are you ready?" he smiled, his other member from before was filming it for him and before you knew it, the music began. you became fully immersed into the song as if it was your own debut and put your effort into making your cover good.

when the music finished, you once again bowed to him but it wasn't until that you were about to return to your waiting room that zhang hao stopped you once again.

"yes?" you asked. he seemed flustered but took his phone out and opened the contact app, "um, i want to get to know you better and get close. can we exchange numbers?"

his other member began chuckling to himself as zhang hao sent him a glare but retained his focus to you, once again showing his downward smile.

at first you were worried about the stacked july comeback lineup but now you were so thankful that you got to debut in the same month as him.

"of course! here, i'll put my name and number." he handed you his phone and you did exactly that.

"your name is (name)?" he said while staring at the contact, you nodded, "that's me!"

"thank you! i hope we can keep in touch!" he said while waving goodbye and heading back to his waiting room with his member who was filming the tiktok.

"me too! have a good day!" you responded. you went the opposite way and just then you heard his other member say something to him.

"hyung has a crush~" they said, zhang hao playfully nudged their shoulder.

"stop it!" you couldn't help but giggle. now you just had to wait for him to message you first, hopefully this encounter turns into more.

[time-travelling-chaos]

Good omens fic recs

So in a previous ask game, I have been asked that question (thanks @fierceyetflawed )

🥤 ⇢ recommend an author or fanfic you love

But of course, I wasn't able to choose only one, so here is a full list of recommendations with no particular order (brace yourself, it's gonna be long)

Charming never so wisely by Hapax

AU where Aziraphale is a cryptid and Crowley has been hired to tame him. Absolutely beautiful, some angst, and an amazing worldbuilding, if I had to choose, it would probably be somewhere in my top 5. Or even in my top 3, it's one of my absolute favorites

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46204543/chapters/116321455#workskin

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by krowtenretsnom

One short, focused on the relationship between Warlock and Crowley as Nanny Ashtoreth. Absolutely beautiful, and a tiny bit heartbreaking

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53699422

The Godfathers - Or storge and other words for family by bluebirdboy

Crowley and Aziraphale as queer guardians for a young trans man. A story about healing and queerness, and a lot of other things, absolutely comforting, and has been so helpful at times, once again, pretty high in my list of favorites. [As a note, I've only read fully the V1 as I haven't found the time yet to read a lot of the V2, but from what I've read, I'll trust it will be as good as the first one, if not better]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/54947194/chapters/139285795

Shine bright like a diamond by LadyAJ_13

Pre-canon, Crowley observes Aziraphale that is always helpful and always alone. I loved it so much, but it is also somewhat heartbreaking, because the story ends before the actual one, so nothing is resolved yet at this point, but please go ahead, it's absolutely worth it.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20000173

An author for that one: AppleSeeds

They write amazing stories, and I particularly enjoy how they write Aziraphale and Crowley in various (human) AU. Two of my favorites are Never too late, where Crowley is a rockstar and Aziraphale used to be a fan when he was younger and Your virtual companion, that occurs in a post-apocalyptic world where humans cannot interact together anymore and Crowley finds some comfort in a virtual companion: Aziraphale.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/52576741/chapters/132992890

https://archiveofourown.org/works/52576741/chapters/132992890

The Good Demon, by Dannye Chase (HolyCatsAndRabbits), HolyCatsAndRabbits, smolalienbee

Crowley is turned mortal as a punishement for not being evil enough and needs to make Aziraphale fall to get his status back. With some queer guardian angel Aziraphale that is absolutely delightful, very soft story, and quite funny as well, with a really nice lore and the relationship being built amazingly. Once more, quite high on my favorite's list.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24932368/chapters/60341929

Touched by HolRose

Aziraphale is given as a mission to help some autistic child. Very soft, very comforting. Aziraphale is autistic himself and it makes the interaction absolutely brilliant. It's very short (around 500 words) but so much is said in such a small story, without any bad pun, it absolutely touched me as well.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/40487874

Like a spiral sea unending by Hapax

It's an astronomy AU (yes it exists) where Crowley is a black hole and Aziraphale a bright star. It's a really poetic story, really original and (I feel like I spend my time saying that here) absolutely beautiful.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48704143

How to make friends on Halloween by not_vatican_approved

Aziraphale is human, Crowley is a demon, and Aziraphale's shitty friends decide to summon him to scare Aziraphale. It's a really cute one with protective and comforting Crowley, quite fun as well. (And yes, the shitty friends get what they deserve)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/50473762?view_adult=true

The art of human nature by IneffableDoll

Human AU with fem!Aziraphale and fem!Crowley, Crowley is a painter and Aziraphale commisions her to make her portrait. It's absolutely beautiful, with some fat positivity and queerness (Crowley is trans in this one), gorgeous talks about nature. It's also really poetic. It's not love at first sight, but it takes a bit more time to settle, which I absolutely love. (It's also the fic that convinced me to give a chance to good omens human AU)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48191107

'Tis the Damn Season by KiaraMGrey

Human AU, after an awful proposal on Christmas Eve, Crowley ends up boarding on a train with no plan in mind and meets Aziraphale there. It's very cute, soft, and a really comforting hollidays fic.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/28213518

The Ones Who Walk Away From Nevaeh by soft_october

Fantasy AU, inspired by a story of Ursula Le Guin. To keep suffering away from the city, Crowley is kept alone in the dark in a cell, without any human interaction. That is, until Aziraphale becomes the new guard and starts listening to him. It's quite angsty, but with soft elements and a happy ending. And also, I adore the worldbuiling on that one, and the context of the story.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21485824/chapters/51206389

Fond(ant) by ddagent

Human AU, Aziraphale pretends to have a fiancé and to be getting married to be able to enjoy Crowley's cakes. It's funny and soft, I love ddagent's way of telling stories and their portrayal of Crowley and Azirphale, but it's the first one I read from them, so it's the one I'm going to recommend here.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/49257229

crossed wires by tealeafthief

After 6000 years of emotional abuse by Heaven, and internalized ableism, Aziraphale learns about autism and start to embrace who he is with Crowley's help. It wasn't the easiest read (at least for me, because it came a little bit too close from home) but it was an amazing one. It's wonderfully done, the progression and evolution of the character is beautifully done and Crowley is so caring on that one, I can only recommend it.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25135141

Sorry (Not Sorry) by ineffablefool

Human AU, Crowley and Aziraphale were friends when they where younger and end up reconnecting at a friend's wedding. It's so soft, with fat-positivity, and a really beautiful story.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/40584780

My Safe Place by IneffableDoll

Aziraphale wonders if, being an angel, he can be queer or not. Crowley is really supportive on that one, and the discussion about queerness is so interresting and comforting. It's also an asexual relationship, which I love to see, so yeah, quite an amazing one.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43258482

Pieces of Creation by angelwithawand

Crowley gets attached to Jemimah after seeing that the thing she made is the most important thing to her. It follows their relationship all through her life, and it's really soft, I love seeing Crowley or Aziraphale interacting with humans. It's, of course, slightly heartbreaking at the end, but it's so much worth it. And there is also some backgroud Aziraphale/Crowley relationship that is very soft as well.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/49046113

So that's it for now, I hope you'll enjoy those fics!

[actualbird]

what is your ranking of all the main event stories we have received so far? (as in sott, enduring light, skadi etc)

OHHHH THIS IS A FUN QUESTION, THANK YOU ANON!!! let me go from my highest to lowest.

for this question, im taking "main event stories" to mean the Big 4 SSR Events where the event story involves the entire team all at once (so no xmas events or sotn, or solo or duo events). and i will be judging these events primarily on their event story (so not as much as the gameplay, though thatll also be a factor. but i wont be judging the cards)

OH DANG WHY DID I EXPLAIN IT, THE TOT WIKI DOES A MUCH BETTER JOB AT DEFINING BIG 4 SSR EVENTS, HERE, THIS IS WHAT IM JUDGING

anyhoo, here is my personal ranking!

FIRST PLACE: Mysteries of the Lost Gold

my beloved, my favorite, my perfect shining star. lost gold was the first big event i played and it has yet to be dethroned as my favorite event story of all of tot. absolute homerun of a rich story with intrigue, high stakes, a good balance of tender moments and lighthearted ones, and just SO gripping in terms of all of the story threads coming together, plus the absolutely A+ nxx team interactions. my advice to every new player who comes into my inbox is "PLAY THE LOST GOLD DLC" because i love it so much. i will never shut up about how i love it so much. it has our very first raven!luke sighting. it has marius nearly getting stabbed. it has artem with gun. it has vyn doing that THING with the bow and arrow. LIKE. THIS EVENT IS PERFECT TO ME. it'll take something really really special to dethrone it.

SECOND PLACE: Enduring Light

this isnt recency bias speaking but my real honest thoughts: this story delighted me to no end. i was kept on the edge my seat for every single phase, and the sheer novelty of the story's setup and the gameplay was such a nice change of pace after the previous event formats started to get repetetive. i especially loved that this time, we had to suspect the nxx boys as well because that really added to my enjoyment of this event. it really felt like a mystery that had to be solved by us, and not just a mystery that will unravel by itself as long as we keep playing, if that makes sense? my point is i was immensely immersed in enduring light and i love it lots lots lots. luke looking stupendously hot in his outfit during the entire event was also a huge plus.

THIRD PLACE: a tie between Blizzardous Threads of Red & Mystery of Bakerlon

i really loved BTR and bakerlon!!! both of their murder cases were adequately thrilling for me, though towards the end i could feel the adrenaline wearing off, if that makes sense? like by the 4th phase, things were slotting together already in a way that like lowered the feeling of intrigue. also i know i said i wouldnt judge much based on gameplay, but these two deserve a shoutout for MINIGAMES I WANT TO KILL W MY BARE HANDS. bakerlon's crystal tasks were so repetetive to me, and BTR's TIMED ESCAPE ROOM THINGIES heightened my blood pressure several times HAHA

FOURTH PLACE: To My Beloved: Moonlit Eve (anniv 2)

this has a soft spot in my heart for including all of the old NPCs from main story, and that was very heartwarming. while theres no mystery that needs solving, just seeing the team hang out together and have fun together was such a treat for my soul

FIFTH PLACE: Secrets of the Tomb

sott is where i'd say the event story quality is inching towards the meh scale. the mystery here was interesting but was not particularly gripping to me. it might just be a me thing, but i enjoyed the side stories (the ones you get with the boys when you investigate the artefacts) more than the actual event story itself.

SIXTH PLACE: A Love Poem to Skadi

ahhhhh skadi. psychological and medical malpractice horrors skadi.....HJSVKHSJDFDSF. i will admit, the mystery in this story is HORRIFIC and it was enjoyable to unravel it, but here is where i break my rule again of not talking about gameplay but mAAAAAAN THE GAMEPLAY HINDERED MY ENJOYMENT OF THE MAIN PLOT LOTS. it was rather difficult for me to do all the exploration in that manor and that stalled my absorption of the story too. plus, i think the fact that the story is Over made the story have a bit of a muted quality to it. not in a bad way (i distinctly remember i wrote a semi-analysis post about how i enjoyed that the story was in the Past) but it definitely affected the mood of the gameplay, if that makes sense?

(that is the third time ive said "if that makes sense" in this response, THREE STRIKES AND YER OOOOOUT)

SEVENTH PLACE: Blissful Fete (anniv 1)

be honest with me.....do YOU remember the event story plot of blissful fete? cuz i sure dont. JVSKDHFSJDHSF. i only remember getting very very mad at luke during that fucking minigame where we guess if the card is higher or lower. that being said, if i cant even remember much of the story, then it didnt make an impact on me and couldve been improved.

so thats my ranking! thank u for the ask :D

[pfungu]

My thoughts, feelings, and words about ATEEZ’s N.A. Tour and the stop I went to.

To start off-- the fact that this leg of the tour is over is hard to comprehend. Where did the month go? They have traveled to 10 cities, 2 countries, and had 13 total performances. All in one month. They had set backs such as unexpected illness, or weather-- and they still gave it their all. All this tour has done is cement for me the love I have for those 8. For me it will always be 8 makes 1 team.

I was very fortunate to get to see them perform at the first stop on the tour, which was Tacoma. I did not have VIP or Sector-- namely because I chose seats instead of being on Floor. But where I was, I could see the entirety of The stage and walk way. The staff at the dome were kind and were nice enough to me despite the set back of my ticket would not scan (it's funny because TM tells you to have it open before arriving, only for them to tell me I needed to just open it when I got to the ticket scanner, anyway I digress). Once I was actually in... well here is a screenshot of how I was feeling at the time.

I was nervous. If you listened to my heart beat, it be going a mile a minute at this point. I cannot tell you how magical and beautiful it was to be amongst other ATINYs singing along to Work and Bouncy. It felt surreal. Then when the concert started, watching them all come out from the tower it was very much a "Oh gosh this is real".

The concert was beautiful and was very much like watching a musical, as Wooyoung pointed out in an earlier fromm message he had sent. I loved all of it. Each set was unique and beautiful and also fun. Every member got an opportunity to shine on the stage. It was a beautiful performance. I was proud of myself for not crying when it started. I held it in long enough to openly start bawling as soon as I heard the first note of turbulence. It's a moment I won't ever forget.

Once my stop was over I couldn't believe it. It felt such a short period of time where I was able to see them. Then next thing I knew they were moving to their next stop. I was fortunate enough to be on Twitter to see everyone posting pictures and clips throughout. They seemed so happy with how it all turned out.

There were times I was worried like when half of them got sick, Seonghwa, or Wooyoung's shoulder. However, they continued to show us their professionalism and continued to perform. Which brings me to the NY stop. Seonghwa's words will forever stick with me, and I am grateful he felt comfortable to share something so vulnerable. And I'm glad to see him posting again.

This tour felt like a whirlwind. A lot happened. However with this tour too, I feel like the bond between Atiny and Ateez grew stronger. There is a lot of trust between us and them, which has its own colors. It's unique. This tour and seeing them live cemented for me how much I love them. How much I enjoy their music. I honestly cannot express enough just how much I love Ateez. Nothing will ever change that for me. Sorry if this seemed all over the place. My thoughts and feelings are like that too. But at the end of the day I just want to say Thank You to Ateez and that I love them.

Enjoy some badly taken photos, because I couldn't figure my phone out and also I was overwhelmed with joy and wanted to be there in the moment.

[pomefioredove]

CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN!!! 🥳🥳

i just saw that your matchups were open so i’d like to put in a request for a romantic and platonic matchup? if that’s okay of course! my only ask is that you don’t include rook, trey, sebek, jack, or ace in the possibilities please <3

personality | shy in public, but at home i become more outgoing and goofy! i feel most comfortable with my family and close friends when out in public and when i’m with them i become more confident! i also tease and make fun of people if i’m close to them because i feel like being able to be playfully mean to someone is a form of trust (at least for me) because otherwise i’m a shy/awkward mess. i’ve also been told i’m very loyal to the people i’m close to. i would say a downside to me is that it’s easy for me to get frustrated/mad if i don’t get something right or something goes terribly wrong. being wrong makes me embarrassed so that’s why i get frustrated with it. but also, i can’t stay mad for long lmao. i tend to calm down really fast

appearance | “5’3” to “5’4” in height! i have mid-length hair with bangs, styled into a wolf cut! i dye my hair a lot and right now it’s a blue and purple split, but soon it’ll be pink and black! and lastly, i have blue eyes!

style | my style is more simple, but it tends to lean on the grunge side. i don’t accessorize a lot because to me comfort >>> everything else lmao. so it usually leads to me wearing a t-shirt, cargo pants/jean shorts, and a jacket.

hobbies | archery, drawing, writing, reading, collecting, gaming, frisbee

likes | rain, vampires, green, victorian aesthetics, ancient history, roses, cats

dislikes | bugs (any bugs), lightening, loud noises, crowds

extras | my personality type is istp! zodiac is pisces!

random fact | not a good cook or baker! not necessarily the putting in the oven part, but the mixing ingredients part. it’s easy for me to get different instructions confused with one another.

sorry if this is a lot! thank you for doing this for your followers! <3

I match you with 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫

The First Impression:

Jamil has always had an eye for the shy and meek. Not just because Kalim is the exact opposite of that, but because he understands. Whereas the average person could easily overlook a quiet type, Jamil knows that there's always more than meets the eye.

Why He Fell:

And he's right; of course. While you're quite restrained and polite in social settings, your true personality shines through behind closed doors.

What Jamil finds most enthralling, perhaps, is your confidence. He doesn't have to bow down to you, or pretend to be incompetent for the sake of your ego. In fact, he actually quite likes your tendency to tease, because he knows he can tease right back without consequence. You two get pretty competitive with it, actually.

The Relationship:

If you had asked Jamil the type of person he imagined himself with before he met you, his honest answer would be someone who'd let him be in charge.

Obviously, that's a stupid answer, and as much becomes apparent with you. Your almost competitively playful spirit is encouraging for him, he actually enjoys bantering, and the fact that he doesn't have to pretend to be weak around you is really all he could ask for. You really bring out the most authentic sides of each other.

Jamil likes knowing how you tick, and he may even let you understand a little more of him, too. He knows how to calm you down when you're frustrated, and he's endlessly patient with you in the kitchen (he WILL teach you how to cook. he insists it's a necessary life skill).

just don't expect him to help you with bugs. you'll need a third party for that

[humanmorph]

PALISADE 28.crazy good this week etc

New radio person for the intro...! This comes at a good moment. I still miss Baldwin Home like. That very first PALISADE intro is genuinely so hard to beat... but this feels good. I'm once again thinking about Austin writing these... The style used for Black Screens intros obviously shines through (she's his protégé) but she does have her own voice already (way more rhyming? I mean, I'd have to doublecheck HIS intros, it's literally just a feeling). Just the tone used and intonation already does a lot. Austin is so good at this fr. I'm still curious how he even approaches that. Also the "watch me unloose 80 Ls on these next lines" I knewwww that's 80 Ls for real as soon as Parti said illogical. I wonder if he wrote that bit first trying to see how many Ls he could fit in there & then finetuned it to get to a good number? I guess that's just how I would do it.

(who knows if we'll ever get a description for Parti. we never did for Black. maybe if she shows up in a conflict turn somehow? so im just fuckin around for now... i haven't sold myself on the clothes. i'm just not a fashion guy. but i do like the braids)

Oh & new guy alert part 2!!! New Keith character! And he has a funny hat. Not even funny as in goofy it just makes me laugh a bit because my dad and maybe every 5th 70+ y/o man I see has a hat like that. Love the sequin poncho.

(btw I am almost certain Keith has posted a picture of that teapot on Cohost before... He posts about tea sometimes so there's at least a chance. I mean the description of the coloring he gives is actually pretty good IMO, you can work with that, but I as an artist I like to have a visual reference. EDIT: someone just asked him. thank you keith and also rosecrest)

I have the. I got Armor Astir & a lot of the playbooks other people made in a bundle a while back and I'm real torn if I should just look at the Investigator because I'm really curious. But. I also love to be surprised. So I probably won't, but it's good to know I COULD, if I wanted to. Anyways, I was pretty sure it'd be another B-Plot character too, just because it makes sense. Brnine COULD go alone on a B-Plot, I guess, but it's more fun with 2 groups to jump between, surely. Though this means the Eclectic-Brnine dynamic is crucial! I hope they can meet up soon... But yeah I just really am gonna miss Phrygian backing them up and cheering and clapping and asking questions. They were so fun together... A great team :' (

ok so I wrote everything else about Eclectic down yesterday & then noted down "vibes?" as break between paragraphs because all I had at that point was the description & I wanted to get back to this. And ooohhh my god the vibes are fucking immaculate right off the bat I'm having a hard time to not Already be obsessed with this guy he's SO funny conceptually and it KEPT getting better... Truly delighted with this new type of guy (& Keith is doing a voice!). And I fucking love the hooks. Truly so great to me. The thought of these getting loosened OR deepened is already really really good. "Leap says"..... oh it's SO funny I keep laughing to myself

And I'm VERY excited it's a delegate like genuinely so happy. I was mourning the loss of a branched onscreen (okay.I still am) but this does make it worth it. Ever since they got introduced basically I so badly wanted to know anything more about them, but especially what Austin mentioned in the episode itself: the delegates relationships to the divines they are made from & of course the divines themselves (who are alive!!! Apparently that was already written in a dossier way back when, but I rarely read those). That has me sooo excited.

Oh and the like... I only thought about this just now but the connection there to Thisbe's new project is. That's gotta be something! "The divine who's being held captive somewhere on this planet, and has been tortured for millennia" hearing a message of... That this can end & rest is possible and it's SO CLOSE? But does that just make it worse... Ohhhhh. Yeah this rules. What a great idea.

That project generally is really... god, I love Thisbe so much. I love how Janine talks about her and what she thinks and why she does what she does. Thisbe's relationship to work and being a tool and of use is so interesting to put here, with the divines wanting to rest. (And Janine saying something like... Thisbe thinks of herself in relation to divines how Mow is to her? Kind of?) And saying it seems so solitary a project... every divine should know about it. Every divine deserves the right to rest. But it's also a call to action of sorts when she talks about like... "shouldn't you want to protect this?" I think her "Fighting is not my purpose, but there is nowhere else for me until the fighting is over." hook could be in conservation here too... Also I'm just looking forward for Thisbe to Broadcast again. It was like, one of her things in PARTIZAN. I really liked her & Cori working on this together with the. Experience they just had behind them. Sylvi & Janine reading the hooks for each others characters kind of sheepishly was soooo funny "I forgot how bitchy this was!". That's good stuff to me. (as an aside: god, Thisbe has always had good as hell hooks/beliefs/whatever else. Remember "Operant Broun lies to me because they believe I am a person."? Banger. ) I also love that she thought of this/about this at the rib(?) of Barricade. Barricade as an axiom who had this close (& good, protective) relationship with another axiom...

btw now that Leap is NOT coming back I do miss him a bit. Mostly out of principle like I am So happy we have Eclectic but Leap is my guy.... shoutout to him... being a bitch bastard pirate out there in space... + shoutout to Figure A too always : ) (speaking of, on the Gathering Information Extra bit from today he talked about if he had played Leap, picking a class that also had like, a crew, and I'm mostly just really curious who that would've been. I would love for Keith to make up some funny guys for Leap to order around. I wonder if Eclectic or an Eclectic type would've been on that?)

(Also Leap investigating Motion. Ok. To ME it's at least partly bc this was so important to Millie. And he has reason to be concerned generally he fought Motion too but. That's MILLIE'S rival! And it doesn't even have to be at the front of his mind when he does this. Maybe it isn't. But it's real & it's something to remember her by through actual action. Because he's not the sentimental type.Do you get me.?)

Brnine talk show. This was sooo good. After they joked about it in PAL25 too. I recognized the hosts name, but wasn't quite sure from where until I read the dossier - of course he's that guy from the podcast. God. I have got to relisten to that sometime... I remember Ali on one of the recent Gathering Information ep (the one w/ Austin on, I think) mentioning a conversation that was like. stressful to do. and then also to listen to? (since she has to for production/editing) and I figured it would be another Gucci-type talk but ooohh my god. This was sooo. EDIT: ACTUALLY what if it wasn't even. What if it's about to be this talk with Rye edit: GALLICA i cant believe noone called me on this. mixing my elects up. rye is the one gur killed (mvp). Austin was sounding a bit ominous about it at the end of this episode! HUGE shoutouts to Ali again she is just absolutely killing it this season for real... And I honestly feel like overall Brnine was, considering the situation, doing very well. Genuinely. You're feverish and hollowblooded and have this fucking. Guy needling you & asking the stupidest questions... & like. "You made Kalmeria. They'd never let you rot in jail." of courseeee they want Brnine working for them. They're so GOOD at what they do. They messed with the parts of A Fucking Divine. . I just had a scary thought and it involved Mustard Red. But. Surely not. Nooo. I'm shaking my head. However Arbitrage? An Arbitrage deal (like they tried to make them take before) would work just perfectly for this, wouldn't it...

some other stuff:

When Austin mentioned Grand Mag in that vision Cori had I thought something like 'man. sucks to be him : (' but like. In a genuine way. "I can't stop it from hurting people a little"........... Hah oh wow I just thought of this but I am so excited for people who haven't listened to TM to meet him now. He's not even my favourite he just makes me crazy in a way almost no other character does? Like there's something so WRONG with him. And there's things wrong with a lot of FatT characters but it's like... Well. Grand Magnificent.

I love the thought of them watching Brnines interview at the next movie night (POOR BRNINE.) but I also want to know what Eclectic would pick for movie night. Oh and Partial too. Though he may not be staying I would still really love to know. Partial coming on board for the mission has me intrigued generally.

Oh and Gur talking! Even if just a little. I still feel so bad for them. "I believe in whispers in ears"... and they have reason to now. Figure is a person trying their best to do good & make changes, which is what Gur wants. I just wish they weren't a specter haunting someone elses body & what even happens when Figure rolls a 10+. Is Gur still there and Figure just stops seeing him? oohh it hurts a bit.you can't do this to him you can't (related: I extremely forgot about the other specters and ghosts and ghouls and whatnot that Figure can also see. It's not just my friend Gur Sevraq. Looking forward to hear more about that & how it affects Figure so much as to roll with disadvantage!)

Love to learn just a little more about devotion. I really need to just relisten to that again & think about it a bit harder.

At one point Austin says "Still flanked by guards, you are" and it caught me off guard & made me wheeze. He didn't even do that on purpose . I get him I do this way too often(realize I forgot to say part of a sentence and pack it at the end)

[sasagero]

A3! Outing Event: Shining Hawkeye in the Dark Episode 1 Translation

NOTE: Please take this translation with a grain of salt – I’m not proficient enough in Japanese to feel comfortable saying that this translation is 100% accurate. However, I hope that the meaning comes across okay.

All chapters & story summary

Taichi: Here I come! Gh…!

Mirai: Wow, cool!

Masato: Nii-chan, awesome!

Taichi’s Mom: Alright, you two. It’s about time to get ready for bed.

Mirai: Eeh~.

Taichi: It’s already gotten super late, huh? Onii-chan’s gotta head home so I can sleep, too.

Masato: Uu—... I just wanna play with Nii-chan a little more, but it’s bed time, so I’ll suck it up…

Mirai: I don’t wanna! I wanna keep playing with Onii-chan! I’m gonna hug you so you can’t leave!

Taichi: ! W-wah, Mii-chan!

Taichi: I wanna keep playing too, but how about we keep it for next time?

Mirai: …

Taichi’s Mom: I can understand why you feel lonely, but can you be okay with waiting until next time to play together again?

Mirai: But… ever since you started working, you haven’t come to see us one bit.

Taichi: (Even before I joined the agency, I wouldn't really go home unless Mii-chan and the others called me and gave me a reason to visit...)

Taichi: (I got a little busier once I joined the agency, but I really, really haven’t gone home even though they’ve gone through all the effort of reaching out, huh…)

Taichi: Alright, then how about we decide the next day we hang out? Is that okay?

Mirai: Next day we hang out… Mhm, I wanna pick!

Taichi: Okay, then how about we all go out somewhere!

Masato: I wanna go to the aquarium.

Mirai: That sounds fun! I wanna see the penguins!

Taichi: Then let’s go to the aquarium on this day!

Mirai: Yaaay! Then it’s a promise, right?

Taichi: Mhm, I promise!

Taichi: I’m back~.

Citron: Welcome back!

Tenma: Taichi, you just got back, huh. That’s right—you went back to your parents’ house, didn’t you?

Taichi: Mhm. I haven’t gone to spend time with my little brother and sister lately so I went to see them, but before I knew it, it got super late.

Kazunari: I’m sure they got lonely ‘cause you had to go, Taicchan.

Taichi: You’re right about that. That’s why I made a promise that we’ll hang out again!

Citron: That’s a nice idea!

Kazunari: Even before you joined the agency, you didn’t really go home either, right~.

Tenma: Especially now, Taichi’s got a lot of offers and auditions lined up thanks to the impact of “Make Blossom.”

Taichi: Even though I can’t really just go back to my parents’ house whenever, I’m really happy because it’s not like getting offered jobs and auditions is something that’s a given for me!

Taichi: With the strength I have now, I wanna do my best at all that stuff… and I also wanna be there for Mii-chan and Maa-kun when I can go home!

Kazunari: I’m sure your little brother and sister were super happy to be able to see you for the first time in a while!

Citron: What did you do together?

Taichi: Hehe, actually…

Taichi: Tadaaah! I acted out this picture book as I read it for them!

Kazunari: Ah! This is that thief picture book that’s gone viral with kids lately, right?! “The Hawk Thief, Valtalon!”

Taichi: That’s it! My little brother and sister have been obsessed with it!

Tenma: It’s a story about thieves, is it?

Citron: Oh! How unusual!

Taichi: It’s actually about chivalrous thieves… It’s a picture book after all, so the story’s warm and interesting.

Taichi: That’s why I got totally interested in it, too, and I ended up stopping in a bookstore on the way back to buy it myself.

Kazunari: BTW, it seems like they’re making an anime adaptation of it.

Tenma: Kazunari, you really know this much about something popular with kids…?

Kazunari: You’ve got the wrong idea! I just saw it getting popular with adults who read it.

Kazunari: The picture book’s been trending on social media with papas and mamas with little kids, but other adults have also been enjoying it, too.

Taichi: So that’s been happening, huh! I didn’t know it was that popular—I just bought it ‘cause I liked the story.

Citron: There’s probably a lot of adults like Taichi~.

Citron: That picture book has piqued my interest as well. I’d like to read it!

Taichi: Ah, then here, I’ll lend it to you! Who knows how many times I read it back at my parents’ house, anyways.

Citron: Why, thank you~!

Izumi: Ah—Taichi, you’re back. Welcome home.

Taichi: Yeah, I’m back.

Izumi: Huh, does that picture book happen to be…

Taichi: Director-sensei, you know about this, too?

Izumi: Rather than knowing about it—how should I put it…

Izumi: We actually got a request to perform in an exhibition event being held to celebrate the anime adaptation of that book, and we decided to accept the offer.

Troupe members: Eeh!?

Izumi: Called “Valtalon’s Soaring World,” it seems that it’ll be an event aiming to recreate the picture book’s setting.

Izumi: The event will be held for about 3 weeks, and during that, they’ve arranged a 1-day-only special stage where we’ll perform.

Izumi: We won’t be the only performers; they’ve formed a group of kids who’ll sing the theme song live.

Izumi: By the way, the performances will be recorded, too.

Kazunari: FR?! That’s so elaborate!

Taichi: I’m super excited—!

---

Next chapter

[sgtmickeyslaughter]

Weekly Tag Wednesday

thanks for tagging me @lingy910y and @energievie, i hope youre both having lovely wednesdays

let’s start with the standard

name: gigi <3

age: 24

location: im doing this at work for once so im on the isle of manhattan

and now, a set of totally random ones

what’s one of your go-to karaoke songs? singing by yourself in the car or in the shower totally counts. anything ABBA, i love karaoke and ABBA is fun because …its ABBA honestly that should be enough. i go for lay all your love on me, super trooper, money, waterloo or if im really really drunk - winner takes it all

if you had the power to control one of the four elements, which one would it be and why? probably water bc i love being in/around water, i start to get weird and pissy when im landlocked for too long, but im also a v typical grounded earth sign so maybe that instead

think of one of your defining personality traits - which animal embodies it? i’ve been told a cat, but honestly one of those super intense working/hunting breed dogs, i have to exercise myself or ill start getting anxious and tearing up the couch

are there any fan theories that have stuck with you? think of the infamous “scooby and the gang are all actually high.” I mean i think the idea that the scooby gang were dodging the draft is a good one, or that agent dale cooper was DB cooper, which is just pretty funny

name a movie you watched or a book you read as a kid that you were totally not supposed to watch/read or watch at that age. probably a lot, my parents didnt really believe in censoring anything (to a point obviously) i watched tarantino movies pretty young, and all of the cohen brothers movies bc my mom loved them

name a food or drink that you totally hated as a kid and now you really like. honestly most things lol i was a super pickey eater but my household was somewhat crunchy so that meant i ate mostly meat and fruit - now I eat almost anything

how about ones you still hate: i never could do broccoli, its just a texture thing, brocolini is fine bc the little buds are bigger if that makes sense

what’s your least favorite chore: laundry, I live on the top floor of a building without an elevator and the laundry machines are in the basement so its just a pain in the ass

do you have one that you actually enjoy? i honestly hate all housework, its just a waste of time and i know ill have to do it all over again next week - i love cooking but i don’t see it as a chore so idk if it counts

and to close off, share a lyric or two that really resonates with you.

Oh, to see without my eyes The first time that you kissed me Boundless by the time I cried I built your walls around me - Mystery of love (Sufjan Stevens)

I bet on losing dogs I know they're losing and I'll pay for my place By the ring Where I'll be looking in their eyes when they're down I'll be there on their side I'm losing by their side - i bet on loosing dogs (Mitski)

The memory hurts But does me no harm Your hand in my pocket To keep us both warm The poor thing in the road Its eye still glistening The cold wet of your nose The Earth from a distance

See how it shines - Abstract Psychopomp (Hozier )

tagging: @jrooc @gallawitchxx @bawlbrayker @abetterdaaye @stocious @st4rrylesbian @thisisestrelya @anonymous-galager @mickeysgaymom @iansw0rld @heymrspatel @mybrainismelted @creepkinginc @juliakayyy @sweetbee78 @mmmichyyy

[thisonesatellite]

20 questions for fic writers

Tagged by the amazing and infinitely talented @voylitscope. Thank you so much! 💕💕💕

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

37.

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

607,929

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Right now primarily stucky /MCU.

i got started with CS /OUAT (which i no longer write for), and have also ventured into dramione /HP (where i will go again as soon as i have some time).

i also wrote one Leverage fic, which --- guys, i don't know what happened there. It just knocked on my door and demanded to be written. 🤷‍♀️

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

This is interesting. i would have thought the OUAT fics would grab all top 5 spots, because they've been around the longest, but actually---

we build our lives out of chaos and hope - dramione

Burn To Shine - stucky

The Unexpected Life - CS

break me - CS

if you live by the word, you die by the pen - CS

If you're counting by fandom, well -- i mean, i have exactly five stucky fics so far. That's the top five right there. 😂 (There will be more soon, and then we can see who grabs the brass rings.)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

ALWAYS. Always always always. i love comments. They make my day.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

OK. Like. i don't write angsty endings, OK? i may or may not put my characters through the fucking wringer during a fic, but i ALWAYS HEA them, you feel me.

Having said that, i think militae species amor est (CS) is the one with the least openly stated fluff at the end. (Then again, the title is a quote i ripped off Ovid which means "love is a kind of warfare". Take from that what you will. 😂)

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Uh, all of them? i happy end HARD, ok?

If you're going to make me pick, for stucky it's probably a tie between Burn To Shine and a handful of dust. (So far. There will be others.)

For all of my fic across fandoms, it's everybody knows (CS). Which is also by far the most complex emotional character arcs for an OTP i've ever wrapped around an impossibly complicated plot line. And angst abounded here. Such abounding. The ending had to make up for it and consequently will rot every last one of your teeth.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not so far. i once had someone tell me in great detail why they didn't like my writing style, but while i did wonder why they bothered to read my fic in the first place if my style wasn't for them, i don't count it as hate.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Ah. The eternal question. No, i don't. i don't know how. i don't think there's anything wrong with smut at all, but i can't write it.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

i don't write crossovers. Lots of AUs, but no crossovers. i don't like to cross the streams. 😂

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that i know of, knock on wood.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes! My lovely and wonderful friend @mariakov81 translated her birthday fic ad extremum terrae into Ukrainian. i may have cried when she told me.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yes. The Sword and The Heart - with the amazing and talented @ohmightydevviepuu. It was one of the hardest and yet one of the most rewarding experiences of my writing life and i strongly recommend the process to every writer out there. The things you will learn about yourself and your writing are immeasurable, and you will emerge a better writer for it.

Also, it was so much fun.

(All the credit here goes to @ohmightydevviepuu, whose patience was infinite every time i went and did A Thing with the plot and the characters. She is the reason we have a fic at all.)

14. What’s your all time favourite ship?

i think stucky will always have a place in my heart. (So will many others, some of which i don't even write for, but stucky is my fave, i think.)

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

None. i am a very linear writer. i write one fic at a time. Therefore i never have any additional WIPs cooking, and so i do finish everything i start.

i know. So annoying. 😂

16. What are your writing strengths?

Character development, realistic dialogue, action. (Also probably plot underpinned by emotion. While i'm patting myself on the back here.)

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

SMUT. i cannot write it (as stated above). Which means there will always be a sense of the explicit lacking in my fic, and i'm sorry for that. But i can't change it.

And certain popular tropes--- some of them perennial favorites--- do nothing for me, so i am also unable to write them.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

i have utilized the fact that i speak more than one language, and have several good friends who speak other languages, in some of my stucky fics. But i will say that sometimes it's hard to keep true to the characters in a different language.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Once Upon A Time (OUAT). It's the one that started it all. i was never going to write, you know. And then, one day, i--- did.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

OMG. You're going to make me choose? Between all the blood, toil, tears, and sweat on every page? Yes, i'm being dramatic.

My favorite fic (IF i HAVE TO PICK ONE) is probably we kill the flame (CS). It plays in my favorite sandbox -- cyberpunk dystopia -- and i built an entire world for it. In painstaking detail.

My favorite stucky (so far) is probably despite all my rage - for much the same reasons: World building and cyberpunk dystopia. Also because it has my favorite Sam and Clint.

Honorable mention has to go to Burn To Shine (stucky), which introduced me to the pure and unadulterated fun that is Grumpy!Bucky (who is now my favorite chew toy), as well as the disaster muppet combo that is Scott and Clint, and we build our lives out of chaos and hope (dramione), because i went on a thinly-veiled political tear halfway through it and still cannot believe i got away with it.

.

Absolutely zero pressure tags for @sparkagrace , @cable-knit-sweater, @buckybarnesdeservestobehappy, @wistfulcynic, @ohmightydevviepuu, and @mxaether 💕

[rosetheocto]

hi!!! i wanted to ask about your thoughts on what should be changed in eeveelution squad!! ive been thinking about it a lot recently and ive seen you on the tag from time to time and i wanted to know more about what you think!!

OOOOOO there’s a lot of things actually!! This is kinda long and all over the place tho so uhh have fun with that!! :0

if you want me to elaborate more on certain things or have a point make more sense just send another ask my way lol

No CC. sorry to whoever made her but she SUCKS and I don’t like her. Her backstory makes no sense even in an AU and she’s just. very overpowered lol (also her and Gai have no chemistry)

speaking of ships with no chemistry: Lazuli/Speed/Silvia. theyre all so toxic to each other and Speed has shown clear disinterest in them both for nearly the whole comic. They only got together in the end cuz The Fans Wanted It, completely ignoring stuff like Lazuli/Silvia kissing Speed during a PTSD flashback without his consent. I can go on and on about how much the romance in this comic is bad but I’ll be here all day lmao. I may make a rant about them all in another post in the future

TLDR for that being: most speed ships suck (I see him as aro tbh, Stella was an exception), Black and Pearl also suck but not as much, I’m glad Crystal didn’t get with Trace

Leaf needs more personality, tbh all the girls do. Like seriously name one female character that doesn’t have any major ties to a guy. like even Sunshine has a love interest in Axel and they’re 3/4 years old

I wish the berserker lore made sense. ik EV made it overly complex to Spite The Haters or whatever but I just don’t really get it half the time. in terms of unique stuff ES has like those and the Coastal Eevees or the timeline resets it could’ve been handled a LOT better and made more sense

(and I know the Journals have more info but I’ll get to those in a sec)

Shade just sucks as a villain and you can tell he was rushed to give the finale a proper final battle (Special 12B wasn’t meant to be the finale originally if you didn’t know that)

(If I were to make a final villain to ES it would’ve been Alan but that’s just me lol)

there’s way too many characters and most people can’t even tell the slight differences in appearance as well as I can. like there were people mistaking Blaze (Pearl’s mom, Flareon with the hair swirly thing) and Mollie (Triplets mom, Flareon with a leg missing) as the same person for a while and that isn’t really good for design and story stuff. and like there’s so many characters that show up once and never again until you find out that They Actually Had A Bunch Of Story Relevancy You Didn’t Know Until Just Now! (Shade)

and looking at the drafts for the After Story it doesn’t really answer any questions and just made things more confusing?? and there’s also stuff that I just. refuse to accept as canon. Speed would NOT abandon his daughter for years just cuz “he wants to explore again” yeah he may not be the best father figure in the world but CMON :((

AND SPEAKING OF THAT: there’s way too much Journal only content, which is fine if the average reader knew about all those journals. The stuff from those should’ve really been incorporated into the story sooner, cuz most stuff that’s been established in journals for years only got to shine in the comic at the very end

Those are all the major things I can think of really! If you read this far, then thanks!! I have a lot of thoughts on this comic lol