#i am Never making another drawing comp with all of these people in it . too many tags and too tired for this

[yael-things]

low quality ninjago doodles pt 2

[codenamed-queenie]

#BatsInQuarantine

I am going insane. So I poured my restlessness into one long and very detailed post and got super into it. Please enjoy this hot mess.

The Justice League, being the well-meaning virus-proof Super Friends that they are, took one good look at the news, one good look at their non-powered friends Ollie, Bruce, and their families, and collectively decided that these normal humans must be Protected At All Costs.

Now, keep in mind, Bruce is never one to roll over when it comes to being benched. 

However, he understands the importance of social distancing. He knows he needs to set a good example for his kids, and keep up appearances as Gotham’s Most Responsible Multi-Billionaire. 

So. Quarantine it is. 

But how are his kids handling it?

Dick - 

100% on board in the beginning. Gotta do the Responsible Thing. Gotta set a Good Example. Besides, guys, this is gonna be Fun. Quality Family Time is always a Must.

He lasted 2 days. 

Then he started to get twitchy. 

And as everyone knows? A Trapped Dick Grayson is a Feral Dick Grayson.

He bounces off the walls.

Literally.

“I have to climb.” 

“Dick, no.”  

“I have to climb everything.”

Has scaled the manor 16 times already. Has climbed the chandelier. The banister. Bruce. The roof. The Cave. Anything in the house that’s been bolted down and especially anything that hasn’t. 

Duke found him clinging to the wall 10 ft off the ground like Spiderman and screamed so loud it shattered glass. 

Desperate for news of the outside. 

He thrives off of it like a starving man. 

Was the one to suggest he and Barbara take a break to Social Distance from each other (”Sorry, babe, kissing spreads germs”) and experienced Instant Regret(TM) approximately 5 minutes after. 

The Family has labelled him a Flight Risk Level 1 (Most likely to say f**k it and make a break for the outside world)

Jason - 

Accidentally got trapped inside the manor with the others when Bruce called Shutdown. If he had his way, he’d be chilling in his favorite safe-house right now, binging The Witcher with Roy and Artemis, and not worrying about finding a stray brother in his sock drawer.

But he’s nothing if not an opportunist. 

The way he sees it, Jason has 3 options:

Self Improvement

Self Isolation (See Duke, Cass, and Damian)

Descension Into Madness (See Dick and Steph)

And, well, he always wanted to try a few things. Now he’s got the free time to do it.

So he settles on baking. 

Alfred’s got enough food and raw ingredients stored up to feed an army. (Not because he’s a Panic-Buying-Hoarder in times like these. But because he’s a Panic-Buying-Hoarder all the time. Just try feeding 11+ teenagers sometime.)

Uses recipes he finds off Google.

His first few attempts are, in a word, ‘tragic’.

Alfred slips him a few of his recipe cards, and Jason suddenly starts seeing Results. 

Turns out he’s pretty good at this baking thing once he gets the hang of it. 

Hope everyone’s okay eating nothing but pie, macaroons, biscuits, and whatever else Jason whips up. 

Cause that’s gonna be the only food left by the time he’s done. 

Barbara - 

Self-quarantined with her dad. 

They’ve been binge-watching classic black and white movies together.

It’s a fun time, but she’s started to get a little antsy. Loving her dad and wanting to be around him 24/7 are, understandably, mutually exclusive. 

Calls the manor to video-chat every day.

For her sanity just as much as theirs. 

Gives everyone little challenges to film on their phones and send in. She makes compilations of everyone’s submissions so they can all watch and laugh together. 

Bonus points for Creativity

One comp shows the family trying to drop Mentos into coke bottles. 

Dick did a handstand, and dropped his Mento from the second story balcony. 

Tim did it wearing the Batman cowl. The soda exploded into his face, and the rest of the video is just Bruce’s Shrieking.

Stephanie tried it, but the bottle tipped. Everyone on camera screamed as the bottle rocketed through the front window. 

She spends most of her calls having one-on-one convos with Dick.

They’ve come up with little code phrases so they can be Cheesy even with family members lurking in the background. 

She thinks the way he clings to the monitor is cute. 

Almost like he’s giving her a hug through the screen. 

(It’s easier than letting herself worry about his mental state, at least)

Tim -

Oh this boy.

Freaked out for the first five minutes before he decided ‘hey wait, Bruce is letting me stay in my pajamas all day? Noice.’ 

Now he’s just vibing.

The rest of his family is Low-Key shielding him.

He Has No Spleen, you see.

Steph: “Someone could cough on him and he could die!”

He just goes about his day, playing Animal Crossing like there’s no tomorrow, tinkering on projects, taking naps, etc. Living his best life.

Meanwhile there’s always someone lurking behind him, keeping watch, keeping him safe. 

Dick sneezed within 5 feet of Tim once (the fact that he was on top of the dusty bookshelf Tim was perusing is irrelevant)

Jason still full-body tackled him the second Tim’s back was turned. 

No one with any symptoms--

Like, any symptoms. They don’t even have to be Corona-related.

--is allowed within 10 feet of Tim. 

Tim has been wandering the manor for weeks, now, without seeing another human being. 

(He sees Dick on the ceiling sometimes, but that doesn’t really count)

He’s been trying increasingly drastic pranks and shenanigans to draw someone, anyone, out. 

But it doesn’t matter how many times he steals Damian’s sword, or sets fire to Jason’s brownie bites.

Nobody wants to risk it. 

Cass - 

No one has seen her since quarantine started.

Everyone is approximately 87% sure she’s somewhere in the manor though

Because she does eat the meals Alfred leaves out for her.

Or at least someone does, at any rate. 

(Jason and Santa top the running suspects list)

Santa was Steph’s suggestion. For some reason it snowballed. 

It’s assumed that Cass misunderstood the meaning of ‘social distancing’ and took it too far. 

But no one knows for sure. 

She is Tim’s Guardian Angel. 

People who so much as clear their throats a little too loudly anywhere near him suddenly wake up on a different floor of the house four hours later. 

Duke came closest to spotting her while he was up in the attic. 

Either that, or there’s another Creepy Sister everyone forgot to tell him about living up there.

She is silent, and watchful, sticking to the shadows, but she does leave the occasional note out to brighten her siblings’ day. 

Things like ‘helo i love u’ and ‘hop u ar ok’  mostly. 

She is bound and determined to protect her family from this invisible threat, no matter the cost. 

Steph - 

Like Dick, she was Super Pumped at first. 

(Just kind of showed up at Wayne Manor before quarantine was enacted. The original purpose of her visit is unclear, but regardless, she’s Trapped.)

Also Like Dick, her descent into madness was swift.

She is impossible to pin down. 

Not like Cass or Damian, who’ve stayed off the grid, and are therefore Untraceable. 

No. She’s impossible to pin down, because she never stops moving. 

Switches seamlessly between Zumba on top of the Giant Dinosaur in the Batcave, and furiously knitting Alfred (the Cat) a sweater with a pair of Tim’s used chopsticks. 

Braided everyone’s hair while they were asleep.

Even Bruce’s. 

She tried to do Tim’s, but somehow blacked out and regained consciousness in the attic. 

When she woke up with a scream and a furiously twitching eye, she startled Duke out of his Makeshift Fort he built out of old cardboard boxes and antique furniture. He’s had to resort to finding a new hiding place. 

Sometimes, on the rare occasions she does sit still, staring off into the distance, she’ll suddenly start laughing hysterically. This may last between thirty seconds and thirty minutes, depending entirely on how long it’s been since she’s knitted a cat sweater or done cartwheels through every room in the house.

Blew up the greenhouse out back, somehow.

Everyone has agreed not to talk about it.

Some people were built to handle prolonged time inside their homes.

Stephanie Brown is not that way.

Damian - 

Damian Wayne Cannot Be Contained.

At least not inside the house. 

He took off thirty-six hours into quarantine. 

Thanks to the security equipment around the borders of the Wayne Estate, he can’t escape the grounds. 

(He’s tried and failed multiple times. Jason and Bruce have a running bet on how many times the perimeter alarms will go off per day.)

(Jason is winning.)

He wanders the grounds with Titus as his only companion. 

The two of them run laps, practice drills, and find ways to occupy their time. 

No one’s entirely sure what those ways are. 

In fact, nobody knows exactly where Damian is at any given time. 

Only that he is Out There. 

And he’s the best security system Wayne Manor’s ever had. 

So far, he’s stopped five groups of civilians scaling the perimeter walls before the lasers and electric nets even have a chance to deploy.

They were trying to break in and steal supplies. 

(Even ones they already had in surplus. Like Toilet Paper.)

He’s also stopped Dick from escaping twelve (12) times.

Drags him back by his shirt collar and deposits him on the welcome mat. 

Usually with a note for Alfred/Jason, requesting more fruit tarts. 

Duke - 

Did not leave the attic for two weeks. 

Then Steph discovered his hiding spot (read: was dumped there by Cassandra) which forced him to relocate to the basement. 

Yes, it turns out Wayne Manor does have a basement. 

This was a surprise to Duke, who always thought that the Batcave was Bruce Wayne’s basement. 

Alfred keeps him supplied with all the necessities:

i.e. food, magazines, assorted pastries from Jason’s latest batch, usually straight out of the oven.

Duke also snagged the Manor’s Alexa. 

She has become a sort of ‘Wilson’ to Duke’s ‘Chuck Noland’.

She is his only comfort. His only ally. 

He’s determined to wait out this quarantine, doing his best to avoid the others. 

Duke has seen these people under pressure. 

He knows exactly what he’s dealing with. 

Duke: “Alexa is the only motherf****r in this madhouse I ever respected.”

*offended butler noises from the other room*

Duke: “And also Alfred.”

[btsficsforthehumble]

adj.: 1. Modern, unfamiliar, or different

2. Not based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed

pairing: reader x ot7

genre: college au; angst, fluff, smut, poly, ot7

Summary: You begin your first year at a prestigious university, set out on achieving your academic goals when a series of men step into your life that change the way you view the definition of love.

Part Six

Warnings: none

Word count: 2.3k

The next day, you purposely run a little later than you normally would. You don’t know if you could endure another session of Taehyung being an actual menace at 9 o’clock in the morning. So, you take extra time to add some light makeup and pick out a pink checkered dress with a cream cardigan, and step out feeling cute, caffeinated, thanks to your morning coffee, and ready to tackle Calculus.

As you walk into the mostly full classroom, you naturally head to the spot you’ve stayed the last couple classes. This time however, you keep an eye out for Seokjin. Spotting him on the far side of the room, you send him a quick smile. Once he sees, he’s quick to send you one back with a nod.

He seems like a bit of a loner, you notice, with all of the other students engaged in hushed conversations around him, but with him seemingly content to lean on his head on his hand and stare off until class starts. He is strikingly handsome in a classical way that’s impossible to deny, which you suppose is intimidating. Coupled with him also being an older student in the class, it seems he creates a bubble around him that he himself is oblivious to.

You make eye contact with Hoseok as you head to your seat, to which he gives you a large toothy smile and a cute wave. You couldn’t hold the smile off of your own face if you tried, so you gave him a beaming grin with your own wave to accompany it.

Two seats behind Hoseok was the before-mentioned menace. His smile towards you was significantly less innocent. He was leaning back in his chair, legs stretched out far enough to be underneath your own seat, with his arms crossed. He seemed to be saying, “I’m too cool to be here.” After doing a judgmental scan of his posture, you raise an eyebrow and take your seat, and set your back firmly to him in hopes he’d get the message you didn’t want to be messed with today.

By some stroke of luck, your professor walks in almost immediately after your butt hits the seat. Pulling out your notebook, you steel yourself for the next hour of lecture in which you were refusing to let yourself get distracted. Even if Hoseok offered to study with you, you didn’t want to embarrass yourself in front of him by being clueless and then being a complete dead weight.

----

After another grueling class, you have to admit your fears about being dead weight feel closer to reality than what you’d want. In hindsight, you were really glad you took Hoseok’s offer to study. Well, if you were being honest with yourself, there was no way you’d turn that down even if you were a complete master at calculus. Hoseok is so bright and charming, and you feel drawn to him in the way flowers face the sun. He had such a happy and kind energy, that you have no doubt makes people from all walks of life love him.

Regardless of the boy’s personality, you are thankful for the fact that you had someone willing to help you with your least favorite subject. You need it.

You stand, and Hoseok soon follows. He turns to both you and Taehyung, “Are you both still good to study tonight? I know I need a review!” He lets out a laugh.

Taehyung answers before you get the chance. “Yeah, me too. Cafe Persona, right?”

You were a little surprised at his serious attitude. You hadn’t seen him act like he cared about anything, including his calculus grade, in the short time you’ve known him.

“Yep! Does that work? Y/n, are you still free tonight?” Hoseok answers, now looking at you expectantly.

“Oh! Uh, yeah, that works!”

“Great! Does seven sound okay?” Hoseok looks between you and Taehyung, causing you to glance at the other boy too. Taehyung was leaning with his hip to the edge of the chair, and ankles crossed with a straight look on his face. He balances relaxed and focused, and you can’t help but be intrigued by his attitude shift. He almost seemed like a different person from yesterday.

“Yep!”

“That works.”

You and Taehyung answer at the same time, causing Hoseok to grin at both of you. “Great! See you guys then!” Hoseok waves at you both before making his way out of the classroom, leaving you and Taehyung alone.

You give him an apprehensive look, waiting for him to say something flirty. Seeing the look, he gives you an understanding smile, seemingly not in the mood to mess with you. Slightly relieved, but honestly a little worried for him, you grab your back and go to leave. You pause, and look over your shoulder.

“Hey, are you okay?” You surprise yourself as you speak. He has managed to worm himself into your heart at least slightly, it appears.

He looks up from his bent over position and gives you a small look of surprise, apparently just as bewildered by your words as you. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just didn’t sleep well after working on a project last night,” he explains.

You tilt your head to the side, now curious. You’ve never really thought about his life --- his major, year, anything. “What is the project for?” you ask.

“A sculpture class. It fulfills a requirement for art history majors.”

You aren’t going to lie, him being artistic and into history made you more attracted to him. That major fit him well, from what you have seen. He dresses in baggy clothes, usually in neutral palettes, and instead of him looking messy, he makes everything he wears look sophisticated in a way that not many people are able to do.

You say with complete honesty, “That’s actually really cool. It makes sense for you.”

Now standing, he gives you a genuine smile. “Thanks, I really enjoy it. What about you, then?”

You divert your eyes, not wanting to admit you hadn’t chosen yet. “I actually am undecided…” you admit.

“Ah, well, life is long. You’ll figure it out. You’re smart.” His eyes hold yours as you speak, shining with sincerity.

You couldn’t help the blood rushing to your cheeks. You could tell that he really meant what he had said, not just saying it to be polite.

“Thank you, Taehyung… I hope you're right.” You glance down to your phone, breaking eye contact. It was a bit too intense for you. When you saw the time, you nearly jumped. You were close to being late for your next class.

“I’m running late, I’ll see you later!” you call over your shoulder, already hustling to leave the room. You hear him call out a bye as you leave, and feel his eyes following you until you get out of sight. He definitely left you with more complicated feelings towards him than what you had anticipated. But, that’s to think about another time --- you need to haul ass to get to Intro to Comp.

You make your way across campus surprisingly fast, dodging dozens of students who seemed to be less rushed than you. Nearly winded, you arrive just as the clock reaches the hour and the professor seems ready to begin. Embarrassed at the eyes on you as you walk in, you make your way to Jimin who you see sitting near the back as fast as you can without looking strange. You knew your face was red from the exertion and the embarrassment.

He laughed at your predicament as soon as you got close, and cleared the stuff of the seat he was saving for you.

“Shut up!” you whisper yell at him, but a smile breaks out on your face at his wide smile that showcased a just slightly crooked tooth. His eyes disappeared into crescent shapes at the force of his full cheeks lifting.

Once he calms down, and the lecture begins in relative peace, he leans over to you to speak without being overheard. “The LA was staring at you when you walked in, you know? His eyes never left you until you sat down.” He gives a conspiratorial grin.

“What? No way.” You give him an incredulous look. The LA seemed broadly disinterested --- disinterested in the class, disinterested in people, disinterested in you.

“I only noticed because I was watching him before you walked in,” Jimin admits with a giggle.

“He probably was just looking at me since I came in late, that’s all,” you justified.

Jimin raises a brow at you. “I guess we’ll see then, won’t we.” His eyes travel down the length of your torso and back up again, before giving you a smirk.

“Oh God. Whatever you are thinking, please don’t,” you whine.

He just widens his grin in response. Between Taehyung and Jimin, you felt that you’ve reached your mischief quota for the year already. You let your eyes slide shut and groan quietly.

----

“Come on y/n, don’t worry. I just have to ask him a question!” Jimin giggles, failing to hide his evil intentions. He wants to drag you up to have a quick chat with your broody LA, currently standing idle at the front of the room, watching the students filter out of the lecture hall.

“Sunbae if you do something embarrassing you owe me a drink,” you groan out. “Please, please be normal.”

“Don’t worry,” he draws out with a smile. A villainous smile, may you add. And with that, he drags you down the rows of chairs to the front of the room, stopping just short of Yoongi.

You hover slightly behind Jimin’s shoulder, wanting to leave but not wanting to abandon your friend. Yoongi looks back and forth between you and Jimin, and settles back on you, making you bristle slightly. It didn’t help that he had a delicate frown marring his features.

Jimin’s cheery voice quickly penetrates the awkward silence. “Hi, Yoongi right? My name’s Jimin! I was wondering if for the first project, we had to have a bridge structure? Or if we could use a double chorus maybe? Doctor Choi didn’t specify in class today.”

Yoongi narrowed his eyes at Jimin. “For the first project, use the traditional structure. Choi will grade you harsher if he thinks you’re a try-hard,” he gruffly answers.

“Hm, I see. I can be a bit overzealous at times, when I’m interested in something,” Jimin replies, this time in a much lower pitch. You watch his eyes roam Yoongi’s figure as he speaks, not bothering to disguise his interest.

“Can’t we all.” Yoongi’s voice is somehow even gruffer than before. And this time, he is staring straight at you as he replies.

Jimin notices, and gives a knowing smirk your direction. “Thanks Yoongi, see you next class!” Jimin sing-songs with a smile. He grabs your wrist, leading you out of the auditorium.

It’s a good thing he does, because your brain was short-circuiting after that interaction. You feel like a deer in the headlights, and nearly stumble as you try to keep pace with Jimin.

As soon as you walk out of the building, Jimin lets out a cackle, bending over from it’s force. “I told you! He definitely thinks you're hot, I mean, did you see the way he was looking at you? He looked like he wanted to eat you right there and then!” He lets out another loud laugh at his words.

You could feel your cheeks flaming. “Ugh, what the hell was that! Why’d you even say that to him! YOU were the one trying to eat HIM!” you yell slightly, waving your arms like a crazy person.

His laughter only gets louder at your response. “I wanted to test a theory! While I wish I was wrong and he wanted a piece of me, he only had eyes for you, darling.” His laughter died down slightly. “You look really pretty today, I don’t blame him,” he adds. His gaze turns slightly wistful, but it only lasts a second before he skips over to you and links your arms.

“That’s no reason to do all of that! You’re so embarrassing, sunbae!” You look up at him, giving him your best pout.

He pulls you closer, forcing your face to rest against his shoulder slightly. “Ah, the hot LA thinks you're cute! This is a win, my dear.” He gives a smirk down at you.

“I don’t know if that’s it. He seems kind of mean… maybe he’s just socially awkward or something,” you guess.

Jimin tilts his head, and says, “Maybe. Either way I know I had fun, your blush is too cute.” He gives you another mischievous grin.

You roll your eyes, and reach in your bag to check your phone. You needed to get some work done before your meeting with Hoseok and Taehyung.

Seeing the time, you quickly unlink your arms from Jimin’s and go to say goodbye. You want to have enough time to run though some practice problems before you go later, and you knew it was going to take you a while. It seems the time was causing you to have to cut all your conversations short today, unfortunately.

“Bye sunbae, I have to go. Oh, and you owe me a drink!” you declare.

He gives you a pout of his own at your leaving, but is quick to transform into a wide grin at your reminder.

“This weekend!” he calls as you start backing up. You roll your eyes in response, and turn around to walk in the direction of your apartment. It was time to grind out some work, and not think of the weird interactions with boys that had happened today.

[mariaiscrafting]

Cishet dnf stans are without fail just super gross about it. I've cultivated my tumblr sphere to be so queer that I genuinely forgot how terrible cishets are about mlm ships they deem "attractive". Cishets making homophobic "jokes"........bro that's just homophobia.

I feel like that's so much easier on Tumblr anyways since Tumblr is so disproportionately queer. I can actually stand to follow Dream stans (*cough* looking at you Angel *cough*), George pfps, and some DNFers here because they're mostly queer. Probably the main reason I stopped using Twitter was actually because of all the cishet DNF shippers. I think there's just something about being queer that makes you more understanding of comp het, queer fetishization, being treated as Other, being psychoanalyzed like a lab specimen, and being potentially outed. Subsequently, queer shippers are simply less likely to take DNF shipping a step too far...

There are lots of ways in which cishet shippers take it a step too far. One common thing is fetishization. Contrary to popular-anti belief, not every shipper is fetishizing mlm relationships. But a lot of them are. Fetishization is contingent on a foundational belief that one is consuming media about a certain romantic/sexual dynamic because they find it attractive. To fetishize is to treat a ship as Other, as lesser or more or weirder or "special" or whatever. If one wouldn't treat a het relationship the same way as they do the mlm relationship they're theorizing about, gushing about, drawing about, writing about, etc., then one should reexamine the reasons one is even shipping them, because the likely answer is fetishizing reasons. Another way shippers take it too far is their creepy fascination with all the intricacies of DNF. Like, the analysis of every voice inflection, every mention of the other, every moment they're together, every smile and laugh and facial expression. It's so beyond creepy. This isn't how you treat real life humans. This isn't how you treat people you respect. This is how you treat fictional characters, or toys, or specimens you're curious about. It's absurd.

But those are all things I've talked about a hundred times on this blog. I'm glad I have been able to, too, because it seems so impossible to get through to Twitter DNFers compared to Tumblr DNFers, partially because of the character limit and partially because of what mcyttwt stan culture is like (stubborn, hardheaded, overly protective, significantly more obsessive, etc).

Regarding homophobic jokes... I think a lot of cishet shippers think they can't be homophobic if they are shipping an mlm pairing. Because if you're so open to gay people that you ship them, how could you possibly be homophobic? Isn't that the opposite of homophobia? To that, I respond the same way I respond to cishet men who claim they're not lesbophobic because they like lesbian porn and white people who claim they're not racist because they have black friends and men who claim they're not misogynistic because they love their daughters or wives; bigotry is not solely enacted upon with explicit hatred. Bigotry can manifest itself in many ways, and in the 21st Century, most often that is in subtle ways that implicate one's own view of minorities/oppressed groups as distinctly "Other." You can have a fascination, love, or adoration for an oppressed group, and still be bigoted against them. Love /=/ the inability to be racist, homophobic, sexist, etc. A failure to accept criticism and recognize one's own propensity for homophobia will only lead to making the same homophobic remarks/jokes, failing to eradicate one's own subconscious beliefs that led to one's homophobia (e.g., comp het), and stagnation in one's personal growth.

And yes, if you can’t understand how treating DNF like this obsession, this other-than-human idealized fasion, is homophobic, then you are one of these subtlely bigoted people, and I am begging you to pause, step back, and self-reflect, please.

As always, the usual disclaimers apply. First, not all cishet DNF shippers cross a line in their shipping. If you read this and you don't know if this applies to you, it's important for you to pause and reflect on your manner of shipping. Recognizing when we do wrong is the first step in eradicating homophobia and fetishization. Second of all, for those who don't know what prompted this ask, here is a link to the half-joke post of mine from a few hours ago. Third of all, I am never an expert on any of the discourse I engage in. I'm simply providing my opinion. Fourth of all, this is not meant to be hateful. Yes, I come from a place of extreme frustration and exhaustion towards cishet shippers, but I still think there is capability for growth within the mlm shipping community. I am a DNFer, just a queer one; I read DNF fics, I love DNF art, and I watch DNF compilations. I, too, gush whenever Dream and George act fond of each other. I'm not an anti; I just like to criticize the communities I am a part of because I love the spaces they provide for me and want them to grow and improve through self-reflection and critical analysis. Positive change always starts from within.

Anyways, if you're interested in my other random rants about related issues: here is one of my original takes on DNFers crossing lines they shouldn't and dehumanizing DNF for their own enjoyment, here is a more general take of mine about reading into DNF dynamics with empathy, here is my thing with fetishization (thank you Angel for the input), and here is a long-ass post with queer perspectives on DNF shipping (thank you Xen for the input).

As always, reminder to blacklist /neg or #discourse if you don’t want to see posts like this from me. Take care of yourselves <3

[jaehyunspeachparty]

daddy jaehyun

iii.i.

a/n: First of all thank you for everyone who is still reading my story regularly. I'm going to make a little time jump here now because I want to push the story a bit and there is another reason, but you will see it in the next updates. If you feel like I have forgotten something and you want to find out more about past events, feel free to ask #atw questions. Especially now after this update, I will go into detail with your question about the events that arose in the time jump.

One year later…

I can hardly believe that I write everything down here. How do I start? Dear Diary? The last time I wrote everything down was when I was 16 years old. But I don't want to forget the last year and write down something about it to have a review. So what happened ... Where should I start?

Yuta had grown in hid new role and is now used to being a father. Chichi is now 21 months old and she is getting prettier every day. Yuta was lucky because his daughter was so calm and loving. He had a really easy time with her. His ex-girlfriend and Chichi's mother, Shiori, had never come back. Yuta had been trying to find her for a while, but it was like she was gone. He also had contact with the Osaka police. But then one day he saw her again in a commercial and he couldn't believe how heartless Shiori was. But Yuta has gotten pretty protective about his daughter. He always cooked for her, kept an eye on her. I always thought Jaehyun was too protective at Miga, but Yuta was a step more extreme.

Yuta and Chichi were visiting Jaehyun. You were on the road with Miga and Jaehyun was taking care of Sunoh. Chichi and Sunoh had on this day a playdate. On the upper floor of your house, there was a room full of toys. Jaehyun and Yuta chatted while Sunoh and Chichi played. They interacted with each other more and more, even if they couldn't do much with each other at that age. Jaehyun had a bowl of grapes with him because Sunoh has loved them lately. Chichi then became curious, because if Sunoh had liked it so much, she would have to taste it too. But she was a little too greedy and choked on the grape. Yuta started to get in panic as he sees that Chichi couldn't breathe and her face went red. Jaehyun already knew how to react in such a situation, it was not the first time that a child choked in his presence. He took Chichi, put her over his leg and patted her back. A few seconds later the little girl coughs out the grape and it falls to the ground. "Everything is all right again?" Jaehyun smiled and looked into Chichi's face, who looked around in surprise. She nodded and Yuta took her straight away. "Is everything really good? Does something hurt you?" He hugged his daughter very tightly, but she was only perplexed. "I think I'm going to the hospital with her." Yuta put Chichi down again and held her hand. "She's healthy. She just choked a little bit." Jaehyun rolled his eyes and laughed. "But what if something slipped into her windpipe? What if the grape broke something in her?" Yuta panicked and put his things together. "Everything is okay, if not she would show you." Jaehyun crossed his arms and watched his friend panic. "But she's so small. I'm going now to the hospital." And it took less than two minutes for Yuta to be out of the house.

Johnny loved being a father and he reminded me of the time when Jaehyun had his first child. He was also protective of his daughter Jaina. He hardly took his eyes off her, but he also enjoyed spending time with Jaehyun and Yuta when they met with their children. They have now become their own daddy clique and have spent a lot of time together. But Johnny dreamed of a big family and he didn't want to waste time. It wasn't long before Johanna was pregnant again and she is currently in the 6th month.

"No party this time?" Jaehyun laughed and took a sip of his red wine. Johnny and Johanna came to you for dinner that evening. A few days ago, they get to know the gender of their child and they wanted to tell you two it today. "No, it was too stressful for us," said Johnny. "Yes, and my nausea hasn't stopped, and I need to rest." Johann stroked her big stomach and sighed. "It's unbelievable how every pregnancy is different, isn't it? I mean, you think the body is going through the same thing anyway, but there are always other symptoms." You smile and Johanna could only agree with you. "So tell us, will it be a boy or a girl?" Jaehyun looked impatiently at his friend. You've been curious all day and thinking about what it will be. "It's a boy!" Johnny raised his hands cheering in the air. "Ahh that's perfect. Then you also have a girl and a boy." You are incredibly happy for them. Johnny and Johanna looked at each other and grinned. They were clearly overjoyed.

Soobin regularly helped us with the children. When Jaehyun and I had to go away or go on a date, she was always ready. I'm really happy to have her as a babysitter. Miga was very excited about her and Sunoh accepted her...sometimes. But I noticed that she was concentrating on something else besides the children. She must have fallen in love with Jaehyun. When he was here, her behavior was completely different, she wore more make-up and dressed more elegantly, also a little bit sexy. I wasn't sure if it was a harmless crush from a 17-year-old girl or if I should be worried.

"Hello Mr. Jung." She smiled broadly and played with a strand of her hair. "Hi, Soobin. My wife is still upstairs and getting ready. Then we go." Jaehyun smiled gently and then turned back to Miga, who was sitting on his lap. Soobin put her things on the kitchen counter and watched Jaehyun play with his daughter. "Daddy again!" Miga squeaked with joy and Jaehyun nodded. "Where are you Miga, I'll catch you soon." Jaehyun wanted to grab his daughter, so she got his shirt up so that his bare torso was free and then hid down under his shirt. "Oh no! Where's my daughter? She was just there!" Jaehyun was super good at this game and Miga loved it. Then she raised his shirt again and grinned at her father. "Here I am Daddy!" This game repeated itself over and over again. Soobin was paralyzed. She couldn't help but stare at Jaehyun's naked torso all the time. And you see it when you go down the stairs with Sunoh. Soobin didn't even notice you but just stared at your husband's abs. And you knew it’s just a 17-year-old girl, but it kind of bothered you. Maybe because she was such a good babysitter and yet had an intimate look in your life. "Hello Soobin", you greeted her kindly and she was immediately startled. "Ms. Jung! Hello!" She lowered her head and turned away from you.

Sunoh was already 2 years old. It was incredible how time flies. Since Jaehyun was at home, he had a better connection with his father. Jaehyun took a lot of time for his son because he knew that he had missed a lot of him. Still, Sunoh had become extremely clingy. He only wants to be with me at the moment. It took a while for other people to interact with him. Even if I leave him every time, even if it is only 10 minutes to get something quickly, he started a drama and cried every time. By now Sunoh can say a few words, even 1-2 sentences. Miga also had more fun with him now because she could interact with her little brother much more. Jaehyun and I were especially proud when he took his first steps.

Miga was sitting on a small children's table and draw something. Jaehyun and you sit on the floor with Sunoh and play with him. He could stand alone for a while and he was getting better at it. "Come on, let's see if he can walk a little." Jaehyun smiled and took Sunoh. He immediately started to cry because he wanted to go back to his mother. You slide a little bit away from him and open your arms. "Come on Sunoh." You smile and he looked at you with his dark brown eyes as he sucked his fingers. Jaehyun set it up and slowly let him go. Sunoh was so fixated on you that he didn't even notice that he was standing alone. "Come to Mummy!" You smile and then it happened that you didn't think was possible. You just only wanted to try it, but he took a step forward, then another, the third already wiggled his legs and the fourth you catch your son. "Did you see that?" You hug Sunoh and look at Jaehyun. He put his phone aside and grinned. "Everything is recorded!" He slips closer to you and kisses Sunoh's head. "I'm so proud of you." He then stroked his son's back and then kissed you.

Miga is now 5 years old. She is so tall now, and she grew more and more in her role as a big sister. I’m so incredibly proud of her. But she is still very fixated on her father, I think that will never stop. The two have their own connection. But Miga was pretty successful in the entertainment industry. She starred in a few commercials and recently she had a role in a drama. There she plays the daughter of a single father. I just want Miga to do as much as she wants, but she really enjoyed acting. She was always looking forward to shooting days and everyone was amazed by her. Nevertheless, I still make sure that she doesn't do too much and still has a childhood. But when we first saw Miga in a drama, we were incredibly proud of her.

"Look, that's me." Miga points to the television and jumps up and down on the couch. "Yes, we can see that. But we also want to watch the show." Jaehyun took her and snuggled up to her. When you watched the drama you were so surprised that your daughter could act so well. She was really convincing. "Wow, Miga you did really great." You give your daughter a big kiss on the cheek. She giggled and blushed. "Was that fun for you?", asked Jaehyun and was quite perplexed because of her great talent. Miga started hopping on the couch again and nodded. "YESSSS!" She hopped on and spread kisses on Jaehyun. It looks like your daughter will probably become an actress.

Jaehyun had taken a step back after releasing his solo album. Johnny and Yuta also followed and that made things even easier for him. But Jaehyun was not completely out of the industry. He still moderated a music show on a regular basis, he was still a model and he participated in “The Return of the Superman” again. But he now had a lot more time for his children. He enjoyed this time and Miga and Sunoh grew more and more to him. I was also happy to have him around me, the times of his solo career were tough because he was almost never at home. But since Jaehyun was back, the house has been revitalized. Everything became more homely and familiar.

You were out the evening and come home after dinner. You can hear the TV running, but also noise in the kitchen. Then you hear little feet patting. You follow the steps and they guide you into the living room. It ran Frozen at the TV and Jaehyun was lying on the couch with Sunoh in his arms and two men were sleeping. But then you see how brown eyes with long eyelashes looked at you. "Miga, what are you doing?" You lean over and see how she just stuffed a fat cookie in her mouth. "Hey daddy, wake up." You shake Jaehyun and he sleepily opens his eyes. "What happened?" He looked around and you had to laugh. "Our daughter found the candy drawer." You sigh and lift Sunoh up. "Oh no, I fell asleep." Jaehyun scratched his head and looked at his children. It has not always been easy to take care of them and they use a lot of energy.

And for me ... a lot has happened, but somehow not. I started with training again. Jaehyun and I build in our house a small fitness room. I also found good friends in the neighborhood. They were all super kind and received me well. I tried also to get pregnant all year round. But it didn't work. As much as we tried, the tests were always negative. For a while, I was really sad about it, almost depressed. I focused too much on getting pregnant. My last low was when Johanna said that she was pregnant again. I couldn't stop crying that day. I found it unfair and I wanted nothing more than to have a child as well. But the pressure I put on it also put a little strain on the relationship with Jaehyun. Our sex life only focused on making a child. It became very platonic and functional. We also lost our desire for sex and I knew that this was not normal. We never were like that. Apparently, the time was not right for another child and I decided to take the pressure off myself and the relationship. At first, I thought about starting to work again, but my job was not really family-friendly. I decided to start studying. I always wanted to study law and I studied for the entrance exam all summer. And I was accepted. I have been studying in Seoul for over two months and I really enjoy it. I can watch some of the lectures at home and the seminars were mostly in the morning, where Jaehyun was always with the children anyway. It felt good to do something else again. I like to be a mother, of course, but studying is also incredibly good for me.

"Hey what are you doing?" Jaehyun came to you and stroked your shoulders. You close your laptop and smile. "Just something for the university." You lean your head back as his hands brushed all over your body. "I am so proud of you that you do it." Jaehyun put his lips on your neck and sucked on it. You close your eyes and enjoy his touch. Your sex life was platonic, but since you started studying, the pressure was gone and your sex became uninhibited and free as before. "Come over." Jaehyun picked you up and threw you into the sheets. He pulled up his shirt and leaned over you. No, your sex life was definitely no longer boring!!!

daddy jaehyun masterlist

[the-awkward-outlaw]

"I won’t stop until I hear you scream.” give me more smut with low honor Arthur? Angst maybe?

Sorry this took so long! I promise, I am getting to all my requests but this has been a psychotic week. Also note I’ve never written for low honor Arthur, so this might be off personality as I’ve never played low honor either.

Warnings: do I need to add this? SMUT AHEAD

You ride along in the train next to Arthur, feeling stiff and slightly awkward. You had an argument with the outlaw recently. It was about Mary. Although you’ve been running with the gang about five years, you only hooked up with Arthur right before the Blackwater mess. You knew about Mary of course, but Arthur made no notion at all in the past five years that he was still interested in her. That was until a few days ago in Horseshoe Overlook when he got that damned letter from her. 

You read the letter of course. Arthur made no attempts in hiding it and he’d run off so quickly shortly after receiving it that you had no doubt he was going off to see her. When he got back, you immediately pounced on him, angry, bitter and stung that he was still chasing after her when he had you. As could have been predicted, he’d gotten nasty right back, telling you to stay out of his past business and reassuring you that nothing happened between them. Although Arthur was very rough on the edges and often rash, you knew deep down he’d never do anything to prove he was disloyal to the gang or to you either. It was extremely obvious to everyone that he prided himself on being your man, in owning you.

Arthur sits beside you on the train, swaying back and forth with you. “So you still ain’t talkin’, hmm?” he said sharply. He’d taken you out to Big Valley to try and sooth your nerves, and while the thick forests and swift streams had done you good, you’re still stung about that whole Mary business. 

“You didn’t even tell her you were seeing someone else,” you say. 

You can practically hear him roll his eyes. “It never came up, darlin’. Trust me, the moment she would have mentioned us being together, either in the past or the future, I would have told her exactly how things are. That I’m involved with you and will be for a long time. If you allow me to, that is.” 

You know his patience with you is running short. He always did have a small fuse. You sigh, knowing your frustration needs to end with him. Still, you’re wound up so tight from that Blackwater business and then fleeing into Colter and nearly freezing to death. You and Arthur have been so busy, there has been little opportunity for any intimacy between you. Then Arthur got that letter from Mary and your chances of being open to him became even smaller. You and Arthur have made love only once and that was just before the Blackwater massacre. 

To say having sex with Arthur has been the best sex of your life is an understatement. He’d been forceful and rough, but you liked it. He’d dominated you in a way no man in your past ever has and you loved every second of it. He’d tried being physical with you out in Big Valley, but you’d rejected him. Now you’re starting to wonder if your frayed nerves can be soothed by him helping you relax. 

When you get back to Horseshoe Overlook, it’s nearly dusk. You and Arthur grab some stew and join the others around the fire for a bit. When you think it’s late enough that people won’t find it suspicious why you’re going to bed so early, you tell Arthur you’re heading off to your shared tent. You lean in and whisper in his ear to come join you in a few moments. When you’re seated on the cot, you strip off your boots and then Arthur comes into the tent quickly, closing the tent flaps. He turns to you, a hungry look in his eye. 

You stand up, your face telling him to hold off for one second longer. “Arthur, we’ve hit our first rough patch. I don’t want this to become a pattern between us, but I was thinking maybe a little bit of… intimacy could do us some good.” 

He licks his lips and his eyes grow hungrier. “I agree, darlin’.” 

You smile and reach up to start unbuttoning your blouse when he rushes over and throws you down onto the cot. As soon as you’re down, his hands quickly undo your shirt, a few buttons ripping in your haste. You don’t mind, you can fix them tomorrow. As soon as he’s got your shirt open, he untucks your chemise from your jeans. Then his eyes grow even hungrier and he reaches into his satchel, pulling out some rope. 

“I’m gonna own you, darlin’,” he growls. He doesn’t move until you nod, your breath quickening. He ties your wrists together and then pins your hands above your head, tying them to a hook in one of the crates acting as the headrest to your cot. He didn’t do this your first time, but you kind of like it. Being completely vulnerable to him, giving him all control. 

He stands up just long enough to remove his boots, his satchel, hat and then finally his shirt. He doesn’t remove his pants, though you can see him pushing through his pants. He leans back onto the bed, hovering over you and then he grabs the hem of your chemise and slides it up, rumpling it under your chin. He studies your naked breasts for a moment, sending shivers through your spine. Finally, gratefully, he caresses them with his fingers. He’s gentle, delicate. He traces them so softly, you can barely feel him. God, he knows how to tease you. He rubs your nipples with his thumbs, flicking them and making them stand out even more. 

One of his hands strokes slowly down your stomach and undoes your jeans. When they’re open, he slides a hand in and finds your slit. You’re soaked already by this point and he grins, drawing a quick line up your slit, just fast and hard enough to make your hips lift just so. 

“You want this?” he asks, suddenly grabbing his bulging package. You’re gasping under him and nod.

“Please, Arthur,” you say breathily.

He grins and then stands up, ripping your pants off all the way. Then he removes his own. Your knees have gone up, you haven’t really been paying attention. He puts his hands on your knees and spreads them, making it so you’re completely exposed to him. He stares unashamedly at your wet opening. 

“I’m gonna have fun with you,” he says as you tremble, your hands still tied up. His hands go to his erection and he pumps a few times, making it even harder, the head darker. Then he reaches over and slips a finger into your dripping folds, making you gasp. Finally, oh finally, he’s touching you where you need it, but it’s not enough.

“Oh Arthur,” you say, your eyes closing as he tickles your nub and clit. Your hips begin to pump up and down in sync with the movement of his hand. His fingers drift down to caress your opening where you want him most. “Please,” you groan. 

He chuckles darkly and his hand moves back up to your clit, stroking it more. Then he slides his whole body over you and without warning pushes his cock into your core. You gasp again and wince. You hadn’t been quite prepared for him, but he feels so good you don’t care. You were built for one another. His length fits you perfectly, and it’s curved in such a way that he can brush your spot with ease. He begins pounding into you, pushing against it now. You move your hips with his, the friction mounting between you.

His hands plant onto your knees and then he pushes them up and farther apart, allowing him to sink even further into you. He kisses you as you gasp and moan.

“You close?” he asks huskily. 

“Mm, you’re close, big guy.” 

He smiles against your lips and he continues to pound himself into you, his thrusts becoming less rhythmic. Your walls clench around him hard and that ends him. He pumps a few hard times into you, and then one last hard time, his cock spurting into you. 

As he grows soft, he pulls himself out of you, making you twitch and whine. He’s not going to leave you like this, is he? You’d come close, but now your own release is ebbing away. 

“Arthur,” you pout and open your eyes. 

“Oh don’t worry, darlin’. I’m gonna take care of you.” 

Your knees are still spread apart and he stares down at your opening, the leaking juices. He reaches both hands into your slit, one spreading your folds apart to expose your clit to the cool air. With the other, he rubs and pushes it. His hand glides up and down your soaked slit and you begin to pant and groan. Your hips sway up and down in time with his hand. God, he feels incredible. 

His hand begins to push harder and he glides faster until he stops on your clit. He begins circling it, hard and fast. It’s too much! The sensations rip through you, fogging your brain. “Ar… Arthur, I’m gonna… I’m gonna… I’m gonna…!”

His hand holding you open lets you go and squeezes your nub while he continues circling and pressing your clit. That’s it, you’re tipping over the edge. He doesn’t stop as you tip your head back and grab onto the rope holding your hands, your toes curling and your hips digging into the bed. It’s too much and you start trying to pull away, but he just moves with you and you’re hindered by the rope. 

“Arthur! Please, I can’t… I can’t anymore!” you whimper as another orgasm rips through you. If you keep going like this, you’re going to explode. 

“I won’t stop until I hear you scream,” he says darkly and his hands continue to work. His fingers squeeze your nub as his other tickles your mound. Then, he removes one hand, opening you again and his hand on your clit begins sliding up and down extremely fast, pushing and rubbing your nub and your clit at the same time. You didn’t know you could orgasm a third time so soon, but you are and it overwhelms you. You’ve been trying to keep quiet during the fucking since you’re in camp, but Arthur clearly wants them all to know exactly what he’s doing to you. 

“Please, Arthur,” you cry, “I… I’m gonna… I can’t…” 

“Just let it go, love. The sooner you do, the sooner this will all be over.” He continues running his hand up and down your slit with speed, but he pushes even harder. Your hips suddenly, involuntarily jerk up and you’re completely overtaken by your orgasm. It forces your head back and your mouth to open, your voice coming out in a sharp, hard release. Your entire body shakes and he stimulates you again and again. Without warning, you feel moisture squeeze out of you and onto his hands. You’ve never done that before. Satisfied, Arthur’s hand slows down and then stops. 

“Yeah, you’re alright girl,” he says deeply, grinning mischievously at you as you pant on the cot. 

“Damn it, Arthur,” you say, completely exhausted. “Next time you’re trying to do something that requires you to be silent, I’m going to come and make it impossible for you to remain so.” 

“That better be a promise,” he says with a grin. He leans down and kisses you.

[rennyforpresident]

Renny’s BBSim: Second Chances Week 2: The Game is Afoot

Welcome back to Biiiiiiiig Brother!

@brentrobinson​​​ @cirie-sandra-michaela​​​ @flopbb-22​​​ @flungevictee​​​ @fucklauryn​​​ @iantxrry​​​ @kaysarswhore​​​ @maxdoesbb​​​ @music-obsessednerd​​​ @pawn2393​​​ @paymeincashnottears​​​ @phylisisley​​​ @rennyforpresident​​​ @swampassthing @theminionjcfucked​​​ @wheremy–demons–hide​​

Previously, @brentrobinson​ was voted out in a 6-7 vote. With the house this divided, the HOH has never been more important. But first, let’s check in on the alliances in the house

The alliance between @paymeincashnottears​ and @swampassthing dissolves, leaving both of them floating in the open. Two more free agents in the house can never be a bad thing, right?

Time for HOH! The dreaded slippery slope competition! Who will come out on top?

Not these guys, that’s for sure! These four fall behind early, but they’re not alone

Because there are so many, the only three that really have a shot at winning this are @flungevictee​ @phylisisley​ and @kaysarswhore​. They take the lead so early that no one can catch up! But ultimately, the winner is…

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@kaysarswhore​! You’ve secured your safety for the week, and earned the right to nominate two of your fellow houseguest for eviction!

Speaking of nominations………

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@flungevictee​ and @fucklauryn​ have hit the block together!

@kaysarswhore​: “@flungevictee, you’re dangerous! You’ve proven that you’re willing and able to win comps, and I can’t let that slide. You gotta go. And @fucklauryn​, in the spirit of transparency, you’re my pawn. Sorry, but somebody’s gotta do it. This ceremony is adjourned.”

@flungevictee​ in the DR: “What. The. Fuck! I just got done being on the block last week, and now I’m back here? Why am I public enemy number one? I’m so over this shit, honestly.”

@fucklauryn​ in the DR: “I’m feeling… okay? @flungevictee​ is a ticking time bomb and a huge threat, so I’m not even worried. Pawns never go home, right?”

With their lives in the BB house on the line, it’s time to draw players for the Veto competition

Some new faces, some old! Who will come out on top this week?

The competition is ROUGH. People flying off horses left and right. Gold bars being thrown at others. One houseguest sustains a brutal injury (just kidding but imagine? the drama)

At the end of it all, the winner is…

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@kaysarswhore​ in the DR: “I have all the power! This is MY HOH and only I get to say what goes down this week. Eat it, losers!”

Will @kaysarswhore​ attempt the BB classic, the backdoor?

She will not. Instead, @flungevictee​ and @fucklauryn​ are still on the block, and the house spends the rest of the week hearing their campaigns

@flungevictee​ realizes what deep shit he’s in, and starts making the rounds. @maxdoesbb​, the alliance-less player, is more than willing to lend a hand to a fellow player in need. Meanwhile…

Things are NOT going will for @fucklauryn​. @flopbb-22​ gets heated after he thinks he overhears her talking shit about him. “You got a lot to say for someone who’s on the block!”

Hearing this, @kaysarswhore​ takes action to defend her friend @flopbb-22​ and flips @fucklauryn​‘s bed. “I WON’T TOLERATE BULLYING” she screams as she commits an act of bullying (I’m sorry I know you’re not a horrible person @kaysarswhore​ it’s for the DRAMA).

After all that, it’s time for another LIVE EVICTION

Julie: “Hello houseguests! Another crazy week, huh? Well it’s about to get crazier with tonight’s live eviction! But first, let’s hear the nominees final pleas.”

@flungevictee​: “I just wanna say that I feel like I’ve really bonded with a lot of you here. I know I came out of the gates kind of hard, but I’m ready to play this game if you all keep me!”

@fucklauryn​: “Honestly, I started this week as a pawn, and I hope that is still the case. @kaysarswhore​ and @flopbb-22​, what you did to me this week was unforgivable, and if you all keep me, they are my only two targets. Consider the rest of yourselves safe. Kisses!”

Julie: “Well…. time for the vote!”

@flungevictee​ just needs one more vote to leave the house. Can @theminionjcfucked​ and @wheremy–demons–hide​ tie it up?

Unfortunately, no.

Julie: “Remember, when I reveal the name of the evicted houseguest, they will have one minute to gather their belongings, say their goodbyes, and exit the big brother house.”

Julie: “ @flungevictee​, come on out!”

Julie: “ @flungevictee​! What happened?”

@flungevictee​: “I played too hard too fast! I wanted to prove that I could win comps and be a threat when @theminionjcfucked​ called me a flop! But that ended up biting me in the ass.”

Julie: “Who, of the remaining houseguests, can you see making it to the end?”

@flungevictee​: “I would LOVE to see @maxdoesbb​ win it all. He’s a great guy and he deserves the money.”

Julie: “Well, it was great having you back with us! 

What will happen next week now that the house target is gone? Tune in next time. From outside the Big Brother House, I’m Julie Chen. Goodnight”

Week 2 DONE. My hope is that I can get two episodes out a day! We’ll see if I actually can though ads;flkjlsdjf

[rosesupposes]

Ivy League

In which Race goes to dinner with Spot, his professor, and his asshole classmate and Spot ends up defending Race’s honor.

This is v v v self indulgent and probably doesn’t make much sense. Just know that Kelly Smaltzer is modern girlsie Smalls who just hasn’t gotten her nickname yet.

Read on AO3.

-

“Thanks so much for your help, Race. I was sure I was gonna fail this test.”

“No problem, Davey,” Race said, packing the empty containers from his lunch into his bag. Spot was on a meal prep kick and Race hadn’t been able to escape it. “After my midterm this morning, it actually reminded me that physics isn’t crazy.”

“Your Planetary Relations class right?” Davey started packing up his bag. 

“Yeah and then my Dance Comp one later. But Albert and I are having rehearsals beforehand and then we’ve got another rehearsal for a showcase.”

Davey looked confused, as he gathered up the trash from his lunch, along with the trash Jack and Crutchie had left when Race and Davey had started reviewing for Davey’s Physics I test. “I thought you and Spot had that dinner with his professor tonight?”

Race groaned and held up the garment bag he’d had to bring along with his backpack and dance bag. “We do. I’ve been lugging my pants and shirt around all day. I have to wear a tie, Davey. A tie.”

Davey rolled his eyes. “You’ll survive. Spot must really want to impress his professor if he’s risking making you wear a tie.”

“I resent that but it’s not untrue. And he does. She takes an intern every summer from her first year classes and he thinks it’s a really good sign that she invited him to this dinner. But she also invited that asshole classmate that Spot’s always complaining about. He’s bringing his girlfriend.” Race wrinkled his nose. 

“Oh, I see. That’s why your wearing the tie,” Davey said with the know it all tone that Race knew meant he was teasing.

“What?”

“You’re trying to out trophy wife the girlfriend.”

“Shut up and go take your physics test,” Race said, pushing Davey’s arm and then walking away from him. His phone chirped with a text from Davey not 30 seconds later. 

I’m adding 3 points to your pettiness score. You’re in the lead now.

-

His Dance Comp midterm went well, even if it ran over. He blamed Albert for drawing the last performance slot because he could have left early otherwise. His whole body ached, protesting the Pilates class from hell that he’d had before lunch and the three hours of rehearsal he’d had after. Going home and vegging out on the couch sounded infinitely better than going to Spot’s dinner. The food would be good, sure, and Spot’s professor was paying but he’d learned early on in Spot’s law school career that when people at law events found out he wasn’t also in law school, they tended to lose interest pretty quickly. He was usually relegated to the role of trophy boyfriend- which he could do and do well but it was kind of hard when he was this exhausted and coming right from a day of midterms. 

He tied his tie while he waited for his Uber and attempted to fix his hair using Snapchat as a mirror. Spot had mentioned that his asshole classmate’s girlfriend was apparently model pretty and Davey was right; Race was nothing if not petty. He was definitely going to be the better trophy wife tonight, even if he was exhausted and coming from four hours of dancing.

As soon as Race was in his Uber and had an ETA he trusted, he texted Spot.

mdtrm ran ovr b there 5 min l8 blame al

Okay

ur gonna wow her n then well get wine drunk w javid 2nite 2 celbr8

After texting Jack and Davey to make sure they could get wine drunk when Race and Spot got home, Race was happy to find his AirPods shoved into his wallet and he put them in so he could start reviewing the choreography for his upcoming Repertory midterm in his head. He got another text from Spot when he was about five minutes from the restaurant.

They're seating us now. Just ask for Taylor Caine.

k eta 4 min ur gonna kill it luv u

Race went right to the hostess when he entered the restaurant. She probably had a fancier title than hostess at a place like this but Race definitely didn't know the word, even if it was probably Italian. "Hi, I think my party's already been seated. I'm with Taylor Caine?"

The hostess gave him a once over, eyes catching on his poorly tied tie. "Of course, follow me, sir." She led Race through the main dining area and to another, smaller area where Race immediately picked out Spot and his group. He waved, hoping to catch Spot's eye and sure enough Spot saw him, his face brightening in a way that most people didn't recognize.

"Speak of the devil," he said, grinning as Race took the empty seat between Spot and who he assumed was asshole classmate's girlfriend. "This is my boyfriend, Antonio Higgins."

"Call me Tony, please," Race said, as if he ever used that name. "I'm so sorry I'm late, my dance midterm ran over."

The woman on the other side of Spot set her menu down and pushed her reading glasses on top of her head, offering her hand to Race, who took it. "No worries at all, we've only just ordered our drinks. I'm Taylor Caine."

"Oh the famous Professor Caine," Race crowed. "It's so great to meet you after all of Sean's stories."

"Only good ones I hope?"

"The best," Race agreed, grinning at Spot, who was getting the look he did when he was almost about to blush. Race decided to back off a little instead of laying it on so thick. "He loves your classes."

"Oh don't flatter her," the woman next to her said. The way she put her hand on Taylor's shoulder spoke of  years of easy familiarity and it made Race smile to think of having that with someone- with Spot- one day. "I'll never hear the end of it. I'm Dalia."

Race shook her hand and then turned to the man at her side- presumably Spot's classmate. Race offered his hand. The man took it, but not before staring at it disdainfully. He eventually deigned to introduce himself to Race, but not before Race reintroduced himself first. “Antonio Higgins.”

 "Joseph Huntington III. This is my fiancée, Kelly Smaltzer."

"Great to meet you." Race was sitting next to Kelly so he turned to her as well and offered his hand, which she shook. "That dress is absolutely beautiful. Vera Wang?"

Kelly's face lit up. She was very pretty and Race felt a little bitter. "Thank you, yes. How did you know?"

While the others discussed whatever it was lawyers discussed, Race told her about Jack’s internship at the fashion magazine and how they would obsess over spreads together for hours and they fell into an easy conversation about fashion magazines. Kelly, it turned out, was writing for the website of a competing fashion magazine but she quietly admitted to Race that she was hoping to break away from fluff pieces soon and then move to a magazine more like the one Jack worked at- one that was focused on fashion but strived for inclusivity and female empowerment. She had some interesting ideas and Race was slowly starting to like her. She and Jack would be a force to be reckoned with if put in the same room together. If they were relegated to conversation as trophy wives for the night, he didn’t think he would mind it.

Eventually the waiter appeared with drinks. Spot leaned into Race's space to tell him, "I ordered you a seltzer, babe."

Race kissed Spot on the cheek, taking his glass from the waiter. "Perfect, thanks." 

As the waiter took their orders, Race suddenly realized he hadn’t looked over the menu at all- a dangerous choice, since he could be pretty picky with his Italian food. He began reading over but he only got through two appetizers before Spot interrupted him, quietly pointing out two of the menu items. “There’s lasagna you’ll like and a pasta primavera, if you want something lighter.”

“You know me too well,” he said with a wink and Spot rolled his eyes. He thought he heard Joseph scoff but he ignored it.

Once they'd settled back into conversation after ordering, Race found himself the center of attention. "So, Tony," Taylor said as she put away her reading glasses. "Sean tells me you're also at Columbia?"

Race nodded. "I am. I'm still an undergrad though- only a junior. Sean's too smart for me; he graduated high school and undergrad early."

"Don't sell yourself short. You’re-" Spot started but was interrupted by Joseph.

"You're a dance major then?"

"Yes," Race said, taking a sip of his seltzer, "a dance major and-"

“And what do you plan to do with that?”

“Well, I’m not quite sure yet but I also-”

"At Yale, dance is folded into the Theater Studies major. It’s not a very popular major. Most students at Yale choose a more… useful path for undergrad. I majored in political science. Joseph continued, a not so subtle attempt at shifting the focus of conversation to himself..

"Oh, how interesting," Dalia said, sounding perfectly interested though Race didn’t miss the little annoyed look that crossed her face.

Joseph launched into what was probably meant to sound like a description of undergraduate life in New Haven but was actually just a thinly veiled list of his accomplishments. Race nodded politely at all the right points in Joseph’s resume but caught Spot tensing his body out of the corner of his eye. Hoping to head off Spot’s seething, Race grabbed his hand under the table and squeezed it once, shaking his head a little. He waited for Spot to nod back to him before turning to Kelly. God, Spot could be such a drama queen. And, coming from Race, who was now leading on the pettiness scoreboard in their apartment, that was saying a lot.

Race turned back to Kelly, hoping to hear more of her ideas for future articles. She seemed excited just to have the chance to talk about them and after listening to both Katherine and Sarah rant for hours on end, Race felt like he knew how to actually engage in the conversation as an ally without being a total jerk.

By the time their food came, it was clear to Race that Spot’s assessment of Joseph as a Grade A Asshole was correct. He attempted to make every conversation about him and his opinions. He kept making digs at Spot’s less than ideal childhood and cutting off his own fiancée to speak for her. He was sitting next to Dalia but spent the whole time clearly trying to impress Taylor. In his effort to engage with Taylor, he ended up essentially ignoring Dalia, Kelly, and Race, and only engaging with Spot because he had to. No one seemed overly impressed with his accomplishments or his attitude which helped restore Race’s faith in humanity a little but it did not make for a fun dinner table.

Race could tell Spot was getting closer and closer to going off. His jaw was tight and he kept clenching and unclenching his fists under the table. It was one of the things Race loved most about Spot- his righteous outrage in the face of someone treating others like shit- but now was not the time for an outburst. He kept one hand just above Spot’s knee, even while talking to Kelly, slowly rubbing circles right above his knee cap.

Taylor and Dalia were wonderful, trying to keep everyone involved in the conversation. It was when they asked Kelly about herself that Race really started to get annoyed with Joseph. He kept talking over her, even when she was asked a direct question, ascribing opinions to her that Race could tell from her face she didn’t really hold. He told their engagement story with a focus on how amazing his plan had been while barely mentioning Kelly. When he excused himself to use the bathroom shortly after that, Race made it a point to ask Kelly again about the articles she wanted to write for her magazine. Taylor and Dalia both listened intently to her ideas of what fashion magazines could- and should- be.

“Sorry,” she said after a few minutes, putting her hands back in her lap and blushing a little. “I just get really excited about this kind of stuff.”

“No, no,” Taylor said. “Don’t apologize, you have a lot of really intelligent ideas and you’re very good at expressing them.”

Kelly beamed. “Thank you. I don’t have much chance to talk about them, even at work.”

Dalia hummed thoughtfully and nodded. “I remember seeing some profiles on your magazine recently. I thought they mentioned how progressive it was.”

“In some ways, it is,” Kelly said thoughtfully. “But in a lot of ways it’s white feminism and it’s lip service. There are a few articles on intersectionality in relation to feminism that I was sure I would get to write if I pitched them but I’ve been shut down again and again. They only want the type of feminism that’s palatable to their investors and they refuse to push for anything more. And we need to push for more. Intersectionality is the most important part of feminism and if I can somehow provide visibility to trans women or women of color-”

“This again, honey?” Joseph said, grinning as he sat down. “Sorry about that. She gets overexcited sometimes.”

Kelly looked visibly upset but also a little like she was used to it. “I’m not overexcited, Joey. This is important.”

“I don’t know why you care so much. It doesn’t affect you.”

“It does and even if it didn’t, then it’s even more important for me to care.”

Race could see a real argument brewing and, while he wouldn’t mind Joseph making himself out to be even more of an asshole, Kelly didn’t deserve to be put down in the middle of a restaurant, by her fiancee, when she was right. Without even thinking about it, Race took a sip of his almost finished seltzer and then set down his glass towards the edge of the table, tipping it into his own lap. “Oh my god, I’m such a klutz.” He stood, giving Spot a significant look and hoping his boyfriend picked up his cue to change the subject. “Excuse me, I’ll just go clean myself up.”

Race pulled a waitress aside as he headed to the bathroom, telling her about the spill. He cleaned himself up quickly. Thankfully, the air dryer helped with his wet pants. By the time he returned to the table, everyone seemed calm, though Kelly was decidedly not looking at Joseph. Dalia was speaking when Race sat down again. “I can’t say much obviously but it’s very exciting to represent them, even just in the patent filings. I mean, I have a degree in physics so it’s fun to go back to my roots with all the intermediary work before their next spacecraft is ready. Oh, Tony, is everything all right?”

“All set,” he said, taking his seat. “Just a little seltzer. Sorry, did you say you were working on patents for a spacecraft? Is it the Kord Industries one?”

Dalia’s eyes brightened. “Yes, actually, do you know it?”

“I do,” Race said at the same time that Joseph snorted. Race ignored it but could feel Spot seething next to him and reflexively reached a hand down to grab his knee. Spot was not going to blow his shot at this internship over whatever he thought was Race’s honor; not if Race could help it.

“And how do you feel about them? Most people who know enough to recognize them from such a brief description have strong opinions.”

“Oh, he does,” Spot said, a lot calmer than Race would expect.

Race laughed. “I guess that’s fair. I-“

“What would a dance major know about spacecraft?” Joseph had said it quietly to Kelly, who did not look pleased with him. The comment was clearly meant just for her but he hadn’t said it quietly enough because the whole table had heard him loud and clear. 

“Joseph,” Kelly said, sounding scandalized. “Stop it.”

“It’s okay, Kelly,” Race said, forcing a smile onto his face, even though he was kind of exhausted from dealing with Joseph tonight.

“No, it’s not okay,” Spot interjected, standing in his seat and leaning over the table a little. “Antonio is double majoring in Dance and Astrophysics, which you would know if you hadn’t been interrupting him all night. He is the smartest and most passionate man I know. He has more talent in his pinky finger than you have in your entire body and will graduate with two very difficult degrees with no class overlap from an Ivy League school in 4 years. He’s already co-authored 2 papers as an undergrad and presented at 4 major conferences this year alone. And what have you done? Relied on daddy’s name for a degree and law school entry?”

“Spot,” Race hissed under his breath, tugging on Spot’s wrist. Both Joseph and Kelly were frozen on the other side of the table. “Sit down.”

“No, Racer. He’s been rude to everyone all night and he doesn’t get to insult your intelligence because one of your majors is dance and he couldn’t bother to listen to you and find out the other.”

Joseph seemed to have collected himself enough to lift an eyebrow, looking amused. “And you got in based on what? The scholarship for poor orphaned kids from Queens?”

“I’m from Brooklyn, asshole” Spot hissed and Race almost laughed. Leave it to Spot to bring up Brooklyn rather than his LSAT score of 179.

“I’m sorry but that is completely inappropriate language for a restaurant like this,” Joseph said still sounding amused. He looked to Dalia and Taylor, apparently aiming for conspiratorial. “I guess a place at Columbia is no guarantee for good breeding.” He turned back to Spot and Race, arms crossed as if he had won. “You should go now.”

“Actually, I think you should go, Joseph.” All eyes turned to Taylor who did not look happy at all. “Sean is right. You’ve been very rude tonight and I can’t say I blame him for lashing out. Kelly, darling, you’re welcome to stay. I’d love to hear more about your article ideas.”

Joseph’s absolutely shocked face would forever be one of Race’s favorite memories. He seemed frozen in his shock but Kelly jumped to action, standing and pulling Joseph up with her. “Thank you so much, Taylor, Dalia, but we’ll both be going. Sean, it was lovely to meet you. Tony, I’ll send you that article I was telling you about. Thank you all so much again. Have a lovely night.”

Kelly grabbed her coat and purse and pulled a shell shocked Joseph out behind her, without another word from him. Spot relaxed a little as he sat back down but Race saw the exact moment that he realized what had just happened.

“Professor, I am so sorry, that was completely inappropriate. We should go too-”

“Please don’t,” Taylor said. “You and Tony have been a delight tonight unlike Joseph. This is exactly why I do these dinners. You never know how a student behaves outside of class unless you meet them outside of class.”

“Yes, please stay,” Dalia said. “I’d like to hear Tony’s opinions on the Kord Industries spacecraft. The younger generation tends to have the most innovative thoughts on these things, in my experience. But first you’ll have to tell us where the nicknames Spot and Racer come from.”

Spot and Race grinned at each other. 

“Well, you see,” Spot started, turning back to the older women. “My brother likes to think he’s very good at giving people nicknames.”

[cinna-wanroll]

Kenobi Script

Heavy panting and clanking of soldier’s footsteps.

J-Cut:

Camera on white armor-clad feet, running.

 Scale up on bodies with blasters against a tan backdrop.

A voice accompanies the scene as we continue to pan through a series of shots of the soldiers running through indistinguishable sand buildings.

A few splashes of color pop from signs and banisters, resembling a street chase.

Voice (V.O.)

Hiding. That is what my days are like. Alone, perhaps to die, although I hope not. I can’t. The galaxy rests on my shoulders now, even though I’m not certain it always hasn’t. I meditate just to find myself broken inside, shards of memories finding their way to the surface, and my mind strays to fix the past- although my body has long since left the scene of who I once was. Now, I no longer reside on the front lines. No, I am refined to watch as the glorious Republic that used to be deteriorates around me. All that’s left of who I am- or who I was- are the sparks I can feel across the galaxy, dimming out quickly. And I can still feel their pain, too.

A brief pause as some action occurs on screen. Pan up to reveal dead end and a cloaked figure, chased by Stormtroopers. 

We see the figure draw a GREEN LIGHTSABER, ready to defend themselves.

Their face is in a fierce snarl, all calculated focus. And for a minute, the Stormtroopers hesitate.

Suddenly, the JEDI is lifted off the ground, choking. 

Pan down to ground as a dark silhouette approaches, and a RED GLOW ignites, a hum the only noise we hear.

J-Cut:

To black.

Voice (V.O.)

But however misshapen I may be, however hidden away I am, I cannot reverse my instincts- my purpose. I can hear it whispered to me through the Force, a tug in my spirit. Warrior. Fighter. And even though I go by a different name, it still finds ways to remind me of who I was- who I still wish to be.

Smash Cut:

On intense grey-blue eyes, opening as the camera focuses.

Voice (V.O.)

And it tells me I am still Obi-Wan Kenobi.

A beat begins to crescendo in the background as we cut away

EXT. TATOOINE- SUNSET

Soft hues melt into the horizon as Tatooine’s suns finish setting. We can see the shadow of a figure riding a measly mount in the distance, sand softly moving across the dunes.

Cut to a closer up of Obi-Wan, holding a pair of ELECTROBINOCULARS up.

We see into the green-tinted view, revealing THE LARS HOMESTEAD. We can see a soft light emanating from entryway, but nothing else. 

Cut back on Obi-Wan, taking the Electrobinoculars away from his face and looking thoughtful and frustrated.

Obi-Wan 

Well, Rooh, this whole surveillance business would be a lot easier if I could see anything.

He pats the eopie’s side gently.

Obi-Wan

(Sighs) I’ll just remember to get here earlier next time, then. 

He closes his eyes briefly and we see the wind blowing his hair gently, the breeze picking up around him. Soft drums in the background.

Obi-Wan

(Opening his eyes) I sense nothing of danger here. Some sand people to the north, maybe. But they’re not likely to come anywhere around here, at least not after last time. 

He leads the eopie away from the homestead and pulls his cloak tighter around himself.

Comp. as night begins to fall upon the desert, Obi-Wan riding silently across the dunes. 

Creature noises echo across the empty desert, and we see how truly alone Obi-Wan is out here.

Focus on Obi-Wan’s lightsaber as it clinks against his hip, silver and heavy.

Obi-Wan stops Rooh abruptly, pulling back on the reins, suddenly alert.

Obi-Wan (Whispered)

Easy girl, shh. 

He squints at the distance, hand shifted to his belt where his lightsaber rests. A small shadow approaches over the dune and out of the darkness, silently.

Obi-Wan remains quiet and calculated, trying to gauge if whatever it is is a threat.

 An ominous beat strikes up in the background.

We see a young Luke Skywalker, no older than six, approaching.

Zoom as Obi-Wan’s eyes widen in surprise.

Obi-Wan (Startled)

Luke!

The young boy gazes up at the older man, shuffling nervously with wide blue eyes.

He’s wearing simple, layered clothing and goggles that sit awkwardly upon his blond, ruffled hair. He has on a small orange and blue poncho, knitted and a bit large.

Luke

Do I know you?

Obi-Wan

Well no, not really. But I do know your parents. What in the blazes are you doing all the way out here?

Luke (suspicious)

Why do you wanna know? 

Obi-Wan

Because you’re a young boy out in the desert alone, at night!

Luke

Why are you out here alone at night?

Obi-Wan’s gaze hardens sternly at the boy. He’s not playing games.

Luke (crossing his arms, indignant)

Well, they’re not my parents, they’re my aunt and uncle, and I’m not alone.

Obi-Wan raises an eyebrow and tries to squint into the distance.

Obi-Wan

Who are you with, then?

Luke

Well… I was with my droid, but then I got lost and- well, I guess now I am alone.

His shoulders slump and his hands fall to his side as he yawns.

Obi-Wan looks at him with worried sympathy, his own face tired.

Obi-Wan (hastily)

Well, we best get back to your home then, your aunt and uncle must be worried sick.

He leans down to help Luke up, but Luke pulls away, pleading.

Luke

Wait, we have to go back for E6-97!

Obi-Wan (confused)

E6-9…

He realizes what Luke means, and we can tell he’s reminded of Anakin here. His gaze turns sad and dark. Of course, his expression seems to say, always with the droids.

Obi-Wan

No, no, there isn’t any time. It’s much more important that you get home now, and then perhaps you can look for your droid in the morning.

Luke takes another step back, stubborn.

Luke

I can’t! E6 is my best friend! I don’t wanna leave him out here to be destroyed in the sand, or scavenged by the Jawas!

Luke bites his lip worriedly. Obi-Wan can see that there’s no changing the boy’s mind, but he tries again with more force.

Obi-Wan

Luke, no droid is as important as a person. And right now, we need to get you back home. Like you said, it’s dangerous out here and-

He’s cut off by Luke, tears welling in his eyes.

Luke

How could you say that? E6 is just as much a person as anyone else! I won him myself, at Bestine in a dice match! I’ve had him forever now, and I can’t afford to lose him. He helps me and Uncle Owen run the farm, he tells us the weather and everything! Please, please, please, you’ve got to help me. If I lose him, I don’t think my uncle’ll buy me a new one.

Obi-Wan sighs, looking away.

Obi-Wan (softly to himself, cracking a smile)

I’ll bet that droid has a lot to report on the weather here.

Luke (crossing his arms again)

He does. He tells us when a sandstorm is coming. And if you don’t help me, then I’ll run away. 

Obi-Wan frowns and turns back to Luke, finally nodding.

Obi-Wan

Alright, since the last thing I want is to be on a wild goose chase while you run yourself into Sarlacc pits. But only on one condition.

Luke (hopeful)

What?

Obi-Wan

You can never, under any circumstances, come out here again without supervision, understand?

Luke nods vigorously, excited.

Luke

Okay!

Obi-Wan

Very well.

He hoists Luke up onto Rooh, who grunts under the added weight. He grabs hold of the reins and makes sure Luke is secure in front of him.

Obi-Wan

Now, which way did you go?

EXT. DESERT- NIGHT

Focus on Obi-Wan and Luke, riding together in silence as Obi-Wan picks up his Electrobinoculars every now and again, searching for Luke’s droid.

Obi-Wan (putting down his binoculars)

Why were you out here in the first place, young one?

Luke (sighing)

I got mad at my Uncle, so I said I was going to run away. He said fine, and that I should take my useless droid with me. That I should leave just like my father before he died.

Focus on Obi-Wan’s pained expression here.

Luke (cont’d)

 So I started to, but then my Aunt Beru told me that my Uncle was just being ridiculous, and that he would never want me to leave. So I decided not to go, after all. But then when everyone was about to go to sleep, I decided I would get out and explore a little. And maybe if I found some place better, I would stay there.

A brief pause as Obi-Wan furrows his brow, concerned.

Obi-Wan

Does your uncle not treat you well?

Another brief pause.

Luke (thoughtfully)

No, he does. Treat me well, I mean. My Aunt says that he really just wants to protect me. But he just doesn’t understand that I want some excitement every once in a while, ya know?

Obi-Wan gazes thoughtfully up at the stars, pan out for full sky view. Thousands of twinkling lights are scattered about in the dark, vast emptiness.

He knows, perhaps better than anyone what that feels like. But he also knows the consequences better than anyone, too.

Obi-Wan

Maybe your uncle has a point.

Luke (surprised)

What? 

Obi-Wan

Someone I cared about once craved the same thing you do. Change, excitement.

He says the words as dryly as he can, trying to convince Luke that he believes what he’s talking about, that he is immune to the pull of adventure. His tone is sad, remorseful as he pulls his gaze back down and nudges Rooh forwards again. 

Obi-Wan (Cont’d)

So he kept craving more and more. He danced with danger.

A fire ignites in Obi-Wan’s sad eyes, memories you could almost touch.

Obi-Wan (saddening)

But then, it was easy for him to believe in the next adventure, and he forgot all about the real reason he was there in the first place. 

Luke looks back at Obi-Wan, curious.

Luke

Why?

Obi-Wan

Because he was different than most people. He needed to be somewhere with people who understood him. But the more time he spent venturing further, the more people he found. And some convinced him that he wasn’t where he needed to be, even though he was. He left his place.

Luke

What happened to him then?

Obi-Wan (softly)

I had to leave him, too.

Luke (disappointed)

Oh, that’s sad.

 Obi-Wan nods and lifts his Electrobinoculars up again, hiding his expression.

Obi-Wan

A little adventure goes along way, Luke. But if your spirit leads you somewhere, follow it. Just remember who you are and try not to stray off your path.

Luke nods, serious.

Obi-Wan looks back and smiles weakly.

Obi-Wan

I think I’ve found your droid.

Luke (perking up)

Really? Wizard! Lemme see!

Obi-Wan hands Luke the Electrobinoculars and guides his direction, until we transition into Luke’s POV.

Back in the green-tinted view we see a SMALL, SEMI-CIRCLE DROID whirring across the top of a nearby ridge.

Focus back on Luke, grinning from ear to ear.

Obi-Wan

Is that it?

Luke nods and turns around to face Obi-Wan and hand him back the binoculars.

Luke

What are we waiting for?

Obi-Wan can’t help but return the boy’s smile.

Obi-Wan

Nothing, I suppose.

Beat picks up

Pan out back view of eopie and riders, until we see the large expanse that lays before them.

EXT. DESERT- NIGHT

Obi-Wan and Luke approach the ledge that we previously viewed, the wind speeding up and the outcropping jagged and rocky, rough terrain. Luke has donned his goggles an Obi-Wan has lifted a hand up, shielding his eyes.

Obi-Wan

We’re almost there. Can you see anything?

Luke

Not yet. (Pausing) I wanna go home.

Obi-Wan’s facial expression is the definition of an inaudible groan.

Obi-Wan

We shouldn’t turn back now.

Luke

I know, I just wish I hadn’t left.

Luke wraps his arms around himself, shivering in the cold.

Obi-Wan takes off his cloak and wraps it around the young child, bringing Rooh to a halt. 

Obi-Wan

I’m going to check the motion scanner on here, give me a moment while-

He’s interrupted by the distinct sound of a TUSKEN RAIDER CALL, extremely close. His face falls.

Luke whimpers.

Obi-Wan (seriously)

Stay here.

Luke tries to protest, but stops as Obi-Wan begins walking away.

Invisible cut through sand:

Obi-Wan comes up on a patrol of three TUSKEN RAIDERS with their bantha mounts, prodding at E6-97, which moves uselessly in circles around them. They turn to see them, raising their weapons angrily and calling out.

Obi-Wan (calmly)

Hello there, friends.

The Tuskens don’t pick up on his friendly demeanor, instead focusing on his lightsaber. They howl in fear and rage and hold their GADERFFII in defensive positions. Obi-Wan winces.

Obi-Wan

Listen, that droid there-

He points to E6, which stops abruptly.

E6-97

Yes?

Obi-Wan

It’s mine. And I require it. It’s of great importance to me. I would be happy if you could let me take it and leave, and I’ll promise not to come near your territory again.

E6-97

I’m flattered, but I’m afraid I belong to Luke Skywalker, who won me fair and square at a dice match on the-

Obi-Wan

 Do hush.

E6-97 shuts up, and we wait for the Tuskens’ response. 

One of the Tuskens lashes out at Obi-Wan, leaping with their Gaderffii and almost striking Obi-Wan, who dodges swiftly but does not ignite his lightsaber. Instead, he grabs hold of the Tusken’s Gaderffii and uses it to knock them off of their feet. 

SLO-MO.

His gaze is intense as the wind slows around the scene, stars decorating the background and the distant sounds of animal life echo around the cavern. We hear the breaths of the Tuskens and Obi-Wan, almost unified in a way. A haunting beat plays as we get a taste of the force, the energies from both sides intense. 

Obi-Wan (still calm, pleading) NORMAL SPEED

I do not wish to hurt you!

Back to SLO-MO

TOGETHER. The Tuskens move as one towards Obi-Wan, bringing their Gaderffii above their heads and howling.

Obi-Wan closes his eyes and reaches out towards the two with one hand, stopping them mid-air. The hang there as he repeats himself again, the sound echoing across the expanse of the desert and reverberating around. The banthas groan in fear and buck.

The music swells.

Obi-Wan

I do not wish to hurt you! Lay down your weapons and seek peace. I’m only here for the droid.

He sets them down gently, and no sound is heard. 

NORMAL SPEED.

The Tuskens are shocked, shaken to the core.

It’s quiet as they put down their Gaderffii and mount their still alarmed banthas, riding away into the distance. 

Obi-Wan breathes a sigh of relief.

E6-97

Thank you, sir. Whoever they were, they were quite rude. However I’m afraid I cannot go with you. 

Obi-Wan looks at the droid flatly and says nothing as he hoists it up into his arms and carries it away.

E6-97

Or I can, but I would prefer not to. I must warn you I’m a rather old model so be careful please. You might not get as much use out of me as you think.

Obi-Wan

I’ve no use for a droid. I’m bringing you back to your owner.

E6-97

Oh really? Thank you! Of course, no one of mature age really needs a droid if it’s not in their line of work. Often times companion droids like myself aren’t needed because you have people you can hang out with. I was programmed to play with children, mostly. But I can do some organizational things and give relevant reports, so-

E6 pauses. Obi-Wan looks forward in focus, fighting against the wind.

E6-97

Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize I’d lost your interest.

Obi-Wan (chuckling)

Well, that would be the first time a droid has ever said that to me.

E6-97

I am programmed to pick up human emotions through my receptors and sensors. I could also tell that you’re upset, but I didn’t want to say anything.

Obi-Wan

I’m not upset.

E6-97

Okay.

A beat.

Okay so this is a first draft cuz I had no time to edit but I hope you guys enjoy!

[ghostmeep]

Aaaaaaaaa okay another quick [I apparently don’t understand the meaning of quick] commentary post about chapter 367, this time with screenshots, because there is s o much to unpack he r e [I though I was done, but haHA guESS NoT]

Spoilesrsrs ahea d [this is just me gushing over Furudate and Kageyama [with a bit of Yama, Tsukki, and Suga] and how i am kinda okay with the reason Karasuno lost because it makes sense to me, and just more gushing in general awoeinaowien] 

First, that colour sprea  d 

Beautiful as always, but ju s t damn can I take a moment to appreciate it fully? 

The quote at the top too. It’s basically saying the same thing as the chapter title (’our spring is over’) but it’s less final than the chapter title. Saying it this way, at the start of the chapter, when the chapter title isn’t known yet - it still gives the sense of hope. ‘This same spring will never come again’ so we gotta win now because it won’t come again it’s just another motivation for them to WIN. Coupled with the image itself? With everyone (minus Hinata) pushing forward full with determination????? YoU ARE STILL ANTICIPATING KARASUNO TO WIN

BUT NOPE

And okay, just a small insert here - because you all should be warned that Kageyama is favourite and I’m 100000% biased in everything I say because of it.

BuT KageyaMA IN fRonT. I have to admit, my biased self was really kinda hoping for Kageyama to lead Karasuno to victory. THoUGh ofc that isn’t what Haikyuu!! Is about - you don’t just win (or lose) because of one person. but because of how reliable he seemed ALL thROuGHoUT nationals and during ch 366 esp, i was really kinda hoping Karasuno would win because Kageyama would be able to fully draw out ALL of his spikers’ potential (as he has been striving to be able to do) [though I think he still got close!!!! With his teamwork with Tsukishima making leaps and bounds, and being able to send a quick to Yamaguchi as soon as he stepped on the court] 

BuT ANYWAYS I digress [from what? dunno, there really isn’t a point to this post]

Oh wait, actually one more gush about Kageyama

IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE’VE SEEN SOMEONE’S SURPRISED/AWED/CREEPED OUT REACTION TO KAGEYAMA’S PRECISE TOSSES BLE S S E D 

ALSO 

CAn we talk about how smooTHLY Yamaguchi stepped onto the court????????????? BABY CROW IS ALL GROWN UP He’s officially over the intimidation of stepping onto the court - even when now it was more than just to serve!! So much so that it wasn’t highlighted at all!! SO PROUD!!! Can you imagine just how much more he’ll be able to grow in the comings years??? [Though now I suppose we don’t have to imagine aowienaowien we’ll get to see it in canon]

Ah also, I said this in my previous post, but since that post was 100% a mess since it was just me word vomiting onto tumblr [not that this is that much different--] I want to say again, that even though I am biased to Kageyama, and I wanted him to be able to bring Karasuno to victory, I understand why he couldn’t [besides the fact that no one person can do it alone moral] 

But Kageyama’s jump serve is still, give or take, less than a year old 

It’s been in the making for less than a year, it’s not at its peak yet. The fact that he was able to make national veterans like Kamomedai struggle as much as he did is amazing. 

They weren’t aiming for a perfect receive off of Kageyama’s serve. Nozawa, who is a third year in this powerhouse school - who has probably had plenty of practice receiving powerful serves - was just aiming to ‘get a hand on it’ 

But, Nozawa is a third year in a powerhouse school with plenty of experience. He was able to ‘get a hand on’ Kageyama’s still developing serve. So it makes sense that Kageyama’s serve wasn’t enough to give Karasuno the win

ANd it makes sense why Karasuno lost

I would have been slightly upset if Karasuno lost just because Hinata wasn’t able to play, but I don’t think that is what Furudate-sensei was trying to show us. 

It wasn’t even just the fact that Tsukishima got a muscle strain and had to be pulled from the match either.

It’s been said again and again in canon, actually. It’s the same as Kageyama’s serve - Karasuno, in general, are still developing. Yes, the fact that they are always changing and coming up with new things helped them get this far, but it’s also true that because almost all of their new attacks that have been getting them points - are still not perfected yet. 

Karasuno is still new, half their starters are 1st years, and all of that, paired with the fact that they just got a really bad break with the line up (facing a the second seeded school, then the next day facing with their rivaled school in a long rally heavy match, then facing Kamomedai on the same day?? OOF) All of that is the reason Karasuno lost. It wasn’t just because Hinata was taken out.

ANywAYS 

I FULLY expect Kageyama giving Tsukishima setting tipS

Because it’s true that the setter isn’t the only one who sets the ball, it can’t always return to the setter perfectly after all. I WANT KAGEYAMA TO GIVE TSUKISHIMA SETTING TIPS AWOIEANWOEIN

Not that Tsukishima isn’t doing an amazing job without them [seTTING IS DIFFICULT] but still

Also,

Tsukishima PLEASE

You really are just like Hinata. You really can’t deny it at this point aowienAOIWENAWE

I mean seriously, loOK AT THAT FACE

IS THAT NOT A HINATA CHASING AFTER THE BALL FACE??????????????

Anddddddddddd Suga-san being as cool as always awoienaowien

It hurts, because he is correct. In this situation Yamaguchi was 100% the right choice [too bad it ended before Yamaguchi could really shine] 

And it hurts, because Suga won’t regret his words here even with their loss.

Speaking of their loss;;;;;;;;

ThAT cOMP THO

Everyone’s expressions awoeinaowiena and the third years, being the main focus, because this title is about them, it’s all of Karasuno’s ended spring, but it was their lAST spring. 

But look at their faces.

I really appreciate Furudate-sensei’s choice here. They aren’t gritting their teeth or expressing frustration or sadness in any way [yet] Because of their stoic expressions, it really drives it all home. Our Spring is Over. Just a fact being stated. It’s just....so final.

I’ve seen some people hope that there is a foul that will be called next chapter, but I can’t see that happening. The only foul that would help Karasuno right now is if Hoshiumi hit the net, but there is no indication that he was even close to doing so, and it would feellllllll kinda cheap to take away the finality in this chapter like that. 

So, Karasuno’s spring is over. 

But I have to admit, as much as this is painful, and as much as I’ve been obsessed over this loss for days now, I am still excited for what is to come????

I want to see the third years expressing that they’ve had no regrets with their team. That they are proud of their underclassmen and looking forward to what they’ll do next year

I want to see everyone seeing the third years off during graduation.

I want to see Ennoshita being CAPTAIN

I want to see the current first years being SENPAI 

-- I WANT NEW FIRST YEARS TO LOOK UP TO THE CURRENT ONES

like can you imagine Kageyama walking on eggshells around them at first because lets face it he was not the kindest senpai in middle school anD HE’S CHANGED AND HE WANTS TO TRY AND DO BETTER [but then Hinata does something stupid and he ends up yelling in front of them anyways] BuT new first years still SUPER impressed with Kageyama’s toss aoweinOAWIEAWE I WANT a baby setter to go up to Kageyama and ask him for help and tiPS and Kageyama giViNG them in his dumb clumsy way 

I want Tsukishima to act cold and cruel but the first years still being impressed with him and he just doesn’t know how to compute. He’s not used to anyone but Yamaguchi being so impressed with him. 

HinATA would just be like Tanaka and Noya probably awoeinaoWENAWe but it would be so cute because he would still completely get all excited and call Tanaka and Noya senpai all the time when he’s impressed with them s o aoweinawei 

I want Yamaguchi to get all the lo v e he desERVES and a baby new first year to go up to him and say ‘i was never really good at volleyball and was never a regular but i saw you play as the pitch server and i got inspired thinking maybe i can do that too’

ANd I know that we won’t be getting all [or even any] of that but i’m still hyped alright aoweinaowen

But seriously, I want to see what kind of first years Karasuno will get [and mmaYBE hoPEfuLLY it’ll be a decent amount? Not like ten because fact of the matter is is that they DIDN’T win, but three or so would be cool.] 

I want to see Karasuno FINALLY getting the gold that they deserve after seeing this loss that they had to face. 

I would even want to see the current first years be third years, if Furudate-sensei takes us that far. JuSttttttttt sooo many opportunities from here on out??? 

Basically, i’m just 100% stuck in volleyball hell.

[kizakuza-blog1]

DKs Van Life Take 1: The test

Last year, two weeks before Drew, my partner, and I were ready to set off on our first official overseas trip together, I was admitted to hospital for a week and then told I couldn’t fly.

That feeling of being trapped set in about a month later, when my condition was being managed and I realised I had been told I couldn’t do the one thing I live for – exploring the world.

So what does one do when they are grounded from flying? Camper Van it!! Drew was in love with the idea instantly and we started planning. Wondering whether  buy a van straight up or should we hire first? We decided to do a test trip before we buy and here we are.

The Test. 10 Days going South of Sydney heading to the Great Ocean Road and back through the Barossa Valley. 3,548kms will be travelled in total.

Our hot tips for a van life. Season vanlifers, I’m sure already know these, though for any newbies out there we highly recommend making note:

1.       Baby wipe baths. When you have no idea where you’ll be setting up camp or where the next shower is, baby wipe baths is one way to stay fresh.

2.       Head torches. Even when you have light in the van, it’s never quite enough. When you’re parked in a remote area or if you want to go for some night exploring. These babies are your best friends.

3.       Bucket Toilet. Now when this was first suggested to me I was like, umm really!! But ladies I assure you, in the middle of the night when you’ve parked your van in the most beautiful spot you can find, but there are no facilities, the bucket toilet is your saviour. Whether you make your own or do what we did and invest in one from your local camping store. I promise you’ll be most grateful you did.

Day 1: Heading to our first stay. We chose Tumut, a cute little place with a free camp site, nestled between the mountains and a trout filled river. It was a little in-land as day two takes us to the Milawa Cheese Company before heading down to the Mornington Peninsular. 

Here we are, head touches on, setting up the van for the first time. It’s about 8pm, the roof is popped and I start transferring our things up in the top storage section in preparation to make up the bed. Drew starts prepping to cook up a storm on our little Webber......Then it hit me..….we forgot the doona/quilt/duvet!! Basically we had sheets and a blanket to keep us warm on our first night….Snuggle time!!

For anyone vanning down the east coast of OZ looking for a free camp site. No facilities, however plenty of wood to make a little camp fire, simply put ‘The Tumut Wetlands’ into your GPS. It’ll take you approx. 4hrs 25 mins South of Sydney.

Day 2: After a chilli night, we wake up to a crisp morning and the sounds of the running river. We pack up and head into town for a coffee and to buy a doona. Next stop The Milawa Cheese Company, approx. 3hrs away. We highly recommend stopping in and tasting their cheese. They do sampling between 9am and 4pm and I promise, you won’t be disappointed. Our Favourite, the King River Gold.

From there we start our hardcore drive to Barwon Heads to meet up for a few drinks with. Just over 6hrs drive away.

We had planned to get an unpowered site at the caravan park situated right on the water, but we arrived to late, they were already closed. Good news though, there is a long car park that runs behind it, better view and another score for a free place to set up. As an added bonus it’s a 2 minute stroll to the local pub.

If you’re heading down that way the street name is Ewing Blyth Drive, Barwon Heads.

Day 3: Bells Beach Australia!! Even if you’re not a surfer, everyone has seen the movie and knows about the Classic Bells Beach and the 50 year storm – even though the movie wasn’t filmed at the real Bells Beach, it’s still a destination to visit. Just a short 8 minute drive out of Torquay’s town center. 

This beautiful beach hosts the Rip Curl Pro surf comp every Easter bringing professional surfers from all over the world. Unfortunately, it’s not a Van friendly town, so you need to be strategic when selecting where you set up for the night. There are many breath-taking places, you’ll be right.

Day 4: We consider this our real first day on our little trip, as neither of us have been past this point. We decided to have no real plan, to just take each moment as it comes. For me who is a massive planner, this was the first time ever I was just going with it. And I am loving every minute.

Drew is a massive coffee drinker, can’t start his day without one and recommends popping into the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery before heading on to your next destination. 

Heading down the Great Ocean Road we were both craving a hot shower. Baby wipe baths are great and all, however as we all know, nothing beats a nice hot shower. If you’re driving through Lorne Victoria. Lorne Sea Baths. $10.50 entry, if you have some extra time you can have fun in their pool, relax in the spa and steam room. Although if you’re like us and just in need of a hot shower, this is the place to stop.

Although Lorne provided a great spot to stop for a shower, we decided to move on to Apollo Bay.

The road to Apollo Bay is striking. Winding up and down on the side of the high cliffs, before making your way down to the humble little town on the other side. 

Another town that isn’t camper van friendly, however we were lucky to get a hot tip from a local that told us about a little spot, right next to the beach, where we could set up for the night. And we’re going to share the secret... As you’re driving into the town, with Lorne behind you, take the first left into a little tree covered car park, just before the Big4 Caravan park up on the right.

We love Apollo Bay, it reminds us of the North Shore in Hawaii with stunning mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, the perfect balance of earth and water living side by side.

Day 5: There are many sites to see around Apollo Bay. If you’re into Hiking and seeing the ancient trees and waterfalls, make sure you give yourself time to explore. We took a little 30 minute forest walk through Maits Rest, getting a shameless tourist picture in the famous tree belly, before heading off down the Great Ocean Road to see the remaining 12 Apostles.

It’s wondrous how some eroded rocks being shaped by the battering sea, can attract so many people to see them. As we turn into the first look out, at Castle Cove, we are marvelled, just as the others before us. Mesmerised, watching the sea crash into the bottom of the rocks we start to understand why these awe-inspiring natural structures draw such big crowds every day.

Stopping at every look out to take photos we finished the day at the little community town Port Campbell. We are delighted to hear they had a bush style camping ground for both powered and unpowered sites. Full outside kitchen and hot showers. Unpowered sites are only $10pp. Powered sites $20pp with all proceeds going towards the community. You can also hire fire barrels for $20 deposit and $25 for a bag of wood. Just punch in Port Campbell Recreation Reserve into your GPS. It’s close to town so if you want to eat out, it’s just a 5 minute, easy walk in. After you’ve showered and picked your camp spot for the night. 

Don’t forget your head torches. Although the sky is filled with stars, it’s a dark walk back.

Day 6: As we make our way to the Coonawarra down the remaining Great Ocean Road, we are breath-taken by the structures on the other side of the 12 Apostles. It’s strange no one talks as much about this side of the Great Ocean Road, we think this spectacular coastline, with more sea battered structures are equally, if not better than the reaming 12 Apostles. We highly recommend stopping at every look out to take a peak and many photos. All except the Grotto, you won’t miss anything if you skip that one.

Another place you can skip is ‘Cheese World’. Don’t get excited. It is the smallest world of cheese we’ve ever come across, and really not worth the stop, unless you’re busting for the bathroom.

We pull into the Coonawarra, the town is actually called Penola, punch this into your GPS, not the Coonawarra wine region. We arrived a few minutes before the information center closed and was please to be told there is another bush style camping ground just up the road. This one was nestled amongst the vineyards. It has tepee style tents and one of those igloo ones. $10pp for unpowered sites. $25pp for powered/glamping sites.

Day 7: To the Barossa, after doing a little wine tasting along the Coonawarra strip. More Drew tasting, but a tiny sip was had by myself and with great delight I discovered my new favorite winery. Penley Estate. They have the most exquisite glasses, which are available for purchase. We bought four. Best impulse stop ever.

We decided to stay at the Murray Bridge, before the Barossa. We had set off later than expected and we were in no rush.

Day 8: The Barossa is about 3 hours from the Coonawarra and there’s not too much along the way. So crank that stereo and sing your way through it.

The town was full of people. There was some festival on, it was crazy. We find a side street to park in and walk through the streets towards the sounds of an auction. They were auctioning weird stuff, like a sacks of potatoes at the bargain price of $50. Anyway!! We made our way to find were we had booked a delightful degustation dinner at Appellation. I was so excited, this would be our first degustation. Drew’s more into the hardy meaty meals so the moment he suggested finding a great place for dinner, I was onto it.

Little did I know, he had a plan. I can’t believe I had no idea.

We found where we were going to set up for the night, close the restaurant. We discovered one of my favorite mid week wines ‘The running with the Bulls’, was made by Yalumba so we headed out to their vineyard to see if we could snap a good cellar door price. Unfortunately, no, the price was pretty much the same as I can get at home. Lets go to lunch and find a hot shower.   We found a hot shower and got ready for our amazing dinner. 

The Restaurant had a bar which overlooked the thousands of grape vines scattered amongst the small hills below.   As we sipped out first drink, Drew noticed they had a life size chess set. He loves a competition and we had some time to kill before our reservation. As the sun started to set Drew says he needs his sunnies and went out to the car. I stood there sipping beautiful wine out of a gorgeous Ridel stemless glass, freezing my ass off. Drew comes make, makes a move and then goes in to get more drinks. By this time I was wondering why he wasn’t concentrating on the game and trying to win. 

He urged me to abandon the game and come for a walk in the vines to watch the sun set. And the next thing I know Drew pulls a ring box from his pocket and is down on one knee.   I said yes.   

Wearing my sparkly new ring I couldn’t stop staring at it as we were seated for dinner. The waitress picked up on it and congratulated us with a glass of Champagne. We choose the 4 course degustation menu and were delighted to know that you don’t have to have all four sections. This was perfect for us as we don’t eat dessert. So we worked out how we could try most of the menu in the four courses.   The flavour combinations and presentation was spectacular and the absolute perfect place to celebrate our engagement.   

Day 9: The trek back home begins. There’s not a lot to see today. There’s a whole lot of nothing over the dry plains except for sheep, the odd emu and kangaroo. After 7 hrs of solid driving, we decided to stay at another bush style camp ground at Hay. $10pp, nice hot showers and our last dinner in the van.   

Day 10: It’s time to hand Johnno back. Up bright and early to detail him then back to Sydney we go. We had stopped into Robertson to have dinner with Drew’s mom and celebrate our engagement with his sister and cute little niece and nephew. What an amazing journey. The test score was in…..we will be buying a van.    

Thanks for coming on the ride with us on our first van life adventure. Follow our other travel adventures @kizakuza on Instagram.

[fanders-fic-awards]

Knowing What Happened (Summer Fic Comp 18)

Summary: Logan has spent his whole life on the sidelines, watching while others had their first kisses, their first relationships, all through highschool and his first year at college he had never met anyone who he was interested in romantically or who was romantically interested in him.  Imagine his surprise (and frankly disdain) at being dragged to a house party by Roman only to fall head first into a ridiculous, over the top, dramatic crush on Roman’s childhood best friend Patton. Surely no good can come of this…

Trigger Warnings: alcohol, reference to past abusive relationship, slight angst, passionate making out, nose bleed, cursing

Word Count: 5026

Ballot

Logan was definitely a very smart person. Everyone said so and his grades throughout highschool and the first year of his college course definitely backed up this theory. Yes, he was smart.  And cold, and stand-offish, and anti-social, and unapproachable, and uninterested in other people and all the other unkind things he had overheard people say in reference to him over the years.  Not that it bothered him, or anything (anymore).  He was quite used to living life on the side-lines, having watched all of his other classmates have their first kisses, their first boyfriends/girlfriends/datemates, and never finding anyone who sparked that interest in him.  He was fine.  He didn’t need any of that romantic nonsense in his life anyway.  It was a distraction. A hindrance.  And nobody had ever been interested in him anyway.  He had made his peace with it. So why now was he unable to Stop. Staring. At. This. Gorgeous. Man?!

Logan had been dragged to this party by one of his good friends and roommate, Roman, who had insisted that he needed to “loosen up” and meet some new people.  Begrudgingly, Logan had agreed to come as long as Roman promised not to abandon him half-way through the night, but here he was, stood with his back against the wall next to the drinks table, clutching a red solo cup gazing across the crowded living room staring at Roman talking to the most infuriatingly gorgeous person Logan had ever seen.  He was a few inches shorter than Logan with a thin, delicate frame dressed in jeans and a pale blue t-shirt.  His chocolate coloured curls framed his freckled face and fell into his eyes as he gestured and laughed, bright and expressive eyes peering through rounded glasses.  He was endlessly lovely.  So beautiful and small (and clumsy, Logan observed as the man gestured particularly enthusiastically and accidentally whacked Roman in the face).  It was infuriating.  Logan was pleased to note that Roman did not seem to be flirting with him, however.  Their interactions seemed much more like those of old friends who had been very close once but had not seen one another in a while due to circumstance.  Suddenly a memory popped into Logan’s head, Roman had told him an old friend would be at this party, hadn’t he? Someone from his home town starting at their college this year? Was that who this person was?

“’Sup, Logan?” a low, rumbling voice close to his ear made him jump, causing him to slosh punch over his shoes as his hand jerked violently.

“GEEZE! Virgil! I didn’t see you there!” Logan looked up at the tall man next to him, wide brown eyes blinked at him through purple bangs.  As both of their heart rates returned to something more normal, a smirk spread across his new companion’s face.

“Sorry ‘bout that, man.  Didn’t expect to see you here, don’t you hate these things?” Virgil spoke slowly, his eyes soft and his shoulders relaxed.  Going by the faint smell of alcohol on his breath (which Logan could smell because for some reason Virgil was standing very close) it seemed that his friend may be somewhat intoxicated.

“Indeed, Virgil, a party is not usually ‘my scene’ but a friend of mine dragged me here and has since abandoned me.  How are you?” Logan replied, leaning back slightly but smiling at Virgil none-the-less.  He had met Virgil in his astronomy class the previous year and the two of them had bonded over their shared distaste for overly social situations and their shared love of space and the stars, among other things.  They now often met up to study together and chat over coffee while complaining about their lives and geeking out over various books, tv shows and films. Logan had even gone as far as to call Virgil a friend when referring to him in conversation with Roman. 

“’Am good, thanks. Hey do you want another drink? Sorry I made you spill most of that one…” Virgil glanced down at Logan’s shoes, then lent over to peak into his cup to confirm that not much liquid resided there any longer.  Logan sighed and downed the remaining liquid, setting the now empty cup on the table beside him.

“I appreciate your offer, but no thank you.  I would encourage you to abstain from further drinking too as you seem to be inebriated as is…” Logan glanced at his friend to see a lazy smile slide over his features

“You tryna’ tell me I’mm wasted? ‘Cause that’s news to no one but you, buddy!” Virgil replied, happily taking another swig from his own cup.  Logan couldn’t help the fond smile tugging at his lips.  He was just about to offer to walk Virgil home when they were abruptly (and loudly) interrupted.

“LOGAN!” Roman bellowed over the music, having just pushed his way through the crowd and stopped next to them, his hand clasped with the ridiculously gorgeous man Logan had been staring at earlier.  The man beamed at them and Logan felt a blush creeping up his face.  “THIS IS MY FRIEND, PATTON, WHO I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT? FROM HOME? REMEMBER?” Roman continued to yell, tugging the man – Patton – closer and then dropping his hand so that he could offer it to Logan to shake.  Logan took it and smiled gingerly as that lovely, beaming smile was turned directly on him.  He felt his throat go dry.

“Lovely to meet ya! Roman’s told me so much about you!” Patton said (at a normal, indoor human volume), still smiling so brightly

“Oh… that’s, eh, very nice to hear.  It’s nice to make your acquaintance,” Logan replied, quickly withdrawing his hand and trying desperately not to fidget under this man’s intense gaze.

“I THINK YOU GUYS WILL REALLY HIT IT OFF, I’VE BEEN DYING TO INTRODUCE YOU FOR AGES!” Roman bellowed.  Logan winced slightly and took a step back, bumping into Virgil as he did so and drawing Roman’s attention to him for the first time since he and Patton had approached them.  Logan glanced at Virgil to see him looking at Roman suspiciously with narrowed eyes while Roman was staring back, frankly, as if he’d just seen an angel. Virgil quirked an eyebrow while tentatively extending his hand towards Roman.

“I don’t believe we’ve met, you must be the roommate?” he offered quietly.  A dazzling smile immediately appeared on Roman’s face as he took his hand, shaking it and then bringing it to his mouth to press a kiss to the back.  Virgil immediately snatched his hand back and levelled Roman with what could only be described as a deeply hostile glare.

“HAD WE EVER MET BEFORE, MY DEAR, I WOULD HAVE SURLY REMEMBERED EVERY MOMENT.  YOU ARE TRULY ENCHANTING, WOULD YOU PERMIT ME TO TAKE YOU OUT ON A DATE SOME TIME?!” Roman shouted over the music, attracting the attention of some nearby party members, and making his enquiry seem somewhat threatening.  Logan raised his eyebrows as he observed a deep flush spread across Virgil’s checks while his eyes flashed with something akin to rage.

“Fuck off!” he spat at Roman, and with that he turned on his heel and stormed away, with a short goodbye thrown over his shoulder to Logan, and then he was gone. 

“I have a feeling you just insulted my friend, Roman.  Truly I had hoped the two of you would get along.  Also, please desist from shouting, we can hear you over the music even when you speak at a normal volume,” Logan looked at Roman as he delivered this speech, but Roman was still gazing at the spot where Virgil had disappeared.

“Who was that?” Roman almost whispered, his eyes bright and his voice awed. Logan rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to reply, but he was cut off by the smaller man next to him.

“Uuuuh, that was actually my roommate… The guy I was telling you about before?” Patton said, shyly looking up at Roman through his curls.

“Oh…” Roman at least had the good grace to look somewhat sheepish now as he turned back to Logan and Patton, offering them both a hasty smile and reaching up with his hand to rub the back of his neck.  “Ehhh, you don’t think I’ve already ruined my chances, do you?” Patton laughed at that, and Logan felt something in his chest warm at the sound.

“Almost definitely! Sorry, friendo, I could have warned you not to do that if I’d known that’s what you were gonna do!” he laughed again and smiled at a now horrified looking Roman and turned swiftly to face Logan “How do you know Virgil?” he asked brightly, and once again Logan was taken aback by his sheer overwhelming beauty.

“We shared a class last year, and now we meet on a semi-regular basis to study and or converse with one another,” Logan replied, focusing all of his energy on remaining still and not giving away his nerves by fidgeting.  If it were possible, Patton’s smile seemed to grow even wider.

“Aww yeah, he’s definitely mentioned you before! It’s so great to finally meet you, I can’t believe you’re my childhood best friend’s roommate AND a good friend of my roommate! Small world, huh?” Patton flicked his head back, an unconscious movement of those whose hair often falls into their face, and the dim light in the room seemed to sparkle in his soft blue eyes and Logan felt his stomach swoop.  Great, some small part of Logan’s brain thought to himself, you’re developing feelings for him.  That’s perfect.  Good job, Sanders, have fun dealing with that. He marvelled for a moment at how much his own inner voice was dripping with sarcasm before he noticed that Patton and Roman were both looking at him expectantly.  Oh.  Patton had been attempting to converse with him and he had LITERALLY GOTTEN LOST IN HIS EYES THIS WAS RIDICULOUS!

“Forgive me, Patton, I was lost in thought.  I had no idea that the roommate Virgil often speaks of would be the same friend to whom Roman so often refers, it is indeed an impressive coincidence,” Logan cringed at his own formality and robotic communication.  This was exactly why nobody was ever interested in him, he was no good at speaking to people.  He glanced at Patton and noticed that he seemed to be about to speak again but Logan was already feeling far too flustered and embarrassed, all he wanted to do was go home and forget this entire evening.  “I’m sure we will become more acquainted in time, however, I fear Roman and I must leave now as we both have an early class in the morning,” he lied quickly, using the first excuse that came to mind.  Patton’s eyebrows drew together in confusion

“An early class tomorrow morning?” he asked, tilting his head ever so slightly to the side. It was frustratingly endearing.

“That’s right,” Logan confirmed, looking away to hide his blush.

“……. On a Sunday?” Patton asked, a small smile playing about his lips as he looked mischievously at Logan.  And oh.  Oh dear.  It was indeed a Saturday night, and Logan had just lied to Patton’s face and he’d been caught and now Patton would hate him and –

“Haha, yeah he means a gym class! Specs and I hit the gym early every Sunday morning for a yoga class and then we work out,” Roman quickly jumped in, grinning widely at Patton and slipping his arm around Logan’s shoulders. Immense relief surged through Logan’s entire body as the intense mortification he had just been experiencing subsided a little. He felt unbelievably grateful to Roman in that moment, looking up at his friend with nothing short of platonic love in his eyes, he was sure.

“Oh right, that makes sense!” Patton laughed, leaning back a little and almost losing his footing.  He leaned closer to Logan with a somewhat sly smile on his face “You look like you work out, and I guess you’re pretty flexible too,” he winked and then leaned back, throwing another dazzling smile at them both while Logan felt his entire face burning with heat.  “So nice to see you both! I’ll see you guys around!” he added, and with a little wave he turned around and drifted off back into the party.

“Do I want to know what just happened?”  Roman’s voice was laced with sarcasm as Logan had just abruptly and unceremoniously thrown himself down into the empty chair across from Roman in the college cafeteria.  His face was almost definitely beet red and he was clutching his phone in one hand as he buried his face in his arms and groaned.  

“What did I do to deserve this?” Logan miserably demanded of the table beneath his arms.  He heard Roman chuckle.

“You see Patton again?” he asked, sounding smug.  Logan let out a distressed whine and fought the urge to flip Roman off.  “I’ll take that as a yes.  Did you pluck up the courage to ask him out yet?” Logan did flip him off this time and Roman laughed loud and uninhibited.  Logan lifted his head slightly in order to glare at his friend but offered no response.  “Dude it’s been like two months since you met him and you’ve been pining the whole time just cut the crap and do it already!” Roman demanded.  Logan huffed and sat up again, still glaring angrily at Roman. Roman raised his eyebrows at him and Logan sighed and held up his phone to show him the text message that was causing his distress.

Hey Lo!! Thanks so much for your help the other night, I couldn’t have done that essay on time without you.  Me and Virge are having a little party at our flat tomorrow night, can I get you a couple of drinks as a thank you? You should bring Roman too if he’s free! Hope you can make it xx

Logan watched as Roman seemed to scan the text a couple of times, then a huge grin spread across his face. 

“This is your chance, Lo! You should make a move on him tomorrow night, he’s obviously into you,” Logan whined and snatched his phone back from Roman.

“You do not have access to that information! History and logic dictate that he is almost certainly not interested in me and is simply making an effort to befriend me due to our mutual friends in you and Virgil,” he snapped at Roman, slipping his phone back into his bag and glaring angrily at the table.  He did not want to admit to the tiny ball of hope that had taken up residence in his chest upon receiving Patton’s text.  No one was ever interested in him, and Patton was certainly way too good for him.  To begin hoping now would only serve to make it all the more painful when Patton would eventually make it clear that he was not interested in Logan in a romantic sense, and never would be.  Not only that, but it would ruin the makings of their friendship.  He had spent time with Patton on several occasions since they met and each time they had enjoyed one another’s company finding that they had much more in common than Logan had expected upon first meeting Patton, and that they were able to tease one another quite easily allowing Logan to relax around Patton slightly. Even if every meeting was a painful reminder of how devastatingly gorgeous he was in every way. 

“Listen, Lo. I know you think that it’s impossible, but I actually think Patton really likes you! He lights up whenever he sees you, and when you guys are hanging out he really flirts with you a lot I’ve never really seen him act like that around anyone else,” Roman said softly.  Logan looked up at this quiet admission and saw that any and all teasing was gone from his friend’s face.  He meant what he was saying.  Logan sighed deeply.

“…. Okay, I’ll try but you must come too.  And please try to get through one evening without pissing Virgil off too much, okay?” he watched as Roman’s expression went quickly from happy to indignant.

“Pffft, he’s always delighted to see me, we get on like a house on fire, we’re - “

“Just don’t ask him out this time, okay?” Logan cut off Roman’s angry spluttering and smiled to himself as his friend sighed, suddenly looking wistful.

“I’ll try, calculator watch, I’ll try,”

Logan found himself the following night staring hard at his own reflection in the bathroom mirror in Patton and Virgil’s apartment.  Apparently Patton’s idea of a “little party” was to invite literally everyone he knew into his flat and hope for the best.  Logan had felt completely overwhelmed when he and Roman had arrived an hour earlier and so he had taken the (rather poor) decision to indulge in slightly more alcohol than he ordinarily would on such occasions.  And he was definitely feeling it.  He sighed and padded out of the cramped bathroom, hoping to rejoin Patton and Roman where the three of them had been conversing on the couch.  He navigated his way through the small apartment, avoiding drunken guests and couples making out (heedless of the public setting, apparently), and spotted Roman still in the same spot on the couch only now he was conversing not with Patton but with… Virgil?

“Wait really? You like Disney movies?” he heard Roman ask, incredulously, as he moved nearer and sat down next to his two friends. Virgil sighed and rolled his eyes

“Oh come on, have you seen Black Cauldron? Honestly I don’t even know why you would think I don’t like Disney,” he took another swig from his beer and nodded in Logan’s direction to acknowledge his arrival.

“Well it’s just that, you know… You’re kind of an emo nightmare! That doesn’t really go with Disney,” Roman replied, smirking at the mock offended expression now crossing Virgil’s face.

“If you think there’s not a dark side to Disney, you’ve got it all wrong, pal.  Every one of those movies has some darker undertones,” Roman and Virgil’s conversation continued in much the same vein, discussing the different meanings and subtexts of several different Disney films while Logan watched amicably in silence, pleased to see the pair not yelling at each other for once.  He wasn’t really listening though and went to take another sip of his drink when he noticed it was now in fact empty. Hmm. Did that mean he’d now had seven? Or was it eight? He shook his head to clear it and glanced around the room, trying to remember which direction the drinks table was in, when he spotted them.  Patton was currently on the other side of the room being roughly crowded against the wall by a much taller man who was looking down at him, his expression creepy and leering, while Patton babbled about something, a huge false smile spread across his face, his eyes wide with nervousness.  Logan felt rage and jealousy rise up within him like bile.  He was suddenly too hot, his insides were on fire, his teeth gritting together.  He wanted to smash something, or to march over there and spin that guy around and demand to know why the hell he was intimidating Patton this way.

“- but that’s exactly where you’re wrong because Tangled is a true example of Stockholm Syndrome between Rapunzel and Mother Gothal, whereas Beauty and the Beast is –“

“Who the fuck is that talking to Patton?!” Logan spat, interrupting Roman’s passionate rant, still glaring as the man lifted his hand and brushed Patton’s hair from his face, causing Patton to shrink further into himself and the wall behind him.   He glanced back to see Roman and Virgil staring at him with wide eyes.  Roman looked over and shook his head, indicating he did not know but Virgil started to shift uncomfortably. Logan latched on immediately.  “Virgil, who is he?” he demanded, his voice surprisingly calm for all the rage he felt within him. Virgil coughed and looked away, picking with a fraying strand of fabric on his black skinny jeans.

“Well, he’s, ehh…. He’s Patton’s ex,” Virgil sighed and then looked up at Logan again.  Logan blinked but said nothing, forcing himself to keep his expression entirely neutral. “I told Pat not to invite him, he’s kind of an asshole, but you know what Patton’s like! Always trying to see the best in people and he said he wants to try and stay friends if they can…”

“Looks like that guy’s got a bit more than friendship on his mind,” Roman muttered, still looking over at the pair, a hint of irritation in his own voice now.  Logan looked over again to see that the man was now pulling his fingers through Patton’s hair (none too lightly, it seemed) and leaning incredibly close to his face to speak to him.  Patton was visibly very uncomfortable as he continued trying to lean away, only he had nowhere to go as he was already pushed up against the wall. Logan was unsure if it were possible for him to be more angry than he felt in this moment when he heard a low growl and was taken aback to find it had actually come from Virgil rather than himself.

“I’m not sitting here and watching this, Imma beat the shit outta him!” Virgil snapped, getting to his feet quickly.  In a flash Roman and Logan were both standing too, Roman with his hands firmly on Virgil’s shoulders in an attempt to restrain him. 

“Virge! You can’t just go and attack him in the middle of a party in your flat!” Roman’s voice was slightly too high pitched, his eyes wide with panic.  Virgil’s expression grew slightly manic as he struggled against Roman’s hold, trying to push past him to go to Patton.

“Get the fuck off me, Princey, I’m not just going to stand here and let him make Pat feel uncomfortable!” Virgil snapped at Roman.  It was at this precise moment that they heard a yell from the other side of the room.  Silence fell over the entire flat.  Virgil, Roman and Logan all turned to stare with wide eyes at the scene before them.  Patton was smiling, a real, happy and bright smile this time, while his ex stood next to him clutching his nose which appeared to be bleeding.  Patton turned to a tall girl standing next to him looking on in shock as beamed up at her.  He looked terrifying.

“Lucie, I could really do with another drink! Could you please show Michael out? He was just leaving,” Patton’s voice was pure sugar, his smile charming as he patted the girl’s shoulder and then walked through the still silent crowd and into the adjoining kitchen without so much as a glance back at his ex, who was now being bustled towards the door.  The room exploded into noise again as suddenly everyone resumed talking at once, slightly too loudly and reeling from what had just transpired.  Without so much as glancing at one another, Virgil, Roman and Logan quickly made their way to the kitchen where Patton was standing next to the counter apparently downing an entire can of beer in one go.  They approached him slowly, each staring with wide eyes as he finished his drink and threw the empty can into the trash.

“Patton?” Logan started softly, “Do I…… Do I want to know what just happened?” he asked tentatively.  Patton smiled and took Logan’s hand in his own, squeezing it reassuringly.

“Oh it’s nothing, really! Michael was just getting a bit pushy and he didn’t seem to be taking the hint,” Patton smiled again.

“What hint?” Logan asked, acutely aware that his hand was still in Patton’s.

“Well to be honest he was being rather flirtatious and then he tried to kiss me.  So I punched him in the face,” Patton replied matter-of-factly, shrugging one shoulder as he used his free hand to grab another can of beer. Logan felt his jaw fall open

“Wait! You punched him in the face?!” Virgil demanded, eyes a little wild

“Yes,”

“And now he has a nose bleed?”

“Yes,”

“Because he tried to kiss you?”

“Yes! He clearly wasn’t listening to me or reading my body language so that was my only option!” Patton sighed, clearly exasperated.  Virgil grinned wide and suddenly pulled Patton into a tight hug, causing him to drop Logan’s hand (he pretended not to feel disappointed)

“I am so fucking proud of you, Pat!” Virgil mumbled, rubbing his friend’s back as he spoke.

“Language! But thanks, kiddo,” Patton smiled as Virgil released him, and then he grinned up at Roman who was grinning back delightedly. 

The rest of the party passed by without incident and Logan found himself laughing and smiling more than he had in years.  It was nearing 3am by the time everyone left, leaving Roman and Logan as the only guests in Patton and Virgil’s apartment.  Roman and Virgil were talking quietly in the kitchen when Patton came to find Logan leaning against a wall in the living room, observing the aftermath of the party and lost in thought.  He stood before him and smiled happily up at Logan.  He found himself returning the smile fondly. 

“Thank you so much for coming, Lo,” Patton said softly, his cheeks pleasantly flushed from the alcohol he had consumed, making his smattering of freckles all the more noticeable.  Logan blinked a couple of times, gazing into blue eyes, only now that he was really looking he realised they weren’t just blue.  They were sapphire with flecks of golden yellow, and a hint of green and lines so pale they were almost white.  And they were shining with joy.

“Thank you for inviting me,” Logan murmured, offering a small smile.  He was vaguely aware of Patton taking a step closer as he continued to stare into his eyes.

“Virgil told me you had wanted to help when you saw what was happening earlier. That really means a lot to me, thank you so much Logan,” Patton was speaking so softly, and standing so close, Logan could practically feel the warmth radiating from his body.  He was looking up at Logan shyly, smiling tentatively as he edged closer.

“You’re welcome, Patton,” Logan heard himself speak but he wasn’t paying attention.  Patton was so close now he could count each individual freckle under his eyes and across the bridge of his nose.  He could see individual eyelashes and count the yellow flecks in his beautiful eyes.

“I don’t know if you realise this, Lo, but I really, really like you. I’m so glad we met,” Patton was speaking so quietly now, almost a whisper but Logan could hear every word so clearly.  His eyes widened at this admission.

“I really like you too, Patton.  I am most grateful for our friendship,” Patton smiled so brightly at that, and Logan couldn’t help the fond smile that pulled at his own lips being so close to that open and happy expression.  Logan saw Patton’s eyes flick down to his lips, then back up to his eyes as he reached out and placed his hands ever so gently on Logan’s waist. “Patton,” he breathed out, barely audible “May I kiss you?” the question was so soft, so tentative that Logan wasn’t entirely sure he had even asked it, but then Patton was leaning impossibly closer, smiling impossibly brighter and he knew the answer before it came.

“I thought you’d never ask,” and with that he was leaning down, tilting his head slightly to connect their lips for the first time.  He felt Patton’s breath hitch as he captured his lower lip between his own in a smooth glide.  Patton’s hands tightened on his hips as he found his own hands moving to cradle Patton’s face, one hand brushing through soft, sweet smelling hair, the other gently brushing his cheek and settling on the back of his neck to pull him even closer, pressing their chests together.  He felt more than heard the tiny gasp that escaped Patton as he cautiously, teasingly swiped his tongue across the seam of Patton’s lips, silently asking for access, and suddenly their kiss went from sweet to searing hot in an instant.  Suddenly it was Patton’s tongue in his mouth, gliding and tasting and teasing, it was Patton’s hands sliding around his back to pull him closer, it was their quickening breaths shared between their kisses, it was Logan’s fingers tightening in Patton’s hair, it was hearts pounding with exhilaration and the whole world zeroing down to nothing but the sensation of one another.  Without meaning to, Logan released a small moan as Patton gently nipped his lower lip and then slowly pulled back to beam up at him, his breathing slightly laboured. Logan let out the tiniest laugh as he pressed their foreheads together unable to keep himself from smiling. This definitely requires further experimentation he thought to himself as he leaned down to connect their lips once more.

As the two stood lost to the world in their first kiss they were completely unaware of Virgil leaning against the door frame to the kitchen, watching the display with a small smile on his face.  Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Roman grinning at him.

“Do I want to know what just happened?” he asked wryly. Virgil smirked and shrugged his shoulder.

“I think their whole mutual pining thing just ended.  Come on, sir sing a lot, let’s give them some privacy,” as Roman and Virgil retreated back into the kitchen, Patton pulled back once more and began giggling uncontrollably as Logan pressed kiss after kiss to his cheeks, his nose, his forehead.  Logan couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so content and he had a feeling this next year was going to be an extremely good one.

@iampureprincxietytrash

[weeaboo-horror-stories]

I am bisexual.

When I was in the 4th grade, at age 11, I met this really cute girl. She was about, what, 4'6 ft tall? She was actually my classmate, but I was always socially awkward. It's a long story, but we eventually became friends. She was REALLY smart and hardworking (in our school, if you're an honor student, you're REAALLY smart.) while i was lazy and average. Of course, back then we were still children. (Btw let's refer to her as "Maki" instead) We both loved anime, and we were total weebs. At that time, I was obsessed with Hetalia. I influenced her to watch it, she was a shugo chara fan. Anddd so she also got addicted.

Anyway, I was pretty fond of drawing, and people saluted me for my skills. Maki worshipped me like a God no im sERIOUS and called me "sensei", because i gave her lots of tips. She overestimated me too much. To the point where she neglected her studies just to talk to me. Although, I myself did not notice that. She always told me that she never had a true friend, and I was her first friend. She always told me that she loved me, and that we will forever be friends until we die. 

Her mother started to notice the big drop of our grades, and blamed me for it. She also started talking back to her, although Maki said that she did that back before we were friends.

Fifth and sixth grade came by, (i am from asia, 6th grade is our last year in gradeschool, but we still remain at the same school.) and her mother's anger at me grew, for Maki's behavior became "worse", as Maki explained. She forbid her to see me, and I was hurt. But she still constantly followed me, we were inseparable. 

Her mother even asked for a transfer of section in 6th grade, just for her to get away from me. But that didn't work either.

I didn't understand, she still remained an honor student, so what's wrong? I was hurt.

So one day, I confronted her. I wasn't rude, if that's what you're thinking. But she screamed at me and demanded at me to leave her daughter alone right in front of the school's catholic church. She called me a demon. Everyone in the school was looking at her with shame, and looking at me with pity. I shaked the tears off, I didn't want her to see me cry. I left afterwards in tears, it wouldn't stop. The only thing that cheered me up was a friend that went with me in the car (because no driver). She was my childhood friend (first friend too. We've been friends for almost 12 years) let's refer to her as Aka.

I never realized I was bisexual until freshman year came. But that's where the real thing comes.

At that time, the school year was ending, and I told her that maybe we should be apart

I had two reasons for saying that.

One, is because I didn't want her to get hurt anymore. Her mother abuses her. It just hurts me to see her hurt, and yet still smile. 

Two, is because I felt odd. I think about her everytime, I go nuts when I don't get to talk to her for a day. I felt so crazy that I didn't know what it was. I had a crush on a boy back then at 4th grade, but the feeling was different somehow. I was so confused. 

When I told her to break it for the 3rd time, we did. But afterwards, we came by again. She told me that she was so sad. I didn't know what to feel, so I smiled at it. It was March. 

My weeaboo phase ended at that month.

I started to watch different things like the vampire diaries...etc.

Afterwards, I have come to the thought that I had feelings for her, so I told her that we should be acquaintances starting our first year of highschool.

When we found out the people we will be classmates with, I told her to be friends with a certain person (lets call her Eli?)

And so she did.

But, I realized how jealous I was after nearly a month.

She made a bunch of friends, while I...made nothing. But that's not why I was jealous

I was jealous because I wasn't with her everyday like we used to, it's not the same anymore. I felt ignored. So I sent her a message. And she answered with

"Heya~ Recieved ur text but ddnt recive load, im NOT trying to ignore you though, i thought we were aquaintances and yes i knew u helped me a lot and i appreciate u for that but you dnt hav d right to tell me whether to make friends or not, because we have our own lives n i do wat i want when i wanna do it n i wanna make friends so what? I actually did make lots this first few weeks of school already. Plus i dont think we can relate to each other anymore.. I love hetalia & anime still but u've gone out of d fandom n went to TVD n PLL, im not really interested in that though,sorry.I still belive dat anime could be real while u think their jst living in ur comp screen. Im not trying to judge ur opinions because i respect ur opinions owo scouting is actually fun though, its not boring nor tiering at all, its pretty fun >w< i luv it. Believe it or not i still miss you but i dont think we can relate. I hav 2 study everyday n night, my grades matter to me, so please dnt say im trying to ignore u by not going to fb, i jst hav 2 study thats y. I cant be on here all the time n i barely hav time to get on here because im trying to make up for my failing ones.. n my phone dsnt lyk recieving load idk y. btw i sti believe my friends wnt leave me and yeah thats all i gotta say bye see u :)"

I felt offended..somehow

So I confronted her, told her that I wanted us to be friends again. But she didn't want to, for she already got a new set of friends. And of course, I wanted to cry. But I didn't want to show it. 

I wanted to shout. 

There was another message, it was her apologizing for offending me. Of course, I didn't see that message. But I confronted her the day before, I think she was offended. No...she IS offended. I felt baddd 

I don't want to reveal anything else, but I sent her a total of 20+ apology messages through deviantart and facebook from July to March of 2014. 

I was seenzoned, and there was so reply.

I cried every night.

I felt so obsessed, stalking her through every site.

I was friends with Eli, and I asked her about what Maki thinks of me. She said that Maki didn't want to talk about it, but she disliked me. Ouch. 

Although, Eli DID say that Maki had an older brother and an older sister who was married, but I knew those were big lies. She only had one sister, which was younger than her. I can't believe she lied, she wasnt the type of person to lie.

At January of 2014, I met a guy from the higher batch (can we call him vans). He made me realize that I was bisexual, that I loved Maki.

So, at April of 2014, I sent her my last message. I even confessed to her that I had a crush on her.

But at October (or so) I sent her another message through deviantart, admitting all faults.

I didn't expect her to reply, but when I checked my deviantart page again, she replied.

I'm too lazy to look up what she said, but she said that she forgave me, asked me how I was, and all. But she sent another message that said that we couldnt be together again, but we are good now.

I was so happy that I cried, screamed, and burried myself in the pillow. Literally. 

Until now, at sophomore year, I still see her. We're still not classmates, and our classrooms are far from each other, but each time I see her..my heart still tends to ache.

We are from different clubs (she is from the english club, while I am from the art club. If the art club wasn't so full, I think we would've been clubmates.)

Next school year, I have a horrible feeling that we will be classmates, due to the fact that I am pretty sure we took the art course. Our school will sort us by course next year, and I'm not sure what I will do if I were to be her classmate once more. Will I breakdown and cry in front of her? Or smile at her, and fall for her all over again? It's not fair. I still want to see her. 

I hope her mother will accept me one day, and I will be able to be close to her once again. I am okay with being "just friends", I just don't want to be apart from her. I hope she understands. 

Maki, if you're reading this, thank you. Thank you for letting me experience being loved, feeling loved. I'm sorry for being such a horrible person back then. Thank you so much.

[rennyforpresident]

Renny’s BBSim: First Boots Week 8

Welcome back to Biiiiiiiiig Brother!

@ashleaevans @bathroom-sand @kaysarswhore @kayysarridha @kelleekim @lahallucinations @maxdoesbb @misshoh @music-obsessednerd @nerdphobic @nomwastaken @pawn2393 @phylisisley @remember-caltoru @rennyforpresident @shaolinbynature

Previously, the Double Eviction claimed both @remember-caltoru and @nomwastaken as its victims. With only 8 people left in the game, allies have to start turning on each other. Who will take the first shot?

After the double, alliances have DWINDLED

The Fearsome Four became the Fearsome Two last night, and the Block Destroyers lost their first number. But these alliances are only half the house; @kelleekim, @shaolinbynature, @phylisisley, and @ashleaevans still have a shot against the alliance!

The dreaded chicken wire competition! A few people fall out of things early, and just can’t keep up

@phylisisley in the DR: “I am LIVID that I can’t just win a fuckin comp! We’re at final 8! I mean, how do I keep losing??”

These three all have a good grip on this comp. Each of them are at 10 eggs each, when disaster strikes for one

@misshoh: “NOOOOOOOO, my egg!!”

@misshoh dropped her eleventh egg, essentially taking her out of the comp.

No matter what happens, someone will be HOH for the THIRD time (can someone else win a comp I’m tired of congratulating these two). Will @kaysarswhore win it for the Block Destroyers, or will @shaolinbynature win it for the Leftovers?

By an insanely close margin...

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@shaolinbynature! You have won your THIRD HOH of the summer, securing your safety and earning the right to nominate two of your fellow houseguests for eviction!

Feeling defeated, the Block Destroyers all hug each other solemnly. On the other side of the yard, @ashleaevans happily hands the key to the HOH room to @shaolinbynature

@shaolinbynature in the DR: “This week, my one and only goal is to finally take OUT @kaysarswhore! She’s snuck by for TOO LONG, and I can’t have her making it any further.”

Late at night, the day before the nomination ceremony, @pawn2393, @ashleaevans, and @shaolinbynature are all in the HOH room.

@pawn2393: “Don’t tell anyone I told you this, but @kaysarswhore and @nerdphobic are the final 2 we have to worry about. I’m willing to work with you all because @kaysarswhore just doesn’t have my back. I’m on the bottom over there”

@ashleaevans: “I personally feel like we can trust you, so I’m happy to work with you.”

@shaolinbynature: “I feel like I’m getting some weird readings right now... are @ashleaevans and @pawn2393 working together? I mean, it’s great to get intel on the other side, but can I trust him?”

At the nomination ceremony, @shaolinbynature stands up to make her decision

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@shaolinbynature: “I have decided to nominate you @kaysarswhore and you @nerdphobic. @kaysarswhore, you shouldn’t be surprised at this point. You’re the biggest threat in here, and @nerdphobic, you’re just guilty by association. I would wish you luck in the veto, but I really hope you don’t win so we can send you out the door. This ceremony is adjourned.”

@kaysarswhore in the DR: “I am so tired of being vilified by these people. I have been nothing but good to these people, and I’ve gotten nothing but targeted in return.”

*at this point, shady editing shows all the shady things @kaysarswhore has done throughout the season to prove that she has not, in fact, been nothing but good*

@nerdphobic in the DR: “I am just hoping that the veto doesn’t get used by anyone but me. I’m staying here no matter what, and my best shot at staying is against @kaysarswhore. I love you girl, but I will cut you if it means I win half a million.”

It looks like the veto drawings are not in the Block Destroyers’ favor. @shaolinbynature draws @pawn2393, and says later in the DR, “This is his chance to prove which side he wants to be on.” @kaysarswhore and @nerdphobic both pick people from the other side of the house, and know that when push comes to shove, they’re the only ones they can rely on.

In this elimination style competition, two people will go head to head to beat each other’s scores. By random draw, @kelleekim is up first! He challenges @kaysarswhore, and with a score of 7 to 5

@nerdphobic is up next, and chooses to take on @shaolinbynature. Both do a good job, but with a score of 8 to 7, 

Next up to choose is @pawn2393. Here is the moment of truth. Who will he pick to go up against, and which side of the house will @pawn2393 choose to work with moving forward.

@pawn2393: “I choose, uh, I choose...”

@pawn2393: “I choose to go up against @kaysarswhore.”

Live footage of @kaysarswhore and @nerdphobic‘s reaction

The two face off, but after an intense round, @pawn2393 just can’t beat her

Unfortunately for @kaysarswhore, she’s the next person to choose and doesn’t get a break. She picks @shaolinbynature, and with a score of 9-7

That means it’s down to the showmance, @phylisisley and @shaolinbynature. As soon as she’s eliminated, @kaysarswhore goes over to the losers bench and sits in angry silence until the end of the comp.

The last round is just the two remaining houseguests having fun, not caring who wins. But in a surprise twist, the person walking away with the veto is...

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@phylisisley! Congratulations, you have won the Power of Veto!

The Leftovers celebrate, and the Block Destroyers (minus @pawn2393) are looking crestfallen, to say the least.

But @kaysarswhore isn’t going down without a fight. That much is for damn sure. The next night, @kaysarswhore gathers both @phylisisley and @shaolinbynature in the HOH room to make her pitch.

@kaysarswhore: “Listen. This game? Finished. I’m willing to spill the details of everyone’s games right here right now. @pawn2393 and @ashleaevans have a little flirtmance thing going on that they’re never going to break. They think they’re slick and that no one knows, but I figured it out a long time ago. @misshoh and @kelleekim have a secret deal that I overheard them talk about a few weeks ago. They’ve both been throwing comp after comp because they’ve never been nominated and never even been targeted. The only person in this house who hasn’t been sneaky and underhanded is @nerdphobic, and yeah, he’s loyal to me, and I’m loyal to him, but I promise you, if you flip this script and keep me here, you’ll have the numbers for sure going forward. The four of us, will definitely take on @kelleekim, @ashleaevans, @pawn2393, and @misshoh. They don’t have a shot in hell at winning a comp.”

Stunned, it takes a second for anyone to respond.

@shaolinbynature: “And what guarantee do we have from you that you’ll be true to your word? You’ve burned us both before, how can we trust you now?”

@kaysarswhore: “I can’t give you anything other than my word. But it’d be stupid of me to lie to your faces like this when we’re already in jury.”

The conversation continues for another hour, and @kaysarswhore gives their heated and passionate campaign. The next day, @shaolinbynature confronts @ashleaevans about his secret relationship with @pawn2393.

@ashleaevans: “What?!?! No! Do you think @pawn2393 is stupid enough to jeopardize his alliance weeks ago? Do you think I’m stupid enough to jeopardize my position in the house?

His response was defensive, but really convincing. It made way more sense than @kaysarswhore‘s argument.

The time for the veto ceremony has come. @phylisisley stands and delivers her speech.

@phylisisley: “Hey folks. I just want to say that I am very very happy to have finally won my first competition, and it has been very, um, enlightening to see what people will tell you when you have power. People’s true sides have come out, and I think it’s time for us to stop playing pretend and start playing Big Brother. That being said, I have decided...

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Live footage of me seeing the sim tell me this happened and wondering how the FUCK I’m supposed to justify that

@shaolinbynature: “Since one of my nominees were vetoed, I must now name a replacement nominee. It has come to my attention that some of us haven’t been playing as hard as others. I don’t want someone like that to win this game, so unfortunately...

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@misshoh in the DR: “I can’t fucking believe it. What the fuck did @kaysarswhore tell them to convince them to use the veto on her? I thought I had this game in the bag, and now here I am on the block. *breaks down and cries*”

With noms locked, the house is left to their own devices for the rest of the week.

Feeling dejected that his final 2 with @misshoh is exposed and his ally is probably going home this week, @kelleekim chooses to spend lots of time with her before Thursday

@misshoh: “If I go this week, I’m rooting for you. All the way. That jury is all gonna be voting for you to win because I’m gonna tell them to.”

The two of them lament their friendship, and resolve to get to work on getting the votes for @misshoh to stay.

In other news, @phylisisley is having a tough time figuring out how to cope with the game-changing decision she made.

@phylisisley spends the night in the HOH room being consoled by @shaolinbynature.

@shaolinbynature: “We did what we had to do. We’re playing this game. If she betrays us, we know she lost this game, she’s not getting a single jury vote for being such a fake.”

@phylisisley: “But we had people depending on us! I just feel bad.”

The two comfort each other for a few hours, and when they next wake up, it’s

EVICTION DAY

Julie Arisa: “Hey houseguests! It’s me Arisa!”

The houseguests all look extremely confused, because the woman before them is definitely Julie Chen. 

Julie Arisa: “Why do you all look so concerned? It’s just me!”

Then, the real Arisa runs on stage looking extremely disheveled and yells, “Take her down boys!”

Julie is once again dragged offstage screaming, “I’ll get you Arisa, I’ll get you and BB will be MINE again! Grodner is on her way and she won’t put up with this!”

Arisa: “Well houseguests, I’ve been through a lot today, so let’s do this eviction thing. Get to it folks.”

@misshoh: “Just to let you all know, if you go to the end with @kaysarswhore, you’re a fool. I’m done with her, and I’ll never protect her in this game again. @shaolinbynature and @phylisisley, both of you got played this week. If I am on jury, neither of you will get my vote. That’s all!”

@nerdphobic: “All I can say is that I hope you keep me here! Peace and love to you all!”

Arisa: “Thanks for keeping it short folks! Now let’s voteeeeeeee”

@phylisisley votes out @misshoh. This blindside would be meaningless otherwise.

@kelleekim votes out @nerdphobic. He knows that @nerdphobic will go wherever @kaysarswhore does, so taking him out is his best bet.

@ashleaevans votes the same way for the same reason. The house has to pick a side, and this is the side he has to pick.

Now this one is a surprise! @pawn2393 goes into the DR and says, “I’ve learned this week to trust in the Block Destroyers. It looks like you haven’t learned that yet.”

The vote is tied. Two votes for @misshoh and two votes for @nerdphobic. Who will @kaysarswhore​ vote out? Will she honor her deal with @shaolinbynature​ and @phylisisley​? Or will she defect back to the Block Destroyers?

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@kaysarswhore​ votes out @nerdphobic​ in a SHOCKING twist. 

@kaysarswhore​: “The Block Destroyers are done. This is an individual game, and my plan is to cause as much chaos as possible. Sorry, but this is my best bet at making it further.”

Arisa: “When I reveal the name of the evicted houseguest, they will have one minute to gather their belongings, and exit the Big Brother house.”

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Arisa: “Come on out, @nerdphobic​!”

Arisa: “What happened?? How did you end up going home this week?”

@nerdphobic​: “I blame @pawn2393​ 100%! @kaysarswhore​ told me how tight he was with @ashleaevans​, and he’s the only one I can imagine flipping on the Block Destroyers like that. If he makes it to the end, he’s finished.”

Arisa: “It sounds like there’s some hard feelings! Do you think people are gonna start playing harder than ever now?”

@nerdphobic​: “I can’t imagine things NOT heating up after this. I have no idea who’s going next, I just hope that it’s someone I don’t like leaving soon! *audience laughter*”

Arisa: “Thank you so much for playing, and we’ll see you soon on finale night where you will help crown a winner.

Only four more weeks until finale night! Who’s the next one out? For now, from outside the Big Brother house, I’m Arisa Cox, and remember, someone is aaaaaaaaalways watching!”

Okay writing this episode was IMPOSSIBLE I literally had no idea what the fuck y’all were doing but I LIVED! Sorry to @nerdphobic​ but we still stan!!

[nerdy-flower]

@sinunamor here it is! This is part 1 of a 3-part headcanon I’ve had for a while, I really hope you like it! Sorry it took forever ;^;

Hugo knows change has come to roost when Ernest's dinnertime debriefs turn from reluctant, barely-there details to soap-opera recaps with all the accompanying comedy and tragedy.

“-and I didn't even know this, but Mackenzie told me later, that they were dating before he even dumped Emily, which is like- come <i>on,</i> dude. Did you look at all your options and pick the douchiest possible one?”

“That is very selfish,” Hugo says, frowning around a mouthful of chicken. “I always thought Pat was a nice young man.”

“So did I!” Ernest snorts, stabbing at his rice and sending some spilling over the side. “He's literally the only reason I've been hanging out with the theatre kids. The rest of them are so-”

Damien cuts in as Ernest briefly flails, searching for a word. “Dramatic?”

“Weak,” Ernest pulls a face, seemingly physically pained by the quality of the dad-joke, while Damien appears rather pleased with himself, chuckling into his hand. “Anyway, so Mackenzie said that Pat told her he was just going to keep it on the downlow, basically, until summer because Emily's moving, right? It won't be as awkward then. Except I guess they kind of forgot that their Insta accounts aren't private? So now everyone knows, and Emily has to stage manage her ex-boyfriend while he has a romantic subplot with her former rugby teammate. Because that's not going to go terribly at all.”

“Good heavens,” Damien replies after a moment, dabbing his lips with a cloth napkin. “I don't recall any tales so tangled from my youth, but then, perhaps I've repressed all that nonsense.”

“Didn't they get voted 'cutest couple' in the yearbook?” Hugo cringes as Ernest enthusiastically nods, kindly not answering with his mouth full. “Oh god, and that just went to the printers- No wonder Ms. Lee had aspirin with her lunch today.”

“Yeah, it's all like ten levels of stupid,” Ernest grumbles, not even distracted by Duchess' damp nose nudging at his lap. “I swear, I'm gonna have like no friends by graduation because I can't deal with everybody acting like they've found their soulmate and then dumping them in two weeks. No one our age is gonna get married until our thirties, anyway, shit's expensive.”

“Language,” Hugo chimes in, met with the usual roll of the eyes and offended huff.

“One's youth can be rather fraught and strained,” Damien adds with a knowing grimace, their cutlery clinking audibly against their plates in the quiet coziness of Hugo's dining room. “But you'll find people who don't engage with those sorts of theatrics. And besides, those who do will soon grow out of it.”

“Yeah right, I've heard that one before,” Ernest scoffs, returning to his food. He's quiet for the rest of the meal, and their walk through the park at dusk, Duchess and her boy running ahead. Damien's fingers find Hugo's after sending a quick check-in text to Lucien, and he feels a tentative kind of bliss run through him in the warmth of the setting sun.

***

Hugo's deep-down, etched-on-his-bones love for his job keeps him motivated through all the obnoxious students, righteously indignant parents, and illogical funding cuts, but he does keep a small, hate-fuelled torch burning for outdoor supervision. It's especially hard not to envision his student loan payments going up in smoke while breaking up fights, confiscating cigarettes, or discovering another hopelessly unoriginal piece of lewd graffiti.

Today has been blissfully quiet, if blanketed by damp warmth. He wipes sweat from his brow as he continues his circle around the middle school building. A new fast food joint had recently opened down the street and the promise of buy-one-get-one fries had draw most of the troublemakers away. With the bell approaching, he turns to head in and spots a familiar orange hoodie near the emergency exit ramp behind the library and sighs. No one is ever up to anything good behind the library.

He's still a good thirty feet away, obscured by the parked rustbucket cars in the student lot when he glimpses a shock of pink hair attached to one of his Comp Lit students from Ernest's grade. Tahereh is her name and she's giggling, along with his son, and leaning in awfully close- Nope.

Nope, nope, nope. He turns on his heel and walks away as quickly and quietly as he can. His son deserves privacy, and he had mentioned being paired on a geography project with that girl-

Hugo blows out a sigh, purposefully forgetting the follies of his own adolescence before he gets himself worked up over nothing.

***

A lengthy text conversation with Nick is an unusual relief. He would have preferred to do it by phone, but the man is in England of all places on a work trip. Besides, it's a little more private should Ernest come strolling in.

HV: You're sure you're okay with me taking the helm on this one?

NH: Oh yeah, I'm not worried. You're better at this kinda stuff than I am.

NH: I'll be home in a couple days so I can run recon if things go south lol

Hugo does manage to chuckle at that. Nick instructs him to break a leg and says he's turning in but to text if need be. A lengthy message pops in from Damien, having been Hugo's confidante the previous day, reminding him that his own similar chat with Lucien a few years prior was awkward at the time, but went a long way in maintaining good communication. As well as reassurance that Hugo is a wonderful father with no reason to doubt himself, and this is another prime example of it.

The usual expressions of affection at the close never fail to make Hugo smile. He types a slightly longer than necessary reply and pushes his glasses up. With a silent pep talk, he heads upstairs. It's not like he's going in blind. They've had plenty of very open talks since Ernest was small. About bodies and boundaries and babies. This topic isn't inherently uncomfortable, it's on him to shake that mindset.

Ernest's room is in its usual disarray, but he beckons him in quickly and takes his earbuds out. Flat on his back with his tablet held overhead. As good a start as any.

He assumes the best non-threatening parental figure pose, sitting on the edge of the bed with his elbows on his knees. Ernest is way too clever to fall for the small-talk nonsense so he skips to the point. “I hope you're not upset by this, but I saw you and Tahereh behind the school last-”

“What the hell?” Ernest bites back, anger narrowing his eyes as he drops his tablet and sits up fully. “You're spying on me now?”

“Of course not!” Hugo answers, quick and even with hands held up. “I was on yard duty, I turned right around. The only reason I'm bringing it up is-”

“She's not my girlfriend,” Ernest spits back, blushing and running hot. He draws his knees up and hugs them, a habit leftover from his toddling years. “We just kissed because we're cool like that. It was whatever. Don't make a big deal out of it.”

“I'm not, I promise,” Hugo says, confused and not entirely convinced but trying not to let on. “But say you did find someone you liked and wanted to start dating them, your Pop and I wouldn't be opposed at all. I only wanted to check in with you about er, safety and-”

“Oh my god,” Ernest covers his face, dragging the last word out into a strangled note of exasperation. “I've had sex ed like five times already, I don't need this. Please just shut up.”

Hugo decides admonishing him via their no 'shut up' rule would only make things worse. “I know you have all the basics covered. I just need you to know that you can always come to me or Pop for anything, okay? Don't ever feel embarrassed.” He reaches into his shirt pocket, takes a deep breath, and removes the small cardboard container, pushing it across the comforter towards his son. “And if you need these at any point, don't-”

“Oh my god, no,” Ernest's scowl deepens, the blush creeping down his neck as he explodes in frustration. “No, no, <i>no</i>! I'm never gonna need those, so just get the hell out of here!”

Hugo feels the wrinkles crease on his face as he struggles to say the right thing. Had the divorce put him off the idea of relationships entirely? God, he's too young to be thinking that way, isn't he? “I just want you to have these in case, you know, you meet someone and you want-”

“I don't 'want,' I never have and I'm never going to!” Ernest throws his hands up, eyes still flashing. “I'm a fucking freak, are you happy now? Get <i>out!</i>”

Hugo does not, merely stills as Ernest mashes his face into his knees, actually vibrating from anger, sadness, or both. It nearly does him in, there's nothing that hurts him more than seeing his son in pain. Thankfully, he had said just enough for the puzzle pieces to snap together in Hugo's head.

When the boy's breathing evens out, Hugo dares to inch closer, the mattress sagging with his weight. “Ernest, you're not a freak. There's lots of asexual people in the world and-”

“Name one.” The snappish tone is muffled by denim and knobby knees.

“Well, I mean, I don't know any personally,” Hugo says, rubbing the back of his neck. “But they do exist, they're not unicorns.”

“Unicorns don't exist? This entire day sucks.” They both laugh hesitantly at that, a sigh resounding from under the orange hoodie. “Mrs. Finn said in health that people who say they're asexual are just dealing with like, trauma or whatever. We're all driven to make more people, so it makes no sense scientifically.”

Hugo silently counts to three in his head. “Have you ever been hurt?”

That finally picks his head up, glaring at his father again. “No!”

“Then clearly that's not true. Ca- Mrs. Finn is sadly misinformed.” And would be told as much, without directly mentioning Ernest. Seniority be damned, he was going to have words with the Board that's what it takes. He manages a small smile for Ernest. “If sex is only about reproduction, how do you account for gay people?”

“Gay people can still like- do what's necessary to make a kid.” Ernest waves a hand towards himself. “C'est voila, or whatever.”

Hugo snort-laughs at that, he does admire his son's wit even in serious moments. “Well, so can ace people. There's lots of ways to make a family.” Ernest merely grumbles in reply and looks away. “And- I know it really doesn't seem that way sometimes, but there's a lot more to relationships than the physical bits. They're important to some people, but not everyone, and not in the same way.”

Ernest stays resolutely silent, staring at a fraying movie poster on the wall. “You will find someone who loves you, mijo. It might take time, but you'll find them.”

“Yeah, when I'm finally old enough to join Virgin4Virgin dot net.” Ernest only slightly resists his dad's chastising ruffle of his hair, glancing down at the box of condoms with moderate disgust. “Can you throw those out and we pretend this never happened?”

“I'll put them in the bathroom cupboard. I'm not saying you will, but if you ever did want to be with someone that way-” Hugo tucks the box in his pocket as Ernest's pained groan cuts him off. “Listen, this could have been much worse. Before I went to my first party, your Abuela made me sit at the dining room table and wouldn't let me leave until I correctly put a condom on a banana.”

“You're lying,” Ernest replies blankly, only for his eyes to bug out at Hugo's unfailing stare. “You're serious? Oh my god, that's- I can't believe Abuela is capable of such savagery.”

“You don't know the half of it,” Hugo chuckles darkly, then carefully touches Ernest's shoulder. “Hey, I'm really glad you told me. I won't tell Pop, that's your conversation to have with him.”

“Thanks,” Ernest glances down, frowning and fidgeting in place. “Can I like, go now? I promised Carmensita I'd help her set up for open mic night.”

Hugo smiles stiffly, moving out of his son's way. “Yeah, you can go now. Text me when you're there, alright?”

Ernest makes a non-committal noise and hurries down the stairs, drawing the attention of Duchess. Hugo shuts the bedroom door behind him with a small sigh.

***

Carmensita's dad comes with the most fringe benefits by far. Not only are they allowed 'backstage' provided they help out and don't cause trouble (Ernest never has, something about how calm Mat is kinda intimidates him to be honest, it's the ones with the longest fuses that you have to watch out for), they get to enjoy the whole show for free and eat/drink anything leftover at the end of the night. Even if some of the acts are a little weird, it's still way cooler than sitting around watching TV.

“Hugo knows he's picking you up, right?” Lucien asks over the roof of his secondhand car, keys in his hand. “I've got plans after.”

Ernest grins wide. “Man, don't ask him out if you can't even say his name right.”

Lucien somewhat-gently shoves him as they cross the small parking lot. “Hey, have you ever heard about shut the hell up?”

He disappears into the crowd and Ernest soon finds Carmensita. He's been spending way more time with her lately. Girls aren't gross about sex like all his guy friends are now, making “that's what she said” jokes literally every five seconds. She's also one of the last vestiges of sanity in his grade, as off-put by the constant dating drama as he is. They sit in the back kitchen, chatting with the younger, more anxious performers and talking about 'Hamilton' between sets.

“I'm pretty sure I'm gonna listen to the cast album once a week for the rest of my life,” she says, cheek full of Right Said Banana Bread, or whatever it's called this week. “And I'm totally okay with that.”

“Oh, once a week minimum,” Ernest nods eagerly, leaning out to watch some college kid plunk away on an acoustic guitar. Bo-ring. “I would straight up sell my soul to write that good. Like, find me one lyric that doesn't land. One, I dare you.”

“It doesn't exist,” she concurs, picking a crumb out of her front braces. “Oh! You'll never guess who's finally putting out a new album!”

“Who?”

And on and on it goes. Even though the linoleum hurts his butt, chilling with Carmensita is his favourite part of the week. No fighting, no bullshit, just goofs and talking about whatever. She's basically the funniest person he knows, doing an impression of Damien that has him choking on his own spit. It makes him forget everything else. Well, almost.

Once everyone files out, they pick up their brooms and try to clean up quickly while Mat counts the money. He heads into the back to put a bank bag together and leaves them jamming to the music still playing over the speakers.

Ernest stops polishing the counter to the beat, his curiosity getting the best of him. “Hey, 'Sita?”

Carmensita glances up, still doing something between the mashed potato and the tootsie roll while sweeping, not in the least caring about the backlit glass storefront behind her. He wishes he were that cool. “Yeah?”

“Do you think asexuality's like, a thing?”

“Oh yeah, sure,” Carmensita replies, knocking a couple muffin wrappers from beneath a table like she's going for the slapshot. “Why?”

“Eh, no reason.” Ernest shrugs and keep polishing. “Just seems kinda weird to me, is all?”

“Not really though,” Carmensita pushes her pink glasses back up, tucking the broom under her arm to gesture. “It's like that thing in that Bruce Willis superhero movie. If there's someone at one end of the spectrum, there's gotta be someone else at the other end, plus all the people in the middle, right?”

Ernest makes a considering noise, pitching his scrubber into the sink. “Yeah, you're right.”

Mat returns and they lock up, Hugo's car humming in the empty street. Ernest fist-bumps Carmensita as she heads off with her dad. “We're still on for the fair next Saturday right? I'm retaking my skee ball title this year!”

“In your dreams,” she sticks her tongue out and waves to him. “Don't get grounded, okay?”

“I won't!” Ernest grins, turning and shuffling towards the hopefully not-awkward, air-conditioned comfort of his dad's car.

[wordshakerofgallifrey]

“You’re not my type in the slightest, yet here I am, head over heels and I don’t understand it!”

*Sorting Hat voice* hmm… no pairing, interesting, very interesting… well the user seems to have a one-track mind, so… better be…. SPRACE.

just kidding :D

Jack and Kath featuring punk!Jack (with a cut because, as promised, it’s long)

Katherine didn’t know about the boy in her College Algebra class. The first few weeks of the semester, she warily avoided him, with his leather jacket, clunky black boots, and shock of purple hair styled in a mohawk.

She never tried to judge too harshly based on looks alone, but add all that to the permanent scowl that seemed to be on his face, and he seemed… dangerous.

So he sat in his corner, and she sat in her perfect not-quite-center-two-rows-from-the-front-seat.

That is, until one day, nearly two months into the semester, someone else was sitting in her perfect not-quite-center-two-rows-from-the-front-seat, and Katherine had to move to the back.

“Really,” she muttered, slamming her bag in a chair. “It’s halfway through the semester, you can’t just take my chair like that—”

“Well, good mornin’ ta you too, Red,” a thickly accented said on her right. “Ya in my seat.”

Katherine whirled around, banging her knee on the bottom of the table to see… shit, she never learned his name, did she? “I–what?”

“Ya sittin’ in m’seat.” he shrugged. “S’okay, I’ll sit next ta ya. Kid in front likes ta snore anyways, an’ no one sits next t’me.”

She stared at him as he sat in the empty space next to her. She thought about responding, knew she could at least thank him for letting her bum his seat when she’d just been complaining about the same thing.

But their professor entered the room then, calling for attention—even though he still had to turn on his computer and actually get his stuff ready for class, which would take another five minutes—and pass around the attendance sheet, so she didn’t say anything.

But Katherine did pay attention as the boy next to her scribbled his name  with his left hand before passing it on to her, and she looked carefully over the list of names.

Jack Kelly.

***

It’d been another two weeks and Katherine still didn’t know about the boy—Jack Kelly—in her College Algebra class. After that first class she sat next to him, she… just kept sitting there.

Well, in the empty seat next to his, she wasn’t a seat-stealer like some people.

Sitting next to Jack Kelly was interesting. For all his tough looks and scowls and air of uncaring, Jack was…

A complete, total dork.

The second class she sat next to him, he spent the entire class doodling in his notebook. Katherine couldn’t make out what exactly he was drawing, but she thought she caught a glimpse of a cartoonish cat in the corner of his page.

The third class, he didn’t even pretend to listen to their professor, instead he watched Vine compilation after Vine compilation, doing his best not to crack up at “Uh, yeah, I sure hope it does.”

After their fourth class, she saw him walking through the quad, with another boy on his back, laughing at something he’d said.

By the fifth class, she actually talked to him.

“Aren’t you worried about not passing?” she asked him as he sat next to her.

“What? College Algebra?” Jack scoffed. “Pul’tzer, ‘m an art major. ‘Sides, I gotta couple’a buddies who’re act’ally good at this shit, they help me.”

Katherine furrowed her brow. “How—wait, you know my name?” He’d never referred to her as anything but Red since that first day.

He snorted, raking a hand through his fading purple hair. “Ya the dean’s daughter, ‘course I know who ya are.”

She flushed. Her father was the dean, famous for cutting arts funding. Of course Jack would know him.

Ignoring him in favor digging through her backpack for her pencil bag—Journalism major or no, she didn’t want to fail College Algebra—Katherine hid her surely-red face from him as he stuck an earbud in one studded ear and…

Where was her pencil bag?

“Shit,” she whispered, suddenly remembering exactly where it was.

Sitting on her stack of textbooks.

On her desk.

In her dorm.

“Shit.” Katherine dropped her head on her notebook. A moment later, something tapped her shoulder and she twisted her neck to see Jack holding out a pencil to her.

He shrugged as she stared at him. “Ain’t usin’ it anyways.”

“… Thanks, Jack.”

Winking at her, he turned back to his phone pull up Netflix. “Sure thing, Red.”

***

The seventh class, he wasn’t in attendance, and Katherine certainly did not spend the entire class, glancing over at his chair, to see what he was watching that day.

Nope.

Not her.

***

Eighth class, she missed in favor of lying face down on her bed with a heating pad over her stomach, trying to alleviate her cramps, definitely not wondering if he was checking her seat like she had the week before.

***

Ninth class was cancelled because their professor was sick, and Katherine spent the class time in the library, trying to stay on top of her reading for her Comp class, not thinking about—

“‘Ay, Red.” 

Speak of the devil…

“Jack!” she said, surprised to see him. “Uh—hi!”

He slung his backpack off his shoulder, rifling through it a moment before pulling out a notebook. “Ya weren’t there last class, so I took notes f’r ya.”

Stunned, Katherine took a moment before replying. “You…?”

“Well, I tried,” Jack shrugged. “Then I showed it ta m’roomate—Crutchie—an’ Race—they’re the one’s good at math—an’ Racer said, ‘Kelly, these’re fuckin’ pitiful’ an’ then he an’ Crutchie fixed ‘em f’r me so ya got the right inf’rmation.”

“Th-Thanks, Jack.” He flipped to the page and slid the notebook towards her, and Katherine couldn’t help but feel touched. In the six classes she’d sat next him, she’d never seen him take a single note in class.

Still she offered. “I can give you my notes from the class you missed—”

Waving a hand, he dropped into the chair across from her. “Nah. Don’t need ‘em.”

“Well… thank you. For the notes,” Katherine clarified. “It won’t take me long, but if you need to go—”

“Nah, I’ll stick ‘round. Don’t got anywhere else to be. ‘Less ya uncomf’table wit’ me here…”

“No!” Katherine hoped she wasn’t blushing as she cut him off way too quickly. “No,” she said, as nonchalantly as she could. “I mean, you’re fine, it’ll take me fifteen, twenty minutes, maybe.”

Smirking at her, Jack pulled his phone from his pocket, earbuds wrapped around the paint-splattered case. “Whatever ya say, Red.”

He scrolled through his phone as she began copying his notes, written in two different handwritings, one surprisingly neat and one just a little nicer than Jack’s.

“I’m sorry, Crutchie and Race?” she couldn’t help but ask after a moment.

Jack laughed a bit, propping a foot up in the chair next to him. “We like nicknames.”

“Oh yeah? Do you have one?” she shot back.

He raised an eyebrow at her, smirking. “Copy ya notes, Red, an’ we’ll see if I tells ya.”

***

She stopped counting after that.

They started talking more than stilted pleasantries before and after class, walking to and from the classroom, exchanged numbers after the library—”In case ya miss again, Red”—and texted late into the night.

Katherine finally met the infamous Race and Crutchie, along with a whole group of rowdy, equally rough–looking boys, most of who she recognized from her various gen-ed classes.

It was something else, seeing him with his friends, especially Crutchie. His tough demeanor melted away and he was almost a completely different person, and she started seeing that side more and more.

Jack did his best to distract her during class, passing her notes or seeing how often he could mark on her arm before she noticed.

She just shrugged it off, only passed corrected notes back—his spelling was about as good as his speech and it showed—with a large smiley face underneath.

It was fun. It was comfortable. It–

It was nearly the end of the semester before she realized that she was falling for the boy in her Algebra class.

“Oh no.” Katherine said, out loud, as the realization hit her in the middle of shampooing her hair. “Oh noooo, this is not happening…”

Jack Kelly was not her type, he was rough and coarse and didn’t care a bit about his classes and… and caring and not nearly as tough as he appeared and a total dork and, and—

“No.”

Katherine didn’t returned his texts for the rest of the night, stayed locked in her dorm room, and slowly spiraled in her existential crises.

She did not like Jack Kelly.

The next Algebra class, she got there early and sat in her original, perfect not-quite-center-two-rows-from-the-front-seat and tried to ignore how she could feel his eyes burning a hole in the back of her head throughout the class.

The second their professor dismissed them, Katherine made a beeline for the door, hoping to beat him out the door.

Unluckily, she was stopped barely ten feet out the classroom by a determined Jack Kelly.

“Jack, I have to get to class—”

“Don’t gimme that, Pul’tzer, I know ya don’t got a class after this one.” His eyes were hard and confused. “What was that, ya not sittin’ by me t’day?”

She almost rolled her eyes, if only to get him to go away so she could make her escape. “Jack, you cannot seriously be upset that I didn’t next to you today.”

“I ain’t. I’m upset that ya ignored me an’ ya clearly tryin’ ta get away from me, so what the hell’s goin’ on, Kath’rine?”

Katherine set her jaw, ready to tell him off, but something in his face made her stop. She’d never seen that look on his face, something so open and… she refused to use the word vulnerable, not when Jack Kelly was concerned, not when he’d re-dyed his hair again, gotten another piercing in his left ear, but…

She couldn’t think of a better word.

Jack apparently took her silence as all the answer he needed, because he nodded curtly and started to pull away. “Yeah, okay that’s fine, whatever—”

“You’re not my type in the slightest, yet here I am, head over heels and I don’t understand it!” she finally burst out, cutting him off.

He stared at her a moment, agape, and Katherine felt her face go hot. This is what you get for opening your mouth without thinking, idiot.

She turned to leave, but Jack grasped her wrist and pulled her back towards him.

“‘Bout damn time, Red,” he muttered, pausing a moment to make sure she wasn’t pulling away, before kissing her.

***

By their last College Algebra class, Katherine still wasn’t completely sure about the boy who sat to her left.

But she couldn’t wait to find out the rest.