#hello project station dance club

[arbitrarygreay]

Partly a (mid-2020) Dance Club roster highlight (ouch, none for Yamagishi, though? or Maria), but contains more general H!P group dance features.

[oweninadaydream]

𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇 || 𝐂𝐇.𝟏

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 : Hangman is the certified ladies' man and everyone thinks they can read him like a book, but what neither the Dagger Squad nor anyone else can even begin to imagine is where the hell Jake has been going every Saturday night for the last few months…

𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 : Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x male!character

𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 : mentions of alcohol, some making out but nothing too smutty, emotional distress lmao, age gap relationship (27-35), some religious trauma, self-deprecating thoughts, post Top Gun : Maverick, the Dagger squad is stationed together.

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 : 2k

𝐚/𝐧 : Gif by @tay-swifts , M/N (Male Name). Hello beautiful people!!! I'm so exited about posting this project I've been working on for a while. I just wanted to say that since it's my first time writing for Jake this might be a bit OC Jake but I do hope I got it right hehe. Enjoy the fic and stay tuned for the next parts!!!

It was well after midnight when Jake arrived at the club’s entrance. The throbbing bass emanating from inside made the whole building shake, making his mind wonder what it would be like to live on top of such an obnoxiously loud place, contrasting with the quietness of the accommodations the Navy offered. The reflection of the neon sign reading  “Mon Ange” turned his natural olive-toned skin into a vivid dark azure that matched perfectly with the baby blue in his eyes. The smokers (all with stamps on their hands) were all gathered some feet away from the door to get back in after dragging a final puff from their cigarettes. The queue was not very long, mainly because everyone who was meant to be there had arrived way earlier than him. He reprimanded himself for getting there so late ; in less than two hours the nightclub would shut its doors and Jake would feel like he wasted four hours of his life for nothing. Well, his journey would not be in vain if he caught a glimpse of- 

“Jake”

This was L.A, a city 118 miles away from the Marine Corps Air Station located in Miramar, which is a two-hour long drive away from everything he knows. He had to remind himself of those facts to avoid spiraling  at the sound of his name in such a place; he hated how his body kept reacting to these kinds of situations, but not even a skilled lieutenant like himself could take the reins of these unnamed emotions that coursed through his entire being.

"What are you doing here by the door? I was worrying about you not showing up today, I was just about to send a search party. C'mon , let's grab a drink. Perhaps I can even convince you to dance this time" A wide playful smirk accompanied the flirty comment exquisitely and, even though Jake was more than used to these antics, his heart skipped a beat. Trying to compose himself, he answered while staring at the concrete floor. 

"I don't belong on that dance floor and y'know it, darlin' "

“Oh don’t say that, the 30s are the new 20s! … Even if you’re not planning to dance, you must’ve driven all the way over here for something, right?”

The damn question hit him like a truck. He could try to think of the right answer, but putting something into words made it terrifyingly real, and that was exactly what he'd been avoiding for months. The breeze made them both shiver, as the party outfits didn’t properly protect them from the chilly weather. 

“You're right” he muttered “Okay, lead the way. Make it worth the while, mh?" he teasingly replied. Even if what he was doing was definitely outside of his comfort zone, something about the constant banter between them calmed him.

"Don't you always have an amazing time with me? I thought that was why you only talk to me" a fake pout appeared on the face which Seresin couldn't help but to stare intensely in awe. Their hands intertwined and the pilot quickly melted into that comforting touch. His companion briefly exchanged some words with the bouncer and the doors opened for them. 

"Thankfully it was Joseph working tonight, I don't think Marcus would have let you in for free just like that" “I’m sure you would've charmed him into doing whatever you wanted anyway”

The thick air of the room embraced him as soon as the doors closed and the familiar feeling appeared in the pit of his stomach almost instantly; it seems like it was yesterday when he first stepped into the nightclub he now knows like the back of his hand, but in reality, that day was what it feels like ages ago. Still, the contradictions that manifested within him every time he returned persisted and only grew each day.

“I’ll go to the bar while you stay here and look pretty, okay? Same drink as always?”

It was because of moments like these that Hangman felt comfortable enough to let his guard down and be his usual extroverted self. Grabbing his wrist to stop him from going any further, he raised his voice so his words could be heard even though the music was top volume. “ Don’t you even dare to try to pay for those drinks, they’re on me.”

“Here it is, the Texan charm of Jake Seresin. I didn’t know you could apply those rules to this situation. Are you trying to imply I’m the girl in this whole affair? Shouldn't we at least draw lots for it?”

"Very funny, M/N'' the hostility that emanated from his rolling eyes made the other man realize his comment had affected Jake on a deeper level than intended. “Hey I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t hav- I know it’s  a touchy subject and I’m extremely sorry, please forgive me” the regret was visible in his expression and it also could be detected in the stuttering caused by the words rushing their way out of his mouth trying to obtain his forgiveness as fast as possible. Jake took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second. 

Hangman was no saint, he didn’t go to church every Sunday or tried to look for a good christian wife to have kids with like his father did in his day. He knew God was not exactly pleased with the way he was running his life but he used to think that when the time came, He would welcome him with open arms (after having apologized profusely, that is). But now that he had fallen for the most vile trick in the book, he couldn't trust that previous statement anymore. Lust was a capital sin, pretty serious if you asked any priest from the church the Seresin family attended back in Texas, but sodomy? Say goodbye to eternal salvation, son. If Jake was being honest, the promise of heaven or the threat of hell didn't scare him. It was the destruction of all the life lessons that made him act the way he acted,  of his purpose as a son, as a man. The thing that truly haunted him at night  was the thought of a deity (and his father)  designing him to be this flawless individual with a very clear life path , only to end up as a filthy, disgusting f-

“Hey, are you okay? Would you like me to leave you alone for a bit?”

The thought of M/N walking away while he sank deeper and deeper in the sea of guilt and fury frightened him. “Please don’t” he begged “everything’s fine, I promise. Let’s down a couple shots and , who knows, maybe I’ll be in the mood to dance for a bit” the last comment was a futile attempt to hide the everlasting agony that clouded his mind. M/N moved so they were a few inches away and raised his hand to caress his cheek. His next step consisted in resting his arms around his shoulders and starting kissing him delicately in the neck and in the whole face in general, in hopes to kiss the discomfort away. 

How could something so delicate and sweet be so dirty? Was it even dirty to begin with? What about the women he had dated? He was attracted to them but now he- Too many questions Jake was not willing to answer that night. He only wanted one thing, and he was about to claim it. 

After regaining control of himself, Jake put his right hand on the younger male’s back to guide him to the counter where people were piling up fighting to get the barman’s attention. Being as attractive and well-built as he was, he obtained the alcoholic beverages rather quickly. After the last drop of tequila had made its way down their throats, Hangman took control and led him onto the dance floor. His mind was only filled of the smell of M/N’s cologne mixed with his natural scent enhanced by their bodies crashing against each other while swaying to the 2000s pop remixes, his eyes fixed on his partner’s hypnotizing movements and his hands focused on feeling what they can reach, testing if they can go further in their journey through M/N’s body. Jake was simply standing close and moving according to the song's beat but in a subtle way, just like he would do at the locals he frequented with his coworkers ; manly enough to keep his dignity intact but provocative enough to awake that lustful hunger in the other person’s soul.

‘Mon Ange’ had finally closed down and the two men were still all over each other on the angelino streets. The tingle settling in his chest could only be compared with the adrenaline rush he had previously experienced on those wild nights spent in college, the farewell by the porch of the first girl he had taken on a date or the night out after his first deployment; if he closed his eyes he could swear he was 20 again, but reality made sure to remind him of those fifteen more years that had passed. 

M/N had this juvenile thing about him, Jake couldn’t guess confidently his age from afar and his curiosity was finally satiated after befriending him and asking him about it directly ; he was 27, even though he looked some years younger. His bold character combined with his kindness and humor made M/N resemble a butterfly flying around collecting the pollen from every flower in the garden and making it seem effortless. That was one of the many things that hooked Jake on him as if he were the most addicting drug out there, making him throw away his plan of not getting attached and limiting this experience with sporadic hookups that would end then and there, never with the same person twice. That was the problem, he appeared and started moving his hips to some song, making the whole room turn around him and ever since then (even if Jake was still in denial), he was a goner.

The next thing he knew, he was laying down on M/N’s bed, a king size mattress close to a very big window that allowed him to take in the beautiful sight of the sleeping city. He had only been to the apartment twice, but he had always  left before the sun had made its appearance in the sky, moved by remorse and skepticism. This time though, he had stayed the whole night that was filled with passionate sex and heart to heart conversations and finally some cuddling that lured him to rest for a while. Now he was wide awake, sitting against the headboard, resting his eyes on the sunrise and on the slumbering figure facing him. He looked so calm, so peaceful. In that moment, turning his gaze away, he tried to repress a sob that came with a single tear falling through his left cheek. 

M/N had always known he was queer, embracing his bisexuality in childhood. Jake had never had any problems with people who were not straight, even if the people around him growing up did, but everything was different when it came to himself. For fuck’s sake, he was closer to being 40 than from his teenage years, what was he doing? He could only paralyze at the idea of anyone seeing what he was doing. It was definitely too late for him. Risking his life everyday up in the sky felt like a minor burden compared to the endurance of the dilemmas he carried with him everywhere, just like Christ had carried the cross all the way to Calvary.

He could feel himself falling for the person right next to him, and that was the worst thing that had ever happened to Lieutenant Jacob Seresin. His calloused hand cupped M/N’s soft face, making the other man lean in closer in search of that delightful warmth. Jake’s lips burned in desperate need to say something out loud. His heart started palpitating at a dangerous speed, as he knew the thing trying to escape from his mind was a cruel thing to say and that he was a horrible being just by thinking that. It was no one’s fault and it had no solution, yet the idea popped up in his mind like an unwanted ad appearing on your phone. His chest ached at the possibility of M/N hearing the words, so he tried to whisper as quietly as it was humanly possible. 

“I wish you were a girl”

[hotarutranslations]

Valentines 2024!

Evening

Thank you very much for your hard work today as well🪽

How are you spending, valentines~~

For me,

#142 Valentines Present

I updated note✍🏻❤️

Seven

I updated TikTok🕺🕺

I did that! I'd be happy if you watched it!

Not limited to TikTok, I've thought that I've really wanted to, post dances on Instagram too…

January ended up going by without taking many selfies too,

Ah? To be precise, the TikTok posted this time, was shot in January but!

In February, I wanted to continue posting lately~~

Thank you for watching them everyone~~

Are there other things today, that are on everyones minds? lol

A story for later---🫶🏻

📺Hello Pro Dance Gakuen Season 11

April 18th 11:30PM~ A Learning From TSUKUSHI-san Adventure🕺

In season 10 we challenged breakin', its reairing continously! On the 15th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, #1~#6 all at once! Check out HP for info!

Hello! Station #515 "Hello! Project 25th Anniversary" New Member Audition Results Special!!

New members were announced😳🪽

💿Releasing February 7th

Morning Musume '23 25th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TOUR ~glad quarter-century~ at Nippon Budokan

Thank you for waiting for the Blu-ray&DVD! Its finally releasing--!

Its already nostalgic but, It has an amazing medley, really Please enjoy it many times

📚Releasing on February 7th "Hello! Project BEST SHOT!! Vol.26"

Ishida AyumixOda SakuraxNonaka Miki📸 Fukumura MizukixIshida AyumixOda Sakura📸

✍🏻Tokyo Sports note Series

Hello Pro Dance Club

The topic of todays column is dance, by all means

🪩Current Winter Concert Tour Hello! Project 2024 Winter ~THREE OF US~

🪩Spring Tour Has Been Decided Morning Musume '24 Concert Tour Spring MOTTO MORNING MUSUME

We'll be going around the country from March 16th!

🪩HinaFest March 30th and 31st at Makuhari Messe

🪩JAPAN JAM Morning Musume '24 will be performing on May 3rd!

.👗👠 Aoyama Clothing x Morning Musume '24

📻Morning Musume '24 Morning Jogakuin ~Houkago Meeting~

Airs Every Saturday, On Radio Nihon at 12:00AM~

Past Broadcast Episodes Are Available →Program Details

see you ayumin <3 https://ameblo.jp/morningmusume-10ki/entry-12840630743.html

[mercenarydiavien]

Twisted Incantations (Part One)

Even when she was with Team Marvel, Y/N took every chance to create her first masterpiece. Misunderstood was the theme… What could she possibly do in such a short time? Luckily, she didn’t need anyone in the show besides her. With such a short time, she didn’t want to inconvenience her coworkers and friends. She already knew the central concept she wanted to go with. 

For the beginning of the week, everyone saw her with some sort of book with a pencil. They couldn’t tell if Y/N was ferociously writing or drawing. She became quite the talk among the extras. Some noticed that the raven-haired woman was always deep in thought, but when behind the camera lens… she did whatever it took to get the shift over. 

During Wednesday’s lunch, she was seen at the outside tables. What could she be doing for the short break? Well…Y/N was designing different things she could do with the beautiful, emerald dress she bought. She had so many ideas. The bad thing was she had very little time to do the work. 

“Hello there sweetheart. Would you mind if I sat down with you?” a masculine, smooth English voice asked. 

Y/N snapped out of her mind and quickly looked up to see none other than her favorite actor, Tom Hiddleston. “S-Sure.” She nervously smiled before moving her small bag of media. 

“Thank you.” He smiled charmingly before sitting down across from the female. He couldn’t help but glance down at the work. “Ah… wanting to be a designer? You have an exquisite taste in detail.” He admitted only to look up at Y/N.

~He’s just like everyone else. He’s just like everyone else… just… more known for his work… and… sexiness….~ 

Y/N shook her head at the last bit of her thoughts only to smile at the gentleman, still in costume, in front of her. 

“You can say that. I’m working on a project for my second job.” She admitted trying to hide how nervous she was. -THE-Tom Hiddleston, DRESSED AS LOKI LAUFEYSON, was sitting at the same table as her. Needless to say, she quickly hid her hands under the table. She couldn’t stop shaking. 

Tom took a second to look over the woman. “Oh? What would this second job of yours be if I may ask?” He asked before pointing to the book. “Would you mind if I took a look?”

Y/N could feel her face heat up and her heart begin to race. “I… I happen to work at a club a little ways from here.” Shyly and hesitantly, she slipped the book across the table. 

A smile flashed brilliantly across Tom’s face, grabbing her book. “I truly hope for a dance club and not an… -exotic- one.” He joked, starting to flip through the pages. 

Her eyes widened and she waved her hands in front of her. “Oh no- I-I couldn’t” 

His blue eyes met hers. “That’s a relief. You’re awfully talented to stoop to that level.” He chuckled resuming observing the art. 

“I-It’s called Twisted Incantations… if you’d like to check it out. Personally, I love the music and the bar. N-Nothing like a good Old Fashioned when you just want to relax and dance the night away.” She advertised. 

She witnessed his eyebrow twitch slightly. “You don’t hear that too often” He chuckled only to smile up at her. “Alright then… Since it appears your inspiration is sitting in front of you. When should I come by to see your project?” 

~No…fucking…way…~ Y/N thought to herself. She truly couldn’t believe it.  

“EVERYONE TO YOUR STATIONS. IF THIS GOES WELL, EVERYONE CAN LEAVE EARLY!” could be heard throughout the entire complex. 

Tom patiently waited for her to respond. The nervous woman wanted to know what was going on through his mind. Was he still in character? She took a deep breath hitting her mental showman button and smiled mischievously at him. “Alright then Mischief… Saturday evening is the big reveal for my project. If you can make it that is.”

The handsome male stood up. As he walked past her, he slid the book over and leaned in close. “See you Saturday, little fawn.” He whispered in her ear only to quickly walk off towards the set.

Y/N remained silent. Wide-eyed and still blushing, she was trying to process what just happened. Why did he call her ‘little fawn’? What was his motive? Who did she just finish talking to… Tom or Loki? 

The actress looked down into her book. Her thoughts were just spinning and spinning. Once she realized she was losing precious time, she shook her head. Opening the book she was stunned once more. She didn’t recall him having a writing utensil… 

“Adjust this one just a bit more then you have my vote. Best of luck in everything you do… ~Loki” She whispered, streaking her thumb over the signature. It wasn’t everyday when someone as big as Tom gives you an input into your own work. 

Realizing she’s at her primary job, Y/N snaps the book closed and quickly runs to get back to the set. If they can leave early, then that’ll mean she’ll have more time to work on her show. 

~I have three days… I can do this. I always find a way.~ She thought to herself only to see a familiar face among the crowd. 

The green eyed female playfully crouches toward the darker male. He seemed focused on what he was needed to do for this scene. When the coaching was finished, he jumped as Y/N grabbed his arm calling out “Rawr-” 

“What the hell was that for?” Noah laughed only to smile at the girl. “I’d say it's nice to see you again… but…” He teased her only to get smacked on the arm.

“Haha funny. I figured I’d say ‘Hello’ but it looks like I’m not wanted.” Y/N mentioned crossing her arms, turning away. 

“Word is you got to talk to Tom… How’d that go?” He said, sounding curious. “Must be nice to get noticed by a well known actor and businessman.” 

Y/N shrugged. “I mean… It went just as well as anyone in the lower class meets someone like him.” 

Noah cocked an eyebrow. “You mean to tell me… Miss Confident got nervous while talking to someone famous?” 

“... Rude.” She whispered only to hear the director yell for everyone to get in places. 

“We’ll talk later?” Noah asked only for her to nod her head. The two split ways and luck would have it… they all got to leave early.

Racing to leave the complex, Y/N quickly ran to go get her things. When she got to her section, she scrunched her eyebrows… “Where did my media and book go?” She mentioned more to herself, instinctively retracing her steps. She could have sworn she placed them with her wallet. 

She checked the set and walkways… On her way to the outside tables, she could hear a small argument going on. She slowed down and ducked over behind the garage like walls remaining out of the peoples' way. 

“I’m afraid that book doesn’t belong to you Miss…” 

Y/N’s eyes widened. Was it her book? She couldn’t tell. 

“You have no proof! My mother gave this to me last week!” retorts the thief

“Without looking inside it, what resides within the pages?” 

Her heart began to race again. Tom was trying to get her book back from a thief? What the hell? 

“You didn’t… Mr. Hiddleston I am a fan and-”

“Then amuse me and open to page four”

Silence rained… The only thing Y/N could hear was her pounding heartbeat. Her hands instinctively grasped her neck. Normally she would count how many times her heart would beat and focus on calming down… but being overwhelmed can be excruciating. Her mind was racing with thoughts of today's events. It was awfully distracting… 

“Grrr!” the thief grunted before throwing the book and stormed off. 

Tom sighed before picking up the book gently dusting off the particulates and dust. “It's a shame no one can respect other people's property anymore.” Y/N heard Tom say in a disappointed tone. 

~Come on… move… you need that book…~ Y/N mentally thought to herself still trying to calm down from everything that’s been going on. It was like her body froze in place. When finished composing herself, she whipped around the corner. Her eyes widened… 

No one was standing there… 

Her book was in the hands of her favorite actor… the inspiration of her show…

And she didn’t have much time to get everything finished.

[annekan29]

Hello! Project Station  Dance  Club

Current Members

Ikuta Erina, Ishida Ayumi, Makino Maria, Kaga Kaede, Morito Chisaki, Wada Ayaka, Takeuchi Akari, Murota Mizuki, Sasaki Rikako, Funaki Musubu, Miyamoto Karin, Hamaura Ayano, Yamagishi Riko, Akiyama Mao

Former Members

Shimizu Saki, Natsuyaki Miyabi, Yajima Maimi, Nakajima Saki, Fukumura Mizuki, Sayashi Riho, Fukuda Kanon, Tamura Meimi, Takagi Sayuki, Inaba Manaka, Fujii Rio, Kudo Haruka

[headcans-oneshots-and-stuff]

Club ‘Illusion’

Fandom: DC x Marvel Pairing: Avenger x Batfam | Reader x Loki Word count: 3k (yes I can still write things over 1.5k words) Summay: With your hero work taking up most of your time you decide to find an outlet - that outlet turns out to be your own soon to be opened club. On the V.I.P. list for that evening? Two of the most important groups of people in your life. The only problem: they have yet to meet each other, not to mention the little fact that you’ve been keeping not just the club a secret... Requested by a universal fantastic Anon: If requests are still open, can I request a BatBoys x reader x Avengers where both teams meet through reader and fight because they were talking about which team reader likes more? Pairing would be your choice.

“Where does this go, boss?” a man in a dungaree holding a box full of musical equipment, chords and the like asked you and interrupted the conversation you were having with the DJ. “Bring it up these stairs there and then set it onto the black clothed table, Marianne will be there in a minute, could you help her set it up? “Sure thing boss,” the man nodded and trudged over to the direction you had waved him to. You turned back to Marianne - the mentioned DJ - who had been your friend for years and she was the first person you had hired when you had decided to take the advice of your Avengers issued therapist and find an outlet for your creativity and passion outside of your time-consuming hero work all over the planet and the universe. So you decided to use your funds from years of getting paid by Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne (even though you continued telling them you didn’t want their money) to do something fun and - in the spirit of a certain green-themed archer - open a nightclub. You had kept everything under wraps, the only people knowing about it were the contractors, decorators and Marianne and they all pledged secrecy, but tonight you would lift the metaphorical curtain. With the Avengers and Waynes (including non-Wayne-named) invited and the news about this new club opening all over social media doing the rest you were positively sure that tonight would be a great night. “Y/N?” Marianne’s voice ripped you out of your daydreams and you had to shake your head free of other thoughts and focus back onto the matter at hand, with last touches still having to be made. “Uhm- yeah, sorry, I was lost in thoughts.” “Don’t worry, I’m sure everything will go just fine. Look around you, this place is amazing, everyone did such an amazing job,” she complimented and you couldn’t help but follow her advice and actually take a look around.The room was very spacious and even though it was almost empty except the worker getting ready for tonight and a few others who helped set some stuff up. In the middle was a lower dance area with small sets of steps leading up, the floor in a chess pattern, but neon techni-coloured instead of black and white, all around that area were booths to sit in and on the far end of the room, a bit off of the dance-ground were two circular bars that were fully stocked with every drink you could ever need or want. On the other end was a stage for life-performances and ten feet above that was a sort of balcony that served as the DJ-booth with a view over the entire club. And yet again on the other side, above the bars, was a V.I.P. room which was a bit more soundproof and where a conversation could be actually held, with a one-way-mirror facing the club. The way the lights reflected off the surfaces and the sound carried through the space really confirmed what Marianne had said, the place was pretty amazing. “You’re right, you’re right, I’m sorry,” you took a deep calming breath and smiled. “Yes I am, but now we gotta get going, I’ll be up in the booth if you need me. You better give the final briefing to the staff,” she instructed before turning around and walking away. Deciding that taking her advice was the best course of action you went to go to the staff room, when Marianne called out to you yet again, shouting after you: “Don’t forget that you gotta be getting ready in an hour, your special guest should be arriving around then.”

The evening was starting to greet the people and the sun had started to disappear a few minutes ago when a group of five and a group of six gathered before a clearly newly constructed building - a club - with the name ‘Illusion’ in enlightened letters on the front. A long line of interested people, mostly young adults around 25, stretched before what seemed to be the entrance, but it seemed to still be closed. Both of the groups looked around a little bit confused, but they didn’t notice each other, or at least found nothing suspicious about the other. Now, if you were to take a very close look at both of these groups beside each other you’d find a lot of similarities, like - for example - the redeemed ‘bad-guy’ who now acted as professional sarcastic commentator, the goofball with a history in circus, the genius, philanthropist, playboy billionaire and the bad-ass tech-savvy red-head. Not to mention all of their past-time ‘hobbies’. And yet, with all these great intellect and talent collected in front of the club, they did not seem to be able to figure out what they were doing there or that there was another group in just about the same situation. The doors to the club opened and a bouncer and two servers walked out, the bouncer stationating himself before the entrance and starting to check people in, and the two servers looking around for a second before catching sight of the groups. They exchanged a few words before each of them walked over to the collection of people. The group from New York was brought over to the front entrance, allowed to skip the line and enter the club, while the Gotham-group was brought in through the back-entrance, but even though the place where they entered the club was different, they were yet both stil led to the same room, up above the bars behind a one-way-mirror.

You had changed into your sparkle-y, y/f/c outfit with make-up that would glow in the ultraviolet light that would shine all over the club later and your hair in a fashionable hairdo, perfectly prepared for your great night, with Marianne’s outfit mirroring yours just in different colours. With a clipboard you made your last round through the different areas, checking in with your staff and manager to make sure that everything would go flawless and that they could come to you with questions or if they needed help - if necessary you yourself would change into the gender-neutral uniform and start serving people. In the end the last area you had to check before meeting your special guests in the V.I.P. area was the DJ booth. “Everything good?” you asked, enjoying the last moments of relative silence before the booming music would start as you leant over the balcony railing and eyed your own little business. “Yes, I tried it out during soundcheck earlier while you were getting dressed, it’s some sweet equittement you got here, a Dream,” Marianne sighed in bliss and you could see how happy she was to be able to work with this equipment that had certainly cost enough to deserve that demeanor from her. “You know, if you like it this much, I could use a full-time DJ,” you tried to mention as nonchalant as possible, but you could feel her piercing, unbelieving gaze in your neck. “Are you serious? I thought you had employed one over a month ago. I thought tonight was a one-time-thing.” “Oh well, I did talk to one but then I listened to some of his stuff and compared to you it’s like a ten years old project on garage band. But don’t worry, I get it, you’re right. I’m sure you have way better gigs lined up left and right, I’ll find someone,” you shrugged, a little bit disappointed that Marianne didn’t seem even remotely interested in working full-time, only to be stopped when she grabbed your shoulders and began to almost shake you. “Are you kidding, I would love to work here full-time!!! This job would be a dream: the equipment, the atmosphere, my employer! DJ’s would kill for an opportunity like this. That’s why I was so confused, I thought you’d have plenty of better DJs lining up for this job,” she gushed before hugging you close and almost sobbing with happiness and thanking you for this opportunity. You agreed that you’d talk the details over later before telling her to start the music since people started to walk in and you could see a certain group of Heroes being led by one of your bar-women walking towards the left stairs to the V.I.P. room and another group of vigilantes led by one of the security-members being brought to the elevator on the right side to exactly the same room. “Okay, I gotta go, Got me some guests waiting,” you winked at Marianne who just waved you off, too immersed in her element. With quick steps and a happy smile you walked along the side of the room and followed where you saw the Avengers walk up, a little skip in your step. Honoring your word, both groups had been brought into the V.I.P. area which was big enough for them to both sit inside it without having to sit together, with the security guard taking position at the wall and the bar-women at the small, private bar. Another calming sigh later you opened the door and walked into the room immediately catching the eyes of all occupants of the room and as you nodded at your two employees in thanks, both groups of superheroes had stood up to greet you, seemingly only now realizing the presence (or rather the reason of the presence) of each other. “Hello guys, it’s so nice to have you here,” you greeted all 11 with a big gesture before mentioning to the window, “So, what do you think?” Confused eyes found you and they looked between each other and you, only one pair standing out, but seemingly not ready to reveal themselves properly yet. “It looks amazing,” Stephanie, who somehow managed to look perfectly club-fitting even in her casual clothes with her blond hair laying over her shoulder in a braid, and jumped towards you and engulfed you in a sisterly hug like she always did, “How did you get us in? I saw the adverts for this place all over social media and the line was enormous. Do you know the owner?” You held back a chuckle and laid your head to the side. “You could say so,” you gave her a cheeky smile that she couldn’t quite decipher, before turning to face the complete group, “But first things first, introduction.” Since both of the groups were still standing separately enough to be distinguished between you motioned to the Waynes. “May I introduce my somewhat-adopted-not-legally-but-emotionally-family. This is Bruce Wayne - I bet you all have heard of him - these are his sons, Richard Grayson - you can call him Dick - and Jason Todd, and his daughter Stephanie - or Steph - Brown and close family friend Barbara Gordon,” you motioned to each of them in turn with their names and they nodded in greeting at the others, still unknown to them. Then you turned to the others and said: “And may I introduce to you my first ever superhero team slash found family group also known as the Avengers - or rather a view of them anyways. Here we have Tony Stark - I’m sure you heard of him too, Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton, our two super soldiers Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes and the trickster god himself - Loki.” “Wait, Loki-Loki? The ‘battle-of-New-York’ Loki?” Jason asked in a surprised, but also amused manner and you could almost hear Loki roll his eyes. “Oh please, get over it Mortal,” he answered sarcastically, but before you could intervene Stephanie took her turn. “Oh you’re one to talk Jay, let’s not forget that.” You couldn’t help but giggle a bit at that and even though the Avengers seemed confused at how easily that shut Jason up, they accepted it as the end of that part of the conversation. For a few minutes the gathered people - a few of your favorite people in the world - started making their own introductions and you were happy that you saw them get along well. Waiting for a good opportunity to get into the conversation and get back to what you wanted to tell them, you were stopped from taking it when Dick motioned at Loki’s outfit. A deep-green suit, black dress-shirt under it, a golden tie, black hair slicked back and black asgardian armor boots - putting that certain touch to it - adorned him and you couldn’t blame Dick when he stated: “How comes none of us got a warning that we’d need to wear something fancy, but he did?” It was only now that the people who had come there with Loki had noticed his outfit and it was Tony who raised an eyebrow. “What happened to the grey jumper you said was ‘nice enough’ to be seen out with when you have to be out with us annoying mortals?” “Well, I can’t let Lady Y/N be the only one who shows that she has a sense of elegance and fashion in this despicable planet, can I now?” Loki answered sarcastically and now you wanted to roll your eyes at him calling you ‘Lady Y/N’, something you had told him to stop ages ago. “Loki isn’t actually wearing this,” you tried to clear things up, ignoring Loki’s remark, only to receive even more confusing looks, causing you to sigh. “Loki is a trickster god, he uses Illusions, he’s probably still in his Pajamas, he just makes it seem like he is wearing this.” Before anyone would start bombarding the god and you with questions, you took hold of  the conversation and used your stern hero voice to gain the attention. “Now I’m sure you’re all wondering why I invited my favorite people to a newly opened nightclub and like Stephanie has already mentioned, one that is hard to get into nonetheless. The reason is-” you made a pause to emphasize, “-that it is my club.” A wave of confused ‘what?’s hit you and you quickly explained: “Well, I needed to find another outlet than hanging around with other heroes and busting bad guys and after a talk with Oliver - he’s a friend from Starling city,” you explained for the Avengers, “I decided that opening a club was just what I needed. That’s the reason I was so absent the past few weeks, I was busy planning and employing and stuff, but from now on everything should run itself. I will be able to perfectly split my time into three for the club, hero work and friends and family.” “That’s so cool!” Stephanie squealed and gave you a high five and the others joined in congratulating you, telling you how amazing everything looked and that they were proud of you. “Boss?” a voice interrupted from behind you and you turned to see one of your staff members, “Could I talk to you for a second?”   “Excuse me for a bit, I gotta go and run my business,” you cheekily smiled and left your two favorite teams to make conversation as you and the women left through the door that lead to the stairs. “So what’s the matter? What can I he-” you were rudely interrupted when the women’s form morphed into a taller, sleeker one of a certain trickster and promptly continued to press you against the door you had just left through. “Well, well, look who’s getting impatient,” you giggled as he pressed a kiss to your jawline. That was another secret that you had kept from your teams and even from Marianne. Loki and you. If you were being quite honest you were not sure how the two of you became a thing, but somehow you did and now the two of you were waiting for the right moment to tell the rest of the team that you were a lot more than just colleagues. “Can you blame me? You should’ve told me about this, beloved, then I’d known that you were not growing sick of me. I was all worried when you kept on disappearing,” he muttered as he relished in the closeness with you. Slightly shocked at this you grabbed his broad shoulders and pushed him back slightly. “How could you ever think that, Loki? I love you, I could never grow sick of you,” you assured him and pressed a loving kiss to his lips. “That is very good to know, beloved, and I’ll make sure to remind you of that whenever you need,” he winked and you couldn’t help but giggle. “Okay, okay, but I think I have to go back now, we can pick this up again later.” You turned around and opened the door again only to catch what was being said. “We’re obviously her favorites, I mean this club is in New York, not Gotham, why do you think that is?” “Oh shut your mouth, that means nothing. You heard what she said, we’re her family, we’re her brothers and sisters. The Demon is the best proof of that.” “Which Demon?” “Oh please, she called us her family too. After all we got all the appeal of you, but we also have gods.” “She has dinner every second weekend with Superman, an amazonian goddess, the king of atlantis and a world-class magician.” “Well with us she has the world's strongest AI, a world class witch AND the sorcerer supreme, two timeless soldiers, the world's fastest man and the god of thunder.” “Oh please, our fastest man could beat your fastest man in his sleep, not to mention that we have multiple of them.” “Well then bring it on” After having heard enough you looked at Loki, back at the group - and the illusion Loki that was standing bored beside them - and back at Loki, before closing the door again. “You know what, I think I’ll just let them talk that over for a bit.” “Yeah, I think that would be best,” Loki agreed, but he was clearly amused. “What do you think they’ll do when they find out that I am actually your favorite?” he asked teasingly and snug his arms around your waist. “Honestly I’m not sure you’d survive that…”

[creatively--challenged]

Is It Time? // BestFriend! TH x Fem!Reader

Pairing: Tom Holland x Reader

Warnings: Swearing, teeny bit of angst, alcohol, underage drinking, smut, unprotected sex, and unbearable fluff x

Word Count: 11.7k

Summary: Tom is finally home and Y/N needs to tell him how she feels. She’s buried it for so long but it doesn’t want to stay buried any longer. Tom is finally home and he needs to tell her how her feels before he misses his chance and finds her unattainable. 

Author’s Note: So, this ended up being way longer than I anticipated! It also took me a while to post since I’ve been so busy with work but I hope you all enjoy it! Please send all the good/constructive feedback! ♥

  It had been months since you’d seen him. When you saw the text from Harry light up your phone, your face had lit up just as much and you immediately called your boss to book that day and the next off work. There was no way you’d miss it.

Tom was finally coming home for more than a day here or there, which he always spent with family, and he was throwing a little party on Friday in his shared house with the boys to celebrate the final wrapping of his new film, ‘Cherry’, with his friends. It had been a while since you had been in your best friends’ house, what with him off filming, Harry off gallivanting with him, Harrison being in Liverpool to film his own new project, and the other boys busy with their own lives and needless to say you were beginning to feel a bit lonely. Not that you didn’t have your own group of friends – you had been finally catching up with the girls since Tom wasn’t taking up all of your time – but you still missed your best friend and he was almost always too busy for more than a ten minute chat, not to mention the differences in time zones. Of course, it wasn’t all his fault, you were definitely guilty of neglecting your phone for hours on end and getting wrapped up in your writing as well as spending most nights and weekends working in a restaurant in the city.

As you pottered around your apartment, purposefully ignoring the mess your roommate, Anna, had left behind in her rush this morning – she could clean her own mess up when she got home – your phone buzzed from the coffee table in the living room. Scooping up the cup of tea you had made yourself and trying your best to speedily walk to the living room without spilling it, you saw Tom’s contact picture, a goofy selfie he had sent you from the set of ‘Far From Home’.

 “Wow, you don’t even personally invite your best friend to parties anymore, you have your brother do it? Fame has changed you, Holland.” You can hear Tom chuckling down the phone.

 “Oh, shut it! I told him I’d call you but he sent the text anyway, he’s almost as excited to see you as I am… almost.” His voice was raspy, as if he’d just woken up, and it just added to his attractiveness, the part of him you’d been trying to ignore for years. “You’re coming, aren’t you? I miss you so much I was even thinking of asking you to come get some lunch with me tomorrow before the party and we can grab whatever we need for the night while we’re out?” You beamed to yourself, but then mentally scolded yourself for thinking that it could be more than just a simple mate-date, strictly lunch with your best friend.

 “Of course I am! Did you really think I’d miss it? Even took the Saturday off so I can be hungover and wallow. I’d love to meet you tomorrow, where and when?”

 “I’ll pick you up at 1. Bring a night bag, we’re having a lazy day on Saturday. I gotta go, Tess is desperate for a walk but I’ll text you when I’m on my way tomorrow. See you then, love.”

 You threw yourself onto the couch with an exaggerated sigh, smiling wistfully at the pet name he quite often called you. You and Tom had been friends for years, usually inseparable when he was home. You first met when you were about 16, he was 17. You had both snuck into a club with your respective friends, pretending to be of age and experience the dancing and drinking your older friends constantly ranted about come Monday morning, when you, very drunkenly, bumped into each other, knocking his drink all over the both of you. You apologised profusely but he had waved you off, brought you to the bar and grabbed a load of napkins to help wipe the beer off your dress as much as he could, all the while laughing giddily. You two became fast friends after that, spending the rest of the night non-stop chatting and swapping stories and found you had a lot in common with him. You could see your friends from across the room wiggling their eyebrows suggestively at the good looking boy in front of you but kissing a boy you just met in a club you weren’t supposed to be in just wasn’t how you wanted the night to go. Instead you swapped numbers and made plans to meet up for coffee the next day to talk when you could both hear each other clearly.

You had always thought he was cute, and as he got older you knew he was becoming more and more attractive. Not to mention, you knew he was the sweetest, caring, and most compassionate man there was but there was always that nagging in the back of your mind that said if something was supposed to happen between you two, it would have already. Besides, he had introduced you to Harrison with the intention of setting you up so it was clear there was no way Tom had mutual feelings for you. You were just supposed to be best friends, nothing more. So, you tried even harder to push the way you felt about him away and focused instead on being a friend, even dated Harrison for a few months before he had suggested you were better suited to being friends – story of your life, apparently – and while you were initially upset, you did agree with him.

              Grudgingly, you got up from the couch and started to put yourself together for your shift that night. It was definitely going to be the longest shift of your life so far.  Just as you were throwing your hair up into as neat a bun as you were going to get, Anna came breezing through the door. You greeted her cheerily as she set her things down on the kitchen table.

                “Well you’re definitely in a better mood than you were when I woke you up this morning, is there someone else here?” She asked, peeking her head around you towards your bedroom door with a cheeky grin on her face.

                “Give over, there’s no one else here. Tom is home, he’s having a party tomorrow night.”

                “Ahhhh, that definitely explains the chirpy mood you’re in. Are you going to make a move?” She teased. Anna knew well what the situation was with your feelings for Tom and yet she relentlessly pushed you to tell him how you felt, even going so far as to make suggestive comments in front of both of you, especially when she’s had a few drinks, something you’d argued about in the past. Though she knew that your feelings for him were blooming again recently and that you find yourself losing yourself in daydreams about what could be more often than you had before and she was determined this time to make you confess to Tom.

                “Ans, you know I’m not, he’s my best friend… However, I’m definitely feeling lonely so maybe if there’s someone that catches my eye I’ll have another reason to be in a chirpy mood,” you winked as you grabbed your bag and car keys, “anyway, I’m running. Text you when I’m on the way home and for the love of God can you please clean the mess you made this morning?” She hummed in response as you ran out the door and down the stairs of your flat.

You were running towards the train station, checking the time on your phone to make sure you weren’t going to miss the train, when a loud beep made you jump about 6 feet in the air, almost dropping your phone in the process. You turned quickly only to see Tom pulling in alongside you in his Audi, laughing wildly at your reaction. You scowl at him and quickly hop in the passenger side of the car.

 “You ass! I almost died! What are you doing here?!” He’s still chuckling to himself as he leans across the seats to engulf you in a hug as best he can and place a soft, chaste kiss on your cheek.

 “Hello to you too! Jesus, I’ve been away for months and the first thing I get is you calling me an ass? That’s no way to treat your best friend who’s about to drive you to work, is it?” He’s charming, and he knows it and he sends a wink your way before putting the car in drive and pulling out. Getting over your shock of seeing him, you feel a wave of admiration and love hit you for the man beside you and you gently rest your head on his shoulder as he drives.

 “Thank you,” you laugh, “You didn’t have to drive me, I could have gotten the train! Although I admit this is so much better, I’ve missed you loads! How are you?”

 He talks animatedly about his journey home from Morocco, explaining that he will tell you “all the good stuff” from the past few months over lunch tomorrow. He confesses that his decision to surprise you with a lift to work came from him not being able to wait until tomorrow to see you after hearing your voice on the phone, a fact that melts your resolve to not tell him how you feel just a little. You listen to him talk about how proud he is of the work he’s put into ‘Cherry’ and how delighted he is with how it turned out, pausing to apologise for the lack of time he had to talk over the past while. All too quickly, he’s pulling up outside the restaurant and you let out a heavy sigh. He turns to you and there’s a sympathetic smile on his face.

 “Hey, in no time your writing will take off and you’ll get the satisfaction of handing in your notice here. Plus, you’ll have me for the next two whole days AND I’ll be home for the next few weeks too!”

 You nod at him and put on a smile as you pick your bag up from your feet, “Yeah I know. Thanks so much, Tom. I’m so glad you’re home.” You reach across the car and wrap one arm around him, he does the same and places another quick kiss to your cheek. “See you tomorrow, let me know when you’re picking me up!” You get out of the car, sending him one last quick smile before going into the restaurant and beginning your countdown to the end of your shift.

                *                            *                            *                            *                                                     

Tom smiled to himself as he drove to the train station to pick Harrison up. He was just getting in from Liverpool for the weekend, perfect timing to have a break in shooting. He had meant it when he said he missed you. He had wanted to call you every single time he had a break in filming but had to stop himself. You were his best friend, not his girlfriend. He didn’t call Harrison or Tuwaine every time he had a break so why would you expect him to call you? You wouldn’t. You didn’t think of him that way and he knew it. He had always wanted more, since you knocked his pint over both of them and you met up for coffee the next day. He was too shy back then to tell you how he felt and then felt blessed enough just to call you his best friend that he definitely did not want to scare you away by telling you. He’d even tried to get over you and started dating other girls, though they never lasted long. They weren’t funny enough, didn’t laugh at his jokes like they were the funniest things in the world, they didn’t get along with his friends so well, they didn’t text him the morning of every audition he’d ever had to wish him good luck, or call him in the middle of the night when they felt lonely, they weren’t you. He’d set you up with Harrison, thinking that if you were unavailable, he’d learn to move on. And he did! For a little bit. It was easier to accept that you were just his best friend because you were good together, Harrison treated you well and you really enjoyed his company. Although, listening to you both in Harrison’s room after you’d come home from a date never got easier.

 It was after one of those date nights that Harrison realised. He’d come down to the kitchen to make coffee and Tom was sitting at the counter on his phone, red rimmed eyes, loosely holding a cup of coffee that had long gone cold. He hadn’t expected Haz to be up so early and had planned on going to visit his parents as soon as he’d finished his coffee but he had been caught. Harrison hadn’t let up until Tom told him why he was upset and disregarded every bullshit answer Tom could make up on the spot. “You’re a great actor, Tom, but you can’t expect me to believe that. Don’t bullshit me.” So Tom’s floodgates burst and he told Harrison everything; how long he’s felt that way, why he set you up, how he felt at the time.

 ~ “You can’t keep torturing yourself like this, Tom. If I had have known you felt this way, I would never have asked her out!” Harrison eyed his heartbroken friend as he silently cried. He was debating what to do, he really liked you and you were getting on great, but he could tell straight away that he didn’t like you in the way that Tom did, not even close.

 “No, Harrison, I know what you’re thinking. Don’t do it. Don’t hurt her just because I wasn’t man enough to tell her how I feel. That’s not fair.” Harrison then hugged him, told him not to worry, and walked back to you with coffee. ~

 He had broken up the you the following week, telling you he thought you were better suited as friends, and he did believe that but he was also thinking of Tom and how heartbroken he had been that morning. Tom was ready to pick up the pieces when you told him Harrison had broken up with you but you were surprisingly okay? A little disappointed but you said you thought Harrison was right and it was that that lifted the guilt off Tom’s chest, while also instilling the slightest bit of hope in him. He still had a chance. Yet here he was 2 years later still pining after his best friend who still had no idea about his feelings.

Tom’s train of thought was broken when Harrison opened the boot of the car and threw his bags in before jumping into the passenger side of the car.

 “Am I interrupting something? You look like you’ve been having an extreme internal debate.” He laughed as he cleaned the raindrops from the lenses of his glasses, shooting Tom a questioning glance, though Tom had a feeling Haz knew exactly what was plaguing his mind.

 “Sorry, I was in a world of my own. How are you, man? How’s filming going?” Tom avoided Harrison’s questioning looks, which was duly noted by the blond man but he dropped the subject. Instead, Harrison talked relentlessly about his new project and how excited he was, before quizzing Tom on ‘Cherry’. The boys chatted back and forth about their careers and how their families were until they got back to the house. As soon as they walked through the door Harrison and Harry immediately engaged in a roasting match, going back and forth verbally tearing shreds off each other. Tom grabbed a beer from the fridge and threw himself on the sofa, watching the two with amusement until he was dragged into their play fighting and had to fend for himself. They continued like that for a while; roasting each other, playing a couple of games of Fifa, demolishing bottles of beer, until eventually Harrison put a movie on Netflix and settled down on the sofa beside Tom while Harry went to his room to edit some videos of their trip in Morocco.

 “What is it? You’ve been off all day” Harrison asked without even taking his eyes off the screen. Tom shuffled uncomfortably and looked down.

 “S’nothing. Just me being an idiot, as usual.” That was more than enough for Harrison to confirm that he was right about why Tom was off. He let a heavy sigh and turned to face his best friend.

 “Look, mate, you need to stop being such a div and just tell her, yeah? Because this shit isn’t healthy for you or for your friendship. You have a chance here, she’s not going to be single forever and –“

 “I know!” Tom snapped, a little too loudly. Harrison looked taken aback for a moment, then turned towards the tv and took a long drink from his bottle of beer. “I’m sorry, Haz. I shouldn’t have shouted. It’s just that… It’s all I’ve been thinking about the past couple of weeks. It comes and goes, y’know? Sometimes I can live perfectly content with having her as my best friend - other best friend”, he added when Harrison gave him a look, “- but since I’ve been away these past few weeks, I just can’t stop thinking about her. No amount of work can take my mind off it. I missed her so much it was almost palpable and the thought of her moving on with someone else makes me so angry at myself. I feel like I’m running out of time but I’m also terrified of saying something only for her to be absolutely horrified and ruin our entire friendship!” Tom hadn’t realised he was crying until he felt the tears drop from his chin onto the hand holding his beer.

 “Tom, don’t you think if you keep these feelings to yourself it might ruin your friendship? Also, why do you think she’s stayed single all this time, same way you have? Maybe she feels the same? Maybe she’s holding out for you. Just… think about it, Tom. If you want this, take the chance. Either way, I’m going to bed. I need to get my beauty sleep if I’m gonna pull tomorrow night. Y/N’s roommate is coming and I’ve had my eye on her since I met her last year.” Harrison winked and Tom laughed at his attempt to flex his muscles.

 “Alright, fuck off, you div. See you in the morning.” Harrison waved in response and began walking to his room. “Haz?” Tom heard his steps stop and saw his head poke around the corner, left eyebrow raised. “Thank you. For everything.” Haz shot him an award-winning smile.

 “You’ve got nothing to thank me for, I’m here for you, mate. Goodnight.”

 Tom sat by himself for a while, finishing his drinks and running through different scenarios in his head of how tomorrow could go. How he could tell you. He could say it over lunch, but then if you didn’t feel the same it would be awkward for the rest of the day and it there would be no way he could throw a party if it all went sideways. He could tell you at the party, but then you might think he was a coward for not telling you alone. He could tell you the next day, while you were just hanging out, but what if you hit it off with someone at the party and he misses his chance? He was working himself up into a panic again and decided to call it a night. He busied himself with cleaning the beer bottles from the living room, tidying the kitchen, and having a long shower to calm himself down, before climbing into bed and hoping that whatever he decided to do, he would still have you one way or another; either as his best friend or as someone who loved him as much as he loved you.

 *                           *                            *                            *                            *        

                You woke up filled with a sense of dread. You’d had a nightmare and the more you thought about it the more you convinced yourself it was a premonition. Tom was definitely going to hook up with someone tonight. He was going to stand right in front of you and lean in to catch her lips in a kiss so intense and shameless that you would have to look away to avoid throwing whatever drink you were holding at the two of them. Then, when you look back, they would look at you and sneer, laughing at how fucking pathetic you were and you’ll see him leading her by the hand towards his bedroom, towards his bed. It’s going to happen; your mind’s eye has foretold it.

              You roll out of bed and trudge towards the kitchen. Anna is already there, scrolling through her phone and pushing a cup of tea in your direction.

              “I was just about to call you. Hey, would you mind if I tried it on with Harrison tonight? I know you two had a thing but he’s really hot and you guys are just friends now, right?” You held up a hand and took a long sip of your tea, eyeing her over the top of your mug. She stopped scrolling and looked at you expectantly. “Bad night?” You sighed contentedly and lowered your hand.

 “I really needed that tea, thank you. Yes, bad night. Nightmares, to be precise.” She frowned, about to ask but you cut her off, “No, I don’t mind you trying it with Harrison. He’s a great guy and you’re just his type. Just please, if you bring him home, keep it down. He has a tendency to be quite vocal.” Anna’s face went beet red and she choked on her green tea.

                “Noted. Moving on, do you know what you’re wearing tonight?” She wiggled her eyebrows at you and you groaned. You were really not in the mood of her tactics of trying to get you and Tom together and you know that’s exactly where this conversation is going.

                “I was thinking of just wearing my black skinny jeans and that green top I got 2 weeks ago? Maybe with black boots?” She rolled her eyes then shook her head at you.

                “Any outfit that you say you’ll ‘just wear’ instantly isn’t good enough. No. You haven’t seen Tom properly in months! You have to wow him; you have to look so jaw-droppingly good that it’s not even a question in his mind. Why don’t you buy something new today while you’re in town?” You considered what she said as you scrolled through your Instagram. You supposed she was right; it was the first time you’d seen Tom in months, plus you hadn’t bought yourself a full new outfit for anything in a while.

                “That’s not a bad idea… Do you need anything while I’m out?” You called out to her as she had started moving towards her bedroom.

                “Maybe some condoms? Who knows which one of us will need them?” She said with a wink and a cheeky grin. You had to bite back your laughter just as your phone pinged. Tom was letting you know you had 30 minutes before he was coming to pick you up. You quickly rinsed your cup and sped to your room to shower and kind something decent to wear for your lunch date. Lunch mate-date. For mates.

                                                             *

              “Table for two under Holland.” Tom spoke with a smile to the host of a very fancy brunch place in the city. If you had known Tom would take you somewhere like this you would have, at least, put on some makeup. As it was, you were wearing blue jeans, a white blouse, and low top Converse, and you had your still-damp hair thrown into a messy bun. Not the worst look but compared to the businesswomen around you in their 2-piece suits and elegant office dresses with heels you felt a bit out of place. But then, Tom was clad in just a hoodie, loose black jeans, and a baseball cap so maybe you didn’t look too bad.

                “I didn’t realise you would take me somewhere so nice. I thought we were just grabbing lunch in a café or whatever?” You whispered to Tom as your waiter handed you a menu and poured your water.

                “We are just grabbing lunch in a café or whatever,” he smirked, mocking you, “just wanted to treat you. This place does great French toast and they serve the freshest mimosas, my treat,” he told you with a wink.

He began looking through his own menu while you admired him from across the table. His hair had started to grow back after he’d shaved it off for his role in ‘Cherry’ and he had the slightest sprinkling of freckles across his nose; a gift from the Moroccan sun, no doubt. He looked happier than he did when you saw him before Christmas, when he had been losing weight dramatically and putting himself in the mindset of the complex lead role. You could clearly see, even through his hoodie, that he had been back at the gym since, the sleeves straining ever so slightly around the muscles in his arms and his frame looked wider than it had been.

                “I’m afraid I’m not on the menu, darling.” Tom interrupted your train of thought without even a glance from his menu, though he had a cheeky smirk on his face. You scoffed in response and tried quickly to come up with an excuse as to why you were practically undressing him with your eyes.

                “Come off it, I was just… I haven’t seen you in a while. That’s all.” You thought you saw his smile falter for a split second but then his attention was diverted and he was beaming at the waitress that had come to take your orders.

                                                             *

              “I told you the French toast was incredible.” Tom smiled at you from across the table. He had been telling you all about the past couple of months filming. How rewarding it felt to branch away from the roles he had been doing previously and getting the opportunity to flex his acting skills. He was now listening to you recount your tale of the past few months; catching him up on the drama of your life and the progress you had made with your writing. You told him about a meeting you’d had with an editor and he swelled with pride at hearing you were chasing your dreams as well as he was.

He had thought before you had been subtly checking him out but he quickly shook the thought from his head when you’d brushed him off. He promised himself he’d tell you today but every time he tried to start the speech he had prepared on the drive to your house his stomach did flips and he felt slightly nauseous. Is this the right place? Is it time? He tried to focus on what you were saying again, he really had to get a hold on himself.

 You had stopped talking and were now looking at him expectantly.

              “Sorry, I completely zoned out. What was the question?” He laughed and you scowled at him playfully. “I’m sorry! You’re just so captivating,” he half joked, pretending to swoon.

                “I suppose you’re off the hook, then,” You winked and his heart did another flip, “I was saying, when we’re shopping for stuff for the party I also need to find something to wear so I can do that while…”

                “I’ll come with you; help you find something.” You paused as he interrupted you. He hadn’t meant to jump in so suddenly but the thought of you wearing something to the party that he had helped pick out for you sped his heart up a little bit.

                “Better get a move on then, shouldn’t we?”

                                                             *

              You left the car where it was and strolled from shop to shop idly picking up the things you needed for the night. You filled two trolleys full of beers, spirits, mixers, bags of Doritos, microwave popcorn, and anything else you might need. Tom had just filled the car up with the supplies when he looped an arm through yours and pulled you towards boutiques of women’s clothes and fancier looking stores.

              “No, Tom, we’ll just head to th–“ Tom was already shaking his head and tugging on your arm with more insistence.

                “Nope, my treat” was all he said. You knew by the look on his face that he wasn’t budging so you willingly went into the shop that looked far too expensive for you. You were idly admiring different dresses and outfits, still unsure about Tom spending so much money on you when he slid his hand into yours and pulled you around to face him.

                “I want you to pick 5 outfits you like, without looking at the price tags and go try them on.” He held your gaze and didn’t look away or let go of your hand until you nodded. You sifted through the rails and shelves of clothes, holding some up to Tom for his approval and he’d give you thumbs up or down. A handful of times he would suggest something for you and you were surprised at just how good a sense for fashion the man had, for someone that usually only wore shades of black.

                Eventually, you had the 5 things you liked and were on your way to the changing rooms to try them on. The first; skinny black jeans with rips in them and a cropped, burgundy jumper that wrapped around the back, exposing a lot of skin. You pulled back the curtain and twirled around for Tom to see. You both agreed that while it was a lovely outfit, it wasn’t apt for the blazing house party he had planned. You tried on the rest of your outfits; a flowy cream dress with buttons from the bosom to the hem, a strappy, black, sheer top with a black denim skirt, and an elegant, red jumpsuit that really accentuated your hips and your waist but the show stopper was the emerald green velvet dress you tried on last, the one Tom had picked out for you. The colour complimented your eyes and you skin tone perfectly, long sleeves to hold back the January chill and it came down to mid-thigh. You had paired it with black tights and high chunky heeled leather ankle boots which brought you almost to the same height as Tom. You stepped out and Tom didn’t say anything as he stared at your form. Your head tiled slightly and you opened your mouth to ask if it was too much when Tom’s eyes finally met yours.

                “Yes. That’s the one. Wow. I- Wow.” You were blushing, you could feel it. You could also feel Tom’s eyes all over you, especially where the velvet fabric clung to your chest and your hips. You didn’t feel insecure or self-conscious though, the way you would when other men would stare at you the same way at a club.

                “Definitely, I really love it!” You told him as you eyed yourself in the mirror one more time.

 “Okay, go on, get dressed again and pass the other things out to me so I can put them back.” He told you and you obliged, changing back into your blouse and jeans and making your way over to the cashier with your chosen outfit where Tom was waiting. He took the clothes and passed them over the counter while you busied yourself with your phone, trying not to hear the amount the clothes came to so you wouldn’t have a heart attack, when you noticed you had a text from Anna.

 Anna: Hey, how was your lunch? Did you tell him? Did you find something to wear? Is it hot?

 You chuckled to yourself, typing a speedy reply, reminding her to behave later on and telling her about the outfit you’d picked out.

                You looked up just as Tom thanked the cashier and took the bag from her. He beamed at you and you both walked back to the car, chatting animatedly about the night ahead. When you got to Tom’s house you had about an hour and a half to get ready before everyone started arriving so you shouted a quick ‘hello’ to Harrison and Harry who were arguing in the kitchen about what drinking games they should play before heading into Tom’s room to get ready for the night. Tom followed you in with more bags and you looked at him confusedly.

He placed them down on his bed and looked at you like he was in trouble

.

              “They all looked so good, I couldn’t help but get them…” He said with a small smile as you slowly understood what he was saying. You stepped forward and peered into the bags he had set down. The other 4 outfits you had tried on were folded perfectly in the bag.

                “Tom!? Why would you get them all?! Where’s the receipt? I need to know. You- Thank you, Tom, but you shouldn’t have!” He laughed slightly as you scrambled through the bag before he took your hands in his.

                “It’s not in there – Stop Y/N!” He laughed, “I took it out already. Listen, I haven’t seen my bestest friend in months and I wanted to treat her. I never get to buy you anything and you know I can afford it so stop worrying. Plus, you can’t look me in the eye and tell me you didn’t love how you looked in all of them.” You eyed him faux-angrily but it didn’t last. You couldn’t help but break under his puppy-dog eyes.

“You’re a div. But, thank you. I don’t know what I’ll wear these outfits to but I love them, thank you.” He let go of your hands and mumbled about letting you get dressed. “Wait, Tom,” you suddenly remembered the nightmare you’d had the night before, still convinced it was a premonition, “where can I put my things when I’m done? You know… in case…Don’t wanna be interrupting anything to get my toothbrush in the morning” You gave an awkward chuckle and made a motion with your hands since Tom looked at you like you’d grown another head before realisation dawned on him.

                “Oh! What? No, leave it here! There’s no one- I thought- Aren’t you staying here?” He asked and you thought there was a shadow of disappointment on his face.

                “Oh, well sure I can but- Just in ca- Only if you’re su..-“

                “I’m sure.” He cut you off and there was a twinge of annoyance in his face before it was gone and replaced by a small smile. “You always stay in my room after a party, why would that change?” You both stared at each other for a few moments, unsure of what to say before he broke eye contact and headed to the kitchen, shouting over his shoulder that he’d bring you a drink while you got ready.

                You stepped into Tom’s shower in the adjoining bathroom and let the hot water run over you while you got your thoughts together. You knew Anna was going to cause some sort of trouble tonight, maybe even get Haz in on it, and you knew she was right to. You were just hurting yourself by trying to push how you felt away. Maybe if you just told him it would be easier? Even if he didn’t feel the same way, you were being honest with him and you could work out a way to keep being best friends. Would that work? Or would he just start avoiding you until you were just strangers. You huffed in frustration, stepping out of the shower and wrapping yourself in a fluffy towel. You waltzed out into the bedroom and saw that Tom had left a Gin and Tonic on his dresser for you, you smiled and took a sip before getting to work on your hair.

                Just as you were halfway though the process of putting on makeup Tom stepped into the room.

                “Hey, you mind if I start showering and whatnot? I’ll knock before I come out of the bathroom in case you’re getting changed.” He was standing at his wardrobe, pulling out different coloured articles of clothing before pulling out black jeans, a black t-shirt, and black studded jacket. You laughed under your breath at his ‘daring’ choice of colour as he was heading for the bathroom and shutting the door.

  You continued getting ready, finishing your makeup and donning your new outfit before spraying a bit of hairspray to keep your waves in place. You had about 15 minutes before guests started arriving and you were just zipping up your boots when Tom came out of the shower, t-shirt straining against his muscles, jacket in hand, and stopped dead, watching you stand up to adjust the neckline of your dress.

                “I thought you were going to knock.” You said teasingly. He made an ‘O’ with his mouth and put his hand over his eyes.

                “I’m so sorry! I was in a world of my own and completely forgot. You look incredible, darling.”

                “Not too bad, yourself.” You told him. He seemed to be deliberating something for a minute. His mouth opened and closed a couple of times and you looked at him expectantly before he seemed to decide against what he was going to say.

                “Shall we?” He mocked in a goofy accent and you took his arm that he had proffered for you. As you walked into the kitchen you heard a loud wolf whistle come from Tuwaine who was already about 4 bottles of beer down.

                “Damn, Y/N. You’re looking well! Who’s the lucky guy?” He asked with a wink and you felt the blush creeping up your neck, causing him and the other boys to laugh. With the exception of Tom, you failed to notice, who gave Tuwaine a hard, disapproving look that he simply waved off.

  Just then the front door opened and Anna came strutting in, looking like a model as usual with her strawberry blonde waves falling down around her shoulders, long legs that went on for days, and perfect little figure, with Harrison hot on her heels. She quickly engulfed you in a hug as Harrison gave you a nod and a smile.

 “You look incredible! Did Tom have anything to do with that outfit?!” She asked lowly so the boys wouldn’t hear.

“More like everything! He wouldn’t even let me pay for it or the other outfits I liked!” Her eyes widened and mischievous smile appeared on her face.

 “Well, now I know I was definitely right about how he feels,” she winked obnoxiously at you, “Haz picked me up! I was about to order a taxi when I got a text to say he was outside. Such a gent! Has he said anything? Do you think you could find out what his intentions are? Would that be weird? Thank you so much for giving me your blessing!” She whispered at a million miles an hour. Once you might have found it hard to keep up with the sheer amount of questions she asked in one breath and how quickly she jumped from topic to topic but now that you were used to her you laughed and waved her off for the most part.

                “I’ll subtly talk to him as long as you promise not to say a word to Tom about me, deal?” You held out your pinky. She eyed you narrowly but eventually she took it in hers and let out an exasperated sigh to show you she wasn’t happy with it, but it was a deal.

                Soon enough, the party was in full swing. The front door had opened and closed about a dozen times, spilling people you hadn’t seen in ages, and some you had, into the house. You weaved in and out of conversations, catching up with friends and introducing yourself to a couple of people you didn’t know. Your hand was never without a drink in it, whether it was Tom handing you a goblet of Gin & Tonic with a soft “Here ya go, darling”, or one of the twins keeping you topped up without you even noticing, or Anna insisting you two did shots of whatever looked like it would fuck you up the most – you had managed to fake taking most of those shots and she was already fairly tipsy so she had yet to notice.

              It was close to 11pm when you caught Harrison standing alone on his phone in the kitchen. You sidled over to him and bumped your shoulder into his. You two had drifted slightly after the breakup, feeling a bit awkward around each other but after a while things went back to the way they were before you dated and he ended up being another one of your closest friends.

                “Whatcha doing?” You asked him and he smiled at you. His eyes fleeted around the room for a second before landing on Anna who was dancing goofily with Harry.

                “Trying to get my act together and ask her out. Every time I try and think of what to say I end up sounding like an idiot in my head.” He groaned and rubs a hand over his face. You gave him a sympathetic look and threw your arm around his shoulders.

                “You never had any trouble asking me out, did I not make you nervous enough?” You put your hand on your chest, feigning offense, and he laughed loudly at you.

                “Come off it, you might not have thought I had trouble but believe me, I did.” His eyes caught something across the room and he coughed slightly and took a step back from you while turning his body towards you. “So, do you think I have a chance?” You glanced around the room to see what had caught his eye but all you could see was Anna now begging Tuwaine to dance with her and Tom talking closely to a girl you didn’t quite recognise, something that narrowed your eyes slightly and forced a small frown on your face, which Harrison did not fail to notice.

                “Yeah, definitely. You should go for it, ask her out. You two would be great together.” You mumbled to him distractedly, finally tearing your eyes away from Tom and the mystery woman. Harrison was looking at you with concern etched across his face, no longer worried about Anna.

                “Y/N? Everything okay?.” You forced a smile onto your face and nodded too quickly. You turned towards the counter and began refilling your drink while trying desperately to dismiss all thoughts of the nightmare you’d had the night before. It couldn’t actually happen, could it? He did say that he wasn’t bringing anyone to his room that night… What if he’d changed his mind?

                “Y/N. You need to talk to him.” Your eyes snapped to Harrison who had a kind yet worried smile on his face. “This isn’t good for either of you.”

                You gasped, “You know?!” He laughed slightly and nodded. “How long?!” You were slightly worried. If he had known, was that the real reason you broke up?

                “Have for a while. I kind of always thought it but was never sure.” He smiled at you and then when he saw your horrified expression he rushed to explain, “That’s not why we… y’know? You were amazing and I didn’t think badly of you. I genuinely did, and do, think we are better as friends!” It was your turn to laugh as you put a hand on his shoulder.

                “Good, because you weren’t just a second choice, Haz, I did really like you. But you are also right, we’re much better as friends. Friends that can be each other’s wingmen?” He laughed loudly again and nodded enthusiastically.

                “Absolutely! Now, how do I ask Anna out?”

                                                              *

              Tom had been bouncing from person to person, catching up on their antics while he was away and he was having the time of his life. He had been sneaking glances at you all night and you also looked like you were having a great night. He was beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol in his system, a lot faster than he used to as a result of having not drank in a while with how busy he’s been. Haz had cornered him in the kitchen while you were getting ready and quizzed him about your lunch together. After telling Haz he didn’t tell you about how he felt, Haz had made him promise he’d tell you tonight and so that’s what he’d do. A little bit of Dutch courage in him made him feel a bit more confident in how things would go after he told you. He supposed he had better tell you before either of you were too far under the influence of alcohol but you looked like you were having such a good time and he didn’t know when the right time was to interrupt and tell you.

              Just as he had decided to go for it, a familiar face appeared in front of him. One he hadn’t seen in a long while, so long that he almost didn’t recognise her, not to mention her once short, blonde hair was now long and a deep brown colour.

                            “Hi Tom, long time no see. You know, every time I see you it’s like you get better looking.” Sophia, the last girl he had dated, about a year and a half ago, before he had caught her in the lap of another man while they were out on Tom’s birthday and swiftly told her to get lost. He had been getting annoyed by her before that anyway, she treated Y/N like absolute shit, wasn’t interested in getting to know his brothers, and when she thought he couldn’t see her, she rolled her eyes whenever he made a joke. However, he would be calm and polite to her now. Nothing was going to ruin his mood.

                “Sophia, hi. How’ve you been? I didn’t know you were coming tonight.” He smiled as warmly as he could, while looking around her to see that Y/N hadn’t moved. Sophia moved in front of his view again, tossing her long brunette hair over her shoulder.

                “I’m here with Jack, we’ve been seeing each other and he invited me along. We’re not exclusive yet though.” She added with a wink as she ran her hand along his arm. His insides squirmed at the action and his temper flared a tiny bit, though he kept his face civil and polite.

  As he thought of a way to get away from her, he heard a loud laugh from the other side of the room. He glanced towards the kitchen and saw that you had your arm thrown around Harrison, the two of you standing close to each other in conversation, laughing at something between the two of you. Haz caught his eye and Tom couldn’t help the hard, unimpressed look he shot him. Jealousy was a raging storm inside him and he couldn’t for the life of him think rationally. Sophia had watched the interaction and instantly began beaming, a sly glint in her eye. She stepped in closer to Tom and drew his attention back to her, hand delicately placed on his chest.

 “I’ve really missed you, you know. I really hate myself for letting you go.” She drawled, trailing his hand along his chest, dipping lower and lower, while the other hand circled his bicep. His temper flared and suddenly he was seeing red.

 “Get your hands off me and get out of my house. You really think you even have a sliver of chance after what you did? And now you’re trying it again when the guy you’re seeing is sitting not 10 feet away? Pathetic.” He ripped his arm from her grasp, grabbed another drink from the kitchen table, and stalked out of the room in a rage. He sat in his room, calming himself down and taking long gulps from his drink. He knew in the back of his mind that Harrison would never go behind his back and that you two were just friends but he just couldn’t get the idea out of his head that you still had feelings for Harrison.

 There was a light knock on the door which Tom decided to ignore. The door opened slowly, and a mass of strawberry blonde waves popped around it. Anna hesitated in the doorway, head around the door as her eyes fell on Tom sitting on the floor against the wall, taking steady swigs from his drink. He raised his eyebrows are her in question and, in response, she held up two shot glasses in one hand and a bottle of tequila in the other. She got a small smile out of him as he motioned for her to sit beside him.

 “I saw what happened back there with Sophia and when you didn’t come back out to the party after 15 minutes I decided to bring the party to you.” She beamed at him while handing him a shot of tequila. He chuckled lightly and took the drink from her eagerly. “She’s a real piece of work. Though, I didn’t think you cared enough about her to let her upset you.”

 “I don’t.” He grimaced as the shot went down his throat. “She pissed me off, yeah, but… That’s not why…” He let out a long sigh. “Y/N’s not interested in Haz, is she?” He nibbled on his bottom lip and kept his gaze to the ground until Anna burst out laughing and Tom looked at her in utter confusion.

 “I’d hope not if she gave me the green light to get with him! No, she’s not interested in Haz, she’s currently putting a good word in for me with him.” She laughed and downed another shot, Tom followed her lead. His hopes that had been shot were now recovering and he started to feel eager to speak to you as soon as possible.

“I have to talk to her… It’s definitely time to tell her how I feel.” He started as he moved to stand up.

 “Tell who how you feel?” Your head popped around the door that Anna had left ajar and suddenly Tom didn’t feel so confident anymore. As he got to his feet the room began to spin and the tequila mixed with the nerves in his stomach were not helping his current state. Anna’s eyes were as wide as saucers as she quickly scooped up the bottle of tequila and slipped out of the room as quickly as she could.

 “You. Tell you.” Tom was frozen to the spot and words were beginning to fail him. The room was spinning faster and faster and his stomach did not feel so good. He tried to take deep breaths but that only made him feel worse. You were looking at him expectantly, maybe even hopefully? Or was that just his inebriated head giving him false hope?

 “Tell me what, Tom? Are you okay?” You stepped forward and put your hand on his arm.

 “Tell you… I feel sick…” Tom slurred. You furrowed your eyebrows at him and then watched his face blanch.

 “Okay, let’s go. Come on.” You quickly guided him into the bathroom, half supporting his weight as he stumbled over his own feet. As soon as you got him into the bathroom the floodgates opened and Tom was heaving over the toilet; beer and tequila and whatever else he had drank being purged from his system. “Oh, you owe me big time.” You tried to rub his back while also not get sick yourself. When he was finished he turned around and sat on the tiles of the bathroom floor, regaining a bit of colour in his face. “Okay, get yourself cleaned up and I’ll be right back.” You told him, leaving to grab water and the pain killers he would inevitably need before he could protest.

When you got back to him, he was lying shirtless on his bed, clad only in a pair of sweatpants with his arm thrown over his eyes. You notice that he had cleaned himself and the bathroom up already. You giggled at the state he was in as you set the water down and one eye peeked out from under his arm, eyebrow raised, and the ghost of a smile on his face.

 “What’s so funny? Are you laughing at me while I’m in this vulnerable state? I can’t believe you.” He whined which only increased your giggling. You set yourself down on the bed beside him and his arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you into him.

 “Tom, if you get sick on me I will kill you.” He sniggered and held you closer, burying his nose into your shoulder and you’d be lying if you said you weren’t 100% okay with this.

 “I feel better now.” He told you, letting out a very content sigh.

 You listened to his breathing getting deeper, slower. “Tom? Were you actually just going to tell me you felt sick?” You questioned. Your heart was pounding in your chest. Could you be right? Was he really going to say what you thought he was? Except, there was no answer from him, his breathing was deep and calm. He was fast asleep. “Because… Well, I was hoping you’d say something different. That maybe you’d tell me that the way you felt about me was more than a friendship… The way I feel about you…” You mumbled to yourself, slowly following his lead and drifting off to sleep.

 Tom had chickened out. You gave him the perfect opportunity to tell you how he felt but instead he had pretended to be asleep but it didn’t matter anymore! You felt the same way! He fought hard to keep the smile off his face as he eventually drifted off to sleep.

                                                              *

              Sunlight streamed in the window of Tom’s room as you slowly began to wake up. Your head was pounding, your mouth dry. The first thing you noticed was that Tom wasn’t beside you anymore which wasn’t all that strange, he was always the first to wake up between you two. You grimaced as you remembered you were still wearing the dress you had worn last night, Tom having not given you a chance to change before he engulfed you in an iron grip. You slowly got to your feet, holding your head in one hand as if to stop it falling off. Rummaging through Tom’s drawers you took out a pair of joggers and a baggy t-shirt that smelled exactly like him and made your way to the bathroom to shower.

                When you were finally clean and fresh, feeling much better already, you went back to Tom’s room only to find him sprawled on the bed scrolling though his phone, two steaming mugs of tea and copious slices of toast stacked on a plate sitting on the bedside table.

                He jumped up when he noticed you, eyes scanning your body and smiling appreciatively at the fact you were wearing his clothes. “Good morning! All the clothes I bought you and you still wear mine?” He teased. You rolled your eyes playfully ay him and plonked yourself on the bed beside him.

                “What’s all this? What did I do to deserve tea and toast in bed?” You took a bite out of some toast and watched Tom as he seemed to be sorting through words in his head.

                “Well, it’s not a grand spread of breakfast in bed or anything… Just wanted to do something nice for you since I cut your night short last night, being sick and that…” He trailed off, not quite meeting your eyes. You were about to answer, tell him that of course you would look after him when he’s not feeling great when he cut you off.

                “I can’t skirt around the truth anymore, Y/N, and this is something I should have said ages ago. It’s time to just tell you, because I don’t think I’m being fair to either of us.” He took a deep breath and finally looked up to meet your eyes, making your breath stop in your throat as you were utterly captivated by his chocolate eyes, unable to look away. “I am completely in love with you. Always have been, I just never knew how to tell you, or when it would be time to tell you. But… I think it’s time. And I heard what you said last night but I kind of chickened out… and also I felt that I shouldn’t say anything because I was quite drunk and I –“ You cut him off as you quickly but gently pressed your lips against his, the slice of toast you had been holding long forgotten. His hand came up quickly to cup your cheek and he immediately kissed you back. You both broke apart for a moment and rested your forehead against his.

                “I never, ever thought you could possibly feel the same. I’ve tried so hard to not fall in love with you for that reason but I definitely failed.” You giggled and he held you close.

                “Oh, how wrong you were.” He laughed as he leaned in again, catching your lips in his in a far more intense and passionate kiss. One hand grasping for your waist as the other one tangled itself in your hair. You were both barely aware of any of your surroundings, utterly lost in each other as his tongue swiped across your bottom lip, prompting you to part your lips slightly, allowing him access.

You had imagined this for years, always thinking that if you ever got the opportunity your head and heart would combust, yet now you felt at complete ease, almost as if your lips belonged right there attached to his. You could feel him smiling into the kiss as he pulled you impossibly closer. Eventually breaking apart from your lips and tracing light, open kisses from your jaw down your neck. You could feel the heat pooling between your legs and you tried your best to ignore it. It was better to take things slow, right?

                Tom’s hand had the t-shirt you were wearing balled into his fist, trying to keep his hands from your skin until the temptation was too much. He tentatively slid his hand under the shirt, resting it just above your hip bone as his thumb gently brushed the skin there. The action was in complete opposition to the kisses he was placing along your neck which were becoming hungrier by the second, teeth nipping ever so slightly. You involuntarily let out a quiet moan which didn’t go unnoticed by Tom who laughed breathily against your skin. He pulled away and your eyes met, silently questioning how far you wanted to go. You could see the undeniable want in his eyes and you knew yours looked the same by the way Tom nodded slightly, silent understanding passing between you both as he latched his lips onto yours and both of his hands slipped under your t-shirt, holding your waist close to him.

              You ran your hands under his shirt, fingers rippling over his abs as you pulled the offensive garment up over his head, breaking the kiss to allow for the movement. Tom took this opportunity to also tug your t-shirt off you, leaving you bare on top since you hadn’t put on a bra after your shower. His sharp intake of air brought your attention to him as he gazed at your half naked form appreciatively. His eyes worked their way up your body to your eyes and he pulled you close again.

                “Always knew you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever known but Christ, that seems like an understatement now.” He pulled you into another breath-taking kiss as his hands worked up your body, one hand cupping you breast, the other one lightly brushing over your nipple making your body arch into his. He played with your boobs until your nipples were stiff peaks and the core between your legs was dripping and aching for attention. Tom wrapped an arm around your waist and gently lowered you onto your back, positioning himself over you as his mouth dipped to lightly suck on your nipple, the sensation going straight to your core. You squirmed and rubbed your thighs together for any sort of release, prompting Tom to lower one hand down the waistband of your joggers. He teased you for a bit, ghosting his fingers over the skin just above until you whined in his mouth. His hand then dipped under the waistband and cupped your heat, the sudden change in feeling eliciting a whimper from you. His fingers danced around both your clit and your entrance, teasing you until you began whining and in retaliation, you very softly palmed the prominent bulge in his sweatpants forcing him to grind down on you to get more friction.

                He turned and dipped his head into your shoulder. “Okay, I get it. I’ll stop teasing.” He laughed as he ran a finger through your folds, making you shiver in anticipation, before dipping one finger slowly into you, moving in and out. Your hand found his length and pulled him free of his sweatpants, matching his pace and slowly moving your hand up and down. He tried to keep his hips still but ended up thrusting into your hand slightly each time you purposefully moved a bit slower than he wanted. He inserted another long finger into you, pumping slightly faster now and using his thumb to massage circles around your clit, brushing against the bundle of nerves every so often until you were writhing beneath him. He hovered over you, marvelling at every movement you were making, his eyes full of admiration as he slowly withdrew his hand. You whined slightly until you realised what he was doing. He lowered himself down, hooking his fingers into your joggers and underwear and pulling them off in one motion. He sat back on his heels for a moment, admiring the view before pulling his own pants and underwear off allowing you to see his cock for the first time; longer than you’d thought it would be, and you’d thought about it a lot in the small hours of the night when you needed a release, and definitely thicker. Before he’d had a chance to move, you sat forward and leaned down, wrapping your lips around the tip and swirling your tongue around it, before you lowered your mouth down, painstakingly slow, earning a gasp followed by a low groan from the man above you. One hand steadied himself on the bed while the other tentatively rested on the back of your head.

                “Fuck, darling. Always imagined you’d be good at that.” His words alone sent shockwaves to your core and you whined slightly around his cock, bobbing up and down and using your hand to massage whatever you couldn’t get with your mouth. “As much as I love this, princess, I’m not gonna last much longer.” You eased off him and he pulled you up for a kiss before gently pushing you back on the bed. “You sure you want this?” He asked before placing sweet kisses along your jaw line.

                “Are you serious? I honestly don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything more.” You told him honestly. He beamed at you and placed his hands underneath your thighs to pull you down the bed towards him, but then hesitated.

                “I don’t have any… Ugh, I have no condoms. I can go ask Harrison but that might be weird.” He scratched the back of his head and you giggled.

                “I’m on birth control and I’m clean so if you are too? I’m good with it.” He grinned eagerly and leaned down to press a chaste kiss to your lips as he lined himself up against your entrance.

                “You ready, love?” You whined against his lips and he took that as a ‘yes’, slowly pushing himself into you until he had bottomed out. You both groaned lowly in unison and he pressed his forehead against yours until you signalled that he could move. He started to thrust into you, building speed as he was going. From your view, he looked like a God. Toned arms holding himself up over you, sunlight bouncing off his already slightly tanned, toned body, eyebrows furrowed in absolute pleasure. You wrapped an arm around his bicep while the other hand found purchase on his shoulder, scratching at the skin ever so slightly. It was tentative; neither of you really knew what the other liked in bed but you were eager to learn what got him going.

                “Fuck, you’re taking me so well, love. Such a good girl.” You groaned at his words and tightened around him. “Oh, does someone have a little praise kink?” He sniggered and picked up the pace of his thrusts, pounding into you harder and faster than before, causing you to moan out, a mantra of his name falling from your lips only encouraging him to go harder still until he pulled out, leaving you empty and confused. He flashed you a smile and a wink before flipping you over and pulling you back by the hips, forcing you to hold yourself up by your arms as he entered you again from a different angle, hitting that sweet spot inside you and making you cry out in pleasure again.

                “Fuck, Tom. Right there, don’t stop.” Your words encouraged him to pound faster, drawing breathy moans out of you.

                “How do you feel so good? So tight around me.” His fingers were likely leaving bruises on your hips as he held onto you for dear life. Your arms were buckling underneath you until you couldn’t hold yourself up any longer. You let you arms fall, keeping your ass in the air, deepening the angle further causing Tom to groan loudly. “Fuck, love. I can’t… You gonna take my cum?” You were a mewling mess underneath him.

                “Tom, please…” Words were failing you as his thrusts sped up until he gripped your hips as if they were the only things keeping him grounded and his movements started getting sloppy. He gave out a loud grunt and you felt him release inside of you with each thrust until he collapsed on top of you, placing open mouthed kisses on your shoulder. You giggled and twisted around the face him, both of you breathing heavy and looking at each other in awe. You sighed contently and placed a kiss on his nose.

                “Oh, don’t think for a second that I’m forgetting about you, love.” He smiled wickedly as his fingers attach themselves to your clit again. You threw your head back in pleasure as Tom laughed and began placing wet kisses all the way down your body before licking a long stripe up your folds causing you to let out a high-pitched moan. He started slowly lapping at your clit, alternating between kitten licks and delving his tongue into your folds, tasting both himself and you. You run your fingers through the short hair on his head, trying your best to tug him closer to your aching core. He sucks at your clit, making you wild as you start your climb to the pique of an orgasm. You’re thrusting your hips upwards, trying to get the most friction possible until he wraps a strong arm around them and holds you down, his eyes meeting yours as he laps devilishly slowly and he uses his other hand to pump two fingers in and out of you simultaneously. Your eyes are rolling in the back of your head at the absolute heavenly sensations and you can feel yourself nearing your orgasm, building and building. The hand that Tom was using to hold your hips down comes up and intertwines his fingers with yours. You squeeze his hand gently, your thighs beginning to shake as your orgasm reaches its zenith and you feel absolute euphoria as Tom continues to lick and suck and graze his teeth along your clit. Eventually, the area becomes so sensitive that you have to push Tom’s head away from you, laughing and whining when he refuses to stop licking. You scramble to get away from him, sending you both into fits of giggles and laughter. Tom crawls back up the bed and pulls you to his chest, both of you catching your breath. You turn towards him to find him already staring at you.

                “I suppose now is a good time to ask you out to dinner?” He asks and you both burst out laughing again. “As my girlfriend, this time?” He adds when the laughter subsides.    

                “Yes, please. Only if you continue to call me that.” You lean up to kiss him gently. It was then you hear the banging coming from down the hall. And the moans.

                “Is that…?”

                “Haz and Anna. Yep.” He answers you. Which only starts the laughter up again.

                Eventually you both calm down, looking into each other’s eyes and holding each other close. Tom’s hand is running through your hair and you’re running your hand along his arm.

                “So much for the cups of tea.” Tom eyed the now freezing cold mugs on the bedside table. “And the hangovers.” He laughed.

              “How did it take us so long to do that?” You ask him earnestly.

                “Until now, it just wasn’t time, love.”

 Taglist:

rachaeldonnaspiteri1

averyfosterthoughts

[lovelyirony]

Hello friend! I'm in a mood and just feel like reading something sad. Could you pretty please maybe write some sad winteriron? Maybe something to do with terminal illness but it's up to you!

Being human means that there are many things that could happen to you and you can’t help it. 

Like cancer. 

Or being hit by a bus. 

Maybe a heart condition that you didn’t know about until you were thirty-two, had weird chest pains, and then found you didn’t have genetic testing done and neither parent told you about any extensive medical history because they both were estranged from the family. 

Okay. That was specific. 

But Tony was laying in a hospital bed and the doctors told him that he wouldn’t live past forty and he would die of heart failure. 

He feels like he should be hit harder by this. He only has eight years left to live. He shouldn’t be in his kitchen making eggs, he should probably be hysterically calling Rhodey and Pepper and Happy and asking them about funeral arrangements and what he’s going to do and quite possibly if spending the extra money to get the executive suite at the fancy hotel in Switzerland is worth it. 

Except he doesn’t want to. 

Death is a messy process. Not for him, they assured him of that. But everyone asks you questions and your loved ones. You have to figure out where to bury someone if they didn’t do it beforehand. Sometimes you have debates about cremation. Other times about how much you want to spend on a casket. 

He really doesn’t want to look at Rhodey or Pepper or Happy when they talk about that because he knows that their faces will break into tears and he will see the tear tracks when they go home to their houses and cry some more. 

Nonsense. 

If he can hide it, then he will. He doesn’t want to be a bother, it would be...unfortunate. 

Besides. He’s lonely at the top, and there’s no climbing back down the mountain. He won’t pull a Scrooge and get visited by three ghosts. 

So he lives. 

He pulls some risky moves, but nothing that makes Pepper have the “are you up to something serious that could potentially cause my midlife crisis to go off-schedule” talk. 

Again. 

He donates more money to charities and helps people pay off medical bills and walks around New York late at night to wonder why he’s going to die in eight or maybe even seven years instead of the proposed twenty to thirty. (What? He wasn’t going to be too generous, he knew himself.) 

Tony wonders sometimes if he will meet someone and they will make him want to live so much more than he can. It will be like those romantic dramas with rainfall and hair plastered to foreheads and passionate kisses that leave some of the older women teary-eyed and wishing that their husband would do something like that. 

But he’s a genius, so he knows statistics like the back of his hand. 

There will be no one. 

Eight turns into seven. He celebrates by getting absolutely slammed on New Year’s Eve and wakes up to the shittiest radio station blaring. He’s pretty sure they’re playing Maroon 5, which fucking ugh. 

New Year, new resolutions. He doesn’t bother to make one. 

“Why not? You usually make a joke one,” Rhodey says. 

“We are all going to die,” Tony answers. “Why make a resolution if I don’t want to? If I were to die in a year, it wouldn’t really matter.” 

“Okay Lord Byron,” Rhodey says, rolling his eyes. “You want Hot Topic giftcards for your birthday? Huh?” 

Tony laughs. 

Rhodey always knows how to make him laugh. 

Tony doesn’t know how he’s going to make Rhodey laugh when he’s dead. So that’s a breaking point where he stares at the wall and starts to write random memories down, like the time they snuck up onto a hotel’s roof to see the city wake up and the wind chapped their lips and Tony swore that he’d never leave Rhodey. 

Except he is. 

And he realizes that he needs to let Pepper and Rhodey and Happy know that he loves them a lot. So he starts the letters. 

He writes a letter to Pepper to remind her about how much she regrets getting light blue nail polish every single time she gets a manicure, and she should never get it. (Yes, even for a wedding she’s in, get something, anything other than that.) 

He writes a letter to Happy that is basically just wondering about how they can troll asshole celebrities that they know. He doesn’t know, but maybe he will find some dirt so that if Happy ever falls on dire times, he will have some extra cash flow coming in. Not that Tony would let that happen, but say Happy ever did. Maybe someone stole his bank information. Who knows what will happen in seven or six years. 

Summer still sucks. He thinks maybe he’ll like it more, now that he knows that his heart is going to quit. But it still smells like piss and garbage on the streets of New York, people are still blasting shitty music and riding bikes too dangerously, and he still feels gross by two p.m. when he goes outside to face the world. 

Not even the treat of shaved ice helps this. 

“At least I won’t have to face another one in seven years,” Tony murmurs. “Thank god for that.” 

Seven turns into six. 

It’s around this time when an attractive redhead shows up at his office, bends down a bit lower than necessary, and Tony gets the feeling that SHIELD should really train their agents a bit better if they want something out of him. 

He organizes a meeting with Fury, walks in, and states that they cannot afford him. 

“You know that your help would be particularly useful,” Fury says. 

“For you to get what?” He asks. “Don’t bullshit me with some answer about compassion. Peggy Carter was kind, but she wasn’t a damned saint.” 

“There are new...developments.” 

Like the fact that they’ve found Captain America. And Bucky Barnes didn’t fall off into a random ravine, so the four different conspiracy theory documentary videos that Tony watched last year were about five hours of wasted time. 

They need somewhere to stay. Fury wants Tony to foot the bill. 

“What, can’t ask the government for funding?” Tony asks. “I’m sure if they can up the budget for military every year, that covers Cap and his old pal. Hell, I bet they’ll even open up the champagne fridges.” 

“They don’t know about it.” 

“And why would that be? Because you’d rather have idols to yourself?” 

It’s a low-blow. But Tony agrees to take them in. He just doesn’t want to see them, notably because his father was a bit of a Captain America fan, Tony had had a crush on the former sharpshooter when he was a younger guy, and it was all kinds of messed up. 

But he gives them their own little apartment, one of his safehouses. 

“This ain’t little,” Steve mutters to himself, unpacking a box of plates. Natasha has been nice enough to show them around and tell them about the changes she finds relevant. She forced them to listen to what she called ‘the goddess of pop’ in the car, and Bucky nearly clawed out the stereo after “Toxic” came on. 

“Fuckin’ palace,” Bucky mutters. “Who’s is this?” 

“A man in high places,” Natasha answers. “He doesn’t want to be known. Doesn’t exactly play well with others.” 

She leaves them be, and there’s so much that has changed. Steve is still looking for any sign of the past he can find in Bucky, and Bucky...

He’s not who he used to be. He doesn’t remember half the shit that Steve does. Perks of having your brain so fried up that you can barely remember your middle name. 

They eat together in silence. 

“I guess...I guess we have to figure out who we really are,” Steve says. “Because you’re not who I remember, and I’m not...I guess I’m not either.” 

Bucky nods. 

“Do you reckon we’ll like going out dancing?” 

The answer is a strong no, although Steve has to say the drinks have improved a hell of a lot more. He likes the ones that come with the small paper umbrellas. He doesn’t know where they get them, but it gives him an idea for an art project. 

Tony doesn’t hear much about the wonder boys. He doesn’t want to, not really. Natasha just says they’re getting more and more adjusted and she has evidence of Steve Rogers going clubbing. 

“Oh my god,” Tony groans. “Romanoff, do not.” 

“It’s funny.” 

“I don’t wanna know.” 

“What, you jealous that you’re not dancing with him?” 

“Hardly. Blonde and beefy isn’t my type.” 

“Then what is?” 

“Classified.” Tony answered. “Now, is there anything else you want SHIELD to suck out of me?” 

“Well, my manicure funding is getting rather low...” 

Tony snorts, but points towards the door. 

His chest hurts. It’s been happening. He’s actually gotten used to it. In a way, he’s more concerned when it doesn’t hurt. He went to another specialist. They say his death sentence is signed, even if they don’t word it like that. Here’s how it is usually worded: 

“I have a colleague who works at insert-clinic/hospital-here...I can refer you to Dr. So-and-So?” 

They can. But it’s another list of referrals of so-and-so’s and clinics and appointments at the most inopportune times. 

All for nothing, because Tony knows that he can’t be fixed. The human body sometimes works like a machine. But it’s not one. It’d be like Tony calling a dog a wolf. Similar, but no one wants to bring a wolf into their house as a pet. 

He gets a phone call from someone named Deputy Director Hill. 

-

He needs a new arm. 

Barnes needs a new arm. Of course he does. Tony should’ve expected that, of course. Hydra isn’t exactly known for revolutionizing prosthetics or being particularly kind to their projects that they work on. So Tony automatically has a one-up. 

He gets Barnes to come to this mechanic garage, surrounded by old tin signs and vintage cars that cost more than most of the monthly rent of penthouses in New York. 

Bucky does a double-take. 

“Howard?” 

“I hope not,” Tony answers. “Hop up on the chair for me, please. I’m getting you a new arm.” 

“This is fine,” Barnes automatically spouts. Tony can see the damage from here, and can even point out that the arm’s reaction time is probably the worst it has been currently. 

“If you want to stick to your Great Depression ideals, then by all means be my guest and go bitch in a grocery store about prices,” Tony responds dryly. “But if you want an arm that’s gonna be actually good, then sit.” 

So he does. 

Tony looks incredibly similar to his father. But there’s something different about him. Something softer, almost. Bucky didn’t know Howard nearly as well as others did, but he knew that Tony wasn’t his father. 

“How are you adjusting to the city?” Tony asks. 

"Still the shithole we all know and love,” Bucky swears. “I think the rats got bigger.” 

“They did. It’s amusing and horrifying at the same time. You ride the subway yet?” 

“Yes and I’ve come to terms with it. Lots of new things to learn about it.” 

Barnes’ visits become more frequent. They talk about New York stuff. Tony tells him all about the fun events that have happened that he missed while he was doing time as an icicle. 

It’s nice, talking to him. Tony finally has someone who understands fatalistic humor and doesn’t respond with 

“That’s scary, Tony.” 

“What do you mean?” 

Bucky just says “cheers” and decides to tell Tony about the time he nearly died in 1992 because he lost his footing on the Eiffel Tower. 

Tony laughs, and laughs harder than he thought he had in a long time. 

-

Six turns into five. 

Bucky gets closer, and they have...something. He’s not sure what it is yet, but he knows that they go on breakfast dates most of the time and he knows the coffee orders by heart. 

“I think you’ve found someone,” Pepper says, teasing. “Look at you.” 

“Yeah, look at me,” Tony murmurs. 

He has five years left. That’s plenty of time to date someone and break up, right? 

Except. 

It’s...wonderful to date Bucky. They go all over, have fun trying the shittiest restaurants in town, and even get Steve to get out more and socialize with the group. 

They date and celebrate holidays together and have fun candles and--

Five turns into four. 

“Not that bad,” Tony whispers to himself when he’s getting ready for bed. 

“What’s not bad?” Bucky asks. 

“Nothing, sweetheart,” Tony says. “Just got a new toothpaste.” 

They watch It’s a Wonderful Life and Tony can’t really focus, not when he’s thinking about the fact that he still hasn’t picked out a design for his urn. 

Not when he realizes that he needs to break up with Bucky and make it a whole big scene so that no one will talk to him. It has to be about two years before the date, he thinks. 

He goes to another Dr. So-and-So. They say he might actually have one more year, but who knows. 

He doesn’t. 

But he wakes up with Bucky every day and they make breakfast, and he thinks that maybe he could tell him? Maybe? 

The words get stuck in his mouth. 

He can’t. 

He meets with his lawyer for the will. 

“Why making sudden changes?” 

“Just like to shake things up,” Tony says with a smile. “Never know what’s going to happen, right?” 

“You are right about that,” the lawyer says. He’s a bit uncomfortable. Tony Stark looks at him like he knows that his life is short and that something else will come up. But it’s not the lawyer’s job to ask if things really are okay, and it’s not like Tony would tell him anyway. 

So he makes the changes to the will. 

Tony looks at Bucky as he’s napping, face so peaceful. 

He can’t ruin that. 

[changbear]

Click Your Heart ~ Yang Jeongin

Description: You’re always in for a treat when hosting the school’s radio station.

Word Count: 4.6k

A/N: I AM BACK! I’m so sorry for being inactive for so long. This is inspired by the K-Drama “Click Your Heart”! I thought it was the cutest and I highly recommend it. AND I started this WAYYY before Jeongin got his braces removed. (Ik this kinda sucks :() More coming soon!!

As the lunch bell rings, students scurry out of their classes, in hopes of meeting their friends in the hallways. Despite being shoved by your classmates, you were able to make out your friend in the crowd.

“Jisung!” You exclaimed, hoping to catch his attention. He turned around, realizing that it was you who called his name and motioned towards the end of the hallway, where the lunchroom was located. Knowingly, you picked up your pace in order to catch up with him.

Cafeteria

Students lined up with their trays, waiting for food. It was either the most delicious cuisine or the absolute worst; there was no in between. Sighing out of relief, the school menu had more choices than usual. 

“Thank goodness! The food is actually okay to consume today,” Jisung smiled, putting the food on his tray. “By the way, where are you sitting today?’

You hesitantly scanned the cafeteria and noticed that the usual group you sat with was working on a project together, so you decided not to interfere. 

“Not my usual group, that’s for sure,” You turned back to Jisung. “Can I sit at your table today?” Jisung’s face lit up at your question. 

“Absolutely!” He squealed, hooking arms with you and then dragging you to his table, which caught you by surprise. “There’s someone you need to meet.” 

“Need to meet? They must be really important then,” You joked, only earning a scowl from Jisung. “Okay, please don’t kill me.”

At Jisung’s table, you saw familiar faces. There was Chan, Seungmin, Minho, Felix, Hyunjin, and Changbin. However, at the end of the table, you noticed a new yet familiar face. The boy had jet black hair that almost covered his eyes completely, with an amazingly structured face and braces. You made eye contact with the mysterious boy but you broke it, hoping that you weren’t blushing.

Jisung noticed, smiling to himself as he was satisfied with your reaction. ”Y/N, this is Yang Jeongin.” The boy—Jeongin, gave you a smile. You felt your cheeks heat up as you returned the smile and waved.

“From my music class!” I exclaimed, excitedly. Minho and Felix looked at each other, as if it was on cue. The older boy wiggled his eyebrows, earning a punch in the shoulder from Jeongin.

*

“Hello, student body and faculty!” Chan, your senior, cheerily exclaimed into the broadcasting room’s microphone. “Today’s topic is going to be a little different but we hope you’ll listen! But first, let us start today’s broadcast with ‘Music Reviews by Bang Chan’!”

Skimming down the list of topics for today’s broadcast, you noticed that you were assigned to something new.

‘Confessions with Y/N’ it read. You furrowed your eyebrows and decided that you should consult Chan once he was finished with his part.

‘Maybe the other club members would know.’ You thought, scanning the room to see if anyone else was just as confused as you were. Suddenly, Jisung and your friend, Seungmin, were standing in the corner, whispering to each other and glancing in your direction.

You sat down in the desk chair and pondered as your chin rested in your palm. ‘Let me wait and see.’

Chan exited the booth and handed you the papers that you would be reading from. Music played from inside the booth as the listeners waited for the next part of the broadcast, which was yours.

“I think you should introduce the new topic,” Chan suggested, lending you his dimpled smile. “You might find it interesting.”

You glanced at the paper briefly before turning back to your senior. “Is there something I’m missing here? We didn’t discuss this during last week’s meeting.”

Chan raised his eyebrows, considering he was surprised by your response. “It’s a special request. Not from me, but you’ll see, eventually. Just do it today, okay? Let’s see how it goes.”

Sighing, you nodded, causing the whispers from Jisung and Seungmin to die down. Chan patted your shoulder and wished you good luck. You entered the booth, adjusting the microphone to your comfort and cleared your throat before going back on the air.

“And that was 3RACHA’s ‘Placebo’! Let’s thank the trio for letting us advertise their song and make sure you give them a listen!” You fumbled the papers beneath the microphone, hoping your classmates wouldn’t hear the rustling of papers in the broadcast. “Hi, my name is Y/N and today we will be introducing something a little different from the usual broadcasts. Welcome to ‘Confessions with Y/N’!” Dying to get something off your chest? Submit your concerns to us and we can offer some advice. Stay tuned till next time!” Jisung motions to the time on the digital clock above the door, reminding you that time’s up.

You exited the booth and went back to the broadcasting club members, who were gathered in a circle. Chan dismissed you all, including Seungmin and Jisung. You were going to walk to the bus stop with them. The three of you asked Chan if he was coming along but he agreed to interview the dance club and get an idea for upcoming broadcasts. He had always been so hardworking and you wished he would take breaks and relax more but you didn’t bother anymore. It was almost impossible to convince him to take a break. You bid him goodbye before jogging to catch up with the two boys.

The next day

Grabbing your instrument, you walked into the music classroom and started back to your section, which depended on what instrument you played. In the music storage room, you bumped into Jeongin, who happened to be in your music, causing him to drop his music sheets. Flustered, you apologized.

“I’m sorry! Here—let me help you.” You bent down and started to pick up his papers and he did the same.

He smiled shyly, showing his defined cheekbones. “Really, it’s ok!”

His smile made you blush a little, causing you to break eye contact with him and stand up. You flattened the wrinkled corners of his sheet music and handed them back to him. “Here you go.”

Jeongin thanked you, which then led to the both of you standing there awkwardly, hoping one of you would break the ice.

“Oh!” Jeongin’s face lightened up as if he just remembered something. “Good job on your broadcast yesterday.” His bright smile stayed radiant from before.

How could someone have such a beautiful smile?

“Thank you!” You chuckled, grazing the case of your instrument. “I wonder if anyone will submit anything. Guess we have to wait and see.” You winked at him playfully, causing him to laugh.

He licked his lips and blinked rapidly. “Yeah, we will.”

•

Your teacher stopped the class in the middle of a piece to review a certain section, giving some of the class an opportunity to chat. You turned to your senior, Woojin, who was the only guitar player in the school’s music department. You asked him for help fixing your music stand, which he obliged to. As he was doing so, your eyes scanned the room, only to rest on Jeongin’s, who was not-so-discreetly staring at you. His eyes widened and shifted back to his music as he sat at the piano.

‘Weird.’ You thought before turning back to Woojin and thanking him for his help.

“Yang Jeongin! Your mind seemed to wander after we got to measure 17. Don’t get lost, that’s a very important part.” As the cute boy was scolded, he lowered his head but his gaze focused on you, which you didn’t notice until Woojin pointed it out.

“Sparkly eyes is still staring at you, Y/N,” Woojin chuckled. “Maybe you should talk to him after class.” He smirked, grabbing his pencil to write in music notes on his sheet.

The teacher made you all do two more pieces before the students were dismissed. You quickly put away your music stand and instrument in the crowded music storage room.

‘No sign of Jeongin,’ You thought, frowning a little. Staring at the time, you realized that it was almost time for the broadcasting club to start. ‘I guess I’ll try to talk to him tomorrow.’

The next day

After music class had ended, you waited patiently outside in the corridor, instrument in one hand and folder in other, in hopes that you would see Jeongin. Sadly, after minutes of waiting, you realized that he must have left to his next class already.

Jisung completed his part of the broadcasting which was: “How to make study material into a rap”. After the music break, it would be your turn to do your part; however, you dreaded it since you felt embarrassed reading confessions and not knowing what sort of advice to give.

Seungmin looked up from today’s schedule and motioned to you. “Y/N, you’re up.”

Swallowing the lump in your throat, you started into the booth and took a seat, flipping to the first page of lines you were given.

“Hello, and welcome back to “Confessions with Y/N”! My dear assistant, Seungmin, will bring them in.”

Seungmin brought in the box, which overflowed with slips of paper and handed it to you quickly, before shutting the door. This is going to take a while.

‘Why so many?’ You mouthed to him. He had a smirk plastered on his face and just shrugged, folding his arms against his chest afterward.

With your eyebrows furrowed, you began today’s “Confessions with Y/N” session.

“Hello everyone and welcome back to “Confessions with Y/N”! It seems like you all have lots to get off your chest but that’s what I’m here for-“ You cut yourself off to look through the many slips in the box. You studied the first one, reading it silently to yourself before repeating it into the studio’s microphone.

“Ok, here’s our first confession! ‘Hello, I’m in my first year and I struggle with finding a friend group. I have select friends from my classes but none of them are really my closest. How can I build a secure friendship?’” You fixed your position in the chair. “Well, I say maybe join some clubs or walk over to a random lunch table and ask: ‘Hey, can I sit here?’ Believe it or not, that’s how I made a couple friends so I don’t think it hurts to give it a shot!” You beamed.

A majority of the confessions were about drama in friend groups, crushes and odd experiences in their classes.

“Here’s an interesting one,” You paused to flatten out the crumbled paper. “It’s titled: ‘Crushing on my best friend’s boyfriend’. ‘Hi. Ever since my best friend got a boyfriend, he’s always around and I can’t help but notice him more. I tried to stop myself from developing feelings for him but he’s just making it harder. How can I stop this?’” Sighing, you put the paper to the side, beside the one confession that was left, waiting to be read.

“To be honest, I think this problem is common but often left unspoken. If I were you, I wouldn’t know what to do except wait and just hope-“ You are cut off by Chan snapping his fingers to get your attention and remind there are two minutes left. You acknowledged that you were pressed for time. “-that eventually they’ll go away. Maybe try to understand your feelings instead of being afraid of them.”

“Oh! It looks like we are almost out of time. I’m going to read one more and then that will be the end of ‘Confessions with Y/N’ for today!”

Reaching over to where the single piece of paper was, you grabbed it and began to unfold it.

Confused, you read the paper over and over again.

On the paper, there was a class number written: Class 503

“I’m a bit confused that this “confession” just has a class on it,” You mumbled. “On that note, make sure to tune in for the next broadcast! Thank you!” Taking off the headset, you placed it down on the table before exiting the room.

Small talk was made among the club members while you sorted the box that was bound to break; however, all the chatting was silenced once Chan walked in. He made his way over to you.

“So,” He cleared his throat, straightening his school shirt. “How’s the club’s newest edition coming along?” He said, excitedly. His dimple was prominent due to his wide smile.

You scratched your wrist lightly. “It’s going! I actually wanted to show you one of the confessions we got–“ You handed him the crumbled slip of paper that read of nothing but a class number. Furrowing his eyebrows at the sudden change of your voice, which seemed confused, Chan took it into his own hands and began to read.

“Hm,” His lips showed a hint of a smirk. “I wonder who could’ve sent it.”

He knows something.

You were not amused. You hated being confused and never liked to be left guessing. Crossing your arms tightly across your chest, you glared at Chan.

Noticing your expression, your elder raised his eyebrows. “What?”

“It seems like you know something,” You got closer to him, stroking your chin, suspiciously. “If I’m correct.”

“Listen, Y/N, I don’t know why you’re trying to accuse me of knowing. I would’ve told you.” Chan’s eyes softened, but his forehead tensed as he raised his eyebrows.

Feeling a little pang of guilt in your heart, you let your arms hang in defeat. “But I hate being confused!”

The class number seems so familiar.

DING! You had a light bulb moment.

“Oh!” Your sudden outburst of excitement surprised Chan. “That’s my class number! The person must be in my music class! Or they’re trying to reach someone in my class.” Chan chuckled at your behavior, patting you on the shoulder before turning to leave.

“Whatever you think, Y/N,” He shook his head playfully. “Anyways, I gotta go. Supposedly, the music club’s moderator couldn’t be at their meeting today so they asked me to do it.”

“But you’re a student.”

Chan cocked his eyebrow. “C’mon, look at who you’re talking to. I’m Bang Chan! Anyone can trust me.”

Rolling your eyes, you shoved your senior playfully towards the door so he can be on his way. You waved farewell to the rest of the club members before singlehandedly grabbing your bag and exiting the broadcasting room.

At the bus stop

Tap. Tap. Tap. TAP.

You couldn’t sit still as you waited for your bus. Jisung and Seungmin already boarded theirs and it seemed like hours ago that you were left by yourself. In one hand, you held the crumpled confession; meanwhile, your schedule was in the other.

‘This person must be in my class!’ You thought to yourself, but shook your head immediately. ‘I can’t just jump to conclusions.’

Frustratedly, you mumbled under your breath, shoving both papers back into your-already-messy backpack. You were beyond lost in your thoughts when someone suddenly joined you on the bus stop’s bench. 

“Maybe Woojin can help me.” You whispered to yourself, excitedly slipping it off your back then tossing it onto your lap, not realizing that you have wacked whoever was sitting on the bench.

Suddenly, a sharp breath was taken beside you, causing for you to turn and see who your victim was.

Yang Jeongin!

Eyes wide and mouth agape, you immediately started to rub his head, which is where you had hit him, apologizing frantically and your heartbeat quickening, as well.

“Oh my goodness!” My face feels like it’s on fire! “I am so so sorry! I’m so stupid, I can’t believe I didn’t-“

Softly, the flustered boy grabbed your hands, stopping their actions.

‘He has a soft touch,’ Breathlessly, you sat there, looking into those sparkly eyes that only stared back, making your stomach feel the light batting of butterflies. Noticing what he was doing, Jeongin’s eyes widened and he immediately yanked his hands away.

“I-It’s okay!” He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. You scrunched your forehead with worry.

“Did I hit you hard? I’m so sorry, I didn’t even notice you were next to me.”

He sighed, shoulders slouching. So Y/N didn’t even notice me. Great.

“Not at all!” He tried to disguise his disappointment. “I was just a little surprised, that’s all.”

‘Ah,’ You mouthed, chuckling slightly before looking down at your hands to play with your fingers.

Feeling the bench shift, you noticed Jeongin inch closer to you. Due to the unexpected closeness, you felt your ears burn along with your cheeks.

“This may sound super nosy but,” Jeongin paused, as if he was getting his words together. “Were just talking about Woojin hyung? Is everything okay?”

‘Oh great! He heard me mumbling to myself.’ You mentally rolled your eyes at your carelessness and sighed, turning to the cute boy beside. When did he get so cute? How come you’re just noticing how perfect his hair is, how defined his cheekbones are and how his smile could illiuminate an entire room? My goodness, Y/N, get a grip!

“Do you by any chance listen to the school broadcast?” Jeongin nodded.

“As you know, recently I was assigned to a new feature called ‘Confessions with Y/N’ and let me say this: it is certainly interesting. But there is one thing that is confusing me-“ You paused to open your backpack and pull out the crumbled paper. Normally, you wouldn’t show just anyone the confession but for some reason, deep down in your heart, you had a feeling Jeongin was trustworthy. Plus, this was an opportunity to talk to a cute boy, so why not?

“- It just says our music class number,” You handed the paper to him, which he took into his lightly shaking hands. “When I mentioned Woojin, I was debating if I should ask him for advice or not.”

“Maybe they’re doing a, uh, puzzle type thing! Like, maybe this isn’t their last confession, you know?” DING! What you just heard made so much sense and you couldn’t believe how oblivious you have been this whole time.

“Yang Jeongin, you’re brillant!”

While the two of you were chatting away, you didn’t even notice your bus pull up to the stop. It wasn’t until Jeongin pointed it out.

“Is that your bus?” You shot up, grabbing your backpack and swinging over one shoulder.

“Yes! Thank you!” You started towards the bus but paused.

“Aren’t you getting on?”

“Oh,” He laughed nervously, looking at the ground. “I, um, I don’t need to take the bus.”

“So why were you at the stop?”

“I, uh-“ Jeongin sighed, clearing his throat before declaring confidently:

“I wanted to talk to you.”

•

“HE WANTED TO TALK TO ME, WOOJIN!” I screamed into the phone. “CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? BECAUSE I CAN’T!”

“WELL, IF YOUR OBLIVIOUS ASS WOULD HAVE NOTICED HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE, THEN YOU WOULDN’T BE SO SHOCKED.”

“First of all, ouch. Second, even if I noticed, I wouldn’t have made a move. I’m way too shy.” You closed your books and shoved them into your backpack.

“What did you do after he said that to you?”

“Um...”

“Oh no. You didn’t just leave, did you?”

“I panicked! I didn’t know what to do. I’ll find him tomorrow, I promise!”

“No school tomorrow, dumbass.”

Monday

Each period dragged and it seemed like music class was lightyears away meanwhile it was only after lunch. You were a nervous wreck the whole day. Your body seemed to shake every time you looked at anyone in the halls, in anticipation that you would lock eyes with Jeongin. Plus, you didn’t even drink that much water! So why does it feel like you have to use the restroom ever five minutes?

Finally, the wait was over and it was time for music class. Lee Minho, your fellow classmate in Mathematics, tried to keep up with your fast and anxious but failed to do so. You apologized and said you would explain later.

Brushing past your classmates, you made your way into the music room and scanned the scene. No sight of Jeongin.

“If you’re looking for sparkly eyes, he’s not here today.” Startled, you sighed of relief when you realized it was just Woojin.

“Great,” You felt your eyes burn with tears. “I scared him away. He probably feels embarrassed. All because of me.”

Woojin patted my back gently. “Don’t worry. There’s still time. Maybe something came up.”

Broadcasting club meeting

“Hey guys-whoa! Why the pouty face, Y/N?” You rolled your eyes at Chan, gathering the papers for today’s broadcast before it was your turn to be on the air.

“Not the best day.” You mumbled, walking into the booth with your head down as Seungmin held the door open.

“Good afternoon, fellow students! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Today, we’re only going to read one confession and save the rest for next week, since we’re a little pressed for time.” Your school was sponsoring a firework show in the neighborhood’s park so a majority of the student body was heading to that part of town right after classes had ended.

“Okay,” You use the corner of the desk to flatten the paper. “‘A teacher of mine gave me a grade that I think is unfair. We did a group assignment and they never specified if we were going to be graded separately or as a group. I was the only one who did work and spent hours on it. Should I speak to my teacher?’”

I fixed my posture in my chair. “I know confrontation sucks but if you feel like the grade you received was not the grade you deserved, talk to the teacher! Try to make them understand that you were unsure how the grading process was going to work and that your partners were not helping you complete the assignment. Let them know where you stand!” Satisifed with your answer, you ended the broadcast feeling slightly better than before. You pushed yourself out of the chair and flicked the lights of the booth off, exiting into the main room.

“Sorry it had to be cut short. You know, with the festival happening later, there aren’t as many listeners as usual,” Chan went to grab his jacket, patting Seungmin on the back before heading out with him; both of them turning back to wave. You forced a smile and quickly closed the door behind them, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

In your hand, there was a confession.

It read: ‘Piano Room #3’.

You’re going to found out who is writing these confessions once and for all.

•

Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-DUM.

You swore the whole damn school could hear your heart beat louder and louder within each step you took. Why are my hands so sweaty?

Finally. You take your shaky hand and placed it on the cool, metal doorknob of Piano Room #3. After taking in a few deep breaths, you turned the doorknob and pushed the heavy door open, cursing to yourself about the minor inconvenience.

You couldn’t believe who sat there on the bench, with their fingers lightly stroking the keys of the piano.

Yang Jeongin.

“J-Jeongin?” He jumped in his seat, dropping the sheet music onto the freshly polished wooden floor. Before you could offer a hand, the cute boy quickly grabbed the papers, not caring about the creases he was causing by the way he was holding it.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt but,” You softly closed the door behind you; however, due to its weight, it closed quite loudly, causing for you to wince. “Have you seen anyone come by and wait around or something? Maybe hide something in the room?”

Jeongin stood quiet, prying his eyes away from you and looking down at his hands. You felt a slight pang in your heart as you felt embarrassed for asking such a question.

Shuffling towards the shelves of music books, you could feel Jeongin’s eyes burning holes through your back. Did I do something wrong? You shook the thought and continue to rummage through the books, skimming along their spines. Out of nowhere, two arms, snaked over your arms, pulling them to your chest. They possessed such a gentle yet firm hold and it seemed as if oxygen was suddenly snatched away from your lungs, making it hard to breathe.

“I like you, Y/N,” Jeongin’s voice shook. “I like you a lot. I just couldn’t say it to your face.” Softly and slowly, he removed his arms and placed his hands on your shoulders, turning you around.

Those sparkly eyes of his. The ones that made you stomach fill with butterflies stared into yours, making it harder to focus. “You don’t have to like me back.”

He nodded disappointedly before turning away and heading for the door.

Jeongin placed his hand on the doorknob. It’s now or never, Y/N.

“I like you, too!”

•

The street was filled with colorful lights, stands selling baked goods and objects like blankets, considering it was a brisk, autumn evening.

Not paying attention, a blanket was suddenly thrown onto your shoulders and a churro was placed in your hand.

“My treat.” Jeongin smiled. My goodness, this boy is really making my heart do backflips. After you had confessed to each other, Jeongin excitedly asked you to accompany him to the school festival, which you gladly accepted. Ever now and then, you would share silent moments of the two of you just smiling at each other, simply enjoying the other’s presence and not being able to fathom the idea.

You thanked him, grabbing the blanket and swinging it onto your arm. Suddenly, someone bumped into you quite hard. It was no one other than Han Jisung.

“Sorry, Y/N! The fireworks are starting now and we really wanna find a spot to sit!” We?

You furrowed your eyebrows, wondering who the other person could be. Your question was answered the moment Lee Felix came from behind you and waved. Felix squinted his eyes at you and Jeongin, then widening them. He violently grabbed Jisung’s wrists and motioned to the two of you.

“Do you think,” Felix whispered very loudly in his ear. “Do you think they came here together?!”

“Hyung, you’re a horrible whisperer.” Jeongin rolled his eyes, then turning to face you. “Let’s go find a spot.” He softly placed a hand on your back, guiding you towards the grassy area.

“Oh my goodness, did you see the hand? Our Jeongin is so grown!” You smirked at Felix and Jisung’s banter.

You approached a clearing, with few free spots. Luckily, there was a spot pretty close to the front and was the perfect for the you and Jeongin to squeeze in; though, deep down, you wouldn’t have minded the lack of space.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Please make yourselves comfortable as the firework show will be starting in 2 minutes.”

Glancing out of the corner of your eye, you noticed Jeongin sitting with his knees to his chest, giving you the impression that he was cold. You unfolded the blanket, placing it onto his shivering body. He turned you with a puzzled expression.

“You looked cold.” You smiled, playing with your fingers.

“Ready in 3!”

He stretched the blanket out, letting it fall gently on your shoulders.

“2!”

Then, Jeongin placed his arm on your back, nudging you under the shelter of the blanket.

“1!”

You felt his rapid heartbeat against your arm and couldn’t help but giggle to yourself.

Good to know I wasn’t the only one going crazy here.

[architectnews]

Edinburgh College of Art's interior design students imagine cultural centres for their city

In this school show, Edinburgh College of Art students are presenting 10 interiors projects for public and community spaces, from an archive chronicling Scotland's black diaspora to a hybrid day and nightclub.

Created by a mixture of graduate and post graduate students, the concepts adapt existing and historical buildings in Edinburgh for new uses, in a bid to create interiors that are sensitive to their context.

Edinburgh College of Art

University: Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh Courses: BA and MA Interior Design Tutors: Ed Hollis, Rachel Simmonds, Gillian Treacy and Andy Siddall

School statement:

"The interior design programmes at ECA use real buildings and spaces as testbeds for the adaption and evolution of interior, architectural and spatial design ideas. Under the Interior Lab initiative, staff and students share research knowledge to develop their own individual response to the discipline, benefitting from the international cohort's varied experiences and approaches.

"Further work of the students can be found at ECA's digital exhibition Summer 2020.

"Through self-generated briefs for their projects, our 10 graduates have proposed designs including an Astronomy Centre within a light-polluted city centre and a Black Cultural Archive and Legacy Centre for Scotland."

The Island of Knowledge by Alkistis Brountzou, MA

"The Island of Knowledge is an open, public space inside the Freemasons Hall for sharing knowledge and learning, which explores the spatial intersections of the physical and the digital world.

"Inside the main hall, or 'nest', new hybrid experiences are generated by utilising new technologies such as augmented reality inside of an expanded cinema, various multilayered exhibitions and lecture halls.

"The intervention's form emphatically symbolises the contradiction between the diachronic character of the space formations and the extremely changeable digital content, suggesting that the physical and digital, materiality and immateriality are interwoven by their contradictions."

Email: brountzoualk@gmail.com

Freemasons Hall by Gillian Kavanagh, MA


"My master's thesis focuses on the intersection between interior architecture and conservation. The design briefs I devised for the Freemasons Hall in Edinburgh challenge the idea of a historic institution in the modern world and question how interiors can be 're-programmed' to revitalise the institution's appeal.

"To represent these ideas, I explored experimental mixed media drawing methods including collage, watercolour sketching and video studies. Adaptive conservation aids the longevity of buildings, which is the principal ambition of my work. The layering of materials, decoration and human narratives significantly influences my approach to the conservation of interior architecture."

Email: gilliankavanagh54@gmail.com Instagram: @gk_trinsic

Viaticus by Mari Nasif, MA

"Inspired by the idea of Masonic degrees, the brief re-imagines the Freemasons' journey towards knowledge and translates this into spatial settings based on the learning domains proposed by Benjamin Bloom.

"The proposal, broadly defined as a philosophy library, occupies the voids inside of an existing staircase volume. Its verticality mirrors Bloom's hierarchical learning model where higher levels house more complex learning. Each degree is uniquely designed to activate the senses and help individuals resolve the cognitive challenges along the journey to mastery."

Email: mari_nasif@outlook.com Website: marinasif.com

Pixelbox by Sher Ming Foo, MA

"Pixelbox is a site-specific, transitional intervention designed as part of the museum in the Freemason Hall, Edinburgh. The lattice layout is an extrapolation of the building's existing design, with the addition of modern elements to create a new design language.

"The white, stainless steel structure seamlessly integrates furniture design and interior architecture, reducing the boundaries between the insertion and the existing building. Its location allows for the existing use of the Grand Hall to continue while welcoming visitors to the building."

Email: sherming97@gmail.com Website: linkedin.com/in/shermingfoo

The Ar/ba/Son Market by Sinead Russell, MA

"Personality is a big driving force in my work. I believe in curating and invoking a unique soul within the core of every project. I draw a lot of inspiration from researching and conceptualising how these projects may look and feel if they were people. I focus on creating a story and with every detail hope to add to that narration.

"Recently, my work has begun to focus its attention on artisans and craft, and specifically on the promotion of local makers. This project explores how their work can be incorporated within my designs to inspire a new appreciation for craft makers at a larger scale."

Email: sinrussdesign@gmail.com Website: sinruss.co.uk

The Third Place by Hollie Middleton, BA (hons)

"Like many UK cities, Edinburgh has seen soaring rents, an influx of Airbnbs and the perennial construction of student accommodation in the past decade. A little-known casualty of these private developments is Edinburgh's post-war architecture, which is overlooked in favour of maintaining the city's Georgian heritage.

"The Third Place is a Scottish architecture archive dedicated to preserving the history of undervalued post-war buildings and supporting local communities in challenging the homogenisation of Edinburgh's urban landscape. Black steel frames demarcate contemporary insertions while complimenting the existing lines of the 1960s building. Sculptural concrete forms echo iconic Scottish post-war structures."

Email: holliemiddletondesign@gmail.com Instagram: @byholliemiddleton

Black Cultural Archive and Legacy Centre of Scotland by Aaliyah Oshodi, BA (hons)

"This project establishes a Black Cultural Archive and Legacy Centre of Scotland. Archives are necessary to preserve the work of marginalised people but they are often overly clinical. That's why I wanted to create a space which is colourful and warm and where the lives and stories of the Black diaspora across Scotland can be collected and preserved.

"I created a series of interior spaces that facilitate oral storytelling. Inspired by the Adinkra stamped cloths of Ghana and the kanga garments of Kenya, I was able to design textiles and wallcoverings that can act as catalysts for conversation."

Email: hello@aaliodesigns.co.uk Website: aaliodesigns.co.uk

Scottish Literature Centre by Jiawen Zhang, BA (hons)

"This project aims to create a new literature centre for the city of Edinburgh. It hopes to connect and provide a central hub for all of the existing architectural spaces on the literary trail in Edinburgh Old Town.

"This interior proposal for the Tron Kirk church provides a central, easily accessible location for promoting local literature by providing spaces for interaction between local writers and literary tourists."

Email: jiawenz@umich.edu Website: 924370879.wixsite.com/website

Wax Lyrical by Bethany Harle, BA (hons)

"I am interested in how interior spaces can shape our wellbeing and behaviour. Alongside the alarming rate at which UK nightclubs are closing, this guided my graduate project. Called Wax Lyrical, this day and nightclub consists of five venues that focus on different aspects of nightlife culture: drinking, drugs, sex, dance and music.

"The design concept aims to reduce the risks to the physical and mental health of visitors, which are usually heightened within these environments. Informed by the experimental interiors of 1970s disco clubs, the spaces hope to create a healthy escape."

Email: bethany.harle@hotmail.com Website: bethharle.com

The Astronomy Culture Centre by Echo Zhu, BA (hons)

"The Astronomy Culture Centre is designed as an interior 'station', where the public can engage with sky events and explore the world above with interactive galleries and simulation technology, despite the light-polluted skies of Edinburgh. It helps visitors to investigate and understand our role in the universe and ultimately care about the future of humanity.

"The design strategy revolves around gravity, the dominant force in the universe, which is closely related to the birth of life on earth. This theoretical underpinning is integrated into the design in the form of flow routes to encourage experiencing and pursuing activities within the designed interior environment."

Email: echoecho0716@gmail.com Portfolio: linkedin.com/in/echo-zhu-67091a184

The post Edinburgh College of Art's interior design students imagine cultural centres for their city appeared first on Dezeen.

[arbitrarygreay]

For potential link rot purposes, this is the Tols Dance Club perf from H!P Winter 2019 NEW AGE

Always blog dance club

[danseinthefallout]

the art of danse - two

a paladin danse fanfiction

story warning; this story contains strong language, adult themes (such as violence, smut/NSFW themes, drug use, and other harsh themes) and canon and un canon language and story plots of Fallout 4 and Fallout 3. 

summary; yea, the bombs may have fallen, but art and love have not. and of course, people still tell white lies

~~

word count; 3.5k

chapter two; synthetic childhood

Everything went back to normal, as best as things can. It’s been around three days since Stella’s adventures out in the Commonwealth. That wasn’t going to stop her, she was planning on making way back to the police station in a couple of weeks. Luckily, the signal at the police station was now strong enough that Stella’s Pip-Boy cough their signal, so she could communicate with Haylen. She found that out last night while she was working on modding her guns, a strange voice came from it. At first, she was concerned, but when Haylen stated it was her and she realized she left the signal on her Pip-Boy, she was happy to hear from her. Haylen was happy to talk to someone other than people who were apart of the Brotherhood, and Stella was happy she could talk to Haylen, maybe she could get a signal elsewhere.

“What’s the craziest thing you fought?” Haylen asked to throw the speaker as Stella was tinkering with the gun she was making for Danse as a thank you. Stella sat back and thought about her question. Haylen snuck away to talk to her before Ryhs or even Danse would find her. Haylen has so many questions for Stella, about her crazy adventures she had. 

“At 16, I fought two Deathclaws in the middle of a Gunner shoot out. For some reason, the Deathclaws didn’t attack me, but they did help me kill the Gunners… then they tried to attack me so I shot one square in the head but it did manage to rip my gun in two before it blood out… so I had to try to kill the other Deathclaw with my combat knife. It took a while before I confused the Deathclaw and I ended up crawling on his back and slitting its throat… I should have just taken one of the Gunner’s gun and shooting them, but that thought didn’t cross my mind,” Stella said through the mic. “I know it sounds so untrue, but I have the scar to prove it,” Stella stated as she felt the scare on her neck and chest. It was nasty and when she got it, she swore she was going to die right then and there and be a Deathclaw’s dinner.

“Jesus…” Haylen sighed, baffled by Stella’s story “I think with that, you have Elder Maxon beat…” Haylen laughed. Stella blushed.

“You think I’d be a good Elder?” Stella laughed. “Ah, just kidding, you shouldn’t answer that,” Stella stated. Stella could hear someone walking in.

“Hey, Haylen, who are you talking too?” A familiar voice was heard. It was Danse

“It’s- It’s Stella, Paladin. The signal was strong enough that I’m able to contact Stella,” Haylen stated. Stella’s cheeks where flushed, thinking about the Paladin.

“Hi, Danse!” Stella cheered. 

“Hello, soldier, nice to hear from you again… Haylen, Ryhs needs to talk to you,” Danse spoke with seriousness in his tone.

“Oh… okay. Bye Stella!” Haylen cheered.

“Bye Haylen. Talk to you soon okay?” Stellas asked.

“Of course,” And with that Haylen disconnected from the channel. Stella smiled as she looked at the loose pieces of the rifle she was modding. 

Stella got up from her desk as she went to the kitchen in her quarters. She lived with Lucas and Joanna and their quarters were rather large. However, tonight, she was home alone. Lucas and Joanna went to the ‘night club’ for some free drinks, but Stella wanted to stay behind to do some modding and to talk to Haylen of course. 

Stella went to the fridge as she grabbed an ice-cold Nuka-Cola. Endcliff was a freak about pre-war foods and actually being edible, so their scientists and chefs would get together to make them. It was nice. 

She took a sip, and sat down, unsure of what to do next of her rifle, maybe a suppressor? Ah, who knows. Stella just decided to move her little gun project back in her locker and pull out her typewriter, might as well finish that play she was writing for Cosmos…

The thing with Endcliff, is that they value education and the most important art and anything creative. That’s why it’s such a perfect fit for her. Stella always valued things like crafting, music, writing, painting, and dance. It would help heal wounds that were never physical. She remembered when she ran off to Goodneighbor in hopes of a memory wipe, she would sketch all the emotions she felt in her notebook. Luckily, before anything could happen, Nick Valentine busted in, helping her cope with her emotions, with her friends by her side. She realized that maybe she could learn from this and make art to express the awful feeling that flowed throw her veins. Or where they veins? 

Yea, the past 4 years have been difficult after her little disappearing act, but who could blame her? The women just found out she’s a fucking synth prototype and everyone is after her? Was her mother really her mother? Or just a vessel for a synthetic baby? All her childhood felt so real, but was it real to everyone else? 

Vault-Tec and the Institue? What a cluster fuck for disaster. 

What scared her the most is that the Institue still is after her. Even when she was captured at 19, she managed to wipe her entire file and flee. She was safe for now… but she keeps wounding when her time will run out and there will be a ninth attempt on her life. 

She kept that all to herself, the only people who knew her true self where her family and Nicky. She was happy about her new friendship with Valentine. He was fun and treated her with such care. He was like a father figure to her new identity and well, Nick felt comfort when she was around. A prototype. Just like him.

It was cruel what they did, telling her that she’s just a science project to those fuckers at the Institute on her 18th birthday, making her life crumble and saying her time was up. She couldn’t do that. She had to find something or someone else. Leave, forever. She realized she didn’t want that. Fuck the Institue.

The funny thing is, Stella, remembers her childhood like everyone normal child can… or as normal as one can get. Her oldest brother being in a gang and harassing everyone that crossed him and playing with anyone but the kids her age. The vault was never supposed to open. That’s what the Institute wanted. They thought that if they grew up on in a vault, they can easily get information, but now she’s here, in the Commonwealth where their little labs are. I guess she always knew something was off with her. She was anxious all the time and thought nothing she did was normal. She questioned her sexuality and her place in the world. It hit her too that she liked everyone, even ghouls and synths. She just didn’t care. Pre-war days, they would have a name for that. 

She was lucky she made way to Little Lamplight after she lefts her life behind. She never really cared for the vault, no one ever cared for her. She did question if anyone ever tried to look for her, but she didn’t look for them, so it was whatever.

 Stella never saw the world until she was 12. Broken… lost… She saw pictures of it before the bombs fell and she’d hope something of that life was still there. It was the Mayor of Lamplight that befriended her, they where close. He was the only one she talked to before she up and left again. Robert MacCready. Stella heard a rumor he was running with Gunner’s now and he made way to the Commonwealth too. She’d hope to bump into him at some point, maybe without the bloodshed, of course

Stella traveled everywhere in the Capital Wasteland before she made way to the Galaxy News Radio station. It was a blur at that time of her life. Brotherhood of Steel soldiers were doing their business. They were kind enough to let her stay there. Maybe that’s why she’s so drawn to the Brotherhood, even if they wanted to hunt her down now. Or maybe it was the fact that her first kiss and even doing that for the first time was with a Knight. She was 15, 2 months before she was planning on leaving and she had a crush on a new Knight… Knight Micheal. He was 17. The two hung out a lot and well… one thing leads to another and she was no longer a virgin. But that’s neither here or there.

Stella sat there, staring mindlessly, caught up in her thoughts. For a machine whose every waking moment was supposed to be programmed, she sure did think a lot. Quite honestly, with everything that happened since she got the news about herself, a lot of shit happened and well… she somehow saw the positive in it all. Even when the Institue did capture her only a year later. She learned a lot about herself in that time slot. She saw a lot of things she wishes she could be programmed to forget, but maybe… it was there for a reason. No matter what people say… no matter what the Brotherhood says or those bastards at the Institue, she is human.  People forget what human even means in this climate. 

Stella’s relationship with herself and other synths are always off and on, but to be fair, no other person outside Endcliff knows, it was the ones who were mindless under orders, jealous, almost towards her. She never understood why. Maybe the fact she remembered her childhood, had a real mother and father… but underneath it all, they were apart of the experiment all the same. She did feel bad for those wishing to have that loving mother or father, but that was never up to her. Nothing was. Besides her escape, of course.

The Institue was stupid enough to have every track record of there captured and escaped synths and there every move. Just on a terminal for anyone that can get their hands on it. They didn’t know she was going to escape with a few others, but she overheard a few idiots talking about it and so she found her file and deleted it so that when she’s back home, they won’t have a clue where she was. LV-32. Gone. It was a stupidly complicated yet simple plan with a lot of waiting. At least someone helped her. The Railroad. 

Stella always heard about The Railroad even before she found out about being LV-32. She knew someone in The Institue was dancing with them. She owed a little bit of her freedom because of them.

Stella had no clue who was apart of there secret cool kids club, or anyone from Endcliff. When she got back from here escape, a new resident, Athena, moved in. Stella always thought she was odd, but she respected it. They talked every now and again when she went to Cosom’s. She ended up working costumes and was a fantastic seamstress. She could make anything you ever wanted to wear, amazing for any production Cosmos would put on. Athena would always ask Stella questions, not invasive questions if Stella had any, she was a pretty open person after all (besides her synth nature to outsiders)

Stella and Athena bonded a month after everything. Cosmo wanted to put on a production of a play he worked on called Poison of Creature he wrote with the help of Lucas. Stella played Noble, a woman who was a witch. Athena did all her costumes and hung out a lot backstage with Stella. It was no Lucas or Joanna to the level of trust and closeness, but she was glad she made a new friend. 

It wasn’t until closing night she got a chance to meet… Deacon… and Glory and Tinker Tom. Athena invited some “friends” from her old settlement to watch the play and come to the little after party back at Cosmos’ place. Stella hit it off with Athena’s friends and well… months later told her everything or enough that Dez wouldn’t skin any of them alive. Just like the Brotherhood, she didn’t join them, but she did befriend them.

Stella was kicked off out of her through as she heard her radio coming on, someone was trying to contact her. It was probably Haylen again.

“Haylen? Is that you?” She spoke, leaning into the mic.

“No. This is Paladin Danse. Scribe Haylen is on a mission, she’ll be back in a few hours… I… I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to speak to you… if you have time, that is,” Danse voice was husky and Stella couldn’t help but swoon. She was so happy to hear from him again.

“I always have time for you and your team, Paladin,” Stella spoke with professionalism.

“Please, call me Danse… I just wanted to properly thank you for helping us. It has been a stressful time and I would have left for the Prywen by now but I have to stay with my time to make sure they are good. I’m happy Haylen has continued to keep in contact with you,” Danse said, honestly.

“I’m glad to help out… sometimes we forget to help others… speaking of which, I’m making you something as a thank you, will you be at the police station in a week?” Stella asked. Danse chuckled, you could hear him blushing.

“I’m supposed to go back to the Prydwen in a few days, but I can always tell the Elder I need more time… that’s very thoughtful of you, soldier…” He paused as Stella smiled. Oh boy, she could feel that crush feeling crawling in. Not in this climate! “I’m glad you picked up, I wasn’t sure who or what I’d be talking to with Haylen’s radio,”  Danse chuckled.

“I’m glad you contacted me. I have a million things I should do, but no inspiration is hitting me at the moment,” Stella admitted as she looked at the empty page of her play and the loose screws of her gun. Ugh, creation block.

“Inspiration for what?” Danse asked.

“I’m writing a play and modding something special… usually, I’ll have the first scene of my play done and the rest just come naturally, but… I think I can’t get my mind off of what happened. I can’t write about our loses or my adventures ether. It’s been the plot of my last 3 plays. Love? Murder? Synthetic lies?! Ah, sorry for rambling…” Stella stumbled over her words as she thought of another generic plot point.

“You’re a writer? We don’t have many of those nowadays. I always wanted to go to a play, but I’m always busy for the Brotherhood. Maybe write something that could have happened before the war… Baseball or country music. Simple. Peaceful…” It was clear that Danse, too was trailing off, but Stella listened to him carefully. She didn’t know a lot about things from before the war. She only knew of this life.

“You’re more than welcome to come to Endcliff, we usually have productions of plays that our friend Cosmos puts on. Sometimes it’s someone else. He’s currently running around like a madman, putting up a rusty set. And yes, I’m more of an artist, you could say. I paint and dance and sometimes I bang on tables! Damnit that sounded… sexual, ah… you know what I mean,” Stella laughed, completely making herself sound like a fool. Danse laughed at her, enjoying the conversation they were having.

“I’ll try to find a way to Endcliff, and I think I have an idea of what you mean. I heard stories of Endcliff, it sounds like such a strange place, the Brotherhood could make use of such a place,” Danse replied.

“I’d hope you’re not planning on raiding us… you’re making me nervous, Paladin,” Stella joked. “And yea, Endcliff is about education and art. A lot of settlers and traders and people of all walks of life come here, some live here. Mayor Kinnojo kept it safe and the same since his father passed away. We don’t keep people out, but you do have to pass security and Benji takes his job seriously… expect for the raider ambush… poor Benji is still trying to hold himself together… Anyways, hows Brotherhood life? And don’t worry I’m not trying to get you to tell me all your secrets,” Stella laughed.

“The Brotherhood is an honor to be in. I’ve works hours with my brother and sisters, saw many good soldiers come and go. My whole life is dedicated to the Brotherhood… but you can say it’s more than that,” Danse let out a comforting sigh. “Have you considered joining the Brotherhood? After taking care of yourself, you seem to be what the Brotherhood is looking for,” Danse asked. Stella thought about it for a moment. 

“I ride solo, only really ride with Lucas and Joanna and for the people in Endcliff. It’s funny, back in the Capital Wasteland, I was around with a lot of Brotherhood soldiers but never would want to become one myself. I’d rather just do things my way, help people I want to help. I’m unsure why people always ask me to join their clubs… I mean, it’s nice that people think I’m good enough for them, but… it’s all bullshit,” Stella spoke with honesty. Maybe she should join one of those ‘clubs’. “I traveled with many people before I meet Joanna and Lucas, I was working with a raider gang, fixing their guns at one point. Hated every second of that gig… And of course the kids at Little Lamplight and the soldiers at Galaxy News Radio… but none of it felt like me. Yea, sure it gets lonely as hell when all you do is run with two people or even by yourself, but at those times I remember why I do it. To find clarity,” Stella looked at the blank page in her typewriter. “I suck… sorry for my life story… I really need to take it easy on the Nuka Cola,” Stella awkwardly laughed.

“It’s okay, soldier. I understand. I hope you change your mind and join us down the line,” Danse stated. If only he knew what she was… “I’m sorry to cut it short, but I have to go, Haylen and the team is back. I hope to see you soon,” With that and two goodbyes, the channel on her radio lost signal. She looked at her Pip-Boy. It was now midnight.

Stella got up and put on her coat. She wanted to go to Vista’s for a drink and some fucking food.

Usually, sitting at a bar, by yourself at midnight would be pretty fucking sad, but it’s Vista’s and tonight Kamilia was working. Stella sipped her whiskey as she listened to Liza Bush do her set. For such a popular hot spot for drunken mistakes, it was pretty fucking quiet tonight.

“Come here often?” Stella heard a recognizable voice next to her as she shifted her body. She prayed it wasn’t Danny… she would hate herself if it was… She took a sip as she looked to her left to see Deacon. She smiled and rolled her eyes as Deacon moved to sit next to her.

“Yes, all the time… What brings you back to Endcliff? Forget a disguise of ‘Pretentious Art Snob?’” Stella asked, making Deacon laugh.

“That would be such a good disguise for a place like this… but no… I came here to talk to you,” Deacon had some seriousness in his voice as Stella tilted her head in concern. 

“Deacon is everything okay?” Stella asked.

“Yes… and well… no. Remember that man who was with me last time I visited Athena? F8-L9 or Gray we called him?” Deacon asked, catching Stella’s mind up.

“Oh yes! He had a passion for the arts, a perfect fit for Endcliff. Is everything alright with him?” Stella asked.

“He was supposed to be here with me so he could get a residentship here after speaking with Mayor Kinnojo, but Glory said he went all cuckoo and fleed to Goodnaighbor for a memory wipe, I’m afraid the Institute is after him and he just had a memory wipe before his visit,” Deacon explained the situation. Stella took another sip of her drink.

“That sounds like a hard deal… two memory wipes in that short amount of time can be dangerous and afar from the Institue goes, you guys always got that part covered,” Stella stated.

“You’re going to hate me, but we need your help,” Deacon spoke. Stella raised her eyebrows.

“Why me? I’m not even an agent,” Stella reminded Deacon.

“Because what I’ve gathered, Gray really likes you and your art and maybe you could tell him something that could convince him. We don’t have to leave until tomorrow evening… Please, you owe us this much. And besides, don’t you miss traveling with this face?” Deacon asked as he batted his eyelashes, but of course, couldn’t see with him wearing sunglassed in a dim bar.

“Fine, but we’re going to Cambridge Police Station, I have to give a Paladin something for helping me,” Stella explained.

“Okay, deal… Thank you, Stella,” Deacon smiled as he got up and left. What happened with running alone?

Authors Note; This has been really fun writing and I have a whole plot for this story. Don’t worry, I won’t flood your timelines with only this story, I’ll post other junk too. Hope you enjoyed and my asks are open for anything x

[hotarutranslations]

AraKashi, Seisenkan Muranushi

Evening

Thank you very much for your support at the Tachikawa performance🪽

They continued to help us during the new year, and we've returned today,

And also introduced the new Tsubaki Factory members!

It was a really wonderful time Thank you very much for today as well🪽 It was a fun and happy day today too🪽

See you tomorrow, thanks for the support at our afternoon performance at Tachikawa!

Today, it aired🌸

Sendai Broadcast "Ara Ara Kashiko" Ishida Ayumi Goes! ~Miyagi Super Marktet Side Dishes ･ Sweets Ver.~

Thank you very much🌸

When writing sentences, like, lets update Insta now, the amount of text ended up like a blog⚠️

And so, I came back to write a blog after all

While its nice that the text is also on Insta, its still a lot there⚠️

Please read the blog while, comparing the photos on Insta! lol

I'll write the blog first, though the stream is at a later date……🙊🙊

I visited 2 super markets, and I'll write about them separately!

First off today,

The sight of meat lined up next to these, cute voluminous fruit sandwiches is impressive,

"Seisenkan Muranushi"-sandwiches

With the ripe fruits sold at the store, they create the fruit sandwiches in-store🍓 Its so good you can only find it at the super market………

If you look at the photo of fruit sandwiches line up,

From the product name, Can you tell what I was into lol Everyone think about it its cute😂🫶🏻

Buying it here today, I ate a grilled fruit sandwich for the first time, it was suppperrrr delicious! It was slightly salty!

At Muranushi-sans's, I helped out with e new product ideas and,

I decided on a theme☀️ fufu

Choco x Banana x Cornflake x Cream That is, we came up with a sandwich that was certainly a combination of these🤦🏻‍♀️

and, we actually made it

Please take a look at the 6th photo on Insta I did a cross-section cut in the wrong direction

I'm satisfied I didn't make the mistake in the 7th photo

Fruits sandwiches are difficult to make!!

Also I got to see them being made, They add in a luxurious amount of cream, it was a really happy scene for customers!!

From today, actually, the product that came from my idea, is being sold at the super market🤤🍫🍌

Ah, of course they are beautifully made and sold←

#SaturdayMorningFever

It also has a disctinct name! lol

Please definitely give it a taste🤤🍫🍌

I don't know, How long it will be on sale but, I wonder if it will be sold for a long time if its popularrr🫶🏻

Do your best! Sunday Morning Fever! lol

The past show's are,

OX VIDEO STORE

Wait a bit longer, for todays show to go on streaming~~~

📺Hello Pro Dance Gakuen Season 11

April 18th 11:30PM~ A Learning From TSUKUSHI-san Adventure🕺

In season 10 we challenged breakin', its reairing continously! On the 15th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, #1~#6 all at once! Check out HP for info!

Hello! Station #515 "Hello! Project 25th Anniversary" New Member Audition Results Special!!

New members were announced😳🪽

💿Releasing February 7th

Morning Musume '23 25th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TOUR ~glad quarter-century~ at Nippon Budokan

Thank you for waiting for the Blu-ray&DVD! Its finally releasing--!

Its already nostalgic but, It has an amazing medley, really Please enjoy it many times

📚Releasing on February 7th "Hello! Project BEST SHOT!! Vol.26"

Ishida AyumixOda SakuraxNonaka Miki📸 Fukumura MizukixIshida AyumixOda Sakura📸

✍🏻Tokyo Sports note Series

Hello Pro Dance Club

The topic of todays column is dance, by all means

🪩Current Winter Concert Tour Hello! Project 2024 Winter ~THREE OF US~

🪩Spring Tour Has Been Decided Morning Musume '24 Concert Tour Spring MOTTO MORNING MUSUME

We'll be going around the country from March 16th!

🪩HinaFest March 30th and 31st at Makuhari Messe

🪩JAPAN JAM Morning Musume '24 will be performing on May 3rd!

.👗👠 Aoyama Clothing x Morning Musume '24

📻Morning Musume '24 Morning Jogakuin ~Houkago Meeting~

Airs Every Saturday, On Radio Nihon at 12:00AM~

Past Broadcast Episodes Are Available →Program Details

see you ayumin <3

[bangtanficrecs]

Lost & Found Batch #20

Can’t start up the blog again without posting the newest batch! As always, if you happen to know the fic the ask is looking for, reply to this post or send us an ask with the request number and title/author. If you happen to know any fics from Past Batches, those are more than welcome as well. Thank you!! ~ Admin P

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

1) Hi! I’m looking for a fic I read quite a while ago and if you can help me i’ll be forever grateful... it was about namjoon having powers and accidentally causing damage, so seokjin (who was a kind of a social worker assigned to him) sent him to live with yoongi as a way to make up for his “crime”. Yoongi was also magical and lived isolated from society. If I remember correctly hoseok was also guilty of something and sent to yoongi with namjoon. Sorry if it’s too vague, but that’s all I remember

2) Hi, I decided to give this a try though I think the fic may have been deleted because I just can't find the fic anymore. Basically its ot7 and the main character (Jungkook?) took the boys to meet his mom. The author had the boys super athletic, tall and in college;they were also from Texas. Jungkook sadly had to deal with homophobic classmates. It was a one shot I believe.

Hey, Momma by CaridwenAngetueur1

3) hi!! i’m trying to find a yoonmin fic i read a while ago, where yoongi lived in this small town and had an apothecary and jimin would come and sing in the town centre, and yoongi would give him something for his nerves before he’d go on stage. i remember jimin would glow and light would shoot out from him when he sung. it was a completed fic on ao3, i can’t seem to find it. thank you so much for your help!!

4) Hello! If you don’t mind helping me, im looking for a jikook fic i can’t seem to find again on ao3. Its a time travel, canon au where present day bts where in japan and Jungkook had went through a shrine? He ends up in the past with younger!bts and acts as like a cousin to Jungkook until they can figure out how to send him back. I remember there being a scene where younger!bts miss their flight to help older!jungkook get back to the future? If you need more details please let me know. Thank you!

5) Hello! I'm looking for a vmin fic where flowers literally grow on Tae and he's really insecure about it and gets depressed. It's super soft and fluffy and the entire thing is pretty much just Jimin taking care and comforting him. I'm pretty sure it's a one-shot and that they are the only two that are explicitly brought up. I love it so much and I hope that this isn't too vague.

6) hi idk if any of u can help me find this fic but imma try: its an au in which kids go disappearing often and i can only remember that one day taehyung is one of them and jungkook takes it up on himself to find him bc he firmly believes that he isnt dead yet. not sure bout this but i also think tae got kidnapped to get tested on? and seokjin is one of the doctors in that institution??? this fic is written by a fanboy as far as i can recall and had a reallyyyyyy hard to remember title sigh 😔

kotov syndrome by wormkun Note: The fic is locked and requires an AO3 account to view

7) Hey so I read this fic a while ago but no matter what i search, i can't seem to find it. Namjoon was a depressed ?college student? and he wrote songs that he only showed to his friend Jimin. He and Jimin go to a coffee shop where Yoongi works and yoongi keeps leaving notes to RM on Joon's coffee cups, but namjoon doesnt' know who RM is. I think it turns out Jimin had been posting Joons songs and yoongi recognized his voice and wanted to encourage him. NJ writes always and almost attempts suicide

8) Hello, I was wondering if you could help find this fanfic I've looking for forever. It's an ot7 relationship fic ( I think it's jimin centric). it was still not completed. The summary was something like taehyung asking jimin if he wanted to be in a relationship with them and jimin saying No. Because technically he already knew they were all in a relationship and he felt betrayed that he was left out for so long. There is something about a creepy sasaeng fan too. I would really appreciate it.

Last to Know by Meadow_Wanderer

9) Hi! Im looking for an au fic where Jungkook was depressed, and was with V who had anger problems bc of past child abuse. Jhope didn’t like Jungkook bc of something about his dark past involving his sister who I think was raped and died. I also remembered RM having a tattoo and being an ex member of a mafia group. He blew a gas station up, and Jin thought he died but he came back, and they had sex on the window. JK attempted suicide as well but Jin saved him. Thanks!!

10) I'm searching for a vminhope fanfic. It was I believe an A/B/O one. It was on aff. Hoseok was a berserker, Jimin was a beta and Tae was an omega.

11) Hi!!!!! I've been looking for this one fic forever. It's about jungkook who's an art student and jimin and taehyung are cops who look out for him. Jungkook talks a lot about suicide and he's a university art student. I think one of the art projects in the fic was a corpse painting with flowers. Jungkook also stole from a convenience store and when jimin and Rae caught up to him they noted he had a red beanie in his pocket. Thats all. Thank you!!!

12) There was this fic where Jungkook was lonely and lived alone in a hut on the woods, and he saw Jimin in a club took him to that hut and Jimin tried to run away but Injured his leg and had to stay. It's wip, and now i can't find it :( help please?

13) i'm having trouble finding a fanfic about taekook, where jungkook finds taehyung in a lake (or any body of water), and it turns out that he's from past times. he shows taehyung around present day, and taehyung at one point dresses up as a cowboy. jungkook gives taehyung's peepee the big succ, they get caught by the police, but they run away. from my memory, that's where it ends, or there may be more to it. even tags from ao3 to jog my memory will help.

14) I read this Taejin fanfic a while ago and now I can’t find it, all I know about it is that Taehyung was in some way abused and Jin brought him to his home, also that Jin had a twin brother, also it had many chapters, if you can find it I’ll be very grateful!!!

15) Hi! I read a yoomin fic in ao3 when I was new in the Fandom and I can't find it anywhere, I remember it being angst, mostly Yoongi's pov, it was set in the I need you era and Yoongi played the piano for jungkook's dance, I also remember Jimin struggled with eating disorders and alcoholism and that at some point they had a big fight when jimin came home drunk in a random cab d

16) Hi! I can't find a fic I read few years ago, so I was wondering if you could help)) It was Taehyung/Namjoon fic, and Namjoon hired him as his fake ex-boyfriend so that his friends (Hoseok and Jimin if I remember correctly) would stop asking him to go on dates or smth like that.

if it bleeds by wertstoffhof (roachprince)

17) Hello! I’m hoping you can help me find a fic, it’s a mental hospital one where all the members apart from jin and namjoon are in the mental hospital and another member (maybe jungkook) arrives and it turns out jin is making up their diagnosis because he thought they’d want to stay longer. If that’s too brief i can remember specific bits but i couldn’t find anything on your tags, thank you! Jin is a sort of like a therapist who looks after them and namjoon is like the manager of sorts i think

Seeking Heaven by fullofsuga

18) Hello, hope you're well! I was wondering if you could help me find a Jihope fic that I've been looking for forever! Jimin was friends with Taehyung and didn't know the rest of the boys until he was added into a group chat. I remember that Jimin worked in a shop that was broken in to, and that Taehyung didn't want Jimin and Hoseok to date? I think the chapter titles were all days of the week as well - thank you!!

19) Hey do you know the name of this historic au fic where Yoongi is a chaebol and I think he buys Jungkook from his abusive dad to be his servant? I remember he teaches him how to read and even gives up his money just to be with jungkook and becomes an author

tear the moon from the stars tonight by euphoriae

20) Hi! I'm looking for a YoonMin fanfic that's a pretend/fake dating au, where Jimin was at the grocery shop and his ex suddenly came up and started teasing/mocking him? Then Yoongi suddenly came up behind him and started pretending to be his bf? Thank you so much and I'm so sorry for the bother!

21) Hey! I've been looking for this fic forever (i've tried every tag on ao3, god help me). It's a v/yoongi fic where tae is really into public sex and yoongi too, but yoongi is shy at first. there's a scene at the beginning where yoongi is on a date with a girl and he goes to the bathroom to masturbate. at the middle they both are in a restaurant with 2 other people (from bts, i can't remember which members) and tae touches him. at the end tae masturbates yoongi in a restaurant/karaoke booth?

Hands-On Learning by pornographicpenguin

22) Hi! Looking for this multi chaptered abo fic where Yoongi is a omega and kookie presents as an alpha during practice and triggers yoongi's heat. Later on jin and joon become mates but it's mainly about yoonkook slowly getting together... Idk if that's helpful but it's driving me crazy because I can't find it

23) Hi, I'm looking for an old jin/yoongi fic that had a magical element in it I read a while ago and need a little help. Yoongi is an underground rapper and he always passes by this shop. One night after a gig he actually stops in front of it and goes in. Jin runs it and gives him a drink. (I think its tea but idk) he also gives him a muffin or cupcake. At the end jin tells yoongi he was looking for love and that's what led yoongi into the shop.

24) Hi! I’m looking for a fic I read a year back. It has Jin as an assassin and he saved the maknae line from abuse and stuffs and they fell in love with him. And he also has a relationship with Suga

25) Weird fic I read but I want to see if more came out. Anyway it's super weird, bts is the a werewolf gang and they go to a party for the higher ranking alphas. There they meet an omega of a high ranking alpha and then more stuff happens that I can't remember. I just thought of it randomly and I wanted to see if you could find it. It's okay of you can't I appreciate the help either way.

26) Ok color me corrected if you manage to find this fic, but I can’t seem to remember anything about it. It’s a red string of fate/soulmate au but I CANNOT remember the pairing. I think it was canon divergent, they lived in the dorm together. I remember that the string was actually tangible and the pair would always trip over it. Thanks haha

27) I am looking for a fic I read ages ago. It was jikook, they were in high school. Jk is really rich and loves taking photos one day he sees jm and is compelled to take a photo of his bright orange hair. Tae sees the photo and hires jk so take photos of jimin as he never sees him smile. Jm is very poor, he is freinds with joon and tae I think. Jin is jks brother. Jm initially gets mad at jk but eventually they become friends and fall in love. There was some past stuff with taegi too I think.

Imperfectly Perfect by whenIseeUsmile

28) Hi. I'm looking for a fic on ao3. It's a historical royalty au and I think it's yoonmin. I think it's incomplete too. Yoongi is a prince and his brother is JK. Jimin and Jin are spys from a neighbouring kingdom that's on the verge of war. The last chapter I remember has the castle being invaded and the royal family being killed, there may have been a fire. I hope you can help

Death In Disguise by pikachoi

[saucylittlesmile]

Post-One-Year Anniversary to PyeongChang Timeline

links to post-Sochi, post-comeback, and post-PyeongChang timelines

2019, continued:

February 22 -- Scott poses with several junior ice dance teams on the ice at Toronto Cricket Club and is thanked for his help (Toronto)

February 23 -- Tessa posts from Florence, Italy + Scott at Ilderton Arena + Scott posts a video from Thank You Ilderton + attends Paul Brandt concert that night (London)

February 25 -- Tessa posts with Carolina Kostner and Anna Capellini (Florence) + VM confirmed as skaters for Fantasy on Ice + Great Kitchen Party/b2ten release video about their organization's partnership with an interview with VM

February 27 -- Tessa's Nivea Urban Skin commercial debuts + Scott's Leaf Nation interview game session Guess Who? is released + Scott posts on twitter regarding a Leafs game + Tessa posts from Tuscany, Italy

March 2 -- Scott at a Blue Jays spring training game (Dunedin, Florida) + Tessa posts from Tuscany

March 3 -- Tessa posts from Tuscany

March 4 -- Scott works with Carreira/Ponomaranko at Novi (Detroit) + attends a celebratory dinner + Tessa posts her new Nivea commercial + Toys R Us/Barbie announces Tessa as one of their choices as a Canadian role model and an appearance

March 6 -- Tessa announces partnership with Barbie

March 7 -- Scott tweets about Tessa’s Barbie partnership

March 8 -- Tessa appears on several morning shows with her Barbie “Close The Dream Gap” promotion and a Barbie event (Toronto)

March 9 -- Tessa at Toys R Us as an appearance in partnership with Barbie/Mattel as a Canadian Role Model for Barbie's 60th birthday (Mississagua) + Tessa and Scott individually post about Lajoie/Lagha’s Junior World gold medal win

March 11 -- Scott’s Leafs TV interview is released (taped February 19)

March 14 -- Tessa tapes commercial for Air Miles partnership (Toronto)

March 17 -- Tessa appears as a presenter for the Juno awards (London)

March 19 -- Tessa spotted at The Root Cellar for dinner (London)

March 21 -- Tessa attends Nivea UrbanSkin launch event (Toronto)

March 22 -- Scott in an Instagram story doing coach duty (Montreal)

March 23-24 -- Tessa and Scott doing choreography with Sam (Montreal) + Tessa spotted on a flight back to London

March 25 -- Scott coaching Lajoie/Lagha (Montreal)

April 1 -- Scott and Tessa speak at M&M Food Market partnership rally (Mississauga, morning) + Tessa and Scott 'London Sportspeople of the Year' celebrity dinner and auction (in support of Thames Valley Children's Centre) (London, evening) + Tessa’s Nivea No Limits peacock commercial is revealed + Tessa’s cover on Glory magazine is revealed and Tessa is named as one of Canada’s 30 under 30 leaders by Bay St. Bull

April 2 -- Tessa appears on several shows to promote Nivea No Limits campaign (Toronto)

April 3 -- Tessa posts about Scott making a coffee purchase with their Visa card + VM spotted at lunch at King St. Eats + Tessa and Scott tour the Walter Carsen Centre with Canadian National Ballet’s Heather Ogden and Guillaume Cote and announce an upcoming project with Cote

April 4 -- VM working with Ogden/Cote again + filming a segment for Hello Fresh + attend Air Canada Wanderluxe gala in support of SickKids Hospital and Herbie fund + Tessa revealed as a guest judge for upcoming season of MasterChef Canada

April 5 -- VM spotted at Granite Club on the ice (Toronto)

April 6 -- Scott in Calgary participating in a development camp for skaters

April 7 -- Scott continuing at the development camp (Calgary) + Tessa in photoshoot (London)

April 8 -- VM release a short, silly segment promoting their appearances April 9 + Tessa posts from Toronto

April 9 -- media day for Rock The Rink (RTR) - most cities and dates are released for the fall tour + VM appear on several radio and TV shows promoting it

April 10 -- day 2 of RTR media day

April 11 -- Tessa in London, England

April 13 -- Tessa with Lilah and Sasha Fear (London)

April 14 -- Tessa on the ice and at tea with the Fears (London)

April 16 -- Tessa and Scott in practices for Ice Fantasia (South Korea)

*****Ice Fantasia (April 19-21) (South Korea)

April 24 -- Tessa at a photoshoot (Toronto)

April 25 -- Tessa appears on Anastasia Bucsis’ podcast Player’s Own Voice (to air in June) + Tessa at Jessica Mulroney’s One Connection event with Bumble Bizz (Toronto)

April 27 -- Scott in a photo with a fan in a restaurant (exact date unverified) (Ilderton area)

April 29 -- Tessa in a dance studio with TVA Sports (Montreal)

May 1 -- Tessa appears at Villa Maria College to promote FillActive FitSpirit (Montreal)

May 2 -- Tessa at a photoshoot for BonLook (Montreal) + Tessa attends the Canada Youth Summit as a guest speaker with FillActive FitSpirit with Sophie (Ottawa) + Scott coaches for his mom/aunts’ skating school (Komoka)

May 3 -- Tessa and Scott at a restaurant with Rock The Rink’s band Birds of Bellwoods (Toronto) + Tessa and Scott attend CSOI ‘incognito’ (Toronto)

May 4 -- Tessa attends Jordan’s barre class at BarreBelles + has an outdoor photoshoot with Adidas (Toronto) + Scott spotted arriving at Tampa airport

May 5 -- Tessa attends Run for Women (Moncton)

***** Canada's Great Kitchen Party Auction Trip, Mallorca (May 9-16)

May 16 -- Tessa’s Air Miles commercial drops

May 17 -- Tessa’s 30th birthday!  posted pictures, location unknown

May 19 -- Tessa spotted out for a meal (Stratford?)

May 20 -- Tessa at the Budweiser Stage in partnership with Air Miles (Toronto)

***** Canada's Great Kitchen Party Auction Trip, Newfoundland (May 22-27)

May 27-28 -- Tessa and Scott give a talk at Investor’s Group Presidents Academy conference (New York)

May 29 -- Tessa posts as a partner of Colgate + Tessa and Scott are named as guest judges on the upcoming fall season of Battle of the Blades + spotted in the Sendai train station

*****Fantasy on Ice Tour (May 31 - June 16) (Japan)

May 31 - June 2 -- FOI, Sendai

June 3 -- Tessa goes out with other skaters to karaoke + Tessa’s episode as a guest judge on Master Chef Canada airs (taped in December 2018)

June 7 - 9 -- FOI, Kobe

June 14 -16 -- FOI, Toyoma

June 20 -- Tessa posts a picture from the cottage

June 21 -- Tessa at a shoot for MAC

June 22 -- Tessa attends Jordan’s Barre Belles class + Tessa, Jordan and the McMorris brothers attend the Arkells concert at Budweiser Stage (Toronto)

June 24 -- Tessa in Prince Edward Island + night out with other celebrities attending the Special Olympics gala (including Elisha Cuthbert Phaneuf)  + renovations begin on the new location of Moir’s Skate Shop

June 25 -- Tessa attends the Special Olympics Enriching Lives Summerside Luncheon + the Enriching Lives gala (Charlottetown) + Tessa’s new collection with BonLook is revealed

June 26 -- Tessa spotted at the airport (Charlottetown)

June 27 -- Scott attends Canada Day celebrations at Parkhill-West Williams Public School

June 29 -- Scott takes a photo with a fan in his local area

June 30 -- Tessa posts Instastories of an at-home outdoor workout BarreBelle style with Jordan + a picture of her at the cottage

July 1 -- Tessa posts for Canada with a cottage pic

July 2 -- Tessa shares and IG story from the cottage featuring her Olympic gold medalist beer fridge from Molson

July 3 -- Tessa posts a picture with Jordan from the cottage

July 6-13  -- Tessa on vacation in Vancouver and California with Liz, Madori, and others (exact dates unknown)

July 15 -- Tessa posts herself at London airport

July 16 -- Tessa at a photoshoot (Montreal)

July 17 -- Tessa has a reunion dinner with queenopain, Jaime from b2ten/Reconditioning/P2 (Montreal)

July 18 -- Tessa and Scott give a talk at Deloitte Canada financial advisory summit (Mont Tremblant)

July 20 -- Tessa and Scott each post to social media to encourage people to go to Tim Horton’s to buy a Special Olympics doughnut to support the cause (Scott’s photo was taken with Dave Campbell, osteopath from b2ten)

July 26 -- Tessa attends a MAC meet and greet at Yorkdale Mall (Toronto)

July 27 -- Tessa does a Shopper’s Drug Mart Nivea ‘fireside chat’ at Vaughn Mills (Toronto)

July 31 - Aug 1 -- Tessa does a photoshoot for Adidas (Montreal)

August 2 -- Tessa attends Osheaga and has a meet and greet with the winner of a Nivea contest (Montreal) + Tessa and Scott release an Apple playlist 

August 3 -- Tessa attends Osheaga

August 6 -- Tessa attends Walk of Fame Hometown Stars celebration for Chris Hadfield (Sarnia)

August 7 -- Tessa and Scott each receive their Walk of Fame Hometown stars (Ilderton and London) + Scott’s engagement to Jackie becomes official public knowledge + Tessa and Scott do several interviews

August 8 --  Moir’s Skate Shop re-opens in their new location (Komoka)

August 12 -- Tessa does a photoshoot with Paul Buceta (Mississauga)

August 13 -- Tessa and Scott have a media day for Rock the Rink, with Kaetlyn, Elvis, Jeremy, and Birds of Bellwood (Toronto)

August 14 -- Tessa and Scott in the dance studio with Guillaume Cote (Toronto) + Scott does a coaching session at Granite Club (Toronto)

August 16 -- Tessa’s Adidas ad comes out

August 17 -- Scott attends a wedding

August 18 -- Tessa and Scott’s Hometown Stars events air on local TV

August 21 -- Tessa is announced as an ambassador for RW&CO + she attends an event to promote their collaboration (Toronto)

August 22 -- Tessa has a photoshoot (possibly MAC) (Toronto)

August 28 -- Tessa and Scott spotted practicing (Komoka?) + Tessa has a shoot with new partner Yves

August 29 -- Tessa spotted out (possibly the 28th) + Tessa gives talk at private Adidas event + has a possible interview at Assembly Chef’s Hall

August 30 -- Tessa and Scott practicing (Komoka?) + Scott posted out with Jackie

September 7 -- Tessa has a meet and greet for The Brick at West Edmonton Mall (Edmonton)

September 8 -- Tessa attends the TIFF Dior launch party Toronto + Tessa and Scott have a late night practice session with Gui Cote

September 9 -- Tessa and Scott spotted for another practice session

September 11 -- Tessa has a shooting day, for unknown reasons relating to Team Canada Champion Chats (Classroom Champions)

September 12 -- Tessa’s Adidas VRCT jacket ad drops

September 15 -- Tessa posts about packing for RTR rehearsals

September 16 -- Scott borrows AC/DC lyrics to tweet about leaving for Vancouver for RTR rehearsals with the cast

September 17 -- first glimpse of on ice RTR rehearsals with the cast via Jeremy Abbott (Abottsford) + Tessa and Scott announce they are stepping away from skating after RTR

September 19 -- Tessa and Scott guest judge on the premiere of Battle of the Blades (Hamilton)

September 20 -- Tessa and Scott are back to rehearsals for RTR (Abbotsford)

September 21 -- Tessa and Scott attend an Elton John concert with Jeremy Abbott, Kaetlyn Osmond, and choreographers Matheiu and Randi

September 23 -- Tessa and Scott drop the puck at a Vancouver Canucks/Ottawa Senators (Abbotsford)

September 30 -- Scott visits a local dance school with other members of RTR (Abbotsford)

October 1 -- Tessa attends We for She as a keynote speaker (Vancouver)

*****Rock The Rink tour (October 5 - November 23)

October 5 - RTR, Abbotsford + Tessa and Scott have photo taken with a fan at a liquor store (exact date unknown)

October 6 - RTR, Penticton

October 7 - RTR, Vancouver

October 8 - RTR, TBA  (removed from lineup)

October 10 - RTR, Red Deer

October 11 - RTR, Dawson Creek

October 12 - RTR, Prince George

October 13 - RTR, Grand Prairie

October 16 - RTR, Calgary

October 17 - RTR, Lethbridge

October 18 - RTR, Regina

October 19 - RTR, Medicine Hat

October 20 - RTR, Brandon

October 22 - Tessa and Scott spotted travelling from Toronto to London

October 23 -- Tessa and Scott to be awarded honorary degrees from Western University (London)

October 24 -- Tessa and Scott guest judge on Battle of the Blades (Oshawa)

October 25 - RTR, Winnipeg - removed from lineup

October 26 - RTR, Saskatoon - removed from lineup

October 29 - RTR, Sault Ste. Marie

October 30 - RTR, London

October 31 -- Tessa and Scott guest judge on Battle of the Blades finale (Toronto)

November 1 - RTR, Sudbury + Tessa and Scott do a radio interview via phone

November 2 - RTR, Kitchener

November 3 - RTR, Kingston

November 5 -- Scott does several joint television interviews with Special Olympians (Toronto) + individual radio interview (including information that his wedding will be in July) + Scott attends a Maple Leafs game with Max, Patrick, and Andrew Poje

November 6 - RTR, MIssissauga + Scott announced as a Board Ambassador for Scott Hamilton’s Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer (to unite skaters and communities)

November 7 - RTR, Ottawa + Tessa and Scott along with Patrick, Tatiana, Max, and Jeremy are spotted having breakfast at Sunset Grill (Ottawa)

November 8 - RTR, St. Catharines + Impact magazine releases interview with Tessa + Tessa spotted out to dinner with friends before the show at Merchant Ale House (St Catharines)

November 9 - RTR, Oshawa

November 10 - RTR, Cleveland - cancelled + Tessa attends a Barre Belle class (possibly with Jordan)

November 13 - RTR, Peterborough

November 14 - RTR, Laval + Tessa announced as part of Classroom Champions

November 15 - RTR, Quebec City

November 16 - RTR, Moncton + Jeremy shares a video of the RTR cast watching Austin Powers on the tour bus

November 17 - RTR, Halifax + Jeremy’s personal takeover on IG for Edges of Glory shares behind the scenes and short chats with the cast and crew as the tour comes to an end + Tessa and Scott film a segment for This Hour Has 22 MInutes + the cast is spotted at The Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar and at The Lower Deck (Halifax)

November 18 - Scott out at a Karaoke Club

November 20 -- Tessa spotted at Winsor House (St. John’s)

November 21 -- Tessa tapes a television interview for “Out of the Fog” + Scott spotted out and about (possibly with Patrick, Max, and Tati) (St. John’s)

November 23 - RTR, Saint John’s, with family in attendance

2020

******May 12-19 - GKP Ireland (Galway and Conmerra)

******May 20-27 - GKP Italy (Matera)

[its-jwang2017]

Part 2: Wherein Jackson is the Damsel Trying His Best Not to be in Distress

A/N: I should probably not write so much so I can space out the chapters... whatever. Heed the additional tags and, as always, LMK of any spelling mistakes. Pic is of the Adler Planetarium, for your imagery needs.

More notes @ the end

TW: Panic attacks and moderately vague descriptions of violence

The first thing Jackson sensed upon waking up in a dark, circular area was the throbbing pain in his skull and matted blood sticking to the right side of his neck. A fluorescent light shone down the front of Jackson’s face, forcing him to squint his eyes in a vain effort to decrease his oncoming migraine. Tucking his chin into his chest forces his half closed eyes to focus on the frayed ropes wrapped around him, keeping him pinned to a cold, metal chair. With is hands tied to the arms of the chair and his legs wrapped together in front of him, Jackson was barely able to move any part of his body. The white of his fencing uniform was stained with a mixture of blood and dust, creating a Pollock-like design on the once pristine suit. I am literally never getting that out...

For a split second, Jackson forgot the connotation to this wonderful awakening in a mysterious location. As his brain slowly filled in the gaps to his memory, his body began to ache as it remembered the force at which it was flung into the solid ground of the gym. As the pain made itself known, Jackson winced as his ribs protested against the tight rope that wound around his chest. Realizing there was no comfortable position while being stuck to a metal chair, Jackson forced his head up and eyes open to try to survey his surroundings.

“Hello? Any bad guys in the area?” Jackson tentatively called out in what proved to be a regrettable move. The volume of his own voice seemed to be the last straw for his concussion, starting a percussive symphony of pulsing heat inside his head. The pounding in his brain combined with the bruises on his body forced a pained groan out of Jackson, shutting his eyes tightly as possible while he tried to ride out the waves of suffering.

Loud, thudding footsteps came from Jackson’s left, attacking his already frayed senses. The fencer whimpered in pain and tried to bring his shoulders up to cover his ears from the invasive sounds, not caring it made him look vulnerable to his captor. Soon enough, the footsteps came to a standstill in front of the fencer, a shadow blocking the light that permeated Jackson’s eyelids while  gloved fingers gently lifted his chin up. 

“Can you open your eyes for me?” A gruff voice whispered. Jackson tried to shy away from the other’s touch, not willing to open his eyes for fear that the light would attack his retinas and further wreck his concussed brain. Even the low voice of the other grated his nerves, as if the other was shouting directly into his ears instead of whispering. However, the chair wouldn’t let him move far and the other’s fingers firmly held contact with Jackson’s face. Slowly, he opened his eyes to a familiar sight; his reflection in the visor of Dark Souls protective helmet.

Jackson used the chance to examine his mirror image as Dark Soul gently used his fingers to turn Jackson’s face in different positions, seeming to inspect the damage. The kidnappee noticed that he was pretty beaten up, with small cuts on his left cheek and a bruise stretching across the right side of his face.

“You must’ve really fucked something up, Dark Soul. Usually I come to this Villains Club relatively unscathed. Now my face is all messed up and my body feels like crap. Do I get compensated for property damage? I may need reconstructive surgery to restore my face to its former glory after this encounter.” Jacksons rambles out quietly, but his whispered retorts fall on deaf ears as Dark Soul ignores him in favor of continuing his assessment.

After a couple minutes of awkward silence, Jackson let himself relax a bit as Dark Soul released his face from his firm grip. Taking a single step back, Dark Soul tapped his forefinger twice against his armored thigh and began slowly rising into the air. Jackson watched, enraptured as Dark Soul began gliding backwards, his sluggish brain forgetting that a light was aimed directly at him.

The pain comes back full force once Jackson’s eyes accidentally meet the rays of light, the absence of Dark Soul’s body allowing the bulb to direct its attention back on the captive once more. He shies away from the bulb, spots dancing in front of his quickly shut eyes, and he grits his teeth in an effort to keep the agonized sounds forming in his throat at bay.

Suddenly, the shadow returns, this time without the pounding footsteps to indicate movement. “Open your mouth.” Dark Soul commands lowly, grabbing Jackson’s chin once more. Jackson clamps his mouth shut, much to Dark Souls annoyance, and slowly shakes his head no. An annoyed sigh escapes the criminal in front of him and, before he can do anything to try and stop it, his nose is covered with gloved hands. Unable to breath or move, Jackson struggles briefly before gasping in pain as his ribs shift awkwardly. 

With ease, two pills are inserted into Jackson’s mouth. Before the Hong Kong native can even try to spit them out, Dark Soul forces his mouth to close. With his nose still covered, Jackson continues to struggle and uncomfortably swallows the pills down dry, almost choking as the unknown drugs catch in his throat. Immediately, Dark Soul lets go of him and backs away.

Jackson glares as his usual kidnapper stands in front of him, “What the hell did you give me?!” 

For a few seconds, the latter doesn’t respond. Then, he starts clapping.

Jackson stares back at the other in shock, thinking It’s finally happening. This person has gone insane. Dark Soul seems to look at the tied fencer inquisitively, tilting his head to one side.

“I can’t remember, are you actually this slow or are the pills not doing anything for your concussion?” the villain drawls out, resuming speaking at normal volume.

Jackson scoffs, opening his eyes fully and staring the other down. “What the hell are you rambling… about…?” Jackson recoiled a bit in shock, realizing that the pain he was feeling earlier had decreased significantly. The migraine ebbed to a dull irritance and his body was no longer voicing concern over his encounter with the floor. How did it work so fast??

“For the record, I wanted you to suffer just a tiny bit more…” Jackson snapped his head to the right where he could clearly see Project J, back facing him as the villain typed away at some monitors that Jackson swore were not there before. 

“Those pills should make his life a bit easier. Dark Soul, we’re almost ready for broadcast, will you stop staring at Wang and come over here?” Project J called over his shoulder again, keeping his focus on the computer screens before him.

Rubbing the back of his neck in what looked like an embarrassing gesture, Dark Soul snapped his gaze away from the captive and quickly walked over to his partner, mumbling under his breath “Why do I put up with this sass, all the time, nonstop?”

With the duo distracted by whatever was thrown up on the screen before them, Jackson took this opportunity to continue to survey the room. He now noticed that he was in the center of what appeared to be a makeshift lab, with gadgets haphazardly strewn about over various tables, papers gathered around with notes and equations, pictures of what appeared to be random places pinned to the walls and a huge, covered opening on a dome shaped ceiling. Are we in some kind of observatory? 

Before Jackson could answer his own question, a whine of static popped up on the monitors that the duo was gathered around. Curiously, Jackson tried to look over their shoulders to see what the ruckus was about, but the broad back of Dark Soul covered most of the monitors. The static stopped abruptly and what sounded like the news took its place.

After a couple more keyboard clicks, Project J pushed his seat back a bit and turned away from the controls. “I have control of the news station and the projector-bots are finally in position. You  should be able to power them up once it’s showtime. Are we ready to broadcast?” 

Dark Soul contemplated his partner’s words for a brief moment, before nodding his head. “I think we have all we need. Red Dragon should be up and desperately searching for Wang over here and I can power the bots right away. Make sure you have the Ray warmed up and ready to fire.” 

Project J nodded his assent and soon, the two began gearing up for their showdown with Chicago’s native superhero. Jackson watched the scene unfold, helpless and unable to assist with Mark’s soon to happen takedown of the villains. He looked up towards the ceiling, hoping beyond hope that Mark would be ok dealing with whatever scheme his enemies had for the week and desperately trying to think of a plan. That’s when he noticed the large telescope hovering a couple feet above his head. Blinking rapidly to make sure he was seeing things correctly, Jackson felt an embarrassing heat rising up his face.

If anyone asks, I’ll say I noticed we were in the observatory immediately instead of accidentally discovering the seven foot long telescope that happened to be above my head...

And with that, Jackson pieced together an idea.

______________________________________________________________________________

Mark’s eyes sprung open, sitting up suddenly and violently coughing up water out of his lungs. The sudden move stirred up the bruises on his body, the soreness forcing Mark into a fetal position on the sandy beach, his legs still getting splashed by the waves from the lake. The coughing fit slowly lessened with the possibility of choking on lakewater becoming less imminent. Mark began moving different parts of his body to see how critical his injuries were. Once he determined that he had only minor cuts, bruises, and cracked ribs from Project J’s assault, Mark allowed himself a brief moment of reprieve as his coughing stopped. Relaxing his muscles and letting out an aggravated sigh at the fact that he let the villain get the better of him, the hero noticed the feeling of his body working to repair the damages. At least my cells repaired most of my injuries. It would have been hell to wake up with a broken back again....

After lying back for a few moments to try and regain his bearings, Mark began the slow process of convincing himself to stand back up. His lungs and throat were sore from the near drowning experience and he wondered how he was able to wash back up onto the beach as he maneuvered himself into a squatting position. Blinking his eyes rapidly to get the sand out of his face, Mark tried standing up while his legs almost gave way to the sudden weight they had to support. Once he was confident in his ability to walk and move, Mark started dusting himself off, dimly noticing a small crowd of students starting to gather to his left, all staring and pointing at our disheveled superhero. Hearing the click of cameras as the posse began taking pictures, Mark ruffled out the sand in his hair and slowly rose into the sky. Once he was satisfied that  he got most of the sand off, Mark turned to face towards the gym and began flying in that direction. Not knowing how long he had been out, Mark hoped that this would be the one time that the villains let Jackson be.

Red Dragon’s dreams were crushed as he hears the police sirens coming from the direction of the sports facility. As he jets around the corner, the first thing he spots is the yellow caution tape blocking the general public from the collapsed wreckage of the Loyola facility. EMT’s, firefighters, and policemen all rushed around as they inspected the injured civilians afflicted by the collapse while trying to prevent the gawking public from entering the wreckage. Horrified, Mark gently lands on the roof of the CPD’s chief’s car in an effort to avoid getting in the way of the official’s work. His red suit quickly catches the police chief’s attention, who snaps her head around to face the hero.

“What’s the situation, chief?”

Waving her hand in a semblance of a greeting, policewoman Donna Winters stiffly replies, “Well, your battle knocked out the college’s facility, injuring around 50 people in the process. We have one missing person unaccounted for, you probably already know who, and we barely have enough people here to handle the whole situation. Additionally, we have a couple othered injured by the beach from your second battle with Project J, which stretches us even thinner. Luckily, somebody was able to pull a lot of the unconscious out of the building, so at least we do not have any casualties this time around.”

Mark’s stomach drops as his brain processes new information. Guilt settles in as Mark tries to figure out the best way to assist the public without injuring any more civilians, his eyes unable to meet the accusatory glare of the police chief below him. His thoughts were soon cut short as static bursts from the car’s radio, surprising both the chief and the hero. 

“Chief! We got …situation… there’s damage…evacuation needed!”  A panicked voice yelled, their voice getting cut off intermittently. Yanking her car door open, jostling Red Dragon with the force of it, the police chief quickly dropped into her seat and grabbed the comm. 

“Repeat! Where are you, what’s the damage?” The chief listened, but her question was met with radio silence. “I need you to report back immediately, what is your current location officer?” 

As the radio continued it’s silent reply, the police chief frustratedly threw her comm down onto the seat next to her, hitting her steering wheel with the other hand. Gritting her teeth and screwing her eyes shut, the chief tried to calm herself down by focusing on the ache in her hand. She felt the car shift above her, opening her eyes to see the hero’s red hair appear in the entryway of the still open car door. He held onto the roof of the car and looked at her upside down inquisitively. The childish gesture sparked sympathy within the chief, who thought to herself,  He’s probably just a kid, and he’s got to save the city again?

Pushing aside her anger over the helplessness of the situation, Chief Winters took a deep breath and let it out, regaining her thoughts and organizing them accordingly. In her most authoritative voice, she finally turned to address Red Dragon. “Since I don’t know the location of the other team, I would like to ask you to fly out and scan the city. If there’s trouble, I’m confident in your ability to prevent as much building damage and pedestrian casualties as possible. We have this area covered.”

Red Dragon flips over onto the ground beside her open door, sending a thumbs up her way, declaring, “I’ll take care of it, Chief Winters. I’ll stop them before any more civilians get hurt. ” 

Once he sees Winters’ nod of assent, Mark turns around and blasts off in search of the two villains. Chief Winters watches as the city’s only hero gracefully arcs through the sky and over the highrises. As she exits her vehicle, Chief Winters begins barking out orders at her team with the image of Red Dragon’s quirky thumb’s up still lingering in her thoughts. An uneasy feeling settled in her heart as she begins organizing the team around her. Whoever you are, Red Dragon, I hope to god I didn’t just send you into a war zone… 

______________________________________________________________________________

“The fake call was sent to the chief’s radio. Our super should be in position soon.” Project J idly commented, turning off the power to his self-made transmitter. 

With a silent nod of acknowledgement, Dark Soul begins gathering his power together, washing the room in a bright white light through the seams of his suit as electricity crackles around him. Jackson, still unable to move in his chair, feels the static rising inside the room as hair stands up underneath his uniform in response. Unable to stop the upcoming event, Jackson can only watch as Dark Soul took up a stance in front of the covered slit in the dome in front of him. After a quick press of a button from one of Project J’s monitors, the covering starts sliding away with a groan, gradually revealing the outside world. From around the silhouette of Dark Soul, Jackson can see the huge lake shimmering in the light outside the observatory. With no buildings on the horizon, Jackson deduced that they were facing the eastward side of the Adler planetarium. With his position confirmed, Jackson watches as the TV monitors turn on one by one while Dark Soul raises his hand towards the heavens, the screens simultaneously starting to fill with images of various places around Chicago. With a jolt, Jackson realizes they’re broadcasting a live feed of the city, with one monitor capturing his tied form from a birds eye view. Glancing upwards, he can barely make out a shape behind the bright bulb still shining in his face. Must be one of the bots Project J mentioned before. 

“Hey, I am all about video recordings, but I’m pretty sure you need my consent before you start projecting this lovely bondage scenario to everyone in the city.” 

For a split second, the tv monitors glitch out. Surprised, Jackson turns his attention towards the supervillain in front of him, noticing the barely perceptible twitch his comment seems to insight. Quickly recovering Dark Soul coughs out an embarrassed huff before regaining control of the video bots. 

Curiously, Jackson opens his mouth to inquire about the sudden glitch. His words die in his throat, however, as he catches a glimpse of a familiar red suit flying past one of the bots. 

Project J clears his throat, turning towards Dark Soul, “We have eyes on Red Dragon. Bot C31 caught him going south down the magnificent mile…” 

Apparently hearing his partner’s update, Dark Soul begins flexing his hand in certain patterns, looking like he’s playing one handed piano. On the monitors, the bots began banding together, synchronized by the commands from the technopath to search for the flying hero. In the monitor, Jackson can see that the robots are silver in design, with their pointed nose and long, angled wings making them look like a flock of silver chimney swifts. 

Soon enough, all of the robots except the one inside the observatory with the trio, were following Red Dragon’s tail at a swift pace. 

“Lead him towards millenium park so we can throw up the feed of Jackson.” commanded Project J, who moved towards the monitors in order to study the feed better.

With a flick of his wrist, Dark Soul sent the robots flying forwards, making their presence known to the airborn super. Jackson watched in stunned fascination as his best friend finally realized the swarm of silver stalking him in the sky, the robots shoving into Mark in pairs. Veering away from the incoming attack, Mark tries to escape the robots attack, unknowingly flying right towards the pavilion that the villains are targeting. The robots are so close to Mark that Jackson can clearly hear the muffled curses and labored breathing stemming from his friend and he feels the anger rising in his chest at his own inability to warn Mark.

Soon enough, Mark can be seen flying over the Bean in Millennium Park, the robots circling around him, rising up to create a barrier to push him back against the concert Pavilion. In the observatory, Dark Soul raises his other hand and Jackson sees the giant screen behind Mark light up with the live recording of himself thrown up onto the screen. 

Jackson knows that he looks terrible, but he didn’t realize how bad it was until he watches as Mark’s face falls as the hero takes in the fencer’s trapped form. The guilt is evident in the downturned corners of Red Dragon’s lips before his face smoothes out and he gets into a battle stance. 

“Let go of him.” Red Dragon commands lowly, raising his fists threateningly as fire begins to wrap around his fingers.

Jackson hears a scoff to his left as Project J saunters over  towards the center of the room, effectively putting himself in full view behind Jackson. He puts his hands on the back of the metal chair, leaning against it with his body towering over Jackson. “You know we can’t do that, Red Dragon. The princess, here, is our safeguard against one of your merciless attacks. You don’t want us to “accidentally” rough him up more than we already have, do you?”

The fire spreads up Red Dragon’s arm in response to the villains threat, “Touch a hair on his head and you’ll be in for the beating of a lifetime!” The hero snarls menacingly, his burning anger turning his fire blue for a split second. 

The villain scoffs at the hero’s display, rolling his eyes before replying, “No need to get your spandex in a bunch, hot stuff. All we ask is that you turn over this city to us and disappear of the face of the earth. Is that too much to ask?”

“And leave Chicago at the mercy of you two goons? I think not.”

Project J sighed, resting his chin on top of Jackson’s head. When Jackson tried to squirm away from the other’s touch, Project J brought both of his hands up against the sides of the athlete’s face, forcing Jackson to look directly into the monitors and act as Project J’s headrest.

“Then I guess you’ll never see this pretty face again, won’t you?” Project J stroked the sides of Jackson’s cheeks with his forefinger, the fencer’s skin crawling at the touch.

“Hey, man, consent is sexy and mandatory!” Jackson shouted through clenched teeth, still trying to squirm his head away from the villains touch. His eyes darted to the side to watch Mark’s reaction play out on the screen, getting worried at the blue color of his flames.

“Jackson, don’t panic! I’ll find you!” The hero shouts, attempting to rise up in search of wherever the villains were keeping his friend. The silver robots closed their ranks above the hero, preventing Mark from getting very far off the ground.

Deciding now was as good of a time as any, Jackson hurridley yelled out, “ADLERPLANETARIUM!” before Project J quickly clamped one of his hands over the fencer’s mouth.

“What? No! Don’t listen to Jacks, he’s concussed, he has no idea what he’s blabbing on about!” 

But that was all Mark needed to hear. Jackson watched with wide eyes as his friend’s body was encompassed with a blue fire and he sped upwards. The robots were no match for the heat generated by the Hero, and Red Dragon blasted through the barrier with ease. The feed turned to static as the robots were annihilated and Jackson smirked under Project J’s gloved hand, feeling a little victorious as he watched Dark Soul lower his arms.

Project J quickly let go of Jackson, as if burnt, and took a huge stride away from the captive as Dark Soul turned around. Raising his hands in a submissive gesture, Project J walked towards his partner and joined him at the edge of the opening with an apology on his lips. “You told me to make him mad, so I did what I had to!” 

Dark Soul clenched his hands into fists, turning his back on Project J. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. The powerful glow that surrounded the villain slowly disappeared along with the static in the room, indicating his powers were leveling off. A loud beep caught everyone’s attention, and the villains turn in unison towards the sound as one of the buttons on their console blinks red. Jackson has been kidnapped enough times to know that that particular display meant, a relieved laugh escaping from Jackson’s mouth and slowly becoming more hysterical until tears are coming out of his eyes. 

“Oh man, you guys are about to get your asses handed to you! Red Dragon is coming, powered up and completely enraged!” Jackson manages to get out, laughing all the while at the absurdity of the villains plans. How could they think that I wouldn’t figure out where we were?

His laughter dies out as the two villains look at each other, fully turning to face Jackson and standing with their arms crossed. Under their heavy stares, Jackson begins to feel uneasy at their silence and lack of fear for their lives. 

“Power off, please.” Project J finally voices, his command causing the entire room to go dark with the only light stemming from the sun’s rays outside. Jackson, officially confused, assumes that the power goes off in preparation for Red Dragon’s entrance through the ceiling. Bracing himself in his seat, Jackson tries his best to fold in on himself to protect his body from Mark’s usual hole-in-the-wall arrival… 

But looks up as the sound of Red Dragon’s entrance appears to his … left? 

Jerking his head to his side, Jackson watches in horror as a single monitor records his friend encapsulated in a similar circular dome that was not the one he was in. His jaw drops as screen-Mark looks around before reaching the same realization as Jackson. 

Laughing at his stunned expression, Dark Souls hands start lighting up as he calls out to Jackson,“What, you really thought you were at the Planetarium?”

______________________________________________________________________________

Dark Soul was more than pleased; he was positively elated that his plan went off without a hitch. It all relied on Jackson falling for their ruse, hook, line and sinker. With the fencer taking the bait, he unwittingly sent the hero into the premade trap located on the Museum Campus while their lair was set safely on the southern side of Chicago. 

Ignoring their captives shouts of anger, Dark Soul began on concentrating on the electric hum of their satellite cast out into space. Feeling it powering on, Dark Soul sent a thumb’s up in his partner’s direction.

With a smug smirk on his face, Project J activated the two way communications between the lair and the trap. Watching Red Dragon’s face, Project J activated the robot already set in the real Adler Planetarium. Once he confirmed that the system was working, he sauntered back over into the picture. “Hello, old friend! If you haven’t noticed, you’ve fallen right into our trap. Lovely, isn’t it?”

Screen-Mark glared back through the projection, “Really? You went through all this work to send me to the planetarium and created a fake one in a separate location? What were the tickets were too expensive for you?”

“Excuse you, if we could afford this quality replica in order to trick Wang over here, then we could DEFINITELY afford to buy the entirety of the Adler Planetarium. This place is worth a hundred times more than your dollar store dye job on that ragged looking mop of yours! ”

“Wow, I know you’re not talking about MY HAIR. Do you even have hair under that tacky helmet, or do you wear it because you’re ashamed of your bald spot? Oh, wait, wearing that helmet all the time probably GAVE you a bald spot!”

“I do NOT have ANY sort of hair loss ANYWHERE, for your information! Your head would explode with jealousy if you saw my perfectly coiffed locks!”

“Who the hell refers to their hair as ‘coiffed locks’?! GET WITH THE TIMES, OLD MAN!”

Just as Project J opened his mouth, ready with another witty clapback, Jackson coughed loudly, catching everyone’s attention.

“LADIES! You’re both pretty! But if you don’t mind getting on with it, I have a project due tomorrow that I really can’t get out of. Can we just skip to the part where Red Dragon escapes and kicks your ass?”

Clamping his mouth shut, Project J rolls out his shoulders and holds his hands behind his back, trying to regain his composure. “Of course. That is, if he is even capable of escaping our trap while being obliterated under the full concentrated power of the sun…!”

Project J’s words seemed to be the command his partner was waiting for. With a quick movement, Dark Soul clenches his hand into a fist, activating the satellite perfectly positioned in the exosphere. The satellite begins emitting a highly concentrated beam of light which streaks across the sky above them, and the villains watch as the robot located within the trap abruptly cuts communication. Not soon after, the sound of an explosion shakes both the lair and the city behind them. 

The aftershocks of the blast only last for a few seconds, but for Dark Soul, it feels like an eternity. He cuts off the power to the ray quickly, and rushes over to the monitor along with Project J. Activating the remaining robots that were not melted by Red Dragon, Dark Soul deploys them to the blast zone. The two watch the feed closely as the silver drones encircle the site. Slowly, the dust starts to settle and both villains can see that the Planetarium’s archipelago has been obliterated, swallowed up by the water underneath.

With wide eyes, Dark Soul uses the robots to scan for a sign of life, any sign of life, amidst the ruins. The white letters against the red backdrop on the monitors flash back at the villains, a clear sign that all readings came back negative.

The two partners, who for years had never even gotten close to defeating the acclaimed superhero, slowly turn to each other in shock. 

“We did it…” 

______________________________________________________________________________

The aftermath of Red Dragon’s defeat goes by in a blur for Jackson. He can’t move, can’t even speak, as he is untied from the chair. Once freed, he puts his head in his hands, his brain still trying to comprehend what happened. For a couple minutes, he just sits there in a state of total shock. After a while, one of the villains gently removes his hands away from his face while the other places a black, polyester bag over his head. He faintly registers the villains helping him stand, throwing his arms around their necks and supporting his weight on either side. They half carry, half walk him out of the lair, Jackson’s legs failing him in the moment. Somehow the duo places Jackson inside a car and the next thing he knows, he’s being led to a park bench near Soldier field. He watches, looking without really seeing, as the car speeds away and he’s left completely alone. 

Usually, the area that he’s in is bustling with tourists and city goers, each eager to watch a football game or wander through the many museums nearby. But today, the place is desolate and scattered with random debris all around. Not knowing how long he sat on the bench, Jackson stares out towards the harbor before him his eyes looking but not comprehending the scene before him. Before Jackson can make a conscious decision to begin walking, his feet have already taken him halfway down the street towards the Planetarium. 

In a few short minutes, the fencer is standing at the edge of the explosion site, watching as the waves crash against what’s left of the entryway. Jackson sees pieces of the building sticking out of the lake, but most of the property is submerged, the water reclaiming the land it once had. 

Jackson feels droplets running down his face, thinking that the weather started to reflect the somber feeling of the moment. The sun was still shining brightly, however, with no rain in sight as Jackson touched shaking fingers to his face. He was crying.

Jackson fell to his knees, an anguished scream bursting from his chest as the denial over the situation was brutally broken down; his best friend was dead. With grief in his heart and an emptiness in his soul, Jackson wrapped his arms around himself to try and hold his body together. The familiar feeling of anxiety and panic took root in his core, his body starting to shake in response. It felt as though he was too big for his skin and his mind lost in the all consuming negative thoughts that continuously berated him. His heart rate sped up and his breathing became ragged as his eyes widened and the tears dried on his face. Curling in on himself, Jackson’s panic attack increased tenfold as he tried to gasp in air that his lungs refused to take, his internal dialogue progressively getting louder and attacking his brain: I killed him. I killed him. I killed him. I KILLED him. I KILLEDHIM.  I KILLED HIM. IKILLEDHIM. IKILLEDHIM. IKILLEDHIMIKILLEDHIMI KILLEDHIMIKILLEDHIMIKILLEDHIM… 

A faraway voice pierced through Jackson’s self deprecating thoughts. Jackson curled in further on himself, vaguely aware that his hands were covering his ears and his eyes were tightly shut. The accusing voice inside his head began to slowly dim as his breathing started to resume at it’s normal pace. The overwhelming feeling of self-hate began to ebb as Jackson registered a hand gently stroking down his back in rhythm with his breathing. Slowly uncovering his ears, Jackson was finally able to hear the voice of his helper alongside him.

“ - doing great, Jacks, that’s it breath with me. Everything will be ok, just focus on your breathing and let me ground you in the present. You’re fine, everything is going to be great. Just relax and let yourself take in air…” The voice continued, Jackson’s body finally beginning to resume its functionality. 

Slowly, Jackson opened his eyes and started down at the concrete street in front of him. His knees were covered with soot and he noticed a pair of black vans on his left. The hand never stopped stroking his back and Jackson felt embarrassment well up inside him. He had had panic attacks before, but never in front of a complete stranger.

The hand grounding him stopped it’s motions and instead chose to rest on Jackson’s shoulder. “Do you feel ok to stand up?”

The other’s low voice sounded strangely familiar, but as Jackson sat up, he kept his eyes downcast and pointed away. Sniffling, Jackson wiped at his face in an effort to get rid of the dried tears under his eyes. “M-maybe in a bit… Sorry you had to wit-witness that…” Jackson mumbled, feeling ashamed as his voice wavered and his words stuttered. 

The hand that was on his shoulder gently shook him, the other laughing a bit. “I’ve seen you when you were half naked in my apartment with nothing but a black tie, cufflinks, and black boxer briefs in a half-assed attempt to seduce me, Jacks. I learned how to help calm you down after I witnessed your first panic attack right in front of me as I sat like an idiot as you ran out of the room to try and solve it yourself. I gear up everyday to save your sorry ass from the two knumbskulls that always try to get rid of me. There is nothing in this world that could sink this friend-ship, you loser.”

Jackson’s neck almost snapped as he finally turned towards his left. The bright, laughing brown eyes that Jackson thought he would never see again stared back at him, and Jackson launched himself into the waiting arms of his supporter.

“MARK?!”

*

so... i wrote this... 

After a brief, half-assed attempt at revising (because I hate revising even thought it's definitely a necessity) I decided to post this ridiculously long chapter of my story. Why, you ask? Well, I will probably not be updating for the next week and a half due to a long-overdue vacation time :) So please, enjoy this chapter and get ready for the tiny hiatus(to be quite honest, I'll probably cave and continue writing for this, but who really knows).

If you didn't notice, i revised the first official chapter a bit. I wanted to add in some more details that I had in mind but forgot to translate into my writing :p  I'll let you know of any more changes. Keep watch on the introduction as more characters are introduced.

Finally, a shameless plug for my wattpad account (@ jwang2017) and soon to be AO3 account, so watch out

Next up: We finally get a glimpse into the student side of Jackson and Mark's lives! At long last YOU, the reader, will get a good look into the school that I completely made up: JYP International Preparatory School. Good lord, I'm gonna have become an architect and building planner to figure out where the city would even build this made-up school.  Why did Mark do what he did? How is he alive? What will become of the city now that our "villains" think the hero is dead? All of this, plus the introduction of the rest of the got7 ensemble, coming up to this story near you!

If you know who our villains are, con-drag-ulations you're my fave.

Any Idol you want to see in the future?

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