#he won't hesitate but if he doesn't have to do it he won't.

[norikuna]

pick your love story °🍵⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ jujutsu kaisen edition (sfw)

gojo satoru ☆ childhood friends to lovers

loves to tease you, and he'll always poke your cheek, ruffle your hair, or steal your food just to get a reaction. if you're shy or quiet, he lives to make you flustered. buys the most ridiculous gifts, including matching sunglasses and designer items that cost more than your rent. acts like your personal heater, always draping himself over you, wrapping his long arms around your shoulders, or sneaking his hands under your sweater to press them against your skin. if someone flirts with you? well, he's throwing him arm around you so dramatically, calling you his 'beloved' in the most obnoxious way possible. if the person doesn't back off, his carefree tone disappears and he gives them a chilling smile. loves late night drives and cafe dates, he's so the type to blast music in the car and sing off-key on purpose, always laughs when you tell him to zip it. his love language is definitely physical touch and words of affirmation, and he needs to be touching you at all times, and he constantly reminds you how much he loves you in different playful and heartfelt ways <3 he's even softer when he's sleepy, nuzzling into your neck and shit, voice always dropping to a quiet murmur as he spills whatever's on his mind.

geto suguru ☆ best friends to lovers

pretty chill, protective and a faux deep thinker type of guy. gentle and attentive, always knowing what you need before you even ask. if had a rough day, he's gonna run you a bath and try to get your favourite drink. tries to sit still and listen patiently while you rant. lowkey a bit overzealous when it comes to jealousy, but never petty. he doesn't get outwardly possessive. but if someone flirts with you, he'll wrap an arm around your waist and give the person a pretty sharp look, enough that they'll back off and shit. always takes pictures of you, and he has an entire album of random shots of you reading, laughing or even just existing bc he really does think you look beautiful in every moment. loves bookstore and vinyl shop dates, and he enjoys those sweet peaceful moments with you (flipping through books, aka arguing about different genres). he's super big on quality time + acts of service, and if he sees you struggling with anything, he'll try to take care of it before you even have to ask. loves running his fingers through your hair, and he claims it calms him, and sometimes he just gets so lost in thought while doing it, that you have to snap him out of it. he's the type to whisper sweet things in your ear absentmindedly, like 'you have no idea how much i love you' when he thinks you're not paying attention. goes all red and dismissive when he realises you actually did hear that :D and he says he's not in gossip and drama but no one talks shit like he does, lets be real

ryomen sukuna ☆ prob sum weird enemies to lover shit

claims he doesn't date, but somehow ends up trying to figure out your favourite flower. calls you stupid shit like 'brat' or 'pet' more than your actual name, but if someone disrespects you, he tears them apart without hesitation. gets jealous easily, but he won't admit it, and if someone looks at you wrong, he'll grab your chin and kiss you (not that you mind <3) his love language is physical touch and dominance, expect him to always keep a hand on your waist, neck or chin because as much as he pretends otherwise, he loves feeling your skin against his. gaslights you over silly things for fun ('i literally told you that' 'no you didn't' 'oh, so you're forgetful now). also whispers absolute nonsense in your ear just from time to time, 'did you know that octopuses have three hearts? bet you didn't, but now you do. you're welcome'). will open a jar way too aggressively to try and show off his strength but breaks it, and now you're left with no pickles and a sulking sukuna with pickle juice on his hand. carries you like a sack of potatoes on his shoulders if you piss him off. pretends he doesn't gaf, but always shares his food with you and tries to order what you like.

toji fushiguro ☆ reluctant friends to lovers

grumpy but soft for you typa boyfriend who doesn't believe in using full words in texts. only texts in 'ya' or 'nah' and he accidentally replied 'k' to you saying 'i love you' and he called you immediately afterwards because he knows he messed up. loves pda but in the most lazy way possible, and will always drape himself over you like a weighted blanket and refuse to move. always steals bites of your food (half the meal) but will act offended if you do the same. once won you a stuffed animal at a carnival and acted like it was no big deal, but he actually used up all his carnival tickets trying to win you the biggest prize. spoils you in a reckless way, and he'll hand you a wad of cash and refuses to tell you how he got the money. he just tells you to go buy something nice. love language is acts of service and physical touch because he claims he's not amazing with words, but his hands always find their way back home to you. loves lazy mornings, and grumbles when you try to get out of bed, pulling you back in with an arm around your waist.

nanami kento ☆ love at first sight

exhausted but devoted you get me, and he claims that you energise him and light up his life. lectures you when you only sleep for three hours a night. replies to the tiktoks you send with corporate replies 'that was humorous. thank you for sharing. i love you.' he thinks you're absolutely the most beautiful person on the planet, and always lets you know. pretty gentle, mature and devoted. shows his love in sweet, meaningful ways. always puts your comfort first, and he tries to take things off your plate without asking. loves cooking for you, and believes cooking is its own love language. hates unnecessary, brash pda but loves quiet intimacy. holds your hand, brushes your hair against your ear. lingering kisses on your temple. reads to you at night, and he'll sit beside you if you have trouble drifting off. his love language is absolutely acts of service and quality time, and he doesn't just say he loves you, he'll prove it in every little action of his. loves taking you out to scenic parks and hikes, and just stares after you with so much love as he tries to adjust the focus of his camera lenses to try and capture you as well as he can.

choso kamo ☆ strangers to lovers

kinda awkward but genuinely, really quiet sweet. overthinks everything, and at the start of your relationship, he even started overthinking how you said 'goodnight!' and wondered if you were mad at him, because there was no heart or emoji. would die before making the first move idk, like you're going to have kiss him first or else, otherwise i fear he's going to have a stroke. holds grudges as long as he can, and will bring up little shit (like you stealing his lunch) six months later 'remember that time you betrayed me?'. but he can only really give you the silent treatment for two whole minutes when you tease him, and then immediately apologises because he feels bad. a lot of friends tease the two of you because they think choso is too quiet or a pushover but the truth is that he's actually pretty snarky, clever and observant. very determined and always sticks to his morals, even at times when you disagree with him, he's able to put his foot down. love language is quality time and gift giving, because he's the type to remember everything you like and surprise him with it. loves watching movies with you, and pretends not to care for 90s chick flicks, but he's digging them deep down. loves holding your hand, and even in public, he'll reach for you quietly.

higuruma hiromi☆ coworkers to lovers

overworked but loves you so bad. he sometimes reminds you of a tired, single dad but he's truly joyous to date. if you call him baby in public, he immediately malfunctions and blushes. you once kissed him in a courtroom (not even when court was ongoing!) on the tip of his gorgeous nose, and he almost choked. will 100% object to random things just to irritate you, with topics like takeout for dinner, 'objection. we had sushi two days ago.' takes everything pretty seriously, until you do something cute. then he just sits there, hiding his smile behind his hand like an adorable anime protagonist. tries to be strict or protective, but you just make him super soft. secretly likes pda but pretends that he doesn't. grips your hand so tight like he fears you might disappear. loves when you rest in his lap or against his chest as he reads over cases and paperwork. you told him that he'd look hot with glasses, and you caught him browsing through lens frames.

naoya zenin ☆ arranged marriage (kinda ooc naoya btw, bear with me)

sort of a menace who should have been left on read a long time ago, but this wasn't your first choice. somehow, he folds for you almost immediately but you think he'd rather dig his own grave and neatly fold his hands over his chest as he buries himself at his own funeral before he admits that he likes you. calls you annoying but will drop everything if you text him that you need help. always saying dumb shit to you, or trying to make fun of you, but if someone else does? they're gone, like he's going to stalk them, find where they work, and get them fired from their job. texts you the stupidest things like 'if i was ugly, would you still love me?' 'i just saw an ugly baby. damn' 'what would do if i got arrested? be honest.' saw someone flirting with you once at like a fancy event, and rolled his eyes, pretending that he didn't give a flying fuck. ended up at the bathroom mirror, gripping the sink and trying not to throw up. if you ignore his texts, he's gonna send vaguely ominous messages, like 'answer me' followed by 'this is how it ends?' 'i'm leaving btw, i'm going to pack up and leave you forever and go live on my own in the wild.' you check his location and he's still at home. naoya thinks he's the prize in the relationship, he's not. definitely a pda menace, and he loves just kissing you in public.

hajime kashimo ☆ enemies to lovers but in that 'we met when we were fighting' way

your relationship is just him being reckless with no survival instinct, and you trying to keep your boyfriend alive. aka trying to stop him from licking the power outlet. will randomly challenge you to fights for no reason, never mind the fact that he'll feel bad and back out at the last minute. has no concept of personal space, and will stand nose to nose with you just to make you uncomfortable. if you back away, he's gonna follow you and ask where you're going. if someone flirts with you, he's not even going to do too much, just laugh in their face and ask the offender if they really thought they had a chance. kashimo has no concept of an inside voice at all, so god forbid you try to take him somewhere quiet. energy level always at 200% and it's a mission to even take him someplace like a grocery store. if you said 'i love you' first, it might have been the only time that someone else has bested him in something. hajime physically can't process emotions and goes green and pale (he loves you so much btw) and he looks vaguely ill at your confession. stares for five minutes before throwing himself at you. definitely a words of affirmation type of guy, instead of actions, because sometimes, he's all bark and no bite.

noritoshi kamo ☆ sweet, rom-com crush

he's actually a bit traditional, but very sweet. unfortunately, he's also so formal that it hurts sometimes. but it's fun when he asks you things like 'would you like to accompany me for an evening meal?' or 'shall we go for a stroll?' if you hold his hand, for the first few months, he sweats profusely but acts as though he's totally cool (narrator: he was not cool). lowkey believes that he doesn't deserve you and he absolutely treats you, the love of his life, like royalty. super observant and determined to make you as comfortable as possible, so you're never really left wanting for anything. if someone flirts with you, he doesn't really get jealous, but rather gets philosophical. 'it is natural for others to admire beauty such as yours. however, they must know it's not theirs to claim.' a key forefront runner of the sassy men apocalypse, even though you wouldn't be able to tell at the start. super quick-witted, but he's the type to keep his thoughts to himself, but luckily, he gets more comfortable sharing his jokes with you as times go on. blushes super easily, and he hates it because he thinks it ruins his aloof/mysterious guy persona.

[lexicollectschai]

I think many are loosing the point. Many say "but he would do this with anyone of his friends" "this doesn't make Amy special from the other" "with this logic, Sonic is in ove with Chris/tails for saving them the other times" 🤦

... So then...

Why you think the show chosed Amy and not anyone else?

THAT'S THE POINT I'M SAYING

As a main character like Sonic you would have moments were your friends need your help and as a show you will use the tecnique of "show don't tell" by using composition, dialogues, environment music (like a romance, suspense) to tell audience this scene is different from the ones before

He would have done the same to tails, knuckles, cream and more? Absolutely, never said he wouldn't

But with them you won't use the same audiovisual dynamics for friendship for a romantic subtone

You as a artist need to show the audience why the main character has feelings for it's main love interest

AND HOW DID SONIC X DO THAT?

By showing Sonic that even with his fear of water he won't hesitate to rescue Amy?

That's why you don't have a scene with do much focus on Sonic swimming to rescue it's friends

So the audience can understand why Amy has a special place in Sonic's life and in consequence, show she's his love interest!

Don't expect a show/videogame or media to explicitely telling everything to you, specially as dialogue or as a kiss to show a couple being "teased" specially with sonamy were Sonic team gives attention to details and context behind those for the audience to keep interested in them by not explicity telling you "i love You" but more with actions.

While Amy is more with words, Sonic is not and the song used in ep 52 is from Sonic's POV it's an important details 👀

This is a good time to remind people of this moment.

Fans say, this moment doesn't mean Sonic has feelings for Amy he would do the same for all his friends.

So, why, of all his friends, they chosed Amy?

The boy is scared of water but didn't hesitate to save Amy.

[softlypaintedseafoam]

🍓ー thank you for your patronage at the strawberry witch’s bakery! here’s your order!

requested by: a lovely anon 🍓 -> law + strawberry tart (making up after a fight)

It's 2am when you drag yourself out of the sleeping quarters and Law is already in the kitchen. A small ache of discomfort forms in your chest, the two of you watching one another warily.

Your mouth opens, lips dry and stiff, but not one sound comes. Not a single word. With a grimace, your mouth closes again. It isn't until Law raises it that you notice the coffee pot nestled in his hands, "want a cup?" In spite of the question, his voice is strained and his brown eyes seem black.

It's bait, hesitant as it may be, it's bait.

Knowing this fact, it's difficult to make yourself ignore it and turn around promptly. Maybe it's how his eyebags seem more prominent in the Polar Tang's lighting and how his hair is messy at all sides. Law's isn't one who tosses and turns in his sleep. No, he sleeps much like a log once he's surrendered himself to sleep. A quick breath escapes you before you step forward, gently nudging Law away from the cupboards.

"2am isn't the right time for making coffee," you murmur, reaching for your collection of chamomile tea. "Doctors are the worst patients; you never listen to your own advice."

There's a pout in his voice when he replies, "I'm not sick, so there's no advice I'm breaking right now."

Your response is a subdued snort of disbelief. "Regardless, you won't get to sleep with coffee. We don't even have decaf." Another bold-faced lie that Law doesn't have the desire to press. The crew never buys anything decaffeinated coffee beans; it'd be a nightmare if Bepo and Shachi got their hands on anything but. "So put that thing down. Let the real kitchen master do their thing here."

With your orders, it's as if you're roles have switched and you're the captain of the Heart Pirates. Law steers clear of your way, far enough you won't bump into one another, but close enough. You don't feel the desire to snip at him because of it, not even as you awkwardly wait by the stovetop watching the kettle.

Close enough to feel one another's presence, but not so close you're pressing against one another either. Like there's an invisible line preventing the two of you from fully indulging in one another's touch. It's an uncomfortable feeling that not even a warming pot water can fix.

You're a couple that seldom has arguments. Regardless of how many battles you conquer, however, you'll never get used to this energy. You'll never get used to the feeling of not knowing how to function properly in this odd period after a fight's taken place. You wish your mind would stop going over the 'I could have done this differently's. You didn't do those things differently and no amount of reflection will take you back to that moment in time before things escalated.

A sigh escapes your mouth. There's no time like the present, at least. "Law-"

"I'm sorry," the dark-haired man says before you're able to truly start. You look to your left, eyebrows knit and lips pursed. "You were trying to help. I was being stubborn."

"I shouldn't have called you bullheaded and insensitive," you reply, your voice feeling too loud for the quiet of the kitchen. Even if Law can be stubborn, you know better than anyone Law is sensitive. There's too much care of his in that tall body of his than he knows what to do with. "I just worry sometimes that… you might go overboard. Like when you were dealing with Joker."

Separating himself from the crew to deal with the Warlord on his own was gut-wrenching on its own. Now with Wano on the horizon and an Emperor of the Sea along with it, your anxieties only feel heighten. "I just want you to rely on us more. We all do. No more trying to make yourself the only casualty; just trust that we'll be able to rise to the challenge once it's here. Please."

You're not sure what thoughts are swimming in the doctor's mind, watching carefully how his face contorts with your every word. Law cares. Too much at times. "I'm not asking you to change overnight," you start again, brushing the back of your hand against his. "But some baby steps would be nice, don't you think?"

His smile is tired but it can't hide itself, "baby steps are doable."

[hurtspideyparker]

Inspired by @sunnysideprincess post "young Tony Stark sleeping with a stranger at a gala and turns out that stranger is now his bodyguard?" a winteriron 2.5k fic (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

Tony Stark/Bucky Barnes, Protective Bucky Barnes, Possessive Bucky Barnes, Hurt/Comfort, Temporary Tony Stark/Tiberius Stone

Bucky doesn't know much about the current pop culture climate. All he knows is Howard has a son who likes to get into trouble, but due to recent threats against the family it's no longer safe to go out alone.

—

Bucky attends the gala to meet with Howard and be acquainted with the venues and protocols he'll be expected to know, including dress and social custom. He's still reintegrating into civilian life after an honourable discharge, but Howard worked with him during his prosthetic trials and wanted to hire him immediately.

Bucky meets a pretty thing at the gala, something charming and mischievous, and hey, he hasn't exactly had time to take advantage of the civilian world and all it's private space and willing bodies just yet. Howard won't be able to meet till the end of this thing, and who's to say fooling around in an empty office doesn't count as "integrating into higher society".

He doesn't even get the man's name. Doll, sweetheart, and pretty boy seem to do him just fine for the hour they spend together (half at the start, and a second time during a boring speech when they make eye contact; Bucky can't resist the cute little smirk and head nod towards the exit).

Everything goes smoothly with Howard, and he's expected at the house tomorrow morning at 8am to meet the infamous Tony Stark. From what he's told he's too smart for his own good, resents authority, and has no idea he's about to get a permanent babysitter. To say Bucky is hesitant is an understatement, but the pay is good and things haven't exactly been easy since coming home, so he's up for a challenge.

What he couldn't have predicted to go wrong, however, is the pretty thing that turns around the corner the following morning in boxers and a Metallica t-shirt, sees Bucky and Howard in the kitchen, and immediately lets out an adorable squeak before hiding bashfully behind his hands and running out of the kitchen.

"Well, that was certainly unexpected. Tony, get back here!"

Bucky agrees, although with an entirely different surprise.

Bucky can't help but be endeared by the sudden shyness and petulance of the previously confident and forthright man, but things turn awkward over time as they settle into their new dynamic.

Bucky spends half his time checking up on Tony in the lab and making sure he eats. Definitely a bit too close to the babysitter mark, as Tony calls him with annoyance, but it beats his nights out.

When Tony goes out, he goes all out. It's loud crowded clubs, it's mansions with boozed up nepo babies, it's sketchy drug-hazed apartments. Bucky starts to understand the controversy about Stark Industries upcoming CEO while watching him do body shots off of random college girls in a dive bar, but all he can do is threaten to smash cameras and make sure Tony gets in his car at the end of the night.

SI has nothing to worry about in the grand scheme of things; Tony practically runs the thing already, considering how most of the tech updates have been his for the past decade (when Bucky was a dirt poor teen with no future but carrying a gun and being expendable, Tony was building the fighter jets that flew above his head. He hadn't even begun puberty yet). Tony's also the one who made Bucky's arm, not Howard, and he only finds out because he starts blabbing on about "missing the human trials, how's the fit, any cinching? Wow, my baby is smooth," a few weeks into their arrangement.

The worst part, though, is Bucky learns real quick that he wasn't special.

The young Stark's charm seems to be quite universal; women, men, college students, business associates, strangers too old for him, creeps too touchy with him. He gets them all with his pretty smile and long lashes.

Bucky doesn't say anything. Doesn't do anything. It's not his place, and besides, they both knew when they met it was a one night thing. He's most definitely not jealous at all.

Okay, he wants to slam every man who touches Tony's ass before even introducing themselves face into the bar counter, but that's neither here nor there.

Thankfully dark and broody is his default, so Tony never comments on the rage and possessiveness in the watchful man's eyes.

Bucky realizes he has a serious problem when Tony starts dating Ty Stone.

Their fathers are friends, Tony calms down with the partying, and everything seems to be going well for SI.

But Bucky's there; on the expensive dinner dates at a nearby table, leaning against a golf cart while they play, standing beside the exit at a charity gala. He hears how Ty talks down to Tony, the hands he can't seem to keep off even when Tony squirms a bit, or how Tony asks for permission to do the simplest things.

"Honey you're such a messy drunk, don't go embarrassing me again."

"It's just wine with the meal Ty—"

"Did you not hear me? Get something else."

Tony resigns himself to sparkling water while Ty gets a perfect red to pair with his steak.

"You look like a whore, god, button that thing up. People are going to think you're for sale or something," Ty says as he steps into Tony's space and does the top buttons of his shirt.

"I can do it myself."

But Ty doesn't move back, instead taking the words as a challenge and tugging the now too-high collar till Tony chokes a bit.

Bucky steps away from the wall, ready to rip his hands off when—"Buck, don't."

Bucky just barely settles back at Tony's instructions, who's fidgeting with the uncomfortable collar.

"That's right doggy, sit."

Bucky can only glare at the arrogant man.

Bucky still gets Tony the most. He gets to see his light come back in the lab at night, eyes shining as he explains what he's doing to uneducated ears. He notices the way Tony perks up and smiles when Bucky comes over to chat during boring work events, making fun of how many times the team can say "efficiency" and "blue sky thinking" in a single meeting.

Bucky knows how many polite smiles Ty gets on their dates, and he knows how much real laughter he pulls out of Tony just on the drive home.

The bodyguard has come to peace with his role as the observer. Spending the rest of his life glued to Tony Stark's wall is worth the ache slowly eating him alive from the inside out.

Things change rapidly though. Bucky finally gets to dust off his knuckles to defend Tony's honour, but it doesn't feel good like he thought it would, nothing feels good when Tony's on the verge of tears.

Bucky had attended another date of the famed couple; a launch party where Ty had finally "let" Tony get tipsy on champagne. Bucky hadn't realized how much tolerance Tony had lost these past months limiting his alcohol, and it hit him hard and fast.

The pair were now giggling in the backseat as Bucky drove them home. Kissing, a little heavy petting. Nothing Bucky hasn't seen before, although it felt even more disturbing to witness with Ty.

"Mm, not here," he hears Tony mumble.

They continue kissing, then—"Ty I said not in the car. Bucky's right there," Bucky glances in the rearview mirror at his name. Ty has pulled Tony into his lap, a hand trying to sneak into his waistband.

"Half the media has seen you slutted out on poppers Tony, it's not like you have any modesty. Just wanna make you feel good baby," he says as his hand slides back down Tony's waistband.

Tony grabs at the hand awkwardly, fingers too weak in this state to pull it away.

Bucky doesn't even think about it. He jerks the steering wheel to the side with only the barest of glances that the road is clear, pulling into a ditch and slamming on the breaks.

The un-seatbelted pair in the back go flying, Tony landing on the floor with a yelp and Ty falling on top of him with an ugly awkwardness.

Bucky hops out of the driver's seat and yanks the back door open with his metal arm so hard it comes flying off. He tosses it somewhere behind him, reaching in and grabbing the scruff of Ty's suit jacket and dragging him out of the car.

"Get off me you fucking psycho! You could've killed us all, what is wrong with you!"

Bucky shoves him flat on his ass, hands scraping on the damp asphalt.

Bucky chases after him, and Ty has the intelligence to scramble backwards, fearful.

"Hey hey hey man, I'll sue you to all hell for this! Don't come near me, get back freak!"

Bucky's metal fist groans at the tightness as he gears up, but suddenly gentle hands are wrapped around his arm and Tony is stepping in front of him.

"Don't be stupid."

The pair make eye contact, a pleading in Tony's eyes that splashes water on Bucky's, a sizzling sound in his mind as he cools off.

"If you go to jail on a murder charge who's gonna watch The Fresh Prince with me, huh?"

He gives Bucky a soft smile, but Bucky only has those brimming tears in his vision.

Turning back to Ty the bodyguard speaks in a gruff voice, "get out of here before I decide to run you over."

Ty doesn't hesitate, clambering up and slipping around in his fancy leather shoes, running through the middle of the road as a car honks a near miss at him.

Tony drops Bucky's arm and speaks with resolution.

"Let's go."

Bucky watches the back of Tony's body walk defeated to the passenger seat.

Bucky gets in without a word. He starts the car, checks his mirrors and lights, and ignores the giant hole in the back of the vehicle. With a glance he turns to Tony and clicks the younger's seatbelt on for him before pulling back onto the road with an awkward rocking as the car struggles out of the ditch.

When they pull up to the Stark mansion neither of them get out, just sitting there in the dark with the metaphorical wall between them.

"My dad's probably gonna fire you for that. The Stones own nearly a quarter of our stock."

Bucky grunts, "I don't care. Anything to get his grubby hands off you."

He can feel Tony's stare burning the side of his face, but he doesn't meet it.

"If. If he fires you, can we still be friends?"

It's hope in his voice, but Bucky can't help but feel a tad disappointed. Friends.

"Of course. I'm always gonna be here to protect you doll, doesn't matter who's paying me or who's threatening me. I'll babysit your ass for free."

Tony smiles at that, "hug?" he asks with open arms.

He looks so sweet like this. Ruffled clothing, shy smile, earnest eyes. Bucky could never deny him, leaning over and hugging the other.

It's a bit awkward, but it suits them. They pull back slowly, hesitant to let go. Bucky meets those warm brown eyes, lashes clumping from the rainfalls of sadness earlier, and then suddenly he's being kissed.

It's hard, a starving thing. Bucky can't get a word in edgewise, everytime he moves away to speak Tony follows him, crawling over the cupholder right into Bucky's lap.

Bucky grabs his hips, strong and possessive. Decides to kiss back because oh god is it a million times better now that he knows what he looks like with a pillow imprint on his cheek, how he gets giggly from sleep deprivation, how he sings along to the Fresh Prince theme song, the resignation whenever his father speaks to him, the kindness to every waiter and the sass to the paparazzi when he steps into their flash, the way he shovels breakfast cereal into his mouth like a sport, the chatter in the middle of the night to his robots when he thinks Bucky is asleep on the couch.

It's Tony, it's really Tony, finally his.

Tony pulls back gasping for air because he kisses like a drowning man. He rests his forehead against Bucky's collarbone and the bodyguard kisses the top of his head before wrapping his arms around him. If he had a choice this is exactly how he'd do his job, with Tony trapped between his arms as often as possible.

"That's okay right?" muffles Tony from the mouth pressed to his shirt.

"Beautiful, I am so much more than okay right now."

Bucky can feel the way his lips upturn on his skin, so he grabs Tony's head between two large palms and pulls him away to see.

Tony's face is gloriously bathed in peace and warmth. Blinding toothiness, cheeks so plump they almost obscure the eyes that dart back and forth on Bucky's face as he listens to the man.

"I am so in love with you I was prepared to put up with that bag of dicks just to be able to watch you from the sidelines. To see you happy in that lab doing what you love."

"SI could burn down tomorrow for all I care, I don't need Ty, I don't need his money. Was always looking at you, god you look hot when you're jealous."

He kisses Bucky again, less hurried but just as passionate, wet and slow with probably too much tongue; Bucky is already so close to devouring the boy whole he doesn't care.

"S'not jealous," Bucky slurs between kisses.

Tony sends him a playful glare.

"Okay, maybe a little. He doesn't deserve you."

"Oh, and you do?" Tony only teases, but Bucky's heart twinges.

"No, but at least I can protect you."

Tony's eyes go soft and he cups Bucky's face, forcing him to meet his warm eyes.

"You're probably the only person in the world who would take a bullet for me, but would also listen to me rant about the coding bug I couldn't find for thirty minutes."

Bucky smirks at the memory.

"You were huffin and puffin like a toddler, it was adorable."

"Do you know how hard it is to find an extra period in 70 lines of code!"

Bucky gazes up at the worked up man with a look of pure adoration that turns Tony's ears red.

"No, but I know how to kiss someone who does."

"Oh. That's good, you should do that. You should do a lot actually," Tony breathes desperately.

Bucky kisses him while opening the car door, stepping out with Tony still koala-ed to his front. He only clings tighter, with more intention as his arms pull Bucky's neck closer.

"Mm, not tonight doll. You've had a rough night. In the morning though..." Bucky trails off with a possessive tightening of his hands on Tony's thighs.

Tony gasps, pressing closer.

"Yes. That's, that's a good plan. Take me to bed," Tony speaks with their lips still brushing.

"To cuddle."

Tony let's out a frustrated groan.

"Ugh, fine. And to make out too."

Bucky can't say no to him.

[bugisastranger]

hey babe 🩷 if you have the time or inspiration to write please consider fake dating to lovers with Clark Kent, like a to all the boys I’ve loved before typa situation

a/n: thank u for the request anon!!! sorry it took me a bit to get around to it - i can be a busy busy gal.

"you want me to what?"

clark's voice is unlike anything you'd ever heard from him, his shock nothing less than apparent. you shush him, looking around the hallway to see if anyone's noticed. it's lucky for you that nobody did.

"come on, clark. it's one night! not even! it's like, a few hours at most."

"can't you ask someone else? pete?"

"i don't want to ask pete. he won't be able to sell it."

"and you think i can?" he's exasperated, leaning closer to you as if he's suddenly aware how many people could overhear this conversation. "i'm a horrible liar."

"please? you know how my family can be," you whisper, looking up at clark. he sighs, hanging his head. he does know how your family can be—overbearing—which is exactly why he's hesitant. but you're you, so how can he actually say no?

"okay. okay, fine."

"really?" you ask, nearly jumping out of your skin. your arms slide around clark's neck as you excitedly let out a few small 'thank you's. clark's still frozen in place from his decision, but forces one of his arms to slide awkwardly around your hip. he's in for it, isn't he?

the ringing of the school bell pulls the two of you apart, and you quickly shut your locker, making your way towards your first class. clark keeps his place beside you. "so, what does this mean, exactly? what do you want from me?"

"jeez, clark, that sounds like i'm holding you hostage. it's just a favor."

"yeah, yeah. whatever. what do you need me to do?" he asks, taking his seat next to you at the lab table.

"i don't know. whatever feels natural," you say, bending to the side to pull your textbook out of your bag, a gesture which clark never would've took a second glance at. but today, with your hair falling in front of your face (and then you pushing it away), something's different. he doesn't even notice he forgot to say something in response to you until you glance back at him, confused at his silence.

"uh—" he clears his throat. "how am i supposed to know what's natural? we've never dated before." oops. overly sarcastic.

"have you never even considered it?"

"what?" clark's baffled by your question, but you ask it so casually, like it's not taking the ground out from beneath his feet. it's not that he hasn't considered it. it's that he has. he knows all too well how he wants to walk with his arm around your shoulders, how he wants to have you cuddle into his side as you watch a movie, how he wants to absolutely spoil you—as if he has the money for that anyway. "i—"

"you know what? forget i said that. i don't wanna know," you mutter. "just, like, pretend like you're obsessed with me, i don't know."

"hey, lovebirds! you done?" the teacher calls from the front of the classroom.

as clark starts, "oh, we're n—"

you say, "sorry! we're sorry." and then the both of you, red in your faces, stay silent. you barely even move, feeling reprimanded, even though your teacher was barely offended.

when the teacher lets the class work in pairs, clark decides to use the time to talk to you instead. he could do the work later. "can you just give me an idea of what the night's going to look like, at least?"

you take a quick glance at the teacher, making sure her eyes aren't on you and clark. "you'll come over and i'll introduce you as my boyfriend. my parents won't be suspicious, because i'll start bringing it up today. and they won't be too intimidating. my uncle might, but they'll love you. there's something about you that screams 'good guy' and they'll pick up on it." you twirl the pen in your hands. "it'll be fine. you have nothing to worry about, really." clark feels his heart skip a beat when you place your hand on his bicep—which is supposed to be a comforting gesture. what's happening to him? you've touched him before. plenty of times, actually. this shouldn't mean a thing.

a few days later, and clark is taking deep breaths as he walks down the path to your front door. before he can even meet the porch, you're outside, greeting him. he nearly stops in his tracks when he sees you, your hair half up, half down. the dress you're wearing is baby pink, and something about this sight—seeing you so... girly does something to him, even if he won't admit it.

"hi," you say, breaking the awkward silence. "ignore the dress, i'm trying something a little different."

"no, it's good. you look great," he forces. and then, he remembers he's supposed to be your boyfriend, he's allowed to flirt with you. "you look really pretty." he swears he sees your expression change, like you're nervous. it makes his hand tense, and he nearly crushes the stems of the flowers he forgot he's holding. "oh, these are for you."

"thank you. this is..."

"good enough, i hope?"

"better. i knew you wouldn't let me down."

"can't leave my girlfriend hanging, can i?" oh. oh. that gets you. and clark knows it, too.

"uh—" you start, looking at him with what can only be described as a mix of shock and infatuation. "we should go inside."

and as you're walking towards your front door—"i should call you something, shouldn't i?"

"what?" you turn back around, facing him.

"honey," he tries. "no, too mature. babe?" clark watches your reactions carefully, and even though you seem affected, 'babe' doesn't have the punch he was hoping for. "sweetheart?" bingo.

"sweetheart is fine," you mutter, trying to ignore the way your face heats up.

"okay, sweetheart. you ready for this?" you nod, walking towards the door with clark at your side. "what about princess?"

"too much. you can't call me that in front of my family."

"but i can call you that when we're alone?"

"clark!"

"it's just a question, sweetheart," clark teases, fighting back a chuckle. he could do this the rest of his life.

part two coming soon?!

[forestofforever]

"I would like for you to return to your world, to the woods close to your friend's house. Not only is it safer for the both of you, but I also hope you may be able to find something there. See, while a rip in reality may be hard to spot, I imagine we should still be able to see where our worlds connect; in your world that may appear like an odd flower that's not supposed to be there, a tree that looks older than the rest, an animal that doesn't belong, something that doesn't fit. I will do the same here, look for the exact place where our worlds collide. If it is like a rip or a fissure, I like to think we should be able to mend it somehow... restore the boundary between worlds."

"Before you leave, let it be clear that the way through which you got here was not through the rip we're looking for... rather what I would call a gateway. These appear when someone is looking for the Forest, they are meant to be there and their existence is no issue... they've always existed. No, we need to find the cracks." The Heart's words were said without hesitation, but the smile he flashed her after betrayed his uncertainty. "I like to think it can be solved that way, but then again, all we can really do is hope."

Etienne had been listening silently. Apparently, they were talking about solving the situation by separating these two worlds again... He had missed most of the conversation but he was able to gather that much. He would have to ask Alura if anything of importance had been mentioned while he was out of it. "Okay so... look for strange plants or animals and come back if we find any?" He looked at the Heart with his head cocked slightly to the side. "Yes. Try not to return until the night falls again and only if you've found something useful, going back and forth between realms is bound to worsen your situation, as well as only allowing this tear between our realities to grow further." The Heart nodded solemnly before turning his attention to Alura. "If I find anything, I will send a message your way. I won't be crossing the boundary myself, I must stay here for the safety of the Forest. Rest assured, you will know if I have found anything of use."

Alura could see what the heart was saying but.. “he’s not god-“ as quick as she started speaking she stopped. She could see the hypocrisy in her words. She wasn’t a god either but she’s still killed people. It wasn’t that she was religious, it was more that she didn’t think humans were above one another and could choose another persons fate. Still, she went against her own belief on more than one occasion. It left a bad taste on her tongue just thinking about it. Who was she to judge the merchant if she was in fact worse?

She slowly turned to look at Etienne, moving her hand and placing it on his chest. A look of confusion came across her face- looking back at the heart as if searching for an answer before she noticed it. The beating was in sync. Her hand ball up, still lying against his chest. She wanted to believe Etienne could win this internal battle but with how worn out he already was- if the merchant was just biding time- she could only imagine how it’d play out if the war over one body began to play out. “That’s unfortunate..”

Alura wasn’t sure if she wanted to team up with him, but it was better than not trying at all. Her eyes followed the flowers that fell to the ground. How pretty.. the mythical beauty surrounding him was something she couldn’t ignore. Although she didn’t trust him, she could admit he had a beautiful ethereal feel to him- one she couldn’t trust all the way. “I’ll.. do what I can..” her attention lingered up to the sky, the small fractures in it made her feel so small- so insignificant. “Just.. tell me where we should start.”

She jumped slightly feeling Etienne move and his hand take hers. She moved so her fingers intertwined in his. She wanted to reassure him but.. there wasn’t much she could say. All she could do was try to help the heart. At least she could assume that severing the two worlds would benefit them all- maybe not the merchant- but it’d be better that way right? Although it sounded risky.. what if it all went wrong?

She couldn’t hide her worry this time. What normally would mask her feelings- a blank smile- wasn’t there. She avoided Etienne’s gaze- as if she didn’t want to face the truth. Fuck.

[captain-huggy-bear]

I have my MOT and service coming up for my car and I hate booking it, I had doing it, I hate it all and Clay feels like the sort to 100% do it for you so his a short drabble/prompt thing... Totally happy to take requests/ideas/prompts at the moment in my ask box :) Writing Masterlist

You're sat staring at your phone in the kitchen, trying to work yourself up to do it, to just pick the phone up, call them and book it all in...but you really won't want to. Every year you hate the process of getting your car serviced. You know its important, of course, that's why you make yourself do it, but you hate it. You hate booking it, the fact it always has to be a phone call. You hate taking your car in, showing your service book and dealing with the overwhelmingly male environment. You hate how they always try to convince you you need more work doing on your car than you do, how they try to overcharge you, how they talk to you like you're an idiot and you hate the resulting bill and awkward pick up.

Clayton comes into the kitchen from the garage, a dirty rag being used to clean his hands of grease from where he'd been changing his car's engine oil. You're staring so intently at your phone that he thinks you might actually cause it to explode in a minute, your shoulders are tense as he turns the sink on to wash his hands.

"Why are you staring at your phone like that, baby?" He asks as he lathers his hands in soap, bracelets clinking, shirt rolled up to his elbows. How he manages to make washing his hands attractive you're not sure but he does.

"Because I have to call the mechanics about my car service and I don't want to..." You mumble, pouting a little as you look up at him from beneath your lashes. Even if you weren't he'd still have made the same offer.

"What's the number?" Clayton's drying his hands off and reaching for his phone within seconds of your answer, fingers hovering over the screen ready to type the number in.

"Huh?" The way you blink at him, pout still firmly in place, but brows furrowing in confusion is adorable and it makes him huff out a laugh. His smile, your favourite thing, all crooked and dimpled, teeth poking out from underneath his top lip.

"What's the number? I'll book it and I'll take your car in, you can borrow my car for work for the day." He comes to lean on the counter next to you, hip popped slightly, thumbs still hovering to type in the number of your mechanic.

"You'd do that?" It shouldn't make your chest ache with affection, it's a simple thing, but it does because you hate doing this and he's offered without hesitation to do it for you, to make your life easier. It makes you want to kiss him, something so simple, but so meaningful.

"Yeah, I don't mind. You know how I feel about cars, besides stops you getting swindled over your shitty Vauxhall." Clayton laughs, phone being placed on the counter, as you gasp in offense at his comment about your car, even as you do he's reaching out for you, hands landing on your hips to pull you close. It doesn't matter that you cross your arms over your chest and he can't get you as close as he wants, he can't help but have a hand on you.

"Gimli isn't shitty!" You try to defend your car, your car you've had for a decade, your first ever car. The red little car that's carried you through university, your big job, to now.

"He's 10 years old and creaks, baby...I wish you'd just let me buy you a new car." Clay's been trying to buy you a new car for almost as long as you've been dating, but every time you refuse. You're attached to your car and you hate the idea of Clay spending that much money on you. He hates the idea that you're driving a car that might break down at any second when he's not there to help.

"But, Gimli..." You pout, arms dropping so he can pull you chest to chest, one of his hands smoothing a path up your side to cup your cheek. His hand is almost as big as your face, a perfect resting spot for your cheek.

"...Gimli..." He sighs, "s'cute how attached you are."

"Shut up..." You mumble out.

"Oh, so you don't want me to take your car to the mechanics?" Clayton goes to pull away from you, inching back with an expectant grin. It works because even though he's joking, even though he's being silly you can't help but wrap your arms around his waist, chin pressing into his chest and look up at him with a sweet apology on your lips.

"No, please, 'm sorry...I love you."

He grins down at you all teeth and dimples, a strand of brunet hair falling into his blue eyes and it only makes him more handsome, the way he loves to tease even as you both know he's still going to take your car to the mechanics. Because he loves you and anything to make your life easier is worth it in his eyes.

"Love you too, even if you're using me for your vehicle check-ups."

"I'm not! I promise!" You laugh, cheek rubbing against his shirt, arms tightening around him as one of his own comes to rest at the back of your neck, kneading the tight muscle there. "I'm thankful though, thank you...I hate doing it."

"I know, that's why I offered, sweet girl." He says it so simply, like that's just something you do. That anyone would do. When you know it's not. Your ex had never offered, he never even considered it. But, Clay? It's like he lives to serve, to make your life as easy, as simple as possible and it makes you love him so much more.

He leans down all sweet, smiling as he kisses you. It's so utterly domestic, the idea that he's taking your car to get serviced, that he's being the man of the house in a very traditional sense. You can picture the rest of your life with him in that moment. The tasks he'd take on his shoulders, the burdens he'd lift for you.

Clay starts taking your car to the mechanics every year from that point, like clockwork he phones up, books an appointment and like clockwork makes sure your car is safe for you to drive.

The few times you go with him to pick your car up, it's an experience, the way he haggles down the price, the way he argues that a type of work was superficial and unnecessary or downright shouldn't cost the price they're setting.

It not only takes the weight and stress from your shoulders, but there's something about Clay, about the way he argues and haggles and knows his stuff that always makes you admire just how attractive he is and if you can't help but want to kiss his face off when the two of you finally get home? Well, that's his reward for always taking care of your car for you.

[rarepairdumpster]

Vampire AU #2 - Part 2

Part 1

Pairing: Viktor/Silco (Arcane) Rating: M C/W: Vampire Silco, Blood, Sick Viktor, Vampire Transition, Doing what we want with Vampire rules

Viktor starting to get sick and Silco can taste it in his blood and he knows it's terminal.

By this time Silco has already become very attached to Viktor and struggles with himself because after Vander he promised he would never change anyone else.

Viktor being upset when Silco pulls back from his neck after barely a lap of his blood. More so, when Silco presses a handkerchief to his mouth, as if to soak up the taste.

Silco's instincts tell him to run but he's unable to when Viktor looks up at him with concern and longing. 

"Did you eat differently?" Silco asks, already knowing the answer.

"I ate the basket you gave me," Viktor answers immediately, reaching for him. "What's wrong? Why do you look so....anxious?"

Silco sighs, running a hand through his hair. "In your blood, I can taste..." He reaches forward and cups Viktor's cheek. "You need to visit the doctor immediately."

Viktor is alarmed by the faint break in Silco's voice. 

"Okay," Viktor whispers.

Viktor goes still and then his face twists, full of emotion.

"Please, don't -- don't leave me, Silco. Whatever it is, I can get better...I will get better." 

No, you won't, Silco thinks to himself.

"I have to go," Silco still has to feed tonight, even if it won't be Viktor. "I'll be back. I promise." He pulls Viktor into a kiss, the disease burning his tongue, but the taste of Viktor's mouth is more overpowering.

Viktor voice is small as he clings to him a little longer, a little tighter, asking "But you won't....do the other things.....with....someone else?" 

Silco cups his face. "No one tempts me, as you do."

When Silco comes again, Viktor has the results from the doctor on his nightstand. Viktor is curled up in a ball and doesn't move, even when Silco sits on the bed and puts a hand on his arm.

"You knew," Viktor says quietly, bitter note in his voice. "You knew." 

"Yes." 

The admission is quiet....sad.

And then a broken keen escapes Viktor as he turns his face deeper into the pillow.

"I don't want to die."

Silco takes a deep breath. "That's why I came." 

Viktor stills for a moment. "To say goodbye?"

"To offer an alternative," Silco says quietly, the words paining him, because he knows....if Viktor accepts....it'll never be the same between them again.

Viktor won't feel so warm and vibrant and alive in his arms, and his mind will be silent to him. His blood will never taste as sweet.

Viktor finally turns to Silco. "You mean..."

"Yes," Silco can see he hasn't been sleeping and likely not eating either. He runs a hand through Viktor's hair and brings it to rest on his cheek. "If that is what you truly want."

The gleam in Viktor's eyes makes him feel uneasy.

"But I warn you.....the transition isn't easy. You....you may wish you'd died. And then you will have to adjust to....everything."

Viktor swallows. "How many have you...turned?"

"Just one other," Silco sighs. "Centuries ago."

"Where is he?" 

Silco hesitates for a long moment and then says, "Ashes. I killed him after he attempted to do the same to me. Took a while to recover from his brutality, but age affords me a strength to endure that fledglings lack."

"Did you also..."

"Love him?" Silco looks softly at Viktor as the boy processes what he just said. "Yes. He was very different from you, though."

"I would never do what he did," Viktor says fiercely, face set with the same kind of conviction he wears when he speaks about the injustices he witnesses in the world.

And Silco smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"Come now," Silco lets out a breath, knowing he needs to do this now before he talks himself out of it yet again. "We have to be finished before morning." 

"Wait," Viktor grabs Silco's arm. "When I change, I'll be...different. Physically." 

Silco nods. "Yes. Any physical ailments will go away. Your disease and your leg."

Viktor shakes his head. "No. My blood. It won't taste the same, will it?"

"Your blood will never taste as sweet as it was," Silco answers, expression softening, "but it won't taste sick either. It will be different. Like mine. It wouldn't sustain me, but could be enjoyed from time to time."

Viktor lets go of Silco's wrist and looks down. "Why then?"

Silco lifts Viktor's chin. "Do you really think that I've continued this solely because of your blood?"

Viktor looks away, shrugging weakly, and Silco gets flashes of Vktor being told that he's a worthless cripple over and over, that he'd never amount to anything, etc

"Your blood may have brought me to you," Silco explains "but your beauty and your brilliance kept me returning." He tucks Viktor's hair behind his ear. "And now, I find the idea of continuing without you to be very painful."

Viktor looks at him again, eyes watering.

"You would miss me, if I...." 

"I would mourn you for the rest of my existence," Silco admits, hand lingering where he'd tucked Viktor's hair.

Viktor reaches up and clutches his hand tightly.

"I want this. I want you. Forever." 

And Silco doesn't waste time. He scoops Viktor into his arms, tucking his face against his neck, and then he runs, so fast that the world feels like a blur.

Silco carries him to his home, with its electronic blackout blinds set to a careful timer. 

Silco sets him on the large plush bed carefully, and then fills the walk-in tub in the ensuite, because Viktor will need to be washed once he makes it through the other side of the transition.

Turning someone is messy, stinky business, as it is technically a kind of death.

Viktor isn't sure what to expect but it certainly wasn't this.

Silco starts by kissing the inside of Viktor's wrist and apologizing before using this teeth to rip it open.

Viktor yells but the numbing quickly takes effect, until Silco opens his own wrist and places their wounds together. At the contact, the blood starts to burn, further and further up his arm as his veins take it through his body. 

Silco pulls his wrist away then takes a few steps back, clutching it. There was nothing he could do about the pain, and he had to make sure Viktor had someone to feed on when he woke up.

Remembering someone from the academy that had berated Viktor in his memories, he decided that would be perfect.

The worst of the burn is in his chest....his spine, hip, and leg.

He feels like he must be on fire, that he must be burning alive and he's screaming, he's crying, he's thrashing. 

He is so lost in it that he doesn't notice when Silco leaves. He doesn't notice his abdomen contracting or the rush of filth being rejected from his insides.

When he comes through the other side, when the burning fades, and he's left to pant on the bed, it's to the awareness that there's too much noise.

Sirens, car horns, water in the pipes, music from nearby bars. Too loud too loud too loud too loud.

And voices, so many voices, voices he doesn't know, all mish-mashing on top of each other.

But then one voice cuts through them all, clear as a bell.

"Look at me, Viktor."

His attention snaps on Silco immediately, and Viktor gasps, because he's seeing  Silco in an entirely new light. 

Silco almost glows, but in a cold way, like a glacier.

And then Viktor looks at his own hands to see he almost glows, the same way.

Viktor finally seeing the person Silco has kneeling at his feet.

And at first, Viktor doesn't even recognize the person because the sudden pull of hunger is so immediate and so strong.

Viktor doesn't even realize he's moved until he has the person's face gripped in his hand.

And then all he can see the rapid thump of arteries pumping blood around the body.

Silco bends the victim's neck, showing Viktor where to bite. With an unfamiliar ferocity, Viktor bites into the man, his inexperience clear when a few spirts and drops fall to the floor.

Silco's hand soothes over Viktor's hair. 

"Easy, my darling; don't pull too hard." Silco's voice is lightly chiding, but affectionate. "Let his heart do the work for you."

Viktor hums and listens to Silco, slowing his drinking. Visions of what the man is thinking start to barrage his mind, mostly fear and regrets. It causes Viktor to pull off the man and hiss, grabbing his head. 

"The thoughts," Viktor strains. "It's distracting."

"Yes," Silco agrees quietly, "It can be. Focus on the beat of his heart. It should help while we work on building control. But remember: you stop when the heart stops. Dead blood will make you sick."

Viktor nods and takes a breath, focusing on the man's rapid heartbeat and returns to his neck, more careful with his bite this time. The thoughts are still there but Silco was right about focusing.

As the victim's heart slows, Silco grabs Viktor's shoulder just before the man dies, reminding him to leave that last drop

It takes effort to pull away, because Viktor is still craving the feed because the taste is still on his tongue. But he does pull away, and just sits there on the floor for a minute breathing heavy, and realizing that he does feel full.

Silco kisses his temple tenderly.

"Time to clean up. Go, take a bath. I'll take care of him  and the bedsheets.

Viktor slowly stands, with Silco's help, but notices his leg and his back don't hurt like they used to. He's able to stand up straight and walk without his cane. He turns to thank Silco, but he's already taking care of the body and Viktor knows there's more than enough time later.

Viktor goes to the bathroom, smiling at the already filled bath, and sinks in. The warmth feels different against his skin now, but not unpleasant. Viktor closes his eyes for what seems like a minute, but opens them when Silco walks in, seemingly already finished with the chores.

"How do you feel," Silco asks, a soft and a little sad smile on his face. 

Viktor looks at him funny. Silco never asked before; he always just seemed to know. 

Viktor tries to reach out with his mind, to hear or feel anything from Silco, but all he gets is silence. 

"Why is your mind closed?"

"Because that's what happens when we share the gift. We will never be able to touch minds again."

Silco sits on the side of the tub near Viktor and rolls up his sleeves before grabbing a washcloth. He dips it in the water, then starts to wash Viktor's back, smirking when he leans into the touch.

"I feel...different," Viktor answers. "Certainly not bad. All of my pain has vanished." He sighs and leans his head back as Silco uses a cup to rinse Viktor's hair. "It's a sort of unnatural feeling."

"I know how unnatural it can be," Silco says. "When I went through the change, I had to learn how to live with two working eyes, after living with only one since childhood."

Arch + Woods

[fandom-susceptible]

So I've been thinking about where The Dragon Prince left things after Season 7, especially since they had to wrap it up so quickly and it doesn't look like they're likely to get full ten seasons.

I'm still very unsettled by Terry. I know he had his whole "Zuko here" moment and "redemption arc", but it rings hollow for me for a guy who spent the previous several seasons totally cool with a genocide against his own people as long as it was Claudia doing it. I super don't buy his shock and dismay at Claudia trying to kill the illusion of her mother after what he himself did to Ibis. I want to know where he came from and why he's okay with Dark Magic, just so long as it's not Aaravos.

Which is only loosely tied into a thought I wanna dwell on more, but is somewhat important background information for my thought process.

So at the end of Season 7, Soren, Corvus, Pyrrah, and Terry take off looking for King Harrow in the body of Pip the songbird. They wouldn't even know to look except that Runaan confirmed that King Harrow didn't fight back at the assassination, and instead just squawked, and Corvus put the pieces together.

Ezran is still struggling to forgive Runaan for his part in Harrow's death, which I think actually adds to his depth of character. He's no longer an innocent child - the "true soul", "death of innocence" theme from this season was strong, and Ezran is the peak example of it. He must find a way to balance his ideals with the pain that far more adult figures have been struggling with for years. Callum made a good point bringing up that he forgave Zubeia, and we didn't get to see Ezran's response, but imo his reaction to Callum's betrayal sort of fills in the blanks. It was Zubeia's mate and son that she thought were dead. I can see how that would make more sense for a kid like Ezran, who grew up with very strong familial bonds and values, than Runaan and the other assassins carrying out revenge for someone else when they have no personal grudge of their own.

Anyways. Consider.

Pip/Harrow's been missing for three years now. That bird could be anywhere on either side of the continent by now, though he is living with the mind of a king. He's also nowhere near Katolis, or Ezran would have found him already, from going to talk to "Pip" and finding that the bird is carrying an entirely different soul.

So imagine, in that time lapse in the final episode, Soren and Corvus come back and confess that they haven't found anything of worth. The last maybe-sighting of Pip was from some soldiers in Viren's army who thought they saw the bird following them into the Sunfire plains in Xadia. It's been two years, and they don't know.

So Rayla says she knows someone who might be able to help. The best tracker in Xadia. He can find anyone on the Xadian side of the border, and anyone he's ever tried to find in the Human Kingdoms too. He's diligent and has only ever missed one target. If anyone can track down King Harrow, it's him . . . but Ez isn't going to like it.

Runaan.

And at first Ezran doesn't. But Rayla makes a point, and Corvus and Soren aren't having any luck on their own or with Terry (if he's even relevant, tbh, if I write it he probably won't be because i am still disturbedd by that guy). So he agrees - with conditions, of course.

Runaan is hesitant when he's told the news, and when Ezran asks him why, he just delicately points out that a king in the body of a bird is also a bird with none of the instincts of a bird, and may not have survived regardless of the war, unless he's learned how to feed himself and managed to avoid all possible predators for three years straight.

Ezran acknowledges it, tells him that's something he's . . . preparing for. But Corvus gets to make the call that they've searched too much and Harrow is likely dead. Not Runaan.

So the terms are agreed to and Runaan ends up going on a road trip with Soren and Corvus. Please imagine the comedic value of dignified older assassin in the midst of a major cultural deconstruction trying to do serious business with Soren. Especially Soren and Corvus. And the flip side - imagine Soren and Corvus seeing what Xadia is like towards Moonshadow elves, especially ones of Runaan's description (tall, menacing, leader, broken horn, homosexual - am I talking about Runaan or Kim'dael). Possibly featuring an appearance from the surviving Dragonguard, and Runaan's reaction to Hendyr specifically, the Skywing elf who KNEW Tiadrin and Lain stayed to protect the egg and chose not to save it or to clear their names.

[your-favorite-spyho]

Okay, that was kinda expected. This terrible headache and a sudden burst of self-loathing that worked almost like a truth potion, combining with his own. What did she expect him to do with it? Give up and die again? Haha. She clearly doesn't know what hell he's been and still going through every day.

...

...Ugh, d-don't make dis face! For real, bitch! Ya'know, I should at least pretend to be angry with ya, so ya won't do dis thing again... But I can't! Cuz ya look like you're about to cry!! Even without mah "oooooh shame on u" speech!!!

He crosses his arms and sighs.

Hmph. Let's try somethin' else den.

He shifts into Vienna, now staring at Adina with her usual polite smile.

Just promise me one thing, kay? Ahem. Me.

Please promise me one thing, miss Adina. If you ever happen to see my beautiful face again, do not hesitate to punch it. My shithead sister will carefully teach you how to do it in the most painful and humiliating way. It's okay, I do not have any deviant masochistic tendencies like her.

You may try your first ever punch right here and now. Or you may chicken out and run away, allowing me to continue bringing justice to this world. Which will be a better choice, because, as you might have noticed, I always know better. -🍬

Lee comes back from Heaven when it's already dark outside. He's not even very drunk as this time he didn't try to pour as much beer as he could. He doesn't forget to leave a bottle of good maple syrup under Obie's pillow like a tooth fairy, before returning to the Envy Ring.

He's home! But he doesn't show show himself right away. He grabs some flowers out of one of the random vase and tracks Adina to see what she's doing.

@your-favorite-spyho

Adina hadn’t been doing much aside from worrying and thinking over what Vienna had said. She felt guilty as felt the vial in her hand, but she had to know if Lee was genuine in her feelings for her. Surely she was, if she stayed with her after all this time. But there was always that off-chance she couldn’t bear to consider.

She hides the vial as she hears movement and turns to see Lee.

Bugaboo! You’ve returned~! -🐇

[tragedia]

i will say, shiri might as well be the nicest of my characters, but she's also the most ruthless. i really feel like it's because she has the strongest convictions and is secure in them and deeply confident as a person. she feels everything strongly, both the good and the bad, so she's more decisive when it comes to actually doing what in her mind needs to be done. you know what they say about healers — they know the best way to a heart is through the fourth and fifth rib.

[moonsnqil]

no but it's kind of insane for aaron to pass to the goalie isn't it

[alongtidesoflight]

i swear my stepdad is so illogical AND stubborn it hurts

[shewholovesall]

So I love your opinions and I think this could be it. Because he does seem awfully worried about her. Like yes I'm sure there is part of him that he doesn't want to lose his man. Like casey said after Otis died "I lost a firefighter, I'm never going to be clear"

And thinking about Kelly's line to Stella of "I think you too like butting heads." I think what you put could be very telling. I always wondered if like he and Monica would have had a daughter Stella's age that is no longer around or something and that makes me think he is harder on Stella. LIke he knows she can be as good as she is and wants to nurtue it but in a different way than Boden. I don't know. But he does seem worried and enough as you said to not question or even try and put Kelly on the sidelines.

As for him not wanting to be part of the fold, i wonder if part of it is also since he knows as he told Hermann that Hermann was supposed to take over for Boden and maybe that's why he's hesitant to get caught in the fold because he knows he won't be there for long.

But I love your thing of maybe he did work with a female firefighter before and maybe he lost her or she had to retire medically or otherwise from firefighting and it makes him be extra hard on 51.

Honestly before this crossover I did feel he was more misogynistic and had no good feelings towards Stella at all. Especially since he seems good with Novak and Violet but as my mom said Novak and Violet have traditionally female jobs while Stella is in a traditionally male job.

I do think as I read in a story, that pascal has a micromanagement style and Boden did not seem very much like a micromanagement. And Stella came from Captain Tipton before Boden and I remember what she said that a house is reflected in their captain. But as you said Pascal is coming into a house that has been shaped from Boden for years more than 14 years since Kelly talked about Boden being a Captain and running House 51 since Kelly got to Squad 3.

I have now got off-topic. Anyway, I like your analysis. Also I feel like Pascal is going to stop butting heads for awhile after this crossover, hopefully. I was just happy to see him a little more human than we have been.

Let me know when yall are ready to yap about Pascals reaction to Stella not reporting back & the tunnels collapsing. In the meantime, enjoy Severides visceral reaction & wave of emotions to Stella being not only in danger but also unaccessible to him. 🙂

[moe-broey]

Idk I also just hate the future actually. My ass is Always living in the past or simply day to day 💪💪💪

[t-u-i-t-c]

Runaway Kagero! Igarashi Brothers... Collapse!?