#i ACTUALLY didn't think about it all too much until the ask. then i was like. yeah this is what the universe wants me doing

[sturnioz]

fratboy!chris uses shy!readers tummy to sort out his edibles and package them, but when one thing leads to another...

based off this ask.

you're lying still as you possibly can, your body pliant beneath chris' touch as your gaze stays fixed on his hands, watching as he sorts the colourful edible gummies scattered across your tummy, acting like some sort of human countertop.

one by one, he groups them by colour—reds with reds, greens with greens, oranges with oranges, and so forth—before carefully sealing them into small plastic bags only for him to start the process all over again.

earlier, you had been far too energetic for chris to deal with; something about today just put a spring in your step, leaving you happy and buzzing as you bounced around the room—feet thumping against the floor and words tumbling from your lips in an endless stream until chris snapped, forcing you to remain still and quiet in promise of a treat later.

it worked.

you had laid down and stilled instantly.

those sweet, strawberry-flavoured lollipops that you love so much—the ones that he refuses to tell you where he gets them from—was enough to keep you obedient for the time being, but now, you're beginning to get a little fussy.

"stay," he warns you as you shift slightly, causing a few gummies to roll out of place. you let out a huff, but his eyes snap to yours, narrowing. "watch it."

"i don't want to do this anymore," you murmur, your lips pushing into a pout, yet despite your words, you don't actually move—apart from your eyes which flit back down to the gummies scattered across your tummy. "what flavour are the red ones?"

"raspberry." he answers flatly, not looking up from his task.

"why not strawberry?"

"'cos they're raspberry."

you pause for a moment before asking another, "what flavour are the green ones?"

"watermelon." he says, not missing a beat.

"why not apple? greens are usually—"

"bun." he hisses at you through clenched teeth, glaring at you.

the warning in his voice makes you press your lips together into a tight line, silencing yourself on instinct. you're left in the quietness of the room again, the only sound heard is the faint rustling of the bags that chris fills and moves to the side.

you can feel yourself getting antsy again, and before long, you're lightly wiggling your foot and toes, trying to shake off that stuck, heaving feeling of staying still for so long.

chris doesn't speak, but he notices, and he shuffles forward, his waist pressing down against your foot to pin it in place. the weight is firm, and it stops you immediately, but the pout on your face deepens—your brows knitting together as you peer down at him again.

the question slips out before you even realise it, "what flavour are the yellow ones?"

"lemon." his tone is flat again, like the answer should've been completely obvious, but you don't take the hint of the annoyance in his tone.

"do you think they make banana ones?"

"probably."

"i like bananas."

"i know."

for a moment, you're quiet again, now staring up at the ceiling. usually, you're fine with quietness, you didn't mind it every now and then. but for whatever reason, this time you didn't like it—it was strange.

was it because he was doing something, admittingly so, intimate? of course he wouldn't see it that way, he never will. to you it felt intimate—having to lay here, completely still, letting him use a part of your body to 'help' him do something.

well, it wasn't exactly to 'help' him—you were just irritating him with your energy, he wanted you to calm down. it should make you a little upset, but the thought of the treat he promised to give you after all this is completed makes you feel a lot better, a smile finding its way across your face.

however, the smile falters when you feel something wet and warm graze across your tummy, and your attention shoots down, the muscles in your core tensing as you watch chris mouth at the leftover gummies—his tongue flicking across your skin in his path.

"w-what are you—"

"shh." he interrupts you, hovering over another gummy before taking it into his mouth, his warm breath causing goosebumps to rise.

you squirm beneath him, your own breathing quickening as his lips brush against your navel, using his tongue to lick at a stray gummy resting over your belly button—chewing it slowly as he makes his way further down.

without warning, as usual, chris shoves his face between your thighs, his nose pressing against your underwear and you gasp, a strangled noise following as his tongue darts out, licking a slow path along the already damp fabric of your panties.

your hands fidget at your sides, fingers twisting in the bedsheets, your broken whimpers filling the room as he hooks his fingers beneath the band, pulling your soaked panties—all thanks to his tongue—to the side to expose your puffy pussy to the cool air, causing you to shiver.

he dives in, mouth attaching to your slick folds, tongue working its familiar magic over your clit, his arms curling around your thighs to keep you still for him to feast. your hips jerk involuntarily, uncontrollably noises seeping past your lips as your head falls back.

you're lost in the sensation already, tummy sucking in with large gasps of air, your spine arching off the bed as your toes curl in your socks—thighs trembling beneath his hold as you squirm again, unable to control the movement of your body as his tongue dips in and out of you, slurping you up so loudly that you throw your arm over your face to cover it.

"don't hide from me, bun," he speaks against your pussy, the vibrations making a whimper fall from your lips. "y'know i don't like that shit. watch me."

divider credits. @issysh3ll

© STURNIOZ

[archivegyu]

masterlist

if i could give you the moon

i would give you the moon

choi seungcheol x reader ll 9k words

The moon hung impossibly large in the night sky, casting silver light across the cityscape below. She leaned against the rooftop railing, eyes fixed on its luminous face, finding comfort in its silent presence. The distant hum of traffic and the occasional siren created a strangely peaceful urban lullaby.

She didn’t hear the roof door open, didn’t notice the approaching footsteps until they stopped beside her. Seungcheol’s familiar presence settled next to hers, his gaze following hers upward without a word. For a moment, they simply existed together in the moonlight, two silhouettes against the vastness of the night.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Second Year: October

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves as they walked through the upscale shopping district. It was her birthday, and despite her protests, Seungcheol had insisted on taking her out for the day.

"You work too hard" he'd said when he showed up at her apartment that morning. "One day off won't kill you."

Now, as they wandered through boutiques she'd normally never set foot in, she tried to ignore the price tags that made her stomach clench. Seungcheol seemed completely at ease, occasionally picking up items and asking her opinion with genuine interest.

"What do you think of this?" he asked, holding up a soft blue scarf.

She touched it hesitantly, the cashmere impossibly soft under her fingers. "It's beautiful" she admitted, checking the price tag and quickly putting it back. "But I'm just looking."

Seungcheol nodded, seemingly letting it go. But when she turned away to examine a display of notebooks; something practical she might actually be able to affor. She didn't notice him discreetly hand the scarf to a sales associate with a quick whisper.

This pattern continued throughout the day. She'd admire something, a leather-bound planner, a pair of silver earrings, a vintage edition of her favorite book. And each time, she'd talk herself out of buying anything. Each time, Seungcheol would find a moment when she was distracted to quietly ensure the item was set aside.

At a small bookstore, she lingered over a collection of poetry she'd been wanting for months.

"You should get it" Seungcheol encouraged, watching her flip through the pages.

"Maybe another time" she said, returning it to the shelf despite the longing in her eyes. "Textbooks took up all my book budget this semester."

When she moved to the next aisle, Seungcheol quickly purchased the book, the associate slipping it into a bag that disappeared into his jacket before she returned.

By late afternoon, they'd stopped for coffee at a quiet café. She looked happier than he'd seen her in weeks, relaxed in a way she rarely allowed herself to be, even if she hadn't actually bought anything.

"Thank you for today" she said, warming her hands around her mug. "I needed this more than I realized."

"The day's not over yet, Seungcheol replied with a mysteriously satisfied smile. "But you're welcome. Happy birthday."

As the evening approached, they headed back toward her apartment. Seungcheol insisted on driving her home, though her place was easily accessible by public transportation.

"I have something for you" he said as they neared her building, pulling into a parking spot.

"Cheol, you didn't need to—"

"I wanted to" he interrupted gently, reaching into the backseat where, miraculously, a large shopping bag had appeared. "It's nothing extravagant, I promise."

She accepted the bag with suspicious eyes, peering inside. Her jaw dropped as she recognized the items; the cashmere scarf, the planner, the earrings, the poetry book, and several other things she'd admired throughout the day.

"How did you—" she looked up at him, bewildered. "I didn't see you buy any of this."

Seungcheol's smile was both mischievous and tender. "I have my ways. And before you argue about it being too much, it's already done. Consider it compensation for putting up with me all year."

She ran her fingers over the soft scarf, emotions warring inside her. Pride fighting with gratitude, independence with the rare feeling of being cared for so thoughtfully.

"I don't know what to say," she admitted.

“Thank you works" he suggested, his eyes soft in the dimming light. "Or you could just promise to wear that scarf when it gets colder."

Something in his voice made her look up, and for a moment, the air between them seemed charged with unspoken feelings.

"Thank you" she said quietly. "Not just for the gifts, but for seeing me. What I love, what I want but won't let myself have."

Seungcheol reached across the center console, taking her hand in his. "That's easy" he said simply. "Seeing you is the easiest thing in the world for me."

The moment stretched between them, teetering on the edge of something more. But then her phone rang, her mother calling to wish her happy birthday. And the moment passed, leaving behind a lingering warmth and the unshakable feeling that something had shifted between them.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

First Year: September

The lecture hall buzzed with nervous energy as students filtered in for their first class. She clutched her notebook tightly, scanning the room for an empty seat. Years of academic excellence had earned her this scholarship, and she wasn't about to waste it by being anything less than perfect.

"Is this seat taken?"

She looked up to find a tall figure gesturing to the chair beside her. Plump lips, gentle eyes that somehow managed to be both playful and serious, and an easy confidence that spoke of privilege.

"No, go ahead" she said, sliding her bag closer to make room.

"I'm Seungcheol" he offered, extending his hand. "Choi Seungcheol."

She introduced herself, shaking his hand firmly the way her father had taught her. "Nice to meet you."

"First day nerves?" he asked, unpacking his brand-new laptop that probably cost more than her entire semester's expenses.

"Just ready to get started" she answered, not wanting to admit that yes, her stomach was in knots, and she'd barely slept last night.

The professor walked in, and the room quieted. As the syllabus was distributed, she methodically wrote down every due date, every percentage breakdown of grades. Beside her, Seungcheol leaned back in his chair, seemingly relaxed but she noticed how intently he was listening, how his eyes never left the professor.

When they broke into pairs to discuss their academic goals, she hesitated before turning to him.

"So, why Business?" he asked before she could speak.

"Practical choice. Good job prospects. I want to make sure my younger siblings have options I didn't." The words came out more honest than she'd intended. "You?"

"My father runs Choi Enterprises. I'm expected to take over eventually." he said with a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

The name registered immediately. Choi Enterprises was one of the largest conglomerates in South Korea. This wasn't just any rich kid; this was heir-to-an-empire rich.

"That must be a lot of pressure" she said carefully.

Seungcheol shrugged. "It's always been the plan. What about you? What's your plan after graduation?"

"Top of my class, land a job at a multinational firm, work my way up," she recited the goals she'd set for herself years ago. "Nothing too complicated."

"Ambitious" he nodded, looking impressed. "I like that."

When class ended, she gathered her things quickly, ready to head to her part-time job at the campus coffee shop.

"Hey," Seungcheol called as she stood. "A bunch of us are grabbing lunch. Want to join?"

She glanced at her watch. "Can't. I have work."

"Work? On the first day?"

"Some of us don't have the luxury of free time," she replied, immediately regretting the sharpness in her tone.

Instead of being offended, Seungcheol just nodded. "Fair enough. Maybe next time?"

She softened slightly. "Maybe."

As she walked away, she couldn't help but think that Choi Seungcheol was nothing like she'd expected a chaebol heir to be.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

First Year: November

Two months into the semester, she found herself spending more time with Seungcheol than she'd ever anticipated. They'd fallen into a rhythm of studying together at the library, his easy-going nature balancing her intensity.

"You're going to wear a hole in that paper if you keep erasing so hard" Seungcheol commented, looking up from his economics textbook.

She sighed, dropping her pencil. "This concept isn't clicking."

"Let me see." He moved his chair closer, leaning in to look at her notes. His shoulder brushed against hers, and she caught the faint scent of his cologne—something expensive, no doubt, but understated.

"Here's where you're getting stuck" he said, pointing to her formula. "You're overthinking it. Look at it this way..."

As he explained, she found herself watching his hands—strong but gentle as they moved across the page, drawing diagrams that somehow made everything clearer. When she finally understood, the smile that broke across his face was triumphant, as if her success was his own.

"See? You've got this" he said, and for a moment, she believed him.

Their study session ran late, and when they finally emerged from the library, the campus was quiet, streetlights casting long shadows across the paths.

"Let me walk you home" he offered.

"I'm fine on my own" she insisted automatically.

"I know you are. But it's late, and it's on my way."

It wasn't on his way at all—his luxury apartment was in the opposite direction from her modest housing—but she was too tired to argue.

As they walked, he asked about her family, and she found herself telling him about her parents' sacrifices, about being the first in her family to attend university, about the expectations weighing on her shoulders.

"That's a lot of responsibility" he said quietly.

"It's what has to be done" she replied, the mantra she'd repeated to herself countless times.

When they reached her building, she turned to thank him.

"Hey, there's this project for Business Strategy coming up" he said suddenly. "Want to partner up?"

She hesitated. Group projects usually meant carrying someone else's weight.

"I promise I'll pull my share" he added, reading her expression. "I'm not just some rich kid coasting through."

Against her better judgment, she agreed. "Alright. But if you slack off, I won't hesitate to tell Professor Kim."

Seungcheol grinned, unfazed by her warning. "Wouldn't expect anything less."

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

First Year: December

Their Business Strategy project earned them the highest grade in the class, a perfect blend of her meticulous research and his innovative thinking. They celebrated at a small café near campus, sharing a plate of pastries.

"We make a good team" Seungcheol said, pushing an extra strawberry tart toward her.

She nodded, allowing herself a moment of satisfaction. "We do."

"So, winter break plans?"

"Working extra shifts" she said, mentally calculating how much she could save in the three weeks off. "You?"

"Family trip to Switzerland. Annual tradition." He said it casually, but she saw the flash of discomfort in his eyes, as if he was suddenly aware of the gulf between their lives.

"Sounds nice" she offered, trying to smooth over the moment.

"It's mostly business for my dad. Meetings disguised as skiing trips." He paused. "You should come over for dinner before I leave, though. My place. I've been practicing this pasta recipe, and I need someone to tell me if it's actually edible."

She raised an eyebrow. "You cook?"

"Don't look so surprised" he laughed. "I'm full of hidden talents."

Two days later, she found herself standing outside his apartment door, clutching a bottle of moderately priced wine that had still cost more than she'd wanted to spend. When he opened the door, wearing a simple black t-shirt and jeans with an apron tied around his waist, she was struck by how different he looked outside of their university setting—more relaxed, more himself.

His apartment was exactly what she'd expected: spacious, tastefully decorated, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. What she hadn't expected was the mess in the kitchen; flour dusting the countertops, a pot boiling over on the stove, and what looked like tomato sauce splattered on the wall.

"Don't say it" he warned, rushing to turn down the heat. "I know it looks like a disaster."

She bit back a smile, setting down the wine. "Need help?"

Together, they salvaged dinner. She showed him how to save the sauce from being too acidic, and he admitted that perhaps watching YouTube tutorials wasn't quite the same as actual cooking experience. By the time they sat down to eat, the pasta was slightly overcooked, and the garlic bread was a touch too brown, but it was edible.

"Not bad for a first attempt" she conceded, taking a sip of wine.

"High praise coming from you" he teased. "But thank you for saving me from complete embarrassment."

As the evening wore on, conversation flowed easily. She told him about her younger siblings, how her brother was hoping to follow in her footsteps to university, how her sister was showing talent in art that no one in the family knew how to nurture. He shared stories of growing up under the shadow of his father's success, of the weight of expectation that had been placed on his shoulders since before he could understand what it meant.

"Sometimes I wonder what I'd do if I had a choice" he admitted, his voice softening.

"And what would that be?"

"Music, maybe" he said, gesturing to the piano in the corner of the living room that she hadn't noticed before. "Or psychology. Understanding how people think has always fascinated me."

"You'd be good at that" she said, and meant it. Seungcheol had a way of making people feel seen, of creating space for others to be themselves.

Later, as he walked her to the bus stop despite her protests, snow began to fall lightly around them.

"Thank you for coming tonight" he said, his breath visible in the cold air.

"Thank you for dinner" she replied. "Even if I did most of the cooking."

He laughed, the sound warm against the winter quiet. "Next time, I'll do better."

"Next time" she echoed, and realized she was looking forward to it.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Second Year: March

Spring semester brought new classes, new challenges, and a growing circle of friends that revolved around Seungcheol. She'd been gradually introduced to his other friends; twelve guys who formed a tight-knit group but welcomed her with surprising warmth.

Jeonghan, with his angelic face and devilish sense of humor, had initially been skeptical of her, watching her interactions with Seungcheol with knowing eyes. Joshua, gentle and thoughtful, had been the first to make her feel truly included, asking about her studies with genuine interest. Junhui's quiet kindness, Soonyoung's boundless energy, Wonwoo's sharp wit, Jihoon's musical genius, Seokmin's sunshine personality, Mingyu's clumsy charm, Minghao's artistic sensibility, Seungkwan's dramatic flair, Vernon's laid-back attitude, and Chan's youthful enthusiasm—each of them brought something unique to the group.

Today, they were gathered at Seungcheol's apartment, ostensibly to study but mostly to distract each other.

"I still don't understand why we can't just order food" Mingyu was saying as he chopped vegetables in the kitchen. "I always end up cooking anyway."

"Because you love it and you're good at it" Seungcheol replied, passing him salt.

She sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by textbooks and notes, trying to focus amid the chaos. Jihoon sat nearby, headphones on, completely absorbed in whatever composition he was working on. Wonwoo was immersed in a game, while Jeonghan and Joshua debated something in hushed tones.

"You know, you're allowed to take breaks" Seungcheol said, sitting down beside her with two mugs of tea.

"I have a midterm on Monday" she reminded him, accepting the tea nonetheless.

"So does everyone else. But they're not killing themselves over it."

She bristled slightly. "Not everyone has as much at stake."

Seungcheol opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by Soonyoung launching into an animated story about his dance instructor. The moment passed, but she felt his eyes on her, concerned and thoughtful.

Later, when most of the others had drifted off to various corners of the apartment, Seungcheol nudged her gently.

"Come on, I want to show you something."

Curious despite herself, she followed him to the building's rooftop. The night air was cool, the city lights spread out before them like stars fallen to earth.

"I come here when everything gets too loud" he said, leaning against the railing. "Thought you might need it too."

She stood beside him, exhaling slowly. "It's beautiful."

"You know, you work harder than anyone I know" he said after a moment. "But sometimes I wonder if you remember to actually live while you're working so hard for your future."

"That's a luxury I can't afford" she said simply.

"It's not about luxury" he insisted. "It's about balance. Even my father, who works insane hours, makes time for the things that matter."

She didn't respond, unsure how to explain that balance was a privilege of those who had safety nets.

"My parents want to meet you, by the way" he said, changing the subject.

She turned to him, surprised. "Why?"

"Because I talk about you all the time, and they're curious about the person who keeps beating me in every class" he smiled. "Just dinner. Nothing formal."

"I don't know, Cheol..."

"Please? They're not scary, I promise."

Against her better judgment, she found herself agreeing.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Second Year: April

The Choi family home was intimidating in its understated elegance; a modern mansion in one of Seoul's most exclusive neighborhoods. She'd worn her best dress, simple and black, but still felt underdressed as a housekeeper led her through the marbled entryway.

Seungcheol was waiting for her, looking unusually formal in a button-up shirt. "You came" he said, relief evident in his voice.

"I said I would" she replied, trying to keep her nerves from showing.

Mrs. Choi appeared first, a graceful woman with kind eyes that reminded her of Seungcheol's. "So lovely to finally meet you" she said, taking her hands warmly. "Seungcheol speaks very highly of you."

Mr. Choi was more imposing; tall and distinguished, with an air of authority that commanded attention. But when he smiled, she saw where Seungcheol got his warmth. "The mysterious study partner who keeps our son on his toes" he said, shaking her hand. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."

Dinner was served in a dining room that could have comfortably seated twenty, but they kept to one end of the table, creating a sense of intimacy. She was surprised by how easily conversation flowed, how genuinely interested the Chois seemed in her studies, her background, her aspirations.

"Seungcheol tells us you're at the top of your class" Mr. Choi said, sounding impressed. "On scholarship, no less."

"I've been fortunate to have good opportunities" she said modestly.

"Opportunity means nothing without the talent and drive to seize it" Mrs. Choi countered. "Don't diminish your achievements, dear."

As the evening progressed, she found herself relaxing, even laughing at Mr. Choi's surprisingly dry sense of humor. When Seungcheol excused himself to take a phone call, Mrs. Choi leaned in slightly.

"You know, you're the first of Seungcheol's friends he's ever asked to bring home" she said thoughtfully.

"Oh, we're just classmates" she clarified quickly. "We study well together."

Mrs. Choi's smile was knowing. "Of course. Still, it says something that he values your opinion enough to want you to meet us."

Later, as Seungcheol walked her to the car his parents had insisted on sending her home in, she felt strangely conflicted.

"They like you" he said, looking pleased. "I knew they would."

"They're different from what I expected" she admitted.

"Different good or different bad?"

"Different good. They're... real people." She winced at how that sounded. "I mean—"

"No, I get it" he laughed. "They're not the cold business tycoons people assume. They work hard, but family matters to them. Values matter." He paused. "You matter to them now, too. Once you're with my parents, there's no escaping."

She didn't know why that thought made her heart beat faster.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Second Year: Summer

Summer brought an unexpected opportunity—an internship at a prestigious firm that could set her up perfectly for post-graduation employment. The only problem was the cost of living closer to the city center where the firm was located; her part-time job wouldn't cover the higher rent for those three months.

When she mentioned the dilemma while studying with Seungcheol, he immediately offered a solution.

"Stay at my place" he said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "I'm leaving for Jeju to help with my father's new resort development, so the apartment will be empty anyway."

"I can't just take your apartment, Cheol."

"Why not? It's sitting there unused, with a perfectly convenient commute to your internship. It makes logical sense."

She hesitated, pride warring with practicality. "I'd pay rent."

"You absolutely will not" he said firmly. "Consider it an investment in your future success, which will make me look good by association."

"Seungcheol—"

"Please? It would actually help me out. Someone should be there to water my plants and make sure the place doesn't get robbed."

In the end, logic won out, though she insisted on at least covering utilities. When Seungcheol gave her the keys before leaving for Jeju, there was something unreadable in his eyes.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing" he said, closing her fingers around the keys. "Just take care of yourself, not just my plants."

Living in Seungcheol's apartment was a strange experience. Everything was comfortable, convenient, designed for ease. She found herself working later at the internship than required, partly out of dedication and partly to avoid becoming too accustomed to the luxury that wasn't hers.

Mingyu and Wonwoo checked in on her occasionally, bringing food and company. Junhui brought books he thought she'd enjoy. Jihoon, surprisingly, became a regular visitor, often working on his music while she prepared reports for her internship, the silence between them comfortable.

One night, as they shared takeout after both working late, Jihoon looked up from his noodles. "You know he's in love with you, right?"

She nearly choked. "Who?"

Jihoon gave her a flat look. "Don't play dumb. It doesn't suit you."

"Seungcheol and I are friends" she said firmly. "Good friends."

"Sure" Jihoon shrugged, returning to his food. "But just so you know, he doesn't lend this place to just anyone. I've known him since high school, and you're the first person he's ever given keys to."

She didn't know how to respond to that, so she changed the subject. But later, alone in Seungcheol's guest room, she found herself staring at the ceiling, thinking about his easy smile, his unwavering support, the way he seemed to see her—really see her—in a way no one else did.

It was a dangerous line of thought, one she couldn't afford to entertain.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Third Year: November

The third year brought mounting pressure; harder classes, preparation for thesis proposals, the looming reality of job hunting. She and Seungcheol remained close, though their different schedules meant they saw each other less frequently. When they did, it was usually in group settings with the others or during late-night study sessions in the library.

Tonight was rare; just the two of them, working on separate thesis outlines in his apartment. Rain lashed against the windows, creating a cozy atmosphere despite the stress of their work.

Jihoon, Mingyu, and Jeonghan had been there earlier, working on their own projects, but had left hours ago, leaving them alone with their thoughts and the sound of keyboards clicking.

"I think my brain is officially fried" Seungcheol announced, pushing back from his laptop. "Want some ramyeon?"

She glanced up, blinking as her eyes adjusted to looking at something other than her screen. "Sure."

In the kitchen, she watched as he moved efficiently, preparing their late-night snack. There was a comfortable domesticity to it, one that made her chest tighten with a feeling she refused to name.

"My father asked about you yesterday" he said casually as he waited for the water to boil.

"Oh?"

"He's impressed with your internship performance. Apparently, his friend at the firm couldn't stop singing your praises."

She felt a flush of pride. "I didn't realize they knew each other."

"Seoul's business world is smaller than you think" Seungcheol said, pouring the hot water into their bowls. "Actually, he mentioned they might have a position opening up after graduation. Said you'd be a perfect fit."

She froze, ramyeon halfway to her mouth. "What?"

"It's just an option" he said quickly. "No pressure. But it's a good company, great benefits, room for advancement—"

"Did you ask him to do this?" Her voice was suddenly cold.

Seungcheol looked genuinely surprised. "What? No. He brought it up on his own."

"Really? Your father just happened to mention a job opportunity at his friend's company, for me specifically?"

"Yes" he frowned. "What's the problem?"

She set down her chopsticks. "The problem is I don't need your family pulling strings for me. I can get a job on my own merits."

"No one's saying you can't" he countered. "It's just networking. Everyone does it."

"Everyone who has connections" she shot back. "Some of us have to work for everything we get."

Seungcheol's expression hardened. "And you think I don't work? That everything just falls into my lap because of my last name?"

"That's not what I meant—"

"It's exactly what you meant" he said, voice rising slightly. "You've always thought that, haven't you? Poor Seungcheol, born with a silver spoon, never had to struggle a day in his life."

"That's not fair."

"Isn't it? You've built this whole identity around being the scholarship kid who does everything herself. You're so afraid of accepting help that you don't even see when people are just trying to care about you."

The words hit too close to home, igniting a defensive anger. "I don't need anyone to care about me. I'm doing fine on my own."

"Are you?" he challenged. "Because from where I'm standing, you're working yourself to exhaustion, pushing away anyone who tries to get close, all because you're terrified of admitting you might actually need someone."

"What I need" she said, standing abruptly, "is to not be your charity case. I'm not some project for you to fix, Seungcheol. I'm not here to make you feel good about yourself for helping the poor scholarship student."

His face went pale, then flushed with anger. "Is that really what you think of me? After three years?"

The hurt in his eyes made her want to take back her words, but pride kept her silent.

"I have never," he said, voice low and controlled, "seen you as a charity case. I thought we were friends. I thought—" he stopped, running a hand through his hair. "Forget it. If that's what you think of me, maybe we don't know each other at all."

She gathered her things in tense silence, shoving papers into her bag without caring if they crumpled. When she reached the door, she paused, knowing she should apologize but not knowing how.

"Let me call you a car at least" he said stiffly. "It's pouring out there."

"I'll take the bus" she replied, and left before he could argue.

The rain soaked her within seconds, but she barely noticed, her mind replaying their argument on loop. By the time she reached her apartment, she was drenched and shivering, but the cold emptiness inside her had nothing to do with the weather.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Third Year: December

Three weeks passed without a word between them—the longest they'd gone without speaking since they met. She threw herself into her thesis preparation, taking extra shifts at work to avoid her thoughts. Her phone remained silent; even the group chat with the others had gone quiet for her.

One evening, as she was closing up the coffee shop, she looked up to find Jeonghan waiting at the counter.

"We need to talk" he said simply.

They sat at a corner table, her still in her apron, him elegant as always in a camel coat.

"He's miserable" Jeonghan said without preamble. "And from the looks of it, so are you."

She stared at her hands. "It's complicated."

"It's really not" Jeonghan countered. "You both said things you didn't mean, and you're both too stubborn to apologize first."

"He told you what happened?"

"He didn't have to. We've all been watching this dance for three years now." Jeonghan's expression softened. "Look, I get it. Pride is a hard thing to swallow. But is it worth losing him over?"

"I don't want to lose him" she admitted quietly.

"Then do something about it" Jeonghan said, standing. "And for what it's worth, none of us, especially not Seungcheol, have ever seen you as anything less than what you are: brilliant, determined, and incredibly frustrating."

After Jeonghan left, she sat alone in the darkened coffee shop, thinking about Seungcheol. How he'd never once made her feel less than, how he'd always believed in her abilities, how he'd created space for her in his life without question.

The next morning, she found herself standing outside his apartment, heart pounding. When he opened the door, he looked as bad as she felt; dark circles under his eyes, hair uncombed, wearing a hoodie she recognized as one of his comfort clothes.

"Can I come in?" she asked softly.

He stepped aside wordlessly.

Inside, they stood awkwardly in his living room, the silence heavy between them.

"I'm sorry" she finally said. "What I said was unfair and untrue. You've never made me feel like a charity case. That was my own insecurity talking."

Seungcheol's shoulders relaxed slightly. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have pushed about the job thing. I know how important your independence is to you."

"It's not just about independence" she tried to explain. "It's about feeling like I've earned my place. Like I belong in those rooms on my own merit."

"You do belong" he said firmly. "More than most people I know. But accepting help doesn't diminish that." He paused. "I'm not trying to make your path easier because I think you can't handle it. I offer because I care about you, and that's what people do when they care. They try to make each other's lives better."

The simple honesty of his words broke something open inside her. "I'm not very good at letting people care about me" she admitted.

"I've noticed" he said, a ghost of his usual smile appearing. "But I'm pretty persistent."

"That you are" she agreed, feeling the tension between them begin to dissolve.

"So, friends again?" he asked, and there was something vulnerable in his eyes that made her heart ache.

"Friends" she confirmed, trying to ignore the voice inside her that whispered it wasn't enough.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Fourth Year: February

Senior year was flying by too quickly, the future looming large on the horizon. She and Seungcheol had settled back into their friendship, though something had shifted subtly between them; a new awareness, moments of silence that stretched a beat too long, touches that lingered.

Tonight, they were on the rooftop of his building again, bundled against the winter cold, celebrating the completion of their thesis drafts with a bottle of wine.

"To never having to look at my thesis again," Seungcheol toasted, clinking his glass against hers.

"Until next week when we get feedback and have to revise everything" she reminded him, but she was smiling.

"Always the optimist" he teased.

They fell into companionable silence, watching the city lights below them.

"Have you heard back from any of the places you applied?" he asked after a while.

"Not yet" she said, trying to keep the worry from her voice. "You?"

"I start at the company in July" he said. "After graduation and a brief vacation.” 

"That's great, Cheol," she said, genuinely happy for him despite the twist of anxiety in her own stomach about her uncertain future.

"It is" he agreed, though he didn't sound entirely convinced. "It's what I've been working toward."

"But?"

He shrugged. "No 'but.' It's the right move. The responsible choice."

She studied his profile, illuminated by the distant city lights. "Does it make you happy?"

"Happiness isn't always the point" he said quietly. "Sometimes it's about doing what needs to be done."

Coming from anyone else, it might have sounded like a platitude. Coming from Seungcheol, who carried the weight of his family name with such grace, it was a confession.

"I think" she said carefully, "that you'll find a way to make it your own. You always do."

He turned to look at her then, his eyes searching hers for something she wasn't sure she was ready to give. "What about you? What makes you happy?"

The question caught her off guard. She'd spent so long focusing on survival, on achievement, on making something of herself, that happiness had always seemed like a distant luxury.

"I don't know" she answered honestly. "I haven't thought about it much."

"Think about it now" he urged gently.

She closed her eyes, letting herself imagine for once. "Stability," she said finally. "Knowing my family is taken care of. Work that matters. People who understand me." She opened her eyes to find him still watching her. "Freedom to choose my own path."

"That sounds like a good life," he said softly.

"It does," she agreed. "What about you? If you could choose anything?"

"This," he said simply. "Moments like this. Being with people who see me as me, not as the Choi heir. Making my own decisions. Music, maybe. A life that feels authentic."

His honesty made her brave. "And us? Where do we fit in those futures?"

The question hung between them, loaded with unspoken feelings. Seungcheol reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch feather-light.

"I don't know" he admitted. "But I know I want you in mine. However that looks."

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed. Reluctantly, she checked it—an email notification that made her heart stop.

"What is it?" Seungcheol asked, noticing her expression.

"A job offer" she whispered, hardly daring to believe it. "In New York. The international firm I applied to, they want me."

Seungcheol's face went through a rapid series of emotions before settling on a proud smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "That's amazing. When would you start?"

"August" she said, still processing. "They want an answer within the week."

"You're going to take it, right?" he asked, voice carefully neutral. "It's what you've been working for."

It was everything she'd dreamed of—a prestigious firm, international experience, a salary that would let her help her family. But suddenly, the thought of leaving Seoul—leaving Seungcheol—made the victory taste bittersweet.

"I need to think about it" she said, and they both knew it was a lie. There was no decision to make. This was her path, the one she'd sacrificed for, the one that would validate all her hard work.

"Of course" Seungcheol said, raising his glass again. "To new beginnings."

She echoed the toast, but as they drank in silence, the space between them seemed to grow, filled with things they weren't ready to say.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Fourth Year: May

Graduation day dawned bright and clear, the campus transformed by decorations and proud families. She stood among her classmates in her cap and gown, scanning the crowd for her parents and siblings, who had saved for months to make the trip.

She spotted Seungcheol with his parents near the front, looking handsome and official in his regalia. They hadn't spoken much in the weeks since she accepted the New York position, both busy with final exams and preparations for the future. But they'd maintained their friendship, carefully avoiding any mention of her imminent departure.

When her name was called, she walked across the stage with her head held high, accepting her diploma with the knowledge that she had earned every bit of this moment. As she shook the dean's hand, she heard cheers from the audience; her family, but also a distinct group that could only be Seungcheol and the others, who had become her second family over these four years.

As she moved the tassel on her cap, she caught Seungcheol's eye in the crowd. He smiled at her, proud and pained all at once, and something inside her chest constricted. This was what she had worked for; her ticket to a better life, a chance to make her mark on the world. Why, then, did victory feel so hollow?

After the ceremony, amid the chaos of families taking photos and classmates saying tearful goodbyes, she found herself pulled into an embrace by Mrs. Choi.

"We are so proud of you" the elegant woman said, holding her at arm's length. "Such an accomplishment."

Mr. Choi nodded in agreement, his usually stern face softened with genuine warmth. "Seungcheol tells us you're headed to New York. An excellent opportunity."

"Yes" she confirmed, "I start in August."

"Seoul's loss is New York’s gain," Mrs. Choi said with a meaningful glance toward her son, who was talking with her parents a few feet away. "But I suspect you'll do remarkable things wherever you go."

Before she could respond, Seungcheol approached, bringing her family with him. There were introductions, handshakes, her mother looking slightly overwhelmed but pleased as she chatted with Mrs. Choi. Her younger siblings stared in awe at Seungcheol, who treated them with the same easy respect he showed everyone.

"We're having a small celebration at our home this evening" Mr. Choi announced. "For Seungcheol and his friends. You and your family are welcome to join us."

Her mother started to decline, she knew they had planned to take the evening train back home to save on hotel costs, but Seungcheol interrupted gently.

"Please" he said, addressing her parents directly. "It would mean a lot to me. To all of us. We've made arrangements for your accommodations, and transportation back tomorrow."

She opened her mouth to object, pride rising automatically, but caught herself. This wasn't charity; this was friendship. After four years, she was finally learning the difference.

"We'd be honored" her father said, and the matter was settled.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

The Choi residence was transformed for the evening, the formal spaces made warm and inviting with soft lighting and flowers. The celebration was more intimate than she had expected—just the fourteen of them, their families, and a few close friends of the Chois.

She watched as Seungcheol moved through the room, the perfect host, making sure everyone was comfortable. He had a gift for making people feel at ease, regardless of background or status. Her father, initially stiff and uncomfortable in the opulent surroundings, was now laughing at something Joshua's dad had said. Her mother was deep in conversation with Jihoon's parents about music education, while her siblings had been thoroughly adopted by Seokmin and Soonyoung, who were teaching them some ridiculous dance moves in the corner.

"He gets it from his mother" a voice said beside her, and she turned to find Mr. Choi offering her a glass of champagne.

"Sorry?"

"Seungcheol. The way he brings people together" Mr. Choi clarified, nodding toward his son. "His mother has always had that gift. I'm more like you—focused on goals, sometimes at the expense of connections."

She accepted the champagne, surprised by his candor. "I wouldn't have guessed that about you."

Mr. Choi smiled slightly. "I've learned over the years. Thanks in large part to her." He glanced fondly at his wife across the room. "The right people in our lives have a way of making us better versions of ourselves."

Before she could respond to this unexpectedly personal insight, Mingyu appeared, dragging her away to settle a debate with Wonwoo about the best street food in Seoul. The evening continued, warm and joyful, a perfect culmination of their university years.

Later, as the party began to wind down, she found herself on the terrace, taking a moment of quiet amid the celebrations. The night air was cool but pleasant, the garden below illuminated softly by strategically placed lights.

"Hiding?" Seungcheol's voice came from behind her.

"Just catching my breath," she replied as he joined her at the railing. "It's been quite a day."

"One for the books" he agreed, loosening his tie slightly. "Your family seems to be enjoying themselves."

"They are. Thank you for including them."

"They're important to you" he said simply, as if that explained everything. And in a way, it did.

They stood in silence for a moment, the sounds of the party muted behind them, the city spread out before them like a constellation of earthbound stars.

"New York" he said finally, the word heavy with everything they hadn't been saying. "When do you leave?"

"Three weeks" she answered, her voice smaller than she intended. "I need to find an apartment, get settled before orientation."

Seungcheol nodded, his profile stoic in the dim light. "You're going to be amazing there. They're lucky to have you."

"What about you?" she asked, needing to change the subject. "Ready to be the new face of Choi Enterprises?"

A smile flickered across his face. "Not exactly the new face. More like the behind-the-scenes guy implementing changes while my father continues to be the public figure."

"Changes?"

"I've been thinking about what you said months ago, about making it my own." His eyes met hers, serious and determined. "I want to shift some of our priorities. Focus more on sustainable practices, ethical sourcing. Maybe expand our scholarship program."

Pride bloomed in her chest. "That sounds like something you would do."

"It's something you inspired" he corrected gently. "You've always pushed me to be more than just my father's son."

The sincerity in his voice made her throat tighten. Four years of friendship, of challenges and growth, of becoming adults together—it all seemed to crystallize in this moment.

"I'm going to miss you" she admitted, the words barely audible.

Seungcheol turned to her fully then, his eyes searching hers. "I've been trying to figure out how to say this for weeks" he began, his voice steady despite the vulnerability in his gaze. "Actually, years, if I'm honest."

Her heart stuttered in her chest, knowing what was coming and terrified of it.

"I'm in love with you" he said simply. "I have been since that first study session when you corrected my accounting formula and told me I needed to pay more attention to details."

A small laugh escaped her, half-surprised, half-pained. "That was four years ago."

"I know" he smiled ruefully. "I'm not telling you this to complicate things or make you feel guilty about New York. I just couldn't let you leave without being honest. I respect your choices, your independence. I always have."

"Cheol—" she started, but he shook his head.

"You don't have to say anything. I just wanted you to know that someone sees you—all of you, the strength and the vulnerability, the ambition and the fear. And loves you for it."

The words she'd been holding back for so long rose to her lips, but before she could speak, the glass door to the terrace slid open, and Seungkwan appeared.

"There you are! We're about to do toasts, and Jeonghan says we can't start without you two."

The moment shattered, Seungcheol stepped back, the confession hanging unresolved between them. They rejoined the party, where champagne flowed and emotional speeches were made. Through it all, his words echoed in her mind, both a gift and a complication.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Three Months Later: August

New York was everything and nothing like she had imagined. The city's energy matched her own drive, the constant movement and ambition a perfect reflection of her internal landscape. Her apartment was small but functional, her job challenging and rewarding. On paper, everything was exactly as she had planned.

But in the quiet moments—late at night when the city's pulse slowed, or early mornings when the light slanted just so through her window—she found herself thinking of Seoul, of thirteen boys who had become family, of one in particular whose confession she had never properly answered.

They kept in touch, sort of. Group texts with the others, occasional video calls where they carefully maintained the friendship they'd always had, neither mentioning the words spoken on the terrace. She saw snippets of his life through social media—Seungcheol at business functions, Seungcheol implementing new company initiatives, Seungcheol with the others on weekend trips. He looked good, successful, exactly where he was meant to be.

Tonight, she found herself on her tiny balcony, staring up at the narrow strip of sky visible between buildings. The moon was bright, a perfect silver disc that seemed to follow her across oceans and continents.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Jihoon, a rare direct message from the most reserved of the group.

*You're both idiots, you know that?*

She blinked at the bluntness of it.

*Hello to you too, Jihoon.*

*He's miserable. You're probably miserable too, knowing you.*

She hesitated, fingers hovering over the keyboard. *We're both where we need to be.*

*Need and want are different things. Figure it out.*

The conversation ended there, typical Jihoon—direct, uncompromising, and unfortunately insightful.

She sighed, leaning back in her chair. The truth was, she was doing well professionally but personally... personally, she felt adrift. She'd achieved her goal, proved herself capable and worthy, secured her family's future. But something was missing, and she was finally honest enough with herself to name it.

Her phone buzzed again, this time with an email notification. A follow-up from her boss about a project she was leading—an expansion into the Asian market, specifically South Korea. They needed someone with local knowledge, language skills, and connections. Someone exactly like her.

She stared at the screen, heart racing with sudden possibility. It wasn't a solution, not yet, but it was a door opening where before there had been only walls.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Six Months Later: February

Seoul in winter was exactly as she remembered it; crisp, vibrant, familiar in a way that settled something inside her. She pulled her coat tighter as she walked through the business district, the cashmere scarf, his gift from years ago, wound around her neck.

The Choi Enterprises building loomed ahead, modern and imposing against the skyline. She had informed her team she would handle this meeting personally, citing her familiarity with Korean business culture. She hadn't mentioned her familiarity with the company's leadership.

At reception, she stated her name and appointment, the Korean flowing easily from her lips after months of practice to maintain her fluency. The receptionist directed her to the elevators, instructing her to go to the 42nd floor, executive offices.

Her heart pounded as the elevator ascended. She hadn't told him she was coming. Hadn't told any of them, afraid she might lose her nerve if she did. The doors opened to a sleek reception area where another assistant greeted her.

"He's expecting you" the woman said with a smile, leading her down a hallway to double doors at the end.

She took a deep breath as the assistant knocked once, then opened the door.

"Your 10 o'clock is here, Mr. Choi."

She stepped into the office; spacious and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a stunning view of the city. Seungcheol stood behind his desk, reviewing documents, his back to the door.

"Thank you, I—" he began as he turned, the words dying on his lips when he saw her.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other, taking in the changes six months had wrought. He looked different; more mature, his hair styled differently, wearing a perfectly tailored suit that made him look every inch the business leader he had become. But his eyes, his eyes were the same, warm and deep and suddenly wide with shock.

"Hi" she said softly, when she could find her voice.

"What are you—" he stopped, glancing at his assistant who was watching with undisguised curiosity. "Thank you, Min-ah. That will be all for now."

When the door closed behind her, silence descended, heavy with unasked questions.

"I'm here on business," she explained, stepping further into the room. "My company is looking to expand into the Korean market. I'm leading the project."

Understanding dawned in his eyes. "You're representing them."

She nodded. "They thought my connections might be helpful."

"Your connections" he repeated, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. "And you chose Choi Enterprises as your first meeting."

"It seemed logical" she said, maintaining the professional facade, though her racing heart betrayed her. "Your company has a strong digital presence, innovative ideas. We're looking for a partner with vision."

Seungcheol moved around his desk, closing some of the distance between them. "Very logical. How long are you in Seoul?"

"Two weeks, to start. Longer if the partnerships develop well."

"And after that?" he asked, the question loaded with meaning.

She took a deep breath. "That depends on what we find here."

Their eyes held, the pretense of a purely business conversation slipping away.

"I never answered you" she said quietly. "That night on the terrace."

"You didn't need to" he replied. "Your path was clear."

"My path has led me back here" she countered, taking a step toward him. "Maybe that means something."

Seungcheol's expression softened, hope cautiously emerging. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I've accomplished what I set out to do. I've proven myself, secured my future, helped my family. I'm saying that I'm proud of who I've become, and that includes being someone who can finally admit what she wants." She took another step closer. "I'm saying that I love you too. I have for a long time."

The distance between them vanished as Seungcheol closed the gap, one hand coming up to cup her face with a tenderness that made her breath catch.

"You're sure?" he asked, his voice low. "Because I don't want you to ever feel like you've compromised your independence for me."

"Loving you isn't a compromise" she said firmly. "It took me a while to understand that accepting love isn't the same as accepting charity. You were right—it's what people do when they care."

The smile that broke across his face was like sunrise, bright and full of promise. "I've missed you" he whispered, forehead touching hers. "Every day."

"I've missed you too," she admitted, her hands coming to rest on his chest, feeling his heartbeat strong and steady beneath her palm. "More than I allowed myself to acknowledge."

When he kissed her, it felt like coming home.

It’s like finding something she hadn't known she was missing until this moment. It was gentle at first, a question and an answer all at once, then deepening with the weight of feelings long held back.

A knock at the door forced them apart, and Seungcheol cleared his throat. "Yes?"

"Sorry to interrupt, sir," his assistant called through the door, "but your father is asking if you'd like to join him for lunch with your visitor to discuss the potential partnership."

Seungcheol looked at her, eyebrows raised in question. She nodded, a smile playing at her lips.

"Tell him we'll be there" he called back, and then more quietly to her, "My parents are going to be insufferable when they see you. My mother has been asking about you for months."

"They knew how you felt?"

"Everyone knew" he laughed. "Apparently, I wasn't subtle."

Her phone buzzed in her pocket—a message from the group chat she shared with all thirteen of them. She pulled it out to find a text from Jeonghan:

Tell him we expect both of you at dinner tonight. No excuses.

She looked up at Seungcheol, confused. "Did you tell them I was here?"

He leaned over to see the message and laughed. "No, but Jeonghan has an uncanny sixth sense. And possibly spies in my building."

Another text came through, this one from Jihoon: Told you so.

"What does that mean?" Seungcheol asked.

She smiled, putting her phone away. "It means he was right. We were both idiots."

Seungcheol took her hand, interlacing their fingers as if they'd been doing it for years. "Not anymore" he said softly. "Now we're just two people who took the long way home."

As they walked out of his office together, she thought about the journey that had brought her here; the scholarship girl determined to make it on her own, the walls she'd built around her heart, the gradual realization that true strength wasn't about standing alone but about choosing who to stand with.

Outside, the winter sun broke through the clouds, casting long shadows across the snow-covered city. In the distance, the Han River flowed steadily, unchanging and ever-changing all at once. Like the moon that had watched over both of them from different corners of the world, bearing silent witness to their separate paths that had, against all odds, converged once more.

She squeezed Seungcheol's hand, feeling him squeeze back without hesitation, and knew with certainty that this—this was what coming home felt like.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Just like the moon, I'll pull you back again

I'm always going to be who I've been  

But I'm not afraid to admit I'm wrong

When I know I'm right where I belong

- moon song, phoebe bridgers

[omgfangirlland]

Okay so to add to the superfam x neglected! reader! What if the reader is an absolute nerd with engineering (mechanical, computer, electronics, software, and robotics) and as they slowly grew comfortable with Lex Luthor, they just found themselves yapping away about the functions of the Omnitrix, interesting projects they're working on, and what they want to do yk. Like this girl went from quiet, demure, shy who is not used to attention to someone who could talk Lex's ears off for HOURS, and he isn't even mad??? All her ideas are pretty interesting and it's also nice to see her just be in her element. The superfam being regretful because they didn't know Reader could talk this much or be so bright about something. Lois feeling immense guilt because she got so used to the easy way of not having to worry about injuries because Jon, Kon, and Clark don't that she forgot her daughter didn't inherit any of the indestructableness

Also!!! As Reader slowly got used to actually have an adult pay attention to her and encourage her with her interests, plus the praise she receives with her hero persona, she just became more confident. Idk it's like 1 am and the drabble was too good

-🪻

I want to start with the Ben10 reader x Invincible- I don't really feel the vibe for it- like Debbie has bitten into Nolan for not being happy for powerless kiddie Mark, and she'd do it again, and Nolan honestly just gave "angry because I'm getting attacked" vibes. But it'd be funny to see how shocked Battle Beast would be to see a youngling of his race try and battle him :)))

Also- Dad!Lex honestly just gives PTA Mom vibes to me-

(This and the 3 other Tony Stark!Reader stories I read are slowly making me want to do a TS!Neglected!Reader x batfam, Bruce would lose it at his daughter being so much like Brucie and so little like Bruce)

I'M HAPPY Y'ALL LIKE MY RAMBLING!! Most of the time I feel like it has no rhythm or reason :))

Lex: My kid is a mastermind in robotics and alien tech, on her way to have a greater empire than mine- What can your monkey-brained son do besides chase a ball, Janet?!

You: I don't even go here... I don't even know this woman.

Like, once this man gets attached, he goes crazy. He has an important business meeting at the same time you have a school event? At best, he's video chatting from your school, screaming mid-sentence that you did great, or at worst, not even present in the meeting.

Because let's be honest- rich man who knows how to act and can provide proof of neglect vs an above middle class family who didn't even know where the kid was? The rich man wins.

And sure, you may hate it at first, think it's a ploy to get back at Superman, because why would an adult actually care for you? But instead of lowering the anti-supers measures he has in place, he triples them. He asks about school shit, nags you about homework, if you ate, "You shouldn't sit for so long in front of a screen."

It drove you crazy. And you started acting out- missing homework, having sleepless nights, arguing with him over the smallest shit, until he called you for a serious talk. You were ready for him to tell you to pack your shit and go- but he just asked if everything was fine at school. "Because this isn't you."

Your lip may have trembled, but you refuse to acknowledge that you cried, that tears were even a concept. After hugging, definitely not crying in his arms, you got better- even if he suspended you from hero activity for a year "because you should have just come to talk to him" but whatever-

And boy does all of this fuck with the family. Not every place is anti-super proof, so they hear you talking his ear off at the restaurant he takes you to for the weekly family outing, or to celebrate whatever you made that day. And it builds the anger and guilt.

Lois started stalking Lex, not what she'd call it, but she was. Because she knew you wouldn't be far away. And it was amazing to see you talk about whatever machine-thingy-robot- whatever it was. It hurt to realize what she's been missing, and it hurt even more to see you smile so brightly and proudly at the man who, for years, has tried to ruin the family.

And when Jon sees you out and about and tries to follow after you, wanting his sis back, he loses track of you. Lex just finds a note stating that the cloaking tech works, but after 30 seconds, it fried. He doesn't ask, he already knows. But if you told him, he would obediently listen.

Kon is straight up thinking Lex brainwashed you. He refuses to believe you're doing that out of your own free will and is actively plotting with Tim and Young JL.

It was eerie how much you resembled Kon in his early days as "the real, new Superman" but the difference was in the way you actually were strategic in your flirting. Just enough to charm, but not enough to insinuate a possibility of more. Not that Lex would allow anyone to sniff around you, he has a strict list of requirements for the ideal one, and he's sure no one will hit all of them.

Honestly- he may as well start creating an android, the perfect one, to be the right lover. You shut that idea down quick. "Feels wrong to create an android and take away its free will. There are so many movies and games about why that's a bad idea."

All he hears is to create an android with another main mission, and just let the thing fall in love with you on its own. He has mad confidence in your rizz, mainly because he thinks you are the prize, and anyone not seeing that is crazy or blind. (*caugh* the superfam *caugh*) You could also do no wrong in his eyes, could kill everyone, and he'd still be like "lil baby, innocent, sweet thing", but that's another discussion.

This man will need to take calming pills if you show interest in JL members, aliens like Rook Blonko and Ester, or the witch Charmcaster.

You and Lex:

[faghubby]

Separate Vacations

"No I said I was going to Jamaica" Liz said with a smile. "I booked separate vacations for us this year. With all the changes I thought you understood that" she told me. The changes, right. Well over a year ago on out last vacation actually we had gotten a bit adventurous. That is to say we invited another man into our bed. It had meant to spice things up, loosen LIz up about things and it worked. Maybe to well.

This guy was bigger, yeah that way too. Just bigger in every way. He just took over. I found myself a spectator. Watching him pleasure my wife. Not just once either. But everyday until we left. By the third day I had not even bothered to get undressed.

Liz came home with a new outlook on sex, our marriage, money, you name it things where going to change. And they did. It wasn't long before Liz found a lover here at home. Often leading to her meeting him without me. Then not having sex with me at all. This led to chastity. Because I would sneak off and masterbate. The cage tucked at my pubic hair so it was shaves off.

"Look I signed you up for a spiritual retreat, it will be good for you" she told me. "And I can go experience big black men" She teased cupping my balls thru my shorts.

"Liz, I don't want to go on some spiritual retreat" I wined.

"Look if I leave you home you will pout and become depressed" she told me.

"Can't I come with you?" I asked

"Sorry it's a singles resort" she told me kissing me on the cheek. "I will tell you all about it when I get back. With one of those long teasing hand job session you love" she told me.

"Well can I have the key, you know incase of medical emergency" I asked.

"Don't worry about that I left my sister as emergency contact" She told me. Which means she had told her sister about me being locked up. Liz robbed me off at the train station, her flight wasn't until tomarrow. We said good bye and I boarded the train. It was a 15 hour ride and Liz had not even gotten me a cabin. When I arrived there was a sign and a bus. It picked up several of us. All men. No one spoke to anyone. The bus ride was another 2 house. Before I arrived. My phone had died. Liz had told me to only pack essential everything including clothes where provided. I arrived exhausted unable to sleep in a chair. It was a beautiful hotel. With a gorgeous view of the mountains. I wasn't even sure where I was.

"May I have your attention" a tall woman called out to a group of about now 50 men.

"Thwnk you. Now on the tables to the right you will find a pile of clothes. We need you all to find your name and then get changed. No outside clothes will be permitted. That includes underwear, jewelry other then wedding rings." Men started to seek out their name on top of folded clothes. They where simple white tee shirts and where these yoga pants. On the paper where room numbers. I grabbed my pile and went to my room.

"There is a schedule in your room, please don't be late for orientation in an hour" the woman said. In my very sparce simple room a twin bed. A TV on the wall and a small night stand was all that was in the room. I changed. The pants where yoga pants, with a simple, tee shirt. There was no underwear. I had not packed any. Suddenly the phone rang.

"Hi, baby I heard you arrived safely. I don't have much time about to depart. Just wanted to say I love you, and try and relax just go with it." Liz said.

"It's odd Liz." I started

"I know it will seem strange but I think if you give it a chance you will love it. Got to go love you. Think of me" she hung up. I found the remote for the TV. I clicked it on.

Only one screen appeared

NO OUTSIDE CLOTHES, THAT INCLUDES UNDERWEAR

NO OUTSIDE COMMICATIONS YOUR CELL PHONES WONT WORK

RESPECT TO OTHER GUEST AND STAFF AT ALL TIMES

DONT WORRY ALL THE GUEST ARE WEARING CAGES ON THEIR PENIS

I couldn't change the channel it was just a statement. That was this some kind of chastity retreat, well I didn't worry about how my cage showed thru my pants at least. I wanted to sleep but knew I would miss orientation so I went down to the lobby. I noticed some of us had different color shirts. I wondered off to other white shirts who all seemed nervous.

"Hello I am Gina a small young woman approached us also wearing a white shirt. If you come with me I will show you where we are meeting. 8 of us where led off to a small conference room.

"Welcome to exceptence training, now a few of you aren't in chastity, first rule is you will be. Right now sachnof you will go thru a kinda medical exam. And be fitted for a cage. It will not be removed for any reason during your stay. When your name is called stand up and go thru that door. My name was called first. I hesitated but then got up. I entered an exam room.

"Get undressed" an older man said. "Then get on the table" I again hesitated but stripped. I got on the table. He checked my heart, blood pressure normal things, then two woman entered both 40s I guess. They attached big things to the table. They didn't ask they just picked up my feet and placed them in the sturups. My legs spread and in the air

"Give me your arm" the one nurse said then strapped it down then the other.

"You seem very compliant" Doctor noted he then produced my key and unlocked my cage. I immediately go an erection. The one nurse measured it.

"Very excited" the doctor noted once again the other nurse wrote everything down.

"4.2 inches long. 1 1/4 circumference" the nurse called out. The Doctor massaged my balls.

"Last time he had a release?" He asked before I answered the nurse did.

"11 days ago"

"Underdeveloped testicle." He stated

"Do you like having me massage them?" He asked.

"Yes" I moaned.

His hands slid down and he pushed a lubed finger into my ass.

"Do you like me massaging your prostate?" He asked it felt odd but yes it was enjoyable.

"Yes" I wimpered.

"Karen could you wax him so we can relock him" the doctor said then went to leave but stopped and removed his gloves. He pushed a finger into my mouth and moved it in and out. I just let him.

"Suck" he told me and I did.

"Very good" he then left. The one nurse remained and waxed me giving me a Brazilian. It hurt like hell. I screamed several times but strapped to the table I was unable to move. The first nurse returned and held ice packs to my groin it felt good after bring waxed then a new steel cage was slipped on me it was quite smaller then the one Liz had bought me. I then got dressed again and was led to an office. Gina sat in a chair. There was no chair for me to sit.

"I had a long chat with Liz weeks ago, and will speak with her again later tonight." Gina stated reading over a file.

"She is very happy with your ability to let her cuckold you, but finds you lacking in ALL other areas. So for the next three weeks we are going to help you be a better cuckold for her"

"Sorry three weeks?" I asked thinking this was a few days.

"Yes three weeks, don't interrupt" GIna told me.

"Now tell me why you like seeing your wife with real men?" Gina asked

"I don't know" I stuttered.

"The doctor noted you had gay tendencies sucked his finger like a cock, loved your ass probed?" Gina stated

"I thought it was medical" I wimpered.

"Have you ever been with a man, maybe played naughty games with boys as a child?" She asked. I just shock my head

"When was your first sexual experience. Not having sex. But like playing doctor with the girl next door" Gina asked

"I don't know how old I was but I showed her mine and she laughed and ran away" I told her.

"As you got older did girls or maybe guys laugh at the size of your penis" she asked. I just nodded. I kept looking down unable to look her in the eyes.

"What are you thinking off as you look at me?" What color my panties are? Do you often think about what kind and color of panties woman wear?" She asked I hadn't been but now I was.

"Yes" I said ashamed. She stood and pulled her skirt up around her waist.

"Do you like them, had you guessed correctly. You li,e my little blue boy shorts?" I couldn't look away. "Bet you love the lace" she said then fixed her skirt.

"-have you ever worn woman's things? Done naughty things with someone's panties, did you smell them, or rub them on yourself?" Shw asked I just nodded.

"We are going to talk more tomarrow" Gina told me. I took that as I was excused.

"Down the hall the big double doors on the right" a woman told me as I existed. I went down the halls very tired and very ashamed of myself I entered a room. Hip hop music was playing a man approached.

"Jeremy" he told me. "Paul" I responded.

"Okay we are going to stretch you out" he told me for moment I panicked all this sex talk but soon understood it was like yoga. He worked with me one on one having me stretch till it hurt.

"Flexibility is very important in sex and relationships" he told me. After about an hour I was told to go to my room clean up and then come eat. But after my shower I fell asleep.

I woke up starving. I realized quickly someone had been in my room. My clothes, phone, even my watch where gone. There was a photo on the TV of Liz kissing a big black man.

I went downstairs to the cafeteria. I was handed a tray already full and went to find a seat. I sat with two white shirts. One seemed mad like he wanted to go but was afraid to try. I ate my simple breakfast then went to a class it was individual computer desk. I took some kind of test. It was hundreds of questions. All types of questions. Some seemed repeating

After I went back to see Jeremy and stretching class as I called it. I had not really spoken to anyone.

At lunch I met Drew, he was a nice guy we liked alot of the same things. And chatted about a video game mostly. Drew and I both had free time and decided to explore we found ourselves on a walking trail with gorgeous views.

"My mom sent me" Drew blurted out. "Caught me wearing her clothes" he continued.

"O, well my wife sent me, she is on vacation in Jamaica having sex with black men" I stated. Some how it seemed to bring us closer by telling each other.

I spoke to Gina again, she told me how she shared there results with her. And they had made a plan. I was not told the plan. The first week was almost routine. Stretching exercises, single sessions with not only Gina but a woman named Dana as well. Here was a strick schedule as well what time we got up, went to sleep ea. Diets where strictly enforced you couldn't trade or anything. And we're expected to finish everything on your tray.

Everyone was on edge by week two, all that pent up sexual juices.

"How are you feeling today, Paulie?" Dana asked me.

"I don't know about the same I guess"

"You gotten close with Drew, I see" she stated what did she mean by that.

"Have you thought about kissing him?" She asked

"NO" I said maybe a bit to loud.

"Think

he has thought about kissing you?" She asked. I paused

"He has kissed boys before you know" she stated. I just shook my head.

"Jeremy is very impressed with your progress." She stated "I like you to try a private class with him" she told me.

"I can also get you a device that will milk you providing some relief" she told me I just shook my head no.

I also started meditation and group therapy, group was basicly everyone telling about all the depraved things they had done. No made up stories the councilor would call you put if you tried.

after lunch I went to see Jeremy instead of hanging out with Drew.

The room was quiet and not as lit when I came in. Jeremy had me stretch. As I bent over with my legs spread he grabbed my ass.

"Steady Paulie" he told me his fingers pushed the thin material of my pants into my ass as he rubbed my asshole thru my pants.

I froze I did nothing to stop him. He let me up and pulled me to him pressed into his chest he kissed me. Not a peck a deep passionate kiss. I didn't move. He grabbed my hand and held it against his now throbbing cock. He felt enormous

TO BE CONTINUED

[mrsdickey]

max epilogue edit

i am so very bad at editing but i thought it would be cute and tried 😭😭

anyways umm yapping about my headcanon for me and bills family 🤭 read more if you wanna cringe

ive decided to retcon my story for my ocs, i originally wanted to make it edgy and "canon-like", as i felt bill just wouldn't be a family guy

but lately, ive been so insanely in love with epilogue bill, probably more than i have been ever, and now, i just cant imagine my old story/headcanon to fit with what i want. bill is a soft family man now, but only towards his family. and that's how i want him to be if we ever actually had a family, lmfao (WHY IS HE NOT REAL 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😭😥😭😭😥😭😥)

of course i really want to keep the grunge of max and bill. hes soft to spencer and their daughter lila but he was very very strict on max, only because he didnt want max to turn out like he did. max grew up thinking it was because bill hated him and favored lila, and no matter how many times that was proven false or told it to him, he still thought bill just hated him and that he was a mistake. yeah max was a mistake, and they didn't celebrate him before he was born because bill really just...didnt want max nor was he excited. but that didnt mean bill doesnt love him. bill knew spencer really wanted to have this kid, but bill was worried that he couldn't be a good father. he never ever brought up getting rid of it to spencer, even though it lingered in his head for a good while

until max was born, bill was completely in love with him, but he struggled with actually taking care of him and even looking at him, thinking he looked too much like himself. he wanted to help spencer raise him, but his insecurities and fears that he'd be too soft or too harsh got to him. spencer wanted to get counseling for him but he thought therapy was for pussies

max took all of their attention but spencer got pregnant again when max was 2. it was a girl, bill desperately wanted to get rid of it, asked her, but spencer told him no.

it was a girl, and they named her lila (its pronounced ly-lah). lila was born 2 months premature, so bill and spencer had to put 90% of their focus onto her. which made max feel upset. he was only 3 at that time and he celebrated his 3rd birthday during the worst of it, causing them to be unable to have a party for him.

growing up, max and lila never had a good relationship. max despised her and bill for taking bill's attention away from him. bill was soft to lila and gave her what she wanted, but max had to work for whatever he got. it created tension within the family

lila at 21 is a spoiled brat and takes any chance she gets to talk down to max or make fun of him. she's really into comic books and super heroes, bill wanted to raise her right if he was gonna have a girl after all. she got increasingly bratty as she got older and always used her vulnerabilities against max

her orange flannel is bills when he was a teenager (THAT SHIT STANK)

[ordinaryschmuck]

The sad part is that literally everything else about the episode is done well.

That shot of dozens of people getting shot out into space? Heart stopping.

Belinda's little breakdown over realizing she's trapped in a new time and far, far from Earth? Heart BREAKING.

The Doctor riding a confetti canon back into the space station? Brilliant.

The Doctor showing how dangerous he can be as he deals with Kid? Almost perfect.

That reveal? Great if you know who the Rani is (I'm still watching Classic Who)

Everything is great...except for the messaging and the symbolism. It is NOT the best thing to make a victim of a genocide be a terrorist, even IF there isn't a major genocide going on in the world RIGHT NOW. Like, even if you seperate the episode from the Palestinian genocide--Which you SHOULDN'T--you still have a messy message about how to deal with a corporation that killed THOUSANDS just for honey flavoring. Not even honey, just honey FLAVORING. Having Kore sing her little song and be met with praise for it is great, but the sad truth is that's...not how life works. Real life, they would have cut the feed or dozens of people would have turned the TV off. I was actually expecting the viewer numbers to go down the second she started singing, with only a few dozen or so sticking around. THAT would have been a more powerful message, saying that those who speak out still get ignored, but not EVERYONE tunes out the message. A great few can still stand up, rise up, and help spread what she wanted to say to thousands, which feels WAY more in line with what Doctor Who usually says.

Speaking of The Doctor, him going to the dark side is often great. But OP said, it's great when he's faced with enough pushback. Now, the series CAN salvage this with one choice: Have Belinda leave The Doctor and telling him that, as wonderful as he is, him and his life is too dangerous. To have her throw back at him all the trauma and horrors he pushed her through when he asks, "Would you like to go through it all again?" With how he tortured Kid being the BIGGEST thing she throws at him. Because, at times, it really does feel like Belinda's playing nice just so she can appeal to The Doctor's kindness in getting her home faster. And as much as I love Belinda as a companion, I want THAT to be the conclusion to her story. She NEEDS to be brutally honest towards The Doctor and all that he's done to her, and less grateful for all he's done for her. With this episode proving WHY. He crossed the line, knew he was crossing it, and didn't face many consequences for it. Let Belinda leaving BE that consequence.

Doctor Who is often a show that has its heart in the right place. It ALWAYS has its heart in the right place. The problem is that it's frequently written by white, British people who can NEVER have a full understanding of what they're saying until it's too late. An episode like this, with a LOT of good in it, is another example of that. Sometimes, despite wanting to tell a good message, you can unintentionally tell something that's damaging. You know why? Because the REAL LIFE people who are killing Palestinian children in the streets are calling those same victims terrorists. How do you think they're going to feel when the most popular sci-fi show on the planet says the same thing?

“Dark Doctor” moments used to have him face consequences — after 12 messed up by manipulating her like an experiment in Kill the Moon, Clara told him she didn’t want to travel with him anymore. Donna refused running away with 10 in the Runaway Bride because he frightened her by drowning the Racnoss and told him he needed someone to stop him.

here, Belinda just mildly chastises 15 for “scaring her”, he says he “scared himself”, and it’s “fine”? after he went on a mad power trip and started physically torturing a traumatised kid who lost his family in a genocide?? it’s so… out of character, not even the sudden cruelty that happens sometimes when he lets himself go, but the lack of narrative repercussions.

genuinely disturbing in a new way that Doctor Who has never been. it made me feel like this show wasn’t my friend. he’s edged close to it at times, but he’s never been an outright *villain* before.

there were so many other ways to resolve this that would have been more Doctorish — going back in time and dismantling the corporation before it got the chance to raid the planet Hellia, or rescuing Kid’s family when he was a child so he never becomes a terrorist hell(ion)bent on revenge, literally anything.

physical, lethal threat like this is never the Doctor’s MO. even when he chains the Family of Blood forever, it’s an exceptional case, and they’re objectively 100% evil hunters, not morally complex freedom fighters from a planet that was decimated by capitalism. here, the Doctor doesn’t condemn the genocide — he is written to condemn the victims. the THREE TRILLION number is comically large to make sure that the audience doesn’t feel too many moral qualms.

this episode literally feels like Zionist propaganda. i am disappointed in Juno Dawson beyond measure, beyond words. i loved her audio dramas. this is such a shame. episodes like these make me embarrassed to call myself a Doctor Who fan. and on a day when the genocide is escalating, as well! Palestinian journalists tweeting that this is the bloodiest day since it began! disgusting. fucking atrocious.

[eth4n-offlin3]

What if? - Scar was found by cientist's in TCD, leading him to Japan, where he could start a new life Or Grian is surprised by a new student.

Hell.

That's a great definition for how his life had turned out in such a short time. And it had all just started with an incident that wasn't even his fault, it was wonderful to know that, in an ironic way, of course. Honestly, he hated knowing that he was practically trapped in that city, he was a minor and he couldn't go back alone, he actually could, but if Sam found out about it… It wouldn't be pretty for him.

He told his brothers everything, he was always like that, he was communicative about his things, but S@m almost finding out about that made him freak out, he couldn't risk so much. T̶a̶u̶r̶t̶i̶s̶    Grian walked through the school corridors without trying to think too much about his current situation. Sam and Yuki walked behind him, talking animatedly as if it were just another ordinary day. It wasn't such a long walk until they reached the classroom. Grian let out a low sigh as he walked to his desk.

Another day, he hoped he wouldn't make it out alive this time.

But, unlike his boring Monday routine, the teacher didn't start the subject immediately, which made Grian and the other students confused about everything, but, suddenly, a tall student was at the door of the room, his nervous expression and extremely tidy uniform showed him the obvious. A new student. The new student was a little unusual for that class, not to say anything bad, of course, but compared to them he was... Normal, honestly. His main feature was gentle. He had several, no, many scars on his body. His hair was brown and a little long, below his shoulders, but he had an awkward bun behind his head, holding the rest of his hair, his eyes were green, they looked like pure emeralds, not those fake ones that are sold in cheap ring stores, he waited for the teacher to ask him to come in, which didn't take long for the teacher to give the command. He entered the room, silence prevailed for a few seconds, and the teacher just started, the usual tired tone making itself present, while he just gave some instructions alone to the student, before speaking to the entire room, Grian's wings moved curiously, but Sam just held it for a few seconds, transmitting the message for him to stop this nonsense with his wings, fear, taking over the body of the shorter one just shrank his wings, paying attention to the teacher who was trying to get the class's attention, which he consequently succeeded in doing. — “Attention everyone…” - The teacher said, seeing the room go silent, a slightly satisfied smile forming on his face, knowing that room that, honestly, did not stop for even a second, that was a somewhat rare event. - “We have a new student, he came from far away, from the United States. Please treat him well and with respect, now, introduce yourself, please.” The new student seemed nervous about such an idea, but he took a deep breath before he started speaking. His tone was low at first, but he just spoke again, this time making sure the whole class could hear him. 

— “Uh.. My name is Scar, as the teacher said, I come from America.. I'm an exchange student and I'm still learning Japanese..” - The elf said, observing the room, remembering what he learned, leaning forward, speaking again to the class - “I hope to have a good relationship with everyone here.” Then he stood up again, this time looking at the floor, the shame clear on his face, but the teacher just called him, pointing to where the boy would sit, pointing to the place right behind me, and soon, he said, apparently, my luck wasn't so good. 

— “That's Grian over there, and right in his back, there’s a sit, you can stay there, right after class, Grian, could you show Scar the school please? Along with Sam, since you two are so inseparable” - The teacher laughed lightly, but Scar just went to his place, sitting down and picking up his material, I watched him for a few seconds, but soon I turned to Sam, who was watching Scar with a look that, honestly, I knew very well. Maybe the new student wasn't so lucky after all...

The class went by incredibly faster than I expected, and so, Sam and I had to show Scar around the school, something that didn't excite me, but with no choice, we both took Scar to some places in the school, showing him around, because let's be honest, we didn't want to go back to class.

We were formed in a horizontal row, Sam was in the middle, his arm around Scar, while I was on the side, showing him around the school and telling him some details, and with that, some school rules and which ones you couldn't break and some that not even the principal cared about anymore. But then, the rabbit hybrid released the elf. We were in a less busy part where there weren't many employees, the old gym that was no longer used, because of the rabbit hybrid himself. I knew that place very well. Scar looked at Sam confused, but soon, he asked in a confused tone. As he asked his question, Sam approached me, standing next to me. A sadistic and sincerely crazy smile painted his face. Gods, how I hate that smile. 

— “So, is this the end of the tour?” He asked, genuine curiosity in his voice, but Sam just laughed and fiddled with his school shirt, taking out his knife, a gift from his girlfriend, also crazy. Then, I felt the cold metal on my neck, but it wasn't the rabbit, it was his girlfriend herself. She covered my mouth so that no abrupt sound, like a scream, would come out of my throat. It was a scheme. They were going to hurt the new student. — “You know, Scar…” - Sam began, slowly approaching the new student, who was still looking confused, but seriousness took over his curious eyes, I wanted to scream, tell them not to do that, not to someone who had just arrived, it would be the same story that happened to me. - “You seem like a nice person!.. But we have to give you a proper welcome.”

And then, he pointed the knife at the elf’s neck, that was it, he would die in front of me just like Taurtis went into a coma in front of me, the story would keep repeating itself. But, Scar’s eyes showed no fear, his breathing was light, furtive, he laughed lightly, I was confused, why would anyone laugh in a situation like this? — “You should know who you’re messing with, bunny.” - The elf said, everything happened too fast, but the next thing I knew, Sam was on the floor, and the knife was in Scar’s hands, he was twirling it between his fingers, playing with the dangerous object, the strength Yuki was holding me was slowly decreasing, the shock of it was clear, the new student prepared himself, seeing Sam get up, preparing to fight, Scar, on the other hand, just smiled, dropping the knife on the floor, making the metal make a light noise that echoed in that old gym, and Yuki moved away, still holding me so that I wouldn’t do anything, but I was prepared in case I had to go help her boyfriend.

And then, the fight began, Scar was precise in his blows, as if he had done it a thousand times before, it was the first time I had seen Sam scared, he was scared of the newbie. Grian was surprised by all of that, but his conscience knew that right after all that, Sam would take out his anger on him. Watching that fight didn't make me scared anymore, but unfortunately, Scar ended up letting Sam get his knife again, and despair appeared in his eyes for a few moments, but he just took a deep breath, and prepared himself again. Sam tried to hit Scar, well, he tried, because all his attempts were failures, so he made a sign, a sign calling someone. And Yuki, seeing this, ended up letting go of me, running towards them. I wasn't fast enough to be able to hold her, but I knew what they would do. I wanted to help, but I was weak, I had no way to defend Scar, but I could use the things there. I looked around, looking for something that could help the elf, but that gym didn't contain anything. Damn, how could he help Scar in such a way??

Then, everything seemed to be in slow motion. Yuki approached behind Scar, who didn't notice her, and then, the knife hit him, near his lower ribs. The knife, still in the new wound, was moved to the right, making a deep and bloody cut. The tears that were in my eyes now came out, not blood. Please.I just got closer, while Scar was now on his knees, taking deep breaths to try to distract himself from the pain, but it didn't seem to work, as I got closer, Sam ended up pulling me, the cynical smile on his face as he now said to Scar, the bell, ringing at the end of his speech, showing that we were out of the room for an entire class.

— “Maybe you, Scar, should learn not to mess with me, right, Taurtis?” - He asked me, scared, I just agreed, still watching the new student, then, Sam pulled me towards the exit, but I couldn't leave the new student alone, I had to have an excuse, fast.

— “I uhm.. I missed something here! I'll go right after you...” - He said. Sam looked at me for a few seconds, but soon shrugged and held his girlfriend's hand, heading towards the exit while they talked about what they did, as if it was the most normal thing of all. I waited for them to leave, glancing at Scar, seeing him trying to cover the wound, but failing, he just looked at me, his tone sounding low, but through the empty place, his voice echoed slightly, but he didn't seem to mind. — “I.. Hate to do this, but can you help me? I'll give you the necessary instructions, I just.. Need help.” - He said, then I crouched down beside him, looking at the wound, looking at Scar for a few seconds, it took a while for him to realize my expression, which was at least worried, while tears came out of my eyes, then he just added, nervousness taking over his voice - “I'm going to a hospital later! I just don't want anyone to see right now and- sorry for all this, uh.. Grian! That's it, Grian.”

You know, his name always came after some kind of insult or lecture, comparison and negative things, he liked his name, his brothers, the only ones who didn't call him negative things, but still, it was loaded with pain most of the time, the times he told what happened, what Sam did and how he just wanted to go back home. But this time, it wasn't loaded with any of those things, it was for an apology. Something he wasn't used to receiving anymore, he always apologized, but they never did it to him, hearing Scar say his name brought him a good feeling. Maybe, he really could have a friend But he shouldn't focus on that, not now. Scar called his name again, and he now paid attention, waiting for instructions, which he did immediately, just making a bandage. Scar was strangely good at it, but could it be because of his scars, maybe? Well, he didn't know exactly, but he wouldn't ask him about his scars, it would be rude to do so. After finishing the bandage, the other just stood up, looking at the blood on the floor, letting out a loud sigh, but he just watched my bloody hands. I just stood up, trying not to pay too much attention to it, it brought back bad memories. 

Then, he did something I didn't expect, he carefully held my wrist, walking out of the place, with some difficulty, but being able to walk was fine for him. He stealthily walked to the men's bathroom, only taking me to the sinks, then speaking to me again

— “I didn't expect my day to be so welcoming...” he said, laughing lightly. “But if he comes to try to hurt me again, I won't hold back.” — “Were you.. holding back?” - I ask, washing my hands, watching the blood slowly come out of them, I was impressed, he hurt Sam easily, and he didn’t even look in pain! Was he from some kind of gang in the United States? 

— “Well, let’s say yes. But, if I had a gun, it would be just a single shot to his head, and boom! Problem solved.” - He said, naturally, I just turn off the sink, looking at him scared, he just looks at me, nervous, his laugh sounding also nervous as he tries to explain himself - “uh- sorry, force of habit I shouldn’t have said that, but not that I have a gun, of course! If not I wouldn’t have even entered the school and heavens, that would be crazy… Sorry” 

Seeing his nervousness made me laugh slightly, but he had probably been trained by someone, some kind of Yakusa or something, because in Japan, only they have access to weapons. So, it would be the most logical option, but I just say, the tone this time calmer than when we first met, the tears had already stopped, and now, a light smile took over my face — “Don’t worry, honestly, I’ve heard worse. Now come on, I don’t want to miss recess by staying in the bathroom, Sam would get mad at me.” - I say, just leaving the bathroom, Scar right behind me, but soon standing next to me, starting to talk to me, he talked a lot, but that didn’t bother me, I always preferred to listen to others, anyway. 

You know, maybe that wasn’t real hell, and this time, I have a new friend.

[ohbabydollie]

schlatt getting sad nd insecure after a skinny guy (think lc schlatt) flirted with you (one sided but his insecurities ignored that) and you walk in on him crying in his biggest sweater

yall talk and

"ya deserve a pretty boy toots..."

"🤨🤨🤨 why would i want less kissing area??? i like em sturdy 🧱 and cuddly 🧸 jack can keep him beanstalks, i want YOU (bitch)"

🍓🦷

Schlatt never was very insecure, he never much thought of himself or his looks until he gained weight. It felt like it happened overnight, he had just gained weight, one night he went from being slim to a dadbod.

You never made him feel bad about it, calling it just happy weight and brushing it of.

He felt better for a while, it didn't bother him much until he started getting comments on it, people wondering when he gained so much weight, wondering how he did it, etc. then came back all those feelings of insecurity. You only comforted him, saying it didn't matter to you as long as he was happy.

And he was for a while, he could live with his extra pounds until men came along and flirted with you.

Specifically one that looked a lot like him when he was younger, when he had first met you, slimmer but not necessarily muscular, he was fit and not to mention, looked closer to your age than Schlatt.

That was another thing he didn't like about himself, the facial hair aged him, while he never particularly looked his age, the chops made him look older.

It made him insecure, even just watching men approach you despite you dismissing them.

Almost enough to cry...almost.

It's what he tried to convince himself to feel better, you wouldn't actually leave him for one of those guys, but something inside him told him that you would. He tried to act like he didn't believe it, but a part of him did believe it.

A part of him believed that you were ready to call it quits the second the right guy cam around to flirt with you. He couldn't even look himself in the mirror, it disgusted him too much.

He couldn't even handle seeing the way a sweater looked around his stomach, even in his biggest sweater he couldn't look at himself.

It made him cry, just lay in bed and cry, that's all he wanted to do.

You knocked on the door, not realizing he was crying as you enter the room, "Schlatt I brought-" you stop in your tracks, looking at him as he sobbed, "Honey, what's wrong?"

He looked at you, wiping his nose and tears, "nothin, nothin" he mumbles as you move closer to him, " 'm fine"

"you don't look fine" you say softly, sitting down next to him, "you can tell me, I won't judge you" you say rubbing his back causing him to cry harder.

"its" he sniffles, "it's just" he can't speak through sobs, choking on his words, "look at me! I look disgusting!" he cries, "I look terrible, a-and, fuck! You're always getting hit on by all these guys and" he cries, he can't hold back his sobs, just letting you hold him.

You both sit there, you let him cry, just rubbing his back gently, comforting him until he calms down enough to speak.

"ya deserve a pretty boy toots" he mumbles into you

You look at him, almost shocked at his words, "schlatt" you say softly, pulling up his face to yours before kissing all over his face, "I don't want any pretty boy, I want you" you say smiling at him.

He sniffles, looking at you, "really?"

"Yes, really!" you grin

"even with my extra weight?" he asks as you nod.

"especially with your extra weight, you're so cuddly now" you smile at him.

He smiles at you, feeling better about himself.

[yaz-the-spaz]

not to add my two cents on what is already a shitstorm beenado of discourse but i just wanna say that i find it real interesting that the tags on that buddie queerbait poll are full of ppl, mostly bt's (judging by the amount of pfp's with t's face in them), claiming how it's not the showrunners / producers / etc's fault that buddies felt baited, and that it's no one's fault but our own for somehow baiting ourselves and on the journos who wrote clickbait headlines to draw us in as if that's all it was that led to us feeling baited. which is insane to me cause it just categorically ignores the fact that that they chose to market the show by allowing certain interview questions to be asked, by allowing certain interviews to not only be framed around the question of buddie going canon but to specifically put the two actors of the ship in interviews together answering questions about the ship potentially going canon.

at the end of the day the journos and interviewers and whoever the hell else can choose all the questions they want but if the ppl behind the show - the showrunners and the producers and the pr team and whoever else may be involved in those marketing decisions - don't want buddie to be the focus they can simply. not allow those questions. because that's how marketing works. it is literally their job to analyze how ppl in the audience are gonna respond to promo and when you frame 99% of your promo around buddie, including putting the actors together to talk about it, knowing there's not gonna be any follow-through on the show, you have to be aware on some level that you're not only (cruelly) teasing the (already mostly disenfranchised) part of the audience that has been actively rooting for buddie for almost a decade, but also keeping it top of mind for non-buddie shippers who are seeing it alongside their consumption of the show, making everyone think it's leading somewhere it's not.

this is not just about being upset that the ship i wanted didn't happen. this is so much bigger than that. because if it's not happening and there were no plans to make it happen then fine, but why the FUCK was the entire promo run centered around buddie? even bt's have to admit that's fucking baity and a shitty thing to do. if you wanna pretend like y'all weren't also whining when they put your fave (t) front and center in promo scenes only for him to be on screen for all of 30 seconds of the ep then have at it, but ya'll know if it was your ship they'd done something like this for you'd be big mad too (and you know it's true because it's already happened small-scale).

and furthermore i also saw ppl making the claim that the show itself never actually baited buddie this season and that they unequivocally shut down buddie by having buck deny any feelings and eddie say he was straight and us still reading into things was just us baiting ourselves. but in fact for a lot of ppl who were previously oblivious to buddie it actually had the complete opposite effect. because, much like the promo mess, it was not top of mind until they made it top of mind and then you suddenly had a bunch of ppl in the gen audience going wait is there something there? are they putting seeds in place to get them together?

i am not alone in observing this firsthand. my own mother, who never for a second even considered buddie in any way shape or form as at all romantic, had this reaction completely independently during the beginning of 8b. i have never once mentioned buddie to her or around her, nor is she in any online fandom spaces (she didn't even know they existed until very recently and is not internet savvy enough to find them without outside help) so it was not at all my or anyone else's influence that led her to this conclusion. she got there all on her own just from watching what was presented to her in the show. and i've seen other ppl in fandom reporting similar experiences from their (often older) non-buddie shipping friends and relatives too. so clearly the writers' / showerunners' attempts to shut buddie down (if that's even what it was) was either really, really bad or just plain unsuccessful or both as it obviously did not at all have the intended effect for anyone (but maybe salty anti buddie stans who were looking for any excuse to gloat either way) and actually seemed to large-scale have the exact opposite effect.

anyways i just had to get all that out cause it was driving me insane having it all swirl around in my head while i scrolled through tags & comments but i digress (and for anyone who even bothered to read this long ass rant and got his far, thanks for reading & much love).

long gay sigh

[theguywhodoesntlikemusicals]

As Paul started brushing glass pieces into the trash, moving carefully with one of his arms slightly restrained and keeping Richie behind him away from the shattered pieces, he listened to what his nephew was saying. At least Ruth isn't bothered by it. He wasn't a fan of those implications... "Listen, Richie..." he began gently. "I know that me saying this is probably going to sound unbelievable, and getting these... words aren't going to help much. But when high schoolers act a certain way to be cool, that's all just being made up on the spot by people who are just as insecure and doing it to protect themselves." He sighed. "Ah... You don't need me saying this. You're a smart enough kid to have worked that out already. What I mean to say is, I think you're great because you love all the nerdy things you're into and don't change for anyone. When you're older, you'll learn that you don't... really have to give shit. I don't want you to lose that part of you, okay?" Not like everyone else who expected him to behave a certain way to fit in with their standards... to do things he didn't want to or get upset whenever he spoke his honest mind. Richie was the exact opposite of that to Paul. He didn't want his nephew to lose that special part of him. "That's why you're so cool to me."

He put down the brush and ruffled Richie's hair again, also enjoying being so close to him again in so long. At his apologies about his hair Paul chuckled and scoffed slightly. "You're a teenage boy, Richie, it happens. Don't worry about it; I don't care." He went to keep tidying up, until a thought struck him. Had Gary had time enough to actually spend with Richie to show him how to take care of himself? "But... if that's something that bothers you, I can show you what I use. You know, my deodorant, cologne and hair products?" He might not have cared too much about specific products, but when he first got some spare change and financial security on his belt, he did get used to making sure he had a couple of nice suits and could make himself presentable. It was nice to have the luxury of a couple of nice things for himself once he was able. Had... Gary taught Richie about shaving and keeping his face clean yet? He remembered having to figure it out on his own as a kid. Was that something that Paul should probably leave to his dad...?

Eh, fuck Gary.

Paul committed the idea to memory, and carried on picking up the rest of the glass. "It's alright, nothing that can't be fixed with a vaccum and antiseptic wipe." Richie seemed so apologetic, and Paul quickly shook his head. "No... Maybe I'll ask your help with some wiping up in a minute, but I don't want you to come here until I'm sure I've got all the glass cleaned up. I don't want you getting cut." Was he treating Richie like he was younger than he actually was...? Maybe. But after the stress he had just seen Richie was under, Paul was sure that finding himself bleeding wouldn't help. And well... he hadn't seen him in so long. It was all he was used to doing. He wanted to keep Richie safe and protected. "But if you want to help, you can grab me the vacuum and a trash bag," Paul offered, gently squeezing the back of Richie's hand that still clung to his sleeve as a reminder he was still there, even if Richie briefly let go.

Shuffling up to the door, Richie adjusted a sleeve with a hand. His shoulder rolled, keeping a small duffle bag’s strap on. He’s brought a few items over, that’s what the bag was for. He’s greasy and sweaty, the typical for the young man. His hair’s sticking up more today, losing the battle to try and tame it.

A hand raised, going to knock at Paul’s front door. He then wiped the hand against a pant leg, to rid of the sweat.

— [ @overactive-sweat-glands ]

The door was quickly answered as Paul hurried to the door, not wanting to keep his nephew waiting. How long had it been since he last looked after him? Not babysat, Paul reminded himself. Richie was far too old for that now. But since his dad was going away on business for a few days, he didn't want Richie on his own for that long. While Paul was fairly sure that Richie was a smart kid who could take care of himself, he wouldn't want him to be forced into doing so. Paul wouldn't have wanted him alone for that long either way, and he was happy to have him stay. Especially considering what Ted told him about what his own little brother was dealing with at that school...

His thoughts aside, Paul quickly opened the door and smiled at the teen.

"Hi, Richie!" Paul smiled, doing his best cool relative voice, while also not sound pedantic. It was a delicate balancing act, and honestly didn't change too much from normal. But there weren't many people he put in such effort with. "Come in and set your stuff down. Ready to have some fun?"

[starssoblue]

“things were so hard with dad in recent years...how did he go from paparapluie to père? i wish i could face him and understand, but while he was still here i didn't dare try to tell him [any of my feelings] and now...it's too late.” * paparapluie is a pun on the words papa and parapluie (umbrella) since the plush is a frog. père is the french word for 'father.'

[nocofamilyau]

not related to noco at all but what is katie and sadie’s relationship like now?

pretty good all things considered! while they're both married to two sweet guys and have separate families (none of their kids are other td characters, unfortunately...) they're still really close, and still live next to each other at that same beach town they grew up in, now both running that successful 80s themed ice cream business they've been dreaming of! its safe to say they probably suffered the least on Total Drama, only leaving with a couple of minor scars, good god were they lucky..

[allthegothihopgirls]

jason todd.... parallels.... monster..... frankenstein.... what if...

[slothquisitor]

"But you bring up such a good point that I hadn’t considered. I knew from the get-go that the Veil Jumpers were taking over the Crossroads, so I hadn’t really considered the logistics of them NOT. Like….yeah, what was the plan? Was Camina going to personally have to show them all how to use them? How would they have regulated it? So like…without the Veil Jumpers it’s just Cam stuck in the Crossroads without any support? And she would have taken it on, of course, she would. But god. At least in my canon it was her choice. Anyway, thanks for that brain worm, Imma be noodling on that for a while."

❗️MASSIVE TINFOIL HAT RAMBLE INCOMING❗️

If I had to guess, nobody who planned to use the Crossroads would have really cared about the logistics so long as it didn't affect THEM and THEIR interests. Even the people there who were not trying to be selfish got so caught up in what THEY wanted and wanted THEY needed that Cam was already getting uncomfortable with it even before she realized that the exclusion of the Veil Jumpers/elves from the table was the crux of her discomfort about the situation. Everyone looking out for the wellbeing of their homes and their people is fine, but the fact everyone assumed that they would just be returning to the previous status quo while still expecting to reap the benefits that emerged from the turmoil that upended it was... Yeah, no. The fact that everyone's first thought that Cam was going to 'demand her pound of flesh' when she pointed out how everyone was just assuming she would let/help them use the Crossroads also felt telling. There was no 'Okay... Where is this going?' or 'Is she in need of something from us or her allies in order for this to be able to work?' or 'Has she learned something that would disrupt how we intend to use the Crossroads?' or anything other than an immediate assumption that Cam was trying to hold a valuable resource hostage for her own personal gain. The thought that any of them would have to provide anything towards the efforts of making the Crossroads usable in the ways they intended never even seemed to have entered their minds.

If Varric were still around, I can imagine he'd chalk it up—at least in part—to how the rest of the world saw Rook repeatedly do the impossible and lost sight of Camina. They subconsciously began to see her as a figurehead and not a person. A figurehead, one that repeatedly dives headfirst into the impossible and not only survives but ultimately manages to win against it, doesn't need anything because they just find ways to make stuff work. However, Camina is not an unflappable figurehead, she is a person. She is a person who was basically exiled from the only home she ever knew and made to travel an unfamiliar world that regards various aspects about her in a less than favorable light—whether that be her status as a mage, someone with 'creepy bone magic', a non-Dalish elf, or just the fact that she is an elf period. She is a person who had to make impossible choices that would greatly impact the lives of countless others, including people she had grown to personally care about, and then carry on when those choices resulted in having to let down one group of people despite trying her best to be there for everyone. She lost two friends, back-to-back from her perspective, and was not able to have to space to truly process it (also, the fact that they lost Harding before everything came to light with Solas using blood magic to make Camina think Varric was still alive, when part of Camina's role in Nevarra involved helping people process loss but couldn't do so for her friend because the chance to do so was STOLEN from her... Yeah, no way that doesn't leave all kinds of turmoil). Honestly, the fact Cam is even holding it together as well as she is—or at all—after everything she's been through should be added to her tally of 'Things That SHOULD Be Impossible, But She Is Somehow Pulling Off Anyway', and anyone expecting her to simultaneously include 'indefinitely manage the weird network of mirrors that hardly anyone actually understands anything about without any effort, any guarantied support, or even any real communication from us who plan to use and benefit from this' to that list needs to either sit down or understand they just volunteer for Spite to use his wings and their face for target practice.

Hahahahahaha ToBP, everything about this tinfoil ramble is EXACTLY on point. I've also been thinking about it since you brought it up, and even the people at the table who didn't think she was just trying to negotiate for her own gain (Mostly the Inquisitor, because let's be honest, no one else really knew Cam) were just doing their best to negotiate for the people they were there to help. The Inquisitor was worried that people were going to starve in Skyhold, and she understood that there were political games that must be played, and she was just happy to be getting help. And she tries to extend her allyship when she sees that it matters, and sees what's going on, but even that is met with suspicion because she is a Dalish elf.

You make a great point about Camina being subsumed by Rook and everything that Rook came to represent. She does become a figurehead, and I hope that's clear enough in her work with Strife in the Crossroads (also, how much she HATES it). And I think that when no one around you is seeing your personhood, it's really easy to lose yourself in a cause. This is why Cam is so lost six months into helping in the Crossroads. She has no idea what it is she wants or what her future should be because she's been letting other people dictate it and just doing her best to help where she sees the need. Add to the fact that she is still grieving and didn't get to process either Harding's or Varric's deaths. I think it would be hard for deaths that were so fresh for you to be weeks or months old for everyone else. That's not to say that the grief everyone feels goes away, but it's not as raw. How much is she allowed to grieve? How sad is she allowed to be? What I love so much about Cam is that she just....carries on anyway. It's both good and bad, but she carries on even when it's hard. I love that you referred to it as 'Things That SHOULD Be Impossible, But She Is Somehow Pulling Off Anyway' because yeah. But I don't know, that's just life, isn't it? Big bad and terrible things happen, and we just keep carrying on. Because what else can we do?

I don't think anyone in that meeting, save Lucanis, knew what it was costing Camina. Not Rook, Camina. She didn't make it known, and she never would have let on how much turmoil she was feeling about turning the Crossroads over because it would have weakened Strife's already precarious position. Lucanis is the only person who saw her as anything but sure about the decision. Which I find really fucking sad.

I've always found the idea of 'what happens to the hero after they save the world' to be a very very interesting place to be in with a character narratively. I'm so thrilled that Veilguard set us up so well to explore that because I think it's something that works well in fanfiction because we all have the previous story context that a reader would need to understand for the story to pack an emotional punch. And I'm just Snoopy dancing over how crunchy you also find Camina's character here. <3

[longagoitwastuesday]

I know Mai is sort of like the typical "kind of a bitch" female character that often has a lot of sexist tropes playing around, but for some reason... I actually like her?

[florida3exclamationpoints]

For the 2 people who voted in my poll and were both unaware of Ruby's existence

Ruby was my hedgehog :) I got her in January 2016 when I was 12 and she was my best little buddy :) she got cancer in 2019 and had to be put down that September. I kept a few of her quills in a little vial charm on a necklace and wore it everyday for years, I just recently stopped wearing it everyday bc I got a different everyday necklace for my best friend. Here are pics of my beautiful baby girl