#i ate breakfast which should be a win

[ritzcuit]

bemoaning mental health rn m

[theconstitutionisgayculture]

It's Time to Put Hitler to Bed

Over the last 20 years it's become increasingly common when talking about western politics to try and tie the political opposition to Hitler. It goes beyond Godwin's Law at this point, because it's no longer just in internet phenomenon. It happens in real life. In real conversations and real debates. All sides do it. No issue is safe. And it's beyond ridiculous at this point. It needs to stop.

So let's just stop talking about Hitler altogether when it comes to western politics.

He's dead. He's gone. His ideology died with him. Yes, you read that right. National Socialism is dead. It was a very specific ideology with goals and aims beyond being racist and hating Jews. Nowhere on Earth is there a serious National Socialist party with any political power or any chance at gaining any. Modern day neo-nazis are nothing more than edgelord racists desperately trying to grab some of the "shine" Hitler has with other idiots for themselves. They're awful. They're racist. They should grow the fuck up. But they aren't nazis. They aren't storming government buildings and they aren't winning political office. Most of them aren't even committing crimes. They're just sitting online or in a basement somewhere snort-laughing like Bevis and Butthead while they whisper "k*ke" and "n*gger" to each other and post pictures of ovens with captions like "where the Jews go". How basic and boring. They are beyond lame, and it's long past time we stop bigging these people up like they're some huge existential threat to humanity itself. They're not. They're just pathetic losers who have no power over anyone, not even themselves.

Does this mean we should forget the Holocaust? No. Of course not. We should always remember what Hitler did. But if we don't take the right lessons from that dark era in human history, then we might as well forget it because misremembering, on purpose or by accident, is just as bad as forgetting.

Hitler was an evil man who did evil things. He is a cautionary tale to never let rhetoric overwhelm your better nature. He is a warning of what happens when you give into hate out of fear or anger. But that's it. He does not influence anyone with power. Not in the west. No one in the west is actually trying to be like Hitler. And as evil as Hitler was, not everything he did was automatically evil just because he did it. And that right there is the main problem with the modern trend of accusing everyone you don't like of being Hitler. Hitler did a lot of things. He woke up. He ate breakfast. He fell in love. He breathed air. He got dressed. He gave speeches. He liked art. He was a human being. I don't say this to downplay the evil things he did or to try and create sympathy for him. But surely you can easily see how literally every single person on Earth has something in common with Hitler just by virtue of also being a human being, yes?

Hitler was also a politician. Which means that, yeah, every politician is going to have a position that's at least similar to something Hitler proposed or enacted in his political career. His views and platforms ranged far and contain things that are both left and right wing. Things which, in the hands of someone other than Hitler, most likely would not have led to the Holocaust. Because the Holocaust is an evil that was unique to Hitler. He baked genocide into his ideology, then codified and streamlined it after gaining power. His was a cold and inhumane calculation that only the Aryan race as he defined it was worthy of life. That every other race, everyone who didn't fit his idea of purity, must be killed to preserve his Master Race. There have been other genocides before and since, but none quite as industrialized and far reaching. And, in the west at least, there is no one with any power who wants to reenact anything that even comes close to the Holocaust. Not even that politician you really hate. Not even that activist group that promotes that awful ideology.

All accusations of being Hitler, or like Hitler, do is muddy the already opaque waters of modern western political discourse. And people are so bored with Hitler comparisons. He doesn't evoke the same emotional reaction he did even 20 years ago because, by this point, everyone even remotely active in western politics or political commentary knows someone who has been accused of being Hitler or a nazi, if they aren't that person themselves. It's become little more than the (supposedly) adult version of "I know you are but what am I?" It's meaningless, it's dumb, and everyone needs to stop doing it.

Stop making posts about how so and so is just like Hitler. Stop re-tweeting/blogging/posting them. Stop bringing Hitler's name into discourse at all. Stop arguing about whether or not National Socialism is right or left wing. Stop pretending that superficial similarities to Hitler or one of Hitler's policies is absolute proof that an ideological opponent is evil.

[dxrlingluv]

Player || Lee Myung-gi

Series : Chapter 1 : Cards and Debt, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4

Description :

Driven by love and desperation, you risk everything to participate in a mysterious game with a life-changing prize. But the opulent setting masks a deadly reality.

As the games escalate in brutality, you must outsmart your cunning opponents, confront your deepest fears, and make impossible choices to stay alive.

Will your love for your boyfriend be enough to overcome the unimaginable horrors that await?

Lee Myung-gi x Fem!Reader

You slowly rose from your bed, the sun still hiding behind the fog that accumulated from the coldness. Suddenly, you hunched over to the side of your bed, and puked out everything you ate from the night before. You groaned, your head feeling heavy from all the tireless work and studying you had done the day before.

Grabbing your phone from your bed side desk, you checked the time. 6:34 AM, it read. You groaned yet again, opening your phone and deciding to message your boyfriend good morning.

y/n 🌸

- good morning ! i hope you had a decent sleep. we should definitely meet soon, i miss you.

You waited for a minute or two, just staring at the message you sent as it went from delivered to seen. Not a second passed, your boyfriend replied.

myung-gi 🩷

- yeah.

You sighed, gripping your phone tight to your chest, a heartache slowly forming as you stared up at the ceiling.

You wondered what he might be up to right now. He's never really been this cold before until last week, but you guessed that it was because he's busy trying to pay off his debt. You feel bad that you couldn't help him a little.

You know that he's not telling the truth about how big his debt really is, but being an ex-YouTuber with a lot of subscribers that fell for the crypto coin scam, there should be a lot.

The only thing you wanted to do was to help him find a way to pay off all his debt and restart his life, you'll do anything.

Facing your phone once again, you messaged him one last time before starting your day off, free from school and work.

y/n 🌸

- let's meet up later at our usual place, 11 AM sharp.

Closing off your phone, you decided not to wait for a reply. Standing up, you stretched and immediately went to the bathroom of your small apartment to clean off. After cleaning yourself, you went to the kitchen section of your apartment, opening up the stove, putting on a pan and pouring oil, then grabbing 2 eggs from your small fridge.

Yeah, sure, egg for breakfast, how original. But as a college student, you can't afford to lose even a little amount of money.

After cooking the eggs, you decided you also wanted buldak noodles to come with it.

You sighed for the nth time, staring at your phone. He didn't even bother to reply an 'ok'. Seriously, what has gotten into him?

Hours passed and it's not 10:30 AM. Deciding to take a quick bath, you went off. Locking your apartment door behind you, you check your phone again but seen no response or confirmation.

Arriving at the train station, you awaited for your train. Feeling your back ache from standing, you decided to sit down but immediately regretted it as you felt dizzy yet again and felt like puking. What has gotten into you this time? You can't be sick.

You then felt a presence beside you. Looking over, you saw the guy already staring at you which made you make a face. "Uhm. Can I help you?" You asked him.

He continue smiling at you, then showing you his suitcase and opening it. "Would you like to play with me?"

You stared at him in bewilderment, "Play... with you. Is this some kind of scam?" You accused as you stared at his suitcase that contains a red and blue papers and an uncountable amount of money, and you don't feel bad about accusing him one bit.

He chuckled, staring at his suitcase for a moment before looking at you and speaking again, "No, ma'am. We would only be playing ddakji, if you win, I will give you 100 000 won, and if I win, you will give me 100 000 won in return."

You stood up abruptly in shock, "What? Is this- Are you serious?"

He only nodded in return, slowly standing up to come face to face with you.

"I'm sorry, even if I wanted to- I don't have that amount of money," you admitted, dejectedly.

The business man's smile only widened in return, "You can pay with you body then." And before you can protest, he continued, "If you win I will give you 100 000 won, but if I win, I will slap you."

Now that sounds more like it... a slap isn't too bad, plus you're great at playing ddakji yourself so this shouldnt be a problem.

"Okay, lets do it."

...

100 000

Slap !

100 000

100 000

100 000

Slap !

100 000

...

"That should conclude our game."

"Wait- But I'm not done yet!" You exclaimed. Hoping to get at least 2 or 3 more wins.

The business man's smile ignored you as he fished out a calling card from his pocket. He offered it to you with a smile, too uncanny to your liking. You stared at him in confusion, staring between the calling card and his face.

"If you wish to play more games and win a bigger price, just call the number on this card." He said, answering the million question on your head.

You felt uneasy about this, "Now, this- This is a scam!"

"L/n Y/n, [birthdate], 23 years old, formerly used to live in seoul with your parents until you had to move out to pursue your college degree. You are not in debt, but you desperately need to help your boyfriend with his." He calmly said.

Your eyes widened in disbelief, how did he know this... This made him more suspicious but now that he mentioned your boyfriend's debt, you felt more desperate and wanting to trust him.

Dejectedly, you accepted the card from his hand. You stared at the symbols on the front, a square, a triangle, and a circle. Deciding to call the number later, you placed the card on your pouch.

"How did you-" You started, but was immediately cut off when the man you were just talking to disappeared as if he wasnt even there in the first place.

"Y/n."

You whipped your head to the side when you heard a familiar voice call to you. You smiled.

"Myung-gi."

You ran up to him and hugged him tight, "I missed you so much."

He hugged you back just as tight, "It's only been 3 days, Aegiya." He let go as he stared lovingly at your eyes.

You stared back with a small loving smile, taking in his appearance. He was wearing a hat, most likely to keep his identity as hidden as he can. He was also wearing a grey jacket that fits warmly against him. Even with just a simple outfit, he still looks stunning.

You pecked his lips as he stared at you in shock, "Not here, Aegiya," He muttered shyly.

You feigned shocked and hurt, "Wha-! You dare do that to me, you lover!?" You playfully smacked his arm to which he just laughed at with you following suit.

The both of you decided to eat lunch at a park, having only buy decent meals, enough to fill up your stomachs.

You hummed at the delicious sandwich you just tasted, deciding to talk to him, you asked, "Hey, Myung-gi."

That catches his attention as he paused from chewing his food and looked at you. He hummed, as if to tell that He's listening.

You continued, "You've been so busy lately, if I hadn't told you to meet up with me, would you have asked to meet up instead?"

That made him quiet, slowly chewing for a moment.

"I'm sorry," he quietly said, refusing to look at you.

"For what?" You asked, trying to search anything from his face as he apologized.

He was silent for a moment before responding again, "For everything."

You smiled, sighing from your nose. "It's okay...

I will always forgive you."

[acidinduceddaydreams]

First Real Love with Skz

Skz x reader who was in a toxic relationship before them

Synopsis: In which you experience love, the real kind, for the first time.

Warnings: major tw for trauma in terms of mental and physical violence done by a significant other. Please don’t read if this triggers you.

a/n : this fic was my baby for a long time. Now it’s yours, please look after it. I pray it brings some comfort to you!🫶🏼

Chan:

He feels honored that you choose him to be apart of your life.

Doesn’t pry too much when you bring up your past. If you want to tell him you will and he’s content with that.

He finds you so incredibly intoxicating. He can’t believe that someone would ever treat you badly. He would fight tooth and nail to make sure you’re always happy.

Literally so in love with your more childlike/ whimsical view of the world now that you two are together. Your personality definitely changed for the better once you met him and realized that being safe should be a prerequisite in a relationship.

Minho:

Doesn’t ask about your past relationship much. Mostly relies on you telling him about it when you feel comfortable enough.

Absolutely at your service!!! If you’re having particularly unpleasant or difficult feelings or are in your own head he’s at your beck and call. Whether that’s cooking for you, feeding you (which you won’t admit you like) or even leaving you alone for a bit.

The babies (his cats) are by your side 24/7 to ground you and get you out of your head because “ they wouldn’t want their mom to be sad.”

Changbin:

Cannot fathom the idea of someone hurting you in any way whatsoever without wanting to beat them up.

Unlike Minho, Changbin will not leave you alone if you’re having a particularly bad day. He thinks you’re so precious so he will never leave your side even in a particularly bad situation.

Binnie gives the best cuddles!!!! I am 100% convinced. Cuddling is a must! It’s like free therapy. (He, himself is free therapy but wbk) his hugs and cuddles make you forget about what’s going on in your head bc binnie’s cuddles make everything better.

Hyunjin:

He’s appalled that someone could treat another human with disrespect and violence let alone you!

He’s your number one fan in everything you do. Celebrates your small wins just as grandly as the big ones. Oh you ate breakfast today. Suddenly your name and “I’m so proud of you” is all he knows how to say.

Paints with you. Yk when you put the canvases parallel to each other and paint something for the other person. Yeah you guys do that all the time as a grounding technique but also just as a way to show love to one another.

Jisung:

He’s so good at reading body language!!!!!! He is absolutely crushed when things like holding your hand or stretching his hand out to touch your cheek make you flinch, not because he’s mad or angry at you but rather at the person who ever dared to treat you this way.

Wdym personal space? Hannie’s never heard of it. He’s so good at getting you out of you head. He knows what triggers you and sometimes know when something will trigger you before you do.

He’s so attentive bc why wouldn’t he be when he has you to look after. This boy loves you so much and he shows it every day.

Felix:

Bakes for you!!!!!! Sometimes you two bake together but he usually does it in advance to you telling him you need a little extra love today.

So in love with you. Tries to show you the beauty that you are because you haven’t felt beautiful till you met him. “Oh baby you look even more gorgeous than you did yesterday, I didn’t even know that was possible.”

You remind him of sunshine and he reminds you of the sun. Clearly neither of you can exist without the other.

Seungmin:

He is super playful and witty naturally but he tones down the more mocking side for your particularly hard days. He loves you in ways that you didn’t know you could be loved.

On regular days though you two share a similar sense of humor. He loves that about you. Never lets it go too far though.

Absolutely a sucker for you. The boys tease him for being soft for you but he doesn’t care. You’re his baby and he doesn’t care who sees that.

Jeongin:

This boy is so whipped for you. He always listens to you even if what you have to say is something he has no idea about. It feels so amazing to have someone listen to you. To truly listen. He makes it look easy even though listening and not interrupting is quite hard.

He’s not a big fan of skinship but your hands are always within his and he loves it. He’s genuinely so feral for it but you don’t need to know that.

He’ll make sure to show you how someone treats someone they love every day. He’s so attentive and that makes going to him whether it’s with a problem or just to talk so easy because you know there’s no judgment from him.

[cece693]

It Should've Been Me (Peeta Mellark x Male! Reader)

I don't know why there isn't much male reader fanfics for the Hunger Games, but I aim to change that. Especially when there are interesting characters such as Finnick and Johanna, but I'm playing it safe and beginning with Peeta.

Summary: M/N Evergreen didn't feel like a victor, especially when it cost the life of his sister, Katniss. Forced to wear a smile and continue living life as 'normal', the only person who seems to recognize his brokeness is the boy with the bread, Peeta Mellark.

M/N Evergreen didn’t feel like a victor, not when winning cost the life of his sister, Katniss. It was supposed to be her. She was the one with the spark, the one who inspired others to believe in something more. But now she was gone, and all that was left was him—a hollow reminder of what should have been. He knew he should be grateful; the Capitol's train pulling into District 12 meant he got to come home. But what kind of home was it when the only person who ever made it feel that way was dead?

Effie Trinket’s voice was a distant hum, urging him to “put on a happy face, darling.” Smile for the cameras, for the sponsors, for the charade of a victory tour that awaited him. He didn’t smile. He didn’t move. Even if he forced the corners of his lips upward, the emptiness in his eyes would betray him. The train doors slid open, and all he could do was stare blankly as the frigid air of District 12 rushed in, filling his lungs with the sharp scent of coal dust. The lenses of dozens of cameras zoomed in, capturing the haunted look that had become a permanent fixture on his face.

He heard Effie clear her throat nervously as she stepped out ahead of him, trying to drum up some semblance of a greeting from the sullen crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, our victor, M/N Everdeen!” Her voice rang out with all the bubbly enthusiasm she could muster, but the words fell flat.

As the Capitol’s cameras continued to click and whir, M/N forced himself to walk through the motions of the victor’s return. He let Effie guide him onto the stage, his limbs moving mechanically, as though they belonged to someone else. He could hear the rehearsed speech forming on her lips, filled with empty praise and hollow encouragement. He heard his own voice, flat and monotone, echo her words when prompted, thanking the Capitol for its generosity and the people of District 12 for their support.

But the truth was, he didn’t feel like a victor, and he never would. He was just another casualty of the Hunger Games—only, he happened to still be breathing.

The days passed in a blur for M/N Everdeen, though he barely noticed the shift from one to the next. Returning to District 12 should have felt like a relief—home, where things were familiar. But the place seemed alien to him now, like he was wandering through a ghost town where all the buildings and people were merely pale shadows of what they once were. Even the Seam, which always bustled with life despite its poverty, felt quieter, as if the town itself was grieving. Maybe it was.

At home, his mother had returned to the land of the living, as much as she could. She moved around the house with a new purpose, cooking and cleaning with a mechanical precision that betrayed the emptiness in her eyes. M/N knew it wasn’t for him; it was for Prim. Their mother clung to her youngest, constantly checking on her and making sure she ate, slept, and stayed warm. M/N could see her fighting against the hollowness, desperately trying to appear whole for Prim’s sake. For him, too, though he wasn’t sure why she bothered.

M/N hadn’t eaten since he stepped off the train. Every meal placed in front of him felt like an insult to Katniss’s memory—he shouldn’t get to eat, shouldn’t get to live while she was gone. His mother and Prim had seemed to silently agree on a pact not to let him waste away, though. If he refused breakfast, his mother would leave it on the table for him to find later. If he tried to hide in his room during dinner, Prim would seek him out, dragging him to the kitchen. They were relentless in their quiet determination to keep him alive.

Today, he couldn’t take it anymore. He needed to get out, to escape the house where Katniss’s absence hung like a shroud over everything. He slipped out the back door and walked toward the edge of the district, to the fence that separated District 12 from the woods. It was supposed to be electrified, but the power rarely ran this far out, and he easily found a gap to slip through. The forest beckoned to him, promising solitude and silence—two things he desperately craved. For a few moments, he felt the faintest hint of peace as he wandered deeper into the trees, letting the thick canopy above dim the harsh sunlight.

But he wasn’t alone for long.

“M/N.” a voice called softly from behind him.

He froze, recognizing the voice before he even turned around. Peeta Mellark was standing there, a few paces back, watching him with that same quiet intensity he’d had since the day M/N returned. He wasn’t smiling, wasn’t wearing that charming expression he often showed in public. Instead, his face was open, unguarded, as though he’d stripped away all pretense.

“What are you doing here?” M/N asked, his voice raw from disuse.

Peeta stepped closer, careful not to startle him, as if M/N were a wounded animal. “I saw you come out here,” he replied. “I was worried.”

M/N let out a bitter laugh. “You shouldn’t be,” he muttered, turning his gaze back to the forest. “If I don’t come back, I’m sure everyone would understand.”

“Don’t say that,” Peeta said sharply, the sudden firmness in his voice cutting through the quiet. “You don’t get to give up. Not after everything…”

“Everything?” M/N scoffed, spinning to face him. “What did I survive for, Peeta? There’s no victory here. I’m alive, but she’s gone. And now I have to pretend like any of this is okay?”

“You survived because Katniss wanted you to,” Peeta said, stepping closer again. “She fought for you—”

“I don’t need a lecture about my own sister,” M/N interrupted, his voice rising. “You don’t know what it was like! You weren’t there! I should have protected her, but I couldn’t even do that. All I could do was… was watch as she—” His voice broke, the words dissolving into a choked sob.

He turned away from Peeta, trembling as his chest tightened painfully. He had spent every waking moment since returning home forcing himself not to break, swallowing back his grief until it clawed at his throat, but now it surged forward like a flood. He didn’t know how to stop it.

“It's not your fault,” Peeta’s voice was gentle, and when M/N felt a hand on his shoulder, he flinched but didn’t pull away. “You did everything you could.”

M/N shook his head, tears streaming down his face. “It wasn’t enough,” he whispered. “It’ll never be enough. She’s gone because of me.”

Peeta’s arms wrapped around him, pulling him in close. M/N’s legs buckled, and he collapsed into Peeta’s embrace, his sobs breaking free in jagged gasps. Peeta held him tightly, steadying him as he sank to the forest floor. He murmured soothing words, though M/N couldn’t make out the exact phrases—only that there was a calm, reassuring rhythm in the sound of Peeta’s voice.

For a long while, M/N cried in Peeta’s arms, clutching at his shirt as if afraid to let go. It wasn’t fair, not to Peeta, not to anyone, to have to bear the weight of his grief like this. But Peeta stayed, anchoring him through the storm of emotion until, at last, M/N’s sobs quieted, leaving him drained and hollow.

When he finally pulled back, Peeta’s shirt was soaked with tears, but he didn’t seem to mind. He looked down at M/N with an expression so full of understanding it hurt. “You’re not alone, you know,” he said softly. “You don’t have to go through this by yourself.”

M/N shook his head, his voice barely a whisper. “I don’t know how to keep going.”

Peeta’s hand found his, squeezing gently. “One step at a time. That’s all you need to do for now.” The words weren’t a solution, but they were something—a fragile thread of hope in a world that felt impossibly dark. And for the first time since returning to District 12, M/N didn’t feel completely lost. He still didn’t know how to live without Katniss, but with Peeta’s arm around his shoulders, guiding him back toward the fence, he thought maybe, just maybe, he could figure it out. One step at a time.

[captainkirkk]

✩ WEEKLY FIC ROUND-UP ✩

All the fics I’ve read and really enjoyed in the past week-ish. Reminder: This list features any and all ratings and themes. Please look at tags and warnings on ao3 before reading.

DC

midnight sun by merils

Who would win: four men with guns who just happened to get Red Robin to walk into a trap, or one royally-pissed Kryptonian juggernaut?

Yeah, it's not even a contest.

reasons are better than rules by destiny919

"No one will actually explain Father's rules to me," Damian blurts out. "They tell me we don't kill, and killing is wrong, and Father would never do it, but no one ever actually says why! As if repeating the rule is the same as explaining it! As if I am supposed to just know, when I do not!"

Drake is quiet, eyes on something in the distance that Damian cannot see. "Damian, may I tell you a secret?"

Marvel

Thirty Hours by polaroid15

The sun sets. Peter breaks three toes and hits his head hard against concrete. There’s a steadily bleeding wound in his side that he’s staunched with his webbing and tries not to acknowledge it when it burns. He can still walk in a straight line, which is good. He’s starving and tired and cold. It’s been fifteen hours.

Or, Peter doesn't take any breaks during a lengthy fight with the Avengers. The mind-melting fever that follows really should have been expected.

Clone Wars

An Hourglass In Hand by ecarian

“I thought daemons didn’t eat,” Rex noted once, during a celebration feast, as he and Cody watched Boga devour her meal with some fascination. Varactyl she may be, but she was a tiny one. There wasn't much interior space for the truly momentous amount of meat she was ripping into.

Boga daintily rubbed her beak against a folded serviette that looked kind of like a bird, and said, prim, “I can do anything a human can do.”

“Oh?” Obi-Wan said mildly, from where he’d been tapping at a datapad. “Shall I save you a portion of these reports then?”

Set My Mind at Ease by Eightbitpale

Marshal Commander Cody - clone commanding officer of the 7th Sky Corps, second in command of the 212th attack battalion and, currently, the proud caretaker of one still-warm lightsaber - was having a very long day.

Actually, fuck that. It had been more than a long day. Long days were Cody’s bread and butter, practically his comfort zone. Marshall Commander Cody ate stim shots for breakfast and every shiny this side of Coruscant knew it. Long days were his bitch.

No, this had been more than a long day. Today had been a bad day.

———

The one where Cody and his general try their best to tell each other that they care. At least they’re trying.

Your Smile In Stone by ecarian

Wooley: can we arrest people for yelling this early?

There were two figures standing at the foot of General Kenobi's statue with their backs to Wooley, an adult with a hood, and a child with light hair. The child was pointing at a puddle of Temple tookas who were curled up in General Kenobi’s lap, lounging in the stone folds of his robes, the bend of his knee.

Wooley: belay that. Child nuisance.

The Goblin Emperor

Sweet Hope by baladric

Maia Drazhar arranges a festival, meets his gay aunt, falls in love with his secretary, and misses his mom through it all.

"In the way of true stories, there was no discernible beginning. Perhaps it had begun that first day, in the shabby receiving room at Edonomee; in the cockpit of the Radiance of Cairado; at the mooring mast of the Untheileneise Court, with that first smile.

The pith of the matter was that Maia Drazhar was wildly, tremulously in love, and love had made fools of much wiser men than he."

In All Its Forms by Anonymous

Before his father ruined everything, Nurevis Chavar only thought to introduce the new emperor to all the most beautiful things life could offer.

When he found himself free from relegation again after his father's death, would the emperor whose friendship he had sought so long ago wish his presence at court? And, if he could return to court, would his emperor wish his friendship again?

[gunnerfc]

Needy | Cloé Lacasse x CanWNT!Reader

Summary: the time you spend away from your girlfriend during the season has you feeling needy during the international break {reader plays in Australia}

Warning: suggestive throughout and implied smut at the end! 

WC: 2.3K

AN: in honor of Arsenal’s cunty cup win even tho she wasn’t there lmao 😭 & to the anon that requested, I hope you enjoy!

You sighed as your back hit the soft hotel mattress, exhausted from the long flight from Australia. You were grateful the staff had given you your own room for this camp since you were going to be arriving much later than the rest of your teammates. The one downside to arriving at camp much later was that by the time you arrived at the hotel, all of your teammates were in bed asleep. Which meant you would have to wait till breakfast in the morning to see Cloé. 

Playing for different clubs did have its downsides, especially when it came to being intimate with your girlfriend. While you were excited to be back with the team and to play for your country, the main thing you were looking forward to this camp was finally being able to see Cloé. The entire week leading up to camp the blonde took it upon herself to tease you about how needy you were, knowing it was going to make you need her more. 

You quickly got up from the bed to do everything you needed before bed, you were determined to get as much sleep as possible so you could wake up a bit early so you had time to see your girlfriend before breakfast. You set your alarm as you got comfortable in bed, your excitement about seeing the blonde in a few short hours was rising with each second. 

You groaned at the annoyingly loud sound blaring from your phone, the sun’s bright light shining through the curtains. You opened your eyes slightly to turn your alarm off, stretching your arms as you sat up in the hotel bed. Taking a deep, relaxed breath you moved to get out of bed to get ready, you needed to see Cloé as soon as possible. After getting dressed and doing everything you needed, you were out the door and down the hall toward your girlfriend’s room. 

You knew which room she was in since Quinn had texted you while you were on the flight that they were rooming with the blonde. You stopped outside the door, lightly knocking just in case both players were still asleep. A minute passed before Quinn opened the door. 

“Morning, y/n/n. You just missed her,” the midfielder spoke as they leaned against the doorframe. 

You furrowed your eyes in confusion, your girlfriend hated getting up earlier than she needed and you both had agreed to meet before breakfast. You huffed as you told Quinn you were sorry if you had woken them up before you headed towards the large conference room at the end of the hall.

You should have known this was a part of Cloé’s teasing, she was trying to make you desperate for her. Which was working. It had been so long since you simply felt her touch or even kissed her and it was starting to get to you. As you entered the large room, a few of your teammates were already eating and talking about the upcoming games against The United States. 

Your eyes quickly scanned the room, looking for the blonde but you rolled your eyes when you didn’t see her. Knowing Cloé you knew she would wait till the last minute to show up and eat, which wouldn’t give you any time to actually talk to her. The rest of your teammates slowly started filling the room, the table you were sitting at now full, and still no sign of the winger. 

You ate in silence, tuning out your teammates as they spoke around you. As you finished your food, Cloé strolled into the room, a smirk gracing her features as her eyes immediately found you and she saw your expression. You were right in thinking she was doing this on purpose, the blonde loved to tease you and she knew this would drive you crazy. Cloé took her seat at a different table, her eyes drifting your way as she waited for you to notice she was there.

As you listened to Jessie and Jordyn talk about how they are now rivals in the NWSL, you looked around the room hoping to see your girlfriend. Your eyes locked with hers quickly given that she was already looking at you and you felt your breathing pick up a bit. You tried to show you were upset with her but when a smirk appeared and she sent you a wink, you had to look away from her. 

She didn’t speak to you at all on the walk towards the bus after breakfast and made an effort to avoid you the entire time. To anyone else, it would look like the two of you were fighting and avoiding each other, but you knew this was a game to her. She wanted you to be desperate and begging for her later and if things stayed the way they were, thats what was going to happen. 

You took your seat near the back of the bus, waiting for the blonde to sit down next to you. No matter what, Cloé always sat next to you on the bus and you didn’t think this was going to change. Yet, as you watched her take a seat next to Sabs, you were proven wrong. You huffed as you sat back against the seat and turned to look out the window. You needed training to go by quickly so you could get back to the hotel and so Cloé could finally do all the things she said she would over text. 

You watched the scenery pass by as the bus headed towards the stadium and your attention was pulled away from the city when you felt your phone vibrate against your lap. 

cloé <3: you look cute when your pissed, baby

You rolled your eyes at her text, you couldn’t see her face right now but you didn’t need to know she had a teasing grin on her face. 

you: I wouldn’t be so pissed if you would stop ignoring me

Cloé was only a few seats in front of you and with the bus quieter than normal, you could hear the blonde laugh lightly. Another piece of evidence that she was enjoying how she messing with you.

cloé <3: where’s the fun in that baby

You rolled your eyes at her response, opting to not respond to her because you knew she would just continue to tease you and you weren’t sure you could handle that. A few minutes later the bus pulled into the stadium and the team was heading toward the locker room to get ready. This would be the first time you would be close to the blonde given your numbers were next to each other and you smiled to yourself that she couldn’t avoid you fully.

Cloé was already in her cubby when you entered the room and you quickly joined her. She was in a deep conversation with Dri when you sat down, her back turned toward you as she ignored that you had sat down. You shook your head slightly as you changed your shirt, completely missed when Cloé turned to watch you as you changed. Her eyes scanned your partially bare torso as you changed before quickly turning her head when you were done.

She might be the one teasing you because she enjoyed how easy it was to make you beg, but not touching you or talking to you, was driving her crazy. Cloé debated with herself as everyone finished up, her need to kiss you won out. Your teammates started filtering out of the locker room and before you could stand, Cloé’s hand moved your thigh as she forced you back to your seat. 

The simple touch from the blonde had your skin heating up and your breathing once again picked up at the feeling of her hands on you for the first time in months. As the last few teammates left the room, Cloé stood from the cubby, pulling you with her. When you were face to face for the first time today, the blonde pulled you into a deep kiss. Your hands moved to rest against the sides of her neck as hers held tightly to your waist. You moaned at the feeling of her lips against yours and the winger pulled you tighter against her.

You both pulled away when air became a problem, both of you breathing heavily. “Sorry for avoiding you, baby,” the blonde smirked as she gave you a quick peck.

“No, you aren’t,” you huffed, still trying to control your breathing. The blonde laughed at your words before she pulled away from you. She grabbed your hand as she pulled you out the door and towards the pitch. 

You ignored the whistles from a few of your teammates, you didn’t care about their teasing after you finally got to kiss your girlfriend. Having Cloé’s hands on you for a short moment wasn’t enough, you needed more but you knew nothing would happen until you got back to the hotel. 

During each piece of training, Cloé made sure to stand furthest away from you and avoided you whenever you were given a break. Each time you caught her eye, she would either smirk or wink at you to mess with you. Each time you felt your skin heat up and you knew had to quickly look away from her. 

It wasn’t until you were running through corner attempts that she touched you again. As you stood near the penalty spot, waiting for the ball to be delivered into the box, you felt a pair of hands rest on your hips. You didn’t have to turn around to know it was Cloé and you could feel just how close she was to you. 

“Hi, baby,” the blonde whispered into your ear as you watched Jessie raise her hand to signal the ball was coming. Cloé held on to your practice top, keeping you almost flushed against her as you tried to move into a free area to attempt a header. You watched as the ball sailed over your head toward the back post before it was headed over the crossbar. 

You turned to glare at the blonde but were met with a teasing grin and your glare was long gone. Cloé winked at you before turning to walk away from you. You shook your head to clear your thoughts, your head filled with inappropriate images of you and the blonde that certainly weren’t helping. Training dragged on for much longer than you would have liked and you groaned as you sat back down in the locker room.

You quickly changed your shirt and shoes, opting to take a shower back at the hotel once you got back. You ignored your girlfriend next to you, knowing that if she simply spoke to you, you would most likely start begging for her to touch you differently than how she did earlier. 

You were one of the first ones back on the bus, taking the same seat as the first time. You weren’t expecting Cloé to sit next to you this time, but you knew it was a part of her plan. You stared at the back of the seat that was in front of you, but you could tell Cloé was staring at you. 

Once the bus took off, Cloé’s hand was back on your thigh as she squeezed your thigh lightly to get your attention. You swallowed lightly before turning to look at your girlfriend, an annoying attractive smirk once again gracing her features. There was no one across the aisle so the blonde took it upon herself to pull you into a kiss. You had to control your moans, not wanting anyone to hear you.

Your lips fought for dominance, roughly moving against each other before Cloé pulled back. Your hand shot up to your mouth before a whine escaped your lips and you kept it there as Cloé’s lips found the side of your neck. Your eyes rolled back as the blonde sucked dark marks along your skin as a way to claim what was hers.

You had to force down the moans that were threatening to leave your mouth and you were thankful that the bus had reached the hotel. When Cloé pulled back from your neck, she moved your hand from your move before giving you a quick kiss. She made sure the two of you were the last two off the bus, hoping to give all your teammates and staff enough time to empty the lobby.

The two of you waited by yourselves for an elevator, your breathing hadn’t slowed since Cloé kissed you on the bus and the excitement that filled your body was driving you crazy. If you didn’t have your girlfriend’s hands on (in) you soon, you weren’t sure how much more of this you could take. You were grateful when the elevator came back down and you two were still the only ones waiting. 

Being alone in an elevator with Cloé was not helping you, but you were so close to getting what you wanted. You could feel how wet you were already and you were sure that Cloé had an idea as well. When the elevator doors opened, you all but dragged the blonde toward your room and quickly unlocked the door before pulling both of you inside. 

Before you could process it, your back was flush with the door and Cloé’s lips were back on yours. The winger’s hands moved to lift your shirt and bra from your body as her hands roamed your naked torso. 

“Please,” you whined as you pulled back from her, your girlfriend’s hands on you were driving you crazy but you needed more from her. 

“Since you asked so nicely,” Cloé smirked as her lips met yours in another deep kiss. The blonde guided you deeper into your hotel room before your back met the soft hotel mattress, Cloé’s lips never leaving yours.

While you hated being away from the blonde for long periods, the time you had together after being apart was very exciting and you would never complain about her teasing if it meant having her make up for it giving you multiple orgasms, which she did that night.

[undercoverpan]

Fish for breakfast

Spider wondered which deity he upset.

No, really, which god or goddess got so mad at him; they put him in this position?

This position being trapped beneath his dad as he hisses and snarls at his other dad, Jake. The enraged Na'vi had his ears pinned down as he bore his teeth at the other, the aforementioned Na'vi doing the exact same. It's normal for these 2 to be at eachothers throats, but it doesn't mean that Spider likes being held. By either of them. Jake lost his holding privileges when he had taken him to ride a tsurak, and promptly allowed him to be swept away by the waves. Quaritch lost his when he accidentally cracked a rib from how tightly he was holding.

"He's my son and I am taking him for the holidays!" Roared Quaritch, murder flashing in his eyes. "We agreed that Spider stays with me during Na'vi holidays!" Jake argued, his voice as sharp as his blade. "He's had enough Na'vi holidays, asshole! You're not depriving my son of christmas!" Spider didn't even know what Christmas was, but Quaritch wanted to take him on the RDA trip to the northern mountains, so he could experience a real christmas. He's not sure what that means, but he admits that it did sound fun.

And Neytiri didn't like having him around, especially on special days. He thinks it'd be nice to be welcomed on a holiday. It's a win-win situation, he gets to enthusiastically participate with one side of his culture and Neytiri gets to enjoy the festivities with her family without spider around.

Fair trade, right?

Wrong.

His dads were on the verge of instigating another war between them and Spider, as always, was caught in the middle. And this time, he hasn't even had breakfast yet! 

"Oh who cares about christmas! It's a shitty holiday anyways!" 

"Sully, I swear to God, I'm going to knock your teeth out!"

He managed to wriggle free while the 2 fought. He crept away to the beach, where no one was because it was the ass-crack of dawn. Strangely, he spotted a small cookfire with 4 people.

As he got closer, he immediately recognized them as his friends.

"Monkey boy! Come, come!" Kiri cheered as he ran over, crashing down into her waiting arms. They seemed to be roasting some fish over an open fire.

"Finally got away from dad?" Lo'ak asked as he chewed his food. Neteyam flicked his forehead, muttering something about swallowing first. 

"Yeah, finally! They're both so overdramatic, they both give me a massive migraine every time they start talking about visits and holidays and who's my favourite. Eywa, I wish they would stop."

They all nodded in agreement. They suffered from having to live with the world's prettiest man who got into catfights with Quaritch every other day. 

So they all sat there, talking about everything and anything to distract each other. What weaving pattern should Lo'ak use for the necklace he's making for Tsireya, Kiri found an ilu with a heart shaped mark on its forehead, Neteyam is getting better with a spear, Tuk ate a salty rock recently. They talk and laugh as they eat cooked fish all morning.

The group slowly goes silent. He followed their gaze as they all looked behind him. He felt his heart drop as he saw Neytiri approaching. Her face was blank, expression unreadable. The sand crunched beneath her feet as she approached.

She sat down between him and Lo'ak. They all watched her with bated breath.

With a click of her tongue, she spoke; "What's for breakfast?"

And they all started the morning with roasted fish.

______

Everyone is fed up w Quaritch and jake, 100%

[h3rmess]

WHERE OUR BLUE IS

Written by @h3rmess ✰

Masterlist

S1 : Chapter 6 - The Boy with Ten Shadows ☆

༄ ༄ ༄

Waking up the next morning, the view of the vibrant flora outside made me feel inspired to do my very best that day. The various colours stood out, each individual plant making their own statement. I wanted to make a statement. I wanted to show the world how powerful I truly am.

Feeling energized, I got out of bed and did my typical morning routine; I showered, got dressed into my new uniform, and did my hair. My hair sat in its usual manner, my bangs covering my forehead as the rest of my hair grazed my shoulders. I grabbed a breakfast bar from a box I had bought the day before and ate it as I left my dorm. I was greeted by Kugisaki, who gave me a smile.

"Good morning, Okumoto!" She waved at me as I waved back, offering a slightly awkward smile.

"Good morning, Kugisaki." I responded softly as she handed me a carton of strawberry milk.

"This is my favourite flavour." I inspected it joyfully. "Thank you."

"I asked Itadori, actually. But no problem! If we're going to be friends, we need to know these things about each other."

"Yeah, I guess we do if we're friends."

"Yes! We have made progress!" Nobara celebrated under her breath, looking excited. "Let's go!" She latched on to my left arm as we walked towards the field.

We went into the changing rooms and changed into our usual gym wear. I walked out of the changing room and went to sit next to Nobara on the bleachers. Gojo stood in front of us all on the field, getting ready to make an announcement.

"Okay, everybody! The sister school exchange event is coming up in a few weeks. I want to make sure that we, as Jujutsu Tech, win against the Kyoto students. We will be undergoing hard-core training. Don't hold back at all. Use all your power. The only rule is that you can't kill anyone, got it?" He announced as we all nodded.

"Great! Now, like I said yesterday, I really want to see that fight between Megumi and Seiko. I believe that with your prior training, you should be able to take on Megumi, Seiko. Give it your best!" Gojo finished as I got up from my seat. Nobara and Maki cheered me on as I stepped down the stairs and onto the pitch. I removed my hoodie, revealing a fanny-pack that sat over my right shoulder and under my left arm.

"What's the bag for?" Yuuji asked from the bleachers. I gave him a sly smirk, moving my eyes to look at him.

"You'll see." I responded.

Megumi's POV

Okumoto opened her bag and removed... two poker tokens? I looked at her, confused as she clutched them in her hand and got into a fighting stance. I readied myself to summon my shikigami.

"Ready, set, fight!" Gojo announced. I summoned Gama and Nue, running towards Okumoto. She stood, pointing her finger out like a gun once again and pointing it towards me. I closed my eyes as she shot a high-pressure beam between my eyebrows. The pressure made me feel dizzy for a moment, making me lose focus. She appeared behind me, completely throwing me off. I pondered how that was possible as she took a hit, which knocked me to the ground.

She appeared in front of me again, and I figured she must be using teleportation of some sort. I analysed her moves, getting Nue to cover for me. Nue swooped over her, knocking her over as I ran in to attack.

I was about to land a punch, but she rolled over to dodge my attack. She's so fast! She got up, running towards me with her right hand raised to the sky. "Configuration!" She chanted, a staff similar to Maki's appearing in her hand.

The air felt less dense as she came to attack me. Could she have done something to the atmosphere? It couldn't be teleportation... I saw the staff being formed in her hand. She lunged to attack me, striking me repeatedly. Not only was she fast, but she was very strong. Her hits left an impact like no other I had received. It was as if the surface of my skin had become numbed, and she was hitting me from the inside.

She kept attacking until Gama's tongue caught her arm, restraining her momentarily. She broke free of its hold easily as I regained my balance, positioning myself to defend. I summoned the fleeing hares. This would help me to create an opening, I thought.

The rabbits surrounded her within and instant as I prepared to attack. I felt a long object hit the artery in my neck. I turned around to see Okumoto, standing behind me with a smirk. She attacked me once more, knocking me to the ground in ease.

As a final blow, her staff plummeted down to my chest as if she were stabbing me. She stood like Neil Armstrong, as if she had conquered the world. The staff she had disappeared before my eyes, each particle floating away. What is her cursed technique?

She held her hand out, offering to help me up. I flushed in embarrassment as I took her hand. Once I had stood up, Okumoto shook my hand and bowed.

"Good fight, Fushiguro. You use the Ten Shadows technique, right?" She inquired as I nodded in response.

"I still can't figure out your cursed technique..." I responded inquisitively.

"I wouldn't expect you to know what it is. It went extinct two centuries ago. I am the embodiment of a miracle, or so they say." She responded, walking over to Gojo and the other students.

"Amazing fighting you two!" Gojo exclaimed, jumping up suddenly. "Seiko, you used your technique amazingly!"

She bowed as she replied, "Thank you. I couldn't use all aspects on Fushiguro since they can be dangerous, but you'll definitely see them in battle."

"Seiko, what is your cursed technique?" Yuuji asked her as she stood with her hands on her hips.

"Has anyone figured it out?" She asked around, everyone remaining silent.

"Her cursed technique is something unique to the Okumoto family's lineage." Gojo started. " In the 19th century, there was a special-grade sorcerer called Okumoto Gekido. His cursed technique consisted of atom manipulation, otherwise known as illusionary reality."

"Basically, I can conjure existing atoms together to create new objects. That why the weapons I use come out of nowhere, even though they're coming from somewhere." She explained as everything began to make sense.

"If that's so..." I started, "then how did you basically teleport behind me."

"That another part of my cursed technique. I have learnt so much about it that I can communicate with the earth and the space around it down to an atomic level." She continued.

"So what you're referring to is the manipulation of the space within earth. As the law of conservation states, energy can not be created or destroyed, only transferred, so everything remains within balance as Seiko uses her cursed technique. By using up free atoms within the earth's atmosphere, Seiko is able to make portals using the tokens she carries. They are imbued with high levels of cursed energy to make them as effective as possible during battle." Gojo added, "This level of understanding is extremely rare for someone of your age. You must be really smart."

She looked down slightly, thanking Gojo for the compliment.

"Although, I'm sure there is another step you could take to reach the full potential of your power..." He smirked to himself.

"You'll have to figure it out yourself. That's what happened to me, after all. On the verge of death, you grasp the true essence of cursed energy!"

༄                                      ༄                                  ༄

TAGS ~

@nyxlai @inlovewithlondonn @sad-darksoul @eternalalmondd @httpstoyosi @vivi-loves-penguins

[lotrandthehobbitwritings]

New Life

Pairing: Thorin x (fem!) Reader

Genre: Fluff

Warning: mention of blood

Words: 3564

Khuzdul vocabulary:

Amrâlimê : my love

Ghivashel : my treasure

Mahal : god

irak'amad: aunt

galikh bakn yasath : good morning (my) bride

abnâm : beauty

(not proof read!)

The battle for Erebor was fought well over 10 years ago, the kingdom was established back to its original beauty and prestige and you all finally were able to live a comfortable life in the warm walls of your home. But most importantly, you finally were able to live a life with your husband, a life which he promised you years and years ago. Thorin has been your betrothed for many moons, and always promised to make you his queen once he would win your shared homeland back. Whilst he was gone, you worried night and day for the sake of your beloved and his company. Not only were multiple of your friends on his side, but your nephews also followed their cherished uncle. You remember Thorin telling them multiple stories when they were young lads, you also participated in telling them some of your own tales, but yours were never as astonishing as Thorin’s, especially not in the boys’ eyes. Of course, Fíli and Kíli enjoyed your stories a lot, but you knew that they enjoyed their uncle’s more, and it was more than fair. Thorin’s stories were heroic, full of adventures and exploration around Erebor. Hunting and killing creatures, enemies that dared getting too close to the king’s lands. These tales inspired your nephews to become just as great as their uncle and do as many things as he did, and that’s why they decided to join your betrothed on his quest. Thankfully all ended up well, and your new life was on its beginnings. It wasn’t easy in the first years, as they were spent rebuilding the kingdom. Even Thorin postponed his coronation until the reconstruction was completed. As he said, he couldn’t be king without a kingdom to rule.

‘’Amrâlimê, are you ready?’’

The voice of your husband pierced through the other side of the door where he waited for you. The two of you were supposed to have a meeting with Balin, Fíli, and few others to decide how festivities were to happen this time. Each year, you celebrated the victory of Erebor differently, not that there were many differences, but Thorin liked to add a special touch as the years went by.

‘’I’m not feeling so well my love, I don’t think I should attend the meeting, I wouldn’t want to make everyone sick’’

‘’Are you ill?’’ Thorin asked, worry showing as his tone changed.

‘’There is nothing to worry about, it’s probably just a flu’’

Your husband nodded to himself, believing you as you knew a lot about medicine.

‘’Alright then ghivashel, make sure to get some rest. I’ll come up to check on you after the meeting, and if it takes too long, I’ll come before it ends just to make sure of how you’re feeling’’

‘’Very well..’’ you said while opening the door of the bathroom.

Thorin’s hand automatically took rest on your cheek as you appeared before him. You were paler, you looked tired, exhausted even, and Thorin worried about you, but he knew that if you were to feel worse that you would go to him. His hand moved from your cheek to the back of your neck and with a gentle motion he brought your head closer and rested his lips on your forehead. He wanted to kiss you, but he knew that you wouldn’t allow him as you never did when you were in such state. You couldn’t risk getting your husband sick, especially not with all the royal duties he has.

‘’Go lay down, it will make you some good, a little sleep will help. Have you eaten at all today?’’

‘’I ate a little at breakfast, but I couldn’t stomach much’’ you admitted.

Thorin nodded and tucked some hair behind your ear.

‘’I’ll make sure to bring some warm soup on my way back from the meeting, alright? You need to keep your strength so that you can get better’’

‘’Alright amrâlimê, thank you’’

‘’Anything for my queen’’ he said before kissing your forehead again.

You smiled faintly and looked up at your husband’s blue eyes.

‘’Walk me to bed?’’

‘’With pleasure ghivashel’’

Thorin walked with you, a hand resting on the small of your back as he led you towards your shared feathered bed. When he reached your side of the bed, he lifted the furs with his free hand, helping you in the comfort and warmth you needed. As soon as your body laid in the soft and balmy bedding, your eyelids became heavy and your breathing deepened, which brought a smile to your husband’s lips.

‘’Sleep well amrâlimê’’ you heard him say in a low and gentle voice.

You could only answer in a mumble before falling asleep. Thorin waited to make sure you were really sleeping before he left. He then made his way downstairs and joined the others who were already waiting for him.

‘’Thorin, we were starting to wonder if you would truly join us’’ Balin joked, followed by a small chuckle.

‘’Sorry, I was held back by an unforeseen event’’

‘’Where’s irak’amad? Is she alright?’’ Fíli asked.

‘’She is getting some rest, she has not been feeling well’’

‘’Again?’’

Thorin looked at him, confusion in his eyes.

‘’What do you mean, again?’’

‘’Well, she has been feeling utterly sick lately, Kíli noticed first and when he asked if I noticed as well, I saw what he meant’’ the blonde dwarf prince explained.

Thorin frowned in confusion as he hasn’t noticed you being particularly sick lately, but he also has been busy with royal duties as of recently, so he has been spending less time with you than he regularly does. He decided to brush it off for now and focus on the task at hands. He would ask you later about what your nephew just told him. And so, the meeting went on, proceedings for the festivities were discussed and decided at the unanimity of all and quickly enough, Thorin was able to go to the kitchen to prepare you a warm and comforting soup his mom used to cook him when he was feeling under the weather.

As he walked back to your chambers he heard no sound, meaning you were still asleep and he was relieved, because if what Fíli said is true, then you needed you rest more than he thought. Thorin silently made his way to your bedside and gently put the tray down, careful to not wake you up or spill any liquid on the shiny oakwood of your bedside table. Despite his best efforts, you woke up because of the savory scent of the soup.

‘’galikh bakn yasath’’

You chuckled tiredly and looked at your husband.

‘’It’s quite far from morning now don’t you think?’’

Thorin smiled and helped you sit up.

‘’I prepared you my mother’s soup, I know how much you like it’’ he said while gently putting the tray down on your lap.

‘’Thank you amrâlimê, it smells delightful’’

You grabbed the spoon and started eating the lovely meal in front of you, and you thanked mahal that you were able to stomach it. Thorin watched as you take small sips from the wooden spoon and smiled to himself, but then remembered what Fíli told him earlier, making his worry come back as quickly as it arrived earlier.

‘’Ghivashel?’’

You looked at your husband and hummed in questioning, chewing on the vegetables in your mouth.

‘’While we were at the meeting, Fíli said that he and Kíli noticed you were often sick lately, and as much as I hate to admit I haven’t noticed, my schedule hasn’t allowed me to be with you as much as I’d like to be… And I wanted to know if it’s true’’

You put your spoon down in the bowl and sighed a little, hoping Thorin didn’t hear. You in fact have been sick for a few days now and though you thought it would’ve gotten better by now, it simply wouldn’t go away. You were thankful that your husband didn’t see you in such state as you hated when he did, he would desperately worry about you, and you simply couldn’t bear to have him in such state just because of you.

‘’I have…’’ you said quietly, not daring to look at him in the eyes.

His look softened, and his eyes became shiny, almost as if he teared up.

‘’Amrâlimê… Why didn’t you tell me before?’’

‘’I don’t want you to worry about me Thorin, you have enough on your mind as it is, you don’t need to worry about me more than you actually do, especially not when you’re as busy with royal duties as you are lately’’

‘’But I must worry about you’’ he said while gently taking your hand in his. ‘’What kind of husband would I be if I did not worry about you, abnâm’’

‘’It wouldn’t make you less of a good husband, my love’’

‘’It’s my duty as your husband to worry, now… Is it something bad?’’ he asked, scared to know the answer.

You sighed again. You of course knew why you were sick, you’ve known for a little while even. Being skilled with medicine, it didn’t take you long to realize why you were feeling ill, but you didn’t know how to break the news to Thorin.

‘’It’s not something bad amrâlimê’’ you said, still not looking at him.

Thorin grabbed the tray and put it back on the bedside table before sitting down in front of you, taking both your hands in his.

‘’Then what is it?’’

You looked at your hands in his, looking at the small details on his hands, looking at the ring you exchanged on the day of your wedding. A small smile formed on your lips as you think back to that day you when became his wife, became his queen. It was one of the best days of your life and it would always be, along with the day you realized you were pregnant. You and Thorin never really discussed having children, at least not in a serious way. You of course brought up the idea before when your nephews were toddlers, but it never came to life and only stayed a dream of yours. But now that your nephews were older, and that Fíli was more than prepared to be the next king as he’s been your husband’s heir ever since his birth, you didn’t know if you being pregnant would bring as much joy as it would’ve brought years ago.

‘’My love?’’ Thorin said, breaking you out of your thoughts.

‘’I-‘’ you sighed. ‘’I don’t know how to tell you Thorin… I truly don’t’’

Your husband held your hands tightly, now only worrying more even if you told him that it was nothing bad.

‘’You don’t need to be scared ghivashel’’ he said while gently rubbing the top of your hand with his rough thumb.

You intertwined your fingers with his and looked up at his eyes. Oh, how you wished your child would have his beautiful ocean eyes.

‘’I’m pregnant Thorin’’

His eyes grew big at the sudden news. He was expecting everything but this, but that didn’t make him less happy. A big smile quickly made its way to his lips and his eyes lit up like fireworks in the dark summer skies.

‘’Are you really?’’

You nodded.

‘’If my calculations are right, I should be 4 months along’’

‘’Already?’’ Thorin asked excitedly.

You nodded again, which made your husband’s smile grow even more.

‘’Amrâlimê I can’t believe this, our own lad or lass’’ he said, gently resting his hand on your lower stomach.

You smiled too, but not as much as you should.

‘’Is something wrong?’’ Thorin asked.

‘’What about Fíli… This changes everything now, doesn’t it?’’

‘’Well… It technically should, yes’’ he answered.

‘’Technically?’’ you asked, confused.

‘’What I mean is… I could always decide to leave the throne to him, he’s been my heir for over 80 years, it wouldn’t feel right to take it away from him so suddenly after all the work he did to be in my boots’’

You nodded in agreement, relieved to know he thought just like you did.

‘’But we have time to decide, we still have a few months left before our little one is born, we can wait to announce your pregnancy and we can wait until you give birth to take a decision on the line of succession’’ Thorin said softly, being surprisingly calm towards the situation.

‘’Alright my love, let’s do it that way’’

Thorin smiled and kissed you differently than usually, it was a kiss you haven’t had in a long time. A kiss that meant you were about to start a new life.

Months went by rapidly, and you now found yourself near your due date. Your bump was taking most of the space wherever you went and you felt like an inconvenience to all due to your ability to do things being limited. Thorin made sure to always be by your side, and if he couldn’t, he made sure you weren’t alone. Luckily for him, your youngest nephew dedicated himself to you almost entirely ever since you announced your pregnancy to everyone. Kíli has always been very fond of you, even as a young lad he enjoyed spending lots of time with you whenever Fíli was busy on royal duty with Thorin. You two had a special bond and it only strengthened after he learned he would have a cousin.

‘’Irak’amad we should go outside, it’s nice and sunny and there’s a nice breeze, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it more than all that grey stone’’ Kíli said laughing as he knew Thorin restricted you to a few rooms only ever since you entered the last weeks of your pregnancy.

‘’Please, I am suffocating in here’’ you answered with a chuckle.

Kíli helped you up from the chair on which you were sitting and helped you walk outside of your room, leading you towards the gardens where you could rest on benches while enjoying the lovely weather of spring.

‘’How are you feeling?’’ your nephew asked as you two walked outside.

‘’Better now that I can feel the wind on my face’’

Kíli chuckled and led you to a bench, where he helped you sit.

‘’Thank you Kíli’’

‘’Any time’’ he answered before sitting next to you.

The two of you talked and as you listened to Kíli telling you about his hunting trip with Fíli, you felt a pain down your back, but thought nothing of it as you have been feeling these for a few days now, which was normal due the advanced state of your pregnancy.

‘’Irak’amad?’’

‘’Yes Kíli?’’

‘’Have you and Thorin thought about the line succession? I’m sorry its none of my business, but I’m simply curious’’

‘’Oh’’ you gave him a small smile. ‘’Well, I think we will leave it as it is, although we haven’t fully decided yet. But we both think it would be unfair to your brother with all the work he put in, it would only be right to honor his efforts’’

Kíli nodded.

‘’And plus, if Fíli remains the heir, I could spend more time with the little one without having her taken away for royal duties’’

You chuckled at his response. You loved how convinced Kíli was that you were having a girl. He claimed that he asked your bumped and got an answer and has ever since been saying that you were carrying a daughter. Thorin thought it was nonsense, yet thought it was funny.

‘’That’s also true, but you better not trick my child into all those schemes of yours, I had enough of dealing with you and your brother, I don’t want history to repeat itself’’ you said laughing.

‘’I’ll try my best, but I’m so convincing that she might end up just like me’’

You two laughed together, but soon your happy expression turned into a pained one.

‘’Irak’amad? Is everything alright?’’

‘’Y-Yes, just a fake contraction’’ you said while taking a deep breath.

Kíli nodded, not fully convince as your face was still clearly showing you were in pain. And his doubts were confirmed when you frowned again, this time both from pain and shock. You felt liquid run down your legs and soon enough Kíli saw it as it fell down the garden’s stone.

‘’Let’s get you inside quickly, can you walk?’’ he asked you while quickly getting up.

You could only nod as an answer. Kíli helped you up gently but also rapidly as he knew there was no time to waste.

You both walked inside and looked for someone to alert Thorin that you went into labor. Yet no one was around, and you started panicking.

‘’Don’t worry, we’ll find someone’’ Kíli said reassuringly while turning his head left and right in hopes someone would magically appear.

Almost as his prayers were heard, he heard the steps of someone approaching. You both recognized Thorin’s footsteps and when he passed the wall and saw you, his eyes grew big.

‘’Amrâlimê! What on Earth are you doing out of our room? Didn’t I tell you to-‘’ but he was quick to stop talking when he realized what was happening.

‘’Kíli, go get your mother, tell her to join us with water and towels, now!’’ Thorin said while walking to you.

Kíli quickly ran to search for his mother while Thorin grabbed your hand and put his other on your lower back.

‘’Let’s get you in our room’’

You nodded and walked with him back to your chambers, where you were joined by Kíli, Fíli, and Dís.

‘’Give one big push, you’re almost done’’

Dís’ voice was mixed with a ringing from your ears. You didn’t know how long you’ve been in active labor for, but all you knew was that you couldn’t keep going for long. You were dizzy, sweaty, in pain, and felt light. You barely had any energy left in you, the only thing keeping you going were the sweet words your husband was whispering in your ear. Thorin knew how hard labor was, he was there for both Fíli and Kíli’s birth, but he had to acknowledge that your labor was by far worse than Dís’. You were losing more blood, nothing alarming but still more than regular blood loss, and he could tell that you were running out of energy. He was worried sick, but he knew that was the last thing you needed right now and so he kept it inside of him. He thanked mahal that Fíli and Kíli also hid their worry from you. Your nephews were on the other side of the bed, Kíli held your hand while Fíli wiped the sweat off your forehead with a cold cloth. Thorin of course held your hand too and kept whispering in your ear, reciting how you met, how he asked to court you, how your wedding day went, and all those events that made you happy.

As you gave the big push Dís requested, you let out a scream of pain and squeezed both your husband’s and your nephew’s hand tightly. Tears were streaming down your face and Thorin gently wiped them with his thumb.

‘’You’re doing so good ghivashel, I’m so proud of you’’ he whispered in your ear before kissing your temple, which was sweaty and had hair stuck to it, but he didn’t mind.

‘’Good, that’s good! The baby is almost out, keep going like this’’ Dís said trying to encourage you.

Her technique worked, because less than ten minutes later, the room was filled with the piercing cries of your baby. Dís wiped the baby and pat its back to remove anything that could block its airways before cutting the cord and wrapping your baby in clean furs.

‘’It’s a little girl’’ she said smiling while handing you the baby.

You took your baby in your arms and looked down at her, she was the exact copy of Thorin. Same nose, same lips, same shape of eyes. You smiled and sobbed happily before looking at your husband, who was also crying. Thorin gently put a hand on your daughter’s head and kissed you.

‘’Thank you amrâlimê, thank you so much’’ he whispered against your lips before kissing you once more.

Fíli and Kíli looked at each other and smiled. They never thought that they would’ve witness anything like this, especially not coming from you and Thorin, but they couldn’t be happier to have been present for the birth of their cousin.

‘’I was right’’ Kíli said while nudging his older brother in the ribs, leaving Fíli to groan in pain.

‘’Kee don’t ruin the moment’’ Fíli said, which made you chuckle tiredly.

‘’I’m not, I was just saying’’ the youngest said teasingly.

They both then looked down in your arms and smiled more.

‘’She’s beautiful irak’amad, congratulations’’

‘’Thank you Fíli’’ you smiled at your nephew.

‘’Our little princess’’ Thorin said, smiling down at your daughter.

He never thought that his life needed something else. He had you, his sister, his nephews, his friends, and his kingdom, and for the longest time, his life felt complete. But that was before he learned about your pregnancy, and before meeting your daughter. This new life was all he needed to truly, and finally be complete.

[gojocumdumpster]

”My name is Baki…Baki Hanma” 2

Type of story: Sfw

Afab reader (Sorry guys if there's not a lot gender neutral yall know im slow as hell)

I'm not using those pink letters int this story for y/n.

You had arrived home going to your bedroom, "I think I'll take a shower tomorrow." You said laying down on your bed. All you could think of was Baki..Baki Hanma. Maybe those girls who sat next to you were right. 2 weeks past and the next tournament was today.

Baki's POV: She said she was going to be here, should I ask for her number? Would if she says no..? Would if she thinks I'm a monster, would if she has a boyfriend.. Baki said to himself walking around circles in his graffitied house.

You woke up, today was the tournament and today you were going to see Baki. You paided for your tickets through the app and got the same spot you sat last time, you decided to wear a black dress to show off those curves. Hol on y/n do a 360 lemme see that ass move This was your dress: here with your choice of shoes. cause yall gon bash me for picking crocs You did your morning routine and had time to make breakfast so you made oatmeal and left.

You made it to the tournament building and waited in the lane for people who paided online, you parked your car and made your way towards the lobby, men were staring at you up and down the girls were giving you nasty looks but you didn't care because you were the bad bitch only in there. Except Jackiesha was the OG you can't out do the OG..anyways..

You made your to the food court and got you a hot dog and a drink, you walked to the arena as you took your seat, Round 1 was a tie because they both got knocked out at the same time. People were saying it wasn't fair and some were, you had to get on someone's case because they were doing to damn much. After that they were quiet the whole time, last round you saw that same Reddish-brownish haired boy. You stood up chanting his name as you waved at him to get his attention, he some how heard you through all those loud manly deep voices when you had a soft voice. Look at you. Now your doing to much y/n sit tf down.. He looked up at you and shook his head smiling.

You sat down waiting for the next fighter to come out. You ate your food as your were excited to see baki win. 6 minutes in the round baki was about to lose until he did a special move his father taught him that had everyone in shock. Everyone was silent as he got up and walked away until he heard *Clap Clap..* No it isnt what you think... You stood up clapping for Baki soon people were clapping with you. He looked at you with a big smile as he gave you a thumbs up.

It was time to leave and you were "lost" again as you walked to the back. You saw fighters looking at you like last time biting there lips at you. You didn't know which room Baki was so kept walking until you saw a room with there door creaked halfway. It looked like Baki was there! *Knock Knock* "Room service is here!" You said knocking on the door. "Y/n is that you.?!" he said chuckling and opening the door more. He let you come in his room as it had a shower and a couch with a TV. He closed the door and turned towards you. "W-wow you look better up close" He said nervously.."Thank's Baki!" You say as you give him a 360.

"Is it okay if I hug you?" He said fiddling with his hands. "Sure!" You said reaching your hands out. You guys hugged each other his hand's slowly trailing from your back to your waist and resting on your hips as he rubs your hips gripping the thickness of it, slowly going down to your plump round butt both hands touching it. You were blushing in his neck the whole time with your hands around his neck, he gripped your ass as they fit perfectly in his hands. I'm sorry y/n I think I lost myself for a second as he lets go. "It's okay Baki" you say laughing at his flustered face. You guys took a seat on the couch he wanted to tell you something. You could tell, "What is it Baki? Tell me.' You say with your hand on his thigh looking at him with pleading eyes. He looked at you in shock as if you almost read his mind. "Can I get your number..? It's fine if you don't-" You cut him off "Of course Baki!" as you put your number in his phone fast as light. He smiled at you shaking his head. You guys hung out for hours on the couch. It was time to go and he had walked you out to the entrance. You said your goodbyes and quickly kissed him on his cheek and ran off to your car. He touched the part where you kissed him and looked at your car in shock as you drove off.

[trivialbob]

Tonight Sheila and I went to the brewery. We played cards while we had a beer and ate pizza we brought with us.

We didn't bring any of our dogs. Sheila made a point to pet every dog in the brewery. One person said her Golden Doodle likes pizza crusts. Sheila offered a crust to that dog named Ruby. Ruby was extremely friendly, yet would not take food from a stranger. Sure, we could rub her belly. Just not feed her.

The pizza, from our nearby tavern, was The Loafer: Garlic butter mashed potatoes, house cheese blend, meatloaf, sauteed mushrooms, and garnished with zesty ketchup and parsley. It was fantastic. I have one left over slice which I'm going to devour for breakfast tomorrow.

Again Sheila won at Five Crowns, the card game we bring with us. She keeps a tally. After tonight's games Sheila is up 25 to 10 games. She guards that little scrap of paper like it's a winning Powerball ticket.

I've been wanting to make my own gin again. On the way home from the brewery we stopped to get vodka. Sheila pointed out some beer she thought I'd like. I bought this four-pack of Lupilin Brewing's Salted Caramel Stuffed Double Chocolate Cookie Imperial Stout.

Four 16 ounce cans. 10% ABV. Eight word and 18 syllable name.

Those flavors tell me it should have come with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and perhaps even some dental floss. I don't fee like having one tonight. I'm full of pizza and in no need of dessert.

When making homemade gin you don't need the finest vodka as a base. Though I enjoy saving money and love fun product names, I couldn't bring myself to buy Gotcha Vodka, despite the lofty description that says it is "5X distilled - ultra purified vodka made with 100% Iowa corn."

[gamesetcheckeredflag]

best ranked

i just realized i have a finished sincaraz fic that i forgot to post so here it is.

pairing: jannik sinner x carlos alcaraz summary: at the atp finals jannik ran into his ex gf and carlos is protective word count: 1500

Jannik woke up early in the morning and a smile made its way up his face when he noticed Carlos’ chest was pressed on his back and his arm was laid over his waist.

Careful not to disturb Carlos who was still sleeping he wormed his way out from under the blanket to head to the bathroom so he could get ready for the day. It was his first free day since he arrived in Turin for the ATP Finals and he couldn’t be happier.

After the last weeks that were full with practice and matches, he was glad to just spend a day with his boyfriend in town, eating gelato and relax even though Jannik would be even happier if Carlos just took the day to rest as he was still sick but the Spaniard was stubborn.

When Jannik returned he found Carlos still in the bed but he now had his eyes open and was checking his phone.

“Hey babe. How are you feeling,” Jannik said as he stepped closer to Carlos and pressed his hand to Carlos’ forehead to check for a fever.

“I’m good, amor. Just a bit cold,” the younger man answered while he was visibly shaking under the thick blanket.

“Not surprising. You have a fever Carlitos. You should really be resting today instead of going in town with me.” The redhead looked at Carlos with worry in his eyes.

“No. ‘m fine. I will just take some ibuprofen.”

Jannik could only shake his head at Carlos’ stubbornness but relented. There wasn’t much he could do. He knew his boyfriend and he could only stop him by tying him on the bed and that was obviously not gonna work out.

***

Around an hour later they were wandering through the streets of Turin, with Carlos swaying a bit from time to time as he was still dizzy from the illness because the ibuprofen hasn’t really kicked in yet.

“Look, Jannik! An ice café! Let’s go there!” Carlos said excitedly while pointing at the café nearby.

“Babe, we just ate breakfast half an hour ago and you are sick. Are you sure you wanna eat ice cream right now?”

“Yes, amor. Let’s go. Pleaseee. I just wanna have Italian ice cream.” Carlos looked at his boyfriend with those big brown eyes and Jannik couldn’t help but relent.

And so, ten minutes later, they were sitting on a bench with Carlos happily licking on his ice cream.

“I don’t know how, but Italian ice cream is better than ice cream anywhere else. Seriously, amor, what are you guys doing differently?”

“Carlitos, are you sure everything you took earlier was ibuprofen? Because you are a bit over the top today,” the Italian said while looking Carlos in the eyes as if he could find an answer there. But all he could see were brown – that in this particular lightning had green dots in them – eyes that were staring back.

“Only ibuprofen. Nothing else. I am just so happy because I am in Italy with my boyfriend who is number one in the world and plays so good tennis, he’s gonna win the ATP Finals,” Carlos said while grinning widely which remembered Jannik more of a five-year-old kid than a grown adult.  

“You don’t know if I’m gonna win, Carlitos. Maybe you will.” Immediately after Jannik said that he received the biggest side eye from Carlos.

“Amor, I think we both know that the chances of me winning in this state aren’t exactly high. But it doesn’t matter I will be super happy when you will stand there with the trophy.”

Jannik couldn’t help but smile at his boyfriend’s words.

“I will just head to the bathroom for a moment but I’ll be back in a minute,” Carlos said as he raised from his chair while Jannik just nodded.

For a moment he just continued sitting at the table but a moment later, he heard a voice.

“Jannik?” A young, blonde woman was standing in front of Jannik. And he recognized her. It was Sofia, his ex from when he was still in high school.

They had broken up after Jannik had noticed she was just playing with him, having cheated on him multiple times and always made fun of him with her friends.

“Sofia. Schön dich mal wiederzusehen,” (nice to see you again) Jannik said, forcing a smile on his face. It wasn’t nice to see her. Just her standing in front of him brought back memories he would rather forget. She nearly made him give up his dream of becoming a tennis player and made him very insecure.

He had read many comments on the internet about how cold he is, always retreating and that he always seemed as if he hated being around people, but these people didn’t know why he was like that. It was a self-defense mechanism he had used to keep himself from getting hurt again. He didn’t need to live through all of this again.

“Ja, wirklich schön. Bist du hier um dieses Tennis Turnier zu schauen? Wie hieß es noch gleich? ATP Finals? Da du ja kein professioneller Spieler werden konntest schaust du denen die es konnten zumindest zu?“ (Yes, very nice. Are you here to watch this tennis tournament? What was it called? ATP Finals? As you didn’t manage to become a professional tennis player are you at least watching these people who did?) Jannik realized that Sofia was just trying to provoke him, obviously having no clue that Jannik was indeed there for the ATP Finals, but not to watch it, no, to play there.

He wanted to say something to catch her off guard but, in that moment, he could only sit there and look at the melting ice in the glass in front of him.

But luckily, he could see Carlos emerge from the bathroom only seconds later.

“Hey, Jannik. Are you ok? Who is this?” Jannik could swear he had never been happier to hear his boyfriend’s voice than right now.

“This is Sofia. You know. My ex. I told you about her.”

Carlos immediately knew who Jannik was talking about, and it was obvious by the way his eyes narrowed as he stepped closer to Jannik.

“Ah. What were you guys talking about,” he asked with his voice being cold as ice.

“I just asked Jannik if he was here to watch this tennis thingy. He had always wanted to play professionally but it obviously didn’t work out,” the blonde said with the sweetest voice that made Carlos cringe internally.

“Oh. What… what makes you think he didn’t become a professional tennis player,” Carlos asked coldly.

“Well, he obviously wouldn’t be sitting here eating ice cream. He would be playing or training. And why do you even care,” Sofia started asking as she realized Carlos didn’t like her at all.

“Interesting. As far as I know Jannik is currently the best ranked tennis player in the world,” the Spaniard started as he stepped even closer to Jannik who was now practically curled up on his chair, obviously feeling uncomfortable and trapped in the situation. “This is actually our first day off since I don’t even know how long. Not even a month ago he won six million dollars. This year he won two grand slams. And you really say he didn’t manage to become a professional tennis player? Maybe google him some time. You’ll see how wrong you were.”

The blonde woman just looked at him with her piercing blue eyes.

“How the fuck dare you talk to me like that-“ But she couldn’t say anymore as Carlos immediately stopped her.

“Because I was really looking forward to spend the time with my amazing boyfriend and we actually enjoyed it until you appeared here with your unqualified comments. So, I’ll ask you nicely to piss off and let us enjoy our day of, ok? Gracias.”

For a moment Sofia looked stunned before she gasped.

“Boyfriend?!” She shook her head before she simply turned around to run out of the café.

Carlos turned to his boyfriend who was sitting on the small chair with his legs pulled to his chest.

“I am sorry, amor. Are you ok? I shouldn’t have been so loud, sorry.” The younger man reached out to brush his hand through Jannik’s curls.

He knew that Jannik hasn’t had the easiest childhood with everyone making fun of his dreams and he also knew how it affected Jannik how he was now.

“It’s okay. Let’s just go back to the hotel,” Jannik whispered.

The redhead stood up and his boyfriend led him out of the ice café so they could soon be back in their hotel room.

When they finally arrived there, Carlos pulled Jannik with him to the bed where he tucked the redhead in a thick blanket.

“Just relax a bit. Do you need anything? Do you wanna talk about it,” the Spaniard asked.

“Just you. I wanna have a hug. Please, Carlitos.” Jannik still didn’t speak louder than in a whisper and Carlos immediately sat down next to Jannik in bed and hugged him tightly.

The Italian buried his face in Carlos’ chest as he took a deep breath, the smell of his boyfriend’s hoodie calming him a bit.

“You are amazing, Jannik. Never let anyone tell you something else. I am so proud of you, mi amor.”  

[onboardsorasora]

Here's some feel good championship celebrations. Trying to get back into the swing of writing, I hope this is good lmao. Peripheral editing, so sorry for any mistakes.

Part 1 | Part 20

Part 21

Daniel grinned as he held his phone aloft, filming the singing crew below. From his vantage point halfway up the stairs he could see all the mechanics as they sang drunkenly along with Christian to Wonderwall. Who knew Genty knew how to play the guitar?!

Daniel was amazed, he’d never been with a team when they won a big championship before and being in the depth of the garage when Max crossed the finish line in Japan had been quite literally a surreal out of body experience.

He and Blake watched as Max was enveloped by his team, patting him on his helmet and back, lifting him high into the air. The drinking had started immediately, and now hours later, Daniel knew he was the only sober person in the building (stupid meds). But it was fine, he was more than happy to (unofficially) record the memories for the team. He swung his camera to the left to capture the moment when Max walked back into the room– the cheers that erupted were deafening. It felt as if he was at an Eagles game and they just scored the game winning goal, only condensed in this tiny room.

Max went pliantly into Christian’s hug, both men grinning squinty, crinkly, happy grins. Daniel knew that there wasn’t one braincell between them right now.

Max looked up and his face brightened when he recognised Daniel, he waved him down and everyone turned around to see who had Max’s attention. They all cheered again when they too saw the Aussie. 

Aussie Aussie Aussie!!!

Oi Oi Oi!!

Daniel didn’t see who started the chant, but he did see Micheal gleefully screaming along. Blake motioned for him to go downstairs and he did, yelling out his own ‘kikiki ra!’ that Max returned.

“Hi” Daniel grinned once stood beside Max, a waitress came then with a new round of drinks and Max quickly grabbed the lone bottle of sparkling water and pressed it gently in Daniel’s left hand. 

There was a toast to the team, and Daniel took his time uncapping his bottle. When the screams went up again he was ready with his own drink, drinking to the 6 time world champs.

“One down, one to go eh?!” Someone yelled and that started a chant of ‘one more time’ which had Max positively beaming.

Daniel kissed his boyfriend’s cheek but Max wasn’t having it– pulling him in close for a full blown wet kiss. If Daniel thought the cacophony before was loud, the noise now was thunderous.

Later, when Daniel was steadying Max as they walked to their room, he couldn’t help but stare fondly at his wasted boyfriend. He had stuck to gin and tonics the whole night, but Christian had left an open tab on the company card– and Max had conspiratorially told him that there was a championship budget with a lot of zeros. 

No one else faired any better, Daniel had dropped off Blake and Micheal two floors down– it had been a wild ride trying to coax Max back into the elevator. He didn’t want to accept that they hadn’t reached their room yet. But they made it and Daniel felt he deserved a prize for shepherding an entire drunk team. Max fell face first into the bed– literally already asleep, and Daniel followed behind him after taking off their shoes.

Daniel woke up to the smell of breakfast and his stomach growled louder than any noise the team made last night. He distantly heard Max’s chuckle and felt lips pressed to his forehead. Max was fresh from the shower damp, his cheeks still rosy from the heat of the water. Daniel didn’t comment on the fact that he was wearing his sunglasses.

“Morning Love, Christian sent up breakfast and a card. His text said that you ‘did the lord’s work’ and he appreciates it.” Max yawned around some of his words, and his accent ate the others. 

Daniel smiled indulgently, last night was fun and he was excited to do it again in Qatar– he should be off his meds by then so someone else will have to babysit.

[evelhak]

Kuroko Tetsuya, Unabridged

(KnB fic by evelhak/Glasssneaker)

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

Author's note: I had a sudden urge to write a Tumblr friendly fic (meaning not humongous), and this happened. It's everything I don't normally do. It's only about 5000 words, it's a standalone, it's in third person and past tense. So, if you're interested in a bit of a comedic take on "What goes on with Kuroko behind the scenes?", this shouldn't take too much of your time.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

Kuroko Tetsuya was waking up early in the morning. He had, of course, gone to bed early, like a responsible young athlete should, even if they didn’t happen to have a tournament or a training camp coming up just then. The shadow of Seirin’s basketball team was always ready for action.

I am lead. I am a pile of bricks. There’s a better chance for a meteorite to strike than for me to get out of this bed.

Of course, the reason he had gone to bed early was his unstoppable drive to read the gothic mystery novel Rebecca which had caught his attention in the library just the day before. Kuroko had not stopped reading until the wee hours, in the full knowledge that Coach would casually maim him, if she noticed he hadn’t slept enough and was too tired to function at practise because of it.

I can still say I went to bed early, and it’s not technically a lie, Kuroko had thought in the tempting light of his reading lamp, turning one more chapter.

Kuroko showed no signs of life under his blanket, until something cold and wet met his face and made his skin crawl. And it wasn’t Nigou’s firm lick, which would have been about a thousand times more pleasant to wake up to, than this nerve-rackingly light and simultaneously sharp surprise that made him blink rapidly before his eyes came into focus, and Kuroko saw his grandmother standing beside his bed, holding the spray bottle she used to refresh the house plants.

– Oops, Granny said with a barely contained grin. – Looks like I mistook you for another wilted flower.

The spray of water had not revived Kuroko’s brain-mouth connection yet, so nothing but a quiet groan came out of him, as he attempted to crawl even deeper into his bed. He was barely aware of the woof and the sound of little steps in the room, before Granny’s cheerful voice said:

– Nigou, steal!

That’s when Kuroko’s blanket was suddenly nowhere to be found, or rather, it was being pulled out of the room between Nigou’s teeth, while Kuroko was too stunned, trying to comprehend the depth of the betrayal.

How dare you. I found you, I took you in…

It wasn’t the first time, of course, that Granny had been compelled to use creative strategies to get her teenager out of bed. Who knows if Seirin’s legendary win in the Winter Cup would have even been possible without the uncredited grandmother. But it was the first time she had teamed up with Nigou like this.

Of course she had taught Nigou to steal. The two were spending entirely too much time alone at home together.

Kuroko was still salty as soy sauce when he managed to drag himself out of the bed and into the bathroom.

Why didn’t I wash my hair at night?

The answer was of course that he never did if he could help it, because the only way to tame his impossible bedhead was to wash his hair in the morning. But sometimes it was nice to at least pretend he had options.

After the episodes I hate showering in the morning through I live here now, plus a good breakfast Kuroko’s Granny made sure he ate, the phantom sixth man started to finally look like he wasn’t living excessively up to his name, and going to school was starting to seem like a worthy goal for the day, if only because it meant he could spend the way there with his nose stuck in a book. The reason that it wasn’t dangerous for this barely noticeable guy to walk among the traffic with both of his eyes entranced by the pages, even though he simultaneously thought it was too dangerous to walk while holding something in both hands, was of course, due to his superior observational skills. It wasn’t at all hypocritical or a sign of barely disguised and very selective anxiety.

Kuroko came dangerously close to someone’s bike’s handlebar getting caught into his bag, being knocked into a wall by someone swinging their groceries recklessly, and walking into a lamp-post, the last one being the only one he noticed.

Whoops. That would have been embarrassing. In my defence, I was walking through the dark corridor of a gothic mansion, and there were no lamp-posts…

He did, however, walk straight into Kagami Taiga at the school gate.

– Hey! Watch where you’re going, maybe??

– Oh. Good morning, Kagami-kun.

Mission accomplished.

– Good morning my ass… we have math the first thing, right?

– Hmm? Yes, that’s right.

My timing was spectacular, too.

– Besides, how many times have I told you you’re gonna get yourself killed if you keep reading like that?!

Not nearly enough for it to stop being cute.

– I’m fine, Kagami-kun. So far my car-dodging has a 100% success rate.

– Well, you only need one mistake!

Why don’t you start walking me home if you’re so worried?

– I’m careful.

– Yeah, right. And you have the nerve to call me and idiot…

At least I’ve got your undivided attention.

– Calm down, Kagami-kun. It’s not good for you to overheat your brain before math class.

– Hah! How do you not overheat your brain, sitting there, listening to that boring nonsense…

– I simply don’t have your overheating problem.

I have no intention of listening in math class. Zero.

Indeed, Kuroko was lucky that he was sitting behind his tall friend, and not only because watching Kagami’s broad back, his shoulders rising, his muscles twitching, his ears looking like steam might really start to rise from them while the boy struggled through another set of incomprehensible math questions, was infinitely better use of Kuroko’s time than learning to draw parabolas which he was completely certain he would not have any use for in the future, no matter what it would turn out to be like otherwise. He could not imagine wanting any job that involved that much math, especially while he had a chance to stare at Kagami’s animated form without any interruptions, wondering about both old and new things about him. Sometimes Kuroko thought Kagami must be just one giant nerve instead of a normal web of them, for the way his whole being seemed to react to everything.

As entertaining as Kagami was to watch, today Kuroko was simply using him as a cover, so he could keep escaping into the mysteries of Rebecca.

He did the same in English class as well, even though that made his conscience sting slightly more, since English was something that his future would involve a lot of, if things went according to his still vague plans. However, his sympathies were entirely too engaged with the new Mrs. de Winter trying to establish herself at the mistress of the threatening mansion despite of her shyness and inexperience. She had just had the brilliant idea of dressing herself after one of the old paintings in the house, for the party she was hosting, and Kuroko felt the plot thickening. The terrible hag of a housekeeper was entirely too amiable all of a sudden, it had to be a trap. Kuroko was sure of it…

The teacher announced they would be doing conversation exercises in pairs next, just when every pair of eyes at the party had stopped to stare at the main character as if they’d seen a ghost.

No. No, no, no, not now.

But Kuroko had to slip the book into his bag before Kagami turned towards his desk, even though it was like it physically hurt his mind to do so. Kagami was never calm about Kuroko using him as a cover in class. Not that Kagami was ever calm about anything.

Kuroko of course, sat there as cool as a glass of milkshake.

My soul is burning in the fires of hell until I know what Mr. de Winter will say. There’s no doubt the painting and the dress had something to do with his dead wife…

– Hm? Why do you look like your soul has left? Kagami asked, raising an eyebrow as he dropped his textbook on Kuroko’s desk and crossed his arms over it. Unfortunately he was becoming more adept at reading Kuroko’s micro expressions every day.

You would never understand. My life depends on this right now…

– Well, I can’t say I’m eagerly waiting for another chance for you to laugh at me, Kuroko said instead, which made Kagami snort.

– Come on, it’s not like your English is that bad.

The fact that Kagami was so encouraging about it, despite of clearly waiting for another chance to laugh, could only mean that Kuroko’s English was exactly that bad.

Unfortunately, my life depends on this too.

Kuroko opened his textbook, knowing he was about to be slaughtered.

I just have to bear it, so that years from now, I can torment you about laughing at me, while I was suffering, doing my best for our sake, while you sat there clueless, your farthest plan for the future probably being the giant ham sandwich you were going to eat at lunch. If that far.

It wasn’t like Kuroko had an elaborate plan for the future himself, but if there was one clear thing he knew he wanted, he was going to bet all his chips on it.

Kagami sounded as bored as ever, like what they were doing right now was indeed just an English exercise with no meaning. Kuroko kept looking at Kagami’s downcast eyes intently while he read from the textbook.

If you don’t realize you’re not going to stay in Japan forever, you’re as much of a moron as everyone says you are. And if you don’t realize that I’m coming right after you, you’re an even bigger one.

Kagami did eat a giant ham sandwich for lunch, and he did of course come to eat it at Kuroko’s desk, just when he could have done with less of Kagami’s undivided attention, because it kept him from reading the book. Kagami had started to complain about something Coach had said the day before, and Kuroko was of course listening completely.

I hate it when main characters have no name, it makes them feel less like a person, and more like a reader stand-in. Someone you’re meant to occupy to see, instead of someone you’re meant to look at and understand. Maybe it’s on purpose, because she thinks she’s so much less than the original Mrs. de Winter, who everyone seems to know as Rebecca, more than Mrs. de Winter, anyway. Maybe it’s supposed to highlight how she doesn’t feel as much like she is her own person. Still, I wish she had a name. I don’t like feeling as if there’s nothing more to her than being the new Mrs. de Winter, as if she didn’t even have a surname before that. Well, I’m certainly not going to call her Daphne, after the author… people who think every book is autobiographical have no imagination…

Kagami’s mouth had been too full to speak for a while, so actually Kuroko hadn’t missed much, but now there was suddenly a hand waving in front of Kuroko’s eyes.

– Earth to Kuroko! Hah… sometimes I do wonder what goes on in there, when your eyes go all vacant like that…

You’d be bored to death.

– Hmm… Kagami-kun, what do you think would be a nice name for a young woman in English?

– Huh? Where the heck did that come from?

Again, you’d be bored to death, but actually now I just kind of want to know.

– Well, you must have known a lot of people with interesting names, before. I just got curious.

– Uh. I don’t know about interesting… what’s with the “young woman” part, anyway? Are you trying to come up with some extremely roundabout and random way to ask if I had a girlfriend or something?

– Oh. Yes, sure.

Since Kagami had offered that part himself, Kuroko might haven been casually interested. Otherwise, why would he think about something like that?

– Huh? Really?

Kuroko simply shrugged at Kagami’s baffled expression.

– Well, no, I had no one! Geez…

Kuroko had absolutely no further plans for this information, which was why it was automatically filed in the “ESSENTIAL” category in his head, whether he was actually conscious of it or not.

– So, are there any names that you like the sound of?

– That is what you really want to know??

Kagami’s face hid none of his frustration with Kuroko’s odd questions, which Kuroko enjoyed a great deal. He nodded, not able to hide all of his smile. He loved it that Kagami’s expression immediately slipped into a pondering one, that he was unable to refuse Kuroko’s request despite of acting like it was the weirdest thing he could have possibly asked.

Kagami scratched his head.

– Uh… well, maybe… Cassandra? Is kind of nice?

And impossible to pronounce.

– So, you didn’t have a crush overseas, called… that?

Kuroko wasn’t even going to attempt to say it right now, because he didn’t feel like butchering the name. Cassandra de Winter did sound like the heroine of a gothic mystery novel, though.

– No, I didn’t!

– Hmm. Then would you name your child that?

Kagami’s eyebrows shot up.

– Literally what is up with these questions?? Who even thinks about that, except like some eight-year-old girl playing house?!

His arms were accompanying his expressions now too, which Kuroko always found all the more amusing.

– It’s just a question, Kuroko said.

– Do you think about what to name your hypothetical future children??

– No.

– See??

I just like watching your reaction to every silly thing I can think of.

Indeed, it had quite eased Kuroko’s need to get back to the book as soon as possible. Possibly he could even wait until he was on his way home after practise. The words on the page would not change even if he waited, but each of Kagami’s expressions and gestures, although so familiar to Kuroko already, was unique.

His unstoppable drive for reading defeated, Kuroko also made an effort to listen in class for the rest of the day, if only because they had Japanese next, and then geography, both of which he actually liked and usually did quite well in. Despite of that, Kuroko found out the pop quiz on the seas and rivers of the world they’d had yesterday, hadn’t gone exactly great. Actually Kuroko’s results were not too much better than Kagami’s, who was quite fascinated by the discovery.

– Huh. I thought you were into this subject, Kagami said, looking over at Kuroko’s desk curiously.

– I suppose I’m not that interested in maps.

– Oh.

Kagami turned away, but then glanced back like he might have wanted to ask why, but decided not to, anyway. Kuroko was a bit relieved, since he didn’t think he could have explained it in a way that would have made sense, anyway.

Because maps have no faces. They are dry and detached from the human aspect. From the people I’m interested to learn about. You can’t ask who the Nile or the Pacific Ocean on the map is, the way you can ask who the people are, who speak this language, or have this custom, or this belief, or these types of clothes. It’s much more satisfying to know what the Nile means to someone who would be there to experience it, than it is to know where, precisely, it is.

Kuroko’s resolve to focus was already wavering since he had began to philosophize about what did or didn’t make something interesting, which was an entire rabbit hole of a topic, and his eyes had gravitated a lot closer to the window than they had yet that day. Once a question or an idea was in his head, it felt very unsatisfying to stop thinking about it before it had reached a somewhat all-encompassing conclusion.

Kuroko was staring at a slowly moving group of clouds intensely, about to start looking for the common denominator between the uninteresting and the interesting subjects at school, when his phone buzzed quietly in the side pocket of his school bag. Since he had never been caught on his phone in class, he had began to feel less and less guilty about checking a message every now and then, as the years went by.

He wasn’t at all surprised that the person on the other end, risking getting caught in class, was Kise Ryota. It appeared he had sent a bunch of pictures from his latest photoshoot to all his old Teiko friends, in search of attention and praise he could trust he wouldn’t get from them.

Wow, that colour really brings out Kise-kun’s eyes. He really looks so natural with these confident poses, too. And if he was always smiling as genuinely as he is in this one picture, I bet his fanbase would double.

In other words, Kuroko was going to ignore Kise’s pictures for about four days, and then, maybe give him a single thumbs up.

Since the class was still mostly about maps, which Kuroko also had no intention of basing his future career upon, he started checking the social media of his other friends. Soon enough there was a group selfie of Momoi Satsuki and some of her school friends in a café, and Momoi was looking so happy it made Kuroko smile a little too.

Oh… they look so carefree and uncomplicated. I wonder if she’s ever going to hang out with me like that.

If anyone asked, the reason Kuroko rarely posted anything himself, was because especially after the Winter Cup his presence was in flux and the less reminders people would see of him, the better, if he ever hoped to gain back any of his invisibility on the basketball court. The real, or at least initial reason was that he was actually a bit camera shy, unless he was in a group, but there was no need for anyone to know that much.

On the other side of the camera however, Kuroko made liberal use of his lack of presence. The unknown number of funny shots on his phone, of Kagami eating, or sleeping, or running from a dog, would have surprised none of their teammates. Maybe even the not as funny ones, like Kagami brooding under a tree, or staring soulfully out of the window of the bus, leaning his face into his hand.

Kuroko didn’t have a special use in mind for any of the pictures, for the most part he just liked having them, especially the ones he knew Kagami would tell him to delete immediately. But he wouldn’t discard blackmail as an option, should things ever come to that.

Classes finally over, and having made it to practise, Kuroko felt there were only the pleasant parts of the day left. Certainly, practise was hard, and it was possibly harder on him than anyone else, but it was the type of suffering he enjoyed, because it had meaning. Not at all like what Kagami’s face looked like during the most boring classes. Everything about him screamed “pointless” then. This, their shared bubble, was everything that was opposite to that. Kuroko wondered if Kagami would have grabbed his head in annoyance, though not nearly as forcefully as he sometimes had in the beginning, and told him to stop saying embarrassing stuff, had he said those thoughts out loud.

The course of the practise was what it was for the vast majority of time. In the beginning, everything went smoothly, tricking Kuroko into thinking he might have a particularly good day.

Hey, this is not as hard as I remembered. If I keep this up, one day I might not always have to look at everyone else’s back when we run…

During the next hour however, his heart would start beating excessively, his vision blurring, until he was seconds away from his legs giving out.

Never mind, I’m dying.

Usually a short break came just before he would really pass out. Not always, but often enough.

If Kagami happened to spot Kuroko’s outrageous panting, his reaction could range from mildly annoying to impossibly endearing. Today it was a light slap on the shoulder, and:

– Hey. Don’t forget to drink.

Which was somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.

Kuroko briefly considered whether there would be anything for him to gain from conveniently passing out into Kagami’s arms, but he decided some cold water was a more practical course of action.

If by the end of the practise, Kuroko had managed to make himself look a lot smarter than he felt, which wasn’t an uncommon occurrence, the day was going pretty well.

– Good strategy, Kuroko-kun, saving that last move until that moment, Coach said while they were having a practise game amongst themselves. – We can develop that further.

– Yes, that was the plan.

I completely forgot I had that move up my sleeve for a moment. Thank goodness I remembered it just in time.

Sometimes Kuroko couldn’t believe how much he managed to make it look like he knew what he was doing. The extent of his “strategy” often felt akin to walking through a dark forest and picking up everything on the ground that shined, ending up on the other side of the forest, magically having picked the exact things you would need there. That was why Kuroko rarely revealed any work-in-progress that he had, until it was ready. Because how do you explain why you know that something is going to work if you haven’t even figured it out yourself yet? You just “have a feeling”? Only after Kuroko’s logic was able to catch up with his intuition, running way ahead, was he able to reason his plan backwards and explain it to others. It was like playing a detective in your own life. “Oh, I see, that’s why I did that 359 pages ago! *cough* I mean, this was completely premeditated”.

Kuroko had found he was waiting for the relaxing moment at the end of practise more eagerly these days, when they would have a chance to let their racing hearts calm down, and him and Kagami would help each other stretch. Kuroko figured the reason for his anticipation must have been just that their practises were getting particularly hard.

Kagami’s hands felt really warm on his back. You would have thought it would be unpleasant after sweating yourself to death.

On the way home Kuroko was determined to finish reading Rebecca.

Please, please, please, let this book have a happy ending. I will be depressed for the rest of the day if it doesn’t.

By the end he was turning pages more and more rapidly, until he stopped in his tracks, sighed heavily, and closed the book.

I’m confused. The ending was happy, no matter what way you look at it, but also, murder is okay?

Having put the book away into his bag, and realizing he would have to digest it before forming an opinion, Kuroko turned his attention to people around him, who he of course only ever observed for misdirectional purposes, and never because he was a lowkey repressed gossip, or anything.

There was a group of middle schoolers he had been paying attention to for a few weeks now, because they often shared part of his way home. And talked loudly enough that anyone who felt like it, could have listened. Kuroko had started paying attention to them at the height of the drama between a boy and two girls. Apparently, the boy had first gone out with one of the girls, only to suddenly start going out with another when it became apparent that the other girl had feelings for him. Kuroko had witnessed many a fight and a cold silence between them during the past weeks. He had been anticipating the day when he would spot, not the three of them, but two or one of them going home separately. But things seemed to be different today. They were still all together, this time laughing and talking like none of them had a care in the world.

They stuck it out! I can’t wait to tell Granny…

His mood quite lifted from the confusion of the gothic novel, Kuroko made his way home.

After completing his homework passably, Kuroko felt like making up for his inattention during the English class, which meant consuming absolutely anything in English online, which was his primary way of diving into the language before he would start to feel like he might be able to read an actual book in English. He still had a long way to go. But he had found watching Literal Trailers was a good compromise between Japanese subtitles and no Japanese subtitles. Because they were literal, so you had quite a lot of visual aid.

Kuroko was barely holding it together, watching one of the Assassin’s Creed trailers in the dorky voiceover that was doing nothing but stating the obvious. In song. You’d think there was enough exposition in Kuroko’s daily life, but no. ♫ Pan, zoom, and slow-mo means he’s the target… ♪

That’s when Kuroko’s phone buzzed, and there was a message from Aomine Daiki.

bored. kill me, was all it said. Which was, of course, a completely clear request of: It appears I find myself rather understimulated this fine evening, so if it isn’t too much trouble, it would be the most considerate of you to persuade your esteemed friend of the finest red hair to accompany you to play some fucking ball with me. If you spoke Aomine, which Kuroko was, fortunately, learning faster than English these days.

Kuroko was feeling as eager to complete Aomine’s request as he was to let Aomine pretend he was being a bother by not only arranging for Kagami, but the whole Tokyo squad of the Generation of Miracles to be there, knowing that Aomine would actually enjoy it, no matter what he said. Kuroko didn’t have to do it alone either, because Momoi was quick to jump at the opportunity for a random get-together. Naturally, they started telling everyone how Aomine had eagerly invited them to play some nightly basketball. They knew Kise would not pass by the opportunity, of course, and they didn’t have to worry about Midorima either, because the easiest way to get him anywhere these days was to invite Takao and leave dealing with Shin-chan up to him.

Getting together with his old friends was still a somewhat rare treat for Kuroko, so he couldn’t help but stop to look at all of them with a small, wistful smile every now and then, when no one was looking. Kagami and Takao being there to add their own delightful impact to the scene, mixed things up a little of course, so the interesting dynamics to observe were numerous.

There were still a lot of things Kuroko hadn’t said to his friends. He might have, had the time been right. Being the one to initiate difficult or emotional conversations was tiring on anyone though, and especially to the tragicomic concoction of a group-oriented introvert who was regularly working at the limit of his extroversion anyway, because he didn’t feel like he had a choice.

If only the others could have heard the thoughts behind the nondescript observant eyes.

♪ ♫ Target pulls out his sword, then goes to smell his sword, not sure why… ♫

Then again, maybe not right at this moment, as Kuroko was zoning out, eyes glazed over, a Literal Trailer stuck in his head on repeat.

He returned to the moment at hand, as Momoi stepped next to where Kuroko had ended up standing for a while, and said in her cheerful voice:

– It’s so lively, isn’t it!

Sometimes Kuroko would have killed for an ounce of her outgoing personality. He was nearly certain that his attempts at solving his problems wouldn’t turn out so longwinded if he could get out more than 10% of his thoughts on a good day.

– Having Kagamin and Ki-chan double-team Dai-chan will stop his whining just like that these days! she went on.

Indeed, the three of them seemed like they could have forgotten the rest of the group even existed at the moment.

– Yes, everyone seems to be in high spirits, Kuroko said.

Midorima-kun and Takao-kun just can’t seem to stop bickering like an old married couple.

– Yeah! I’m so glad you called me.

It was one of those times when Momoi’s smile was truly genuine and uncomplicated, just like Kuroko yearned to see from her. There wasn’t any of that forceful overenthusiasm of the times she threw her arms around his neck, cutting off his breath.

When she was like this, Kuroko would have wanted to say how grateful he was to her, for always being there, even after he had pretended he didn’t remember their promise. Because unlike him, she had the strength to go straight back to the people who made her cry. He would have wanted to say that even now he sometimes felt like he wasn’t quite part of the group, but in the end it didn’t matter, because he needed only to glance at her to realize she was the same, always watching over everyone. Although they were both in the middle of the action in their own ways, they were also not, and Kuroko felt like no one else was quite so close to his perspective as Momoi was. That was more important to him than he had ever quite had the courage to tell her.

But, Kuroko decided that tonight, attempting a joke instead would be quite enough character development.

– Do you know what would make things even livelier? he asked, and Momoi blinked in curiosity. Kuroko pointed at Kagami and Aomine, who had suddenly (but unsurprisingly) launched into another verbal battle of egos that they (and to be honest most people they knew, including themselves) always seemed to have time for even when the clock was ticking on the basketball court, and which everyone clearly thought was just that deep.

– If they were doing it in song, Kuroko deadpanned, the Literal Trailer still kind of playing in the background in his head.

– Pfft, like a musical?! Momoi said, covering her laugh with her hand.

– Better yet, make it rhyme! Takao joined in all of a sudden, having heard them talking. He had hurried over, leaving Shin-chan to take care of his nails. For a moment the three of them amused themselves by trying to decide which musical’s style would bring the most out of the situation in front of their eyes.

– To be honest, it’s getting kinda redundant, Takao went on, gesturing at Kagami and Aomine who were utilizing their one-track minds well enough at the moment to leave Kise crying crocodile tears, trying to break up their one-on-one loop. – How about the four of us try to shake things up a bit and turn this into an actual game of basketball?

As the most level-headed person to ever play high school basketball, Takao’s suggestions were of course worth following. It wasn’t a problem that everyone else’s near total lack of a sense of relativity kept them from understanding this, because as soon as they heard “ball” they forgot about everything else.

After a good while of everyone’s favourite way of getting high on endorphins and adrenaline, Kuroko found himself sitting on the grass, having a drink with Kagami beside him. Even though Kagami hadn’t come close to beating Aomine to dust tonight, he seemed quite relaxed now, stretching his tall form beside Kuroko, under the night sky. The voices of conversation around them seemed to grow more distant, when Kuroko’s eyes focused on Kagami’s profile. He glanced back at Kuroko but there wasn’t even a hint of “what do you want?”.

– What book were you so into today? he asked instead.

Kuroko blinked.

– Since when do you want to know about books?

All the heat Kagami had managed to cool from his face surged right back.

– Well, you were literally running into people!

The self-conscious flustered face, the serious conversational one… how do I decide which one I like more?

– Hmm… just you, though, Kuroko said, and Kagami’s eyebrow rose like he had absolutely no clue how to take that.

Decision, decisions…

In the end, Kuroko seemed to decide he was going to take everything out of Kagami’s sudden interest in his reading.

– It was about this nameless young woman, who met a mysterious wealthy man on her vacation, and ended up marrying him and following him home…

– Huh? Just like that?

– Well, she was in a quite desperate situation, and they both seemed to have what the other lacked. But, actually the book was about the mysterious death of the man’s pervious wife.

– Oh.

Kagami was staring at Kuroko with a furrowed brow, which in his case, could mean he was anything from angry enough for murder to perfectly happy.

– So, was that the reason you were asking me about names? Because the girl was nameless?

Kuroko’s eyes widened slightly. He hadn’t expected Kagami to note such a thing.

– Oh. Yes.

Kagami nodded, almost like he was satisfied Kuroko’s question finally made sense.

Why did I think it wouldn’t make sense to him, in the first place?

– So… did you really start calling her Cassandra in your head, then? Kagami asked, his expression turning towards slight confusion.

– Kind of, Kuroko said with a faint smile.

– Huh.

They were silent for a moment, while Kagami looked somewhere ahead of him.

– Anyway, that character must be stupid, right?? Betting everything on following some guy she hasn’t even known that long??

Kuroko couldn’t help but smile again at Kagami’s pure reaction. But then again, hadn’t he always taken everything Kuroko said seriously, from the very start?

Well, call me Cassandra, Kuroko thought. Because I’m going to follow you.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

End note: I hope you enjoyed that. If you did, you can find this one and my other work on AO3. Although this is technically separate from my other fics, it does have plenty of nods into their direction and hints at topics that they cover. If this was the first fic you have read from me, and you wouldn't mind a much deeper dive into these characters, check out the rest of my work.

Here's the Literal Trailer, by the way.

I hope you have a good day.

evelhak/Glasssneaker

[t1redr0b0t]

☁️💫When I’m with you I’m not so shy🧁☁️

A hurt/comfort SweetStarryDreams fic for @sugarcoated-dandy

(title from apple pie by The Scary Jokes

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

(Constance’s POV)

The day had started horribly. I woke up late and rushed to school without breakfast, and when i got there we had a quiz in math. For lunch we had super dry chicken sandwiches with soggy brown broccoli.

I accidentally bumped into someone on my way to my friends’ table and spilled chocolate milk down the front of my shirt. I could feel my face getting warm with embarrassment and I ducked into the nearest bathroom to try to clean up.

Just then I heard a familiar voice.

“Are you ok? I saw you rush in here after you bumped into Ocean.”

It was Clementine.

“Oh, yeah I’m fine. Just spilled some milk.” I said with a forced laugh.

“Are you sure?” Ricky signed.

I looked up a bit and saw Ricky had come in after Clementine. “Yeah, I’m sure.” I said as my voice faltered. “Don’t worry about it sugar. Ocean got most of it anyway. Honestly if you ask me she kinda deserved it after what she said in math class.”

“I brought you some bubbles.” Ricky signed, pulling a small plastic bottle out of his pocket and blowing some bubbles towards me. I laughed as they popped on impact.

We spent the next few minutes in the cramped bathroom giggling and blowing bubbles before Clem suggested “The fair is in town for the next few days, we should sneak out to get some ice cream and go on some rides!”

Thankfully it wasn’t too far until we finally got to the fairgrounds, and ordered some specialty ice cream with marshmallows and decided to people watch while we ate. “Whoa, check them out!” Clementine said, looking at a girl wearing a hot pink blazer and feather boa.

We walked around the fair to some of the games and Clementine managed to win Ricky a purple light-up alien balloon. Afterwards, I suggested we go on the merry-go-round, which everyone happily agreed to.

We sat down in a bench decorated like a swan with pretty gold accents. While we waited for everyone to get on, Ricky explained how his new light up alien factored into the Zolar lore. “And that’s how he basically started The Second Feline Renaissance Of-“ he cut off as the ride started to slowly spin.

“Thanks for suggesting we go to the fair! I’m having a lot of fun with you guys right now.” I said, blushing.

“Constance?”

“Yeah?”

“This might come off as weird but… can I kiss you?” he asked.

“Um…” I said as a million thoughts raced through my head. “Sure!”

He leaned towards me as our lips met. My heart raced quickly, exited for my first kiss.

Maybe today wasn’t as horrible as i thought.

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

A/N: Thanks for reading! This is my first fic on tumblr so apologies if I messed something up :(

Shoutout to @sugarcoated-dandy for helping with some parts!