#i don’t want to girlboss anymore

[liyazaki]

when you girlboss too hard & the minute you become the interim director, the public decides to lose their collective mind & you have to call the police before the building even opens-

[pepprs]

ok. moving out update. today i:

talked to my beloved ex supervisor / mentor (<- SCARY!!!!!) to ask her about her experiences living by herself esp as a short woman (which is not a big deal except for how it is + how my parents think it is) and get her advice abt how to navigate that experience psychologically and practically. i asked her if we could talk abt this very impulsively on thursday after not having the courage to do it for almost a year btw (<- BRAVE!!!!!!!!) and i was still too scared / embarrassed to ask her some stuff abt safety / self defense lol but it mostly went really well!

started making a budget and determined that a) i may be getting overpaid somehow (😳) b) i may be getting double or even triple charged for my health and life insurance (😒) so now i need to call hr on monday and figure all of that out. and also c) i suck at math but we knew that. but i forced myself to figure out what i did wrong so that’s an achievement

made my first ever student loan payment 😀🔫

booked a tour of one apartment and attempted to book a tour of another (the same place i was looking at in may) but their website was glitching out and then they didn’t answer when i called to schedule it over the phone which. hm. 😒 but yeah the tour(s) will happen mid week next week and im going to ride the shuttle to the apartment complex(es) and back to campus to see what that’s like too!

posted on local subr*ddit asking for recommendations for those two apartments + other places in the area. haven’t gotten anything back bc i just made the post but 😎👍

read a bunch of old journal entries from 2021 to remind myself of what it was like to move onto campus and how i pushed through my family’s hurt and disapproval to live the way i needed to. haven’t finished reading it all yet but i will tomorrow (while also doing my stupid homework 🙄)

[grudgecollector]

I find it so funny when people say Nam-gyu is the scariest character of the season when In-ho is literally right there

[todaywasamaritale]

who else is chronically online this holiday season representtttttt

[thefaketeam]

i have literally not felt this genuinely terrible since i was in like middle/high school dealing with the absolute worst of my anxiety and depression. idk what’s going on with me, all i know is i want to scrub the inside of my skull with a loofah, or i wish that i could have a little mouse come and clean out the inside of my brain like in the vcr cleaner my mom had when vcrs were still a thing

[ecoterrorist-katara]

“Katara deserves a quiet life after the war, so becoming a healer (who made no contributions to the field) is actually a good arc!”

It is already bizarre to me that in ATLA, Katara is this confident & combative & ambitious girl who LOVED to fight and wanted nothing more than to help as many people as possible…then comics!Katara and TLOK!Katara showed neither her previous personality traits nor a career commensurate with those traits…

but it’s even more bizarre to me that ATLA fans would defend her trajectory as if it were some kind of progressive story of recovering from war trauma.

I’ve seen multiple takes like this. “Katara is not a YA heroine, she’s not a bloodthirsty girlboss who loves fighting so it’s actually a good thing that she doesn’t have to fight anymore” “after everything she’s been through she deserves a quiet life and a loving family”

For Katara, fighting in the war was actually empowering. It didn’t burn her out. It didn’t disillusion her. It didn’t take more out of her than she can give. Katara is not Katniss Everdeen, who needed to step back and discover her own agency and a sense of peace after fighting in a war she never chose to start. Katara’s war trauma largely happened before she took an active part in it. After she chose to be a part of the war, she became a waterbending master, made close friends, found her father again, got closure for her mother’s murder, defeated the Fire Lord, and met the love of her life. If Katara were a real person, maybe she’d be traumatized, but nowhere in the text of ATLA does she exhibit the sign that she’s tired of fighting on behalf of the world. If anything, she just got started.

If you take her post-ATLA arc at face value (vs as bad writing), it’s a tragedy of a woman who has learned to minimize her own relevance and her own power. In The Promise, she begins deferring serious decisions to Aang. She doesn’t even express a strong opinion about the fate of the entire colony of Yu Dao, or the fate of her friend Zuko. In North and South, she accepts Northern encroachment of the South in the name of progress. In TLOK we see her not as a politician or a chief, but rather as “the best healer” — albeit one who apparently never established a hospital, or trained acolytes of her own, or done anything to help people at scale, which she has always wanted to do. It’s even more egregious when you remember that in Jang Hui, she was not satisfied to simply heal the sick as the Painted Lady. She wanted to solve the root of the problem, so she cleaned the river and committed full-on ecoterrorism. Just because the war is over doesn’t mean she wants to stop helping people. In fact, the problem she addressed in Jang Hui is exactly the type of problem that would become more prevalent after the war ends, judging by the rapid industrialization between ATLA and LOK.

In the original ATLA, I think Katara is about as close to a power fantasy as you can get for a teenage girl, because she gets to be messy and goofy and powerful, even though she also had to perform a whole lot of emotional and domestic labour. But post-ATLA, she doesn’t get power and she doesn’t get to make a change. She gets love and a family. That’s it. And her grandkids don’t even remember her. Her friends and peers, on the other hand, were shown doing all sorts of super cool things like, you know, running the world they saved.

It’s not feminist to say that a female character deserves “rest” when she’s shown zero inclination that she wants a quiet life. Women who want a quiet life deserve to get it — I think Katniss’ arc is perfect — but women who want power deserve to get it too, especially when they’re motivated by compassion and a keen sense of justice. There’s nothing feminist about defending the early 2010s writing decisions of two men. Like just admit that they fucked up! It’s fine! Maybe they’ll do better in the future!

[thevoidstaredback]

How To Balance Your Daytime and Nighttime Activities So That You Don't Burn Yourself Out More Than You Already Have

Batman has an insane patrol schedule. Danny knew this, somewhere in the back of his mind, but it was only just settling in for him.

"You're gonna be dead tired tomorrow," he warns Dick, "You were tired for only being out for two hours longer than your new normal, going from sunset to sunrise is gonna knock you out. I can't drive, Dick, so we'll be stuck in Gotham for another day if you pass out."

Dick patted his head with a smile. "I'll be fine. I'll vene bring ya back some Bat Burger, okay?"

Danny blinked. "Bat Burger?"

"You've- You've never had Bat Burger?" Louder, he called to Barbra and Tim who'd just come back from wherever the Cave entrance is with a comm for Danny, "Danny's never had Bat Burger!"

Barbra gasped dramatically. Tim clutched ay imaginary pearls. "You've never had Bat Burger?!"

"That sounds like an exclusively Gotham thing, and I am decidedly not from Gotham."

It was quiet for another moment as the three stared at him. Finally, Dick blinked. "Have you always been Midwestern?"

"As far as I know, why?"

His head tilted slightly to the left. "Your accent just seems..."

"Much more prevalent." Tim finished.

"Yeah, that."

“I don’t know what you guys are talking about. I’ve always talked like this.” A lie. He was hiding his accent from everyone so that tracking him down would be ever so slightly harder. Danny shrugged, “Right, Barbra?”

She shook her head. "No, you leave me outta this. As far as I know, you've sounded like this the whole time and these two are only just picking up on the accent."

Good job, Danny. Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss your way into their hearts.

"Anyway," Barbra continued, holding her hand to Danny, "This is a comm. It'll keep you patched in until we come back up to the manor after patrol. If you get tired of us or when you sleep, just take it out and put it on your nightstand; we'll take it back down in the morning for you."

"Are you sure you don't wanna come to the Cave?" Tim asked.

Danny shook his head, the comm now sitting in his left ear. "Mister Wayne already hates me, I'm not gonna go into his space. Besides, I'm already intruding as it is."

"I just don't want you to be bored."

"It's alright, I'm sure I'll find something to occupy myself with while you guys are out. And, isn't the whole point of me being on comms so that you guys can talk to me?"

"You're right," Dick agreed, "We'll see ya when we get back."

"Alright."

Occupy himself with? Yeah, he's going back to Bludhaven. Another problem he just realized, though: How is Bat Tech going to react to/around Phantom? Danny figures he has about two minutes to figure it out or he's gonna have to bench himself for the night.

There was no one around, so he ducked into the nearest room to transform. It was a quick lightshow, as always, but not enough to draw attention of anyone passing by.

Except Alfred. Alfred probably knows.

Alfred won't tell Bruce, right?

Right?

Probably not.

Hopefully.

Focusing on the comm revealed no static, though there was no sound either. Was someone trying to talk to him already? Hopefully not. That'd be upsetting.

There was a soft crackle before: "Danny, can you hear us?"

Phantom allowed a small smile of victory. "Yeah, loud and clear, Barbra."

"Call me Batgirl right now, okay? Tim's Robin, and, as you know, Dick's Nightwing. And, if you really need him, Bruce is Batman."

"Got it."

"We don't use real names on comms," Robin said, "Do you have something we could call you?"

That's probably a fish for what his hero name used to be. All three of them - Tim, at the very least - were hung up on the 'not anymore' of his denial and it really showed. He could make it easy and tell them to call him Phantom, but he really does not want them finding out his childhood right now. So, "Tutelary."

"'Tutelary'?" Nightwing asked.

"It's Greek," Batgirl said, "Tutelaries are deities or patrons of protection."

"Aw, that's cute," Robin cooed teasingly, "But you aren't doing much protecting from the Manor."

Phantom - is he really ready to give up that name? - blushed green, "Shut up. Protection Spirits are a big deal where I'm from!" Yeah, meaning most people don't actually think they're protecting them, but who really cares about technicalities?

"And that would be..?" Batman spoke up, his voice coming out much more 'gargle glass' over the comms than was probably intended.

Phantom smirked. "The Midwest." Limits options, but not specifically but he figured he could throw them a bone. Though, that's the only one he's giving Mister Wayne.

Speaking of, "I'll try not to be a distraction, Mister Batman sir, but I won't make any promises."

Nightwing, Batgirl and Robin were all sniggering. Batman was quiet for no more than a few seconds. "Stop getting distracted; We're leaving."

"Yes, sir!"

Phantom listened closely, focusing on the Cave below the Manor. Batman and Robin had gotten into some kind of assault vehicle-race car mix and were driving out into Gotham Proper quickly. Nightwing and Batgirl were both on motorcycles, leaving out a different way but just as quickly.

"Have fun out there, you guys."

Nightwing laughed, "We'll bring ya back some Bat Burger."

Part 15 Part 17

Real quick, before you move on, a quick Thank You to @bianca-hooks123 for the idea for Danny's name Tutelary. I hadn't even thought of using that until it was suggested, so thanks <3

[gay-dorito-dust]

Can I request platonic Nico fic where reader is pinning over someone but Nico it’s silently judging, seeing if that person is truly good enough for their older sibling reader?

‘You like someone.’

You looked over at your brother, who was standing next to you within the shade casted by the trees that kept you both somewhat cool, before raising a brow at him. ‘And how did you come to that conclusion my little shade.’ You replied as you ruffled his hair, much to Nico’s dismay.

‘You’ve got that look on your face.’ He tells you but you couldn’t help but scoff at the inherent vagueness of that statement.

‘I’ve got many looks on my face throughout the day you’re going to have to be more specific here.’ Nico looked at you with a glare, only to be greeted back by your mischievous eyes and matching smile, gods he hated you sometimes for making things more complex then they actually were just because you felt like teasing him.

‘The sappy ‘oh my gods I wish they were mine’ type of look.’ Nico said and you know the look he was on about, but you decided to feign innocence and put on a thoughtful face as though you were trying your very hardest to remember what he was on about. ‘Sappy look…sappy look…’ you trailed off and Nico had just about enough as he shoved you in the side before pointing across the camp and over to where Luke was and your face immediately drops.

‘Him! You like him!’ Nico exclaims and you were quick to cover his mouth with your hand when you noticed a group of campers walking past you both, greeting them with a forced and cordial smile as they breezed past you both, just to look back at your brother with murderous intent. ‘Shut up little shade, I don’t want all of camp to hear you if they haven’t already.’ You hissed as Nico only looked at you unimpressed as he pushed your hand off of his mouth, and you didn’t need to say anything to know that Nico was now in protective mode.

‘Why him? Why Castellan?’ He asked and you sighed as you remembered how the moment you first came to camp by yourself, having been abandoned by the demi-gods that you were originally with, and how Luke was the only one that actually made you feel welcomed even after you gotten claimed by Hades; You don’t hold that grudge against most of camp who shunned you anymore but you weren’t exactly buddy buddy with them either if they were going to be that superficial.

Then again Hades himself gets villainised by many in modern retelling of Greek myth that are forcing the whole ‘girlboss’ bullshit down your throat, which only leads to those kinds of books being put on half sales shelves because it’s that bad. Not that you were saying hades was innocent but out of the entire Greek pantheon, you figured rather early on that your father was the kind of deity to keep out of things that didn’t concern him.

Sins of the father or whatever. You thought to yourself as you remembered that you had left Nico completely hanging for the past five minutes for an explanation.

‘He was the only one who actually gave a shit if I stayed in camp or not.’ You replied and Nico’s brows went towards his hairline, knowing all too well how isolating being the child of Hades was or even just a child of the big three in general, but people quickly warmed up to Percy and Jason but still had caution when addressing you or him.

‘That’s it? Is the bar truly in hell.’ Nico snides as he looks at Luke from the corner of his eye, wondering what the son of Hermes could possibly provide for you. He couldn’t see the appeal as you did but Nico didn’t exactly think there were many good romantic options for you at camp or anywhere for that matter, this didn’t mean he couldn’t see that Luke was attractive and popular but outside of the obvious Nico wasn’t fully convinced that Luke was worth you.

Greatest swordsman at camp or not it was going to take a lot more for Nico to even consider taking Luke seriously.

You groan as you put your hands on your hips. Seriously Nico? You barely knew me a month ago and all of a sudden you’re boxing your opinions on my love life?’

Nico mimics your stance as his dark eyes flare with protectiveness. ‘Someone has to keep an eye on your supposed love interests and make sure there is no ulterior motive underneath.’ You couldn’t help but smile at your younger brother as you ruffle his hair affectionately before pinching his cheeks.

‘Oh is my brave little brother going to fight off all my suitors for me? How sweet.’ You mocked before laughing when Nico bats your hands away from his cheeks.

‘Shut up.’ He grumbles but before you could mess with him some more, like all good older siblings do, you heard a familiar laugh and immediately stilled in your place as Nico’s eyes darkened with weariness. ‘Castellan, what do you want.’ Nico looks the head counsellor of the Hermes cabin up and down with scrutiny as you only nudged him in the side for his lack of filtering his words.

‘Nothing much, just saw you guys and thought I’d check it out.’ Luke said casually as he looked over at you and smiled, making you smile back almost immediately as you could feel yourself practically melt under his dark gaze and perfect smile. Oh you knew you were a goner the moment you started to comforted his laugh your favourite sound and his eyes your favourite colour.

It should be made illegal with the feelings like made you feel but you’d be lying if feeling as weak as you did in his presence didn’t feel good. You know you should pride yourself more and all, however you couldn’t help but downplay yourself in front of Luke in hopes of seeming more appealing to him, but you’d couldn’t help as some seeds of doubt to creep into your mind regarding whether or not Luke would risk being seen with a child of hades.

Nico huffs. ‘You’ve checked it out, seen nothing out of the ordinary, so does that mean you’re going to leave us alone preferably now?’

‘Nico.’ You nudge your brother in the side once more, giving him your best side eye, hoping that he’d understand that now wasn’t the time for his sharp jabs and hostility towards your crush but you knew you were asking for too much. Luke on the other hand only laughs at Nico’s words, not taking offence to anything being said, which only made Nico frown even more as his confident attitude almost came across as too cocky for his liking.

Seriously Nico wanted to desperately understand what it was that you see in that guy?

‘It’s fine, it’s fine I just thought I’d pay my favourite a visit and hope that they might want to join me down by the lake this afternoon.’ Luke replies as he slings an arm over your shoulder, drawing you into his side as he watches you with a look that made you feel as though you were being truly looked at. You couldn’t help but let out a little giggle as you felt butterflies erupt in your stomach, and a warmth spread throughout your chest from just his touch alone, you’ve had been in this position before and yet it never fails to make you feel wanted with how casual Luke was with his affection with you.

Hell even after his touch disappeared along with him as he’s taken elsewhere you were left with the lingering want to keep his arm on your shoulder forever. You didn’t think yourself as someone who was desperate for touch or to have someone constantly providing you with physical affection, if anything you weren’t particularly keen with it as you were quite cold to the touch, a weird perk of being the child of hades was to seemingly have the body temperature of a dead body; Yet you didn’t mind if it was Luke was the one to touch you.

‘Yes.’

‘No.’

You and Nico looked at one another in matching narrowed glares.

‘Yes.’ You spit.

‘No.’ Nico retorts back.

‘I’m going whether you like it or not little shade.’ You whispered to your little brother as you looked over a Luke with a smile. ‘I’m totally free this afternoon, absolutely for nothing else happening other than hanging with you at the lake.’ You chuckled awkwardly as you gave him finger guns that you immediately regret soon after, especially upon hearing Nico try not to laugh himself at your forced attempts of being cool. ‘Is anyone else going to be there by chance?’ You added.

‘I was kinda hoping it would just be me and you really.’ Luke says as he rubs the back of his head almost sheepishly. ‘Hope that’s okay.’ God you hated Luke and his beautiful brown eyes and how they made you feel.

‘That’s fine!’ You exclaimed. ‘That’s great even.’

‘Great.’ Luke beamed and it looked like he wanted to say something else but he heard his name being called across camp and his shoulders deflated, something only Nico seemed to have noticed, and he looked back at you with a sympathetic expression. ‘See you later ghost flower.’ He says sweetly as he pulls away from you, leaving you to try not to vocalise your hatred of the departure of his warmth.

‘See you.’ You and Nico watched as Luke walked away from you both and a silence lingered between to two of you, at least until Nico felt it appropriate to let his thoughts be known.

‘I still don’t like him.’ He tells you, arms cross over his chest, glaring at Luke’s back.

‘You don’t like anybody.’ You shot back at him, seeing him shrug from the corner of your eyes, unbothered at your jab.

‘Yeah that might be true but I don’t like him for the fact that he likes you.’ Nico said and you could only see this afternoon with Luke go horribly wrong if your brother was lingering in the shadows of your not date with the Hermes boy.

[belphiesreverie]

Hello! May I please request a platonic yandere Dottore? With a prodigy reader he came across at the Academia?

Take care!

Ofc, tysm for the request!! 🫶

TW: yandere behaviour, manipulation, Dottore himself is a warning tbh

Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss. He’s absolutely plotting on how to convince you to join him the moment he sees your talent

He’s incredibly charismatic when first approaching you, knowing just what to say to get you to trust him. To open up to him about your struggles at the academia and keeping up with the demand at the level your teachers expect from you

He plays the sympathetic, understanding role well; you truly feel like he gets what you’re going through, the struggles of being put on a pedestal and expected to out perform yourself over and over. He feels like a mentor you can trust, or maybe even close to an older brother

And that’s when he proposes that you come work on a project with him instead. You don’t need the academia, he’ll provide you with a job. It’ll be low stress, working with someone you think you know well, and in a field you’re most interested in

It feels too good to be true, but Dottore assures you his offer is real. Has he ever lied to you before? So you take the leap and leave the academia to work directly under him

Dottore thinks that for a prodigy, you can be incredibly stupid sometimes

At first, the job seems exactly as Dottore had described it and you settle in quite quickly. He seems like a very understanding boss, and still just as kind as he was before you began working under him

There are a few questionable things about his lab that you start to notice as you spend more time there however

The other workers refuse to talk to you, some even outright avoiding looking at you, and the ones that you attempt to talk to too many times seem to get… transferred to another part of the lab

Sometimes you feel like you can hear screaming coming from distant parts of the lab, but Dottore always assures you it’s just your imagination, or the pipes making a strange sound etc. He always has an excuse prepared, but they seem to convince you less and less each time

There are security cameras in the rooms, which makes sense, but they give you a feeling of unease. Whenever you look up at them, it feels as if they’re always pointing directly at you, following your every move

Originally, you’d felt like you could bring these issues up to Dottore, but for some reason it doesn’t seem like an option anymore. It’s not like he’s directly given you a reason to distrust him yet… but you’ve just started to feel uncomfortable in his presence. What once felt like a safe space now feels like it’s constricting and oppressive

Dottore is no idiot, he can tell you’re starting to pull away from him. But he isn’t concerned. He knew you’d start to notice things eventually, it’s not like he was ever planning on keeping anything hidden. He just didn’t expect it to be so soon. Oh, but you are quite the genius aren’t you

He’ll leave you be for now, let you stew in your paranoia… maybe even feed into it a little bit. It is quite amusing to watch you pretend to stay composed. But the moment you start to think of leaving, he’ll step in to keep you exactly where he wants you

His word alone won’t be enough to quell you at this point, he’ll have to think of something more… permanent. But it’ll be worth it. He can’t have his favourite little worker running off on him after all, he still has so much more use for that magnificent brain of yours

[dystopyx-blog]

with the ask about all the characters that overblot, you mentioned we’d be better off when they’re regular yanderes as opposed to overblotted yanderes—so who do you think would be the easiest and who do you think would be the worst in their regular yandere state? and do you think some of their yandere tendencies would be different pre-overblot compared to post-overblot?

gonna ramble for a second here… i am honestly not too sure with leona, vil, or idia but i kind of imagine riddle lightens up significantly after it. probably more lenient with his darling in general, but especially regarding the whole following rules thing. i see azul being a 50/50, it probably depends on your reaction. having his darling witness his overblot, aka seeing his deepest darkest insecurities, and react poorly might validate his not-so-good tendencies, i.e., blackmail, lies, manipulation, gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss. but if they react more positively, i assume he would feel more inclined to establish a relationship in a healthy… or at least in a more normal/conventional way. with jamil, i am under the belief it wouldn’t necessarily improve or worsen, it’ll just change. prior to the overblot, his methods likely follow a more sneaky approach, i’ll let you decide what that means lmao, but afterwards, he just becomes more blatant and likely won’t even attempt to hide it anymore. malleus is the only one i am almost certain will become even more difficult. the fear of losing you is still very prominent, but now he also fears hurting you again. he definitely thinks that he is the only one capable of keeping you safe, or at least he did think that, but now that delusion is… essentially shattered and he knows it’s all his fault. i don’t even know what he would do, but i just feel like it will be 10 times worse. stop i didn’t realize how much i’d yap hope you don’t mind…

mmmm, I love ramblings <3

Tbh I was already thinkin of doing a general “what kind of yandere are they?” Post, this gives me a lil head start on it, teehee.

Riddle - riddle is WORSE pre overblot! Because overblot teaches him to be less strict. So after overblot, he’s more forgiving with you, even if he wants to just keep you locked up. But pre overblot riddle is an extremely strict and possessive yandere! You are his king of hearts, therefore you must stay beside him and FOLLOW HIS RULES! No exceptions, even for his darling! Especially for his darling, you are supposed to help lead by example! He can’t stand it when you misbehave in front of the others, no matter how much he loves you. It’s only after his overblot he becomes far more lenient, and it is only after his overblot that he starts treating you with exceptions. He doesn’t want to be like his mother, after all. So he shows you proper love and affection, instead of just rules rules rules. And post overblot riddle feels so so so fucking bad for basically putting you through a speed run of what he GREW UP WITH, which gives you an extra bit of leniency, as well.

Leona - Leona is pm the same pre or post. Like at most he will try a little harder after his overblot to have you. He also will likely be more interested in you after his overblot.

Azul - Azul could very well be worse after his overblot. He watched all his contracts go up in sand. And he went from being fairly confident in himself to once again feeling pretty self conscious, as you said, he had all his insecurities on display. I imagine that after his overblot, more of his confidence is for show. He is SHAKEN after that, in a way that the others aren’t necessarily. All this greatly increases his desire to have you, and have you completely, in a way that leaves no room for doubts. He’ll find somewhere even more secure than where he kept his contracts just for you.

Jamil - I agree, I see Jamil as far more blunt. Pre overblot, tbh I imagine you’d be a secondary goal. Like he’s been waiting so long for this opportunity, he’ll deal with romance later. And/or romancing you is a goal he views as going hand in hand with his takeover—like replace Kalim, charm the girl, that’s not two steps, that’s one and a half, y’know? He’s charming you while he ruins Kalim. But after overblot, he’d probably just walk up to you, no bullshit, just “I like you. I am asking you out.” But if you reject him… well, wtf else is he supposed to do besides try to slither his way into your a heart? Oh but one way to guarantee he’s worse post overblot is if you prefer Kalim. That is the one thing absolutely un allowed.

Vil - Vil is worse after overblot. Pre overblot he honestly doesn’t think about you that much, sorry. He has competition against Niege and like a million other things on his mind. But you… you make him better. In more ways than one, even. He NEEDS you, his overblot only proves that. He is worse after overblot, because pre overblot he will give you quite a lot of freedom (as in he’ll let you go as you please, but he’s still controlling in the same way he is with pomefiore students), but after his overblot he requires you by his side 24/7 or he will freak the fuck out.

Idia - idk much about his overblot :’) Idia is one I see getting worse tho, in a similar vein to Azul.

Malleus - idk much about his overblot :’) but I very much agree with you.

[elainsgirl]

I tried to get myself to like gwyn and azriel but I just couldnt. Ill look at fanarts and stuff but I just cant SEE it.

I fear they would be boring. People call elain and azriel boring and cliche but be fr... thats literally gwyn and az. you can literally see how their story would develop. it would literally give feysand and nessian.... im tired of seeing the same stuff.

Hey anon 🫶

You’re so right. At one point, earlier on in the fandom, I too tried to get myself to see where gwynriels were coming from and what the appeal about Gwyn and Az were. It’s nothing special. There is nothing unique or interesting about Gwynriel.

I promise this is related to my poimt. Lately, there’s this discourse going on about the decline in individuality and quality of books. After 2020, people have started to notice that recent books are no longer as intricate as books once were. Every book within a genre feels the same. The plots, characters, dynamics, tropes etc - are all mirrors of each other. There isn’t individuality anymore when it comes to books within a set genre. Now, a genre that rlly increased in popularity was romantasy. Over the last few years, which trope has become increasingly more prominent? Enemies to lovers. Which fmc character type is more favoured? The sassy, “I can do it all”, powerful warrior who is the best at everything and is great at wielding a sword type. Almost every single book thats comes out will be advertised as enemies to lovers. The fmcs themselves have all become similar. Another point I would like to add in: when it comes to these sort of books, there will be lots of banter between the couple and the fmc always proving the mmc wrong - sometimes even challenging him. Aside from acotar: many of us are also readers who consume other genres and books/series. I think its fair enough to say, many of us consume all types of “popular” books. I can guarantee that many of us have read enemies to lovers books or even have it as a favourite trope. When you are constantly consuming a specific type of media, as a reader, you will want more of whatever you are consuming, limiting your mind to other possibilities. As an example, if you constantly are reading enemies to lovers books’ -> you won’t really like anything that is not enemies to lovers. Obviously, we all have our favourite genres and tropes we love to consume BUT we should always be open minded to try new things. Ok, slightly of course but back to my point:

Gwynriel fits in the checklist for your standard couple: in a fantasy, “enemies to lovers”, book. . Girlboss FMC that can do it all and shoves it to do the dark, broody MMC.

. “Banter”. The couple “challenging” each other

. MMC’s dark trauma and past that only the FMC can help him to heal

you get my point. People love gwynriel and it is so popular due to its lack of originality. They are such cardboard copies of a typical EtL book + we have literally gotten not much scenes on them -> it is so easy for their stans to self-insert and virtually put on any HC they want onto gwynriel.

Now compare that too elriel? There are not many “soft”, “feminine” fmcs. The recent one I can think of is “Evangeline Fox” from once upon a broken heart. So you already have Elain Archeron that stands out as an fmc from the norm - people aren’t used to her character type therefore view her as weak and boring. Elriel is far from enemies to lovers. They do not banter. They’re not the type of characters to draw attention to themselves or their relationship. Their dynamic is more mature instead of fun and childish. They have more dangerous stakes then anything gwynriel can have. Their story is more unique -> people aren’t used to that as it isn’t often potrayed in books anymore therefore they are disliked and people find them uninteresting.

Gwynriel is popular as it lacks originality. Elriel is hated due to their unique dynamic.

When I see gwynriel fanarts, the concept is lovely but knowing that Gwyn and Az don’t even like each other romantically and Az was ready to beg for another woman, it usually puts me off. I can’t view them as a couple since the books do not potray them as potential LIs.

[zukkacore]

I feel like there’s a lot of lip service in NATLA paid to the idea that the NATLA versions of the female characters are more emancipated in a way that actively makes their characterization and the worldbuilding more confusing. For some reason the NWT is sexist in one very specific way (women can’t do combat) but all the ways the NWT customs are stifling & patriarchal to Yue in particular don’t exist anymore b/c they want to be explicitly clear that Yue does in fact have agency in this version! The characterization of NWT culture was very confusing, as was Yue’s free spirit thing. The idea that Yue has “always done what she wanted” is so fucking busted b/c it complete robs her of her arc & comes into contradiction with the core value at Yue’s whole personality which is duty. If she was going to do what she wanted the whole time, what was the point of her time w Sokka?

And Yue physically preventing Sokka from stopping her weakens the scene. Yes, the emphasis is placed on Yue’s choice but it robs Sokka of his autonomy & undermines the strength of their relationship. When Yue freezes him, the subtext of that choice is that she doesn’t trust him nor does she see him as the kind of person who respects her decisions. Yes, OG Sokka protested, he loved her, and he genuinely internalized his duty to protect her, but if he truly prioritized his duty over her personhood, he definitely could have done a lot more to stop her. But when Yue lets go of his hand, he lets her. I think that’s a much more powerful choice & a much clearer display of their relationship.

For some reason, the decision was made to remove the unlearning sexism arc from new Sokka & the defense was that stuff was “iffy and outdated” but it’s like. The original Sokka went through something called a character arc. & even after Kyoshi Island, his baggage about being a warrior is undoubtedly tied into his relationship with patriarchy, no doubt, but that Sokka learned a lot & that’s part of why Yue likes him. The original Sokka would not have needed to be restrained, nor would the original Yue have ever felt compelled to do so. As much as Sokka blames himself for what happened, he respected Yue. And her sacrifice deserves more respect than this lip service girlboss moment. It’s both brave AND tragic. Yue’s sacrifice is multifaceted in that it’s both the ultimate fulfillment to her duty to others but also the ultimate and final expression of autonomy. And that is why it rules

[tulip-room]

To Have and To Hold- k. tetsuro || wc: 9k || warnings: hurt/comfort, parental problems, blind dates, fatphobia implied, chubby reader implied, fem reader, Kuroo is a sweetheart, outbursts, drinking, ignoring problems until you're unable to, marriage, miscommunication, pining, I promise it ends with them happy!!! I wrote this at like 2 am-6 am after being awake since 10, not proofread, if there are typos kindly avert your eyes, Kuroo is a nerd, Yn is a girlboss, fake dating, marriage of convenience until it's not, I think that's everything- || a/n: this is for @nekomasmngr !! I hope you like your secret santa lovely and that you had happy holidays <3 , also a thank you to @lale-txt for making the secret santa event to begin with <3

"I don’t want this to be pretend anymore.”

"I don’t think it’s been pretend for a long time.”

She remembers the night it was first thought up, the arrangement. “How about if…when we turn 30 we get married?” It had been a rainy night, the soft trickling of the rain trailing down the smooth glass of the window of the diner. Kuroo held a singular fry in his hand and waved it about before crunching down on it. “You know, it just makes sense.” She’s sure there were bits of mascara and eyeliner patched beneath her eye from the crying earlier. “You need to get your parents off your back by marrying someone and who better than your best friend?”

“Okay, you’re pushing it there with that best friend comment.” A smile makes its way onto her face and she attempts to hide it by using the heel of her hand to rest her face on. “I guess your statement has some validity,” she sees the smirk on his face grow. “I said some. Don’t get ahead of yourself, I haven’t agreed to anything yet.” He shakes his head and takes another fry from her plate as he leans himself on the table.

“You’re telling me there’s no way you would agree with me? Is the thought of marrying me so bad?” He teases her as he bites on the fry, this time there isn’t a crunch as he bites into the food. “Think about your parents, weigh the options.”

“You’re pushing this really hard Tetsu,” she rolls her eyes and slaps his hand away as he reaches for another fry. “Stop stealing my food you vulture!” He scrunches up his face and rubs at his hand where she hit him. “If I didn’t know any better I would think you wanted to get married.” She kicks his foot lightly with hers under the table, she misses the blush that begins to cover his face. He clears his throat and kicks her lightly back, quickly putting up a mask to make her unaware of his feelings. 

“Aww, you wound me,” he places a hand over his chest in faux pain. “It’s like you don’t want to marry me.”

“I guess it would be beneficial,” she finally gives in with a sigh. “But only if we’re both still single by then.” He smiles and quickly holds up another fry. He gestures the fry towards her and she grabs it from him and quickly eats it. “Your birthday is a few months after mine, do I just wait for you to turn 30?” Her face scrunches up and she sticks her tongue out. “Still don’t like fries.” 

“And I still do,” he takes the last fry that he’s slowly been munching on throughout the meal. “No, we’ll go based on your birthday. I figure it’ll take a couple of months for wedding preparations anyway.” He shrugs and takes the empty plate and sets it on top of his own as he pushes them to the end of the table for the server to collect. “So, Valentine’s Day?”

“I’m not getting married on Valentine’s Day.”

“March?”

“If we get engaged in November you think we’ll have everything all planned by March?” Kuroo rolls his eyes at that. 

“What date do you suggest then?”

“May, a spring wedding.” With a sigh he nods his head. 

“My allergies are going to be killing me.”

“A small price to pay for good photos.” She teases and brushes her foot against his. His hand twitches like he wants to reach across the table and hold her hand in his but he restrains himself. “I’ll be back soon,” as she says that the waiter comes by and asks how many checks. She doesn’t see Kuroo holding up one finger to the waiter as she says “two checks please.” The waiter nods and walks away. 

When she comes back she sees Kuroo tucking a receipt into his wallet and tucking it back into his black suit pants. “You didn’t,” his head turns toward the sound and he smiles as he stands up and hands her his jacket from the back of the chair. Hesitantly she allows the cloth to be wrapped around her body as they walk out into the chilly air of the outside. Kuroo had picked her up from work and now he opens the car door for her to sit inside. “Trying to butter me up already?” She asks with a soft smile, Kuroo jokingly nods and shuts the door with a click behind her. 

When they meet up again next New Year’s Eve it’s at a party that they managed to convince Kenma to host. Host may be a strong word for what he’s doing, but they’re grateful nonetheless to be able to use his home. She hadn’t expected the awkwardness to come between them as it had in the past year. More silences, less laughter, the prospect of marrying each other not bringing the level of comfort they thought it would. 

“Hey stranger,” she hears the call from over her shoulder and despite herself a smile grows on her face. With a roll of her eyes she turns and faces the man in question. “What are you doing out here all by yourself? Aren’t you cold?” He rubs his hands together at the sudden chill over leaving the warm home. She just hums in response and he leans against the railing of the balcony next to her. 

“It’s not that bad, just got to be too much in there ya know?” He takes a step closer to her and their shoulders brush together. “I think we got too in our heads about marrying each other.”

“Potentially.” He reminds but it doesn’t make her feel better. She clears her throat and nods. 

“Right, yes…potentially.” They sit in silence for a moment before both of them go to speak. “No you–”

“You can–” A fit of laughter passes between the two and she can feel her shoulders relax.

“We’re so stupid.”

“A little bit,” He smiles and hits her shoulder lightly with his. She turns to glare at him but can’t keep the smile on her face down. 

“I don’t feel like we’ve actually talked in a while…I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too Y/N, let’s talk now. We’ve got all the time in the world.” 

“I would like that.” She’s not sure how long they sit outside and talk about things they had missed. Too caught up with potentials instead of remembering their friendship comes first. They hear the counting down happening inside as it draws nearer and nearer to midnight. “Want to be my first kiss to draw in the New Year?”

“If I didn’t know any better I would say you were trying to win me over so I can’t do anything but marry you.”

“Come here.” She puts her arms around his neck and pulls his face closer to hers. “If you actually shut up every once in a while you wouldn’t need to fake a marriage with me.” 

“What does that mean?” His hands settle on her hips and his thumbs dip under the hem of her shirt and make small circles on her skin.

“Girls might like you more if you shut up. Idiot.”

“I’m not–” she cuts him off by gently kissing him. He thinks about how soft her lips are and how right his hands feel holding onto her. Just as soon as the contact was established it left, a fleeting touch he caught himself before he chased after. 

“Happy New Year Tetsuro.” 

“Happy New Year,” when he’s sure she’s gone he brings a hand up to his lips and his breath hitches. With a sigh his head drops down and he can feel the pain in his chest. “Stupid, stupid, stupid.” 

“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” she whispers to herself as she makes her way through the party. “Why did I do that?” She places a hand on her forehead and sighs deeply. She knocks on what she assumes is Kenma’s door and opens it slowly. “Can I come in?” She can see him nod his head and closes the door behind her as she makes her way over to the plus bed. “I did something stupid.”

“Usually,” she hits him lightly and he smiles at her as he turns to face her for a moment before returning to his game. “I assume you’re going to tell me, out with it come on.” 

“I kissed Kuroo.”

“Finally.” She looks at him a little confused by the statement before shaking her head.

“Finally?”

“Don’t worry about it. What caused this outburst?”

She grabs her arm and rubs it gently. “The clock hit midnight…”

“So it was a New Year’s kiss? Why are you so nervous then?” 

“Because we decided to get married if we were both single by my thirtieth birthday and it’s been awkward between us since we decided that and…and I think I messed up the friendship.” Her eyes close and she hears Kenma pause his game and feels the dip of the bed as he moves around to sit closer to her. 

“It will take more than a kiss at midnight to get rid of Kuroo.” She feels the weight of his hand on her shoulder and it’s a comforting presence. “You and Kuroo married huh? That would be a sight.”

“Yeah, I got tired of my parents…you know how they are.”

“Still trying to get you to go on blind dates?”

“Yeah. The most recent guy they tried to set me up with was a character. The entire time he talked about himself and how lucky I was that he agreed to go on the date with me.”

“What an asshat, you deserve better than that.”

“I know.” She smiles at him and he shakes his head.

“You deserve better than what you think of yourself, if you don’t find someone…Kuroo will be good for you I think.” He gives a tightlipped smile before turning back to his game. “You can stay here tonight, how much have you had to drink?”

“Just a few shots. It’s a party Kenma, I refuse to stay completely sober.” He rolls his eyes and allows her to lean against him. “Thank you.”

With a shiver Kuroo goes back inside, finally calmed down from the kiss they shared. He grabs his coat from the closet and waves goodbye to a few people he sees. Pulling out his phone he sends a goodnight message to Y/N before slipping away from the party and back to his own quiet home. He feels like he’s pitying himself as he steps over the threshold of his home and takes off his shoes and coat. His hands reaching up to finally undo his tie. He feels his puppy hop against his leg and with a smile he reaches down and picks up the small dog. “Hi buddy, why aren’t you asleep?” He coos at the small animal as he holds it in his arms. The dog wiggles in his arms and yips at him. “Oh stop that, I’m home now.” He carefully sets the puppy back on the floor and makes his way to the kitchen. 

As he opens his fridge for a snack he feels a buzzing in his pants. “This is Kuroo.” He answers without checking the caller ID. 

“I know,” he stands up straight as he hears her voice. “Did you get home safe?”

“Yeah…just got in.” He clears his throat and leans against the counter of his kitchen. 

“I’m glad.” There’s a few moments of silence before both try and talk again. “About earlier–”

“So about the kiss– sorry. You can go first.”

“We keep doing that.”

“Doing what?”

“Interrupting each other.”

“I guess we do.”

“Why did you leave so quickly?” He can hear the fan from her end of the call whir in the moments of silence before and after she speaks. 

“I needed to feed Mochi.” A lame excuse but he hopes she’s too drunk or tired to realize it.

“Next time don’t leave as quickly. It’s not as fun without you.” He puts more water and some extra food in Mochi’s bowl before he makes his way to his bedroom. He holds the phone between his shoulder and ear as he starts changing into pajamas and out of his work clothes. 

“Okay.” He’s not sure why he feels so melancholy about the night. Why it seems like there’s a weight in his chest and why his eyes sting. Clearing his throat again he takes a breath and closes his eyes. “Get some sleep, it’s late and we have work tomorrow.” He can hear soft snores on the other side of the phone and lets out a small laugh. He hangs up and lays on his bed, Mochi jumps on his chest with a yip and he smiles at the behavior. “Let’s get some sleep Mo.”

Three more years before their deal goes into effect. It’s a few months into the second year of five before the two are able to sit down and have a proper dinner together. Lunch in his office is more used as a break from the madness of work, he says he wants her in there because if someone else is in his office they leave him alone. That may be part of it but she suspects that’s not everything. It’s not mentioned as they sit in mostly silence. 

“I have another blind date today,” she says as she crunches on her salad. She sees Kuroo pause in his movements for a moment before going back to normal. “It’s some guy that’s the son of my parent’s boss or something.” She looks away from him and back to her food. His jaw clenches and he reaches to adjust his tie. 

“Are they just using you to further their own career?”

“I don’t think so. I think they’re grasping at any straws they can.” 

“We can move up our arrangement if you want,” he suggests.

“It’s okay, five years is a fair shot to try and actually find someone.”

“You sound like you just don’t want to marry me now. I’m hurt,” he jokes although there’s an underlying truth she doesn’t pick up on. She puts the lid back on the now empty plastic salad container and sets it off to the side as she reaches over to his mini fridge and pulls out a soda. 

“It’s not that, well. Okay, you wouldn’t be awful to marry. I suppose. At least in a technical sense–”

“Now you sound hopelessly in love.” He teases and puts his elbows on the table as he rests his head in his hands. 

“I’m not in love with anyone. That’s the problem Tetsu.” She sighs and feels the fizzle of soda go down her throat as she takes a sip. “I’ll keep you updated. Hey, maybe it’ll all work out and he’ll be a perfect gentleman.” She doesn’t want that. She wants him. She wants to marry him but she’s not sure if he really wants to marry her. If it’s all just convenience…just helping out a friend in need. 

He looks up to the clock and notices the shuffle of people going back to their desks. “I’ll come get you and give you an out if you need one,” he says as he watches her throw her food away and head towards the door. She’s facing the glass and if he were able to look closer he would see the look on her face as she replies.

“I know. Thanks, see you tomorrow Tetsu.” 

She gets off the train and looks around trying to find the restaurant her parents told her to go to. She feels ridiculous for how dressed up she is. With a sigh she finds the sign and starts walking towards it. She informs the hostess that she’s there for a date and tells them the last name and is led to the table. He..doesn’t look like an ogre. His hair is black and he’s tall when he stands up and shakes hands with her. He reminds her a little of Kuroo with the way his hair is parted. 

“So, how did your parents get you here?”

“I volunteered. Was curious why your parents were so desperate to get you married off. You’re a pretty girl at least.” What’s that supposed to mean? She bites her tongue and takes a drink of the wine the waiter comes over and asks about food. Before she even gets a chance to respond he opens and orders for her. “The lady will have a salad.” It’s just one date. You don’t have to go on another date with this…she hesitates to say man. 

She eats quickly and pays as little attention to him as possible, only nodding in the correct places and smiling politely. “Two checks please,” she says when the waiter comes back over and her date is in the bathroom. She pays and leaves before he gets back. There’s a feeling of relief when she’s finally away from him. Her mother calls not shortly after. 

“How was the date?”

“Awful. I’m not going on a date with him again,” she spits the words out as she heads towards the train station.

“Oh, it can’t have been that bad. Did you even try?” She tries to hold back the words she can feel creeping up her throat but can’t seem to find it in her before they spill past her lips.

“Yes. I did try mother. I try on every single date you guys want me to go on. I sit there and try to make conversation. I smile and nod and act interested in whatever they’re saying. I pay for my own food and make sure it’s nothing too messy or bad smelling in case there’s kissing. I try. It’s you two. You need to stay out of my dating life, I can’t do this. I’m trying to work my way up in my company. I’m trying to do so much and that requires late nights and working on weekends and it requires you not butting into my dating life.” She feels bad as soon as she’s done with her rant. She’s sure there’s mascara running down her face at this point as she feels hot tears rolling down her cheeks and her throat tightening. “I didn’t–”

“If that’s how you feel, maybe we’ll butt out of your life for good.” The line goes silent after the distinct sound of someone hanging up plays over the speakers. She can’t find it in herself to move further and sits down on a nearby park bench. Her hands dial the first number she can think of. She realizes who she’s called as soon as the ringing stops.

“I’m so sorry, you’re still at work aren’t you.”

“I was just about to leave, what’s wrong? Have you been crying? Don’t move, I'll come to you, share your location with me.” She nods her head and shares the location with Kuroo. “Stay on the phone with me. Take some deep breaths. You don’t have to tell me what happened, just focus on breathing okay?”

Her breath hitches as more tears fall from her eyes. “I tried Tetsu…I really tried.” She sobs over the phone. 

“I know you did baby, I know. Take a deep breath for me.” She inhales. “Hold it…okay slowly blow it out.” She follows his words and sniffles as more tears quietly fall from her eyes. “Keep breathing just like that, I’m five minutes away.” She continues breathing and enjoys Kuroo’s calming presence even if it’s only over the phone. She doesn’t notice when she hears a car door close and dress shoes slap against pavement furiously before a jacket is wrapped around her and Kuroo is sitting in front of her. “Come on love, let’s get you home.”

“I don’t want to go home.”

“We can go to my house, let’s just get you off the street.”

“I don’t think I can move. I feel like my body shut down.” She can feel herself shiver but she mostly feels numb. A coldness has swept over her form. 

“Put your arms around my neck.” She listens and lays her head on his chest as he lifts her up after a moment of collecting himself. “Let’s get you home.” The tears have stopped but still leave a trail on her face and on her heart. The drive to Kuroo’s home goes by quickly, probably because he speeds through a few red lights on the way and goes a little faster than he normally does. He takes quick looks at her from his seat and notices how…broken she looks. He helps her out of the car and up the stairs to his apartment and when Mochi tries to jump on her he lightly pushes the puppy away until she’s laying on his bed. The puppy jumps into her lap while Kuroo is finding clothes for her to change into. “Mochi!” He scolds but she shakes her head and smiles when the puppy licks her face.

“It’s okay,” her voice breaks in the middle of the sentence as she pulls Mochi closer to her and closes her eyes. 

“You can’t go to sleep yet pretty, we have to get your makeup off and change your clothes.” He helps her into the bathroom and allows her to carry Mochi all the same. She sits on the toilet as he pulls makeup remover wipes from his medicine cabinet. “Before you ask, no. I haven’t found anyone. You’ve ended up at my house so often after one too many drinks that I bought some so I didn’t have to keep using a harsh towel and water.” He rolls his eyes and begins gently removing her makeup.

“Thank you for coming to my rescue. Like you always do.”

“No problem Cinderella.” 

“Cinderella?” She peeks an eye open to look at him before he gives her a look and she closes it again. 

“You left at midnight after you kissed me at the party last year.” It gets a small laugh out of her and really that’s all he cares about. “So, Cinderella.”

“Okay, but you’re so far from Prince Charming.”

“What? I’m not dashing and charming?”

“More like an annoyance and a nerd.”

“You wound me princess.”

“Keep it to yourself.” She sniffles again and he throws the wipe away as he finishes cleaning the product from her face. “...really. Thank you for saving me again Tetsu.”

“Anytime Cinderella, your carriage will always be here even after midnight.”

“You’re not a carriage.”

“Oh? Am I Prince Charming finally?”

“No. You’re just not….you’re not just a carriage to me.” She sounds so sincere when she says it that Kuroo has to take a pause and smile for a moment. 

“Here’s some clothes, I’ll be outside when you’re done changing.” He sets the clothes on her lap and takes the squirming Mochi from her arms and sets him on the floor after he leaves the room and closes the door behind him. It takes her fifteen minutes to change, needing a moment to collect herself before facing him again. She takes a look in the mirror and pokes at the puffiness that’s under her eyes. Kuroo is sitting on the bed with reading glasses on and a book open when she leaves the bathroom. 

“Scoot over.” She prods at him when she draws closer to the bed. He complies and moves over and lifts the blankets up for her. “I got into a fight with my parents,” she says as she turns off the light and faces away from him. She can hear him set down the book and his glasses and feel the blankets rustle as he reaches over to tap her shoulder. 

“Can we face each other when you talk about it?” She takes a deep breath and turns over. He turns the light on the other table on and lays down to face her. “What happened?”

“The stupid blind date,” he rests his hand on her arm and soothingly rubs up and down with his thumb. “It was so bad. He ordered a salad for me…I like salads but I think it was the way he looked at me when he did it that really made it hurt. And then my mom called right after it was done and told me I wasn’t trying. She basically said that it was my fault. And then, like an idiot I went off on her and she said she doesn’t want to be in my life anymore if that’s how I feel.” She lets out a breath when she finishes and can feel the tears stinging behind her eyes again. She tries to blink them away. 

“I’m sorry, you didn’t deserve that. You are trying. I know that, you know that.”

“I know, I just wish my mom knew that. Or believed it I guess? I just…I feel bad. Maybe I didn’t try hard enough.”

“Don’t say that, you tried plenty hard enough. It’s not your fault the dude was a total asshat. I’ll find his address and we can egg his house.” She lets out a laugh and Kuroo smiles and leans his forehead against hers. “There’s that laugh.”

“Stop it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re doing that thing you always do when I’m sad. You try to make me feel better by making me laugh and don’t let me feel sorry for myself.”

“Oh no! How dare I try and make you feel better when you’re sad.” He mocks in a lighthearted manner and flicks her forehead gently. “Get out of that beautiful mind of yours. You didn’t do anything wrong Y/N. Your parents will come around, you don’t have anything to apologize for.”

“That may not exactly be true.” He gives her a look. “I know, I’m just..I think both of us need to apologize or we won’t get anywhere.”

“I think you need some time apart before that happens, give it time for both of your feelings to calm down a little bit.” 

“Okay. This was nice, thank you for taking me to your house.”

“My home is your home.” You are my home. He almost says but manages to stop himself and instead tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and turns over to flick the light off. “Goodnight Y/N, we can try and make things better at a later date. For now, just get some rest.”

“Will you hold me?” The request is quiet and it’s almost lost amongst the rustling of the sheets and the sound of the fan spinning. 

“Of course.” She feels an arm wrap around her and she can feel tears well up again. It’s been so long since she’s been held this safely. It’s been so long since someone has held her like she’s precious. Like they don’t want to lose her. “You don’t have to dull yourself down for people to like you, I like you just the way you are…if it counts.”

“It does.” 

She avoids the problem of her parents, thumb hovering over the call button for weeks but never pressing it. Kuroo tries to get her to talk about it but isn’t able to get a word out of her so he drops it the second week in. When it’s been a few months of not talking to her parents she gives in after drinking with some of her friends. 

“Oh? So now you–” her mother answers.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t want you to butt out of my life. I need you, I’m sorry that I said those things to you.” She rushes out and stutters through the words. “I’m so sorry, I need my mom.” 

“It’s okay baby,” her mother hushes out. “I’m sorry. It’s okay. You’re doing your best.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t cry baby, we were pressuring you too much. It’s okay baby, don’t cry.” Her mother tries to soothe her over the phone. “We know you’re trying, I shouldn’t have gotten so mad at you, you’re doing a good job baby.”

“I’m sorry,” she says one final time as she wipes away her tears. “Can I have my mom back?”

“Oh baby, you didn’t lose me. I’m always going to be here. I’m always here if you need me.”

“I always need you.”

“Then I’ll always be here.” Her mom responds and it makes her cry harder. “Don’t cry baby, I’m here. Mom is here.” 

They stay on the phone with Y/N crying and her mother trying to soothe her cries. When her cries end her mom stays on the phone. They don’t say anything for a long time after that. “I’m sorry mom,” she finally breaks the silence.

“It’s okay, I’m sorry for being so harsh on you. No more blind dates.”

“No, it’s okay. I can do it.” She realizes she’s shaking now and clenches her hand into a fist as she tries to control her emotions. “It’s really okay mom, just give me a little bit and I can go on more dates.”

“If you’re sure.” When she gets off the phone with her mom the first person she calls is Kuroo. She’s still sniffling when he picks up the phone and she has to take a few moments to talk him down from his panic.

“Tetsu, I’m fine. I promise, I’m really okay. I just wanted to tell you I made up with my mom.”

“I’m glad you won’t be stressed over it anymore. Why don’t I take you to dinner to celebrate, count it as an early birthday dinner.”

“I would like that.”

“Still having your party in a few weeks?”

“Yeah…I think I am. I think I’ll be okay.”

The party goes well and the year wraps up with the (becoming) annual party at Kenma’s house. Kuroo doesn’t mention it when she leans in to kiss him again before pulling away and asking if they can go home. He doesn’t mention how she refers to his home instead of her own, or that she thinks of his home as her home too. The next year passes by in a haze of blind dates and numbness. The joy she feels comes when she spends time with her friends and Kuroo. Work becomes more boring than usual and the onslaught of blind dates set up by her parents keep coming. 

“You don’t have to keep going on those if you don’t want to.” Kuroo tells her as he zips her dress up. It’s her 29th birthday and she didn’t want to get ready alone this year. She’s dressed in a mid length pastel dress and Kuroo is in a tailored white suit with a shirt and tie matching the color on her dress. She tries not to picture if she’ll see him in a white suit again for their wedding. Tries not to think about the wedding, there’s still a year before it happens. He could find someone. She’s since given up on finding anyone who compares to him and silently hopes that he’s done the same. 

“I know, I said I would though.”

“Okay.” He knows he’s fighting a losing battle and pats her shoulder as she applies lipstick. He straightens his tie, a habit she’s noticed he does when he’s anxious or upset about something. He leaves the room before she can question him and she doesn’t see him for most of the night. She spots him in the corner talking up a blonde and internally cringes, some emotion must make its way onto her face since Kenma calls her out. 

“Is it because of that blonde?” Her head whips around to Kenma who fidgets with his hands, his gaming system gone and put away as it usually is at her birthday party. “Don’t think anything of it, they don’t stay for long.” They? “I know what you’re thinking, it’s nothing serious. He’s just buying time.” Buying time for what? She doesn’t get an answer as the aforementioned person walks over to them. Kenma takes it as his que to leave with a quick goodbye to Kuroo.

“Can I give you your gift now?”

“Of course.” He smiles brightly and gabs her hand, he pulls her away from the festivities and outside the bar. He reaches into his coat pocket and hands a packet to her before going back in and coming back with a small box. “Sorry, I didn’t have time to wrap it before I left.” The wood of the box is nice, a mahogany. It feels smooth and cool in her hand. There’s a metal lock on it plated with a goldish color; she's unsure if it’s from rust as the box looks older. 

She reads the front page of the small booklet she was handed; ‘29 things that remind me of you’. Oh. This is going to make her cry. She opens to the first page after handing the box back to Kuroo. He takes the luxury of flipping the lid open and showing her the contents of the box. “Strawberries,” she begins reading out loud. She picks up a strawberry pendant from the box after scanning it for a few seconds. “Strawberries remind me of you because the first time we met you had a bag of strawberries in your lunch and it stained your lips and hands red. If it weren’t for the strawberries you wouldn’t have asked me if I had a wet wipe and I never would have met you.” She feels tears well in her eyes as she continues reading through the list of things and seeing the corresponding objects. “Thank you Kuroo, this is…I have no words. You’ve made me speechless.”

“It’s nothing, really.”

“Just you wait for your birthday. I’m going to make you cry just you wait.”

“Planning on breaking my heart or something?”

“You know what I mean you absolute loser.”

“Whatever you say Cinderella.” The night comes to a close shortly after. She eats cake and wishes everyone a goodbye after touching up her makeup. She likes that her birthday is just an excuse to see all of her friends. That’s her favorite part, not the presents, but the people.

True to her word when Kuroo’s birthday rolls around she makes him cry with an equally sentimental gift. It’s not as extravagant as his was but it still warmed his heart and made tears fall from his eyes. After everyone else has left and it's just the two of them cleaning up after the party that’s when they’re most at peace. “I bought the ring.”

“So sure I’ll still be single?”

“Sure that me and you are endgame.”

“Better stop talking like that or I’ll think you’re in love with me.”

“Don’t be silly, it just makes the most sense for it to be me and you.”

“Alright loverboy.”

“Still not Prince Charming?”

“Not until I’m at the altar with you.”

“Now who’s getting ahead of themselves?”

“Oh shut up.” She hits him lightly with the trash bag she’s carrying. When Christmas rolls around she tells him that she’s cashing in on the deal early. “I don’t feel like going on another blind date. I think I’ve dated everyone that my parents can possibly find.”

“Don’t say that now. There’s always the next city over.”

“I’m done. We’re going to start fake dating now. It makes sense to do it this way anyways. If we’re fake dating when we get engaged it won’t look as odd.”

“Whatever you say Cinderella.”

“Damn right it is loverboy.” 

Not much changes when they start dating. Fake dating she reminds herself, it isn’t real and she shouldn’t expect it to be. They still eat their lunch together in his office and she still winds up at his house at least once a week, he still calls her pet names and she still calls him ‘loverboy’, their friends don’t seem surprised by the revelation. Everything…everything feels like it’s supposed to be like this. 

Kuroo proposes two months before her 30th birthday. It’s a small gathering with her parents and their closest friends. She can’t fake the pure joy she got at him getting down on one knee. At some point they had stopped posting every time they went out. There wasn’t a need to. Everyone knew they were dating, they didn’t have to prove it. At least not so obviously. Kuroo’s hand had found a favorite place on the small of her back or his arm was wrapped around her shoulders. She enjoyed holding his hand, enjoyed the difference between them and how warm his hands always were compared to her. 

Tears stream from her eyes as she jumps in excitement. She can’t stop herself from throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him up into a kiss. “I will marry you Kuroo Tetsuro. I will marry you on every planet and in every universe.” She hopes he thinks she’s just showing off in front of their friends and family and doesn’t think about the tears in his own eyes. How he squeezes her tighter and leans down to kiss her again. After the clapping stops he pulls away and she chases after his lips for a moment before blinking and composing herself. She needs to get used to short kisses. She won’t have this forever. This isn’t really hers. He slides the ring on her finger and she wonders for a moment if he’s thinking of her as she is or if he’s picturing some dream girl. 

Her mother tries to rush her into wedding planning but manages to keep it away for a month before her mother can’t take it anymore. She finds herself dragged from cake shop to cake shop, venue to venue, and Kuroo is with her through every moment of it. Like he’s always been. He’s always been there and she’s sure that he’ll continue to be there for her through everything. She selfishly hopes that it will be for the rest of their lives but can’t bring herself to say the words. 

“I’ve been thinking and I think we should move in together,” she says one morning as she sits at Kuroo’s kitchen island. She’s confiscated one of his t-shirts and he looks at her over his shoulder as he makes breakfast for the two of them. She sips on her coffee and hums lightly. 

“Oh yeah?” She can feel him about to tease her and sighs. 

“What now?”

“Oh nothing, nothing.”

“Kuroo Tetsuro.”

“Yes?” He smiles at her before turning back to the pan that’s sizzling on the stove. “It’s just, aren't you already moved in? Half of my closet space is cleared out for you and most of your clothes are here. We go to work almost every day together because you end up sleeping here most nights. Your makeup is in my bathroom and your favorite drinks are in my fridge. Your family photos are hanging up in my living room.” His explanation makes her pause. She hadn’t even realized that had happened, when exactly did his bed get new sheets on them? When did her clothes cover more than half of his closet?

“Well…when you put it like that. Okay but like officially. Let’s move in officially.”

“Whatever you want, Cinderella.” He places a plate of food in front of her and takes a drink of his own coffee as he eats some bacon from the plate between them. “We can do it today if you want, when’s your lease up?”

“Next month.”

“Okay, so we can start moving you out today and come next month everything will be all settled and you won’t have to do one big move. Well, I don’t think it’ll be that big to begin with. You've taken over most of my house anyway.” She scrunches up her face and punches him in the arm. He rubs at it in fake hurt and frowns. “How hurtful.”

“I didn’t hit you that hard you big baby.” She rolls her eyes and gets up to put her cup in the sink. Is this what life will be like for the next however long they keep up this ruse? Breakfast together and sleeping in his shirts? Quiet banter in the morning and soft talking at night. She chooses to ignore it. Reminding herself that it’s not real. She doesn’t get to have this forever. “Let’s get ready.”

As it gets closer to the end of the next month her apartment becomes less like home and more like a place she used to know. There’s a sadness that comes with moving, a sadness in leaving somewhere behind that you used to start and end your everyday life. “You okay? Gonna run away when it strikes midnight?” There’s a calming and grounding weight on her shoulder as Kuroo places his hand there. She can feel the warmth radiating from his body and to hers. She nods and lets out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

“It’s just an odd feeling. Moving.” Kuroo nods in understanding but doesn’t interrupt her. “I used to come here, this used to be home. A way to escape from the horrors of the world and now it’s just an empty apartment. It’s not home. Home is somewhere else now. I think I’m just too sentimental.” She shakes her head and crosses her arms over her body. 

“I like that you’re sentimental. You don’t have to feel guilty for enjoying having a home. You don’t have to feel guilty about leaving someone or something behind either, it’s okay to feel sad.”

“I’m not guilty. Why would I be guilty?” 

“Really? You’re not guilty? You feel like you’re abandoning a part of yourself that you’re not ready to leave yet. It’s safe in this apartment, my home is also safe but you won’t have this place to come back to. You’re leaving it behind when it’s been the place that’s kept you safe for years. Moving is scary.”

“Okay, so maybe I’m scared and feel guilty.”

“You don’t have to be, I’m going to be here with you even if you try to chase me off by trying to light me on fire or something.” She lets out a laugh at the extremes he went to for the example but knowing that he’s always going to be here relaxes her in a way she didn’t think was entirely possible. “Let’s go home.” And this time, she doesn’t have a crisis about what home means. Home means him. 

They’re in a familiar situation, Kuroo zipping up her dress while she applies her lipstick. There’s a ring on her finger this time, glinting in the light and serving as a reminder for what the world will think they mean to each other. His knuckles brush over the skin of her back and the touch leaves goosebumps in its wake. “You look stunning.” She can’t help the smile that creeps onto her face.

“Save it loverboy.” She makes eye contact with him in the mirror and watches as his hand drops from where it was previously holding the zipper. He pauses for a moment before reaching towards the straps of her dress and grabbing the long pieces of fabric. “You look nice too,” she hears his breath hitch as he ties the strips of fabric into a bow. With gentle and careful movements he brushes her hair to the side and leans down, she sees it before she feels his breath on her skin. A few moments later he presses his lips against her shoulder blade before pulling away and standing straight up.  

“You look very nice,” he says quietly as he exits the room. She can still feel the ghost of his touch as her eyes are still locked on to where he was mere seconds ago. It’s a knock on the door that breaks her from the spell she was under. She does a once over of her outfit and makeup before opening the door.

“I’m so proud of you,” her mother says and pulls her into a hug. “You found love, that’s all I wanted for you.” It feels like a participation award. Here’s a trophy for showing up and trying the thing. You didn’t win but no one else did either. Love is supposed to make you feel like you’ve won. She should feel like she’s won. She should be ecstatic. 

She got with a guy she’s been crushing on for almost a decade. Can crush be applicable in this situation anymore? Is it love? Does she love Kuroo Tetsuro? She wonders briefly how impossible it would be not to fall in love with him. His banter and quiet words, his hands on her shoulder and back, his calming presence when she’s nervous. He’s home, he’s love. To her he is the love that people write songs and stories about. 

“Have you picked a date for the wedding?” 

“What?” 

“Have you picked a date for the wedding? Or colors? You need to reserve a venue soon too!” Her mother continues rattling off all the things she does and she smiles and nods her head.

“We haven’t had time to really sit down yet. We’ll do it soon. I think we’re doing a spring wedding.” 

“Oh springs no good with my allergies.”

“It’s my wedding.”

“You don’t want your guests to be sniffling and sneezing when you’re trying to get photos.” 

“Can we talk about this later?” She tries to keep her composure and walks out of the room. She sees a familiar head of hair and smiles. 

“I remember when I first saw a photo of me looking at your father. I had the same lovestruck look that you have now. Do you love him?”

“Yes, I love him with everything I have and more,” she says without thinking. She can’t see the small smile her mother’s face before she makes her way over to her fiancé. “Tetsu.” Her hand wraps in his and she sees the initial jump he makes before relaxing.

“Hi Love,” he turns his head and kisses the crown on her head. She smiles and leans into his touch happily. She squeezes his hand and wonders why this still happens when they’re alone. Why he’s still so sweet. 

“He says love like it’s your name,” she hears the eye roll from Kenma and sticks her tongue out at him. “Happy birthday Y/N, see you for New Years.” Kenma walks away and she can see him exiting the building. 

“Happy Birthday, I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” 

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” she bumps his hip with hers gently. 

Despite the complaints of her mother they hold the wedding in spring. The weather decides to be nice for the day, the flowers are in full bloom and there’s a gentle breeze that flows through her train and lifts it in the wind. There’s bright smiles on both of their faces and she swears she can see tears rolling down his face as she walks down the aisle towards him. 

“You look stunning. A breath of fresh air—“

“Okay Prince Charming. Let’s get on with it.” She jokes but grabs his hands. She wishes for this to last forever. Maybe for today it can. Today can last forever in her memories. “I Y/N L/N take you Tetsuro Kuroo to be my husband, to have and hold, through sickness and in health, for better or worse, for as long as we both shall live. With this ring I thee wed.” She slides the ring on his finger.

“I Tetsuro Kuroo take you Y/N L/N to be my loving wife, to have and to hold, through sickness and in health, for better or worse, for as long as we both shall live. With this ring I thee wed.” He slides the ring on her finger and looks towards the officiant.

“You may now kiss the bride.” He wraps his arms around her waist and dips her lightly as he pulls her lips against his. It still feels as warm as the first time they kissed all those years ago on New Year’s Eve. It still feels like safety, it still feels like love. 

She finds herself ignoring her mother for the remainder of the day. Skipping over her table before Kuroo holds her hand and makes her say hi. After a quick once over it’s clear to see her mother isn’t pleased with the wedding and she doesn’t want to deal with it today of all days. With a look towards Kuroo he smiles and nods and walks away hand in hand with her. 

“And now it’s time for the father daughter dance.” The announcer says through the microphone. Y/N watches her father get up and make his way over to her. There’s a glint of love in his eyes and a wide smile on his face, she wraps her arms around his neck and lays her head on his chest.

“I couldn’t be more proud of you sweetheart. You look radiant.” She can feel the vibrations of his chest as they start slowly swaying from side to side. “If he doesn’t treat you right I’ll take care of it.”

“I know. You don’t have to worry about that. He’s pretty alright, I guess.” She jokes with her father.

“Pretty alright is okay I guess,” he shrugs although there’s wide smiles on both of their faces. He leans down and kisses her forehead when the song ends and makes his way back to his seat after handing her off to Kuroo. 

“And now for the couple’s first dance!”

There’s a spotlight that drops on them and it’s like the world disappears when Kuroo spins her. “Were you and your dad shit talking me?”

“Something like that,” she scrunches her face and attempts to spin him around like he spun her. 

“Are you ready to be stuck with me forever?”

“Till death do us part.”

“Nah, not even death can keep us apart. You should know that by now.”

“I think I’m okay with that.” 

When they cut the cake Kuroo takes a dollop of frosting and places it on her nose. When she gives him a look he reaches over with a napkin and gently wipes it off. She puts a swipe on his cheek with a small laugh. They cut cake for everyone without any more messes occurring and despite a few people getting drunk out of their minds (Bokuto, Atsumu, Komori, to name a few) the night went well. 

When they return to work a few weeks later she receives a promotion. They still find a way to have lunches in Kuroo’s office but he votes for moving them to her corner office. “Come on big shot! Let’s eat lunch with light streaming through the windows.” He leans against the doorframe as she sits at her desk and types away. 

“Using me for my natural lighting?”

“Yes,  now make room.” He sets the lunches in the table and slides hers across to her. “I can’t believe we were both gone and you managed to get a promotion.”

“And why is that so surprising?”

“It’s not. It’s just, I’m proud of you.”

“Mhm, smart choice.” 

Married life isn’t much different from engaged life. Her name didn’t change. The only difference in the last five years that’s been made is the ring on her finger and how much happier she’s become. She comes home with him every day and leaves with him every morning. She falls asleep in his arms and wakes up with him in hers. On weekends she wakes up to the smell of pancakes and bacon, one of the few things she found out Kuroo can cook. 

Their first year of being married draws closer to the end and she can’t help but wonder when the other shoe will drop. They’ve barely spent time together outside of eating lunch, although they still manage to do work during that time. She wanted to host a banquet with the volleyball pros and Kuroo is helping, there to offer his support like always. When they get home they’re so tired that they just curl up in bed after feeding Mochi. She misses him being a puppy, there’s something to be said. Poetic words about how time needs to change, someone else will come up with them. Her head pounds as she ends another phone call with a food vendor telling her it’s too late notice. 

“Why not ask Miyam?”

“Hm?”

“Osamu?”

“I forgot he was an option honestly. This week has gone by in such a haze that I just can’t wait for it to be over.” Kuroo nods in agreement and calls up the Onigiri owner.

“He agreed.” She breathes out a sigh of relief and slouches in her chair. “Let’s go home, it’s late already.” He helps her up and clicks her heels back into place as they head out of the building. 

Finally, everything she’s been waiting for. Her idea comes together. The music pulled through and Miya made a nice buffet, her decorations live out the vision. “Can I have this dance?” She nods and allowed Kuroo to whisk her away. 

“Is this?” The familiar tune fills the room around her and even with the chatter of the other occupants is still recognizable. 

“Yes. Yes, it is.” 

“You cheesy boy.”

“Guilty.”

Her head is against his chest and his arms are seated nicely around his waist. “I don’t want to be in a pretend marriage anymore.”

“I don’t think it’s been pretend for a long time.” He smiles and pulls her impossibly closer to him. “Everything I’ve felt and done has been real. I guess I just needed an excuse.”

“I guess I needed one too. I love you Tetsu.”

“And I love you Cinderella.” Despite the challenges ahead of them and ones they’ve faced in the past they fell in love. She doesn’t run away this time when they kiss at midnight, she stays with him and her carriage doesn’t turn back to a pumpkin and her dress doesn’t go back to rags. This time, she’s exactly where she needs to be. With the goofy boy she fell in love with and the silly girl he fell in love with. They’re home.

gen taglist (fill out this form to be added) @cheriisae @hatsukeii @hiraethwa

[spoonfulofmilo]

Could you do fic for Bono from Merc with wife photographer!reader? She surprised him at the race because he thought that she would not be back due to something work related. Maybe a little surprise for them. You decide what it was. Fluff and cute. Thanks!! :))

finally out of a writing block and back to writing, enjoy this :)

my masterlist can be accessed here

Please keep requesting - y'all have awesome ideas we agree on a lot of stuff :) - my guidelines are here, and if you want some prompts, they are here.

also feel free to come in and start chatting to me in my asks, would love to get to know y'all better

and if you want to be added to my taglist lmk :)

peter 'bono' bonnington x wife!photographer!reader

“I’m sorry Darling, I wish the timing was better, but I need to be there.” Y/N sighed, trying to look as guilty as she could

“Hey, hey it’s okay, shit happens y’know.” He smiled, pulling her into a hug and rubbing her back.

“It’ll make it even better when I come home.” He grinned, before pulling his suitcase and his backpack out the door to the car that was waiting.

Y/N grimaced, she hated lying to her husband, but she hoped it would be worth it for the surprise.

---

“C’mon Susie! We’re gonna be late.” Y/N turned around, comfy in her sweats and eager to get on the plane to get to the race. Susie was also surprising her husband this weekend, and had agreed to help Y/N with her plan.

“Y/N, the plane will still land at the same time regardless of whether we run down the bridge or walk.” Susie followed behind, wearing the same sweatpants but somehow looking as much of a girlboss as she always did.

“Yes but, okay leave me alone, I’m excited.” Y/N couldn’t stop the smile breaking out on her face.

“Wait for me!!” Susie jogged after Y/N, laughing at her friend's antics.

---

“Hey Bono, where’s the wife this weekend?” one of the Mercedes mechanics got up from where he’d been working on the car and clapped Bono on the shoulder.

“Couldn’t make it, had something pre booked that she couldn’t avoid.” Bono grimaced slightly, focusing on the data on his laptop. He didn’t want to think about it.

“Aww bummer, well, would love to see her at some point, and the missus wants her to come round, both of you, for dinner or something.” the mechanic pointed his spanner at Bono before bending down back under the car.

“Well when I next see her I’ll get her to message Natalia, okay?” Bono was distracted as he picked up his phone, before pausing at the lock screen.

It was a photo of Y/N and Pete, on their wedding day. Due to lockdowns they hadn’t had the opportunity to have a proper wedding but they had dressed up nicely for the courthouse to sign all the documents. And they’d taken a timed photo outside to make it feel slightly romantic. It was both of their lockscreens and brought up many good memories, with a tinge of sadness due to the fact that they couldn’t celebrate it with their friends.

---

Susie and Y/N subtly entered the paddock. Due to the fact that qualifying was underway, the paddock was almost abandoned as everyone was focused. They took the opportunity to grab a quick coffee from the hospitality, swearing the staff to secrecy as they settled down in a booth, watching the qualifying.

The qualifying ended, with George in 5th but Lewis on pole. Y/N smiled at her husband being spotted, celebrating and hugging Toto.

“God, they’re both gonna be so excited.”

Toto and Jack quickly left the garage, and Susie prepared to see her husband and son, laughing when they came in.

“Hello Toto. Hello Jack.”

“Y/N!” Jack quickly bypassed his mother, instead running towards Y/N, laughing as she scooped him up in a hug.

“Hello Jack!”

“Bono said you weren’t coming this weekend.”

“I know, but it’s a secret, can you keep a secret for me Jack? Just until I find Bono and then I can tell him, and you don’t have to keep that secret anymore.”

“Oh, like…” Jack leaned down and whispered something in Y/N’s ear, which caused her to laugh

“Yes Jack. Just like that.”

---

“Darling? What are you doing here? I thought you couldn’t make it this weekend.” Bono almost spun himself out of his chair as he spotted his wife walking into the garage, chatting lightly with Lewis with her camera in her hand.

“Well I wasn’t about to miss a race weekend, besides, the shoot finished early, here come look at the photos.” Y/N beckoned to him as she set the camera on the desk and started clicking to find her photos.

“So these are the photos I shot, if you want to have a look.” Y/N beckoned to the camera, before taking a step back and awkwardly hovering next to him, looking nervously around the garage.

Bono scrolled through the photos on the camera, stopping when he got to a photo of his wife.

“Oh darling, I didn't know you were doing modelling for this job too.”

“Mmm, yeah,” Y/N looked at the rest of the garage, who were acting like they were still trying to work, while subtly listening in on the conversation.

“Wait darling, what’s this?”

Y/N turned to look at the photo he was pointing at which had her holding a sign with the words ‘wedding part 2?’

“Well I felt bad about all your friends and family and coworkers missing the wedding because of COVID, so I may have started planning a vow renewal so they can see us get married.”

“Darling…i- this is one of the best things you could’ve given to me.”

“Of course!”

---

taglist: @leosxrealm, @pear-1206, @tallrock35, @wolf-knights, @janeholt3

[shalomniscient]

sev, i have so many ideas as you know but consider a shalom and kafka threesome 😌

they're both teasing you so much. tying you up, making you beg for them to touch you, beg to cum, then beg for them to stop because it's too much :((

lots of praise/degradation mixed. lipstick marks and nail indentations all over you once they're done.

aris i think this is the most gaslighting gatekeeping girlbossing 3some duo i’ve ever seen. i’m so into it— [more nsft utc—]

it’s literally going to be just. edging the whole way through. between the two of them i think shalom is the one doing the edging, her touch feather-light and voice soft and crooning as she toys with your slick cunt and stiff nipples, using her thumb to tap on your puffy clit before dragging it down your folds and teasing at your wetness. the whole while you strain and squirm against kafka’s ropes as she watches from a nearby armchair, lazily resting her chin on her palm, an amused smirk on her lips.

shalom would strip her skirt and panties and then climb over you to sit on your face. she coos at you and says she’ll maybe let you cum if you make her feel good, and you really need to cum, don’t you? and oh, how shalom loves the way you devour her like a woman starved, the messy sounds of your lips on her pussy ringing in the room. she also adores the way your hips jump and you moan right into her cunt when she leans back and slips two slender fingers into yours, pumping slowly but masterfully, her fingertips brushing your g-spot with each curl. when you finally make her cum into your mouth you’re nearly delirious from every orgasm shalom dangled in front of you that you can barely process the way her thighs squeeze your head and her hips jerk as she rides your face, bumping her clit on your nose until her high mellows out. you nearly sob when she withdraws her fingers, pruny from how long she’s kept them in your aching cunt—but then kafka is helping shalom off your face, and you’re going to have something completely different to cry about once she gets started with you.

because kafka doesn’t hold back at all. as soon as she settles between your trembling legs she’s hilting her pretty maroon strap all the way inside you in one go. it makes you scream, back arching off the bed as you cum from it alone. kafka snickers as she starts to fuck you through your orgasm and even afterwards, forcing you through another and another and another. you’re kicking out and writhing on the bed, entire body feeling like a live wire as kafka makes you cum and squirt on her strap over and over again. her thumb works your clit harshly until you’re truly, genuinely crying from overstimulation, fat tears running down your pretty cheeks.

shalom will step back in then, gently wiping the tears from your eyes and checking in to see if you’re okay to keep going. and despite what you say, you don’t say the safeword (stellaron), and so she smiles gently and kisses your forehead, then turns to kafka, a wicked gleam in her eye and says “go harder.”

kafka, of course, is all too happy to oblige. she loosens the strings on your ankles so she can hoist your hips up and fold you into a mating press, forcing her cock deeper into you. you’re so fucked out at this point you can’t even scream, just having your mouth hang open while your eyes roll all the way back into your head, leaving only the whites visible. only slurred babbles leave your lips about how it’s too much and can’t cum anymore… but kafka isn’t about to let that stop her.

no, she’ll make you listen and make you cum as many fucking times as she wants.

[the-golden-comet]

✨🧞‍♂️Confession Tag 🧞‍♂️✨

Thank you for tagging me here, @willtheweaver and here @theink-stainedfolk !

Rules: For this tag game, share a confession scene—it can be about anything!

Have y’all seen Ali’s confession in YWIMC yet? No? It’s intense 👀🧞‍♂️✨

“I’m sorry….” Noah’s voice wavered.

“….No, Noah. I’m sorry.” Ali shook his head, slowly and mechanically. “I wasn’t there when you needed me. I couldn’t be there when you called out for help. I was so fucking afraid of what Allah would do to me for loving you, that I pushed you away….” His breath hitched, yet his tears landed on Noah’s cheeks. “….But Allah could smite me down indefinitely; I’m not running away anymore—!!”

“Ali—?!”

“—I LOVE you, Noah!!” Ali yelled gutturally down to the shellshocked Cauldwell. “I love you! I love you so strongly that it hurts to see you suffer. I love you more than my heart can carry. I love you more than a friend, or a brother. I LOVE you so much that I can’t stand it, Noah!!”

Cauldwell was shaking at the intensity of Ali’s confession. The genie continued, his grip over Noah’s wrists tightening to emphasize each word: “I don’t CARE if I’m not supposed to. I don’t care if it’s a sin, or against Allah. I don’t care if I’m cursed to eternal damnation for this because my curse is already my hell.” That last sentence came from a place of spite. “I prayed to Allah and was met with silence. I will not stand SILENT anymore!!”

“A-Ali…!!” Noah’s voice caught in his throat.

Hoooooo boy. Gonna let this one marinate for a bit. Leaving this tag +open and also gently prodding my tag list if they wish to join ✨

✨👇Tag list for writing snippets below. DM me if you would like to be added 👇✨

Tag List for writing tidbits (lmk if you want + or -)

@clevah-girlboss , @glasshouses-and-stones , @dyrewrites , @honeybewrites , @paeliae-occasionally , @lychhiker-writes , @kaylinalexanderbooks , @katenewmanwrites , @fantasy-things-and-such , @billybatsonmylove , @madi-konrad , @far-cry-from-finality , @fractured-shield , @avaseofpeonies , @topazadine , @thecoolerlucky , @somethingclevermahogony , @noxxytocin , @addicted2coke-theothercoke , @mysticstarlightduck , @ominous-feychild , @saturnine-saturneight , @moltenwrites , @pixies-love-envy , @davycoquette , @writeahurricane , @nczaversnick , @greenfinchwriter , @oliolioxenfreewrites , @lavender-gloom , @aintgonnatakethis , @thecomfywriter , @pluppsauthor , @michellekarnold , @flurrysahin , @authorcoledipalo , @jadeglas , @spookyceph , @48lexr , @inseasofgreen , @saebasanart , @leatafandom , @just-emis-blog , @aalinaaaaaa , @badscientist , @dearunreliablenarrator , @worlds-tallest-fairy , @swordslord