#honestly though i'm just glad to have found a place that works for us at all because we were Concerned there for a while

[gale-force-storm]

Update for anyone curious:

We did find a new apartment! It's not ideal, but it's within our budget and flexible, which were the two biggest requirements. However, that means we really have to ramp up on packing, cleaning, etc now, so my posting is gonna be pretty sporadic through the end of the month

[itstheghostofmypast]

Corporate Couple

Corporate AU Kim Hongjoong x (F)Reader

Summary: Marriages have their ups and downs, but what if your boss as the hots for you?

Genre: fluff

Warnings: slight language

Word Count: 1.1K

Est. Read Time: 5 min

Rating: PG-13

Type: One-shot

Networks: @cromernet @k-labels @illusionnet

Banner: @cafekitsune

You walked into your apartment ready to find it empty as usual; even though your husband and you would leave together in the morning, it was often that he would stay later than usual handling reports and whatnot- of course, that's what you get for marrying a workaholic.

To be fair, you were in no mood to talk to him right now anyway, so you were glad he was definitely not going to be home. Why did you two fight?

Simple, in your 3 bedroom, state of the art penthouse, you had a wonderful open kitchen, one with the facilities that would have the world’s best chefs wanting to use this equipment- this included a dishwasher. One that her husband, a respectable corporate slave, one earning enough for them to have twenty kids and provide them with a top-tier lifestyle, never used.

Yes, Kim Hongjoong, a man with a variety of wonderful qualities, brains, personality and good looks, had a persisting, irritating habit of not placing his used dishes in the dishwasher.

Hence, a merger, “I'm sorry love, I’ll be careful next time.” He could have diffused the situation, but how could Kim Hongjoong prove to be a stubborn bastard if he had diffused the situation? And chose to use the words, “Really because one dirty dish is going to bring the end of the world.”

Well it had not brought the end of the world, but she had managed to show him a glimpse of what that would look like. In the end, the two had slept in different rooms, had breakfast at opposite ends of the counter and had gone to work on different cars.

That's why when you locked the door, you sighed in defeat but also relief, glad he wasn't there- or so she thought, for when she entered the living space, she found a familiar hunched over back at the dining table, typing away.

Great.

With a slight “Hmph”, you marched into the open kitchen, placing your briefcase on the marble top counter and glaring at him, noticing him visibly flinch. Good, he should know she's still upset.

You turned to grab a glass from the cabinet, only for your phone to right, your sour expressions fading at the name of your work bestie, the only person who understood you- other than the stupid gremlin of a man sitting 3 feet away from you- Mrs.Song.

Swiping to accept the call, you put it on speaker as you began to take out the ingredients for dinner, “Hello, my love, how are you!?”

Her voice echoed in the silence, and you heard the chair screech, yes, leave you, bastard- of course, he was afraid of Mrs Song, hell, Mingi was as well- and Hongjoong knew you had not told her about your little fight because she’d been on maternity leave, but would you now? Was he ready to hear you talk about how bad of a husband he was?

No, he wasn't, honestly he had regretted it as soon as the words had left his mouth, he had noticed your eyes go blank, maybe you were having a bad day, or maybe you wanted him to not act like any other idiot from work, maybe you were tired and stressed- and he may have added to it.

“Missing you, stupid work and stupid men- how's the maternity leave going?”

“It's good…as good as it can be.”

“Mingi taking care of you?”

“Of course!” Her cheerful voice filled the silence in their home, one that had Hongjoong wincing. Oh, he knew what you were doing, “What about you? I heard the new board member was eying Joong.”

“Oh my god!” Slamming the knife down, you took a deep breath; images of that hag staring shamelessly at your man appeared before your eyes, “She was- I was leaving okay- and then she stops me and is just ‘your husband is a very good looking man’, and initially I was like okay? I know my Joongie is good-looking. Why are you staring him up like a creep?!”

Mrs.Song's laughter rang across the kitchen followed by a static, “Oh? So you're not mad at him anymore?”

Hongjoong, who was just around the corner, who had come to take a file he had left on the table, who had heard the conversation flow to another topic and who he had very much heard the ‘my Joongie’, decided to stay hidden, especially when he felt something brew within him at the sound of the way you were being so possessive.

“Of course, I'm mad at that idiot!”

He flinched at your tone, umm…okay so you were bipolar, and he fell in love with a mentally ill person-

“Hongjoong is very annoying, very stupid, very noisy sometimes too- he's squeaky too.” His face deadpanned at your remarks, “He can't cook, he can barely clean, he's a damn workaholic but he is also,” extremely handsome…”

His heart fluttered at your comment, and he heard you sigh, finally coming out of the corner to find her facing the stove, as he sat on a bar stool near the counter, watching her stir the pot.

“Well, that's true…don't let Mingi know I said that.”

You cackled at your friend's response, before mumbling, “Don't tell stupid Joong I said that…he'd be over the moon…his big head is inflated enough-”

A sneeze stopped you mid way, turning around to glare at the eavesdropped, “My queen, I will call you back.”

“Sure, play nice you two~”

Hongjoong watched you hang up before he scurried over to you and hugged you before you could react.

“Excuse me.” you mumbled, trying to push him off you before you grabbed his face, squished his cheeks, and frowned at him, “I was complimenting my husband because I'm possessive.”

“You're complementing your husband because you love him...and he loved you very much too” He mumbled back, holding onto your waist like his life depended on it, only for you to sigh and let go of his face, “I'm sorry, the dishes weren't a big deal-”

“N-no, they were…I should clean up after myself…you work too…and I need you to be active at work.” He hummed, gently swaying you side to side, earning a giggle from you, “Oh yeah? And why is that?”

“So you can keep me safe from the hag~” He sang back only for you to shove him away, “Good lord. Lord forbid someone finds a man with no rizz like me”. You walked back to the stove only for him to cling onto you from the back- a clingy Joongie was a rare Joongie, one that you loved the most- as he kissed the side of your head, “Let me set the table, love…we got a whole budget to make.” With that, he pulled away, his signature chuckle echoing in the kitchen that followed your whining about how much you hate work.

It didn't matter, though; you still had to go to work because your Joongie needed you to be there - a true corporate couple.

[buddiebeginz]

There's been a lot of discussion lately about when will Eddie come out and when Buddie canon will happen. I think a lot more people are feeling optimistic that it actually will happen now so the conversation has shifted into people being worried how this is all going to play out. I've seen people saying that if Eddie comes out and Buddie is fully confirmed this season (i.e. they confess their feelings/ there's a kiss) that would be way too fast. I have some issues with that line of thinking though.

For starters after Buck came out in season 7 we had a lot of new people join fandom (even more join during the summer hiatus), which I'm glad for all the new people who have found 911 particularly because the majority are now rooting for Buddie. Still I feel like a lot of the newer fan's opinions (on this topic) are being heard over some of us who have been in fandom for years.

I'm not saying if you're a newbie that your opinions on the show don't matter but I do think you should take the time to listen to those of us who have been around longer. The fact is if us long time Buddie fans hadn't been rooting for this ship for years we wouldn't even be as close to them becoming canon as we are. Buck likely wouldn't have had his bi awakening if not for us either. We've supported the show and pushed them for years to give these characters the storylines they deserve. That should matter when you're talking about something like how and when Buddie canon will happen.

I understand that people want Buddie to get together in just the right way but I think we all need to realize there is no one right way this will happen. We need to make peace now before it happens that there will be things about them coming together we won't expect even things we may not exactly like. All that matters is they finally get to take their relationship to that next level. That both Buck and Eddie get to realize their person their soulmate has always been right beside them. The other mains have had their person for years it's beyond time for Buck and Eddie to (consciously fully) have that too.

-----

I've seen people say that Eddie deserves a long journey to figuring out his sexuality and he needs to work on his mental health before being with Buck. And while I do think Eddie deserves more focus and screen time I don't see 911 doing a long drawn out thing with him. 911 typically does smaller 1-3 ep arcs for their characters. There's also the fact that they've been dropping hints for Eddie's coming out these past two seasons. Ones I'm positive they will connect back to other things throughout the series, like why it never worked out with him in his relationships with women.

I'm also personally not a fan of the logic that someone needs to do all these things to change themselves to be ready for love. Buck and Eddie have seen each other through their best and their worst. The show has literally made it a point to tell you that's what love is on numerous occasions. They said that love is about stepping into someone's mess with them. Why is it that Bobby didn't need to be a perfect person before he was worthy of Athena's love? Go back and watch season 1 Bobby was not in a good place when they got together. He was getting better but he was still struggling and up until the end of the season was still thinking about ending his life. But we see Athena "step into the mess" with him. She starts by going to church with him and we see them in s2 (early on in their relationship) talk about his past at different times.

I just feel like this fandom sometimes holds Eddie to unfair standards. He's been struggling for the past couple of seasons but I honestly think we're going to find out in 8b that it's connected to him having not felt able to live his truth. We saw in 806 that Eddie is starting to embrace joy and taking steps to fully be himself. That he's starting even in small ways to take ownership of what he wants and doing things for himself not because he feels obligated to.

I think him going back to Texas is not just to get Chris but the shows way of giving him a rebirth of sorts. They're bringing him back to where he's from and it's where I think Eddie is going to realize who he is and what he wants (Buck) and that him and Chris don't belong in Texas they belong in LA with Buck and the rest of their found family. And this time Eddie will get to make the decision to leave not based on fear or desperation or running away from his life but based on knowing where he truly belongs.

I know there's also a worry that if Eddie comes out in 8b it will feel rushed but the length of the story being told shouldn't be the main concern it should be how well the show tells it.

They could have him realize his feelings for Buck (because I do think him figuring out his sexuality is going to be tied to that) while he's still in Texas. That could be one whole episode just Eddie (like they did for Bobby in s7) or have it play out over a few eps. Then Eddie comes home and Buddie canon happens by the end of s8. I also feel like people are forgetting we have quite a few eps for 8b left to go so it's not like Eddie coming out and Buddie canon are both going to happen in 1 or 2 eps right after the other. It's very likely Eddie realizing his feelings will happen earlier and Buddie canon will happen in one of the last eps of the season.

Also even if they have Eddie come out in one ep that doesn't mean it's the end of him ever talking about his sexuality or facing any struggles with it. We haven't seen Buck facing much struggle when it comes to his sexuality but I think it will be different with Eddie. Even if Buddie officially get together in s8 in s9 we could still see things like Eddie having mixed feelings over being out especially when it comes to stuff like pda. Maybe we could even see Eddie talking to the priest again. Eddie coming out and Buddie canon happening doesn't mean it's the end of Eddie's sexuality journey it's just the beginning.

Like I said before we need to make peace that every part of these stories isn't going to make everyone happy but I think the last thing we should be doing when Eddie comes out and Buddie canon happens is look for reasons to criticize the show for how it happens. They will inevitably receive hate from bummys and people who will accuse them of making the show too gay. We can't add to that by complaining that a storyline didn't happen in a perfect way. If they actually finally go there with these characters we need to celebrate the show and be louder with our praise than any bs they'll get.

-----

On the subject of Buddie I've seen people say that if they confess their feelings for one another by the end of 8b it will feel rushed that the general audience won't get what's happening because the show hasn't set the groundwork for their relationship. I feel like I'm seeing this argument more from newer fans which I guess makes sense because to you it probably does seem like everything is moving fast. But for those of us who have watched Buck and Eddie's relationship develop over years and years this has all been a long long time coming in fact it's beyond overdue.

Some of you need to remember that Buck was supposed to come out in s4 (the shooting was likely to be the catalyst to him realizing his feelings for Eddie) and Eddie in s5 which means Buddie canon was likely to happen that same season. How can s8 be too soon when they were supposed to get together three seasons ago? They have literally been through almost everything Madney and Bathena have been through or some variation thereof. If Buck and Eddie were a straight couple they would have been married already. Buck and Eddie have spent 7 years building their relationship. Building a life and family together. Them finally admitting they're in love with each other is simply the natural progression their relationship should be taking from best friends (that have always been more than friends) to lovers. I think another reason people question if it's too fast for this to happen in s8 is because a queer couple like this has never happened on a show like 911 before. There's been plenty of slow burn straight couples. Which is why I'm positive if Buck and Eddie were a guy and a girl there wouldn't be this big debate over if it should happen now, people would be saying what the hell is this show even doing? Why haven't they kissed already?

-----

A big point about all of this that I feel like is being left out of the discussions is that 911 is made in the US and is first and foremost made for US audiences. I bring this up because as someone who is from the states it's very apparent there's a huge uprising of anti lgbtq rhetoric and legislation here right now. I know it probably seems unfathomable to some people that the US government could do something like ban lgbtq people from TV but there's already been pushes to ban things like lgbtq books on a state level so it could happen. But what is more likely is networks and companies have already started to capitulate to trump to protect themselves and their money. We have no way of knowing how bad things will continue to get with trump and how a network like ABC will behave in the future. We don't have the luxury to sit back and say let's wait until s9 or 10 for Buddie to officially get together when there's no certainty of what will even be happening in the US by the time those seasons are made.

Connected to that same topic of what's going on not just in the US but in other countries too. This attack on lgbtq rights means it's more important than ever for Buddie to finally be together. I know that 911 has always had queer characters and ships and they should always be respected for the important representation they've given on the show since day one (particularly characters like Henren and their family) but Buck and Eddie are ground breaking in a way we really haven't seen on TV before. Two men who are best friends and who have come out later in life. Who have fallen for each other over years of building their relationship. Who have spent years raising their son together. Who are an interracial couple. Buck and Eddie in a loving relationship together as a family with Chris is vital representation the world needs to see right now. That lgbtq people need to see. We need to see more depictions of queer joy in the face of all of this hate.

-----

I see people keep pushing back the time frame of when Buddie should officially get together when we were in s7 people were saying s8 now I've seen them say s9, I've even seen some people recently say s10. I need some of you to realize 911 is a network TV show and that this isn't the golden age of TV anymore. TV shows get canceled left and right sometimes for no reason at all. 911 itself was canceled from Fox after s6 not because no one was watching it but because Fox felt it was too expensive to make. 911 is a super successful show one that will likely go on to it's 9th season and that's an amazing thing when a lot of shows now barely even make it past like two seasons. But because 911 is so many seasons in and is so costly not just to make but also for the cast that means there's always a risk that it could get canceled again. I hope that 911 goes on for at least 10 more seasons but we can't guarantee that at all. The more we push Buddie back the more we run the risk of them not happening at all.

The other thing is I don't want Buddie canon happening at the end of their last season. I want to see how Buck and Eddie's relationship develops and changes once they're officially together. I want to see all the good and bad stuff they go through like moving in together and telling everyone (especially Chris). I want to see how their parents react. How that changes things for them at work. They deserve to have an epic love story just as grand as any of the other main couples have had.

To add to the point of us not knowing how long the show may go on for we also have no idea how long all of the actors plan to stay with the show. I'm not sure how long the contracts they've all signed are for at this point but they've all been with the show a very long time. It's clear they all love working together and I can't see any of them giving that up right now but that could change. We're lucky that Oliver and Ryan have continued to stay with the show after this many years but we can't guarantee they will stay forever. Eventually they could want to go off and work on something else or just get tired of playing the same character. The fact is everything is in the right place at the right time for Buddie canon to happen now. It has to happen now or it may not happen at all.

Also as much as some of you want them to drag out Buck and Eddie getting together I think you underestimate how long the fanbase is willing to hang on for. Like I said some of us have been waiting for Buddie to happen for years we're tired. I almost stopped watching the show after s6 I was that fed up with how they handled things. I'm positive if something doesn't change by the end of s8 that there are people who will stop watching.

I know some have said they want to see Buck and Eddie realizing their feelings and going into s9 pinning. I don't think the show needs to drag out their will they/won't they any longer. I've seen some people say well Buddie hasn't really had a will they/won't they because it wasn't explicit in the show. Buck and Eddie have never been written as just friends. Go compare them to Chim and Hen's friendship. There has always been more there between them always. Again if this was a straight couple people would be complaining constantly wondering why they weren't together yet. They don't have to be kissing for it to be a slow burn. They've done everything but though. I mean what do you call that scene in the kitchen in 3x09? Eddie literally put Buck in his will. He told Buck he trusts him above anyone else with Chris. Buck sobbed when he knew Eddie was going to be okay after he was shot (he's never reacted that way over anyone else on the show getting hurt). Eddie counted the seconds when Buck wasn't breathing. These two men love one another they just haven't admitted it yet.

We don't need more time to tell this story. 911 hasn't always gotten it right (see the weird Vertigo story) but when it's good it can be fcking amazing. The shooting eps are some of my fav eps of tv ever and not just of 911. I have faith in Tim and the show. Tim has wanted to put Buck and Eddie together for a long time and I know he knows he only has one chance to tell this story and get it right. I have faith that him and the actors and writers will do the story justice however it gets told. I know they know it means a lot to so many people. And you know the truth is we're lucky that our ship is even at this point. That we can all debate about how Buddie canon should happen because we're all so sure now that it is in fact happening. Cause the show was very close to ending on a finale that had Buck and Eddie ending up with other partners. Buddie would have only been able to continue to live on in fanon. Instead I truly believe we are months away from the show making history.

[happy74827]

No Ordinary Life

[Sam Riordan x Female!Reader]

Synopsis: The group had almost ran out of options on what to do with Sam, but Andre had decided there was still one more option to explore. And that option, was you. (GIF credits: @heronamedhawks)

WC: 1,179

Category: Slight Fluff, Slight Angst

We don’t know much about Sam as of right now, but I do know I would literally die for this boy. He and Emma really deserve the world, and they fr better have their happy ending (which seems impossible given the universe they live in, but one can hope). This definitely deserves a part 2, depending how well it goes, but for now enjoy the purity that is Sam.

Edit(2023): Hey I finally made the part 2, check it out here

『••✎••』

As Sam walked down the bustling halls of Godolkin, he couldn't help but feel like an outsider. All around him, kids with extraordinary powers, kids like him, were chatting, laughing, and walking to their classes. They were able to use their gifts freely and openly, and they were respected by others for it, but Sam didn't have that luxury. Honestly, he couldn’t remember a time that he did.

All he remembered was the woods, his brother, and the constant pain of being hunted.

His hand unconsciously traveled to top of his head, pulling the hoodie that Emma had lent over to him farther over his face as he tried to remain as inconspicuous as possible. It wasn't easy when the hallway was completely crowded by nosy students, but he did his best. That’s all he could really do.

Emma and Marie (as he found her name to be) were by his side, protecting him for the skewing eyes of others. For the most part it worked, except it drawn more attention to her due to that odd system that Emma had acknowledged him about. A rating, whatever that was.

It was cool to know that his brother had been ranked number one, though.

If Luke was still… No, don’t think about it, Sam.

He shook his head, ridding himself of that train of thought. There was no point in dwelling on the past, and thinking about his brother wouldn’t change anything. He was gone, and Sam was left alone.

His thoughts were interrupted by Jordan, who he was still slightly confused about. He? She? They? They seemed to have been good friends with his brother and they were friendly enough, so Sam didn’t really question the matter too much.

Plus, he kinda enjoyed the subtle sarcasm that Jordan would once in a while use. It made him feel like a kid back in school. So for that, Sam was thankful.

“Dude, this has got to be the stupidest thing we’ve ever done,” Jordan had said, turning to the guy walking besides them… Andre. Sam didn’t know what to make of him, or anyone really. He had always been so closed off from other people, that now it was almost a bit overwhelming.

But at least he had Emma, so he didn't have to worry about the social aspect too much.

Andre gave Jordan a sideways look, a small smirk on his face. He seemed pretty chill too.

“Listen, I don’t like this anymore than you do, Jordan,” Andre stated, shoving his hands in his pockets. “But with everything happening, and with Cate… this is our best option.”

“Yes, let’s bring the kid with a bounty over his head into the place where they’re all going to be looking for him. Great idea, Andre. Seriously, how did I not think of it first. Soooo smart of you, dude. Good job. I'm so glad we're friends, really I am.”

Jordan rolled their eyes, and Andre just looked away in annoyance. Then, to Sam’s dismay, an awkward silence fell over the group. Once again, Sam was struck by just how different his life was now. It was like he was suddenly thrown into another world, and he had no idea how to function in it. He was so far out of his comfort zone that he couldn’t even see the zone.

Sam glanced over to Emma, and saw her smiling encouragingly at him. He tried his best to return the gesture, but he felt like his face muscles were going to fall off if he forced them any longer.

After what seemed like hours, but really only a couple minutes, Andre halted in front of a random dorm room door, and turned to face the group. He sighed, his face set into a look of grim determination. Then, he knocked.

Three times, Sam counted. Three knocks.

The door opened almost immediately after, and the man who answered had to be the most handsome human being Sam had ever seen. He had short black hair, a sharp jaw, and a dazzling smile. It was actually kind of intimidating.

“Whadda’ want?” the man asked, his voice a rich baritone. Sam didn't know why, but it felt like the man was judging him. His eyes scanned over the group, lingering on Sam for just a second, before returning back to Andre.

Andre cleared his throat, a bit nervously, but he didn’t get a chance to speak as Jordan scoffed, shoving past the man and into the room. Emma followed, giving the man an apologetic look as she did. And thus, everyone followed, leaving the man alone and bewildered in the doorway.

Once everyone was settled inside, the man shut the door and leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest. He glared at Andre, his eyes burning holes through his head, but Sam didn’t pay any attention towards him anymore. All his eyes were on the strange girl in front of him, you.

You were sitting on the floor, legs crossed and a bored expression on your face. Your eyes were half lidded, and you seemed to be lost in your own little world. Andre had mentioned you, a little. Said that you were the person he had called earlier, that you would help them figure out what to do with Sam, and that you knew and could a lot of stuff. But he had never told them how gorgeous you were.

Your hair was down, and looked so soft that Sam just wanted to touch it, run his fingers through it, and feel the texture. You had a cute little button nose, and a round, chubby face that was just too adorable. And your eyes were so expressive, a mixture of colors that swirled and shone and sparkled in the light.

Andre had called your attention and you snapped out of it, blinking a few times before glancing up at him. It was then that you noticed the others, and you stared at them all, wide eyed and open mouthed, but that was quickly replaced with a smile.

“Hi, Andre! Wow, you must be Jordan… Marie… and Emma? Right? Oh, and you must be the kid Andre talked about, oh my gosh. It's so nice to finally meet you all. Sorry I didn’t say anything when you came in, I was just finishing up this thing for Kota. Oh, Kota! You're still here… hi. Wait, why are you all here? You weren’t supposed to be here until 2:00, and it's only-”

You looked down at the watch on your wrist, your eyes widening even more when you realized the time. You had been talking so fast that no one had been able to get a word in edgewise, but you had managed to finish what you had to say, and it was all so rushed that it was hard to keep up.

The only thing Sam could focus on was how despite all of that rambling and mumbling, you were still keeping that bright smile that never seemed to falter. A truly happy supe? He never thought it would exist. Even Emma, as sweet and pretty as she was, tended to falsify the smiles she had. Sam only saw her real one about three times. He cherished them, of course. Every single one.

You stood up, brushing yourself off and fixing your clothes, and walked over to them. Your hand was outstretched, and your smile was radiant. Sam could practically feel the happiness radiating off of you.

You looked so innocent, so sweet and pure. He could hardly believe that you were a supe, but the fact that they were all standing here said otherwise. You had power, and you knew how to use it.

Jordan and Marie seemed to have recovered from their daze, and the two shook your hand after Andre. Marie had even introduced herself, and it ended with you in giggles, telling her that you already had known her name.

Emma was next, and she had taken your hand immediately and shook it.

Then it was just him that was left.

He stood frozen, staring down at your outstretched hand. He could feel all the eyes in the room on him, and he just knew that his hood was starting to slip.

His instincts were yelling at him, screaming at him to run. To get out of there and stay far, far away from you. From everyone.

But he couldn’t.

So, instead of fleeing, he slowly, cautiously took your hand in his. It was small, warm, and fit perfectly.

You smiled again but this time it was strictly for him, because of him, and it made his heart beat just a bit faster.

He didn’t even realize it until your smile has widened, but he had pulled down his hood, letting you see his face. He didn't understand why he did, and a part of him wanted to pull the fabric right back over his face, but it was too late now.

The damage had been done.

Sam didn’t have a chance to scrape off the dried blood off his cheeks, another result of an accidental outburst, and he could feel your eyes rake over his face, taking in every single detail.

But it wasn’t judgmental, or critical.

No, there was something else in those swirling eyes of yours, and it was then that he noticed the little flecks of gold hidden in the sea of color.

Sam was a bit embarrassed, to say the least, and he tried to pull his hand away but your grip only tightened, and he didn't have the strength to resist. He felt your hand go up his arm, unraveling the hoodie that clung to him like a second skin.

The others didn’t seem to do anything as you pulled the material above his elbow.

Your eyes roamed over the scar that stretched across his forearm, and he knew what was coming before the words even left your mouth.

Sam couldn’t bring himself to look at you as you asked the dreaded question, and his eyes were glued to the floor.

It was Emma who answered, her voice barely a whisper.

Sam despised the pity in your tone. The last thing he wanted was to be pitied. He didn't need or want anyone's pity. He was fine. Everything was fine.

The silence shattered as you took a sharp breath, but Sam couldn't bring himself to look at you. Not when he knew the look of pity in your eyes.

You released his arm, the hoodie dropping to the ground, but Sam didn't even register it. He stood there, frozen, as you slowly reached out your hand towards his face.

"Before I do anything, I want to warn you so it doesn't scare you. Is that okay with you? I just... I want to make sure you're alright. But if you don't want me to touch you, I won't. I'll respect your boundaries. Just tell me, okay?"

Sam blinked, his head tilting upwards, his eyes wide with surprise. There was no pity in your eyes. No negativity or degradation. Only a gentle concern and kindness that he had only experienced in these past few days.

Your touch was tender, and he felt a warmth spread across his face. He couldn't bring himself to deny you. So he nodded, and a small smile appeared on your face. It was still a smile, but a different kind. One he had never seen from you before. And once again, that smile was meant just for him.

Suddenly, the lights in the room dimmed, capturing Sam's attention. He hadn't noticed before, but the entire room was filled with interconnected lights, forming a grid-like pattern. They began to glow, pulsating and shifting with each passing moment. The light danced across the walls, creating mesmerizing shapes.

Sam was captivated by the whole process. And then, the lights suddenly stopped, freezing in place. Sam expected them to return to their normal brightness, but they grew brighter and brighter. It was then that he noticed your hands. They were no longer touching him, but rather, they hovered above him, palms facing his face. A peculiar expression settled on your face.

Sam didn't know what it meant, but he didn't have time to wonder because, in an instant, your hands transformed into light. It wasn't like beams shooting out of your palms, but rather, golden particles that flowed around your body and traveled along the lights, intensifying their brightness. Patterns began to form and move.

Sam watched in awe as the shapes transformed into pictures and scenes. The colors melted and shifted together. Light filled the room, washing away the world around him, leaving only the vibrant colors, the images, and your face.

Your face, so close to his. The smile still adorned your lips, and your eyes shone like stars, the brightest things in the room. Sam could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Reluctantly, he admitted that the light was beautiful, just like you.

It was the most extraordinary sight he had ever witnessed. It was as if the sun had exploded, its light spreading across the room. The colors danced along the walls, forming vivid images. Sam saw a field, a house, a family. He saw his old friends. He saw him. His brother, Luke.

Sam's face crumpled, and a sob escaped his throat. Tears blurred his vision, but they were absorbed by the light, vanishing as soon as they fell. You remained a silent observer, watching over him as the colors gradually faded, and the world returned.

The room was as bright as before, but everything was the same. Sam could still see the concern and worry etched on your face. You reached up to wipe away his tears, but this time he flinched back, and the contact never happened. Your hands fell to your sides.

Tears welled up in your eyes, and your lips trembled, trying to hold back your emotions. But a tear escaped, rolling down your cheek. Andre cleared his throat, breaking the spell. Both you and Sam turned to face the others.

They were all watching, expressions of shock and confusion on their faces, except for Jordan, who wore a mask of indifference.

Andre and Emma stared at you, mouths agape, while Sam saw the tears in your eyes, the fear evident on your face.

Of what, he couldn’t tell. As of right now, there were so many things you could be scared of. With The Woods, being the thing that contains most of it all, It was hard to pinpoint one specific reason.

Then, just like before, Andre's voice cracked as he decided to interrupt Sam’s thoughts.

"What the hell was that?"

[hollowed-theory-hall]

I really enjoyed the sorting questions that you went through for the golden trio + draco. What do you think Voldemort's would look like? I can see him as a slytherin with a gryffindor runner-up as an inverse to Harry's.

Thank you! Glad you liked my sorting method (I actually use it when making OCs for non-HP projects too since it's a useful character breakdown).

Previously on this series:

1. How I sort characters and how the Golden Trio are all Gryffindors for different reasons

2. Draco Malfoy is a Slytherin with very few Slytherin traits

Now, onto Tom Riddle Jr. I can definitely see him as a Slytherin with a Gryffindor runner-up. It's kind of how I always saw him, but let's break it down:

I will add that most of what I'm saying here would make more sense if you knew how I see TMR/Voldemort and I have a whole masterpost for Tom Riddle essays here since I'm not delving too deeply into the evidence and analysis in this post, which is more of an overview.

1. Problem Solving - what is the go-to method of said character to solve problems in a situation that isn't a life-and-death threat. Both without a time limit and on a time crunch.

So, when Tommy has time to plan, he organizes a show. He's dramatic, over the top, and meticulous. He 100% practiced saying "the boy who lived, come to die" before Harry heard it. He studied for his exams, he experiments, he researches. This guy is a dedicated Ravenclaw when he has the time and means.

The Infri cave with the locket is something this nerd felt proud of making. It's kind of an escape room if you think about it. You gotta solve the magical riddles to get through.

He likes inventing his own potion of despair, making up all the wards and spells on the boat and the curse he placed on the ring was probably of his making too. Point is, he's creative, dedicated, and goes about it with an academic air.

So that's a point for Ravenclaw.

I will note though, that Tom cares about how things are done. He doesn't like unnecessary death. He needs to defeat Harry in a proper duel and not just poison him like a Slytherin would. Even when he has all the time in the world to plan, Tom's methods will be ones he considers "the right way" to go about something — which is a point to Gryffindor.

When on a time crunch, he is bold and rash. He makes extreme choices quickly and on the spur of the moment. Like, "oh, Myrtel accidentally died, no matter, I'll try out this new Horcrux spell I found before anyone finds out". His idea to frame Hagrid was also spur of the moment. He didn't actually think it through and in retrospect, he thought it was stupid and he couldn't believe anyone believed him:

but I admit, even / was surprised how well the plan worked. I thought someone must realize that Hagrid couldn’t possibly be the Heir of Slytherin. It had taken me five whole years to find out everything I could about the Chamber of Secrets and discover the secret entrance ... as though Hagrid had the brains, or the power!

(CoS)

But it was the choice he made when he had no time to think things through and was acting on impulse. Tom, isn't cunning when he doesn't have the time to plan, but he definitely makes bold moves and fast.

So that's another point to Gryffindor.

2. Problem-solving under threat of death - when the situation gets really dangerous, how do they deal with it?

We don't see Tom honestly scared often, but when he knows the game is up at the end of book 7, when his Death Eaters are dying and Harry tells him he's the master of the Elder Wand, what does Tom do?

He attacks.

He is unwilling to show he is defeated. He stands proud and brave. He doesn't even try to think of a cunning solution or a way out. He doesn't try to run away (even though he could've apparated away! I mean he could break the anti-apparition wards on the ministry) he stays and fights to his death.

So this is another point to Gryffindor.

Though, I'll give him his first Slytherin point for pride and not being willing to show weakness ever.

3. What they aspire for - what do they want to accomplish for themselves. Be it an ambition towards a job or something they want to just be better at.

Here Tom gets another Slytherin point.

Tom wants to be revered. He wants to be praised and looked up to. He wants to be the greatest. The best. At everything. He wants to be known, he wants a legacy, he wants to never die.

He wants to never be poor, helpless, forgotten orphan Tom Riddle ever again.

He has so many ambitions, he wants a lot and works towards all of it. He is honestly kinda greedy in the way he wants it all.

4. Motivations - why do they do the things they do? What gets them up in the morning?

Arrogance and spite.

Tom wants everything he wants becouse he honestly thinks he is better and greater than basically everyone else. He sees very few people as close to equal to him, be they muggles or wizards. He considers himself the best. Very Slytherin pride, on his part.

And he's petty and spiteful. He likes to say about himself how merciful and above mundane pettiness he is, but he actually isn't. He's lying to himself.

I mean, he dislikes Peter, so he forces him to essentially be Snape's servant. He wants to humiliate the Malfoys because Lucius disappointed him and he is so petty about it every second he sits over Lucius' head in his own manor and humiliates him and his family. Tom is obsessed with Harry because Harry is that one taint on his otherwise perfect record. And Tom Riddle doesn't do grades below an O. He can't fail.

He is an arrogant and spiteful perfectionist. This drive and ambition to perfection in everything he does gives him a point for Slytherin.

5. Defining trait - if you need to choose one trait to define them, what would it be?

Self-hatred.

I know it sounds weird, I mean, this is Voldemort, super proud dark lord who has people bow down to him, how can this be his most defining trait?

Well, it's becouse it's at the core of everything that makes him him. It's why he became a dark lord, in a way.

Why is Tom as spiteful as he is and strives for greatness and perfection as he does? Becouse he wants to be known. He wants validation and praise. He wants other people to see him as great.

This need for validation and praise is a Slytherin point. But there is more to that.

When I say self-hatred, I mean it. For all of Tom's supposed fixation on never dying, he actually has very little self-preservation. He tears up his own soul in experimental rituals to make Horcruxes. He keeps endangering himself in battle because of his arrogance, yes, but also because he really doesn't mind putting himself in a lot of risk. When he wants things done (killing the Potters, facing Harry & Dumbledore in the DoM, chasing after the elder Wand in Germany) he does it himself, danger be damned.

Yes, he thinks everyone else is beneath him, but he doesn't think that highly of himself either. This leads nicely into the next question and a point to Gryffindor for his surprising lack of self-preservation instincts.

6. Valued trait - if they had to pick their favorite trait about themselves, what would they pick?

Intelligence/skill.

Remember what I said about Tom not thinking that highly of himself? Yeah, well, he sees his own intelligence and skill (the only stuff he ever got praise and attention for) as the only aspects of himself of value. He never really appreciated his own personality traits (even though you could say something about his determination or resilience, but he doesn't really care for it that much. I think he doesn't fully consciously think of his own traits this way, really). He doesn't actually like his looks all that much either and was glad to shed them for an inhuman appearance to show how much more he is than everyone else.

But he does truly appreciate his own intelligence and skill in magic above all else.

Which gives another point to Ravenclaw.

7. Values - what traits do they completely despise in others? What traits do they appreciate in others?

He despises traitorous cowards.

Think how he treats Wormtail — he derides the fact he betrayed James and Lily even though it helped him. He hates his sniveling and cowardice. He appreciates bravery and boldness and above all loyalty.

So, that's another Gryffindor point.

He also appreciates skill, cleverness, and cunning in others.

There's a reason he likes Snape as much as he does. Snape is ambitious, talented, intelligent, and clever. Tom likes clever people and he dislikes stupidity.

So, that's another Ravenclaw point.

8. And finally, which house do they want?

I'm not sure how many notions Tom came to Hogwarts with, when he sat on that stole with the sorting hat on his head, which house did he want to go to?

I think it was Slytherin.

Not just becouse Dumbledore was the head of Gryffindor, but because of what the hat probably told him. I mean, the hat told Harry this about Slytherin:

“Not Slytherin, eh?” said the small voice. “Are you sure? You could be great, you know, it’s all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that

(PS)

And little Tom wants to be great, he wants to be known and praised (Even the older Tom wants these things, if, he isn't as desperate). He wants to live up to what Ollivanders said about his want:

“Yes, thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember. ... I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter. ... After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things — terrible, yes, but great.”

(PS)

And if Slytherin is the path to greatness, that's where he'd want to go. And that ambition, choosing a house for his ambition and desire for glory, that is a point for Slytherin.

Tallying up the points:

G - 5, S - 5, H - 0, R - 3

So this actually gives us a Slytherin and Gryffindor hat stall for Tom. So, yeah.

As a refresher to my other sortings from my former posts for comparison:

Harry: G - 5, S - 4, H - 3, R - 0 (Gryffindor with Slytherin runner-up)

Hermione: G - 9, S - 2, H - 0, R - 1 (True Gryffindor)

Ron: G - 6, S - 4, H - 1, R - 1 (Gryffindor with Slytherin tendencies)

Draco: G - 3, S - 5, H - 3, R - 0 (Slytherin (The hat did make the call instantly))

I honestly found this one interesting to do. Tom is a bit of a messy character who is very contradictory. He thinks he is the best, but he still hates most of who he is. He talks a lot about Slytherin's legacy, but he isn't exactly the epitome of cunning and his behavior is very Gryffindor-ish. I will give him ambition though, he got that down.

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for indulging in my boyfriend's cuck kink?

Alright, so for some background, both me (25, M, panromantic asexual) and my BF (28, M, bisexual) live in a VERY conservative rural area, literally NOBODY knows we're together even though we've been dating for years and the community is pretty tight-knit, that's how much effort we've put into hiding ourselves. We've thought about moving out but honestly other than the constant threat of being found out our life here is pretty great, we know everyone in the community and are on very friendly terms with them, we were both born and raised here so we're honestly kinda scared of losing everything and starting over in a new place, plus I really want to stay to support my dad because I know he can already get pretty lonely as is (mom works out of town, only visits for holidays if even that, plus I don't have any other siblings to keep him company) and me moving away would hurt him a lot.

Now, with that out of the way onto the actual situation: the cuck thing is something me and my boyfriend have discussed about at length, he's not shy about it to me and I'm always glad to make him happy so I'd be open to trying it if the opportunity arose. The thing is- I never really thought there WOULD be an opportunity for it due to the circumstances described above. Well, that was until a girl we both know confessed to me on Christmas Eve. That girl- let's call her Ellie (23, F, straight(?))- is someone I've actually had feelings for a while now (my BF knows and told me he'd be fine with me dating her as an 'official' relationship, but only if I keep us a secret), however I never did anything about those feelings. I was honestly kinda shocked when the confession happened, but in a good way, and I ended up accepting in the heat of the moment, so now me and Ellie have been 'officially' dating for about a month.

Here's where I think I might be the asshole: since that happened my BF has started to hang out with the two of us while we're acting like a very lovey-dovey couple and he's obviously been getting off on that (as in, it's obvious to me, doubt anyone else picked up on it) and I've been having mixed feelings about this. On one hand we did talk about it and agree to it, but on the other I do think this is unfair to Ellie in a way that I didn't realize previously because I never realistically considered this happening. My BF is reassuring me, saying that it's best we keep hidden anyway and that so long as nobody finds out no harm is done, but I still feel kinda bad about it, yet at the same time I don't really know what I should do in this situation to make it right. The whole thing only gets even more complicated when you account for the fact that Ellie is our pastor's granddaughter and as such comes from a very well known family in our community, a family that has a reputation to uphold, and if the thing about me and my BF came out it would surely impact her badly in that way as well. On the other, she really gets along with my son (8, M) and I really think that she'd make a great mother to him so I don't want to deprive him of that and break things off just because of my own personal drama. On the other OTHER hand I also don't want to break up with my BF because it would feel cruel in my opinion, especially when I very much still love him.

So, AITA for keeping my promise and just going along with this and keeping quiet to save myself and my BF?

What are these acronyms?

[its-all-stardust]

Hey, so first of all, I love your work, it's absoluteley amazing!!!

I saw that your requests are open, so I thought that I would ask for a Matt Murdock x reader oneshot? You know, just something cute and fluffy?

Maybe I'm gonna sound a bit stereotypical but how about a reader that owns a bakery and wants to try out a new recipe. Matt tries to sneak a taste from time to time while "helping out" (honestly, he's just teasing and making reader's job probably harder [affectionaly]). Just domestic fluff? Maybe please?

You don't have to if you don't want to, but I thought I'd give it a try :)

Thank you!! I'm glad you like my writing!! 🫂

I'm worried with this one that I tweaked things just enough that it's not exactly what you wanted anon, but I did my best and wrote what inspiration gave me!! I'll be honest, it could be fluffier, but I'm also not offended by my own writing so that's something lol I hope you like it!! ❤️❤️

Check out this post for request guidelines

Masterlist

Matt Murdock/GN!Reader

Word Count: 964

Was turning your residential apartment into a glorified bakery after you moved in with your boyfriend legal? According to Matt, a very good lawyer, it wasn’t technically illegal, so you did it anyway and prayed your landlord never found out.

It wasn’t really a bakery, not in the traditional sense. You didn’t try making it into a storefront, nor did you want it to be one. You did, however, take specialty orders through your website. You mainly baked for small events or private parties. You weren’t touching a wedding with a ten-foot pole unless you made the cake or just one of the cookies for the snack table.

It wasn’t enough to pay the bills on its own—you still had a full-time job—but you enjoyed it, and the small amount of extra income it generated was nice.

Matt enjoyed it, too. So much so that you often joked he had ulterior motives for dating you.

But even though baking was a passion, it still came with challenges.

You let out a frustrated sigh and leaned against your elbows, bent over the counter, and buried your face in your hands. 

This is the worst part about baking, you thought.

“Do you need help?” Matt asked, hand suddenly on your shoulder. You jumped, letting out a small gasp. “Sorry. I tried calling a couple of times.”

“It’s fine,” you sighed, turning to wrap your arms around his middle, leaning into him, and pressing your face against his neck. “I just hate this.”

Matt huffed a laugh. “It can’t be so bad. You say that about every new thing you try.”

“But I really mean it this time!” you whined, though you actually didn’t.

You strived for perfection, but new recipes were always daunting. Either the first few batches didn’t meet your standards, or the very first one did, but the subsequent batches often failed. You thought once or twice about not adding anything new to your menu, but you needed to keep a refreshed list, or else you risked losing repeat customers—the ones who made this business possible for you in the first place.

“We can do it together,” Matt offered, lips brushing against the top of your head. “Will that make it better?”

You considered it for a moment. Matt’s taste was impeccable. You often used him—and Foggy and Karen—as guinea pigs, and he was always able to offer you the best advice. In another life, he would have been a fantastic chef. You’ve never baked anything with him before, only handed him the finished product.

If he helped you now, as you were putting everything together, it could make the whole try, try again process you had going significantly shorter, if not bypassed completely.

“Yes, actually. I think it will,” you answered, lifting your head up. 

The only problem: Matt was a complete and utter nuisance.

He wouldn’t do what you told him, at times completely forgoing your instructions—the one you found in an old cookbook that wasn’t like anything you found online—and adding either the incorrect amount of something or adding something that wasn’t even on the list of ingredients.

No matter how many times you told him baking was an exact science and the time for experimentation was after you followed the recipe to a T and tasted the finished product, he refused to listen. You thought he did, at first, but then you caught him tossing in almond extract behind your back, and things only went downhill from there.

“Would you please stop sticking your fingers in the bowl?” you practically begged after you caught him helping himself to the cookie batter for the fourth time.

“How else am I supposed to taste it?” he asked with a playful smirk. He seemed to enjoy the fact he was making you want to pull your hair out.

“With the spoon I specifically set out for that purpose!” You picked it up and thrust it at him. He ignored it and stuck his finger in his mouth.

“But I’m blind. How am I supposed to know where it is?” 

You raised an eyebrow, not fooled. “The same way you find the bowl even after I move it.”

Matt shrugged. “Fair point. But if I used the spoon, I couldn’t do this.” He stuck his finger in the bowl again.

“Matthew, I swear to—”

He stuck his finger in your mouth, not far but enough for the batter to touch your tongue, before he pulled away.

“—God,” you couldn’t help but finish as the first notes of the batter processed. Brow furrowed, you focused on the taste, brushing your tongue against the roof of your mouth, trying to make it last while you sorted out the different flavors. It was…

“That’s amazing,” you said, stunned. “What did you put in there?” You pulled the bowl toward you, forgetting the spoon in your hand as you dipped in a finger from the other. It wasn’t what you were trying to make at all, and you needed another sample.

“I tried telling you it just needed a few extra ingredients.” Before you could stick your finger in your mouth, Matt took your hand, wrapping his lips around your batter-covered finger. His tongue lapped gently against the pad, almost teasing. “Now it’s perfect,” he said when he pulled away.

“I think I need you in the kitchen more often,” you said, wheels already turning in your mind.

Matt beamed at you and tried leaning in for a kiss. You, however, didn’t notice and stepped away to find your phone, leaving him confused.

You opened your notes app and said, “Quick, tell me what you did before you forget.”

Matt could only shake his head in amusement before he dutifully listed everything he had snuck into the batter.

[frostfires-blog]

Hello! I don't know if you've seen or not the epilogue of BNHA, but I'm sad about that. You can't imagine how happy and excited I am when founding out that BKDK is in your top 10 favorite ship. See, because mainly your favorite are het ships, I thought you'll ship IzuOcha but you really saw the dynamics between the characters before you ship them and I really admire that. Thanks for sharing your metas.

Oh when I saw Maid sama, felt nostalgic, now I'm not into it like I used to (especially for the romance) but I still love her character, have you read the manga? It's finished already.

Hi, apologies for the wait... As much as I wish I hadn't, I've seen the epilogue... I've been relatively quiet about it though—mostly because I was processing things and didn't want to voice half-baked thoughts...

Over the years, I've dealt with plenty of harassment from other shippers and didn't always handle it in the most mature way... So I mostly try not to post inflammatory statements that I know would provoke rival shippers. However, I won't shy away from defending my favourite ships from misinformation and unjust ridicule. Seeing how terribly many people in this fandom have treated BakuDeku shippers since the epilogue was released has incensed me. Just when we were finally treated somewhat decently—the rug has been pulled out from under us. I feel like I've been transported back to the pre-season 4 days...

I don't think one ship being made official necessitates that other shippers need to "wrap it up and leave"... I've gone through this before in other fandoms—so I'm going to continue standing strong. In any case, objectively speaking, IzuOcha wasn't officially confirmed. The hints dropped were very subjective. Horikoshi's words about the series' conclusion seem to lean towards leaving things open to fan interpretation…

I hope that most BakuDeku shippers will band together and remain steadfast. People can call me delusional all they like—but one epilogue doesn't erase years of symbolism, foreshadowing, and development. Sorry for using your ask as a place to vent... I honestly don't think I'll be making any other posts about the epilogue—other than the one I made comparing it to Jujutsu Kaisen's epilogue—since I don't want to give the bad apples in the fandom the satisfaction. Even that post, which I made half-jokingly, turned into a tiring back-and-forth argument trudging vitriol into the new year. I'm not mature enough that I can say I'll never provoke rival shippers again—but I want to try my best to keep things civil. All in all, I'm glad to hear from another BakuDeku shipper! Thank you for appreciating my work and supporting me.

Regarding Maid-sama, I have finished the manga. Maid-sama was actually the first shoujo manga series I read. I don't think my affection for the series has faded with time—which is likely because I wasn't very young when I started it.

Looking back, it does have some problematic scenes... However, I think that a lot of people forget that society's concept of various things—such as boundaries—has changed a lot compared to when the manga was released (2005-2013). Other shoujosei series from that timeframe have the same problematic tropes. In fact, there are far worse series and characters that are still being praised to this day. While I'm not excusing these things. I do think many people read into things way too much and misunderstand the series' overall tone and message as well as Usui's character.

While I greatly appreciate many of the newer romance series being released—as they align much better with society's current conventions—a couple of older shoujosei series like Maid-sama will always hold a special place in my heart. While I would love for them to continue the anime, I fear it will not be received well by the masses.

[alicepao13]

Hudson and Rex S07E02

Got a bit too long.

There is no way those guys manage to balance episodes better when they have a multitude of issues to deal with than when they have none. Are you kidding me?

Rear Window/Home Alone episode? What crazy genius thought of that? Where was that crazy genius in all the other seasons? I’m starting to think that these writers perform better under the immense stress of having to come up with logical plot lines for explaining character absences.

Before I forget. Dear promo department, just because the episode starts with the end scene (almost end scene) doesn’t mean you get to put that scene on the promo. 

Oh, by the way, did we ever do that? Start with a major scene and go backwards? I love that I just did a rewatch, by the way.

Charlie and Sarah moved in together (and she’s already deciding what to keep for the household, watch out, Charlie), and they just… moved in. No explanation. I guess the house was on offer? Too good of an offer to pass up, so they were like, what the hell. Can this even be aired on Up Faith and Family?

Charlie working the electronics in the new house. Lord help us. The "it's very tough to hear because you're barking" to Rex was funny.

Rex was "like that" with the old house? No, he wasn't. You're lying. Also, he's been trying to find a place to sleep because THERE ARE BOXES EVERYWHERE.

We have a great word for when a house is not yet finished and still looks like a constructions site and there is no English equivalent! Ugh.

Sarah has already started throwing away Charlie's stuff!

Lochlyn Munro was on White Chicks with John Reardon. I haven't watched that movie in some time but I still have the feeling I wanted to punch both their characters there lol

"I don't think she's coming back after that cruise". Well, you definitely jinxed her, Sarah.

I love Rex at home montages so much. And the music.

After more than 100 episodes, we finally see a cat. I wasn’t sure they existed in this universe. Also, Rex's cat plushie is 100% new.

Guns? You guys were shipping guns? What are you, Americans?

I like the throwbacks already. Even though I despise those two characters. Now I'm actually glad that I did the rewatch because while I'd remember Porter, I would definitely not remember ginger cop.

What do you mean the SJPD assigns the password purely based on someone’s name and birthday? Without any random numbers or characters??? I’m sorry but then the shitfest that inevitably followed is on the IT department. Everyone knows that most people, cops or not, will not bother to change their password. That’s why the password assigned must be RANDOM. Jesse, I’m blaming you. You’re the only IT guy in there I know.

Porter. You trusted Porter. Joe, I don’t know what to say, honestly.

Speaking of, what the actual hell do you mean IA found no further misconduct in Porter’s other cases? That’s impossible. Just this month while on my rewatch, I was writing that there is no way they won’t find anything, not with the way he handles cases. Did they even look?

“I look forward to meeting the real Rex”. Ohoho, buddy…

I like how affectionate Sarah is with Rex. 

Sarah to Rex: "Charlie understands your signals better than I do." Charlie: *attributes Rex’s barking to him smelling fertilizer, which if I recall has never happened, and almost washes away the blood off the murder weapon by accident, because he’s well versed in Rex speak* (I’m not mad. It was funny. Although I definitely called him an idiot there. Welcome back, himbo!Charlie.)

Hey, we got Charlie on his bike! On the seventh season.

I wrote a lot of things on my rewatch, most I’ve already forgotten. One thing I remember writing, was that if there are two cases that start as separate, they will magically connect at some point in the episode in almost every crime show. I feel like this show lives to prove me wrong.

Pet peeve. Jesse has his finger on the trigger the entire time during the arrest scene. It is 2025. Why did they bother to teach Justin Kelly the proper stance and didn’t bother to tell him that the index goes on the side of the frame of the firearm when they have to shove a camera on his face and arm. I'm not mad at the actor, by the way, it's not his job to know, that's technical stuff. What’s weird is that I’ve seen 100+ episodes of Hudson and Rex (102 now) and I think John Reardon has never done this? And I think that because I’d have reacted like that. In fact, I remember pointing out that he did hold it properly numerous times. So, silly me, I thought they had someone to tell them about stuff like that, at least for the main characters.

They remembered police vests! I might shed a tear.

You cannot set up a Home Alone scene and put dramatic music. Or, I guess you can, but I will still laugh. It was funny. I know that realistically, you can’t put on something like a Benny Hill music there because the entire scene will eventually lead to finding the body, but that part will be funny no matter what.

Did anyone think that something was going to happen to Charlie’s bike while on the stint? Because I did.

I’m glad that Rex turned out to be goading Arnold when he was holding the meat tenderizer and that he had already set up traps in the house because in the promo it seemed like an idiotic move. Yes, he’s a dog, but he’s a superdog and I’m used to him being smart.

The sheer amount of plush toys that Rex has... Oh. My. God. I think they moved to have more space for his plush toys, actually.

Charlie: *accusatorily* "Why is there blood on your tenderizer?" Oh my god, don’t pull out your handcuffs yet, Detective!

Thank god Rex thought to throw the paint on Arnold because it would take Charlie and Sarah another episode to figure it out, with the way they were going.

"She was gonna leave me". And... what? Now you ruined both your lives. Good job, shithead.

They're worried about the impression they made on their new neighbors? What about their old neighbors who turned up as murderer and victim?

Since when are Charlie and Sarah such proud Newfies to have a Newfoundland flag up?

Easter egg: Felipe Rodriguez's name is on the "For Sale" sign.

Yes, John Reardon’s reduced screentime is noticeable. And I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit that I missed Charlie and Rex’s partnership in this episode, especially following a Charlie/Rex focused season. But it is what it is. It’s also good to recognize it and to be a bit more appreciative of what he has offered in all these years to the show. On the other hand, we get to see more of Sarah, Joe, and Jesse. I know not everyone is tuning in for that, yes, the show is called Hudson and Rex. Well, tough. And I'd find it difficult for anyone to try to criticize how this season's episodes are structured without sounding like an asshole, for many reasons.

Promo: Per IMDb, there's an episode that doesn't credit John Reardon at all. I don't really see Charlie in this promo so it might be that one (although that's supposed to be the bees episode and I also don't see bees, there's only mention of oyster farms). And I'm not sure I even see Diesel in this promo, although I see Rex. Ah, the sadness of not being 10 years old anymore. They can't change dogs without me noticing.

[selfindulgentpixies]

Frenzied

Satoru Gojo x Gn!reader (afab)

MDNI And here it is! This has been in a my drafts for a bit. I love feral Gojo but I'm just so slow at smut. I hope it turned out well though and that you all enjoy it. Cw:GN!reader,Afab!reader,only they them pronouns used for reader, Gojo isn't the best at communication, might be a little dub conish but reader is enthusiastic, unprotected sex, slightly dom Gojo, ijichi gets the short end of the stick i'm so sorry Ijichi you put up with so much. Oh and Gojo is very bitey. I like his teeth okay?

He was never supposed to notice. He was supposed to be too focused when he got like this during a mission. Eyes wild with the adrenaline and blood lust, that’s what it was after all, you couldn’t call it anything else. Rarely were you put on missions with him unless your technique was specifically needed, you were more of a utility sort of sorcerer and while yes, technically you were a first grade, combat wasn’t where you excelled. So for dangerous missions where your cursed technique was required you were often put with Gojo. Which was fine! You enjoyed his company honestly. You thought he was funny and he’d seemed absolutely gleeful when he realized you found his antics entertaining.

It’s how you started ending up on more missions with him you’re pretty sure. Because if the strongest wanted something he’d get it. And you’re almost certain he decided at some point he wanted your company because you’re suddenly being put on missions with him where you don’t actually have to be there.

This increased frequency in you accompanying him though is how you begin to witness the frenzy he goes into during battle. The first time it happens you get a little thrill of fear as well as… well you don’t know how to place the feeling exactly. Not in this context anyway, not immediately because you don’t want to admit it to yourself. But after a second and third time you can’t deny what it is, the frenzy he goes into, his show of power, you’re turned on by it. What does that say about you that him laughing sadistically, each titter of sound bleeding out a bit more of his sanity, makes desire spark in your veins. What does it say that when he easily tears opponents apart but still draws it out that you press your thighs together as you feel that familiar coil of heat forming.

He was never supposed to notice though. 

Of course he notices.

It happens on a mission where in your mind you were glad that you were needed at least. It was getting hard to get other work done with how often you’d been getting sent on missions with him lately. Which you knew from rumors other people were starting to take notice of the frequency with which you were going on missions with the strongest who normally preferred to work alone. At this rate you were going to need to have a talk with him. 

But you had more pressing issues right now.

Gojo releases a long breath as he tosses the head of a curse he’d just torn to pieces like it was nothing, passing fingers through his hair, pushing it from his face for but a moment before it flops back over his forehead. His eyes shift to you then and you realize that the frenzy is still there as he turns to walk toward you. It feels different than every other time before that he’s gone to meet back up with you at the end of one of these missions. The air about him hasn’t calmed at all like it normally does as he approaches you. 

A shiver runs through you and you smile a bit nervously. “Guess that about wraps up the mission then. We just need to go get the.. artifact.. from the shrine…” Your voice trails off as he gets further and further into your personal space, backing you against the stone wall surrounding the shrine in question. “U-uh, Gojo, you’re getting awful clo-” You choke a little when the man in question is suddenly fully in your space, nearly pressing you against the wall with his forearms resting against the wall on either side of your head. Oh oh the frenzy is definitely still in his eyes. “Gojo?” 

He closes his eyes and takes a steadying breath, seeming to try and rein himself in. Then those electric blue eyes are focused on you again and he lowers his face closer to you. You’re so close in fact that his warm breath fans over your face. “You like this, don’t you?” 

You stutter, feeling heat rush to your face and well… “L-like what? What are you talking about?” Play dumb, play dumb because there’s no way he’d picked up on how you react to him fighting, right? You’re just coworkers, perhaps friends even. 

“Don’t be coy, you don't think you can trick these eyes do you? I see how you watch me fight, the way your pupils dilate, the rush of blood in your veins-” He smirks seeing how you seem to get more and more flustered as he speaks. “You don’t need me to continue, do you?” 

You shake your head in a jerky movement. 

“Good,” he husks. “Now I’m going to give you a chance to say ‘no’ if you want me to stop. Because if I start I don’t think I’ll stop.” A shiver runs through you at his words.

You think you must look pretty silly right now, with how wide your eyes must be as you stare up at him. A deer caught in headlights. It occurs to you as his words sink in that he hasn’t actually touched you at all yet. Caged you against a wall sure but he seems to have very deliberately kept himself from actually touching you. 

You give a jerky lil nod and he tuts at you. 

“No, I need you to say very clearly what you want. Whatever it is, I'll respect it but you need to say it clearly.” You could swear you see the muscles in his neck strain and his fists against the wall next to your head ball up tightly. 

You stare into his wild eyes, thinking of all the times you’d watched him lose himself to the thrill of battle. Watching the power he displays and wondering what it would be like to be on the receiving end of a different kind of frenzy from him. “Okay.” You swallow thickly. He looks like he’s about to say something but you continue knowing that wasn’t enough. “I want this- I want you,” your voice shakes ever so slightly, but you still hold his intense gaze. 

He grins and it’s all teeth. “You have no idea how much i’ve wanted to hear you say that.” and like his grin his kiss is all teeth too as he presses you against the wall.  Nipping at your lips until you part them for him with a gasp. You feel the fabric of your shirt pull taut before it gives, the buttons flying off to be lost on the forest floor. With the way he devours your mouth you can’t find a moment to protest, though you let out a yelp that he swallows when suddenly he lifts you by your hips and guides you to wrap your legs around his waist. In this position sandwiched firmly between him and the wall you can now feel his bulge grinding against your backside. You whine into the kiss, your arms going around his broad shoulders and one of your hands scratching through his undercut. It elicits a shiver and groan from him and he parts his mouth from yours finally, a string of saliva shining in the moonlight connecting the two of you as you gasp for breath. 

He surprises you by nipping at the fat or your cheek before licking over it and moving to repeat the motion more harshly against your neck. The mark was definitely going to be visible later. “Ah- Gojo wait” you yelp when he delivers a particularly harsh bite along with bucking his hips against you before he speaks.

“Satoru.” 

“E-eh?”

“Call me Satoru,” he says while kissing up your neck, the sudden gentleness a contrast to seconds before. At the same time as he kisses up your neck one of his hands smoothes over the softness of your belly and up to your chest where he gropes at you. “Fuck you have no idea how long i’ve wanted you.” It’s a statement not a question as he catches your kiss swollen lips in another kiss. 

You realize then that you no longer feel the cool stone of the wall pressed against your back but you’re still suspended in air without the burden being placed on your thighs wrapped around Gojo’s slim waist. He’s holding you up with his technique. Something about that makes you throb, clenching around nothing. He chuckles into the kiss and you feel his arm brush against your thigh and realize he’s reached below you followed by the sound of his belt coming undone and then the shifting about of fabric. “Now what should I do about yours? I could just rip them off.” You shiver and he grins into the kiss. 

“Go-.. Satoru w-we still have to get the artifact after and I am not stumbling back to have Ijichi drive us home with my clothes in tatters,” You protest your voice unsteady when  suddenly for different reasons than the rest of the night your stomach swoops. You blink up at Gojo dazedly as you suddenly find yourself laying amongst soft blankets. He’s untangling your legs from his waist so he can step back and pull off your shoes. Once your shoes are discarded he kisses your ankle before letting your foot drop the comforter. 

“No need for you to stumble back anywhere now,” He says smoothly as he steps back from the bed, kicking off his shoes and beginning to discard his clothes without care. You swallow thickly as you prop yourself up on your elbows, unable to tear your eyes away from him. In the dim light of the room, illuminated by the moon and city lights outside the window he practically glows. Each divested piece of clothing revealing plains of hard muscle that had previously been hidden by his loose uniform. All thoughts of your mission have seemingly been wiped from your mind as your eyes slide over him, down to the line of his hips just as he pulls down his slacks and underwear in a smooth motion, his pretty cock springing free. You finally tear your eyes away, your shyness suddenly heating your blood almost a much as your arousal. 

“Ah ah, come on eyes on me.” The bed dips and you feel him run his hands up your clothed legs. He stops and waits for you to look at him once he reaches your waistband and once your gaze meets his he rips off your pants, shreds them like tissue paper as the feral look seems to flare back to life in his eyes. You only manage a squeak as form of protest before he drags you by the hips up toward him. He sits up on his knees leaving you curved with only your shoulders and head still on the bed as he presses his face to the wetness soaking your underwear. When you feel him take a deep breath followed by a groan rumbling out of his chest you cover your face, overwhelmed with how debauched this all is. It finally sinks in that whatever he decides to do you’re along for the ride now.

He bites your thigh, making you jolt. “I said eyes on me,” his voice comes out in a low growl spoken against your skin.  When you uncover your face you're met with his wild gaze. It makes arousal pool in your belly even as it makes your hair stand on end. Seemingly satisfied he moves back to your clothed cunt. Without you meaning to a whimper passes your lips when he takes the fabric between his teeth and he rips it. The fabric dangles from your hips as he leans in to immediately lick up your slit, collecting the slick there before pulling your clit into his mouth. He sucks at the sensitive bundle of nerves, his nose pressed into the hair above it all while you twitch and jerk in his steel hold. “S-satoruuu,” you moan out his name brokenly. You can’t do more than jerk and twitch in his grip since he’s left you with absolutely no leverage with only your shoulders barely resting on the bed. Your hands uselessly scrabble at the comfortner beneath you and you twist the fabric between your fingers as he devours your sweet cunt, his own moans rumbling into your most sensitive flesh. 

He pulls his mouth off of you just as you near your peak drawing a broken whine out of you. “ ‘m so close, Satoru, please-” You watch though as he keeps your folds parted with his fingers and then  gathers spit in his mouth before letting it drool over your entrance. Then he lowers your lower half to the bed so he can slot himself between your thighs. He runs his cock through your folds, wetting it with a mix of your slick and his own saliva before he lets it rest heavy between your folds just seeming to admire the view. You can feel your pulse throb in your cunt, your walls clenching around nothing as his wild eyes take in the most intimate parts of you both. He rocks his hips against you teasingly before he finally, finally begins to push into you, drawing moans from both of you. The stretch something you’ve been craving and you urge him forward by pulling on him with the heel of your foot at his lower back. 

“Just can’t wait for me can you?” He smirks teeth bared slightly when he suddenly fully sheaths himself in you, eliciting a cry from your pretty lips. And oh how pretty they are, all kiss bitten and swollen from him already, they’re so pretty in fact he has to lean down, covering you with his larger frame with his arms bracketed on either side of you so he can capture your lips in a kiss that felt as if he was starved for you.  His cock drags through your walls, languid at first before he sets a merciless pace. Your arms find their way around his neck, holding tight to him like a lifeline as he rocks the two of you back and forth. Your fingers scratch through his undercut and he breaks the kiss, the two of you panting and moaning into eachothers mouths. His wild gaze holding your own until suddenly you’re arching your back up toward him, pressing your chests together as cry out as your orgasm crashes through you. He doesn’t stop, fucking you through it as you clench and spasm, creaming around his cock. 

You begin to scratch at his shoulders. “Satoruuu please i-it’s too much I-” you gasp. 

“Not yet,” he says while nipping at your ear. “I haven’t had enough of you yet.” And indeed he hasn’t come yet. He was so close though as he suddenly wraps his arms around you before dragging you up with him as he changes to a sitting position so he can quite literally bounce you on his cock. The movements eliciting little cries and gasps from you as he sets to further marking up your neck. Soon though he’s simply panting against the column or your throat with the threat of his teeth pressed against your pulse as you feel him spill into you. He presses you down against him, seemingly trying to bury himself as deeply into you as he possibly can.

 He eases the pair of you down to your sides then, his softening cock still nestled inside of you. Some of the frenzy has calmed now and intimately, more tenderly than you would have expected he kisses over your face, lips gentle as they move over your features before resting his forehead against your own. “You okay? I didn’t hurt you did I?” There’s a clarity in his eyes suddenly.

The questions and concern in his voice startles you a little and with your arm not trapped between his neck and pillow you bring your hand to caress his cheek. “No you didn’t hurt me, Satoru,” you say with a euphoric giggle bubbling in your chest.

It’s his turn to look surprised, your laugh seeming to make him shy. Which how novel, The Gojo Satoru looking shy, and after he’d just fucked you within an inch of your life no less. You dart forward the short distance and kiss the tip of his slightly upturned nose. 

The two of you relax into momentary easy silence when suddenly it occurs to you. “Ah! The mission! We were in the middle of a mission and we just left Ijichi-”

Gojo holds you in place as he eases himself up and slips from you, making you wince as you feel his cum begin to slide out of you. You watch as he seems to very unbotheredly crawl to the end of the bed, all while giving you a very nice view of his backside, before he stretches out and you hear the shuffle of fabric before his face is lit up by the light of his phone. He stays like that half hanging off the bed as he taps away with his thumb. You’re admittedly very tempted to smack his butt but refrain for the moment. “Okay, I told him to go home and that I was just going to warp us back because you were so tired from the mission.” You make a small sound of protest to which he glances back at you with a smirk. “Oh would you rather I be honest?” 

You gasp. “Of course not!”  

His phone pings, he glances at it and then crawls back up the bed to place the phone on his bedside table. 

“And the artifact.” 

“What artifact?” Then his eyes widen when he realizes his slip. 

“What do you mean what artifact? You know the whole reason I was needed for the mission.” You narrow your eyes at him suspiciously. 

“Okay what if hypothetically there wasn’t an artifact… and I just wanted to spend time with you?”

You blink at him unimpressed before grabbing a pillow and smacking him over the head. “Just ask me out on a date like a normal person next time!” 

He catches the pillow and lifts it to peek at you. “So I still get a next time?” He’s grinning at you boyishly. 

Your cheeks heat up somewhat and then you clear your throat. “Yes but only if you replace my clothes though.” You motion toward yourself and the tattered bits of clothes that still clung to you. Honestly you looked a bit like a wild animal had mauled you between the destroyed clothes and the bites littering your body. 

He laughs and the sound makes your chest swell. “Deal. I’ll buy you whatever you’d like.” He suddenly moves into your space, leaning his head down so he can tuck his face into your neck.

You spend the night with him then, he helps you get cleaned up and dresses you in one of his shirts before the two of you curl back up in his bed. He falls asleep with his head on your chest as you comb your fingers through his hair. The calm state he’s been lulled into by you a stark contrast to the frenzy that had set the night in motion.

____

Whew! Smut is so nerve wracking for me to write but you don't get good at anything by not doing it. I hope this reads well you all enjoy it. 💕 Comments and interaction are always appreciated.

@strawberrystepmom @missmugiwara @4sat0ruu @icy-spicy @hauntedhearthowl @biscuitsngravie @pastelle-rabbit @missphanosaur18 @crysugu @whispers-of-lilith @nanamikentoseyebags @margumis @demonwoman (thought i'd add you on since you asked for recs tonight so i hope that's okay)

[supercorpkid]

Ace Reporter - part 4

Supergirl, Kara Danvers x Reader, Lena Luthor x Reader

Word Count: 2375.

Part 1. Part 2. Part 3.

Something brings you back from your trance. Probably the loud alarm saying that if you don't get out of this place in five minutes you're going to die. Five minutes is really not enough time to find the way out, so you run out of the bedroom and make your way to the other side to try and find the exit there.

You are met with a dead end, and on your way back you bump into Lena. She holds your arms to steady you. "Y/N! I'm glad I found you. Kara and I split up while looking for the exit."

"Dead end." You point to the hallway behind you.

Lena agrees with her head. Cleans the blood off your cheek before nodding to you, "I'm happy you're safe." She almost hugs you, but decides there are more pressing matters at the moment. "Let's find Kara and get out of here." 

Lena holds your hand, guiding you to the direction you just left. That's when Kara appears in clear panic and points to another place, not wanting you to find her secret in that creepy room, unbeknownst of your current knowledge.

You do feel kind of safer knowing Supergirl is around. She said it herself, she won't let you get hurt for a story. She certainly won't let you explode just not to compromise her secret identity. Right? Right.

On your way out the three of you find the room with all Lex's hardcopies of clear wrongdoings. You grab everything you can see and get out of there less than a minute before the whole place explodes.

You make it back to National City, digging through papers, unraveling conspiracy theories and mazes of wickedness. Kara Danvers is snoring on the chair in front of yours, tired from keeping secrets and burning bridges. And Lena is also examining the documents in silence. When you can't read another word, you turn to her,

"Tough day, huh."

"Running into the atrocities my brother is responsible for, is not exactly a walk in the park for me."

Great fucking quote. Not on record, though.

"Sorry we didn't find him. Though I have to admit, I'd be a bit scared if we did." 

"I don't blame you. I would have too." Lena smiles absently and a little bit too sincere. You can tell she immediately wishes to take it back. You're a journalist, after all.

"Well, you've dealt with all those Eve clones pretty well. I'm glad you and -" You stop yourself, looking at Kara. She is not sweet doofus Kara Danvers anymore. It's pretty much real to you that she literally is the strongest person on Earth and she could have ended all those clones in probably one blow.

Lena agrees with a nod, following your eyes. "She actually fights pretty decently, I didn't know that about Kara." 

You furrow your brows, confused. "You didn't?"

"Honestly, no. I wonder where she was hiding all those moves."

"Yeah. And I wonder why." You whisper to yourself, staring at Kara. Is she really asleep? No way to know, she is such a good liar. She might actually be the greatest actor of all time. How else would she have kept this secret from her best friend for so long?

 "Anyway, heard you need a quote from me to get back to Metropolis."

You take a deep breath, mostly annoyed with your editor for making you work so hard for a damn quote, but also kind of offended that all of your investigative skills and team work will be reduced to one scandalous quote from Lena Luthor. You literally uncovered a web of lies and terrible plans, but hey, that's not what he asked you for, so it probably won't even be used.

"I suppose it's what I came here for."

You grab your notebook next to you, waiting for her quote.

"Ready?" She asks and you nod your head, pen on the paper ready to write down whatever she says. "I think you're so much better than what the Daily Planet gives you credit for, and I believe CatCo is always in need of a fine reporter like you."

You stop writing, raising your head at her, confused. "What?"

"And I should know what CatCo needs, since I'm the owner."

"What?" How did you not know that, when it's precisely your job to know everything about the woman you came here to interview.

"And if offering you a job is not enough of a reason for you to consider staying in National City, I'd like to add that I, too, would like to have you closer." Lena's voice drops an octave and an eyebrow is raised. My God, she is sexy.

"With the risk of sounding like a broken record, what?"

Lena laughs, honest and carefree. Wrinkles under her eyes and it has to be one of the most beautiful things you've ever seen. "I'll let you consider it. If you decide not to stay, I'll give you the quote."

"Oh, ok." Your cheeks burn red. "Thanks, Lena."

When you finally make it to National City, Lena offers both of you a ride, but you and Kara decide to share an uber to your side of the town.

"We've uncovered some pretty sensible information on this trip to Kaznia." Kara says as soon as Lena gets inside her car. "And I know you must be dying to do an exposé-"

Does she know? Does Kara know what you saw in that weird bedroom? That you finally have put two and two together and noticed the obvious? Is she scared you're going to tell the world? 

"But we have to be careful on how we're going to play this. If we blow the whistle on Lex, he could just go back to hiding and-"

"What?"

"Oh sorry, sometimes I talk too fast. I meant Lex and whoever is helping him inside the government. Obviously he had help to break aliens out of the DEO facility and-"

She doesn't know. Haven't got the faintest idea. Kara Danvers is here blabbing about Lex Luthor while you have this huge information about her. And about Clark.

"Oh my God Danvers, shut up." It's out of your mouth before you can stop it. Her eyes widen and you point to the car that just arrived. "I don't wanna talk about Lex, ok? I got hurt because of him, because of this damn crusade the Daily Planet put me through." You signal for the driver then slide inside the car. Kara follows you promptly. And with no amenities the driver just goes.

"Look, I know it was tough out there. But you did so well. You-you found this!" Kara is holding the documents so tight, like they would just fly out of her hands if she didn't. 

"Yeah, and I also almost died for those stupid sheets of paper. I'm not Nancy Drew, ok?"

"You are!” You look at her in disbelief. “At least, you were out there!"

"Stop, ok? This means nothing to me! I'm not you, Danvers! I'm not ok with putting my life at risk for a fucking assignment. I really am not getting paid enough and I only have this one life."

"What are you talking about?" Kara asks and you raise your eyebrow at her as an answer, not wanting to share more. "What? You think I'm a cat with nine lives?"

You can't help a laugh that leaves your mouth. A very ironic one. Sour and hostile. It makes her wince at the sound.

"Damn, you really are the biggest dweeb I've ever seen."

She huffs, moving uncomfortably on the seat next to you. You ignore her, staring out the window. You don't even like National City that much, but you're honestly so glad to be here right now.

"I know you don't want to talk about it, but we're writing this together, aren't we? We have to decide on what can we expose and-"

"UGH." It's the only sound out of your mouth. You're so tired. You flew to Kaznia; the plane you were in almost crashed; you had to fight evil clones and you got beat up by one (which is rather embarrassing); you found out your work-colleague and your almost-nemesis' secret identities; and you also found out what the hell Lex is up to. You're exhausted. Right now, the only thing you want is to go back home, but stupid Kara Danvers won't shut up. "I wish Eve had punched your face instead of mine."

"WHAT?" Kara yells so loud, even the driver jumps in his seat. "Sorry, sorry." She apologizes to him, then turns back at you. "That's such a mean thing to say!"

"Why? It's not like you can feel anything." You roll your eyes, hand going to the cut on the side of your cheek that still burns.

"Of course I can feel things." 

She's barely finished with her sentence and you're adding, "Oh my God, you let me get punched for nothing."

"I'm so confused right now."

"I KNOW, OK?" It's your time to yell, making the driver almost lose control of the car, and you have to hold yourself on Kara not to knock your head on the window. When the car finally stabilizes again, you continue. "I know you helped land the plane. I know you could've taken down all Eves by yourself. And I know about you and- and Clark." You stare deep into her eyes. "I know who you are."

Kara swallows deep, so loud you could hear it perfectly, and you're sure the driver could too. "Stop the car."

"Ma'am, we're in the middle of nowhere."

"Stop. The. Car." She repeats strongly, commanding. Must be her Supergirl voice. And the driver is not going to argue twice, so he does. He stops the car in the middle of fucking nowhere.

Kara pulls you by the hand and there's no fighting. Not when the strongest woman on the planet wants you out of the car, anyway.

So you stand there, with nothing but trees around while your ride home leaves you behind. You cross your arms and stare at her. God, you wish you were home. You wish you were never sent to this assignment. You wish you were never entangled in this mess with Kara Danvers. You wish you could just hate her from a distance instead from up close.

"How did you figure it out?"

"Well, you fighting all those clones with your bare hands was a pretty big tell. But what confirmed my suspicions was that weird altar they had for you there."

"You saw that too?"

"Yeah, it was pretty bizarre. I mean, who would have so many pictures of doofus Kara Danvers?"

"HEY! I'm not-" She huffs, unable to defend herself. "Whatever."

Kara walks from side to side, hands on the side of her head, clearly freaking out because you know her secret and she can't trust you. How could she? You're a random reporter who just came from Metropolis to find a story. And you did, you found the biggest one you could ever look for, and now you know the secret identity of two of the most powerful superheroes on the planet. 

She finally breathes out all the weight off her shoulders, and comes closer, really close. So close she touches the cut on your cheek. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I let you get hurt." And you've known this woman for two weeks, but you know she means it. Can read it in her watery eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't realize how scared you were. I'm sorry I couldn't be Supergirl there."

"Because Lena doesn't know." 

"Well, you weren't supposed to know either." She shrugs. Hands on your chin, eyes staring right at your soul. You dare to look at her lips, so close, so so close. Right there.

"Hey," You look back at her eyes and notice how scared she is. You know her secret, her biggest secret. You know a part of her not everyone knows. Not even her best friend! So you hold her free hand. "I promise your secret is safe with me. I know you have no reason to believe me. I mean, I didn't even like you until two days ago, so I understand the distrust. But this is a big thing. Bigger than whatever is between me and Kara Danvers. I would never put people's life at risk."

"Thank you." Kara gives your hand a little squeeze. "But what do you mean you didn't like me? I thought, I thought we were…"

"What? Friends?" A little smirk.

"Flirting." She admits and you gulp, taking your hand away from hers. She understands the signal so she lets go of your face too, but doesn't stop talking.  "I thought it was all flirting banter."

It was. She is right. But you just can't admit this to her, or anyone.

So you let a sharp and deceitful laugh out. "Oh please. Even on a good day, we're barely amicable."

Kara furrows her brows, looking like a lost puppy and when she opens her mouth to argue, you cut her off, not ready for this conversation at all. 

"So, do we get another uber or is Supergirl flying me to my hotel room? I really need to lay down after all this."

"Yeah. Yeah." She won't raise her head or look you in the eyes, but still picks you up in bridal style. "Hold tight."

Kara starts flying and you can't help but to hold her with everything you have. You can't believe you just gave Kara Danvers the power to drop you from a very tall height. You venture a peek down and holy fucking shit you are way too high. If she drops you, you're dead for sure.

You hide your face in Kara's neck. Breathe her in, and oh God she smells so good even after almost exploding in Kaznia. Ugh. Your stomach is all in knots and you wish you could just rationalize this strangled feeling, but right now Kara Danvers/ Supergirl/ Whoever is carefully taking you home, might be the person you loathe the most. Or love. You can't decide.

[foryoufics]

Fake Flowers ch3

Taglist: @livingformintyoongi

Authors Note: Thankyou to everyone for the love on this fic 🩷 . A oc is briefly introduced in this chapter, spoken of but this ain't about her lol and there may be hints of moments that make YN and Jimin seem shippable

Warnings: angst, cussing, adult themes

"How was your day?" You have to smirk and laugh when he comes into your apartment for your Thursday lesson grinning like a possum with a giant chunk of cheese, you won't mention the tent you see pitched in his pants

"It was really nice," he giggles, "how was yours?" He puts his coat up on the hook by the door, one of many house warming purchases because he couldn't stand the emptiness

"It was good, I've just been studying. I see you went to see her today and looks like you had a good time, I wasn't interrupting was I? You're sure she's okay with our situation?"

"nah, you're fine. It was a very fun day, she wanted to tease me before I left even though I told her she has nothing to worry about with us, we just eat and study"

"Well, I'm glad you aren't embarrassed and you trust me, I won't tease you about it. I'm glad things are going well with her, you two are adorable," you smile and tell him honestly

"Thankyou," he grabs a bottle of water from the fridge then leans on the kitchen island to see what you're studying in your notes. "You've been doing really well with lessons by the way, lots of progress is just a couple of months"

"Thankyou, I've been trying really hard, I think the writing is the hardest because the characters appear more like little doodles to me than letters and words," you laugh, "so what did you two do today?"

"We went shopping this morning and then just hung out at her place before I came here. YN, I know it's only been a few months, but, I really like her, I think she might be the one"

"Yeah?" You can't stop yourself from being happy at his happiness, "I'm glad, really. You deserve it, hopefully I can be invited to the wedding"

"Ofcourse, a real one this time," he laughs

"Oh yeah yeah, ofcourse, it better be. So, what should we go over today?"

"Honestly I'm not sure," he chuckles, "you said you're struggling with writing so write me a paragraph on what you like about the country so far"

"Alright," you chuckle and start the task

"Hey, by the way, I was right," he smirks

"You were? Right about what?"

"The roses being your birth flower, June, Cancer, roses and honeysuckle"

"You really didn't give up on that for almost four months now," you chuckle and try to hide your face with your hair as you look down and write to hide your blush. This man was too sweet, YN none of this is real, it's work to him, he really isn't your friend so don't think too much into it. Fresh start remember. "Well, thankyou for caring so much. There really was no need for all the trouble"

"It wasn't any trouble, I wanted to know. I mean having to reach out and track down people from your past wasn't the easiest thing but other than that it was honestly kinda fun doing that; playing detective," he laughs

".....Who.....who did you track down?" You look up now to meet his eyes

"I had to start somewhere, so first I looked for you, I found some old social media which led me to your ex's friend's wife; the one who's wedding you caught the bouquet at.....I gained some knowledge from that....."

"So you know? That's embarrassing.....," you chuckle to keep from crying or something stupid like that

"I'm sorry YN...."

"Don't be, it is what it is. You have no reason to be sorry or concerned....," you assure him

"No, really, you're awesome and you didn't deserve that...."

"Yeah, thanks ......"

"If anyone does that to you again they have to deal with me"

"I'm used to it. I'm not worth it Gguk, but thanks....."

"No-"

"He was supposed to love you. You were engaged. There's no excuse for that behavior. If someone loves you they should want to shout it from the rooftops...."

"Can we....please not talk about it? It's the past, don't worry, I won't repeat it"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Just that I know better now"

"Well she told me how you were only invited because of him and said when you caught the bouquet she was shocked because you had been him twice as long as she and her husband were at that point and engaged the entire time they had been together, and she said from what she saw he ignored you most of the time for his friends, and that you never actually got married.....how long?"

You sigh in annoyance, ".....how long what?"

"How long were you together?"

"10 years, and I know your next question, about half that time"

"I'm really sorry YN....."

"It's fine. I'm fine. I knew the whole time he never wanted to anyway"

"What do you mean, he did ask you?"

"Technically"

"Technically?" He raises a brow and takes the pencil and paper away from you, sliding it aside and coming over to you. "He took a knee and asked you, right? Please tell me he had the decency to do that at least, she sent me the engagement photos, they were really nice"

"Aish....no he didn't and thanks, I'm glad, I begged for those, had to fight for them," you laugh to hold the flood gates back and damn from snapping like a twig. You were embarrassed enough

"YN.....what do you mean by that?"

"What I said, anyways, enough feeling bad for me. We were happy for you a few minutes ago can we please go back to that? You said people.....who else?"

"YN, look at me," he is directly in front of you, taking your hands, "Please don't make me, let me just wallow in embarrassment in peace huh?" You laugh

"No, look at me," when he had your eye contact he speaks, "Listen to me, don't ever do that again. Next time if he doesn't properly ask you, you don't accept. Don't let someone do you like that. You don't deserve that, you're a great girl, for real, and seriously come get me if someone disrespects you like that again.....have you ever been with anyone else?"

"Define with?"

"Well, dated, or y'know with..."

"Dated yes, with no"

"And them?"

"Highschool, most lasted a month at most and cheated so I left them and half of them I don't even remember their names, the last was for the summer before I met him-your ears are red, are you okay? Do you have a fever?" You feel his forehead

"No, I don't have a fever. That just makes me so mad," he drinks the water and kisses your forehead

"There's no need really, I'm used to it. Oh-....t-thankyou...."

"One day, I want you to invite me to your wedding," he holds up a pinky

"Ofcourse, but like I said I'm here for a fresh start, don't get your hopes up," you laugh and give him a pinky promise

"So who else did you find?"

"Your Eomma...."

"What?" Your eyes widen as he says that

"Ahuh.....why did you lie? She's not your mom, she was your Oppa's....friend"

"I didn't lie, she was my mom," you say firmly

He nods, "Alright, well....she told me your birthday"

"She re-," you take a sharp inhale and genuinely smile

"What?"

"Nothing," you shake your head and smile as you continue to write and he waits

"What do you mean you're used to it? You should try to write smaller and fit more...."

"Used to being last choice or not chosen," you shrug

"Hey guys," Jimin comes in, "Woe, it feels awkward in here ....," he eyes you both

"We weren't expecting you....," you smile

"Yeah, I know.....I uh....I didn't want to eat by myself so I thought I'd come over and surprise you," he holds up the bags in his hands, "Is that okay? Sorry, I feel like I'm interrupting something, you two alright? Gguk, I thought you were spending the day with-"

"Yeah I did and no, you're fine, we were just talking. So what are we cooking?"

"Oh, I brought the stuff to make that one pasta and seafood dish we had that one vacation to the states"

"So let me get this straight, you weren't expecting me to be here and you came to surprise her?" Jungkook raises a brow and glances between the two of you, "how often does this happen?"

"Not often," you reply in unison with Jimin to Jungkook's accusatory tone. Your response in a tone of honesty and innocence. His in one of slight defensiveness. However Jungkook was still looking at you with suspicious eyes. "What? Really." You tell him again.

"For real, I've only brought lunch over once, it was the day after the lake, I was just worried about her and wanted to bring something to apologize," Jimin assures him

"Oh, okay," it was obvious Jungguk was still reading something into this

"Thankyou Jimin, it's really sweet of you," you thank him

"You guys want me to go?" Jungkook asks

"No you're alright," you answer together again and both have to laugh and Jungkook is squinting at you both, "are you two fucking?"

"No!" Jimin rolls his eyes

"I literally just told you...."

"Sorry.....," Jungkook says seriously to you. "My bad, it's just guys don't do stuff like that without motive"

"Really? You know me better than that....," Jimin retorts in disbelief to him

"Yeah, sor-"

"I know. Hey, can we all just stop and eat?" You intervene

"Yeah," they both nod, "so if I wasn't expected to be here, I'll let you two cook"

"YN, do you mind starting? I need to speak with my brother in private for a second...."

"Sure...do you have a recipe?" He nods and gives you his phone with the recipe on it and you start preparing things while he pulls Jungkook into his room

"What the hell?"

"What the hell what?"

"I just thought that she doesn't ever see anyone but you and it would be something nice to do. I'm not trying to make any moves on her, I don't even see her like that. I just thought it would be fun, I don't know, now she doesn't trust me...."

"I'm sorry, you're right. I was out of line....so you're saying if things happened to go that way you would be against it?"

"No, no I guess I wouldn't I'm human but it wasn't my goal for coming. I was just thinking maybe she was wanting some food from home after being here for this long, I thought if I was living somewhere else I'd want something from home," he shrugs, "I just thought it would be nice"

"It is nice man....you're a good guy....sorry I made those accusations. Are you sure you don't want me to leave you two alone though? You can see where the night goes and I can stay the night with my girl, didn't want to leave to be honest anyway"

"I mean yeah, sure, have fun. All you had to do is say you are in love dude. Go," he laughs

"Thanks," Jungkook smiles and laughs going to the door, he hugs you and says where he's going and you wish him well

"Is it okay if he goes and I stay still?" Jimin checks with you upon reentering the kitchen

You nod, "ofcourse, I mean....if you want to"

"Sure I do," he comes over and joins you

"Y'know, we could if you wanted....," you say after a prolonged stretch of silence the entire time you cooked together except for the few times you both had to laugh at stupid silly little mishaps like dropping something, your impatience with the pasta, and when you accidentally cut your finger and he helped you clean and bandage it, "brought Band-Aids," he laughed, shaking the box and you have to laugh. "Thanks."

The silence returned as you eat other than your compliments to him for the food.

"Y'know we could if you wanted...."

"We could what?" He looks up at you

"We could fuck, I've got a nice bed, and why not? We will be accused anyway and you took the time and effort to do all of this...."

He only stares at you, you try to read his expression but you can't determine if it's shocked or maybe offended

"I was kidding...relax," you say quietly and honestly and try to laugh

"Okay, I'm sorry, please stop being all silent. I was joking....I wouldn't make you do that, I respect you too much..."

"Jimin, I really was joking....I'm sorry....."

He says nothing and finishes up around the same time as you, says nothing as you both do dishes

"Thankyou for coming to eat with me," you thank him again as you think he might be leaving, only to be grabbed by the waist and brought flush chest to chest with him

"Uhm....Jimin....," you could feel your breath intermingling as his brushed past your lips and yours past his, "Jimin....are you okay?"

"Yeah.....," he nods, "yeah......goodnight YN," he grabs the door knob and leaves

"What just happened?" You ask yourself when you're left alone and falling onto your couch, repeating the day in your head, in this moment you can't do it anymore and the damn breaks. You find yourself hugging a couch cushion for a while, another one of those Jungkook purchases, and don't realize when you eventually drift off to sleep from exhaustion there until you at some point hear the door being opened

"Hello?" You sit up and look to see who it is, you've never seen this man before, but, you're so exhausted and over everything you don't even feel a sense of fear and simply don't care

"Hi," the man bows and puts his hands up in surrender, "I'm not going to hurt you-Im Namjoon, I'm Jungkook's brother, he wanted me to come check on you-you don't look like you're alright"

"Oh.....thankyou.....I'm fine....."

"He said Jimin was here with you"

"He was. He left," you check the time on your phone, "a few hours ago....check on me why?"

"I'm not sure, he said you had a conversation earlier that he wouldn't give any details about and he just wanted me to come and see if you were okay"

"Oh....thanks.....well, as you can see I'm alright. I just ell asleep on the couch," you chuckle

"Alright, but may I be candid? You don't look like you're fine and I know you aren't actually married to Jungkook but he's closer to you than any of the past wives so I feel like you're my little sister," he chuckles, "I have a little sister, I wouldn't want to see her look she had cried herself to sleep.....is that what happened? Did Jimin do something? Jungkook?"

You shake your head no honestly

"Is there anything I can do to help? Ice cream~?"

You giggle and nod, "Yes please....and can you not tell anyone about this?"

".....Yeah, sure. Is this your coat?" You nod and he brings over for you to put on. "You've met Seokjin right?"

"A few times yes"

"He really likes you, says if Jungkook didn't meet what's her face he wanted you two to be together," he chuckles

"That's sweet. I'm glad he approves, Jungkook is so happy. He's saying she might be the one," you feel warm and genuinely happy again thinking of his happiness

"So he's said," Namjoon chuckles, "so what kind of ice cream do you like?"

"Butter Pecan is my favorite..."

"They might have that, have you ever had matcha soft serve?"

"Soft serve, no, but I like lattes"

"You have to try it. Mind telling me why you were upset if I promise I won't tell anyone?"

".....it was......just a long day....draining...."

"anything to do with my brothers? If they did anything I'll handle it or worse, I'll have my wife handle it, they're terrified of her," he laughs

"No....no, they're perfect gentleman"

"Good. I tried to raise them well"

"You did a wonderful job"

"Thankyou"

"Are you sure your wife would be okay with you going to get ice cream with me? I don't want her to be disrespected or anything, if you want you can just leave me there and I'll bring myself home, I'm sure she is waiting for you"

"YN, it's alright. My wife and I have the utmost trust in each other and she agreed with Gguk and sent me. She knows only she has my heart and besides we just became parents so I'm too tired to even think of doing something like that, I've been taking night shifts so she can sleep"

"Good, and congratulations," you smile and chuckle, "how old are they? What's their name?"

"He's seven weeks and he's is named after his uncle Taeyhung"

"That is so sweet. Your wife seems to be very lucky with you as a husband and your brothers as her brothers...."

"I'll be sure to tell her, I heard Jungkook say you had brothers that really weren't around?"

"Yes"

"What about your sisters, surely they looked after you"

"Not really," you chuckle

"Well, after this arrangement ends if you and everyone are still close I would like for you to meet some more of the family"

"Id be honored, thankyou"

"Ofcourse, girl you have no clue how close Jimin and Jungkook are with you. They won't shut up," he laughs

"Really? What do you mean? I'm nothing special," you laugh

"I wouldn't say that to them. Jungkook says you have your guards up"

"I don't....I don't want anyone to get too attached if it's not real....it's not just for me, then too"

"That's sweet of you but whatever is going to happen will happen. So, what do you think?"

"Hm?"

"Of the ice cream?" He eyes the half eaten cone in your hand

"Oh, I didn't realize-"

"Seems like you're feeling better," he chuckles and messes your hair

"Hey, what's that for?"

"You're my little sister," he shrugs, "but I need to go, duty calls. I'll get you a taxi and here's my number, make sure you let me and Jungkook know you're home safe," he adds his number to your phone

"No, I will text you. I've got it, go," you laugh and insist he leaves to go home

Walking into your apartment you hang your coat, send the text and then remember your paragraph on the table, Jungkook never read it, that was a relief and he never will. You rip the page out and fold it carefully, hiding it in hopes he'd never find it and go to bed trying to only think of how happy he is so you can feel peace and drift off

[bitesu-bitesu-bitesu]

Sui Ishida: Tokyo Ghoul

2011-2014

10/ I should've read this sooner! I'm pretty sure I would've liked it even more if I was still in high school, but I still couldn't put it down. I haven't seen the anime yet, so apart from knowing that this is Certified Cool Shit I had no idea. The art style at first was a bit repelling for me, I didn't like the face structures but I've grown familiar to it, and I wouldn't care anyway because I really wanted to know what happened next! The story is beautifully written, it's worth to read just for that alone, but we're presented with phenomenal concepts, I love well worked out *creatures* so detailed science of the ghouls was a real treat for me. Surprisingly I found that I could connect to Kaneki really well especially at the notions about sacrifice, destructive altruism, and the motivating desire to provide protection. I loved the exploration of the human condition, and I always love a story that questions what makes us human.

colors: the yellowish purple of a bruise, white linen, pink meat, trembling hands and the smell of coffee and rain

Sui Ishida: Tokyo Ghoul: Jack

2013

10/ I'm so glad I found this! Almost missed it. It was so refreshing to dip back into this world after a break. I liked the stylized look of this release, I feel like I could learn about the drawing process while reading this, and I'll definitely try to recreate some panels. I love complete stories like this one, for me this is a perfect example, even if it's set in a preexisting world. I love how the conflict of being human, and the essence of being human and longing for that essence is fit in these 7 chapters, with an exciting plot and loveable characters who I could connect to even though I spent only a few hours with them. Even if someone isn't familiar with Tokyo Ghoul I would gladly recommend this manga!

colors: mauve purple, tire marks on melting asphalt, piercing sun from a hospital window

Sui Ishida: Tokyo Ghoul :re

2014-2018

10/ such a beautiful, beautiful story! For me this far surpassed it's predecessor, but I might be partial because I finished this one just now. Either way, I grew to love this manga immensely and I think it's because it moved so much emotion, and called upon the feelings I have in my own life. The story of these characters touched my heart, and the dinamical storytelling kept me interested constantly. Every time I thought the story's gonna plateau there was one more twist, surprising turns and new ways opened to tragedy. I know I'm always taking about the human condition yadayada but honestly, I feel like again, stories like this should bring us together. Being the chainlink between two worlds seems to be a common trope, and I think we find these themes so interesting and hold these stories so close, because we recognize ourselves, and our own torn-apart nature in these characters, and thus we have a way to cope with the conflict of it all. In reality it doesn't have to be ghouls, devils or titans. It's us. And I'm glad to be alive with you all! I'd like to finish with and excerpt from the chapter before the last:

"All those that walk this earth are the main characters of their own tragedies. All steal, and from all, something is stolen. We can't help it. That's who we are. Steal, and be stolen. Imprison, and be imprisoned. Follow, and be followed. Do, and be done unto. Affirm, and negate over and over. And yet we fight ceaselessly to save ourselves from loss. The people and places we love will one day surely be lost. We all will surely be forgotten. Life is sad. Empty. But despite knowing we will one day be bereft, despite knowing we will one day disappear, we still strive in wretched ways. We still wish to be beautiful. And I consider "Which one?". I choose. "This one." Forever choosing. Forever being chosen. Nothing more, nothing less."

colors: half-dried blood on someone's lips, black chitin, white porcelain, grey rubble, wet grass at night

[sevi007]

Hi!! I've been reading your fic series Coffee and Mayhem for a couple weeks now, I have a couple fics left but I simply had to come tell you how much I absolutely adore your writing! You just GET them, I have never seen someone write them as well as you! When I'm reading your fics, I find myself thinking "oh I would love to see if that scene happened" when mentioned, because most fic writers skip tons of stuff- then I am always so thrilled when you actually wrote said scene! You have such a wonderful understanding of words and flow, reading your work is an absolute joy and I have been eating up every word! Stobotnik means the world to me, and when I daydream about them I find myself placing it inside the little world you created. Making fanart for fics is my favorite pasttime, I've already found myself a couple hours deep into a WIP for a piece based on We were staying in Paris- I can't wait to share it ❤️ Thank you so much for the incredible read! I am so excited to see whatever you write next :)

mae-peachie

Hello!

You know, I'm kind of glad to hear that someone actually DIDN'T ruin their sleep schedule to read the entire series in, like, two days XD Always made me worry a bit in the style of "please take care of yourself?!"

Aww, thank you, that's a huge compliment! Like 99 percent of the fics - and especially Stone's POV - are really all just self-indulgent, I'm having a blast to write him a whole lot more confident and competent the movies really show us (though a lot of it is also inspired by his chapter in the Pre-Quill comic). The rest of it, especially the banter, just writes itself honestly - especially Jimbotnik is such a big talker and snappy, funny character in the movies, it is supremely easy for me to get as close to his speech pattern and eccentrics as possible. He's making it super duper easy for me!

As for not skipping the scenes, I think that's all just me. I'm extremely nerdy when it comes to the How, What and Why of things and always want to know how we got somewhere, and why we are there, etcetera etcetera. Sometimes I even wonder if I write too much, because I know readers are mostly here for their conversations and their relationship, but hearing that at least one person appreciates it, is already enough for me. Thank you! ^^

Bluh! Fanart?! I love seeing fanart of them! And for my fic? I hope you know I'm vibrating in excitement already hearing that. I look forward to what you have come up with, and for what scene! =D

[brilla-brilla-estrellita]

THEY'RE COMPLETE??

My picture taking game has really taken a dive in this last stretch, so you'll have to bear with me through some bad lighting and angles. In my last post, I talked about how the edges of my pattern pieces frayed significantly, taking most of the seam allowance with it, but I thought it was still savable. I did not get pictures of how bad the pieces looked, unfortuantely, but trust me, it was rough.

I lined them up and sewed them with the smallest seam I thought I could get away with, then used my pinking shears on the edges of the seam to try to prevent further fraying. I was able to attach the front and back of each wing into approximately the right shape, but I was sure that they wouldn't look symmatrical enough either in size or spikes. I was pleasently surprised, then, when I put them on the frame to check and found they still matched pretty well! I did take some pictures at this point, but there's a 10 picture limit on posts, apparently, so I'm leaving them out for more interesting things.

The next step was to trace the pattern for the boning/fingers (like bat wings, ya know?) onto each wing. This made it very clear how much the wings had shrunk because the pattern hung a couple of inches off the edge of the wing on the two lower fingers... But that's ok! I really just needed a guide for the size and angle of the channels. I used my Frixion pens liberally, hoping that I wouldn't ever wear the wings in a cold enough climate to make the marks show up again after I ironed them away (more on this later).

Pictured above: One wing on the wing frame with the traced finger channel lines in dark blue (or maybe it was purple?).

I sewed along those lines. The first wing went swimmingly. While working on the second wing, I realized the fabric on the bottom, a scrunchy gauz (which is the outside of the wing) was getting bunched up in some places on the vertical channel. I checked the first wing, the one that had gone "swimmingly," and sure enough, the bunches existed there, as well. The second wing had to have its stitches picked and resewn a few times while I played around with different techniques. I ultimately decided there was no way to avoid it (and I was getting tired of dealing with it), so I said fuck it and let the bunches exist. Honestly, I don't hate them.

Pictured above: The left and right wing and their bunches. You can see the bunches on the left one are more evenly spaced and almost look intentional. I couldn't replicate that with the right wing, which looks more... organic.

The next step was to sew the two outsides of the wings together to cover the back of the back plate. I was again concerned that I had lost too much fabric to the fray to be able to sew them together, but I again decided to just try it and see how it turned out. I really didn't want to have to dye another strip of fabric to stick inbetween there. And boy am I glad I tested it out because there was totally enough fabric!

Pictured above: Wings on wing frame with back pieces sewed together to hide the back plate! You can see the seam right down the middle.

The final step was to insert some wire into the channels to give them dimension and be able to shape them, but before I did that, I needed to iron-erase the marks I drew on. I find this process very magical, so I took a video for you.

And finally, the last step! I got some thick soft wire meant for gardening and fed it into the finger channels. It has a rubbery texture which of course prevented it from sliding in easily, so it was a long, slow process, but so, so worth it! I also added small pieces of wire to the two top spikes and the two bottom spikes to help fill them out, though I'm not sure they're really going to stay there long term becuase there's nothing but friction from the rubber casing holding them in place.

Pictured above: A length of the green soft gardening wire to be inserted into the finger channels.

Every time I tried to shape the wire before putting the wings on, it would look wrong once the wings were hanging naturally, so I had my husband help me shape them once they were on. And with that, we have the final result!!!

Pictured above: Front and back with wings closed.

Pictured above: Front and back with wings open.

I am SO happy with how they turned out. They have a lot of mistakes, but even so, they look so cool. And Simon's wings are a little fucked up anyway. This is the largest project, both sewing and prop-wise, that I have finished with time to spare before the event AND that has actually fully come together. I don't have to be pinned in. Nothing has to be glued on. I don't have to worry about what angle I'm photographed from to hide unfinished elements. It's just... done. I'm proud of myself for seeing it through, especially when I contemplated giving up so many times (and in the past, I probably would have).

I will of course make one more post with pictures of me with the intended outfit(s)!

Future Enhancements:

The harness is black and the shirt I'm planning to wear is yellow, so it's going to show. If I can manage it, I may try to make some covers for the harness straps as well so they blend in a little better, but we'll see. SSCoNE is less than a week away at this point!

Aside from the harness, my next planned upgrade is Spadey, of course! I'll plan that for SSCoNE 2025.

And now it's time to start designing a second pair for my renaissance faire outfit!

I would like to thank Dimension20's Fantasy High: Sophomore Year, Crown of Candy, and Unsleeping City campaigns as well as Bridgerton seasons 1&2 and good ADHD meds for being my constant companions during this process. This is really the perfect project for binging D20!

[loveroftoomanyfandoms]

Mise en Place, Chapter 3

Pairing: Chef!Matt Murdock x F!Journalist!Reader

Rating: M

Story Summary: Things are looking up for Chef Matthew Murdock -- Not only was he the subject of a front-page article in the New York Bulletin, but (after a few misunderstandings) he managed to get a date with you, the beautiful journalist who wrote the feature.

Now that Matt is no longer the subject of one of your features, your budding relationship with him is starting to simmer -- until someone from Matt's past threatens to turn off the heat.

With another obstacle in your way will your and Matt's relationship cool, or can the two of you work together to put "everything in it's place"?

Warnings/Tags: Hallmark levels of fluffy, cheesy goodness, no use of Y/N, Matt is not a vigilante, developing relationship, things gone get SPICY later 🔥 (aka smut in future chapters), things gone get angsty for a minute first though 😈

Word Count: ~1850

A/N: I finally figured out how I want the story to flow, so please note the change in summary!

Divider by @theradioactivespidergwen

Tag List: @danzer8705 @shouldbestudying41 @capylore @mattmurdockstateofmind @yarrystyleeza

“Hey, sorry I'm late,” Matt said as he entered his and Foggy's office the next morning. “I stopped by the florist on my way here and it took a bit longer than I expected. Who knew flowers all had different meanings?”

“It’s fine,” Foggy replied. “So…you look happy. I take it your date was a success?”

Matt huffed out a laugh. “It was. Thanks again for your help.”

“No problem, dude. Anytime. I mean it.” 

Matt took his coat off and hung it on the coat rack. “So how's this week's order looking?”

“Well in both good and bad news, we have lots of stuff left over from last week's order, so all we really need to order is our usual perishables and the stuff for the new menu items that we don't already have on hand.” Foggy paused. “...Or at least we would've if we hadn't gotten a bunch of new reservations, including 12 just for tonight.”

Matt grinned. “Really? That's great!”

“Yeah, and almost all of them said that they had heard of us through the Bulletin article.”

Matt sighed. “I know I was an asshole about that at first, but seriously, thank you for setting that interview up.”

Foggy chuckled. “Honestly I'm just glad it all worked out in the end -- both professionally and personally. Oh, and by the way, Skyler told me this morning that the Bulletin would be covering Kingpin's closure but she wasn't sure yet who would be writing the article or when exactly it would be out.”

Matt wondered if you would get the assignment – after all, you did write a lot of other stories in addition to your weekly features. “I still can't believe Kingpin actually got shut down. I mean I can believe it, but we always suspected that Fisk had most of the Health Department on his payroll and that it would never actually happen.”

Foggy huffed out a laugh. “Too bad for him that one of the few health inspectors not on the take did the inspection this time.”

Matt nodded. Mahoney was one of the honest ones. “Did Brett say anything else?”

“Just that he was sure that Fisk was going to try to appeal the shutdown but that with the number and severity of violations there was no way he was going to win it.” Foggy paused. “You know, that makes me wonder if there's going to be an internal investigation into the health department.”

Matt hummed. “It’s more than likely. Because of the shutdown they'll probably pull the records for Kingpin's previous inspections, and if they do I really wouldn't be surprised if they found discrepancies in the reports.”

He shook his head. “Alright, let’s get to work on prep. I have a feeling we're going to be a lot busier than usual tonight.”

“Hey, Ellison wants to see you right away,” Skyler said as soon as you walked into the Bulletin.

You nodded as you walked over to your desk and locked your purse in your drawer. “Okay. Coffee afterwards?” 

“Of course.”

You smoothed out your blouse and walked to Ellison's office, then knocked on the open door. “Hey, Skyler said you wanted to see me?”

Ellison nodded. “Hey, yeah, come on in.”

You walked in and closed the door, then took a seat. “What's up?”

“I wanted to fill you in on yesterday,” Ellison replied. “Although I'm sure you've probably already heard at least most of what happened.”

You nodded with a wince. “Yeah, I heard that Kelsie didn't exactly go quietly.”

Ellison huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, ‘quiet’ is definitely not a word I would've used to describe her departure. I tried to handle things peacefully without having to get security involved and without the rest of the staff knowing exactly what was going on, but she insisted on causing a scene on her way out the door.”

You shook your head as you imagined Kelsie being dragged out of the Bulletin kicking and screaming. “I bet that made for an interesting staff meeting.”

Ellison sighed. “Actually, because of her antics I spent most of the day filling out extra paperwork and had to postpone this week’s meeting to today.”

“Oh, okay.”

Ellison studied you for a moment. “So how are you doing?”

You shrugged. “All things considered, I'm actually doing okay. Chef Murdock stopped by my apartment yesterday morning to apologize for getting so upset with me over Kelsie's article, then he…” A soft smile spread across your face at the memory of your evening with Matt. “He asked me to have dinner with him.”

Ellison raised an eyebrow. “I take it from the look on your face that dinner was off the record, so to speak?”

You huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, it was.”

“Then that's all I need to know.” Ellison turned back towards his computer. “Staff meeting in 10. Tell the others for me, would you please?”

“Sure thing.” You stood and turned to leave.

“Oh.” Ellison said your name. “One other thing.”

You turned back towards him. “Sir?”

“Just so you know…” Ellison shot you a small smile. “I’m happy for you.”

You nodded with a smile of your own. “Thank you, Mitch. I really appreciate it.”

“Alright, get out of here.”

You walked out of Ellison's office. “Boss said staff meeting in 10 minutes, everyone,” you announced as you exited Ellison's office.

“And don't be late!” Ellison chimed in from his office.

Skyler followed you to the break room. “So, how'd it go last night? I've been dying to know.”

You got your coffee cup from the cabinet and filled it with water. “Honestly, it was amazing. Matt served dinner up on his rooftop, where we ate and talked for hours before going back down to his apartment for dessert.”

A sly grin spread across Skyler's face. “Was it cake?”

You shook your head with a laugh as you poured your water into the office Keurig and put a pod in. “No, it was not cake, actually, it was chocolate mousse, which was so good.”

You closed the Keurig and pressed the start button. “Oh my gosh, that reminds me… while we were eating dessert Matt told me I had some on the corner of my mouth so I wiped at it and asked if I got it, but then he shook his head, wiped at the corner of my mouth with his thumb, then kissed me.”

Skyler huffed out a laugh. “Way to make a move.”

“I know, right?” You grinned. “Afterwards I asked him how he even knew I had chocolate mousse on my face and he suddenly got all shy and said that he didn't know, he just wanted to have an excuse to kiss me.”

Skyler shook her head. “Oh my God, that's so damn cute.”

You nodded. “I told him he didn't need an excuse to kiss me, so he kissed me again and we wound up making out in his kitchen.”

Skyler chuckled. “Get it, girl.”

You waited as your coffee finished brewing then moved your cup over to where the sugar and creamer were kept to fix your coffee to your liking while Skyler brewed hers. “Anyway, Matt said that he had been imagining all week what it would've been like to kiss me and that he definitely wants to keep seeing me, then since by that point it was getting late he walked me home before kissing me good night.”

“Aww. So when's your next date?”

You shrugged. “I’m not sure, but he said he was going to call me at some point today.”

You took a sip of your coffee before nodding in satisfaction. “So finish telling me about your date with Foggy. Did you two kiss?”

Skyler shook her head. “No, we just hugged, but he gave me a kiss on the cheek yesterday when he brought me lunch and we're getting together Sunday afternoon, so who knows what might happen?”

You grinned. “You might be getting some cake of your own soon.”

Skyler laughed. “Fingers crossed.”

She added a bit of sugar and creamer to her coffee before stirring it in. “Come on, let's get to the conference room.”

The two of you headed back down the hallway to the conference room and took your usual seats along with the rest of the staff.

A few minutes later, Ellison walked in. “Okay, let's get this over with. As most of you already know, Kelsie is no longer employed by the New York Bulletin. Before you ask, no, I'm not revealing exactly why. Just know that any sort of unethical journalistic behavior will not be tolerated and are grounds for immediate dismissal.”

Robert, who handled the local crime beat, raised his hand. “So who's taking over the food and restaurant circuit?”

“Luckily with this being Restaurant Week everything is already covered for now,” Ellison replied. “We'll be advertising the position starting next week however, so if anyone is interested, let me know.”

“Think you want to apply?” you whispered to Skyler.

“No way,” she whispered back. “Kelsie probably put a curse on the position before she left.”

Ellison cleared his throat. “Now on to important business -- this week's new assignments. Skyler, you're covering the Fall Food Festival at the community center on Thursday night.”

Skyler nodded. “No problem.“

He said your name.

You nodded. “Yes, sir?”

“It's too late to get anything about Kingpin’s shutdown to print, but do you think you can at least get me five hundred words by noon for the online edition?”

“Absolutely, sir.”

“Great. In addition, I'm approving your next three weekly features since I know you'll be busy with the food drive for the next couple of weeks and will need to fit the interviews in when you can. And speaking of the food drive, I'm issuing a personal challenge to all of you -- let's fill up those boxes and make this the best food drive possible!”

Ellison finished giving everyone their assignments. “Alright, let's move, people. The news waits for no one and we're already behind.”

You stood and headed back to the bullpen.

To your surprise, a beautiful bouquet of pink and white roses sat on your desk, your name on the small attached envelope. A note in the security guard’s handwriting accompanied it.

These arrived for you while you were away from your desk, so I took the liberty of bringing them up to you.

--Phil

Skyler gasped. “Are those from who I think they're from?”

A broad smile spread across your face. “I certainly hope so.”

You took the card out of the envelope, your heart fluttering when you saw the message printed on it.

Thinking of you and our dinner together last night. Can't wait to see you again.

--Matt

You pulled your phone out of your pocket and sent Matt a quick text. Thank you so much for the flowers. They're beautiful!

(By the way, I'm thinking of you too and also can't wait to see you again. ❤️)

You put your phone away, hoping that you'd get to thank Matt in person soon.